Our Lives

Those of you who know me very well, know how important church and my relationship with God is to me. In fact I had felt a very strong calling to serve somehow.  That calling strengthened even more during this past winter when I joined the Stephen Ministry. I was in my Stephen Ministry class on Monday nights and I was in a Disciple bible study class on Tuesday nights.  Doing this was invigorating for me.  I really felt connected to my Lord and to the church in a very positive way.  I was full of joy and felt God’s presence in my life very strongly.  I also felt a strong calling to be involved wherever I was needed. I likened the feeling to “busting at the seams” with my love for God.

This summer I have been feeling a bit out of sorts with that.  Once these classes were over, I felt lost…  I suddenly found myself struggling to recognize that joyful feeling.  Yes, we have a monthly Stephen Ministry supervision meeting where we have continuing education, fellowship, small group meetings, and a monthly devotional - and I do leave there feeling full of joy again, but it doesn’t seem to last the month. And yes, we have church on Sundays,which always uplifts me and does get me through the week, but I guess I need more.

I think about my faith all the time.  I pray at least daily.  I am excited about the Disciple II class coming up this fall - I think that will help. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my love for God, that will never change!

But tonight while at my monthly Stephen Ministry meeting, the devotion reading really struck a cord with me.  You see, I have always felt God’s presence all around me.  I can see God’s grace in everything.  From the smallest of things like the hummingbird that hovered at my window this morning looking right at me to the amazing beauty Jay and I see when we are out hiking and of the world around us.  I have always thought of these things as God’s earthly rewards to us.

But back to the devotional.  I will probably leave out the most important part of it, but in essence it was to look for “God Finds” in our lives. A “God Find” can be walking your dog on a beautiful morning and noticing the beauty around you.  It can be the unexpected smile from a stranger.  It can be helping someone on the side of the road and the appreciation they show.  It can be someone helping you on the side of the road and the appreciation you feel and express. Seeing the joy in the things and people around you.

What do you do with your “God Finds”?  Jot them down in a notepad.  Then, when you are feeling hopeless, or struggling, or simply having a bad day, revisit your “God Finds” in your notebook and give thanks.

I hope I explained this in a way to do it justice.  I also hope and pray that you will be able to see “God Finds” around you.  I know I will…

So, Sunday was another great day in the neighborhood! After Church (which was awesome as usual - great sermon - AMAZING music) We met Matt, Jen, Gracie, Tomi and Traci at The Farm.  Now if anyone reading this is in the Phoenix area and has never been to The Farm, you are missing a real treat. (click on any picture to view full size - these photo’s were taken by Matt, which is why they are so good!)

The Farm is an old pecan farm in Phoenix at 32nd street north of Baseline.  This is an organic farm where they not only have pecan groves, they grow all their other produce organically as well.  So if you get a sandwich with any kind of greens, etc, they probably grew them there.  There is also a farmers market toward the back, a little cottage with artist’s works for sale and displayed beautifully, a restaurant in the back and a little food “shack” in the front where you can order some great sandwiches - salads - deserts, etc and take outside to eat under the pecan trees.  It’s an awesome place with awesome food!

Parking is a little precarious, you have to park across 32nd st and make the trek across to get to The Farm, but the traffic isn’t too bad.

The day we were there, they were having some sort of “event” out back.  I guess they have a homeopathic Dr on hand there, and I think they were speaking there that day.

So great fun was had by all!  Even Gracie was getting into the spirit of the day!

Had a great Art Fair / Farmers Market last weekend.  Pat and Joe came down and spent Friday evening before the big event.  We just hung out on the patio and had a great dinner and really nice conversation.  While we were out there, a BIG spider, it looked like the wolf spiders we used to get in MI, came running (yes running) across the patio when I was trying to grill! Of course I screamed like a girl, but Jay came to the rescue and stepped on it (gross).

But Pat is worse than me when it comes to spiders.  She wasn’t comfortable the rest of the time we were out there.  I think she kept waiting for it to come back to life!  : D

So, anyway the next morning we went down to Estrella Mountain Ranch for the fair.  It was  a great event, lots of people.  We sold a lot of jewlery!  My sister Jen and her friend, Tomi came to the event.  Jen bought a couple of pieces then she found these great baubles and bows for Gracie at another booth.  They are too cute, and the young woman who makes them is just as sweet as can be. (Click on the photo to the left to get the full sized image)

What Fun!

Okay, so I got a call yesterday from Jay’s sister, Joanne that they are in town for a few days.  Jay had told me that they were coming in Feb, but they will be coming back then.  So, we are going to my new favorite resturant Lis Doon Varna for dinner.  After all, Bud is Irish….  : D

We are finally getting Katie some new tires today too.   When I met her for coffee the other day, I couldn’t believe how bald her tires are!  There is NO tread left…..

I was going to try to put together a new site for Jay that Matt built, but I am confused about the file structure - will have to wait until Matt can walk me through it and answer my questions.  (Can you hear me Matt?)  : D

So, will finish working on my informational packet for my Real Estate Tool Shop programs today.  I am going into Jay’s RE/MAX offices next week to promote my stuff!

Great friends, great food, great broadway music and dancing review - what a great time last night! P.S.  Just added some Christmas Photos below Too!

Here we all are on our last day in San Jose.  Click on a thumbnail below to see full image.