Nameless, faceless...but matchless!

Okay, so I am getting a great taste of what it feels like for NO ONE TO KNOW YOUR NAME! It is the weirdest feeling to walk out of this warm, amazingly loving cocoon into a world where not one person knows who you are. I am struggling with this reality, but remembering constantly that I am the co-heir with the matchless name of JESUS! I have to say that moving to this new place is MUCH harder than ever expected (and I KNEW that it wasn't going to be a cakewalk!), but that I am learning that His mercies truly ARE new every morning and that HE is the sustainer of all. I am so relying on HIS faithfulness and that He will carry me right now. I love you all so. You can never know how the FABULOUS FIVE has helped me make it through this time. I love you!
Marcelle

33 Days....

Okay, so no one writes on this anymore, but I am at KJ's house and all is very quiet right now and I decided to force myself to look at a calendar and actually count how many days I have left here. It's 33. 33. 33. I know I will blink and those days will have elapsed. It makes me feel like I can't breathe. Kind of panicked inside, really. So many of the days and nights ahead are already filled. I just want to stop time and gather my friends and be in one place and just...stay. I love you girls so very much. So very, very much. I try not to completely despair. I know God is carrying me and has me under the shadow of his wings. I am certain He has a great plan for my family and that He is 100% in control of everything in my life. It just really, really hurts so badly....33 Days. I am going to cherish each one.

I love you all!!!! You are treasures and jewels...and rocks...in my life!
Marcelle

It's Okay to Be Overwhelmed

So our friend Whitney got some wise words from Wayne Cagle the other day. "Whitney, it's okay to be overwhelmed." Just to have permission for that somehow comforts my soul. I told my family tonight at dinner that if you take away the moving piece (which, of course, is the BIGGIE), I am overwhelmed even without that. Add that one back in and I am just almost under...but NOT. I have you all and dear friends who are standing in the gap for me right now and I am so grateful. I just packed up my dining room...all my china and crystal. It was so sad. I am trusting in our BIG God to carry me through these days, though. Three hundred campers await the fun tomorrow morning. I pray that I can teach them many of the wonders of our ULTIMATE ARTIST! How I love you all...and am overwhelmed by your friendship...and -- that's okay.
Marcelle

SO VERY FINE

Hey you all,
Wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you and will continue to pray throughout next week as Fine Arts Camp is about to begin. I recognize that it takes so much planning, time, patience, endurance, passion and giving to do this year after year. None of it would mean squat if it weren't for the love and care that you lavish on these kids...and that you all so obviously do. I am believing God for an incredible week where many kids come away with a deeper understanding of our God who wants to free them to soar! I pray many kids will come to know Him and that you all will be rewarded in a sweet and special way, even if just the peace in knowing that you are continuing to make an eternal difference in lives.

I, for one, am blown away by God through you and can't wait to see what He has in store! Thanks, you all, for everything you're doing. I LOVE YOU!! c

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KJ !!!

It was cool to finally get to officially celebrate your beautiful life and friendship, KJ! Those present at the loft are just the tip of the iceberg for lives you have touched and blessed. May God pour Himself out on you in the coming year, dear friend!!

Love you so much, c

Mothers and Friends

Mothers have such an influence on our lives. I was reflecting today, though, that in my adult life, it is my beloved friends who have taken that torch of influence upon me. I think about these last twelve years at Bent Tree and how much God has grown me up -- and how he sent each one of you to teach me and challenge me further. How I cherish you and thank God for you. May your Mother's Day be a day that celebrates you to the core. I am celebrating you -- that is for sure!

I love you so very much!
Marcelle

Water, water everywhere!!

About 9:30 tonight I started a load of laundry. I went back upstairs and gathered up some hangars, folded a few other clothes and then went back downstairs, maybe 10-15 minutes later. When I rounded the corner in my kitchen I saw that my laundry room was flooded and water was pouring out of my washer. Of course, Brian is out of town, so I call my trusty neighbors who own tools and the two of them come over, one with shop vac in hand. Oh, and did I mention that I had 5 loads of laundry in the laundry room floor at the time of the great flood? So, we begin to wring water out of the clothes and towels that I had quickly thrown on the floor to keep the water from running into my kitchen, and then vacuum up the water from the floor. 1½ hours and 40 gallons of water later, the floor is dry, my sopping wet clothes are in laundry baskets and I’m exhausted. I’m going to have to call the handy Maytag repair man tomorrow and go to my mother in law’s to wash clothes, if I can lift them into my truck, that is, as of course each basket weighs 794 pounds. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come quickly!
KJ