I'm fine

How often do we say those words when someone asks how we are doing? Well, Maryn has started saying it, but when she does it's usually a dead give away that there is something amiss. Her favorite use of the "it's fine" comment is when you ask if her diaper is dirty. She very politely says, "Mommy, it's fine!" It makes us laugh when she says it, but it got me to thinking about how often we say we're fine when we're really not. Sometimes its hard to be honest and we think the "time is not right" to share our burdens which can be true. But, how are we responding to God? Are we telling Him we're fine when we're really not? Are we bringing him our burdens? I know I don't like I should. How about you?

New information...

It's taken me a while to get all the dates ironed out, but now it's time to get the word out. If you were at church this morning, hopefully you received an envelope containing information for all our upcoming activities. You'll also be receiving an email in the next day or so with the same information. I hope you'll be able to be at many of the upcoming activities. Invite your friends!

Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time Bible study - daytime 9:30-11:30 Wednesdays, starting this week, 1/14. Evening group 7-8:30 Mondays, starting next Monday, 1/19.

Beat Winter Blues with Bunco - Friday, January 30th from 7:30-9:30 pm.

PMS Night - Popcorn, Movie and Sundaes Saturday, February 21st

It's A Bling Thing! Annual retreat March 6th and 7th. Comfort Inn in Stafford. Cost $75

Sign up on the church website!

Heavy Heart

Today my heart is heavy as I take two of my friends before the Lord. I ask that you would join me if God lays Kathy or Carol on your hearts as well. My friend Kathy had a double mastectomy on Friday for breast cancer. She home and healing well, but her journey with cancer and the reconstruction from her surgery will be with her for a long time to come.

My friend Carol is expecting her 6th child, but faces an extremely uncertain future. Because of the health of Carol and the anomalies of the baby, Carol is scheduled to have a C-section on Wednesday at 33 weeks. The doctors don't know how much time Carol and Jeff will have with their baby...none, hours, etc.

Both these ladies are strong in their faith and both attest to the power and presence of God as they have gone through their difficulties and uncertain future. Both have talked about how God has brought others into their lives to help comfort and encourage. As I was having my quiet time this morning I was reading in Exodus 33 and 34. The following verses really stood out to me. "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations."

Are you going through any struggles or difficulties today? I'm still on the soggy journey of potty training and my house is rather messy. What I sense God impressing on my heart this morning is that just as He is faithful to Kathy and Carol in their very difficult circumstances, He is faithful to me with my seemingly minor things. And just as I've been praying for Kathy and Carol, I need to praying about potty training and a messy house.

Let's allow our great God to lavish His unfailing love on us today. Spend a few moments in prayer. And let's praise God for his faithfulness in our lives!

Sleepless in Lorton

No fancy love story here, just plain can't sleep. What do you do when you can't sleep? I often try to pray and hope that somewhere in my prayers my mind will drift off. Tonight I remember some things that I was very, very late in completing and knew I wouldn't fall asleep until I got up and did them. That's all done now, including a few emails that I needed to send and I'm still not sleepy. I hesitate to go back upstairs and read...I make wake up Rich and he just worked a 16 hour day and faces another tomorrow and the next day...any suggestions?

Our of Excuses

I'm all out of excuses for not keeping up with this blog. I'm tempted to make a resolution to be better, but know there will be times I break that resolution and then I'll feel guilty. So, what I'll do is apologize (yet again) and start a new. I'm sorry and appreciate all of you who faithfully check this blog only to be disappointed.

On to the new...you'll soon be hearing about lots of exciting things coming up in women's ministries. You'll be hearing about things that sparkle and shine. Here's some of my inspiration...

Gifts from today

On Saturday and again today, Julie challenged us to notice the small gifts we receive, to acknowledge God in our lives. I may not get them written down on my note cards, but wanted to post some of the gifts I received today.

1. The gift of fellowship with the women of LCC


2. The gift of hospitality given to me by Melissa opening her beautiful home


3. The gift of little kisses when Maryn was supposed to be napping


4. The gift of snuggles and love from Maryn...I ended up napping with her after the dog scared her by coming into her room


5. The gift of rest...no I didn't get the things done that I would have liked to, but they'll still be there tomorrow


6. The gift of Caleb's placement on his basketball team, a great coach and kids he knows


7. The gift of Josh being old enough (and competent) to watch Maryn so I could take Caleb to practice and get some errands done


8. The gift of clean kitchen counter tops...it may not last, but it is an accomplishment none the less!


9. The gift of a quiet evening

How about you? I just wonder what our lives would be like if we consistently counted our blessings!

Organized Christmas

For all my organizing and planning this holiday season, I've really dropped the ball (again) with the LCC women's blog, again I apologize! I thought I was on good path and things would be easy and stress free. Well as usual, I was not correct...I do believe that I will see many blessings from my early planning, but there are things in life that you can't plan for. Take illness for example...who plans to get sick? I surely don't and it's even harder when it's your child who is sick - don't worry it's just a cold. And then there is the potty re-training. I surely didn't plan on that!

All this emphasizes what Julie challenged us to do on Saturday...to look for the daily little blessings throughout this busy time of year. I hope to have some notes from Julie to post on the blog for those who missed it. So, let's look for those small little blessings like an extra smile and hug even if it is from a snotty nosed kid!