Our Sleepover

We had the best time last night. I didn't go to sleep until 5 AM! I know most people would not get the concept of four grown women having a sleepover, but there is nothing better for the soul then good laughter, great food, and the company of bestfriends.

Where God is Leading Me......Just a bit of Rambling.

Note: This is probably more for my own thoughts then for those of you who usually drop by to see what is happening in the families life.

This has been a good week. I am still working on the balancing life out thing and staying focused on what is important. Quisha is on spring break this week and after our long Easter weekend ordeal we decided to chill for a few days. It was the best decision I have made in a long time. I think we were all getting caught up in church stuff, and it was starting to take a toll. The smell of spring is in the air and the weather has really warmed up so I have been taking advantage of this and doing a little spring cleaning. The conclusion I have come to is that we have way to much stuff ( I am thinking a garage sale would be a good thing right about now.......of course that would require having a free Saturday). Even my thoughts on how to spend my birthday (which is coming up in a few weeks ) has changed from the way it use to be. I decided I wanted to pamper myself ( well actually I have asked the family to pamper me....hehe). And I want to spend the day relaxing somewhere else besides my usual stomping grounds. So the plan is to hit Williamsburg for the day and just enjoy some family time. I'm thinking 2008 will become a year of cleansing for me (freeing myself from clutter in all forms).

I'm also spending more time researching Children's Church Ministry which I believe is the direction God is leading me into. Which if most of you know me is really funny, because the least favorite time of my life as a mom was when the children were toddler and elementary age. I have always been drawn to teens and young adults (and I still am), hence the reason I am still in Youth Ministry 6 years later after leaving my old church. My husband probably saw this way before me, because he tells people all of the time that I have a heart for children and women. And every time he would say it I would become scared because I felt that meant God was looking for something big from me (I should have been looking at how big God is instead) and I just wanted to be the "minister's wife", wear the cute suits and clothing and just smile. Well if you think about it Children's Ministry means stepping away from all of that. You can't be effective as a leader (another one of those scary words) in Children's ministry wearing a suit, cute hat and shoes. The one thing I am learning by seeking out advice from others in youth/children's ministry is that you can't do it by yourself. You really have to develop a team of people who are willing to work together and really get down and dirty in ministry. So even though I may not be the person who will connect directly with the children maybe my role is to guide others into their own gift ( I'm thinking I did not take seriously the results from my gifted test which included administration...another one of those scary words).

The other message I am getting from researching is that you should never be afraid of asking others in the same boat as you for help. There is a lot of great research out there, including podcast (I have become a podcast freak....there are some amazing free resources out there if you dig deep). Not to mention on-line resources like Group Publishing (they have some awesome curriculum), YSpecialities and Simple Youth Ministries, just to name a few. Taking the time to read Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven church has impacted my life in a lot of ways. I am finding that I am spending less time watching TV ( probably a result of being in Beth Moore's Bible Study) and more time studying and researching. The book of Daniel has really opened my eyes to living in a Babylon Society. Its amazing how different the world looks when you become desensitized by the sin around you. I didn't realize how much the world around me was influencing me, especially ignoring signs of integrity. Its been very eye opening and being around other women outside of my usual comfort zone has been inspiring. I find myself thirsting for even more info (dare I say knowledge), as if God has opened up a hole in me that needs to be filled in order for me to function. The one thing I know for sure is that I am really curious about where God is leading me.

Easter Service

Before heading over to the other church to hear Marc preach we went to our church to drop off the Easter Bags for the children and to see Quisha dance in the morning service.

Marc

So Marc's first Easter Sunday sermon kind of got lost in the midst of Cori getting sick (Mom and the girls left before his sermon was halfway done). And even though I stayed behind my mind was in another place. He did a great job though, and I just wanted him to know how very proud I am of him.

Luxury Hospital

So if you are ever sick this is the hospital to stay at! Ceramic tile bathroom, flat screen TV, and granite counter tops. They even had marble floors in the hospital room! Its sad when the bathroom in the hospital looks better then yours (lol). Can't imagine what the hospital bill will be!

Cori

So Easter Sunday didn't go as planned. She is doing OK, just needed some rest (they are keeping her overnight for observation). We told her from now on if she wants us to spend Easter with her she should just say so.

Dress Sale Buddies

Cass asked us to join them for lunch on Saturday. For the first time in about four years all of the Dress Sale Buddies were together. It was so much fun having Cass and the family in town. I miss them all ready.

Lock In

We had a Youth Lock In Friday Night after our Good Friday Service. It was great fun (if you call filling 150 Easter Bags fun). The girls were volunteers but by around 2 AM they were done. Marc and I stayed up the entire night. Of course this meant he crashed Saturday morning until around 11:30 AM. No such thing for me, the phone rung off the hook so I gave up and got up. Cass called and said the Dress Sale buddies would be getting together for lunch. After lunch I spent the rest of the day running around with Quisha and Nicki looking for Easter clothes.

Then and Now

Bama is in the House!!!! Wow, look how our girls have grown! Cass and the family are in town this week for Spring break. I found a picture of the girls together from 2004 and compared it to today, my how times have changed. Its funny how our family can get together as if we have never been apart. Our girls have grown up together and are as close as sisters. Cass and I still can talk (and shop if giving the chance) like nobodies business. I am so grateful the friendships that I have. I should have a few more pics up in the coming days (the girls have several on their camera from the dinner we had together Wednesday night). We even ran into some friends at the restaurant, so stay tuned.

We have a Lock In tonight after Good Friday Services (Uncle John is preaching so it shouldn't be long....LOL). I doubt I will get much sleep over the next few days so it should be interesting to see how I look on Easter Sunday. By the way this will be the first time Marc will bring the Easter Sunday message (and as a Pastor...go figure)!

Baby Abe and Kelli are Home

I got an email from Kelli this morning that she and Baby Abe are home! What a blessing. She also sent pictures (isn't he the cutest thing?). I know in my heart that God has a special plan for Baby Abe and his family. Kelli and Mike have had to overcome so many obstacles over the years. I know that there have been times when they have asked the question why them. But I also know that Abe could not have been born into a more loving family. Whenever the odds have been stacked against them the have always been able to remain faithful to God's words and it has shown in their life and in the life of their children.

I know that for Kelli the hardest part has probably been to not doubt her faith in God, but I also believe that God knew that this time would come and that they were chosen to take care of this precious child. I ask that you continue to pray for the Hopkins family as they adjust to even more changes in their family dynamics. Please pray for the girls as they adjust to Abe, and please pray for strength for Mike and Kelli as they deal with whatever medical difficulties they encounter with Abe. Many of us know the power of prayer and this is a time for prayer. Most of all today is a time for celebration.....we thank God for his grace and mercy.

Ground Zero

Walking Tour

Good Morning America Studios

David Letterman Show

Broadway (The Color Purple)

Central Park

Nicki's Spring Break in New York

Nicki spent her spring break in New York visiting friends. She had quite an adventure. Hopefully I can get some of her New York sight seeing pictures up in the next couple of days (she went to ground zero and said it was really moving....which if you know Nicki is saying a lot. Rarely does my child cry, something she got from her dad.....so if it moved her then its got to be intense). I am glad she had the experience but so very glad my baby is back home (sad I know, but hey even my mom said it was time to come home after my two weeks in Hawaii a few years back...LOL).