No Regrets!

After reading the Potential Blog today, I am inspired to write down my thoughts on a blog entry written by Raul Palacios. I thought to myself I could leave a long comment, but why not just write my own blog entry. Regarding his blog entry on Quitting - what encouraged me in his words, were the last three lines that said, "God pours out His blessings to those who persevere. The difference between extraordinary and ordinary is effort. With effort also comes a life lived without regret." It got me to thinking about when I lead Children's Ministry at Flamingo Road Church almost 10 years ago. I was taking the steps and walking through doors that opened in ministry, first thanking God for providing a part time job that allowed me to make some extra money as I pursued being a full time mom. As I lead in Children's Ministry, I never felt like it was the place I would end up or where I belonged. There were times that I felt like quitting, but quitting is never an option, just a feeling. I have taught my children that if they begin something and make a commitment, they must finish out the season, the venture. So I knew in order to hold them to it, I had to live it. What I knew was that God had given me an opportunity to be true to my first calling at that season in my life and that was being a mother. After about 2 years leading, an opportunity came for me to take on more responsibility in Children's Ministry (and I know many didn't understand) but I had to say no because the priority at that time was to be a full time mom and a part time minister. I also was doing something that I did not feel was my total calling, so I never totally felt like the puzzle pieces were fitting, but it was where God wanted me to be and I needed to be obedient. I learned so much about leadership, caring for leaders and building teams during those five years. If I had quit, God would not have been able to have me in the right place at the right time to step into Student Ministry. Once I began working with teenagers, the puzzle pieces fit so much better and I was able to use my life experiences to invest into 13-18 year olds. I particularly like the last statement that reads, "with effort comes a life lived without regret"...I have stayed true to what God has called me to do with my own children and with Children's Ministry. I was there for a time, a time that God needed and ordained and I also was able to be available to my children and God has definitely blessed me for being true to myself, sticking to my goals and living out my list of life priorities. Both my children are a testimony to my professional sacrifice. My season in life is changing and now my priorities can change also. I can give more time to students and leaders and truly use my gifts, life experiences and passions to honor God. That is success! That is a life lived without regret! Be real with yourself and with your Savior and He will make a way and you will have no regrets!

Being a part of HisStory!

Read below the details of a great historic moment and the first in the internet world:

It was a historic weekend at Flamingo Road Church because we experienced our first baptism through our Internet campus. Our baptizee was Alyssa, who the Holy Spirit nudged to follow Christ and be baptized; she sensed His nudge and obeyed. But since Alyssa lives in Georgia and we are a thousand miles away in South Florida, what do you do? Enter the power of innovation…
Our Internet Campus Pastor, Brian Vasil, was the voice; Alyssa’s step mother-in-law, Lisa, was the hands; the bathtub was the baptistery. For a month, Pastor Brian worked with Alyssa to prepare her for Baptism; and then yesterday at 4pm it happened. In a bathtub of water, as Brian spoke the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," Alyssa’s mother in-law immersed her into the water and the whole thing was live streamed over the Internet. It was amazing; it was the first of many.
Again, through baptism, the picture of what Christ did for us--birth, death and resurrection--portrayed to the world.
Technology leveraged for the kingdom…and while the computers buzzed, Christ smiled. (courtesy of H.Palacios)

Hardwork pays off

My husband is the Athletic Director at The Hollywood Christian Academy. This past Saturday night, the varsity girl's basketball team of THCA won their game against Country Day to advance to the State Championships in Lakeland, Florida. I am so excited for him and the girl's team. This past year he had to make some head coaching changes to the girl's and boy's basketball teams and they were not received very well. Change is never easy and those on the sidelines did not totally understand. But he had to make the right decision, not the popular one. He had to deal with some criticism, but that is the price of being the Athletic Director, he sees things others can not see, and has to make the hard call sometimes. I am very proud of his leadership... so far this year, the Varsity Football team, the Boy's Basketball team, and the Girl's Basketball team have all won their districts and named District Champs. The softball team has a chance to win their district also and then the athletics of THCA will be up for a special award for having 4 district titles in one school, same year. I pray and hope hard work pays off again and the girls win the State title this coming week. Let's go Eagles!!!

Selling the Stuff

My husband borrowed a truck, we are loading up the garage sale items tonight. I am so glad. We cleaned out our garage the day after Christmas and I am tired of looking at the stuff in my garage. I want to see the benefits of cleaning out! I am really excited though for tomorrow. The day begins early but it should be a lot of fun. Remember all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Make sure to stop by one of our FRC locations tomorrow for some great bargains. Bring a friend, or 2 or 3. Cooper City is supposed to have 130 vendors! Can't wait to see what was once one man's junk, become anothers treasure. See you tomorrow!

LOCATIONS Choose the location that is best for you:
Cooper City, Fl

12401 Stirling Rd.From

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Doral, Fl

Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School 8600 NW 107 Ave.From

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Fort Worth, TX

8117 Sunscape CourtFrom

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Hallandale Beach, Fl

214 E Hallandale Beach Blvd.From

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Hartlepool England

TS25 1GQ25 Kinterbury Close Seaton Carew
Lima, Peru

Parque Caceres, San Isidro

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Sunrise, Fl

Updated Location

Horizon Elementary

2101 Pine Island Rd.

Sunrise, FL 33322

From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m

Turned 20 on 2-12

Corey and Scott in Niketown, Chicago
Hannah Montana, aka Corey
Corey and Marcus as Tennesee boys at High School Summer Camp '07
Corey leading the team out for a game!

Happy Birthday, Corey!

It is so hard to believe that it was 20 years ago today that I brought you home - V Day, 1988.

I always said you were my sweetheart baby and you would be a lover, not a fighter and it is somewhat true. Now, you definitely speak your mind and we have had some spirited conversations, but you never like to go bed without making peace. That is such a good trait, to not hold a grudge, to not allow the sun to go down on your anger.

You were an answer to prayer, I asked God for a son then a daughter, so he could be the older brother to his sister, something that I never had. You have been a great older brother!

You have always been determined, from the time you kicked and broke my water and I went into labor. You always told me that you wanted to go away to college and play football and you set your goals and were so determined to succeed. Never imagined it would be in Illinois!

You are strong-willed and I will never forget the time I was disciplining you, you were about 3 years old and you told me, "You are not the boss of me". I knew then I would have to keep on my toes to be your mom.

You have always been a leader and never followed the crowd. I remember the time you were at a party with drugs and alcohol and you stood your ground, said no, and then called me to come and get you, and you didn't care that your friends saw you leave early.

You have always been an individual sometimes to the point where others thought you to be a bit strange or off :-).

You have the greatest imagination and when you were young, it was a blast playing pretend with you. It broke my heart to have to tell you that Santa was not real.

You are a great athlete and were never afraid to try different sports. You just always liked the extra physical sports, like football and hockey. How many ER visits have you had?

You are passionate about what you are passionate about...and many times you were misunderstood, but that trait will help you reach your goals in life.

You have a sensitive side, more than others know. But I have seen it as an asset, especially how you are sensitive to the Lord and His call on your life.

We share the love of music and I was so proud of you when, on your own, you found someone to teach you to play the drums and sure enough you did.

I love your sense of humor, you always tell the funniest stories and come up with your slogan words of the week- gunther!

And now you are 20, no more teenager, but a man, a young man that I am proud to call my son, my friend. I know that I can ask you to pray for me or someone and you will. I love how you seek God for your future and because of your choices to be faithful and obedient to your Heavenly Father, blessings abound! I miss you this week, the first time in your life we have not been together on your birthday, but I know you are safe in the will of God! Thanks for your text message last night, especially the part that read..."if you need me, call me, i love u". Seems like words I should be sending to you, but it shows me how the ground has become level between the 2 of us, no longer am I your total authority, but your friend! Happy Birthday,
I love you, Mom!

Post with 2 Points

This past week I had the opportunity to see 2 3D Movies! U2 and Hannah Montana. I loved them both! I love music! I love going to concerts and I believe that these 3D Concerts at the movie theatre will become our reality in the near future. Why do I think that, you ask? Well, for one it is either impossible or too expensive to get tickets these days to the top shows. I believe the new ticket online broker systems, like Stubhub and such, have a secret hacking system. Hannah Montana was sold out before her tickets even went on sale. And this past week, my girlfriend tried to get tickets to see the Eagles in Atlanta and all the good or reasonably priced seats for 3 different shows were gone in a matter of minutes. Watch for the concert to be in 3D very soon.

On another note, (I thought of while watching the Hannah Montana movie): If you haven't seen it and you have kids from 2-20, take them. It is really a fun thing to do with your kids. Plus you will understand why she is the hottest ticket right now - her audience is vast! Both my teenagers wanted to see it, my 16 year old went with a group of friends, guys and girls, and they loved it. My son wants to see it, but he is at college without a car, so he is trying to convince his roommates, hehe! I took my cousin's girls and we had a blast! There were also a bunch of high school students that came up to me this weekend in Student Ministry to let me know they had gone to see the show! They were proudly sharing their cell phone photos and wearing their Hannah t-shirts and 3D glasses (Lauren and Lindsay:-))

Here is an idea (something I did with both my kids at different times in their lives and wish I had done it more), surprise them and take them out of school and go. I have taken my kids out of school (they were each in Middle School) and surprised them with tickets to a concert, lunch at a favorite restaurant, or on our way to Universal. The show is playing all this week at local theaters, if you can get out of work early or go late, or if you don't work...send your kid to school and do not let them on to the secret. Go to the school office and call them out of class, their face will be priceless. Tell them they are on an adventure, you can blindfold them, bring them clues, or just drive and they may figure it out by the time you pull into the theater parking lot. It helps you out in the Hero department and if they can't drive yet, it is a great time to do it before they can and take theirselves places! Hey, if they like U2 better than Hannah, then check out that movie, I think it is still playing at the Imax! You will not regret the memories you are making or the Hero points either ;-)!

Cycles

There are 2 cycles of parenthood, (probably more) but these are a couple I have experienced:



Cycle 1 - God gives parents the gift of a child and we raise them and give them back to God as they enter adulthood - From His arms to ours and back to His! It is such a picture of trust, He entrusts us with the childhood and then we have to trust Him with adulthood. He loves them more than we do - do you really believe that?



Cycle 2 - For the first ten years you are their hero, for the next 10 you gradually turn to zero and then around 20 you become their hero again.

Community

Last night, I went to dinner with my daughter and Rachel B. We went to a restaurant I consider like a Cheers - you know like the song, "where everybody knows your name". We know most of the staff because they are teens that attend our church or have run in circles with my son or daughter. And while we were in the restaurant, some friends and their family came in to have dinner. It got me to thinking how cool it is to have the sense of community in such a large town. Yes, some can argue that I have that feeling because I am a native and have lived in the same place consecutively for the last 22 years. For at least 15 of those years, my children were very active in the athletic community and I met lots of people and made great friends. If you just moved here or have only been here for a short time, you may feel disconnected or not part of a community. Try attending church, joining a small group, and also getting involved in the community - a booster club, event for your child. Carson always teases me that every time I go anywhere with her, I run into someone that I know. Yes, it is a result of connecting in many areas of life. I know in a town like this it can be hard, and that is why the local church is so important. I do have friends in many circles, but it was when I have gone through some of the lowest times in my life, that my church has been the community that has helped me through (loss of job, death of family members). Our journey takes us across many paths and the cool part is that we get to experience life with the many people that come in and out of our lives. Hopefully, we make an impact on a spiritual level so eternity is the ultimate goal. God created us to be relational and we have relational needs that can only be met in community.

It makes me think of the quote by John Donne,

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind..."

What are you thinking? Do you need to take that step toward building community in your life, especially now that culture is pulling us apart from each other more and more each day...

He speaks in mysterious ways

God spoke to me today through a secular song! Ok, so I sound crazy, but between me and Him, I know the timing of the song and the words spoken were from Him!

Check out The Eagles new album - Long Road Out of Eden, (Disc 1, Track 11 You are Not Alone!)

Friday Favorite

I Love Vitamin Water!