I am heading out on a Rotic Trip tomorrow. What is a Rotic trip? It's a roMANtic trip without the man. :) (I heard that once in college and really loved it, haha).
Anyway, I have been really wanting some time away, ALONE, for a long time. I need a lot of Jesus, without distractions. I had one day over Thanksgiving when I was basically in a hotel room by myself and really loved it. Unfortunately, I was sleeping for a good part of it so I didn't get the chance to really soak up Jesus and some alone time. But, that taste left me wanting more.
So, I started looking on line for some nice but inexpensive places to get away for a few days. I looked near Philly as well as near my parents house. I was looking for a place that felt nice and homey (like a bed and breakfast), but would allow me to be anonymous and really spend time alone (like a hotel). I found a place near Philly that advertised itself as "a unique alternative to Bed & Breakfasts and chain hotels" and thought I may have found the perfect place. I looked at the sites near it and discovered that it was right next to a Revolutionary War battlefield!! While I'm more interested in the Civil War, I still just really love history and would LOVE to spend a few hours walking around a battlefield. So, I booked it!!!
I'm heading out tomorrow afternoon and will be back on Friday. I am looking forward to resting, reading, praying and listening. Actually, I'm hoping that most of my time will be spent listening as I am feeling desperate to draw close to Jesus. The room I am staying in has a fireplace, so I plan on hanging out in front of the fireplace with my "man" for as long as possible. :)
I'm also hoping the weather will allow me to visit the battlefield for at least a few hours. We'll see though!
So, you won't be hearing me until at least Friday. I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Meet Beth!!
We got a dog!!! We are keeping this one, the adoption papers will be finished soon. She is a 4 or 5 year old white shepherd mix; VERY lovable, and very protective of me, Jen and the house. I wish we had gotten her before I paid for the security system!! Seriously, if people come in the door and we welcome them, she is fine and will quickly become your best friend. If you start to walk in the door and we haven't welcomed you; watch out! Plus she has a very intimidating bark which is just nice to have around. :)
She was found as a stray, so she's kinda skinny but we're working to fatten her up (Gizmo is teaching her everything he knows). She is loving and friendly to anyone and everyone, unless you seem to be posing a threat to me or Jen...then she's not so nice. (Needless to say, my dad loves this dog, haha). Anyway, she's also GREAT with kids, is very laid back and already house trained. Basically, the perfect dog for us!!
She even gets along with Gizmo!! Of course, Giz is still getting used to her, but the only real problems they have had have been when she accidentally wacks him in the face with her tail (which really makes Gizmo mad, haha).
Isn't she cute?!?
And yes, we did take her to get a picture with Santa. She would only look at the camera if Jen was sitting with her though. Still a really cute picture!
She was found as a stray, so she's kinda skinny but we're working to fatten her up (Gizmo is teaching her everything he knows). She is loving and friendly to anyone and everyone, unless you seem to be posing a threat to me or Jen...then she's not so nice. (Needless to say, my dad loves this dog, haha). Anyway, she's also GREAT with kids, is very laid back and already house trained. Basically, the perfect dog for us!!
She even gets along with Gizmo!! Of course, Giz is still getting used to her, but the only real problems they have had have been when she accidentally wacks him in the face with her tail (which really makes Gizmo mad, haha).
Isn't she cute?!?
And yes, we did take her to get a picture with Santa. She would only look at the camera if Jen was sitting with her though. Still a really cute picture!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas Parties!!
This has been the week of Christmas parties!
We had the 7-10 year old party on Monday:
11-12 year olds on Tues:
5-6 on Wed:
and then the teens yesterday (I was too busy doing other things to get a group shot at the Teen Club party...whoops!) Tomorrow is the Adult Party. Its been a fun, but very exhausting week!
I was actually responsible for planning the 7-10 party, so the rest were just fun times to hang out with kids and help wherever I was needed. I really enjoyed all of the parties, and I think the kids did too!!
(She isn't quite 5 yet...more like 2....but is just so darned cute!!)
(That's not actually the present Miguel left with, he traded for another gift just as we were heading home!)
EVERY kid that came to one of these parties (except for the teens, their party was a little different) left with a sweatshirt or tshirt (this is the 5&6 and the 7-10 shirt...isn't is so cute?!?),
as well as a brand new Christmas present (that they got to choose!) and a bag full of school supplies. The preteens and 5-6 year olds also got hats and gloves (there are too many 7-10 year olds, for them to get winter gear, haha). There are lots of really great pictures of all of the parties that you can check out here!!
The Christmas parties also mark the end of our Fall Season of clubs, meaning we all get a break! If course, there is still a lot going on to keep us busy for a little while, but it is really nice to have evenings free for a while! After Christmas we will really get a break, with time to prepare for the winter/spring season as well as do all the things we don't have time for when clubs are running (i.e. home improvement projects).
I have a long list of goals I am hoping to accomplish during this break. Some are personal (time with Jesus!!), others are relational (fun activities with the kids!) and MANY are home improvement...all of which I *should* be capable of doing on my own (meaning no major construction). I'm excited to see what actually happens! :)
We had the 7-10 year old party on Monday:
11-12 year olds on Tues:
5-6 on Wed:
and then the teens yesterday (I was too busy doing other things to get a group shot at the Teen Club party...whoops!) Tomorrow is the Adult Party. Its been a fun, but very exhausting week!I was actually responsible for planning the 7-10 party, so the rest were just fun times to hang out with kids and help wherever I was needed. I really enjoyed all of the parties, and I think the kids did too!!
(She isn't quite 5 yet...more like 2....but is just so darned cute!!)
(That's not actually the present Miguel left with, he traded for another gift just as we were heading home!)
EVERY kid that came to one of these parties (except for the teens, their party was a little different) left with a sweatshirt or tshirt (this is the 5&6 and the 7-10 shirt...isn't is so cute?!?),
as well as a brand new Christmas present (that they got to choose!) and a bag full of school supplies. The preteens and 5-6 year olds also got hats and gloves (there are too many 7-10 year olds, for them to get winter gear, haha). There are lots of really great pictures of all of the parties that you can check out here!!The Christmas parties also mark the end of our Fall Season of clubs, meaning we all get a break! If course, there is still a lot going on to keep us busy for a little while, but it is really nice to have evenings free for a while! After Christmas we will really get a break, with time to prepare for the winter/spring season as well as do all the things we don't have time for when clubs are running (i.e. home improvement projects).
I have a long list of goals I am hoping to accomplish during this break. Some are personal (time with Jesus!!), others are relational (fun activities with the kids!) and MANY are home improvement...all of which I *should* be capable of doing on my own (meaning no major construction). I'm excited to see what actually happens! :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Peter and I would be Besties
For those of you who are not teenage girls living in Philadelphia, bestie is the new term for best friends. :) And the Peter I am referring to is the apostle.
Of course, I have never met Peter, but I do know a lot about him and his character from the bible. He was very passionate and outspoken about his love for Jesus, something I can relate to. He also made some pretty huge, and public, mistakes...which I can relate to as well. I think if I was an apostle during Jesus life I would have been a lot like Peter. Can't keep my mouth shut, but with the best of intentions nonetheless.
The other day I was reading the story of when Jesus walked on water and I really saw myself in Peter. In fact, I heard (not audibly) God telling that I have been Peter recently. Talk about walking away with my tail between my legs...
Jesus had been on the mountain, alone, talking with the Father before deciding to head out to the boat that the disciples were in. They were pretty far out on the water so He decided rather than take another boat, He would just walk. On the water.
The disciples first caught a glimpse of Him on the water and were scared, thinking it was a ghost. Jesus assured them it was him, and Peter was the first to pipe up a response. Here is how I picture the scene:
Upon hearing Jesus words that it was in fact Him walking on the water, Peter thinks: "Jesus IS awesome and we just watched him feed 5000 people with very little food, so it makes sense that He could walk on water" (Peter and I think very logically). But, just because someone is walking on water doesn't mean he is Jesus. Who knows what kind of crazy things the devil could pull off. But, ONLY Jesus could give ME the strength to walk on water. Hmmm..."
Peter says: "Okay Lord, if it really is you then call me to come to you on the water"
Jesus: "Aight, come on" (Jesus' ghetto language comes out occasionally)
Peter steps out onto the water and doesn't sink. He takes one step. Then another. Then another. Still not sinking. His confidence builds quickly and he starts walking a bit faster, though not too fast. He's not sure what would happen if he tripped.
He is now far enough away from the boat that no one could reach him if he started to sink. That's okay, though, because he is walking on water!
Peter thinks: That is Jesus! I'm walking on water! This is crazy! He really is everything that He said He is!"
Unfortunately, the novelty of the walking on water soon wears off and Peter starts to feel the wind. The water from the waves starts splashing on his face. He is still walking on the water, but as his friends are becoming more and more distant, the wind and the waves seem to be increasing.
Peter thinks: "Wait a minute. I am walking on water, but I'm still getting wet. Is that supposed to happen? And the wind is picking up, what if it blows me over? Whoa, that was a huge wave, it barely missed me! What happens if a wave goes over me?? Will I walk above that? I don't understand what's going on, what am I supposed to do now??
Jesus, watching this scene unfold before Him, thinks: "Come on Peter, just look at me. I'm standing on the same water. I'm getting hit with the same wind and the same waves. Just look at me. Do exactly what I am doing and you will be fine".
Of course, Peter doesn't hear this, and is too busy wiping water from his face and staring at his feet waiting for the first sign of possible sinking. And that's when it happens. He slowly starts to sink. Panic quickly sets in and he instinctively turns toward the boat, hoping that his friends notice him sinking, hoping that they will pull him out of the water.
But, its dark and he is too far from the boat for them to see. Besides, they're busy trying to keep their own boat from sinking.
His knees are underwater, his waist..."Help me Lord!". Without hesitation, Jesus reaches out His hand and pulls Peter back on top of the water. Peter is shocked by how quickly this happens. Apparently Jesus was standing much closer to him that He realized. In fact, He was never more than an arms length away. Even in the excitement of walking on water, Peter never noticed where Jesus was. Whoops, he had been focused on the water most of the time.
Jesus looked at him with such compassion, and...disappointment. "Why didn't you just look at me? Who do you really think I am?" Peter is immediately disappointed with himself. It wasn't the first time. It certainly won't be the last.
They walk back to the boat and the storm calms down.
It really is Jesus. He really is so much more than they thought.
Jesus doesn't dwell on Peter's failure, however, which allows Peter to move on as well. He still has much to learn, much to do; no time to dwell on the mistakes.
That's my take on the Peter walking on water story. And I see my name written all over that.
"Oh yeah, Jesus, we can do this whole life thing together. It will be sweet. You are God, so I can trust you with everything!
But wait a minute....
My dad has cancer, what if I don't get married before he dies. My dad might not get to walk me down the aisle!
Oh wait, I'm 28 and still single. Almost all of my friends are married, in a relationship or having babies. What if I never get to experience any of that?
Hold up; I've been living in Philly for 6 years and things seem to be getting harder and harder. Even Bonita and Linda are making really bad decisions. What's up with that?!"
Sinking...sinking...
Thankfully, I am finally hearing what Jesus has been trying to say to me.
"Trish, I'm out here standing on the same water as you. Just look at me. No, don't look at them, look at me. Do exactly what you see me doing. You will stay on top of the water, just like I am. Ignore the wind and the waves, I have total control over them and will not let them overtake you. Just keep looking at me"
Okay, I have to say that at this point all I can think of is: "Here's lookin' at you; Jesus". Haha, anyway...
So, that's Peter's and my story. Walking on the water with Jesus trying not to focus on the storm all around me. Just keep my eyes on Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus, I need your help to even do that.
"I know Trish. That's why I'm standing right here"
Thanks Jesus.
"Anytime"
Of course, I have never met Peter, but I do know a lot about him and his character from the bible. He was very passionate and outspoken about his love for Jesus, something I can relate to. He also made some pretty huge, and public, mistakes...which I can relate to as well. I think if I was an apostle during Jesus life I would have been a lot like Peter. Can't keep my mouth shut, but with the best of intentions nonetheless.
The other day I was reading the story of when Jesus walked on water and I really saw myself in Peter. In fact, I heard (not audibly) God telling that I have been Peter recently. Talk about walking away with my tail between my legs...
Jesus had been on the mountain, alone, talking with the Father before deciding to head out to the boat that the disciples were in. They were pretty far out on the water so He decided rather than take another boat, He would just walk. On the water.
The disciples first caught a glimpse of Him on the water and were scared, thinking it was a ghost. Jesus assured them it was him, and Peter was the first to pipe up a response. Here is how I picture the scene:
Upon hearing Jesus words that it was in fact Him walking on the water, Peter thinks: "Jesus IS awesome and we just watched him feed 5000 people with very little food, so it makes sense that He could walk on water" (Peter and I think very logically). But, just because someone is walking on water doesn't mean he is Jesus. Who knows what kind of crazy things the devil could pull off. But, ONLY Jesus could give ME the strength to walk on water. Hmmm..."
Peter says: "Okay Lord, if it really is you then call me to come to you on the water"
Jesus: "Aight, come on" (Jesus' ghetto language comes out occasionally)
Peter steps out onto the water and doesn't sink. He takes one step. Then another. Then another. Still not sinking. His confidence builds quickly and he starts walking a bit faster, though not too fast. He's not sure what would happen if he tripped.
He is now far enough away from the boat that no one could reach him if he started to sink. That's okay, though, because he is walking on water!
Peter thinks: That is Jesus! I'm walking on water! This is crazy! He really is everything that He said He is!"
Unfortunately, the novelty of the walking on water soon wears off and Peter starts to feel the wind. The water from the waves starts splashing on his face. He is still walking on the water, but as his friends are becoming more and more distant, the wind and the waves seem to be increasing.
Peter thinks: "Wait a minute. I am walking on water, but I'm still getting wet. Is that supposed to happen? And the wind is picking up, what if it blows me over? Whoa, that was a huge wave, it barely missed me! What happens if a wave goes over me?? Will I walk above that? I don't understand what's going on, what am I supposed to do now??
Jesus, watching this scene unfold before Him, thinks: "Come on Peter, just look at me. I'm standing on the same water. I'm getting hit with the same wind and the same waves. Just look at me. Do exactly what I am doing and you will be fine".
Of course, Peter doesn't hear this, and is too busy wiping water from his face and staring at his feet waiting for the first sign of possible sinking. And that's when it happens. He slowly starts to sink. Panic quickly sets in and he instinctively turns toward the boat, hoping that his friends notice him sinking, hoping that they will pull him out of the water.
But, its dark and he is too far from the boat for them to see. Besides, they're busy trying to keep their own boat from sinking.
His knees are underwater, his waist..."Help me Lord!". Without hesitation, Jesus reaches out His hand and pulls Peter back on top of the water. Peter is shocked by how quickly this happens. Apparently Jesus was standing much closer to him that He realized. In fact, He was never more than an arms length away. Even in the excitement of walking on water, Peter never noticed where Jesus was. Whoops, he had been focused on the water most of the time.
Jesus looked at him with such compassion, and...disappointment. "Why didn't you just look at me? Who do you really think I am?" Peter is immediately disappointed with himself. It wasn't the first time. It certainly won't be the last.
They walk back to the boat and the storm calms down.
It really is Jesus. He really is so much more than they thought.
Jesus doesn't dwell on Peter's failure, however, which allows Peter to move on as well. He still has much to learn, much to do; no time to dwell on the mistakes.
That's my take on the Peter walking on water story. And I see my name written all over that.
"Oh yeah, Jesus, we can do this whole life thing together. It will be sweet. You are God, so I can trust you with everything!
But wait a minute....
My dad has cancer, what if I don't get married before he dies. My dad might not get to walk me down the aisle!
Oh wait, I'm 28 and still single. Almost all of my friends are married, in a relationship or having babies. What if I never get to experience any of that?
Hold up; I've been living in Philly for 6 years and things seem to be getting harder and harder. Even Bonita and Linda are making really bad decisions. What's up with that?!"
Sinking...sinking...
Thankfully, I am finally hearing what Jesus has been trying to say to me.
"Trish, I'm out here standing on the same water as you. Just look at me. No, don't look at them, look at me. Do exactly what you see me doing. You will stay on top of the water, just like I am. Ignore the wind and the waves, I have total control over them and will not let them overtake you. Just keep looking at me"
Okay, I have to say that at this point all I can think of is: "Here's lookin' at you; Jesus". Haha, anyway...
So, that's Peter's and my story. Walking on the water with Jesus trying not to focus on the storm all around me. Just keep my eyes on Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus, I need your help to even do that.
"I know Trish. That's why I'm standing right here"
Thanks Jesus.
"Anytime"
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Thought
I had a thought today...
At Cornerstone's staff retreat in August several of us felt like God was calling us to have all church prayer on a regular basis at church, similar to Brooklyn Tabernacle. We felt like God was calling His people together to pray.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find a day that worked, so we shelved the idea. We did have one all church prayer evening, but not one every week like we wanted.
Over the last four months our church and staff has been attacked like never before. Heart attack, stroke, cancer, bed bugs, gossip, slander, depression, and on and on.
I wonder if God knew all of that was coming and was calling us to come together and pray; to prepare us and even invite Him to come and provide protection from an attack that we didn't foresee but He did.
But, we didn't invite Him.
And we were attacked.
Just a thought.
**Quick note to add...I am NOT saying that I think the attacks we are facing wouldn't have happened had we done the all church prayer, nor am I saying that God hasn't brought good...even great things out of these struggles (He's pretty sweet like that). I AM suggesting that I think maybe God was trying to prepare us for what we were going to face and was trying to bring us together as a body to fight against the attacks together rather than individually being blindsided by them. (Kinda goes along with the message today at church).
Anyway, again, it was just a thought...
At Cornerstone's staff retreat in August several of us felt like God was calling us to have all church prayer on a regular basis at church, similar to Brooklyn Tabernacle. We felt like God was calling His people together to pray.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find a day that worked, so we shelved the idea. We did have one all church prayer evening, but not one every week like we wanted.
Over the last four months our church and staff has been attacked like never before. Heart attack, stroke, cancer, bed bugs, gossip, slander, depression, and on and on.
I wonder if God knew all of that was coming and was calling us to come together and pray; to prepare us and even invite Him to come and provide protection from an attack that we didn't foresee but He did.
But, we didn't invite Him.
And we were attacked.
Just a thought.
**Quick note to add...I am NOT saying that I think the attacks we are facing wouldn't have happened had we done the all church prayer, nor am I saying that God hasn't brought good...even great things out of these struggles (He's pretty sweet like that). I AM suggesting that I think maybe God was trying to prepare us for what we were going to face and was trying to bring us together as a body to fight against the attacks together rather than individually being blindsided by them. (Kinda goes along with the message today at church).
Anyway, again, it was just a thought...
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