Be A Blessing

Ephesians 6:9-10 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those who are of the household of faith."

On Sunday we had the honor of having Pastor Steve, Liz, and their four boys over for lunch and a visit. Steve has been doing a 5 week study in Philippians for the past 3 Sundays entitled, "Finding Joy in a Stress-filled World." I've been so blessed by his sermons that I told John, "We just have to invite them over for a meal so we can bless them!"

It was so much fun. They came over around 1pm and we grilled for them. Then we all relaxed and played together, while Pastor Steve took a much needed nap. Preaching 2 sermons back to back for the 9:15 and 11 service is really tiring!

Around 3pm we had ice cream sundaes and the boys and Julia loved that part! John bought lots of fun toppings for them, and Julia loved her vanilla ice cream and bananas with sprinkles. She kept saying, "More milk?" Because her ice cream was melting!

What I love about the Fosters is that they are more than just our church family, they are also our Taekwondo family. All of them are black belts, except for Jonah and Josh who are still earning their color belts! Liz teaches some classes for John at the school! This is one family you wouldn't want to mess with! LOL

The boys range from ages 11 to 4 and they love entertaining Julia! Steve keeps asking Josh, their 4 year old, if he thinks Julia is cute! It is so funny! Nate and Noah are the oldest and Jonah and Josh are the youngest.

Around 4:45 Steve woke up from his nap and ate some ice cream, and then they headed home! Thank you for blessing us Fosters...we love you!

Lord, help my family to be a blessing to others!

"Projects"...inspired by a dear friend

My friend Suzette posted a really great idea back in July, and I just had the privilege of reading it and trying it out for size. She writes a list of things she wants to accomplish by the year end and then scratches them off after she completes them...now for you readers out there who love lists the way I do, you know how thrilling it can be to be able to cross something accomplished off your list. I don't know if it is a mom thing (I used to always see my mentor Christy do this in her home...she had yellow post it notes on her counter tops and refrigerator) or a teacher thing, or just an organized person thing, but John and I LOVE making lists and following through with them.

There are so many things I need to get done, and it has been rather frustrating for me lately because having the opportunity to have two free hands is a luxury with two children under two! The only time I am able to do my devotions or write or read is when both are sleeping. I am trying desperately to get them on the same nap/bedtime schedule. Thank goodness John is home in the morning so that I am able to write and do my devotions. I blog at night after both are tucked in.

My devotional has led me to really think about finding my purpose through prayer, and God has given me some great ideas to get excited about and look forward to. Ok, here I go...I am going to try to post pics when I complete a goal, as Suzette suggested, but I'm not that handy with technical things, so John will have to help me. I'm going to order my list from most important to "it can wait."

1. Organize my scrapbook room.
2. Organize my 2 book shelves in John's office (overflowing with teacher supplies, and CDs, and tapes, it depresses me even now as I look at it...John's shelves are beautiful on the other side!)
3. Plan a Scrapbook event at church with Sue and Maria and invite my mom friends from MOPS for Jan or Feb.
4. Plan a fund raising yard sale to benefit Solutions Pregnancy Center (I'm thinking I'd like to do this late spring or early summer...I've already talked to my friend Lisa to help me)
5. Finish Mark's Baby Book
6. Frame photos of Mark and hang them
7. Shop online for Julia's party favors (her party is Jan. 2nd)

Looking over the list there are some things I think are slightly out of order, but we shall see what gets done!