The Next Journal

I just got back from a long weekend at a glorious beach house near Fenwick Island. It was an incredible time of reflection. I spent a lot of time reading through my 2008 journal and I was repeatedly reminded of God's incredible work in my life. It was helpful for me to see the whole year as a package...it was more like a novel in itself, not just one chapter. I discovered connections I had never noticed before...pieces that fit together or influenced each other as God carried out His masterful plan. I was reminded of ways God had provided, moved, worked, pushed, spoke, shouted. Divine engagements perfectly orchestrated by an amazing God.

If I want to be self-protective, I'd say that I hope 2009 doesn't hold as much pain. Who would want that? But if I really want to know God and become more like Christ, I should welcome pain. Because apparently, for me, it is the most effective tool for growth. Believe me, we hate it but it works.

I hope when I read through my 2009 journal, I'll be able to see another year of being drawn closer to my Savior who loves me unconditionally. I hope I'll be further along in my journey and not stuck on a rabbit trail. I hope I'll discover that I was a better influencer because I was in tune with God. I hope I'll hear His voice clearer and more often instead of being distracted by the noises of my selfish life. I hope I'll be abiding in the light and not hiding in the darkness.

I hope.

Too all the Jen(n)'s

This is just a attempt to drive people named "Jen/Jenn" a little bit crazy. See, they have a personel pet peave. I think its actually become a obsession. Their addicted. I'v often wondered if its related to the name. Seems odd so many Jens' have the same complushun. I dont' really kneed two explain much more then this. They no what Im talking about.

NYC

What a great day!

The Macy's windows were challenging to capture by camera but hopefully you'll get the idea...they were fantastic! The reflected faces of observers kind of add a neat perspective.

I had only used my camera for about an hour before it died. Chronic mechanical issues. Maybe Santa will bring me a new camera. The rest of the day will have to be archived in my mind.

Check out the window washers! Could YOU do that?

Miracle on 34th Street

Imagination Station

New Year's Eve Ball: was surprised how small it is!

Just Ponderin'

There are some things I'm really good at. Apparently grammar isn't one of them.

But the older (more mature!) I get I'm becoming more and more aware of the things I'm really weak at (oops). I always thought that I was progressing, growing, improving. That I was learning from life's experiences and becoming a better person. But lately I've discovered my weakness are more numerous than I've ever realized. Not because the volume has increased but because I'm finally seeing them as weaknesses. And it's scary.

It's also scary contemplating what I will do about them.

Come for a visit

I love Christmas. Love the music, candles, lights, cold weather, shopping, wrapping...everything. And I totally enjoy decking my halls but no one ever gets to see them except me! So welcome to my home...

So Very Thankful...

• I know Jesus
• I live in an affluent, free country
• I can see, hear, taste, smell, touch
• My entire family is healthy
• I'm forgiven and have a mansion waiting for me
• My mind is (usually) fully functioning
• I have a warm home, full closet and a stocked kitchen
• I can read, write, learn
• I have a bank account
• I have friends who reprimand me, support me, teach me, tolerate me, love me

I am blessed beyond measure.

Yipppeee!

...four new posts to read in one day! I guess blogging is still alive and well! Thanks Courtney, Kristen, Sue, and Kathi!

Hmmmm...

I've been wondering...if I was Jerry's neighbor on "Seinfeld," would I be friends with...

Kramer?
George?
Elaine?
Jerry?

I know you're dying to answer for me but please refrain.
But feel free to answer for yourself.

Unbelievable...

http://www.wptz.com/news/17539127/detail.html

All I Want for Christmas...

1. An iPod nano...my iPod doesn't hold its charge. Hot pink will be just fine.
2. A nike shoe chip
3. A G3 iPhone...preferably black
4. A Macbook air notebook
5. A new head...same look just headache free
6. A critter free house
7. A year's worth of gas...cause I hate to pump
8. A biking trail close to my house
9. A maid
10. A mailbox free of junk mail

I think I need to stop listening to Christmas music.

Jodie is...

...sad that people don't blog much anymore because they've abandoned blogging for facebook.

Whew...

Lights back
Dishwasher back
Chandelier exploded!

Yeah! I get to pick out a new one!

Good grief!

Late Thursday night after Drew and Casie fell asleep, I went downstairs to close up for the night. Everything was strangely dark. I started flipping switches to no avail. The electricity in the front of the house was out. At 11pm!!! Ugh!
Now for those of you who know about the recent unwelcomed guests in my basement, you'll understand why I wasn't thrilled to have to go down there to check the fuse box in the dark. But I also wasn't thrilled to go to bed knowing there was an electrical problem in my house. So I sucked it up.
I flipped a breaker, went back upstairs and tested a light switch and heard a pop...everything went out again. Tried a second time. No luck. So I gave up. I laid in bed figuring out our escape plan in case we were woken up by smoke alarms.
The next day I called two electrician friends and one agreed he could get to it late next week. I said that was okay because it was just affecting lights and not appliances. Inconvenient but not necessary. I spoke too soon!!! One appliance WAS affected. And now I have this!!!!!

When Drew got home he told his mom about it because he had to "wash all the dishes." Umm...he only dried.

Amy was right...

Things I did between 12:30 and 2:20am...

1. Cleaned the bathroom top to bottom
2. Straightened craft room for the kids to use tomorrow
3. Tried on clothes
4. Set out something to wear tomorrow (I mean today)
5. Sewed on a button
6. Ironed
7. Swept kitchen floor
8. Straightened up living room
9. Checked fb and commented on Jason's
10. Refused to watch election results
11. Organized linen closet which didn't need it
12. Chatted with Kathi on fb...she had starbucks!!!!
13. Chatted with Suzie until 2:20am...she was doing report cards.

Grateful for nocturnal friends!

So I'm still wide awake and have to be on the road to PA @ 7am.

Tommy Zzzzzzzz...

Loners...

So speaking of that sock drawer...

What is the protocol for holding on to loner socks?
How long do you keep them as you wait for the partner to show up?
I'm losing sleep over this very pressing question. Please advise.

(Danielle: I offer training sessions on organizing sock drawers).

Today is the Day

Dear Ventureland Team Member:

Life certainly is a journey: hills to climb, meadows to stroll through, valleys to dig out of, paths to meander, rivers to cross, mountains to scale. And as we forge life’s trail we often face forks in the road which present us with multiple dilemmas. However, I believe that most of those dilemmas can be answered in one “simple” question: “Will I trust God?”

The past nine years have been an incredible journey for me…personally, spiritually, relationally. I know with complete certainty that God brought me to His work called Carroll Community Church that met in Liberty High School at that time. I remember that on my very first Sunday, I frantically called a pastor before services that morning to find out how to get to the high school. I had been to the office but never to the school!

Well, a lot has changed for LifePoint in nine years: new name, new location, new building, new staff, new people. But our God hasn’t changed. He’s still sovereign, still loving, and still trustworthy. So when He began telling me that He had a “new” just for me, I was faced with the choice to trust…as described in “An Unfamiliar Place.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed leading Ventureland these past nine years. I will continue to brag that Children’s Ministry has THE BEST volunteers at LifePoint! You have all spoiled me by making my job so easy! I loved building programming from scratch. I loved placing people where they are gifted to serve. I loved building teams who are passionate about what they do. I loved designing a facility that clearly indicates to parents that LifePoint values kids. I loved sitting back and watching God work through YOU! So when God began telling me that He could continue to use all those same loves, but for the benefit of His whole church, I faced the fork in the road and followed my trustworthy God down a new path.

On Monday, November 3, 2008, I will begin my new position as Serve Director at LifePoint Church. I will be overseeing the Serve portion of “Gather, Grow, Serve” by engaging people in ministry teams so they can become effective influencers. LifePoint leadership is actively looking for a new Children’s Director. In the interim, Debbie Bachman will be leading Ventureland. Please pray for Debbie and the Ventureland Staff as they seek God’s wisdom during this transition. Current Ventureland Team Members may contact Debbie with ministry needs.

I wish I had the time to personally thank each of you for your specific influence in my life. I have built many wonderful friendships which have taught me so much about the love of Christ. I will forever have fond memories of Ventureland. God has used my time in Children’s Ministry to stretch and grow me in all directions. For that I will be eternally grateful.

Continuing to Serve with You,

Jodie Zorbaugh
Serve Director ~ LifePoint Church

33 Things I Accomplished Today...

1. organize cabinet of food storage containers
2. filled weekly pill bottle
3. washed, cut, peeled, packaged produce for snacks for the week
4. swept leaves off deck
5. cleaned and stacked deck chairs
6. cleaned, snapped, blanched and froze fresh green beans from Dutch Market
7. stripped bed
8. 4 loads of laundry (shouldn't that count as 4?)
9. ironed
10. made bed (ahhh...fresh sheets on a spring-like night)
11. organized sock drawer
12. loaded dishwasher
13. unloaded dishwasher (see? that counted as 2!)
14. sorted mail
15. caught up on email...
16. ...facebook...
17. ...and blogging
18. cut coupons
19. cleaned out car
20. put ALG props away (from 2 weeks ago)
21. cleaned and packed up beach stuff (yes, from Sept vacation!)
22. put away suitcases (also from vacation)
23. organized some recipes
24. put away around 50 things that were out of place around the house (not kidding!)
25. charged iPod (which takes about 10 hrs)
26. put together a baby gift
27. made shopping list (which I can no longer locate in my overly organized house)
28. replied to a wedding invitation
29. organized bills and receipts
30. restocked paper products in baths and kitchen
31. killed spider crickets and one huge spider
32. read "Chap 4"...homework from Tricia (so I can face her tomorrow)
33. played with 6 adorable 2 yr olds at LifePoint (that Gaby Wink is a hooooot!)

Not bad considering the very first thing I did when I woke up this morning was VOMIT and I didn't start any of this until 11:30! (no, I'm not pregnant!)

Alright, 'fess up! How many of you read this and said to yourself... "You can tell she doesn't have kids!"???

Mysterious Spots

So I go in the guest room today to get it ready for Casie and Drew. And I notice these odd orange spots leading under the bed. Since my home has seemed to become an attraction for unwelcomed guests lately, I feared that I had a new critter under the bed. Well...

...I didn't check. Maybe I'll have Drew look on Wednesday.

(Do snakes pee in orange?)

What a Groovy Night!

And the winner is...

...Brooke!

Here are the answers:

1. "No More Babies" title
2. Removal of my job title in my profile (which has now been updated)
3. "A New Role" title
4. Book list (contains books about serving)
5. The fact that I'm leading an ALG this year. I'm turning over all kinds of new leaves.
6. The post with all the Ventureland photos...a tribute to my new past.

Brooke won this...

NCR Outings

Whether you are a jogger, biker, or walker, I would like to invite you to join me on the NCR trail. Anyone and everyone welcome...kids, families, friends.

We will meet at the Paper Mill stop since it has the largest parking area: Shawan Rd past Hunt Valley Towne Center; right onto York Rd; left onto Ashland Rd. After Pres church, Ashland turns right into a development. Stay left and you'll continue on the main road which is now Paper Mill Rd. Parking area is less than 1/2 mile on the left.

I will keep meeting dates posted on the NCR sidebar on my blog. Will keep it updated in case of cancellations.

Hope you can join me!

Countdown...

The "It's a New Day" contest ends this Saturday. The prize will be awarded on Sunday. So far, Brooke is the only contestant!

Fears Realized

Since buying my house seven years ago, there has only been one thing I have been completely terrified about discovering in my house. I have mice (and hate them!) but they don't freak me out. I have spider crickets (which creep me out) but I tolerate them.

But my deepest fears came to fruition today when the one creature that I always said would make me go completely bezerk, appeared in my basement...



Yes, a snake. Albeit just a garter snake but it was still a creepy, crawly snake. This is NOT a picture of me holding it. In fact, that is the problem. The snake disappeared before it could be captured and as far as I know, IT IS STILL IN THE HOUSE!!!

Anyone want to come snake hunting???

A Must Read...

I just finished this book and can't wait to recommend it to everyone. I had two female friends recommend it to me and I couldn't put it down. I'll have to admit that you have to like football at least a little bit in order to plow through all the NFL info. But there is so much more in the book than just football. Tony's dependancy on Christ and his incredible leadership skills were such great lessons for me.

If you know an NFL fan (any team) this will make an awesome Christmas gift! It's even available in audio.

I Can't Contain Myself!!!

I bought a new bike! And lots of "extras" to go with it!! I'd show you an actual picture of it but my camera has died. I love it!!! I can't wait to ride!! It is so aggravating that I didn't have time to ride today and I leave for a 4 day trip to Chicago tomorrow. But I'm definitely going to hit the trail next weekend! I'm scheduling some bike rides and sending out evites for them. Let me know if you want to be included.

Okay, I know. A few posts back I raved about getting a bike and a bike rack. Well, the bike, as explained to me by bike "experts," wasn't "geometrically correct" for me. In other words, it was way too uncomfortable. I would never be motivated to ride it. So with the prodding of friends, I broke down and purchased an awesome new ride.

Yes, I recently bought a ridiculously expensive vacuum and we ARE in the midst of an economic crisis. However, if gas gets up to $10/gallon, I at least have two new options for getting to work...vacuum or bike.

What fun!

Scroll over the blue cup...

http://producten.hema.nl/

It's a New Day!

Well, by now you have probably heard that I am changing roles at LifePoint. I have been so amazed at God's hand in orchestrating all this. I don't know why I'm amazed...He always has a perfect plan. It just takes me forever to let go and trust Him so He can show me HIS ways. The change is bittersweet. It is with sadness that I leave Children's Ministries. But I am beyond excited about engaging in God's mission for LifePoint by stepping into the new "Serve Director" position.

I have actually been dropping "hints" on my blog about my job change. Now that the word is out, I'm interested to know if anyone has picked up on any of the clues. So since give-aways and contests are becoming popular blog ideas, I decided to offer a prize to the first person who can find the SIX hints on my blog. Enter your guesses in comment form...that way you can see other people's guesses and "steal" them and add them to your list!! You can submit as many lists as you want.

Now I know this can be a bit dangerous. It can cause people to read into things, jump to conclusions and make assumptions. So to save you a bit of time, the "Heal the Wound" post had NOTHING to do with my role change. It was totally a response to a spiritual and personal journey I am traveling with my Savior. So don't bother reading into the words and looking for a hidden meaning. There...I've given you some help...you can completely skip that post during your search!

So go ahead...start searching for clues about my move from Ch Min to Serve.

No More Babies!

Drew turned 7 on September 13th. He was born 2 days after 9/11. It was a bittersweet day...being in the hospital with the joy of a new baby but watching our nation's horror on the hospital TV.

I got to be home this year for his birthday which started with a soccer game. Woohoo! Way to play, Drew! You're an all-star! I also got to see Casie's hockey game and Tyler's soccer game the day before...in the pouring rain! So no photos of those games. Yes, the Stiefs are diehard sports fanatics!

So our youngest is now a big 'ol seven. Just in time for me to start counting the next generation...the "great" nieces and nephews. Sigh. Time ticks on.

Wow! This is a great one...

Joe mentioned this verse in his message tonight.

Psalm 63:1
O God, You are my God
Earnestly I seek You
My soul thirsts for You
My body longs for You
In a dry and weary land
Where there is no water.

Can I really say that?

BEACH!!!!!!!

Yes, it was off season...and we had the weather to prove it. It was very, very windy and we sat on the beach fully clothed wrapped in our beach towels. Brrrr! But the wind made for some amazing waves!

It was a very relaxing time and we did a whole lot of nothing. Just the kind of vacation I LOVE. Rode bike, prayed, journaled, read, swam in the indoor pool, did a puzzle, cooked, slept, walked, shopped. That's about it! Wanted to get a tattoo but Kathleen talked me out of it. I forgave her after she took this great picture of me!

Heal the Wound

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend I never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who've I've been
But it's a memory of the place You've brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
Heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not built a life that boast of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with the rubble that You found me in
And every stone will sing of what You can redeem

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

Embarrassed

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I just purchased this...

However, to attempt a bit of justification:

• It came with a $100 gift card to Target
• I donated my old vacuum cleaner (which is in good condition...yes, more shame!) to the church.

Oh and yes...it really is PINK! In fact, PEPTO PINK. Wasn't my color preference but it was the only one that came with the gift card.

Come on...'fess up! Who else has one???

Always looking for new music

If you have the lastest version of iTunes, try out the new "Genius" feature. It led me to these two guys and I'm loving them! I needed new music for my beach trip next week. Oh, by the way...I'm going to the beach next week!