Well, another month has flown by! Where does the time go? I'm currently at the Christian and Missionary Alliance General Council and loving every minute of it! It's been a great time for reconnecting with friends who serve the world over. I've been so encouraged and challenged to press on, do more, and live for Jesus in everything I do.
And I've really been meditating on the scripture from Matthew 6:20-21, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where theives to not break in and steal. For where you treasure is there your heart will be also." The theme for our conference is Jesus Only. I've been challenged on so many levels. I really do live to show the world His love. I hope and pray that comes through in my life.
On a lighter note, thought I'd share a couple more layouts I completed at Spring Thing. Enjoy!
I'm here in Texas at the SS Spring Thing 2009! It's been an absolute blast so far, but I just need to prove that I am actually doing something. I am continuing to learn Photoshop Elements and digital scrapbooking. Here is the latest layout I created. I learned how to create a black and white picture by changing the saturation and hue levels. That was fun!
More to come...
Finally, warm weather has arrived! Yesterday was so gorgeous, Scot and I decided to take Georgia for a nice, long walk. She had it pretty easy: she got to ride on Scot's shoulders!
We hoofed it all over town, including up to one of the highest points: the local cemetery. It was a tough walk~~my legs felt like they weighed a billion pounds each on the way up the steepest incline~~but it was so nice to be out and about! And just so you all don't think I'm a terrible wimp, I'll tell you that my town has some pretty huge, steep hills. We walked one of the steepest. Honest. I'm not that big of a wimp!
We ended our walk at a local playground (which happened to be at the top of yet another fairly steep hill, though I'm not complaining!). Got a new camera and tried it out on GK. She was a perfect little model.
We headed down Na-na's house for some running around, fishing, digging up a small garden, and just enjoying the evening. Thomas caught a tiny fish, which he was very excited about. All was well with the world. Enjoy the pictures.
I love to see the triumph of the human spirit. To see someone succeed when all odds are against them. Paul Potts, the winner of Britain's Got Talent awhile back, proved the world wrong and sang with the voice of an angel. And I was captivated. Not just with his beautiful voice, but with the entire performance...his story.
Well, make room for another. I was so moved by this performance...yes, I cried, but that's not unusual for me! If you have time, check out this link and watch Susan Boyle on the very same television show. If you are prone to tears, have some tissues handy.
Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
It makes me wonder how often we dismiss or overlook someone based on appearance who, perhaps, is hiding something wonderful and amazing underneath. I'm so thankful that God sees us for who we are inside and out!
So, the other night I was at a scrapbooking event. My dear friend's 8 year old son was there. He walked up to me and asked, "So, what's been going on?" I replied, "Not too much." His response? "Then why haven't you blogged recently?" HA! It totally cracked me up! He's one of my most faithful blog readers both here and on our ministry blog. Good to know someone reads what I write! :)
So, Zach, this one's for you! ;)
I had the privilege to be part of a ladies' retreat this past weekend. Alliance Women Ministries is a huge support ministry of our church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance. These ladies faithfully pray for us, send notes of encouragement, generously support us financially, "adopt" our kids and send them amazing Christmas and birthday gifts, and just generally show great interest in what God is doing the world over. I feel so loved and cared for by these women, many of whom I don't know personally.
What an amazing weekend! First of all, I got to hang with my mother-in-law! I so enjoy talking with her and hearing her perspective on things. She is a godly woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life! Many of my friends from my church were able to come, and my sister and bff from waaaaay back were both there too! I was blessed!
When I say it was a privilege to be part of this group, I mean it sincerely. I love to talk--no secret! So, it's just fun to be able to speak to a crowd! But to be able to speak about something so precious to me~~the Palestinian people and all that God's doing over there~~well, that's just over-the-top amazing! This weekend is definitely a highlight of my ministry year!
Add to that the blessing of hearing from my sisters who are working all over the world, and I walked away feeling like my cup was overflowing! Amy, working with Dorcas House in Burkina Faso. Her stories touched my heart and challenged me. Kandi and Chrissy, working in Cambodia. Their stories of God's faithfulness were soul-altering.
It is good to be with godly women. It is good to hear what God is doing throughout the world, to be reminded that He is still in control. It is good to laugh and have a good time and to reconnect with friends, new and old. I'm blessed. No doubt about it.
Today was Crazy Hair Day at school. We dyed the kids' hair green and orange. This week has been full of fun stuff in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday! They even got to eat Green Eggs and Ham yesterday! FUN!
So, here are Scoty, Maggie, and Thomas, with crrraaaaaazzzzzzyyyyy hair! :)
I'm so thankful we got to travel to Texas when we did. Uncle Tommy passed away peacefully yesterday morning. He was surrounded by his family and he never had to enter the hospital, which was his wish. It's so hard to believe he is gone....
Rest in peace, Uncle Tommy. :(
I arrived home on Monday evening. The trip to Texas was a good one for so many reasons. First of all, though it was sad and painful to see Uncle Tommy so sick, it was also good to be able to say goodbye. He was up and walking and interacting some, though we don't know how much he recognized us or understood what was going on. He smiled at us a lot, responding to gentle touches and kisses, and didn't mind all the commotion we brought with us. It was good to see him.
Secondly, my Na-na got to come along and say goodbye to her son. I watched her tuck his blankets in and try to make him more comfortable. He tolerated her fussing and that made her happy. I still get choked up when I think of the pain a mother goes through when saying goodbye to a child. It isn't the normal order of life and I know it must break her heart. This is the child she nursed and cared for, and when he was small, she was able to kiss away all of his hurts. It was an incredibly moving experience to be able to observe Na-na and her son.
Finally, how good it was to be with family. We didn't see them all that much during a normal year, but when we are together, it's as if no time has passed. We laugh lots and enjoy each others' company. It was my hope that our visit would bring some joy and some distraction for my Aunt Ellen and cousins during what has been a very difficult time for them. There was laughter and tears. It was bittersweet.
Saying goodbye is never easy. But it is good. And, as always, God is faithful.
I just booked a flight to Texas for Friday, joining my parents and grandmother. My Uncle Tommy, Mom's brother, has been battling lung cancer and kidney failure. The prognosis is not good and it doesn't seem he'll make it much longer. Saying goodbye is important to me. Being there for my Aunt and cousins is also important. Prayers are appreciated during this sad and difficult time....
