Projects ...

Writing projects: 
Jane's story: Lesson Plans for Life ...
Mums, Raspberries, Roses n Rainbows ...
Stormy ...

Podcast:
Encouraging Purposeful Living

CPC Drama Ministry:
Writing, Recruiting, Casting, Scheduling, Sharing ...
Reading worship arts books by Alison Siewert ... inspiring!

Wishing you roses n rainbows!
Lisa

Happy New Year ...

I hope your year is off to a great start!

It looks like I was a bit over-ambitious with my deadline for the inaugural podcast. Hoped to have it ready by Jan. 15, but it looks like it may be closer to the end of January/beginning of February!

It's amazing how life happens and we get wrapped up in what's going on. Fortunately, it's all been good things to get wrapped in, including Megan and Brian being home this week. Had a wonderful family dinner Wednesday night with everyone, and they are coming back over tomorrow evening to hang out for a bit. Plus, it's basketball season, so I try to go to Mike's games ... at least the home games. I really enjoy watching him coach. And his principal forwarded a great letter to him last week, from a referee who was complimenting the behavior and school spirit the kids have shown under Mike's leadership. That's really what teaching and coaching should be all about ... I'm so proud of him!

OK ... much to do, so I'll close for now!

Wishing you rainbows and roses!
Lisa

End of one year/beginning of another ...

This is the time to really stop and reflect on the year that is coming to a close and look forward to what the new year may hold.

While I'll take the next week to do some active reflecting, I am already excited about 2011! I am confident that it is going to be a year of finished projects ... personal & professional; a year of new beginnings in different areas of life, and I am ready to forge ahead to make things happen!

I'll list specific/measurable goals later this week. I can tell you that one of my goals is to post more regularly (minimum 2x a week) on Purposeful Living, and I'm planning to begin doing some podcasting, Encouragement for Purposeful Living, as well, with the first one ready to go Jan. 15. Stay tuned.

What are your plans for 2011?

Happy New Year to you and yours!
Lisa

Christmas wishes to all!

It's Dec. 22 ... only 3 more days 'til Christmas, and I am so looking forward to celebrating with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning! My brother gets to come into town from Louisiana, which is a rare occasion, especially at the holidays because he is in retail management. It's a little bittersweet, as Megan and Brian don't get to come in this year. They now live on the East Coast and will be spending the holidays with his family. We will, however, be Skyping with them on Christmas Eve after Kristian gets home from work. Thank goodness for the blessings of technology!

Megan gave my Mom the best gift yesterday! The box of gifts we sent to the kids arrived yesterday. Grandma & Grandpa included checks and a mix of Grandma's homemade candy. Megan called her Grandma and thanked her for the candy. My Mom was concerned that the envelopes with the checks might get mixed in with the papers and told Megan to be sure and look for them. She said, "Grandma, we found those and put them under the tree with the other gifts, but the candy you made for us really makes it feel like Christmas!"

When I was talking to Mom on the phone I could just sense that she was beaming! Touching the hearts of others ... that's what Christmas is all about!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Lisa

Thanksgiving and blessings ...

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday celebration I am reminded of how very blessed I am, and I give thanks for:

Family - two daughters and a son and a son-in-law, each of whom I love very much! A husband who is loving, caring, faithful, fun-loving and the light of my life! Parents who are still married ... to each other ... and who would give you the shirt off their back. A brother I adore and only wished lived closer. Aunts, uncles and cousins too numerous to name! My very best friend of 36 years who I consider to be my sister! My church family, whom I depend on much more than they probably know!

Friends - so many friends, old and new ... it's said that God places people in our lives for the different seasons of our lives and for different reasons. My seasons have been overflowing with so many wonderful people that I am honored to call friends! Thank you!

Job/work - There are many who don't have the opportunity to get up and go to work, much less go to a job they actually like. I am blessed to have both ... a job that I like, plus, the bonus of liking the people with whom I work. It's a family, in and of itself!

Opportunities - to write, to speak, to perform thru song and drama, to share inspiring stories and lift others up! Life is good ... it should be shared!

Stuff - some folks don't have a roof over their head, a bed to sleep on and/or blankets to warm them, food to fill their tummies, or clothes/shoes to protect them from the elements. My family is fortunate! We don't live extravagantly ... we are thankful, though, for the comfort of a warm home, food and clothes.

God - Most of all I am thankful for God who pours blessings on us, who loves us unconditionally and is merciful, forgiving, loving and gracious!

For the Mums, Raspberries, Roses n Rainbows of life! May each fulfill God's purpose for His day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisa

Taking life for granted ...

A close friend of mine last night found out that her sister died unexpectedly. She was only 44 ... same age as me! Really makes you stop and think, to count your blessings! I am so thankful for the family n friends I have in my life, for the good health my husband and I both have, for our children and how wonderfully successful they each are in their own endeavors!

Have you counted your blessings yet today?!

Happy Halloween!
Lisa

times of opportunity ...

When do you know if an opportunity is presenting itself at the right time? When do you take the risk and move forward? Leaps of faith ... I need to be more intentional about them, I think!
Have a blessed day!
Lisa