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