The Final Four

***UPDATE - The game isn't until around 8:30 pm so I BOUGHT TICKETS! Yes, I'm going to the Baylor/UConn game!!



I must admit when my kids' basketball season was over I thought I wanted to be DONE watching basketball for a while...like, til next year. However, I have been watching some March Madness. And mad it is! There have been so many upsets. I was really hoping my Baylor Bears (the men) would beat Duke Sunday night. I had to go to church early so we were taping the 2nd half of the game at home. I stinkin' wore my Baylor shirt to church (and, like a good pastor's wife never, ever wear a tshirt to church on Sunday night) and plugged my ears if anyone attempted to talk about the game around me. They didn't win. It was a heartbreak.

But, BUT, then the Lady Bears had their shot at the Blue Devils and, in case you haven't heard, WON! With 3 true freshmen on the floor! Yes, yes, one of those freshmen happens to be 6'8" but basketball is a team sport. It was an exciting game and I watched all of it. Basketball, again. I immediately called my mom (my parents are ticket season holders to the Lady Bears' games) to check on tickets to the final four game. Jessica and I wanted to go. That is, until I realized it will be on Easter Sunday. And that stinks! However, most likely, their game will be against UConn -- undefeated for eternity. Ok, hyperbole, but they haven't lost a game in a really long time. Johnny said they have to lose eventually - someone will beat them. Why not the Lady Bears? I only told Jessica she is not allowed to wear her UConn shirt this weekend. And, I am not kidding. At all.

So, I've got more basketball in my future. If the Lady Bears do win on Sunday I absolutely WILL be in San Antonio for the final on Tuesday. I hope they win!

Sic'em Bears!

Jeanette

We're saving money already

Johnny and I had a couple of errands to run today so we went out on the Harley. Yeah, it was my first time to ride on the Harley. When we were stopped at a red light I saw that the gas station on the opposite corner had their gas price at $2.69 per gallon. I said to Johnny, "We're saving money already," because, you know, the motorcycle gets such great gas mileage. Anyway, it was a beautiful day to be out riding a motorcycle and I loved it!

I'm headed up to Shawnee, Oklahoma, later today for the big college visit. I'm excited to be going but I won't be excited, really, if Jessica decides to go to college in Oklahoma. I truly want her to be where God wants her to be. Really, I do. Johnny told her if she decides to go there we'll just ride up on the Harley and visit her. Won't she love that??

Have a great weekend!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

The Greater Passion

Sometime after I posted a blog on Monday of this week I found out my daughter was playing in a golf tournament.the next day.in Waco. Nothing like last minute notification. But, oh well, the week before was Spring Break. So I spent much of Tuesday on a golf course. Which, on a nice, warm day I would enjoy. The sun was shining but the wind was blowing a gazillion miles an hour and it felt cold as a result. But whinning about that is really not the reason I'm here today.

A few days ago one of my daughter's friends told me her favorite book of the Bible is Matthew. I just happen to know of a recently written study on the book of Matthew that I could get her a copy of since I just happen to know the authors. Yesterday I gave her a copy of the first half of our Fusion study on Matthew and she seemed genuinely happy to have it. I told her that I would be glad to talk to her about it, since it is one of my most favorite subjects. Another being my daughter. I mean, my daughter is also one of my favorite subjects. The friend laughingly agreed that we could talk about my daughter quite a bit. She's a really terrific girl!

That got me thinking about Sunday's sermon that I alluded to on my previous post. I'm mulling it over this week. It was on Zacchaeus and the parable of the 10 minas from Luke 19. When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus he made a demonstration that Jesus was more important to him than, in the case of that tax collector, money. His life changed, his passion changed. You can tell where your passion is by how you spend your money and your time. Really, think about that for a minute. What are your priorities? Concerned with God's Kingdom or your own?

In truth, over the last 20 years (yikes, I have been a parent for 20 years -- that blows me away!) my life has been wrapped up in my kids. They are one of my favorite subjects. Some days, especially when they were all little, it seemed as though they were my only subject. Though I love them like crazy, would do anything for them, want the very best for them, they cannot be my first love. They cannot be my passion.

If Christ is my passion, how should that look in my daily life? How should it look in yours? How do I demonstrate that He is my passion? By following, by giving, by ministering, by loving.

May I do that well today.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Spring Break 010 is Over

Yes, it's officially over. The kids are back in school and I'm back, well, here. I'm on my 2nd pot of coffee. Yeah, 2nd at 9:12 am. That's because I've been awake since 4:45 am. Why awaken so early, you might be asking. Because I husband's stinkin' cell phone rang then and I couldn't go back to sleep. I stayed in bed for an hour until I couldn't stay one second longer. I'm not as opposed to mornings as I used to be -- "sleeping in" is now 8:30 instead of 10ish -- but I still do NOT like to get up early. And I usually don't get going to quickly either. But, I got up quietly and let the dog out, fixed the coffee, and curled up in my chaise with my current read until time for everyone else to get up.

The Spring Break camping trip was great. The weather was nice and warm (except Saturday morning - the day we were to come home anyway and, BTW, had snow flurries after the temperature was in the 70's the day before...typical Texas weather) and we enjoyed lots of relaxation and just plain fun. I actually won a card game and I never, ever win... never. Except Friday when I won. We had a big field near our camping site and the kids played soccer and bocce and I think they had a good time, too. As usual, I ate way too much and will pay dearly for it in just a minute when I head upstairs to my home gym. It will be self-inflicted pain and I intend to get ready for the real Spring and the clothes that go along with that.

One last thing. A teaser of sorts. My husband preached a really compelling sermon yesterday. I'm mulling it over and have lots to report about that. I'll be back tomorrow (or the next day or so) because something big is going on. Oh, not something big like monumental to other people but something big in me. Do you ever have that sense that God is about to do something or teach you something or start something new in you? A sense of expectancy? Yeah, that's where I am. More on that later...the workout is waiting.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

My Motorcycle Man

I wanted to show you a photo of my motorcycle man but, alas, what happened to the place where you add pictures? Am I just missing something or is the link missing...oh well, this is typical for me and technology. But, I do have a motorcycle riding dude now. Yes, my husband purchased a Harley on Saturday. He has been wanting one for years so I'm glad he got it. I haven't been on a ride yet, though, because I don't have a helmet. Yet. Oh, I will be getting a helmet! hahaha...

Since Johnny has a new hobby I thought I might pick one up as well. Not nearly as exciting as a motorcycle but I'm thinking of taking up knitting. It is the fad thing to do at our church and I'm all about the fad...(more laughter!!) Really, there are some gals who are knitting and I'm hoping to get some instructions tonight because it is practically impossible to learn to knit by watching a video on the internet.

So our Spring Break is off to a roaring start. I had lunch with some sweet young friends today and, other than that, it's been an extremely quiet day. We'll be camping in a few days but it's nice to have a couple of days to just chill and for the high school kids not to have to worry about homework!

That's all for now....Jeanette

Spring Break 010 #1

This is my first installment of Spring Break 010. There may or may not be more posts but I'm at least starting here. Josh has actually been on Spring Break all this week. It really stinks that college and high school have different breaks this year. We went out to play some golf with Josh & his g/f today but the wind was blowing 5,000 miles an hour. I really felt like I was blown out of my stance a couple of times today. And, the wind was chilly so it wasn't fun for me. At all. I really stink at golf anyway so I need to have nice weather to make up for the frustration. We got a "rain check" for the back 9 and decided to go out to lunch instead...to my new favorite place to eat in the Highlands. It was super yummy and I'm already making plans to go there again.

The other two kids' SB started just about 2 hours ago. There's excitement in the air! Jessica and 6 other friends have gone to watch a friend play softball. Each of the seven friends watching the game have one letter each on their shirts that spell out the name of the friend that is playing ball. Jessica and a friend painted them on last night. Oh yeah, maybe a little over the top for a high school softball game but, hey, it's Spring Break 010!

My sons have just left the house for a trip to Guitar Center and they are dropping Johnny off to run an errand. More on that later, depending what happens this evening. I know, I know...it's uncool for me to drop hints and then not give details. Maybe that will keep you checking back. (or, maybe not) At any rate, it's just me and the dog home now. We are having some fun with her the new training tips and tools left by the dog trainer yesterday. She is still learning but when 4 teenage boys came to the door today she did not jump up on one of them. She was all under their feet and trying to get to them...we'll get there, I feel sure of it!

Ok, enough of the nonsense and endless typing about nothing at all. Happy Spring Break everybody!!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Another Kind of Loud

I had some friends over yesterday morning for coffee. Some of those friends have little kids. I want you to know that we like having lots of people over. We generally have extra people over spending the night most every weekend. We don't mind the noise or chaos -- in fact, we're used to it being loud around here. Last Sunday afternoon while Jacob was playing the drums upstairs (have I mentioned on here a time or two how loud it is when he plays the drums? espcially when he is doing a drum roll with his feet on the bass drum while his hands are both playing other drums? I mean, it is LOUD) Josh, his girlfriend, and Johnny were all asleep downstairs. We don't mind it. We're used to it. It was another whole kinda loud over here yesterday. I guess I just have forgotten what it's like to have preschoolers around since most of our usual guests are teenagers or above. Don't get me wrong, I loved them being here and I'm so glad they came. It was just really loud and there was a lot of activity. I gotta add, though, nothing was spilled and they were all very sweet. I mean, they were absolutely darling. I hope they'll come again -- maybe we'll just wait til the water in the pool is warm, though... oh, I'm just kidding...(sort of...)

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Are We One Generation Away?

Former President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." Maybe you have also heard it said that "Christianity is one generation away from extinction." I don't know who said it first but today I read Judges 2:10. Here it goes, "That whole generation (the generation of Joshua) was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel." (HCSB) Obviously, the stories of what God did in and through the Hebrew people continued but there was some level of not knowing or not believing or not following among the generation that came next.

That's heavy. And convicting. I don't want the generation who follows me to be the one that causes Christianity to become extinct. Hey, I know that God is able to do anything and His Word has survived all these generations by God's own sustaining power. But I also know I have a responsibility to teach my children His Truths. BTW, check out Deuteronomy 6:7 which basically instructs us to teach our children.

This month we are having an emphasis on world hunger at our church. We (Johnny and I) want to take this opportunity to teach our children about compassion and carrying on Christ's mission in the world. Jesus did say to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35-40), He set the example by meeting the physical need of hunger (as well as other physical needs) while He was on the earth (Matthew 15:14-21), and He told us to not to store up treasures on earth but, instead, treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Johnny said he is giving up his happy hour Coke from Sonic. He then asked me what I am giving up. I don't generally indulge in a particular daily thing like something from the coffee shop or Sonic. In fact, those are a rarity for me. So, we will be having our own form of a hunger meal here at the house once a week until the end of the emphasis. We will put the money I will save from buying groceries for that particular meal in a jar and we will give it to the World Hunger Fund. It seems way too small a thing to do because we have so much here at our home. And, we will still be eating and we won't really be hungry. I guess the point will be to talk about it with our kids and emphasize Christ's teaching and our responsibility. And to pray about the issue of people going hungry in our community and around the world. I am anxious to see what great discussions we will have around here as well as what it might lead to, if anything.

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh and blood. Isaiah 58:7

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Out of Sorts

I feel so odd today. Kinda lost, like I don't know what to do. Oh, there's plenty to be done around here, don't get me wrong. It's time to do some spring cleaning and getting to those things I've been putting off since the beginning of the school year. That seems like ages ago. Yet, when the school year started Johnny and I were fully immersed in our Fusion study of the Gospel of Matthew. We started meeting with our groups the Wednesday after Labor Day and it ended last week. The end. It's done. And I'm not sure what to do with myself today. You see, one of my most favorite activities in sitting right here in my home office with the Bible and commentaries and lexicon and dictionaries and theology books spread out all over the desk. Filled up so much that when Jacob comes home from school he asks if he can move some of it so he can get to the computer. Now that's a good day. I know, I know. I'm odd. I so admit it.

Next week is Spring Break and I will get to do one of my other most favorite things -- camping in the Wildwood. Yea! After that maybe I'll start another project. Another study. Johnny and I are planning our next Fusion study and I'll be getting to that. Until then, I guess I'll do the things I hate -- cleaning, organizing closets that are a disaster after 5 years of living in this house, more cleaning. Maybe I will make a list of projects to do around the house. And there's always the yardwork -- getting ready for spring and planting my garden. Yeah, there's plenty to do around here.

I guess I'll get to it.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Laughter Really is the Best Medicine

I was working in my office today and Johnny came out to our building to see if I wanted to go with him to vote. Of course, I said. It is, after all, our patriotic duty. We voted and then hit up happy hour -- Sonic happy hour, that is. Have I written on here lately that I am absolutely crazy about that man of mine? I mean, he is just fun and funny. He had to go to the dentist today and, let me just add, we have an awesome dentist. But, half of Johnny's face was deadened and he was a bit irritated about the whole thing. He dropped me off at my car (because I had to go the dreaded grocery store) and -- well, I've gotten this far in the blog and realized there is no way to explain in written words what happened next. He was just being silly about his half-deadened face. And we laughed hysterically. About nothing, really. Just plain silliness. I laughed so hard I had tears running down my face. He just makes me happy.

And that's all I've got to say/write about that.

Here's to laughter!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Twenty

My firstborn turned 20 on Friday. Do I even look old enough to have a child that's 20? First of all, you better say no, and 2nd of all, can you call someone who's 20 a child? I'm amazed that the years have flown by and that I didn't take a picture all weekend. Oh wait, I just realized I didn't take a picture...ugh!

Johnny and I thought our son was attending a college event on his actual birthday so we made plans to meet with our prospective new student pastor (more on that later). Some of the college friends were going to dinner anyway to celebrate the big day so that was fine. Josh invited his brother and sister to come! Is that not the sweetest thing? What could make a momma's heart happier or prouder than the college boy inviting the younger siblings along and them being honored at the request? I had to chuckle at Jacob's fb status Saturday morning, however. It was something like "I told a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader where the bathroom was" because our son's girlfriend's roommate is a cheerleader and she was at the dinner. Ok, I remember what it's like to be a freshman in high school -- that was a big deal!! We had our family dinner on Saturday so I hope it was a happy birthday for my boy!

Our new student pastor is actually an old friend. Johnny and I have known him since he was in high school! He and his wife worked with us before and we are sooo excited about their coming to join us. I like the familiarity of our friends coming to be with us. I like knowing their hearts and their love for students. I like that my kids love them and are excited that they are coming. I'm looking forward to the future!

And now I've got to go. My dog punched me in the eye this morning and it just hurts.

Serving the King,

Jeanette