A little of this...a little of that

I had some time at the bookstore yesterday and I really am going to have plenty to read over the next few weeks:

He Chose the Nails--Max Lucado
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior--Max Lucado
Come Thirsty--Max Lucado
The Space Between Us--Thrity Umrigar
What is the What--Dave Eggers
Nineteen Minutes--Jodi Picoult
Psalm 91--Prayer of Protection--Peggy Joyce Ruth
Cast of Characters--Max Lucado
Going Public with Your Faith--William Carr Peel/Walt Larimore

So excited to get started! And it looks like I'm hitting the beach September 24--27 with some friends so I should have lots of time to spend on reading and soaking up some sun while making plans for the upcoming semester of Celebrate Recovery.

The boys had great first days of school. They both are excited this year and I think working with them during the summer helped keep them prepared and ready for the new year. They are making so many new friends lately and I'm so thankful God has placed them where He has and brought the people into their lives that He has as well.

I'm ready to start the new job. It is full of potential for me to share about CR, things going on at Westwood, what God has been doing in our lives. Some people look at work as a negative but I know God has me where He wants me and is giving me opportunity after opportunity to share my faith. Too many things fell into place with this job that I haven't shared that lets me know I'm where I need to be for now.

John starts his new job on the 31st and he is very excited as well.

And we have a surprise for the boys in October...heading back to Disney for a few days. They have a mini break from school and we have some extra time ourselves so this will be a great time for us to make some more memories with them. I'm also thankful we have the option to do things like this with them while they are still young enough to enjoy them and still want to take family trips.

It is shaping up to be an exciting late summer/early fall for the Pucketts. :o)

Standing in the way of the cross

I had an opportunity this past Tuesday night to have a Bible study with 2 really cool ladies that live on my street. We are working through an awesome book and I'm learning a lot.

One of them shared a story with me that was so powerful of an image and I know how much we all love images (LINDSEY) so I wanted to pass it on. I am not sure where she originally got this from so I can't credit the author.

It seems a lady was on the beach watching her young son and his father play in the surf. The waves were crashing in and she watched him play and his whole face light up with happiness.

But then the waves took a turn and they seemed to be getting stronger. She saw him get knocked down a couple times and her heart clenched. Should she run to him? Should she step in and scoop him up out of harm's way? She readied herself to run down to her child.

Then she realized he was still laughing and playing and that his father was right by his side, making sure he was safe. He would reach up to his father from time to time and let him lift him above the chaos. She realized that had she stepped in and taken over the situation her child would have missed an experience he was enjoying. He didn't want her at that moment. He wanted his father.

It then struck her how often she does that in situations in her life. Step in and take control because she thinks she knows best. Her way is the right way. She is in control.

And it also struck her...how many times has my doing that blocked someone from the cross? Kept them from their Father when that was what they really wanted and needed.

She made it a point to then start praying that God show her times she was blocking the cross from someone in her life. That maybe her role was to walk beside them but not to step in front of them and keep them from what they truly wanted and needed.

Father, please help me to understand that I can't always step in and "save" my children from the things of this world. They are yours, Father. You control their destiny and no matter how much I desire to protect them, sometimes all they really need and want is you and the cross. Help me not to stand in the way. Help me to daily turn them over to you.

6 Little Girls

I had Extended Teaching Care this morning at 11AM. I volunteer once a month and I just love it!

This morning I had 6 little girls and can I just say, being the mother of 3 little boys, I'm not used to little girls. First, they are so QUIET. They were calm and played together nicely. Nobody tried to build things just to knock them down as loud as possible.

Nobody picked up crayons and turned them into guns or swords or lightsabers.

It was an eye opening experience for me. I wouldn't trade my 3 boys for anything but it was a whole other world.

Tonight our Small Group will meet and try to wrap up the Lucado book, "Cure for the Common Life." I have really enjoyed this one.

I have to leave group early to do a Celebrate Recovery Presentation at the church for another Small Group. I love telling people about CR. Ever since Cardboard Testimonies there is a energy about CR and people wanting to know more about it. I find myself running into people in the grocery store who come up to me and say how cool that Sunday was and how much they felt God's presence. People I knew only well enough to nod to in the hallways are now are asking me how to get involved. Thank you, Father! It was my prayer from Day One that you take the stories on the cardboard and use them all for your glory and you did just that!

I start the new job August 17th and Colin goes back to daycare tomorrow. I have been blessed to spend the last few months home with him and although at the time I thought losing my job was the worst possible thing, it wasn't. God has humbled me to realize how much I was letting fly by me while I was tied up with my career. This new position is a pay cut and also not as many responsibilities and I am so glad.

Now I hear John and Colin heading in from the store so I'm off to make snacks for Small Group and to gather my thoughts for the presentation later tonight.

Nevermind...John apparently forgot his wallet...bless his heart...and he is having to head back to the store to pay for the items he had already put in his cart. He is so good natured to laugh at himself when he does something like that. I would be furious and let it cloud the rest of my afternoon. I'm blessed to have him as my husband and so thankful for all of the winding paths our lives took to get to this place.