Summer in My Rearview Mirror

My nephew, Sean, goes back to school later than any kid I know, so when he does I consider it the official end of summer. He went back this week, so I guess summer 2008 is a wrap.

Before I pull out the Fall decorations and start lighting the pumpkin candles, I wanted to celebrate some highlights from the past few months:


1. Matt surprised me with a Miami Art Deco tour for my birthday. Here we are waiting out the rain.

2. Tamara and Sheri at our international party.

3. Matt and me playing the Clauses at Christmas in July for the Homeless.

4. Bingo at Century Village with Linda.

5. Trying to convince Jeter that a kiddy pool is as good as the big pool in which he learned to swim in Orlando.

6. Reuniting with my ultra-talented friend, Lark, at my 20 year reunion.

7. Celebrating my namesake and great-niece, Emma Jane’s birthday, along with her uncle and cousins.

8. Poppers and Trinity.

9. The Pursuit’s school supply collection.

10. Getting to meet our newest nephew, Ryne.

11. Ryne with all his Mehaffey cousins.

Signs of Aging

Every summer when I was growing up, I’d drive by and see these marquee signs outside high schools and think, “Good grief, those people must be old.”

Today my dad drove me on the old route we used to take to school on the days he would drive me and I didn’t have to be one of the only seniors on the school bus. This is what we came upon as we approached my high school.

It’s all relative, isn’t it?

PS Still haven’t heard song memories from a lot of you readers out there. Come on! Who’s your fav? Aerosmith? Twisted Sister? U2? The Police? Olivia Newton John? The Boss? Milli Vanilli? (I can’t believe I put all those groups in the same paragraph.)

Retroactive Irony

I find it refreshingly ironic that The Pursuit is launching its “Retro” sermon series around the same time I head to Louisville for my 20th high school class reunion.

When I get our scanner fixed, I’ll post some classic big-haired 80s photos of myself for your amusement.

Meanwhile, Alex is collecting songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s for the band to cover during the series. What do you recommend? Beatles? Elton John? Michael Jackson? Tiffany?

Oh, and in case you’re wondering … my prom theme in 1988: “I Had the Time of My Life” from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

What’s Your Creative Financial Plan?

I’m caught up on post-vacation email-palooza and have had an incredibly fun week diving into some Fishhook projects. I have a lot to capture from vacation — no Internet while we were there. Meant we couldn’t blog, but also meant we could just veg. Didn’t realize how much I needed that.

Anyway, I had this quick thought today and wanted to get it in writing …

When I started working for the American Diabetes Association 14 years ago, I became very aware that the way someone with diabetes eats is the way all of us should eat all the time … low carbs, high proteins, fruits and vegetables.

Last night Matt and I were walking Jeter and talking about the economy. It got me to thinking that in these times when funds are tight and expenses are high, all of us are being forced to live the way we ought to live in any time, including those of abundance.

I read this quote today from Winston Churchill:

“We have no money therefore we must think.”

Tight times provoke creative minds. Matt and I are thinking of all kinds of ways to cut costs and increase income by selling things on Ebay, etc. Even though we’ve been through Crown Ministry classes and are well on our way to freedom from debt, this new economy is forcing us to think even more creatively and strategically.

I’m sure you guys have been provoked to do the same. What are some fresh approaches you guys are coming up with?

Glad I’m Not Indispensable

I’m running around with my hair on fire preparing for vacation with Matt next week. He has the opportunity to preach two Sundays in Orlando, so we’re sandwiching some time with Mickey in between.

As I prepared all of my action items for the next two Sundays, I realized how unnecessary I’ve become for Sunday’s Celebration Services … and that makes me happy. I met with my dear friend Arie this week to go over all the “to-do’s” for Hospitality, Information Table, etc. There were no surprises for her because she so “owns” this ministry that she could have put the list together herself. I’m excited to return and slip in as a “worker bee” and let Arie continue to grow as a leader in this area.

Then of course I dumped all the miscellaneous “to-do’s” on Bob. He was pleased to know we’re taking the cat with us so he won’t have to deal with her while we’re away.

Although I’m taking no “work” with me whatsoever, I will be taking the laptop and blogging a bit. I have a lot of fun happenings to catch up on in this e-diary, plus being at Disney always sparks my desire to write.

“M-I-C … see you real soon!”

Don’t Expect the Best Towels at Our House

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been in full nesting mode. We’ve lived here a year and now that we know our routines and what rooms we use the most, I’m wanting to make our home more of a sanctuary.

So I asked Matt what I could do to make our home feel more comfortable and peaceful for him. After saying he really hadn’t thought about it, the lightbulb lit over his head and he said, “I know. Every time I fold the laundry and there’s those great big soft oversized bath towels, I get a little jealous that the guests get to use those and I just get the regular size ones.”

Ouch. Instant conversation in my head: “Janie, you dummy. Of all people, you as a communications major should know that what you do communicates far more than what you say. You always say that Matt is more important than any other person and here you go throwing him the second-rate towels.”

Needless-to-say, for the past week Matt has thoroughly enjoyed the oversized bath towels that greet him each morning.

Now, if you ever come to visit, please know that we will go out of our way to make your accommodations comfortable. But don’t expect to have the best bath towels in the house. Those are reserved for the gentleman on the extended stay in the Master Suite.

Kids Win!

I’m on my way to order our new license plate. You guys have been such a great help … thanks for offering your insights into this decision.

Very soon, Orangina will be donning her new “Invest in Children” plate, beautifully complementing her sunset orange color while also supporting Juvenile Crime Prevention and Early Intervention.

A few clarifications:

-Kristy: We are indeed organ donors and promise to use other outlets to banner that cause!

-Jenina, Jake and Jose: I know you guys miss us, but we are indeed South Floridians now. So we must begin showing our allegiences to the home teams. The Dolphins plate was option #2 for us, but we thought preventing Juvenile Crime could potentially help both causes in raising up football players with strong character.

-Stan: Thanks for passing along the opinions of our current political leaders. If you seek out Condoleezza’s vote, let us know. I’m still holding out for her as Commander in Chief!

Your Church Is Missing. Does the City Care?

A blog I read regularly just pointed me to a timely article in Outreach Magazine about relationships between churches and their communities.

The article quotes a Jacksonville minister who asks: “Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city? Would anybody notice if you left?”

Through We Love SoFlo, The Pursuit is mobilizing the church to seek out ways to show love … individually and serving together. We’ve already teamed up with the city of Pembroke Pines to help their special events department present quality events to families (Francie, on the far right, is the city’s Special Event Director. We heart her big time!) And next month we’ll collect school supplies for families working with Family Central.

The Pursuit is still a baby, but my earnest prayer as she grows up is that someday she would be indispensable to South Florida.

Meanwhile, with all the congregations we partner with through Fishhook, the newest question in my arsenal of discovery will now be “Would the community weep if your church were to pull out of the city?”

What about your church? Would it be missed?

Sometimes It Just Takes a Girl

Matt is my best friend on earth … the best friend I have ever had in my entire life. He’s the most calming voice when my brain goes all crazy talkie (and even when I talk in my sleep, which is apparently happening a lot more lately).

That said, a girl needs her girls to keep her head completely screwed on.

Today refreshed me:

I lunched at Dolphin Mall with Ali and Klara and
Klara’s mom, who is visiting from Guatemala. Between black beans and plantains, our conversation was seasoned with heavy burdens and silly fluff. But all of it lifted my spirit. Ali and Klara are my balcony people. They keep me looking up.

I dined at Chilis with Erin and two gals in ministry at West Pines Community Church. Erin is my kindred spirit in ministry. Our hearts are burdened with impacting people for Jesus in this area. Melissa and Rebekah are right there with us. They encouraged us and validated the unique nature of SoFlo ministry.

Oh … and Matt’s Picks

Now that we’re a one car family, I need to remember that Matt has to drive the Beetle too. It’s very sweet that he keeps the orange and purple Gerbera daisies in the flower holder when he drives it.

That said, here are his options of license plates to throw in the mix. Feel free to compare to those below and share your feedback.