Relaxing Weekend

I spent the weekend relaxing, finally over this sinus infection, I think.  I had a three day weekend after conference week. I spent Friday getting my yearly mammogram and a first bone density scan, then ran a few errands and did some cleaning.  Scott added topsoil and overseeded the whole lawn, nearly killing himself in the process.  I went to step class then we had Stacy over for dinner. Ryan also slept over as he did a ride along with the fire department on Saturday, though we barely saw him.  

Saturday I slept in then picked up Adelle for the weekly grocery trip.  The weather was amazing!  In the afternoon, we got poor sore Scott and Rex and went for a walk along the linear trail.

  It was quite enjoyable.  They were both in rare form.  Every time Scott fake farts Adelle screeches, "Scott!  No fake farting!"  The two have a camaraderie that is fun to witness.  We stopped by the library then Orange Leaf for some froyo. Saturday evening I ran to old stadium and did some stairs then ran home.

Today we got up a bit earlier for us and went to Connection Hour to plan and prepare for TRU.  This is the church branch that will start East of town.  It's sort of a church plant but different.  We will be involved in missions work getting it up and running.  It should be interesting.  Went to church then spent the remainder of the afternoon on the back deck.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  I rested, read,,watched some hgtv, watered the lawn and then face timed with my beautiful Leah!

More

This afternoon I picked up Adelle and we went to the grocery store.  I found the most perfect flower to put in the livingroom!  I'd been looking for a green and purple,arrangement to put in there the height the decorator suggested.  It's a live orchid! 

On the way to take Adelle home, we saw two college boys running shirtless.  She turned to watch them and said, "they shouldn't be allowed to do that!"  I said, do you know what that is called?  Eye candy!"  She thought that was hilarious.

This afternoon I talked to Joel on the phone, had. Glorious nap, then went to our small group Bible study with our dear friends.

It's been a pretty good day.

Homestead Sunday

Got up to beautiful weather today, Sunday, after sleeping for eleven hours.  Went to pick up Theresa who was ready to go.  She was nervous, tearful on and off.  We sat together and Kristen joined her.  Sandy and Deana came in and sat in front of us and we were eventually joined by Christiana's whole family, her parents, and all five of her kids.  Christiana sat by Deana with Deb to her right.  The girls were nervous yet expectant.  They hope so much that their stories will help others.  Just before worship started, Alexis and her husband came to sit behind us.

Deb spoke for a bit between each of the girls' videotaped testimonies.  I am so familiar with their stories yet we cried like babies all the way through each one holding tightly onto each  other.  I felt so proud of them for their courage, their strength, their vulnerability to tell their stories, and the message of faith and hope that shined through each one.  To see Christiana's teen daughters hear her testimony, and see her Dad there....was indescribable.  Deb had Sandy stand for awhile and also me.  When each girl got done with their turn, the whole congregation erupted in applause, which just made us cry harder.  They have each worked so hard to get where they are today.  It's like they've had layer after layer ripped off.  Transformation is such emotionally hard work.  

At the end, Dave just went up to the pulpit and started singing acapella, My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my Saviour, has ransomed me.  And like a flood, His mercies rain, amazing love, amazing grace.  We prayed, then the offering was a series of verses while the song, Beautiful Things played.  It goes, You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of dust.  You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us.  One of the verses was ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:4, 5 NIV)

I feel so honored and blessed to be used by God to help these girls along their journeys.

Today

Got up this morning and decided to jump in the car with Scotty to Lawrence for his soccer tournament.  We left at 9:30 and the weather was beautiful.  The games were played the same place Hannah got her teeth knocked in during a soccer game years ago.  I left Scotty there, coaching his little girls.  

He's having so much fun coaching these girls.  I picked up my mama and we drove back across Lawrence to pick up Scott.  Come to think of it, most of my day was spent driving back and forth across Lawrence!  We ate at Chilis and Hannah called during lunch.  I had a huge bacon cheeseburger.  Yum.  

Then we bought Scotty some new shoes, waaaay outside his usually color range.  Makes him look tons younger.

 Then we took Scott back to the fields and did some shopping at Kohls.  I got a fitted pinstripe blue shirt and a bra and mom got a bunch of stuff.  Took he to the car and went back to the fields and had to wait through another game!  Finally got home and watched k state get neat up in Texas.  That was the day..

God Week

It's interesting to me that some weeks are just amazingly filled with God even though my morning devotions have been rushed or cut short....Wednesday was an amazing FCA (read previous blog post), then Thursday I had the most amazing sessions with each of the Homestead girls.  I felt like I opened my mouth and out came God's words right into their hearts.  Lots of Holy Spirit tears.  Then today, I shared the gospel and discussed it for over an hour with a dear friend!  So cool.

Eisenhower FCA

I have been an FCA sponsor all 14 years I've been at Eisenhower.  All 14 years, we've been sponsor led, meaning we prepared and taught the devotional.  The last several years, we've had a number of faculty step up and guest speak.  Three weeks ago, we got an email from the Superintendent reviewing the newly adopted school board policy saying that all religious organizations at school must be student led. This means that faculty sponsors can only be present in a "non-participatory role".

So at first, Coach Stout and I were blown away.  We felt defeated, discouraged.  But it didn't take long for us to be reminded that God is, as He says He is, in control.  And He works all things for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.  So, two weeks ago we met with the kids.  We have a really strong core group of churched kids and then, each year, we have a number of other kids, mostly unchurched who attend.  We used Romans 8:28 (mentioned above) and broke the news to the kids.  It was pretty quiet in the room.  We explained that we totally trust God and His word.  We said that we know we are called according to His purpose, to teach FCA at Eisenhower.  We trust that God would turn this for good.  We said that the purpose of FCA is to motivate and grow the kids in their walk withChrist as well as share Him with those who don't know Him.  We explained what all would be involved, and then asked who was ready to take the first time leading.  It was quiet.  Then one 8th grader, Kenny, stepped up.

I got an email from Kenny this weekend asking what was he supposed to do again?  I gave the simplest explanation I could.  I said to go to the national FCA website, click on devotional s and choose one he liked.  Then call on kids to read it and tell them why he liked it.

This morning was the day.  I printed out the devotional and handed it out.  He'd chosen a devotional about attitude.  We had a good turn out of kids including one kiddo who struggles with, guess what, his attitude.  Kenny confidently called on kids to read the verse, then the paragraphs.  He then went into detail about how important it is to keep a good attitude and asked the kids how they go about keeping a good attitude.  Several kids gave some amazing answers about keeping close to God, stay in His word, look at things positively, etc.  Kenny then read the questions at the end and facilitated a great conversation. I asked who'd be willing to teach next week, and two girls volunteered to co lead it.  At the end, I asked who would be willing to pray us out.  Kenny again volunteered and prayed the most amazing prayer.  I seriously had tears in my eyes.  

I am so excited to see all God has in store for FCA this year.  

Sick Day

I might have reached my HGTV max.  One day at home sick and I might be going crazy with boredom.  I've been fighting this cold, turned sinus infection now sinus and upper respiratory infection for about a month.  I started feeling icky again Tuesday night.  I had to work on Wednesday but went home at 1 and I've been pretty much bed bound since then.  I don't feel bad enough to sleep.  Last night I watched back to back episodes of Duck Dynasty from 5 to 10.  It was quite entertaining and now I'm hooked.  This morning I tried to sleep in after another sleepless night but the crap running down the back of my throat prevented that.  So I did my quiet time then drove everyone at work crazy by email then I watched back to back episodes of Modern Dads.  Entertaining but the values were somewhat disturbing!  I'm not even hungry enough to entertain myself eating.  I am reading an interesting series by Lisa T Bergen set in medieval times.  I have a friend who is a school social worker who is on bedrest with her pregnancy and I seriously don't know how she does it and maintains her sanity.  How in the world does Scott do this?