Tis' the Season...

To be jolly?

To spend time with family?

To bake cookies and cakes and fill your house with all those wonderful scents?

No...apparently, for some, it is the season to camp out at Best Buy days before Black Friday.
Now, don't get me wrong. I like deals just as well as the next person and I enjoy getting things at a huge bargain. And yes, my husband's older brother and s-i-l pretty much camped out last year for us to get us the washer/dryer set that was on sale (which we got and I truly appreciate it) except they weren't out there days in advance.

But I pulled into the Best Buy parking lot here in Lakeland yesterday because our coffee maker went kapput and we needed a new one and I see a line of people already camped out. A tent, lawn chairs, blankets, etc. were strewn about the sidewalk. I think one of the guys noticed the look on my face as I drove past...one I'm sure was a look of disgust. The disgust was not toward those particular people but at the whole big affair. People put so much time and energy into so many things and around the holidays, it's waiting in line for that one Black Friday deal they are looking to score. But what is the point really?

Imagine...just imagine...what this world would be like if we all (I'm at the top of the list here) put that type of time, energy, and labor into helping others, spreading the Good News, giving back, advancing the Kingdom that awaits us? I'm seriously talking to myself here too. I may not camp out at Best Buy but there are plenty of others things that I spend my time and energy on rather than what I should be spending it on. This world has its priorities so screwed up and while they just seem to get worse, I am desperately trying to put mine in the correct order. I'm not waiting until the New Year to break make my New Years Resolutions. I'm starting now. My number one priority should be Christ. I should wake every morning thanking Him for another day and should spend each day in prayer and devotion. Number two should be my family. The TV, facebook, dinner, grades, lesson plans, even this blog should all wait until I've spent time with my husband and son. Number three should be my relationships with people. I am just as guilty of not keeping up with people. I need to call people or make a date with people to see them and catch up. I'm not promised tomorrow. In last place would be my job. Yes, it is what pays for the bills and puts food on the table and gas in my car...but it is what I do, not who I am. My job should not consume me and I refuse to let it. When I am there from 8-4, I will give my 100% effort to those kids but when I come home, home is where ALL of me needs to be.

I am so excited about this season. Last Christmas we were in between homes and didn't get to decorate or put our tree up. This year, we are pulling out all the stops...with what we've got anyway. I refuse to stress over the small things this season. I have been fully blessed. There are so many hurting and grieving people out there...people that have lost loved ones and will be spending their first year without that individual. I am grateful that person is not me but pray that God would wrap His peace and comfort around those walking through it. You are not forgotten.

So, in closing....for me & hopefully for you too, tis' the season (always) to be thankful, to reach out, and to love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Modest Proposal...

So I went to Plant City tonight to get my hair done and laying on the table was a Plant City paper of some sort. I don't know what it's called but it has local stories, events, etc. in it. On the front cover is a picture of a 14 year old Plant City pagent girl. Beautiful girl...with the most revealing dress. The slit in the front literally went aaaaaall the way up. I almost swallowed my tongue. FOURTEEN! It looked like a dress Britney Spears would wear. And I'm sorry, I really am not judging....but why are we, as a society, teaching our young "ladies" that it's okay to dress like a $2 hooker? Now maybe that's harsh...and if you read my blog and you happen to know the girl on the front of that paper, I mean no ill will. I am sure she is just as beautiful on the inside, but I just have a proposal to make...

I see it the schools, in the mall, in the grocery store, and worst of all....in the church. Young girls and women wearing revealing tops, or short skirts/dresses, or jeans so tight they look like they've been painted on, or short and tight shorts. As Christ followers, we are supposed to set a higher standard and I will tell you right now, half the time, I think we dress just like the rest of the world. I learned several years ago just how my dress affects the male brain. Let me just say, I stopped wearing certain articles of clothing after I learned that information. And now that I'm older and I'm married, I check with my husband if I'm not sure about a certain top or dress/skirt. I can dress all sorts of revealing in the privacy of my own home in front of my own husband...because we are MARRIED... and he's allowed to have those thoughts about me. But why in the WORLD would I want to dress like that for anyone else's man? I don't and I wouldn't...but plenty of women do.

Now I'm not perfect but I've been a proponent for modesty since I was in high school. I never ever desired to draw attention to myself in THAT way and I guess I just don't understand that mindset. I mean, if you've got it, congratulations on having a nice body....but does my husband need to see what you've got? No ma'am...

I think all women, before going out in public in certain questionable clothing, should ask themselves what their motive is. Is it because you're just really comfortable in that clothing and that's the only article of clothing fit for that occasion/event or are you hoping to get attention from it? Be honest with yourself. And if you're married, then why do you want to show off what should only be for your husband? Do you want some other woman showing off her goods to YOUR man? Yea, I didn't think so. So I propose that Christian women start a movement of modesty. You can still be stylish and yes, even sexy, while dressing modestly and covering up. Trust me: men will respect you more.

In Proverbs 31:25, the Bible speaking about the virtuous woman states, "She is clothed with strength and dignity." I wonder...what would that look like in the physical sense? Do you see strength and dignity in a woman wearing a skirt or dress that is dangerously close to showing other treasures or a top that reveals more boobage than necessary?

I don't want to make my fellow brothers in Christ stumble. I want to clothe myself inwardly and outwardly with strength and dignity, and anything less is and should be unacceptable. I would hope that if something I wore caused another brother to stumble, that someone would be bold but loving enough to tell me.

So ladies, let's examine our dress and let's vow to be modest. If you're not sure what that looks like, ask a guy you trust to tell you what pops in his head immediately when he sees women dressed in certain things....trust me, you might get an education. And you might think twice about those super skinny jeans or that low cut top....

But there is a God...

Over the past week, God has had me in the book of Daniel. There is so much in just the first 2 chapters. I went through a Beth Moore Bible study on Daniel but I am sad to say I never finished it.

Daniel is home to 2 of the stories we all heard as children in Sunday School - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the blazing furnace...and Daniel in the lion's den. But I want to back it up a bit to the 2nd chapter. God reveals King Neb's dream to Daniel to spare his life and Daniel is beginning to tell the king what his dream is and what it means. You know how you read something a million times and then all of the sudden, one verse, or one line, or just a few words just JUMP out at you. Or sometimes you've even underlined a certain part but you don't remember underlining it so when you go back and read over it, you see that and all of the sudden it has new meaning. Yea, that happened to me the other night.

In verse 29, Daniel tells the king: "There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king's secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future." The part that my eyes focused on were the 7 poignant words: But there is a God in Heaven. Wow!

If that phrase doesn't apply to almost any situation you might be going through, then I don't know what does. I started thinking about it as it applies to my own life and in the lives of others. This is what I came up with:

-I might not know the answers to everything, but there is a God in Heaven who knows it all.
-Finances might be tight at times, but there is a God in Heaven who provides my every need.
-I might feel lonely at times, but there is a God in Heaven who never leaves me.
-There may be times that I feel like I have no friends, but there is a God in Heaven who calls ME His friend.
-My job might cause meltdowns and stress, but there is a God in Heaven who is going to see me through.
-Yes, there are people in this world who are going hungry, but there is a God in Heaven who wants to give them the bread of life.
-You may have done some rotten things in your life (we all have), but there is a God in Heaven who forgives.
-There may be a situation that you see no way out of, but there is a God in Heaven who is ready and willing to rescue you.
AND
-Life might just suck sometimes, BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN!

No matter what you are going through, please know that there is a God in Heaven who loves you and wants to comfort you and give you peace that passes all understanding.

I know that everything is going to be alright simply because there is a God in Heaven!

God-bumps

Well, it's past my bedtime. Yes, I'm an old woman who likes to be asleep before 10 and it's close to 11. I had to watch the newest episode of NCIS tonight...the only TV show I care about watching so I was okay when we cancelled cable completely because they post full episodes online.

Anyway, I'm exhausted but my brain is too wired for sleep right now. I'm thinking, and praying, and praying, and thinking.

I've been really struggling over the past week with the impending changes in our church (see my previous blog if you're wondering). I know exactly what I WANT to do. If it were just up to me to make my own decisions, it would be the easiest decision in the world. But, it's not just up to me. It's up to God...at least that's how I want it to be and I don't want to take one step in any direction without His voice telling me to. But, I also live (as best as I can) submissively to my husband and I follow his leading as the spiritual head of our household. I trust his judgement since he is a very discerning man and I also trust his "God-bumps." I know that sounds crazy but it's true. Whenever anything is going on or we're talking about something and he gets goosebumps, it usually means because God is getting his attention about something or confirming the answer to a question he's been asking. So instead of goosebumps, we call them his God-bumps and he got them tonight when reading a message someone sent me.

I have been focused on one verse this week but tonight I read the surrounding verses to get the context. I was focused on Daniel 2:20 which states (in the NLT): "He said, Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power." Basically, God is in control. I read above it and it's the story of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar. King Neb had a dream that he did not know the meaning of and was planning on having all the wise men of Babylon executed because no one could tell him his dream. Daniel was included in this impending slaughter but God intervened. He revealed the dream to Daniel so in verses 21 and following, Daniel praises Him: "He controls the course of world events, He removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things  and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though He is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for You have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of You and revealed to us what the king demanded."

It may be an old story, but I think the concept applies to this part of my life right now. So ahead of time, Lord, I will thank You for giving me the wisdom I have asked for and the strength to follow Your leading, wherever it may take me.

...Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

God has a way of throwing you a curve ball just when you are settling into a comfortable stance at bat. Honestly speaking, I don't particularly care for curve balls. To be frank, sometimes, I'm really not all that fond of the game. But there I stand, trying to be obedient and take whatever is thrown at me.

In July of 2009, Jason and I found a church we could call home. We fell in love with the people, the worship, the atmosphere. That same year in September or October, I joined the choir. Never in my life had I enjoyed a group of people more...and our worship pastor/choir director? One of THE most Godly men I have ever met in my life. He has a way about him...you just like to be near him. Personally speaking, I think it's the Jesus that radiates off of every fiber of that man's being.

Shortly after we came, the youth pastor was called to another church and a different man took over. He took a huge step of faith and quit his good paying job as an engineer to take on the youth full time. It was apparent that the youth quickly fell in love with him. I adore his wife and enjoy watching his girls worship. He is truly a man of faith. I admire him deeply.

At the same time, the pastor's wife was stepping down from her role as the children's leader and another man took that position with his wife alongside of him. This man dedicated my son back in May and runs an excellent children's program complete with a nursery I feel 100% confident leaving my son in.

I would also like to point out that these same 3 men came to visit me in the hospital after I had Gabriel and their beautiful wives brought us dinner the week we came home.

But there is another man. This man was a huge catalyst in getting our new building built. This man can hardly stand on stage and talk about Jesus without getting all weepy....and it is the most endearing thing I have ever witnessed. He has a heart for young adults and has this way of asking you questions and making you think about things. He's an amazing man of God with no stopping point...he is quite literally like the energizer bunny. I respect him and also happen to share a birthday with him.

These 4 men make up a good section of the heartbeat of our church. So you can imagine my shock and yes, I'll say it....devastation...when our worship pastor told the choir Wednesday night that he was leaving Midway...and the other 3 were as well. The 4 of them are starting their own church as they feel God calling them to do. It's a lot to take in at once. And I have a lot of questions and confusion but who am I to question God's plan? He is the ultimate authority and His plan and His will would get done with or without these men....but I will tell you this: in my personal opinion, He could not pick a better group of men to fulfill His mission.

No, I've never been a huge fan of change when I am not in control of it. But, that's why God is God and not me. Things are going to change at our church...and I am not sure what that change is going to look like exactly...but I do know that before we make any decisions, that my knees need to be worn out from the floor. I have a lot of praying to do over this change and a lot of wisdom and clarity that needs to be given to me. It's going to be difficult. It's going to be different. It's going to be downright dramatic. But the phrase that keeps playing in my head over and over is this: I may not know what the future holds...but I know without a doubt Who holds the future. So, as long as HE is on the throne, everything is going to be alright.

Just a Little Bit of Everything...

Well, I haven't posted in a while because life has been so hectic lately.
I get home from work and spend time with Gabe, get him ready for bed, then try to relax a little bit before going to bed. But I have so much on my mind that I just need to post.

1. Work
Work is going well. My kids, for the most part, are pretty good. Being team leader is going well and I think I've pretty well settled into that role. Our team is organizing a fall festival in two weeks and by "our team," I mean mostly me. It's okay though. I know it'll be stressful but I think I'm doing okay with it now.

2. Gabriel
He is a mess! Always on the go! And FINALLY, I am happy to report, he is getting his first tooth. It has officially broken through the gum and is quite the sharp little thing. So at almost 9 months, he has his first tooth, about the same age I was. He wants to crawl all over the place, although he also likes to put everything in his mouth so we have to watch him closely. We took him to the park a few weeks ago and he absolutely loved the swing. His Aunt Tina bought him an outdoor swing to hang in a tree so hopefully we'll get to see them soon so she can give it to us. Can't wait to put him in it.

3. My Heart
There are some things that, of late, have been on my heart and mind. First of all, and I'm just throwing this out there...not to anyone in particular...but why is it that married couples deem it okay to throw the word divorce around when they are arguing or things are not going their way? I've noticed this a lot lately and it really bothers me. My hubby and I, no matter what arguments we might get into or how frustrated we may be with one another, agree DIVORCE is NEVER an option. It is never discussed, mentioned, or even thought about. I think if divorce is an option in your mind when you get married, then you probably should just forego those nuptials. Of course, there are situations that call for divorce and those 2 situations (infidelity & abuse) are understandable but just because one person is not doing what you expect them to do, does not warrant the word divorce to be thrown around. Just sayin'...

I've also been examining myself. I am by no means perfect. And my life has not been what I desire it to be lately. I have not been putting Christ first or even second. He has, unfortunately, been pretty much last in my life and I am so disgusted that this has been the case. I rejoined my church choir last week and it felt so good to be back with the people I have called family for the last 2 years. It felt as if I had never left and put a smile on my face when our worship pastor, Mike, told me, "Welcome home, Kayla." It truly felt like I was coming home after being away for so long. I need this. I enjoy choir practice and spending time with Godly people that are so much fun to be around but I also enjoy being able to help lead people into worship on Sunday morning. It's not about a show or about being "seen" for me. It's just that I think I put more into my own worship experience personally and I bring more to worship when I know that I am part of leading others.

I am so looking forward to the upcoming season. Fall, my 2nd favorite time of year, leads right into my favorite time. Our house is decorated for fall already and the week after our in laws move out, we'll be decorating for Christmas and organizing the rest of our home. We're going to Alabama for Christmas this year, something I haven't done in 5 years. I can't wait to see how Gabe reacts to the whole season.

So, that's my heart and mind. There's more that I want to say but I'm tired and am having more fun watching my niece walk around in her very unique way. Good night...

Oh My Son...

Why do you grow so fast?

When I look at you, I can hardly believe it has been over 8 months already since we brought you home. You have changed my life in so many ways and taught me so much about patience and love.

You seem to learn something new every day and sometimes, with me working full time, I feel like I miss out. I'm thankful I'm enjoying my students this year but I still wonder what you're doing with daddy constantly through out the day. You are so blessed to have such a good daddy that stays home with you and plays with you and enjoys his time with you.

At night when we put you to bed, your smile just melts my heart. We pray over you as you wiggle like a worm, smiling, standing, and grabbing at our shirts. You jabber for a few minutes and then fall right to sleep. I'm so thankful that you're a good sleeper at night...you always have been. I just wish sometimes that you would still sleep in our arms. I miss those days. I look back at pictures of when you were just a month or two old and cannot believe how quickly that time went by. I know everyone said it would and I knew it would...it just doesn't hit you how fast until it's gone.

You are so busy. You don't even sit still long enough for me to enjoy you sitting in my lap. I do hope you'll want to cuddle and snuggle with us maybe as you get older. But I must admit...it also makes me proud to know how independent you are and how determined you are. I hope that attitude will stay with you as you grow into a young man...I hope that means that you will be your own person and not swayed by the crowd. I want you to be a hard worker and have a never give up attitude. So far, you seem to have that down. When you're learning something new, that's all you want to do until you get it. It's what you did with rolling over, crawling, standing, and what you seem to be doing now with walking.

Walking...there's another thing mommy's just not ready for. You've already taken a few steps here and there and if you keep going the way you seem to be, you will be walking before Thanksgiving if not by the end of this month. Daddy and I really have to buckle down and start childproofing the house or we will have trouble on our hands. You tend to put EVERYTHING in your mouth which means we have to watch you like a hawk to make sure you don't get a hold of anything that could hurt you. Your hands migrate toward anything that seems to be new...so we definitely have to keep drinks out of your reach.

You still have no teeth...so I guess you'll just be gumming everything until you get them. I'm not sure what new foods I can introduce you to with you having no teeth. But we got brave tonight and broke off a tiny piece of a cookie. You loved it of course.

The holidays are approaching and I can't wait to take your picture in the pumpkin patch or get Christmas photos taken...which reminds me that I have to ask our favorite photographer, Karissa, if she can do them. I'm still planning your party and think I have decided to do it here. Instead of spending the money to rent a place, I'll spend that money to clean up and spruce up the patio which is something we want and need to do anyway.

I love you my sweet Baby Gabey and enjoy watching you learn and grow...even though I miss some things. You are my sweet precious sunshine....