Day 39 & 40: Pizza, Movie, and Church Membership

Note: I have a few posts to write, so I'll have to edit them later.

On Saturday February 20th my mom watched the children while Mark and I met with our Pastor at a local pizzeria. I had set up the meeting in order to talk with the Pastor about Mark and I becoming members of the church. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous before hand. Luckily Mark and I arrived before Pastor B. did. I was able to calm my nerves while waiting for his arrival. Our very casual get together over pizza went well. I voiced my concerns, asked questions, and told Pastor B. a little more about my family. Before the get together I wasn't 100% sure if the church was for us... The church has a school on it's grounds. This is initially what drew me to the church. I spoke with Mark about the school and he said that he had heard good things about the school, and the church. So, on Easter of last year we went to the church for the first time. Although I didn't feel surrounded by the Holy Spirit as I had when entering other churches, I felt it through the words spoken by the Pastor that day. This was new for me. Never had I been "hit" with the words spoken by a preacher, or a priest. I have been to many different churches through out my life. I've been to Catholic churches (my paternal grandmother is Catholic and Mark and I took RCIA classes), Presbyterian, Methodist, Evangelical, and First Assembly churches. I'd have to say that First Assemblies had always been my church of choice BEFORE entering a Baptist church last Easter. There has been no greater harmony that has flowed through my heart, and moved me in such a way as the music of a First Assembly of God church has been able to. I LOVE worship music. In fact, I do not really listen to music that does not worship or talk about God. I love music that fills my soul and brings me to that peak of not being able to reach high enough, jump far enough, get close enough to the Lord. However, I do the same worshipping in my car as I've done in the First Assembly church. What was missing in my life was the word of God! A relationship with Him is just as important to me as His word. Although, I've read the bible at home, It's much different to have the words preached to you. The First Assembly church that I went to preached the Word, but not the way that Pastor B. does!..I have found the same harmony in the words that fill my mind, ears, heart, and soul every Sunday spoken by our new Pastor that I've found through my beloved worship music. This is a rarity, and that on top of our get together with Pastor B. moved me to become a member of a church for the first time that Sunday morning.

After meeting with the Pastor Mark and I went to the movie theater. I read the book by Nicholas Sparks, Dear John. I was so moved by the story that I asked Mark to read it, which he did. And, he actually liked it. He of course liked it for different reasons than I did. Mark was more touched by the relationship between the main character and the father as well the things the main male character went through for love. I was touched by the love story, and feminine aspects of the book. Anyway, so we saw the movie "Dear John." First, I'd like to say that the movie is NOTHING like the book! There were NO references to God in the movie! I was upset about this. In the book, Savannah, is a "great" person. She does volunteer activities, gives people chances, and does not judge people (among many other good attributes) BUT she contributes everything she does to the Lord. She more of less knows that all the good things about her come from the Lord. In the movie she is still a "great" person. However, there is no explanation for why she does volunteer activities. In the movie she is just a person that does good things. The only reason I picked up the book was because I knew that it contained Christian elements. So, I assumed that the movie would too. I'm happy that my husband and I spent some time together away from the children, and the house. However, I was not that pleased with the movie we saw. After the movie we went home, ate more pizza, and spent a little time with the children.

The next day I woke up bright and early. I dropped Mark off at work, got the children and myself dressed for church and then drove about an hour to pick up a dear old friend. I will call my friend "Luke". I have known Luke for about ten years. I went to school with him in the eighth grade. Anyway, the Lord has called upon me to be involved in certain people's lives. These people, I try to bring them closer to the Lord. I am not a perfect person at all! However, I do have a fire inside me that strives for perfection. I will never in my life achieve this. No one will. But, I will always seek it, I will always seek the Lord. I love using this fire to set others on fire. The number one thing, to me, is to ensure that as many people as possible experience eternal life, and salvation. I am not a preacher. The only Biblical schooling I've had was from my Christian high school. However, I do have a bible, and that fire in my heart. And, I've found that together they can lead people to church or/and to eternal salvation. This is NOT something that I'm "good at". This is a GIFT that I've been given. My speech is not elegant, and I do not have all the answers. But, I've been told that people "see something in me", and I guess that is what leads them to Him. I pray that this gift never leaves me. I pray that He never leaves me, and continues to be a guiding light in my life.

On Sunday Luke came to church and got to see Mark and I become members of it. This was an emotional time for me. And, it was hard for me to sit still. I felt as if I should have collapsed to my knees with my arms out in front of me on the floor. I felt as if I should have gotten as close to the floor as possible and praise the Lord for all He was doing that day! But, I didn't. Instead I was restless in my seat with watery eyes.

The Lord was good to me on February 20th and 21st. These days were great days because of Him. I pray that all who read this are inspired in some way. I hope my life inspires people to get closer to the Lord.

God Bless and have a extraordinary day!

Locks of Love helps disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss

Locks of Love helps disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss

Day 31: Locks of Love


I'm not sure when or how I first came upon Locks of Love. However, I am sure that I attempted to grow my hair out for this great cause for about nine years. I let my hair get to the middle of my back countless number of times before "getting sick of it", and chopping it off. The most memorable occasion of chopping off the hair I was growing out for Locks of Love was when I was about eight months pregnant with Rene. My hair gets abnormally thick when I am pregnant.  And, I was irritable, and frustrated with the fact that my hair had gotten so out of control.  I felt as if I had a horse's main growing down my back. It was VERY long. In fact it many have been long enough to donate. However, I did not donate it because I didn't want to be walking around with a bob when I felt as if my head looked like a giant water melon. So, I selfishly got my hair cut to my shoulders, and threw away about six inches of hair.

FINALLY a couple weeks ago I got 10 1/2 inches of hair cut off of my head to donate. I went through many stressful bad hair days to achieve this. So, I was very pleased with myself for finally, FINALLY, accomplishing something I had set out to do so many years ago!

At church I learned of a woman who does this A LOT! I admire her patients, and selflessness. I pray that the Lord will give me her patients, and selflessness so that I may be able to donate my hair several more times through out my life.
Note:  Although I've said that I'm "pleased with myself" I acknoledge that this would not have been possible for me without Christ.  Without Him I would have grown more impatient and would have chopped it off much sooner.