Happenings.....

So, the heat index for today is supposed to hit 115! They say the regular temp. may possibly hit 106, and if that's the case, it will be the hottest it has EVER been here! Oh, how blessed we are to be able to experience personally this glorious event. I can't tell you how excited I am about this!!!

Actually, it hasn't been too awfully horrid. Kaden and I went to our favorite Tyler State Park and played in the water all morning. The huge sign by the bridge clearly reads "No Swimming," so we had to play it cool and look like we really weren't swimming. We would build sand castles, collect shells, try to catch little minnows, and then......WHOOPS!!!.....Mommy all of a sudden "fell" in! How terrible - whatever am I to do about this? I mean, I'm already wet, so I might as well just play in the water now, right?! Good times! Kaden is getting very brave and loves to see just how far out he can go. He says, "I big boy Mommy! I SO brave!" This is our new favorite place to go and have a Mommy/Kaden date. Very fun! Today we saw tons of dogs swimming, lots of geese, huge fish, and a big ole' snake swimming in the river. Very exciting things for a little boy to see.

My season of Saturday classes is over after this coming Saturday. It has been a great class, but I am ready to have my Saturdays back to myself and my family. I am learning lots about communicating effectively, what true leadership looks like, and all kinds of good stuff like that. We are learning to really analyze ourselves - our strengths, weaknesses, gifts, compulsions etc., and seeing how we can first bring about change in ourselves before we ever seek to try and change those around us. They are also hammering home to us the fact that TRUE leadership is servant leadership. The example that Christ gave us to follow was in washing His disciples feet. He took the lowliest job that even the lowest servant despised, and he initiated this service for His loved ones. He was more concerned about the "towel" than the "title." This is such an unnatural thing to strive for, but such a needed thing in today's society. Very challenging stuff.

Before graduating we each have to write a five chapter book on a program that we would like to see implemented in our church. I have been hashing a couple of ideas around in my head, but I think I am finally beginning to narrow my topic down. I think I am going to write something about marriage and family - and particularly the role that we women play in marriage. The basic premise of my topic will be based around the book For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. (Thank you, Esther, for introducing me to this book!) Shaunti has done significant national research by surveying and interviewing hundreds of men. She has compiled tons of information and has written this book to give insight and show women things we need to know to not only better understand the man in our lives, but also to know how to support and love him in the way that he needs to be loved. Many churches have begun implementing programs for men - I know our church back home has a "men mentoring men" ministry, and there are established MOPS programs for moms, but I haven't really seen anything specifically yet for women and their role in their marriages. What do you all think? I still have a month to decide before I finalize my topic, but this is where I'm heading.

Well, I guess that's a long enough ramble for now. Stay cool!