A head full of random

So if you've managed to survive the randomness that gets posted on this blog over the last few weeks and you're still with me....thank you! I was talking to a young man at church yesterday who said he's been reading my blog (which frankly scares me when men....young or old say that...since I never really gave a lot of thought to that.....I just thought only women would read it...) mainly to keep up with the Peru stuff and I warned him things can get pretty random here....So, Andrew, if you're still reading....this was what I was talking about!

Summer ....feels like it is just starting. Since the first few weeks out of school were pretty crazy getting things finalized for Peru, I don't really feel like we had a good grasp on the heavenly months of June, July and August. But now that we are back from the trip, have had a week to recover and are in the throws of VBS it "feels" more like the summers I know and love. If you know me at all....then you know that summer will bring some sort of decorating or renovating. I haven't quite decided what that will be yet since there's really not anything pressing that needs to be done, so maybe I'll just paint my old kitchen table with a chalkboard top and let the kids spend the summer creating fabulous chalk drawings for me. I'll be sure to talk before and after pictures....and if you've painted with chalkboard paint before and think there is a tip I MUST know....now would be a good time to share that.

What I need to be spending time doing is.....working in my yard. I have a weed problem that I need to get a handle on...but doesn't that just scream BORING. However, I do love, love, love the results of a hard days work in the yard. So, after this week, that will be on my to do list.

What I've been reading....Lori Wick is known for easy writing...which makes for easy reading. I've had a touch of a "bug" since I got back from Peru and have had some down time. I picked up "Cassidy", which is part of the Big Sky Dreams collection, last week and breezed through it in 24 hours. If you're looking for an enjoyable Christian Fiction book I'd recommend it.

What I've been thinking about....are some women's ministry ideas that I'll be talking with Pastor about soon. Excited that God is allowing me to be a part of organizing and leading the special group of women in our church and community. I've also been thinking about what I can do to live out the things God taught me in Peru.

So there you have it...the long and short of what's going on in my head right now. This time will pass all too soon and it will be time to think about colors and shapes and letters and numbers....But, for now, I'm embracing today....and all the things God has for me now!

Faithful or Faithfilled

Tough breaks pierce through the regularity of everyday life. Unexpectedly the turmoil replaces calm easy feelings with emptiness and fear. Struggles distract the joy of one day and interrupt the peace of another. Ever feel that way?

I'm wondering is it more important to be faithful or faithfilled? When I am empty I feel faithless. I wonder and wander. I question and command. I cry and I yell. The emotions are as varied as the hair color on my head! I want to be faithful, yet, in the middle of life's interruptions I find myself needing to be faithfilled. Filled up with the sweet fragrance of a Father who loves me. Refilled with the faith that is steadfast. Reminded of a grace that is overwhelming. Emptied of the earth's own glory and filled only with the things that will resemble Christ.

I want to be faithful. What I am finding is the deep need to settle in for a good fillup of God's enormous supply of faithfilled things. His love, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness. It's amazing that when I am recharged by the glorious beautiful presence of God, I am fervently and urgently aware of HIS faithfulness to me. Great is HIS faithfulness...and Lord, make me more like you.

Lamentations 3:23 They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant!

This says it all....

Fooey on the Flu

Both my sweeties have Type A Influenza this week. Tucker is recovering and is just about out of the woods....but, Savannah's just started yesterday..so we are still in for a few more days of flu type symptoms. One good thing is I have had plenty of snuggle time on the couch with both of them, but if I manage to avoid getting sick...then it will be nothing short of a miracle!!!!

Say a prayer for them...ok maybe the whole bunch of us could use a prayer!

Things I am learning at Bible Study

The ladies at church get together once a week to discuss our Esther Bible Study, what God is showing us, and for fellowship. It's one of the highlights of the week.
God is showing me so much in this study. Here's a glimpse of what I am learning this week:

1. "I" am not as important as I sometimes think I am. (Haman)
2. God's timing is perfect (King Xerxes reading the journals just in time to make a way of escape for Mordecai)
3. Prayer and Fasting releases me from doing anything and gives God permission to do everything.
4. God takes care of His people...no matter who or what...He will always take care of Israel.
5. Past experiences of trusting God should help me trust easier, quicker and more fully in the future.
6. Less of me=More of HIM.
7. No recognition, praise, honor, money, thing can compare to the glorious moment when I stand before Christ. My prayer is He will be able to say "well done". Nothing else should matter.
8. Fear of failure is more than likely for me, fear of humiliation...which is pride.
9. My insecurities should be checked at the door as I am reminded who I am in Christ.
10. Dying to myself will be the hardest battle I will ever face.

HSM3 Movie Night at Casa Stinson

Tonight was family movie night at our house. Everyone snuggled in on the couch, comfy chair or in our case...the kid's bean bags. The movie of choice (not mine) was High School Musical 3 (3 guesses who picked this one?) Well, there's enough music to keep this movie mildly entertaining...especially when the kids decided to add their own dance moves. But the funniest part was at the end...when I heard sniffles from the comfy chair where Bruce was sitting...and I said...."Dad, are you crying"....and he said "This movie is so sad...they are all growing up". Boy, will he never live this one down....I was rolling - laughing so hard!!!!


On a mildly serious note. I've been thinking of all the things you can learn from that movie. Here are a few:

1. What comes around goes around (Sharpay)
2. You have to follow your true calling no matter what others think (Troy)
3. It's always nice to have a friend in your corner..but sometimes even the best of friends move away (Gabriella).
4. Do your best...it pays in the end (Ryan and Kelsy)
5. Always be prepared (understudies)

A fun night here at the Stinson house! Hope you had a good day too!

Let's talk weather...

Overcast skies, a misty drizzle, a little chill in the air....my favorite kind of day. I know...it sounds crazy, but these kinds of days call for snuggling on the couch, taking a nap, reading, catching up on things around the house, watching a movie with the kids, making homemade cookies, listening to music, and playing board games.

I'm hoping to enjoy maybe at least one of these things today!

Brain Age

OK...a little confession here. I have a slightly addictive personality. Let me give you an example. Savannah received a Nintedo DS for Christmas. It came bundled with an accessory pack and the game BRAIN AGE. Have you heard of it? Well I had not so tonight I was checking it out. Not really knowing what I was doing I played the first round and found out my brain age was 72!!!!! YIKES!!!! I really don't feel that old! So, I sat here and played about 5 more rounds...and now my brain age is 52! I am very concerned. Are things going downhill that fast. I mean, I am only 36. I felt like I was tackling each problem quicker and writing each answer faster and faster. The stupid- I mean well meaning teacher on the game said I could possibly need sleep and to eat breakfast in the morning. I don't know if I disliked the fact that it was a man telling me what to do or that he was right...but nevertheless...I shut him down fast!

Seriously speaking though, I'm busy. I don't have much time to apply make-up much less work on my brain age. The games says, just a little time each day will rapidly improve your brain age. Well, it's gonna take a while. Maybe a long while, but I'd like to get my brain age more in line with my real age...before I hit 52 or 72!

Music to my ears!

Last night I was catching up at my friend's blog... http://redswriting.blogspot.com and after the page loaded I was taken back to the early 90's with her background music. Immediately I could remember where I was, what I was doing and even a small recollection of how I was feeling. Strange isn't it? It's not the first time that has happened and I am sure others have felt the same way. I remember being an awkward 17 year old, working at Stone Mountain Park, feeling like I needed to know exactly what I was suppose to do with my life after graduation. I remember the boy I had a crush on, the clothes that were in style and what the office I worked in looked like. Incredible since most of the time now, I can't remember if I unplugged the iron!

Music has a way of impacting our live like nothing else. We listen to sappy love songs when we break up, we listen to romantic ballads when we make up, we listen to hip-hop boogie music when we clean up, we listen to country music when we want to live it up, music from our childhood cheers us up and praise and worship music to offer up.

I've been involved in music since I was 5. I remember being in school and it being my favorite class, at age 11 I started piano lessons, in high school I became the church pianist, in college I paid my way through by playing piano for groups, I was in college choir, church choir, helped in children's choir, and since we have been in the ministry have done just about anything in music ministry...lead, sing, play, help. I'd say it has a huge place in my life.

No wonder so much of the psalms includes verses about music. It's strangely awesome that God would know so many years ago that music would be a way that everyone could express themselves. Whether words, instruments, dancing, leading or listening- may we all find a way to participate in the music around us. Now, I think I will listen to my playlist!

Unsettled Heart

You know that feeling of hunger (stomach growling..knawing pain) and the feeling of a 20 pound weight on you chest? That's how I am feeling right now. Confused but content, vulnerable yet protected. The mind can play crazy games and try to convince us that untruths are truths. Sorting out all these feelings can sometimes be as hard as actually going through the storm. Satan loves to make samll things big in our minds. I'm striving today to NOT let him succeed. I am purposed and positioned to focus on Christ, His love, His truth, His way, His protection.

What I Like About Autumn

This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons:

1. My kids play outside in the cool fresh air.

2. The leaves change (sort of, we're in Texas ya know!)

3. Open windows

4. Fresh bread- (it always tastes better this time of year)

5. Cool nights

6. Sweaters

7. Scarecrows

8. Pumpkin Patches

9. Cider

10. Community- so many events to be together

Hope you'll find this a most wonderful time of year too!

Computer Crankiness

I have been cranky the last two weeks...there, I admit it! About two weeks ago I called Dell about a minor computer problem and over the last two weeks they have managed to replace the mother board, memory (2 times), the hard drive (after they infected my old one), and the cd/dvd driver. WOW...all I really needed was a new battery! Well....all this ended up getting me a new computer at Dell's expense....but what I had to get from one department supervisor to another...well....that's where I got cranky! I had to repeat "That is not acceptable" 40 some odd times before I got anywhere!!! But...in 10 days I will have a new computer. Thankfully someone finally heard me!

Isn't it funny how we have let these modern conveniences become such a huge part of our lives. For me, without a computer I can't pay bills, balance the checkbook, earn a paycheck, listen to music, send email and much more. I am much more prone to clean house and make really good meals though!

So, today Bruce hung out at home, and I have been able to get caught up on all things computer. I feel like I have a better handle on things and can get through the next 10 days without a repeat episode of crankiness! I think my family might like me more!