Distraction

Sunday morning we walked into the worship center and the chairs had all been switched around into two sections facing each other. As Lloyd opened the service he talked about what happens when our "order" is distracted. They had rearranged the chairs on purpose...just to shake things up a bit and gently awaken people from the norm...even something as basic as seating. It's crazy how little things affect us. For me, it was great! I liked things being rearranged a little and I think it's good for us to have to get out of our comfort zone.

I've always thought it was weird when people complained about things in worship being out of their comfort zone. It's a bit ironic when you think about it. Worship...true worship does not leave us as we were. It is never about us. It is always about the unsurprising greatness of our Father and what HE wants to do in us and this world...or even simply about who HE is.

I believe the Lord DOES comfort us as we worship...but more than anything, I think He wants to prod us and convict our hearts. Frankly, when something is not to our liking or preference, sometimes we have to just get over it. Maybe it's in the discomfort that the Lord is trying to speak to you. Maybe that discomfort is the gentle hand of the Father leading us away from ourselves.

Ronnie Freeman rocked it leading Sunday morning. Lloyd taught, as he always does, with great wisdom and depth. But, the thing that meant the most to me was getting to worship with my family and with the Batsons who were there with us. Lloyd reminded us that we were made to be in relationship...even God is in relationship with Himself...the three in one. It is a beautiful thing to have friends who walk with you and who know you inside out. It just serves as a reminder that the relationship we are in with our Father is one of deep intimacy. There is nothing hidden from Him. He KNOWS us inside out...and loves us in spite of ourselves.

Blessed Be the Lord who would not give us up!
Blessed be the Lord for His unfailing love.
The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord!

New York Auditions

Trick or Treat 2009

Saturday seemed like a long day. The kids were ready about noon to trick-or-treat. We met at the Batson's early that evening ready to roll!

Batgirl, Ella the soda shop waitress and Sharkboy

The Batson and Thomas kids were a force to be reckoned with

Grant gave everyone the watch-for-crazy-drivers speech. Good thing he did. We encountered one. Hello, people??!! Who speeds through a neighborhood on Halloween??

Sam and Michael

Sheryl, Grant and Jill Batson and me

Today we finished our Discovery Classes at Fellowship. It has been a great series of classes and very encouraging spiritually. After church we had a ZOE meeting at our house. It was great to be together. What a great second family we have in all of them. 13 years is a long time to journey together. We've all grown up together in a way. What a blessing to have relationships like that. We will be travelling to Atlanta in a few weeks to sing. Hope to see some of you there!

Have a great week, blog family!

Last weekend we went to Trunk or Treat at Otter Creek. The kids had a blast. We took our good friends Grant and Jill Batson and their kids. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

In true Sheryl fashion, she transformed herself into Lucy...and totally looked the part! She also made each of the kids' costumes by hand. Way to go, Sheryl!

Ella was a malt shop waitress. Maddie was Batgirl. Sam was Shark Boy... and Sheryl was Lucy

The Thomas kids and the Batson kids.

Maddie as Batgirl

Sheryl and Amy Westerman

On Monday night we went to the TV taping of Amy Grant's "Holiday Postcards From Home" at the Grand Ol' Opry. It was so great! Take 6 was there as special guests. The Air Force Reserve band played as well as the Air Force Strings. It was a gorgeous full orchestra! I had gotten tickets through work and so we made a family night of it and had Kiki and Kevin, Mom and her friend Dorris Colvet, and our adopted daughter Dani and her friend Maria.

Bird's-eye view of the stage

Take 6 performs

Amy sings "Tender Tennessee Christmas"

This special will air on the Armed Forces channel on Christmas Eve. I'm guessing it will air elsewhere too. I'll keep you posted.

Sheryl has a couple of new pictures on her blog from an arrangement she did as a centerpiece for a formal Asian themed gala. Check them out at http://www.sherylthomasflorals.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend, blog friends!

Perfect Fall Day

This morning we slept in a little and ended up hitting the 11am service at Fellowship. It's so great to actually have a Sunday morning where you're not rushed and show up to worship with your wits about you. :)

Ronnie Freeman had lost his voice but the worship team carried on while he played keys. We sang several of my favorites including "No Sweeter Name" and "Desert Song". I am so glad we put those on the new ZOE CD. (speaking of...I'd love to hear from you guys...how do you like the new CD??)

After church we went to my mom's for lunch. The Langfords (some friends from Texas) were visiting and we had a nice time of catching up on life. The kids love going to my mom's. It's such a HUGE blessing. The role of grandparents cannot be emphasized enough!

This afternoon, Maddie, Ella, Sam and I played football in the back yard. It was a sunny, but crisp fall day. The leaves crunched under our feet. Our noses ran. It was perfect. We even built a little bonfire and roasted some marshmallows.

We ended our Sunday night as we often do...by watching Extreme Home Makeover. Our kids love that show. As they commented tonight during commercials, it struck me...this is also teaching them the way of Christ. The whole act of helping those in need is certainly not lost on them.

Last week marked 18 years since the death of my dad. Many of you knew him or have heard stories about him. He was something. My kids often say, "I can't wait to meet Poppy someday." I hope they can. He was a great man and a great influence on many. And...he did a lot of it through humor.

I'll close with an excerpt from my mom's blog. I had completely forgotten this story and it made me laugh out loud. This was my dad...

Eighteen years ago last night just before midnight, a large group of people, Brandon and I were sitting on the fifth floor of Hendrick Memorial Hospital listening to the last breath of my husband Sam. He had fought a valiant 8year fight with prostate cancer, and it had won.

Although the mood was somber, we couldn't help but tell some Sam Thomas stories. Sam was a notorious prankster. After he became a principal, there was the story about his interview with a prospective, newly graduated teacher. Seems she had slipped her shoes off during the interview, and he had somehow maneuvered to get them under his desk. When the interview was over, the woman realized she couldn't find her shoes. She was embarrassed to ask, so just started walking toward the door barefoot, until Sam confessed and rescued her. She got the job.

His favorite thing to do was to put plastic bugs or snakes in the mail boxes of unsuspecting teachers (it didn't take long for them to catch on). The teachers could always look for candy in their mailboxes on Monday and many times there would be a personal note of encouragement, as well.

He loved stealing lunches of his teaching buddies and putting paper in the sandwich and then returning the lunch to its proper place. If we had guests for dinner, a large ugly plastic fly would find its way to the bottom of the ice tea glass, or a plastic piece of cheese would be placed among the other pieces. I couldn't do much about his propensity for fun--I loved it.

Even after all these years, I miss his sense of fun and his warmth. Love you, Sam!

Yes, love you, Dad!

Saturday Life

ACU--ranked #1 in the nation fell today to West Texas. BOOOOOOOOOOO!!! What a great game though. It was so fun to follow @acuoptimist on Twitter!

On the other hand, the University of Texas showed their stuff today by beating OU. HOOK 'EM HORNS!

Sheryl and I watched "The Proposal" last night. Cute movie.

Lots on our mind this weekend. We're living in some very uncertain times. Sheryl's brother Shelby lost his son yesterday. Matt was 27. We don't have a lot of details yet, but we're all sad. Please pray for Shelby and his family.

Sometimes things just get put into perspective.

Mary Alice Duncan Photography

Many of you know Phillip Duncan who sings some with ZOE and is a good friend of mine. His wife (also a good friend) has an amazing photography business that you HAVE to check out. Run, don't walk, to this website http://www.maryaliceduncanphotography.com

*notice some of the first pictures are of ZOE's own Amanda McKinney Vickers! Awesome shots Amanda and Mary Alice!

Praise God for weekends!