Happy Where I Am
19 Feb 2010 2 Comments
Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about where I am in my life and what I have done. It is so easy to think that there has to be something better I could be doing or a better place I could be. Just while watching the Olympics and seeing these amazing athletes and how all they do is practice and enjoy their profession or seeing how so many people I know are in different countries bringing the love of Christ to lost people tends to make me feel like my life is boring or insignificant. When I really think about it, share my thoughts with God, I see how amazing my life is and has been. Sure it’s had it’s ups and down’s but I am sure the professional snow boarders have days they wished never happened. I am a wife and mother to the most amazing family a woman could ask for. Not a day goes by when something interesting doesn’t come out of someones mouth. They make me laugh, they love me, they support me. I have the best “job” in the world. If you can even call it that. I get to watch teenagers lives be transformed. I get to see them grow in who they are. I get to see the way God directs their lives and encourage them to never give up on their dreams. I am a coach, a support system, a sounding board, a cheerleader (although I promised myself I would never be one!) I may not go to different countries, I may not be on television doing amazing things, I may never even really be noticed or recognized. I am okay with that. I am exactly where God wants me doing exactly what He wants me to do. There is no better place I would rather be. So I encourage those who feel down or critical of the place you are in to really take a look at what God is doing in and through you where you are. Run with it, never look back and live life with no regrets!
Book Review
31 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
So I have made a commitment to read a book a week. So for the last 2 weeks I have been busy reading. The two books I have chosen to start with is Crazy Love by Francis Chan (everyone has highly recommended it, evidently it’s better than toilet paper). I just finished up Confessions of a Not so Supermodel by Brooklyn Lindsey (a ministry book for teen girls). So here are my two cents on these first two books of my new adventure.
Francis Chan has the ability to capture an audience when he speaks and did the same in this book. I really enjoyed his out look on the way we love, and are loved. One example of how we view eternity and the love of God really captured my thoughts and I haven’t been able to shake it. We all have the freedom to choose between heaven and hell and of course when looking at all the perks of heaven the streets of gold, the eternal happiness, no sickness, mansions, peace, joy, you name it, that’s what you would choose. But the real question is, if you could have all that, but God was not there, would you still want to be there for all eternity. His question is, if you can have all the glory of heaven, but no God, would you want it? We tend to focus on all the glory and beauty of the promises of heaven but loose site of the true reason we would want to be there. There are tons of thought provoking things throughout this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for some extra insight on the wonder of this crazy love our Savior has for us.
I am in the thought process of working out a possible ministry for youth pastors wives and women leaders in youth ministry. I have learned over the past 12 years in youth ministry a lot and have found that having the support of others is a huge asset. There seems to be all kinds of resources and support for pastors and not a whole lot (at least in my area) for the wives and women in ministry. There are so many things girls go through in junior high and high school and the parts we play as the women role models is very important. Girls these days are told from everyone all kind of things. From what socks to wear to how to act or what to say to be “perfect”. From television to friends they hear it on all sides. Our role is to help them see who they are in Christ. To find their identity in Him. This book is Brooklyn’s way of sharing how her thoughts and dreams she had for her life were nothing compared to what God had planned for her. This is a great book for young girls to read and a great resource for them. Every chapter ends with questions for the reader to reflect on their own lives. It could be used for small group discussion or just for individuals to go through. I would definitely recommend mother’s of teen girls to read this, youth workers, and students.
So that’s it for this review. I am looking forward to the next couple book choices and what God has to teach me through them.
Heart of a Complainer
28 Jan 2010 2 Comments
in Life
Lately I have been reading in Exodus where God delivered the Israelites from the hands of Pharaoh. As I read through the pages I start to check my heart and ask myself if I have a heart of a complainer like they did. It is so easy to read the story and judge them for griping every time they weren’t getting everything they wanted, seeing full on how God was providing for them literally every step of the way. But when I really think about it, I see that I myself have the tendency to gripe and complain when I feel things aren’t going as they should. I forget at times that God is providing for me in a very real way as he did the Israelites thousands of years ago. It just reminds me how His love, grace, mercy is new everyday. He never changes, His love really does endure forever. I am really going to challenge myself to think of 10 things I am grateful for every time I complain about something. I am sure I am not the only one who finds themselves doing this and if anyone has any thoughts or ideas on how to get out of this habit, I would gladly take any advice I can get.
Challenges
25 Jan 2010 2 Comments
in Life
So every new year people come up with their New Year’s Resolutions. I have never been one to set these as it seems they are more likely broken then ever achieved. So this year I decided to set some goals I would like to accomplish. Granted I set them about 10 days into the new year being I was out with my back surgery but I did set them and I am excited to see what God shows me this year. I have never read through the Bible so I set myself up on youversion.com (you must try it out) and chose a reading plan that best suits me. By the end of the year I will have read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. I am right on track and even caught up for the first 10 days I missed. I have asked God to open my eyes to see things I have never seen before when reading and to make it fresh and exciting when I read. He has been faithful to do so. My second goal is to read a book a week. I enjoy reading but have never really pushed myself to do that much. It is a challenge I stole from Jake as he is doing the same thing but I really am excited to learn and exercise my thinking in ways I haven’t before. Lastly, I had started this last year and did it a couple times but I want to make it a staple in my life. I will be fasting at least once a week and seeking God in that time. I want to be able to show my kids the importance of this principal so they learn at a young age how to really devote yourself to the plan and purpose of God. So these are the three goals I have set for myself this year and like I said before, I am really excited to see what God teaches me this year. I hope you all have set goals and are pushing yourselves because I truly believe that this year is meant for greatness!
Thanksgiving
30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment
Wow! What an amazing time of year. I try to remind myself throughout the year of all the many blessings I am thankful for but this is a time you really sit and think about it. As I was thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for, I realized, I have no reason to complain. Sure, I do, more than I should and that is something I plan on changing. God has given me my heart’s every desire. I have every reason in the world to be thankful. This Thanksgiving we were blessed to be with family for the first time in a couple years. Jake’s parents are the best in-laws a girl could ask for and we got to share our holiday with them. The girls were more than ecstatic to have them around (so much that Hannah cried herself to sleep the night they left). This year was the first time we hosted a Thanksgiving meal and I actually did the cooking! We had a nice spiral ham, I know, we’re nuts for not having a turkey, but Jake and I are not big fans of turkey. We had lots of side dishes and Jake made his favorite dessert, pecan pie. It was an amazing time with family and a great way to ring in the holiday season.
Anxious for the Week to End
17 Nov 2009 1 Comment
in Family, Holidays, Life, Ministry
So we have a pretty busy week this week. We are getting things done for youth and having our student leadership retreat. On top of the youth stuff, I have my work things keeping me busy too. Thankfully all the sickness is gone from the house and we are all healthy! And as busy as the week is we are anxious for it to end so we can spend time with our family. Jake’s parents are coming out and we are desperate for some family time. Seems like forever since we have had any. 7 months to be exact. It isn’t easy living apart from mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, etc. But we are going to have a very thankful Thanksgiving having them here. So we will fight the busyness in the thought that we will be with family very soon!
Date Night
24 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in Life
Last night my amazing husband got a couple sitters for the girls, Grace and Alissa, and took me out for a much needed date. We have never been the type to do anything super fancy or crazy. Our nights usually consist of dinner out, maybe a movie, sitting in Barnes and Noble with some coffee and a book, or even just walking the mall. Anything
to get away just the two of us. Last night we headed to King of Prussia as this time of year is Jake’s favorite time to hit the Cheesecake Factory. From mid October to January they have a pumpkin pecan cheesecake that he absolutely loves. So we had dinner and dessert, got an extra dessert to take home and a couple slices for Grace and Alissa. I love the Cheesecake Factory and it’s probably a good thing it’s as far away from our house as it is or I would want to eat there more often. After dinner we headed over to the IMAX theater and saw “Where the Wild Things Are.” Great movie. The kid was a phenomenal actor. Loved the soundtrack, it’s on my list of downloads, and the graphics were amazing. The creatures looked so real and I am going to be a nerd and say I can’t wait to watch the special feature of how it was made on the DVD. We left the movie in the wind and cold and hit Nordstrom Rack. If you don’t know what this store is, it’s like Nordstrom but they have all the “left over” products that Nordstrom couldn’t use and discount the prices. I LOVE this store. So my oh so amazing husband let me shop for a bit as I was in need of some winter clothes. We were there until store closing and headed home to relieve the sitters and sugar them up with their cheesecake. In my books it was a perfect way to spend my Friday night with my man. We don’t do it often but when we get the chance to it is like our own little retreat.
So I am interested in knowing what people’s favorite “date night” options are. Give me some ideas to do something different next time and who knows, I might just do date night more often!
Getting Colder
17 Oct 2009 1 Comment
If you know me, you know I don’t like the cold, wet winters around here. I had gotten very spoiled living in the desert 5 years and having warmer weather pretty much year round. We have lived in Pennsylvania for 3 years now and we are going into our third winter. I do not enjoy snow, I don’t like being cold and wet. I fight it every year. I even have a stuffy nose right now because I was wearing my flip flops until the last possible moment. The last couple of days have been cold and rainy, which reminds me very much of Oregon(where I grew up). So I decided, instead of complaining about the cold and the fact that winter is approaching faster than I would want, I will make a list of things that I do like about this time of year. It will be short but it’s what I do look forward to this time of year.
1. I love the girls in sweaters. They are so stinkin’ cute all bundled up.
2. I love curling up and snuggling with Jake and the girls on the couch while watching movies.
3. I love the beauty of the leaves changing colors. The reds, yellows and oranges are absolutely breath taking.
4. I Love the pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks. They make me feel warm and cozy.
5. I love that the “holiday creamers” come out. Currently I have gingerbread latte and peppermint mocha creamer in my fridge.
6. Thanksgiving, I get to eat all the yummy desserts I try not to eat the rest of the year. My favorite, pretzel-jello deliciousness.
7. Christmas lights, I love seeing all the homes and decorations all lit up. 5th Avenue in NYC is the best!
8. Watching the girls enjoy the snow. Notice I say watching. Yes, I stay indoors where it’s warm and watch them play.
9. Snow days. The days when the roads are bad, we can’t get out to work or school and we get that extra day to be together.
10. The fact that it will pass and be spring again. Hopefully sooner than later!
How about you, what are your favorite things about this time of year?
Hannah Turns 7
16 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
It seems like just yesterday I was laying around the house on bed rest when my water broke and Jake rushed me to the hospital for the arrival of our first baby girl. It amazes me how fast time flys, things change, and little girls grow.
Today we spent the day celebrating Hannah’s 7th birthday. It started with our annual breakfast in bed, which is a big fat donut with candle, not much but she looks forward to it every year. She opened a couple gifts and was thrilled to get cards from all her cousins in Texas. We rushed to get her ready for school and then off to the store we went to get cupcakes to take to her and her class. We picked up a happy meal from McDonald’s and headed to her school to surprise her for lunch. It is always fun seeing her in her own world with friends. The cupcakes were a big hit and the kids all wished her a happy birthday. After school we went to dinner at Perkin’s and Boomer’s to play (a place like Chuck E Cheese) with the Allain family, Caleb and Sarah. We all had breakfast for dinner and played for a few hours before heading home to hang out and play some more. It was an amazing day and it ended with praying a blessing over our growing daughter and thanking God for the special gift He gave us 7 years ago.
Hannah loved all the gifts and time we spent together. She also loves the fact that she only has to sit in her booster seat when driving for one more year. She hates that thing and is ready to be done with it. So here’s to another year of blessings and joy with our beautiful daughter. She will always be my baby even though she’s now a little lady.
Walking in Authority
05 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in Life
Lately I have really been challenged to start walking in the authority given me by God. I have been reading scriptures and praying on this very thing. God has given me all authority to stand in Him, knowing I have nothing to fear. He has already said, I am more than a conquerer in Him. All authority has been given to me. I am His and He is mine. So why, for so many years have I walked in timidity and shrugged away in time of need? I never full grasped the power I have in His name. My goal is to start praying dangerous prayers. When I pray for God to move, I don’t just ask, I expect it to happen. I will not be satisfied unless I see Him move! I will no longer be cautious. I will be a world changer.
