Room For One More

Have you heard about National Back to Church Sunday? It is Sunday, September 15. That Sunday or any other Sunday would be a great time to visit a church if you don't already have a church home. And, while looking, don't judge all churches by one bad experience. Give another church a try until you find somewhere you feel at home.

We are all sinners. We are all hypocrites. We are all struggling. We don't have it right. We aren't perfect. We are still learning what it means to live like Christ. And, we're still learning what it means to fully lean and rely on God. We still like to take matters into our own hands and make a mess of things. We still try to over-think and over-explain the Gospel message. We need one another. We need this community we call church. We need to fall down and reach out to God even when this thing pride gets in our way. And we need to recharge through worship after a long week in the world.

All of that to say, you'll fit in just fine. There is always room for one more in the pew. And, if someone tells you there isn't...just wiggle your rear into that space anyway.

This video caught my eye and I found myself checking out their website (link above). There are quite a few comical videos so click the link above and enjoy.



Okay, you twisted my arm. Here is another one...an awkward invitation. Just don't do it this way...seriously.

That & This

[I already had a blog post titled This & That so I thought I'd mix it up....yup, that's me...a big mixer-upper]

What have you been up to? Seriously, I'd love to know. 

Me? How kind of you to ask. Well, life is life and I'm sure you can relate. Can we just talk about this summer for a moment? Or should we say all together now, "What summer?"  Or maybe it's just me.

Found picture here.
Check out her site; it looks great!

Son went with his youth group to a church youth conference. In Arizona. In the middle of summer. During the massive heat. One question: who, on this planning committee, thought it was a good idea to have a conference in Arizona. In the summer. Seriously. Well, all survived so I guess that was part of the committee's end goal. Win-win for them.

We attended a wedding of a relative. Then an announcement we will have another little born early next year (not me but another relative....not the relative who just got married...phew, glad I cleared that up!)

And one day turns into another and poof ! summer is almost over. Back to school sales and items line stores and crush the dreams of endless fun and swimming for girls and boys. Way to go Back to School. I hope you're happy knowing you're stepping on fun and youth.

Which reminds this teaching at home momma. I still have a few books to order. And a notification and book list to turn in...before school starts. And, I may or may not be panicking. English. What in the world do you do for a boy who hates English? Just to clarify, he loves to speak English...just not learn about or put pen to paper. Sigh. So I avoid the cloud hanging over my head that is now yelling, "English! Decide something already!"

In other news: we just purchased the movie Not Today. If you don't know, it is a movie about human trafficking. It is still sitting in mint condition in its pristine wrapping. I'm a little scared to watch it. Honestly, I cried during a portion of the trailer. Okay, maybe a little bit more than cry. I may or may not have sobbed. I felt it was an important purchase. One, it is set in India and a daughter was there recently ministering to the children born from those in sex trafficking. And, two, it's a way to make your 'voice' heard in this world saying you're supporting this cause and movie...you know, money talks and all. 

May I just say I'm a little giddy. A new book is being released by one of my favorite authors, Jody Hedlund. Eeeek. Book nerd, I am. And, you may want to tell ALL of your book-loving friends to stay tuned to the silly, old blog as there will be a book giveaway during the first part of September. Yup, mark your calendar folks, it is going to be a good one!

What have you been up to this summer? Leave a comment telling us one (or more) fun thing you've done this summer. Or leave a comment and say, "I hear ya!" if your summer has gone poof !

Clearly I'm Wrong

I looked at the caller ID before answering the phone. A cell phone call from a number I didn't recognize. Thinking it might be someone I know but not know their cell number, I took the chance and answered.

Me: Hello.

Caller: Peggy?

Me: I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.

Caller now turned Grumpy Gills: (Angry sigh) Why do you have a Townnearby number if you live on Nameofstreet?! Your number is wrong!

Me getting a bit or maybe a lot defensive: Because I live on Townnearby side of the road. The other side is Othertown side of the road. (where we live, our road is the boundary road for the two towns and depending on which side of the road you live is what determines the mail service and emergency response dept)

Grumpy Gills: Well, I've been trying to get a hold of Peggy and I can't find her number. Do you know Peggy and the other [it was the same first and last name of my husband...there are three in our area]?

Me in a bit of a snotty voice: Um, no. And even if I did I wouldn't tell you, Grumpy Gills!

Grumpy Gills: Sorry to bother you....click.

As I relayed this conversation to one of our children I couldn't help feeling like it was my fault I lived where I live and have a different phone exchange than what the person thought I should have. I didn't make up the rules. I've had this phone number for twenty-five years. How dare this caller make me feel guilty!

I admit my snotty reaction was wrong. I was taken off-guard; made to feel like I had done something wrong. The more thought about it, the angrier I became.

Then the old light bulb lit up. It's not me. The caller was clearly frustrated in not being able to find the person she was calling. Yet, I had to chuckle thinking perhaps the person she was calling had gotten rid of their land line and didn't have a phone number in the phone book. And this person was calling on their cell phone. (Irony isn't it?!)

I have no idea of what was going on with this caller. No idea if this caller treats others like that. It was the callers tone and accusations. Perhaps the person was having a terrible day and this was just icing on the cake.


But, I can CHOOSE to not take it so personal...which I have a terrible habit of doing. I can choose to try to understand the person may not be happy or have so many things going on in he/she's life.

Isn't it funny how God can turn something so simple as a phone call into an object lesson? Yeah, God is funny that way...and I wouldn't want it any other way.

In Which the Old is New

"We used to wear clothes like that in the late 80s/early 90s." I found myself saying out loud to a daughter after her shopping trip. Yes. Out.loud. It slipped out before I could catch myself.

It seems, in the fashion world, styles are refreshed on an old foundation. I found myself thinking like an old, frugal hoarder. If I would have kept that pair of jeans or shirt I wore way back then, we'd save money since it is 'back in style'. Only it isn't back in style. It was changed slightly to make it new and 'hip'.

Over the last few months I've noticed much chatter on blogs and social media over certain topics.Old, tired topics made new by differing points of view. Most of this chatter revolves around topics of modesty and whether God has "the one" waiting for you.

May I just be perfectly honest with you? This type of thing drives me nuts! Years ago the movement was pro-modesty (although not everyone could agree on what modesty really meant) and pro-waiting for 'the one' with advise on praying for your future husband and writing letters to him. Now, present day, we have an upheaval.

Today, bloggers and social media messages are spouting the opposite. It feels, at times, as though we are going through a rebellious stage. I feel like I've gone back to the old, tired debate on which is best....stay at home mom or working mom. All that debate did was divide people. And, that sad part? Mostly Christian women cause this 'great divide'.

I've heard Christians talking about these issues in a rude way. One person's way of thinking is correct and the other person's isn't. She is naive. She is young. She hasn't been 'out in the real world yet'. She'll learn. She's ignorant of the scriptures. Nothing in the scripture points to how we should date. And, the list could go on.

What have we, Christian women, come to? What happened to lifting one another up? What ever happened to the Titus woman where the older woman walks along side the younger.

I do not know what someone else has prayed about. I do not know if or what God has told her/him about any number of things. That, my friends, is between her and God. Our relationship with God is personal. It's our own. If you feel God is telling you to pray for your future husband, go for it. If you feel God is leading you to pray a different way, be obedient.

Our lives, given by God, form our many thoughts and opinions. Our goal is to try to line them up with scripture. My conclusion from my life story thus far? God cares deeply about our lives and where we are going no matter what the subject or trial.

He gave us free will. Just like us, as parents, watching our teens and young adults make decisions. Sometimes we wonder if the decision made was the best. Sometimes there are many choices and whatever the decision the outcome will be fine. Our job is to discern and ask God for direction. Sometimes He is silent. And, that is okay.

There are many, many, many current topics not specifically addressed in the Bible. Could you imagine the length of the Bible if every scenario was listed? Wowzers! When I read the Bible, I am struck how much I (we) am loved. How everyday occurrences (including relationships) are included.

Let's treat one another with love. Have the hope of a child with dreams. Faith that God wants us to ask Him for His guidance in ALL matters of our lives. Let's not compartmentalize our lives over here and God over there and merge them when it is convenient for us.

Let's go out and be kind to one another. I often fail. But God is there to forgive and I hope the person in which I was unkind gives me grace. Lots and lots of grace!

Double Yellow Line

Hey. You know that solid double yellow line down the middle of the road. Yeah, that line. That means NO passing. Trust me, there was a solid yellow line at the CORNER where you passed me as I was slowing down with my blinker on to turn. Yup, awesome. This message brought to you by The Refresher Course in Driving Today.

Not my finest moment in facebook status history. I usually try to be upbeat and funny IF I feel the need to post. But man, others driving with little regard for others just makes my mama bear claws come out. 

Shortly after I posted the above status update, I turned on the television and up pops the Katie Couric Show. Guess the topic. Forgiveness.

I didn't see the entire show. Only one segment where singer, songwriter Matthew West was talking about his song, Forgiveness. His song was inspired by a letter he received. The writer of the letter was also a guest on the Katie Couric Show along with the person she forgave. The person she forgave was the killer of her daughter. He was 23 years old, at the time, when he chose to drive drunk. He drove drunk and killer her 20 year old daughter (along with the daughter's friend). 

Here is the link if you'd like to watch a serious of videos from this show.

There was something Matthew West said that hit me right in the heart. He has two young daughters and he didn't know if he could forgive like this mother did. He has "trouble forgiving the driver who just cut me off...." Arrow.to.the.heart. 

What does forgiveness look like? I used to think it was the really big stuff. Like losing your child to some senseless crime or accident. As I grew older, I realized it is the every day 'stuff'. But, sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that when you're deep in the middle of a wrong. 

How many times do we forgive? Seventy times seven as the Good Book tells us.  

Oh, the things we learn

Learning is a life-long process. Now, whether we retain that information as we get older...well, that is up for debate.

The last few days have been slightly stressful...well, more so than the usual stress. However, in the stress, I still learned a thing or two.

• I learned it is wise to flush and jump back at a certain facility else one will get a little wet from the over aggressive flushing action. However, I do appreciate the toilet's enthusiasm to get the job done.
• I learned I am easily annoyed when multiple persons ask the same question over and over and over and... Certain medical facility personnel seem to enjoy the game of 'let's ask the same questions and see if he/she gives us the same answer. Then, just for the fun of it, let's not communicate any of the answers to anyone else so someone else can ask said questions again'. It's such a fun and entertaining game.
• Even in stressful situations, it's okay to laugh until you cry. Like the saying goes, if you don't laugh, you'll cry. Obviously we did both....laughing until we cried. 
• Just because a person is confident in a question or command does not mean he/she really knows what he/she is talking about. Let's get that little lie out of our heads, shall we?
• Who says birds will get out of your way? Some of you know my love of birds (she said dripping with sarcasm). While in a box-store parking lot, after doing my good deed of placing the cart in the cart corral, I was walking to our van. The bird's flight path was directly in front of me...heading toward me. I replayed every one's words of 'the bird will get out of your way' lie and chanted that lie as I to continued to our van. Apparently the "tower" did not inform the bird to bear a hard right. I am not exaggerating when I say this blind or deaf bird was five feet away until I finally ducked (and almost rolled but that would have been embarrassing). Then, and only then, the terrorist bird finally rolled right. Oh.my.word. Moral of the story: birds are evil.

What have you learned the last few days? Comment below!

Ready, Set, Go!

Somewhere in this vast blogosphere there is a blog devoted to encouraging bloggers to write for 5 minutes. Set a timer and no editing allowed. I'd link this interesting blog...if I could find it.

I found said blog about a year ago and didn't give it much thought until today. It reminded me of the 6th grade creative writing assignment I shared a few years ago. It Happened At Noon.

So, just for the sake of fun, I thought I'd try it again. Timer set. Fingers ready. Here we go.....

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Wait! Don't go! Mommy's here. Everything....noooooo.

Kelly sprung straight up in bed with arms reaching, struggling to breathe. And, more than that, trying to forget.

It's going to be ok. Breathe. Inhale, exhale, just like the doctor told you. Come-on Kelly.

Kelly could not believe this was happening again. Again. Why! Why was it happening. She thought it was in the past. But, this nightmare proved her hopes wrong.

A little girl. A pool. A sunny, warm summer day she'll never, ever forget. A man in shadows. Friends, family and even the local police told her it wasn't her fault. Nothing she could have done differently. She begged to differ. She hired the person watching her tiny daughter that day. Two years old. Two. Samantha had her life in front of her.

Samantha was a perfect baby. When rocking her to sleep, Kelly would often fantasize on who Samantha would become. Samantha might be a d

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TIME'S UP!