Enjoying the Journey

Mom on a Mission, bestowed this cute little award to me the other day. Can I tell you, for a quick moment, what I am thankful for here??

God has been teaching me so much about friendship and what it looks like. He gave me the most intense relationships back in PA. So much so, that I can call on my friends, whom I haven't talked to in months, and pick up where I have left off.

Part of what God is teaching me is that friends come in all different ages, stages, and now countries in life!! He is shifting my mind set of what friendships used to look like to me, to a whole new world.

Sometimes, that takes some getting used too. And sometimes it just doesn't! I met Mom on A Mission during my trip to Mexico. I immediately connected with her, because she was a mom with two young kids, AND pregnant, living the life that I hope we will be doing in the near future! Of course anytime you go on a missions trip and connect with people, there is always that chance that you won't keep in touch.

As God would have it, Mom on a Mission, blogs! And I check or read her blog DAILY, sometimes, more then once. I love reading about her kids, how goose eggs can appear on foreheads, or dogs eating children's bicycles. I love to hear about the team down there and what they are accomplishing. It blesses my heart to see how they are as a normal family on the missions field.

Val, you and your family inspire me and encourage me that we too can do this family missions thing, someday. I am blessed by your friendship!

Of course, I get to pass this one on. And I could hand it out to about 6 of you, easily. But here is what my heart wants to do.... The Thrills of Being a New Mom.... I love you both in and out of the blog world! And I just wanted to bless you with this funny little award! Enjoy!

Posted in: Mexico, missions, Smiles, Thrills on Friday, April 25, 2008 at at 10:15 AM 2 comments    

I love this picture. It totally captures the essence of my family. It's my birthday today. And I know that my husband and kids have worked very hard to make it a special day. I am so thankful for them.

Yesterday, I was feeling rather grumpy. Okay, ask the my boys, husband, and the girls who live with me, not to mention the two guests who ate at our table. I was grumpy.... Thursday nights are our mid week services at church and I was seriously considering not going at all. But, we had a guest speaker in and really I knew I would regret not attending, because in truth Thursday night services are one of the highlights of my week. So, begrudgingly I went.

God is amazing!!! He refreshed me and gave me an early birthday present in the form of 4 prophetic words about my life all in one night! I'm so giddy with excitement that I could bust! Funny thing is there is very little that I want on this earth, material things just don't do it. But some encouragement from my Father in Heaven?!!! Oh yea...



I just woke up a little bit ago, flipped on the computer and read Thrills blog. And now, I've just received another beautiful gift, in which I laughed and cried as I read it. More then ever, I have been thoroughly amazed at the friends that God has put into my life. I am a blessed woman.

It's only 7:45 am, I have a feeling its going to be a good day!

Posted in: Encountering Him, Giving Thanks, Thrills on Friday, January 25, 2008 at at 7:40 AM 12 comments    

There is an ongoing chipmunk war between our house and the Thrills household. Its been going on for years. However, since our move to NC, the war has picked up a bit.

The goal, is to hide the purple weird chipmunk (whom I've been told is Sally from Sp*ngeB*b. Let it be duly noted that I do NOT care for Sp*ngeB*b, at all) somewhere in the other persons house.

Sally has been known to be found in places such as bath tubs, ice cream containers, and just recently she was found in CJ's dress shoes!!!

Oh, no Sally is being held as a hostage....

Whatever will happen to Sally???? Stay tuned.... you never know where Sally will turn up next!!

Posted in: Sally the Chipmunk, Thrills on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at at 10:34 PM 2 comments    

Finals are over. Classes are out. And the Thrills household arrived this past weekend for a 4 day visit. Things are cheery and good here, in the Fire House.

CJ and I have been walking around holding Little Guy, playing with Princess, enjoying good conversations, eating good food, and laughing a lot. Relaxation has been the goal for all of us, with little hope of accomplishing anything big.

The kids are in their glory as they have been counting down the days until Aunt and Uncle Thrills joined our home. They have spent a lot of time saying, "Look Uncle .... at me do this. Or did you know, Aunt.... that I can do this now?"

There is something about having them in our home and knowing that our kids love them as if they were literally their blood relatives, that warms my heart.

We are blessed and deeply thankful to have them here.

Posted in: Giving Thanks, Smiles, Thrills on Monday, November 19, 2007 at at 3:29 PM 5 comments    

It wasn't even two nights ago, that CJ called Thrills husband looking for some wisdom and prayer over a certain life circumstance. Of course the Lord used him and gave us a practical way of fighting the issue! Thanks Thrills, husband.

Posted in: Looking for a good idea, Looking for Wisdom, Thrills on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at at 7:18 AM 1 comments