Merry Christmas

Wow, Christmas Eve 2010...can you believe it? 

I have enjoyed the holiday season this year with many parties, lots of laughs, long days of shopping, and very little rest.  Oh well, that's our typical life in the month of December.  Today I finally wrapped all the presents.  My kids are now excited knowing they actually have gifts.


As I reflected on what to say in my blog, I was very moved and challenged earlier this week as Kerwin Dees, one of our assistant principals, shared his favorite Christmas memory.  You see, Kerwin's precious wife, Vicki, has been battling cancer for 32 months.  I cannot tell the story the same as Kerwin, but he shared how friends had come and decorated their home, had cooked a Christmas meal for their family, and had sent gifts to them.  The children and grandchildren all came as they celebrated Christmas just last Friday.  He went on to say that we should always celebrate like it might be our last one. 

I was challenged in the fact that Vicki's faith is amazing and strong.  In fact, she got a wonderful report from her doctor two days ago.  She is such a testimony of God's faithfulness.  (Check out their blog at:  http://www.vickidees.blogspot.com/).

It challenged me to not take the little things for granted.  My family is healthy, my kids are wonderful, my marriage is the greatest, our church family is the best, and so much more.  I think so many times we view the things that are wrong when we need to thank God for all that is right.  I know I personally shouldn't focus on how tired I am, my long to-do list, and all that frustrates me.  I need to focus on the fact I am blessed to have time and strength to do the things I must do.

So my Christmas wish for you is that you might truly reflect on the greatest gift ever given:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  What a sacrifice and an immeasurable gift of grace!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

The Rat Race

I'm sure you've heard the expression "The Rat Race of Life".  I am unfamiliar of where this expression originated, but I have known it for years to be associated with the quickness and fast pace of daily living.


Today I was reading about life spans of various animals, I know, strange topic!  Look at a few of these:
MAMMALS
Beavers - 19 years
Elephant - 69 years
Hippopotamus - 49 years
Squirrel - 16 years

REPTILES
Box Turtle - 123 years
Cobra - 28 years
Giant Tortoise - 152 years


I don't know if you perceive a pattern, but it seems the "slower" animals live longer than the "faster" animals.  It leaped off the page at me as God told me to "slow down" and enjoy life!  My mother is always telling me that I am too busy (and I know you are reading this, Mom). She is absolutely right, and my response (excuse) is always, "there's nothing I can do about it...this is just my life."

You know, this is my life and there is not much I can do to change all the responsibilities I have as a wife, mother, teacher, pastor's wife, and friend, but I need to take the time each day to slow down, meditate in the Word, thank God, and look for opportunities to help others.  Sometimes in the hectic days of life, we just need to SLOW DOWN from the Rat Race and reflect, rest and renew our souls, minds, and spirits.

So if you want to be a "busy beaver" or a "jumping squirrel", go right ahead.  I am going to try my best to slow down like an elephant, hippo, or a tortoise because if you remember, the tortoise always won the race!!!

Blessings!

November...The Month of Giving Thanks

I cannot believe November is already here and almost half way over!  Where does time go?  I've heard the older you get, the faster time flies.  I'm learning that is very true, and I'm not sure what is going to happen when I turn 40....a rapid spiral decline?  lol

With the month of November at hand and the fact there are 30 days in November, I decided to list the 30 things I am most thankful for.  These are in no particular order except #1.

1.  My salvation through Jesus Christ.  There is no other name by which we are saved.

2.  My wonderful husband who is everything to me.  I could not have been given a more patient, kind, and loving gift from God.

3.  My beautiful teenage daughter.  She is truly beauty inside and out and fun to hang out with!

4.  My very entertaining 5 year old son who keeps me young (and tired).

5.  My parents...my heros....my inspiration.

6.  My baby sister who makes me proud.  What a great woman she has turned into. (and of course, I love her family too)
7.  My extended family.  God has given me great in-laws.
8.  My job.  I am blessed to be a teacher at Siloam Springs High School and teach some of the most wonderful teenagers I know.  A lot of people don't think the next generation is going to make it, but there is definitely a group in Siloam Springs who are awesome and are world changers!
9.  My essential needs are met.  Thank you Lord!
10.  My church family.  When you do not have the privilege of living close to relatives, it is such a blessing to have an incredible church family who loves you in spite of your humanness.
11.  My friends.  What an amazing group of girlfriends I have! I love you all!
12.  My Bible.  I am thankful to have the opportunity to read God's Word whenever I want and wherever I want.  I never want to take that for granted.
13.  I am proud to be an American!  I am blessed to live in the USA and count it an honor to pledge allegiance to the flag every day!
14.  My freedom!

15.  The ability to sing and worship the Lord.  I love to sing His praises!
16.  Encouraging words.  These can make the difference in your day. 
17. The simple things in life...quiet moments, dandelions, falling leaves, a calm breeze.

18.  I am highly favored!

19.  Pictures....memories truly last forever with photos and bring a smile to my face.
20.  Sweet Iced Tea, a great Southern treat!
21.  Modern conveniences...cell phones (most of the time), air conditioning, hair spray, internet, etc.  I'm glad I live in this day and time.
22. Flowers...my favorite is the gerbera daisy.  Of course, pink roses from my husband are special, too!
23.  Living in Northwest Arkansas. It's a great place to raise a family.
24.  My yorkies.  Even though they don't always make me happy, it's nice to come home and know at least the dogs are happy you are there!
25.  Seasons.  Isn't God amazing for His creativity?
26.  Pecan pie...need I say more?
27.  Transportation besides horse and buggy.  Lucky me!
28.  Vacations.  It is one of our family's favorite times of year.
29.  Missionaries.  Without these servants, how would the Good News be spread around the world?  They are His hands and feet to the nations.
30.  Thanksgiving.  What a blessing to give thanks!

I challenge you to take a few minutes to reflect on what you are thankful for this November.  You might not make an all-inclusive list like me, but be sure to have a heart of thanksgiving.  I know my list could have been longer, but these were the things that came to me as I blogged.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Truth About Change

I thought I would be so faithful to blogging when I started it over a month ago, but that has not been the case.  It seems life has changed too much in the past month.  Let's see, where do I even begin...

1st Day of School

My baby girl started High School and my little man started Kindergarten.  I have a friend on Facebook who said it best, "Good luck with the Geometry and Finger painting."  So true when you have children at such different ages.  We are all acclimating to change.  I think Ashlyn loves High School and especially block scheduling because there is typically less homework with only 4 classes a day.  Mitchell likes Kindergarten, but he would rather be home than going to school.  He always wants to know when it will be Saturday "Stay Home Day" as he calls it.  Who can blame him?

As for me, I thought going back to work full time wouldn't be that big of an adjustment with the hours I was already working between two part time jobs.  Oh contrare, my friend!  It has been quite an interesting month.  I haven't taught Accounting in 12 years so I've been "brushing up" my skills to teach on a daily basis.  There is just a lot of preparation that goes into everyday of teaching.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy what I do.  I want to make a positive difference everyday in the life of someone I teach.  So far, I am trying to build relationships and get to know my students better.

Then there is church.  This is probably where the biggest change is occurring for me.  I have gone from knowing everything that goes on and being a part of the decision making process to now not even feeling connected.  If you have never been involved in full time ministry, you may not understand what I am talking about.  But this is my honest, candid feeling.  I am a Pastor's wife who feels like a stranger in my own church.  I know with time it will get better because I've been down this road before.

I have been spoiled to seeing my wonderful husband all day, and now there are days we are blessed if we even get to talk with each other.  This has been the hardest part!  He's had to be out of town quite frequently the past few weeks.  In fact, he is in Brazil now.  But when he gets home, we need to plan a few date nights, and get "re connected." Oh how I miss him. 

So now that I have really poured out the truth about change for the Preacher's Wife, I want to share with you what God's been doing.  Yesterday, we had a wonderful service at church that felt designed specifically for me.  God is so great to reassure us as His children that He has not forgotten where we are and how we feel.  There is truly nothing like the presence of the Lord to refresh, revive, and restore our lives.  Right now, I am making it a point to spend more time in the Word and in prayer.  That is where my strength comes from daily.

Just this morning as I was reading the Word, I came across this verse, and I KNOW it was for me:
Psalm 94:19  "When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."  

You know, today has been the best day I've had in a long time, and I know it's because HIS comfort has renewed my hope and given me joy! He always knows what we need, and He has proven His faithfulness to me yet again the past 24 hours.  "I am not forgotten, God knows my name!"

I must remember my life is just a vapor...what will I do while I am here to make a difference in the world?

My Attempt at Blogging

We live in a completely digital age.  If you had told me 20 years ago when I graduated High School that almost everyone including teens would have cell phones, texting capability, laptops, internet connections, etc. I would have never imagined it!  But here it is.  This is life as we know it in the year 2010.  So along that subject, I have decided to blog my random thoughts about life as a Preacher's Wife.  

Many people think living at the Preacher's house include some types of sacred rituals as in the Old Testament days at the Temple.  But we are very NORMAL people (at least I think we are).  So I wanted an opportunity to write about how funny my two kids are, how loving my husband is, and how challenging life can be.

Each time I will share a scripture that God is currently using in my life.  I hope you will follow my blog and see that there is truly "joy in the journey." 

Psalm 25:4-5 NLT

"Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in You."