Honor!

Last night we honored my husband for 10 years of ministry at Cowboy Junction Church. I can't believe it has been 10 years. I began attending CJC even before he became the full time pastor. And that seems like just a couple of years ago. Well, the night turned out to be just perfect. For weeks, I have been nervous about this day. I wanted to do something special for him. I wanted him to feel appreciated and loved. We stayed up late last night talking about the service from start to finish. We read each card at least 2 times. He was in awe of every one's generosity. He went to bed with a glow that almost kept me from sleeping. When the alarm went off this morning, he jumped out of bed ready to visit Wilma in the hospital. Another day of doing what he loves. Today as I thought about the evening and replayed the skit in my head, I asked myself "Why did we need to honor Ty?" "And did we do a good job?". What does "to honor" mean? I wasn't quite sure of the exact definition so I looked it up in the dictionary. The one word that popped out at me was "Respect". I thought that was a funny definition of honor. So I looked "respect" up in the dictionary. It means to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed. To consider worthy. We honored Ty because he was worthy. He deserved special attention for this amazing accomplishment. I could not be any more proud to be his wife and his friend. Daily Ty blows my mind with his creativity and vision. I am so excited to walk this road of life beside him. The adventure will never be boring I can assure you. So, did we do a good job in honoring Ty? I guess he will have to be the judge of that. His answer, "Our church family blessed me so much. I can't wait to DREAM another 10 years."

Inspired!

Okay, I am going to start off saying that it is hard to write these blogs when you are not sure people are reading them. When I started this blog, I said that it wouldn't matter if anyone read it because I was doing it for myself. Kind of like my own therapy session. I have lots of thoughts go through this brain of mine and sometimes I need to get them out to leave room for things I need to remember. I swear this is the reason I forget so much. If my brain had a room capacity, the Fire Marshall would have already shut me down. So comment if you can but I'll keep blogging even if you don't. Today I have decided to blog on the movie I just saw, Julie & Julia. What a wonderful movie. I will admit that it is not for everyone but I loved it. One reason I give this movie 2 thumbs up is because I love food and so do these ladies. If I could have a profession in the food industry and still be a Pastors wife, I would. And maybe I can, I have just never tried. I guess because I think I'm silly. Secondly, Meryl Streep is a genius. I think she is by far one of the greatest actresses of all time. She did an amazing job in playing Julia Child. I laughed many times throughout this movie and Meryl had a big part to play in it. Boy did I need those laughs. And finally, I loved this movie because it was inspiring. Julia Child was older than me when she decided to learn to cook. WOW!!! Is that amazing or what? I can do anything I want and be the best at it if I just want it bad enough. It is not to late for me and it is not to late for you. The character of Julie in the movie never finished anything she started. She was not self motivated and she often got stuck in the routine of life. In many ways I related to Julie. I often beat myself up because I don't feel very disciplined. Watching her on the big screen made me want to get up and do something. Just because I have struggled with self discipline in the past, doesn't mean I have to struggle today. And neither do you. We can be better finishers than we are starters. I suggest you go see this movie and be inspired. I just celebrated my 33 birthday this week. And I have discovered that age is not a factor in being an achiever, an over comer and a woman that the world could write about. We can do and become anything our hearts desire. It just takes putting one foot forward and then another. I am pumped and ready to get started. I suggest you look out for me these next 33 years. They are going to blow the last 33 out of the water.

Lazy Saturdays!!!

Today has been an unusual day. I finally said,"NO," to something I would have normally said,"YES", to. This is so abnormal for me but it felt good. I decided that I was not going to leave the house at all today. Today was a lazy day. As I write this, it is 8:00 p.m and I am still in my PJ's from last night. I have watched 4 movies and cooked 3 good meals. Two were for my family and one for my sweet friend who just had surgery. I loved this day. Both boys are fed, bathed and asleep in their room. Ty is at the rodeo and I am curled up in the recliner. Could it get any better than this? I tell you all of this to share something even deeper. I have always been a people pleaser. As I get older, I have realized even more how much "I" matter. How I feel and What I want, should be of importance to me. BUT so many people take it to the extreme. It is so important to not become a self centered person. When it all boils down to it, PEOPLE matter. When I was a young girl my mom had a popular phrase for every situation we faced. "What is her(his, their) view on the matter?" When you make decisions about your life, do you think of how it will affect those around you? Do you put yourself in someone elses' shoes? Or, do you just do what makes you "happy"? Now my lazy day really has nothing to do with this topic. But, it was a great opener for my food for thought. If you live your life only for you, I challenge you to think of others for a change. Go to the baby shower because she needs your support. Follow through on a commitment because you said you would, not because you feel like it. Make that phone call you have been dreading because they need to know you care. You matter but so do others. And every once and a while say,"NO" and have a lazy Saturday.

Exhaustion!

Camp Crossfire is over and the Bean Bunch is exhausted. I can honestly say that it is a great exhaustion. Even though my body is give out, my spirit is refreshed. I love the people of Cowboy Junction. I love the people that serve God with freedom and joy. Spending a week with people who have passion has given me strength. I have to admit something though. I have found myself several times these past few days, quoting one of Ty's messages. "SHAKE IT OFF". Since camp I have renewed hope. But guess who doesn't like that. The enemy has tried to put me back in the pit that I was in. When you are tired and give out, it is so easy to give in. You get bad news and you feel defeated. Someone says something ugly about you and you want to throw in the towel and say,"Forget It." But I am determined to fight. I may be tired but some things are worth overcoming. Do you find yourself on the mountain top only to be greeted by the the biggest billy goat ready to butt you over the edge? What do you do? Most of the time I find myself jumping before he even gets the chance to make full contact. Well, I want to encourage you. FIGHT!!!! When things begin to bother you, people begin to irritate you, or you just want to quit; SHAKE IT OFF!! It is just not worth it. You are an over comer. We each have a choice. And I choose to win.