Soups and Carols

Last night, after evening worship, the youth group and their parents treated the congregation to "Soups and Carols".  It was a fun evening of food and fellowship.

When asked to decorate for the event, I was encouraged to pick a color theme.  For this year, I chose red and green.  Simple. Easy. Christmasy.

To me, nothing says "party" like things hanging from the ceiling.  I found red/green/lime green/white polka dotted napkins at Hobby Lobby, and those became the color scheme.  The next week, standing on the party aisle at Hobby Lobby, I saw these matching plates.  They were 50% off, and seemed like the perfect addition to the celebration. 

I'll share directions for these hanging decorations on "Life's a Bowl of Cherries". Look for the link on the right side of my "Shine Like Stars" home page.

The youth group served everyone during the evening.  They had options of chili or cheesy chicken tortilla soup, plus cornbread and desserts.

Everyone seemed to have a great time!

The man who had cleaned the building and taken care of the yard for 25 plus years was retiring.  He was honored during the evening.  Thank you for your service, Mr. Carey!

The teens sang Christmas carols.  I think they had as much fun doing it as the rest of us had listening to them!

Not sure my son is singing....or just laughing!  

What a great evening for all ages!

Hard for Me to Say I'm Sorry

Yes, the title is borrowed from an '80's love song from my very favorite group, Chicago.  But today it's not referring to some love song.  Today it has to do with saying sentimental things.  For some people, it is really very hard for them to say "I'm sorry".  In fact, some people never say it at all.

Often people have trouble saying things that need to be said.  Things that are from the heart....things like:

I was wrong.            
I forgive you.                        
I love you.        
Please.                    
Thank you.                            
You're welcome.

Why is is hard to say these things?  We don't want to be wrong.  We don't want to even admit that we might be wrong.  Some of us more have more trouble with this than others.

We have four children.  One of them will apologize immediately after they do something wrong.  This child has a very tender heart and recognizes the wrongdoing very quickly.  Two of our children are the opposite.  They rarely, if ever, admit wrongdoing, much less apologize for it.  The other child is sort of in the middle....sometimes saying sorry and sometimes not.  The differences in our children are evident, but interesting.  We try not to compare them to each other verbally, although it's just obvious that some are one way and some are another.  It's good for them - and for us - to realize and recognize differences in themselves and in others.

God made us all differently.  We're all unique.  But we also all sin differently.  It's the sin in our lives we must recognize and be willing to confess to our Father in heaven.  We need forgiveness for that sin, but we have to ask for it.  If we don't recognize it, we won't ask for forgiveness, will we?  Now you see why it's important.  We must analyze our lives and see where we need improvement.

It doesn't matter what kind of personality you and I have.  It doesn't matter about our talents and abilities.  ALL of us can learn to have good manners and be courteous to others.  For some it will take more work than for others.  For some it comes naturally to say all of those sentimental statements.  For others it will be like pulling teeth to get "I'm sorry," out of our mouths!

Sin comes in three forms.  It can be broken down into three categories:  The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  These sentimental thoughts, and the inability or the refusal to say these things mostly come from the third area of sin - the pride of life.  We tend to be prideful people, and saying "I'm sorry," or "I was wrong" is something that is hard for a prideful person to do.  Pride can even be the cause for not saying "Thank you" or "You're welcome".  Our pride keeps us from being humble.  Pride keeps us from looking like Jesus.

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:16-17

For the rest of this week, try to use the sentimental statements above at least once a day.  More often would be even better.  Make a concentrated effort to say what you need to say to others.  Don't go through life any longer without saying the things that need to be said.  Recognize sin in your life.  It's easy to recognize it in the lives of others, isn't it?  Yes.  We're pretty good at that.  But we have a much harder time seeing it in our own lives.

We can change.  We can become more like Jesus.  God and His Spirit within us will help us change.    We just have to be willing to give up our pride and selfish desires.  We must be humble.  We can grow to look more and more like Jesus.  Let's get started!

Happy 10th Birthday, Tyler!

Ten years old!  Double digits!  

Happy birthday to our youngest child, Tyler (a.k.a. Biscuit!

After 10 years of having soups, stew, cornbread, and garlic/cheese biscuits for Tyler's family meal, he has informed us that this year he doesn't want that meal.  His reasoning is pretty good....for a 10 year old.  You see, Tyler feels that since he's 10 now, he's a BOY.  Before he was 10, he was just a kid. (according to him, that is!).  Now he's a BOY, and he can make big decisions, such as what to have to eat at his family party.  He chose stacked enchiladas, which is really quite a bit easier for me.  I should thank him!

Tyler also decided he didn't need a theme for his party.  For a party-decorating diva like me (ha ha!), that's kind of a slap in the face, but I'll grant him this wish.  However, he did instruct me on HOW to decorate his cake.  In detail.  Colors to use and designs to make.  (Maybe he'll forget.  Doubtful.  He's got a great 'rememberer' :).

(Buddy the Elf left Tyler a birthday message and some balloons.)

Some important things happened in Tyler's life this year, and since this blog post is written for Tyler to have in the future, I'm going to list those important things, so that he call look back on it some day.  Of course, you are welcome to read them, too.

January 2012

Tyler got his own room.  Our new addition to our house was finished.  No more sharing with his two brothers!

Tyler joined 4-H.

February 2012

Tyler did his first 4-H demonstration and placed 1st.

March 2012

Tyler showed at OYE in Oklahoma City......the first "big" stock show as a new 4-H member.

April 2012

First Rangers' game of the 2012 season. 

May 2012

Tyler moved up to Grammy's class at VBS and away from my class.  The last of my children for me to teach in VBS :(.

June 2012

Tyler placed 2nd in several golf tournaments.

Tyler attended QMCC for the first time as a camper.

July 2012

Tyler attended QMCC with his whole family at his dad and uncle's session.

August 2012

Tyler began 4th grade.

September 2012 

Tyler learned to express his thoughts and opinions.  (A Chronicles of Biscuit post.)

October 2012

Tyler obeyed the gospel and put on His Lord in Baptism.

Tyler tried out and made our 4th grade chorus and will perform in "Circle the State in Song" soon.

November 2012

Tyler placed 1st in a one-mile race for his age group.

December 2012

Our football team won state!

Tyler's first academic meet with his team. They were awarded with a plaque for District Runner Up.

Tyler,

I love you very much!  I can not imagine life without you.  You bring all of us much joy and laughter! 

You made the very most important decision this year when you decided to follow Jesus.  I know that baptizing you is one of your dad's most special days ever.  It was for me, too.  I look forward to watching you grow in your knowledge of God and in your service to Him - following in the footsteps of Jesus and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit who will guide you to do the Lord's Will.

Thank you for being YOU!  Yes, you need to be more responsible.  Yes, you need to learn to clean up your room better.  Yes, we've probably made you that way because you were the "baby".  You'll always be the baby, no matter how old you are.  (But, Biscuit - you better learn to be responsible, too! :)

Our prayer is that you always keep Him before anything else in life.  You have many goals and dreams.  Pray for God's wisdom in your goals and He will direct your paths and show you the way you should go.  Never forget that!

Double digits is a big deal.  You're a boy now!  (I can't wait for you to read that when you're older!).  You're growing up way too fast, but we enjoy watching you grow and learn.  We are thankful for you, Tyler, and we can't wait to see what God has planned for your life. 

I'll love you forever and always!

MOM

"THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD!"

I shared this picture on Facebook yesterday, and everyone liked it so much that I decided to share it with all of you!  I really like the message it sends - that not even a pesky mosquito can ruin or steal our joy!  This mosquito gets more than he expected!

(Photo from:  Stand on the Rock)

SHINE brightly today, Sisters! :)

Senior Leadership

Yesterday was the day we had hoped for, dream for, and even expected, all year long.  Our high school team made it to the Class C State Championship for Oklahoma High School 8-Man Football!  It was the second year in a row our boys had made that appearance, last year coming up short at the end of the game - taking home the silver ball instead of the much-wanted gold ball.

But this year had been different.  This year our team hadn't lost even one game.  They had only been scored on one time during the regular season, and that was only allowed with the third string players in the game.  They did a good job, too, but just allowed one touchdown.  Still not bad!  

This year there were four Seniors on the team.  Four guys with great talent and skill, but also with great leadership and examples on the field and during practice, for their team.  One of the coaches even said that their leadership, as well as the attitude of the whole team, got them to where the were - at the game they had been working towards their whole season - and in fact, since last season.

Here's a picture of the scoreboard at the end of the game.  We're the Home team - the one on the left!  We won!!! 30 to 12!  We won the GOLD BALL!  As our spirit playoff shirts said - we turned "SILVER INTO GOLD"!

Here's the team after the win....

And here are my kiddos after the game....

And here are many of the Senior class members gathered around the gold ball and celebrating their classmates' big win....

And this is one of my nephews, who is the defensive coach for the team, his wife, and little one.  He is such a great Christian example to the team and to all who know him! (And so is she!)

Since last nights' win, I've been thinking about "Senior Leadership".  It is very important for the oldest members of a team, organization, or group to be leaders.  As adults, yes....sometimes leaders can be younger, and even in school students can be leaders to older people, BUT for the most part, on a team, the teammates look up to the older members of the team.  They EXPECT them to be leaders.  Sometimes they are.  Sometimes they are not.  Sometimes they set good examples.  Sometimes they set bad examples.  Leadership should always be good and positive - not bad and negative.

Several scriptures talk about how older Christians should teach and train the younger members.  They are to set an example.  Middle aged people, like me, are in the middle.....still learning from the older ones, but also teaching and setting an example for the younger ones.  The example we show to others matters.  How we "lead" others matters.  

Whether it is a sports team, a business group, a student club, or a family, it matters. And in the instance of our football team, it mattered.  In fact, "Senior Leadership" led the team to the state championship - and ultimately prize - the GOLD BALL!  Congratulations, Tigers!  We're extremely proud of you for your success and for your attitude and examples on the way to that success!

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11