IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FAMILY

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone and there is so much to be thankful for. Family, friends, health, laughter just to name a few. We had family come to visit for Thanksgiving and a fun time was had by all. We spent the morning preparing a delicious meal including many southern specials and many of my grandmother's recipes. We tried to re-create her traditional meal. We had a few successes and a few failures. I learned an important lesson. If a recipe calls for egg whites...egg whites are very important. I set a table this year with my china and we sat together as a family. Minutes before eating I assigned Alex the job of praying for our meal. He went on the internet and printed the "Lord's Prayer" all by himself. When it came time to pray...he read this prayer. I have to admit that I was gratefule that my head was bowed. I couldn't help but giggle at his interpretation and pronunciation of some of the more diffifult words. He did a wonderful job and we now have a new tradition. I told Alex that as he grows and turns into a man...this will always be his assignment on Thanksgiving morning. I am going to tuck the copy of the prayer in my calendar for next November.

We did let go of one tradition. We did not wake early enough to shop at 5:00 am the day after Thanksgiving. Oh well...out with the old and in with the new.

The girls are actually putting up the Christmas trees today and I am feeling blessed to be surrounded by family.

I learned a really important lesson this Thanksgiving. It really is about family and the people in our lives. Everything else can be replaced. This week, I have been taking small baby steps to follow God in His calling for me to write and speak. I found myself evaluating my life and if there was anything in my heart that was keeping the Lord from using me. He quickly brought to mind a relationship that I was treating as "disposable". I had been hurt and I had almost written this person out of my life. He showed me that he loves everyone and I should as well. I knew that I needed to mend this relationship and let nothing stand in the way. Not pride...not the desire to be "right"..not even fear. I went that day and mended this relationship. It wasn't easy for both of us...but we both agreed that this needed to be done. I love this person and I am so glad that the Lord orchestrated this healing. He can do that for you too.

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

That can mean alot of things. Time to shop, decorate, bake cookies. For my family it means one more thing...time for the annual homemade Christmas gift. Yes, for the past 7 years, I have made my children (yes made) make a homemade gift for their grandparents. Every year when I bring up the idea, I am reminded of all the homemade gifts of Christmas past. There was the placemat purse, the pillow case angel, the reindeer ornament, the snowman made out of popsicle sticks. Oh who could forget the fleece blankets and scarves and our all time favorite fleece mittens. I am sure there are others that we have blocked out of our memory. So I open to suggestions. I am looking for something quick, simple and cheap. I need to have money left over to buy another gift after we mess up the homemade one and have to shop for the replacement. This weekend, the sewing maching will be threaded, the glue gun warmed up and the scissors sharpened. Yes...this is the weekend of the homemade gift.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON

We have a new teenager in our house. Today Allison turns 13. I think back to this day 13 years ago. We were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Wally had been up all night writing a paper but Allison decided this was the time that she wanted to enter the world. Family was on standby just waiting to hear of her arrival so they could come and see this little girl.

Allison has taken us on many adventures with her interest in gymnastics and cheerleading. Her new endeavor is basketball. We appreciate her willingness to try new things and to have fun. I am excited to see what God has planned for her. Her dream is to be an architect and live in a loft in New York City. Dream big Allison...you serve a big GOD.

We love you.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

I am off today so I decided to try something new. I decided to have my time in the Bible today with David Jeremiah. He is on the radio at 8:30 am so I grabbed my Bible, a muffin and a cup of coffee. We studied John chapter 17. Pastor Jeremiah talked about how Jesus was focused on what God was calling him to do. He challenged listeners to find out what God was calling them to do and let nothing get in the way of that purpose. Pastor Jeremiah began his career as a DJ on the radio but later realized that God was calling him to be a pastor and a teacher.

I decided today that I needed to take some baby steps and follow what God is calling me to do in the areas of speaking and writing. So far...I have sent an email to someone regarding speaking and I am offically sending my children's book to Nancy Leigh Demoss's publisher today. I had email her in FEBRUARY and she agreed to read my book. I have wasted 9 months. So...pray for me...I am sending it today. I'll keep you posted.

WOW

I wasn't sure what to call this post...all I could think of is WOW!! That is how I felt after leaving Bethel College this week.

I had an opportunity to speak at their mid-week chapel. I brought along 2 friends and the fun began as soon as we left my driveway. It is amazing how quick a 4 hour trip can be when you are talking and laughing the whole way. Bethel provided a cozy trailer for us to use and it was great having Ashley stay with us as well.


Wednesday morning came and it was an exciting day. The message is actually on their website if you would like to listen. I haven't listened to my talk. To me...it is sort of watching yourself on video. I hate how my accent seems to dominate anything that I say.

The worship was wonderful and my talk began with a wonderful introduction from Ashley. I am so proud of the way she carries herself and she has turned into such a wonderful young lady who loves the Lord.

We later had lunch at the dining hall and I loved the conversations we had with students.

My favorite part of the weekend happened at dinner. We went to a wonderful little restaurant with 4 other students. One girl and 3 boys. They allowed me to pick their brains so I could get an idea of how students at a Christian college think. I asked them if they thought there was only "one" person for them. I also asked them if they could make a list of what they wanted in their future spouse...what would they have on their list. No one mentioned looks. Their list contained character qualities that align with scripture and I was blown away. One statement that stuck with me was when one boy said "I want a wife that when I am around her and when I spend time with her...I love God more." WOW WOW

I rewarded them with a wonderful dessert. I left that dinner encouraged that God is building up leaders for the next generation.

Our "Girls only seminar" began at 9:00pm. We were suppose to send at 9:50 pm. We left at 11:30 pm. Girls began to ask questions and I was blown away by the stuggles that they are experiencing. It was wonderful time. It was exactly what I prayed for. I didn't want the seminar to be what I had to say...I wanted to hear what they had to say.

One girl came up to me after the seminar and just shared how the Lord is working in her life and what he is calling her to do. She feels called to speaking someday and is not sure where to begin. I invited her to accompany me to some speaking engagements. I pray that maybe she will become a "Timothy" in my life.

God is SO GOOD. He is so FAITHFUL.