Time is ticking away

So, we have had 9 college students staying with us for the last week. It has been alot of fun, work and silliness. We have thoroughly enjoyed it:) Sadly, it is almost over. They depart for the rest of their summer tour starting with camps in NE. Side note: please pray for their safety as they will log so many miles this summer and not always with enough sleep. They will need divine intervention to keep them safe all the time. Anyway, I got a chance to see them minister a few time while they were here. They have such talent. They are still finding their way blending their group and their individual talents and annointings but are on the right track. I imagine there will be some growing pains along the way. As most of us know, growing pains accompany a growth spurt. Also, if God is going to do something amazing, satan will try to derail it before it can happen. It has been nice for them to feel comfortable here and have a time of relaxing before they are worked like crazy at camps. I will continue to pray for their safety but also that God will put opportunities in their path to minister to others, not just with their music but as the people God is growing them int0.
I also want to say thanks to all that came out to see the group on Sunday night! We weren't sure what to expect on a holiday weekend. It was good to see old friends we haven't seen for a while too. Have a great weekend.!

Full House

AJ and his friends are here! We are so glad they are here. They are great young adults. It makes for close quarters sometimes, and clutter but what a blessing they are here. They are just starting the beginning of their journey. They have lots of great experiences, large and small to learn. They may forge lifelong friendships during this next six months. God has put them together for this time for His purpose. It is nice to be able to see a small part of the journey. Each one is talent din their own right and the blending of the God given talents is a special gift.

It is going to be a wonderful night tomorrow night and if anyone is interested come over to Garnett A/G and check them out.

Mad celebrated her 12th birthday today. Can't believe she is that old already. Seems like she was just born. She has gotten taller and thinner and much older looking. She still has struggles and I know middle school isn't easy. It reminds me to pray for school kids every day.

Life is a rollercoaster ride

Lots has happened since I last sat down to post. I have been getting our house ready for our 9 visitors. We are very excited! It is going to be close quarters, but so much fun. It's a gift for us to be able to have them here and spend time with aj. It comes at a very busy time of the year for me at work but I have had lots of help! I think, sometimes, we have to do the same thing with our relationship with God. As our daily lives click along, we let our everyday stuff clutter up our relationship with God, just like everyday stuff clutters our house after a while. I know the busier I am, the messier my house gets. I don't have the time to clean everything up as much as I should. When I do have the time I am very tired. I think God expects us to occasionally clean out our own spiritual house from the stuff that builds up. Moods, attitudes, thoughts and sometimes habits we let creep in. I know I don't meditate on the word of God as much as I should. What good is reading it if you don't really think about what it means?

We had a close call. My middlest angel had an car collision. It shook her up pretty good and bumped her head. It's one of the calls every parent dreads "mom, I had an accident" One friend asked if she got in big trouble. She thought it was an odd question. She didn't get in trouble, she wasn't doing anything distracting. She was just tired and didn't see the car coming. It shook us too, when we looked at the car and realized how easily it could have hit her right on her door and really hurt her instead of at her back tire. God's hand is everywhere. I wish I had listened to the little voice (God)that told me she shouldn' be out driving at that place at that time after her long hours of work. But I was trying to not be a helicopter mom and trying to let go of my child a little since she is almost 18. The use of the word child tells you I have a long way to go:)
Every so often God reminds me He gave me that little voice in my head for a reason and I should listen. Some day, my kids will have it too and then understand it. Well, I better go and see which David won Idol.

If I had buttons, they would pop!

We got back yesterday from a whirlwind road trip to see our son. He performed a concert with 4 other classmates as a project. I have always known how talented he is and the potential he has. I was so overwhelmed by the music he wrote and performed, his vocal technique and ease on a stage. I know, I'm his mom and he should be perfect always to me. Those closest to me know I have a pretty good grip on who my kids are. They aren't perfect by any means, they mess up, just like me. They have their personality quirks, just like everyone else. But I have to say, he was awesome. His ease up there makes him a born performer. His keyboard and vocal talents along with his writing are a gift. I laughed one day because my daughter accused me of living vicariously through my children. I haven't expected them to do all that I wanted but as a parent, I do get the priviledge of watching them do amazing things and enjoy it. I work like I do so my son can go to school and do the things I couldn't do when I was in college due to money. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow and develope and most definetely surpass what I would have done. He also has a love and annointing for worship. The other students were amazing as well. Each different in their style and delivery but each blessed with such talent. Everyone one of them easily able to hold their own on a professional level. If you want to see any of their performances the few I have will be on youtube.

I have had a chance to talk about my faith lot lately in many situations. You may think that is a regular event for me as a pastor's wife but it isn't. I am mostly surrounded by evangelical people like myself. Some of us more messed up than others. Because I work in a school system, I am very careful about speaking if not asked about it and at church everyone speaks of it. I have not always been comfortable sharing my faith and my personal story so I feel like God is stretching me. It is easier to speak of Christ when relaying a parable or some nugget of truth from the bible. It is much harder when you make it personal. We get caught up in what has been termed "christianese". The reason I really my New living translation of the bible is because it says it all in plain speaking. It is my favorite version. So if you really want a version that is easy to understand get the New Living translation and step out of your comfort zone. Be Jesus with skin on. Have a great Mother's day too!