PHOTO UPDATE #2

John playing with Joshua Rushings team at the Solemn Assembly, New Year's Eve 2006

PHOTO UPDATE: onething 2006

ONE THING DAY THREE

Yesterday we auditioned over 25 potential new students for the Fall 2007 semester at Forerunner Music Academy (FMA). It was so exciting to see all these young people with a passion to use their musical giftings wholeheartedly for Jesus. I talked to so may young people yesterday at the FMA booth, some of them still in high school, looking forward to the possibility of coming to IHOP, attending FMA or FSM. God is doing something big with the hungry hearts of this generation.

I found the overflow room last night. The main auditorium is pretty intense! The speakers alone might be bigger than my house! I think I may have found my place, the overflow room is much quieter and is close to CEC (Children's Equipping Center), so I can slip in and out to see how the kids are doing.

Nick and John are both playing with Carol Hall's worship team in the CEC Services for the conference. I absolutely love seeing the passion in these young ones as they worship the Lord, pray for each other, and share the word.

Today is the start of another full day. Praying for grace and strength to walk through this day and to seize every opportunity to lavish love on this young people.

I Can't Feel My Feet

Ok, so just across the street there's really awesome worship taking place with 15,000 young adults: and shortly Allen Hood, one of my favorite IHOP speakers will be speaking, but I can no longer feel my feet. So I'm praying that God either meets me here alone in my hotel room or gives me a second wind after I soak my aching feet in the tub!

Hotel Ammenities

This morning John realized that I forgot to pack his electric shaver, as well as his razor and shaving cream. He uses both. So he had to resort to using my razor and the hotel conditioner to shave with. He picked up the tiny bottle of conditioner and read it "Hmmmm, lavender and chamomile, hope my face doesn't fall asleep."

Well, I thought it was funny!

ONE THING 2006

Tomorrow begins my first KC ONE THING! We've been gearing up and preparing for a month. 15,000 young adults have begun streaming into Kansas City because they have a hunger and a longing for more of Him.
My tiny little piece, no my crumb in the pie plate of ONE THING, involves organizing and setting up the informational booth for FMA (Forerunner Music Academy). What I began contemplating yesterday as John and we're rushing around doing our "little part", was that there are hundreds of us all out there with "one little part" or "one big part", whatever the case maybe; and when all the parts fit together, this huge thing happens, and 15,000 young adults stand side by side declaring the goodness of God and crying out to know Him more.
So as I push my little crumb around and bump up against the next person pushing their crumb, or their sliver, or their honking huge piece of pie around; I pray grace and strength for each of us!

Tonight we had the honor of having dinner with two of our supporters, Kevin and Eva Finn from Cape Coral, Florida. We met Kevin and Eva over three years ago, at a conference near Philadephia. It was one of those connects that we real and meaningful, and felt important. Over the past three years, we've chatted on the phone, and exchanged occassional emails. But tonight was the first face to face connect since we originally met them, and we were so blessed to listen to the story of their journey and to enjoy the look of "hunger" in their eyes. They represent the precious hearts that come here to Kansas City year after year to receive fresh revelation and to pour out extravagant devotion to the Father. Tonight I ask, God, would you meet them all in their place of hunger, and would you honor them for coming by revealing Yourself to them!

Christmas

Christmas Tip for New Parents

I've thought about writing a book on parenting. I've even begun an outline and an introduction to the book, and have lots of brainstorming done of the idea of it. Although my book would focused on the spiritual care and nurture of children in light of the day in which we live, today I thought of something that ought not to be overlooked in giving advice to young parents.
HERE IT IS: Think Very Long and Hard before Buying or Making Christmas Stockings for your Child!!!!! Although the idea of having a stocking large enough to stuff your baby in on their first Christmas for a sweet photo may be nice, please, please, please keep in mind that you must FILL that stocking year after year with "stuff".
The beloved Christmas stockings that I made for my children are enormous! Why I didn't think that through when I made them, I'll never know. Now I've learned a few tricks on how to fill them without taking out a small loan, but none the less, I think they might have been just as sweet about half the size. I'm sure my kids would not agree, you be the judge!

Surprise Gift

I just received an amazing gift tonight. It didn't come in a box, or even in a fancy gift bag. It wasn't donning a bow. I can't even hold it in my hand, but it is residing sweetly in my heart.
Tonight I got to hear my husband's voice in the prayer room. Now I know that may be an odd gift, but it is priceless to me, and I am quite sure I will remember Christmas Eve. 2006 for many years, for that reason alone.
Many of you reading know my husband as an electric guitar player, and that is what he has been here at IHOP since we landed here this summer. He will in fact be teaching electric guitar at FMA this coming semester. All that said, I know my husband as a worship leader, a songwriter, and a psalmist in the house of the Lord. My favorite times with him have been the hours we have spend singing before the Lord in a tiny church in Pennsylvania. I know the songs his heart has offered up, they are the songs of our journey with God.
So tonight I am grateful that I was given the gift of his voice in the prayer room. I know God stopped to listen. I am certain that there is a spot in God's heart that only John's voice can reach.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Tonight we are in the prayer room. It is Christmas Eve. I look around me at those who are also here, and I can't help wonder about their stories. Why are you here anyway? Very few do I truly "know", some are total strangers, yet we are all here. There's a beautiful sense of peace here, and I am wrtiting quickly before the tears begin. "Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him".
A woman I do not know just finished praying for those who are alone tonight, the widow, the orphan, the homeless. We are indeed required to "weep with those who weep". I was reminded tonight of one little one who has been rescued from being alone tonight. Tonight she is surrounded by a family who adores her, surrounded by those who have chosen her and called her their own. The spirit of adoption has embraced her, her life redeemed. "Sleep in Heavenly Peace", my friend Zoe.

Traditions

Tonight we had Christmas with our friends, the Bohlender's. They graciously allowed me to bring "Potato Corn Chowder", a Christmas Eve tradition for our family. Albeit a day early, it seemed right to make it and share this tradition. ("Chowder" for those of you wondering, is the term used to describe a milk based soup.... This comment will only be funny to some, others of you will wonder why I just chose to state the obvious, wonder on!)
In trying to think of a fun "Christmasy" thing to do with the kiddos, I pulled out of my memory bank of childhood memories, the fond memory of making homemade pretzels around my Aunt Alice's kitchen table with my cousins. Pulling out "Aunt Roma's Pretzel Recipe", we set to work and the results were splendid. Photos to come soon!
I also gave John an early Christmas gift tonight. "Trivial Pursuit 80's Edition". If you've followed our blogs, you will understand the significance. We paired up gals against the guys. The game started out slowly, with none of us knowing any answers. I started to wonder if we really did live through the 80's. As the game turned Randy and John seemed to be hand delivered all the EASY questions, leaving them the winners of the night. I, unlike my husband do not retain names of bands, lyrics to songs, name of actors and the list of movies they are famous for... for some reason, trivia just doesn't hang out in this brain. I think I spend most of the 80's with my nose in a book.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We will attend morning church service, come home for lunch and a brief rest, and then will spend the remainder of our Christmas Eve. this year in the Prayer Room. I cannot think of a better place! We'll end the evening back at home with our own family traditions: the Christmas Eve gift, some quiet family time, putting the kids to bet, and John and I wrapping a few last minute gifts, and stuffing the stockings. We'll set all the gifts under the tree and get to bed, most likely much too late!

This is a year of enjoying the family traditions of the past and adding a few new ones! I love the newness of this particular Christmas.

A Tree House

I love the thought of it! The sentiment of being nicely tucked away in a place so safe and so "members only", that you feel nothing but safe. Reminds me of an A.A. Milne poem from my childhood:

Solitude

I have a house where I go
When there's too many people,
I have a house where I go
Where no one can be;
I have a house where I go,
Where nobody ever says "No";
Where no one says anything- so
There is no one but me.

-from Now We Are Six

The only place better than "Solitude", is that lovely place where you are safe with friends, safe with those who know you and still love you. Thank you friends, you know who you are!

(editorial note: thoughts in this post are a reflection on a post by RBOHLENDER.BLOGSPOT.COM ("A Night on the Town)

Adoption Update

In the swirl of life, there's this huge anticipation of the baby to come. I realized once again today how odd it is to be expecting a baby and not know the due date! We appreciate the prayers and support of our family and friends so very much, even those of you out there praying who we've never met!
Here's the update: Our homestudy paper work should all be turned in by the end of next week. It's alot of work folks! God continues weekly to provide financially. We have paid out $2500 already to the adoption consultant. And our current savings after that payment is now $4,600. ($1000 of that will cover our homestudy costs).
God is so amazing!
We're planning fundraising Gala in February and really expect to see God provide, we know his heart is for us!

Thanks for praying!

GIVING

I know for some people giving gifts is just a drudgery, something they have to do, and finding the perfect gift is a chore. I however, love giving. Perhaps it's just a personality thing, but I love finding gifts for the people I love. I love showing my appreciation for them through the words of a gift. Whether it's a funny gift that says, "I love your sense of humor, thanks for making me laugh". Or a sentimental gift that says "I know about your heart". Or just a needed gift that says, "I care about the things that you need in this life"..... I LOVE GIVING!

I was thinking this morning that if Christ is instilling His nature in us day after day, making us more like Him as we seek hard after Him, then He must really enjoy giving! Beyond the incomparible gift of His own life, daily He gives to us. Over and over again HE IS THE GIVER! Today I choose to reflect on what He has given to me this year. I'm reminded of the lyrics:"You give and take away, you give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name." Today, regardless of the giving or the taking away that this past year represents in my life, I choose to see it all as a GIFT. A gift that has drawn me closer and pulled me deeper into the embrace of my Father, and has taught me more about the nature of Christ than any other year in my life.

here's the scoop on the photos

The wonderful people shown in the photos of our trip to Pennsylvania are:
My parents, Terry and Carol Mickey
My sister Tara, her husband Jeremy, and their awesome son JUSTIN (age 5)
My brother Joe, his wife Megan, and their beautiful and quite chunky son, SILAS (age 4 months)
The precious lady in the photo with my kids is a dear family friend, CINDY FITZGERALD. She and her husband run a wonderful B&B called Crossroads Bed and Breakfast in Mansfield, PA.

HOPE THAT HELPS!!!

I've always wanted to be a Professional Shopper

My brother called the other day while I was at my mom and dad's and asked to talk to my dad. I of course, said "Why don't you want to talk to me?" He said, "I need advice on buying a new chainsaw." I said, "Well what do you need to know, don't you think I can help?" He of course said, "No, let me talk to dad". Not settling for having my advice totally dissed, I said "well, what color is it", he said, "Red". I said, "That's a good color, you should get it".
Now even though I was not invited on the shopping trip to get the chain saw, please notice that my advice was well taken! Isn't it a beauty! Red is a great color for a chainsaw!

My Very Own Sheep Dog

Wanted you all to see the hair I commented on in a previous blog! It has since been trimmed, mind you just trimmed!
You have to admit, it really is quite endearing! Makes ya just want to pet him and scratch behind his ears doesn't it!

Photo Journal: Trip to Pennsylvania

I Know I've Said it Before

But I really love coffee, I really, really do!
I'm going to bring home a bag of Night and Day Coffee Cafe beans and have myself a party!

John has now resorted to a grande coffee with a shot of espresso, commonly, or not so commonly known as a "red eye".
I'm not sure what that says about him, but he seems to be quite happy after consumption, (or should that be imbibing)?

Anyway, the coffee is good, the day is sunny. Tonight we're having dinner at my brothers house, so there will be more time to cuddle my dumplin' baby nephew Silas! Pictures soon coming!

FIRST GLANCE

I was getting ready to take my kids to see friends at their old school (A Christian School with a dress code, mind you not a uniform type dress code, but it does have a few rules). ANYWAY, we're headed out the door and I take one look at my brood and sort of freaked out. TAYLOR had on a hooded sweatshirt, not allowed! One look at ISABELLE and I sent her to brush her hair. She was sporting the IHOP trend of short shirt over blue jeans, and double layered t-shirts. I wasn't sure what everyone would think of that. And then there was NICK! Resembling a sheep dog, I actually thought about whipping out my haircutting scissors before we left the house. Oh and he had on a t-shirt with graphics, not objectionable in anyway, but not allowed nontheless! So after I had a major panic attack about the long hair on my eldest son. He comments "Come on Mom, don't you think I look good?"

Then he turns, faces the mirror, and says "Oh Nick, you look so good!"