My Challenge to You

So my friend David posted this on his facebook status the other day:
"Church Marquee: 'Haven't seen you lately'. Thought: That church's model is more attraction than missional."

I was about to post an argument defending the church by saying it was still being "missional" but then I stopped to think a little deeper... and I realized he was right.

We all are guilty of this at some time in our lives. How many times have I said to myself "I haven't heard from Her in a while. I wonder what she's been up to?" And then the thought is filed away somewhere in my obviously unimportant file and I don't act on that thought.

Then there is the friend I haven't talked to in ages and I get upset because THEY haven't called ME. I mean seriously... the phone works both ways. How can I be so hypocritical as to get upset with someone else for doing the exact same thing that I have done.

I have seen so many relationships die because of this selfishness. That's right... I said selfishness. You can candy coat it however you want... but I call it like it is. (I am totally pointing the finger at myself in this post.)

So I challenge you, my faithful readers, to reach out to at least one person you haven't spoken to in a while. With Facebook, Myspace (does that even still exist?), Twitter, text message, AIM and the like so prevalent in our culture today this should be an easy task.

Comment on who (no names, please) and how it went.

Christmas Tree Pictures

So I promised pictures of our Christmas Tree Cutting

Memorial.

Here they are... sorry it took so long to get these posted. By the time I got to downloading my pics I had 1100 on my memory card... three and a half hours later... here they are.

This is our chosen tree. Its a little small... but who cares. One thing I found is that tree farms in Oklahoma and tree farms in Michigan are worlds apart.

Here's Caleb cutting the tree down. He was so cute. Huffing and puffing... back and forth back and forth... Finally asking for help.

Finished product. No decorations... just lights. Dad's decorations were on the other side of the garage... unobtainable.

Age is Just a Number... Right?

So a few weeks ago on January 19 I turned over a new page in my life. I can now no longer consider myself among the ranks of twenty-somethings. That's right... I turned 30! It wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be. I mean, really, 30 feels just like 29...

Someone asked me if I felt grown up now? Not really... But in some ways yes...

I've thought about my life the past 10 years. I've been married for all of it. Moved 1000 miles away from home. Bought a house. Started a business with my husband.

The past five years are a little different. I've been pregnant five times. Had two miscarriages. Had twin girls where unfortunately one was stillborn and one only lived 6 days. And I have two beautiful, energetic, boys. Caleb almost 3, and Zachary almost 9 months.

If I had to say when I felt grown up and put on my big girl panties I would have to say it was when the twins died. Something about that experience changed my perspective on life. Things I thought were important were no longer on my radar. And other things became more important. Relationships changed. I changed. My whole world changed. My relationship with God changed.

Anyway... that's another blog for another day.

So for my BIG 30, John threw me a big party with 35 of my friends at our favorite restaurant, Louis Benton Steakhouse. So much fun! John took Caleb the whole day and they ran all over town buying me flowers and balloons and Monica's Best Gourmet Cookies which I shared with my guests.

I went to Heidi Christine's Salon and Spa and got a much needed pedicure and spent some Mommy and Me time with Zac.

It was such a wonderful and memorable day. I could not have asked for anything more.

Thanks to all my friends who came to help me celebrate. And a HUGE thanks to John for organizing the whole shindig. Love you!