Seriously? Has it really been since April that I posted last? I guess with all the changes in our lives here lately, this has been the last thing on my mind! Cole had Rotator Cuff surgery...Brent started working for Toyota....I guess a few things have hindered blogging!
Our Summer was pretty decent, we actually got to vacation in Florida. We tried Navarre this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were only 25 minutes away from Destin, so we could go to the "hot spots". What we liked about Navarre was it was so quiet...no busy traffic, no chain restaurants on the strip...NO CROWDS! We stayed in a lovely condo and basically did nothing but enjoy the sand, sun and surf. The kids had their guests, Jon Parker and Alli Grace, and Brent and I had each other. Not too bad!
Brent has spent the majority of the past few months traveling...He spent 3 weeks in Kentucky and has spent most of the summer in Canada, training with Toyota. He has flown more this summer than I have in my entire life. Nothing to it, he says...well good, cause we are going to fly every chance we can from now on!
School has started and we have 24 little dumplings in our class...Cole has transferred to Itawamba Community College and Anna Lauren is in 6th grade at Guntown Middle School. Time has stopped for no one...I scramble to keep up...my house is a disaster every other day....my cupboards are bare...I am exhausted...I look forward to SEC football...Hotty Toddy...and I am REALLY looking forward to those cool fall evenings! Our Children's group at church keeps growing...praise God! Our additions to the church are going up so quickly...so many answered prayers!
I have realized one important thing...as God allows me to continue on this earth, I am becoming more anxious about time's passage. I have lived longer than my father did...I really think I thought I would not see this time in my life...I have no guarantees, but I just want to make the most of my life! I want to enjoy my children, my jobs, my friends and my family more. I have tried to push those regrets to the side and barrel on! I have realized that I should feel no shame in the life I lead...it is Christ-Centered, my family comes first...I do not have to have all the trappings of life that used to be so appealing to me...I think I am content. I don't care if you like me, want to hang out with me...I don't care if you don't like me for what I don't do...if I make you feel uncomfortable, that's your problem, I am authentic.
I waisted too much of my life wishing I had done this or that...praying and begging for something different, only to realize my transformation at the age of 30 was the something different I was given. If you don't want my advise, don't ask...I will shoot as straight as I can and I might hurt your feelings. God knows mine have been hurt plenty by people who only wanted the best for me. I love everyone...I might not like everyone, though. I don't have to and I don't have to lower my standards to achieve friendships. I did too much of that when I was younger...those days are over.
You also know, I can't write on my blog without venting...here goes...Why do people think that since I am a member of a "Traditional Church" with traditional worship and songs, that I can not possibly be happy where I am? Why does the need to encourage me to try something new have to come up? I make no apologies for the way I worship. I was raised in a Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night Church. It does not "bother" me that I might have to give my time to worship other than Sunday morning. I go because I love the Lord and I love learning and teaching. I want everyone I come in contact to know what I now know. I want them to know God's love and forgiveness are for the taking. I also happen to enjoy attending church. I enjoy the word Sunday School...I like Hymns...
In this day and time, I have come to find that with the exception of a few...Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Ed Young and the late great Adrian Rodgers...most evangelists we see in the limelight are only out to make you feel good...tell you "It's OK"...and it will be OK and you can feel good, but you must be convicted, you must be ready to turn over a new leaf! It is not an easy journey and I for one, am a backslider extraordinaire! Thank God for forgiveness and grace! I thank God for Reverend Tim Green...I thank God for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ...I am thankful for our red carpet, our pews and our gorgeous stained glass windows...For our pianist and organist...for Sunday dresses and suits and ties. Not everyone can afford to dress up but we all can afford to bring our best ,whatever it may be, to the Lord
If you are uncomfortable with traditional worship then, yes, by all means find a place where you are comfortable, but you must be fed God's Word, you must be fed the truth and you must, on occasion, walk away limping because God's word had stepped on your toes! If it doesn't something is wrong, because we are all not perfect...I am very happy where I am, would not want to be any other place in the world!!!
OK, now I feel some better...I hope you all have a beautiful week, stay cool and above all live your lives to the fullest!
All my love,
Monica
You also know, I can't write on my blog without venting...here goes...Why do people think that since I am a member of a "Traditional Church" with traditional worship and songs, that I can not possibly be happy where I am? Why does the need to encourage me to try something new have to come up? I make no apologies for the way I worship. I was raised in a Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night Church. It does not "bother" me that I might have to give my time to worship other than Sunday morning. I go because I love the Lord and I love learning and teaching. I want everyone I come in contact to know what I now know. I want them to know God's love and forgiveness are for the taking. I also happen to enjoy attending church. I enjoy the word Sunday School...I like Hymns...
In this day and time, I have come to find that with the exception of a few...Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Ed Young and the late great Adrian Rodgers...most evangelists we see in the limelight are only out to make you feel good...tell you "It's OK"...and it will be OK and you can feel good, but you must be convicted, you must be ready to turn over a new leaf! It is not an easy journey and I for one, am a backslider extraordinaire! Thank God for forgiveness and grace! I thank God for Reverend Tim Green...I thank God for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ...I am thankful for our red carpet, our pews and our gorgeous stained glass windows...For our pianist and organist...for Sunday dresses and suits and ties. Not everyone can afford to dress up but we all can afford to bring our best ,whatever it may be, to the Lord
If you are uncomfortable with traditional worship then, yes, by all means find a place where you are comfortable, but you must be fed God's Word, you must be fed the truth and you must, on occasion, walk away limping because God's word had stepped on your toes! If it doesn't something is wrong, because we are all not perfect...I am very happy where I am, would not want to be any other place in the world!!!
OK, now I feel some better...I hope you all have a beautiful week, stay cool and above all live your lives to the fullest!
All my love,
Monica
