The Pastries...Redeemed!

This weekend was a blast! Definately a much needed break before the holidays! Our church women's group packed up our bags and headed to the mountains of North Carolina! There were somewhere between 23 and 25 of us (I lost count, and they wouldn't all stand still for me to count!)

Saturday afternoon was our free time and of course, all but two of our ladies went SHOPPING!! (what else, right?) Well, there is the most yumma-delicious bakery in downtown Wayensville that we always stop at and they also serve lunch. Well, it just so happened that my group of thrift store shoppers, ran into for lunch, another group of our ladies who had been shopping the stores of downtown. One of these ladies, (Sandi, our Woman's Ministry leader), had purchased some pastries from the bakery for later and she was so excited about them!! (We took pictures...:))

As we left the bakery stuffed to the gills, we decided to walk it off and found ourselves at the Christian Book store, where we ran into the same ladies!! Coincidence? I don't think so, because the next 1/2 hour brought my group of ladies SOOOO much laughter and joy....:)

Sandi had laid her pastries down on a shelf before we got there and was continuing to shop the rest of the store. WE FOUND THEM...So, we decided to redeem them and take them to the house for her...but we didn't tell her! We just walked RIGHT out of the store with them...Giggling the whole way!!

We decided that we should hold them ransome and take pictures with her yummalicious pastries all the way downtown. We laughed so hard!! People were starring at us as we had our fun! That simple moment of silliness with my friends was priceless! It is a moment that we will all remember and a moment that bonded us for life. Some of us would never have done something like that, and yet for some of us, it is almost expected, but the point is, we bonded...I can still hear us laughing...yes, it is my friends that are now the voices in my head!! You should be so lucky!!! LOL

Our story ends with our last act of silliness, we wrapped Sandi's precious pastries up in Birthday paper and presented her with them at that night's meeting...I'm sure that she would have eventually remembered that she laid her precious pastries somewhere, and she would have eventually found them, BUT this was WAY more fun!!! LOL

Do something silly today...Laugh at yourself...(Don't worry, if your stomach hurts, it just means that it is working! And just think of all the calories you are burning excersizing your abs like that!! Sure does beat sit-ups!!) ~Janice~

Going Back To Work!

My mom sent this to me and I about fell off the sofa laughing so hard. I can so remember the days of typewriters....just watch and see what I mean! haha!



Smiles,

Tracee

What To Do When You’re Bored

Okay, so we all have to make continual stops on a weekly basis to Walmart or Target. Sometimes life can feel a bit monotonous as you constantly need a new pair of socks, shampoo, toothpaste, food, etc. So, here's a list of some hilarious things to do to spice up your shopping adventures. I've actually tried some of them. I promise you, you'll crack up laughing if you attempt any of these and if you do, please let us know. Share the laughter!! And, if you are wondering where the spiritual relevance in all of this is, check out Proverbs 17:22. It says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." The power of laughter is life changing!! Give it a try!!

1. Get some boxes of Dulcolax and place them in people's carts when they aren't looking.
   
2. Set all the alarm clocks in the 'housewares' section to go off in 5 minute intervals.
   
3. Walk up to an employee and tell him/her with an official tone, "Code 7 in Health and Beauty" and see what happens.
   
4. Go to the Layaway section and ask to put a bag of M&M's on lay-a-way.
   
5. Move the 'Caution – Wet Floor' sign to a carpeted area.
   
6. Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the bedding department.
   
7. When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and respond: "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"
   
8. Look right into the security camera, use it as a mirror and pick your nose.
   
9. Dart around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" song. (done that!)
   
10. Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say, "Pick me! Pick me!" (gotta try this one!)
    
11. When an announcement comes over the speaker, assume the fetal position and scream, "No! No! It's the voices again!"
    
12. Go into a fitting roomfitting room and shut the door and wait a while, then yell very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"
    

    
     

    Confession time: I'm still a Youth Pastor but back in the 90's, I would have all our girls over for a slumber party. One of the crazy things we'd do is dress up in outrageous outfits and head to Wal-Mart to pick up toilet paper to bless someone's house with. It was one of those trips that we were running around the store singing the "Mission Impossible" theme. I was dressed like a hunter with a paper sack over my head, another friend was wearing a bathing suit OVER her clothes, another girl was dressed like a Grandma, grey hair and all, another girl had a pair of my 2 year old sons Mickey Mouse underwear on her hair with pony tails coming through the leg parts, another girl was dressed in rain gear and carrying an umbrella that was open, and that's only to name a few of the hilarious outfits we put together. The responses from people's faces were absolutely hilarious to witness. The security camera's at the store were watching us like a hawk…you'd hear over the speaker system, "Camera one be in position…", pause, then, "Camera 7 position." Basically, wherever we went the camera people were 'watching' us. We meant no harm except deflating our images but it was worth the laughter and feeling of glee!! Debbie – if you are reading this, remember? J Oh how funny those days were. I have actually done this probably 5 times in the past 10 years and it's been quite an experience!!
    

    
     

    So, my challenge for today is this: Do something totally out of character and enjoy the laughter it gives you!! I promise you, it's like releasing a butterfly and will cause you to soar!!
    

    
     

    Love and laughter…nothing more beautiful…Tracee
    

  

A Funny Moment? What?

I admit that I have had quite the writer's block this week my friends!! Getting sick this week didn't help either! I was trying desperately to think of a funny story that I could tell you because Tracee is right...we were getting quite serious and intense there for a couple of entries and it is good to take a laughter break. I know I need it after this week!! (I don't know about you, but I am sure not in a laughter kind of place after being sick!)

Anyway, like I said, I was trying to resurface a funny story from my life, and I know they are in there, but my brain won't let me retrieve one!! HA! As I was reflecting on my life and all the joy in it, I realized that the most common joy moments that I have is with my husband, William. He tells me often that there is never a dull moment when I am around. I remind him, that is the very reason he married me. It didn't always used to be like that for me. I was married before - got married young and thought I knew best - thought I had found true love, but the Creator of Love was not the center of it, therefore, love, true love could not reside. There was a lot of sad moments, tearful moments in that marriage. However, I wouldn't trade those moments because they forced growth within me.

I am so thankful that God gave William to me. I was not looking, and in fact had made my peace within myself not to remarry. God had other plans and He was moving FAST! William and I were introduced by his pastor (that Sunday we were introduced was my first time visit to that church), in March of 2001...We married in that same church, by that same pastor in July of 2001. I haven't really stopped smiling since. Sure, we have had our moments, and I can count on one hand the number of actual fights that we have had, but the joy moments? I lost count...(I don't have that many fingers and toes!!)

Right now, this very moment, I may not be able to pin-point a specific story, but as I reflect, I know that there has been more laughter than tears because he allows me to be me. He sees things in me that I have yet to discover...the potential, the creativity, the ability, even the confidence. I know that I would not be where I am in life and accomplished the things that I have without William beside me encouraging me to step out, to stretch myself, to believe in myself.

Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father too? These characteristics that are revealed to me through my husband are God given, God inspired and God created. God reveals Himself to you through others. All you have to do is look around. What do you see? What do others see in you? Are you allowing the character of God be revealed through you?

Genesis 1:27 - "So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them."

A New Discovery!

Alright, so hopefully my sister doesn't read this blog because she would die with what I'm about to write but I've discovered a new love and it's called Maxwell House. Haha! I had it this weekend and couldn't resist it…..so I bought some today. J There must be something wrong with me because I'm seeing a coffee blog taking over the past few days…maybe it's because my schedule is so wild this month that the only way I'm surviving is because of coffee…even though I had NONE today! Haha!

My husband has Christmas music playing and I have to admit, it adds to the holiday feeling that is soon coming. Along with my purchase of coffee, I started buying the fun holiday foods that we get like a huge case of IBC root beers, Welch's Fizzy Grape drinks, fun crackers and European style cookies, cheese, fun salamis…all those goodies that make the holiday's even yummier!

Okay, so you can see the randomness of this blog – aren't you gaining so much spiritual wisdom out of it! Haha! I'm sure Janice is going to jump in any minute and take over. Haha! So, let me leave you with something spiritual – TRY SOMETHING NEW! Like Maxwell House. If you are a person that always does the same ole' same ole' – let me dare you to do something or try something you've never tried or done before. Living for God is such an amazingly exciting adventure that our lives shouldn't be or get boring. But live it up to the fullest – He's called us to an abundant and full life – even in the middle of all the economic chaos. How beautiful that our lives aren't based on the physical circumstances of this world! So, live it up, find a new discovery this very week, you never know. It might become your next favorite thing, food or coffee! J

Off to find more adventures and try more coffee!!

Tracee, the converted Maxwell House drinker…

Speechless

I have to admit I am having a problem. Lol!! I'm speechless! I know that is so hard for many of you to imagine but it's true. I've been going and going like the energizer rabbit for the past week and I haven't even had a moment to pause and smell the coffee, well I actually did today – multiple times as it was what kept me alive and running today – coffee!! Haha! I don't recall drinking so much coffee in one day as I did today. I was actually at Target tonight and felt a magnetic pull towards the Starbucks that's inside Target. It was quite hilarious. I've rarely ever felt a pull like that for coffee even though I love it – but, since I didn't feel like spending $5.00, I passed, sadly!! I was desperately wishing my sister, Jocelyn, was around because she would've gotten me one. I've NEVER seen her resist a Starbucks. I'm sure she owns stock in it! Haha!

So, here it is 9:30 at night and I'm finding my first break of the day! It was one of those days that started at 6:24a.m. and never ended. Ever had those days? But, I can say that it's been a beautiful day. What made the perfect topping on a delicious ice cream sundae was hanging with my kiddo's after school today. We went and did some shopping for a few hours and enjoyed some good ole' popcorn from Target and then back home to a wonderful supper my hubby and son made together while they stayed at home playing Risk. (BTW, my son beat his dad for the first time ever!!) I have to admit that ½ of our shopping was simply looking around as if we had all the time in the world. It's fun to watch your kid's sight shop – of course, every so many items you hear, "Mom, can we get this?" I could spend a month's salary in 2 days if I actually bought everything they asked for! Haha!

So, the day was crazy busy, so much so that I haven't even been able to think..haha! But, it was beautiful! I'm looking forward to another crazy Tuesday!! So far it's looking identical to today but I'm determined to make it like today – beautifully speechless! J

Tracee, speechless….

 

You know, I laughed when I read Tracee's post on the blog about not having a picture of herself at Fall Festival because I was thinking that I did. Then in the very next line, she made reference to me finding one...

Well, BABE! Here it is!! (Minus the Cheeta gloves, which are on the chair behind you!!)

We have so much fun together! I challenge each of you reading this blog to dig deeper with one or more of your friends. Be yourself. LAUGH!! Tracee and I have done just that and I cannot tell you the liberation that it brings to you! The joy! The freedom to be yourself! Friendships like these truely stand the test of time and each other!! HA!

Proverbs says in chapter 18 verse 24, "A man (or woman) who has friends must first be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Go have a Joy moment with your BFF!! :)

Trust in what you don’t see….

After today's historical election…we all voted one way or another. What matters most is that no matter what person sits in the seat at the White House, my heart is so reassured and at peace because overall, God is in complete control. One thing I have learned as you look in the Old Testament, you will see that God works in amazing and sometimes quite strange ways! Who knows what God is up to – so instead of fearing or feeling afraid of the future – remember, our hope is not in man but in Christ and expect amazing things to happen for this country and in your life. Expect is another word for faith – have faith in the God who gave you life that He knows exactly what is going on right now at this very moment and His PLANS will come into play for His return…everyday just takes us one step closer to seeing Him face to face.

So….Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your path. Proverbs 3. God is in control!

Tracee, Eyes on Jesus

Surprise, Surprise!!

Yesterday I took my gorgeous hubby to the airport as he was heading to Dallas to visit his grandmother who is in the hospital undergoing hip replacement surgery. We were about 3 minutes away from the airport when Janice calls and said, "Hey, have you dropped Mark off at the airport yet?" I said we hadn't and then she went on to tell me that Senator McCain had just arrived at our airport for a rally! We were shocked. We don't live in a huge metropolis area so we were thrilled to know that he picked our Tri-Cities area as one of his last stops to make before he ends his campaign. I felt the speed of the car increase a bit as we hurried to get there in hopes of being able to witness what a presidential rally feels like. Had Janice not called us, we would've figure something was up because I had NEVER seen that many cars at the airport. They were everywhere – parked on the road, every nearby business, the entire airport parking lot was full.

We quickly parked the car, grabbed his suitcase, check him in and then asked, "Where is the rally?" It was on the airport property but it still was a good walk away…we quickly started heading that direction, excited and anxious! After an 8 minute walk that felt more like 25 minutes, we finally made it to the plane hangar where the rally was being held. We made it through security when I heard the main officer say, "This group is the last group we are letting in." I looked around and realized that he was talking about us!! I praised God that we got in!! I can't tell you what I felt the moment I walked into that rally. Excitement flooded my soul and how incredibly neat this amazing, unexpected opportunity to see McCain in person! Wow! What were the chances of that ever happening! Mark only stayed a moment because he had a plane to catch…we quickly said our good-byes and I remained to hear the remaining 12 minutes of his speech. What happened next amazed me….as he was rallying up the group with applause and motivation, my spiritual man inside of me was rallying up. It was actually quite overwhelming. Never had I sensed such a spiritual warring in my spirit as I did yesterday over a presidential election. I realized, and had realized for a while but yesterday it was all put into perspective at how much this presidential battle has been a war in the spirit between principalities – a battle that we can't see with our physical eyes. I couldn't contain that spiritual warring in my spirit so as he was rallying us up, I went to prayer – no one knew..they thought I was all excited about the speech..and truly I was but I was releasing my prayers to the Lord as a warrior in my shouts. It was amazing!! I was overwhelmed to tears! What a moving moment it was. It affected me the rest of the day. I felt my heart so near to the heart of God. One thing, though, that the Lord has continually been speaking to me is this: No matter what the outcome of today's election –there's one thing we can know and trust – that GOD IS IN CONTROL – He is the overcomer in this world – He holds this world in His hands. So, no matter what happens and where this countries state ends up, God is always in control and in the end, HE GETS WHAT HE WANTS!! I love it!! So, keep fighting spiritually and never forget – we aren't fighting a battle against flesh and blood but against spirits and principalities. Put on the full armor of God and change you world!!

Tracee, forever impacted

Character

Okay, so my bad…I failed to do six days last week on this blog. It's called L-I-F-E and Fall Festival all combined into one. How lovely! Haha! If I would've thought, I would put a picture of moi here for you of my 'cougar' impersonation from last Friday nights fall festival but I forgot to take a picture. I'm starting to think that that was a good thing to forget to do after coming home and getting another look in the mirrior! Haha! But, if I don't hush about it, I'm sure Janice will find a picture of me somewhere and post it since she seems to be the 'picture' queen. Haha!

Okay, so I started thinking about the word character because our Fall Festival was just a few days ago and boy, did we have some characters there! Haha! If you really think about it, there are a lot of 'characters' out there disguising themselves as other people. Me included! Why do we find it so much fun to dress up as someone else? I love it! What I love even more is the reaction of people responding to how you look. But, when the night is over, it all comes off and the real you pops back into reality. This is the 'you' that you can't hide, the you that everyone see's….but let's go even deeper. What about the 'you' that you keep inside of you beyond what everyone else see's. The 'you' that you might be afraid to let come out or are afraid of what people might think or say about 'you'. This is the 'you' that God wants you to be - The real character, the real you.

I'll never forget this day as long as I live – but back about 10 years ago, okay, forgive me, I mean, back 20 years ago, okay! 21 years ago, I was heading home to my dorm…I was in 11^th grade and lived in Kandern, Germany (I actually lived in Marzell – a little town outside of Kandern). I went to Black Forest Academy my last 2 years of H.S. – it was a boarding school. And yes, I LOVED IT LIKE CRAZY!! I was heading up the driveway to my dorm when one of the 'cool' senior guys was heading down the driveway heading back to his dorm across the street. Well, if you know me at all, you'll see that I've never been afraid to be me in all my craziness, so this particular day I was extremely chipper and who knows what on earth I was doing, or acting like but for some reason this 'cool' senior felt compelled to say to me as he walked by me, these exact words, "Tracee! You're weird!" I looked at him with pure delight, accepting the compliment and said, "Thank you!", and walked away. It never bothered me for a split second. Even though I know he meant it negatively, I took it in positively because I like me! It's okay that he didn't like me. If I let that one sentence affect me, imagine what kind of power it would've had over the rest of my life over that one statement!! Enough power to stop me from being who God created me to be?Absolutely not! I love the 'character' I am – no, I don't like the muffin tops I have hanging over my jeans or the thighs that argue with each other on a daily basis saying, "You get out of the way, no you get out of the way!", but yet, I still love me – all of me, the way I am, look, inside and out. If God wanted me to be someone else I would be but I'm not – so remove the 'characters' you try to be everyday and put on the real you – from the inside out and fall in love with YOU!! That's the YOU God created you to be, YOU are the CHARACTER He created and you NEVER have to be ashamed of YOU!!

In Genesis Chapter 1:26-28 it says that God made us in HIS image. Accept who you are, embrace it, set yourself free to discover the beauty of who you are, who He created you to be and begin to fly! You are safe in His wings…..safe enough to be the character called: YOU!

Tracee, the weird one