How do we get there from here?

I want community. I want to be challenged. I want to love deeply and genuinely care for others. I want to be a part of a group of people who walk together. I'm tired of church. I'm tired of games. I don't want to walk around the same corners as everyone before me and pass "go" all over again. I want LIFE and I want it abundantly. This past Sunday as I saw people gather around a nine year old who had just lost her father, I thought, "this is the body, this is what Jesus was talking about." How do we keep walking with her? How about the girl on the street, in Wal-mart, at the mall, the one in the pew in front of me? Does she yearn for community too? Is there something she wants to share. I believe small group studies go on for hours for a million reasons. One is that we just want to share our stories. In a world of so many ways to communicate, we have lost our ability to connect. I think many of us are realizing that. We want sit, eat, drink coffee, and just talk. It's not new. 50 years ago the women called it quiliting. I don't think that sat together in a room and said nothing. They played games in the yard and neighbors actually knew each other names. No, our generation doesn't want anything real radical. We just want to recapture what was lost in Gen X's pursuit of independence. We recognize it is okay to be dependent on each other. To be dependent on God. We are comfortable with saying "I don't know." We agree to pray and usually, we mean it. And, we will not accept or tolerate fake. We'll see right through you. We have been for years. Maybe the church is scared of postmoderns because of this. We were cute for a long time. Now, we are "young adults." The church overall seems to have a difficult time attracting us. I wonder when they'll realize that if you try to attract us, you will repel us. Wooing us to a building is fake. Wooing us to a relationship is real. It's never about programs, curriculum, service times, or basketball. It's about relationships. It always has been. We aren't radical. We are just reminding everyone that Jesus is a who. Who wants to meet him with us?

Smart baby

Hey, I've never posted a video here before, but we'll see if this works. We taught Natalie to count to three today...we think she's pretty smart. Have a great week!

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I love Uncle DJ and Aunt Sarah

Dear Uncle DJ and Aunt Sarah,
I want you to know I was almost stripped at church on Sunday for wearing this outfit. Many Gator people mistook it for a Georgia Bulldogs outfit. Once they saw the Reds they spared me. I left with my dress still on and I did look super cute. Daddy says he only let me wear it because Mr. Ryan was in town too. Mommy said I could wear it when I wanted. I love you both!
Natalie (the best niece in the world)

I'm a walking oxymoron...

An excerpt from my prayer journal. A rare glimpse into the crazy, swirling, thoughts inside my head.

8-13-07

"Dear Father,

Let's get real. Well, you're always real~I'm great at pretend. I'm a walking oxymoron. I've always wanted to work in a hospice. I love the city. I can do anything. All I want is to stay home with Natalie. I have to get out of the house. I trust you to provide money. I must get out and make some money. I hate the city. I miss Iowa. I hate the state of Iowa. I miss all the people in Iowa. Except her. I should love her and forgive her, but I haven't and I don't. I miss all my friends in WV. I only have a few friends. I want more friends. I don't want to spend the time it takes to build real relationships. I want to be authentic. I like my big, tall, walls. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I am so wishy-washy all of the time. I need you Lord. You are the only constant thing in my life. And, even, with you ~I crave everything about you ~ yet I so easily wander and lose focus. Heather said 'only you can change my heart.' 'Only you can change my heart.' 'Only you can change my heart.'

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\____________________________

Only you. Only you. How do I give it to you to change? Do I have to? Will you just take it? Please? I'm slow. I'm unresponsive. I grab onto you for the shock. We get a good rhythm and I get up and move. I don't want to move anymore. I need you. Please keep me Lord. Please save me...from myself. I know I was created in your image to bring you glory. Please make me look more like you and most of all forgive me. Please always and daily be my Savior. Please make me bring you glory. Thank you that you are God. Thank you most of all that I am not. You are God. I'm an oxymoron.

In Jesus' name,
Amen"

Two pictures...

Today has been a good day. Have a great week!

8 random things

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read their blog.

Before I tell you 8 random facts about me I must tell you that we spent the last couple of days with Grandmama, Natalie's Great-Grandmama. We had a lot of fun with the family and can't wait to make it back over soon. Natalie is talking more and more. She learned to say "shshshoes" the other day. Chris is already clutching his wallet quite tightly. She also says "bubbles" and "uh-oh". We thought uh-oh was so cute, but since she is using it appropriately, I'm learning to jump fast when she says this. Here are the pics and then, hang on for the random facts.


Natalie eating breakfast with Aunt Pam. Natalie is a big eater and this was her third breakfast of the morning.









Grandmama and Natalie are having a good time looking at each other. Natalie is giving out a kiss in the next picture.




Natalie is attacking Dustin...then the Jack in the Box is attacking Natalie. She thought this thing was hilarious, but she a little afraid too...














8 Random Facts about me...

1. I rarely ever drive with my shoes on...

2. I discovered yesterday that jelly fish really do sting every part of your body they touch.

3. I cannot run effectively in water.

4. I hate go carts.

5. I do not like any creature that God created on the fifth day. If it has wings or scales, I have no need for it.

6. I hardly ever use a pillow.

7. I always check the protein content of my chocolate, it makes me feel better.

8. I sleep with Christopher Robin ;-)

Now, I'm tagging Mom, Dad, DJ, Sarah, Beth, Scott D., Aunt Martha, and finally, my hubby. I'd better here back from you all! (For anyone interested, click on Megan, she has the best list.)

Miracle Bash

Yesterday we had a back to school bash at the church. I should say, God had a back to school bash at the church. He blessed us by allowing us to bask in His presence. He brought over 1500 people to the church. He gave away 680 backpacks, complete with school supplies each child would need. He gave away clothes and shoes and jewelery. He gave away modern day loaves and fishes that we call hot dogs and hamburgers. He fed over 1300 people, and we had just enough left over. People walked into the door and asked Ms. Alma and me,

"are the school supplies really free?"

"yes."

How bout the clothes, are they really free?"

"yes, it's all free."

"Even the snow cones, the hot dogs, and the Bibles."

"Definitely, free, enjoy your day."

"The inside games, the face painting and stuff."

"Seriously, no strings, it's all free have fun."

That conversation was repeated literally a thousand times. I can't tell you how many miracles we each saw yesterday. We had mostly the same backpacks, with a few exceptions. We had all the same ones left for the middle schoolers. I picked up the bag and handed it to a cute 6th grader. As I picked it up, there was a backpack underneath I hadn't seen before. He stopped, stared, and said, "mam, can I have that one, that's the one I've been wanting." My answer, "yes, God put it here just for you today." I've never seen brighter eyes. God gave a homeless woman school supplies for her kids, clothes, food, and most of all hope." We're going to keep working with her. Parents that can't afford to take their kids on vacation, thanked workers countless times for the day. They told us their kids NEVER get to do anything like this because they can't afford it. And, there was the woman who came to church this morning. I had the privilege of sitting next to her. She thanked the church for the supplies for her grand kids. And for the baby stuff for her daughter's child, due in a few months. She said she had to come and see these people today who loved others so much. Miracle, after miracle, after miracle. We did nothing fancy. We gave out free food, free clothes, and free school supplies. We had games. God, He did all the fancy stuff. He made backpacks appear and kept the food and drinks coming. He gave out the laughter and the music. He painted faces and handed out His word. He laughed, hugged, kissed, and talked. He is God, and He showed up to do what God does. Miracles. One man asked why everything was free. Our go to guy-Paul-said because God's love, it's free.

Free. Miracles for the taking... Anyone interested? ;-)

Some pics from the day...

PS. We had four huge slides, sitting on our retention pond. We had a lot of rain this week. This ground should have had several inches of water standing it after all the rain Friday. On Saturday morning it was dry...lots of miracles.