Patio Talk

Moving

2008-02-29T22:19:00.001-05:00

I have moved to Wordpress.com. Please visit my new blog at:

http://pattisherman.wordpress.com/

Wait

2008-02-27T22:30:00.005-05:00

A friend of ours wrote this song. It has really been encouraging to me. It is where I am at right now. Hopefully it will encourage you if you are going through a rough time.

Lessons Learned

2008-02-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

Well, today I was reminded of two things.

1 - God blesses people and it is humbling and awesome at the same time. Something happened today that reminded me that God does care and is taking care of us. It brought tears to my eyes.

2 - When we pray and ask God to help us, He hears. He answered my prayer today that something I had to do would go smoothly and without hassle. Even though I was nervous He gave me strength and I didn't need to fear because it ended up not being a problem. He went before me and made the way straight.

I was reading a prayer letter today and she talked about having to learn to be "tougher". She has learned to stand up for herself living in another country. But then she said "But I have found these strengths to also be a weakness as God has reminded me recently that in standing up for oneself, we must not forget to show His love and grace." That struck me. How often do I go off, maybe not at the person themselves. That feeds into my heart and that is not good because that will come out sometime. Or I may get frustrated at that person on the other end of the phone who has messed up the appointment or whatever. My tone says a lot to that person. And that tone doesn't speak Jesus to them. And mostly where I am convicted is how I talk to my husband and son. Most times I don't hear what my tone really sounds like. So I am asking God to show me, before I speak so that my tone speaks Jesus loves you and I love you.

Journeying together,

Baby

2008-02-02T20:12:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that 16 years ago today I was holding a baby. Now he is a 16 year old, learning to drive and enjoying life.

He had fun today playing football outside and on video with some of the guys from church and the neighborhood.

Yes, his favorite team is the Patriots and he is excited that they get to play tomorrow in the Super Bowl.

A friend of ours made this awesome cake to help celebrate his special day.

We thank God for Taylor and are excited to see what He has in store for him in the coming years.

Journeying together

Only God

2008-01-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

I feel like Jehoshaphat. He and the Israelites had three enemy armies coming at them. "...O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."

Right now there are so many things regarding our cafe coming to a head. We are feeling overwhelmed. We don't know what to do in this impossible situation - there is nothing we can do but wait and pray.

Jahaziel - He reminds the Israelites "This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. ... Take your positions then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you."

It is a very scary place to be. There is nothing to do but totally rely on God and place yourself in His hands for the outcome. It is hard to sit back and wait to see how and what God will do. You feel like you need to be doing something.

I can only pray that I can come through it shining for Jesus. That the devil will not get a foothold in our lives and God will protect us and be glorified.

I know He is with me and will go with me through whatever comes but the unknown outcome sometimes scares me to death.

Journeying together,

Andrea

2008-01-27T21:08:00.001-05:00

This one is for you Andrea. I am not sure what to say.

Actually today was pretty good. My neighbor and her girls came to church. They haven't been yet since we have been at the theaters. You can pray for them. Diane and I prayed with her and she sat with me in church. I pray God is drawing her and her husband to himself. C3 can have a big part in that. They are hurting right now.

It's hard when you don't know what to say. But maybe that is good. Listening might be the better thing. And praying.

I talked with my family on the phone, did some e-mail, rested, worked on a present for my niece.

Who knows what this week has in store. I just ask God that He helps me through each day with His grace and that my responses would be pleasing to Him.

Journeying together,

Patti

Visitor

2007-11-19T20:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday one of the girls who used to work at our cafe came to church with her sister and her sister's boyfriend. They had asked to come before but never came. When we asked, she never could. They told Taylor this week they were going to come and then called me on Saturday. They came. They seemed to like it. The sister said it was similar to a church they were visiting in Miami when they were there.

YEAH!

Contentment

2007-10-12T23:36:00.000-04:00

The truth is that if God wanted us to have more right now, we would have it. . . . If we were supposed to be in a different situation in life, we would be in it. Instead of always saying, "If only this" and "If only that," God calls us to glorify him to the fullest right now. . . . Contentment means wanting what God wants for us rather than what we want for us. The secret to enjoying this kind of contentment is to be so satisfied with God that we are able to accept whatever he has or has not provided." -Phil Ryken

Great Day

2007-10-10T19:36:00.000-04:00

I had the great privilege today of helping debrief two of our missionaries. Just to sit and listen to where they have been, the ups, downs, exciting and challenging is just awesome. There are some great caliber people out there serving God and it is a privilege to serve them.

Last week I helped with another couple. It is exciting to hear how they are being used. I now have three countries I want to go visit and I am sure there will be more as I am able to see and hear their stories.

Weekend Away

2007-09-27T23:15:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow we are leaving for St. Augustine when Taylor gets home from school. We have been there many times visiting friends so we have already done the tourist thing. Now we can just relax and enjoy, go do something if we want to or sit on the beach or by the pool. I am looking forward to being away from home for a few days and just enjoying our time.

Ancient of Days

2007-09-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

We are going through the book of Daniel in our small group (Beth Moore). Last night we learned about the Ancient of Days.

A court case may start out with one judge who was around when the crime happened. He experienced it on the tv and news. But by the time the person who committed the crime needs to be judged, it could be a different judge, one who didn't "experience" the crime.

However, God, the Ancient of Days has been on his throne from the beginning and will be on His throne through the end. He has seen every injustice done to us. He has been with us through every trial and hardship. When it comes time for judgment, He has a vested interest in us and He is the one who will give out the punishment.

It is very comforting to know that we have a God who loves us, cares for us and is with us through everything and He will always be there with us. Others may leave but He never will.

Journeying together,

Praise Him

2007-09-06T22:22:00.000-04:00

I have so many thoughts spinning in my head I don't know what to write. There are two more days left for us to be running Cuppy's. Sunday we go over everything with Sirran and Monday she starts running Cuppy's in hopes to get it going well (using all the marketing tools she has available) and try to sell it for us.

Bill is looking for another job. We are waiting on test results. We are trying to be the message to those watching. Many emotions are running through us. Watching a dream die is not easy.

There are other things that are happening and it just seems the waves keep rolling at us. I am so glad that God is in control and he is my refuge. I don't see how people who do not know Him survive their struggles.

I am so glad that we can praise God even in the hard times. And when we praise Him, our spirits are lifted.

So praise Him with me because He wins in the end and we know that one day we will be with Him and all of this will not matter.

Journeying together,

What kind of message

2007-09-03T21:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday at church we learned about waves. How they keep coming and sometimes we are able to handle them and sometimes they wash over us. How Jesus asks us to obey one more time. Right now we are being pounded by the waves. What stuck with me the most was I am a message to others who are watching. So what kind of message am I as I deal with the waves that come at me day after day? What are others seeing in me as they watch? Are they seeing Jesus? Is He shining through me? I need to be in the Word and praying daily and asking Him to guide my each thought, action, word.

I pray that God will help me shine for Him through the dark days and through the good days.

Journeying together,

He never lets go

2007-08-26T21:15:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe it has been a year since we launched C3. So much has happened in that year. Both in the church and in our lives.

This morning we sang the song "He never lets go". It was a great reminder to Bill and I that no matter what we walk through, He will never let go of us. He is always with us. And we can still praise Him no matter what is happening because He loves us. And in the end, we will spend eternity with Him. We sang that song with tears in our eyes but from our hearts.

Journeying together,

Impossible

2007-08-20T19:34:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel like what you have to do is impossible. You can't possibly do everything that needs done in the timeframe it needs done in.

I know that is how Bill is feeling right now. So many marketing things to do for Cuppy's and not enough man power, energy or time.

I guess this is where we ask God to keep us in perspective, help us prioritize and give us energy to do the things we need to do and other resources to help us when we can't.

We need to trust that God gave the dream and what He wants to happen He will provide.

Journeying together,

Patti

Together

2007-08-18T15:03:00.000-04:00

It's Saturday. I am at the cafe. No one is here.

Well, that was written earlier. It was boring. I was only there a little while today. One hour of it by myself.

We were able to get Taylor's scheduled fixed at school. He has French instead of Spanish but he has all the other classes he needed.

We actually sat down to dinner tonight. We were all here and no one was at the cafe. Then we played a game and watched HSM2. It was a relaxing evening. Something that will probably not happen again for awhile.

Looking forward to worship tomorrow morning at C3.

Journeying together,

Patti

Busy week

2007-08-17T22:14:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and the week is almost over. It has been a very busy and full week. Taylor had band camp every day from 1:30 until 8:30. Tonight they performed the first 1/3 of the show for us. It's great to watch them improve and add to the show throughout the season.

My sister and I were able to go to a school and hand out Cuppy's coffee and coupons. Everyone who goes to that elementary school lives in the neighborhood so it was great PR.

This week we found out Taylor's tests all were negative and he is fine. Cuppy's corporate is going to help us do a bunch of marketing this next month or so to get the coffee shop up and running great. Lord willing.

Bill has a lump and he goes for a some more tests next week.

A guy the other night at Cuppy's asked us how business was and then asked if he could pray for us and proceeded to do so right then. It was cool.

I am sure there were other things that happened but those are the ones that are most on the mind.

I am looking forward to worshipping at church on Sunday morning.

Journeying together,

Patti

The battle is not mine

2007-08-15T21:44:00.000-04:00

It seems I think of a lot of things I'd like to say on my blog throughout the day but when I finally get to sit down my mind goes blank.

I did read a verse this morning that was an encouragement to me. 2 Chronicles 20:15 "...Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this might army, for the battle is not yours, but God's." and then verse 20 "..."Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm."

Right now the world and its circumstances seem like a big army. But the battle is not mine. God will help me through it. He will help me stand firm.

Many things happened today. Several were encouraging; some discouraging. Even in the discouraging ones I felt strength. I know that comes from God and what moves his hand is prayers of many. I certainly could not do it on my own.

It definitely is a very stretching time but one that is drawing me closer to Jesus and ultimately that is what He wants.

Journeying together,

Patti

First Time

2007-08-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

Well, this is my first time blogging. I really don't know what I am doing. I set it up but we will see how it turns out. I thought of lots of things to blog about, but not while I was at my computer. Now my mind is blank. Maybe now that I have it up and running I can jump on and post something when it comes to mind.