So Long Insecurity

So Long Insecurity...yep I've been reading that book for a month now and yes I'm about half way thru...because you know I am a SLOW reader. 

But wow...I think I have highlighted so much. I have heard from everyone who has read or is reading this book that they feel Beth wrote it specifically for them....ME TOO!! I would like to talk about a few roots that I have buried so deep in my insecurities...beware...I think I need to rent a backhoe. 

I think I might have found my deepest root...Pride. Yes...being Prideful...pretty sure I am full of it. 

See...I try to fix things...fix situations...fix people...I truly have a passion for helping others thru things. I didn't use to...I was scared too. But as a PW I have learned that people naturally come to you for answers and expect you to have the them. Yikes!! ME...insecurity sets in! But I can't tell you how many times God tells me...stop trying to fix something that insists on staying broken. You can't fix it...only God can...but we have to allow him too. But wait...that's my job GOD...yep...PRIDE!

I am learning that I put a lot of stock in relationships...which eventually there are blowouts. "In our pursuit of GOD vested security, the only relationships in your life that will suffer rather than improve are the significantly unhealthy ones. Those that are unhealthiest might not even survive at all-and maybe they shouldn't." When a relationship ends...it could quite possibly be for our best. That is hard for me, I don't like relationships to end...I want to be liked. Why? Simply put...PRIDE. God knows what's best for me...listen to HIM. Relationships are good...we need them...but when they become unhealthy...we need to realize it's time to let them go. 

Fear of Rejection...how many of us struggle with that? I have went thru times when I have been rejected and I can fall into self pity mode. No one likes me...I'm not worth fighting for...wanting..loving...keeping..but GOD says

I have chosen you & have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD. Isaiah 41:9-10. 

These are just a few issues that GOD is revealing in this book that I have my fingers tightly wrapped around & I need to pry my little fingers loose and let go of them. Will I do it overnight...NO...will I struggle...YES! But I will call on HIM when I feel these issues taking over my JOY & my life in HIM. I need to stop looking for myself in man and look for myself in GOD.

"God uses change to change us." 

Have you read this book? Do you struggle with Insecurity? 

Why I "Count it all JOY" Wednesday!

My bloggy friend Angel is hosting a new "meme" (which I don't know what meme means people....so if you could tell me I would appreciate it...LOL) called "Why I count it all JOY Wednesday". I thought I would try it today. I love celebrating our JOYS & our victories!!

I am filled with JOY because my sister & my niece came into town this week & I get to spend some time with them!

I am filled with JOY because last night we had our 3rd Pastor's wives mentoring meeting at my house & we sat by the pool...ate homemade ice cream with fresh fruit & had such an encouraging filled time together. I love these girls & I know this is what GOD has called me to do right now in my life!!

I am filled with JOY because I have the most amazing husband who has been working so hard on tiling Lauren's bathroom this week & trying really hard to complete this project of ours!!

I am filled with JOY when I am sitting on our deck & my kids are giggling together swimming in our pool. I love having our pool...it's the best family entertainment in the summer!!

I am filled with JOY because my bloggy friend JOY just found out she was pregnant after trying for so long!!

I am filled with JOY that GOD has placed so many people in my life that are encouraging me to become the woman of GOD that he has called me to be!!

I am filled with JOY to be a part of the Summer Health Challenge at our church!

I am filled with JOY because I am going on a date with my Hubs tonight to celebrate our 17th Anniversary...FINALLY!! 

I am filled with JOY for so many reasons....but mostly because GOD loves me for who I am & He shows me grace & mercy daily. 

Come on...join me & many others on Wednesdays to celebrate our JOYS!!

Be JOYful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Please share atleast one JOY you have!!

Summer Health Challenge

Our church kicked off the "Summer Health Challenge" last Thursday. One of our members David Steward had a vision of helping others become better stewards of their health. David has went thru this process in his own life & knows the benefits that comes from seeing it through.

At the first meeting we all weighed in...got measured & received a Challenge Binder. In the binder there is daily scripture & a place to journal about your thoughts. Recipes & a food journal to keep track of what you eat. We had 150 people there to hear Sean Algaier's testimony!

They have established accountability mentors for each of us. We will have Saturday morning classes at the church taught by certified aerobic instructors. They have developed training groups for beginners all the way up to advance exercisers! We will be hosting a 5k at the end of the challenge and the proceeds will go toward missions. At the meetings we will have nutritionists come speak to us about how to make healthy choices for our family & ourselves.

Why am I doing this challenge? Because one of my goals is to become healthier both in my spiritual life & my physical life and this challenge combines both. God calls us to take care of the body he gave us. One of the main thoughts of the night was...this is not a diet...it's a lifestyle.

What's really crazy is our whole staff over the last year has really gotten into living a healthier lifestyle and we have so many of our members are certified teachers at our local YMCA. God has put it all in place & I think we will see so many blessing from our members taking this step to take care of their bodies.  Come join us in the challenge if you want! Here is the blog & information.

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 

2 Corinthians 7:1

FX=Family Experience

It was apparent when we moved into our new building a couple of years ago that the way we used to do VBS wasn't going to work. So our fabulous children's ministers created an event geared toward families after attending several "Orange Conferences". I must admit...at first I was skeptical...I loved how we did VBS...but focusing on families..wow...can't disagree with that!!

Now we have FX for 4 nights during the week in the summer. I have to say...this year...was the best yet. I would like to brag on our children's ministry for a moment...honestly...I feel like we have 3 of the best ministers around. They love the Lord & have a passion for his kingdom work. My kids love each of them & love going to church. So...James...Aaron & our newest hirer...Josh...thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for truly loving the Lord & our showing it by providing a way for families to come together and worship our Lord & grow in His word.

Thought I would like share our week in pictures...BTW...found out a cool way on Iphoto to share these little post cards so I don't have to post a million pics!!!
Here is the stage...each night they have a skit...it's fun...exciting & filled with the word of God. They have a team of kids who lead worship! This week our virtue of the week was "Patience"...um....yep...I needed that people!!!

Game Night...this balloon guy made all of these fun games!! See that cute mom & daughter on the bottom left...that's Keri & her sweet daughter...she is one of my followers I love!!

Ms. Pam Gave Jaden all these gumballs to see just how many could fit in his mouth!!! LOL!

And yes...we got slimed!!! You can buy tickets for $1 for your family to get slimed. Well....Jason Haynie decided to buy $20 worth of tickets for the Thomason family...so we GOT IT! Luckily it was the same night as messy night at FX so we were able to just be dirty all night!!

Can you tell I am so excited?? They have a slime machine that one of our members made...it's pretty cool actually. 

Messy night...shaving cream...a chocolate slip n slide...dunk tank...cool whip...and much more!! This is the night I hurt my shoulder by trying to be a big kid...but it was FUN!!

These are some of our good friends we got dirty with!! Love you guys!!

So that is what we did each night last week. Loved it!! Love worshiping with my kids! We are so blessed to be a part of this ministry!! 

Wrap it up!

Well...I have been a tad bit preoccupied this week & haven't had time to blog or go visit my bloggy friends...for that I apologize if I have missed any fun...sad...or exciting news from you all. But it with the kids home....something gotta give & blogging was it this week for me...

Too...Wrap  it up in a nutshell...here we go!

Sun-Thursday nights-spent at FX- Family Experience @ our church. I will blog about it soon because...yes...I got slimed. :)

Tuesday- while at slime night...I fell and hurt my shoulder...could barely type on my computer...my arm was numb and I didn't sleep well for about 3 nights..until my cousin gave me some Lortab!!! LOL!

Thursday-went to our Summer health challenge at church!! Great things happening there!!

Friday-mowed & then had a wedding rehearsal!!

Sat- Ran 3 miles for the first time in 2 weeks....almost died...came home to shave my legs...while shaving the back of my legs...hurt my hip somehow....I'm falling apart people!!

Wedding for an outstanding young couple...Congrats Abigail & Tyler!!!

Anyway...lots going on...not much time to blog. But I promise to visit soon!! Hope all is well for you!

Summertime Devotions..

Routines...I like them...I thrive in routine environments. But I do like the relaxation & non scheduling that summer brings along with it. Sleeping in...breakfast @ 9 or 10 am for the kids...lunch...well...whenever. I have one that can't sleep past 7:00 am...another one that isn't far behind that and then Brooke will sleep until noon if you let her!! 

Swimming...playing...TV...reading....all kinds of things to take up our time during the day.

One thing I always find myself struggling with in the summer is...my personal time with God. It's hard to be alone with 3 kids and usually several of their friends...in our house. Last year I started making everyone go to their rooms & read for 30 minutes alone once a day. That helped tremendously in me being able to have personal time with God.

I am reading thru Isaiah this summer because I will be going to BSF again this fall & we are studying the book of Isaiah. WOW! That is gonna take me on a journey!!

In church on Sunday Charlie challenged us to BE the church no matter where we are or who we are with. And along with that he challenged us to BE at church this summer and not take a break from God in our personal walk with him either. I love our church....blessed to be a part of the body of Christ!

I pray we all spend time alone with Him daily. Encourage those around you too. 

Do you have a specific time or way that works for you now that the kids are home? 

Last day in PCB..

I thought I would go ahead and wrap up our trip today. By Thursday we were all burnt to a crisp so we decided to take it easy around the condo...Look at Matt...relaxing with his iphone...

We ended our week with one of my favorites...crab cakes & sweet potato pie @ Calypso..OH MY...

While waiting on our food we played pinball..Jaden tells us he has never played on a real machine before...LOL..He loved it. 

We headed over to Seaside to Heavenly's Ice Cream. We have heard all about it..and it lived up to it's name. The ice cream was super yummy!! Look at this big one!

Probably one of my favorite parts of the week was getting to see this girl right here...Sami. 

Sami was in my small group during HS. She is the first person I ever had the blessing of baptizing. She moved her from Argentina several years ago & God has & is still using her in a huge way. She is in Destin, FL for the summer on a mission. They teach them how to spread the gospel then send them out to the beaches & the community to witness to others. I am so proud of Sami. 

Seaside is a quant little town. Love it. I could live there. No doubt.

We waited until the sun was going down & went to swim in the pool & hit the beach one last time. The waves were huge so Jaden & Matt took the boogie board out one more time.

To cap off our week we went for one more walk on the beach at night looking for crabs. 

Sunsets on the beach is something my eyes will never grow weary watching. God's incredible scenery takes my breath away. He is the true artist...no one can ever replicate this.

WE are so thankful for our time at PCB. It is an absolute blessing for us to be able to take this all in. I am so grateful for the people in our church that are so generous & let us use this for the week. We always made fun & precious memories together. Very blessed.