Faith- Survival Skills for Relationships

This month my church, Saddleback Church, started a new series on "Survival Skill for Relationships called "You Make Me Crazy."  I find that this series has been very helpful to me since I have a lot of "Crazy Makers" in my life.  What I also found out is that I can be a "Crazy Maker" too.  I'm sure that my family, friends and coworkers will agree.  Topics from "Six Keys to Peace in a Relationship," "Who's Pushing Your Buttons," to "Resolving Conflict," I have learned that we all take part in both sides of the Craziness.  My goal this month is to not miss a weekend sermon and to apply the strategies that I learn in my everyday life with my family, friends and coworkers.  This is in fact how God wants us to learn, by applying His words to our lives and affecting those around us in a positive way.  Check out this series in the archives of the Media Center at saddleback.com/mc/archives/.

Food- Summer Fruits & Vegetables

My favorite time of year is when I see the fresh summer fruits and vegetables at the market.  I'm an emotional eater so the textures and colors do me good during the summer.  This is usually the wake up call for me to get back on track in my life long challege to eat healthier.  My goal this summer is to visit every Farmer's Market that I can, no matter where I visit, enjoy the local fresh summer fruits and vegetables.  So it's time to get out the wok and blender, or your Magic Bullet, and cook up a colorful storm.

Fun- Family Weddings

Here we go!!!  Our oldest child is getting married!

Wow!  I guess that I have to get older sometime.  I am so excited to help our oldest child, Natalie, plan her wedding.  It was funny, I gave her my book, "The Brides Book on Etiquette" that I so carefully selected by going to the public library back in 1986 and checking out at least 20 books about weddings and planning.  I liked this one so much that I went to the book store and had to order it and wait for 3 weeks for it to come in.  Natalie said something like "Wow, this is old."  What's wrong with it?  It was new at the time as being last published in 1984.  Times have changed when you can see a whole book online.  Forget to book, there are so many magazines and websites for weddings that you can almost stay at home and purchase everything at the tip of your keyboard.  I was happy to see her carry it alongside her brides magazine.  One thing that is timeless is etiquette.  I'm sure there will be more exciting updates to come when I have to find a "Mother of the Bride" dress.  Yikes!

Family- Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Jessica Joy Rees was such and inspiration to us all with her "NEGU", (never ever give up) attitude and her sweet caring spirit.  Jessie's parents, Erik and Stacey Rees, obeyed Jesus a long time ago and brought her to Him.  They raised her to love the Lord and to be as close to God as possible.  Jessie was the most unselfish 12 year old that I have ever known.  With each of her posts on Facebook she either shared her daily struggles, never complaining, or she asked everyone to pray for another of God's children who where also fighting cancer.  Her posts where always upbeat as she also posted photos of those children receiving a "Joy Jar" filled with love and fun to help them endure their pain just a little longer.  Even though it is always hard to see a child loose their battle with any illness, I feel comforted that she no longer feels pain and is dancing with Jesus.  She has experienced the Hope that we all can have in Jesus Christ.  Jessie has fulfilled God's purpose for her life and memories of her will continue to bless and encourage others to do the same.