Mindless Questions to Waste Time....

Ok--so I'm almost done getting everything ready for the "Think Spring" day at James Place tomorrow, but I am taking a brain rest to do this questionnaire thingy. (you know I LOVE these!)

About Me

[ ] I am shorter than 5 feet
[ ] I think I'm ugly sometimes
[ x] I tan easily.
[x ] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
[ ] I have a tattoo.
[x ] I have/I've had braces.
[ ] I wear glasses/contacts
[ ] I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
[x] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[x] I have had more than 2 piercings. (two in one ear and my nose at one time)
[x] I have/had piercings in places besides my ears.
[ ] I have freckles
[ ] I've run away from home for 3 minutes or more.
[ ] I've been kicked out of the house.
[ ] have a sibling less than one year old.
[ ] I want to have kid(s) someday.
[ x] I've had children.
[ ] I'm in school.
[x] I have a job.
[x] I've fallen asleep at work/school.
[ ] I always do my homework.
[ ] I've missed more than a week of school.
[x] I've been on the Honor Roll before.
[ ] I failed more than 1 class last year.
[ ] I've stolen something from my job.
[ ] I've been fired.
[ ] I've slipped out a "lol" in a spoken conversation.

Health
[ ] I was born with a disease/birth defect/impairment.
[x] I've gotten stitches.
[x ] I've had broken a bone
[ ] I''ve had my tonsils removed.
[x] I've sat in a doctors office with a friend.
[x ] I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[x] I had a serious surgery
[x] I've had chicken pox.

Experiences
[ ] I've gotten lost in my city.
[x] I've seen a shooting star.
[x] I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
[x] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[x] I've kicked a guy where it hurts
[x] I've been to a casino.
[ ] I've been skydiving.
[x] I've gone skinny dipping.
[x] I've crashed a car.
[ ] I've been skiing.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
[ ] I've seen the Northern Lights.
[x] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[x] I've played chicken.
[x] I've played a prank on someone.
[x] I've ridden in a taxi.
[x] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[x] I've eaten Sushi.
[ ] I've been snowboarding.

Random
[x] I can sing well
[ ] I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
[x ] I open up easily to others.
[x] I watch the news.
[ ] I don't kill bugs.
[ ] I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for the sake of being able to rhyme.
[ ] Curse regularly.
[x] I sing in the shower.
[ ] I am a morning person.
[ ] I paid for my cell phone ring tone.
[ ] I'm a snob about grammar.
[ ]I am a sports fanatic.
[ ] I twirl my hair.
[x] I've copied more than 20 CD's in a day.
[ ] I bake well.
[x] My favorite color is either white, green, yellow, pink, red or blue.
[ ] I would wear pajamas to school.
[ ] I like Martha Stewart.
[x] I laugh at my own jokes.
[ ] I eat fast food weekly.
[x] I believe in ghosts.
[ ] I am online 24/7 even with an away message.
[ x] I've not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class
[ ] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[x] I am ticklish.
[ ] I love white chocolate
[x ] I bite my nails.
[ ] I play video games.
[x] I'm good at remembering faces.
[x] I'm good at remembering names.
[x] I'm good at remembering dates.
[ ] I have no idea what i want to do with the rest of my life.

Just a lil FYI :)

If you have some time to spare, check out my friend Brandon (Middle School pastor at Elmbrook) and one of our Senior Pastors, Dick Robinson HERE

It's an awesome message.

Exciting Game and Get it Done Nite

Oh my goodness---the game last night was soooo intense...lol. They were playing the other South Blackshirts team and man did they want to win. Isaiah even had the opportunity to go to Country Springs with the soccer team (with $ from the goal can) but he said he just couldn't miss this game. The last time they played them our team got STOMPED...so of course they had to try and redeem themselves! There are some great players on the other team, but I had to say we held our own. It was back and forth the whole time and ended with us losing by one basket. The incredible thing was our key three point shooter got one up in the last 2 seconds of the game and it bounced out the basket..lol! Oh my goodness, the whole place went crazy--both sets of parents were laughing so hard because it was like a total movie moment...all of the boys just held their breath watching it fly thru the air and then grabbed their heads when it popped out. No matter the sport, I love games like that. On the way home Isaiah said he can handle a loss like that because they played hard and everyone gave good effort. Normally losing, especially losing when people are being lazy or goofing off, just irks the heck out of him. He did get fouled out again. Whatever aggressiveness that boy lacked in soccer he more than makes up for in basketball--I tell ya! I think this AAU league tho' has a lot to do with that because those boys are rough and the game is much quicker paced, the skill is much higher and a lot more body is allowed. So then bringing it back to the Waukesha league is having to tone wayyyy down. I am so glad that Waukesha league will be done in a week and a half. Baseball for Izzy starts soon and there's only so much running around we can do in a week.

Tonight I have a lot of little projects I need to get done. Tomorrow James Place is having our "Think Spring" day and I have some craft kind of things to get done in prep for it. I have some cards I need to get out. I HAVE to clean our bedroom---it's a little frightening! Sunday Marlon and I speak on Parenting and Marriage and I have to do a little work on that. Just a few things...lol.

Sunday is my first official weekend working. I'm really excited!! We're having a little reception to honor Jackie leaving and to welcome me. I continue to pray that this transition does not affect ministry at all and families don't feel any fall out from the switch.

Anyway---lunch break is over. Back to work!!!

Thursday already????

Where in the world did this week go? I must admit that I am a little scattered and tired and have so much to talk about...I think that's part of why I just haven't even bothered posting.

I guess I'll start with New York. Blogger is not liking me and so I'll have to do pictures later.

Friday morning when we got to the airport there was already issues. When checking in at 6:30am we were told our flight was cancelled due to weather. (I guess that morning decided to be a blizzard in New York and all the airports were shut down!) Our flight to Kansas City was on time, but our connecting flight to La Guardia had been cancelled. There was, however, a flight later in the day that they were able to get us on (at 3:30pm) So we headed to Kansas City. When we got there, however, Midwest staff was suprised that they had sent us on and told us that at that time ALL the flights of the day had been delayed indefinately. Um...have you been to the Kansas City airport? Not a lot of life there...lol. Marlon and I both love to people watch and there weren't even enough people to truly do that! :) After waiting a few hours we found out that it looked like we might not get to New York at all. We had an amazingly kind attendant who offered to put us up in a hotel for the weekend. We had explained we were trying to have a romantic getaway for the weekend and really did not want to have to turn back home. We did have to wait until 3:30 for our flight to be officially cancelled in order to have this opportunity. I just could not bring myself to accept this. I kept praying and praying for the storm to pass. I knew that if we got on at 3:30ish we'd be in New York by 7 and still be able to have an amazing weekend. It did not look hopeful however. Then at about 1:45 they let us know that the storm had passed and the 3:30 was being sent out!!! Yahoo!! I don't think I've ever been so excited to take off :)
We landed, caught a cab and got to our hotel by 7:45. Our hotel was literally one block from Times Square! The perfect hotel for a weekend getaway. No frills and extras, but clean, comfortable and reasonable. We got settled and headed to get something to eat and wander through Times Square. We ate at Roxie's and if you are ever in Times Square you have to stop in! I can't even do the portions justice by words. I will have to be able to post pictures---I ordered an open face roast beef sandwich and seriously...it had to have been 2 lbs. of roast beef...lol. We headed over to Rockefeller Plaza and watched the ice skaters for a bit. It was just so amazing how bright and loud everything was and it was 10 at night. For me, it reminded me how much I enjoy being in a city atmosphere. We headed home about midnight and planned our day. Since we originally were supposed to get to New York at 1 in the afternoon, we really had lost a day. We talked about what was the most important stuff for us to see while we were there.
So Saturday we got up and out about 9:30am. Neither of us were hungry so we skipped breakfast and headed down to Ground Zero (the site of the World Trade Center) We caught the subway and that was really exciting. I've ridden the subway in Chicago (I did everyday the year I lived there) and my family rode the subway when we visited New York when I was in high school, but it was so much fun. The second we came up from the subway at Ground Zero...you could just feel a change in the air. It was very somber and quiet. We headed around to a main viewing area and sat for a bit. After that we headed over to the Tribute/WTC Visitor Center

Wow. That is all I can say. I could not stop crying. It was so heartbreaking and yet, you could see God's hand in the stories and families that were reunited. We wandered about in there for about an hour and then took the official tour. That was time and money well spent. Seriously. If you EVER have the opportunity to visit New York, this is a must. The Visitor Center is all run by individuals and families affected by 9/11 as well as the tours. It really puts life so totally in perspective and is such an amazing reminder that evil is lurking around us at all times and even when it rears it's ugly head, we can rely on God to get us through any circumstance and we can rise out of the rubble victorious! It made me proud to be a part of this country.

After that we ate lunch at a neat little deli before heading down to Battery Park. This was a longgg, chilly walk! We hung out for a bit to wait for the next ferry and then headed over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We did not get off because there is soooo much security and clearance that occurs now you really have to make a full day of it to see these two places. Marlon really just wanted to see them and get close enough to it to get some good pictures. As for Ellis Island, we joked that most of our relatives did not come to this country that route anyway. While my mom's relatives likely did...my dad's certainly did not and Marlon's definately did not. They weren't big on letting the slave ships hang out there, ya know?

By the time we got back to Battery Park it was already close to 5pm and we were pooped. We headed back to our room and rested for a bit. At 6:30 we headed back to Times Square for some more walking around, I got a chair massage and then we went to the Laugh Factory for a comedy show. It was so much fun and a couple of the comics were REALLY funny. I indulged in a couple of drinks and they were sooo yummy! After the show we went to Madame Toussaud's and had a blast taking pictures with all of the "stars" lol. Some of them are soooo lifelike it's really creepy!! We stopped for dinner at TGIFridays, walked the Square for a bit more and collapsed into bed at about 1:30am.

Sunday morning we had a great breakfast buffet, got some souveniors for the kiddies and headed to the airport at noon. It was such a great weekend and I'm so glad that we were able to have that time together.

As for the rest of the stuff going on....well, I guess it's just life. One of my Teen MOPS graduate ladies just let me know that she has cervical cancer, work---while totally sweet to be moving in my new role, is also nervewracking because there isn't anyone yet to take the 24 hr. AA position and I am just worried that things are going to be overlooked or missed, this week is just a busy one for us schedule wise, my uncle and his issues, my neck has been giving me hard time...just stuff ya know? I'm staying positive and as always have the joy and hope that He is in control of it all and I don't have to be. One day. One day at a time.

Have a good weekend and I'll post again soon!!

Me and my honey

Here's a picture of me and Marlon in Rockafeller Plaza on Friday nite. I have a ton more to post (and the ones from the ACM last week) Will fill ya in on the details later today!

Count down....

In just 13 hours we will be on a plane heading to New York. I really can't explain how giddy Marlon and I are to have this time. We know it is such a blessing that it is even being able to happen and are so grateful. We have not been away for a weekend alone for years. The mission trip to the Philippines was certainly an amazing time together, but it's not the same. We have no agenda, no time schedule...we're just going to go and take the weekend as it comes. Maybe we'll see a show...or take a tour...maybe we'll just wander the streets and people watch. Thanks again Momma and Daddy for taking the boys and helping out :)

As we speak Jordyn is already on the Disney cruise with her aunts. She left me a voicemail as they were waiting to board (so sad I wasn't at my desk to get her call) and sounded sooooo excited! I can't wait to hear all about it.

Last night we were one of the 6000+ houses without electricity. We all got home from our different places (I'll post pictures of the ACM from church later) and it was off. We debated about going to my parents...but decided instead to wait it out. We all got our comforters and pillows, lit some candles, and snuggled together in the living room. It was actually a lot of fun and then we got power back sometime in the middle of the night.

So the final final has occurred with soccer today. We had asked for a copy of our application/contract and also the written refund policy. Now we know from our lawyer friend that what they've sent is simply ridiculous....only the first page of the application/contract (there was more than one page) and a cut and paste job of what they put in our e-mail about refunds just put on letter head. Not signed by either us or them. No date or other identifying markers. Um...that's not a written policy and that does not say that we were ever told we couldn't get a refund. When I opened it, I actually started laughing really hard that someone would even bother...lol. Would so not stand up in court. I really hope that they use this as a springboard to do things a little more professionally and have written policy that parents sign regarding things like this. Overall, it's just a smart idea so that there are no grey areas. Soccer club or not...it is a business and should be run like one...not like a couple of family members typing stuff up in the computer room. While there's nothing wrong with typing stuff up in the computer room...at least have it look professional. At least take the time to present yourself as reputable and with a standard of excellence. Marlon and I have decided, however, that we just really don't have the fight left in us to deal any further with this and are counting our losses as a lesson learned. There are some things more important than money and being done with any kind of issues with Dousman Soccer Club is definitely one of them.

Well, off to finish packing the boy's bags. When they get home from basketball we're off to dinner and then dropping them at my parents. Then we get a night alone--woohoo!!

Satisfaction

There is smug satisfaction in seeing someone's wrong ways unraveling before them. Not Godly--I know. But I still can't help but shake my head and wonder when we will learn to live out goodness and thoughtfulness and kindness and truth? The wasted time and energy we spend on deception, conniving and acting out of anger...eventually comes back to bite us in the butt. I know, cuz mine has stung a time or two in the past...lol.

I Got Tagged!!

So I got tagged!! My friend Josie (check out her blog--now THAT'S an interesting, no day is the same life!!) has tagged me so I need to list:

7 Strange/Weird Facts about Myself

1. Until a couple of years ago, I thought that woodpeckers were the size of penquins. Like literally Woody Woodpecker!! (I know....I know)

2. I really, really like cold weather.

3. I am afraid of the dark.

4. I really want a tattoo

5. I can burp on command. (something my children find oddly disturbing and funny at the same time)

6. I've always get a strange feeling when someone close to me is ill and I just know if they are going to die or not. It's really freakish and kind of totally weirds me out.

7. I have the gift of forgiveness and mercy...but I sometimes wish I didn't. Isn't that bad!

Since Josie already did this and she already tagged my friend Amy...I am going to tag....

Alison,
Sarah,
Amber,
and let's see if we can't get Brandon to do this....

Let's find out all the kooky scoop on u folks!!

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What exactly does this mean? As I read this the first thing that comes to mind is that I better try and have some idea of what His will is. It doesn't read...figure out what Mindy's will is.


So let's start here. Do not conform. What are the patterns of this world? Well, I don't think you need to be a sociologist or psychologist to know what some of those things are. Greed. Who isn't somewhat worried about having-having-having more. Materialism. Isn't it odd how we think having a 'THING' will make life better. Like that certain car, or furniture, or new toy will give us joy. Vanity. Movies, TV, music videos...all "sell" us the idea that looks matter. That if we are the right size, if we look the right way we'll be PERFECT. Pride. Know anybody that thinks they are all that and a bag of chips? Deception. How easily we lie to each other, to ourselves even...trying to hide the truth we don't want anyone to know. Well, I could go on and on. So it says that we should not conform ourselves any longer to those patterns. Instead we should renew our mind and in doing so we will be transformed.

Be transformed. By renewing...this is ongoing. How often we fall back into old patterns because we fail to continue to renew our minds. We fail to continue to be transformed. So we go to church once in awhile. So we try to live a "good life" (whatever the heck that is) So we smile and make nicey nice so that people will like us. IT MEANS NOTHING. If I am going to know, really know, Christ and even attempt to follow the path that God has chosen for me...I'd better continually, daily, moment to moment---renew my mind and leave behind any desire to follow the ways of this world. Man, that's hard. It's so uber easy to fall back into old habits. It's so uber easy to get lazy...to settle for those friends who don't challenge us...to do what is easy vs. what is right. But it's much more than that.

Then we can test and approve... ahh...here's a key. The reason WHY we need to renew our minds and be transformed. So we can test and know His will...but also so that we can treasure it---approve of it. An example I've heard is that you can infer that honey is sweet by the smell, the fact that's it's gooey and crystallizes like sugar...the fact that kids like it on toast. Or you can taste it and experience it and truly know that honey is sweet. If and when we have a renewed mind---we are not just out there floundering about, hoping that we make right choices. We do not have to actively stop before every little thing and obsess over whether or it's right or wrong. We will be living in God's will and have died to the worldly ways of living and looking at life. It's so amazing to me.

We stray. I stray. There is this song...."Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"...it's a hymn, which is not normally my favorite kind of music...but the lyrics of this song. Man they are something else. It's really long, so I'm not going to post it all...but this verse really hits home for me:

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Lord, help me stay close to you. Give me the full desire to leave behind the ways of this world...bind me to you. I give you all of me to do with as you wish. When I am feeling low, or angry, or like I want to put you aside and do what makes me happy...help me desire to only follow you. Thank you for sending your son to die for me. Thank you for knowing every thought in my head and loving me anyway. I cherish the life that you give and forgive me for wasting even a moment of the time that you give me. I will live my life letting my light shine for you. Loving like you, forgiving like you, caring like you and allowing you to work through me. I will trust that You know the big picture and you will not allow me to experience anything that You can't handle. I will rely on You and Your strength and not try to do things my own way. Jesus...thank you for loving me and caring so much about me that You laid down your life so that I might live in Heaven with my Father for eternity. I am nothing without you and with you...I have need for nothing. Amen.

Start Spreadin' the News.....

So as a Valentine Day gift to me, my hubby is taking me to New York for the weekend!! I am so excited===YAY!!! We just confirmed everything last night which is why I hadn't said anything about it yet. We leave this coming Friday morning and are staying til' Sunday. Marlon's never been and I have only been there twice back in high school so it's going to be so much fun. It was a great suprise!! I told him we're going to have to take a carriage ride in Central Park because I've always wanted to do that with my honey--snuggling close. With a bunch of high school choir buddies----that just didn't do it justice...lol.

So anyway---of to shower so I can get to Sue's house to set up for the baby shower this afternoon. Marlon also got me "Why Did I Get Married" which I've been so excited to see so that will be my evening.

Peace out sauerkraut!!

Will it EVER come????

Just had to get out some fun summer pics of the kids and day dream a little bit about swimming in the pool. I can almost feel the sun on my face...smell the brats grilling...hear the kid's laughter...I can't wait.

Isaiah is at the middle school Squeaky Clean Retreat for church. It's a purity retreat presented in a really non-threatening way for the kids. It's just a one-nighter at Country Springs...so he should be extra tired tomorrow. Luckily there's no basketball until Sunday...lol. Jordyn went to her dad's after work so it's just the four of us hanging out tonight. I had to get some shopping done for my friend's baby shower tomorrow. I'm making veggie pizza and putting together the birthday card thingy* I do and also an "advice" book for her. It should be a fun afternoon.

*the birthday card thingy is this: purchase blank birthday cards. one for every person at the shower. using sticky notes, number the cards 1-whatever. then give each person one card randomly. if there is not a lot of people at the shower, give each person two. they are to write a birthday card or note to the baby to be. the number on the sticky is the age that they make the card for. if your sticky note said 15, then you would make a birthday card for the baby's 15th birthday. what is really special is if you have older friends and relatives there...to make sure that they get the higher numbers. for example---at my sister's shower, we made sure that Grandma Calderon got number 30. so for Keyonna's 30th birthday she will have a birthday card from her Great Grandma Calderon. have each person seal their card, write, "happy ____th birthday" on the envelope and then give them to the mommy in a pretty box for safe keeping.

alright---i'm off to label the sticky notes and then I have go and give grandma her shot. have a nice night!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Have a lovely love day!! I know this is a "made" up holiday...but I do like Valentine's Day. Check out Google today. You know how they always change their look based on the season/holiday? Well, it's a little old couple holding hands...it's so sweet!!

Day of contentment...answers to prayer!

Today was a crazy, busy, full day...and it was also one of the most content days that I have had in a longggg time. I had a full day of meetings, ministry, tasks, Teen MOPS, our steering meeting...and yet there was just a peace about me. I'm always thankful for those days because it is more often that I feel pulled in a bunch of different ways...feel like there's just one more thing I should be doing...

We had an amazing time of prayer during our steering meeting. There's so much hurt and hard things that our girls deal with...it's so easy to get caught up in nonsense and forget what is really important. It's such a convicting reminder that God has a purpose for each of us and intersects our lives with different people for different reasons. I pray for each of them tonight--that God touches their hearts and reaches into their lives, that they are reminded that we are here for them. Remind us that we need to grab each opportunity to grow closer to them, be a part of their lives, pray for them.

Many praises and thanks for my Aunt Lannette. For any of you who prayed...thanks. Surgery went amazingly well! They removed some of her small and large intestine and did NOT have to give her a colostomy bag!! She was already up and walking today. We continue to pray that her Crohn's will be under control and a very small problem from this point forward.

Praises as well for my Grandma's continued healing. She does not need the walker anymore, is showering by herself...looking back to her old self. Every night when I go there I am so happy to see her growing stronger!

I also have to give praise as well for my friend Troy. His dismissal by DSC for the U-14 team has been overturned! This is such great news because they really, really did not want him fired. That team has been together for many years and to lose their coach at this point in time was just ridiculous. I am so excited that they get to keep their coach and also that he gets to continue coaching them. He's asked that the U-12 don't request an overturn (which wasn't going to happen anyway) and he isn't going to request it either. I think at this point it would do nothing but damage things worse (if that's possible) and cause the boys undo stress as they might feel stuck in between a coach and parents that aren't united. It's great that they felt strongly enough about it to do something about it and then that their efforts were honored by having him returned as the coach.

Finally, I have to give thanks to God for my husband. As I see him snoring right now on the couch...I have to smile. He is thoughtful (he drove to Waupun today just to let a chaplain borrow our video camera)...he is honorable (he always stands up for what he believes in and doesn't shy away just because it's the unpopular thing)...he is faithful (he continues to go to Brodie's house to snowblow even when the boys can't because of school or when it gets late)...he is encouraging (when I am feeling down about things he reminds me of who I am)...

Yep. Definately a content day.

First Visitors...

Hey Quebec and Turkey!!! Leave some comments :)

Phil. 4:4-13

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Funny funny post...

Oh Little Owen!

You have to check out my friend Amy's post today. Do the moms out there remember those tantrum days? Or if you are in the midst of them...at least know you are not alone!!

I love it :) Then again I am past those days...lol!

Prayer request....

Hey all who read this...

Please say a prayer for my Aunt Lannette. I've mentioned her before, she has Crohn's disease and is in the hospital again. The infection is worse and she will be having surgery sometime before Friday. The dr. has said that he thinks he will be able to get it all and remove the necessary part of her intestine-connecting the remaining parts. However, if he can't--she will have to have a colostomy bag. She is only in her early 50s and I can't imagine having to live with a colostomy bag. Please pray for her peace of mind...that surgery goes smoothly. Pray for my family to continue to see God's hand working in all of our lives and for this to be something that continues to draw us closer. Pray for her husband, kids and grandkids who are afraid for her and worried.

Thanks.

Yawn..........

So we just got back home after an afternoon of lounging at my parent's house. Jordyn is reading, Marlon's playing Stratego with the boys and I am trying to decide if I'm going to do any laundry. I was able to take a yummy nap at my parent's house so that was nice. We slept in and skipped church today. I don't always like doing that, but I really just wanted to sleep as late as possible after the hectic few days I'd had. I slept until just about nine! Yay :)

The rest of the conference was just great. My seminar went really well. It's funny when you speak...you just know when you were on and when you weren't. I was definately on. What I wanted to say just came out clearly and by the evaluation sheets the people that attended were very pleased. It's not always that way so I am always happy when it DOES go that way...lol! The main thing I was worried about was that people were going to come with the expectation of getting ideas for worship songs to do with kids...for fun songs to sing. I titled my talk, "Worship With Preschoolers: More than a Sing a Long" simply because I wanted to relay that it would not be there. I did a lot of praying that the people that came would be open and ready to hear some of the challenges that I was going to share and give. We disservice our kids when we think of "worship" with them as just the time in Sunday School where we sing a few songs. When we sell them short and only sing catchy little tunes with catchy little movements. They can experience the Spirit and feel it in their souls. They can feel that joy within during worship that makes them just want to smile===even when they aren't quite sure why. That's the spirit. As adults I think we shy away from that because we think it sounds hokey. Like people, especially non-Christians, are going to think we're just a crazy religious person if we talk about things like that...lol. Well--they might I guess. But that doesn't make it not so. When you acknowledge the presence of God and when you are truly adoring Him in all His glory...you can't help but feel the spirit. In my talk I shared how little kids are so willing and able to feel that. They aren't ruined yet by peer pressure or looking "cool"....they aren't thinking about who might be looking at them and thinking they are a geek for worshipping...they can just sing and dance with full abandon and love the Lord with all of their heart, mind, soul. I shared some self checks the worship leader can do to prepare themselves to lead worship with kids. I shared some simple tips they can do to ensure that the environment is conducive to real worship. I imagine thousands of kids worshipping over the state and it makes me smile. I also challenged them to worship God---thank Him, adore Him, love Him themselves. Not just for what He gives us, not just because as Christians we're "supposed" to...but because He is the Almighty Creator, who is Eternal and Sovereign and designed each one of us and allowed His son to die simply so that we could be reconciled to Him. I'm thankful that it went well.
At 5 last night we went to the last basketball game for the tournament. It was a pretty close game the entire time until the last few minutes when I think some of our guys forgot they were playing basketball...lol. We ended up losing by 10 or 12. The other coach was ridiculous. We had a player foul out and he cheered. Like very blatantly. Every single play he just sat and argued with the refs. Not just the ones that were bad calls (because let's be honest-in all sports sometimes the refs make bad calls) but even the ones that were very obvious fouls. Then when Isaiah fouled out he leaned over and clapped really loud and slow and yelled, "Hey way to go 44...way to go" Isaiah just looked at him and shook his head. Later he told me, "Man, if that had been a kid I might have hit him" I was like, "Look Allan Iverson...relax, relax." But I must admit when the coach did that I was ready to run down there...lol. There were some parents from the other team behind us just cussin' up a storm. That is something I don't think I will ever understand. Why in the world does sports bring out cussin' so much in some people! Like the article about that new coach DSC is thinking about bringing in....where he was dropping the f-bomb...why is that tolerated? I just don't understand. It's even worse to me when that occurs with children. First of all-why do people think it's motivating to players? Second of all-it just shows a lack of verbal skills that you can't think of anything else to say. Third of all-with children-you are in a position of authority over children that are not yours-you have a responsibility to be a good example to them. I reminded Isaiah that sometimes coaches can't control themselves and they get so caught up in the game and their emotions and their frustration that they forget they are in charge of kids and should be setting a good example.
So Jordyn didn't have to do the plunge today. Because of the weather they cancelled it. I secretly, well now not so secretly, happy because I wasn't sure I really wanted her to do it. I just know sometimes she is not the most coordinated thing and honestly I was a little worried she might get hurt. I know--nerdy mom. So shoot me.
Alright. I can't put off laundry anymore. Amy--I got your voicemail just today! I had my phone on silent from the conference! I will either give you a call a little later or call you tomorrow from work.
Peace out sauerkraut!!

Amazing Nite

Well it's the first night of the conference and so far so good. Marlon's sister made it out here fine and she seems to be enjoying it. While work today was busy, busy, busy...there were definately times of calm and enjoyment. Dave was a sweetie and ran out to get chinese food for a bunch of us so we got our bellies fed before the conference started. Worship, the keynote and dessert are done and instead of heading to a seminar I decided to come back to my desk....write a lil, run through my talk for tomorrow a lil, read a lil...Dee Dee went to a seminar so she won't be done until 9ish.

The worship was great. Matt Guevara is the Children's Creative Director at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL. It was really awesome to see the 800+ leaders worshipping together. The Phil came up. It has been a longggggggggg time since a talk touched me in this way. Phil Vischer, created Veggie Tales and has a story to tell! He has so many amazing insights about how we hold onto things of this world, how we make the programs our "idols", how we worry about the "vision" instead of being in God's will. The worst question to ask is, "Where will you be in 5 years." He said that his answer now is, "That's not my business. I'll be in God's will." Whoa. Especially for Children's Ministry where there is always pressure to top the last program...create hoopla for kids...look to the future for how to "capture" them for Christ. We aren't called to "make" ministry....we aren't called to "be" our "thing"...we are called to walk with God and be content with him. If He never gives us our hearts desire---do we still love Him the same? If He gives us our hearts desire and then takes it away---do we still love Him? Do we live to please Him or to please ourselves? If we take our "ministry" do we cease to exist. It just so captivated me. I was talking with my co-worker who shares a lot of the same philosophy as I do and we both were like, "man...does God know how to bring it right when you need to hear it or what..." His sovereignty. Why do we forget that He is sovereign? Why do so many of us toss that word around and not even realize the magnitude of what it means?

The sovereignty of God: The supreme authority of God to work all things after the counsel of His own will.

I do not need to know where I am going. I only have to be close to Him...listen for His direction (because it will come)and then go when He says to go. He has the plan already laid out. I do not need to bring Him my ideas and my dreams. Does this mean not to dream--no, I don't think he's saying that. I think he's saying don't let the dream become who you are...don't let the dream dictate who you are and what you do. Never take your focus off of God and listening to Him, staying in His word, holding onto His truth. The truth is the truth. No matter how you try to justify, how you try to spin it to fit your needs. No matter how you try to pick and choose what you are going to believe and what you are going to follow. The truth is the truth. There is no grey. You either live by it or you don't.

Amazing. Thanks God for Your sovereignty and forgive me for ever doubting that I am in your tender care every moment of every day.

Floored...

Just a little bit floored. And sad. Yet I weather each storm knowing that God always has a lesson for me in every event He allows me to go through. That helps give me comfort.

Funny Story

Ok--so my friend Sue will probably laugh hysterically that I am posting this...

So we have weekly announcements at church and our communications team take our words and then tweak them to fit into the bulletin/have a better flow/etc. So Sue and I are working on wording for some of our summer camps. We'd had e-mails going back and forth with Dawn in graphics about and it was getting more and more confusing. After several attempts Dawn e-mailed us with the perfect set of words that said what we needed to say very clearly. So I e-mailed Sue and Dawn and said, "Perfect Dawn. Thanks. Go Dawn...it's your birthday! Go Dawn...it's your birthday! We're gonna party like it's your birthday!" About 5 minutes later I get an e-mail from Sue saying, "Hey girl-it's not Dawn's birthday...whose birthday is it?" A few minutes later Sue came by my desk. Here's what followed:

Me "Why do you think it's someone's birthday?"

Sue "Because you wished Dawn a happy birthday....so I e-mailed her and said sorry you have to work on your birthday, Happy Birthday!! Then Dawn asked me why everyone thinks it's her birthday."

Me "I didn't wish her a happy birthday." (pause as I try to figure this out.) "Do you mean because I wrote Go Dawn...it's your birthday? That's a song silly!"

Sue was laughing so hard. I started singing the song just to see if she might know it and she still was like, "um...no clue" but then Brodie came out of his office and started dancing. Sue said, "ok-now I'm really out of it if BRODIE knows that song!"

Busy busy busy

I think I will probably collapse on Sat. after the conference is done...lol. There was soooo much stuff to do today. I'm glad that I had at least gotten some things done from home yesterday--that made it a little better. I was able to at least stay on top of most of the things that I need to do so tomorrow shouldn't be too bad. We are up to a little over 800 people now...and at least 30 registrations came in today which will be walk-ins. There's usually about 50 walk-ins that just randomly show up so we're looking at potentially about 900 people! Of course, I think a big draw this year was Phil Vischer---the creator of Veggie Tales. There's a ton of smaller churches throughout the state and IL bringing their whole teams of Children's Ministry staff. I think the largest group is from a Hmong church---they're bringing 20 people! It'll be a long day but should be fun---we always get along and have a good time when we're in our element like that. I just have to finish up my talk and then I'll be good. I am speaking on Worshipping with Preschoolers: More than Just a Sing a Long. So far there's about 50 people signed up for my seminar. It's always a hard topic for me to talk about because it's kind of a hard thing to explain how it works...lol. Maybe next year I'll talk on a different topic so it won't take me so long to get my talk together.

Well, I survived the meeting without any catastrophes so I was proud of myself...lol. When I got home I asked Isaiah again, if Troy can't be the coach this sprint would he want to play. He said no, he's excited to start this Milwaukee basketball leaque (basketball is part of the reason he didn't do 2nd session) and he is serious about trying football in the fall. So that's that. Oh my goodness---the game tonight...that boy is such a hot head in basketball!! Watching him and Elijah on the basketball court together...it's so funny because it's like they just instinctively know where the other is going to be. They've only got a few weeks left with the Waukesha team and then they'll focus on the Milw. team. He asked if he didn't like football could he go back to soccer. Those boys are such sport die-hards I don't think they care what sport they're playing as long as they're playing!!

So on Sunday Jordyn is doing a Polar Plunge with my sister for the Special Olympics. I had planned on doing it as well...but there's just so much going on this weekend already that she is graciously letting me bow out. Then I also get to see any games of the tournament this weekend that are on Sun. Jordyn should be a hoot because I just can't imagine her heading into that freezing water! My family is going to have to take a LOT of pictures of this.

Grandma continues to do well. She hates the walker, but really does need it and so I'm happy that she ALWAYS uses it. I will never be able to praise God enough for who He is and how He continues to work through my family. It's such a blessing the way that He used her illness to bring my family even closer...got us talking about things that we haven't before...helped us remember how much we can rely on each other and Him. Next on the docket is once she's healed getting her back surgery done. She's said that she's not even considering it at this point because "she's done getting cut up" Ay yi yi...that women! Gotta love her :)

Alrighty-off to cuddle with my hubby. Nite!

How to spend a snow day....

I can't believe it's 2pm already!! It was true excitement in our house this morning when we knew we were ALL snowed in! CEO Leadership closed-so Marlon's here. Waukesha Public Schools closed-so all the kids are here. And even Elmbrook closed for the day--so I'm here too!! Very smartly my pastors encouraged us last night to bring some work home and stay put even if the building was open---so I have some things to work on so that I don't fall behind (Fri. and Sat. is our big Children's Conference with anywhere from 700-900 people coming) After making sure everyone knew they could sleep in, I went back to bed until 9:00!! I got up, had some breakfast, checked some e-mails, and then made the mistake of taking NyQuil. What followed was a nap that just ended at 1:00!! I felt super lazy, but I must admit it also felt great!
Now I've gotten some laundry started and feel like I can be a little productive. No Teen MOPS tonight so that's a little sad. :( It's so much smarter tho' to have the girls stay home with their little ones than try to brave the weather. I just pray that all of their needs are met for one more week and that they call one of us if they need anything.

Gotta get a prayer request out there. Please pray for all of the kids affected by Scott Ziegler. Click here I know more than one young person who spent time at Twitsted, interacted with him and have been affected by this terror. Please join me in praying that each of them gets whatever help they will need to get over this...that they talk and tell someone...that their lives aren't ruined forever by the atrocities they saw and were a part of. There is power in prayer and I know that God can redeem any experience and any life. Thanks.

Alright--back to work!!

We might be free from crazy soccer parents...

oh yes it is true! It seems as if a decision to fire Troy was made on Jan. 28th....so sad that a board can decide on an issue partly because of parent input when all of the parents don't feel the same way...but if it ends up standing then we will be quitting. We asked Isaiah if he wanted to play this spring if Troy was not the coach. He said that he didn't want to. There are a few of us that want to know if it's too late to be overturned. It may very well be and if so, that's ok. Everything happens for a reason. And God doesn't allow anything to happen that isn't part of His ultimate plan. So while I know Isaiah loves soccer...he also loves basketball, thinks he might like to try football...could try out with a different soccer team for the fall...possibilities are endless. There are some great people that we've met through soccer that I will wish well and there've been some people that have challenged me to dig deeper into my reliance on God and they've been reminders that my ultimate goal each day has to be to represent Christ and focus on what He wants me to do. Either way I know that Isaiah is a beautiful creature of God who is called to great things in his life and has a path for Christ that is just beginning. That is bigger than ANYTHING this world has to offer!!

Monday, Monday...

Well, today began a new crazy new week in our household. Well actually this week, mostly just in my life. Our Children's Ministry Conference is this Friday and Sat. I am leading a seminar so that means I need to finalize my talk. There's also a lot of job duties I have that surround Conference so that will be an adventure as well this week. Tomorrow is bible study (depending on the weather I guess--darn snow!) and I have to tell them that I will be leaving their group because of my new job...

Which leads me to the new job. As of March 1st my role within Children's Ministry will change. I will no longer be the Admin. Asst., instead I will be a Ministry Asst. in charge of programming for K-1, Clubhouse Kids (Tues nite 4yr-1st gr)and Camp Zoom (day camp for 4yr-1st gr). To finish out my 40 hours I will also keep some of my AA duties and then a 24hr AA will be hired. I'm so excited because I really love that age group. My friend Jackie is having a baby and so after her maternity leave she is only coming back part time--which left the open spot. Right away when I knew that she was choosing to leave those spots open...I wanted it. It's been in process since before Christmas...so it's been hard to keep quiet while the entire thing has come to fruition. Now that we're able to tell everyone and move forward with transition it's such a relief! :) As a result Feb and March will be pretty crazy because I will need to be trained, but I will also have to prepare my job and then train the new person.

Marlon has also made a change. I mentioned a few weeks ago about BASICS--well we are making the switch. While prison ministry will still be a part of his ministry...with BASICS he will be able to concentrate on city ministry, discipleship of young men, bridging the racial gap that exists in our churches... I love seeing him in his element and being right where God wants him. I see how my encouragement is so important to help him stay on track and keep his focus. Because he is a passionate person and feels strongly about what he believes in...it can be easy sometimes for him to get distracted. It makes me think of how that is the case with all of us so many times. We can get so easily distracted from what God would have us focused on.

***Disclaimer: Now I'm going to go to a place that might make some people who read this uncomfortable...or mad...or want to email and call others to talk about me...lol...that's ok. If you are feeling targeted it can only be because you in some way feel that you exhibit the things I am talking about. If it doesn't apply to you then nothing I am about to type should bother you.***

But the example that comes to mind as I write about this is with sports stuff. There are people who live and die by their kids lives. There are people who place wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much importance on their kids activities and the "fun" that they will have a result of their kids activities. This is often times because they have no activities outside of their kids activities. They don't do things or have friends that aren't directly linked to their children's lives. This is not smart because eventually your kids will grow up and leave and you will not have them in common and what other things have your friendships been based on? We have been involved with teams where this is the case. I am not just talking about soccer here so please don't send hate mail! :) Remember we have three boys involved in 4 different sports so I'm referring to a LOT of different experiences. But what I remind him, help him focus...and often myself as well is that we can NOT be those people. It is not Godly. Not that we don't have a right when it's appropriate to get frustrated and angry and irritated...we are human...lol...but we can't allow it to consume us or dictate how we respond and interact. It is a game. When things are not safe or healthy with the coach---such as with Elijah's basketball team---then we have a responsibility as parents to pull our kid. I don't care if it means we are out money, if it makes our kid angry, if it means they might not play. If the alternative is to put our child in harm's way or to potentially emotionally scarred by coaching==then the sport and our child's desire to play it==does not weigh stronger than the impact it will have. If the coaching is good and the skills they are learning are good==then the way we feel about the parents or whether or not we get along are not deciding factors. On all of the boys teams there have been parents that we have clicked with and there have been parents that we have not. I've said before that I think that's ok. What I encourage Marlon to do is ignore the drama if it doesn't directly affect our child. Ignore the drama because becoming a part of it takes us down a road that is not God honoring. To waste time and energy arguing mute points with people whose values are not ours is futile. I am not saying that we are right and the others are wrong. We are just not on the same page and are already beginning the conversation on opposite sides of the spectrum...so arguing is not going to end up anywhere pretty...lol. Sometimes there is no middle ground to meet on. I think that's ok. Whether our lives intersect for a season or for a long time (let's say on a high school team where there aren't options) it is our job to reflect Christ in what we say and do. To speak the truth even if it makes people upset. To show our sons that sometimes life is not easy and you will not like everyone and everyone will not like you. And that is ok. We can't hold grudges, withhold forgiveness, gossip, lie, hate. We are not responsible for other people's actions or reactions. We are only responsible for our own actions and our own reactions.

Example. If someone doesn't like me and gossips about me, ridicules me, calls me names or smiles in my face and then runs me down when I'm not around---I can't control that. No matter how hard I try to be nice, try to bury the hatchet...I can't control someone else's actions. HOWEVER...I can control how I react.

Whatever the case, we have to avoid the drama at all costs because ultimately it becomes a game that Satan plays with us to distract us from what we should be focused on. We can't forget that there is always a spiritual war around us and that Satan is just lurking in the background baiting us. God is always there as well and His hand is always extended to us to give us a way out of the mess. It's our job to be obedient to Him and allow Him to guide us.

Alright friends and random UK readers (who knew that Wedgie Boys was actually a musical group and would be googled so much...lol) I am off to sleep. I am making the concentrated effort to be asleep by 12:30 every night. If I lay down by midnight---that should happen. Sweet dreams!!

In place of....

In place of the time you would take to read whatever I might have blogged tonight....I'm asking that you take that same few minutes and say a prayer right now. Pray for one person you know that is hurting, lonely, struggling, in pain.

Thanks.