Beyond The Red Door

Welcome to our family's blogging home - where I share life beyond our red door! I hope that you will enjoy your visit with us.

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Things That Make Me Smile

Seeing the kids reading their Bibles on their own
Hearing the ocean
Smelling a cake baking
Remembering our wedding day
Singing in the church choir
Shopping for my family
Feeling good
Reading in the tub
A quiet house
Watching a funny movie with the kids
Seeing my kids playing a game together
Ron's little finger dance
Hearing my kids being excited about church
Watching Ron play with Faith (our dog)
Hearing Ron snoring beside me after he has been gone on a long trip
Chatting with special friends
Feeling hot sand under my feet on a beach somewhere
Game night with Brian & Kim and kids
Spending one on one time with Kim
Double Dating With Brian and Kim
A clean house
Sitting on my front porch in my new rockers
Walking on a cool evening with my family
Losing weight
Seeing my kids make a great play on the soccer field

About The Hunters

My dear sweet hubby, Ron, and I have been married for 20+ years. We began dating during my freshman year at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville. He is my college sweetheart. We have ministered together in various ministries during our lives together. We pastored for 10 years in Florida. We moved to TN in 2000 to Co-Pastor with some friends of ours. The Lord has given me a fabulous provider whom I love more than any words I write could ever express. He is now the CEO at our denomination's publishing company, Randall House Publications. I am honored to support him.

Our oldest child is named Michael. He is now officially a teenager, although I don't think I'm old enough to have a teenager. He is a very sweet and considerate young man. He is my thinker and my reader. He absorbs every piece of new information that he comes across. He loves playing soccer, riding his bike, skateboarding, reading, watching the History Channel, the Military Channel, ESPN and any documentary on TV. I am privileged to be his Mother.

Lauren is our youngest child. She is just 15 months behind her brother in age. She is wise beyond her years. She has a sharp-witted tongue (which sometimes has to be tamed), a quick sense of humor and a heart for people and animals. She loves organizing anything and everything. She loves being with her friends, singing, talking on her cell phone and playing soccer. I am blessed to be her Mother.

Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier. - Kathleen Norris

On My Nightstand

When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent
Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman by Beth Moore
NIV Life Application Study Bible

Back On The Bookshelf 2009

~Beyond The Red Door~

Oct. 14, 2009
Soccer, Studies, College and Expectations

Posted in Day To Day Life - It Happens

This is the last week of the soccer season for Lauren. Is it possible? Really? It seems like school was just starting and they had just started practicing. It just reminds me that time goes by so fast. Michael has a couple of more weeks of NYSA (city league) season. But tomorrow night will be the last game of the season for Lauren at school. I can't believe it. District tournaments begin over the weekend. Where is the SLOW DOWN button? I know we are all trying to figure out where it is located. If anyone finds it please share with the rest of us. I know the next time I blink they will both be heading to college. I will just try not to blink. I will have a staring contest with the calendar!! That's it!

Speaking of college - I need a checklist of things that we need to do and a timeline of when they need to be done. Both MIchael & Lauren are sophomores this year. I know there are things that we can be doing now to prepare so that we aren't bombarded their senior year. We have had a talk with them about bringing up their GPAs. Each of them have a list of colleges they are interested in. Does anyone have a checklist or suggestions on what we need to be doing when? I'm sure I could get some answers by checking with the school guidance counselor too. Will put that on my list of things to do.

Ron is traveling more than he is home this month. That's no fun for any of us. But we are managing. I was hoping to go on a trip with him the first week of November to East Tennessee. But it looks like I will be needed elsewhere at that time. I enjoying traveling with him. But it's hard for me to give myself "permission" to be away from the kids. I guess that goes along with being a full-time mom, doesn't it? SIGH

Bible study is plugging right along. Esther is taking a little more effort for me to get into at some points than some of her other studies. That one week that I blogged about was extremely challenging. But the last couple of weeks have moved a lot slower. I find myself having to really work at concentrating. I'm not sure if that is because I am too easily distracted or if it is the study itself. Hmmmmmmmm something to think about.

Well, there's really not much else to say. Besides, I hear the heating pad calling my name. It's been raining for 2 days. We all know how great of a pair rain and fibromyalgia makes. Another great part of my life. Sighhhhhhhhhhhh So, toodles for now!

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Sep. 21, 2009
It's About That Time

Posted in Day To Day Life - It Happens

Today is going to be crazy. And I am trying to pretend that it isn't. Yes, I am wasting time to keep from having to do everything that I have to do. Am I the only one who does that? Please tell me I'm not!!

Tomorrow Ron and I leave for Dallas for the first annual D6 Conference. This has been a dream for Ron for a few years now. Tomorrow is the day we head out to make it a reality. What is D6 you ask. Here is a description of the idea:

Unfortunately, many people rely on the pastor, Sunday school teacher, or youth pastor to be the primary spiritual influence for our kids. The problem is we only spend, at most, four hours a week at church. What about the other 164 hours?

D6 stands for Deuteronomy 6:5-7 which commands dads and moms to take everyday opportunities to impress God’s Word upon the hearts of their children. D6 is foundational to raising spiritual champions for Christ.

We must be active in passing our faith along to our kids. It’s clear from D6 that, while church is a vital part of this development, it cannot stop there. It must continue in the home.

The first conference begins, officially, on Wednesday with Pre-Con sessions. Ron's organization is spearheading the conference. But it has reached way beyond the roots of Randall House and our FWB Denomination. We are expecting 1600+ people at this first conference. The Lord has blessed this dream.

So, that brings me to the point of having to finish laundry, pack, clean, get the house ready for my dad to come and stay with the kids and be ME for the week and do everything else that I usually do like school & soccer. Thankfully Ron will be home early and can help me. OF COURSE I have a headache. INSANE!!!

I have a few other things up my sleeve to help me avoid my crazy day. I'm off to see how those work out for me next.

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May. 6, 2009
Write Write Write Write

Posted in Day To Day Life - It Happens

Ron keeps telling me I need to write a devotion for those of us who deal with depression. I'm wondering what I would have to say that has not already been said by a zillion other people.

My mom says I need to write articles for magazines. What would I have to say that has not already been said?

My dad has always said I should do more writing. What would I have to say that has not already been said?

My grandmother told me, before she died, that she always thought I would be a writer. I have no idea what she thought I could write. I do remember writing little skits for me and my 3 cousins to do when we would have our big Christmas Eve celebrations each year. I'm thinking that's not quite what she had in mind. Although I could probably still do that.

At any rate, it appears that the Lord is pricking my heart about writing. I have a hard enough time trying to think of stuff to write here on my blog - as we all know since I took a 3 month hiatus. I'm hoping all that he wants me to do is just reach you through this blog. I do know that during the period of time that I was gone for those 3 months I was always thinking I should be writing. I'm always coming up with ideas of things to blog about. Unfortunately, by the time I sit down here to write it it is LONG gone from my memory. I need to make more of an effort to keep track of those thoughts.

Why am I telling YOU this? So you can pray for me. I want to be obedient to the Lord. But I'm the kind of person who needs a smack upside the head and a voice from Heaven. When you pray for that could you please ask Him to not smack me too hard? A firm tap should do the trick. Thanks - that'd be great!

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