He is Risen!

Today is Easter Sunday!! I am reminded of the most amazing sacrifice I'll ever know - that of Jesus' death and resurrection. It brings me life, hope, joy, and all because he loved me enough to give me his life. Thank you Jesus!!

To give my kids a visual of the empty tomb and the surprise Mary and Martha might have felt, we made resurrection rolls. Just dip a marshmallow in melted butter and then roll it in a cinnamon/sugar mixture. (This represents the anointing of Jesus' body. Older kids will be able to understand the symbolism.) Wrap it in a crescent roll (seal it too) and bake according to the directions on the crescent roll package. (Tip: wrap it well!!!) Let them cool and open them up. Maybe you'll be surprised too!

Our empty tombs . . . .

These are my guards outside Jesus' tomb. They are making sure no one steals Jesus' body.

(I was the angel, of course.)

Did I just pray for rejection?

So . . . this year I had a job over the Christmas holidays. I really enjoyed it even though it was the weirdest hours imaginable. I felt like a real person. Not just a mom or homemaker but a real person. I also didn't feel guilty about leaving my family to go to work. I was able to be with them during the day and work at night. Now, because I absolutely must have 8 hrs of sleep or I become a crab, my hubby helped out with the morning duties on my late nights. I don't think he minded. It seemed to give him special time with our kids too.

Early on in my job the management began talking about bringing me on after the holiday season was over on a part time basis. It would be early morning hours instead of night but basically wouldn't be different from the schedule I already had with my kids so I was excited about it. That was mid-December. I talked to Hubby about it and prayed about it too. All systems seemed a-go.

My prayer wasn't totally clear. I'm kinda a wimp when it comes to making decisions so I asked God to just make the choice for me. If the position was going to be good for my family and me, then let them offer it. If not, then don't. (Very spiritual, huh.)

Well, long story short . . . they didn't get the position. No one knew until the last minute but it was all off. Humph. My feelings were strange right from the beginning. I felt totally rejected. At the time, I was the ONLY person working seasonal that would not be returning. That, in and of itself, was a crushing blow.

However, I had this strangely peaceful feeling. I also immediately remembered my prayer. I knew God had gone before me and seen that it would be difficult for me or my family in the long run so he nipped it in the bud. He knew. He always does. All-in-all, I was disappointed but now, I'm glad to be back to normal again. (Or as close as it gets for our house.)

Gonna Miss This

There is a song out on country stations called, "You're Gonna Miss This". It's about realizing that where you are RIGHT NOW is life. Wishing it away will only keep you from seeing the blessing of the moment. You're gonna miss this time in life, wherever you are.

I used to work really hard at not missing the moment. When Jayci was a baby, I was very careful to not wish for the next phase of her life . . . rolling over to sitting to crawling to walking, etc. I think I set a good precedent for myself. I was very cautious with my other 2 as babies as well. I have slacked a bit.

I must admit since my oldest started Kindergarten this year, I have missed some of the things we used to do with all our kiddos. Although I am thankful for the free childcare (as I've been calling it for a while), now we have to plan fun trips for the weekends like everyone else in the world (zoo, Wild Animal Park, beach, etc.). We no longer get to do things during the week with ALL 3 like we did just a few short months ago. I miss that already.

I have a renewed commitment to live in the moment, to savor the morsel that is currently in my mouth (so to speak). I realize I will have tons of time for things later like shopping without little fingers grabbing everything off the shelves (of course, I'll have to leave Matt at home then too), for quiet dinners with friends, for soaking in the bathtub AND getting all my chores done . . . . More likely than not, I will have time for all those things but I can never have my children in these stages of life again. I can never rewind to the days of them begging for the tickle monster to come back, begging to go play at the "fire truck park", begging to go to McDonalds (yuk). I must drink it in now.

I have a friend in Texas plugging through cancer right now. I did not get to be with her long before we moved to CA but I believe God crossed our paths for a very important reason. (The story is too cool. I'll have to share it another day.) She is in maintenance chemo right now but she has struggled with this crappy disease for several months now. She is savoring the moments with her boys. Of course, she does laundry, cleans dishes, and makes beds but she savors the faces she does these things with. She lives in the moment. I am jealous of her right now. I wouldn't trade my health for anything so I hope I can learn this lesson through her and not have to learn this the hard way. (I love you, A, and I'm praying for you.)

Drink it in, people. It's the only today we get.

I am so blessed . . .

(See my original post: Soakin' Up the Day)

7 Days and Counting . . . .

In 7 days, Ridgeline Community Church will reLAUNCH in a major way. Over the last 3 weeks we have hit about 11,000 homes twice with door hangers - one with a funny top 10 and one with a pop rocks & Coke dare. Statistics say that 1-3% will respond. Think about that with me . . . minimally, that's 110 homes . . . . that's potentially 220 adults and who knows how many kids. Can I get a collective scream???!!

We are excited, scared, thrilled, afraid, and all around anxious but we are praying for peace. Peace for our families this week and peace for Sunday. Praying for no hiccups in the technology, praying we have enough volunteers in RidgeKids, praying we get things together and ready for the visitor bags, praying we keep our heads on straight and save time and sanity for our families.

This is the biggest risk we have taken so far but it is in God's hands now. He is the only one that can make this thing happen. He is the only one.

Matt and I are watching "Facing the Giants" right now and we are both bawling like little girls. We love this movie because it came into our lives a few years ago, right when we needed to hear the message the most: "Nothing is impossible with God" (Matthew 19:26). He does more than we can dream or even imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) He blesses just because He can.

Let's see what God has in store for Ridgeline . . . . Stay tuned . . .

wishiwas

Do you ever get the "I wish I was's"??? I sure do. Especially when I am checking out all my favorite blogs and copying all their ideas for my crafty moments. I know the majority of the blogs I follow are stay at home moms that blog for income. I really want a job like that. I LOVE to sew and create but I just don't think it would work for me.

There are a lot of things I'd like to be: in fashion, more compassionate, selfless, more confident, and skinny. Ok, let's don't go crazy. Seriously though, I know God made me just like this but I know there are things I HATE about myself too. I think some of them are just me wallowing in mud but I also have a sin nature that I'd LOVE to shuck. It causes me most of my personality flaws so I could just go without . . . . I'll have to wait for heaven on that one, I guess. :(

1 Corinthians 12 talks about the body of Christ and how we all have our part. The author, Paul, says we should not wish for other gifts because our role is exactly what is needed to fulfill the cause of Christ but I can't help but wishing for some other talents. My gifts lie in areas of leadership, administration, and teaching, and I like all those things. However, I'd like a few other perks. Know what I mean??

Most days I feel very secure in what I am and what I'm not. I meet so many people that could really use this sense of security that only comes from Christ, especially women. What is it with us?? Why are we always comparing ourselves to each other??

I'm having a weak day but let's ban together on this, ladies, and do our best to be satisfied with who we are. We are wonderful women that God sculpted with His very own hand. We would want our children (especially our daughters) to be confident in who they are. Let's face the mirror and be strong for them. We are who we are for a reason and when we are in our sweet spot, we will see everything so clearly.

Not looking for pity . . . . Just some thoughts of the day, I guess.

Yoga & Jesus

Some people will automatically be suspicious with the title of this blog but I have found a unique connection in Yoga to my walk with Jesus.

As I was in Yoga last week trying not to fall on my rear, I listened to the instructor, "focus on your practice", "listen to your body", "don't worry if someone else can do this pose deeper/better", "no judgement" . . . .

I really began hearing God remind me of my personal walk with Him . . . . "focus on your relationship with me not to others' relationship", "let other people walk their path as you walk yours", etc.

I realized how much I've been focused on everyone else's relationship with Christ and neglected my own. I remembered that when I focus on Jesus, I don't seem to think about what others are/are not doing. I can stretch deeper in my walk by keeping my focus on me.

Gimmie MORE!!!

Ok, so planning a church from the ground up is totally overwhelming!!! I think there is a new stack of "To-Do's" everyday. For several days now I've been totally freaking out and feeling tremendous pressure to make things just right but last night I realized what I really need is MORE FAITH . . . I have to just simply believe that God is powerful enough to make the children's area at Ridgeline exactly what He wants in the time we have left. The cool thing is that once I realized this, I felt the pressure lift. I have changed my prayers from "Lord, help me get all this done," to "Lord, give me more faith and more Jesus."

I think that is the real ticket.

Pray for JK8

I've been watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 and frankly, it just makes me sad. I watched the first episode of the season and began that night praying for their family. They are human and need God's help just like the rest of us. I believe the Gosselins want the best for their family and honestly, we all know that is an intact family with married parents.

I can't watch the show any longer without feeling depressed and I HATE those magazine covers with all kinds of half-truths and lies on the cover. So I no longer tune in.

Join me in praying for their reconsiliation. It will be a God-size work but I believe He's up for the task! They cannot do this but they know the One that can.