Lately.. this past week....

The week of Thanksgiving marks some sort of "milestone". In Texas, it is usually when we can finally say goodbye to summer temperatures. It involves the beginning of holiday (off work) time and the start to serious cooking, eating, singing, friends and memories. This year, this past week began with a road trip.

After my dad died in early January, we knew we would have another memorial service later in the year. Well, "later" was last Saturday - at his ranch in central Texas. It involved immediate family and the men who have been coming to deer camp (or their decendents) for over 40 years. We had a time of remembering and a time of saying goodbye. Hard as it was, the goodbye was fitting. Alan Jackson's Small Town Southern Man said it all.

It was a quick trip and the beginning to a much less emotional week. (Thank you Lord!

The work week was short (Thank you RHCC) and our Thanksgiving meal was NOT traditional, as it involved a Mexican menu (Thank you Joaquin for the tamales). The dinner table had several different family unit's represented and what an enjoyable time of relaxing and remembering. (Welcome to Texas Lindsey and Jesse!) Friday morning, Cassidy and I hit the streets at 5:15 am, but were back home in bed by 6:45! Woo Hoo! :)

Friday afternoon we witnessed the glorious beginning to a new family, as Meghan Rinestine and Chris Cobb promised God to love Him and each other forever. (Thanks for inviting us to be witness to a miracle!) What a beautiful and fun afternoon.

Another blessing occurred Saturday morning, as we were blessed to be around a great family - taking pictures of some awesome kiddos. I wish I would have been as flexible of a mom as ABL is and how intuned she is to what is really important. Thank you ABL and RRL for letting us be part of your precious family's adventure!

Church was amazing (isn't it always?) Saturday night and rushed back home to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Even wearing the appropriate clothing, our good vibes weren't felt all the way to Baton Rouge. But losing 1 game out of the 3 we really cheered loudly for still has us in the winner's bracket (yes, the Longhorns and the Cowboys were our other 2 teams we cheered/yelled for/at!)

Today (Sunday) has been the perfect ending to a great vacation from the normal routine. Although Joel went back to work (don't feel sorry for him - he's been off almost 2 weeks...), the rest of us began the day in shifts. Jeremy went to his normal Sunday afternoon basketball game while Cassidy and I put up the Christmas tree and related decorations. No, there are no gifts under the tree - there may not be that many this year. We just don't feel the need to buy gifts that no one needs, or spend money that no one should. Our gifts are these: we have each other, we have jobs, good health, a warm house, dogs that think we hung the moon, and a Savior who loves us and wants us to remember why we celebrate this season.

Family and friends.... we have lots of them... So as this Thanksgiving holiday ends, I am thankful for you - the people who love me - and that I love. Here's the last pictures of just a couple more of them....

Muah!

Boss's Day, A Wedding, and the State Fair

The calendar (or is it Hallmark Cards) shows Boss's Day as October 16. That was last Friday and it just came and went. (My boss actually wasn't in the office on Friday, so it was easy to overlook the calendar date.) So today, Susan and I decided to celebrate Boss's Day - a few days late - tomorrow. We talked about options, and came up with a basket idea - a variety of things - to hopefully show all of them how important they are. One thing I wanted to do was bake some cookies... from a very new recipe that I received - from a wedding of all places.

The recipe shows it came from Italy - handed down from a mom, to a daughter, who is now the grandmother of the bride - who I've known for 15 years. Family - comes in all dimensions, designs and directions. It is blood relatives, it is church family and it is the relationship that comes from being an employee to a great boss. The wedding included all of those categories, as Cassidy (and Jeremy) were at the wedding with me: the bride and her family have been church family since we arrived in Fort Worth, and many of the guests were part of that CareGroup that we so quickly came to know and love: and 2 of the other guests were bosses of mine. Amazing - how it was all intertwined. And how comfortable that it all fit together.

Since I love taking pictures, and a camera is always in my purse, I had one (ok, I had 3) at the wedding. While putting them all on a CD to give to the bride's family, Facebook calls. Hmm.. there's a wall post from Tyson.. responding to a question I asked about how he felt - and asking for pictures. Pictures we took from the State Fair this past weekend.... The 2nd year in a row (my 2nd and 3rd years ever, his 1st and 2nd ever) that we've gone to the Fair. (And we got to add Cassidy and Jeremy to our group - their 1st year ever). I have to admit - it's more than pictures - it's more than a State Fair. It's family. It's just the thought of walking around people that you've never met, that you'll never see again - taking fun pictures of places that you only see for a few hours a year. And of the 3 title categories, which is the most important? All of those things. Bosses, weddings, family. And having pictures of all of them - to hold on to the memories.

I think I need more pictures of DF, DH, MH and JH. I love my family: my husband, my children, my church, and my bosses. I wish everyone knew the Jewish carpenter - and counted Him as their ultimate boss, and brother. THAT Family. There's nothing like it.

Too many...

Too many of what? Calories, Bills, Worries, Thoughts... A, B, C, D, or E ~ All of the above? I choose E.
Heard a wonderful sermon tonight -"Living the Worry Free Life" based on Matthew 6. As typical sermons go, there were 3 points.. 1. Don't let Worry Overcome you. 2. Make trusting God a Priority over worry. 3. Always build on the right Foundation. You get the idea, right? One statement he (Drew Sherman) made was "Every one builds a house (life) and Every house faces a storm." He related the biblical story of building your house on the rock, not on sand to the childhood story of The Three Little Pigs. Hmm. Never put those 2 stories side by side. And the natural question is why do we build on sand, not on rock? And why do we cower when the big bad wolf tries to blow our house down? Why do we worry about things that we know God is in control of? Why do we put ourselves in positions to worry unnecessarily? Bills, Calories.. those we have more control of. Thoughts, and Worries... who controls those?
This post has no real answers - at least not the ones we want.

I am grateful that my children are safe, have food and shelter, friends who love them and this family that adores them. As much as I wish I wouldn't worry about them, it happens. Anyone around have any ideas on how NOT to do this? All I can try to do is give them to God. Because really - they've belonged to HIM all along.

Summer - Halfway over.

Summers have been measured in many different ways in years past - beginning with when the local city pool opened when I was a kid, to the last day of school (when I was a student, and when I worked in the school district) to now. With this job - summer is measured by when college interns arrive and when they leave. If that is the measuring stick, then we are over half way through "summer" - as they arrived mid May, and leave after the 1st week in August. We have accomplished many things - mission trips, camps, service days in the local community, fun times in the office and lots more that probably only mean something to the people involved. About this time each year, I get alittle melancholy - not in a depressing way, just thoughtful.

After the last post, I spent a week at camp - with the high school students - in the mountains of New Mexico. I was unsure of that trip - having not been to camp since I was 10 or 12. But as soon as we walked off the bus, I was sold on it. My boss had been out of the office on a mission trip for a week prior and seeing him made me realize how special our office is - how much we are a family - how much we work hard, tease alot, play some and enjoy our time together. College interns arrive for the summer and we learn about them and their families, and we just grow by 3 more members. I am blessed to go on a mission trip with 60 Juniors and Seniors in high school, and learn more about their lives - and my family grows again. (One super big blessing the past 2 years has been sharing this with Cassidy. She has been such a treasure on these trips - more than a daughter, more than a "trip sponsor", but a true friend.) Then 75 more members of my "family" spend a week at camp learning more about "family" and sharing joys and sorrows.
Tonight, another aspect of my "family" met - my care group church family. We are united in our faith, and we have parallel parent and children situations, and it's good to share experiences, feats and sometimes failures.

Most of you know I am an only child - and sometimes, I am sad with that position - having no siblings to share duties, stories and concerns. But parts of my other "families" have stepped in to fill those gaps, and given me strength - and hope.
I'm so thankful for my own 2 children - who show me they love me - who allow me to be a part of their lives - and who help me battle my feelings of being inadequate. I struggle often with those emotions. I wish my house was better (not quality, but in being picked up and I could be comfortable with anyone walking into any room at anytime), and I had more control. Maybe one day.

So summer - it's been good - the first half. Having friends who offer their pools to come enjoy a casual afternoon or evening of swimming, friends who genuinely ask how the family is doing - friends who care - make it clear that life is indeed good.

Packing.. again..

I've done more trips in past summers, but this summer seems to be harder. Perhaps because I'm old(er)? Also must have something to do with the fact that I've made more trips to Llano in the past 6 months than I have in probably 3 years. Those kind of miles sure do add years to the body. New Orleans was such a wonderful trip - enjoyed all those miles. This week, we faced a different trip - 650 miles to a funeral (roundtrip) - in one day. The 11 1/2 hour trip is still yelling at me.

So now I start packing for Camp Pine Springs - the high school camp our youth group is beginning. I haven't been to camp probably since I was 10. Sure hope the mission trip packing comes in handy! :) Not sure of "my" job there - but looking forward to finding out. I do know I'll be blogging - "on the job" - right up my alley...

Cassidy and Jeremy are out of town - Tyson's out of state - and Joel's at work. Should be working on something productive. Guess I'll go start that now. Packing.. here I come.

New Orleans - Post Mission Thoughts - round 1

It's been over 36 hours since we left the Crescent City, and thoughts are still running though my head. From the conversations in the parking lot upon arrival last night, to church this morning and seeing friends at Summer Spectacular tonight - the question has been: "How was it?" And the answers have not been as easy. It was wonderful, it was painful. It was fun, it was hard. It was worth a million words, and it is impossible to put into those words.
What I've found myself repeating is how much we felt appreciated. Everywhere we went, people asked where we were from, and thanked us for coming to help revive the city. It did not matter where we were - from working in Chalmette, to eating in Metarie, everyone was genuinely grateful for any help that the outsiders were willing to give. Thinking back to three years ago - those are the same responses we got when our 8th graders were there mucking out the houses. This time, those kids are 11th graders and remember the houses in ruin, and the work that would contine for years. We were a unique group - who returned to continue to help.

Several homes were worked on, and several lives were affected - oh not only the local people, but ours too. It was another mission trip that will go into the memory banks, but this one has deeper roots in my heart. I don't think I would ever want to live in New Orleans, or the swamp area of Louisiana, but I do love the people we met there, who do love that city and that swampy land. Home is home to any group (and I'm very thankful to call Fort Worth my home) - and I'm grateful to live in a country that allows and encourages others to help those who need it.
Thanks Dave and Jason, and the leaders of RHCC for allowing me to be part of this trip - and to all the teens, who let an old person invade their trip - and their lives. It was a great week.

Root canals... stink!

I have to stop and realize... we live in a wonderful country - with wonderful doctors and dentists - who can make bad things good. I keep saying that today, happy to have a knowledgeable dentist - but hurting like crazy! Maybe I should have listened to his office staff more - who kept asking.. "are you really having 2 root canals done at the same time?"
Yep.
So to live on tortilla soup and ice dream from Chick-fil-a today... throw the diet out the window!
:)
Tomorrow will be better, right? It has to be - I have too much to do to get ready for the New Orleans mission trip!

Missions on the Mind

We are 3 days out - 3 days from another mission extravaganza.... ...
My experience this summer will start in New Orleans. It's such a different feeling than I'm used to the first weekend in June. Normally, we head south - to Mexico - to tie rebar, mix and pour cement and help build a church. This year it's still about building a church - one of dry wall, windows and floors. But there's another church we go to build. One that has no tangible part - because it involves hearts and souls.

It will be an odd feeling in some ways, as we will be a smaller group, we'll have a third new leader in 3 years, and many faces I've come to know and love will not be with us. On the other hand, there will be opportunities that would not be available in another place. Excitement will build once we get on the road. It's just getting there, for there are still work days to complete, a tragic dental appointment to meet and one more painful yoga class to endure (hoping I'm able, after the dentist...).
There is also one great event to look forward to ~ dinner with the whole family. Friday night has become very precious to me - as the 6 of us gather to enjoy a meal and each other - somewhere neutral and fun. It's a time that also reminds me that we are still missing one member - one that always was so predictable that we still laugh about it. Daddy. His preference was to eat lunch at noon, and dinner at 5:00. With Tyson's schedule, we rarely eat before 7:00, and that would have distressed Daddy greatly.
But that's another post - maybe one day when I can find better words to express feelings. I think I'm dealing with those emotions most of the time: until I'm not dealing with them at all.

So now, it's missions on the mind. Talking to a mom tonight about her son, and his lack of respect for her showed me why I still enjoy going. Yes, we build - walls, ceilings, floors, and more - but we also build confidence, love and support in some of these teens. My prayer tonight will be that I can move that one teen closer to his mom, closer to a successful life, and ultimately, closer to his Savior.

Twitter

Joining Twitter wasn't difficult - it's keeping up with it! And I sure found that out tonight - in just about 2.5 minutes. While trying to figure out how to upload a background picture (and it is just mildly successful - but will deal with THAT later), I found 3 messages from a friend. Really? I wasn't even sure until I stumbled on it - how to even leave a message! Just another sign of how fast our world is moving. (and how slow I feel while trying to keep standing.)

It's TV mecca this month - trying to keep up with American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser and the NBA playoffs. That and reading emails, (home and work) - reading Facebook status changes and updating the Body Bugg every night - wow - no wonder my house looks the way it does. Oh, and adding yoga class twice a week to the 2 other classes at 24 hour fitness - and - oh, nevermind. You all have the same schedule as I do, I bet. Well, maybe not Susan. She has the best way of knowing how and when to let things go. Sure wish I could do that.

So since it's going on 11 pm: dishes still calling from supper - a load of laundry to do, and get the stack of stuff ready for tomorrow. Maybe I should consider going to bed? Wednesdays are the longest day of the week - not in terms of dread, but just in hours. But I love every one of those hours - because I get to spend it with people that I know love the things I love - and the ONE we serve. Tomorrow will be especially fun - getting to spend lunch time with my deaf ed friends. Best of both worlds.

First Post

Sitting in church tonight, I remembered all the times I wanted to start a blog, and never did. So many things interrupt my thoughts and time gets away from me. (Don't ask why it hit me so boldy tonight, of all nights.) Maybe some of these things led to this - tonight's beginning:

A precious family sat in front of us - who has a wonderful son with Downs Syndrome. I haven't seen him in quite a long time, and when Cassidy pointed out what he was doing - it touched my heart. He was going through the "Blue Book" - the traditional hymnal songs - writing a list of songs he wants on his iPod. Why don't I have any of those songs on MY iPod? I wish I was more like him. Precious.

After Rick's sermon, he offered the traditional opportunity for anyone needing prayers to come to one of the special people standing around the auditorium. Several responded - several more needed it. One young woman came to a man standing to the side - hands out in praise. Was he one of the "designated" members of the prayer team? No. Was he surprised to see her coming to him for prayer? Maybe. Did he respond correctly? Absolutely. He listened to her heart, and he prayed. I wish I was more like him.

Tyson mentioned earlier in the week he was thinking about coming to church with us tonight - us: meaning Joel, Cassidy, Jeremy, Mom and me - the family we have here - that's left. I didn't say anything to anyone - not wanting to disappoint anyone (my mom), and not wanting to be disappointed. When he came in, we all moved so that he stood next to Grandma. Her excitement was heard several pews away, and the light from her heart lit up the room. Was it vital that he be sitting on our pew? No. It sure was vital for us all to be together tonight. He walked in a tad late - past a couple of security men - who gave him the "once over". He didn't respond. He walked in like he belonged there - which he did. Do I wish I had more of his acceptance of others that don't look like him? You bet.

One of Rick's statements still lingers in my mind. He said we cannot give what we do not have. What is that? Love. The title tonight? Give It a Rest - and my side note - Let God Love You. Another of his *points* - Confidence is one of the products of an uncondemning heart. I sure wish I had more confidence - which would mean that my heart does not easily condemn. Sure need to work on the confidence more. ;)

Cassidy is happier than I've seen her in years. I think Jeremy is the key to that. She is content - even in the midst of not having a job, a house, a dependable paycheck, any medical insurance, etc etc etc. But she is happy. I have all of that - and sometimes I wonder what happiness really is. Seeing them everyday is fun - bright - and cheery.

(So Cassidy just walks in and asks, "Are you blogging? What is your title?" When I tell her she says I sound like a depressing old woman. Do I? Sure hope not. It's just that as I do get older, I see things in a much different light. I realize we live in a fallen and broken world, but I do know that there is always hope. This post isn't meant to sound depressing, it's just thoughts. Are there really rules for writing in a blog?)

Enough for tonight - for a first post. Those who know me realize I write too much - talk too much and sometimes worry too much. Wouldn't it be funny if anyone thought I loved too much? If only..

Oh one more note: The World Health Organization has eveyone in a state of panic about the swine flu at this time. I guess the frenzy over the falling economy isn't enough to distract us. So we need to worry about this. I'd rather laugh about the fun times Cassidy, Carmen and I had in Canton today - with those people there who would rather shop for a wood plaque or dog collar than worry about a disease that only affects .0000003 of the US population. Just a note of what is in the national headlines.

Love you all... without doubt...