Interesting

So last night we went with friends to Willow Creek church down in IL (Barrington, I think) It was sooooooooooo huge. Oh my goodness, anyone who thinks Elmbrook is big would fall over seeing this church! I guess is big is totally all in perspective. The main sanctuary seats 8,500! We had a blast with our friends (thanks again for driving Stuedemanns) but I am still processing my thoughts about the service.

Music worship was very different. It almost felt like a concert. So while I enjoyed being able to worship at the top of my lungs and not draw attention to myself...I did not feel the spirit moving through the place. I did not feel as if the "worship team" was really there to guide us into the Lord's presence. The speaker was fun, entertaining and engaging...but I really didn't see any substance in what he was saying. It could be that is what their Wednesday night service is set up to be. I think he'd be an awesome keynote/seminar speaker...but unsure how I'd feel about him being my pastor each week. I think I'd need to see him again once or twice to make a proper assessment. They had a food court (with amazing food I must say) and awesome graphics, technology, promo, etc.

On a different note--we have a fun night ahead...due to the storms, both soccer for Isaiah and Izzy's baseball game were cancelled (wooohoooo--but don't tell them I said so...lol) Instead we are going to dinner at our friends house (again thanks Stuedemann's for feeding us!!)and just hanging out there.

Be back soon...enough of this waiting one or two weeks to blog. I need to get back in the swing of it. Have a good night!

Friendship

This is a picture of Isaiah and his friend, Peter. Isaiah and Peter became friends through Sunday school and hit it off. It's so neat how God can bring people together that might not otherwise ever cross paths. They don't attend the same school, our families (other than having 4 kids) really don't intersect in other areas, we don't live in the same neighborhood...yet this friendship has grown to involve basketball, birthday parties, hanging out on Sundays. Seeing them together is fun because they have similar personalities and just enjoy hanging out.

Seeing how their friendship has grown over the last couple of years makes me think of how important it is to have Christian friends. Friends that not only believe in the same things as you, share your values and pray for you...but will hold you accountable for your behavior and steer you back on track when you stray. I think of my friends who keep me in check, but also root me on...pray for my family...rejoice in how God works in my life and I am filled with joy and can't help but smile. Seeing my children start those kind of friendships now--is amazing.

catch up

Time to play catch up. That's always so hard to do once it's been awhile, but I'll try. The week after my cousin's wedding was very chaotic...lol! Marlon was in Baltimore with his Pops and actually left the morning that I got home. That Monday thru Friday was Discovery Days at church. So much fun, but also very busy. Jordyn had her friend Kristy (who was leading a group with her) stay the week. My niece, Nia, also stayed the week. Overall, I think we all did great. There was some chaos that just comes when daddy is gone and two extras are over...but basically we handled it well. I told Marlon when it was over, however, that I could tell I relied on my own strength (which is not great) and not on HIS power to sustain me. That probably accounted for my lack of sleep and peace that week. Being able to handle a week like that is something I can do. As a former single mother, worry wart and over achiever...I can take control fairly easily. Being able to handle a week like that with peace of mind, grace and a calm spirit...that I need HIM for. So I know that I need to be more in prayer and connect with God when I am in those situations (Zambia anyone??)
Last weekend my aunt threw a graduation and 18th birthday party for my cousin. Jackie has not had an easy life and for awhile seemed headed down a pretty dark road. She has grown and changed so much and I thank God for the strides that she's made. She has graduated, is working, and staying out of trouble for the most part. I continue to pray that she finds Jesus and can see how He can help make everything in her life easier and if she follows Him every day is brighter.
This past week I found myself fighting the flu. Finally Friday I woke up nauseous, with a headache and my entire body was sore. I went into work for the morning because there were some things that I needed to do...but I left by 11:30 and slept pretty much all afternoon and even into the early evening. Today I feel a little better...but not much. I am hoping that this does not turn into a replay of my flu in Feb. Although I did lose 10 lbs. that week...lol! Thankfully we do not have any major plans this weekend (pretty much the only weekend like this for the entire summer) so I can relax, sleep a lot and take it easy.
I am off to send a few e-mails and then I am going to try and take a nap. Much love.