Fresno, Fearless, Friends-- and Pizza

Spent the weekend in Fresno with the great people at College Church. It is such a blessing to be with them each year. I had forgotten what a powerful theme "Fearless" is-- it was good for me to listen again and think about the path I am on. Mike, Jeff, and Randy were amazing-- what teachers they are! I am so thankful to be a part of this ministry.

This is us with some members of College Church. They sang a couple of songs with us on Sunday and sounded great! :)

The Girls!-- Sheryl, Lindsey (Peter's wife), and I. It was fun to hang out and catch up on life.

So, today was my birthday! It is such a cliche to say-- time flies and I can't believe how old I am getting!-- but that is true. Tonight was also the birthday of one of Caroline's friends who is in our lifegroup-- Avery (in the pink dress). We all met up for pizza to share her special day and eat Tinkerbell cupcakes. This is a group shot of four of the girls in our group-- 3 others are weren't able to be there. As I watched them playing, I thought about time-- how one day Avery (and Caroline) will be at their own children's birthday parties and tonight will be a dim memory-- if they remember it at all!

Of course the kids were loud, played in the fountain, spilled drinks, made a mess-- and we all stayed at the restaurant about 30 minutes AFTER it closed.... We were THOSE people who drive everyone else in the restaurant crazy-- and we were feeling bad that we had lingered so long. But, Joey (the owner and chef) was so nice-- as we were leaving he advised all of us to treasure the time we had with our children, "One day they will be teenagers before you can blink your eyes." He gave the kids "high fives" and we all climbed into the mini-vans and SUVs and headed for home.

Yes, time marches on. Thank God for good friends, spiritual mentors, sweet children, and yummy pizza. Life is good tonight.

What a Country!

Although both of my sisters are thoroughly entrenched in all things political... it is safe to say, that I don't have any real political passion. I am all about "love of country", etc., but I tend to be skeptical when it comes to the rigmarole politicians dole out.

I typically lean toward the right-- I am pretty straight-laced and mostly conservative. This past election neither candidate wowed me.

Today, however, one cannot ignore the greatness of our country. Whether Democrat, Republican, Independent... you just have to be proud of what our nation represents-- and has represented-- in this world.

I am a historical nerd (was a history major)-- so, I have been seated in front of the TV all day soaking in all the inaugural events. I really enjoy it.

I tried to impress upon Caroline and Luke the gravity of what was happening... how Obama would be the first black President. I had to explain to Luke what it meant to be "black"-- he didn't realize that there was a difference in skin color. I am pretty sure that his children won't know there is a difference either one day.

I have to say I am missing Tim Russert so badly. I bonded with him during the "white board" election back in 2000. I loved his passion and wit. He would be loving today....

I am praying that God uses President Obama to accomplish His purposes. I hope you all will join me in praying for him today and for our country.

God bless America!

Caroline at Mary Kate's Wedding

Happy Honeymoon, MK & Josh!

My youngest sister Mary Kate was married on New Year's Eve. It was a grand and wonderful event, and we are thrilled to have Josh join our family. Scott and I were actually in a Bible study group with Josh when we were first married and we have considered him a great friend for going on 14 years now. I can't imagine a better brother-in-law to welcome into the family.

The wedding was at beautiful Scarritt Bennet Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus. The reception that followed was downtown at the Hermitage Hotel-- so nice.... It was the perfect way to ring in the New Year.

Nancy, Mary Kate, and Me-- the three sisters.

Scott and Caroline at the Rehearsal.

Luke and Caroline were ring bearer and flower girl along with their cousins, Austin and Camille (my sister Nancy's children). They couldn't have been cuter.

Happy New Year!

OC Family Christmas Breakfast '08

The Otter Creek Family Christmas Breakfast was today! It is such a special event-- and so fun to share with our church friends! :)

I spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at church working on the stage decorations. Tons of work-- but, lots of fun. It is rewarding though, and I love using my artistic side. At one point (while I was on top of a 10 foot ladder in the sanctuary all by myself trying to put glittery deco-mesh on the highest point of the Christmas tree!!), I did stop to think, "I have spent 3 straight days working on the decorations for this and haven't finished my own decorations at home!" So, I still haven't lived up to my new goal of putting family/home first yet-- but, at least I am aware!
Props to our AWESOME lifegroup who worked so hard to make this event a success! What a blessing they are to us-- and to Otter Creek! :)

Luke and Caroline with Santa! So sweet! :)

The Stage! I thought it turned out really cute! Thanks to my Dad for making my balloon tree stands over Thanksgiving. That was a fun project and relatively easy. My fingers are still sore from tying all those balloons!



Our wonderful lifegroup! :)

Lighting of the Green

Tuesday was Lipscomb's annual "Lighting of the Green." Our lifegroup went to hear Amy Grant and soak up the holiday cheer! It was cold, but perfect Christmas weather!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

It is hard to believe that only two weeks ago, Prentice was preaching to us at Otter Creek about making sure we have "no other gods before us".... now he is gone.

I had known of/about him for many years and went to church with his sister Linda at Woodmont Hills. My mom told me she was at Lipscomb with him and he had been class president while she was there.

No, I didn't know him all that well, but he was such a blessing to Otter while he worked with us and taught us.

His death this week causes me to be reminded how quickly life can be taken away.

A month ago, I was singing on praise team and we were all in the "green room" backstage before going out to lead worship. About 15 minutes before church begins, everyone involved in the service for that Sunday meets together to go over the schedule and to pray. We had finished covering the details, and we were in a circle focusing on the huge responsibility we had of leading the church in worship-- we were trying to prepare our hearts and acknowledge that we were only God's vessels to use as He chose for His glory. Prentice spoke up and said he had been reminded of how insignificant we all are while in Vermont earlier that week. He said a man had remarked to him, "Realize that the number of people who will attend your funeral is directly tied to how the weather happens to be that day!" We all laughed and thought it was quite funny-- yet true. It is so hard to believe that he is now gone, and that he died during Thanksgiving week.

Today I was blessed to lead worship again. The Meador family, his wife Barbara, his children, his sister and others... were all seated up front to my left. The service was a pretty emotional one.... a video of Prentice was shown of his life which also contained clips from the last sermon he preached at Otter Creek just two weeks ago. It was very moving. The songs we sang were also very reflective and emotional.... Blessed Be Your Name, Great is Thy Faithfulness, He's Always Been Faithful, It is Well with My Soul.....

During "Great is Thy Faithfulness" I looked over at the Meadors and wondered how hard it must be for them to sing these words so soon after Prentice's death. When we reached the chorus, I saw his wife Barbara stand and raise her hand! I was so moved-- tears filled my eyes and I couldn't sing another note! Immediately people all over the sanctuary begin to stand with her and sang out "Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!" It was just so overwhelming. What a testimony she gave to all of us as she lifted her hands to praise the Lord who "gives and takes away." I will never forget that moment and I am so grateful to her for sharing that moment with Otter Creek-- and with me. I pray that I could respond in the same way if Scott is taken away from me suddenly (he just happened to be sitting directly behind her this morning and stood up right as she did to support her).

Otter Creek is such a special place and I am SO SO thankful to be somewhere that so easily and honestly shares emotion with one another. Tears are a part of the journey.

Praise God! Prentice has finished his journey. Thank you for encouraging all of us along the way.

You can watch his memorial service at held at Lipscomb here.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Our Lifegroup: We are Thankful

Last night we had a wonderful (and yummy!) Thanksgiving meal with our lifegroup. It was just one year ago when we all decided to give it a go as a group, and God has really had His hand upon us.

The couples in the group are becoming so dear to us, and the kids all get along so well. Caroline has so many little girls to bond with and Luke is thrilled to have another little boy to play who is just a tad older than he is.

Scott and I waited almost two years after we left Woodmont and came to Otter before we decided we were ready to get involved in a lifegroup again. We are so thankful that God proved faithful in His perfect timing and helped lead us to this amazing group of people.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is GOOD!"

New Year's Resolutions-- Isn't it just Thanksgiving?

So-- I confess I haven't been putting too many "thoughts" and ponderings out on my blog this year.... Seems like 2008 has been a rough one. It started off with me getting the flu, then pneumonia, a hard consignment sale-- and, that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the year! I'm not saying this year hasn't been fun or that I am not extremely beyond measure blessed-- I'm just saying that it has been busy and I have been playing catch-up-- which means little time (or motivation) to ponder the deep things of life.

The Bible class that Rhonda Lowry came to do with us at Otter this fall did become a slight spark in my mind though.... She really is an inspiration to me. I admire her. I respect her. In many ways I want to emulate the path she chose for her life. I had lunch with her and she has re-ignited a part of me that I had let fall by the wayside. Not sure exactly what that means for me just yet, but at least it has me thinking again.

It is hard to explain.... I have been so busy doing other important things that I have lost track of my overall vision for my life. I enjoy the things I choose to do and get great satisfaction and pleasure and re-enforcement from them.... but, at the end of the day, those things are not what make ME me.... Another layer on top of this which adds to the complexity is being a mom. Yes, it is the biggest blessing, but it also makes it really easy to forget what it means to be tuned in to who you are as an individual. Your identity becomes wrapped up in theirs-- which to a certain extent is how it should be..... BUT....

So- as 2009 approaches here are things that have recently surfaced in my head and that I want to address full force:

• Friend: I used to consider myself a great friend. I confess-- I haven't been a good one lately to anyone. It is easy to use the "too busy excuse", but I think my problem has been that I simply forgot how important good friends are-- how much they add to life. I vow to do a better job of calling, writing, making lunch dates.
• Wife: I have THE BEST husband on the planet. I have been with him for almost 17 years now, and I will gladly admit that I respect him and love him now just as much-- or more-- than I ever have. So, why don't I go out of my way to lavish love and praises upon him like I did when we were dating?! Once again, the "too busy (and tired) excuse" could be my option out... but, I know I owe him more than that.
• Mother: Two days a week my kids are both in school. I have not managed to make my life more productive on those days. just more full with other things. When the kids are home, I still feel like I am playing catch up. I want to slow down and just enjoy them. I want to PLAY more with them in 2009. I want to turn off the latest Disney flick and paint and color. I want them to know their Mom thinks they are the most important thing in the world-- not my computer or emails.
• Daughter of the King: I have spent MUCH time doing relationship with God.... In 2009 I want to spend time being in relationship with God-- simply enjoying the pursuit and making more time for Him.

So-- my goals are lofty. But, as 40 looms ever nearer, I am starting to change my perspective on making the most important things the most important things.

This Thanksgiving, I want to thank all the things and people who have opened my eyes to those "important things." I will need to have some accountability and encouragement along the way to keep me on track, and I am sure I will be looking to some of you to help! :)

On a completely different note-- please keep Prentice Meador in your prayers. He has been working with us at Otter and just this weekend has suffered a terrible illness. He was admitted to the hospital thinking he had pneumonia, but it ended up being some mysterious virus that they can't quite figure out. He has had an extremely high fever and his heart has stopped at times. Otter Creek is praying around the clock for his recovery. You can keep track of his progress and leave messages for the family at this blog: http://prenticemeadorupdate.blogspot.com/

Our Family Trip to Gentry's Farm

Luke at Gentry's Farm 2008

Fearless 2008

This weekend was our anual ZOE Conference in Nashville. This year's theme was "Fearless." There were so many great moments. Here are a few of my picks for this year:

• Singing "Revelation Song" with hundreds of amazing voices, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! Holy, Holy is He!"
• Being reminded that we have nothing to fear-- except the Lord. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7 If I do not seek discipline in my life, I am foolish....
• Jeff Walling's "grandfather falling asleep" joke.
• Randy Harris: "God wins. Pick a side. Don't be stupid."
• Singing "Stand and Shout" up a third.
• Singing "God of This City" down a third.
• There is a difference between "Trying" and "Training". Most Christians are wearing themselves out "trying" to be Christians-- the only problem is, they aren't training for it. I can try to run a marathon-- but I will fail if I have not trained.
• Phil on Mediashout! :)
• Meeting new people and hugging dear friends!
• Praising God with my ZOE Family! There is NOTHING like it this side of heaven! LOVE those guys.

And many more... The conference is always such an amazing blessing to be a part of... God is good.

School Photos 2008

Luke's First Hit

You can watch the "high quality" at this link on youtube.

FALLing Back into a Routine...

Our consignment sale was a grand success-- we raised $22,500! I still can't believe how successful it has become. Everything went very smoothly and the new clothing racks we ordered worked well. I get a four month break until it all begins again!

The kids are back in school. Caroline love "Miss" Julie, and I can already tell that her speech is picking up since she began. Luke is also thriving in "Miss" Faye's class. I was a little worried for him this year since most of his close friends were not going to be in class with him this fall. He has handled it very well-- it is a good lesson to learn since this will be the case from here on out, I'm sure.

I began my two Bible studies last week. I am very excited about both of them. The first one is a special class being taught at Otter Creek on Tuesday mornings by Rhona Lowry. She is the "first lady of Lipscomb." I was very impressed with the first session.

The second study is Beth Moore's Psalms of the Ascent. I haven't done a Beth Moore in a year or so, and I am looking forward to digging back in to the Word with her.

So-- life is back on track-- the routine has begun again.... and I am loving it. Fall begins such a wonderful time of year-- back to school, Halloween, hayrides, Gatlinburg Trip, Thanksgiving-- then Christmas!! Such fun! :)

I ordered Luke and Caroline's Halloween costumes today.... They will both be pirates! They are really into them right now.... photos to come! :)

Caroline's First Day of School

You can watch the "high quality" at this link on youtube.

Back to School

Caroline went to school today for the first time! She will be attending Otter Creek two days a week this year! It is so hard to imagine that she is big enough to be at school! I think she will love it! Luke will return on Friday to meet his teacher. He will go to school three days a week.

I have been working on the sale! This will be our biggest to date! I cannot believe the response we have had this time around! My goal is to make at least $20,000 this time! PLEASE come shop if you are in the area! Sale dates are August 21-23 (next weekend!) Visit the website for complete details! http://www.ottercreeksale.com/