Saturday, January 23, 2010

Tea Time



Today was our annual Tea at my church.  This was the 10th Annual Tea that we've had.  Everyone brings a teacup to exchange, and after we munch on the yummies, we are put together in pairs and you give your cup to your prayer partner and they to you.  The Tea Committee knows how to do an authentic English Tea, and it is always beautiful, tasty and above all else, fun! 

You will notice the diet coke at my place setting.  I had quite a selection of beverages today.  On my way out the door at 10:40 I remembered I hadn't had a diet coke yet, grabbed it and didn't quite finish before I got to the Tea.  It was funny how many people came up to me afterwards and told me they wish they would have thought of that! 

Friday, January 15, 2010

This is why I love being a Children's Pastor #2 Kids are Kids!

I had a really cool lunch today.  I was invited to be in a focus group by a publisher of Children's Curriculum to review new product and provide feedback.  I didn't know what to expect, but had a great time talking with other Children's Pastors from around Dallas, there were about 15 of us there. 

It was cool because of all the different faith traditions represented.  Let's see, at my table, we had a Catholic, a Presbyterian, a Baptist, a Non-Denominational, and me (I'm a Nazarene).  So you know what I "learned"?  Not that this was new information to me (and it surely won't be for you), but it was an up-close-and-personal reminder...that no matter what our choice in churches, kids are kids! 

They just want to feel important,
they love being around their friends,
older kids are a challenge to keep engaged,
and younger kids have lots of energy!

And the people that love to minister to them are the same, no matter where they attend church!  They want kids to know   know   know    that Jesus loves them,
that he came to die for them,
that he has a plan for their lives,
and that he wants them to live with him forever in heaven.

I think the Father was smiling on that little group of Children's Pastors today, because our differences were put aside, and we came together to talk about how to bring the little ones front and center, to be with Jesus.
(happy sigh)

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Board Epiphany Dinner

Each year in January the staff wives prepare a dinner for the church board.  We began having this event after the Christmas rush several years ago.  Everyone is relaxed, schedules are free, and it's always a fun evening.  We have it at our Sr. Pastor's home, which is beautiful.  Here are some of the creative arrangements that Wilma of Gigi's Events made for the tables.  She and her daughter are getting an event planning business off the ground, and I'd say she has a bright future!  The tables are stunning as you'll see below!



See I told you, pretty impressive!


Wowza!


On the right is Wilma making a last-minute adjustment, cause I told her I wanted to take a pic of her!

This though...is my favorite pic from the night!



So that's that for another year.  Time to go to bed!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

10 Things That Make Me Happy

I was given this assignment from my friend Dawn at It Just Dawned on Me.  This was not as easy as I thought it was gonna be.  So, without further ado, here we go...ahem...10 things That Make Me Happy by Mary... 

1.  That "in the zone" feeling that comes from obedience to a nudge from God.  It's funny how God uses our weaknesses to show his strength.  I think he gets a kick out of this, and if we are not obedient when he asks us to step out on faith and do what he needs us to do, we miss out on pleasing the Father.  Ouch!

2.  When Keith (the hubs), Landry (the son) and I are together, talking and laughing together.  Landry is 15, and I've enjoyed every stage of his life, but this time is especially fun.  It's also especially hard sometimes, so maybe that's what makes the happy times together so sweet.  We love to laugh and do so often!  We get the sillies and the giggles and there's no one else who can make me laugh like these 2 do!

3.  Listening to Keith play the piano.  He is so gifted and can play anything you put in front of him.  He plays effortlessly and takes the listener on a journey as he interprets the music.

4.  Living in an urban area.  I am a city girl!  I love the traffic, the crowds, the sounds and smells of a city.  I love the busy malls at Christmas, the crush of people at a concert or sporting event.  I love having choices and seeing change and being part of the energy.  I love that people look different in the north or the south, or the east and the west.  I love walking through a crowd and catching the sounds 3 or 4 different languages in my ears.

5.  Arranging flowers makes me happy.  My Mom was a florist, and I often went to her flower shop after school and even sometimes on Saturdays and watched her.  I remember walking around the show room and looking at the arrangements, seeing the rolls and rolls of ribbon hanging over everyone's stations on dowel rods, and the smell....there is nothing like the smell of a flower shop.  I guess some of that rubbed off on me.  I love creating arrangements now.  I'm a big copycat and have a favorite florist, Junior, in Dallas whose work I'm especially fond of.  I go by the shop every once in awhile and walk around the show room and breathe in the smells of the flower shop as deeply as my lungs will allow.  Sometimes, I'm really lucky and I will get to go into the cold room, where all the beautiful flowers are kept in buckets until they are chosen for an arrangement.  Junior keeps a stock of unusual colors, textures and extraordinary choices for his designers.  So, I'll go home newly inspired and make something of my own.

6.  Traveling.  Maybe this is a given for everyone.  I mean, who doesn't love going on an adventure, staying in a great hotel, trying new foods and seeing new things?  I love traveling with my husband.  He's really easygoing and just wants everyone to have a good time.  I also love it because you can be assured traveling with him will include shopping!  He loves to shop!  Am I a lucky girl or what?

7.  Spending time with my family.  I have a huge family, and there is an unexplainable refreshment I receive by spending time with them.  They have seen me at my worst and wish for me the best.  We share a unique history; a connection to the past answering the riddles of who I am; a bridge to the future assuring me that I do not have to walk alone.

8.  Lunch time at work.  I have 2 jobs which I love.  How blessed am I!  My secular job is at a company with mostly women.  It's a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and I've enjoyed many hours of lunch time laughter with the group of ladies at Lady Primrose.   I've been the recipient of great parenting advice, menu suggestions, and have learned much from this group of strong women.  They listen to everyone equally, accept everyone unconditionally and give of themselves selflessly.

9.  Keith, my husband.  We've been married 20 years and actually still like each other!  He's such a great encourager to me and believes I can do anything.  He's a great provider and an unbelievable father to our son. 

10.  Landry, my son.  I'm so proud of the man that Landry is becoming.  He's a great mix of both Keith and myself.  He is solid in his relationship with Christ, and is able to stand up for what is right.  He doesn't seem to care what others think about what he's doing.  I love that in him.  I remember at 15 being a puddle of insecurity and worried about what others thought of me.  Landry doesn't have that issue!  Thank the Lord!

Ok, so there you go.  You know, that's a good way to start the year...gave me a chance to dig inside and think about important things, silly things and funny times with people who are important to me.  I hope you'll do this too!

Monday, January 4, 2010

A Guitar is a Guitar is a...

My husband is a musician, and quite a good one (if I say so myself.)  He's built a home studio to write and record music.  One of my favorite things is to listen to him play the keyboard or the guitar, and now since my son can play the guitar too, it's so cool when they play together.

Tonight I told him that he needed to update his pic on facebook, and I would volunteer my services as a photographer.  I fear that I insulted him though.

Me:  Go sit in the chair and I'll get a guitar for the picture.
Him:  Do we really have to do this now? (Or something like that...I forget.)
Me:  Here hold this one. (Reaching for the one closest to me. It is a pretty white one in case you're wondering.)
Him:  No not that one, I need this one. (Reaching for one of the ones hanging on the wall.  It is a pretty wooden one...a classical guitar...in case you're wondering.)
Me:  Oh brother, it doesn't matter...a guitar is a guitar.

and then there was silence...then...

Him:  I can't believe you said that!  A guitar is not just a guitar! 

He said some more stuff here but I forget and anyway I went to find the camera so I could take this picture.


Sunday, January 3, 2010

It's New To Me!

I found a new website that I think is so cool called picnik and I've been playing around with it today.  It's so fun, and I apologize in advance if I over use it!  haha   So here's the first creation:



This is my son, he's 15 and he's the founder of the Awesome Squad.  Sometimes he lets me be on the Awesome Squad, and sometimes I'm deleted from the Awesome Squad.