Quote of the day:

It actually feels really good to spend my own money

--Angie Vann,17, a young woman with proud parents

Way to go, Angie!

Things I am happy about this week:

My daughters 17th birthday





My son is registered and paid up for his first semester in college






A dear friends birthday





Blackened Salmon from Sams club




Finishing the Old Testament and beginning the New




Being completely caught up with laundry




Our yellow lab finally loving the swimming pool




Talladega Nights: The ballad of Ricky Bobby

Its been almost a month!

Uncomfortable

We have a joke throughout our friend group:

"Excuse me...Uncomfortable..."

(You have to imagine it in Joyce's sweet sing-song voice.)

Darryl and I were squabbling one day on our couch while Joyce was visiting.
Until Joyce broke in with her objection, we had'nt realized anything might appear abnormal.
(We're comfortable with a little bit of fussing whether in front of people or not.)

In the last few months, we've been full of prayer and excitement about working on a church plant team. We just had our first week of core team meetings, vision casting, prayer, team building, etc. After all the build up and excitement, I've been surprised to find myself...uncomfortable.

Not in a sense that I don't feel comfortable with all the people God has brought to the team.
Nor in any way with the format or leadership. The best way I can describe this discomfort is by comparing it to a mission trip. I have no idea what to expect, because I have not been here before. On a mission trip, I would pack and then read a little, and then head off to.... well, whatever God has for me there. Maybe a construction project- building a school or a women's shelter, or on a disaster relief team. I would have little expectations, except that, God will show me what to do and speak to me whenI get there. I see this journey the same way..except in my own town. Before I leave on a mission trip, I am prayed up and prepared to serve my guts out.
I am out of my "comfort zone" so to speak... with new people and experiences.

That's what I hear God telling me right now. Pray up and prepare to serve your guts out. Get out of your comfort zone, be with new people and prepare for new experiences. Being uncomfortable is good-- because it reminds me that I am always completely dependent on Christ anyway.

Love * Submit * Obey

I learned another life lesson from Prince the Wonder Dog.

We had the best weekend- (me and Prince) We woke up Saturday and Sunday and went for a long walk (maybe 4-5 miles). Both of us love the long walks. Then we came home, and jumped in the pool. Prince the Wonder Dog now LOVES swimming.

We are so pleased.

After a long exhausting walk, a refreshing swim in the pool and lots of laughs, we decide its lunch time. I make fat free turkey franks with lo carb wheat buns and sit down to eat.

I am reading a good book, Easy Chairs, Hard Words... and enjoying my lunch when I notice that Prince is laying on my feet. I realize what a great feeling it is. So I stop and enjoy this loving moment. Prince the Wonder Dog could lay anywhere in the house, but CHOOSES to lay at my feet.

At the 'Prince laying at my feet moment' I thought: How relaxed and safe he looks laying at his masters feet. He looks so comfortable. So then, I think: Its been awhile since I have actually layed myself at my Masters feet. It made me wonder what He thinks and how He feels when I do slow down enough to rest at his feet. I know how I feel when I'm there.

I'm going to make sure I get there more often.