Hard to believe

I know I have been away from blogging in a while. I have been very busy. I hope to catch up in the next few days. We went to Chicago this past weekend and hope to post pictures soon! In the mean time, I cannot believe that Todd starts school on August 1st! That is so fast. I actually purchased his supplies last night. I ask that you pray for him and his teacher. We actually go to church with her. She seems like she would be a great teacher but she will be out on maternity leave this year. That will be some transition to deal with. I am sure he will do well! I will update you on more happenings soon!

Where to begin?

It has been almost 1 month since I updated my blog. There has been so much that I really do not even know where to begin. I guess I will go in chronological order not order of importance. I will report on our VBS. Some of you have asked and here is the run-down. It turned out great!!! We had 92 kids and just over half were visitors. Many of the visitors do not attend church anywhere so it was truly an outreach! The kids had a good time and the church members were able to spend some time socializing with the community parents. We had rented an inflatable slip n dip for the kids to use in an activity and kept it for several hours after VBS. We did not let parents know that the kids would be able to slide after VBS so that they would be there to supervise their own kids and so we could spend some time in a non-threatening environment to get to know them. It was a lot of fun. For future reference kids love the water theme. It attracted swarms of people! We even had a man that had been considering baptism say that his son's excitement lead him to make that decision. Talk about the power of God. Thank you all for your prayers. Brad and I were absolutely exhausted after we were done, but it was during that phase that we were really able to allow Christ to do His work.

VBS

Well, I have very few days until VBS will be here. Brad and I are VBS coordinators this year. WOW, what a job. I decided the curriculum, designed the set and the decorations, decided on the crafts and activities and order all of the supplies, and I wrote all of the scripts. I am EXHAUSTED! When we decided to do this, Brad was not in Chicago all week and I was only keeping a little girl one day a week. Now, Brad is gone and I am keeping here 3 days. I will not give any information about her but, please remember her and her mom in your prayers. The dad has left them and it is a very difficult situation!

Back to VBS, I really enjoy the creative side, but not the leadership side. I am not a leader mentality. Brad tells me I am better than I give myself credit for, but I feel terrible. I feel so bossy. I would much rather be a worker than leader. We are having a water park theme. I think it will be a lot of fun. We did manage to rent a 30' inflatable water slide for the K-6th graders. Please pray that the VBS is a success and that we reach those that need to be reached. Please pray that we have enough supplies and workers. I will give you an update after it is over.

10 Things You May Not Know

Becky wrote this list on her blog and said she would like for other people to do the same. So, Becky, here are 10 things many people may not know about me.

1). I would ride roller coasters for a living if I had a chance.
2). I am afraid of snakes!
3). I love middle school age kids (I've been told I am crazy for this).
4). My husband and my sister-in-law grew up in the same church and knew each other far before they knew us.
5). I have recently lost over 30 lbs and am still losing more!
6). I would love to be a hearing impaired interpreter.
7). I did not go to my senior banquet (christian school and did not have proms) because the guy I was going with was highly intoxicated. I did not want to go alone, so I chose not to go at all. I regret that I did not go alone to this day.
8). I would love to be a college professor some day,
9). I tutored famous country music star's children and went to their homes.
10). I was dating 2 guys at one time when I was a Harding. One was in Alabama and one became my husband. The other guy kept trying to come and visit and I talked him out of it because he had financial difficulties. It was really because I liked Brad much more and I did not want to break-up with the other guy over the phone.

There you have it!

It starts early

We have a friend with a nice above ground pool. Todd and I have gone over there the past 2 Monday's for play group. The kids have gotten in the pool. Todd is very outgoing most of the time but when it comes to water, he is cautious. The first week he had on a life jacket, arm floats, and a ring float around his waist to sit on the steps. No, that was not my suggestion, but he wanted to be safe. This week, I had bought him a life jacket in hopes that he would go out into the water. Well, he literally stayed on the deck the entire time. He threw toys in the pool to the other kids. I tried to convince him to go in but he would not do it. I gave up and went to the screened-in porch to watch. One by one, the kids got out of the pool to move on to something else. Todd was on the steps gathering the toys he had thrown in the water. I went to walk to the other side of the pool to reach things on that side. I looked up and he was half-way around the pool. I did not say a word. I watched as he slowly released his hand from the side of the pool to test and see if he was going to float. All of a sudden, he began kicking his feet and splashing his hands. Finally, he said, "Mommy, look I can swim. You were right!" He was so proud. He wanted to play for a minute more and then he began to try and dive for things on the bottom. We still will need to work on that. After he was done, I asked him why did he wait till everyone was done before he would try. He told me he had to "get brave". He did not know if he could do it. I quickly realized he was afraid of failure. What, he is almost 5 and he already would rather not try than to fail. He missed all of the fun because he was afraid for them to see him not be able to do it. Don't we all do that? I know I do it in all areas of life, even spiritual. I hope that he will feel comfortable enough around his church family and actual family to try things and turn to others when he needs help from drowning.

So Proud

Todd had a soccer game tonight. They are usually Saturday, but they were rained out. Instead of practicetonight, he had a game. It was really hot. He played about 50 minutes out of the 60 minute game. All the other kids were crying and begging to not go in the game, Todd was gladly playing all of their turns. That was not what I was most proud of, though. This league is a christian league. They have weekly memory verses and devos. After each game, they give out stars... best offense, best defense, ect. He got the white star which stands for the most like Christ. He was really wanting the red star (who knows why). I was so proud of him. He was the only player that did not hit, make faces, say unkind words, or cry the whole game. He began to realize that I thought that was important. He was glad to get it but informed me, "I am going to stop all of their balls so I can get the red star (defensive) next time". The ironic thing is he stopped all 3 of their attempts to get a goal, but they were more impressed with his attitude. Oh, well, I he already has the "winning is the only thing" mentallity.

I'm Back

Wow. This half of a month has been so full of ups and downs it is exhausting to think about! God is so good. Why do we ever doubt Him? Why do we question Him? After Brad being laid off, we decided this time around (unlike Ponca City), we were not going to stress and doubt God. We were going to leave this situation in His hands and move on one day at a time. In the Ponca ordeal, we had every emotion toward God ever know except true belief that it would be fine. This time I had a peace that I cannot even explain. I cried the first time Brad told me he had lost his job and that was it. We had money that would last to the end of April and that was it. Not a penny more. At church, the first time they mentioned our situation, we were given a $1000 check by someone. They said they had been in our position and someone did that for them. Wow. That blew us away! That pushed us up to having more time for Brad to find a job. Then, out of the blue, I get an offer to work 40 his a week for what ended up to be 3 1/2 weeks. I was getting paid tutoring money (which is good) to be a secretary, which I am not very good at. I took it and Brad became a "stay at home Dad". I was absolutely exhausted, but this would buy us more time. Then, a week and a half ago, Brad was asked by someone at church about project management. Brad had done some of this but not in an official magnitude. He has always wanted to do it, though. He was asked to go to an interview in Chicago for this company. This past Monday. As of Monday at 2:00 pm, he is employed and getting paid almost double what he was getting paid! He is out of finance and into project management and the health care industry: 2 things he has dreamed of doing for quite some time! The only negative is he will travel to Chicago Monday mornings and return Thursday evenings every week. That will be an adjustment but it is really no different that his job before this last one where he worked 70 hour weeks a lot. Anyway, I know this was a long, choppy post, but I wanted to share the greatness of our Lord with you all. God does provide and is is faithful. Brad, Todd, and I are very blessed and this is just another example of the power of our God!

Busy

It has been forever since I left a message. I have been working more than 40 hours a week and Brad's dad came in town. I will have a lot to post when I have more time. In the meantime, please keep praying that Brad will find a job. He is still searching.

God works in mysterious ways..

This week has been a real adventure. Our paycheck was suppose to go in the bank on Friday but it didn't. We did not get it until Monday. We almost bounced a check due to this issue. Also, we were at church discussing our employment issues when a man brought us a $1000 check. Can you believe it? Then, today, out of the blue I got a phone call for a job working 40 hrs a week for 3 weeks on a special project. I will make enough money to pay bills for 2 more weeks. That should get us through half of May. We know God has a plan for us we are just taking it day by day. Please pray that these next 3 weeks goes well. Brad will play Mr. Mom and Todd had to adjust to this concept in a matter of hours. Please continue to pray for Brad's job search. He is under a lot of pressure and his dad is coming in town next week. He does not do much supporting of Brad just criticizing. Anyway, this was a lot of various information. Just keep us in your prayers. We have a totally different mind set this time that when we lost our job in OK. It is some easier, but it's never an easy road.

It's a Journey

James 1:2-7
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Boy, This is hard. It is hard to take anytime, especially during adversities. Brad found out today that his company laid off 3200 people and his region was one that was let go. It is really hard to look at that as "pure joy". As many of you know, we have had our fair share of adversities in the financial/job category. We have been very blessed with health, however. And we praise GOD for that! When I read this scripture for encouragement, I found something that really jumped out at me. It was verse 6. The message says:

People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

Worry your prayers..keeping your options open... that is an interesting thought to me. I tend to worry alot. I am sure that is, in large part, a faith issue. However, I claim I like to be prepared. But, prepared for what? What can you really prepare for? Today was a showing that you can't prepare for anything. Could I have save more money, yea, especially if I weren't giving it to church and VBS. Could I have gone to work this year and made more money, sure, if I would have given up this precious time with Todd. Could I, Could I, Could I.. yes, but the truth is in the following verses:

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
In the end, this is all that matters. I love the song "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick. So we will stand in the rain and God has promised we want drown.

Lord, we turn to you and know that you will protect us and care for us. It may not be the way we would like, but if it's your will, be done. Just save Todd's innocence in it all! Amen.

Music Tag

OK, I was tagged by Erika. I am supposed to list 7 songs I am either currently listening to or that mean something to me. I decided to explain them since some of them are new songs and are not well known. I really enjoy music, so picking 7 is difficult. So I had to do 8!

1). Calling For a Flood by John Waller- This is a new CD for me and this song is asking God to flood my life with Him and to take over every aspect of me. That is my desire... to be completely filled with Him!
2). Still Calls Me Son by John Waller- This song beautifully describes the love of God. That no matter what I have done or will do, God will be waiting with opened arms.
3). Stand in the Rain by Superchick- This song has been very important to me. The beat in this song is amazing but the words far surpass it. This song discuss that, even though we have pain, we should stand strong because eventually we will make it through the storm and be stronger. This has been such a blessing as I struggled with the inability to have another child. It helped me to realize I could stand in the pain and not drown. That one day, I would be finished with this storm. Powerful song!
4). My Wish by Rascal Flatts- This song is really good. It sums up many of the things I wish for Todd's life.
5). Only Imagine by Mercy Me- This is an older song but it hits me as much today as it did the first time I heard it. I can not wait for the day that I see my Lord. My mind can't fathom how great this is going to be!
6). If you Want Me To by Ginny Owens- This song was a big part of a turning point for me. After our situation in Oklahoma, I was left questioning a lot of things. I was angry and confused with God. I heard this song at a low in my spiritual life and it totally changed my mindset and my heart. My thoughts became lines from this song.."I'm gonna walk through the valley, if you want me to. It may not be the way I would have chosen.. but you never promised it would be easy, you only said I'd never go alone."
7). My Savior My God by Aaron Shust- This song is a good reminder that God is always there and will forever be my God. Todd loves to sing this song and I hope that the message is forever in his head!
8). Be Lifted High by Michael W. Smith- I love all of his music. This is a new song that I came across and loved this line, "And I fall on my knees so that it's You that they see". I hope that is how I live my life!

There you have it. Yes, I do listen to other songs that are not by christian artists. I just have so many that are that impact me daily!
I tag:
Franklin
Tracy
Becky

Weight Loss

I have been attending Weight Watchers for 8 weeks. As of today, I have lost 17.6 pounds. It has not been hard, either. I have cut down what I eat, but have not gone to rabbit food and cardboard! I count my points and am careful about how I use them. I also exercise some but not much. Brad has lost over 30 pounds in the same time frame. I feel so much better. My energy has sky-rocketed! I hope to be much lighter soon. I will keep you updated!

It's been forever

No, I have not fallen off of the Earth! I have been so extremely busy the last few weeks. I keep a girl normally one day a week but for 2 weeks had her 4 days a week. Also, I am organizing VBS this year and that is taking LOTS of time. On top of that, Todd is starting soccer and that takes time and we went with the teens to winterfest in Gatlinburg. And, most importantly, I am putting together applications for teaching jobs. Anyway, I have been busy. I will try to post more later!

Facing The Giants

I wanted to watch this movie at the theater, but never got around to it. However, I was able to watch it on the way to Winterfest. It was a tear-jerker. I thought the movie was good. It was pretty predictable but well worth watching. It is so nice to watch a movie that is clean and entertaining. It made an entire bus of middle school and high school kids silent. That has to say something!!!

If you do not know, a church in Georgia did this movie. The actors are people from their church, so some of the acting is a little exaggerated. It is still good. It almost received a "R" rating because it focused on God too much. That is messed up!!! If you have seen it, what did you think?

Winterfest

Brad and I had the opportunity to chaperon a trip to Gatlinburg, TN. There is an event every year called Winterfest. It is a rally for youth. It has been going on for many years. I attended as a high school student. This year there were 11,000 people there. It is AMAZING. Jeff Walling was the main speaker. I have always thought he was blessed to be able to reach teens in a way that most people cannot do. The worship service is unreal. If I had to say one mode of worship that connected me most to Christ, it would be singing. I love to sing and music can convict me faster than anything. That was no different this time. The music was so wonderful. It is how I hope Heaven will be! The theme this year was "The Prize" based on Philippians. It was really good and gave me a lot to think about. Please pray for all of those teens that made a connection this weekend, maybe for the first time.

Who is this kid?

Todd has been cracking us up. Here are two occasions that dealt with racing.

Todd has really been into Cars (from the Disney movie) ever since he saw it the first time. Brad and I enjoyed the movie as well, but we do not enjoy racing. Todd saw us flipping channels and racing was on. He asked to watch it. Brad and I could not believe it. I would rather get a root canal than watch racing (OK not that bad but almost). He watched it for a minute. He then asked when it would be over. I informed him it still had 100 laps to go. He said,"Are you kidding me! Never mind". Brad and I laughed and we relieved all at once.

Tonight, Todd was playing with his collection of Cars. He loves to race the main race cars from the movie (King, McQueen, and Chick Hicks). He gives us play by plays of who is leading and who has crashed. Tonight he looked at us and said" The King is in the lead but he only has a slim lead". Brad and I looked at each other and laughed. I thought it was so funny to say a slim lead. You just never know what he is going to say!

My Wish

This is a song that Rascal Flatts sings. I absolutely love the words to the song! The music is great as well, but it is the words that speak so much louder than the music.

When I heard this song the first time, it was at a time that I needed to be reminded that we are not on this Earth for ourselves but for the glory of God. He has not promised us an easy path but one that we can endure. He does not promise us all that we want in life, bit all that we need. He is always there taking care of us in every step and loves us more than words can express.

The next time I heard this song, I thought it summed up what I want Todd to grow up knowing and believing. I want him to know that he will have choices, but that Christ will lead him down the correct path. I also want him to know, that through it all, his mommy, daddy, and Christ will love him through all of his endeavors.

My Wish

by Rascal Flatts
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go

And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window

If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile

But more than anything, more than anything

Chorus

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget

All the ones who love you

And the place you left

I hope you always forgive and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake

And always give more than you take

But more than anything, yeah more than anything

This is my wish

I hope you know somebody loves you

May all your dreams stay big

Credits:
Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele© 2006 V2 Music Publishing Limited (BMI), Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI) All rights on behalf of V2 Music Publishing Limited administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights on behalf of Jeffrey Steele Music administered by BPJ Administration, PO Box 218061, Nashville TN 37221-8061. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Is this real?

I cannot believe this is real. I came across this on the computer. They are saying it is a minature flying saucer. It only goes 15 miles an hour but can fly when traffic is bad. Would you really use this? I think I could sit in traffic and still get where I am going faster. Read more about it at this site. http://www.hammacher.com/publish/10321.asp# I think I will purchase one for Brad. Does anyone have an extra $17,000 dollars I can use?

Weather

Okay. I am so sick of weather people and the weather! I was awake at midnight and they were still predicting 1 to 2 inches of snow today. Do you know how much we got? NONE! Todd was so disappointed! I understand that things change, but that seems too fast to totally miss everyone in the area. I think I can predict weather just about as accurately. My prdiction is that it will be cold tomorrow and a 50% chance of precipitation!

Random thoughts

As I posted earlier, I plan on going back to teaching this next school year. I was looking at the county I was wanting to teach in to see when school began. It begins August 1st!!!! Can you believe that? I remember the days of starting in September. This really makes me sad. Kids do not have a long summer break anymore.

This brings me to my next idea.. VBS. I do not know about your area churches, but here participation has been down the last few years. I am looking at heading up our VBS at church. I will bw in charge of everything from choosing the material to getting the people and crafts. This is stepping out of the box for me. I am not a good leader. I am going to see if there is enough interest and if so I am the leader. We are going to a 1 day VBS because the summers are so short. It seems there are not enough weeks to make VBS an entire week. Please pray for the church that they will step up and for me that I can do this. Especially pray that we can reach lost souls. Pray that I will know what to do to get them to hear God's message!!

I will keep you posted!