New Blog

I'm working on another blog.  I'm in the process of designing the page and trying to figure out what theme I'm going to stick with.  Hopefully I'll be more consistent and less sporadic on this one.  I'll post the link to the new blog when it's all finished.

:-)

I'm Writing! Shocking!

In 3 weeks, my baby will be 2 years old.  It has been the most tiring 2 years of my life.  Four children is enough to make anybody exhausted.  My younger 2 kids, being only 1 year and 3 months apart, have provided challenges to my schedule that I never expected.  The most important thing that I've learned through all of these stages is this:  IT'S ALL TEMPORARY.  My kids won't die if they don't have a home-cooked meal at every meal.  I will look pretty again one day.  These days of wearing my hair in a ponytail and no make up on my face will not last forever.  It's ok if I wear pajamas all day (as long as no one is coming over).  I will learn to talk about things other than my kids' fascination with bodily functions.  

I have also learned who my true friends are.  They are the ones that have sat at my house to visit  because it's easier than going out with my kids or I don't have a sitter.  They sit with me  (pajamas and all) while my kids run around like crazy and we try to have a conversation over my kids' yelling & silliness.  They are the ones that I have poured my heart out to about being a mom in ministry. SIDE NOTE: 2 of the hardest jobs in the world are being a mom and being in the ministry; constantly serving others all while being criticized, praised, argued with, honored, loved and hated.  They are the ones that have listened as I poured out every frustration and they have given wisdom and encouragement.  They have taught me how to be a better friend by being such a good friend to me.

I want to be a person that is constantly learning.  I am thankful for seeing the light at the end of THIS tunnel.  We'll see what challenges the next tunnel brings and how long it will take before I see the light.

Oh, my sweet little blog

I have neglected you.  I have neglected to read my friends' blogs.  Blogging has changed.  I can't keep up.  That's all.

Prom

Last night was prom night for many schools. We had the joy of seeing my cousin, Cassie, take prom pictures with all of her friends.  We also took the time to enjoy dinner with my Aunt Belinda and my other cousin, Kiara, and their family (long story as to why the rest of their family isn't my family so I'll just leave it at that). 

To be honest, I haven't thought much about my prom since I've been married.  Last night brought back so many memories.  Picking out the perfect dress, making sure that your hair is gorgeous, finding the best location to take pictures, feeling like a celebrity among all of the parents taking pictures of you along with all of your friends/classmates. 

I'm sure I could have scanned this for better quality, but we'll just go w/ a pic of a pic.

My daughter was in prom-dress heaven!  She told Kiki that she didn't want to leave.  Her favorite dress was the sparkly one on the right side.

I have also seen pictures of my other cousin, Taylor's, prom.  My daughter thought that she was just as stunning because her dress was blue with sparkles...her favorite color!  If I could steal a picture from FB I would, but she doesn't have any up yet.  :-)

It's amazing how time seems to stand still on prom night.  For that night you feel absolutely beautiful & glamorous.  Much like a girl's wedding day, you feel that your dress is the prettiest ever; it's perfect for you and your moment.  You're a princess. 

Now the sad news: I have officially hit that phase that says, "you're old".  In a couple of weeks, my husband & I are chaperoning prom for the school where he teaches.  CHAPERONE.  What does a chaperone wear?  How do I maintain some sense of coolness while having the word "chaperone" stamped on my forehead?  Am I too far gone?  

Courtesy of CMT.com

All Access 2011

This past week our church staff attended the ARC All Access Conference in Baton Rouge, LA.  All Access is a conference for church planters, those that want to plant a church, or those that want to link up with the churches in the ARC.  It is packed full of amazing speakers...men & women that have endured the struggles and joys of planting a church.  It is one of those conferences that you wish so desperately that you could put into words, but no words could ever express what this conference does for you.  We left there greatly encouraged.  We left with a deeper unity throughout our staff.  We left with more tools to reach our community and see it changed for the Kingdom of God.

Our church secretary working hard during the conference!

Another reason that this conference was special was because the founder & president of the ARC, Billy Hornsby, had just passed away a couple of weeks before the conference.  He was able to record a video speaking to us before he passed.  His opening line was, "If you're watching this then that most likely means that I'm with the Lord."  I'm not sure that there was a dry-eye in the place.  Even in his last days, he was thinking of others and encouraging others to keep persevering in the work that the Lord has for them.

I know that I could go on & on about the conference, but I'm struggling to find words to describe it best.  So I'll just move on to the fun things that happened.  

First up...our hotel.  We were the first from our team to arrive.  We walked around the mall, ate, I got a pedicure, and then we returned to our hotel.  My husband goes to pick up a coffee cup to pour some water in it.  And what to his wondering eyes did appear but.....a bag of weed.  Yes.  WEED.  My husband joked and said that it was an answer to prayer about 15 years too late.  We were kind of freaked out about it.  We did the only thing we knew to do and we flushed it down the toilet.  

Second...the great Mississippi River.  Our friends, Tony & Fabiola (parents of our son's best friend & the children's pastors), had never seen the Mississippi River.  We took the opportunity on the morning before the conference to go down to the Mississippi.  We walked around Baton Rouge and enjoyed all of the historic architecture.  Then we found a hole-in-the-wall Cajun restaurant.  I'm not a fan of Cajun food but everybody else is.  They enjoyed some stuffed crab and gumbo.  I enjoyed a small meal only so that I could really enjoy my dessert of Mississippi Mud pie.

Mississippi Mud!

Tony & Fabiola at the river.

Us in front of the former governor's mansion.

On Wednesday night of the conference, Healing Place Church held their famous Cajun after party; equipped with crawfish, beignets, gumbo, a ferris wheel, fireworks, and of course, episodes of "Swamp People".  It was a great party!  It literally stunk...because I hate the smell of crawfish.  But it was fun!  

Sucking some crawfish.

The beignets were gone in 10 minutes.

Sadly, I have to kiss this face after he's kissed that crawfish.

Westgate Staff!

The BEST part about All Access was seeing our precious Trisha!  She was in our youth group and is now a part of Highlands College.  She was there, with all of the ARC interns, serving.  She worked hard setting up and tearing down and ushering.  She sat with us as much as she could.  I cherish every single moment that I have with this girl.  She is my jewel!

After the conference was over, my husband & I went to Pensacola, FL for a couple of days of R&R.  My husband spent 3 years there for bible school.  We lived there together for 10 months after we got married so that he could finish bible school and the internship.  Everywhere we drove & looked held a memory; anything from street signs to restaurants to our first home to  Brownsville AoG to Gospel Lighthouse.  It was crazy!  

For now, this is the memory that I would like to keep eternally in my dreams.

Pensacola Beach!

SWEET DREAMS!

Precious Moments

When my 9 year old son gives me a hug and after a minute I start to pull away and he says, "No, mom. I'm not finished yet."

When my almost 7 year old daughter asks to sit in my lap no matter what I'm watching or doing, especially to read me a book.

When I'm laying with my almost 3 year old son and I reach over to touch his arm and he moves his arm to hold my hand...then he goes to sleep.

When my 20 month old son sees me walk into the room and yells, "DADDY!"...he'll get it right one day.

When my 30-something year old husband goes to sleep with our toddler during a storm so that the toddler doesn't get scared and wake up his mommy. 

Even still...

I'm still uninspired, but I'm going to give an update on life for all 3 of you that really read this.

Two weeks ago we endured a nasty week with a virus making its way through our family, somehow missing my daughter.  Through it all we had to buy a new car seat, new pillows, and we still need a new mattress for our son's trundle.  The last kid to get sick was my oldest.  He decided to puke all over me & my bed while I was sleeping.  I'll spare the other details of that.  Just know that it was insanely disgusting!

Last week was a much better week.  It was also a super-busy week.  We've had something going on every night for the past week.  

Last Monday my husband and I went to see Hillsong United.  Words can't accurately describe a worship concert like that.  It can only be experienced. The best that I can do is LIFE CHANGING.

Tuesday we took ManEater out for her birthday dinner.  It was belated due to sickness in our house.  We enjoyed an evening at P.F. Changs.  Their dessert shooters are amazing!  They're just the right size.  Plus we had a chance to catch up on all of the going-ons of ManEater and her ever-changing life.

Wednesday we had life group at our house.  I love spending time with adults, but especially these couples.  We have some quality people in our life group.  I wish that we could duplicate them and spread them around.  Each church needs couples like the ones that we are privileged to know.  

Thursday we drove to Cleveland, TN to attned the viewing of Doris Reynolds, my friend's mom.  She finally went to be with Jesus after a long battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by her family until the very end.  We are close with everybody in the Reynold's family.  So even though it was a somber occasion, it was nice to see our old friends.

Friday we spent the day in Birmingham visiting a girl that used to be in our youth group.  Now she is part of an internship at Church of the Highlands.  She is learning and doing amazing things!  A couple of weeks ago she was able to spend the week with Darlene Zschech and many others from the Hillsong team.  She is being stretched and molded.  She has experienced more in a couple of months than many of us will ever experience in a lifetime.  To be young again. 

Saturday was the last day of basketball season.  I can't say that I'm sad.  I'm glad to have my Saturday mornings back so that I can "sleep in" until at least 8 a.m.  My son got a nice swoosh and my daughter cheered loud & proud.  

Sunday was church and then after church we had a youth leaders meeting.  It's also my cheat day and I had Zaxby's for lunch.  Enjoyed every single morsel. 

Today I went to the mommies life group at my good friend, Cassie's, house.  Love that time with my friends!  Mondays are also my long day because of my husband's staff meeting.  He left after staff meeting to go help a friend, so it's an even loooooooooooonger day.  I just like to spend time with him...ALL THE TIME! :-)

Tomorrow I get some "me time".  Wednesday is life group again.  Thursday we make the trek to Augusta to attend a former youths match ceremony.  He's endured some tough times at medical school.  We have missed him & his wife so much!  We are praying he gets matched with Emory so that they will be close to us.  Selfish, I know.  But we just love them a lot!

That's my glamorous life.

Uninspired...

...to write.

Why I Miss Him So Much...

I think it's obvious to say that I had an untypical relationship with my father-in-law.  I have so many friends that complain about their in-laws and the problems that they've had with them.  I can't really say that.  Yes, there were typical differences as with any friendship.  For the most part, life with Chuck was easy.  He loved me very much and he took the time to show it.  After I had our first child, everyone would gush over our baby.  As with most mothers, I was invisible and was only seen as the person bringing in the baby.  Chuck always took the time to hug me and say to me, "I'm glad that you're here.  It's good to see you.  And I really mean that."

Not too long ago I came across an email that he sent to me.  It was January 2006.  We had only been in Mexico for a couple of weeks.  My husband had gone on a 2 week trip to minister in some Indian villages.  I was left behind living with a family that we barely knew, in a house that wasn't mine, with 2 kids that had more energy than I knew what to do with, where the people spoke a language that I had yet to learn.  

Here is that email:

Gooooooooooooood morning Mexico!!! Hope all is well in the deepest, darkest, jungles of missionary world. I know that everyday it is thrilling to wake to another day of adventure and opportunity of spreading the gospel, reaching the lost, seeing lives changed, miracles abounding. What is that you say? It's not happening in Val's world. All you see is the miracle of another  meal for the kids, keeping {your little girl} changed, trying to keep {your son} busy, and for Val, just fighting the boredom and monotony of another day. And I know that in saying all this, I am missing many things that must be going through your mind, the mental battles. It is good to hear all the great things that are happening for Derrick, but I can imagine the days get long for you. I don't know if you thought it would be like this. It is my hope and prayer that if you are discouraged in any way that you could in some way be lifted up. We pray for both of you every day. With every report we hear from you, all of us in the church are encouraged. The sacrifices that you endure will in the end be rewarding, even if it seems Abby won't stop crying. And if what I hear is correct, Derrick is coming home Sunday. Are you singing "oh happy day" and making melodies in your heart? I hope so.  Well, got to go. Keep your chin up. Love, Chuck 

In the midst of everything going on in his life...work, church, wife, handicapped daughter...he took the time to think of me and to let me know that he was thinking of me.

And that is why I miss him beyond compare.

They say that time heals all wounds.  I think time can be the enemy.  With every passing day that I live without Chuck, I think of more and more reasons to miss him.  I endure more difficult circumstances that make me long to hear his voice of wisdom or to receive a comforting embrace.  Thankfully this life on earth is over in the blink of an eye and we will have eternity together.

My First Estate Sale

I attended my first estate sale yesterday.  It was bitter-sweet.  There were a lot of people there.  The house was full of practically brand new furniture.  From doing some research, the house had only been lived in for 10 months.  Here are the details of my day.

At 8:00 a.m. my friend picked me up and we rode together to the house.  There were already about 15 people there and it was only 8:20 at that point.  We got a parking spot in the driveway.  We sat in the car for a bit and then we joined the crowd.

As we're standing there, people are pushing towards the door, anxiously awaiting the 9:00 a.m. point when the doors open.  I made a comment to the lady next to me about how crazy this was and it being my first estate sale.  Come to find out, it was her sister's deceased boyfriend's house that they had shared with their daughter.  Because they weren't married, she couldn't get anything out of the house once it went to the state.  She was there buying back all of her sister's keepsakes and sentimental items.  I was almost in tears.  

We asked her to show us the list of things that she wanted.  We kept a few things in mind and as we rushed in my friend found the lampshades that she wanted and put them in a basket to give to her.  As hard as it was to buy this stuff, we knew that the money was going to the daughter of the couple.  The hardest part was to watch people walking out with arms-full of his clothes.  That almost destroyed me.  I couldn't imagine if I saw someone carrying around my loved-one's clothes.  At this point, tears were welling up.

My friend and I were able to find a few things at pretty reasonable prices.  I bought 6 framed prints and a nice magazine rack.  My friend got the mother-load with a leather love seat, a chair, a mirror, huge planters, and a super-nice elliptical for 1/4 of the retail price.  

During this entire thing, my husband was at a men's breakfast and my friend's husband works out of town.  We carried EVERY SINGLE THING out to the car ourselves AND fit all in by ourselves., except the elliptical.  People at the estate sale didn't know that they were attending the "Cass & Val Gun Show"!  ;-)  Aside from mourning for this family, it was a great morning.  It was nice to get out of the house with a friend on a beautiful morning.  I will definitely be attending more estate sales.

Here's what I found out from my research.  The owner of the house was a 35 year old man that died while waiting for a heart transplant.  He had lived in that house for less than a year.  Maybe it wouldn't have seemed as weird if it had been an person that had lived their life to the fullest and died in their sleep.  Either way, I will be praying for this family, even though I'm sure that I'll never see them again.