One for the adults...

A shocking event took place in my life this past weekend...I completed a book in ONE day!! I love to read and used to accomplish this feat quite frequently if I felt so inclined. Then I had children:) Yes, they are a joy and a blessing but they certainly put a halt to my times of relaxing and reading just for the fun of it. Well, a new friend loaned me Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall and my ability to hear my children or my husband ceased for the rest of the day. It is truly an amazing book and true story and one which I highly recommend. The main character, Deborah Hall, is a woman who lived her life glowing with God's grace every day. She impacted lives in a way I can only imagine and left a legacy behind that is still leaving a mark today in Dallas, TX. Take the time to read this one! We all seek glimpses of God in this crazy world and this is a beautiful one. Happy reading!!

Life goals...

I recently was blessed with the opportunity to watch someone I have known for 20 years attain a life-goal. Wow! We all have goals and dreams we set for ourselves during our early years but rarely do we get to be present when the summit of one of those precious mountains is reached. Was it an easy climb? Absolutely not. Were there many setbacks and stumbles along the way. You bet! Did he push through, endure, meet obstacles and have to refocus? Definitely! I felt the most unselfish sense of pride that I have ever experienced. It was not an accomplishment of mine, not my blood, sweat and tears; yet, my heart was bursting with happiness to get to be a part of every moment. As I reflected in the following days, it dawned on me that we have the opportunity to give God that same Oh My Gosh experience when we agree to follow Him and achieve the goals He sets before us. He knows that multiple obstacles will be placed in our paths and we will be tempted to stray. Imagine how His heart must swell when we remain steadfast and faithful. May we each look at our challenges differently today and find a willingness to endure through and for our Savior!!

Happy New Year...

Where does the time go? I know we ask ourselves that repeatedly, but never more than at year's end. Children grow, lives change, we age in many ways. What was intended to be a joyous, celebratory time each year often becomes one of unmet expectations and an underlying sense of sadness. As we take a breath and prepare to hit the ground running, I wanted to share a devotion I recently read by Pamela McQuade that will hopefully offer a new perspective as we embark upon 2009. God is writing a story of faith in your life. What will it describe? Will it be a chronicle of challenges overcome, like the Old Testament story of Joseph? Or a near tragedy turned into joy, like that of the prodigal son? Whatever your account says, if you love Jesus, the end is never in question. Those who love Him finish in heaven, despite their trials on earth. The long, weary path ends in His arms. Today, write a chapter in your faithful narrative of God's love. May you embark on this year knowing that you are a precious child of God who has loving arms awaiting you. Take that knowledge and let it strengthen you to share His love with all those you encounter. You might just be the first person willing to plant seeds in that life!!

Great book...

What a wonderful book for kids--probably from ages 7 through 11 or 12---that are dealing with peer struggles. It is titled Cliques, Phonies, & other Baloney by Trevor Romain. It provides a basic understanding of these phenomena and illustrates a reasoning process which they can apply to their situation. Love it!!

It's official!! Planting Seeds is now open for business. To say I am excited about serving this community would be an understatement. I am thrilled...

An idea for your family---each evening have all members write down on a sticky note or scrap of paper one thing they are thankful/grateful for from that particular day and put them all in a bucket. Then on Thanksgiving, pass the bucket and take turns reading all of the wonderful ways your family has been blessed throughout this month. Happy planting!!

Almost time to open our doors!!