I had a BLAST!

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 be 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 sp 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 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 responsibilites 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!

IT

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!

Please pray for Katie.

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.

Happy Birthday Lindsey!!

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!!!

Geesh!

It’s amazing how life can get in the way of well…life.  I have been busy with work, church, One Voice and a Life Transformation Group I am leading.  The past month has been exhausting physically and emotionally.

I am learning how to “let go” as a Mom and that isn’t always easy.  I want the best for my children; I love them so much.  Letting go of them to what seems like the “unknown” is often difficult.  I know God is in control and that He is watching my girls, but the human Mom in me still needs/wants to see that her children are taken care of; that there is stability and security.  Yes, again, I know all those things are provided in Christ, but my humaness gets in the way sometimes.

A few weeks ago I went to a Women’s Retreat.  I had registered for it long before I began my “motherly” struggle.  When I arrived I knew God had something to say to me while I was there – even if it was just ONE thing to release me from the emotional struggle I was in.  That one thing was this…“We become paralyzed when we live in the “what-ifs” for our children…” That was EXACTLY where I was – paralyzed and fearful because of the “what-ifs”.  I am still learning to let go, but I am not a teary, stressed out Mom [at this moment anyway ;o) ].  All three of my girls are in HIS hands and even though it is scary for me at times; I have to trust HIM and them.

We have had a few new families check out the church in the past few weeks.  That is encouraging.  One Voice is coming along, although the drama portion is going so much differently than previous years.  Guess I’ll have to spend a lot more time praying about that one.  We are also using a different auditorium this year, so I am having to rethink blocking and logistics.  Oh well, that’s what keeps the brain functioning.

It is apple season here and I was given a box and a half of apples Monday, so I spent Tuesday canning applesauce.  I canned 9 quarts.  John helped with some of the prep work.  It reminded me of the first year we were married, living in an apartment that was a converted motel room.  I picked apples and then canned 24 quarts for my new husband.  We had to store them in boxes under the kitchen table – of course that’s where the pots and pans were too.  When I told John I had forgotten how much work it was to can applesauce and then said, “I can’t believe I made 24 quarts for you 30 years ago.  I must really love you.”  His comment was, “You had fewer responsibilities then, so had more time…” (Wrong answer – LOL).  I told him, ” I had you, that was plenty of responsibility!”  He smirked and replied, “Go clean up your kitchen…LOL”  My sister loves my applesauce  – too bad I can’t send her some.   Sorry Melodie.

The leaves are changing and I love the colors.  I got a few pictures last week and hope to get a few more next week.  This weekend is the Sandwich Fair (not to be confused with a fair of sandwiches – it is in the town of Sandwich).  We hope to go for a bit tomorrow and then see John’s brother and his family for supper tomorrow night.  I have Monday off, but John does not…soooo…I plan to spend the day doing things just for me – figured I deserve it.  I am grateful for all the things God is teaching me as I continue on my faith journey.  Enjoy your weekend.

Here are a few pictures of the foliage and the applesauce.

Reflection in the marsh across the street from the house.

Mt. Chocorua and Chocorua Lake

Colors around Chocorua Lake

The “Fruit” of my labor.

WOW!

I know it has been a LONG time since I have posted. School is in full swing, One Voice is up and running, Hilary has been in and out while looking for work, I have been to a couple of women’s events, church things…you get the picture.  For the most part these have all been enjoyable though.  There are some things that God has been teaching me and I really want to share them with you because it is scarey and exciting at the same time, BUT right now I am way too tired to write what is on my heart and mind. SOO, I’ll leave you with a picture I took on my phone while John and I were at Kittery Trading Post on Friday.  Have a great evening!

Quick Post.

John and I headed to Pittsburg, NH today.  He’d always wanted to go, so now we can say what is and isn’t there.  The lakes are beautiful, but there isn’t a lot there.  It’ll be a great spot for him to go camping/fishing with Mark next year.  We drove up Moose Alley past 3rd Connecticut Lake and didn’t see a single moose – they must have been on vacation.   Anyway, we enjoyed being together and talking and the weather was gorgeous.  I only took a few pictures.

View of Francis Lake.

Flowers on the bank of 3rd Connecticut Lake.

God is at work.

I know God is always at work, we just don’t always recognize it.  I had the privilege to go to a Living Proof Ministries Simulcast this weekend in Meredith.  The details of how I found out about it and it all worked out were definitely a God thing.  I told John I was going alone because I needed to be lost in a crowd and have God speak to me.  I will admit to having never read a Beth Moore book and not really knowing what to expect.  After my Friday night and Saturday morning experience, I will be buying books and attending more seminars.  You can check things out a Living Proof Ministries.

God is working through the Life Transformation Group I am a part of.  It’s interesting learning from each other as God speaks to us through His Word.  God is also working in Hilary’s life.  The past 6 weeks have been quite a ride for her, but God is working and growing and stretching her.  You can learn/read more about what God is up to in her life here if you are interested.  This photo was taken last week and it totally captures her joy in the Lord.

Hope you are finding JOY in HIM today!

I LOVE my job!

Yes, I am still here; just been preoccupied (no, blessed) with family time.  John and Katie have arrived in Philly and she’ll move into EU tomorrow – can’t believe my baby is a Junior in college.  Hilary has moved back in – no full time work yet, but God is really working in her life and it is exciting to see and hear all that is happening with her.  Lindsey is ready for her 4th year teaching in NC – she has kids tomorrow.

Last week was spent with teacher workdays.  I will admit to not looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker on Thursday morning – wasn’t crazy about her books (Please Stop Laughing at Me! and Please Stop Laughing at Us!).  I understood why we were asked to read them and agree that we need to approach bullying in a variety of ways; I just didn’t care for her books or approach.

God had a GREAT surprise for me!  I walked into the afternoon workshop where music was playing in the background and it sounded like we were going to have a party!  Little did I know that Anne Marie Taylor was going to usher us into a celebration of children in a way that would excite us all for the beginning of school.  Little did I know that I would be face to face with the light of Jesus in a fellow believer that was totally illuminating the room and captivating all who were listening.  She was wonderful!  I knew I’d like her when I heard her say “y’all”!  She is the 2008 SC Teacher of the Year and the first Special Ed Teacher to have that honor. In talking with her at the break I discovered what church in SC she attends and that she has recently taken on the position of Children’s Ministry leader part-time.  Woo Hoo!  Through music and many other activities she reminded us to celebrate everyone with all they bring and to serve to lead.  As I have thought about those two things this week I have realized that they apply to all we do with people in church too.  SO, I’m going to work on celebrating and serving…

Today was the first day of school and I was blessed to be with kids that I love and am looking forward to all God has in store for me at OCS this year.  To all other teachers, blessings to you as you start a new year.

God’s beauty.

John and I went to his company’s annual party last night.  This year they had it on the Mount Washington.  We left from Weirs Beach and cruised Lake Winnipesaukee from about 7-10 PM.  I was handed a camera and designated the photographer (no, I didn’t bring mine because I didn’t want to lug it around – the cute little Nikon Coolpix I was handed fit nicely in a pocket).  The food wasn’t that great, but the music on all floors was good.  The sunset was gorgeous.

View from Weirs Beach – taken on my phone so not the greatest photo.

Another one taken with my phone, but I really liked it.

This afternon we went to MA to pick up some of Hilary’s “stuff” and have supper.  I am ready to have her home for a bit – I have missed her.