The Leaf in My Table

It happened the other day.  I took the leaf out of my kitchen table.  The table was just too big for the four of us and I didn't want to sit there over supper missing the boys and their spots at the table.  The table is set for four right now.  I don't like it, but it's an adjustment we have to make.
We started out 21 1/2 years ago as just the two of us and our round kitchen table.  Pretty soon it was four of us (with two high chairs at the table).  Next it was 5 of us... two booster seats, two regular chairs and a high chair.  We added the leaf to the table to fit more of us.  By the time there were six of us we were at an oblong table, and sometimes that felt too small.
Now, the table is getting smaller again.  The boys are off to college.  We are four.  In another few years we'll be back to just the two of us.
I'm looking forward to the day when we put at least two leaves in the table to fit kids and grandkids!

Read This

I love it when I come across something someone else has written that expresses what I'm thinking so well.
Here is an example of that.  Worship Unplugged.  Go read it now.  I'll wait.

It's Been a While

My life has been insanely busy for the past month or so.  Here's what's been going on:
*Our high school put on a production of "Footloose", it ended last weekend.  I put in many, many hours of rehearsal and playing for the show.  It went very well and was a lot of fun but also extremely tiring.
*This month is choral festivals - concert last week, festivals this next week, competition and choir trip at the end of the month.  We have 7 choral groups at our school and I play for 6 of them (occasionally helping with the 7th).
*Played for two funerals in the past month, both of them older gentlemen who were WWII veterans and find upstanding citizens.  I'm seeing a generation passing away before my eyes.  When I say "gentlemen", they truly were in every sense of the word.  
*We picked up our son from the airport this afternoon.  He's home for Spring break and just narrowly escaped the horrible tornadoes that ripped through much of the midwest yesterday.  The storms passed just south of where he goes to school in Ohio.
*We have now gone two months without using credit cards and feel pretty darn good about that!  The Lord continues to provide for us as we trust in Him (instead of trusting in the credit card companies!).  We still have mountains of debt, but are whittling away at it.
*Three of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 4 months.  Two are "okay", having caught it early on.  One of them has stage 4 cancer but is fighting it.  Her faith inspires me as I read her updates.
*I'm reading through the devotional book "Jesus Calling" and loving it!  Nearly every day I am touched and challenge by the message to draw near to the Lord and trust in His loving care.
*Lastly -  in spite of some (very) difficult days last month I have a sense of hope for the future as I lean more on the Lord and NOT on my own understanding.
Yeah - It's all gonna be okay!

Don't Make Your Pastor a Statistic?

Don't Make Your Pastor a Statistic?

This is a great article. I hope people will read it and consider what it says. Unfortunately, we are one of "statistics".

The Three "C's"

The words for this year are "CONTENTMENT" (mine) and "COURAGE" (my husband's).  I'm failing at the whole contentment thing right now.   I need a change in perspective.  Maybe my husband's "word"  would be a better one for me.  Things at work are challenging at best.
There's a third "word".... I realized this the other day as I was helping my daughter with a costume for her High School dance class.  She is wearing a shirt with the word "CHANGE" on it.  I'm thinking this might be a very accurate word for this year.  We are not sure if my husband will have a job in another 6 months.  There are some changes at "work" for him.  This could be a very exciting time and I really would like to have that attitude.  Right now I don't.  These 3 words are going to all be important for me/us in the next year.  We'll (I'll) need Courage to face whatever is ahead as we anticipate Change.  We'll (I'll) also need Contentment to simply rest in what the Lord is doing and trust that He will not only guide but provide.

Contentment is my word for the year.  I'm working on this in different areas.  The main verse that came to mind is "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."  I Timothy 1:8


Since the beginning of the year we have been on a budget, we have not used credit cards.  We are following Matthew 6 that talks about "Seeking God first".  It's been a wonderful experience trusting God and not running to other things, other "means" to satisfy.  
I have a feeling this is going to be quite an interesting year!

Desh - Miami University of Ohio - Collegiate Chorale

I love all the different kinds of music we get to learn and perform. This is one we'll be starting to work on next week. It's beastly hard, but will be SO MUCH FUN!!