And they said it wouldn't last...now it's 40 years later!

Well my parents celebrated their 4oth anniversary on Sunday. WOW! That is amazing...especially because they got married when my mom was 16 and my dad was 19...and everyone said..oh it won't last probably. And when you think about it, it is a miracle it did! That is so young to be married. They were married in Feb and had my sister in Sept. So my mom was 17...newly married and a new mom living in a new place. It actually amazes me when I think about her doing all of that. She lived in Henryetta...met my dad and married him and moved to Owasso. She grew up with a father that was an alcoholic. She has told us stories about how he was drunk and he came home with a gun...and she had to sneak out the back door. I just can't imagine. I love to listen to her stories...how poor they were and how they had to live...I admire her so much. My grandma though was one of the most amazing woman I know. I still miss her every day. She is the kind of Grandma I hope I am some day. She made me feel loved and so special every time I saw her. 

So they get married, live in a little trailer...then eventually buy a 1,000 square foot house with one and half baths for $18,000 and live there for 33 years.  They had to decide whether to have a fireplace or air conditioning...they choose a fireplace because they knew they could eventually add A/C easier. They raised my sister and I there and became grandparents in that house with the arrival of sweet Danielle! So 5 people in that little house!  I lived in that house all my life until college...it was a great house. It amazes me I have a house twice as big as it was....wow! My parents have had good times and bad but have managed to love and stay committed to each other every day. I know there aren't many people my age that their parents are still together...and I praise God that my parents have held on. 40 years together...that is so awesome...looking forward to watching  them celebrate many more. 

Cleaning out the Closets

Today I spent most of the day just cleaning out my kids closets and rooms. It amazes me how much stuff can pile up in there! Between Christmas and Birthdays it seemed to multiply in there. I am a pitcher...if we don't use it...I pitch it!! I have to clean out their rooms while they are gone...to emotional for them..."I play with that...I love that"..you know how it is!! I have no sympathy! I can actually let it get me in a bad mood if my house is a mess and their rooms are too! I can't function very well in that mess! While I was cleaning today I was thinking...wow...we have it so great. We have everything we need...maybe not everything we want..but no doubt everything we need in life. I am so thankful for God supplying all my needs.
Our verse this week for Crown...if you have been following my thoughts on that...is
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35.
Who is God calling you to help...it might be financially...maybe it's giving of your time...whatever it is, please pray about it and let God lead you to them this week. You will be the one blessed...remember...we own nothing in this world...it is all His...
So I might have been cleaning my house...but I think God was cleaning my heart and mind out also today... thank you Jesus!!

A New Perspective

For 15 years Matt and I have put hundreds and probably 1,000 of youth kids in vans and buses and drove them all over the country...and out of the country too! When we first started in Carterville we were only a few years older than the Seniors in High School and I can't believe they let us take those kids all over!! WOW!! It has been an awesome responsibility taking care of them and making sure they were safe. Now that I have one that I am putting in a van and letting others drive around...it brings a whole different perspective to the situation. I knew this day would come and many of my mentors in the ministry did their best to prepare me for it, but it is still just is odd to me sometimes....watching her...seeing her grow up and leave without me. It was always hard on me to not go on the trips with Matt, there were very few that I wasn't on thru out our time in the youth. I remember packing up 3 babies and draggin them all over just to be there for Matt and the youth. My kids loved hanging out with the older ones and I loved the example they were setting for my kids. I love that my kids know the importance of being involved at church...not because their dad is a minister, but because they want to be a part of His kingdom. I know so many minister families that their kids grow up being made to go to church and not getting the real reason as to why they are there. Matt and I have always tried really hard to not make our kids feel like they have to act a certain way or be a certain person because of Matt's job, but because as a Christ follower...it is what they should desire. I watch Lauren helping Liberty with her kids and I just love that...I remember several youth girls who were so precious to me because they would help me with the kids so I could go on trips. Now most of them have babies of their own!! Liberty has been such a blessing to me...Lauren just loves her and thinks she is so fun. That means the world to me that Lauren has connected with her as the youth minister's wife...the impact she will have on so many girls will change the world for Christ..and she may never know for awhile how big. As we have closed that chapter in our lives...so may girls have blessed me with encouraging words as to how being able to come to our house and spend time with us made such an impact on them. Being a minister's wife becomes your identity in some ways and when that role changes you feel lost for awhile. I have stepped into a new season in my life...being the parent of one of those youth kids...and I feel so blessed to have a strong youth program...with Liberty and Lydia (lauren's small group leader) there to help mentor Lauren and I know they will reinforce Godly wisdom in her life and be there for her when she needs a Godly woman to talk too. As a parent...do everything you can to get your kids involved in the youth...don't put sports or anything in front of it...develop strong relationships with other youth kids and encourage them to go on the trips. Those trips are where the true connection happens. So I am thankful....for many things in my life...and seeing my daughter serve in the youth...that is one of the highlights. I don't try to pretend we are the perfect parents and our kids always act right and say the right things...they will mess up...we will mess up as parents...but I just have to ask God every day to guide me and give me wisdom.

Time Management!

Well, I have made it 2 and half weeks of working full time....and I must say...it is hard! I applaud all you moms out there that do this all the time! The funny thing is I think I am getting better at it, but keeping a house clean, running errands...grocery store...homework...basketball practice...church activities...piano lessons... working out...wedding coordintor and that is just the beginning of the list...is definitely about time management!! I am normally a night owl, but I have found myself having to go to bed earlier! I don't like that because I like to get things done after the kids are in bed and have time to chat with Matt and just relax..but I haven't been able to do that as much because I AM SOO TIRED! Then we are getting up at 4:30am on MWF to workout because I can't fit that into my day any where and I really need it...not so much because I like to keep this amazing tone body...LOL...right!!!...but because emotionally and physically I need it to function. So I am not afraid to admit..I don't think I am called to work full time yet...unless God reveals that to me...:) I am so blessed to have my life...no pressure to be a full time worker!

The funny thing is our computer hasn't been working for about 4 months...real slow. Matt got a new Macbook Pro a couple of months ago...which we all love! But of course it isn't ours...it's his work computer...so we don't let the kids play on it. I have been praying about this computer thing and asking God to provide a way to either fix the computer or let us get a new one. So all these sub jobs came a calling...I didn't seek them...they called me! From as much as I have subbed in Feb...I will be able to buy the computer and pay for it with cash! I have never been able to do that..personally...with the money I worked for! I am just excited. We are still in the Crown Financial series and one of the main goals is to live debt free...we are so close to being there besides our house payment. And I have to tell you...it is an amazing feeling to buy something without worrying! We have never been caught up in credit cards, which I am sooo thankful for! I hope we will continue to grow in this area of finances and be an example to our kids on how not to let money and things control you and your decisions. Let God be in control and he will always provide!

Last but not least...Brooke's bday! 10 years old!

Hotel for Dogs was the theme! I took them to see that movie..very cute! Then we walked over to Pet Stop to look at the animals. Picked up some pizza on the way home. Over the years I have learned the older they get...the less girls at the party the better. I have had some great examples to watch thru the years in the Youth ministry and one of the things I heard over and over...less girls...is better. This year Brooke only got to bring 3 girls. Like my last post...where I am trying to stick to a budget...I am trying to be realistic about bdays. I love celebrating bdays...if I had lots of money...I would have the most lavish bday parties for me kids. So I have learned to invite less and make it great for that kid. When you get to many girls together it usually equals...drama...hurt feelings...opinions...and your daughter can't entertain more than 3 anyway! Anyway...I gathered copy paper boxes...thanks to Nana...and let the girls make them into Hotels for their stuffed dogs...they had a great time!!! Then I cut fleece out and made their dogs a blanket for the hotel. We painted a dog bone...made from sculpty (?) and tied it on a ribbon and made a dog collar for their dogs. Then the best part...we had an ice cream parlor!!! Oh my!! Every topping I could think of...they had a blast decorating their ice cream creation! Another thing I have learned is...kids don't eat cake usually...make it creative...then they will...don't waste your money on a cake. So that was her party...super fun!!! They stayed the night. Easy...super great girls..with no drama!

For Brooke's bday this year we are redecorating her room. She picked out a new comforter and sheets...I can't wait to show you...I love it and wouldn't mind it in my room.!! As soon as I get a day off...it's my next project! So I am done with bdays until 2010, WOW!! It is always so crazy in Jan. I really can't focus on anything else that month. But I love doin them and love it when my kids have a great time...and laugh!