Jam Van Conversations

Luke: Why does the President need money?
Me: Because he wants to start some programs and they cost money. He doesn't have any money so he needs our money and permission to take it.
Luke: Is that taxes?
Me: Yep! Mommy and Daddy work and when we get paid money the government takes some of it and it is called taxes.
Luke: Do you see that big bush next to that tall building? It looks like it is trying to grow taller than that building.

I guess I've been listening to too much talk radio during the morning drive :)

Morning at the park

Play ball!

Luke had his first T-ball game on Saturday. I can't believe my little dude is playing an organized sport. Well, I use the term organized loosely :)

Luke at the bench

Luke on first base

Whenever he got to first base, he would take off the batting helmet, take off his baseball cap, and then put the cap back on his head. I don't know why I found that cute but I did :)

He was the second baseman. He didn't see much action.

I love this cutie!

Word or Phrase...

At a work off-site this week, the following question was asked:

What word or phrase best describes you right now?

As I thought about it, I decided this was my answer:

I'm a work in progress.

See, there is a gap between who I want to be and who I am. My response to that gap? Well, I want to read a book, mediate on some scripture, do some praying, and see some results. I want change! RIGHT NOW!!

However, that's not how this life works. This life is about the process...about the journey. There are blessings, bumps in the road, moments that make me giddy and moments that make me angry. Strengths, weaknesses, brokenness... And God in his perfect wisdom and timing is using all of these moments to change me. To close that gap.

I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, in-law, friend, employee, boss, and leader. Most importantly, I want to be fully surrendered to my Savior. All of this won't happen by my efforts and with immediate results. I'm in process. I'm on a journey. I'm a work in progress...

What word or phrase best describes you right now?

Atlanta Blizzard 2010

My northern friends must think I've lost my mind. The pictures below won't come close to being a blizzard by "Chicago" standards. However, I've been in the ATL for 11 years now and we only see snow once every couple of years. So, a couple inches of snow is now a major event in the Mancini household. Here are pics of the kids in the snow...

Maddie all bundled up!

Luke is ready to go!!

Maddie was not a big fan of the snow...

She refused to walk in it.

Luke loves the snow!!

At times, he was just a blur!

He was a little obsessed with the branches on the ground. I watched him try to put it back up on the tree. He felt bad that it was on the ground and no longer up in the tree with his uncles. What, what? Can anyone say empathy and a creative mind? What an interesting combo!

He was bright red but so BUMMED when I made him come back into the house.

Snow days are rare around here. I guess that is way they are so special and fun!!

I'm back...

Well, the 21 day fast came to an end on Thursday and it has taken me till now to check back into all my social media goings on and TV. Unplugging wasn't as hard as I thought. It only took me a couple of days to stop thinking in 140 characters or less :)

God was faithful and opened my eyes to just how much of a distraction social media had become to me. I have a lot on my plate but the margin and pace of life I experienced the last 21 days has been incredible. I don't want my kids to remember me in the "iPhone pose". I have more fun and I am more fun when I'm engaged in the real world around me. My real world is rich with blessings and I don't want to miss any of it!

So, I'm testing the waters to see what limited Facebooking, Twittering, blogging, etc. looks like. We will see how it goes. Here's to moderation :)

BTW, what did you learn during the 21 days of fasting and prayer?

21 Day Fast

Most of you who visit me here know that Jeff (Buckhead Church's campus pastor) has invited the staff and congregation to start the year with 21 days of fasting and prayer. For those of you outside of the ATL here is a link to his blog post about why we are going on this journey.

As I thought about how I would participate, I really felt like a food fast was not for me. I've spent all of 2009 focusing on getting my eating in order and it didn't seem like it was the "thing". What keeps me from spending time with God? What keeps my mind busy with trivial matters and stops me from focusing on God's agenda? Well, you're looking at it. Social media. I love Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and reading other people's blogs. It is amazing how much time I can devote to documenting my life and reading about other people's lives. Please hear me, I'm not saying any of this is bad, I'm just saying it can be a huge time drain and distraction for me.

So, tonight I'm deleting Twitter and Facebook off of my iPhone. For the next 21 days, I won't be updating my blog or pulling up Google Reader to see who has updated their blog. Oh yeah - and no TV. I'm pretty sure I would just substitute TV for the list above. I want to spend the next 21 days unplugged. I want to spend time in God's word, pray, be quiet, and be still (well, as quiet and still as you can be with two small children in the house). Here is the thing - I'm very good at "doing" but horrible at just "being".

I will be praying for the 300,000 people in the Buckhead area who don't attend a church. It isn't about getting them within the walls of my church. The people who live and work around me are precious to God. He is offering them an amazing hope in Christ. Wouldn't it be great if they knew this too?

I'm also personally looking forward to this time with God. It will be hard; it is going to be challenging, but SO worth it. I know that God has been calling me to "pursue health" in 2010. I want to have healthier emotions, a healthier walk with Christ, and healthier relationships. I want to grow but that means pain. Before I dive off into the deep end, I think it is an awesome plan to spend the first 21 days of the New Year seeking Him.

I'll be back before you know it. See you soon! Happy New Year's!!