First Visit to Jeff's Church

Today was the first time that I visited Jeff's church as part of a regular Sunday morning service. I was nervous, I must say. I was nervous just due to the unfamiliarity of attending a different church, where I'm not accustomed to the "way they do things". Jeff is Methodist and I attend a charismatic church. So there are some very big differences in the way we worship God. ("We" being our different churches). I was glad that I was familiar with his church as far as the building itself goes, due to my involvment in Emmaus and that is the church where I took my walk. But one of the first things I noticed as we walked in was the smell. The smell reminded me of when I was little, and we attended a Presbyterian church in Las Cruces. Its funny how scents and smells can trigger so many memories. Anyway, I was warmly welcomed, and per Jeff's direction, I sat in one of the pews by the windows so when he was done with his part in the choir, he could find me easily. Well, that of course was no problem-he finding me-because as the choir assembled in at the back of the sanctuary, I turned around and saw his smiling face, and he waved at me, ever so cutely! Not wanting to look like a big dork, I just smiled at him. Then the choir made their way to the front of the sanctuary, as they sang "O Come O Come Emmanuel", which was very nice! I really enjoyed seeing Jeff participating in the choir. As they sang more hymns, I was dissapointed because I could not see Jeff because the choir director was standing right in front of him. But, I did notice Jeff trying to take a peek at me around the choir director! And later he admitted to doing that! Then when the choir was dismissed, Jeff came and sat next to me. That was a great moment. The two of us sitting next to each other, in a regular church service, for the first time, as a couple. It felt really really nice. We sang a couple more hymns which I am not familiar with at all, being raised a Jehovah's Witness, and now attending a charismatic church. I do know, or rather am familiar with some hymns because my mom used to play them on her piano when I was growing up. But the two we sang today, were not familiar at all. So, I didn't sing. But, I did get to hear Jeff singing next to me. That was very nice. He has an awesome voice! Wooohooo! Reverend Naile gave a nice message on how Jesus will return to the earth as a thief will come in the night when no one is expecting it. Then we were dismissed. I was introduced to Paul, the youth Pastor and Jeff's friend, and Paul's wife Lisa. They were very nice. Then Jeff and I walked out to the hallway, and ran into Marie, and she was ecstatic to see us together. She said, "I heard this rumor!" and as she lifted Jeffs choir robe sleeve to see if we were holding hands (and we were) she said, "I am glad it's not a rumor! It's a God thing!" That was great! Then Jeff introduced me to one of his "kids", Heidi. She used to be in the youth group, but is now in college. She was very nice and out going. We actually chatted this afternoon on MSN messenger. She said I seemed nice and when Jeff told her I was sitting right next to him, she made a joke about him sending her flowers. I think we will get along great!!! Then we went into the fellowship hall and I ran into Shari. I know her through work actually, and when I told her that Jeff is my boyfriend, she grinned from ear to ear, and actually giggled! She was so excited, and she told me how great Jeff was! That's so cool to hear! I know he's awesome, and to hear others confirm it, makes it even better. I also met Paul's Mom, Barb, she wanted to hear the whole story of how we met...we gave her the condensed version. I also met Jeff's friends, the Coopers, whom I already knew through work. Well, I sort of know them, I know who they are I guess I should say, since they closed at our office. Jeff officially introduced us, and they seemed very nice and happy for us. And as we were leaving, Jeff introduced me to the organist, Shirley, I think her name is???? Sorry, if that's not right. But, she asked me if I sing, and I said yes, reluctantly. She said Jeff sings and has a very nice voice, and I agreed! She mentioned how good he is with the youth, and everything else he does. I told her I know he is awesome, I think so too! So, it was a very nice day at church today, meeting some of Jeff's church family and friends. I hope to get to know more of them!

We came back to his house, and we had a really nice talk. We went through some more questions in our book we are doing together as a couple. It really opens the doors of communication. It is so nice that he trusts me and I know I can trust him with everything. I have no fear of saying something that might scare him off now. Thank you Jeff for that and everything else you have brought into my life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us! It's going to be fun and awesome!

It's a God thing!

I just read Jeff's latest post, so I thought I'd add my thoughts of the past events in our new romance. Jeff's Mom and Dad are so nice and "welcoming". I felt completely comfortable around them, even though I didn't talk much, but that's just my personality. They seem very warm and family oriented, and it was just so nice to meet the two people that brought the best thing that ever happened to me into this world. So Thank You to Tom and Aleene Lutz!

Let's see...Jeff told all about how we met and started dating, and he told it very well, I might add, so I don't need to go into any of that. So, I will talk about what's been happening since then. Like he said, meeting of the family members went well, although he still has to meet my mom. I am sure that will go well, my mom is pretty accepting to most people, if she ever gets over here to Gaylord, or we ever go to her house in Boyne City. We will have to make the effort, I am certain. My best friend, Rhonda, who now lives in Missouri, approves of Jeff, just from what I've told her and what she's read on his blog and web site. She has no "red flags" about him. And neither does my sister! So, those are two huge plusses. Not that I need anyone's approval, but it's so exciting that they are excited and happy for me, that I have found someone who truly makes me happy. They know it could only be a "God thing". Speaking of "God things", Jeff made mention of how neither of us believe in coincidences, and that is so true. During our blossoming romance, we have both noticed that what I like, he likes as well. This not only pertains to the physical things, like touch and looking into each others eyes, but the spiritual and the emotional things. We have such a strong spiritual connection, which is the most important connection, that all the other things fall into place naturally. It is "so cool" (as we both have a tendancy to say). God gave me a scripture 2 years ago; Psalm 37:4 which reads, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." God gave me that when I was praying for a relationship. As Jeff and I have been talking and getting to know one another, he mentioned the above scripture, that God gave it to him, a year or so ago, too. How awesome is that??? So, now we are beginning to expand our horizons in the sense that we are going to start attending each others church services when our schedules allow. We both know that this will be a decision we have to make down the road, which church are we going to attend. But, for now, we are going to go to each others. That just means more church, more getting closer to God, and therefore, more time we get to spend with each other, and interact with each others friends and church families. Tomorrow will be the first time that I will attend his church as part of a regular church service. I have been to his church many times, as a matter of fact that is where I took my Walk to Emmaus. (Doubt that's a coincidence!) And that is where the beginning of our "relationship" began, on the last two walks, at his church. Plus, I have been there for a couple of luncheons with a co-worker who is a member of the same church. And a craft sale. I have also been to Jeff's church on a Sunday, as part of the Emmaus team, and have seen Jeff sing in the choir (which is another God thing-we both sing!). I might add, that just as Jeff was not wanting to be too obvious about hanging around me while typing for the men's walk, I too was trying not to be too obvious about hanging around and watching him sing that Sunday morning of the Women's walk. I think its cute how we can tell each other these things now, and as we look back on them, put it all together, that he was interested in me as much as I was interested in him. Another God thing! So, as this romance continues to grow, and we get to know each other more spiritually and emotionally, I'm sure he and I will have tons to write about. He mentioned once, in the very beginning of our romance, that it would be nice to log all of this stuff. Uh, I think we are doing that very thing! This could be called "Jeff and Mary's Love Story".

The past week :)

I haven't posted a blog in a while due to the fact that A) I have been kinda busy this last week :) and B) my computer is not working, and I don't have the internet at my new apt. yet, so I have to "borrow" someones or get on line at work, during lunch, which is what I am doing now.

Where to begin???!!! The main thing that has been on my mind lately is Jeff. That is because we have been dating the past week and 2 days, and have been officially "boyfriend/girlfriend" since Friday, when we both decided to talk about how we feel. It has been so cool discovering our commonalities! We can sit and talk for hours upon hours! (with a little, well a lot, of kissing in there as well) :) (I hope this doesn't embarrass him!) So, needless to say, I have been "glowing" the past few days. Literally! All of my friends never fail to mention it! I don't mind. I have good reason to glow! Jeff brings a smile to my face, like no other! We just click! It is soooo cool, that words just can't describe. We, of course, are in the "cheesy" stage right now...saying all the cute things (that I love, by the way). And we are both so amazed at how God brought us together, at the perfect time. Everyone...all of my friends, and church family who know Jeff are so excited and happy for me. They know I have been waiting on God for this special man! I go to bed everynight thanking God for bringing Jeff into my life! And I pray that I am the Godly woman that He created me to be, for Jeff's sake. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next in our lives. We both can sense it is going to be exciting!

I'm sure I will write more on this subject, since it is my favorite! Stay tuned! :)

My Child is turning 21!

I am sitting here, at work, on lunch, once again. It seems to be a good time to let my mind relax, so I can post a blog!

I had lunch with my two oldest children, Trisha and Brandon, yesterday. And we were discussing my daughter's up-coming 21st birthday, making plans, etc. Well, today, while working, my mind keeps "freaking out" that my oldest child is turning 21! I normally don't have a problem with my age, (except this last birthday-it was a "biggie"). I seem to have more of a "problem" with Trisha's. I don't even have a "problem" with my youngest getting older (she is 12 now). Just Trisha! So, I ask myself, "why?" Why does it bother me so much when Trisha gets older? I remember when Trisha turned 13. It was weird, then, to think that I have a teenage daughter! Then when she turned 16, the whole driver's training thing! Oh my! She did very well though, except the time she side swiped a car :) Then it was 18, then graduation, and now 21! I have an adult daughter! How can I have an adult child!??! I am only 25! Ok,not really, but I feel only 25! I think that's why it is so weird to me, because I am not where I pictured myself being at my age of....ok....40. (Yes I have a problem admitting that I am 40). I pictured myself uh, married...still, with kids, a career (as opposed to just a job!) a nice house, established, settled, accomplishing something important...you know, the way most people picture themselves. Well, I was married, do have kids, and I do have a good job (almost a career I guess you could say). Nice house? Uh, no, not yet. Established, settled, no, but working on it! Accomplished? YES! I have 4 beautiful, awesome children! I gave birth to them, and raised them to be GREAT! kids. And they truly are GREAT kids! I am so proud of each of them. They are good kids, they don't get into trouble (except when they get mouthy!) They each have gifts and talents, some they inherited from me and some they inherited from their dad, but most of all they are God given, that they use daily and will continue to utilize and develop as they grow. It's so exciting to watch! So, even though I didn't go to college, well finish college, or have done "anything with my life" from a secular standpoint, I have accomplished a great thing-4 great things! And even though I have not always had a relationship with God, and have not always turned to God, He has guided me and directed me to be right where I am, right now. He has been there for me each and every step of the way, even when I didn't know it. So, now that I have laid this all out in my post, it all boils down to....I am happy with what I have accomplished in my life! And if God wants me to do something more, something "important" with my life, then He will take me down that path as well. It's all in His hands!

How others see me

Tonight was our annual banquet at church. It was fun and interesting. We had a great dinner catered in, a video slide show, which there were approximately 5 pictures with me in them. Some were good, some not so good! But, oh well! So, I am at my friend Tishia's now, with Angel and Don as well, and we are reflecting about the banquet, all except Tishia, because she didn't go.

Tishia sent me an email to Test Your Personality and Love Style. So, I took it and as I was answering the questions, Don and Tishia were behind me, giving their views of how I should answer them. Don's were quite a bit different than mine and Tishia's. Now, this could be because A) Tishia knows me better and/or B) because Don is a guy. I think it is a little of both. Don knows me pretty well, but I think because he is a guy, he sees me different. I think Tishia sees the me I want to be and strive to be, but Don sees the real me, where I struggle, where I am right now. Therefore, the way they thought I should have answered the questions, could both be correct, somewhat. When I got two extremely different answers from them, I chose somewhere in the middle (it was a rating system). It was an interesting test, and if I knew how to put the link on this blog post, I would....maybe I will know how to do that by tomorrow night. :-)

Well, time to let Tishia have her computer back.

Alot about nothing

Today, I am going to just type. I have 10 minutes left on my lunch break, so this post may be full of typos, just rambled thoughts, or a bunch of nothing...who knows!

I am back at work after my 5 day vacation. It actually feels good to be back, even though I am swamped, and have a stack of files to go through and sort out. (I got most of the sorting done, now I just have to deal with each of them!) But, I work with great people like my job, so that helps the stacks not be so bad to deal with.

So, Bush won! yeah! It's all in God's hands, and I trust in Him completely to lead our nation in the direction its going. If Kerry won, I know that would be God's plan as well. There are so many people praying for our nation, and God will not let us down! He loves each and every person on this Earth, no matter what religion, nationality, race, etc. that they are!

I have 4 minutes left! So, I better quit typing, and get everything ready to get back to work.

Vacation

Today is the 4th day of my 5 day vacation. This is the first vacation I've taken without going out of town, so it has been different. I sort of feel like I called in sick without being sick! But, I must say it has been a most relaxing vacation. I haven't done much of anything, which was exactly what I wanted to do, because, frankly, I needed a break. I have been on the go so much lately...with work, church, and other activities, I just needed to not do much, so I could re-group. And with one more day off, I feel as if I have accomplished just that. I began my vacation, Friday, by sleeping until 1:30 in the afternoon. I cannot remember the last time I've done that, but I can tell you it's been a reallllly long time! When my friend, Angel, got off work, which coincidentally happened to be around 1:30, we went putzing around town, and then to our friend Todd's house and watched movies. Angel ended up leaving, however, because she helped our other friend, Don, make his costume for a contest on Halloween night. So, Todd and I watched movies with our friend Lori, who happened to pop over as well. We watched Scooby Doo 2, Cinderella Story and The Day After Tomorrow. Then I ended up crashing on Todd's couch because it was too late to go home, and Angel had my car. Then Saturday morning, Todd, his daughter Lexi and I went into town, met up with our friend Lora, who is going to school to be a cosmetologist. We had a hair marathon at her house! Then we left there about 7:00 pm and went to our homes and got ready to go to the costume contest. I just wore Don's cowboy hat, because I never plan far enough ahead to come up with a cool costume. Though, I must say, I would like to someday. I think it would be fun and I have some great ideas! Anyway, Don didn't win, even though he really had the best costume. There were mostly devils, and witches, and just scary things, along with a small mix of your usual brides, and bunnies and such. But, Don was a 10 foot tall Uncle Sam. It was great! Totally hand-made (by Angel). So, he really should have won, in my opinion. The next day was Sunday, church day. I had nursery duty first service, so I had to be there before 9:00, and I was tired! But, I was happy when I woke up at 7:00, but really it was 6:00 because I forgot to turn my clock back! That was great! So, we did church, then we had to, well didn't have to, but volunteered to help set up for the Harvest Party. We got free lunch! (Free food is always a good thing!) So when that was all finished, we (we is Don, Angel, Todd, and whoever else...) went home and got ready for the Party! Some of my other girl friends, talked me into being a Spice Girl with them. I was Sporty Spice. We sang 3 karaoke songs to prove we were the Spice Girls??? LOL. It was fun and we did draw a crowd! (I don't know if it was our excellent singing ability or our costumes that drew the crowd.) So, needless to say it was a ton of fun. I came over to my friend Tishia's, who is so kind to let me use her computer! I crashed here, as she is finishing up her vacation as well. We just hung out today. We took her son to school this morning, then we went to Boyne Falls because she had to get something from her brother. Then, we came home, and I showered (had to get the 10 pounds of hairspray out of my hair! And I shower everyday anyway....just so ya know!) , then we were starving, so we went to Big Boy for their breakfast bar. Since I never get to go there on a weekday, I didn't realize their Breakfast bar is $2 cheaper on the weekdays than the weekends! Anyway! So, then my new friend Jeff (who is probably the only one who will read this, other than Tishia or my sister) came over and he shared his video from the South Pole with us. That was soooo cool! Jeff, if you do read this...thanks for sharing that! It's amazing to think that people actually go there and live there for a year, to do work and experiments and such. I had the usual questions I think....like did you miss the sun? It stays dark there for 6 whole months. That would be weird to me, but I think I adapt easily, so I imagine I would cope. I live in Northern Michigan, and people who have never lived here or been here, ask how we handle the cold. You just dress for it and learn to get out in it, and do fun things, like skiing or snowmobiling. And it looked like, from the video, that they created fun things to do there too ;-)
So, that brings me to where I am right now, typing this blog. I was just surfing the net while Tishia and her son take a snooze. I think I will return to my surfing! For the rest of my vacation, I will see where the wind blows me! Ha! I know I will go vote tomorrow, but that is all I have as a definite plan for right now. I think that I will be refreshed after this vacation, ready to get back to work! Yeehaa.