Crumbs from a full plate...

Was it worth it?

Amy led the Outreach Team who hosted a ladies luncheon yesterday for us at FRCC. Here is a letter she wrote to her team that evening, which touches on that age old question we all have sometimes - Is it worth it?

Of course it was - was there ever any doubt? 

The gym was almost unrecognizable it was SO lovely... the music was inspiring...the stage was festive and lovely...the centerpieces were the talk of the lunch...the food was yummy (it could have been a lot warmer...but it was yummy)...Rachel's talk was ordained and unforgettable...the tech team made everything flow seamlessly...the truffles were delicious...the books were well received...the MC made her job look effortless...the volunteers served with joy...

Nothing compares, though, to the 11 woman who made a decision to accept the gift of Jesus today and indicated they did so when they checked the box on the the comment card!!! As the cards were counted and we had one we decided "it was well worth it for one". God allowed us to be witnesses and share in the rejoicing of 11 souls. As the music played and "Glory" was sung in the background I couldn't help but wonder if that was what they were singing in heaven.

So,  Thank you again for your part whatever it was it was well worth it.  What a privilege it is to see the body work together each way different but just as important for God's glory. Look what happens when women say "Yes" to God to be used as He chooses, to sacrifice time, to use our gifts, to add something else to our busy schedule when we don't see how we possible could... What a gift God has given us in allowing us to know that 11 lives were so touched. Pray for these ladies and how their lives will change and affect others.

I am in awe of His goodness and grateful for each of you...

Why there are 2nd children

For me, delivering a message is like havin a baby. The Kick-off this weekend began the season where I will be preparing and delivering messages on a pretty regular basis within women's ministry. I love to speak and I especially love to talk about how to apply God's word. And just like when you get pregnant, it starts when someone suggests it and after a few moments of fun  you're committed. The date is set - the speaking engagement is set.

Then  you enter a period of time where you are excited about this future event, you daydream about the possibilities and you even tell people excitedly that you are going to do this thing. Any work done during this time actually can be considered fun and is heavily influenced by anticipation.

Then it's time. Time to as Beth Moore says, "just do the thing!" And it's hard, and it hurts and you don't have a choice cause you committed. And finally the focus of all your excitement emerges. Then you enter that place where you are thrilled, everyone is pleased and even the relief feels good. You know you did your  best and after looking at that tiny  baby you realize how much God had to do with it anyway. It was all beyond you.

Then someone suggests another message (baby) and you totally forget all that hard work and say with a slight lift to your voice - Oh, I would love to!

Totally hit the target

I'm a little late talking about the Ladies' Link kick-off. In short, it was a success.

There were a lot of highlights for me about the Kick-Off event, so here are a few in no apparent order.

• 140 Ladies joined us to connect with God and with each other
• I was able to share that vision of why we do what we do - it's all about traveling farther down the journey.

• 17 women of FRCC taught breakouts - that made me tearful to see the time, effort and willingness to share their talents and what God had taught them.

• The largest 4 breakouts all centered on either the theme of making our home a priority of the theme of reaching others for God - both should be the heartbeat of a Godly woman.

• The team that pulled this off Rocks! No fussin, no complainin, just sheer joy to serve.

• At breakfast this morning they were all interrupting each other with ideas for next year.

• Comments are coming in that people were challenged, encouraged and changed.

16 Years Since This Kiss

  

Doing a little shopping

I have been online looking at baby occupying options. Things like this seem good while said baby is really small.  It would allow a woman to have her hands free and type, or walk around in the course of her job. But, said baby will certainly learn to move around as well and need to sleep some on the job. So, here is a good option. According to the title this is the "stroller extreme" which will be really good when Mom needs to carry her lap top into the building and make trips from the chapel to the office and the office to the chapel. Seems sturdy enough and even kind of fun with the orange lining. But, eventually baby is going to get bored with life at FRCC and so we will need the entertainer.   Doesn't this look fun? Just makes you wanna crawl up beside your momma and wait patiently while she copies and folds a newsletter doesn't it?

Some of you are wondering if I'm gonna make an announcement about now? Well, I am making an important announcement - Brenda isn't leaving Ladies' Link! Many of you wondered when you heard Mark say that he did all this so Brenda could stay home with the kids including the new baby - what is Shelley gonna do without her admin. wonder girl? It's okay to question, cause I've already admitted how much I need her.

But, he's talking about her other job. The  big one, you might even say the real one. Whew! So, here at Ladies' Link we're shopping for ideas to help care for little baby Lambrecht.

Of course, for the first few weeks I'm willing to just hold the baby and let Brenda do all the work!

Summer Spectacular

Click to play

Steven Curtis Chapman

In today's world of instant media, tragedy affects us all quicker. We have ringside seats to what is happening in other's lives and when it is something we can imagine happening to us - we tend to stare harder. That is what has happened to the Chapman family when their daughter was killed in an accident at their home.  One of my immediate thoughts was "I don't know how I would handle that? What would that feel like?"

Over the last few months as I have heard SCC songs on the radio I have often wondered what it feels like to have to live out what you have said you believe. The world is watching to see if this tragedy will destroy this family; "how will they react? Will they turn their back on God?" "Will this change their message?" 

The redemption of the tragedy begins with Good Morning Americaon the week of August 4th, and  Larry King Live on August 7th. In addition, the Chapman's - Steven and his sons Will and Caleb returned to the stage last night here in WI. Glory to God!

Blogging Live from the Budget Summit

Update: The Summit is over. We worked 6 hours on it, which Joe estimates is about 9 good man hours with my little wandering problem. It feels good to have a plan...

Joe and I are in the midst of a budget meeting. It has been 3 months since I confessed to Joe that our finances were in a shambles and we began to work on fixing things...this meeting is just one small step in the process. More and more we are leaning to have good conversations and really communicate.

One of the things we learned that really resonated with us at FPU was Dave Ramsey's explanation of how each family tends to have both a nerd and a free-spirit and they have to learn to work together. Both are very helpful and valid positions, but if they don't learn to respect each other then it messes up the  process. (and creates lots of fights!) Of course, Dave cautions the nerd about making the meeting into a summit as the free spirit only has a 15 minute attention span.

To let you in on who is what in our house...here is a rundown of the afternoon.

Shelley's activities:

• Suggest we clean up the savings accounts
• go for snacks
• change the laundry
• look over Joe's shoulder and comment on savings accounts
• whine about the number of accounts Joe has set up
• ask if the date night category can actually be a new couch fund
• go for a 2nd snack
• make a list of jobs for Joe to do around the house
• decide to blog

Joe's activities:

• begin to clean up savings accounts
• stare at screen thinking
• question what would shelley's tendency be so he can outsmart it
• change all auto savings line items to automobile line items
• nibble on snacks and smile at wife
• stare at screen thinking
• finish cleaning up accounts
• explain the whole process to shelley

Seriously, I praise God for a nerd of a husband. His ability to not only sit in the chair long enough to work things out, but to love me in my need to multi-task and move around is wonderful. Together we make great plans and together we will hopefully accomplish them!

His chair

He got to sit in his chair today.

Let me explain. Lately the Gallamore family has been storing their socks in the dining room in a basket. And when Joe came down dressed yesterday all except socks he sat on the couch to put his socks on his feet. Looking across at an occasional chair that I had piled high with papers I needed to sort out, he said, "I would rather sit in that chair to put my socks on." (Notice he didn't mention wanting to store his socks in the dresser upstairs)

Inwardly, I groaned cause I wasn't really planning on sorting out those papers any time soon. But, I smiled and listened as he explained that when he comes down in a dark suit and sits on the couch to put on socks the dogs inevitably jump up to sit by him and then he has dog hair on his pant leg. In the smaller chair they can't join him. Makes sense...but, creates work for me.

But, I was reminded of the importance of compromise in marriage. Compromise says that the relationship matters more my preference, my rights or my desires. That I would be willing to serve another more than or before I serve myself. So, I cleaned out the chair. It didn't take long and it is those small things that add up to something bigger in a relationship. Now, maybe I can find time to sort the socks.

Another Hat

I got another hat tonight...that of PTA president of Randall Elementary for the next two years. Yeah, I know...I thought long and hard about it. (that is the first question most people ask me)  But, as you can guess from the title of this blog, I don't like to leave any extra time on the table.

And, even more importantly I want to be invested in my kids school. Invested goes beyond helping a little and being aware of what happens during or after the fact...I want to be able to decide a few things. Or at least know that I gave my opinion. So, when the position became available I took the plunge...hopefully the hat will fit well!

A National Holiday

Today is my 36th birthday. I have matured to the point that I am relatively content with my life and not hung up on the "stuff" of a birthday...but, I still enjoy the attention. (and at 36, my  need for attention may never go away!)

When I got to Bible Study today they had hung a sign over the coffee. I said to Brenda, "why did you let them do that?" and she replied "oh, it get's better!" I understood what she meant when they sang Happy Birthday to me after worship and all the ladies pulled out little birthday horns. What fun! I had several sweet cards and little gifts, plus the girls brought home a cool present from my Momma and Daddy.

Then Joe came home in the middle of the day and took us all to Qdoba for lunch - my total favorite. He had also stopped at Dairy Queen for an ice cream cake with my name and spongebob on it. Just what my kids wanted him to pick out. I totally felt the love!

Responsible kind of love

It's really the responsible stuff that speaks volumes of love. Joe got up this morning and met a lady at our kitchen table to have blood drawn, height and weight checked and answered tons of health questions. It is all part of the process of obtaining new and additional life insurance. As I explained to the kids...Daddy loves us so much he wants to make sure we are taken care of even if he isn't here to do it.

Thanks honey for being responsible. Thanks for getting up every morning and going to work. Thanks for interrupting your sleep to chase away bad dreams. Thanks for cleaning up dog throw up so I can pretend like it didn't happen. Thanks for  hours of shoveling and starting my car so early that I fuss at you. Thanks for just smiling when I throw a fit and giving me that patronizing pat that says, "don't worry honey I am keeping track of the calender." Thanks for driving all over WI so our kids can play sports and sitting through 6 hour days to watch 4 minutes of gymnastics. Thanks for having my back and telling the kids "you mess with your momma, you just messed with me!"

Thanks for almost 16 years...and thanks for telling me this morning that you would do it all over again!

My Hero

These are the hands of my hero ... 

Yes, those are the guts of my dishwasher he is holding. We took the picture to make sure he could put it back together because he took it totally apart to find out what was wrong with it. After checking out parts on the GE website, we realized why we live in such a throw away society - to order all the parts included in the "guts" of the dishwasher only added up to $637 and that wasn't the section for the door or the trays, etc. This was for the dishwasher we bought new for less than $300. Obviously, they don't plan for people to fix their stuff...just replace it. But, Joe persevered and finally found a piece of glass deep inside of something and the removal of it fixed it! Yeah! And the best part...free! And even better..no soap in his mouth!

Anyone out there?

Can I tell you how much I like comments? So far today I know that my Daddy didn't like my blogging break and that Kim Littlefield thinks I'm weird. Which is okay, since she is weird as well. So, what about the rest of you - anyone out there? Anyone reading my blog? Comments make me feel not so alone in the world which is probably why I blog the most - basic attention seeking. :)

So, drop me a line and let me know  you're there...it will make us both happy!

A Time of Beauty

Last night was a real treat...we closed out a semester of Women's Bible Study with a tea party for all the leaders. Beautiful tables, lots of chocolate and yummy food and laughter! It was a great evening as everyone visited and caught up with the ladies they have worked with all fall. Check out these beautiful tables!

   

Even more beautiful than the tables were the stories that were shared and the ladies who are gathered around them. I have learned to dearly love each of them this year through the process of trying to encourage and pray for them.  I raised the question "have you wasted the last 11 weeks?" The answer is no and the stories that were shared made it more than evident that God has been at work in the lives and groups this fall. But sometimes if we don't take time to remember the life change we saw take place we run the risk of feeling like the time is wasted. And if we feel like we are wasting our time, we will start to act like what we are doing isn't important. I think God knew we would feel that way and that is why he tells us clearly to "not  be weary in doing good!" Because doing good is tiring at times. And the little by little change we see around us starts to seem like nothing. That is why each lady left this event with a "stories and praises journal" created by the WBS team as an encouragement to keep track of those little examples of God's work. And then as we look back at those memories we will feel much less weary!

Praises

Here is my favorite part of my job...

-someone appearing in my office doorway to say "I don't know what you're going to plan to top this Bible study in my life, cause it is amazing. I thought I knew all about end times until I studied it this week."

-someone else stopping me to say with tears in her eyes "I can't watch my favorite TV show any more because scripture says "I will set no evil thing before me...and it is pure smut". The best part was when she continued saying "I'm still upset with God, but I know it is what I should do". I know that feeling.

-Eating lunch with someone and hearing how they have been impacted by the special events here at FRCC and how God has changed their life and be able to invite them to lead the special events team.

-Listening to the sweet lady who shared that she told a friend that this Bible study was different, cause we don't just study - we apply it!

It's a great job and I am so privileged to partner with these people. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

A New Year

Yeah!!! School starts next week! For us school provides much needed purpose for the kids...it brings structure to our days in a way that nothing else ever has. And it allows me to put my whole mind into my job for 6 hours each day.

September is also the new year for me...it is a time of getting back on track, starting new regiments with the kids and focusing on new things. I don't think I am alone. With fall comes an end to the "playing" of summer and it seems like we all get back to business...

Next week we will celebrate this time of new beginning at our fall kickoff...Standing Steady. This event is designed to give you a chance to focus on your spiritual life in the new year and make sure to connect with God and other women. It's a chance to be challenged and encouraged by Rachel Inouye as she brings great messages about making your life count and ways to build intimacy with God. We also have planned really practical breakouts - things designed to help you in the new year like organization, planning meals and getting along with others.   

Another great part to this event is that we have included girls ages 12-17 in it. I feel strongly (and am feeling more as my kids get older) that we must include them in the things we do at church on a regular basis. It isn't enough to send our children off to youth group (although it is valuable), we must expose them to us and our pursuit of God. Ladies...if you have a teen daughter I can't stress enough how important I think it is that you bring her with you. If you don't have a daughter - but you know a young girl who would  benefit from a day with you...grab her and bring her along. We've got great breakouts designed just for them dealing with modesty, friendship and dealing with our multi-media world.

Join me on September 8th for a great start to the new year! 

Vacation

We picked up the word 'cation to call a fun trip when Abby was little. Many of her cute words like "lasterday" for yesterday  and "beltseat" for seatbelt have disappeared from daily use. But now it is time as we head out with the kids for a week at Buffalo Lake Wisconsin to return to a simplier life...a time of 'cation.

I am not sure on the whole blogging thing while I am gone...who knows??? Otherwise, check  back next week and I will start telling secrets about the fall programing.

New Look

What do you think of the new look? I always wanted to look cool... At the Proverbs31 Conference I got the name of a lady who designs blogs and headers and came home determined to contact her. I think it is amazing that based off a simple email and the name of my blog, she was able to capture my desired "look" so easily. Thanks Dawn...I am pleased!

Lots to listen to...

I have discovered a great new resource! Elmbrook Church's Women2Day has placed many (or all?) of their messages online for free download...what a wonderful thing! I spent the time this morning while balancing my checkbook listening to a great message from Laurie McIntyre on Flats, Potholes and Roadblocks. Check it out here.

A really good tired!

It has been a big day for me today...let me share all that has happened...

• My friend Mary who is actually good at cleaning joined me for the day to clean my house in honor of spring. Big task you say? Yep! But, we accomplished it.
• I survived getting my teeth cleaned which is really one of my least favorite things. I am always relieved to have that over with for 6 months.
• My sister called to invite me to come home for her wedding reception. Not only am I thrilled for her on the news, but now I HAVE to go home and visit everyone. It's no longer just my whim, but a "family duty!"
• There were at least 30 ladies who came tonight to "dream" with me about Women's Ministry at FRCC...I genuinely love a crowd!
• My daughter spent the evening babysitting for someone at their home, and when I asked "were you scared?" just looked at me and said, "well no, why would I be?"

Did I mention that my entire house is clean? I actually gave tours this afternoon - sorry if you missed it.

Delightful Indulgence

I'm all packed up and headed out for the FRCC Women's Retreat at Ostoff Resort in Elkhart Lake...this should be fun! Check back often and I will try to blog live from the event.

Great friends, food, and time away! What more could we want?

Grown Up Night

Last night was the first Mom Time sponsored Grown Up Night at FRCC...it was a blast. More than 75 people came to eat, laugh and get to know each other. There was a lot of laughter. Gretchen did a great job putting together some really fun games...it was great to see all the uses for a toliet brush!

Tami Kallenberger and I had the fun job of cooking all the food...we had fun in the kitchen and got to cook a lot of our own personal favorites. Lots of people asked me for recipes, which is sorta hard for me as I don't cook from actual recipes very often. (the total reason I can't make cookies!) But, I have attempted to write down the method and ingredients for the main dishes and you can download them Download grown_up_nite_recipes.pdf . I tried to write down how to make cheese dip - but, anyone interested will just have to come over and make it with me. Just let me know when you want to come over...I love to have a person to help me stir. 

Christmas Top 10

Top 10 favorite parts of Christmas 2006

1. Hearing the giggles as my kids played with their cousins
2. Hanging out with my brother, sister and SIL
3. Seeing my kids faces when they opened gifts they really liked
4. Sitting at the bar watching my mom cook meals
5. Watching my Daddy putz around his building with my brother
6. Spending time with my Granny...
7. Cracking up while Sam told the Christmas story to the family
8. Listening to Abby play Joy to the World on the piano
9. Sitting between Sam and Megan during the Christmas Eve service and realizing why my Mom always wanted us home
10. Going home again!

 

Snow Day!

We woke up this morning with a lot of snow on the ground...SNOW DAY! Here are some pictures of the kids playing outside.

The "Big Event"

Last night out family attended "the big event" for home teams. It was a time of praise and worship led by the High School band and then sharing about what home teams had meant in our lives. We took all the kids and then suffered a little fussing in the car when we told them that they had to actually sit with us and participate...rather than go to childcare. 

We ended up on the second row, because that is where the kids choose.   During the introduction, Pastor Eric said that we were going to have the music, and then an open mike for sharing of stories...things God had done, ways we were changed by being in a home team, etc.  Sam was standing by me and leaned over and said "I have a story, do I have to tell it?" I told him no and then went back to the music. When we sat down, he told me again that he had a story. I said "tell me" and he whispered it to me.  What he told me was a sincere and honest declaration of his faith, but the whole room was full of grown ups talking and I wasn't sure that it was okay. Plus, who wants to give an 8 year old an open mike in a serious meeting?

He continued to tug on my arm all through the stories...often critiquing what the adults had to say in light of his own story. At one point after an adult told a rambling story of healing...he said "well, okay, I guess I could just tell them about the time Heath broke his arm and I prayed for him".  He seemed really determined to tell his story and began to try to get Pastor Eric's attention at the front.

Finally, he told me "momma, if you would ask for the mike, they would give it to you and then you could give it to me."   So, I raised my hand and Mr. Miller brought the mike over to me.  I introduced myself and briefly explained that this was our first time participating in a home team, and that it had meant a lot to my family. Specifically, it has provided our family with a circle of adults who are helping mentor and love our children. Then I told them that it was actually my son Sam who wanted to tell his story.  Then I handed the mike to Sam and he said...

"Hi, my name is Sam and when I was 5 and 6, I didn't really believe in God. And now since I have been 8, I have been going to service more and I want to say that now I believe in God."

Wow, what a statement! I was so proud of him! And lately it has been on my mind a lot that I want to insure my children love God and serve Him...but sometimes I worry about how to do that. So, for today, I can mark it down...Sam believes!