Category Archives: faith
In All Things
I may not know everything you are going through right now and that’s okay. I can however share how I am. We tend to seek out a fix during times of struggle to ease the chaos and fear. So my God given message will now be shared.
“Every second, minute and moment…one step at a time. Remember God, Trust God…He is in control and so able!”
Taking one second, minute and moment at a time I have had to remember this previous statement. In the little and big things…everything. There have been many changes that have I, and those around me, have endured and are still walking through. “Whee! What a roller coaster!” Don’t worry…I will not bore you with ins and outs, details left for a later time, instead I will just try and bring a smile to your day.
I’m sitting here today simply sipping my fancy healthy smoothie. “Yikes, I am making my own smoothies!” Life is completely different from when I last posted. I am working a real job and I am attempting to find a new balance to my existence. The very thought of getting up and ready for work and then coming home to different dynamics has been a heart changing experience. I have become accustomed to pulling the proverbial rabbit out of a hat that I can’t find. It is reassuring to know that life is not orderly but filled with layers of inconsistency. Life is not to be set in stone otherwise we are living in a sad venue of complacency. It is filled with possibilities and change that need to be faced with discernment. Face every day as a new and exciting journey…and look for things, “big or small”, that surprise you and put that smile in your day. In doing this you will always put a contagious smile in the hearts of those around you.
How to succeed in this type of lifestyle
#1 Find that reason to smile, laugh…find joy!
#2 Realize that I am not in control!
#3 Prayers are heard!
#4 Singing really silences chaos!
So the concept to bring a smile to your day is this.
#4 Singing while doing anything…”In your head is fine too”…while vacuuming in true Mrs. Doubtfire style. Think about it. You know the scene. Just google it…smiling yet? I am just thinking of the scene. The serene place where we are freely doing something with fierceness with no fear of anything or anyone seeing us.
I am looking forward to writing again. I have missed this and you! Please feel free to send your smiles…in pictures or events. Let’s share with each other! Who knows I could share your smile with someone who needs something positive in a world of negative.
“Pray big and worry small”
Peach State
Peach State says: A Few Surprises Up My Sleeve!
It started a week ago with my responding to a need! I was checking my email, all three accounts, for a missing email and found a message from the Director of the Children’s Ministry at my church. Due to situations beyond our control! We need your help! Please call to volunteer! So I called…and boy did I surprise the Director with my response. I still have A Few Surprises Up My Sleeve!
She was in shock that I called her…
“Are you sure?” she asked with surprise in her voice. I chuckled and said “Well you needed help and I can help!” I guess the thought of my teaching had never occurred to her. She asked me a few questions about my schedule…”Are you singing Sunday?” I quickly responded…”I am not on the schedule…at this time!”
Here is a little known secret. I have taught Sunday School before. I have not been involved with this aspect of service for about 10 years…this is because the churches I attended during this period of time did not need my help or the timing did not work with the schedule of my other ministry. I have worked in Children’s Church and even organized and started one up in a church. I have taught every age group…even a couple of Senior Adult classes, when I was filling in for my grandmother. I grew up in a home where my dad was a school teacher…my mom was a church and school secretary…my dad was a Minister of Music. Is it any wonder that I would not follow in their footsteps? I love teaching…and have even worked in both public and private school situations.
Back to the Director’s conversation!
Once it was established, the date was set…She was still in shock! I said…”Many people have no clue to who I am and what I can do! I am more than just a singer!” Then out of no where came this voice… “I have been a Sunday School teacher before!” NOOOO! It was to late and the statement rang like the huge bells in a oversized church tower. It was like telling a thief you have a stash and giving them the combination to the safe. I could literally hear the lightbulb over her head turn on…”What?” I felt like I had been swept off my feet…Her next comment took me back to my “Happy Place!” “My husband would not like me to steal you and use you in the Children’s Ministry…” (Her husband is the pastor!) “He loves to hear you sing!”
A calm disposition replaced the frantic back peddling as we ended our conversation.
The Children’s Minister came up to me Wednesday night, as I was talking with the Director of Vacation Bible School about the class and age group I would teach during VBS, and told me my son did not believe him when he told him about my teaching his class the following Sunday. My son had told him…”You don’t know my mom…she doesn’t teach she sings!” I guess I have A Few Surprises Up My Sleeve!
Yesterday was the day…I was all prepared and put the lesson in my Bible. “I usually do not take my bible in book form…I use the app on my iPhone or iPad.” My son and I left for church and as I drove I got a text…”I meant to call you…I will need u if that’s ok! Tank u!” (This is the message as I received it..) The message was from my Minister of Music. I quickly called him as I maneuver the curves of the road and the very narrow bridge. He needed me to sing on the Praise Team and assured me that I would be done in time and would have time to spare. He was right!
I got to the class and began to set up…the children came in and sat down. There were 10 5th Graders…the five boys sat at the front table and the girls sat at the back table. The introductions were made as I tried to find out the personalities of the children based on their parents. As expected, I was constantly taking things out of my son’s hand and moving things from his reach. “His ADHD meds were not working….!” There was one boy, sitting at the other end of the table from me…His eyes twinkled with mischievous delight. “He reminded me of….well… me!” We got everything accomplished with no civil disruptions or violent outbursts. The children were dismissed! Off I ran to the choir room for preparation for the 11:00 service. My BFF, a public school first grade teacher, asked me how it went. I told her I thought it went well…”I was really quite surprised!” I was warned about the behavior issues with the boys…the only issue I had was my son. The other boys were just being boys. I can deal with that…and…I would much rather have a room full of mischievous boys than finger waving divas. She asked how I broke the ice with the young hooligans. “That was easy…I just mentioned a few things like…black belts…pulling legs of spiders…you know? She smiled her sneaky little smile!
After church was over I went to retrieve my son and headed home. I asked him how he felt Sunday School went…”They liked you!” “The other kids…they didn’t believe you were my mother…” I smiled on the inside! He seemed truly surprised and said he actually learned something…”Really…What did you learn?”
“I learned not to sit next to you when you are teaching!”
It seems that I have an uncanny ability to move pencils and papers away from my son while teaching a class and never miss a step. He was amazed at my moving around the class and keeping eye contact with everyone else while seeing him not sitting correctly in his chair.
“I’m Mom! I was please to hear that I still have A Few Surprises Up My Sleeve!
Will I do it again? “Probably!” Will I do it next week? “No! … Music Ministry commitment.”
I love to keep people guessing…”Don’t you?” It is fun to see the reaction on people’s faces when they figure out that I have A Few Surprises Up My Sleeve!
Peach State
Peach State says: “You’ve Got To Be Kidding!”
What?…No Way!…“You’ve Got To Be Kidding!” I am going to start ignoring American Idol.. This season only had, in my opinion, three good singers make the cuts from Hollywood Week. I have been voting for two the last couple of weeks. The so-called “tremendous talent” I just don’t see it. I see growlers and screamers…jazzy mumbles all who can sing…but tremendous talent…No Way! Last nights elimination of Colton Dixon, one of my favorites, was not a surprise. The Judges have their favorites…the gushing sentiments and standing ovations for these performers leave me shaking my head. “Did they hear the same performance I did?” “You’ve Got To Be Kidding!”
For those of you who may be shaking your heads at my ignorance…let me explain my background.
I was raised in a musical home. We all sing…and lead in our music ministries. My father was trained and performed in many venues just like my youngest sister and myself. My brother is an incredibly talented singer and instrumentalist. My other sister is involved with the music program at her church. My family have never been just choir singers, not that there is anything wrong with being a singer in a choir, we are used in other ways musically. I know there is more to this American Idol business than singing…but these judges did not pick the best and brightest this season at all, with the exception of three of them, out of the original singers that made it to Hollywood.
Maybe I have gotten old…”No..that can’t be…based on the type of music I listen to!” I was raised with a love for good music…no matter the type. I enjoy many different types of music…even instrumental classical. I feel sorry for the American Idol show and realize that this will probably be the last year, or season, that I will watch. My husband gets a kick out of me every week! I hold my phone in my hand with finger ready to dial and vote, like a mad dog, for my favorites. I have chosen the winner, early on, every season! One of my favorites is still in the mix…I will not mention her name…but, she has a spunky personality and incredibly big voice.
My husband, who does not have a musical bone in his body but thinks he does, cannot understand the judges either. My husband will spin and look at me, with that eyebrow raised, and say…”Eeww did you hear that?” “What did you think about that performance?” If my husband hears bad notes and questions the judges favorites there’s a problem. Maybe the melodious dragging of fingernails on a chalkboard is responsible for the “goosies” the judges experience. Most of the hopeful’s performances leave my eyes glazed over like a “deer in the headlights” with my mouth open wide as I think “You’ve Got To Be Kidding!”
Sorry for the rambling on…back to Colton! Kudos on the graceful exit! Colton has touched many with his belief based performances. Last night’s performance was an uplifting experience as he fell to his knees and sang from his heart. He knew! He was at peace! I cried as I watched this young man, full of spirit, sing the last note. “I will buy his CD!” My son, who does the audio/visual for a band, agreed! He could not believe Colton Dixon was eliminated. We will miss this young man and his creative versatility. The music business is not finished with him!
I know I may sound a bit picky…but we all have our likes and dislikes. I like melody…not note seeking growls. What do you like? Let me know! Have a great day!
Peach State
Peach State says: ’twas the Day Before Easter
’twas the Day Before Easter and all through this house…not a creature was stirring…”Well that’s not true!” 3 of us are up…not functioning well…but up! There is a lot to do today so I can enjoy my time with family tomorrow. Where shall I begin?
Haircuts….check…did that yesterday!
Easter candy…check…did that yesterday!
Eggs boiled…check
Now I have the eggs ready for the egg coloring and Easter Egg Hunt at a friend’s house later this morning. I will put some in the fridge for later…Deviled Eggs…”Yummy!”
Ham…check
The Spiral Ham is in the fridge already…just waiting for a re-heat.
Potatoes diced and boiled…check
I cheated a bit…OreIda Red Potatoes in the freezer section…just zap and cool…add the mayonnaise mixture for the Potato Salad.
The rest of the dinner is easy and already bought…check
Bake the Carrot Cake…I will do that later today!
Yeah! That won’t be to much for the day…”Will it?”
I have the Easter Egg Hunt about 10 and the trick will be balancing the time with shopping for two more Easter Shirts… I also need to pick up a Birthday Card for my third son…he turns 19 tomorrow!
There may be a Praise Team and band practice this afternoon but I have to wait to hear from our director.
I can remember, as a child, the seeking of the lost eggs. I don’t think I really enjoyed this activity but, would participate because of the younger siblings. I did love the Easter Basket! My mother changed the type of Easter Basket as we go older. One year I got a cute trash can with items for my room…I was 14 years old. I will not have any baskets to prepare this year…our youngest told us this past week that he knew there was no Easter Bunny. “Big Mistake!” Sooo…I will have a large bowl filled with grass…”The Easter Nest”…which will be filled with an assortment of family favorites along with a Chocolate Easter Bunny for all family members.
Having four boys I have been fortunate not to have to deal with fancy dresses and hairstyles much less the ribbons and bows to coordinate. I remember the Easter my mother curled my hair and my little sister’s hair…in true matching style! I don’t think she ever did it again! Pink Velvet Ribbons, from the ribbon on the matching dresses she made, were placed in our hair among the large curls.
We were quite the picture of perfection…until my little sister ran outside to check for eggs. The curls fell out in the humidity!
There was never an Easter without our celebration at church. My father would often go to the Sunrise Service and we stayed home with mama…joining daddy at church for the Sunday School hour and the major Easter Service. Easter is my favorite time of the year not for the chocolate but for our beliefs.
It will be a lovely day, with family and friends, filled with celebration at church and at home. The only bad thing about tomorrow is not living real close to my parents and other family members…Oh! and the lack of sugar free chocolate available. I grabbed what I could…
How will you spend your Easter? What activities will fill your day? Whatever your traditions I wish you a wonderful Easter…Have a great day!
Peach State