Birthday's in April are Awesome

Ok, I am going to brag. I have the best husband in the world. This is ok to say because I believe God created us specifically for each other. Now, my dh(dear husband) planned a surprise birthday party at the pottery painting place. Fourteen of my dearest family and friends painted pottery with me for several hours. I will post pictures as soon as they are in. It was so neat to watch my dh and his buddies painting pigs, smurfs, and owls. But, the fun did not stop there, my dh also had the BEST birthday cake ever. Chocolate with chocolate mousse filling. It said "Happy 30th my Lovebug" and it had ladybugs all over the cake...mmmmm!!
I received many other really thoughtful gifts including a book about Virginia, beautiful pottery, a mickey mouse watch, luggage, charms for my bracelet, and pajamas. The Kindergarten/First grade Sunday School class had cupcakes for me and made me a bracelet with my name on it.
When people found out it was my birthday they said "How old are you?" (just to use this blog as a tool for education; you should NEVER ask a woman how old she is). Everytime I was asked, I responded 30. The usual response was "oh, yeah 29 and holding, or 21?" And I said, "Nope, God has given me 30 years so far and I am claiming every single one of them, good or bad, they are mine!

The Perfect Me

Crazy days. My mom and dad are in town. My house is a mess because we are trying to pack. But, it's ok, because we are having a good time. I mean we can't stop laughing. I have finally made it to this relationship with my parents where I don't scrutinize every word they say. You know, I am not trying to prove myself to them nor am I looking for their approval. I don't feel like they are judging me and so I don't read something into every word, sigh, or facial expression. I don't panic when they are coming anymore and try to build the "perfect picture" of my life. They accept me for who I am, right now, a person growing toward perfection. Not earthly perfection, but heavenly perfection.
Recently someone asked me if I have any regrets, if there was anything I would do over. I was the only one that said no. I think that is because, as a Christian, I see my life differently than some others. I have learned not to try to be the perfect daughter, wife, whatever but rather be the perfect me. The me that God created me to be! I have learned this journey of life is a long road and if I take a detour, that's ok, I learn and get back on the road. The most important thing I have learned is not to take this journey alone, to let Jesus be my guide. So, next week I will be 30 and I am pretty proud of me, the me I am right now. I hope I will continue to grow in the future but I am satisfied knowing I am a work in progress.
So, are you the perfect you right now? If so what makes you that way? If not what does the perfect you look like in your mind?

Are you going to Canada or Mexico?

Our church was robbed last week. The thieves got away with our special 30 pieces of silver offering. 30 pieces of silver was what Judas was paid to betray Jesus. Guess Judas got his money back!
Last night at Bible study, Anna Kate (who's about to be 12) said to me, "Ms. Sarah I heard the church got broken into." I said, "Yes it did." She said, "That is terrible, those people are going straight to Mexico!" I covered up a smile and said, "How do you know their going to Mexico?" She said very matter of factly, "All bad people go to Mexico and good people go to Canada." She shared with me that in their house they called Heaven Canada and, well, you get the rest. I laughed and then thought to myself, well that's not very Politically Correct, I don't think mexicans would appreciate their home being compared to, well you know. The next thought was, who new that when Clinton did NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) he was actually making a theological statement.
Anyway, Anna Kate dug into her pocket and pulled out three shiny quarters. She gave them to me and said, "here." I said, "What are these for?" She said, "so we can get started again on our 30 pieces of silver." Isn't that just like a child? To bring us back to the matter at hand, yeah something bad happend but we don't have time to whine about it, lets get back on track. Of course she took the other two quarters in her pocket to go get her Diet Dr. Pepper and she ate her raisinettes all through class. She also answered every question with a wisdom beyond her years. I love kids, they teach us so much about how to approach life: take a blow, get up and play again and study hard but eat raisinettes at the same time. Life is sweet!

Not through with me yet

I turned in my resignation letter today. I think in every job there are parts or people you don't like. I know in my old job it was alphabetizing and this crazy lady I had to share an office with who popped Xanax and Prozac like it was candy. I thought I would be elated to live out a country music video and slap the "I Quit" or "Take this Job and shove it" sign on my boss' desk and march off. But, it hasn't turned out that way, all the bad things are fading in my memory and I am having a hard time saying goodbye to the good things. The good people who sent me cards when my father-in-law died. The children who run up to me and give me free hugs. When I moved here I knew one person and now wherever I go someone says "Hello, how are you?" I am going to miss being part of this community.
Fear keeps sneaking up on me. I am moving to a new place where no one knows my name or my history. I'll have to explain to people all over about my "accent" (I don't think I have one and everyone else does). When people say, where are you from? What do I say? When people say what do you do? What do I say? God has reminded me of Ginny Owens song "If you want me to" and its playing in my head like a skipping disc, it's what I repeat to push that fear away:

Cause I'm not who I was When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me
yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

I keep reminding myself that God has taken me to places I never even imagined. I grew up on the beach in California, went to a school on a mountain in TN, came to the Delta, and now I am going to the birthplace of our nation. I was an only child and now I have sisters, brothers, and friends all over. I am not who I was when I took my first step, and I am glad to be moving forward, and Thank the Lord he is not through with me because I have a lot more steps to grow, so today is just another step, a step of faith. You all remind me of this day so in a few years you can say, "See I told you God had big plans for you!"

What's next?

My DH's uncle passed away unexpectantly on Thursday. We just came in from the funeral. When these things happen it makes you start the difficult conversations of what's next? I had several family members ask me what I thought came after death. The Scripture that came to mind was John 14:2-3 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also." The minister who preached the message at the funeral said, "The Bible says, absent in the flesh, present with the Lord." Does anyone know what Scripture that is? My m-in-law said that Jesus said to the others on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
So, my question is, what do you say to a family in grief? I know this is not the place for complex theology. What are your experiences?

Turkey Burgers

I have found a new love, turkey burgers. I have been on Weight Watchers for 5 weeks now and I feel amazing. I have lost over 6 pounds but more importantly I feel like I have my life back in control. I have more energy, sleep better, and am generally happier. I am going to God in prayer more often for my emotional needs rather than turning to french fries and chocolate cake. It has been a hectic time with all the changes going on in and around my life. So, I have started keeping track of what I am eating, rewarding myself with non-food gifts, taking walks with my DH, and drinking water (one of God's most abundant creations). I look cuter and my skin is really soft! Plus, I bought my Easter dress in a size smaller! But, back to the point I have discovered new foods I like while combing the restaurants. I love the turkey burger at Red Robins. Last night I went to Ruby Tuesday's and had two mini turkey burgers and mashed cauliflower. That's right cauliflower tastes like mashed potatoes. Any way, I am weaning off my addiction to red meat. Turkey burgers are so juicy and flavorful. So, I encourage y'all who are stuck in a rut, try something new, something different on the menu, and if you don't like it, don't eat it! Life is to short to eat calories just because it's on your plate.

He is Risen

This has been a wonderful Easter day! I feel much better about my sermonette on Tuesday because I have received lots of positive feedback. One man told me I had a really good speech, his wife elbowed him and insisted it was a sermon. Then he said, yeah I meant sermon, we're Episcopolian, we believe in that. Last week we went to an ordination do you know Jane Doe? I smiled and said, no I don't thinks so. This happens a lot to me, maybe it's a southern thing, but lots of people think I must personally know all the female clergy in the world! Does this happen to anyone else?
The pastor asked me to do the Sunrise service today. I created the liturgy as well as the message. I felt free to be creative and use the gifts God has given me. It was empowering. The tweeting birds were in attendance and provided our musical accompaniment. It was our largest attendance, 70. The sun rose just as we sang He Lives!
It was nice to be outside the walls of the church and not worry about squeaking doors and enough toilet paper in the bathrooms. Don't get me wrong, I did have a few minor freak outs, but it was a good day.