Tuesday, January 26, 2010

what will happen?



When you come to the edge of the light you have known and are about to setp out into darkness

Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something to stand on or you be taught how to fly

Lord I am running out of light right now and starting to become scared. Please help me see I have options.
Choose the best one for me and my family

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

it's complicated


Today I got a call from Mecca. OK not the real Mecca, but the Assemblies of God Mecca-Springfield Missouri. "We have been approved to process". What does this Mean? Well it is complicated. For starters it means that our 200 page application was approved. WoW.

Now comes the waiting. And the processing

The next phase for us will be in August. Dave and I have to go to Springfield for personal interviews and medical exams. This is a 3 day process. If that goes well, and to be honest I am a little worried about Dave and the psych evaluation :>,

then we wait some more.

Then in October we would go for orientation and meet with the regional director for Latin America. This would be the final step in our application process. This is when we would be able to find out which assignment best matches with us and our family.

Then on November 9th, we would become an official canidate.

I was a little overwhelmed with it all today. I mean, who but God can help a family navigate through all of this?

Earlier today I was humbled once again as Dave got a phone call from the South Carolina Missions Director this morning telling him that his is praying for us. Having people we don't know call to let us know they are lifting us up in prayer is such a new thing.

Then the next phone call, from the National Department of Foreign Missions. In that phone call she said, that we were approved by the regional director for Latin America, Dick Nicholson.

Remember in grade school when they are picking teams for dodge ball, and you were picked first? that was kind of what it felt like today. Someone looked over my family and wanted us. Wow. overwhelmed and humbled.

This process is very complicated, but God seems to show us his path and plan in it all. I don't know when or how or where we will end up, but we will wait. We are chosen, and can't wait to be sent.

that is not complicated.

"how then can they call on the one they have not believed in? and how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without somene preaching to them? and how can they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15

Friday, January 15, 2010

My Mama Came to Dinner

Oh Happy Day,

I love living in the town of Clover. When I grew up the town slogan was cLOVEr, the town with Love in the middle. It is a small townn.

So small that I ran into my I ran into my mom in the gorcery store this afternoon, and told her Dave could not come to dinner, did she want to join me. She called about 6:30 and said she was on her way over. I looooooooved it. I am so happy when she comes over.

The authentic enchiladas that are usually pretty good, didn't turn out as I hoped (a new can of sauce) but that didn't matter. The chips had a hint of jalapeno, but that didn't matter either. It was a great dinner. because she was here

I love her so much. Every time before I would leave the house as a teenager (maybe even before then) my mom would say. . .
Remember who you and what you are. Those classic lines made me think before doing someting I would regret later.

Also my mom has the silly way of cheering me up. Whenever I am sad or discouraged she sings a country song.

if I was having a bad day, she would sing "Some days a diamond, some days a stone",. . .

on the way to freshmen orientation in Lakeland FL, about 5 hours in the drive, over the walkie talkie comes Garth Brooks and my mama singing, "Cuz I got friends in Low places". . .

and don't forget about some of the classic Annie lines. . . "The sun will come out tomorrow",. . . Its only a day away. . . betcha bottom dollar. . .

You get the picture. I can only imagine what she could do with today's song lyrics (HE EH)

Anyway, Thanks for coming over tonight mom. You made me happy. I love you. Maybe tomorrow we will meet again. . .Somewhere over the rainbow

Thursday, January 14, 2010

My First Photo Shoot

For Hannah's Christmas Gift this year I wanted to do something special. So I decided to take some pictures of her and Brandon and have them printed for her new room. We picked a cold December day (their noses ended up being pink) and went to Lake Wylie. Brandon and Hannah did an amazing job. The pictures turned out great. Thanks Brandon for being a good sport.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Time for Dinner

I thought that this big change in schedule would be no big deal. But I have to tell you that it has been harder than I thought.

Saturday was great. The girls and I stayed in our jammies on a very cold day. We took baths and got back in some new clean jammies

Sunday was a blessing, being in church, praise and worship, and a great sermon on becoming free from what weighs us down.

Then came Monday. Work was a little crazy. But when I got home I thought we would have dinner like we always do. But when I got in the girls were ready to give good night kissess. And then they were off to bed. They had already eaten.

No family dinner? WHOOOAAA that is the rule.

I mean come on

We always eat dinner as a family.

Tears were forming, and Dave could see where I was headed. He reminded me that it was 8:00 on a school night, which is their bedtime, so they couldn't wait.
(they did on Saturday nights) i mumble

I didn't realize I would have to sacrafice that. And THAT is huge for me. The rule is that we eat together.

Of course I realize now they can't wait, but it just didn't occur to me before.

Dave says that I need to focus on what I wanted, which was unscheduled time with my girls. Time that I didnt need to do homework, ballet, horseback riding lesson, missionette memorization etc. So I will do that.

And I will still have dinner with my family every other night of the week.

Because I love learning the sweet little things about my family during the 30 minutes around the dinner table. That Emma had such a hard day, she had 4 table activity stations instead of 2. That Maggi made Mrs. Biggerstaff happy today by commented on her sweater. Who they ate with. Talking about what kind of patients Dave had, and if all the crazies were a transfer from my hospital (No Hippa Violations I Promies).

I love the dinner table. I love taking time to eat together. I would love it more if my mom came to dinner occasionally (hint hint)

Sunday, January 10, 2010

humbled by manna

James 4:6
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble

Ok a bit of humility.
Friday night David was at work, so the girls and I went to a prayer meeting at our church. I remember going to prayer meetings growing up. The girls had never been to one before. Infact I am not sure that they have even sat through a "grown up" church service. So I was not completely sure how they would do.

We met in the sanctuary before and Pastor Jim spoke a few minutes before breaking off and praying. The girls did great. I took them to the different spots around the church designated for different areas of focus. (we spent a large amount of time at the missions spot). After that the girls and I went to the alter to pray.

After individual prayer time the church met for group prayer. Before we started Pastor Johnson made a sweet comment on the girls being there. Everyone that was there was deeply touched, and gave warm smiles. It was so sweet. And to be honest, I really enjoyed listening to them pray.

After that we had communion. Maggi had participated in communion services before with Pastor Jim. I spent a few minuetes quietly explaining to Emma what it meant. The girls and I shared our communion, and I was so proud of the sweet girls.

We got in the car to go home, and I couldn't wait for the conversation to follow. Maggi said, mom thank you for letting me come to the prayer meeting, it was so good. Then Emma said. . .

"ok mom, was that bread from the old testament or what, because it made me want to throw up in my mouth. I almost did!"

"is that what they call manna?"

"I am glad that they had some grape juice."

the sweet moment was gone. Where is that girl from? At least she waited till we got in the car.

Thank you Lord for keeping me humble!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

New Saturday Rules


Today was my first official Saturday.

After about 3 1/2 years working on the weekends, I made a change. I am now a week day employee. My job has been such a blessing. It has allowed me work to accommodate my family's need. After we moved to South Carolina, David started school. I started to work on the weekends only to make sure that there was always someone here. Now that David finished his school, and is established in his job, we are finally able to change our shifts so that I can come off the weekend. It is bittersweet for me. I have loved not missing anything the girls did during the week. But really felt like I have been away from my home church to long. I am really looking forward being able to go to church as a family once again. This means a huge change in budget for us, but we are all excited about the change. I am excited to be able to be in church on Sunday mornings and being challenged by the word, and encouraged by the people sitting beside me.

Saturdays are a different story. . .

I asked the girls to go clean up the playroom and their bedroom. And Emma informed that they don't do that on Saturdays.

Ohhhh I had no idea.

I think she was very disappointed that they actually had to clean up.

It was a classic Emma moment.

One I was glad I was at home for.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Picture Perfect end for 2009

January
Snow Days! We had a beautiful day of snow, sledding, snowball fights, and snow cream!


February
The Annual Father Daughter dance. This Year Dad had 2 twirling dancers. Ohhh to be able to be there.


March
The girls are dressed up to go to an art exhibit featuring art submitted by Maggi.



April
Spring Break at Myrtle Beach, nothing could be finer than to be living in Carolina.



May
Picking Strawberries at the Bush-n-Vine. Emma ate her weight in Vine Ripe Strawberries. We love getting the slushies freshly made from the park

">

June
From the redwood forest. . .This land was made for me and you



July

Bald Head was so much fun with our long time friends Wes and Sherry. We laughed, cried, ate, had to push our golf cart home, and went on a three am turtle hunt! It doesn't get any better than that




August
Emma is sitting on top of the world as she begins Kindergarden!



September

One last walk in the park. We enjoyed a day off at Martha Rivers Park in Gastonia.


October
We love to drink a cup of hot coco on a cold crisp fall night, we even convince Dad to light the fire.


November
Our Thanksgiving Feast was hotdogs this year, as we were watching the Macey's day Parade from New York City.





December

A beautiful end to an amazing year

"