This has been such an awesome day.
We had a great service at our church this morning, complete with the Lord's Supper.
I will have to say that I nearly went to church wearing two completely different shoes. I was wearing a red dress, and I wanted to either wear my black booties or my tall black boots. I couldn't decide, so I put one of each on and went out to ask Clark. When I came in the family room, Jim said that Clark had already left.
Well, I piddled around and then realized it was time to go. I was telling Jim and Joshua to HURRY UP, when I happened to look down and saw my feet! OH MY WORD! I said, "oh no! I almost went to church wearing two different shoes...which one looks best?" Jim said, "hmmmm..." like he was thinking. Joshua said, "don't worry...you look fiiiiiiiinnnnne," and he walked past me and out to the car.
What in the world?
And then we had a 2 hour choir practice this afternoon. IT WAS SO FUN! I love all the music and the orchestra and the voices...and the lyrics to the songs. Our music minister did such a great job intentionally choosing really strong, doctrinal pieces for us to do. I love them all so much!
Tonight, we had a Sunday School party for the class we used to be in...yep, THIS class. The one we were in before we moved to our new building and had to switch classes in order to be in worship with Joshua. We were invited to come to their Christmas party. Yes, we were.
And we went. Oh, yes we did.
We had a great time! We ate and visited and played Dirty Santa with the gifts. Jim and I were ready to go, but one of the girls in the class said, "NO! We have to play a game!" I was thinking, "OH NO...this is going to be painful."
But the game was Pictionary, which I totally ROCK at (ha). AND, we played girls vs boys which always helps, since I'm pretty sure the last time we played Pictionary was with our friends Bob and Cindy, Chuck and Sandra, Bill and Ruth, and Ken and Judy Shaddox...back when we lived in Searcy, Arkansas. We all got in a big fight because I'm pretty sure the guys cheated...and we ended the evening laughing so hard that my stomach hurt the next day.
I miss that.
Today was a good day.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:25
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Saturday
I almost didn't post anything tonight because nothing has gone on all day. Unless you count the fact that Joshua and Aaron-the-son-in-law have gone back and forth about the Alabama/Missouri game all the live-long day.
Because Aaron-the-son-in-law, and my husband, and pretty much the majority of the SEC...were wanting an Alabama win. Even tho we are not Alabama fans.
Joshua? He wants them both to lose.
HE WANTS THEM BOTH TO LOSE.
And so Jim tried to talk to him and Aaron tried to talk to him and Holly tried to talk to him and I...well, you get the idea.
No amount of explaining and talking was getting him to change his mind. Not even when he said, "what's the point?" And I said, "well, the point of this game is the point of every game known to man: someone wins and someone loses."
And Joshua said, "we'll see about that."
WHAT?
Logic does not work on the Joshua.
And we watched the game here at home. We even went to eat dinner at a pizza place at half-time and were able to watch the 2nd half from there. With less than 4 minutes left in the game, the score was Alabama 35, Missouri 13, Aaron said, "well, Joshua, I think 'Bama has this game sewn up."
And Joshua said, "we'll see about that."
And Aaron said, "JOSHUA, there is NO WAY 'Bama can make up that many points in 4 minutes." And Joshua said, "time will tell."
Annnnnnnd...there you have it. Our day in a nutshell.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and I can't wait! I love Sundays and hope and pray for God's word to touch MY heart...and the hearts of everyone in our services tomorrow.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Because Aaron-the-son-in-law, and my husband, and pretty much the majority of the SEC...were wanting an Alabama win. Even tho we are not Alabama fans.
Joshua? He wants them both to lose.
HE WANTS THEM BOTH TO LOSE.
And so Jim tried to talk to him and Aaron tried to talk to him and Holly tried to talk to him and I...well, you get the idea.
No amount of explaining and talking was getting him to change his mind. Not even when he said, "what's the point?" And I said, "well, the point of this game is the point of every game known to man: someone wins and someone loses."
And Joshua said, "we'll see about that."
WHAT?
Logic does not work on the Joshua.
And we watched the game here at home. We even went to eat dinner at a pizza place at half-time and were able to watch the 2nd half from there. With less than 4 minutes left in the game, the score was Alabama 35, Missouri 13, Aaron said, "well, Joshua, I think 'Bama has this game sewn up."
And Joshua said, "we'll see about that."
And Aaron said, "JOSHUA, there is NO WAY 'Bama can make up that many points in 4 minutes." And Joshua said, "time will tell."
Annnnnnnd...there you have it. Our day in a nutshell.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and I can't wait! I love Sundays and hope and pray for God's word to touch MY heart...and the hearts of everyone in our services tomorrow.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Friday, December 5, 2014
Links For You 12.4.14
Holly was off from nursing school today, and it was a rainy, foggy day. She came over and helped me with Christmas decorations. We decorated the stairs and the mantle...and she put the mesh on my big family tree. I am so thankful for her help.
Jim was off of work today, but he had signed up to ring the bell for the Salvation Army at our Kroger store. His group of Rotarians had signed up and were taking shifts all day. Jim's shift just happened to be during the lunch hour. I had promised Joshua a trip to Chick-Fil-A, but since the weather was so yucky, we decided to go through the drive-thru and bring lunch home.
BUT FIRST...we cruised by the Kroger and Holly leaned out the window of my vehicle and took pictures of Jim standing out front...because what good is family if we can't harass each other?
Heeheehee...
Here are a few links for you. Not as many as usual, because I haven't been on-line as much!
This from Kelly Stamps...love this song, and the encouragement Kelly shared on her blog.
When I'm complaining, I'm not reflecting who God is! SHINE AS LIGHTS.
Sometimes holidays are just hard. This from Robin Dance.
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord..." Psalm 92:1
Jim was off of work today, but he had signed up to ring the bell for the Salvation Army at our Kroger store. His group of Rotarians had signed up and were taking shifts all day. Jim's shift just happened to be during the lunch hour. I had promised Joshua a trip to Chick-Fil-A, but since the weather was so yucky, we decided to go through the drive-thru and bring lunch home.
BUT FIRST...we cruised by the Kroger and Holly leaned out the window of my vehicle and took pictures of Jim standing out front...because what good is family if we can't harass each other?
Heeheehee...
Here are a few links for you. Not as many as usual, because I haven't been on-line as much!
This from Kelly Stamps...love this song, and the encouragement Kelly shared on her blog.
When I'm complaining, I'm not reflecting who God is! SHINE AS LIGHTS.
Sometimes holidays are just hard. This from Robin Dance.
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord..." Psalm 92:1
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Experiencing God
I forgot to post last night on the best part of choir practice.
Our fearless leader gave us a break halfway through the practice...to have snacks and potty. I didn't do either. I sat there and visited with people who were coming up to me to thank me for making cookies. I ended up sitting and visiting with about 4 women who sit in and around me in the alto section. And what was so neat is that something came up about Joshua...and they didn't know him or about him. And I got to share about his birth and all of that...and it was really cool!
One girl works at a pediatric therapy place, and she talked about how she wanted to get her son into preschool there...so that he would be around ALL kinds of kids with ALL kinds of abilities. And I got to tell her all about Joshua's friend, Lindsey Walker, and what a BLESSING she was to him...and to us...from Kindergarten until 12th grade! He probably wouldn't have made it through school without her!
And one lady said she worked at the "human development center." She was very interested in Joshua because she had worked with a lot of "them" over the years. She talked about how precious "they" were and all of that. She asked a ton of questions, like, did we know he had Down Syndrome before he was born (we didn't) and things like that. It was just so refreshing to talk to someone who was genuinely interested in Joshua!
The lady sitting next to her said, "I worked out there for a while, too. Some of "them" are really educable."
Seriously?
This is the 2nd time IN MY WHOLE LIFE that I have heard this term used. The first time was just a month or so ago, when Holly was telling me that one of her instructors at her nursing school used it in a lecture...to describe kids with special needs. UGH.
*PLEASE DO NOT TEACH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT KIDS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS IF YOU FIND IT NECESSARY TO USE THE WORD: EDUCABLE.
Because, "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well." Psalm 139: 13-14
But I didn't say anything to the choir lady, because she was trying to be nice and relatable to me...and hey...I appreciate that.
And then she turned to the lady who was sitting next to me. We don't know her name. Holly and I call her the "brown lady," or "the lady who only wears brown..." because...well, she basically only wears brown. Last night, tho, she had on BROWN pants, but she had on a green and brown shirt or scarf or something and it looked SO GOOD! I went on and on about it. This lady has auburn colored hair, like my Mom did...and my Mom looked so pretty in those jewel colors.
ANYWAY, the "human development center" lady started talking about how "their" lifespan has increased since she first started working with "them" years and years ago. And I do not like talking about this...especially with complete strangers. But the "educable" lady turned to the "only wears brown" lady and said, "well, hey...your sister lived a long time, right?" She looked at me and said, "her sister had Down Syndrome."
And I was thinking, HELLO? HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN STANDING BESIDE YOU IN CHOIR AND HOW IS IT THAT I NEVER KNEW THIS? And the "brown lady" said, "yes, she lived until she was 40."
And then the 3 older women looked at me with this "see?" look, like her sister living to 40 was impressive.
Which, in my mind, I was already doing the math because Joshua is 28 1/2 years old and LIVING TO 40 IS NOT NEAR LONG ENOUGH IN MY OPINION.
And these ladies who were talking to me had said hello and good-bye to their 40's a LONNNNNG time ago, and I venture to say that they would agree that living to 40 is not near long enough.
But they meant well.
And I know this conversation up to this point doesn't sound all that encouraging...but I was GREATLY encouraged! A long time ago, I did the Experiencing God study by Henry Blackaby...and many of the things I learned have stayed with me all these years. Like the first of his seven realities of experiencing God: God is always at work around you.
For the nearly 2 years that we've been at this church, I haven't talked to ANYONE who really "gets" our life with Joshua. In fact, some people have been really insensitive...and then in one night, BECAUSE OF A COOKIE, I had 4 women talking to me and it blessed my heart SO MUCH! Thank you, Lord!
My mind was racing last night about how God might use this in our church. Maybe there IS hope for our church embracing people like Joshua. Maybe there WOULD be someone who would teach a class of people like him. Or who would at least be supportive of it. I know that nothing is impossible with God, and so I had to slow my mind down and determine to watch and wait and see it all unfold. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work (Blackaby). Not for us to dream up our OWN work and then stuff God in there somewhere so that He will ordain and bless it.
I guess the point is that if you feel impressed to do something, no matter how small, you should do it...because it might not be about what you're making it about (grammar police need not notify me...I know). Or, it might be something very innocent and ordinary...like a cookie...that God will use to do something extraordinary...for your best and for His glory.
God is always at work around you.
"for it is God who is at work in you..." Philippians 2:13
Our fearless leader gave us a break halfway through the practice...to have snacks and potty. I didn't do either. I sat there and visited with people who were coming up to me to thank me for making cookies. I ended up sitting and visiting with about 4 women who sit in and around me in the alto section. And what was so neat is that something came up about Joshua...and they didn't know him or about him. And I got to share about his birth and all of that...and it was really cool!
One girl works at a pediatric therapy place, and she talked about how she wanted to get her son into preschool there...so that he would be around ALL kinds of kids with ALL kinds of abilities. And I got to tell her all about Joshua's friend, Lindsey Walker, and what a BLESSING she was to him...and to us...from Kindergarten until 12th grade! He probably wouldn't have made it through school without her!
And one lady said she worked at the "human development center." She was very interested in Joshua because she had worked with a lot of "them" over the years. She talked about how precious "they" were and all of that. She asked a ton of questions, like, did we know he had Down Syndrome before he was born (we didn't) and things like that. It was just so refreshing to talk to someone who was genuinely interested in Joshua!
The lady sitting next to her said, "I worked out there for a while, too. Some of "them" are really educable."
Seriously?
This is the 2nd time IN MY WHOLE LIFE that I have heard this term used. The first time was just a month or so ago, when Holly was telling me that one of her instructors at her nursing school used it in a lecture...to describe kids with special needs. UGH.
*PLEASE DO NOT TEACH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT KIDS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS IF YOU FIND IT NECESSARY TO USE THE WORD: EDUCABLE.
Because, "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well." Psalm 139: 13-14
But I didn't say anything to the choir lady, because she was trying to be nice and relatable to me...and hey...I appreciate that.
And then she turned to the lady who was sitting next to me. We don't know her name. Holly and I call her the "brown lady," or "the lady who only wears brown..." because...well, she basically only wears brown. Last night, tho, she had on BROWN pants, but she had on a green and brown shirt or scarf or something and it looked SO GOOD! I went on and on about it. This lady has auburn colored hair, like my Mom did...and my Mom looked so pretty in those jewel colors.
ANYWAY, the "human development center" lady started talking about how "their" lifespan has increased since she first started working with "them" years and years ago. And I do not like talking about this...especially with complete strangers. But the "educable" lady turned to the "only wears brown" lady and said, "well, hey...your sister lived a long time, right?" She looked at me and said, "her sister had Down Syndrome."
And I was thinking, HELLO? HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN STANDING BESIDE YOU IN CHOIR AND HOW IS IT THAT I NEVER KNEW THIS? And the "brown lady" said, "yes, she lived until she was 40."
And then the 3 older women looked at me with this "see?" look, like her sister living to 40 was impressive.
Which, in my mind, I was already doing the math because Joshua is 28 1/2 years old and LIVING TO 40 IS NOT NEAR LONG ENOUGH IN MY OPINION.
And these ladies who were talking to me had said hello and good-bye to their 40's a LONNNNNG time ago, and I venture to say that they would agree that living to 40 is not near long enough.
But they meant well.
And I know this conversation up to this point doesn't sound all that encouraging...but I was GREATLY encouraged! A long time ago, I did the Experiencing God study by Henry Blackaby...and many of the things I learned have stayed with me all these years. Like the first of his seven realities of experiencing God: God is always at work around you.
For the nearly 2 years that we've been at this church, I haven't talked to ANYONE who really "gets" our life with Joshua. In fact, some people have been really insensitive...and then in one night, BECAUSE OF A COOKIE, I had 4 women talking to me and it blessed my heart SO MUCH! Thank you, Lord!
My mind was racing last night about how God might use this in our church. Maybe there IS hope for our church embracing people like Joshua. Maybe there WOULD be someone who would teach a class of people like him. Or who would at least be supportive of it. I know that nothing is impossible with God, and so I had to slow my mind down and determine to watch and wait and see it all unfold. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work (Blackaby). Not for us to dream up our OWN work and then stuff God in there somewhere so that He will ordain and bless it.
I guess the point is that if you feel impressed to do something, no matter how small, you should do it...because it might not be about what you're making it about (grammar police need not notify me...I know). Or, it might be something very innocent and ordinary...like a cookie...that God will use to do something extraordinary...for your best and for His glory.
God is always at work around you.
"for it is God who is at work in you..." Philippians 2:13
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Wednesday: Choir and Cookies
Had a great day today! I took Joshua into Little Rock to his Therapeutic Recreation. He talked the ENTIRE WAY THERE about what he's been working on upstairs. For those of you who are waiting to hear: he is almost finished writing Book 1 in his series.
But don't worry...he's already got the 2nd book in the works!
He keeps his ideas in the "notes" section on his phone. Book 2 will have "more intensity, be more mature, have more connections."
JUSTSOYAKNOW.
But no matter how many books he writes, Jenni will only get one page in each book.
I dropped Joshua off, and then I did a little shopping. Holly called and she was done with her test at nursing school, and we met for lunch. Then she came home, and I went to get Joshua.
Joshua had a good day at TR. They loaded up this morning first thing and went to City Hall to decorate. It's something they get to do every year and they really enjoy it. Joshua said he helped with a lot of things, but mainly he helped with the "reefs." And then the staff of City Hall provided lunch for all of the FRIENDS and they were so excited!
After I got Joshua, we came home and I made a big mess of cookies to take to choir tonight. I mean, Momma's gonna need a SNACK, right? As I packed them up on a plate and headed out the door...I almost stopped and left the cookies at home. I mean, I'm new here. Was this hokie...bringing cookies to choir practice? I wouldn't have thought a thing about it before...at our old church...in our old town. But here...I was kind of nervous about it.
Well. Everyone went NUTS over them. One guy told me that those cookies, "made his Christmas." And while I appreciated the compliment...seriously...that's just SAD! It's a cookie, people!
I'M KIDDING.
Everyone was so nice and complimentary. And isn't it interesting that sometime that was so simple for me to do, was so encouraging to others. I'm telling you...before it's all said and done, we'll have these people bringing sausage balls and spinach dip.
Mark my words.
Holly and I...not only are we having to bring back monograms (the college girls in our town wear them, but not really anyone else. THEY ARE FOR EVERYONE)...now we are going to have to bring back the snacks.
Because, "as God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again."
Name that movie.
(Gone With The Wind)
It's exhausting that Holly and I are having to carry this whole thing: the town, our church...the choir (KIDDING). The people already can't figure us out. We have a blast together and we love coming to choir together. I think I wrote about it before...that someone asked us if we were "co-workers." We totally thought that was a code-word for something else, because no one acted like they believed we are mother and daughter. We also show up places dressed verrrrrrrry similarly. And we laugh...a LOT. People don't understand that we, you know...have fun, love life, and enjoy being together.
I was so excited about choir tonight. I love the long rehearsals, because I love the music and the people and the connections I am making at our church. I realize that I'm in the minority here because most of the people in choir...well, they work a long day at an office or a school or a hospital. Many of them are moms and dads with littles running around, and they would probably give anything to just.stay.home.
But me? I stay home with Joshua almost all the time. I try hard to make his life interesting and fun and enriching and educational. And it IS! And I am trying to do well by him, because he is just so precious.
But I also answer the same questions over and over. I talk about the weather a LOT. I go to the grocery and to the post office on certain days like clock-work. Sometimes, we get crazy and go to Target!
Don't get me wrong...I love my life. I love being a mom, and even tho sometimes, my life doesn't seem too exciting, I feel so thankful that God has allowed me this privilege and blessing in life.
But I also get REALLY excited when I get to do something fun with other people, and choir is so fun! The music is awesome, and the words to the songs in our Christmas program really touch my heart.
I loved today so much! I love being with my family, and I loved being with my church family.
God is good, all the time; And all the time...God is good.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
But don't worry...he's already got the 2nd book in the works!
He keeps his ideas in the "notes" section on his phone. Book 2 will have "more intensity, be more mature, have more connections."
JUSTSOYAKNOW.
But no matter how many books he writes, Jenni will only get one page in each book.
I dropped Joshua off, and then I did a little shopping. Holly called and she was done with her test at nursing school, and we met for lunch. Then she came home, and I went to get Joshua.
Joshua had a good day at TR. They loaded up this morning first thing and went to City Hall to decorate. It's something they get to do every year and they really enjoy it. Joshua said he helped with a lot of things, but mainly he helped with the "reefs." And then the staff of City Hall provided lunch for all of the FRIENDS and they were so excited!
After I got Joshua, we came home and I made a big mess of cookies to take to choir tonight. I mean, Momma's gonna need a SNACK, right? As I packed them up on a plate and headed out the door...I almost stopped and left the cookies at home. I mean, I'm new here. Was this hokie...bringing cookies to choir practice? I wouldn't have thought a thing about it before...at our old church...in our old town. But here...I was kind of nervous about it.
Well. Everyone went NUTS over them. One guy told me that those cookies, "made his Christmas." And while I appreciated the compliment...seriously...that's just SAD! It's a cookie, people!
I'M KIDDING.
Everyone was so nice and complimentary. And isn't it interesting that sometime that was so simple for me to do, was so encouraging to others. I'm telling you...before it's all said and done, we'll have these people bringing sausage balls and spinach dip.
Mark my words.
Holly and I...not only are we having to bring back monograms (the college girls in our town wear them, but not really anyone else. THEY ARE FOR EVERYONE)...now we are going to have to bring back the snacks.
Because, "as God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again."
Name that movie.
(Gone With The Wind)
It's exhausting that Holly and I are having to carry this whole thing: the town, our church...the choir (KIDDING). The people already can't figure us out. We have a blast together and we love coming to choir together. I think I wrote about it before...that someone asked us if we were "co-workers." We totally thought that was a code-word for something else, because no one acted like they believed we are mother and daughter. We also show up places dressed verrrrrrrry similarly. And we laugh...a LOT. People don't understand that we, you know...have fun, love life, and enjoy being together.
I was so excited about choir tonight. I love the long rehearsals, because I love the music and the people and the connections I am making at our church. I realize that I'm in the minority here because most of the people in choir...well, they work a long day at an office or a school or a hospital. Many of them are moms and dads with littles running around, and they would probably give anything to just.stay.home.
But me? I stay home with Joshua almost all the time. I try hard to make his life interesting and fun and enriching and educational. And it IS! And I am trying to do well by him, because he is just so precious.
But I also answer the same questions over and over. I talk about the weather a LOT. I go to the grocery and to the post office on certain days like clock-work. Sometimes, we get crazy and go to Target!
Don't get me wrong...I love my life. I love being a mom, and even tho sometimes, my life doesn't seem too exciting, I feel so thankful that God has allowed me this privilege and blessing in life.
But I also get REALLY excited when I get to do something fun with other people, and choir is so fun! The music is awesome, and the words to the songs in our Christmas program really touch my heart.
I loved today so much! I love being with my family, and I loved being with my church family.
God is good, all the time; And all the time...God is good.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)