The Shack

The Shack is a must-read! I found it super challenging and am writing this post so I can begin - only begin - to sort through some thoughts as I wrestle with them. At the same time, I am experiencing a loss for words (that's when I know I am really wrestling!)
The forgiveness element of this book is what has me gripped. Those of you who hear my soapboxes from time to time know that I believe that bitterness (the lack of forgiveness) continues to hold God's chosen in shackles although He has released us. We continue to dance in pain even after the Lord has called us to dance in freedom.

Here are two quotes that are stewing in my head:
Jesus talking to Mack (page 148 and 149):
"But your independence with its quest for power and fulfillment actually destroys the relationship your heart longs for."
"Apart from my life inside of you, you can't submit to (your wife), or your children, or anyone else in you life, including Papa (God)."
God, to Mack, about forgiveness (page 189):
"People are tenacious when it comes to the treasure of their imaginary independence. They hoard and hold their sickness with a firm grip. They find their identity and worth in their brokenness and guard it with every ounce of strength they have. No wonder grace has such little attraction. In that sense you have tried to lock the door of your heart from the inside. ... There are many folks like you, Mackenzie, who end up locking themselves into a very small place with a monster that will ultimately betray them, that will not fill or deliver what they thought it would. Imprisoned with such a terror, they once again have the opportunity to return to me. The very treasure they trusted in will become their undoing."

Isn't that just like Satan to convince us that we are taking care of ourselves, protecting our own hearts, when really all we are doing is refusing the only true healing. I want to be willing to do the work myself and to encourage other people in this journey of life to step into the freedom of forgiveness - whether is sometime done to us or something we have done. May we recognize His covering of grace and mercy and wear it well!

Home again, home again, jiggity jiggity, jig, jig

As a little girl, that is what we always said as we drove into our driveway after a trip.
Our trip home was very eventful - oh, maybe not so eventful but definitely exhausting. We got to the airport in time for Rick to fly out at 1:30 (right after lunch) - didn't happen - and we pulled in our driveway together at 4:30 AM! But it did give me time to finish my Nice Girls Don't Change the World book and get almost done with The Shack - a total must-read!
First, I want to share a couple of quotes from the Nice Girls book:
"Then I came face to face with the realization that disappointing people is the greatest fear of the nice girl. It truly was my deepest fear."
"Fear magnifies our weaknesses and it hides our potential."
"When fear says, 'You are going to disappoint people so badly,' I say, 'Well, maybe so, but I guess I'd rather take the risk of disappointing people by not being good enough than disappoint God by not being brave enough."
"... the opposite of being a nice girl is not just a good woman, but a downright dangerous woman. A woman who shows up with everything she is and joins the battle against whatever opposes the redeeming work of God in our lives and in our world. A dangerous woman delves deeply into the truth of who she is, grounds herself daily in the healing and empowering love of God, and radically engages with the needs of the world."
Oh yeah, I want to be a dangerous woman on the Lord's side - a woman where my greatest fear is not disappointing people but where the only thing I fear is not becoming everything the Lord has set for me to be in Him!

Yesterday was Jenny and David's ten year anniversary! Hey, you two, we celebrate with you and for you! Your marriage is a blessing to witness! You make a great team. David, I cannot imagine our fam without you!!!

A Few Minutes at Pebble Beach

We have had a fantastic time in California! Today, we rented a car again - this time heading south around the Monterrey Peninsula. We stopped to take in the Pacific every few minutes - to watch the sea lions and the birds, and, of course, use every restroom along the way - ha! On one of the overlooks, we met a couple from Tomball. Their son is the youth minister for Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston. (What's the old saying - 6 degrees of separation, or is it 9?)
We ate a late breakfast in Half Moon Bay - I had pumpkin pancakes and we split a potato dish that was really yummy! (I am writing this so I don't forget that I really like pumpkin pancakes. Wouldn't that be delicious on Thanksgiving morning???)
Then...we started on the 17 mile scenic drive through several world famous golf courses, ending in Pebble Beach! Gorgie-porgie!! We got out and walked as much as we could without paying the $525 to play - that would be EACH! Just to think I have watched history made there! The homes around it are incredible! A man working in the pro shop told us that 3 of the homes that are 'for sale' are going for $30 million! Who has ever heard of that many zeroes????? for a house? What do these people do?
Rick has been so enthusiastic in his love for golf courses that it has been undeniably contagious! I love being on them. I love the smell! I love the crisp look of a really, really good one. I love the quiet (I know - can you believe it??) But most of all - I LOVE Rick's face when he is on one! He loved Pebble Beach and so did I!
We head home tomorrow. I should have time to finish my Nice Girls book and start The Shack.
I am excited to sleep with my own pillows tomorrow night.

I love vacation days!

Since the conference was over Monday evening, Rick and I have taken in California as fast as possible. Yesterday, we spent the morning down at Golden Gate Park. It totally reminded us of Central Park in NYC. You step into such serenity. Then we got back on the bus (I am getting this public transportation thing down!) so we could go down to Fisherman's Wharf (had great clam chowder in bread bowls - yum!) and just hung-out at all the shops and spent a few minutes watching the sea lions while we talked to our family and caught up a bit. Then we caught a boat for am evening tour of Alcatraz. (Rick is an amazing travel agent! He reserved our spot for this cruise online months ago.) I found it hard to believe that people could survive those conditions. Some of the stories were so sad!
Today we got a rent car (again a Rick-online-reservation) and drove up this incredibly beautiful coast to Muir Woods. On our way out of San Fran, we stopped on Lombard Street to walk the crooked part. I tried to take pictures but without the video with my huffing and puffing for sound effects, the struggle gets lost. We hiked all the way down and then back up again. What a sight! While at Muir Wood, I learned that these humongous trees have what is called Family Circles. Their shared root systems make them stronger. Whew! Stay tuned for spiritual applications with that one! We had such a good time being together!
Tomorrow, our plan is to go south to Monterey Peninsula - heard it is gorgeous! Hopefully we can eat some seafood while we are there.
This week, I have finished reading Same Kind of Different as Me. Perfect timing - or maybe not - to be hanging in a city with such a prolific homeless population. I am learning so much about myself!

Last Day of Conference

I spent all day in one workshop with Sue Johnson, author of Hold Me Tight, an emotionally-focused therapy book.
Here are a few quotes from the day:

Before you even know how you feel, it is registered on your face.

Love is not about perfect performance but emotional presence.

Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant with the weak and the wrong.
Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.
(quote by Lloyd Shearer)

If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else. (quote by Yogi Berra)

At the first break, I met Rick and Bekki Cotton who live in Granbury and go to church in Duncanville. Cool!

Tonight we went to Bubba Gumps on Fisherman's Wharf for supper. So fun! But... I had a little trouble with the public transportation. We rode a trolley to get down to the wharf. The seats were full so I was standing. As soon as the trolley took off, I almost fell and I stepped on this older woman's foot. I apologized so sweetly but she wasn't buying it. The trolley stopped and I regained my footing. Then it took off again and this time I almost sat on her. I apologized again but could not stop laughing. The next stop she jumped up and loudly proclaimed, "I have to get off here." She huffed and puffed off. Well, that left her seat open. There was a pregnant woman standing and I offered, while I was cracking up, to let her have the seat but she, laughing too, said that I better take it. I quickly thanked her, agreed, and sat the rest of the way. I am still laughing!!!!! I can't wait to ride again tomorrow. Rick decided to take a taxi back to our hotel. Oh, what a roller coaster ride!!! Whew! I took 2 Dramamine and am very grateful! My head is still spinning!

Tomorrow, we are play all day. We are planning to go back to the wharf, via the trolley, I'm sure, and go on cruise-tour of Alcatraz tomorrow night. Can't wait!!!

Day Three of Conference

We are resting a bit before we go to hear John Gray (When Mars and Venus Collide) from 7:30-10:00 - but I want to recap this day before we go. We ate supper at an Irish Pub - the first time I can ever remembering ordering lamb. It was good but... oh, let me recap the info of the day - not the food.

First thing this morning, the plenary speaker was Dr. Sue Johnson. I will spend all day with her tomorrow. I am so excited for the opportunity because she was amazing today! She is the author of Emotional-Focused Therapy.
Some of her quotes:
"How to understand the great emotional bond and the great source of pain (love) is the greatest treasure hunt of mankind."

Isolation is more dangerous physically than smoking.
Your brain codes emotional isolation as danger.
You become emotionally 'stuck' when the person you go to for safe attachment creates isolation.

The code of attachment tells us that the primary need is to feel secure with another.

All arguments are about the power of emotional connection:
*Are you there for me?
*Are you accessible for me?
*Are you responsive to my needs?
*Are you engaged with me?
Emotional presence is solution.

Criticism by someone you love creates relapse in any 'issue' - ex. depression.

(more from her tomorrow - I can't wait!)


Dr. David Carder - on Close Calls: How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage

The power of a temptation lies in its timing.

High risk times for affair:
Following a loss
In a life transition
During pregnancy or within 18 following birth (he has done extensive research on pastors and this has proven to be their most vulnerable time)

Most pastors who have affairs do so between ages 31 and 40 (43.9%).
Over 70% of pastors having affairs do so before the age of 40, with a huge % of those never reported to their 'people'.

The following list include the characteristics for alcoholics to relapse and they also lower barriers for affair prevention. When we are:
hungry
angry
lonely
tired
bored

Father God, please teach us how self-care so that our hearts do not become the devil's playground. Fill us, as Your people, with wisdom and discernment to eat and rest well. Guard our minds that anger does not settle in. Help us to use every opportunity to practice forgiveness so bitterness does not take up room in our hearts. Fill us with Your presence and Your passion so that we do not let loneliness and boredom become fertilizer for the Evil One. We desperately want to bring You glory and honor in the way we do marriage.

Day Two of Conference

Happy Fourth of July! This was my precious Dad's favorite holiday. He loved when we celebrated with him - he didn't really care what we ate as long as there was watermelon to top it off. My mom is so sad today. It doesn't help that I am at this conference in San Fran. I have been thinking about her all day - and praying for her.

This day has been full and so rich! Right before lunch I heard someone calling my name - it was Charles and Judy Siburt. We just love them! We walked to a diner for lunch but had to eat at the counter so we are meeting again tonight to walk to an Italian place so we can visit and catch up.

I do want to journal some of my notes from the day.
Markman and Stanley (researchers) opened the day. Here is some of their quotes --
Commitment is the choice to give up other choices.
One fourth of the teen girls in America now have STD's.
48.7% women reported a negative reaction to 'hooking up' sex; while 51% of men reported a positive reaction.

David Olson--
5 Best predictors of a Happy Marriage --
*Commitment
*Flexibility
*Closeness
*Personality compatability
*Conflict Resolution

Flexibility and closeness are the two that are new and are teachable.

Scott Stanley-- Sliding vs. Deciding
Too many people today are sliding through really big transitions then making decisions later.
(He's talking about relationships.)
My reflection of this last sentence: I want to work with the teen girls that I teach on how to break up. Nice girls don't know how and frequently get 'stuck' in relationships that are not emotionally healthy or safe because they have no clue how to get out. I don't want these girls to have life-long consequences because they slid. I want to be about the business of empowering then to be wise and discerning about relationships.

Tomorrow should be an amazing day! We end the day with a keynote by John Gray. He is so entertaining! In case I haven't said it lately: I LOVE my job! I LOVE my whole life! Rick, I am delighted you came with me to San Francisco!

Day One of Conference

I want to write out of few thoughts from the first day of the Smart Marriage conference mostly by sharing some quotes from a few of the speakers.

Gary Chapman's keynote: No one has ever died from breaking off an affair. Some have died from continuing them. No one ever regrets doing what's right.

His new book comes out July 15 entitled: Love as a Way of Life (doesn't that sound like something Jesus would just love?)
Does love stand a chance in this country? Love is our only chance!

2 essentials to a positive long-term relationship:
1. both partners feeling loved and appreciated
2. both knowing how to deal effectively with their own failures

From his class on The Five Languages of Apology:
Life's true meaning is found in relationships, also life's deepest pain.

Why do some people choose not to apologize:
fear the consequences of admitting the offense
don't value the relationship
have personality or esteem issues

On teaching children to apologize:
*teach them to take responsibility
*help them understand that their actions affect other people
*life has rules
*apologies are necessary when we hurt others
*teach them the five languages of apology
*teach them by your example

Dave Carder's class: An affair contains the following three components--
1. childhood magic - totally free of responsibility
2. Adolescent sexuality - exciting, spontaneous (like in a car - ha!)
3. adult mobility - business trips, choose to see each other in time that are not "regular" or easy
Healthy marriages-work involves maintaining all three.

John Van Epp's keynote: Years ago, research revealed that teenage marriages had a high rate of instability so the marriage age began to be pushed way up. For a period of time the slogan taught was 'marry later, marry better'. What we now know is that when the marriage age is anywhere from 21-30, higher stability is more likely to occur. But some people who wait until later to marry are more likely to be sexually permissive, have higher rates of substance abuse, have higher rates of cohabitation, and show higher acceptance of out-of-marriage births.

It has been a good day at the conference. Rick and I are about to leave to go to a banquet - always a highlight at the conference.

Off to San Francisco!

We leave tomorrow for the Smart Marriage conference in San Fran! I LOVE this conference! I want to be a sponge for 4 1/2 days. Rick is going with me to read and hang out.
I am trying to tie up loose ends tonight before being gone for 9 days and blogging made my list.

Jennifer, Jed, and Jocelyn spent last week with us. Jonathan came in Tuesday night so he could speak at church Wed night. He was amazing! I was just bustin' proud of him! Wednesday was his 25th birthday. We had a blast being with them. I'll post pictures soon. Jen got her hair cut while they were here and it is adorable!

I am currently reading "Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I came across this quote last night during the discussion that followed Ron asking Denver to be his friend (Ron is a wealthy white man; Denver is a homeless black man):
Denver -- "I heard that when white folks go fishin they do somthin called 'catch and release'. That really bothers me. I just can't figure it out. 'Cause when colored folks go fishin, we really proud of what we catch, and we take it and show it off to everybody that'll look. Then we eat what we catch ... in other words, we use it to sustain us. So it really bothers me that white folks would go to all that trouble to catch a fish, then when they done caught it, just throw it back in the water."
"So, Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend."
"But if you is looken for a real friend, then I'll b e one. Forever."
Denver, continuing to reflect: "Bein friends is like being soldiers in the army. You live together; you fight together; you die together."
Ron promised not to 'catch and release.'

It is a great book!

Introducing Jocelyn Brooke Ross!

Like father, like son - Jed and Jonathan

They both have toothpicks in their mouth.

Josh, Kayci, and Truitt left for Memphis Monday morning.

This is the picture before they hit the road.

Here she is!

Jocelyn Brooke was born Monday, June 2, at 12:57.

She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz. and was 20 3/4 inches long.

This picture was taken about 5 hours after she was born on Monday.

Please note she is already in her carseat since she came home three hours after birth!

Isn't she precious in her bow!

Jocelyn with her family (doesn't Jen look great????) This pic is on Tuesday.

Here she is talking to me on Wednesday morning before we had to leave! Isn't she beautiful?????

A little of this and a little of that...

This morning has been a whirlwind of excitement! Josh and Kayci - and our precious Truitt - are on their way to Memphis. Josh is the new pulpit minister for the Sycamore View Church of Christ there and it sounds like such an exciting opportunity! We are so proud of them and for them! Their house sounds like it is totally amazing. Can't wait to see it! But it was so hard to say good-bye - boohoo! Can't wait to hear all their stories about life in Tennessee!

Right before they left, Jonathan called from Houston to tell us that Jen is probably in labor! So today we could get to meet Jocelyn Brooke Ross! I cannot to see her! We should know something shortly. I am trying to tie up some loose ends this morning so I can make a fairly quick exit.

Summer is here! It is June! I cannot shake my former school teacher mode (and don't think I want to) that summer is the time to catch-up and do the things you want to do all year but don't have time. I treasure these months of the year!
This summer I plan to:
*sit out on my patio and drink ice tea with lemon and lime and watch my Missouri primrose bloom every night;
*read several books that are on my too-important-not-to-read list (Same Kind of Different as Me, The Shack, To Be Told, Dr. Worthington's book on Forgiveness);
*hang out with my man!

The preacher at our church, who I think is the best lookin' preacher anywhere and who I happened to be married to, shared yesterday that grace and peace go together - they are like friends. Grace is always first because without grace there is no real peace. Until you recognize that you are grace-covered, you cannot rest in peace.
Just thought I would share - May the Lord bless you with His grace and His peace!

Daddy

Ok - here goes - I have put off writing this blog because it just doesn't seem real yet and, somehow, by writing it, it gives it more permanence. Such a heavy, heavy time. On April 29, our phone rang about 6:30 and I could hear my mom trying to talk. She was finally able to get out that she thought my dad was dead.
Rick and I flew out the door. It was true. A day we had known was coming had arrived. Two and a half weeks later I still feel like I am functioning in the mode Daddy prepared me to handle. We discussed his death many times and he told me to take care of my mom which I am desperately trying to do. (Her heart is breaking.) On the Saturday before he died, he told me he wanted a funeral in Decatur because they had made such good friends here. He said he wanted it as soon as possible after he died. And he told me that he wanted me to stand by his casket and thank each person for coming. My dad knew how he wanted to live and he knew how he wanted to die. He was and is one to be in charge when things get confusing for the rest of us. He continues to minister to me now with that steady reassurance.
This morning Mom rode with me to get my nails done and we discussed how sweet the Lord's timing is - I am grateful that I got to sit through Rick's series on heaven earlier this year and gather some thoughts about the place where Dad is enjoying rest.
Lori Lowe gave Mom a poem that she told me today has ministered to her beautifully. When I asked her what part meant the most to her, she responded 'the part about me having to let him go and his promise that he would meet me with a smile when I get to heaven."
This is a really wierd time in life.

Learning to Love

I love that concept - learning to step into love a bit better, maybe with more wisdom. In Denver last year at a marriage conference I heard a speaker say that research is being done on happiness levels and that so far it appears the greatest happiness in life comes not from being loved well but from loving another really, really well. Now I ask you, doesn't that sound just like God to wire us like that??? The idea began with observing new mothers loving their babies - with no return yet - just learning to love well.

On Tuesday mornings, I meet with a small group of mothers to study the Word. We are currently in Philippians. I was awe-struck last week by the words in chapter 1, verses 9-11, from the Message:

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Happy New Year!

Malaya shows off an extra-large 'Santa' grin. She is our precious!

Rick and the grand-ones on New Year's Eve. Aren't they a darling group?
Truitt Ross was a blast on his first Christmas! We are delighted he is here!
Barbie, my sister, and me with our parents on Christmas Day. We were so glad they could all be here with us!
Jed already has a burning desire to preach! The more people stared and smiled at him during his 'sermon', the more fired up he became!

Christmas was a total delight this year! It was our year to have everyone with us on Christmas Eve and Day and it was full of laughter, food, long talks, playing, and more laughter with joy on top!

As I move in to plans for 2008, I have one word I choose to pray through: simplify. I don't know all it means or what it looks like but I am begging the Lord to teach me and reveal to me ways He wants to manifest Himself in and through me by way of the simple. I think a good place to start will involve garbage bags and a journal - not at the same time but definitely connected.

I pray rich blessings on you, my precious friends - rich blessings of God's presence and fulfillment. I pray that this year we can find some time to chat over enchiladas and I can hear more life stories. I want to spend some time with 'my people' bragging on the Lord God Almighty!!!!

Thanksgiving!

I have been reading some research that says that our brains are not wired to feel anxiety and thanksgiving at the same time. Isn't that just like God to remind us over and over and over in the Word - Don't worry but, rather, be thankful. To be thankful is a choice. It is a mindset. To wrap my own head around this concept, here is the beginning of my 'I am thankful for ...' list:

My precious husband, who is more like Jesus everyday
My children all love the Lord and passionately serve Him
My three precious grandchildren!!!!!
My parents - that they enjoy health and we enjoy having them close
My church family
My job - I LOVE going to work everyday!
Our Tuesday morning study group with young moms
So many wonderful friends
The written Word
The Living, Breathing Word
The Spirit - His indwelling and His empowerment
The concept of marriage
God's redeeming heart
Jesus' story
Books
Highlighters

Confession!

I have allowed myself to become too busy - too busy to be who I desperately want to be. I am suffering from what Randy Frazee calls "crowded loneliness" so there are some changes coming! I have already accepted 4 speaking engagements on weekends from January through May (2 of those are with Rick) but I am not going to be taking on anything else for this season. I am going to be reinvestigating my life and adjusting a few details. I want to spend some time 'breaking up my unplowed ground' and seeking the Lord with all my heart.
Hosea 10: 12 was shared in a devo recently and it really has been playing in my heart:
"Sow for ourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you."
Blessings, sweet friends, in your jouney with the Lord and may He bless our hearts with deeper spiritual roots in the days to come!

Happy Birthday, Rick!!!

We have had a blast celebrating Rick' 51st birthday! We have eaten at Landry's, Uncle Julio's, the Paradise Cafe! Does it get any better? He is an awesome man! I love being married to someone who has made it his life goal to look more and more like Jesus. I love my life with him! I am a better woman because Rick Ross is part of my life! Today (and yesterday), we celebrate you!

Exodus 1-2

This morning on Good Morning America one of the guests was a college professor who just found out he has 3-6 months to live. His teaching has changed - he wants his 3 young children ( and his college students) to KNOW his values not just facts about his life.
I have been thinking alot about 'telling the next generation' through my study of Exodus:
Have you ever pondered what it must have been like for the people of God between Genesis and Exodus? How deafening is the silence of God?!?!?! I wonder how often and with what enthusiasm they repeated Joseph's words found in Gen. 50: "surely God will come to your aid" (and his prophetic words: 'when He does get my bones outta here!')
What did their mamas tell them about faith?
Isn't it also so very interesting the tremendous compassion revealed first in women and then contagiously invading the men - ha! Pharaoh's daughter was 'deeply moved' by seeing a breathing baby in the Nile - Wow! Moses' mom compassionately making a basket; his sister compassionately hovering in the weeds. Oh, and you can't forget the midwives who, in their compassion, tricked Pharaoh at his own game!
Then Moses' great compassion for his 'own' people - how did he know? His deep concern rushed ahead of God's call. He was ready to play deliverer before the Deliverer told him how and when. But I love the end of Ex. 2 - when Heaven begins to roar with compassion - something (Someone) is about to be stirrin' on earth!
I LOVE Exodus!

Done, done, done, done, done, done, done

The title is a quote from Malaya a few years ago when she was ready to go home after looking at lights on Christmas Eve. The saying has just 'stuck' to show when I am really finished - I mean totally finished - with something.
My fundraiser for the year is over! On August 30, about 70 people gathered to eat a meal and hear testimonies from some of my clients and a highly motivational talk by Ty Lovell, the minister at Crossroads Community Church here in Decatur. When the night was over, we had raised a little over $19,000 - with pledges, the total is almost $45,000 for the year! May the Lord be praised! I get to work here another year!
I love my job! I have such a passion for this ministry!
Psalm 90: 17 was the verse for the event: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us -- yes, establish the work of our hands."

Today Rick and Jacob challenged us to Give 60 for the Master. They encouraged us to get our hands dirty in some kind of volunteer work outside of the walls of our building. So many ideas floating around:
WARM, CASA, the Domestic Violence Task Force are a few places that need help.
There is a young woman in a convalescent center that needs someone to read to her.
There are people to visit and encourage.
I am excited and eager to hear what people find to do to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Wise County!
May He definitely establish the work of our hands!!!!

The Best of Summer '07

August 27 - the first day of school - may it be a new beginning of blogs for me! I became a 'grammy' of 3 and disappeared to play for a few months. But I want back in!!! This summer has been full of rich blessings! I have come up with a list of my top 12 most favorite things about the summer of '07. (Drum roll please, Rick):



Jed, Malaya, and Truitt sharing

a 'cousin moment' on vacation.

1.) Jed's First Birthday Bash! Our first time to have all 3 grand ones together!
2.) Truitt's Baby Blessings (Rick got to speak)
3.) Many trips to Houston - the road has gotten so much shorter!
4.) Going to Smart Marriage conference in Denver with Rick
5.) Jed and Jen staying with us!
6.) Taking Malaya and Jed to the zoo
7.) Vacation at Lake Conroe
8.) Studying with a group of young mothers on Wednesday morning - so many new friends!
9.) Watching High School Musical 2 with Malaya
10.) Celebrating 31 years with Rick
11.) Planning for my fund-raiser which is this Thursday
12.) Studying Exodus - getting ready for the fall ladies' class - I totally cannot wait!

Today, I had lunch with a group of mothers who had just dropped their children off at school. We met to pray over this school year. May it be rich with opportunities to shine Jesus!

I've been trying to get more pics on here but having real trouble - stay tuned.