Another "Confessions of a Bad Mom" Post

Hey ladies!
I'm over at the Internet Cafe today sharing some stuff about homework, motherhood and my refusal to add 3 plus 4. I'd love it if you dropped by and gave some input!

Confessions of a Mom With Too Much Dander

Terror, Baked Beans and a Radio Show

Good morning girlfriends!

If you want to skip all the bunny trails on this post, just click over here to read my article today at the cafe':

"Some Paths Are Lined With Terror (Avoid Those)"

But if you're willing to take a plunge, here we go.

So, how is your week going so far? Mine's pretty good. I've been getting ready for my buddies to come. Melissa and Ronel are getting on planes tomorrow to come hang out here in Michigan for a few days with me.
There will be much coffee drinking, giggling and probably some tears involved. That's life with girlfriends.

And sometimes with daughters...like last night when my daughter and I were watching tv.

My husband, bless his sweet heart, has a cold. A terrible cold. He's a hot mess when his sinuses decide to rebel on him. Red face, sniffly, coughing and blotchy.

Well, he went to bed early and Steph and I sat up watching old Burn Notice re-runs that she missed. I love Burn Notice, probably because Fiona is my alter ego. Or because I love her shoes. What's cooler than blowing things up while running around on 6 in wedges?

Anyways, my husband yells down from upstairs, "Sue? Will you warm up the beans."

I immediately pictured the pot on the stove from dinner, half full of baked beans.
Yes, I left the dinner dishes.
In this house, with grown children (and their girlfriends), I never know when someone might sweep through the kitchen and eat the leftovers.

And, I was lazy. Words With Friends was much more appealing than dish pan hands.

But, I was surprised that he was hungry for baked beans at 10pm.
And then he added, "so I can put them on my face."

This really threw me until after a very confused few seconds I realized he meant the BAG of beans that you warm up in the microwave and put on the parts of your body that hurt. The warmth is soothing for sinuses.

But with wrinkled face I looked at Steph and whispered, "I thought he meant the baked beans."
We both sat there and laughed our heads off a few minutes until I jumped up to warm the beans for him.

It was funny. But hubby didn't think so.
It could have been the intense pain and burning sensation in his head. Or, and this is more likely, that he is not nearly as easily amused as I.

So anyway... I'm planning on lots of giggly girl fun this week and I hope you can join us when we do our online radio show.

It's really easy to chat LIVE with us (chatting=typing on your computer). Just click on the link at 11 AM EST and the show will come through on your speakers.
Click here to hang with us:
Praise and Coffee Radio Show
And if you miss the show, you will be able to go back and listen later.

Hope you have a great day!
Sue

What's UP?! I Miss You!

Before I even start with this crazy rambling post, I have to say Happy Birthday to Zoey, she is 1 year old today (she's the one in the tiara).

(Lauren, Zoey and Stephanie)

I can not believe that I haven't blogged in a month.
I apologize.
I just figure you're probably so tired of hearing from me on FB and Twitter that I don't want to bore you.

But I miss blogging. I think I'll make a New Year's resolution to start doing it more. I'll start next year.


So what have I been doing???

Well, I've been busy on the magazine. The next issue comes out in just days and I really hope you like it half as much and I like doing it!
If not, just tell me that you do and you'll make me very happy.

I'm also going to start doing more with our Praise and Coffee Blog Talk Radio Show.
Never heard of it?
That's because we've never done one.
(Don't worry, you're not out of the loop...there's no loop, just a circle. A circle of friends, and you're in it! I'm totally singing that song by Point of Grace)

But we are starting in two weeks when Melissa Mashburn (Praise and Coffee Nights co-Founder) and Ronel Sidney (Praise and Coffee Nights National Director) are here- in Michigan- sleeping in my guest room!

Here is the link to that show, you can chat with us when we're talking...it's really easy!!!
"Starting a Praise and Coffee Night in Your Community"

October 6th at 11:00 AM EST.
Please come chat with us, we'd love to hear from you too!


And tomorrow night...September 22, 2011 at 8pm EST (7pm CST) I will be a guest on The True Vine Online Radio Show. If you're not busy watching Friends (oh wait...that was years ago wasn't it?) then feel free to listen. I'd love that. I promised all my FB friends, so I will promise you too, I'll bake you a cake if you come.

And because you're my sweet blog sisters, I'll also come to all your kids football and soccer games.

All of them that fall on Monday night...that's when I'm not busy.

Here's the link:
True Vine Radio Show

And if you're not completely sick of me by now...here's my article at the Cafe'

Building Your Team with Unqualified People

Now it's YOUR turn, what are you doing?????
I want to know.

Who Did God Call Me to Lead?

With so many needs, where would God have us share our lives?
I tackle this one in my latest post at the Internet Cafe.

Who Had God Called You to Lead?

I hope it brings you hope and peace.

Catching Up

Hello girlfriends!!
I hope you are having a great summer. We have been busy and this week is Lauren's 7th birthday so the celebrations have begun!

I apologize for not blogging so much anymore, I've been putting my time and energy into the magazine and a few other projects I'm working on. I'll share more on that later.
Thanks for sticking with me, you all are precious to me!

Today I'm over at the Internet Cafe' talking about keeping it real as a leader.

The number one complaint I hear about Christians and church leaders these days is that they are not genuine. People are put off by the seeming “network
marketing” style technique that seems to be pervading churches lately. Of course
this is not true of all Churches or Christians, in fact I would say it’s not true of most. But I admit that I’ve found myself responding with caution and
wanting to ask “what’s in this for you?” as I’m charmed by certain leaders.

Click here to read the entire article: Keeping It Real In Ministry

Also, if you have always wanted to attend a Praise and Coffee Night and you are on Twitter, I want to invite you to a
Twitter Praise and Coffee Night!

Thursday, July 28th from 9-10 PM EST.
Use the hashtag #pcnight and come join us as we connect, encourge, inspire and giveaway some fun stuff!!!
Here is the Facebook event page if you want to RSVP and leave us your twitter name (RSVP is not required though). Find me at: @praiseandcoffee
Twitter Praise and Coffee Night!

Stay cool this summer girls! I know you could never NOT be cool! :)

And to my local girlfriends, the next Plainwell Praise and Coffee Night is August 11, hope to see you!

You're Not Doing Enough!

So, we declare our God to be the burden removing, yoke destroying One. But then we turn around and put the pressure on ourselves and others to DO more.
We exhaust ourselves trying to build a huge ministry and "keep up" with others.

If you relate to that in any way, check out my post on the Internet Cafe' ~ Ministry Counter. If not, go back to laying in the sun and enjoying your summer :)

Much love!
Sue

You're Not Doing Enough!

They're talking about us...

Thanks so much Internet Cafe' Ministry Counter for highlighting Praise and Coffee Nights this week!

Check it out...

Praise and Coffee Nights

What do the voices in YOUR head say?

I'm over at the Internet Cafe' today, come see me!

Direct link to article:
"The Voices In My Head"

When Someone is Jealous of Your Ministry

Hello,

I'm over at the ministry counter at the Cafe' today.

When Someone is Jealous of Your Ministry

Stop over and join in the conversation!

Sue

Don't just fit in!

Hello,

I'm over at the ministry counter at the Cafe' today talking about "fitting in verses leading".

Stop over and see me and join in the conversation!

Woman, It's Time!

Should the "Mary's" look down on the "Martha's"?

Luke 10:38-41
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came
to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and
asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by
myself? Tell her to help me!” "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are
worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As a highly motivated, busy kind of gal, I used to read this verse and feel instant condemnation.

How dare I be so busy?

I am such a loser. I will never be that calm, sweet, quiet gal who sits still for hours at a time…somewhere in a tranquil room, probably an empty closet, and talks to Jesus. I don’t know why I pictured her this way, I mean, who has empty closets anyways? I’d be sitting on old worn shoes or a pile of dirty clothes if I camped out in my closet.

But I thought that Mary, the one who chose “the better part”, was surely looking down her nose at this Martha who was busy fussing over the dishes in the sink and making sure to bring homemade cookies to her daughter’s class for treats while cleaning up the mess the puppy just made in the foyer.

For the rest of this post, jump on over to the Internet Cafe's Ministry Counter:

My Musings on Mary and Martha

Feeling Discouraged, Tempted to Isolate Yourself?

Feeling depressed, unmotivated? Struggling with discouragement and being tempted to shrink back and isolate yourself??

Check out my lastest article at the Internet Cafe'.
Don't Shrink Back Ladies!

A Story with No Redeeming Value. Really, not sure you should waste your time on this one.

I need to warn you, there are no redeeming qualities about this story.
It is just a snippet of the strange things that happen to me on a daily basis.

Denise, has crazy stories about her boys and family.

I have peculiar stories about the people that find me. Grocery stores, gas stations and even, as you will see, restrooms...

So, I went to Target last week to finalize my Christmas shopping. I went alone. It was glorious...being alone. I cherished every minute.

As is always the case, I stopped into the restroom as I walked into Target. May or may not have anything to do with my coffee addiction.

I walk into the stall and...and then I hear these women talking. I can tell it's a women (30-ish) with her mother. The daughter is complaining about a "lump."

A lump in her breast...the mother seems completely uninterested, as if she's just tired of hearing the daughter speak. I would soon understand this sentiment.

She asks her mother to feel the lump and asks what to do about it, the mother nonchalantly says, "it's probably nothing."

Then the woman explains that the lump is painful.

About this time I walk out of the stall and say, "if it hurts, you probably should get it checked out."

Her eyes got big as saucers and she exclaimed, "REALLY?! Do you think so?!"
She was obviously thrilled that someone wanted to engage her in this discussion.

"Yes," I said. "I would check it out."

"Do you think it's a lymph node?" she said, pointing to the lump.

"It sounds like it," I replied. "Have you had sinus problems at all?"

Again...she pracically leaped at me..."YES! I have! I've had a sinus infection and terrible drainage!"

She then went on to describe the drainage.

About this time, a friend that I have not seen in many years walked in and we both screamed, "HI!" and hugged!! My friend walked into the stall as the woman then asked me to feel her lump.

"Feel this, right here, what do you think?"

By now the woman's own mother walked out of the restroom leaving me there to feel her breast lump.

Hesistantly, I put the back of my hand on her lump area-ish.

"Yup, it's a lump, it could be that with all the sinus problems your lymph nodes are pooling and swelling," I explained.

Then.
It got even more uncomfortable.
Yes...this is possible.

She told me the story of when she was 19 (now 31), how she had a one night stand with a guy. She never should have, she explained, but it just happened.
Now, several years later, she found out, that he gave her h*rpes.

Yes.
This really happened.
Right in Target's bathroom.

I expressed my sadness at her unfortunate mistake.

What... else... could... I... do?

About this time my friend walked out of the stall and started washing her hands behind me.

I encouraged the woman to get the lump checked out and to have a Merry Christmas while she was at it.
She thanked me profusely for all my advice and walked out to find her mother who had probably driven away by now.

I turned to my friend who was drying her hands, shaking her head and giggling under her breath.

"I don't know how these things happen to me," I said.

We both burst out laughing and then spent 20 minutes catching up on the past 10 years.


So there you have it.
A glimpse into an experience that I wish was unusual for me.


Do these things happen to you?
I'd love to hear about it if they do! :)

I told you this story would have no redeeming value, but I am over at the cafe' today if you want to read my post, it might redeem your last 5 minutes. I hope.

How's your little light doing?

Giveaway at the Cafe'

They sent this message just for you...

We here at the cafe want to help you during this glorious season to fall
into Jesus and experience His love like never before. How, you ask, are we going
to do this? Oh, my friends…we have some fabulous blessings in store for you.
From clothing, to jewelry, to books, to movies, to music, we have treasures
galore that will help you to fall into your sweet Jesus more.

This year our “Fall into Jesus” giveaway is a BLESSING indeed! “Fall”
Into Jesus Giveaway runs from today, October 25, 2010 through Thursday, October
28, 2010.

Two winners will be selected at random and announced on Friday,
October 29, 2010.

Head on over to the Internet Café find out how you can enter for your
chance to win one of two fabulous giveaway bundles.

Click HERE to go to the Cafe and enter!

Ever Been Lied About???

Have you ever been falsely accused? Have others said things about you that were
complete lies or a cruel distortion of the facts?

If you answered yes to either of these, hop over and read my post at the Internet Cafe' today.

"Jesus Led With Silence"

August Giveaway and an Announcement!

Happy August Girlfriends!!!
Try your best to squeeze the fun out of every last drop of summer!

This month our giveaway includes, the fabulous CD by Mercy Me:



You'll also receive some delicious COFFEE and...

This fabulous set of gift cards by Becky Schultea!

To enter the drawing, it's simple:
1. Leave a comment on THIS post. Drawing will be August 11th and the winner will be posted on THIS post then.

2. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

3. If you have any of my blog buttons on your blog, let me know in your comment and you will be entered twice.

4. Note: Past winners are eligible to enter again 1 year after they win.

Feel free to tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter about the giveaway and thank you if you do!!

EDITED TO ADD: Winner is Trina Martin!!!

AND...

I am so excited to announce that I am now a "Counter Barista" at the Internet Cafe' and I will be writing articles at the "Ministry Counter" which will post for a whole week out of each month over at the Cafe'!

My first article about ministry is out, you can view it here:

"When God Brings New Ministry"

When It Feels Like the Whole World Walks Out

Hello Ladies!

I am over at the Internet Cafe today.




I'm talking about lonliness:

I’ve been in that place of loneliness. When it feels like the whole world has walked out and the quietness screams that you’re not worthy of the joy that a good friendship can bring. At times the enemy of our souls puts a spin on circumstances and leaves us with a feeling of abandonment at every turn.

Here is a direct link to the post:
"Girlfriend's Will Come and Go"

I'm So Blond!

I'm posting at the Internet cafe today, stop over and enjoy a cuppa with me!

I pretty much embarrass myself once again...







Direct link to article: "God, I Want to do BIG Things!"

March Praise and Coffee Giveaway ~ Casting Crowns!

This month's praise is:

I'm loving this CD! Picked myself up one from CBD (see link on right) when I bought yours!!

AND....you'll also get some very yummy
"Praise and Coffee" label coffee!!

TO ENTER DRAWING:

~> Post a comment to THIS post.

~> Please make sure that I have a way to contact you-PLEASE!

~> If you have any "Praise and Coffee" buttons on your blog, let me know and you will be entered twice!

Here is a link to all my buttons: Blog Buttons

That's all! And feel free to blog about the giveaway or tell all your Twitter and Facebook friends by clicking on the "share" buttons below! :)

AND, in keeping with the "giveaway" mode...if you're looking for some free inspiration and encouragement, head over to the Internet Cafe' where I am talking about how God opens doors for us that we're not even knocking on!

I'm sharing a little more of my airplane story over there.

What are you running from?

I'm over at the cafe today, stop by and see me and leave a note on the table!

”I've been there. Something or a bunch of "somethings" start happening and before you know it all you can think of is "Get ME Out of Here!!!"

Maybe it's a literal move, or just pulling out of a situation. But you just know that you are -SO over- the present situation.

If you're experiencing this right now, let me ask you...what are you running FROM? Or even, what are you afraid of?”

Here's a direct link to the article...
What are you running from?