I have been thinking way too much recently about all the "what ifs". I need to stop doing that! Making a decision for a new church home has been taking a toll on my emotions lately. We have tried some great churches and there are positives about each one. But which one is for us? A lot of my thoughts have been about my own insecurites of fitting it. Will I be able to use my gifts in a large church where everything is done to the upmost degree? I sing, but will I be able to sing on praise team? I teach, but will I be able to teach preschool like I did before?
I just need to let go and let God lead us to where He wants us. I know that I will need time to be refreshed before I dive into serving. So, why am I thinking so much?
I think this post is just for me to write down what I'm thinking and get it out of my brain. It's good to think about the answers to my questions, but I also know that God will use my gifts to glorify Him. It may not look like what I wanted, but I have to trust that God knows best!
Okay...brain is alittle less crowded now.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
An ordinary Tuesday
I thought today would be just an ordinary Tuesday with lots of whining between the boys, laundry, cleaning, and just hanging out. It has turned to be delightfuly pleasant. Nothing earth shattering, but still, I have a smile on my face!
First of all, the boys and I slept in until 8am! That in itself is a big deal in our house! The boys both have a tendancy to wake up early when they don't have too. I was delighted to get some extra rest this morning!
Second, I was able to take a nice long hot shower. I take showers most days, but they are usually interrupted by a child needing something. Today, no interruptions!
After my nice shower, I realized that we really didn't have much for lunch so I thought, "hmmm. Let's go out to lunch. hmmm...Wonder what Eric is doing for lunch?" We ended up driving to Kendallville and had lunch at McDonalds. As we were driving through downtown Kendallville, Jarod said, "You know, Mom, Kendallville is like New York. All the buildings are pushed together!" I tried not to laugh too much. I think that was the line of the day!
We had a nice lunch with Dad and then drove off. On a whim, I thought we could go to the zoo. We had visited the new African Journey, so both boys agreed. The zoo wasn't terribly crowded, in spite of all the cars and full parking lots. Andrew walked with Jarod most of the time and was fine to go see the new lions. I even sent them on the train by themselves! That's a first.
Jarod was awesome with Andrew today! I was and am so proud of him! it's not been easy for Jarod dealing with Andrew's autism sometimes. But, today he was just big brother!
I am so thankful that we had a really fun time today. Andrew didn't mind the spur of the moment ideas and was very flexible. Jarod helped out and was a joy to watch.
Thanks God for showing me the simple things today and to take time to enjoy them!
First of all, the boys and I slept in until 8am! That in itself is a big deal in our house! The boys both have a tendancy to wake up early when they don't have too. I was delighted to get some extra rest this morning!
Second, I was able to take a nice long hot shower. I take showers most days, but they are usually interrupted by a child needing something. Today, no interruptions!
After my nice shower, I realized that we really didn't have much for lunch so I thought, "hmmm. Let's go out to lunch. hmmm...Wonder what Eric is doing for lunch?" We ended up driving to Kendallville and had lunch at McDonalds. As we were driving through downtown Kendallville, Jarod said, "You know, Mom, Kendallville is like New York. All the buildings are pushed together!" I tried not to laugh too much. I think that was the line of the day!
We had a nice lunch with Dad and then drove off. On a whim, I thought we could go to the zoo. We had visited the new African Journey, so both boys agreed. The zoo wasn't terribly crowded, in spite of all the cars and full parking lots. Andrew walked with Jarod most of the time and was fine to go see the new lions. I even sent them on the train by themselves! That's a first.
Jarod was awesome with Andrew today! I was and am so proud of him! it's not been easy for Jarod dealing with Andrew's autism sometimes. But, today he was just big brother!
I am so thankful that we had a really fun time today. Andrew didn't mind the spur of the moment ideas and was very flexible. Jarod helped out and was a joy to watch.
Thanks God for showing me the simple things today and to take time to enjoy them!
Friday, June 5, 2009
It's Friday!
The school year is almost done. At 3:30pm today, I will have a third grader in my home. Where has the time gone? I will also have a kindergartener. I am so thankful for great teachers this year for the boys! Mrs. C has been such an encourager to Jarod. What a blessing! And then there is Mrs. L and Mrs. D for Andrew. We have been with them for 3 years. It is very hard to say goodbye to them! They both have become mentors to me and friends. I am anxious about next year for both my boys, but I know that God has prepared a path for them and I am excited to see where it leads!
I am also thankful for a wonderful time celebrating Rachel's life on Monday with a bunch of friends. It was nice to be around others who loved Rachel and that I wasn't sitting at home with my thoughts. We called it: Rachel's first birthday in Paradise!
I finally have my living room painted ! It's a very warm beautiful gold color. My folks came up and helped. As sad as it sounds, it was my first time to paint a room. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I'm hoping to paint the kitchen before the end of the summer. We'll see if I actually make that goal.
I had planned to post this on Friday, but my little Andrew decided he didn't like it up on the computer screen. So, he hit the "x" and I haven't had a chance to get back to it. I'm thankful for automatic save!
I am also thankful for a wonderful time celebrating Rachel's life on Monday with a bunch of friends. It was nice to be around others who loved Rachel and that I wasn't sitting at home with my thoughts. We called it: Rachel's first birthday in Paradise!
I finally have my living room painted ! It's a very warm beautiful gold color. My folks came up and helped. As sad as it sounds, it was my first time to paint a room. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I'm hoping to paint the kitchen before the end of the summer. We'll see if I actually make that goal.
I had planned to post this on Friday, but my little Andrew decided he didn't like it up on the computer screen. So, he hit the "x" and I haven't had a chance to get back to it. I'm thankful for automatic save!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Five on Friday
1. I am so thankful for a great meeting on Monday on behalf of Andrew. There were 12 people there that have or will have an active part in his education. I'm not going to say it takes a village to raise a child, but I am so blessed to have all of these people around me to support Andrew. I am pleased with the "plan" that we came up with for Kindergarten. It will be a trial and error time for the first few weeks and the plan can be (and should be) tweaked once every one figures out Andrew's cues and personality.
2. I am thankful for MOPS. It has been a huge blessing in my life as my boys have grown. I have been involved with MOPS for about 8 years. I have grown in so many ways because of it: as a leader, a mom, a wife, a friend and a follower of Christ. Thank you MOPS for the impact you have made in my life!
3. I have spent time on my porch this week just relaxing and enjoying the weather. I love my porch and I am thankful for it!
4. I had my last BSF class and fellowship on Thursday. I am so thankful for BSF and the depth of its teaching. I have learned so much about my God through the study of Moses this year. I think one of the lessons I have learned is that even with past failures, God can and will still use me. Moses sinned and asked "why". God used him in a mighty way. I'm so thankful that God loves me enough to use me.
5. I am thankful that today is a day at home with no real agenda! I'll take Andrew to get his hair cut, but that's the only outing I hope to make today. Ahhh....
2. I am thankful for MOPS. It has been a huge blessing in my life as my boys have grown. I have been involved with MOPS for about 8 years. I have grown in so many ways because of it: as a leader, a mom, a wife, a friend and a follower of Christ. Thank you MOPS for the impact you have made in my life!
3. I have spent time on my porch this week just relaxing and enjoying the weather. I love my porch and I am thankful for it!
4. I had my last BSF class and fellowship on Thursday. I am so thankful for BSF and the depth of its teaching. I have learned so much about my God through the study of Moses this year. I think one of the lessons I have learned is that even with past failures, God can and will still use me. Moses sinned and asked "why". God used him in a mighty way. I'm so thankful that God loves me enough to use me.
5. I am thankful that today is a day at home with no real agenda! I'll take Andrew to get his hair cut, but that's the only outing I hope to make today. Ahhh....
Friday, May 15, 2009
My five on Friday
1. I was able to take a long walk this week. It was a cool morning and the sun was shining. Eric had surprised me some time ago with an MP3 player and I listened to it the whole time. I'm thankful for that time to be in God's creation and enjoy that time to myself.
2. I had a wonderful time with Pamela and Kris this week getting pedicures. It was so relaxing and fun to be with special friends. My toes look great!
3. I am thankful for lunch with Lisa this week. I appreciate her friendship more and more each time we get together. I am blessed by her.
4. Andrew is putting more words together each day. The other day he said, "I need help!" He also told Jennifer this morning, "Jennifer, go upstairs." He is getting so verbal! And that's a good thing, right? Just kidding... I am also thankful that Andrew loves listening to Bible songs in the car. He will now go around the house and sing "Jesus Loves Me". I tear up almost everytime I hear it! At school on Monday, he was playing Bob the Builder in the kitchen area and was singing "michael row your boat ashore". How cute!
5. I had my last day of discussion with BSF on Thursday. I have been so blessed to be with a great group of gals this year. I have learned that God is a promise keeper and that He loves his people so much, even in their sin. God is a God of details and he cares about every little thing. What an awesome God we serve!
2. I had a wonderful time with Pamela and Kris this week getting pedicures. It was so relaxing and fun to be with special friends. My toes look great!
3. I am thankful for lunch with Lisa this week. I appreciate her friendship more and more each time we get together. I am blessed by her.
4. Andrew is putting more words together each day. The other day he said, "I need help!" He also told Jennifer this morning, "Jennifer, go upstairs." He is getting so verbal! And that's a good thing, right? Just kidding... I am also thankful that Andrew loves listening to Bible songs in the car. He will now go around the house and sing "Jesus Loves Me". I tear up almost everytime I hear it! At school on Monday, he was playing Bob the Builder in the kitchen area and was singing "michael row your boat ashore". How cute!
5. I had my last day of discussion with BSF on Thursday. I have been so blessed to be with a great group of gals this year. I have learned that God is a promise keeper and that He loves his people so much, even in their sin. God is a God of details and he cares about every little thing. What an awesome God we serve!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thankful
It's early. Andrew threw up in bed sometime last night. He's in my bed. Load of bedding is being washed. This is not how my Friday was supposed to begin. I have company coming tonight, which will probably have to be cancelled.
Now that my griping is done I HAVE to think of something to be thankful for because to be honest, I'm not feeling that thankful right now. IT's been a hard couple of weeks. So, here I go...
1. I am thankful that I got to spend 3 wonderful hours with my best friend from high school last weekend. We don't get to see each other that often, but when we do, we can just pick up from where we left off. We talked the whole time and laughed a lot. It was good therapy for me!
2. My parents have been great through all the tragedy that has surrounded me. They came up to help while I was grieving for my friend Rachel. That was so helpful to me!
3. I am thankful that I got to spend a morning with my friend's kids. I took them to the zoo and we had a wonderful time. I like taking Andrew to the zoo, but he just likes to run and look at the fish. This time, I was able to interact with the 4 year little girl. It was refreshing to my soul. Thanks Melanie for asking me.
4. My best friend is home from Papua New Guinea! I am SO THANKFUL for that! We have talked on the phone just about every day. What a blessing.
5. I'm thankful for First Missionary Church and that it has been our home for 11 years. We are saying goodbye this summer. We need to find a place where we can get little Andrew's needs met. It has not been an easy decision, but it's the right one for our family. We have loved the people at FMC dearly and still do. Thank you for being like a second family to us!
Now that my griping is done I HAVE to think of something to be thankful for because to be honest, I'm not feeling that thankful right now. IT's been a hard couple of weeks. So, here I go...
1. I am thankful that I got to spend 3 wonderful hours with my best friend from high school last weekend. We don't get to see each other that often, but when we do, we can just pick up from where we left off. We talked the whole time and laughed a lot. It was good therapy for me!
2. My parents have been great through all the tragedy that has surrounded me. They came up to help while I was grieving for my friend Rachel. That was so helpful to me!
3. I am thankful that I got to spend a morning with my friend's kids. I took them to the zoo and we had a wonderful time. I like taking Andrew to the zoo, but he just likes to run and look at the fish. This time, I was able to interact with the 4 year little girl. It was refreshing to my soul. Thanks Melanie for asking me.
4. My best friend is home from Papua New Guinea! I am SO THANKFUL for that! We have talked on the phone just about every day. What a blessing.
5. I'm thankful for First Missionary Church and that it has been our home for 11 years. We are saying goodbye this summer. We need to find a place where we can get little Andrew's needs met. It has not been an easy decision, but it's the right one for our family. We have loved the people at FMC dearly and still do. Thank you for being like a second family to us!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Andrew loves our neighbors
Here's a note from our neighbor, Cathleen from Friday:
Becky,I have to tell you about this - it was so funny. Drew came over and rang our doorbell. The kids answered and he came right in. He went straight for the Veggie Tales dvds, found one and took it. Meanwhile, your father-in-law was at the door by then, but he wanted to sit down and watch it. We got him back to the door, got him to let us make sure the dvd was in there, and he was off...Well, guess he likes us now!!! Thought you'd get a chuckle out of that. I thought it was fairly classic myself!
This gave me the biggest laugh of the week. Now, I guess we are on a month to month fee for movie rentals from across the street!
Becky,I have to tell you about this - it was so funny. Drew came over and rang our doorbell. The kids answered and he came right in. He went straight for the Veggie Tales dvds, found one and took it. Meanwhile, your father-in-law was at the door by then, but he wanted to sit down and watch it. We got him back to the door, got him to let us make sure the dvd was in there, and he was off...Well, guess he likes us now!!! Thought you'd get a chuckle out of that. I thought it was fairly classic myself!
This gave me the biggest laugh of the week. Now, I guess we are on a month to month fee for movie rentals from across the street!
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