Between the Dreaming and Coming True part 3

This look back is a bit later in December than normal.

For my new readers this is a retrospective look at my life. A survey of 2009 or A Year in the Life of Stacy Marie Waldmann, all possible titles but I have stuck with Between the Dreaming and Coming True…part 3.
I started this retrospective look 3 years ago. It was a way for me to look at the blessings and to share my year with friends and family afar off. It is a way for me to see things that were once a dream, now a dream come true.

Another year, Love it!

As always, my look back leaves me feeling very blessed and a bit inexplicable.

We have been serving at CLC for two years now. WOW! So much happens in a year and yet it seems to fly by so fast. Some things take your breath away and others add wind to your sails.

As a child, I learned to walk with my parents holding both my hands. As an adult, God still has me by both hands. He never lets go! That is what I learned in 2009. I learned to really take Him at His word. Whether you are walking in a really wide path or feel you are on a tight rope, He has you by both hands. He never lets go! Deuteronomy 31:8 GOD is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. Don't be intimidated. Don't worry."(The message)
Hebrews 13:6Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

With each blow that knocks the air out of me, whether I speak from my relationship with family and all its revelation this year or in disappointment with life, ministry or just in myself; God is always there to breathe life back into every situation. I rest in that. I will not go through every up and down with you this year, I will only say that I am blessed. My look back isn’t in longing. I don’t long for things of yesterday or even an hour ago. I long for right now. I think in my top five quotes for the year this one ranks number 1 – “where ever you are, be there 100%”.

The more I seek you, the more I find you by Kari Jobe is what I am listening to at this moment. As I continue this retrospective look, let me assure that in all my ups and downs, all the joys and in all the hurts of 2009…I know, that I know He is! He is everything to me. Most of you are dear friends and some of you think it is nice that I believe but you don’t. I would like to say, to each thier own and it’s cool. But every year, I sit writing this and I think…what if today, what if in an hour, in moments I no longer existed. I came to my end on this earth and I knew I only had this blog or note to express my love for you as dear friends, what would I say? Would I tell you the truth as I know it? See here is what really messes with me. If you are right and there is no God. Then I come to my end; I’ve lost nothing believing and living my life as a Christ follower. But if what I believe to be true is that there is a God and He did send His only son that you could have eternal life does exist and you come to your end and are lost, you lose everything and that grieves me. If I love you, I would spend my last dime telling you, my last breathe, all my energy…so that you would know.

I understand that you and I are on a journey but have you thought about its end? For some of us, we believe it just ends but for others the end is only the beginning.

I have taken much for granted. In an attempt to find balance, my pendulum has swung wide in both directions. What I have realized is that timing has much to do with everything. Anything before its time won’t taste good. Ever eaten a somewhat green banana? Yuck! Anything after its time won’t taste good. Try giving a brown banana to a child. Even they know it looks gross. HA! Fruit in season is the best. Timing is everything. I have learned that it is His timing that matters.

One of my dreams that came true in 2009 was to not only go on a mission trip but take kids with me. Kayenta was a catalyst for me this year to dream bigger and believe more. It not only enlarged the borders of my thinking and belief system, it allowed me to see the God of wonders in a very personal way. I think most people would say that you go, pray, work and hope to encourage those you serve. For me I went, prayed, served, worked and shared but was so encouraged by the ones I served. They left their mark on my heart. I still pray for them and the team I went with.

2010 for me means purpose. I’m determined to live everyday on and with purpose. I am determined to take nothing for granted.
Hebrews 13:16 Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I have a wonderful, caring husband. I have 5 kiddos, 3 of which are teenagers and I love every minute of it. I am seizing every opportunity to live, share and mentor them. They are only ours for a moment and then the moment is gone. Make the most of whatever season you find yourself in, it is only there to prepare you for the next. We are in the summer of our lives and loving it! I still pledge to help them learn to soar without clipping their wings. If I do my job right they will do more and be more than I could ever have dreamed for God and others and that my friends is a legacy worth having.

Ephesians 3:20 (The Message) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

I am thankful for everyone that the Lord has allowed to cross my path in 2009.
To all my family, friends and acquaintances - Happy, blessed New Year!

Primal - A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

Primal – A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity by Mark Batterson

There were moments I inhaled every line and then there were moments where I had to put it down, just to slow down.

I believe this to be at the top of my list for books I have read in 2009. I have read more than a dozen.

I believe Mark took the Great Commandment and helped me remove everything preconceived and bring it back to its Primal meaning. Amo Dei – Love God
You will find things that speak to you as you read the pages of Primal. I did, things like the counterfactual theory, a drop in the bucket, chickens for children, bricks on concrete, sweat equity and so many more.

I read some of it aloud to my children and have talked about it too many in my circle of influence.

The Strength of Christianity or part 4 made my heart ache and my soul cry out. I believe that this is a book that should go in the hands of every new believer. I also believe that this book should go into the hands of those who have been in churches for years. It is time to rediscover the greatest command Christ ever gave to us in its purest essence.

This should be the last book you read in 2009 or the first book you read in 2010. Then don’t keep it to yourself, share it with others. I am.

“Compassion, wonder, curiosity and energy are nouns. Its our job to turn them into verbs. It’s our highest calling and our greatest privilege.” – Mark Batterson
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421319

Oh look, I wanna touch it

I am sitting here enjoying this fall evening with my family. We are watching one of my all time favorite movies.... Finding Nemo

You know you can use anything to teach your kids a timeless truth.
That reminds me of a great quote from one of my mentors.

We must use what is cultural to say what is timeless

Reggie Joiner from the book Nuturing the Leader within your Child written by Dr. Tim Elmore

So, we are laughing and quoting our favorite scenes as they come up and it hits me...Hit pause Stacy and tell the kids a timeless truth. This film will be something to help etch this truth in thier lil hearts and minds.

Before you watch the clip, lets look at what I said...
I said that is so what the Bible says sin is like in Hebrews 11:24-25 (New Living Translation) It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.




In this clip, which is very funny by the way, you see Dory and Marlin in the dark. All of the sudden there is a bright light. - It looks pretty Dory says, "I wanna touch it". The light lures them in and then the really big scary teeth appear.

I told my kiddos that the devil has a conterfeit "light". He makes it look really good. We call that fake light - sin. He lures you in and before you know it you want to touch it. In the verse above, I explained that the bible says that sin can be pleasurable for a season, but its end is distruction. It looks pretty but before you know it, the big scary teeth are there...sin will also bite you. It can destroy you.

First thing I told them is when in the dark We should be the light! Matthew 5:15"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Second you can't hide sin -
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Pr. 28:13).

Third- Don't follow the crowd
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them (Pr. 1:10).

Be the leader and the light!
The only way to not fall for the fake light is to read your bible.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

The Nines

In Nine minutes tell me one thing you think I need to know, have to know to grow in ministry.

One thing that will spark study.
One thing that will intrigue me enough to investigate it further.
One thing that will make me reThink. (plugging a mentor)
One thing that will provoke dialouge among my team.

I had nine minutes several times over during the FREE online conference called the Nines. It was hosted by Leadership Network and Catalyst.
I took over 25 pages of notes. I listened with intent and an open heart and mind. To me it was like pulling up a chair and having coffee with several people of like passion.
I was stretched yet tethered. I would catch myself leaning in, hanging on words and wanting to hit pause to soak it in. I would text my lead pastor with quotes. He was listening in as well.
One of my favorite, and there was several speakers was Reggie Joiner. He champions the cause for children's and family ministry. He became someone I followed to gleam from years ago when I heard him at Dream. After his nine minutes I grabbed my bible and dug into Nehemiah. I also ordered his new book Think Orange and it came today in the mail.
I found myself wanting to hear more from some and yet there were a few I welcomed the bathroom break. I watched for almost 7 hours. 7x60=420 minutes. The breaks at the top and bottom of the hour helped me to collect my thoughts and glance at my notes to make sure I could read my short hand later.
I am looking forward to the videos and notes coming soon from each speaker. There is a few I will wear out by replaying.
I would love to go to catalyst but can't afford to get there this year. The Nines was my catalyst for 2009.
Thanks Leadership Network for a great FREE online conference.

11 indispensable relationships you can't be without - Leonard Sweet

11 indispensable relationships you can't be without - Leonard Sweet

I am almost done with this book and I find myself thumbing toward the beginning instead of end. A friend and leadership mentor handed it to me and said, "I think you would like this." It has been a great read. I am caught up by the cast of characters he describes. Some of them are Jethro, Jonathon, Deborah, Timothy, but one that I found most fascinating is Rhoda. Where Sweet poses the question, Who is your little one? It is insightful and engaging. I will leave you with this thought and a question Leonard Sweet poses in his book. Who are you taking with you on your journey toward your destination? Each chapter ends with an interactive section. It could be used in any small group or Sunday school class.

One of favorite quotes in the book is "if you can't get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance." - George Benard Shaw