Friday, December 31, 2010

"His Banner Over Me Is Love"

I had a revelation today. Well, it started yesterday and as I was thinking about it today I realized how true it is. God loves me. Really, really loves me. Loves me enough to let me go through hard things in order to become a better me. That may not sound that great to you, but it really is. Think about it - if you love a child and you have to discipline him it's hard because it hurts you to see him suffer. But the alternative is allowing him to go undisciplined and never mature. God loves me enough to suffer through watching me hurting because He knows it's what is best for me. He knows I'll come out stronger in the end.

This revelation came while singing the kid's song "His Banner Over Me is Love" with my mom in the car on the way home from the airport. If you've never heard it you should look it up. This video was the only one I could find that was the right version of the song (you know how churches change songs to fit what they're doing/teaching). It's a simple song, but the words are beautiful.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A little note from Florida ...

Hello all! I'm visiting my Grammy in Florida today and guess what? It was 30 degrees this morning! That's right - Florida and 30 degrees in the same sentence. Yikes! Oh well, at least I missed all the snow at home. Plus it's already up to the 40s now so I can't really complain. :)

I just wanted to take a moment to express how awesome my God is! I thought that this week was going to be very hard for me. It's our first Christmas season without my daddy plus the 26th was the 11 month anniversary of his death. I was so afraid that there was going to be lots of crying and sadness and that Christmas would turn into a draining experience this year instead of the uplifting experience it usually is. But guess what? God is amazing and my mom and I had a great Christmas! There were no tears this holiday season. Even visiting my Pepe's grave on Christmas day didn't turn on the waterworks. (It was sad to remember that he's gone, but it was nice to see where he was buried since I hadn't come to the funeral because one of us had to stay home and take care of my dad.) All in all we had a wonderful time and I am so thankful that God helped us stay positive. :)

Friday, December 17, 2010

365 Project?

I saw this book today called "365. A Daily Creativity Journal". It's a book that talks about doing a year-long project. There are 365 ideas that spark creativity. You pick either a subject or an art medium and every day you make something based on that day's ideas. I've been wanting to pick up scrapbooking again and really get my creative juices flowing and I'm thinking that this may be a fun way to do it. My problem is that I'm concerned it will take up too much time. Although I am single so this would be the perfect time to do it - without the responsibility of a husband and kids. What do you think?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Nutcracker!!

Cait and I went into Boston to see The Nutcracker as our Christmas gift to each other. We got all dressed up and did dinner at Fire & Ice before racing to the Opera House for the show (we got distracted at dinner). We had so much fun!! Seeing The Nutcracker was great, but the best part of the night was spending time with my bestest!
Us at The Opera House (taken with Caitlin's fancy new iphone)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Purse That Once Was Lost ...

but now is FOUND!


I lost this purse almost 2 years ago in a random parking lot that I was meeting a friend in so we could drive somewhere together. A couple of weeks ago I get a call from a friend that I haven't seen in a few months, she says that she's found something of mine. Turns out she now works at the dentist's office that the parking lot is attached to! She said she was going through the lost and found getting rid of stuff and felt like she recognized this purse. She opened it up and TA-DA! there was my ID! She brought it to church last Sunday. I am so excited to have it back!! Not just because it's a cute purse, but because it had a lot of important stuff in it that I was concerned about not having. Praise God that nobody stole it (or anything out of it) and that my friend thought to look through the purse instead of just throwing it out!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Welcome to the World of One Another ...

Pastor Paul (our church's temporary interim pastor) has been doing a series on Jesus' "One Another" commandments. I thought I'd share with all of you the 21 commandments our church is working on ...

1. Love one another. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35

2. Accept one another. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

3. Agree with one another. "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10

4. Serve one another. "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13

5. Encourage one another. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

6. Submit to one another. "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21

7. Forgive one another. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

8. Do not slander one another. "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it." James 4:11

9. Do not grumble about one another. "Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9

10. Honor one another. "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

11. Be devoted to one another. "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

12. Live in harmony with one another. "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16

13. Stop passing judgement on one another. "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." Romans 14:13

14. Be kind to one another. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

15. Be compassionate to one another. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

16. Be patient with one another. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

17. Teach and counsel one another. "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16

18. Be humble toward one another. "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5

19. Offer hospitality to one another. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." 1 Peter 4:9

20. Motivate one another to good works. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24

21. Fellowship with one another. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

It's been a challenge to even think about all of these, nevermind truly doing them. But I'm excited to see what God does while all of us try to follow these commandments in order to honor Him.
(all Scripture is NIV)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

My Personalized Travel Mug ...

I was just on facebook looking through my old profile pics (I'm procrastinating going to sleep - had some bad dreams last night) and I came across this one. The travel mug that I am holding is one that has an insert that you decorate and then put back in. I was actually very proud of that mug. I used it as a conversation starter when I was in college. Unfortunately I lost it. For some reason looking at this picture and realizing I no longer have that mug made me really sad. I think it's the knowledge that that mug was part of a life that I am no longer living. In this picture I'm meeting a big group of my friends in the church parking lot so we can carpool to the T station and head into Boston. We rarely do that anymore. And when we do it's just different. Different isn't always bad and I happen to really like the life I'm living right now, but in this moment looking at the memory of that moment, I am sad.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

What does being a Christian really look like?

It seems like the older I get the harder being a Christian is. What does being a good Christian really look like? Some say it's loving people. Just loving people. Some say it's being set apart. Others say it's being as in the world as possible so that we can reach the lost. Some say it's relying on the Holy Spirit to tell us what to do. One wise person told me it's simple, "just follow". All of these people have Scripture that seemingly backs up their beliefs. So which one is right? Or are they all right?

I've been learning that it's ok for people to live out their Christianity differently. God gave each of us different personalities and spiritual gifts and He made us unique for a reason - He doesn't want all of us to be the exact same Christian. But what parts of Christianity are absolutes that must be followed? Jesus being the only way to Heaven is definitely one. The trinity. The Bible is the infallible Word of God. What else? What is personal conviction and what must be followed to the letter?

I get that figuring all of this out is part of working out my salvation and also part of growing up, but that doesn't make the answers come any easier.

Thank God for the Bible and the ability to read it. :)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Anyone else shop early today?

So the plan was to go to Target at 2 in the morning and wait in line and then go to the mall when we were done there. That turned into going just to the mall at 4 when they opened. Then we decided to leave the house at 5ish because we hadn't gotten much sleep. We actually left the house at 6:15ish, but who's keeping track? :) The good thing is that we weren't really looking for anything specific, we were just going for the experience. And you know what? The experience wasn't really that spectacular. I mean, it was a lot of fun, but I guess I was expecting giant sales. I think I'm just bad at looking for sales. :) It was fun anyway and shopping together made it even better! Afterwards we had breakfast at this excellent diner that had all kinds of specialty pancakes. Delicious!! I'm so thankful I got to spend time just hanging out with the girls today. :)

I could tell that people were praying for my mom and I yesterday (Thanksgiving) because we actually were able to enjoy our holiday. We missed my dad, but it was still a good day. I was missing him a lot while dinner was being prepared because in the past I would hang out with my mom and aunt in the kitchen for a while and then go sit with my daddy and uncle while they watched the game and then go back and forth again. This year I left the kitchen to go sit in the living room and realized that my daddy wasn't there to sit with. That was the saddest part of the day. But I am thankful that my daddy had the happiest Thanksgiving he's ever had up in Heaven with his Savior. He didn't feel sick or tired all day :)

I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings! And if you went black Friday shopping I hope you found lots of good deals! :)

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Struggle to be Thankful

Tonight was wrong. It's Thanksgiving Eve (I guess technically it's Thanksgiving, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still night to me) and the whole evening was just off.

It started with me deciding to go to the Thanksgiving Eve service at my church. I go every year, but this year I was really excited because I haven't been able to worship with my church family for a while and this was going to be my chance (I run my church nursery and we've had minimal volunteers so I've been working almost every service). Of course I get there and the woman that was supposed to be in nursery wasn't there. Forget joining the congregation - I guess I'm on duty. It ended up that no children came so I was able to go into the service, but it was after worship. Oh well - I'll try again next time. The service was slightly weird too. Without a senior pastor everything just seems different. Slightly without focus. Pastor Darryl and Pastor Manny did a great job running the service, but something just seemed to be missing. Maybe it was just me - maybe I was so excited that I convinced myself it was going to be perfect. I don't know.

Then after the service I started to think about Thanksgiving Eve services in the past. In the years before, my friends and I always looked forward to Thanksgiving Eve service because it meant that all the "college kids" would be home and we would all go out to Friendly's or Denny's afterwards and catch up. It was a highly anticipated time of year! But this year there were no college kids. Many of them have graduated and moved far away or live in the area and are always here. Some of them are still in college, but they weren't able to make it home this year. It made me sad. A tradition gone and I didn't even notice I was missing it until the last second. Then I started thinking about tradition and it brought me to a thought that I cannot believe I didn't have before - this is the first Thanksgiving without my daddy. He won't be there to watch the parade with me and to tease me about not being his kid when I reach for a second helping of carrots. At the end of the day when I'm tired he won't be there to lean on and cuddle into. He won't say goodnight to me tomorrow night and he won't say good morning to me on Friday morning. Even after almost 10 months I'm still surprised at what I'm missing out on.

And after all this a verse that Pastor Darryl said stuck out to me, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) In EVERY THING. Even when I'm sad or angry or feeling lost I am to give thanks. Why? Because it is the WILL OF GOD. What a powerful statement.

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to put aside all my pouting and sadness and I'm going to focus on giving thanks in everything. What better day to start than Thanksgiving?

(I also had this thought - there are a lot of people out there that are going to be celebrating Thanksgiving while missing a loved one and most of them don't have Jesus. What a terrible thought! To be facing that sadness without the comfort of our Creator seems impossible to me.)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

"Even Then" by Nichole Nordeman

It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
in the middle of the night,
when the expectations are too great
and the bar gets raised too high.
So I do the best with what I've got
and hope that no one knows
that I strain to see how high I can
try to stand on these toes
until I'm measured, but You know better.

So, thank You Jesus,
even when You see us just as we are -
fragile, frail and so far
from who we want to be.
So, thank You Jesus,
even when the pieces are broken and small,
dreams shattered and scattered like the wind.
Thank You even then.

So I put aside the masquerade,
and admit that I am not okay.
Which may not be the thing to say
but I'm not ashamed to need You more each day.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Flawed

I've re-done my blog in an effort to make it a place that I can share my journey. Truly share it. I've come to an understanding in my life that I am not a very open person when it comes to the big stuff. Growing up I thought being a good Christian meant being perfect. Naturally that led me to leading a life that looked as perfect as I could make it look on the outside, but inside I was far from perfect. I had (and still have) all kinds of flaws and failings, but I had no idea how to reconcile those to the image that everyone had of me and I was scared to get help because sharing those flaws would mean that people wouldn't think I was a perfect Christian anymore. And that had become my identity. I was stuck.

But then I realized (through multiple teachings that God placed in my life) that being a good Christian is not about being perfect. It's about being humble and willing to be used in whatever way the Lord chooses. A big part of being humble is being open, honest and transparent - something that I have struggled at even attempting for so long. So that's what this blog is - my attempt at being open, honest and transparent. My attempt to show that i am not a perfect Christian, I'm not even a very good Christian. My attempt to show that God is the only one who can perfect me and make me more like His Son.

Can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Under Construction ...

My blog is going to be under construction for a little while so if it seems strange or different it's just because I'm experimenting. Hopefully it's going to look awesome when I'm done :)

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Gingerbread Cottages of Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard ...

There is so much I could say about the Gingerbread Cottages, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. If you want to know more about them go to www.mvmca.org/history.htm and/or search "Gingerbread Cottages Oak Bluffs".



(This one is actually a playhouse version in the side yard of one of the cottages)








(Cottage Museum)







(This cottage was built higher off the ground because the original owners were afraid of Native Americans peeking in their windows)

(This will be interesting to any of you that are interested in children's literature: The house on the right is owned by Shel Silverstein, author of "The Giving Tree")




(This house is still considered a "Gingerbread Cottage" even though it's not in the original circle. The house is so large that they actually have "A Private Residence" printed on the stairs so that people don't think it's an inn.)

Grumpy Days ...

Daylight Savings Time means leaving work in the dark. Blah! I forgot how much I dislike this part of Winter. Anybody have any beat-the-grumpies ideas?

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Martha's Vineyard ...

My mother and I were blessed (by a family in our church) with a week long trip to Martha's Vineyard this September! God is so good to us and knew how much we desperately needed to get away for a little bit.
Here we are in front of our hotel

The hotel had a kitchen for everyone to share. There were 3 stations that included a stove, oven, sink and full sets of dishes, knives and cooking utensils. The other side of the kitchen had an island with every pot and pan imaginable, 3 kitchen tables, a coffee maker, 2 refrigerators and a microwave. It was so much fun to make our meals together.

Our first stop was this adorable tiny shopping area. I wish I could tell you what part of MV this is, but I don't remember.
I think it's Gay Head.
Enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean.

We did so much relaxing at the beach that we don't have many pictures. Just know that the beaches were beautiful, extremly windy and exactly the therapy we needed.

The gingerbread houses of Oaks Bluff! (more on these later)

On the way back to the hotel we saw this lighthouse. I love lighthouses, they remind me of what I am supposes to be to the lost - a shining beacon that brings them to Christ.

Martha's Vineyard museum. We learned about a family that had a dirt floor that turned into an archeological dig, a man who practiced law on MV for years, but didn't actually have legal rights to do so and a woman who treated her chickens like children (she even gave them gravestones with love poems etched in).

Alpacas!

My mom was trying to get a picture with a particular alpaca, but she just wasn't cooperative.

Giant snapping turtle (more on the animals we saw later)

This guy followed us home on the way back to the mainland. He rode the wind that the ferry was creating and every once in a while would swoop in and try to steal someone's food.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I know, I know ...

I should probably post more than every 6 months. Nothing much has been going on though that I'm willing (or able) to put on the internet for everyone to read. I did go to Martha's Vineyard though. I can post about that ...

Friday, May 14, 2010

Caitlin's graduating

from COLLEGE!!!

I'm so proud this is happening - my bestest-estest is heading into the working world with a bachelors degree in history under her belt and a dream in her heart (look at me - I'm getting all mushy).

Tomorrow's the big day - I can't wait to go to the graduation and see Caitlin walk up onto the podium and get her diploma. I'm going to cry like a baby.

I'm so proud of you Caitlin!!!! :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Pictures from the Boucher's farewell banquet ...

Like every church-wide meeting - we started with worshipping our God.
Nicole and Leah (accompanied by Pastor Rafael) sang a song about God being in control despite the changes in our lives. It was a surprise for her parents.

The mayor came and presented the Boucher's with a pink flamingo lawn ornament and a statue of Johnny Appleseed (Leominster's claims to fame).


Pastor Dave gave a moving speech about his friend and co-worker Pastor Mark (there's an awesome picture of them hugging, but it wouldn't load).

Pastor Mark and his girls thanking the church that they have served for 15 years.

The deacons praying over the Bouchers.

"The Crew" (that's what Nicole calls us)

There are other pictures, but these capture the night really well. :)

(Thank you to Nicole for these pics)

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Business Meeting Update ...

Pastor Dave did not get the 2/3 votes needed to become senior pastor of LAOG. He is however the interim pastor until a senior pastor can be found.

Because of some dissension in our church I have decided to stop mentioning what is happening (at least for now). Any other info about what is happening in the church can be found at http://www.laog.org/ (scroll to the middle/end of the home page).

Please continue to pray for our church and all of the people and families that have been affected.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Business Meeting Coming Up ...

This Sunday night is the night that us measly people decide what is next for our church. I'm praying hard that God shows each of us how He would like us to vote and what He would like us to say (if anything).

So glad He's in control. :)

Monday, April 19, 2010

so much CHANGE

My word! It feels like everything in my life is changing this year. I have never had a year so full of change in my life - and it's only April!!!

It started in January when Drance and I decided to go our seperate ways. It was probably the calmest break-up ever in the history of couples, but it was still heartbreaking.

Then 3 weeks later my dad went to be with Jesus after spending 15 days unconscious in a hospital bed.

Next Sunday is my church's senior pastor's last Sunday here. Pastor Mark has been senior pastor for 15 years and now God is calling him on to a new ministry in a new state. I'm very excited for him and his family, but I am going to miss them so very much. Pastor Mark has spoken into my life in so many powerful ways through his sermons and the way he lives his life. His wife Terry was my "Star Sponser" in Missionettes and has been like another mother to me - always concerned about how I'm doing and giving me great big hugs. I consider his daughter Nicole to be one of my closest friends. We have been friends for 12 years and have gone through so much together. I am going to miss their daily presence and the wonderful way they have led our church.

Along with the change of the senior pastor leaving comes the change of a new pastor - who will it be? Our associate pastor (Pastor Dave) is going to be presented to the church next Sunday night as the first (and hopefully only) candidate for senior pastor. I hope he gets the vote! If he doesn't we'll have an interim pastor until the board can find a new pastor to present to the people. No matter which way it goes - the church is facing a lot of change in at least the coming year. (Our visitation pastor is also retiring - his last Sunday is May 2nd. I'm going to miss him and his wife too. They are very wise, very welcoming people and I love them dearly).

My mom and I have had to sell our house so May 15th we will begin moving into our new apartment. The closing on the house will be somewhere in the last week in May/first week in June.

Those are just the big changes in my life - there have been many other small changes in my life as well as big changes in my friends lives.

All I can say is that I'm glad I serve an unchanging God, because without him I would be a mess right now.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

You probably already know ...

My daddy went to be with Jesus January 26th at 12:05 in the morning. The services were Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

I miss him so much, but this morning during worship at church God gave me a wonderful joy. I pictured my dad up in Heaven worshiping God and it was such a wonderful thought to know that I can worship along with him. My mom and I have been so blessed by our Heavenly Father - He continually shows us His great mercy and love. He truly is amazing and worthy of all our praise. :)