Hiatus

Well, I think I've waited a sufficient amount of time between blogs. **blushes** It seems blogging has lost its spark for me, and I've lost my time for it. I'm not quite sure I have a very large "fan" base, so thankfully, I doubt there are too many broken hearts at my lack of blogging.

And, it doesn't look like I'll be keeping consistent with this any time soon. In fact, I think I'll be taking a rather lengthy hiatus from blogging. I intend to keep up with the blogs of others--I thoroughly enjoy reading those, my friends! However, this coming school year promises to be BUSY. VERY BUSY.

I've been given a "new job" this year and will be the new Director of Music at Indiana Christian Academy. EEK. Such a daunting task ahead. But I know God's grace is sufficient and that He has a perfect plan in allowing things to unfold as they have. Perhaps my experiences as such will provide for some interesting blog material--we shall see.

Until then, know that all is well and that you can keep up with me via Facebook statuses for now, dear adoring fans. :) And thanks to those of you who blog so faithfully--I enjoy reading what you think and do. Maybe some day I'll pull it together enough to do the same. But for now, I need to devote 100% of me to this new ministry and staying in tune with the Master Musician. :)

Enjoy the rest of your summer! :)

How Did I Get Here?

Have you ever "woken up" and wondered--how in the world did I get here?

I did that. Just the other day, in fact.

I'm not talking about literally waking up, of course. I'm talking about mentally realizing--I am not where I thought I'd be or maybe want to be...or maybe for you it's a positive thing--how did I get to such a great place?! (I hope for you, it is...)

It's intriguing and a bit depressing to reflect on the choices you've made or the reactions you've displayed and wonder why you let yourself become the type of person you thought you never would. What makes someone become bitter? What makes us discontent with things all around us? What makes us angry or frustrated? Surely such cancers are not born over night...so how do we get...there?

I don't know yet. Without bearing all of my soul here, I'm struggling with some of these things. I think I have been for several months now, without even really knowing it. Then one day I realized that I was indeed a bit bitter...a little frustrated...a smidge discontent...things I don't like to be. Things I know are wrong to be.

I wish I could look back on my life as God sees it and know where the trouble started. I wish I could ensure that such things never happen again. Truth is, though, being human and all...I'm afraid it'll be a long road to becoming the woman I want to be for Christ.

So where does that leave me? How does someone still function well, find balance in life, overcome Satan's snares that threaten to overtake, and still go on doing what he or she has to do? Nothing short of grace can provide that kind of strength.

And nothing short of grace has been given.

I don't have all of the answers. I don't even know where to begin sometimes. But I do know Who is in control. I do know that He has not left me. I do know that He is for me...so no one--nothing--not even me myself--can stand against Him in me.

Perhaps the "how I got here" doesn't matter as much as the "where I'm going now"...and the "how He plans to get me there." And perhaps...He allowed me to "get here," so He could be seen more clearly in who I will become.

What I've Been Up To...

THIS:


Yeah. When my desk is this messy, I know life has overtaken me. (I do have to admit that there are other teachers with messier desks--but mine is neat, as a rule, so this is unusual for me...)

The hangers are from cheerleading uniforms I washed, the books contain copies to be made and lesson plans to finish, and the stacks of papers (both in the desk and in the filing systems) have to be graded. EEK! :) That's only a small portion of what I've got to do this week!

Hence--NO UPDATES! I know, I know...you're all utterly crushed. But, life the past 3 weeks has been crazy busy (more so than usual).

I'd appreciate your prayers for all that I've got going on. I feel selfish asking for it, but I also know I'll literally lose my mind if I don't have God's strength and help for the next few months (or 75 years...right?!) to accomplish all He's given me to do. Until then, checkout my other blog HERE, to catch up on my struggling efforts and my friends' often triumphant efforts to attain balance! Happy week to all of you! :)

{.Sherry.}

DA BEARS

I'm a Bears fan.

I was born a Bears fan...no...seriously. My grandpa was a Chicago-born Bears fan, and he raised tried-and-true Bears fans. My dad married my mom, who became a Bears fan. (Can't live in the house with my dad and not be one!) Thus, my sister and I are Bears fans.

I still love the Colts. Always will! But there's nothing that says football season like my dad in his Bears vest with his Bears scarf, wearing his Bears hat and Bears bracelet (made by my aunt who lives in a Bears house), sitting beneath the glow of his Bears window sign.

So...I proudly wear my Bears sweatsack and my Bears bracelet on game days:




And if my grandpa can watch from heaven, I'd really love to see DA BEARS win the Super Bowl--just for him. And for my dad, too, who instilled in me a lot more than a love for DA BEARS.

BEAR DOWN.

Weekly Update

For those of you who care, I updated my other blog today, too.

Lives in the Balance

I intend to update there more regularly than this one, but I'll do my best to keep at both. It's part of finding balance, you know. :)

Anyway, last week was kind of rough--lots to do, little time to do it, trying to get back in gear after Christmas break--you know the type of week. But I was constantly reminded of God's grace and sustaining power. It's amazing how much more full life can seem when one is trying to find a good balance between work, home, church, and every other aspect of life! :) Not everything got done that I wanted to get done, but the important things did and life goes on.

I've decided that my blog here is really going to function more as an update zone for events, thoughts, etc., and that my main efforts will be put into the co-blog I began last week. My goal is to really succeed at balancing my life in every way and encouraging those who are on the journey with me, thus, I need to put my mind to work on that blog a bit more, I think. Surely you understand. :)

I hope your weeks are going well, blog friends. If you have a chance, hop over to my other blog and poke around. It's a work in progress, and it's not all mine, but there are some interesting things going on there. I'd love for you to join us on our journey! :) Stay positive and focused this week--God is bigger than all of your problems, and He always keeps His promises! :)

New Balance, New Blog

In an effort to encourage one another, to stay accountable to each other, and to chronicle our journey to health and a balanced life, my friends and I have launched another blog,

Lives in the Balance

We're hoping it's a smashing success to not only motivate ourselves but maybe some others, too! :) It's still in its infant stages, so be patient, but definitely plan to visit as you have a chance.

I'm discovering very quickly how unbalanced my life has become over the past few years. For each of us, balance is probably something different, as are those things which "unbalance," us. Follow me on a ponder:

This ponder began a few months ago when I heard someone on television talking about finding balance in her own life; only this person was finding balance by practicing some kind of wacky Asian religious meditation where she realized that "God was in her, as her..." I laughed out loud at this idea, but began thinking about the idea of balance...

I began pondering what balance really is and how little I seem to have of it. From healthful food choices, to healthy living, to spiritual choices, to ministry...with so many responsibilities and choices and things coming at me (all of us?!) daily, it's quite easy to feel overwhelmed and begin losing focus. Personally, I began placing so much focus on my ministry and work that my personal life and spiritual life began to take a definite backseat to everything else. It's a scary place to be when your ministry becomes more important than those to whom and for Whom you minister.

I had a bit of a break down over Christmas break. I looked at myself afresh and realized I had let certain areas of my life spin out of control. I cried out to the Lord to forgive my weakness and pride. I begged Him to begin changing me. I felt as if a new stage in my life were being born.

So...here I am. Sharing my vision with others, praying for God's strength, and knowing that if He wills balance in my life, He will help me to produce it! Part of the vision is realizing that I can't do it all--nor do I have to. I am called to many things in God's Word, but not to do everything--no matter how good something might be!

It will be a long journey, I know. I've got years of unhealthy living, pride, and unbalanced choices to undo. But with God's grace and strength and the encouragement of my friends (hence the new blog), I know there will be success. I'd be pleased for others to join the journey...the balanced life awaits!

True Friends

I was reminded last night of how amazing godly friends can be! Most of us have had friends who we consider "best" friends to whom we can tell all, to whom we can bare our souls...but some friends go beyond that and become the kind that encourage you spiritually and make you a better person. Those are the kinds of friends I have.


You wouldn't know it from looking at them, but these gals are some of my spiritual rocks in life! :) I love that we can share anything going on in our lives and that I always feel better after having been in their presence. You know you've found a great friend when just being with him or her makes you feel closer to God!

(This picture was, as you can see, taken at our after church New Year's Eve "bash." 'Twas fun.:) )

I have other friends who encourage me, of course, but there are few who rebuke me and love me in the same breath as much as these ladies do. I marveled anew last night after spending a few hours with them--how blessed we are to have friends who show us Christ and love our souls.

What friends are you thankful for? Do you have friends who literally help you grow spiritually? If you don't--you should get some new friends! :) Seriously...godly friends are a blessing and almost a necessity of life! :) Thank you, Elizabeth, Laura, and Paula, for being true friends at all times.