First Time for Everything!

On Wednesday night, the worship team gets together and sings through what will be happening on Sunday morning. It helps us, when Sunday rolls around, to have a good handle on what will take place, and actually know what we're doing enough to relax and worship as we lead.

So, I have the T.V. programmed to record AI. (American Idol, of course!)

After class/rehearsal last night, there was a little "meeting" I was required to be at, so it was late when I finally got home. As a little side note, my Dr. has decided she will no longer prescribe my diuretic (water pill), and so I'm ballooning up like a bull frog and feel horrible, physically. Needless to say, long day, tired body, swollen feet!

I put on my favorite wonder woman p.j.'s (what!? I love my wonder woman p.j.'s!) and settled in with my boys to see who would rock "Motown night" and who would make me cringe.

I have to say, I was quite impressed with the night over all, and think this is a really strong group of young singers...who actually seem like really nice people as well!

But, oh my goodness...Adam...heavens...did you hear him? I love Danny, and hope he keeps going...but Adam, Adam, Adam... I had chills. Goosebumps, shivers...he was amazing!

I've never done it before, but last night, I voted. By the time I finished watching, I had 30 minutes to vote. So, I voted for Adam, twice...but then, I also voted for two more singers. One I love, and would have felt poorly if I didn't vote for him, also, (Danny), and the other was just amazing and deserved the vote! (Allison)

I'm kind of sorry I deleted the show...I wouldn't mind listening to him again!

Blessings.

Long Day, Perfect Timing

Yesterday was a beautiful day.

I love Sunday's. I love coming together and singing and praying and listening...

I had the opportunity to pray on two different occasions with folks who were needing it for one reason or another.

I watched God work in an exciting way all morning.

I had a task to do in the afternoon/evening, and when I finally got home, I was exhausted. A little puny, a little sensitive, a lot tired. My feelings were right out there and it wouldn't have taken much to just push me off the edge I felt I was clinging to.

Right at the exact perfect moment, I got a phone call.

Someone who loves me deeply, cares for me, understands me, and laughs at me when I'm being sensitive, which makes me laugh at myself!

When you feel the prodding of the Holy Spirit to do something, even if it's small or seems silly, follow that lead.

You just might make the day of someone who needed you!

Blessings!

What I Like Best...

Sweet Daughter has been home all week from Texas enjoying her Spring Break.

It's been delightful. Absolutely and positively delightful.

We've had dinner with family, gone to favorite "girlie" stores and eateries. Worked on a church project or two. She helped a friend make a veil for her wedding next week. We've laughed, fussed, and overall enjoyed every single second of her being home.

We were supposed to go to friends house for dinner and visiting tonight, but because of circumstances beyond our control, friends had to cancel and we ended up staying home. Just the 4 of us, eating homemade macaroni and cheese and Kielbasa with homemade BBQ sauce.

We are about to sit down and watch a movie together and enjoy some "Cherry Surprise" with vanilla ice cream. (if you know what that is, you know it's GOOD!)

I think tonight has been my favorite. Sweet moments. . . together.

There will come a time tonight when my eyes water heavily. She leaves tomorrow, and it never fails that the night before she leaves, I become sad for a moment...then I'm over it.

But, I wouldn't trade it... None of it... The visit, the dinner, even the fact that she's leaving again. It's all part of life and from where I'm sitting these days, life is absolutely beautiful.

Blessings to you all.

Interim-Part-Time Youth Minister

Many of you know my husband works for our church as the "Interim-Part-Time-Youth-Minister". I am not sure that phrase is even a valid phrase. It's like you decided to be an "Interim-Part-Time-Parent". Not happening.

So, he works constantly, not because it's required of him, but simply because he loves the children like his own. He doesn't want them to miss a moment of fun, or study, or experience through God because of him, so, he works his regular 40-50 hour work week, and also loves these kids on a full-time basis.

Last weekend, he took them all, along with some very dedicated helpers, to Pismo Beach for a weekend of great fun as well as connection with the Creator of the Universe, and Pismo Beach!

There were adults that went to chaperon, some went to take the kids in their trucks for "joy-rides" in the Dunes, others went just to be there in support of the kids and Lex. Kenny and Tami Cowger went and cooked for the kids the whole weekend!

We have a precious and amazing group of young people, students, who make up the "Youth Group" of this church.

We have dedicated, Godly adults loving and leading these kids on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis.

When you marry someone, you think you know all their good (and bad) points.

I have to say that of all the things Lex has done, (and done well), this is the thing that I'm so amazed and proud of. I watch God work through him on a regular basis as he leads these students with the heart of a shepherd.

How great is our God!

Encouragement

I have been thinking lots about the idea of encouragement.

It's such a vital part of our health, don't you think?

Some folks just go and do and do some more with nobody ever thanking or recognizing out loud how much they appreciate them.

Take a minute and write, email, text, call...whatever your favorite form of communication is. Tell someone how much you appreciate them and why.

You will make their day!

Blessings.

What a Man!

Just in case you've never heard of Sephora, it is a make up "warehouse" that sells many different brands of department store beauty supplies under one roof. They don't sell what Target or Walmart may sell. (although many of my beauty supplies come from there.) And the prices reflect such.

My daughter and I love, love, love Sephora. We can't always spend what we would like, but we love to go browse and smell and try on just the same. My boys despise the "Sephora experience", and we try never to have them with us when we go.

There are a couple things I get there that I can't get anywhere else, (that I know of). Saturday, I was desperate for one of these things before church the next morning, but I had a full-blown headache that barely allowed me to move, much less get completely ready to go out and look half way decent. (We can't go into Sephora looking icky!)

So, after a couple of errands, my sweet husband said, "I'll go get 'it' for you". Wow. Seriously...this is a sacrifice. He had to walk in with empty product in hand, ask where it is located, stand in the "Sephora check out line", and then, here's the biggie...walk through the mall/parking area holding a dainty little black bag with red tissue peeking out.

I love this man!

Happy Monday!

Gotta Say It

I don't typically talk about the "workings" of the church in my blog.

I tend to lean my blog toward the mother and wife side of my life, although the worship minister side of me tends to take up the bulk of my time.

If I were to express all that has happened in recent years, particularly this last year (08), these would have been long, juicy posts...

Sometimes hilarious, often sad, but, consistently "man" trying to do what is best and follow God's lead

However, I chose not to reveal much. If you know us, you know our journey. If not, it felt like airing dirty laundry out for the world...

But today, I'm just going to say it.

I am so very grateful for our new minister.

He is an absolute gift from God.

Very strong. Extremely capable. Proving to be exceedingly wise. . . and, most important . . . a man of God.

To have someone of his caliber to work along side is amazing. God has blessed us in a mighty way.

College Church...hold on. We're in for some exciting times!

A Day Off...

What do you do on a day off?
Do you find "day's off" hard to manage?
I like the routine.
A day off makes me feel "behind".
The only time I really like the "day off", is the night before...
Am I the only one who feels this way?

Valentine Love ~ Friday

We know how much God loves us,
and we have put our trust in His love.

God is love, and all who live in love,
live in God, and God lives in them.

I John 4:16

Valentine Love ~ Thursday

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1,2

Valentine Love ~ Wednesday

"Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love."

Psalm 48:9

Valentine's Love ~ Tuesday

In that book, which is
my memory. . .
On the first page
that is the chapter
when I first met you
appear the words. . .
Here begins a new life.

~Dante Alighieri

Valentine's Love...Monday

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth, and breadth, and height
my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
for the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's
most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use
in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
with my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
smiles, tears of all my life!

And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Friday

Friday happens to be my day off...I love Friday's.


There are different feels to a day off. My boys (Husband and son) work regular M-F weeks, so Saturday we are usually together working on home/cars/yard together. We usually manage to fit in something fun at some point. Sunday, of course, isn't really a day off for anyone in my house. Although it's a wonderful day and we enjoy it together.


But Friday's...oh how I love me some Friday!


It's just me. (and the dog...who at present is curled up asleep beside me)


It's quiet. It's calm. I can do whatever I want. I can read, do laundry, mop a floor, spend quiet time with God, scrub a bathroom, watch a movie, take a nap, cook something yummy...the list goes on.


I believe everyone has their own definition of luxury. For me, Friday is a beautiful luxury.
..........................................................................................

O.k. Completely different subject...anyone following American Idol this season? Did you see when they made Paula's eyes turn red? It really scared me! I pulled the blanket up over my eyes like a 5 year old! It was truly creepy.

I would put something in my contract, if I were her, that kept them from making me look satanic to the American public! You have to draw the line somewhere!

LOVED the group with the teacher who's wife had died recently. Very well directed and a real feeling of unison and harmony...as opposed to most of the other groups.

Definitely no lack of drama so far this season!

Blessings

February!?

Have you ever been driving, and realize you've come quite a distance but don't remember the journey at all? Or walked from one room to the next and, obviously, you walked there...but don't remember doing it?

For me, that's how I see the month of January. Clearly, January occurred, because the calendar now says "February", but for the life of me, I couldn't tell you much about it.

I've been in a deep fog, kind of a dark hole for a couple of months. I'm grateful that today, I've opened the blinds and feel like I can breathe again. It will be a slow "coming out" for me, but at least there is the possibility of surviving today.

Here's the news that you already know...I can look back and see God's hand carrying me through every step of the way. I saw a Christmas Musical happen with great beauty...I watched every Sunday happen whether I was "engaged" or not...ZOE was extraordinary. Through it all, God was here. Working through me when I couldn't do it for myself.

There seems to be lots to tell you, but for now, I'll just say I'm looking forward to walking among the "healthy" again. God is so good to me. His faithfulness is new every morning.

Whew! What a relief!

Still Kicking!

As we've said before, there is no guilt in blogland...
I will say it's been almost 6 weeks since I last blogged and I really don't know where the time has gone!

Sweet daughter is home and we are enjoying her for this Christmas break from Abilene.

The Christmas Musical was last night, and absolutely beautiful! I was so very proud of every person involved.
We had children singing with all their hearts, soloists moving people to tears, narrators with the perfect speaking voices, and a tech crew that I would hold up to any other tech crew in the country! The building was full and that is always a wonderful feeling. There was energy and excitement, and God was present! It was perfect...

There is a very warm and satisfied feeling in my soul.
All is calm...

Blessings as you finish preparing for this week of Christmas!

JOY! JOY! JOY!
Join us for a beautiful evening of song and celebration
as the College Church presents:
JOY! JOY! JOY!
Dress in your Christmas best and come enjoy the music.
We can't wait to see you!
Admission is FREE
1284 E. Bullard, Fresno
(between First and Millbrook)
www.collegecofc.com

This is the text that is printed on about 700 postcards that will be handed out very soon inviting people to the musical...

They are on cute "Christmas-y" postcards and look beautiful.

Can you tell me, though, what is wrong with this post card? The thing that after 3 people proofread (aside from a grammatical slide, Wendy) should have been caught?

I'll let you simmer on that for a moment...

Blessings!

It seems like I'm forgetting...

I was heading out the door for work feeling like I'd forgotten something.

Have you had those times? You can't put your finger on it, but there was a strange feeling that I hadn't done something I was supposed to do.

Walked back through the house...checked the dog, the front door was locked, all appliances were off and unplugged. Looked in the mirror...all jewelry and lip gloss intact, clothes were on, buttoned, zipped.

Looked here and there making sure there was nothing else I hadn't done.

Such a strange feeling. Just this nagging, won't let go thought that there's a problem. Texted my daughter, she was fine. Prayed that whatever it was, God would shower grace on me and help me either remember, or take it away.

Driving to work, about half way there (which is about a quarter mile), I finally saw what I'd forgotten.

I turned around and went back to the house to slip some shoes on!

Blessings.

A Historical Moment

I had the privilege of voting today for propositions, local government officials, and of course, who will hold one of the most powerful and important offices in the world...President and Vice President of the United States of America.

I had voted "absentee" but still needed to go to the polling place and turn in my ballot. I like to do that because they give me the little "I voted" sticker. I like the sticker.

As nice as that all was, my favorite part of the morning was walking in there with my grown up son who was able this year, for the first time, to cast his vote. It seems like yesterday we were playing Lego's in the floor...

Blessings..........and don't forget to Vote!

TV Land

On Sunday morning, I wake up very early. I love to get a jump on the day. It is, after all, my very favorite day of the week.
I like the way we all seem to be headed the same direction in the day. We know what the day is going to hold, and we enjoy walking through it together each week.

Because I wake so early, there's not much except for an "Info-mercial" or two on the T.V.

I'm aware that I could sit and put my make up on in silence, but the silence plays tricks on my brain and I need something to occupy it so I won't worry, make up things that might go wrong, fret about what I'm not ready for...etc.

This morning, two of my favorites were on. Andy Griffith, followed by Little House on the Prairie. At one point, during Little House, when Charles Ingalls was making one of the big "lessons" from the show, I had to stop putting on the make up and dab the little tear forming as to not smudge the work already done on my face. I thought Lex was still asleep, but next to me in the bed, I hear the sound of someone losing their stomach...in a joking manner. He ruined it. The moment...the Little House moment.

That's o.k..there's always next week and as long as the line up includes I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, Leave it to Beaver, or Little House, all will be right with the world.

Blessings~