Disciple NOW

Tonight we start our involvement with the youth program, Disciple NOW. Hannah will be staying, along with 5 other middle school girls, at a "Host Home" for the weekend, going to worship services and Bible Studies and having some mission time on Saturday while Don and I are the "transporters" for another host home. We will be driving the kids, college leaders and host home parents to all of the activities this weekend. It sounds very fun, very busy and very likely to bring some challenges to Hannah and Don and me. We had a dinner last night and met the kids we will be working with and I feel excited to be a part of the whole experience. I know that it will bring Hannah closer to the Lord and I feel she will benefit from meeting new people and reconnecting with some of her friends on this level. It is always wonderfully amazing to me how God can use simple things to open up doors for His people.

1 down, just a few more to go...

We had a SUPER successful yard sale Saturday, albeit COLD! The girls were such a big help and Delanna (bless her soul) served us very HOT chocolate and Rob set up the propane outdoor heater so, all in all, it was a GREAT day. We sold most of the "big ticket" items, got rid of lots of clothes and small things and took the rest to Goodwill. After all was said and done and the girls were paid their 10% for helping, we now "own" Hannah's braces!!! I'm sure Dr. Smith will be as happy about that as I am!

We had such a great Sunday school class yesterday, too. Just a time where I felt so connected to everyone and so up-lifted. Our friends (David & Paige Nix) son, Preston, needs prayer as he undergoes some tests to determine whether or not he is afflicted with a genetic lung disorder that took Paige's mom and grandmother so, we are prayer warriors for the Nix family today, praying for God's hand to be upon them all as He guides them through this journey. If you read this, please pray for them, particularly Preston.

YARD SALE!

I am just about done pricing all my yard sale items and have taken the first "load" over to Rob & Delanna's. Their kids were so funny as I was putting stuff in the garage - they wanted all our "junk"! Delanna would have a fit :) Anyway, I will be able to finish pricing things today and take the bulk of the stuff over to their house tomorrow and have Don bring the "big" stuff (TV, bikes, furniture, etc.) in the truck on Friday. Of course, it is supposed to be 20-degrees Saturday morning!! I'm thinking of having the girls set up a coffee/hot chocolate station! This should be a pay-off for at least 1 debt on the "snowball" list, maybe more! EXCITING!

Funny thing happened today - tonight, actually. I realized I don't have to get up at 0:dark:30 tomorrow so I am getting to enjoy some quiet time after everyone else has gone to bed! It is really nice :)

Almost mid-way thru January...

I am posting this from work - yep, that's right, I am now having to work in Tallahassee! (Groan) It has not been too horribly bad. Thank goodness for the MANY hours of sick time and vacation I have banked. I am planning at least 3 days a month off and, I am sure, there will be others when I "catch a cold", have a "headache" or "don't feel well"! It is causing me to get back to my better time management skills and to appreciate Don and the girls more. They have all stepped up and are really being helpful with the morning things I've always been able to keep up with. Funny that I am now the 1st to leave the house in the mornings :)

P.S.

My biopsy results were benign and my colonoscopy/egd results show no polyps or gastric bleeding. AMEN for good news!

2009!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Claire is at all day choir rehearsal/pizza & skating party, Don is hunting (how unusual), Hannah is cleaning her room (even more unusual) and I have just finished setting up my new bank account/bill pay at TNB! We rang in the New Year with noise makers, fireworks, sparklers and party hats. We were all asleep by 1am and up by 8:30. Life goes on! We are planning a BIG year in '09. (Actually, I am planning a little year!) I am set to launch my program for weight reduction & lifestyle change on Monday, January 5th and have my goal set at reducing 25% of my body weight by December 31, 2009. This is going to be MY year! I am also starting my "Grace Journal" with Max Lucado, of course we are on target with FPU and Dave Ramsey and I am planning lots of time off and special days with the girls and Don. I have determined that 2009 will be positive, glowing and festive in whatever way I can make it so. May God be with me every step of the new year, that is my special prayer. :)