"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Friday, April 25, 2008

Summer Studies

For those that might be interested, I wanted to share our newest Bible study line-up. Truth be told, I bubble over with excitement when it is finally complete...I can't NOT share it! :) MY plans for this summer was something small...I thought maybe four studies at the most. Well, my friends, God had other ideas. It just kept growing, right up until two days ago and we now have a full line-up with amazing studies and leaders!

Isn't that great variety?! Who could have done that but God?!

Half of these studies were promoted at the Beth Moore Conference (how cool is that?!) and we have already had a great response. The summer has potential to get rather large. I am excited and just incredibly honored to be a part of this eternal work that is SO much bigger than me. In way over my head, but it is all resting at Jesus' feet. These are His Bible studies...His ministry and His body being fed.

So...what do YOU think? Any suggestions or ideas - even for next time around? Have you taken any of these already? Love to hear your thoughts...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Knowing God's Will

It's not a mystery, it's not revealed in only circumstances and it isn't to be feared. I love how Randy Alcorn put this...it is so simple, straightforward and most importantly so true. Worth the read...really!

I love this promise...

"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

Praise You, Lord! I can be smarter than I am... :)

Monday, April 21, 2008

Playing Catch-up

While I am catching up on pictures - here are some from Easter...

Saturday, April 19, 2008

While Mommy Was At Beth Moore...

Had heard about this...saw the stains when I returned home but just found the pictures. Thought I'd share! :)

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Chuck E. Cheese

Connor started talking about his birthday back in January. Trying to explain the New Year to him, we mentioned his birthday would come again and then Summer's, Daddy's, Chloe's, Mommy's and then Christmas again...he didn't hear anything past "his birthday" and immediately starting making plans. He wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese and he wanted to bring Josh. That was it. Josh, his only boy cousin anywhere close to his age, and him have to stick together. Josh is so sweet with Connor and Connor adores him.

We loved this idea and was oh, so thrilled he never wavered from it...not once in three months - amazing for a three year old! And it wasn't because Summer, our social addict, didn't try to sway him. We let her invite Kayla but left it at that. Oh, it was driving her crazy. "Connor, you need to invite more people!" she would say constantly. At one point the guest list did up to Grandma, but even that didn't last. Josh was it as far as Connor was concerned.

So we went to Chuck E. Cheese and Josh and Kayla came along. I think all the kids loved it. I know our three had a blast! Josh was such a good sport to come. He toted the kids around with him and generously handed over some 600 tickets at the end. He is quite the kid.

Chloe was so much fun this trip! She walked all over that place! One thing to another as fast as her little legs would carry her. She loved it!! So different than on her birthday just six months ago. Her personality has really blossomed. She holds her own, even as the smallest in this family of five. Crazy, crazy girl, I tell you!

A few pictures for you...

I took this picture specifically for my dear MIL, a devote Deal or No Deal fan. (We will have to go to Chuck E. Cheese next time you come visit!) :) Each case held ticket amounts you could win...it really was fun! We only got to play it once each because it was by far the most popular...

Big-eyed bug girl...(AKA Summer)



I have no idea what was so fascinating about this ride, but they loved it...4 times in a row loved it...He was just a little excited...

just a little...

I thought for sure this year he would want a Spider-man cake since the past two have been car cakes and Spider-man is his newest obsession...but no...a monster truck cake was his request...

so a monster truck cake (cupcake cake - love those things!!) he got!

Monday, April 14, 2008

The Fair

Before I get into the fun of this weekend, let me catch-up on some fun that happened last weekend...

We all headed to the fair! The big attraction was Josh and his chickens! That was our first stop (well, right after the corn dog stand - I LOVE fair food!) and we were so excited to see Josh had won three blue ribbons and one red ribbon! Yea, Josh!! His rooster was by far the best looking one there...just gorgeous colors! Here you can see for yourself...
The kids went around to see all the animals and we came back to find Grandma and Grandpa hangin' out by some pretty cool golf carts...(fitting) :)
After saying bye to Josh, I walked Mom and Dad back to their car and then came back in search of my little family. I hear someone call my name. I turn around - no one there. I kept walking but then I hear again, "Mindy! Look up!" so I did...
Here let me give you a closer look...
We squeezed in a bit more fun before the rain...

And then grabbed some cotton candy (did I mention I LOVE fair food?!) and made it to the car before the down-pour! Can't get much better than that!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

One Year

Holy cow! I can't believe it! It has been a year of blogging...so fun! I have spent some time looking over my posts...trying to figure out just how to commemorate this date.

Really...I love being able to look back on the every day stuff...like this or this.

Your comments are always so much for me...some posts with the most are here and here.

Some special moments for me...My Bible, My Daily Bread and Copeland.

The kids...so Summer, so Connor and I love this of Chloe.

And of course, who could forget Shawn?

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Living Proof Live! Day 2

Day 2...I have to admit it is a bit foggy. Despite the night before, I still dragged myself into my seat at 7:30 am and tried not to fall asleep while waiting for it to start. After a late night of talking with a dear friend (so fun!) I then laid awake (so NOT fun) until the wee hours of the morning.

But praise God for notes! My notes from this day have changed my life - I am not exaggerating (right now at least). I read them often and they really had altered my perception on my daily life. So, it is from them I will share...

What God has called you to do is beyond you. No kidding...boy, do I know this to be true.

What holds us back from taking hold of what God has for us?

1. Dread - daily rehearsing every advance defeat. It is unbelief. It counters the grace of God. It disbelieves that God's grace will not be given in our time of need. My toes are still hurting from this one, but I so needed to hear this. Remember my obsession with manna? This reminded me...I have to believe that God will be there to meet my needs in my time of need. I can not store the manna I need for tomorrow today. I have caught myself in dread more times than I can count since last Saturday. I never realized just how many hours I spend in worry. So sad. What a huge waste of time.

2. Comparison - we get distracted by what is beside us. We compare feelings. We compare callings. Ouch again. My future is in front of me...not behind me and not beside me either. I have my own calling. The body of Christ working together...each doing their own part, utilizing their own gifts...and the resurrection power available to us. We could change the world (again, NOT exaggerating). We really could. We compare hardships. If God were to give me a new passion in my sphere of influence, could I handle it? If I don't embrace my hardships, I suffer in vain. They are designed to bring God glory. I pray I will gather my manna as I need this and glorify God in all things...

3. Conflict - move on...literally.

4. Difficulty - its not about what you are dreading, it is about what IS...it is about your reality. Is your reality "killing" you? God will raise the dead. Resurrection power is available to you everyday...one day at a time. He will give you what you need. He will be strong for you.

This day held some difficult lessons...but good ones, indeed.

My most favorite part and something I long for everyday...

What happens at the finish line?
"...but our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)

1. A new city! A real life city!
"For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10)

2. A new body! Christ took on ours, so we can take on His.
"He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself." (Philippians 3:21)

3. A new home!

4. Jesus' face!!!!!
"They will see His face..." (Revelation 22:4)

What more can I say?

Thank you, Lord!!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Five Things

This is a much delayed tag post from Tara. Sweet Tara, you probably think I forgot...truth be known, this took some thought. Most of the thought fell under the "do I really want to share these things?" category. Well, here I am throwing caution to the wind and sharing five little known things about myself...

1. I gave birth (yes all three times) with a towel over my head. I know at least two of my readers - who witnessed this - are enjoying this moment. :) Let me try to explain... When it came time for Summer to arrive, my sheer panic paralyzed me. I was completely useless...couldn't get passed the reflection of myself in the TV and my doctor's glasses. "Somebody get me towel!" I yelled. Over my head it went and I could once again function enough to push. Twenty minutes later, we had a baby girl. Seemed to work well. Soooo...the next two times, whenever it came time for the nurse to ask if I wanted a mirror, I would feel that panic again..."No, but a towel, please." :)

2. For awhile in high school (and maybe college?) I was a vegetarian. For no other reason other than I didn't like meat. I still could do without it for the most part. Except for bacon...mmmm...I love me some bacon!

3. I haven't always been a Packer fan (gasp!). I had rebellious streak (again during high school and college) and switched over to the cowboys (what was I thinking??). At the time, I guess it was just more fun to have some competition going around the house. Shawn was the one who brought me back to my roots. I met him, settled down and dug out my cheese head.

4. My absolute favorite thing is to have my toes pinched. I have no idea when this started. I have fond memories of laying down on the floor by my dad's chair with my feet up in his lap so he could pinch them. Now the responsibility has fallen to Shawn. Wow, he really loves me, huh?

5. I have to (yes, HAVE TO) make my bed everyday (yes, EVERYDAY). I can not function well if I don't begin my day by making the bed. Granted, the rest of the house can be in complete chaos, but if my bed is made...all is well in my little world.

Whew! I actually did it. Well, that should make up for my lack of posting for awhile. :) I tag...anyone! Even if you don't have a blog, I would love to read your answers in a comment!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Living Proof Live! Day 1

Two weeks ago I had the awesome privilege of attending a Living Proof Live event with Beth Moore. I have started numerous posts to try to sum it up, but words beyond "amazing" fail me. Amazing...amazing...amazing...

I spent the days before the conference pleading earnestly for God to meet me there. My prayers were not ones of a saint...my heart was ugly, far from loving, angry even. I pleaded with God because I knew I didn't deserve Him...but I also knew I desperately needed Him. Praise God for His grace...that gives you not what you deserve but what you need...and more.

He met me there. Actually, I think He was there waiting...waiting for all 14,500 of us.

Before Beth ever touched the stage, my heart leaped as I read this verse on the screen:

"Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead. I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 12-14)

At that moment, I knew God had kept our date - in spite of me. You see, I felt God give me that verse earlier this year (I even mentioned it here) when my heart was so longing for Heaven I wanted to go NOW. He put this verse in my heart and I have clung to it often. Not that my desire for Heaven is wrong, I still earnestly desire to be where He is, but I cling to this verse to remind me I have reasons to run...to finish this race and to finish strong.

But I did anything but run into that conference that Friday night I was stumbling the whole way.

"What do you want Me to do for you?" (Matthew 20:32) Jesus, please give me a reason to run!

Boy, did He ever...

Just a few highlights - bits and pieces - of that first amazing night I never want to forget...

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 1:18-20)

When will I get this...really get this? I have resurrection power available to me every day...every single, ordinary day. It's available, but do I tap into it? What would happen if I did?

"Forgetting what is behind..." Whatever God has for me is not behind me... I am going to go where I am looking... Face forward!

Happy Birthday, Connor!!