I'm Too Old for That

In recent days I've connected with...

- an amazing single pastor in her 30's

- a 20-something lady from another county with more experience
in youth ministry than many life-timer youth pastors

- a classy lady in her 50's whose house is from a magazine
and her entertainment skills put Martha Stewart to shame

- a young married mom of 3 kids, ages 4 and under

- a single 20-something who ministers to preschoolers all day

- a young married lady who will soon be planting a church
out east with her husband

- a southern bell (sorta) in her 30's who is married w/one child
and has preached several times recently at her church

- a lady in her mid 40's who sends me encouraging texts and
blesses many other church planter's wife in Michigan

- Another lady in her 20's who is leaving the suburbs next week
 & moving into the city... cuz it's where her heart is

- A young Mom who also left the burbs a year ago & moved into the city
with her husband & little boy, and happens to gives piano lessons to
her pastor's kids as a ministry

- A 40-something who gives sewing lessons to the muslim girls
in her neighborhood, just to show them the love of Jesus

- A 40 year old lady who's life closely mirrors mine... but her address
is in Maryland... too far away



When I was younger I thought I  needed that ONE friend...
that ONE person who could fulfill all my friendship needs.
But I've later realized that diversity is beautiful!
Not just race, but background, age, outlook, calling, etc....

All of these woman are my friends...
and each of them fill a different "spot" in my "friendship need."

What I contribute to one friendship is vastly different from what
I give to another friendship. And vise versa.
But they all mean a great deal to me.
They're all counted as cherished gifts from Jesus.

Yeah, I used to think I really needed that ONE best friend,
but now, I'm too old for that (and hopefully too wise for that, too!).





(NOTE: I have more friends than those listed, but these are
ones that I've connected with in the last 8 days.)

Weeds

 Our house sat empty for months before we bought it.
It was in decent condition, but the weeds were starting
to feel right at home.
































(Before)


Honestly, we've only lived here a few weeks and I
had already stopped noticing them.
I was used to those weeds.
They were almost decorative.

(Before)

But then...
Our friends came to the rescue!

About 15 of our wonderful friends came over on Saturday
and pulled weeds, and raked, and pulled weeks, and
helped fix the pipes so we can water the lawn next spring,
and did I mention that they pulled weeds?

(after)

My life is the same.

So is your life.

We have areas that we ignore, don't wanna deal with,

so we don't.

Then weeds grow. Little compromises that junk up our lives.

Little attitudes that are sin. Plain & simple.

We get used to them.

It takes honest, Jesus-lovin' friends to point'um out

and help us decide to get rid of the weeds.

Then, great friends go the next step, too, and

help us establish a working system (like the water pipes)

that will keep the healthy growth happening.

Do you have friends like this?

You must BE one to have one.

(and your life must be respectable before you can

earn the right to speak truth into a friend's life)

Wordless Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Today, possibly at the very moment you're reading this, we're

closing on the purchase of our beautiful, historic home in Detroit!

But, I'm not posting any more pics at the moment.

Instead... just a few from a Labor Day Cook-out with friends

that happen to include a trampoline!

You know you live in the city when... Part 2

(Click here if you haven't read Part 1.)

The very first thing you do after you get out of bed each

morning is peek out the front window to be sure that

your car is still there.

You're careful to stay in your house at the stroke of Midnight

on New Year's because your neighbors are shooting their

guns in the air... just cuz they can. (not legally, I'm sure)

When you get a random knock on your door at 1:04 AM

from strangers who then stagger into the street & on to a

another door (probably looking for their own house).

When you LOVE to use your horn because people drive

SO stinkin' crazy!!!! (Horns are not an anger outlet,

they are life-saving tools!)

It's only 6:58AM and the "call to prayer" blasts through

the streets from the local mosques for the 1st of 5 times

each day. Grr.

(I thought they had to wait until at least 8am.)

When you can capture your entire backyard in one photo.

When you find yourself twitching because it's so difficult

to resist the urge to constantly correct other peoples'

grammar usage.

You take your kids to the wonderful zoo filled

with exotic animals from around the world,

& your youngest kids beg,

"Can we please just go see the farm animals."

Your 3 year old puts up the hood on his hoody sweatshirt,

saunters into the kitchen and throws his hands in the air...

"awwh yey!"

Everytime you drive way out into the suburbs & your kids

see lota trees & grass...your youngest kids ask you,

"Are we in another country?"

When your teenage daughter is better at parallel parking than

regular parking cuz street park is all we have!

When it's snowy outside & you have to shovel out the

Street parking spot in front of your house... and then,

knowing that some "less-motivated" neighbor wants to take

your cleared parking spot you "Mark" your spot by

putting a lawn chair and/or plastic milk crate

in front of your house!

When it's really hot & humid outside you really do see

people sitting in the doorways of building on those

same milk crates!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

But, like I said in Part 1 of this post...

When you're out of town & people ask when you're from

and then after you answer them they sorta gasp & then

just stare at you... they stare out of awe, or respect or

pity or just straight disgust that we'd be so foolish to

move our family to that city.

When you totally love this city and the people!

And find it amazing how God has turned His calling into

the desire of your heart.

Update on Pastor Kevin

God is doing MIRACLES!
Although some major national news stations
ran the story with a completely INCORRECT
ending, the truth is, Pastor Kevin Ramsby is
alive and recovering in a Detroit hospital!

You may click here to read details about
what took place and the amazing miracles
that are happening!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

Pastor NEEDS Prayer!

A Pastor friend who lives just a few miles away from us NEEDS
your prayers for full & quick recovery and SO much more.
He & his wife, Sarah, and their two children are going
through something I cannot imagine.

He is in stable condition now.

Here are two links to click on to read & watch more.

Chilly's Blog

News Story

The Bum Bracelet

My childhood friend, Paula, and her husband, Jerry,
are missionaries to Zambia!
(That's a country in Africa...
for my geographically challenged friends!)

They're blog is so insightful and yet so hilarious!
And THIS BLOG about the Bum Bracelet...
well, you just HAVE to read it!
(It's called "Magic, Miracles and Martains")

When they're sick...

Recently a Mommy with an adorable little one-year-old
baby girl expressed to me what we as parents all experience
at some point: the sadness of a sick child!

These simple reminders came to mind.
Perhaps they'll encourage you... EVEN if you DON'T have kids.
Basically love, patience and lotsa cuddling can solve alot of
problems in a lot of areas of life... not just kids!
(Well, the "cuddling" part might not be as versatile as the others.)

Keep these in mind:
- You didn't do anything to bring on or prolong the sickness.
The fact that you're so concerned shows that you're a
wonderful parent.

-Although it's so hard to see them just lying around,
take advantage of those precious times when all they want you
to do it hold them, cuddle them and snuggle
(even if it's all night long in a recliner).
It's the best comfort we can give them.

- You know your baby/child best, so follow your instincts.
Our doctor in Youngstown (Dr. Anne Stover) was so good
about reminding me that no one knows baby like mama does.
Trust yourself. God gave her to you and He's instilled in you
that special "radar" to know when something isn't right.

- During times of sickness, I don't worry about housework or
even ministry demands, baby comes first.
Ironically, it's been during these times when I just dropped off the
face of the earth for a week or so to care for my children that
the girls/ladies in our ministry will comment that they're so
encouraged to see me prioritize and live out my highest calling -
being a wife & mom!

Simple thoughts, yes.
But instead of always trying to "give someone the right answer",
maybe that person- child or adult- in our path today just needs
love, attention and compassion!


(We don't have these DVDs listed below, we just watch'um on TV...
love the music and how it gives music education. Hmm, maybe I
should have the big girls watch it, too!)

Currently Watching Little Einsteins: Fall 2008 DVD 3 Pack By Little Einsteins

Save One

Yesterday I was honored to spend a little time with
Sheila Harper from Tennessee, who is traveling
around the Michigan area this week.

Years ago she founded SaveOne, ministry for those who
have suffered from abortion. From her own painful
past God has transformed her life and the lives of
countless others.

Her mission is simple. She offers a book and training
DVD to any church and/or ministry that desires to
offer this 12 week class to their church/community.

My heart was encouraged to sit with her.
My heart is also excited that this could possibly be
another avenue to reach our city for Jesus.

I'm impressed and excited at the many possible ways
God will continue to lead us as we follow His calling
here in "Hamtown."

What is the door God has opened for you, today?
Think about it... ACT on it!