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1. Ryan may never be able to get out the door for work, without first giving a demanding Rina "kiss and lub (love)."
2. When kids are invited to come forward for prayer during Kid's Connection services, the line that the kids form in front of Ryan is 3 times longer than any other leader...and is mostly made up of starry-eyed 5th grade girls. lol. Ryan is such a hunk!
3. I think it's about time for Reese to get a haircut. <----------------------------
4. I think the water has been altered...because a ton of my friends are preggy all at once! Katelynn, Nicole, Jill, Julie, Tasha, Angie, Caroline, Rebecca, Natalie, Rachel, Megan, Jen...and I'm sure others that I can't remember at the moment. Just the thought of another pregnancy makes me fatigued. I'll be investing in bottled water for the next few months.
5. We are obviously experiencing a recession in our economy. But, lately I've been finding out about close friends and neighbors that are becoming hugely affected by this national burden. A neighbor that I've lived down the street from for 6yrs has been laid off and will be suddenly moving out of state in a month. Another friend (from church) said her husband has lost 30% of his income, and they may lose their beautiful home. (The home I admit I've secretly envied from time to time). WE have been the family that has lived much more modestly than our acquaintances, but now we are the family that still has a job and a home. Ryan's job, as unglamorous and perhaps 'dead-end' as it sometimes feels, is very secure and unaffected by the current market. Wow. How grateful we need to be. And how ashamed I feel when I think of the times I've complained or been dissatisfied.
6. I think I am employed by Mr. & Mrs. Smith. You know, that movie about the couple that looks like a typical suburban pair on the outside, but ends up being undercover special ops or something. Yeah. I think I work for them. I've provided childcare for their child for 3 yrs. And as time has gone on, I've picked up on little details here and there that blow their cover as 'teachers.' Like yesterday, Mrs. Smith let slip a minor detail...that her husband was an FBI agent before becoming an elementary school principal. And that he ranked #1 in the nation for physical and mental testing. Um...yeah. How do you go from that to becoming a district 204 principal? I kinda wonder if my house is under surveillance now...like undercover agents are hiding in trees and peering thru binoculars, making sure that Mr. & Mrs. Smith's one and only daughter is safe. If that's not enough to make me paranoid, I don't know what is. Yet I LOVE this family. They have been so amazing to me. They are like family. But, yes, Ryan and I are so very intrigued by this mysterious duo. We want to make dinner plans with them over the holidays (we've done this once before) and hopefully get the low-down on their story. "What is it that you reeally do?" ;)
This past Sunday, Ryan spoke in Kid's Connection about preparation. He recounted the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth's encounter with the angel as they were told they would give birth to a son, John. And then Ryan explained to the kids that John the Baptist's life's purpose was to prepare the hearts of people for Jesus' ministry. A whole lifelong effort of preparation in order to usher in Jesus' short 3-year ministry. Wow.As I examine my life, I realize the importance of preparation. Being prepared for daily divine appointments. But also being prepared for a more intricate purpose that God has planned for my future. That's really something to chew on. A familiar concept. Yet it takes on new meaning as I feel the Lord revealing pieces of that 'future plan' in my life. It will take preparation. Today. I heard a preacher once say that every minute spent on your knees in prayer, and every moment spent studying God's Word, is not done in vain. But, it's tempting to think these practices are trivial. Or not as urgent as the thousands of other tasks at hand. I want to defy the temptation to procrastinate. I want to prepare. For whatever task He has for me. Perhaps speaking into the life of a hurting neighbor. Or wisely exhorting my growing kids. Or even greater things than that, if He so chooses. In any case, it's not about me. It wasn't about John the Baptist. Or the apostle Paul. Or anyone else that He used. It's always been about God's purposes. And His plan to rescue lost hearts. Wow. Christmas has taken on a new meaning this year. At least it has for me. ;)
Today we enjoyed the first real snow of the season. The key word here is 'enjoyed' because by next week, this fun, fluffy white stuff will be the object of my greatest frustration! Shoveling, cautious driving, and muddy puddles on my kitchen floor will turn the winter magic into a season-long curse. At least that's from my point of view. But, I'm sure the kids will continue to 'enjoy' the snow all the way through spring. And I admit...that's just what children should do. ;)
Some people have the amazing experience of growing up in the same house throughout their childhood years. And for some, the home is still owned by family and they are able to return to that place of memories now as an adult. What that must feel like! To return to the place that holds so many memories and feelings of sentiment.Of course, this tends to be less and less of a trend these days, as the average homeowner remains in a house less than 5yrs. My own childhood was filled with moving and starting new schools and living in different homes. With those experiences have come valuable life lessons too. Like learning to adapt to a new setting, making friends, and accepting change.But I can't help but envy those who have those strong ties to familiar childhood settings. Traditions. Nostalgia. Lifelong friends that have known you since kindergarten. That playground that you remember chasing kids around. The well-beaten path between your house and your best-friend's. Any memories like these that I try to conjure up are immediately assigned to multiple street addresses, and none of those sentiments run very deep, since our family often had to uproot and transplant before strong ties were forged.
Around this time of year, as my sisters and I make plans for the holidays, my mind can't help but run back to this very theme. Because, where is home?? Where should we host the holidays this year?? What traditions can we start, and hopefully keep?? Have you ever seen that saying, "Home is Where the Heart Is"?? Well, in our case, I have decided that "Home is Where the Family Is."No matter where we hold our holiday meal or settle down to open thoughtful gifts, it always seems like 'home' when we are all together. Because it's the same silly Lindsey who is making us laugh with her homemade gifts and crazy food concoctions. It's always Marilee creatively setting the table and finding a super soft blanky to snuggle in. It's always big sis Jenae serving a well planned and amazingly delicious meal to the rest of the family. It's always Brandon in the corner, gracing us with his heavenly voice as he strums Christmas chords on his guitar. It's always Mom sharing with us her latest story of how she blessed (or was blessed by) a person in need. It was always Dad filling the room with an aroma of music as his fingers effortlessly danced across piano keys. Hmm...and me?? I'm not sure what the others would attribute to me...but hopefully it's the fact that I LOVE stories! And I love to hear all about the things each person is going through at that moment in life. And I always have a camera, ready to snap a silly smile or a precious hug in action. Home is the way someone will start singing the lyrics to a favorite holiday tune or a worship song, and very naturally within moments it will become a 6-part harmony.This is home. No matter the location. These are the memories that never change. They go far and deep. And they have become such an amazing treasure to me. Thank you Lord for each and every amazing person you have placed in my life. And thank you that the one constant thread that runs throughout the canvas of our family is a love for YOU! Jesus Christ. Lover of our souls. Our Redeemer and Savior.
I wish everyone a very Happy and special Thanksgiving weekend!I have so many things to be grateful for...it would take me forever to list them out singly. Plus, sometimes it's nice to tuck those thoughts in my own heart and savor them privately. So I won't try to list them here. But I will mention one thing...and it's that over the past few days, the Lord seems to have revealed a special purpose for my life. And I'm so very excited to see how His plan will unfold in the near future. I'm so grateful that He can use even me! Sometimes I feel so insignificant compared to others who have a powerful ministry calling or a glamorous career, etc... But the Lord longs to use each of us in a very unique way. And He seems to have revealed that to me this week. You'll be hearing about it in time. But for now, let's just be ever grateful for the way He seeks us out, molds and shapes us, and uses us to bless others. ;)
This post may seem silly to some people.
Or surprising at best. But I cannot help but mention something my hero of a husband did last night.
He ran out to Blockbuster to pick up a couple movies (rent one, get one free Tuesday). And as he was scanning the wall for a choice flick, a worker approached Ryan and asked him if he needed movie suggestions. The guy immediately pointed Ryan's attention to a racy flick and told Ryan he thought the movie was really good. Ryan told him, "No thanks. I've heard that movie is full of nudity. I'm not interested." The guy gave Ryan a confused look, then moved on to another dvd suggestion. Ryan said, "Dude, that movie is even worse than the first. It's got a lot of nudity. I'll pass on that one too."
The confused worker looked at Ryan and said, "So what? What's wrong with nudity in a movie?"
To which my Knight-in-Shining-Armor boldly replied, "The only woman I want to see like that is my wife."
When the guy shook his head and laughed, Ryan pressed him further, "Dude, are you married?"
"No."
"That's why," stated Ryan. And walked away.
I know that in our culture it's really no big deal for women to display their assets like they are IHOP's cheap breakfast special. And men think it's acceptable, and even desirable, to be lusty, hungry-eyed participants.
But as a couple who is desperately and defiantly fighting daily assaults on our marriage, Ryan and I have decided that we will keep our eyes pure and reserved for only each other. I realize that this battle can be much more difficult for men. So I am so honored and esteemed that Ryan would choose to take the stand he did, even in a little Blockbuster store, which seems like an unlikely battlefield. I respect him so much for his strong sense of character, even when no one is looking. I LOVE you baby!!!
Roughly twenty competitive boys playing flag football in 32degree weather, refereed by some dedicated, fun-loving dads, followed by some warm, tasty cookies and hot apple cider served up by Mom.........Mmm, mmm! That's the recipe for another very successful Brody Turkey Bowl!
3. I think it's about time for Reese to get a haircut. 
