DMV = Angry People

Ever have one of those days that nothing seems to work out. Today was one of those days! I felt like everything I touched fell apart today...EXCEPT for my trip to the DMV. At the last second, I realized that my license plate registration expired July 31st (today). So I decide to take a late lunch to the DMV to take care of that and two other issues while I'm at it (renewal for Doug's old mustang that was sold and turn in the plate off of Renee's car). I was dreading all of the long lines and sour people that usually seem to hang out at the DMV waiting for what seems like hours upon hours to make a simple transaction.

When I entered, I was greeted with a sign saying basically "right" for suspended licenses, revoked licenses,... surrendering plates; left for everything else. Really it seemed like the sign should have read "if you broke the law or have a plate to turn in, go right" I looked right and the waiting room is completely empty. I looked left and there's the "angry" group I expected (a packed house with some people standing). Everyone looks just plain mad! I decide surrendering plates is looking very appealing at this point. I sign my name and take a seat. Within 2-3 minutes I get called up. I turn in Renee's old plate (no problems), show her the bill of sale for Doug's old plate that didn't get turned in (she makes a copy and notes something in the computer saying we no longer posses the plate/car - again, no problem), and I told her my third transaction I am probably in the wrong room for. She thinks for a second, shrugs her shoulders, and says "well...I helped you with these. Give me that one too." TOTAL GOD MOMENT for me at the DMV! She takes about 45 seconds of clicking on the computer and announces that will be $32. I hand her the money and she says I'll have to go to "the other" room and wait for the cashier to call my name. Pssssshhhhh (that's the air leaking out of my balloon of joy) I walk into the room with all of the angry looking people and smile at a few only to be shot with darts from their eyes. It's like walking into a herd of angry rhinos guarding their territory. Very scary!

Every eye watches me walk in only to skip the number tape dispenser. I find one of the 6 available seats out of about 50+. Literally, as soon as I sit down, I hear my name. With amazement, I stand back up and walk up to the cashier, sign my name, and pay as a grumpy woman approaches the desk. She's pretty mad and now everyone is really glaring at me. She belks out "do you have to have a number to get called up here!?" to the woman behind the desk and starts complaining. All I wanted was my sticker so I could just go back to work without eating lunch!!! The lady behind the desk gives me my new registration and sticker with a smile saying "thank you" (God bless those ladies and guys working there - that has to be a stressful job). Needless to say, I couldn't get out of there quick enough. I feared for my life while walking out of there!!! Those people mean business in that waiting room. With all of that danger present, it was still a God moment. What normally would have been hours was only about 15 minutes. God is good!

Back

OK - I just typed this long post about Navigate's last class (how remarkably impressed I was with them on their finals - especially the boys) and Miley's dedication....and I hit the back button on the mouse by mistake. It erased everything. I'm so mad....so this is all I'm posting! I cannot believe I hit that button! AHHHH!!!

The Weekend...

HA! It saved a draft.... so here it is!

Weekends are getting shorter and shorter the older and older I get. For almost the past year, I've been off on Mondays (which I LOVE!). I love my Mondays. Even with Mondays off, the weekends seem to fly by!

Speaking of "flying by", Summer Session has officially ended. We had some of the most amazing students take part this year. I see our future, and I am so impressed! Mr. Ferris and I had the privilege of taking on the 2nd and 3rd year students (as I previously mentioned). We decided for our final exam to split the room into two groups giving them each one point from each of the 5 doctrines taught that they would have to verbally defend with scripture to back them up. TOUGH TOPICS! No notes, only the bible and a blank piece of paper. The funniest part was all of the guys and most of the girls said they didn't study because they thought someone else would. Ohhhhh! We allowed them one trade if they thought it was too hard. We allowed them about 20 minutes to prepare their answers. I loved it! The boys immediately dug in and really prepared their answers with scripture to back each one. I was blown away at the depth of their answers. The girls did really well too. I am sad it is over, but so excited with anticipation of seeing what they do with all that they learned this summer. Every student in the class really put their heart into it (except for the studying part - ha!).


Yesterday (sorry - no pictures yet), Miley was dedicated at the 12pm service. What a special day. As we stood for worship, I looked around only to have my heart completely warmed. Jesse's parents, his sister/bro-in-law, Micki, Ryan, Lori (Ryan's mom) and of course, Jesse, Renee & Miley were all there worshipping together. A weird thought ran through my head at that moment: my entire family in one setting worshipping together. It is strange to think that now we are moving into a new season of life with the girls where in-laws and boyfriend's families are involved. I still don't feel old enough for all of that.

The icing on the cake today was I had sent my iPod in for repairs last week. As I predicted, there was a hardware issue, and I got a NEW iPod replacement! WooHoo!! I cannot wait to load it up with music, podcasts, and stuff....speaking of that, I have to go.

Sparkle Thoughts

Hey Sparkle chicks! I've been thinking about Sparkle a lot lately. I was looking through some of the photos of the past years events...wow was it a great year?! This year is gonna be different, but awesome too. I cannot wait! When I get on the other computer, I'll post a few of my favorite pictures from this year! If you have suggestions on things you would like to do, let me know! We will try to work it in...

On a separate note....Hope you Navigator's studied for tomorrows final. If you didn't, you could look like this tomorrow after your test! (kidding - just thought the picture was funny). Good luck! You guys are gonna do great!!!

Navigate Summer Session 2007

Navigate has been a breath of fresh air for me this summer! I cannot believe we only have one session on Sundays left. One session! Wow!! Time has really flown this summer. I guess time does fly when you are having fun!

These students are amazing!!! I cannot express that enough. I am so very thankful to have such a bright future for HPC. I look forward to seeing what God does through each one of them. Each one that has been in our class has such a passion to reach the lost. I have been truly honored to have such an awesome opportunity. Thanks to Navigate (2nd & 3rd year) for teaching me this summer too! I have learned some valuable lessons with you guys. Good luck to all of you next week with exams coming up! You are going to do great! I believe in you!

Father God, bless these students. Every week they come to class and pour their hearts and minds into the lesson. I am so proud of them, and I know You must be too! Guard their hearts. Seal in Your dreams. Let them have passion for the things in which You are passionate. Bless their parents Lord for shuttling them back and forth to church, class, outreaches and more. The seeds that have been sown into these students, let them sprout and grow. Water them as only You can! Be their strength in weakness, their light in darkness, and their direction in life. Fill them with Your joy and laughter....let their love for You be contagious and may they never grow stale in their relationship with You. Saturate them in Your Spirit! In Jesus name!

It's all Perspective

Tonight I had the pleasure of hanging out with my family for my sister's birthday. I wish we were able to do more together. Now, my nephew is always a source of entertainment! He notices some of the most interesting things that I have forgotten about since I no longer have little kids around me daily. His perspective cracks me up sometimes. Here are a few things we experienced with him in 3 hours: Gum ball machines that entertain you as they dispense gum, "mega 'cav' dually Dodge" trucks (boys are definitely different than girls), laughing until you cry is fun that everyone has to be a part of, games constantly have new rules that evolve as the game progresses, and so much more. It's always a learning experience for me! I love seeing life through his eyes. He reminds me of what's really important every time!

Vacation is over already??

We just returned from a great trip to South Carolina where we were able to hang out with family we don't get to see often. WOW - The week flew by! We always really enjoy spending time with them, so this trip was not much different other than the fact that my nephew Matt and my niece Jennifer are really growing up. I was really impressed with both of them. I sure wish we lived closer together. I would love to hang out with them more often. We shopped, ate, hung out at the lake, ate, got a car for Mic (see pic) and celebrated Doug's b-day (over dinner - more eating). Oh! By the way...We met DA's twin while we were there (see pic). He is friends with my nephew. On a separate note, tonight when Doug looked at what I prepared for supper, he said "I am used to eating like a King!" Well, I guess vacation IS over!!!

I missed seeing Miley while we were there. I am constantly amazed at how quickly babies grow. I saw her (and Renee too) this evening and got to go shopping with them. We took Miley's Cadillac (that's what I call that massive and fancy stroller of hers). They are so different than when our girls were babies (I guess I am showing my age with that comment). Miley was more fascinated with our table cloth than anything else tonight. Here she is studying it. I wonder what she was thinking?! As you can see, I didn't take many photos. Now, I'd like to kick myself for that! Here's my favorite pic of Miley this week, and that is all that really counts anyway! Right?

Support Chris and Meghan

Check this out. My friends, Chris and Meghan Matt, will be auctioning themselves off on July 21 to raise money for their Italy missions trip. They will be working 4 hour shifts, and the auction bidding will begin at $100 each. Chris will be available for yard work and other general man labor. Meghan will be offering house cleaning, organizing, office work, babysitting, or anything else someone may need. Available shifts are 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm.

Please contact them at 753.2273 ext. 257 or meghan.matt@healingplacechurch.org if you are interested.

Passion for Purity

Ok! For all of those asking about the book...

I will be working on it this week while on vacation. It is in the process of editing/tweaking. God must be getting ready to release it because it seems to be a topic of conversation with random people...I am anxious to finish it and cannot wait to see what God has in store with it. I'm looking for some ideas of what to call it because my idea (Passion for Purity) is already taken! And I really liked that one because it describes my heart on the topic. Right now, I'm thinking "A Pure Life: Living the life God intends!" (but that sounds so familiar?!) Or just simply "A Pure Life", OR "Pure Freedom!" I don't want boring, but rather life giving and exciting. Suggestions, ideas, whatever...send them my way (put PFP in the subject so I don't accidentally delete it)... send to connieanddoug@yahoo.com. I would LOVE to hear your ideas.

Please pray for me to hear clearly what God desires to be written on purity. I certainly don't want to filter anything He's sending my way!

My Precious Savior, You know where my heart is with this topic. You stepped in and delivered me from the mud I was drowning in. My desire is to keep AT LEAST one person from experiencing that same bondage. Let freedom pour forth from the pages You have given me, Lord. Your word says "delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Lord I delight in YOU! My desire is that the sound of chains of captivity ring forth in heaven as You use these pages to free those stuck under this burden. Begin preparing hearts, Lord. I'm not out to make a quick buck on this, but to spread Your word and freedom. Let it be fruitful in bringing YOU glory more than anything. I love You and NEED YOU. Use me as You see fit! Life just isn't sweet without You. Be my delight!

Some of my other fave photos from Submerge...

Student after student being baptized! AMEN!

Whit enjoying the beach...

A day at the beach!

Waiting on the tram...
OH - THE SUSPENSE! I love Tyler's reaction!

One last thought I forgot to share earlier: God gave me this verse while we were at camp, and I really thought it was fitting especially being at the beach...

Micah 7:19

"Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!"

Submerge 2007

With the beauty of Your Son,
I find myself undone.
I love You endlessly!

The words to that song continue to ring through my mind a week later! So loudly that I seem to be consumed with reminders of the Son's beauty that I experienced over those 7 days at camp. Of course, you cannot really call it camp because there is nothing near "roughing it" as you might imagine camp would be. I'll give you a brief glimpse into my world during Submerge... Yes, it's long but doesn't even begin to cover the week...



There were 12 chicks that entered my life beginning last Sunday and ending on Saturday (of course, they didn't exit my life, only we don't share the same roof now). Some I knew, some I just met. But the common thread was camp. Had we not all paid our fee, we would not have shared lives.

On Sunday morning, Pathfinders loaded the bus and headed to the sandy white beaches of Destin. The bus ride was unusually quiet. When we arrived, we were all excited about the unknown. What would God do in our lives this week? Oh, the suspense!

The answers are as follows:

He delivered from insecurity...
He gave new views of ourselves...
He forgave.
He set apart.
He gave freedom away.
He poured out mercy.
He loved on us.
He healed.
He blessed a few more than they could imagine!
He showed up and showed off!

He made Himself known to young and old. He exceeded my expectations!

I personally had some things going on that He healed me of (spiritually/emotionally). I don't understand it, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I was called to be there. Although you could not literally hear chains clanking, I heard chains breaking. I watched students lay down insecurity, immorality, and shallow living at the altar. It was by far the most amazing sight and beautiful sound ever!

Back to my room...I had the most amazing chicks in both of my rooms. For the most part, the pathfinders (Ashley, Angela, Meghan, Caroline, Alicia and Alexis) were familiar with one another before we arrived. We tried to do a little of everything for everyone. We rode bikes, ate out, went on the beach, some body surfed while others were literally thrown into the waves, ate by the pool and had dinner on the beach, talked until 2-3am (EVERY NIGHT), and more. Services were amazing!! We were all poured into by Rev. Spike, Pastor Mike Haman, Scott Stillman, and Pastor Tyler. "I love the Word, I love to speak the Word, I love..." (That's for all my friends that were there!). We even witnessed someone win a $1000 while at camp. That was definitely a God moment for Haley (the winner - from another church). I heard that she needed $900 to go on a mission trip. Isn't that just like God to give her $1000 (tithe $100 and $900 left for the trip!!!)?! It was amazing. As I hugged them all goodbye Wednesday, I felt so sad that camp was over for Pathfinders. God was so present there. My prayer is that they brought that presence home with them and didn't leave it in their rooms or on the bus.

(check out the cool chick taking the picture at lunch...I didn't notice the mirror until after the photo! duh?!)

THEN...the refuge chicks arrived. Six of the greatest high school students arrived not knowing one another. They were all nervous about staying with others they didn't know. But after the trip to Starbucks, all six chicks and I knew we were meant to room together. God really hand picked that group. We had amazing talks, I watched girls lay down insecurity at the altar and make decisions to be pure (Oh! Music to my heart!!!). And the last night was unbelievable. God was everywhere and security made us shut down things. Satan never ceases to stop trying to destroy lives. I think he failed miserably last week. Lives were changed and students were encouraged. People made decisions to walk away from the ordinary (world) and make a run for the extra-ordinary (Jesus). Freedom rang throughout that resort. There is no way that the vacationers did not know we were there and that Jesus was present. I made some incredible friendships on that trip (ABC order - Brandi, Joyce, Kelsey, KiKi, Stephanie, and Tiffany).

Then, who can forget "the Tram" (and our Tram Buddies)! Hats off to all those drivers who tried to do their best to deliver all of us at one time to our houses, the beach, the Village, Starbucks...

The trip home was cool too. Riding a bus with high school students verses middle school is very different. It's much more civilized. When I got home, Doug had supper cooked. I ate and crashed! Then Sunday I got to see Miley. I am amazed at how much a baby can change in one week! She is such a sweetheart! I just love this baby! She is such a blessing to all of us!

Update

I have not forgotten about my blog. I've been busy trying to get myself caught up from being out for a week. Lots to do at home and work.

Camp was amazing as I expected. I had two AWESOME rooms of Godly chicks (one for middle schools camp and then one for high schools camp)!!! They were both such a blessing. I miss ALL of them already!! And I miss having worship with such slammin' bands twice a day and hearing such awesome messages!! WOW - what a line up we had! Beach was great, weather was good and God definitely showed up!

I will post a few stories and maybe some pictures within the next day or two!