Dipping My Toes in the Water

Yesterday was a big day for me, and it had little to do with the craziness of the kid's schedules.

I started working again.

It's been 16 years since I've had a paying job at an actual place of business. (Blogging has been fun and all but it has never, as much as I might have wished it would, paid any bills for me.) The last time I had a job I was on my feet at a restaurant while pregnant with #1 and I resigned in August  of 1999 in anticipation of spending my days as a SAHM.

16 years is a long time, yo.

While my current gig is only part-time, I fully expect it to blossom into more work in the coming months and years. With #1 turning 16 and taking over some (all?) of his own driving to and from events, and college expenses looming in the near future, it was time.

My current position is a part-time teacher at the Encounter school at my church. I am teaching Communications and Social Media/e-communication from now through most of September. Yesterday was my first day and I was so nervous! Mostly because I hadn't been in front of a class like that in so long but also because the material that I had been given can be super dry and boring if you're not careful. Not to mention that it was written for business and I needed to alter it for a college/ministry setting! I have spent many hours this summer reviewing material, searching YouTube for the perfect clips, and finding fun ice breaker games to help ensure that the classes that I teach are fun and informative.

Did I succeed? Early feedback says yes. I'm going to hold off on my final self-evaluation until my month is up, but I certainly feel much better about my preparation and delivery after class yesterday.

I don't know exactly what the future holds but I'm believing that God has given me this first step and is opening the door for more. I can't wait!

Topsy Turvy

I know I haven't been around. January. That's pretty lame. I'm so sorry. I have been having my world rocked in an amazing and wonderful way. More on that in a moment....

First, I owe you the follow up on the colonoscopy thing. All of the polyps were clear of cancer or anything else. Phew! My 'difficult' colon was the reason that I ended up waking up-the procedure took about 3x as long as it normally does! Ultimately everything was fine, so I'll take it. Thank you for your prayers!

If you follow this page on Facebook or are friends with me there you know that I've been taking classes at our church. These have been great classes, seriously SO GOOD. The first class focused on who we are in Christ, and the second one is about healing from sin: the hurt from the sins against us and the hurt of the sins that we've committed against others. In a nutshell, it's all about being a disciple of Christ. Really knowing what it means to follow him and understand the crazy authority and capacity for love that we have when we are in Him is GAME CHANGING. For real. I've learned more about God, more about myself, and what direction my life is supposed to be going. All good stuff, I assure you. I've learned about prayer, about how to let God's words soak into your soul, and more.

I will be sharing more, I'm sure, but if you have any questions please let me know! Shoot me an email, or leave a question in the comments. I'm not afraid, and you shouldn't be either.

Interestingly enough, HD is doing the classes too and having an equally radical experience. It's also doing wonders for our marriage. For real. When was the last time that you had a conversation with your husband about what God was speaking to you about? It changes you.

I hope that you'll stick around to learn more. I promise that this is good stuff. I hope that my writing can do justice to the great things that I'm learning, and more importantly internalizing. It feels good, and I want you to have it too!

Pepsi Refresh Project

The Pepsi Refresh Project is starting up again and I am super excited to announce that there is now a project that I'm behind.

A local friend and pastor started a small ministry at his small church that makes a BIG difference. Actually, I happened to be there when it started.... Let me start there.

Last fall we went to visit a church because a friend had just been named their new head pastor. One of his big goals is to be real and relevant in his community; to let the community see the church working among them and making a difference. During church once a month he sends the church members out in teams to do special projects. That first Sunday there were about 4 teams: one to go to the hospital, one to hand out bagged lunches in local parks, one that I don't remember, and one with quarters and laundry soap to head to the local laundromat to do laundry. That was the group that I was in.

At first the people were skeptical. Who are you and why are you trying to do my laundry? But we knew that we were doing the right thing. Luckily, that first day we were able to help about 10 families to get their laundry done for free!

Have you been to a laundromat lately? Yikes that's expensive! And if you are stuck using the laundromat in the neighborhood that we were in, the money that you're using could also be some of your grocery money for the week, too. It's been such a success that they want to expand the laundry program in the coming year.

That's where the Refresh Project comes in. Pastor Jason's "Love Through Laundry" project is up for voting as of today, January 3, 2011, at 6 am EST.

HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN HELP:

Go To RefreshEverything.com and vote for "Love Through Laundry".  Remember, you can vote once a day, so please remember to do so!

Share this project/post on Facebook and Twitter! Please help me get out the word to hopefully win this thing for the people in my community.

(Since I'm writing this on Sunday night all of the links aren't ready yet. I'll update them in the morning if I can/need to.)

UPDATED: This is the link to go directly to the Love through Laundry page. Vote! Pass the word!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! for your help with this! Spread the word!

Church Shopping

Today begins our quest for a new church.

It has become evident, through a vast series of events, that we should find a new church to attend. The reasons are varied, the emotions kinda raw, but the end result is the same.

We, I! think that we need to find a new church.

Yes, there are people and things that I love about our current church home, but it is quite evident that God has been pushing us in another direction.

So, today we are going to another church. To see if it is good for us.

To see if our kids are welcomed, to see if we 'fit.'

We'll see.....

We'll see if we 'fit.' We'll see if we are going to be a 'part,' or just 'one of.' We'll see if God places us in new hands, or gently directs us back to the home we've known for 11 years.

We'll see.

Off To Camp

Praying for safety, wisdom, and fun!

Off we go!

Do you think they'll be ok?

Tagged

Just Breathe tagged me for the 6x6 photo meme. I usually can't participate in these because of the headlessness factor, but this one turned out ok.



This is of the Vacation Bible School that my kids have attended for the last 3 years (4 years?). It's not at our church (ours is 20 min. away, this one is 5,) but the kids have local friends there and it was from 9-noon every day. I loved this VBS. They loved this VBS. The themes were fun, the skits and sets were really amazing, the adult leaders and teenage volunteers were all great. The price was right ($15 per kid). This picture was taken on the last day when the kids perform all of their songs for the parents and the teen volunteers do the play that they have been doing for the kids. You can see the 'castle' set and one of my kids is actually in this picture. Yes, I know the pic is terrible. Why do you think that I've never posted it before?

This year they have changed it and my kids won't be attending. HB#1 will be going to sleep over camp with our church the week that they have it. HB#2 doesn't want to go so we have bought Angels tickets for that week so he has something to look forward to, as well.

And the most aggravating part? They changed it to be from 5-8 pm. Uh, that's why we chose this VBS-because it was in the daytime!!!!! How are us SAHM's supposed to have some time to ourselves and entertain our kids during summer days if every.stinking.camp. is moved to the evenings? Our church has always had it at night and we're usually out of town anyway, so my kids have never gone to ours.

The rules:
1) Go to your photo files
2) Pick the sixth folder (open)
3) Pick the 6th photo
4) Write a story about the photo
5) Tag six people

I'll tag: Kyooty Center, Something Funny (maybe this will be innocuous enough for her to participate in?), Serenity Now! (Same goes for Steph,), Tell Me About It, Amazing Greis (one of my BlogHer roomies!), and The Sweet Life (my other BlogHer roomie!).

Tag on, Girls!

Missions Sunday

On the fifth Sunday of the month (well, those that have them anyway,) our church does a little thing called Missions Sunday. It is a day to highlight places around the globe that are being touched by God, and the people that He has sent to do His work. I want to share a couple of these with you today.

TEAM International- From their website:

TEAM International maintains five priorities:

1. PROMOTE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL in America and around the world, believing that an outpouring of the Holy Spirit will awaken the church to become "the church in all her glory."
2. TARGET STRATEGIC CENTERS OF HARVEST for short and long-term missions.
3. SEND TRAINED AND EQUIPPED HARVESTERS to unreached cities of the world who will nurture church planting movements in 100 cities through strategies that God gives TEAM and our international partners.
4. PROVIDE TRAINING IN EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP AND CHURCH PLANTING. We believe that, having prayed for revival, we can pull the trigger on mighty outpourings of the Holy Spirit by uniting His people to love the King and lead in the advance of the Kingdom.
5. PLANT REPRODUCING CHURCHES that are committed to multiplying church planting movements.

The Clark family has a true passion for Thailand and have spent the better part of the last 3 decades there raising up true disciples of Christ, who in turn raise up more disciples. We are blessed to be partnered with them in their work- this is a mission that we, personally, support in prayer and in finance. Their ultimate goal is to reach 100 cities for Christ all across the globe. Visit the following links if you are interested in joining them on one of their trips, or contributing to their cause, or contact them for more information.

Middle East Gospel Outreach (or MEGO)- Dr. Elias Malki has spent over 50 years in ministry. He is the host of his own satellite television show "The Good News Program" that reaches 180 countries each day-in English and in Arabic. He also trains new ministers of the gospel at his training site in Cyprus, and leads tours of Israel. I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Malki many times, as well as the privilege of learning from this mighty man of God on Sunday visits to our church. From their website:

Middle East Gospel Outreach is a Christian organization committed to fulfilling the Great Commission that Jesus gave his disciples and followers. “All power is given unto me (Jesus) in heaven and in earth. GO ye therefore, and TEACH all nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (St. Matthew 28:20)

Just check out these testimonies! If this is a ministry that you would like to know more about, or if you would like to partner with them you can contact them here. Dr. Malki literally helps to reach millions of Muslims each year. We here at the Headless household have supported this ministry for years and delight in hearing Dr Malki's praise reports each time he visits our church.

I hope you enjoy reading about these great organizations as much as I enjoy being a part of them. God Bless You this week!

(I was not compensated in any way for this post. These are organizations that I contribute to, believe in, and hope that you will, at the very least, keep them and their missions in your prayers.)

Are We So Different?

(This is an entry to win a scholarship to the SheSpeaks Conference. Please read all the way through for your opportunity to win, too!)

Much has been said about what Pastor Joel Osteen said on Larry King. From what I can find, it was about 2 years ago, and in a nutshell, when asked about whether Jews and Muslims will go to heaven he danced around the issue. (You can see the clip here.)

In direct response to the clip he was pointing to the fact that the Bible says that we are to have a personal relationship with Christ. He also didn't directly answer the question either. It is abundantly clear in the Bible that there is One Way.

⁶Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

I wonder. How often do we, as Christians, do the same dance? Thinking that if we soften the message we'll win more people? Or we shrink away from the whole truth to be "politically correct"?

I know that I'm guilty. Even here on this blog. Especially here. So I am here to repent today and step out boldly for Christ. To ask for your forgiveness, and God's forgiveness for not using this space for it's full potential. For God's purpose and kingdom. In my heart I want everything I do to point to Him- His power, His grace, His authority, His love.

My prayer today is that God will use my fingers as I type on this keyboard for the glory of His kingdom. I don't have all the answers, I don't know all there is to know about the Bible, but I know that by surrendering to God, and giving ourselves (and our fingers!) for His will and His purposes HE WILL MOVE. I ask God to use me, in all my imperfections, to reach someone today. I want to speak boldly for the Lord.

²⁹Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Acts 4:29)

*****

Twice now I have been prophesied over and the word was the same. I am called to be a women's speaker, to take God's message of love and acceptance to women to help strengthen families and marriages. My heart is for families to be strong, for marriages to be full and blessed. I have never shared this publicly before because I was afraid. The enemy did good work in me-he led me to believe that I didn't know enough, wasn't good enough, didn't read the Bible enough, didn't have a good enough story to share. Who would want to listen to me?

God has done a better work though. Although I have questioned Him over and over, the answer has always been the same. I argued that I didn't know apologetics well enough, know the Bible well enough, or pray good enough. Instead of not being enough, I want to live the humility of this:

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

Did you see that ? "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Amen. I need Christ's power because becoming a speaker is way bigger than I am capable of on my own. I can't get there on my own understanding or my own works. I need God's help. He has given me this space, this sphere of influence to go boldly and speak of His grace and mercy. I never want to waste that again.

*****

SheSpeaks is a conference for women speakers, leaders and writers to learn how to better serve the Lord in their calling. These can be daunting tasks but Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Ministries team are here to help. From July 31-August 2 Proverbs 31 leaders will gather in Charlotte, North Carolina to help women like you and me find our unique voice, and write and deliver a clear message.

I desperately want to learn how to better use my calling, my voice, and my influence to expand God's kingdom, and to guide women to their God given talents in being uplifting to their families and communities. I desperately want to say "Yes" to all that God has called me to do in His name, and I feel that this conference is a perfect way for me to step out in faith that He knows what He's doing in calling little ol' me. I'm not perfect, but I will follow where He leads. I have often asked God to show me how to begin the process of becoming a speaker and a better blogger for Him. I hope that He is leading me to Charlotte!

If you would like to join them you can register here, or visit the SheSpeaks home page for more information. If you would like an opportunity to win a scholarship to this years' conference go to Lysa's blog and get all of the information that you need-there is still enough time to enter!

So, are we so different? Am I so different from Mr. Osteen, that when asked directly about what the Bible says I shrink from the truth? I hope through this conference that I am able to say that I don't back down when it comes to my faith. I hope I learn how to better write what God has put on my heart. I hope I learn how to be bold when it comes to Jesus and all that He has called me to. I hope that I can say "Yes, I am different, because Christ made me different."

My Turn-Again!

You all thought that I'd forgotten, didn't you? (For those of you that don't know, I asked my readers to ask me questions. Go check out all of the questions!)

Sarah asked: "Who or what do you volunteer for?"

Well, currently at church: I sing with the worship band once a month and have for over 9 years. In the past I have: worked in the nursery, been a greeter, collected the tithes and offerings, and worked in the children's department with 2-4 year olds. I was, for about 2 years, in charge of the ministry that primarily took meals to church members that had new babies, surgery, etc.

At my children's school I am an assistant room mom, the 'box top mom', I also work in a first grade class and a third grade class, about 2 hours per week each, as well as help with parties, field trips, etc. When my daughter was still in highschool (and younger) I helped with her activities as well.

One of the volunteering positions that I gave up a little over a year ago was a position on the Advisory Board of the local chapter of my college sorority. I have worked with college age women since I was one and really love it. I had to step down because I had a daughter going into her senior year that needed her mama, and a boy that was starting Kindergarden. I really felt that I needed to pour more time into my children. Some day I will go back to being an advisor again, but for now I am focusing my time on our church and my kids.

Now that the boys are old enough Headless Dad and I are looking for other ways to volunteer-in the community, at the church, etc., WITH the kids. They are certainly old enough to help and the lessons that are there are priceless. We haven't decided what, yet, but I'll let you know as things come up.

Great question, Sarah!

What would you do?

We have been members of the same church for a looong time. For years we volunteered in many ministries and were there lots during a week. We love Jesus. We know a lot of people there. There is just one problem. There is no one, I mean NO ONE that I would consider a close friend.

To say that I don't try would be ok; but I used to. A lot. Headless Dad and I have hosted many home groups, attended many fellowship things, prayer meetings, etc. To no avail. Many that attend our church are in recovery-and don't get me wrong, that is great. For them. We, however, can have a glass of wine without a problem (which you know if you read here with any regularity that I love my wine.) I still sing in the worship band, and we go (almost) every Sunday. I've recently started a Bible study with 2 other women from the church and although I consider them friends, I don't know if they would be considered close friends (yet).

There are things that we could do-volunteer more, go more, etc. But to be honest with you I'm kinda tired of trying. It is difficult to get out of the house on week nights because of bed times, (church is about 15-20 min. away,), and HD's job is a 24/7 on call thingy-someone has to be here for the Headless boys if he is called in. And now, when I do go to anything besides Sunday service, (and sometimes even then), I feel like an outsider. There seems to be no one "like me" there. We won't leave until at least after Headless Girl graduates-it is her home church-she has grown up there. The boys have a few friends there, but they're still young. HD said last night that he thinks he has closed the doors of friendship on his own, for whatever that is worth.

I have prayed about this but I don't think I've received an answer--is that my answer?

What would you do? Stick it out (because it's all you know?) or try something new? But where to start? Have you ever felt this way? What did you do? What did you tell your kids? Help!!

Lounge-Around Sunday Morning

I did not go to church today. This is very unusual for me-I think that it is important to hear the message, to be with other believers, and I especially love the worship time. I just couldn't do it today. The last 6 weeks have been so busy and stressful I needed a few hours to rest and re-group.

Then it's back to the list. You know, the mental to do list that keeps us moms in perpetual motion? Grocery list and shop, finish laundry and put away, clean a bathroom, blah, blah, blah. Then there is the secondary list that includes birthday shopping for 2 Headless kids, getting hair done, going through Headless Boy 1 & 2's stuff and generally organizing/throwing out the extra CR**.

Oh, this is the one I love.....Must get to that bathroom that I'm remodeling-

You know the one- planned in fall '06, down to the budget, asked for gift cards for Christmas so I could do it in all of my free time of spring and summer '07. Removed the doors, drawers, hardware to refinish the cabinet, stripped said doors and drawers, cut down huge '80's mirror. That's when school started, and the air conditioner went out, and Headless Dad injured his back, and.....HA here we are in October.

So, here we are back to why I'm here today instead of at church. I think that I'll go have another cup of coffee and try to get motivated.

Great is our God who understands the occasional need for a lounge-around Sunday morning!