Not me! Monday

YEAH! It’s that time again…you guessed it…Not me! Monday! Can I get a WOOT WOOT?? Jump over to MckMama’s website to check out pictures of her miracle baby and catch up on her story as well as get the rules (and consider joining the fun), and check out a couple hundred other ladies’ lists of denial (which I am told is NOT a river in Egypt). C’mon, its great fun and so freeing…and it gets those brain cells working, trying to follow the single, double and triple negatives! See if you can figure out what I have not been up to!

I am not procrastinating unpacking for myself, Paul and all of the kids to do this post...not me! I LOVE to unpack and put everything away...plus I have so much energy from all the rest I received this weekend!

I did NOT have the most wonderful weekend with my husband and most of our friends from home in Iowa when we returned there for the marriage conference we led.

We were NOT blown away at having 25 couples attend the conference and did NOT definitely feel the Holy Spirit working and moving so clearly in the people there. We were NOT completely blessed to be allowed to be a part of it, to be used by God, to share ourselves and our struggles openly to help others.

I did NOT realize after I gave my presentation that my skirt had been on sideways the entire morning. I did NOT stand up (behind a clear acrylic podium) in front of 25 couples in a sideways skirt trying to convey a serious message…I am sure no one was distracted!

I did NOT also have my socks blessed off by many of my friends who pitched in to get me some of my discontinued scent from Bath and Body Works. They did not find enough of my FAVORITE scented shower gel to last me for the next SIX YEARS!!!!!

I did NOT get to spend an evening with almost 30 of my friends sharing food and fun, games and drinking up their familiar faces, voices, and stories, hoping to have enough to get me through the next month until I get to go back! I did NOT completely enjoy this sweet time and appreciate each lady who took the time to come hang out with me on a cold Friday night. YOU GUYS ROCK…um…I mean you don’t rock!
No one accidentally dressed like triplets at the gathering, then sat right next to each other to accentuate the obvious!

Paul and I were NOT so excited to see friends and family at a dinner to update our supporters about our ministry with Agape Flights. I did NOT completely take advantage of this time to show off my kids on the big screens by playing movies I made of what we did this summer.

We did NOT love that the Williams family made us feel right at home in their place without a worry for a meal or a place to sleep. I did not abandon my husband one night to sleep at my moms! I did NOT happen into the hallway as someone (who is not my husband) came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. We did NOT finally figure out where everyone should sleep so that the dogs would not bark all night on our final night there! We did NOT find these barky dogs and puppies completely adorable and agree that if we ever own a dog again, it would be one of theirs! If you are NOT looking for a small, nonshedding, hypoallergenic, affectionate, good with kids, lap dog, you should NOT check out her website at http://www.adorablehavanese.com/. Thanks Williams family! We do NOT love you guys!

The Williams' youngest daughter Bekah (in blue above) did NOT decide to forgo birthday presents and instead use her birthday to gather donations for our support at Agape Flights. She did NOT just turn 10 and bring us to tears with her generosity and love. She did NOT have all the kids at her birthday party make us encouraging cards and present them to us as well!

The Williams did NOT continue to bless us by hosting dinner Sunday for my sister and mom and Tim and Dawn Stultz and family who we weren't able to connect with until that day! We did NOT really enjoy that special time of fellowship!

I did NOT get 5 ½ inches cut off my hair when I got back home. Riley did not cry last time I drastically changed my hair. I am sure he will love it! Here is the new me with Brandy who has cut my hair for the past 8 years or so:

Okay, so besides the skirt and towel incidents, it was a pretty slow week for not me moments, I admit it. I just can't think of any more because of all the blessings showered on us upon our return home. My mind is still reeling at the generosity of our church body and families. There were many more gifts and kindnesses shown to us this weekend, I could go on and on. Please know that you make a difference in our lives, you make it possible for us to serve the Lord here with Agape Flights, and for that we can never say thank you enough. We covet your prayers, phone calls and notes of encouragement, especially your comments here on my blog! I love sharing our lives with you and hearing what is going on at home. It seems I am missing out less!

{Abandoning the "not me" style for a second.}I had to post this picture (even though its terribly out of focus) because this scene just brought so much warmth to my heart. We were usually one of the last people to leave church for some reason or another, and we would always see kids running around, playing together and enjoying being in God's house. It was so good to experience that again!