Chris Tomlin

Sean and I had the awesome privilege of going to the Chris Tomlin concert last night. This was a concert like no other. There were only 300 tickets available. The tickets were rather pricey, but 100% of all sales went directly to John 3:16 Mission. That's where my husband works. Over $8,000 was raised last night! Chris Tomlin is amazing! He didn't even have his full band. Two guitars and a keyboard. We filled the Cain's Ballroom with amazing worship. When Chris came out, of course everyone clapped, but we all just began worshipping. That's the kind of presence about Chris Tomlin. He told so many stories about his new album. Everyone at the concert got his new CD for free! It doesn't even come out in stores until next week! The songs and the messages behind the songs...you just can't even imagine. Seriously. Most everyone there was in tears as he shared the story behind "God of This City," and "Love." He closed with "How Great is Our God," and he sang the chorus in a couple different languages. To think that he is leading people all over the country in that song in their native tongue gave me chills. No matter what language we sing in, God is still being glorified and worshiped.

One thing he said I can't get out of my mind. When he was talking about "God of This City," he was sharing how the band that wrote the song (Bluetree) came to write it. They were in Thailand in a brothel. A true brothel. The band was walking the streets in a city in Thailand known for its darkness and coldness spiritually. A bar owner sees them on the street and asks them to play in his bar. The band says yes. When they realize it's a brothel, they begin playing and singing anyway...worship songs. All the while they are singing, the people in the brothel are doing what people in brothel's do. Chris says there's a video of it on myspace. The lead singer in the band just began singing from his heart, and thus became the song, "God of This City." Just thinking about that song in the context it was written...wow. Singing that over a city of sin and darkness. Awesome! But one thing Chris said was, "Thank God the guys weren't 'too Christian' to not play at that bar." I don't know if he was saying that tongue-in-cheek or seriously or what. But it caught my attention. That's all I could think of for the rest of the concert.

Chris's whole message last night was about love. Basically what he was saying and sharing was, "What are we doing about the Gospel? What are we doing about hurting people in the world? What are we DOING?" That reminded me of two weeks ago when I saw those JW's on bikes. They're doing something. J316 is doing something. What am I doing? What am I physically doing to show love to others? Sadly, the only answer I can come up with is nothing. There are many opportunities and needs all around me. I was challenged last night to find a need and do something.

well...

the kids are at school. the house is fairly clean and picked up. most of the laundry is done. i've read more of my books. played the piano. taken a nap. i've already checked my email 1,576 times and looked at facebook. i'm bored.

5 (FIVE) V

No matter how you write it, I've been Pastor John's assistant for 5 years today. I'm surprised he hasn't let me go! I remember the day he called and asked me to come and work for him. I was actually out job hunting and missed his call because I was in an interview. I went home for lunch and checked my messages. I've been trying to figure out my job ever since! The church hadn't even had an Administrative Assistant until John hired me. I love being involved at the church in this way. I enjoy helping the people. And there are those days where I just want to bang my head on my desk!

I don't know if I could work for anyone else after working for John and Kathy. They're really great. They have done so much to help me. Not just me, but my family too! They really do care about me. I have fun with them. I've watched them through a lot of things at the church. They are genuine, loving people. They embrace everyone with the love of Christ. Working as close as I do with them, all of our quirks have come out (I think they tend to overlook mine because they never say anything! So nice!). In looking back, I can't remember any bad times at work. I've learned a lot from being around them. I really feel like we're family. We really have a special friendship. I'm really glad for that. They are amazing, and I'm glad I get to serve Christ with them. I don't want to be anywhere else.

the big picture

I went home for lunch today, and on my way back to work, I saw the familiar pair of guys in matching pants, shirts and ties on bikes...talking to a guy they were passing on the sidewalk. That got me to thinking. Those Mormons might just know a thing or two. They have a plan to get their message out to people. What are fundamental Christians doing about sharing the Gospel? I know we have missionaries and various ministries. I have to admire the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's). They are focused and determined. They have a plan...not only for other countries, but for right here in the Land of the Free!

It's crazy. What kind of plan do I have for sharing Christ? I get so focused and consumed with what is right before me that I fail to keep my mind on the bigger picture, that being that it's all about Christ and His Kingdom. I go about my day being so selfish. Some days I don't even leave the house. I know there should be balance and blah, blah, blah.

My cultish friends challenge me. Those Mormons and JW's are hardworkers. I want to be a hardworker for Christ. I need an open heart and open mind to see the big picture. I want to be Kingdom-minded. While everything should be covered in prayer, I've got to get up and do something about it. Lots of times we get moved and stirred in our hearts, and then what? That's it. We are just moved. We are never moved to action because we're lazy.

I'm making a plan of action. It's not about me. It's about Him. I want to be about Him and making Him known to others, the others right here around me.

on my own

I'm on my own this week. Sean is gone to New Mexico on a men's retreat. Unfortunately for me, he is with my sister and her family in the mountains! He promised to play with Katie for me and take some pictures though. I've been catching up on laundry and rearranging furniture. I've gotten a lot done just in a few days. Things are starting to fall back into place. The kids are in their first full week of school. We have no more travel plans for a while. We can get used to a routine now! Our summer was so chaotic. It was good, but just really busy. It's weird with the kids being gone all day. It's going to take some getting used to. I'm finding things to do while they're at school. It's just weird having some time to myself.

Girls' Night

Sean and I have had this fun weekend planned with our kids since April! Sean wanted to take the boys camping. Holly and I had a fun weekend planned of shopping, makeup and movies. We rented Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants because we were planning on seeing the sequel at the theater. We shopped and shopped but didn't find any good deals. We had manicures done. That was fun. This picture was taken at PF Chang, where we ate dinner. Holly had never eaten there. She really liked it. I had a really good time with her. We've never really done anything like that just the two of us. We did make a memory at the movies. I was stuck with the car for the weekend since Sean took the van to haul the boys and all their camping equipment. So, I drive up and find a parking space at the movies. We went to a matinee so not many cars were in the lot. We went and ate lunch and saw the movie. We were away from the car for a couple of hours. As we were leaving, the car started making a funny noise. I jump out and look at all the tires thinking one might be flat. No flat tire. I pull forward again, and the same noise happens. Holly jumps out and looks under the car. She says, "Uh, Tonya, there is a tire under the car." I was like, "WHAT?! A TIRE?!" I jump out and look under the car. Sure enough, there is a small tire under my car! I have no idea how that happened! You would think I would remember driving over a tire! Seriously! So, I lay on the ground and try to pull it out, but it's stuck. Putting the car in drive or reverse only drags the tire. The only thing that will work is to jack the car up and pull the tire out. I get the spare tire jack and decide this is a lesson for Holly. I make her lay on the ground with me and show her where to position the jack and how to turn the handle to raise the jack. As I'm showing her, I see this man walk up out of the corner of my eye. He's giving me this weird look. You know. An onlooker. This was an onlooker in awe. He says, "Everything okay? You need some help?" I say, "Oh yeah, we're good. There's just a tire stuck under my car. No problem though. Thanks!" While I'm still trying to get the car raised up high enough to get the tire out, Holly says the guy and his wife are now watching. I pull the tire out and throw it over in some grass. The guy comes back over and says, "Wow, there really was a tire!" Duh! I told you there was! So, that was our fun times. True story.

It's official!

It's official. We are no longer a homeschool family. Today was the first day of school for my kids at Wright Christian Academy. They were totally excited. I was excited for them, yet a little sad at the same time. I mean, really, we've been together every day for the last four years. So, I think a little sadness was permissable. I did cry after I dropped them off. Really I am excited for them. It's a great school. I know they will do great and make lots of great friends. I guess I would have felt a little better if the kids had at least acted like they were going to miss me! But oh well. We've been planning on this and getting this in our heads since March. So, we all knew it was coming. It just didn't really hit me until last night and this morning when they all got out of the van. It almost felt like their first day of kindergarten! I had Sonic drinks waiting for them when I picked them up this afternoon. They thought that was a nice treat. They were all full of stories about their classes and teachers. They loved every thing! They already even have lots of friends. Their closest friends go to our church, and now they go to school together. That's pretty cool. We're even carpooling. How crazy is that? I didn't know carpooling was even in my vocabulary. I'm still on the search for a few more school supplies. And ties. The boys have to wear ties on chapel days. They have chapel every Wednesday. Holly has to wear a skirt, but we already bought a couple. So, this weekend, I will be shopping for ties. The boys are even excited about wearing ties! It's going to be a great year!

On the way to school this morning, I was giving the Motherly First Day of School Address. Devon (the one in red) always has trouble remembering to zip his fly. No matter what. It seems like his fly is always unzipped! I even threatened to make him go without pants if I have to keep telling him to zip them! I guess that's bad parenting. Because I haven't actually had the nerve to make him do that yet. I don't want to get arrested or anything. Anyway, as we were walking out the door this morning, of course, Devon's fly is wide open! So, as he was getting out of the van, I said, "Devon, every time you leave the bathroom, make sure your fly is zipped!" That got me to thinking. I'm going to start a quote book of things said or overheard on the way to/from school this year. It will be even more fun when we carpool with the Hilton's next week. So, I will be posting random quotes from the quote book.

It's going to be a great year!

good-byes

Sean, the kids and I went to Langley yesterday to spend a little time with my cousin, Bo. He's leaving today for San Antonio. He joined the Air Force. He seems really excited about it. I'm glad! I'm really proud of him. I think he will do great. It's really sad to see him go. As soon as he's completed basic training, he's off to a tech school assignment. My sister and I grew up with Meghan and Bo. They actually did live with us for a while...they were over at our house all the time. They are both just like my little brother and sister. Meghan just got married, and now Bo is leaving for Air Force. I can't wait to hear from Bo after he gets settled. I'm feeling just a little emotional today, I guess. I love my family! It's hard when you're really close to your family. My sister and I really close. I'm glad that she and Nate are doing what they love, but I'm really getting tired of them living so far away! Zach and Katie really need their aunt Tonya! Just a few months until I see them all again though. Hopefully, I'll see Bo around the holidays. You really should always make sure the people you care about most know that you care about them.

fired

my family is probably going to fire me if I don't get our house back in order. I need to do laundry. I'm in the middle of rearranging furniture and throwing stuff out we don't need. It's pretty much a mess, and I have little time to work on it. if they do fire me, I hope I get to keep my pac-man game.

the wedding

We made it through the wedding weekend! Terri and Meg and I got to spend a few nights together. We kidnapped Meghan and brought her to mom and dad's house. We stayed up late watching movies and eating chocolate and popcorn and talking. It was a beautiful wedding and of course, Meghan was beautiful!

This is me, Meghan, Bo and Terri. Meghan and Bo are brother and sister. Bo was Meghan's Martin of Honor. That's what a male Maid of Honor is called.


Sean was an usher for the wedding. That is a picture of my Carrie Underwood hair. I loved the hair, but the makeup was a bit much. Meghan, Holly and I went to have our hair and makeup done for the wedding. Oh, and Katie went with us too.


Here are the girls!


The "sisters"!

Meghan and Bo!

It was a crazy weekend, but we all had fun. Meghan had a great day, and that's all that mattered! It was good to spend some time with Bo, too. He's leaving in a week to go to Texas. He's joined the Air Force. I'm so proud of both of them.

need more Katie!

There has been a lot going on over the last month! Holy moly! I think things may finally be slowing down a bit. My sister and her two kids went back to New Mexico about a week ago. It was awesome having them here for a couple of weeks! I really miss them!!! I had a lot of fun with Katie and Zach. Terri and I didn't get to spend as much time together as we normally do, but we had a lot going on...the kids and the wedding! Katie is really growing up. She is communicating better and completely ornery! She's crazy! But I love every minute with her!

This is me with my niece and nephew, Katie and Zach. They are beautiful and fun and crazy...and I miss them!

This is Katie playing on the back porch at my mom and dad's. She thought it would be funny to play in dad's watering bucket. Then she kept ducking down so I couldn't take her picture.

This is Katie eating cake at the wedding. Did I mention what a nut this kid is?

This is Katie getting her hair done for the wedding.