Loraine spent Sunday night with her brother and his wife. She woke up Monday morning to this beautiful sight in Twain Harte. If only we had scheduled the advance from Friday to Monday!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
More Advance Pictures
Loraine sent me her pictures, and as promised, I'm posting them. Enjoy!
Loraine spent Sunday night with her brother and his wife. She woke up Monday morning to this beautiful sight in Twain Harte. If only we had scheduled the advance from Friday to Monday!
Loraine spent Sunday night with her brother and his wife. She woke up Monday morning to this beautiful sight in Twain Harte. If only we had scheduled the advance from Friday to Monday!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
POTENT
That's the word I use to describe our church's first Advance, aka Retreat. It was a full 3 days. No one felt they had information overload, but everyone said they felt very well "equipped" when we left. (That's because Greg is an amazing, experienced Retreat Put-er-on-er).
Greg and I arrived around 3:00 on Thursday and it was COLD! We were met with this beautiful dear walking through the front yard next door.
After we turned on the hot water heater and the water main, I went upstairs and cranked up the thermostat. It was so cold it took your breath away, literally! We brought up all the supplies and I started dinner. Our team arrived at 4:30 to a warm house and the smell of lasagne. They got all settled in and we had our first meal of the Advance together. Afterwards, Greg welcomed us, explained what we were in store for, had me facilitate an ice breaker game, then we were off and running with a message.
We stopped around 9:00 and after some fellowship, we trickled off to bed.
A look at the book table we set up had a few people borrowing books to read after the Advance.
Here's Josh picking out his favorite worship songs for the next day.
Did I mention I started a raging sore throat, botherstome eardrums, a fever, body aches, and chills that afternoon/evening? Yep, that's how I started the Advance.
I had prepared the menu for all the meals and who was up for cooking and who was up for clean up. Everyone did a fantastic job and helped out really well. I was careful not to pair up couples and tried to give a balance between cooking, cleanup and who worked with whom. Here's Monica cleaning the waffle iron before breakfast. She has earned the name 'Tornado' because she's a cleaning whirlwind. She lightened everyone's load!
After a 7:30 breakfast, we were off to our morning quiet time in Joshua. Each day we read a chapter and answered questions. When we came together 45 minutes later, we had worship and a Bible study on Joshua. These beautful creatures graced us with their presence during the Bible study so Josh grabbed my camera and took a few shots.
Lunchtime came quickly, then a break of about 30 minutes to fellowship and play boggle and ladder golf.
and back together for worship and small group training. We had a late afternoon break before dinner which gave us time for fellowship, walks, ladder golf, reading, studying, or whatever. When Greg and I came back after our walk, Josh and Monica were taking pictures of each other outside, so we joined them, along with Dick and Mary.
Then some neighbors were out taking a walk and we met them and asked them to take a group shot. I don't think they realized there was a zoom button on the camera.
After dinner, we met for specific church business matters. Sometimes we brainstormed, sometimes we made decisions etc. There was always, I mean ALWAYS lots of laughter as Dick, Josh, and Loraine had us in stitches with their quick wit. Here's Monica sharing the two ministries she thought we should have, standing on a chair because she's a little 'vertically challenged' and because Greg set up the tri-pod and white board to his height.
That was pretty much our format for the Advance, with the exception of playing strength bombardment, which always makes me cry, and our first Sunday morning service. Usually Greg has everything prepared in advance. This time for training on Sunday morning, God told him Saturday night forget what he had planned and have a service. God even told him not to prepare it Saturday night, but to just spend time with everyone and that God would give him what he needed in the morning. Greg did just that. While we were having our quiet time in Joshua this morning, Greg wrote out the whole message, then gave it,
complete with Josh and Dick picking out our worship songs, me preparing communion, and Loraine taking the offering. Everything we off without a hitch and it was great!
Good-bye's are always difficult, especially when you're 6'4" and you're being hugged by a professional hugger that's a foot shorter than you. Here's Mary trying to break Greg's neck. (Just kidding)
Here's Loraine giving us a peek at the Croatian Hula. She went to Croatia and ate squid!
After the morning service, we decided to scrap the plan to have leftovers for lunch and go out for pizza. After cleaning the cabin us and our youth pastors headed up 108 for pizza. Our other members opted to head for home, as they had plans. It was a good opportunity to get feedback on how everyone was feeling and what they thought of the weekend.
Notice I wasn't in any of the pictures, because I was taking them. I think I'm in one that's on Loraine's camera. When I get those shots, I'll post them.
Afterwards Greg and I stopped at A Lovely Place to pick up a shirt we left there in November and share what God was doing with EQUIP.
It was a very full, and very fun Advance. We bonded extremely well, so well the Pastor had to tell Monica and I to be quiet at one point. Yikes! In trouble already!
BTW, one new thing that came out of the Advance was that we have our Christian Education Director. After praying about it, Dick Pritchard has decided he would like to oversee all the teachers. Yeah!!!!!
We are hoping to interview our candidate for Worship Director this week. Please keep praying about this and a building. The building will dictate when we launch.
Blessings to you on this cool, Sunday evening.
Greg and I arrived around 3:00 on Thursday and it was COLD! We were met with this beautiful dear walking through the front yard next door.
After we turned on the hot water heater and the water main, I went upstairs and cranked up the thermostat. It was so cold it took your breath away, literally! We brought up all the supplies and I started dinner. Our team arrived at 4:30 to a warm house and the smell of lasagne. They got all settled in and we had our first meal of the Advance together. Afterwards, Greg welcomed us, explained what we were in store for, had me facilitate an ice breaker game, then we were off and running with a message. 
We stopped around 9:00 and after some fellowship, we trickled off to bed. 
A look at the book table we set up had a few people borrowing books to read after the Advance.
Here's Josh picking out his favorite worship songs for the next day.
Did I mention I started a raging sore throat, botherstome eardrums, a fever, body aches, and chills that afternoon/evening? Yep, that's how I started the Advance.
I had prepared the menu for all the meals and who was up for cooking and who was up for clean up. Everyone did a fantastic job and helped out really well. I was careful not to pair up couples and tried to give a balance between cooking, cleanup and who worked with whom. Here's Monica cleaning the waffle iron before breakfast. She has earned the name 'Tornado' because she's a cleaning whirlwind. She lightened everyone's load!
After a 7:30 breakfast, we were off to our morning quiet time in Joshua. Each day we read a chapter and answered questions. When we came together 45 minutes later, we had worship and a Bible study on Joshua. These beautful creatures graced us with their presence during the Bible study so Josh grabbed my camera and took a few shots.
Lunchtime came quickly, then a break of about 30 minutes to fellowship and play boggle and ladder golf.
and back together for worship and small group training. We had a late afternoon break before dinner which gave us time for fellowship, walks, ladder golf, reading, studying, or whatever. When Greg and I came back after our walk, Josh and Monica were taking pictures of each other outside, so we joined them, along with Dick and Mary.
Then some neighbors were out taking a walk and we met them and asked them to take a group shot. I don't think they realized there was a zoom button on the camera.
After dinner, we met for specific church business matters. Sometimes we brainstormed, sometimes we made decisions etc. There was always, I mean ALWAYS lots of laughter as Dick, Josh, and Loraine had us in stitches with their quick wit. Here's Monica sharing the two ministries she thought we should have, standing on a chair because she's a little 'vertically challenged' and because Greg set up the tri-pod and white board to his height.
That was pretty much our format for the Advance, with the exception of playing strength bombardment, which always makes me cry, and our first Sunday morning service. Usually Greg has everything prepared in advance. This time for training on Sunday morning, God told him Saturday night forget what he had planned and have a service. God even told him not to prepare it Saturday night, but to just spend time with everyone and that God would give him what he needed in the morning. Greg did just that. While we were having our quiet time in Joshua this morning, Greg wrote out the whole message, then gave it,
complete with Josh and Dick picking out our worship songs, me preparing communion, and Loraine taking the offering. Everything we off without a hitch and it was great!
Good-bye's are always difficult, especially when you're 6'4" and you're being hugged by a professional hugger that's a foot shorter than you. Here's Mary trying to break Greg's neck. (Just kidding)
Here's Loraine giving us a peek at the Croatian Hula. She went to Croatia and ate squid!
After the morning service, we decided to scrap the plan to have leftovers for lunch and go out for pizza. After cleaning the cabin us and our youth pastors headed up 108 for pizza. Our other members opted to head for home, as they had plans. It was a good opportunity to get feedback on how everyone was feeling and what they thought of the weekend.
Notice I wasn't in any of the pictures, because I was taking them. I think I'm in one that's on Loraine's camera. When I get those shots, I'll post them.
Afterwards Greg and I stopped at A Lovely Place to pick up a shirt we left there in November and share what God was doing with EQUIP.
It was a very full, and very fun Advance. We bonded extremely well, so well the Pastor had to tell Monica and I to be quiet at one point. Yikes! In trouble already!
BTW, one new thing that came out of the Advance was that we have our Christian Education Director. After praying about it, Dick Pritchard has decided he would like to oversee all the teachers. Yeah!!!!!
We are hoping to interview our candidate for Worship Director this week. Please keep praying about this and a building. The building will dictate when we launch.
Blessings to you on this cool, Sunday evening.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Yes!
Yesterday's women's Bible study was so encouraging to me. It was on Luke 16:1-15. There were many ingredients to this passage that we touched on and that I wanted to go much deeper on. But I must say, the highlight was watching one of the members 'get it'!
We talked about faithful in little / faithful in much, and taking care of what God has given us. One of the ladies made an application to her own life. She said, "You know, I think if I took better care of this, God would see I can take care of it and he might give me a better one down the road." Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! She connected the dots! It's so rewarding to see the light bulbs go on! Wahoooo!
We're getting ready for the advance. Our toner went out last night so Greg is picking some up before we go to our Bible study on the westside. The food is bought, the binders are put together, the particulars and directions have been emailed and other than one paper I need to print for an ice breaker, I'm done. Greg has some more to do, not sure what, but after we work a few hours tomorrow morning, we'll be off. I hope to post some pictures when we get back. We get to decide on what ministries we'll offer, when our services will be, how they will be configured, when our leadership meetings will be, etc. Can't wait to hear God lead us. I hope to share next week.
Dinner is almost here, so I better be off.
We talked about faithful in little / faithful in much, and taking care of what God has given us. One of the ladies made an application to her own life. She said, "You know, I think if I took better care of this, God would see I can take care of it and he might give me a better one down the road." Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! She connected the dots! It's so rewarding to see the light bulbs go on! Wahoooo!
We're getting ready for the advance. Our toner went out last night so Greg is picking some up before we go to our Bible study on the westside. The food is bought, the binders are put together, the particulars and directions have been emailed and other than one paper I need to print for an ice breaker, I'm done. Greg has some more to do, not sure what, but after we work a few hours tomorrow morning, we'll be off. I hope to post some pictures when we get back. We get to decide on what ministries we'll offer, when our services will be, how they will be configured, when our leadership meetings will be, etc. Can't wait to hear God lead us. I hope to share next week.
Dinner is almost here, so I better be off.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
God is moving! Thank you for praying for our 3 prayer needs: a building, a Worship Director, and a Christian Education Director. We are seeing things happen in all three of these areas. Nothing is in stone yet, so keep praying but they look promising!
We had our third board meeting yesterday. Please pray for John Dupree, one of our board members. He has been ill since returning from a conference and stayed home last Thursday from a Missions Pastor's luncheon he was putting on last week in hopes he would be better to attend our board meeting. Unfortunately, he was too ill to attend. We did finalize our Constitution and By-laws and update the board on everything God has been doing. Our leadership team arrived and met two of the board members and shared their hearts and histories. Then we stopped and had lunch before Roger headed back to Mariposa. We finished with our leadership meeting, with me teaching this time.
I must say God has been growing me in the area of hospitality. I am actually enjoying preparing meals for groups and sharing our home. After the leadership meeting, Greg and I had to go to work for an hour or two and finish up some maintenance. It was a good, eventful, full, joyful, variety-packed day.
Today I made my famous butt-cake for the Superbowl. I blogged about this last year, so I won't bore you with the details. I did a few things differently, and it came out better than it ever has. Yeah!
Today I work at my desk and take Kristen shopping for a formal and shoes before the Superbowl madness starts. I think I also have to do the shopping for the advance. My fridge is pretty full from yesterday, so maybe I'll wait until Tuesday night.
Blessings on this sunny, clear, warm Super Bowl Sunday. Go 9ers! Okay, go Cardinals. (Greg's team, he's a Kurt Warner fan).
We had our third board meeting yesterday. Please pray for John Dupree, one of our board members. He has been ill since returning from a conference and stayed home last Thursday from a Missions Pastor's luncheon he was putting on last week in hopes he would be better to attend our board meeting. Unfortunately, he was too ill to attend. We did finalize our Constitution and By-laws and update the board on everything God has been doing. Our leadership team arrived and met two of the board members and shared their hearts and histories. Then we stopped and had lunch before Roger headed back to Mariposa. We finished with our leadership meeting, with me teaching this time.
I must say God has been growing me in the area of hospitality. I am actually enjoying preparing meals for groups and sharing our home. After the leadership meeting, Greg and I had to go to work for an hour or two and finish up some maintenance. It was a good, eventful, full, joyful, variety-packed day.
Today I made my famous butt-cake for the Superbowl. I blogged about this last year, so I won't bore you with the details. I did a few things differently, and it came out better than it ever has. Yeah!
Today I work at my desk and take Kristen shopping for a formal and shoes before the Superbowl madness starts. I think I also have to do the shopping for the advance. My fridge is pretty full from yesterday, so maybe I'll wait until Tuesday night.
Blessings on this sunny, clear, warm Super Bowl Sunday. Go 9ers! Okay, go Cardinals. (Greg's team, he's a Kurt Warner fan).
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Surprise!
Back again already. Made you jump, huh? hee, hee, hee.
We had a great small group meeting last night. As we drove over with one of our leadership team members and she and Greg we chatting, I began to pray silently for the meeting. Greg and I always prayed together on the way over and we've seen some amazing things happen in our meetings. Lately, the conversations in the car have nixed the prayer time, so being the quiet one, I decided to cover it. Last night was no different, the coolest thing that happened was that their youngest son and his fiance showed up for the entire meeting. They've been to 2 of our prayer meetings over the last 8-10 months. We were thrilled to have them there, and boy did they show up for a doozy of a topic!
We finished our series on marriage, ending with . . . romance and sex. It didn't seem to me Greg held anything back, but he said he did a little. We looked at scripture and Greg had each couple do some talking back and forth at times. One of the topics he touched on was about a husband being a spiritual covering for his wife. The funny thing was that 3 of the 4 women knew what a spiritual covering was and could explain it to her husband, and not one husband knew what it was!
A spiritual covering is when a husband prays with and for his wife, puts her needs above his own, leads his family, and is right with God. The wonderful thing about men who do this is the effect it has on their wife. We all shared it made us feel treasured, loved, cared for, protected, and safe. When a woman feels this way, there is trust and mutual understanding. Our roles as husband and wife are more properly aligned. This results in a woman wanting to share in the physical part of the relationship.
Greg also mentioned that if the guys aren't putting her physical needs above his own and spending at least an hour at a time with his wife, they're really missing out. Last night all the women nodded their heads in agreement and the guys either looked down or stared, glazed over, trying to take it all in.
Greg talked about the importance of communication before or during a couple's time together. He talked about the need for repentance from anything in the past that could be a hindrance, as well as other things that can hinder intimacy, like children, stress, worry, illness, etc.
It was a great meeting. Lots of information, things to work on, and even some laughter.
One of the members of our small group that Greg is disipling will be leading the next 2 studies on integrity. We're hoping he'll lead a men's study someday and this is a great way to have him practice. That's all discipleship is, teaching and giving opportunities to grow. If you're a small group leader, are you giving your members opportunities to stretch and grow by leading? This biggest blessing a leader can have is seeing one of their disciples stretch, grow, and begin to lead on their own. God once told Greg not to count the people (who will be in attendance in our church) but to count how many people we release (trusting people to do ministry). Yep, that's what it's all about.
Blessings to you on this cold, frosty, yet sunny and clear Thursday.
We had a great small group meeting last night. As we drove over with one of our leadership team members and she and Greg we chatting, I began to pray silently for the meeting. Greg and I always prayed together on the way over and we've seen some amazing things happen in our meetings. Lately, the conversations in the car have nixed the prayer time, so being the quiet one, I decided to cover it. Last night was no different, the coolest thing that happened was that their youngest son and his fiance showed up for the entire meeting. They've been to 2 of our prayer meetings over the last 8-10 months. We were thrilled to have them there, and boy did they show up for a doozy of a topic!
We finished our series on marriage, ending with . . . romance and sex. It didn't seem to me Greg held anything back, but he said he did a little. We looked at scripture and Greg had each couple do some talking back and forth at times. One of the topics he touched on was about a husband being a spiritual covering for his wife. The funny thing was that 3 of the 4 women knew what a spiritual covering was and could explain it to her husband, and not one husband knew what it was!
A spiritual covering is when a husband prays with and for his wife, puts her needs above his own, leads his family, and is right with God. The wonderful thing about men who do this is the effect it has on their wife. We all shared it made us feel treasured, loved, cared for, protected, and safe. When a woman feels this way, there is trust and mutual understanding. Our roles as husband and wife are more properly aligned. This results in a woman wanting to share in the physical part of the relationship.
Greg also mentioned that if the guys aren't putting her physical needs above his own and spending at least an hour at a time with his wife, they're really missing out. Last night all the women nodded their heads in agreement and the guys either looked down or stared, glazed over, trying to take it all in.
Greg talked about the importance of communication before or during a couple's time together. He talked about the need for repentance from anything in the past that could be a hindrance, as well as other things that can hinder intimacy, like children, stress, worry, illness, etc.
It was a great meeting. Lots of information, things to work on, and even some laughter.
One of the members of our small group that Greg is disipling will be leading the next 2 studies on integrity. We're hoping he'll lead a men's study someday and this is a great way to have him practice. That's all discipleship is, teaching and giving opportunities to grow. If you're a small group leader, are you giving your members opportunities to stretch and grow by leading? This biggest blessing a leader can have is seeing one of their disciples stretch, grow, and begin to lead on their own. God once told Greg not to count the people (who will be in attendance in our church) but to count how many people we release (trusting people to do ministry). Yep, that's what it's all about.
Blessings to you on this cold, frosty, yet sunny and clear Thursday.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Calm Before the Storm
I haven't written in awhile for two reasons. 1. I've been loaded with stuff to do. 2. I haven't felt I had anything worthwhile to say. I'm here today because of encouragement I received yesterday to keep writing and also because my load has lightened. (I still feel I don't have anything worthwhile to say, but here goes!)
To catch you up a little, we haven't made much progress on the finishing touches of the remodel. Still need to paint, have an air gap installed, buy rugs and things for the walls, and a few furniture items. We thought we might get the entertainment center yesterday, but it was sold and the price we were given to order it was too high. The search continues.
The landscaping hasn't been touched much this month, though we had planned to do spend Saturday mornings in the backyard all of January. Between rain and other priorities, it looks like it will get pushed out a little.
We've got all the paperwork done for the new church except the 501c3 and Franchise Tax Board application to make us 'officially' tax-exempt. This has nothing to do with being a non-profit and receiving tax-deductible donations. A little page is to be filled out for the Secretary of State when we have our board meeting Saturday and choose board positions. We also have to fill out a form with the Department of Justice to do background checks on volunteers.
The Tuesday Bible study is going well. I love seeing everyone work so hard to have all their answers prepared and the great insight and sharing that takes place. I look forward to it.
We're putting together our leadership advance. We've booked a great place in Twain Harte and I can't wait to take everyone there. I've been there before with my Heart to Heart small group in the 90's. It will be a blast. Greg does a great job and covering a great amount of material in the time allotted for our leadership meetings and I'm sure the advance will be the same. We'll be full when we leave.
It's tax time. I've filed all the state and federal payroll tax papers for our business and am putting together info for our taxes, the business, and Mark and Kristen's returns. The good news is I'm organized and my files are pretty much done and my desk is fairly clean.
I've gotten going on QuickBooks for the business and the church. Yeah!
That covers my desk. Work is going well. I only had to work 1 day in the last 7 because of rain. With the nicer weather I'm back to 3 days a week, which my body needs. I've been pruning roses quite a bit and yesterday got stuck so badly it required first aid. I can't imagine what it would have been like without gloves!
I'm looking at other studies to do in the future. Last night I spent some time perusing the ChristianBook catalog and website and found a few books that interested me. When I get them in and read them I'll let you know what I think. They've already shipped and should be here this week.
Like I said, nothing worthwhile, but just an update for now. EQUIP church has 3 prayer requests if you could keep us in mind.
1. A building/place to meet on Sunday mornings on the westside
2. A Worship Leader
3. A Children's Director
Blessings on this sunny, cold Tuesday!
To catch you up a little, we haven't made much progress on the finishing touches of the remodel. Still need to paint, have an air gap installed, buy rugs and things for the walls, and a few furniture items. We thought we might get the entertainment center yesterday, but it was sold and the price we were given to order it was too high. The search continues.
The landscaping hasn't been touched much this month, though we had planned to do spend Saturday mornings in the backyard all of January. Between rain and other priorities, it looks like it will get pushed out a little.
We've got all the paperwork done for the new church except the 501c3 and Franchise Tax Board application to make us 'officially' tax-exempt. This has nothing to do with being a non-profit and receiving tax-deductible donations. A little page is to be filled out for the Secretary of State when we have our board meeting Saturday and choose board positions. We also have to fill out a form with the Department of Justice to do background checks on volunteers.
The Tuesday Bible study is going well. I love seeing everyone work so hard to have all their answers prepared and the great insight and sharing that takes place. I look forward to it.
We're putting together our leadership advance. We've booked a great place in Twain Harte and I can't wait to take everyone there. I've been there before with my Heart to Heart small group in the 90's. It will be a blast. Greg does a great job and covering a great amount of material in the time allotted for our leadership meetings and I'm sure the advance will be the same. We'll be full when we leave.
It's tax time. I've filed all the state and federal payroll tax papers for our business and am putting together info for our taxes, the business, and Mark and Kristen's returns. The good news is I'm organized and my files are pretty much done and my desk is fairly clean.
I've gotten going on QuickBooks for the business and the church. Yeah!
That covers my desk. Work is going well. I only had to work 1 day in the last 7 because of rain. With the nicer weather I'm back to 3 days a week, which my body needs. I've been pruning roses quite a bit and yesterday got stuck so badly it required first aid. I can't imagine what it would have been like without gloves!
I'm looking at other studies to do in the future. Last night I spent some time perusing the ChristianBook catalog and website and found a few books that interested me. When I get them in and read them I'll let you know what I think. They've already shipped and should be here this week.
Like I said, nothing worthwhile, but just an update for now. EQUIP church has 3 prayer requests if you could keep us in mind.
1. A building/place to meet on Sunday mornings on the westside
2. A Worship Leader
3. A Children's Director
Blessings on this sunny, cold Tuesday!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
EQUIP Update
It's been a very good and productive week or two in the life of our baby church! A few weeks ago a couple expressed an interest in learning more about what we're doing in planting the church. We met with them and shared our vision and values. They felt they were being called to join our leadership team. I'm thrilled to announce that Dick and Mary Pritchard have joined our leadership team. Dick is retired from teaching and administration in the public school system. Mary is extremely gifted in hugging and has raise their 5 children. They have a number of grandchildren and great grand children as well.
In addition, today we went and applied to be a religious corporation within the state of California. We should get confirmation early next week. Only 2 more forms to go and we're done until we hire employees.
We're putting together a team to canvas the westside to find a building where we can meet.
We are having a Concert of Prayer on Januay 23rd at NLCC at 7:00pm to pray for our city and the westside in particular.
We are working on a list of items we still need in order to launch. More on that as the team finalizes it. If you're interested in a pre-list, email me and I will send it to you to pray over and see how God provides. gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Blessings on this dark, cold, Wednesday evening.
In addition, today we went and applied to be a religious corporation within the state of California. We should get confirmation early next week. Only 2 more forms to go and we're done until we hire employees.
We're putting together a team to canvas the westside to find a building where we can meet.
We are having a Concert of Prayer on Januay 23rd at NLCC at 7:00pm to pray for our city and the westside in particular.
We are working on a list of items we still need in order to launch. More on that as the team finalizes it. If you're interested in a pre-list, email me and I will send it to you to pray over and see how God provides. gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Blessings on this dark, cold, Wednesday evening.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
EQUIP Update
Yesterday was our first Women's Bible Study. It merged our leadership team ladies with our westside ladies and it was great. I always pray for laughter and tears at every meeting, knowing how God works our hearts when we are touched by both emotions. God was faithful and we had both.
We're studying Women of God, an IVP (Intervarsity Press) booklet on self-esteem. The first chapter was on Answering God's Call. You might think the author would take us through all the various elements of self-esteem, then end with God's call, but nope! She went straight for the dessert up front. We had ladies who hadn't heard God's call, those who were in the middle of discerning his call, and those who had been called and answered. It was great bringing together such a group of ladies with variety of situations and places in their walk. We studied Mary and how she responded to God when the angel told her she would be giving birth to a savior. May we all respond with such faith and a servant's heart.
A wonderful friend blessed me yesterday with his favorite book to read. It's called A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards. I got through half of it before the women's bible study and will finish it today. I love it! It's very insightful. I showed it to Greg to see if he might read it and use it for future leadership training. He's already read it and loved it too!
Piles of paperwork and taxes await me, but first I think I'll read! Blessings to you on this once again, gray, cold, foggy Wednesday.
We're studying Women of God, an IVP (Intervarsity Press) booklet on self-esteem. The first chapter was on Answering God's Call. You might think the author would take us through all the various elements of self-esteem, then end with God's call, but nope! She went straight for the dessert up front. We had ladies who hadn't heard God's call, those who were in the middle of discerning his call, and those who had been called and answered. It was great bringing together such a group of ladies with variety of situations and places in their walk. We studied Mary and how she responded to God when the angel told her she would be giving birth to a savior. May we all respond with such faith and a servant's heart.
A wonderful friend blessed me yesterday with his favorite book to read. It's called A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards. I got through half of it before the women's bible study and will finish it today. I love it! It's very insightful. I showed it to Greg to see if he might read it and use it for future leadership training. He's already read it and loved it too!
Piles of paperwork and taxes await me, but first I think I'll read! Blessings to you on this once again, gray, cold, foggy Wednesday.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
EQUIP Update Correction
I stand corrected by a dear friend. We don't need a 501c3 to accept tax deductible contributions. We can accept them now. The 501c3 just gives the doner added peace of mind. By the very nature of a church, which we officially are, we can accept donations and they are tax deductible to the donor.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
EQUIP Update
It's been a productive week or two. I think I already mentioned we got our business license and our federal ID#. We also got our fictitious business statement and opened our checking and savings accounts. We can accept donations, but at this time they won't be tax-deductible. Our fictitious business statement should be running in the Turlock Journal the next four weeks. We have sent our articles of incorporation and by-laws to our board for review a few weeks ago. Once that is agreed upon, we'll apply for non-profit status and to be incorporated. Once we receive the non-profit status, any donations will be tax-deductible. I understand it takes 4-6 months.
Last night Greg and I worked reviewed the content and made the schedule for our leadership advance. I then made the menu, duties, and questionnaire for the advance. Now we just need a place to go! If you know of any free or inexpensive places to go within 1-2 hours of Turlock, please let me know at gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Time to prepare the house for our 6th leadership meeting. Blessings to you on this gray, breezy Saturday.
Last night Greg and I worked reviewed the content and made the schedule for our leadership advance. I then made the menu, duties, and questionnaire for the advance. Now we just need a place to go! If you know of any free or inexpensive places to go within 1-2 hours of Turlock, please let me know at gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Time to prepare the house for our 6th leadership meeting. Blessings to you on this gray, breezy Saturday.
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Books
I got a few books for Christmas and one I picked up this week. I thought I would share something about each one.
The first is by my favorite author, Erwin McManus. It's called Stand Against the Wind. It's a small book of 119 pages and I read it last night in one sitting. It's 12 chapters of wisdom. Written in journal form, but packed full of great explanations of many of our Christian Terms. It covers things like freedom in Christ vs. freedom from Christ, Integrity, Wisdom, Potential vs. Potency, Love, Faithfulness, Gratefulness, Humility, Fear, Courage, and many others. Here are a few of my favorite passages:
On Integrity:
Integrity, or the lack of it, has everything to do with how we use power. When our character is defined by integrity, we can be trusted with power. Power does not become a corrosive agent but a creative energy. When we lack integrity, we use power to control. When we lead with integrity, we use power to bless.
Instead of hoarding His power, Jesus unleashes His power. For Him, neither love nor power is a limited commodity. Just like love, the nature of power expands when it is given away. Power is a tool. It allows us the freedom to be who we truly are. This is why it is critical to pursue integrity rather than power. When you are promoted on your abilities, without regard to the content of your character, it is a disservice both to your subordinates and to you. We do no one a favor when we put abilities over integrity.
Integrity cannot be gained by power and authority. Integrity must be gained long before these have been placed in or hands. Jesus lived an obscure life for thirty years preparing for a public ministry that lasted for only three. Integrity requires that you decide what kind of person you want to become. Integrity not only harnesses our passions but focuses our intentions.
The real measure of our power is the freedom and opportunity we create for others. Men and women who are marked by integrity point the way to freedom.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about integrity is when you still choose to do what's right when you're all alone, no one sees you, and no one will know what you do. It's wonderful when you look inside your own heart and like what you see.
On Courage and Obedience:
You cannot walk by faith and live in fear.
The history of God's people is not a record of God searching for courageous men and women who could handle the tasks but of God transforming the hearts of cowards and calling them to live courageous lives. Adam and Eve hid; Abraham lied; Moses ran; David deceived; Esther wavered; Elijah contemplated suicide; John the Baptist doubted; Pete denied; Judas betrayed. And those are just some of the leading characters.
What is the point of having God's power if you lack the courage to actually use it? Only when you embrace God's calling on your life will you need God-inspired courage. We often ask for God's power to accomplish our small dreams; instead we should cry out for God's courage to step out on His bold adventure.
Without courage we cannot live the life we choose - instead we choose to relinquish life. We conform to the path of least resistance and abdicate our freedom. So in the end a life without courage is a life without virtue!
There's something God wants you to do - not to it back and watch Him do it or passively wait for Him to do, but a calling that God waits for you to embrace, pursue, and fulfill. God chooses to entrust His most sacred work to people just like you and me.
The key to the future s not revelation, but obedience. When we submit our lives to what God has made known, the future becomes clearer to us.
When God speaks, it requires immediate attention. If you respond to God's call, you will be tested to the very core of your being. God will not save you from the fire but will in fact throw you into it. The promise that He will be with you and never forsake you is both a promise and a warning. A divine journey cannot be completed without divine intervention. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the absence of self. Courage is the highest expression of humility. Courage moves us to risk ourselves for others or for a higher cause.
On Generosity:
Generosity isn't about how much we give but about how much it costs us. Generosity creates an environment for emotional health.
On Wisdom:
Proverbs 1:20-23
While many of us long for God to give us a map so that we can simply follow it, He instead gives us a compass that points the way. What we continually ask for is to know God's will for our lives; what God continually offers us is His wisdom for our lives. So critical is wisdom to the journey that God offers it as a gift to all who would desire it (James 1:5).
From the vantage point of the fool, the world appears to exist in isolated units. The connection between the absentee father and the promiscuous daughter remains undetected. The relationship between bitterness toward your parents and coldness toward your children is unperceived. The repercussions of extramarital infidelity are never linked to premarital promiscuity. Debt remains unconnected to greed; violence remains unconnected to hate; the loss of hope remains disconnected from the loss of faith.
Wisdom frees us from superstitions that constrain us and broken relationships that cripple us.
On the Fear of the Lord:
The Scriptures remind us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. Then what exactly does this mean? When we fear God, we fear nothing else. It is only in the fear of God that we find ourselves free from the fear of death, of failure, and all the other fears that bind us.
When the fear of God is absent from our lives, we become slaves to lesser fears, and your fears define the boundaries of your life. When you fear God, you are subject only to Him. You align yourself to love and truth. You are never afraid to love or forgive when you fear God. You are never afraid to do good when you fear God. You are never afraid to face the truth or speak the truth when you fear God. You live with a calm assurance that in all these things God finds great pleasure.
The ultimate end of character transformation is not freedom from sin, but freedom to once again be all that God designed for us to be. When we fear God, we find the freedom and the courage to pursue dreams far too big for ourselves, yet courage is the only hope for great dreams.
Well, that was more than I expected to write! Don't you just love the wisdom of this man? The other books:
The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy. I haven't read but 19 pages of this one, but I can tell I like it. This might be good for our leadership team after we finish An Unstoppable Force. To give you a gist of what this book is about, here's what the back cover says:
Once upon a time, Christianity was the stuff of legends and Christ's loyalists were spiritual and moral revolutionaries, the kind of men and women who turned the world upside down. But over time, something has happened to that once fervent and bravehearted band who dared to be called Christians.
Many today have inherited a faith that has no real life or power. Instead of zeal there is apathy. Instead of courage there is timidity. And instead of confidence there is paralyzing doubt.
Something has to change.
For all those hungering for a spiritual revolution, there is an ancient blood-stained trail, trod by the greatest men and women in history, beckoning us to once again explore it's epic and grand terrain. For all those hungry for a Christianity that actually works, a faith that reforms the human life an possesses the power to rescue this dying world, this trail mustn't be ignored. For it is the path of heroes and of real-world change - it's the path of The Bravehearted Gospel.
The other book is called Following God with All Your Heart by Elizabeth George. Believe it or not, I don't just read books on taking the world for Christ. A 'chick flick' book once in a while is a good diversion! This may be a good book for our women's Bible study after we complete the one we're starting this week. It covers 5 areas:
1. Grow in Joy and Contentment
2. Grow in Devotion and Obedience
3. Grow in Confidence
4. Grow in Courage
5. Grow in Humility
Can't wait to absorb these books!
Thanks for sticking through this very long blog today. Many blessings to you on this cold, windy, gray Friday.
The first is by my favorite author, Erwin McManus. It's called Stand Against the Wind. It's a small book of 119 pages and I read it last night in one sitting. It's 12 chapters of wisdom. Written in journal form, but packed full of great explanations of many of our Christian Terms. It covers things like freedom in Christ vs. freedom from Christ, Integrity, Wisdom, Potential vs. Potency, Love, Faithfulness, Gratefulness, Humility, Fear, Courage, and many others. Here are a few of my favorite passages:
On Integrity:
Integrity, or the lack of it, has everything to do with how we use power. When our character is defined by integrity, we can be trusted with power. Power does not become a corrosive agent but a creative energy. When we lack integrity, we use power to control. When we lead with integrity, we use power to bless.
Instead of hoarding His power, Jesus unleashes His power. For Him, neither love nor power is a limited commodity. Just like love, the nature of power expands when it is given away. Power is a tool. It allows us the freedom to be who we truly are. This is why it is critical to pursue integrity rather than power. When you are promoted on your abilities, without regard to the content of your character, it is a disservice both to your subordinates and to you. We do no one a favor when we put abilities over integrity.
Integrity cannot be gained by power and authority. Integrity must be gained long before these have been placed in or hands. Jesus lived an obscure life for thirty years preparing for a public ministry that lasted for only three. Integrity requires that you decide what kind of person you want to become. Integrity not only harnesses our passions but focuses our intentions.
The real measure of our power is the freedom and opportunity we create for others. Men and women who are marked by integrity point the way to freedom.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about integrity is when you still choose to do what's right when you're all alone, no one sees you, and no one will know what you do. It's wonderful when you look inside your own heart and like what you see.
On Courage and Obedience:
You cannot walk by faith and live in fear.
The history of God's people is not a record of God searching for courageous men and women who could handle the tasks but of God transforming the hearts of cowards and calling them to live courageous lives. Adam and Eve hid; Abraham lied; Moses ran; David deceived; Esther wavered; Elijah contemplated suicide; John the Baptist doubted; Pete denied; Judas betrayed. And those are just some of the leading characters.
What is the point of having God's power if you lack the courage to actually use it? Only when you embrace God's calling on your life will you need God-inspired courage. We often ask for God's power to accomplish our small dreams; instead we should cry out for God's courage to step out on His bold adventure.
Without courage we cannot live the life we choose - instead we choose to relinquish life. We conform to the path of least resistance and abdicate our freedom. So in the end a life without courage is a life without virtue!
There's something God wants you to do - not to it back and watch Him do it or passively wait for Him to do, but a calling that God waits for you to embrace, pursue, and fulfill. God chooses to entrust His most sacred work to people just like you and me.
The key to the future s not revelation, but obedience. When we submit our lives to what God has made known, the future becomes clearer to us.
When God speaks, it requires immediate attention. If you respond to God's call, you will be tested to the very core of your being. God will not save you from the fire but will in fact throw you into it. The promise that He will be with you and never forsake you is both a promise and a warning. A divine journey cannot be completed without divine intervention. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the absence of self. Courage is the highest expression of humility. Courage moves us to risk ourselves for others or for a higher cause.
On Generosity:
Generosity isn't about how much we give but about how much it costs us. Generosity creates an environment for emotional health.
On Wisdom:
Proverbs 1:20-23
While many of us long for God to give us a map so that we can simply follow it, He instead gives us a compass that points the way. What we continually ask for is to know God's will for our lives; what God continually offers us is His wisdom for our lives. So critical is wisdom to the journey that God offers it as a gift to all who would desire it (James 1:5).
From the vantage point of the fool, the world appears to exist in isolated units. The connection between the absentee father and the promiscuous daughter remains undetected. The relationship between bitterness toward your parents and coldness toward your children is unperceived. The repercussions of extramarital infidelity are never linked to premarital promiscuity. Debt remains unconnected to greed; violence remains unconnected to hate; the loss of hope remains disconnected from the loss of faith.
Wisdom frees us from superstitions that constrain us and broken relationships that cripple us.
On the Fear of the Lord:
The Scriptures remind us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. Then what exactly does this mean? When we fear God, we fear nothing else. It is only in the fear of God that we find ourselves free from the fear of death, of failure, and all the other fears that bind us.
When the fear of God is absent from our lives, we become slaves to lesser fears, and your fears define the boundaries of your life. When you fear God, you are subject only to Him. You align yourself to love and truth. You are never afraid to love or forgive when you fear God. You are never afraid to do good when you fear God. You are never afraid to face the truth or speak the truth when you fear God. You live with a calm assurance that in all these things God finds great pleasure.
The ultimate end of character transformation is not freedom from sin, but freedom to once again be all that God designed for us to be. When we fear God, we find the freedom and the courage to pursue dreams far too big for ourselves, yet courage is the only hope for great dreams.
Well, that was more than I expected to write! Don't you just love the wisdom of this man? The other books:
The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy. I haven't read but 19 pages of this one, but I can tell I like it. This might be good for our leadership team after we finish An Unstoppable Force. To give you a gist of what this book is about, here's what the back cover says:
Once upon a time, Christianity was the stuff of legends and Christ's loyalists were spiritual and moral revolutionaries, the kind of men and women who turned the world upside down. But over time, something has happened to that once fervent and bravehearted band who dared to be called Christians.
Many today have inherited a faith that has no real life or power. Instead of zeal there is apathy. Instead of courage there is timidity. And instead of confidence there is paralyzing doubt.
Something has to change.
For all those hungering for a spiritual revolution, there is an ancient blood-stained trail, trod by the greatest men and women in history, beckoning us to once again explore it's epic and grand terrain. For all those hungry for a Christianity that actually works, a faith that reforms the human life an possesses the power to rescue this dying world, this trail mustn't be ignored. For it is the path of heroes and of real-world change - it's the path of The Bravehearted Gospel.
The other book is called Following God with All Your Heart by Elizabeth George. Believe it or not, I don't just read books on taking the world for Christ. A 'chick flick' book once in a while is a good diversion! This may be a good book for our women's Bible study after we complete the one we're starting this week. It covers 5 areas:
1. Grow in Joy and Contentment
2. Grow in Devotion and Obedience
3. Grow in Confidence
4. Grow in Courage
5. Grow in Humility
Can't wait to absorb these books!
Thanks for sticking through this very long blog today. Many blessings to you on this cold, windy, gray Friday.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Announcing . . . Kira!
Okay, it's a little hard to grab a good picture of a moving kitten, but here it is. We were a little worried about her. She didn't use the litter box for about 36 hours after she arrived. However, a little warm milk did the trick!
Have a great New Years!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I tried to pace myself and did pretty well. I made a centerpiece for the table on the 23rd that came out better than I expected. My family came down as well as Greg's mom, so we had 9 around our 8-seat table. We had great munchies before our early dinner and Greg made prime rib and ham while I made rolls, potato salad, baked potatoes, and peas. A warm dutch apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream and a pumpkin pie with whipped creme rounded out the menu. Yum!
We emptied our remodel bank account by purchasing our son's coveted item. He waited 6 months for this one thing from the remodel. He and I did our research and went shopping. We ordered a Sony Bravia 46" LCD flat screen TV and it arrived the Friday before Christmas. We updated our cable package to include HD and digital and a few more channels, but we might switch to Direct TV because it's cheaper and has more and better channels. Why didn't we do that in the first place? No clue.
Since my mom got to finally see the house, I'm sharing some pictures. We are still at the 'before decorating' phase. I want to do some lettering on the walls and add an entry table, entertainment center, pictures on the walls, candles, etc. It will be fun to find the time to shop.
Today we get our new kitty. The kids went to their dad's for Christmas Eve as usual. He and his wife and just put down their cat as well. Her sister wanted to replace their cat so she brought two kittens from their ranch as a surprise Christmas gift to her. She didn't think she was ready to replace the cat so soon, but one of the kittens really took to Kristen. It is 8 weeks old, has all it's shots, comes with a cat box, litter, and food. It's black with white tips on its feet, and white tummy,and a white upside-down heart on it's face. They're bringing it to us at 2:00 today. Kristen had found a cat on the Internet called Zenith that she wanted, but Zenith lives in Selma, a few hours away. Mark and I didn't like the name Zenith. Everyone liked the name Kira so she will be named Kira Zenith. K-Z for short. (K-Z kitty!) Can't wait.
It's been a very busy weekend. Leadership training yesterday, which ended up being a 3 hour board game because one member couldn't make it due to illness, Mark's friend Andrew coming for dinner to show us pictures of his first semester at Montana Wilderness Bible School, and friends from church coming over for lunch to hear about what we're doing with the church plant. Sure makes you keep your house clean!
We're planning our advance for our leadership team. (Advance, not retreat, because Greg doesn't like the term 'retreat'.) We're going through my favorite book of all time by Erwin McManus and might do my second favorite book of all time by him as well. At the advance we'll plan the calendar year, our pre-launches, and seek God.
Well, I better wash the windows. The dogs had a field day on Christmas with the mud and seeing my mom's two little Bichon Frises inside.
Blessings this sunny, clear, beautiful Sunday!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sadness
Today I am reminded of a book I used to read to my kids when they were little. It's called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. What a title. When we have a bad day, I remember this title. It's fitting.
We had to put our kitty Sputters down today. She had been losing weight for over a year, vomiting regularly and starting to do things in places I won't mention. She went from 13 pounds to 6 in 6 months. It was time. The doctor even said she was emaciated.
Last week I had asked my daughter, who has had this cat for 13 years to think about putting her down. I wanted her to have some ownership of the decision, but didn't want to put the whole thing on her. She has wavered between the sadness of the thought of life without Sputters to the excitement of a new kitten. Saturday was the last straw. The cat lost more things inside her in one hour than I've ever seen. My daughter was even frustrated with her, as most of it was in her room this time. I made my decision. It was humane for all concerned.
She and I went together to the vet. I warmed up a towel in the dryer and wrapped her in it. Sputters didn't even seem scared. No shaking, no trying to get away.
She and I went together to the vet. One shot put her to sleep in about 7 minutes. The next stopped her heart almost immediately. We brought her home, where Greg had prepared a grave for her. We all went outside, gave her a last kiss, layed her on a towel inside, and covered her with another towel. She looked peaceful and content. Greg began to put handfuls of dirt on her, then shovel the dirt around her. Kristen and I went inside while Mark stayed a few minutes longer. Greg finished, put some heavy walking stones on top (so the dogs didn't dig), and put a storage bin on top. When we landscape the backyard, she'll be under redwood trees and her grave will be marked with whatever Kristen chooses.
I've spent the morning keeping busy putting Sputters' things away, cleaning, and now at my desk to get paperwork done. The kids are doing okay. Mark has a friend over and Kristen is asking for McDonald's for lunch. I'm thankful it is a sunny day. A dark rainy day would have made it seem all that much worse.
Blessings on this sunny somber Monday.
We had to put our kitty Sputters down today. She had been losing weight for over a year, vomiting regularly and starting to do things in places I won't mention. She went from 13 pounds to 6 in 6 months. It was time. The doctor even said she was emaciated.
Last week I had asked my daughter, who has had this cat for 13 years to think about putting her down. I wanted her to have some ownership of the decision, but didn't want to put the whole thing on her. She has wavered between the sadness of the thought of life without Sputters to the excitement of a new kitten. Saturday was the last straw. The cat lost more things inside her in one hour than I've ever seen. My daughter was even frustrated with her, as most of it was in her room this time. I made my decision. It was humane for all concerned.
She and I went together to the vet. I warmed up a towel in the dryer and wrapped her in it. Sputters didn't even seem scared. No shaking, no trying to get away.
She and I went together to the vet. One shot put her to sleep in about 7 minutes. The next stopped her heart almost immediately. We brought her home, where Greg had prepared a grave for her. We all went outside, gave her a last kiss, layed her on a towel inside, and covered her with another towel. She looked peaceful and content. Greg began to put handfuls of dirt on her, then shovel the dirt around her. Kristen and I went inside while Mark stayed a few minutes longer. Greg finished, put some heavy walking stones on top (so the dogs didn't dig), and put a storage bin on top. When we landscape the backyard, she'll be under redwood trees and her grave will be marked with whatever Kristen chooses.
I've spent the morning keeping busy putting Sputters' things away, cleaning, and now at my desk to get paperwork done. The kids are doing okay. Mark has a friend over and Kristen is asking for McDonald's for lunch. I'm thankful it is a sunny day. A dark rainy day would have made it seem all that much worse.
Blessings on this sunny somber Monday.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Scary Day and the Great Half Reveal
Yes, I'm still here. If you're still checking my blog, God bless you for your faithfulness!
Last Wednesday was a scary day. We were in Modesto working and had just finished lunch. I got out of the truck to head to the bathroom and saw this shimmering, red/pink flashing crescent in the upper left portion of my left eye's vision. I stopped. I looked around. It wasn't going away. I took a couple of steps, it was still there. It was kind of how things look before you pass out. I walked back to the truck and stared at Greg, waiting for him to finish what he was doing. He looked at me and I said, "I have a problem. There's something wrong with my vision." He came over and prayed for me and held me. I was getting scared and panicky. I had this about 15 years ago a couple of times and thought maybe it was happening again. We got in the truck and headed for our eye doctor in Modesto. I called as we drove and thankfully he was in and could see me.
We got there and as I was standing in the waiting area talking to the doctor, it went away. Greg says it always happens. When he prays for me, nothing happens right away, but 15 minutes later, I'm healed. The eye doctor examined me well, dilated me, and assured me my retina was still attached and everything looked normal. It was an ocular migraine. I've always called it a painless migraine. You're sensitive to light and sometimes have that drugged feeling afterwards but you also have these weird flashes of light that can be like stars on a black background, crescent shaped and multi-colored, or other varieties. I had had sinus pressure in my left temple that morning and was under a lot of stress last week, so that's probably what happened. I got to do easy work the rest of the day, raking leaves, then went home. All better.
The Great Half Reveal had to do with the stress of last week. We're coming towards the end of the remodel and I scheduled painters to do the cut-ins in the living room. We have high, angular cathedral ceiling lines and I didn't have the desire or confidence to paint straight lines up there. They did some trim work too, and painted our dining room for the third time, the correct color! Totally my fault for not being able to get the right color the other two times. Anyway, we were also getting our windows replaced. Greg and I had to paint the walls and the hallway and the trim and touch up the bathroom. Greg was sick last week and two nights he couldn't do anything. In one night he painted the whole living room, while sick! We still need to do a second coat, but it's passable if you don't stand too close! Kristen's bedroom furniture was all over the living room, as we were having baseboards put in her room. It was chaos. We had to put everything back together by Saturday afternoon for our leadership meeting and Sunday for family coming down. Here are some pictures of what has transpired over the last several weeks since the last shots.
The first wrong color in the dining room. New tile.
Tiling from the living room into the hallway. Our tile guy was great, always giving us a pathway to still walk when tile was drying overnight.
The concrete pour for our backyard and side yard. We extended the concrete through the side gate and along the driveway so I dont have to get out of the truck in the dirt anymore!
Greg and our neighbors replacing our side fence. All in one day!
Kristen was in her high school drama this weekend so we were making frequent trips to Denair (20 minute drive one way) all week. We put it all together, less decorating (not to that step yet). Family came down to see Kristen in the play, minus my mom who was sick (hence the half reveal, and all was well. I could finally relax! The next hump? Christmas here. Fortunately we finally got the tree up this week. We just need to move it. Still lots to do.
Blessings on this foggy, cold Thursday.
Last Wednesday was a scary day. We were in Modesto working and had just finished lunch. I got out of the truck to head to the bathroom and saw this shimmering, red/pink flashing crescent in the upper left portion of my left eye's vision. I stopped. I looked around. It wasn't going away. I took a couple of steps, it was still there. It was kind of how things look before you pass out. I walked back to the truck and stared at Greg, waiting for him to finish what he was doing. He looked at me and I said, "I have a problem. There's something wrong with my vision." He came over and prayed for me and held me. I was getting scared and panicky. I had this about 15 years ago a couple of times and thought maybe it was happening again. We got in the truck and headed for our eye doctor in Modesto. I called as we drove and thankfully he was in and could see me.
We got there and as I was standing in the waiting area talking to the doctor, it went away. Greg says it always happens. When he prays for me, nothing happens right away, but 15 minutes later, I'm healed. The eye doctor examined me well, dilated me, and assured me my retina was still attached and everything looked normal. It was an ocular migraine. I've always called it a painless migraine. You're sensitive to light and sometimes have that drugged feeling afterwards but you also have these weird flashes of light that can be like stars on a black background, crescent shaped and multi-colored, or other varieties. I had had sinus pressure in my left temple that morning and was under a lot of stress last week, so that's probably what happened. I got to do easy work the rest of the day, raking leaves, then went home. All better.
The Great Half Reveal had to do with the stress of last week. We're coming towards the end of the remodel and I scheduled painters to do the cut-ins in the living room. We have high, angular cathedral ceiling lines and I didn't have the desire or confidence to paint straight lines up there. They did some trim work too, and painted our dining room for the third time, the correct color! Totally my fault for not being able to get the right color the other two times. Anyway, we were also getting our windows replaced. Greg and I had to paint the walls and the hallway and the trim and touch up the bathroom. Greg was sick last week and two nights he couldn't do anything. In one night he painted the whole living room, while sick! We still need to do a second coat, but it's passable if you don't stand too close! Kristen's bedroom furniture was all over the living room, as we were having baseboards put in her room. It was chaos. We had to put everything back together by Saturday afternoon for our leadership meeting and Sunday for family coming down. Here are some pictures of what has transpired over the last several weeks since the last shots.
The first wrong color in the dining room. New tile.
Tiling from the living room into the hallway. Our tile guy was great, always giving us a pathway to still walk when tile was drying overnight.
The concrete pour for our backyard and side yard. We extended the concrete through the side gate and along the driveway so I dont have to get out of the truck in the dirt anymore!
Greg and our neighbors replacing our side fence. All in one day!
Kristen was in her high school drama this weekend so we were making frequent trips to Denair (20 minute drive one way) all week. We put it all together, less decorating (not to that step yet). Family came down to see Kristen in the play, minus my mom who was sick (hence the half reveal, and all was well. I could finally relax! The next hump? Christmas here. Fortunately we finally got the tree up this week. We just need to move it. Still lots to do.
Blessings on this foggy, cold Thursday.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Behind the Eight Ball
Ever notice the older you get, the less you get done in a day? Take yesterday for example. My plan was to paint all the trim in the hallway and actually paint the hallway. Greg was supposed to finish the living room ceiling and paint the hallway ceiling. I got one coat of trim on the hallway.
My plan was to make turkey soup. I got the stock cooked. This morning I have to make the soup before work.
Perhaps going to the paint store, Valley Distributors, Target, Wal-Mart, the bank, and 2 trips to Kristen's school had something to do with it.
I did get the Christmas letters printed!
I started figuring out Greg's irrigation control system, but knew it was too complicated and too dark outside at 8:00 to finish that project.
I was going to clear out the area behind the wall unit to caulk the baseboards. I got distracted by other things.
I got the laundry done!
I did help Greg clean up the Cypresses he cut down out front!
Most of my Christmas shopping is done thanks to Amazon.com, but I can't wrap anything because we have no tree up yet and no where to put anything. Oh yeah, and it hasn't arrived yet!
Well, so much for a recap of yesterday. I've asked Greg to hire about 5 people from Labor Ready to help me get this stuff done in a day. He didn't go for it. If only I could wiggle my nose and make it all happen. Seems I got so much more done in a day in my 20's an 30's. Blessings of a productive day on this gray Tuesday.
My plan was to make turkey soup. I got the stock cooked. This morning I have to make the soup before work.
Perhaps going to the paint store, Valley Distributors, Target, Wal-Mart, the bank, and 2 trips to Kristen's school had something to do with it.
I did get the Christmas letters printed!
I started figuring out Greg's irrigation control system, but knew it was too complicated and too dark outside at 8:00 to finish that project.
I was going to clear out the area behind the wall unit to caulk the baseboards. I got distracted by other things.
I got the laundry done!
I did help Greg clean up the Cypresses he cut down out front!
Most of my Christmas shopping is done thanks to Amazon.com, but I can't wrap anything because we have no tree up yet and no where to put anything. Oh yeah, and it hasn't arrived yet!
Well, so much for a recap of yesterday. I've asked Greg to hire about 5 people from Labor Ready to help me get this stuff done in a day. He didn't go for it. If only I could wiggle my nose and make it all happen. Seems I got so much more done in a day in my 20's an 30's. Blessings of a productive day on this gray Tuesday.
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