It's the small things

So in the midst of a crazy season - when I find myself flying down the freeway of life at breakneck speeds - it's then that I realize - it's the little things that matter.

Tonight my 7 year old daughter made her own Barbie Monopoly. Each property was defined by places or things that make sense in her little world. Property #1 - "Hannah Montana Van" - this is her most prized possession. It's big, purple, hideously ugly and by far the most enticing toy she owns. So it makes sense that it would be property #1!

Her other properties included Walmart & Costco (which I believe we spend entirely too much time at), Virginia City (a local town that is by far the biggest tourist attraction to the 'wild west' set), and in place of Broadway and Park Place were the "Swim Center" and "Waterslide".

It could have been so easy to overlook the value of this board game created by 4 1/4 sheets of binder paper all taped, stapled and glued together.

But the star of this story - as much as it may seem like my daughter - is my husband. He is the one who pointed out that this game was a keeper, that this game was a reflection of our 7 year old's little world. And in doing that - he caused me to take a moment to really pay attention, to come up for air, and just take a look at my surroundings. And while it was a small thing - to suggest we keep this made up board game - it was indeed, a very big thing.

Thank You

To those who have kissed their loved ones goodbye, only to wonder if they'll see them again - this side of heaven. To those who have given up hopes and dreams, home and things - to fight for our freedom. To those who have lay in a hospital bed, been bandaged, stitched, broken, not fully mended. To those who have held tight to secrets of fear, intimidation & loneliness in hopes of providing strength for their loved ones thousands of miles away. I say, THANK YOU.

Thank you for protecting my freedom to live my life. My freedom to worship God, my freedom to raise my children. My freedom to work where I choose. My freedom to wear what I wear. My freedom to marry whom I love. My freedom to vote, to think, to speak and to write.

Brent Yamada ● Ed Menezes ● Steve Kincade ● Louis D’Hondt ● Jennifer Abbott ● Ben Abbott ● Josh Nauman ● Nate Shaw ● Rudy Bisson ● Kirt Robinson ● Rudolph Bisson ● Charles Alkula ● Meredith Stringer ● Jason Meyer ● Steve Gardner ● Ryan Lacroix ● Elixabeth Lacroix ● Nathaniel Stamps ● Steve Lochridge ●Jason Noble ● Ron Rogers ● David Dirksen ● Aren Hansen ● Eric Vance ● Claude Johnson ● Tina Johnson ● Mark Kostelecky ● Lydia Woodbury ● Dean Woodbury ● Mark Bowers ● Patrick Cannon ● Pat Ryan ● Don Giard ● Vicki Giard ● Ron Giard ●And Countless Others...

Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for your selflessness. And a special thanks to your spouses who are a whole other type of veteran!

Go Vote

We are blessed to live in a nation with freedoms that we all too often took for granted. We have a right, a privilege and an obligation to vote. It breaks my heart to hear stories from people who believe it doesn't matter. It does! Get out there and vote today! Your vote counts!

Halloween

For the past 12 years - I have tried to hide from Halloween. It's evil. Or is it? Years ago, a wonderful friend of mine asked me why "we" (Christians) let the enemy have all the fame and glory on Halloween. Why not reclaim it for Christ? Hmm... what a clever thought!

So for a few years - our family did harvest parties. At churches. Because that's reclaiming the day for Christ right? A church spending copious amounts of money and resources so Christian kids can play games and get loads of candy. Well it may have been reclaiming the day for Christ on the church's behalf - but I have to be honest - it was not on mine. It was a safe hiding place. I never did anything unique or special to give God glory or to share Him with anyone - at these harvest parties.

This year is different, for a few reasons:

1. Our church isn't hosting a harvest party
   That is the sad truth... our church not hosting a harvest party is the catalyst for change. Nothing I did.
   
2. Our kids are older - they have an interest in some of the "creepy stuff"
   We have a 9 year old boy in the house. He owns sweatshirts, shoes, t-shirts and I'm guessing countless toys with skulls and crossbones. So how do I now tell him he can't do a skeleton on his pumpkin. Wait - when did a skeleton become evil anyhow?
   
3. God has planted a holy discontentment in my heart.
   After realizing our church wasn't hosting a party - He began to give me a holy discontentment towards my own view of Halloween. He's been teaching me in some subtle and some very direct ways that Halloween provides a unique opportunity to build community in our neighborhood. How many other times a year are you encouraged to go visit neighbors, unannounced and interact with them?

So what are we doing about it? We're going trick or treating! That's right. We're going trick or treating in our neighborhood. We're going to go be a part of our community. And next year - we're going to consider how we can make a difference for Christ - in a way that honors and pleases Him - but speaks the common language of our community. At this brainstorming stage - I am seeing a bounce house, disco ball, Toby Mac on the stereo and some seriously good - high quality candy. We'll be praying about it - seeking His will on how we're going to claim this day for Christ!

If I had the enthusiasm of barista...

Today I ran through the Starbucks drive-thru (a shock huh!). As the barista served my drink she pointed to a new product:

B: "Have you tried our new [product]"

T: "Yes", I wrinkled my nose (I always forget how expressive I am - until it's too late).

B:"What you didn't like it?" she genuinely continued "Why?"

T: "It tasted like [insert description]" **Note - at this point I was brutally honest about my experience with this product.

The barista was concerned that I'd had a negative experience. I mean really concerned. It was clear she loves this product, and she believes that everyone else will too. And so with all of her enthusiasm she asked me to stay put at the window as she ran off to find a free sample of this product. A moment later she brought the sample back along with a delicious sounding recipe for how to use it. And that's it - I all of a sudden, had a renewed interest in this product. I wanted to dash home and try it out.

This barista went above and beyond in making sure I knew about the product. She was unabashed about encouraging me to try it - and she was genuine in hearing why I didn't like it. There was no pride. My excuse didn't dissuade her from telling me more about it. She even offered me an alternative for the same product.

So it got me thinking... am I like that for Jesus? Now first off - I have to make it very clear. Jesus is everything, He is not just a product! But let's just consider for a moment, the passion held by this barista. And then ask - if she can be that passionate about a coffee shop product - then shouldn't I be a gazillion times (yes that is a real word - I looked it up in the urban dictionary) - as I was saying, shouldn't I be a gazillion times more passionate about Jesus?

I have to ask myself,

• When is the last time I unabashedly invited someone to church or told them about Jesus?
  
• When is the last time someone told me that tried church once and it was [..............] - and I truly listened?
• When is the last time I took what I heard about their previous experience at church - and offered encouragement for them to try it again - even if it's a different church, a different style but the same Jesus?
• When was the last time someone left a conversation with me feeling like they were heard? That they were cared for?
  
• When was the last time someone saw my passion for Jesus - and they caught it?
  

Hmmm... looks like I need to take notes from this passionate, unabashed barista. Maybe I'll go back there tomorrow - just for a little observation time... and if I pick up a latte - who can blame me?

Random

So I absolutely hate the movie "The Princess Bride" (I know - I can imagine the look on your face - I've seen it a thousand times when I tell someone this)... but in debating what to blog about - what lesson I've learned from life - I couldn't help but think... "Mawwiage..." and even I - being the #1 anti-Princess Bride proponent - had to look it up on youtube.



That's it. There was no actual point this - except the random thought that I had a freakish recall of the Princess bride.

Oh - and for those movie fanatics who are still hyperventilating over someone saying they hate this movie.... I've never seen Star Wars. And I don't ever intend to. Sorry.

10 things I love about ministry

I absolutely love what I do - and here's why:

10. I absolutely love knowing that what I am doing is for the greater good. It's not a prideful thing - it's not about making my mark. It's about knowing that the blood, sweat and tears (and all the joy too) - matter.

9. I love being in my sweet spot. For 29 years - I really had no idea what I was "good at". I mean I knew I could do this - and do that - but what my genuine gifts and talents were - I had no idea. Then God put me in this ministry role. And I am totally in my sweet spot. I love it! I love giving everything I have to serve Him at the fullest capacity.

8. I love needing God. Being in my sweet spot is a great experience - but the best part of it - is not being able to do it alone. He is regularly giving me new ideas, creativity and ingenuity. And I need it! I pray daily for Him to equip me. Because without His faithfulness to me - I wouldn't be able to do what I do. And I love that!

7. I love being on the team. Unlike in the "business" world - everyone I work with is on the same team. We all follow the same playbook (the Bible) - and we're all in it for the win!

6. I love submission. I do! I love working for leaders who are wise, seek godly counsel, have discernment, and a devotion to God. That means submitting to their authority is a blessing.

5. I love planning. Call me weird - or neurotic - but I love planning. Give me a Plan A, and I'm on board - but know that I'll be working on a Plan B in my head! And in ministry - this can be a great asset.

4. I love seeing other people discover their sweet spot. There is nothing like the overwhelming experience of discovering who/what God created you to be. And in my work - I often get to see people discover it. How awesome is that!

3. I love to have fun. And ministry is fun. In many ways - ministry is a thrill ride. You never know what's coming - it can be exhilarating.

2. I love the accountability. Not one person that I work with will allow me to settle for complacency. I love that when I am wrong - I am lovingly held accountable for it. And I am challenged to put God first in everything. And it shows when I don't - but my ministry family loves me through it - and redirects me when I need it.

1. The number one reason I love ministry... I love people. I love being a part of a team whose focus is to see lives changed. I love getting to hear stories of how God has changed someone's life. I love meeting new people at church and helping them grow roots. I love having the opportunity to put others first.

Notice It's easy is not one of these top 10! It's not. Ministry is hard. It can be very difficult at times, but it doesn't mean I don't love it!