I Found My New Best Friend Last Night

Landing on someone else's blog last night as I was reading before bedtime, I was delighted by what I found.


"Oh my gosh, who IS this chick? We think exactly a like! Seriously. I think I found my new best friend..."

I was all excited.

I had found my literary clone. I wondered if she also liked bike riding and dark roast coffee. I was about to announce myself to her via the comment section with a link to one of my recent posts. I was ready to co-write a post with her and let the wonder-twin power activate, when I scrolled down, only to be devastated...

The blogger was quoting ME in her post.

It was me I found.

Darn.

Then I realized it may be a confirmation.

My therapist recently told me that I need to be content in my own company -- to finally be my own best friend.

So there you go. Just as quick as I lost my new best friend last night, I found her.

Just One Reason Why I Love Kids

They ask what's on their minds and they say what they think.

In the church you'll always hear the truth from the kids first.

Kevin, one of our dear Celebration kids, came back to the hospitality room after service to get a cookie and said hi to me. I had already been back there with the first time guests for about thirty minutes, but all of them had gone home. I was exhausted and let out a sigh as I switched from my four inch heels to my flip flops. I was gathering my things when Kevin said, "PD, you look like you don't want to be here..."

The Teacher Who Told Me to STOP Writing

"I'm sick of this Jeannie business, and if I hear of it one more time, you're in big trouble!!!"

This tongue lashing came Mrs. Mulkey, my second-grade-teacher-from-hell.

Now, let it be known, I love teachers.

Teachers are my heroes. Throughout all of my schooling, I only had two bad ones. That's a 98% success rate for all my teachers throughout all time, so that's pretty darn amazing. I've blogged about a lot of the 98, singing their praises, and today I'm going to share about one of the two from hell. Because now I'm an adult with a voice and I can.

If You Try to Choke Me, I am Now Prepared!

I am so grateful for the supernatural power of God and His protection. I am equally grateful for the wisdom He gives us.

We live in a fallen world where evil abounds, but God has provided wisdom for us. We can pray for His protection, yes. We can also prepare ourselves utilizing knowledge and resources that He provides.

 We hosted a Self Defense Demonstration for the women and teen girls of Celebration Church, last night. We are blessed to have Master Willie Cintron, as a member of our church. He is a certified 5th degree black belt in Korean tang soo do martial arts, and a 9th degree black belt in tang soo Jitsu. He is also certified by the American Federation of Martial Arts.

Last night he taught us ladies and girls how to defend ourselves against crime. After teaching us a few things he had me demonstrate it for the ladies. I am organized, and creative and have a plethora of other gifts. Physical coordination hasn't been one of those gifts bestowed upon me so it took me three or four times to get it right. I finally did! I was so proud of myself.

I say this to share that even ladies who are not sports minded or very physically coordinated can do this!  (YOU can do it!!!)

I demonstrated it upon Jordan when I got home last night. He wanted to keep going and do all this when I got home and I explained I was absolutely worn out! Master Cintron gave us a complete almost 2-hour workout of learning new skills.

We learned things like what to do if grabbed by our ponytail or our hair, from behind.

We learned what to do if we are being choked.

We learned how to "shock" an opponent.

It was really amazing information that is so appreciated.

I would encourage all women's leaders and churches to instruct their girls and women as to how to respond in the event of an attack.

I am grateful for all of the different kinds of wisdom that God has provided for us.

*All photos by Rachael Rice

Five Ways Our Family Stays Close

Finishing up in North Carolina today and flying home to my family later tonight. Actually I'll get home at about 1:00 AM. I can't wait. No matter how great conferences and trips go, there is nothing like being with my family. That's the ultimate!

Today I'm going to finish this post with five ways our family stays close.

1) We are planted in the house of the Lord. The Bible says, "Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the house of our God." (Psalm 92:13) If you wonder why some families are falling apart, take a look at whether they are planted or not.

2) We laugh together a lot. This is a really important part of health. We love sharing funny stories and moments together.

3) We love to share meals together. (Family favorite: my recipe for roast with gravy and mashed potatoes.)

4) We apologize. Forgiveness is important. Lots of it!

5) No secrets.

See you in just a few more hours, family!

Generations -- It's Your Time!

I'm up in the air again this morning, this time flying to North Carolina to serve as the keynote speaker for the "Generations - It's Your Time" Conference at Church Alive in Fuquay-Varina. (Ummmm did I mention Rita Springer is the worship leader for the conference? LOL  Yes....I think I've mentioned that just a time or two. So excited. Loooooove Rita. If she sings, "I Have to Believe" they might have to get somebody else to get up and preach. I may be out under the power, on the floor...where I've been a lot of other times just listening to it on CD.)

Even more excited to be with Pastor Laura Lee, one of my favorite people, and the host of this conference. She's a power hitter...someone everyone loves to be around, especially other leaders like me, who can learn from her. One of my favorite things to do is listen and learn from others.

Well, my suitcase is packed, I'm on my way to the airport, (or maybe up in the air or arrived in Raleigh by the time anyone reads this) and I'm in continual prayer for God to do amazing things this weekend. Please join me in prayer, to that end.

One Way Everyday

Doing things well can feel unreachable at times. Take marriage, for instance -- you can have the goal of being an excellent wife but get overwhelmed when you read things like Proverbs 31. So you think, "This is impossible. I'll never attain this."  

I want to be a great wife.
A great Mom.
A great pastor.
A great leader.
A great writer.
A great speaker.
A great coach.

Most of all I want to be a great friend of God.

Doing any of those things with excellence does seem a daunting prospect. Maybe you feel the same about whatever it is you're setting out to do.

How about finding one way every day to make a difference?

In my marriage, I can't do it all in a day but it is workable for me to find a way to show my husband love and care in at least one way every day. The way differs depending on the day and season but I can manage one way each day.

How about you? Does one way every day seem workable? 

I'm getting kind of giddy thinking about the one way I'm going to show him today...

My Focus Today (Mother's Day)

 "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much."

~Jackie Kennedy

Today I take time to dwell on how great it is to be a Mom. I think about that all the time, actually...not just today. I've done a lot of things in life but nothing compares to being a mother.

I have four kids...one in heaven waiting for me, three on earth.

I know, two of them are not exactly "kids" anymore.

The first is a 23 year old youth pastor.
The second is a 22 year old senior risk representative at Capital One.
The third is almost an adult.

Yet they will always be my kids...my babies.
I enjoy them so much.

This photo above is them sitting by the Christmas tree throwing packing peanuts in the air after opening their gifts.

As usual Jordan and Savanna threw them and Dustin sat there wondering why they were doing it.

I am so proud of them. Yes, they are caring human beings who have accomplished wonderful things. But most of all, they personally know and love God. They chase after Him, and they desire to make a difference in the world.

Anything else pales in comparison.

I have a lot of goals as a mother but my three most important ones are:

1) Love God - introduce them to Him, set an example of what it is to know Him and follow Him.
2) Love them unconditionally and show it to them openly.
3) Live real, open and honest - no secrets. Be the same at home as I am everywhere else.

I'm going to bring the message at church this morning: "Why Moms Are So Powerful." We're going to give away gifts and eat chocolate (right in the service!) and it's going to be really amazing. But the best part of my day will be having lunch with my children.

This Rollercoaster I'm On...

This is what my life feels like this upcoming week and it's not even started yet.  Not complaining! Just sayin'.

Thought I'd share and ask for your prayers. I can always use them, but I could REALLY use them in a super-duper way over the coming 11 days. Pray my strength! I just got home from Idaho, and caught my breath and now...

Mom Tip: Always Say Yes When You Can

I am often asked for Mom-advice, particularly the older my kids get. Of course, I've made a lot of mistakes, and readily admit that. I often share things I believe I've done right, too.

Today I'm going to share something that I believe is important...

Don't Underestimate What Can Happen In Just ONE Day!!!

"The Lord told me to share something with you," said a new friend I had just met in Idaho, a precious pastor's wife named Joy Powell.

"What did He tell you?" I said.

"He said for me to tell you: "Don't underestimate what can happen in just ONE day!"

Joy had no idea of what had taken place just the night before on my trip to Idaho...

Idaho or Bust!!! Let's Get Connected!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane super early this morning, for Boise, Idaho!  Never been to Idaho and I'm super excited.

I am going for the purpose of being the speaker for the Idaho District of the Assemblies of God women's conference. Their theme for this weekend: GET CONNECTED!  (What a coincidence...I love connecting!)

Join me in prayer that the women of Idaho make a major connection with God this weekend. That they have a life changing power encounter!
 
If the Lord so lays it on your heart please pray all the way through the weekend. I will minister at the women's conference in Twin Falls through Saturday and then be preaching at River City Church in Boise on Sunday. I fly home to Tampa Monday, arriving super late and jumping back into my "normal life" whatever that is. Larry looked at me the other day and said, "Honey, there is no normal with you..." I chose to take that as a compliment. :) 

I will greatly miss my family and Celebration Church, but I do thank God for opportunities to connect with people everywhere.

During the month of May I'm away from home 1/3 of the month preaching and just finished preparing ELEVEN (count 'em E-L-E-V-E-N) messages for conferences this month. I feel like I just popped 11 babies out. No kidding. I'm tired and I haven't even preached them yet. Ha ha ha!!  

Oh...speaking of people EVERYWHERE...big news that I haven't shared yet here on the blog...

I was just asked by the Kenya Assemblies of God to come back for the 4th time! Their general superintendent extended the invitation for me to be the keynote speaker at their national women's conference in November 2014. I have been in constant prayer about going back since the last time I left Kenya. I always leave with many tears because I know how much I will desperately miss it until I return. A part of me is always there. Please begin to pray with me now about those meetings. I start the fasting and prayer early extra early for those. If you want to see a little bit of what God did on my last trips to Africa, go here. 

I know today's blog post was just an update of my travels, and thanks to those of you who read and pray. You are appreciated more than you know.  You ROCK!!

Much love ~