Monday, November 30, 2009

I lost 4 pounds over Thanksgiving....

Don't hate me. It wasn't fun.

Chad and I had a few days alone the first part of last week since the girls went "home" with my parents to help get ready for Thanksgiving.

I had all sorts of plans and good intentions for my two and half days alone. Nothing and I mean NOTHING on my "list" was checked off when we left on Wednesday.

Monday I had planned to do all my Christmas shopping, wrap gifts and make a December meal plan. Instead, I went to the minute clinic for a sinus infection, came home and slept.

Tuesday, I ventured out to LifeWay to pick up the Bible study I started today. ("Ruth" ) I happened to drop the "Jesus Saves"DVD and Cd in my basket along with another book I've been wanting to read. By the time I left LifeWay (yes, I sniffed a few Bibles on my way to check out)I was exhausted.

I came home to watch the DVD and start reading. I may or may not have taken a two hour nap. All I know is I woke up to Angela Cruz singing "Mercy Seat" and for a split second, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

I spent Tuesday evening packing and getting ready for our car ride on Wednesday afternoon.

When we left Wednesday afternoon, Chad asked me which way I wanted to go, I felt adventurous and said the "back" way. (This was a new back way that we have never gone before and we will NEVER go that way again!)

Yes, I know that I suffer from motion sickness. I get car sick sitting in the movies for goodness sake. Why oh why did I say "back way".

What should have taken 2 and half hours, took right at 7 hours. S.E.V.E.N. hours people. We could have been at the beach.

The first 2 hours weren't too bad. We needed the alone time to talk and had we gone the regular old interstate way, we wouldn't have had the conversation we had..so okay. BUT.

The last 5 hours were pitiful. Let's just say there were several times we had to stop and poor Chad had to hold my hair back while I...well...I just got sick a LOT.

I remember looking over at Chad and saying "About an hour?". He just looked at the GPS and shook his head. "No baby....it's looking more like 3." NOT a good time.

We FINALLY get about 40 miles from my parent's house and the road is closed due to a rock slide. NOT the rock slide up on I-40 mind you, another rock slide. What is it with the rock slides? Good grief. That little detour was over 60 miles. I was in tears by this point.

I have never been more glad to see my parent's home. Specifically, their guest bedroom shower.

I say all of that to say:

Since I was too sick to do a "thankful" post on Thanksgiving week..I would love to tell you today that I am thankful for:

Jesus.

My man, who still holds my hair when I'm sick. (I'm thinking I just may get a pixie haircut after all of this!)

My girls.

My parent's. (in-laws too)

My siblings, sister-in-laws and nieces and nephew. I was so glad to see them all for Thanksgiving. What a treat to have everyone together.

But this year I'm most thankful for the fact that even when everything seems to be in chaos around me, Jesus is constant. He is safe and He is good.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Shelter

So for the last several months, verses about shelters have kept popping up.
Specifically, Psalm 55:8 which says,

"I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

This whole concept of running to a shelter, crying out to God and then being STILL, has been repeated over and over again. So much that I felt like God was birthing a new song. I had one line. Well, let's not go that far, I had one phrase.

Tuesday evening while my people were at Karate, I asked God to finish the phrase and He did.

So here it is the very new, and very rough lyrics. (It's kind of like having a new baby so be gentle.)

SHELTER

I would hurry to my shelter. Far from the raging storm.
There I’ll find Him, in my shelter,
Where He waits with open arms.


I would hurry to my shelter, where my Savior speaks to me.
That still strong voice, I hear Him say,
"Child come and let me speak. Be still and wait with me.”


I would hurry, to be still.
In my shelter, I will be still.
I hear Jesus sweetly call me
To my shelter, child be still.
I would hurry, to be still.

He redeems my soul in safety,
From the battle that I wage.
He will listen, My God will save me.
In my shelter, I will wait.
Oh in my shelter, I will wait.


I would hurry, to be still.
In my shelter, I will be still.
I hear Jesus sweetly call me
To my shelter, child be still.
I would hurry, to be still.


Copyright2009stephanieparson

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Do It Lord

Our church is praying and preparing for what we are calling a "Day of Hope". (December 13) Each Connection class(Sunday School), the sermons, and even our daily devotional guide is geared to preparing our hearts and minds for this day. We are focusing in on developing relationships with un-churched people in our lives.

With that little bit of history behind us, I'm going to tell you what hit me between the eyes today.

Today was Day Four in our Devotional Guide - The Process of Changing Your Community. While the devotion was good, what totally rocked my world today was the prayer. (Side note-it blows my mind to think of the number of people praying the SAME PRAYER. Oh.My.Goodness.)

Here is the line that made my stomach flip and brought tears to my eyes.

"Please do something we are not used to. Thank you for whatever it is you have in store for us."

Go on read and it again, I'll wait for you.

Something we are not used to.

Yes. I'll have that please.

What in the world would happen if we got serious about praying that? Not just for our community but for our family, for OURSELF!

Last weekend He did something I was not USED to and I saw His glory. I wouldn't trade that for anything! Was it a little strange? Yes. Was I scared? You better believe it. Was it worth it? Oh yes.

I believe that when He calls us to something He will equip us to do it and when we are properly positioned, "I" will not have a clue how it happens.

Oh friends, I can't help but think of part of the passage our Connection Group has been in.

Col. 3:1-3(ESV)

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

And Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

"Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

And then this verse that I can not find the passage for and that is driving me nuts. So I will just summarize.

You will look to the right and the left and hear a voice that says this is the way walk in it.

Oh goodness. I was so challenged by that simple prayer today to turn ALL my attention to God and anticipate what HE has planned for this community and in my personal life over the next few weeks. I don't want it be anything we have ever experienced before! Why? Because I want to see His Glory like I have never seen it before.


Please God, do something we are not used to.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Sweet, Sweet Weekend

Last weekend I spent some sweet time with an incredible speaker and a group of ladies in Harrison, TN. It was such a blessing to work with Rashelle again and pray that God gives us many more opportunities to serve Him together.

J. did an excellent job of coordinating and you would have never known it was their very first women's event! They were AWESOME!!!!

It was an extra special treat because my friend K. was there and hosted our table. It has been a long time since we had some visiting time and it was a treasure to sit at her table and visit! (It's one of those friendships you just feel relaxed and comfortable regardless of time/distance... thank you Lord for that!)

I was thrilled to have my mom there with me, she doesn't get to come with me very often so it was so special to have her there. I sure hope I didn't scare you, mom. :)

I have to tell you how God works, because this time last week, I was STILL putting the worship time together. Very unlike me to NOT have Plan A, B, C and D worked out a month ahead of time. But, God gave me the plan and I was at total peace with what was written on my agenda.

Then Friday morning came. I woke up with very little voice and sounded like a very sick old man all morning. I dropped the girls off at school and hit the road. I popped in my CD's, but just listened NO talking or singing for me. Just prayed that God would give me strength.

As I made my way up I-75 I had this gut feeling that God was going to re-arrange the time of worship. Can't really describe it, other than just a VERY strong feeling that it may not look like the original plan. Oh.Boy. However,

My voice? Was coming back and getting stronger. I still sounded a little frog like. :) But it was improving. God was answering that prayer.

Once we got to the church and the worship time started things did change a little. What I thought would happen did not.

BUT hang on, because:

I'm not sure I have ever been in a place where I felt Him settle in around me like that. His presence was so strong. I don't know if anyone else felt it the same way, and I don't have to know. Maybe it was just His way of reminding me that when we follow His lead, He shows us a little more of Himself. If that was what that entire trip was about then thank you Father.

Rashelle so beautifully shared the Word and part of her testimony. She was encouraging, challenging and most important, she radiates Jesus. I'm so thankful God allowed us to work together again. If you are ever in need of a speaker for your church women's events, I highly recommend her. :)

Okay...I do have some pictures, BUT. They are on my mom's camera and she's not real sure how to upload and e-mail them so I'll add them later. :) I want you to see these beautiful women!

I'm so thankful for sweet weekends like this and thankful for my husband and children who support me and encourage me to GO when God presents these opportunities.