Missing Ministry Together...

Well, today Buck left for a student ministry winter retreat in Boone, NC. I am so excited that God provided for him to go. I am not even particularly depressed that I am left behind without him on New Year's Eve. What makes me sad is that we are not on this retreat together. This is the first time there has been a major student event since we have been married that we did not get to experience together. We both enjoy how we are serving at MLC...me with middle school and him with high school. But, I miss desperately serving together. I miss having students in our home all the time. I miss our late night discussions about students and the direction of the student ministry. I miss planning events together. I miss the stories we have about students. I know God has something planned for us in the future...whether near or far. I know His timing is way better than mine. But, I am sad today as he goes to hang out with students and student leaders for three days...without me.

Home for Christmas

We are in Ark. for Christmas. We had a really good trip up including a stay in Nashville, with Molly one of Beth's roommates at Auburn. Last night we went to see Aaron, Kathrin, Caleb(3), Kayla Grace (2), and Kaitlin. Aaron just moved back to NW Ark. we grew up together. He is horrible at Wii Boxing(I pounded him), but it we had a great time catching up with them.

Now we are at home with my parents, sister, and 2 nieces. It's been great just being able to reconnect with friends and family. I look forward to a couple of days just hanging out with them, playing games, laughing and watching movies. It's good to be home.

Miracles...

Well, we are in the middle of a series at Mountain Lake called Miracles. I thought this would be a great series for disconnected people...you know, the ones who don't believe Jesus & miracles like I do. Well, apparently I struggle with my belief as well. Anyway, I have been challenged to pray more specifically for things I need rather than just blowing them off. Also, I have been reminded of how much I have to be thankful for this year. Last Friday, at WOW! It's Christmas, Shawn reminded us to say thank you more often. I think coming to God with a thankful and honest heart is one step I can take to looking for more miracles in my life.

THANKS, Jesus...

• For giving your life for me. It really is that simple...you chose to die so that I may live. WOW!
• For the gift of marriage & my husband Buck who every day shows me humility, tenderness, courage, unconditional love; for his humor, provision. and protection; for his calling to ministry, his unique love of students, and the abilities God has developed within him
• Our beautiful baby girl who is growing everyday...I cannot wait to meet her face to face
• Our family who has supported us in all that we do--allowing us to follow after God without regret
• Mountain Lake - a church filled with the best people in the world; thank you God for the leadership, the vision, the community, the passion for world care & church planting, two campuses, a heart of giving, and the growth you are blessing MLC with each week
• David, Farah, Dax, and Cole Isbell - our closest friends who consistently teach us about the love of Jesus through their actions & friendship toward us; thank you David & Farah for the example you are to parents...we are looking to you more than ever
• Our Growth Group at MLC - Bryan, Karen, Rodney, Sarah, Caleb, Rachel, Brian, Jodi, Aaron, and Nick - we are truly experiencing community because of your authenticity and love; we are exciting about growing closer to you all as the year goes on!
• Our new home - what a blessing; our home is so much more than anything we deserve or ever thought we could have at the point in our life!

Here are the Miracles I am asking boldly for these days...

• Courage in relationships with disconnected people; I am praying for so many right now - Katie, Davis Family, Kanov Family, Melissa, and Pat & Beth
• Financial Freedom - the freedom to stay home with our daughter; the ability to give away more
• An opportunity for Buck to do full-time ministry again - my heart aches for him to do what he was created to do - we love students and miss the freedom to be around them all the time
  

Another reason I love Apple

Last week our Mac started turning off after it would go into sleep mode. Long story short it died on Wednesday, well that is to say I couldn't get it to turn back on. I tried everything and came to the conclusion that I was just going to have to take it into an Apple store and see if they could help. Keep  in mind my iMac is a little over 2 years old, and the warranty expires after a year.

We drove the 25 miles to the Mall in Alpharetta at 10am I didn't have an appointment but thought I could get in by noon but, the next appointment wasn't until 5pm. So we decided to do some shopping, catch lunch, and a movie. It was actually a pretty nice day.

5 finally rolled around and I waited patiently to be helped. The Mac Genius (that's what they are called and I believe it) asked me what was wrong, I explained. He tested it on the desk, grunted and then took the computer to the back.

About 5 to 8 Min. later he returned said yeah it was the Power Management unit. Then proceeded to start typing stuff up on his store computer. I presumed he was totalling up the bill. PMU's cost around $150 bucks plus labor. Which is still cheaper then a new computer.

He prints it out and asks me to sign 2 different pieces of paper. 

The Bill = $0.00

I asked him about it and he said they have had some issues with the PMU's on my model and he didn't think it would be fair to charge me. 

Apple you know how to build loyal customers! 

What and why do I celebrate Christmas?

I'm teaching tonight at SPIN (our High school environment) in preparing for this week I asked myself this question. And if I'm honest the answers really don't have a lot to do with Jesus, at least in as far at the traditions go.

Don't get me wrong I definitely reflect on the fact that God became human. Chose to dwell among us, so that the world could be in a relationship with him.  That's just plain crazy by the way when you really think about it:

GOD became an infant, Grew up to be a sinless man, Died a bloody awful death, so that we could  have a relationship with him.

I could make a good case that really we celebrate this through out the year as followers of Christ. 

But what do christmas trees, gifts, shopping, hot coco, christmas movies, christmas songs have to do with an infant, that came to redeem humanity?  I'm still not sure exactly I think a lot of it has to do with family, and friends. 

I'm not saying it's bad or wrong, I'm just thinking through how it all connects and why I enjoy the season so much, and really what am I celebrating? 

I'll let you know if/when I decide on something.