Monday, August 9, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Perfect Model
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately...
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. As an earthly human, I imagine he made bonds with his disciples that would never be broken. He loved them dearly. They were as much a part of his life as breathing. They were with him daily...and when they weren't together, they were in his heart and on his mind. When Jesus was about to be sacrificed, he asked for the cup to pass from him, but then followed that up with, "Father, not my will but Thine." In no way, shape, form, or fashion do I want to put words into the mouth of Jesus, or add to/take away from God's word, but I can imagine with my human brain what that must have felt like...to leave those he loved BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM. He sacrificed himself, his own wants, his own wishes, his own desires, because he loved us. He knew it was what he had to do for us to have hope of eternal life, of one day seeing him again. I am so thankful for the sacrifice He made and the model he set for us. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices. If He can make that sacrifice for me, the ultimate sacrifice, then I should be able to put Him first and make my own sacrifices, no matter how difficult or painful they may be.
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. As an earthly human, I imagine he made bonds with his disciples that would never be broken. He loved them dearly. They were as much a part of his life as breathing. They were with him daily...and when they weren't together, they were in his heart and on his mind. When Jesus was about to be sacrificed, he asked for the cup to pass from him, but then followed that up with, "Father, not my will but Thine." In no way, shape, form, or fashion do I want to put words into the mouth of Jesus, or add to/take away from God's word, but I can imagine with my human brain what that must have felt like...to leave those he loved BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM. He sacrificed himself, his own wants, his own wishes, his own desires, because he loved us. He knew it was what he had to do for us to have hope of eternal life, of one day seeing him again. I am so thankful for the sacrifice He made and the model he set for us. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices. If He can make that sacrifice for me, the ultimate sacrifice, then I should be able to put Him first and make my own sacrifices, no matter how difficult or painful they may be.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!
April 21, 2008 was a day that changed my life. That was the day I gave birth to my sweet little man, Andrew. He has only been on this earth two short years, but he has totally changed my world. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with such an amazing family...for my husband, who isn't afraid to stand for the truth and lead our family in the direction that God set for us...for my beautiful daughter, who always keeps me on my toes and reminds me how fun life can be...and for my loving son, who is always there to give me a hug and a kiss when I need it and reminds me on a daily basis to savor every moment because babies grow up way too quickly. Andrew - I pray to the Lord that we are blessed with as many more birthdays as we can hold and that you grow up to live a Christian life!
Here's a glance back to two years ago...
Here's a glance back to two years ago...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Family & Friends Day
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our Family & Friends Day at Adamsville Church of Christ.
And thank you to all of my friends. Ronnie preached a great lesson on the characteristics we should look for in our friends and what it means to be a real friend. I am so blessed to have such permanent and encouraging fixtures in my life. I love you all and thank God for you daily!
Meanwhile, I am getting geared up for a SUPER busy week. Today I have to work, then work Kids Market from 4-9. Tomorrow, work (SAT-10), and work KM again from 4-9. Peyton has a softball game tomorrow night, too. Wednesday is work and worship, then home to pack for Lads to Leaders. Thursday, I have to work and at 3PM we will hit the road for Nashville for a BUSY weekend chocked full of family, friends, fun, and EDIFICATION!!!!! Then we are driving home Saturday night so Nick can be here to assist with services on Sunday. After that, our usual family lunch and egg hunt for the kids. Wheeeeew, makes me tired just thinking about it all.
Love to you all. Will post pics after Nashville.
And thank you to all of my friends. Ronnie preached a great lesson on the characteristics we should look for in our friends and what it means to be a real friend. I am so blessed to have such permanent and encouraging fixtures in my life. I love you all and thank God for you daily!
Meanwhile, I am getting geared up for a SUPER busy week. Today I have to work, then work Kids Market from 4-9. Tomorrow, work (SAT-10), and work KM again from 4-9. Peyton has a softball game tomorrow night, too. Wednesday is work and worship, then home to pack for Lads to Leaders. Thursday, I have to work and at 3PM we will hit the road for Nashville for a BUSY weekend chocked full of family, friends, fun, and EDIFICATION!!!!! Then we are driving home Saturday night so Nick can be here to assist with services on Sunday. After that, our usual family lunch and egg hunt for the kids. Wheeeeew, makes me tired just thinking about it all.
Love to you all. Will post pics after Nashville.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, Peyton was in her first school beauty pageant. All week, I had been trying to prepare her for what was in store. Audience full of hundreds of people, spotlights, huge stage. I mean, COME ON, Peyton cried and refused to sing the first time she led a song for Leaderettes. When I tried to get her to walk in her dress to check the alterations, she covered her face and whined. I let her watch the DVD of the big girls competing last year, and she still didn't want to walk. And SHE was the one who wanted to be in the pageant. Begged me to let her be in it. This was not looking good.
The day before the pageant, I was a nervous wreck. Peyton can be so volatile. I was so scared she would realize what was going on and just adamantly refuse to go out on stage. Yep, definitely a Peyton thing to do. I was to the point where I did not care at all if she even placed. I just wanted her to actually walk on the stage!!! The morning of the pageant, before we left to go to the beauty shop, I said, "Now, Peyton, before we leave you REALLY need to practice walking. Just like we practice softball and soccer, you need to practice walking if you want to do it right." She looked up at me with those big blue eyes, put her hand on my arm and said, "Mother, you have teached me good. Now you are just aggravating me. I know how to do it. You will just have to see me walk tonight." I had no idea what she was actually going to do.
Moment of truth...they called her number, then hesitated for a tiny moment, looked up, smiled, and walked like a pro. While I do not advocate a child telling a parent what he/she is or isn't going to do, I guess she really did know what she was doing. Maybe she just got lucky. I still say practice makes perfect!!! All the girls were beautiful and did wonderfully.
We love you and are proud of you, Peyton. Not for winning some dumb pageant that really doesn't have anything to do with how pretty you are, but for doing your very best and being a good sport. As long as your actions are pleasing to God and you are beautiful on the inside, the rest will fall into place.
The day before the pageant, I was a nervous wreck. Peyton can be so volatile. I was so scared she would realize what was going on and just adamantly refuse to go out on stage. Yep, definitely a Peyton thing to do. I was to the point where I did not care at all if she even placed. I just wanted her to actually walk on the stage!!! The morning of the pageant, before we left to go to the beauty shop, I said, "Now, Peyton, before we leave you REALLY need to practice walking. Just like we practice softball and soccer, you need to practice walking if you want to do it right." She looked up at me with those big blue eyes, put her hand on my arm and said, "Mother, you have teached me good. Now you are just aggravating me. I know how to do it. You will just have to see me walk tonight." I had no idea what she was actually going to do.
Moment of truth...they called her number, then hesitated for a tiny moment, looked up, smiled, and walked like a pro. While I do not advocate a child telling a parent what he/she is or isn't going to do, I guess she really did know what she was doing. Maybe she just got lucky. I still say practice makes perfect!!! All the girls were beautiful and did wonderfully.
We love you and are proud of you, Peyton. Not for winning some dumb pageant that really doesn't have anything to do with how pretty you are, but for doing your very best and being a good sport. As long as your actions are pleasing to God and you are beautiful on the inside, the rest will fall into place.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Drama!
Last week, Peyton auditioned for "The Land of Uz" at Corner Theater (hence the blog title). She was very excited, but when she got there she freaked out a little. There were two parts to the audition. First, you went into a small room with a group of 5 students to sing. When Peyton came out, she looked at me sternly and tears started to roll down her face. I said, "Baby, what's wrong?" She said, "They wanted me to sing 'see, see, see' and I didn't want to sing!" Uh oh...
So on to phase two of the audition. This was the speaking part. This time, she was in a library FULL of all the other hopefuls and their parents. I was thinking to myself, "Great, if she flips out in a group of 5 kids, what is she going to do in a room full of people?" Much to my surprise, she did GREAT! When it came her turn, she stood up and read her line like a pro. She played around with the directors and everything. It was awesome.
Turns out that she was not cast in the play this time. I was so scared to break the news to her. I didn't know what she would do. She wanted to be in the play SO badly. It was breaking my heart just trying to think of the words to say. I decided to tell her this: "They didn't pick you this time, but they want you to come audition again if they have another play. And it's okay, because you will already be really busy. You have Leaderettes and softball practice, and you know there are lots of birthday parties coming up." She looked disappointed when I told her, but lo and behold, this was her response: "Mama, I bet they didn't pick me because I wouldn't sing, 'see, see, see'. Maybe next time they will ask me to sing, 'doh, doh, doh' and I will do it!"
Lord, thank you for giving me a daughter with the ability to handle it when things don't go her way. It seems like I underestimated her ability yet again. Children never cease to amaze me with their grace and poise and ability to handle pressure. I'm so happy that she took it in stride. In my book, it's important to want to win, but equally as important to know how to lose with grace, learn from your mistakes, and persevere.
So on to phase two of the audition. This was the speaking part. This time, she was in a library FULL of all the other hopefuls and their parents. I was thinking to myself, "Great, if she flips out in a group of 5 kids, what is she going to do in a room full of people?" Much to my surprise, she did GREAT! When it came her turn, she stood up and read her line like a pro. She played around with the directors and everything. It was awesome.
Turns out that she was not cast in the play this time. I was so scared to break the news to her. I didn't know what she would do. She wanted to be in the play SO badly. It was breaking my heart just trying to think of the words to say. I decided to tell her this: "They didn't pick you this time, but they want you to come audition again if they have another play. And it's okay, because you will already be really busy. You have Leaderettes and softball practice, and you know there are lots of birthday parties coming up." She looked disappointed when I told her, but lo and behold, this was her response: "Mama, I bet they didn't pick me because I wouldn't sing, 'see, see, see'. Maybe next time they will ask me to sing, 'doh, doh, doh' and I will do it!"
Lord, thank you for giving me a daughter with the ability to handle it when things don't go her way. It seems like I underestimated her ability yet again. Children never cease to amaze me with their grace and poise and ability to handle pressure. I'm so happy that she took it in stride. In my book, it's important to want to win, but equally as important to know how to lose with grace, learn from your mistakes, and persevere.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Why?
Last night, I came to the realization that we women have issues. Well, I guess I already knew that, but I have a beef with one particular problem: Why do we beat ourselves up? Seriously. I realized that I have no idea how to take a compliment. If someone says, "Your hair looks really pretty today." Inside, I am thinking, "Yes, but have you seen my face? It's zit city!" Or if someone says, "Man, you are losing weight. You look great!" Inside, I am thinking, "Yes, but you don't have to see the cellulite hiding under these britches!" WHY DO WE DO THAT TO OURSELVES? I know I'm not the only one. I hear it from friends, family members, co-workers. You name it. This needs to stop!
We need to stop beating ourselves up over stuff that doesn't matter. We need to learn to say "thank you" on the outside AND the inside! Negative self-talk isn't getting us anywhere but depressed. It doesn't change things for the good. It only makes things worse. I say we unite in a positive attitude. Change what you can change and be content with it. Remember that ANY improvement is IMPROVEMENT. We can't be perfect all the time. Really, we can't be perfect ever. Doing our best, learning from mistakes, and building each other up is what it's all about.
We need to stop beating ourselves up over stuff that doesn't matter. We need to learn to say "thank you" on the outside AND the inside! Negative self-talk isn't getting us anywhere but depressed. It doesn't change things for the good. It only makes things worse. I say we unite in a positive attitude. Change what you can change and be content with it. Remember that ANY improvement is IMPROVEMENT. We can't be perfect all the time. Really, we can't be perfect ever. Doing our best, learning from mistakes, and building each other up is what it's all about.
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