It's been all summer since I blogged. I am falling down on the job. School starts tomorrow for my kids. I have one who can't wait and another who wishes she didn't have too. Senioritis has hit before the school year has started. She would like to be done already. I hope she doesn't miss out and enjoy some the her final year of high school by wishing for something that will come eventually. It reminds me of many things in my life. I keep trying to remind myself to enjoy the now because the rest will come and in a blink my kids will be grown and out on their own. I will miss hanging with my girls and going to the movies. And late night walks. I won't be able to complain about all the shoes laying at the front door. The purses plopped in the hall and all the hair products on the bathroom counter. okay, enough nostalgia. Rebellion. I think about little kids with a defiant look on their face, kids hiding things they do that they know are wrong. But God's been speaking in His quiet way about rebellion. How it can be quiet and insidious. It sometimes masks itself as the thoughts and feelings of "what I deserve" You can go to church, love God and do all you are suppose to and still have rebellion in your heart. It is the thing that causes us to decide not to do something we should but don't want to. It is a way we hold ourselves back emotionally from God's plans, from people we love and obedience to God. Rebellion has it's roots in selfishness. Who doesn't have a problem with that? The Bible also says it is as witchcraft. I've seen that in action in our years of ministry. How it can spread like a stain and runs over on all around. We sometimes think rebellion is proven by action but most recently I have seen in modeled by inaction or apathy. No action is action. It is disobedience to God whether it is passive or aggressive. Yeah, He's showing me stuff around me but not for me to fix them but to make me aware of those spaces in my life. So keep praying for each other and take a look inside to see what God is doing in you:)

"Vacations all I ever wanted, vacation have to get away"

Okay, I have really dated myself with the song lyric by the Go Gos. We are on vacation and having a great time. It is so relaxing to spend time with my best friend. Have you ever noticed those people in your life that no matter what you do with them, working, playing or relaxing, you have fun? That is the nature of my friendship. They are refreshing! They are many things. We have so much fun with them. Usually we laugh so hard I think I am going to stroke out or wet my pants. They are the only people we have ever vacationed with because we all relax and try and do things everyone wants to do. There is no hidden agenda. They are generous and giving to everyone. Everytime we visit we have spa day. I am sporting art on my toes and fingers this year. This year is a little stressful for them as they have a wedding coming up. i am getting to help out with Mick's culinary endeavors for the rehearsal dinner so it's going to be fun.

As we were getting our spa treatment today, the topic turned to some discussion about hurt feelings and stepping back from things, etc. God reminded me that sometimes, we just have to let it go. I think we hang on to things longer if they hurt us as opposed to making us angry. I have been trying to remember and pass on to my youngest that we are responsible for forgiving people whether they apologize or not. They may never be sorry, or even know what they did. Some will never apologize. It is our responsibility to forgive and move on. We have to be responsible for ourselves. God doesn't tell us to forgive when the offender has apologized. Carnal nature says we are doing someone a favor when we forgive them because they don't deserve it. God's nature says, we forgive. The reality is...forgiveness is so that the root of bitterness doesn't take hold in the heart of the offended. If the offender doesn't have remorse, forgiveness means nothing to them, but the offended has a whole heart. Okay, guess that was the word for the day. The family is rock climbing, I am going to watch my friend practice her dinner theatre and wish I was in it. The days are slipping by too quickly for only seeing them once a year.

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!

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;)