Thankful for clean trays & first week reflection!

After finishing my first week as an employee of Chick-fil-A, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the trays that food comes on when I go to fast food places. I never knew that someone stood in the back sanitizing trays for hours on end. I have two bruises on my left arm that I got as a result of rotating the trays, spraying, scrubbing, wiping...and so on. The Lord has much to teach me and I love that He takes time to instruct me experientially.

I walked away with a greater appreciation and love for people. By golly, I thought that I loved people a lot, but the Lord sure did some increasing of it in me this week. The people I have the privilege of working with are truly treasures.

I am working during the busy busy time of the lunch hours and can't talk deep with anyone, so I pray for them and I wipe...I pray for myself as I learn how to push buttons on a computer register and..boy do I feel nervous. I know this wouldn't be efficient to do, but if only I could write every one's order on paper, I would feel ecstatic.

Those of you who know anything about me know how I long to know the hearts of people and to love them with the love of Jesus and for them to know and believe the love of Jesus as well...I long for this with everything in me.

Can I just tell you how impressed I am with the philosophy of this company? The chicken they sell is just the vessel to go deeper in relationship with people! Wow!

I have had quite the variety of responses from people when I tell them I am working at Chick-fil-A. Some have said, "I can totally see you doing that...serving people and such." Others have been quite surprised because they feel as though I have been alive awhile and would be better fitted doing something a little more "prestigious". Whatever the responses, I am confident the Lord has directed me to this place at this time to love others with His love by serving them and know the the LORD with greater intimacy.

Glorify Yourself, Lord, as I serve chicken sandwiches, wash tables, smile at guests and team members, pray for those who come in and out between 11-2 o'clock on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Newest Chick-fil-A Employee

I am so excited, I just had to tell you all that I get to work at Chick-fil-A, 3 hours a day, 3 days a week. The Lord has given me such a desire to be there...it seems strange, even to me, but I am ecstatic to be able to love on the guests as well as my fellow team members.

Kylen's 14th Birthday and other September Tidbits

Look at that smile! This is who Kylen is! He brightens my day with that smile. 14 years old and growing into his manhood. Ky has a zest for life and loves to play. If he has his choice, everything he does would have "fun" in it. He has a sensitivity for others and comes up to me at times and says, "Mom, do you need a hug, are you sad?" Can you believe the Lord gives us such precious gifts?! We had Taco Tuesday yesterday and our friend, Erin, baked him a Funfetti cake (see...everything is fun with Kylen). We will have his birthday party on Friday and go disc golfing at Woodward Park. Kylen, you are a treasure and a it is an honor to be your mom.
Kylen's first ever cross country race...a little less than two miles. He placed 11th in the district. We cheered him to the finish line. He did an amazing job.
This was at the wedding of my best friend, Eugenie's daughter, Emily. It had a western flair and was an absolute blast. Emily is not pictured here, because I didn't have the camera most of the time (the kids did), so I only have a picture of Emily and Cody's backs.

We are pleased to announce...the newest addition of our family--Melody Sleezer. We have the privilege of sharing in life together for the next nine months to a year. We met Melody at Hume a couple of years ago, and as I write this she is taking the kids to youth group and is bowling with them. How special that is for me as a mom to have others invest in our kids lives!

Oh, another new thing to share with you all, we are beside ourselves that my Grandpa has moved to Fresno. He is living at an assisted living facility and I get to visit him a couple, few times a week. This has been a treat, because we haven't had too much time together in the last ten years.

The Lord continues to bless our socks off. Thank you, Lord for today, and for September of 2008! We worship You, for you are the One who is in control of everything every second of the day.

3rd Day's the Charm

This was Day 3 of school. We have amazing kids that would even allow me to take their picture in Jr. High and High School. Gone are the days of pony tails and cute dresses and polo shirts, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love being a mom of adolescent kids. I treasure my time with them. Ashlyn didn't have to leave at 6:15am on Wednesday, which was perfect to snap this shot.
Would ya believe it...I even jotted them a quick note and made Ky and Ju whole wheat turkey wraps and Ash a pb & j.

The first week of school is drawing to a close. Tomorrow we head up to Hume to enjoy the Country Fair and see our beloved friends.

2nd Day of School

It is tradition to take pictures of the kids on the first day of school, but this year it didn't happen. I was gone for the weekend with my friend Christina and we got home on Sunday evening and school began on Monday, so I definitely wasn't on top of the ball...the ball was pretty much on top of me, bouncing on my head.

I didn't even get a note in their lunches to let them know I love them and I would be praying for them...hmmm. My mom was so consistent with this and it blessed me, maybe it blesses me more now than it did when I was in high school. How thankful I am for the Lord's grace...because I surely didn't live up to my expectations for myself. :) I chuckle as I write this because you are reading my stream of conscience and my mind jumps from place to place rather quickly.

So, the title of this post is "2nd Day of School"...and no pictures or notes today either. I did get up early enough to make lunches, spend time with Jesus, and give the kids breakfast...all with a joyful heart, too.

If all goes as planned...then day 3 of school, I will get notes in their lunches, take a picture of them before they go to school...Ashlyn leaves at 6:15 because she has 0 period Spanish II...on second thought...maybe an afterschool picture will have to do this year, when Kylen gets home from cross country track practice and is all hot and sweaty. This would be a picture that is more the reality of our lives. You might want to sit at the edge of your seats...