O Happy Day!

Today was a pretty great day! We went to church, and they were having a special event called 'Kickoff Sunday.' Quite similar to what many churches do around this time of year. Summer's over, school is starting and people are beginning to go back to church. (people as a whole that is, we never stopped) Summer tends to be a time of low attendance for most churches. Anyhow...the church service today consisted of showcasing the different ministries and giving out awards to volunteers of the different ministries. I'm fairly certain that our attending on this Sunday was no coincidence. Let me explain...


I know that God is calling me back to the youth ministry. My hubby has a great desire to serve in the media ministry. Today, we were able to see what this church was all about...and all the different people who were passionate about the different ministries. We got to see the heart of the people in this church. I think that is important to know whether or not you fit in.


I am happy to say that I know, we know, that this is where God is calling us. Evangel Temple will be our church home for the duration of our time in the Falls. During our first visit on Wed, we were welcomed with open arms by everyone we encountered. The class we attended was full of real people, just like you and I...and these people were full of the love of God. You could just see it. Today, we found out that this church is passionate about the same things we are passionate about. These are real people...who love God.


I am looking forward to serving the kingdom, the community and my Lord with these people. I am grateful that the Lord spoke so clearly to us about this major decision. Be blessed everyone!


There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galations 3:28

From the same mold

I'm not sure if it's the military wife thing, or if it's the Jesus thing, but my friends and I are all cut with the same mold. Let me explain...


My last blog post wasn't the happiest. I'm sure to some it sounded like I was whining. To others, it may have sounded like a cry for help before things got too bad. And for others, well, it resonated with them...took them back to a time when they felt the same way, and they sympathized with me. It was not meant for any of those things...it was just meant for me to be able to get the junk that was festering on the inside out...somehow.


Well, today is my birthday. I turned 32. No big deal, just another day, just another year. No really, I'm not really big on celebrating my birthday. Well, the hubs and kids were up before me and decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Nice idea, but it didn't really pan out...so we have cinnamon rolls for dessert tonight! :) Anyhow, we were all just chilling around the house, me in my PJ's and the kids just lounging. Well, next thing I know, I hear a knock on my door...odd. We don't know many people here, and I didn't call anyone to come over for anything. So I look through the peep hole and who do I see? One of my best friends from A-town. Talk about a surprise!! Apparently she and my hubby were planning this since last night...sneaks! Anyhow, she brought me some 'friend plants' and said that we were going to get a pedicure. I gave her a little tour of our apartment, and off we went...well once I changed into 'out in public' clothes.


So we went and got pedicures and just spent the day hanging out. It was exactly what I needed. I'm not sure if she will ever know just how much today meant to me. Even if we hadn't left my apartment and just lounged all day, she was here. She cared enough to drive 150 miles to make sure I wasn't lonely. I must say, it was the best birthday present I have ever received...ever. Thanks D!


There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

The "L" word...

This morning has been rough. Here I am in a new city and aside from my family, I know 3 people. In A-town, nearly every corner I turned, I knew someone. I lived there for 11 years. It was my home. It was safe. And now here I am...lonely. There, I said it. I'm lonely.

I know God has a plan for me here. And I know how He's going to work through me. But through my human eyes, I just can't see how it's gonna work. In order to speak into people's lives, you have to speak to them. That's a little difficult to do when you haven't even met them. 

So while I was at my lowest this morning, God gave me a little message through a song. It says exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I am hanging on to Your promises God. I will no longer listen to the voice of the accuser when he says I'm not important...I know I'm important to You!

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Sometimes you just know

There are many times in our lives when we experience something and we just know if it's God's will for us or not. Take for example, our church home in A-town. We had backslidden a little bit and I knew we were supposed to go back, but I was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to be back to the same church we were at before. Well, I have this friend who was always inviting me to special events at her church, and on Sunday's too. She kept on and on and on and on...well you get the picture. Finally, just to stop the invites, I decided to go on a Sunday morning. (The hubs was deployed at the time.) Needless to say the moment I walked in the door, I knew I was home. No question. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in the door. The worship was great, the Word was spot on and there were lots of people that I knew. There was a great degree of comfort there. 


I feel that when we are walking in the will of God, it will just feel right. And on the opposite end, when we are not walking in the will of God, we will know it. (Me personally, I get a knot in the pit of my stomach that won't go away) Now, sometimes the things God will ask us to do are uncomfortable, but there is still a sense of peace and comfort as we walk those things out. You know? Like this move...I mean come on. What's comfortable about a move? But the entire time we've been walking through this, I can sense God all over it. There is a peace.


Well, in our search for a church home here in the Falls, we toured a couple of churches that were recommended by our pastor. We attended one last Sunday and the other last night. It's amazing to me the difference I felt in my spirit. Not that one church was 'better' than the other, just one is the church for us and the other is not. Now I know that we haven't really seen what either church is really about, but I'm pretty positive I know which will be our church home for the next 3 years. More to come later as we hear definitively from God.


Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

Just pondering

Well, with this move and not knowing many people, I have time to think...LOTS of time to think about lots of things. One of the things that's been on my mind lately is mail. Yes, mail. I told you, lots of time to think about lots of things. I would venture to say in the 3 years we lived in our house, that about 75% of the mail that we received, was just your standard pre-sorted kind that everyone gets. About 24% of it was bills and other stuff that most people get. The other 1% was personal communication between us and someone else. Why? Why is there so little personal mail nowadays? Well, e-mail, social networking, texting and phone calls is why. Not that any of those things are bad...at all. But why do we rely so heavily on those things? 


Don't you remember when you were younger and you got a piece of mail sent to you? Remember how that felt? That feeling never really goes away...when it's a personal letter or card or something to that effect. I love that feeling. I know my girls do, too. That's why I try to put a little note in their lunch box every day. That's also why I send people little postcards or cards when I think about it. Everyone loves to feel special and thought about.


My wonderful big sister sent the girls and the hubs and I cards the first week we were here. Ours was a singing card...she loves those! It really lifted my spirits. Any time I feel down, I just open that card and have to dance and laugh!! The girls loved their cards too! So, thanks sis for helping the transition be a little easier on us!


Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165

Availability

I've been hearing A LOT lately about being available for the Lord to use me. I think I've heard about 3-4 sermons in the last few months about this very thing. And each one seems to have been tailor made for me. So I've been thinking, why? Why does it feel like every time someone talks about being available, they are talking directly to me? Well, probably because GOD is talking directly to me...through one of His servants. So, now that I realize this, what to do with it? Well, make myself available of course. But how? In a town where I know 2 people besides my own family...how? Be myself. Plain and simple. I know, from experience and the Lord telling me, that He works best through me when I am myself. A genuine, loving, caring, generous people person. That means that I'm gonna have to step outside of my comfort zone and meet people...eek. Those moms that are standing on the school grounds. (who all seem to already know one another) People at the grocery store. People in my apartment complex. Whoever the Lord leads me to talk to. I'm willing to do this, but I'm so scared. I know most of you think that I'm this person who has no problem talking to anyone...well, that's half-way true. I am truly intimidated to talk to people I don't know. Why? Maybe because I think they will judge me. Maybe I think they won't like me. I don't know, but I'm at the point right now that, I don't really care what I feel. -- I have been sent here by the Creator of the universe to show His love to His people. And there are SO MANY here who are hurting and need His love...they just don't know it yet, but I can see it. He has shown me. -- But it still scares the junk out of me.


I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Ps 116:1-2

Recipe

So tonight I did some pantry cooking. That's where I take whatever is in the pantry and mix it with some meat and...BAM...there's dinner. Here's what I threw together tonight. My family enjoyed it!


I'm calling it Pasta Bake (I'm sure it's been done before)


1 - 1.5 lb. ground beef (cooked)
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (can use the seasoned kind if you like)
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce (again, you can use the seasoned kind)
cooked penne pasta (I'm not a measuring kind of girl...I use 1 fistful per person +1)
4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
seasoning to taste


Boil your pasta until al dente, about 7 minutes. Brown your ground beef. Combine beef, pasta, sauce and tomatoes in a 9X13 baking dish. Season to taste. (I used Italian seasoning, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper) Top with cheese and bake for 10 minutes. Serves 6-8


This was so tasty, I think it will be a regular on our menu! And my family didn't mind the chunks of tomatoes either...and none of them like tomatoes.

The true test...

So, here it is Sunday. We are 150 miles away from our church home. The church home that helped us rebuild our marriage after it nearly fell apart. It's slightly daunting to think about walking into a church where I know no one...that no one knows me. No one knows our story, our history, our testimony. We are visiting a church this morning that our pastor recommended, so I know it's a good one. I know he loves us enough to send us to a great church...but it's still so hard.


I know the Lord is stretching us in this process. Stretching us for what, I don't know. We are going to walk in with an open mind, open hearts and open ears. We are seeking the place that we will call our church home during this 3 year 'mission trip' in Wichita Falls. We are listening to what the Lord will say about each church we will visit. We will only stay at the church He tells us.


We want to use the talents and gifts You have given us, Lord. Show us where you want us to go! Amen!


He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

A new and better leaf

I decided when we found out we had orders that I would try to be a better wife, mother and housekeeper.  I'm not a bad wife or mother, but I want to be better. Those of you who know me well, know I'm not the best housekeeper. Now, I wake with my husband and read the Word and pray with him. Then I get the girls started with their day and do a devo with them. In between, I have some personal prayer/Word time...nothing better! And even though there are still lots of boxes laying around, the house is picked up. I've gotten the girls started with 'chore charts' if you will, which is getting them started on the right road. They have done great with them! Angel's room is spotless and Big Girl's is way better than it would be without the daily routine. I've put things away where they belong...and they are staying there too! I have gone to bed every night with a clean kitchen...which is HUGE! I've kept up with the laundry...partly because I don't have anywhere to store piles of dirty laundry and partly from the new routine.


I have to say, I'm really digging this new routine and I hope to keep it going...forever. I have found that I have so much more time to do the things I want to do. Once the girls go back to school, I am going to throw some exercising into that new routine. I mean, the fitness center is just steps from my door. Why wouldn't I? Here's to turning over a new leaf and starting down the path toward health! Blessings y'all!


By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8

Progress...slow, but still progress

Yesterday, I got the kitchen completely put together, minus decorating the walls. Boy did that feel good!!! I decided that in order to make this place feel like home, I needed something hung on at least one wall. Naturally the best place to start is with our family photo that was given to us from our dear friends. So the hubs and I set off to hang pictures with some words (that I got a super deal on) from Hobby Lobby. Here is the result.

This is the dining room wall.

Well, I wanted to keep it going, so I decided to finish another room today. My Angel is only 7 and has a hard time cleaning and putting things together the way I like them. So, in order to get anything finished, I have to do it. This makes my Big Girl pretty angry, because she thinks I'm favoring Angel. This is not the case...I do help her as well. Anyhow, Angel is now responsible for keeping her room the way I did it...and she knows it. Angel's room is the one that got finished and here are the results.

  

Now that I have a few things under my belt, I can continue with the rest of the house. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. Pr 18:9

Venturing out...

Well, we got quite a bit accomplished today. The girls' rooms are nearly put together (including some fun wall decorations) and my wonderful hubby managed to put most of our room together. 


The girls and I went this morning to register them for school and HOLY MOLY is that school huge! I think it was once a high school or something...sheesh! Found out who the girls' teachers will be and where they are located. We will be able to meet their teachers on Thurs. night. 


After we went to their school, we decided to find Wal-Mart. It's not my favorite store, but I kinda knew where it was, so I felt safe going out on my own to find it. And find it we did! We got curtains for the kitchen, living room, and the girls' rooms. Well, there were a few things not right with what we got, so Big Girl and I ventured back out to return them and get what we needed. We decided to go a different route to see what we could find...well, low and behold, we found another Wal-Mart! (and Hastings, Hobby Lobby and Mardel!) Then we found a great little frozen yogurt shop with 14 or so different flavors!! Stopped at TJ Maxx and Ross and managed to find Big Girl some school shoes...she's so picky!


And the day is ending just perfectly! The girls and I went for a swim after dinner and then they ran off some energy in the 'yard' while the hubs and I chilled on the back patio. Now they are in bed and here I sit with a cup-a-joe...life is good!

Our yummy 'frogurt' concoction! Peanut butter/chocolate with chocolate chips!

The perfect end to a pretty good day!

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

D-Day

Today was the day. All of our belongings were loaded into a moving truck and our cars and off we went. We got on the road an hour later than I had planned, but then again, that always happens. Aside from getting a late start, the trip was quite uneventful...and that's a good thing! When we arrived, there were people from my hubby's work here ready to unload. We were unloaded and the truck returned within 3 hours. While the hubby was taking the truck back, the girls and I hopped in the pool, because it was HOT!! After a short break, we got back to the unpacking. My Angel's room is nearly unpacked and put together. Big girl has been working on hers and making it her own. I got into the kitchen and got some of it unpacked...and I broke a bowl in the process. It was bound to happen sometime...LOL! Our living room looks like a living room and the dining room...the only room not touched is of course our bedroom. Oh well, it will happen soon enough. We'll prolly go clear the bed, make it and fall in it in about 5 minutes!


But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Cor 10:17-18

Rock and a hard place...

With my entire house torn apart, boxes loaded onto the truck and us 'living' in a hotel for the next few nights, this move is slapping me in the face. We will pull out of the town that has been home for the last 11 years on Monday. I know we will be just down the road, but my girls don't quite get that concept. My Big Girl has a pretty good grasp on the fact that she can keep touch with her friends. 


My Angel on the other hand doesn't get it. She's 7. She's already randomly started crying several times. When asked what she's crying about, she states that she doesn't want to leave her friends. Unfortunately, with the strain of the move that I am dealing with, I don't really have the patience for random crying spells. I don't have the time to just sit and talk through all of her emotions right now. It makes me feel like a horrible mom. How do I juggle catering to the needs of my children, while trying to take some of the strain and stress off my husband by making sure certain things are done so he doesn't have to worry about them? I'm sure there is a lesson in this too, and I will learn it eventually. I just hope that happens before my kids suffer and I burn myself out. I'm ready for a vacation by the pool...


I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

OVERWHELMED!

Not too sure what's going on here, but I woke with a huge knot in my stomach. Am I nervous? Am I afraid we won't get it all done? Today is the day we pick up the truck. There is still a lot to be packed in a box. I'm a little overwhelmed! Ok, so I'm a lot overwhelmed! Jesus help me today!


[To the Church in Laodicea] "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:14,20 

The enigma that is my life...right now anyway

These last few days in town are super hard and super great at the same time. It sounds weird, but trust me on this. They are hard because, well, they are our last days. They are great because I have been spending time with a lot of my favorite people. It's going to be really hard to be away from all of the people who have helped make me who I am. Each of my friends have taught me something different and I am grateful for each lesson. It hurts my heart to know I won't see them for months at a time. It hurts my heart even more to know that I will not see some of them before I leave. It is so hard to know that my girls are going to be going through the same things I am...they are leaving all of their friends behind too. All of those friends that have become like brothers and sisters. It definitely is a hard thing to take as a parent. Sure, I can handle it, but they shouldn't have to. I guess it will help them to be stronger and better friends in the end. Guess it's time to become better friends with the One who will never leave us... Be blessed!


I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Ps 119:14

Another last...

So tonight was my last Monday night prayer before we move. This is the beginning of my last week here. It's a little sad, but also very exciting at the same time. I think I'm just about ready to begin this new adventure. I know that the connections that I have made here will last through all of this change, so I'm not scared about that. I am a little apprehensive about finding a new church home and the girls' school and just getting around in a new town. But I also know that God is going before us on this journey, so I know it is what is best for our family. In my flesh, it's scary as hell! But in my spirit, there is a calm and peace that I just can't describe!

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor 1:10

Good times...

I think I have decided that I need a photographer to follow me around. Let me explain. I can pretty much have fun wherever I go. Lots of fun. The last few days have been spent with some great friends. My camera made the journey every stop, but alas, I have no pictures. :( I always tend to forget I have the camera and never take any pictures. Good thing I have a pretty good memory. I just wish I had some pictures to go along with all the great memories...it would make them all that much better! (I will try to take some pictures over the next few days) Be blessed!!!


Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

Hate to say goodbye...

I really dislike saying goodbye. I mean, it's so permanent. I'm more of a later tater, hasta luego, see ya soon...well you get the picture....kinda girl. I've had to say see ya later to my sweet cat and my annoying but loveable dog in the last few days. With only 9 1/2 days left until we leave, it is beginning to hit me that I have a whole lot more 'see ya laters' to say. Bleh. I love all of the people that are in my life, and it's times like this that make me appreciate them all that much more. I just hope that you all know how special you are to me...and you always will be. This will not be a goodbye for me....it will definitely be a see ya later!


(One good thing about see ya later's is you get a whole new perspective on the people you love. You begin to appreciate them so much more...and you get to spend extra time with them!)


Here are a few pics from today!

Friends since Kindergarten!

One of the best friends anyone could ask for...no really, she is!

I love that you can see their personalities in this picture.

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. Ps 119:160

Knock it off!!!!!

I have managed to shake the funk off of me from the other day, but it seems to be contagious. My hunny is feeling the exact same way I was. So, my conclusion? I feel that it's a spirit the enemy is using to try to get and keep us down. Well I'm here to say it ain't gonna work mister!!! You will not cause us to be ineffective! We will be victorious in this battle! I claim our victory in Christ! Thank You Lord for helping me to realize the enemy's silly games and giving me tools to be victorious! And putting people into my life who will help us fight this fight!


This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jer 33:2-3

The first of many...

Yesterday we said our first 'see ya later.' Amid all the craziness of packing and living in a house, our poor cat was FREAKING out! I had already arranged for her to go to a new home, and I realized yesterday that she needed a sense of normalcy...so, off she went. It was not a happy time. My Big Girl was actually the first to cry. My Angel was next and then...I'm pretty sure my hubby did too. He's worried about her being happy. I reassured him that the people she went to will love her just like he did...she's a great cat. The good thing about where she went is that we can go visit her and I know we will get lots of updates on how she's doing. I just hope she realizes that we all still love her...and always will. :(


But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Sam 16:7