My Majic Family

I would like to introduce you to my little sister Sarah, she has decided to join the wonderful world of blogging. Hopefully, she'll do better than some who seem to have issues with updates. YOU know who you are. Anyway, just wanted to give her a little plug so stop by and see her when you have a minute. I know she would appreciate the encouragement.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments

Remeber the movie Reality Bites? I loved that movie, mainly b/c of the characters but also because it's so true. Here were these group of people who had no idea what was next for them. This too is how I feel. This past week has been a week of rude awakenings. Already feeling disconnected to the world I was once so much apart and learning my husband is ridiculed and called the most hateful names in the book b/c he won't participate in nightly jaunts to strip clubs and gambling halls I suddenly found myself derailing. The next thing I know I am curled up in the fetal position unable to breathe and crying out to God. This isn't what I signed up for. Living in Florida was supposed to mean sun and fun wasn't it? This was not fun. No friends, no church home, no social life, I was drowning in a sea of self pity. When I finished crying and got up off the floor I was thinking we had made a mistake. After all how am I supposed to start all over again, how will this affect the kids, how can I be expected to live among the ungodly? Aren't I better than that, haven't I served my time. Then it hit me!!! How dare I! I had been living in a bubble, in a private little comfortable world with no room for anyone else. Well you could join if you were a christian and "knew" the Lord. That is pathetic. I am no better than anyone, I just happen to know the void in my life can only be filled by truly seeking the One who created me. There is a lost, lonely, isolated world out there and I know God has called me to show them they can fill the void permanently. I am finally learning to think outside the walls of church. It's not enough share God's love with your "christian" friends. They already know it if they attend church. You have to reach outside of those walls and find a way to get connected with the rest of the world who are literally dying to meet a Saviour. I have never done this before and I won't lie, I am scared to death. And that is the way the enemy wants me to stay. He will do whatever he can to stop it and I am determined not to be scared anymore. Besides my husband, my inspiration has come from this amazing book I am reading called The Gutter by Craig Gross. I challenge you to pick up a copy as soon as you can. This book will change your thinking entirely, it did mine. Relationship is what leads people to repentance not condemnation. I know most of what I am saying you already know or have heard a million times but sometimes its that one more time and then CLICK, the lights go on. I am challenging you to get out of your bubble and seek the lost or ask God what you can do to plant a seed in someone's life. It's going to be uncomfortable at first but if all you have in your life right now is comfort then something is wrong.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

Anyone who knows me knows I don't give or send just any kind of greeting card. I like to make my own so I can personalize each one based on who the receipient is and you just can't get that with any old card from Hallmark. And I don't know about those reading this but I love to get mail. I don't mean e-mail either although I like getting that too. I am talking about snail mail, you know the kind of mail in an envelope with writing on the front and a stamp in the right hand corner? Well, here is the point to this post. Since I have moved I am sending out Hallmarks like there going out of style. It's strangely comforting b/c it isn't like anyone is sending them to me (hint hint) but I feel closer to all the people I am so far away from. Plus, it makes me feel so good b/c I know how much I love to get stuff like that in the mail. Let's face it, our primary walk to the mail box ends in opening a bunch of bills and throwing away junk so it's always nice to see a brightly colored envelope knowing inside is someone telling you they have been thinking about you. So, here is what I want to do since there are so many people out there who's day I would like to brighten and also b/c I have way too much time on my hands. If you would like to receive a brightly colored envelope in your mail box send me an email with your address to fiveismajic@hotmail.com b/c I would love to make your trip back from the mail box a little more exciting and you never know this kick I'm on might not end so c'mon give it a try. I promise, nothing mushy.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments

One of the things I love about living far away from the all the people I love (well so far) is when they come and visit everything else is on hold, well besides the cleaning ;). The time is so precious and you know there isn't much before you will be separated again so you make the most of it and do things you wouldn't normally do and make lasting memories to comfort you when you are apart.

Just recently I shared how Jeanette and her family surprised us by just showing up. It was awesome. We had such a great time. We were once again able to share afternoon tea, eggs on toast, getting some sun and most importantly shopping. Then after just 4 short days it was time to say good bye. I didn't cry right when she left, but man on the way home it wasn't good. I think I supress my feelings for as long as I can and then when I can't take it anymore...waterworks.

Tonight was particularly difficult because I dropped my kids off at VBS and had nothing to do for 2 and a half hours. It just accentuated the fact I knew no one and because I didn't want to risk getting lost I stayed close by the church. Despite this feeling of loneliness it's all good. I came home, bawled my eyes out and then opened up the word and you know what? GOD IS SO GOOD! I have my health, my kids, a place to call "home" and food on the table. What more do I need?

Be blessed today and always.

SEE THE GOODNESS OF GOD!

Last night my dad called to say he was coming to spend Christmas with us. That was the best news I could have received all day. My first Christmas here and my precious Father will be here to make it even more perfect. See, God is good!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 1:10 AM | Permalink | Comments

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"
--Brooke Shields, during an interview to become Spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"
-- Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.

Question: If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever," --Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.

Have a blessed day and a really blessed week!!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

As you all know we moved 2 weeks ago and left everything we know and love for a place I am not familiar with and people I don't know. I won't lie, I have been lonely and it's only been two weeks, how pathetic am I? God has really been there and I have felt a peace like never before. Well, yesterday out of the blue who should arrive on my doorstep but my best friend, Jeanette, Jonah and Evan and Jeanette's mom Mary. You don't even want to know the screaming that took place. I'm surprised we didn't get an eviction notice. Later that evening we took a little walk and then Mary took us out for ice cream to celebrate. Mary flew home this morning and we went to the beach. Awww, life is good.

Jeanette


Mary


Back together


I scream, you scream, we all scream...you know the rest.

Posted by The Mac Fam at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

Posted by The Mac Fam at 3:45 AM | Permalink | Comments

Today was Christmas for my boys. When we returned home from the beach there was this big box waiting on the doorstep. You should have seen their faces. It was so awesome. Their best friends Jonah and Evan sent them each 2 gifts and Jared a gift card to bless them. And man, they are so thankful. They are typical kids who adjust to change very quickly but they miss their friends and I know they look forward to starting school so they can make new friends. However, we will never forget or lose touch with our best little friends Jonah and Evan who have the most giving hearts I have ever seen. We love and miss you boys, please come and see us soon.

Opening the box


OOO, what is it, what is it??


Blessings GALORE!!!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Although, I am coming to you from a completely different part of the country. It all started...just kidding.
As you know we went on vacation back in March to Florida and had the most incredible time. Ok wait. I need to back up a little. When Brian moved to Oklahoma 13 years ago his intention was to attend flight school and then move back to Florida. Well, God had alternative plans and he met me and of courseI wasn't about to pick up and move to Florida. Not that he ever asked me. Anyway, about 5 and a half years ago we decided we wanted to move to Florida, well Brian decided and I just kinda went along with it. He applied for a few jobs but was never really too aggressive and then we found out my mom was sick so we left it alone, bought a house and settled in. However, Brian never let the dream die that he would one day move back and prayed fervently God would change my heart. Then Fuddruckers came along and I figured we were lifers. As time began to go on and things got harder and harder with the company we began to realize there had to be more than this. We had sacrificed and lost almost everything, including each other. We didn't know what was next but we knew change was coming and we knew it was major. We began to pray. At about the same time we became members of Family Church and started to really plug in. I got involved with the praise and drama team and we joined a cell group. So, back to our vacation. I remember we were sitting on my mother-in-law's balcony and I was thinking how beautiful everything was.I felt this overwhelming peace. I looked at Brian and I was like I want to live here. That was music to his ears. He couldn't believe it. Something inside just clicked. I knew we were supposed to be there. In fact when we pulled back into town I cried because I wanted to go back to Florida. Now, we had already had our house on the market since January and not one person had even made an offer. And talk about obstacles, we had a second mortgage on it so if we couldn't convince the second mortgage company to let us out with just an unsecured loan we couldn't sell our house. My grandmother who is in the biz didn't even think it was possible. We prayed and believed for favor. Brian never had a doubt in his mind. He called the mortgage company and was on the phone for 6 hours, going from supervisor to manager to general manager and on up, higher and higher until he could go no further. They all said NO!! He called me and gave me the news. I told him I wasn't discouraged. I knew we were supposed to move so I would call Grammy, take the house off the market and we would rent it out. We hung up. Not even 5 minutes later he called to tell me the company had a found a way to make it work. It was a miracle. The following week we started our cell group and that first Wednesday night we asked them to pray we would get the right buyer for our house. The next day we got an offer. During the next 6 weeks we asked them to pray for interviews, job offers, relocation package, favor with Brian's business partner, the perfect location. Every single thing they prayed and agreed for with us came to pass. I sit back and am truly amazed at how God has turned our lives upside down in the shortest time possible and given us peace that passes all understanding along the way. A miracle working God. This is the God I serve. Above everything else, He has taught me more than I thought I could learn through this process. I am learning to rest in Him. Now, I am not stupid, I know there will always be tough times sooner or later. In fact the night we moved into our apartment I had a meltdown. Here's the key-HE is my security, not the church we find or the friends we make. I loved living in Oklahoma and I built the most amazing relationships that will last a life time and beyond. And now we are here and for whatever purpose that may be I intend to find out. Thanks for being on this journey with us even though you knew nothing for a long time. I know you were praying too and I appreciate that. I hope you will stay for this new journey that is far from over. Be blessed!

Posted by The Mac Fam at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments