i'm a happy girl

last week
amid the tragedy
some good news
filtered in

my all time favorite artist
some might say my sister
(in Christ)
amy grant
is releasing new music

yippee!!!
i'm a happy girl

somewhere down the road
releases on march 30

i can't wait!

what do you watch?

I'm still overwhelmed by the devastation in Haiti. The images and stories are beyond my wildest imagination. I encourage you to give to Compassion International. They are on the ground there and working hard at bringing relief.

But for today, I have to go to something mindless...if just to provide some mental relief for a moment.

We have settled into the new schedule on TV. I don't really seek out watching television but I have a husband who watches a lot of TV. So by default, I watch a lot of TV. We usually record the shows (thank the Lord for the invention of the DVR!!) and that cuts way down on the commercials and doesn't eat up so much time. However my son now asks me to pause "his time" whenever he wants to do something else for a minute. A little bit of education on reality vs. TV is in order, I believe. He also doesn't understand why we can't fast forward live TV. Hmmm...what an interesting generation this will be...

Anyway, we've been watching How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, American Idol, 24, and we'll watch Survivor when it starts. Hey, now that I'm thinking of it, whatever happened to The Office? We watch that too. I guess it will start soon. My better half is my TV scheduler so I guess he'll handle that.

So, what are you watching? Anything interesting?

bible study

the month of december

brought about

a new bible study

the purpose of christmas

i stumbled across it

in magazine form

dvd and all

it was wonderful

the real reason

of christmas

was put in focus

and i needed that

the same resource

saddleback

has lots of other studies

so we are doing another

this one is called

life's healing choices

there is a book by john baker

with the same name

the study will be eight weeks

instead of three

like the last one

i can't wait to see how it goes

here we go....

round three

out of options

he joined

so much changed

with just one signature

so proud of him

trying to make it

trying to be better

finding his own way

the first round

brought a son

born while he was

half a world away

the second time

i can't imagine

the pain of knowing

how much he would grow

now round three

and so much sadness

not sure the origin

but so sorry it is that way

in my mind

he'll always be

that little monkey boy

that i love

please Lord protect him

on this

his round three

clear the evil from his path

and help him to be safe

remind him of our love

and of your love

be with those he loves

regardless of the situation

use this time for your glory

in a way that would seem

impossible

thank you Lord

for my cousin

amen.

please give

It's all I can think about. I'm on the edge of my seat for every update.

Some Compassion staff from the Dominican Republic went in on foot to assess the situation. It is worse than we are seeing in the news. I cannot imagine.

So many need help. Please give to the Compassion Haiti Relief Fund.

They are going to need so much and every single cent will count. I promise.

It is difficult to track the children with all the chaos.

All I know for sure is that every situation there is in desperate need of God.

Keep praying.

juxtaposition

sitting in the doctor's office

in the care of wonderful people

thinking about the Haiti earthquake

and all the devastation

I realized how lucky I am

that no matter what is wrong

I have someone who can help me

ever since my involvement with Compassion

I've been a lot more aware

of the world around us

just how much poverty and need is out there

my heart breaks a little easier

my prayers become a little more urgent

and my priorities are different

materialistically

I view things a lot differently

and it's difficult for me to reconcile

some of our country's reckless spending

no, I'm not immune to wanting

and no, I haven't abandoned my love of gadgets

but sometimes I sincerely struggle

with the luxury of having so much

and so it was this morning

at the doctor's office

where i said a prayer of thanks

but also a prayer of need

a need for humbleness

to not take so many things for granted

to be aware of all my blessings

for discipline to be a good steward

but most of all

my prayer was for Haiti

please give to the Compassion Haiti Earthquake Response Fund

Compassion is uniquely embedded in the lives of those in Haiti

over 65,000 children are served by Compassion through the local churches

they anticipate many deaths and thousands of children who will have lost everything

Their ministry is full of integrity and your money will really go to those in need

please continue to pray

thanks

29 years...wow

29 years ago

this fall

seems like

such a long time ago

but one look

at my friend

and i am transported

back there again

memory is a funny thing

and while specific memories

elude me

she is my childhood to me

there are few memories

prior to the time

when her family

came to mean so much

hours upon hours

were spent together

an annie record

cabbage patch dolls

and even her brother's he-man set

time had taken us

down different paths

and then one spectacular day

we came across each other again

that was a few years ago

and i am still so thrilled

that we are

back in each other's lives

life is busy

and sometimes it goes awhile

before we catch up again

but we always do

and i'm five years old again

happy birthday, friend. :)

there are no coincidences...

many miles away from here

lives a little boy

who is very much

a part of my heart

when prayers are said

for my own children

he stands among them

and receives the same

in a world

where money is

the insatiable hunger

his letters are my gold

my soul's alarm

resounds within me

and i know

a letter will await me

it's happened four times now

and each time

i am no less amazed

than the last

yesterday was such a day

the alarm inside

the familiar envelope

news from a distant land

his mother's familiar handwriting

ran across the page

so glad to see it was hers

after two letters of someone else's

our family rejoiced

that their family was well

a few of us prayed

right then and there

later that night

news of an earthquake

in a neighboring country

felt far and wide

warnings of a possible tsunami

quickened my heart

trying to recall

just how far inland he lived

with God

i feel there are no coincidences

he has his hand

in everything

my golden letter

written in october

my soul's alarm

telling me to pray

just in time for an earthquake

and questions of safety

there are no coincidences...

please join me in prayer

heavenly father

we ask that you place your hand of peace

on the people who need you

especially the people involved in the earthquake

please be with the ones

whose questions won't be immediately answered

be with the ones who need your grace

please father protect them

in jesus' holy name

amen.

remember me?

Well, hello there! Long time, no posting. You know me. The writing vibe - it comes and it goes....

So, a little catch up...

Merry Christmas!

Decorating the tree. Notice the super cool fort in the background. :)

Happy New Year!

Our family tradition is to go to a movie on New Year's Eve.

Ryan lost his tooth. And another one since then.

Great pic, I know. This was my third try!

We've spent the first half of January trying to get back into the swing of things. It's been a little rough. But finally, if you don't count that I forgot to give Little Man breakfast this morning, everything is back on track. Ready or not!

Hopefully I'll be around more often...the key word being hopefully. I pray all is well with you and your family. Take care!

By the way, Happy Birthday to my godmother...she's been gone almost 18 years but she'll never be forgotten...

first loose tooth

Compassion Bloggers Trip Widget (Facebook, Myspace, Blogs)

ten seconds from tears

Watching the rain come down this morning, I'm reminded of something I heard this past weekend. I had the privilege of hearing Wess Stafford speak. He's the President and CEO of Compassion International. He's also the author of Too Small to Ignore. He was talking about why he has such a big heart for the children of Compassion. His story is outlined in his book and it's amazing. A true testament of the power of God's saving grace. And as he was speaking, he got choked up. He said he is never more than ten seconds from tears. With his tender heart, the water line stays right at nose level. I was so delighted to be in the presence of someone else who has the same reaction to the children of Compassion. I get choked up or teary-eyed when I hear about these children or see pictures of them. They are intricately connected to my heart. I am usually never more than ten seconds from tears, especially when we are talking about these precious children.

And you know what? I'm okay with that.

a piece of cake

There was so much information given, I don't remember who said the following quote - but I loved it.

"When our love isn’t strong enough, Christ’s love takes over and loves for us. When we aren’t strong enough, Christ is the only strength we need."

I have a really bad habit of not getting involved in something because I don't feel like I can take the task to completion. Or the situation may get "messier" than I would like. This statement reassured me. If God is calling me to something, He isn't going to leave me hanging out there all alone. When my skill-set is maxed, God steps in and through the power of Jesus Christ, He takes over. How freeing! And really, it's all about God in the first place. I am just the vehicle He is choosing to use for a particular task. I think once that truth is planted firmly inside, the rest is just a piece of cake.

Show up. If you feel the nudge, DO IT. God will be there.

I always liked cake. :)

this is the air I breathe

Being at this altitude, I wondered if I would struggle to breathe. I have asthma and while it doesn't flare up much in my hometown, I thought it was a good possibility here in Colorado.

My fears weren't completely unfounded. I'm not short of breath but I feel the heaviness of breathing in my chest. The smallest exertion - like carrying my suitcase - makes me pretty winded. So while it isn't a struggle, I definitely notice the effort my body is putting forth to fill my lungs.

Last night, at the opening session, we heard Wess Stafford speak. Very moving. He put forth a personal challenge of forgiveness. Which struck me because this is something God had already been working in my life.

Then we sang a song - " This is the air I breathe". There is a line in it about being desperate for God. With being so aware about the air I am breathing and the effort it is taking, I fully understood the desperation of needing God as I need to breathe. He is the very air I breathe. He is what is inside of me, making me alive. Just as I need my body to push air into my lungs, I need my sweet Lord.

It was such a vivid picture for me. I'm so thankful that He took my struggle, my fear and turned it into a wonderful lesson on the critical need for total dependence on Him.

In addition, and not just a little off track, I was led to pray for my family last night. To declare in the name of Jesus Christ that Satan has no place among them, among us. That we will be a God seeking family. That I will be the love of Christ to them. That I will honor their God given gifts and not impose my human judgements upon them. That I will be encouraging and uplifting. That God will make me the mean mom when necessary but that only kindness will remain.

It was an emotional night. A big night spiritually. One that I felt was a culmination of many small steps and nudges over a very long period of time.

A collision of mercy, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah. Amen.

2 more days!

Stay tuned! In TWO days, I'm off to the Advocate National Conference for Compassion International!!! I am SO excited. It's in Colorado and I've never been there. I'll be sure to post while I'm gone and share all the GOOD stuff!!

I ask for your prayers - for travel mercies and for the clarity that only God can give. I want to be able to take it all in and not be overwhelmed with information.

Oh, and pray for the children of Compassion - because that's what it's all about!

Thanks and talk to you soon...from Colorado!

hiya

Is it just me or is life a bit crazy right now?

I'm standing at the store, restoring my phone. It decided to go crazy too and I realized just to what extent I was (am) addicted to my phone. See, when I got my phone, I decided to use it as my calendar too. Now, I'm a paper person so this was a BIG adjustment for me. And, yes, my calendar is on my computer but I need it in my hand, on the road, where the heck am I going? So the past few days have been a bit like I'm missing my hand. Not the one I write with, but close enough. :)

So while I love the technology of my phone, it stinks right about now. I'm waiting...waiting...waiting...for it to download whatever lovely thing it needs to work again. So what better time to update my blog. Free internet - check. Free time (even if it is unwanted) - check. My trusty computer - check. So here we are....

The kids are doing well in school. Little Man still petitions for half day school on a regular basis (no such luck, kiddo) and Baby Girl is super busy with soccer AND cross country. I have no idea how she runs so much but you go, girl! She had her first meet on Saturday and she ran two miles in 18 minutes. With only a week of training. After three quarters of a soccer game. Wonder woman. :)

Handsome is gearing up to travel for work. He has to go on three trips in the span of three weeks. That's a lot. And I squeeze in a trip to Colorado in there. Busy, busy, busy. Reminding myself for the millionth time that these are the good days.

I look forward to going to Colorado. I've never been west of Illinois. Unless you count the week at Young Life camp in Minnesota. I hear it is beautiful. I can't wait to learn more about Compassion and to see all the things they are up to. I'll definitely try to post while I'm out there. Especially pictures.

(halfway on the restore...in case you were wondering...)

Is anyone else excited that the Fall TV shows are about to start? I'm not a big TV watcher but my husband has gotten me hooked on a few shows. Plus I'm curious to see what Jay Leno has up his sleeve. To be honest, I'll just be glad to watch something other than football. I know it just started and all, but well, it isn't my favorite thing to watch and our tv is full of it these days.

Wow, that halfway went to complete in a very short time....not that I'm complaining!! I gotta run but I will try to post again soon!!! I'm not even going to stop and read this through first, just post it (might be a mistake!!) so if there are errors, sorry!

God bless!

jpg - beauty

Headed home from a Compassion Advocate picnic. Beautiful sunset...
Thank you God for great weather, inspiring fellowship, and good
prayers for children who need it.

snapshot of 1st grade

the jerk and mr. potter

excuse me

if this ends up sounding

a little incoherent

but i spent most of last night

in a movie theater

with fans way more dedicated

than myself

whose bright idea was it

to premiere a movie

at midnight

even with all the hoopla

i saw at least two people sleeping

that's an expensive nap

so what was i doing there?

baby girl and her step sister

really really wanted to go

and while i usually say no

to wild adventures in the night

i couldn't think of a good enough reason

to say no

so off we went

in the middle of the night

to see mr. potter

and his friends

on their latest adventure

i think they thanked me

a couple hundred times

they sure enjoyed themselves

even though the events of the movie

devastated one of them

luckily i ordered the tickets online

because when we got there

all 14 theaters showing mr. potter

were sold out

arriving a little over an hour early

and finding a seat was still difficult

the girls ended up sitting two rows back

together

and i took the single spot

next to a handicap slot

knowing i'd give it up should someone need it

you get to do a lot of people watching

when you have little else to do

for an hour

and there were interesting people galore

there was a man there with his two children

the kids were maybe 8 and 11

a boy and a girl

well this man confronted these two young guys

that were sitting in my handicap row

in two of the seats

he told them he thought they shouldn't be sitting there

the one young guy tried to explain

and was real respectful, calling the other guy sir

but the man got all up in the guy's face

and was yelling at him

mind you, his two children are watching all of this

the young guy wasn't able to tell his side of the story

although he sure tried

and the man finally backed down

and went back to his seat by his children

about this time

a young girl comes in with a couple friends and her mom

she's maybe a senior in high school

and she's trying to find a seat

the man bullies a few other young guys

about the empty seats next to them

and tells the girl she can sit there with her group

the girl gushes all over the place

and thanks him

i'm silently repulsed

the man proceeds to buy this girl a Coke

when he goes to buy $20 worth of candy for his kids

and won't take the money she tries to pay him back

i'm wondering why in the world

the girl's mom is allowing this to go on

again, this man's children are watching every move

and he was creepy

i caught him staring at the girl

at least a half dozen times

creepy, i tell you

but harmless with so many people around

thank goodness

i just silently observe

so the movie is getting ready to start

and the young guys in the handicap row with me

realize there is one empty seat

behind them

so the guy who was confronted

tells them to save the seat for him

and takes off out of the theater

after a little while

he returns

with two of his friends

one of them is in a wheelchair

and even as they roll over my toe

getting this guy to the spot two seats down from me

i was so excited

that this young guy got the last word

and he didn't have to say anything at all

rambling...

Wow. I just reread the last three posts and can you say melodramatic?! I don't know why birthdays and holidays bring out the blues in me. They just do. And with the blues, comes the desire to write. Strange the way my brain and heart work.

The people across the street are getting a new roof. So for the past couple of days, I've been awaken to the sound of tap, tap, tap hammers and the whirl of a circular saw. Wish the extreme makeover was happening over here. But then it wouldn't just be a tap - it would be a full blown BANG BANG BANG! So maybe it's okay that it isn't happening here...

Made my reservation for the Compassion National Conference. I don't know if I've mentioned yet that I am an advocate for Compassion. Basically, it's a volunteer position where you just try to get the word out about Compassion and try to get children sponsored. I'm amazed at this ministry and really would like to get even more involved. I'd love to go on a trip with them because I so firmly believe in what they are doing. I want to see it first hand. Anyway, if you haven't heard of Compassion, check it out! And if you are ready to sponsor a child, click here. Or click on that Compassion picture there in my sidebar.

Okay, okay, off my soapbox now...last night, I had some extra fruit from my fruit salad at lunch so I decided to make a smoothie. My favorite drink at UDF (a local ice cream shop/gas station) is a strawberry freeze. All they put in it is strawberry sherbet and fruit punch or lemonade. I can do that! So I bought some raspberry sherbet (couldn't find strawberry) and some fruit punch. I've been having fun experimenting. Last night's smoothie had about a half-cup of blueberries, half-cup of strawberries, a few raspberries, a cut-up banana, a little fruit punch and a lotta raspberry sherbet (fat free!). I just blended it all together and kept adding the sherbet until it was as thick as I wanted. It was SO good!! We will definitely be doing that again!

Well, I'm going to go start enjoying my Friday. So excited that the weekend is here! Hope everyone has a good one!