the hot item

Ok, so...I went to The WalMart looking for one item...Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

Can I just tell you it is without a doubt the single most popular grocery item on New Year's Eve.

I have come to this conclusion based on the fact that it took me 3, yes 3, trips to The WalMart to locate Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

I found it on the bottom of a 10 foot pile of boxed refrigerated items sitting on a skid wrapped in saran wrap type plastic. Yes, I said on the bottom!

First of all it is not like the Philly should be on the bottom I wouldn't think, not exactly a solid item. Yet on the bottom it was! It didn't stop me...

Desperate to not disappoint our family tomorrow - I simply had to have that cheese for my recipe! So on hands and knees I did what any red blooded American would do and tore into that bottom box victoriously waving 2 bars in the air!

Happy new year - enjoy your favorite recipe tomorrow we almost didn't !!

taking christmas down

Taking Christmas down this year looks different than usual.

Since our kids have been born we have given them a new ornament each year. This year when the tree comes down - our daughter and son will take their ornaments and will pack them separately. Packing them separately so they can use them next year or the year after in their own apartment or home...

There is a happiness that comes from knowing there is not a whole lot we would do differently in raising our kids, we like who they have become a lot!

But there is sadness connected to any kind of change - so watching our Christmas come down this year will not be quite so fun.

I have decided to leave it up for as long as possible!

what I learned today

Everyone likes to hear the words, "well done"! I think it is helpful to take a look back at this year and evaluate ourselves with the intention of renewed focus on the Lord and what He has for each of us this new year!

I found these questions on Mike Hyatt's Blog - they are very interesting and they may help us focus if we take the time to think them through and call this year completed and prepare to move forward.

1. If the last year were the genre of your life, what would the theme have been?
drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination...

2. What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring? these can be single words or phrases

3. What did you accomplish this year that you are the most proud of?


4. What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren't?

5. What regrets or disappointments did you experience this year? Did you let others down?

6. What were the spiritual lessons you learned this past year?

I would love to see your answers if you'd like to share...leave a comment please!

It could have been the worst year of your life - but everything God allows should help prepare us for the next thing in our lives. If we can purposefully look back - evaluate and learn, we can look ahead determined to listen to God's leading - leaning into His purpose for us.

Although I, like everyone, will experience lapses in focus in 2010 where I look at my own agenda instead of His, my heart desires to follow His lead to let this next year be the most amazing God year ever! Let's go!!

my day off

COUCH ..

That sums up my day! I sat on the couch, laid on the couch and sewed on the couch!

It is always curious how long you can keep moving - but the moment you stop - you realize just how tired you truly are! Today I discovered this and took full advantage of doing little to nothing!

Running the dishwasher was one of the most strenuous things!

Do you ever wonder if you are ever at your very best - ready to accomplish what God intends? I often wonder how many amazing opportunities I've missed because I am too tired, distracted or focused on trivial things...

I want to follow Him into 2010 confident that I am ready to experience things that can only be explained by the fact that He is the forever almighty all knowing God! I better get rested up!

weekend report

The weekend was both exhausting and exhilarating! Those of you involved in ministry understand completely!

So many visitors that we pray will continue to come to Crossroads if they are looking for a church home - some I am sure, hearing the tremendous message of God's love for the first time!

Our set List:

Opening Song: Carol of the Bells - Sixpence None the Richer

Announcements: Deering Dyer Small Group Pastor

Special: Christ Is Come - Big Daddy Weave
Joy To The World - Tomlin
My Savior Lives - (from A break to end)
Rescue
Hallelujah A Savior is Born - original by one of our worship guys Milo

Drama: Sticky Jesus - Skit Guys

Message: Part 3 - The Incarnation Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong

Closing Special: Winter Snow - from Tomlin Christmas CD

I was honored that our daughter Jocelyn got asked to sing/play the final closing song to our series. We do not do a separate mix for our recordings - so you cannot hear the piano or the excellent backup singer Cody very well. But, people asked me if it would be on my blog so set your volume kind of quiet to avoid our over modulation and enjoy! It was such a great weekend - and not just because our daughter got to participate...

God was there and people expressed how moved they were - I was very thankful for such a dedicated team that comes prepared even on the busiest weekend of the year.

Enjoy what others used in their services this weekend by going to Fred McKinnon's site.

You can watch our entire service at www.crossroadswired.com on Monday afternoon. May God richly bless your week!

so proud of our team

We, like many other ministries around the world, did Christmas Eve services to a standing room only crowd, then turned around and did completely different services for the weekend. This is when you find out what your teams are made of!

Ours are made of determination and very, very high skill. They rocked the house tonight! Excellent worship, drama, technical execution and teaching! Such a high level of excellent preparation.

A perfect ending to a wonderful holiday weekend! More about today's service including video tomorrow! I hope you all can join us, you won't be sorry!

back on line

I disconnected for a couple of days - hope you missed me!

We spent the whole day with my family after opening gifts at our home, since my hubby's family was away this Christmas. Eric surprised me with an original painting and as you can see the kids both got Snuggies!

We had so much fun - and laughed so hard that we almost cried. Wii had a big part to do with that I guess. Even my parents played tennis!




My dad finally had enough of the gaiety and took a little nap (there is some advantage to being hard of hearing I guess!)

Everyone grew weary from all the eating combined with the game playing. We decided as dad snoozed in his chair - it was time to call it a day and we took off. (We can take a hint! ha ha)

My sister asked us today at the dinner table what we were thankful for this year, and at the top of everyone's list was our family. Working in ministry and hearing people's stories, makes me so aware of the struggles families have with one another.

Although we are far from perfect, we love each other deeply and try very hard to make our time together memorable. And it was! Merry Christmas everyone!