mounting a comeback!

the artist in me is awakening ...

yesterday I met with two other local artists that create handmade items. We are planning a holiday open house to peddle our wares.

who are these ladies ... click on them to learn

Wendi Hull, Whimsical Dezign, handmade Handbags and Totes

Stephanie Williams, Blue Eyes and Bare Feet, Clothing and Design featuring a collection for girls created from vintage and recycled fabrics.

I was so inspired by these two ladies ... I look forward to how we are going to work collaboratively and encourage each other! What a blessing.

our open house is set for December 3rd ... details to follow, be on the look out for new designs!

humbled

Today I visited Fishers High School.

More specifically I was a guest of Matt Rund, Performing Arts Department Chair /speech and drama teacher, and Speech Team Coach.

Before Matt taught at FHS, he was at North Central ... his 2nd year was my first year.

So why the visit?

Over a year ago, shortly after Matt and I became friends on Facebook, he asked for permission to use my blog/my story of Jeremy, for a script to use for a speech. I said sure.

Fast forward to last week, Matt sent me a note that he had the student that was perfect for the script would I like to come in and observe.

Honestly, I had forgotten that he had asked ... so I was surprised at the invitation. But made plans to attend class today.

So 10:30 am rolls around - so different to be visiting a school after having been a teacher for so long. My feelings were mixed, what was she going to share - how would i feel hearing someone else share my story - how would i feel hearing someone share her interpretations of my story - I was concerned about my emotions, would i even be able to hold it together.

the scripture from Joel was quite timely:

"Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go" Joshua 1:7

With the strength of the Lord, and peace from HIM ...

I sat and observed a fantastic prose performance by a talented Senior at FHS.

She was outstanding.

Yes, it was emotional, hearing my story through another voice, my journey with Jeremy and trisomy 13 ... what a blessing.

I am so humbled that the Lord continues to use Jeremy in such a powerful manner. What an honor to be his mom.

How fitting that this weekend Pastor Poe asked us all to bear our hurts and scars to others ... reminding me that HE uses ALL things for HIS glory.

today was no exception.

i am so blessed and humbled.

GRACE AND PEACE!

And the voice of Truth says, this is for my GLORY.
More to post later today.
grace and peace

time to breathe

where have i been?

The end of September was filled with conferences and travel.

I must have been running on empty, because I was so blessed at each conference.

beyond my imagination.

Conference 1:

True Woman 10, Now is the Time ...

This was an amazing time to be filled with a particular focus on Pastors Wives. All the ladies that presented were new to me ... and all POWERFUL!

The only name I recognized, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, but after the conference my eyes have been opened, the veil has been lifted there are many on the journey to living as a Biblical Woman - I had no idea. check them out: TRUEWOMAN

Going into this 3 day conference, I was just moving along, working through how the transition of Aaron was going to effect me ... these 3 days, gave me the time to reflect on how my prayers, actions, and words can honor God and Aaron.

I left feeling convicted that I need to affirm Aaron more. Affirm his leadership in the home and ministry.

Conference 2:

DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative(DVULI) , Reunion - Denver Colorado

Aaron participated in this 15 month program, 1 part grad school , 1 part boot camp, 1 part retreat. DVULI, is a tuition sponsored leadership development program for urban youth workers. (DVULI) Aaron was a part of the Indianapolis City group, 2008. Every 3 years they have a Family Reunion for Graduates and spouses. The reunion is a time to reconnect and be filled with the word of God. There were fantastic daily devotions, keynote speakers, breakout sessions and FUN! We reconnected with the Indianapolis group, and made new friends from all over the nation. Imagine being surrounded by 400 other Urban Ministry Workers ... the stories and work being done across this nation - the Lord is truly up to something BIG! I had no idea the network created by DVULI!

Following the DVULI conference, Aaron and I extended our stay in Denver.

Saturday we had the chance to stay with Jeff and Kim, they have been in Denver 8 weeks. They are the process of planting a church in Denver (harvest bible). hard to believe, that Aaron and I were able to share our start up experiences with Brookside Community Church. I enjoyed spending time with Brooke (3) and TJ (1.5), their little ones.

Sunday, we headed over to Bill and Ann's ... they have been in Denver for a year and half, with their 2 girls Katelyn (9) and Allison (7) - they are soo tall! Both enjoy playing volleyball:) We vegged out at their place, had the opportunity to watch the Colts game (not the colts best showing), head to a state park for a bike ride ... and have a mountain view during dinner.

Having the time to visit with friends, fellowship was just as filling as the conferences. It was fantastic to sit and talk about life. We are so blessed to have friends that are willing to open their homes to us. Providing a time to breathe.

and now we are back, refreshed, refueled, and ready to hit the ground running in the name of the LORD!

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things are all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

GRACE AND PEACE!

and the season changes

Today is the final day of Summer, Fall officially starts tomorrow. I find it quite fitting that just as the seasons are changing, Aaron and I are in a season of change and transition.

Immediately in my head when I think of transition - my mind goes to volleyball. For more then half my life i have been "practicing" transition. It is the movement from offense to defense back to offense to defense (you get the idea) - it is the flow of volleyball. Constant movement.

So I am not at all surprised when life also parallels volleyball.

The Lord has Aaron and I on the move again.

This past Sunday Aaron announced that he will be transitioning out of the role as Brookside Community Church Senior Pastor. A position he has filled almost 4 years, in addition to serving as the Northview Church Urban Pastor. Over the past 4 years both ministries (brookside and urban) have grown to the point each is in need of a single focused leader. After MANY months of seeking the Lord, Aaron felt the Lord was asking him to focus on developing Northview Urban Ministry. The search is is on for a Senior Pastor for Brookside Community Church.

I am still processing what this looks like for me ... I have been VERY involved with the Brookside Church Youth Ministry (Sunday and Wednesday) along with helping to train and place volunteers. I believe I will continue to train and develop volunteers for urban environments, to be placed all over the city of Indy - with a focus on the Brookside Community. I have heard it said "urban ministry is bigger then brookside" - I am certain that Aaron and I needed the experiences of Brookside Church to be equipped to do work beyond our imagination.

I am open to how the Lord will use me, we are planning to continue to be involved with Brookside Church on Wednesday Family Nights, and attend Brookside Church one time a month - and Aaron will preach every other month, one time.

Last weekend the Brookside Church Leaders gathered, the Lord has raised up a fantastic group that will continue to serve the Brookside Church congregation. There is stability that has been established over 2 years that will provide a foundation for the next leader to continue to build. What an amazing blessing to step back and say "LOOK AT GOD!" He has been so faithful, and I pray I can do my part and be obedient.

Love the following scriptures ... all from Joel this week:

"But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph…"

(2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP)

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose"

(Romans 8:28, NIV)

“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]”
(Philippians 2:5, AMP)

Prayers are welcome as Aaron and I enter this transition ... as well as for the Brookside Church family. I am rejoicing that the time has come for the Lord to raise up more leaders that will be serving the Brookside Community and the Near Eastside of Indianapolis - ultimately transforming lives and a city!

GRACE AND PEACE!

new

i have recently started to run ... specifically because i am tired of jiggly parts and desire for my clothes to fit a different way. i have yet to return to pre-baby weight/size ...

the word from Encouragement for Today ... right to me!

September 15, 2010 Defined By God | Shari Braendel

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45:11 (NIV)

Devotion: One word. Flabbergasted. That was the emotion I had coursing through my body as I sat at the coffee shop discussing my weight issues with a friend. I told her I had recently cut out certain foods from my diet, but was continuing to maintain my "happy weight," that number the scale just seems extremely happy to faithfully report whether I have eaten healthy and exercised that week or not. We had a good laugh as she described how sometimes she locks her scale away so she's not tempted to jump on it every day just to find out if she's still her same "happy" self.

As a result of this conversation I realized that if I am not careful I can easily allow the scale, or the mirror, to become a compass that shifts my focus and points me in the wrong direction. It seems illogical, yet at times I look to this digital device, or this earthly reflection to gauge my emotional status and essentially define me.

The Bible tells us that the God of the universe is enthralled with our beauty. Seriously? Yes, indeed! He thinks we are amazing and wonderful. Unfortunately, more often than not, we look in the mirror and only see our flaws; hair that's just a mite too frizzy; a tummy that's a bit too fluffy; and thighs that have a few too many dimples on them. My friend Renee likes to call her cellulite "the fingerprints of God." One time I shared that with a group of women, and one of them said, "Well then He must have REALLY big hands!"

So, what would life look like if we accepted God workmanship? Can you imagine how different we would feel about ourselves if we glanced in the mirror and told God "thank You for making me so wonderfully"? If you listen closely, I bet you would hear Him respond, "All beautiful, you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you" (Song of Solomon 4:7, NIV).

No matter your size or shape, the number on your clothes tag or your scale, you are beautiful! Let's embrace that we are fine just the way we are because if God says so, then it's true!

Dear God, thank You for making me the way I am. Please help me to have more confidence. I will practice defining myself through Your eyes and not my own. I am grateful, and humbled to be Your beautiful daughter, and I can feel Your approving gaze upon me. In Jesus' name, Amen. 




Application Steps: Make a list of five things you really like about your outer appearance. When you find yourself in a funk, remember to define yourself through God's eyes. Accept a compliment with a smile and a thank you.

Reflections: When was the last time you gave yourself permission to treat yourself to something new? You are valuable to Him, and to those who love you. It is okay to take care of yourself too. Does my scale define me?

Power Verses:

Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)

Song of Solomon 4:1, "How beautiful, you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!" (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)

I will continue to run and accept this new body - that will never quite be the same, just like inside i am not the same ....

GRACE AND PEACE!

my heart

powerful scripture to meditate ...

"The eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His" 2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB

My prayer is that my heart will be fully and completely HIS!

The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him - Henry Varley

GRACE AND PEACE!