technologically challenged

When I graduated from COLLEGE, I did not know anyone who owned a computer or a cell phone. I typed all my college papers on a typewriter. In fact, we had recently moved from corded phones to cordLESS phones. We were so excited not to have to stand with our ears next to the kitchen wall! I sound very old right now; but I now realize that I missed the technology thing by only a few years. Dang! A couple weeks ago, I qualified for a cell phone upgrade so I got a Blackberry Curve at WalMart for $28.88. I had to return it because it was much too complicated for me! (I love my new VU by the way!) All this to say that I am not very left-brained. I was an English teacher. Right-brained all the way. So I guess I will continue inching my way to being computer savvy and socially networked!

grocery boy

I had a car full of groceries the other day. I thought about having Zach help me bring them in. I said, "I need a strong man to help me lift all of these heavy groceries!" Zach was my man! While moms cannot impart masculinity to boys, we can help them grow to be strong, confident men. Although we as moms sometimes want to keep our sweet little boys by our side and protect them and snuggle on them, it is SERIOUSLY IMPORTANT that we let them go and allow them to be one of the men. That is the way they learn how to be a man and how to act like a man--and how to protect a woman he loves! There is nothing quite like having your little boy be a rough tough boy and then come back to love and protect his mom.

marriage retreat at pine ridge church

Brian and I had the opportunity to speak at a marriage retreat at Pine Ridge Church this past weekend! The people were so great. We had a wonderful time!

pastor's kids!

In the last month, I have had conversations with church planters' wives who have brought up the topic of raising pastor's kids.  They have asked about how we expect our boys to act.  I guess what really sticks out in my mind is that we want our boys to love God on their own not because their dad is a pastor.  I never want my boys to be sick of church, and so occasionally, I will pull them out of the second service and take them to starbucks!  We try to NEVER say, "You better be good because your dad is the pastor."  That, to me, is peer pressure.  That is caring what people say or think about you and acting to please other people.  I am teaching my boys to not worry about what people think.  You are to do right because you are YOU.  People who go about life trying to act a certain way to please others will never be able to please everyone and cannot be a great leader of people.  It is interesting to me that parents do not want their kids to be influenced by peer pressure and yet put peer pressure on them to convince them to be good!  I think that means, "I want everyone to think I am a good parent, so please make me look good."  Kids are smarter than that!

 We are however, focusing on the word APPROPRIATE.  We want them to make choices about how they act or what they wear or say, NOT because their dad is a pastor but because they consider what is appropriate.  My kids are WILD and very normal.  I am trying to teach them to be humble and respectful to adults, to put others first at church and be a friend to someone who is alone. We make a big deal about the family coming before the church, and Brian models that to them by spending time with them, and telling them that they are more important than his work at church.  Until we showed a recent video of our boys, many people did not know who they were. They enjoy being one of the students and hopefully God is working in their hearts to draw them to Himself, in spite of the fact that they are the pastor's kids!  

steam room!

I enjoyed a wonderful spa with an invigorating steam room one day last week!  The room fills up with steam so thick that you can hardly see, and the smell of eucalyptus fills your lungs!  It is wonderful.  Today, I have been dealing with allergies and wishing I could be back in the steam room!  One of the blissful things in life that I absolutely love!

dad's book published!

My Dad just had his book published!  It is called Journey by Max Mills.  It is a 9 chapter series on character transformation.  I am in the process of reading it, and it is very interesting with tons of illustrations!  He has also written a leader's guide for small group study.  Check it out at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnobel.com !!  Very cool.

the simple truth

Going to heaven has nothing to do with how good we are or how many good things we have done.  It has everything to do with the fact that Jesus died on the cross for us.  It is nothing we could do, but everything He has already done.

"For by GRACE are you saved through faith and that NOT OF YOURSELVES it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS..."  Ephesians 2:8-9

That's the simple truth worth knowing!

great book

I have a great book to recommend!  It is Praying The Bible For Your Children by David and Heather Kopp.  The book contains one-page prayers full of Scripture to pray for your kids.  Not only has this book impacted the way I pray for my boys, but I have enjoyed it so much that I want to buy my parents a copy so they will pray these prayers for me!  

girl scout cookies

We ordered Girl Scout cookies and they arrived!  I like a good cookie.  My favorites are the samoas--a cookie with toasted coconut and caramel with chocolate.  My three men like the thin mints and the tagalongs.  That's good--more samoas for me!  Do you have a favorite?