Blogging On the Run

So, I have just a few minutes before I get in the car for an hour and a half...at least. Thank goodness for the DVD player! I'm looking forward to the holidays because I love the sound of Christmas movies. "A Christmas Story" and "Home Alone", they're just more fun to listen to...plus, I just love the holidays anyway. I have a tendency to romanticize them and build them up in my mind (kind of like the dad in "Christmas Vacation").

But, for now, it's "Star Wars"...or any superhero type movie. Most of them I've never actually seen, but they sound okay...

The morning after Thanksgiving, "it's on", though. Only Christmas stuff will be played in my car: Christmas carols, Manheim Steamroller, Christmas movies...etc. I might even wear a Santa hat!

Gotta run! The superheroes are calling me...

Peace.

Week One "Wrap-Up"

The Bledsoe Family has successfully navigated the first week of school. Here are some highlights:

*The sunrise, from the 417, is beautiful when viewed through polarized sunglasses.

*My six year old can guilt me into buying him fast-food junk because I feel bad that he has to spend so much time in the car every afternoon.

*"Mr Big Truck" didn't speed obnoxiously by me in carline again - maybe he's changed his ways...we'll see!

*Nate knows how to deal with a bully...(must be passed down from father to son).

*Apparently, Kayleigh and Ashley aren't "jiggy" with Trapper/Keeper notebooks - they're not "the bomb"...as if! And I was so thinking they were "totally rad".

*High school girls think it's so cute when Kayleigh and Ashley's dad makes their lunch! What am I, chopped liver?!!

*Sleeping-in on Saturday is glorious - unless you think it's Friday and you've over-slept!!! BTW, if it had been a week day, we'd all be in trouble because I'm not moving fast early in the a.m. EVEN IF I'M ON FIRE!

*How come "waiting in carline by myself time" seems like an eternity, and "having sushi with the Leathers (and Byron) time" flies by?

*Now that I'm carpooling WITH MYSELF, I miss taking other people's kids home from school - I didn't know that I would miss that...but Amanda says I can pick up "my best friend, Emma" from kindergarten sometimes! Woo!! (Right now I'm throwing up my hands like the wife in Talladega Nights - just so you can get the total mental pic).

*In High School Musical Two, when Gabriella sings to Troy that she has to "go her own way" and he sings back "but what about us?", I cry just a little bit (just a single tear rolls down...) - and btw, who names their daughter "Sharpay"? Don't they know that's a wrinkly dog...BUT I DIGRESS!

*So, the kids had an easier time adjusting to school than I did, but overall it was a good week...what I remember of it after being jacked-up on way to much espresso.

*Tomorrow's gonna be "Crazy" great!

Peace out.

Sanguine Saturday

I can't believe it's already five 0'clock on Saturday. The weekend is drifting away - and of course, tomorrow will go by like a whirlwind.

Laundry has ruled my day, since next week will be filled with carpooling and C3 stuff. The future is so bright for us at C3, but the next year, especially, is going to be CRAZY busy.

I feel like the fall is going to be "boot camp", and after the holidays begins the battle - when we have to bring the heat! We're breaking free to be C3, but it's going to require everything we've got to fulfill the vision we've been given. It can be overwhelming, but it's also an awesome thing...and a humbling one as well. It's going to take everything we've got, and still require the movement of God.

I woke up this morning in an optimistic mood - kind of a silly one, actually. I looked at Byron, and he had a grin on his face. So when I asked him why he was smiling, he just looked up and said, "God is smiling on me, and it's gonna be a good day." After further discussion, it became clear that "God smiling" was my good mood. So, I said, "Let me get this straight, the determining factor of the quality of your day is me?" and he replied, "Since the beginning of time." This kind of stinks for him, since I'm a bohemian, moody, melancholy/sanguine, artistic type with a flair for the dramatic...oh well, at least he has today!

We organized the school supplies cabinets, two junk drawers, and did some filing, so next week will run a little more smoothly than normal. It's amazing how it's harder for me to find things after I organize than before. I think my "chaotic random piles" system just make sense to me somehow.

I found the most beautiful purple "fainting couch" and zebra print rug on the web last night...I guess I just wasn't ever meant to be a minimalist! I think they would kick me out of Denmark (former post) - maybe it's because I'm a Czechoslovakian/Cherokee at heart!

Gotta run, laundry-duty for six calls! Peace out.

More Notes from La-La Land...

*High School Musical 2 has taken over my life!!! We've been on a countdown clock all day - and I've never even seen the first one!

*When did I fall in love with modern furniture from Denmark? Confession: I had to ask Byron what furniture from Denmark would be called - I did have the sense to know that "Denmarkian" didn't sound quite right! (He said "Danish", and I looked it up on the Wide World of Web, and he was right), but I digress...When did I fall in love with modern Danish furniture? I especially LOVE "BoConcepts"...it's the bomb! (It's awesomely Denmarkian!)

*I love clean laundry - I love when I take a walk around the neighborhood in the evening and the smell of people's dryers and dryer sheets fills the air!

*I think we should live every day like we are in the cast of a musical, and break into song every time we're trying to make a dramatic statement. I think there would be a lot less conflict if everyone had to sing, "I'm so mad at you...You really hurt my feelings...You really need to learn how to drive..." Things like that wouldn't have the same "bite" if you had to sing and dance while yelling at someone!. Just a thought.

*We went to "meet the teacher" at the boys new school today - Ethan said that Nate's class was "better" because his classroom had brownies! It will also have long division, so Ethan - and I - will feel more comfortable in the first grade class. There aren't enough erasers in the world for me to do long division...Okay, I just had a little shudder thinking about it!

*Apparently, the slang term for a sweet ride is "whip" - Something tells me the Bledsoe Family Bus wouldn't be in the "whips" category. Just trying to keep it real.

*Speaking of "keeping it real" - there's nothing like buying cheap toilet paper in bulk from Wal-mart...it doesn't get any "realer" than that!

*Birthday cake just tastes better when it has your name on it!

Peace and dryer sheet dreams to you all!

Beautiful School Supplies

I love new school supplies - I always have. When I take the plastic wrap off of a new package of loose-leaf paper, I just stare at the clean white sheets, mesmerized - I think it's lovely! And a newly sharpened pencil is glorious. Maybe it's because I'm a poet, or because I'm an idealist - I love things that are clean, fresh and new...

I used to love the beginning of school and the fall - although I grew up here in Florida and the fall here never quite looked like the fall on T.V...But in my mind, it did! New clothes, new friends, clean school-supplies, and a crisp autumn breeze (okay, it was really August and 98 degrees on a hot school bus)...It was beautiful!

Now, as a parent, the process of getting ready for school is...a little more hectic - Wal-mart is a nightmare, the "lists" from the teachers often include obscure items that probably only exist in the southern tip of Madagascar, and my childhood ability to only feel the weather as it exists in my fantasies is somehow fading...maybe it's dying of heat exhaustion!

It's funny how we can remember things a certain way, even if they weren't quite that way in reality. Our perception is so wrapped up in our emotions and experiences, we can fool ourselves into believing it's a crisp fall day even in the sweltering heat of summer.

Christmas is like that for me. Even when it's sunny and 80-something outside, in my heart it's like a Thomas Kinkaide "Wintertime" painting, with smoke-filled chimneys and horse-drawn carriages...I guess because I need it to be that way. We all need a certain amount of idealism in our lives, some of us more than others - it's like hope. To imagine that things are better than reality - to see things how they could be, rather than how they really are.

I'm going to try to remember how I did that when I was a child on the hot school bus, and try to look at things around me with that same sense of hopefulness - and tonight as I "play" with my kid's school supplies, maybe I'll drink some hot chocolate and put on a sweater...

There's beauty all around us - even in unexpected things...like school supplies!

Peace.

Random Ramblings

It's Saturday and I have a few random thoughts:

*Cleaning my house is such a chore, I think I need to go live in a remote monastery somewhere and get rid of all my possessions - I wonder if they would have wi-fi?

*Laundry is the bain of my existence, and I have come to realize that in order for everything to be able to be put away, I need to have a delicate balance of dirty clothes, washing clothes, drying clothes, piled-on-the-couch clothes, folded clothes, and clean-in-the-drawer clothes - If this balance is disrupted by TOO MUCH CLEANING, then my whole domestic eco-system runs amuck!

*How does my microwave end up looking like a crime scene ????!!!!

*What can I possibly say about going to Wal-mart on a Saturday right before school starts when my SUV's "thermometer" registered at 116 degrees!!!!

*There was a time when I was "Pre-law" and going to be a ruthless attorney and live in a beautiful high-rise in New York with a butler and a maid...(as I tell this, you should hear classical music, and I'm speaking with a British accent)

*I'm excited about not having to sing on the platform tomorrow morning - "Riverdale" will be leading worship, so I get to sit in the congregation like a normal person!

*I'm NOT going jogging tonight because I'm getting my exercise the "don't clean my house often enough, and insist on being a pack rat, so now I gotta suffer" way today - I better lose 2-3lbs.!!!!

*Talking about cleaning my house is much more fun than doing it.

*Byron has been very sweet and helpful today - I guess I'll keep him.

*Did I already mention the whole attorney thing?...

Peace out.

Happy Wednesday To You

So, I haven't done a "Happy Wednesday" in a long time. I don't think I remember how to be funny...

A few days ago, we were talking with some friends about random stuff and the subject of dinosaurs came up - I wasn't really paying attention until Byron asked what sound they actually make. "Do they roar?", he said. I replied, (in my defense, because I wasn't really paying attention - not because I'm a dumb blonde), "Of course they roar, you can see them at the zoo, Duh!" Apparently, I don't need to Google "Blonde Jokes" ever again - I provide my own material!

Here's one that made me smile - if you don't like it, well, don't be a hater cuz it's not easy to find short, clean blonde jokes - especially for a blonde. So, here it is:

A dumb blonde was standing in front of a soda machine outside of a local store. After putting in sixty cents, a root beer pops out of the machine. She set it on the ground, puts sixty more cents into the machine, and pushes another button; suddenly, a coke comes out the machine!
She continued to do this until a man waiting to use the machine became impatient. "Excuse me, can I get my soda and then you can go back to whatever stupid thing you are doing?"

The blonde turns around and says, "Yeah right! I'm not giving up this
machine while I'm still winning!"

So, there you go - and if that doesn't do it for you, then find some funny, CLEAN, and relatively short blonde jokes and send them to me in a comment - I'm sure all you brunettes out there have heard a few in your time - and you blondes, well, it kind of goes with the territory.

I've just learned to embrace my dorkiness and laugh at myself when I can - life's too short to take yourself too seriously all the time. The mean-spirited critics will

sound-off like they do, so take some of the "teeth" out by laughing at yourself first - there's a lot of freedom in knowing that I don't have to be "perfect" all the time (or ever, for that matter!).

It's Wednesday, and we have another day to enjoy, so, I hope you enjoy it and LAUGH as much
as possible.
Peace.

Redeem the Time

It feels like my early days of blogging when I would often blog more than once in a single day, but I've had a fever today, so I've not done much. I'm giving myself today to get better - tomorrow there's too much to do to be sick...so, needless to say, I've done a lot of thinking today.

I've always had a weak immune system - if I get stressed or upset, my body seems to shut-down and just stop working well. I've prayed about this and tried to put things in place to keep from getting run down...but, that and being a pastor's wife/mother of four doesn't seem to go hand in hand. So, I've kind of learned to look at it as a constant reminder to rule out the bad (bad food, bad influences, bad relationships) and increase the peace.

So, tomorrow morning I'm hoping for a normal temp' so Byron and I can get out for a long walk, put in some time at the office, then maybe "Whole Foods" for some healthy stuff so I'm not tempted to eat junk when dinner rolls around. I've got to plan ahead to make the most out of my days, so there are less like today when not much got done. The kids go back to school soon, so I want to spend some time with them before they're out of the house all day.

Byron and I got an email about our 20 year high school reunion today, so I've thought a lot about what I thought my life would be like verses what it is like - in some ways it's so hard to believe it's been that long, but so much has happened during those years that it also seems like it must have been longer. I guess everyone feels like that about the passage of time...

It goes by and I'm learning more every day that I have to make the most of each day because I will never get this day back.

"Redeem the time, because the days are evil" - That's the awesome thing about the grace of God - each day that He gives us is a day that He has bought back or redeemed for us so that we can live for Him.

Time is a wonderful gift - I don't want to waste it. Peace.

Let Us Run!

How does He want us to live?
Like uninspired followers of an ordinary way?
Like unforgiving zealots of a target never reached?
Like selfish children fighting to be "teacher's pet"?
Like bullies or like priests?
How should we live to represent Him well?

Should we not live like we are:
Seasoned runners with our eyes fixed on Jesus as our only prize...
One grace-blessed beggar sharing newly found bread with another...
Forgiven ones who see others as:
The future joy of heaven
The lost lamb for whom He has searched
His most treasured creation and expression of love
The reason for His life, His ministry, His death...

How does He want us to live?
He wants us to love abundantly, give unsparingly, pray unceasingly.
He wants us to give, to dance, and to sing - all in His name...
He wants us to run...like there's no tomorrow...run like everything depends on the passing of the baton...run with our head back and eyes focused on the prize.

We must live, love, give, and run...and the "great cloud of witnesses" is always there cheering us on.

Because the face of heaven will be determined by how well we run, how much we give, how often we tell...
For how will they hear if we do not tell them, and how will they know if we don't show the way...

How does He want us to live?
Our human minds cannot fathom the depths of His desires for us, but it is not for us to waste much time in contemplation, but rather to:

Go, do, love, give, dance, sing, rejoice, weep, comfort, forgive, embrace, and...RUN.

For tomorrow could very well find us on the other side with no more miles to give to the journey. And then we will have only what we made of today to offer at His feet.

So, let us make the most of the miles, and add one more to heaven's number.
While there's still time, let us run!

Seventy Times Seven

I don't really have anything to blog about tonight. Of course, I have plenty of thoughts, and even more words, but I don't really feel like putting them together in an organized way...

What others have written today says it better than could: Leigh Ann, Travis and Byron have all blogged about the things that have been on my mind - not consuming my thoughts because getting four kids ready for the school year can really occupy a person's time, but they have given a voice to some of my own thoughts...

So, I would direct you to their blogs since I can't seem to put my thoughts in order enough to do them justice, and I don't really have to, since others have done it so well for me.

All I'll say is:

*I thank God for His great love and mercy
*I thank God for a husband who is not swayed by the criticisms of men or the accolades of the religious
*I thank God for a church leadership team that is brave and trustworthy
*I thank God for the "remnant" at C3 who has changed the face of heaven through their love and sacrifice
*I thank God for friends who stick closer than brothers
*I thank God for children who walk in truth

And, I thank God for the ultimate Truth: that His Gospel is bigger than the plans of men and stronger than the Evil One. That His love is the only answer. That we are blessed to carry His message - though our hands and feet be unworthy and worn-out in the delivery. He makes our scars trophies to His grace and our feet beautiful in His sight. And we are blessed to carry out His will.

We are blessed. I am blessed, and I thank God for all of these things for I know where they come from...

So, tonight, I thank God that I have the writings of others to express what's on my heart and mind. But, I also thank Him because He already knows...and He knows the truth about C3 and what it means to so many. It's about love, after all, and...

LOVE WINS! PEACE.

A Blackberry, a Blog, and a Big Vocab (aka: The Perfect Storm!)

So blogging from a Blackberry on the road somewhere on I-10 is not easy. This is definitely going to shorten the length of my blog (and the people cheered...). But, at least I have neglected my nails, and they are very short - I'm really rethinking the importance of proper punctuation and grammar though! I also didn't realize how many long words I use. I need to get dumber if this is going to be workable at all! I don't know how Kayleigh and Ashley text messege so fast - I guess it's all about motivation! That's all I've got for now - my fingers are exhausted (like I can't just say "tired"? - I've got to change my ways!!). Peace!

Candle in the Wind...

It's somewhat ironic that we begin a series at C3 tomorrow about how to "Rest in God" - today has been one of those days when I've felt like I've been on a treadmill set on "high" and it won't stop...my little candle is feeling a little wind-blown tonight, and now I'm trying to wind down so that I can get prepared to sleep and rest for all that will take place in the morning. I believe it will be a beautiful service - the platform "set" is beautiful and tranquil, and the music set is beautiful and inspiring. And Byron is preaching from the 23rd Psalm - beautiful. To me, the reoccurring theme is the beauty of God's rest - the kind that only He can provide. I need that tonight, my mind is racing will all of the things still left to do. My heart is heavy for the thought of some friends who won't be there, and excited for the new friends I will make as they discover the love and mercy of God.

(By the way, tomorrow also happens to be Byron's birthday - I won't say how old he'll be, but he IS one year closer to the big 4-0!)

So, tonight, I'm listening to Enya (my favorite is "May it Be" from the Lord of the Rings), and I'm choosing to focus on the beautiful aspects of the love and mercy of a God, my God of Rest - because He hears, He knows - all of our difficulties, dreams, fears - He knows and He sees. So, I can rest in Him and all of His Beauty...and sleep in peace, dreaming of all of the hearts He will touch and change with His Beauty tomorrow...

"May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Mornië utúlië
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away
May it be your journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornië utúlië
Believe and you will find your way

Mornië alantië
A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now" (Enya "May it Be")


And even on days like today when I feel like a candle in the wind, I can rest in His shelter, and experience the Beautiful Rest of God...and the wind doesn't feel quite so strong. May it be that you rest in Him as well.

His Peace.

The Best Medicine

I've not been feeling well today.
So unlike many, many others (you know who you are), I'm going to blog twice in one day. My friend Leigh Ann told a funny story about her daughter not "liking Jesus" because of how scary he looks in the "Passion" book of photos.
I understand this.
Maybe because I think like a four year old, and maybe because, although without the brutality of how Christ died I wouldn't have hope, sometimes - like tonight - I need to think of Jesus laughing. I need to know that, in Him, there is such overwhelming joy - even in sorrow or illness - that he couldn't help but laugh. And because of his great love for all of us, which many times caused him to weep, he found such joy and happiness in just watching us and in being with us.

I also think that if we could show the world the many sides of Jesus - his love and sacrifice, his justice and grace, his tears and his laughter - maybe they would be more drawn to him instead of reacting to our often poor imitation of a one-dimensional somber God with no joy or sense of humor. He created us with all of our dramatic, hilarious, crazy and fun-loving propensities. He offers life to the fullest, in that must be joy and even hilarious laughter.

So tonight I'm going to think of the things that just must make God chuckle or even laugh out loud. I don't really know what makes God laugh, but it can't be that different than what makes us laugh (except for our own bloopers - since God has none), I especially think he enjoys watching us enjoy his creation:

For example:
* a baby giggling at nothing at all
* a puppy barking at a reflection of himself
* an elderly couple reminiscing
* the inside jokes of best friends
* a surprise party that really works
* a really good practical joke that really works
* a married couple finally able to laugh at their "crazy" family members
* a million little things that make us laugh every day
* a person who learns the freedom of laughing at herself - because she doesn't have a clue how to be...a pastor's wife, for instance.

I believe Jesus laughed often. I need to believe it tonight. I'm going to find a way to laugh out loud tonight, and all I need to do is look around to find something to smile about. It's all about perspective.

I hope you laugh tonight, and every day...I believe it makes God smile.

Peace (and hilarious laughter) to you.

The Whispers of God

I should be asleep...tonight's different from last night, though. Tonight I'm thinking about the gift of words - the blessing of expression.

Byron and I were listening to George Winston tonight, because I'm feeling poetic and George Winston fits me when I feel poetic...

When I heard the first few notes of the "album" entitled December, I was right back in my stark little dorm room on a mountain in Asheville, NC where I went to boarding school during my junior year of high school. Back then, my words were truly my closest companion. I had a treasured book of Emily Dickinson poems that I would read and reread.

My favorite of her poems in my little book (she wrote hundreds in total), was, not surprisingly, also the saddest to me:

"IF you were coming in the fall,
I’d brush the summer by
With half a smile and half a spurn,
As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year,
I’d wind the months in balls,
And put them each in separate drawers,
Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed,
I’d count them on my hand,
Subtracting till my fingers dropped
Into Van Diemen’s land.

If certain, when this life was out,
That yours and mine should be,
I’d toss it yonder like a rind,
And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length
Of time’s uncertain wing,
It goads me, like the goblin bee,
That will not state its sting." (Emily Dickinson)

I would listen to George Winston (as we were allowed to listen to little else) and write down my thoughts and little poems. I wish I still had all of those words on paper, although, it would probably be humorously dramatic.

I guess, I was just learning how to be alone.

And now as I've begun again to chronicle my feelings. I've realized more fully the power of expression.

Writing, for me, is an act of freedom and passion. Words are like jewels to me, and a beautiful thought is like the whispers of God reminding me that I am never alone.

Peace.

What's In a Name?

You may wonder about the term "Christ-follower". Why don't I just identify myself as a "Christian"? You may believe it's just semantics or the fad of the day...sure, there may be some of that. But, for me, there's a more specific reason. If I'm going to identify myself with a label - I would at least like it to be definable...to me, if someone says they're a Christian it only muddies the waters, there's little clarity there. Somewhere around 90% of Americans consider themselves to be Christian! But why "Christ-follower"? Well, for me it's much more self-explanatory. It's not about what I SAY I am, but what I choose to do. It's not just a label, but a lifestyle.

After 30 plus years of identifying myself as a Christian, I began to realize that I was allowing myself to be defined by a term that had lost any real meaning. This has become particularly important to me especially in the last year or so. Aside from desiring to be more specific in what I am, I also desire to distance myself from what I am not. Beyond the ambiguity of those who randomly call themselves christian, many times, I've felt a growing need to separate myself from those who consider themselves to be "Leading Christians".

Just a few observations which have led me to this conclusion:

*It seems that the longer someone uses a label, the more they become proud of the label itself rather than the reason for it ("Don't tell me! I've been a Christian longer than you've been alive..."). Contrast this with a new believer who is so grateful for the rescuing love and grace of God.

*How come Christians from Christian organizations - much of the time, complain the loudest and rebel the most when their church environment is changed - to reach the lost, no less!? This has been so profound @ C3 that I believe we should ask a few specific questions when considering someone for C3 church membership, like: "Would you consider yourself to be a Christian 'leader'?" or "How long have you worked in that missions organization that evangelizes on the other side of the world?...Oh, 15 years, you say?" and then when they give their glowing resume of how they will do "whatever it takes" to reach lost people-groups (as long as it doesn't affect their home turf), we should go ahead and hand them a list of other local churches which would make them FEEL more comfortable.

*Following Christ means to follow, not to be led by my own selfish desires. Desires which can lead us to say things like: "This is MY church, and the lost don't pay the bills!", or "I want everyone to go to heaven, I just don't want to go to church with all of them." or "That pastor is destroying lives, I mean, have you SEEN the kind of people who go to that church?!"...I could go on and on. If these attitudes are how you would define a Christian, then please continue to label yourself one - at least you'll stay in the majority!

So, for me "Christ-follower" is the flag I'll fly - not because I've arrived, but because it's what I desire to do: to follow Christ. Many times, it's following way, way behind - but I'm following nonetheless. And I'm okay with others knowing my intentions - it keeps me accountable and focused on the only One who can truly show me which way to go. Peace.

In Dreams

I've always had crazy, vivid dreams. They are so life-like that some days it takes me a long time to shake whatever emotions are generated as I sleep. I remember having a particularly bad dream in which Byron upset me (that NEVER happens in real life), and even though he had, in reality, done nothing to me, I was really mad at him and it took me about an hour before I wanted to speak to him - all because of a dream!

Dreams are funny like that. A lot of times they let me know what is really on my mind. I'll think I'm past a certain event, feeling or hurt - and then I'll have a dream that reminds me. Then I'll walk around thinking, "Why do I feel like this today - why do I have this knot in my stomach - oh yeah, I had this crazy dream..."

I guess, unless I've had spicy food late at night, it's just another way to process my emotions - to work things out without having to focus on it while I'm awake. It's my heart's way of saying, "maybe you need to work on this - forgive again, love more, be less offended..." When it comes to a hurt that can lead to bitterness, I've found that what I refuse to deal with I become.

So, I guess I've got some work to do - it's a constant process. What's the old saying, "Don't be bitter - Be better."? I've always hated cliches, but usually there's a lot of truth in them.

I'm starting a new work-out regimen today - so, while I work on my body, I can also renew my mind (I think there's a verse about that somewhere). And I can focus on real dreams - dreams of changing the world one heart at a time.

LOVE IS THE MOVEMENT - and the ultimate dream. Peace.

Music Moves Me (part two)

Byron spoke at a youth camp last night in an open-air "theater" in the woods. It was beautiful, and it reminded me of my childhood. It reminded me that no matter how urbanized I become, I'm very organic at heart, and being IN nature - in the middle of the woods - centers me in some way. It's like the ocean for me because I feel so small yet so close to God all at once. Man, now I want to go camping - at the beach - in the mountains - at the same time!

The band "Riverdale" led worship and it was awesome. They closed with a new Charlie Hall song that really moved me. I don't even know the words yet, but I'm sure I will by the end of the day. One line in it especially resonated for me. It went something like: "I'm down, but I will rise - all life flows from God." It reminded me where my source lies - where my strength comes from. And my source is bigger than the montains and the seas. These creations, in their grandeur, echo His glory and power. Peace and joy and strength echo across the mountains and the seas, and I too join in their song... Man, nature makes me want to be poetic! But, it's so true - all life flows from God, and I'm thankful.

Now, I'm gonna go find some coffee - probably from "the Huddle House" - did I sound like I was ready to chuck the whole "city life" thing? We'll see,... ask me after a week of no Starbucks!

Peace...and strength...and dark roast espresso to you all.

Florida Girl

I'm sitting out by the pool, listening to the birds and planning my rose garden. We are traveling a ton this summer, so I'll probably wait on the planting - of course, when I get the bug, I just can't wait to get my hands dirty. It's a beautiful day, and Byron spent time this weekend making the patio more beautiful because he knows it's a real place of solace for me. We spent yesterday afternoon with some friends - letting the children swim, and just be kids. It was refreshing, and of course, every day is improved by watermelon and ice cream sandwiches.

I'm thankful today for living in such a gorgeous place, for my family, for my friends, and for Byron who always looks for ways to make me smile. It's just a few days before hurricane season starts, but living here is worth the storms - kind of like being in the ministry here - it's all worth it on days like today (or Sunday) when I can focus on the sunshine, the sound of the birds, children laughing, and roses. You can really know I'm feeling the love by this: I'm gonna make my man a pot roast! That really is a metaphor for our relationship - I love roses, and he loves pot roast. So, it's pretty much a perfect day!

The Remains of the Day

The C3 Picnic was great - it was, for me, the perfect ending to a very inspiring day.

I wasn't feeling well this morning, so I didn't sing on the platform, I did, however, sing from my seat during the 10:30 service. I really felt the presence of God as Byron reminded people of God's love and how we should be showing that love to the world around us. And as we sang "...Shine your light - Let the whole world see - We're singing for the glory of the risen King - Jesus!", I was quiet for a moment so I could really hear the voices around me - many of whom weren't there six months ago, now they're praising God with abandon - and I took a moment to absorb the sound, to recognize what was taking place around me. It gives me strength to keep up the fight - the fight for love! The picnic was a sweet time to spend with new faces and some old friends, and although I thought I would be hurt by who I knew wouldn't be there, I didn't really feel that emotion at all - I just felt the love, and love makes it worth it all.

Thanks to the Boane family, Travis and Sandy and everyone who made this a great time.

C3 Rocks - INCREASE THE PEACE!

I'll leave you with this:

One day, while a blonde was out driving her car, she ran into a truck. The truck's driver made her pull over into a parking lot and get out of the car. He took a piece of chalk and drew a circle on the pavement. He told her to stand in the middle and not leave the circle. Furious, he went over to her car and slashed the tires.

The blonde started laughing. This made the man angrier so he smashed her windshield. This time the blonde laughed even harder. Livid, the man broke all her windows and keyed her car. The blonde then laughed hysterically, so the truck driver asked her what was so funny. The blonde giggles and replies, "When you weren't looking, I stepped out of the circle three times!"

(This joke makes me smile because I'm stepping out of the circle, and it's all good!)

Happy Wednesday, continued...

In my continued effort to embrace the sanguine half of my melancholy/sanguine personality (some would say 'disorder'), I'm going to list some things that just make me smile - because I can; it's my blog!:

1. Byron: We got a new vacuum and he asked MY advice about how to put the thing together! I thought he was joking since we had been exchanging blonde jokes this morning - then I realized he was serious, and I just had to say,"oh, that's sooo sweet - of course, I can't help you even a little bit, but that's sooo sweet."

2. My boys are home all day now, and occasionally one of them will ask me to play legos with them or X-box. It's great to be loved by little boys!

3. My girls are busy with their own stuff, but they still sit and talk with us, they are a real part of our ministry and I see God growing them, especially through the difficult times. They both want to see all people come to know God's love. They're awesome!

4. The staff at c3 has grown smaller (leaner), but I'm always challenged and amazed by their passion and endurance - even in the small stuff like answering the phone, making coffee for meetings, or deciding what colors the background lights should be on Sunday. You all ROCK!

5. Just when I begin to feel the hate taking over, I see such love reflected back from someone in the congregation who's feeling the spirit of God in a fresh way. Life-change is what it's all about, and it makes the tough times really come into focus. Thanks for sharing your lives with us!

6. Even though the music's too loud and not really their "cup of tea", when I see someone of my parents generation or older worshiping God or overcome with joy at the sight of another person realizing God's love, I am witness to a personal sacrifice that's supernatural (Christ-likeness)!. Thank you for your selflessness, it convicts me and humbles me.

7. I thank God daily (Philippians- chapter one) for the "remnant" at c3 who has suffered loss, abuse and misunderstanding to stay and persevere in order to reach people that they don't even know. Heaven will look different because of their tears - I can only say "Thank You".

8. What can I say to the pastors and their wives:

Darrell and Andrea: Your passion for authentic worship and unwavering loyalty is refreshing and contagious. It's been
such a long winding road - thanks for always being there for us. Plus, you make me laugh and challenge me with your love of all people. They think we don't know much about the gospel, but we dooo!

Travis and Sandy: Your tireless devotion to the vision and personal strength astounds me and humbles me. Thanks for sharing this journey with Byron and me - Besides, without the two of you, we'd have to find a dozen seminary graduates to fill your shoes. Who knew ministry could be like an episode of "24"?

Barry and Amanda: You've joined your lives with us in such a seamless way. Everyone should experience friendship that's as unconditional and constant as you've been to us. Your singular focus and tenacity holds us up, literally. In Dallas, the Bishop spoke of leaders like the two of you who held up Moses' arms so the battle could be won. You hold up our arms and our spirits. Shut the "no" and open the "yes!".

9. Verna - you represent a whole lot of strength, girl! You put a serious dent in the whole "dumb blonde" theory. Thank you for your smile. Your passion for Jesus is amazing! Rock on!

10. I smile when I think of the countless prayers, hugs, shoulders, and hands who've held me up and been a beautiful shelter. I will always remember these blessings and will continually ask God to bless you in return. Thank you.

11. Byron makes me smile because no matter what I look like, he always looks at me like he did when he was sixteen. After twenty years, I'm more amazed every day by his strength, integrity and passion - "Like a Rock" isn't just the Chevy theme.

12. Q: Why did the blonde get fired from the "M & M" factory?
A: For throwing-out the "w's"!

So, I'm throwing out some "w's" today and concentrating on the "M & M's" because, at the end of the day, it's all about perspective.