Pretend I have a creative title ~

I wish I had a creative title, but creativity isn't one of my gifts or talents, so let's pretend it's creative.

I don't even know where to begin a post about the weekend. The conference was phenomenal. Wait, I don't want to start there. I want to start with the peeps God put in my path this weekend. On my flight were some ladies (Siestas!) from Birmingham. It was nice to have someone to walk and talk with during our layover. (We also shared the flights back!) We rode the shuttle to our respective hotels and met a couple of other ladies too who were going to the conference. One of them didn't blog, but she had met Beth Moore when Beth stayed in her FL house! How cool!

On Saturday, a couple of Siestas were in the hotel lobby and we caught a taxi to the Dome together. After the Fiesta, we ran into each other and they invited me to go eat some really good Mexican food with them! Thank you, Deb & Heather, for inviting me and listening to me babble. (I pretty much chattered the whole time we were together - the downside to my being by myself for too long.)

There were two sweet women who I sat with on Friday and Saturday, D'Ann and Holly. We didn't have a whole lot of time to chat, but I could just tell they were nothing short of precious. They made sure I was loved on during the conference! Thank you, ladies, for making sure I had someone to sit with and for showing me love!

We were split into groups for group pictures with Beth, Amanda & Melissa. Can I just tell you that they are all so tiny??? Size 0 maybe? I got to hug Beth & Amanda! I was telling my daughter that they knew my name, and she said "Were you wearing a name tag?" *sigh* I had already come to that conclusion, but I was trying to think they knew my name because of my witty and snazzy comments on the blogs. Oh darn, who am I kidding? I'm going to keep on thinking it's because of my wit!

The Siesta fiesta was fun. It was neat to put some real faces to some of the blog names AND I just loved seeing Amanda & Melissa interact with each other and their momma! After hearing so much about them through the various studies I have done, it was just neat to see it first hand. I could so picture Melissa saying to her mom, "Are you going to boss me today?" tee hee hee

Beth said "peeps" during the conference and said Melissa told her she should never say that again! I loved it (the fact that she said peeps).

The conference was out of this world. When Travis started the worship music, I started crying. I was so overwhelmed with all the beautiful voices worshipping at the same time. We had a song that we sang a Capella and none of the praise team was singing, and I thought that the sound was so sweet that it must be the sound God hears when we sing His praises. Ummm ummm mmmm.

I didn't get to see a whole bunch of San Antonio AND I missed the PJ party! I was so tired when I got back to my room last night and I was sinusy feeling that I fell asleep! I think all the non-sleep of the last month and the past couple of days just caught up with me.

Oh, the topic of the conference was about inheritance and how I'm an heiress of God! Yahoo-Jah!

I have to get ready for my first day of work :-)! Mary, you're the only commenter (and probably reader), so I hope you've enjoyed a tiny recap. Oh, I forgot my darn camera!!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

I'm here!

I'm in no mans land. A place where capris are on every woman and smiles on every face. I'm in San Antonio!!! Pretty soon, I'll be getting all dolled (ha ha ha no, I won't because I don't know how to doll up, but that's a blog for another day) and heading over to the Alamodome to pick up my Siesta Fiesta armband and grab a seat!

I had a good flight over here. I spotted some ladies in capris when I was switching planes and found out they were from Birmingham too! We had a long layover in Memphis, and it was really nice to have some peeps to talk to.

We rode a shuttle to our respective hotels and ran into more Siestas! One of them has had Mama Siesta stay in her house! I felt like I was in the presence of royalty, I tell you.

I've walked around and almost gotten lost in the square area. It's hot outside! While walking around, I spotted more groups of women wearing capris and ventured to talk to some of them. I pegged it - they were going to see Mama Siesta too!

I had to log on and get my instructions for the SF armband thingy so I thought I'd post real quick about my trip. Oh, by the way, I've had almost little to no sleep (maybe 2 hours last night; a short nap on the flight; and that's it). I betcha I stay awake all night tonight and tomorrow night!

I can't wait to meet some new friends (even though it's hard for someone so shy like myself).

*hugs*


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Mobile blogging test

Testing mobile blog function to get ready for this weekend and potential blogging opportunities!

(It worked!)

Weekend in and around Savannah, GA

My husband is in the Army, and he's stationed in Louisville, KY. When we met and married, he was a recruiter with the AL National Guard, and he wasn't supposed to be leaving. However, as is life, this ideal work scenario didn't work out. Hubby deployed to Kuwait and then became part of the active Army. Since January 2, he's been stationed in Texas and Kentucky. Since he's been stationed in KY, he's gone to Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Georgia! He's done more traveling than staying in KY, which is one of the reasons we aren't living together. Anyway, he's currently at Ft. Stewart, which is outside of Savannah, GA for the next 3 months.

Because of work schedule, he isn't going to be able to come home very often, plus he doesn't his car which will make it hard for him to get home…I don't have a lot going on right now *cough* and I thought it would be a good time to take a road trip! Friday, after the girls got off to school and I dropped Maggie off at the vet for the weekend, I headed on to Savannah. From Birmingham to Macon, I had all sorts of things to look out and signs to read. However, from Macon to the Base, there was NOTHING to keep me amused. It seemed to take longer for that part of the trip than the 5 hours it had taken to get to Macon! I did have a book on tape (Teacher Man by Frank McCourt – very good!), which helped pass the time.

I had good timing because hubby got done with work about the time I was passing through the Base! I picked him up and we headed to his temporary home quarters. Oh me oh my…his quarter is a tiny hotel room with 2 beds and mold on the ceiling! One of the chairs had so many stains on it, neither of us would sit in it. He's going to be in there until November and there is a chance he'll have a roommate! Holy smokes!! I certainly hope that doesn't happen. I mean, I love the man with all that I have and I wouldn't want to share that space with him for 3 months!!!

We went to Savannah last night and got a nice hotel room in South Savannah. Oh the bed and pillows were heavenly and everything was so clean! There was even a coffee pot J. We went to downtown Savannah and took a horse carriage tour around town. I've always wanted to do that – it looks so romantic. (You aren't really expecting the smells of the horse and those aren't romantic.) We took a private tour at a public tour price *score*! We saw where Forrest Gump sat waiting to take the bus to Jenny's house; the house from the book Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil; places Julia Roberts filmed "Something to Talk About". After the tour, we walked down to the waterfront and walked (and walked and walked and walked) around looking at all the shops and did some people watching. There's a City Market, so we walked down there too. Come to find out that on Saturday night it's more of a City Bar Scene. Oh we found Paula Deen's restaurant, but it was closed already.

I don't get out and do much physical activity (gotta work on that), so I wasn't quite ready for all of that walking. Luckily, I wore my "comfortable" flip flops...*cough* My dogs were barking loudly by the time we made it back to the hotel and the memory of the super hard bed from the night before was alive in my memory and my back. I was very happy that hubby remembered to pack the generic Advil®!

We enjoyed a little lunch and Starbuck's before I had to hit the road back to Birmingham. L I tried to get him to come with me, but you know his employer is a little funny about folks not showing up for work. They threaten soldiers with things like court, demotion and prison time if you don't show up! Can you imagine?

I had a nice time spending time with hubby. We really needed some alone time, without any interruptions or kids needing chauffeuring. It felt more like "old times" where things were comfortable and easy between us. Praise God for answered prayers. We have to keep on communicating, but this weekend was nice start. I don't know when we'll be able to do this again because the troops they are going to be training will be in GA soon, and he won't get much off time. Also, there's this whole need for me to be employed and not having free time. We're hoping he won't be working without time off, but we just don't know yet.

I didn't get back in time to get my Maggie from the vet, and my other dog (who is older and doesn't tear up things so he can be left unattended) was looking forward to her coming back. He was so excited to see me drive up and walk up the stairs, but he seemed quite disappointed that Maggie wasn't with me.

I'm looking really forward to Friday, when I'm in San Antonio and I get to meet fellow Siestas! Yahoooooooo-JAH!!! I have lofty plans for the week (like working out and cleaning) OH and fall bible study starts on Wednesday! (I'll have to see who has signed up and get the workbook so I'll know what I'm supposed to do.)

Happy BIRTHday to me!

Today is my second birthday! It was two years ago today that I surrendered my life to Christ! Woo hoo!!!

I'm sure some folks thought my becoming born-again was just a phase, but I'm really glad I proved them (and myself) WRONG!

If people who aren't believers or who are fence riders (like I used to be) could understand how great it feels to be a Christian and have a relationship with Christ (even if it's still growing), they would never want to not be in relationship with Him.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me yet another chance. I'm glad this one has stuck.

I'm believing God!


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Ramblings

Monday night was the first small group leader meeting of the "new" class year. It's about the only time we have to come together and try to get to know each other, even in a small way. Oh, we see each other often, but it's passing in the hall on our way to our rooms.

We start the meeting with prayer and then song (soooo glad the Lord says "make a joyful noise"). I got excited because I saw that "Revelation Song" was cued up. It's my new favorite song after I heard it at the Beth Moore simulcast a couple of weeks ago. It was sang at church last Sunday and then *boom* there it was again. However, that wasn't the song we were singing. But, I was still excited to see it. (We sang Hosanna, in case you were wondering.)

We went through stuff and then Pastor Paul took over the meeting. In October, we'll be starting a new study on prayer by Jim Cymbala, and he (Pastor Paul, not Jim Cymbala) was talking to us about prayer. He lead us in a prayer time that was very unique to me. First, we separated into two groups: men/women. We quieted ourselves and asked God to speak to us and lay on our hearts what the person to our right needed prayer about. While we were still quieted, we were to pray for the needs God laid on our hearts for our neighbor. When the prayer time was over, we were then to share with the person what God laid on our hearts.

I shared with my right hand friend that God wanted her to know to let go of her son, who is going to college next week, and to let her know that He will finish the work He has started in her son. The lady to my left shared that she prayed for me to keep what I'm doing with my family, amidst all the struggles; I was doing what He wanted me to do! Now, my right hand friend is also my mentor and my friend, so it would be easy to rationalize how I knew what to pray for her. But, the lady to my left and I know each other, but I can't rationalize her knowing about my struggles other than it being a God thing! Most of the women were weeping a wee bit and so were some of the men! I thought this was the coolest things, ever. Maybe if I stilled myself more before God, I would hear Him speak.

Does anyone else just crack up at the new Swiffer commercials where the mop, broom or duster is trying to woo back the female who stopped using them? If I'm finding amusement from commercials, am I spending way too much time watching TV? (Oh, I can answer that. YES!) Oh, I'm cracking up just thinking about the broom peeking out from behind a tree and "Baby Come Back" playing. tee hee hee hee

Looking for a job is going really really slow. I can't even keep up with the number of applications I have put in and nothing. I don't think craigslist is the best place for me to look...unless, of course, I want to review and input ads. I would gladly do that; if it didn't cost money to start!

I can't believe the Siesta Fiesta is NEXT WEEK!!!!!!! I'm really excited to meet my fellow siestas and of course mama siesta!!!!!!!! I'm looking forward to a lot of laughter and giggles. I so need giggles and laughter.

I've been enjoying tooling around the various blogs that I have recently found. How have I not seen these incredible blogs before? So many talented and FUNNY and godly women out there. Yahoo-Jah!

Well, another episode of Law & Order is on (the original), so I guess I'll go watch it. Heaven knows I haven't watched enough TV today *cough*.

Thanks for reading the ramblings ;).



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Funk

Who's in a funk?? Oh oh oh, I know the answer to this one! It's ME! Should I be in a funk? No, not really because I am a beloved child of God and He thinks I'm wonderful! This is enough, right? It is enough, but I'm still in a funk.

The last couple of weeks have been strange, to say the least. As with anyone's life, they have been filled with a lot of ups and downs. Sadly, the last two weeks have been more down than up.

I lost my job 2 weeks ago. I couldn't talk to my husband because he was out in the field and didn't have cell phone coverage. When I finally got to talk to him, we got in a little tiff because he just didn't believe I was telling him the whole truth about what happened at work. He kept saying, "there had to be something else." "Yeah," I said, "you would think, but that's all there is." *sigh* So, instead of taking into consideration how I feel about losing my job, he made me feel bad about it all. He was trying to make me get riled up so I would retaliate, but that's just not the way I do things. Of course I'm upset about what happened but there's nothing to be gained by fighting it or our fighting about it! I do know that I've prayed about two different jobs because I wasn't happy, and it wasn't long after that that I lost both jobs. (By lost, I, of course, mean I was let go.)

Then, during the last couple of weeks, James & I realize just how poor our communication has gotten. We both know now important it is to talk to each other - really talk to each other - but it's just not happening. I've tried to take the tears and sow Seeds with them. We do seem to have had a breakthrough, even if it's just the realization that there's a problem we need to address. He was able to come home last weekend and we had a good time with each other. There wasn't the awkwardness that there has been (but more tears were shed). I lift our marriage up to the Almighty Father and know that He will work miracles with us both.

Looking on the job front has been really slow. I've applied for so many jobs, and I haven't heard back on any of them (well, except the one person who contacted me about my seemingly spotty work history). I need to work and I'm not too proud to work wherever I need to work! I keep praying about that as well.

The girls started school this week, which was good and bad. Bad because that means we've had to shop for back to school clothes and supplies. Good news is that their dad was able to send a little bit of money (he's not working either) to help out and both girls have been great about being frugal and understanding. It's only been two days but they both seem happy about their schedules and teachers. Their both gone tonight, leaving me here all alone and all bored!

Other cool things that have happened in the past couple of weeks - Beth Moore simulcast! WOW is about all I can say. I was blown away at the concept of 70,000 women (and some men) singing and praying the same songs and prayers at the same time and these women were all over the country and spread out in 4 countries! We had 10 ladies from our church at the simulcast. I wish more could have come from our church, but was thrilled with the ladies who did come (especially my Mom!). Mom fell in love with Beth's sense of humor. I knew she would!

The Siesta Fiesta is only 2 weeks away! This time in 2 weeks I'll be at the Alamodome with my fellow Siestas (and a Miesta or two). I'm so grateful I had already paid for my hotel and airline tickets, or I wouldn't have been able to go. My husband was concerned that I wouldn't have time to do much sight seeing, and while that would be great, I'm there for Siesta Fiesta!!! That will be quite enough seeing for me!!!

Here's a picture of something too cute for words! Maggie tore her bed up, but I salvaged the pillow from it. She'd rather be asleep on my bed, but that's a no-no! Awwwww isn't she adorable??

I should get up from the couch and clean. I need to get my attitude right though - all for His glory!! (I'm not there but I'm closer now that I've written all of this down.)

I pulled out my notecards that I have been dragging around with me and haven't been praying over. Allow me to share this one that I need to mediate on:

God, I am so thankful there is now no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If you, Lord, don't condemn me, I have no right nor place to condemn myself. Help me not to get caught up in a defeating cycle of self-condemnation.

Lord, what you command me to do is not too difficult for me or beyond my reach (Deut. 30:11).

Thank you, Lord, for the grace you have given me. I love you so.