Over the past 2 months I have had quite a few friends pass away; the one this week was a real shock. I am so thankful that all of them loved Jesus with all that was within them. They lived Romans 1:16 to the fullest. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” I have been really seeking God and HIS priorities for me these last few months.
This song came to mind today by Geoff Moore, “When All is Said and Done.”
When the music fades into the past,
When the days of life are through,
What will be remembered of where I’ve come?
When all is said and done?
Will they say I loved my family?
That I was a faithful friend?
That I lived to tell of God’s own son?
When all is said and done.
Of how I long to see the hour,
When I would hear that trumpet sound.
So I could rise and see my Savior’s face,
And see him smile,
And say ‘Well done.’
You can forget my name
And the songs I’ve sung,
Every rhyme and every tune.
But remember the truth of Jesus’ love,
When all is said and done
When all is said and done.
I want my life to be lived to the fullest for Him, and in all honesty I can’t say I always do that or that I always give my all. I have been reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I believe God has me reading this right now to draw me into a deeper relationship with Him. My wonderful Pastor (and husband) has been preaching through our church’s statement of faith. Today he was speaking about the phrase, “Love God passionately”. One thing he said really hit me…I seem to have a teflon brain these days, so I opened my purse, turned on my ipod touch and discreetly typed this note, “What would God put on my to do list?” God is shaking me up – in good ways and I am learning to hang on for the ride. I want my life to bring His light to those around me. I also want MY to-do list to be set by HIM; I’m working on that.
The deaths of so many in the last few weeks has also caused me to remember to tell those I love how much I love them every time I talk to them. Here are photos of those precious to my heart and I am SO thankful they are precious to God too and that they are seeking to follow His heart.
If you are reading this, know that you are loved by me, but that Jesus loves you SO much more! If you know Him as your personal friend and Savior, celebrate and share that. If you do not, you are missing out on the best gift – I’d love to share that gift with you so that you can celebrate His love too.
I used to have things organized in my house. I like things organized; however, in the past 6 months chaos and clutter have taken over. I think it is time I go back to my FlyLady plan (haven’t used that in 18 months). So when I came home from Dover (took Lindsey to catch the bus to Logan) I decided it was time to clean out the chest freezer in the garage. (I really want to replace it with an upright, but that will have to wait for a bit.) Before I headed to the garage I checked my RSS feeds and found information about the Eat From the Pantry Challenge over at Money Saving Mom.com. I downloaded the Freezer Inventory spreadsheet from Once a Month Mom and used that to make my list for the 2 refrigerator freezers and the chest freezer. It took about 1-1/2 hours to go through the freezers and then 1/2 an hour to rearrange the spreadsheet to suit my needs. It feels SO good to have that done. John is going to put more shelving in the laundry room for me. Once that is done I am going to do a Pantry inventory too. I know we have food in the house (staples at least) and if I get a handle on what is here I can cook for probably a month without buying much at the store. I am going to try and find some recipes on the $5 Dinner Mom and use my new crockpot cookbook Make it Fast, Cook it Slow from A Year of Slow Cooking. That’s my plan; I’ll let you know how it goes. Let me know if you decide to join me (and many others) on the Eat From the Pantry Challenge.
Happy 2010!
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind, as I’m sure they have been for many people. Here’s a bullet recap of what happened when I wasn’t working at school:
- 12/11 – blocking at InterLakes High School for One Voice’s performance of GOOD NEWS!
- 12/12 – moved Hilary’s furniture to her first apartment in Hudson, NH (2 hours away)
- 12/13 – went to the 99 to celebrate my birthday with Katie and John (1 day early)
- 12/14 – One Voice rehearsal at InterLakes (Happy Birthday to me)
- 12/15 – One Voice tech crew night at InterLakes (one cast member quit that day)
- 12/16 – One Voice Dress Rehearsal at InterLakes (one tech crew member quit that day)
- 12/17 – One Voice Dress Rehearsal at InterLakes (1st run through was fine – 2nd run through the hazer sent the fire alarm and fire curtain into motion – had to cancel 2nd run through…)
- 12/18 – 1st One Voice performance of Good News – packed house (lady had a seizure and had to be taken out 3/4 way through performance…she is OK)
- 12/19 – 2nd and 3rd performances of Good News – packed house both times
- 12/20 – Christmas Sunday at church then 4th and FINAL performance of Good News – overflow crowd and had to turn people away (tore set down and headed home because LINDSEY arrived at 9:30 PM – HOORAY!)
I am not going to put a lot of Good News photos up, but I think you will be able to see them at my friend, Kristin Baker Brown’s facebook (scroll to bottom of page and you’ll find 3 One Voice albums). Here is one she took of most of the cast and crew.
- 12/21 – worked 1/2 a day and then headed to eye doctor to pick up glasses and new trial contacts (hooray I can read without my readers!) Lindsey and Katie went with me and then we hit the grocery store since I was told, “there is nothing to eat in this house” and really there wasn’t and Christmas was closing in on us.
- 12/22 – full day of work at school, but Katie and Lindsey made party mix and peanut butter balls while I was working. John has always wanted a train to go around the Christmas tree; however, we have always had a dog, sooo…I bought a gingerbread train for John and Katie to put together. Here are photos.
Lindsey kept telling them that the train was leaning. Katie said that it was fine, just not structurally sound…
John and Katie decided that really the train was just going around a corner, that’s why it was leaning – so they had to lean too.
- 12/23 – Christmas vacation began! Lots of baking of sausage balls, sugar cookies and gingerbread men. Hilary made it home in time for turkey and broccoli casserole and to decorate the sugar cookies and gingerbread dudes (Derek was there to help for a little bit)
I forgot to take pictures of what they looked like after the glace’ dried and decorations were piped on. I’ll have to see if there are any left for photos. On to gingerbread dudes.
- 12/24 – apple pie and sweet potatoes baked, salad made, presents wrapped, pizza dough made for family tradition of eating pizza while watching White Christmas, then opening stockings. Hilary gave me her smaller tripod, so I tried taking another picture of the Christmas tree with my Kodak P850 (the drive motor is unreliable right now). I like this shot.
- 12/25 – MERRY CHRISTMAS – the best present of all is JESUS! We opened gifts and all got many things and found many surprises. The girls blew me away with an IPod touch – it’s engraved on the back too and John got me a Panasonic Lumix ZS3 (YES!). Hilary got a telephoto lens for her Canon Rebel XT, Katie got IPod speakers and the rest of her Europe trip paid for, John got a Kindle 2, but the best sound effect came from Lindsey when she opened her Wii! We ate our traditional Breakfast Casserole and I fixed some cinnamon rolls for Katie who doesn’t like sausage. Here are a FEW photos.
A game of Parchesi while waiting for lunch.
Honey baked ham, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole (per kids request), salad, rolls, “doctored” mashed potatoes, sparkling grape juice, coffee, apple pie and pumpkin roll! Yum-yum (sound like Grandpa Jones from “Hee-Haw)
- 12/26 – Hilary headed back to Hudson to work at Apple that night – she took Stuart with her – we are officially without a cat, so here is a picture of our only “baby”
- 12/27 – rainy, icy day at church then went to May Kelly’s Cottage (Irish Pub) with John and the girls for lunch followed by the Patriots game. Then played with my new camera and IPod touch. Finally, here is me – taken by me with the new camera.
I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas. God has truly blessed me and my family and we are so grateful. Lindsey is with us for another week and Katie, Lindsey and I are going to visit Hilary on Tuesday. Unfortunately, John has to go back to work tomorrow. Have a blessed week and 2010.
We’ve eaten pizza, watched White Christmas and opened stockings. Now to bed…
I am so glad that God speaks through His word and brings verses to mind when I need them. This week this verse has been front and center…
Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
It’s the time of year One Voice is in its final weeks of production, Christmas shopping, baking etc. is in full swing and things don’t always go either the way I think they should or the way I want them to. I am thankful that no matter what is happening around me HIS purpose prevails. In the end what matters is being used by Him to accomplish His purposes. This next week is going to be stressful and exhausting, but I believe God will speak to hearts through what happens Fri-Sun at InterLakes High School when One Voice presents GOOD NEWS!
I had a snow day last Wednesday – a foot of snow (even in NH) will do that. Katie made it home Thursday and we are enjoying having her home. Saturday we moved things to Hudson for Hilary. She has been living with a family for the last few months and has tried to move into other apartments, but each time the door would close. God has provided a wonderful home for her – her “space” is a small apartment in the basement of a lady from church. It was a quick trip down and back for us, but we are so grateful for God’s provision for Hilary. Next week this time Lindsey will arrive from NC. We will have all 3 girls home for Christmas! Hooray!
I pray that during the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season you are celebrating Jesus – the best Christmas gift.
(Katie has been playing with her Bamboo again…)
While I was visiting Lindsey I went with her to a Saturday night service at Elevation Church – Matthews. I really appreciate the passion for God and vision of Pastor Steven Furtick. The sermon that night was on Matthew 6:33. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV) He talked about investments – all kinds of investments and how financial investments have depreciated in the last year. He contrasted them to investments in the Kingdom of God and the great appreciation those investments make in the lives of other people as they come to know Christ. He was right when he said we live in a world that focuses on the Kingdom of the THINGdom of BLINGdom. Bigger is better and more is even better. I was struck that night by thinking of the people who had made investments in my life and thanking God for how He has used me as I choose to invest in the lives of others and guide them to Him and then grow them in Him. What Pastor Steven had to say, plus the book I am reading, have really had be sorting through my priorities. Am I investing in the right things for this time in my life? I want to make investments that point people to Christ. I am thankful for God’s Word that is a great investment tool.
It’s an uncertain time for our financial investments, but I pray that you have the joy of Jesus investments.
So – I started this post 2 days ago and finally have time to finish it…
Thursday after school I headed to Portland to catch a plane to Charlotte to spend the weekend with Lindsey. Evidently there was some sort of computer glitch that was messing up flights, but my flight made it out and I made my connection at Dulles. I spent that night at Lindsey’s apartment. While I was getting ready the next morning I commented on how poor the lighting was in the bathroom. I told her if I wasn’t careful I’d come out looking like Aunt Lottie. It’s funny what you remember at the oddest times. Of course, she didn’t know who that was, so I had to describe the “colorful” little lady. She tried to be fashionable, but she never learned the “less is more” concept about fashion. Bright colors and LOTS of bright lipstick were always evident. Lindsey took me for biscuits and gravy at Jimmie’s in Mint Hill, then Melodie joined us and we headed to the Southern Christmas Show at the Merchandise Mart. We parked behind the Bojangles Coliseum/Ovens Auditorium and I told Lindsey I had graduated from High School at Ovens Auditorium.
We thought we’d be at the Show for 3+ hours. We arrived around 12PM and left about 8:45PM!!! This was a shopper’s dream! Who would have thought so much entertainment could be found in one place! There were Christmas displays, all kinds of shops set up by local merchants and then another BIG section that was craftsmen and artisans from all across the South. We laughed, giggled, ate and shopped. I got quite a few Christmas presents and stocking stuffers (and of course a few things for me). My biggest purchase was my Miche bag. I have an addiction to purses. This seemed like a good way to curb the addiction (and the show special was a great incentive). [Addendum to Miche bag story - Katie is home from college and checked it out - she then went to the distributor in Conway and bought her own Miche - guess I am the "cool" Mom if my 20 year old wants a purse like mine - haha] After supper at Chili’s we headed home, Lindsey had to avoid being hit so she went across the road and quickly turned into an empty parking lot. After meandering to find the exit she decided to do “donuts” in the parking lot. She just kept going around and around and around. Melodie and I were laughing so hard we cried. This is not at all what you would expect of Lindsey. SO, I decided to text Hilary and Katie and tell them what their sister was doing. What I thought I had sent was, “You sister just did 25 donuts in the parking lot and Aunt Melodie is cackling in the back seat.” A few minutes later I get this message from Katie, “MOM – check the first 4 words of that message! Don’t give me a heart attack!!”. So I read what I thought I had sent only to discover that one little additional letter made a HUGE difference in the message. What I had sent said, “You sister just died 25 donuts in the parking lot and Aunt Melodie is cackling in the back seat.” HAHAHA! My next two thoughts were 1) Do you think I would have sent you a TEXT if your sister had died? and 2) Maybe my next phone should have a qwerty keyboard ;0)
I did not take a camera with me, so we had to use my phone (poor pictures). The sign is one I hear on a regular basis and the other photo was taken at the backdrop to the Charlotte Observer table.
I spent Friday and Saturday nights at Melodie’s house. Saturday Lindsey and I goofed off around town (hit Chick-Fil-A for lunch) and then went to the 6:00PM service at Elevation Church. We then went back to Melodie’s to enjoy some of the Unionville School Barbeque and Brunswick Stew that Lindsey had frozen and saved just for us. There is NOTHING like Unionville Barbeque and it is an amazing fundraiser for the school. Thanks for sharing Lindsey! Sunday Lindsey had responsibilities at 2 services at Elevation’s Providence campus, so I stayed with Melodie and we met Lindsey for lunch at McAlister’s. Yum! After the good-byes, Lindsey took me to the airport and I headed home. I’ve always considered Charlotte home – I mean I was born there and have spent 17 years of my life there (on and off) and it’s just well…home – a wonderful place. The thing I realized as I was leaving was that I couldn’t wait to get home to John…which told me that HOME is really wherever the man I love is – so for right now it’s NH.
I began reading a book on the plane called CLOSER THAN YOUR SKIN. I need to read some more and then do a post…I bought the book 18 months ago, but God knew I needed this book now. He’s good like that.
Monday was spent catching up and stuff around the house and beginning T’Day preparations. Here are some of the cupcakes I made to keep the troops satisfied until T’Day.
Tuesday I had a workshop at school from 8AM-12PM, then I headed to Bonhoeffer’s in Nashua to get a good cup of coffee from my favorite barista (aka Hilary). I got to spend a few minutes with her and can’t wait to have her home for Thanksgiving. From there I went to the Mall of NH in Manchester to do some Christmas shopping and have supper with my dear friend, Denise. We had a nice supper at Ruby Tuesday and a great visit. I wish it wasn’t such a long time between visits. I did a little more looking around for gifts and then headed to the airport to pick up Katie. Hooray!!!
Today has been spent doing all the usual preparations for Thanksgiving day. I am SO thankful for my husband and darling daughters. I’ll head to bed soon, but sleep lightly until Hilary arrives around 1:00 AM – yes – the time is correct. I pray you have many things to be thankful!
My darling husband has been reading a book called IT. Yesterday he posted this quote on his Facebook and it has had me thinking.
“To have “it”, you’ll have to choose not to do everything. Those who attempt to do everything always lose “it”.” – From the Book It by Craig Groeschel
I feel like this describes me right now. I have lost “it”. I’m still involved in things and those things seem to be going well, but I feel like I have 3 jobs right now. I need IT back. IT is more time with God, time with John, time for me, time for my kids, time for people. Thankfully I will lose some things at the end of the year and I plan to find IT again. How about you?
In other news, Katie is back to classes at EU, but won’t got back to teaching at the High School until next week. Thanks for all your prayers. Hilary is finishing up her second 60 hour work week between the two jobs, but seems happy and full of life. I get to see Lindsey next week! Hooray for an NC getaway!
After a few days of fever, Katie finally went to the ER today in PA. She has H1N1. They are not giving her meds – said she was healthy enough for her body to fight it. She has to stay in her room until she has had no fever for 24 hours. She is exhausted from not sleeping, but also stressed about school work. Please keep her in your prayers.
I can’t wait to see this face…
turn back into this perky, happy-go-lucky Katie face.
Thanks for praying.
It’s been a busy month and I’ll try to post an update sometime this weekend. In the meantime, help me celebrate Lindsey’s birthday! We are so proud of her and thankful that God is using her in NC as she teaches and as she serves Him at Elevation Church. Happy Birthday Binzo Baby! I’ll see you in a few weeks!!!
