Slammed

Guess people in the this area took my advice and decided to taste and see the difference. We got our hiney’s kicked today at the bucks. It was fun. Dunkin and McD’s tried to take advantage of the shut down. Dream on guys. On a different note, things are packed and ready to get on the truck! Yea! 

The shut down

Tonight from 6-9p.m. the bux is shutting all….thats right…all of this stores for a 3 hour training session. We will re-learn how to pour a perfect shot and steam the best velvety frothy milk. The company is rallying its partners to create the “third place” once again. I don’t know if buisness is down but I do know that they are desperately trying to be the number one coffee company. So in the morning, visit your local starbux and see if you can taste the difference.

p.s. target bux and barnes and noble bux and airport bux and dominics bux don’t count.

Sunday Reflections

Today was our last Sunday at the Chapel. Bottom line, this is a great church.

There is something about worship for me. I may have had a really bad day…or week and singing praises to God changes things for me. It allows me to forget all that has gone on and focus on God. This sunday as we were singing I was able to ask Him for forgivness for my shortcomings and remember that He is my center. As I lift my voice and my hands, I can surrender it all.

This quote was in the bulletin today: “True faith is not the absence of doubt. True faith is being steadfast in the face of doubt.” I read and reread that during the service over and over. It was clear to me that God was speaking to me through a bulletin.

Nate said to me “next sunday at this time we will be in KC at the launch of Restore.” My heart lept.

Blog Ministry

Its really weird about blogs. How can someone who I don’t know, that I’ve just stumbled across on the web, minister to me in ways they will never know.

I read this today and it was excactly what I was needed:

I love the story of Peter fishing all night to no avail. He was over it. Been there, done that. Then Jesus comes along and says “Put out your nets one more time.” He was essentially trying to pull Peter’s pendulum back to center.

Jesus is tender with our experiences, but he will always beckon us to lose our lives for him. This means defying a reactionary life and going back to the tasks that burned us. He just might have a fresh encounter waiting for us.

Ok, seriously I am reactionary. And I look at my past where I’ve been and how I’ve been burned and I’m thinking of all the ways it could happen again. Oh how I long for a fresh encounter waiting for me. If I could learn from myself and my flaws and do an ounce for the kingdom what Peter did…well that would be just amazing.

Prayer Prayer Prayer

Please send up a prayer specifically for my job situation. Its not working at as planned for KC and I need some favor/provision/direction/miracles. Thanks so muchJill 

My Favorite Things 2

Tivo.

I was so against tivo’s when they first came out. I thought that if you got one you must like tv way to much. As is so often the case, my husband wore me down.  I am so glad he did.

Last night, after dinner was cleaned up and the kids were in bed we (actually Nate never really watches tv because he is always surfing at the same time) watched 5 hours of tv in about 2 hours. I started at about 7:30p.m. and ended at 9:30 pm. I watched Ellen, a 2 hour American Idol and a 2 hour Biggest loser all in that time. I was in bed by 9:40.

Take out the commercials and the dramatic pauses and you spend less time in front of the tube. I just love it!

Lessons

of a church planter. I guess I can be lumped into ‘church planter’ category even though its really Nate’s forte.

This adventure has been a bumpy one to say the least. Detours and road blocks are the norm. We haven’t had many “wins.” With my crazy personality, that leads to doubt/worry/fear.

I’m learning some really important lessons through this. I’m learning who I do not want to be. I don’t want to be that worrier. That doubter. Faithless. I’m learning who I want to be. Full of unwaivering faith. I want to trust that God will make the way. I look to the right and to the left of me and it seems that its going ok for other people and not for us. This is never a good idea.  I have needed some biblical guidance or whisper from God. When I think I’ve got this doubt thing beat, something comes again to knock me down.

The other day as I was talking with God, I thought about Joseph. Joseph had a dream for his life. But the things he had to go through to see that dream realized were hard. He was in low places and he had some wins and then more set backs and finally his dream became reality.  (Genesis 37+)

Joseph would not have been the leader he was had he not gone through the things he went through.  I desperately pray that I will grow from this and be a little more who God intends me to be.

I’m so thankful to God for the opportunity to serve Him. I think this pruning is going to produce some really great fruit.

My Favorite Things

In Oprah fashion, I would like to have a series of posts that include my favorite things. Today, my favorite thing is my Old Navy pink plush robe that my mom got me for christmas. I’ve never been a robe person but its the softest warmest thing I’ve ever had. If you come to my house when its chilly, I will be wearing it…don’t be alarmed. I just love it. 

My Baby

Today our beautiful baby girl is 2. It’s hard to believe. Abbey means joy of the father. She has lived up to her name. She is our joy for sure. She is the most precious thing. She is all girl. Loves her daddy. She talks up a storm. She will grab your face and make you look at her when she wants to tell you something. It might be jiberish but it melts our hearts. The other day I was laying on the couch next to her closing my eyes and she leaned over and gave me a kiss. It was precious. I wanted to have her on Valentines day because I thought it would be fun to have her birthday on a day filled with love. Alas, the OR was booked. But we will always remember her birthday anyway! I can’t wait to see what kind of little girl she will become!

I Love

them.