New School, New Friends...

...New Town. New Mascot. New Tshirts.

So thankful for Sheridan's acclimation to her new school. Seventh grade is not an easy grade, and moving during middle school could've been crushing to our girl. I'm so thankful for athletics. She's made some precious new friends who have welcomed her not only on the court but in the classroom.

We're in the thick of volleyball season right now. She's a setter, and doesn't play the whole time, but does get on the court. She's so competitive,  and has watched all her big siblings play in every sport, in many tournaments and for championships. Her expectations of herself are high and she's easily frustrated.

She'll be fine, it's all part of the middle school experience. Go Gales!

First Day of School ~ 2015

So, I took 3 kids to new schools today. We left early for the 5 minute drive, and it only took me 20 minutes to drop everyone off. Of course, we may have been a little early, as the traffic was past our drive to drop off kids when I got home. The kids were anxious to start, but looking forward to seeing the kids they already knew from church and ball. So thankful for such a smooth transition.

Another year of 6 kids in 6 schools...

Blessed

I'm completely thankful for the last 7 days in Russellville and the friends who have reached out to us. The day before we moved one of Jordan's friends from church told us about a local day camp that is for kids 1st-5th grade. We looked it up, realized lots of our friends were going to be there, and signed Cam and Jordan up! 

But before the camp began...Jordan and Sheridan went to a free basketball camp put on by the high school. Jordan made a new friend and won the 2 on 2 basketball tournament. Sheridan made new friends and won her 2 on 2 championship! 

Richard recognized Jordan's friends' parents at the basketball camp and they exchanged phone numbers. She's already been asked to play in a ball tournament this next weekend in Conway. 

Meanwhile, Sheridan invited over her new soccer and basketball friend and was asked to practice two times a week with a couple girls to keep up her skills. She also spent the night with another friend from church.

Monday morning Cam and Jordan were all smiles headed to Camp Caudle. All week they've played in a mud pit, learned archery, had Bible study, enjoyed a slip and slide, fished, had snacks and lunch together, learned a new song and dance, and made crafts! They've met new friends, and enjoyed being outside and busy. One of my friends working the camp (and sending me pics of my kids) asked if Sheridan wanted to help her and go Thursday and Friday. She got to go and see what it was all about and see Cameron and Jordan in action!

One week...new friends and a great start to SUMMER! 

Farewell

SO, tomorrow we change zip codes. For the first time in 20 years. I've had trouble not driving to our old house, how in the world am I going to get around Russellville? I'm going to only be in town 2 days until I go to RL owner's conference for 5 days. It's going to be unreal to step away from the boxes and the children.

We've signed a one year lease so we can have a place where we can settle while we build. Who knows what this next year will hold? Some days it's exciting, but some days it's a little scary. I'm trying not to think about it.

Today in church the pastor talked about how there's a gap between our expectations and our experiences. That is certainly true for me, maybe I think about things too much, but things are seldom like I expect and I often feel let down after things, especially big things. But the pastor went on to say how an ENCOUNTER with Jesus can bridge the gap and make our experiences better than we thought. I'm looking for an ENCOUNTER.

Bloom

I read a great devotional with this picture today. I've heard this saying many times but never with the words CHOOSE TO in front of it. I'm going to keep this in my mind and find verses that back it up to put it in my heart. A good thought for this summer and beyond. 

"When we choose to bloom where our all-wise God plants us, we will one day be able to declare with Paul, “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”"  Jim and Elizabeth George

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 4:9

And then there were three...

Weird day. Took Erin to UCA for her orientation. We were both excited to drive around campus and meet two girls who are potential roommates. We even ate lunch at my new favorite restaurant. No tears, no weird feelings. 

I had two calls on the way home, and when I got home it was 30 minutes before I picked up the littles.

And now...it's us. Me and "the Littles." I love these three children...however I'm in the training phase with all of them. Lots of teaching, telling stories, assistance with clothes and shoes and backpacks and hair. I'm not too old for this, but my mind is still working to adjust to not having another teenager (or extra driver!) in the house.

We will move to Russellville on June 1st. New house, new friends, new family dynamic. It's going to be an exciting summer!

Jumbled thoughts

It's Saturday night and the house is quiet. I just downloaded pics from the last two weeks and we've done so much, seen so much...it's hard to know where to focus. The next three weeks are going to fly by...and then we'll be living in another town, with just three kids at home, and it will be summer. My mind cannot comprehend what is to come. I'm not worried about tomorrow, or next month, I just don't seem to be able to embrace all the moments today for thinking about what's going on around me.

This week: 3 graduations, 1 funeral, Project Graduation, big kids out of college, found a rent house, continuing training at home, rain all week...

Women...

A more interesting weekend I've never had. I've been to MANY women's retreats/conferences, but never as the newbie: I decided to go to our (new) church's women conference in Little Rock 2 weeks ago. I paid my late registration fee, and told one of my new church friends that I was going. She was the sweetest friend and said, "Of course, you're coming, and coming with me! You can stay with me and we'll have so much fun!"

I drove myself to LR, I met my friend in the middle of a PACKED room with 2200 other women. I didn't know another person in the row around me, and so it was hard to know who was with our church and who was from another church. No worries, I just started talking to folks, and everything was new but not too awkward. The worship time absolutely blew me away, I was literally teary joining with so many singing to the Lord and preparing for a weekend to focus on Him. It was awesome.

And then the first speaker came up. Honestly...it's hard for me to trust a size 2 woman, who has to be 50 years old and looked 21 tops. But when she started bringing it, I couldn't write fast enough. I completely forgot that I didn't know but about 4 people in the room, and that I wasn't sure where I would spend the night.

The night ended at a table at PF Changs, laughing hard with 3 women I hadn't met before and my friend. OK, so somewhere after the first few minutes I realize I may be older than these ladies...I'm guessing 15 years older. It's OK, I can get along with anyone.. When my precious friend mentioned getting a roll away for their room, I could tell by their faces, she hadn't told them I was staying with them. One of my worst fears is imposing on people...so I immediately make excuses and plans to drive to Conway to stay at Rhea Lana's. (I had already OKd a bed there in case this very thing happened) My friend felt a little bad, but I assured her I would be perfectly fine, and I was.

This is why the weekend was so strange:
I'm 100% sure I've never been to a church event where I felt as insignificant or unknown as this. I have been the person who greets people at the door, invites people to sit by me, and asks everyone their names and makes the room reservations for anyone who needs one.

It was OK to not be known, and it was OK to not be a leader, but it was so incredibly humbling and perhaps freeing for a few moments. However, God did not wire me to sit quietly. The next morning my friend didn't answer her phone, I couldn't find her in the room, I saw another few folks from our church, but they didn't motion me over (I'm such a wimp...but didn't want to ask to sit with them if there wasn't a seat available....) anyway, I helped myself to a seat in the middle of a row of ladies from other places, and just made some new friends.

After the first session, and a break out session, another lady from my new life group texted me and asked me to sit with her later. During lunch, a new friend from the first night asked me to eat lunch with her.
God was providing and I was accepting.
God was speaking, and I was listening.
God was there, and I did everything I could to not let my feeling of inadequacy, un-comfortableness, and doubt distract me from His message to me.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this except for the record of a time of unknown in my life that I've never had, and for the reminder to love others, reach out to others, listen to others, and make others feel loved in similar situations.

For all I know, the ladies thought I was a snob for not talking to them, (that would break my heart if that were true) but I was trying to not infringe on their experience by being an unwanted tag a long.

I pray God will give us a specific place to serve and grow quickly in our new church home.