Confessional Booth

I have a few things I need to get off my chest.  Here they are in no particular order:

1. I have no interest in the fact that the OKC Thunder is in the playoffs.  I know nothing of basketball, and despite my attempts, have no interest in learning.

2.  As of this very moment I would have no trouble with signing up for one of those 30% interest credit cards and completely charging a tropical vacation.

3. I want to tan, but I'm afraid I'll get some sort of skin disease.

4. We have 8 days of school left.  Rally caps are in place and we're going to need them.

5.  I'm trying to read Water for Elephants, but I just can't seem to get interested.  I've started over it and have made myself a promise that I'll finish it by Friday.  I'm never good with ultimatums, especially ones with no consequences whatsoever.  Will you please come and swat my hand on Friday if I'm still reading it? Thanks.

6. After completely finishing dinner tonight I realized that the TJ didn't like anything I had made.  BBQ chicken sandwiches with sweet potato fries.  I felt like a jerk, but I heard no complaining so he must love me.

7.  I think I might be a hypochondriac.  I'm still having the migraines, one side of my throat and ear is hurting, and my back is hurting like a mother.  Or it's all in my head.  I keep telling myself,  "Amanda, you're not sick.  Your ear isn't hurting, those migraines are just in your head.  Cut it out or else!"  But you know how I am with ultimatums.

8.  TJ told the guys at the firestation about my couponing.  I feel like a major dork.

9.  Speaking of the firestation, another girl made cakeballs for the station after calling my house to get the directions.  I am annoyed by that.  And yes, I'm aware that admitting that makes me the whiniest, most petty person you know.  You might need to delete me from your life immediately. 

10.  I'm not Catholic so this confession time means absolutely nothing.  Not that it would if I was Catholic because I don't believe any Catholic priests read this blog. 

Don't you feel less crazy now?

"REAL" church

When you don't go to a traditional church, people have a lot of opinions about it.  You hear "I did that once when I got hurt by a church, but not anymore" or "You don't go to a REAL church?"  It's a little frustrating, especially when you're sifting through your own thoughts and struggles.  TJ and I love our church, but I'll admit there are so many times when we've struggled with missing the activities that come along with those so-called "real" churches.  When I see my friends videos of their children singing in the Christmas cantata I cry sometimes.  When Faith didn't get to hunt eggs at a big Easter egg hunt with her church friends a few weeks ago, I was super bummed.  Knowing that she doesn't have a "Sunday School" class sometimes just bugs me.  I know, those things seem petty, but I was raised in those things.  They were big deals to me. 
But I was reminded this week of why I love our church, which IS real by the way. I was with a group of women (from all kinds of churches and I'm not knocking their churches) and we were talking about getting together once or twice a month for Bible study.  We were talking about how we would absolutely have to have some sort of child care because some of us are single parents.  I chimed in and said, "well at my church it's just part of your job of being in our family to take a turn caring for the children.  Everyone has a turn to love on everyone's kids."  I was so pumped because it was such an obviously great idea.  Or not. Some women didn't think it was their job because they don't have kids coming.  Some said that the kids were the wrong age for them to work with.  I was in shock.  So I answered their questions and explained that from teens to elderly at our church, everyone has the blessing of taking their turn to love on and teach someone else's most prized possession.  My friend even suggested just putting in a movie and snacks on your night if you're not comfortable with little ones.  Still no applause from the audience.  Go figure. 
I am so thankful that my church is a family.  I'm grateful that each person sees enough worth in my daughter to spend time, even sacrifice time, to show her God's love.  I repeat, I am NOT knocking the churches of those women.  It just reminded me that while Faith might be missing out on some of the activities of a traditional church, I am grateful for what our church values and teaches. 

http://www.normcom.com/

Tiny Intercessor

My daughter.  My beautiful little girl.  She is going to be a mighty intercessor.   My mom scraped her foot pretty badly and Faith has been very concerned about it, to the point where my mom has been purposely wearing jeans and socks to cover it when she comes over.  A few night ago when I was putting Sis to bed she starting praying for my mom.  She reached down and grabbed her ankle and starting asking God to "make Grandma Hope foot feel better and not hurt anymore!"   She's also been having bad dreams lately and very often will prayer "make the bad dreams go away IN JESUS NAME!  And angels come around my room."  Then just matter of factly look at me and say, "No bad dreams comin', moma" with a huge smile on her face. 
I'm not naive enough to think that everyone who reads this blog thinks exactly like me, but I will say this: I know God hears those prayers.  How could he not lean his ears to such innocent and sincere words?  And if he hears Faith's, then He hears mine and yours too.  And I just wonder how greatly God could move if we approached him with the same amount of confidence that she does?  I pray one day we'll know. 

Just somethin' to think about...