The crafty bug...

I don't know if it is the time of year or what, but I am just itching to do some crafty projects! We had a tease of fall weather earlier this week, which quickly disappeared as I knew it would, but it was enough to make me start thinking of the holidays. And maybe that is why I have the crafty bug since I always enjoy making homemade gifts for my family at Christmas. Every year I tell myself I will start those projects earlier so that I am not doing them the week before...maybe this is the year! I think part of my problem is that I have so many different ideas colliding in my brain that it is hard for me to settle on one and start working on it. I seem to spend more time visualizing and dreaming ideas rather than actually making them happen. I think I need to just designate one night a week as crafty night and make it happen. I'll let you know how that goes.... :)

A Success!!

Well the ladies retreat was fantastic! Every single lady showed up that was registered...56 ladies in all. We had no major problems and the facility was absolutely beautiful. Most importantly, the message for the weekend was truly God breathed and many lives were touched. We watched a Beth Moore video series on "Loving Well". Her main points were as follows: 1.) God is perfect love, 2.) Nothing can separate us from God's perfect love, 3.) God's perfect love is poured into our imperfect hearts, and 4.) Accessed, we can love anyone through anything. It was a wonderful message - encouraging and challenging at the same time.

God showed me several things this weekend. For one thing, He showed me how great it can be when the body of Christ works together and everyone uses their individual gifts. I had a great leadership team, and while I must admit that I struggled with some of the delegating during the planning stage, I really felt God challenging me to let everyone play their part and not try to hold their hand. That is usually very hard for me to do, but I know it is just pride on my part. So, I assigned the duties and let them be and it was so awesome to see everything come together...and beautifully! Usually when I am in charge of things, I am stressed out the entire time because I am trying to do everything. However, because I had delegated, this experience was so much better. I was able to relax and enjoy the weekend and just sit back on several occasions and observe other people operating in their gifts and talents. It was such a beautiful thing to behold!

This weekend was also so exciting for me because I felt like I was finally returning to the calling of God on my life. This weekend felt so natural for me and I could really feel God's hand on me. Chris and I are doing more and more at the church, and while it can be a little scary and overwhelming at times, I am also excited about what God has in store for us. I definitely feel my comfort zone being stretched, but I know that is the only way to grow!

Ladies Retreat

Well, it is early Friday morning and our church ladies retreat starts today. I just got finished spending some time with the Lord about this weekend, and I am so excited about what He has in store for us! I had a lot of last minute registrations so our final number is 56 ladies. After a crazy week trying to get all the last minute details finished, it is finally here...ready or not!

I know it will be a great time of refreshing for so many of the ladies. My heart is that we will be a unified group this weekend and every one will feel welcome and loved. We have so many new ladies at the church and this is the first FFC retreat for many of them. Like any other place, we naturally have cliques, but I am really praying that the women will step out of their comfort zone this weekend and love on each other.

I John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].

This is our theme verse for the weekend, and I just love this version of it. Oh Lord, help us to have a love that springs from you. Help us to develop a better understanding and knowledge of who you are, so that we can love those around us. Make us your vessels and pour your love out of us so that it splashes on everyone we come in contact with. Amen!

Tithing my time

I have been feeling very unorganized, unproductive and generally overwhelmed lately...and God has been gently prodding me about my lack of consistent quiet time. I was having a discussion with Chris today about my struggle to get up early for my quiet time with the Lord. Everything in my flesh fights the idea of getting up early in the morning. Yet, if I don't have my quiet time first thing in the morning, then I get too busy with my daily tasks that I never find the time to stop. I know that I probably need to start going to bed earlier, but I usually feel most productive at night. It seems to be a catch 22. (By the way, what exactly does that phrase mean??)

Anyways, during our discussion, I mentioned that my argument sounded a lot like the argument you hear from people who are having a hard time tithing. "But I already live check to check and barely have enough for the bills. If I give 10% to God, how will I have enough to pay everything else?" I have a similar argument...it just has to do with my time. I already feel like there aren't enough hours in the day and I always feel like I am behind the curve. Yet, I am not honoring God with the firstfruits of my day. I know that He will honor my sacrifice, and will make my day more productive if I will just give Him the chance. It is just my selfish flesh that always seems to want more sleep!! I know it is just an issue of self-discipline. I apparently need God's help to beat this body into submission!! Am I the only one with this struggle? Not that it really matters, I just want someone else to share my pain :)

Another funny...

Another hysterical Youtube video. I appreciate these incredibly talented people who feel compelled to share their gifts with tbe world...and give me a good laugh!

God's faithfulness

We have been back from vacation for four days and I feel like I haven't stopped running since we landed! God obviously knew I needed some rest before the craziness began. Our church ladies retreat is only 9 days away and this is my first year to be in charge. I have an awesome leadership team helping me pull everything together, but I am still fighting the stress and anxiety that tends to come with being in charge. But God is so awesome! I was running errands on Monday and found myself thinking about all the different aspects of the retreat and I could feel the anxiety beginning to creep in. As my mind was racing with all those "what if" scenarios, I suddenly looked out the front windshield and there was the most gorgeous rainbow. It blew me away and immediately I was reminded that God is faithful and He always keeps His promises. I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 18:20 that says, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." That rainbow was God's way of reminding me that He will be there and that is all that really matters. I don't need to worry about all the little details because He is bigger than any problems that may come up. And as one of my friends reminded me, He has an agenda for the retreat and it may be different than mine. And that is OK!! My prayer is that I will be obedient and sensitive to His leading.

Hysterical Ebay auction!

If you have kids and have ever taken them to the grocery store, you have to check out this Ebay auction. Can you say hysterical??

Ebay Auction