Retirement...or just reassigned??

I liked the term "reassigned" as soon as I heard it...it fits. Because while Pastor is stepping out of the pulpit at SCBC he is still going to stay active. He is not really retiring!

 Last sermon at SCBC

Today we were honored to have been able to be in OK for the retirement of our Pastor. This was our first church home inside the USA. We loved our Azorean Baptist Church family but coming back to the states and finding a church home was huge. Especially after coming back stateside and having such let down on the military. Being overseas is so very different. Since our first assignment overseas WAS awesome and challenging, getting involved and having a church family and military community was necessary in my book. Then to return to the states and be sorely disappointed about the military family part would be putting it mildly. The whole mentality is different, the camaraderie was not there, I was heart broken. I get it, we are in our own country we all speak the language we can do our own thing, etc, etc but I was just all out of sorts over this. So getting right back into a church was even more crucial for us, we wanted and needed that instant kinship. We found it at SCBC.

The Wednesday after we visited on that Sunday the Pastor himself came to visit us, we were not really sure what to think about that but we went back. We went back again and again and gradually just knew this was going to be our new church. It was good, I felt instantly connected to the more seasoned group and never looked back. They adopted me and MiB when he was home. The Pastor and his family always welcomed us with open arms. They lived life in front of us and usually for this family that meant one adventure after another and always a good laugh. N O T H I N G ever was routine in their household, it was truly a riot. I enjoyed the times I was in their home. I learned it didn't take the shiniest toilets, most vacuumed rugs, gourmet meals or perfect children to host people, just a willingness, openness and PBJ if that's all you had!

I could go on and on about this family...they are quirky, they are genuine, they are hilarious, they are talented, they are humble, they are not so domestic. Although Ms Linda makes the very best ugly dip and fudge sauce. She is the reason I still like to put celery in my spaghetti sauce and why I will on occasion put brown gravy on my rice (well, that is more Gran, but she is a whole 'nother post if ever there was one). This family is one of a kind. They are unique beyond measure and we love them beyond measure.

SCBC will miss them for sure, but I am exited to hear what happens with their new reassignment.

 MWC firefighter bagpipe band!

Since Pastor is a Chaplain for the MWC firefighters they came to show their support, some spoke and then the biggest, coolest thing was the bagpipes being played!

 Almost all of the McD clan!

Many more blessings and Godspeed in the coming days, weeks, months as you find your reassignment shoes and may they be comfortable and fit well!

I'm back in OKC :)

What a great day to be in OKC. Drive up last night wasn't too bad, but Dallas traffic was raging, of course, what did we expect on a Friday evening? Still, made for a longer drive after an already full day and actually week!

Today we hit one of our favorite BBQ pits, looked at cars with G, bought car with G and then ate at our favorite pizza place. It's the little things!

Life is good :) Looking forward to being at SCBC tomorrow for the bittersweet retirement of our Pastor. It will be awesome to see our church family. This is where LilBlue was born while MiB was gone and these folks a.r.e. family to us. They saw ME through waaaaay too many deployments to count, numerous TDYs, the birth of our daughter, loss of my grandfather, a move from off base to on and a whole host of other things, They are real people, not perfect, but available, and that's what makes them so special.

We had very good years at Soldier Creek. Me, more so then MiB because frankly he was gone all the time. I am still so thankful for the people there. Though some have gone on and it is with a little sadness that we think on those...Mr Layton, Mr Riley, Mr Ervin, Mr. T, Mr Chris, Miss Hazel, Miss Jeannie and several others, Mr Johnnie, Mr Pete, Miss Mildred. These folks were "grandparents" to our LilBlue. She might have been a bit spoiled...especially by Mr Layton and Miss Jeannie...they helped a young mother, who felt like a single parent, make it. They were encouragers, prayer warriors, Godly examples and friends. It's the friend part that still means so much. And there are so many friends still there including our Pastor and his family who will be stepping aside tomorrow. Not to mention L.S., Rose's, Ms Celestine, Ms Beulah, Ms Jeannie, Ms Karen, Ms Norene, Miss Doris, Miss Pam, the list could go on and on and on. I know I didn't mention all by name there are just so many, it was our church family. They took this young military wife in without batting an eye. They watched out for me, they fed me, they fixed me, they were my lifeline. I am forever humbled and grateful for them and this church. And as I mentioned it as a bittersweet time as the Pastor leaves but they will be sustained and they will make it and there are new adventures for them. They will stay faithful, committed and seeking, they will move forward.

Happy Easter!

"God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal, and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone! Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives!"

 This is one of my all time favorite hymns. I certainly hope we will sing it today in worship time!

I hope you enjoy a wonderful, peaceful day. I am so thankful I celebrate a living risen Savior...

This little write up sums it up really well:

3 men, 3 crosses, 1 hill. One man cursed, one man prayed, one man promised. One died condemned, one died forgiven, one died innocent. One died in sin, one died to sin, one died for sin. One was held by death, one was released by death, one conquered death. One lost life, one gained life, one was life! HE IS RISEN!!! HE IS RISEN INDEED.  

We will gather at the folks today to share a meal and the 'kids' will do an egg hunt. While LilBlue was coming up we didn't focus on the chocolate, eggs and bunnies on Easter we tried to keep the main thing the main thing. In fact that is why she gets a Spring Basket on the day before so she will not think it's all about the Easter Basket. It's just our way of trying to keep it focused on the Risen Savior. Even at 20 we are still trying to impress upon her the important things, things that matter. I'm sure you have things you do to make your beliefs and values known to your children, I think it's important. I think it's personal, I think it's wonderful. I still pray for her many, many times daily to seek after God, to seek to please Him, to seek his counsel. I want her to want to be in fellowship with other believers, I want her to be connected in church. Church is a good thing, it's not a perfect setting, it's full of sinners but at least I like to believe it is full of sinners who realize they need God. Catch is, she has to want it too...I know when I was in college church was not one of my top priorities, but I always knew it was there and thankfully, I never totally left it out of my life, this is what I pray for her too. She may not be actively engaged right now, but I pray it's not always that way and that it is important enough to her to reengage again. I know she works on Sunday, I know it's easier to sleep in, I know, I know and I continue to pray. Pray that God will draw her, put people in her life to help her, to encourage her. 

Wow...sorry for the ramblings, thanks for letting me air those deep thoughts and HAPPY EASTER to you and yours!

First Run

MiB is running in a racing series this year as he preps for the Disney Marathon in January. The first one was over the 4th weekend, can you say hot and sticky. A couple hours before race time it is pouring buckets, then it tapered off and at the the gun it was a light sprinkle to nothing and humid. Did I mention humid? as in just breathing you were getting a drink of water...but fun times are built on memories such as these!

He took 2nd in his age division which garnered us a way cool red, white and blue beach towel and the team he ran with took 2nd in the open teams division! Way to go CAV Runners; what a great way to start off the season!

All done!
The humbling picture with the grey haired gentleman finishing before MiB!

Accepting 2nd place for CaVRunning Team

Enjoying a tomato and onion pie after the race!

Thursday Thoughts!

Big week this week in our house, lots of things going on, meeting new people, finding new places to eat and shop, all in all the settling in has been pretty good and it still continues. Still need a hair stylist, haven't found a really good dry cleaner and still need a favorite Mexican Restaurant, cause the ones we have tried haven't been to our liking, but we have several more to try so we are still hopeful! On the plus side we have found a church, a tailor and we really like the French Cafe just down the street!

Thursday Thoughts!

• Beach clean up IS very necessary!
• Walgreens is literally on every other corner here...
• I am hoping to snag some home grown 'maters for the 4th!
• I am learning to learn names very quickly and I am good with names but this is insane~
• Getting soaked in the rain is not fun, but at least when everyone gets soaked you can all laugh together!

Until the next entry, enjoy your day!

Thursday Thoughts!

F L O R I D A

While I am thrilled to be here, it is a different pace then I anticipated and the community is much more mature then I was expecting as well; therefore I have made some observations that I will share!

• There are NOT orange trees everywhere!
• A lot of people here cannot see over the steering wheel.
• There are many people here that have very little or no hair.
• What hair they do still have is in various shades of gray/blue.
• I understand why our insurance premiums more then doubled.

Later today we are going to see the Atlas V rocket launch today! It will be exciting and I will post some pictures later from this adventure! And if you should be wondering, the 101 class at the church was really good and we think this will be the place for us. They are mission minded and definitely think outside the walls which is something we like and feel is important so now we will be looking at small groups to try out and find our niche!

Scrubbed...

The shuttle launch was scrubbed...who knew it would be scrubbed not once but TWICE. Anywho, the latest and greatest is that the new launch date will be on 11 July. I will keep you posted and if you are planning to be here we will have all three guests rooms open as LilBlue will be back in MO going through orientation for school this fall, getting her classes, going to the VCYF and visiting the Bud in NE.

In other news I will be going to my first rocket launch tomorrow afternoon. I understand I will be close enough to "feel it in my chest" which sounds pretty exciting and scary all in one, I will let you know about that afterwards and post some pictures as well. We will be viewing the launch from on top of the MOC. I wish I could tell you what that stood for but then I would have to kill you so I can't :) Actually, I do not even know what it stands for but I am planning to find out tomorrow, then I will fill you in; but I do know I am not allowed to have any food or drink while I in this facility so it must be one of those sanitized environments!

I think we are going to enjoy the pool this afternoon and then we have a 101 class at the church we have been going to this evening so we can learn all about it and see if we still want to sign on. The last couple churches we have gone to have had these classes and while I understand it, it is such a change from the old days of going to a new church for awhile, checking out the Sunday School classes to see if you like it enough to walk the aisle to "move your letter". I think I am what some would consider old school :)

Senior Sunday & Grad Party

Yesterday at church they recognized all the Seniors graduating this year, they also played a slideshow of baby pictures, it was ridiculously cute and very nostalgic! Pastor Josh also gave them some words of wisdom and encouraged them NOT to be a statistic, which is that 70% of church kids drop church from their life when they go to college...

On stage listening to Josh.

Senior Sunday

Then later in the afternoon we celebrated the Bud's upcoming graduation. We had yummy pizza and most importantly CAKE! It was white/chocolate marble and quite tasty. There were some pretty nifty gifts in the mix as well for the college bound boy!

Trust me, he was happier then he looked!!!

The quite yummy cake!

Thursday Thoughts!

Wow, the days sometimes feel like they fly by and I like it; but yet the days going by so quickly now make me realize I have so much to do before we actually leave NE...it could stree me out a little...or not =)

We are off to MO for a long Easter weekend. I am glad for the downtime and to be with family.

Thoughts:

• EASTER...it's NOT about the bunny
• I am hungry, Cheerios sound pretty good
• I hope we are having ham for Easter dinner
• I wish MiB could be here for the holiday weekend
• I am so thankful for the death, burial and resurrection of my Saviour

Luke 24:1-12
(1) But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, (3) but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. (5) And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, (7) that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (8) And they remembered his words, (9) and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (10) Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, (11) but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (12) But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Luke 24:46-47

(46) and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Missouri Pictures

In no particular order from our time in MO.

Playing choo choo

Aunt Shari napping

Smilin' Papa Smurf :)

All the grandkids including the littles

Sissy-she really liked my diet pepsi bottle

South of the Border with Papa Smurf

LilBlue with her favorite Take5s

Well 2008 is nearly done...I have many thoughts whirling around in my head about that but I will wait until tomorrow and try to put them in better posting form. Needless to say it is getting late and I am heading off to bed. The day started very early with LilBlue up at 5:00 a.m. to get out the door by 5:30 to go to Topeka, KS for a youth retreat. I am enjoying some quiet time and catching up on house things as well as correspondence and hopefully tomorrow I will get some much needed scrapbook pages completed!

night :)

Friday Flashback

CROSSPOINT Christian Sports Camp - Judson College, Marion, AL - 2003

Surprising LilBlue at the dining hall...a big hug for mom!

Smiles all around, we missed her, she missed us!

We drove out mid-week to check on our camper; she was doing great but it was still good to get our hands on her for some hugs!

Play along on Friday Foto Fiesta with Carrie and the gang! It's FREE!

Today...

• I did laundry
• Went to Mom's in Touch
• Did more laundry
• Made a pumpkin spice cake
• Did more laundry
• Made an Aldi run
• Did more laundry
• Made chili

Today is cold and rainy...I did not want to do much, still have dinner to serve and then off to our LifeGroup meeting, I do not enjoy getting out in the cold but it will be good to fellowship with others. We are wrapping up our study of Daniel. Not sure where we will venture next. No matter it's all good!

Follow Up-Matthew 13

Okay, so this may make no sense to anyone but me, but my thoughts are my thoughts and these are my thoughts...

I think my teenager (and probably others) feel like Jesus. Yeah, I know I may be stretching this a bit but as it was being presented in the service yesterday I thought, wow, I think my teen could feel this way, not really respected in her own home, ouch that is harsh, as I AM the mom...but I think for a teen it may feel this way even though it may not be the reality...I really believe she has the mindset that she "don't get no respect" at home (their hometown). However, when she is not at home they are treated really cool, well thought of, liked by other people, it is all sooooo much better not at home. I know that I often hear things about my teen that astonish me (in a GOOD way), well, maybe not astonish, actually usually the things I hear make me proud, very proud, but sometimes it is things I find hard to believe because frankly I rarely see that type of behavior exhibited at home. So when I hear how responsible, caring and friendly she is and that she is the individual who goes out of her way to include others I think wow, that is not the same child I live with. Because trust me at home it doesn't quite go that way, in fact it is not on many occasions that she will help at home, speak friendly or go out of her way to be nice. So maybe this doesn't make sense to you, but it was a mini lightbulb moment for me and reminded me to try and do better in my treatment of my own teen, make her feel a little more respected in her own home and let her know that I do very much see her value and worth despite other circumstances and attitudes that I get from her...

That's it...that was my take away from J-time yesterday!

LSC FamilyFest

Today was Family Fest at church...estimates range from 625-700 people for the attendance. The weather certainly was perfect for such an event! The lunch was good, I had the chicken sandwich with a few goodies on the side, skipped the mac n cheese and chips and washed it down with a diet Coke (from my own cooler!) Other then chicken sandwiches your choices were hot dog or hamburger. If you ventured over to the "FUN" areas you could choose cotton candy, snow cones, nachos, and popcorn, so it was pretty much a junk food fest all the way around. There were sooooo many goodies including quite the assortment of cookies, most homemade and I personally vouche for the oatmeal butterscotch ones, there was also a cinnamon roll type thing that was a to die for sugar rush that was very good (and store bought) and caramel brownies to which I split with Pastor Pat ( I took the smaller piece of our half and he also took three more!) that were mediocre and a mini one bite original oatmeal raisin cookie that was yummy. That was all I sampled but there were plenty of other brownies in all forms, including with and without nuts, iced and not, plain and not so plain, every kind you can imagine really, along with rice crispy treats, homemade and prepackaged that were a huge hit with all ages and a few other cookie bar treats as well so no lack of choices in the dessert area.

Serving went pretty well overall, especially, once we were able to devise a sort of "system". Serving the mac n cheese was definitely the hold up for the lines and I recommend packaging the silverware with a napkin for convenience next time, too many napkins flying around and dropped silverware. Course there was quite a breeze blowing so that probably contibuted to the runaway napkins. However, prewrapped utensils would have been a good thing in my book breeze or not.

The message came from this passage in Matthew 13:

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

It made me ponder it in a most unusual way...I will expound on that in my next post...