How God has been directing my path this summer

Wow I have been so busy and have not blogged in such a long time. We were so busy in the spring planning for our big fund raising banquet and camp. Both were very successful. Thank you Jesus! We brought in over $20,000 for our banquet. This was the first Camp that Gateway has ever put on, so Chad and I did a lot of work and planning for program. We had 3 leaders that were our go to girls who went all over town to get the supplies we needed. We ran middle school and high school camp the same week on different tracks. Over 30 kids came to know Christ that week. I was home for one day then I left for young lives camp in AZ. For those of you who don't know Young Lives is a ministry for teen moms and their babies. This was definitely an eye opening experience for me. The week was a long hard week emotionally as well as physically. I was on the child care team so basically we watched babies so that the moms could have the best week of their lives and hear about Jesus. We had the babies about 8 hrs. a day and some days even more. My heart was torn in two different directions. The first as a youth worker and the other as a mommy! I wish I could express to you how God intentional this trip was for me. My eyes were opened to so many things. Many of the teen girls were also a product of their moms being teen moms. It's this unbreakable cycle. Why? Because they are 15 yr. old girls who can't get a job and many don't finish high school much less college. They can't get out of their surrounding therefore the feel stuck and they can't seem to change the pattern of their life or their child's life and so the cycle repeats again and again. On the very last night I told my 10 three yr olds good bye and gave them a hug, kiss, and a prayer and fought back tears with each one. I wondered "God, why you placed me in the lives of these children for only one week I don't understand". The next day before we got on the bus to go home we had a say so service so all the child care workers got to go listen and watch as the teen moms one by one stood up and said "I'm giving my life to God" "For myself and my child" I'm changing my path" "I'm choosing to let God change my destiny" Many of the moms of my three yr olds stood up. I love that God directs our paths and I love that He directed me all the way to AZ. to teach me and grow me and start a process in me. I'm thankful that he chose me to play a small part in the lives of these moms and babies for only one week of their lives even though they will never remember me, it was most defiantly the most important week of their lives weather the will ever realize it or not. So I got on the bus for a 3 hr. trip to the air port. I sat down and began to read letters from family and friends back home and as I began to process through my week, missing my kids, and family and friends and ministry. The tears could finally come.

So... I've been in this funky mood for about a month now. I don't usually post unless I have something positive to say. That's kind of my rule of thumb. I can't stand it when people say what ever they want on line regardless of whose feelings they hurt. But seeing how my mood doesn't seem to be changing I just thought I would be transparent. I see that God is always at work around me. LOL I'm so glad that God is consistent. His moods never change towards us. He doesn't get bored or burnt out. He always has patience with us even when we do irritating things. I love the fact that you can't ever fool God! He knows when your putting on a show to impress someone. You can act super spiritual if you want to but your not fooling God. He can see straight through all your crap and he knows the desire of your heart. God, help me not to be so judgemental and easily irritated with someone that you love just as much as me.

A God deed

We were shopping at Lakeline mall and were leaving the food court (us and the boys) and we passed by this man in an electric wheel chair who was leaned over trying to eat his sandwich off the table. So we passed him and rounded the corner and Chad said "did you see that" and I said sort of but I didn't really look at him because I didn't notice the sandwich thing. And chad said he can't reach his food. so we kept on walking then all of the sudden Chad turned around and walked back. Cameron was like "where is dad going?" I said "I think he's going back to check on that guy." So we also turned around to go back but he was way ahead of us so I couldn't see him. When I got there I realized he had gone back to FEED that guy his sandwich. He ask the guy if he needed help and the guy couldn't talk but chad introduced himself and he ask if he could help him with his food. So chad put the sandwich in the guys hand and helped him get started. Chad thinks the guy was saying he dropped it but once it was in his hand he could do it. Me and the boys just stood at a distance and watched. I was very proud of him today. Especially when I asked Cameron "do you think anyone else in the world would do what your dad just did" and Cameron looked at me and said "me". I almost started crying in the freaking food court. Chad is a great father and his boys are learning love and compassion by watching him.
Thanks for reading.......

God, you move me!

I sit down to write this because I wish that I could explain with words what I'm feeling right now. I will not be able to do it justice. Six months ago Chad, Andy, and I set out on a mission to start small groups for the youth (The Uprising). We started with about 5 kids. I remember thinking that we should just play cards because I didn't want to waste a great worship set and lesson on just 5 kids. Andy and Chad just moved forward as if there were 25 kids in the room. The experience was amazing the kids were moved to tears during the worship. Then Chad cast a vision to 5 kids about "the gathering". Those kids cried out to God to move in big ways. The group has grown every week. I am moved to tears EVERY single week. Even as I write this I want to weep. How in the world do I deserve to be a part of this amazing life changing experience. Teenagers are amazing. The are funny, full of energy, creative, sometimes selfish brats who are socially awkward, and even punks at times!
But because they wear their emotions on their sleeves they are raw, authentic, and transparent. So when they let God move in their hearts HE moves in big ways! And it rocks me to the core with a smile on my lips and tears streaming down my face. There's power in passion. 51 people crammed in my house last night for small group LOL yes I said 51 for small group. Chad, Andy and I stood in the corner together at one point looking around at the new faces and I of course fought back tears. My group was amazing, but that's another blog. I do have 3 funny stories to share though. This is why I love teenagers. I usually cook for all these kids, but last night was "pot luck" . I know I know after 14 yrs of student ministry you would think I would have "re named" the theme for the night.(maybe that's why we had 51) haha
So Andy asked one kid if he new what "pot luck" was and he said he googled it. LOL
Andy himself being 23 and single brought a jar of pickles. Another kid brought 6 whoopers (candy) and 3 nutragrain bars. Everyone did a great job though. One kid was going through a lot of stuff and got really emotional in group prayer time so Andy was talking to him in our laundry room. Well, when he came out his face was red and puffy from crying but he came out in style wearing my 6 yr old sons 3D glasses as a disguise. The first words out of his mouth were "Where's my ham? I put my plate down before I went in there" Beautiful! Adults aren't nearly as entertaining. LOL
So, now the house is quiet, all the food is gone, the floor is trashed, and I fell asleep on the sofa, but I can't wait till next week.... because GOD, YOU MOVE ME!!!!

Has it Been that long?

WOW! I can't believe it's been 2 months since I've blogged. Now that I'm on facebook I never blog anymore. It's all about relationships here so that's the best way for me to keep up with people. I've been so busy this fall. The boys are doing well in school. I'm Cooper's room mom so I'm having fun planning the parties. I also help out with the reading groups in Cameron's class. I also teach a moms and tots music class at Gateway on Fridays. What takes the majority of my time is of course The Uprising. The Uprising is our student ministry here at Gateway. I am the small group director for middle school and high school. This should definitely be a paid position because it's a lot of work, but at this point it is not. We have started Soul Revolution and things are in full swing! We had 25 kids show up for small group at my house last night. We split into 2 or 3 groups. It was awesome! I will try to keep up with my blog, but the best way to keep up with me is through facebook. I love it!

Tomorrow is Cameron's 1st day of 1st grade. I have been busy getting things ready. We met his teacher at back to school night. I'm very excited about Cameron going to first grade and I feel great about the school and the teacher. So tonight I packed his lunch and I was writing a note on his napkin and all of the sudden it hit me and I started crying. The boys laughed at me. Cameron ,having the sweet heart that he does, came over to comfort and tease me. He wiped the tears off my face and whispered in my ear,"I hope you don't do this in the morning when you drop me off cause I'll be so embarrassed." So if your reading this say a prayer for me when I drop Cameron off in the morning!

The transition is complete

wow! Is it HOT in Texas! It has been a great summer here in Austin. We are resting up, gearing up and praying up for the exciting things coming up in the fall. Cameron will be in first grade at the local public school. Cooper will be in the 3 yr. old class at a local christian pre school 2 days a week. I really have peace and confidence in our decisions regarding school choices. This will be an important yr. for Cooper to understand some basic biblical principles. While Cameron on the other hand needs a chance to spread his wings and put into practice some things he already knows. I'm really looking forward to many conversations with him this year, and the opportunity to parent him through making good choices, being a good friend, and letting his light shine. Chad is busy leading the Uprising and is doing a great job. We will be adding 2 middle school services Aug. 24th, and completely changing the Wed. night program to an outreach for non believers young life style! Tues nights in Sept we launch our High school small groups (led by student leaders!)This is where the high schoolers can go deeper with God. I'm taking on the role of small group coordinator for ms and hs and I love it. In Sept I will also be starting my preschool music class for moms and tots at Gateway. I'm really looking forward to that. The Swanzy family is doing great. We are spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy! To all of our new friends here at Gateway as well as all of our friends at FRC thank you so much for your prayers, love, and support through out our summer of transition!
I am so grateful to be writing this post as I am reminded "That ALL things work together for good to them who love God and are Called according to HIS purpose."
Peace out!

To pee or not to pee?

I am writing this post for fear that someone else will beat me to it! So... today I had to go up to the church to talk with some people and drop off some papers so being the responsible mom that I am I really tried to plan ahead. I fed the boys lunch so that they wouldn't be hungry. I went before nap time so that they wouldn't be grouchy, and I brought their bikes so that they would have something to do. But no amount of planning could have prepared me for what was to come. I stood there talking to about 5 people close to the window so that I could see my kids and all of the sudden I see them BOTH pull down there pants and pee on a tree in the middle of the church courtyard in front of the office windows. All I could say was "Oh my gosh!" When I stepped outside and said,"what in the world are yall doing"? They informed me that they were pretending they were at work and went on a restroom break!
"could you not have gone inside to pretend the restroom break?" They just looked at me with big eyes and sad faces as we headed home for a spanking and nap!

Camping

Some of Chad's fondest childhood memories are of camping with his family and friends. He has been trying to get back into it since our boys are getting old enough to enjoy it with him. So for Christmas he got a tent, lantern, and out door stove. This weekend the boys convinced us to go camping for the night. We called our friends the Marriotts to tag along. Tim put up a huge 3 bedroom tent and all 5 kids were stoked about sleeping in it. They also brought their pimped out RV. After putting everyone to bed I attempted to sleep in our tent on the air mattress we borrowed. At 1:00 in the morning I started digging through the car and only found a towel to cover up with. At 3:00 in the morning I decided to check on the sleeping angels in the big tent only to find that they had all deserted us and joined the Marriotts in the pimped out RV . They were sleeping soundly in the Ac on the mattresses with BLANKETS. Perhaps this is why my fond childhood memories included the holiday inn!

I'm believing

So here's the deal.... Tonight we had our small group and it was my turn to steer the discussion. I was a little nervous about how it would go. But God showed up. Doesn't He always show up if we just get out of the way. I don't often give advice about youth ministry because there are so many amazing people with such great ideas, but this one time I just can't resist because I see such a huge difference in this small group vrs ones we have done in the past. We started this group by getting up on the stage and saying if you want to be a leader in this student ministry meet right over here and sign this paper. Then we called the names on the list and said meet at our house tues. night 7pm. We eat dinner together, then our worship pastor leads us in worship. This totally sets the mood! We read scripture together out loud then silently. Then open the floor for discussion. The adults can hardly get a word in. Then we always shake it up. We try to have a creative aspect every single week. For example tonight we passed out plates of sand for the kids to write in. This went along with our lesson in John chapter 8. This creates meaning and experiences for the kids. With this group of kids we have really been focusing on quiet time with God, prayer, journaling, bible reading, accountability groups. The next step for this group is to reach out to the other kids at the uprising. This means they have to step out of their comfort zones and lead. Andy, Chad and I are expecting big God size things from this group in the Fall.

The snake

My oldest son Cameron will be 7 next month. He loves camping, swimming, bike riding, the ocean and beach and ALL kinds of animals. He is always catching something, but he never keeps it. He always wants to return it to its natural habitat. Well today he found a snake in our back yard. I hate snakes so I told Chad to kill it. Cameron begged me not to kill it. He said it was God's creation and that we could catch it in a coffee can and let it go in a field across the street. So I agreed as long as it was out of my back yard. Chad went over to the side of the house to catch the snake in the coffee can. He bravely bent over to scoop the snake up, but the snake jumped and scared Chad so he hit with a baseball bat. THEN he scooped it up in the coffee can. As soon as he came inside Cameron asked "did you get the snake into the can?" "yes, it's in there", replied Chad. He had good intentions! lol

student small groups

I'm so amazed at God's perfect plan. His willingness to use imperfect humans to express his love to the next generation. Chad and I meet with 12 students on Tues. night in our home. This group of high schoolers have been a huge encouragement to me. They are so willing to be transparent about their lives. They discuss the scripture with such passion. They are eager and hungry to draw close to God. Each week has been a unique experience that I find myself savoring every moment of. I have seen them worship God and be moved to tears. They have reached out to hurting kids in the group. They offer each other encouragement and accountability. This group is the base group that our small group ministry will be founded on in the Fall. In Sept we will launch small groups to student ministry. We will all meet together for food, worship, and an intro to the lesson. Then we will break into our small groups which will be student led by the 12.

Happy Birthday Cooper

As I laid in a hospital bed three and a half years ago Chad and I were a whirlwind of emotion as the doctor stood before us announcing that I was probably having a miscarriage and because I was only 4 months along " the baby wasn't viable". As I spent the night alone in the hospital that night I remember thinking I can't believe that in a hospital where they have all kinds of drugs and know all kinds of procedures they won't do anything to save this baby. Crying alone in a hospital bed that night I prayed " God, you are the only hope this child has. I know this this baby is viable to you. I know you have a plan for him. God work a miracle."

After months of bed rest and weekly appointments with a specialist it was determined that when the baby was born he would have issues with his kidney's. One kidney was missing and the other was under developed. So the plan was to whisk him away for exams and x-rays to determine the severity. As long as he had one working kidney he would be okay. So we prayed...........

On the day Cooper was born everything went as planned. They whisk him away for testing and a few hours later they brought him back placed him in our arms scratched their heads and said " this child is perfect. He has TWO fully developed working kidneys" God, you are so big!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cooper Brady! You ARE "viable" to God.

mother's day

Today was the Mother's Day party at Cameron's new school. Don't you like my southern bell hat? As you can plainly see this hat was made for style not comfort! lol I couldn't see a thing, but I wasn't about to take it off. The class drew pictures of their mom's and we guessed which one was us. I guessed right on the first try, only because that is the only smile Cameron ever draws. He also made a book about me. He said " My mom is 23. Her favorite food is brownies. She likes to shop at HEB. She looks pretty when she wears her skirt. Her favorite show is Grey, Adam, and Eve. (Grey's Anatomy) I love my mom because she is always there for me!" It was really sweet. I felt so special to Cameron today. It's a privilege to be his mom.

(the inside of the hat)

forgiveness

Have you ever truly forgiven someone? Yeah I know you have probably said that phrase a million times as a child, "I forgive you." Or maybe you have said "I forgive you, but I can't forget what you did" "I forgive you, but I don't trust you any more"..... Being the imperfect person that I am I have realized that I have a huge problem forgiving people. Check out this definition Of forgiveness I found today.
Forgiveness: Is to excuse a mistake or offense, to pardon them by treating the the offender as if the offense had never occurred. To free them from guilt or blame.

Wow! This is by far the best definition I have ever heard. To genuinely forgive someone is to treat them as if they had never hurt you. Do you remember that God also commands us to forgive each other. He leads by example. God treats us as if we never hurt him. He covers our offenses as if they had never occurred. He frees us from any guilt or blame. Forgiveness is not a feeling it is a choice. Now ask yourself has anyone ever truly forgiven me? When I think about this question the only answer I can think of besides God is my parents. They usually were on the receiving end of some pretty harsh words and actions when I was a teenager and yet they treat me as if that never happened. Other than that I cannot think of another person who has ever treated me the same after conflict. Forgiveness just goes against our human nature to protect ourselves. But what if you were willing to be completely obedient and make yourself vulnerable by treating people as if they had never offended you. What if you let down all the walls? I think I would be saying to God "I trust you to keep my heart safe"...by forgiving others.

The move

wow! It's been a long time since I've blogged. We have had many changes in our family over the past month. Chad decided to quit his job and excepted a job at Gateway church in Austin Tx. We lived with some friends for a while until we found our house. We moved in our new home 2 weeks ago. We also took the kids to my parents and went on vacation with old college friends. We have amazing neighbors! They have 3 boys . Our kids have become instant best friends. Cameron started his new school on Monday. He is in k-5 at the local public school only blocks from our house. He likes it. Cooper has had many ear infections lately. He's going to a specialist may 9th. I'm sure he will have to get tubes put back in his ears soon. So for the past 30 days I have been adjusting......

Holly Guyon Talks about her Tatoo

Hey readers I have my very first guest blogger on my blog. Holly recently got a tatoo with a beautiful story behind it. Ladies and Gentlemen, Holly Guyon.


I got a tattoo in memory of the love of my life Peter Guyon...I wanted a symbolic tattoo that was pretty but held a lot of meaning so with the help of a friend, this is what we came up with:


The diamond shape in the middle represents our love (unique and forever like a diamond)
The flower petals represent the four years that we were married
The black swirly lines represent our lives, his line is the one on the right (notice it's shorter)
The green vines represent our growth - how we grow in different directions and now we are apart but will still always be connected by our love (the diamond)
The black "dots" on either side are tear drops - which represent how much I miss him and always will
And the colors of course are green and purple - each of our favorite colors


I wanted to put it in a place where I will always see it and remember him so I decided on the inside of my left wrist...it makes me smile when I see it and I also get to tell people about him all the time when they ask me about my tattoo...love never dies!



Holly

Our mistaken identity

Have your kids ever embarrassed you by telling the truth? Mine did today. The neighborhood kids all came over to jump on trampoline today. I took a chair outside to referee how many people were jumping at a time so that Cooper wouldn't get trampled. Over the past 8 months we have developed somewhat of a relationship with our neighbors across the street. However, he has never been able to remember our names. We first noticed this at a birthday party when he introduced us as Dean and Nicole instead of Chad and Cat. We were so taken back that we didn't say anything. So, he continually calls us Dean and Nicole and we answer to it, because we didn't want to embarrass him. Well, today as I was sitting watching the kids in my backyard he came over to check on his kids and he said "Hey Nicole! How are ya? Where's Dean?" Before I could even answer him Cameron said " My dad's name is Chad and my mom's name is Cathy but she goes by Cat, so I think you might have just embarrassed yourself!" He looked at me and said "really? I've been calling yall that for 8 months". Then I had to have a very awkward conversation about why we never said anything. I could have killed Cameron! And NO Chad wasn't outside with me!

Hide and seek

The other day Cameron talked us into playing hide and seek in the house, in the dark! So we played on teams. Cooper was on my team to start with and we hid first. It was a fast game because the minute Cooper heard "ready or not here I come" he could not control his excitement And started laughing and squealing because of the anticipation of someone finding him in the dark. It was so funny. I tried to hide with him twice then we switched partners and he did the same thing with Chad. So funny

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you felt like you were just standing still. Closing one chapter but not yet beginning another. It's the most awkward feeling. Alot of raw emotion. Anticipation, uncertainty, loneliness. At the same time knowing full well that God is still in control and has a plan but desperately trying to see it through His eyes to get the big picture?