Pride in our City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugV6gcXGPwk

The city is experiencing some strange and beautiful days...

Your either for us or against us, not lukewarm...

The Saints is a reflection of the rise in this city...

The Saints want to win FOR the city...

We have a defiant beating heart...

It has been a wonderful experience for my family to return to this city at such a time.

There was a kid's Disney movie made about our city. The Saints are going to the Superbowl! We are apart of the rebuilding, whether it be renovating a home or apart of planting new trees in the city.

God is moving in my heart and my families heart to love this city with passion. God is teaching me how to love people with kindness, humility, and patience. (Ephesians) May it be played out in day to day life.

Princess and the Frog. We took the kids to see the movie on Christmas day. We all enjoyed it! It did such a great job of capturing the city. Yes, there was the voodoo guy. There is always a bad guy in Disney movies. It has spurred me to intentionally talk to the boys about the sin that is so prevalent in this city. To talk to them about wrong and right, and about how people choose to turn away from God (parable of the sower) With Gods grace, may my children turn their whole hearts to HIM!

Who Dat say their going to beat them Saints! I heard someone say that last sundays game seems more important then the actual superbowl b/c it is getting there that is awesome. Not being much of a sports fan, I enjoyed watching those that were in my living room watching the game more then I did actually watching the game. A dear friend that was with us that night shed tears when we won. As we laughed at her expense, I did think to myself - I will never be able to grasp what these people experienced. She had lost almost everything.

Rebuilding. I love that we renovated a home in this city. It excites the other home owners around me and it is simply what God had planned. I also love having taken part in planting trees for the city, www.hikeforkatreena.com. It was something the whole family took part in. I love that my husband takes part in giving mission teams projects to do on families houses in the city. There is so much that has been done and still so much to do. May God give others a soft spot for this city and continue to return to change lives and be changed.

(Let me just say, especially b/c of what we are watching take place in Haiti, that Katerina is not the worst thing that has happened in this world. It is the worst thing that has happened to this city, though. And this is where we feel called. I am simply rejoicing in Gods plan and how he is weaving things together. For the city and my family.)

Strange and Beautiful days...

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Wow, its been awhile!

We are not renovating a gutted home anymore, not caring for my dad anymore (triple bypass), no plans to travel for awhile (was gone two weeks in late nov/early dec), and no holiday hustle and bustle anymore. Sooo, life has calm down quite a bit!

HOPE is sort of my word for this year. There is so much that I have HOPE in these days. Ultimately God is in control of all things so in my state of HOPE when I go to God I enjoy just expressing my gratitude for His sovereignty. I am making a conscious effort to proclaim His name for what it is more then crying out to Him with requests. It is not that I am NOT making requests, it is just that I am embracing the fact that he has it all planned out ... perfectly! I know that my trust in Him is being tested, and I want to please Him.
Recently, I was in a church service that was talking about the book of John. The Pastor for some time shared passages from the Old Testament that paralleled what is written in the New Testament. God told us in the Old Testament what would happen in the New Testament!! Well, he does'nt TELL me what will happen in my future necessarily but we can rest in the fact the He knows. Scripture never gets old! You can hear something over and over and then there will be a time when it hits you in a special way.
I have hope in what He is doing in this city, and in the church we will be launching. I have hope in what God is doing in our lives as well as the lives around us that will be apart of our ministry. I have hope in a brother-n-law that will be getting out of jail in November, that he will truly make life changes and live for God. I have hope for a feeling of community around me. I have hope in my kids getting in a good school....

So I may not be smarter then a 5th grader, but I can say that I am as smart as a 2nd grader :) Homeschool has been and is quite a ride. Having experienced both public school and homeschool, I can say that they are both great - I cant believe I just said that! There are certainly pros and cons for both right down the middle. Having gone into this year homeschooling, very confident that it was part of God's plan, there have certainly been days where I look at God and say, 'why?' or 'was this really your plan?' What has kept me going in a positive manner is just saying, 'it is what you make it.' I do not want to look back at this year as a hard year. I want it to be a joyful time, a time to bond with my kids and make fun memories. It has also been a time of really learning to discipline myself with my time and energy. Having said all that, I do feel long term that I need to get my kids in a school in the city (elaborating on that can be for another blog:) The cities school system, pro-katrina, is now rather complicated so we will see how it all works out. It has been harder for me to trust God with my childrens education, working progress:)

Intentional - that is what my life NEEDS to be this year. I want God to pave that though and I need to fight the need to control every detail of the intentions. Being intentional for some is a bigger deal then to others. For me, being intentional takes courage and patience. Courage, because I am being intentional with people I dont know very well. Patient, because I am being intentional with people I dont know very well. LOL! If I want that feel of community around me, I have to be intentional. If I want existing relationships to deepen, I have to be intentional. I'll continue to work on my trust in God that He will pave the way.

Well, this blog covers a major part of my journey. Thanks for reading and would love any feedback. Now off to a field trip with the kids!

future blogs - pride in our city. childs heart. Audience of One.

You Gotta Have It

You gotta have this recipe. It's yummy, it's healthy, and it's easy to make. My relationship with this dish all began when I went over to a friends for lunch. This friend is quite the culinary diva - and I miss her so:) It was actually leftovers, I ate it cold, and it was pasta. Are you thinking what I think you are thinking? Leftover pasta? Cold?! Just trust me my friends, its a good one...trust me!!! It might become a staple in your house as it is now and mine. Eat it hot or cold, eat it with or without chicken, just eat it!

Asian Chicken Noodles (If you have a better name, I am up for suggestions)

1 lb. wheat pasta
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 T honey
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 garlic clove (chopped)
Juice of one lime
1 t hot sauce (optional)
3 T peanut oil
shredded carrots (3 carrots?)
4 scallions (thinly sliced)
2 T parsley or cilantro
2 cups shredded chicken
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)

-cook noodles then run cold water over them
-microwave peanut butter in 10 second intervals
-add honey and warm water
-whisk in next four ingredients
-whisk oil slowly
-add veggies, peanuts, and sauce to noodles
-top with chicken (I usually broil or grill the chicken)

Lastly, don't skimp on ingredients!

Swimming in September

It is fall and we are still swimming!
So we are not feeling cool seventy degree weather but...

I dont get it!

I really dont get it.

I dont understand God fully when we have hard times and I dont even understand Him in some of the good times. What do I mean? This journey of planting a church involves a yucky part called fundraising. (HARD) You know, asking people for their money. And do you know what? We have people in our lives that our giving us their money! (GOOD) They believe in us...they believe in God...they believe in investing for eternity...the believe in helping the city of New Orleans. God amazes me! Peoples generosity and faith amazes me!

It is a very humbling journey.

Now listen up, hear me out - I know there are many out there praying for us and that believe in us that cant give a dollar, and I am just as humbled by that. I am thankful for all those aboard!
This particular post is just simply about the fact that I dont get God sometimes...His ways. He has called us...me...what is he going to do through ME? I want to give Him my all, but I did not know it would be in this way. He is caring for us...me...we WILL feed our children and give them b'day presents :) lol
I dont know what I expected when I jumped on this fundraising wagon. I was ready for anything. It is like getting on a roller coaster ride for the first time and holding on tight not really sure what is ahead. You wonder how much you and your family will have to "sacrifice."
He is a gentle God. God tells us that He wont give us more then we can handle. I truly believe that. He is showing me His gentleness whether it be through people, or His word, or just through time.

We just had a couple come down for a week (they drove twelve hours) to spend time encouraging us through words and action. They helped us finish painting the inside of the house, installed all of the kitchen cabinets, trimmed out all the windows...It was awesome! The man owns a business renovating and remodeling, so I am not only grateful for the job getting done but getting done well. They also just seemed to say the words that we needed to hear. What is even more amazing - these were not super close friends, I mean we knew them and I had been to their house for church stuff but never had sat down with them and had any in depth conversation. Why were they coming? a question I would ask myself. Well, they love God, they love us, and see the need in the city of New Orleans. They understand what it means to invest time and money for eternity. I sure hope they got out of the visit as much as we did.

Never did I think I would be on such the receiving side of life. Seeing the way God is blessing us in this journey I have complete faith that He will bless the church.

Psalm 63:3 "Because your loving kindness is better then life, my lips will praise you."

Acclimating and ReAcclimating

Moving to your hometown after being away for about fifteen years can make for quite an adventure ...especially if it is the city of New Orleans ...especially if you decide to give new life to a completely gutted home in an area that was hard hit by Katrina (the hurricane that hit in 2005) ...especially if you are coming from a small town you HAD acclimated to for six years.
It has been an adventure, an adventure wrapped in God's faithfulness, goodness, and love. It is an adventure that I am glad to be apart of ...on most days (hee,hee)

>It is starting to be second nature to drive around town and see bars everywhere. When I first got here it was disturbing to me, particularly as a mom, all the many signs that have to do with clubs or bars. >It is nothing to drive somewhere now and it take at least thirty minutes. Where we came from, twenty minutes is all the way across town!! >And the heat, oh my, the heat. What can I say other then, 'it is daggon hot!' My hair is usually in an 'up do'

There are things that I am REacclimating to b/c somethings in New Orleans do not change and it is just a matter of getting used to those things again. But there is also an element of acclimating. Yes, even though I grew up here.
I have never lived here as an adult, I have a new found appreciation for the city and for its history. There is history in the communities, in the buildings,etc. I am getting to know it on a deeper level or from a broader scope, if you will.
I never used to view it through anything but a consumers eyes, there is a need that can sometimes be overwhelming. This city is bringing me to my knees. I am eager to find out about all the ministries around the area that are bringing hope and salvation to the people.
As I said earlier, I am a parent now in New Orleans and that takes acclimating. This is where I don't even know where to begin, what to even say ... My greatest desire for my kids is to #1 love God with all their heart and #2 have a strong bond as a family (particularly brothers) As we venture to raise a family here, I can only give it to God. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and He loves my children more then I love them.

Speaking of my kids, they have been awesome! How resilient (most) children are to change. They have handled the move so well. It sure helps to have Internet and endless minutes on our cell phones:) It is fun to show them around, to have them apart of all that we are doing, and to introduce them to things like beignets - mmmmmmmm!
We went this morning to a church on Magazine Street that is just getting on their feet and is meeting in the upstairs above a gym. We didn't park in a parking lot, we just parked on the side of a street. We also had to walk about a block to take the kids to 'kids church.' (a kids church of only 10 kids total) And as we are getting out of the van my oldest son (7 yr old) says, 'this is a weird church to go to' then my husband responds, 'that is what is so cool about New Orleans, things are just different here.' Weird/Different, it was fun to see them talk regarding just having a perspective on something different as being fun or cool.

The last thing I want to mention (I know this is lengthy and really wonder who will actually read it) is a devotion I read the other day that seems fitting - Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy. Next to the verse it says, we learn to be victorious only by surrendering our lives completely to the Spirit of God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder.

The Most Creative Job in the World

It involves
taste,
fashion,
decorating,
recreation,
education,
transportation,
psychology,
romance,
cuisine,
designing,
literature,
medicine,
handicraft,
art,
horticulture,
economics,
government,
community relations,
pediatrics,
geriatrics,
entertainment,
maintenance,
purchasing,
direct mail,
law,
accounting,
religion,
energy
and management.
Anyone who can
handle all those
has to be somebody
special.
She is a mom.
(wall street journal...
from a long time ago...
at a time where a woman staying at home was praised)