Change is a coming!

Okay, I know some of you got excited that maybe this change has to do with our government leaders since that is typically what I'm talking about when I discuss change.

Not the case. Sorry!

The change I'm talking about is MY STUFF (oh, and The Rev, too!) is coming from Atlanta! WAHOO!!!

The movers will be packing us up on the first, loading on the second, driving on the third, and unloading on the fourth. I'll be getting ready in the meantime! And then The Rev will drive in on the seventh, I do believe.

I am VERY excited and will apologize about my lack of posting in the meantime. I'm hoping that getting my own computer back will make things much easier.

For now, Thank God for change! I'm looking forward to it THIS time!

Do they look alike?

JMonster and his cousin A look scarily alike. Dontchya think?

This is actually...A! If not for the carseat, I would SWEAR it is JMonster!


S & JMonster at 2...


A & E when they were 2.

Just eeeeerie!

More family pics!

We had our pics taken when JMonster and I went back to Atlanta to visit The Rev. Not sure how long these will be available online, but until they disappear...ENJOY!

Family Video

Here is my favorite pic from the entire afternoon:

Missional Monday

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MISSIONAL?

I remember hearing people in the church (The Rev!) talking about being "missional" a few years back and thinking..."is that a REAL word?". I'm a stickler for good grammar and vocabulary, you know. I also recall wondering, if it is a real word, what does it mean?

Church talk. Blech!

What I've come to learn...and BELIEVE, is that being missional should be the goal of every Christian. Period. End of sentence. Our "jobs" as believers...our MISSION...requires us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. At home. At school. At work. In all areas of our lives; in every role we "play"....we should reflect the love that Christ gives us on the world around us.

I love the way Casting Crowns puts it:

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

And Audio Adrenaline:

I wanna be your hands
I wanna be your feet
I'll go where you send me,
go where you send me
I'll be your hands
I'll be your feet
I'll go where you send me,
go where you send me
And l'll try,
yeah I'll try
To touch the world
like You touched my life
And I'll find my way
To be your hands

Part of MY mission right now is to help others find THEIR mission. Are YOU missional?

Visit my site every Monday to find a different organization highlighted. Maybe you can find a place to connect Your passion with Your purpose...your mission.

Perfect Pairings

My friend Baloney does a Sunday post called Perfect Pairings. You put a picture and a scripture up. I've never joined in...thought I'd try it out today and see what y'all think:



And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 28:2

The Company He Keeps (a repost from Patterico.com)

All I can say is...Seriously? This is how our fearless leader leads?

(Thanks to DRJ @ Patterico.com and to GatewayPundit for allowing me to basically plagiarize (repost) this whole article without their permission. I just HAD to.)

The Company He Keeps

Filed under: International, Obama — DRJ @ 10:35 pm

[Guest post by DRJ]

GatewayPundit says it better than I could:

“Next week the Obama Administration will allow Ahmadinejad, Castro, Chavez, Gaddafi and several other international thugs into New York City to speak in front of the United Nations General Assembly. However, one country’s president will not be allowed into the United States.

President Roberto Micheletti from Honduras will not be allowed to enter into America. The US has suspended the visa policy in Honduras.

For the first time in this country’s history, our leaders in government are siding with Marxists Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, Raul Castro and Evo Morales against a democratic foreign leader.”

Before the Presidential election, we were told it’s wrong to judge candidate Obama by his radical friends and associates. Now President Obama chooses to recognize radical international leaders and reject democratic friends. Can we judge him now?

– DRJ

Daddy will be proud!

The Rev was a big time soccer player in his day. Back in the day... (tee hee! I love to tease him about how he's aged!)

Yesterday JMonster's cousin A gave him an old pair of his cleats and some old soccer socks. JMonster's first pair! He wore them to A's first practice of the season. They're a bit big (thus the 2 pairs of socks), but other than that they were a winner!


JMonster kicking the ball!

A...Very focused on practice!

All in all, a GREAT first day of Soccer!

Missional Monday

Today's post will be short. To the point.

GO! Find a place to volunteer.
A way to be "missional" in your sphere of influence.

And then thank God that you have the CHOICE to volunteer!

Remembering

Here are a couple of songs to help us all remember the significance of today:

Where were you?


Have you forgotten?

Have You Forgotten - Funny videos are here

Change I can believe in!

Thanks to DRJ on my brother's website, patterico.com...

The GOP Response to Obama’s Health Care Plan

Republicans want reform without rationing or higher taxes. They call on President Obama to agree to these four bipartisan ideas that most Americans seem to agree on:

All individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.

Individuals, small businesses and other groups should be able to join together to get health insurance at lower prices, the same way large businesses and labor unions do.

Provide assistance to those who still cannot access a doctor.

Insurers should be able to offer incentives for wellness care and prevention.

Republicans also support the following ideas that President Obama does not agree with:

Real medical liability reform, including tough liability reform standards, speedy resolution of claims, and deterring junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care.

Let families and businesses buy insurance across state lines to help control premiums and hold down costs.

www.healthcare.gop.gov

Now THAT is change I can stand behind...and believe in!

Missional Monday

This week's Missional Monday is an organization I hope to be involved with in the future. A good friend of mine, Baloney, is very involved with them and currently volunteers for them helping in fundraising, etc.

The organization is: Crisis Pregnancy Outreach

The primary mission of Crisis Pregnancy Outreach is to provide love and assistance, free of charge, to young women who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy, and to their children as well.

History & Information

Members of Christian Chapel used to peacefully walk and pray outside of a Tulsa Abortion Clinic. As time went on, they began to feel the need to provide a meaningful alternative to abortion for girls and women in the Tulsa area and beyond.

Board member, Marilyn Guthmann, and her brother-in-law, Dr. Howard Guthmann, approached Cheryl Bauman. Together, they drafted a proposal to present to the Board and Pastor Richard Exley. The proposal was unanimously approved. Crisis Pregnancy Outreach was birthed in March 1983, as an outreach ministry of Christian Chapel. Within two weeks, the first girl was ministered to.

Crisis Pregnancy Outreach's comprehensive list of services developed as new seeds arose amidst the young women. For example, when a girl needed a place to live during her pregnancy, "host homes" began as the members of Christian Chapel opened their homes to provide a loving, family environment. When a girl needed items for setting up an apartment, the warehouse was formed.

Initially, adoption referrals were made when young women chose to place their children for adoption. It soon became evident that Crisis Pregnancy Outreach should become a Licensed Adoption Agency in order to facilitate open adoptions.

Crisis Pregnancy Outreach accomplishes everything with a team of dedicated volunteers. No one has ever received a salary. (Emphasis mine)

What can you do to help?

Your financial support helps to provide such things as prescriptions, clothing, childbirth classes, counseling, and dental care for our girls. Your support enables us to operate our transitional and maternity homes where our girls are cared for in a loving, home environment.

We accept donations of maternity clothing, baby clothing and equipment, household items, furniture, and appliances. These are to help our girls set up their own apartments or to assist with what they already may have.

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

Two Talents

I've got two new "talents" to share. Both of them you can see in these pics:



I hemmed my jeans for the first time. (deep bow)

And I learned to paint flowers on my toes.

It took much practice, but there is Much talent in this one package! Sarcastic...who me?

New Family Photos!

Go check out our new family photos! They are BEAUTIFUL!!!

PAROLED!

Today is the first day of Preschool and I've been PAROLED as a Prisoner of Summer '09.



JMonster has been denying ALL summer that school was coming. Every day or so he'd say, "Momma. I'm not going to school today, right? Not tomorrow either, right? Not for 3 more days, right?" I would reassure him and pat him on the head. Next day, repeat...

S came in my room this morning to wake us up (JMonster had climbed in my bed around 6am). "Wake up! JMonster...we're going to school today!"

JMonster broke down SOBBING. "I don't WANT to go to school today, Mommy!" More sobs. "I'm going to YOUR classroom."

"I don't HAVE a classroom, buddy."

"YES, YOU DO!"

"I don't this year. You are going to be fine."

"You're NOT going to leave me. You'll be there."

And the conversation went on from there. I finally got him calmed down, dressed, and we left for school after a nutritious breakfast of cinnamon roll muffins.

On the way to school The Rev wanted to talk to JMonster so we gave him a quick call. I handed the phone to JMonster and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Daddy, I'm having a BAD day today."

You can imagine me rolling on the floor laughing at this point.

My twin sister and I left the kiddos and headed to a cute local coffee shop to meet some girls. It was fabulous!

Here are S & JMonster on their first day of school!

Getting ready to leave

On the way!

"Official just arrived at school pic"

"Look, they have CARS!"

AFTER!

It seems that JMonster played in some water today and got his shirt soaking wet. Thus, the change of clothes.

All in all, it was a wonderful first day of preschool. And no peanut disasters! Whew.