Girl Power!

I know that I have not blogged in a very long while! I have been too busy organizing my Google Reader and reading everyone else's blog! But again, I find something absolutely blog worthy...well at least in my mind. Just like my last post it has to do once again with a TV show! This time the TV reality show Biggest Loser! Yes, I admit it I have a problem. I love to watch TV... I am actually addicted! The first step to beating an addiction is to first admit you have a problem. That is what I keep telling myself.

Tonight on Biggest Loser justice was finally served as the two final women demonstrated they too could triumph and send two well deserving pompous, cocky, overconfident blue team members below the yellow line! Congrats to Ali & Kelly. You kick butt! I promise to post some entries of substance in the very near future! But hey it is Spring Break...

LOST

I must make a few comments on my favorite show, LOST. The new season is better than GREAT! It is fierce! Now I have been a faithful fan since the first episode. Chuck...not so much! But this season, he sat down and watched one of the recap shows and got up to speed. So now I have a LOST buddy right in my very own home! Last week came the best quote ever from Chuck. He shouted out," We are 40 minutes into this show and have not gotten one question answered!" HAHAHAHAHAHA! Welcome to LOST, baby! Can't even tell you how many times I have yelled out in the past two years in frustration, "I know I am getting answers, people, problem is I do not know the questions yet!" I feel your pain, Chuck, I really do !-)

Now, to comment on this week's episode. I wrote down in my notes...Yes! I take notes while I watch LOST! STEP OFF! "First, flash backs, then flash forwards... NOW...time travel!" Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved this last episode. We all love "a love story"and if Desmond & Penny's love can survive eight years apart with no contact, a mysterious island, and time travel there is hope for "long lasting love"for us all!

I will SHOUT into the Blogosphere!

Okay- I have been totally bogged down lately with the INs and OUTs of life that I have been neglecting my blogging duties both personally and professionally. Time to get caught up! My first post tonight is in honor once again for the great God I serve. As some of you know, my sister Kendra has been battling colon cancer since early in November. Today, Kendra posted an awesome entry on her blog, just days after surgery, that is SO uplifting, that I must send you off into the blogosphere so that you too can receive a blessing from her words! Take time to read "From a Mass to a Peanut!". Love you to bits, Kendra! You have been a great example to all of us on how to place all our faith, hope & love in Him!

Thank you Lord for watching over my sister and giving her great doctors. Thank you for placing in her life a strong, loving, supportive, Christian husband who encouraged and held her hand through every step! I will shout into the blogosphere, that I serve a great God, a loving God, and Healer! We give all the glory honor and praise to you, God, for what you have done, and what you continue to do!

Project Runway Favorite Quote

Fierce, fabulous, & flawless!
-christian

I Serve an Amazing God!

I want to SHOUT it from the rooftops that, "I serve an amazing God". A God that is so patient and who never gives up or leaves. Okay...Pastor Moe... this post is for you! God has really placed on your heart some very timely messages in the past few months. I know that I am not a lone Parkway attender who could say "these golden morsels of truth have fallen on good soil."

So why today? Such a proclamation. I mean this statement was obviously true yesterday and has been for all time. He just did not start working today. But that is what is so great, He is working all of the time. But today He allowed me to "see" a portion of the bigger picture and work as His instrument. Thank you Lord.

Let me set the stage:
God has been calling me to action and into his service in a particular area, but He kept reminding me of this one specific area that was needing some SERIOUS attention before all that God has for me could really manifest. And honestly I have made it much more difficult than it had to be! And in yet another sermon on the mountain... God was trying to get the point across to yours truly!!!!

November 25, 2007 Pastor Moe was discussing living a life of surrender. He went on to talk about the life of Mary. "Mary lived a life of surrender. Think about what would have happened if Mary had not surrendered to God's perfect plan? Now...Think of all the people who can benefit if you live a life of surrender! When you live a life of surrender you are living for the bigger purpose. It will allow you to know God in a deeper way because as we live a life free of our issue we are now able to see a clearer vision of our part in God's plan for our life.Remember not my will be done, but yours God!"

Now this statement really stuck with me... I wrote it down... I typed it out and put it on a sticky note widget on my iGoogle page and trust me the Holy Spirit had this rattling around inside of me for months now. So I took some actions in several areas of my life and thought good... I am going in the right direction, that's good enough for now. (Hmmm...little negotiating with God...maybe...you think?)

Then enters David Tolan who joined us for our Missions Festival @ Parkway at the end of January. What is suppose to be a little "pep talk" for the participants of Random Acts of Kindness, KAPOW!, Hits me big time, and believe me it left a mark! Basically...God calling me to action in the area of my vocation! "God is waiting for people to cross barriers and possess/reclaim land in the name of Jesus!"... Okay God... I am listening... I am willing....I know... I have something I need to deal with!

On February 3rd, Pastor Moe is back up to bat, Consecration vs. Desecration. The message came from Joshua 3.5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” We can not move on to the next thing God has for us until we deal with what could potentially hold us back or slow us down. I wrote in my notes from that message " we have to do it so that we know it was God not us". Okay, God I know what I have to do! ... the Holy spirit reminded me of an instruction given to me over a year ago, a directive that I had only partially obeyed. I am happy to report that I completely complied!

Now I have to admit, my flesh was sufferin' something fierce...and experienced a feeling of LOSS, but I kept saying, "I trust you God, it was the right thing to do. I may never know the outcome, but I know you will take it from here"and I prayed for two specific requests related to this situation... Today, I got a unbelievable good report. It is true "he has done great wonders" The events of today were no doubt 100% God'... My cup overflows with joy...

Winter Weather Event!

Two weeks ago we had a beautiful snowfall and I took a picture of the back yard and thought, "Oh, I need to blog about our first real snow". But, I got busy enjoying my snow day and let the moment pass.
Well... there will be no delay reporting this one! We have had a winter weather event that is absolutely blog-worthy! The first ice storm of the season has arrived. I was of course laying in bet at 6 AM hoping for a snow day. I got up to check the delays and cancellations. I only had a two hour delay, so I decided to go back to bed and snuggle :-) Well about 8:10 as I continue to struggle to get out of bed...Chuck and I hear this horrific sound. We both bolt out of bed. We go down to the main level to look out of our picture window. In front of our eyes is a huge section of tree down across the front yard and drive way! The first thing out of my mouth was "Thank you, Lord!" Now before you jump to conclusions, it was not because I was not going to be able to go to school! On the contrary, I really was thanking Him for protecting our house, both of our cars, the light post, and even the trash can! Chuck and I have decided to stop procrastinating and get that tree in the front yard taken down!

The New Year!

It has been awhile since I posted. Blogging seems to take a backseat to the craziness of the holidays. The month of December was full of wonderful events! Here is a quick recap.


* Emily decided she did in fact want to be part of the HS swim team.

* I as a result quickly set to coordinating a sport physical at the last minute.

* I have been reinstated as the primary swim team chauffeur.

*No excuse for not working out at the gym...if i am going to be there anyway for Emily's practice. (So, I am back on the wagon) Good thing with all the "celebrating" I did!

*Attended Colonial Christmas Bunko, Cloverdale Christmas Bunko, Colonial Christmas Staff Retreat, Cloverdale's Christmas Dinner, Lubeth's World Famous Christmas Party, Living Water Christmas Party, Christmas Eve @ Erlin's, Christmas Day @ Casa de Ontiveros, (Mom the food was spectacular, and nothing short of marvelous), Christmas visit with Chuck's Dad.

*Chuck, Emily, & I participated in the 2nd Annual Open All of the Gifts on Christmas Eve, so we can Sleep in on Christmas Day Celebration. This tradition was started last year at the request of the anti-morning folk that live with me. It is actually good for the only pro-morning person in our clan(me) because I get to enjoy the quiet of Christmas Morning, spend a time in quiet reflection with my Lord on such a fabulous day, and do not have to go into "Crazed Drill Sergeant" mode. It makes for a great start to a great day for all involved...very stress free! I am all for stress-free on Christmas Day! My advice...as your children get older...don't be afraid to tweak those traditions!!!!!

* Six month visit to the dentist.

* Attended Quality Teaching & Learning instructor's meeting in Raleigh, NC.

*Chuck met me in Raleigh, so we could celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary.

*Started an instructional technology blog called "What the Tech" for teachers. Well, and for anyone else who might be interested...let me give a quick shout out to all my home schooling peeps!

Tomorrow... things should get back to normal...HA...that makes me laugh....I think that I should actually rephrase that to...tomorrow things will be back on regular schedule! So hopefully more posts... on a more regular basis!