Short People

So far, enough encouragement has been sent my way to at least keep posting for now. Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to encourage a talker to keep talking!!! For those of you that know me, realize that is not a problem for me. To be such a short person, my mouth seems to totally overcompensate for that "shortcoming". Don't worry short jokes have never bothered me...although I never liked that song "Short People Got No Reason To Live". Again for those of you who know me very well, are fully aware that I am now singing that song in my head.

That song really is so depressing. I certainly believe that I have every reason to live. First of all..God still wants me on this earth for some reason. I am trying to listen more carefully for that reason every day. I struggle internally trying to determine if the voice in my head is God leading me or Satan. I worry that in my attempt to control the situation that Satan whispers quietly enough that I hear him more clearly than God, and since it agrees with what I was thinking anyway..it must be correct. When actually the answer is much easier...when in doubt, keep praying and praying and praying. God will show the way if we only listen and wait for Him to answer in His time. I often say,"God is never late", but I don't listen to my own advice.

Back to the song...2nd reason to live.. God still needs me to raise my two kids with my hubby. That being said at the same time as I tell Coop to eat 2 more bites of his hamburger. How exactly do we come up with these random number of bites to eat? I don't remember seeing any guidelines on how to judge this, but my parents did the same to me so I guess it just happens. The bargaining begins with his ultimate goal being the "Little Debbie" cupcake he has spied in the pantry. More importantly, raising Christian kids is tough these days. I feel so fortunate that they have a strong church family. Every once in a while something happens that gives me reaffirmation that they get it.

Coop had dropped more than half of a container of fish food in his tank and needless to say it had to be emptied. As I began to remove the fish from the tank, I explained to him that the fish might not make it thru this because of the extreme water changes. Immediately, he bowed his head and began praying for his fish...he got it.

When I started typing tonight I had no idea what I was gonna say. By reminding myself of the two most important things in my life this entry has certainly turned a Monday that wasn't too good into another reason to be thankful!!
And yes, that song is still in my head!!

My First Blog

Well for those of you that will actually read this...you are official guinea pigs!! Don't really know why I decided to chronical the year I turned 40 this way, but I thought what the hey.

The best way to start would be to give you some background. I am married, have 2 kids (which will no doubt dominate this blog) 2 dogs and wonderful family. 2010 marks some big milestones for me. I will have my 20th wedding anniversary, my daughter turns 16 and I turn 40!! My life revolves around my kids. They are the best munchkins a girl like me could ask for in this world. God so blessed my husband and I with them. I am often blown away at the fact that He picked us to raise them on this earth and trusted us to teach them about Him. They are two very special kids and we are very blessed to call them ours. Along with my two biological kids, I am also very blessed to call an entire youth group my adopted younguns too. I love them all with their freckles, farts, and stinking feet!!!

We (youth and adults from Pleasant View United Methodist Church)have just returned from Resurrection, a youth worship event in Gatlinburg, TN. What a weekend!! Once again, I have been truly blessed by the trust that God has put in me to be with these young adults. Being a part of their lives is a privledge. I have watched over the past 3 three years the growth of their faith and maturity in who they are as Christians. They have pushed me to be a better Christian and more accountable to them. This weekend, as I watched our youth band "Good Question" play and lead worship to more than 4000 followers I was so proud of them. This weekend we had 7 youth ask Christ to come into their lives and so many others that made commitments to change things in their lives so that they can be closer to God. Something was different about this years Rez experience....more conviction. They seemed to own their commitments and those who were there know what I mean. These young adults are pushing us adults to step it up, and we have to meet that challenge. So how do we do that???

I know I have the responsibility to God and those kids to lead a better life. So, here we go....