A great weekend!!

I'm a little late in posting this, but it's been a crazy week! We got a somewhat surprise visit from Lance's sister and her family last weekend. What a blast!! The 2 boys kept us in stitches all weekend!! "S" decided that their home state is boring and Florida is fun! He thinks they need to get an apartment and move here! Lance's sister likes our "radiant heat" in our floors. (Only warm because of the Florida heat!!) Husband "R" enjoyed the seafood and little brother "E" loved playing Wii w/ "cousin Jordan". A good time indeed!!!! The house was WAY QUIET when they left on Monday!!! Can't wait for their next visit to the beach!!

How do you measure success?

I know that pastors in churches ask that question all the time. How do you know if your church is successful? Is it through how much money is collected each Sunday or how many people are sitting in the seats? Do you count the Baptisms each year?

I have only been a Pastor's Wife for a short 3 months and I'm sure my view of success will change with time, but this is what I think at this present time in our season of ministry. I think success is measured by people coming to the alter for prayer, when their pastor can pray over them & for them and make a difference. Success is feeling a change in the church...a lighter, calmer, attitude towards worship, praise and prayer. I think success is a pastor that can't hardly get his supper at a carry-in dinner because someone wants to talk about what salvation truly means. It's a church that in one week collected almost $400 for a widow, gave food to a stranger & helped a mom keep her child in preschool. It's a church so filled with love that they took in a family of 3 from the Mid-West, allowed one to be their pastor, and loved on this family as if they belonged. Success is not measured in money or numbers, but in the love that is felt, the prayers that are lifted up and the service to others.

The "bestest" birthday

I think this birthday will be remembered as one of my favorites. One of our sweet church members took us out on his boat. (I have to say, he did not take us out for my birthday. He didn't know yesterday was my birthday. He took us on the boat because Jordan wanted a boat ride and she's a little spoiled by these church folk here.) We got to see about 8 dolphins play in the sound (water between the island and the penninsula where we actually live). We ate lunch at a local restaraunt w/ 2 couples from church (trustees chair and finance chair, so Lance said he was actually working). Then, sat on the porch of one of the couples, overlooking the sound, and got to know them a little better. (See slideshow for a picture of the view from their home.) Lance made my favorite cake and we dined on pizza while watching, "Phantom of the Opera". It was a GREAT birthday.

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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. :)