My 11 year old daughter has finally talked me into letting her join the Girl Scouts. A neighbor across the street is going to be the leader and her daughter and my daughter are eagerly awaiting the start of this brand new troup. Our first parent meeting is Monday, but I went ahead and ordered the "Junior" age starter kit. Which included her vest, some emblems, the handbook, badge book, a couple of other books and a drawstring backpack. I got the call at work on Monday afternoon, the much anticipated package had arrived and she was begging to open it. I told her she had to wait until I got home from work...just kidding...no way I could have done that to her! So anyway, by the time I did get home she had the vest on, some of the pins on it and her books in hand! We sat down and went through several of them, finally spending the majority of our time on the badge handbook. This is where you can see all the different badges and the requirements to get each one. By this point, I'm pretty excited too. A lot of these badges will need my help and I can see this turning into quite a fun mother/daughter thing. Except for maybe the part about spending half of spring selling cookies in front of Wal-mart! It reminded me of her time in AWANAs and her excitement of getting that first vest as well. Now my daughter can get pretty excitable anyway, but I was thinking about why, especially over something as simple as a green vest and badges. My excitement came from knowing the time that I'll get to spend with her. Hers was on the vest and the actual badges she will earn. Then I realized, it isn't the actual vest, but what the vest represents to her. She will BE a Girl Scout, she will belong to this troup, this council. She will be a PART of it. And deep down, don't we all really want to belong?
We post it on facebook by the groups we join, I announce to other drivers that I'm a certified SCUBA diver by my car tag and dive shark emblem, we wear clothing to show the sports team that we identify with and as Christians we join churches, youth groups, and small groups.
Luke 9:49, 50 (NLT) John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons. We tried to stop him because he isn't in our group." But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you." How often do we pass someone over because they aren't in our group or circle of friends?
As Christians, we are all an important part of the body of Christ. Just look at a few of the many examples of how we belong to Christ.
Romans 1:6 (NLT) "You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ,"
Romans 8:1 (NLT) "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."
Romans 12:5 (NLT) "We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others."
Romans 14:8 (NLT) "While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord."
Galations 3:29 (NLT) "And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you."
Ephesians 2:13 (NLT) "But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ."
I John 3:1 (NLT) "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children."
You matter and you belong!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Weekend Wrap-Up
Since I created this blog with the intent of including a family diary of sorts I decided to add a weekly feature I think I'll call the Weekend Wrap-Up. Bits and pieces of stuff that happened throughout the week or weekend that never made it to a blog entry of it's own. A bit of randomness I guess you could say.
As far as randomness goes, it is in the middle of the night and I can't sleep, so figured I'd write for a bit and try to sleep again afterward. You typically think of a house as silent in the middle of the night, but it has plenty of sounds of its own...especially the 'fridge!
This week was Teen Read week at the local library so Wednesday and Thursday after school JS walked to the library and stayed there until I got off work. Wednesday they did craft time and Thursday they fed them pizza. When I went to pick him up one of the librarians chatted with me for a minute and told me that he was a neat kid. Made me feel good and proud of him. His teacher also told him this week that he was a model student.
Wednesday night I took him to the student group at the church we are currently attending. Was his first visit there. He really seemed to enjoy it and saw a couple of kids from his school, so that was nice. We've had a hard time getting him plugged into a church youth group somewhere that he likes. After I dropped him off a friend from my ladies Esther Bible study and I met for dinner at a Mexican place as our Esther group had the night off. I don't know what women would do without other women friends. Not to bash the guys, but its so nice to chat with someone and realize that some things are universal and you aren't the only one feeling that way. Especially relating to the pressures of being a woman, trying to juggle work, home, kids, husband, etc, etc. And not getting so wrapped up in those things that you lose who you really are in the process. I can so see that happening to me especially in regards to being a mommy. That right now is probably the biggest part of my life and it isn't a bad thing to pour yourself into your kids, they grow up so fast. But if I base the majority of my identity as mom, then when they fly the nest that will leave me facing a serious identity crisis. I'm not sure what exactly I'm trying to say, other then I know there needs to be balance there and I can't live solely for my kids.
Speaking of kids not becoming your whole world and identity, my brother-in-law came over Friday while I was at work and picked up the kids to keep over night so that Ron and I could spend some solo time together. After work Ron and I went out for dinner and drinks. We managed to loosen up, goof off, laugh and I'm afraid annoy the family beside us in the restaurant. LOL But it was good, it was nice to just chill out and enjoy each spending some time with each other as adults, not just always relating to each other in our roles as parents. The realities and responsibilities of life tend to weigh you down at times, and it was a much needed reality break. Saturday we got up early and headed to the mountains, the leaves were very pretty and we walked up to Anna Ruby Falls. With all the rain lately the water falls were beautiful and the whole walk along the creek was so nice. It was still early, cool, crisp, and you could just smell the fresh air and hear the water the whole way as it tumbled and splashed down the creek. At one point we just stopped on this bridge and watched the water. It was so clear, clean and fresh. I started thinking about the beauty of the splashing water, the pureness of it and the sounds it made. So often in my life I want the still water, the calm time, but still water stagnates. Yes, those peaceful times are nice, but the growth, change, power and raw beauty come from the turbulent waters. Something I'll try to remember more often. After we left there we just drove around for a bit and found this odd little rock shop. It was 2 stories with the home on top and shop on the bottom. Inside the shop part of the ceiling was just plywood with this one little hole cut into it. I kept hearing a meow sound that sounded like it was above me. I looked up and sure enough, this cat head was hanging down into the shop. It was hilarious to me, I don't know why I got such a kick out of that cat. His name was Phoenix. I guess it was just so unexpected to see a cat head hanging down from the ceiling of a store! You couldn't see the rest of him, just his head swiveling around watching us. Got the kids a little something, JS a slice of rock with all different colors of blue, very pretty. And for our science lover, LeAnne, we got a fossil. Then headed to Helen, where of course we got some fresh fudge and just walked around the town a bit. That evening we went to get the kids and had dinner with Chris and Melinda and my nephews and just visited with them a bit. We all watched a show called Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr. That guy is a freak! He acts like he has a death wish! Anyway, much thanks to them for keeping the kids.
Sunday we went to church and did a whole lot of clothes washing, but other then that, I had no motivation to do much of anything. Our neighbor did invite the kids to a Trunk or Treat at her church so we went to that. The kids had fun dressing up and scouring a bunch of candy. I think it siked them up for Saturday (Halloween).
And, in other news, one of my family members was arrested this week. Which isn't good at any time, but seeing that he was already on probation in two counties, it is a really sad thing. He is so young and has so much life and potential ahead of him and to see it being basically destroyed by drugs, alcohol and bad decisions is very sad. But I see ladies in the prison ministry who are using their time in jail to make life changes and turn themselves around and know that God can use it for good. Our stupidity doesn't limit His power! But why we humans tend to repeatedly ignore Him, thinking His way is keeping something from us, when in reality His way is for our own good and protection, I don't understand. I've tried living life both ways...for Him and for myself, and when living for yourself you may think you are living in freedom, making your own choices, but in reality I'm learning more and more each day that true freedom only comes when we follow Him.
Well, I think I shall once more lay down and see if I can find this elusive thing called sleep!
As far as randomness goes, it is in the middle of the night and I can't sleep, so figured I'd write for a bit and try to sleep again afterward. You typically think of a house as silent in the middle of the night, but it has plenty of sounds of its own...especially the 'fridge!
This week was Teen Read week at the local library so Wednesday and Thursday after school JS walked to the library and stayed there until I got off work. Wednesday they did craft time and Thursday they fed them pizza. When I went to pick him up one of the librarians chatted with me for a minute and told me that he was a neat kid. Made me feel good and proud of him. His teacher also told him this week that he was a model student.
Wednesday night I took him to the student group at the church we are currently attending. Was his first visit there. He really seemed to enjoy it and saw a couple of kids from his school, so that was nice. We've had a hard time getting him plugged into a church youth group somewhere that he likes. After I dropped him off a friend from my ladies Esther Bible study and I met for dinner at a Mexican place as our Esther group had the night off. I don't know what women would do without other women friends. Not to bash the guys, but its so nice to chat with someone and realize that some things are universal and you aren't the only one feeling that way. Especially relating to the pressures of being a woman, trying to juggle work, home, kids, husband, etc, etc. And not getting so wrapped up in those things that you lose who you really are in the process. I can so see that happening to me especially in regards to being a mommy. That right now is probably the biggest part of my life and it isn't a bad thing to pour yourself into your kids, they grow up so fast. But if I base the majority of my identity as mom, then when they fly the nest that will leave me facing a serious identity crisis. I'm not sure what exactly I'm trying to say, other then I know there needs to be balance there and I can't live solely for my kids.
Speaking of kids not becoming your whole world and identity, my brother-in-law came over Friday while I was at work and picked up the kids to keep over night so that Ron and I could spend some solo time together. After work Ron and I went out for dinner and drinks. We managed to loosen up, goof off, laugh and I'm afraid annoy the family beside us in the restaurant. LOL But it was good, it was nice to just chill out and enjoy each spending some time with each other as adults, not just always relating to each other in our roles as parents. The realities and responsibilities of life tend to weigh you down at times, and it was a much needed reality break. Saturday we got up early and headed to the mountains, the leaves were very pretty and we walked up to Anna Ruby Falls. With all the rain lately the water falls were beautiful and the whole walk along the creek was so nice. It was still early, cool, crisp, and you could just smell the fresh air and hear the water the whole way as it tumbled and splashed down the creek. At one point we just stopped on this bridge and watched the water. It was so clear, clean and fresh. I started thinking about the beauty of the splashing water, the pureness of it and the sounds it made. So often in my life I want the still water, the calm time, but still water stagnates. Yes, those peaceful times are nice, but the growth, change, power and raw beauty come from the turbulent waters. Something I'll try to remember more often. After we left there we just drove around for a bit and found this odd little rock shop. It was 2 stories with the home on top and shop on the bottom. Inside the shop part of the ceiling was just plywood with this one little hole cut into it. I kept hearing a meow sound that sounded like it was above me. I looked up and sure enough, this cat head was hanging down into the shop. It was hilarious to me, I don't know why I got such a kick out of that cat. His name was Phoenix. I guess it was just so unexpected to see a cat head hanging down from the ceiling of a store! You couldn't see the rest of him, just his head swiveling around watching us. Got the kids a little something, JS a slice of rock with all different colors of blue, very pretty. And for our science lover, LeAnne, we got a fossil. Then headed to Helen, where of course we got some fresh fudge and just walked around the town a bit. That evening we went to get the kids and had dinner with Chris and Melinda and my nephews and just visited with them a bit. We all watched a show called Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr. That guy is a freak! He acts like he has a death wish! Anyway, much thanks to them for keeping the kids.
Sunday we went to church and did a whole lot of clothes washing, but other then that, I had no motivation to do much of anything. Our neighbor did invite the kids to a Trunk or Treat at her church so we went to that. The kids had fun dressing up and scouring a bunch of candy. I think it siked them up for Saturday (Halloween).
And, in other news, one of my family members was arrested this week. Which isn't good at any time, but seeing that he was already on probation in two counties, it is a really sad thing. He is so young and has so much life and potential ahead of him and to see it being basically destroyed by drugs, alcohol and bad decisions is very sad. But I see ladies in the prison ministry who are using their time in jail to make life changes and turn themselves around and know that God can use it for good. Our stupidity doesn't limit His power! But why we humans tend to repeatedly ignore Him, thinking His way is keeping something from us, when in reality His way is for our own good and protection, I don't understand. I've tried living life both ways...for Him and for myself, and when living for yourself you may think you are living in freedom, making your own choices, but in reality I'm learning more and more each day that true freedom only comes when we follow Him.
Well, I think I shall once more lay down and see if I can find this elusive thing called sleep!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Church Shopping
Church shopping, when did that phrase start? I wonder what the 12 disciples would have thought of that term? Anyway, the term is there and that is what our family has been doing since the beginning of summer.
It seems that each of the four of us has our own idea of what we want in a church. There are so many choices out there, and so many options. Locations, denominations, worship style, clothing choices, kids activities, teen activities (I still can't believe I have a teen!), small groups vs. Sunday school, etc, etc. I can't help but think back to the summer of 1993. That summer was spent in the mountains and jungle areas of Papua New Guinea with New Tribes Missions, learning the basics of mission studies, language acquisition, Bible study...basically all the nuts and bolts of what it takes to be a missionary.
In PNG there was no option of what church has the best media, music, drama, which one was closest or had a coffee shop. We got up early, hiked through mud and jungle, through a couple of villages and after quite a bit made it to this clearing. Finally, there was the church! Complete with an outhouse with wooden seats (that was an improvement, believe it or not). Being that there was no sound system, most people sat as close to the front as possible...besides there were people in the back with sticks that would poke you if you dozed off! Not that dozing was very easy considering the rough log planks in place of padded backed chairs and the open windows and doors in which chickens and pigs attempted to come in. Wow, thinking back on that, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable taking any of the tribal members to a church here in America. I'd be embarrassed as they overheard us church members complain about the fact that the song wasn't our favorite, or we had to walk 1/2 block to the church, or the line in the ladies bathroom, or that it was too warm, too cold, that the service ran over by 5 minutes, or any other number of things that we commonly complain about. Oh yeah, and forget about the pew Bibles or the argument over KJV or other versions. Bibles there were scarce and considered a prized possession. The closest I have ever seen anyone here touch their Bible and hold it in that kind of awe, reverence and love is Kay Arthur at the Deeper Still conference in Atlanta in 2008. Went to church in Honduras also, a vast improvement to be sure, but still a cinder block building with a dirt floor, and open window holes and doorways.
I digress and I certainly don't mean to look down on the churches we have in the United States. And I know all churches aren't the same. Don't get me wrong, it is with MUCH gratitude that I sit down in a padded seat, in my comfy jeans and flip flops, holding a fresh cup of java, praising the Lord along with a rocking worship band, opening my Bible to study it without fear of repercussions, all while knowing my kids are safe and happy in a service catered specifically to their ages. I've enjoyed visiting area churches, have met some great fellow believers, but now I'm ready to settle down and find a place not where I'm there to decide, with my consumerism attitude, if that church has all our family is looking for...but where we can jump in, serve and be part of the body of Christ.
It seems that each of the four of us has our own idea of what we want in a church. There are so many choices out there, and so many options. Locations, denominations, worship style, clothing choices, kids activities, teen activities (I still can't believe I have a teen!), small groups vs. Sunday school, etc, etc. I can't help but think back to the summer of 1993. That summer was spent in the mountains and jungle areas of Papua New Guinea with New Tribes Missions, learning the basics of mission studies, language acquisition, Bible study...basically all the nuts and bolts of what it takes to be a missionary.
In PNG there was no option of what church has the best media, music, drama, which one was closest or had a coffee shop. We got up early, hiked through mud and jungle, through a couple of villages and after quite a bit made it to this clearing. Finally, there was the church! Complete with an outhouse with wooden seats (that was an improvement, believe it or not). Being that there was no sound system, most people sat as close to the front as possible...besides there were people in the back with sticks that would poke you if you dozed off! Not that dozing was very easy considering the rough log planks in place of padded backed chairs and the open windows and doors in which chickens and pigs attempted to come in. Wow, thinking back on that, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable taking any of the tribal members to a church here in America. I'd be embarrassed as they overheard us church members complain about the fact that the song wasn't our favorite, or we had to walk 1/2 block to the church, or the line in the ladies bathroom, or that it was too warm, too cold, that the service ran over by 5 minutes, or any other number of things that we commonly complain about. Oh yeah, and forget about the pew Bibles or the argument over KJV or other versions. Bibles there were scarce and considered a prized possession. The closest I have ever seen anyone here touch their Bible and hold it in that kind of awe, reverence and love is Kay Arthur at the Deeper Still conference in Atlanta in 2008. Went to church in Honduras also, a vast improvement to be sure, but still a cinder block building with a dirt floor, and open window holes and doorways.
I digress and I certainly don't mean to look down on the churches we have in the United States. And I know all churches aren't the same. Don't get me wrong, it is with MUCH gratitude that I sit down in a padded seat, in my comfy jeans and flip flops, holding a fresh cup of java, praising the Lord along with a rocking worship band, opening my Bible to study it without fear of repercussions, all while knowing my kids are safe and happy in a service catered specifically to their ages. I've enjoyed visiting area churches, have met some great fellow believers, but now I'm ready to settle down and find a place not where I'm there to decide, with my consumerism attitude, if that church has all our family is looking for...but where we can jump in, serve and be part of the body of Christ.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Prison Ministry
I signed up to be part of the ladies prison ministry, but very clearly stated that I was a support person ONLY. I'll be a second person in our team of 2 per pod, would pray, bring music, etc...but I do not want to teach. Oh yeah, I knew my limitations and what I was willing to do, and not to do. HAH!! As so often happens, God had something else in mind. Which led to today, me going to the prison pod, not only totally alone, but leading. For the second time. Reminder to self, it's not a good idea to tell God what you can and can't do!
The first time I soloed I spoke about Rahab, then gave my own testimony. Wanted them to know that God doesn't just work in the past, but is still at work in our lives today. Afterward several of the ladies were crying and came up and just wanted a hug. It was a changing point in how I viewed the prison ministry. They were no longer just inmates...they were people, people like you and me, people that need our prayer. We bonded that day.
Today, I once again felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of teaching them. Who am I to teach anyone anything? Me, who struggles daily with doing the next right thing. But isn't that pride, thinking that I am the one teaching? Turned it over to the Lord. Asked Him to lead through this weak, earthly vessel. And He showed up...in a mighty way! The lesson was on our words, how we have the power of life and death in our tongue. We all took turns reading verses from Proverbs on our speech. I encouraged them all to use their words this week to build each other up, to find the time to write something positive about each other and share it. We had "positive night" in recovery where each of us in the group had to write something positive about each person in the group. I still have those bits of paper with what the others wrote about me. In a world that is so full of negativity, and in jail, where the positive is hard to find, I encouraged them to do the same for each other this week. God spoke the world into existence...talk about the power of words! May I be aware of the words I use this week, may they uplift, encourage, guide and show love. Several of the ladies told me how timely this lesson was and thanked me for coming. One lady said she is always glad to see me come, because I just sit there with them and speak from my heart, very open and letting them know this is what God is teaching me and I'm just sharing it with them. (some of the leaders stand up in front of them and "preach" and boy they do it well!, but that is not my style)
Passed out prayer/praise requests to the ladies. They all filled them out and I promised them I would pray for them this week. Came home to read them, and just sat there crying and praying over them. So many were prayers for their children as they are away in jail. I'm a mom, and I can't imagine how hard it would be to be locked away from my kids, hoping and praying that they were doing ok. One lady put down as a praise that someone brought her little girl and she got to see her. I now have names of many of them so can pray by name for them. Was overwhelmed not only with their reality, regrets and hope for the future, but by the grace that the Lord has shown me in my life. We had started the hour with some praise music, ended it with the song "Unwritten." I left them with the thought that the rest of their lives are still unwritten, it isn't "I was in the county jail...the end." To use their words carefully and go write the rest of their story!
The first time I soloed I spoke about Rahab, then gave my own testimony. Wanted them to know that God doesn't just work in the past, but is still at work in our lives today. Afterward several of the ladies were crying and came up and just wanted a hug. It was a changing point in how I viewed the prison ministry. They were no longer just inmates...they were people, people like you and me, people that need our prayer. We bonded that day.
Today, I once again felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of teaching them. Who am I to teach anyone anything? Me, who struggles daily with doing the next right thing. But isn't that pride, thinking that I am the one teaching? Turned it over to the Lord. Asked Him to lead through this weak, earthly vessel. And He showed up...in a mighty way! The lesson was on our words, how we have the power of life and death in our tongue. We all took turns reading verses from Proverbs on our speech. I encouraged them all to use their words this week to build each other up, to find the time to write something positive about each other and share it. We had "positive night" in recovery where each of us in the group had to write something positive about each person in the group. I still have those bits of paper with what the others wrote about me. In a world that is so full of negativity, and in jail, where the positive is hard to find, I encouraged them to do the same for each other this week. God spoke the world into existence...talk about the power of words! May I be aware of the words I use this week, may they uplift, encourage, guide and show love. Several of the ladies told me how timely this lesson was and thanked me for coming. One lady said she is always glad to see me come, because I just sit there with them and speak from my heart, very open and letting them know this is what God is teaching me and I'm just sharing it with them. (some of the leaders stand up in front of them and "preach" and boy they do it well!, but that is not my style)
Passed out prayer/praise requests to the ladies. They all filled them out and I promised them I would pray for them this week. Came home to read them, and just sat there crying and praying over them. So many were prayers for their children as they are away in jail. I'm a mom, and I can't imagine how hard it would be to be locked away from my kids, hoping and praying that they were doing ok. One lady put down as a praise that someone brought her little girl and she got to see her. I now have names of many of them so can pray by name for them. Was overwhelmed not only with their reality, regrets and hope for the future, but by the grace that the Lord has shown me in my life. We had started the hour with some praise music, ended it with the song "Unwritten." I left them with the thought that the rest of their lives are still unwritten, it isn't "I was in the county jail...the end." To use their words carefully and go write the rest of their story!
Welcome to my blog
Blogging has been on my mind for a little while now. I love facebook, but there are those times when I just want to write more then a soundbite. Then today LeAnne found some old "newsletters" that I had written about 10 years ago! She had a great time reading about her first birthday party and other bits of family life. I totally stink at actually keeping a diary though, so thought I could blog bits of my life...or bytes in computer lingo. And this is my reality, what I think and feel about life, hence the name, Reality Bytes. Ok, so probably a little corny, but oh well...its mine!
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