Early Saturday

We have just moved from Friday to Saturday. And I am awake to usher it in. Yeah, no reason why. Just me and the laptop up at our house. EVERYONE else has been in bed for hours. It is in the wee morning hours that I can almost hear my own thoughts recently.

Things are busy. With the weather breaking, things have a tendency to get added to the list of "things to do" After Glen spent a full day in the yard, things are looking much better around here. There is still some branches and leaves that need to be disposed of, but we are not looking like the ghetto anymore!! :)

Later this morning is the newcomers breakfast. We are expecting over 20 people. (I am telling you that we are seeing the church grow! It has been such a blessing) And then a FULL day of keeping the kids out of Glen's hair. Please know that we have been on spring break here. So having the kids home this week has been great...but I am READY to get them out from under my feet for a minute.

I am really up for some stamping. I keep saying that I am going to start posting my pictures of the cards and scrapbook pages that I have been doing, and yet, those cards end up going out in the mail without a snapshot being taken!

I did manage to take some pictures of Ethen Michael today. I was with him while his mommy was at work. His daddy is looking better, talking better...and is actually eating a little bit. Bryan has lost a lot of weight, but he looks good! I am anxious to see him finish up this antibiotic round to see how he feels without medicine on board. I pray that he is the picture of health. It will be so nice, for him, for Dawn and for Ethen. I'll post a picture when I get the new ones down loaded from the camera! He is the sweetest.

I was hoping to get some photos of the kids this week. But that didn't happen, and with the weather that is forcasted this weekend, it won't be happening this weekend either. I am going to try to do better about carrying my camera with me more. I need to take the time to capture more of our everyday life. It is during our everyday the most important things happen.

For those who now read my blog on a regular basis...know that I appreciate it. In re-reading some of it, I see myself changing. Funny, huh? I am sure that this is a season of change for me. Both because of my health issues, and work, but that stuff will take care of itself. God is dealing with me about the more important things. And I am in a place where I am ready.

Our love to all of you!!!
^j^

God's promises

I woke up yesterday morning... feeling bad. Just achy and miserable. I wandered to my computer to find that someone we know had lost her mom unexpectedly.

What a shock! A lady, younger than my own parents, had passed away leaving behind children, grand kids, a husband. Their near future was full of plans of visiting and spending time and loving.

I sent an email...letting her know that their family is in my thoughts and our prayers...but her situation brought more to mind than just your "normal" condolences.

My mind went to God's promises.

The Word of God contains so many promises. Ones that we need to learn to lean on...to stand on...to claim with the authority we have as servants of Christ. But our length of time on earth is not a promise. We have an appointed time to meet our Maker. This lady had hers. I will have mine. I am sure that there are some who would love to have just one more day with a mom or a grandma. I am sure that one more day would be filled with words of love and encouragement. Not remembering the bitter times, or the times when we failed each other.

What legacy are we leaving? Is it one that points to Christ? Is it one that only reminds people of the times that were bad, or hard? I know that God is revealing something new to me about the way we live our lives. Most of which is just for me. And I have to tell you, that learning this lesson, even though I have had to walk through some thorns to get to this place, is so good.

Compromise can not be a part of a Christian's walk. It is truly a walk of ALL or NONE. In an age when even CHURCHES are afraid to preach the truth, now is not the time to water it down to be sure it is palatable for all. It is what it is! No other book holds the power of life or death. There are things that scripture calls sin, and yet because it isn't politically correct...we don't mention those things from the pulpit. And yet, as stern as that seems, ALL of it is tempered in love.

How will they know unless someone goes to them in love to tell them it is wrong?

It seems that the buzz word for this type of thing is judgement. This isn't about judging others. It is about looking in our own hearts and firming up the things that we believe. And then living a life that is attractive to the lost and hurting...and being open to sharing ALL of us with others. Not just the pretty face that we sometimes put on for "outsiders" to see.

I pray that when it is my time, or God calls home someone that I love, our time together will be filled with stories of God's grace and goodness. I hope that the times of pain or harsh words are forgiven and truly forgotten. I pray that in loss, the joy of knowing someone has made it home, is a comfort.

That is my prayer for this family.

He is RISEN, Allelujah!

Easter Sunday is winding down. It has been a good Resurrection Sunday. Things are getting quiet again. We thought that CFC saw record #'s last week, only to have that happen THIS WEEK. With 8 people accepting Christ as their savior. I would say that is enough to make it a good day!

I did some shopping yesterday, so that the Keefer family would look sharp for church. The kids wore peach, Glen and I wore aqua. (hee hee, I made sure that Glen and I matched,

I get such a kick out of silly things!!)

Here is a picture of the two of us following service this morning.

I know, I know...stuck in the 80's. (my hair, not my husband ) lololol

Glen's message was very good this morning. Titled " Why the Cross...the Story of four gardens" He went on to take us through 4 special gardens. Starting in Eden, walking through Gethsemane on to the Garden tomb, and finally the garden of our hearts as described in Jesus parable told to us in Matthew chapter 13.

It is when he delivers messages like this, that I know God speaks to my main squeeze! He was working so diligently in the yard on Friday, (his day off from BOTH jobs) when he came into the living room (where I was folding clothes). He quickly pulled out a sheet of paper to jot down one more thought the Holy Spirit had inspired in him. This happens at some crazy times. Middle of the night...Glen will stir and hop up just long enough to write down what ever thought has wandered through his mind.

We have met some "preachers" lately that teach from a head knowledge. I am sure that their messages are stirring and probably eloquent. But I want more than a man's understanding of the things of God. These same men, who I am sure love God, just can't seem to take that step in obedience and give to the people what God has for them for that moment. Let's be clear, this is not a knock on those men. I applaud anyone who is willing to take up ministry as a career. But when I speak with someone who LOVES God, that conversation should feel like talking to a friend that I have known for a long time. I am learning that this is a rare thing.

Glen strives for this. He strives to live Christ out loud. It is why I married him. It is why I love him. It is why I have put up with him for over half of my life! :) I can honestly say, that we would not have made it this far without Christ in the center of our family. I am sure that there are times when people wonder "WHY?" Why do they do this...or refrain from that? It is all a matter of living by our convictions, to walk outside that is just not a place that I can go. Not for friendship, not for money, not for anything. I hope that the people around us know that we live our faith. If it makes me "different", that is ok.

So for those of you, who say "Those are some strange folks". That is ok...it is all a matter of whose yard stick you are measuring us by!


LOVE Ya'll
^j^

Back from the Beach

So today I attended a class trip with my Kelsey. Back when I signed up, I guess I was feeling some of that "mom guilt" because I would not really ever choose to go with a bunch of kids (that are not mine) on a full day trip. Especially DIZZY! But I made it home in one piece. PHEW! I think Kelsey "sold" this trip as a photo opportunity for she and I to be on the beach! (smart cookie...she knows how to get mom to do what she would like)

Here is KJ running on the beach. I got to use the zoom lens that I have for my camera. The best part of the pictures that I took...is that she didn't know that I was taking them!

For those of you in colder climates...it was in the 60's. Here is a picture of the ocean...if you close your eyes and listen, you can hear the waves breaking and the seagulls calling in the distance.

It was windy, but a beautiful day to be on the beach...and other than the kids we took...there was no one else! Made it easy to get some nice pictures of the waves!

Do you see that wave?!? Awesome power contained in that wave. They are stunning to look at with the sun reflecting off of them, but let the clouds grow dark. With howling winds and gray skies, the waves can be a dangerous place. God has not promised us a life with no "waves" Sometimes my life is like those waves in the sunlight, when I know that the Holy Spirit is inspiring me to see the beauty of a circumstance, or in my brothers and sisters. Other times, when the skies are dark, and we are facing something that looks so ominous, that is when we need to hide ourselves in the hollow of God's hand until the storm passes over. Ah, it is in a time when our faith is tested; we can learn that we serve a God who sticks closer than a brother!

Realize today that God allows rain to fall on the just and the unjust. It isn't about punishment! It is about understanding that good and bad things happen to each and every human being on this planet. (Thanks Adam & Eve) If we can retrain our brains to see EVERY circumstance as an opportunity to prove where we are in our Christian walk, we may get a picture that we need more growth, more love, more understanding than we originally thought.

If we believe that our steps are ordered of the Lord, (and I firmly do) then we can walk and not grow weary...we can run and not faint. God will give us the ability to be EXACTLY what he has called us to be.

Where are your feet? Are they ready for the race? I realize today sometimes they are wrapped in army boots preparing for battle, other days...they may look like this.

Love you all!

^j^

I did say I was going to be better about posting...

Because I don't know that I have been true to my word. Some days posting something is EASY, and others...it is tiring. Not because I don't have anything to say, but normally because my fingers are too tired to type.

SO...yesterday we pulled Caleb out of public school. Not an easy decision for me, but one that I have thought long and hard about. Caleb started out this school year with a good attitude, but was soon discouraged by a teacher that had some serious issues of her own. I met with his teaching group, and was very up front with them about the things that Caleb had to work on, and the things they could help him with. For some reason, out of 4 teachers, I would say 3 were fair, and one was just plain rotten. She made everything difficult for both Caleb and myself. I am sick and tired of fighting for a mediocre education for Caleb. So...with God's help, I am going to go where this mom has never gone before. And HOME SCHOOL my eldest child.

Leaving the younger one turning green with ENVY! Poor Kelsey Jeanne. She is so smart, she just doesn't understand that she is doing well right where she is. I know that she hates getting up before the sun to catch the bus, but other than that; she thrives on knowing she really is a SMART cookie. If the situation were reversed, I wouldn't hesitate to pull her out. And truly, if things go really well with Caleb, and our finances work out so that I can stay home, then I ABSOLUTELY will think about keeping her home with us as well. We shall see!

Preparing for tomorrow nights "Women of Faith" meeting. My mom is actually doing the study this week. I am doing our meeting feature. We are going to make some Thank-you cards for the good "Rev" to send to church visitors. It seems that with all of the other junk that I work on, his card selection is never very good. So I have enlisted this lovely group to aid me in taking care of this. I hope they enjoy the projects that I'll take! Maybe some will fall in love with stamping as much as I have...you know, where the smell of new acrylic or rubber...makes me smile. LOL

For everyone else that I haven't talked to, it has been determined that Bry has a staph infection in the spinal fluid. And today is STILL at UNC-Chapel Hill's hospital. I know how he misses his wife and son, I am sure that at this point, missing this amount of time is like missing MONTHS with a itty bitty at home...Ethen is growing and changing so much. Just keep praying for him, I know that God will give him the grace to endure whatever he has to in order to get better. That is what I am praying for...a HEALTHY Bry. We haven't seen one of those in years!

I think that those are all of the updates on the home front. We had our anniversary extravaganza this past Sunday. We had record numbers in attendance...and a week BEFORE Easter! Very exciting! Continue to remember Calvary in your prayers. I am so encouraged by the recent growth, but I want what God has for us. Nothing more, and nothing less! His perfect will has become so important to me. For our church, for my family, for my conversation...every where and ALL the time. There is no higher calling than to be a vessel used by the Master. Filled and emptied daily, and filled again! Sometimes we want to "feel" the fullness of the Holy Spirit. To hold on to those times when God is right there! But there are times that we all have to walk in, when the road seems so long and lonely. It is in these times, there are lessons to be learned, there are tasks to be accomplished. And to focus on what WE have going on in the world... is living so far beneath the place that God has called us to. I am not talking about neglecting the mortgage or the light bill. I am talking about accomplishing the things that are eternal while doing what we have to do.

If the things of God seem like drudgery, then we are living upside down. It should be the things of God that give us the most joy. I will admit sometimes they keep my so BUSY. But it is my nature to be busy. And knowing that what I do, no matter how small, is pleasing God...then it is worth a little bit of hustle!

Remember life is but a vapor! Here today, and gone tomorrow! Invest in something that will endure! Spend your time focused on what will bring you joy for eternity...and not just joy for a moment!

Love to all!
^j^

Not defeated!

Know that post that I just left Sunday? I am re-reading it today! Things are tough this morning. BUT I am pushing through it. As many of you know my younger brother, Bryan, had some major surgery a few weeks ago. Well, yesterday things took a turn and he is back in the hospital.

My heart is heavy. I don't know how else to describe what I am feeling. But not out of selfishness or the "poor me" syndrome. I learned a very valuable lesson a few months ago. There are people who want to live in the past. They want to use life situations as a crutch to explain away their inconsistencies. They have decided that rather than live in gratitude for today, they want to be stuck in the mire of yesterday. They chose, years ago, to set up a tent in the land of hurt...and they go back every day for a visit.

I know that I was one of those people! And God allows me to cross paths with them, and there have been several that I have tried to encourage to leave it in the past...and allow Christ to heal those places that have been worn and are raw from hurt. I know that each of us could tell stories about those times. But those aren't the places that God has called us to live in. He wants us to know that he was holding us through EVERY circumstance that the enemy would use to destroy our future and hope! There is a refuge... And He truly is all that we need.

The conversation that I had with my brother on Sunday let me know that he is choosing to stay in his tent! I can't join him there! There have been others in my life... that choose that tent. There isn't a tent sturdy enough to shelter me from all of the 'hurt'. I choose the strong tower!! I choose to lay it at Christ's feet. I CHOOSE to leave it where it belongs when the enemy tries to dredge it up in me. IT IS A CHOICE!

As I have grown in my faith, choice is a HUGE word. It makes ME accountable for me. I can't blame my situation, I can't blame my family, I can't excuse it away, by saying that is just the way God created me! It is all about choosing DAILY...minute by minute, what is most pleasing to God. As Christians, if we CHOOSE to give in to what our flesh wants, we run the risk of losing our witness to the world around us. What does the bible say about that?

2It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3So watch yourselves... Luke 17:2-3

I believe that this scripture is talking about anyone who is not established in their faith. And let's be real...you can be in church your whole life...and be a baby in faith. I am praying for Bryan! He has choices that HE needs to make! The same way that we all do!!''

What choices have you been faced with? What is God trying to teach you in those choices? Look for it! It is there! The lesson that will allow you to not struggle as deeply the "next time" that circumstances comes your way.

Know that this post is about loving someone so much that you want them to do better! If I didn't care, I wouldn't be on my knees about it!

^j^

The party is over?

I had the pleasure of attending a "princess birthday" party on Saturday afternoon. I went with camera in hand. Here is one of Kelsey that I managed to capture.

She was a big help with all of the little kids. Kelsey Jeanne is a sweet girl! No matter what her daddy says! We had a very nice time. I am hoping that in the almost 150 pictures, there were some that the birthday girl's mommy liked.

Another Sunday almost over. I love to see Sunday come, but they sure are BUSY! I think we have had a total of 45 minutes of quiet time since this morning. And HELLO...I lost an hour. Well, not that I lost the hour, we all did. Daylight savings Spring ahead rule. Just an excuse to rob me of one hour of precious sleep!!! LOL, I really do like that the days seem so much longer. Gives me more time to get into trouble.

Glen's message was good, another in the Family Secrets series. We also had new people again this morning. Plus had all the recent visitors came back. Even more exciting, several people made a decision for Christ in the service. There is nothing better than that. How many times do we forget that is the most important part of ministry. I think Glen was doubly blessed because a few of them were teenagers. He has such a heart for young people. As part of the new Wednesday night family hour, he is taking on the youth group. We are in the process of looking for a youth minister, but if you know Glen, he will scrutinize everyone VERY carefully before allowing them access to HIS teens. I guess because he started in youth ministry, it holds a very special place in his heart. Always will...even when he is old and grey. (He is well on his way to that too!!! lol)

Went and saw our baby today. First time in a LONG time, because of the flu we shared for several weeks. He is getting SO BIG! HOLY COW!!! The Keefers were little skinny babies, Ethen Michael is a CHUNK...and so sweet and loving! At 10 weeks, he nuzzles and is starting to really focus and coo. So sweet, I asked his mommy if it was better now that she is a little older. (My sister in law has 2 teenage girls) She has assured me that it is better being a mom later in life. I can see when she holds him that she LOVES her little man. Here is a picture of him from today. (YES all of those chins are HIS!!)

I don't think he knows what his aunt Jodi looks like...because I am the lady with the black box on my face that just flashes bright lights at him...POOR LITTLE GUY!

Again, got together with the scrap girls last night as well. Let me tell you, I laugh SO hard with these girls. I always have a good time! Always. Last night was no different, and we had our daughters with us. All three of the girls have been known to scrapbook with us. We ate, and laughed, and ate some more. Did a little shopping...Was a really nice night. LOVE the scrap girls.

Tomorrow is a brand new day. Full of mercy that is new every morning. Aren't you grateful that Christ's mercies are NEW every single day? The past is left there. Each day we pick up our cross and make a CHOICE to follow him. A decision that is totally up to each and every one of us. God sees our hearts and motives...there is NOTHING hidden from Him. He knows the very intent of our heart. Can't pull the wool over God's eyes. He sees you, right where you are! And He loves you. I am SOOOOO grateful for that. I am so glad that God sees my heart, and knows WHO I am personally. There are so many that I know who have a great "head" knowledge. But when you fellowship with them...the depth that should be evident is missing. Another one of those things that God is teaching me. If you don't live what you "say" you believe, you will be called out for it. My dad talked about it this morning. I don't want to come across as "fake" or "phony". REAL is where it is at.

I guess that is one of the blessings of blogging. I sit, and leave my thoughts for ya'll to read. I hope that by seeing what rattles around in my brain, allows you to see ME. 100% of Jodi Keefer.

Our love to all of you!

^j^