Fireproof...is on FIRE!!!

Many of you have heard of this movie, if you haven't, I'm here to letcha know. Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lSu6GkC2k.

Josh and I had a date night and were beyond blessed for choosing this movie as our entertainment. Entertaining isn't the word I would use today, however. More than I enjoyed spending 2 hours with Kirk Cameron, aka Mike Seaver, I was incredibly grateful that this movie hit me right where God intended. Marriage is hard work, the hardest thing I've ever done. After almost 13 years I can say parts get easier but new things arise and perpetually challenge me. I related to both sides of the coin in this movie. I've been the husband before: prideful and angry and only serving me me me. I've been the wife before: bitter, keeping score and disrespectful. The courage between these characters to swallow that big difficult pill and lower their pride walls in order to repair something worth mending was encouraging, motivating and an important reminder that without God, nothing is possible. Remember that line from Facing the Giants, "Without God, nothing is possible but with God, all things are possible." Phillipians 4:13.

If I've learned anything in my 13 years as a wife it is this, I can't give my husband something if I don't have it first. I've had Christ in my heart for a long time but if I can't embrace His example in my heart then I'll never be able to project His love onto my husband. One of my favorite lines in the movie is this, "Fireproof does not mean that a fire will never come, but that when it does come, we will be able to withstand it." I love this reminder that God doesn't promise us an easy, trouble-free life once we're saved but He does promise to walk us through the fires He's allowed to come our way. We won't be burned with God beside us but we are to expect the fires and be prepared with our fireproof robe around us of Jesus Christ.

One more favorite part of this movie was a song that I'm determined to find as I write this. Okay, found it. It's by John Waller and here are some of the lyrics:

I'm waiting - I’m waiting on You, Lord - And I am hopeful - I’m waiting on You, Lord - Though it is painful - But patiently, I will wait - I will move ahead, bold and confident - Taking every step in obedience - While I’m waiting - I will serve You - While I’m waiting - I will worship - While I’m waiting - I will not faint - I’ll be running the race - Even while I wait - I’m waiting - I’m waiting on You, Lord - And I am peaceful - I’m waiting on You, Lord - Though it’s not easy, no - But faithfully, I will wait - Yes, I will wait!

My encouragement for today for me and you...wait...wait on the Lord when life is challenging. We are so tempted to try and figure things out ourselves, on our time clock, in ways that seem to make sense to us in that moment, that emotional, unrealistic, biased and confused moment...Wait...wait for your Friend, your Creator, your Savior to come along, wrap himself around you and make you fireproof. Don't take one more step into the fire without Him by your side protecting you, guiding you and loving you through it...WAIT!

Grab some friends and go to the movies...it'll be worth it...I promise...then comment and tell me about it! :)

Drowning Drowning...Swiiiiiiimmmmiiinnngggg

Man, it's taken me 3 weeks to make this post. I think school has been going for 4ish weeks now and I am just now able to say my head is above water, I can see daylight and I feel good about my schedule and daily life. Wow...is this what happens after a summer of lots of fun and not so much work. I really paid for my slacky happy go-lucky summer. Is anyone else going through this crazy transition still? My honey is baffled at my overwhelmed attitude this month. He was sure the first day of school would come and I would have tons of time on my hands now that Chase is in Kindergarten and the two bigs are gone until 3. WRONG...he forgets that he keeps adding to my work load and that I've always been behind in my work and now I'm actually caught up with a few minutes to spare for eating, breathing and working out. Wow...I love my new schedule, despite missing my 3 crazies during the day...with some time management tweaking hopefully he'll start to see a relaxed, peaceful wife when he arrives home with dinner on the table and homework completed. If he's lucky maybe I'll have heels on, an apron and hand him his cigar and martini so he can kick his feet up, read the paper and enjoy a silent house for awhile...hehehe, that'll never happen but I do want to create a house of peacefulness when he gets home from work. A few hours of family time where we can enjoy eachother on the front porch after dinner, watch the kids while they ride around the neighborhood and soak up these final 80 degree days of "summer". That is my goal...that is my heart...and that is my mission for my family in this new chapter of Fall we are entering into.

Ode to the Olympics worst event...

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Paul Wright in the HOUUUUSE...

Okay...probably our top favorite thing to do once a year is snag the front carpet at Paul's concerts. As a family, he's at the top of our list of favorite Christian artists. Everybody knows all of his songs, everybody loves to dance their flip flops off and the kids get so excited to have him stay at our hotel. We love Paul for many reasons but as a mom, this guy is AWESOME to his fans, humble beyond belief and willing to have a conversation, a picture or sign anything my kids lunge in front of him. He loves the Lord, knows how to get crazy and silly and appreciates what the Lord has blessed him with...an amazing example for my kids!!! I recommend you all head to his website and catch the next show in town.

P.S. This picture is for you boys in the Ryan house: Rex, Brock and Bryce...make your mommy take you to see him next time he's near you in Seattle!

Friends of "old"...

We had a fun visitor in town this past day or two...Josh's friend from childhood through college was on a Harley trip and decided to stay for a couple of nights in A-town with us. They did the usual reminiscing about their naughty adventures 20 years ago, drank some beer and giggled like little girls. It was fun to see Josh enjoying his buddies Jason, our old roomie/childhood friend, who is local now, came over too. It's fun to see Josh get that certain sparkle in his eye when his hometown stories emerge. I bet I would've liked him back then too...he was just as mischievous as me. Todd gave the kids rides on his Harley...and Jett a special escort on it to the first day of school. Awesome memories were made and the kids are waiting already for their new friend to make another trip to A-town from Louisiana in the near future...wishful thinking!!!

First Day Blues...And Cheers...Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th Grade!!!

As most moms probably agree...the first day of school brings many emotions. Summers are full of fullness. Lots of playdates, living in bathing suits, barbeque dinners and free time to do whatever we please...morning to night. I will miss this routine. On the flip side, it's challenging to keep up with the demands of my job at my desk, which is located in my kitchen, with anywhere from 3-6 kids are running around, asking for snacks, asking to hook the sprinkler up under the trampoline, hollering for pool towels, smoothies, snowcones, popsicles, sun block, backyard picnics, slip n slide...the list is endless...ending ultimately in a less than satisfactory effort at accomplishing anything work related. The "neighborhood" is fed, cool and happy but my sweet husband is missing 3 months worth of financials, payroll done in the nick of time and tardy email replies. Things I'm looking forward to now that I've sent off my 3 precious students into the Ashland school system...ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE!!! This morning, still needing to cry a bit, I came home after the big 1st day drop off, grabbed my Bible and journal and sat in a cozy lawn recliner in the backyard in the warmth of the morning...sniffling, reading, praying, singing in my heart my new favorite cd, The Psalms Project and finally, journaling all my feelings, hopes for this school year, desperate requests and praises for whatever exciting and challenging situations God has in store for me. I hope this morning routine continues for me as my new fall schedule begins to evolve with more devoted work time, my classroom helper assignments, workouts, coffee dates with my chickies and the start of a much needed Bible study with my lovely, Sheryl. We will be doing, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." I'm sure there will be many blogs to come regarding what God is showing me through this study. For now fellow moms, enjoy your new found freedom since there's not much we can do about it anyway. (I found a 6 am workout, push ups and lunges throughout the day help rid me of extra sadness!!) Be thankful for more "me" time and find a way to add some more "you" time for others around.