Back to School Dinner

This marks the first time I have taken a photo with my cell phone and sent it from my phone to myself and actually posted it to a blog.  I am just becoming more and more techie all the time.  HAHAHA!!

Ok, with that out of the way, the above photo was taken last night after our traditional back-to-school dinner.  We had to move to the 2nd day of school because Johnny is coaching an Upward football team and he had practice Monday night.  But, we had all 3 kids with us so it was a bonus!  Yes, the college boy will still meet us for free food! 

It was a great night!  We had a nice dinner and great conversation.  Yes, we laughed hysterically at Jacob, as usual.  I am not kidding, he is a funny, funny kid.  We (Johnny and I) talked about our hopes and dreams for our kids for the year and our plan to challenge them this year.  I am looking forward to a great year!  We want to celebrate with our kids and support them, but also to never stop challenging them to do their best and be their best.  And, to never stop following God or seeking Him to be the guide and power in their lives. 

I hope you and your kids have had a great 1st few days of school!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

First Day of School

First day of school, again.  The house is unbelievably quiet except for the noise from the pool construction next door.  Josh got settled in at DBU over the weekend.  Our niece is also a freshman at DBU this year.  She surprised us by coming to our church yesterday with 3 of her new friends.  We couldn't miss an opportunity to have them with us so we invited them all to lunch at our house.  Josh was here - he's still an intern for our student pastor so we'll have him home every Sunday and Wednesday! (yea for us!)  It was so fun to have a table full of students! 

Jacob got out the door earlier than Jess - she has first block off for the senior year.  He was ready to go.  Well, as ready as a 15 year old can be when it comes to going back to school.  I made his breakfast & his lunch -- yes, I still do that.  I will never get tired of doing that.  It's what I do.

Jessica came down, ready to start her senior year.  I didn't cry!  haha!  I remember all those times when the kids were little and I wasn't allowed to go with them to the first day of school.  Johnny always took them so I wouldn't embarrass them by crying in the building the first day.  Come to think of it, I feel a little teary just now.  It helps that our new school is one mile from our house and Jess and a friend are coming HOME for lunch today.  Yes, I will fix some lunch for them.  It's what I do.  I'm the mama!

So, everyone is off and started on their first day.  Johnny already talked to Josh this morning and he was headed to a delicious cafeteria breakfast and then to class.  I guess I'll go get on with my day and get off this computer.  I've got to hit the 30-Day Shred and then to serious work on my LifeWay project. 

Happy First Day of School everyone!

Serving the King,

Jeanette 

Heavy Day

I told myself I would not cry but, sure enough, I couldn't hold the tears back.  Jessica's bestest friend spent the night last night and in the morning she leaves for college.  Then we got some heavy news about a friend.  It's one of those times when I just don't know what to do.  I really have no idea.  I'll pray, of course, but the rest is out of my hands.

My longing is to shelter those that I love.  My desire is to keep them safe and trouble free.  That's not practical and certainly does not line up with Scripture.  I long for that day of no more tears, no more mourning or sorrow.  Until that day, however, my hope rests in the One who is coming on that white horse.  He is called Faithful and True.  I believe in that.  Some days I don't know how I could take one more breath if I didn't. 

Just a couple more days and Josh will be gone.  Again.  School will start and we'll be in a routine.  We'll go to the last 1st day of high school for Jessica and the senior breakfast and, with that, all the senior things will start.  The last girls' basketball season and the last year of living at home.  For Jessica, that is.  We'll still have Jacob at home - I'm sure he will keep us in stitches, he is such a funny kid.

So, we'll have a busy few days - the school supply lists were sent home last night from Open House.  Ugh, I dread rumaging through trying to find just the right notebook or folders or whatever else the teachers have so diligently put on those lists.  I'm a rule follower so everything will have to be just right.  I might just drive my kids a little crazy - they'll find a substitute and say it's fine and I'll be manic about getting the exact item requested. 

I'm dreading it already.

Well, after this light-hearted and uplifting post (not!) I think I'll just sign off...

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Sunday is most definitely my favorite day of the week.  We are church people around here and we love to gather with, well, the church.  There's nothing like small group Bible study with people that make you feel good and safe and comfortable and just plain joyful.  Then there's corporate worship and listening to the Word brought with clarity and conviction...

...followed by an easy, home-cooked lunch with family and friends and then, ahhhh, the Sunday afternoon nap.  Prescription for a PERFECT day.

Except for the fact that it's over 100 again today for the I-don't-know-how-many days.  A lot.  It is stinkin' hot in North Texas, that's for sure!

School starts back one week from tomorrow.  Josh moves back to college this coming Saturday.  This has been an absolutely great summer.  In some ways I am ready for routine that comes with school and in some ways I want to scream NOOOO!  No, I don't want it to end! 

The big news of the summer is that Josh and Jessica have both said this summer that they feel like God is calling them into Christian ministry/vocation.  Wow!  The proudness that I feel is indescribable.  Yeah, I know that life in ministry is not always easy and, sometimes, is really hard.  But, that they would commit their lives to do the work of ministry is overwhelming to me.  It's all a God-thing but I cannot help but feel that I did something right along the way. 

Josh and Jacob and their band are playing tonight in evening worship.  Even though they have been playing together only a few weeks they are good.  I'm not just biased, either.  I promise!  hahahaha....

Well, I better go change - I don't think I'll wear my Georgia Bulldog shorts to church tonight.  Don't worry, my church doesn't put any expectations on this pastor's wife, but Georgia Bulldog shorts are for home wear only!

hahahaha....

Serving the King,

Jeanette

What I Am Up To...

...since I last blogged which was forever ago.  Lots & lots has gone on and in 2 weeks when the kids go back to school I hope to process it all.  Don't think I'm hurrying it to be here though.  Not.at.all.  The college boy will move back to his campus and the daughter will be a SENIOR.  It's gonna be a big year, that's for sure.  In the meantime, here's a little bit of what I am up to right now...

What I am listening to - Passion Awakening & Hillsong United We Stand

What I am reading - Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
                                What Difference Do It Make - by Hall, Moore, & Vincent (still)
                                 The Cost of Discipleship - by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (still)

I also purchased a 542-page biography on the life of Bonhoeffer not too long ago.  Johnny laughed at me.  I recently read Broken by William Cope Moyers, a book about addiction.  I just realized I am reading 2 books that have to do with homelessness...

What I am enjoying eating - not much, since I am now on a self-designed diet and exercise program to ready myself for the trip to Peru.  I did go to Fuzzy's Taco last night with the pastors' wives (and it was a great time) and splurged just a bit.  I just had to run a little harder this morning, which brings me to my next category -

What I am enjoying doing - running - I finally found my like of running again, reading, the pool, and family time

Alright, that's me.  Anybody reading any good books lately? 

Enjoy the last days of summer!

Serving the King,

Jeanette