Spiritual Sunday

Our last week of the "Go" series. I have really enjoyed this series. I have tried to get in touch with what direction God is moving my life in. I have tried to do some of my own "Go" projects. I have tried to give back to God, by giving back to others in my life. While I am at it, I need to thank a friend, who made me her "Go" project. She gave me her leftover - EXPENSIVE - childcare hours at the gym that I am a member of and that she used to attend. Thank you, Erin!

So today, our pastor talked about Jesus' last "commission," to go and make disciples of others and what it meant to do that. He said, it doesn't mean that you have to go out and push people, but merely "walk with them," talk with them, and my interpretation, basically be a friend. Be a friend that they can lean on, that can pray for them, that can pray with them, that can celebrate with them. Really, how much does that take? For me, not much. I view myself as that kind of a friend, for the most part, anyway. Now, I am not trying to say that I am a perfect Christian by ANY means. But I think that I am off to a good start with being a disciple and making disciples of others. I think that this means to treat all people that you come into contact with in a kind and respectful manner.

How am I making disciples of my fellow men? In the simplest of terms, I am raising my children to be kind-hearted, compassionate, empathetic, respectful people. Meanness and rudeness are not tolerated in this household. And, it is totally paying off. I just have to say how incredibly proud I was of my children during our trip to Disneyland. While we waited in line, they were polite and kind and respectful. They weren't throwing fits; they said excuse me and thank you; they weren't crowding people or invading their space; they weren't trying to cut; they weren't behaving like brats. They talked quietly, patiently waited their turn, didn't complain about waiting, didn't climb on the fences or areas that were not meant to be climbed/sat/walked on, didn't accidentally bump people over and over (if they did, they immediately apologized). This is how I am making disciples. And sometimes God's work isn't hard. This particular job has been frustrating at times. But, really, I don't have to yell at them or do anything more than just ask them to mind their behavior. And they know that means treating people with kindness and respect. I think that is a good start.

Fitness Friday

Well, so much for week 2 of training! We spent the half the week at Disneyland and I missed 3 workouts! Will it kill me? Probably not. But, I hate missing workouts. I always feel like I have to make them up. Oh well. I will just have to maybe try to sneak another one or two in this week.

Also since we were at Disneyland, my eating habits went down the tubes. I did step on the scale. I was very unhappy. Enough said.

Spiritual Sunday

Our pastor returned from his conferences in the South this week. It was very nice to have him back. In honor of Father's Day and to continue the Go Series, he talked about Joseph. He talked about how God told Joseph to go to Egypt for two years, and Joseph did, unquestioningly. He discussed how God tells us to do things also. How do we do what God tells us? First we have to be connected to God. We have to talk to God. But more importantly, we have to listen. Second, we have to trust God enough to listen to Him and do what He tells us. When we do this, His will is done and our lives on the path that He determines they should be on.

I talk often with God. My problem is that I don't listen well enough. I need to learn to open my heart to what God is telling me to do. I do what I think is right, but how do I know if this is what God is telling me to do? I just keep my faith.

Fitness Friday

This was my first week of training! It went well. I have since given up on updating you with my weight loss and measurements. It seems just too depressing. I am trying to convince myself that if I keep up my training and eating well, then the results will follow, which they will. I am just not very patient.

Summer Nights!

Well, almost summer nights! It is nice to have summer back, isn't it? We celebrated our first non-school night, read night-when-we-should-be-going-to-school-the-next-day-but-aren't, with a family bike ride! The kids were so excited to have the nightly bike ride back, for one night!

While we did go on a nice 30 minute bike ride last night, tonight we traded it for Kids-Eat-Free at Applebees' "Slide into Summer." It is just too cold. Last year, we were already complaining that it had been in the 100s for three weeks, this year, I'd be happy to see it hit 80! Not to mention, Tacey started with a nasty sounding cough with no other symptoms until late this afternoon when the runny nose started. I'd really like to attribute it to allergies and the fact that the wind has been blowing at 90 miles per hour for the last three weeks straight, but really, I don't think that is what it is. So, think of us and pray that whatever this is, is gone quickly and stays confimed to Tacey's little body, building her antibodies. I hate to have it travel through the family a few short days before another Disneyland trip.

The Chronicles of School Days, Issue 8

It has been awhile since I have posted any pictures, so here are a few of our last week of school.

Tacey's last day of school! She has completed her first year of preschool! One more year, with an extra day thrown in there. ;)

Taylor had a Kindergarten Celebration and performance. It was so cute!

But he couldn't stand still. It turned out, he was trying to wait patiently because he had to use the restroom!

The Kinder grad and his amazing teacher! She will be seeing a lot of me next year too. I plan to help out in her classroom, considering she will likely have 25 + Kinder kids next year. And the year after, when she has Tacey! We love you!

And his other amazing teacher! I will truly miss her, as she is pregnant with her second child! Congratulations!

They also got to have a Pizza Pool party, the day before the last day of school!

He was cartwheeling into the pools! Those were some good looking cartwheels, he just needs to learn to keep those legs straight!

Taylor's teachers were nice enough to let the little sister attend the pool party! She thought that running from the hose was the best thing ever.

And, here we are, on our way to class, the very last day of Kindergarten!
I forgot to add that I have been a blubbering fool, this entire week! I couldn't even keep my eyes dry as Tacey gave her teachers the gifts that she made for them. And Taylor's celebration? Oh my goodness! I was a mess! I had tears rolling down my face the entire 30 minute performance! But, at least I wasn't the only one. Even his wonderful teacher started to choke up a bit! I even cried as Taylor gave his teachers their gifts. But, never a full bawling, sobbing cry. It was just the tears, buckets full!

Spiritual Saturday?

Yes, this week we attended the Saturday service immediately following our church BBQ. We also had a guest pastor this week, as our pastor is out of town speaking at a huge conference in Georgia, quite an honor. He was away last week also and his brother did an amazing job filling his shoes.

Our guest pastor was okay. I liked his message, but the delivery was too much for me. When our pastor gives a message, he discusses one verse, typically, and really delves into it. This pastor, and some other guest pastors that we have had and pastors at other churches that I have visited, usually choose a topic, then quote several verses that support each other and the topic. I like the former better. It gives me less to digest and therefore a deeper understanding of the subject verse.

At any rate, the message this week was about bearing God's fruit and how we, as Christians are branches off of the vine that is Jesus. He said that God picks up the branches out of the mud and dirt and cleans us, so that we can bear fruit for Him. How do we bear fruit? First we have to remain connected to Jesus. Then we "win souls;" we connect with other people, all people, not just Christians. Then we give and we praise the Lord.

One disagreement that I had with this message was the "giving." While the pastor discussed how we give our money to the church and to others to help them, I truly believe that we can give more than just money for God. I believe that we can give hugs, love, time, understanding, a meal, a shower, a bed, and many, many other things. When I think about living my life as Jesus did, I think about helping people, but not solely monetarily, I see myself helping and "giving" in many other ways. I do give money to my church, because I want to. Because my church does a lot in our local community and our global community. But, I can't always give a lot of money, but I can and do, give of myself, my time and the gifts that God had blessed me with.

As I was sitting listening to this sermon and contemplating it, I realized that God has called me to help other moms at this point in my life. I came to realize this because a friend of mine moved out of the area and away from our local moms group, leaving a position open. Another friend asked if I was interested in applying for the vacant position. The night that the management team of the group meets is usually Josh's night to close at the bank. But because one of the ladies at the bank got a promotion and a transfer, he switched to a different night, leaving me available for the meeting night. Really these things are just small, trivial particulars, but without them falling into the right places, I would not be taking on this responsibility. Thinking about the events and the insignificant details that have occurred in the last week or so, that one would typically chalk up to coincidence, has just left me in awe of the ways in which God works and how He directs our lives in the way He wants it.

God bless you. And I hope that He directs your life, as He has mine.

Fitness Friday

Okay, so here is what I am finding. Last week I had good weight loss but poor measurements. This week, I lost 1 1/4 inches (from my mid-section! Yay!) but gained 8/10 of a pound. Err... I don't get it. I didn't have a great week as I was unmotivated and skipped Monday and Tuesday workouts, but I did workout today instead. Oh well, til next week.

Spiritual Sunday

One of our final "Go" messages, "Go Fish," was brought to us this week by our pastor's brother, who did a phenomenal job! I loved his message. It was from Matthew 4: 18 - 22 about the fishermen, brothers, Peter and Andrew who walked away from their nets when Jesus told them to follow him. It was about what identifies us and how easy it is to change our identity by following Jesus. So it got me to thinking about how my re-devotion to Jesus over the last year has changed me. How has it? I think that it has made me a better person. I've always had a big heart and wanted to reach out and help people, but its different now. I think I search out opportunities now. I reach out to people more. I talk to people more deeply. I connect more now. I try to show appreciation more and reciprocate things that people do for me. I cherish these changes. It makes me proud to look in the mirror and proud that I am setting a good model for my children. What will you "Go" do this week?

Fitness Friday

How did this week go? Pretty good! I lost 1.2 pounds but gained 5/8 of an inch. Huh? I know go figure. I'm just going to chalk it up to my muscles buling up! Ha! I'll keep ya posted. Til next week, have a great workout!

The Chronicles of School Days, Issue 7

I have been fortunate enough to chaperon all of the field trips that Taylor has been on this year and today was no exception. All the Kindergarten classes went to the Library, a park and the Safety Center (the Police and Fire Station, which are housed in the same building, but different sides). The library was wonderful and the kids had a great time at the park. The fire station was beautiful with amazing personnel, despite getting a call.

But I was absolutely appalled at the Police Station tour. The language used by the tour guide was highly inappropriate for 5 and 6 year-olds! He explained to them what happens to people who drink beer and wine and showed them the “Drunk Tank,” and showed them where “bad kids” go. Then he gave them an example of what they might do to find someone who stole another chaperone's wallet and that you never know if a person is good or bad by looking at them. He pointed to me and said, “The lady in the pink shirt is bad.” Okay, not, “Let’s pretend.” Just a blanket statement. My son’s face went white as a ghost. I almost rung the guy’s neck. You see when children have been through what my children have been through, totally uprooted because someone they loved and trusted did something bad that hurt them, statements like that can be devastating. I reassured Taylor that the guide was just pretending. But I was really upset by it. I don’t think that this person realized that children this age see things in black and white, good and bad. What you say to children can leave a very long and lasting impression if you are careful. Thank God that Taylor wasn’t affected by it after I reassured him.