Just One Conference

Hey Pastor's Wives and Women in Ministry....have you marked your calendars for the JustOne Virtual Conference over at Leading and Loving It? If not what are you waiting for? And while you are at it, share it with your fellow PW's! Better yet if you are on facebook, twitter or have a blog we would love it if you spread the love around a bit! The best part about this conference is that you don't have to leave the house, and its FREE!!!!

Pursuing God's Dreams

I had a great time at the WOF Conference. The best part was hanging out with my girls for three days (and loving the fact that they loved the conference as much as I did)! My daughters have come into their own and are making decisions on their own. Sometimes those decisions have caused me heartache, not because they are making bad decisions, but because it reminds me that they are adults. And that their dreams are not necessarily my dreams for them. What I am learning is that it may be God's dream for their life. Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” This verse helps to remind me that we all have a purpose. I am then reminded of my own dreams and how important is that I don't abandon them in pursuit of my children's dreams. Just as God has called them to do things for his Kingdom he has also called me and I must fight the urge to be so caught up in the life of my children, my husband and our church that I forget or even forgo the work God has placed in my heart! How are you pursuing God's dreams for you? Have you allowed the dreams of others to sidetrack you from the purpose God has for you?

There is No Place Like Home

Here is a pic of mom's new house! OMG what a difference it makes to have your own place that is not in need of constant repair or falling down around you! I am so happy for my mom, and so proud of the fact that she took the plunge. I am amazed at her spirit, her strength and her ability to plow through even when things are tough. I'm sure if you asked her that she would say it wasn't easy and there were times I know she wanted to give up (what was suppose to be a few weeks of inconvenience turned into a few months of hair pulling after several delays). But the outcome of all of her hard work and determination has finally paid off. "Welcome Home" mommy!

My Hiatus

Thank you soo much to each of you who have sent me messages and posted here on my little blog during my hiatus. You don't know how much it was appreciated. I spent the week helping my mom move into her home, and this weekend I spent time with some really special girlfriends just chilling, laughing, scrapping, eating and having fun. I don't think I have spent time just for myself, having that much fun in a very long time. I learned a lot about myself this weekend. Some I hope to share soon. I will still be offline for just a few more days as I come down from a week of sickness (something hit several of my family members last week while home for my home churches annual homecoming. Marc, Nicki and I all have sinus infections) and I prepare for a weekend away in DC (yes, I am on the road again) for the Women of Faith Conference. I will tweet about the conference so stay tuned. I missed you guys just as much if not more.

Taking a Breather!

First let me state that my family is find physically. Marc and I are doing very well, and I do not have any medical issues going on that have changed in the last few months. But I did want you to know that I will be taking a breather for a few weeks ( well at least a week ) from my blogging, twitter and facebook accounts. Vacations are good, but there is something about taking a vacation that causes you to have to take another vacation from the vacation when you come back. Add in some personal things that have been going on that if I could talk about them, would probably not be a good thing to talk about online.

Blogging, twitter and facebook can be a good place to connect, but if used the wrong way can be a place where people can not only hurt a persons feelings, but also a place where you can easily spew frustrations, anger, venom and pain. I'm not in a good place right now so its in my best interest to step away from the computer and just chill. Maybe do a bit of reading, meditate and count to ten. Its funny how easily you can be on cloud nine one day (or cruising along living life) and smack...the enemy hits you between the eyes when you are not looking, when your at your most vulnerable state (hitting you in the gut where it hurts the most). Not a physical hurt because scars from that can easily heal, but an emotional hurt that if taken the wrong way can cause you to act out...say things you will regret or hit back in the same way that you think you have been hit. None of which should ever be played out in the cyber world.

If you are ever in a dark place or going through a rough patch, please think before you type out that email, text, tweet on twitter, or post on facebook (or your blog). As a matter of fact step back, count to ten and then count again if need be (or in my case step completely away from all things tech related). I realize how much I have grown in the last few yrs because the old Cyndi might have done a few of those very things. But I realize now that every reaction has a consequence. God gives us free will, but with that comes an opportunity to fail, falter or make a mistake. I prefer to not make a mistake that in the short term may make me feel better but may cause more pain for me or my family in the future.

Cruise Report Continues

The best part of the cruise was spending time with my family. My mom and I had a great time hanging out. Just wish my hubby and my sis could have been there.

I have posted a few more days of our trip on my disney blog for those who are interested. You may have to scroll back a few pages to see all of the post.

Our First Day (traveling and getting on the ship)!

If you like reading trip reports then you are in for a treat. I have posted highlights from our cruise on my Disney webpage (which over the last few years has turned into my travel page). Thinking I'm going to have to do something about that! LOL

So if you are interested you can check out our arrival, our room, the muster drill, dinner and a beautiful sunset, and Nicki singing at karaoke by just clicking on the links!

I will be posting all week (or what's left of this week into next week) so stay tuned!

Cruise Control!

I'm back! We had the time of our lives! Any doubts I had about taking a vacation (even without Marc) went out the window the minute I was on the ship. The girl who usually plans everything (down to her wardrobe each day) actually let it all go and went with the flow! If you have never done that I highly recommend it. So often we try to take charge of our life, and when we hit bumpy water we still try to navigate through the storm when in reality we already have a captain at the helm! How often do we have to lose control before we realize our father God is leading the course, all we have to do is hop on and cruise along for the ride!