Riverbend Ramblings

Bookworm was able to get Curly Girl to sit still long enough to straighten her hair with a flat iron for the spring concert at school. She loved her new look but decided that it took entirely too long to straighten it. Fifteen minutes can feel like a lifetime when someone is tugging on your hair.  Needless to say, the curls are back.

Back in December I started thinking about choosing a word or idea to focus on in 2011. One word kept popping up over and over--PEACE. I have to be completely honest about why I chose the word peace for 2011. My life was not filled with peace last year. Many days were filled fear, anxiety, agitation, frustration, anger, disappointment, and a lot of stress. The two surgeries in May and the long recovery didn't help matters. I can't tell you how many times I inwardly cried out, "Lord, I just want some peace in my life!" Wanting it is one thing. Doing what it takes to have peace is something completely different. What is the key to being filled with peace? I certainly don't have that figured out yet, other than the fact that it only comes from my Heavenly Father. I've been focusing on having a closer relationship with Him. When I feel overwhelmed, I start digging in my Bible. God's words are so comforting. Because I wear many hats (pastor's wife, mother, daughter, school principal, manager, friend, Sunday school teacher), I have really had to take a look at my priorities. A multitude of commitments often rob me of peace, IF I let them. My family is my number one priority, and while my work and ministry duties are important, I will not sacrifice the needs of my family to fulfill those duties. It's a tough balancing act and one that I struggle with daily. There are a lot of practical things I'm working on in this area. I'm learning to say, "No" to nonessential commitments. I've also reclaimed a lot of my free time for family fun and relaxation. Right now I'm trying taking things one day at a time. I'm trusting in God's promises. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5, 6 "Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust..." Psalm 40:4 Peace only comes from Him. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 **Becky and others are sharing their theme words for the year in this post. I encourage you to read it.

~We had a wonderful, soul-stirring Bible conference at church.

Can you believe I haven't posted since the middle of January? Shame on me! Since my last post... Our church celebrated my father-in-law's 40th anniversary as pastor and threw a big party in his honor complete with a 50's diner theme and slide show. One of the ladies in the church made this cake.Lil Nut and Curly Girl were the "party girls". They helped take down the balloons during the clean up afterward.My favorite redhead finished his first season of basketball. He was one of the starting five in the last game of the year and has really improved. Lil Nut turned seven and loved every second of her birthday. She could hardly sleep the night before because she was so excited. Bookworm became a teenager! Enough said. Isn't she lovely? My hubby sent these Valentine roses to my office. They stayed beautiful for over a week. Our church's radio ministry held its annual three day fundraiser. Over $217,000 was pledged for the coming year. That's the back of my handsome hubby's head in the foreground.We're blessed and staying busy as always.