A very brief description of our first family vacation.....

It was absolutely incredible, in so many ways! I wish I had time to give all the details, but I have a lot of boxes calling my name and a few walls that are calling for some paint. We will be moving within the week and we have two weeks worth of work to do. So for now, I will just share 8 out of the 226 pictures we took.

The amazing cottage we stayed at, full loaded with all a

family could need. These guys didn't miss anything.

The amazing cottage at sunset.

Just a peek in to the living room and kitchen.

Wonderful sunsets on the beach across from our cabin.

God showing off in his incredible skies.

A storm on the move and...............a tree.

My culinary skills.

The kids loved it and that's all that matters and

yes, that is two pieces of bacon hair and an egg gotee.

The amazing cabin, beach, water and fabulous sunsets were just a FEW things we were blessed with in our 10 days of vacationing. Family week was packed with activities, events and making new friends with other GLBT families. I see God's hand and God's love moving in such a mighty way in the glbt community. I plan to share more later, but for now, packing and painting await me!

Be blessed!

It's time to move forward.

It's time to move forward. Wow, I mean that in so many more ways than just one. Inside I feel as if I am moving forward and moving on from despair, grief, heartache and confusion. I feel reconciled. Even more now than six months ago. I don't feel like there are anymore homosexuality and God questions to have answered. I have peace. It's time, time to move on, press on, pack my bags, move out of the closet, pressing in and getting down to my Father's business. On that note, there is still much to do........

As one of the last times we will be spending some time together for awhile, me, Michelle, the girls, my Mother, Brother and second cousin, who is like a niece to me, will spend the day at Six Flags riding the rides that make you feel young again or just sick. Then Wed. we will be off to Michigan for 10 day.....family vacation, me, Michelle and the girls! Our first family vacation and perhaps even our last one for awhile.

I know, Michigan may seem to be a strange place to go on vacation, however they are having diversity family days in a small, charming town which sits along the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. I'm looking forward to it. Prior to living here in good ole' Missouri, AKA Missoura, I lived in Michigan for 15 years, so it will be good to visit with a few friends and dive in to all the planned activities with the kids throughout the week.

Then when we come home, we will continue on with the adventure of painting, sorting, packing and cleaning in between taking the girls to horse camps, softball and tee ball practices and games, all to be done, completed and come to an end by July 31st. That is the day we move. Seminary, here we come. A new city, a new home, new faces, a new church and new opportunities.

There is much to do and of course, we don't have as much done as I would like us too. Michelle, being the more calmer one, assures me that we will get everything done by the 31st. I'm skeptical......but always hopeful.

I'm really excited about the upcoming changes in our lives. I see some wonderful opportunities coming up around the corner. Do I know what they are? No, not so much. But it's ok, I feel it. Do you ever just feel when God is about to do some stuff? Yeah, it's exciting.

It has been an amazing journey thus far. Just to watch the way things have come together the way they have amazes me. The most recent event has been the decision to sell the house or rent it. Now we all know the housing market isn't that fabulous right now and with that being the case, we decided to rent the house for now. Bare with me for a moment, because I'm going to talk about a few of our animals only because they tie hand and hand. We have two older dogs, a lab and a husky that we have needed to find homes for. We have been running out of options (good options) and we were becoming concerned. Until it happened. Some good folks who have a big family needed a big house to rent and said it would be fine for the two dogs to stay with the house.

Wow! I thought....."Who does that? " as I smile and thank the Lord.

Anyway, things have been coming together without a push and we are on our way.

However, for the time being, with much to do and very little time to do it, I won't be posting anything for awhile......I don't think. ;) However, I will still be visiting my favorite places, dropping a line or two to you. When things settle down, I'm sure I will have much to say. Until then, I ask that you pray for us as we take another step forward in this awesome journey with God.

Be blessed and.........May your cup be so full that love overflows from you on to the person.

The Message

I visit the bible quite often and many times I find myself exploring through different versions. Lately I've been reading the Message. I'm fascinated at the simplicity of it's wording, although long at times. Here are some popular scriptures that have really spoken volumes in my own life and The Message just has a whole other way of capturing their meanings.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." -Matthew 11:28-30 (Jesus)

.......”I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (God)

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Luke 12:43-47 (Jesus)

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. -Matthew 7:1-5 (Jesus)

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. -Matthew 5:43-47 (Jesus)

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22 (Paul)

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:1-3 (Paul)

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. 1 Corinthians 13:1-10 (Paul)

God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises! If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. Psalm 63:1-8 (David.....out of the wilderness.)

Thanks

I'm feeling all weepy and emotional today. No, it's not what some of you may be thinking, I think it has been building up for the last month. There have been some touchy and sensitive conversations, some very tender and emotional conversations and some very tough conversations going on and I keep thinking about the folks that I have bumped in to along the way int he blog world.

My thoughts are towards those who are fighting the good fight with love, compassion, sincerity and without ulterior or personal motives. It's about the folks who are genuinely encouraging others, building them up and relentlessly challenging all of us to think a little differently about people, beliefs and life than we did before. My thoughts are about those who are willing to come outside the box, outside the walls, outside of themselves to truly minster to others. You will fight the unjust and you will fight for justice. You are not afraid to stand up or perhaps at times, you are, but you still stand.


To you all, I am grateful. I have been touched by your stories, your passion, your love, your wisdom and your encouragement. I have been blessed and touched by many things that you have said and shared.


Here are just a few of the folks I have been thinking about....................



My entire blog roll and then some. (And I truly mean that.)

(Anita, Lindsey, Kelli, Christian, Christi, Bon, Joni, C, C, Jon and more.)


You take a risk in putting yourself, your thoughts, your lives out there for the whole world to see each time you write. I really appreciate all of you and I thank you.

In short.........YOU ROCK!