Sand Scultping Contest

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BP sponsored a sand scupting contest at OUR beach this weekend!! We spent all day at the beach yesterday watching the sculptures come to form. SO COOL!!

This bunny

During school on Thursday, I noticed that Gracie, our bunny, had diarrhea. GI problems can be potentially fatal for bunnies. SO...Jordan became hysterical, I got on the phone to find a vet that handles "exotic" pets, because bunnies are considered "exotic" and we prayed. What I haven't posted about through the whole lizard incident and everything is that Lance has been in Missouri visiting his family and meeting his new nephew. Of course, all of this has to happen while he is miles away.

In the end, Gracie is fine. Some meds for her tummy and a check on her in the middle of the night and she is back to her usually self!!! It's so nice to see her back to hopping around and into mischief!!!! Jordan really loves this bunny...and I'm getting more attached to her every day too. What a day!!!

All of God's Creatures

But can't they stay outside? SERIOUSLY!! I have a lizard lost in my living room! YES, my living room. I was alone tonight, as is usual some nights, and saw a tail dangling from the beam on our ceiling. YUP... a lizard. I donned a pair of Lance's shoes (their bigger than mine) and grabbed a net on a stick. I got the lizard off the ceiling, only to have it go behind the TV. Now it is harboring in the cracks of the fireplace somewhere. Jordan will catch it and take it outside, but now it is hiding from us. I'm wedging a towel under my bedroom door if we don't find this critter by bedtime!!!!! Yes, Lance, I know they won't hurt me, but I also don't want the surprise of finding this lizard in my bed, the shower or falling on my head from the ceiling. Please, little creatures of God...stay outside!!!!

I got out!

I went to a meeting at church yesterday by myself! I realized as I left the house that this was the first time I've driven to church alone. Wierd. I met with a great group of ladies to plan the fall festival in October and a baby shower this coming weekend. It was fun to be out and planning activities again. The shower is for a military wife who has no family here. We are giving her a shower for her 2nd baby (who was born in June) to help her with some essentials and just show her we care. I've heard of these 2nd baby showers called "sprinkles". I like that!! It will be a nice day for her and another outing for me next weekend!

We're working on meeting some homeschooling families and have connected with 2 families in particular. Hopefully that will help with the friend situation, for me and Jordan. :)

Prayer Team

Our church is in need of a prayer team & doesn't have one set up. Actually, it appears that prayer is needed on many levels. Looks like I am going to start the prayer ministry team! Lance & I are going to begin slowly with 6 month covenant groups based on Wesley's questions. From there, we are hoping our prayer team will develop and then I will take over. (Lance is a little busy being the pastor.) Having been raised in a religion where there was a standard prayer for every occasion then transitioning to open prayer to now leading a prayer team...really? God does have a way of stretching us!

A few weeks ago, as Lance & I greeted people at the back of church, one woman said to him tearfully, "It moved me the way you prayed over people at the alter. I haven't seen that in years." I nearly cried myself. It makes my heart ache to think that the people at this church...these beautiful people...haven't been prayed over, prayed with or prayed for in a real, tangible way in a long time.

Please pray for us as we start our covenant groups in October. And pray for the prayer team that will form out of these groups.

Book

I've never been much of a reader, but as I get older (no comment, Jordan!) I find myself enjoying books more and more. I'm reading a really good book right now written by a Pastor's wife. High Call, High Privilege by Gail MacDonald. Marilyn, our spouse/family leader at Asbury, recommended it and I am just now getting around to reading it. It is a great book!! I think I am getting more out of it now than when I tried to read it in seminary. This woman tells it like it is...being a pastor's wife. She also explains that our survival in the ministry is dependent on ourselves "keeping our fire for God burning". Good stuff and I'm only in the second chapter!! SO, if there are any pastor's wives, wives of missionaries or wives of anyone that is serving in any capacity (youth, children, counseling...), I highly recommnd this book!

Marathon or Sprint?

So, in church today Lance was talking about running a marathon for God (being in it for the long haul) or sprinting (quick burst for God and quitting, basically). That got me thinking. It has been a rough week all in all. Grandpa dying didn't help and I've been feeling rather homesick on top of it. This whole "pastor's wife" role has sunk in and my sense of identity and how I fit in has come full circle.

I am currently working from home, doing record reviews online. (Still not cleared to see babies here like I was in KY.) When this job came available, I prayed to God for discernment and Lance & I really feel this is what I am supposed to do. So I think for now I will work from home and not treat children as I have done for the last 16 years. ((GULP)) My head knows this makes sense, that this is best, but my heart is grieving this change in career.

I have also been feeling somewhat lonely and isolated. Since Jordan attends Youth Group near our home and our church is 12 miles away, I spend much time home for her. So, between not going out for work or Bible study or having any friends, it's been a little lonely. I'm feeling a little 1950's housewife!!

I listened to the sermon this morning and I feel I hit the marathon "wall" this past week, with the passing of my Grandpa being the peak of many emotions. I decided I am going to continue this marathon with God. I know this is a season, that He will remain faithful to me and tend to my needs. He has not failed me yet and we've been through a lot together. I'm praying for contentment.

After church, one of the women I know, who is also in the medical field, gave me her number and would like to have coffee. She and her husband asked about my work and I tearfully told them about my decision and they affirmed it. (Thank you, God, for Christian affirmation.) She said she doesn't have many friends and would like to get to know me better. (Thank you, God, for a friend!)

I guess I need a coach in my marathon and pray that the Holy Spirt will lead me in this calling into ministry and as a pastor's wife and mother to Jordan. I pray that I can get through the "walls" that I hit in this marathon.