New Appointment...New Vision...Same Awesome God

Since my last post...I am sure my few readers have abandoned me for bigger and brighter pursuits, we have seen much change since February 2013.  March and April were busy with school activities, Divisional Music practices, and reorganizing.  It seems that the looming late April date of marching orders calls always puts me in a mood to organize and purge "just in case" we get a call.  This year, we received the call.  We were moving from Music City (Nashville, TN) to a small town named Ashland, KY.  May and June were filled with packing, more organizing and purging, divisional weekend camps, and many hard goodbyes. 

We have done quite a bit of goodbye - ing in our 11 years of ministry, but Nashville Citadel, being our longest appointment (4 years), was a hard appointment to leave.  Our children were hit hard and many prayers were said along the way as we struggled to deal with heartache and nervousness.

June and July were spent unloading, unpacking, and wrapping our hands around a new town and corps.  We were very thankful for the week we were given to explore and allow our children to acclimate to their new surroundings.  We are learning a lot already and are excited to see what God has in store in Ashland.  

School starts tomorrow and Thing 1 and Thing 2 are looking forward to meeting new friends.  This will be the true beginning of their adventure here as they begin to make connections that will last a life time.  How do I know that is so?  Because we have friends from 5 other appointments in our ministry and they are still strong today.  We may have a new house and a new town, but God has stayed with us and given us people to love and love us along the way!

Here is to another appointment filled with love, laughter, and service together in His Name!

When Sickness Prevails...

I have been struggling to keep up with writing, but hoping that some new found motivation will keep me on a more consistent path.  The last few months have been filled with meetings, kettles, Christmas, a trip to South Carolina, and more recently...sickness.  First Thing 2, then a week later Thing 1, a week after that it was my turn.  Being sick or taking care of sick kids can wreak havoc on a ministry that depends on you for guidance and implementation.  Thankfully, in our current appointment, I have some fabulous leaders that can step in, in a pinch.  Of course, it doesn't stop my husband from hyperventilating at the thought of running things by himself in my absence. 

The past few weeks were a good reminder that developing leaders for all of our programs is essential.  There are many appointments, where this may seem like a huge feat.  In fact, it might be impossible.  So what happens when the kids are sick, and your spouse is left to fend for himself during youth activities?  I asked my friends in the Sallie*Mom Facebook group and they come up with some fabulous suggestions.

Create a "Sick Bay" for your sick kid to hang out in, perhaps in your office or other room in the building.  If your children are too young to stay in a separate room on their own, this may not work, unless you can find a responsible teenager or adult to watch them.  This would be perfect if you are short staffed and the sick one is responsible enough to stay in the room.  When Thing 1 got sick last week, my husband was in charge of the guitar class.  I had no alternate teacher.  Thing 1 was able to stay in my office and watch a TV show through the internet until the guitar class was finished.  I was able to take over activities from there, and they were able to go home for the rest of the night.

Find a Sitter.  This may not always be possible, but would be beneficial if the child is too sick to even venture out doors. 

Stay Home.  Sometimes you just have to stay home with the kids.  It may require some creative solutions on your part to get your activities done.  Last week, we were short staffed, so we made a decision to have movie night for youth activities.  It kept the youth entertained and contained! 

The important thing is to do what works for you and your family!  In what ways have you had to creatively provide for your sick kids?  What things do you do, when you find yourself short-staffed for activities at the corps?

~C

Simply Living Update

A few months ago I posted about a more simple lifestyle.  I posed a question, could a Salvation Army Officer live a simple life?  Honestly, I'm still ironing out the details, but I do think it could and actually should happen.   Since posting I have done well in some of the areas, and not so well in others, but we are all works in progress right?  One thing I have noticed however is that the more I read about a simple/minimilist lifestyle, the more I want it.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is where I am headed.  I believe whole heartedly as well that it will not just be in my personal and family life, but in my ministry as well.

So here is my Simply Living Bucket List and an update on how I am doing.

Healthy Living
Natural/Whole Foods/Unprocessed                Hoping to do better with this
Excercise                                                         Walking and Jogging
House Beautiful
Continue going through house                         In progress
Weekly cleanings                                             In progress

Green Living
Recycling                                                         Need to do better
Composting

Gift Giving
Handmade or buying local                              Have already made some things, including pepper jelly

Spiritual Living
Studying the Bible More (we just recently finished reading the Bible in a year together, and hope to incorporate another reading plan this year.)      Continuing reading and studying
Continue Devotions at the Dinner Table            Doing these but not consistently

No Distractions
Less TV/Computer time                                  Recently, I cutout facebook, I am back on but limited                     
                                                                         amounts

Renewing our Mind
Reading both for education and pleasure        Have read several books lately

Replenishing Family Relationships
Family Nights (fishing, movie nights, etc.)    Did a lot through the summer, hoping to do more during 
                                                                        fall

Ministry
Authentic Missional Ministry                         More on this soon
Equipping our congregation move toward God and service to others.   We want to be more intentiona
Using Our resources wisely.                           Working on this
Decluttering storage rooms.                             Never ending!  

Blessings,

Salliemom

The Crazy Comes Out in My Kids When Daddy Is Away

Does that seem to always happen to you? We have chosen not to put our children in childcare during the summer. Partly because we are gone for a lot of it, but mostly because it is so expensive! But when one parent is away, it can really make you rethink the no summer care decision! So what usually happens when one parent is away you ask. My kids go crazy. ( I have learned this happens more when daddy is away. When I am away they are perfect little angels...what is that about?) So how do I fix the situation? Thursday was a prime example, of crazy kid behavior. Daddy was heading out of town, so we waited to see him off. I had a few things to finish at the office, but not without moaning and groaning to leave. So I packed up my things, and made an office at McDonald's. Free Wi-fi is my friend! The kids could play while I checked emails, and finished reports. Plus unlimited refills :). While its not optimal, it did allow me to get a few things done. In hindsite, I should have taken a picture, I was in uniform to boot. I was probably the subject of many stares, but I was too busy drinking my coke and eating the new smore's pie (yes, it is really good!) Friday was a tad trickier. Programs had to be printed, and that has to be done in the office. I had to break our "no video game on the week day" rule, so I could get a few things done. I managed to stay until 11 am before I couldn't stand one more drawer being opened. We packed up and managed to squeeze errands to the post office and grocery store in. Thankfully neighborhood friends saved the day. I was able to work a little bit on my sermon and mow the grass! (It was becoming the jungle of the neighborhood...again) Saturday a trip to camp was just the break we needed. Camp staff was coming home, so we left early to let the kids enjoy camp before packing the staff up and bringing them home. Although very whiney, we managed to make it home in the mini-van with five of us, and a summer's worth of luggage for two teenagers. Even a bike! (Why am I not taking pictures of all of this hilarity?) We will see what next week holds. I will be sure to use my camera! It should be a funny sight.

By Golly...I've found it...

For the last year, I have been craving a simpler lifestyle.  One with less clutter, less mess, and less distraction.  I didn't have a name for it, but I knew what I wanted.  Then I came across the word minimilist.  When I looked it up, it encompassed everything I have been striving for!  With less stuff comes more time for Faith, Family, and Friends.  (not to mention, more space!)  The things that are most important in my life. 

Most recently, in my quest for less distraction, I decided to leave facebook.  I was spending way too much time on there.  Although it has been an awesome way to connect with friends and corps members, I just knew I needed a break.  I have felt God calling me to a life free of clutter.  Facebook was one of those things clogging up my life.  I want more time with my family, and more importantly with God.  Perhaps one day I will return, but for right now, I have peace knowing that this is what I am supposed to do.  Who knows, maybe I will have more time to write about the things I love on here.

Like Mother, Like Daughter...(and I like my hair too!)

I love this picture of J and I taken around Mother's Day 2012

Summer

P and J posing for their mom after school ended! 

It is hard to believe that the kids start back to school in just four weeks!  (My husband is shouting the hallelujahs!)  For me the summer has flown by.  The kids went to their grandparents for three weeks and now we are headed to camps for the next two.  Although my summer has gone differently than I thought it would, I wouldn't change it for the world.  Their faces here say it all!  They are happy and that is all that matters!