things i have been thinking of..

ok- so your life changes a bunch when you lose someone close- i have learned that over the last year and half.

family is so important to me and trusting God with all things has been a matter of priority-

hold those you love close to you- make sure you tell those you love in fact you do love them-

don't sweat the small stuff- still learning this-

read your Bible daily and look to God for the answers-

we are not promised tomorrow- so what are you doing today to make a difference- I try and think of that daily- sometimes I don't think I make a difference for that day and probably do not. working on that

saturday i had the opportunity to walk through a park in downtown tampa- looking around i thought who are touching these lives that are here- there were many homeless in the park- why can we no make a difference in their lives-

reach out to those who may not know what God is all about- pour love into their lives - if you can meet their need meet it- your life will be changed by touching their life

i have been off a lot lately- i love my job- i love reaching into kids lives - i love our lifegroups-
there is just something not quite right though- still trying to figure it all out - and will i am sure- normally do

so get out there make a difference- what do you have to lose. remember make sure you tell those you care about that you care about them-

5 guests today and...

well we had 5 guests today in Kidzone- they were awesome kids and i hope we see them back- which means we would have had to overflow into the hallway if everyone was there today- that is a good problem-
We talked about things we deal with and what the Bible says about it-

Something the kids are loving is Quizarama- we have some smart kids in which they know their Bible- some of the younger ones just buzz in to buzz in and at times know the answer- its awesome to see them retain what they learn.

now the and..

busy months ahead but it will be good- track starts soon and we will be going on vacation and then Marcus will have camps-

then football will start- yes you read it he wants to play football which is fine- i will love watching him play-  will keep you posted

we get through...

God is so funny- not hahaha- but sometimes the word he brings through church is so timely. I will be honest with you and sometimes I feel a lone ( i know I am not) but we talked about what to do when you know someone who needs comfort - the do and not do list.
I think my biggest pet peeve and it was brought up was do not tell the person you know what they are going through- you may have been through similar things but you do not know what they feel or what is going on inside- just be there to listen to them - maybe even be quiet - cry with them - drink coffee with them.

we lost mom in august of 2011 but some days it feels like yesterday- oh we get through but have not gotten over it- Marcus questions at times and honestly i do too- sometimes things are done or said to set off the emotions again--lately been thinking there is a hole in my heart that is not closed-

comfort words that do not help- she is in a better place - well... maybe she is not sick anymore but she is not here so i would disagree with you there- i know i can not change the fact she is gone- I get that- that does make up for the void though-


so we do get through- most days we get through well-  .....we never get over it though

We held on to hope

Well almost a year ago we found out my aunt had breast cancer ( this was just 6 months after my mom passed away)- its been a tough long hall over the last year or so with all that was going on for my uncle and aunt- but ...
We serve a great big God and yesterday I received some awesome news- my aunt is in remission and I am so thrilled for them and their family-

Now as my uncle would say let the partying begin!
We love you Aunt Cheryl- You are a survivor!

How could I doubt

 that was then- wow how could I doubt and question raising this little guy

 into this young man- I am so blessed. I shake my head often to think where we have come from- in fact tonight Marcus and I were just talking about the day our lives changed forever - the day I had to call Coach Gig and then the sheriff's department- Marcus holds no bitterness and he says he knows that everyone was just trying to help him.

Our conversations are so open and so awesome- he asks such pertinent things to life-

How was I the fortunate one to be his mom- God allowed me to go through what we did so we can see where we are going- Marcus and I talk a lot and now I smile so much more - I love being his mom, he is a treasure. His teachers say that he is a pleasure to teach, so consciousness, so caring, and considerate of others. I did something right :) Time and commitment - lots of energy

Wednesday night when the missionaries were there- Marcus leaned over to me and said I will be doing that someday- I want to teach children all over the world about Jesus and what He has done for me- Wow wow wow- Marcus gets it -I love that