Bible Study Tonight!

I'm so excited that I have a Bible study group coming to my house tonight.  I follow Beth Moore's blog and she suggested a summer Bible study and I took the bait.  I decided to make a fb group and invite my fb friends.  I've been cleaning and thought I'd sit down for a minute while strawberry cupcakes bake in the oven.

I opened up my Life Group curriculum to take a look at this Sunday's lesson this morning.  The title of the lesson is "Facing Obstacles:  Paul's Journey to Rome."  I started thinking about personal obstacles.  I don't know about you, but I've got some of those!  What would you say recent obstacles have been in your life?  Since this Sunday is the 4th of July, the day we celebrate America's independence, I did a little research this morning on obstacles to birthing this nation.  Yeah, talk about major obstacles!  Yet, those early colonists and settlers persevered and kept looking toward the goal, the prize. 

Sometimes I feel like my life is more like "Wipeout."  Have you seen that game show?  It's really rather hilarious in a sick sort of way.  It's about people competing on obstacle courses.  Most often, they get knocked right off the course and land in mud or water.  Sometimes they get back on the course and sometimes they just swim through the muck to get to the end.  Rarely is getting off-course a pleasant short-cut.

Like our pastor said last Sunday, I don't like slow.  I also don't like when things don't go the way I've planned.  Oh, I know, that sounds a little spoiled.  I just envision in my mind the way things are supposed to happen and when they don't go that way it throws me off.  I really don't like it when obstacles pop up.  But, who does? 

I must admit I've had a few pleasant obstacles lately (along with the other kind) and I'm thankful for it all.  Through all of it I see God's hand at work and I am glad for how He continues to work, whether it's what I expected or not.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Vacation check-in #2

It's Sunday afternoon on Lake Hartwell in Georgia.  Johnny has taken the kids out on the boat but I'm relaxing.  We are having some well-deserved rest after 4 days at amusement parks.  We were feeling especially brave and decided to wait in a ridiculous line to get into the Wizardly World of Harry Potter on opening day.  I must say, though I am not particularly a Harry Potter fan, it was impressive.  The ride inside Hogwarts was amazing. 

We love it here at the lake.  Jessica's fb status the day we arrived said time seems to move slower here - or something like that.  I think we just stop moving so fast.  There's no deadline or timeline or agenda.  I sat out on the back porch this morning, looking into the pine trees and out over the lake, and read from the book of Judges.  Although I am anticipating a group study that starts in a couple of weeks, I am in-between studies right now.  So, I've been reading through the book of Judges.  I've been doing that off and on for a few weeks.  I love the part of the book when the Angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and calls him "mighty warrior."  Gideon wasn't feeling too much like a mighty warrior -- more like a fraidy cat.  I can so relate to that.  Gideon was told to go in the strength that he had.  It was strength that God had already given him.  And, he had the promise that God would go with him and protect him. 

Sometimes I need reminders of what's already been given me and the promises that have been made.  I don't always feel strong or confident or able to accomplish what God has called me to do.  That's what is so great about vacation.  It is a time to rest and reflect and refresh.  A time to contemplate what God has already done and what He's already said He will do.  It's easier to go on in the strength that He's provided when there's a time of renewal.  So, in about a day and a half we'll start for home.  Where our responsibilities and agendas and deadlines await.  Where we are called on to give and do and go.  But, by then, we'll be ready. 

Thank you, Lord, for vacation!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Vacation check-in

I have walked my legs off in amusement parks in the hot Florida sun for the past 2 days and I have insomnia.  How is that even possible?  I'm trying to be as quiet as possible because my sweet daughter is asleep close by.  It's the wee hours of the morning, the time when all park goers should be sleeping.  Because, after all, later this morning I'll be back out there. 

We have had a blast so far.  Johnny went to the convention and I did feel a bit guilty that we were having fun without him.  Well, a little, tiny bit of guilt.  Even a miniscule amount counts, right?  He even took a detour on the way down here and we drove over to have lunch on the beach.  I love the beach and haven't been a few summers.  It was beautiful - no oil as far as the eye could see.  Our waitress did tell us that their vacation crowds were already down.  She blamed that on the media.  The president was to be there the next day.  Satellite trucks were already lining up.

And, speaking of celebrities, Harry Potter opens on Friday at Universal Studios.  They closed that whole side of the park early today because, according to the news, there was a big shindig out there tonight.  Commoners like us were not invited but JK Rowling (the author of the books, I'm not sure how to spell her name) & the actors & other celeb-type people associated with Harry Potter were out there.  I did get some photos today and we'll see if we can even get close on Friday.

And, now I'll try to sleep.   Hope you are staying cool, wherever you are!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

In Need of a Vacation

Here it is, summer has not officially started (according to the calendar, not North Texas weather) and I'm already ready for a vacation.  I think some over zealous parents at the summer basketball league about sent me over the edge.  Good grief, you would've thought we were playing for the national championship or something.  Get a grip, people, and relax a little. 

So, the delivery men are here with my new washer and dryer.  My washer died a few days ago and so I decided to get a new one instead of repairing the old one.  I wanted a front loader and so then decided to get a matching dryer.  They're red.  Yes, my husband got a Harley and I got red, matching washer & dryer.  I haven't been able to do laundry this whole week and I have not missed it one bit.  I think when I see the mounds of dirty clothes that have most assuredly piled up upstairs that I might be a bit sorry I didn't make a trip to the laundromat this week.  Come to think of it, I don't even know where one is located in Mansfield. 

And, if you are still reading and are wondering what the point of this post might be, well, there is none.  As is always the case, there is constant activity going on at this house.  Really, I could hardly get through typing this blog post because of the constant interruptions.  (Now you know why I've hardly been around lately.)  I decided I am absolutely not going to be able to work on my writing assignment from my home office this summer so will be at my AIM office more than usual.  With my door closed.  And my iPod on. 

Reporting shortly from vacation,

Jeanette

Emotions

I haven't wanted to put a new post on my blog because I've been so proud of the last post -- the one my daughter put up after she hacked into my blog.  Could a mom be more proud?  My boys each posted a youtube video on my facebook wall of someone singing happy birthday as a little birthday greeting to me.  They also wrote very nice cards so my heart has been full this week.  I have become very emotional over the last few days as my daughter has been making some graduation gifts for friends.  One in particular is a slideshow of her best friend, the friend that I call her "soul friend."  Then today was senior recognition Sunday at our church.  Our dear friend's parents could not be there today so we stepped in as her family for the day.  Jess told me that parents were supposed to write a letter to the graduate so I wrote a letter to our friend.  This morning I found our Student Pastor and asked him what I was supposed to do with the letter.  READ IT, he said.  Yeah, the parents were supposed to read the letter to their student during the lunch today.  Then my mind is racing -- did I write anything too personal to be read outloud, did I write anything that would embarrass our friend, embarrass me or my family?  Then, would there be any way on earth that I could read the letter out loud in front of other people?  Tears filled my eyes just when our Student Pastor told me that the letter was meant to be read out loud.  Well, of course I would not be able to read the letter but Johnny did.  Even this afternoon, I have been writing some other cards and thinking about all our friends that will be leaving.  Not like Josh, just 25 minutes away at DBU and we see him almost every week.  But, AWAY.  Like packing up and going away to college and leaving us.  This has been the hardest graduation on me so far.  Ever.  So, tonight we'll go to a graduation party and then we won't think about college again until the end of the summer.  We'll just have fun and work and travel and hope to say all the important things we want to say before our friends leave us.  It will be the hardest on Jess - she will miss some of her friends in a huge way.  And, our house will be a lot quieter and there will be less bodies upstairs on Saturday night/Sunday morning.  Ok, I just can't think about it another second.  There's still summer...

Serving the King,

Jeanette

oh yes i did!

Now some of you might be wondering, "why on earth is this blog entitled oh yes i did?" Well that is because this is not Jeanette writing this blog, her blog has been hacked, by me, Jessica. I am the daughter of Jeanette for those of you who dont know so you dont have to call the blog police on me. Now today is my mothers birthday, and as she sleeps soundly in her bed room i am up hacking into her blog and posting this just to tell her happy birthday for the whole world to see. Now sure i could have just posted a facebook status saying "happy birthday mom, i love you" or something to that effect but i decided to take a different route. so now i will proceed to tell you a couple things about why my mother is so great. #1. She puts up with my brothers and I which i tell you is NOT an easy task. #2. She still has big dreams like a little kid, and has faith that someday they will come to life for the glory of God. #3. Her smile is infectious!! #4. She is just the best. end of story. she is everything.
the Bible says "a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." so its your birthday mom, and i just thought i would take this time to give you a little praise, you deserve it.
i love you, and if i can turn out to be half the woman of God you are, i will have done alright.

much love,
Jessica

Week One of Summer Break

This is the first full week of summer break.  Yippee!!  We had a great Memorial Day weekend. We celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary yesterday with my brothers and their families.  We had a low-key family party because we are sending them on a trip for their gift and wanted to spend our money on that.  The party was here so it was a busy day for us.  I loved it that Jessica's fb status last night was something my parents said to each other last night - My mom said, "Stand by me" to my dad when we were taking some photos.  My dad said, "I've been standing by you for 50 years."  Wow, a long time and a great heritage!

After a super busy weekend (that started, BTW, with a motorcycle ride for me and Johnny over to the town of Cleburne for breakfast on Saturday that was a LOT of fun) I am chillin' a little bit.  Well, really, I'm about to get to work on my writing assignment after doing absolutely nothing this morning.  Nothing except that I watched a show on Discovery Channel about the elusive Giant Squid.  Until just a few years ago, it had never been photographed in the wild or alive, for that matter.  Yeah, interesting, huh?  Some scientists in Japan finally captured a Giant Squid on an underwater camera.  Then, on another trip they attempted to video one in the depths of the ocean but instead it got caught in their line and came to the surface.  The narrator said, "In science, as in travel, getting there is half the fun."  He was talking about the study of the Giant Squid.  The next voice heard was that of a scientist (not the one in Japan) saying, "Science...the day we know everything, it's going to be a very sad day."  There are some things that just will not be known.

I was thinking about that recently when we watched the space shuttle land.  There are some things about space that will never be known.  Only God, the Creator, knows. 

Well, gotta run 'cause I gotta help Jessica get signed up to take the ACT in September. 

Serving the King,

Jeanette