Do we believe this?? Do we?

"Now to Him who is ABLE to DO immeasurably MORE than we can ask or even imagine, according to the power that is at work within us; to him be glory and honor in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever AMEN!!"

Ephesians 3:20-21

Women of Faith

I was asked to go to Women of Faith this year by a friend at work. Max Lucado is speaking and I would not mind seeing him, however, this type of thing simply does not do it for me. It's not that it's bad or anything, but to me, it's pretty simplistic but certainly serves a purpose for some women for sure. I just get a little board of the "you can do it" speak and "look how I did it" postulating that occurs. I wish it had a little more action connected with it - like how we actually go about putting the red letters into action. Plus, I think the McLaren conference is my quota for the year.

Other than that, Mosaic opens in a month! I can't believe it and am very excited. I am trying to find someplace that can take the logo and make me a roll of stickers for the first round of cups...this has proven more difficult than I anticipated because the place I thought would do it does not so I'm back to square one. I think we are going to do some decopoge in the bathrooms - that is something I can actually do! Stay tuned for more Mosaic updates...

Western Bacon Cheeseburger

Anyone who lived in or grew up in California will no doubt remember the famous Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger. I know it's hard to tell, but I have consumed many in my lifetime and am proud of it. It's just the right combo of meat, cheese, bacon, bbq sauce and topped off with an onion ring. Perfect!

I just found out that there is a Carl's Junior in Kent (OPENING SOON!). This is great news as now Brent & Ellie can enjoy the WBC as much as my sisters and I did! This might be enough to get Phil & Hillary to come home for good!!

P.S. I bought a new car, but none of my friends are online now so I can't tell them about it...oh well.

Not a lot to say

I don't have much to say...but figured something is better than nothing. I made a commitment to blog dangit and I will power through.

I have two papers due this weekend. Fun times. I am staying with Brent & Ellie tomorrow night - Hokey's grandma passed and they are going down tomorrow for the funeral.

I worked at Mosaic on Saturday - my legs are still sore from pulling weeds. We only found one hypodermic needle too, which for an urban church's secluded side of the building, is pretty good.

I also heard that Paul Cunningham was spotted at Hooters. You can check out the Naz. Nooz link on the side...true story...there are pictures to prove it.

See...not much else going on.

Thomas Hardy unobscured

I love Thomas Hardy. This love affair began my senior year of High School. We had just moved to Orange County, CA to start a new journey and I got to go to a new school as a senior. I had no friends, didn't go to the prom, and, due to a silly California State law, had to take Driver's Ed - even though I had my license for the last two years!

Anyhow, I started this last year of high school by taking English Lit with Mrs. Leslie. Now, Mrs. Leslie was a small woman who wore really great Sesto Meucci shoes and I'm sure her suits were not St. John's - but they were pretty close. She sometimes woke up late and her hair was messy but she always had her bright pink lipstick on. She used to get so tickled by talking about Thomas Hardy and all the sexual entendre present in his work...through her love of him, I fell in love with his writings as well. I made my mom walk all over London searching for his books (unpublished in the US). We even went to his grave at Westminster Abbey.

There is a new biography out of his life called Thomas Hardy, Life Unobscured. I would love to buy the book, but have had so little time to read for fun! Hardy wrote Jude the Obscure, Tess of the D'Urbervilles and other emotionally charged books. If you want a good place to start with T.H., start with his short story The Withered Arm. I think you'll be hooked!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Last night we had a great evening of prayer at church. The sanctuary turned into...well...a Sancturary. It was dimly lit with candles and music playing. There were a few of us there to simply pray.

As I was up pouring my heart out and crying like a baby for my family a thought crossed my mind. I was praying at the alter and right underneath the sanctuary, underneath the knees I'm praying on, is the skeleton of Mosaic...a community coffee house.

This coffee house that was only a dream of some people who wanted to engage their community with something different. A coffee house that we didn't know how to pay for...until God, of amazing faithfulness, created opportunities. Why wouldn't the same God that created a community coffee house also create opportunities for my family? I left the Sanctuary with the peace that passes all understanding. I do not know what it will mean, but I am at peace.

Just what I needed

I took Ellie to Jack in the Box after gym yesterday. The lady that usually takes our order there asked where my "son" was (meaning Brent). I chuckled and said "no, he's my nephew and this is my niece."

She said, "Oh! You two look so much alike" meaning Ellie and me.

I turned to Ellie and said "ha ha...she said you look like me" and Ellie said "I don't mind, cause you're beautiful!"

All it takes is the love and admiration of a 10 year old to let you know that maybe the world is not such a sucky place after all.

Overwhelmed

I tend to take on more than I can handle...this is one of those times in my life. I feel out of balance, overwhelmed, like I can't get everything done to the detriment of friends, family and those I would like to spend time with. I would much rather have dinner with you, or hang out, then do my homework. Thus lies the problem...

I need to find the rythym - get some handle on the things I need to do instead of playing solitaire all evening. I just do not want relationships to suffer because I can't get my act together! Maybe it's just this week that seems out of control.

I also took on a new part-time job to pay the bills. This is going to be great, but yet one more thing to "fit" into the daily grind. I don't mean to complain - I did this to myself. Just asking for grace and maybe an extra hour (or two) in the day.