Just finished reading for the second time "The Shack" by William P. Young.
This is an utterly amazing book, one of few that I have read more than once. If you are striving to understand God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, suffering, pain.... take the time and read this.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Accidents
This morning I received the call every parent dreads, "Mom, I've been in an accident." Actually it took a few minutes because Kara was talking in her "Mickey Mouse" voice she has when she is really upset.
The good news is - no one was hurt. The not so good news - the car may be terminal. It looked pretty horrible to me.
So many thoughts go through your head in the 30 seconds or so it takes to comprehend, "No one was hurt". I was just started a teleconference that was pretty important, but when I said, "My daughter was in an accident, talk to you later." Everyone understood. My guess is they were all thinking, "Thank goodness it wasn't me!"
It was cool to watch my co-workers really care about me and Kara.
This isn't something I want to be dealing with right now. I am thankful God is giving me another opportunity to draw on His strength. Perhaps that is the lesson I need to be learning.
God will never leave me, nor forsake me. Cool.
The good news is - no one was hurt. The not so good news - the car may be terminal. It looked pretty horrible to me.
So many thoughts go through your head in the 30 seconds or so it takes to comprehend, "No one was hurt". I was just started a teleconference that was pretty important, but when I said, "My daughter was in an accident, talk to you later." Everyone understood. My guess is they were all thinking, "Thank goodness it wasn't me!"
It was cool to watch my co-workers really care about me and Kara.
This isn't something I want to be dealing with right now. I am thankful God is giving me another opportunity to draw on His strength. Perhaps that is the lesson I need to be learning.
God will never leave me, nor forsake me. Cool.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Confirmations
God is so amazing!!
As we are walking through this valley I started second guessing our decision. But God, because He knows me so well, keeps sending confirmations.
One of the funniest happened today. We have been very up front with our mortgage company. So today Brian finally gets a return call, three weeks after our initial contact. The lady said to him - I am not sure we can do anything for you - you have more going out than coming in. Really.
As if that wasn't enough - she suggested we rent out one of our rooms. Now who, in their right mind, would want to live with two teenage boys!!
I don't understand why this is all happening. I am simply praying God will increase our love for Him and our witness to those around us through this.
We are simply passing through - everything is His.
As we are walking through this valley I started second guessing our decision. But God, because He knows me so well, keeps sending confirmations.
One of the funniest happened today. We have been very up front with our mortgage company. So today Brian finally gets a return call, three weeks after our initial contact. The lady said to him - I am not sure we can do anything for you - you have more going out than coming in. Really.
As if that wasn't enough - she suggested we rent out one of our rooms. Now who, in their right mind, would want to live with two teenage boys!!
I don't understand why this is all happening. I am simply praying God will increase our love for Him and our witness to those around us through this.
We are simply passing through - everything is His.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I've Been Tagged
Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Accountant
2. Office Manger
3. Customer Service
4. Ice cream scooper
Four places I’ve lived:
1. Phoenix, AZ
2. Tempe, AZ
3. Overland Park, KS
4. San Diego, CA
Four TV shows I watch:
1. American Idol
2. Diamondbacks baseball
3. Design Star (HGTV)
4. News
Four places I’ve been:
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. Western Carribbean
4. Colorado
Four people who email me regularly:
1. Brian
2. My Mom
3. Kara
4.
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Dark chocolate
2. Pizza (especially potato!)
3. Sour dough bread
4. Macaroni & cheese
Four places I would love to visit:
1. Australia
2. Guatamala
3. Pacific Northwest
4. Cooperstown
Four things I’m looking forward to in the coming year:
1. The move being over!
2. Watching Student Ministries grow
3. Spending time with my family
4. Seeing God move
1. Accountant
2. Office Manger
3. Customer Service
4. Ice cream scooper
Four places I’ve lived:
1. Phoenix, AZ
2. Tempe, AZ
3. Overland Park, KS
4. San Diego, CA
Four TV shows I watch:
1. American Idol
2. Diamondbacks baseball
3. Design Star (HGTV)
4. News
Four places I’ve been:
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. Western Carribbean
4. Colorado
Four people who email me regularly:
1. Brian
2. My Mom
3. Kara
4.
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Dark chocolate
2. Pizza (especially potato!)
3. Sour dough bread
4. Macaroni & cheese
Four places I would love to visit:
1. Australia
2. Guatamala
3. Pacific Northwest
4. Cooperstown
Four things I’m looking forward to in the coming year:
1. The move being over!
2. Watching Student Ministries grow
3. Spending time with my family
4. Seeing God move
Monday, May 26, 2008
Differences in Children
Spent most of the day with Jay, David and my Mom. We saw Indiana Jones - I think he still has his stuff.
It is interesting to watch Jay and David. They are so different, yet they were brought up with the same two parents loving on them, same church, similar school experiences, both were created in the image of God.
People love David. He is polite (most of the time), funny, motivated and most importantly he really loves Jesus. He will do great things for God.
Jay, he is harder to like and understand. He tends to be moody and disrespectful. He is extremely intelligent, but doesn't want it to show. He loves Jesus but doesn't want to be religious. People, especially parents of other students, tend to judge him harshly. His bad decisions are written off to him being a bad kid. This makes me sad because with some encouragement, Jay could become passionate for Jesus.
I praise God for these young men. I pray for them constantly. At times I wonder if God hears my prayers, I have to keep claiming the promise - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
And God ALWAYS is true to His promises.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A Sign from God
Saturday Brian and I were looking at rental homes. Brian had put together a list of potential homes, made lots of phone calls and mapped it out. One of the homes he was interested in had not returned his call.
We look at the first place, has potential, would need lots of paint. Especially in the lime green master bedroom!! The second place would work - same floor plan as the first but pretty dirty.
We had an appointment at 4:00 and it was about 3:30. One of the unreturned calls was next door to where we were. There was a lady there. A man in a truck drove up and kind of eyed us. Brian looked back. (Are men silly or what?). Finally Brian gets out of the Expedition and said - "Are you the property manager". The man replied, "No, we're the owners".
Brian told him he had left a message for the property manager and hadn't received a phone call back. Larry said, "Let's talk".
We met his wife, Patty. Brian told him that we needed to be upfront and explained we would be losing our home and need a rental. Larry asked why this area? Brian told him we wanted to be closer to our church and to Desert Edge for high school for our boys.
Larry then said, "We're believers too!". Praise God. We walked through the house (same floor plan as the last two!) and chatted about the home, about churches and how God works. They have been through the home and prayed over each room, annoited each doorpost.
Brian then went to get my purse out of the car - the sign was laying in the yard. No wind around - but the sign had fallen down. Yes, we believe this was a sign from God.
We left with the understanding we would all be praying for God's direction. Saturday evening we were convinced this is a God thing so we called and left a message. Sunday they returned our call.
Oh, and in the interim, the trailer we have been trying to sell for the last two months - sold. So now we have the deposits!!
There are many who would say this is coincidence. I think it is a God thing.
We look at the first place, has potential, would need lots of paint. Especially in the lime green master bedroom!! The second place would work - same floor plan as the first but pretty dirty.
We had an appointment at 4:00 and it was about 3:30. One of the unreturned calls was next door to where we were. There was a lady there. A man in a truck drove up and kind of eyed us. Brian looked back. (Are men silly or what?). Finally Brian gets out of the Expedition and said - "Are you the property manager". The man replied, "No, we're the owners".
Brian told him he had left a message for the property manager and hadn't received a phone call back. Larry said, "Let's talk".
We met his wife, Patty. Brian told him that we needed to be upfront and explained we would be losing our home and need a rental. Larry asked why this area? Brian told him we wanted to be closer to our church and to Desert Edge for high school for our boys.
Larry then said, "We're believers too!". Praise God. We walked through the house (same floor plan as the last two!) and chatted about the home, about churches and how God works. They have been through the home and prayed over each room, annoited each doorpost.
Brian then went to get my purse out of the car - the sign was laying in the yard. No wind around - but the sign had fallen down. Yes, we believe this was a sign from God.
We left with the understanding we would all be praying for God's direction. Saturday evening we were convinced this is a God thing so we called and left a message. Sunday they returned our call.
Oh, and in the interim, the trailer we have been trying to sell for the last two months - sold. So now we have the deposits!!
There are many who would say this is coincidence. I think it is a God thing.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Rain in May
It is May. It is Arizona. It has been cold and raining. Three days ago it was 110. No wonder my body is confused.
It has been great having the rain, which we desperately need. For the past two days I have been looking for a rainbow, haven't see one yet. But there will be one.
Perhaps it is somewhat like God. We keep looking for Him, but don't see Him. But He is always there with me. I know that when I need it most, He will reveal Himself to me.
It is so comforting to have the Scripture. Today I was reading in John 13:15 where Jesus says, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." He says this right after washing the dirty, stinky feet of the twelve disciples. And he had to argue with Peter during!
So if Jesus is willing to serve, how can I complain about a bit of rain, or unsettled weather or the fact I didn't get to see a rainbow. Jesus loves me! I can't ask for anything better.
It has been great having the rain, which we desperately need. For the past two days I have been looking for a rainbow, haven't see one yet. But there will be one.
Perhaps it is somewhat like God. We keep looking for Him, but don't see Him. But He is always there with me. I know that when I need it most, He will reveal Himself to me.
It is so comforting to have the Scripture. Today I was reading in John 13:15 where Jesus says, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." He says this right after washing the dirty, stinky feet of the twelve disciples. And he had to argue with Peter during!
So if Jesus is willing to serve, how can I complain about a bit of rain, or unsettled weather or the fact I didn't get to see a rainbow. Jesus loves me! I can't ask for anything better.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Life is Tough
Day two of being a blogger. Seems like there is so much going on our lives I should be able to write for hours, maybe I don't know where to start.
We're about to lose our home - that hurts. It is not so much that I am materialistic, more that I feel like we have failed. Even though logically I know the market crashed, that our lender was less than honest and other people have not come through on their promises to pay us money owed.
I dread moving. The physical part of it makes everything in me hurt. Packing is just crazy - why do we have so much stuff.
But, I know the Lord is leading us through this season. There are lessons we need to learn. There are other lives we will be able to touch. More importantly we will be moving to where God wants us to be.
We're about to lose our home - that hurts. It is not so much that I am materialistic, more that I feel like we have failed. Even though logically I know the market crashed, that our lender was less than honest and other people have not come through on their promises to pay us money owed.
I dread moving. The physical part of it makes everything in me hurt. Packing is just crazy - why do we have so much stuff.
But, I know the Lord is leading us through this season. There are lessons we need to learn. There are other lives we will be able to touch. More importantly we will be moving to where God wants us to be.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Here I Go
Well, this is it, my first blog. Not sure why I am doing this. Hopefully, if anyone else reads this, they will learn something.
God has been very good to me. I am blessed with a wonderful husband Brian. We have two boys living at home - Jay who is 17 and David who is 16. Our daughter Kara lives in Tempe and goes to college. Heather, lives in Flagstaff.
Probably the most important thing about me is I love Jesus. I know He loves me cause He is allowing us to go through some pretty intense storms. More later.
I have the distinct honor and privilege of serving in Student Ministries at Palm Valley Church as the Volunteer Coordinator. I love loving on our volunteers. I sometimes get to love on the students too. Boy am I glad to be an adult.
God has been very good to me. I am blessed with a wonderful husband Brian. We have two boys living at home - Jay who is 17 and David who is 16. Our daughter Kara lives in Tempe and goes to college. Heather, lives in Flagstaff.
Probably the most important thing about me is I love Jesus. I know He loves me cause He is allowing us to go through some pretty intense storms. More later.
I have the distinct honor and privilege of serving in Student Ministries at Palm Valley Church as the Volunteer Coordinator. I love loving on our volunteers. I sometimes get to love on the students too. Boy am I glad to be an adult.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
