Hyped up on Caffeine and Life

URGH! I can’t sleep. I had been caffeine free for three weeks as I’ve been detoxing my body. Well, today I intended to take a breather from detoxing, but not to the magnitude that I did. A dear friend – Bob – brought me a large Starbucks coffee to church this morning. Of course, the polite thing to do was to gulp the whole thing down, right? Hey, it was Starbucks and it was goooood! Then another sweet friend gave me some chocolate covered coffee beans to put out on my ministry table at our Expo and, of course, I had to try a handful myself. I was pretty hyped up by noon, but NO I wasn’t done. That sweet friend – Kristen – came over this afternoon and we managed to drink a pot of coffee between us as we visited. Now for some strange reason my mind just won’t stop tonight, ya think?

I do have to say, it has been an incredible weekend. It amazes me how God continues to work and how visible He is at times. Our ministry Expo was totally awesome, even if I was looking through rose-colored glasses. It was a total joy to see so many people excited about serving our risen King! What a privilege to serve as a ministry leader and help plug others in. As I looked around the worship center this morning at the different ministry tables set up – it was such a cool reminder of how uniquely God has made each one of us with different gifts, talents, and passions.

I know I’m hyped on caffeine right now; however, there is definitely no better high than when you are in your element using your God-given passions to reach others for Him. Cool beans!

Cool coffee beans!!!

Lessons from the Cowboys

Cowboys. Dallas Cowboys. America’s Team. Big Blue. WOW! Are the Cowboy’s on a roll or what? Of course, if you are not a football fan or even a Cowboy fan (sacrilege, I might add if you are a Texan) you probably don’t know nor care. But the boy’s are undefeated. It has been awesome to see Tony Romo come back and rectify himself after his big blunder last year in their playoff game. But as I watched these guys last night, I was reminded of my own life. You really can learn a lot from the sport! I wondered whether Tony worked out double time to conquer himself and get better at his sport. I’ve had blunders, hallelujah – they weren’t on national TV, and it is so easy to high-tail-it and run for cover instead of persisting, being diligent and getting better. He has certainly demonstrated he was determined to get better. Then Tony threw a beautiful pass in the in zone and guess what? The receiver dropped it – I mean, just dropped it, no one around – no one to blame but himself. I thought Come On, but was immediately drawn to think about my own life. How many times have opportunities been thrown my way, many put right in my hands, and I fail to grab a hold of them? I can honestly say, there have been many I haven’t even stepped out to try to grab. I can hear my Coach sighing, Come On!

In my life, I know God puts opportunities there daily. Many days they are easy to ignore, many days I reach out to grab but miss by lack of follow through, and some days I grab hold and end up with a big blunder. As I continue to cheer these guys on this year, I’ll continue to think of my own game. I’ll be more mindful of daily opportunities in front of me and hang on a little harder; run a little faster. After all, don’t we run this race to WIN! The Cowboy’s might be America’s Team, but we are all God’s Team and I’m sure He expects us to win. He lives in us to help us do just that! He has many cheering for us!
Go, Fight the good fight, and Win!!!

Great laughs!

We are so blessed God put our 13 year old, Lindsey, in our family. I tell you, she is just a hoot. In her own sweet, naïve way she keeps us all in stitches. It is so much a part of her that we long for her to lift our spirits.

Last week as we walked the UTSA campus with Blake, we finally made our way to the Admissions Counselors Office. We were visiting with the girls in the office about what all UTSA had to offer and making appointments for Blake to see the Admissions Clerk, when out of the blue Lindsey asks, “What do y’all have to offer for 2011?”

“2011! I don’t think they plan that far ahead, Lindsey.” I say trying not to bust out laughing. Her response, “Mommmm, hello – the banner on the wall says Welcome Class of 2011! I’m the class of 2011.”

I couldn't help it - I lost it!! We all busted out laughing. Yes, Lindsey will be the class of 2011 for HS graduation. She just figured all classes of 2011 were referring to her. We had a good chuckle and I’m sure she brightened that offices day!

From there the family went to Canyon Lake for a few days of skiing and relaxing. It was a blast. I love our family time. We hit the lake on Thursday. It couldn’t have been more perfect – no one was on the lake. No one! The kids had a blast as they tubed and skied. Curt and Blake had a knee boarding competition. I’m not sure, but I think Curt won. The battle was fierce.

Great times! Great laughs! Great memories!!!

Ready Set Don't Go

Are you a mom of teenagers? If so, then I'm sure the name Hannah Montana rings a bell. She is better known as Mylie Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter. I remember Billy's song "Achy Breaky Heart". When the kids were little that was one of their favorite songs to dance around too.

I have to admit, I love watching Hannah Montana with Lindsey. What I don't want to admit is that I came to a point of almost weeping hysterically as I watched a couple of weeks back. Scene: Hannah is growing up and trying to make decisions about her career on her own, but Dad doesn't agree with these decisions mainly because he doesn't want her to leave. And then Billy starts singing this song: Ready Set Don't Go! It's linked, I hope you listen. It was all over for me at that point. BOO HOO You gotta listen - It's an incredible song. It sums up exactly how I feel as Blake gets ready to go.

Yep - he's getting ready! We visited UTSA last week. Blake is sold. He loved the campus and has three great friends going there too. He was so bright-eyed as we walked around - I was so teary eyed.

His first 17 years have just flown by. And to top it off, his senior year is flying by as well. Already we've got; cap and gown pictures, class rankings, three college classes, grad night meetings and college applications. Whoa, slow down!

Guess it's not cool for a mom to holler Don't Go! to her son whose learning how to be a man.

Hope it's cool to cry.

A Hunting I Will Go

I have been sharing my office with a gecko the past few days!!! If you know me – that certainly doesn’t work. I’ve been running in the room scoping out where the varmint might be, sitting down, propping my feet up and trying to do computer work.

Sharing my office is totally NOT working! If the critter would just show his little head again, I (OK Curt) would set him free. Actually, I would just trap him under a mug until Curt came home. Really!

Thanks to all of you who continually ask me about writing. I submitted two stories for possible publication into a book this past week before the Gecko came to visit. I will NOW have to put my fears aside and concentrate – there are another two deadlines this week I’d like to submit for inclusion.

It really seems there’s always something standing in my way. This something is creepy, white and has four legs. I must go. A hunting I must go!