I love a good trick! I love a good friend even better. Today is my BFF Marilyn’s big 40th birthday! Yes…she’s catching up with me (yea right!). I have pulled a sneak attack on her and blog-jacked her with some lovin!
I would love and she would too if you would go on over and give her some special birthday wishes too.
Thanks friends! She’s really worth it!
Happy Birthday Marilyn! God really blessed me when he gave you to me!
I’ve only been blogging for the last 9 months (unlike during a pregnancy time has flown by). Over this period of time I have learned a thing or twenty. One of which is the “WHO’S WHO” of conferences to attend. Lysa Terkeurst’s ministry (I like to call her the P31 lady) hosts a fabulous event each summer called She Speaks. Now from what I’ve heard this is the place to be if you are the slightest bit interested in becoming a better you! The event is designed to empower God’s women for His ministry (whichever it may be that you are particularly called to). It has a little something for everyone. If you are called to speak, write, lead or just to make some serious life changes….this might be where you need to spend the last weekend in July this year. Don’t wait! The conference fills up quickly and you will have to wait a whole year for another chance.
Right now Lysa is hosting a little contest for some lucky blogger to win a free trip to this year’s conference. It’s going to be well worth the effort I promise. Go by and see for yourself. But hurry, the deadline is this Friday 3/27. Good luck!
WHY I WANNA GO
I’ve had a passion for women and ministry my whole adult life. When I married my husband almost twenty years ago, I thought I was taking on the life of a policeman’s wife. Little did I know that within a few short years and three babies later I would end up at a Southern Baptist seminary (not to become a preacher’s wife)…just surrendered to the “call”. Hubby was certain that it would not be to pastor. Oh how funny God is! Yea, he’s been a pastor ever since that first semester of college. I’ve learned not to question God or think anything is out of your reach. He can and will do the unexpected whenever we least expect it. I’m living proof.
My ministry started early in our marriage by leading a stay-at-home mom aerobics class at my church in south Florida. This was a great outreach tool that I was privileged to be a part of. I couldn’t have done it without the dedicated ladies that came and rocked babies and preschoolers every Tuesday and Thursday morning. It was only the beginning of what would spark my love for women. I have taught all ages from bedbabies to senior women throughout our serving in different churches. But my real love remains the same, women. I want to help women live victorious for Christ.
I have been told by my closest friends that they believe they will see me on a stage someday (Maybe they are right….I’ll be sweeping up after Beth or Lysa). I can’t tell you how that scares me! I’m really a chicken! I feel a little anxious even writing the words down. I would love to have the courage to actually do that. When I heard about She Speaks this past summer, it seemed like the conference I needed to attend. I read the many testimonies and felt a connection to the women that shared what God had blessed them with while there. I want to better me. I want to branch out of my little world and step out in faith…..and see what God has in store for me out there. I have a message…..I need help delivering it. She Speaks sounds amazing!
I don’t even need to tell you how exciting the blogging part sounds. It makes me so happy just thinking about it. I have been faithfully reading the blogs of many that will be attending and leading during the conference. This would be an incredible opportunity to meet them in person and glean from their deep knowledge of the blog-o-spere. It would be an honor! I’m psyched! I will be praying for the P31 gals and all who will play a part in leading the conference. God will be working through each of you…..I know He will. I just hope I’ll be there to share!
Last weekend was the big performance by Una Voce (Gates middle school show choir) at our local Park Theatre downtown. It was fabulous! I would’ve posted all about it when it happened except vimeo and my computer were not behaving nor were they getting along enough to successfully upload the videos. Temperamental little boogers!
The group brought down the house with their sweet dance moves and great singing talent. Mrs. Thompson is not afraid to step out and get funky! I love her enthusiasm and her cool song picks. She’s got a great personality and it show’s in her choices of music as well as in her students. They seem to love showing it all off.
Here’s a video of Gates singing the first solo in Footloose. The lighting doesn’t seem to be right, sorry! But you can still hear her great voice. You will have to watch her closely….she dances around. Towards the end of the song she’s the one on the far right.
Untitled from Wanda Staton Galloway on Vimeo.
Great job, Gates! We are so proud of you. You’re a great kid and you can sing and dance too! We love you!
Well, today was departure day. The Jazz Band & Swing Choir left for the big city of New York. They were so excited! Heck, I was so excited and I’m not even going. They will be driving all night and arrive early Sunday morning just in time to crowd around the Today show (hoping for some tv attention!). Yes, we have tivo all set just in case. 🙂
Getting ready for the trip was a wee bit stressful. Why? I have no idea. But the entire family had emotions off the scales. Everyone was snappy and short. By the time we were leaving the house to take him to the school, he was a wreck. I guess everyone was nervous. Darn that satan for trying his best to ruin a good day! But we didn’t let him have it all.
I forgot to take a picture of Gavin’s trip shirt. The entire group received a cool shirt with the NYC skyline on the front and a personalized name on the back. What did my sweetboy’s say? BIRTHDAY BOY! No, it’s not his birthday. When I asked him why it said that….he smiled real big and said….”I’m getting some free dessert SOMEWHERE!!!”. Oh so creative, my boy! I have told you he’s pre-med, right? He’s such a fun kid! I just love him!
Here’s a departure shot as they left North Vernon, Indiana.
Bye bye, Sweetboy! Enjoy your trip to the big city. Sing and play your heart out! We’re so happy for you!
Can I just say……the President and his Hollywood lifestyle is driving me insane? Is anybody else feeling like this? What in tarnation? Why do I keep seeing him at the craziest places? At NBA games sucking down brewskies (as if he’s just left the office to catch the game)…..now tonight he’s a guest on Jay Leno!!!! Jumpin Jehoshaphat! Give me a break. How can security keep up with him?
People, I am praying for the guy. I hope you are too. He’s out there (mentally as well as physically) and I am seriously concerned. It just irks me! It’s official…this presidency is like none other! What’s next? A segment on MTV’s Cribs? Obama Up In Da WHITE House? At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Get real!
Our fearless leader and President! Appalling!
I like to think we’re a fairly normal family. I know that we have some “quirks” that make us a little different than most other families. But there are things that we have in common with the people around us. Our pets may not be it though. We have some wacky dogs! I mean it….both of them are a hoot for different reasons.
Maggie our older dog is what I would describe as the queen of my double wide trailer (if I had one that is). She is huge! We bought her from the breeder that blessed us with our beloved black lab Molly in 2001. Molly was the most amazing dog. She loved guns, dove hunting birds, soccer balls and her family. She was killed by a motorcycle in front of our house driven by two unlicensed badguys! They were driving at a high rate of speed and could have died themselves from the crash. We loved her so much and knew that we could rely on the bloodline of that breeder to come through again. So we took another shot and bought a sister from another litter.
I’d say JACKPOT! This girl is the sweetest thing. She is the neighborhood dog. Every single neighbor loves her and feeds her. Many of them invite her in for a rest or a treat daily. I’M NOT KIDDING! She has the full figure to prove it. The lady is LARGE! She’s about 8 1/2 years old now and blind in both eyes. She runs into just about everything….but you won’t ever hear this girl complain. Her attitude is stellar! If happiness is measurable by a dog’s behavior…she wins the Miss Congeniality award. She is always happy to see know we are home. She runs out to greet us in our driveway, but we have to stop to let her get around our cars so we don’t run over her….she can’t see us! 🙂 Hubby thought he could weigh the big kahuna….the scales showed error. She’s easily 150lbs. (yes….we are embarrassed by that…and yes we know how UNHEALTHY it is….but you come tell all these neighbors to stop feeding her!). We realize our time with her is limited, she’s old, blind and obese….but she’s really happy.
Then we have the psycho dog. Lizzy is a complete freak of an animal (she would certainly be more in line with our family). She is a peachy colored miniature poodle. We purchased her in a fit of craziness. Ally had been asking for a pink poodle on every wish list since she was born. We were weak, people! We’ve been suffering the consequences ever since. This dog is all attitude! She’s bossy, obnoxious, high-need, jealous, annoying, selfish/piggy, playful, protective, very smart and incredibly loyal. One thing that drives us all crazy about her is her infatuation with me. She is addicted to the mama. I can’t get away from her, ever. And I don’t even like her that much. I love her…but….I like my freedom. Hence the fact I’m not nursing the offspring any longer. I’m free! This dog bugs me till I let her tag along. Pest!
Both of them are spoiled and well cared for. They are living the lives of royalty. They spend the day “resting” inside all day while we are out and about in the real world. When we arrive back home they are so excited to see us back where we belong. It’s a great feeling to be loved that much. Neither of them EVER complain! They’re content just having us around to love and sit with. I appreciate that about them. Having them to love is a sweet blessing (alot of work…but still). I’m reminded how simple life should be. Dogs don’t rush around stressed out. They take it easy….they rest….they love….they give attention to where it’s needed most. I want to be more like that. So, I’m slowing down and chilling out more. Starting now! Gotta run, it’s naptime! 🙂
Me and my dog girls!
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