BIG day!!!

I went in for my official interview yesterday. I was formally offered the job and gladly accepted. I'm so pumped!!! Starting June 9, I will be working on staff in the Children's Dept @ Calvary Church. Ryan and I are super involved in that ministry on a volunteer basis. So it seems like a very natural step for me to join their team on a professional level.

The job itself is going to be so fun! Part deskwork (emailing volunteers, typing up event info, speaking to parents & volunteers about event rsvps, etc) and part hands-on work (research/brainstorming ideas for service curriculum, shopping for supplies, artistic creation of props & object lessons, etc). The perfect outlet for my creative itch. :)

The part that made this decision so bittersweet was having to break the news to my current employer. For 3 years I have provided in-home childcare for sweet little Emma. She first came into my care as a tiny 6 month old infant. Now she is a 3 year old busy, inquiring girl. And along the way, she and her parents have become like family to us! So, breaking the news to them was painful!

They were so gracious about my decision. But also emotional, which made me want to back out of the new job altogether. Yet, at the end of the day, I know this will be a very monumental and valuable change in my life. And they are completely supportive of whatever I do.

So, it's official! After being a stay-at-home mom for over 10yrs, I'm actually taking on a job outside the home! It makes me a little nervous and anxious....but it makes me very thrilled and excited! I see how God has met our needs the past few years...by opening the door for this childcare relationship. Now I see Him opening the door for a new job. And I hope I can be a blessing and an asset to this ministry. :)

"Jesus Toys"

Marina still plays with a nativity set that I had kept in her room around Christmastime. It's a tiny set of porcelain figurines that she calls "the Jesus toys." It has Mary, Joseph, the wisemen, a shepherd, and a tiny little baby Jesus.

Tonight she called upstairs to Ryan, "Daddy, can you bring me my 'Jesus toys'......and the baby too?" LOL! Who does she think the baby is???

Modeling Without Makeup

Now this article I like! It's about time, people!

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/yay-french-elles-amazing-no-makeup-issue-and-why-american-mags-need-to-step-it-up-446538/

In honor of this amazing leap in the beauty industry, I will post my own picture of myself without makeup. Coming soon....

Predicting Marriage Success...

This article caught my eye on Yahoo! News today:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090414/sc_livescience/smilespredictmarriagesuccess

Um.....you cannot be serious?!?!

Easter Service

During the crucifixion scene of the Easter service, Mommy tries to assure a worried Marina, "Don't worry, Jesus will come back alive. And He will beat the bad guys and WIN!"

Marina replies, "Mommy, after Jesus wins...can we go home??" LOL!!! I think I laughed all the way until the resurrection!

Easter 2009

Saturday morning the kids awoke to special Easter baskets awaiting them on the kitchen table. Then we participated in the annual Oakhurst Egg Hunt. The kids got to meet the Easter bunny and gather candy-filled eggs w/ other kids. Then we headed to the mall to finish purchasing our Easter outfits.

Saturday evening, we attended the Easter service at church. It was an incredibly powerful and creative presentation of the gospel message. They had a Stomp routine, full choir, special artist Sarah Kelly, human video, biblical drama with live animals, etc...

Sunday morning, we arrived at church bright and early in our Easter best outfits. In Kid's Connection Rye & I presented character monologues as part of the creative gospel message. I played Mary Magdelene and Ryan played Peter. I helped to lead worship at the end of service. It all came together to make a great Easter service for the kids.

After church, we met the rest of the Brody clan at Buca's for a special Easter lunch. Then we headed over to Grandma and Papa's house for another Easter egg hunt. What a fun weekend for the kids! And what great experiences we shared in church, in the neighborhoods, and as a family. :)

So Much More!!!

We just finished a 10 week study of the book of Esther.
I began the journey with hopes that I would find a way to let God break some personal bondages in my heart. But even that seemed too good to be true, since I have unsuccessfully fought these inner battles for years. Yet God showed Himself to be so much greater than I dared imagine. Not only did he break those bonds and set me free.....He also gave me an insatiable hunger for His Word. That's something I hadn't specifically anticipated. But, boy, am I glad He did it in me! I sincerely feel forever changed. I wish I could be so open and honest about every step of the journey....so that perhaps someone in those same shoes could be encouraged. But I believe some things are meant to be kept between myself and my God. And perhaps others who are struggling can be encouraged merely by the result....a confident woman, free to love herself, others, and her Creator. Free to live in relationship & daily communion w/ Him. If you've never experienced that before, goodness sakes! You're missing out! Please don't wait. Run to Him. He's waiting. He always has been. And if He can wait as long as He did for stubborn me to come around....He can wait for anyone. That's the thing tho. He doesn't just wait. He also prods and tugs and beckons us to join Him in relationship. Amazing. The power of the Cross means so much more to me this Easter. :)

Morales Girls' Road Trip!

To celebrate Mom's bday this year, we hit the road to travel down to Springfield, MO to visit Lindsey and Brian. We had such a blast together! Shopping, dining, and even hitting up an Improv/Comedy club! Such good times!!!