THE JOINING
This year has been so tiring, but full of joy. Shaune and I joined a new church. It was difficult to leave a church like Crossroads, when the people you love there are family. Sometimes, I feel as though I let a lot of people down by leaving. Many people were angry and felt betrayed to hear that we were no longer members, even though we told them that it was God's calling to this church. But you know what I realized... no one really misses us. No one from crossroads ever calls us, not even just to catch up. But than again, I have not called either. People come and people go. They are only in our lives for a fleeting moment.
It is a small church, and month by month we are growing. We were presented to the church before Easter, and there was cheering galore. I must say that I blushed when a 70 year old woman hugs me and shakes the hand of me and my husband and tells me, "Im sure you will be teaching us more than we will be teaching you." That made me feel so funny standing up there are hearing that. God uses all things for a purpose and even the smallest of person such as an infant can be used to teach people new things. This church has taught me many things. One is to listen more closely to God. When I first stepped into the church, I knew God was calling me to start a children's ministry. But me, being human and foolish said to God, "Not now, I am resting. I am tired and need to be at peace with myself for just a while." But God came knocking again and I said, "God I have so much to do! I am running a summer camp, picking staff members, going to school! I don't have the time." Then Passover comes around and I kneel before the alter and ask God what he wants of me. He made it clear so many times before. This time he says, "Don't you trust me to lead you along the path? I know the plans I have for you. Believe in me and through you I will accomplish much." So, now I start my long/short walk down the path of being in charge of teaching children about Christ. I'm here for however long God needs me. It is not by my hands that I do this, but by Gods. I feel foolish and stupid that I waited and ignored him so long, but somehow, he must have know I would have done it. Again, I love being a donkey. This little church has taught me, that if there is one thing I need to believe in, it is Christ. The church is ready for me, God is read for me. Sooooo... where the heck an I? I cannot hid from God, so why is it that I find myself hiding now? I am listening God, and I am ready for whatever it is you want me to do. Director of Children's Ministries, God is telling me, I am finally ready.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Just when I thought it wouldn't get any funnier...
So yesterday I was very much at peace with myself. Student observations are going great and I'm floating down our long hallway toward my Kindergarten classroom when I See a poster for the Community Education Monopoly tournament. I have done this every year we have had it, and I am always a banker. My summer boss did not call me and tell me about it, which was strange for her. She normally does. Well, I called her this afternoon and told her I would volunteer again this year and was looking forward to doing it again. We started talking about Summer's Cool, the program I have worked for the last three years. We talked about the fun things to come, and she offers me the job writing the curriculum for the program. I was floored and excited and took the offer. My resume was about to be beefed up with two curriculum books under my belt, when she asked if I was going to come back this year as a Site Supervisor. I told her I would like to, and that I was not doing school during the summer. Then she casually asked if I would like to have a Director position for the camp. NO WAY!!!!! This is so cool! Something even better to add to my resume! Director of a school camp... responsible for 60 kids and 12 staff members, including 2 Site Supervisors. I must say that I love that y boos has faith in me and my ability to manage and teach children. I accepted of course. I would rather work a 40 hour work week than 30 and get paid almost double of what I was making last year.
First, I must say this came as a shock. Second, this is also a gift from God. The definition of gift can be use many ways. I like to think of gifts as blessings from God that I do not deserve. A struggle that I have is money. My school, and Shaune's Master Degree are burning a nice little hole in our pocket book. It is easier to worry than it is to trust. Money always fall from the sky when we Shaune has needed it most. Shaune has a strong faith that God will always provide when we need it. What I love about God is how he shows you in small ways that you are being ridiculous. When I start to worry about finances, God drops money into Shaune's lap. Whether it is a rel estate job, a dividend check, or some life insurance account that he closed years ago and is paying him out. Whenever I worry where the money will come from, God dangles the $ bills above my head and says "My child, why do you not trust in me to take care of you?" Then, as always, I feel like a complete ass for not trusting in him. I love those little moments when I feel like a donkey. I was starting to worry where the money for my last semester would come from, because coming back t camp as a Site Supervisor would not have paid for it. This job however, will be able to cover my tuition, my books, my 1/2 semester parking sticker, and my graduation robes, invitations and Thankyou cards. Isn't God good?!
First, I must say this came as a shock. Second, this is also a gift from God. The definition of gift can be use many ways. I like to think of gifts as blessings from God that I do not deserve. A struggle that I have is money. My school, and Shaune's Master Degree are burning a nice little hole in our pocket book. It is easier to worry than it is to trust. Money always fall from the sky when we Shaune has needed it most. Shaune has a strong faith that God will always provide when we need it. What I love about God is how he shows you in small ways that you are being ridiculous. When I start to worry about finances, God drops money into Shaune's lap. Whether it is a rel estate job, a dividend check, or some life insurance account that he closed years ago and is paying him out. Whenever I worry where the money will come from, God dangles the $ bills above my head and says "My child, why do you not trust in me to take care of you?" Then, as always, I feel like a complete ass for not trusting in him. I love those little moments when I feel like a donkey. I was starting to worry where the money for my last semester would come from, because coming back t camp as a Site Supervisor would not have paid for it. This job however, will be able to cover my tuition, my books, my 1/2 semester parking sticker, and my graduation robes, invitations and Thankyou cards. Isn't God good?!
Life can be funny...ha, ha
Less than a year before I graduate from college. Most people who go to school as long as I have, have the title Dr. before their first name. I am in the student observation phase and will be student teaching in August. I am going to Hawaii, Germany, or Australia for a two week vacation. After eight years, I will definitely need some R&R.
So life can be funny...ha,ha. Some times God can intervene in your life when you least expect it. It happens when someone becomes content with their current situation in life. Our church lost its pastor two years ago... then we got a new one. It was a traumatic time for people in the church and some people left. There were different reasons why people left. Some did not want to get involved in all the drama, some were extremely heart broken by what happened, others did not feel compelled to stay,etc... But God can do all things through our lives. Shaune and I had planned on staying at Crossroads long until we were good and dead. God had other plans for us though. Shaune best friend Bryce Eubanks got married in a small church which has about 58 members. That is a SMALL church! Shaune and I met the pastor and decided to visit based upon an invitation to come to church with the Eubanks clan. All this happen in May... and Shaune and I have not been back to Crossroads yet. At first, I had some problems with the small church, I was not used to it and the music is mostly Hymns. For some strange reason, we feel drawn to the little church. No one noticed that we had left Crossroad and had not gone to church in a while. It was around VBS time when people started realizing they did not see me around the church. People started calling Shaune and I and the first thing people asked was did we join another church. The answer was always no, and people started to tell us that we had to come back. We had people upset at us and call us heathens because they thought we had deserted our church.
“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”
God did exactly that with Shaune and I. We knew God wanted us to stay at this small church. Many of the members are just learning to read the bible within the last 5 years. Many of them have never understood the true word of God. At first I was afraid and wanted to go back to Crossroads...but now I am not so afraid anymore. God has made it clear that he has a plan to use Shaune I here. Shaune had been leading Wed. night bible study for a small groups of 10-12 people who regularly come. He has been asked to teach Sunday school as well. Shaune always knew he wanted to teach, but he thought he would do it in his later 40s. I helped out at there VBS over the summer. Its a big change going from a program of 900 kids down to 25. :) W have been praying for guidance for a while and we finally got it about a week ago. It is painful, but yet exciting. Shanda and I are going to become members at our new church and help it grow. People have been hinting for me to become the Director of Children's ministries there. We had a board meeting today where the church elected members to the board. When they got to the Director of CE, our speaker said the position was open and they have been praying for someone to take the spot. On a side note, I hate it when people talk about you in front of you! It is embarrassing, especially when people are taking about the good things you have done and will do in the future. I hate it when people do that. The body was whispering my name. Every table had my name on their lips, talking amongst themselves saying that I was talented and I should be the one to do it. Something only Shaune, Pastor Bruce and his wife Robyn know, is that I felt called to do it the first moment that I stepped inside the church doors. It was something I had been praying about and had only told those people because it was near and dear to my heart. Well, one thing, lead to another, and God made his presence know and laid His hands on me, and you are looking at the soon to be member of the FMCC church, as well as the soon to be Elder of Christian Education. ( I don't like this title for several reasons. 1st and foremost I think I am too young to be an elder in a church. I feel I need to be an older wiser woman. I prefer to call it Director of Children's Ministries instead. I gets to the point quicker, and tells what I do. So this is God's plan. Lord, I sure hope you know what you are doing. I feel so young, even though I am 26 years old.
God has a plan... I am quitting work. This school homework load does not fit in with my work schedule, so we had decided to have me concentrate on homework here at the house. Isn't it funny that after we decide this, the CE thing become more clearer? Now I have more time to write curriculum for the summer and next year. I will be setting up the ENTIRE program from scratch. Toddler, youth, middle and high school groups. God give me strength and do your work through me. Thank you for chosing me to be the vessel for this. More to come later, have to wake up in 4 hours formy 12 hour work day. Will leave work sometime half way through February. Right now I am pulling 12 hour days workingand going to school at Camey elementary school in the Colony and taking 12 hours at UNT. 2 on Monday 2 on Tuesday. Needless to say,I am excited to have more time to write in my blog in a couple of weeks.
Oh, and P.S. I will still be doing bible studies at CBC to ensure my spiritual growth and knowledge. More to come later...
So life can be funny...ha,ha. Some times God can intervene in your life when you least expect it. It happens when someone becomes content with their current situation in life. Our church lost its pastor two years ago... then we got a new one. It was a traumatic time for people in the church and some people left. There were different reasons why people left. Some did not want to get involved in all the drama, some were extremely heart broken by what happened, others did not feel compelled to stay,etc... But God can do all things through our lives. Shaune and I had planned on staying at Crossroads long until we were good and dead. God had other plans for us though. Shaune best friend Bryce Eubanks got married in a small church which has about 58 members. That is a SMALL church! Shaune and I met the pastor and decided to visit based upon an invitation to come to church with the Eubanks clan. All this happen in May... and Shaune and I have not been back to Crossroads yet. At first, I had some problems with the small church, I was not used to it and the music is mostly Hymns. For some strange reason, we feel drawn to the little church. No one noticed that we had left Crossroad and had not gone to church in a while. It was around VBS time when people started realizing they did not see me around the church. People started calling Shaune and I and the first thing people asked was did we join another church. The answer was always no, and people started to tell us that we had to come back. We had people upset at us and call us heathens because they thought we had deserted our church.
“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”
God did exactly that with Shaune and I. We knew God wanted us to stay at this small church. Many of the members are just learning to read the bible within the last 5 years. Many of them have never understood the true word of God. At first I was afraid and wanted to go back to Crossroads...but now I am not so afraid anymore. God has made it clear that he has a plan to use Shaune I here. Shaune had been leading Wed. night bible study for a small groups of 10-12 people who regularly come. He has been asked to teach Sunday school as well. Shaune always knew he wanted to teach, but he thought he would do it in his later 40s. I helped out at there VBS over the summer. Its a big change going from a program of 900 kids down to 25. :) W have been praying for guidance for a while and we finally got it about a week ago. It is painful, but yet exciting. Shanda and I are going to become members at our new church and help it grow. People have been hinting for me to become the Director of Children's ministries there. We had a board meeting today where the church elected members to the board. When they got to the Director of CE, our speaker said the position was open and they have been praying for someone to take the spot. On a side note, I hate it when people talk about you in front of you! It is embarrassing, especially when people are taking about the good things you have done and will do in the future. I hate it when people do that. The body was whispering my name. Every table had my name on their lips, talking amongst themselves saying that I was talented and I should be the one to do it. Something only Shaune, Pastor Bruce and his wife Robyn know, is that I felt called to do it the first moment that I stepped inside the church doors. It was something I had been praying about and had only told those people because it was near and dear to my heart. Well, one thing, lead to another, and God made his presence know and laid His hands on me, and you are looking at the soon to be member of the FMCC church, as well as the soon to be Elder of Christian Education. ( I don't like this title for several reasons. 1st and foremost I think I am too young to be an elder in a church. I feel I need to be an older wiser woman. I prefer to call it Director of Children's Ministries instead. I gets to the point quicker, and tells what I do. So this is God's plan. Lord, I sure hope you know what you are doing. I feel so young, even though I am 26 years old.
God has a plan... I am quitting work. This school homework load does not fit in with my work schedule, so we had decided to have me concentrate on homework here at the house. Isn't it funny that after we decide this, the CE thing become more clearer? Now I have more time to write curriculum for the summer and next year. I will be setting up the ENTIRE program from scratch. Toddler, youth, middle and high school groups. God give me strength and do your work through me. Thank you for chosing me to be the vessel for this. More to come later, have to wake up in 4 hours formy 12 hour work day. Will leave work sometime half way through February. Right now I am pulling 12 hour days workingand going to school at Camey elementary school in the Colony and taking 12 hours at UNT. 2 on Monday 2 on Tuesday. Needless to say,I am excited to have more time to write in my blog in a couple of weeks.
Oh, and P.S. I will still be doing bible studies at CBC to ensure my spiritual growth and knowledge. More to come later...
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Husband Graduating
My husband graduates from DBU with an MBA in Buisness Managment on December 14th. I am so proud of him! My birthday was on November 1st. We had lots of fun. It was one of three birthdays in my life time where friends have wanted to take me out to dinner and celebrate with me. I have not celebrated my birthday with a group of friends since my junior year of highschool when my friend Scott Anderson threw me a suprise birthday party. This made me realize how important friends are in a persons life. I have not had many friends in my life, but a few have been there for me when I needed them and they are true friend. Thanks to all of you who have always been there for me. May God watch over you always.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Long Time Gone . . .
So, I finally got a chance to blogg... which I have not done in forever. But now that the bulk of my classes are out of the way, I am finding the time. Shaune and I have been going to FMCC. Flower Mound Congregational Church. It was so sudden when it happened. We are not members, but we have been attending a bible study on Wednesday nights. Shaune and I decided to visit the church after Bryce and Kelly were married. We visited and we never left. It is very different from Crossroads; the only difference is that we have known that this is where we are supposed to be for now. It was so strange. We were not looking for a church and here we end up. God has told us that we need to be here for the time being. I have been doing bible studies at crossroads because out little church only has 40 members, and it is still growing. Crossroads will always be our home church, but this is where God has called us to be for now.
I am talking 4 classes this fall and I graduate next December. Shaune and I are in the processes for looking for a house. I am trying to go and visit Robyn in March for spring break. I am a Site Supervisor in the ESD program for Castle Hills Elementary school, and Shaune and I are celebrating our 3rd year of marriage in April. We will start trying to have children in a year, and my grandmother on my mom’s side is having shoulder replacement surgery. WOW! That is a lot. There is so much more going on, but that will have to wait another time. God is good right now.. and that is all I have to say
P.S. I have skype if anyone out there has it and wants to talk through it.
I am talking 4 classes this fall and I graduate next December. Shaune and I are in the processes for looking for a house. I am trying to go and visit Robyn in March for spring break. I am a Site Supervisor in the ESD program for Castle Hills Elementary school, and Shaune and I are celebrating our 3rd year of marriage in April. We will start trying to have children in a year, and my grandmother on my mom’s side is having shoulder replacement surgery. WOW! That is a lot. There is so much more going on, but that will have to wait another time. God is good right now.. and that is all I have to say
P.S. I have skype if anyone out there has it and wants to talk through it.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
SOmething WOW!!! and different . . .
More to come at a later date. . . Will clarify the situation about the other church at a later date . . . possibly at a the end of the summer is when we will make our final choice.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I am now posting again!!!
HA! HA! This semester is finally over! WOO HOO! I made 4 A's and a B. Sweet bliss. I am currently training te LISD's new Summer's Cool staff with my team members. This summer will be lots of fun. I was given a good staff. I am very greatful to God for that. This summer I wil be taking one University class each month while I am working. I don't think that it will be too bad, but we'll just have to see. The summer camp curriculum that I wrote turned out wonderful. Everyone loves it and they have expressed an interest in me writting mext years curriculum. God has blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities. I have decided to brush up on my guitar playing this summer. I laugh at this because I broke my aucustic guitar a year or two ago. It was not a good one by any means, and the bridge just decided to pop off one day. So I am currently using a guitar that I have never played on before. SHaune recieved it as a gift YEARS ago, but it is a slammin guitar for it kind. I am playing an electric guitar. :) Who would have though. I will have to buy another classical or accoustic guitar when the time comes later on.
Two weeks ago Shaune lifetime best friend go married to an awsome woman. I am really happy for the both of them. They make a famtastic couple. One of the best memories that I have about Bryce is this. . . We were joking around about the wedding and how stressful planning a wedding can. I jokingly told him that they sould elope an blow all the money and time they had put into the wedding already. Byce, very seriously, said nope. I have been waiting for this day for a while. I want to see her all dolled up and walking down the isle in her wedding dress. Iw ouldn't miss that moment for the world.
When a man says such sweet things about the woman he loves: that is a true man.
Congrats two the two of them! I love you both!
More to come on the blogg, I promise. . .
P.S. sorry about the spelling.
Two weeks ago Shaune lifetime best friend go married to an awsome woman. I am really happy for the both of them. They make a famtastic couple. One of the best memories that I have about Bryce is this. . . We were joking around about the wedding and how stressful planning a wedding can. I jokingly told him that they sould elope an blow all the money and time they had put into the wedding already. Byce, very seriously, said nope. I have been waiting for this day for a while. I want to see her all dolled up and walking down the isle in her wedding dress. Iw ouldn't miss that moment for the world.
When a man says such sweet things about the woman he loves: that is a true man.
Congrats two the two of them! I love you both!
More to come on the blogg, I promise. . .
P.S. sorry about the spelling.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Spring Break
It is 11:34 p.m. Sunday night. An hour ago I finished the last of my midterm tests. So far so good. Still have A's in all five of my classes. I have to get a head start on a ton of papers due in April during my spring break. I have 20 4 pages and up papers due in April. I also have a book drive to participate in when I come off of spring break. My anxiety level is hitting the roof just about now. I am going to get two massages this week to help reduce my stress levels.
Shaune and I bought a new 07 Nissan Altima this week. We have been experiencing car trouble with the Mazda and we decided it was time and with his current rising in the home selling business, he needed a car to drive clients around. It is beautiful.
Shaune and I decided that when I graduate depending on money, we can do one of two things. I can celebrate my graduation by taking a trip for two to Hawaii, or flying solo back to German and spending some time there with friends and making new ones. I hope its the latter of the two, but I realize that Shaune and I will be needing some time together as well. It is hard living in the same house and not being able to see your husband. We make it work though. I look forward to seeing him late on Tuesday and Thursday nights after class, and getting to spend time together on the weekends. We spend our weekends up at his office. I work home homework and he works on projects he needs to finish. We work side by side. Just having his presence there is great.
Shaune got his tux for the Eubanks-Burr wedding coming up on May 12th. I am so excited! Will write more later! Love you all and miss you lots!
Shaune and I bought a new 07 Nissan Altima this week. We have been experiencing car trouble with the Mazda and we decided it was time and with his current rising in the home selling business, he needed a car to drive clients around. It is beautiful.
Shaune and I decided that when I graduate depending on money, we can do one of two things. I can celebrate my graduation by taking a trip for two to Hawaii, or flying solo back to German and spending some time there with friends and making new ones. I hope its the latter of the two, but I realize that Shaune and I will be needing some time together as well. It is hard living in the same house and not being able to see your husband. We make it work though. I look forward to seeing him late on Tuesday and Thursday nights after class, and getting to spend time together on the weekends. We spend our weekends up at his office. I work home homework and he works on projects he needs to finish. We work side by side. Just having his presence there is great.
Shaune got his tux for the Eubanks-Burr wedding coming up on May 12th. I am so excited! Will write more later! Love you all and miss you lots!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)