Finally...

A day when I could sit outside in my capris, rest in a chair, play with the fam, and enjoy the sunshine...and get a little bit of a sunburn...and that was ok by me...I admit - I felt a bit stressed when I came in after a day of rest - feeling like I couldn't rest inside until the laundry was going, and the kitchen cleaned up, etc... but...yes, it was a day of rest!! And...looks like tomorrow will be more of the same!!! (and their was a great relaxing sigh heard all around...)

Fun...but cold...

So...yeah - it's April 30th - almost May. Which means FIELD TRIP TIME!!! Yep - Kaylee will probably have a couple more, but today was the first of the field trip craze. She desperately wanted me to go...and how could I say no. The last couple of weeks have been crazy, this week is SWEAT (our middle school church fundraiser)...so, yep - I'm a mom and wife first - so off to the Willamette Art Center I go this morning. It's the art center. It's a field trip involving clay, clothes you can get dirty, and 75 1st graders!! I was SO excited. I have to admit - my excitement dwindled a bit to find that we would be outside. Now, in Atlanta (I know...here I go again) it's a delightful time to be outside - the pollen is winding down and its warm. Today - oh my...we (not just me, but everyone) were freezing. Parents were hiding in their cars to keep warm. It was a bit nutsy...

BUT...it was worth it! Carl, the "instructor" for the morning, was FABULOUS! He did such a great job keeping the attention of the students, and walking them step by step through the process of making their very own turtles - that will rattle w/ skittle sized pellets inside. I don't want to call them turtle rattles, because that makes it sound like a baby toy. These were 75 individual works of art - complete with body, head, tail, feet and markings uniquely made by the students. They did such a good job. I was so excited to be there, despite the biting wind and cold. I can't wait to see them after they are placed in the kiln and fired up...big fun!!

We enjoyed a picnic style lunch - Kaylee sat in my lap for a good bit of it, trying to keep warm, but then said she wanted the chair for herself so she could eat...(smile). As we were finishing lunch, dark clouds appeared...and yep, it started to pour and I mean pour. Gratefully it held off that long, but as I left I had to walk to my van parked a bit away, and when I climbed in - I was a freezing cold wet mop. Dripping wet - I mean dripping! I kinda wish I had a camera...then again, maybe not...then again - I would have gotten pictures from the art projects to show you...oh well.

We're going to have a visitor or two...or three...or...

Can I just say...I'm excited!! Time is creeping ever closer when we will be having the friends and family begin to file through...I don't mean file, like oh, drop it in there and think about it some day - I mean file through - maybe file by is better. Like a parade. You can't wait for it to come - you want it to last for forever - you just enjoy what's in front of you, but then again, can't wait to see what's coming and you talk to everyone around you about what you've seen, what you are seeing and what you are about to see. Yep - that's me!! Starting in just 16 days our first guest of the "season" arrives! Melissa is coming! Oh how amazing frequent flyer miles are! On how amazing friends like family are!! I can't wait to see her - hug her around the neck - play rummikub until all hours - eat warm chocolate chip cookies with whipped cream on top - laugh so hard we cry, or snort or whatever ... YIPPEE!!! And then...about 5 weeks later, Steve's parents are coming for a week!!! Then...Jennifer is coming at the beginning of July (not sure of dates yet...oh...be praying for Jennifer...she had ACL surgery...yuck! I wish we could be in ATL with her to take care of her...). Anyway - YEAH!!! Jennifer is coming!! Maybe she will bring her Rimbaldi box along!! Oh- a friend and an Alias fix all at the same time!! (smile...) Then...my parents are coming sometime later in July...yippee again! whew!! That takes us to the end of July...and I know it's just the beginning... Hmmmmmmmm. We need to figure out some new "spots" to visit...any suggestions?? Thanks!

A few "little" questions from middle schoolers

Last week at Crash (yeah, the one I didn't go to) we asked the students to write down the questions they have for God or about God. These questions will be the basis for our topics over the last 4 weeks of Crash this year. We always refer to Crash as the front door - the lobby. A place where we hope students will be willing to step out of their comfort zone - and visitors will be willing to step out of their comfort zone - into a place where we have a blast learning about who Jesus is and just how madly in love with you He is... So...will you pray for and with us as we hope to finish this part of the race strong --- here are the questions the students submitted. They are real. They are honest. They are searching. They are wanting to understand the God who created them and loves them like no other...even if they don't know it yet...

• What does it mean to be born again?
• Why did God create humans?
• If you don’t want to be “born again” like reincarnated…will we be anyways?
• What the heck is “born again”?
• How was God made?Why did He flood the Earth?How can I work through with my mom and me fighting?
• What can I do to get to know the Lord more?
• How did people go to heaven before Jesus died on the cross?
• Why was I made?
• What is my purpose?
• Why didn’t you help my sister when she needed it most?
• Why are some parents so protective and some aren’t?
• How long has god been there?
• Will there be another world after we die? And if there is will it only be for Christians?
• How are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit the same and different?
• Why is most of my family straight up, but like my cousin and his dad are choosing to do the wrong things?
• Every once in a while I wil start to think about why I am here and what’s it like when we go away from this life. After this I feel like I forget who I am and my heart begins to race then it turns into a panic attack. I think of this feeling as a wave – it comes and goes. Why does this happen?
• If God created everything then why did He have us name them?
• If we are exactly like a mammal, which we are, are we animals?
• Why did God make me?
• If God already knew the world would be messed up and people would go to hell, why did He make Earth?Why does God allow pain?Why does God love me?
• Can God prevent people from going to hell?
• What does God look like?
• I wonder why there are signs in the world.
• Why is there sin in the world?
• Why does God let sad things happen? Why can’t He just stop and help them?
• If God made everything why would He ever make sin?Why aren’t there miracles done today?
• Do you really forgive people for lying and doing the wrong thing, or just make life worse for them?
• Who is God?
• Is my mom gonna get better?Am I gonna be a good leader when I’m older?
• If God loves us so much, why does He allow us to get hurt?
• Why is it when my mom is angry she takes it out on me and my brother?
• Why is it when somebody is alone they are prone to suicide?
• Why is it when people are insecure they take it out on other people for their faults?
• Why do people shout when they get angry?
• If God is so powerful, then why did He let me be so hurt all my life?
• When satan was first an angel, where did he get his evilness from?
• Relationships with friends, God and guys. Like what does God want us to do? How do we stay pure?
• Why do people put Christians down?
• Why are there so many different versions of the Bible?
• Hell/Heaven??
• Unchristian friends – I wonder what happens when they die.
• Why do Christians judge people so much more than non-Christians?
• Why is saying I love you so much more hard than it sounds?
• How can we tell things that are on my heart instead of keeping it in? How can we tell God these things cause He already knows?
• How do you help someone if they want to kill themselves? How do I tell them that just because bad stuff has happened that god is real and He loves them?
• How do you tell someone about God without preaching to them?
• Does God have loyalty for everyone?
• How can You prove You are real?
• What’s hell like?
• Am I choosing the right friends?
• Why did you make us?
• If we were perfect, then why did Adam make that mistake?
• If you don’t know God how do you trust Him?
• How do we know that God is what we should believe in?
• If we haven’t seen God how can we trust Him?
• Why isn’t life perfect?
• Why didn’t God make things easier?
• Did Adam and Eve have belly-buttons?
• Why did David not take vengeance in others like Saul and Ish-Bosheth, but then killed those who took vengeance for him?
• Why does God let us make huge mistakes?Why is it so hard to forgive and forget?
• Why do people hate other people for no reason?
• Why is it “not okay” for young people to say ‘I love you’ to their significant other if they mean it?
• Will you help me and my family with our problems?

Wow...they are amazing. They are honest...may we be worthy of their trust and glorify Him as we serve them & Him.

Feeling ick...

So...Wednesday I went to work for about an hour...and felt miserable. I decided to just come home, to rest and feel better before Crash. But better never came. No fever. Just an ache unlike I've had in a long time. I don't think it was being tired. This was much much more than that. I've been tired. I've had to recover from many an all-nighter. This was different. I ached all over. From head to toe. And there was nothing I could do to shake it. Tylenol didn't help. Caffeine didn't help. I came home and slept for 3 and a half hours...that's unheard of in Michelle circles. I just don't do that. My body is not well. So...for two days I just sat and laid down and rested and slept and ached and tried not to complain. And I missed Crash. That was not fun. I just like it. I just like to be there. I like having a front row seat to how God is at work in the lives of middle school students...but not this week. I was home. I was a prayer warrior - that was about all my mind could wrap itself around. I'm trusting He worked in the midst of the chaos and excitement (the girls called in the middle of what should have been discussion groups to tell me there was a bit of a cake fight going on...oops...) I hope this passes soon...I'm thinking tomorrow I just need to get back at it. I hate just sitting...oh wait...didn't I just say, um yesterday, that I wanted to just...be. Well...I don't want be just sick...that's not exactly what I meant. But...it did give me a little more time with the fam...but I don't know that I was that much fun to be with...although Noah enjoyed movie time with mommy curled up in the green chair. He took good care of me - bringing me a healthy snack (a stick person made of baby carrots and a cup of water)...what a sweet boy I have...

PNW District Conference

I attended my first district conference with the Christian & Missionary Alliance. It some ways it was like an old glove - just being with those who love Jesus and desire nothing more in their existence that to serve Him wholeheartedly. To see people who have been faithfully following and serving Him for 50 years, those who are in the midst of losing a loved one who they have faithfully served alongside, those who have been faithfully serving for just a month or two...those who serve in churches that are just 2-3 people on staff to those who are larger that have 50 people on staff...those who serve in a place where the name of Jesus can be boldly proclaimed unashamedly...those who serve in a place where while words must be chosen carefully, the heart and proclamation of Christian love and service is undoubtedly the same. That's just a taste of what the last week held. It was odd to be in a place where I knew so few people, and at times it was evident that I didn't really know many people. Then...there were times that I felt so a part of what was happening - that I was overwhelmed by the fact that I was sitting in the room. Amazing how you can feel so in awe, excited, scared, frightened, overwhelmed, and encouraged all at the same time.

Highlights - taking Paula's pics with all the "somebody's" at the conference, laughing hysterically with the rest of our church team @ Shari's and hearing story after story after story that was living proof of what I already know - that people are real, and it's an honor to serve arm-in-arm with them; going to Wunderland with about 25 other youth pastors and winning some and losing some (shush Josh...I'll catch up to you on DDR someday...) and playing one game that was SOOOOO addicting - and I don't even know the name of it - but it was one where we drew a crowd, which has never happened to me before @ an arcade; hearing the amazing stories of those serving overseas and the victories God is displaying in these areas; listening to Kelving and being reminded of Ichabod's and Ebenezer's...and so much more.

And...hearing the names of those who have completed the licensing & ordination/consecration process...that's another blog for another day...but...I've started my application for licensing with the C&MA. Man, that's a huge step for me. (OK...I could go off on that one for a while...remind me to come back to it later.)

Now, I'll admit - in the midst of it I missed my family - up and back to Portland for two days...late nights, seeing the kids for about an hour on Tuesday was hard - and I didn't even see Steve that day...that really stunk. I'm ready for things to slow a bit so I can just be...with them.

Yes...there is hope...

OK...for as much as I've complained about the weather...I did today see glimpses of things to come. Blue sky is a thing of beauty! (And yes, in the link to music below, I have country music...Brad Paisley's Behind the Clouds (from the CARS soundtrack)...it's a great reminder to me...) Thanks Lord for blue sky...

I just like it...and I'm grateful.

I really love the teaching and preaching at Salem Alliance. We're in the midst of a series called "Leaving the Land of Grey," a study of the Book of John. There have been a couple of messages lately that have just really struck a chord with me. I'm so grateful for the privilege of hearing God's Word preached. I've heard 2 different stories this week of people who are in areas where they don't have that kind of freedom, or at least it doesn't seem so.

One definitely not...this week at our staff coffee, a couple came in to share about their experience on the mission field. They are serving in an area where they can't even tell us where they are or what they are doing. They choose their words carefully, for where they serve they cannot say missionary. What? You can't say missionary? Nope. They carefully have to think of whether or not they can safely speak of what they do. They are in a church, at a staff meeting of people who lovingly pray and support them...and still, they are carefully choosing words. I mean these faithful people (who's real name I don't even know) are truly on the front lines of a spiritual battle that brings them into an area of the world so void of people who know Christ that they are bold with the love of Christ, trusting Him for opportunities to boldly share the Words of Christ with them. It's relationship. It's love for Him. It's love for people.

In another situation we heard of a persecuted pastor in an area in the middle east, who literally was warned of a death threat and attack on him and his family, to later find out that it was the assassins in his home scouting out the lay of the land to fulfill this "threat." He was also literally covered on the floorboard of a back seat of a vehicle to be whisked to the airport, as he and his family had to flee from this country. A man, a family, who clearly and wholeheartedly love the Lord. A clear example in current time of someone persecuted for his faith...and protected by the Lord for a plan that has yet to be revealed to them.

Me - I sit in a church pew and listen to amazing truths being unfolded before me. I stand on a platform and bring those truths to middle school students. I sit in my home, or office, or car and read my very own personal copy of the Bible and listen to music that boldly proclaims Jesus as the Christ. I have no clue what these other people face day in and day out. I've got it easy. We've got it easy. Comparatively. Do we face struggles? Sure, sometimes it can be hard. But there are others who are so much more persecuted.

And we (I'll include all of us) regularly take for granted the privileges and opportunities before us to hear, teach, preach, boldly proclaim Jesus as Christ. Yet, these who are under scrutiny and in areas that are in spiritually dark areas of the world...they are so much bolder, more confident (even in their choice words)...Lord forgive me.

So...here's are links to where you can listen to the podcasts of recent messages that have been a great encouragement & challenge to me. Today's was extra cool. I'll post that link as well when it shows up...Listen. Breathe it in. Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a new and amazing way. May your life be changed and transformed into His likeness. May my life be changed and transformed to His likeness.

Steve Fowler - Talking Taxi
John Stumbo - Kingdom Confusion
Barbara Fletcher - What Does Jesus Think of Doubters?

Another kick in the rear...

OK...as if yesterday wasn't enough...more snow today. I did my best to be of good spirits. I must say the cotton ball like snowflakes were pretty - they were BIG! I mean BIG! But again...it's April! I did CHOOSE to be excited with the kids...and they spent a good half hour or so outside together running, catching snowflakes on their tongues...and posing for pics for mom. Yes, I captured it. I'm reminded again I'm not in control. It's strange to almost find myself begging for rain instead. That's truly crazy.

So...here it looks more like they are playing in the rain, right?

Well, before long...




Check out the difference 10 minutes makes...see the snow line under the trees? We ended up with about 1/2 inch in about 30 minutes...


Yes, that's a giant snowflake in front of the lens...and a blooming azalea...




Oh well...here's to the hope of spring.

Bah Humbug!

So...7:12 am - I hear Noah and Kaylee tromping through the house - well, running through the house. They come flying into our room (where I am asleep). "Mom - it's snowing, it's snowing, it's snowing!" The exhuberant cries of a 5 & 7 year old - sheer joy in their voices. Me...a moan. I tell them to open the blinds to I can see. I admit - it was beautiful - cottonball like snowflakes. Then - I moan again. 1) It's Saturday morning. My one morning to "sleep in". Now, Steve told me to just remember the blessing of having kids who just want to be with me. OK...I'll remember. 2) It's April - APRIL! A.P.R.I.L.!! Not December, or November, or January or February! It's April! That's spring folks. That's flowers - that's sunshine - that's not snow! Period. It's just not. 3) It's morning - in general, not my best part of the day. Now...add all those components together --- and you already have a picture in your mind of what I did. I moaned again and covered my head with my covers to try to go back to sleep. No such luck. But it was nice to try to hide for a few more minutes... But...a few snuggles from my kids (along with really cold feet), a few kisses, and a few get up lazy bones...and I was awake.

Fast forward almost 12 hours. I'm at church hearing something hitting the windows or cars or something. It's a hail/slush/sleet combination. A few moments later, Brian tells us it's definitely sleet. My windshield is covered with this frozen precipitation. It's thunderstorm dark outside and just plain ol' gross. As I head to the "Kiz"...the sun breaks through. The sky is blue. In my rear view mirror I see the muck and yuck and ick of this bizarre storm...in front of me...blue sky and sunshine.

Now...that's the picture I hope I have for the months to come. The ick is behind, and the beauty of what I've heard I can experience in an Oregon spring and summer is just ahead!! Hold your breath...ok, maybe not. But I'll wait...and believe me...I'll tell you when it's amazing!

For a different perspective on the snowy morning, check out Erik's blog.