Sometimes a nudge is all it takes...

After Black Friday, we vegged.  OK I did at least.  Sometime Friday afternoon or evening, DS 3 announced that his "luncheon date" had been moved on Saturday.  I am really bad at keeping up with everyone's comings and goings...so it took a minute, but I finally figured it out.  DS 3 was hoping to attend the NeedtoBreathe concert two hours from here with some friends on Saturday night.  Initially I was quite reluctant to let him do this.  I know he's a good driver, but it scares me when I know it's a major city and it would have been late (the concert started at 9:00pm).  

Not long after the initial request he told me he would not be able to go because he had to go to a friend's birthday dinner.  I have to admit, I was relieved.  Friday, that changed.  Suddenly, he realized that he could do BOTH!  I was tired when he asked.  I told him it bothered me.  He gave me all the "right promises".  Anyway, for whatever reason I gave in.  I was still quite unsettled about it, however.  DH bought the tickets for he and three friends to attend.  

In the meantime, the mother of one of his friends messaged me on Facebook and asked if I was letting him drive.  I felt a strange guilt come over me...told her I'd said "yes"... but I wasn't happy about it.  She basically said she wasn't going to let her son go unless there was an adult with them.  I told her I was happy to drive them up there...although they were resistant.  

Anyway, to make a long story, just a bit longer...we decided that we could go together...drive the kids and then let them have their time at the concert while we watched the concert together.  And, although the kids weren't thrilled with it, they complied and "allowed us" to come!  

I have to say I had a great time!  I haven't known this other Mom very well.  Their family has just started attending our church and our paths haven't crossed that much.  It was fun talking and getting to know her and a bit more about their family while sharing with her some of our story.  

I know DS 3 would have preferred to drive himself, but he was gracious and none of the kids seemed to mind too much.  The concert started at 9:00pm and was over by 11:30...then we drove the two hours back and I was in bed by 2:00am.  I've got to tell you, I am not as young as I used to be.  Who am I kidding?  I never COULD handle late nights!  So, today I'm tired.  But it was so worth it on many levels.  

Maybe someday when DS 3 is a parent, he'll understand. I was at peace knowing that DS 3 and his friends were safe and having a good time, rather than worrying every moment about what was going on with them..   Several times during the night I found myself thanking God not only for the opportunity to get to know someone else, but for the "mother" nudge to do what my gut told me to begin with!  And the music was just a great big added bonus for me!  

One of my favorite things this band does is the "acoustic set". I took video last night, but can't figure out how to upload it! In the meantime, here's a good one that I've heard them do acoustically before.

Random Dozen

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?" Oh I am SURE it happened in college although I don't really remember a specific time.

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts? Yes and yes. I have a great organizer for it where I have everything I need to wrap gifts, but most of the time I'm too busy to go to my great organizer and I find myself picking up exactly what I need and wrapping "on the go".

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster? Hurricane Charley devestated our church building in 2005. I have to say that I really wish I had taken pictures. It was the largest natural disaster I've ever seen and it was also the largest outpouring of kindness and love I've ever seen. Amazing!

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song? It's not one of his more popular, but I LOVE "I Made it Through the Rain". In fact,I think I just might upload it to my iPod now that it's back on my mind today!






5. What's the best costume you've ever worn? This is an odd question, but this one is my favorite:

This is my friend Debra and I on our morning TV news show. The character's name is "Reada, Reada, Pumpkin Reader" and she helped the boys and girls get to know good reading strategies. It's not a GREAT costume...just one I enjoyed.

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? Definitely the thesaurus. It's faster.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food? Pancakes.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial? Yep, knives and the magic bullet. My DS 2 used to have all the infomercials memorized. It was quite an obsession for him for a while. :-)

9. Have you ever crawled through a window? Wow, I don't know. I am sure I have I just don't remember when or why. I remember my Mom crawling through the window of our current house when it was being built. She went through and opened it up for us and ripped her pants on the way in! It was a good laugh and a happy memory!

10. Do you believe in love at first sight? Since I said to myself the day I met my DH, "I'm going to marry him." Yes.

11. How many pairs of jeans do you own? About four. I wear about two though!

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.") Since I have no schema for "Ace of Cakes" and am not sure what this question is asking...I have to say it'd be my Grandma's Chocolate Cake...which is moist and rich. It requires no icing. Am I supposed to somehow connect that to a representation of me? It's been too long since I've played random dozen or let my mind go to the creative side, so I'm going to have put this answer on hold.

Some days are diamonds...

I know I'm dating myself when I reference a John Denver song here...but the song that has rolled around my head today is "Some days are diamonds, some days are stone." It's not so much for the extended lyrics which are the musings of a jilted lover when he consider how life has been "without her"...but his answer is appropriate for many situations beyond lost love:

"Some days are diamonds some days are stones--Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone--Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones--Some days are diamonds some days are stones."

This is the thing though...we can fixate on the stone OR we can look for the gems that are often found inside!

Whether it's a diamond day, or a stone day, may we all find the gems that surround us.

Who's Got Talent?

This Guy's Got Talent…
A few months back, DS 3 (who is the Sophomore Class President) was brainstorming a fundraising project for his class. He mentioned that he’d like to try a take-off on America’s Got Talent and make it named after his high school “R’s Got Talent”. He took the idea to the student boards and was met with a little bit of resistance from other classes. They basically didn’t believe that Sophomores could “pull off” such an event. In essence, they threw the gauntlet. DS 3 was determined and began working on pulling his officers together for this event.

They recruited 12 acts. He created tickets and fliers and banners to hang around the school. He found judges (including the youth pastor from our church and one of the leaders). He created a Facebook invite and started inviting students from the school to attend. He had the Principal help him create a phone message that was delivered to all 2400 student homes inviting them to come on out. I helped him create a rubric for the judges to use to give feedback to the acts. DS 3 even talked his Dad into being a “corporate sponsor” and sponsoring the ability to “text vote” for the winner!

Monday night, however, he was a bit discouraged. They had only sold 15 tickets! He felt good about all the logistics except how many people would be in the audience! Just like most things that are well-planned, though, it all worked out. By lunchtime on Tuesday (the day of the show), they had sold 127 tickets—which was enough for them to break even financially.

He was feeling better by the time DS 4, LG and I arrived for the show Tuesday night. DS 3 was running around in Producer/Director mode…and maintained his laser focus throughout the event. It wasn’t long until people began streaming in through the doors to come see if, in fact, RHS and the Sophomore Board has talent. The event was quite well attended. The judges were funny—as they worked on being a little like Simon, Pierce, David, Paula, Sharon, Kara and, at times, Randy. The acts were enjoyable. And the kids had fun watching their peers perform. It was an incredible event and the Sophomore class ended up making more than $1000 on it!

Yep, I’d say DS 3 has talent! And, for that matter, so does DS 4…

After the show, I was talking to DH on the phone and waiting on DS 3 to be ready to go home. I looked across the auditorium and there is my 11yo, DS 4, with about 8 – 10 high school girls around him. Several of them had their cell phones up and were video taping DS 4 singing to them! People have been telling DS 4 that he looks like Justin Bieber (see pic below left) lately and he’s eating it up. He was having a ball entertaining these strangers! (Of course, as I relayed it to DH via the phone he said, “Yeah! That’s my boy!”
One thing is for certain, there is NEVER. EVER. One dull moment in our house! Gotta' love 'em!

Music with a Message

I needed this yesterday when I heard it on the radio. And now I need it again this morning, so I'm sharing it with you. It's another one of those "right songs at the right time".

{If you're here to see Random Dozen--scroll past this post.}

Today I heard this song.



It's not the first time. In fact, I've known this song since my college days when it was first performed by Benny Hester. I bought the album (in vinyl) because the song spoke to me so much.

The story is timeless. It is the story of The Prodigal's Son (from Luke 15:11-32). The boy gets his inheritance early...squanders it...comes home ready to be a slave on his father's farm...then finds that his father is actually waiting on him by the road and runs out to meet him. Then his father throws a huge "welcome home" party. It's timeless in so many ways. Like the song, I've heard it a hundred times from a hundred angles. But today it spoke to me in a fresh way.

It occurred to me that we generally think of the prodigal as being away for months or even years. And I really think that's pretty clear from Jesus' words that the young man was gone for a while.

But today, as I drove down the street, singing the familiar refrain: "And then he ran to me, took me in his arms, held my head to his chest, said my son has come home again..." I thought about the times in my life when I've had "Prodigal Moments." I'm sure that every single time I've strayed in my walk, God still runs out to meet me when I return to him.

Every. Single. Time.

Then I thought how many times I've had those "Prodigal Moments" and how many times God was waiting with arms wide open.

And I was humbled.

Deeply.

Music touches souls deeply. For me, the "right song" can be a balm when I'm weary.
This particular song, "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless, has soothed my soul on more than one occasion in the past few weeks. It seems it will play at just the right moment. For me, it's almost as if God himself is saying, "Hold on. I've got your back. I know you. I love you. I didn't promise no bumps in the road. I DID promise to be with you always. Have faith."

I've decided to share it here today. Enjoy! And, if your soul is in need, may you find comfort in these words:

Friday Fave Five

Some of my blogging friends play this meme. I've done it once or twice and thought I'd jump back in today. The host is Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. In this meme, we share our five favorite things from the past week. If you would like to play along just post your 5, link back to Susanne and visit her to see who else is playing along.

1. I LOVE it that DH and DS 3 took LG flying the other day. I put a pic of her on my Wordless Wednesday. DH said she couldn't go steep enough or fast enough. She laughed and had a ball.

2. I had a great planning meeting this week with our Servant Evangelism team at church. Some of these people are new. We had a brainstorming session and have some awesome outreach events planned for the coming months! If someone would have told me a few years ago that this is the ministry into which I would fall, I would have told them they were CRAZY!

Here I am, though, loving it.

3. LG and I went shopping for several needy kids at our school. She was so taken by the Salvation Army bell ringer outside. It was almost as if she's never seen one (which is possible). When I explained what he was doing, she asked, "Can WE give some money to help?" I told her we could. She seemed to be so excited to put the money in the tin. It was sweet to watch.

4. Last night, DS 4 performed with our school's "song and dance kids" at our local art museum. He was Santa. It was fun to go watch them and enjoy the evening outside under the stars!

5. This week I'm especially thankful for my DH. He is such an amazing husband and I love him for so many reasons. This week, though, we are still without our regular housekeeper (which I know sounds weird)...but DH has been keeping up with the house and the laundry and the cooking. He does this when she's here anyway, but he's having to go above and beyond his amazing norm. On top of that, he ran the gymnastics shuttle for LG last night so that I could take DS 4 to his performance. I love him and am thankful for all he does for all of us.

My Weekend Window

What a busy weekend! Actually, it was relatively mild as our weekends normally go, but I thought I'd fill you in just the same.

Friday, DS 2 went to the U2 concert then up to Orlando to stay with his friend Matt. He called us at 11 after the concert to tell us that his phone had died and that he would text as soon as he got to his friend's house. Well, I woke up around 12:45am and started my "Mother worry".

I texted his brother, my DS 1, and asked if he was awake. He said "yes". I asked him to text DS 2's friend Matt and tell him to have my DS 2 text BOTH his Dad's phone and mine. DS 1 said, "OK". (Keep this little tidbit in mind.) And not 20 minutes later, DS 2 texted and said that he had arrived safely. I went back to sleep.

Saturday morning I took my FIL to Ikea. We went to find furniture for their family room. Let me just say that almost any trip with him is an adventure. We had fun. Found furniture. I told him that my DS 1 rode the cart through the warehouse section. Not to be outdone by a 20-something, HE had fun riding the cart (like a skateboard) up and down the warehouse aisles! I have a picture, but don't know how to transfer it from my phone to my blog.

Not long after I got home from that trip, DSs 3 and 4 and I headed out to see Brandon Heath, Leeland, and Franceska Battistelli in the Follow You tour. I'm pretty sure anyone who listens to Christian music knows of Brandon Heath (Give Me Your Eyes) or Francesca Battistelli (Free to Be Me) who are BOTH wonderful....but you may not know about Leeland.

These guys are simply amazing! My boys "discovered" them several years ago at a Youth Weekend where they led worship everyday for a week. Soon after that, we bought their first CD and LOVED it! My favorite song so far of theirs is "Yes You Have"--although there's one on the new album called "Via Dolorosa" that is simply amazing.. There's no video to really watch here, but you can listen to "Yes You Have" a fabulous worship song here:


And I can't put that song in without also giving you the powerful lyrics:

Every tree and every stone Every rushing wind that moans They sing Your praise My God, they sing Your praise Every star and open sky Tell of Your glory divine They shout Your praise They shout Your praise, yeah

You've stolen my heart Yes, You have! You've stolen my heart Yes, You have! You've wiped away the stains And broke away the chains Yes, You have!!

With Your love You set me free Three nails gave me liberty So I'll sing Your praise My God, I'll sing Your praise Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin Forgot my past And brought me back again So I'll sing Your praise I'll sing Your praise, yeah

If I ascend into the sky Or hide behind the night I can not run Your love is chasing me If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me No one will take Your place Because This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You You're the King of the world You're the King of the world

Leeland really has a heart and a passion for faith that well-surpasses his age. The worship was amazing...The story of Leeland and Brandon Heath going into Cambodia through an organization called "Feed the People" was touching. Here is a short video of their trip and the song that is the theme of their tour:



Anyway, we had FRONT ROW SEATS! So fun! DS 2 came and met us there. This is where I found out just how strange my texting with DS 1 must have been. It turns out that DS 1 was AT Matt's house waiting for his brother! So, I don't think he had to text AT ALL to ask Matt to have DS 2 text my phone. I called him on it and he really didn't see any reason I needed to know they were sitting only feet from each other. And I guess I don't "need" to know...but I think I "want" to know those types of things. Perhaps this is part of my nest becoming more empty!

Yesterday, was relatively quiet for us. Just a lazy sort of Sunday. I needed that to prepare myself for this week. I've hit the ground running today already and I don't know if it will stop until next Saturday.

So, that's it from my neck of the woods! Hope you're all off to a great week.

Some things just make me say...

HUH!?!?!

Yesterday, this little news tidbit came across my computer screen:

Houston Woman Fries and Eats Pet Goldfish After Fight with Husband

Authorities say a Houston-area woman who was burned up at her former common-law husband fried their pet goldfish and ate some of them.... The seven goldfish were purchased together by the couple during happier times....Police spokesman Vance Mitchell says the man reported on Saturday that the woman took the goldfish from his apartment.....Mitchell says the two argued earlier about some jewelry the man had given her but took back. She wanted the jewelry returned....Officers...arrived to find four fried goldfish on a plate. The woman said she already ate the other three

Call me crazy but she fried and ate seven 99cent goldfish to make him mad enough to give back jewelry??? And she thought it would work???? AND this was a police matter???? And it's worthy of national news on the Internet??

I just don't get it!

AND...in OTHER "HUH!?!" News...

DS 3 Takes the Stage With Top Secret Performance

Last night, my DS 3 participated in the school's "airband competition". You might remember when he and my DS 2 shot a video for the Grammy Awards in January. Well, the past few weeks "Mr. Creative" has resurfaced and decided HE'D get on stage for this event.

He kept the plan tightly under wraps except to say "You're going to be SO proud. It might be the proudest moment of your life!" I don't know about you, but when your teenager tells you stuff like that, generally you're thinking quite the opposite! Then last night, just before we left to go to the high school I got this phone call: "Hi Mom. No matter what you see on stage tonight, I just want you to know that I still like girls."

And there you have it, folks, something else that made me say "HUH!?!" There was no waiting once we got there. DS 3 signed his act up to be first on the program. He decided that he wanted to be the FIRST person ever to perform for an audience on the brand new stage AND that if he went first and it bombed, the audience would forget it by the time the night was over. I've raised thinkers if nothing else.

The act did NOT bomb. It was funny. They changed clothes three times and yes, "I Kissed a Girl" (from their Grammy video) resurfaced. And, yes, there was a "son in a dress" involved. It was choreographed well and DS 3--who has not always been my most coordinated child--did a GREAT job moving on the stage. I laughed so hard!

On the way home, he was so excited! He loved the feel of just getting up there and having fun. He is already planning for next year. And yes I am VERY proud of him.

He also noted that one of his friends said, "Wow, I should have done it with you." He had begged people for weeks to do it, but they wouldn't get on stage and go for it. I told him that I have been in that kid's shoes many many times. I've refused to just get out there and do something that I wanted to do because I didn't want to embarass myself. Yet, I also know that when you push yourself to do something like that you usually do have a blast.

I'm a proud Mama. I love it that my guys love to have fun. I love it that they enjoy their lives and occasionally throw caution to the wind (in a good way). I love it that they enjoy school in many ways.

As one of their teachers said to me last night, "Now we just have to figure out which one of your sons looks better in a dress!" He followed up by telling DS 4 (my fifth grader) that he better start looking for a dress now...cause he's probably going to need it!

And THAT made me once again think "HUH!?!?!"

Happy Thursday all!

This Warrior is a Child

Years ago there was a song that spoke to me so deeply. Today I woke up singing that song and knowing that I needed to hear it once again. The song, "The Warrior is a Child" by Twila Paris, has spoken to me on more than one occasion.

By nature, I'm a fighter...not in a fisticuff sort of way...but in the way that I'll tackle stuff that needs tackling. I'm not afraid of the battles that go on all around us daily. I confess that sometimes I determine my "battles" on my own, though. I know that some things are not for me to fight. Still, like all human beings, I find myself in the midst of stuff sometimes.

Today, I was reminded again that I need to remember that deep inside my armor, I'm still a child...one that falls down and relies on God's grace every single day. So that's where my post is going.

Here are the lyrics of this beautiful song for those who may be feeling the sting of a battle today. Afterward, I've posted a video that I found on Tangle so you can hear the song sung by singer Gary Valenciano. Such a powerful reminder for us all!

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while'
Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while '
Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child

Hot Dog, It's Tuesday!

One glance at my bloglist tells me I should have considered doing a "Tuesday Meme". There are several of them out there. I almost gave in, but I really wanted to share our Sunday beach experience. Once again, I reminded myself there is no need to conform and I can just be "Me" right here.

As many of you know, our church has quite an active outreach program. It's rather "low key" as it's simply being out in the community being, doing, and giving random acts of kindness to others. When people ask "Why?" or "Is this really FREE?" We say, "Yes, it's free, it's our way of saying God loves you." And that's it. No pressure. No strings attached. Just a gift.

This past Sunday we took part in our second beach hot dog give away. Our first one was two months ago almost to the day. It wasn't without some fun as we had to weather quite a storm upon our arrival there.

We DO live in south Florida, which does have a pretty tropical climate. This means that a storm can pop up at almost any time in the afternoon. It also means that it really only lasts for a few minutes most of the time. This Sunday the weather fell right in line.

Here are some of our pictures:

The team set up at the picnic tables under the trees. We had 400 hot dogs to cook! The storm rolled in and literally to the left of us it looked like the first picture below and the next picture shows what it looked like if you simply turned a little bit!

Though the storms came, we were able to keep everything (except our people) dry! Twenty minutes after it rained, the team hit the beach and surprised people with this simple act of kindness!


DS 3 and I were talking and laughing about it and he said, "I'm pretty sure Satan sits around and thinks, 'Hmmm...that church is going out again...what can I do to try and stop them?'" I don't know if it's that extreme, but I do know that there is a very important lesson here that is summed up in a new Need to Breathe Song--"Even when the rain falls, even when the flood starts rising, even when the storm comes, I am washed by the water..."

Here's their new video which has a MUCH deeper message than enduring a little rain at a church outreach event!!

Good Morning, Morning!

I'm probably dating myself if I write these words:

"Good mornin', mornin'; Hello sunshine; Wake up sleepyhead; Why'd you leave that bojangle clock so far away from the bed? Just one more minute, that's why we moved it. One more hug or two. Do you love wakin' up next to me as much as I love wakin' up next to you?....I'm the happiest girl in the whole USA; Shine on me sunshine...walk with me world....it's a skip-a-dee-do-da-day!"

Now that I've lost half the blogosphere, I just have to say that's my 1970-something way of saying that I woke up rested and peaceful today! My life is filled with so many blessings that it makes me smile!

And, just by way of education for anyone born after the 70's, here's Donna Fargo singing the song complete with an authentic 70's outfit! Yes, it's cheesy...and the song is even cut short, but you can endure enjoy it for the one minute and 56 seconds that it lasts!



Soooo....welcome to to the weekend! And happy Saturday to all!!

The Circus Came to Town...

Tomorrow culminates a very busy week for me at school.  Every year our school (which has an Arts instructional focus) puts on a HUGE production.  You might remember a few years ago when DS 4 was in the Jungle Book.  He "skipped" last year's production and then got involved again this year for the "Greatest Show on Earth".   He was in the clown troupe and loved learning from a "real" Ringling Bros. clown!  

Here are a couple of pics of him in costume and on stage in the "bucket brigade".

In addition to our arts focus, we have several families who have traveled (or still travel) with major circuses in our country.  One of the neat tributes in this show was a film highlighting photos and video footage of these families in their circus performances.  

Two of the families even had their children perform special acts.  The Suarez family juggled.  And the Wallenda's (of the famous "Flying Wallendas") did tightrope.  Isn't that neat?  

My room has been a dressing room/holding room while we've waited to go on stage this week. This has made for some very interesting photo ops.  

The kids had a ball.  The teachers are WORN OUT!  I have to say, though, I am so thankful that I work in a place that does this sort of thing.  It helps kids discover avenues to exercise their creativity and opportunities to showcase their talents.  

Just look how BIG the cast was!  It truly was a GREAT show!

You might remember that last year, we created a video at my school to help get the kids motivated for our state test. This year, our motivational video is a parody of Mama Mia called "I Can Read It". I work at one of the best schools on the planet! These teachers love kids, learning, and as the video shows...fun!

Where Have You Been...

As I prepared to write this post, a little song that I learned as a child kept swimming in my head:

"Where have you been Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Where have you been charming Billy?
I have been to see my wife,
She's the darling of my life.
She's a young thing, who cannot leave her mother."

I'll be honest, there's a lot "swimming in my head" these days. This is just one thing. Upon further reflection, here's what I noted; I haven't been out to "see my wife" and I am not a "young thing who cannot leave her mother".

OK, so I don't know WHY that song seemed appropriate to use in this post! Even though I know I am quite guilty of "blog neglect," this is STILL my blog and I'll quote as I want to. :-)Besides, it might give you "therapist types" good fodder.

Seriously, there's not much excuse for where I've been to explain where I haven't been. I just haven't. We'll leave it at that.

I DO keep up with most of my blogging friends through my blogger newsfeed. But I still like to get around and visit and comment and let everyone know that I still care and I haven't totally left the planet.

I can't say I will be around every day this week. I'll try, though. So, let me take a stab at my own version of the "Billy Boy" song:

"Oh where have you been Susan, girl? Susan, girl?
Oh, where have you been Blogging Susan?
I have been out of the loop
And believe me that's the truth
I wish I could give you something better!"

And, just so this little post doesn't leave you without a little lesson....heeeere's a performance of Billy Boy complete with chords so you can serenade yourself!



Hugs to you all! I'll be back to catch up soon!

Mall Blitz Part 2 and Spring Break

The Mall Blitz that I blogged about below did not end on Sunday. My DH called the mall manager yesterday and explained to her what we were trying to do with our kindness outreach. She thought it was so cool. She did explain to DH that they do not allow solicitation from store to store, but that what we were doing was fine.

So, tonight, three of us headed to the mall to deliver the other 151 bags. It was even neater than the initial day. Store managers were blown away that we even made the attempt to come back and finish what we started. The head of security (who we did NOT meet on Sunday) came and met me. He even said, "Make sure you deliver the biggest bag to Leon" (his name). So, guess who's getting bags TOMORROW??? Yep, you guessed it! Security!!

This is our Spring Break, so I'm enjoying some free time this week. We went to Chris Tomlin's concert last Friday. My colleagues and I enjoyed a brunch with a person who used to teach at my school on Monday. DS 2 and DS 3 played a "bowling game" on the radio station today and will be bowling with the guys from Jars of Clay on Thursday. There may be a Disney Day in here.

BUT the biggest part of the week for me is happening on Friday/Saturday. I am going to be meeting up with my three BEST friends and roommates from college. We were all in each other's weddings. We were absolutely best of friends in college. We have seen each other sporadically over the years...but we have not, the four of us, been together in the same room for more than 18 years! I am SO EXCITED!!

Stay posted. It may be a couple of days, but there's more to come!

We Sure Could Use...a Little GOOD News...

I know I'm dating myself when I say that I have always liked Anne Murray. Her songs often reach into my heart and touch my emotions in ways that others simply don't. A few years ago, I purchased a CD of hers called "The Best So Far". It had many of my "old favorites" on it including: Danny's Song, I Just Fall in Love Again, and Could I Have this Dance?

Tucked in the middle of this CD is a song that I did not remember from radio play. It was relatively new to me...although the lyrics tell me that it is in no way shape or form "new". The song is called, "A Little Good News".

Even with it's "older lyrics" it is a relevant song for today with the economy, the wars, the hate, the violence, and all the other sad news that seems to jump across my screen when I open up my news readers. It is the song that leaps across my heart when I read over and over again of the horrible things that are happening in our world:

I rolled out this morning
Kids had the mornin' news show on
Bryant Gumbel was talkin' 'bout the fighting in Lebanon
Some senator was squawkin' 'bout the bad economy
It's gonna get worse you see, we need a change in policy
There's a local paper rolled up in a rubber band
One more sad story's one more than I can stand
Just once how I'd like to see the headline say
"Not much to print today, can't find nothin' bad to say", because

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

I'll come home this evenin'
I'll bet that the news will be the same
Somebody takes a hostage, somebody steals a plane
How I wanna hear the anchor man talk about a county fair
And how we cleaned up the air, how everybody learned to care
Whoa, tell me

Nobody was assassinated in the whole Third World today
And in the streets of Ireland, all the children had to do was play
And everybody loves everybody in the good old USA
We sure could use a little good news today

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

And while I, like most everybody I know, would like to hear "good news" when we turn on the TV or check the news site, I know that the BEST news is not found in the general media. The best news...the GOOD NEWS...is summed up so nicely in the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:31 - 39:

31What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?32God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won't he freely give us everything else? 33If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's right side, [e] speaking to him for us. 35Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36It is exactly as the Scriptures say, "For you we face death all day long.

We are like sheep

on their way

to be butchered."

37In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

So, while I wait for a little day-to-day "good news"...I am resting in the BEST NEWS today!!

We need your VOTE again!

My boys are at it again. This time the video contest they entered is sponsored by CBS. The winning video had to lip synch to this song (that I don't like) and submit a one minute video. The winner will be shown on the Grammy's and gets $5,000. They worked really hard on it and need your help cause voting is 33% of the score. There will be four separate voting windows and the first one is open now. (Read: I'll be asking you to vote three more times after this!)

This one is even easier than the last, you just click on the link and hit "vote". No registration or anything. I appreciate it if you can help!
Here is the link:  Matt Kissed a Girl

Slow Fade

When DS 1 and DS 2 were little, we did a lot of singing in the car. One of the little songs we often sang was: "Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little eyes what you see." And we would repeat with "ears" and "hearing" and "lips" and "saying." It's quite a simple song. Yet it's message is quite clear: "Watch our actions, God is watching."

I am only really starting to realize just how different that picture is for each human being. For some of us, it feels like "God is watching with his big stick ready to strike at the first sign of sin." For others, it's "God's watching, so you better be on your best behavior." And others it's binding, "God loves us now, but watch it, cause he might not if we do a wrong thing."

One of the smaller words in the song is actually one of the most important: Love. God watches us with so much love and adoration. And, just like any good parent, he never wants to see us self-destruct because of our attitude or actions. I really think THAT'S the message of this song.

Recently, the radio has been playing Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" more often. It is on their album titled "The Altar and the Door". And within these grown-up lyrics is woven the little song that my boys and I used to sing together. This song takes the child's song to a whole new level. It cautions all of us that we must be careful with our attitudes and actions cause it's a "Slow Fade when you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day."

And I love this picture because it is so true. For most of us, we fall a little bit...maybe even stumble...then we say "Oh that one time was OK..." and soon it mushrooms out of control (a la Oprah's recent weight gain admission). It doesn't happen all at once. But all at once we can find ourselves in the midst of fear, doubt, frustration, loneliness, emptiness, anger, etc. And we must realize that it is a "Slow Fade" that usually brings us to those places.

I love the piece of the picture that is so clear to me now..."there's a Father up above looking down in love." He's calling. Beckoning. And no matter WHERE we are or WHO we are or WHAT we've done, he's there. Waiting. And like the parent says to the wounded child, he says: "I told you to be careful. Now come on home and let me help get you cleaned up. I love you!"

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the
strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

(chorus)

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see