Saturday, October 20, 2012

Things that make me smile....

Getting a random text or phone call from one of my boys - just to say hey.

Any episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Going down a clothing size.

Daisies.

Preparing for NC State football tailgates.

Getting my hair brushed.

Having all my laundry done.

All my volunteers on Sunday mornings.

Hugs from children in my children's ministry.

Sweet tea.

Five cars in the driveway.

Things that annoy the stink out of me....

When buttons pop off clothes.

Dust.

Walking into a spider web.

Getting into my husband's car and finding the gas light on.

To finish washing dishes only to find one more cup in the den.

Allergies.

Bumping my head on the car door.

When a light bulb burns out just as I flip the switch.

Spilling food on my shirt.

Heartburn.

Watching a show and really enjoying it, not watch it for a while and then when I watch it again it is a rerun of the first time I watched.

Wal-Mart - specifically - having a gazillion check-out registers, but only one check-out person and the one line that is open has called for a price check.

Getting all vowels when playing Words with Friends.

Getting all consonants when playing Words with Friends.

More faith.....


Recently I was praying for a family at my church.  The mom had made a decision to follow Christ, but the dad was not on board.  As a matter of fact, he was fairly antagonistic towards church and Christians.  I spent quite a bit of time praying for the salvation of the dad, not really confident that he would actually come to have a relationship with Christ.  He refused to meet with the pastor and he refused to meet with me.

Then one day, out of the blue, I got a phone call from the mom.  The dad had called her very upset.  She said he was desperate to talk with someone.  I told her if he was truly desperate he would talk with our pastor.  Before the day was done, not only had he called the pastor, he had given his life to Christ.  He immediately asked for some books to read, in addition to the Bible.  He came to church this past Sunday and according to the mom, things are much better with their relationship.

Can I be honest here?  Even though I was fervently praying for the salvation of the dad and the restoration of this family, I really didn’t think it would happen.  I really didn’t have the faith that the dad would really ever give up control of his life.  Why don’t I have more faith?  I wish I knew the reason.  But I do know this – my faith was strengthened by watching God work in this man’s life.  Now when I pray, I pray with the confidence that God is going to do mighty things because that is who He is.  God is in the miracle business.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

When I grow up.....

When I grow up...

I want to be like my sister, Melissa Godfrey.  Melissa is almost 5 years younger than me, but she's much wiser.  I want to be as organized as she is.  At her house there is a place for everything and everything is in its place (and probably labeled).  At my house you're lucky if you stumble across the item you need when you need it.  I want to be as compassionate as she is.  Melissa cares deeply for other people.  She cares about women in prison and women who are hurting.  She pours into other people's lives like crazy.  She loves her family and is one of the best moms I know.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

When I grow up...

I want to be like my friend Kay Thomas.  Kay is so incredibly talented.  She sings, she acts, she runs our elementary program at Daystar church like nobody's business!  She is a great wife and mom.  Her husband adores her and her kids love to spend time with her.  People are always seeking her out for advice.  She is a loyal friend and I can't imagine not having her as my best friend and office mate!  Kay keeps the calendar and makes sure I get to where I'm supposed to go on time. :)  I want to be like her when I grow up.

When I grow up....

I want to be like Angela Moran.  Angela is one of the most fun people I know.  She truly enjoys life and has a zest and energy that just draws people to her.  She has compassion for women in crisis.  She started an organization called "Change Purse" that benefits those who have been enslaved in the sex trade.  Change Purse has been recognized in Oprah's magazine!  How cool is that?!  Angela has taken in a girl that needed a place to stay.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

When I grow up....

I want to be like Louise Gettman.  Louise is my mentor in children's ministry.  She taught me all that I know about running a children's ministry.  Louise is older than me, but has way more energy than I do!  I admire her love for her husband and her love for her daughter.  Louise is fun!  I miss her so much!

When I grow up....

I want to be like my friend Janelle.  Janelle is the mom of two wonderful kids, one of which is autistic.  I admire her for being such a champion for her son.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her sense of humor!  The only strike against her is the fact that she's a Tarheel fan - oh well - nobody's perfect. :) :) :)  I want to be like Janelle when I grow up. : )

When I grow up I want to be like these amazing women who have touched my life along the way.  I can wish, can't I?

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Random acts of kindness...

Recently I was talking with a friend of mine about children's ministry.  She was telling me a story about something that one of our preschool teachers experienced.  It made my heart happy!

She told me that one of our preschool teachers was recently at a restaurant with some friends.  This teacher had recently left her job to stay home with her children.  As a former stay-at-home mom I know what this does to the pocketbook.  When the preschool teacher went to the register to pay, the cashier told her that her bill had already been paid by that family over there - and she pointed to another table.  The teacher looked and saw the parents of a little girl in her 4/5s class.  They smiled at her.  She went to them to thank them and they told her that they wanted to bless her for all the times she had blessed them by teaching their child every week in church.

What a blessing!  This particular teacher is one who serves every single week.  We value consistency at Daystar and encourage as many teachers as possible to serve on a weekly basis (understanding that they will be gone on occasion!)  We want our teachers to know that what they do every week is NOT child care - it is MINISTRY.  What goes on in our classrooms is just as important as what goes on in the auditorium.

I am blessed to work in an environment where I feel appreciated and honored.  I want my children's ministry volunteers to feel the same way.  I wish I could buy them all a meal out at their favorite restaurant to show my gratitude!  It means so much to me, though, that parents value those who work with their children and are willing to show it.  I don't expect every family to be able to pay for someone's meal at a restaurant, but I would love to see more parents take the time to just say thank you.  Thank you for being a positive role model in my child's life.  Thank you for allowing me to hear the message from God's Word every Sunday.  Thank you for sharing God's Word with my little ones.  A simple thank you goes a long way.

To any of my volunteers who read this - THANK YOU!!!!  I appreciate you more than you will ever know.  I value the work that you do with our littlest ones.  Matthew 25 says - as you do to the least of mine, you do it to Me.  Every time you comfort a crying baby, play ball with a toddler, smile at a preschooler or patiently listen to an elementary student, you are serving Jesus himself.  What an honor to work alongside you all.  I love you all.