Good find

Starting junior high also meant starting youth group.  My brother told me something then that I have found to be beneficial.  Our youth pastor always had hand outs with fill in the blanks for us when he was giving a message.  My brother told me to keep these because they would be good to look back at someday.  Well, I did keep them, a LOT of them.  I have since weeded out many things but I still do have several pages that I received as a student in the youth group.  This past week I found something from a bible study I went to with my youth minister's wife.  It's amazing how it can speak to me now as much as I'm assuming that it did then.  When my brother gave me that advice to keep my stuff from youth group, neither of us had any idea that I would one day be a youth minister's wife.  I have used those handouts to create my own studies and lessons for the girls in our ministry.  They truly are a priceless resource from people I trust and have seen walk life with Christ for many years even after I graduated.  I thought I would share in case someone else needed to hear these words too.

In the series of statements the first one describes a "natural inclination that leads to lack of purpose".  The second describes "principles of wisdom that lead to fulfilling achievement".

1. Making a distinction between full-time Christian work and secular vocations.
2. Wisdom is recognizing that, whatever my job is, I am to work as though God were my employer and expect that my real reward for labor will come from Him.

1. Considering the learning of practical skills in a variety of areas to be unnecessary.
2. Wisdom is remembering that God will use whatever natural skills I develop in the ministry to which He calls me and that often they will be the very means of directing me in service for Him.

1. Believing that since I do not have too many talents or special abilities I cannot expect to do any significant work for God.
2. Wisdom is realizing that God uses the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and the foolish to confound the wise, because His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

1. Assuming that the will of God for my life involves finding a particular job or having a particular title.
2. Wisdom is discerning that the will of God involves both the forming of Christ's character within me and the resulting message which I can share with others.

1. Neglecting unwanted family responsibilities to have more time for other things, like serving the Lord.
2. Wisdom is understanding that difficult family responsibilities are actually God's way of building essential character in me and that a far bigger ministry can result through the lives of those for whom I am responsible.

1. Expecting that  God will bless my efforts in Christian work with acceptance and appreciation from those whom I serve.
2. Wisdom is preparing for unexpected misunderstandings and rejection from those I try to help so that I can identify with new sections of scripture and experience a more effective ministry with others.

1. Plodding ahead in order to fulfill a vision that I know God has given me to accomplish.
2. Wisdom is planning for the death of my vision during which time I will be forced to learn the character of Christ and wait for his timing in the fulfillment of the vision.

1. Looking for the opportunities of leadership in Christian service.
2. Wisdom is seeking to serve Christian leaders because of the awesome responsibility which they have and higher standards by which they will be judged.

So, there ya go.  I thought it was just a great reminder to keep my perspective through a Christ focused lens.  No matter what we are doing, we do it for the Lord and he uses every situation in life to develop us into the person he created us to be.  Nothing is wasted or pointless when we live life with Christ.

The Christmas Post

   
     So I wrote a blog at the beginning of the Christmas season and I was so excited for this year's holiday season.  I really did have a great time with my family but I will say it was extremely busy and this laid back girl who leans toward introversion was exhausted from all the events!  I will say the advent Christmas countdown we did was a BIG hit.  Ansley loved all of it.  Also giving the girls there gifts was a lot of fun.  I'm glad I waited until Christmas. ;)
     The holiday travel started when Ansley got out of school at noon that Friday.  We left almost immediately after that and drove to my brother's house to get his dog to take with us to my parents house while they were in Alabama.  We got to my parent's that Friday evening.  It was an ok trip but they seriously  have got to do something on I 35W between the North exits 52 to 60.  My exit is 60 and those last 8 miles take FOREVER!!  During my traffic wait my friend Kathleen called and asked me to sing with her during the Christmas Eve service.  The song she had chosen was Barlow Girl's Hallelujah Light Has Come and it is such a beautiful song.  I was so honored to join her.
     The main reason me and my girls went to my parents that weekend was to go to my cousin Aaron's wedding that Saturday.  WELL you know things don't always go as planned...  We were on our way to the wedding Saturday night all of us dressed up and looking fancy when about 20 minutes into our 1 hour drive we get a phone call from my aunt saying, "Where are yall".  So the wedding we thought was at 6pm was at 3pm.  Total bummer, but we did go ahead and go see the clean up crew.  Everything seemed like it was an awesome wedding and we did get to see the Bride and Groom on their way out so I guess that's something. 
     Flexibility I guess is one worthwhile trait I possess.  We had planned to be home early on Tuesday because Jay was gonna be gone MONDAY with the youth kids at six flags.  Turns out because of weather they went on TUESDAY.  So me and the girls stayed at my parents a little longer and left after lunch Tuesday and then stopped to visit my friend Christin in Fort Worth.  It was fun to see her and her little girl, Lauren.  I was blown away how grown up Lauren had gotten.  Man, kids... they learn and grow up so fast.  After we left there we drove a little further and stopped for dinner in Waco and finally got home around 7:30 or 8 Tuesday night.

     Friday we got back in the car and drove to Burlison to my brother's house for our family Christmas.  The video above is of Ansley and Ridgely telling the Christmas story.  It was going well and we were all having a great time.  THEN, Ansley brought a marker (that was supposed to stay upstairs) down to the kitchen and while she was slinging it around it leaked all over Rusty and Lesley's wall.  Of course it was the red marker and so after a not so successful attempt to clean it off the wall they are gonna just have to paint over it if they haven't already.  SORRY about that again.  That is one of those things that only happen to kids at someone else's house.  HA!
     Saturday, my parents after spending the night at my brother's came down to our house and it turned out to be a life saver that they were there to help us that night.  Since I had agreed to sing with Kathleen I had to be there early for sound check and what not.  Jay had to do the power point and being on staff at the church has to show up early for everything.  So I left after eating a quick dinner leaving everyone else at the table.  Then while Jay got ready for the service my parents got themselves and both the girls ready.  YAY for the grandparents!!!  It was a great service though.  My first ever Christmas Eve service to attend because we have always been at my Nanny's until this year on Christmas Eve.  We had prepped Ansley for the Lord supper part and had the discussion about what it means and why we do it and that she wouldn't be participating yet but that hopefully one day she would.  LOL It was so funny watching her from the stage.  She kept looking at me like MOM, see ALL the other kids are doing it why can't I.  HA I was trying to keep my composure watching her but she did good and I was very proud.  Of course as soon as it was over she said, "Mom, I just wanted to take something.  Everyone else took something!"  Aww poor thing... she is so mistreated ;)

     Christmas morning went pretty good.  I was shocked that Ansley slept until like 8:30.  I totally expected her to be up early because she's known to get up around 6:30 for no reason so with it being Christmas I thought she would be an early riser for sure.  Don't get me wrong I completely appreciated the sleeping in.  We had our Santa part of Christmas and cinnamon rolls and got ready for church again.  Jay preached the Christmas morning service and I was so proud of him.  He has grown so much in the public speaking area and although I wouldn't characterize it as a typical Christmas message it was one that needed to be shared.  I thought it was a good morning.  My parents left after lunch that day and we tried to start getting ready for our next phase of Christmas break.
     On Tuesday we left after we got up to drive to Clovis.  That drive is no fun, especially the last hour or so.  The girls did ok, considering its like a 9 hour trip.  Jay's brother is a basketball coach and we went to his games every night while we were there.  His team ended up winning the tournament.  They should be really good this year.  When we did Christmas with the Reed family Jay's dad gave the girls things that were his grandmothers.  They were really special and I was glad Ansley showed her appreciation for them.  Both the girls got a doll that had been their great grandmothers that she played with when she was a girl.  Ansley also got a cradle that was made by her great great grandfather for her great grandmother to sleep in as a baby.  In Clovis the four of us all slept in the same room which meant no one got great sleep.  It really wasn't too bad though.  It was good to spend time with Jay's family.  We hadn't been all together since Pam passed away so we enjoyed our time there.

     We came home kinda late on Friday.  I was glad we came home Friday because we had Saturday to just relax before New Years Eve, not that we did anything exciting.  Anyway, I had a good holiday season although it wasn't exactly as I expected.  I'm not really sure what I expected, but I knew it would be different, kind of a start of a new phase in life I guess.  I know that this year I am fully aware of all the blessings God has given me and I am thankful for all the ways he takes care of me.

Happy Anniversary!

He's so cute!

Today is Jay and my anniversary.  I am so thankful to have joined my life with his 8 years ago today.  This past year has been a precious one.  I think, in honor of my man, I will give everyone a picture of who my husband is to me.
Obviously Jay is my husband and father of my children, but beyond that Jay is my...
-  best friend
-  prayer partner
-  encourager
-  motivator
-  personal trainer
-  alarm clock
-  mood lightener
-  stress reducer
-  co-chef
-  and travel companion
That is a glimpse into the life I live with Jay.  I am so proud of him, the work he does, and the man he is.  I am so blessed to love a man who lives what he preaches and is such an example of walking with Christ and a loving spiritual leader for our family.

Christmas2011

Seasonal Chic Christmas Card

Find unique and Personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Christmas time is here!

Hello blog reading friends!  I am officially and completely done with my master's degree so maybe more computer time for fun rather than school.  (cross my fingers)  That is one of the exciting things that has happened this December.  I will tell you this Christmas season I am so excited!  It is a complete contrast to the way I felt last year at this time.  Man, I was kind of a grinch.  To look back over the changes during 2011 I'm a little upset at myself for being that way because last Christmas was truly one to be cherished, seeing as it was the last one I had with my grandmother and the last one to celebrate with my mother in law.  Maybe that realization has spurred me to have a little more joy this year.  I am forever grateful to have had those 2 precious women in my life and I will miss them dearly for years to come.

On a lighter note this year I decided to do a 12 days of Christmas with Ansley (and Adalynn although she can't participate quite like big sis can).  I love that some moms can do the whole month of December but I know myself and my limitations and 12 days is kinda pushing it. HA!  We did start a little early so we could take a hiatus trip to Grammy and Jimpa's for a few days.  But here is what we have done so far.
Day 1- Paint a Christmas picture
Day 2- Make Christmas cookies
Day 3- Take treats to the neighbors (Ansley loves doing this every year)
Day 4- Family game night (we played a Christmas version of pictionary and charades, I was super impressed with Ansley's skills)
Day 5- is today and we are gonna make it a hot cocoa night (even though it is like 70 degrees outside)
I used to think I could never do the whole advent season but when I took the pressure off myself to make everything a big "to do" we had a chance to just enjoy the simple things and being together.  We might do these things anyway but having it as a mystery for Ansley to open is most of the fun.  I love that Jay is also reading a part of the Christmas story every night at the dinner table.

Ansley helped me decorate the tree and she did a pretty good job. Although the bottom right side of the tree is "extra decorated", I think it looks awesome.  Ansley also has already had her school Christmas program where they sang Up on the Housetop and Jingle Bells.  MAN was that place was a madhouse!!!!

Ansley during her school program

In other not Christmas related news, the girls have both had a hand, foot, and mouth virus.  Poor Adalynn!  Her mouth and diaper rash looked just awful! Ansley had it too but she didn't look as bad.  Her problem was it was in her throat and she could barely eat or drink anything for a few days.  I'm happy to report that Ansley is back at school today and Adalynn's face and bottom are back to normal.

Adalynn in her Christmas outfit before going to nursing home

Today Adalynn and I went with some of our MOPS moms to the nursing home and sang Christmas songs for them.  It was a good time and everyone there was just so happy to see the kids.  Tomorrow is the MDO program and then Friday is Ansley's class party.  It is going to be a busy week.

I'm having a really hard time waiting on giving them their gifts.  I am so excited this year I can barely stand it.

"Is Santa real?"

Ansley age 3 with Six Flags Santa

   
    Ansley is 5 and asked about a month ago if Santa was real.  I asked her, "What do you think?" That was only a short fix to the question because she kept asking.  She later asked, "Do the parents put out gifts?"  I told her yes but it is fun to believe in Santa so don't spoil it for other kids.  Anyway, my mom sent me the following in an email today to share with Ansley and I thought it was perfect for all the moms going through this same situation during this Christmas season.

Grandma and Santa

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Isn't that a great story.  

Thank you Father for the gift of your son Jesus and thank you for this time of year to celebrate what You've done for us!

My testimony

This year I joined on as part of the leadership team for our MOPS group.  I was asked to prepare a brief testimony for our next leadership meeting.  I thought I should share it here too.

My Testimony

     I consider myself lucky to have grown up in a Christian family.  My parents always were very involved in church and therefore, I was too.  My grandparents and extended family also played a significant role in introducing me to a healthy picture of what a walk with Christ looks like.  I asked the Lord into my life as a 6 year old.  I very clearly remember my parents putting me to bed one night.  I’m not sure why, but that night I asked them all kinds of questions and I told them I wanted to ask Jesus to be my Savior.  I prayed that night, with my parents by my side, that Jesus would be Lord of my life.

    Early on, my relationship with the Lord was mostly about wanting to please Him.  Of course I would make bad choices as all kids do, but even at a young age I felt the need to go to the Lord to make things right.  Beginning in 7^th grade I was introduced to having a “quiet time”.  I began this practice of meeting personally with the Lord and spending time in His word, but it wasn’t until my sophomore year of HS that I truly enjoyed it and met with God because I wanted to rather than because I thought I had to.  My senior year of HS my best friend’s brother died in a car accident and through that situation I understood that God is always good and is always in control.  Even in a horrible circumstance that was completely unexpected God proved Himself to me and I have never again doubted God’s control and God’s goodness. 

     Now that I have lived a little while, I see why God wanted to cement those two truths into my life at that age.  As an adult you see the suffering of the world and of those around you clearer than as a child.  You also face demands and responsibilities that deplete you mentally and physically.  Praise be to the Lord that through the power of His Holy Spirit I am able to draw on His strength and trust His guidance through all of life’s circumstances.  He has proved himself always faithful to His word.  He has shown me He’s able to provide financially.  He has encouraged and satisfied my weary heart over and over again.  My longing is to show the world around me that God through his son Jesus Christ is the only remedy to the brokenness they feel, no matter what it looks like. 

     “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40: 28-31

     So what are you hoping in?  Your good deeds, your money, your popularity? All our worldly things will leave you spent and wasted.  It is only placing your hope in the Lord that will sustain you through all of life’s journeys.