10 Years Ago...

1. Where I was 10 years ago...I tried to find a picture on jpg from 10 years ago but I don't have any...maybe I will look for one and post it late. 10 years ago I was 14 and in the 9th grade at Ben Davis Jr. High. I was also I cheerleader for wrestling also known as a mat-maid. Now that I think about it I was kind of the girl who wasn't "good enough" to be a "real" cheerleader. During that year at school I was late ALL the time, late to school and late to class...as a result I had in school suspension and after school detention at least once a week. I was "dateing" a boy named Nick. (oh yes he was the love of my life...at that time)..oh goodness...I am cracking up right now. I was going to Soutwest Church of the Nazarene and was best friends with Krissy Rahr. I think that this is the year that I tried out to be a basketball player...ha ha...why did I do that...I so was not athletic. That year I was also in cross country...oh my my was that interesting! I also played the drums that year...and stopped once I went into High School. I guess you can say that I was "trying to find myself."
2. Five things on my to-do list today. (that won't get done today!)
1. Bake cookies
2. Finish packing to go home to INDY
3. Finish things up for Sunday
4. Set up for Sunday
5. Go to board dinner
3. Things I would do if I became a billionaire.
I would pay off all of my student loans, pay off my car, get mom and dad out of debt, give to the church, pay off my chiropractor bills, go on a shopping spree, save up for the rest of my life...oh to be a billionaire
4. Three of my bad habits
1. Eating to much
2. Procrastination
3. Speeding and putting on make-up in the car
5. Five places I've lived
1. Indianapolis, IN
2. Bourbonnais, IL
3. Portsmouth, OH
4. In my mom's belly
5.
6. Five jobs I've had
1. Target (first job when I was 16)
2. Verizon Wireless (In college)
3. Nanny
4. Substitute Teacher (after college)
5. Children's Family Pastor
7. Something most people don't know about me
I am a pretty open book so there isn't much that people don't know about me but...
When I was either 4 or 5 I was at my babysitters house. She had one major rule..that rule was that we could not tap her fish tank...she even had a little tape line. Well anyway I disobeyed her and went over and tapped the fish tank...she caught me got mad and stuck her lite cigarette up my nose. True story!

The Sound of Glass...

Mom, dad and myself just recently went on vacation to Puerto Rico. It was so amazing! I had decided that I wasn't going to talk about work...think about work...or even do anything for work. (Because of this I forgot to turn in my "On Target Form" for the board meeting and got yelled at)...just kidding I didn't get yelled at. Okay sorry I just got off track but I had to add that sidenote:) So anyway...we stayed in the San Juan area and our first Bungalow that we stayed at was great but we were right by a main road. Now normally that would be fine but the first night was not so normal. For the day before elections in Puerto Rico people party like its 1999...he he. Anyway...horns were blowing and people were screaming and yelling until 3am. They were promoting their candidate. Now in Puerto Rico they cannot vote for a prez. but they do vote for a gov. The lady at the front desk told my mom that it is worse on election day so we decided to move to a different Bungalow...that was actually better then the first because it was right off the ocean, quiet and nicer. We didn't really do much while we were there...we pretty much relaxed, ate, shopped, walked and went sightseeing. It was simply amazing. It made me realize how old I am getting when I say that relaxing is fun.

Thursday morning mom comes back to the room almost in tears saying that she just feel down the stairs. It was aweful! She ended up developing a HUGE bruise on her hip, bruised up her arm and we thought that she may have broken a toe or two. It was really sad.

Being in Puerto Rico made me realize so many things, one being how much I take life for granted. I was talking to my dad one night while in the spa about how fortunate I have been to have them as parents. God has blessed me greatly with the best parents and the best family in general. There are so many people in this world who could not afford to hop on a plane and fly out to Puerto Rico and enjoy fine dining, and a sweet Bungalow. Not only do I take life for granted at times but I also take friendships for granted. I have been burnt in life and I know that I have burnt others too...it hurts no matter the situation. There are situations that sometimes are uncontrollable but then there are those that are controllable. I can choose to play the what if game or I can forgive and forget. I am happy that the last choice is there.

Another thing that I realized is that...this years political debate stuff got WAY out of hand...I can say that I was sucked into the stupidity of it all. Being there in Puerto Rico where people actually got off of work to vote and they partied the way that they did...made me realize that we need to campaign that way for Jesus. I feel so bad for the man upstairs...this whole time we were bickering and fighting over two guys...why don't we fight like that for Jesus? Christians already know the end to this mess that we call the world. I have read the back of the book and we win!

The last thing that I learned kind of goes hand and hand with the first thing. Life is so valuable, fragile and that I need to make some life changes. Here is how I learned this very important lesson. On Friday we were on our way to the airport from the hotel. We rode in a taxi that was a mini van, I sat in the front and mom and dad sat in the middle seat behind me. Well we were just riding along on the interstate when all of a sudden I heard a huge BANG...it sounded kind of like a wreck. All of a sudden I looked down and I was COVERED in glass! The passanger side window had busted all over me. I immediatly looked around on my body to make sure I wasn't shot...or that I was okay. I was so shocked I couldn't talk or move. Well we pulled over onto the shoulder so that I could get all cleaned off...I was shaking so bad and I started to cry. Call me crazy but I SERIOUSLY saw my life flash before my eyes...it wasn't exactly like the movies but it was pretty close. We got to the airport and I went into the restroom to make sure there was no glass in my clothes. I walked away with minor, minor scratches. I was finding glass in random areas throughout the day, in my hair and in my pockets. God was a true protector my very present help in time of need. My life could have been gone in a flash...I am still to this day very chocked up. Trust me I want to go to Heaven but there are so many things that I still feel like I need to do here while on Earth.

I am so sorry that this post is so long!...Just the way I feel...

Everything BUT the kitchen sink...

Ok so I have ALOT of updateing to do! That is why I have titled this post as "everything but the kitchen sink"....

One simple hot dog and a hand full of candy...
This year for Halloween I decided to introduce Trunk-or-Treat...it actually ended up being more of a Hot Dog or Treat deal. We had decided in advance to pass out hotdogs to people as they came by the trunks. Needless to say we only had 2 trunks. Now this wasn't because of my lack of advertising or even lack of planning on my part. This is truley how I believe God wanted it to be. We didn't have many sign up...only about 10 people. That is a small amount of people considering the fact that we have over 120 people who attend the church faithfuly. I was pretty discouraged throughout the week and kind of down on myself but then God whipped me back into shape REAL fast. About 45 min before Trunk-or-Treat began I looked to the Heavens and said with a big sigh, "okay Lord, let your will be done." Well as you can imagine it was done. We outreached to OVER 250 people with one simple hot dog and a hand full of candy. It was amazing and it thrilled my soul...THANK YOU to those who came out to help...we actually had over 10 people:)

Flipt...
We just recently moved to a full service for the children on Sunday mornings. It used to be that the kids would leave service right after the singing and prayer. This only gave us about 45 min to do anything with the children. Needless to say the kids were so hyper when they came in after being in the "big" service. We moved the kids to a full service on the first week of November and WOW...it has been awesome!!! We are doing "FLIPT" through Willowcreek...and the kids LOVE it! I would highly recommend it if you are ready for something different and want a high energy program. The kids are really getting it and nothing thrills my soul like a child "getting it."

Ministry is so rewarding...and the best reward is yet to come...meeting Jesus face to face...

Going On a Diet...

I love this little "ditty" thank to Stephanie Schaefer...

Going On a Diet...
I'm going on a diet.
I wanna lose a few pounds.
Through my thighs and derriere
So I can breathe in my underwear
Look over there,
It's a Dairy Queen Brazier.
Can't get a Blizzard.
Or a Peanut Butter Sundae.
No going through the drive-thru
I guess I'll eat some TOFU.

I'm going on a diet,
I wanna exercise too.
Get my body in shape
So there's no underarm drape.
Look over there
It's a spa and Fitness Center.
Can't walk on the treadmill
Con't do a leg lift
Fell on the stair-master
The day was a disaster.

I'm going on a diet.
I wanna shop for good foods.
Like veggies and fruit
So I can wear my bathing suit
Look over there,
It's the Kroger bakery.
Can't get a cream horn
Or a chocolate frosted cookie
Um, smell the bread it's baking
Now my body's shaking.

Quick, go through the check-out lane.
Run to your car like you're insane.
Speed home
Open the frig, then close the frig
Step on the scales, then off.
I went on a diet,
And I weigh the same.
WHEW!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

Thank you Stephanie stephanieschaefer.com

The Calling By Roger Fields

So I subscribed to K Magazine a little under a year ago...and I will have to say it is one of the best Children's Ministry resource that I have ever encountered. This past months issue had this awesome short poem/story that I would like to share with all of you.

If you wonder what I do for a living this is what it is:

I am a minister. I minister to the largest mission field in the world. I minister...to children.

My calling is sure. My challenfe is big. My vision is clear. My desire is strong. My influence is eternal. My impact is critical. My values are solid. My faith is durable. My mission is urgent. My purpose is unmistakable. My direction is forward. My heart is genuine. My strength is supernatural. My reward is promised. And my God is real.

In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer attention. In a world of abuse, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of division, I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God's love.

I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged or distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes or low vision. I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will prayer when things look bad. I will prayer when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down.

My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting and too passionate to be quenched.

I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears, my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory.

I am a minister. I minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.

These are all of my new friends.

So I don't have a mate...

Here I am in Amish Country down in good ole' Suger Creek Ohio. It is beautiful and later I'll post some pictures. Why am I in Amish Country one might as themselves...I am here for Ministers and Mates Retreat. Yes I am a minister but no I have no mate. It's been kind of a funny joke because people have asked why I decided to come out here with the rest of the pastor's on our district even though I don't have a mate. I have joked back with them and simply said.."I do have a mate..Jesus." At first this was kind of funny but then as I thought about it a little more...Jesus really is my mate. Or at least he should be. When I think of that word mate I think of someone whom is your first TRUE love. Well I can honestly say...that Jesus is my first TRUE love.

I have been doing the bible study "every single woman's battle." I love it! It has shown me so much. Sometimes it is hard being single but it is so nice...dateing Jesus. He is someone who will only tell you the truth, loves me no matter what, is patient, kind, loving, won't leave you nor forsake you and he is perfect! Wow! I think that I have the best man ever! Sorry ladies...he is taken!...ha ha

Goodnight from Amish Land!

At the beginning...

At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear...

This was at the bottom of a card that a friend made me...this is what the card said.

Fear or Faith

About midnight Pail and Silas were praying and singing to God as the other prisoners listened Acts 16:25

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation. It wasn't logic that caused Moses to raise his staff on the bank of the Red Sea.

It wasn't medical research that convinced Naaman to dip seven times in the river.

It wasn't common sense that caised Paul to abandon the Law and embrace grace.

And it wasn't a confident committee that prayed in a small room in Jerusalem for Peter's release from prison. It was a fearful, desperate, band of backed-into-a-corner believers. It was a church with no options. A congregation of have-nots pleading for help.

And never were they stronger.

AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY ACT OF FAITH, THERE IS OFTEN A SEED OF FEAR.

Many times in life we go through situations where we are fearful knowing that being fearful is a sin. Fear and worry is not of the Lord. So why are we fearful..is it okay and how do I get to the point of being fearless. Honestly I don't know if we ever will get to that point of being fearless...until we meet with our heavenly father. We often run into fear when we do a great act such as give money to the church knowing that money is not in your account...we are fearful that the check will bounce or that we will not be taken care of. Or what about those moments when we step out and become a mother or a father. This is a huge responsibility and thank you Jesus for that responsibility. But when we take on that role there is often that fear of not being good enough to raise a child..or the fear of not having enough money to provide. This is normal and common and above all we must remember to fear God more then any of these. He is all powerful and I praise him for his grace and blessings. I praise that in those moments of fear and desperation that he understands. Nothing that we go through in life will EVER compare to what he went through for our life. Thank you Jesus for filling me with the blood of the lamb. Thank you for making me white as snow and thank you for understanding me even when I am confusing (which is often).

Thoughts about the journey

I know that it has been sometime since I have blogged but time seems to slip between my fingers. It seems so crazy that God could take someone out of a place that they loved so well. A place that they fit in and felt as if nothing mattered. Then he puts them in a place where they know no one and says, "okay girl go get em'." This is a place that I don't want to call "home" and yet it is my home. It is hard to leave everything behind and start a new journey in my life. When I think of Indianapolis being a place that I visit...it gives me an empty feeling within my stomach.

Don't get my wrong I love this place and I love what I do. I love the people and the kids. I could not imagine me not being here but it is hard. Ministry is a hard job. It is hard because not only do I carry the burdens of my life but I know carry the burdens of everyone in the church. Ministry is lonely because you feel that people don't really know who you are and it takes a while to warm up to everyone. All and all I know that God has called me here and if he "brings you to it, he will bring you through it."

It had been hard to get settled in and organize my life. Since I have been here I have been trying to organize my office space...and it seems like every time it is organized it gets messed up again. I don't know how this happens:).

Right now I should be working...

The Room Is Empty

The room at home is now empty. It contains a bed, a dresser, a T.V. stand, a night stand, a small dresser, and a couch. All which do not belong to me. The dinning room at home contains all of my stuff. That stuff will soon be put into the back of my car and will be driven to Portsmouth Ohio. I will soon call that place my home.

Along with this time of transition comes many emotions. Last night was pretty hard for me and it was all becoming too real. I decided to pack up the rest of my stuff, take a shower and go to bed. As I walked into my room there was nothing in it that belonged to me. My cat was lying on the bed asleep, I looked at him and cried. As I layed down in my bed I grabbed Boney and hugged him until I cried myself to sleep. That was the last time that I will sleep in that bed before I move. However with the emotion of sadness comes the emotion of excitement.

I am so excited to have my own place to take care of. Excited for an office, a group of children to teach about God's love, and another church family to serve. This is a major time of change for me and throughout this time God has been preparing me and getting me ready for what is about to change. There have been many times where I haven't felt prepared for what is to come and I wonder if I will ever be prepared.

One thing I know for sure God has been in control of my life and will remain in control.

Today is the day. I will be moving in about 5 more hrs. AHH!!!

...caution construction in progess

*Shelly (the pastor's wife) myspaced me today and told me that the apartment is looking great! I am so happy that the workers have been so willing to work with me. They have been awesome!!I am getting really excited to go see it again:) The coolest thing about this place is that I have a basement! It is a townhouse with a basement...I have never heard of such a thing. I am definatly getting my moneys worth. If that same apartment were here in Indianapolis there would be no way that I could afford the rent.

*I have been so amazed at how awesome the Lord has been to me throughout my life. About a month ago Pastor Rod asked me to preach my first Sunday. At first I was like no way...my first Sunday? Well of course I said yes. God instantly gave me my topic...now all that I needed to do was find my points. I am some what of a procrastinator. I didn't really notice how much until college. I would stay up all hours of the night to do a paper. One time inparticular was when I have a 15 page paper to due....I honestly did it the DAY that it was due. Needless to say I got a good grade. Okay anyway back to the story. Suprisingly I haven't procrastinated on this sermon. Well during the same time that he had asked me to preach I was struggleing with watching too much T.V. and not spending my time with Him. Well one day I turned the T.V. off and just started writing out my sermon...WOW...I got it all done in that one day. I was obediant and look what happened. Now all I have to do it go through it until that day so I don't forget it:)

*I have been trying to find some good cirriculum for when I get out to Portsmouth. I subscribed to this really good magizine call The K Magazine. It has a TON of stuff in it for children's ministry. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I just want to make sure whatever I get is going to be powerful and effective.

*Last night I was watching American Idol with the fam and one of the girls sang "All by Myself" by Celiene Dion. Well I started singing it and mom was like..."well you are going to be all by yourself in the huge apartment." I am going to be all by myself...when I start to think about it...I get nervous. When I went away to college it was the worse feeling ever because I was so homesick. I always told myself I would never want to feel that way again...I have a feeling it is going to happen again...so I am trying to prepare myself.

...I know that this is where God wants me...it is just bittersweet.

four hour drive turns into an over night stay...

...at the Hampton Inn

*I have decided that I should create a blog to talk about my moving progress and the ministry that I have been called to...so here it is!

*Dad, Mom and I packed up most of my stuff last Thursday and headed out to Portsmouth to move into my new apartment. On the way there we ran into some bad wheather...a mix of snow and sleet...I call it "sneet". It wasnt so bad a first... well by the time hit Dayton...man it started coming down. Dad was following me in the 18 foot Budget truck. Mom was riding with me...and boy that was some trip...mom is truley a back seat driver...and the best thing is...she knows it. So the speed limit was 65 and we were going 30. We decided that we would pull off but there was nothing for miles. We decided to stop in Washington Court House, Ohio...well in normal weather this trip from Dayton to Washington C.H. would have been about an hour...well for us it was like two hours. Anyway we decide to stay in the Hampton Inn...over night.

*Finally we arrive in the little town of Portsmouth...the place I will soon call home...it's bittersweet. I was excited and ready to see my new place...soon enough I would be stopped dead in my tracks saying...I don't wanna live there!

*We walk into apartment 4...my new home...and YIKES!!! There was so much stuff that needed to be done...when I say so much stuff I mean...a THREE page list of stuff! To name a few...I am sure that the guy who lived there before me had a cat because the guest room closet smelt like cat urine and litter, there was mold in the caulking of the shower, the toilet seats were nasty and yellow, and the KITCHEN, WOW...the cabinet doors were painted red...not so bad huh...well add some checked wallpaper to those cabinet doors and border with cherries on it. I honestly felt like I was back at Olivet living in one of those nasty apartments. I am sure that the people there living before me loved it but it just wasn't my style:) Good thing the people at the apartment place are nice and are going to fix everything:)

*After the nice people of Portsmouth helped me move in...we decided to go to Target. Which by the way the closest Target is an hour away...I think I might die!...at least the have a Wal-Mart...right?:/

All in all...after everything gets situated...I know I am going to love it there!