Back to School

Well, it looks like I'm becoming an official student of the University of Phoenix! Yep! In about 2.5 years, I will have a Masters of Science in Psychology, and 6 months to decide if I want to continue onto my doctorate. "Who'd a thought it?"

It all started with a conversation and a phrase from my own mouth..."If I ever went back to school, it would probably be for counseling..." And then the thoughts began..."What if I did go back to school?" "How would that work?" "Why haven't I considered that before now?" "Do I really have time for that?" "Am I really wired for that?" So, I started putting it out there in circles of people whose opinion I really value. Most have said something to the effect of, "Why, of course! I can totally see that!" That's reassuring, I must say. If it weren't a potential gift, it would be a significant waste of time! :-) The only real push back I have gotten has been "Where will you find the time?" That's legit...and I've really thought about it, prayed about it, talked about it, and weighed out all the pros and cons. I think it's more than doable, and I think it will be hugely beneficial when I am finished.

The COOL thing is just how it works. 1 class every 6 weeks...all on-line...all at my own leisure - no set meeting times. 1 class at a time, and I'm considered full-time! Cool! 12-15 hours per week of reading/doing assignments/posting comments in online chat rooms. I can take up to 4 weeks off between classes. It's completely designed for working people who can't just uproot, enroll in a college and quit their daily lives. Plus, every advisor assigned to you is helpful, friendly, and committed to your success. Fantastic!

I see a need in our church for more qualified counselors. I've always had at least a "lean" in that direction. Why not take an interest, combine it with training, and become part of the solution?

Oh...and Dennis is excited about calling me "Doctor Pash!" It helps to have your spouse as your biggest cheerleader! Now, let's strap on our helmets and chaps and just see where this road leads!

At the Crab Shack!

This was perhaps my favorite single event of the trip. We passed DC and crossed the water into Maryland when Dennis suddenly pulled off. He had seen a restaurant on the water and thought it would be a good place for some pics (see the blog/pics that ended up AFTER my parents' bit). I liked the close-up of him with the bridge behind him...I mean, wow!

We passed this local crab shack on the way, and after taking pics, we stopped in for lunch. It was a tiny little place, but had the best crab cakes we'd ever had! And, there's something about "eating like the locals eat" that gives you a taste (no pun intended) of culture that chain restaurants can't.

So, it was my favorite single event because it was spontaneous and fun, and it reminded me (again) of one of my favorite qualities of Dennis. I told him a long time ago, "I love the beauty of your unleashed heart." Not everyone sees that. When he's on the job trying to make things happen for others, he is focused, determined, and works harder and faster than three "normal" guys. But don't be fooled - Dennis is a man who takes life & living it (as well as fun and playing) pretty seriously. He loves adventure. He loves people. He spent the whole day of riding just talking to God in very plain terms. he said he felt like He said, "I love spending time with you...I love having your undivided attention." I love that he listens for that.

So, ride free, love deep, play hard, and live life to the fullest! Oh - and make sure you keep your eyes open for those "moments" worth getting off the main road for...the memories are priceless!

50 Years and Counting

OK, BEFORE vacation, we gave my parents a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party. It actually remained a total surprise. My folks' faces were priceless. There were about 60 people there - balloons, smiles, tears, a surprise musician from Mom's first 4th grade class, 2 members of their actual wedding party, lots of old and new friends, all the kids and grandkids. Mom said it was her very first surprise party. Wow!

It made me think of what an incredible milestone 50 years of marriage is...and unfortunately not a normal number to reach. I am proud of my parents and the example they are. I have been blessed to have my parents remain married, remain in love...and remain friends. In fact, I think they love (and like) each other more now than ever before. Dennis and I are coming on 2 years, and I would love to see us reach an "Abraham & Sarah style" 50th. I would love to have another party for my parents on their 75th. Regardless, I am taking my "cue" from Mom & Dad to make every moment count and build a life of love and joy and friendship and future and destiny and purpose and hope and dreams with the love of my life.

Rock ON, Mom & Dad! I love you!

Biker Bliss Pics

The love birds..................... Oh how we both looooooooove the Blue Ridge Parkway!!!

Something about a guy and a bike!!!

There are more with deeper thoughts that I will save for later. These are completely self-serving..."can't help lovin' dat man of mine!"

6 days...8 states...1800 miles...

Just came back from the best vacation ever as of yet. It was incredible...6 days, 8 states, 1800 miles...and all on the motorcycle with my incredible husband. Beautiful scenery...lots of time to think, pray, reflect, worship...great downtime with Dennis... mmmmm...

Which states? NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, PA, WV. A great loop around. It was actually pretty spontaneous...and quite adventurous. And I never thought I would feel so SAFE and relaxed on the back of a bike at high speeds (only when we had to "ride the big roads"). But, I have to hand it to Dennis - he is a very thoughtful driver, and he has a great command of the bike that comes with a lot of years of riding, a lot of respect for the road, bike, other drivers, and his "God-asked-for-cat-like" reflexes. That road could have kept opening up before us...I wouldn't have complained.

More pics and thoughts to come...

19 Years!

I spent the entire day Saturday putting together a recap of the past year of our church. We actually started this 19th year with significant heartache, but as I put together that video, I realized just how much fun and building and advancing we've done! I mean, we made Christmas happen for over 500 kids; we went to 3 nations; our senior pastors did their first series together on the platform; we joined with 1500 other churches in the One Prayer effort, and sent $80,000 to plant churches in developing nations; we did 99 Days of serving and did a full-on community blitz that we have continued on. Plus, we have had countless salvations, some incredbile new people join the ranks, an this next Vision Class has 70 people registered! All I can say is "Beauty for Ashes." Rock ON!

"No...but I do."

During staff prayer today a song came over the speaker - one I have known a long time - that says, "I love You more than life." As I sang along, I thought about those words...and I asked the Lord, "Do I?" As I considered my question, more of them arose:
Do I even know how to love You more than life? Do I yet know what that really means? Do I know even now what it takes to love like that?
I felt like He simply and gently replied, "No...But I do."
As tears made their way slowly down my face, I realized the truth of His Word:
"There is no greater love than this - that a man would lay his life down for his friend."
I have never been faced with that, so as much as I would like to believe I would, I won't know until it happens. My heart's cry now is to allow His saturation of that kind of love so I can truly give it out.
What better calling is there?

Finger-picking good

I'm learning to play the guitar. This has been a year and a half process (give or take) and I'm realizing that with the guitar...especially "post-teenager"...that's not a long time at all. There have been frustrating moments, from being a musician and wanting it to go faster. BUT, there have been many more rewarding "light-bulb" moments - the times when I see the patterns as they seem to leap off the neck. Isn't that the real reason we learn anything new? That's when the challenge seems to give back. That's how you increase your capacity for "new." It's the same whether you're earning a new language, going back to school, buying a home for the first time. And when it comes down to reading the Word, talking to God, hearing His voice, sensing His presence, the "new" never has to wear off...because it will always challenge you to stretch and grow and increase. That's the beauty of relationship. Bring it on!

Surveillance

Most people know I kinda have a "thing" for cop shows. So, during PK's message today about the virgins and the oil (Matt. 25) and being "ready" & how easy it is to fall asleep when you are waiting on the Lord, my "ever-busy-little-brain" went straight to snipers for a minute...I know, I know...but think about it. These guys are highly trained, highly skilled individuals who spend MOST of their time, well, waiting on their target. If they fall asleep or get distracted - even for a moment - they may very well miss their perfect opportunity to accomplish their mission. I spent a lot of the message today wondering how many opportunities I have missed on the journey of my mission...all because I have let the "distractions of the dailies" lull me to sleep. It was one of the most sobering messages I have heard...OK, so the last FOUR have been that...and I feel a little like I've been wakened from a coma. "Lord, breathe into my soul once again. Let me become a geyser of anointing - so much so that every person in my world can leave my presence not thinking of me, but knowing they have been touched by YOU!"

I want to fly away...hey, hey hey!

Dennis and I went flying Friday morning in a friend's Cessna. What an experience! Watching the shadow of the plane on the ground get smaller and smaller as we climbed higher and higher...
We took the motorcycle down (the airport is in Marion, NC), and I was overwhelmed by the things I saw because I didn't have to concentrate on driving. What a beautiful ride!!! The mountains are incredible...so blessed to live here!
What came to mind was...well, different. The day before, I watched "Full Force Nature" on the Weather Channel. A guy with a video camera chased a tornado on a complete whim. At one point, he tried to get out of his car to get a better shot and almost couldn't get the door closed back due to the force of the wind. He said he'd never felt so small in his life.
That's how I felt on the bike...small...surrounded by incredible beauty that came to life with a single word from our amazing God. And yet, here we are - created in His image, given the same power and authority, the same life and death - the true pictures of beauty according to Him. It was one of those mind-blowing moments as I considered the greatness of His power, beauty, purpose...and His love...

The Shack

I read an incredible book traveling to and from Tacoma last week. The Shack. It's the most un-religious and "real" portrayal of God I believe I have ever read. At first I found myself saying, "Is that ok?" and realizing that was the whole point. It deals with the reality of forgiveness - beyond "the Christian thing to do - and makes you ask yourself a lot of HARD questions. I found myself grabbing my highlighter...for a FICTION book!!! Hello? But, there are some points I really want to go back and study.
I let a friend read it after returning. She texted me and said, "This book should come with a disclaimer: 'May cause injury to knees!' And a spatula with which you can scrape yourself up off the floor!" Well put, Julio!
It's amazing the pre-conceived notions we develop over the years - almost as escape-mechanisms...places to hide when we don't understand. It would seem God is inviting us to REALLY "dwell" (consider that word) IN Him and REST in His true, simple, beautiful love and the complete DELIGHT He takes in being WITH us...

Get on with it!

Just got back from a leadership conference in Tacoma, Washington with the pastoral staff. It truly was a beautiful week to go...80 degrees...clear enough to see Mt. Ranier in all her glory (all but one day)...
It was also the most incredible conference I have EVER been to. My world was completely ROCKED!!! I felt like I met up face-to-face with some of my greatest fears and was given a choice of submitting to them or getting out my handy dandy slingshot... Those fears have not only affected me, but everyone in my sphere depending on me to "get it." I left the conference with one phrase rolling around in my head - "Get over it...and get on with it!" Fear makes it all about me...freedom makes it all about God being glorified and everyone else being blessed!

welcome to the 21st century

Yep - I finally joined the blogging world. A few people asked...I even created one earlier completely by accident (one that I can no longer find)! But, this one is on purpose.
I could go back and try and fill in a bunch of blanks, but I'll simply start with the last two weekends.
LAST weekend, we had a surprise 50th birthday party for Dennis (50???wow!!!). It was incredible! 75-80 people...his son (and CUTIE girlfriend) came from Florida...his 2 best Marine buds came from New York and Chicago...his mom and sister were there from Florida...my folks came...he has several friends from this area show up. Plus all the incredibel people fromt the church who love him. Several shared words of love (and funny stuff) - including PK, PC, Michael, Mark, Thelma, Mom & Chris. Good stuff! :-)
THIS weekend - Friday - Dennis and I connected with couple we have been TRYING to get with for a YEAR! It was refreshing to get a different perspective on things. These have been married for 9 years - married in our church - and he has been around for at least 15. And yet, we heard the perspective of two people who love it but don't work "in" it...and it was encouraging to hear the impact our house has - and to hear more about what we are doing "right" and how much GOD is in it. Thanks for that...what a beautiful thing to breath in!
Saturday, our church served at Habitat for Humanity and ABCCM. Some from the last crew were there - and some new people. I love that. I love how God seems to put teams together for whatever thing HE wants to accomplish...even in a single day.
After church yesterday, we had lunch with another great couple. We sat and talked about life and what got us all to where we are. We learned from them about "practically" helping people...and how to tell the difference in those who want it and those who don't. It was great hearing Dennis share his heart concerning helping people...and realizing it's more of a calling on his life than even he realizes! :-)
And last but not least...yesterday...Sunday morning...worship was breathTAKING for me. I loved being "drowned out" by the congregation! I loved being able to take the mic away from my mouth and be led into worship by THEM! It was beautiful...and to me, THAT is a taste of what HEAVEN will be like...loud, extravagant, unleashed worship of the King of Kings!
God is good...life is amazing...