A Special Treat

As a special treat to ourselves, we decided to plan a fun, summer event - Tickets to the U2 360 Tour concert this summer!
We are planning to go with our neighbors - and no kids, much to our own children's dismay! 
Pre-party at our new home! :)

Thoughtful Thursday

Today's Thoughtful Thursday comes from a quote I heard on a new super great radio station I recently found.
Air One Radio - Positive Alternative. 
Who knows how long it has been out there?
Maybe it's new to our area, or maybe my old car didn't pick it up - or maybe God just brought it to me exactly when he thought I needed it - whichever it's is now my super fave!
I find myself singing all the wonderfully positive, loving and Godly tunes all day long - I'm hooked!
Check it out, listen online and see what station plays it near you.  www.air1.com
Now, on to Thoughtful Thursday...
God doesn't want our abilities, He only wants our AVAILABILITY.
Love this! 
I can't tell you how much time I have wasted wondering what possibly talents I have that God could use.
When actually, now I realize that He just wants me to be available for Him to use whenever He needs me. 
Whether it be driving car pool, at work, lunching with a friend, on Facebook, where ever, when ever.
I feel less pressure all ready - just knowing that I don't have to figure out some fantastic talent - I just have to be ready.
Keep the faith!
Wendy

Thoughtful Thursday

At times when I'm weak and tired, I find myself wondering "why me"
So many challenges lately
But then I am reminded of a saying that has seen me through many times
"I am Here, because Here is exactly where I am supposed to be"
Exactly where God wants me to be
And I know, when it's time for me to move on, He will let me know.
Remembering this - Saying it out loud - Thinking it daily - Brings me peace.
Keep the faith!
Wendy

Thoughtful Thursday

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see... - Hebrews 11:1

Watching over me

The last several nights, I've had really strange dreams...nightmares almost.  The kind that stay with you all day and just lay heavy on your heart.  

Last night was one of the worst. 

But this morning, I arrived at work to a wonderful verse sitting on my desk.

Then I lay down and slept, I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.  Psalm 3:5

Thank you, God for reminding me that everything is going to be OK.

Keep the faith!  Wendy

Thoughful Thursday

A few weeks ago I read about a lady who was shopping and felt compelled to buy a picture of Jesus holding a child.  She said she heard God speaking to her to buy it as a gift for someone.  She did - even though she had no idea who she would give it to.

A week or so later, an acquaintance of her's lost a child in a horrific accident.  She knew this picture was for this woman and it brought this woman much comfort as a reminder that her child was with Jesus.

This story, makes me ponder how we should all be so compelled to act the minute we hear God speaking to us.  Sometimes he is asking us to do easy things, like purchasing a picture, yet sometimes the things he is asking seem impossible. 

I love to reflect on the many, many times that I've heard God speaking to me.  I love the feeling - the quiet, how all other outside noise stops, how I hear the words more clearly than I've heard any other words. 

I can reflect on those times when I've immediately done what God has told me to do - the easy stuff - and the perfect peace that comes from letting him be in control. 

And, then there are the times when I don't want to listen - the hard stuff - and the knawing feeling that I'm not doing the right thing, the unsettlement, the struggle between my will and his.

I pray that I will listen more and do what is asked, everyday.  After all, all it takes is a tiny bit of faith!

Keep the faith!  Wendy

My favorite things...

Some new things I am loving:


Adorable little suitcases from Paper Source

Love this fun and flirty scarf  - also from Paper Source

My new "must-have" - the classic cookbook - from Amazon:

I keep coming back to these - they make me laugh - from Paper Source

Keep the Faith!  Wendy

Tiny Pitty Party with Pollyana

I was on the verge of throwing myself a tiny pitty party this morning.
School is starting and I missed being in our old house
Missed being close enough to walk the kids to school
Missed having extra time this morning to go for a cup of coffee with the other moms

Today I read a note my brother sent about a challenge that he has for himself from his readings by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

This particular challenge reflects on Pollyana, the classic children's novel by Eleanor H. Porter.
The title character is Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphan who's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game," an optimistic attitude she learned from her father. The game consists of finding something to be glad about in every situation. It originated in an incident one Christmas when Pollyanna, who was hoping for a doll in the missionary barrel, found only a pair of crutches inside. Making the game up on the spot, Pollyanna's father taught her to look at the good side of things—in this case, to be glad about the crutches because "we don't need 'em!"

So, in the "glad game" essense - I'm glad that school is starting today
Glad to be back in a routine
Glad to have found a house to rent in our same neighborhood, so the kids can go to the same school
Glad to have a job that I can go to each morning
Glad for my family
Glad to have a loving God
and glad to have a tiny bit of faith that everything will work out.

Keep the faith! Wendy

Goodbye Summer!

All Summer Long

All Summer Long has an always sound
Big and roomy, full and round
You think it ought to last for years
Deep summer thunder, big cool tears
Fields full of sunshine, oceans round
All Summer Long has an always sound
~Anonymous

Goodbye, Summer!   We will miss you!

Keep the faith!  Wendy

The Good Guys Finish First

Husband and I have been talking a lot lately about why bad things happen to good people.

And Lord knows, that we've had a our share of trying times in the past 2 years.  It's so easy to wonder "why" and get caught up in feeling like the good guys never win.

I'm reminded of a story a co-worker shared with me several years ago.  Her friend recently lost his son to a terminal illness.  During the eulogy, he explained that he felt, as parents, our true mission was to prepare our children for heaven.

Honestly, isn't that what each of our lives should be about - preparing ourselves for heaven.

So when people say that the good guys finish first - we have to believe that it's true.  That our just rewards are in the end.  We may never see them in this life, but they will be waiting for us at heaven's door.

Personally, I can't wait!

Keep the faith!  Wendy

Family Field Trips

One of my favorite parts of school starting are the Field Trips. 

I try to go on as many as I can (as long as they are not going somewhere that involves live birds).

I'm sure the teachers either think I am a god-send or a big dork. 

Either way, I don't care.  I love the excitement of waiting for the school bus to arrive, I love overhearing my child and their friends talk and laugh, I love learning something new in a totally new place. 

So, I decided that we would make a list for the school year of places that we can take "Family Field Trips" - little day activities that can be combined with learning (well, I didn't state it quite like that to the kids - I focused more on the fun of it, but whatever it takes, right??)

Here's our list for 2010/2011:

1. Missouri Botanical Gardens
2. Vatican Splendors Exhibit
3. Pirates Exhibit at the Science Center
4. Springfield IL
5. Kimmswick
6. Bike Ride at Creve Coeur Park
7. Horseback Riding
8. Tennis
9. Bowling
10. Hannibal
11. Art Museum
12. Paddle Boats at Forest Park
13. Zoo
14. Arch
15. Moolah Theatre
16. Drive Inn Movie
17. Laumeier Sculpture Park
18. Jefferson Barracks
19. Our Lady of Snows
20. Cahokia Mounds
21. Corn Maze

I'll be waiting outside by the curb for the yellow bus!

Keep the faith!  Wendy

Thoughtful Thursday

Thoughtful Thursday is one day of the week to take a topic that is rattling around my head and bring it forward for further examination...and thought.

Today's Thoughtful Thursday:

Dont. Text. And Drive. Ever.

I know, easier said than done. But so very dangerous. 

And I don't want my kids doing this.  Ever.

I will be their example.

http://www.ksdk.com/life/community/hang_up_and_drive/default.aspx

Keep the faith!   Wendy

One tiny mustard seed of faith...

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
' Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

This has long been one of my favorite verses. I remember learning it in Sunday school as a child and thinking how simple it really is - that nothing is impossible if we just have faith.

The challenging part is keeping our faith strong at those times when we are not.

One tiny mustard seed is all it takes.

Keep the faith!