No, not that crazy book in the back of the Bible that all the pastors in my life avoid teaching me about.  I had a revelation tonight.

Now, for those of you who know me, you will probably be stunned that I didn’t realize this about myself.  And, I have to admit that I think I knew it, but I was reminded.

I am so LOUD!  I had dinner with some friends last night and, as I was walking out the door, I realized just how quiet it was once I was leaving.  

What is that about?  Why is it that I have so much to say when I am with people but I have to make myself write on this blog?  Why am I at a loss for words here but never in “real” life?

I am pretty sure when I heard all these lessons this week about being quiet and hearing the still, small whisper of God, that was really just a way to tell me to SHUT UP!  I AM THE NOISE!

This is the best holiday wish I have seen in a while!  Don’t doubt. . . just keep watching!  They make me laugh!

My friend, Brody, is all about showing other people how much we appreciate them.  I need to be better at that!  So, he had this idea for us to tell people about the blogs that referred the most people to our sites.  Being the computer genius that I am, I never knew how to find that out.  BUT. . . I am getting better a figuring stuff out and now I know how to do it!  So, here goes!

Brody:  I met him through Shaun, which turned into this, which turned into a great friendship.  He just makes me laugh!  He is very creative and always has something brewing in that mind of his.  I love being around him when he is with his family.  He’s a great dad and husband and he puts that at the top of his priority list.  That’s great to see!

Kristin:  She is my favorite new friend!  I love reading her blog because she shows how kind and compassionate she is.  I am not sure I really know anyone else like her.  She has got to be the best mom I have seen in a while.  And, she puts up with Brody.  That, in itself, may be her biggest accomplishment!

Barb:  I am not sure if you are seeing a trend here, but this is Brody’s Mom.  I can only imagine the stories she could tell about that.  I have never met her, but she has given me tons of wisdom.  I could have really used her in my life about 10 years ago!!  She is kind and caring and is totally devoted to her family.  That’s awesome!

Natalie Grant:  How did this happen?  I don’t know, but have you heard this girl sing?  I mean, does anyone do it better?  I love reading her blog.  I love reading about how she doesn’t take her gifts from God for granted.  I just imagine her being this totally cute, sweet girl that you would love to hang out with.  Maybe that will happen soon, huh!?!

Eric:  This guy makes me think more than anyone I have ever met.  I got to know Eric by doing some dental work on him.  We didn’t get to hang out nearly enough.  He has tons to say and is not afraid of stirring things up a little.  Don’t visit if that bugs you!!  I love it!

I have been disappointed in some of my friends lately.

I really don’t even know what to say after that.  It takes a lot to make me mad.  I don’t know that I would say that it takes a lot to disappoint me, but I usually just blow everything off.  Now I am wondering why I do that.

What is it about my personal relationships that makes me think that it is OK to be treated badly?  Professionally I am not like that at all.  And, what is it that makes me want to just let it go and not confront the person?  I would never do that at work.  Are my expectations too high?

I am learning that I don’t love myself very much.  I am also learning that I don’t think I am worth a lot, that I doubt having a lot to offer a friendship.

Now, in my head, I know I have a lot to offer, that I am totally lovable.  How do you translate that to feeling it in your heart?

For the longest time, I have heard that computers and cell phones are getting in the way of our time with God.  I have heard that we are so busy and so disconnected that we miss what he is saying.  We are never truly quiet.

Last night, as I sat in a small group, we wondered, “If that is the case, why is the church so hesitant to embrace this technology?”  Why doesn’t the church leadership embrace blogging and twitter?  What is the hesitation to build an online community? 

Well, just as I said that, our children’s pastor mentioned that she wants to start blogging.  She even wants to start a blog for the children’s activities in the church.  I LOVE HER!!  Can I just state, for the record, that I LOVE CINDY BAILEY!!  She is so awesome that it makes me want to have kids just so they can hang with her at church every weekend.  I love that she is wanting to step out of her comfort zone at an age that she could coast into retirement.  (I won’t divulge her age, but let’s just say she has 10x the energy I do!!)

Then, as I leave the meeting, I check my email to find out that Scott Woody, our multi-site pastor has started a blog.  OMG the excitement that I feel!  Let me tell you, the stories that he will tell on this blog are going to be hilarious!  I can’t wait to see how his mind works.  Actually, I’m a little scared of that!!

So, now that Scott has started his blog, prove me right!  Go over and welcome him to the community that we call blogging!  Show the skeptics that we really are forming a community here on the world wide web!!!

(Edit:  Now that I have posted this, I found that Cindy Bailey already set up the blog for our children’s program.  Did I mention that I love her?  Anyways, go and welcome her to blogging, as well!!)

Read this.  Any comments?  I am speechless.

Hunger is a problem I just don’t understand.

I know that might sound like a crazy statement, but I really don’t.  I don’t understand that, if you knew someone hungry, you could let them go without.  I don’t understand how you could let children starve while you throw away scraps of food at every meal.  I don’t understand how you can eat out every meal without making any sacrifices to help the people you know.

Here’s the deal.  I do all of that stuff.  And, I don’t know anyone hungry.

I am beginning to think that the problem is not money or people being willing to sacrifice.  Maybe the problem is we don’t KNOW anyone that is hungry.

Maybe the problem is that we are not aware of things in people’s lives the contribute to their hunger.  Maybe there is a part of the world that is in crisis and we don’t know it.  For me, that’s another part of the problem.

I didn’t know much about the Global Food Crisis that I have heard about on the news.  In a nutshell, the rising cost of food is causing many people who survive on just $1 a day to spend upwards of 80% of their budget on food.  You can get more information about it here.

Now, here is the tricky part.  Once we KNOW, what do we do?

Compassion International has started a fund to help alleviate this problem.  This fund will go to purchase food vouchers for those in need.  It will also be used to purchase seeds and agricultural tools to help families provide food for themselves and produce extra income.  It will also provide supplemental nutritional services at Compassion-assisted centers.

Now that we KNOW, what will we do?

Compassion International is hosting a day of fasting and prayer tomorrow.  If you can’t help financially, please commit to joining me and thousands of others while we honor the victims affected by this crisis and pray for them.

Now that we KNOW, what will we do?

You can donate here.  You can be a part of Compassion International’s day of fasting and pray by getting information here.

Now that we KNOW, what will we do?  Now that I KNOW, what will I do?

I am a day late on posting this, but better late than never!

I have tons of ideas.  TONS!!  But, it is not very often that I follow through with lots of them.  Somehow, the dream and vision are better than the hard work.

Well, let me tell you about some people who, not only are following through, but making a difference.

My friend, Kristin, is part of a group over at Inspired to Action.  They are totally committed to blogging about cares and concerns they have and making others aware of them.  Not only that, but they offer suggestions about what we can do to make a difference.

So, yesterday, they started what is called the 40 Day Fast.  It is Kat’s brainchild and it is a brilliant idea!  This is year two and last year was so successful that more people wanted to get involved.

Each day, someone will fast, pray, and blog about something that has affected them and an organization that they support and are passionate about.  You can read all of their stories, follow along, and be inspired to make a difference.

You can get a list of the bloggers and the days they are writing here.  And, while you are at it, go check out Kristin, Kat, and Inspired to Action and let them know what a great job they are doing and what a difference they are making.

 And, then, go to Brody’s blog and let him know that I finally posted something for his Positive Post Tuesday!!!

Did that title scare anyone?

Don’t fret.  I am not “having” a baby.  My oldest niece, Sierra, is coming to live with me for a while.  Well, it looks like the month of July.

Can I just tell you that nothing makes me happier!  I can’t wait.

This is what she (on right) has been doing for me for the last two days with her sister, Brooke (left), and a friend, Kira (center).

Is this what having kids is all about?  If so, sign me up!!

I wrote this really cool post last night about my trip to Nashville.  Trust me. . . it was awesome.  Then, I went to hit save and it only came back with the title.

Who knows?  I will take full responsibility because of my limited computer knowledge, but I just thought I knew hot to save.  Apparently no.  So, now you get the cliff notes version as I am back, busy at work!

(No smart comments on the fact that I am so busy at work that I have time to write a blog post!)

The first highlight of the trip. . . hanging with Kristin and Brody and their family.  Their family includes Randy, now, so it was nice to finally meet them.  Their kids are so well behaved and it is always fun to catch up with them.  I find myself looking forward to the next time I see them every time I leave!

The second. . . the Grand Ol’ Opry!  I loved that!  I am not this huge country music fan, but the people I went with are.  So, I was along for the ride.  I was so pleasantly surprised.  There is something so nostalgic about that place.  The music was cool. . . Marty Stewart is amazingly talented!!

The funny thing about being at the Opry was this group that performed called the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  They have a mentor, Joe Thompson, that is said to be the last surviving black traditional string player.  How ’bout he lives in Mebane, NC!?!  It was so weird to be sitting there and hear someone mention our hometown. . . tiny little Mebane.  Why don’t I know Joe Thompson??? You should totally check out their music. They were amazing performers!!

Anyways, I am back at work and am finding myself loving Nashville more every time I am there.  I can’t wait until the next adventure!!!