Beautiful Autumn Colors

So, for fun, let's list those things that turn red in the fall:

the apples...

the leaves...

my HAIR?!

(Yikes! I forgot that when you cover over blond highlights with brown color it turns and interesting shade of ... autumn red let's call it.)

What a Handsome Guy!

Here's my handsome fella at a wedding earlier this fall!

These Are Generous Times!

In the midst of this season of "Economic Hardship" that everyone talks about we got to witness a piece of refreshing news.

We went out to eat at Sayler's Old Country Kitchen (we finally got around to using the gift certificates that T.Michael won for us in the "Abundant Life Cruise In" last summer!) -- and we thought that was lucky enough. But then when we got to the restaurant, we noticed a news crew & asked what was going on.

It turns out that earlier that day a young waitress was serving a family that comes in fairly regularly (so they've gotten to know each other) and these generous people offered to pay her college tuition! Wow!

These are generous times!

And be thankful.

Have you ever noticed it's hard to be thankful when you're worried? Near impossible I'd say! Yet God's word says:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I think worry can be as contagious as a cold germ or a critical attitude -- it's so easy to catch it from others!

fire drills

I failed "Fire Drill" as an Educational Assistant today...the special person I was in charge of, um, wouldn't leave the building! Yikes! What a day!

Story by T.Michael

One day things atackt the world.

The things that "atackt" include:giant ant, man-eating crocodile, evil angel, man-eating ant-eater, & acid-poop producing baby! (Just when you thought it was safe!)

Airplane!

There's a big airplane bringin' home my man today! Dave returns from a conference in Atlanta and we are eager to see him!

family in ministry

When Dave became a Pastor, we became a family in ministry. And as Mom in this family, one of the most challenging goals I strive for is to make and keep our home a refuge. That means I'm careful how I talk about church, how I react to Dave's long hours (how else is he to work with the volunteers who come in after their own long day's work?), and how much expectation I put on these awesome children of mine.

Well last Thursday the kids really wowed me! It was one of those days when the "shoulds" dramatically outweighed the "want to's." In addition to the every-day life things we needed to do, Dave was working late at worship rehearsal, we had a friend to go see in the hospital, and then a missionary from Africa to visit who would only be available that very night to share...it was a lot to ask of little kids who had already done great at their own job (school).

So what "wowed" me? After we visited our friend in the hospital we ran into a family waiting for their Dad to get out of surgery. We all recognized each other as they used to attend our church. As we were leaving I offered to pray with them and I was so glad they accepted. As we circled around and held hands to pray, my children stepped up and joined hands with them also, and we all prayed together.

When we got into the van I thanked the kids for their patience, and for the care they showed the family we ran into in the waiting room. "No need to thank us Mom," McKenzie replied, "It's what we do!"

It's an honor to be a family in ministry.

Intercession

I feel most challenged when praying for my friends in India who are under such terrifying persecution -- beaten, families threatened, churches and houses burned down -- and other things we really can't imagine or relate to.

Certain things are obvious I could pray for, you might think. But it never seems enough, or complete...the closest I can get to feeling like I'm on the right track is when I read (and then pray on behalf of my friends) 2 Thes 2&3:

...May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

(Now this part I've changed a little to pray on their behalf)

Finally, brothers, I pray for you that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

And I pray that you may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one...

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

I found a million dollars today!

...of course it was a religious tract, but still! There I was minding my own business, cooking dinner, when I reached for the salad spinner and what did I find inside? (Some real Mommy-treasures, let me tell ya!)

the million dollar bill already mentioned

piggy bank with a few coins in it

little black match box race car

pretend cap-gun

and a 1 inch, bank-robbin' Mr. Potato Head!

Wow! What a cool Mommy moment! I love having a 7 year old boy!

new job

Great news: After applying a few different places - I have a job! Yay! I'll be subbing for Educational Assistants in our school district. I got fingerprinted and everything. Whew!

It's interesting how things in life such as job-hunting can really tempt me to go through a sort of identity crisis -- causing me to ask questions like:
Who am I? What do I have to offer? Where do I belong? How will I fit in?

But then I was reminded how simple a life centered on Christ can be! If I keep my eyes on Him and what He wants from me...and for me. More of Him, less of me -- even (or should I say "especially") in the simple, every-day matters of life.

I need only be identified as His. How? Well, in John 13 Jesus says to His friends:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Another summer gone, already?

A lot of times people will say something like, "I bet you're looking forward to school starting?!!" I know they are just making small talk, but I always answer the same: "Me? No, not yet!"

The author L.M. Montgomery sums it up best when her character Anne of Ingleside(Anne is all grown up and has her own fun kids)says:

"What a happy summer this has been," thought Anne...and then recalled with a little pang something she had heard Aunt Highland Kitty of the Upper Glen say once..."the same summer will never be coming twice."

Never quite the same. Another summer would come...but the children would be a little older and Rilla would be going to school..."and I'll have no baby left," thought Anne sadly.

Proehl Family Summer

There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure.

Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Dinner

Imagine having dinner with Jesus. Around the table with Him and His friends, these place cards would say real nice things like:

Tax Collector; Thief; Liar; Prostitute; Quitter; Captain Fails-A-Lot! Basic Loser

We're looking at Matthew 9 tonight in Sunday School and talking about how to show honor to people who've been overlooked. Jesus, the Most Honorable, leads by example in showing others how valuable they are.

Check this out!

The place to be this summer is Portland City Fest 2008 -- With Luis Palau! I'm going to be there -- are you?!
www.portlandcityfest.com

The Love Boat

Actually, this post is not about The Love Boat.

It's just that back when I was a kid and watched channel 12 for several hours every day in the summer (no, I do not recommend this type of life!) I saw this one episode of The Love Boat where someone asked this pretty girl how she lost so much weight and she replied something quaint like, "Well, I realized I could either go out and live life, or settle for watching others live it on TV!"

Hmmm....great irony in that line. Especially since as a kid I was learning about how not to watch TV...by watching TV! Whatever! It can get so confusing sometimes!

To sum up, the reason I don't blog so consistently in the summer is 'cuz:

"I can either write about life, or go out and live life!"

I thought Dave summed up this post nicely when he said, "Oh, you mean you are a lazy blogger!" ...thanks Dave!

overdose

... I have a friend who overdosed night before last. Don't really know how he's doing. To say I hope he'll be alright is an understatement. Do I pray for him? Of course!

To sum up a big 'ole jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions about my friend, I can only say it is really hard to watch someone do this to themselves and to us who love him! And yet I still have hope.

It's not that I hope because of who he is (how bright and how promising, even though this is true about him) and it's not that I hope because I'm a "hopeful" person (not really prone to optimism with Jesus' help) but I hope because of who our Savior is -- kind, life-giving, the One who sets the captives free!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
(John8:36)

authority

Interesting thing authority...

We just had the most amazing week of "Super Summer Spectacular" (which you may know as Vacation Bible School) and part of what made it amazing was the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. There were all these great people sharing in worship, dance, film, games, crafts, and Bible lessons shared by a drama team that really pulled out all the stops.

Behind the scenes was this incredibly organized group of volunteers known as "Security." And they did a great job of making the church a safe, fun place for children to have the time of their lives!

It started months ago with a background check of every volunteer who wanted to work with the kids...even in non-kid related things like cooking and cleaning. As a Mom I really appreciate that kind of detail. It amazed me to think of the kind of planning that went into last week -- things like flow of traffic; doors that could/couldn't be used; bathrooms that couldn't be used by adults & others that couldn't be used by kids; hallways & stairways that couldn't be used ; etc; etc all to keep the children safe -- and you know what? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I felt kind of bad when one of the hard-working security guys confided in me that the only people who gave them any kind of hassle were the volunteers...unfortunately the reason we were even talking about it is because I was one of those people. Yikes! I confess. It was Wednesday night when I ignored this friend's authority and went in the wrong direction...isn't that a great definition for sin?: Going in the wrong direction!

It's amazing how easily we get keyed up, you know -- all worked up about our "rights." I mean, hey, I just wanted to go get my purse, it was late, what's the big deal?! But it IS a big deal, more about His authority and our heart than about anything else. But on the way home that evening I got the "big smack down" from God. He totally convicted me in my heart all the way home.

I sensed Him questioning me: Who placed that young man in the doorway to make sure the kids were safe? (gulp, You God?) Who expects you to be respectful to all people whether you understand or agree with what they're saying? (bigger gulp, You Lord, I know, I blew it) Who expects you to go back tomorrow night and ask for forgiveness? (Really, won't he think I'm weird? Do You mean I don't get to just say to You that I'll do better next time?...Yes Lord, I'll ask him for forgiveness tomorrow night)

It was an amazing week with over 700 kids and everyone had fun, made friends, learned about Jesus, and were SAFE! With the grateful heart of a Mom and a volunteer I thank the "Security" team for all their hard work!!

your burden

At the end of Matthew 11 it is written:

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


Sometimes when I get hooked into striving, the Holy Spirit reminds me of these verses. There is nothing in the entire world more healing than the words of Jesus Christ.

We tend to see sin in varying degrees -- you know, this one is worse than that one...and another easy tendency is to "punish" ourselves. Jesus offers forgiveness, but sometimes we think that we need to go to great lengths to absolve ourselves. For some people it's as if they think their sin is too great to accept His grace -- they feel the need to suffer.

But His word to us is, "...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So if we're struggling under a hard yoke, and heavy burden -- what's going on? Who put it there: The enemy? Other people? Ourselves?

If it goes against His word, than it's NOT from Him.