Behind the scenes

I read this post today and thought "Yes!  That's exactly how life is. . ."
http://lotsofscotts.blogspot.com/2013/03/from-distance.html

I know we are all prone to comparing and looking longingly at things, people, positions and thinking "Man, I want that!" But what we don't see is all the stuff going on behind the scenes.  In ministry, we often get to venture into the behind the scenes moments in other people's lives.  And most of the time, it isn't pretty.  This example of the ship can illuminate several layers of life and expectations.  It reminds us to keep in mind the details and the small things that make up the whole - I feel like I kind of live in the details of keeping our ship running, whether it be church, home, kids, whatever.  So, maybe I need to pick my head up and enjoy the view a little more.  It also serves to keep us grounded when we put others on a pedestal.  Either way, what a powerful image to stir some thoughts.  Where are you on the ship?

We did it! And other things. . .

   Whew!  We did it!  The 2013 Women of Excellence Conference was great!  The church rallied and worked and everything went off without a hitch!  I think one of the only things I did not get done was filling some centerpiece vases with water and putting flowers in them. A dry vase with rocks still works as a centerpiece - right?! What an incredible group of women came through our church. . . and each one was gracious and forgiving as we offered a third restroom with no lock on the door and the only lighting was a yellow construction set standing in the corner.  What could have been detrimental (finding out the day before the conference that our lunch venue was double-booked) worked out to be the best situation. Now our challenge is finding a bigger location for next year!  I wish I had some pictures to share. . . stay tuned or watch for notes on facebook. I do have a picture of my little Woman of Excellence In Training:

   In other news, next week is Spring Break for my boys.  I'm a little jealous that I don't get a Spring Break. But I'll be shipping all three guys off for camping at Men's Intense for the latter part of the week, so that's kind of vacation time for me. One of my three hoodlums is a saver in regards to his cash.  Both boys received quite a bit of money from us and family members for Christmas.  Kid #2 still has most of his.  What does it say about us when he says "I don't really have anything I want to buy"?  Spoil much? That is, until he saw this at Academy the other day. . .

Somehow, this is not what I had envisioned my home life would be like.  But then I didn't grow up with brothers. All I can say is, in our house, you better look carefully before exiting a bedroom.  (This is why we can't have nice things!)    I celebrated another birthday recently.  In preparation for the conference, I had my nails done - tried the shellac thing.  I thought that would be my answer to not being able to keep polish on.  Wrong!  I chipped one of them the first night. Almost every nail had a chip or crack by day 4. Then, when I tried to remove the stuff, I could not get it off!  So, on my birthday, I went back to the nail place with a plea for help.  As she was removing the horrid stuff, I told her I wanted my nails to look nice because that day was my birthday.  She asked if I was 40. What?!  No! (No offense if you are 40 or above!) I am 38 - not even close to 40 yet! How dare she ask that! I still gave her a tip. . . but I had to stew on it a bit. I had quite a bit of cake for my birthday - so March is know going to be known as my fat month.  Here's some of the beauty:

There's not a lot of other news right now.  Actually, there may be alot more, but that's all for sharing today.  I'll leave you with this joyous picture to cheer your day:

It's Coming!

It's coming! It's almost here! The 2013 Women of Excellence Conference - hosted by our church. . . Someone at work reminded me this morning that we have a long weekend ahead - and I rejoiced and then panic set in.  I had to pat my chest to relax the flutters and take some slow, relaxing breaths to calm myself. It's the last weekend before the conference!  So much to do! So many things to check off my list!  So many things to remember! And yet, I have a feeling that if none of those things were done (don't worry, they will be!), ladies will still come and we WILL meet with Him just the same! This year's conference theme is Winning the Battle.  From the start, I've had a running list of the places that women battle - our mind (usually number 1), our emotions, our marriages, our children, our schedules, our dreams, our futures - and many other areas. What is it that I am battling?  What is that pushes me to the place where I know that I am winning? How do I fight?  Have I been fighting or just being beaten? Have I ever lost? What does it mean to lose? What does it mean to win? I think these are all questions that will be covered in the next weekend. So, we'll continue to work and prepare.  We'll scurry and shuffle and rearrange and decorate and all the other things that ladies do.  But the most important thing of all, we'll listen. Listen for Him.  Listen for His direction and instruction. And in the listening comes the peace. Peace that makes no sense in the flurry of preparation. Peace that comes as we WIN.

The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.  Psalms 29:11

Too many cares?

So yesterday was one of those days where I let myself get maxed out.  It wasn't one or two big things that pushed me there, just a bunch of little things. Lots of things to care about.  I was doing fine carrying each of these 'cares' until I had a conversation with someone very close to me (no names will be used to protect the innocent). . .
It was not meant to be a finger-pointing conversation, but a comment was made that I "need to be passionate about SOMETHING." That went all over me - and not in a good way. I got quiet and the conversation ended.  I hung up the phone and sat there.  How could I care any MORE about anything?!  Don't they know that I care about everything?!  And I began making a mental list of all the things that I HAVE to care about.  (Come on, you do this too sometimes, right?)
- I have to care about the laundry.
- I have to care about homework.
- I have to care about work (I don't know, something about getting paid for a job well done)
- I have to care about so-and-so in the hospital.
- I have to care about baseball or basketball (and the little people who love it so much).
- I have to care about who likes what type of cereal.
- I have to care about whose turn it was to rotate in certain positions at church.
- I have to care about my part in the upcoming conference and all the details and those coming.
And it went on. My sad little pity party. All these cares that I have to have - and when do I get to care about the things I want to care about.  My stuff, my way, me?
Lovely. Just pure loveliness and warmth radiating from me. Boo!
That's when the verse came to mind - 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
I've heard it before, quoted it, given it to other people.  But yesterday, it was mine. It was made real. All of those cares (and they are all good ones, by the way), brought to Him and what does He do?

 Take care of me.

So, I will continue to accept the responsibility of caring for others - and the next step of taking those cares and laying them out before His feet - and know that He's caring for me. He's got my back! Love. . .

Epic fail!

Wow! So I totally failed at the daily giving thanks blogging thing. Not because I'm not thankful but just because. I am so thankful for so many things! So let's see if I can list some here: (and in no particular order)
1. My life - waking up every day
2. Peace that passes all understanding
3. My fun family of five
4. My extended family and time with them
5. Coffee with my fave creamers
6. Holidays and decorating and all things Christmas
7. Warm blankets and fireplaces
8. My church family!
9. God's calling and anointing
10. Kid messes (I will miss them someday)
11. God's provision in every area
12. Lessons learned (some easier than others)
13. Technology
14. Healthy children
15. Ability to make choices
16. My home
17. My partner, husband, friend, and love
18. Shopping (shallow much?)
19. Friends who get me
20. The opportunity to paint/write/create
21. My washer and dryer
22. Reliable transportation
23. Freedom
24. Salvation and the promises that accompany
25. Memories
26. A little girl who loves her mommy
27. Boys that will unload the dishwasher and vacuum
28. Chocolate
29. The word of God
30. Second, third, fourth chances. . .

Here's to another year of many things to be thankful for!!

Day 3

Day 3: I am so thankful for cleaning products! I can't imagine not having running water or the ability to wipe things clean. I am thankful that I am healthy and my family is active and busy and dirty. And even I though I get gripes about always having to clean up after five people, I am thankful that I have these four people to clean up after! Happy Saturday!

Thankful - Day 1 and Day 2

I'm not a huge "jump on the bandwagon" kind of gal, but I really like the Thirty Days of Thankfulness that people do in November!  So, to go with the flow, here are my Day 1 and Day 2.

Day 1: I am so thankful that I am loved and that I married a man who likes to remind me of this fact! If I were really smart, I would have taken pictures of the pretty fall bouquet that he brought me, but I am working on "post-Harvest Festival/Kid #2 birthday/plan cycle" brain here. . . The flowers, they are lovely and look something like this, minus the large peachy roses.

Day 2: I am so thankful for Pay Day Fridays! Especially when they fall on a weekend with few plans.  God's timing is always perfect and He is our great provider! Even in providing a weekend of rest and downtime.

What are you thankful for?