Visiting Santa, Praying with Jake, and Chasing Lions

 

 

Last night, we took the kids to visit Santa Claus at the local mall.  They were so excited!!  I was expecting some hesitation, but they walked right up, sat in his lap, and gave him their Christmas lists.  They were astonished that he "knew their names" and commented on how much they had grown since last year. ;-) After that, we went to IHOP and had breakfast for supper.  (One of my favorites!!)

When we got back home, we changed into our jammies and had our family night devotions.  This week we began our Advent Devotions (found this cool site...THANKS ALYCIA!) by reading from the book of Isaiah.  I told them that Isaiah was a prophet from the old testament who foretold of Jesus' birth, and just like they can't wait to get their gifts from Santa, the birth of Christ was long awaited by the world.  After we finished our discussion, I asked Jake if he would close in prayer.  He bowed his little head and said...

Thank you Jesus for helping everyone in this whole wide world...

Thank you for being the most special gift EVER...

And thank you for helping me find my toys in the newspaper so I could make my list for Santa!

Out of the mouths of babes, right?? He blesses me so!

After KISA and I got the kids to bed, I went back to lie down and read.  I came across a passage in the book IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY by Mark Batterson, that I just had to share.

It begins with a quote from Oswald Chambers:

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways; we do not know what a day may bring forth.  This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation.

WOW!! He just put into a wonderfully succinct sentence, what I was trying to convey to a couple from our church the other night!! We were talking about all that is going on in our lives, and they commented about how scary it must be to have everything "up in the air"...but I can't remember when I have been more full of joy and expectation!!! 

Mark went on to say this:

Lion chasers challenge the status quo.  they climb cliffs, move to foreign countries, and build boats in the desert.  Lion chasers are often considered crazy, but they are able to do things because they aren't afraid of uncertainty.  They don't need to know what is coming next because they know that God knows.  They don't need explanations for every disappointment because they know God has a plan.  Lion chasers refuse to settle down because they want to experience every divine twist and turn that God has in store for them.

Just like a child on Christmas Eve, barely able to sleep from the excitement of awaiting Santa, I can't wait to see what God is going to do next!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This truly is my most favorite time of the year!  Here are just a few of the things I am most thankful for during this special season...

I love decorating, and baking, and singing Christmas carols!! 

I love spending special time with the children eating popcorn and watching all of the "Christmas Classics" on television. 

I love lying on the couch with my KISA in the evenings, after the children are "nestled all snug in their beds", sharing quality time with the lights of the Christmas tree glowing nearby.

I love sitting around the kitchen table with the latest "toy circulars" and notebook paper, watching the children's eyes light up as we make their Christmas Lists for Santa.

I love driving through the neighborhoods, and around town, to see all of the other homes and stores decorated so beautifully in the Christmas Spirit.

I love getting together with family and friends during this time of year and sharing stories of warmth and encouragement, and reminiscing of years gone by.

I love spending special "Family Nights" gathered around the Christmas tree sharing The Christmas Story with my children as we light the candles on our advent wreath.

I love that this past Monday night, while we were watching "Charlie Brown's Christmas"...when Charlie Brown (frustrated  by the commercialism of the season) asks "Isn't there anyone who knows the true meaning of Christmas???", before Linus could begin quoting Luke 2:8-14, my own little Jacob shouted, "I can tell you, Charlie Brown! ...Christmas is ALL ABOUT JESUS!!"

And I absolutely love the fact that it is...it is all about Jesus!! It's about how GOD CAME TO US, TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS, and not only provide a way for us to have ETERNAL LIFE with Him, but to give us ABUNDANT LIFE in the meantime!

That little baby, lying in a manger, was born to die.  He left the marvelous dominion of heaven to dwell among us, so that HE could provide himself as the atonement for my sin, and reconcile me to my Father in Heaven.  He came so that through his life, I could find an example for my own of how to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.  By his wounds I am healed, and through his power, I am more than a conqueror!! AMEN!!!

Jesus truly is the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL, and I am SO THANKFUL for Him!

(Please don't forget to stop by Laurel Wreath's Blog, and share your thankfulness with us today! --Thanks Laurel, for hosting!! ;-))

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I'd also like to take a minute to thank Crystal at God is in Control, for bestowing upon me the Christmas Spirit Award!  Something is up with the icon/button, so I cannot post it here, but I wanted her to know how much it means to me that she would think of me this way.  May all who visit here catch the spirit of this MOST WONDERFUL season!!

Live Well Wednesday - News Brief

Since I was MIA last week, I am giving two reports in one this time.  As of 11/21/07 I was down another 3.5 pounds.  Drinking water and all that walking while we were away was a GREAT THING! That put my  weight-loss total to 8 pounds!

Unfortunately, when I weighed this morning I was back up another pound.  (Could be water weight or hormones, not sure...truth be told it was probably Turkey Day that did me in!).  I haven't been doing terribly bad with my eating, but exercise has gone out the window in the past week, as has my H2O consumption.  (TOO MUCH DIET COKE!) Still, a 7 pound loss in three weeks isn't too shabby.

This week I am going to JOURNAL EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO MY MOUTH and get back on program.  I also plan to get back to my 6-8 glasses of water daily, and my exercise routine--- Look out neighbors, the "crazy praise walkin' chick" is back!!! (You should see some of the looks I get while walking around the lake with my hands up in the air, singing to Jesus!)

Bottom line:  I'm back in my "skinny" jeans and loving it!...but won't it be great when I go down another size "skinny"!?!?

So how was your week?

Tag...I'm It!!

Believe it or not, KISA actually tagged me for this one...(I was shocked, because he NEVER participates in these things)...so now I have to do it! :-)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
   Ski-bo Caravan
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
   Moose Tracks-Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
   S-Ree
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
   Red Tiger 
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
   Holladay Birmingham 
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
   Reesu
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
   The Pink Sunkist
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
   Guy Daniel
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
   Tommy Girl Heath Bar
10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
    Peyton None
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
    Jordan Jackson
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
    Christmas Rose
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
    Strawberry Yogapantsie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
    Toaster Strudel Magnolia 
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
    The Dancing Snowflake Tour

I'm not going to tag anyone in particular, but if you feel froggy...by all means, JUMP!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Sorry I have not been around much lately...
Many festivities going on at school yesterday, and lots of cleaning and packing (for a Thanksgiving Trip to Lancaster, SC) going on today.

Just wanted to send this prayer your way...


Have a great weekend!!
(I'll be back on Monday...)

Monday Musings

What a weekend!! How awesome it was to have time with my KISA!! We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we talked, we prayed some more...

We ate at some wonderful restaurants (thanks, Jay!) and we actually had time to linger over our food and savor every bite. (Not something you get to do very often with three kids in tow).
We walked the beautiful trails at Fall's Park on Saturday afternoon, and again Saturday evening after dinner. It was truly a wonderfully romantic, and spiritually uplifting experience.

Amid all of the fun and romance, there was also work to be done. We set some goals for ourselves both individually and as a family. We want better health; physically, spiritually, and financially...so we spent some time planning our course, and creating schedules. We also spent quite a bit of time working on our application for the SC Southern Baptist Convention's Church Multiplication Program. This is a very challenging and set of questions to find out how we came to this decision, and how far we have thought through the process. The great thing though, is that while we sat discussing our answers and formulating them in writing, God showed us how He has been with us in every single step of this journey...even before we discovered His vision! It was awesome!!

Yesterday morning we had the opportunity to worship at NewSpring Church, in Anderson, SC. Perry Noble continued his series on parenting entitled The Perfect Kid, and challenged parents to make three things priority: Time with God, time with your spouse, and time with your kids. He reminded us that we need to "date" each other, just like we did before we were married, and let the children know how important their mom and dad are to each other. The service opened with some awesome praise music, and to go along with the theme of the day, RoseAngela sang "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion before the message began. Can I just say, that girl can SING!!!! The band also closed (at Perry's request) with Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy"...it was an awesome service!

Last night we worshiped at MidTown Fellowship in Columbia, SC. This church started only about a year and a half ago, and they are already experiencing a packed house in both services. They meet at the State Museum in downtown Columbia, and have a number of college students in attendance. They had just had an awesome weekend on mission as they participated in Homeless for the Homeless to raise awareness for and minister to the growing number of homeless people in the midlands. While it was a slightly smaller scale than NewSpring, the energy was definitely there. Dustin Willis did not preach last night, but we got to hang out with him for a few minutes, and he is a great guy. Chris is looking forward to spending some time with him in the near future, to learn more about his church planting experience. Oh, and Travis Wright lead the band in worship, and they were great!! I know Travis from my home church in Columbia where his parents and my parents are still members. Small world, huh??

After this action packed day, we picked up our kiddies from my Mama's house (THANK YOU NANA!!!) and headed home. We pulled their sleeping little bodies out of the van and tucked them all snuggly into bed...then exhilarated, yet exhausted, we fell flat on ours!

Like I said, it was an AWESOME weekend!!

Fantastic Friday - Fun Stuff!!

I am SO EXCITED about our Mama-Daddy retreat!!  I am about to bust!! Seriously...I feel giddy all over, just like I did when KISA and I were dating, and I knew I was going to get to see him on the weekend!! (How pathetic am I???)

So...

Since I am feeling all adolescently teenager-ish, I thought I would post a "Getting To Know You" email that my friends and I regularly participate in, just to make sure that we are all REALLY aware of who we are, or really KNOW each other...or something like that...(The giddy-ness is going to my brain!!).

1.  What time did you get up this morning? 6:00

2.  Diamonds or pearls? Pearls

3.  What was the last film you saw at the movies?  Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

4. What is your favorite TV show?  Heroes!!

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? South Beach Protein Bar and Juice (with coffee of course!)

6. What is your middle name? Susanne (First name: Pamela)

7. What food do you dislike? collard greens

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? tie - Pages (Shane and Shane) and Steve Fee's We Shine

9. What kind of car do you drive? THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS BABY!!! (Dodge Grand Caravan)

10. Favorite sandwich? Mammy's pimento cheese on toast

11. What characteristics do you despise? Arrogance an Apathy

12. Favorite item of clothing? my new grey pants, and black boots

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a Vacation, where would you go? ITALY!

14. What color is your bathroom? mostly green with splashes of pink and white (floral)

15. Favorite brand of clothing?  NY&Co

16. Where would you retire? Retire?? Honey, I'm gonna keep on workin' til Jesus comes!

17. Most memorable birthday? My 18th (Hurricane Hugo), and my 30th (Jacob!)

18. Favorite Sport to watch? college football; Go Cocks! Roll Tide!

19. Furthest place you are sending this? ???

20. Who do you expect to send this back to you? Any of my Sweet Siestas who wish to!

21. Person you expect to send it back first? Karen - Youngest and Oldest...Just alike!!

22. Favorite saying?  "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...guess what?? AFLAC!!!!"

23. When is your birthday? September 22, 1971

24. Are you a morning person or a night person? definitely a night owl...even motherhood hasn't changed that!

25. What is your shoe size? 9.5

26. Pets? Hallie -  my Calico cat from the underworld!

27. What did you want to be when you were little? A Mommy, and a teacher

28. What are you today? a Mommy (used to teach full time--- still teach...just don't get paid for it)

29. What is your favorite candy? Peanut M&Ms

30. What is your favorite flower? roses (who'd of thought?!?) ;-)

31. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? This weekend!!  Mommy-Daddy retreat!! YAY!!!

32. What church do you attend? South Florence Baptist Church (YeAH BAYbee!!...the best church in town!!)

33. What are you listening to right now? The music on my Blog Playlist (Steve Fee right this minute, "All Because of Jesus")

34. What was the last thing you ate? Toaster Strudel (I was bad this morning!!)

35. Do you believe in Angels? Absolutely...my KISA says they are stationed on all four corners of my van, everywhere I go!! Hehe..

36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Rosy Red

37. What is your pet peeve? inconsiderate people

38. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Paula

39. Favorite soft drink? Diet Sunkist

40. Favorite restaurant? Carraba's

41. Hair Color? Brown (naturally)...Chemically Enhanced - Auburn

42. Siblings? Phillip (34), Betsy (34) and Karen (26)

43. Favorite day of the year? Easter Sunday... "He's Alive!!"

44. What was your favorite toy as a child? A large, stuffed Winney the Pooh

45. Summer or Winter? Winter (I love Christmas, too!!)

46. Hugs or kisses? Kisses

47. Chocolate or vanilla? CHOCOLATE!!!

48. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? You bet!

49. When was the last time you cried? a few minutes ago watching a soldier be reunited with his family for the holidays on the TODAY Show!!!

50. What is under your bed?  Do we even want to go there??? Games, suitcases, my heating pad, and a whole bunch of dust bunnies!!!

51. Who is the friend you've had longest? Betsy (always sisters, forever friends!!)

52. What did you do last night?  FAMILY NIGHT!! (...and folded a mountain of clothes after we put the kids to bed...fun!)

53. Favorite smell? My Man

54. What are you afraid of?  "There is no fear in love, but PERFECT LOVE casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18)

55. How many keys on your key ring? 6 or 7

56. How many years at your current job? almost 8 (SAHM)

57. Favorite day of the week? Thursday (Family Night!)

58. How many towns have you lived in? 3 (Florence, SC...Columbia, SC...and Birmingham, AL)

59. Do you make friends easily? I do

60. How many folks will you send this to? A bunch!!

So there you have it...everything you never wanted to know about me!!! Ha ha!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Thankful Thursday - Sing A New Song

Wow Crystal!! You are truly a girl after my own heart.  (I think we may have been separated at birth or something!!) ;-)
Seriously, singing is such a big part of my life.  God has put such a pure and holy passion in my heart to lift up His Glorious Name through song...You might even say it's my Chazown!  I thank God that He has given me this gift, and the love for using it to His Glory.  When I am singing for Jesus, it's like nothing else in this whole world matters...it's just me and Him, loving on each other!!  Man, what a feeling!!
But you know what?? Our worship is so much more than a song... or a feeling...it's our life's purpose.  It's what we do every, single day when we think no one else is looking.  It's our attitude towards life and other people.  And so many times I fail Him...I fail to reflect His glory to a world that desperately needs Him.  I get so caught up in "me, myself, and I" that I forget to look at the big picture...and see the tasks that He has set before me.  The friend He prompts me to call, the note He asks me to send,  or the time He desires for me to spend reading to and coloring with my children.  The little things, that make SUCH a big difference.
So here's my song...my PRAYER...for today...

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You
Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet
So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
     - "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns

It's ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS!! It's ALL ABOUT YOU!!!
Amen!

Live Well Wednesday

 

Gonna make this one short and sweet for today. (Got a lot going on...trying to get ready to go out of town, and two "semi-sick" children home today--Jake has laryngitis, and Sam, well...you know...).

Here are my goals from last week:

1. Follow WW Points Plan.
2. Drink 8 glasses of water DAILY.
3. Exercise for at least 20 minutes 2-3 times weekly.
4. Have a regular Quiet Time with Jesus (at least 20 minutes in Bible reading and prayer) 5 days a week.

I am happy to report that I accomplished all of them for the week!! YAY!! I had one day (Monday) that I was way off program, but I had not used any of my flex points for the week, so I was A-OK there.  My water consumption has been on track, and I have walked for 20 minutes every day this week (starting Monday).  I have also carved out 20 minutes each day for prayer and reading my bible or devotional.  God is good!!

Final result: 4.5 pounds GONE!!! Whoo hooo!!!

Not going to add anything to the list just yet, so my goal is to keep on keepin' on! 

I pray that everyone had an awesome week.  Let me know how I can pray for/encourage you. Stop by the Live Well post, and give us your report.  Thanks so much, Darlene, for doing this...

Have a great day!!

Terrible Tuesday!!

Didn't start out too bad. I got up and went for my "praise walk" at 6:00 AM. (That's what I call my walks around the pond with my praise music blaring on my ZEN). Then I got back and made breakfast, and helped get KISA, Em, and Jake out the door. Sam and I got dressed for his doctor's appointment, and we actually made it ON TIME!! (The appt. was at 8:30 AM). That's when all the trouble started...

The nurse took us straight back, and checked his weight, height, and other vitals. Given the option to go ahead and have his flu shot today, I chose to do so. The doctor finally came in and gave him a thorough look-see. Turns out, he is impacted. (Potty training has been going rather well, but he is afraid to stinky on the potty, and knows he shouldn't do it in his pants, so he's been holding it.) It's been affecting his appetite, and he has had some boughts with the belly ache. Dr. K ordered some x-rays, and then left to get the nurse to administer his flu shot. HE SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER! (Not like Samuel, at all. Jake? Now that's a horse of a different color, but Sam never shows out like that.)

I finally got him calmed down from that whole ordeal, and we set out for the Imaging Lab downstairs. He was vehemently objecting to having his tummy's picture taken, and he let EVERYONE in the Medical Plaza know it. I finally had to hold him down for the x-rays. Not cool...not cool at ALL!!

By the time we left I was in TEARS. I called KISA, and he met us for lunch. Just seeing his handsome face, was medicine for my soul! From there it was off to Walgreen's for some suppositories (for now), Benefiber (for future), and Nutripals (in the meantime, until he gets his appetite back). The time was then 1:00 pm. I decided to go ahead and get Em and Jake from school, and come on home.

So now I'm off to deliver the final blow of my baby's day and give him the suppository. (I feel so awful!!) Then hopefully we will both settle in for a nice afternoon nap! One can only pray...

(Speaking of prayer, please keep him in yours. My prayer is that the x-rays will confirm the doctor's diagnosis, and not something more complicated. Thanks so much!!)

P.S.
I was hoping to post my The Scoop (Part Two) today, but due to today's "technical difficulties", I just don't have it in me. Think you could possibly hang in there with me until NEXT Tuesday??? I am sure I will have lots more to share after this weekend, anyway. Think of it as a "blogging BOGO". :-) THANKS!

Monday Musings...

Gotta do a quick post today... a lot going on...

• I just finished this book, and I only have two more chapters in this one.  Both are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! (More to come on both...)
• Just found out that my show only has four more episodes due to writer's strike.  You can find out more here, and here.
• Had an awesome meeting with Dino Senesi from the SCSBC today.  The Convention's annual meeting is in Flo-town this year, so KISA and I were able to meet with him and pick his brain about this whole church planting venture.  Great guy!!!  Thanks for lunch, Dino!!  But more importantly, thanks for your time and guidance in this process. God bless you, my friend!
• Going to my MK Monday Night Live meeting for the first time in 2 months.  Can't wait to catch up with my girls!!
• Got a meeting with a realtor on Thursday.  The whole FSBO "thing" is not going so well, so we are weighing our options. Please continue to pray...
• Can't wait until Friday!! KISA and I are taking a "getaway weekend" to beautiful Greenville, SC.  We have a lot to discuss and pray over. Plus, some "mama-daddy" quality time is WAY OVER DUE!!
• While we are away, we will be worshipping at this church, and this one.  I am sure that both experiences will be AWESOME!!

So, how was your weekend??? What's going on in your world???

Thankful Thursday - His Presence

 

Jesus, I am so thankful that no matter what season of life I may find myself in, or what kind of situation I may be in the midst of, you have promised me that "You're here, and I'm NEVER ALONE!"....

"We cannot separate...you're part of me.  And though your invisible, I trust the unseen"...

All I have to do is "hold tight to what I know" and surrender to your Lordship.  Only then can I be unleashed to know and do your perfect will for my life. 

I'm all yours, Lord!

 

**If you would like to share your thankfulness, please see Crystal at God is In Control.  Have a blessed week!

Live Well Wednesdays (F4LF)

Just wanted to let you guys know that I will be joining Live Well Wednesdays.  Not quitting Fit 4 Life Fridays, just going to be posting goals/results on Wed (that's a better day for me) rather than Friday.  But I will still be checking in at both blogs, to encourage others, as well as receive encouragement.

Why in the world would I chose to participate in TWO weight-loss/fitness/wellness challenges??? Well, let's put it this way...

I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET!!!

Priscilla came over this morning and we worked out a "game plan". (She's my real-life-accountability-partner, as well as an awesome Blog-ista!!).  I recruited her as part of what I am learning in my new book.  (More details to come on that...) My fitness goals for the next week are as follows...

1. Following WW Points Plan.
2. Drinking 8 glasses of water DAILY.
3. Exercising for at least 20 minutes 2-3 times weekly.
4. Having a regular Quiet Time with Jesus (at least 20 minutes in Bible reading and prayer) 5 days a week.

I also weighed in while Pris was here. NOT PRETTY!!! Between the emotional/anxiety roller coaster I have been riding, and the trip to Savannah, I have GAINED three pounds since my last trip to the scales.  My new weight-loss goal is 40 pounds. By when??? Well, Valentine's Day would be good...but, like my partner, I am committed to this plan for 52 weeks.  I'd love to be a size 12 (currently floating between 16 and 18...Did I just say that out loud???) by then...we'll see how it goes!  A year should be long enough to implement new habits to last a lifetime, shouldn't it???  Let me know what you think....

The Scoop (Part One)

So much has been reeling around in my mind over the last several weeks.  I promised details, and then I gave little bits and pieces...sorry about that...

I guess I was trying not to seem redundant.  I have posted a lot about God's call on our lives last March, but again...not much detail.  Mostly because, in many ways, God is still revealing them to us...and because I was waiting on KISA to let the cat out of the bag. ;-)

He finally did that last week, and now I am ready to spill the beans!!  In addition to the un-bagging of cats and bean spillage, I also want to post about a book I am reading, and a new "meme" I am thinking of starting here at Truly Captivating. (But that may have to wait for "Part Two" of this post...)

Okay, so here is the READER'S DIGEST version of the events that have taken place in our lives over the last year.  Take a deep breath...Whew! ...Here we go!!

Last November, Chris  left his job of ten years as Programmer/Developer at a local data solutions company, and went to work for ACS Technologies here in Florence.  We were very excited about this move, and were sure it was a "God thing".  The pay and hours basically stayed the same, but it was just something we felt the Lord leading him to do.  After being there for a little while, Chris' boss and good friend Dean, told him about a pastor's blog that he had been following.  Before you knew it, Chris and I were following Perry Noble's blog, too.  We also began watching his church services online. We couldn't explain it, but we felt such a connection, or maybe a better word is "resonance" with this guy and his vision... not only for his church, but for The Church in general. 

In January, Perry posted on his blog that NewSpring Church would be hosting a leadership conference called UNLEASHED on March 15, and Chris and I got SO EXCITED!!  We are both in leadership roles at our church, and thought it would be a great way to learn and grow in our volunteer ministries.  Not to mention we just HAD to get inside that church and see how they do things!  It was there, during the last General Session of the day that this whole world-rocking experience began...

Chris had been struggling for several years with a certain call on his life.  While he couldn't see himself in a traditional pastor's roll, there had been several times that he had spoken to me about "getting educated" about the Bible, and being "more than a volunteer" in ministry.  We weren't sure what all of that meant, so we kept pushing it to the back burner and plugging along.  He even registered for correspondence classes at Liberty University at one point, but for whatever reason (Baby #2, coming right on the heels of Baby #1 maybe???) that fizzled out, too.

Well, here we were listening to Perry preach a message entitled "The Leadership Challenge", and all of a sudden these pieces came together.  He was speaking of pastors and visions, and how it is the church's responsibility to back the pastor and embrace the vision that God alone has given him.  All with which I WHOLE HEARTEDLY agreed!  At the end of the message, Perry asked all Senior/Lead Pastors to stand and for their staff/volunteers to lay hands on them and pray for them.  My pastor was back at home, so I began to pray for him in my spirit, and for his vision for our church.  I also prayed for our youth pastor, and his ministry.  Then a "little voice" inside me said "Pray for Chris".  I knew this was the Holy Spirit, and at the time I thought," Yes...Pray for Chris"...after all he is the head of our household and my "little pastor" at home.  The voice came again in my spirit, "No...PRAY FOR CHRIS".  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks!!! Chris...Pastor...CHRIS...PASTOR!!!  I began to weep and placed my hand on his back to pray for him.  At that very moment, when my hand connected with him, I felt the presence of God stronger than I EVER HAVE in my ENTIRE life!!!  It was almost electric!!! I prayed, and I wept, and I raised my hands, and I said right then and there "Whatever you have for us Lord, whatever it is... I SURRENDER!!!"

It was a LONG ride home, y'all!!  I wanted so badly to tell Chris what I had experienced, but someone else was traveling with us, and I knew this had to be a conversation for the two of us alone.  After making the trek back from Anderson to Florence, we dropped our friend off at his house, and headed toward ours.  Before we could even make it out of Dean's neighborhood, Chris stopped the car, looked at me, and said, "I've got something to tell you".  At that moment both of us began to tear up.  KISA could barely speak...our eyes met, and he said "God has called...", to which I responded, "I know...I know!!!".  We both wept, and held each other.  Then I looked at him and said, "You need to know one thing...I am with you 100%", and we cried some more.  We spent the rest of the  weekend on cloud nine.  The Lord had been dealing with us for a LONG time, and we finally gave in, and LET GOD BE GOD in our lives!!

Now here we are... eight months later...with a FOR SALE sign in our yard, and an even clearer vision of just exactly what God wants us to do: Plant a church in Florence,SC.  A church that will reach out to college kids, and young singles.  A church that will reach out to the unchurched, and those who have been wounded and scarred by "church".  A church that goes back to the basics, back to the book of Acts, and asks "What If"...we did things THIS WAY.  

Details??? I'd love to give them to you!!! I'd LOVE to be able to explain JUST EXACTLY how we are going to get "there" from "here"...but I can't.  I just can't.  I literally cannot give you the details because I don't know them.  I guess that is why they call it "stepping out on FAITH".  All I do know is that we are trying with all we are to be obedient to the call God has placed on our lives, and as scary as that sounds, life has NEVER been sweeter!!

I Got Mail!!!

Just wanted to share a couple of things with you that were recently delivered by the mail man lady person...

This CD is AWESOME!!!  You can check it out, here.

And...

I'm so looking forward to reading and blogging about this book!!  I have even given one away!!  Can't wait to share more about this, and another book by Craig Groeschel in the near future!!!

Stay tuned...

Hey Y'all!

  We had a great time in Savannah, GA this weekend.  My mom, sisters and I went down there for a little R&R and "girl time", and I must say, we were NOT disappointed!

We slept in, shopped, and ate!! ...What more could a girl ask for?? We even had the opportunity to dine at Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady and Sons.  If you EVER get a chance...GO!! I had the Crab Stuffed Shrimp, and it was awesome!! (I'm not even going to get started on the Pecan Pie...oh, my!!)  In order to commemorate my experience there, I bought an apron from her store (see right)...too cute!

In addition to Paula Deen, we also had some great nights with Beth Moore.  Mom brought along a couple of DVDs from her Bible Study and all I can say is THANKS MAMA!!!  God really knew what I needed to hear! (He is moving SO MIGHTILY in our lives right now...check out KISA's blog to see what He's been up to!) ---Also, a couple of epiphanies "struck my brain" over the weekend, but since this post is intended to be light hearted, I'll just say (in my best Scarlett O'Hara), "I'll (blog) about that tomorrow".

We stopped at the outlet stores in Hilton Head, SC on the way home, and I got some cute boots (Bass), a darlin' little corduroy jacket (Eddie Bauer), and some new jeans (Old Navy).  I also bought tons of goodies for KISA (Old Navy) and the kids (Osh Kosh).

We had so much fun!!! Yesterday on the way home, Betsy and Karen and I laughed until our sides about split!!  Trust me, they are my sisters, and in addition to being gorgeous, they are the funniest girls you'll ever meet!! I am so glad to have had this experience and I am so excited about all of the future "Holladay Girls Retreats" to come!!

Ain't God good??? ;-)

Thankful Thursday - The Blessings

First of all...
I'M BACK!!!! (Well, almost...I am getting ready to go to Savannah, GA for a retreat with my mom and sisters...but I'll be back in full swing next week!!)

I also want to take a minute to say THANKS to Crystal at God Is In Control - Not Me for so graciously agreeing to host us while our precious Iris is out on a break of her own. God bless you, sweet friends!!

Now...back to my thankfulness...
I think it is SO COOL how God has placed it on Crystal's heart to prompt us to be thankful for our blessings. I remember when I was a little girl growing up in church, one of my favorite hymns was "Count Your Blessings"...there is just something so precious and joyful about being able to "name them one by one". That being said, here goes...

• I am thankful for my beautiful, brilliant, well-behaved children!! Words could never express how truly honored and humbled I am to have been given the most awesome privilege of mothering this precious gifts from God. Each one of them touches my heart in such a special way, that I know that my life would never have been complete without them!! Mama loves you, dearest little ones!!!
• I am truly thankful for the sheer joy it is to be the wife of Christopher L. Reeder!!! MY KISA ROCKS!!! Again, I don't think I could ever begin to express how wonderful he is, and what a blessing he has been in my life. I have said it a million times, but he really is my "little piece of Jesus" right here on earth. I am honored to be at his side as his "ezer kenegdo"; not just his helpmate, but his lifesaver!! It is my prayer that I can live up to this calling each and every day of my life! I love you, Baby!
• I am so thankful for the wonderful friends that God has placed in my life. Paula, Jennifer, and Priscilla have been some wonderful sounding boards for me over the last several weeks. Each of them in their own unique way speak love, wisdom, and encouragement into my life. I am also thankful for others like Donna, Emily, and Diana who call just to let me know they are thinking of me and praying for me. What an awesome blessing to know that you are being lifted up in prayer!! Thanks so much girls!! You'll never know how much you mean to me!!
  
• And lastly today I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the AWESOME things that God is doing in our lives. I promised you details, but the long and short of it is that we have our house on the market, waiting for God to position us exactly where he wants us in order to PLANT A NEW CHURCH in Florence, SC!!! This has been stewing in us ever since we accepted God's call to ministry back in March, and it is finally out of the bag! You can read a little more about what's going on over at KISA's blog. Please keep us in your prayers as we set out on the newest leg of the Great Adventure of our lives!! I am truly in awe of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the ways in which he has been stirring and moving in us over the past couple of weeks. Isn't it amazing what God can do with willing vessels?? Thank you, Jesus!! Help us to continue to hunger and thirst after your will and your presence in our lives. You are SO AWESOME!!!

What are you thankful for today?? Don't be bashful... head on over to Crystal's place and SHOUT IT OUT!!!