Keeping things in perspective...

So...this past week - the weather has been, well, schizophrenic. (Did I spell that right?) Literally, we've hit 60 degrees, then it rains, then snows, then hails, then sleets, then it's sunny, then it hails, then snows, then rains, then sunshine --- all within just a few minutes. I was on the phone with a friend in Atlanta who asked me how the weather was and I gave her the play-by-play as I was driving down the road...she thought I was kidding. Totally serious. Totally bizarre. So, this morning we wake up, and it's snowing (more flurries like), then hails, then snows. And it's cold!! So, off to get Kaylee's heavy coat out of the storage bin (I put all the heavy winter stuff away last weekend) and send her off to school. By this afternoon, beautiful sunshine - still fairly cold - but beautiful! I CAN'T WAIT FOR REAL SPRING & SUMMER!

Now in the scheme of things - is what it's doing in the weather really that important? Oh, don't get me wrong - I'm a grump if it's gray, and I squeal in delight when I see even the smallest glimmer of blue sky through the clouds. But I think sometimes those small glimmers speak more clearly. Let me share a few things that are MUCH more important than...the weather...

New Christians - yep - in the month of March (actually all within a week) eight middle school students accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! Now that deserves a HUGE party, a giant celebration! Honestly, the night 6 of them accepted Christ I couldn't sleep. I was giddy, literally, excited, thrilled, amazed, humbled...I mean this is the beginning of eternal life unfolding right before our eyes. I'm amazed! Please be praying with me for these 8 students that their faith in Him is so rooted that it will never waiver.

A Day trip to Bridgeport - Sunday was "Reward Day" for 8 girls who took it upon themselves to achieve a HUGE task. Over the last 2 months+ we've been doing a series "What's This?" at The Link, looking at the big picture story of the Bible. We studied the 12 eras of the Bible, had a sign, sound, and sentence for each Era. So...we challenged the students to remember the signs, sounds & sentences for the 12 eras, plus Psalm 119:9-11. When they told one of the leaders all these things, they were in --- for a day away trip. Lunch & Movie. So, yesterday, we were off to Bridgeport for P.F. Changs and to watch Horton Hears a Who (I'll blog on this movie later). P.F. Changs was nothing short of fabulous. The movie - I love it. I saw it twice in one weekend. But better than that were the girls that took on this challenge. They are all fairly different. They have different backgrounds, different things they love and get excited about. But when we sat around the table, or rode in the van, I couldn't help but think how the world will be different because of these 8 girls. How they will be people who change the world. They were not afraid of a BIG challenge. They were excited, not just about the lunch & movie, but about what they were learning. They were spurring each other on about something eternal and life-changing. A love and appreciation and understanding of The Bible, that they can carry with them the rest of their days. A love and commitment to Jesus and becoming more like Him, to become the women of God He designed them to be. They are amazing... Could you do it? Name the 12 eras of the Bible? Tell the story of the Bible in a relatively short time, plus quote memorized Scripture. Even that alone (the memorization thing) is tough. These girls are amazing! I'm so proud of them.

Stories that make you go, I'm such a schmuck - so Josh showed two different videos at The Link this weekend. One of Immaculae (I think that's how you spell it), who translated her survival story from the Rwandan genocides in 1994 (amazing story of survival - 91 days in a tiny bathroom with 6 other women, hiding from murderous enemies who wanted nothing more than to torture and kill them). And how she clung to God's Word and to prayer and to God Himself in a way unlike she had ever experienced before. And how in the midst of utter hell on earth, she was able to have hope, joy, peace, patience, goodness... Then another story of a China missionary who had the privilege of piecing together a Chinese Bible from 6 copies of the Bible, to give to a woman who had boldly and unashamedly announced Jesus as her Lord for her life in front of a court with a huge audience, begging her to deny Him. But she couldn't and wouldn't, and was sentenced to spending her life raking the public sewers. So --- 30+ years later this missionary and she cross paths, and she wants a Bible. He meets up with a pastor and asks for 1. He had 6, but they had been marked by customs that he had to leave the country with 6. So, the missionary and his wife cut out pages from the 6 to make 1 complete copy, and provided this gift for this amazing hero for the sake of Christ. They attempted to give her clothing and money (equal to 4 years of salary for her), but she brushed them aside looking for the Bible. When she got it she clung to it for life. And said these other things are nothing in comparison to this (pointing to the Bible).

I'm a schmuck. I get stuck on the weather, tv shows, the laundry getting knocked over after I fold it. At times I get stoked about the things God is doing, in my life and in the life of others. But I don't live every moment to the fullest for Him. What will it take for that to happen? My prayer is that I can get to the point in my life (I used to say my Christian life, but my life is my Christian life, or should be)...that I get the point in my life that having to work out my faith is so ingrained into who I am, that it's not work anymore. My guess --- I won't have that until the other side of heaven's gates --- but I'm striving for it. I want it. I want Him to be close. To be here. To be real. To be faithful. And He is...

I'm SOOOOO excited...

OK...it's a really worldly-minded thing...but I'm so excited! In this season of television where our favorite shows are not on, or are cancelled...one of my favorites is coming back this summer!! Last night when Steve and I were watching tv we saw a blip at the end of a commercial, or right before a commercial, showing the logo of our long-lost fun show...THE MOLE!! I love this show! It's intriguing to me! It's got that reality show thing going for it - challenges or things you must accomplish individually or as a team, but the twist of this one is that one person is "The Mole" - and they strategically figure out ways to mess up the whole thing. The challenge isn't necessarily to win the challenges, but to figure out who "The Mole" is. It's so much fun!!! At the end of the episode the contestants take a quiz to see who they think The Mole is...the person with the least number of correct answers is the one who is sent home.

So...I CAN'T WAIT!!! Thank you ABC for bringing this show back... It'll be strange not to have Anderson Cooper as the host since he's hangin' out with CNN in the ATL these days (I thought he was fabulous...). I'll keep searching. And you...keep watching to find out when The Mole is coming this summer!! YEAH!!!

True Love...

OK...I talked about the song in my last post...check it out for yourself... "True Love" by Phil Wickham



Come close listen to the story
About a love more faithful than the morning
The Father gave his only son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the Father's broken heart
Tears were filling heaven's eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died
When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Search your heart, you know you can't deny it
Come on, lose your life just so you can find it
The Father gave his only son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the father's broken heart
Tears were filling heaven's eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died
When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Now Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
oh He is alive
He rose again

When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Come close listen to the story


HAPPY EASTER! HE IS RISEN!!!

Easter Service...on Saturday night...

OK...so our church had a weekend full of Easter services planned. And let's face it - Easter Sunday is one of those weekends, gratefully, that lots of people enter the doors of a church. In planning for the big attendance expected, they asked us to consider attending Easter service on Saturday night instead of Sunday morning. I'll be honest - I didn't want to do it. I was willing, after all, I work at the church and I should honor the requests made by them, and set a good example right. Honestly - inside I was grumbling and not excited about it. Even Kaylee said, "But Mom we have to go to church on Easter."

Saturday morning I was talking to Jeanne-Ann, making final "plans"...and again we confirmed that yep - we'll go Saturday night...when all of a sudden God was gracious to remind us that the time in Israel is like 11 hours ahead of us...so by Saturday night, it is Easter morning at the place where Jesus rose from the dead - where God did something unbelievable...for each and every one of us. I don't know what it was about that simple idea that completely changed my attitude but it did, and after that I honestly couldn't wait to get to the church and celebrate with Christ's family His resurrection...and the service was wonderful. Noah stayed in the sanctuary the whole time. Kaylee sang "Let the Praises Ring" loud and clear. We celebrated with the Condello's & William's and the rest of our church family. The sanctuary was full on Saturday night. It was a great way to put my heart at the foot of the throne of God humbled, grateful, excited, joyous...

Then...last night I was thinking about it a little more...why is it that I was bummed? I mean honestly, I should be ready to celebrate the miracle of the resurrection every hour of every day. It's not something tagged only for Easter morning. Is it wonderful - sure, absolutely, no doubt...IT'S LIFE-GIVING! But I have that every single second - with every breath I take...then I was kicking myself for a while and asking my gracious God above to forgive me...again...it was though I put Him up on the cross one more time... It's not about me... It's about Him...and surrendering my life to Him...I feel like I've written that before...it's a life lesson. One I'm grateful He's patient enough to teach me... HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!

(oh, p.s. the worship team sang a song - True Love by Phil Wickham- ...but man...I love it...I wish I could get the video that went with it too...it was good stuff!!! Thanks Scott for painting for us again...He's given you a great gift - thanks for using it for His glory... And thanks worship team, for being available, and faithfully worshipping Him...and allowing us to worship along side you...a glimpse of heaven)

An interesting start to our Easter weekend...

OK...so it's Good Friday night. I had looked forward all week to going to the service at church. Actually Kaylee and I had talked about going together - kinda a mom/daughter thing. Then...I thought about it and double checked to see what the content of the service was, wanting my girl to experience what Easter is all about, yet protect her from something that might not yet be best for her. Anyway - mid-afternoon Kaylee decided she didn't really want to go, and wanted to just hang out - or be with friends. Flash forward a little to when Steve and I are reviewing the day and we remember that Barack Obama had been to visit Salem...and I match in my brain that he is driving south, and that our high school missions team is driving south as well. SO...I put a call into Brian to see how the trip is going, and if they are traveling with the Obama caravan. (dramatic pause)

Brian proceeds to tell me they just pulled off the interstate and that the bus has a busted fuel line - gas poured out on the freeway, and is puddled unter the bus. We quickly get off the phone so he can start to figure this thing out. A little while later we're all in the know that the enemy of this trip will do anything to disconnect the "fuel source" --- but GOD IS BIGGER. About a half hour later the phone rings and it's Jeff asking if Steve & I might be able to help drive vans down to where they are (about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away). I'm up for it (I'm the night owl you know). Steve's up for it - asking for a grande Starbucks. We figured out that the 4 drivers would be Erik, Jeanne-Ann, Steve & I and got ready to head out. Then the phone rings again, and a connection has the part the bus needs and says that with 100% certainty he can fix it. So...the calvary is coming with the part...not with the church vans. Honestly - I didn't believe it and told Steve we should have "proactive faith" (which he immediately called "doubt" - which I called "proactive doubt") and go ahead over to the Williams' house, put the kids down for bed, and be ready, just in case we get a call in an hour. So...off we go to hang out with our friends and enjoy some time together. We just get the kids to sleep...and the phone rings...and the trip is back on. A quick stop @ Starbucks and Plaid Pantry, and off we go.

It was a hysterical trip. I had my laptop sitting on the floor of the van so I could be playing iTunes, which was competing with Erik singing 80's favorites over the walkie-talkies (which Jeanne-Ann quickly had turned off - she's such a smart girl). I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud. We got down to the church at about midnight - and this team of 49 piled into 3 15-passenger vans and an Excursion...for an excursion designed by God to eternally impact the lives of others.

Will you pray for them, please? They arrived safely at their destination last night, although it was a bit later than they had originally expected. They'll be building 2 houses this week for families that live under tarps. Perspective on momentary troubles is always a good thing. I can't wait to hear how He works in and thru this team this week...

We're buying a house...

I can't believe it! Man how things change in a week! It's a quick week, but kinda a long story - to make it short...we've bought a house. Contract is signed. We've met with the mortgage guy. The permits are applied for. Yep. Permits. The house is not built yet. We've signed a contract on a plot of dirt - no foundation - no pipes or plumbing - no walls or roof. Nothing. Yet. Within the next four months it will turn into a new 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath two-story house. Unbelieveable! The kids are excited about it because we've been telling them we can't get a dog until we get a house. Kaylee brought home a "how to care for your dog" book from the library at school. Noah is excited about his new puppy. Me - I'm still thinking that we won't have a finished back yard or a fence to start...so the puppy might have to wait a little, but a delightful little dog will bring additional joy to my kids and my husband - it's a done deal - eventually. We can't wait to have a place that really is our own. To plant roots. To settle. We've been here a year. We've had 3 different addresses, not to count the 3 addresses we had the last 8 months we lived in Atlanta. So that will be 7 addresses in 2 years by the time we move in. WOW!

Who is that?

That was what I heard a good bit of the day today - mainly because when I tried to talk it didn't sound like me. I woke up this am with...NO VOICE! Can I just say it's hard to get ready for the day, and get kids ready for the day with no voice. It was pretty funny. Funnier was when I called into the office to tell Linda I would be in after some errands. Trying to whisper she couldn't hear me, then I talked into what I refer to as the "man voice" - I equate it to being as close to Barry White as is possible. Honestly - my voice hits a new low when I get this throat crud. Linda was completely freaked out and wanted to know who was on the phone. I couldn't help but laugh...it was funny.

At Crash tonight we were all losing our voices ... there was soooooooo much energy in the room, even with microphones and good voices, it seemed nearly impossible to get people to focus...it ended well though I think. Finally. Poor Josh even handed off the mic to me at one point - his voice was straining...I just had to stand up there and wait for people to quiet down...what else do you do when you can't talk loud...and when my voice had recovered enough for the man voice to be gone?

When I got home tonight Kaylee was walking around with a notepad writing down all the things she wanted to say, telling me (well, writing to me) that it was hard to talk...and then she would mouth the words for me to read her lips (because she told me this morning that I didn't have to whisper for her - she could read my lips...). She's so adorable...

Please pray for me that my voice will be strong by the weekend. I'm supposed to do a responsive reading for all the Palm Sunday services this weekend with Paula, Ali & Johnny (whom I haven't met yet...).

A Weekend @ the coast...

Ahhhh...it just sounds good doesn't it? And it was! Our family had the honor and privilege of hanging out with about 28 college students over the weekend. Ok, we did a little cooking on the side, ok, a lot of cooking, but it was all a blast! Can I just tell you how amazingly great the kids were!?? They jumped in and cooked, and cleaned, and laughed, and played! Kaylee was stirring up omelets with Ben (one of her leaders in The Zone on Wednesday nights, who is a college student and was on the retreat!); Noah was sweeping up the floor...or getting a 1-inch splinter in his toe (yikes - that really hurt him, and it hurt us to have to take it out...he was so brave!). We tried to fly a kite, that broke as we put it together. We spent a good bit of time on the beach - they had me stand in FREEZING cold water for 10 seconds (I was quite content sitting on the beach blanket watching them in the water, thank you!). But they told me I had to do it, or they were going to throw me in the ocean, which I am sure they would have done.

One of the coolest moments was Saturday morning as we headed out to check out the beach @ 8:30 am (yes, 8:30 am - dressed, and on the beach!). We went to see if we could find any sealife in the tidepools on the far side of the beach, and when we got closer, one of the students was sitting on a rock, the tide coming in little by little, and he was singing his heart out for Jesus. It was soooooo cool! We didn't stick around too long, because we wanted to honor this sacrifice as praise, and his personal sanctuary for him and The Lord alone. I mean - this guy was praising God. He was singing loud and clear enough for the entire beach to hear it...even when you were standing many many yards away and with the waves crashing in. There was passion - and connection - and it was clear all he wanted was to be with God. It was a beautiful thing.

Jane Wolf (one of our Pastors of LifePath ministries) spoke, and while I admit I didn't get to hear her as much as I had hoped, I can say the bits I heard were a challenge to me, to think about the assumptions I have about life and about God. She was honest about her life and the circumstances she has experienced. Her vulnerability and honesty instantly drew you in to wanting to hear more...which ultimately led you to sitting at the feet of God to hear directly from Him. And David Burnham (what a great guy) led in worship --- I loved hearing all kinds of music throughout the weekend, that again, took you right to the throne room of God to meet Him face to face. Like I said, I didn't get to experience as much of the "teaching" moments as I had hoped...but the few I did were good for me. I missed a video she showed in the closing session. Steve saw the last minute of it, and when he walked into our room, he was in tears.

Anyway - this was an exciting and amazing weekend for us. It was a blessing to get away from home and be at THE COAST!! and to meet some new Salem friends...and to joyfully serve Him while serving these students --- who are clearly wonderful and fun and kind and just plain ol' cool! We loved every single minute of it! Thanks Patrick for inviting us! We'd do it again in a second!!

Thank God for SPRING!!

OK...officially spring doesn't really start until March 20...but really - we've had some great weather here lately --- WOO!HOO!! Flip flops are out! The kids have been saying to me, "mom, sometimes you have to listen to the kids" - because usually I'm the wear your coat, shoes & socks mom...only to have them lately "boiling with sweat" (according to Noah). Now, I'm not totally off...but I'm REALLY ready for Spring to stick. I say that as I hear the rain falling outside. But there is something about sunshine! There is something about seeing Mt. Hood, and Mt. Angel and Mt. Jefferson off in the distance. And don't forget those really good days when you see Mt. St. Helens...or maybe even Mt. Rainier...whew! Majestic! Beautiful! Amazing! I LOVE SPRINGTIME!!

Careful...this can be addictive

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