Wicked!!!

Well Jordyn and I are heading out for our fun day in Chicago! I am so excited to see Wicked--especially with someone who loves musicals as much as me :) Pray we don't get lost and if we do, I keep a calm level head. Love to you all!

Philippines or Bust!

Well, our good friend came over today and got us our tickets for the Philippines! It's official now that Marlon and I will be going this summer for our prison ministry. We leave July 22nd and will return Aug. 2nd. 12 days. I know it will fly by as 3 days are really traveling there and back-so we'll have 9 days in the Philippines. During that time we'll be in prisons just about everyday and visiting with the inmate families. Marlon e-mailed Brother Bob today to confirm the dates with him so he can start preparing. This timing worked perfect because we won't miss
Elijah's birthday and we'll be home in time for Kids Kamp. Also-we don't get back from Biloxi leading the vacation bible school until June 30th. At least now we'll have a couple of weeks before we are on the road again! (or in the air as it may be...lol)
We have a wonderful group of family and friends that are going to pitch in and help with the kids. I know the hardest will be that if Isaiah makes select soccer again he'll be in conditioning and Jordyn may get a job this summer. I know that God will work everything out and I have complete faith that He will take care of us all while we are apart. In the scope of life what is 12 days? I am thankful that I have family that is understanding (because I know there will be many who aren't), true friends who see our ministry as important (because there will be many others who don't understand) and children who know how important it is to do God's work and are willing to sacrifice time with their parents so that they can accomplish the call He has on their life.
I know July is going to come VERY quickly!!

The Amazing Race

Well-I can't tell you if we won, or even what the day was totally like because the crew of The Amazing Race-Breakaway Edition want to keep all of the details a secret until March...but let me tell you that Connie and I accomplished things today that I would never have imagined that we could!! I can't believe it! If I had seen the activities and challenges of the day that we were going to have to participate in---I would have never signed up! You can do so much more than what you think when you put you mind to it. We also prayed a lot along the way for strength. Each leg of the race was so cool and the day was so fun! The ladies that put this on should get a BIG round of applause for coming up with such a very cool day!!
The conference as well was so wonderful. I will blog more tomorrow probably....right now I am still in wet, cold clothes and need to get warmed up and probably go right to bed I am so exhausted!! Chubby girls can race too!!
Nite!!

Yes Troy I Must Blog About It...lol

So tonight Isaiah scored!! :) He was very happy. Indoor has been really good for him...understanding the game more, gaining confidence, having better control of the ball...but he still hadn't scored. Marlon's been telling him...sometimes you gotta just take it and tonight he got his chance. When Marlon asked him what Troy said when he scored Isaiah laughed and said something about reading it in the blog. Does he know Isaiah's mommy or what? lol Sometimes I forget that he is still in his first year of select and in learning mode--it seems like he's been in it forever. They played good tonight--really meshing as a team, passing and a lot of guys scoring.
Tonight I am doing a little cleaning and organizing the house. If all goes well I will go straight from work to the Ministry Wives conference tomorrow. I am so excited. The rest of the family will be busy while I am gone--so I am a little worried about what the house will look like when I am gone. I think Marlon felt bad when I said there were things I wanted to do before I left. He asked why they couldn't do them. I told him that I knew they'd be busy and probably wouldn't get done--then I'd come home Sat. early evening and there'd be a mess. He said, "Thanks for having confidence in us." While I can empathize with his feelings...I still know what it's like around here when the schedule is busy--plus I won't be here. Marlon is gone all day Thursday, Thursday night is basketball practise and Jordyn is watching my niece, Friday is school all day, I think Marlon has a meeting, Jordyn is going to her dad's and Marlon is going with the boys to Troy's house, then Sat. is basketball games all afternoon and we'll all get home around the same time (5ish) It's not so much that I don't believe he'd like to do some things around here (he actually does a good job cleaning when he does) it's just that they really won't even be here to do anything. My main concern is the living room, bathroom and laundry. My bosses are letting me come in tomorrow at 10--so I will stop back home after taking the boys to school at 8:20 and pack/get things ready.
My sister and I were picked for a "Breakaway Amazing Race"!! We are so excited!! That is also Sat. morning (I will have to miss a little of the conference) The competition will be taped and then shown at Breakaway in March. If you ever are looking for a fun, relaxing, spirit filled weekend--then Breakway is it. It is a little pricey, but not when you think of all that you get. It's $220 for the whole weekend, 4 to a room, several meals included, training materials, little gifts and the seminars--at the Grand Geneva no less.
Finally---FYI---if you are looking for a fun, cheap, family event-Elmbrook is sponsoring a SUPERBOWLING event on Feb. 3rd. Click HERE for details. The boys and I will be there--it'll be a TON of fun!
Off to switch the laundry and start folding!! Nite and love to all!

"Naughty" magazines...oh my goodness!

As you know I love telling crazy stories about my kids. As I read more and more mom blogs it seems we all like to do that actually...lol...probably a very bonding thing for mommies!! Anyway--here is the latest.

So the boys are across the street playing football. There is a little lot in front of an apartment building where they often play. I hear kind of this yelling/crying/giggling and all three boys come flying in the house. They all jump on the couch. Izzy is covering his eyes and is moaning, Elijah is beat red and saying, "oh man, oh man..." and Isaiah is holding his stomach like he's going to puke. Marlon and I ask them what's up and Isaiah says, " Across the street we were playing and there was something in the middle of the field...so we went over to move it and...and...it was a NAUGHTY magazine!!!" Oh my goodness...their faces...Marlon and I looked at each other and at the same time you want to laugh and are flabbergasted at what you've just heard (now I know why they were making such strange noises...lol) Marlon asked what happened. Elijah says that they picked it up (not sure which one) and then saw what is was and tossed it off to the side. Izzy continues to sit on the couch eyes covered saying, "it was so nasty...ohhhhh..." and then Isaiah says, "Well, Elijah was gonna turn the page...I think he liked it...but then he didn't, he just threw it" Elijah says, "Man-there were naked ladies in there! Sick!" Of course by now I am near tears from holding in my laughter. Marlon tells them they did the right thing to throw it aside and come and tell us. I let them know that if that ever happens again they can always come to us. We ask if they looked at it and tell them if they did we understand they might be curious and we want to talk about it. They all continue to say that they did not look through it all, just the main page. I let them know that some people look at those and it isn't right and they definately shouldn't have left them where little kids can see them. They've started to calm down by now and then Isaiah stands up and totally serious says, "Well, okay guys...we'd better pray for forgiveness." I had to leave the room for a second to laugh...lol. I let them know they could pray if they wanted to but to know they did the right thing by leaving it there and coming right back home to tell us and that I hoped they would know they can always continue to tell us things like that.
So anyway. Who says parents put kids in therapy...I think it's the other way around sometimes! lol

Amazing story

So today Jill Briscoe spoke at church. She is an amazing story teller and I love it when she comes to speak. If you ever get the opportunity to hear her--try and get there. Anyway-she was talking about people's "silent years". In Jesus' life, the ages from 12-30 are often spoken of as the "silent years" because there is nothing in scripture to talk about really what he was doing during this time. Jill made interesting point that he was probably being prepared for what he was to do...and by the statement he made in the temple at age 12 (why were you looking for me? didn't you know that I would be in my Father's house?) it would appear that he knew he was the Messiah. So she shared about a time in her life when she felt like she was in her "silent years". Her husband Stuart, had just started this worldwide ministry and would travel for months at a time. She was home with three little ones and had been pulled from a ministry when they moved. As she was feeling sorry for herself, she prayed and felt God telling her that she was to be out and LOVING people. Everyone she came in contact with and she was also supposed to be drawn to God's heart to know him more. She started getting a sitter at night and would go to the streets and love on the street youth. One summer a boy named Charles who was about 16 was sent to be her helper--doing yard work and such. He was complaining about being bored and hating where they lived. Because God had changed her heart, instead of agreeing him...she told him about this street ministry and invited him to come. So he did. And he was very afraid-but she didn't know that because he kept coming. After a time he was comfortable and one night she looked for him and he was with a 14 year old leading them to Christ. Of course that was decades ago and after that summer she really didn't give it much thought. Awhile back she was in Canada for a Just Give Me Jesus conference with Billy Grahams daughter and the Pastor of the church asked Jill to stay and teach afterwards. She did. When the Pastor went to introduce her...she was amazed to hear him say, "Many, many years ago...when I was 16 I met Jill and she taught me how to love people." Can you believe it? Charles had gone on to be a great man of God and Pastor of this church in Canada!! Of course she had tears in her eyes as she said...so you never know how God is going to use your "silent years", I almost missed that opportunity...
Oh, I wept. I wept because I so often relate to Jill. I wept because how kind is God that he would give her the gift of meeting this man again. I wept because it's so easy to be an ambassador for God and so often we do miss it. How glorious it is when He allows us the privilege of knowing someone whose life we affected, because of HIM...not because of us.
It makes me even more excited for next weekend. I will be at the JBU Ministry Wives Conference where Jill is one of the keynote speakers. This will be my 3rd year attending and I always have such a wonderfully relaxing and challenging time. There is something about being together with all of those women whose husbands are Pastors and ministers and missionaries...although we are all soooo different-there is a bond that it difficult to explain to others. I learn so much from the speakers and more seasoned women who've been in ministry often times longer than I've been alive!
Today was a fun day even if we did miss Marlon (his long prison day-from 9:30am-11:00pm) It was my sister's birthday so after church we went to Applebee's and then back to my parent's house for cupcakes and sugar free cookies for my sister, mom and I (we're really gonna lose that weight this time--besides if I might climb Aconcagua I have no choice...lol) Jordyn went to friends then and the boys and I rented some movies off of In Demand. Now the house is quiet and I have an hour and a half before my honey comes home.
Have a good night!!

Addiction...

Spider Solitaire....can't....stop....playing....it....!!

Decisions

I just lost a HUGE post... :(

Not up to rewriting all of the details but here is the just...

There are three major decisions being prayed over in the Pitchford household. If you will, please pray for guidance and listening to God's will as we make any decisions.

#1 Should Marlon go with Dr. David Kasali to the Sudan in May. He's been asked to go. My gut reaction is he should go. Yesterday our pastor friend Doug came up to me and said, "Marlon needs to go to the Sudan. They need to see him there." This would be for about 2 weeks.

#2 A staff challenge has been posed to us by one of our illustrious Senior Associate Pastors to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the western hemisphere in 2009. For some crazy reason (crazy if you know me---umm..I don't like heights, I am very out of shape, I have an aversion to strenous activity)...for some crazy reason, I want to go. Plenty of time to prepare my mind, my body, my family...it's a 17 day trek to the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina. I told the Pastor--I am afraid that the more I think of about it, the more I will talk myself out of it.

#3 In May I will be done serving as worship leader in Kid Zone. I will still get to worship about once a month in regular service with my worship team, but I won't have a weekly job. There is a need for a shepherd over the Special Needs buddy program and I have always loved that ministry. I am just not sure if I am supposed to be taking a break or moving onto something new.

That's it in a nutshell. A lot to think about as I am reclining back with my heating pad!! lol

Update

So yesterday I went to the dr. and found out that I most likely have pulled muscles in both my right chest and should blade area. She took chest x-rays to be sure but those came back clear. My heart was good and all other vitals were fine as well. When I let her know that I really haven't done anything that could explain pulled muscles--she told me that the bad cough I had for those days probably did it! I had not heard of such a thing--but when I went to work today several people told me they have done the same! Our bodies are so bizarre! Anyway--I was able to come home after the appt. yesterday and slept off and on all afternoon and evening. The naproxen she prescribed relaxes me so much I could finally get a good solid 4 hours in a row of sleep. Today I worked 6 hours and that was just about my limit. I rested a lot this evening--probably not as much as I should...but I am sure many of you mommies can relate to why that is hard to do....just sit in a chair and relax?? lol
Tomorrow basketball starts for Izzy and Elijah. Marlon coaches both of their teams and Isaiah always goes along to practise to help so it's actually a fun few hours WITHOUT any boys!! Woohooo!! If any of you mommies have houses full of boys you can relate to a testosterone free home! From 4:30 to 7:30 each Thursday until the middle of March Jordyn and I will have a little reprieve--it'll be nice. It makes basketball season so much fun too because all I have to do is go to the games and enjoy on Saturdays--no running around for practises because Marlon's the coach!
I spoke to one of my old clients today (I used to be a social worker in Milw) and we had such a good talk. As I've said before, sometimes it does leave me wondering how can I still impact the city when my 9 to 5 isn't there anymore. I have to remind myself that the energy that job took from my family wasn't healthy and that for right now--with a 8,9,10 and 15 year old at home--the job I have is truly the right fit. I need to use my volunteer ministry involvement to reach the city and the hurting. As she shared some of her escapades in the last few weeks, it got me thinking about how much hurt there is in the world...how much we take for granted...how much kids deal with and see...then tonight my son Izzy (he's in 2nd grade) asks if when we pray before bed, can we pray for his friend. When I ask why he tells me that his friend wasn't at school yesterday and today when Izzy asked him where he was this boy told Izzy that on New Year's Day his parents were at a party and started arguing. The argument got so bad that his dad left his mom and he couldn't get to school. Heartache. Of course-being the sap that I am-I get all teary-eyed and let Izzy know that we can definately pray for him and his family. Then I remind him that he doesn't have to wait until he's home to get us all to pray....it's good to do that...but he can also pray for his friend by himself right away if he wants. And Izzy tells me, "Oh, I did that at school." It melts my heart and reminds me that not everyday is a hectic day of arguing and pulling teeth for things like wearing a hat or putting away toys. Some days are sweet tender moments of an 8 year old calling out to God to comfort his friend and knowing that God hears him. One child and one prayer can save the world. To God be the glory!

New Look & New Thought

So with the new year I decided to give the post a new look. I'm back to having a few links and thought this green looked fresh and reminded me of spring.
This morning my parents and sisters family invited us over for breakfast so I threw my coat over my jammies and we all headed over to my parents house. Came back-napped-and am now ready to tackle the rest of the laundry. I still have this strange ache in my chest (yes, I will call the doctor tomorrow) and Marlon woke up sick today as well. Hopefully we'll all be over it now!
As I was debating what bible study I want to start for the new year, I started glancing back through the Jubilee study that Elmbrook did this past fall. One theme was redemption and I was reminded of the Prodigal Son. When he returned-the father could have so easily lectured him. He could have so easily sent him away for the bad things he'd done. He could have slapped his face for the disrespect he'd shown. But instead he lovingly and joyfully embraced him. The son didn't even have to get on his knees and grovel...the father saw him in the distance and ran to him-kissing his face before the son could even say a word! Wow. Then the older brother who had always been a "good son" became angry and his words (read specifically Luke 15:28-30)sounded jealous and appalled. The father's words remind him that he's always been there and what he has is already his, but there must be rejoicing because the other has returned and repented--he was dead and is alive again!
Redemption. It's so much about your heart. As Christians I think we sometimes--and I include myself in this--use God's unconditional love and the concept of forgiveness as a crutch. We mess up but it's okay because if we "repent" then he will forgive us. But if we enter a situation knowingly being disobedient, with the intent that once it's done we'll be forgiven...that is a dangerous zone we need to avoid. In the heat of the moment I can lose my cool and afterwards I can apologize. If I take no measures to work on myself so that it might not happen again--does the apology mean anything?
And what about the father's side? His open forgiveness and ability to wipe the slate clean? Do I extend that to people? I fear that while I try to there are probably many times more that I do not. I have learned that there is so much heart work and even head work that goes into forgiving someone. It is a conscious effort and decision to start fresh. Does this mean getting suckered into the same situations with people who maybe aren't the healthiest for me to be in relationships with? No. I had this occurance the other day, which I haven't shared yet, but let me know that I truly had forgiven someone I wasn't sure I ever would.
Before I met Marlon, I was engaged to a man named Jesse. He was very abusive. It started verbally and although there were a ton of signs that it would get worse-I chose to ignore them. It slowly turned physical & finally ended in a horrible night that put me in the hospital. During the court precedings afterwards he 1st tried to say it didn't happen (silly because there were testimonies & all of the physical evidence) then he decided to plead guilty & the trial was avoided. For many years I didn't truly heal. Because I got rid of him & never had contact again, I thought I had dealt with it--but when I saw him in a parking lot once, I ended up puking by my car & quickly drove home shaking. For a long time I found myself hoping he was in jail or that something bad had happened to him. After becoming a Christian I really tried to work hard on forgiving him, but I was never quite sure if I had. I often thought I'd have to see him to know if I'd forgiven him. There was a part of me that secretly prayed I would never see him again so I didn't have to worry. A little over a week ago as I was heading toward Pick N Save-who do I see coming out of the store but Jesse. My heart didn't quicken, my head didn't fill with all of the mean things I'd rehearsed saying for years, I didn't want to puke or spit on him, I didn't wish Marlon was with me to protect me. Instead I thought, wow...he looks rough and sad. He was on a cell phone & not paying attention...but as we passed I actually found myself say a quick little prayer that his life was okay & that he had gotten help. When I got home I shared with Marlon how it felt to be at total peace & thankful that I felt I had finally truly forgiven him & in the process myself.
Thanks for letting me share. :)