I moved

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Dear Church, It's not you it's me

You walk into a new building full of people that love the Lord and you think, "instant friends". The music is awesome, the preaching is amazing, and yet you are left wanting.  So then what?? You think,"This is only the first week, we have to come back again and then someone will talk to us". So you go back the next week and you talk to the nursery workers and they seem nice enough.  You sit through another service, music is still great, the preaching is from the word and challenging, but still no human contact.  The next week the nursery workers know your child and are excited to see him.  He loves it and runs into the nursery and doesn't look back.  So you find yourself asking now what?  As a pastor's kid I always thought it was kind of lame when people would complain about not feeling welcome in a church. I just assumed that every church you went to, everyone knew you.   In fact, until now, every church I have attended I have known people at the church and made friends quickly.  But now I understand the feeling of not really knowing anyone and wondering how to change that.  I have come to a few conclusions. 1. It is not the church's fault.  Let's face it, the church is made up of people, and people are not always welcoming and nice.  It is way easier to talk to people you know on any given Sunday than looking for the people that look lost and shall we say "lonely". 2. So many people feel that it is the church's responsibility to make them feel welcome and they don't have to do anything.  I think this is the common reason that people continue to "church shop".  They expect to come in and find all the things they want in a church and if the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Sunday does not meet those needs, they move on.  Here is what I think about the whole thing for whatever that is worth.  Good friends are not made overnight.  It is your responsibility to get plugged in.  You also have to do the hard thing.  Talk to people you don't know.  I think what I am getting at is it's what you make of it.  You could continue to go to the church and never make friends or you could choose to step out get plugged in and become part of something bigger than just meeting your need of making friends.  So I guess this is the part where I take my own advice.  Here  is to talking to new people at church this week, and the nursery workers don't count!

Ramblings from the "Imposter Stay at home Mom"

So I feel like I am a crazy lady these days.  No comments please (yet)!! One day I am a total domestic diva making home made play-dough http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/ and finger paints (equal parts flour and water with food coloring).  The next day I am feeding my kid mac n cheese AGAIN!!!. This whole being home as my job thing is kind of crazy.  Not bad, just strange to me.  First off I must hand it to my other stay at home mom friends.  Your job is HARD!! How do you find things for you kids to do all day? Lets be honest, some days don't you just want to turn on Veggie Tales for the 100,000th time.  I know I do.  But in all seriousness I am really interested to see what God has in mind for this part of my life.  I am enjoying being home with E.  But because I have worked outside the home for so long I feel like I am missing out.  The exciting part of this is that I am getting some good quality time with E that I know I will never have again.  On the other hand sometimes I am twiddling my thumbs.  There is always laundry to do, things to clean and dishes to wash.  But I am finding myself wanting something else. I know the house things are important to my family and that doing those tasks are a way to show them love.  But I am also excited to see what God has for me outside the home.  There is SOMETHING RIGHT????? I wonder how I will handle it if there is not a job for me outside the home right now.  Maybe that is what God is going to teach me.  I would love to say I wouldn't go kicking and screaming into that but well let's be honest probably not likely no matter how much I want it to be. I guess beneath all this rambling I just want to be fully His.  I find now in the quiet hours of the evening I am enjoying my time alone.  Shane at work, E in bed and me on the couch.  Some days I make great choices and really get in the word.  Other days it's just lots of Army Wives (Great show on Netflix if you are looking for a new obsession). I think this all just boils down to life is full of choices, and today I am choosing to be grateful that we serve a God who allows us to make our own.

Nashville Newbies

We finally made it. Shane and I have been talking about moving to Nashville for years.  God opened the door and here we are. What an exciting time in our life.  I am not one to journal but I do like to remember what God has done. I am a bit of an Israelite in that and seem to forget quickly. So this is my attempt at praising God for all that he does and laughing at myself along the way.  I also love to share new things I find cool with others.  If you choose to follow my blog know that you will laugh (usually at me) and you will see someone just trying my best to see what God has next. Other than that no promises.