2009 is our year!

Mario woke up one morning a week ago & said to me, "this is our year, hon. I'm expecting something big and good this year." And so we've embarked on our year of promise.

Someone recently asked me what it is we're expecting. Well, we're expecting to grow in the gifts God has given of course, to prosper as He's promised, to be healthy, all these things & more. But the "something big"? No idea. And we're so ready for it, whatever it is.

Meanwhile, I've been learning a lot in the worship ministry arena. I can't write it out yet but I'm getting stirred up and the congregation here at Joy is getting stirred up. It's a deeper level of beautiful than I've ever experiences and I'm really enjoying the journey.

I've also committed to writing those children's stories I've been telling my family's kids for the past 15 years, and having them published. I have 2 other book ideas too, one given to me in a dream. So, it's time to get started on those. And Mario is praying about becoming a youth minister. 2009 is bringing changes....we're also praying about children, adding to our family one way or another. Adoption is certainly an option. Yes, I rhymed that on purpose.

I told my sister yesterday that we have passed the "suffering" stage - although not much has changed in our employment or in the "natural" we feel confident, held in the palm of God's hand and plan. We've learned to trust Him with our finances and He's shown us A LOT in the department!!! We're still learning daily but the "stress" of it is gone. PTL!!

All this to say, we're pressing in on behalf of our families too - my dad & bro-in-law, Mario's sisters & Mom - 2009 is our year!!

It's Christmastime again

As I sit at the computer this morning, it is so tempting to let the thoughts flying around and through my mind take control of me. But, I've prayed this morning to let the Holy Spirit have His peace and contentment flow through me, especially these next few days.

I was baking (or attempting to) last night and realized I just didn't have enough time to do all that I think I should be doing. I would like to have the same traditions I had with my parents when I was younger, to bake, to have a clean home, to sit by the fire with my cocoa looking at my Christmas tree. But add these things to the way Mario & I have chosen to live - 4 jobs between the 2 of us, very active at church, very social, fun-loving....well, I just can't make it happen. So, I've discovered that I need to let go of the "perfect" life vision I have and enjoy my now, enjoy this moment that the Lord has given me.

Now, this is a lesson I truly do understand and know already but for some reason during this season, I'm taking it to a deeper level. I'm interested to see where the Lord will take me down this path of thought.

So, even if I don't get to bake my favorite Candy Cane cookies or vacuum & dust the house; even if I don't get to stare at my very lovely Christmas tree, I will celebrate the Lord and the Love of my life, the One who cares for me, who brings me true peace & fulfillment. And I will thank Him for all that I have for I am truly grateful and without Him, it just wouldn't be Christmas now, would it?

Smiling, I close with a prayer for all of our family & loved ones this season, that whoever reads this will know that we are praying for you.

A Family Ministering together

This is what it's all about. April & I sang with our cousins, Jessica, Sarah & Jenni as Uncle Paul accompanied us for our Grandma's 80th birthday party. It was incredible to be able to do that.

Funnies sent from Grandma to me

• Why, Why, Why, Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?
  
• Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know there is not enough money?
• Why does someone Believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?
  
• Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
  
• Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
  
• Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
  
• Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
  
• If people evolved from apes, Why are there still apes?
  
• Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
  
• Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
  
• Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
  
• Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
  
• Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
  
• How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
  
• When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, 'It's all right?' Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, 'That really hurt, why don't you watch where you're going?'
  
• Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
  
• In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
  
• How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
  
• And my FAVORITE......The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.