Odd or God?

I have been on a diligent search for a new church. Oh, that rhymes. I think I may have found the one and let me tell you why...as I have been going to a variety of churches, every visit is like mourning the loss of my church all over again. I'll tell you there's nothing like visiting a church and crying through the service. Geez, will I be glad when this 'phase' is over! Anyway...my youngest daughter and I have been to a variety of churches and through the process have really discovered what we like and don't like in a church. (Don't know what you appreciate in your present church? Try changing...it'll become crystal clear!)

I have discovered I don't like rock and roll churches. I love rock and roll Christian music, just not in a church service. I like pastors that are reverent. The tone of voice is SO critical to me, as is the way they pray. I like a smaller church. I like stained glass windows. I like the organ. I like a choir. I like having a hymnal in my hand not words on a screen. I like a neighborhood church. I like grandma's in the nursery, not teens. I like teens participating in the service. I like to get communion from the pastor not handed down the aisle. I like bread, not wafers. I like grape juice, not wine. I like individual cups of grape juice, not dipped bread and the list goes on and on. What an eye opening experience this has been and through it all, I have realized how very much my former pastor has taught me and how many of his lessons have become life lessons for me.

OK, now onto the odd or God part. I Believe in signs. There are signs from God that you're in the right place, that you're following His will, that you're on the right path. Let me share with you the sign from today. After visiting several churches, I had a really good feeling about a local church here after pouring over their website. Through busy schedules we were finally able to visit there today. I was apprehensive because I had my precious great nieces with me and was really nervous about how they would react to a new church/new nursery/new staff. We visited the church and the girls went right in, said goodbye, started playing and were equally as happy as we picked them up. It was TOTALLY as if they didn't notice anything was different. Odd, or God?

Then, I'm in church and the Bible verse today was one that my pastor spoke of which was one of my favorite lesson which referenced Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He spoke about driving by a church in Rockford that had that verse on the outside of their building and how that always provided him comfort.

Today, I'm sitting in this new church and this high schooler gets up and reads..."Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever." SERIOUSLY?!? Odd, or God? I vote God. Tears welled up in my eyes and I knew without a doubt I was in the right place.

Finally, as you know, I have had SUCH a hard time with the losses of my pastor, my dad, my aunt Ruth and my Gramma Bee over a relatively short period of time. Guess what? Next week, this church is starting a grief group...for those that are grieving. Odd? I don't think so. God? Most definitely. I've committed to 6 weeks at this church, which I am relieved to know will get me through the Easter Season with some sense of sameness (meaning I won't be at a different church every week) After 6 weeks...we'll see how I feel, and of course we'll vote as a family. I'm sensing this could be good...really good.

One other thing my pastor always hoped for our church was to be a church of neighborhood and of our community. Our new church (dare I call it that) is in the beginning stages of creating teams to go door to door in their neighborhood. They already provide a Friday Fun Fest that serves over 100 children from the neighborhood school. It seems to me that my pastor's vision may be alive and well in this church. Time will tell for sure, but I definitely feel like I have taken a step in the right direction.

My dearest winter

Oh how I love thee..From December 24th through January 1st. Please notice today is February 7th. Please be on your way...

Last Minute School Projects

I am certain our family is the champion last minute project maker. I remember all too well when I was growing up, that waiting until the last minute to inform mom or dad, (No not dad...just mom) that a school project was due was definitely a no-no. This rule has definitely not been handed down to our children. As I recall we also didn't have nearly the amount of projects that kids today have.

Kristina announced one night about 7:00.."Oh, I have a language arts project due tomorrow. I have to make a character puppet and a poster." Off we ran to Walgreen's to pick up some poster board. Gratefully, we just happen to have an array of wonderful materials to make just about any school project with last minutes' notice! This project called for an Asian girl puppet, with a pink party dress and a heart shaped necklace...

What do you think?

Not too bad eh? A paper bag, some googly eyes, pop dots to make a nose, lip linerfor the mouth, an American Girl pink party dress and necklace, coke box arms, and an Asian wig carefully removed from one of my porcelain dolls and voila! One last minute language arts project. By the way...she got an A. And I think that puppet could not have been any cuter!

How bout you? What do you do that's crazy last minute?

So you miss the midwest do you?

It's about this time of year that I get really tired of winter. Usually we head to a sunny beach in December to help me get through, but we weren't able to do that this year. Hence...it appears I may be in for a loooooong winter. The bright side however, is that this winter has been especially beautiful and not especially cold, which I appreciate. For some reason we've had quite a few days of frozen fog. You know...it's foggy at night and then you wake up to this...

Looks like someone has gone around with their spray can of "flocking"

What a beautiful Sunday morning!

14 !?!?

Can you believe the precious one has turned 14?!? Where has the time gone? I have to be honest that a part of me is celebrating joyously a bit relieved that the some times tumultuous 13th year is now in the past. Middle school is on it's way out and I, for one, am looking forward to high school. The fun, the experiences, the memories. I still can't grasp 14...for my baby.

The family gathered for cake on Dad's side...



Mom's side will be coming up as soon as all of our schedules coincide...and then of course there'll be the friend party. More on that later...

For now...Happy Birthday Nina!



Make a wish lovie!!

I think not...

We are a 3 cat family. One cat is my brothers...we are caring for him until my brother gets an apartment that allows pets. Then there's Julio...He was our third cat...and I love him, but he is not the chosen one. The chosen one, is our first cat...Jake. There is no upsetting Jake, no picking up Jake, no moving Jake, no bothering Jake...because Jake is the chosen one. Really! I love him the best (GASP!) And I'm just a little bit honest about it. He sleeps on our bed. He is just precious.

The only bad thing about Jake is that he likes to sneak outside. All of our cats are indoor cats, but since Jake likes to sneak out, we've had him micro chipped. Even so, it still terrifies me that he will get out and meet a terrible fate...like a coyote. :( Today, as in most of the nation, we're getting snow and lots of it. Jake was curiously by the door....thinking perhaps it was time to sneak out. I bravely left the door wide open for him, prepared to run right outside and grab him, should he take the opportunity. Let's just say....Jake passed on that one... He's safe and warm sitting next to me in a chair by the computer.

It's heeeeeeeeeeere!

My project life kit arrived today and I am SOOOOOO excited. Last year, Creating Keepsakes offered the project 365, but sadly I missed out. This year, I was right on the project life kit, by Becky Higgins. I ordered it for myself for Christmas from my mama. So far, I have been faithful in taking my photo a day. (All 5 days, I know...right?) I just love the elements of this kit and can't wait to get started...