I have revisited my VisionWriters journal and I thought I would share. Although, as usual this is more for me than for anyone else. I just do not want to forget.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Rachel,
Without faith (the hope in something unseen and unproven) it is impossible (you just cannot) please Me. For if you really want to know Me and know my ways and my thoughts you have to believe that I exist, but not only that, you need to believe that I care for you, that I love You, that I want the best for you. You have to believe ALL this, PLUS diligently seek me. Put me first, put all the ifs, ands and buts out of your mind and focus on the truth of My Word and sacrifice more of your time. Five minutes here and there is not going to cut it - that is not the definition of "diligent." Then, when you do this I will reward you with the answers you seek - the ones you really need and do not even know how to ask for. Test me in this.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
BIG WEEK
It's a big week this week. First, I'm focusing on reorganizing the house. I guess you could call that spring cleaning. The nice thing about this week is that I don't have to worry about drop offs, pick ups or homework. But, in place of that we have The Thorn which will take place this weekend and Glen has to be down at the World Arena almost everyday this week.
Since it is Spring Break there are some thoughts to do with the kiddos. Roller skating, the zoo, the park for a picnic, the library and swimming at Villa. I would like to try to really have fun with them, but it needs to be planned out to the minute. I also need to plan out all my set lists and figure out drivers for the Thorn practices (work is going to get in the way of this week a little bit).
Then I need to set the plans for church events and buy palms for Palm Sunday and set a practice for Easter Sunday and just make sure everything is in place for a really marvelous Resurrection Sunday. Lord, I ask for your favor, wisdom and brilliant creativity. These really only come from you.
Since it is Spring Break there are some thoughts to do with the kiddos. Roller skating, the zoo, the park for a picnic, the library and swimming at Villa. I would like to try to really have fun with them, but it needs to be planned out to the minute. I also need to plan out all my set lists and figure out drivers for the Thorn practices (work is going to get in the way of this week a little bit).
Then I need to set the plans for church events and buy palms for Palm Sunday and set a practice for Easter Sunday and just make sure everything is in place for a really marvelous Resurrection Sunday. Lord, I ask for your favor, wisdom and brilliant creativity. These really only come from you.
Monday, March 19, 2012
New Worship Blog
Take a look at my new worship blog. I will be posting the set lists and a little devotional every week. I would love to have your feedback. www.gatewaybfcworship.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 11, 2012
THANK YOU
I have to send out a big "thank you"! Our family recently went on a ski break to Beaver Creek and we really did have a wonderful time. Everyone had the opportunity to ski.
When I sat down to really think about it, this trip was impossible. We really didn't have the money to do it. We didn't have the time and we didn't have the energy. God is the God of the impossible. Things were orchestrated in such a way that He "provided" for the blessing.
We have always chosen to go on this trip whether the kids were in school or not. We would never choose Spring Break simply because the slopes are too crowded. This year, however, worked out perfectly because the kids all had testing in their schools the week we returned giving them a full week to catch up on their homework. Praise God!
I would not have been able to go on this trip if it were not for 4 ladies who stepped up and subbed all my classes at Villa Sport. A bonus was that my students missed me. A little absence does make the heart grow fonder. Also, the Garcia family and Jarrod L. stepped up and led worship for me at church. Pastor Derek and Ferris Cox stepped in to preach for Vance. Aunt Gwen joined us on the trip so we all could get a little more skiing in. She also cleaned the kitchen at our condo every day, twice per day. The week before we left she came and cleaned our house several times so I could focus on the enormous task of packing clothes, skis, gear, etc. for 9 people - plus food for an entire week.
It is evident that we could not have had this wonderful family time without the help of so many. It is encouraging to see how blessed we really are. Family and friends around us are essential to this life. THANK YOU!!!
To see photos and video of our trip look me up on Facebook.
When I sat down to really think about it, this trip was impossible. We really didn't have the money to do it. We didn't have the time and we didn't have the energy. God is the God of the impossible. Things were orchestrated in such a way that He "provided" for the blessing.
We have always chosen to go on this trip whether the kids were in school or not. We would never choose Spring Break simply because the slopes are too crowded. This year, however, worked out perfectly because the kids all had testing in their schools the week we returned giving them a full week to catch up on their homework. Praise God!
I would not have been able to go on this trip if it were not for 4 ladies who stepped up and subbed all my classes at Villa Sport. A bonus was that my students missed me. A little absence does make the heart grow fonder. Also, the Garcia family and Jarrod L. stepped up and led worship for me at church. Pastor Derek and Ferris Cox stepped in to preach for Vance. Aunt Gwen joined us on the trip so we all could get a little more skiing in. She also cleaned the kitchen at our condo every day, twice per day. The week before we left she came and cleaned our house several times so I could focus on the enormous task of packing clothes, skis, gear, etc. for 9 people - plus food for an entire week.
It is evident that we could not have had this wonderful family time without the help of so many. It is encouraging to see how blessed we really are. Family and friends around us are essential to this life. THANK YOU!!!
To see photos and video of our trip look me up on Facebook.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thinking
Hmmm....It's hard to know what to make of this blog now. I was just reading the last entry and it is very telling about my memory. I have no recollection of writing that first paragraphy that mentions "forever and a split second." I really like that description of life, though. It's on the blog so I guess I wrote it.
I think I'd like to make this site about things I'm learning; spiritually, in parenting and even in the meaningless (we learn meaningless things, too).
I have nothing right now, but let's see what happens.
I think I'd like to make this site about things I'm learning; spiritually, in parenting and even in the meaningless (we learn meaningless things, too).
I have nothing right now, but let's see what happens.
Friday, February 18, 2011
It's only been one week since my last post and it almost feels like a year. Time is such a funny thing. One minute you feel like time is going by so fast, but when time is filled with so much busyness you look back at a week and if feels like forever and a split second all at the same time. I like that phrase - maybe I'll rename my blog "forever and a split second" :).
Right after my last entry we got a jolt of electricity sent through our house that knocked out almost every electronic device we own. The good news is that the electric company has admitted that is their fault and are replacing all of our items. This includes a new stove, dishwasher, computers, TVs, DVD player, etc. It's a blessing and a curse. It's awesome (and we are extremely grateful) that we get to have all these updated electronics, especially since some of our things were old, but it's been a very stressful week shopping for all these things and arranging for repair and/or delivery. I don't think I've ever felt more maxed-out.
God is so good, though. It's amazing how there are billions of people on this earth and still he is so detailed that he can pay attention to all my little facets of life and all the other billions' at the same time. Wow! I can't even wrap my mind about that.
Well, that's all I have to say about that.
Maybe when I retrieve all my lost data I will have some pictures to share. Hopefully, in the near future. Blogging info seems to be the only info that's safe :)
Right after my last entry we got a jolt of electricity sent through our house that knocked out almost every electronic device we own. The good news is that the electric company has admitted that is their fault and are replacing all of our items. This includes a new stove, dishwasher, computers, TVs, DVD player, etc. It's a blessing and a curse. It's awesome (and we are extremely grateful) that we get to have all these updated electronics, especially since some of our things were old, but it's been a very stressful week shopping for all these things and arranging for repair and/or delivery. I don't think I've ever felt more maxed-out.
God is so good, though. It's amazing how there are billions of people on this earth and still he is so detailed that he can pay attention to all my little facets of life and all the other billions' at the same time. Wow! I can't even wrap my mind about that.
Well, that's all I have to say about that.
Maybe when I retrieve all my lost data I will have some pictures to share. Hopefully, in the near future. Blogging info seems to be the only info that's safe :)
Friday, February 11, 2011
I don't know what to write, but I just finished a very hot bath after a long day and I thought it would be a good time to write. So, we'll see what comes out :) It's 10:30pm (which is early for me), but I'm really tired.
This morning was the usual and a bit stressful routine. Getting the kids up, dressed, fed and off to school is not easy and we have a new bus driver who has started to come 3 minutes earlier just to make my life that much harder. It took me until today (Friday) before I could get used to just a three minute difference.
As soon as I returned from the drop off I had to get ready for my 9am aqua class. I barely made it, but it was a good class. When I was done I went over to the basketball court to dance with Brandi for a little bit with her Zumba class. I came home after that, but it was already almost time to pick up Rachie from school. I was there early enough to do a little advertising with the other moms and tell them about my new Zumba class at the church (that felt productive). I came home and ate lunch with everyone then took Ryan up to the church for piano lessons and practice for the Harris' plus cleaning the church for Sunday. I also helped Becky get her van unstuck :) - Hopefully, all that snow melts before Sunday or we'll have a lot of stuck cars.
I took Izzy and Chloe with me and we picked up Will. When we got home I had about 45 minutes to prepare for my next two classes and take Ryan, Izzy and Chloe with me to the gym for the first class which was Family Spin. All the classes went well. Since Ryan was still swimming when I got out of my second class, I walked over to Cyndi's Zumba class and danced with her a little bit. I definitely did not like her style, but it looked like everyone was having fun.
So, here I sit after all that. While I was in the bath I read a little nugget out of a book someone gave me for encouraging pastor's wives. It was by Jack Hayford's wife (I can't remember her name right now). She said she had had a long season very similar to the day I just described right before she left on a trip to Israel. She said she had spent most of the trip on the bus and not at the sights because she was just too tired. She did, however, stop to see the shores of the Sea of Galilee and she felt she her Jesus say, "Do you have any bread?" She said "no". She felt him say, "But, I do. I have more than enough bread for everyone." I've been encouraged by this thought before. I've heard speakers say that they have cried out to God saying, "I can't do it all." Then, immediately hear a reply, "You're right, but trust in Me because I am more than enough."
Somehow, God is getting me through. He's giving me opportunities to spend quality time with my children - even though I am working about 20 hours a week. He's keeping my body healthy, even though I'm working out more than any normal human being should. He's blessing our work at the church - even though we can only devote just a little bit of time. He's keeping it together for us - where you would think it should be falling apart. When we trust in Him, He is faithful and will never let us down. I haven't ever seen it.
I ask God for permission for a lot of things these days: about what I pray and things I ask for, about how I think and feel, about what I do or decided not to do...He's been giving me answers and I'm trusting I'm right where I need to be and if I go to far or not far enough - He'll make that known. In the meantime, I'm going to let Him carry as much as the burden as I can.
This morning was the usual and a bit stressful routine. Getting the kids up, dressed, fed and off to school is not easy and we have a new bus driver who has started to come 3 minutes earlier just to make my life that much harder. It took me until today (Friday) before I could get used to just a three minute difference.
As soon as I returned from the drop off I had to get ready for my 9am aqua class. I barely made it, but it was a good class. When I was done I went over to the basketball court to dance with Brandi for a little bit with her Zumba class. I came home after that, but it was already almost time to pick up Rachie from school. I was there early enough to do a little advertising with the other moms and tell them about my new Zumba class at the church (that felt productive). I came home and ate lunch with everyone then took Ryan up to the church for piano lessons and practice for the Harris' plus cleaning the church for Sunday. I also helped Becky get her van unstuck :) - Hopefully, all that snow melts before Sunday or we'll have a lot of stuck cars.
I took Izzy and Chloe with me and we picked up Will. When we got home I had about 45 minutes to prepare for my next two classes and take Ryan, Izzy and Chloe with me to the gym for the first class which was Family Spin. All the classes went well. Since Ryan was still swimming when I got out of my second class, I walked over to Cyndi's Zumba class and danced with her a little bit. I definitely did not like her style, but it looked like everyone was having fun.
So, here I sit after all that. While I was in the bath I read a little nugget out of a book someone gave me for encouraging pastor's wives. It was by Jack Hayford's wife (I can't remember her name right now). She said she had had a long season very similar to the day I just described right before she left on a trip to Israel. She said she had spent most of the trip on the bus and not at the sights because she was just too tired. She did, however, stop to see the shores of the Sea of Galilee and she felt she her Jesus say, "Do you have any bread?" She said "no". She felt him say, "But, I do. I have more than enough bread for everyone." I've been encouraged by this thought before. I've heard speakers say that they have cried out to God saying, "I can't do it all." Then, immediately hear a reply, "You're right, but trust in Me because I am more than enough."
Somehow, God is getting me through. He's giving me opportunities to spend quality time with my children - even though I am working about 20 hours a week. He's keeping my body healthy, even though I'm working out more than any normal human being should. He's blessing our work at the church - even though we can only devote just a little bit of time. He's keeping it together for us - where you would think it should be falling apart. When we trust in Him, He is faithful and will never let us down. I haven't ever seen it.
I ask God for permission for a lot of things these days: about what I pray and things I ask for, about how I think and feel, about what I do or decided not to do...He's been giving me answers and I'm trusting I'm right where I need to be and if I go to far or not far enough - He'll make that known. In the meantime, I'm going to let Him carry as much as the burden as I can.
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