"Appreciation" Worth Remembering

I know Hallmark has been blamed for inventing holidays or days of appreciation to drum up new business. You name it and there is a day set aside to appreciate it from Mother’s Day to Boss’ Day. Well, I don’t know if Hallmark can take credit for creating “Pastor Appreciation” but this is one worth remembering. October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I’d like to use this forum to personally thank Pastor Steve for all he faithfully does for LCC and for my family. He is someone we can call when in the emergency room, someone who has faithfully prayed for my family while we were in China and even came to visit us (despite the germs) when we arrived home with Maryn. I appreciate his faithfulness in studying and preaching God’s Word.

I appreciate Josh and all he does to lead us in Worship on Sunday mornings and I know he spends countless hours during the week preparing. He does many other “behind the scenes” work for our church and we wouldn’t be the same without him. I appreciate Jamie and his heart for our teens and though he has only been on staff for a short time he is impacting the lives of my boys. I also appreciate Kristie and her ministry to our children. She has a heart for our children and seeks to lay a firm foundation for our children’s faith.

We have been blessed with a wonderful staff at LCC, though not all “pastors” in title, they all minister and serve us along with many others. I appreciate the families of our staff and the sacrifices they make. If you have been blessed by our pastor and staff how about letting them know! Words of encouragement go a long way!

What's Lurking in Your Closets?

Those who know me know that I like to have things clean and in order. Part of this is temperent driven, the other is out of necessity. Quite a few years ago the boys were diagnosed with allergies and asthma. We were told that we needed to keep the house very clean for the health of the boys, get rid of our carpets, wash bedding every week, no curtains, dust every day and the impossible list went on and on. So, for years I’ve tried my best to do what I could (and still remain sane). Imagine my surprise when Rich was fixing a squeak on our sofa and found an area that had never been cleaned - we’re talking about 7 years worth of crumbs! I didn’t know that flap came off!

We also have this lovely mold lurking in our washing machine, though it’s actually in plain sight now. We have the Maytag Neptune washer. Those who know of their record just tell us they’re sorry. Apparently there was a design flaw and these washers became a breeding ground for mold (which by the way both boys are allergic to). There was a class action law suit that we missed because we weren’t having the problem back then, but we sure are having it now. I suspect the mold was there all along and we just didn’t see it until this summer. Now I’m disgusted every time I see it and it won’t come off so we’re in the process of buying a new washer.

Then this morning the boys had an orthodontist appointment…we got up, got ready and made the appointment on time. I even had my hair and make up done and my clothes were well coordinated. Yes, I thought I looked pretty good, even Maryn’s clothes coordinated with mine and it wasn’t planned. After the orthodontist I went into the boys school, chatted with a few people and then came home. I had to gasp when I looked at my jacket and saw the white paper still covering the buttons! I know it’s not a big deal, but I have to laugh when I think I look good and then notice a flaw! I guess it’s just another lesson that I’m not perfect.

What’s the point in all this? I think sometimes we get so busy and fail to see those things lurking in our proverbial closets. It could be crumbs from sloppy eating (that would be my boys’ fault, just kidding, I’m sure I contributed as well), mold that’s there and finally shows itself or little pieces of paper that need to be removed. It could be a bad habit, a grudge or thinking that I’m better than someone else. Whatever it is I’m learning that I need to be willing to allow God to show me these things and show me how to get rid of them.

Start Loving Well

“Loving Well” our fall Bible study series begins next week. Our evening group begins Monday, October 15th from 7-9 pm at the home of Darcy Sanders. The daytime group begins Thursday, October 18th from 10am -noon at my home. Please see me on Sunday if you need a journal for the study. Additional study dates will be posted on the church calendar on the website. We’d love to have every lady at LCC attend! Please join us!

What's For Dinner?

Do you ever have one of those days, weeks, months or just phases of life when you cannot decide what to serve for dinner? I’m closing in on the “phases” timeframe right now. The not so funny thing is that I have a freezer and pantry full of food, but I just cannot decide what to make. It’s kind of like having a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. I know that I do best when I write out a menu for the week, even if I decide to change the menu. The question is, why don’t I plan? If you know the answer, you may want to patent it because you could make millions! Dinner time is so busy these days. When your family is busy with activities and you’re bonding with your vehicle (sometimes more than your family), it’s just difficult to get dinner on the table at a reasonable hour. Picking up the phone to order take out (or going through the drive thru) is just so much easier. So, perhaps I need a menu makeover or just a reality check, but I suspect I’m not alone in this “phase.” Does anyone have any family favorite dinner ideas? Please share with us all!

A Place for Everything and Everything in It's Place

I’m sure many of us heard this growing up and many of us desire this for our homes. I know I do. Last night we had the Kick Off for our fall Bible study, Loving Well. It’s was the first time I’ve opened my home since we returned from China and I must admit I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t sure everything would be where it belonged and to be honest I’m still trying to find homes for some items…like all those baby toys. Of course I do have an adorable new helper, though I’m not sure I need her “help.”

Loving Well

“Some people are a joy to love, some are difficult to love and we all have to deal with some people who are humanly impossible to love. In all those relationships one truth endures.We will never be able to love others well until we have been loved well. And only God can ultimately give us the complete love we so desperately need.”

Join us October 4th for the kick off of our “Loving Well” Bible study at the home of Sherry Feehs. This is a four session study that will be offered during the day and also in the evening. There is a 4 week journal (we’ll have 8 weeks to work through it) to help guide us in applying God’s Word.