"I don't want to ask for too much!"

IN pictures - finally!
With cousins at the Children's Museum (world's largest!) - Ty's favorite place

Ty at the Dinosaur area talking to the scientists on duty (I think they are called paleontologists - probably have that completely wrong!!). Ty enjoyed getting to talk to them and observe them working on fossils etc!
Let it snow - and it did!!!
It was cold - very cold!!
And now on to the rest of the story!!!!!

"I don't want to ask for too much!"
That is what Ty said when I asked him what he thought Santa might be bringing him. He said "Hmm... maybe 4 presents? I don't want to ask for too much." He was quite serious and although I have no idea what was going through his mind - it was not the response I quite expected. In fact he had only asked Santa for one thing - a blue power ranger (all of about $7). I'm not sure if he thought Santa couldn't carry it all or that Santa was having a hard year but for some reason he didn't expect much. He was quite excited Christmas morning to see an air hockey table (and enjoyed beating all of us!) and a lot of other presents but after the first couple, he started asking "is that for me too??!". It wasn't the excited glee you might have figured and to be honest, he looked a little confused. I think he really thought that 4-5 presents would be ok. The more I thought last night (after a wonderful day spent with my mom and sister's family and phone calls with dad and more family!) the more I realized how true of a spiritual concept that is. We so often don't want to ask for too much from God. And I think that we sometimes set ourselves up for diappointment when we ask for things that are only for our comfort and not really seeking the heart of God. But either way God has the resources of heaven ready and waiting. This next year I want to ask for too much. Too much of His grace and power and peace. And wake up expecting all of it to be available to me. What a gift to open that every morning!

A Lesson Learned

I still need to post pics from IN but something that happened yesterday has been on my mind and with Christmas just a few days away - wanted to share this. We live in a world that is very different from the one my parents grew up in. A very cynical place where you can't trust anything or anybody. Where this past week after the Mitchell report, one famous ballplayer insisted that another needed to prove he DIDN'T do something (whatever happened to the presumption of innocence - how well we know!).
Last week we went to IN. I purposefully didn't have my mail held since I had asked my mom to check it for Christmas stuff, bills etc. She checked it a couple days after we left and there was no mail. This continued for the entire time we were gone. I was getting quite upset about this since I had no idea of what was going on. We thought maybe our mailman had held it noticing that we were gone (even though they aren't supposed to do that). We arrived home and Tim went to check at the post office. They had none of our mail there but thought that our mail man might have it on his truck. TWO pieces of mail arrived that day (it was now 12 days). The next day - nothing. Tim went to try to track down (literally) our mail man. Then I noticed something strange. Friday is our trash day and we had put our trash can out. I heard the truck and got up to pull the can up to our house when I saw our neighbor from across the street (the same one who stood and just watched while we were moving in with the help of 3 trucks and 4 vans and about 25 of our friends "Exactly HOW MANY people are moving into that house??!! he asked Tim!) pulling our trash can to the side of the house. Hmmmm! I called Tim and told him what I saw "Do you think...???". He went over to our neighbors and sure enough - he had collected all of our mail - bundling it nicely for us. He told Tim - well you told me you were going to be away and to keep an eye on the house - so I did. We still had the rental vehicle that we had taken to IN and he had actually walked over and written down the license plate because he was concerned that someone was in our house that wasn't supposed to be! It's weird now days to have neighbors that watch out for you - that care enough to collect your mail and even write down license plate numbers. But we have neighbors like that and we are blessed! This man doesn't attend church or claim to be a Christian but he exemplified what it means to BE a neighbor to us. I have really been struggling lately with a desire to BE the church - not to DO church anymore. Ty memorized the verses that talk about "when I was hungry - you fed me" etc (thanks to Mr. Bruce and Miss Karyl!). Those words have resonated with me more and more. I want to be a part of a congregation that serves Christ by serving people - anybody know where I can find one of those?! A few weeks ago at Common Grounds Cafe' - we served our first homeless person. He was probably 70+ years old and rode up on a rickety bike carrying all of his possessions. He walked up slowly and just stared at the muffins and said "Do you think I might could have a muffin". I anwered "Absolutely!" and Steve (the guy helping that day) said "Could I get you a cup of coffee to go with that?". I am sure that some people were concerned and not happy (or would be if they had saw). And I know we need to be careful but I am more concerned that people aren't BEING the church anymore - just content with DOING it. My family has experienced the "fellowship of HIS suffering" this year in a very small measure and we are doubly blessed because of it. We can't be Christ like without understanding sacrifice and suffering too. I think my "resolution" for 2008 is to stop "doing" and start "being". I hope that yours will be too.

Let it Snow! NOT!

Got home Tuesday night after a wonderful time in IN. Even if our return trip home was delayed by snow. Will post pics soon. But we should have known - Tim told Ty to pray for snow. (his prayers usually get answered!) Soon we were asking him to pray that it would stop! Ty had a blast sledding and playing in the snow. We are concerned though - he also prayed for a baby sister and informed Nana it would be here by next Christmas!! He has "named" the baby as well. That is certainly not in our plans - I guess we'll have to wait and see if it is in God's!!

It's beginning to look a lot like ... Christmas - even in Florida!

Tim , Ty and I headed to Disney on Monday and checked into the Port Orleans French Quarter hotel. Ty received his birthday "button" and we were off. We have stayed at this hotel often and Ty knows his way around so as soon as we dropped our bags we were headed to the boat dock to take a water taxi to Downtown Disney. Ty had saved his birthday money to spend. (It was almost hilarious - he is very frugal with his money - but was finally ready to spend it!) We headed to Ghiradelli to get our free sample of chocolate and then to Ty's destination - Lego World! After playing and shopping we then headed to Once Upon a Toy where Ty (with LOTS of help from Tim and a salesperson) proceeded to make a double light saber. They had a "gift" of a complete set of commemorative coins celebrating Star Wars 30th anniversary if you would buy $50 in Star Wars items. Ty only wanted a light saber ($20) and wasn't about to part with any more of his hard "earned" money - but the salesperson told Tim he was just going to throw them in our bag as a gift for us! It was a really nice set and we were just beginning our days of "free" stuff! We took the bus to the Grand Floridian to see the life size gingerbread house (which was underwhelming for Ty!) and then the monorail back to MK to catch a bus to our resort.We thoroughly enjoy meeting all kinds of people especially ones from other countries and it is fun to hear other accents and info from them and be able to pass on some good American hospitality. I am slightly (??!) neurotic in terms of planning and figuring out how to get the most for our money and out of our experience so am usually able to pass on some info. We ended the day in the pool and hot tub after some jambalaya and beignets as Ty anxiously awaited the arrival of Nana, Aunt Roxanne, and Kamen the next day!

Once they arrived, we hit Downtown Disney again for a little shopping at World of Disney and then back to the resort to catch our bus to the Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. We had a blast! Even with the rain - made all the more memories. One highlight was watching the Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas Show. Last year we arrived late and stood at the back next to a very nice couple. We noticed them "signing" along. Ty and I had been studying some signs so he showed them what he knew. They were actually impressed and told us that they worked full time for Disney signing for hearing impaired guests. They work in a variety of situations but that night they were practicing the show. This year we looked up on the platform and saw the same couple signing the show for a big group of guests. They were incredible! Mom & Rox remarked that it was almost as much fun to watch them since they put so much expression into it. We ate more than our share of free cookies, apple slices, and hot cocoa! We enjoyed rides like Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan and the Jungle Cruise. And things like Mickey's PhilharMagic and Snow White ride, the race cars, the fireworks (in the rain!) and more. All in all a great night and as we left the parade to snow falling on Main Street - it really did begin to look a lot like Christmas! The next day was spent at the pool, hot tub, more Downtown Disney and a boat trip to the sister resort Port Orleans Riverside where the boys had a blast at the playground. We did really get a lot of "free stuff" too! Ty got a banana at dinner the first night; I noticed I had been given extra money in change and when I returned it the gift shop manager awarded me an exclusive pin(s) (1 to keep and 1 to give) that aren't sold - they can only be gifted; Rox got a pin on the boat ride from the captain for having to put up with Tim giving her a hard time!; the boys each received giant cookies with icing and mickey sprinkles to decorate; the food court crew gave Ty a birthday card, Mardi gras beads and coins and Mickey Rice Crispie treats (and Kamen got those too!); a birthday card from Mickey written to Ty; the Star Wars coin set; lots of extra stickers etc for Ty's birthday and lots of special attention - which he of course loved! It was a great time away and we didn't want to leave. Mom & Rox were the funniest parade and pool side (parade in the rain - ready to leave; poolside - just a "few" more minutes Ha!). Hardly any crowds or any wait - our favorite time of year to hit Disney and start our holiday celebrations. We were blessed to spend it with family!

Just me

I don't know about anyone else but the holidays always bring about reflection. And one of the things I have thought about is one of the areas I have always stuggled in. I was a "Martha" born in a family of "Marys". I will never be the "funny" one, the "pretty" one, the "popular" one, the "musical" one, the "athletic" one or the "outgoing" one. Probably the best I could do was the "smart" one and even that was questionable at times! I am never the first on anyone's list to ask out to dinner or the movies and that is partly my own fault. Through my own experiences and stuggles, I have developed my own set of "rules" for myself and they include not allowing gossip when I am around and never talking to someone about an issue unless they are the person involved or seeking advice only from those in my level of leadership or above. That can make friendships interesting to say the least. There are many times when I walk in a room that conversation stops. And I can understand why people would feel that I am not the most "fun" person to be around. I also made a decision about 4-5 years ago that I would rather be respected than liked. That can be very lonely place to be but I feel like it was something I needed to do and God was calling me to a different place in my relationship with Him and with others. Since words of affirmation is my "love language" - the position that I have placed myself in doesn't necessarily lend itself to be shown love in that way very much. So it was truly a gift to get the following from one of the teens that has come to the church that we attend and the youth camp we run for the conference every summer. Our commitments with young adult ministries haven't always allowed us to have the time to invest in our youth on a weekly basis although we are doing more and more of that lately. All that to say - sometimes you wonder what impact, if any you are having. And when you aren't the "fun" one or the "cool" one - does what you do really matter. So wherever you are - if you have ever stuggled or wondered - the following is for you too. (this is all the more meaningful since this teen now goes to another church and we don't get to see each other that often)

Sandi,
At my church, one of the pastors gave us all a few challenges for the week of Thanksgiving in the last week of our "Macedonian Project" series, and one of them was to thank one person who has influenced you in your walk with God. You should feel blessed just to know that you came to my mind. =) So I just want to say thank you for all that you have done for me in the past. Thanks for all of the times that we had fun together in fellowship. I can remember numerous times when I have had so much fun with you hanging around at your house or at the church with the rest of the girls. Thanks for all of the years of camp that you organized so well. Those late nights were always awesome! Most importantly, thanks for all of the spiritual instruction you have ever given me. Even though there were other people who I got spiritual instruction from more often than from you, it seems like you were always the one to help me out the most. Even though I don't get to see you hardly at all anymore (except random times at Walmart), I will still always remember how you have helped me in my faith and helped me to grow closer to God. Thank you! =) Nicole

**If you haven't taken the chance to say thank you for someone that has impacted your life - I bet they would also think this was the greatest gift they could receive this holiday season!

Thankful!!!

This Thanksgiving I am so thankful! Thankful for so many things. And the past year has showed me that being thankful or full of joy has NOTHING to do with your circumstances and EVERYTHING to do with who God is. So this Thanksgiving I am thankful even for the situations that have caused us pain because God has and is getting glory out of them! God has been so real to us this year and my prayer would be that everyone would know that kind of relationship!
This year I am thankful for:
*My Saviour - what more can I say than that. He truly has been everything that He has promised He would be!
*My husband - we have walked through lots of things but he is the person who lives out his Christianity to me every day - from daily reading his Bible to witnessing to anyone, anywhere. To loving his wife and son in ways that are practical and meaningful!
*My son - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY! I am so grateful that every few years we get to celebrate on Thanksgiving one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave us. Thank you for bringing fun and creativity and for showing us a different side to the world that God created and lives through you every day!!
*My parents - they truly live God's grace and His power and His peace every day of their lives and I am blessed to call them Mom & Dad.
*My siblings and extended family - you make me a better person and enrich my life in so many ways. A special salute to my Grandpa Boynton and Grandma Bedford - you model God's faithfulness for all of us!
*My friends - who are way more like family to me. You challenge me, love me, pray with and for me - I am grateful for the impact you have in my life!
*My ministries - God has given me such a passion for youth and young adults - I am thankful for those that allow me to live out that passion in ministries that I love!
*My friends and acquaintances who have walked though hard times this week - makes life all the more "real" to know that life is short and tomorrow isn't promised. To live today fully. Thankful for the ones that came through situations and are on the road to recovery. Thankful for the knowledge of those that will spend their first Thanksgiving in heaven. Thankful for the parents that spend every day caring for special children - God given and I think - so very close to the heart of God.

If you don't have anything to be "thankful" for - borrow some of mine. We always go around the table and say one thing we are thankful for. I will be remembering so many Thanksgivings from before - the first year Ty was born - straight from the hospital to the Thanksgiving meal; the year Thanksgiving was spent in MS doing hurricane relief - the tears that flowed as we stood in a destroyed neighborhood listening to my dad pray for the meal over a cell phone; this year as Dad will be on the phone praying for our meal from his own mission field. Thankful - very thankful.

More pics from the party!

Happy Birthday Ty!!

We celebrated Ty's 7th birthday with a Star Wars themed party with about 50 of our closest friends and family. Ty had a blast and I think the other kids did too as they went through JEdi Trials including Lightsaber agility practice, X wing flying practice, cleared the sector of asteroids and defeated Darth Vader. Some very good friends agreed to subject themselves to the humiliation of dressing up as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Princess Leia, and Obi Wan Kenobe. It was certainly interesting!! The kids also loved jumping in the trampoline, playing foosball and generally just having fun!!The fact that I have never watched a Star Wars movie didn't keep me from trying to have a party that seemed to make at least a little sense to all those Star Wars fanatics out there. Ty wanted a Yoda cake - can I say what a hard thing that is to do??! And thanks to our friend Genniser who attempted to be in the "spirit" of the whole thing even if he wasn't Jabba the Hutt as Ty had originally wanted him to be. Pray for Kevan and Jeffrey (Darth & Luke respectively). After having kids chase and attack you for 2 hours - I am sure they are resting up and recovering!!

We'll see!

How this goes on blogger! It figures that just when I get comfortable with yahoo 360 - something would happen! Oh well, such is life!!