In Our Father's Arms

Shawn's parents are in town visiting us from New York this week. Not only does Jenna get to meet more grandparents, we are also blessed with another round of photos for the Jenna archives.

Shawn's mother, Lee, captured this shot of Shawn and Jenna as we were preparing for a photo shoot in the Texas bluebonnets. There's something about it that takes my breath away. Jenna seems so tiny... And Shawn is just so in love. What a beautiful moment.

I think that maybe God holds us this way at times. Protecting us when we are vulnerable. Supporting us when we are unable to support ourselves. Loving us. Adoring us. Holding us safe from the dark clouds that drift past us from time to time.

My hope is that I can be like Jenna - with arms open. Trusting. Receiving. Allowing. Cooing with delight. Already, she is my teacher.

(Fast forward 5 minutes later... we find our supermodel basking in the beauty of springtime. Is it possible that her presence can make even the bluebonnets seem more beautiful?)

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like...

Jesus had some great metaphors to describe the kingdom of heaven. I suspect he would have thrown them all out the window if he had a baby girl to hold and a loyal dog by his side. No metaphor needed. This is it.

Jenna is asleep in my arms even as I post to this blog, sighing her little baby sighs, and bringing her warmth to my heart. There is something about her presence that pulls me into the moment... that overshadows anything that hints at imperfection... that brings forth my most peaceful and present part of myself. There is something about her that puts "reality" into perspective, and helps me remember - wherever we are, God is -and all is well.

What is it for you? What would you say the kingdom of heaven is like???

Words of Wisdom

At Jenna's baby shower, Shawn and I received a stack of small envelopes, each containing words of wisdom from friends and loved ones who had gone before us in this adventure called "parenting." We were told to open them once we were in the maternity ward to inspire us in the first days of our journey.

I share these bits of wisdom in gratitude and appreciation for those who have gone before us in this sacred path...

Words of Wisdom for the New Parents:

-Parenting is a challenge and a blessing. Love overrides all.

-Watch how other people do things, then do it differently.

-Remember that each of us is a fully developed spirit worthy of our respect and our love.

-Breathe! Relax! Sleep when you get the chance.

-Pick your battles. Not everything is a concern.

-Accept every offer of help.

-Trust your instincts.

-Laugh often and loud.

-Sing and dance together.

-You can never hold her too much.

-You can never tell her how proud you are of her too much.

-You can never let her know what a blessing she is too much.

-Beware of bad baby advice. No one will ever know her better than you...

-Don't wait till tomorrow... You'll miss Today.

We promise you, Jenna... We'll do the best we can. We love you...

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Welcome to the world, baby Jenna!

When the doctor held her in front of me, and we locked eyes for the first time, one of the nurses attending asked, "Who does she look like to you?"

In that moment of pure connection, I saw someone so familiar and yet so different from myself... so new and mysterious, and yet so perfect and wise. So I said the first thing that came to mind: "She looks like God."

Jenna Elizabeth Audlin was born on the first day of spring, Wednesday March 21 at 6:57 pm in Austin, Texas. She weighed in at 6 pounds 5.5 ounces at 20 inches long. How can someone so small take up so much room in our hearts?

She was delivered by Cesarian section due to some distress during labor, and now joins us at home - happy, healthy, and always ready for some good snuggling.

Many thanks to all of you who have shared your love for us and for her... You are a part of our most precious miracle. What a wonderful world...

Is Today the Day???

Just got off the phone with Dr. Sassy... I've been feeling a bit "crampy" for the past 24 hours... She says, "Head to the hospital!" So off we go...

(Don't tell Shawn I stopped to post to the blog...)

What a wonderful way to celebrate the first day of spring!

We'll keep you posted as best we can from Austin. Thank you for your prayers and blessings!

Ted's Blue Bonnet

We spoke this week about casting our nets on the "right side of the boat." Ted, our church dog, has unwillingly become my mentor for this concept this week.

It seems he caught his dew claw on something, and started licking it to make it feel better. Unfortunately, his licking caused an infection, so the more he licked, the worse it became. With such hairy toes, it took us a few days to catch it. By the time we took him into the vet, his toe was not a pretty sight.

The cure? A bit of ointment each day... But mostly the solution was simply: STOP LICKING YOUR WOUNDS.

Of course, you can't tell this to a dog. He went right on licking anyway. So we gave him a special gift - his blue bonnet.

When we first put it on him, he couldn't sit still. He kept trying to bump it off, twist around it, lick over it, or run away from it. He did not handle it well.

Yet, today, his paw is doing much better, and he has learned to adapt to his bonnet. In fact, when I can keep an eye on him, he occasionally goes hours at a time before remembering his paw and returning to his old licking ways.

While the bonnet may be frustrating, and possible even a bit embarrassing for a dog as regal as Ted, I have looked to him at least a few times this week with a bit of envy. Wouldn't it be nice to have some type of gadget that kept us from licking our emotional wounds? Even if it was frustrating in the beginning, wouldn't it be handy to be able to strap these on each other when we start casting our nets on the left side of the boat? Thinking those thoughts that we KNOW do not serve us?

What if we had a bonnet that would keep our focus away from our problems, our imperfections, and our complaints so that the ONLY option was to focus on where we want to go next? Would I want to wear that bonnet? Or would I twist and squirm and resist so that I could go back to my old ways?

I'm watching Ted let go of his resistance and heal. A small price to pay for a few days of looking ridiculous... :)

The Countdown Continues!

It's hard to believe I've delivered my last Sunday talk for the next six weeks... I'm looking forward to savoring this time to bond with baby Jenna - only days away!

Shawn and I went in for a final check at the doctor's office this morning. I've gained another 2 pounds since we went in on Thursday (thanks to another great Y.O.U. lunch?). Most of it went straight to my ankles, so Dr. Sassy sent us over to South Austin Hospital for a bit of monitoring this morning. We were able to spend just over an hour listening to Jenna's heartbeat, watching our vitals being spit out by computer, and having my blood pressure checked every 15 minutes.

Of course, my blood pressure is "golden" and baby Jenna is doing great, too... so the plan continues for a Thursday check in leading to a Friday birthday - unless Jenna has other plans? Maybe the first day of Spring??

Thank you all for your love and prayers... We'll keep you posted!

Enjoy the picture of the "Sunday Before Jenna!"

Good morning, Austria!

I have often dreamed of leading a global ministry from this quaint little Texas community in Wimberley that I love so much. Isn't it wonderful when the universe provides us with evidence that what we seek is manifesting perfectly, effortlessly and in divine order!

I woke up this morning delighted to receive the following email... We are truly a global family, united in spirit... Thank you, Claudia, for being a part of our community and for being the angel that whispers in my ear... "It's happening!"

Dear Mindy,

I’m not of American origin, I live in Austria, I’m situated near Vienna and I only know about you because I’m a fan of Joe Vitale.

I used to be one of those bitchy, sarcastic atheists with a thousand problems. It was always somebody else’s fault! I love how you bring “the message” across, and you have humor. I have laughed and wept whilst listening to you. Thank you, thank you...

Through your teachings, I’m finally finding where to locate my light switch. Pheww, stumbling about in the dark got a bit tiring.

Sincerely
Claudia Apfelthaler
http://www.richbeyondwords.com

The New Due Date!

An inducement date has been set! If baby Jenna decides to wait long enough, we'll be checking into South Austin hospital the night of March 22 with an impending March 23 delivery!

Shawn, Nana (Jenna's grandmother) and I met with our doctor on Friday and Jenna is still assuming the "ready position" and could be here any day.

With my mom in town, we spent most of the day putting together Jenna's nest. Many thanks to everyone who pitched in to help with the new paint, new floors, and moving of furniture. It's almost ready - and looking great! What a make-over!

With just one more Sunday talk before Jenna's arrival, we're excited to spend the next month or so taking a "backseat" in the congregation. Special thanks to Molly Steele for coordinating so many incredible guest speakers while Shawn and I get acclimated to parenthood. We look forward to popping in from time to time to be a part of it all!

Enjoy the pictures of the new room... We'll keep them so you can stay involved in the joy we are experiencing as we welcome a new precious soul to planet earth. :)

Baby Jenna's Birthday Countdown!

Can it be March already?? As many of you know, the red carpet has been rolled out for the arrival of baby Jenna (estimated time of arrival: March 25!). We had a delightful baby shower here in Wimberley (send pictures if you have them!), the room has been painted, the carpet replaced, and the nest is almost complete!

Shawn and I will be using this blog to share all the happy news and keep you current all the latest fun. As of today, Jenna is in position and ready to "spring forward." According to the doctor, my body is taking its time (after all, aren't there still two more sermons to deliver??).

For those of you who have been asking, the plan is to have Jenna at the South Austin Hospital at Ben White (Hwy. 290) and 1st Street. They have a big waiting room near the nursery. We'll only have family in the room with me, but once Jenna is here, Shawn will be able to take her into the nursery and we can have a couple people at a time come in to take a peek at her if you want to say hello! Shae has entertained the idea of making it an open jam session in the waiting room... maybe a drum circle? (I wonder what hospital policy is on this?) My thought is, why not just make it a potluck? After all, when is the last time those Austin nurses had a good, home-cooked Wimberley casserole??

Our pediatrician recommended that we keep Jenna out of public places for the first 4-8 weeks so she can build up her immune system. This is a bit challenging since she will be LIVING at a public place... We plan on keeping her close to home in the beginning with family nearby to help those first few weeks. We'll bring her out for her "Lion King"-esque debut probably by Easter so everyone can get a glimpse. Other than that, you'll be able to see pictures here on the blog and post your comments to greet our newest arrival!

A special thanks to everyone who has made this such a wonderful experience for the 3 of us... Thank you for such a beautiful baby shower... thank you for helping us get our nursery ready... thank you for all your cards and gifts and love and blessings. Thank you for signing up to bring over meals those first few weeks... Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I've always wanted to bring my child into a community where she can be loved from Day 1. This spiritual family is an answer to our prayers and a blessing at this life-changing time for Shawn and I.

Thank you for sharing the journey with us!!

In Memory of Uncle Jack

For Jack...
And to all of you who have been inspired by his story.

"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.

Christmas Miracles

Here she is! Our newest member of the family!

Meet Jenna Elizabeth Audlin. Jenna is approximately -4 months old. We snuck up on her to take this picture in utero.

There's something about Christmas time that opens my eyes to miracles (if I pause long to see...). This year, with Jenna's impending arrival, it seems much easier to me to remember why we celebrate this time of year. I am alive with the blossoming of new potential. Add in a few raging hormones, and you can understand why every kid wearing candy cane Christmas socks, every Santa hat and every Christmas card brings a tear to my eye.

It truly is a wonderful life. We bring forth miracles every day, most of the time without even noticing. Wishing you eyes to see the miracles of the season...

The Buzz of Possibility

Oh, my. They are going to put me in the "Bloggers Hall of Shame..." Has it really been July since my last posting? Nothing about our new arrival due in March? Nothing about our rapidly expanding church? Our 34 new members? Our expansion into two services?

It might make you think things are pretty busy around here...

The truth is, I've been having a blast lately creating a foundation for the future... Laying the groundwork for the next level of abundance for myself, my family, and my community. Have you noticed how sometimes, when it seems like nothing is happening at all, that these are the times when the universe is truly aligning every intention so they can all spill out together in a wonderful climactic TA-DA!!!

That's where I am these days...

Yesterday, I had lunch with Joe Vitale to plan for our upcoming workshop "The Secret of Money." I got to meet Francine. She's his fiesty new car (car just isn't the right word - power machine??). You can see pictures on Joe's blog at http://www.mrfire.blogspot.com/.

Joe had just returned from a Hollywood taping where he was featured on Larry King Live. The energy was incredible... the possibilities endless... the miracles inspiring. If you want to FEEL the energy of prosperity, spend 10 minutes with Joe. Or better yet, spend the whole day with us. I'm buzzing from the memory of it, and the anticipation of what is yet to come.

What lights your fire? What gives you that "I love life" glow?

It's a fun question to play with... and it puts us on the path to greater and greater manifestation. Don't you just love every bit of the journey? Don't you??

P.S. I promise you'll hear from me more often!!

The Crowns We Wear...

"Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor." - Job 40:10

I went on a field trip this weekend with our choir. We went into Austin to see the musical CROWNS as the Zachary Scott Theatre. What an incredible experience.

In case you haven't heard of it, it is the story of 6 African American women, and their hats. Specifically, their church hats. Each hat told a story, and each story touched me to the core.

It wasn't just the fact that purchasing a hat was a significant financial investment for these women. And it wasn't just the fact that they faced discrimination and indignity from storeowners during those early days of desegregation. It wasn't just the uniqueness of each hat and its owner. What touched me most was the pride and the dignity with which each woman had crowned herself.

Her hat spoke of her love of God. It spoke of her faith. And it spoke of her determination to look beyond the ignorance and prejudices of society to stand before God as a Queen.

I am thankful to these beautiful, powerful, faith-filled women for helping me remember that NOTHING can stop us from claiming the Queendom of Heaven. And so, in my own way, I deck my Spirit with majesty and dignity so that, like them, I may make visible the unwavering presence and power of God. Amen.

A "Highly Improbable" Week...

It's Monday morning, and I'm feeling tired and energized at the same time. Our Spiritual Education and Enrichment Retreat was last week, and I feel the exhaustion of completing something that we've been working toward for so long. At the same time, I feel the exhileration that is created from sharing our blessings with others, emersing myself in a spiritual learning environment, and basking in the glow of so many enchanting people.

The words of Rev. Tom Thorpe ring through my head, as he looked around at what has been created and noted that such a manifestation is "highly improbable" for a town of our size, a church of our age, and such a young congregation.

I love the idea of joining the ranks of other historically improbable events, such as turning water into wine, walking on water, and other manifestations that make us say, "Wow! What are the odds of that??!"

Thanks to all who graced my week last week. You have blessed me.
(Pictured above, participants of our first class, Metaphysics I with Rev. Paul Hasselbeck.)

Heroes...

I am constantly inspired by the spirit of generousity that lives in the heart of people. This photo op was from last week when our dedicated team of painters spent 4 whole days sprucing up our fellowship hall. I love this picture because it captures the spirit of these lovely women, and ALL the incredible men and women who give with such love and joy.

These are my heroes:

Those who give with no expectation of reward.
Those who give with no expectation of acknowledgement or praise or recognition.
Those who give, not to "fix" situations that others have "messed up," but because they see a need and they know they CAN do something about it.

My heroes are those who know that giving is its own reward and so they do... with zeal and joy and passion and zest!

There are too many heroes in my life these days to fit in one picture. So I share with you a peek at Karen and Sandy and Denise as representatives of them all. Thank you, friends, for brightening my world.

Sunday Extras!

Every now and then, there are bits of a Sunday talk that end up on the editing floor. This week, I had to trim a bit so that you could all eventually go eat lunch. But I wanted to share a bit that was cut to give you online followers a little something extra.

The scripture is from Mark 6:5 and it refers to that fact that Jesus was having a hard time performing any miracles in his hometown of Nazarus. It reads: "He could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their disbelief."

Isn't it interesting? JESUS, in all his spiritual perfection, being UNABLE to perform a deed of power in his hometown. To what degree were the miracles of Jesus a CO-CREATION with those He blessed? What was the consciousness that limited His power and caused such disbelief?

It is, to me, a reminder to step outside the limitations I see in people based on my past knowing of them. Imagine if you grew up next door to Jesus. If 30 years from now, the kid next door showed up in your town and started saying he was divine, how would you respond?

What miracles do I miss because I expect something different?

Nothin' but a Hound Dog...

Ted, our beloved church dog, is USUALLY a very sweet, spiritually grounded member of our welcome team. I was reminded yesterday morning, though, that beneath his gentle, unassuming facade, there lies a Hound Dog... and his inner hound dog became captivated in the early morning hours with the scent of a fox.

I saw the momma fox as I was tending to our labyrinth. She was keeping an eye on me. Ted saw her, too, and chased her into the woods before coming back proud and content. I was not too concerned about the fox. She was a fast mover and had a strong headstart.

After reporting back to me, Ted eventually wandered back into the tree line. That's when I heard it: the unmistakably terrifying sound of two wild animals hissing and yelping in a battle of life and death. One of them was Ted.

I now know the full depth of my vocal abilities as my screams of "No! No! No!!!" echoed past the church where Shawn heard me over the sound of his radio. But it did no good. Animal instincts has clicked in and Ted was completely oblivious to my presence.

As I trecked toward the commotion, I could see him shaking a small, furry body in his teeth. A baby fox. When he completed his task, he dropped the little one and headed back to me, proud and content.

It was a lesson for me in free will. It didn't matter how loudly I yelled, it did not matter. Ted was not listening. He was on auto-pilot doing his Hound Dog 'thang. Animal instincts. Total reaction. I've never been so frightened for him. If I could have thrown a blanket of safety around him, I would have...

I wonder how often in my life, God has been there on the peripherals shouting to me, "No! No! No!!! Don't make that mistake AGAIN!" And how many times I have been too much on autopilot to pay any attention. It has served as a reminder to be present, to listen, and trust that I DO have a safety blanket around me. It is called: Faith. The secret is in the remembering.

May you go forth today remembering...

P.S. Baby Fox was a bit dazed and traumatized, but seems to have pulled through. Ted still doesn't know what he did "wrong," and I am doing hot lemon water therapy to restore my tired vocal chords. Sounds like the makings of a good Disney movie...

The Upside-Down World

I had a dream last night that I traveled to a new world where everything was upside down. I was warned in advance that it was an upside down world, and that for me to arrive in this new world would be a bit dizzying. I would find the solution, I was told, upon my arrival.

When I stepped out of my vessel, indeed the world was upside down. So I stepped onto a special platform and it spun around with me clinging to it. Next thing I knew, the world looked normal again.

At first, I thought they had flipped the world right-side up for me. Once I woke up, I realized, that I was the one that needed to flip.

What's floating around in YOUR subconscious mind today?

Wishing you a day of new perspectives...

The Beauty of Impermanence

To see the creation of a Tibetan sand mandala is truly a gift. The colors are indescribably vibrant. The detail is exquisite. The patience required to perfect such an art form is awe-inspiring. It is truly a gift to see such beauty. Especially given the knowing that it will soon disappear.

As we begin our new series on Trusting the Process of Change, I am reminded of my lessons from the monks. And it helps me remember to appreciation the day that I am now creating. To experience it in all its beautiful colors and exquisite detail. To have patience knowing that there is beauty in the attention to detail. It is truly a gift to live such a day. Especially given the knowing that it will soon disappear.

We shall do it again tomorrow.