Bad, Bad Blogger

We've been super busy.
Here is a snapshot of what's been going on in my life:
*I have been observing PreK 3 and PreK 4 teachers in Lubbock and at Levelland Christian School, because I am going back to work in August. I will be teaching PreK 3 and PreK 4 at the Christian School M-F from 8 until 12. So excited!

*Last Saturday I went to an amazing brunch at FHC in Lubbock.

The theme: "How to be a fashionable woman of God."

Before we listened to Nancy Defrusne speak, the women put on a fashion show.

Here are the 2 things I loved that are "in" this summer:

Feather headbands - I have to get one of these!

Jeggings (Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings)

They were super cute on the models!!!

*Two weeks ago the boys and I went to Experience Life Church. This church started in some one's home with just a handful of people in 2007. Now, they are running 3,000 each week. They had over 400 baptisms last year alone. WOW!!! They said at their last prayer meeting 356+ attended. I have been itching since Easter to go check it out!!! There were tons of young people crowded into that roller skating rink (they don't have a building yet). With their hands in the air an their hearts open to God, the next generation was worshipping God. During the song, "Hosanna", I was so moved by God's Presence that I cried as we sang:

"I see a generation, rising up to take it's place with selfless faith."

God is moving in the this generation.

*I am going again this Saturday, and after church I have a really "hot" date with my two favorite little men at Casa 'Ole.

Green sauce here we come!!!

*I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago to get my blood work done. I was having headaches, and with my big birthday approaching

(I am turning the big 3-0),

I thought I better get it checked. The results weren't bad, but they could have been better. My bad cholesterol was high, and I have hypoglycemia. So I have been hitting the gym every morning at 5 a.m. for the past 4 weeks. Last week I made it 5 out of 7 days, but this week I made it 6 times! I actually did over 20 miles on the elliptical machine this week.

Yea...go me! (Hey, I need all the encouragement I can get! ;)

When I went to weigh in last night, I was so encouraged to see I had lost 2.2 lbs.

*I have been reading a lot to the boys lately. One of their new favorites is,

"May There Always Be Sunshine."
We sing/read it.
"May there always be sunshine.
May there always be blue skies.
May there always be Mamas.
May there always be me.
May there always be colors.
May there always be birthdays..."
Drew and Kade kept adding their own lyrics Monday night after we finished the book...
"May there always be hay bales.

May there always be horses.

May there always be tractors.
May there always be pick-ups.
May there always be fishing.

May there always be boats.

May there always be Eva.

May there always be 'Halloweenie'.

May there always be candy.
May there always be swimming.
May there always be Emma (Drew's friend at school)
May there always be Sissy (Drew's stuffed animal)
May there always be Jesus.
May there always be Christmas."
It was Kade's turn to sing the next lyric.

He quit sucking his thumb, and I could see the wheels in his head turning.

His eyes opened really big, he held up his hand, and said,

"May there always be thumbs."

It was so precious!

It was one of those moments you want to bottle-up and keep forever.

DISCLAIMER FOR ALL READERS:
Yes, Kade is 3.

Yes, he still sucks his thumb.

Yes, I know he will have to have braces.

NO, I DON'T CARE BECAUSE HE IS ONE HAPPY 3-YEAR OLD!

LOL ;)

*I set our TIVO for Oprah's show today!!! Our good friends, Jeanne and Johnny Mac, are going to be interviewed about B.U.S.T., Buckle-up and stop texting. They lost their daughter, Alex, this past fall in a car accident. They love the Lord, and I know God will be glorified in them today!

*I have been studying and praying about the upcoming Bible Study at my house this summer. At first I didn't want to do it (just being honest ;). I mean this is my last summer before going back to work; I was really wanting to lay by the pool, work on my tan, and read.

No responsibilities.

No expectations.

Plus, I kept thinking, "Who am I to teach anyone about prayer? I am not a scholared Bible teacher. I am not ordained. I am just..."

BUT GOD...

But God impressed it on my heart that He would equip those He has called.

I knew HE was calling me.

So, it came down to me choosing obediece or fear.

I chose obedience.

When it comes to "new ideas", USUALLY I am the one who jumps in with two feet, and THEN I ask God for His opinion AFTER-the-fact.

(Just in case you are wondering...it doesn't work so well when you do it that way!)

This time it was God leading me. I started to have a stirring in my spirit that I needed to share a testimony about prayer in my Sunday school class. Within two weeks I knew, that I knew, I needed to share with more than just my Sunday School class. See, 4 years ago, I would have told you that prayer was boring. I didn't like to do it. I prayed once or twice a month because I thought that was what good Christians were "suppose" to do. Or I would pray/cry when I was mad at Ronnie, while asking the Lord to, "Fix him God. Show him how wrong he is!"

(you are smiling right now because you know what I am talking about ;)

Anyway,

4 years ago I would have told you that my prayer life consisted of me giving God my laundry list of gimmies and trying not to fall asleep half-way into it. Since then, I have walked through some really dark valleys with God...actually I take that back.

God carried me through those deep valleys.

Through those hard times, God taught me about prayer. The revelation God has given me about prayer is the most precious, priceless gift I have ever received. Prayer isn't just asking for our circumstances to change; it is God's invitation and earthly license to work in our lives. Real prayer involves a lot of listening. Real prayer leads me into God's Presence. Real prayer takes me into the throne room where I am face-to-face with my Beloved. When I am "there" with Him,

I am NEVER BORED.

God has done so much in my life; I can't wait to share it! So, this summer, if you are in Levelland around 9:30, and you desire to go deeper with God through prayer, come on over. Bring the kiddos, your swimming gear, and a sack lunch. We are going to get into the Word, take a little swim with the kids, and picnic in the back yard. Hopefully (fingers crossed) the kiddos will be so worn-out after the morning, that they will nap at least 2 hours in the afternoon. ;)
So, this is what I was reading yesterday about prayer and forgiveness. What do you think?
Matthew 5, Message:
1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:...
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. ...
11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven....
21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23-24"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25-26"Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine...
38-42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."