I realize it has been sometime since I last posted. I was not intending to take a break from blogging…but it happened anyway. The boys are on a balanced school calendar here. There are many opinions on this type of school schedule but I love it. It means we have two weeks off in the fall and summer! Last week was the first week off! Honestly, I was a little skeptical of this break. I wondered if my sanity would stay intact the entire time. Not only has it stayed intact (even taking the boys places like Kroger and Toys R Us) but we have had a great time!
Last week we went to the zoo with my friend Brandi and her boys Toby and Cy. It was totaly last minute (we planned it at 8pm the night before) but we have a blast. Taking 5 boys to the zoo seemed a little overwhelming at first but I am so glad we did it. The boys all get along well and they really do balance each other. And the best part….I totally trust her with my kids. There is something wonderful about that knowledge.
My mom was able to come out on Thursday while Heath and I had somewhere to be. The kids got to spend some time with Gigi…which all of them love. It is a blessing to have her close by to come out on day like that.
Heath took off Friday and we went and spent the day with my grandparents. We love them dearly. They are in their 80’s but I am telling you they seem more like 60 at times. We left our house at 9am and did not return until after 5!
The boys (all three of them) camped out on our land Thursday and Friday night! I am told Silas did extremely well for his first camp out. They plan to do it again this Friday night with Ben (Brandi’s husband), Toby and Cy! And what will we do while they are camping? A night out of course! We are getting together with some women from Crosspoint Dickson for a girl’s night. I am really looking forward to getting to know some of these women better!
Isaiah and Joel had baseball practice last night. This is the first year they are playing. It was Isaiah’s first practice. I appreciated the coach who took time to show Isaiah how to hold and swing that bat! Joel’s coach is great and keeps Joel’s attention…which is difficult! Both seem to be enjoying it so far…now for the games!
This week still holds play dates, lunches with Heath, work days with Daddy, 2 birthday parties, Easter Sunday church, egg hunts and lunches with family. It should be much fun! I might not write too much this week but I will be back next week with tons of stories I am sure!
So it is another edition of Works for Me Wednesday but this time it is the backwards edition. I normally approach this one with a little fear as I never really know how to ask for help. However, instead of a little fear, this week I was super excited.
I am trying to compile a list of books that I think are important to read. Somehow I went all through high school reading Clif Notes and never opened the books! So, I have never read any of the Classics like Grapes of Wrath or, well, I can’t think of another one right now. I also want to read some newer books too. I am reading Blue Like Jazz now and we are getting ready to read Becoming a Contagious Christian for our group.
So what do you have for me? What books can you recommend I add to my ‘got to read list’?
Feel like giving advice to others, click here!
As I wrote yesterday, we began a new series at our church called Drift. I was looking forward to this series as it has been influenced by the book unChristian. I had seen an interview with the authors a couple months ago and I was so intrigued. I am telling you, I left Sunday recharged, challenged and heart broken. Pete gave some statistics that really stuck with me. I did a little more digging and found the following in the book:
91% think the church is anti-homosexual
87 % think the church is judgmental
85% think the church is hypocritical
78% think church is old fashioned
75% think the church is too involved in politics
72% think the church is out of touch with reality
70 % think church is insensitive to others
68% think church is boring
61% think the church is confusing.
At one point in the service Pete asked us to raise our hands if we fell into that age range. I must admit that my heart sunk as I raised my hand. These are me peers that are feeling that way about church.
What happened to make church a negative word? I can’t tell you how many times I choked back tears as it became more and more apparent that church as become a rarity in the lives of this generation. This is the generation that will lead our country one day. This is the generation that my children will be looking to for guidance. This is the generation that is lost.
It makes me realize that every word I say, every action I display matters. Striking up simple conversations with those around me…or even with the grocery store clerk matter. Sometimes I just get focused inward. I think about my boys, or my friends or how I will serve at church. I am grateful for that but I often forget to look outwards. I miss the opportunity to be Christ to someone. My prayer is that God will mold my heart to be more like His, that, as painful as it might be, He would remind me of the lost people who are just looking for someone to tell them about Him.
I have been wanting to sit down and write all day today but it seems there just isn’t enough time between laundry and lunches and end of school days! This last Sunday our pastor began a new series. I loved it! I will be writing more about that in the coming weeks. I just don’t have the time or energy (or brain cells now) to write about it. However, I had a great weekend. It was one of those that helps me feel refreshed. And my Monday began wonderfully. Just a few bullet points:
*I had the chance to go scrapbook. It was so much fun…all though I am not sure how much I actually completed. However, I really enjoyed getting to know some of the women from my church better
*Our friends Alan and Carrie came over Saturday night. We always have so much fun with them and this night was no exception. I think what I love most about them is how they challenge us to follow Christ more purely
*Like I said, our pastor started a new series. It was a series I was most looking forward to and it has not disappointed me yet. I loved seeing him passionate about his message. I am still thinking on it today!
*This morning I talked to my best friend who I have known since I was 5. I am going to visit her in the next month or so. We have not see each other in over 2 years. I am giddy with excitement every time I think about it.
*I have an amazing husband! Every Sunday I get up, get ready, get breakfast on the table and leave by 645a to set up at church. Heath gets the boys all dressed (and bathed) and brings them to church. This last Sunday our children’s director, Debi, didn’t have enough teachers for the second service. Heath and I talked about it and he took the older two boys with him after first service and I stayed (with Silas) to help in the second service. I am so thankful for a husband that serves with our children so I can serve at church!
Hope you are able to find things to be thankful for in your weekend!
