Last night I went to see "The Blind Side." It was great! I was challenged to think about how I live in this suburban lifestyle I have come to be so comfortable with. This has been a theme this past year in my heart. I find myself desiring to let go of the things of this world and live more for the World that will be my home for much longer than this earth ever will be. I remember someone likening Heaven to an airport. You are just passing through, it has a purpose but you are not at your final destination so don't expect it to feel like home. Anyway, as I watched the movie, I felt the stirring again. I was aware that though I was in "unplug" mode, God was not and He was stirring away. I found myself being challenged to think about what I would have done in the situation Sandra Bullock was in. Am I willing to care for strangers and open my home to those in need? Do I sacrifice my own comfort or conveniences for the sake of someone else? Would I be willing to part with earthly things for the benefit of others, not just give out of my surplus, but really sacrifice and do without so that someone else doesn't have to? How far am I willing to allow God to use me? My path in life doesn't seem to bring me to places where people are in great need, after all, I live in Frisco, Texas, but I am convinced that is only how it seems. I am sure that if I were to really look I could find many who are needing something I can offer. I am not sure what God is up to here, but I know I want to be found faithful. While I live here I want to have my gaze on the Kingdom that will not fade , making sure that I don't miss the opportunity to entertain angels unaware.

Catch-Up

Here is the run down of our crazy life. We took some time to go to Denver in August to attend Marybeth Longtine's wedding. While we were there we spent some time at a condo in Breckenridge. Did I already blog about that trip? I don't think so, if I did skip ahead...anyway. Steve and Janis met us in the mountains for a few days of fun and wonderful conversation. It was not enough time to talk about all I wanted to, but a true gift from God just the same. Then, when they left for home, Fred and I had a couple of days of relaxing together before we headed to Tyler and Mindy's house. Once we were back in Denver we hit the ground running. We were busy, busy and then we watched in awe as beautiful Marybeth vowed to love Ben for her whole life! What a privilege to watch. We have known MB since she was 2. Feel like she is one of ours. After all the festivities it was home again.

In coming home, we began a crazy schedule where we had committed to something 5 out of the 7 days of the week. We are in nonstop mode!! One thing we added was the Dave Ramsey class. (Actually, I now dropped out, but Fred is continuing.) It has been great and I recommend everyone take it. I also had the pleasure of going to Phoenix in Sept. for 5 days. It was great to see Janis AGAIN!! We shopped and ate and laughed and cried and just thanked God for the gift of friendships!

Then, in October, I went to Minneapolis, see earlier blog, and now I am staying home until Erin's baby comes,which is very soon now!!!

This weekend Meg gets her wisdom teeth pulled and my mother in law and sisters in law come to visit!!!!!

Looking forward..the new baby is due in 11 days! Thanksgiving will be very traditional here including the girls tradition of Black Friday shopping! Annie will have her first birthday and then Tyler and Mindy come for Christmas!!

Ok, now that we are caught up we can dig in next time!!

100th Birthday!!!!

Last weekend I had the joy of going to Minneapolis with Callie and Annie to celebrate my Grandma's 100th birthday! 100 years old! Isn't that amazing? My Grandma Frances still lives on her own and is of sound mind! It was so great to see her play with Annie and sing a little rhyme to her that I remember from my own childhood! Every time I leave Minnesota I think "I will probably never see Grandma again" yet, I am always wrong! What a gift to me from God that my grandma gets to see her great, great grand kids!

A Praying Life

Wow! Blogs seem to be being ignored these days! I guess FB is taking over,but I like blogs better! I am going to try to keep up better. I wanted to recommend a book I have been reading over and over since June. It is "A Praying Life" by Paul Miller. I cannot tell you how much this book has helped me, it has become one of my top 3 books of all time!! I have never found myself praying so much and with such freedom and joy. I am more aware of God's presence through out the day and more aware of His power. Everyday I have a new quote from the book, here is today's..."When Jesus tells us to believe, he isn't asking us to wok up some spiritual energy. He is telling us to realize that we don't have the resources to do life. When you know that you can't do life on your own, then prayer makes complete sense." It is an easy read, short chapters and truly life changing. I find myself praying through out the day and the result of that is a calmer, less anxious heart. Grab the book and start it now and let me know what you think.

In other news, I leave today to go see my Grandma who is turning 100 on Friday. She has not met Annie yet, so so Callie and the baby are going too! I am so looking forward to seeing my parents and some of my family.

This fall has been crazy, we took on more than we should have, but we are surviving. Fred is building a roof over our patio, we got some new furniture for the family room, we are doing the Dave Ramsey thing, we have had company and more to come and of course, Erin's baby is due in a month!! Then, the holidays and then in January I think I need to go to Hawaii!

Off I go to the Arctic cold after wearing shorts yesterday.....

We WON!!!

Today Violet, Meg and I went to Alex's Luau! Violet and I won the best dressed contest! Violet loved her "party dress." Though, she let me know that Crocs are NOT glass swippers!

My Sweet Annie

This is one joy I experienced this week!!!! Isn't she so sweet!!