EveryDay Does Not Mean Every Day!

When I named my blog EveryDay with Denise, I DID NOT mean that I would blog every day! I meant that I would share EveryDay stuff that happens and what God teaches me through it. Just wanted to clear that up due to the comments that I have had verbally, that I do not blog every day--I never meant to. Ok on to EveryDay stuff.

I started to title this blog Adenovirus, Track Meets and Puppy Puke--because that is what my day has consisted of! Austin and AJ both have Adenovirus. None of my kids have ever had this--at least we didn't know it if we did. High fever for both of them, Austin has had a blood shot right eye, AJ has had a horrible rash. Weird. So I wake up this morning at 6:20 after going to bed at 12:30, and after being woken up at 1:30 by Austin not feeling well. I got Andersen to the bus, ready for her track meet, came back home to let Jake out of his kennel--only to find he had PUKED in his kennel overnight. So now its bad enough that my kids are sick but now my dog is sick. I am in the backyard hosing out the kennel at 7:05 am--nice.

Now for the track meet. After filming an intro video for our new sermon series jesusdoesnotcare.com for 2 hours, I handed Austin and AJ off to our babysitter Kara, and headed to Andersen's track meet. Did I mention Carl is out of town--North Dakota (he woke up to 2 inches of snow instead of puppy puke). Anyway, why does Andersen feel the need to run hurdles is what I want to know. I mean really, for the most part I am an easy going mom but why I ask you why does she need to purposefully worry me with hurdles. She ran the 100 m hurdles which she did great and got 3rd and then 4 hours later she ran the 300 m hurdles and fell! UGH I almost cried. She snagged her foot on the second to last hurdle and caught herself with both hands on the track, her knee bounced on the track and she jumped right back up, bleeding, and finished. I wanted to cry but was so proud of her toughness to get back up and to finish. She is something!

As I sit here blogging, I am thankful that God draws me closer to Himself through my kiddos. I think today God wanted me to know that as my heavenly Father, He sits in the Grand Stand of Heaven watching me run this race, cheering me on, and even when I fall He is still so proud of me and thinks I am something. He is the reason that I "run" EveryDay!

My Friend Marilyn

Today is my dear friend Marilyn's birthday. Last night I had the privilege of attending her birthday party with just a few close friends. She looked absolutely beautiful! We drank birthday smoothies because Marilyn can not have solid food. Marilyn has cancer of the unknown source in her abdominal area.

Marilyn is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 10--5 of which are under the age of 5--triplets will do that to you! She has been married for 50 years and a pastor's wife for 45 years and she has been a part of my life for almost 38 years.

Marilyn is a picture of grace and strength. She has battled cancer for over 16 months--with the grace, beauty and bravery like nothing I have ever seen. Today was the mark of a miracle. She defied the doctor's prognosis! The luck of the Irish--I think not. It is called an answer to prayer. Last night Marilyn gave praise and honor to God for answering all of our prayers and allowing her to be here for her birthday. We all praised and honored God for Marilyn's life and all that she means in ours. God is big--is all I can say!!

I have been blessed to have Marilyn in my life. God has done amazing things through this lady--mighty prayer warrior and friend. Christ has lived through her EveryDay! What an example to follow.

I Love a Good Theme

Having served in Women's Ministry for the past 13 years, I love a good theme. I love for everything to be a part of the theme for my women's events--yes I am a theme junkie!

Friday and Saturday I was at Pickwick State Park in Savannah Tn. speaking at a retreat for Meridian Baptist Church. I spoke on storms. Which these ladies had experienced first hand in January when tornadoes ripped through Jackson, Tn. But this is how good God is (which I totally think He loves themes too!) anyway, I woke up in the middle of the night to rain beating against the window of my motel room and it splashing into the lake right outside my window--beautiful. How sweet of God to add rain as a touch of affirmation--I am not sure how Susan Hopper arranged that with the Lord but I was thrilled.

These ladies were so sweet, so much fun and God is obviously doing amazing things in their lives and in their church. I was blessed to be a part of their retreat. I loved hearing their stories of different storms that God has brought them through and some that they are still in the middle of and trusting God to get them through.

Noah and American Idol

Every Wednesday night we host an 11th and 12th grade community group (small group bible study) in our home. We love to have the "kids" gather around our kitchen and talk about their day while we eat. We then move into the living room for a bible study. Tonight we talked about Noah and the fact that he did what God told him to do no matter how hard it was, how long it took, or who ridiculed him.

And then the clock struck 8 pm and you know what that means IDOL! To be honest this is my first season to be INTO it. I have watched half-hearted for the past two years. But this year...I am committed. I thought what do Noah and American Idol have in common? And the crazy thing is---all of the contestants are doing what they totally believe they are suppose to be doing--no matter how hard it is (bless little David Archeletto's heart, I nearly cried for him when he forgot his words last night--what a doll) and no matter how long it took some of them (like Carly, she auditioned at least twice for Idol before making it. I really think if she would lose the tattoos down the entire length of her arm I could warm up to her more but...nahhh) or who ridicules them--all of them have been criticized somewhat for their performances. (Even Brooke, who is absolutely adorable!) But the sad thing about Idol is that pursuit is soooo temporary. I mean where is Ruban now anyway--does anyone know?

I want do want to do what I totally believe that God is calling me to do EveryDay--no matter how hard it is, how long it takes or who ridicules me--don't you!

O To Be 12!

Tomorrow is AJ's birthday--he will be 12. AJ is a GREAT kid! He is the most versatile guy in the world. In his short 12 years on earth he has done things that range from chess club (as a First Grader!) to quarterback on his little league football team to acting in our Kid's Club at church to academic bowl to wrestling (resist this at all costs moms!) to playing the guitar to airsoft gun wars (not a fan of this either) to raising money for orphans to duck hunting--whew! He deserves a gold medal really for putting up with a household of girls. He has been known to let out a few grunts at the girls, but for the most part he just raises his eyebrows and rolls his eyes. He is an absolute joy and his dad made over (except for the blonde hair).
It really has been awesome to see God working in AJ's life. A month ago at our 1 Rally for our teenagers at church I looked up front on the second row and there is AJ with his hands in the air worshipping his God. I nearly bawled, well okay I did! You know AJ used to worship my God and over the last few years and more intensely the last few months I have seen Him become AJ's God. AJ asked Jesus in his heart when he was 6--a priceless moment. But AJ's faith and intimacy with the Father has realllllyyyy grown the past few months. Partial credit to a godly heritage, partly to an INCREDIBLE youth ministry at the Church at BattleCreek but mostly because God has His hand on AJ's life and AJ has chosen to respond with a Yes. Love love love the fact that my 12 year old is seeking God, and for the most part EveryDay.
My task for the night is to decorate his door. I am not really sure how--why--or even when this little tradition got started--somewhere around Andersen's 2nd or 3rd birthday I think--but now it is a Lopez birthday must. My kids love to wake up to a decorated door celebrating their big day. With 4 children over 13 years I have had to get pretty creative! I think I am going to do AJ's door like a Hawk Nelson t-shirt--come on don't tell me you don't know who Hawk Nelson is--get with it. Anyway, AJ loves their music. So tonight when I discovered that the face on the t-shirt has 12 teeth I thought "that's the door". So I must post and go create a door.

"Just Happened"

I love Sundays because I love my church. I love my job. I have the awesome opportunity and privilege to serve as the Women's Minister at the most amazing church--The Church at BattleCreek. I could go on and on about my church and all that God is doing. But today, God "just happened" to use me to speak words of encouragement into a fairly new very dear friend of mine. She has alot going on in her life and is feeling a little overwhelmed. She said, "I can feel myself going under and I don't want to go there." She was desperate to hear "The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry." Proverbs 25:11 the Message I love that God has a specific word for each of us. And sometimes He has a specific word--custom made--that He wants us to pass along. I "just happened" to stop by where she "just happened" to be spending time all by herself. My friend is a believer but she needed to hear that God cares about her and her situation, and I "just happened" to get the privilege of letting Him do it through me. Imagine that, God using me to minister to someone outside the four walls of my church--and on a Sunday. I love when God does stuff like that. That is my lifelong prayer that I "just happen" to be about His business EveryDay.

Ready or Not!

CAN NOT believe I have a blog. My 8 year old, Avery is sitting next to me as I begin this journey. She keeps saying, "Just write something, already!" Not usually at a loss for words, I must admit this whole blogging thing has me feeling a bit self conscious. All of you cute 20 something--30 something girls with your adorable font, creative layouts, and for crying out loud--videos of your cute little kiddos. I must admit I won't be able to keep up at 40 something. But I will try to walk alongside you and share life together.