Public speaking has never really been my thing. I am much more of a behind the scenes kind of girl. My first major public speaking event was this past Christmas Eve. A Pastor at the church had to back out of his scheduled reading because his wife became ill at the last minute. Instead of rearranging the entire night, I volunteered to fill in for him. Wow... what was I thinking? We have three Christmas Eve services at our church. The first one was a bomb! I was so nervous. I made it through the reading just fine. I didn't stumble on my words or anything, but wow... you could hear my voice shaking. I tried so hard to take a deep breath and let it pass, but no chance! It was there for all to hear. Well, by the third service... I was a pro (haha that was a BIG joke). Although not a real pro, the voice warble was gone and I delivered my bit and felt pretty good about it.
Well, I'm on deck again. I guess I didn't blow it too bad and I have been assigned a reading for our Good Friday services. Man... the reading I was assigned (as is everyone else's) is phenomenal. Our Pastor is a tremendous writer and he really just blows me away. I guess I am feeling a tremendous amount of pressure because our Good Friday service is going to be amazing and I really don't want to be the one bad part! Well... preparation is usually my biggest pet peeves and I know that will ease my mind, but I'm heading to the scripture for my comfort. I know that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" so that is where I will put my worries! I honestly believe that when put under pressure the true character of a person is revealed and we are forced to fully rely on Christ. I don't want to let my Lord down.
What do you rely on or where do you turn when you are called to step outside of your comfort zone?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
STORMS
Colorado weather. Such a funny thing. I got a little sunburn working in the yard Sunday afternoon. Today... a foot of snow! It is funny how the storms in our lives can come upon us so quickly... Just remember that our Lord is faithful to stay with us through each and every storm in our lives. He even knows about the storms way before we do! Have faith in the Lord and the storm will only be a minor bump in the road.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
True meaning of TRUST
Pastor preached this morning about truly trusting the Lord. His sermon spoke so closely to my heart. I went through the struggle not too long ago where I realized how much I don't need "things." I found myself getting angry when a promised raise didn't happen or when that bonus that "was coming" never came. It was like God slapped me across the face and reminded me that I really didn't NEED the pay increase or the bonus. I had been putting my faith in money and not the Lord. Things were changing where I worked and a good time to leave presented itself. So my husband and I did something that on occasion we wonder what we were thinking, but for the most part... was the best decision we ever made. We sold our house in Texas and left for Colorado. My brother lived in Northern Colorado and we had visited several times. We liked the area so that is where we went. Oh... and we didn't have jobs lined up. We left on faith. It just felt like that is where we were supposed to be.
It has been hard. Don't let me fool you. We struggled and it still isn't easy. I am not making near what I was making in Dallas and my husband still hasn't found a job he is truly happy with. HOWEVER... what we have found is a renewed faith and a renewed sense of peace in our life. The kids are in a MUCH better school... the town we live in is small... tight knit and peaceful. We live in a small house that fits our NEEDS not our wants. I absolutely love it. It is a wonderful small craftsman in the historic part of town with a wonderful front porch and friendly neighbors. My job is finally meaningful. I no longer work many hours away from my family on projects that only put money in someone elses pocket. My work is life changing and eternally impactful.
Don't get me wrong. I still have typical wants. I would love to have TWO bathrooms :-) and a new washer and dryer. I don't have to have them, but they would be nice! I just am so much happier with only worrying about the things I need and to make it even better... the Lord provides for those!
Just consider some small change in your life. Something small can make such a big impact.
It has been hard. Don't let me fool you. We struggled and it still isn't easy. I am not making near what I was making in Dallas and my husband still hasn't found a job he is truly happy with. HOWEVER... what we have found is a renewed faith and a renewed sense of peace in our life. The kids are in a MUCH better school... the town we live in is small... tight knit and peaceful. We live in a small house that fits our NEEDS not our wants. I absolutely love it. It is a wonderful small craftsman in the historic part of town with a wonderful front porch and friendly neighbors. My job is finally meaningful. I no longer work many hours away from my family on projects that only put money in someone elses pocket. My work is life changing and eternally impactful.
Don't get me wrong. I still have typical wants. I would love to have TWO bathrooms :-) and a new washer and dryer. I don't have to have them, but they would be nice! I just am so much happier with only worrying about the things I need and to make it even better... the Lord provides for those!
Just consider some small change in your life. Something small can make such a big impact.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Long week
This has been a tough week. I had one evening where I was home before dinner... the rest were 9pm or later. I wonder why those types of nights have to happen all at once? Have you ever noticed that? Even if it isn't just one event that occupies every night of the week, it ends up being several that converge on the same week? One kid has a sporting event one night... the other kid has a band event the next night... Wednesday night church and rehearsals... another night of sports/band/special service/ or worse multiple events at the same time... Before you know it... the week is GONE and your still wondering what happened!
Trying to convince myself that I am not Wonder Woman and cannot do it all has been my biggest challenge. I know I am not the only one who has such a hard time walking away from things when they are not finished! Where do you draw the line between your work ethics and your mental stability? I have to have time away to spend with my family, but when I am away from the work, I stress about what needs to get done. Oh what a vicious circle!
Balance... what an elusive achievement. Well... at least it is for me!
Trying to convince myself that I am not Wonder Woman and cannot do it all has been my biggest challenge. I know I am not the only one who has such a hard time walking away from things when they are not finished! Where do you draw the line between your work ethics and your mental stability? I have to have time away to spend with my family, but when I am away from the work, I stress about what needs to get done. Oh what a vicious circle!
Balance... what an elusive achievement. Well... at least it is for me!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Time
Well.. it has been a while. I'm going to try to be better at this... HEY I think I have said that before.
Anyway... Here is the latest:
Clayton turns 16 next month. He will get his driver's license in June. Part of me can't wait, the other part says... DON'T LET HIM GET IT! I'm so proud of him. He always has to come to things on his own and when he does.. it is awesome. Clayton had been taking piano for a while and he is really good at it, but he was overwhelmed and undercommitted so he quit. Well... by the grace of God he has decided he wants to take lessons again. On top of that... his birthday present from his grand-parents and from us was a violin. Now we will find someone to give him lessons for that too. So... to keep you up to date... that means he plays the saxophone, piano, bass guitar and soon the violin! I'm extremely proud.
Dylan is 13... that is such a hard age... for EVERYONE! He is really finding out who he is and trying hard to define himself. I'm proud of him because he really works to be his own person and that is awesome. Dylan loves sports and wants to do it all! We just finished league basketball and have started school track. He is running hurdles and will also so shotput (is that how you spell it?). What I am most proud of is Dylan's sportsmanship... He really plays the game because he loves it and he encourages that among his teammates.
Bobby and I are doing well. Bobby still is hoping to find a job he can love, but until that time he gives it all to his current employer because we are just thankful he still has a job in these hard times. I love working at the church and have really found my calling. I'm so excited for all the fun challenges that come my way, but for any of you who think working for a church is a cushie - easy - cakewalk job... YOU ARE WRONG! I certainly had misconceptions about what it was like to work for a church! I have honestly never worked harder in my life.
That should catch you up and you should check back often. I promise to post around 1 - 3 times a week. See you soon!
Anyway... Here is the latest:
Clayton turns 16 next month. He will get his driver's license in June. Part of me can't wait, the other part says... DON'T LET HIM GET IT! I'm so proud of him. He always has to come to things on his own and when he does.. it is awesome. Clayton had been taking piano for a while and he is really good at it, but he was overwhelmed and undercommitted so he quit. Well... by the grace of God he has decided he wants to take lessons again. On top of that... his birthday present from his grand-parents and from us was a violin. Now we will find someone to give him lessons for that too. So... to keep you up to date... that means he plays the saxophone, piano, bass guitar and soon the violin! I'm extremely proud.
Dylan is 13... that is such a hard age... for EVERYONE! He is really finding out who he is and trying hard to define himself. I'm proud of him because he really works to be his own person and that is awesome. Dylan loves sports and wants to do it all! We just finished league basketball and have started school track. He is running hurdles and will also so shotput (is that how you spell it?). What I am most proud of is Dylan's sportsmanship... He really plays the game because he loves it and he encourages that among his teammates.
Bobby and I are doing well. Bobby still is hoping to find a job he can love, but until that time he gives it all to his current employer because we are just thankful he still has a job in these hard times. I love working at the church and have really found my calling. I'm so excited for all the fun challenges that come my way, but for any of you who think working for a church is a cushie - easy - cakewalk job... YOU ARE WRONG! I certainly had misconceptions about what it was like to work for a church! I have honestly never worked harder in my life.
That should catch you up and you should check back often. I promise to post around 1 - 3 times a week. See you soon!
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