Looking Ahead to Honor the Past

How do you focus forward when their is still pain and suffering?  How do you honor and celebrate the new exciting things in life, without feeling like you're dishonoring those you've lost, or things you've been through?  This is something that many of us struggle with, especially those who have faced great loss. 

In my home, we've struggled with this.  More than three years after my brother Austin's disappearance, we still hurt.  But new life has come into our home, life that deserves to be celebrated, loved, and enjoyed.  Does it dishonor Austin for us to laugh and love?  No.  Is it hard to remember that some days?  Yes.

In our church, we are still struggling with this as a body.  We lost our amazing Godly pastor five months ago, and still hurt as a church.  But God is working!  God has chosen another great man to lead us, and has brought our church together in ways we always prayed for.  We want to celebrate the way He is working, celebrate the plans that He has for us.  But sometimes that hurts.  We don't want to dishonor Pastor Ken by forgetting, but the reality is that we'll never forget.  But we will move ahead.  Does that dishonor him?  No, it simply means we learned from him that God will work through even our pain.

This will continue to be a work in progress for many of us.  But we're reminded that God is in control, God is working, and there are wonderful things ahead.  And while looking ahead and celebrating what is to come, we're truly honoring those who helped us become who we are.



Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

I was tagged by Krista from The Cameron Chronicles to answer a few questions about myself. So here goes nothing...


Questions:
1. If you were stranded on a desert island what are the 3 things you would take with you and why?  my iPhone, because with it I can do anything including get communication out to people to find me (but only after a few days of quiet!), a good book (would use iPhone for all things bible related so this would just be pure fiction), and coke.  I love coke.


2. What is your favorite memory from college (or from your early 20's if you didn't attend college)?  All things related to Gator Football!  From my first games with a guy who explained it all when I was football dumb, to being part of recruiting, to going to an SEC Championship and later the National Championship.

3. How did you meet your husband?  Speaking of good college memories....  I was doing an internship at NAS Jacksonville to complete my degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism.  I was helping manage a recreation center and planning special trips and events for the young single sailors that lived in the barracks.  Michael was one of them, and was different than most in there all the time, so he caught my attention.  We didn't do much 'dating' were just totally together from the start.

4. What does a normal day look like for you? (yes, I'm recycling this one because I like to see what everyone's schedule looks like!)
6:30  Ben starts waking, I slowly start waking
6:45  Get up (hopefully), change Ben and jump in the shower then try to get ready.  Get Drew up and moving
7:45 Leave (if I'm on time which is rare) and pump for the first 15 minutes of the drive
8:30 get to work, run crazy all day with meeting and a few more pumping sessions
5:45 Kick myself out of the office
6:30  Arrive home, kiss on my boys, eat dinner if Michael's made it, or throw something together
7:00  Many nights are somewhere  by now- either at a meeting, or practice or community group
8:00  Bath time if we're home
8:30 or 9  Bed time if we're home

9:00  Some quiet TV and often work time
10:00 My bed time!
And up within a few hours to nurse Ben and every few through the night


There you go, not too exciting- just the busy life of a busy working mom!

KidStuf Kickoff Show

Today was the first show of the new season of KidStuf and it was great!  We had a huge crowd of people, and had quite a few new faces in the show.  We LOVE new people stepping up to be on stage.  And my husband.... well, he's quite the funny guy.  All in all, a great start to a new season.  Can't wait to see how God uses us all through it.

After the show, we had a BBQ with Mr. Leroy's famous food and kitchen crew and games and water slides for the kids.  So many people worked to make today happen, and in my opinion, it was well worth it. 

We are so humbled and honored to get to be part of The Church at Argyle family.  From our community group, to the KidStuf team, the students and leaders of Impact and Momentum, the leaders that love on our kids..... I could go on forever.  We're thankful, enough said.

To finish out for the day, here's a picture of Drew getting Michael in the dunk tank.  Fun!

September!

I love September and am glad for it's arrival.  It signals the start of football season, my birthday is right around the corner, cooler weather will be coming (eventually), and I can break out the fall scented candles and flavors. 

September 1st also always makes me think of one of my childhood friends who has a birthday today- haven't talked to her in a few years, but still send a silent 'Happy Birthday' out to her each year!

And just for fun, here is a picture of Ben from this morning.

Lots of work to do, gotta earn that milk!