Changing course

Sometimes you think you are following "the plan." You're going where God is leading you, doing the things you are meant to do, when all of a sudden things just don't work the way you thought they would.

Could it be that you are a step ahead of where God wants you to be? That maybe you have to step back and catch up before moving on?

It's like being a mom. You cook, clean, wash clothes, tote the kids where they need to be and you sometimes ask, "Is this it? Is this all I should be doing?" When in fact it is the greatest, most difficult and rewarding job in the world. Not everyone gets to do it.

Maybe it is what I need to be focusing on instead of wondering "What next?"

Where are you at? Wondering or satisfied?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. carpet cleaner
2. old books
3. invitations
4. envelopes
5. peaches

It's not always easy

My "thing" has always been that I try to "ooze" the light of Christ in all that I do. I think you'll agree with me that it is not always the easiest.

The part of "oozing" that has been so difficult lately has been letting the light of Christ fill my heart for myself. The enemy sneaks in and can extinguish that light in a matter of seconds.

"School is too hard. I'm too old. I'm not good enough. I made a big mistake. I'm not a good enough parent." And the list goes on.

Not only do we need to try and let His light shine in our actions to others, but we need to let His light fill our hearts and souls for ourselves.

I have always had a hard time putting myself first, but I know that God wants us to be happy and fulfilled. Sometimes it takes putting ourselves first so that we can be good to our loved ones.

What are you doing to put yourself first and let Christ's love shine in you?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. sweatshirts
2. scotch tape
3. dogs that dream
4. cold toes
5. invitations

The things we do...

I have to step out of my comfort zone tonight...I have to work the "50/50" at the high school football game.

The band boosters sponsor the 50/50 at home games. A pair of boosters walks around the crowd and sells raffle tickets, $1 each or 6 for $5. The purchaser receives a lollipop for each dollar spent. Right before halftime the winning number is announced and they win half the money collected and the other half goes to the band boosters! Only in small town America can you "gamble" on school property! (It's not "gambling" because each person is "purchasing" a lollipop.)

Ah, small town living... :) Anyway, I am one of the folks walking around tonight selling tickets. The things we do to support our children!

All in the name of love.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. a losing football team (God Bless Them!)

2. my son belonging to a group (Band)

3. a cool breeze

4. music

5. feeling needed and loved

Simple Delights

1. $3.25 breakfast special

2. Friday night high school football (the losing team)

3. sand between little toes

4. the waitress bringing your drink order before you ask

5. homemade popcorn

6. "across town" takes five minutes (with traffic)

7. church steeples

8. hearing the door open "Daddy's home!"

9. brand new pencils

10. Sonic Happy Hour

What are your simple delights today?

Date Night

My hubby and I have reinstated "date night." We have started a new tradition on Sunday nights at 9 pm (after my little one has gone to bed). We go to the Riverbend for a "soak." Our new town is known for its natural hot springs. They are all over town. (Our town, Truth or Consequences, used to be "Hot Springs, NM." The old game show had a contest for a town to change their name, and they did!)

The place we frequent overlooks the Rio Grande. The stars and moon are fantastic! They seem close enough to reach out and grab from the sky. We take this time to relax and reconnect.

The funny thing is, that I find it difficult to slow down. Difficult to relax and getaway (it's only 5 minutes from the kids). Even in a small town, life moves so fast.

Have you stopped to enjoy the loved ones around you?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. 105 degree water
2. the sky
3. the sound of running water
4. brand new fingernail polish
5. Fruit Roll Ups

Feels Like Home

We have been in our new home (the parsonage) for just over a month. I am happy to report that all the boxes are gone! This house is smaller than our previous home, so I was not able to unpack everything. Things like my pretty angels and all of my family pictures. I had to downsize. And you know what I have felt? As if we have lived here for years. Our house truly feels like home.

My second house in Houston was a beautiful 3 bed, 2 1/2 bath, 2 story home. We lived there for over 6 years and it never felt as much like home as the parsonage does.

We have stepped out in faith in outrageous ways in the past 3 years and I believe God is telling us that we are indeed listening and following his call.

It's a wonderful, exciting and humbling feeling to know that you are indeed following Christ.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. downsizing
2. small closets
3. fresh paint
4. black lights
5. peanuts

Language

I have a Bachelor's of Music Education degree. The language of "education" is natural to me. Now that I work in the healthcare industry, the language of "healthcare" has become natural to me as well.

I started seminary last week. My first class in 20 years! The language of theology is not natural to me. I am reading and re-reading the same things over and over again just for basic comprehension! Needless to say, it has humbled me.

But something ugly has resurfaced with a vengence...DOUBT. That doubt can be a killer. It can squeeze the life right out of you. It can make all of the good you have done in your life just disappear within seconds. In times of doubt we have to rely on the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. When all else fails, and I feel empty, I go back to Philippians 4:13,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

It is a piece of the word that speaks a mountain of truth.

What scripture gives you hope? What scripture chases away doubt?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. fantastic colleagues
2. good haircutsw
3. homemade cherry Cokes
4. seeing the Earth from an airplane
5. clouds

I'm so in the right place

Our recent move happened very quickly. Within a two week time period, Joe was offered his appointment and we moved. Two weeks!

I never doubted the move, but this weekend I was assured that we were in the right place.

I took the boys and my mother-in-law (Joe was working an Emmaus walk) to the Balloon Regatta at the lake. We got up early, brought along our coffee and donuts and sat and watched the baloons fill up and take off at sunrise. It was astounding!





Where else in the world could this picture be taken?



I also preached for the first time in our new church. I wasn't nervous, and when I looked out at the congregation, I truly felt like I was at home.

We are so blessed.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. online classes
2. new tablecloths
3. folding chairs
4. lake water
5. love

Losing Yourself

Oozing can be difficult. As a preachers wife, I feel like I am always having to be "on." I office out of our church so I am part of the daily comings and goings of folks as they come in. I am not just working my regular job but I am seen as the pastors wife so there are certain expectations. What I am realizing is that it can be very easy to lose who you are.

I want to be an oozer. I want nothing more than for the light of Christ to shine through all of my actions. Whether I am greeting people on Sunday mornings or cleaning toilets at the church, I want for that light to flow through me. But while you are fulfilling the roles you play everyday, you can lose yourself and the reasons for why you do what you do.

God knows each of us. He knows our hearts. He knows our struggles and our victories.

All we do should be pleasing to the Lord.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. sleeping dogs
2. scotch tape
3. Facebook friends
4. cold fingers
5. webcams

A Little Lost

I have been a little lost. What is next? I've made a new home in our first parsonage, even made some friends, but what is next?

I start my seminary class today (I'm only taking 2 hours this first semester since I've not been in school for 20 years) and I am scared and excited. I want to know more, so here starts the journey.

I know Philippians 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11, sometimes I just wish I knew what God had in store for me next.

When I think back to when I married Joe and I would dream about my future, it never looked like this! And I thank God that it isn't! I'm sure I gave God a good belly laugh when he saw my "plans for the future." They just were not what was destined for me.

I am so grateful.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. new friends
2. hot tea
3. the changing of the seasons
4. routine
5. new adventures

It's just amazing...

It's just amazing.

Just over a month ago we were robbed. It seems life an eternity has passed. Soon after, we received the call that moved us to T or C (Truth or Consequences) and almost three weeks later, in our new town, we feel as if we have been here forever.

It's just amazing.

We have also been blessed with two new friends, T and B. They are our age (in a retirement community) who are just two of the coolest people we've ever met. I have always believed that God sends us angels while we are here on earth, to help us get through difficult times. And again, here are two of them.

When we moved to Deming, he sent us K and R. We would have been lost without them! Especially since we were living in the mountains with a propane tank, well, and swamp cooler! They called us "Oliver and Lisa!" They have also moved to another town, but we consider them very special and dear friends. My angels in Deming.

It's just amazing. God is amazing.

Think about it...you just may be someone's angel here on earth. Or do you have one? Have you shown them some appreciation? Do they know how much they mean to you? Take the time to celebrate them. Love them. Thank God for them.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. bottled water
2. air freshner
3. menus
4. wood floors
5. angels