Scary Dreams

I have the most bizarre dreams. It is probably a good thing that I don't remember a lot of them. Through the years I have had many spiritual dreams. The best ones about Jesus' 2nd coming.

I know not to read too much into them... but do wonder if there is anything to them. Last night I had a disturbing dream.... that reminded me of a talk on Midday Connection that I was supposed to listen to.

As an aside, in last night's dream, my big toes were in the mouths of serpents. Their mouths were tight around them.... it was very unconfortable, they were holding my toes with their fangs, but they were not allowed to pierce the skin or release their venim. I was trying to shake them off.... but was told "No, it is not yet time, they must remain on you until I remove them".

A month or so ago, I was telling Keri about a recurring "dream" that I had in my college years. I would have them when I went to visit my maternal grandmother in Fairfield Glade, and in the Lockmiller Apts. where I lived on the UTC campus. (I'm sure that my roommates remember).

I would be asleep in bed. Then I would feel this presence hovering above me. I would feel hot breath. I would be unable to move or speak. I would be totally aware of where I was. Who else was around. I would try to yell out "Jesus!". In my mind, I would say "get away from me in the name of Jesus!" I know that only the Lord knows what is going on in my mind and no one else would have heard me, but then it would disappear and I'd sit up and scream.

I have thought that it was probably more than a dream. Keri looked a bit shocked and told me that she had heard the same description of oppression on Midday Connection. Today I listened to it. It was not a dream. That could really scare me. The speaker was named Chip Ingram and reminded the listeners that we are in spritual warfare... but the battle has already been won! ... "Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world."

.... and to think of the power in His Name. Just by saying the name "Jesus" in my head.... He rescued me. As for the dream last night, I'm not sure... I tend to believe that my mind was processing scriptures that I had read, doctrines learned last night in Theology class and mixing it with television. Maybe not. And those 2nd coming dreams? I'm not sure that they were acurate either... but they did serve a purpose by encouraging me.

Why are we letting our lives spin out of control?

At least that's how I feel right now. Spring has sprung in the sports-loving families. Until now, we have been able to limit our extra-curricular activities this school year. The children are involved in Pioneer Clubs and Childrens' Choirs at church, and Hannah, Jack, Adam (and Colin) have all been on the same Basketball Team.

Tomorrow is the last basketball game of the season (and our school carnival - and I am a class rep in charge of one of the booths), and both boys have baseball practice. On different teams of course. Hannah is begging to play soccer and has wanted to again for a long time. Hannah was also given Piano lessons for Christmas from her grandparents, and is sooooo excited to be starting this Thursday.

Please pray for us as we spend everyday for the next couple of months at practices and games, many times, multiple obligations a day (Jack will spend 4-5 days a week with his team... don't know what to expect for the other 2).

February Photos

Hannah's Valentines Party

This petite friend of Hannah loves to call Joseph "Shrimp"

Valentine's Day is a special day, so Jack wanted to wear a tie :)

Jack's class

V-day savings

Remember, I am a cheapskate! But I suggest that all of us families with growing children begin to celebrate Valentine's Day on February 15. Everything is 1/2 off and the flowers are still fresh!

I'm a woman and I'm Insecure

On Thursday I was talking to a friend about how hard it is to see our daughters experience the same insecurities that we did/do. Do we make them more secure by being there for them all the time, choosing to stay home, spending lots of time together? Or would they be more confident if they were exposed to more social settings.... daycare? Could we give them the confidence that we lack?.... or are they doomed to be insecure because they pick that up in us?

I've been thinking these things over.

In the meantime, I've been around both highschool and college friends.


On Friday, Stacy and I went to see Christina at her mother's visitation.

One of my best friends from highschool lost her mother last week. When we were in college, Stacy O and I went with Christina to Atlanta to visit her mother at Emory after her liver transplant. It seemed as though she might not make it. But she got better and better. She turned her life around. Now 14 years later, her body rejected the liver. (she was saved several years ago)

Afterward, Stacy and I went to our sorority reunion. We did enjoy seeing old friends.... but oh, the insecurities. Being around gorgeous, smart, successful, wealthy people. Am I the only one who feels like the underdog whenever entering a room? Does anybody else wonder if people are just talking to you to be polite?

But I think that the Spirit spoke into my heart today. I don't want to teach my daughter to muster up a confident front, or worse- to become prideful. I want to teach her that her worth does not come from what other people think about her... or her distorted perception of what other people are thinking. ... but the God who created her redeemed her and paid a great price to have a relationship with her forever and with me forever... and with all those out there who will believe in Him. He sent His Son into this world to live a sinless life, and die on the cross to pay for our sins.... so that he could have a relationship with us!!!! When the God of the universe thinks we are special enough to want to have a relationship with us....

Rather than teach her to be confident... I want to teach her Who to put her confidence in!... and I want to learn it for myself.

Super Bowl Reunions

Every year for the Super Bowl, we get together with college friends. The girls talk and watch commercials. The guys watch the game and play ping pong. Each year our number dwindles. We were now down to our family and the Dale family. Our plan was to meet at our house, since their's is on the market. Well, their moving plans progressed and they are now moving this week and had to back out. I was sad to see a tradition die.

Then, we ran into the Hustons on Saturday. Charla and I used to have a jewelry business and talk multiple times a day. Our family lives took over about 5 years ago and our partnership ended. We stayed friends, but have talked less and less. We invited them over for the Super Bowl. It was fun to get together again. We enjoyed Jon and Charla's company and Hannah had a blast reconnecting with Maddie. Jack and Joseph enjoyed entertaining Eli.

We had a different reunion than we had planned, but are thankful for it.

Let it Snow!

Waking up is hard to do, at least it was yesterday morning... when we had to leave the house early. This morning the kids were ready to go at 7:15. Clothes, socks, shoes, coats, hats, gloves. I told them that they had to wait until it was light outside.... hoping that'd buy me a few more minutes in the bed. Then the first knock came at 7:45am. The door opened and they escaped. I threw on a sweatshirt and followed them out. They have not had much experience with snow. I wish that I could have bottled their laughter.