we are here

A breathtaking site if you had been through what we've been through!

Jackie and I finally arrived in Arizona!

This is where the majority of my time will be spent...
well, wouldn't you??

We were picked up by her son Doug (a blessing - someone that knows where he's going) and quickly we arrived at his AMAZING home!  Yes, this is a private home with it's own island...we're really going to suffer here I can tell!

And a little added bonus is their darling dog all dressed up for Trick or Treat.  See how he loves it so!

Look how lovingly he looks at me!

Next we headed off to see his shop.  Now this isn't just any shop - he is featured continuously in the hot rod magazines and does incredible things with beautiful priceless cars.  He even creates his own paint colors - completely custom (ignore Jackie's huge smile of pride - shameful!) ha ha

The paint room - all the cans shake at once to mix properly!

A gorgeous creation - it will be entered in a major competition soon!

This is pure art and brilliant ability!  AND spotless - just beautiful!  (I love old cars!)

Then it was off to shop for our dinner (I hear that Doug is as good of a cook as his mother !)  Can't wait!  I love home cooked food and a good 'ole competition! Let it begin!

trying to leave

We are trying again to leave for vacation, my buddy Jackie and me.

As you may know, toilets prevented our leaving on our original flight Friday.  (see my last post)

Today we arrived at the airport at 5:00 A.M. and I find myself sitting alone because after standing in line for a half hour to check through the scanner area, Jackie discovered the front desk - WAY out front,  only gave her the ticket for the second leg of our journey.

So after trying to explain to the guy 'this is all they gave me' several times she was turned away and I haven't seen her since.

It is getting very close to departure time and I am nervous, so I'm writing.

Maybe we just aren't supposed to go???  We soon will see... at least I hope so!!!

Wait...I see her!!! We are going!!! BYE!!

ya just never know

Jackie trying very hard to be patient and Godly
as she waits to find out if we can get another flight.
(we tried to behave)
(I know, you're worried that big backpack will
tip Jackie over backward?  I'll let you know!)

So....I should be arriving in Arizona right now but, our flight got canceled in Columbus.  So my amazing hubby is on his way BACK to Columbus to get me and my buddy Jackie!

Other passengers in line asked us why the flight was canceled.  They asked, "did it break down?  Is there a horrible storm somewhere?  Did something serious happen to cancel? It must be mechanical failure...."

Actually no, it's toilet failure.

Yes, that's right - it's because of the toilets not working on board!  You understand, this could ONLY happen to me...ya just never know!

One passenger was heard saying, "they can put a man on the moon but they can't fix toilets?"  Lame indeed!

Needless to say, I'm exhausted and have a headache, BUT I am safe and I will start watching immediately to see why God decided we needed to be home for a couple more days.

He is good ALL the time!

(And, I'm going to drive everyone crazy at Crossroads tomorrow night!  ha ha ha!!)

my day off

My day is going to be filled with simple pleasures.

Coffee - possibly my #1 favorite food/drink indulgence.









Magnificent views from my windows.

Cleaning and laundry completed by 11:00 am.

Time with my hubby.

Shopping and cooking with my daughter.

Timbre will play tonight at 7:00 at the Coffee House

Music from Timbre at The Coffee House @ Crossroads tonight where I'll be surrounded by Crossroads friends.  The harp is one of my very favorite instruments and Timbre is one of my favorite artists!  So all in all, I think this will be quite a glorious day off!



All my thankfulness and the glory to HIM!  Days off are life savers!

weekend report

My weekends can be summed up on one piece of paper, our weekend cue sheet.  Today as I prepared to go home after the services I looked down at the cue sheet I had used this weekend.

This cue sheet contained the titles of beautiful worship songs, instructions about each transition within the service and many more details.  It contained something else, all my notes.

It struck me how sad the notes were.  These gorgeous songs, each representing uncountable hours that went into every single detail both from staff and from our volunteers preparing, memorizing and rehearsing.  And yet, over all the beautiful details were the notes about any mistake that occurred, anything we wanted to try to do better, any detail that was left out.  There is something new to learn each weekend for sure, but this visual of our struggle to do our best each weekend just really struck me.  Many of us have been trying to get it perfect for nearly 16 years now, but of course perfect will never happen.

We can rest in one thing, we try our hardest each weekend.  We offer God our best efforts and try to take our focus off the mistakes long enough to worship and learn from the amazing teachings!

Our setlist:
Spirit Fall - Tomlin
From the Inside Out - Hillsong
Where I Belong - Building 429
Where The Spirit of the Lord Is - Tomlin
You Revive Me - Passion
Message:  Systematic Theology: Holy Spirit - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit Song:  Where I Belong - Building 429

To watch our services on line go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries included in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

our first love

As I enjoyed a Saturday at home for probably the first time in a month or longer, I opened up a study on Revelation 2:1-7 where it talks about 'our first love' - the love for the Lord that burns brighter than earthly things that distract us.

When we hang on to grudges, hurts or jealousy we CANNOT experience our first, burning passion for our God.  Beth Moore says in her study of John, "We cannot hang on to our sacred romance with Jesus Christ and also our bitterness.  WE WILL RELEASE ONE TO HANG ON TO THE OTHER."

To not live as if we love Him more than all else causes us to lose our Godly influence on the lost and hurting.   The reason we/the church exists.

Do I see all that cross my path through a burning love of Jesus Christ?

Can I say He's ever been my first love based on how I live and love?

I want that kind of love so that nothing around me distracts me from Him and how He needs me to love the lost and hurting.  I want an "indescribably glorious sacred romance" with Him.  For this relationship is the only one that will endure forever and unchanging.

I am sick of politics

So not only do the politics continue - the debate makes me want to throw my tv out the window.

This is NOT what America was founded to be.

I am not watching anymore.

This drives me to my knees.

No person can save us from where our greed and ridiculous entitlements have taken us.

This is not a 'dooms day' writing I am not scared, just tired of it.

I long for Yahweh, a longing which grows with each passing day.

And unfortunately until He comes- the greed will continue, and the fake debate smiles, and the endless disagreements.