Go Fly A Kite!

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I will admit it. I get a bit emotional when I fly a kite. Now, if you know me, you may be thinking, “So? You cry at McDonald’s commercials.” This is different. Kites take me to a deep place. Even the brightly colored ones with tree frogs and dolphins on them, although I’ve never teared up over a Pokemon kite. Yet.

When it comes to kites, I don’t pretend to know what I’m doing. A few years ago, quite spontaneously, I bought a kite in a shop on the boardwalk in Ocean City, MD, and so began my infatuation with them. It’s kind of like when there’s a dessert that you can only get in this special place and you don’t get there very often but every time you’re there you must have it and it thrills you like the first time. It’s a special joy for me when I get to the beach and just around sunset, I get out there with my kite.

No one ever showed me how to fly a kite. I just strung her up and went for it. Someone who knows what they’re doing may be mortified at my lack of expertise. This last time, I had actually threaded the kite backwards! It didn’t seem to matter. You see, the wind in all its invisible glory, is far more powerful than the kite.

It’s almost as if the kite has no choice but to radically obey the twists and turns of air that take it wherever it demands. And the beauty of seeing something so completely surrendered..,this is what takes my breath away.

We are a people who protest when anyone tries to tell us what to do or where to go. We have this crazy false sense of autonomy. We think we know better. I don’t know about you, but me being in charge of me, hasn’t worked out so well.

I am certain I am at my best, when I am a kite...and the Holy Spirit picks me up and takes me farther and higher than I ever imagined.

And so, yes...I tear up when I fly a kite. Part of it is just the joy of seeing such a tangible expression of freedom and grace and imagining that this is what we were made for. The other part of it, is simply regret. For all times I thought I knew better and resisted what God was desiring to do in me. For all the times I resented His plan and His power to direct my life. For all the ways He took me in directions I never wanted to go and I kicked and screamed all the way ...while all He was trying to do, was bless me.

Tracey

365 Days of New- Recap

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Hi friends!
My word for the year is "NEW". Last year, I had been feeling a bit of that mid-life thing creeping up on me, and even fighting the blues a bit. But in God's word, I was reminded, that while I may be bored with me, He isn't. In fact, in Christ, I am a new creation. (2Cor.5:17) I wanted to really embrace the idea that God is still making me new and that there are things about me I have yet to discover. I want to challenge my comfort zone, look forward to new experiences and intentionally open my heart to new things, ideas, learnings, etc... So, I made a goal for myself that I would do something new, that I've never done before- every single day of this new year. We're nine days in and so far, I'm having fun!

I promised to give you a recap so you can see what new adventures I'm having, and I am open to your suggestions too. Some of these might seem insignificant, but to me, they were a way of seeing myself differently- no matter how small. I do have some bigger things planned too and I trust the Lord will lead me through this thing and show me what He wants to show me.

So far, here's what I've done:
Jan. 1- Stayed for 2 back to back church services on a Sunday that I wasn't serving/working. I was glad I did. I needed to hear the message twice and even responding to God in worship- my heart was so much softer the 2nd time.

Jan. 2- Bought art supplies. A table-top easel, canvases, and paints. Never been an artist, and felt like a little kid picking this stuff out. I have it sitting on my dining room table but haven't had the courage to start yet. Waiting for the right day to take the next step and paint something.

Jan. 3- Took down my Christmas tree. Before February! I am infamous for leaving it up way too long. I just love it so much I put off taking it down. This year, I wanted to know what it would feel like to be practical. (hated it)

Jan. 4-Paid for a stranger's coffee in line behind me in the Barnes and Noble. Awkward at first, but I think it made her feel good and it certainly gave me a lift! I prayed it would just make her feel special- like God could see her.

Jan. 5- Had dinner with my friend Lorraine and her new husband Tim for the 1st time. It was a joy to see her so happy and to finally spend some time with this wonderful man I have heard to much about but not really had the chance to know yet. People ask me, if it's hard when my single friends meet someone and I'm still alone. Honestly- never. It comes easily to me to rejoice with the people I love.

Jan. 6- Got my first ever manicure with dark brown nail polish. I see the young girls with it and thought it was time I give it a try. Guys, I know this is no big deal from your perspective- but trust me. Picking out the color when you get a mani/pedi is one of the simple pleasures of life and very seldom, do we venture off into new colors. Sometimes, just doing something a little unexpected- can be a real kick!

Jan.7-My dear friends, The Cabellons, just had a baby girl. I got to hold precious Ruby in my arms-just one day old. So fresh from God and with that mysterious heavenly scent that only a newborn can have. I hope that this new thing, gets repeated many, many times.

Jan. 8- I led worship at Bridgeway which is always a privilege, but what was new, was I taught the congregation a new song. It's called "No One Higher" by Martha Munizzi, one of my favorites. It is a joy to see and hear a few thousand people grab ahold of that new song and start singing it like they mean it. They did.

Jan.9- I took a walk around my neighborhood, at night, by myself. I've never done that or even felt like I wanted to do that. Especially in January, but it was actually very pleasant. And... I started the post-holiday dead Christmas tree judging contest.

There you have it. I already have something planned tomorrow that will stretch me. Also, Mike and Dave will pick something new for me to do from all the suggestions many of you have made. New is good.
So far.

Newly Yours,
Tracey

365 days of New

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I chose a one word theme for my life this new year- instead of making resolutions. One word- that I prayed about and believe God gave to me. One word that could be a way for me to focus, get back on track if I lose my way, and look for God to teach me about.

My word is... NEW.

2Cor. 5:17 says, "Therefore if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come." Problem is I don't feel so new.

And of course there's this one: Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?" No- I don't always perceive it. But I want to.

And how about Lamentations 3:22-23 "...His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Why do I live in old shame instead of embracing God's new compassions?

New.

The word isn't impressive, scholarly word, or even the slightest bit unusual or groundbreaking, but what God is speaking to me about that word is transforming- to me. I have been weighed down the last few months with some old stuff. New hurts have triggered old ones to come to the surface. I have believed things about myself that aren't true of me and I have doubted others love for me because they weren't giving me what I expected. I have been disappointed.

You know how it is when you first meet someone? There is an eagerness to know each other, a genuine interest, a grace to believe the best because you don't have any history to hold over their heads. Even if someone is a scoundrel to everyone who knows them; with every new person they meet, there is a grace to now be better... a fresh start to be the person you want to be - in this relationship. A newness.

After awhile we stop learning about each other and put people in boxes, refusing to see that they are deeper still than what we know and there is more beauty to be revealed. We fall out of love. We fall out of interest. We think it's their fault. But perhaps, we have stopped allowing them to be -new. Familiarity breeds contempt so they say. I think it's true and I have felt the sting of being on the receiving end of people no longer caring to know more of who I am. Disenchanted, bored, and shutting me down so I don't even believe there's more of me worth sharing.

I have also been on the giving end of that kind of treatment. It grieves me and I want to love better than that.

There's so much more to this that God is showing me, but for now, I just want to share with you that "New" is my word. I will strive to believe that God is telling the truth about me, and making me new every day. And I will allow others to be new too. I won't hold history over their heads. I will get to know them again. I want to be the kind of friend that breathes life into people and helps them re-create. And I want to challenge myself to dig deeper and find new things inside of me that God put there for a reason.

One practical way of embracing my word is this. Starting January 1st, I have begun a personal quest: 365 days of NEW.

Every day this year, I will do something I haven't done before. It could be as little as, trying a new food, or taking a new route... Or it could be as adventurous as, well... I'm not telling just yet. But I will keep you posted.

Yesterday, I wasn't working at church like I usually am, and yet I stayed through two services back to back because my pastor asked me to. That was new.

Today, January 2nd, I bought my first set of art supplies. I'm 47 and I'm sure I haven't painted since elementary school. Perhaps it's just my version of a mid-life crisis, but I'm going to paint something, by golly. Just like this new year of my life- a blank canvas is waiting, full of possibilities.

Tracey

Mom's Christmas Breakfast Casserole

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Hi friends!

Every year since I was a wee one, my mom has made this delicious breakfast for Christmas morning. We love it so much and only get it once a year. Many of our listeners have adopted it as their Christmas morning breakfast so, we wanted to share the recipe with you once again!

Enjoy!

Linda's Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients:

6 slices of bread, crusts removed

Butter (to lightly coat the bread)

1 lb of bacon (or your choice of meat like sausage, steak, chicken, etc)

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (we like shredded cheddar)

6 eggs

2 cups of milk

salt & pepper (to taste)

To Make:
Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.
Butter the 6 slices of bread and place in pan butter side up.
Fry bacon (or meat you desire) and crumble over the bread.
Sprinkle cheese over the meat and bread.
In a bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, salt & pepper and 2 cups of milk.
Pour over top the bread, meat, and cheese.
Cover with foil and place in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pull casserole out and let sit on the counter for 15 minutes (very important if you are using a glass pan!).
Uncover and bake for approximately 45 minutes.
Let sit for 5 minutes and enjoy!

CUPS

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Hi friends! Did you know that God is a person, with an actual personality, and you can actually get to know Him? And so many of us carry around these big misconceptions about what He's really like. I used to think that God tolerated me because I was His kid, and I should tread lightly as not to disturb Him too much. I was certain that you should only pray about the really BIG stuff because God was..well, pretty busy.. and only really cared about big, God-sized stuff.

It was back in 1999 and I was in the first week on my new job as studio manager for Audio Master. One morning, there were very important clients (V.I.C’s) coming in early for a session for some radio spots. This would be my first time meeting these clients and as the new manager, I wanted to make a great first impression. The first thing they did after depositing their brief cases in the studio was to come back upstairs and gather like vultures around the…wait for it….
Coffee pot.

I was on it. I learned how to make a pot of coffee just for this job, so I was quite proud the coffee was ready. Just one problem.
No cups.
I searched in every cabinet, under every counter and in every closet. I went into all 3 studios. The V.I.C’s were getting upset, and still standing around the coffee pot..waiting.
I couldn’t leave because I was the only person there besides the engineer doing the session. So I calmly asked the V.I.C’s to have a seat in the studio and I would bring them their coffee.
In my hands, I guess… All I knew was that somehow, I needed to make this happen.

I went back behind my desk and did what any baby Christian would do. I cried. Just a little. Then, I prayed right there at my desk in the reception lobby. Short and sweet and desperate. Please God help me find some cups. This job is important to me. And if You can’t do that, help me handle this in a way that wins them over. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

A mili-second later, the door swings open and voiceover actor that I had met just a few days prior, walks in, awkwardly balancing the door open with one hand and carrying a large box in the other. “Hi Sheldon. What’s in the box?”, I quipped.
“Cups,” he said.
My mouth dropped open so that I was barely able to speak. Sheldon opened the box to show me the paper cups he used to advertise his business. They were white cups with blue letters that said, “Sheldon Smith Means Voiceovers”. He said he just happened to be in the area and wanted to drop them off…

Yeah ok Sheldon. You can believe that if you want.

That was the cup that forever changed my life. If God would seriously bend His ear to a girl like me asking for something so ridiculously unimportant, then He must be actually interested in me. And if God is interested in me like that, then He must really care about the details of my life- even the cups. And if He cares about the cups, surely He cares about the deepest longings of my heart.
Want proof?
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” – Psalm 16:5

What have been the "cups" in your life that showed you something about who God really is? Do you trust Him enough to even ask Him.. about cups?

His Girl,
Tracey

What happens when....

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What happens when your Dad is Bart Millard from Mercy Me and it's his turn to wake you up for school??

Singled Out

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Hi friends!

I was on a cruise last week with my family and friends and one of the activities they had on the ship one night, was a salsa dance lesson. Now, I have to tell you.. I LOVE salsa music and love salsa dancing. Problem is- I really don't know how. But I am drawn to it and I've always wanted to learn. So I figured, it's a free lesson. Why not?

I show up to the class and it became obvious to me rather quickly, that I was the one and ONLY single person in the class. All couples. Nice, happy couples who wanted to learn how to dance together. Now this makes perfect sense, since salsa dancing is with two people.

I'm not really sure what I was expecting or why I was embarrassed. Perhaps I was hoping there would be just one other single person in the class. Or even a smurf or cyclops. It didn't much matter. Just someone who wasn't paired up and wanted to learn how to dance. On a boat with about 5,000 people on it- it seemed a reasonable hope.

But no.

The instructor told all the couples to spread out on the dance floor. I felt my cheeks turn blood red and I tried to slither off the floor, over to the side.. I was hoping that my luck would improve and maybe the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

But Hans, or Sven, or whatever the instructor's name was, saw me slithering, and in front of everyone, loudly, in a Scandanavian-ish accent said, "Where is your partner?"

Funny, I've been wondering that same thing for years.

I answered him like a little mouse. "I don't have a partner. It's ok. I'll just stand over here and watch".

"No!" he said. "You will dance with me."

And just like that, the girl with no partner, alone in a room full of shiny happy couples, was singled out to dance. Not with just anyone - with the Master.

Isaiah 54:4-5 says, "Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated....For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer..."

And for a few moments, I forgot the pain of being alone in that room and I danced. With the best dancer in the place. He knew what he was doing..skilled and strong, he spun me around and made me feel like as long as he was leading, I could do anything.

Singled out to dance with the Master. This is the reality of my life right now and while it might not be what I was expecting, I am honored.


His,
Tracey

When will I ever stop talking about my weight?

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Hi friends!

Weight loss and the pursuit of it, has been like a part-time job for me for many years. Maybe even more than part-time. On top of all my other jobs and activities, obscuring any joy I may feel about myself or any accomplishments, stealing my confidence, and my attention and shaming me for failed attempt after failed attempt.

If you know this struggle, then you know what I mean. How many tears have you cried because you felt so bad about your weight? How long have you felt powerless to do anything about it?

As a Christ follower, I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) But this battle has beat me up so much that I had nearly given up hope that I could ever change. Yes, I knew the Lord was able, but clearly I wasn’t. Or so I thought.

So I prayed and prayed. Lord, please send me some help. I just don’t know what to do. Send me someone who wants to help me and who has the key to unlock this mystery for me.I love it when God answers prayer so specifically. The day that Kate and Corrie and Bill from A Better Weigh came to the station to meet with me, I knew God had said to me, I hear you and here is some help.

Losing weight is a very personal thing and the way it happens for people is as unique as their struggle. For me, a lack of self- control and feeding my loneliness and hormonal depression with loads of carbs, and sugar, meant that I needed structure and discipline. Accountability with results to keep me motivated. No wiggle room.

This program was exactly what I needed. It has helped me identify the real reasons I would eat, and to discern when I am actually hungry. There were so many times when I was stressed or upset about something and my first inclination was to feed myself. And I couldn’t. Not only would it mess up my weight loss, but I would then have to admit it on the air, that I had “cheated”. Talk about accountability!

So I persevered. I set a goal and I persevered. Through parties, nights out with friends, holidays...I never wavered. And on Christmas Eve, I hit my goal. 145 lbs! Now it’s January 10th and I’m still going. Turns out, I could actually go all the way with this program and get.. dare I say it...thin. Me! I never thought it was possible.

I am 140 lbs today and I’ve lost a total of 46 pounds. But what I have gained is so much more. The feeling of accomplishment that I have set a goal and even surpassed it. The confidence that I can do ministry and reach out to others without feeling self-conscious, but instead, focused on them. The belief restored in me, that I really can change. Transformation is possible. And I can glorify God in an area that I have shut Him out all these years.

It is with fear and trembling that I say, I am an over-comer. By God’s grace that is what I am. I will never underestimate this struggle and I will never think I have it all figured out. But I have learned so much and I am different than when I started back in September. Different on the inside. You can’t see that change as clearly, but trust me. When you see how different I look on the outside, it is just a small hint of how different I am on the inside.

Thank you to my friends at A Better Weigh and thank you Lord for giving me the help I needed. I’ll be 47 in April and Lord willing, I’ll be the leanest I’ve been since.. well… a long, long time. And speaking of time, what will I do with all the time I'll have to myself when I quit this part-time job of losing weight? Can’t wait to find out.

Humbled,
Tracey

The Show After The Show #3

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Tracey's Christmas tree must come down!

The Show After The Show Episode #2

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Tracey and Mike discuss dry Christmas trees and fashions when you travel.

Welcome to "The Show After The Show" Episode #1

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It's Mike's wedding anniversary and Tracey wants to make sure Mike will still be romantic even though his wife is sick with a cold.

Mom's Breakfast Casserole is back!

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Hi friends!

Every year since I was a wee one, my mom has made this delicious breakfast for Christmas morning. We love it so much and only get it once a year. Many of our listeners have adopted it as their Christmas morning breakfast so, we wanted to share the recipe with you once again!

Enjoy!

Linda's Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients:

6 slices of bread, crusts removed

Butter (to lightly coat the bread)

1 lb of bacon (or your choice of meat like sausage, steak, chicken, etc)

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (we like shredded cheddar)

6 eggs

2 cups of milk

salt & pepper (to taste)

To Make:
Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.
Butter the 6 slices of bread and place in pan butter side up.
Fry bacon (or meat you desire) and crumble over the bread.
Sprinkle cheese over the meat and bread.
In a bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, salt & pepper and 2 cups of milk.
Pour over top the bread, meat, and cheese.
Cover with foil and place in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pull casserole out and let sit on the counter for 15 minutes (very important if you are using a glass pan!).
Uncover and bake for approximately 45 minutes.
Let sit for 5 minutes and enjoy!

A Macy's Day Surprise!

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Your Monday Smile! Just Can't Wake Up

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Don't you hate it when you fall asleep in your coffee bowl....er.....cup?

Your Monday Smile! Grover Spice

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Your Monday Smile! The Moves

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How does the lead singer of MercyMe warm up before a concert?

Check out Bart Millard's moves!

Your Monday Smile! Warm Fuzzies...

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Think God is too busy to care about the little things?

Last week, on my Facebook, listeners were sharing what school supplies their kids really wanted for the new year. One listener, Jenn, wrote that she couldn’t afford all the stuff her kids wanted and she was shopping at the thrift store.

I received a personal message from one of our listeners who saw that post, and felt the Lord wanted her to help. She wanted to remain anonymous so she asked that we get her address and connect them. When I told Jenn that someone wanted to help, she said through her tears, “I can’t believe God would want to meet this little need of mine”.

So that was Monday.

Then Thursday came. We aired a call from a listener named Ann, who shared the back to school fashions that her kids really wanted this year. Her daughter, Rachel, is a precious special needs 10 year old, who really wanted this iCarly back pack. But Ann couldn’t find it anywhere! It appeared to be sold out- even online.

Another listener, Teresa, heard Ann sharing her daughter’s desire for this backpack. A little thing right? But to a 10 year old girl, a big thing. And Teresa, a total stranger, feels compelled on her way in to work, (in Annapolis) to take a detour. She pulls into the Target and looks, and finds the iCarly backpack! She buys it for Ann’s daughter, along with some iCarly dvds.. And drives to the station (in Arbutus) to drop it off for Ann to pick up.

Teresa tells me through her tears, that she was just so happy to be used by God.

And I’m thinking I want to be like both of these ladies.. So willing, so flexible with my plans that if God calls me to drop everything to go serve someone-I’d be willing. That is, after all, the body of Christ. The Acts 2 church in the present day- taking care of each other. Reflecting the heart of the Father and proving yet again, He really does care about the little things.

And by the way… the listener, Ann, who wanted that backpack for her daughter? She was the “anonymous” person who reached out to Jenn with some help buying school supplies.

Just amazing!

Your Monday Smile! Singing for the Dogs!

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Your Monday Smile! Let's Rap!

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Speaker Tamara Lowe does a little motivational rap at Christ Fellowship on Valentines Weekend 2010. Enjoy!

Your Monday Smile!

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It may be Monday but at least you are not here!

Let's play "Where's Tracey?"