Katie Lady

As you can tell, my eldest is becoming a young lady. Where has the time gone? This is at her Choral Concert last week,where she got to sing the entire song of"Silver Bells"! We were so proud of her! I still want to think of her as so small and curious, with toothless a smile and ponytails. I wish on certain days that I could just freeze time and keep her exactly as she is at that moment, but if I did, I would miss out on so many more to come.

I sit here, 4 days shy of 13 years with Katie. Wow, we have come so far, yet we are officially beginning the teen years. I am reminded of the expectancy that I had when she was born, knowing that these years will be amazing, yet bittersweet. I will send her to high school, see her braces come off, see her learn to drive, see her graduate from high school, see her have her first date... oh my! Praise God that He is with her even when I can't be! I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but can you see why this mom is a bit nostalgic (for things to come!) God has GREAT things in store for my Katie Lady, and I know He has such a bright future painted for her! the Best is yet to come!!

I love a parade

Last Sunday WFBC participated in our Westminster Christmas parade. We had such a blast! Imagine first of all, it was FREEZING out there ( never mind that I don't usually get cold) , all the kiddos were dressed in their warm clothes with blankets, hats, gloves. I LOVE to see kids dressed in their warm clothes all cuddled up- SO cute- and smashed together on our float. I loved seeing them jingling their bells, singing at the top of their lungs, waving, handing out candy, celebrating and wholly enjoying this presentation of christmas cheer.

I was reminded today as I get ready for our Christmas presentation, that there was an original Christmas parade, that began with a star leading the way, angel(s) on high telling about the birth of Jesus. Next came some overzealous, scraggly shepherds coming in from a night of sheep watching to worship Him, and finally the climax- three kings~ along with their entourages coming withy pomp and pagentry to give the REAL king presents! Awesome to imagine, isn't it? How would you respond to this scene? Would you sit and be a observer on the sidelines? I would not want to miss the excitement that I felt on our parde route and just watch, I want to particiapate! I want to join the ultimate parade this year. I want to go WORSHIP the KING. I want to clap and wave . I want to come humbly and worship at the feet of my Lord and bring him my heart this Christmas. How about you?

The Mad Hunt

Every year we have at least one Holiday Miracle: we find the item that has escaped us for weeks at various superstores and malls. this year's said item was found on our "date" last weekend.

Over the past 2 weeks, my husband I have dashed around stores, hunted websites, just in time to see that we had indeed missed this product, but I kept assuring Craig that they would restock often, and resignedly, he and I headed back to Walmart Friday night to look again! As we rounded the corner to the department, I saw the stocked shelf! Joy to the World- the item had come! We dashed way over to the shelf to grap the desired item that had been replenished! We both sighed with relief that our search was over and the lost had been found!

As I reflect upon this mad search, I am reminded of several verses that have always clicked with me when I felt distant from God. They ALL involve SEEKING! How often to I expect God to be waiting there for me when I ought to be chasing after Him and seeking Him like I did this gift! He promises us that if we seek Him with all our hearts, we WILL find him..... amazing!
This Christmas, as you look for presents for your family and friends, seek Christ with the same fervor. I promise, you will find Christ in a very real way!

Drama Mama

This time of year I don't need any drama in my life, for its time to live it out in sketches and Christmas musicals, etc. This is MY fave time of the year, becuase I get to direct such dramas!

I started out acting in high school/ college, but like many other thesps, I found my true love in directing and writing!

This year we are doing a Sunday morning piece called , "Remember the Child". It starts out with 2 kiddos telling what they want for Christmas( in excess, of course), then on to teenagers polishing thier lists, with money being at the top of the list. Next is a couple ( who are HILARIOUS btw!) converging schedules and dates and trying to fit everything in to the harried season. Last we find 2 people who guide us through sights and sounds of Christmas until we get back to the reason for the holiday: the birth of Jesus! It is a funny, sentimental, sweet and thoughtful piece that will hoopefully remind us to stop and reflect on Jesus, our Savior whose birth changed EVERYthing!

My next project involves our Sanctuary choir. For the first time, we are involving wise men, shepherds, the whole shabang as far as Christmas musicals go. I am so pumped! All my Tx. Hall days are flooding my memory as we block out these characters, and paint a picture of the nativity!What is different in the Christian acting arena is that we are not performing for ourselves, but we are presenting the gospel, one story at a time! Please pray for me as I juggle this awesome work that God has given me this season and that we will cast new light on the birth and life of our Saviour- Oh come, let us ADORE Him!!

Orange Soda Caffeine Crash!

I am bitter today....and its from my own lack of reading skills....

I have been on a "no caffeine" course for 7 WEEKS and I blew it this week unknowingly. that's why I am mad at myself! The other day I bought 3 Sunkist sodasto drink throughout the week for something fizzy. I ususally drink Fanta which is caffeine free, so I assumed Sunkist was too! WRONG! I went to this store this morning to get 2 liters, and actually saw the caffeine listed on accident! YIKES! I have been without it for 7 weeks and now have to begin again!
I got myself broke form Coca colas, now from Sunkist.... SERENITY NOW! Ok, I feel better now! thanks for letting me rant!!

Count your blessings....

Top 10 things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

10. I made it out alive at Walmart today! That place is nutso!
9. Beth Moore Studies (Jesus the One and Only this semester)
8. I-TUNES and IPOD-did I mention my addiction to music?- its a great fix!
7. That there is one decent Mexican Restaurant in Seneca when I need a fix!
6. I CAN live without caffeine.... 6 weeks and counting!
5. FRBC Friends that have reconnected this year via Faccebook! I am so looking forward to our reunion!!
4. Cam's health is stable... no big hair incidents this year- PTL!
3. Watching Katie find her "thing" in Cheerleading- also watching her grow in Christ at DN '08~
2. Craig is on the last leg of his Doctorate- he just got his project proposal approved!
and the #1thing to be thankful for this year is.......... God's work in my wellness this year.... He is just showing off! I am amazed that I have a God who sees me (El Roi) and cares for me in wonderful ways!

God is Good-all the time!
Happy Turkey Day.... gobble till ya wobble!

Walmart- What was I thinking?

Cam wanted to go look at toys today at Walmart to make sure she hadn't forgot anything on her multiple lists....LOL.....and I needed to get a few things, so off we went....... and 2 1/2 days ( I mean, hours) later, we returned, frazzled, and cross-eyed with this crazy anxious tic from the pre-Thanksgiving shopping at our favorite supercenter........ WHAT WAS I THINKING? ( I admit I was the one cross-eyed , Cam was starry-eyed!)

This year, I am not preparing the feast, but we will celebrate in Anderson, so I have not been bakin', salad makin', hen roastin', or fixin' dressin', so It was interesting to see all the ladies ( and some husbands on their cell phones!) with huge baskets cramming them full with goodies and LOTS of home decorating items - we ladies can find ANY reason to decorate! Everyone was preparing for an occasion to celebrate with family and friends.

It struck me later, that preparation is key. I am so not naturally a organized person. Thank the Lord for Craig helping me in that way! I have learned over the years that when I take the time to plan, organize and implement, every thing just has a more put-together feel to it. Preparing our hearts and minds for this season is crucial to our enjoyment of it.

This year we are presenting a sketch in Worship called, "Remember the Child" and it encourages us to see beyond Black Friday, Christmas Parties, presents, church events, and even family traditions- and stop to remember what we're celebrating- the birth of our Lord, Jesus! If we stop now and are mindful to what it's all about, God can teach us more, help us treasure up these things like Mary and experience the season with a new fervor....
So, prepare your heart and remember the Child this season! You WILL be blessed for it!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving week to all! I am reminded of so many years of being with my extended family at Grammie's house! We would gobble till we wobbled! She would fix the basic Turkey dinner and probably about 15 pies and cakes for our huge group, and then everyone else brought the salads and sides. We had enough to have a church covered dish dinner just from our family!! Most of all, I loved spending time with my family, cousins, aunts and uncles, and my grandparents! What a blessing it is to have this special time carved out for family!

Since we have been living out of Texas, we have started our own traditions. Sure, we still decorate with fall decorations and get special plates and napkins, but we light a candle as we share what we're thankful for, in order to remember all the Lord has done for us this past year! It is such a special time to share with MY little family. The words above by President Kennedy remind me that we ought to live the words we utter so that we can genuinely convey our appreciation and thankfulness.

So, Give thanks- and LIVE thanks!

And She was Run-ning!

Have you seen Forrest Gump? I love that movie!
One of my favorite parts of the whole movie is when Forrest is Run-ning - everywhere- and then accross the country. This reminds me of why I named this blog Journey Runner- it is because my life is like a box of.... no really- its a journey.
.....A journey of love, friendship, broken hearts, childhhood memories, spiritual valleys and mountaintops, college, camps, work, ministry, you name it - these experiences are pit stops on a lifetime journey that shapes us into the person who God created us to be. Even the detours we take can lead us into the glorious grace that awaits us when we look to the Lord for direction.
My goal for writing is to examine the big stuff that I ecounter , as well as comment on the little stuff that makes life even sweeter! I hope this blog can be a blessing to you on YOUR journey!

May this journey bring a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake.

Stones Of Ebenezer

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is not your usual David and Goliath, or even Noah's chronicle, but a story about victory in the life of the Isrealites. As you know, after they FINALLY were led out of captivity form slavery in Egypt, only to continue to live a live of spiritual bondage and rebel towards the God who saved their necks! They worshiped pagan Gods and practiced false religion and b/c of theor sin, God disciplined them,and let them wander aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years!

FINALLY, after a generation had passed, God used Joshua and Caleb to lead the Isrealites into the Promsed Land. They had to cross the Jordan River to do so. God intructed them to gather 12 stones, ( like the 12 tribes of Israel) make a tower from these stones and name it Ebenezer, meaning, "God has brought me this far!" to help them remember where they had come from and that thier promise awaited them on the other side. What an awesome word picture to describe what God had done. Every time they passed this place, it would help them recall their journey with God!

Several years ago, I was leading a Beth Moore Study and she mentioned these ideas in her teaching that Monday night. I was smack in the middle of an excrutiating journey of dealing with events in the past that has enslved me to fear and depression. I was at the point where I was REALLY getting out of the pit, God called me to have an Ebenezer moment!

I had recently gone to a new job and was finding the quickest route to get there from my home and from my kids' schools. I took a new route that morning, and as I rounded a very wide curve, I passed it....it was at least 6 feet tall, different sized rocks, all stacked in a tall column, my very own tower of Ebenezer! Not only that , it was situated in front of Ebenezer Church of God! There was no mistaking it! I stopped and worshipped that morning, thanking God for getting me that far in my journey, and praising Him that I was beginning a new chapter in my walk with Him- into his Promised Land for me!

Stop and Praise Him today that He has brought you thisfar and that

He has great plans for your life!

Twilight Movie

Seneca Theater was a busy haven of frenzied teenage emotions yesterday when I took Katie and a friend to see Twilight, the latest pop culture phenomenon. I have read and loved all 4 books, but wasn't sure if I would see the movie until one day Katie "discovered" it! I read the first one this summer while on vacation, but somehwere this fall, the teenage brain caught onto it and it became her thing!!

The lights went out and the squealing began! So many teenage kids enclosed into a theater with that much energy. I admit I had as much anicipation as the crowd; my disbelief suspended into the emo vampire world that Stephanie Meyer so vividly writes, and captures your mind and imagination.

One of my main concerns was that Twilight would take a wild departure form the novels, but I was able to track along just fine and enjoyed the ride that this film takes! Despite a few oh, my! moments of pure cheesiness, Edward deftly romances Bella and charms the women of all ages in the film, as well as the audience with his whole James Dean, rebel-like and dangerous charm that a romantic vampire exudes! The action sequences were really great and even though many readers know the play-by-play of the plot, it still keeps you gripping your seat with anticipation!

Mostly I loved watching Katie. She is a well of waters that run deep and she was sweet and hilarious to watch at the same time! As we left she was whooping it up with a bevy of her friends and bursting with friends who were arriving for the next showing- she was a walking commercial- Oh how these marketers need to do a ad campaign comprised of 12 year old girls! LOL! Her eyes were shining with tears and pronounced, " this is the best movie in my 12 1/2 years of life!" SO glad I have that memory with her- Now that brings tears to MY eyes!

Prayer For America

I can not believe that tomorrow is the day we will be FINALLY voting for the next president of the US. Amidst the many commericals, debates, news reports, and polls, I am positive that I am ready for it to all be over. EXCEPT.....
My heart is burdened for the direction that the nation is taking. It seems like we are headed straight away from God and his will for our nation. I literally have been sick at my stomach wondering if this is the beginning of the end. The only recurring thing that filters through my mind is this scripture from the OT:

II Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

No matter who wins tomorrow, It is imperative that we as christians make prayer for this county a priority. Praying for God's mercy on the sinfulness that we have as a nation. Praying that God will heal our nation of our apathy, and our embracing of this sinful culture. We consistently miss the mark, and we need His presence to get us back on track.

Pray. Pray. Pray.
It's our perscription for healing!

Cameron

Last weekend, Cam and I spent TONS of time together watching HSM3, going to the park, going to "trunk or treat", and basically just messing around- enjoying each other! My heart was full and I couldn't resist taking a few pics so that I could recall those memories I stored up in my heart! She is growing up so fast, and I can't get over My baby will be 10 this year

Amazing Provision!

I had one of those moments yesterday, a moment when God completely blows you away! I had recently been prescribed a much needed long term medicine, and went Monday to get it filled. Our current Medical Insurance plan is deductible based, so we have to pay 90% of our prescriptions. When the cashier said "$459.00", I about died- I was planning on about $100!
Needless to say, I left in a state of worry, and pretty much hysteria! I had to call Craig for a chill out!!
Yesterday, I called my Dr., who is also a trusted friend and fellow minister's wife! I told her about my plight and she came back with an amazing response! She offered me samples until I could get my new plan, which begins in January! Samples for 2 months!! WOW! Not only will I get my meds, it will be free until Jan. 1! Then it will be about $50! It's amazing how God works!