Weekend With Jennys

This past weekend two of my wonderful college friends came to my house to visit. Jenny and Jenny were juniors who tolerated me as a freshman. It had been about 5 years since I had seen Potts, and 14 years since I'd seen Harv. But I have to say, the weekend felt like college was just yesterday. That's what happens when you have friendships based on Jesus - they are eternal! I laughed so much this weekend, plus just had some wonderful conversations, as well as a beautiful time of prayer. Thanks so much for coming, Jennys! I love you both!

Madison and Michael took these pictures for us! I cropped Madison's, but I left Michael's as it was because it brought a smile to my face.

Random Thoughts Vol. 14

Welcome again to Random Thoughts. The summer has been busy and is flying by, so there is plenty of random floating around.

Last weekend was our neighborhood garage sale. I have a love/hate relationship with the garage sale. I love getting stuff cleaned out of my house, love getting money for the junk I wanted out of my house, but I hate all the work. It went well, and I'm glad it's over. As a result of the garage sale, we did a lot of cleaning and sorting in the basement, a good by-product of the sale.

Sunday afternoon Ryan and I left and went to Indy by ourselves for a couple of days. Ryan's parents kept the kids for us. We had a great time eating at restaurants we normally wouldn't go to, visiting art museums, and seeing The Dark Knight. I love that Ryan is still the friend I love to be with more than anyone. Here's a view from the canal that we walked along:

We also got a good look at the outside of the new Colts stadium:

And here's a cool stained glass window at the Indianapolis Musuem of Art (which has free admission, by the way):

As wild and fun as last weekend was (garage sale, Celtic dancing, Indy trip), this weekend could top it. Two of my college friends, Jenny & Jenny (yes they have the same name and it's making it very hard on Ryan), are coming to my house to visit. I haven't seen the one Jenny for about 5 - 6 years, and I can't remember the last time I saw the other Jenny. It's been at least since I graduated from college, which was 14 years ago. They haven't seen each other for a couple of years either, so it will be quite the reunion. And, we owe it all to Facebook! So, tune in next week for a synopsis of the weekend of the Jennys! It should be a hoot!

My final random thought is a quote I found when cleaning out the basement bookshelves. It's from a woman named Judith C. Lechman.

When we throw ourselves into religious activities without having made our life one of prayer, we run into danger. Our days and nights are filled with teaching or printing a newsletter, working in an outreach program or a food bank, an inner-city rehabilitation project or on lobbying efforts. We feel we are doing the Lord's work, and perhaps we are. But we will never know unless we take the time to listen to his voice and be certain we are following his promptings and not ambitious ones that start in self. We must always ask ourselves whether we are working to please God or to satisfy our own need for achieving results.

Merriment

A lovely couple from our church got married last month in a small ceremony, and tonight was the big reception for all their friends and family. It was very fun! On the invitation it said it would be a night of Celtic music and MERRIMENT. Who can say no to that? They asked Ryan and I to join a group of people who were learning some Celtic dances ahead of time in order to be able to demonstrate them at the reception. To my surprise, Ryan agreed. We had a ball learning the dances, and a great time doing them tonight. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I'm so thankful and honored to have been a part of it all.

Convicting Quote

While I was cleaning out my bedroom, I found this quote I had copied onto a sheet of notebook paper. It's a powerful one!

"In every Christian's heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility." A.W. Tozer

An Actual Parents' Room

Yesterday we painted our bedroom. I'm so glad to have it done. I had been wanting to do it for a while now, so seeing it finished is very gratifying. When we had finished the first coat of paint, Michael came to look at it and said, "I like it! It looks like an actual parents' room!" I don't know what it looked like before, but since we've been parents for over nine years, I'm glad to finally have a room that fits the part. Michael also very sweetly told me later he was so glad I got my room painted, and that now everyone's room had been painted. All three kids were excited for new colors, even Max, and Madison was excited about all the pillows on the bed! In order to paint, we moved our bed to the living room, so the whole time we painted the kids enjoyed watching tv while lying on it, and just the overall fun of a queen size bed in the middle of the room. Next project: Getting stuff ready for the neighborhood garage sale next weekend!

Random Thoughts Vol. 13

It's been a while since I've posted some random thoughts, so there are quite a few brewing in my head! So, away we go!

I absolutely loved this past weekend! It was just such a great weekend for the five of us. I just feel so blessed to have this wonderful husband and these amazing kids!

Since there isn't anything exciting on tv to watch (except Wipeout, which our kids love, and I survived a Japanese game show, which Ryan and I love), my new time waster is Facebook. It's not my fault. I was sucked in by two college friends. They got me hooked on these Facebook games. I try to justify it by chatting with one of them if they are online at the same time, but it's still pathetic that I can't stop playing word twist. But, there is value in it, because I haven't seen these 2 friends for YEARS, and now, due to Facebook, we're back in contact, and the 2 of them are coming to visit me in a couple of weeks. So, look forward to more information on the 2 Jennys coming to Mishawaka. Ryan said, "what will you do when they are here, we only have 2 computers..."

On a much more significant note, I've recently read 2 fabulous books on prayer. The first one is called The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb. If you feel like your prayer life could use some depth, I highly recommend this book. The whole point is about getting past yourself and closer to God so that when you pray, you are praying God's heart and will. The second one is Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. This book changed my mindset and has empowered my prayer life! The most important thing I read in it was that it's not a power problem, it's an authority problem. Jesus has all the power he needs, he's waiting on us to relinquish authority to him so that he can do what he wills. This entire book was such a blessing, and I highly recommend it.

Another new past time for me is watching internet video and reading on the internet about the Holy Spirit breakouts in Florida and South Carolina. If your faith needs stretched, check out Fresh Fire Ministries and Morningstar Ministries. God is on the move, people!

When I get time, I'm going to post what God has been speaking to me about our adoption. It's good stuff, but I need to take some time to put it all together. The situation is still the same, but I choose to dwell on what I do not see, the instruction God gave me months ago through a prophetic word from a friend. (I think I wrote a post about this, frosting on the cupcake of life)

Finally, a funny kid story. Yesterday, Max fell asleep on the couch in the afternoon. I was putting laundry away, and I saw him wake up and get up to go to the bathroom (or so I thought). But when I came out of my bedroom, the bathroom was empty. I got another stack of laundry and headed back and decided to look in Max's room. When I looked in, he was sitting on the floor, in the middle of a circle car track. I thought, oh, he must be playing. Then I looked again, and realized that his pants were down, he was sitting on them, and he was peeing. In the middle of the floor. In his room. And didn't realize it. I said, "Max, that's not the potty, that's your room!" So I herded him to the real potty, he's still so tired he doesn't know what's going on, and when I bring him dry pants, he gets up, turns to flush, and starts giggling. He finally realized what he did, and was able to laugh about it when Dad came home : )

Bonus

Today I went to brunch with 3 of my high school friends. I think it's pretty cool that 18 years later we're still in contact with each other. In the picture, I'm slouching next to Amy, in order to not look tall. I met Amy in 7th grade at age 12. I spent a lot of time at her house, along with other friends of Amy and her two brothers. Amy's parents never acted like it was an imposition, everyone was welcome. Amy and her family still hold a special place in my heart because of that.

Next to Amy is Cheri, who I met in kindergarten. We were assigned to the same seat on the school bus. Soon I will have known her for 31 years, which is really too much to think about!! Cheri is the one who allowed my kids and me to stay with her while we were working on some dossier stuff in Indy last year. I was so grateful for a place to stay and a good friend to talk to in the midst of the mania of that trip. Her generosity at that time will be part of the legend of our adoption story.

By Cheri is Debbie, AKA Ed. Please don't ask why I call her Ed, because try as I might, I am incapable of making the story interesting, so people listen and then there's this sense of regret for asking. I met Debbie in 6th grade, and through all this time she has been a faithful friend and an uncompromising Christ-follower. Everyone should have a Debbie to help them during junior high and high school. I know it made my life better.

Many people would consider having just one of these friends to be a great thing. I have had the privilege of all three, so I feel like I received a bonus. I think God knew I would need it when I was younger, and appreciate it when I was older. And the truth is, I do. So today, I'm grateful to God for these women, who knew me as a girl, and stuck with me anyway. I love you all!

Independence Day

I hope you had a great Fourth of July! We had a wonderful day as a family that included museums, cheesecake, brats on the grill, and fireworks. I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend!

A couple of years ago I tutored a Venezulan couple who wanted to improve their English. Spending time talking to them really helped me to see my country from a new perspective. I have much to be thankful for because of living in the United States. May God shed His grace far and wide in this land!

The pictures are from when we went to fireworks in North Liberty tonight. I was taking pictures of everyone before it started, and Ryan asked if I wanted my picture taken. I said not by myself, so I asked Michael to take a picture of Ryan, Max, and Me. So, below is effort #1. I could tell that I wasn't in the picture and I'm just about to say something when he snaps it. The blob of red on Ryan's lap is Max. He wasn't very excited about the fireworks!