I've been blogless lately.  I often think of things I want to write, but busy-ness gets in the way. 

So, to start the week off I'll write about my weekend which was busy and fun-filled, yet challenging.

Friday night I hosted a meeting for the committee I chair in our homeschool group.  It's the Mom's Support Night Committee. We're the bones of this organizations mandatory monthly meeting.  We plan for speakers in teaching tips, devotions, praise and worship leaders, table decorations, refreshments, and the agenda for the evening program. 

We have 11 members and most of the members of this committee are also new to the organization.  This has been a mixed blessing.  New folks are excited to be here, but they're also needing to be served instead of focusing on serving others.  My challenge was to balance both of these needs in a group of seventy-plus members.  We were able to plan our next two meetings and had lots of fun discussing pros and cons of our previous meetings since September. 

Since I enjoy hospitality I served a Chocolate Chess and  Buttermilk Coconut pies, along with cheese and crackers, fresh blackberries, and some chocolates (of course!)

Saturday I was busy cooking for a Mardi Gras and Super Bowl parties we attended, when a girlfriend called to get my coleslaw recipe.  She was coming to the same SB party and had signed up to bring this side dish to go along with the host families pulled pork sandwiches.  By the time I read her my recipe, I realized I had all the ingredients, and since she was running errands in my part of town I invited her over to make the slaw here.  We had a blast drinking tea, shredding cabbage, and catching up with one another.  I finished my Cajun Caviar to take the the Mardi Gras party that evening. 

The Mardi Gras party was ..... um, ........ interesting and posed my biggest challenge. 

This is an annual event held by some folks we met through my daughter's volleyball team.  These folks are blessed with a huge home on a beautful river.  They're very gracious, humble, and easy to be with, yet totally secular.  Whenever I mention the Lord, or anything about my faith, I'm greeted with a glazed, silent response.    I always leave this party thinking I'd have a much better time if I were not a Christian, but I am, and the drinking, conversations, and general revelry, sans God, bothers me immensely.  I know God has placed me in the lives of these folks and other v-ball parents who also attend for a purpose, but I don't feel like I'm ever prepared for these encounters.   One woman in particular has even said to me, she's never met a Christian like me who can have fun and isn't a stick-in-the-mud.  This comment haunted me for months, and left me wondering, if, perhaps I was slipping into worldliness when I'm with her.  I always try to encourage her by praying for her requests, and caring for her and her family by just spending time with her, and opening up my life to her.  Like I said, I always leave with a greater burden and feeling more inadequate.  I need to commit to praying for these folks and my role in thier lives.

The Super Bowl party was held in  a couple's home where we've spent lots of time.  We even vacation with them, and another family at the party.   We've been in Bible study with this group for many years.  The kids who come along range in ages from twenty-four down to five.  All those who LOVE football watch the game, and all those who do not, (read:  the ladies) sit in the dining room and enjoy the evening together, eating, talking, and just enjoying Christian fellowship.  Remembering the previous evening I almost felt guilty basking in this comfortable setting, yet still struggling with how God wants to use me in this other circle of friends. 

I awoke this morning, still burdened for sharing Christ with my Mardi Gras friends, yet  this is necessary in all my encouters.  I'm encouraged and resolved to read and study this book, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism, by Mark Dever. 

The forward is by C.J. Mahaney, former senior pastor of my church.

I'll be blogging about this book this week and how I can apply what I learn, specifically to this group of friends.  Pray for me, will you?