Adventure Golf

Our church youth group went mini-golfing at Adventure Golf yesterday in Lake Worth. It was perfect weather for it. We had 11 kids and 6 adults for the fun. The management asked us to group up in groups of 3 - 5. The girls had 2 groups and the boys ended up being a group of 5. The adults spilt into groups of 3. It has been years since I played mini-golf and it showed. I putted 67 on eighteen holes. However, I surprised myself and my group by making a hole in one near the end of the course. I jumped up and down and yelled while they laughed. After mini golf we ate at Pizza Hut before heading for home. The kids suggested we plan an afternoon soon to go bowling. To which we agreed as long as some of us can have the bumpers up!

Friday Feast

Our former youth pastor's sister-in-law began posting the Friday Feast on her blog several weeks ago. It's a website, Friday's Feast, that asks five random questions every Friday. I've enjoyed her posts and have decided I'll give it a try. Although most people that visit my blog already know me, maybe they will learn something new about me through these posts. So here is the Feast for this week:

Appetizer: What is your favorite kind of bread? Garlic bread.

Soup: When was the last time you bought a new pillow? A year ago maybe. . . except I didn't replace my favorite one that I sleep with.

Salad:Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net? Do e-mail hours count? What about instant messaging? Alright I admit it, I'm addicted. Somewhere around 40 hours.

Main Course: What’s the highest you remember your temperature being? I don't recall having a fever. I'm pretty healthy, but I'm sure I have not been fever free all my life.

Dessert: Fill in the blanks: When I go to the beach, I have fond memories and am so relaxed.

No Ice Cream Wednesday

For the past two weeks we have attempted to purchase a McFlurry from McDonalds here in town after church on Wednesday night. No such luck. We have been told that they have no ice cream. Last week we took our youth group to McDonalds with the intention of having McFlurrys and Sundaes with a short devotional time. Then tonight after church I went through the drive through at McDonalds to purchase a McFlurry for Angela as a treat for doing some chores around the house this week without being asked to do them. And I got the same response. . . NO ICE CREAM.

Has McDonalds quit serving ice cream or is it they just don't serve ice cream on Wednesday night?

Happy Birthday Diana!

Today is one of my co-worker/friend's birthday. It has been a pleasure working with Diana for the past 2 years. During this time we have become great friends. Since knowing Diana I have never seen her without a smile on her face and an encouraging word on her lips. I pray that today will be filled with joy and sweet memories and that our friendship will continue to grow. I'm am blessed to have you in my life. Love Ya Girlfriend!

A Movie, Dinner and Good Company

Saturday morning I woke up early and headed to Miami for the weekend. A very good friend of mine, Tom, had invited me down for the weekend. David and Angela had made plans with friends so I went alone. After arriving at Tom's he cooked lunch before we went to the movies. He treated me to a "chick flick", "The Namesake"at the Aventura Mall. Following the movie we went back to his house and relaxed before going to dinner. Tom knows that my favorite restaurant is Olive Garden and he treated me to a very relaxing and delicious dinner there. Unlike dining with the kids we took our time eating and enjoying each other's conversation. Afterwards we enjoyed time talking and laughing.

Tom knows how to spoil me and make me feel special whether it's taking me out or just spending time with me. I throughly enjoyed my weekend with him. He is one of the few friends that I can go months (years at times) not seeing but the moment we see each other again we pick right back up and it never feels like we've been apart.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend!

Just this week I realized that my 10 year anniversary was this past Saturday. Yes I have been the secretary at First Baptist Church of Clewiston for 10 years now. I have thought alot this week about the past ten years here. I remember when I first started how unsure i was about being able to do the job. Either I have done the job or they can't find anyone else to take the job. Seriously I was so nervous when I first came on staff but that nervousness is now gone. The pastor that hired me was hesitate to hire me since I had no secretarial experience to speak of. However, two of the deacons that knew me recommended that he give me a chance and so I was hired. I will be forever grateful to those two men.

Over the years I have worked for 3 different pastors and one interim pastor. Each one has been different, but I have enjoyed working for all of them. Along with the pastors I have worked with a 4 other ministers, two secretarys, 2 pre-school directors, 2 pre-school teachers and numerous custodians. All of these people have been a joy to work with and I treasure each of their friendships.

Over the years I have seen God at work; sometimes in small ways and sometimes in big ways. There have been times of joy, sorrow, frustration, and anticipation throughout the 10 years. I love my job and can think of no other place I would have rather spent the last 10 years working. I look forward to what God has in store for future.

Photo Shoot

After the engagement party Angela and Cheyenne asked if I would take them around Clewiston to take some pictures of them. I could have spent that time doing laundry or something more productive, but instead I decided it would be fun to take photos of them around town. We had a great time and they even talked me into letting them take some of me.

Before leaving the engagement party

By the pool at Okeechobbee Landings

Angela & I

The City Park Easter Bunny gets a hug

Mom and the Easter Bunny

At the Levee on Lake Okeechobbee

City Park

My two tree huggers

Thanks Mom, that was fun

Engagement Party

Jim & Phyllis Wilkinson offically announced their daughters, Jessica, engagement to family and friends today at Okeechobbee Landings Club house. Angela, Cheyenne and I went to the party this afternoon from 2 - 4 p.m. We enjoyed the company of several church members and family of the bride-to-be. After everyone ate, Phyllis let the children hunt easter eggs before going home. We wish Jessica & Jason the best as they plan their upcoming wedding in December.

Jason & Jessica

Cheyenne, Angela & Sally

Nathan ready to hunt Easter Eggs

Our table full of Baptists

Adeline and Angela

Greatness of My God

(9) Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not;say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" (10) Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him;behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (11)He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms;he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

(12)Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span,enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed
the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? (13)Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? (14) Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? (15)Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. (16) Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. (17)All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

(18)To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? (19)An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. (20)He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot;he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.

(21)Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? (22)It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; (23)who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

(24)Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

(25)To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy
One. (26)Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name,by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

(27)Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,"My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? (28)Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (29) He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (30)Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; (31) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:9-31

Book Review: Relationships: A Mess Worth Making

Relationships intrigue me for many different reasons. I can recall a time when I was younger that I wanted to be a counselor and over the years the interest in people and their relationships with others still interest me. I guess that is why I am forever reading books about relationships. I have just finished reading Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Paul Tripp and Tim Lane. This book is definetly a keeper!

Think about the title. . . what comes to mind when you think of relationships? Romance, friendship, family. This book addresses many of these realtionships from a biblical standpoint. Now look at the the rest of the title, A Mess Worth Making. What is the "mess?" Tripp and Lane expalin the mess is the sin in our lives. The "worth" is God at work in our relationships.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is about how sin in our lives effects our relationships.

The problem with relationships is that they all take place right smack dab in the middle of something, and that something is the story of redemption, God's plan to turn everything in our lives into instruments of Christlike change and growth. You and I never get to be married to a fully sanctified spouse. We will never be in a relationship with a completely mature friend. We will never live next to a neighbor utterly free of the need to grow and change. We will never have self-parenting children. We will never be near people who always think, desire, say, or do the right things. And the reason for all of this is that our relationships are lived between the already and the not yet. (pg.2)

One of my favorite chapters in the book was the chapter on mercy. Tripp and Lane explain that a relationship without mercy is a relationship lived outside biblical borders. A quote from the chapter tells us God's point of view on mercy.

From God's point of view, one of the most beneficial aspects of mercy is that it levels the playing field. Mercy forces us all to face the fact that we need it. None of us has the spiritual upper hand. In our struggle with sin, we all need compassion, sympathy, forgiveness, and rescue. All of us are poor in some way, lacking things we desperately need. Each of us lives with weakness and the results of our own poor choices. But even when we seem to have it right, even when we are committed to live in mercy, we struggle to love the very people we have looked on with sympathy. And even while we are basking in God's forgivenss, we find it incredibily difficult to bear with the sin and weakness of others. That's why, in the mirror of mercy, all us look the same. (pg.134-135)

In that same chapter they state that giving mercy always demands mercy.

When you extend mercy, you will begin to see how selfish, impatient, unforgiving, and inconsistent you can be. Mercy will show you how much your own heart still needs the continuing work of the Redeemer. It will drive you to the end of yourself and to the grace of your merciful Savior. And that is a very good thing. (pg 140)

Now you will have to read the rest of the book to see how God can make messy relationships what he designed them to be.

More Prom Pictures

David took his camera with him to prom and these are some photos he took. He said they had a great time.

David trying be serious

David & Abi in front of her yard

David, Abi, Caitlynn & Ryan

David & Abi

Prom Night

Tonight was David's senior prom. I feel old saying that it's his senior prom. It doesn't seem like 24 years ago I attended my senior prom. It's funny thinking back to my senior prom. . . like David I went with one of my best friends. However, our prom was in the same town as our high school unlike David's. He had to drive to West Palm Beach for his prom. It is being held at the Airport Hilton. I had a good time teasing him all afternoon. He finally started getting ready at 3:30 this afternoon. He is such a handsome kid. He picked Abi up at her house around 4:45 pm and returned to our house so I could take pictures of them. She is a beautiful young lady. They left here going to Outback and then to the prom. He bought her one of her favorite movies "Happy Feet" and is planning on giving it to her at dinner. He will be home somewhere around 11:30 p.m. since Abi's parents requested she be home at 11:00 p.m. And he thought I was bad saying midnight!

Goodbye Trouble

I knew the day would come when I walked into my office and would be greeted by a fish floating on his back. Today was the day. Goodbye Trouble - a.k.a. Slippy. He has now became whom Pastor Brian feared he would one day become, Floaty. Rest in peace my dear fishy friend.

Fresh Flowers

Tonight we had to make a trip to Wal-Mart for some science project supplies and groceries. While there Angela asked if we could get some fresh flowers since the ones from Saturday's party were dying. She told me that "flowers make all the difference". I have to agree with her, the flowers on the kitchen table do make it seem more homey. And I couldn't resist taking a picture of her at the table doing her homework while I prepared dinner.

Prom Preview

David picked up his tuxedo today for Prom. I made him try it on just in case there was any adjustments that we needed to make. Prom is on Saturday in West Palm Beach at the Airport Hilton. He is taking Abigail Ruiz. He met Abi in 7th grade and they did not get along. In 8th grade they didn't have classes together and then she moved away in 9th grade. She moved back to Clewiston in 10th grade and they became very good friends. I never thought David would be attending his high school prom since he isn't much on dancing or crowds. He asked Abi to prom about two months ago and she had no interest in going. After that all talk about prom ceased until two weeks ago when Abi called him and asked if he still wanted to take her to prom. He told her yes and the rest will be history after Saturday. Watch for pictures of them. For now. . . here David is sporting his tuxedo in my office.

Finding Contentment in Life

David purchased Chris Tomlin's newest CD, "See the Morning", a few months ago. It is one of my favorites. As I was listening to it this morning after I dropped him and Angela off at school a song entitled "Enough" was playing. The words are. . .

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice

Of greatest price

And still more awesome than I know

You're my coming King

You are every thing

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want

More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me.

I was reminded of Hebrews 13:5 and Philippians 4:11. As I have reflected on this song and on these verses, I am reminded that as a child of God I should be content in Him. So often I struggle with this very thing. Wishing for that extra dollar, another new outfit, more friends, more time; the list could go on and on. But do I really need any of it. Christ should be all that I need.

A Good Laugh

Tonight I asked David while he was at Wal-Mart to buy hamburger buns and sugar. I was thankful that he was willing to pick up these items so I wouldn't have to go back out tonight. When I went to unbag his purchases this is what I found

I'm just glad that he didn't put the sugar in the canister for me. Chances are sugar wouldn't taste so good in my coffee. I got a good laugh at least and hamburger buns. I can always use the extra flour. Maybe I should bake him a cake.

Cars

After working and saving his money for almost a year, David is the proud new owner of a 1999 Mercury Sable. It's not the car he had dreamed of owning as his first car but he paid cash for it and got a sweetheart of a deal on it. He's even happier that he has still has money left in his savings account after the purchase. He even got some free advice to go along with it. . . "Son there are two things in life you never let your buddy borrow. . . your car and your girlfriend. Because both will leave you and you will be walking down a lonely road." And no that advice did not come from his mother!

Deacons' Wives Fellowship

On Saturday I hosted a fellowship for our deacons' wives and our pastor's wife at my house. Barbara Buker helped me out tremendously , as I'm not much of a hostess. Barbara made some great punch and baked some Easter cookies for the ladies to enjoy. She also had two flower arrangements delivered to my office on Friday for me to take home for the fellowship on Saturday. I ordered a platter of chicken salad sandwiches and turkey and ham wraps from the local coffee shop as well as getting an assortment of fruit and cheeses. At the last minute I decided to make some coffee for those that might want it.

David of course bailed before any of the ladies arrived. Angela and Cheyenne stayed but remained in her room for the afternoon until I told them they could fix a plate for themselves. After fixing a plate they returned to their room and gave us ladies the opportunity to enjoy each other's company. It was a wonderful afternoon with these women and I hope to host another fellowship with them in a couple of months.

Table Talk

I mentioned in the post about my parent's visit that the thing I enjoyed most was sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner together. As I have reflected on the evenings we spent as a family gathered at our small table together it occurred to me how much I miss not doing that on a regular basis with David and Angela. There is much to be said about eating at the table together. Not only is a time to enjoy a meal together, but conversation as well. Not only did I enjoy eating with my parents every night this week and sharing conversation with them, but yesterday at lunch I joined several of my close friends (all of us at separate stages in our lives) for lunch at the Mexican restaurant. As usual the food was good, but so was our conversation. We shared our parenting experiences with each other and I for one found it refreshing that I have these women in my life to encourage me, advice me, and at times correct me. It was encouraging to hear one of my friends talk about when her daughter was a teenager, another one talk about her grandchildren, another talk about when she was a teenager. And to be able to include Angela in our conversation.

How wonderful that God has placed these godly women in my life to share a meal and friendship with. Relationships like these should be treasured and savored.

Visit With Parents

My parents came to visit for Spring Break. They arrived Friday afternoon around 5:00 p.m. and stayed until yesterday morning. We haven't seen my parents since Thanksgiving and we were so glad that they were able to visit with us. Their first night here we went out to eat at Beef O'Brady's. On Saturday we spent the morning and afternoon lazing around the house. We had already committed to going with the youth to the Chris Tomlin concert on Saturday night, so David, Angela and I went to West Palm while my parents stayed at our house. On Sunday morning we all went to church and then came home for lunch. On Monday night after eating dinner all of us went to the Miss Junior Hendry County Pagaent at the County Fair. Mom and Dad enjoyed watching the girls even though they didn't know of any of them. Tuesday night a good friend of ours, Elgin Shore, came over to visit with mom and dad. We had a wonderful time talking and sharing about lives. On Wednesday night prior to going to church we all went to Sonny's for dinner. Mom and Dad left this morning going home. Although most of our time was spent at the house we enjoyed having them with us. The one thing I enjoyed most about the entire week was sitting at the dinner table every night as a family. David, Angela and I have gotten out of the habit of eating at the kitchen table instead we fix a plate and sit in the living room on the couch to eat and after this week I intend on making it habit to eat at the table once again.

How Great is Our God

Saturday night Michelle Dowdle and I took 8 youth to Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach to the "How Great is Our God" concert. The concert consisted of artists Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and speaker, Louie Giglio. The concert was awesome! Louie Giglio continued on the theme from the Indescrible tour last year explaining from Scripture how small we are in comparsion to the Creation that God created. He once again showed pictures of the galaxies and how small earth is. It was absoultely mind blowing. He talked about how God created us and went into scientific detail of how our bodies are made (dna, molecules, genes, etc.) During his presentation he talked about a molecule within our bodies that hold our bodies together called Laminin, which is a a component of connective tissue basement membrane and that promotes cell adhesion. He then showed a picture of this molecule. It was in the shape of a cross. He went further to explain that it should be no surprise that our bodies are held together by something that looks like a cross and referred to Colossians 1:16- 17: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Several of our youth have told me that Louie's presentation was mind blowing yet refreshing!

Romance

I'm a romantic at heart and love to hear how couples have met. At times I make flippant remarks regarding marriage and relationships, but even then I'm being facetious. I think marriage and relationships are wonderful. Speaking of love stories. . . I found a wonderful one this morning while reading a blog that I frequently visit. It is so touching. . . this is the kind of love and devotion I desire to have one day. Check it out for yourself by clicking on the link.

Grand Opening

Finally, Clewiston has a new restaurant! Welcome Beef O'Brady's! David and I decided to eat lunch there today even with it being the Grand Opening. As we suspected it was packed. To our surprise the service was great and the food was delicious. Which if you've ever eaten out in Clewiston you understand why it was surprising that Grand Opening you received great service. Clewiston isn't known for their great customer service. Randy & Kersten Maxson are the owners and they have some great people working for them. They have done a beautiful job decorating as well. At least now we have one more option of eating out!

Girls Bible Study

Prior to the Brooks family moving to Wilson, North Carolina Angela along with 3 other girls was participating in a Bible study led by Lori Brooks on Thursday afternoons. Lori was composing her own material which was taken mostly from Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Angela looked forward to Bible Study each week and has been praying that a godly woman within our church would step forward to lead a girls Bible Study.

God is faithful to answer the prayers of his children. Last week, Barbara Buker expressed the desire to lead the girls Bible Study. She had chosen a book, The Truth about Guys, and was ready to begin meeting with the girls as soon as they were ready. So yesterday all the girls met here at the church to begin the new study with Barbara. Pray that the Lord will bless their meetings and that they learn to see themselves as God sees them.

Pictures of Arlen

My niece, Sarah, emailed me pictures of Arlen last night and I wanted to share them with you all.

Big Brother Joshua

Eric & Arlen

Sarah & Arlen

Arlen Grace Rackley

My nephew is the proud daddy of a beautiful baby girl, Arlen Grace Rackley. His wife, Sarah, gave birth to her today at 1:00 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs 13 ozs. and was 21 inches long. Both Arlen and mom are doing wonderful. Eric and big brother, Joshua, can't wait to have them home.

Book Review: A Woman After God's Own Heart

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42)

I enjoy reading books that help me grow in relationships. A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George is just one of the many books I have read that have encouraged me to strive even more. In this book Elizabeth George shares insights based on her own life and from Scripture on how a woman is to pursue her relationship with God, her husband, and her children. She also shares how this relationships play out in a woman's home and how it ministers to others.

Women today are are under an enormous amount of pressure to have it all, do it all, and be all that is expected of us. It's easy in our stressful, frenetic world to lose sight of the important things like family and our walk with the Lord. I think many of us desire to be a woman after God's own heart, if we just knew how. Each chapter in this book describes a special kind of heart; a praying heart, a heart devoted to God, an obedient heart, a heart that encourages, a heart that values you being a mother, a heart that seeks first things first.(the list goes on and on) and each chapter spoke to me in a special way. She holds out the hope that even in the midst of our fast-paced modern lives, it actually is possible to be the kind of woman God wants us to be.

The most important thing this book teaches (married or single) women is that God wants us to put HIM first at all times.