I think I'm getting old. It is friday night and I'm home blogging? I have lots to do and this is just another inventive way to keep from getting to my long list. It's okay, because I have all day tomorrow. Kudos to my kids! Our son is traveling with contemporary music group from his college for 6 months and they are all coming to stay at our house. We are really looking forward to them all hanging out with us in OK. One of the hardest things about your kid going far away to college is the inability to be involved in the their everyday life. You can't know their friends and you don't get to attend very many things they are involved in. We have always gone to anything our kids participate in so this has been really hard. My middlest angel had an awesome ACT score this week and my youngest is having a good academic year.

I am counting down the days till school is out. I like them home although I liked it better when I was off with them. So I'm still thinking about the gift thing I blogged about last time. I have had a number of people who read it say they agree. So I guess it's time to figure it out. I would really like to be in a dinner theatre show. Probably won't happen as I can't make that kind of committment. I know, a few of you may think that isn't appropriate for a pastor's wife. It should just be church music and primarily, church is where I generally use my gift, but does God give gifts with strings attached? Good question, if you want to chime in feel free. I'm still in process with it all.

I am redoing the girls' bathroom with bright primary colors and have bought some wall art. I found one that is hysterical. It is a pen and ink poster of pigs trying on hats, shoes, bathing suits, dresses, sunglasses and many other things. I've decided to hang it on the wall everyone has to look at when using the facilities. It's funny and odd. I used to have a picture of Jesus laughing our friend gave us. It is in Mark's bathroom at church now. It was quite a conversation piece but there is just something that bothers me about a picture of anyone laughing hanging in a bathroom. LOL Since the Bible says laughter is like a good medicine, it's good to know God thinks humor important. I think it's kind of like crying. Now, let me explain before you think I'm a few fries short of a happy meal. Think of how something so funny can make us laugh till we cry. How good it feels, lighter somehow. Sometimes crying makes me feel light too! They are both a emotional release. Fortunately, I laugh until I cry far more than crying. But either way, I end up looking like rocky the raccoon. My best friend's husband has a great laugh. When he gets really wound up he sounds like Eddie Murphey which is pretty funny because he has red hair!! A girl in one of our youth groups sounded like a dolphin. My kids can pick my laugh out of a crowd. Enough said. Make sure you find something to laugh about this week;)

I got the music in me

Okay, so here goes the blogging. Angie is going to get us all on the internet community before long. I'm a minister's wife with 3 kids. They all keep me busy. Even the one who is in college, far, far, away. :( I love music. All kinds. I was raised in the era just as Contemporary Christian music was starting to come into it's own. College opened the door for me to Christian artists like Petra, Sweet Comfort Band, aka, Bryan Duncan and Bob Carlise. Up until then, my family had me believing Dallas Holm was as contemporary as it got. I love artists who are annointed and ones who are just Christian musicians. Yep, I think there is a difference. I love songs that talk about our human condition and emotions. Silly, funny, wrenching and uplifting. Yep, even by artists who don't profess their love for Christ as long as they don't offend my love of Christ. I am the girl who at 44, drives around with the sunroof open, the windows down and happy, peppy music blaring. Once, when my son was 3 he asked me to turn down DC talk because it was too loud. I believe God gave me a gift with my voice and one He has passed on to my children. I also got a wake up call this past weekend about not neglecting my gift. Been there, done that. It is hard to stay creative when everyday life can suck the life right out of you. But I also know, we make time for what is really important to us and somehow my gift has taken a back seat. Don't know what I'm going to do about it yet, still chatting with God on that topic. I know I am going to keep pouring into people's lives whenever God gives me a chance. Especially with music. I know God uses all kinds of things to touch our hearts and emotions but music is a biggy for me.

Hello! Angie here, setting up Val's blog. I'm hijacking everyone's blogs- you'll know they've regained control of their blogs when they delete my post & post something of substance. :)