Transformation

What would my neighborhood, government, schools and businesses look like, if we as a community, allowed God to completely and utterly transform our lives to be more like Jesus?

I keep asking myself this question. Over and over again. What is my part in this? What is your part in this? Is it possible in my lifetime? What will it cost? My reputation? My comfort?

Each question leads to more questions! But, I know that God isn't mad about my questions. He isn't sitting in heaven rolling His eyes as I mull over these things trying to figure out where I fit into His marvelous plans. I believe it is VERY MUCH HIS WILL for ALL people to be walking in His purposes, His peace and His truth. I guess what I'm trying to say is....don't be afraid to ask God questions!

I believe this transformation has already begun, if only in the hearts of His people. Kris Vallotton said something in December that I just can't seem to shake off:

If the crime rate hasn't dropped and people are still getting abortions and divorces and people are still addicted to pornography then the church is not doing what it is supposed to do to TRANSFORM the community around them.

And, I don't think he is referring to just a few pastors or the church building in itself.

Aren't we "the church"? I pray we are open to receive His wisdom, compassion and strength to be a part of a mighty transformation that sets the captives free. Of course, people still can choose to remain in bondage, but I want to be able to say I prayed and at least tried to reach out to them.

If I Wrote to Dear Abby, It Would look Something Like This

Dear Abby,

I have a problem. A family member spent some time with my kids this weekend when I was getting ready for our school talent show. I could tell something has been bugging my 8 year old daughter, she was acting all out of sorts the last few days. Finally, yesterday, while snuggling on the couch with me, she blurted out that this family member said she hated President Bush and it is all his fault that the gas prices are so high. #2 was obviously upset for two reasons. First of all, we honor and pray for our president and second of all, she has been taught we only hate sin and the devil, not people.

My dilemma is whether I address this with my family member or just let sleeping dogs lie. I talked to my daughter about how this was wrong for this family member to say this and it just isn't true. The president is not to blame for high gas prices, it is much more complicated than that and points more to the weakened US dollar and the housing market negatively impacting our economy. And, I sort of lost her on that part. I'm just wondering if I should say anything to my family member about it and tell her how I feel...not so much for my sake, but so she realizes that it upset my daughter.

Please leave me a comment.

Signed,

Oh My Word

Mission Accomplished!

Our much anticipated Talent Show was spectacular....well, at least that is what I heard from the audience! I, of course, saw about 7 mistakes mostly due to the kids not being able to sing with the music because of our lack of monitors. But, only someone who has every word and note of music memorized, such as myself, noticed such a thing!

Below is a picture of me backstage with #3's kindergarten teacher who did stand up comedy with a second grader. She is a hoot and totally humored me by wearing the wig!


Below is #2 with her group. The boy pictured here bought me and each of the girls in his group a bouquet of flowers! He is such a sweetie!

Below is #3 and her group at curtain call. She's right in the middle. Adorable.


Here is the end of the show and the entire cast. They were all going crazy because we dropped confetti on them during their final bow. And, when I say "dropped" I should say showered because it was everywhere! I'm guessing there will still be remnants left behind even until #3 is in fourth grade!

I received a beautiful basket with these roses, chocolates and more than 20 handmade cards from the kids. I also received very nice emails from the parents and I think that this one stuck out the most....You did an awesome job, not just of organizing the show, but of building the kids confidence and making them feel great!

Mission accomplished.

I Forgot to Say No "Tag Backs"

Classic Mama tagged me back from my meme and wants to know my favorite 7 movies. I'm not sure if this is really accurate because I'm tired and might accidentally forget one! They are in no order.

1. The Rookie - love this movie...if you ever feel like you are too old or too anything to go for your dreams, then this is your movie!

2. What A Girl Wants - I cry at the ending every time and the music is fun in this Chick Flick. Amanda needs to cover her belly and gain a few pounds, though.

3. Top Gun - classic Tom Cruise before he weirded out and did vampire movies. And, the song Take My Breath Away....yeah, I still like that song. I had the entire soundtrack memorized the summer before my junior year of high school.

4. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - Disney's version and NOT the low-budget BBC version. Fabulous soundtrack and effects. And, the part where Peter drives his sword through the ice gives me goosebumps every time. He transforms into a hero in that moment (despite what Susan screams at him) and there is so much symbolism in this movie I can just watch it over and over again.

5. The Sound of Music - I never get bored watching this movie...Julie Andrews is captivating.

6. Hitch - I'm not sure I've seen a Wil Smith movie I haven't liked, but this one is my favorite! The dancing at the end of the movie is like the icing on the cake.

7. Shrek - it's just so funny for kids and grown ups! I was so anti-Shrek when the movie first came out, and oh my word, the humor can be gross, but you can watch each movie three times and realize you missed something subtle, yet hysterical, the first 2 times you saw it! I like the gingerbread man.

Honorable mentions - Steel Magnolias, Rain Man, Star Wars, and both Toy Story movies.

There's the top seven list....my criteria was based on if I still would sit down and watch these movies today. And, again next week. And, again after that! Yes, I definitely would!

Anyone else can consider themselves tagged!

Tonight's the Night

No, not the Rod Stewart song (although, now it is running through my head...."tonight's the night, I'll do anything that you want me to....". I'll stop there).

Tonight is the Talent Show I've been rambling on about at our elementary school and I am excited! There is so much to pull together today, but I feel the grace of God for all of it! I've had the opportunity to share with some of them that I cover just about everything I do in prayer. Moms are coming over today to help prepare food in my kitchen, where on my big dry erase board, in children's handwriting it says:

You will fulfill Your purpose in me. Your love, oh Lord, endures forever. The Lord will fill you with joy and you will rejoice.

I don't know if that is an actual scripture or something that #2 came up with (the resident pastor-in-training at our house) but I love it! It encourages me when I look at it and I hope it encourages people who come over to our house, too!

So, yes, I'm a little nervous. But, it is a whole lot easier being behind the scenes then getting out on stage. When I was in Pollyanna at our church production I don't think I ate for about 3 days before opening night! Which actually was a good thing because one of my costumes was an old JUNIORS size dress. Juniors! To think I actually fit into it......after a few alterations.......

I can't wait to post the talent show details with some pictures!

More Memming

Mama2dibs tagged me for a meme (again, the crazy "meme" word!). So, if you already know me...bear with me. And if you don't...here are a few random facts about me.

Here are the rules of the game;
1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. My most embarrassing story ever includes a stray hair and my OB/GYN. That's all I'm tellin'

2. I actually like Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus music. I liked the 3-D concert movie as much as my girls did.

3. I was a bartender at my part-time job when my husband met me and invited me to his church. And, I was a good bartender. I think that's why I like making coffee drinks and Italian Cream sodas...it's as close to mixing a drink as I'll ever get nowadays.

4. I have a thousand nicknames for The Husband and my girls. Some of those include Sugar, Pooky, Sweetums, Honey, Beautiful, Mon Petite Poo Chu-Chu, Love, Ducky, Sunshine, Peanut, Pumpkin, Baby, Boo, Darlin', Gorgeous, Sweet Girl, Daughter, Peep, and Chickee.

5. I nearly cut off my right index finger on a ban saw in 7th grade shop class. I needed 3 stitches. Coincidentally, #1 starts "tech ed" tomorrow, which is just another name for shop class. I'll be calling my doctor to request some anti-anxiety medication for the next marking period. Just kidding! I will be praying and trying hard not to flashback!

6. My favorite book of the Bible is Acts. I love it, everything about the early church just spurs me on! When I received Jesus as my Savior, a lady came up to me at the alter and asked if I would help teach with her in children's church. The very first Bible story I studied (and, I remember it like yesterday) was Saul's conversion. Powerful stuff.

7. I do not like to fly. I am white knuckled pretty much the entire time which is why I haven't hopped on any planes for missions trips to Asia. Or, Texas. I'll pretty much do the 2-hour direct Florida route every 3-5 years and that's about it. The first time I was ever on a plane was when I worked for a resort in the Bahamas and I had to fly on a 20-minute flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport. That was the first of over 100 trips and there are a few flight stories I could curl your hair with, like when the door seal popped open while we were in the air and the masks dropped. I just happened to be in the seat closest to the door. Yeah. I really hate to fly.

Okay...I guess I'll pretty much tag 7 people and see what happens!

1. On Fire
2. Livin' Life
3. Classic Mama and Not So Classic
4. Beautiful Grace
5. Like I Was Saying
6. The Gang's All Here
7. Anyone else who wants to do this, consider yourself tagged!

What If.....

This thought hit me out of no where this morning...

What if there was a limit to God's grace, mercy and forgiveness?

Whoa. Imagine if God said "Three strikes and you're out". I realized I'd take sin a whole lot more seriously. Really. If I thought there was a limit that would keep me out of Heaven, my day would look a little different. After that confession, remorse wrapped tight around my heart and almost took my breath away as I realized that, if that is in fact true, I have subconsciously taken advantage of His endless grace. How that must grieve the heart of God! I can't say I deliberately sin knowing that God forgives me. I just haven't been as careful and Christ-focused as I could have, should have, would have been if I thought there was a limit to His mercy. Does that make sense?

That revelation has laid heavy on my heart this morning. In fact, I was already to post funny pictures from the night we celebrated #1's birthday. But, I just couldn't. It seemed like such fluff compared to my heart's cry. How can I have walked with the Lord for 14 years and not realized such a simple thing? It's like my eyes have been opened to the fact that I have focused on things that don't matter and missed so many opportunities to do the right thing. I am grateful for His forgiveness and always have been. But, I know I would live my life different, I know it, if I thought that I was coming to the end of my "grace period". And, yes, I would be obeying out of fear if this were the scenario. That doesn't make me feel any better.

I feel smaller and maybe that is how God intended it to be right now. Going into a Talent Show that has people singing my praises, God knows what I need to hear to keep me grounded in Him. I am completely okay with the humility process, it is so much better because He gives GRACE to the humble and resists the proud. But, seriously, this revelation has rocked my world. I want to be at a place where I can admit that my life would look no different if there was a limit on His grace and forgiveness. I will not take what He did for me on the cross for granted. I'm so sorry, Lord....

Don't Be Nervous, They are Just the MOST IMPORTANT Tests You'll Take ALL YEAR!!!

I'm praying that my two older girls won't need some sort of therapy by the time the week is up.

We're talking PSSA's, folks.

The teachers began talking about them in September and for the last few weeks they have been reviewing for them. They really haven't been learning anything new. Just reviewing for the test that can make or break a school district. This is my interpretation of what the teachers have been telling the kids....

Make sure you go to bed early, eat a good breakfast and for the LOVE OF PSSAs, DON'T WORRY! Don't be NERVOUS, but please for the sake of my job security, do the best that you can. In fact, please do better than your best, but for heaven's sake, do not worry, there is nothing to worry about.......

They have come home everyday for the last 2 weeks chanting that "We should not be nervous, but I hope I do well. What if I don't do well? I'm not worried. What are we going to eat for breakfast? Why does it take so long to see our test scores? I'm scared. Even the teachers look scared".

I worry that all the schools are producing are anxious kids who are good test takers (they've been working on Study Island all year, as most of you are familiar with). Yet, there has got to be checks and balances in the school districts. I've learned not to utter the words No Child Left Behind in the presence of anyone who works in a school district. They start to shake and their eyes get all squinty and before long they are off looking for a bottle of Excedrin, mumbling incoherently under their breath.

I'm anxious to see some sort of improvements made to this program to decrease the anxiety level. Maybe surprise testing? One day, a group will show up at a particular school and say, "Ok, let's see what you know!". Seriously, it will be interesting to see if this problem gets better (or worse) with our next president.