Retreat

What an amazing weekend we had at the retreat! I can not express what it was fully like because God just plain rocked my world! It is beyond complete expression in words..I will try.
We had 28 women who came out & were even early & anxious to get the weekend rolling! We started out just meeting & socializing with one another enjoying fellowship...then Colleen started to speak. Our focus was on John 15. These verses are ones that I have read time & time again, but God revealed more in His words than ever before. Remain In Him. Remain In Him. Apart from Him we can do NOTHING!!!!!
Yes, I do my bible studies, but are they on a regular basis? No.
Yes, I pray, but do I think about Him throughout my busy day? No.
Am I ready to be hated because of my faith. I'm not sure.
Am I going to follow the call of loving others unconditionally? Well, I hope so. But do I? Not all the time.
I realized that I need to stop saying that I'm going to spend time in Christ, I'm just going to DO IT! I need to do it. It is the only way that I will survive this Life...praise God the last two mornings I have woken up 15 minutes earlier than my alarm clock to spend time with my Heavenly Father...I give Him all the glory. He is passionate about me. He is passionate about spending time with me. How amazing is that? The God of the universe wants to spend time with ME! With me. An imperfect person, who disappoints Him daily.Wow!
What an amazing God we have!
So in saying all of that, I realized that I need to give Him more of me. Remain In Him, Love others, go & share about His love without worry or being afraid.
Many of the women expressed what God was revealing to them...a lot of the same things...some addictions that they needed to rid themselves of, some sins they needed to surrender...the list goes on....
It was beautiful to see my fellow sisters in Christ coming together uplifting one another in pray & accountability.
Praise God I even set up a blog for everyone that went on the retreat to post what God is continuing to do...I just set it up this morning & the posts are coming in left & right!
Thank you Jesus for your word in John...may we continue to Remain in You...

Mosaic Womens Retreat

wow! Time has come so quickly & it is already time for our first Mosaic Womens Retreat!!!!!
We were a little worried at first since we only had 10 people signed up as of 2 sundays ago, but last sunday the ladies just kept signing up...we are up to 30 women! The lead time & I have been planning for several months now on how this weekend is going to look...and God kept on telling us His agenda...no matter what we kept thinking...God kept whispering something different in our ears. I am so glad that we listened & went with His way! It will be amazing to see how God is going to reveal many things to us thru these 24 hours. This will NOT be your typical womens retreat...it is not just a time to get away from the hustle & bustle of life...but a time to just sit quietly with God. Most retreats that I've gone on have been great, but it has mostly just been about me getting away from normal life...this time we don't just want to get away from our normal life but we want to get in closer with our Maker. He desires us to be with him, and our normal crazy lives get in the way that we don't make time for Him.
We are studying the scriptures that my blog header is based on..."Remain in Him" John 15:5-17

I have been thinking & praying about this scripture since we decided on it to be the one that we are focusing on...and let me tell you...it has been kicking my butt!
I seriously need to "Remain in Him" more in my life! He longs for it, that type of fellowship with Him draws us closer to Him & more & more good hidden things become revealed....How cool is that? So, why don't I just DO IT!!!!!!
"Remain in Me and I will Remain in You."

I'll post more on how the retreat goes...

School Picture Time!

Catch up

Even though our schedules have been depleted(due to realizing that life is too short to be soooo busy-we have a "less stressed-less busy" policy in the Smith household). I was noticing how I was becoming one of those moms that had their child in EVERY activity...and I was recognizing other moms pressuring me to do so...So, after I killed SuperMom(read my "Velvet Elvis" post if you have no idea what I'm talking about)we decided that we needed to slow our lives down & only commit to what is truly important to us. With all THAT said, there has been a lot of activity over here & I'm going to catch up & fill you in on what's been going on...

David has been crazy busy with his job!Praise God! This is the time of year that things should be slow for him but God has been giving him job after job...he still works from home & loves it, and he is working on several "life" changes(instead of resolutions)where he is starting to hear God's voice directing him in life...He is the best dad ever, he gives so much of himself for us girls in his life...I'm proud of him everyday...

My in-laws are now living with us as of Dec 2nd...things couldnt be better! Praise the Lord we have really enjoyed our time with them...we have a contractor working on their living space, as we speak & it should be finished within 4-6 weeks or sooner! We thank God everyday for orchestrating this whole thing so beautifully with both houses selling, the moving of both our families, emotions & His Timing...beautiful...beautiful...beautiful...

Abby is doing amazing at homeschooling. We both really enjoy it, even though sometimes she says" Ahh mom, can't I just play today?" She is excelling in her courses learning about History all over the globe, Math(including Geometry already, Reading(which she is at a 1st grade level) & Language Arts(which is her favorite because she get to not only read but act out what she's learned). Her teacher(whom we have only talked to on the phone)said that she is doing great & she could move on to 1st grade early if we wanted.Abby performed in her very first play this Christmas where she got to be an angel bringing the good news of Jesus' birth. She loved learning her lines & dressing up as the Angel. She is an example of gentle kindness daily as she cares for those in our family...if someone gets hurt, she is there to aid in ANY way she can...from silly faces, to kleenex or bandaids...Abby is right on top of it...she has a very gentle & kind spirit.

Isabelle amazes me everyday with her heart & sense of humor. She loves our kitty, Winner & takes such good care of her. Lately I have found her to be a genius at organizing...seriously, I don't know where she got this from, but she makes a point everynight to organize her toys for the next day. It is adorable to watch her at work! She loves to play games on the computer while Abby & I are doing school. She has great ideas about everything & anything...she loves to share her toys & everytime she gets something new she automatically gives part of it to her big sissy...she has a very generous heart...

I have been loving my new position as a teacher. It is not as difficult as I was worried that it would be. Props out to Ohio Virtual Academy for their amazing system that makes teaching easy & fun for both student & teacher!
I had the opportunity to Assistant Direct a Christmas play at VCA this past year. It was fun watching the kids come to life as they learned their lines & movements...this is something I hadnt done for quite some time, so it was wonderful to be a part of it.
I am still singing with our church band at Mosaic.(check it out www.Mosaicneo.com) I love it every week! This is also something that I hadnt done in many years, so what a blessing it has been to serve in this way! Our band rocks! There are so many talented people in it! And we just plain love to worship together! I am, like David working on some "life" changes this year. And I'm proud to post that I have conquered my first thing....hold on to your seats everybody...I no longer bite my nails!!!!!!!!This might sound funny but it has been a serious problem with me, my whole life-so this is HUGE for me. One day, I was just plain sick of my gross looking hands...so I stopped. Praise the Lord for giving me the self control that I needed...one down...many more life changes to go...(updates as they come)

I also just started mentoring a young women at our church where we meet every other week. It has been a wonderful experience to get to know her, pray for her & just live life with her...we are having a blast together!
My book is still in production & I'm starting to see that God wants me to write more to it...I guess there is more to my story that I didnt tell yet, so we'll see what God leads me to say...I'm NOT giving up on this story...it's too important to tell. When my friend Joy took me to Bethel College with her to speak on purity & relationships I realized that there were many girls in my shoes & they needed to be reached...I have been chatting with some of these girls via e-mail & they've shared with me some things that I might include in my book of things girls struggle with. On that note, I'm not finished yet...and I won't stop until it's done!

Other updates: Spiderman 3 comes out in theaters May 5th(so excited-I can't wait to see the scenes that we shot)
I've gotten a few phone calls to audition for other movies(but the audition was in CA-so you can imagine my disapointment) I just know that I'm needed right here, right now & if that is something God has for me, he will provide a way later too...so one day...but I did tell my casting director to inform me of any other projects in Cleveland...more & more movies are being shot there...

So that is it in a nutshell...some ups, some downs, some crashes, some falls, some mistakes, some successes(if I can spell that word-lol)but overall, thankfullness...

I love my family!

I came across these pictures & just had to post them! I have the most adorable daughters in the world!!!!They light up my life everyday...and they keep me on my toes too! I always knew that being a mom would be the best...but I had no idea what that actually looked like....now I know. Pure Joy!
Yes, there are times when I want to ring both of their necks but beyond those moments...pure joy! I love how they call me "momma" still, I love how they always cheer me up, I love how Isabelle organizes her room, I love how Abby smiles & makes me laugh, I love how Isabelle hugs me and says" I can't let go of this mommy"

I love my family.

Happy Birthday

David,
We have known eachother for almost an entire lifetime...when I look back at your life I remember some wonderfully fond memories... when you were only 11 years old rollerskating at Skate 8, smiling as you glided by(I thought you were cute then too), I remember when my mom would tell me that you were coming over to have dinner with us & she would say"One day you'll marry that David"(I could have only dreamt she'd be right), I remember the many times you'd come to play with my older brother & you would always come to my rescue when he was mean to me, I remember when we were both signed up for the same karate class & how we stood next to eachother in our gee's, I remember you sitting next to me in youth group playing with my long hair, I remember you walking into a party with your striped baggy pants & muscle shirt(wooo you looked hot)I remember you asking me to a Michael W. Smith concert(as friends)and how long it took me to figure out what to wear, I remember the kiss on my forehead, I remember you sitting under the stars telling me for the first time how much you cared about me all of these years, I remember sitting on my parents couch when you told me that you loved me & wanted to spend the rest of your life with me, I remember your face as I walked down the aisle, I remember holding your hand & you smiling at me as you so gently told your vows to me, I remember your sweet voice telling me to breathe as our first & second daughters were born, and I remember your face how it lit up as you held each of them, I remember eating late at night watching movies & laughing uncontrollably with you...I look back and know that I am truly blessed...I have married my best friend, I can't imagine life without you David. Thank you for being who you are & for loving me so unconditionally throughout the years. I love being your wife, your friend & your pal. Thank you for being such an amazing dad & husband...you lift me up everyday! I pray that you have a wonderful birthday & I look forward to spending many, many, MANY more with you...

Community

This is my church. We have been attending Mosaic for almost 2 years now & we love it! My kids LOVE it! I am so glad that we have found a church that we can call home. We were beginning to wonder if we were ever going to find it. Mosaic's motto (if you want to call it that)is "To live by faith, to be a voice of Hope and to be known by our Love"
I love this! What a perfect description of how the church should look. All too often churchs are not living this way & many get fed up with the idea of "church" because of it.
No church is perfect. But I'm glad that our leaders at Mosaic are striving to model our church the way Jesus would want..."To live by faith, to be a voice of Hope & to be known by our Love".

Last night we had about 14 people from Mosaic over for a last minute New Years Bash(thanks Kim for volunteering our home!)It was great. We ate & ate, laughed, played crazy games & just plain enjoyed eachothers company. This is what Jesus would want us to do as a community of believers. Enjoy life, eat together, laugh, share in eachothers lives, encourage one another...did I say Eat already? Live life together.
I'm excited to see where 2007 brings us. We already have some amazing things lined up for Mosaic. I am co-hosting a women's retreat this March & I can't wait to see what God is going to do to change & encourage women's hearts.

2007!!!!!

Amazing.

On a personal note, David & I have some ideas of how we are going to change this year. Yes, a couple physical ways, but mostly spiritual. We also have many, Many, MANY things on our LIFE checklist that we want to accomplish...updates to come...
So, Happy New YEar one & all. I pray God reveals many, Many, MANY things to your LIFE checklist this upcoming year...

Time with Family & Friends

Christmas was so fun. We enjoyed the semi-warm, sunny weather. I made my very first turkey dinner(with my mother-in-laws assistance)(and by the way, it came out great!)We had our dear friends Dan & Jen, Brian & Leslie, Kevin & Missy over for a spontaneous get together that lasted all night until wee hours of the morning(4am!!!). They taught me how to play Idiot Poker(because I'm too much of an idiot to learn the REAL Poker I guess-hee hee) We sang worship songs while Jen & Dave played guitar, we talked about our upcoming Hawaii trip(okay maybe not upcoming, but next Christmas) Yippee!!! We spent wonderful time with both our families, eating & laughing uncontrollably. We told the kids the christmas story & acted out the events to remind them the true meaning of christmas(we do this every chrismas morning). And we spent time just chilling out from our last few months of craziness...beyond the whirlwind it has been & the trying times, God has continued to reveal himself to us...thru an answered prayer, a unexpected phone call, an unexpected guest at christmas time, honesty spoken & also thru the words of my child.

Thank you Father for the love of friends & family, thank you for laughter in the midst of pain, thank you for your undeniable love, guidance, and patience with me...I know that I am not as faithful to you as I should be but I can't imagine my life without you...I love living life for you...remind me daily to do this more & more...so that I can continue to see your face thru everyday life, your creation that surrounds me & thru those that I encounter daily...

Velvet Elvis

I just finished a book that my pastor had recommended me reading for over a year now...The book is Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
At first I was like "what could this book really be about-he is just rambling on & on..."
Then he got to the point, the big point. Actually "points".
We as Christians are so up on becoming a christian then living the good, easy life...no way, God actually said it would not be easy...many of us struggle daily with everyday, everything and don't really admit it...to anyone, especially our brothers & sisters in Christ. Well, I'm sick of the game! Yes, that's right, sick of it. Let's get real. Let's get personal, let's get down right dirty and clean up our junk!
Over the years, I have played the role of SUPERMOM...well, I'm not. And I'm tired of this role. In Bell's book he states,"I meet so many people who have superwhater rattling around in their head. They have this person convinced they are supposed to be, and their superwhatever is killing them. They have this image they picked up over the years of how they are supposed to look and act and work and play and talk, and it's like a voice that never stops shouting in their ear.
And the only way to not be killed by it is to shoot first.
Yes, that is what I meant to write.
You have to kill your superwhater."

So, I shot. SUPERMOM is gone. I can't do it all, I can't BE it all...and I'm okay with that. Sometimes I need help...and I'm gonna start asking for it. My mother in law(who is now living with us)keeps saying things like "why don't you put up more decorations on the house...around the house, on the deck..." And I am simply not even fazed by it...normally I would have hurried to content her, hurried to make all perfect, hurried to please...nope, not any more. SUPERMOM is dead. I don't have time to do more decorating...that's not what this season is about anyway. I am doing just fine with what I AM doing. And that is loving my kids, my husband, my family, my friends, reaching out to my neighbors, being a child of God, homeschooling my daughter...the list goes on...so all of the other "stuff" that I THINK is important, really is not. I can't do it all. And I am finally at peace with this "new idea".

SUPERMOM has left the building.

One more adorable picture

Photo Time!!!

Every year we try to get a christmas picture of our family so that I can send them in our christmas cards...for some reason this year was more difficult than in the past...it was quite entertaining to watch Isabelle & Abby as we "set up" the photo. Isabelle would suddenly get mad & make this hilarious angry face & Abby would suddenly break out into giggles galore!!!! Then she'd fall to the ground(messing up her hair & the pose)...after some bribing we finally got them to sit still for 2 seconds to take the picture...the event reminds me of several movies that show these families pretending to be happy just long enough for the photo...it was funny actually living the moment & forcing the girls to look happy...hee hee...well, we got them giggling & we really were happy in the end...but wow! I look forward to the many years of christmas pictures with my family(imagine the teenage years-"MOM, this is soooo stupid"-"Do I have to do this?")
Yep, I'm gonna make them then too...and you WILL LIKE IT!!!Hee hee....

Holiday Fun

After we settled into our house a bit we decided it was time to find a Christmas tree. We ventured to a new tree farm(new to us, at least)and found the perfect tree. It was a great, family owned business in Peninsula that gave you a sled as you searched for your tree. We had more fun & spent more time sledding then looking for a tree! After about an hour of sledding we finally decided that a pre-cut tree was just fine(we were too cold to keep looking). Then we got cozy by the outdoor fireplace at the farm! We has a blast & will return next year for sure!

Then last night we went to see David's uncle(who lives in Cleveland)he puts on a huge display of lights on his home where people come thru to see it. The girls were in awe at all of the lights & christmas decorations...it put us all in the holiday spirit! With everything going on with the move we have all been a bit tired & busy to stop and think about christmas...we are ready now! This year I really want it to be more about Jesus' birth more than anything else(my daughter keeps reminding me"It's not about how the house looks mom-it's about Jesus!"...and she is sooooo right)So I decided to listen to my 6 year old & slow down the season, and think more about it's meaning instead of the stuff that clutters it...

Even after saying all of that, we still had fun tonight decorating our first Gingerbread house....what a blast! And the girls did great! It came out beautiful!

Crazy, crazy Craz-EEEE

We finally got our internet set up in our new house...lots of stuff happening over at the Smith household...not much time to post....more unpacking to do...trees to put up, decorating to do & life to live...post more later...

An Early Christmas Present

Keys to our new house!!!!!
That's all I have to say!!!!!
Well, okay, I never was a girl with few words, but we are so excited to see the final walk-thru of our house(we havent seen it in over 2 weeks)...and it is finally done!!!!
We have been blessed to stay in a friends home for the past 5wks but we are soooooo ready for our own space. The girls are so excited to see all of their toys again(they are in PODS)and I just can't wait to cook in my own kitchen! And hang my clothes on a hanger(we have been living in boxes).
You know the little things make us happy...
So on Wednesday we are officially moving in....thank you Lord, once again for taking care of us thru all of this. Again, your timing is perfect!

Girl Talks

I had the priviledge of joining my good friend, Joy to Bethel College last week for a couple of days. Her daughter & also my friend, Ashley is in her junior year there. Joy is an amazing speaker who I admire. She adds humor, honesty & encouragement when she speaks. God has truly gifted her. Bethel College asked Joy to come to speak at their chapel service on Wednesday morning & also invited her to speak to the young women later that evening for a girls only session.
What a great time we had with Ashley & Jessie (another great friend who came with us)we laughed until wee hours of the night on tuesday helping Joy prepare for her talk. Joy even talked me into doing a drama for her-impromptu! We had a wonderful time sharing about life & crazy questions that Joy was throwing out at us.

I went last week knowing that God has a plan for me. I have to speak. He wants me to share my story. Joy asked me to share 10 minutes with the girls only session about my story on purity & marriage. I did not want to. It has been a long time since I've spoken on this subject & I was not ready...but Joy so calmingly kept saying"your ready"

So I spoke. And boy was I nervous. But before I went on to speak, God reminded me of Moses & of Ester & many others in the Bible whom He gave the words to...Moses muttered & could not speak well, Ester could have been killed for what she said, but God made a way for them...and they spoke. And mighty things happened...So, I gave my voice to God & spoke. I shared my story of purity & forgiveness. I prayed that God would let just one girls life be touched(I would have been happy with just one)but He had another plan....God spoke thru Joy & thru me & these girls would not leave...they wanted more...and more....they were hungry for what God was saying. Many stayed way past our allowed time & we answered questions...hard questions...but again, God gave us the words...later, I recieved a couple of e-mails from girls that had more questions...praise God...He touched hearts that night. Girls are re-thinking what they are doing & desiring a holy life...

I know that God wants me to speak. I don't know how, or when or to what level but I will continue to follow His lead. Don't deny Him, like I almost did-Go...just go....and He will give you all that you need.

Do Not Worry

I know that my Heavenly Father is taking care of me. But sometimes in the midst of trials & uncertainty I forget.
I'm typically a very calm person, I really don't worry a lot. I just believe that everything will be okay-I don't know if that is a completely good thing because there are some pretty dangerous things that can happen by being that way, but overall I like that quality in me. Now my husband on the other hand, complete worry wart. So, we balance eachother out. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is this...

Matt.6:25-34
"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body. what you will wear. Is not your life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry,saying"What shall we eat, or drink or wear?"For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I love that! How to the point...Just don't worry! God will take care of us.

I have seen His hand a lot in the past few weeks. We, by a miracle, sold our home, for just about what we wanted, when all of the other homes for sale around us still have not sold. We were left homeless after we had to quickly move out within 3 weeks of the sale, not knowing where to go...God reminded a good friend that her in-laws have a home that we could "use" while they are in Florida for the winter. (another amazing thing is that it is in the city where we are building-how perfect)They willingly let us move in without hesitation(and we barely even know them). David's parents house sold the same week that ours sold, which was a huge burden thinking that we had to sell two homes in this slow real estate market...but God made it all happen!
I knew that he would, but I have to say, I was getting a little impatient. I wanted it to all happen sooner, but he knew that it could not...it had to happen in HIS Time. Not mine. Not David's. Not according to OUR plans. But His....Thank you God, for YOUR plan on our lives...thank you for your timing. Thank you for always taking care of us.

"My life is going to slow down...no, really"

It's funny, I really thought this would happen. I really thought life would get "less busy". I made a pact with myself I said" Self, stop busying your life" and I guess I didnt listen. We have been sooooo crazy busy-I can't even stand it. Between selling our house, packing our house, selling David's parents house, packing their house, homeschooling Abby, entertaining & loving Isabelle, being a wife, a housekeeper, chef, friend, daughter, writer and singer...I havent had much time to breath...ahhhhhh....there it is, I breathed.

It was the worst possible time for it, but we decided to go away(this is our way of running from our crazy lives)just get away...we hoped in the car and headed to Sandusky for a couple of days...like I said, worst time for it since we are closing in on our house, packing our house, homeschooling Abby(oh sorry I won't give you the list again-hee hee)but we just knew that we needed it.

I am so glad that we did get away. My family needed some time out, away from the craziness. We ended up at an indoor waterpark called Kalahari! If you havent been there yet, take some time to enjoy this place. It is perfect for the family, the young couple with or without kids, older families...it was just plain fun!!!! We all had a blast riding the waterslides & soaking in the water. Abby and I loved the thrill of the zipcoater(wheew what a rush)....

So we got away...for 2 nights...and yes, I came home to a messy, cluttered, full of boxes & piles of laundry home...but who really cares? I wouldnt trade that time with my family for the world.

"I hate mornings"

This is something my 3 1/2 year old daughter says to me almost every morning...not because she really "hates" mornings but because her favorite orange, tabby cat-Garfield says it on his cartoon...well, last weekend she got to meet this loveable, yet sometimes craby feline...Isabelle lit up when Garfield appeared at the Kids Fest at a bookstore that we went to...she couldnt stop smiling. Garfield hugged her & we even snapped a photo of them...
...so, even though I am greeted by the phrase"I hate mornings" when I wake my little girl up, I still smile because it is so adorable the way she delivers the line & wrinkles up her face...gotta love it! In fact, I love mornings because of this precious time.

School Update

We have already gotten thru 3 weeks of school! I can't believe it! I am so thrilled with the homeschool program that we chose. Props out to the Ohio Virtual Academy for making their school so full of interesting subjects & tools! Abigail is loving History and of course Language Arts(she gets to do a lot of imaginary play with this subject)! And with History she has already learned all of the continents! Each week we "travel" to each continent and learn about the different animals and places there! I'm actually learning a lot too! (I don't think I could have even told you what all of the continents were)

Little Isabelle is doing great too! She sometimes gets involved in the lessons of the day or she keeps busy by playing around us...

Abby and I have kept it a habit every morning to pray together before we begin school time...we hold hands and pray for a good day together & I pray for patience...the other day she prayed for us and said, "God, thank you for school and especially thank you for the best part of it which is my mom being my teacher."
I melted!
Thank you God, for my wonderful daughters that I get to love & teach everyday...bless them both!

Reunion

My friend Marge & I planned a reunion of all the people in our old youth group...what a great time we had seeing everyone & chatting about life over the last 15 years!!! Wow-time goes sooooo quickly! Enjoy the pictures!