I'm a bit shocked!

Cash Advance Loans

I had some teachers, actually one, in high school, who will go nameless, that told me that I couldn't write. Well, I guess I did learn a thing or two!

GOD IS GOOD!

Some friends of ours will soon be parents this week! It has been 5 years of waiting and trusting God to bless them with a child. They are adopting a little girl who I know will be loved so much. I am so excited for them! Congrats Derry and Janelle! Can't wait to meet your little bundle of joy!

We Are Moving!

It has been about 2 weeks since the big move. It was months in the making and finally on October 13, our lives changed. I didn't plan very well in the packing up stages because it is all coming out no matter what. OK, we have not moved to a new house but Haley is now on the move. On her 10 month birthday she took the plunge and figured out how her arms and legs can move together to move her around. Now that she has mastered the skill, her toys are no longer of interest but the dog's water and food bowls, the drawers in the kitchen, the movie cupboard under the TV, and anything and everything. It is so much fun to watch her and play with her. We have races down the hallway and play hide-and-go-seek. She loves it! I was beginning to think she would never crawl because she was so content just sitting and playing. Now, she wants to be right at my feet. I can only imagine what it will be like when she can walk! I think we will be there sooner than we think!

10 Years Ago...

Ten years ago I graduated from Goshen High School. I was proud to be a Redskin and loved being with my friends that I made while my years at GHS. I was fairly active and participated in things. My main love was cheerleading. Yes, I said it, I was a cheerleader. I loved every minute of it. I even had one of those shirts that said, "Cheerleading is life." To me, it was. I was also in choir and orchestra. Hated orchestra but loved choir. I made many friends and thought that I would not loose touch with my "friends." I remember thinking at graduation of how I was told by people older than me how they had forgotten so many names of the people that they went to high school with. I never thought that would happen to me. I thought that I knew so many people. I truly would have to say that I loved high school. Never want to go back and do it again, but it was good while it lasted!

Well, a couple of weekends ago was my 10 year class reunion. I received the invite way back in June(I think) and I debated and debated on going because I would probably have to go alone. It wasn't until the night before that I decided to go. I am glad that I did for one reason and that is, seeing 2 friends that I have not seen in well, 10 years. But one of those I was exceptionally close to. We had been "best" friends since 5th grade and due to some unfortunate circumstances that happened during our senior year, we began to drift apart. Well, the week of the reunion, she called me and said that she was coming back to Goshen from Wisconsin. I was excited! As we talked, we both commented on how weird it was to hear each others voices. It had been forever! The conversation was so natural. It reminded me of the hours and hours that the two of us would spend on the phone talking or watching TV together while talking on the phone. We did everything together. I couldn't wait to see her.

We ended meeting at the reunion along with another friend that I cheered with. We sat together and caught up on life and reminisced about high school. We talked about cheerleading and other crazy stuff that we all did back then. The best part was clearing up some baggage that we had happen to us back in our senior year. Remember, my "best" friend and I drifted because I made cheerleading and she didn't. That was very hard on her and she was able to share how terribly hurt she was and heart broken by that event. I can tell that it still bothers her to this day. Talking it out was good. We mended something that had been broken for 10 years. That was awesome! I now feel and know that we will keep in contact and hopefully see each other sooner than later. Our lives are leading in different directions and are at different points in life, but I have really been excited about the connection that we made.

I was disappointed that not more people came to reunion, but I know that we are all busy people. It was good to see the ones that were there. I realized that we haven't really changed in appearance since high school. Ten years seems like a long time, but I think the 20 year will be interesting. I hope more come to that one! Thanks to all who dedicated their time in putting together such an event.

What? A New Post?

Yes! That's right! I am finally writing on my blog. This one is for you Heather! My life has been incredibly busy the last month. Since school has started I have been trying to find a routine. I think I found it. I' m done teaching at 11:30 then it's of to pick Haley up from daycare. From there we go home and she takes a nap while I do some things around the house. A lot of times I do school stuff since I don't get a prep time during the time that I am there. Then when she wakes up we hang out and play or run errands. Sounds boring, but I love it! I am really enjoying teaching half time this year. The other teacher that shares my class is doing a fantastic job and we work well together. I think that it is a good match. Too bad this is only for one year. It has been a good way to ease back into work and juggle motherhood as well.

I will update more later but thought I would start with this!

So Long Sweet Summer

That's right! It's time to say goodbye to summer and hello to new beginnings for a new school year. This has been a good summer, one that has been different than any other summer. As I look back and think about these last two and a half months, I am reminded why I enjoy summer so much. I love the warm weather with sunshine and days laying in the sun not having a care in the world. For me, summer brings on a new freedom and a different pace of life. I throughly enjoy having my summer's off to be available to do whatever. No schedule or routine. Well, I guess routine is something that needs to happen with a child in your midst. But, I don't have to be up and getting ready at 5:30 in the morning, rushing to get bottles made, a baby to take to the daycare, and in my classroom getting ready for the day at 7:30. I love the downtime!


As I said earlier, this summer was different because Haley was with me everyday. There were times that I was longing for adult conversation throughout the day but I enjoyed every minute that I had with her. As I am typing this my eyes are filling with water as I am thinking that I will be leaving her every morning but then I remember that I will be with her every afternoon this school year. I will only be teaching half time this school year! YEAH!!


Here are some of my highlights of the summer in no particular order:
1. Being with Haley and watching her change pretty much daily or weekly. I feel blessed to have the time to be with her.

2. Being at the lake or the pool getting some rays(sun) and being lazy.

3. Time that Jason and I had on our little getaway. This time was special and important for me as I spend time with my best friend just connecting with each other. I love him!

4. Spending time with friends and family.

5. This one was difficult but a huge learning curve for me. Being a single mom for 12 days while Jason was in Mexico. That part was hard but I learned so much from this. Read here about my expereince.

6. Junior High Camp was fun and definaltely exciting to see where God takes the junior high this school year.

These are just a few as there are many more. 'Till next summer!

A Restful Weekend

This weekend Jason and I took a couple of days and got away. It was so nice to have time to do things just the two of us. My parents came Friday night and stayed until today to watch Haley. Friday Jason and I checked into the hotel and relaxed and watched a movie. Saturday we woke up later than normal. WOW! Sleeping in was nice! Then we ventured up to St. Joe, Michigan to spend some time at Silver Beach. We had never been there. It is a nice, quaint town to visit. The beach is nice and the downtown is nice to walk around. We came back to eat dinner and watch another movie. Today we slept in again and then went to see "The Bourne Ultimatum." Very good movie. I usually don't like movies like this but seeing the first two in the last three days, I thought that seeing the third movie was a must. I'm glad that we went to see it.
It was a great relaxing weekend and time with my awesome husband! We need to do that again soon. Thanks Jason for our time together!

My Baby is Growing Up

We are just 2 weeks shy from Haley turning 8 months old. Here are few recent pictures of her. She is growing too fast!

The messy face picture was taken while her dad was feeding her. I'm wondering if she actually ate her food or he just missed her mouth completely!

Summer is Quickly Ending

Where has the time gone? August starts tomorrow. I can't believe how fast time flies. School starts in two weeks. Is it just me or does time seem to go faster when you are older? I can remember thinking that summer would never end. Now, I want it to slow down. I guess that is life in general.

Last week we had a garage sale. My first ever in my married life. I had never heard of having a garage sale on Thursday until I moved to Nappanee. Now I understand. Thursday is a such a big garage sale day in this town. Friday, not so much and Saturday, so so. We did really well which will help us out a lot. I learned more how interesting people are. One lady came and she is the county jail librarian. She thoroughly enjoys it and has been doing it for a couple of years. Can you imagine what kind of ministry you would have being a jail librarian? Can't imagine. Then I met another lady who travels in a motor home(the big, nice ones) in the summer and then lives on a yacht in Mexico during the winter. WOW! That's all I could say to her while she is standing in my driveway looking at a portable gas grill that we were selling. What a life? She proceeded to tell me that it is the only way to live and she is glad that she has the life that she does. Who wouldn't? Or, would I really want that? Not sure!

Like I said, it was successful and intersting. Glad it's over though. This weekend Jason and I are going away for a few days just the two of us. It's been a while so it should be fun.

My New Friend

Meet Mallory Rondeau. She received a new name while at camp!

Introducing: Betty Lou

Summer Camp Summary

Summer camp has come and gone and I believe that what took place there did not stay at camp. It came home with the students and our junior high will forever be changed. Students met with Jesus and Jesus met with students. I have never seen 7th and 8th graders worship like they worshipped at camp. Many hearts were broken and decisions to follow Christ were made. Relationships were built and walls were broken when it comes to hanging out with people that were not friends before. A desire to be apart of something significant was evident. It was by far the best junior high summer camp that I have attended and I have been to many.
Prayer was huge. God showed us that even the smallest of prayers matter to Him. The day we went to Cedar Point the skies were overcast and the forecast predicted 60% chance of rain. Well, the sun came out for most of the day with only about 15 minutes of sprinkles. Not even enough to get wet while back at the camp, it was a torrential downpour. We had many occurrences like that. We set up a prayer room where each group went in half hour blocks late at night or early morning. This was a place to be creative with prayer. Pretty cool to see the desperation for schools, families, countries, missionaries, and friends.

Our theme was ONE coming from Ephesians 4:4-6. "We are all ONE body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, and there is only ONE God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us."

It was so much fun hanging out with students again. I met some pretty amazing girls. I can't wait to see what God does in their lives during this next school year.

Camp was awesome but this school year will be better because of what happened at camp. God is up to something!

Puppy Love

Irish and Haley have become the best of friends. Haley's face lights up with smiles when she see Irish. Irish is always giving Haley kisses and lets her pull on his hair. He is really a good dog and is wonderful with Haley. I'm glad they are such good pals!

Encourged and Burdened

Tonight we had a small group of parents come to the church to pray for senior high camp and junior high camp. I was very encouraged of those who took time out of their night to come and pray. Some drove somewhat of a distance to come. It was neat to hear their prayers and the desire to see not only their own child grow at camp but others as well. Thanks to those that came!

My heart is burdened for the junior high girls. For some reason, God has really placed a desire to pray for these girls. They face so many challenges and choices today. They are the same choices and challenges that I had at their age only magnified by 1000. Satan is definitely working and trying to put everything in their way so that they don't see the face of Jesus. I am amazed at everything that is available to these girls today. I sometimes have to stop and think if I was exposed and tempted in the same ways as today. Was I sheltered? Probably! Why did my life seem to look different? I don't know. Are times different? Sure they are but, kid are still kids.

My prayer for camp and the girls is that God will reveal himself in ways that are indescribable. I pray that 7th and 8th grade girls will find their identity in Christ rather than their friends or boyfriend. I pray that unity would develop in a way that God could only ordain in junior high girls.

I know and expect God to do amazing things! Let's go!

WOOHOO! I"M GOING TO SUMMER CAMP!

I don't believe that I have been so excited about going to summer camp in a long time. This year I am excited for multiple reasons. Here's why:

1. I get to dive into the lives of students which I haven't done in nearly a year now.

2. It will be a refreshing time for me to have a change of pace for a few days away from the duties of motherhood. Haley will be well taken care of by her grandma and grandpa Thompson. That makes going even more comforting.

3. Jason and I get to do ministry together which again, has been nearly over a year.

4. It's summer camp, so that goes without saying!

5. Most important, God is going to do amazing things this year. He is already moving at our senior high summer camp and awesome things are happening. I believe that those same things can happen in the lives of junior highers. I go back to the quote that Terry Bley said about 2 summer camps ago: "A surrendered live is an empowered life. An empowered life is a life that expects the miraculous." I believe that miraculous things are going to happen and lives will be changed.

It's going to be awesome! I'm ready to become ONE with Christ!

Click here for ways to pray for camp and updates throughout the week!

I'm Shuffling!

I have read many posts where their iPod was put on shuffle and they jotted down what came up. I decided to try my iPod. Jason and I share the iPod so it shall be interesting to see what we get. Here we go!

The First 20
1. TruDog: The Return, TobyMac - can never go wrong with the Mac
2. Go: Andy Hunter - never heard of this song
3. Grace Will Be My Song: Steve Fee
4. End of October: David Crowder Band - gotta love Crowder
5. Here in Your Presence: Ross Parsley
6. The Luckiest: Ben Folds - this song was played on our wedding video
7. O Praise Him(All This for a King) : David Crowder Band - another Crowder song!
8. Would You Leave: Everyday Sunday
9. Faithful: Steve Fee - I have to admit that I have never listened to this song
10. Be Lifted or Hope Rising: you guessed it, David Crowder Band
11. Wholly Yours: David again
12. Made to Love: Toby Mac
13. Angel of Harlem: U2
14. Sweetest Thing: U2
15. Here is our King: David Crowder Band - We must really like David!
16. Anthem: Tree63
17. Reach: Jill Parr - never listened to this song
18. Strange Dream: Andy Hunter - not sure
19. He Reigns: Newsboys - love the Newsboys
20. You Make My Dreams: Daryl Hall

I do have to say that I am somewhat disappointed about the selections that came up. They are good songs but there are others that I like better. What are you going to do? Ok, Jason, it's your turn to try and let's see what you come up with since we do share this iPod!

A Book That I Love!

I'm kind of behind the times when it comes to reading books. I don't read much because I'm not sure what kind of books I like and honestly, since high school it has not been enjoyable. I have many people around me who read all of the time and talk about the latest book that they just finished. I obviously cannot join in on the conversation. But lately I have been wanting to read a particular book that is a fairly easy read. It has been out for a few years now and so many people I know have read it. It is one that our IMPACT teams have read during their months of training before the trip. So, I knew that we had a copy of it at home and I started reading it a few days ago. It is, The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus. The preface of the book is living a life that is fully surrendered to Jesus Christ no matter what the cost. Let me repeat: A life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. It is having a faith that is undomesticated, raw, and dangerous. I'm half-way through the book and I must say that is a life changing book. I have been under numerous teachings and have had conversations based on what this book talks about. I want to share what some thoughts from Erwin that have made me think based on what I have read so far.


Erwin states in the beginning of the book this statement, "Perhaps the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us declare Jesus as Lord have become domesticated - or, if you will, civilized. We have lost the simplicity of our early faith. Beyond that, we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untamed, and primal faith." I was thinking back to what a child's faith is like. Jesus tells us to have faith like a child. A child is so simple. They just believe that their needs will be met and that they will be taken care of. I wonder if they worry, fret, panic, or stress out? I doubt it! I want the faith of a child. If I let my flesh take over, I will struggle to have a child like faith but if I let Jesus take over, I believe that my faith will have passion and power.


He goes on to explain what a person that chooses to be a barbarian looks like. "The barbarian way is about love, intimacy, passion, and sacrifice. Barbarians love to live and live to love. For them God is life, and their mission is to reconnect humanity to Him. Their passion is that each of us might live in intimate communion with Him who died for us...Barbarians are guided by the wind of God and ignited by the fire of God." This kind of life seems so easy to live out. Hang out with people and love them. How hard can that be? I think that is the easy part. There always seems to be something hard about sharing Jesus with people that you have begun to have a relationship with. You begin to wonder what they might think of you. Will you be persecuted? Will you be made fun of? Will you be rejected? All of those could very easily happen. Those are the risks that we all must take when living the barbarian way. If our lives reflect Jesus the way that Jesus meant for it to, then I think that people would want to know the Jesus that we talk about. They would want to have that intimacy with Christ. I want to live a life that is contagious that people can see that I love Jesus.

It's easy calling ourselves Christians. Everyone is a Christian. Being a barbarian is not what everyone is. Being a barbarian is following Christ not matter what the cost. Jesus' orginal call was so simple, clean, and clear: "Follow me." I done being a Christian, I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

While You Were Out

While Jason was away, I did some redecorating. I had a lot of help from Jason's brother and mom. They did so much for me! Anyway, this was a complete surprise to Jason. When he would call home I had to pretend that his family was not here and there was never a mention that we were painting. Now mind you, this was something that we talked about doing before he left but never made it final. It's kind of funny because one of the conversations I was having with Jason I was telling him that his dad came over to fix our grill. He was greatful but wished that his dad could have painted also. It was hard not saying anything but little did he know that when he walked in on June 25, his living room and kitchen would be a different color. He liked it and was surprised!

Here are some pictures of before and after!

Living room and kitchen before!

Living room after and kitchen after!

A Big Day!

Well, today is a big day in the Thompson household. Haley is going to her very first sleepover at her grandma and grandpa Thompson's house. Not sure if it is more of a big deal for her or me. Probably for me! I think it is time! Jason and I will get to spend time together without worrying about Haley. Also, her grandparents will get to have some extra fun with her. It's a win/win situation for everyone.

God the Comforter

Sunday Pastor Dave communicated about the Father's Love for his children and how the Lord provides us comfort and compassion. He read a section from 2 Corinthians 1 about this very thing. It was awesome to be reminded of how much God really cares for us even when we are discouraged and lonely. God is our true encourager and comforter. Here it is:

2 Corinthians 1:13
"All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us."

God's encouragement is a ministry of presence.

YEAH!!!!!

That's all I can say! JASON IS HOME!!!!

Today is the Day!

Today is the day that the IMPACT team returns home. They are scheduled to return to Nappanee around 5:00 tonight. I am so excited I can hardly wait! I will definitely have to keep myself busy so that the time goes by fast. Oh wait, that is what I have been doing for the past 12 days. Anyhow, it will be good to have them home. Awesome things happened while they were in Mexico. God is good! God is amazing! God is faithful! God is powerful!

Doctor's Visit

Today was a day that I had been dreading all week. Haley had her 6 month check up today. It is more than just getting weighed, measured, and checked out. It entails having 4 shots injected into her thigh. I think any mom that goes through these appointments can relate with what I am talking about. My mother-in-law went with me for some support because I think the appointment is harder on the parent than the child.

She was doing fine when the doctor was checking her out. She now weighs 19lbs. 8oz. and is 28in. long. She grew 3 inches in 2 months! She is so long. She is in the 95th percentile for her age. I guess that means she is doing great! I can't believe how fast she is growing!

Everything was going fine as predicted. Next, the nurse walks in with the tray of needles. I knew what was coming. I held down Haley's leg as the first shot went in. She started screaming! It was beginning to get difficult holding her leg. If you know my daughter, she moves her legs so fast. Then it was the second, then the third (on her other leg). Finally we got through all four shots and Haley was trying to catch her breath from crying! I do have to say, she did a fantastic job. She is a true trooper! She calmed down and we were on our way.

I now understand why people hate going to the doctor. It all begins while being a baby!

I am proud of her! I love her and love every minute that I am with her!

Ways to Pray!

Please pray the IMPACT team as the finalize their ministry in Mexico. Check out Jason's blog for more details.

A Faith Journey

Whoever thought being a Christ follower would be so challenging, rewarding, full of grace, lonely feeling(at times), mountain top experiences, and any other emotion out there? Well, I have experienced many of these emotions over the past 6 days. I know I have written about how much I miss Jason in previous posts but this is not another one of those even thought my feelings have not changed! I want to share what God has been teaching me during this period of time. This has taken me a few days to write because of everything that I am processing.

Yes I am sad. Yes I feel lonely but thank the Lord for family and friends. God has been taking me on a faith journey the past month or so and I believe that through my obedience and constant seeking, he is revealing himself to me in may ways. But this week especially, he has been showing and answering some questions that I have had over the past few months. I have been trying to figure out what my role is supposed to be in ministry as a new mom along with being a youth pastor's wife and all that these titles/jobs entail. This week I have been reminded that my role as the youth pastor's wife is to pray fervently, encourage, and come along side and be the teammate that God has called me to be. I truly miss this part of our ministry together. I have had many emotions over the past 7 days. It is kind of like something was taken away and I have been going through the grieving processes. Sadness, denial of my feelings, anger, and so on. Sounds weird I know, but that is the only thing that I could compare it to. But in all of this, God has truly revealed himself to me. I am realizing how I can be a mom, and a wife and still have time to be a partner in ministry. Pretty cool!

Even though this has been extremely hard for over the past week, I know that it is only making me stronger and more confident in who I am in Christ. It is a true faith journey! I guess this was all in God's plan. In the moment God's plans sometimes stink but when you are completely surrendered, God's plans are victorious.

A day in Chi-town

Today, my mom, dad, Haley, and I loaded up the car and headed to Chicago to spend the day with Ted and celebrate Father's day. Our first stop was the church where Ted's group was being introduced and letting the congregation know what they will be doing this summer. If you want to know more about what Ted does click here. WARNING: he has not updated his blog in awhile but you can get the idea by reading past posts. Then off to lunch downtown at the Weber Grill. This was my first experience at the restaurant. I have to admit, I was impressed! It was great. The food, service, and environment. We went around the table and shared our favorite memories of our dad. It was fun going down memory lane. He is a great dad and has sacrificed so much for us.
After lunch, we took a stroll downtown and enjoyed time in the Windy City. Then drove back to Ted's house and dropped him off. It was fun and a beautiful day!

Time flies in 6 months

It has been six months since the day that our life change. Decemeber 13, 2006 at 7:19 a.m. Haley Elizabeth Thompson joined this world. She has been a true blessing and we are so thankful for her. What was our life without her? A lot different! We have had to make adjustments and sacrifices but we would not change those for the world! They have all been good! Jason is such a great dad and it has been fun the past 6 months watching him interact with her. We with herlook forward to the years ahead.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Before Jason left the idea of me flying down to Mexico in the middle of the trip was given. At first I was a bit apprenhensive and decided that I would stick it out here at home. I having been praying about this now for the last 36 hours or so, I am now wondering if I should go. Not sure if the offer still stands. I hate the fact that we are not doing ministry together and I am not there. Sounds like some amazing things are happening already and I want to be there to experience them with him.

Here's my prayer:
Lord, please give me a clear answer and still my heart about Haley being left here if this is something that I should do. I know that she would be fine and well taken care of. I need your peace!

Just what I needed!

This morning as I was feeding Haley her cereal and pears the phone rang and it was Janelle. We talked for awhile and then decided to go shopping together. We both were going to the same place(Meijer) so we decided to go together. We made a few other stops also! It was so nice talking with her and just hanging out. I had fun! Thanks Janelle for listening to me, talking to me, and caring. I really needed that today!

Day 1 down, 11 more to go!

I made it! I made it through the first day of Jason being gone. That should not have been bad as he has been gone before. He has never been gone for 12 days though and that is one reason why this is hard. Thanks mom and dad for coming over with dinner and spending time with me. That was great!

There are some things that I will be doing that will keep me busy, which I need to do if I want to stay sane. Saturday I will be throwing a baby shower with my friend Janelle for Rose Lehane, another youth pastor's wife from church. I will be visiting my brother in Chicago on Sunday. My mom, dad, Haley, and I will all be making the trip to visit Ted so that we can spend Father's Day with my dad. That should be fun!

I hope to do other things but at this time that is what is on the list for now.

THEY'VE ARRIVED

Just got a text message from Jason and they have arrived in El Paso, TX. Now it's on to Juarez, Mexico. They will be travelling there by vans. PRAISE THE LORD they made it safely. Here we go! God has some amazing things in store!

Wide Awake

It's 2:00 a.m. and I am wide awake. Jason left about an hour ago to meet the IMPACT team at the church. I cannot go back to sleep so I thought I would write a little bit. I am sad, but extremely excited for Jason and the team. I can't wait to hear what God does while they are down in Mexico. I will miss Jason while he is gone but know that when he returns, his heart will be changed because of what the Lord has done. Please pray for him today as he leads his first ever NMC IMAPACT team. Read more here on ways to pray for Jason specifically. Read more here on ways to pray more specifically for the team.



I love you Jason and I am praying for you! See you when you get back!

A Mixed Emotion Wife

Tonight I am actually realizing that Jason leaves tomorrow for 12 days. I was originally supposed to go with him on this trip but decided against it because of Haley. I could not imagine leaving her for that amount of time while being in another country. Well, as we were praying for the next 12 days, it hit me that I am not going. I was thinking, "I'm his wife and I should be going with him. The pastor's wife always goes on these kinds of trips." Well, we made a decision for me to stay home, one that I am grateful for but, I will not get to experience everything that happens. And most of all, Jason and I will not have this experience together. That's really hard. I will look forward to the stories when he comes back. But unless you are there to experience them for yourself, you are left to just listen and enjoy hearing what God did.

I think what is hard for me is that I will not be there to support him in the tough times and in the joyous times. I will be a prayer warrior from home and know that there are other people on the team that will support him when I can't.

It's going to be a great trip and God is going to do amazing things. I just know it!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Late tomorrow night or early Thursday morning (however you want to look at it) Jason will be leaving for Mexico with students and leaders from church. They will be going to Juarez, Mexico and working with NMC partners that have started a church in this city. Click on the picture to learn more about what they will be doing and ways to pray for the team. Jason will be missed but I know that God is going to do some amazing things while they are there.

Putting on Faith Glasses

As I have said in a previous post, our church is doing a series titled "Love Wins." Yesterday was the last week for the serious and Pastor Dave ended with a bang. Literally! It was awesome. I will write more about that later as I am still processing and listening to God. If you want to listen to the message click here.


It was the first Sunday of the series(I think) when Pastor Dave brought a faith walking couple to the stage to share a part of their testimony. This couple shared about a faith journey they took several years ago when God called them to Africa. They began working with the children in Kenya. Many of these children are born with HIV and or their mothers are too ill to care for them because they also have HIV/AIDS. They saw a need and they believed in God that he would take care of them.

They began building a baby center for these children so that they would have a place to live. They wanted this place to be a home and a health care facility for the sick babies. They had stories after stories of successes and disappointments but God was still in control.

In the midst of all of this the lady(sorry, I can't remember her name) became ill and they were forced to come back to the U.S. so that she could get the proper care. This was obviously something that was devastating and confusing. God called them there, why is he taking them away.

This is where the exciting part comes in. Our church is coming behind the abandoned baby center. We are going to help finish the project so that these children have a place where they can be safe and cared for rather than being left to die in awful conditions. I got really excited and was sad at the same time. God was moving in me and talking to me about these children. Having my own child now, this really got pretty personal. I began to think of the children who have been left to die because they are either not wanted or their moms are too sick to take care of them. I can't imagine that being my daughter. My heart began to weep for these children.

God was talking to me as Pastor Dave was finishing his message. We were all given the challenge of taking steps of faith in helping with this effort. I was asking God, "How can I help?" It was amazing, his answer was so clear to me. I came home, talked about with Jason, and we both agreed to pray about it for a couple of days. Those couple of days came and went and I knew that I needed to take the step of faith. So, I am!

It is hard to walk in faith because of the unknown down the road. But when God calls us we must be obedient. Faith is a COMPLETE trust in God.

My faith glasses are on! Is God asking you to take a step of faith? Put on your faith glasses and let God be in COMPLETE control!

My eyes hurt!

Ever heard the saying, "hard on the eyes?" That is usually referring to guys or girls when they are talking about someone that they met and they have no physical attraction. Well, my reference is not about that. Let me explain.

Today I was driving through my neighborhood on my way home and I saw something that I have never seen before and never want to see again. I glance out my window and I see a man on a lawn mower waving his arms in the air at his wife who is standing at their front door completely naked. I could tell that he was telling her to get back inside and get some clothes on. This women had a few extra pounds of weight and skin on her body. I won't go any further! I couldn't believe what I just saw. It is broad daylight and this is the main road back to my street, so it is highly travelled. Now you may ask what kind of neighborhood I live in. It is a family orientened neighborhood. But I guess there is one who has to be a rebel!

Now everytime I drive past this house, my thoughts will never be the same.

More classes!

I can remember like it was yesterday when I graduated from college. I was done with papers, projects, tests, portfolios, and everything else that comes with college. I was getting on with my life and couldn't wait to have my teaching licence in my hand because then I knew that I was finally considered a teacher. Well, that was 5 years ago.

Fast forward to the present. I just finished my 4th year of teaching and am loving it. Time flies! Well, that license that I mentioned earlier expires this year. In December! Not a big deal, right? Not really other than having to renew it and take MORE CLASSES! Now, I agree that all educators need to be up to date with today's way of teaching and the culture that is around us. I just don't want to take more classes every 5 years. On top of it, I have to pay for it. 6 credit hours every five years. You do the math! It's alot of money.

Want to know my opinion? Probably not, but I'll share it anyway. If the state requires every teacher to take 6 credit hours every 5 years, they should be flipping the bill. I know that won't happen but I can dream! I'm still paying on my first round of college and probably won't be finished paying that off until Haley goes to college.

I know I will get it done!

Teething, Snot, and Niagara Falls

The past couple of days have been somewhat rough from the motherhood standpoint. Haley is cutting teeth and believe me it is not fun. She has 2 teeth already which popped through about a month ago. We went through the snotty nose and cough just fine. I was thinking that it wasn't so bad in comparing to what I had heard. Well, this week I can relate to all of the other mothers who have gone through the cutting teeth. Haley once again has a snotty nose, a cough, and a snotty nose! So I do what I did the last time. I got out the prescription that we were given the and the tylenol. I thought we would go through a little bit of crankiness but boy was I wrong. She is very grumpy! Nothing makes her happy.

I was doing my best at being patient. I fed her at the normal time in the afternoon. Her bottle was almost empty and she acted done. I started to burp her. Then next thing I knew, Niagara Falls arrived right inside of my house. Haley was puking all over. I was drenched. She was drenced and so was the chair I was sitting in. She did this 2 different times. It was gross! The joys of motherhood!

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day!

What's My Role?

For about the past 4 weeks, my church has been doing a series titled, Love Wins, a series on how we as a church can plug in to the body and use our gifts, talents, and passions for Christ. Now mind you, I have been attending NMC for almost 11 years now, and I can't remember a series that has hit close to home as much as this one has. I have been wrestling through some issues that have been brought to my attention through this series. I will share more in another post but right now I am trying to figure out where I fit in the body of Christ.


Since I graduated high school way back in 1997(yes, my 10 year reunion is this year) I have been heavily involved in student ministries. I have been a small group leader, youth class teacher, and been a leader on several of our trips. I have loved every single bit of it and have gained many lasting relationships through these times. I love to talk with teenage girls and listen to what they are going through and in the process try my best to be a good listener and advisor. There have been times that have bombed and times that have been great. I have learned through both circumstances. So you might say, "sounds like you have found your fit in the church." You're right to an extent. Am I ready for something else?


This past year I kind of removed myself from being a small group leader because I was having a baby. I knew that with that life change, my focus and attention would not be on my small group. I didn't think that would be fair to the girls. So, I said that I would be a small group leader to small group leaders, college girls. Well, I can honestly say that I didn't do a very good job at that. It was harder than I thought and I didn't put much effort into it. Sorry girls!

So now, the school year has ended and summer is here. It is time to start thinking about next year. Will I be involved in junior high, high, school, or something else? I don't know, that is where my questioning comes in. What's my role? I want to and love doing ministry with Jason. I think that we make a good team! Being removed for a year has been great so that I could be a mom and just sit on the sidelines. I am reminded that sitting on the sidelines is not what God intended us to do. We are to be involved somewhere, somehow in the body.

So, that's where I'm at. Searching for my place! I have many questions. I pray that Jesus will show me a clear path. I know he will, just when and what is the question!

I figured this out!

I have had this blog for a few weeks now, but I am just now figuring out how this works. I wanted to begin a blog to share thoughts, feelings, and occurences that happen in my life. If no one reads this, it's ok. I might be sad but it will be fine. I really want to share some things that God is stirring within me. So, if you are reading this, hopefully you will enjoy!