Me and Jeanne

So two weekends ago I was in the restroom at Youth Convention. Truth be told, I was hiding out a bit from the bass tones of worship. I was in some pretty tremendous pain from a tooth that was about to have a root canal (unbeknown to me). But as I'm in the stall I hear the lady in the stall next to me talking at her cell phone "Text so and so.. tell her..." but the phone was not cooperating. I laughed to myself and asked across the partition, "trouble with Suri?". The lady laughed and we struck up a conversation. After we both imerged and washed our hands it suddenly occurred to me that she was Jeanne Mayo, a female youth pastor that Rob and I have been learning from for over a decade. Holy cow, right there in the ladies room!! I introduced myself and we hugged (that's just Jeanne for you, never met a stranger) and she asked me to take a photo. Right there in the ladies room. Well, for once I had left my camera in the convention center and couldn't oblige for one with her. But she was our speaker for the next session. Rob and I sat right up front and got a photo with her and she signed our books and everything. We actually had opportunity to have two different conversations with her and she personally invited both of us to Cadre, her leadership training program. Then she spoke, and it was epic. Very encouraging. She's kind of all over the place, but amazing. It was really eye opening to me, because my personal style of speaking is super similar. :) So here is a photo of us. My hero.

Day Ten - Thankful

Today I am thankful for Pinterest.com It has been such a source of inspiration to me! Especially as I prepare for the holidays and this ladies luncheon.

the Slow Kid

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how God allows us to partner with Him in ministry. Just going through the credentialing process itself has been extremely humbling and eye opening. I've been reveling in the joyous truth that God invites us into this process of 'going and telling'. I mean, He's God, surely He could evangelize the world more efficiently without us. Consider Saul and his Damascus Road experience. God doesn't need our help in evangelism. He allows us to participate in this great miracle.

This morning, during my quiet time, I felt like I received a better understanding of this concept. See, it's kind of like when you are in middle school and the teacher divides you up into groups to work on a project. God is the smart kid with all the answers. He doesn't need any help with the problems, in fact He had a solid understanding of the problem and the solution long before He came to class that day. But He partners with us, the slow kids in class, for our benefit. It's opportunity for us to grow and learn.

So this morning, I am grateful to be in God's small group. I am praying to be a humble and quick learner, and to make Him proud with my efforts. To hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant." is my goal. I will always be His student. I'm hoping to graduate with honors one day. ;)

Day Nine - Thankful

This morning I am thankful for Berean School of the Bible. Even though it kicks my rear all over the place, these classes have been a tremendous challenge and blessing to me. I now know just how much I don't know. LOL.

Day Eight - Thankful

Today I'm thankful for my productive mind. It's crazy, in jr high and high school I was a slacker as far as a student. I had trouble focusing, I was distracted, and extremely unreliable. I still have some of those qualities, but I've definitely learned how to manage my time better. I really enjoy finding a challenge and rising to it. I know that it is a gift from God and I couldn't manage my life without it.

Day Seven - Thankful

Today I am thankful to live in this house. This HUGE house. In fact, as I clean it in preparation for my sister's visit I can't help but think about just how thankful I am. I'm probably the only person who mops their floors with thanksgiving but I still can't believe we get to live here. :) What a blessing!! And it's been so fun to be able to host people in our home again.

Day Six - Thankful

Today I am thankful for children with amazing personalities. They are such a delight to watch and learn from. The other day I noticed them playing Monopoly together and it amazed me that they are old enough to play a complicated game without direction from adults. They are growing up so fast, but just delighting me in the process. I constantly post their little quips on Facebook because they just crack me up. Here are a few samplings from the past couple weeks.

Sarah's dinner prayer: "thank you for this food and that mom has the talent to make this good stuff." #homemademacandcheeseisahit

Sarah got new church shoes and she just asked Eli "Do you like these shoes? Do you think they are supreme??"

looking at the kiddo's Christmas lists.. Sarah put "to go to Paris. PS - I want to see a mime." #applesdontfallfarfromtrees

and Eli put "a surprise present.. (a good one!!)"

Sarah is reading the story of Moses and Pharaoh and when she gets to the tenth plague Eli looks at me and says "that STINKS!"

Eli is Lot. Connor is Noah. I asked to take their pic together and Eli says "But we are from different timelines!" #gatekids

Eli's teacher told me that they were discussing slavery in class today and E said that if he lived during that time in US History he would buy slaves so he could free them. #lovethiskidsheart

Just saw my kids pass each other in the school hallway and they totally high-fives each other nonchalantly as they passed. #coolestkidsontheplanet

Have some leftover desserts and I told Rob we could take them to the neighbors and Eli says "Give it to the neighbor that has the POOL!"So Eli asks me this morning if Rob and I will handle the kids inheritance in a Biblical fashion: "you know, where the firstborn son gets everything." #hiswheelsarewaysturning

Listening to Eli Thoreson explain on the phone to Papa Charlie Sheats how he's using reverse psychology on his teachers. (as long as it's only his teachers)

My kids just asked me "Mom, who put the ABC's in order?" (my kids think I know a lot more than I actually do)

See, they are amazing, right?

Day Five - Thankful

Today I'm thankful the the Holy Spirit wrecked our service this week. We started singing "My Soul Sings" which was totally new to the students and they were overcome. I personally felt out of control and completely dependent on God for the direction of the remainder of the service and it was scary and exciting at the same time. I'm so thankful to serve a living God who has blessed me with His Holy Spirit as a guide towards truth and righteousness.

Day Four - Thankful

Today I am thankful that God always hems me in. When I'm off kilter, or just plain out of line. My personality is sometimes simply too big for my stature. But God always draws me back to Himself, softens my rough edges, and gives me next steps. Most days, I need all of the above.

"You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me"

Psalm 139:5

Day 3 - Thankful

So today I am incredibly thankful that I just discovered the blogger ap. i have been hoping they would make one for a long time now. Sadly, it's only for iPhone right now, but I hope that means iPad is around the corner. I've wanted to blog away from home so many times, this will be helpful!

Day Two - Thankful

Today, I am extremely thankful for life in San Antonio. The weather is beautiful at least six months of the year. I'm able to shoot almost all year round. I can walk my kids to school. The people are so friendly. I'm amazed by how much I love it. It's not Iowa, but it's a close second and I'm thankful that God put us here.

Day One - Thankful

Tried to do this on FB last year, but didn't seem like the appropriate place. I like the idea though, and I'm going to try to be more creative than "I'm thankful for my family, my husband, my kids." Of course, I am thankful for all of them, but I want to dig a little deeper.

Today, I am thankful for our new Mac. Not only is it a visual reminder of God's faithfulness in my life, but it has already cut my post-processing time in half. And that is a gift from God, especially right now, during my busiest season of the year. Plus, it's just a dream to use. And paid for in full. God is so good!