not to us

Hey there, it's just me checkin' in.  Both of the kiddos are asleep, and since they are both sick, that is quite a feat to behold!  I should totally be upstairs doing the dishes (since they are overtaking my kitchen!) or getting my shower and putting on some clothes (that are acceptable for tonight's Bible study.)

Instead, I find myself migrating toward the computer to come talk to you all.  :)  I know it seems like procrastination, but it truly isn't.  I will make sure that the dishes get done, and I will be diligent in getting showered and dressed for church.  However, I truly love "spending time" with you guys.  I know the relationship is mostly one-sided...me doing a whole lot of talking at you.  However, you're ALWAYS welcome to talk back!  I would love that.

I would love for you all to share your lives with me and tell me how I can be helping you...even just by praying for you.  Because I do.

Did you know that I pray for you?  If I know your name (meaning you've e-mailed me, commented here, or told me in real life that you read the blog), then I pray for you.  Sometimes I pray for you all as a big group. (e.g. God, will you bless my blog friends today?).  Other times, it's as specific as a fingerprint.  (e.g. God, I can't imagine how frustrated Danna was that the house fell through.  Will you please comfort her today, show her that you have an even better plan in store?  And Carole...I don't know how I would handle seeing my cousin's children so sick, so hurting.  Will you bless her efforts and help her comfort their family?  And Lisa, God, I know it's hard to be a single mother.  I don't think I could do it.  Will you give her strength and courage?  Will you help them stay as healthy as possible and give her bosses tons of grace and mercy and willingness to be flexible.  And Jess, Lord, I know her heart is to be right with You and to honor You.  Can you show her more of what that means every day?)

I mean it.  If you have given me a window into your life, then I pray for you.  When I'm away from the blog for a few days, I start to miss you.  I know it might seem silly, but you all are important to me, and I don't want you to think that I don't care about you anymore.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  You are my purpose.  People are my purpose.  Communicating with you.  Living alongside you.  Learning from you.  Learning with you.  Sharing information with you.  Making you laugh.  Letting you cry.  Praying you through the bad times and jumping for joy with you in the good times.  Man...that is what God has made me to do, and I love doing it!

Thank you for being a part of my life.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.  :)  I'm leading a Bible study right now about Jesus and what He said.  This past week was my favorite week so far.  We started to dig into what Jesus said about our purpose, and it just reiterated to me that a big part of my purpose is wrapped up in the people around me (both in real life and in the blog world.)  After we have our discussion tonight, I'm planning to post the readings and discussions here at Not2Us, so that you guys can read it if you want.  I love you all, and I'm just truly tickled that you let me hang out with you!

Please know that I'm praying for you today.  Be blessed!!