I went to my meeting today with the Children’s Ministry Director of your church. It went very well. It was basically lunch with us talking. The boys had a wonderful time playing together.
She talked about the openings that are available in the CM right now and about looking for 2 directors for VBS next year. I left and told her that I’d pray about it. And told her what options sounded good to me!
I was searching through some blogs today and came across Hold Your Tongue from Such a Time As This and thought I’d do the same!
I’ll be using my John 3:16 bracelet as my Complaint Bracelet. One I wear often. Now I’ll have to switch it from wrist to wrist if I complain. It’s a start!
I was reading Ecclesiastes today and in the 2nd chapter it talks about the Futility of Work and the lack of joy and enthusiasm. I have been there. It’s hard to do your duties when you dislike what you are doing.
God calls us to have a purpose. I believe that when you follow God’s calling and are doing what you were created to do, you will do it with JOY. The joy that I had this past week during VBS was wonderful. I was in a ministry that I wasn’t called to be in, but was put there, there was no joy on the days I had to work. That’s not what God’s work should be like.
So, my prayer has been that God will not only show me what it is that I am called to do in regards to the Children’s Ministry at our church, but also that it would bring joy not only to me but also to those I serve!
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4: 6-7
A month ago, our Ladies Group leader had knee replacement surgery. So tonight it’s my turn to take over a meal. I asked her what she’s had the most of and she says Lasagna. So I’m making them Steak, Baked Potatoes, Corn on the cob, and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Sounds yummy huh? Hopefully I’ll be able to keep it warm enough (she lives about 10 miles away).
I participated in the Dog Days of Summer Give-Aways hosted over at Rocks In My Dryer. I’m so excited, I won!! 
First, I want to say a Big 
to all those who participated (500+) in the give-aways and also a HUGE 
to Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer for hosting such a wonderful event!
So what did I win?? Well, let me tell you!
Word Worrior was giving away a Scripture CD and I was one of the winners! I’m so excited! What a great way to help you memorize scriptures! for giving away those CD’s!!
Barb from I Was Just Thinking was offering Baby Boy stuff…blankets & plaques
. I was the winner of that! This excites me because I have 4 boys myself and a SIL and a friend who are pregnant! I’m sure one of them may have a boy! for offering those items in your give-away!
From my understanding, there will be another one in the Fall…I’m sure I will participate in that one!!
So today is Thankful Thursday. What am I thankful for today?
I’ve been working at VBS this week, so I’m going to focus on that for my Thankful Thursday!
1. VBS…it’s a great place for children to learn about God.
2. As a crew leader, I’m in charge of a group of children. On Monday, I had 5; Tuesday, I had 7; Wednesday, I had 8! So, I’m thankful that these children are bringing their friends!
3. I’m thankful for Kate…she is running our VBS. She’s a wonderful lady who is in charge of our children’s ministry. (Yes, the same lady who has asked me to pray about teaching).
4. I haven’t had to make supper at all this week! We have been provided with food at the church every night since I’m working at VBS!
5. I’m seeing children grow. It’s awesome to see them light up to what they are being taught!
6. That through VBS, I believe God is using me to prepare me for teaching or at least working with children in the Children’s Ministry of our church.
7. That I’m having fun…I’m actually enjoying myself!
8. My boys are excited to go! Michael & Noah are both in my “group”, but Noah is in my crew! Daniel & Andrew had been in the nursery during VBS for 2 days (Kevin was late getting home).
9. I’m making new friends in church! People I’ve known, but now I’m actually getting to know them better!
10. For each child in my group, they have blessed me more than they know! Those smiles make my heart leap!
I have been feeling the call…I need to pray for direction from God.
I need to pray to see how and where God wants me to be…a teacher, a helper, etc.
I guess it’s time to get down on my knees!
After we were done getting our hair done, it was lunch time. We decided to get some pizza. While waiting for the Pizza, we ran over to the Hall to make sure everything was set up. We had a few touches we needed to do…a couple decorations fell, so we fixed them. I didn’t help much yesterday with decorating since I had to run to Meijer and get my paycheck and pick up some last minute “thank you” gifts. It was nice to see the hall all decorated. I looked around and took in all the sites. The cake table is set up in the corner, with the plates and napkins already in place on the table. The tables are all set the way we wanted. there’s plenty of room for dancing and the DJ to set up. I turn and look at the Bridal Party’s table. It is so pretty with the white table cloth and bows. In front of it is a small picnic style table made for children that we decorated up for all my nieces and nephews!
We get back to the house and eat lunch. One of my nieces took her hair down…all that work and she didn’t like it. I guess it’s ok, she’s only 3. I’m determined that the little things that could go wrong today won’t bother me.
I’m getting a little anxious…jittery! I’m ready to go to the church and get dressed. Shortly after we arrive, I realize that the flowers that we left on the alter yesterday have died…it’s so hot, but I didn’t think that they would die so quickly. When my Aunt Jan arrives and asks if I needed anything, I beg her to get some new roses so we can give our mothers a nice rose!
Things are going pretty well. My Aunt Carol arrived and has been taking pictures of us getting ready. The 4 ladies in their Royal Blue dresses…”high-low” as they were called. An open back with a bow. The opening in the back almost resembles a heart, but not quite. They look great on them all…especially for getting them for only $25 each! And me in my White dress…Off the shoulder with sequence on the front and down the train. I absolutely fell in love with this dress at the Flea Market a few months back. It was only $300…not so bad when the original tag had $900 on it!
We are ready for the ladies to get their pictures taken. We go down to the sanctuary…it’s HOT. Aunt Carol and Kevin’s Uncle Bill are taking pictures. We decided that we’d have them do it since they offered to take them for us…why pay for a professional? We’ve seen their work…they both do a wonderful job with taking pictures!
I can’t believe how fast the day is going. We are back upstairs waiting. Kevin and the guys are getting their pictures taken. We are just roaming around upstairs because of being so HOT in that little changing room. Kevin’s little cousin is throwing a fit…she probably won’t go down the isle. Oh well, I guess that’s what you get for having a 4 year old in your wedding! Mom keeps telling me that if Melissa won’t go down the isle, we have 2 other little girls in the same dress that could do it for her. I calmly look at them and say…whomever goes down, goes down!
Jordan (my niece) and Jacob (my nephew) look so cute together! Jordan is wearing a miniature Bride’s dress. My mom did a wonderful job getting the appliqué put onto the dress and giving it a train. It looks so similar to mine! She’s also wearing a vial…it’s too cute! Jacob is in a white tux with tails…He matches Kevin! Jacob came up to me with a sad face and says “I don’t want to marry Melissa…I want to marry Jordan!” How cute is that? He gets to walk down the isle with Melissa (Kevin’s cousin) instead of Jordan (my niece)…I guess he thinks he’s getting married today too!
The guests start filing in, so I’m heading back to the room. I want to stay out of site! Oh another bump in the road…the guy who is doing my video is arguing with his (soon to be) ex-wife (one of my friends)! This can’t be good…he’s also my DJ! I walk away and my sister (Liz) tells me that if he leaves, her husband has brought with him all his equipment which would be enough for him to DJ. Apparently they heard them fighting last night at the Rehearsal too!
Mom gives me a kiss and leaves. That means it’s time to line up! Dad is there to help me walk down the isle. I’m very excited and nervous. I watch as Melodi (my friend) and Brian (Kevin’s friend) go down the isle first. Then Wendy (my friend) and Pat (Kevin’s brother) go down (funny how they are dating now)…next is the Matron of Honor, Deb (my sister) and one of the Best Men, Brett (Kevin’s cousin)…The butterflies are really flying now! The Ring Bearer and Flower Girl…Jacob (my nephew) and Melissa (Kevin’s cousin) are going down. Next the Maid of Honor, Kim (my friend) and the other Best Man, Joe (Kevin’s friend) go down. Once they are down, we send the miniature Bride, Jordan (my niece). Dad and I are the only ones left. After all the Ohs and Ahs from everyone, we hear the music. It’s time. We start off…”Dad, wait!” I say…Dad turns to me and looks…”I lost my shoe!” I say trying not to laugh. I get my shoe back on and we turn to go down the isle.
There he is…he’s looking at me. Just look at that smile on his face! I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite some time now! As a little girl, I dreamed of this moment. Even in my dreams he was there…I couldn’t quite make him out, but I do know he had glasses, dark hair and was taller than me! God was showing me my wedding!
As dad and i reach the alter, I see everyone staring at me, but it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters at this moment is Kevin…I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with him!
“I Do!”
I can remember so much of it vividly…however, there are pieces that are missing that I use photos and videos to help me remember.
13 years and 4 children later, I still love him so much! We are now both Christians and parents. Things are so much different now than what they were that day, but I wouldn’t change a thing!
Today, July 23, 2007, Kevin and I celebrate our 13th wedding Anniversary!
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I have never been one to have a problem with making friends. I have had many friends over the years, but if you ask me who my friends are right now, I’d have a very hard time telling you. I do have friends from the MOMS Club, and friends from Church, etc. But to say I have 1 true friend…well other than my husband, at this point in my life, I can’t say I have a close friend.
It’s sad, I know, I’ve talked about this before. This past week, I’ve done some reflection on my life. I focused on many areas of my life. Cried out to God on many occasions during my time alone with Him. One thing that I’ve cried out for more than once is 1 true friend that I can count on to be there…a “best friend”.
What I’ve learned over this past week, is that hold back when it comes to making friends. I’ve never done that before, but things have changed over the years. I’ve made some really close friends and ended up moving away, leaving them behind.
When I lived with my parents, I had quite a few friends (most were from HS). Well, you know how life goes, we all went to college, and before all of my friends were done with college, I was married and living 45 minutes away. So, we lost touch with each other.
I made friends in college, we kept in contact since we were about 20 minutes away from each other. I made friends at work, we were semi close (not real close, but when you are in the same environment with the same people day in and day out, they tend to become friends with you). Then it happened. We moved to Colorado. We all started losing touch with each other.
While in Colorado, I made friends with a few people. I would say I had about 3 close friends. Then it happened again…We moved to Minnesota. I lost touch with all of them, except 1 (she happened to move away before I moved).
While in Minnesota, I made some friends (I’m starting to sound redundant…bear with me). (A few friends I “thought” were my friends, but as soon as I moved to the next town over, that was it). And again…it happened….We moved back to Ohio. I have to say 2 of those friends I was close with, we stay in touch as much as we can through email and phone calls, but it’s still not the same.
When we moved here, I joined the MOMS Club right away and we joined our church. I have met quite a few people I’d consider friends, but I still long for that 1 close friend…that best friend. A lot of my problem is I’ve moved so much and “lost” so many friends that I feel like I’m holding back from becoming someone’s best friend.
So, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s me that’s holding back…Friendship is a 2 way street…but how can I be good friends when I’m afraid of losing them?
I know in time, my heart will change and I’ll let someone in. I pray that it’s sooner than later, loneliness is not a friend I want to keep!
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Today is Thankful Thursday. So what am I thankful for today?
1. I’m Thankful that I’ve had this week without my 2 oldest boys. Even though I’ve missed them, it’s given me a break and time to focus on God. I’ve used this time away from them to dig down into myself and try and make some changes in my Spiritual life.
2. I’m Thankful that in the past few days, my prayers have changed. I’ve prayed more of what’s on my heart than just few things. I’ve prayed more often in the past few days than I have prayed in a while.
3. I’m Thankful for people like Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Beth Moore, and many more who have followed their calling and are Teaching things that I need to know. And for Christian Television.
4. I’m Thankful that even though my car’s breaks are going to need to be replaced (rotars too), that I can still get out and about because we have been Blessed with 2 vehicles.
5. I’m Thankful that even though I didn’t want to go on Monday to Bible Study, that I felt the urging to go and that I actually went. I was challenged and it was exactly what I needed! Now I *KNOW* that I will follow through and going to the entire study we are currently doing (which is a tape series from a Ladies Conference…something about 4 P’s…Praise, Purpose, People, & Passion).
If you are interested in seeing what others are Thankful for this Thursday, you can find them at Laurel’s Blog
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