Rushing Summer!

Ok, so I could not wait until Memoral Day! Yes we decided that the warm weather was indeed a sign to fire up the grill as a practice run. I made a huge jar of homemade barbeque sauce and yes that is chicken and ribs! For those of you who are veggie lovers, we love to grill our veggies especially when we grow them in our own garden. I grew up in the deep south and when the weather was hot and sticky and it was waay to hot to heat up the house to cook, we would go out in the late evening and cook on the grill and have dinner as a family outside. Now my own family carries that tradition on here in Virginia. When the weather is permissible and the kids are not in a tizzy because they have to share their space with a few bugs, we sit out in the cool of the evening and enjoy a meal and each other. Stop by and join us anytime!

Only In My Neighborhood!

The AFLAC duck ain't got nothing on our duck! For two days (4/1-4/2), we have been awakened by the squawking (quacking if you'd prefer) of a duck. It took me a solid hour to find the duck. This is never good to do without your glasses at o'dark thirty in the morning. My son says 'Oh the duck is on the roof of the neighbors house!' Without the assistance of my glasses, I chide my male child by proclaiming 'My dear boy, only roosters do that not ducks'. My son replies "OH" and goes in the house only to return a few minutes later with my glasses and a camera. Sure as the sun crested the sky and my glasses were on, -there was the duck on the neighbors roof all excited! I looked at my son who bore the expression of HA! I am victorious over the parent! I simply remarked -my bad.

So after the duck excitement died down, we went inside and I proclaimed "Wouldn't it be awesome if we were that excited in church Sunday with our worship?" My son glanced back at me with one eyebrow lifted and declared "You are obviously a woman who is not fully awake and needs her coffee. I will go and make you a cup before you start thinking you are David and want to dance out of your clothes on Sunday!"

Oh the mind of a teenager. Gotta love it!!

10 Things You Might Not Know !!!

I just visited The LPM Blog with Beth Moore and she asked us to post 10 quirky little things about ourselves that others may not know. Since there were already 1280 responses, I decided to post mine here with hope of someone deciding to share theirs with me! Here goes ...

1. I love to wear wigs.

2. I can people watch all day long.

3. I used to dye my hair a different color every 6 weeks.

4. I have popcorn every night.

5. I can not stand to see aluminum foil in the refrigerator.

6. I like to play in the dirt.

7. I love listening to books on tape, I mean on my mp3 player!

8. I love celtic music.

9.I can not stand to wear shoes.

10. I prefer the mountains to the sea.

OK, your turn!!

Ready, Set, Go ... Springtime!!!

A few days ago, a funny thing happened. I was minding my own business in my home when the sun came out and the temperature rose. To my surprise, the temperature was in the mid to upper 60's. So I went out and did a little grocery shopping. The following day, I was also pleasant with more sunshine and higher temps. It actually got up to 72 degrees. I went to the park, met a friend for a chit chat, met my husband for lunch, took a few teenagers to one of their functions in Norfolk, and then came home and grilled for dinner. The third day of sunshine and 70 degree weather was almost too much for me to handle. So I loaded the kids up in the car and we took leisurely drive to D.C. to see my brother and his family and drove back home that evening. Today, corporate worship was wonderful,-the sun is shining and it is warm and trees are budding and crocus' are up, grass is turning green and outdoor home projects have begun.

I just cannot shake the this feeling of euphoria in the great anticipation of Spring. It just seems like something is missing. I recheck my to do list and projects list. It is here that I can see what is amiss. It was H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K!! Algebra assignment is far from done and philosophy is ... well let me just say that I must be on my best behavior for the remaining 6 weeks!! Spring popped in and I lost my mind! Like a kid running outside to play after a long day at school. It will be interesting to see how I will manage to stay focused as the world outside is undergoing a beautiful metamorphosis! I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once Upon A Time ....

Hey I remember this blog. It is used to be fun and therapeutic to blog about whatever. But somewhere along the way, I tried to become super human and take more classes, while taking the my teenagers to and from work, being super mom, super wife and super friend. I am happy to report that I have gotten off the roller coaster of madness and hurriedness, thanks in part to my spiritual formations class.

This past weekend, my husband and I went to McDowell and Monterey, Virginia to the Maple Festival. I just love those mountains! I am thinking about making move to live either closer to or in the mountains. My question to myself is 'Am I in love with nostalgia or the idea of being there or do I really want to adopt a new way of living?' Answering that would be rather important before actually moving. But, the pace is so much slower up in the mountains and less people. It is quiet and simply beautiful. The people have already turned their soil for their gardens up there. I am so ready for Spring planting. I have also pulled out the hand quilts I was working and did not finish. Quilting reminds me to slow down and enjoy life and to behold all of the wonders and splendor of God.

The Ending of a Season

What a blast!! Making the best of opportunities given are great, especially when those opportunities consist of summertime fun in the sun. There was beaching, camping, traveling, sightseeing, fishing, fantastic summer reads, summer women's bible study, women's retreat, family retreat, picnics, barbeques - you get the picture? Now I must take that energy and place it in a 15 X 20 room and study. The problem? Fall is my favorite time of the year. So if you think I really blew it out this summer, just wait to see what I do this Fall!! Oh! Wait. School is back in session and that will limit my fun. But I am known to be creative!!!

The Secret

Having observed ministry work over many years during our military travels, I have seen divergent views but to practice regarding Christian leadership. Christian leadership not only encomprises "church work" but it is a lifestyle that is consistant to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Charles Stanley best stated his view on Christian leadership "includes living and ministering with total commitment and complete obedience to God that shine through everything we do"

2 Timothy 4:2-5 best shows us that we must be willing, dedicated, committed and prepared!

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

According to Dr. Charles Stanley, these are a few practical secrets of the aspects of Christian leadership

1. Teach the Word of God
2. Be prepared, no matter what circumstances you face.
3. Be willing to correct and encourage others.
4. Be patient as you teach.
5. Be firm, including instances when false teaching exists.
6. Perservere through tough times.
7. Be committed to your calling.
8. Complete your task.