my day off

Today I spent helping our son and daughter-in-law empty the rest of their apartment so that we could clean.

It is so hard to believe that they are already done at their first place and moving onto the next.  Time moves quickly.

As I cleaned today I remembered our kids when they were small, I remember never being able to keep my house clean with 2 toddlers and then a house full of teenaged friends and finally boyfriends and girlfriends and then fiancés.  It has gone so quickly.  There was a whole lot of cleaning.

Today was a day off from my regular job but a day filled with work none the less.  A good day.

so much at Crossroads

There is opportunity upon opportunity to get involved at Crossroads.

The medal table at the Run For Hope

Events to help us organize such as Saturday's Run For Hope and the Mission Expo this weekend.  So much we can use your help to provide for our congregation.  Time spent on the things of the Lord and working with other believers...so rewarding!

Asia's Hope expo table

Soccer Kicks 4 Kids at our Mission Expo!  Such a great organization!

And then there are all the worship teams...oh my goodness how grateful I am for our amazing youth and worship Pastor's!  Dan, Milo and Jamie lead us to the thrown weekend after weekend!! Under their leadership Crossroads' worship future just looks limitless - such an exciting time to be involved!

Night of Worship rehearsal

And even as I write this evening - worship leaders from around Mansfield take our stage for rehearsal to lead us Wednesday night in worship!!  There is No WHERE else I'd rather be!  Nowhere!

We have been challenged this past month to consider what we will do with this ONE life.  Will we work to 'gain' money or position?  Will we do unnecessary things that take us away from our families?  Will our children grow up thinking our work and money and friends are more important to us then they are?

What will our legacy be?

I want people to say I cared about orphans, and underprivileged and the local church.  That I loved my husband well and tried my hardest to raise children that loved the Lord.

I want people to say I was in love with Jesus.

my day off

Last night we had a blast with our small group from Crossroads.  One of the highlights of the night were the adorable raccoons that Jackie and Greg rescued!  The other highlights included ridiculous made-up stories sitting around the campfire and the food and fellowship!

I loved the sky framing the barn as the night moved in.




Morning came early and once again today we headed to Columbus to work at our son and daughter-in-law's new house.

Don't be critical - it's only the first coat!

I learned many things.  I learned how to 'mud' drywall.  I taped and finished the ceiling seams in one room by myself.  This shows the level of desperation we have reached! ha ha

I LOVED it - I don't often get to work on things that see results  the same day I start them.  Getting to learn how to do something new and actually make a contribution toward the house being finished is great fun!

I then coated an old door with paint thinner and scrapped off old paint.  It was a welcomed site when I began to see natural wood beneath the layers of yellow, green then white paint.  I don't know what people were thinking that painted this gorgeous old door!

Now it's almost time to head home so I must say good night, but allow me to leave you with a challenge for tomorrow.  Learn how to do something brand new - it is so much fun and will keep you young!

men and women

We are different.  Opposites perhaps.

This morning we were at Lowe's.  I was pushing a large cart with drywall and 2X4s on it - trying to negotiate how closely I needed to stay to the sides of the aisles so that others could pass me.

Ron walked ahead reading descriptions on each sticker on the items he was considering - carefully analyzing measurements we had written on our paper and comparing them to the items in front of us.

The lady mentioned in the article is in grey!

Another couple approached, loudly discussing what else they needed to remember to purchase.  They too were pushing quite a few sheets of drywall and particle board, so had a similar load.

The lady noticed me standing next to the cart, and started laughing comparing our similar Saturday morning tasks.  She was quite loud and made some semi-rude remarks about her poor husband and laughed as if she had just told the funniest joke in the world!  I smiled, but tried not to encourage her assault.

As she walked away laughing, she looked back at me and said, "you know it's a shame really,  I'll never get out of him - what I've put in him!  No where close!"

With that she turned and continued to follow her husband, a man I suddenly felt great compassion for!

God intended for most of us to marry, others He decided He kept single because He needed to use their singleness.  He intended marriage to be between one woman and one man, so why does it seem in so many cases we are so oddly paired?  I can easily name the couples I consider great Godly matches, compatible and committed.  I can name them easily because I don't know that many.  THAT is sad.

We are opposites (it sometimes appears) because we need to complete and support one another.  We each bring something unique to the table.  We need one another and we need to strive to live in a way that honors one another.

We need to live in a way that realizes that God created our spouse, instead of acting as if men are from Mars and women are from Venus...

discouraging day

Today I found out several things that were very discouraging.

First I got a message that the set design materials that I had ordered are now backordered and will not be here until the 2nd week of Pastor's Tim's new series, Systematic Theology.  THAT is discouraging!

So, do I create a temporary set design while waiting for the supplies I really wanted to arrive, or design something completely different?  Down right discouraging!

The other thing I found out was about some struggles one of my relatives are having.  It's really just a sin issue and is terribly discouraging and very disappointing!

And finally, I came to the office today with a plan for attack on all the tasks that needed to be finished.  It was doable.  It didn't get done.  I didn't take into consideration - conversations  -  several people that I wanted to explain new projects to and items I needed to order over the phone -all took longer than anticipated.  So I left with work goals not met.  I took discouragement with me.

Poor me...

Then about 6:00 pm this evening I gained perspective as I began to listen to the updates concerning the Colorado killings, the frustration of those searching for the Ohio strangler and heard voices of the family members who are totally in shock at the horror that has just changed their families' lives forever.  Perspective.

I have no right to be discouraged about anything, absolutely nothing in my life compares to the struggles of those on the news reports.  Selfishly I pray it never does.

The best way to look away from your own discouragement, is to take your eyes off of yourself and notice what others are going through.  Even in the middle of bad - there are ALWAYS far worse things near by, always.

people take things

People take things that don't belong to them.

I recently heard about a lady who was trying clothes on at a store.  When she walked out of the dressing room to pick up the other clothes she wanted to try on and returned, a lady was in her dressing room with the door locked.  She told her it was her dressing room to get out.  The lady inside the dressing room said, "hang on I'm pulling my pants up".

She opened the door and stormed out.

Later that night the credit card company called her to see if she had requested a cash advance sent to a certain account.  She told the company she had not.

The lady that took over her dressing room had taken pictures of her credit card and drivers license and immediately got cash deposited to her account.

Why do people take things?

It's laziness, sometimes addiction driven, perhaps a thrill to sneak around and see what you can get away with and just plain evil.  Who knows what all the reasons or excuses are.

It's sin of course.

Some of the scams people create are invented by brilliant minds that could accomplish so much if used for good instead of evil.  I can only imagine what their time and work could do if their hearts belonged to the Savior instead of the evil one.

Upon hearing this story I was appalled and went on and one about the nerve of people...

Then I remembered that all sin is equal in the eyes of the Lord.

If I gossiped today, if I coveted what another had today, if I was lazy today and didn't work hard enough to earn what I was paid - I also took what wasn't mine - I would be equally guilty.

In that regard I assume that in the eyes of God that all people take things.  

something I wish

I wish I had studied dance.

I have no idea if I even have rhythm but still I wish I had tried it.

There is something mesmerizing about dance.  The way one step connects to the next, the way there is purpose in each movement.  No idle time, no confusion about what comes next, you know the outcome.

I'm also fascinated by the fact that each culture has its own dance.  It's part of each nations history.  What makes dance so important to the world?

We were all created with a need to express how we feel - joyous, thankful, frustrated, thankful, sorrowful or creative.

Even small children dance - they cannot stand still.  They were created by a Savior that loves celebration and expression and who gave us emotion.

I wish I had danced more...

other people's stuff

The past couple of days I have been with my mother-in-law and my mom at garage sales and second hand stores.  Busy buying other people's stuff!

I love thrifting - things others consider useless I can think of a 1,000 uses for!  That's probably NOT a good thing.

I filled suitcases with yarn for the orphans to use for the knitting that they love to do so much.  I found bulletin board items that will be perfect for the new Cambodian learning center.

I saw tea pots and coffee cups and all sorts of things that would be helpful for serving in the new Coffee House at Crossroads.  And rugs and try-pods that our son will love.

It makes a lot of sense to buy old things instead of new when possible.

I guess I am a re-cycler of sorts.

I know one thing for sure, I am recycled.

A sinner in need of a Savior -  used for a totally different purpose than
I every thought possible.  Surrounded by family and friends who encourage and help to identify different ways that this sinner can be part of Kingdom building.
A new beginning everyday!

Revelation 21:5

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” 

weekend report

I am finally back in the Director's Chair at Crossroads after a Mission's trip to Cambodia and then a week's vacation!  It's good to be back!!

Very Enthusiastic worship and people very interested in learning more about Crossroads involvement in our community and beyond.  Many people have stopped by the iCenter after each service asking for more information about the individual community 'serves' available!  So awesome to see a congregation that cares about maturity and serving others!!

Our setlist:

Tell The World - Hillsong United
Announcements - Bill Hill
God of This City - Tomlin
A New Hallelujah - Baloche
Rising - Baloche
No One Like You - Crowder
Message:  Go Missions Pt. 2
Exit song:  God of This City

To watch our service go to www.crossroadswired.com on Monday.  All of our archived services are available too!

To see what other ministries used in their worship services this weekend go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

a moment to think

Today  - with the house to myself I finished my work and finally have a moment to think before leaving for a wedding and then for church.

A moment...

How much can be thought in a moment?

If you could get in my head you would realize a lot can happen in a moment...not all of it happens in a neatly laid out order - probably more like panicked chaos!  But a lot happens.

I am always surprised how much even a brief time-out can help me when I'm feeling overwhelmed by a looming project or responsibility.  Today that is true.

A huge calm always comes over me when things are in their place and clean at home and I then sit down for a period of time and think and write and pray.  That time is now.  My physical house is clean and I desperately desire my heart and soul to be orderly and pleasing to God too.

I need God to fill my heart with the only things that matter...with only those things.

the pressure to write

With a blog, if you take it seriously in the least, there comes pressure to write.

The past couple of days the pressure, sense of obligation and commitment to my blog have not been enough to push me toward the computer.  Way too many 'to do's' have blocked my way.

Moving from vacation into a short - major work week has blown all creativity and daydreaming completely out of me.  They are replaced with facts and figures and incomplete projects  - every turn revealing yet another task to be done - the drive to complete tasks pushes me past creative thought.

Tonight I sit at the end of another busy, tiring, yet strangely fulfilling day wondering how to coax creativity back into my mind.  Writing is something I love to do and yet if falls at the end of everything else I must do most days.

I need to live my days in reverse I suspect ...


Hey...was that last sentence a creative thought ?

reflections

This week has been one of those times that I feel will be a memory discussed and referred to over and over in our family discussions in the future.

To get away from a regular routine where you can rest and reflect is invaluable.  There simply is no way to place a value on it.  It lives on in who we are and what we become. 

Sounds dramatic huh?  I think it’s proof of how badly our entire family was in need of time away together and this week we got it.

We have laughed until our sides hurt, cried -  reflecting back over lost family members and times we miss.  The full gamut of emotion.

I have had people admire my family in the past based on how well we get along and how much we can’t wait to see one another each week, but that doesn’t just happen.  It requires time away from regular and intentional planning.

This week has become priceless in my mind.  As I sit watching the waves and all the amazing reflections that bounce off the water, I reflect too, and I praise Almighty God for His mercy toward our family and for parents who are deeply in love with Him. 

We have faced serious illness together, worked our way through wayward family members and prayed for years for others, so we haven’t had a smooth perfect path.  But with God’s help we always reach the other side of bad.  Always.

Does the other side always produce the result we were hoping and praying for – of course not!  God promises He’ll answer our prayers, not that He’ll answer them based on our desires.  He can see WAY beyond us, and knows how all the humanity pieces need to fall to create the perfect, completed life puzzle.  A puzzle that connects our actions and mistakes and accomplishments to everyone else who has ever lived and loved God.

my amazing parents

Our time together ends tomorrow, I could let that make me deeply sad, but I won’t.  Instead I’ll cherish this blessed memory and let it support me through the ridiculously busy remainder of July.  And I will plan immediately for the next time we can all be together.

I have seen a lot of reflections while here.  Beautuiful reflections of sunsets playfully bouncing off the waves.  The reflection of parents building God into the lives of their children.  And I have experienced quiet reflection like I am experiencing right now.  The kind that dares to look deeply into the soul and deal with what lies hidden there.  The kind that dares to ask God to reveal.  The kind that longs for Him to be reflected when people look.

True rest and intentional separation from regular routine = memories…

especially if you have a dad like mine who is brimming full or memorable one-lines that reduce even the most serious among us to fits of uncontrolled ugly laughter!!

chilaxin'

I love relaxing with my family!  I can't think of anything I like more, nothing!

This is what we saw tonight, and it made me so thankful for God's creativeness.  Breathtaking!

I encourage all of you, even in the midst of your busyness, go outside and take in God's creation.

He made it just for you...and me!   Enjoy!

sunset

Sunset on Lake Erie

I was blessed to be at Lake Erie watching the sun set Friday night.  What a beautiful - peaceful ending to another blistering hot day.

I LOVE the tranquility of water.  It's beautiful surface hides what's beneath allowing us to detached from responsibility easily.  In some cases it can hide horrible things such as the remnants of war or sunken ships.  It can also hide treasure and amazingly beautiful creatures!

The only other thing I can think of that hypnotizes me the way water does is fire.

Consider that.

They are complete opposites but produce the same relaxing affect on us.

I can sit for hours on a beach.

I can sit for hours in front of a campfire. 

What does a fire hide?  Unlike water fire is pretty much what you see.  If a house fire is caught in time there may be personal items still not destroyed, but if left to burn nothing remains. Fire begins and eventually goes away left on its own.

Water extinguished fire if the right quantity is available, so does that make it the most powerful of the two?  Fire or heat does have the ability to evaporate water, drought has the ability to dry up water supplies so is heat the most powerful?

Fire is associated with hell but Christ is called the living water - maybe that's what draws me to water so much.  Almost a spiritual reminder of my dependance on Christ and the calming power He has in my life. 

I am thankful for this time He has given me to enjoy His glorious creation!

a difficult adjustment

Several team members have spoken of difficulty adjusting back from our trip to Cambodia to our Ohio time especially in regard to sleeping schedules.  I haven't struggled with sleep, but I've had a difficult time in others ways.

Primarily, spiritual.

While in Cambodia I felt so connected to the Lord, so spirit filled, as if God was everywhere I looked.  In Cambodia it was black or white - good or evil.

Since returning I realize that I have to search hard and be constantly mindful of pursuing Him.  It is as if He has disappeared from our society.  We bring Him out, sort of, on Sundays.

He is hidden deep in our souls, those of us who know Him and many times forbidden by our busyness to come out and interfere or affect our day.  We have so much to keep us busy, satisfied (although only temporarily) so that most of the time we don't need God.

It is grey here, not black and white making it much more difficult to recognize true children of God - it has become confusing to know who even to share our faith with.  No one thinks they need the Lord.

Where no apparent need exists it is nearly impossible to encourage change.

America is quickly becoming one of the top countries that missionaries are being sent to and I now understand even more so, why.  It is dark here.

My longing is to live a spirit filled life every day here, not just when I go into foreign needy lands.  Our country needs us to live differently and to be set apart and to never stop seeking deeper relationship with the only one who satisfies us, Jesus Christ.

a difficult adjustment

looking back

Looking back over the past week in Cambodia one of the greatest benefits that come from a trip like this is getting to know other people from Crossroads.

In thinking through my new/some old friends I realized I had associated specific qualities or talents with each one.

Darlene:  Steady- dependable (even in tough times solid an amazing leader)
Greg R:  Goliath in stature/tender in heart (size is deceiving, one of the most tender hearts I know)
Greg C:  Papa Greg - nurturing (although friends for yrs, usually I am admiring all the things Greg an fix, build and create.  This week I got to watch him just plain love the children)
Angie M:  Encourager - (even when she herself faced disappointment or illness)
Sonya: Caregiver  (you could guess Sonya was a nurse even if you didn't know it, cared for all)
Peggy:  Trouper  (despite her own moments of discomfort, Peggy pushed through never complaining)
Darryl:  Generous (every time I turned around Daryll was giving someone their favorite candy or something that someone needed)
Scott:  Deep Biblical knowledge  (great teacher)
Debbie B:  Passionate about teens (dedicated to young people growing spiritually)
Debbie R:  Positive - supportive  (a quiet support to all)
Steve :  Master photographer/videographer (rarely saw Steve's eyes)
Deb R:  Inquisitive  (always anxious to understand every detail)
Jocelyn : Forever student  (never satisfied with what she knows - her hubby is the same way)
Aaron :  Honest  (very transparent on the trip)
Kay: Willing  (arranged all of the travel details and always willing to help in anyway she can)
Eileen:  Creative  (never stops teaching the children how to do something; knitting, sewing..)
Mark: Resourceful  (solved many IT problems for the staff of Asia's Hope)
Tim:  Helpful  (quietly helpful - never had to ask him to help)
Kathy: Happy  (constantly cheerful)
Linda: Cheerleader (continuous cheering and pointing us all toward joy)

It took everyone's personality and talents and dedication to the 'mission' to make this trip successful.

I came away deeply in love with the country of Cambodia, the children of Cambodia and my brothers and sisters from Crossroads!  I was so blessed to be with each of them!