July 31 – The Garner Historic Auditorium
742 W. Garner Rd.
Garner, NC 27592
$5 admission per person
7-10 pm
August 4 – National Night Out
Super Target Parking Lot
12000 Retail Dr.
Wake Forest, NC 27587
5-9 pm
August 28 – The Garner Historic Auditorium
742 W. Garner Rd.
Garner, NC 27592
$5 admission per person
7-10 pm
Don’t say “I didn’t know you were playing!!!”
Rather than rant and rave, I’ll tell you the good things; because today hasn’t made my horrible week end.
This season of my life has many ups and downs. I used to like roller coasters, but now that I feel like I’m on one 24/7 I don’t think that I like them as much.
Today had a good point though. And right now it is downloading.
It’s the new Iphone 3G S software. !
I really don’t have much to talk about. Well, I do, but I can’t write about it in here, which brings me to the next thing… Can you please pray for me? This week has been really stressful and it’s only Wednesday. It adds to the already stressful year, and I’m ready for it to end.
I have found a place of peace, but I can’t live in it all day, and it only seems to come when I am spending alone time with God.
So… Lastly… Here is the flyer for the event I will be ministering at. AND!!! Sharlene will be there too!!! It’s exciting, I know. It’s a good thing it’s an outside event because I don’t know how it could all be contained within a building.
See you there!!!
This is Keely Thompson. Her parents Vanessa and Brian Thompson started going to Living Word almost 2 years ago. It has been amazing to watch them grow as a family, taking each step of married life, parent hood and trials, one step at a time.
For those of you who know the Thompson family, you know what a roller coaster of a year this has been for them. Their youngest son, Finley was born early, and just days later their oldest daughter, Keely, was diagnosed with Leukemia.
But through all of this, their strength has been deeply encouraging.
There have been so many times when I would get frustrated and feel over-burdened by all that life has to offer, but looking at what they are getting through has encouraged me to continue strong. And watching this little girl grow up these last couple of years has shown me that strength, bravery and courage doesn’t always come in big beefy men.
So this post is dedicated to her, the bravest little girl I know, Miss Keely Thompson.
On October 17 there will be a “Light The Night” walk for Leukemia research. I highly encourage you all to attend, but most importantly, to donate to help fund the research so we can find the cure for childhood Leukemia.
I’ll be there.
I have also started a LLS Fundraising Page if you want to donate toward the “Spunky Punky” team. All proceeds go directly toward cancer research.
I’ll be posting more about this in the coming months, but I want to make you aware and give you a heads up.
Thanks for reading.
If you look at your life as a giant scheme, a plan for which you don’t have, you’ll start to see the patterns.
In my life, the pattern is obvious, but it always comes disguised at the time I am going through it. One of the things that I have noticed is that whenever things start getting tough, I am quick to stay the same, rather than change and feel discomfort.
Rather than be stretched, I would prefer to just snap back to my comfort zone.
This trip changed that. I had to put myself in a place that would stretch me no matter how hard I tried backing out. I had to jump in feet first and keep swimming.
It was hard to do.
One of the things that really tore me to pieces was living what I had been saying.
A couple of years ago I read in a mission’s book that what the job of a missionary is, is to reveal a God that has been there all along. To show them the beauty of redemption in something that has been right there, all along.
But for some reason, I was unable to find the beauty in myself and the things around me, to see my Creator.
There are some things that many people do not know about me, only because I refuse to share something so close to my heart in fear of being hurt by it at a later time. But it seems like the closer I get to letting out my gifts and callings, the further I push myself away from the situation that most reveals it.
In August of 2007, I went on a beach retreat by myself. I stayed at a campsite and disconnected myself from the outside world. I was praying about what God wanted me to do, because I had become really great at messing up everything. I was sitting next to a blazing fire and one question came to my mind.
“What one thing would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island?”
We’ve all heard that before, right?
But have you really ever thought about it? What is the ONE thing that you would want to have with you?
I know that I have blogged about this before, but rather than bore you with forcing you to read it, I’ll just cut to the chase.
The one thing that I decided that I wanted to have with me on this deserted island was my praise and worship.
I have known for years that I was created to create music and although I decided to create it in ways that did not glorify God at first, now I do. It seems odd to me that when I share this gift with people they are shocked. I am well aware that I am hilarious. I am amazingly funny. We all know this. But the serious side of me does exist, and it usually only comes out when I am in worship.
I momentarily decided to delete this whole post and start over, but then decided not to.
Why?
Because it’s putting a shiny glass window on one of the walls to my heart.
Part of the reason that I don’t share this gift with people is that:
1. They don’t know I can.
2. They can’t see me as anything other than just some strange, funny girl.
3. I’m scared of rejection so I choose to joke rather than be serious.
It’s usually #3.
So what am I so afraid of?
It’s you.
I could go really deep with this and say that it is because I used to use this talent and ability often, but never received acceptance or acknowledgment from the one group of people I truly desired it from, or I could go shallow and say… I’m shy.
But if we’ve met, you know I’m not that shy.
So what does this have to do with beauty?
It has to do with finding the beauty. Wherever you are. If you can’t see it, you have to create it.
While preparing to go on this mission trip I was trying to find some worship songs. I ended up finding a few that I had never played before, and learned them. When I was preparing to worship my first day there, I saw the theme in the songs. I don’t know how I missed it.
Beauty.
But it wasn’t until the last day that it really connected with me.
Laura was sharing something so deep and profound about what she learned about her brother’s passing that it struck me, once again, that I am not in charge. There is no way that we could have possibly planned this trip.
We were all there to add our little bits. We all had something to throw into the ring.
Cindy touched the bus. This may not be very profound to you, but when I saw her reach her hand out there and the bus just grazed by…
Sebrina… I’ve never seen someone grow so much in such a short amount of time – from last year to now.
Laura kept the rough edges smooth, bringing things together from the spiritual realm to the physical – not just words…
Keven – the task is part of the plan, don’t lose sight of why you’re here.
This is what tied it all in for me. From the first day’s devotions until now.
Why Am I Here?
To find the beauty in the madness.
I’ve been looking for it for years now. Reading, traveling, listening… But it wasn’t until this trip that I found it.
It has been on the inside of me this whole time.
The task is part of the plan and the task is why you’re here… don’t lose sight of why you’re here.
Finding beauty in the madness.
So,
I went to Costa Rica last week. I am still processing all of the amazing things that happened, so I will just share a few pictures with you for the time being.
This was my preferred view for my morning quiet times.
Carlos Sanchez, one of the coolest people I know.
Raisa Sanchez, the other coolest person I know.
One of the places we went to pray.
Another park we went to in San Jose.
The gigantic park with the “Crayola Trees”
Laura sitting by the pool at the motel the youth group and VBS/MED group will be staying at.
Some delicious fruit at the market.
Most beautifully, a waterfall at The Cave of Adullam
The 2009 Prayer Group.
What a powerful trip. It is amazing how God can pull 5 completely different people at random and throw them together only for those 5 people to realize that they all so similar. Mountains were moved and beauty was revealed and 5 lives will never be the same.
Thank you all so much for supporting me on this trip, I can’t even begin to express my gratitude. Check back later for more pictures and stories.
Jonathan Christopher who blogs “Stuff Christians Like” posted this about Church Administrators. It’s pretty accurate.
Here are my answers to the questions:
1. Should I say “Church Administrative Assistant” instead of “Church Secretary?”
Yes.
2. Do you have a “cuckoo person in the lobby” emergency button under your desk?
No, I usually just walk away or call someone to come rescue me.
3. If so, can you please tell me who it notifies? (I bet it’s the janitor. Every church janitor I have ever known looks like they could cut you. Not would, but could. And not deep, just enough to let you know trash cans on wheels are not designed for races.)
Marcus probably would cut you.
4. Is it true that sometimes you write funny messages in the bulletin just to see who notices?
No, I sneak them into the checklists and see how often we ‘beat the children’ or ’slap a parent’ just to test the Children’s Ministry workers to see if they’re reading what they’re checking. 
5. When you’re mad at the pastor do you ever send him off to fake lunch appointments just so he’ll sit in some restaurant and stare at his watch for 30 minutes and be out of your hair? I probably would.
No, but sometimes I ‘forget’ to tell Jamie important things.
6. Do you have an arch nemesis that works at the church? It’s gotta be the youth minister. They make the biggest messes, use the most liability waiver forms and probably occasionally do pranks that involve you needing to call animal rescue services to remove a small woodland creature from the sanctuary.
No.
7. If you don’t have an arch nemesis, who would you leg sweep? I’m talking members, staff, volunteers. Who is getting the leg sweep?
I’d probably do that even if they aren’t a nemesis. Just for practice.
8. How long did you keep the secret bathroom all to yourself without telling anyone else it existed?
People know now, since Robert Kelly posted a picture of it on Facebook.
9. Does the pastor ever tell you to create a rule so that certain people’s emails go right to the spam folder instead of his inbox? Am I on the list? Shoot me straight.
Everyone goes to spam.
10. Do you ever shot block volunteers out of love? Someone tells you “My kid is great at that Wii thing. I think he’d be good at designing your church website” and you reply, “Nah, we’re good. Thanks though.”
Often.
11. Are you ever tempted to wield the office supply requisition form like a powerful weapon? “Oh hey, you didn’t remember professional admin day this year. Hope you enjoy the cheap bic pens that come in a 400 pack.” That kind of thing. Ever do that?
I got a $17,000 printer for Admin’s day. (And a card with cash monies)
12. Has a worship leader ever tried to write off hair product as a work expense?
Mario does it all the time.
If you’re a church secretary, please feel free to set the record straight.
If you’re not, but have a question of your own, please add it to the list.
Do you agree that the church secretary is the most powerful person at a church?
I’m listening to this song called ‘Jesus Bring the Rain.’ It’s by MercyMe, and it’s quite amazing.
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in YouMaybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I prayBring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there’ll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rainI am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain[1st Chorus]
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I’m forever singing
…………
It seems to be exactly what I tell people when they ask me why/how I could ever go from being who I [used] to be to who I am today.
I don’t really know where I’m going with this, but I just wanted to say that all of the pain that I put myself through was totally unnecessary considering all the while I had a loving Savior waiting for me so patiently. And when I feel like I’m really going through some garbage now, I have to realize that God would never allow me to go through something that I couldn’t handle, and when I get to the place where I really feel like I can’t take any more, I know who to turn to for relief. He’s always right there.
Everything that I have been through has stretched me to who I am today. Some of the things that I have experienced since being saved have totally rocked me to the point of total confusion, but I’m getting better at dealing with those things.
No matter what I go through, it will never change the fact that I am forever His.
So what’s a little rain when the end brings me an eternal life?
You probably shouldn’t be here.
I am fully aware that I often step on toes, either on this blog, or face to face. I’m sort of rude… sometimes just down right mean. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you.
But I may not like you.
And you may have heard me say that to you.
Anywho…
I don’t have much to say today, I will on Monday though.
What I really wanted to say when I started this was…..
I have all of my Costa Rica mission trip money!
I just gave Diane the last $31.00 and stuff.
So… I’m done!
kbye
Yum Yum, my new bff, made it on the front page of the Wake Weekly! She’s so special and unique.
Anywho…
I got my grill did yesterday. It hurts. 
My frenulum is ripped and my upper lip is swollen. I look like a cougar. It’s fantastic. But… my teeth look neato!
I’ll add pictures when it’s not so bloody and gross, even though that is what you really want to see.
I have to not do this right now, but find something to eat instead. I’m hungry, but my face hurts. So I will probably just have some more juicy juice.
I friggin love juicy juice.
I was just watching the intro to their site and noticed that both of the boys that jumped up out of the ball pit were coughing.
End.
So last night I played at Rockland. My throat is sore from singing with all the smoke. Matt suggested that I take a shot of whiskey. I almost rationalized doing so. …
It’s not to get drunk, it’s to help my voice.
But instead I had water.
So today I woke up…
My throat was a little sore. I’m surely glad that I don’t smoke anymore. My hoodie smells like cigarettes. So does my poppadee.
I’m sleepy.
Am I done yet?
Today I go get my teeth worked on. I’m pretty sure it’s going to suck. I hate pain. It’s dumb.
Anywho…
I don’t really have much to say. !!!
Yes I do…
Yesterday I was waiting for Dawn and Esperanza and I was checking out some NC travel brochures. (seriously) And some guy came up and started hitting on me. I sort of played along until he asked for my number so he could text me to “get to know me better.” I “accidentally” laughed and said, “you’re tying to pick up girls at the mall!” He walked away.
I don’t think I have anything else.
kbye.
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