Do we truly appreciate?

I had the wonderful privilege of attending an "Appreciation Party" last night. I confess, alot of times I look at things that I "need to go to" as a chore. Last night was so different. I truly appreciated and loved the people they were honoring. It was a couple that I have known for almost 14 years. They have been serving in ministry most of their lives. They have been a huge influence in my life as well as my husband and children.

So, my thoughts went to this place... do we truly appreciate those who serve us in ministry? Before you get a negative rumbling in the pit of your stomach, let me say that I not only speak from the perspective of being a pastor's kid and being the wife of a pastor, but as a person who sits in the pew.

I readily admit that there are plenty of people out there who misuse their positions of ministry.

I am not referring to them. I also readily admit that those serving in ministry are people just like you... meaning that they mess up.


Getting back to my thought, do we truly appreciate those God has chosen to serve us? Can I tell you that from their side it's not near as glamorous as one may think. I am very proud that my father was a faithful pastor all of my life, but there were many times I wish he just worked a job like my friends dads. So, much so, that at one point I "told" God (ha ha) that I would never marry someone in ministry. I won't bore you with details from my childhood or my experience as an adult. But suffice it to say, those serving in ministry are not shown appreciation.

I encourage you this week to let someone know how much you appreciate them and their ministry. But! before you do, make sure that you truly do appreciate them. If not, ask the Lord to soften your heart to those in ministry.

P.S. Never tell God you won't do something...my husband is in full time ministry.

A simple thought

As I mentioned earlier, our family has taken a new direction in life. One in which I can say I was very fearful of heading into.
It has been 9 months since we left our former church. I questioned what God was doing with us and why He asked us to do what He did.
Needless, to say, I was mentally, emotionally and spiritually worn out. I actually lost my desire to serve.

When I came to Oakwood, our pastor did a very gracious thing by agreeing to just letting me sit and recooperate. I will say that the people of Oakwood have been my healing balm.(they probably have no idea of it either)

As a result of friends praying for me, people allowing me to recover, books crossing my path, ladies conventions, Bible studies, invitations to dinner, and many other things, I once again have a desire to serve. I really just noticed it happening in the last month. I am so glad God hasn't forgotten about me. 9 months ago, I truly thought He was done with me. I didn't have any idea what I would do. My whole life has been centered around ministry. Could it be that He would never use me? Was I that big of a failure to Him?
Boy, that devil can throw some vicious thoughts in one's mind.

I find myself in a position now that I have never been granted before. I can actually pray about what ministry God has for me and not just doing something because noone else will.

I'll let you know where God directs me. I just want to be used. Not for my glory, but for HIS!

Returning to the blogging world!

Summer is just around the corner for me. So, I will once again be a stay at home mom for the summer. I do love my teaching job and the ministry where I teach, but nothing beats being at home and tending to my husband, kids and home. ( oh and hanging out at the pool every day!)

This past year has taken our family in a new direction. One in which I was at first very frightened to go, but God has been so good.

I may share more of that as time go on.

So, to those 5 of you who may have read my blog, I am back.

I also have a Facebook page...check it out!

Prayer needed for 2 little boys!!

Please read down to my previous post - I did two today.

Remember the little boy who I told you accepted Christ basically on his own?
My husband spoke with him today after church and said that he gave a clearer testimony of his salvation than most adults.
We know Satan does not like this at all. We are very sure God has his hand on this little boy.I wish you could see his little face as I teach him something new from scripture. It is beyond words.

Well, he comes from a bad family background. I can't even begin to get into all that they are exposed to. The one that got saved was badgered by his mother about what happened.The mother is saying that they no longer want the boys to be picked up for church. We are heart broken. The little boys are so precious. I can't help but believe Satan and the angels are at war for these boys.

My dear readers - PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE 2 LITTLE BOYS. God knows their names. Also, pray for my husband as he attempt to have a visit with the family.

Freedom in my prison!

I will struggle to get across what the Lord showed me this week. Here goes anyway. I will tell you now that I cannot say publicly what my "prison" is at present.
Lets' jump in ...maybe it will help you also.

I was doing my "Jesus One and Only" study this week and was given a revelation into a story I have known all my life. I was reading Luke 7 :18-27. The story is where John the Baptist calls two of Jesus' disciples to give Jesus a message. Basically, he was doubting whether Christ was who He said He was. Now don't forget, John was the "one who prepared the way of the Lord"and
here we find him doubting. How awful of him...but wait...look at Mark 6:17-18!
WHERE WAS JOHN? He was in prison!!! Think with me here.... he prepared the way of the Lord and was obedient to God's will , but was in prison. What is Jesus doing at this time? He is out performing miracles and being about His Father's business.
Wouldn't you understand John the Baptist struggling through some doubt. I sure can!

He did all that he was supposed to do and was in a prison. I am sure he wondered why didn't Jesus just free him from this prison...isn't that the kind of stuff Jesus did?
My thought...the prison I am speaking of is not a prison of sin. Allow your thinking to make that prison that place you are at, the thing you are enduring or the situation that just doesn't make sense.
I am in a prison. But the Lord has revealed to me that my prison is just where He wants me. So, in that I have found my freedom. Just like John, as we all know, he was considered a burning and shining light, I can be a burning and shining light in my prison.
My mind would say, "Get John out of that prison, he can be used greatly outside those prison walls". But that wasn't the plan. We know now how that could have been detrimental to the work of Jesus Christ. (can't get into that theology now)

What am I trying to say? God has given me peace about my "prison". It is not my place to question His plan. It is my place to submit to His will. Whether I understand or not. If he allowed John to stay in prison then be beheaded , who am I to think that I should be released from mine.
I will struggle at times in this prison and that is NO FUN! But so did John...and he was still called in scripture a burning and shining light. I will doubt in my heart at times, but not in my head.
God is in control and He can do WHATEVER He wants with me. Like it or not!

LADIES - THIS IS FREEDOM!!!! I have released two major fears to him and I can live in freedom in my prison!

What happen to the lazy days of summer?

Where do the days go?
I find myself with only 5 more weeks left before I report for In-service duty on August 13th. I always dread when the official letter comes in the mail from my administrator. It says almost the same things every year and I know that my summer is on the slippery slope headed to the end.

I feel like I have accomplished some things this summer, but always feel like there is never enough time. I still have many people I want to do lunch with, many friends I want to have over many projects to complete, and lets' not forget the errands to run.

I battle everyday with the thoughts that I can either enjoy a lazy day around the house or accomplish something. Honestly, the battle rages in my mind. I find that when I do sit and do nothing, my mind is tortured with thoughts of things I ought to be doing. Then when I spend a day accomplishing things. my mind screams at me to enjoy this time, because the school year does not offer these times.

I guess the key is balance. I find that is the key to most things in life.

So, today, I have had my Bible study, did some laundry, ironed church clothes for tomorrow, took a bike ride with my kids and now have caught up on personal emails and my blog.
Now what do I do??????

To my readers...I apologize for a few days between blogs. I get computer burn out and don't want to sit here and type. I hate typing!!!! Mostly because I don't know how!

Enjoy the Lords Day tomorrow. No battles in my mind about what to do tomorrow - focus on HIM!!

Miss Vasso!!

You are probably wondering who is Miss Vasso and why is she a blog entry.
Let me just tell you then. I could have titled my entry, "Greatest Life Influences", or "I found Her".

Miss Sheryl Vasso was one of my elementary teachers. That is the simply put definition.
Miss Sheryl Vasso was one of the greatest influences in my life and one of the most beautiful persons I knew.
A few years back I had this great sentimental desire to reconnect with my past. I find that living 10 hours away from the area I grew up causes that emotion to stir within me quite often.
I found that as I looked back over my life, she came up in my thoughts almost immediately.

She was a teachers teacher. She was smart, beautiful, and loving. She was so good at what she did that I can sit here and say that I was her favorite student. The thing is I bet all of her students would say the same thing. That is just how she was. She made everyone feel special.

She hugged me! That spoke volumes to me as a young child!

She was the one who caused me to start thinking that I would one day like to be a teacher like her.

Well, Friday night I found her!! I sat at my computer, cried and shook all over as I tried to type out my feeble words of thanks to her. She has her doctorate now...I told you she was smart!!
I found her in Germany finishing up teaching some graduate classes, then headed to Thailand to do the same. She also replied to me from a cable car headed up the Alps.

Guess what? She remembered me!!! (I told you I was her favorite - haha)

Why did I tell you all of this? One reason was to encourage you to seek out and find that person that had a great influence of you and tell them thank you. The other reason is to remember that,whether you realize it or not, you are having an influence on others.

Will someone almost 30 years later seek you out and tell you thank you just for being you and showing them love.

Tell me your story of someone who influenced you. My greatest desire is to influence other ladies and children to know Christ!.

Miss Vasso...thank you and I love you!