Times Of Fun

Well besides, working 40 hours a week (sometimes more), sleeping and eating life has been pretty mundane...well, as mundane as it can get with Dalen in the picture. Because I am a slacker, I still haven't posted pics of Dalen's 2 year old birthday party that happened last Saturday. We now have a two year old! Here are a few funny things Dalen has done lately...

He hasn't grasped the fact that he's JUST 2 now. When you ask him how old he is he says, "one, two". Can you imagine when someone asks his age at 80?!

Today I woke up swatting at my nose only to find Dalen standing nose to nose with me, smiling from ear to ear. When I asked him what he wanted he held my cell phone up (which he had finagled off the charger) and demanded, "Tall (call) Papa...NOW!" I later found out he had snuck out of the family room and came to wake me from my nap.

Last night, Dalen was dropped off at Parent's Night Out and we were called an hour later saying he hadn't stopped crying yet. Of course I went to pick him up. When I sat him down and asked him what was wrong he looked at me confused, threw his hands in the air and said, "Mommy! You said you was tomin (coming) soon!" I guess "soon" wasn't soon enough.

A few mornings ago I was showering for work and Dalen barged in the bathroom (what's new) saying I want to watch shardoons (cartoons). I told a little white lie which informed him he couldn't watch them yet because all cartoon character were still sleeping. He then peeked his head in the curtain, appalled and said, "No Mommy! ON DEMAND!" Let's just say his cartoon time needs to be cut in half.

Life is far from boring! Monday we find out if baby Hood within is a prince or princess. I'll keep you all updated!

The Abundance of the Inwardly

I have held on to this blog for a long, long time. To be honest, I was a little fearful of posting it until I had lunch with a close friend who began to share some of the same feelings and thoughts. I always want to be mindful of what I post and I have certainly thought a lot about this post alot. I have to constantly remind myself-I don't blog for the approval of man but for my thoughts to roam free inside of other's. If you don't agree, we can always agree to disagree.

There seems to be some sort of craze going on in the hearts and minds of Christians. To be honest it's a little bothersome to me. It seems I can't go anywhere, do anything, participate in any activity with fellow Christians without realizing the danger of what's swelling up inside of them.

Have you noticed everyone is crazy about blogs and books, music and lyrics, church plants and buildings, seminars and conferences, speakers and sermons? It seems (especially in young adults) everyone is dying to attend conferences, relishing about the newest books, commenting on fresh blogs and certainly there is nothing wrong with these things until it all stays inward. We have shelved the Bible for The Shack, tuned out the Holy Spirit for "great" speakers, and forsaken our home churches to attend Passion City Church (no, I am not against this church or what is happening there, just an example) or the latest church plant. We claim we are moved by these things but it seems the only place these things are moving is in the inward parts of our "spirit".

The truth is, if your inward spirit is moved there will no denying the outwardly revelation it brings. It's tiresome to hear of the great writings and preachings concerning discipleship, outreach, worship and family yet never see it reaping anything but another conversation with friends and peers. If you are truly moved by deep revelations a speaker has communicated wouldn't it only make sense for your life to show forth these same things? We are in awe that churches can grow rapidly and why we stand awestruck, our "small" ministries lay by the waste side withering. We promote conferences and speakers while we neglect our own weekly services with sloppy thrown together messages when in all reality we have access to the greatest gospel communicator of all times, Jesus Christ.

Understand this: I love Beth Moore, read Francine Rivers, blog to feel free, worship to David and Nicole Binion, hate to miss Mark Williams when he is speaking in my area but I would hope that I would never thrive off of the work God is doing in someone else's life without allowing him to do something greater in mine. I live in a small town, minister to young adults, I attended a Christian University and what I see is nothing more than a fad circulating our generation-nowhere.

The only way to stop this circulation is to quit thriving off the church and start being the church. It is then and only then will these fads become history and grace will produce new works in our midst. I'm wrong, so very wrong when I see young ministers dressed nice with clean hands and bright eyes I wonder how much ministry they are actually doing. Spiritually, how can your hands be clean when you have truly been about your father's business? And how can your eyes not be heavy with the burdens of the hungry, hopeless and helpless? We must take the things of the inward and allow them to reflect outwardly.

I pray this for myself. For my husband and children. I never want to be doing ministry because that's when you don't allow God to minister to you. I want ministry to be my natural state of everyday living and trust me I have a long way to go. I have found when God ministers to me I begin to naturally desire him and and the things he intended for me to do become my passion. I am through with the fads of sounding spiritual, acting holy, reading good reads and attending cool events just for the sake of doing it. While I certainly don't see anything wrong with doing these I do see something very wrong with these things just being the next cool things on our agenda. If these things are going to be a part of our lives I think we should reflect them.

Blog-O-Mercial

Blog-O-Mercial

because good products and quality services are hard to find

I have been itching to write this blog all day...literally! Yesterday, I had to work a 10 hour day (because of our once a month client social). I got out too late to attend church and decided that since Dalen and Mario were at church for a few hours I was going to treat myself to a pedicure. I am not really that in to pampering and I am definitley not high maintence but the thought of having freshly painted toes and lotioned feet (although lotion on my feet makes them sweat) sounded nice.

I grabbed something small for dinner and drove to my typical nail salon (where I also get my eyebrows done). After signing in and taking a seat the lady informs me they are closed! What a downer! I am NOT a service hopper. I have ONE hair salon, ONE sylist, ONE walk in clinic, ONE gynecologist and I only trust ONE person to wax my eyebrows. But last night I made a VERY bold move for myself...I went to a new place!

I don't do well to change but as I was on my way to Kohl's, to browse the maternity section, I couldn't help but to notice a blinking OPEN sign to Posh Nails. I drove up and made a deal with myself that if it was clean enough and not noisy I would get my pedicure there. To my surpise I walked into the most relaxing, beautiful, curteous place EVER!

I tried to do pics on my camera phone BUT they just won't do it justice so I am not posing them you MUST check this place out for yourself. For all you germ freaks out there...THEY SANITIZE THEIR INSTRUMENTS! Like in one of those oven things the gyno uses! You CAN'T get much cleaner than that! The environment was so relaxing and peaceful, no TVs, only soft music. This is now my new place!

I also HAVE to rant and rave over the new color of OPI polish I used. It was called Ladies and Magenta Men (read that about 3 times and you will get it). It is sooo pretty-not too red and not too pink. It actually has like an orangish undertone so that it doesn't appear purplish (I hate that). Go try them out!

Posh Nails and PediSpa

4464 Frontage Road NW

423-614-6726

Open 6 days a week

Mon-Fri: 10-8

Sat:9-7

Sun: Closed

Side Order of Grace

I have a big imagination. People call me funny, which I am really not, I just share so much of my imagination that it appears I am. If we all opened up to the core of our thoughts (which is out imagination) we would all be hysterical!

Since about 6th grade I've wanted to write. I think about it, dream about it and even act on it. I am about 60 pages into a novel that I add to every once in a while just for fun. There is every doubt in my mind it will never hit the shelves, but at the same time its nice to see the overflow of my imagination splattered in black ink across innocent white pages.

A few years ago, I had the thought I would love to write a book called, Side Order of Grace, about how we are constantly ordering blessings from God but never quite seeking grace enough. Last night I dreamed that I did it. I wrote an amazing book that Tyndale approached me to publish...and then of course I woke up.

The cover was grayish blue with an antique white plate on the front. The plate was chipped and had nothing on it. I began to question the publishers and asked why the plate was empty? They told me to explain it to them. I thought and thought and finally responded because we can never fully grasp the full picture of grace and how it functions or the depth of its appearance.

I've thought about that dream all day long. I can't help but to wonder why I dreamt it. Maybe it was a reminder from God about his grace or maybe it was hopefulness of my imagination being played out while I slept so attentively. Not sure why it happened, but I saw it. I saw the book I so want to write! It was like seeing the possible end from the beginning. I guess I got a glimpse of how God sees things...Isaiah 46:10.

Prince Of The Potty

This weekend was great! It was very busy but I think I am getting used to the fact that life goes on...at a VERY fast pace and I better just keep up! Friday we went out to PF Chang's for my friend, Kristen's birthday. Dalen was blown away at the gigantic "hoes" (horse) outside and kept begging to visit it every few minutes. He absolutely LOVED the huge lights in the restaraunt as well.

Saturday came early and I was awankened by deafening CHOO, CHOOs!! The morning started off amazing. Dalen sat right down on the potty at his request and peed. I shouted, clapped and praised him until we were both out of breath from laughing so hard. It's such a shame that because of our lack of consistency and laziness he isn't already potty trained because he really has been ready for a long time. But, I am just glad he is doing so well now.

Saturday night we had a staff get together and shared food, laughs and football (of course)! Dalen continued to go potty all day with only one accident. YAY! Sunday, Dalen woke up asking to go potty. He didn't even need a reminder! He sat down and went #1 and 2! The highlight of pottying (I know that's probably not a word, haha) is that he gets to flush. Upon flushing he noticed his #2 in the toilet and began to laugh and shout, "Tool (cool) Mommy!" That's a boy for ya!

Now that I am working full time I feel like the day is gone before I have given it a chance to begin. I just know my beautiful baby within will be here before I know it! I experienced the temptation to change the baby's name if it is a boy. I love the name Jaden! But I keep hearing so many people naming their boys and girls that and it is NOT fun having 3 and 4 other individuals with your name in class with you! In one class at Lee I had 5 Megan's and that's not including me! It was chaotic and annoying. I find out what the baby is on the 28th so I think I will hold off on name changing until then.

Daily Grind

Until I had Dalen, I never realized how difficult it is to interrupt the daily grind of a toddler. Once they are in full swing of napping, school, church and sleeping in their own bed it takes an awful lot to go out of town or make major changes. You don't notice how much it affects them UNTIL you come back and expect them to just jump right back into things.

Dalen spent the week in South Carolina with Mario visiting family. I knew he would have a hard time once he came back and had to start school all over again. Tuesday, I decided I would drop Dalen off at school myself on my way to work. He had a very hard time with me leaving. I called mid-morning to check on him (I know thats so annoying when moms do that) and the teacher reported Dalen had calmed down and was doing fine.

I was out in town shopping for a new printer for my office when my cell phone rang. It was Mrs. Becky (Dalen's teacher). She informed me not long after I called Dalen began crying uncontrollably and eventually cried so hard he made himself sick. I told her I would be right there. I flew from Wal-Mart to his rescue. Becky wasn't 100% sure he wasn't sick but she was pretty sure he threw up from crying so hard.

When Dalen saw me he began crying and screaming, "Mommy I sick, I sick!" I picked him up and he told me to get him out of there. Wow, I thought, he must really not be feeling well. We got out to my work car which had no car seat. We waited on Mario to arrive in his car so that we could take Dalen home. It was like a light switch! Once he realized he wasn't going to have to stay at school he was fine. No crying, no complaining, just smiling and kisses for me!

I began to talk to him about what happened. I asked a few things like, Dalen are you sick? Does your tummy hurt? All I could get in response was that "Mrs. Betty wasn't gonna make Naynen (Dalen) seep (sleep)." Shocked, I asked Dalen did you do all of this to come home so you wouldn't have to nap and he admitted to the scheme. I couldn't believe it! A one year is capable of this???!!! Just wait til he's 15 I thought!

I later let him talk to Papa (my dad) about the situation and he told Dalen next time just rest. Just lay on your mat and rest. Later Dalen asked me if he had to nap next time and I said yes you do. I also told him we wouldn't come pick him up again. He cut his eyes at me and said my papa will!! I found this quite homorous considering my dad would be in Singapore. Uh, no he won't Dalen he will be gone I said and he stood up straight and tall and said CALL HIM! My, my do I have my hands full!

Nothing Like It...

This week has been interesting; no baby at home, husband is far away, an event every night, a growing belly and a house that is not quite like home because it is finally clean and quiet! For some strange reason my husband left me in charge of things last night at the college/young adult ministry we lead along with many others. I am not a worrier and anxiety is a foreign feeling to me but this week was different.

I kept experiencing the thoughts that I know nothing about running sound, I can't speak and keep up with power point at the same time, I am far from hospitable and therefore, I am just NOT cut out for this. But of course I think we open our hearts and minds to Christ empowering us to do things we are not humanly capable of doing all that is left is Christ, at the right hand of the father getting all of the glory he so honorably deserves.

Can I just say our band was totally rockin' out, amazing, perfectly flowing in the annointing and presence of God??!! OH MY GOSH! My mind was flooded with the thoughts we need to do a live recording, haha. There is just NOTHING absolutely NOTHING like the sweet, sweet presence of Jehovah God. The kind of presence that washes every worry away. The strong presence in which anxiety can not stand and power points and sound no longer matter.

Last night I was just so blessed to be a part of a movement God is stirring Cleveland, Tennessee. There is nothing greater than being a vessel, for Christ to use to draw men and women unto him. I guess I am writing to encourage any one reading to always be open. Open to speak, open to witness, open to make new comers feel welcome and open to just being used of the spirit. There is nothing like it.

If you haven't visited Arise you can visit us online at www.ariseonline.tv. And then of course don't stop there....join us for service next Thursday at 7! We would love to have you!

Techno-Mom

I must say this week I am so thankful for technology. For those of you who don't know Little Dalen is off to South Carolina visiting Mario's family. It's the highlight of my day to recieve a phone call with his little voice on the other end shouting out everything he is getting to enjoy on his trip. I have to admit I have been a little saddened that he is getting to do so many things and I don't get to see him experience them.

He got to meet his grandfather for the first time, along with many other family members. I am sure his favorite part of the trip so far is getting to go off to the zoo on a special outing with his cousins. I am so glad he enjoyed it so much because I have been planning a small family birthday party with a zoo animal theme. I have been told he liked the girraffes the best.

The best thing is when my phone rings that special ring and I know it's a video text of him playing, waving to me or seeing animals for the first time. I've been told he has been behaving really well thus far...two more days until I see him again. I can't wait. Here are a few pictures I have gotten...

Napping cousins.
Look at the animals!

3 amigos at the zoo.

Traffic Jam-North on Pue and Aisle

Is it just me or are parent's totally different now when it comes to respecting the house of God in the middle of church services? This week I attended two services at the church I grew up at for revival. Can I just say I would have walked away with A LOT more than I did if it wasn't for a million kids AND ADULTS traipsing in and out, up and down!!! Oh my gosh....so annoying and totally disrespectful!

When I was young, it wasn't an option to leave church in the middle of service to use the bathroom, let out some energy or sip at the water fountain. It made a huge difference! I used the bathroom before service and it's amazing that now being 25, I can only think back to one time I asked to go to the bathroom. The only reason I did that is because my stomach was upset.

These days, it's as if the parents leave as much or more than the kids!!! And what drives me nuts is when they walk out slowly, smiling and waving at everyone they know! Now not only have you distracted me but you have angered me by being so inconsiderate! And what's the deal with parents NOT utilizing the nursery for babies and toddlers?! There are churches and congregations that would absolutely die to have the option of placing their little one in the nursery! Don't get me wrong there have been Sundays where we let Dalen stay in church with us for P&W and then take him out and especially with being pregnant there are times (more often than not) that I have to use the bathroom but I try to not have to leave and come back in.

Last night my all-time favorite speaker preached. I remember so many of the things he said but a lot of the points he tried to make were missed because of distractions that could have easily been eliminated. Moms and Dads it's time to go back to the old school ways...no bathroom breaks, no jumping on the pues and yes, you will go into the nursery.