Christian Women's Conference

>> Friday, April 27, 2007

Ever been caught off guard by what God does in your life? I had one of those moments this past Wednesday. I had signed up to go to the Women's conference LCC puts on mostly because I recognized two of the speakers (Kendra Smiley and Kay Moll). I hate to admit that I had zero expectations for the day. I just wasn't convinced that I was really going to get that much out of it. I know that sounds terrible. One of the other speakers, Priscilla Shirer, reminded us that it was not at all a coincidence that we were there and that God had a very specific message he wanted to get across to us. I'm ashamed to say that I had never even entertained the thought and began to wonder, "OK then, what, God?"
I wish I could say that God had some amazing, life-altering message for me that I heard audibly as I soaked in the word from these wise women. It was more like God reminded me to get back to the basics. Wondering what God's will is? What better way to know that than through studying His word and praying? Allowing fear to creep in and inhibit you from doing God's will? Remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Spending too much time wishing things were different in life? Enjoy each day because you never know what new challenges the next season of life will bring for you.
I've noticed that I have a changed mindset this week and I find myself more likely to pray about things than worry about things. I've been more likely to want to read His Word than do it out of duty. I've been allowing myself to enjoy each moment of the day rather than hurry through my to-do list. Maybe none of that is supreme revelation...but then again, maybe it is.

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Tubes it is

>> Thursday, April 19, 2007


We had W's follow up appointment today and it looks like we'll have to go ahead with the ear tubes. They want to also take his adenoids out while he's "under" and draw blood for some allergy testing. I know it is probably the best thing and everyone tells me it will make such a difference for him but I'm still having a hard time thinking of my baby going through surgery. Gulp.

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Ketchup

>> Friday, April 13, 2007


This picture of course doesn't do the real scene justice but this has been one W's latest interests: smearing whatever is on his plate in his hair. It all started with his passionate love for ketchup. He loves it so much that sometimes he'll just use his spoon to eat it, no dipping needed. Even if he does dip food in it he usually just ends up sucking the ketchup off the food of choice and starting all over again. Well, somehow he got the idea that smearing it in his hair was a good idea and, much to my chagrin, our laughter and photo taking just reinforced the dreaded pattern. So when you see him around with sickeningly greasy hair, please don't assume he hasn't had a bath in weeks, he probably just had potato chips for lunch.

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1st Easter Egg Hunt

>> Thursday, April 12, 2007


I couldn't believe how quickly he caught on! We didn't even really have to teach him. We just handed him the easter basket and he knew exactly what to do. It was so cute!

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Annual Banquet

>> Friday, April 06, 2007

Reunions are such an odd phenomenon. This past weekend we had the privilege of reuniting with old friends from college during our campus ministry's annual banquet. This year they specifically invited students who attended EIU between the years 1995-1999 for an appetizer reception before the banquet. It was so great to get see old faces and catch up with people who I haven't really talked to much in the past 7 years.
But I couldn't help but feel just a little bit cheated by the end of the night. Maybe it's just my obsessive need to know details of other's lives but I just didn't feel satisfied in the conversations I had. I loved getting to celebrate the major events: graduate degrees, new homes, new jobs, new marriages, new babies. I loved getting to meet new spouses and new children. I loved hearing about the different places life has scattered my friends to. But 7 years is a long time. And in 7 years time I know that not only good things have happened. Life has happened. Losses have happened. Sometimes even grief and despair has happened. But that's not what gets talked about at reunions.
I think reunions should actually be at least a two or three day affair. The first day is the happy day, full of celebrating and rejoicing and sharing the great things that we've missed out on in each other's lives. It's the day we can say, "Wow, you haven't changed a bit!" The second day we get down to the nitty gritty and find out the ins and outs of each other's daily lives. We get to share what obstacles we've encountered, what trials we've faced, what burdens we've bore. Because after all, isn't it those experiences that truly shape and form who we are? It's the day we say to each other, "Wow, you have really changed and I'm sorry you had to go through that stuff." The third day though, is the day of closure. It's the day we can enjoy memories of the "olden days." It's the day we can laugh over silly stories and truly feel connected to the new, changed, improved people around us. It's the day we can be authentic and real and able to appreciate each other. It's the day we can say, "Wow, you have really changed, and yet you haven't changed a bit."
I guess realistically I know this won't happen quite that way until the Ultimate Reunion in Heaven. So until then I'll quench my thirst for more details and settle for celebrating the major milestones every 7 years.

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