Thankfulness . . . .

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day 2011.  What would have been my parent's 44th wedding anniversary was yesterday.  Today I spent the day in the kitchen cooking my Dad's Cajun Dressing - the house still has that smell of onions, celery, and green pepper sauteing, and it will for probably another 24 hours!  

David came up today with Colton and Makenzie and we cooked, went to lunch, and played at the park.  I love my brother and his family!  It amazes me the way some families just don't get along very well because David and I always have.  We are very close and I pray it always remains that way.  I can't imagine going through life with strife between us - it just shouldn't be that way!

I am thankful this Thanksgiving Eve for my brother - his love, his friendship, his silliness, and his support.  I love his family and the joy they bring to my life.  I am thankful for parents who loved me and raised me with integrity, manners, and a good work ethic.  I am thankful for my 3 kids - who although argue often, still love each other and are healthy.  Yes, Caleb has diabetes, but I am thankful he is here, on the planet, in my home, with all of his mental and physical capabilities.  I have friends who can't say that.  I am thankful for my husband, Dennis.  Yes, he drives me insane sometimes, but I know he loves me unconditionally.  I look at my past and realize where we've been as a couple - what we've walked through and how amazing it is we are still together.  I couldn't have found a more committed man - committed to me and to Christ.  What more could a girl ask for?  

Thank you, Jesus for the gift of salvation.  Without You, all the above is meaningless and without purpose.  But because of You my entire family has the hope of eternity together and that is a blessing that words cannot even begin to convey. Help us all see You in our daily lives.  Show us where You are leading us, clearly define our purpose here on the planet, and help us unite with a common vision.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Who we are is not what we do . . . .

It's weird being in a place in my life where I am not involved in ministry.  Since I resigned from Children's Ministry I've been instructed not to jump into anything and just sit and be refreshed for awhile.  Many who serve/volunteer on a regular basis would think that an incredible opportunity, but honestly I am struggling with it.  I feel as if I am wandering around my church, lost, not exactly sure where I fit in anymore.  I've lost my title and in that it's almost as if I've lost my identity.  

Leading in Children's Ministry shouldn't have defined who I am, but I think it did and I guess I need to work myself out of that mindset, because now I am looking for where I fit and the next definition of who I am so I can find my identity again.  Now, I'm not always the sharpest crayon in the box, but I know enough to know that my title/position isn't who I am - it may be a part of what I do, but it's not who I am.  So, that made me ask myself who I really am.  All i came up with was titles - mom, wife, business owner, church member, friend, etc.  How do we get out of the place where who we are is not what we do?  I'm not sure I can even begin to answer that for myself.  

I know Whose I am, but who am I really and how do I define that without titles?  If you know the answer to this, I'm listening!