Darn comfort zone

It's amazing really. I want nothing more in life but to travel to different high schools, colleges, churches and tell my story. Stand in front of a bunch of strangers and basically bare my soul. Sure, I'd be nervous. Who wouldn't be? But knowing that it would help just 1 person would make it totally worth while for me.

Yet, I've signed up to be part of a mom's group... right now we're reading & discussing 'Boundaries with Kids'. What's the big deal about sitting around chatting with fellow moms about this book? EVERYTHING. Every week I have to talk myself INTO going. The thought of being in a room with a group of women that I just don't know scares the bejeesus out of me. Seriously to the point of almost having an anxiety attack the one week.


These are fellow moms. Moms who are there for the same purpose I am - learn more about how to get a handle on this Mom thing.

Tonight..... yeah. I got there late. I was about 2 minutes from NOT going. I mean, my son had a baseball game. What kind of mother would miss her son's baseball game (as if there aren't 8 others to go)? Heck, I couldn't even remember the name of the street I needed to get to. Wasn't even sure if I remembered the directions and, of course, our computer wasn't working so I couldn't MapQuest for directions.

As I drove, I prayed. God, please help me to calm down. Help me to open up to this group and allow myself to enjoy this experience. Help me to be open to making new friends. No one can replace Kristin (my best friend who moved), but I can allow other people into my life. Help me to stick with this. An immediate sense of peace washed over me. As I drove, I remembered where I was & found the house without ANY problems.

Sure I was a few minutes late, but I am SO glad I went. I enjoyed the 2 chapters we were discussing and could really use some insight into how to apply them to my life. One of the hard parts for me right now is that I am one of the only moms in my group with children over the age of 5. I'm struggling with the 'tween' years while all of the other moms are dealing with younger ones.

They were all so kind and allowed me to share, assuring me that they needed to hear what I was saying because one day they too will be where I am.

This is going to be a slow process, but I am going to stick this out. This will be good for me, emotionally & spiritually. I need this.... not a b*tch session about my kids or hubby, but a REAL opportunity to talk to other moms about raising children.

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. On the surface, I may look calm & collected but underneath I am like a duck in a pond - paddling like mad.

Many blessings,
Allison

I'm movin on up.....

....to the East Side. No, not really. No deluxe apartment in the sky either.

Since the beginning of the school year, I have volunteered at church at UpStreet, which is the K-5th children ministry as a small group leader for 5th grade girls.

It has been an interesting year so far and I know there's still SO much more to come in the next few months. But God has been tugging on my heartstrings. He wants me to move up to middle school. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?

I think I signed up to be a small group leader kicking & screaming. Not ACTUALLY kicking & screaming. More like feeling inadequate. Was I really equipped to lead these girls? Is this my gift? I always saw myself as a 'behind-the-scenes' kind of girl.

God has been faithful. I have been blessed with a wonderful co-leader, Tricia, and a group of girls that just captured my heart. It's like having extra children - not having to worry about feeding & clothing them though.

Lately, I've been feeling a stirring in my heart. Do I want to stay in UpStreet or move up to the middle school environment, Xtreme? God's response: MOVE ON UP!

I don't know what lies ahead as I move up, but I'm SO excited to see what God has in store for me & Tricia!! He's got something great up His sleeves... we just need to be willing.

For now, I'm concentrating on Saturday - KIDVENTURE! What's KidVenture you ask? Oh man... it's going to be a super fun day!! Picture 750 kids, age 5-11 with a TON of adults bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, video games, pizza & soda!!! Did I mention it's for 3 hours!?!?!? It's going to be CRAZY and I can't wait!

Many blessings,
Allison

A little something for the boys

Lately, it seems like I've only been focusing on my daughter's life. Not true, not true. Granted, her life has seen a few more 'issues' lately, but Justin is just as important.

One thing I am noticing is that there really aren't too many ministries geared toward pre-teen boys. I contemplate finding a way to start one, but wouldn't know where to begin. Besides, I haven't done much with my Mending Hearts Ministry lately. I shouldn't be starting another one.

Back to the topic at hand..

A few weeks ago, the family took a trip to our local Christian bookstore to find a family devotional - BTW, not an easy task but we finally found one! While we were there, the kids looked around too. Both found books/series that they were interested in. Between the 50% sale AND a coupon, we decided to get them a little treat too!

Justin found a book series by The Miller Brothers called Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow. It's spiritual warfare Harry Potter style. Reading it has been slow going for Justin, mainly because school is back in session, but now that he learned a 2nd book in the series is being released on 9.9.09, he plans on finishing the 1st book and begging for the 2nd! Of course, I've decided that I want to see what he's reading and I LOVE it! We're fighting over the book - Hahahaha!

I see a great Christmas gift in Justin's future - autographed copy of the 2nd book - and maybe even a t-shirt or 2.

Granted, this isn't a ministry, it is geared for Justin's age group. I can only pray that over time I will learn of a ministry, but for now I am thankful that there are Christian books that hold his interest.

Many blessings,
Allison