A new school year has begun and so has the routine of fall. This is great in the respect that I have the opportunity to get caught up on many many things but also a little sad because the house is quiet!!! I know - I can hardly believe I typed that after wanting them to be in school....Ha ha ha
This year is a hallmark year for us in many ways as Hannah is playing sports for the first time, this is Malachi's last year in the elementary school, and both Tyler and Kestra will be undergoing some testing for different learning disabilities. Even though we are saddened because our "babies" are growing up, it is also exciting for us because we are entering a new chapter of life.
The Lord has really blessed me this week by giving me two women who have grown daughters that have offered to be there for me when the "adolescence" is just more than I can handle or when I need a shoulder to cry. Although there are many here that are more my age, they all have children much younger than mine and so it is hard for them to relate to what I am going through.... Thank you Lord for these ladies that are willing to be a support base!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
What's on my mind and heart
I decided that I needed to get some things off my mind and so for lack of a better place to write - I am choosing to use my blog.
Tonight I am honestly in a "blah" mood! I am not exactly sure why although there are many things contributing to it but really not sure the root of it all.
First off - I feel as though some of my friendships here are changing in their dynamic and although change isn't always a bad thing, it isn't always a good thing either. I guess if I am really open and honest, I could tell you that having deep, intimate friendships has always been important to me but also hard. As a young child, I didn't really fit in and many would make fun of me. Then in HS things got a bit better but they were still rough. Fortunately, the Lord blessed me with 4 amazing friends throughout HS and so that was great.
In college - my Phi Chi sisters were the best as well as my VERY best friend to this day "Paney". Yet, life got a bit more complicated when we went into ministry full-time. I have discovered that it is hard for me to be open with those in the church (not that I shouldn't be) and in turn for whatever reason, it is hard for them to really connect on an intimate level with me. However- the Lord has always given me someone to relate to and be friends with - usually a minister's wife from another church or someone that went to another church.
Okay - all that rambling brings me to here. Please don't misunderstand - First Baptist Bayfield has been the MOST amazing church we have been in while being on staff. They are so wonderful, encouraging and just great. However - there are times when I just wish I had someone to go to lunch with and laugh with and honestly be real with. I thought I had this but for some reason - it has changed. Perhaps it is because life takes us in different directions, or because even though Joel and I are "young" in age - we are older in that we have kids much older than many our age which makes it hard for them to relate to what we are going through in life. Either way - things are just different and I am really missing having a close friend that I can just be open and honest with - that understands my crazy personality, etc.... Anyway - sure this will pass but tonight it is what's on my mind and heart
The second thing that is really bothering me tonight is how judgemental some people can be against those of us that God has told to have our kids in Public Schools!!! Seriously - why do we have to argue among ourselves as Christians about how we educate our kids. I am fully supportive of those who homeschool but it is not the direction the Lord has led me and so why do people feel the need to preach at or try to convince to change? I am really burdened by this whole thing and how hurtful Christians are toward one another over it. We are not all teachers - seriously God didn't include teaching in the fruits of the spirit! He listed it as a gift that SOME have!!! So - tonight I am just praying about how to go about encouraging and reaching out to Moms who have their kids in Public Schools. I feel very strongly that this is needed. Homeschool parents have MANY support networks and groups but honestly not much is out there for those that Public School.
Finally - I am really wishing the Lord would provide a bigger house for us. Our current home is great but our kids are getting bigger and honestly these walls are getting smaller. Having only one bathroom with a family of 6 is HARD!!! Not only that - with only 1200 sq ft there is barely room for us much less any company. So I keep praying and hoping but don't see it happening yet.
Okay - so there you have it - my overall "blah" night. Thanks for letting me ramble....and like Scarlet O'Hara said "Afterall, tomorrow is another day"!
Tonight I am honestly in a "blah" mood! I am not exactly sure why although there are many things contributing to it but really not sure the root of it all.
First off - I feel as though some of my friendships here are changing in their dynamic and although change isn't always a bad thing, it isn't always a good thing either. I guess if I am really open and honest, I could tell you that having deep, intimate friendships has always been important to me but also hard. As a young child, I didn't really fit in and many would make fun of me. Then in HS things got a bit better but they were still rough. Fortunately, the Lord blessed me with 4 amazing friends throughout HS and so that was great.
In college - my Phi Chi sisters were the best as well as my VERY best friend to this day "Paney". Yet, life got a bit more complicated when we went into ministry full-time. I have discovered that it is hard for me to be open with those in the church (not that I shouldn't be) and in turn for whatever reason, it is hard for them to really connect on an intimate level with me. However- the Lord has always given me someone to relate to and be friends with - usually a minister's wife from another church or someone that went to another church.
Okay - all that rambling brings me to here. Please don't misunderstand - First Baptist Bayfield has been the MOST amazing church we have been in while being on staff. They are so wonderful, encouraging and just great. However - there are times when I just wish I had someone to go to lunch with and laugh with and honestly be real with. I thought I had this but for some reason - it has changed. Perhaps it is because life takes us in different directions, or because even though Joel and I are "young" in age - we are older in that we have kids much older than many our age which makes it hard for them to relate to what we are going through in life. Either way - things are just different and I am really missing having a close friend that I can just be open and honest with - that understands my crazy personality, etc.... Anyway - sure this will pass but tonight it is what's on my mind and heart
The second thing that is really bothering me tonight is how judgemental some people can be against those of us that God has told to have our kids in Public Schools!!! Seriously - why do we have to argue among ourselves as Christians about how we educate our kids. I am fully supportive of those who homeschool but it is not the direction the Lord has led me and so why do people feel the need to preach at or try to convince to change? I am really burdened by this whole thing and how hurtful Christians are toward one another over it. We are not all teachers - seriously God didn't include teaching in the fruits of the spirit! He listed it as a gift that SOME have!!! So - tonight I am just praying about how to go about encouraging and reaching out to Moms who have their kids in Public Schools. I feel very strongly that this is needed. Homeschool parents have MANY support networks and groups but honestly not much is out there for those that Public School.
Finally - I am really wishing the Lord would provide a bigger house for us. Our current home is great but our kids are getting bigger and honestly these walls are getting smaller. Having only one bathroom with a family of 6 is HARD!!! Not only that - with only 1200 sq ft there is barely room for us much less any company. So I keep praying and hoping but don't see it happening yet.
Okay - so there you have it - my overall "blah" night. Thanks for letting me ramble....and like Scarlet O'Hara said "Afterall, tomorrow is another day"!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Camps and Blessings - overflowing!!!!
Thank the Lord for that week of relaxing because man July 6 we hit the ground running again by leaving for Youth Camp!!! July 6-10 was our associational youth camp at Hesperus Baptist Camp. The theme was Hollywood Lights - exposing the world's lies with God's truth. It was a fun week. We took 4 youth and had a wonderful week!!!!
Then - July 13 I left for Hesperus AGAIN this time for Girls' Camp! I took 7 girls and we were there July 13-16!!! The girls were Amazing and I was so blessed by them. They were absolutely wonderful and had no problems at all!!! I am serious!!!!
I returned yesterday in time to unload the girls and load up the boys for boys camp! Joel took 5 boys to camp and will come home on Sunday!!!
Talk about a whirlwind of activity~~~ I have posted some pictures on Facebook. When Joel gets back he is going to help me figure out how to possibly have a slide show here as well.
Then - July 13 I left for Hesperus AGAIN this time for Girls' Camp! I took 7 girls and we were there July 13-16!!! The girls were Amazing and I was so blessed by them. They were absolutely wonderful and had no problems at all!!! I am serious!!!!
I returned yesterday in time to unload the girls and load up the boys for boys camp! Joel took 5 boys to camp and will come home on Sunday!!!
Talk about a whirlwind of activity~~~ I have posted some pictures on Facebook. When Joel gets back he is going to help me figure out how to possibly have a slide show here as well.
Friday, July 3, 2009
A week of relaxing
This week has been fabulous for me in that I have been able to "catch my breath" in the midst of a chaotic and busy summer. Although there were Bible Clubs this week - I was not as involved in them and so spent most of the week at home getting things caught up!!! What a refreshing feeling - it reminded me that even our Saviour had to take time to get away for refreshment and renewal - that is EXACTLY how I feel after this week refreshed and renewed. This is a good thing since I will be going full steam ahead again beginning tomorrow for the 4th of July!!!
Playing with Marcy's daughter Abbie at Burger King!
Some highlights of this week:
One salvation at the Bible Club!!!
Carnival with Nana and Pawpaw!!!
Bar D with our church family and NC workers!!!
Lunch in Durango with my cousin Marcy and her girls!!!
Carnival in Pagosa was so much fun with Nana and Pawpaw!!! Thanks for a wonderful night.
Amber, Olivia and I at the Bar D
Backyard Bible Club Week 2
Playing with Marcy's daughter Abbie at Burger King!Saturday, June 27, 2009
Birthday fun!!!
Here are a few highlights from Tyler's birthday party! It was a joint party with a friend and we all had a ton of fun!!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A lesson in servanthood
Today's blog is going to deviate a bit from the basketball camp itself in that I really want to blog some thoughts that are on my mind while they are still fresh.
Tonight Joel and I were invited to dinner and share time with the group from North Carolina. I am so glad the Lord allowed us to have this opportunity. We have both been on SEVERAL mission trips but this is the first time we have been on the receiving end of the mission trip. We have seen a whole new side!!!
As the people shared tonight there was a common theme - the ability to work together for the kingdom of God. Let me first of all tell you that this group is made up of families. Most of them bring their kids and this is their family vacation - they spend it serving the Lord! All of them stated over and over that they no longer care about going to a beach and sitting there, they don't care about the nice hotels or the attractions - they want their vacation time and money to be spent serving the Lord and investing in His Kingdom!!!
This really hit me hard because to be perfectly honest with you - I have been coveting a glamourous family vacation. I have wanted the money to go to like Disney Land or Hawaii or on a cruise - yes this has been my little sin in my head. Yet tonight as I listened to not only parents but KIDS (of all ages) share that they wouldn't have it any other way - I was challenged to change my way of thinking. What are we, The Arringtons, doing as a family to expand the Kingdom? I know that Joel and I do lots through the church but are we raising mission and servant minded children?
One statistic that was brought up tonight and that I have heard in the past as well was this: 7 out of 10 kids raised in evangelical churches will leave the church and never come back! That is 70%. When research was done - they focused on the 3 that stayed and asked them why they were still involved in church - the answer? They were involved in hands on ministry. They were given the ability as children to invest in others. I want and pray that my children will be one of the 30% - I want to raise mission minded children. One thing that the team leader shared was that not every project allows children and they will not go anywhere that doesn't allow children because they see the importance of families serving together. Members of the team shared about the joy it has brought them to come as an entire family and serve together!
Stories that were shared tonight included everything from the chance to share with people at the hard ware store about why they are here in Bayfield, to the chance to just hug and love on children, to the opportunity to work in a construction environment where everyone is happy and kind to one another and there isn't foul language. I can honestly tell you that the seeds are being planted here in Bayfield for the harvest and we are anxious to be here and help them grow. My prayer tonight is that I will have a mission mindset about all I do everyday!
So - yes the teams from North Carolina have come to build a physical building and to reach out in the community but they have also been sent to help ME re-evaluate my mindset and to challenge our family to be more mission minded. So don't be surprised if in the future you hear of a Arrington Family mission trip!!!!
Side note - tomorrow the kids and their parents at camp will hear the Gospel Message. Pray for open hearts and minds!!!
Tonight Joel and I were invited to dinner and share time with the group from North Carolina. I am so glad the Lord allowed us to have this opportunity. We have both been on SEVERAL mission trips but this is the first time we have been on the receiving end of the mission trip. We have seen a whole new side!!!
As the people shared tonight there was a common theme - the ability to work together for the kingdom of God. Let me first of all tell you that this group is made up of families. Most of them bring their kids and this is their family vacation - they spend it serving the Lord! All of them stated over and over that they no longer care about going to a beach and sitting there, they don't care about the nice hotels or the attractions - they want their vacation time and money to be spent serving the Lord and investing in His Kingdom!!!
This really hit me hard because to be perfectly honest with you - I have been coveting a glamourous family vacation. I have wanted the money to go to like Disney Land or Hawaii or on a cruise - yes this has been my little sin in my head. Yet tonight as I listened to not only parents but KIDS (of all ages) share that they wouldn't have it any other way - I was challenged to change my way of thinking. What are we, The Arringtons, doing as a family to expand the Kingdom? I know that Joel and I do lots through the church but are we raising mission and servant minded children?
One statistic that was brought up tonight and that I have heard in the past as well was this: 7 out of 10 kids raised in evangelical churches will leave the church and never come back! That is 70%. When research was done - they focused on the 3 that stayed and asked them why they were still involved in church - the answer? They were involved in hands on ministry. They were given the ability as children to invest in others. I want and pray that my children will be one of the 30% - I want to raise mission minded children. One thing that the team leader shared was that not every project allows children and they will not go anywhere that doesn't allow children because they see the importance of families serving together. Members of the team shared about the joy it has brought them to come as an entire family and serve together!
Stories that were shared tonight included everything from the chance to share with people at the hard ware store about why they are here in Bayfield, to the chance to just hug and love on children, to the opportunity to work in a construction environment where everyone is happy and kind to one another and there isn't foul language. I can honestly tell you that the seeds are being planted here in Bayfield for the harvest and we are anxious to be here and help them grow. My prayer tonight is that I will have a mission mindset about all I do everyday!
So - yes the teams from North Carolina have come to build a physical building and to reach out in the community but they have also been sent to help ME re-evaluate my mindset and to challenge our family to be more mission minded. So don't be surprised if in the future you hear of a Arrington Family mission trip!!!!
Side note - tomorrow the kids and their parents at camp will hear the Gospel Message. Pray for open hearts and minds!!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Day 2 - Basketball/Cheerleading Camp
Well we made it through day 2 of camp - today there were 80 kids there!!! Can you believe it? We now have 92 kids enrolled!!! What a praise to the goodness of the Lord.
Today went a lot smoother than yesterday simply because we were all prepared for the large numbers where as yesterday we were a little caught off guard. It was nice to just sort of sit back and watch the kids learning and playing. So many of them come from homes that are not fun or happy and this gives them a chance to get away.
One girl I met today is in a foster home - well actually she just got to the foster home last night. She was so scared when she came in. I was encouraging her and letting her know how much fun she would have when all the sudden she said "My mommy was taken to jail yesterday" and then her eyes filled with tears. How heart breaking!!! I pray that this week we can show her that Jesus loves her and He is NOT going to leave her.
As the week continues please pray for more opportunities to talk with the kids and to get to know them better. Also, please pray for all the workers, us included, to have renewed physical energy. It is wonderful but exhausting to work with the kids. We are so excited to see how the Lord will continue to work this week.
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