IGNORANCE IS BLISS

So my sister-in-law emails me today.
"PLEASE PLEASE tell me you did not let him actually wear that clothing combination to school. P-L-E-A-S-E!"
Lucky for her - fashionistos NEVER go with their first choice. We changed clothes before school. She is a big fan of Intervention. If I keep posting out fashion choices she may schedule on of her own. Or turn us in to What Not to Wear! Maybe she'll report me to the British ladies who are always talking about how your pants make your "bum" look.
Today was the National Day of Prayer. I was unable to attend any organized events , but heard some on the radio. Ms. Beth was the chairperson and I know she did a humbly, awesome job! Keep praying for our nation & its leaders. Pray for our churches - oh please- that we would have and be godly leaders. That we would not conform to this world- that we would be different, loving, compassionate, holy people. No soapbox tonight. Just pray.
Be blessed and know the Lord God of Heaven knows your name & loves you very much!

JUST GOTTA DANCE! and sing! and accessorize!

Okay as much as I love the toby Mac toothbrush it does present a problem. The men children spend way more time dancing than brushing! We had to establish tonight that we brush first and dance second. Only time, and better genetics than mine, will allow them to mature to the dancing/brushing simultaneously.

As I type, HH is watching American Idol. We have NOT watched it ALL season- why now? I know this is all most anti-American - but it is not one of my favorite shows. If they have Ted Nugent on - HH is in hog heaven. Him or Metallica. Or the people who sing the Revelation song (Gateway or Hillsong). He loves that one. How you can love Metallica in one breath and Revelation song in another I don't know- but that is my man!
We hit an all time high on the fashionisto scale tonight. We actually laid out our clothes to see how they would look together. We (and I mean he because I could care less) pondered our color choices. HH came in and threw in his fashion advice- he was a no go on the outfit. Honestly- in the morning I just want then dressed and in the car. I really don't care in what. Then we accessorized with a hat. Hard to believe- here is the proof (please ignore the messy room - its Wednesday):

Please pray for me. A houseful of men is uncharted water for me. Fashion is the great white shark of that water. That and the incessant need to hit your brother in the "you know where"- seriously - pray. We could all use it!

And thanks for reading - really thanks. It means a lot to me.

EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITY?

HH made a pit stop at the local Supercenter today and brought home the strangest of items. 2 to be exact. I'll let you guess.

Yep - that is the man - TOBY MAC- whom I absolutely adore. Love - I mean love his music! I have loved since my sister brought home that loud, alternative DC Talk. My little orthodox Methodist self was sent in to shock - but it adjusted:) Can you guess what was in the box?

Yep - a toothbrush. But not any ole toothbrush. Not even just a "TOBY MAC" toothbrush - which would be the coolest of coolest! Oh no...

It plays music. "One World" to be exact. According to the package- the music BLASTS through the bristles, vibrates your teeth, and your hear the music in your head! And it is ADA approved!

So naturally I had to test it out. And you won't believe it BUT IT WORKS! When you are just listening to the music you can barely hear it- like a mosquito flying around. BUT put this bad boy on your teeth and it is TOBY MAC concert in your head.

What I don't know is how they approached Mr. MAC to do such a thing.

"Hey Toby, we've got this toothbrush - and we really think it could be evangelistic....."

Yea- I am no advertising exec but I am thinking that would be a hard sell. Thank goodness for the perseverance because now the men children can rock out while cleaning those pearlie whites.

Yesterday I was reading my New Every Morning Devo from LPM (thanks again Keri). The title was Person to Person and the reading was Titus 2. Let's just say that after I was done I felt like a complete failure. C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E! Now I know neither Christ nor Ms. Beth intended for me to feel condemned- convicted yes- condemned no. Here are a few of things I have done that got me feeling like a failure:
1. Slander (check)
2. Addicted (check)
3. HH best friend (care about what he cares about) (2x check)
4. Looking after my domestic affairs with prudence and care (3x check that bad boy)
See, I, at times, like me some drama, as long as it is not my drama - yea - that would be gossip. Addicted - hello food. When I stress I want to resort to food. When I am mad I want food. When I can not control a single thing- I figure I can at least control my food- I'll eat what I want when I want. The deception is - it is really controlling me. Where I want to go, what I feel comfortable wearing, my health , etc. Hubs best friend - that was an ouch. I get caught up in doing my stuff & the kids stuff, that I don't really want to spend my evenings watching hunting shows or Inside the MMA or Metallica on Time Warp. However, I would have done that while we were dating - so why did I stop? And my domestic affairs? I will just say that Clean Sweep would hit the jackpot at mi casa.
So as I spent the first part of my journal entry lamenting what a failure I was, the second part the Lord God took over and reminded me of a few things. He reminded me that I am teachable. My heart is soft to hear His clear direction. The Holy Spirit can still speak to me. He also reminded me that it is going to take work on my part, but it is work well worth the cost.
Then I read Lisa's post at The Preacher's Wife and I was encouraged even more. Then I read my assigned chapters from Wide Awake by Erwin McManus, and was encouraged again.
The point - yes- I am going to fail many times at many things. I will never get it all right all the time. I will have peaks & valleys. By choosing to respond to the conviction and not wallow in the condemnation, I continue on in this race. I allow myself to be picked up and I do it again. And again. AND AGAIN.

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

This is what happens when I don't blog for a week - it builds up. Thanks for enduring:)

WORTH 1000 WORDS

Man Child 1 wrote this on his hand and took the picture himself. I could go into a lengthy dissertation on the theological implications but I think this will cover it:

Isaiah 49:16

" See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;"

Thank you Jesus & Praise God!

THE ODD COUPLE

No, not me & HH. Although we have our moments and you may beg to differ.
No, it's HH and one of his friends, Cory. If they were girls, they would be BFF's for life. They hunt together when they can. They chat on the phone (occasionally - because after all they are not girls). If they are both off work during the week, you can bet they will get together to talk UFC or drums or hunting or whatever (I really don't know for sure- I am at work!) Last night they sat in my kitchen discussing some serious street ministry time Cory had just finished up with men form his church and then proceeded to move to the living room where they played hours of Street Fighter something another on the PS3. The complexity and depth of their relationship intrigues me.
Technically Cory is our friend. Actually he was my friend first. Ok - actually he was my student first. That is right- he's about 9 years our junior and a former student of mine. So you can imagine how weird it is to be hanging out with a kid who sat in my class. A former student who housed us for 5 months when our house caught fire - no questions asked. A former student who has previously served as the worship leader at my church- my worship leader.
HH is pretty redneck but can dress it up. Cory is pretty trendy, but can peak out that redneck every so often. They have a blast together and it is a ton of fun to watch. They act like 10 year-olds at times and it like teaching middle school, and then they dive into discussions about Christ and I sit in awe.
They bless each others lives though and that is what matters. The love Jesus, their families, and each other. Although HH would probably never say that out loud, Cory would & cry like a baby about it!

EXIT STAGE LEFT

Yesterday, I completed my exit interview for my job, since I am quitting and all. It was not exactly an interview, more along the lines of "fill out this paperwork and check these boxes". They had short answer questions as well- what did you like? What did you dislike? The lines to write in were very small so I am guessing they did not want essay responses on either question.
It is a very weird time for us right now. HH sees $$$$$ gone, I see stress gone. I see getting my life back and being the mom I want to be. I told you before, some moms are great at work and mommying- I don't think I am one of those. By God's grace I have done okay and maybe I have an unrealistic view of what life will be like post -work.
One thing I definitely do not see is the next step. I am totally at a loss. Since of peace - yes- but not sure if it is God or me just saying "hey it will all be okay". I can say EVERY MOM I work with has blessed this decision. I know man's approval is not what we are to strive for, but it is nice that they don't think I have absolutely lost my mind. Part of me sees $$$$ (not a lot) gone as well. Add to that being told AGAIN & AGAIN how horrible the economy is and the fact that HH's job is in the not so profitable industry right now, the worldly side of me is going - ARE YOU NUTS?
I have asked, pleaded and begged , please show me the next phase Jesus. Please show me where we are going with this. So far all I have gotten is - "okay this is the next step", which is His standard operating procedure most days anyway. So I will cling to what His word tells me about Him:

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)

Eye has not see, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.