A Literal Birthday Month

Today marked a grand day in my life :). It was the day we chose to celebrate my birthday at work!! A little late, yes, but still in the birthday month time frame, so it was okay. Apparently, moving to a new building the day after my birthday put a little damper on having time to celebrate a birthday. I assured everyone that I did not mind...it was all within the realm of who I am, and the longer I can celebrate, the better. (In case you were wondering, we went to the Dynasty Buffet. Sometime around January I announced at a team meeting that I knew exactly where I wanted to go for my birthday lunch and that we wouldn't have to stress over the decision when the time came. In case you weren't wondering, I'm just curious...why do you read my blog anyway?! :) It's all in the details.)

Now, in my birthday card from my aunt, she promised ice cream for my birthday when we are on vacation. Technically, that will be the week after my birthday month. But would I deny her the pleasure of buying me an ice cream cone? Of course not. That would be silly!

Plus, one year, I celebrated a birthday season. Two friends had ideas for birthday presents that took a little planning and I don't think I actually finished my birthday season until November. Definitely didn't complain that time either.

So, the conclusion I have come to is this...while my birthday is the day to celebrate my birth, it really doesn't inflate my ego at all to celebrate me all year long. Go ahead, celebrate...I won't object!

Still processing but now I can share :)

Those who know me well know that I don't always handle change very well :) And I've had a lot of change in my life in the last 3 months. The Lord is faithful. He will not give me more than I can handle. That is the pep talk that I give myself most days. Some days it works well and some days it doesn't. Thus, the emotional roller coaster I mentioned earlier.

In February, my dad and stepmom applied and interviewed for a missionary position to a children's home in Arizona. Two weeks ago they found out they were accepted. They will be house parents to kids who live at the children's home. My sister leaves in a week and a half with her grandma so that she can start school in Arizona. The rest of the family will go as soon as they get everything settled here, which mostly depends on the sale of their house.

I am excited for them as they follow the Lord's leading and leave the comfort of where they have been for 10 years and embark on a new adventure that will stretch them in ways they cannot imagine.

Right now I am grieving the loss of having my family 10 minutes away. I moved to Illinois, and Peoria specifically, so that I could be close to my dad. I wanted to be around to watch Daynah and Josh grow up. I assumed that if anyone would move away, it would be me. I am sad that I will miss being close to Daynah for her last two years of high school and being close to Josh as he enters into his teenage years.

Here are the things I am trying to remind myself:
1. This is the Lord's will.
2. Planes travel to Arizona all the time.
3. People keep telling me it's a great place to go in the winter (I tend to disagree, only because I will probably visit at Christmas, and I don't really want to be in 70 degree weather for Christmas)
4. I have done this (been away from my family) for all but four years of my life. And for 3 1/2 of those years I was in a state where none of my family lived.
5. God has graced me with an amazing church family. They are not moving away :). I will need to rely on them in different ways and I look forward to learning the meaning of the body of Christ in a whole new way.

Many have asked me, "So, what are you going to do?" Some of that I have already answered above. But my first answer is that I'm not going to follow them to Arizona. I have no immediate plans to move anywhere. I have a job I enjoy and a church family I love. My mom is 3 hours away. For the time being, I will trust that this is where God wants me, with or without my family. And I will (this is partially a pep talk :)!) enjoy the journey!

Kids say the darndest things

Today I was playing with Play-doh with a client. I was making feeling faces with my play-doh.
Client: What are you making?
Me: What does it look like I'm making?
Client: It looks like you!

I'm still not sure whether to be flattered or offended that she thinks I look like a play-doh smiley face!

Just because

This story might fit into the "I shouldn't universally share it" category, but hey, I'm living on the edge today!

Half of the time I left the bathroom today, I realized that I had not tied the tie on my new capris. I was beginning to think I had gone crazy. Until I realized something about my old capris. I have two pair of capris that just tie. I have one pair of capris that just button. This new pair of capris button and tie. So, as soon as I buttoned the capris, I assumed I was done, because that is the case with my other buttoning capris. Not so much. I must retrain my brain.

Also, my new capris are white. So far I have survived the day without getting anything on them!

Satisfying some curiosity

Apparently, Sunday's blog entry sparked some curiosity and some strong opinions :). But shouldn't all blogs do that? No? Oh, sorry.

Here is some fill in information:
The stuff I don't really want to talk about: I moved buildings at work at the beginning of July. It wasn't fun. I'm still getting used to it. Thus, I don't want to talk about it. (Is that better, Todd?)

Stuff I'm processing: This could also fit into the category "stuff that isn't really my information to share" so I'm still going to leave that one alone for right now. I'll peak your curiosity even more by saying that I love roller coasters, but I'll be ready to get off of this one!

Stuff that isn't that interesting: I had a spider that lived on my car for two days. Every time I went out, the web was built between my mirror and the car door. It became a game to see if I could throw the spider from the car. :) The web would really get to blowing, but the spider kept managing to swing itself over to the mirror and crawl behind it until I stopped the car again and it would build it's web all over again. I was kind of sad to not see the web on Sunday when I went out to my car.

Stuff that I can't universally talk about: hmmm, nope, still not going to go there :)

I'm assuming this didn't really satisfy anyone's curiosity but it was fun to elaborate in my own special way.

Being a softball fan is not for the faint of heart :)

If a picture is worth a thousand words, and I don't have a picture, does that mean I get to use 1,000 words to describe the event? Just curious...

Let me set the stage (if you don't need the stage set, just skip down to paragraph 3)...

Tonight was Monday night softball. I have been a fan of the church's league for four years now. That means I rarely miss a game (and now I usually watch both teams that play on Monday night). As the school year winds down in the spring, I start rearranging my work schedule to get off by five so that I can make it to the games. There are people I only see during softball season. This year it at the first game it was great to hear, "We've missed everyone and couldn't wait to come to the game." I feel the same way. Anyway, that's all background information (I must learn to use my 1,000 words carefully, lest I run out!)

Tonight's game was the Bethany vs Bethany game. The two teams play each other twice in the season. The first game was rained out (I may have prayed that it would be rained out because I was on vacation and didn't want to miss it...) Well, of course, today there was a high chance of rain. It rained earlier in the day, but I didn't think it was enough to cancel the game. But around 6:00 it started raining at my apartment pretty steadily so I assumed the game would be cancelled. I texted Kari and she called and said it had hardly rained at the field and the sun was shining. Yay...game on.

The Bethany/Bethany games are pretty well attended, so the fans come out of the woodwork. Here we were, all geared up to watch a good game of softball when the first drops of rain started. People scrambled to run to their cars...ummm, not exactly. People pulled out their umbrellas and some people ran to their cars to get their umbrellas and run back to their seats. So hear we all sat (I'm horrible at judging numbers, so we'll say between 30 and 50 people) huddled under our umbrellas hoping that it wouldn't rain long. But it just came down harder and harder. We were pretty wet, even with the umbrellas. Just as it started to let up, they officially decided to postpone the game but the teams were still going to play for fun. Down went the umbrellas and out came the ice cream.

It was lots of fun hanging out in the rain. It would have been so boring to sit inside my apartment by myself during that storm! But really...I wish someone had taken a picture of everyone huddled under their umbrellas. Maybe someone did and it will be on Facebook later...

BTW...that was only 476 words :)

Insert Clever Title Here

A lot has been happening with me, but it's either
a) stuff that isn't that interesting
b) stuff I haven't fully processed yet
c) stuff I don't really want to talk about or
d) stuff I can't universally talk about for all the world to read (because my blog is definitely read by hundreds of people all over the world?)

I like to pretend commit to things before I actually commit to things :). So a couple weeks ago, after my trial run in my head, I officially committed to directing the TnT girls in AWANA this year. I love the AWANA ministry. When I lived in Georgia I was a listener in Sparks for a year. Then my last year in Texas I directed Cubbies (which it was a small program so I basically led the Cubbies class). Since being in Peoria I have worked with the TnT girls, which is 3rd-6th grade. I started off as a listener for the 3rd grade girls, which means I listen as they say their verses each week. I moved up with them to 4th grade and became the room leader, which was the same as listening except I also did prayer requests. Then I moved with them to 5th grade. That year I would fill in every once in a while for Kimberly who was the director if she needed me to hand out awards and dismiss the girls after game time. Last year, I became co-director, which basically meant following Kimberly around and doing things she needed me to do (not really, but for the most part). Well, Kimberly is pregnant this year, so she announced at the end of the year that she would not be directing next school year. She told me I should take the director position. I played a game for a few months where I would say "If I become director next year..." and everyone would say, "you mean when you become director..." Long story...I know...but I finally made the commitment. I am still hoping for someone to co-direct with me because I think it is daunting to do it all on my own. I am excited for the year to start, but also a little anxious. We have a directors meeting this week, so I'm about to hit the ground running trying to figure all this stuff out! Be in prayer for me, for the girls who will be coming each week, and for the changes that will probably happen due to the transition (Kimberly and I worked well together but have very different personalities!)

More to come later, I'm sure, on this topic and on other things I'm processing and other news that will crop up along the way....

O Glorious Day

We sang this at church on Sunday. It is a new song by Casting Crowns, but a remake of a hymn. I especially love the chorus. It brought tears to my eyes on Sunday. It is now officially on my Ipod. :)

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Birthday Evening

I had a very relaxing day today. I slept in, had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, read a book, read all my wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook (as they came in), opened presents, had a friend over for lunch and Dominion, and ended the day in my normal Monday way...with softball, except with a few perks :)! Strawberry cupcakes compliments of my roommate (Danell, she ran out of frosting for two cupcakes and I told her it would be okay, that if you were at the game, you would eat a non-frosted one :) )

Softball. It turned out to be a beautiful evening. There was a chance of rain all day, so I was really sad because I assumed it would actually rain. Boy, was I wrong!

Hold a baby. Hudson slept almost the whole game in my lap :)

I know, adorable.

And Taylor too :)

There were lots of other people at the games too. But I had a baby in my lap, so I couldn't venture out to take other pictures.

Birthday :)

This morning as I was deciding what I wanted to study in the Word, I began to pray. This day isn't really about me at all. My gracious God chose to give me life 31 years ago. Yippee! :) As I was praying, I wanted to commit this year to Him...I want to know Him more. I want to serve Him more effectively. I want to glorify Him in my thoughts, words, and actions. I want to see the His fruit bear forth in my life. Because I am called by His name, I want to bring His name good, not harm.

Because as much as I love celebrating my birthday, it's not about me!

Here are some of the Scriptures I wandered through today:
Isaiah 33:6: He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

There is so much in Isaiah that I love. Chapter 40 and 43. I love how often Israel is called God's chosen one. That through these passages I know that God has created me and called me by name. He watches over me and will not forsake me. He calls me precious and tells me He loves me. He is called my Redeemer, my Holy One, Creator, King. It says that He has blotted out my sins for my sake!

Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother''s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

I thank God for the family He placed me in. I have two parents who love me and have given me everything it was in their power to give. I was given three siblings who I love dearly. I love being a little sister, knowing that as much as my brother and I had normal sibling fights, he would do anything to protect me. I remember a time, after my brother had graduated from high school, that I was having some problems on the bus. My brother told me that if he needed to, he would drive to the school, park his car, and ride the bus home with me to make sure that the problems did not continue! That was after he outgrew the phase of pinning me down to spit in my mouth, of course :). I also love being a big sister, even if Josh is about to outgrow me too! Being a big sister brings with it the challenges of being a good example, a person I want Daynah and Josh to follow. And I thank God that, even through the yuckiness of divorce, He gave me an amazing person to love through my Dad's second wife (notice, Amy, that I didn't call you me stepmom :)!) And through my brother's marriage, I have been blessed with an amazing sister-in-law, who just because I ask, even though she really doesn't want to, will make me an apple pie :). And who tamed my brother (no more burping at the table and a lot less beating me up!). And both Chris and Ann have given me the cutest nephew in the world :)

Like I said, I love my family and thank God that they are mine! He knew what He was doing when He knit me in my mother's womb!

Anyway, off to relax and enjoy my birthday! I'm eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast even as I type this!

Feeling the pressure and Birthday Rules

I've been told I haven't blogged in awhile. Sheesh, you go on vacation, post up a storm, and then get in trouble because life gets in the way! :)

The other night I was getting ready to go to a concert at church (The King's Brass, which was amazing) and was thinking through some blog material in my head. Too bad it never made it to paper. I had been reading a book that was full of witty comments which translates to me thinking in very witty language (kind of like when I watch too much Gilmore Girls in one sitting and start talking like I belong in Stars Hollow). Unfortunately, I can't remember any of the material. Writer's block, yet again.

But, alas, it's my birthday weekend, so I should have SOMETHING to blog about. As those of you who are my friends on Facebook already know, I took yesterday off and decided it would be a wonderful idea to lay out at my dad's pool so I could add a little bit of color to my otherwise WHITE body. I didn't intend for that color to be BRIGHT RED, but that's what happened. Would it be too much to ask that this pretty pink color would turn to a deep, golden tan? Since my body has never seen deep golden tan in its almost 31 years of life, the answer to that would be a resounding Yes, way too much to ask! It doesn't stop me from trying though.

Anyway, last but not least, Birthday Rules (I might have posted this last year, but in my old age, I can't really remember...)
1. It's never too early to send out a birthday list to your family.
2. Never be ashamed of adding to the list throughout the year. :)
3. Cards can be opened when they come in the mail (after all, what if you think it's a birthday card, wait to open it, and find out that it was really a time sensitive invitation to a very important event. Granted, this has never happened, but it could, so open cards as they come in).
4. Never open presents that come in the mail early. These sit in plain sight for as many days as they come early in anticipation of the actual birthday. (and when you have my mom as a mom, that means sometimes a week early, but it's like Christmas presents under the Christmas tree. The longer you let them sit, the more you get to shake them!)
5. You can always open presents early if you are celebrating early with family or friends, but only if you are in their presence for the celebration.

I think those are the only rules I have, but those who celebrate the most with me might be able to name more rules that I have, so comment away!