I've never been an early morning person; though David would beg to differ. I guess I am a morning person in comparison to him, who loves to roll out of bed as late as possible. But compared to my dad who is up at 5:00 every morning, I'm quite a slacker!
My mom has always told me that whomever is up first in our house will rule the day, and that may be true, but I refuse to get up before the boys. My boys got their early rising genes from my dad apparently because as soon as the sun is up, so are they. We've tried everything to keep them in bed a bit longer, even darkening shades to fake them into thinking the sun isn't up yet! Alas, they have internal time clocks that are unable to be turned off.
Orchestra practice at church begins at 8:30 am. Considering I have three kiddos to get ready and out the door, 8:30 is a pretty daunting time of the morning. Our Worship Pastor was gracious and said that as long as I practiced at home during the week, I could just come and play for the 10:30 service, not worry about 8:30 practice. I tried that for a couple weeks, and was just feeling as though I needed to practice with the group to really be a part of the group. Not to mention Pastor Jason is a creative soul and likes to add bridges between songs; and even with all the help from Judy and Cheri, I was still at best, winging it.
Even more daunting then getting everyone out the door was the idea that the kids would have to sit in the sanctuary while I practiced for 30 minutes. The thought was overwhelming enough to keep me from going. It's one thing when I have David with me and he can keep the kids sitting with him. But on the off month when David works weekends and doesn't come out to church with me it usually frazzles me just to do church on Sunday morning.
I spent some really great time with someone who is quickly becoming a real mentor in my life. Cheri Keeton is one of our pastors wives and someone that I went to for some advice. You see, I have plenty of people that would pat my back and give me sympathy over the things that I pity myself for. But when I want someone to listen and then tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear, I go to Cheri. She is not unsympathetic, but spiritually she gives me the wake up call that I need. When I told her about my orchestra frustrations, she told me what I needed to hear.
Her suggestion was, "Bring the kids and have them sit in the row right next to where you are practicing so you can keep an eye on them. It teaches them how to show respect for God's house, and none of us mind if you have to get up every once in a while and have a talk with one of them." What she said next really stuck out in my mind, she said, "Don't let Satan give you any reason to keep from serving God with your talent."
And there it was...the spiritual slap in the face that I needed for motivation. So this morning I was up at 6:30, showering, dressing and planning on what to make for breakfast. I had laid out everyone's clothes the night before, and we were out the door at 8:00 sharp. There was no rushing around and mommy wasn't acting like a crazy person trying to make it to church on time. I lined the kids up on the front pew without even so much as a spare second to threaten them within an inch of their life, and we began practice.
And you know what? All three of my kids were still, quiet and very well behaved. I thanked the Lord, and the three kids for their good behavior. I was able to not be crazy mommy, rushing in to catch the last five minutes of practice and it turned out to be an amazing day. Just think...our Heavenly Father loves us so much, he's preplaned our future lives with him. Just think how peaceful it's going to be, no rushing, no craziness, just one good day after another; living with the best Father ever.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
It Only Takes One...
In our church services recently we've been discussing what our role as individuals and as a whole church are for service within the community...what is our vision for 2012. The pastoring staff has allowed several people (encouraged and enabled) to take a chance on a burden that they have for the community we live in. An amazing woman named Lynleigh has started up a food pantry...she is busy stocking, planning and organizing so that we can meet some of the needs of those in our community that are struggling. It's pretty amazing that they are helping her fulfill this dream, Lynleigh is a registered dietitian, and an amazing mother of two beautiful girls. God is so good to equip us with just what we need to meet needs right around us.
Our pastors have encouraged us to all think about something we've been burdened to do, and start putting some legs to our burdens. I really felt that starting to play in the orchestra was something I wanted to do to serve, and I have been having a ball! Two weeks ago was my first time, and I was the only violin. When I walked in to service this past week, imagine my surprise when I found another violinist sitting in the orchestra!! I introduced myself right away and I can't wait to spend some more time playing violin with Ashley. This was her first week to play, and Rose, you are going to love her violin!!! Passed down through her family, the entire thing is hand crafted out of wood...right down to the chin rest
Sunday morning was a little stressful for me. The van is broken at this point in time so I used David's truck, but it was so difficult to get the kids boosters in and find the seat belts that were tucked into the cushions that I almost threw my hands up and said forget it. But I couldn't wait to get to church and listen, learn and play with the orchestra again. So I braved the bone chilling wind and the craziness that is me taking all of the kids anywhere by myself and we made it to church. I dropped Brandon off in nursery...thank you Doris for taking him early, and I threatened the other two within an inch of their life and sat them in a row of seats while I went to practice for about the last five minutes of practice time.
I was so excited that the kids behaved fairly well, but I still missed out on most of the practice time and so wasn't entirely sure of how we were transitioning from song to song, but I figured worse comes to worse I'll wing it (hey, I'm a mom, we do that right??). Since the violin doesn't have any microphone, it probably wouldn't matter too much if I even played in the wrong key, so it's giving me a chance to get comfortable before everyone can hear my mistakes:) Judy very kindly offered to walk me through the order right before service, and so I caught up to her with five minutes to spare. She was eating on the run and when she heard that I hadn't had breakfast she split her slice of pumpkin bread with me!
Later that evening my girlfriend Janette called to make sure that I was okay...hooray for friends! Now if we could just get our other friend to come home from being on vacation (yes Louisa, I mean you!) it would be even better.
Lynleigh, Judy, Janette, Louisa and Doris...so blessed to have you in my life. I actually heave a sigh of relief when I think of you guys...cause when I walk through the door at Faith Bible Church, it's like an extension of home. And I have you guys to thank for that!
Our pastors have encouraged us to all think about something we've been burdened to do, and start putting some legs to our burdens. I really felt that starting to play in the orchestra was something I wanted to do to serve, and I have been having a ball! Two weeks ago was my first time, and I was the only violin. When I walked in to service this past week, imagine my surprise when I found another violinist sitting in the orchestra!! I introduced myself right away and I can't wait to spend some more time playing violin with Ashley. This was her first week to play, and Rose, you are going to love her violin!!! Passed down through her family, the entire thing is hand crafted out of wood...right down to the chin rest
Sunday morning was a little stressful for me. The van is broken at this point in time so I used David's truck, but it was so difficult to get the kids boosters in and find the seat belts that were tucked into the cushions that I almost threw my hands up and said forget it. But I couldn't wait to get to church and listen, learn and play with the orchestra again. So I braved the bone chilling wind and the craziness that is me taking all of the kids anywhere by myself and we made it to church. I dropped Brandon off in nursery...thank you Doris for taking him early, and I threatened the other two within an inch of their life and sat them in a row of seats while I went to practice for about the last five minutes of practice time.
I was so excited that the kids behaved fairly well, but I still missed out on most of the practice time and so wasn't entirely sure of how we were transitioning from song to song, but I figured worse comes to worse I'll wing it (hey, I'm a mom, we do that right??). Since the violin doesn't have any microphone, it probably wouldn't matter too much if I even played in the wrong key, so it's giving me a chance to get comfortable before everyone can hear my mistakes:) Judy very kindly offered to walk me through the order right before service, and so I caught up to her with five minutes to spare. She was eating on the run and when she heard that I hadn't had breakfast she split her slice of pumpkin bread with me!
Later that evening my girlfriend Janette called to make sure that I was okay...hooray for friends! Now if we could just get our other friend to come home from being on vacation (yes Louisa, I mean you!) it would be even better.
Lynleigh, Judy, Janette, Louisa and Doris...so blessed to have you in my life. I actually heave a sigh of relief when I think of you guys...cause when I walk through the door at Faith Bible Church, it's like an extension of home. And I have you guys to thank for that!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A New Year
Just yesterday I took the tree down. This is the first year I can remember that I left it up past the new year, and the first year that I hated to see it go back in it's large, square, cardboard box. I have so enjoyed the season that I decided to keep my ceramic houses and some other "winter" type decorations up. I am glad though, that the mess in the house is going away; I won't miss that part of the holiday! I am also thoroughly Christmas songed out...
I didn't make any resolutions, at least none that I thought were good enough to put on paper! I guess I feel like I should be making good resolutions all year long, and not just on a specific day. We haven't had the weather we are used to for this time of year, in fact it just now got cold enough to qualify as a NJ winter in my book...21 degrees outside for most of the day! I was in the basement yesterday and saw a passing snow shower; now, I'm not gunning for snow, but it was so pretty to watch the first snow fall. It reminded me how we are washed clean in the blood of Jesus, and how my sins are as white as that snow falling softly to the ground yesterday.
We have been praying for David's work schedule to change this year (move from nights to days) so that we could have a more normal type of routine with the kids. God chose to let us remain on the night shift for another year, and to tell you the truth I am not one bit upset. I feel that this is where He wants us to be, and He'll give us the strength to make it through this year. So grateful that David has a job, and I still have prayer warriors praying on behalf of our desire.
I am so excited to say that my parents are attending church with me and my family! I love having them there, it feels like we are back together as a spiritual family as well as a physical family:) I don't know if they'll choose to stay, but it's been fun having us all together again, worshipping together.
I can truly say that I've come into a new year a person, who through the grace of God, has become very comfortable with herself, excited to use my piano and violin talents for Him and loves her new church family. Did you ever feel like you just won the biggest prize ever and no one person understands how precious that prize is to you? I've waited so long, sat spiritually stagnant and now I have room to grow, desire to serve and love for my Savior that I didn't think was possible to have again.
This Sunday I will be playing my violin in the orchestra, next to my new friends, lifting the name of Jesus higher as we play for Him. Happy New Year everyone! I believe that God knows the plans He has for me...plans to prosper me, and I thank Him for that!
I didn't make any resolutions, at least none that I thought were good enough to put on paper! I guess I feel like I should be making good resolutions all year long, and not just on a specific day. We haven't had the weather we are used to for this time of year, in fact it just now got cold enough to qualify as a NJ winter in my book...21 degrees outside for most of the day! I was in the basement yesterday and saw a passing snow shower; now, I'm not gunning for snow, but it was so pretty to watch the first snow fall. It reminded me how we are washed clean in the blood of Jesus, and how my sins are as white as that snow falling softly to the ground yesterday.
We have been praying for David's work schedule to change this year (move from nights to days) so that we could have a more normal type of routine with the kids. God chose to let us remain on the night shift for another year, and to tell you the truth I am not one bit upset. I feel that this is where He wants us to be, and He'll give us the strength to make it through this year. So grateful that David has a job, and I still have prayer warriors praying on behalf of our desire.
I am so excited to say that my parents are attending church with me and my family! I love having them there, it feels like we are back together as a spiritual family as well as a physical family:) I don't know if they'll choose to stay, but it's been fun having us all together again, worshipping together.
I can truly say that I've come into a new year a person, who through the grace of God, has become very comfortable with herself, excited to use my piano and violin talents for Him and loves her new church family. Did you ever feel like you just won the biggest prize ever and no one person understands how precious that prize is to you? I've waited so long, sat spiritually stagnant and now I have room to grow, desire to serve and love for my Savior that I didn't think was possible to have again.
This Sunday I will be playing my violin in the orchestra, next to my new friends, lifting the name of Jesus higher as we play for Him. Happy New Year everyone! I believe that God knows the plans He has for me...plans to prosper me, and I thank Him for that!
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