That Whoosh You Heard was My Whirlwind of a Life!

Been just a bit busy lately around the Sims home.  Here's why:

this guy

was at the end of this year:

so there was lots to do.

like finalizing plans for next year

and a big milestone

and celebrating with these people

and these people

at this very cool place.

then...with everything turned in,

all the checks marked off the list

and a big sigh of relief

the big day arrived

and the next day we had a party

and were blessed by lots of friends 

 and family

(and i loved this super cool cake!)

happy.

congratulations sweet boy.

Because of You. A Note to the Kids Staff of DFC

Because of you our children bound into the building each week, eager to see what you have in store for them.

Because of you our children are a great support system for each other. They are in a safe place where they know others love them.

Because of you on my walks down the hall to peek in the classrooms I never see bored kids with their heads layed out on the tables. You keep them engaged and learning.

Because of you our parents invite their friends with children to our church. They believe that much in the spiritual instruction you are giving their kids.

Because of you our children ask tough questions, trusting you as a spiritual leader.

Because of you our children have learned the importance of prayer and are learning more about it all the time. (it's not all me. seriously.)

Because of you I am blessed beyond what I could imagine!
Thank you.

I'm praying for you as you prepare your hearts and minds to minister to our kids tomorrow!

Getting ready for the BIG DAY

I'm working at the church this morning getting ready for the BIG DAY! Easter Sunday!  The cleaning crew is here and making everything sparkle, readying the building for the saints and the seekers who will be with us on Resurrection morning.

I realized it's been awhile since I've been here.

So in an effort to remedy that, here's a photo essay in short form of what my day has consisted of so far.

First stop: picking up lilies to grace the sanctuary on Sunday. My car smelled so good, it was kind of tempting just to keep riding around for awhile and breathing in the sweet, lily smell.

Next on to the church and I spent a few minutes pulling the little yellow things out of the lilies.  They are a mess, but my mom has always told me the lilies last longer without the yellow thing.

They look great all lined up in the sanctuary.  I know it will drive the perfectionists in the crowd crazy because there is one more on the left side of the podium than the right side. 

Bless them. 

I'm just mean.  (haha)

I think all this hard work deserves a snack. So I raided the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Next down to the office to make the memorial worship folder.  Children's Ministries receives the proceeds from the lily sale each year, and the worship folder lists those in whose name the lilies are placed.  It's a special way to honor or remember someone.  And it's an easy fundraiser!

And that's it...all before noon!  Now it's time for lunch!

I'm a Homebody

My ideal day is spent at home. That's funny for me to say, because I've never thought about this before.  I've felt this way for several years, but putting thought to what that means to me is another thing. 

You see, I'm an on-the-go girl.  And in the "before":  home did not hold adventure or excitement. 

Home meant familiar, predictable, routine.

After all...there was a big world out there waiting for me to embrace all it could throw in my path.  Home just shut that all out!

Now I know this one thing...there is enough adventure in my life.  Really.  It's thrust upon me on a daily basis.

There's enough busy in my life.  I may be guilty on occasion of  meeting myself coming and going.

And change?  Fuh-get-about-it!

I really treasure my time at home.

Routine?  I adore you. You haven't changed a bit!

Familiar?  You get yourself right in here! Let me hug your neck!

Predictability?  There's a seat for you at my kitchen table.  Let me introduce you to "same ole, same ole" and "been there, done that!"

Home is my safe haven.  It's a wonderful memory-laced caccoon of happy, growing up and lessons proudly lining it's walls.

Home is there when I fail.

Home is there when I fall.

Home is there when I'm at my best and welcomes me when I'm at my worst.

So I lift my glass to the homebody I've become. 

Bluebonnets

If I had the day off tomorrow I would go bluebonnet hunting.  They are coming in so nicely on all the highways that I'm passing by.

On my way to work is an incredible display of these beauties, but since the time change, it's a little too dark to see the depth of color.

I love Texas in the springtime when the fields are full of blue, orange and reds.  How blessed we are that the father put these flowers in our way to tease our senses and fill our pupils with color so vivid that you can almost swim in it. 

He sure has my attention!

Repurposing (that's a word) the Pond at Church

If you read the earlier post about the pond at our church having to be drained because it was leaking into the elevator, you are no doubt waiting to find out what will happen next.  The boys working the garage sale had a great idea for me!

Garage sales are fun for Children's Pastor's, there's always treasures, and I get to fill up my nose with all the little toys I find. 

So the boys took the balls that I snagged and repurposed them!  I love it! Never mind that it's a safety hazard...a little bump or bruise from a rock wouldn't hurt anyone! 

Now if I can just find a few hundred more, I'm good to go!!

It's a Green, Green Day

I forgot to wear green today.  Ok, really...I have no green to wear.  So when I came to the youth garage sale, I got the ole pinch-er-roo!

I went down to my office to find some green.  Here's what I found.

Then I saw this!

Score! But alas...as the saying goes, I'll be wearing them on my hips if they pass my lips!  Even if they're green!