I'm a little behind on posting because once "Throw Up Christmas '08" moved on, it was time to pack up and get ready to head to the big D. As in Dallas. TX. Beautiful, fun, exciting Dallas, Texas and home of the last and final Cotton Bowl to be played in whatever stadium that was.
We had the absolute best trip. I thought about putting all 527 pictures up on the blog, but a lot of you have seen them on Facebook by now, so I'll just put a couple at the end of my "New Year, New Fran" post. Just kidding. But, isn't that exactly what we do this time of year??? I have had 16 hours in the car to do a lot of reflecting, dreaming, hoping, and planning for 2009. I won't get into all that with you because I bet some of our items are exactly the same.
However, at church this morning....I had an epiphany. It was an "ah-ha" moment indeed. I have spent much time thinking about me. What are my goals? What are my dreams? What are my desires? What are my wishes? What are my plans for 2009??
The last time I checked, I am part of a family of 5 that God has deeply blessed me with. I have a fabulous husband and 3 beautiful boys. We are FAR from perfect and probably more outside the norm than inside the norm. So......what am I planning for us this 2009?
I'm begging myself and I'm begging you to spend some time really thinking about what God has in store for your family to grow spiritually in 2009. And, even if you are single with no children, God has entrusted you to many sweet people in your life who are a part of your family. Family is and can be defined differently by each one of us.
So....don't let this idea go. Jot some things down. Pray hard. And, let's do something amazing and challenging and different for 2009 as a family.
"Sweet Lord, stretch me and cause me to take my family to a different and exciting place with you this year."
I can definitely be better at spiritually growing my children.
What can you do to take it up a notch and seek God more for your family??
Oh, He's ready to grow us all. Not just me. Not just my husband. Not just my kids.
ALL OF US JESUS! HAVE ALL OF US!!!
Hugs and blessings and Happy 2009! 
Sunday, January 4, 2009
All in the Family
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When I read the title of this post, I thought it was going to be about Archie Bunker....get it? ALl in the Family....
ANYWHO.....you are so right...I need to do some planning for the family for 2009.....I actually had not even thought about it I was so obsessed with figuring out what I am going to change this year that I forgot about them! UGH....selfish, I am.
That last picture looks like a great Christmas card pic...way too cute....maybe you should have some Valentine's cards printed with that one on it...its too cute not to share!
So glad you had fun, Fran! And I'm glad you're back. :o)
The questions you pose in this post made me think that you might like a copy of what I was talking about in my last post. Hop over there when you have a minute and let me know.
Hugs to you girl,
Melinda
Amen! And thank you Fran for sharing your pictures for un non-facebook folk.
You know, since I was 13, I have said I owned the green building in Dallas. Everytime I see it, I say, "There's my building!" Hee hee!
Oh, but instead I have a building that I can build or tear down in my family. May it be with intention that I build.
Love you!
Holly
I would leave a comment, but my mama taught me to never talk with my mouth full - and since you gave me so much to chew on ...
I love ya Frannie!!!
so glad ya'll had a fun and safe trip...I have a feeling this is going to be a stretching year for our family...and that we need to be prepared...
love you!
Teresa
ps: I might need a little trip up the road in the next week or two...my b-day is coming...:)
Ya'll are the cutest family! I loved what you wrote about defining a family. We are not your normal family as I live with my brother and Georgia lives with us but I tell them all the time, we are a family and as you know God has been doing a work in this family for a few weeks now. I don't know where we will end up but I do know God goes with us wherever we go.
Love you!
Patty
Hey Fran...
I tried to find you on Facebook, but couldn't :( I guess I didn't have enough info to find you.
Great to see you and your family...a carbon copy of mine, except you oldest is just a little older than mine.
Blessings Fran...see you around blogville in 2009 :)
okay, yah. that epiphany? BRILLIANT!
will be chewing on this for a while.
So glad ya'll are back and feeling better. Love seeing photos of your beautiful family here and on facebook. You are greatly blessed.
I look forward (Lord willing) to seeing you in just a few weeks - what a time it will be!
Wishing you and yours a Healthy and Happy New Year dear girl!
tammy
ps: I tagged you on my blog and if you would, please consider playing along.
This was AWESOME!!!! And you know I don't throw that word around! :)
It's so easy to become so self-focused on personal "stuff" and forget that their is an entire family that God wants to use every day...that He wants to strengthen and challenge...
Love you girl! :)
See you soon!!!
steph.
I love that you were in my state for the new year. That is so appropriate! :) I love you, Frannie. Happy New Year!
Just wanted to comment on what you said about family goals in 2009. Most people forget this and focus entirely on personal ones. As a youth leader, I see how it would defintely help for families to have goals. God has a big family, so He absolutely cares about our own!
Glad you had a great trip, especially after getting sick.
~Sarah
Just wanted to comment on what you said about family goals in 2009. Most people forget this and focus entirely on personal ones. As a youth leader, I see how it would defintely help for families to have goals. God has a big family, so He absolutely cares about our own!
Glad you had a great trip, especially after getting sick.
~Sarah
You have certainly challenged me!
Thank you for being Prov. 27:17 kind of friend.
Cute pics!
Thanks for sharing your heart. It seems to be a the cry of my heart lately. I have shared with my husband and son about a full court press with Jesus in 2009. To give all that we have to him, to be so consumed with His Person that it truly fills and transforms us.
Our Pastor challenged the body about this same subject. I love it when He confirms things to us.
Thanks for sharing your family pic's with us you are adorable and the boys are so handsome.
If you get a minute please stop by my new blog and visit.
http://lifeimpossibleforenoteternity.blogspot.com/
Much love,
Celeste
Happy 2009!!
Thanks for these great thoughts and challenges. My mind was already wandering in that direction, but you helped firm up all my thoughts.
We are memorizing A to Z scriptures together this year, in addition to school and church memory verses.
I am also praying scriptures over my children.
Thanks for the challenge. I know that if I commit to spend more time with Him then anything else I want to change will follow. I don't know how you are able to blog and facebook. I spend all my time on pathwords. Have a great day!
Blessings,
Linda
Your blog is great!! I am amazed at how cute blogs can be... I am not tech savvy at all.
This post definitely speaks to my heart and where I am. I have been so caught up in my work the last 3 years that I feel my family has not gotten the best of me, and THEY are my focus this year. It is so hard to cut back and let go at a place I love and doing things I enjoy, but it is vital and I need to be obedient to God on this!
This blog entry was timely and such an encouragement to commit myself to prayer.
Why is it that what's right is sometimes so exhausting and not always easy, but so worth it?! I felt worn out just pursuing Him and trying to make right choices all day long yesterday. I guess I have so many bad habits to break!
Have you ever read "Feathers from My Nest" (by Beth of course)? Chapter 1 was such a blessing to read yesterday in this endeavor.
Thanks for sharing your blog! And sorry for such a long comment!
"Sweet Lord, stretch me and cause me to take my family to a different and exciting place with you this year."
oooo!! we, basically, said that as a family this last summer, and....wow! what a ride its been. worth it, but dang - stretching, we are.
"I'm a little behind"
im sorry. now im laughing. im thinking, literally - "little behind", but also now singing "im a little tea-pot"...
its been a long day.
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