So it has been a while...

I know...I know...it has been a forever since I last posted...but hello....Caleb's birthday has come & gone and so has Christmas! Phew!! Thought that it would never get here. I am glad that the busy part of the season is over. Now all I have left is Kelsey J's birthday..and then I get a break!

And I think that I need a break!!

Woke up with a really bad migraine headache. Didn't make it to church...made it to the medicine chest...took some meds and back to bed I went...QUICKLY. It was about noon when I got up and took another dose to finish off what was left of the pain. Tomorrow I have to prepare for the New Years Eve party we are having at church. Not too much more to do there.

Saw the scrapbook girls yesterday...I always have a good time with them. I gave Erin the bag that I made for her. I think that she enjoyed it. It has Ursula on it. Her FAVE disney character. Now I have to finish the other one that I started for Logey. Just having some trouble with the medallion that I want to put on it. Then...she get hers to

Today, I took pictures of my brother and sister in law. She is ready to have my newphew anyday...(I think that it is them every time the phone rings) So we took some pictures while she still has Ethen in her Belly! They came out so nice...Take a look at this one.

Upcoming....We have KJ's birthday like I said, and then Scrapbooking on the 19th of January. I am going to try something new with this crop. A little more structure. I am going to try putting together a "Love" themed mini chipboard book. See how that goes over. Some of these girls are very...Um....stuck in a rut of doing the same things over and over...let's see if we can shake 'em up.

All right ya'll gotta finish my Family Feud board for tomorrow's game night!!

Talk to ya soon...

J ^i^

Just settled in for a long...

We just got home from Joyce's Christmas party. And it was WONDERFUL. There are VERY few people here that I am "at home" with. Joyce, Dale and Bonnie are some of those people. I always feel comfortable around them. And take it from me, that is saying something!! Food was great...the Christmas decorations were beautiful...and the fellowship was wonderful. I couldn't ask for more! Joyce had told me about a new set of Christmas dishes that she had recently purchased. My mom and I went to the store found the set, and then debated about which piece she would like. We went with the cake stand, and the salt and pepper shakers. She didn't have either of them!! I like it when a plan comes together.

Ok...gonna have to kick it up a notch. We are heading into the season of being BUSY. We start in 4 days for Calebman's birthday. 14....where has our time gone? MY BABY will be 14. Who can even believe it?? I was very proud of him today. We were talking at our fellowship breakfast about what Christmas means to us. Caleb made the comment about how grateful he is that Jesus came to be born...because without being born...he couldn't have died to save us. I guess that is a way of knowing that your doing the job that God called you to. When your kids start talking about the things of God in mature ways. AMAZING. After Cay's birthday, we move into Christmas. then New Years...then Kelsey Jeanne's birthday. Let's just say...things will be getting back to "normal" about February.

Glen's message this morning was very good. I am so proud of him when he allows God to minister through him. Sometimes...getting the flesh out of the way is a challenge. I can see him struggle with it some days. Today was a message of urgency. Letting our church know that God is a priority. He should hold the first place in our hearts EVERY day. Not only on Sunday. That he matters in every area...not only in church... or the areas that we have designated as his...but EVERY area. That God needs to be the first thought that we have in the morning...and the last thought before we rest our heads. Let's just say...he made Mama proud!

Ok...It is after 11pm...and I need my beauty rest. LOTS of it at this point.

Toodles!!
Jo
^j^

Ok...have you noticed ??

So is it me? Or have you noticed that when I begin to feel encouraged...(and I write about it) that something else comes to steal my joy! Whether it is an argument with Glen...or a brawl with the kids. Today, I am putting my foot down. No more riding waves. I need to show the firm foundation that I have built my entire life on. The one that doesn't sway with indecision...the one that stands for all time!! So...no pity party today!!



I have actually been busy. Went to my sleep study...lived through that...but still have no results from UNC as of this post. Came home to spend some time with the scrapbook DIVAs. They actually were out of work for a few days...and wanted to see if life was truly better NOT working. (They said they could get used to my schedule) We laughed and cut up. Worked on some Christmas gifts. Chip board albums for some. Christmas cards for others. I served as the "helper" for both. Approving of the color...or cutting out the letters that were needed to complete that one page that is missing something!! Was a great couple of days.



Also this week, my parents wedding anniversary. Married 38 years, and my mom is still putting up with my daddy!! LOLOL They are a great example to us about what God expects out of marriage. They are as crazy as bedbugs...but they are MINE and I LOVE em.



Kelsey Jeanne had a solo in the school play. She did a great job...sang beautifully...hit every dance move...and looked adorable. (I'll take credit for that!!! Took forever to blowdry her hair!)



I somehow managed to squeeze in a little shopping for the kids. Still have my dad and Caleb to buy for. We hit some of the clothing stores today. These kids keep growing..and no matter how quickly I buy things...they seem to outgrow things before they even get the wear out of it. UGH...I know, I know...they are supposed to be like that at this stage in life...but I miss those little cuties that I used to chase around the house. Now...I chase them... but sometimes with a frying pan in my hand!! :O)



Tomorrow we have a breakfast instead of Sunday school...so I am making my famous biscuits and gravy. One of Kelsey's favorites. And I don't do a lot of cooking lately, but I figured I better try to keep my skills honed. Tonight we made our Christmas cookies. They were baked with love...(hope that flavor is the one to come through!) These will be distributed tomorrow after Morning church service. With everyone knowing that Rev Glen Keefer...didn't set foot in the kitchen to help...even though his name appears on the gift tag!! LOLOLOL

Heard from some of our NY family & friends. Yeah...for those of you southern folks that read this....THERE are still people left in NY. They have not ALL moved south! I love hearing about what is going on with them. Makes me miss home, and those comfortable places that we had before moving to NC. They know the Keefers...before we were the keefers..and that is saying something!!!

All right clock is heading for 1:30am...and this lady needs to be presentable in the morning...so I am going to try for a little sleep. We have Joyce's Christmas party tomorrow night. I am so excited. I pretend to bake. Joyce is our resident expert. I have not had anything that she prepared that I didn't like...(and that is saying something from this picky eater!!!) I picked up a gift for her...I hope she likes it!

All right kids...Have a lovely Sunday...spend some time with your creator...I hear that his birthday celebration is rapidly approaching. Don't forget that HE is the reason for this season!!!

Talk at cha
Jo
^i^

Ramblings in the wee hours

So it is late...or should I say early morning on Weds Dec 12.

I can't sleep again. Stress. That is why. Have my sleep study tonight. Can't say that I am looking forward to it. LOL.

Not a good night at the Keefer house. I am frustrated. With Kids...husband, and a lack of support and obedience from them. Ever get the feeling like you are in over your head? I am SO there.

Maybe I was meant to be a Doctor or a lawyer? Maybe an astronaut? Maybe anything but what I am today. I am just NOT feeling it. AT all. Life seems like it is passing me by and I sit at the sidelines waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe I need to take a more active role in shaping my future. Maybe I need to go back to school? Maybe get back to finding out who I am.

I mean, I got married so young. Then only about 6 months of marriage...I was pregnant with Caleb. Not a whole lot of time to "chart my own course" as an adult. I feel like I went from being my father's daughter to being my husband's wife. I never really did anything on my own. EVER. Yet I am quick to try to instill that in Kelsey. I want her to grow to be self sufficient, to stand on her own two feet as a woman. Maybe I am not the right person to teach her how? Maybe she needs the mentoring of someone who has been there and done that.

Glen isn't much help when I start pondering these things. His answer to everything is that if you ignore it; it will go away. I don't want this to go away. To put the issue on the shelf only to have it resurface again. I want to deal with it so that future decisions will not leave me in the quandry of what the "next" thing to do is. I am feeling like that is not the answer to this one. I am definately feeling inadequate. My husband let me know that I don't do much right anymore. So what now? Pretend like everything is ok again....

I don't think so. I feel like I need to do something. Maybe a change of scenery. Maybe that is exactly what I need. Hmmm.... Wonder where a middle aged woman can go to "find" herself?

Maybe I could be useful to my family if I had a better handle on who I am? Then again...maybe they would decide once and for all that they really don't like the "me" that I have become. And then what?

Gonna try to get some rest and mull this one over. Not feeling so "triumphant" tonight. Not feeling like there is hope at the end of the trial. Just feeling kind of beat up and beat down.

Christmas is coming

And I am SOOO not ready!

I am doing my best to do a little bit everyday. Shop and prep for the kids at least. BUT there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day for me. Some things just come really easy, like shopping for Kelsey. I can shop for her with no issue...but finding things for Caleb. Harder than I thought. I could buy the list of video games that he wants. But I want to find something that means more than the couple of hours that he will spend playing it, until the game offers no challenge....and it goes into the piles of "games that offer no challenge".

So I am still on a quest for finding something special for him. On top of Christmas, I have 2 more days until my parents wedding anniversary. And 9 days until Cay's 14th birthday. Good times. Needless to say I am busy.

Church was good on Sunday. Glen spoke about giving EVERYTHING to God. Everything. Trusting that his plan for us is a good one. Relying on it to the point of letting everything go and depending on what HE has for us. There were several people missing. The same ones that have recently shown themselves to be less than concerned about being present in church. I am grateful for the families that God has given to us that are there. Even when there is sickness abounding. Even had one of the newest...Brandon Jacob. born to a couple in the church weighing in at 10 lbs 4 oz. OUCH. He is a big baby! We had a couple of familiar faces come back for a visit.

So still have lots of stuff to do....still not feeling good....but there are more tests looming in my near future. BUT that is ok...I am pushing to feel better in 2008.

Is it Christmas?

I am just starting to feel the "pressure" of Christmas. With the baby shower for Bryan and Dawn over, I can once again focus on things that I have to do.

Speaking of the shower...it went very well. Bryan and Dawn got a lot of great things for little Ethen. And I am VERY glad that it is over. Not because it wasn't fun, it was. I made my first "diaper cake" (which got rave reviews.) But I don't care to see another latex balloon for a while.

I have NO idea what I will be getting my kids for Christmas. They are now at an age where there isn't one thing that will just DELIGHT them. Kind of takes the fun out of Christmas for me. I used to love to seek out that one very special item that they longed to have. I loved to see their little faces light up when it was under the tree for them. Not like that anymore.

So...there are a couple of movies, a couple of Nintendo DS games that they would like to own...some CD's....yadah yadah yadah! Junk if you ask me. Can't find a Wii anywhere for them. So that seems to be out of the picture. Both need clothes... but they hate getting clothes as gifts. Seems more like a necessity than a "gift"

Other than that, things are ok. I am dealing with my Short term Disability people trying to get paid for my time out of work right now. That is proving to be my biggest challenge. (If only life could stay that way!!! LOL)

I got a really cool email from my friend Logey. Talking about making Tuesday a prayer day in her life. She sent it asking that her friends join her in praying. I am ALL about it. I think that if we can truly get behind a prayer day in our lives, and in the lives of our families, we could move the hand of God.

2 Chronicles 7:14-

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Isn't this what we need? A national healing? Something miraculous to shake us from our slumber? I wonder if we, as a nation, approached life with the same zeal that we do our time with God...if we would be as prosperous as we are in America? Some how I doubt it. There is always time for 'other' things. Always time to do the things that we deem 'important'. But when was the last time that we realized that what we do in the spiritual far outweighs the natural accomplishments that we boast about.

I want my everlasting testimony to stand strong. Even more so than my resume' and the accomplishments that I achieve here on earth. That my "God Story" would impact those around me to live a little closer... My husband preached it on Sunday. That we need to be OPEN books. Not a great novel hidden for all time. But a living story of God's grace and mercy in action.

Hope that you find your self...re-reading some of your pages. Looking for the God moments that have changed your perception of situations.

Is that the Sun that I see???

Is that a break in the grey clouds that have been looming around me for a while? Hmmm... I wonder!

I have spent several hours with a couple of friends in the last few days. And I think that I needed them. I am the type of person that needs to "shake off" that kind of depression in order to see the dawn of a new day.

Now, I am not saying that in a matter of 48 hours, I can leap tall buildings in a single bound. But I feel like I can take a few more bricks out of the wall that holds me back from realizing the BEST that God has for me, and that is progress! EVERY little step forward is a celebration that I am not where I used to be. I might not have arrived at where I am going, but I am not the same that I was yesterday.

Have you ever felt that way? Like Life's storm is just raging around you. Wind blowing, lightening flashing, and thunder rolling? That can be a scary place. I am willing to admit that I find myself there at times. Lately...I have been braving a lot of these "life-storms". I am ready to reach a place of floating on the smooth, calm waters for a while. So maybe the waters have not calmed to still yet, I am encouraged today. That is what having good friends does for me.

I have appreciated everyone who has taken the time to listen and really hear me in the last few days.

"Wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, and He will strenghten your heart. (Ps 27:14) I have decided that sometimes I can't do anything but wait!!

Here I am Lord....WAITING! Help me to be happy in waiting on you. When I get ahead of you....boy, do I make a mess of things. When I sit down and allow you to get too far ahead...I lose my way....and I make a mess of things. When I stay close to you, tucked under the shelter of the almighty....I AM SAFE. I AM HAPPY...I AM HEALTHY....I AM RESTORED...I AM STRONG....I AM RENEWED...I AM the woman that I was created to be.

I like that woman a whole lot better than the one who lives feeling defeated and depressed. I am sure that other people around me do too. I want to live a life that reflects the VICTORY that I find in Christ. So if I need to hurt, and struggle in order to have someone else see that it is possible...I'll go there with you, LORD. I don't want to profess to the world that life is a bed of roses....and then....live in the agony of defeat. I want to be real...and I want to be BOLD enough to allow others to see it in me, and still come out on the other side... So that they can know, when life is weighing heavy on them, and trials don't seem to have an end in sight.... JOY will come in the MORNING. I can reach back into my own experiences....and say...I remember a time, when God moved on my behalf....and I know for sure...he can DO IT FOR YOU.

Duty calls. Baby shower preparation is in full swing. Master Ethen Michael... I want my new nephew to know that we loved him from the time before he was born. I want God to use this time to leave a "footprint" on my family. One that will be a place where we will look back and remember God's grace, and his blessings on us!!!

Talk at you soon!!
J

Wonder what was on the agenda today?

Oh that's right, I went to the Doctor. Are you as sick of reading about this as I am about writing about it? It seems that I am obsessed with what they say, and the next course of action that "they" are going to follow for me. Seems like "THEY" know it all, and I know nothing. Other than to follow them blindly. I am So over it. ALL of it. I believe with all of my heart, I would have never gotten sick had it not been for a Dr. According to that same Dr, it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to have started on this road because of anything that he had done. But, of course, they know everything and I ...know nothing.

So enough about them for today. I feel out of control. I don't know what the next step is. I am not sure if it is to the right or left, and normally, I am pretty sure about the general direction. But at this point. I am confident in one thing. I am sure of NOTHING. Other than my love for my kids and my parents. Both of which are there when I need someone. Have a said lately how TRULY grateful I am for both of these guys? Love my kids!!! They drive me up a wall....They make me yell and want to scream sometimes....They make me want to hold them and protect them from any of life's harsh reality. I feel like they love me. Sometimes I feel like a piggy bank to them, but I guess, who else is supposed to be their piggy bank??? Isn't that kind of my job too?

My mom and dad....they are just great people. They are my heroes. They take care of me when no one else is there to. They show up for the jobs that are SO thankless. Not the ones that are the glorious ones. My mom cooking ....My daddy helping around the house. I appreciate their time, and the effort they put into taking care of me. I hope when I say the words " Thank you" that it really hits them. I hope they know that it isn't an obligatory nicety. I hope they realize that it is a from the heart " I realize that you could be doing something that is more ..........................) (fill in the blank)glamorous....fun....wild..... I hope that I'll have lots of time to make it up to them.

Hmmmm...... Just makes me wonder??

Why do we keep staring at the same people and situations and waiting for them to bloom into the perfect answer to our problems? I see my husband do it. Sitting and looking at the same people waiting for them to become faithful to him. When in reality, the only human that is oath bound to be faithful to him is me. People who are not faithful to God will give account to God for that. Not to the Pastor, not to his board, not to any human, but there are consequences to showing ourselves unfaithful. When men can't count on us? When our word is doubted? It is a powerful thing.

The Bible says Let your Yes be Yes! Not for us to be double minded.

Lord, when People look inside my life, I pray they see a woman of integrity. That will let her yes be yes. That will show up when she gives her word. Even when it is inconvenient or when my flesh has been hurt. Lord, let me not look at my circumstances and choose to be selfish. Let me always realize that the BETTER choice, the more NOBLE choice to esteem others higher than myself. Lord, that I would pray for those who use me. Even when we share DNA or a pew on Sunday. Even when we expect better from them.

Lord help me to have a heavenly vision and see in people what you see. And let me have a boldness to call them out when it is necessary. Not in self righteousness, but in correction, with the right spirit.

If I can become the woman that God has called me to be through all of this STUFF, then it is worth it ALL. ALL of it. The Tears....the frustration.... the loss.... the hurt...... the sick....

Lord....you can do all things....ALL things....I can't wait to see what you are going to do with this one.

I really need to...

So there are probably a list of things that "I need to..." And I am not sure what the priority of them is.

So here we go.

1. Get better. I am so ready to be healthy. Just when I think that I am feeling better, (physical therapy has been my new method of attempting to right the health "wrongs" that I have been experiencing. I go to the Dr, who took me out of work...(thanks Doc!! so that my co-workers don't have to watch this cruel game anymore) Some days feeling so-so...other days wondering why I would even want to take my head off of the pillow. UGH.

I think that some of the medications have been counteracting the positive things that I have been doing to try to get better. Physical Therapy is "vestibular rehabilitation therapy" and I was feeling better until one of the medications seems to have interfered with that progress. So....what does all of this mean? Two steps forward, one back. Seems to be my mantra.

2. Get My life in order. My work situation, is weighing heavy on my shoulders. I am currently on a short term disability leave from a job that I don't have for very much longer. I have never "lost" a job. And even now, I don't know that getting laid off is the same as getting fired, but some how in my mind. My ego seems to have taken a hit below the belt. And I don't like the feeling. The Bible is clear that God will not allow anything that we can not handle without making a way of escape... Wonder if the looney bin is my way of escape at this particular point in life. Everything seems so overwhelming. And I hate that feeling.

3. Get My Caleb straightened around. My sweet teen...the one that I love so much. Whose ADD issues make me NUTSO with all of this other stuff. His laziness adding to the stress I feel from his teachers. I just want him to do what he is supposed to do. To not use the words " I forgot" I have decided that these two little words should be removed from the English language. Simply because they are not an excuse, and if you are a forgettful person, then WRITE IT DOWN. Some times we all have to do that .

4. Get My Kelsey's life vision corrected!! While I worry about Caleb for so many reasons, Kelsey worries me for others completely. Cay has a strong moral compass, not easily giving in to peer pressure, or looking for outside approval. I think sometimes if he cared a little more, I wouldn't see some of the stuff that I do out of him. Kelsey Jeanne.... My exact opposite. How is that EVEN possible??? Raised by the same parents and yet SOOOOO different. Times like this that I KNOW that God has a sense of humor. Because Kelsey, she is so concerned, about name brands, about who thinks what about her clothes and shoes.... And if the truth be told, I don't care about that stuff. I buy for her what I like on her. If it happens to be a name brand...great, if not...even better for my wallet. But as she is getting older, boy, oh boy, we get questioned about the kind of music that she is allowed to listen to, when she will be allowed to date....and HELLO....she isn't 11 yet...SLOW the ROLL sister!!!

5. HOLD on to My Marriage. Sometimes being a pastor's wife isn't all it is cracked up to be. Sometimes I feel like our life is in direct competition with my husband's church. AND it bothers me. Not because the church is demanding, but because HE is consumed by it. He neglects every duty he has as a father and husband to think about "church stuff" and some days, I weary of it. Some times I wish the first love was us, and not being busy for God. Now...let me be clear, I don't ever want God's place in Glen's heart. Because, Hello...the reason that I fell in love with him so many years ago was his love of the Lord. I just wish that his family mattered a little more. Maybe God will reveal that to him. I pray so. Some days, I want him to be as excited about planning for family as he is about planning for church. But I guess I should be grateful, and I'll pray that God will change my attitude. I think in getting sick, it has really brought me full circle, that my kids wouldn't make it with out the help of my parents. This makes me really sad, but I am VERY grateful for them. They are there when I am not well enough to be, or when Glen can't be. They take the EDGE off of life right now for me. and I am so Grateful!!!!

6. DEVELOP SUPER POWERS to make this all possible. I know in myself I can't do any of these things. Why? Because in myself, I would have given up a long time ago. I would have gone to bed pull the covers up over my head and wasted away to nothing. So, Right now, I feel a little self pity. I want to be loved. I want to be healthy. I want to be the wife, and employee and mom, and Pastor's wife, and friend, and co-worker and super hero that I feel I am SUPPOSED to be. SO WHY DO I FEEL SO FRAIL? WHY SO BROKEN? WHY SO UNLOVEABLE?

I am reminded of a song.... from my teen years. One that good ole' Amy Grant used to sing...about Arms of Love.

In the place I found that I can hide
It's safe inside Your Arms of Love
Like a child whose held throughout a storm
You keep me warm
In Your Arms of Love.

Lord...Teach me to Stay there....

Dr Visit. WHATEVER

Take a look at this. This is my new favorite picture of Caleb. LOVE this boy! Man? TEEN! I can't believe that he is pushing 14. Am I old enough to have a 14 year old?? As crazy as he makes me somtimes with being a typical lazy teenager, I love how sweet he is. He is going to make a great husband for some nice Christian girl someday. His mom is raising him the right way, with respect and a tender heart for the things of God. I thought he would undergo some mystical transformation when he got older. He has always been a little love bug, since he was TEENY TINY. He always wanted to be held, even now, he streches his cheek toward me for a kiss when no one is looking. He still loves his momma!!


So today was my trip to the neurologist. He provided that I need about 3 months of probing and proding to figure out what I have going on in my brain! (NO CHUCKLES) Good news, I am well on my way, bad news... I know that I will have at least 3 more months invested. Let's hope that it doesn't take that long to start feeling better.


Tomorrow is Jeans Day at work. Isn't it crazy, here I have this professional job, and we get all excited about a monthly jeans day. I think every day should be a jeans day. Unfortunately, you can look around and see that there is less "productivity" on these days. My favorite new outfit to wear to work are my pajamas. Working from home is a beautiful thing. Some days I can accomplish all that I need to from the comfort of my living room. (No tv in there)


Ok...getting late, and my bed is calling..."JODI....JODI.....Jodi...jodi...."

I have to go!!

Just a random thought

Hello All. Nothing much new to speak of. Things are busy. Somehow the fall brings LOTS to do and time doesn't allow for everything that I want to accomplish!


Church is going well. And we are busy. We participated in Wendell Days this past Sat, the 6th of OCT. Some of our ladies did some baking and we sold lots of goodies at the Festival. The weather...yeah, that was not so nice, but...it was a good day to be had by all. We worked together to make the day fun!


Got together with a couple of the scrapbook girls. How is it that I laugh everytime we are in the same room. They are just FUN!! Even Sara-Anne and her "extreme fellowship" with her husband. (That means an old fashioned argument) Kills me. Only they could argue and make it sound like a "spiritual encounter" And surely you know that we stick together. So Chris was wrong...and Sara-Anne was right in the one. (And it would not matter either way, the scrapbook girls will unite against all things male!!!)


Looking ahead, I begin visits with a new neurologist! I am excited and truly praying that they can get to the bottom of all of the health issues that I have been enduring. I am also going to push to be taken out of work. I feel that my reputation is being compromised at this point. There are so many times that I am sick, and most days feel so bad that all I want to do is sleep. Between the vertigo and the Fibromyalgia, there are days when my "get up & go.." GOT UP & WENT without me. I take pride in the kind of work that I do. I have built a great reputation within my company, and would like this illness to not diminish that. So we will see what the Dr says on Thursday.

What else, Ah yes. The church picnic is this weekend. So there will be planning done to be sure that we are feeding the masses! Not to mention the games and such for the kids. I have ordered my prizes, just have a few more things to square away, and then we can concentrate on food. After this, we move onto "Souper Sundae Sunday" which is another fellowship meal. This involves Soup and sandwich lunch with an ice cream sundae bar for the church folks to enjoy. This one falls on Glen's birthday, so I am sure that someone will be singing to the pastor! The Sunday after that....I leave for VACATION!!! I am calling this my offical stay in pajamas week, do nothing constructive and don't care about anything that is truly important week. My plans??? to scrapbook and sleep...and scrapbook some more.

Wow. Now here is a step back in time! So many of you know that I just turned 35. Good TIMES!!

I also had the pleasure of spending time with family the weekend before the BIG day. Here are a couple of OLD pictures of Smitty & I probably ages 3 and 5. The next is my aunt Julie back in the day.

What else have I been up to? Good Question! I have been to NH for my last round of Six Sigma green belt training. And what a relief! I just don't love traveling alone. Is that terrible? I guess that I was meant to be married, because I just don't enjoy ALONE time. Love quiet time, but I'll read a book for hours as long as Glen Keefer is snoozing next to me. There is something that feels really safe in that. I have also been filling in for my dad while he and mom were in PA for a week's rest. He is the adult Sunday School teacher, so being the big, brave girl that I am, I rose to the challenge.

I actually enjoyed the teaching his class, but I am grateful for someone who is #1 committed to it, & #2 does a great job. Those were some big shoes to fill, so I am grateful that he is back and ready to take over once again.

I also had the pleasure of volunteering for a local organization called "Special Blessings" This is a local group in Raleigh who ministers to handicapped kids of all ages and with varying degree of ability. Cowboys for Christ provided horse rides, a couple of our church ladies, Bonnie and Joyce, were the back up for lots of tasks...and yours truly painted faces. It was a great day with nice weather and a good way to give back to the community! LOVE a fun opportunity to minister like that!

October will be a busy month for the Keefer family as well as the Calvary Faith family. We have an "event" every weekend of this month. I like being busy for church, I just wish that work was not as demanding so I could dedicate more to doing the meaningful things in life.

Now, I realize how important a few days away are. So I am looking forward to the end of this month for a week in Williamsburg, VA! 1st half with my family, 2nd with the scrap book girls. A group of women that I consider my friends! You know what I mean, the kind of friends that don't point fingers and you can let your hair down with. These are the ladies that I can do that with. So many look at me, and assume that as the pastor's wife, I have it all together. (Little do they know) These women allow me to be the "real" Jodi without analyzing every word or intention. We all need a group like that!!!

Work is calling, so back I go. Hope your day is BLESSED!!

As many of you know, I have been "under the weather" since April. Vertigo struck me the second weekend in April, and has not left since. Every day is a struggle to get up and go. To do the things that used to come so naturally. Even a casual walk can make me feel " not so good" Now add to that a recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and all of the medication the Dr's are treating me with.

I am trying to take it day by day. With God's grace, to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes that is what we need to focus on. Just the faithful small steps of a weary traveler, not the storm of indecision, or chaos or frantic lifestyles that sometimes cloud our vision. It is in the times of feeling inadequate, we realize who is in control. And we realize that He has our very best interests at heart.

I am a firm believer that we go through our struggles and triumphs here on earth to learn valuable lessons for the eternity we will one day be rewarded with. My prayer for sometime now has been, "Lord, allow me to learn the lesson the first time around." You see, I feel that until we can come away with a grateful heart, we will experience those trials over and over again, what we, in the Keefer house, call walking around the mountain. I want to come to a place where I can say "It is well with my soul" Even if that means my heart of flesh is breaking. The spirit within us must rise, take up our cross and follow Jesus. He truly is the only way, truth and life.

If nothing else, I pray that is the life that I am living before my children, family and friends. That each of these would realize my faith is what makes me who I am. Sometimes, I fail, sometimes the witness that I demonstrate is not admirable. But I still press on. Asking that His Mercy that is new every morning rest on me.

Ok, so I am not sure when my baby grew up. Glen took these pictures in July o7 and I guess they made me kind of sad. You see, these are the first pictures where my girl doesn't look like a little girl. I can see, (behind those shades) that she is becoming the "little woman" that God placed in our care almost 11 years ago.

What joy there is in watching children grow! Her dad and I look back and remember the cute sayings and the funny little things that she used to do. From the crazy stories that she and her Papa exchanged, to pulling out her playskool medical kit and water, knowing that she could assist with any ailment we had.

Our "Little Miss" growing and maturing, and the parents...wondering if we are ready for it. Her dad says that he is. The biggest baseball bat now rests inside the door jam for any boy that dare thinks of approaching our porch. She is our little mother, always looking out for each of us, advising what is best in every situation.

I want her to know how much we love her. Kelsey Jeanne is a good girl, who loves her family and friends. And most of all Loves Jesus!