Can spring be upon us?

  It doesn't seem possible that the winter months are almost over. We have been getting seed magazines in the mail and I can't belive it's time to think about planting a garden again!

  This spring will be a little different than the last for me. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep up with my garden and a big belly. We are expecting our third child in the end of September...yeah, maybe I should have thought that through a little better... Hind sight is always better than foresight. Well, I'm excited all the same, it will just change the summer a bit for me.

  Although I am ready for it to warm up outside, I'm not sure that I am ready for the work that comes along with the warmth. Happy warming to all of you!

  Hope everyone out there had an amazing Christmas! I know for some of you, it meant being by yourself, but we still have so much to celebrate! I love this time of year when you have opportunities to get snowed in and it gets dark early so you have to come inside and play card games, wrap up in a blanket with some hot chocolate or apple cider...of course we can't forget the homemade cookies, candies and breads that somehow find themselves in my mouth.   What a wonderful time of the year.

  This year I'm chosing to find the positive in every situation. No matter how bad it seems, we're still alive and making a difference in the world, right? Not only do I want to THINK positive, but it's my goal this year to also SPEAK positive to and about others. Maybe I will get less wrinkles on my face if I'm more positive. Lol.

  Our snow here has melted for now.   But we still have plenty of chances to do fun things.To my sister in South Korea...sending much warmth and hugs your way. To everyone else, the happiest year of your life....it's just started, don't count it out yet!

Bring on the snow!

  I have been trying to step outside my comfort zone lately and try new things. Last Friday, I led the worship at the Women's Fall Event for our church. It was fun and interesting. There were plenty of obstacles to overcome, but God was there and the spirit of worship that was in that place lingered. It was wonderful. It stretched me and I believe it was a good thing. Never before have I ever attempted such a thing. Not with an entire team...and definitely not out from behind my keyboard. 
  You know that feeling you have when you leave your purse or go shopping without two little kids hanging off your knees? Well, I guess you could describe it a little like those dreams you have when you forget to put your clothes on before going to school. No one else seems to notice, but you just feel like something is not right. That's how I felt not playing the keyboard. It was more difficult just to jump back in a song and sing again (because the musicians at our church play the sheet music, not just the chords). All in all, it was a great experience.

  I think my garden had something to do with it, but I'm not feeling quite so overwhelmed these days. The cooler weather has been keeping us in more and now it's just the deer, turkey and pheasant instead of the picking, weeding, watering, fertilizing, etc..... (and Matt does most of the work on the wild game anyway). I do enjoy the winter and getting snowed in with board games, cards and hot chocolate. I don't usually say this before Thanksgiving, but I'm ready to put up my Christmas tree!

Over-reacting? Maybe.

  Maybe I was a little stressed out when posting my last post. Although I still think that everyone should be involved in their church somehow (no matter what capacity), I was feeling over loaded with all of the things I had on my plate and I had people coming to me from all directions wanting me to eat more. I'm feeling like a diet right now! Well, I was able to tell people "NO" (which is sometimes hard for me when I see the need and feel like I have the abilities to help) and now my life feels a little better. It's been crazy this summer and I'm ready for the winter most days.

  Anyone want to come to small-town America and donate their time to be part of the worship here? It's my heart to change at least one of the 2 services to be a little more interactive worship. Although I know you can worship in any setting, our church still has the stand up and sit down at manditory times. Some weeks it's frustrating. I know they say that if you want something to change, you've got to step up and be a part of the change, I'm just not skilled in leading worship. Maybe the Lord's not done with me yet, but He has a long way to go if that's the direction He's going!

  Life is good. Thinking of you all!

Burnout

  Why is it that churches seem to push people to burnout faster than anywhere else? Is it because christians aren't willing to step out of their comfort zone and get involved? Is it because we want to be paid good money for our time? Maybe it's just because we're in a small town and there are fewer hands to help. I am struggling with what to help with and who to tell I can't help. Matt and I started a young adult 'small group' at our house. Then less than 2 months ago, I asked our praise and worship leader if there were any positions that I could help out with that would be a one week a month committment. Since that time, I've played my keyboard 5 weeks -both services- and turned down 2 other calls. Also I've been asked to help teach a 4-5 yr old Sunday school class (which I declined) and now asked to lead the music for our CLASH or Children Loving And Serving Him group, grades 1-6. Do I want to leave my children in the nursery from 5:45pm - 9:15pm on Wednesday nights? And where do I get the music? Would I be any good at it at all? Lord!? At what point are you over-committed? So to all of you who aren't involved in your church...get plugged in!

Okay, I'm off of my soap box. On to another subject...

  Our dog caught a very small baby bunny outside our house the other night. Matt brought it in to show me and it jumped out of his hands....you know those little cracks up under your kitchen cabinets where mice like to hide....yeah, that's where he went. We were worried after 5 days that maybe our dog had injured him and we were about to endure some stink! Then he came out for food! So now we have a bunny that tries to escape my children's grasps (and his box at night). I'm sure we'll let him go soon, but it's great for the girls for a few days. They love to feed him tomatoes!