I was hanging out with Lori and we drove to Mission Viejo to pick up a package that UPS had attempted to deliver, but hadn’t left since no one was home. ¬†After we did that we went back to her house and watched a movie. ¬†I walked home around 10 and headed to bed.

Friday dawned beautiful and I had to work… I did my normal morning work and then headed upstairs to sub in Spanish… I know, what is Renae doing subbing in Spanish since she doesn’t even speak it? ¬†Well the teacher left very good detailed instructions of what her students were supposed to be working on and how they were to act. ¬†I managed just fine. ¬†That night, James had a softball game and I went to freeze, ummm… I mean cheer, for him. ¬†:) His team, The Goats, won, he ended up sliding at some point in the game and tearing the scab off his leg… It was a big scab on a sore he had gotten sliding the week before. ¬†When we got home he cleaned it and we headed to bed.

Saturday dawned cloudy and rainy. ¬†We headed to the church around 9 am for Cantata practice. ¬†I didn’t get to sleep in like I normally do, but that is okay… We were at the church until 12:30 and then we headed to Chino so I could get my allergy shots. ¬†Then James took me home and I took a 2 hour nap. He headed back to Bethel to work on some design stuff that had to be done by Sunday. ¬†He arrived back home around 5 and we went to South Coast Plaza, which is a ritzy mall close to our house. ¬†We walked around the mall for about 2 hours and then headed to Souplantation for dinner. ¬†It was a great end to a busy day.

Sunday was a typically “normal” day… arriving at the church at 8 am, heading home after service for lunch and a nap, back at the church at 4 pm for choir practice, and back home to relax before work on Monday.

Monday turned out to be pretty laid back… I worked my normal hours and then headed home to do some laundry and then went back to pick James up from work and then back home for the rest of the night.

Tuesday, I worked all day. ¬†I did my normal morning work and then covered a k-4 class in the afternoon. ¬†After school I helped out by organizing some choir music and then went over to a friend’s house for dinner and a movie. ¬†I went straight to bed when I got home at 10 pm.

Wow, finally to today, Wednesday! ¬†Today I had a somewhat fun day. ¬†I was privileged to go on a field trip with James’ 5th grade class. ¬†We went to The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. ¬†Most of you would know it as the place with the big black cube off the 5 fwy. ¬†It was a lot of fun and gave me a break from the “normal” work week. ¬†I was able to take a 20 minute nap in the auditorium after we got back and so along with that and a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbuck’s I am ready for church.

I hope you have all had a great week so far!

I had the 24 hour flu and it hit me at 3:30am… not the most wonderful time to get sick, but then is there ever a wonderful time to get sick? ¬†Needless to say on Tuesday I stayed home from work and spent the day sleeping… Thankfully I survived the day with only a fever and some aches… I still had a fever that night so I stayed home on Wednesday also.

On Thursday I was back at work in the swing of things… I still had to turn in my passport application since I had been sick on Tuesday and Wednesday. ¬†So on Thursday afternoon I ventured to the post office to get things turned in… When I arrived I realized I didn’t have a copy of my driver’s license and so I had to get copies made and get my passport photos taken. ¬†Thankfully I got everything done and turned in and was back at the school to take my Jr High girls to their volleyball game… We lost by only a few points which I think is good considering we didn’t have any practice this week.

Today, Friday, I have had a fairly normal day. ¬†I am subbing in 4th grade this afternoon, but they are doing seatwork so it is an easy class… I do have practice with my girls and I think James has a softball game, but it is the weekend so I am okay with a busier evening.

I have been watching a lot of the olympics… being sick the beginning part of the week helped with that. ¬†On Wednesday, I watched the very interesting sport of Curling, Yes you read that right, Curling… It is actually quite nail biting. ¬†You slide the rock to get it to curl just right into Home. ¬†The closest Rock at the end of the End wins a point.

I have also enjoyed figure skating, snowboarding, hockey, skiing, speed skating, etc… I happen to enjoy pretty much any sport. ¬†I am looking forward to the many events still to come.

I have a super busy week next week with a normal day Monday, ¬†a “Women in Sport’s” Seminar on Tuesday with some of the high school girls, a Jr High volleyball game at home on Tuesday evening, Jr High girl’s volleyball pictures on Wednesday, Church, a Jr High volleyball game at home on Thursday, and I don’t know of any special plans for Friday night yet…

Hope you all have a great weekend and a good week!

On Sunday we had a great day at church.  The evening service was a prayer and praise service.  It was so refreshing to have a time of prayer and encouragement.  I love singing and praising the Lord.

On Sunday, we had normal church services in the morning, but because they had an evening service on the 4th we didn’t have an evening service on the 5th. ¬†James and I came home from church ate lunch and then I took a 2 hour nap. ¬†We headed out around 5:15 for a surprise party for one of our friends. ¬†The party was great fun and he was so surprised. ¬†We had hot dogs, chips, soda, and for dessert s’mores. ¬†It was a very enjoyable way to end the weekend. ¬†Pictures are up for all of the activities on the picture page or you can get to them from here July Activities

James had to work this morning, but when he got home we headed out to the mall, just to get out of the house. ¬†We are back home now and as I am blogging, James is working on a puzzle. ¬†This evening we have a bible study at Pastor Matt’s house. ¬†It is called Meatchew, basically Matt picks a book and we get together once a month to discuss the chapter we read. ¬†Right now we are going through the book “The Pursuit of God” by AW Tozer. ¬†I really enjoy the discussions and getting to know the others on a different level than just at church.

Pastor Matt has also been teaching the young marrieds sunday school class at church. ¬†He has given us all a lot to think about and has challenged us to put time and effort into our marriages. ¬†He has challenged us to personally walk with God and grow in our relationship with Him. ¬†As we do this, we find ourselves wanting to work at our marriage. ¬†Yesterday in Sunday School he was talking about our idolatrous heart and how anything, even something good, can become an idol if we dwell on it to much. ¬†He challenged us to examine our own life and to be open and honest with our spouse about the things that we are holding on to. ¬†He put this quote in the notes he gave us: “What makes something idolatry is when we love that thing too much- our desire for that good thing is more intense than our desire to please God.” ¬†I want God to be the center of my worship, but in order for that to be I have to let go of the things that I hold dear… Am I willing to do this? ¬†Are you?

When things are going our way our song is one of praise, but when trials come we tend to stop singing all together.  We should continue singing!  Our song my change and be sad, but it should still be a song of praise!  I have found that through this difficult time singing has been hard, but also very healing for my soul!  

The Bible has 400 references and 50 commands about singing!  We should sing at church because it is a sign of unity.  When we sing as a group we are saying that we believe what we are saying to be true.  We are collectively praising the Lord!  It is one of the greatest things that we can do as a church!  

I love to sing, but his points gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation for singing. ¬†I don’t want my praise to be half-hearted or “just because I have to” ¬†I want to praise the Lord everyday for everything. ¬†Sometimes that will be difficult, but God gives us the strength and the song. ¬†I want to honor and glorify Him in my songs!