Sydney

Sydney
Originally uploaded by thepatten5@sbcglobal.net.

This girl loves to climb up on my table and play with the candles!

What in the World!!

I just watched a newscast about the man in Pennsylvania that bound and executed 6 kids at an Amish school. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out cnn.com and you'll see it. I am just floored as many all over the world probably are as well at the actions of this man. This guy was a father, husband, and only 32 years old. That's how old I am, so his kids are little. He wasn't Amish either. It seems like some random killing. He did leave notes at home for all of his family and called his wife right before he started shooting to tell her he wasn't coming home.

Ok...so I'm processing this. How? Why? The world is broken people. WE, as a people, must be the arms, eyes, ears, hands, feet, heart, and mouth of Jesus. Not that we can fix it. I don't want that job. I like playing dumb sometimes. It's easier that way. But I'm not called to play dumb or to turn a blind eye. I am called to be salt and light in a very dark twisted broken world. If you're like me though, there are the days that I don't want to be salt and light. I just want to be that one spice that gets pushed to the back of the cabinet and only used like once a year, it's a good spice, but not one used everyday, like paprika! Yeah, paprika. Why is it that some of us (I'm assuming that there others who share my feelings) shy away from brokenness? I mean, we are all broken, but some are shattered into pieces, like that guy that shot those kids and himself. Some of us are just chipped. Nonetheless, brokenness. Which is why we cry out to Jesus. But why, as a body, do we run from others brokenness? I wonder if that young man felt isolated and like he had no one that was "with him" heart and soul. We bail on people, don't we? I have. I hate to admit it, but I have. And I've been bailed on. Not a fun feeling. I bet Jesus felt that way, like no one was with him "heart and soul". I am so thankful for Jesus and his example of not bailing on others when the "water started boiling." And really, we know going into this thing called christianity, that it isn't going to be an easy ride. Like those Staples commercials, with the big read "EASY" button. Boy how I wish I had one for real though. But we all knew that being children of the King meant that we would, at times, invite danger. There I said it. Danger. Or did we know it? I don't think I really got that at 18 years of age. At this point in my life, I just feel so strongly, that Jesus called us to live life on the "edge" with him. Can it be dangerous? Yes. When we dive into others brokenness, in an effort to help them, is there some risk? Absolutely.

It's a good thing Jesus didn't (and doesn't) bail on us when we were chipped, shattered, bruised, beaten and just stinky.

What is God teaching you right now about brokenness and helping to "mend"? Let's pay attention! And act when you are compelled to, whatever it may be.

By the way, if you don't have an account and you sign in as "anonymous", don't forget to sign your name at the end of your post. I want to know who you are.

Thanks

The Enemy...not too quiet

I am reminded alot that the enemy, who so badly wants to see us fail, doesn't ever stop. Why is this? I mean, I know why, I think, but why does he care? I'm thankful that Jesus has already won the war. When it comes to the battles, however, who is winning in your life? I know for me, it's a constant struggle to take myself off of the throne. I am reminded also that we, as a body, have a responsibility to do "battle" together. Are you praying for those you say you'll pray for? When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really stay around long enough to find out, or do you look over or around that person to move on to who you really want to talk to? When you see someone hurting, how does it affect you? Jesus was so good about showing us how to respond to the unlikeables and unloveables....moved with compassion, literally, a stirring in his gut. There are many around us that we may not "see", but they are hurting. Satan works hard to see them/us fail. If you're reading this, and you're having a good day, look for someone that may be on the brink of failure, and pray for them. I mean, really pray for them, on your knees. If you're reading this, and you're not having a good day, please email me, I promise I will pray for you. And remember, God is not far away.

Blessings....
thepatten5@sbcglobal.net

Catching up...

It's been a while since I've been able to post and I've had some trouble with posting pictures, because let's face it, pictures of my kids are the most important things on this blog, right? Feel free to agree!!

We have been very busy and I'm thankful for that, at times. If you know me, you know that I always say, I have no complaints. I could complain, believe me, but I won't and when I do, I catch myself usually because I know that there are others in this world who have it so much harder than me and my "bubble like" existence here in Searcy. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to be here, but sometimes it's almost too good to be true. Anybody feeling me? Give me a shout out and give me your thoughts on this.

Blessings to all!

My girls..

Thought I'd post some recent pics of the girls. Sienna loves to wear her Bison Cheerleading outfit (we train 'em early here) and Sydney is just cute. I'm figuring this blog thing out.

Todd and I are so blessed and grateful for our kids. More later...

Sienna's glasses

Here is a picture from the first day she had them. We think she looks really cute in them.