Hysterical DVD

If you want to experience something funny, I mean incredibly funny - then get Steve Harvey's DVD, "Don't Trip, He Ain't Through With Me Yet!" If you are stressed out in ministry and need a laugh like you haven't had in a long time, this is your opportunity.

We were over at Eddie and Candy's a few weeks ago and started watching it but then had to leave to get to church. In a few short minutes, I fell in love with the DVD and Larry ordered it for me for Christmas. It didn't come in time for Christmas day but it did come yesterday.

I watched the whole thing late last night after getting home from Bridges. Oh my. I'm still laughing over so many things he said. Basically it's a comedy about church, church people, stuff we do, habits we have, and it's just SO amazingly hysterical.

Many of you may say, "I dunno if I should get that video - I've seen some of Steve's comedy and he is definitely not saved...and very questionable" Well, I just encourage you to give it a try. This DVD was recorded when he spoke at Mega Fest at the invitation of Bishop T.D. Jakes. The whole point of the comedic message he brings in this DVD is that he is a work in progress and that God is working on him. (And he means that sincerely.) By the end of the video, I was crying. It blessed me so much. You can order it from Amazon here.

Last Sunday of the year...

(photo of the reflection of trees on the lake in my backyard)

And this particular Sunday was a good one for us, but I'm sooooo ready for 2008!

Last night was another night of difficult sleep though I am trying hard to get in a serious pattern of sleep and rest. For some reason there are many nights it is difficult for me to sleep even if I take a Melatonin or something to help me, it still eludes me. I'm a person who has a hard time "shutting down". I'm like a powered up computer all the time, always logged on. I desperately need sleep and rest but so many ideas are spinning in this head of mine, and so much on my 'to do' list, it often becomes a challenge.

So I was up bright and early as I always am on Sunday - actually there was nothing bright about it, but it was early. I get up way before the sunrise. First I get my shower, with just my dim shower light on - to sort of ease into the day without having this barrage of light on me right away screaming at me to wake up. I stand under the warm water and just let it wake me up for a while. Then after drying off and getting my robe and slippers on I come out and put the teapot on, and feed Geena and take her out, and it's still dark outside but a little light is starting to break and I usually see three ducks gliding on the pond about that time. I go back in, get my tea and a whole wheat english muffin or some Fiber One, put a tangerine in my purse for a mid-morning snack before Sunday School, and then go back to do my makeup, hair and get dressed. By 7:30 I'm on 75 South, headed to the church. And that's usually my morning...


Today we had a really smooth morning - nothing out of order or unusual. Sunday School and church went well and we had a visiting lady who just moved from NJ who seems just absolutely delighted to find out church and says she's found her new church home. Sharp lady. She's been in the AG for a long time and is glad to find (in her words) a church where she can "really feel the presence of God."


The boys went to Stephen's after church and Savanna went to Morgan's. Larry went to the Bucs football game with Alex, and so I was by myself today. I came home, ate lunch and went to bed until Larry came home from the game. I got a good nap with a quiet house. So nice. I woke up when he came home and we got ready and headed over to our bridges fellowship group. Had just a lovely time...at the Brown's home. I ate WAY too many of Anita's little Italian cookies and I actually brought about 8 of them home. She said, "take them home for the kids." Hate to say it but my kids will probably never see these cookies... (GRIN)


Today was a very good Sunday but truly I am glad to move on into the new season that God has for me. It's time. Very much time.

It's a new season...
it's a new day
fresh anointing is coming my way
it's a season of power, and prosperity
it's a new season and it's coming for me.

Somebody shout now!

My husband's tribute

Today my husband did a photo tribute to me on his blog. He surprised me with it! He noticed I had done these the past few days for him and I, and then one for the kids and this morning when I woke up, he had done this for me. Make sure you read the very last words after the final picture...my heart melted when I read them. That man has the ability to make me so happy.

To see the tribute, and just know where Larry's blog is in case you'd like to read it, go to http://www.larryshrodes.blogspot.com/.

Today after sleeping in and putzing around the house a little bit, we went out shopping to get some "after Christmas sales". I wanted a Christmas tree for my kitchen/dining room and I got one for next to nothing as well as most of the decorations for it. This one, I think...is going to be done with blue lights and silver decorations. I also got a small little tree for Savanna's room since she's been wanting one. Dustin had to work today, Jordan went to the movies, and Savanna went out with Larry and I to do the shopping thing. Then we also picked up things for our new year's eve party. We have one most times. It's always hard for me to pare down the guest list. I hate having to make choices like that - because my heart is to invite everybody in the whole world. I think I've invited about 50 people but I want to invite more so when a few people say they have plans or can't come even though I am disappointed that they can't make it, I get excited that I can start inviting more people. :-) My only concern is usually parking.

Casey's parents are coming to our party this year. :-) I told Larry we should call this party, "Meet the Parents". Today her Mom called and talked to me about coming and I told her how much we love Casey and she said they feel the same about Dustin. (SMILE)

I have been toying with putting my new tree with blue lights up in the kitchen, but wouldn't that be kind of stupid when I'm taking all the Christmas decor down this coming week? Yeah, it would be stupid. But I was just thinking about it since all my other Christmas decorations will still be up for new year's eve.

I picked up paint samples at Lowe's today. I'm getting ready to do some painting in the house. I'll be doing it by myself - Larry's shoulder won't be 100% for about 9 more months and he can't raise his arm up. So...it'll just be me but that's alright. I'm excited to start working on some things. Right now I am going to be starting by re-painting my kitchen.

Tomorrow is church, and I've been getting us prepared this evening as far as ironing all the clothes, lining up books, Bibles, purses, shoes, you know - all the stuff you need for church...except I don't just get "me" ready - I get my family ready too. My husband has never known what it is to get his own clothes ready. He wakes up and I have everything lined up for him. Part of my job is to make him look good. (GRIN)

Just preparing my heart as well for tomorrow...

I was reading today in Come Away My Beloved and the passage I read today is perfect prayer for our service tomorrow. It's brief, but expressed what was in my heart as the book so often does each time I read it:

As Rains of Refreshing

As rains of refreshing O Lord
pour out Your spirit upon our waiting hearts
As showers upon new-mown hay
Send your spirit upon our thirsty souls
For upon You, O God, do we wait.

Satisfy our hungering souls with Your abundance.
Yes, fill our longing hearts with Your fullness.
For in Your presence there is fullness of joy.
at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

I've come to realize

Got this meme from Pastor Leanne. Hey, it's Christmas week. What can I say...it's a good time for Meme's and making family videos! :-)

1. I've come to realize that, my last ex: well, I don't have an ex-husband and as far as ex-boyfriends, it's been so long that I'm really not realizing anything about them anymore. My life now has been my life for so long (with my husband and kids) that I've been with them, longer than not - so they are my world. :-)

2. I've come to realize that, when I talk: the important people in my life listen.

3. I've come to realize that, I love: being at home.

.4. I've come to realize that my friends: are heroes for what they do everyday.

5. I've come to realize that, I've lost: a lot of weight and that's pretty darn incredible.

6. I've come to realize that, I hate: laziness.

7. I've come to realize that, marriage is: really great if you just stay the course and don't give up when the going gets tough.

8. I've come to realize that, somewhere, someone is thinking: the same thoughts as me, with the same happiness or frustration - we just both probably feel alone but we're not.

9. I've come to realize that, I'll always be: a writer

10. I've come to realize that, I have a crush on: my husband

11. I've come to realize that, the last time I truly cried was: very needed.

12. I've come to realize that, my cell phone is: the biggest pain in the neck in my life. Every time it rings I cringe.

13. I've come to realize that, when I wake up in the morning: it's a new day with new possibilities. And I don't just mean that as a cliche.

14. I've come to realize that, before I go to sleep at night I: should really remember to wash makeup off...

15. I've come to realize that, right now I am thinking about: too many things I can't do anything about. So I need to stop.

16) I've come to realize that today: I don't need to have any more caffeine.

17. I've come to realize, that tonight I will: not get everything done in my world that needs to be done, but that's alright.

18) I've come to realize that, school is: always a part of life for a life-long learner.

19) I've come to realize that, tomorrow: is in God's hands!

Fun Friday

We are still having a Christmas break except for dealing with Sunday services and emergencies. Today I slept in once again and rested most of the day. I have been so in need of this - my body is talking to me - and it's saying, "rest me, rest me..." and I'm complying no matter how much I want to be out there during the day using my Christmas gift certificates or whatever. I'm just saving that for evenings as really that's about all my body wants to do right now. I had come into this week very run down as I'm sure many people have. Last night I didn't get a lot of sleep. Larry and I had a wonderful evening together but for some reason I couldn't get to sleep although I was so exhausted. So during the day I ended up putting the "audio vision" channel (nature sounds, acoustic stuff - the kind of stuff they play in a spa) and laying down and resting and then taking a long "moonlight path" bath.

Larry took Dustin to get his blood work. He (Dust) has been dreading it but it's a must do. He is on some pretty heavy meds for his skin and it requires him to be tested. Long story but way back when we first started taking Dustin to the dermatologist I knew he needed this particular medication. Some things, a Mom just knows. I knew cream wasn't going to do the trick here. But the doc tried the face wash and cream first. So now he's on the heavy duty stuff and has to follow strict instructions and sign a pledge card that he will do and won't do certain things, and get his blood tested monthly. Hopefully in another two months or so, he'll be done with this. In the meantime he's not enjoying this a whole lot but this too shall pass.

So Larry took him to get his blood done and took him to a father-son lunch and then they stopped by the store and picked up the movie Evening for me. I wanted it for Christmas but just never got it. I was planning on purchasing it with some Christmas money I was given but now I won't have to since the Teeb got it for me. I can't wait to watch it! Not exactly the type of movie that is something you'd love to watch with surround sound, however I'm looking forward to it! I'll have to have some friends over and do it. Yeah Teeby...thank you for my movie. :-)

Tonight we went to the Currie's for dinner along with about 25-30 of their family. They had the family in and they usually invite us over when they do. Lisa made a lasagna dinner and salad and a ton of baked Christmas goodies. Bernie's sister Susan is in and we always enjoy being with her...I call her a "female Bernie" - she's so funny, just like her brother. They are so much alike.

I think I might venture out during the day tomorrow if my body is up to it. If not, I'll still be home. Fortunate thing...I love being home. Nobody would ever realize, unless they could get inside my head, just how much of a "homebody" I am.

Lar and I are going to do some jacuzzi time and no matter what- I'm telling you - I'm getting a great night's sleep!

My three gems

Yesterday I shared a video I put together in celebration of mine and Larry's 20 years together. Well, today finds me resting again during the day today with some time to do what I normally don't have a lot of time for, such as looking through my photos. I want to share "my three gems"...aside from my relationship with Larry, the greatest thing in my life - my three kids. I pulled some photos of them, a few old, a few new. Again, be sure to turn off the blog music down in the right hand corner before you watch the video or you'll have two songs playing! Enjoy watching my beautiful kiddos!

Zoning out with a meme

1) Flip to page 18, paragraph 4 - in the book closest to you right now, what does it say? "How is one made ready? First he must know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Second, he must be living an overcoming, holy life, expecting him to come. Is anyone perfect? No. but there is a difference between willfull disobedience and serving the Lord to the best of one's ability." (Enrichment Journal, Winter 2008)

2) If you stretch out your left arm as far as possible, what are you touching? My husband.

3) What’s the last program you watched on TV? The Investigators.

4) Without looking, guess what time it is. 11:00

5) Aside from the computer, what can you hear right now? The ceiling fan.

6) When was the last time you were outside and what did you do? I walked with Larry downtown by the water.

7) What are you wearing? PJ's

8) Did you dream last night? If you did, what about? Yes I did but I could not remember the details when I woke up.

9) When was the last time you laughed? With Larry on our date.

10) What’s on the walls, in the room you’re in right now? Photos of Larry and I, and a painting.

11) Have you seen anything strange lately? I see strange things every single day. I work in a church office and we never know what's going to happen there.

12) What do you think about this meme? I like it - it's giving my mind a rest from thinking about work or anything else of a serious nature.

13) What’s the last film you saw? Bourne Ultimatum

14) If you became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the money? Tithe, give an offering, pay off our house and car, help my children all I can, put a chunk in an investment to keep the money flowing in so I can give even more, and after that I would think of who all I can bless...I have a list a mile long.

15) Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know. It is difficult for me to be around people for long periods of time without a break. I require a great amount of solitude for my mental health.

16) If you could change ONE THING in this world, without regarding politics or bad guilt, what would it be? That people would have a greater hunger for God and the things of God.

17) Do you like dancing? Yes.

18) George Bush? Yes. He is not perfect (no leader is) but I believe he has done his best.

19) What do you want your children’s names to be, girl/boy? Already had them, but if I had other children in the future I have plenty more names. However, this would be a miracle right up there with the parting of the red sea if I were to get pregnant again...

20) Would you ever consider living abroad? I would do anything the Lord asked me to do. It's not a matter of my consideration.

21) What do you want God to tell you, when you go to heaven? Well done, My good and faithful servant.

It's a date!

Tonight was an extra special date night...

Best of all it cost almost no money...

First we went to Carrabbas, compliments of a gift certificate given to us by Pastor Lindsay for Christmas. Mmmm...this is my favorite place, if you haven't been reading this blog for long and never realized it. Hint, hint: if you love this blog and want to support it financially (never mind that it costs me absolutely no money to do this) then send your gift certificates from Carrabbas to 16235 Lake Magdalene Blvd., Tampa, FL 33613. Thank you so much for your generous support. (GRIN)

So seriously - we went to Carrabbas and had a nice leisurely dinner, just taking our time. My favorite meal there is...salad with house dressing, their homemade bread with butter (I like the butter more than the oil), Spedino DiMare, and rigatoni with tomato cream sauce on the side. There is NO MEAL in the world better than this, I assure you. By the way, Spedino DiMare is lightly breaded shrimp and scallops with a light butter/lemon sauce. You can hardly taste the lemon by the way. This is a meal I either have to save up all my extra WW points for, or seriously exercise off later.

After dinner we went to the Tampa Performing Arts Center to see the Rockettes do their Christmas Spectacular. Yes, they are in town again and this is our second time of going to see them here (I've also seen them several times in New York City - I love them!). This time we went compliments of the Winchester's who blessed us with these tickets as a gift. Thank you, Eddie and Debbie! We got there early even with our slowly paced dinner. We got our parking space and were about an hour early so we had dessert and hot tea at Maestro's outside, which is at the Performing Arts Center - it's right outside the foyer and has little tables right there on the water where you can sit and look out. Larry got a piece of cheesecake and I got a piece of chocolate cake and we sat there for an hour before the show and just talked.

During showtime I was just mesmerized as I always am when I see the Rockettes, and sat there cozied up to my man, with my head on his shoulder as we watched the nativity and "One Solitary Life" and I get tears in my eyes every time.

Larry and I just enjoy being together on a nice quiet date, driving home through the city listening to smooth jazz, just having nothing to care about at the moment but each other. (Dustin was home, holding down the fort...thank you, Dust! He's such a good boy. And, Jordan made dinner for everyone. He's such a wonderful cook. I'm sure it was awesome.)

Well we got home and the boys immediately headed out to spend the night at a friend's, and Savanna just got out of the bath and is getting ready to lay down, watch a movie and go to sleep. So this means Larry and I have the rest of an uninterrupted night in our room, to ourselves.

Truly the definition of heaven on earth. Did I mention I love Christmas break?

How sweet it is to be loved by you

It's Christmas break ~ I have time! And I'm enjoying it so much. As most of you readers know, Larry and I celebrated our 20 year anniversary on June 27th. Today I decided to put together a video of some photos, celebrating our great love... just for fun.

As you will notice, one of the biggest changes over the past 20 years is my ever changing hair color. Pastor Trinity has a joke he tells - when he invites newcomers to our newcomer's fellowships at Northside he says, "how can you folks tell if you're a newcomer? Well, if you've only seen one shade of Pastor Deanna's hair...you're probably a newcomer. So, come on out and join us at newcomer's night..." Fun!

Tonight, Teeby and I are going on an extra special date! I'll blog about it later and let you know all that we did. Well, not everything, but most of it... (GRIN)

Hint: Be sure to turn off my music first at the bottom right hand corner of the blog before you click the video, or you'll have two songs playing at once. :)

I love Christmas break!

Today my babe brought me breakfast in bed. (Is there any better way to start a day?) Then he had to go to the store to get a few more wires for his new surround sound and I got in the tub and took my time there just soaking in a bath and body works "moonlight path" bubble bath. Ahhhhh...

Did some writing...some reading...and he came home and said, "let's go somewhere, just you and me..." Music to my ears.

So we put Dustin in charge of the household and went out for a few hours. We returned a few Christmas things that didn't fit, and then just had a quiet meal, just him and I. Ahhhhhh....is there any better way to spend an afternoon? No. Being with the Teeb is just wonderful.

We came home and we had a house full of kids...Dust was not only in charge of our kids but a few more. They had ordered pizza, played cards, and watched a movie. Upon arriving home they said, "Mr. Bernie and Mrs. Lisa called and they want to come over and watch a movie..." so right now I'm blogging while the fam is cleaning up (usually it's me out there fast and furious pulling the house together but everyone is being so helpful today it's just awesome...) and in a few minutes a whole lot of us are going to watch a movie with Larry's new surround sound. How fun.
I'm enjoying this break. Oh how I do need it. God is so good.

Time to take time....for quiet...rest...movies...talking with the kids...romance...cooking...and so much more. Life is precious...life is sweet.

The One Word Meme

Thought this was a fun meme when I saw it, so here goes. These are to be answered with one word only...

Yourself: expressive
Your Partner: guarded
Your hair: thick
Your favorite item: computer
Your favorite drink: tea
Your dream car: Mustang
Dream home: Livingston
Room you are in: bedroom
Your ex: none
Your fear: water
Where you want to be in 10 years: healthy
Who you hung out with last night: staff
What you're not: lazy
Muffins: fattening
Something on your wish list: private
Time: slipping
Last thing you did: write
What are you wearing: dress
Favorite weather: crisp
Favorite book: Bible
Last thing you ate: pie
Your Life: rollercoaster
Your Friends: heroes
What are you thinking about right now? change
Your Car: heartbreak
What are you doing at the moment? resting
Your summer: hot
Relationship status: forever
What's on your TV? romance
What's the weather like? crisp
When's the last time you laughed? tonight

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Today was a wonderful Christmas day at the Shrodes house, filled with many blessings.

We slept in. :-) Yee ha. What a wonderful thing when your children get older! They do not want to wake up early on Christmas, and you just have sleep, wonderful sleep. This is a gift in itself.

Things are especially cozy at our house on Christmas. Sometimes on Christmas Eve the kids all sleep in one room together - and other times in our room. One reason we have a king size bed is because Larry said it was getting too crowded. Sometimes all the kids pile on it. Last night Savanna slept in between Larry and I. Trust me, that would never happen anymore were it not Christmas day or if she were feeling extremely ill or something. But it brought back the old days when my "little babies" would sleep next to me - so that Larry and I could actually get some sleep for once. All three of my kids were children who got up very often in the night as little babies...we got such little sleep. Especially during the baby stage, all three of them slept with us at different times when they were crying all night...there just comes a time when a parent needs sleep in those early years, and you do whatcha gotta do. So last night was a blast from the past to have my youngest "babe" in her little PJ's, next to me. The time for this will soon be past...she's growing up SO much. This is her last year in elementary school.

We woke up and Savanna's eyes fluttered open and she said, "Momma, go put the sweet rolls in the oven..." (priorities...) I did and we woke up the boys, took our sweet rolls and tea out by the tree and sat and opened our gifts.

We laughed at some of the gifts, as usual. But we were excited by most. Larry insisted on getting the boys these shoes he thought they would like (they didn't - just as I suspected) and I think they thought they were dorky, but they laughed over it so hard, it was hysterical. Larry wrapped up a box of cereal for each one as well...they devour cereal like it's going out of style, and he thought it was time he started just wrapping it and giving it as gifts. Dustin immediately took his and ran to his room and hid it.

I got some real favorites as gifts, but my all time one is my desk for my bed. Yes, you read that right! I am even more dangerous now. The kids were so upset - they said, "Dad, why did you do that? Now Mom is really gone..." They always tease me because I work from bed so much. It's where I'm very comfortable and I think well and write well and I actually write whole projects from bed. I can't really be interrupted there. Nobody comes into my bed but Larry - and occasionally the kids, to pounce on me and ask me what's for dinner, or lay beside me and talk about how unfair life is, or tell me something funny. Obviously unless you are living in sin, your bed is a really private affair, pun intended. (GRIN) So it's really "my place"....unless my family comes in to talk to me. Well ladies and gentlemen, I now have a desk complete with a pen holder, two little "drawers for folders and books, a book holder. It's amazing. I am typing on it right now, just loving it. I can do anything from this little desk and I find it quite amazing.

Some other favorite gifts I got ~ Gaither Homecoming tickets top the list!!! Yippee aye aye! This was a gift from Pastor Lindsay. I'm so excited I could scream. I go every year, but this time I didn't buy my tickets. That makes it even better. Jordan goes with me of course. When I opened the tickets, I got so excited, Jordan and I started singing, "What a time" but the Gaither Vocal Band and preparing ourselves for this great mother-son time we have every year together going and hearing our favorite groups (GVB, Signature Sound, and a few others).

I also got a new briefcase, Moonlight Path, some Reeboks (white and pink), two of my favorite movies of all time - The Fugitive and U.S. Marshals. (Yes, I'm serious! I love those movies. Favorite scene in the Futigive...when he makes that colossal leap in the water...) Dustin got me a pink tea kettle, Jordan got me a pink and silver Swarovski crystal bracelet - it's a breast cancer bracelet, Savanna got me a picture frame that says, "Mommy and Me" for her and I. Larry got me my bed desk and the shoes and a few other things like tea, socks, lifesavers, a sign for my bathroom that says, "DREAM" to add to my "live" and "escape". He also got me a fireplace DVD. I've been wanting one. I love fireplaces and don't have one in my house. My "fireplace" has been on all day, complete with sound effects! So cool. Jordan and I together received a smoothie machine. He loves smoothies, and I want to make the kind we had in Africa. By the way, I wore one of my dresses from Africa today. And, I drank my "Kenya tea" when I woke up. I do something African on special days now just because it's become my favorite memory and I like to experience a piece of the memory on special days because it makes me smile.

The kids have been playing with their "stuff" all day - their video games, board games, etc. having a great time. Our friends the Currie's joined us for dinner (which we had at 2 pm) and so after we opened our gifts this morning before they arrived I was racing around getting things straightened up and getting all the food that I was making prepared. Lisa brought her amazing pineapple casserole and sweet potatoes and pies. The dinner was so amazing - we just sat there and kept saying, "this is incredible...just incredible." Larry out-does himself on the ham every year. I don't think anybody in the world can make a better ham than my husband. He has an incredible cherry glaze that he does. So good. We spent the day with the Currie's just eating, talking, doing our usual thing. Sitting at the table for hours, drinking many cups of hot tea and sharing pie and wonderful conversation.

After they left, I came in to my bed/desk to relax and blog while Larry and Jordan are now putting Larry's gift together that I got him - a surround sound home theatre system. He is so excited. I love it when my man is excited. (SMILE) Larry can't get up above the ceiling in the rafters to do anything since his shoulder is still healing and stuff, so he needs Jordan to do all that for him. Tonight they are installing this system. I expect they may be up at least half the night. Teeby is happy! And I like making him happy. I think I'll watch a movie in my room - some glorious chick flick - drink a cup of tea and relax. I love Christmas! I love it more for the relaxation than even the gifts or anything else (besides Jesus of course) - I just like taking long baths, moving at a slower pace, reading books, and watching movies. I seriously need this time to re-group before the start of the new year. Anybody wanna come over and watch The Fugitive and U.S. Marshals? (GRIN)

By the way, aside from being incredibly tired and navigating through some stress, we did figure out what was wrong with me that had me feeling so incredibly bad for four days. Are you ready for this? It's kinda strange, but I do want to share it not to go on ad nauseum about my medical issues, but to warn you in case this happens to you. It's entirely possible and if it does I want you to know what to do so you are not clueless like I was for four days.

I did not have enough calcium, magnesium and potassium in my system. I know that sounds crazy and you think, "how do you know that?" Well, it's like this. The reason I got 20 minutes sleep Saturday night was because I was twitching all night. I mean seriously having "tremors" as they call them. I know, sounds crazy - like I was going insane - and I should have perhaps committed myself to a mental hospital. I thought, "gee whiz, am I seriously that stressed out? Am I completely losing it??!" It wouldn't surprise me...years ago back in Maryland when I was really stressed out with a few things in the church, my eye twitched for a week, and some of my hair fell out...no kidding. Isn't it amazing what ministry stress can bring about in your life? I know, it's a blog in itself, so I'll stop there.

Back to the twitching...I had these constant tremors that wouldn't stop and if you think it's easy to relax or go to sleep when this occurs...just imagine if you had hiccups for 4 days straight - how would you get any rest? It drove me crazy to have my body doing something I couldn't control. This was what it was like - a body hiccup. It wasn't a noticeable thing to other people, but for 4 days my thumb was having these tremors and then my leg, or my eye. I thought, "ughhh!!! I don't have time for this!!!!" and it was keeping me up all night. Dustin said, "how are you going to play the piano, Mom?" I sat in the jacuzzi...I listened to worship tapes...I gave up caffeine (big deal for me, believe me), I massaged my hand constantly, I took a bunch of deep breaths...I just drank water only, I tried so much stuff to get it to stop, it was unbelievable.

Sunday morning Larry was equally upset about it and he looked on line and said that if your body is seriously depleted of those minerals it can cause you to tremor. I started eating extra bananas and yogurt a few days ago, more than usual. Nothing improved. Then, fortunately we remembered we already had some calcium-magnesium pills from the health store that someone at church gave us. (Thank you, Victor!) They were actually for my husband to help him with his shoulder surgery recovery but he had some leftover and so I started taking them yesterday afternoon when we remembered that we had them. So I immediately took them...

Would you believe in just a few hours time, all the tremors had completely stopped? I was finally able to sleep like a rock, straight throught the night! I have been fine since, after taking four of these vitamins a day. Researching it online, I am seeing that this makes perfect sense. Wow, it just brought home to me our bodies serious need for balance in vitamins and minerals. I have to admit to you I neglect the use of vitamins in my life. (Obviously - therefore the reason my body was freaking a little.)

I watch what I eat and do weight watchers but I don't do any vitamins although I eat a balanced diet it is still not enough especially as we age. So I'm going to be more diligent now and take vitamins regularly because this was just not only way too irritating but way too scary. And this is a news flash for all of you - if you are not feeling well, turn to prayer first but then also make sure you are not experiencing a problem simply because you are lacking some vitamin or mineral. Evidently all the cheese and bananas I eat on a regular basis (usually every day - they are some of my favorite WW snacks) are not doing the trick completely.

Well there you have my Christmas update. I pray it was a most blessed day for you and yours.

Larry closes the office between Christmas and new year and the staff takes extra time with our families and comes in for services and emergencies/necessities only. We use this time to rest and regroup to begin our new year with intensity. This year our theme is "Increase 08". It's going to be a glorious year. I am leaving 2007 behind and am ever so glad to. This is probably another blog as to "why", but suffice it to say, Lar and I have never been so glad for one year to end and another to start. Maybe 2006 really had us spoiled. What a year. Just outstanding. The best ever. 2007 was like trying to walk through a valley of peanut butter. Every once in a while we got to stop and have a little enjoyable snack but for the most part it was a difficult push forward all the way, between Dustin getting sick with MRSA, Larry's shoulder surgery, and many other challenges...well, I'll just say -

GOODBYE 2007 and HELLO, 2008.

I'll write daily and fill you in on the wonderful things I'm doing relax.

My love and all good wishes to my readers tonight on this most blessed Christmas night. (((hugs)))

Christmas Eve Communion

Always a special time for us. Here are some photos from this evening. The first few are just some of me being silly in between people coming in (nobody was in the sanctuary during those pics but our staff.)

This is always a nostalgic time for us - we've been doing this so many years - and have so many memories.


Our staff serves communion from 5-8 pm, to each individual/family. We have stations set up for each of us pastors (and spouse if they have one) and we serve the people as they come in. We have a ton of candles lit in the sanctuary and it's just beautiful, and Christmas music is playing. After we serve communion, we pray a blessing over them for the new year.


Tonight the most touching moment for me was when we served Michele and Marcus. We were praying for them after the took communion and Larry said, "Jesus, thank you for going to the cross and dying for us...that our sins might be forgiven..." and Marcus burst out crying and buried his face in Michele's legs. She knelt down and said, "what's wrong??" He said, "Why? Why did Jesus have to die? Why?" And she explained once again...for our sins, but the good news is, He rose again and is alive!" He accepted that, but His heart is so tender and He's so precious He gets upset every time he hears that Jesus died on the cross. That set me to tears when he started crying over this...he always has the ability to choke me up...so precious is he.

After our staff/family took communion we went to the chinese restaurant as usual. We ate WAY too many crab wontons and crab legs. Right now I'm so stuffed I think I could pop.

I'm really going to need the elliptical after Christmas!

By the way, thank you for praying for me - those who did - for the way I've been feeling. I was really in need of a touch from God. I contacted Pastor Lisa this afternoon to uplift me in prayer as well and she and Pastor Elgin were faithful to do so. I feel so much better from the way I was feeling. This afternoon before I got ready for communion, I went outside and got in the hot tub for a while. I never do that during the day, so you know I had to be feeling poorly. Jeanne and Dollie (intercessors from church) have been so faithful to pray too. I am so thankful.


The next week is a time for me to rest and get ready. I've got the spiritual fight of my life on my hands when January 1 hits and I need to be ready. I can't afford to be sick or under the weather at all in this new year, so I am going to be doing a few things as we begin the new year - such as:

1) Get no less than 7 hours sleep a night (a major thing for me)
2) Take vitamins.
3) Keep working out a priority over the "tyranny of the urgent" in my life


This is just a start on what I want to be 100% faithful to, but I have another list of goals I'm working on for the 2008 year.

By the way, an invitation came from Kenya today. Bill (Dr. Kuert) emailed me today with an invitation for Larry and I to come and do something special for Africa. I'm wildly excited, the only thing is, it seems so far away. I want to go back so bad and it can't be soon enough... Right now I have to get some details together to see about taking a team for the trip and seeing from Bill exactly what our team could do while there... my heart beats every day to go back...to see my dear friends...some days I get out my Kenya tea bags and drink a cup in their honor, other times I get out my dress. Always, my heart is touched with memories and love for them, and they are in my prayers daily. I'm starting to cry as I think of it even now. I never imagined I could love people like I love them. Today especially Gladys has been on my mind - a pastor's wife/presbyter's wife from Kenya. She made me a special pink necklace I so often wear. A great Christmas present for me would be if I could take my whole family and introduce them to everybody...but alas, it will have to wait a while...
For now, I'm going to sleep....tomorrow is Christmas and I need to get up before the kids and make the famous "sweet rolls" and get a few other odds and ends done that I'm just too beat to do tonight.

Merry Christmas to all, with all my love...

Long (sleepless night) and long (busy) day...

I got no sleep last night. I was up all night not feeling well. I probably got about 20 minutes sleep. This morning I had Jeanne Barta (our director of prayer at NS) pray for me as well as having my husband pray for me a few times both last night and today. I think I'm just "fried" quite literally. Larry looked up some things on line this morning to get some ideas of what to get me at the store as well and we went and picked up some vitamins and special foods this afternoon and I do feel somewhat better. I am believing for a great night's sleep tonight and have a few people praying that way for me.

We had our Northside "home for Christmas" service today - with special music numbers, Christmas carols, drama, puppets, etc. I think it went well. Let's put it this way - anytime I have a morning where I'm not stressed is good! And this morning I wasn't real stressed, just tired. Things went rolling along pretty well.

After church the staff quickly set up all the candles for Christmas Eve Communion. Then we went out with some families - Currie's, Garland's and Hart's. (Three of my fav "peeps" as Larry would say) Good times.

Larry and I did all the grocery shopping for Christmas dinner after that and then I came home to lay down - FINALLY! Man, I was beat. I took a short power nap, then got up to start doing a few things for Christmas dinner. I got one table completely set and all the linens out and all that. And I got two casseroles done plus a few pitchers of tea. Tomorrow I'll keep working on more. First when we wake up we have my homemade sweet rolls that mean so much to the kids. Second, here's what we are having for Christmas dinner in case you're wondering:

My homemade yeast rolls
7-layer salad
Ham with Larry's special cherry glaze
Hashed brown potato casserole
My special recipe sweet potato casserole
Green bean casserole
Lisa's incredible pineapple casserole
Homemade creamed style corn
Pumpkin pie
Cookies
Mixed berry pie
Sodas, Tea, Coffee

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen - our menu for Christmas. My family loves it - it's been a tradition for all these years and never changes unless we have a friend who brings something new (such as Lisa's pineapple casserole - let me say, I am not even crazy about pineapple but this is OUTSTANDING.)

In case you didn't notice, we're a casserole family. We don't like anything plain, although it is a challenge with weight watchers under normal circumstances and I have to alter everything we do (with lite ingredients) to be more point friendly on every other day but Christmas and Thanksgiving! I love making casseroles. One of my favorite things that ever happened when I was hostessing an evangelist in our home revolves around casseroles. I had made their meal the first night they were with us, and every dish was a casserole. When they walked in the door the husband said, "what are we eating tonight?" (he had no idea what I made) and I said, "what's your favorite food?" and he said, "CASSEROLES! I LOVE CASSEROLES!" He was in absolute heaven that night.

Well, I'm running on about 1 hour sleep now in the past 24, so it's time for some...g'night and I'll be back for a few minutes to blog on Christmas eve in between cooking, cleaning and getting ready for communion tomorrow night. :-)

Love to all...

Working at a slow pace

Today I haven't been feeling well (I think I'm just bearing the consequences of some stress the past few weeks). But despite feeling this way I've pressed through to get a lot of work done today, just at a slow pace. I fold a load of laundry, put it away and sit down a while. Then I get up, do a load of dishes, and sit down a while. And I have just kept repeating that basic pattern all day and have gotten quite a lot done despite feeling not so well.

I did sleep in, then got up and took a long hot bath and used my new "grape" spa products that Susan got me for an early Christmas gift. Hmmm...it was so nice. Then I got out, and put my new little spa flip flops that Susan also got me. (See here, they are, pictured with my new pedicure...and I stuck my hand in so you can see the mani too.)

All day I've been doing laundry - about 4 loads so far, and ironing for tomorrow, and also a lot of extra ironing like Larry's dockers, the boy's shirts, etc. Also getting the table linens ironed for Christmas and making the grocery list for Christmas dinner.

Savanna had a lock in with JAM kids church last night and Larry picked her up this morning and brought her home and then she slept a lot of the day. When she woke up she's been getting her clothes ready for tomorrow and playing with her new "extreme tickle me Elmo" that her grandma got her for Christmas and sent on to her, early... She loves it and I have to admit, I laugh when I hear it too. It's sort of contagious. A few minutes ago I painted her finger and toe nails red for church tomorrow. Then she wanted listen with her Hannah Montana's song, "I miss you".

Other than that, just gathering my things up for tomorrow for Sunday School and church, making a few reminder calls, and getting ready to sit in the jacuzzi outside with Teeby before going to sleep.

Readers, I simply ask for your prayers the next day or two for me to feel better. It's not a good time to be sick anytime, but I really don't want to be under the weather for Christmas. Thank you.

G'night, and have a great day in your place of worship tomorrow. (If you have one...and if you don't...why not start? This is a great time for new beginnings.)

Christmas crunch...living and escaping...

Yesterday Larry and I didn't leave the church office until 6 pm. We had to tie up all the loose ends of work so we could enjoy some down time next week. On the way home we stopped to get groceries and then came home and I made dinner. Thursday nights are always a time for me to decompress because I have been wound up all week and on Thursday night I know a respite is coming.

Just thought as I begin my blog tonight I'd take some photos of a few things at our house tonight. Here are some photos of my two trees...one in the living room, one in the family room. The one in the family room, below, is my little sugared fruit tree. The other one is our "family tree" with the ornaments the kids have made over the years, and gift ornaments people have given us. It's our "tapestry tree" as I call it.

I slept in this morning a little bit because when my alarm went off, I could hear Savanna already up in the other room, getting something to eat and getting ready for school - her last day before break. I think she was excited to go - knowing it would be her last day to connect with her classmates and teacher before the break. By the way, she LOVES school and her teacher this year. This is wonderful because last year we had a bad experience, which is very rare. (Long story)

Larry took her to the bus stop, came back and woke me up and said, "let's go!" He wanted to go on a "Fun Friday" date and get the very last our our Christmas shopping done. I also had to get a nail fill so he dropped me off there and headed to a store nearby. My nail place was packed today. I normally get my nails done on my day off in the morning because the place is empty, being that my day off is on a weekday and most people don't have a day off during the week. Well, it seems everybody was off today. It was a holiday rush, that's for sure.

Tom ended up doing my nails, and...he's my least favorite. However I understood - they were swamped. Actually he didn't do a bad job. He did most of the work and Lisa insisted on doing my designs. She just has a special touch with designs. A few weeks ago someone else did my designs on my toes and she came over, took one look at it and said, "no, that won't do" and proceeded to take a cotton swab with polish remover and start furiously swiping the polish off. I do have to admit, it wasn't nearly as good a job as she would have done, but I was going to deal with it. I mean, it wasn't "bad" it just wasn't "awesome." Then she proceeds while swabbing it off, to talk very fast in her language to the tech who did it and I could tell she was not pleased. Then she sat down, repolished the two toes, and re-did the designs. "There Dee-na...look goo na fo you?"

After getting my fill we went to Penney's, Marshalls, and even did a jaunt into Ashley furniture, not to get anything - just to look around and see what they had since we haven't been in there since they opened.

Before I left this morning for my nail place, Dustin asked if Casey and Alexa could come over tonight and I would make tacos. Of course I said yes. Larry and I headed home at about 4:30 and I started making the tacos and setting everything up for them. Casey and Alexa came but right after they filled their plates, Alexa's cell phone rang and it was her brother saying her other brother had just broken his arm and she needed to come home and watch her younger brother. We were bummed out about that - both the broken arm, and the fact that she couldn't stay. Oh well, Christmas break is here so we'll make up for it. Alexa went home and Casey stayed here. They are eating tacos and chocolate chip cookies and watching a movie while I'm now focused on tomorrow's dinner, making a pot of chili. (I just took a photo of them - at left...) Casey isn't feeling well but let me take the photo anyway. She has a bad cold and is alternating between coughing and blowing her nose. But they seem to be having a good time. I'm simmering chili, starting some loads of clothes and blogging. Tomorrow I'll be housecleaning and don't want to cook too much.

I am settling down into a few chores tonight before bed so I won't have quite as much to do tomorrow. It will be a full day of doing 4-5 loads of laundry, getting Sunday clothes lined up/ironed, cleaning our bathroom, starting to iron all the table linens for Christmas dinner (I'll have at least 10 people here), make the grocery list for Christmas dinner, and a whole bunch of other stuff from mopping floors to returning church calls, to making a few "care" calls to people in need, and then I'll fall into bed and start my extremely early Sunday morning before the sun comes up.

But it's a good life...a very good life. We're under a Christmas crunch, but what a thing to celebrate! Jesus birth, and...look at all we have to celebrate with. It's AMAZING what He's given us. I never cease to be amazed at God's goodness. I sit in my big tub everyday, and look up on my plant shelves at my two "signs" up high that say "live" and "escape" and I think to myself, "yes, I am truly living" and "thank God in the process of living when things get stressed, I have a place to escape to, and sit in my tub with moonlight path bubble bath, my candles, and just talk to the Lord and de-stress."

Road Grace

Today I was driving to Staples for some work supplies, and listening to 94.9 radio with some delightful Christmas music. I stopped at a light at Dale Mabry and Bearss and was momentarily distracted getting my sunglasses out of my purse when I suddenly jerked my head up when I heard a man shout, "YOU GOT b____? Get out and prove it!"

Upon looking up I could see this coming out of the mouth of a driver of a huge truck (I wanna say it was an 18 wheeler), while he suddenly opened the door, hopped off the seat of his truck and was hanging off of the door, aiming his fist at the driver and passenger (they looked like two "twenty something's) directly over in a little silver car in next lane over.

They were exchanging many fighting words and threatening to basically annihilate each other while at this red light. In the moment, it seemed to last forever even thought it was only a minute or two. I don't know what happened prior to this because I was too busy singing, "Baby it's Cold Outside" and fishing around for my glasses in my huge purse that some affectionately call, "the black hole."

So, the driver of the big truck grabbed some stuff off of the seat of his truck- bottles and what not -- and started throwing it at the guys in the little silver car. After throwing a bottle and something that looked like a brick at their windshield, he hopped back in his rig and took off, making a right on Dale Mabry. Before he could get away, the boys threw a bottle at his side window. As he drove down the road the guys cut across two lanes and started chasing him.

I have no idea what happened from there. They were long gone. But I did put in a call to the police on my cell and said, "better get down to N. Dale Mabry...I think you might have a little fight on your hands..."

This is not the first time I've encountered incidents like this. I've called the police when I'm out and about in my travels over things like this at least three or four times since I've lived here. Yes, it's "paradise" in one way living in Florida. We've got warm weather year round and palm trees, and beautiful beaches, but we also have some crime and crazy drivers.

One morning a few years ago Larry and I were at Texaco getting gas before work and a guy walked over and with his fists busted out a whole side of a guy's car windows over the fact that the other man, a father, had asked him to extinguish his cigarette while pumping, especially since his daughter was right there in the car. The man was irate and said, "who the heck are you to tell me that?" and busted out his windows in anger - while his little girl was sitting there in her car seat, sending the glass crashing all over her and cutting her. I'll never forget her name - Destiny. Larry and I helped her until the ambulance came.

People are getting crazier. I just know the Lord is coming back.

Don't you just feel the tension in the world? It's like the world is ready to pop. Just last week a man in Clearwater murdered his whole family, then drove across the bridge and shot himself. Crazy!

The world is stressed out with Christmas (which always cracks me up - we should be at peace, not stressed out, but it has become something so different from what it was intended.) And, the world is at a snapping point even when it's not Christmas.

We are living in the last days...the world sure does need Jesus, and some anger management classes probably wouldn't hurt either. Road rage? What we need until Jesus comes back is a little road grace.

The secret of your strength

My brain is getting back into gear spiritually after waking up yesterday and reading my devotional passages. I said yesterday I'd blog about it, and here are a few highlights:

First I began reading I Corinthians 10 where it was talking about the Israelites and learning from the mistakes they made. Well interestingly enough I'm teaching on this in my Sunday School class and have been on this now for several months. Just when you think you know just about everything on a subject...

God was once again reminding me of the importance of learning from all of their hard learned life lessons. Here are several excerpts from chapter 10:

"Remember our history, friends, and be warned..."

"The same thing could happen to us...we must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did..."

"These are all warning markers - DANGER! - in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel - they at the beginning, and we at the end - and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were..."

"Forget about self confidence. It's useless. Cultivate God-confidence..."

"All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit. He'll always be there to help you come through it..." (The Message)

Then I opened up "Come Away My Beloved" and here was yesterday's gem. Interesting that it was about singing since that's the last thing I've wanted to do for quite a while... here are just a few excerpts:

"Remember that I am in the midst of you when you praise Me. Never let any kind of anxiety crowd out your praise. Do not be concerned for My reputation. I have withstood many storms and I will survive this one. Human strivings are like the waters around Gibraltar. They have beat upon the rock, but they have not changed it. I am not disturbed, and I forbid you to be anxious. for anxiety produces tension, and tension erodes joy, and when joy is gone, victory is lost, faith is weakened and spontaneity is destroyed. The spirit falls ill. The salt has lost it's flavor. It's savor is a saver. What can I use to preserve My work in your midst if you lose your joy? Rejoice always, said the apostle Paul, and again I say, rejoice. Let your stability be apparent to all, for truly the coming of the Lord is near. Prepare yourself and be strong, for it is the Lord who upholds you and He it is who gives you the victory. Sing my children, and let the shout of praise be heard for the Lord is mighty and His name is glorious."

I have honestly let a whole lot of things crowd out my praise....and my joy. You know the joy of the Lord is our STRENGTH - that's what the Word of God says. I guess that explains why I have been feeling so incredibly weak.

Coming back to my senses

I'm doing so much better today. Went to my weight watcher meeting this morning. I'm up a pound but it's no shock. With all the holiday stuff, and being stressed out it's amazing I'm not up 10 pounds. We had a substitute leader today but she was excellent. It was the motivational shot in the arm I needed this morning. I didn't want to go in the first place because I knew I was up, but at the same time I knew it was the right thing to do. Yesterday I started making wise choices again.

When we went to breakfast yesterday I had ordered my favorites which are biscuits and gravy and all that stuff. I was stressed, had just had a crying jag and really, it's what I wanted. I ordered it. Then sat there and thought, "WHY AM I COMPOUNDING THIS PROBLEM? THESE BISCUITS AND GRAVY ARE GOING TO SOLVE NOTHING. STOP THE INSANITY!"

I called the server back over and said, "I'm so sorry to do this to you, but I had momentarily lost my mind. Please forgive me. I need to reorder my food."

I proceeded to order pancakes with low calorie butter and low calorie syrup, and two turkey sausages, with an unsweetened tea.

I was proud of myself.

I regained my presence of mind. Stopped the brain warp.

Stopped the insanity.

Started being a good friend to myself again.

It also helped today that my devotional reading spoke perfectly to so many things in my life. My day was started on a such a motivational note between my WW meeting and then my devotions...both put me in the right frame of mind - focusing on what God wants me to focus on. I'll blog about the devotional under a separate post. I believe it will speak to many of you who might be struggling.

Today we have just been working non-stop to get everything done so we can move at a slower pace Christmas week and spend some time with the kids. The week between Christmas and New Years Day, Larry closes the office and we only come in for "essentials" - services, bank deposits, etc., and also handling emergencies such as hospitalizations, etc. Aside from that we work hard the week before to get everything prepared so we don't have office work. It takes working at a breakneck pace the week before.

We're getting it done. We're going to have some family time.

There's a happy feeling nothing in this world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'd nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives...
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives...
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives...

Teeby saves the day

This morning was my day to work from home and Larry was to go to the office as usual. We heard Savanna get up early and so since she was already out fixing her breakfast and getting dressed, I laid in bed a while longer and Larry rolled over to hold me and talk to me, and suddenly...the dam burst and there went my tears all over the place. I just sobbed and sobbed, and well...sobbed some more all over him and my pillow.

He laid there and talked to me for about 20 minutes as I just wept my little heart out and he talked some sense back into me, sounding more like a football coach than a husband. I needed it. It was one of those, "crying so hard I can't breathe" moments and then when I was spent he said, "I'm taking off today."

He's been telling me he's going to take a vacation day since he still has 14 left and hasn't done a thing with them. I know, that's not good that we haven't taken all of our vacation, but it's just how it worked out. We have taken some time off this year - a week in January, and we took a few other days off however we still have two weeks we haven't taken and probably won't get to this year. Anyhoo...

He was going to take a vacation day last week but it wasn't a good time - too much going on that we just couldn't get out of or stop. It's a miracle that we just take our weekly "day" off let alone our vacation. So today he said, "we have Christmas shopping to finish. You are spent emotionally. I want to be with you. Let's just get out of here and take off today.

So he called Cathy and told her we wouldn't be in today and she held down the "Northside fort." Pastor Trinity is gone right now - in Missouri, doing his uncle's funeral.

I got in my bathtub this morning, quickly bathed and dressed and Larry took Dustin and I out to breakfast. We went to Cracker Barrel and then we went Christmas shopping all day. We are finally DONE except for one more gift for one of the kids. Wow, that is RELIEF.

We were wrapping up our shopping and Bobby called on the phone and said he was at the house and no one was there. This is his last day here in Florida before he goes to California to spend Christmas with his mother. We'll really miss him. We went home and soon had a houseful with the boys, Savanna, Bobby, Stephen, and Chris Currie, who is home from Basic Training. They have been eating and playing Halo tonight. Meanwhile Larry and Savanna have been wrapping Christmas gifts all night. And guess what - except a few little gifts I have to wrap for Larry, we're done with wrapping. I only have a few small gifts to wrap for him because I'm letting him pick out his gift from Best Buy. I want him to have what he really wants. (Besides "me" of course!) GRIN

Tonight while they did that I got all our Christmas cards signed, addressed, signed, sealed and...almost delivered! (Will do that in the AM) Christmas stuff is coming along at the Shrodes house! I also wrapped up a few work odds and ends that were necessary today.

I'm doing better. Teeby always does what he can to make it that way. Just one more reason I love him. I'm so glad he stayed with me today. And that he'll sleep beside me tonight.

Nothing deep, just an easy meme

Honestly, I'm not up to posting my deep personal thoughts tonight. I know, that's pretty rare. Pray for me.

Well, here's a meme from my friend Pastor Tara Sloan. I just need something that doesn't require me to keep re-writing until it's acceptable for public consumption...or something that will keep me busy and get my mind off of that which has me stressed.

No personal details tonight, just an admonition to all of you ~ we are living in the last days, I believe. And if what I am going through and so many of my friends in ministry are going through is any indication, the enemy is really trying to discourage ministers. Only about 1/4 of the people who read my blog are from my church so that means the vast majority of you are in churches elsewhere around the world and I just admonish you with this -- pray...fast...encourage...support. Your pastor needs all these things.

So instead, I'll "meme" tonight and then hold on tight to Teeby while I get some sleep. :-)

1. If you could have any person you've encountered this week put on the bench at the dunk tank, in order to dunk them, who would it be and why?
Honestly, no one. I don't have any ill/hateful/bitter feelings toward anyone - people just tire me. I'm learning, a lot of pastors are tired.

2. What's one song you feel describes your life at this moment? "
"Tomorrow", from the musical Annie and "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac

3. Is there anything you're looking forward to for this holiday season?
Getting some rest. Being with my family and others who energize me/encourage me.

4. Are there any people you wish you could get in touch with right now?
Yes, I've been thinking about a few people in ministry that I need to call. However I usually don't call people unless I'm "up" in spirit. I know it sounds kind of backwards, but when I not at my optimal, I always feel like I'll be a downer in talking to someone. I don't want to seem like Debbie Downer from Saturday Night Live. I want to be the person other people call to get the ray of hope they need. (Right now, I happen to be short on rays...)

5. As you grow older who do you find yourself sounding most like? Myself. Finally getting comfortable.

6. What's the most recent movie you've seen?
"Flywheel"

7. Do you have a bedtime routine?
No, and I desperately need one.

8. Do you have any quirks or weird personality traits?
Oh gosh, there's not a blog big enough to chronicle them!

9. Have you ever found money in the street? Yep

10. What is your biggest indulgence?
eating potato chips and chocolates (trying to break that habit), pedicures, reading

11. If you had to give up a right, guaranteed in the U.S. or any constitution, to protect National Security which one would it be and why?
I'd have to agree with my friend Pastor Tara on this one - the right to bear arms... I'd leave that to the military and law enforcement

12. What do you consider to be the most positive personality trait you have?
I am absolutely faithful. I do what I say I'm going to do, show up where I say I'm going to show up, on time, every time.

13. If you have a relative who was dying of a terminal illness and they only had a few months to live but didn't know it would you tell them?
This is a very difficult question because the saddest thing I'd ever have to do would be tell them, however...since I feel very strongly about secrets, and I hate dishonesty by "omission" then I would venture to say that yes I'd have to find some way to tell them. I think every person has the right to know the truth about things that concern them. I hate secrets and lies even if they are "for a good reason."

14. Who do you miss this most at this time of the year?
A white Christmas - the potential of snow on Christmas.

15. Is there anything you're afraid of?
Deep water and having to live without my husband

16. What are you hoping Santa leaves you in your stocking this year?
Amy Grant's book - Mosaic, pretty panties, Moonlight Path cologne

17. What's your favorite Sunday comic?
I never read the Sunday comics, or any newspaper comics.

18. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
Staying successfully married - and now, very happily married.

19. Do you have any favorite places to go and think?
My back patio or the beach

20. Do you read newspapers?
yes

How my day went yesterday

I was too exhausted to blog last night so here I am this morning. (You know I was really tired if I'm too tired to blog!) I went to sleep early.

Yesterday (Sunday) morning I preached my "Ornament" message. It went well, I believe. The best thing that happened for me was this...after service I was greeting visitors in the hospitality room. Marcus Danielson came in and gave me a hug. This is standard for him - as he always finds me after church to hug me. But today his eyes were damp from crying and he was still sniffling a little bit. I thought perhaps this was because he had a rough morning in Sunday School, thus the reason he was sitting with his mother in the morning worship service instead of being in children's church. But such was not the case. His Mom, Michele, (pictured with him, below) told me that all during my closing prayer at the end of the message (when I was praying for the congregation to be the kind of "ornament" that God has called them to be) he was crying. She asked him if he was okay. He said, "Yes, I just feel Jesus. I just want to be with Jesus." You know what they say..."and a child shall lead them..." Oh if everyone were just like children in this regard...had the heart of a child. How long has it been since you wept as your pastor closed the service in prayer, just because you felt the spirit of the Lord and wanted so much to "be with Jesus?"

We went to the Rivera's yesterday after church for lunch. It was so yummy. They are wonderful hosts. I was so exhausted, however, that I fell asleep after lunch. Candy just covered me with a blanket and let me sleep. :-) Thank the Lord for understanding parishoners! I woke up and Candy had made brownies and hot tea. What a perfect afternoon (SMILE) Everyone was watching a Christian comedian, I believe his name was Steve Harvey. He was SO funny. I must get this DVD. I only heard about 10 minutes of it before we had to leave for church but it was so good.


I know I fell asleep at the drop of a hat yesterday because I really haven't gotten a real break for a while - even my days off lately have had elements of working as I've had special events to prepare for, cook for, etc. and also dealing with the Christmas frenzy, plus having some additional work on me as I've mentioned in some of my posts. No, I'm not whining here, just stating facts. There are some friends of mine going through the same thing right now and my heart is especially attuned to pray for them right now because I feel like I understand and can uplift them with a heart of understanding the place in which they are walking right now.


Last night was also our children's Christmas concert at the church. The kids were cute - did a good job. Savanna is growing so much. She's the tallest one in the children's church. Last night Pastor T had all the kids share what their favorite thing of Christmas is. When it was Savanna's turn to come to the microphone and share hers, she said, "My favorite thing about Christmas is that my Mom makes sweet rolls on Christmas morning." (SMILE)


We stayed for reception afterwards at the church - cookies and punch reception - and then came home and had the Currie's over for a while. They enjoyed my cream of crab soup that I had left from the life coaching lunch. We had good conversation as usual. Thank you Lord, for friends...friends who understand. This is one of God's greatest gifts, along with children who, when their pastor prays, cry because the "feel Jesus and just want to be with Him."

Moments like this make pastoring worth it all.

Life Coaching Christmas Luncheon

Today was my life coaching meeting and we held it at my home this time instead of the church. I served cream of crab soup, my special recipe chicken salad sandwiches,and my triple chocolate cake. Mmmmm...it was so good! We also had tea and coffee, of course and Susan brought some homemade sugar cookies and Jenn brought a peanut butter cup pie. Wow! So good.

After we ate, my teaching today was on the power of hospitality. We had a great discussion as usual. Here are some photos from our day. Cathy isn't in the group picture because she had to leave a little bit early and Isa wasn't able to come today.

Right now I'm relaxing for 2 seconds before having to take off again and go to Todd and Bonnie Stewart's birthday party. They are having a combined party and it's a 40's and 50's party. What I'm going to wear to this...I don't know...I'm a little ill prepared as far as dress since I was focused on the luncheon and didn't exactly get an outfit together.

Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter - the most important thing is...I'll be there for them.

What a sweet couple and we thank God for moving them from Illinois and sending them to our church...

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday Todd and Bonnie

Happy birthday to you

Today's fun Friday

This morning Teeby and I lingered in bed for a little while (best thing about a Friday morning, especially when Savanna wakes up on her own...) and then we got up and went to Brandon Mall with Dustin to do a little Christmas shopping. I love the Brandon Mall. I hope Larry will still want to go there even after the mall is finished and open, here by our house. It's coming, by the way-- a HUGE one -- in 2008. It's going to have EVERYTHING you can possibly think of. But going to Brandon to go Christmas shopping has been our tradition now for 5 years.

After shopping we came home and I started getting things rolling for an event I'm having here tomorrow at the house. I am hosting my life coaching group here at home for a Christmas luncheon and our meeting. I can't wait! I will tell you all about it tomorrow (don't want to ruin it for any of my life coachers who are reading tonight) but I have been cooking some specialties today and cleaning, and getting both dining tables set with the china, and putting out centerpieces and all those things I find so glorious!!! It's going to be perfecto...do you hear me? PERFECTO, my friends!!! Martha, Paula, and Rachel would be so proud!! (that's Stewart, Deen and Ray, if you didn't figure it out...) (GRIN)

While I did all of this prep work, Larry took Savanna out Christmas shopping tonight while I did all that. They had fun on a little Daddy/daughter date. The boys were at "Friday night live" at the church. By the time Larry got home I was getting rather tired from being on my feet so much. I drew a bath, lit the candles around my big tub, made myself a cup of "Kenya" tea and got in . I sat in there surrounded by the smell of "moonlight path" and just prayed a while and thanked God for all I have. I am so thankful. Yes friends, I'm still living in a "new normal." I'm reminded everyday about Africa. I now say simple things like, "thank you God, for this toilet..." (SMILE)

Today I got an email from Barb Kuert, and also Kevin & Miriam Smith (also missionaries to Kenya). Maybe that's why I'm feeling even more of a "pang" in missing it there. My heart is very heavy today for Barb and I have been in prayer for her. Nothing "devastating" is wrong, she just has a lot on her with some projects she's in the midst of and I understand the pressure she's under. At the same time, realize it's intense spiritual warfare there...

Larry and Savanna are still wrapping presents right now. They came home and started in on the wrapping projects which couldn't make me happier. I hate to wrap. I get out of it whenever I can.

Today I was putting stuff away in my kitchen from the party I had the other night (yes, I'm still putting things back...it was so involved) and realize I need to sort through and get rid of some stuff. It's time for a serious re-sorting, purging, re-organization. I don't like doing that kind of stuff but it's gotta be done. Maybe the week between Christmas and New Year, if I'm up to it. Usually that is my "re-grouping week" to get ready for the new year.

Today I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "what do I want for Christmas?" There are a few things I want such as the book Mosaic by Amy Grant (I'm a huge fan of Amy's), an executive lap desk (that's desk, not dance...ha ha), a new pair of sneakers (mine were basically ruined in the slums in Kenya) but really there's nothing right now that super excites me except going back to Africa. I would trade everything just to go back and forego any Christmas present I have coming. Really Christmas in the commercial sense pales in comparison...

I'm excited for my kids...

But for me...

I just want to go back.

Today I had "faces" coming at me in my mind all day -- Mama Harriet, Mama Joshua, Mama Esther... the Mathare Big Boys (who I just e-mailed yesterday!) Man, I miss them all! There is no distance in prayer and today I prayed for all of them.

Merry Christmas my dear African friends...I hope you know my heart is with you.

Just preach good

I've developed a new tactic with something. It's called the "just preach good" strategy.

Being a leader who likes to get what I'm expecting in the way of the run of an event, I've often gotten upset over the years when something I've planned, checked up on, re-reminded people about, and been counting on falls by the wayside. To me it makes no sense. I'm the type of person that can keep 100 details spinning and get it all done without anybody reminding me. I don't need a babysitter. When people don't take care of details it threatens my mental health not to mention my focus at an event when I'm the speaker.

To say I hate when that happens is the understatement of the year. Larry always says, "you've gotta inspect what you expect." Well, I do. To the point of over-doing it at times -- to the point of micro-managing. Make no mistake, I don't want to micromanage but often I feel I have no choice. Much of the time, it's micromanage, or show up and have an emergency on my hands. Or, to put it another way - don't micromanage - leave people to rise or fall to the occasion - and I show up and look like an idiot.

I memo, write out lists and expectations, and say things like, "now, I'm just making sure you've got this ready as we discussed..." to whatever worker or team it is that I'm working with. And then...many times in spite of all that at times things still fall through.

Years ago it would just destroy me. It would make me sick. It was to the point where when it happened, I'd just want to walk out of the building, leave the event and never look back. I'd fantasize about walking out, leaving everybody there to scramble - wondering what to do. My head would be filled with glee at the thought of them trying to do what I always find myself having to do! I'd dream about going to a department store, leisurely buying myself a new outfit, stopping by Starbucks for a latte on the way home, and going home to bed and forgetting like the event ever existed. I've never done that but I sure have dreamed about it at times. Thankfully, over the years I've begun to handle this better.

Up until recently when things went awry with details, it still affected my preaching. And I just made the decision in recent months, it's not going to anymore. I figure, if everything else falls apart, something or somebody needs to redeem the time and make the whole thing worthwhile. And nothing can do that like preaching God's Word strongly and having a great altar time. I think you could probably have the legs on a table break and send all the china crashing to the floor but if the speaker got up and brought the house down and a bunch of great spiritual stuff happened people might not care about the table crashing later on. Just preach good. That's all you have to worry about in order to have the right memory prevail. I think preaching good and having a great altar call would pretty much redeem anything - except moral failure that is! (And I don't plan on having one!) So that's my new mantra. Preach good.

Previously when stuff happened most people might not have guessed that I was affected by it with the way I ministered. The ministry was effective per se, but I always knew that I was doing less than my best in speaking because my mind was overwhelmed by the fact that somebody didn't show up, or do what they were supposed to do and now another part of the evening wasn't as good as it could have been.

The other night some stuff fell through the cracks and it was so obvious to anyone who knew anything about the inside track of the event. I never discussed it that night to speak of, but anybody who knows me and how I operate could have readily seen a few things that weren't right. Larry knew it and we weren't even together during the event but he could see quite a number of things happen that he knew weren't going according to plan. So he came up to me while I was sitting at my table eating and said, "Um, everything okay?" and I said, "yep." And he looked at me like, "are you crazy? I know everything's not okay!" (He said this not because of anything I did or didn't do, but because he noticed things that he couldn't imagine I wouldn't be upset about.) I said, "Lar, whether something is right or wrong, there's nothing I can do about it now. And the fact is this...whether things are okay or not, they are going to be just fine in a minute because I'm going make them that way. I'm going to get up and turn this place right side up the minute I take the stage."

And that's what happened.

I have a new philosophy...as much as I hate stuff going wrong (especially when it's one of my God-dreams --- and boy do I have them!) the fact is it's much better for me to basically be in complete denial at the moment about whatever feelings I have about it so that I can just minister at full capacity and see God do something powerful.

Stuff went wrong days beforehand. Stuff went wrong that night. Senseless stuff that never needed to take place. But I knew as soon as 8:00 pm hit and I got up to speak, if I just kept my mind on giving the word God gave me, all was going to be right in that place at that moment. It's amazing what FOCUS can do. The time to correct things or make adjustments can come later on.

Looking back on it...I'm still not happy a few things went wrong. HOWEVER -- at least now instead of just going, "look at all that went wrong and then I was upset and my mind was clouded as I preached..." I'm now saying this: "okay, so a bunch of stuff did go wrong BUT I put all that aside for a moment...got up and laid my heart out before the people...and saw God move...and now the next day the mess ups thankfully pale in comparison to the spiritual results I have to look back on."

Alexa got saved Friday night. For the "Alexa's" out there, I can't afford to not have my game on. I can't afford to be peeved about something and lose the anointing to bring God's Word and hear His voice...because people like Alexa are counting on people like me to not be affected by detail busters.

Just preach good. It's my new motto.

Church Air Traffic Controller

Had a busy day working on many things at the office. I'm in the midst of working on the calendar for 2008 and that is always a bear for me. I always get to the point where I can't wait to be done with juggling the whole thing. I feel like an air traffic controller when I work on the church calendar because I am being ever so careful not to have ministries bumping into one another, at least not in the way that they would both be booked for the same space in the building on the same day. We're way past the point of giving only one ministry "the day" for their event except rare exceptions. Too much going on that we have to fit in the schedule somehow. After about two hours, I finally put it away today and said, "I'm giving my brain a rest and will come back to it Monday..."

We came home after work and Larry started cooking dinner tonight and he made pork chops and mashed potatoes, corn and applesauce and by the time he was done Bobby walked in the door and we just set an extra place like we always do. We sat down and had dinner together and then I set about cleaning the kitchen and getting some preliminary things ready for my life coaching luncheon on Saturday. I'm going to have a Christmas gathering and our meeting here. So tonight I started getting the table linens ready, the china, the centerpieces, etc.

Other than doing all that I've been doing some reading and stuff tonight, and just winding down after a busy week. And also - enjoying my Christmas tree. :-)

Sludgery Drudgery Day

I wasn't feeling well today. Mixture of being physically and emotionally zapped. I did a few initiatives today but for the most part my message for tonight's service took the majority of my time. It was like pulling teeth to get it done --which is very unusual - there's nothing I like to do more than prepare teachings & teach...and when things are like this I know I'm just wiped...spent... Working today was like walking through mud up to my waist with heavy clothes on. It just slowly sludged forward.

I got to church tonight and God did His thing as usual. Worship went well and so did the teaching. Some people who don't even usually comment said, "Wow, that was so good..." God is so good because quite truthfully it's one of those days where I felt I had little to nothing to give.

We also had a missionary with us from Chi Alpha tonight (Garry Miller) and he did a 10 minute window with us in the adult service and then went and spoke at youth. Good times. :-)

We watched the end of Kid Nation tonight. It's sad that it's over. We enjoyed it so much. I sat on the edge of my seat until I realized Taylor was NOT going to get a gold star. :-) Whew...I'm breathing easier and so are the kids.

By the way, I really, really missed Africa today. I was even going to wear my African dress today but then I was just too tired to get everything ironed. I thought about Kenya today at least 1/3 of the day...and was craving one of Barb's smoothies. I think I'll email her tomorrow and ask her to send me the recipe.

Sometimes things here at home still don't make sense to me after I've gotten back. Still living the "new normal".

'll write more tomorrow when I'm in a better frame of mind to.

Full steam ahead Tuesday...

Today is my day to work from home and knock out writing projects. It's probably my favorite day of the week because I get so much done, and all in my PJ's at that! Tuesdays go like this - I get Savanna up, and off to school. Then I get a cup of tea and settle in with my laptop to work non-stop. Most times I don't even stop for lunch unless Larry calls me and says, "can you meet us (the staff) for lunch?" In which case I have to quickly shower and get ready.

Most days I work through lunch and at the most grab a sandwich while I'm still typing and working. I know it's not the best habit in the world to have as far as a schedule or eating but for getting work done it's an amazing thing for me. I work until late afternoon, then get showered and dressed, eat and spend time with my family and then later on at night do a few more hours of church work on the computer before I hit the sack. That's how my Tuesdays go.

As I've mentioned before I work from home on Tuesdays so I'm not interrupted by calls or walk-ins. At the Northside office, it's most often interruption central - not real conducive to writing in peace. I like to have a day where nobody can find me - at least nobody but the staff. And they find me when I want them to. (SMILE) That is, when I pick up after hearing their pleas on the answering machine.

Today my plan was slightly augmented. I got up to wake Savanna, feed the dog, let her out, and then set about making dinner and putting it in the crock pot. I quickly pulled together ingredients for homemade beef stew, turned it on low, then took my cup of tea to bed and for the next five hours I knocked out projects. I got my message for Sunday done. I'm preaching the next message in our Christmas series, "Unwrapping Christmas." My message for Sunday will be simply entitled, "Ornament." I am excited about it. Here's the basic message - everyone is basically an ornament to the world - what kind are you? (Hint...some are good, some not so good...) We're going to "unpack" the ornaments on Sunday morning. Also, I'm going to give some away as gifts. It's going to be fun, and spiritually challenging all at the same time. In addition to finishing my ornament message, I made the accompanying power point for the message. I think it's beautiful if I do say so myself - filled with all kinds of beautiful photos of...(you guessed it) ornaments!

After this I did various asundry things such as service orders, proofing communications to go out, working more on a special media presentation for next Sunday 12/23, (our special Christmas service), and a few other small things. Then I went in to get ready for my hubby's arrival home. This entails showering, makeup, hair done, you know - all that stuff. I don't just do it for him - obviously it's for me too. But keeping my "get up and get cracking on work first" - "full steam ahead" strategy just seems to work best on Tuesdays. After getting myself ready it was time to go to the kitchen and make cornbread to go with the stew.

Larry came home at 5:30 and for two hours before he came home the kids kept saying, "Mom, when can we eat this food in the crock pot? We're starving!" (I need to take them to Kenya to show them what 'starving' really is...hopefully in '08 I will...)

Fascinating Meme & Anniversary Dinner

Haven't blogged anything since Saturday - just recooperating from the weekend...

Quite honestly I am not ready to blog anything super introspective...I am so tired and although many things over the weekend were good, just as many were stressful. So many thoughts swimming around in this head of mine, and somehow I'm succesfully restraining myself from spilling them all out. I've decided rather than get into the whole ball of wax in detail today (part of the reason I avoided my blog last night and so far today...) I would do a "Monday Madness" meme I found online. So here we go.

1. What was your biggest challenge this past week?

Successfully making it through the Christmas Extravaganza and my Christmas Open House.

2. What was your biggest accomplishment this past week?

Successfully making it through the Christmas Extravaganza and my Christmas Open House.

3. What was the most exciting thing that happened in your life this past week?

Successfully making it through the Christmas Extravaganza and my Christmas Open House.

4. What one thing made you the happiest?

Successfully making it through the Christmas Extravaganza and my Christmas Open House.

That sums it all up, my friends.

Today was Dustin & Casey's "dating anniversary". He wanted to make a special dinner for her here at the house. Her favorite meal is chicken alfredo. I went and got all the ingredients for it as well as Caesar salad, garlic bread, fresh steamed veggies and cookies. We came home from work and I coached him through making it all while I set the table and stuff. Nothing was "out of a jar" - it was all my homemade recipes and he did a great job. We had dinner and they watched LOST (on DVD).

He seemed so happy. I really love it when my kids are happy.

20 of Deanna's Favorite Things 2007

Oprah has her "favorite things" show as well as the feature every month in her "O" Magazine and I've been thinking of starting my own "favorite things. (Note: this is not an endorsement of Oprah. Please don't send me e-mails asking me why I said that.)

Anyway, thought I would share with you are few of my favorite things. Some of them might make a good Christmas gift for those in your life you are shopping for this season. Others are just "everyday use" items/products. Either way, they all put a smile on my face. By the way, I do not work for any of these companies nor do I get a kickback for telling you how great they are. So here we go:

1) The book Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts. I like to read a chapter a day. It's like a "letter from God to me". It's amazing how many times the chapter I am reading that day speaks directly to my situation. I come away from reading it feeling so loved and adored by God. All of the letters are scriptural, so that explains why! I just gave this book to my womens leaders last night at our Victorian Tea as an appreciation gift for 2007.

2) Dove soap products. I love them! I use Dove bar soap, and also the shower gel. For shaving, it's great! I also use the Pro-Age products/moisturizers. Great stuff. I am thinking I should be one of the "Dove" Girls. What do you think? Honestly I would LOVE IT but Larry has his reservations since the Dove Girls are in their bras and panties on the side of buses and billboards all over America. My thought: okay, so how is that any different than a bathing suit? (For those who don't know, the campaign isn't about sex appeal in advertising - these are REAL women with REAL bodies - in fact the theme is, "the campaign for real beauty".) He still thinks we would be called into the district office about it, and for this reason has reservations about me applying to be a Dove Girl. He doesn't want him or myself to have to sit in front of the presbytery and explain why I'm on the side of a bus in my underwear. I do think, however that I would make a good candidate since I actually USE the products, have for YEARS before they ever started that Dove Campaign and really BELIEVE IN the product. I also think the cool people in the A/G might actually be proud to have me as a Dove girl. But I will respect my husband's decision and not put in an application.

3) Dove sugar free chocolates. Different product, different company, same great name. I love Dove "dark" sugar free chocolates. They are so yummy. I always have a bag of them on hand. They help me with weight loss. Let me share with you my little trick. I always want a little something sweet after lunch or dinner. It used to be a cookie, or brownie or something like that. Of course that packs on a lot of weight. But I would be tempted especially if out to lunch, say at Subway or something like that, to get a cookie. Well now I keep a few Dove chocolates in my purse at all times. After I eat lunch or dinner, I eat one. It's an incredible chocolate treat and satisfies that craving for a sweet taste, at just a few calories. It works! I even took a bag with me to Africa.

4) Republic of Tea products. I've blogged about these before here. I love them!

5) Flip flops. You can't have too many pairs of these if you live in a warm weather environment. I wear them every single day at some point in my day, usually when I first wake up and I'm getting ready or when I get home and I'm cooking supper.

6) Sea salt. I use it on my food everyday at home. We just use McCormick sea salt and cracked pepper grinders. I am not sure if it's good or bad for you - I haven't asked because I don't want to know! I really like it. I got hooked on this because I love the Red Lobster baked potatoes when they have them covered in this salt. Yum! I know "salt" in itself isn't good for you to overdo it, and I'm not talking about excessive intake of it. I am just saying I like to sprinkle a little bit on what I'm eating.

7) Favorite stores: thrift stores, Ross, Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Kirklands.

8) Favorite restaurant - CARRABBAS!!!! Can anyone say, Spedino Dimare and pasta with tomato cream sauce??!!! Yiippeee! (not exactly a WW meal, but...for special occasions...)

9) "One Fabulous Fit" Strapless bra - Maidenform - I guarantee you, this bra will stay put! It's awesome. By the way, the maidenform saleswoman told me that their strapless is the SAME EXACT ONE as they one they sell at Victoria's Secret, made by the same manufacturer, it just has a different name on it. The Maidenform is just much better priced! In fact as you can see by going to their website here, you can purchase "One Fabulous Fit" for just $24. Trust me, I have a lot to hold up (I'm sure you wanted to know that - TMI) and this bra does the job. You will not have to worry about standing on the platform singing (or dancing in worship) and having a "wardrobe malfunction". (SMILE) Sorry if this embarrasses any of my male readers. But here's a tip - buy one of these for your wife. She'll love it!

10) Luzianne tea when making iced tea. I always use the family size bags. Jordan and I like this best for iced tea.

11) Old Bay seasoning. A Baltimore staple. I use this to season everything from my chicken salad, to fried chicken, to pasta salads, to soup, to you name it!

12) Kleenex Expressions Oval Tissues - the new "fancy" oval shaped boxes with designs. I know they are a lot more expensive than just a regular box. Truthfully I normally just purchase store brand tissues but since Kleenex came out with these I always keep a box on my desk. They are just really cool looking and I think it's nice to have them when people come in and talk to me and start crying. That happens to every pastor, it's not just that people come into my office and I make them cry. (SMILE) Check out their new boxes at www.kleenex.com. Right now they are selling holiday ones and Larry likes them so he got one for our house, but it will be gone in about two seconds flat with the way our kids use tissues. Hence, the reason I don't normally purchase them for the house and get the boxes from the dollar store.

13) Hellman's mayonnaise. I've tried many others but for my special salads that I make, nothing comes close to Hellman's. I make my famous chicken salad with it. Everyone raves about it. Probably half the dishes I'm serving tomorrow night at my open house have Hellman's in them. I know, it won't exactly be a low calorie night, but this is a once a year affair.

14) Reader's Digest. My favorite magazine! I've been a faithful reader for years and now I have Dustin hooked. I have been a huge fan since I was just a kid and I read it cover to cover the day it comes in the mail. I send a subscription to my sister too, "just because".

15) The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson. Such an enjoyable, easy read. Not for deep study of the Word of God, but just for pure enjoyment. I took mine to Africa with me and read it on the plane. Also got Dustin one for his birthday.

16) Rocking chairs. Any kind of rocking chairs. (Don't you love this feature of Cracker Barrel? One day I want to have a rocking chair in every room of my house. Right now I just have one in my bedroom and a recliner/rocker in the family room, but one day...

17) Rusk "Wired" multiple personality hair styling creme.. Nothing straightens my hair like this. It's awesome.

18) Bath and Body Works "Moonlight Path." Brenda Tobias from church introduced me to it a few years ago and I'm crazy about it. Brenda and her husband Adam got me this for Christmas a few years ago and I'm hooked. Lisa got it for me as a gift too this past year. I love the bath products (my absolute favorite bubble bath) and the body spray and perfume. Mmmmmmm...!!!

19) OPI nail products. I just don't think there is any better lasting polish, and the colors are just out of this world. My "nail people" (Tony & Lisa, and Mai) know that I get all excited the day I come in to the salon and the new OPI colors are in. Yippee! ("Deena...new collah come in fo you...nu shay av peenk, jus like yu like!")

20) The movie Evening. It just came out on DVD. I want it for Christmas. This past year I went to see it with Cathy, Misty and Misty's grandma. We LOVED it!!! It stars Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson and Meryl Streep. I am crazy about this movie and can't wait to see it again. Please don't send me a nasty e-mail about it - I know there is a cuss word in it. I know people have sex in the movie who are not married. Obviously I don't agree with that and am not endorsing the behavior. Most movies today do have this element, unfortunately - but it is "real life." This is a PG-13 flick, by the way. I recommend you watch it with a close girlfriend, get a coffee and talk about your impressions of it. The four of us are still talking about it, by the way - in fact we discussed it the other night during the Victorian Tea a little bit. So many spiritual applications to the movie though it is not a Christian movie, I must warn you.

I hope you enjoyed this list of a few of my favorite things - I'll be back with more in the future. Why not comment and share with me a few of your favorites?

Shine, shine like crazy

Tonight was our Christmas women's event, the "Christmas Extravaganza" - which is a Victorian Tea, served by our Men's Ministry. Our women hostess tables and invite their friends, particularly their unchurched friends.

I hardly got any sleep last night. I was just restless with a lot on my mind and anticipating what's coming up, both good things and things I feel a little overwhelmed by. I spent most of the night in prayer, wishing I could go to sleep. I slept for 2 hours (all night long) then got up and got Savanna up for school and went back to bed for 3 more hours. So I was running on a whopping 5 hours sleep today.


Before I give some insights into what I shared at the tea, let me share the best part of the evening...a guest I invited this evening, Alexa, received Christ as her Savior tonight! Yippee! She is a friend of Dustin and Jordan's from school and has come to my home for tea several times as well. She has also been at various parties we've had for the kids here at the house, and on top of all that, she's Casey's best friend. Anyway, she's just a precious girl and I've always enjoyed her so much and decided to invite her as my special guest tonight. Imagine my joy to see her come to the altar tonight and pray the prayer to accept Christ as her Savior. Laura (another friend from school who Dustin led to the Lord) prayed with her tonight. (The photo of it all happening is at the very top - the first photo above. Alexa is on the left, Laura on the right.)

I'm so excited! Afterwards she was so overjoyed...just "giddy" sort of happy, laughing and smiling so much and said, "I can't wait to come back here...this was so awesome...it didn't feel like "church" but more like a talk about life that really made sense and I'm just feeling so wonderful right now, having just prayed the prayer..." She went on to say she has never been "religious" in her life, and would have never imagined prior to tonight making this decision or wanting to come to church, but she was so compelled. PRAISE GOD!!! Of course I explained, it's not about religion, but relationship.

This is the beginning of something wonderful for her. God has huge plans for her, if she will continue to press in and follow Him. We actually had a group hug and jumped up and down we were so happy. Isn't God good? I just love it, love it, love it!!! There's nothing greater than this. I can't wait to see what He will do next. Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful?

There was a great atmosphere tonight and women sharing around the tables...one woman (who came with a friend) came up to me with tears running down her face and said, "thank you so much for your weekly devotional/emagazine. You'll never realize how it's changed my life." Then she went on to tell me that she gets up in the middle of the night many times with her child who is disabled, and at 2 and 3 am she reads my cup of coffee e-zines. She calls me her "2 am girlfriend". (GRIN) I love it!

It's so good to hear testimonies like this and know that what I do makes a difference. Some other ladies (who were guests of NS people) told me, "we're daily blog readers...and you bless us so much." Aw, thanks! (SMILE)

Honestly, I'd never quit writing altogether - because it's as vital to me as breathing. People reading has never been a pre-requisite for me to write. It's something that's always been part of my daily life. Even if it just stayed in the dresser drawer, so be it. It's like singing...I sing alone in my house in the dark at night with nobody but God listening, and it'll always be that way. But when somebody tells me they listened, and were changed - WOW. That's the amazing work of God!

Speaking of lives changed - Alexa received Christ, but in addition to that many other women were touched and came to the altar. I've included some photos here of the altar time, and also some more from the other various aspects of the evening. Much of what took place at the altar I cannot share details of because people were there with many personal needs that are confidential. But suffice it to say, GOD IS SO GOOD and many were able to release burdens they have been carrying.

I didn't anticipate it to be this way when God gave me this message for tonight a few months ago, but most of the night I was basically preaching to myself. The message tonight was, "Surprised by God" and I talked about things we can learn from Luke 1:26-35 . I didn't realize until today - as I was going over it again this morning and talking to the Lord ~ how much it really applies to me at this time. Listen to the six points of the message and maybe you'll see the correlation with some things I've been blogging lately.

1) God looks for people He can trust.
2) The scripture says Mary was "thoroughly shaken."
3) Mary had nothing to fear.
4) Mary was "surprised by God".
5) The Holy Ghost came upon Mary, and hovered over her.
6) Mary rejoiced - she considered her surprise an honor.


The message concluded with one of my favorite scriptures:

"Seest a man who is diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings..." Proverbs 22:29

God has great things for those willing to press through and not quit. Mary was willing to go through anything to fulfill the role God had for her. Wherever we are placed is the highest honor we can ever imagine, if God has placed us there. God is looking for women who are fearless and courageous, those who can be trusted, like Mary, to do the work of His Kingdom even in the face of difficulties. It has been said, "Women are like teabags. You don't know what they're made of until they're in hot water!" God needs women who are willing to face hardship, sacrifice and challenges...women who are willing to be chosen for a significant work. Remember that although we are often surprised by God, He is never surprised! He is always in the future, waiting to show us around.

Those who know me know that I seek God and prepare my messages well in advance. But I never realized months ago how much this would apply to me, tonight.

I have been tempted to look around me and say, "Not fair, God! Look at so and so and how they have such a lack of diligence..." (and quite honestly many times they do...) But this is what I'm hearing God say...

What someone else does or doesn't do has nothing to do with where you are headed in your life. Mary was "chosen" out of all the other girls/women on the face of the planet, for her destiny. She "got God's attention."

I hear God saying to me right now that I need to let it roll off of me when I see other people lacking in commitment -- even when it presents challenges for me in my work. I have to realize that SOMEBODY out there is going to get God's attention. And I want that somebody to be me!!! For somebody to get God's attention they have to do at least two things to rise above the rest - be purehearted, (Mary was pure) and show an uncommon diligence. If everybody were giving the same amount of effort there would be no rising above. I am realizing that uncommon favor follows uncommon diligence.

Yes, some things are happening that make my life more difficult. However, rather than look at it as a life sentence and a devastation I need to see it as a "God-opportunity" to rise above and be noticed by God. In other words - THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY!!! I say that being a very tired person right now, but nobody ever said we wouldn't be tired sometimes. IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUR OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL IT'S WORTH AND SHINE! As the song says, "Shine, shine like crazy..."

God is saying that we need to remember II Chronicles 16:9 where the Word says the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, seeking those whose hearts are fully toward Him, so that He may strongly support (endorse) them. That's what I want, how about you? I want God's eyes to roam the earth and suddenly STOP and look at me and say, "There's Deanna, rising to the occasion that I have presented her with..." and strongly endorse and support me.

This doesn't mean it's not going to take a whole lot of prayer to do it. Of course nothing happens without God making it happen. Because it's going to take a lot of prayer and the empowerment of God - it will obviously be a "God thing" when accomplished. People will have to stand back and say, "look what the Lord has done!"

I'm starting to see things different, through a little of my own preaching. :-) God showed up today and surprised me with that. Always love it when I feel prompted to answer my own altar calls.

By the way, here are the lyrics to Shine Like Crazy by Out of the Grey.

What, what's keeping us from moving?
What happened to the passion in our lives?
Look, see what he's been doing
Stirring up the fire deep inside
We're like diamonds in the dust
But our beauty's covered up
Gotta throw the shadows off to catch the light
I know we can shine
Shine like crazy
And shimmer like the sun
Free, that's what we're meant to be
To run and laugh and love and dance and sing
A volatile concoction of gratitude and grace
(It's contagious) That's a beautiful thing
So don't go entertaining doubts
Just pack them up and throw them out
We're making room for love to live inside
I know we can shine
Shine like crazy
And shimmer like the sun
This is where it gets exciting
When love has struck like lightning
It starts a fire that burns across the sky
I know we can shine
Shine like crazy
And shimmer like the sun

Pumpkin pancakes and messed up pedicures

Sometimes we just have to take time to do something nice for ourselves. Yes, I'm all about sacrifice and doing for others but as we learned at weight watchers yesterday, there comes a time where you have to nurture yourself somehow. (Let me ask you - what nice thing have you done for you, today?)

Today I was working from home, being that my office work is done for the week and I needed to cook the chicken salad for Friday night's women's event and also start on things for our open house this weekend for our church leaders. I decided to wake up and do something right off the bat today that would be nice for myself before starting my work.

I went to the kitchen and made pumpkin pancakes. I happened to have all the ingredients to make them. I love them! And I savored two of them before I started my work.

This morning somebody placed Geena's leash in a different spot where I have yet to find it tho' turning over every leaf I can think of to spot it! Well, I had to improvise so I took her out to go potty using a belt of Savanna's. I just hooked her collar on to it. I didn't know what else to do. I can't just let her out without a leash because she will run and attack the dog next door and I have already paid a handsome fee from my bank account once for the vet bills on that... (don't want to go there again) therefore I had her on a "short leash" (a.k.a. the belt) today. I let her out once with Savanna's belt, then once later on using a tie of Larry's (shhhhh don't tell!)

Needless to say she didn't like this improvisation. Coming back in the door, she freaked out and I tripped and ripped off about 1/4 of the nail of my new pedicure. Ughhhhh! I was so peeved. But I didn't scream and yell. I think I was too tired to, quite honestly. I just decided to ask Dustin if I could use his truck to go get a nail repair. I'm not even attempting to do it myself. It's Christmas time and I don't want a cheesey looking pedicure especially with lots of special events coming up where I'm wearing formal dresses and all that kind of stuff.

Dustin woke up (he doesn't work today) and I asked him, "want some pancakes?" He was all happy about it -- he loves pancakes although I know he's not into anything particularly unique such as pumpkin pancakes. He's a very plain meat and potatoes kind of guy. So I didn't tell him they were pumpkin, thinking, "he'll love this and say, 'Momma, what are these wonderful pancakes made with? They are just incredible!" I have fooled him before, such as giving him asparagus - he thought they were green beans - and now he loves asparagus. Well, he took one bite of the pancakes and ran and spit them in the sink. "Ughhhh! Mom!!! What are these made with?" I said, "Sorry Dust, I didn't tell you they had anything special in them because I thought you wouldn't give them a chance..." He says, "thanks a lot Mom, they're disgusting!" (By the way, they are NOT disgusting, they are delicious however Dustin doesn't like pumpkin.) Oh well, didn't win him over on that one. It was lunch time by the time he got up anyway so I heated up some leftover turkey tacos and asked him if he wanted to go with me for my toe repair later. He said sure...because it would only take a moment and then we were going to look for something for Casey for Christmas, in between making chicken salad and all else I had to do today.

He has no idea what to get her. He's so confused. I was trying to help him by suggesting different things - we looked at clothes, purses, you name it, we looked at it. Nothing would do. So with a totally serious face, I pointed out this hideous Christmas vest in the women's department and said, "oh look! It's perfect! We can get this for Casey." I can't believe I kept a straight face while saying it. He looked at it and immediately made a face like he had just tasted a pumpkin pancake and he says, "ARE YOU KIDDING, MOM?!" I fell to pieces laughing at his reaction and laughed so hard, I cried. He says, "Mom, stop laughing like that you're getting out of control..." Then on the way back home we are coming through our development and there is a roundabout half way through in our neighborhood. Instead of going straight to our house, he keeps going around the roundabout to see what I'll say. I was like, "Dust, you're making me completely nauseated doing this..." and he says, "I just wanted to see your face when I kept going around. " Ha ha! Life can be so darn serious and sometimes you just have to do these goofy things to stay alive, know what I mean?

Speaking of goofy, we came home and Bobby was at the house. :-) Jordan knew I would be upset that the house wasn't perfectly clean so when I came in he was scrubbing the floor with Bobby sitting at the kitchen table. I was so pleased to walk in to see Jordan scrubbing the floor saying, "Momma, I've made you a fresh pitcher of iced tea!" (Music to my ears...)

After Larry got home from work today we laid on the bed and talked for a while by ourselves and then Savanna came in and laid down with us for a while and then we got up and went on our annual Christmas shopping trip to to the Brandon Mall. Dustin went to Casey's as they were having a family dinner with her grandfather from out of town. Jordan elected to stay home, so it was just Larry and I with Savanna. We're home now and cooking yet again more things for the weekend. It's going to be such a busy one but I know when it's over I'll feel like I accomplished a whole lot. (Until I start working again Monday and feel like I've got a huge pile up in front of me.)

Keep us in prayer tomorrow night for a great move of God among our women as we come together for our annual Christmas event. They will have a lot of their friends from outside the church as well and we are believing for great things!

Insights from Weight Watchers yesterday

I said I'd blog a bit about our meeting yesterday and I know I have several readers who are also in the WW program at various centers around the country. It's interesting to see how things are done in different centers, with different leaders.

Clara spoke to us on the topic of creating more time for our needs at the holidays and throughout the year. She brought home the point that we will never "find time" for anything. You must make time, you do not find it.

Other things she reminded us of:

1) We're too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet. (In other words, we just keep eating but we don't stop to see WHY - the source - to put a stop to unhealthy habits and fix the problem.)

2) We are writing the story of our life, one moment at a time.

3) We teach people how to treat us.

4) What's important is progress, not perfection.

5) What's the difference between us when we fail and how we feel the next day (horrible) versus an alcoholic who has a hangover the next day? Nothing.

6) Planning is so important. For some of us, lack of planning is the main reason we fall. If we let the food run out at home and don't have our meals "planned" - we're sure to fail. (Fail to plan, plan to fail.)

7) Today be aware of how you are spending your 1440 moments given to you for today, and spend them wisely!

Just want to say to my fellow friends on the journey of weight loss and maintenance...it's amazing how "the meetings are the magic" as they say in WW. I veered off program a bit from Larry's birthday getaway but going to my meeting yesterday and putting the principles into practice, I lost a pound already just in 24 hours. It really is true that the meetings are the magic. I do not miss a meeting unless I am truly sick or, for instance, I missed a few weeks ago when I was in Africa. Unless there is an extremely good reason, I'm there. For those of us who struggle, accountability is essential. Although in WW you are supposed to go to one weekly meeting, if you are a member, you can go to as many meetings as you want. Sometimes it's helpful to drop in again when you are going through really difficult temptations. Many people who do not succeed on WW fail simply because they did not regularly attend a meeting at least once a week. It's no different than Christians falling away from God because they aren't faithful to the house of God to receive encouragement.

At one point my WW leader asked me to share with the class how I have been so successful on the program, for 3 years now. I said, "For the first year I came to every class without fail - even on vacation or business trips away - and I sat on the front row." (Why front row? To avoid distractions and not miss anything the leader said.) I told the class, more than anything else, the meetings ARE the magic, so don't miss them. If you are a floundering WW, take heed...go back to your meeting, and I guarantee things will improve.

If they don't improve, let me know and I'll take you out for an ice cream. (oops, wrong answer! ha ha!) Seriously, if this doesn't work for you and you honestly try it, I will treat you to an Edy's low fat slow churned ice cream. :) Fudge Brownie is the best, yum yum!

I don't ride rollercoasters anymore

"You're a warrior, Momma. You can do anything..."

Such was said to me by my son, Dustin, tonight. I was discouraged over a few things that have gone wrong and he could tell how distraught I was. I really didn't even want to watch Kid Nation with the family tonight, but I did for their sake. Beforehand I was laying on my bed and Dustin came in and hugged me and the sat and talked a while and encouraged me. He gives me hope for this generation.

The past few weeks I've just had a quadruple whammy of disappointments from people and sometimes it gets so tiring. I find myself wondering how people hold down jobs, or make it at all in this world. Somebody please explain this to me. If people treat their job anywhere near how they treat the house of God, how in the world do they keep a job for more than a week?

I don't ride rollercoasters anymore.

I make sure to tell my server every single time I eat at a restaurant that I need my salad or soup before my entree, or do not bother to bring it.

I ask for names of employees that I speak to when I make a hotel reservation and write down our entire conversation.

I will "cc" memos and overcommunicate things. Why?

1) Did you know that rollercoasters at parks are supposed to be checked and maintenanced every day? Most several times a day? I am not certain of this but I believe it's not just their employer's expectation, but it's the law. If the people hired to take care of rollercoasters act like 3/4 of the rest of the world's people, we are not safe. If they ARE being taken care of like they should be, then where in the world are they finding these people to employ who are so different than the majority of the rest of the world? Be afraid. Keep your feet on the ground.

2) If you do not tell your server that you want your soup or salad first, it will most likely come out 5 minutes before your meal arrives, or it will arrive with your meal. And then, what's the point? For some reason, these days the servers need to be told this information. You cannot count on them as the servers of yesteryear, to bring out your food in the proper order, timed appropriately. This is like a new revelation to many servers. You are not safe to just assume they know anything.

3) If you do not have the name of who you spoke to at a hotel or any kind of company, really, you will find it hard to prove that indeed, you are supposed to have a room reserved. Many of these people will say they have never heard of you, nor have anything listed with your name in their computer.

These are just things I have come to realize in the past few years. The fact is, it's hard to find anyone who is really committed anymore. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade, although I know God knows and does all things well. I find myself thinking, "Lord, don't you think someone with my values would have been better off living in the 40's or 50's?" I mean, I can be counted on like clockwork to do what I say I'm going to do, to be where I say I'm going to be, to deliver on time, everytime unless I would be really seriously ill, or...dead. When I mean seriously ill I mean incapacitated or hospitalized. Is this REALLY that hard? I will admit to you, I have many faults...and weaknesses. I can't do math to save my life. I eat too much sometimes. I lose my temper. But dear Lord, is it really that hard to just SHOW UP and BE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE and DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU'D DO? No, this doesn't take brain surgery folks.

So that my friends is why I don't ride rollercoasters anymore. If the person who fixes them overslept that morning, if their alarm didn't go off and they and decided not to show up or check out the ride before I got on it, chances are a bolt could be loose. If the person who maintains the coaster forgot that they'd be on a cruise with their wife the day I was coming to the park and the boss couldn't get another person to come in, I may just be riding an unmaintained ride. If the person who fixes coasters decided to take an extra long lunch and talk on their cell phone to their friends for too long that day instead of getting back to work like they should, it could prove to be a fatal ride for me or my friends.

By the way, I feel the same way about planes, trains and automobiles, but these things are necessary to do our work and get around in life, therefore I can't swear them off. If I could, I would. Because God knows the guy working at General Motors could be running his mouth to the person alongside him at the assembly line and miss tightening an important screw on my car that could send me careening to my death.

Yep. I have a very hard time trusting people because of the onslaught of apathy, lack of commitment, and poor work ethic that pervades our country, and yes, our churches. I get nervous to even trust somebody from the church to bring a plate of brownies when they are supposed to. I've learned the hard way to have the extra box of brownies in the cupboard in case they don't show up and Publix is closed.

I told Dustin tonight, "Please pray I'm 100% healthy until the rapture or pray that Jesus comes back tomorrow." He said, "why?" I said, "son, you aren't planning on being a doctor and I can't trust somebody else in your generation to show up and fix me in 20 years if something happens. They'll probably be texting somebody in the ER while I am gripping on to my chest gasping for breath."

"You're a warrior, Momma. You can do anything..." he says. Let's hope so. I've sworn off rollercoasters because I can't fix them and I don't really need them to live. But some things in life I really do need and if I can't fix them I have to depend on somebody else to help. And it's then that I just hold my breath and hope to God they come through.

I don't really know what the answer to this is for a pastor/pastor's wife or really anybody for that matter. Surely if you care about commitment, dedication and quality - you get as peeved as I do at times. Here's the thing...you can run around leaping tall building in a single bound, "saving the day" as I'm prone to do. Or, you could just forget about whatever it was that was supposed to happen and just let it go and not do anything about it. But then quality goes down, you end up looking stupid that stuff isn't done or really frustrated because you know the potential of how things could have been. It hurts to be the one racing around to "save the day" but it also hurts just to forget it and let it go because, first - things won't be as good as they should be and, second - everyone will notice the lack.

It's so frustrating it makes you just want to hurl yourself off of a rollercoaster...if you still rode them, that is.

What do you all do about this...especially those of you in ministry who depend on so many "volunteers"? The ways I cope (thus far) are - fitness walking, doing the elliptical, riding my bike, writing my feelings out...but sometimes I slide into other coping mechanisms such as - eating junk (like I did tonight, unfortunately), blowing up (done this way too many times), or working myself into such an exhaustion to save the day, I get sick. I can take drastic measures as I have done so many times to save the day, but my body shows it. I get colds, headaches, sometimes my eyes will involuntarily twitch from lack of sleep when I have to push the limit to get something done or do it all myself because somebody didn't do what they said they would do. Sometimes I have to take another job in the church that is essential to our existence because people quit or don't even show up. So, what have you done that helps? Besides the obvious - prayer and getting more into the Word?

Do tell. I would love to take your wisdom and apply it to my life although I probably won't ever ride rollercoasters again.

I don't want to end on a negative note tonight, although it felt really good to just vent all that. But here's five great things about today, to close this entry out:

1) I saw Ada today. She did my hair. Fantastic job! It looks great. What a great time we had talking. I always feel on top of the world when I spend time with her.

2) I feel good about my message for Friday night. I'm finished with preparation, I am just praying a lot about it.

3) I finished a ton of initatives today and prepared the way to have more prayer time for the outreach Friday.

4) Watched Kid Nation with my family tonight. Always a cozy time.

5) We had a good weight watcher meeting today. Later this week sometime I'll blog about our teaching.

G'night all. Thanks for listening to my rampling.

What I did today

This post is just the run down of what I did today and it never ceases to amaze me that anyone else besides me has interest in this, but according to my blog stats a lot of people to have interest in it, so here goes.

This morning I tried to sleep a little later but the dog was beckoning me to arise and take her out. So, I did.

I got some computer work done - finished my message for Friday night, did some other odds and ends tasks that needed to be wrapped up for the weekend, finalized the grocery list for our leadership Christmas open house on Sunday night and went to get the groceries for it. (At least the ones I could get now. Some of them like fresh fruit, and bread have to wait until the day of.)

By the way, this is a huge party we host at our home every year for our staff, board, ministry leaders and their families. I make a ton of my most special foods, and have little food and beverage stations in all different areas of the house, and we open our home up for this wonderful event, usually the second Sunday night in December. The first year I did it all by myself but truly it has gotten to be too much to go it alone so Lisa comes and helps me now in putting it together. With all the things we have done together the past five years (many showers, wedding receptions, open houses and many other events) we have kidded each other about going into the catering business. I have often said, "Lisa, if MacDill fires you, and Northside gets rid of me, let's go into business together." She thinks it's a great idea though I don't forsee it happening, it's our "back up plan"...ha ha! Anyway, she'll be here Sunday afternoon helping me to assemble the whole thing and prepare for the "grand unveiling" of things such as my famous chicken salad and crab dip. It generally takes me three days to get all the food prepped for this. I start on Friday which will be interesting this year since our women's extravaganza is also on Friday. I also volunteered to make the chicken salad for that and of course Larry always says, "why did you do that to yourself when you had so much else to do?" but the truth is, everyone seems to like my chicken salad best, so I don't mind doing it. Consider this "Northside Assembly of God Quality Control." (ha ha!)

Early evening came and I sewed a button on my expensive suit that wasn't expensive, for Christmas. Something you may or may not know about me is that I love thrift stores. Yes, I absolutely love them. I love malls and regular stores too. However, thrift stores are a particular love of mine. There is nothing like getting something really valuable at an incredible bargain. In my closet I have several formals, such as a Liz Claiborne evening gown that I just got a few months ago - that I paid $5 for! I get Jones New York suits at the thrift store for $3. In fact the one I wore last Sunday was such. Nobody would ever know this unless I told you. And I obviously don't mind telling you or I wouldn't be blogging it. Well, a few months ago I got a brand new, beautiful cranberry colored suit - with the tags still on - NEVER WORN - for $5. I immediately fell in love with it. The only thing wrong was the top button was hanging on very loosely by a thread. I bought the suit, and today I got matching thread and fixed it. I can't wait to wear it!

After finishing that, I was in the midst of finishing a Christmas project that I'm making for a friend, and the phone rang. It was Lisa. "Put your tennis shoes on and come out here, it's gorgeous!" she said. "Come out and walk with me!" The sun was setting and it was beautifully crisp and cool outside. So, I went to my closet and got my shoes on and met her outside. For those who don't know, Lisa and I live in the same development - she lives in Saratoga Village and I live in Northampton Village which are right across from each other. Actually, they moved to Lexington Oaks for us. (No kidding. Yep, they like us that much.) She called me on the cell as she was walking down my street. In about 5 min. she was at my door and we went and did the"loop" in Northampton that I walk. Earlier today I thought, I need to exercise today but I don't have time. (I know, I know...there I go breaking self promises again! Why do I do that?) But with her prodding, I got in a work out today. Then came back, finished my project, helped Savanna with getting some Christmas wrapping done, did some other work on the computer, laid down a few moments until Dust came in and said, "Mom, what's for dinner?" (His four favorite words of choice.)

Tonight was one of those late night dinners. I sprang up from my rest, and in a few moments had the chicken in the oven baking and got everything out to make cornbread stuffing and creamed corn. Not exactly the most WW friendly thing when you are talking about stuffing, but it was what I had on hand, so it's what we had. Did a load of clothes, got my stuff lined up for work in the AM, cleaned up the kitchen (again) and came back to finish a short writing project. Now...

it's time to spend some time with Larry before bedtime. I'm thinking a nice soak in the big tub would be nice.

Guess what...I'm going to see Ada tomorrow! Yippee!

Christmas Tree Tapestry

I hope all of you readers are finding time to enjoy these wonderful days of Christmas. If you are experiencing stress that sometimes comes with the season find time to STOP and savor this day in some way. Life is a precious gift, and you only have so many Christmases to enjoy. So make the most of each moment. One of my favorite things is just sitting in the dark looking at my Christmas tree. Yes, with my busy life I still make time to do that.

The reason I began to make time no matter what is because about thirteen years ago now I helped a friend through their last days here on earth when they had AIDS. It was a painful yet very precious time as we spent those last weeks together. Joe died just two weeks before Christmas and I vividly remember one day we were sitting and talking and he began staring at the Christmas tree and just began weeping uncontrollably. He didn’t tell me why but he didn’t have to. I knew it was his last Christmas and the reality of it suddenly hit him as he was looking at the tree. I determined right at that moment never to take one moment for granted. I always set up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. I want our family to have as many days to enjoy it as possible. The past two years we set up another tree in the family room and I did it in a sugared fruit theme. I want to add another tree next year if I can find one on clearance after the holidays and get everything for it. I'm thinking perhaps a teapot theme tree in my kitchen.

Some might find the looks of our tree in the living room laughable. Although I love the perfect "department store" looking trees, our tree in the living room doesn't look that way. And, it's on purpose. I could have that type of tree (even if I couldn't quite accomplish it myself I'd ask someone to come over and help me). But I've chosen to have our tree represent our family's life journey. And therefore…it doesn't look department store-ish.

We don't have anything on our tree that doesn't "mean something." Each and every ornament has been given to us as a gift over the past 20 years of our married life together. Many are photo ornaments of our kids throughout the years, special occasion ornaments like "our first Christmas" and "baby's first Christmas" and lots of homemade ornaments done by the kids. We have lopsided tissue paper candy canes that are about to fall to pieces, gingerbread men who are showing wear and tear and missing a button or two or even an eye, and a few ornaments that you have to look close to figure out what they even are! But without exception each and every one brings back a memory, something special…someone special. The kids go crazy every year taking the ornaments out of the tissue paper and recalling the memories. "Look Mom, this is the one I made in kindergarten!" and "Oh look, here's the gingerbread man I made in kids church!" Although I love white lights, I've chosen to keep colored lights on our tree at home simply because that's what my husband and I both grew up with and what reminds of us the Christmas trees of yesteryear for us. Yes, we're both pretty much sentimental saps when you get right down to it. Steeped in tradition when it comes to the Christmas holidays, right down to our 20th annual jaunt this year to a Chinese dinner on Christmas Eve once Christmas Communion is over at church.

I have always make a huge spread for Christmas day. I love this kind of stuff. If I had time I would sit and watch the food channel all the time, or Martha Stewart. (Yes, I love Martha!) I think Moms to a great degree take the responsibility of being "memory makers" for our families. When we first got married Larry would say, "does this have to be such a production?" Actually in a few years he grew to love it and if I don't do something now that he used to consider such a "production" he'll say, "hey, why aren't we doing such and such?"

Well, I figured out the first year we were married that I really didn't want to cook for Christmas Eve too since my fridge was already totally packed out for "the big day" and…I was tired from all the preparations! So, we opted to go out on Christmas Eve and make a nice relaxing evening of it. Only one problem, we couldn't find anything open on Christmas Eve. Finally, we found a Chinese restaurant. I have discovered that Chinese restaurants are ALWAYS open on Christmas Eve! (Duh- this would be because they usually aren't celebrating Christmas -- unless they are Christians!) So…guess what… Larry and I spent our first Christmas Eve as a married couple there, and…for twenty years we have taken our family out for Chinese as "tradition". We often invite friends, the staff usually goes with us, and we allow the children to open one little gift on Christmas Eve. (Then Larry goes home to finish last minute wrapping while I go to bed.)

Every year I stand back and look at our tree once we put it up, and remember all it represents. It really means nothing to anyone but the five of us, but to us it means a whole lot. It stands a memory to places we have gone to, things we have been through - both good and bad. The lights remind us that no matter what life brings us, through mountains or valleys, His light will always be there to break through and see us through whatever may come. "The people walking darkness have seen a great light…" (Isaiah 9:2) Because of his light, we know that we don't have to remain in any type of darkness. (I John 1:5) We know that just one simple light even in the natural gives light to a whole room (Matthew 5:15). And in the same way, Jesus light has the ability to illuminate whatever situation we happen to be in, if we just allow Him in.

Yes, our tree is a representation. It's a tapestry…a potpourri if you will. It's not perfect. But neither are we. And thank God that because of Jesus, we have hope for each and every area and situation our lives, and circumstances in this journey we call "life"!

Mondays are crazy

Out of all my weekdays, Monday is my least favorite. I'm so glad I don't take off on Mondays. Many pastors do, but Larry and I learned that is the worst day to take off. The thing is, you are drained from Sunday. Many pastors think, "that's right, so I'll rest on Monday." But the thing is, a lot of things are brought to your attention on Sunday that need to be taken care of on Monday. You are following up on first time guests, returning calls, etc. If it was a good day at church on Sunday it's all you're thinking about Monday, so your mind is consumed with the church. If it was a bad day on Sunday it's also all you're thinking about Monday. So basically if you are going to be drained, swamped with things to follow up on, and thinking about nothing but church...you might as well spend the day at work! We take off on Fridays, this way we can get as much done as possible Monday-Thurs, and enjoy Friday. It works for us.

I wasn't feeling well at all today. But I don't have time for a "sick day". There's so much to do. Our women's Victorian tea at the church is this Friday night and then on Sunday night I have our Christmas open house at our home for our staff, board and dept. heads and their families. So this is no time to be sick, not that anytime is a great time to be sick. I had a "cluster" type headache all day that I just couldn't shake as well as nausea. I have no idea from what. I had 9 hours sleep last night. I think I'm still just off schedule from Africa. I just had regular Tylenol at the office but on the way home stopped for some Excedrin migraine and as usual that is helping. (That's the best stuff in the world for a headache.)

Today we had a Dr.'s appt for Dustin so we did that first thing and then headed to the office. Did a few hours of work and then we took Misty out for lunch for her birthday. We went to Mimi's cafe and had a wonderful time - though she has laryngitis right now we could understand what she communicated to us. We love and appreciate Misty so much. She's just a wonderful person.

Did some more work after lunch, had staff meeting and then I had an eye appointment to pick up my contact lenses and get my eyes dilated and checked. I didn't do the dilation last month when I was there - just didn't have time. Dr. Stanley lets you come in the next few weeks without paying extra to do it. Everything's great - now I don't have to do that next year, praise God. Only every other year. I don't like it at all. Come to think of it, I hate going to eye and dental check ups but you know, you have to keep up with these things. Thankfully I really like Dr. Stanley...she's just an amazingly nice woman! All of my doctors in Tampa are so wonderful that the discomfort is easier to deal with when I have a check up. God has really blessed me that way.

We had to pick up prescriptions on the way home so we stopped at Publix and Dustin said, "Mom, please make turkey tacos for dinner..." so we picked up all the stuff while waiting for our prescriptions to be filled. I said, "you'll have to help me. I'm not feeling well and my eyes are still "weird" from being dilated..." so when we got home the kids helped with cooking and chores in the kitchen. And now it's time for me to rest. Halleluiah! My "big plan" for the evening after eating a turkey taco and taking my Excedrin is to warm up my "rice" heating pad in the microwave (I love that thing!) and put it on my head, lay in my bed and watch a little bit of TV and go to sleep very early.

I know this doesn't sound very exciting, but it's just my day today. The best thing about Monday is that Tuesday follows it and it's always an easier day!

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The state of the stuff in my life address

First I'll share this photo that Gary and Tammy sent us today - they took it with their camera the other night and said, "awesome photo!" I agree - I really like it. Me...Teeby...the beach...together. What's not to like?

We had a good day at church today although attendance was really down with the holidays in full swing. I have heard more people say, "we're going away this Christmas..." more than any other. Right now we have people gone to visit family for the holidays ALREADY which is unusual. Normally that just really kicks in the week of Christmas or the week after. But I have come to realize, it's not the number of worshippers that make a big difference in a service - it's the heart of the worshippers. Plus that, I don't get upset anymore when people leave for the holidays. I figure, if I was not a pastor and the holidays were not such a crucial time in the church, I'd probably go on vacation during the holidays too. So, I just work with it now rather than chafing against it. Honestly, I'm getting too tired to chafe over things anymore! :-) In so many more things I'm just going with the flow.

As far as today, Larry brought a message on the stress of the season and gave an altar call and today a lot of people came to the altar to release burdens that have been weighing them down. There were many people just crying and seeking the Lord at the altar and I saw very clearly that many are bearing the kind of burdens Larry talked about - family issues, financial pressure, unemployment, etc. Seeing the heart ot the people has given me a lot to pray about this week.

Well, haven't written about some topics lately that were previous ones here on the blog, but just in case you're wondering, for those who care...

1) Update: no, I still don't have a car. It's been seven months. I still don't know if I'm ready. Today I saw a silver Mustang driving home from church and as soon as it came off of the ramp on 75 in front of us, I felt a little pang in my heart. I think I saw three silver Mustang convertibles this past weekend, actually, as we were in our travels. I don't think I'm ready for another car still but I am okay without one. Yes, it's inconvenient (I borrowed Dustin's truck one day last week and just gave him gas $) but it is still not so inconvenient that I want to go out and buy a car. As I predicted the first week of June when this happened, it would take a while for my insides to heal over it, and I wasn't even in the accident... One thing that is challenging is that sometimes people will say, "oh, PD, you don't have a car yet?" like they are sad that for some reason I can't buy a car or whatever...and the truth is, we could be out there car shopping right now, but it still just isn't time. And nobody can really understand that unless they were me, having lived my life and knowing why I feel the way I do. (Unless you're just one of my really understanding friends like Ada)

2) I still miss Africa. It's been sixteen days since I've come back and I'm still adjusting. Life is still a new normal, especially since I came back to so many changes and challenges.

3) Yes, changes and challenges. I've had to pick up some additional things at the church I hadn't intended on, or had the particular 'calling' to do. Yet, I am continuing the lifestyle of being a specialist at being a generalist. What it amounts to is that Larry knows he can put me wherever he needs me to make something work. I am talking about necessities, not optional things. I get really tired just thinking about it so I have to be honest that I'm trying not to think about it too much! When I dwell on it too much it threatens to overwhelm me so I just try to stay in motion and forget about how hard it is sometimes. Today in his message Larry gave an illustration about a person holding a bottle of water up in the air and he said, "it's not so much about how much it weighs, but how long you have to hold it." And he talked about helping others "hold" their burdens, and stuff like that. And I thought to myself, "how in the world can I apply this to my life in certain things I'm facing right now?" The answer is, in some ways, I can't. It's a simple matter of walking through it and doing what must be done at the time. Years ago I was handling three people's jobs within the church. Somebody said, "I don't know how you did that without a nervous breakdown..." The answer to that is, it was very stressful. However, Larry said I was the only one he could trust in those jobs at the time and he needed me. Somehow I just did what had to be done at the time. This is no different. I'm just praying that I can release this sooner, rather than later. This morning in Sunday School I taught about the fact that "God can do anything but fail..." Well, that's true. And I do believe He does miracles. So I just have to believe that He can lift my burden in a shorter time rather than a longer one. Please pray about this with me.

4) Happiest moment of today: we were laying down taking a nap this afternoon after lunch and when we woke up, Larry says to me, "You're my favorite everything." I said "really?" He said, "yep...my favorite person...my favorite destination..." Hmmm...what a nice thing to hear. God makes what I do worth it, however hearing things like this from my husband makes a close second!

Even when I'm going through difficult changes, I'm reminded, I can do anything for a while.

5) God trusts me. When I face times of feeling overwhelmed by needful things I am reminded that God trusts me. Rather than resent my additional responsibilities I am continually brought back to the fact that it's a blessing to be a person that God can entrust things to. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 22:29 (and I believe this applies to both men and women, by the way...): "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men." There have been many blessings I have gained in my life that would not have been brought about had I not been diligent in my work. The KJV said, "seest a man who is diligent in his business..." I have always made a point to be diligent in my business or work and dot all the i's, cross the t's, be on time, never fink out or not show up, or just up and quit. And despite my challenges at times, God has blessed me. when others sometimes get jealous, I think, "you have no idea the 'back story' I've had to go through to get this..." Anyway, I realize it's a catch 22. When you are diligent, you are entrusted with more which can be a challenge. But at least you have the satisfaction of knowing God can trust you!

I'm glad He can trust me. I will be faithful.

Final moments of Larry's 40th b'day getaway... the restaurant that made me cry...and re-entering the home zone

We savored every last bit of our wonderful evening last night...

and then woke up at the last possible moment before breakfast was served this morning. We stayed at a wonderful place (a bed and breakfast) that I would recommend highly. In case you're wondering where we've been for 3 days, we've been at Southern Comfort Bed and Breakfast in Ruskin. Larry generally doesn't like B&B's. However, this is an exception for him. He absolutely loves Southern Comfort B&B. It's different. First of all, there is a lot of privacy there. That is one of the coolest things about it. Other than that, you'd love the owners (former A/G pastors, actually!), the hot tub, pool, tennis courts, and so much more.


This morning we got up for breakfast and enjoyed it lots - good stuff - and some great conversation as well. Then we headed back to our room to pack up and go and we went to do some Christmas shopping. I would have never suggested shopping on this trip but Larry actually wanted to go shopping while on our getaway. This was "his getaway" and we did what he wanted, at my insistence. I wanted this to be such a special week for him. He deserves it. I wish I could do so much more for him...I'd give my man the world if I could. I'll never stop giving him as much as I possibly can while I'm blessed to be on this earth with him. I want every day for him to be like a birthday party.

After shopping we wanted to go back to By the Bay Cafe since we received such a great reception from the owners last night and also the samples of cream of crab soup they gave us were just INCREDIBLE. The owner, Darlene, and her brother in law, John were just delightful people to get to know. This is a family run business, by the way.

So we went back today and Darlene served us herself (we got the royal treatment) and after settling in with a cup of their famous cream of crab, we ordered crabcakes. I am telling you, they were THE BEST we have ever had...not only are the definitely Maryland crab cakes, but they are OUTSTANDING. After eating the crabcakes and experiencing some of the Anderson family's great hospitality, Larry said, "okay...now to top it off, do you have snowballs with marshmallow (a true Maryland tradition). Darlene said, "of course!" and she promptly goes into the back to get me a grape and Larry a watermelon. When she brought them out and I took my first bite, I just savored it and then a few minutes later, started to cry...

Larry couldn't believe it. I said, "Lar, this is the first taste or experience of anything "home" that I have had here in FL for over five years...this just feels absolutely amazing..." He said, "I know, this would be like me finding Kennywood Park (in Pittsburgh) also here in Florida! I said, "yes...it is..." and sitting there eating my snowball, I have tears running down my face and he says to Darlene, "you've got her crying over here!" Yep. This restaurant was so good, it had me IN TEARS, ladies and gentlemen!!!

With that said, I have told the Anderson's I will tell everyone to please frequent the By the Bay Cafe. They are in a small town in Florida...(Ruskin)...not in the big city...and being that they are in a small town, especially in the summer months, it's not easy. Their main draw of customers is from a little further out -- people who are Marylanders like me who find them and realize how great they are and want to come back and make the trip. Much of their clientele is from an hour or more away. So, I'm telling all of you, if you live anywhere within a reasonable distance from Ruskin, please GO to By the Bay Cafe and tell them I sent you. Thankfully they are only about 40 minutes from my house and I'll be making the trip from now on for many special occasions! In addition to By the Bay Cafe the family also owns and operates the ice cream parlor that is attached. Delicious ice cream, and coffee. The place is so quaint, I'm telling you - you'll LOVE IT. So take my advice, and GO! It's not easy (even when you've got a great thing going) to keep a business going strong, especially one still getting off the ground. (By the Bay is only 2 years old.) I want to do my part to keep them around forever!

For a newspaper review of By the Bay, just click here.

After eating at By the Bay, we came back home to pick up Savanna from the Harts, then headed to the grocery to pick up things I needed to make my dish for tonight's CE Christmas dinner. We came home and I started cooking and cleaning. I had not finished all of the week's cleaning yet and so after making my dish of food, I started unpacking and also scrubbing down my bathroom, and doing other various chores, then got ready for the CE dinner. A woman's work is never done!

Had a good time at the dinner tonight...Bernie and Lisa did a great job as usual.

This is a busy season but I'm enjoying each moment with my family. Something I am realizing is what a blessing it is to just be together for the season. That is another post in itself and I'll probably write more about it this week.

As I mentioned before a woman's work is never done...it's time for me to put something together for Sunday afternoon dinner, so must go and then -- spend some more time with Teeby. Yes, we've just had three glorious days together but honestly that just makes me want a little more...