Rotten Leaves Inspire Me... and other stuff too

I was speaking today about what a blog-slacker I am. Honestly, most of my blogging happens when the leaves change. I LOVE the sound, smell, etc. of foliage death.  I know that's crazy, but it is what it is.

Last week I was messaged by a mom who brought her kids this summer to VBS at the church I attend. I remembered her because she has 5 absolutely beautiful children. In fact, the whole family looks like something from a magazine. Anyway, this almost complete stranger invited me to her house for a birthday surpise for a friend we have in common.

If you know me at all, you know I'm pretty shy and would rather tear my fingernails out than go someplace with complete strangers for a meal.

I went.

It was AWESOME!!!!

During the meal, awesome-hostess-lady asked birthday-girl this question. "If God showed up right now and asked what she would want from Him for her birthday this year what would it be?" The answer had to be something for her. That definitely throws a wrench in that question. I could think of several things instantly for my friends and family but was stumped about myself.

On the way home I had my answer.  - To operate with authenticity -   Awesome-hostess-lady was sharing about something she and her Hubby Guy feel God is asking them to do that is scary. It's a God sized thing that is AWESOME but SCARY for several reasons. I was mulling that situation over on my way home when I came up with my answer.  Her situation doesn't really relate directly to authenticity. I was thinking though about how cool it was that she opened her home to almost complete strangers today and was just herself. I consider that being authentic for Christ. Too few people do stuff like she did today. My socks were blessed off and I wasn't even the guest of honor. I enjoyed real honest fellowship the way Jesus intended it. That is the way life should be.

I was a good day.

Oopsie.... I Went Dark

I don't know why I abandoned blogland. Actually, I do but it's lame.
So, anyway.... Hi October :)

The summer was cool. School has begun. The girls are 13 and almost 9. Eeeeek! is all I have to say about the 13 year old. Teenagerness has been ok so far. I remain amazed at God and the answers/responses that come flying out of heaven at just the perfect time. I also remain amazed that she's still talking to Hubby Guy and myself  given if you ask her she'll tell you "they are just so mean!".

The young one has aged nicely. I noticed when I took school pictures recently that she has crossed over from cute little girl to positively gorgeous person. That scares me badly. She has been a handful and will continue to be for the rest of her life. Um.... where are the homely children that I ordered. That sounds horrible but I'm serious. Somewhere in my thinking about children I forgot to consider that more than likely they wouldn't be like me. I was ugly, homely, and smart. These girls are gorgeous and gregarious so I can't just call on my own experience. I have to try to see things through their lenses.