A few days ago, Tuesday to be exact, it was Lex's Birthday!

It's not that we didn't celebrate, although it was just Lex and I at home as the kids were still in Abilene, it's just that we celebrated quietly.
I asked him if he wanted to go to a movie and dinner that night and he was agreeable. Then, as I know he's been wanting to see Narnia, I assumed that would be the choice of movie. His response to that was, "I can't see that without the kids..."



So, we saw something else and then went to a late quiet dinner after the movie. It was a very nice time together. But, tonight, we have tickets to see Narnia...with the kids...
It will be nice to be together...the four of us.

As I said at the beginning of this school year, I'm so aware that my time with this little family unit is short lived. Is that to say we'll never be together as a foursome after the kids head off to college? Of course not. But it won't be the same.

So, tonight, we'll enjoy some time together. The four of us. We'll laugh, talk, watch a good movie together, probably even fuss a little bit...and it will be wonderful.

I tease Lex that he will never really grow up...that on a good day, he's about 12, but his normal attitudes and activities involve those from about an 8 year old boy.

He's fun, and silly, and sweet, and innocent, and doesn't mind spontaneity!

Lex is one of the best father's I've ever known. He is extraordinarily devoted to his children. He loves them with a selfless love...provides them with constant hugs and tackles and sweet touches. Showers them with praise of things he's proud of them for...and, reminds them every night as he prays with them before bed, who he serves.

Lex is a great man. I'm blessed to have been chosen to partner with him in this life.

AP - Veggie burgers and tofu do not have strong health benefits, says a new heart association study on soy-based foods... Whew! What a relief! I'm waiting for the study that says that exercise really isn't that good for you and potatoes are life lengthening, particularly when topped with butter, cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits!


O.K. On to more serious matters. My sweet children come home today. They left with the ZOE group Sunday to check out Abilene Christian University for a few days. They were blessed to stay with Mike, Diane, and Chris Cope. They were shuttled around by Mike, Sally Gary, and Matt Maxwell. Amazing people. They walked the campus, checked out Mike Cope and Randy Harris' Bible class, listened in on a class taught by Sally Gary, and ate some great pizza with the Maxwell's and B.B.Q. from "Harold's". Never been there, but Avery said he was waiting for Bo and Luke Duke to come strolling in any minute. He loved it.

I'll be eager to hear what they thought about the school. Any Abilene Alum out there want to put in their "two cents" on this subject?

I can't say much about the Conference because it was truly overwhelming. Listening to Leonard Sweet, John York, and others talk about becoming a more missional church was invigorating, as well as convicting.

Teresa Newsom signed the songs we were singing again, and as always, put a new beauty to the song that you hadn't felt before. She is so gifted.

Lee Smith and Bill Barksdale work for days...literally days...to provide two of the most amazing dinners for the ZOE group...(and those of us working the conference). They feed about 70 people both nights in the most beautiful and delicious way you've ever seen. I don't know if there is a group that works harder and longer than that group to prepare, cook, and serve...and with smiles and joy! What a blessing they are to this church and to me personally.

We had people providing lunches, housing guests, making the foyer beautiful with fresh fruit and munchies and water, registering people, babysitting "ZOE kids", praying with and for folks, taking care of a "green room" for the ZOE group to get away to when needed, (complete with fruit, sodas, water, chocolate, nuts, couches, etc...), and on and on the list goes.

Of course, if you've read Stevens blog, he's told you how hard his wife, my sister-in-law, works. She's a maniac! She loves to work herself to death! She takes on anything that I don't need to handle and handles it beautifully. 4 years ago, she helped just because she was related...during that ZOE weekend, she discovered her "place"...her "gift". It was a beautiful discovery for her...she went from being Steven's wife, to having absolute value all on her own.

Now, it wouldn't matter if I was running the conference or someone else, she would be on the team.

I guess to wrap this up, I will say again how very thankful I am that soy isn't the miracle food (if you can call it that) that they once thought it was. One less thing I have to feel guilty about not doing!

But, even more than that, I am so grateful for this place...College Church. Not because we have it all together...goodness no! But because of the family that meets here. They are generous, hospitable, gracious, loving, accepting, and hard working. I'm so blessed to be part of them.

All I can say about the conference is...

wow...wow...wow...

God is good. God is generous with His blessings. God is merciful and gracious.

It was a beautiful and wonderful weekend.

I'll write more later...on another day. But for now, I'm going to bed for about a day and a half.

Good night sweet bloggers.

There's only so much you can write when it's the Wednesday before a National Worship Conference which begins Friday...

However, as God always does, He allowed me to go, go, go, and then finally, drew my attention back to Him.

I started to have some minor physical problems that, if it were not the week of the conference, I would have ignored. However, I need to be at my best, so I called my Dr and went in yesterday at 10:40 am. I didn't really have much time, but knew it was the best course of action. So, at 11:30, when I was still in the waiting room, I went up the the front counter and asked if they had forgotten me. They informed me that she was running one to two hours behind.

What should I have said then? What would you have said?

"You have got to be kidding me!" I said graciously. (insert sarcastic tone here)

They finally got me in. Told me my heart wasn't pumping like it should so my veins weren't contracting like they should so my ankles and feet are becoming the size of my thighs. (and if you've seen me, you know that's not a good thing!).

"We need to do an ultra sound of your heart to see what's going on." the Dr. said.

Do you know what I said?

"I don't have time for this. I'll worry about it next week."

Isn't that silly? Now that I look back on it, that was really silly.

Anyway, she listened to my worried words about all I have to do and how I'm already late for a meeting at my office and I hate to keep people waiting and next week I will promise to look into this heart thing and can you please just give me something to get me through Sunday so I can finish this Conference up successfully!

Her response..."you know that was all in one breath, in fact, I haven't noticed you actually take a deep breath since you've been here...and, it sounds like you're not depending on your source of strength...and, yes, I'll give you 4 pills to get you through this week, but then you come back and we'll see what's going on with your heart."

Hhmmm...

I'm glad I didn't have to get tough with her. But that "source of strength" comment was a low blow. She's a Christian...we've talked before...she's asked me to pray for her daughter, we've shared thoughts on mothering, etc...

So, yesterday, once again, God had to grab my face and make me look in his eyes.

Thank you, God.

Pray for this weekend.
Pray for the travelers to be safe.
Pray we don't have fog that hinders the planes from arriving.
Pray that God is all over this weekend...all over this church...all over the speakers, teachers, singers, participants...all over our hearts.

18 years ago today I was tired, overwhelmed, and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

My sweet Ashley was born...

When I began this journey of parenting, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no clue what a difficult thing it was. I had no concept of what it felt like to have such unconditional love and acceptance for another person.

Ashley has taught me more than I will ever teach her.

Ashley is beautiful...inside and out.
Ashley is kind...but tough.
Ashley is talented...She sings, plays French Horn, teaches children, excels in school.
Ashley is Godly...she lives by His commandments and shares a deep personal relationship with her Creator.
Ashley cares deeply for people. She's the friend you want...in good times and bad.
Ashley is my daughter...my flesh and blood...my great blessing.

As an adopted person, I never really understood the "family connection" some folks have. Especially sister to sister. I understood my own blessing of being placed by God in a home that was clearly my family, but didn't "get" the deep down family connection of people thinking what you think before you say it. I didn't experience the family resemblance aspect of life because I didn't look like anybody else in my family. That's not bad, it's just the way it was...until Ashley.

As I looked into her little face I realized that my DNA, my traits, my blood had been transferred miraculously into this little person. As she has grown and developed into an amazing young woman, I am continually amazed by the connection she and I have. It's something I can't quite put into words, but it's obvious when you know the two of us.


There is so much about Ashley that I love. But even beyond love, I respect who she is. Ashley will make a difference wherever she is. Ashley will represent our family well. Ashley will represent our church well. Ashley will represent God well.

I'm so proud of who she is.
I'm so blessed to be her mother.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

Just want to thank all of you who have emailed me or commented on my blog.

I appreciate your prayers, your thoughts, your comments.

It's amazing this "community" we've been blessed with, not just through blogging, but through Jesus Christ. I say often, and it's worth repeating, relationship with each other is one of the greatest gifts God gave us...don't you think?

Anyway, prayer works. Things are looking up. I'm feeling like this thing just might come off in a big way! Fortunately, it's not up to me...

My friend, Eric, the Executive Director of ZOE comes on Saturday. He comes early for two reasons. One, he helps with all the final details, and two, we're friends and it gives us an excuse to spend some time together.

My daughter turns 18 on Monday. Hard to believe...in fact, I can't think about it without a little break down. What's the difference in ages? Why are some more difficult to accept than others? She's been deep in their school show the last two weeks. Leaving the house about 7:am and not returning until 11:pm. They needed cookies to sell at the concession stand during intermission Thursday - Sunday, and I got volunteered somehow. Ashley promised me she didn't suggest it, but none-the-less, amidst everything, I'm baking a bunch of cookies.

Enough.
I'm babbling.
Keep praying.
Love you all.

"Aren't you going to get up?" Lex said sweetly as he left for work today...

"Nope." I answered defiantly. "I'm staying right here for 2 weeks! Somebody else is going to have to run the conference and plan worship. I'm tired and I can't do it."

"O.K." he answered. "Let me know how that works for you."

What's he been watchin'? Dr. Phil?

I wanted to stay in bed today...in fact, I did for a long time until I finally decided I could drag myself out.

This conference has me scared silly for some reason. This is the 4th time I've put this thing together, and this time, for some reason is worse than all the others.

I remember the first time not being able to eat much the week before, but I didn't feel overwhelmed like I do now.

Finally, about 11:30, I sat on my bed ready to go to work and decided I needed to pray. I was the only one home so the house was quiet...I bowed my head and tried to pray. All I could hear was a plane going over our house, the spa pump from the house behind us, and Avery's fish tank bubbling. It sounded like percussion in my head.

I finally said, "Oh, brother, God! I can't even pray I'm so frazzled!"

It took me a couple of minutes just sitting there with my eyes closed hearing all the sounds. Finally, I was able to talk...pray...request...plead.

I know He's in charge. I know worry and fear are forms of doubt and unfaithfulness. And, I know this next week will be wonderful, uplifting, encouraging, challenging, and full of God.

I couldn't help but think "why would God want a relationship with me? why use this frazzled overwhelmed woman to do the work you've set before her? why not find someone who is capable, able, competent, sophisticated, brilliant...blah, blah, blah?"

I know there's a Bible story in there somewhere. "don't use me...I can't speak"

Sometimes we forget God uses us not because we're slick and have it all together...but precisely because we are a mess. What's the use of being God if you only use those who are perfect? He did that once...covered us for eternity...now it's up to us to be His tool.

Pray for the conference. Selfishly I ask you to pray for me. I want to be poised and gracious and, most of all, Godly.

Pray for the safety of the planes and cars coming into town through the fog.

Above all, pray that hearts are touched and God is glorified.

There are a couple of reasons I love this picture...

First, it's taken at Pismo. We love going to Pismo. It's a place we all get together to laugh, play, eat, read, sleep, enjoy each other.

This is the balcony of the condo we stay in for the week we are there. This is where I can get my heart rate to slow down and my breathing to deepen.

I love the way the air smells. I love the pier in the background. I love hearing the waves crash on the sand. I love watching people play on the sand. But above all, I love those two boys in the picture. That is my son and my nephew.

I love the way Steven (my brother) asked me not to name my son James because he hoped to have a son one day and wanted to name him after our Dad. So, Avery's middle name is James, and eventually, there was another James Thurman.

I love the way the big one is gently taking care of the little one. I love the way the little one is calm and trusting, knowing the big one is there if he should need anything.

You see, Avery stepped out there because James stepped on the railing. It made Avery nervous to see him stand there without someone to catch him if he were to slip. We know James probably couldn't have slipped under or through those railings, but Avery wasn't positive and wanted to be there just in case.

I love the massiveness of God. I love the magnitude of His amazing creation. I love the overwhelming greatness of God as seen in the ocean, the mountains, the desert, and on and on.

But, I also love the deep, quiet, gentle bigness of my God.

We all have tough times.

Cars crash through our kitchens.
Children prepare to leave home.
We struggle financially.
We battle difficult relationships.
We lose loved ones.
Marriages struggle.
We live far from those we love.

and on and on the list goes....

Know this...the next time you find yourself out on the railing, there is a big, quiet, gentle one right beside you...hanging out, loving you, guiding you, protecting you. Don't just know it in your head, feel His presence deep in your soul. He gave it all to keep you safe.

That's why I love this picture.

 

I told you I would be a New Year's baker this year...and a New Year's baker I was!

Sunday was wonderful. Steve Thurman did a remarkable job speaking to the church...don't tell him I said this, but he is obviously growing and deepening and maturing. It's difficult when you've always been good, as he has, since a very young age. I think a lot is expected of you. But to see him grow in wisdom and gentleness and courage as he speaks is beautiful.

So, we expected a sleepy, late, sparse crowd. We had an on-time (for the most part), energetic, good crowd who came ready to worship together. God is amazing. Always the unexpected.

Then, after church, we ate quickly and headed home where I put together 12 baskets of goodies for friends we specifically wanted to thank or love on for various reasons. My kids had a choice, and they chose to come with Lex and I. In the Tahoe we piled with goodies spread out in the back...in the pouring-didn't-let-up-for-two-days rain.

We went from house to house...Lex would hop out, grab the goodies and schlep up in the puddles to the homes. He would hand off the goodies, tell them we loved them and Happy New Year, as the kids and I would wave from the dry, warm vehicle. It was beautiful. Every house had someone home...and Lex got a hug and a thank you from each place.

It was a blast. The puddles, the rain, the music, the conversation. It was good to take all those people little bites of our appreciation and love for what they've meant to us all year...but the best part...three hours in the car with my family, uninterrupted. It was our last year to have both kids at home. I appreciated every second of it.

How can something so wonderful and beautiful be so disgusting and irritating to me now?

I stand looking at this tree that a couple of weeks ago I was so proud of...ick! Somebody get rid of it!

I look outside and see the lights my son so proudly displayed and I'm ready to scream...put that stuff away!

I guess it's the same romantic feeling you have about your spouse when you first meet...it's wonderful how spontaneous and flexible they are, and then 19 years later, it irritates you that they don't live by a "plan"...that your future isn't mapped out perfectly. Same person, just different expectations.

I'll tell you one thing I'm so grateful for:

God continues to amaze me and overwhelm me.

He continues to draw me closer and gives me just enough for the moment until I'm ready for more. He is indescribable. He is all sufficient. He is God.

So, when my dissatisfied heart looks around and seems to see only stuff that irritates, overwhelms, and flusters me...I look to the foundation of my soul and feel peace.

I'll get the tree down. Avery will take care of the outside lights...another year will come and go...but God is God and for that I am so grateful.

Not sure why, but my Dad has been on my mind lately.

He passed away in 1988, and there are many reasons to miss him. But I think the most evident thing for me is the "I wish he were here to see my kids" reason.

I'm so proud of my kids, and I know he would get a kick out of them, also.

He was a quiet man. Studied and read and studied and read...in fact, he used to drive me crazy wanting to talk about the Bible. I wish now that I had engaged him more and listened more and learned more. But, I wasn't ready to hear all that he was saying.

Here's the thing I remember about him that impressed me most.

He put together this Saturday morning study/prayer time with other people. Not other c of c people, but people who just simply loved the Lord as he did.

I remember specifically there was somebody of the pentecostal area, a catholic man, and a one-cup church of Christ man, and then my Dad. I think there were others here and there, but those 4 were the "heart" of the prayer group.

It wasn't common practice in those days to "fellowship" with people outside of the c of c realm...at least not fellowship freely with the understanding that all have equal access to the Kingdom of Heaven. My Dad did. He gave the church of Christ a good name. I was proud of him for that...still am.

I'm so grateful we grew up in a home that didn't say we were the only "right" or "saved" ones.

I do miss my Dad. But, honestly, if you knew him, you knew he lived his life just to meet God. He wasn't interested in earth...at all. So, selfishly, I wish he had stuck around a little longer, but I know he's where he longed to be.

Those of you who read my blog regularly remember around the first part of November I said that the Henderson house had hit a blip in the 'ole radar. I told you I could explain later, but asked you to pray in the mean time for our family.

Along with a receptionist, a marketing gal, and a guy or two from the warehouse, Lex was "let go" from his job. In California, we have this thing called "at will". Some other states may have it but I know CA does because the last two employers of Lex has used it. What it means is that they can fire you for no reason. Basically, you're costing them too much money or they are just tired of looking at your face or whatever...they can fire you for no reason.

Now, those of you who know Lex know he is about the hardest working individual there is. He never misses a day of work, is always on time, always stays late to finish whatever needs to be finished, and always has a positive attitude.

This one hurt. He was so discouraged because all the customers he dealt with loved him. The reps in the other parts of the country would call and only talk to him. They had shining letters in his file from people so pleased with his service. So, what happened?

We're not positive what happened because they don't have to tell you...but I'll give you my personal "take" on it:

Lex's blood pressure was through the roof. He was working himself into a slow death. He was sleeping an average of 3.5 - 4 hours a night. He would never have quit...it's not the thing to do when you're supporting a family.

So, was Christmas tight? Only financially. Otherwise, it was beautiful. Is it hard to pay all the bills this month? Sure...but what's new about that. I can cut back.

Here's the real test...
Does my husband love me?
Are my children healthy?
Do I have friends that love me?
Am I headed for heaven?

Here are the answers...
more today than yesterday
healthy and Godly
more than I can count
ABSOLUTELY!

So, thanks God. Once again, you saved us from ourselves and helped us see what is most important.

P.S. After about 6 weeks, the motorcycle shop put him on full time as their Service Manager. He'll enjoy that until something better comes along...

It has begun...a little earlier than usual, but begun it has!

It's the "waking-up-at-crazy-hours-of-the-morning-unable-to-go-back-to-sleep-before-ZOE" time.

This morning my eyes opened at about 4:20. Totally wide awake. My brain going 100 miles per hour about all that has to be done before and to prepare for the ZOE Conference.

So, since it is almost 9:00 pm, I am going to call it a day.

I've learned to just go with it. I will wake up, there is nothing I can do to stop it. It's like telling your brain not to think. It just doesn't happen.

But here's the kicker...I hate to be awake alone. So, poor Lex gets to hear all my thoughts at crazy hours of the morning.

It's at times like that I realize God knew exactly what He was doing when he placed us together. Lex is a wonderful partner. Supportive, patient, understanding, and always on my side. So, on those days when I think, "hhmmm, he could be a little more romantic", I'll stop and remember that I've been waking him up just so I don't have to be awake alone.

Blessings to you all...

Christmas was nice. It really felt like the day was endless...that's not a bad thing...but endless, none-the-less.

Woke up at 4:00 am (as I'm sure many people did), not because I had little kids waiting for Santa (which, by the way, I miss very much), but because I needed to be ready in case my big teenagers wanted to at least check out their stockings before church. (which they did).

I am at church by 7:00 on Sunday mornings, to get ready for the Praise Team which arrives by 7:30.

Church was over...headed to our house where Lex made waffles for my brother and wife and son, my family, my big brother and his daughter, and my mom. Fun...

It impressed me how patient my nephew was. There stood the tree with lots of presents, but Uncle Lex's waffles were what he wanted. (actually, he ate more waffle than I did! He was a hungry boy!)

We opened presents, enjoyed each other, and then split to different locations for a couple of hours until time to meet up at my Mom's house for dinner. Had a wonderful dinner and then back home to crash. Long day...but great day.

Church was wonderful. Lots of energy, enthusiasm, excitement. We had people bring "gifts" for the Children's Ministries and then had the kiddos gather them and bring them to the stage where the ministry leaders were waiting to thank and love on them. It was so sweet.

Steven did a good job...as always. It was good to be together.

My favorite part of this Christmas, though, was Friday night. Lex and I had taken the kids shopping so they could by gifts for the family. Every year, Ashley and Avery put their own money together and buy things for Grandma's, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Lex and I, and each other.

Avery told me he wanted to get Ashley something "special" this year. (Avery tends to be kind of thrifty...very calculating with his money.) Avery is a saver. He tithes, saves, and spends wisely. I'm very proud of him for this.

So, when he said something "special", I didn't know what that meant. We talked, talked, talked, and I just wasn't getting it. Actually, he wasn't saying much. Until finally, I asked him..."what are you wanting to spend on her?" His answer shocked me.

I told him he didn't need to spend that much on her. Not necessary. He could find great things for far less than what he was talking about. Finally, he looked me square in the eye and said, "Mom, I like Ashley. And this is her last year at home."

YIKES! Did he have to remind me? So, on to Macy's we went where he found her the cutest, coolest, most beloved COACH Purse you've ever seen. (Those of you who know what that is, please comment.)

She saved his gift to open last. It's like she knew somehow he had done something special. When she opened it, not only did she gasp, but so did my niece, my sister-in-law, and, of course, I was crying a bit.

Avery loved the reaction from everybody. "Yes! I did good!", he said.

He did great.

The sweetest moment was the hug between them.

They are going to miss each other.

I decided something today...but before I tell you what I've decided, let me tell you about this week.

Great week. A bit of a "downer" time on Monday and Tuesday which is typical after a Musical or ZOE or anything you put months into preparing. It's over in an hour or a weekend. But, I'm used to it, and so is my family so they treat me gently the days following.

Life goes on, however, and so does the need to Christmas shop, plan worship for Sunday, continue ZOE preparations, try to get your house ready for Christmas, and so on and so on.

Lex and I managed to sneak in a few hours to shop together for the kids. A snippet of time here and there. Nothing fun and romantic like the "old days"...whatever the heck that means. Just times of necessity and "let's get this done quickly before we have to be at the next thing" kind of deal.

Our house is finally looking like Christmas after I made the big mistake of asking "Do you kids even want to put a tree up this year?" Of course, I plead insanity because it was Monday (the dark day after the Musical) that I asked this question. I knew I had made a HUGE error in judgment when my sweet daughter began her response by saying..."The fact that you would even ask that question..." (it went on from there) So, the tree went up, and I'm so glad it did.

Lex said it looks like a Christmas Elf exploded in our home. That's a compliment.

Avery has taken Driver's Education all this week and Ashley has worked so between trying to work and be the perfect Christmas wife and mother, I've driven them back and forth all week...in "week before Christmas" traffic.

Have you read anything yet about all the baking I've done? No. Why? you ask...Why hasn't this woman who bakes when she's happy, bakes when she's nervous, bakes when she's sad...why hasn't she baked?

I've not had one second to bake.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is...you guessed it...baking. Baking and visiting people and sharing the baked yummies. Not this year. In fact, not since I've had a Christmas Musical has the baking been done to my satisfaction. (this will be the 4th year).

I stood looking at all the sugar, flour, choc chips, white choc, peppermint sticks, butter, peanut butter, just waiting to be made into baskets of love for our friends and here's what I decided. (bet you thought I'd never get to the point...)

I'm going to be a New Year's baker. Yes...New Year goodies. I know Christmas is the traditional time, but I can't do it...so, the week between Christmas and New Year, I will bake and share with my friends. The only difference will be when I deliver it I will say Happy New Year instead of Merry Christmas!

I feel better.

There were moments on Thursday night and Saturday morning that I doubted the Musical would come together. I thought things like, "well, that's o.k., it will be o.k., the audience won't realize it if we blow it here or there..."

Ultimately, I knew God was in charge. I prayed for each heart that would participate, each voice to be clear, each person present in the audience to have a soft heart receptive to what God wanted to share with them during that hour. I prayed that the sound and video equipment would hold on and not throw us any curves. But above all, I prayed that God would be glorified and honored in what was going on.

The sound guys were flawless.

The children were adorable and sang "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Your love makes me sing!" with all their heart and voice.

The narrators said their words with precision and passion.

The singers were beautiful both in voice and heart. (and looked like a million bucks on top of it all!)

Every soloist did their very best.

But, above all, I believe God was pleased, honored, glorified.

Somebody said it was so fun to watch us all love each other through song. They said that our unity and support for each other is encouraging and blesses them as well as our obvious love for the Creator. That's a compliment. Because ultimately, what are the two greatest commandments? Love God, Love each other.

So, beyond all the good that happened, the success comes through in our love for God and each other.

Thank you for your prayers. I wish you all could have been here.

Wednesday...
Almost half-way through this exciting nerve filled week.

People are so sweet..."are you doing o.k., Sandra?" "Are you getting nervous, Sandra?" They have a genuine concern for the health of my spirit and mind. The great news is, I'm doing fine. Not perfect...a few panics every once in a while, but really fine.

It's fun to grow old enough to see actual spiritual growth in yourself. To know, without a doubt that a few years ago, you'd be a basket case the week before a musical. But not this year. Each year gets better. I'm actually excited...can hardly wait for the moment we get to present this message. Prayerful for those in attendance, hopeful that a message will pierce through someone's calloused heart, confident that God/Jesus/Spirit will not be just a quiet presence in the corner, but an obvious element to the evening.

I had a gentleman from the congregation call me today and ask if he brings a basket full of ingredients for a Christmas dinner and a Target gift card, will I please deliver it to a family he knows is struggling. I cried. (it really doesn't take much...and, he didn't know I cried).

The family he wants to deliver to is a great family. They come faithfully...Dad sings on the praise team often, but recently has had to step out of the music ministry because he's working nights and just isn't able to handle that with rehearsals. He can barely get himself to church because of exhaustion. He was recently laid off from that job because it was seasonal, so now he's been without work at all for a couple of weeks.

There are so many people who struggle in so many different ways, and this time of year, the struggles seem to be magnified. It's difficult to digest sometimes, and we feel overwhelmed at the grief, depression, sadness, and pain people are feeling. But, for one guy to do one thing for one family is exactly what should be done. I tend to stand around and pace and say "I can't fix it all", but one person reaching out to one person takes care of one need if even for a day or two.

Here's to hoping and praying God will show you just one need this week that needs your attention. One thing you can do to make a tiny difference in someone's heart. One little gift that will lift their spirits and help them see the presence of God in their life.

Blessings to you all.

It is the week before the big Christmas Musical! Very exciting. We had a great rehearsal last night thanks to our amazing "tech team".

Last Sunday (the 4th), we had every imaginable problem with every imaginable thing imaginable! It was deflating, scary, frustrating, and necessary.

When we have rehearsal times like that, it forces me, once again to say..."Oh...yes...God, you are in control of this!" So, all week long I gave it up over and over and over. I'm a slow learner. Or, maybe God just sees me as teachable. That's a good thing. I don't ever want to think "I got it".

But last night was beyond us. It's so exciting to see God equip people to do things beyond what we could have done alone or without Him. It's a wonderful lesson for all involved.

I had the privilege of attending 3 concerts in the past week for my daughter. She plays French Horn, so there was the Wind Ensemble concert. Beautiful. She performs vocally, so there was the Vocal Jazz concert. Very entertaining. And, of course there was the proper Chamber Choir concert. Very impressive. I sat there realizing I've been watching some of these kids for as long as I've been watching Ashley. Some of those big strong young men started with her in elementary school and have continued together...bound together in their love of music and performing and learning. O.K., yes, I cried a bit. It's something to see these young people stand so tall, confident, and accomplished. These people have spent time in my home, slept on my couch, eaten my cookies/brownies/homemade mac'n'cheese...

I was very proud. Proud to have the daughter I have, proud of her choice of friends, proud to have been a part of their development in a tiny way.

As her Senior year approaches the half way mark, I'm proud, sad, proud, sad... But, mostly proud.

This week is also Finals for both my kids. So, pray for us this week. I am obviously deep in Christmas Musical prep, but my kids need a mom who is calm and supportive and nurturing. That's my first responsibility. Help me keep that focus this week.

Blessings to all of you!

People handle many things at once all the time. "Multi-tasking" is an often used word these days. To be able to talk on your cell phone, answer an IM (Instant Message) on your computer, apply mascara, and fold a load of towels at the same time is just the norm in this crazy world.

But, as Steve mentioned in his last comment on my blog, I am trying to do many things at once and do them to a degree of excellence that probably isn't possible. Although, I'll die trying.

The weekly worship time is taking more and more time and effort because God is showing us (the Worship Committee) more and more ways to be effective...which takes more thought, more preparation, more phone calling, more set up. It's wonderful.

The Christmas Musical is outstanding. Not because of me, but because this church is full of gifted people who don't mind giving of their time and talents to put on a great production. However, the time thing...oh my...it takes heaps of time.

The ZOE West Coast Conference is coming rapidly. January 20 - 22 is the conference. If you're able, you will be blessed to be here. Greg, you need to come! I know you've gone to Nashville for it, you could at least come this far! If any of you are able, in all seriousness, you will be blessed beyond your greatest imagination. For more information, or to register before the early registration deadline, go to www.zoegroup.org

I'm teaching a 3 session (which translates to 3 hours and 45 minutes) class this year (which is also taking special time and prep) at the Fresno conference titled "Worship 101". Basically, how to get started. What to do if you're a small church, or a church just beginning to look at praise teams, different arrangements of songs, new songs, new ways to present, etc. Some churches have jumped on this "contemporary or emerging" worship years ago and are so far out of reach of some smaller or just starting churches, it frustrates the people trying to get started. We need to always have a beginning class. Similar to our Sunday morning assembly time. What if we started 40 years ago teaching and progressed from there and never went back to teach the basics? Obviously, we would lose people.

Anyway, then there's the women's retreat in February that I'm leading worship for that has some specific needs.

Along with that, as I've told you in a former blog, we've hit "blips" in the Henderson household and seem to continue hitting them. Some of you may know them better as meyluz OR hmkkyzm, but whatever you want to call them, they're time consuming and overwhelming and require daily prayer and a check of faith.

(anybody want to congratulate me on my first word verification use?)

So, I do apologize for the long periods of absence. Your comments are so precious and important to me. I appreciate you continuing to check my blog. I will try to set aside time more consistently.

Pray for my family. My husband is not totally healthy, in fact, he's a mess. My sweet daughter is in over her head with school and college prep. She takes the SAT Saturday morning, and my Avery is back on the NASA rocket project this year and is the lead guy.

Bless you...

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We were at my Mom's and enjoyed the day with my favorite Aunt and Uncle, a niece and her fiance, a friend from the past and with her a new friend, and my big brother, along with Lex, the kids and I. Steve and Lisa and James were with her family this year.

We laughed, ate, groaned, ate more, and laughed more. It never fails that when we are all around my Mom's table, we end up talking about the past. Funny stories, silly things that happened, and always something comes up that my Mom didn't know about. She's either a great actress, or we really did pull the wool over her eyes from time to time. Hard to believe. I thought she knew everything.

It makes me wonder what it will be like when I'm 70ish and sitting around the table with my kids and grandkids and who knows who. Will they tell me things I didn't know?

Ultimately, what comes out of those days is the overwhelming thought that we are so blessed. Blessed to have each other, blessed to be in a country that allows so many freedoms, and above all, blessed to be a child of God.

I hope your day was wonderful.