15 + 1

Well, we had our traditional anniversary meal last night, and it was very nice - the kids were wonderfully behaved and intent upon serving us, the dog was brought us each our slippers, the coolers were frosty cold and tasty...riiiiiight...

Just kidding! Actually, we're both coming down with the annual start-of-school cold/flu thing that our beloved children have brought home along with homework. Blech.

I finally woke up last night around 11:30 to find Allen snoozing at the other end of the couch - you're jealous, I know.

Anyway, we're both looking forward to maybe heading out for a real anniversary dinner this weekend - just the two of us. I can't wait! Especially since we're hosting Ryan's sleepover Friday night. Pray for us...?

I still do...

1 true love

2 boys

3 dogs

4 different jobs for me/addresses for us

5 members in our current family unit

6 different cars

7 years ago - a new millenium! Does that mean our love is for the ages?

8 years ago we partied like it was - oh, wait, it WAS!

9 years ago was our first house-buying adventure - ack!

10 trillion times per day I think of you

11 years of being a family of four

12 months seem to go by too fast and at the same time too slow

13 years of anniversary fried chicken dinners (so we missed a couple of years...)

14 million versions of barbecue sauce and/or rub - HA! Finally got it, though!

15 years of loving you and thanking God every day for bringing us together

Happy anniversary, sweetheart! I love you!

Just get over it already!

No, this isn't going to be some sort of political entry, or even about Britney's belly.

My feelings were hurt this weekend, completely unintentionally, but I REALLY struggled to deal with it. It affected my attitude Saturday, it affected my worship on Sunday, it made me grumpy and resentful and altogether unpleasant to be around.

Someone mentioned offhandedly that a bunch of friends were getting together Saturday evening, and wondered if I'd be there. Well, that would be no, because this was the first I'd heard about it.

"Oh. Well, your name was mentioned."

Niiiiiice.

So my attitude was crap.

I really, truly, tried to look on the brighter side - to be encouraged that some of the women were getting together in fellowship and fun (one of my goals for the women at church), and I knew that if I prayed for their evening, my attitude would improve. So I tried to pray.

Yeah. That didn't go so well.

I was pretty far down into my own little pity party to do much prayer-warrior-ing (?) but, I did get over it. Thanks in large part to a well-timed pants-kicking by my beloved hubby.

Then Monday happens along and all my insecurities that nobody likes me were brought to the fore once again, due to some perceived (on my part) anger or SOMEthing with a co-worker. I hated how I felt. I hated that it was happening again. I hated that I had let satan get to me.

I gave myself a mental shake and reached out to the co-worker, who by the way, was FINE - no anger AT. ALL.

Satan is such a nerd!

Blessed

Today I was talking to a friend at work. He wanted to show me the pictures his wife has been taking and posting online. They really were great. But moreso than the pictures, I was taken by the pride and love so evident in what he said and how he said things.

I then thought about Allen, and how he talks about me when I'm not around. I know he loves me, and he always builds me up. I am blessed.

Then it hit me: that's how Jesus talks about me. He's proud of me when I do well, he grieves when I've disappointed him. The love is evident whenever he speaks of me. Thinking about me makes him smile. He knows everything, but forgets the bad and loves the good.

I really am blessed.

13

Thirteen years old. I'm having such a hard time with that. I can't believe my elder son is now a teenager. He's embarking on such an exciting journey through life - everything is ahead of him.

For his thirteenth birthday, we gave him journey-themed gifts. His own Bible, to show him which way he should go on his journey. A cross necklace, to remind him that he's so special that Someone died just for him. A watch to remind him that it's never too late to change. And a video game, to remind him to have fun on the way.

...and I didn't even cry...

Tuesday

Yeah, I probably should post something here, but today, I'm worn out. I'm just plain tired. Of just about everything. Sorry. Maybe I'll write something inspirational or enightening tomorrow...

On being like a teenager...

Actually, I snagged this from another blog I read, and you're only supposed to use one word answers - close enough to being a teen, I guess...

1. Where is your cellphone? Cellphone?
2. Relationship? Married
3. Your hair? Unruly
4. Work? Happy
5. Your sister? None
6. Your favorite thing? Singing
7. Your dream last night? Unremembered
8. Your favorite drink? Soda
9. Your dream car? Paid
10. The room you're in? Office
11. Your shoes? Indoors?!?
12. Your biggest fear? Failure
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Better
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Friends
15. What are you not good at? Cooking
16. Muffin? Please
17. One of your wish list items? House
18. Where you grew up? Illinois
19. Last thing you did? Logon
20. What are you wearing? Pardon?
21. What aren't you wearing? Shoes
22. Your pet? Spoiled
23. Your computer? PC
24. Your life? Busy
25. Your mood? Okay
26. Missing? Hubby
27. What are you thinking about right now? Answers
28. Your car? Untidy
29. Your kitchen? Tidier
30. Your summer? HOT!
31. Your favorite color? Blue
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday
34. School? Shopping
35. Love? Family

Your turn...

It's Here!

Today's the day! The big 0-3! I can hardly believe it! This blog is finally, officially, past the terrible two's! Whodathunkit? Blogville, I just want to thank you for letting me pitch my tent here for as long as you have, and for putting up with me - you guys ROCK!

And...I'm not REALLY hinting about a gift or anything, but my understanding is that leather is the traditional 3rd anniversary gift...



...What? It has leather...


I'm just sayin'...

Categories

Human.
Female.
Daughter.
Wife.
Mother.
Friend.
Sister in Christ.
Clerical.
Soprano.
Left-brained.
Right-handed.

All these categories and others that are supposed to define who I am and what I do and how I do them.

Yesterday, I found a link to an interesting website on another blog. The blogger has an interest in entomology and has a link to a site that will identify insects via pictures and descriptions. And every one of those identifications starts by categorizing the critter. It lists habits, and enemies, and just about anything else you'd like to know. Almost any animal website will do the same thing. Zoos worldwide are also on board that particular bandwagon.

But I've also been observing the local wildlife, as it were. And you know what? Herons don't care. Neither do lightning bugs. Or dogs. Or crabs. Or even flowers. They simply do not care what we, in our quest to pigeonhole our world, have decided that they do or do not do, or what their scientific name is, or what genus they are. They do what they were made to do. Every single one of them. They sing, or glow, or bark, or pinch, or bloom (or not) - whatever - just because it's what they are supposed to do. It's how the Creator made them. It's how they give Him their praise - by doing what He has told them to do.

He has told them to be themselves, and in doing that they honor Him.

Why can't I just do what I've been told to do by my Creator? Why can't I praise Him by being how He made me?

Georgia on my mind

As you may have read in DH's blog, we're going on vacation! Whoot! We are so excited! Our first ever official vacation - and it's to the mountains and the ocean - scree! Not really too much more to say that he hasn't, so...see you on the flip side, I guess - oh, and prayers are ALWAYS appreciated! (After all, we're spending a week in the same hotel room as our children...LOL!)

Recap

A message for my Boo...






Happy Birthday, Allen! Love you!!!!

An update

Well, at first the doctors couldn't find anything on my aunt's CAT scan. They set up an MRI for today. And they found something. Boy, did they find something! She's definitely had a stroke - but it's not her first - huh? Exactly. Evidently this is her fourth stroke - you'd think she would be a pro at them by now, wouldn't you? However, no one was more surprised at the news than she was.

So. Now they're going to do a "procedure" (not a "surgery") to her carotid artery, and hopefully take care of what might be happening in there. That means that she'll be in hospital for a couple more days at least.

She currently lives with and takes care of my grandfather. At this point, we don't really think he 'gets' what her condition will mean. Of course, that could be because no one wants to tell him the entire story.

Thank you for your prayers, and I ask that you continue.

My Aunt

My aunt's function was yesterday - you know - the one I was doing those "blasted angels" for. We went to meet her for her rehearsal Thursday evening in a town about an hour or so away from home. We did the rehearsal thing, and crashed in her suite because there was no possible way I was going to be able to drive home that late at night. My aunt, bless her, was overly stressed and under rested - welcome to Grand Session! She'd been fighting an upper respiratory infection for the past couple of weeks, but had regained her voice, and was feeling better. We (the boys and I) left to see the sights and head home Friday morning.

All of us went back to meet her yesterday afternoon/evening. THIS was what she had been working for during the past two years. Everything would finally come together this night - the room was beautiful, everyone was dressed to the nines! We went to her suite to see if she needed anything, and she told me that she was feeling fine, but that her speech was slurred, and she couldn't speak earlier that morning. When I looked at her, her mouth drooped to one side. She was trying really hard not to let my grandfather know anything might be wrong. I called Allen into her room to give her a quick check. He tested her grip, checked her pupils, and told her that as far as he could tell, she was okay. She ended up telling my grandfather, and assured him that if she didn't feel better Sunday that she would go to a doctor.

Allen pulled me aside and told me he thought something was wrong, but if it had happened early this morning, there wasn't much to be done at this moment. We went to her installation, and she just wasn't herself. She definitely raised the concern of more than one person in the room. As soon as the ceremony was over, she was convinced to go to the hospital immediately.

As of right now, they've brought her blood pressure down enough that it doesn't seem to be a huge concern, but they still have her on a stroke protocol. They haven't definitively decided that that is what has happened, but today hasn't been much better - she's still slurring, and now forgetting words.

Please keep her in your prayers. Her name is Joy, and she is very dear to me. Thanks, Blogville...

Today's the *gulp* day...

I'm really doing okay with today being my birthday. Although my planned women's ministry activity was somewhat of a flop, and neither my wonderful hubby nor my sweet kids are home with me, and it's raining, and...oh, heck!

Actually, it was a nice day! I don't really FEEL any older, and the fact that this is THE BIG ONE isn't coming into play too much. I'm looking forward to everyone being home soon, and just enjoying the long weekend. (Older people need more rest, you know...lol!)

Thanks to my great friends who turned something I was planning for someone else into a surprise celebration for me last night! I was so honored! Wait till next year, JL - your turn!!

Hospitality

We are having a cookout for some of Allen's fellow firefighters in a couple of weeks, and I've been trying really hard NOT to get stressed over the house and whether or not it's perfect. I can give you a laundry list of what things need to be done, but not when or how the things are going to get done. Usually, the prospect of guests sends me into some semblance of cleaning/organizing/decorating overdrive. Two houses ago, Allen invited his entire family over to see our then-new home for Easter Sunday. We were up VERY late most of that week, trying to add some color and (eep!) wallpaper to that house. Quite a week, let me tell you!

It's even more nervewracking for me because the guests are not from our church family. I can let some things slide for some people, because they have to love me anyway. Lol! But not so with this crowd, so I'm a little edgy on how things will come together.

At the same time, I'm trying to wrap my head around a hospitality ministry at church. We're trying to determine what that exactly should be, and where it should fit in terms of a pigeonhole - should it fall under the women's ministry? Should it be a ministry all its own?

The more research I'm doing on the topic shows me that there are some very divergent ideas on what hospitality means to some churches. All of them characterize serving others. But that service seems to range from helping with parking places to finding somewhere for someone to live. Quite a range.

I try to pride myself on being hospitable to guests in our home. And I'm becoming convicted that this pride is displaced. I read this:

The Bible suggests several attributes found in a ministry of hospitality. A focus on the needs of others rather than on one’s own is exemplified in the stories of Abraham and the three visitors (Genesis 18), the Shunammite woman (II Kings 4:8-37), and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A willingness to share whatever one has, even if it is meager, is demonstrated in the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17), the little boy with a lunch (John 6:9), and the disciples from Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

A loving heart seeking relationship is exemplified by Mary (Luke 10:38) and in Simon’s home (Luke 7:36-50). Courage to risk developing relationships is seen in Abigail (I Samuel 25) and in Rahab (Joshua 2).

Strikingly little is said about skills of cooking, the possession of a beautiful home, or ability in conversation. In fact, the only reference to this is Christ’s gentle remonstrance with Martha not to “fret and fuss” about the details of preparing a meal for Him. He pointed her instead to the priority of being with Him. Thus, simplicity and service characterize the type of hospitality found in the scriptures.

A counterfeit form of hospitality is often confused with true Christian hospitality. This “entertaining” is ego-centered and based on materialistic concepts sold in advertisements and the media which suggest that being a “good” host or hostess demands gourmet cooking ability, a spotless and sparkling home, witty and charming conversations, etc. This form of entertaining can result in bondage, excessive labor, preoccupation with one’s own needs, and reluctance to be spontaneously generous.

(Sorry - I can only find that the quote comes from PlusLine.)

Talk about convicting! Especially that last paragraph - bondage, excessive labor, preoccupation with one's own needs - yep - got 'em all!

Now, I'm not talking about letting the house just kinda be what it is currently - there are things that need to be done to help our guests be comfortable, etc. But I have been convicted that my brand of 'hospitality' is 'show off-tality', you know? Any tips on overcoming this?

Monday

Hope all the mom's out there had a lovely Mother's Day - I know I did! My guys made sure I didn't have to lift a finger all day! Sweet!

To the two people who are still looking for posts from me - sorry! I've really been wrapped up in stuff with family and home (ask me about my wall!) and the women's ministry. I'm just not feeling the whole blog thing right now. I don't know. I'm also not feeling the whole praise team thing right now again either. (?)

We've got plans every weekend through the end of June, so I know I need to get my ducks in a row and get busy getting ready. It's mostly things I'm looking forward to, so that's good.

Any-hoo, life goes on, and I'm continually blessed by God. Blugs!!

Question #2

What ability would you like to wake up with tomorrow?

**Sorry - wasn't thinking right - I meant to ask what QUALITY you'd like to have...

Question...

If you could wake up tomorrow with any ability or gift, what would it be and why?

Miscellania

I was paid a compliment today that I absolutely don't deserve. I have been sending short devotionals out to the women on the women's ministry servant group on Wednesdays. I've really enjoyed finding just the right ones, and rummaging through my files Wednesday mornings in order to send them out. (Yes, paper files - so?) Any-hoo, one of the women emailed me back and paid me a very sweet compliment. I was brought up short, and very convicted about all that I haven't been doing for this ministry. I know that's not at all why she sent it, but God took care of the real message...
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Got the boy's progress reports recently. DS2 will be on A-B honor roll again! And - drum roll please! - DS1 is not only passing, he's passing pretty darn well, thankyouverymuch! Has the corner finally been turned?! Wahoo!

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My goober of a husband is floating through the house this week. He's finally getting to leave on at least part of his long awaited Blues & BBQ tour. This weekend, he and another brother from church are heading to KCMO for lots of fellowship, lots of music, and lots of RIBS! As I am typing, he started playing Fats Domino's "Going to Kansas City." Albone is SOOO jazzed (no pun intended!) about going! And I'm very excited for him - he needs this trip! He deserves this trip! He's finally going on this trip!
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And my plans for the weekend? Hint: two words - a season and an unpleasant activity...guesses? Yep - spring cleaning! I'm sure my boys would appreciate prayers for rescue.

Tingly-feeling

Shhh! I'm listening in on my son's conversations as they're playing a video game - yes, TOGETHER! I know! I'm hoping they've forgotten I'm here. I can't remember when the last time was they played a game together, on the same 'team', and were so complimentary! I've heard so many 'good jobs!' and 'yessss!' and 'way to go!s' spoken to one another - it's almost like they were - *gasp* - FRIENDS!?! Usually I hear the hitting and sniping and insults and eventually the younger one throwing his controller, 'cuz he's not as good as the older one and then stomping upstairs in tears 'cuz he's mad. THIS is SOOO refreshing! Makes me all happy and glowy and tingly...

Hope it lasts...!