Yesterday, last night and a bit this morning I let my emotions and fears run me but, I got control of them once again and, now, tightly reined, I, once more, control them! One of Rush's biological aunts and her cousin (from her biological dad's side) sent her a message and a request for friendship through Facebook. We have not heard from these people in 7 years - any of them - and not through our disuading them. No, this has been all them and then they pop back into her life in the most non-committal way, email, and with no sense of remorse for the time or anything. (That is my vent and that is as far as that goes)
I was letting my fear of them hurting Rush, yet again, overtake me. This morning, during prayer, I could only squeak out my words amidst tears and sobs, praying that God won't let them hurt her or take advantage of her again. This morning at work, I rose so far above that feeling! God won't let that happen to her! How much more does He love her than I do or ever can!? He will equip her for whatever comes her way in this situation and He will equip us, her family, to help her with whatever situation comes her way.
One way or another though, these people need to get committed to being in her life or get committed to being out of it (this will be the end to their popping in and out of her life-one way or the other). This mama will not lay down like a rug and be walked over by anyone and the rules still apply; if Rush decides to go forth with this (and the decision is completely hers to make) it will be on her and my terms and with Rush's best interest at the heart of the matter. It will also be with the guidance of God.
I thank God for giving me the strenth to rise above this right hook that came out of nowhere; it may have caught me off guard and knocked me off balance but not for long and I am coming back swinging with all that I have and all the resources I have at my disposal. In other words, the tactic won't work. I read the book...and it says that my resource is a conquering king and a victorious warrior with fire in His eyes. Nice try. Sorry to burst your bubble...
As for the confusion that poor Rush is going through right now and the vomitting and lack of sleep she had due to this, I come against that and want her to know that I will be there with and for her every step of the way no matter which road she chooses and no matter what happens, just like always! No matter what you decide, Baby, I am with you, no matter the outcome. Dad & I are here to support your decision and to help walk you through whatever the terrain may be for you. Always remember that.
P.S. We won't pop...
I hope and pray they really mean this...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
That's Absurd II
"Today it is common for churches to send people around the world to evangelize non-believers. The goal is to get people to become a Christian so at death they will go to heaven. Churches also send groups out on good deeds missions to build buildings in Third World countries or to put shoes on the feet of poor children and provide enough money for a meal a day. These may be good things to do, but in all the recorded acts of Jesus, he never did these things.
I am sure there must have been many shoeless kids in Jesus' day, but there are no accounts of him supplying them with any. There must have been hungry children with big round bellies liek the ones you in those TV commercials, but Jesus never raised money to buy them food. He didn't busy the disciples building synagogues for poor Jews or houses for the hundreds who had lost their homes to the Roman tax collectors.
Instead, Jesus cut at the root of evil with the power of God. he went after the demons that kept society corrupt and sick. He freed entire communities from the powers of darkness that held the people in poverty. He cast out the spirit of corruption and taught them the way of love, honesty and generosity." (pages 32-33 "My Absurd Religion by Which I Make My Living" by Pastor Steve Gray)
I am sure there must have been many shoeless kids in Jesus' day, but there are no accounts of him supplying them with any. There must have been hungry children with big round bellies liek the ones you in those TV commercials, but Jesus never raised money to buy them food. He didn't busy the disciples building synagogues for poor Jews or houses for the hundreds who had lost their homes to the Roman tax collectors.
Instead, Jesus cut at the root of evil with the power of God. he went after the demons that kept society corrupt and sick. He freed entire communities from the powers of darkness that held the people in poverty. He cast out the spirit of corruption and taught them the way of love, honesty and generosity." (pages 32-33 "My Absurd Religion by Which I Make My Living" by Pastor Steve Gray)
How Absurd!
"But my religion is so busy maintaining its image that it denies it even has problems. Often, it blames society's woes on people who are not Christians. It rails against the immoral people of America as though they hold all the power of the future. Christians deceive themselves into believing that if everyone living outside of Christianity would live moral lives, America would be safe and secure.
The prophet Jeremiah of the Bible said there are only two sins taht cause societal misery. sin number one is "My poeple have forsaken me." In other words, God's followers gave up on following. To them, God was no longer a part of the solution, and they simply lost interest in Him. They still did religious things, but only halfheartedly. Remember, god's poepl committed this sin. It was active religion without a conscience. God wasn't angry that the pagans were acting like pagans. How else would you expect them to act? It waould have changed nothing for the pagans to walk a straight line. God's heart was breaking because his own people paid him no mind, though they pretended to. God's response was to withdraw and be hard to find.
This is what I seen in the churches of America. People may go to church, but their first question is, "When does this thing get over?" Churches have become like fast food restaurants offering speedy service. Christians don't want the power and presence of God in their lives; they just want to be left alone to get on with their lives. Ask any pastor or minister what the greatest problem of the church is today. It all boils down to one thing: The people just don't care. They want a little bit of God in their lives, but they mainly want food, fun and entertainment. In most cases, religion is giving them what they want." (pages 9 & 10)
" A church is not a place wit a steeple, or baptistery or altar. It's not even a place with a pastor or a priest. Neither is it a place to find sympathy or support. A church is a place where people go to experience God. It is to be like no other place on earth. It is the God meeting place. If there is no power or presence of God, then it is not a church. it is something else." (page 20-21)
"I think I could ask every preacher within a hundred miles of me what the gospel is about and ninety nine percent would get it wrong. I've heard a lot of sermons in my day and have been to hundreds of churches around the world. But I have heard relatively few sermons about Jesus Christ. Plenty of sermons reference Jesus, but the ones I've hear are primarily about our needs, our hurts, and our blessings. They are about us, not him. To be sure, Jesus did do a lot for us. That's great news, but it's not the primary news. The primary news is about Jesus himself. My absurd religion is like a kid who skips the main meal to get to the dessert. Ministers today are so eager to get to the self-gratifying stuff that most of America thinks the gospel is about Jesus coming to make us happy and fulfilled. Too m any churches have become a dessert buffet of inspiration feel-good theology." (Page 29)
"Some preachers, as I've said, think the gospel is only about getting into heaven. But to me, the good news is that God will come down from heaven and be with us here, not that we will someday go to heaven. Absurd religion offers a God who lives upstairs and is presently unavailable; but I get to see him after I die. My absurd religion has become so powerless and ineffective in this life that it has little left to offer but an afterlife. But the gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal an interactive God....Yes, we have the promise of heaven at death, but we also have a lot to do before we get there." (page 29-30)
Quotes taken from "My Absurd Religion by Which I Make my Living" by Pastor Steve Gray
The prophet Jeremiah of the Bible said there are only two sins taht cause societal misery. sin number one is "My poeple have forsaken me." In other words, God's followers gave up on following. To them, God was no longer a part of the solution, and they simply lost interest in Him. They still did religious things, but only halfheartedly. Remember, god's poepl committed this sin. It was active religion without a conscience. God wasn't angry that the pagans were acting like pagans. How else would you expect them to act? It waould have changed nothing for the pagans to walk a straight line. God's heart was breaking because his own people paid him no mind, though they pretended to. God's response was to withdraw and be hard to find.
This is what I seen in the churches of America. People may go to church, but their first question is, "When does this thing get over?" Churches have become like fast food restaurants offering speedy service. Christians don't want the power and presence of God in their lives; they just want to be left alone to get on with their lives. Ask any pastor or minister what the greatest problem of the church is today. It all boils down to one thing: The people just don't care. They want a little bit of God in their lives, but they mainly want food, fun and entertainment. In most cases, religion is giving them what they want." (pages 9 & 10)
" A church is not a place wit a steeple, or baptistery or altar. It's not even a place with a pastor or a priest. Neither is it a place to find sympathy or support. A church is a place where people go to experience God. It is to be like no other place on earth. It is the God meeting place. If there is no power or presence of God, then it is not a church. it is something else." (page 20-21)
"I think I could ask every preacher within a hundred miles of me what the gospel is about and ninety nine percent would get it wrong. I've heard a lot of sermons in my day and have been to hundreds of churches around the world. But I have heard relatively few sermons about Jesus Christ. Plenty of sermons reference Jesus, but the ones I've hear are primarily about our needs, our hurts, and our blessings. They are about us, not him. To be sure, Jesus did do a lot for us. That's great news, but it's not the primary news. The primary news is about Jesus himself. My absurd religion is like a kid who skips the main meal to get to the dessert. Ministers today are so eager to get to the self-gratifying stuff that most of America thinks the gospel is about Jesus coming to make us happy and fulfilled. Too m any churches have become a dessert buffet of inspiration feel-good theology." (Page 29)
"Some preachers, as I've said, think the gospel is only about getting into heaven. But to me, the good news is that God will come down from heaven and be with us here, not that we will someday go to heaven. Absurd religion offers a God who lives upstairs and is presently unavailable; but I get to see him after I die. My absurd religion has become so powerless and ineffective in this life that it has little left to offer but an afterlife. But the gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal an interactive God....Yes, we have the promise of heaven at death, but we also have a lot to do before we get there." (page 29-30)
Quotes taken from "My Absurd Religion by Which I Make my Living" by Pastor Steve Gray
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Yesterday I smelled
Yesterday I had just finished getting ready for work and had walked into the kitchen; Jellybean smiled at me and told me how nice I smelled (I had just finished spraying my perfume, Jennifer Lopez Luxe).
Bug looked at me, the way he does when you can see the magnitude of his love written ALL over his face and sweetly said, "Yeah, Mommy, you smell like...Fruit Loops...".
I think that was the best compliment I got yesterday, if not ever.
Bug looked at me, the way he does when you can see the magnitude of his love written ALL over his face and sweetly said, "Yeah, Mommy, you smell like...Fruit Loops...".
I think that was the best compliment I got yesterday, if not ever.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Jellybean's new word
According to Jellybean it will always be easy for people to remember how old she is (and she is right); she is, after all, an "illeminum baby".
Of course, she meant millenium.
Of course, she meant millenium.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
I never thought I'd hear HER say THAT!!!!
A few of us went to McDonalds after service last night and then went to Cheryl's house to watch a movie. We rented the movie from Blockbuster and I heard Rush say something on her way in that I never, ever thought I would hear her say, EVER!
As she walked in with two of her friends I heard her say, "The last time I was in here I had a mustache." She said it so calmly - like there was nothing strange about that.
Now let me explain this whole thing to you. Last Sunday Rush and Goofda had a little bit of fun at church; they were planning on attending sports right after but got distracted first on their way and Rush went into Blockbuster to rent a movie looking like this...
This is what she lloked like leaving church.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Are you doing or hearing?
Be a doer of the Word not just a hearer; push yourself and be an example to others (be willing to be an example). Being a hearer only and NOT a doer, you become deceived believing that God is happy that you just showed up to church on time.
Once you have "tasted" God you just want more and more. You NEED more! It's never enough! You are never satisfied! If you don't want more, if you don't feel that, I don't think you've ever really experienced Him for real!
Once you have "tasted" God you just want more and more. You NEED more! It's never enough! You are never satisfied! If you don't want more, if you don't feel that, I don't think you've ever really experienced Him for real!
Time to get real
Dixie opened up a can of worms in my mind with the latest post she has done; she asked me if that was good or bad and I think it was mostly good. It really got me thinking, evaluating, seeking and adament to change my mindset on something: my body image, healthy body image and the crap the media tries to feed us daily.
I think I was around 14 years old (so roughly 2/3 of my life has this affected me in one way shape or form) that I developed an eating disorder. I don't even know when or how; I didn't set out to be taken over & consumed by this thing. In retrospect it seems like it moved itself into a room of my mind never once announcing its plans, its arrival nor its presence-it just was. Instantly it seemed like a permanent fixture (you know how you can walk around the furniture in your house at night without having to think where it is, you just know it's there?), like it was always there and was supposed to be there instead of being the foreign thought that it was (is).
At 14 years old I was pretty much the same height I am now (close to 5'7") perhaps a couple inches shorter and I weighed 120 lbs; I was always an active kid so I was in good shape as well and I would look at myself in the mirror and see fat. I am not capable of seeing myself the way I truly am right now (even still); I have always looked in the mirror longing to see what everyone else did but instead seeing someone, not just 5-10 lbs over but, grotesquely overweight. At 14 years old, 5'5" (we will say) and 120 lbs I saw someone with 50 lbs to lose perhaps more.
When I was 15 years old my dad showed me a picture of a lady he knew and asked me what I thought of her. I thought she was beautiful. She was slim and simply beautiful. Dad asked me how tall I was and as I answered he made a "hmmmph" kind of noise; he then asked me how much I weighed, again he made the noise. He proceeded to ask me how I thought I could be fat and needing to lose weight when I had just looked at a picture of a lady who was the exact height and weight I was and I thought she looked beautiful and perfectly skinny. I had no answer for him. Logic didn't dictate that I could answer him.
I don't really know how I survived on the food I ate as a teen Grades 9-11 I never ate breakfast, had a frozen, slushy juicebox (orange juice) and an ice cream sandwich for lunch (I threw my lunch out everyday!) and picked and scraped at my supper. The whole day would have probably amounted to maybe 600 calories.
By Grade 12 I was down to 100 lbs, started smoking to replace another meal and I was "good to go". At 1oo lbs I still looked in the mirror and saw that same body looking back at me, the one that needed to lose a "me" worth of weight. I don't know where it came from or what is the deep rooted seed behind this image I have but I do know that it is wrong; I don't look like how I see myself.
"They" say that eating disorders come from a feeling of having a lack of control in ones life and that things like parental divorce or rapes can trigger one to grab control by controlling how much or how little they eat. By 14 yrs old my parents were divorced but I can't say that I felt that much loss of control over it perhaps add to that our house burning down and my grandpa dying the year earlier but still...I have no recollection of feeling life was out of control. That is just what my life was and I think my "support system" was enough that I didn't feel like I was free falling. So I can't see that being the trigger; I was raped/assaulted a couple of times during my teen years which I suffered silently with - this may be the first time some hear this about me even but I think it had to do more with seeing images of what I was "supposed to look like" day after day after day than what I have gone through. I don't really know; all I do know is that it just is and I am sick and tired of thinking I have beaten it to only look in the mirror again to see another ugly tenticle wrapping its way around my throat.
I have come a long way but there is still plenty of road to go and I know that I can't do it by myself. I may not suffer the eating disorder part now but that distorted body image remains and through God's help and hopefully (my friends and family as well) I know that I can shatter that image that has haunted me every time I look at my reflection. Yes, in reality I have a couple of pounds to lose to get to a healthier weight but not the 80 lbs I see surrounding my reflection. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and this is a pretty small thing for a great big GOD. I can all ready begin to feel those chains (and tenticles) begin to stretch and prepare to snap off and crumble to dust. I know it will happen! No! I know that it IS happening NOW!
I think I was around 14 years old (so roughly 2/3 of my life has this affected me in one way shape or form) that I developed an eating disorder. I don't even know when or how; I didn't set out to be taken over & consumed by this thing. In retrospect it seems like it moved itself into a room of my mind never once announcing its plans, its arrival nor its presence-it just was. Instantly it seemed like a permanent fixture (you know how you can walk around the furniture in your house at night without having to think where it is, you just know it's there?), like it was always there and was supposed to be there instead of being the foreign thought that it was (is).
At 14 years old I was pretty much the same height I am now (close to 5'7") perhaps a couple inches shorter and I weighed 120 lbs; I was always an active kid so I was in good shape as well and I would look at myself in the mirror and see fat. I am not capable of seeing myself the way I truly am right now (even still); I have always looked in the mirror longing to see what everyone else did but instead seeing someone, not just 5-10 lbs over but, grotesquely overweight. At 14 years old, 5'5" (we will say) and 120 lbs I saw someone with 50 lbs to lose perhaps more.
When I was 15 years old my dad showed me a picture of a lady he knew and asked me what I thought of her. I thought she was beautiful. She was slim and simply beautiful. Dad asked me how tall I was and as I answered he made a "hmmmph" kind of noise; he then asked me how much I weighed, again he made the noise. He proceeded to ask me how I thought I could be fat and needing to lose weight when I had just looked at a picture of a lady who was the exact height and weight I was and I thought she looked beautiful and perfectly skinny. I had no answer for him. Logic didn't dictate that I could answer him.
I don't really know how I survived on the food I ate as a teen Grades 9-11 I never ate breakfast, had a frozen, slushy juicebox (orange juice) and an ice cream sandwich for lunch (I threw my lunch out everyday!) and picked and scraped at my supper. The whole day would have probably amounted to maybe 600 calories.
By Grade 12 I was down to 100 lbs, started smoking to replace another meal and I was "good to go". At 1oo lbs I still looked in the mirror and saw that same body looking back at me, the one that needed to lose a "me" worth of weight. I don't know where it came from or what is the deep rooted seed behind this image I have but I do know that it is wrong; I don't look like how I see myself.
"They" say that eating disorders come from a feeling of having a lack of control in ones life and that things like parental divorce or rapes can trigger one to grab control by controlling how much or how little they eat. By 14 yrs old my parents were divorced but I can't say that I felt that much loss of control over it perhaps add to that our house burning down and my grandpa dying the year earlier but still...I have no recollection of feeling life was out of control. That is just what my life was and I think my "support system" was enough that I didn't feel like I was free falling. So I can't see that being the trigger; I was raped/assaulted a couple of times during my teen years which I suffered silently with - this may be the first time some hear this about me even but I think it had to do more with seeing images of what I was "supposed to look like" day after day after day than what I have gone through. I don't really know; all I do know is that it just is and I am sick and tired of thinking I have beaten it to only look in the mirror again to see another ugly tenticle wrapping its way around my throat.
I have come a long way but there is still plenty of road to go and I know that I can't do it by myself. I may not suffer the eating disorder part now but that distorted body image remains and through God's help and hopefully (my friends and family as well) I know that I can shatter that image that has haunted me every time I look at my reflection. Yes, in reality I have a couple of pounds to lose to get to a healthier weight but not the 80 lbs I see surrounding my reflection. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and this is a pretty small thing for a great big GOD. I can all ready begin to feel those chains (and tenticles) begin to stretch and prepare to snap off and crumble to dust. I know it will happen! No! I know that it IS happening NOW!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Getting better.
We have family devotions and a time of prayer every morning before we leave our separate directions for the day; it has become an important part of our day and one that the kids look forward to as well.
We have gone through spurts of the kids, especially and moreso the younger two, not really praying anything other than their typical same words everyday prayers but lately, we have noticed it has really been stepped up and has had some powerful wording in it for small children; they are really starting to open up and realize what is being taught at our church (there is no Junior Holy Spirit! 'You is or you isn't,' as my Newfie friends would say.)
Excerpts from this morning's prayer from the kids:
Bug:
-"Help us, God to listen to what You are telling us."
-"We need more of You, God; send fire!"
Jellybean:
-"Give us the mind of Christ."
-"Teach us to be more like You!"
Rush:
-"Thank you that You are drawing us closer to You and that through that we are getting closer as a family, that we are becoming stronger as a family!"
I had to leave part way through Rush praying for a moment and so I did miss most of what she said however there is just so much more life and passion in the way my children pray now. As a parent it is very reassuring to know that they are aware of the realness.
We have gone through spurts of the kids, especially and moreso the younger two, not really praying anything other than their typical same words everyday prayers but lately, we have noticed it has really been stepped up and has had some powerful wording in it for small children; they are really starting to open up and realize what is being taught at our church (there is no Junior Holy Spirit! 'You is or you isn't,' as my Newfie friends would say.)
Excerpts from this morning's prayer from the kids:
Bug:
-"Help us, God to listen to what You are telling us."
-"We need more of You, God; send fire!"
Jellybean:
-"Give us the mind of Christ."
-"Teach us to be more like You!"
Rush:
-"Thank you that You are drawing us closer to You and that through that we are getting closer as a family, that we are becoming stronger as a family!"
I had to leave part way through Rush praying for a moment and so I did miss most of what she said however there is just so much more life and passion in the way my children pray now. As a parent it is very reassuring to know that they are aware of the realness.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day...
When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May...
I guess you'd say what can make me feel this way...
My girl...
Talkin' 'bout MY GIRL!
Rush & I last Sunday on our girls' afternoon at BPs. Man I LOVE this girl!!!
I guess you'd say what can make me feel this way...
My girl...
Talkin' 'bout MY GIRL!Rush & I last Sunday on our girls' afternoon at BPs. Man I LOVE this girl!!!New Years Day sliding adventures at Little Red
Jellybean climbing up the hill with one of the slides.
Take a look at the air Bug caught coming down the one side of the hill. It was wicked!
Here I am just waiting at the bottom of the hill to get some good pictures. I'm looking a little frosty in the eyelashes and hair.
Ah ha ha! BigB took a dive at the bottom; it was quite a wipe out on the same side Bug caught all his air.It was a fun time- a little too cold to stay out very long though.
The Toothfairy Saga Continues
Dr. Daddy checking out the extremely loose tooth with Bug's buddy, Pink Panther. Look how brave Bug is!
There it is! Taken out by Daddy and his handy "dental tools". Can you see the shock, tears and laughter on his face?
Immediately following the loose tooth being plucked from its home...
There you have it folks, the evidence that she (the Tooth Fairy) has stolen my baby from me! And can you believe that she is ALL READY in the process of taking another one!? The tooth directly beside is all ready wiggling itself free to be replaced by yet another sign of oncoming adulthood!!!
Friday, January 23, 2009
She's leaving on a jet plane...
It has been quite a week, I'll tell you! Our van broke down the week before so we were driving the car. BigB thought he would try to boost the van with the car in hopes of reviving it and...the car quit. We thought it was the alternator but alas, it is some yet to be diagnosed problem. We will be working on it this weekend with hopes of it being on the road very soon. As a result of our vehiclelessness (I know! I know! What kind of word is that?) we have been overwhelmed with support from our church body/friends. They have been picking us up, taking us to work, school and church; we have had vehicles lent to us for periods of time and are currently getting to use Miss Teresa's car. (By the way, it has heated seats and I WANT A CAR WITH THOSE!)
Yesterday was our last day of Hebrew class and I will now be taking a bit of a hiatus from school in order to spend more time with the kids. I talked to Pastor Kevin about it on Tuesday and he thinks it is a good idea as well. Rush has been taking on the brunt of our absence and we want to remove some of that stress from her as much as we can; I offered it of myself as I am also finding our schedule, not hard or taxing, but I was finding it leaving me feeling void of some important "mom-time".
Rush & I got to go out for some "Mom/Daughter" time last Sunday. We went to BP's shared some Cactus Cuts, Twist Bread with pizza sauce and a small Boston Royale pizza. By the time it was all said and done we were too full to move and not sure how we were going to make it playing volleyball that next hour (but we did just fine). I loved getting to spend that time with just her & I and hopefully next time we go we can spend a bit more time visiting with each other. (One of my old bosses came for a visit which was nice but did take away from our time alone.)
Speaking of Rush, she has some excitement ahead of her. Last night she called us to let us know that she had been invited by P.K and S.T. to go to Toronto with them, their daughter and another friend. They will be flying (something she has never done before), going to Pastor Peter Marshall's church, going to China Town and Niagra Falls and hopefully living it to the fullest and enjoying the experience of different sites, tastes etc. I can't wait to see the pictures and to hear her stories. We are on a fast track to saving money for her to go as she will have airfare to pay, meals to pay for and a need/desire for spending money (and I would hate for her to go and not be able to enjoy a bit of shopping-that's what makes it the most fun for girls anyway). Our plan is to gather up all our pop cans/bottles and return them. Rush's school fees for Feb. are all ready paid so her only bill between now and departure is her cell phone bill. We are having faith that all the money she needs will be provided!
She leaves on the 18th so she has approximately 3 weeks to be prepared. I have 3 weeks to contain my excitement for her-having only ever gone 1 or 2 places outside of SK myself, I am bubbling over with joy for her and hope that she has an absolute blast with her friends!
Yesterday was our last day of Hebrew class and I will now be taking a bit of a hiatus from school in order to spend more time with the kids. I talked to Pastor Kevin about it on Tuesday and he thinks it is a good idea as well. Rush has been taking on the brunt of our absence and we want to remove some of that stress from her as much as we can; I offered it of myself as I am also finding our schedule, not hard or taxing, but I was finding it leaving me feeling void of some important "mom-time".
Rush & I got to go out for some "Mom/Daughter" time last Sunday. We went to BP's shared some Cactus Cuts, Twist Bread with pizza sauce and a small Boston Royale pizza. By the time it was all said and done we were too full to move and not sure how we were going to make it playing volleyball that next hour (but we did just fine). I loved getting to spend that time with just her & I and hopefully next time we go we can spend a bit more time visiting with each other. (One of my old bosses came for a visit which was nice but did take away from our time alone.)
Speaking of Rush, she has some excitement ahead of her. Last night she called us to let us know that she had been invited by P.K and S.T. to go to Toronto with them, their daughter and another friend. They will be flying (something she has never done before), going to Pastor Peter Marshall's church, going to China Town and Niagra Falls and hopefully living it to the fullest and enjoying the experience of different sites, tastes etc. I can't wait to see the pictures and to hear her stories. We are on a fast track to saving money for her to go as she will have airfare to pay, meals to pay for and a need/desire for spending money (and I would hate for her to go and not be able to enjoy a bit of shopping-that's what makes it the most fun for girls anyway). Our plan is to gather up all our pop cans/bottles and return them. Rush's school fees for Feb. are all ready paid so her only bill between now and departure is her cell phone bill. We are having faith that all the money she needs will be provided!
She leaves on the 18th so she has approximately 3 weeks to be prepared. I have 3 weeks to contain my excitement for her-having only ever gone 1 or 2 places outside of SK myself, I am bubbling over with joy for her and hope that she has an absolute blast with her friends!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
A Wish for my friends in 2009
My Dad's cousin sent me this email that I found too cute to not share and it is, somewhat, my with for you all for 2009...
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words . . . May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words . . . May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!
Monday, January 05, 2009
The Tooth Fairy stole my baby!!!!
She did!!! And I am putting out an A.P.B. on her!!! She isn't very tall, resembles Tinkerbell and will most likely be carrying someone's tooth!!! She has stolen my baby from me!
Last night I was helping Bug brush his teeth when I noticed a tooth on the bottom left-hand side of his mouth was very wiggly. I informed him of my new found discovery and it sent him into gales of sweet, joyful giggles. It sent me into an instant flashback of my bald-headed, 7 lb 14 oz, toothless bundle of joy and how the years have disappeared with a blink of my eyes-just one blink. In that very instant the Tooth Fairy stole my baby from me.
He is quite a little man now. He holds doors open for me and asks how my day at work went, grabs a blanket for us so we can "nuggle" on the couch, loves to have me read "Love You Forever" to him and promises to take care of me for his whole entire life. Bug is now reading stories not by the words but through interpretting the story's pictures and he has come up with some grand tales and taken us on some incredible adventures and when he sees me his face lights up with joy and love when he sees me after even a brief absence. He loves holding my hand when we cross the street or are in aparking lot and without his hand in mine, mine feels a void.
So, I need to find this Tooth Fairy to give her a piece of my mind! She has stolen the other 6 all ready and I had just hoped for a little more time!!!
Last night I was helping Bug brush his teeth when I noticed a tooth on the bottom left-hand side of his mouth was very wiggly. I informed him of my new found discovery and it sent him into gales of sweet, joyful giggles. It sent me into an instant flashback of my bald-headed, 7 lb 14 oz, toothless bundle of joy and how the years have disappeared with a blink of my eyes-just one blink. In that very instant the Tooth Fairy stole my baby from me.
He is quite a little man now. He holds doors open for me and asks how my day at work went, grabs a blanket for us so we can "nuggle" on the couch, loves to have me read "Love You Forever" to him and promises to take care of me for his whole entire life. Bug is now reading stories not by the words but through interpretting the story's pictures and he has come up with some grand tales and taken us on some incredible adventures and when he sees me his face lights up with joy and love when he sees me after even a brief absence. He loves holding my hand when we cross the street or are in aparking lot and without his hand in mine, mine feels a void.
So, I need to find this Tooth Fairy to give her a piece of my mind! She has stolen the other 6 all ready and I had just hoped for a little more time!!!
The Birds, The Bees and The Pharmacy Tech????
Last night Jellybean came downstairs to tell me that she just heard that someone we know may be pregnant. She also told me how it says in the Bible that being pregnant without being married is a sin. I told her she was pretty much right but that it's not the being pregnant but the having sex that is not right. She looked at me quite befuddled and quizically asked, "What does sex look like?"
PANIC raced through me!!!!!! Cra-ap!! Why did I correct her!? She would have been just fine thinking it was 'pregnant' at least for the next 15 years, right??? "What does sex look like?! What does it look like??!!!". I can hear that question pounding in my ears.
"Oh, honey, you don't need to worry about that right now. Mommy will explain it all to you when you are a little older. For now all you need to know is that it is something special between mommy's and daddy's."
LO-ONG, AWKWARD SILENCE......
"Mommy...? I think I know what sex looks like."
"Oh?", I whispered with my mind racing through all the things she could say so I could "plan" my response.
"Yeah. I think it looks like a vitamin."
I stifle a laugh.
"No, it isn't a vitamin but right now you are a bit too young to really understand what it is but, I promise, as soon as Mommy and Daddy think you are ready to understand I will talk to you and explain it. Okay?"
"Okay," she said, smiling sweetly at me as she bounded from my chair and out of my office.
"Whew!" I feel my lungs begin to exhale a huge sigh of relief and my heart rate slows to normal. I wiped the beads of sweat that had begun to form on my brow and began to wonder when WOULD she be ready? When would I?
PANIC raced through me!!!!!! Cra-ap!! Why did I correct her!? She would have been just fine thinking it was 'pregnant' at least for the next 15 years, right??? "What does sex look like?! What does it look like??!!!". I can hear that question pounding in my ears.
"Oh, honey, you don't need to worry about that right now. Mommy will explain it all to you when you are a little older. For now all you need to know is that it is something special between mommy's and daddy's."
LO-ONG, AWKWARD SILENCE......
"Mommy...? I think I know what sex looks like."
"Oh?", I whispered with my mind racing through all the things she could say so I could "plan" my response.
"Yeah. I think it looks like a vitamin."
I stifle a laugh.
"No, it isn't a vitamin but right now you are a bit too young to really understand what it is but, I promise, as soon as Mommy and Daddy think you are ready to understand I will talk to you and explain it. Okay?"
"Okay," she said, smiling sweetly at me as she bounded from my chair and out of my office.
"Whew!" I feel my lungs begin to exhale a huge sigh of relief and my heart rate slows to normal. I wiped the beads of sweat that had begun to form on my brow and began to wonder when WOULD she be ready? When would I?
Friday, January 02, 2009
I have been silent
But not because I have been mad or depressed or anything of that nature...not at all. I have merely been enjoying my week of Christmas Festivities and my week of family time! It has been fantastic. I was done work at 5:30 on Christmas Eve, went home and began helpin gBigB with the supper preparations for our traditional pig-out feast (homemade pizza, ribs, taco dip, cheese dip, cheese ball...it was great and we were all very stuffed) which we were blessed to share with some of our dear and newfound friends (just one of the great things 2008 brought us).
Christmas Day we spent with Pastor Rob; he is BigB's "brothah from another mothah" and I am his "Twisted Sister". It was great to be able to have him at our house enjoying the kids, the chatter, the laughter, the food and the Wii. Rush's biggest claim to fame that day was knocking out "Uncle" Rob in a game of Wii boxing.
I worked my first shift in ICU in about 1 1/2 years and it was a bit of a hair raising experience as we were fully loaded and a nurse shy with some very sick people...but I made it without needing resusitation myself. In fact, it was rather invigorating if I may be so bold.
On the 27th we had BigB's mom and dad over for the afternoon and a late lunch/early supper. They brought the other two kids with them, Tuff and the K meister! It was awkward at first as we haven't seen them since last January but it didn't take long for that to disolve! We had a lot of fun with them while they were here; they went home with P.B. & J on the afternoon of the 31st. That's right; they were here as well!
On the 29th I worked the morning in ICU and went for lunch with some friends from high school; we had fun chowing down on some good ole B.Ps until we were too stuffed to move. Good times; good times. The 30th is when P.B. and J came for the day; we visited and had supper with them and watched "Horton Hears a Who", our Christmas present from them. It was nice to have them with us and we were almost a complete family but having us that close to complete made the void that much more evident and painful. Perhaps next year...that's what the plan is sounding like so far! Definitely will be exciting to have the 9 kids with us if that works out!
The 31st I worked another half day in ICU, got my hair cut and colored and then went to church for service and food. What a great way to say goodbye to one great year and to hello to another with good friends and, most importantly, the presence of God.
I didn't get as much organizing done as I had first hoped as I didn't expect as much company nor did I plan on working-that was all last minute. I did get to completely go through our huge linen closet and tossed tonnes of stuff as well as find things that we no longer use that a friend of ours was able to make good use of! My linen closet is a thing of beauty at the moment-if a linen closet could be a thing of beauty! Regardless, it is very organized and 'purty'. Bug's room done. Linen closet done...it will be complete soon.
I guess this weekend is the official weekend of bringing down the tree. I am going to feel very good about getting my living room back in all of its square footedness. Oh and some great news on the new church building front...they were supposed to be putting the cement down today...step by step we are getting closer and closer! Can't wait!!!
Christmas Day we spent with Pastor Rob; he is BigB's "brothah from another mothah" and I am his "Twisted Sister". It was great to be able to have him at our house enjoying the kids, the chatter, the laughter, the food and the Wii. Rush's biggest claim to fame that day was knocking out "Uncle" Rob in a game of Wii boxing.
I worked my first shift in ICU in about 1 1/2 years and it was a bit of a hair raising experience as we were fully loaded and a nurse shy with some very sick people...but I made it without needing resusitation myself. In fact, it was rather invigorating if I may be so bold.
On the 27th we had BigB's mom and dad over for the afternoon and a late lunch/early supper. They brought the other two kids with them, Tuff and the K meister! It was awkward at first as we haven't seen them since last January but it didn't take long for that to disolve! We had a lot of fun with them while they were here; they went home with P.B. & J on the afternoon of the 31st. That's right; they were here as well!
On the 29th I worked the morning in ICU and went for lunch with some friends from high school; we had fun chowing down on some good ole B.Ps until we were too stuffed to move. Good times; good times. The 30th is when P.B. and J came for the day; we visited and had supper with them and watched "Horton Hears a Who", our Christmas present from them. It was nice to have them with us and we were almost a complete family but having us that close to complete made the void that much more evident and painful. Perhaps next year...that's what the plan is sounding like so far! Definitely will be exciting to have the 9 kids with us if that works out!
The 31st I worked another half day in ICU, got my hair cut and colored and then went to church for service and food. What a great way to say goodbye to one great year and to hello to another with good friends and, most importantly, the presence of God.
I didn't get as much organizing done as I had first hoped as I didn't expect as much company nor did I plan on working-that was all last minute. I did get to completely go through our huge linen closet and tossed tonnes of stuff as well as find things that we no longer use that a friend of ours was able to make good use of! My linen closet is a thing of beauty at the moment-if a linen closet could be a thing of beauty! Regardless, it is very organized and 'purty'. Bug's room done. Linen closet done...it will be complete soon.
I guess this weekend is the official weekend of bringing down the tree. I am going to feel very good about getting my living room back in all of its square footedness. Oh and some great news on the new church building front...they were supposed to be putting the cement down today...step by step we are getting closer and closer! Can't wait!!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!!!
For those of you who are dreaming of a white Christmas, we have got some snow to come your way but, if you do take some of the snow you have to take the bitter cold and the windchill it has with it this year. We are in the midst of a cold snap that reminds me more of a late January day than a December one but that is ok because it simply means curling up at night with a blanket, snuggling with the family and enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate...when we are home.
There have been some huge changes in our lives this year; it has been a year of stretching, restructuring and the like but it has all been great! BigB & I have both changed jobs and I, especially, am loving mine. I am now at Early Childhood Intervention as the Office Manager and BigB is over at Image Computers instead of us both being at the hospital. We are also building a new sanctuary as a church and we have helped out with that some; i have learned how to mud a bit and have become very efficient at painting trim and at sanding. Rush is also working-two jobs actually; she works as a cashier at Superstore plus she babysits every second week during the evenings for us and another family while we are at school.
Yes, BigB and I are classmates! We are both attending first year classes at World Revival Training Center and the classes, so far, have been incredible (some more work than others but all the same, incredible and life changing)! The kids have all left the public school system this year and are attending WRPS the A.C.E. school at our church and I have nothing but great things to say about that place and the education they are getting! Rush is even paying for her own tuition.
We have been incredibly busy as a family as we are striving to bring ourselves to a deeper place in our relationship with God and as a family. We have made some new and truly fantastic friends but have found ourselves in a position where we are pressed for time (but for great reasons) to get together with family and old friends and they are all greatly missed. I am in the process of fine-tuning the organization of our household and perhaps with the start of 2009 will come the beginning of some new found time.
Rush has spent this current school year learning sign language and is learning new words daily; we are so proud of her and how quickly she picked it up! She started to have bass lessons but they were momentarily halted due to time constraints on both parties, teacher and student. They will be picking them back up in the new year again. Her grades this year have been absolutely great and it is just an absolute joy to be around her. Rush's humor will leave you in stitches and well, she is overall just a great lady to be around. I almost called her a kid but she is 15 years old now and I guess my days of calling her a kid are over...
Jellybean is also doing great at school and has really loved transitioning to WRPS; she loved her old school, teachers and friends but there is a difference here. So far, her lowest mark this year is an 87% or something like that. Jellybean still loves her music and plucks away at her violin at times or her guitar at times. She is a little prayer warrior when she wants to be.
Bug still makes my morning every morning with the sweet look he gives me (like he hasn't seen me in 100 days). He is loving going to school and learning all about letters from Miss Pam. Poor Miss Pam! She has Bug and his two best buddies in her class who feed off of each other like a tornado; I just hope the three of them keep it to a dull gayle force wind for her instead of a full blown tornado... Bug is a worshipper; he has music in his bone marrow I am sure and we will "catch" him in the living room singing and dancing his heart out. He is still too "shy" around non-immediate family to do that in public but it is coming.
We have had a great 2008 and we are looking forward now, to an even better 2009! There is no telling what can and will happen in the new year but we are ready and eager for it to happen!
For you, our friends and family, our hope and prayer is for a healthy, happy, prosperous 2009! You all mean so very much to us and we love you all dearly. Merry Christmas!
There have been some huge changes in our lives this year; it has been a year of stretching, restructuring and the like but it has all been great! BigB & I have both changed jobs and I, especially, am loving mine. I am now at Early Childhood Intervention as the Office Manager and BigB is over at Image Computers instead of us both being at the hospital. We are also building a new sanctuary as a church and we have helped out with that some; i have learned how to mud a bit and have become very efficient at painting trim and at sanding. Rush is also working-two jobs actually; she works as a cashier at Superstore plus she babysits every second week during the evenings for us and another family while we are at school.
Yes, BigB and I are classmates! We are both attending first year classes at World Revival Training Center and the classes, so far, have been incredible (some more work than others but all the same, incredible and life changing)! The kids have all left the public school system this year and are attending WRPS the A.C.E. school at our church and I have nothing but great things to say about that place and the education they are getting! Rush is even paying for her own tuition.
We have been incredibly busy as a family as we are striving to bring ourselves to a deeper place in our relationship with God and as a family. We have made some new and truly fantastic friends but have found ourselves in a position where we are pressed for time (but for great reasons) to get together with family and old friends and they are all greatly missed. I am in the process of fine-tuning the organization of our household and perhaps with the start of 2009 will come the beginning of some new found time.
Rush has spent this current school year learning sign language and is learning new words daily; we are so proud of her and how quickly she picked it up! She started to have bass lessons but they were momentarily halted due to time constraints on both parties, teacher and student. They will be picking them back up in the new year again. Her grades this year have been absolutely great and it is just an absolute joy to be around her. Rush's humor will leave you in stitches and well, she is overall just a great lady to be around. I almost called her a kid but she is 15 years old now and I guess my days of calling her a kid are over...
Jellybean is also doing great at school and has really loved transitioning to WRPS; she loved her old school, teachers and friends but there is a difference here. So far, her lowest mark this year is an 87% or something like that. Jellybean still loves her music and plucks away at her violin at times or her guitar at times. She is a little prayer warrior when she wants to be.
Bug still makes my morning every morning with the sweet look he gives me (like he hasn't seen me in 100 days). He is loving going to school and learning all about letters from Miss Pam. Poor Miss Pam! She has Bug and his two best buddies in her class who feed off of each other like a tornado; I just hope the three of them keep it to a dull gayle force wind for her instead of a full blown tornado... Bug is a worshipper; he has music in his bone marrow I am sure and we will "catch" him in the living room singing and dancing his heart out. He is still too "shy" around non-immediate family to do that in public but it is coming.
We have had a great 2008 and we are looking forward now, to an even better 2009! There is no telling what can and will happen in the new year but we are ready and eager for it to happen!
For you, our friends and family, our hope and prayer is for a healthy, happy, prosperous 2009! You all mean so very much to us and we love you all dearly. Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thus ends this latest bout of Teenagitis...
Sometimes I forget (like when she has a day or two of that dreaded, non-treatable disease Teenagitis-now don't get me wrong compared to most other teenagers Rush's Teenagitis is an extremely mild case but when you are used to your child one way any change can seem monumental) but my daughter is great! Fantastic even! I know, I know! It's probably not in the Mom Rule Handbook but I have to toot that horn for my kid, Rush! Toot! Toot! Toot!!!
Let me tell you why (not like you will neccessarily listen but as long as you're all ready here you may as well stay, right?) She is 15 years old, has a job, 2 jobs actually (she is a cashier at a grocery store and every second week babysits 4 other children as well as her brother & sister so the 4 parents can go to their classes), is paying for her own Christian schooling which is $143/month, is getting super fantastic marks in her schoolwork, does the Media Shout at the church and comes out to music practice when she isn't working. She makes supper for us so we can eat at a normal meal time during the week (and boy was last night's seasoned, garlicy asperagus fantasticly delicious! My taste buds are still screaming for more of that delicious veggie!), makes lunches for her, the kids & myself (at least on the weeks we are in classes) and last night we came home from our class (with our brains feeling like mush from the overwhelmingness of our Covenant exam) to find a sparkling kitchen. You guys, it was sparkling like a Mr. Clean commercial only it didn't have the bald headed dude with the earring in it. (Pity because that would have been cool!) Not only that, but, she had completely changed the kitty litter (ok, I will only give credit where credit is due. That has been a daily request for the last week but she FINALLY did it! YAY!!!) and she had (with the help of Jellybean doing her duties-again with the credit where it is due) gotten the mat for the entrance down...unfortunately that was also a battle to get done.
Rush has recently gone into remission from her Teenagitis; it is so great to look into her eyes and see a smile in there just begging to come out, to see a peaceful countenance on her, to hear her laughing with her brother & sister and to not hear sharp comments, rude retorts or see major eye-rolling an it is such a relief to not worry about the proximity of sharp objects (:D)! One thing I can say about Rush is her bouts of Teenagitis don't last very long and that is such a relief because one of the side effects to Teenagitis is that parents develop Parent-rage (similar to road rage) and there are times where it is pretty touch-and-go as to whether someone will get their tires shot out or not (:D).
This last bout wasn't very long but it was long enough that we missed our Rush with such an intensity. We thought perhaps she was lost forever in the clutches of Teenagitis; we were about ready to get her picture on a milk carton, brick of cheese, yogurt tube;any and all dairy products we could get our hands on was about to have her missing picture on it.
One of the most recent coversations we have had with Rush went something like this:
BigB: It's good to have you back, Baby.
Rush (soft and sweetly): It's good to BE back.
Brings tears to a proud mama's eyes just thinking about it.
Now her eyes are shining, her voice is its soft, sweet self, she is huggily and snuggily and thanks to her friend, Laura, she smells like "Amazmint" lipgloss and I get a craving for candy canes whenever she is around...Gee I love that girl!!!
Let me tell you why (not like you will neccessarily listen but as long as you're all ready here you may as well stay, right?) She is 15 years old, has a job, 2 jobs actually (she is a cashier at a grocery store and every second week babysits 4 other children as well as her brother & sister so the 4 parents can go to their classes), is paying for her own Christian schooling which is $143/month, is getting super fantastic marks in her schoolwork, does the Media Shout at the church and comes out to music practice when she isn't working. She makes supper for us so we can eat at a normal meal time during the week (and boy was last night's seasoned, garlicy asperagus fantasticly delicious! My taste buds are still screaming for more of that delicious veggie!), makes lunches for her, the kids & myself (at least on the weeks we are in classes) and last night we came home from our class (with our brains feeling like mush from the overwhelmingness of our Covenant exam) to find a sparkling kitchen. You guys, it was sparkling like a Mr. Clean commercial only it didn't have the bald headed dude with the earring in it. (Pity because that would have been cool!) Not only that, but, she had completely changed the kitty litter (ok, I will only give credit where credit is due. That has been a daily request for the last week but she FINALLY did it! YAY!!!) and she had (with the help of Jellybean doing her duties-again with the credit where it is due) gotten the mat for the entrance down...unfortunately that was also a battle to get done.
Rush has recently gone into remission from her Teenagitis; it is so great to look into her eyes and see a smile in there just begging to come out, to see a peaceful countenance on her, to hear her laughing with her brother & sister and to not hear sharp comments, rude retorts or see major eye-rolling an it is such a relief to not worry about the proximity of sharp objects (:D)! One thing I can say about Rush is her bouts of Teenagitis don't last very long and that is such a relief because one of the side effects to Teenagitis is that parents develop Parent-rage (similar to road rage) and there are times where it is pretty touch-and-go as to whether someone will get their tires shot out or not (:D).
This last bout wasn't very long but it was long enough that we missed our Rush with such an intensity. We thought perhaps she was lost forever in the clutches of Teenagitis; we were about ready to get her picture on a milk carton, brick of cheese, yogurt tube;any and all dairy products we could get our hands on was about to have her missing picture on it.
One of the most recent coversations we have had with Rush went something like this:
BigB: It's good to have you back, Baby.
Rush (soft and sweetly): It's good to BE back.
Brings tears to a proud mama's eyes just thinking about it.
Now her eyes are shining, her voice is its soft, sweet self, she is huggily and snuggily and thanks to her friend, Laura, she smells like "Amazmint" lipgloss and I get a craving for candy canes whenever she is around...Gee I love that girl!!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Like a crocus poking its way to the surface.
That's how I feel today-so much more hopeful and full of life than yesterday. My feelings of general crapiness yesterday were the result of an oncoming migraine. Haven't had one of those in a while. I left work at 2:30 yesterday and headed straight to my beautiful bed, dark room and promptly found a cold cloth to put across my eyes. I had a wonderful sleep and felt a lot better when I woke up at 6:30 but still not great. At 10:30 I headed back to bed and fell into another deep, quick sleep (with the help of my dark room and, again, cold cloth) and awoke this morning feeling hopeful and like new life (that crocus poking out as winter tries to cling to itself and spring pushes forth for hope and joy...)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
My butt she be draggin'
Is it just that today is "hump day" or is the last few weeks completely catching up to me? Today I feel weary; I am past tired-way past. I keep pressing on, pressing in and pushing past because it is not about how I feel but be that as it may, I am weary.
It could be that I "feel" a little bug coming on; my eyes hurt, my bones ache, my head seems helium balloonish and that that is what is causing my weariness that and I really need sleep.
I haven't had a good night's sleep in about a month with working full-time, night classes, homework and studying for night classes and some good, old-fashioned building project work. This week's classes are on covenant; it's pretty intense, a lot of heavy thinking, heavy re-thinking and re-vamping and a lot of cramming of information into my brain. It's been an incredible class so far; I just don't know if I am looking forward to tomorrow's exam and essay! I don't get a huge quantity of time to study and the time I do get isn't quality because it is rushed during breaks at work or after class when my brain is all ready overloaded mush.
This weekend is going to be nice family time but still, there is a lot to get done in a short two days. I have a breakfast with the worship team and then music practice until 1, our plan is to get the tree up and decorated (the house decorated too) and then on Sunday we have church service (which I know will do me a world of good for renewal), bigB has a media meeting immediately after the service (for an unknown length of time) and it sounds like we are going to be able to enjoy a nice visit with J while we decorate our gingerbread house (which adds one more thing to my list of things to do...must get the rest of the candy, fruit roll ups, etc for the gingerbread decorating party).
My body & mind are really looking forward to the week I have off at Christmas. Unfortunately for both of them I all ready have a list started as to things that need to get done then too...My body and mind are longing for white powdered sand beaches, greenish-blue waters, the heat of the tropical sun and a bed with no alarm clock just for 4 or 5 days (mind you, I have never experienced that so maybe once I got there I would want a lot more days or a lot less).
It could be that I "feel" a little bug coming on; my eyes hurt, my bones ache, my head seems helium balloonish and that that is what is causing my weariness that and I really need sleep.
I haven't had a good night's sleep in about a month with working full-time, night classes, homework and studying for night classes and some good, old-fashioned building project work. This week's classes are on covenant; it's pretty intense, a lot of heavy thinking, heavy re-thinking and re-vamping and a lot of cramming of information into my brain. It's been an incredible class so far; I just don't know if I am looking forward to tomorrow's exam and essay! I don't get a huge quantity of time to study and the time I do get isn't quality because it is rushed during breaks at work or after class when my brain is all ready overloaded mush.
This weekend is going to be nice family time but still, there is a lot to get done in a short two days. I have a breakfast with the worship team and then music practice until 1, our plan is to get the tree up and decorated (the house decorated too) and then on Sunday we have church service (which I know will do me a world of good for renewal), bigB has a media meeting immediately after the service (for an unknown length of time) and it sounds like we are going to be able to enjoy a nice visit with J while we decorate our gingerbread house (which adds one more thing to my list of things to do...must get the rest of the candy, fruit roll ups, etc for the gingerbread decorating party).
My body & mind are really looking forward to the week I have off at Christmas. Unfortunately for both of them I all ready have a list started as to things that need to get done then too...My body and mind are longing for white powdered sand beaches, greenish-blue waters, the heat of the tropical sun and a bed with no alarm clock just for 4 or 5 days (mind you, I have never experienced that so maybe once I got there I would want a lot more days or a lot less).
Monday, December 08, 2008
Let's play catch-up
There hasn't been a lot of stuff going on in our lives as of late but enough to keep us busy. Last week I was in classes outside of my regular class schedule. The topic last week was Kingdom Worship and the worship team was asked to take part in the class; it was extremely interesting and I am SO glad I was able to go. The only thing was that a lot of things I had hoped to get done didn't get accomplished but that's all right; they'll be there when I am ready. I am really looking forward to this week's class with Pastor Greg...Covenant.
I have finally begun to do some shopping. I found a great pair of American Eagle winter boots (regular $70) at Liquidation World for $10. We found the kids some clothes but man, were we all getting discouraged!!! It is very hard these days to find clothes that my children can wear to school (due to their dress code); it was almost impossible to find dress pants for Jellybean! We finally found 3 pair and a pair of leggings to go with her long tops...We finally found dress shirts for Bug but most boys clothes is rough and rugged. I guess there aren't many 5 year old boys that wear dress clothes more days of the week than not.
We were in "The City" this weekend enjoying a family Christmas meal with my mom, step-dad, brother, sister-in-law, their boys and my sister, brother-in-law and their boy. With that many people my mom had to get creative for us all to eat together and so, this was the first time in my life I have ever eaten Christmas dinner (or any meal for that matter) in the garage. We had a few laughs over that.
Saturday evening was, I think, the most fun of the day...some of us sat around the kitchen table and played a game of Scrabble (Rush won thanks to the help of Uncle :D) and then we played Guesstures. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time; it was hilarious watching people try to act different words out (including myself) or guess the words that you were trying to act...
Rush finally had enough money saved up to buy herself a camera and an mp3 player so she is quite pumped. I got a new compact camera just for everyday lugging around...
Yesterday afternoon Rush & I were at the ECIP family's Christmas party; it was in the basement of a church here in town. It felt strange to be there at first...I hadn't been to that church since the funeral of my cousin who was killed while riding his bike 11 years ago (he was 11). Memories were awakened being there...
After the party the entire family headed over to Giant Tiger for a "Friends and Family" invitation only gathering. We got a few things we needed, a few extra things as well (we got 10% off) and the kids each got $5 gift cards to spend. Jellybean bought herself a Gatorade, a Lunchmate (ham) and a package of Juicy Fruit gum (just like Papa chews). Bug bought a big bag of spicy Dorritos and 2 packages of "Papa gum". They were both very proud of themselves (especially Bug as this was his first purchase ever!).
This week looks like another full week: classes Mon to Thurs, Church Friday, breakfast with the worship team and practice Saturday morning/early afternoon, decorating the house for Christmas with the family and perhaps (we haven't planned it yet) decorating the gingerbread house and ending the week off with Church again on Sunday! Looks like a good week! I am certainly glad that Superstore is open 24 hours this month...I may need that to get a few groceries here and there... :D
I have finally begun to do some shopping. I found a great pair of American Eagle winter boots (regular $70) at Liquidation World for $10. We found the kids some clothes but man, were we all getting discouraged!!! It is very hard these days to find clothes that my children can wear to school (due to their dress code); it was almost impossible to find dress pants for Jellybean! We finally found 3 pair and a pair of leggings to go with her long tops...We finally found dress shirts for Bug but most boys clothes is rough and rugged. I guess there aren't many 5 year old boys that wear dress clothes more days of the week than not.
We were in "The City" this weekend enjoying a family Christmas meal with my mom, step-dad, brother, sister-in-law, their boys and my sister, brother-in-law and their boy. With that many people my mom had to get creative for us all to eat together and so, this was the first time in my life I have ever eaten Christmas dinner (or any meal for that matter) in the garage. We had a few laughs over that.
Saturday evening was, I think, the most fun of the day...some of us sat around the kitchen table and played a game of Scrabble (Rush won thanks to the help of Uncle :D) and then we played Guesstures. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time; it was hilarious watching people try to act different words out (including myself) or guess the words that you were trying to act...
Rush finally had enough money saved up to buy herself a camera and an mp3 player so she is quite pumped. I got a new compact camera just for everyday lugging around...
Yesterday afternoon Rush & I were at the ECIP family's Christmas party; it was in the basement of a church here in town. It felt strange to be there at first...I hadn't been to that church since the funeral of my cousin who was killed while riding his bike 11 years ago (he was 11). Memories were awakened being there...
After the party the entire family headed over to Giant Tiger for a "Friends and Family" invitation only gathering. We got a few things we needed, a few extra things as well (we got 10% off) and the kids each got $5 gift cards to spend. Jellybean bought herself a Gatorade, a Lunchmate (ham) and a package of Juicy Fruit gum (just like Papa chews). Bug bought a big bag of spicy Dorritos and 2 packages of "Papa gum". They were both very proud of themselves (especially Bug as this was his first purchase ever!).
This week looks like another full week: classes Mon to Thurs, Church Friday, breakfast with the worship team and practice Saturday morning/early afternoon, decorating the house for Christmas with the family and perhaps (we haven't planned it yet) decorating the gingerbread house and ending the week off with Church again on Sunday! Looks like a good week! I am certainly glad that Superstore is open 24 hours this month...I may need that to get a few groceries here and there... :D
Friday, December 05, 2008
Is it THAT time of year all ready?
I can certainly tell that our lifestyle has changed quite a bit as a family. Here it is Dec 5 and I have barely started shopping...most that know me know I am usually done no later than mid-October. I haven't had a chance to even think about baking other than to know that we will make some of the cute little chocolate/cherry mice Donna from work made...maybe they will go with our gingerbread house.
The gingerbread house is another thing; it is a tradition and I have to admit I was getting a bit nervous as to when we would have a chance to all have time to put together a gingerbread house and get it decorated and be able to enjoy ourselves doing it-not throwing things on because we have to get going or something like that. Well, I found something at Liquidation World that will shave off the tedious (but extremely amusing-right Jen) part of assembling (That part is fun though...I don't know how many upside down or crooked chimneys we have had over the years or collapsed walls that needed major repair...good times, good times...) and it only cost $5!!!! It is a fully assembled, ready to decorate gingerbread house...Yay for Liquidation World!!!
The tree is another thing that is yet to be done but I am not entirely concerned with that; the month is still early. Growing up on the farm we went and picked out our tree 2-3 days before Christmas, let it thaw in the tub and we all put it up Christmas Eve Day...we all, mom, dad, us kids, the dog, a few cats and the horses would all walk through the pasture until we found the perfect tree. Fun times were had by all. That is a tradition that I really miss...
The gingerbread house is another thing; it is a tradition and I have to admit I was getting a bit nervous as to when we would have a chance to all have time to put together a gingerbread house and get it decorated and be able to enjoy ourselves doing it-not throwing things on because we have to get going or something like that. Well, I found something at Liquidation World that will shave off the tedious (but extremely amusing-right Jen) part of assembling (That part is fun though...I don't know how many upside down or crooked chimneys we have had over the years or collapsed walls that needed major repair...good times, good times...) and it only cost $5!!!! It is a fully assembled, ready to decorate gingerbread house...Yay for Liquidation World!!!
The tree is another thing that is yet to be done but I am not entirely concerned with that; the month is still early. Growing up on the farm we went and picked out our tree 2-3 days before Christmas, let it thaw in the tub and we all put it up Christmas Eve Day...we all, mom, dad, us kids, the dog, a few cats and the horses would all walk through the pasture until we found the perfect tree. Fun times were had by all. That is a tradition that I really miss...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Mad Minute
Last night I learned that a "Mad Minute" is a military term used in reference to a point where an army (who is about to retreat) will expel all of its ammunition at their enemy so that they 1. don't have to carry it on their retreat and 2. don't allow it to fall into their enemy's hand. It doesn't say quite that much here but that is the essence of what was said last night. Sometimes this tactic will work to confuse the almost conquering side and they will believe that they are about to be defeated.
We had a moment last night where it seemed like that was happening to us; it's like Satan decided to fire all of his rounds in an attempt to confound us. For a brief, almost millisecond it started to work; we were at the door of a really great pity party just about to turn that knob to an uber fun night of sulking, pouting and wailing...only a millisecond though.
Last night, as we were walking out the door, our current babysitter called us to let us know that tomorrow will be the last day she can watch Bug and Jellybean after school. They are moving to a cheaper rental and it is an apartment and not a house therefore (and I understand) she feels it would be too loud to babysit any of the kids she was. The part that was momentarily knocking us on our butts was the fact that we really got no notice and we went into a state of initial shock. We had just overcome this battle a month ago with not having a sitter and a few weeks, again, before that. (The same people were watching other kids so we know that we are not the only ones who have had this recurring battle.)
BigB & I were too into our momentary pity to listen to God for a solution. We decided, for a brief moment, that our problem had probably taken God by surprise and that He didn't know this had been coming so how would He have a solution for us. Obviously we didn't consiously think that but that is what our behavior screamed. Boy, were we dorks! :D How is our problem too big for a God who is in control of this great big universe? To put us in perspective, here is what Pastor Terry said to us: think of your problems like this. There is a great big universe and in it the Milky Way and in that our planet called Earth and in that our country called Canada and in that our province and in that our city and in our city there is me and BigB and our GREAT BIG problem...sort of makes you feel a little foolish about dwelling on some of the things a person dwells on...
Why is it that in our selfishness we think that God wasn't aware, even before time began, that we would find ourselves faced with certain situations? Why is it that we feel focusing on our problem is going to make it go away? Remember high school? Remember focusing on that "huge" pimple on your face that no one else saw but to you it was big enough to carve your very own Mount Rushmore on? Didn't make the pimple go away did it? In fact, it was pretty much a waste of time and energy to just focus on that pimple.
Last night, after our brief moment of falling on our butts, BigB & I realized how silly it was for us to focus on our problem; it's not that big in the grand scheme of things and it didn't surprise God. He was not panicking last night, pacing the floors of Heaven saying, "Oh how did this get past me?! What now!? What am I going to do?!" We needed to focus on the solution as soon as I hung up from that phone call. We needed to say "God, we are in covenent with you. Your Word says that You will provide for all our needs and right now we are in need of a babysitter. What are You going to do about it?"
You know what? Within an hour and a half of not having a babysitter and, momentarily, feeling all hope was lost, we had a new babysitter. This is a probable temporary solution that may turn into a more permanent one; who knows right now? I may not know and she may not know but God does and that is all I need to know.
Mad minute tactics diverted; we didn't fall for that trick! Thank you, Pastor Terry, for your time, for your wisdom and for giving us The Word "machine gun-style" so there was no room for our thoughts, fears and goofiness. Thank You, God for Your faithfulness even when we detoured off the road of faith and found our way onto that road of fear, as momentarily as it was! Thank You for Your provision and for supplying our needs always!!!
We had a moment last night where it seemed like that was happening to us; it's like Satan decided to fire all of his rounds in an attempt to confound us. For a brief, almost millisecond it started to work; we were at the door of a really great pity party just about to turn that knob to an uber fun night of sulking, pouting and wailing...only a millisecond though.
Last night, as we were walking out the door, our current babysitter called us to let us know that tomorrow will be the last day she can watch Bug and Jellybean after school. They are moving to a cheaper rental and it is an apartment and not a house therefore (and I understand) she feels it would be too loud to babysit any of the kids she was. The part that was momentarily knocking us on our butts was the fact that we really got no notice and we went into a state of initial shock. We had just overcome this battle a month ago with not having a sitter and a few weeks, again, before that. (The same people were watching other kids so we know that we are not the only ones who have had this recurring battle.)
BigB & I were too into our momentary pity to listen to God for a solution. We decided, for a brief moment, that our problem had probably taken God by surprise and that He didn't know this had been coming so how would He have a solution for us. Obviously we didn't consiously think that but that is what our behavior screamed. Boy, were we dorks! :D How is our problem too big for a God who is in control of this great big universe? To put us in perspective, here is what Pastor Terry said to us: think of your problems like this. There is a great big universe and in it the Milky Way and in that our planet called Earth and in that our country called Canada and in that our province and in that our city and in our city there is me and BigB and our GREAT BIG problem...sort of makes you feel a little foolish about dwelling on some of the things a person dwells on...
Why is it that in our selfishness we think that God wasn't aware, even before time began, that we would find ourselves faced with certain situations? Why is it that we feel focusing on our problem is going to make it go away? Remember high school? Remember focusing on that "huge" pimple on your face that no one else saw but to you it was big enough to carve your very own Mount Rushmore on? Didn't make the pimple go away did it? In fact, it was pretty much a waste of time and energy to just focus on that pimple.
Last night, after our brief moment of falling on our butts, BigB & I realized how silly it was for us to focus on our problem; it's not that big in the grand scheme of things and it didn't surprise God. He was not panicking last night, pacing the floors of Heaven saying, "Oh how did this get past me?! What now!? What am I going to do?!" We needed to focus on the solution as soon as I hung up from that phone call. We needed to say "God, we are in covenent with you. Your Word says that You will provide for all our needs and right now we are in need of a babysitter. What are You going to do about it?"
You know what? Within an hour and a half of not having a babysitter and, momentarily, feeling all hope was lost, we had a new babysitter. This is a probable temporary solution that may turn into a more permanent one; who knows right now? I may not know and she may not know but God does and that is all I need to know.
Mad minute tactics diverted; we didn't fall for that trick! Thank you, Pastor Terry, for your time, for your wisdom and for giving us The Word "machine gun-style" so there was no room for our thoughts, fears and goofiness. Thank You, God for Your faithfulness even when we detoured off the road of faith and found our way onto that road of fear, as momentarily as it was! Thank You for Your provision and for supplying our needs always!!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Smiling and working. Working and smiling...
Life has been good mainly because God has been and is good! We have all had our share of the cold that has been making its rounds. It has imbedded itself a little more deeply into some than others. Me, for instance.
Yesterday I got the chills; I got them so badly it felt like I was never going to warm up, like my bones were frozen solid. BigB was here to pick me up when I finished work; we got some gas and went to Chicken Chef for supper (all the kids were out). Immediately after we rushed home to get changed so we could go to the church to get some more work done there. I was in my warmest clothes complete with toque that I refused to take off. Due to picking up the kids from the sliding/play date I left the church at about 8, got home, got the kids to bed and put myself to bed, hoping to finally warm up. I must have during the night as I woke up this morning feeling a lot better.
Tonight is more of the same: rush home to gulp down supper, get changed into my paint clothes and head to the church. I have no idea if I am painting tonight or not but whatever it is, it will be fun! We always have fun there. Our church family is such a great group of people! I can honestly say that I have never attended a church where the people pull together so much and are so happy to do whatever is required with such a positive attitude as I have seen at WRC! It is such a joy to know that this is the kind of environment we are raising our children in!!!
Off to paint or mud or sand or...who cares!? I am off to have some fun!
Yesterday I got the chills; I got them so badly it felt like I was never going to warm up, like my bones were frozen solid. BigB was here to pick me up when I finished work; we got some gas and went to Chicken Chef for supper (all the kids were out). Immediately after we rushed home to get changed so we could go to the church to get some more work done there. I was in my warmest clothes complete with toque that I refused to take off. Due to picking up the kids from the sliding/play date I left the church at about 8, got home, got the kids to bed and put myself to bed, hoping to finally warm up. I must have during the night as I woke up this morning feeling a lot better.
Tonight is more of the same: rush home to gulp down supper, get changed into my paint clothes and head to the church. I have no idea if I am painting tonight or not but whatever it is, it will be fun! We always have fun there. Our church family is such a great group of people! I can honestly say that I have never attended a church where the people pull together so much and are so happy to do whatever is required with such a positive attitude as I have seen at WRC! It is such a joy to know that this is the kind of environment we are raising our children in!!!
Off to paint or mud or sand or...who cares!? I am off to have some fun!
Friday, November 21, 2008
"Hello, this is your calling"
Wouldn't it be nice if it really happened that way, you pick up the phone and there is an audible voice telling you what it is that you are supposed to do with your life? Don't get me wrong, I know what my overall purpose in life is but, what I don't know is what am I supposed to do with my life or how am I supposed to fulfill that purpose I guess would be an even better question. I really thought it was to go into Nursing-from the depths of my being even but as I pray on it it doesn't seem right. My friend and mentor, Wayne, says that they see me doing something with children. Yes, but what?! I love children! I have 7 of them. That seems vague to me right now...something with children. That is such a broad spectrum that I would like that "phone call".
Don't get me wrong; I love my job but, I have no plans to be an office manager for the rest of my life. I am a creative person and need a job where I can be creative. My first real "what-do-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up" moment was journalism...photojournalism more specifically. I dreamed of going to far off places and capturing life and all aspects of it. I don't think that is really what I am supposed to do either although I still LOVE photography!
BigB says that he feels I will be doing something creative as well; he uses the term "with my talents". I am not sure if I know what my "talents" even are.
Ideally, I would like a job where I can work part-time and be with my kids a lot more than I am and have the freedom to be creative. When I don't have time to flow creatively, in some way (scrapbooking, making cards, writing, taking pictures...) I feel like a blanket is being thrown over a fire exhausting it of its life supply. I feel the same when I feel I have not had the opportunity to "be" mom & wife enough during the course of a week. I need the time to put those hats on as well or I begin to feel like a failure in that aspect of my life.
I guess for now I just need to be patient, ask for clearer vision and wait for the "phone" to ring...
Don't get me wrong; I love my job but, I have no plans to be an office manager for the rest of my life. I am a creative person and need a job where I can be creative. My first real "what-do-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up" moment was journalism...photojournalism more specifically. I dreamed of going to far off places and capturing life and all aspects of it. I don't think that is really what I am supposed to do either although I still LOVE photography!
BigB says that he feels I will be doing something creative as well; he uses the term "with my talents". I am not sure if I know what my "talents" even are.
Ideally, I would like a job where I can work part-time and be with my kids a lot more than I am and have the freedom to be creative. When I don't have time to flow creatively, in some way (scrapbooking, making cards, writing, taking pictures...) I feel like a blanket is being thrown over a fire exhausting it of its life supply. I feel the same when I feel I have not had the opportunity to "be" mom & wife enough during the course of a week. I need the time to put those hats on as well or I begin to feel like a failure in that aspect of my life.
I guess for now I just need to be patient, ask for clearer vision and wait for the "phone" to ring...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thoughts on death.
Today marks the 9th anniversary of the death of BigB's little brother.
Jellybean turns 8 years old in little under two weeks.
I wonder how pretty well the same course of time can seem like forever AND just like yesterday at the same time. It seems like we have had Jellybean in our lives forever; I can't imagine what it was like without her but similarily, it seems just like yesterday that I was startled awake by that phone call in the middle of the night telling us about the accident that took Perry.
Does the death of someone actually get easier or do you just develop better coping skills as the years go on?
Does it become less painful or different painful for parents who have had a child taken from them?
Personally, it becomes different painful...
How can Jellybean, who never met her uncle, miss him and love him so very much that her heart breaks when she thinks of him? I have held her as she sobbed from the very depths of her heart for the uncle she has never met and yet, has always loved.
What words do you say to the father who is greiving so, 9 years later, still thinking and angry at God for taking his son away from him?
What thoughts are going through his friend's head right now, remembering where he was 9 years ago? Does he still condemn himself thinking he could have done more?
How does one get through the days leading up to and past this one...? Simply: One day at a time, one hour at a time.
Mom & Dad: We love you so very much and though we have our own grief, can not fathom yours. We are praying for you that peace may find you in your sleep and in your waking hours and that the burden is just that much lighter...
Jellybean turns 8 years old in little under two weeks.
I wonder how pretty well the same course of time can seem like forever AND just like yesterday at the same time. It seems like we have had Jellybean in our lives forever; I can't imagine what it was like without her but similarily, it seems just like yesterday that I was startled awake by that phone call in the middle of the night telling us about the accident that took Perry.
Does the death of someone actually get easier or do you just develop better coping skills as the years go on?
Does it become less painful or different painful for parents who have had a child taken from them?
Personally, it becomes different painful...
How can Jellybean, who never met her uncle, miss him and love him so very much that her heart breaks when she thinks of him? I have held her as she sobbed from the very depths of her heart for the uncle she has never met and yet, has always loved.
What words do you say to the father who is greiving so, 9 years later, still thinking and angry at God for taking his son away from him?
What thoughts are going through his friend's head right now, remembering where he was 9 years ago? Does he still condemn himself thinking he could have done more?
How does one get through the days leading up to and past this one...? Simply: One day at a time, one hour at a time.
Mom & Dad: We love you so very much and though we have our own grief, can not fathom yours. We are praying for you that peace may find you in your sleep and in your waking hours and that the burden is just that much lighter...
Friday, November 14, 2008
I asked...I will NOT grovel!
I spoke with a friend of mine the other day who told me about trouble she is now having with a friend because someone who was not a part of the problem decided that he was intervening. What a hero! He took something that was just a miscommunication and a misunderstanding, added his two (uninformed) cents and has now put a tremendous wedge between two people.
This same person has taken it upon himself to do the same thing to me in the same week. I have come to terms with the fact that I said something that was misconstrued and misread and I have attempted to apologize and attempted to ask forgiveness but due to other people's (and it sounds like more than one) interferring and adding their two-cents and their interpretations I find myself at a place where I just wash my hands of the entire thing. I did what I could; I value this person but I will not beg for her forgiveness nor beg for her relationship.
She says she is not perfect (which she is not) but expects me to be (as is evident in the fact that she can't get over the fact that I said something which may not have been 100% appropriate. I am not perfect either). I also know that there will probably be a backlash over the fact that I am typing my thoughts here but it is MY blog and they are my thoughts...and I have never mentioned anyone's name so there has been no harm or foul.
I love this person and apologize if what I said cut her; I do think that she took it the wrong way but that is between her & God. Just for the record though...the Gospel does offend. Jesus offended lots of people, especially those who were stuck in religion (Pharisees). I will not apologize for speaking the Word of God but I do apologize for the fact that people think it was done maliciously. I have never done anything with malicious intent and that will never change! I will also apologize for my approach because it may not have been the best way (we can always use work on our approach-all of us!). Now the rest is up to the other individual if she so choses to hold onto unforgiveness that is something she must contend with. My conscience is free and clear.
I just want her to know that I value her as a person.
This same person has taken it upon himself to do the same thing to me in the same week. I have come to terms with the fact that I said something that was misconstrued and misread and I have attempted to apologize and attempted to ask forgiveness but due to other people's (and it sounds like more than one) interferring and adding their two-cents and their interpretations I find myself at a place where I just wash my hands of the entire thing. I did what I could; I value this person but I will not beg for her forgiveness nor beg for her relationship.
She says she is not perfect (which she is not) but expects me to be (as is evident in the fact that she can't get over the fact that I said something which may not have been 100% appropriate. I am not perfect either). I also know that there will probably be a backlash over the fact that I am typing my thoughts here but it is MY blog and they are my thoughts...and I have never mentioned anyone's name so there has been no harm or foul.
I love this person and apologize if what I said cut her; I do think that she took it the wrong way but that is between her & God. Just for the record though...the Gospel does offend. Jesus offended lots of people, especially those who were stuck in religion (Pharisees). I will not apologize for speaking the Word of God but I do apologize for the fact that people think it was done maliciously. I have never done anything with malicious intent and that will never change! I will also apologize for my approach because it may not have been the best way (we can always use work on our approach-all of us!). Now the rest is up to the other individual if she so choses to hold onto unforgiveness that is something she must contend with. My conscience is free and clear.
I just want her to know that I value her as a person.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Remember the heroes
Today we set aside time to remember those who fought and died for our freedom...who continue to fight and die...
I, particularily, think of my GrandpaK who never did get to serve overseas due to health reasons and was thus honorably discharged, my Grandpa H who was so affected by what he saw on the front lines of WWII that he could scarcely tell you he even served let alone speak of what he saw, of my great-uncle who was never found when he served in WWII (no one knows what happened to him at all) and of Bill's grandpa who so desperately wanted to fight for his country that he lied about his age to be old enough to serve. Heroes...absolute heroes. And today, if you were to ask a child who their heroes are chances are you will get Hannah Montana, Brittney Spears, Brad Pitt, whatever Hollywood-flavor-of-the-week is "now"...yah, they're heroes all right...just the people I want my children to model their lives after...30 minute marriages, drug-induced stupidity, acts of public indecency, unaccountability, paying off people to hide whatever crimes they have committed or minimizing it by putting them up in some luxury detention center...real heroes, right?
Now, let's get on to remembering some of the REAL heroes!
I, particularily, think of my GrandpaK who never did get to serve overseas due to health reasons and was thus honorably discharged, my Grandpa H who was so affected by what he saw on the front lines of WWII that he could scarcely tell you he even served let alone speak of what he saw, of my great-uncle who was never found when he served in WWII (no one knows what happened to him at all) and of Bill's grandpa who so desperately wanted to fight for his country that he lied about his age to be old enough to serve. Heroes...absolute heroes. And today, if you were to ask a child who their heroes are chances are you will get Hannah Montana, Brittney Spears, Brad Pitt, whatever Hollywood-flavor-of-the-week is "now"...yah, they're heroes all right...just the people I want my children to model their lives after...30 minute marriages, drug-induced stupidity, acts of public indecency, unaccountability, paying off people to hide whatever crimes they have committed or minimizing it by putting them up in some luxury detention center...real heroes, right?
Now, let's get on to remembering some of the REAL heroes!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Just a MEME
1. Who did you spend at least two hours with today? Everyone who was at this morning's church service!!! Aside from that: Riss, Talia, BigB, Rush, Jellybean and Bug.
2. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks? Getting the new church building enclosed and ready for inhabitation!
3. Who was the last person you called? Ruth
4. What were you doing at 12am last night? Cleaning up after church service and waiting for BigB to be done his responsibilities.
5. Are your parents married/divorced? Both.
6. When did you last see your mom? Weekend after Thanksgiving? Only a couple weeks ago anyway.
7. What are you wearing right now? Brown "Old man pants" a t-shirt and a black hoodie/bunnyhug.
8. Where is your favorite place to be? in the presence of God.
9. Where is your least favorite place to be? in the Emergency waiting room.
10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Norway.
11. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years? God only knows...but I know it will be great!
12. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? Some of the pastors' jokes during the sermons this week.
13. What cities/towns/villages have you lived in? 4 different ones but not too far fromeach other.
14. Are you a social person? Yes, occassionally I just want family time.
15. Do you sleep alone? Nope.
2. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks? Getting the new church building enclosed and ready for inhabitation!
3. Who was the last person you called? Ruth
4. What were you doing at 12am last night? Cleaning up after church service and waiting for BigB to be done his responsibilities.
5. Are your parents married/divorced? Both.
6. When did you last see your mom? Weekend after Thanksgiving? Only a couple weeks ago anyway.
7. What are you wearing right now? Brown "Old man pants" a t-shirt and a black hoodie/bunnyhug.
8. Where is your favorite place to be? in the presence of God.
9. Where is your least favorite place to be? in the Emergency waiting room.
10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Norway.
11. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years? God only knows...but I know it will be great!
12. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? Some of the pastors' jokes during the sermons this week.
13. What cities/towns/villages have you lived in? 4 different ones but not too far fromeach other.
14. Are you a social person? Yes, occassionally I just want family time.
15. Do you sleep alone? Nope.
You mean that's it?
Our 10-day conference has come to an end; that's it. It is over but man, it was fantastic!!! Due to delays at the border or some such other glitch months ago, our new building wasn't finished (ok, it didn't even have walls or a roof or okay, it's just a frame!) so we have been having our church services in a tent. Cool enough. (That wasn't slang talk! It has been cool enough...even down right nippy some nights.)
We had Day 1 and Day 2 in the tent; Day 3 and 4 were at Faith Alive to listen to Pastor Steve Gray. Day 5 was to be at our church in our tent; Val was even prepared to go out and buy our 3 Kansas City friends hats and long johns but that Sunday before the fire marshall told us we had to take the tent down due to fire regulations. Fair enough; we did it that day but where were we going to have our services? We found a solution albeit an unfavorable one it was better than no solution. The day we were to have our service in the "new" facility the pastor of our sister church offered their church to us. It is a beautiful building equipped nicely to service every need of the conference!
Just think 2 churches working together to put one church's conference on!!! I don't think I could imagine anything like that before. Oh! There is another piece to the puzzle; not only did we have the 2 churches working together, we had a third church (Faith Alive) join us in our endeavour. Three churches working in unity together, becoming one family! It was absolutely inspiring especially the services we had with all three church families together.
So, the conference is over and that means life as usual now but, not entirely. We learned a lot and came away with a lot that we will all carry with us. Perhaps though we can climb that laundry mountain that wormed its way into the houses of everyone of our church families' homes! :P It also means our schedules will be somewhat less hectic but not this week (it's our week for classes) and probably not until we have that building up and ready to inhabit...
We had Day 1 and Day 2 in the tent; Day 3 and 4 were at Faith Alive to listen to Pastor Steve Gray. Day 5 was to be at our church in our tent; Val was even prepared to go out and buy our 3 Kansas City friends hats and long johns but that Sunday before the fire marshall told us we had to take the tent down due to fire regulations. Fair enough; we did it that day but where were we going to have our services? We found a solution albeit an unfavorable one it was better than no solution. The day we were to have our service in the "new" facility the pastor of our sister church offered their church to us. It is a beautiful building equipped nicely to service every need of the conference!
Just think 2 churches working together to put one church's conference on!!! I don't think I could imagine anything like that before. Oh! There is another piece to the puzzle; not only did we have the 2 churches working together, we had a third church (Faith Alive) join us in our endeavour. Three churches working in unity together, becoming one family! It was absolutely inspiring especially the services we had with all three church families together.
So, the conference is over and that means life as usual now but, not entirely. We learned a lot and came away with a lot that we will all carry with us. Perhaps though we can climb that laundry mountain that wormed its way into the houses of everyone of our church families' homes! :P It also means our schedules will be somewhat less hectic but not this week (it's our week for classes) and probably not until we have that building up and ready to inhabit...
Friday, November 07, 2008
To the Teachers at WJB!!!
Dear WJB Staff:
We just wanted to let you know how thrilled we are at the experience our family has had at WJB. There is a great bunch of teachers there & we love & appreciate you all dearly! Thanks you to the teachers who had a direct influence on our children by being in their classes & thank you to the rest of the staff (not just the teachers)! You have all truly touched the hearts of our children and, therefore, our hearts.
We are excited for our new adventure but don't think it is without a sadness. We truly will miss you all!
At this time I would especially like to thank any teacher who has spent time teaching Jellybean (H-J). She had a rough start to her schooling with her verbal apraxia and was prognosed to not even make it through Kindergarten the first time around. That never happened! Nor did it the next year nor the next! You, her teachers, encouraged her, motivated her & never gave up on her! You brought out & pulled out so many positive attributes in her & never gave up on her therefore, she never gave up on herself!
Thank you WJB staff! We take this time to stand up & applaud you! You have really impacted our family! We love you very much and will miss you all!
With much love from all of us!
This is the letter I wrote to the school today on our children's last day at WJB. Monday they start at the christian school. They are very excited for this journey to begin but, we are all, as I said in my letter, sad at the great teachers we are leaving behind. We leave the school not because we feel the teachers are doing a bad job but because we want our children's education to be based on the word of God.
Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he must go and when he is old he shall not depart from it.". This doesn't just speak to parents but to teachers & pastors and that is why we believe a christian education is an important gift to give our children, that their teachers can train them in the way they must go according to God's word. We want to protect our children's innocence and purity and unfortunately the education system does not always strive for that. Teaching my children safe sex instead of God's word regarding sex gives them a double message when they hear the opposite at home & church as they do at school.
That being said, we were very fortunate to have a school that did not disallow our children from praying for their friends or for their teachers at school, that did not disallow our daughter from talking about God in all her journal entries and school assignments; they did, in fact, encourage her and for that, we are truly and eternally thankful.
We will never forget the love that the staff at WJB have for our children nor will we forget how much they put into our children! I tip my hat to you all. You are loved. You are appreciated. You will be missed.
We just wanted to let you know how thrilled we are at the experience our family has had at WJB. There is a great bunch of teachers there & we love & appreciate you all dearly! Thanks you to the teachers who had a direct influence on our children by being in their classes & thank you to the rest of the staff (not just the teachers)! You have all truly touched the hearts of our children and, therefore, our hearts.
We are excited for our new adventure but don't think it is without a sadness. We truly will miss you all!
At this time I would especially like to thank any teacher who has spent time teaching Jellybean (H-J). She had a rough start to her schooling with her verbal apraxia and was prognosed to not even make it through Kindergarten the first time around. That never happened! Nor did it the next year nor the next! You, her teachers, encouraged her, motivated her & never gave up on her! You brought out & pulled out so many positive attributes in her & never gave up on her therefore, she never gave up on herself!
Thank you WJB staff! We take this time to stand up & applaud you! You have really impacted our family! We love you very much and will miss you all!
With much love from all of us!
This is the letter I wrote to the school today on our children's last day at WJB. Monday they start at the christian school. They are very excited for this journey to begin but, we are all, as I said in my letter, sad at the great teachers we are leaving behind. We leave the school not because we feel the teachers are doing a bad job but because we want our children's education to be based on the word of God.
Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he must go and when he is old he shall not depart from it.". This doesn't just speak to parents but to teachers & pastors and that is why we believe a christian education is an important gift to give our children, that their teachers can train them in the way they must go according to God's word. We want to protect our children's innocence and purity and unfortunately the education system does not always strive for that. Teaching my children safe sex instead of God's word regarding sex gives them a double message when they hear the opposite at home & church as they do at school.
That being said, we were very fortunate to have a school that did not disallow our children from praying for their friends or for their teachers at school, that did not disallow our daughter from talking about God in all her journal entries and school assignments; they did, in fact, encourage her and for that, we are truly and eternally thankful.
We will never forget the love that the staff at WJB have for our children nor will we forget how much they put into our children! I tip my hat to you all. You are loved. You are appreciated. You will be missed.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Testify!
Rush gave a testimony last night (at the first night of World Conference) about what going to WRPS school has meant to her. She did a pretty good job!
World Conference Day One...Our WRPS kids sing Conganese
I ran out of memeory on my card last night but, here are the WRPS singing most of their Conganese praise song. I really wish I could have gotten more of their dancing and jumps at the end...perhaps tonight. (Rush is pretty much in the middle of the screen in the back row. I know the lighting is very bad so it is really dark but she is to the screen right of the girl with the white shirt in the back.)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Being a Parent...
Some find it hard in this day and age to parent their children. Dilemmas like how do we discipline, how do we handle this, what should we do about that keep parents from standing firm in disciplinarian tactics. This swaying back and forth causes a doublemindeness from the parents, resulting in confusion in the child which in turn becomes aggrivation in our children. We need to have set boundaries, rules, regulations, rewards and punishments. We also need, as Pastor Steve relates in the text below, to feed our children's spirit man, to create a hunger in them for God and His word.
"Touch Your Child's Spirit
Most parents want to be good parents; they just don't know where to start! Good parenting can be overwhelming. Now you can become your child’s spiritual guide in steps. The goal is to gain so much more than your child’s obedience—but to gain their heart. Gray reveals how to begin:
Realize your child is more than a body. He or she is a spirit being with a personality who lives in a body. The inner spirit is the center of life and must have guidance.
Become the authority by earning your child's respect. Have a standard and stick to it.
Change your child's appetite and create spiritual hunger by adding spiritual things to his "diet." "
Pastor Steve Gray, Kansas City, MO.
Pastor Kevin has been preaching the same thing to us at our church and it is working. We are seeing single moms with little or no parenting skills come in and apply these teachings to their children and we are seeing these families transform before our very eyes! We are seeing parents who are simply just struggling with the how's, why's, should I's and shouldn't I's and applying this to their parenting skills is bringing about results like they wouldn't have believed.
It is a process to get out of old mindsets and old habits but you just have to keep on keeping on. Don't give up or get discouraged! Remember process is all about stages...
"Touch Your Child's Spirit
Most parents want to be good parents; they just don't know where to start! Good parenting can be overwhelming. Now you can become your child’s spiritual guide in steps. The goal is to gain so much more than your child’s obedience—but to gain their heart. Gray reveals how to begin:
Realize your child is more than a body. He or she is a spirit being with a personality who lives in a body. The inner spirit is the center of life and must have guidance.
Become the authority by earning your child's respect. Have a standard and stick to it.
Change your child's appetite and create spiritual hunger by adding spiritual things to his "diet." "
Pastor Steve Gray, Kansas City, MO.
Pastor Kevin has been preaching the same thing to us at our church and it is working. We are seeing single moms with little or no parenting skills come in and apply these teachings to their children and we are seeing these families transform before our very eyes! We are seeing parents who are simply just struggling with the how's, why's, should I's and shouldn't I's and applying this to their parenting skills is bringing about results like they wouldn't have believed.
It is a process to get out of old mindsets and old habits but you just have to keep on keeping on. Don't give up or get discouraged! Remember process is all about stages...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Things I have discovered since my last post
* My teenage daughter's worst behavior is way better than most teenagers best behavior (according to what I saw today when I was out).
* I am very, very excited to welcome a new family member into the ranks...don't go thinking ahead of me! My brother is getting married!
* I am the very proud mom of the best ever pot!!! Jellybean was in a play and she was the pot in "The Skipping Pot".
* I am trying very hard to not hate our car but somedays I have discovered that I am failing miserably! No one can figure out why it keeps stalling; we need to get new tires on it and a new CV joint before we can go anywhere other than work and church and I am missing out on several things I am not happy to have missed!!!
* I really enjoy my new job!
* I miss some of my old friends-a lot! It has been ages since we have been able to get together with some of them.
* I love going to school and writing essays (go ahead; call me a nerd...)
* I love playing volleyball.
* It doesn't take that long for you to get back into the swing of playing-even after 18 years. (has it been that long?!)
* It has, apparently, been a long time since I was in high school. It doesn't really seem that long though.
Time to make supper and off to church...perhaps more later.
* I am very, very excited to welcome a new family member into the ranks...don't go thinking ahead of me! My brother is getting married!
* I am the very proud mom of the best ever pot!!! Jellybean was in a play and she was the pot in "The Skipping Pot".
* I am trying very hard to not hate our car but somedays I have discovered that I am failing miserably! No one can figure out why it keeps stalling; we need to get new tires on it and a new CV joint before we can go anywhere other than work and church and I am missing out on several things I am not happy to have missed!!!
* I really enjoy my new job!
* I miss some of my old friends-a lot! It has been ages since we have been able to get together with some of them.
* I love going to school and writing essays (go ahead; call me a nerd...)
* I love playing volleyball.
* It doesn't take that long for you to get back into the swing of playing-even after 18 years. (has it been that long?!)
* It has, apparently, been a long time since I was in high school. It doesn't really seem that long though.
Time to make supper and off to church...perhaps more later.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Ah the innocence of youth...and the singing of what one hears...
Today I was singing a song with Jellybean & Bug, one that we had learned at church. It goes, "Take the limits off. Take the limits off...release me" etc., etc. As I was listening to the kids Bug says "Take the minutes off. Take the minutes off" and something following that was too mumbled for me to hear.
I started to explain to him that those weren't quite the words when Jellybean piped up and said, "Ya! It's 'Take the minutes off. Take the minutes off...Belief me...'."
It reminded me of a time when we were small, coming home from Tae Kwon Do and my brother sang a song with some pretty goofy wording in it...don't know if he'd be mad if I said or not, so I chose not but...
...I almost burst a blood vessel trying not to laugh(at the kids or the memory of my brother)...almost.
I started to explain to him that those weren't quite the words when Jellybean piped up and said, "Ya! It's 'Take the minutes off. Take the minutes off...Belief me...'."
It reminded me of a time when we were small, coming home from Tae Kwon Do and my brother sang a song with some pretty goofy wording in it...don't know if he'd be mad if I said or not, so I chose not but...
...I almost burst a blood vessel trying not to laugh(at the kids or the memory of my brother)...almost.
The Pied Piper
Jellybean is in Grade 3 this year and I am sure most parents know what that means...recorder time!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am just kidding, somewhat. I think it is great that they have the opportunity to learn music and to feel a sense of accomplishment and I think it's great that I bought stock in Advil a LONG time ago...just kidding again.
Yesterday on our walk home from school Jellybean perfomed for us her vast knowledge of the recorder (how to make it sound like a bird) and Bug decided that he was going to use it as a shofar (sp?). Needless to say we walked home one after the other like we were following the pied piper but the city workers who have been digging, bumping, grinding, beeping and filling the street in front of our house thought it was great.
Yesterday on our walk home from school Jellybean perfomed for us her vast knowledge of the recorder (how to make it sound like a bird) and Bug decided that he was going to use it as a shofar (sp?). Needless to say we walked home one after the other like we were following the pied piper but the city workers who have been digging, bumping, grinding, beeping and filling the street in front of our house thought it was great.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tidbits from Pastor Terry
Class this week has been interesting to say the very least. Last night I felt like I was in the midst of a fireworks display; the proverbial light bulb moments were going off faster than I could compute at times.
The course this week is "How to Study the Bible" and I must confess that before stepping foot into class I thought briefly, "how interesting can this class really be?" How fleeting that thought actually was because it came alive from the very first 5 minutes of class.
We were handed our brand new copy of Strong's Concordance and Vine's Dictionary, a little overwhelming in their weight and size initially but I think they have both become two of my new favorite books.
Here are some tidbits that really spoke to me from yesterday's class:
-most of the gospels are still considered Old Covenant because Jesus hadn't died yet and therefore, the authority in His name had not yet been given.
-I had always been taught that Old Testament doesn't "really" apply to us because of the new covenant brought through Jesus. I was told, "We aren't under the Law." but here is something to think about. Pastor Terry said that if the New Testament doesn't introduce a new law regarding something then the old law still stands (tithing for example).
Take a look at the 10 commandments. In Romans 13:8-10 we are given a new law that replaces the 10 commandements; we are no longer bound to follow the law of the 10 commandments. Why? Romans 13:8-10 provides us with a new law regarding that. The 10 commandments were intended to get people to walk in love but we don't need those rules as Romans 13:8-10 (Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,”[fn1] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.) replaces it with this basic law: What would love do?
Love would not murder, love would not commit adultery, love would not steal...
The 10 commandments were intended to change the people from the outside in whereas Rom 13:8-10 changes people from the inside out. Therefore, I think Rom 13:8-10 raises the standard a fair bit for us as Christians today for it says in the Old Testament IF you commit adultery but in the New Testament it says if you even think about someone else or look lustfully or longingly at someone you have all ready committed adultery and according to Rom 13:8-10, you won't commit adultery if you are walking in love.
-We have also been learning how the meanings of our words has changed drastically throughout the years. We have been given a few examples and it sounds like we are getting more tonight.
Weird used to mean skilled in witchcraft
Nice used to mean foolish, senseless, stupid
One we all know...Gay used to mean full of joy.
Perfect did not mean flawless but wholeheartedly so when David, with all his mishaps said to the Lord "My heart is perfect before you." he didn't mean he was without flaw; he meant that he was there wholeheartedly.
This seems rather disjointed; I know but it is still running through my thoughts in such a way that I can not process it fluidly. I do know this; I have never had people present things to me in such a manner as to have them leap in my spirit like this...(except for in KC).
The course this week is "How to Study the Bible" and I must confess that before stepping foot into class I thought briefly, "how interesting can this class really be?" How fleeting that thought actually was because it came alive from the very first 5 minutes of class.
We were handed our brand new copy of Strong's Concordance and Vine's Dictionary, a little overwhelming in their weight and size initially but I think they have both become two of my new favorite books.
Here are some tidbits that really spoke to me from yesterday's class:
-most of the gospels are still considered Old Covenant because Jesus hadn't died yet and therefore, the authority in His name had not yet been given.
-I had always been taught that Old Testament doesn't "really" apply to us because of the new covenant brought through Jesus. I was told, "We aren't under the Law." but here is something to think about. Pastor Terry said that if the New Testament doesn't introduce a new law regarding something then the old law still stands (tithing for example).
Take a look at the 10 commandments. In Romans 13:8-10 we are given a new law that replaces the 10 commandements; we are no longer bound to follow the law of the 10 commandments. Why? Romans 13:8-10 provides us with a new law regarding that. The 10 commandments were intended to get people to walk in love but we don't need those rules as Romans 13:8-10 (Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,”[fn1] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.) replaces it with this basic law: What would love do?
Love would not murder, love would not commit adultery, love would not steal...
The 10 commandments were intended to change the people from the outside in whereas Rom 13:8-10 changes people from the inside out. Therefore, I think Rom 13:8-10 raises the standard a fair bit for us as Christians today for it says in the Old Testament IF you commit adultery but in the New Testament it says if you even think about someone else or look lustfully or longingly at someone you have all ready committed adultery and according to Rom 13:8-10, you won't commit adultery if you are walking in love.
-We have also been learning how the meanings of our words has changed drastically throughout the years. We have been given a few examples and it sounds like we are getting more tonight.
Weird used to mean skilled in witchcraft
Nice used to mean foolish, senseless, stupid
One we all know...Gay used to mean full of joy.
Perfect did not mean flawless but wholeheartedly so when David, with all his mishaps said to the Lord "My heart is perfect before you." he didn't mean he was without flaw; he meant that he was there wholeheartedly.
This seems rather disjointed; I know but it is still running through my thoughts in such a way that I can not process it fluidly. I do know this; I have never had people present things to me in such a manner as to have them leap in my spirit like this...(except for in KC).
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sunday was great!
My old self keeps going to say "I can't believe what happened at church on Sunday" because I have never seen it before but I can believe because I know that God is capable and willing to do it. We are in the middle of a building project, as some of you know. We have taken our old sanctuary, built a second level put the ACE classes on the bottom floor and the WRTC classes on the top floor. We are getting our new sanctuary building today! For the last few weeks we have been having our church services in a tent...not too bad but, given the choice, I would rather not be in there for too many more evening services. It does get a bit chilly toward the end of the service.
Now, here is where things got really cool on Sunday. We, as a church, had a financial need in order to get the cement poured so we can get our building up and ready before too long. The money we needed was $30, 000.00. Pastor Kevin informed us of the need and asked who could help with that. Within 10 minutes we had raised $30, 000.00!!!
What is so astounding about that? I mean really $30, 000.00 is nothing when we are speaking about God's capabilities, right? The part that has really gotten me is that most of the people there that day were single moms and their kids. We had 120 people there that day and through them and their willingness to give and their faith in God 120 people gave $30, 000.00!!!
Most of our Junior Highs/Seniors have jobs (most of them paper routes) and between 10 kids they came up with $640.00 to give to this need!!! We definitely don't need one of those little thermometer guages when we need to raise money for something! The money is there before one could even find the paper to make it!
There is such a desperation in our congregration for the presence of God and each service it is getting thicker and thicker. Other than going to WRC in Kansas City, Mo I have never been in a place like this; I have never felt this anywhere else! You really do need to come and check it out for yourselves!! (Services are Friday at 7 or Sunday at 10:30) Even talk to the Dean or Principal and see if you can audit one or some of the Training Center classes to see if that's the place for you! Some of my friends here may be interested to know that we will be learning some Hebrew and the Jewish culture in these classes in the weeks coming up. I can't wait!!!
Now, here is where things got really cool on Sunday. We, as a church, had a financial need in order to get the cement poured so we can get our building up and ready before too long. The money we needed was $30, 000.00. Pastor Kevin informed us of the need and asked who could help with that. Within 10 minutes we had raised $30, 000.00!!!
What is so astounding about that? I mean really $30, 000.00 is nothing when we are speaking about God's capabilities, right? The part that has really gotten me is that most of the people there that day were single moms and their kids. We had 120 people there that day and through them and their willingness to give and their faith in God 120 people gave $30, 000.00!!!
Most of our Junior Highs/Seniors have jobs (most of them paper routes) and between 10 kids they came up with $640.00 to give to this need!!! We definitely don't need one of those little thermometer guages when we need to raise money for something! The money is there before one could even find the paper to make it!
There is such a desperation in our congregration for the presence of God and each service it is getting thicker and thicker. Other than going to WRC in Kansas City, Mo I have never been in a place like this; I have never felt this anywhere else! You really do need to come and check it out for yourselves!! (Services are Friday at 7 or Sunday at 10:30) Even talk to the Dean or Principal and see if you can audit one or some of the Training Center classes to see if that's the place for you! Some of my friends here may be interested to know that we will be learning some Hebrew and the Jewish culture in these classes in the weeks coming up. I can't wait!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
My Absurd Religion
A video from Utube from Pastor Steve Gray on My Absurd Religion...
and one more...
Why do so many Christians push their morality and their laws instead of pushing for the presence of God? If we would just seek for His presence everything else would just line up. You can not be in His presence and remain unchanged. You just can't!
and one more...
Why do so many Christians push their morality and their laws instead of pushing for the presence of God? If we would just seek for His presence everything else would just line up. You can not be in His presence and remain unchanged. You just can't!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Can You Believe It?
It took two days of being open for our church's ACE school to be full to capacity and we haven't even completed it yet. so, we are facing another building project before completing one of the three parts we are in right now. It was Day Two and there was all ready a waiting list to get into our school. I think it is pretty cool.
Rush has been having some of the best times of her life in this school! She loves her "teachers" and she is excited to see what Coach has in store for them this year. They will be learning Cree too so that will come in handy for their career prospects.
Rush has a new friend, a girl who just moved here with her family; she is deaf but that hasn's stopped the girls from getting to know her. In fact, they are sort of breaking the rules but getting away with it on a technicality. There is the no talking/no passing notes rule and if you get caught you get a demerit; they have never once broken that rule yet still communicate during class. I think there needs to be an added clause to that rule...No sign language during class time.
So week one of school: the paces aren't here yet as they were waiting for more kids to finish their diagnostics but my daughter has learned how to say a few words in sign language and has learned how to efficiently communicate with her new friend through "spell" signing...and we have all ready outgrown our space...I'd say that that is a pretty good week.
Rush has been having some of the best times of her life in this school! She loves her "teachers" and she is excited to see what Coach has in store for them this year. They will be learning Cree too so that will come in handy for their career prospects.
Rush has a new friend, a girl who just moved here with her family; she is deaf but that hasn's stopped the girls from getting to know her. In fact, they are sort of breaking the rules but getting away with it on a technicality. There is the no talking/no passing notes rule and if you get caught you get a demerit; they have never once broken that rule yet still communicate during class. I think there needs to be an added clause to that rule...No sign language during class time.
So week one of school: the paces aren't here yet as they were waiting for more kids to finish their diagnostics but my daughter has learned how to say a few words in sign language and has learned how to efficiently communicate with her new friend through "spell" signing...and we have all ready outgrown our space...I'd say that that is a pretty good week.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Strange Friends
Jellybean and Bug have a friend who I just met tonight. They have never mentioned this friend to me before and I have to admit he is kind of, well, different, strange even. I was giving the kids their baths when it was time to drain the water; Bug told me he had to wait until he could see his friend.
Uh, ok. Who would that be.
Well, their friend is that little swirl you get at the end of draining your water from the tub...yup and he has a name...he is their friend and he is Swirlie.
I have strange kids...
...but they sure are cute...
...and entertaining.
Uh, ok. Who would that be.
Well, their friend is that little swirl you get at the end of draining your water from the tub...yup and he has a name...he is their friend and he is Swirlie.
I have strange kids...
...but they sure are cute...
...and entertaining.
I don't even know what to call this other than I really want to be home for my kids; I want to be a stay-at-home mom again...I miss it terribly. I know that feesibly it is not possible financially or mentally for me to be a stay-at-home mom 100% of the time but I am really looking forward to being done this temporary fulltime position I have so that I can be with my kids and taking care of my home.
My job is less than ideal; I completely understand and accept that but, that being said, it is not the reasoning behind this wishfulness...this longing. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a mom, wanted to stay home and take care of my house and family, plant a garden, can and freeze food, bake, be with my kids more. I DO NOT want to wake up one morning, find my house empty and wonder why I worked so much. Granted, full time isn't "so much" but I guess it is what you feel is important...being a stay-at-home mom is a job too so I would still be working full time.
I just got to spend some beautiful time with my two youngest children...we snuggled on the couch for a bit, Jellybean went to the kitchen table to do her math homework and needed my help so I was there, leaning over her shoulder, helping her solve some problems and watching her rejoice as things began to click and giving her the occassional high-five. We had a nice quiet supper, just the three of us and then I will be giving them a bath, getting them as ready for school as possible the night before and going through our bedtime routine.
I miss my kids; my heart breaks when I think of the time with them that I have lost, the time with them that I will never get back...at supper Jellybean tried to use her straw (in her straw bowl) to drink her 'orange soup' and burnt her throat; she ran into my arms and even though my heart broke for her and her pain, it felt so good to have her run to me and just trust in me so completely and to just feel her so close in my arms.
I know being a working mom doesn't make me less than a mom but it is not where my heart is...granted maybe it is not where any working mom's heart is but I feel empty and lost not being at home with my kids more and I am really looking forward to March '09 so I can be with my kids just a little more often and look after my home just a little bit better...
My job is less than ideal; I completely understand and accept that but, that being said, it is not the reasoning behind this wishfulness...this longing. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a mom, wanted to stay home and take care of my house and family, plant a garden, can and freeze food, bake, be with my kids more. I DO NOT want to wake up one morning, find my house empty and wonder why I worked so much. Granted, full time isn't "so much" but I guess it is what you feel is important...being a stay-at-home mom is a job too so I would still be working full time.
I just got to spend some beautiful time with my two youngest children...we snuggled on the couch for a bit, Jellybean went to the kitchen table to do her math homework and needed my help so I was there, leaning over her shoulder, helping her solve some problems and watching her rejoice as things began to click and giving her the occassional high-five. We had a nice quiet supper, just the three of us and then I will be giving them a bath, getting them as ready for school as possible the night before and going through our bedtime routine.
I miss my kids; my heart breaks when I think of the time with them that I have lost, the time with them that I will never get back...at supper Jellybean tried to use her straw (in her straw bowl) to drink her 'orange soup' and burnt her throat; she ran into my arms and even though my heart broke for her and her pain, it felt so good to have her run to me and just trust in me so completely and to just feel her so close in my arms.
I know being a working mom doesn't make me less than a mom but it is not where my heart is...granted maybe it is not where any working mom's heart is but I feel empty and lost not being at home with my kids more and I am really looking forward to March '09 so I can be with my kids just a little more often and look after my home just a little bit better...
Let's get caught up
This past week has been a week of changes in one degree or another so, let's get caught up on them all.
Tuesday began Jellybean's Grade 3 year; nothing too terribly new to report on that front: one new kid in the class, Hunter is still there and still her sweetie; Sharmayne is still there and still her good friend. She had math homework the first day (was excited by that) and has had everyday since.
Tuesday also found us in the midst of tornadoes and the choas of said tornadoes has ensued. Baseball sized hail did its number on windows, vehicles and most importantly, animals... My hometown, where family still lives, has been called a disaster. Jellybean & Bug figured that since there had been a tornado people were either dead or they got to visit their brother in Kansas...I get a kick out of how kids' minds work sometimes.
Tuesday also found BigB, Rush & I in emergency with Rush. She hit her head very hard, lost consciousness, began throwing up and all the other wonderful concussion signs. We took her to the walk-in clinic where they checked her over and felt she was ok to go home but doc told us if anything got worse to take her to Emerg right away...a half hour later she was blacking out again and slurring her words, so off it was to Emerg until 3:30 AM, home for a couple hour snooze and then back to Emerg at 7 to get the girl.
Wednesday I was off work because I had yet to have any sleep and we needed to keep a good eye on Rush. She was very groggy, very sleepy, very headachy but better. I got to pick Jellybean up from school today too and that was good because I wasn't able to get the time off work to take her to school her first day; I felt VERY ripped off for missing that!
Thursday I found out through phone calls and emails from co-workers that there had been a meeting I wasn't told about that directly effects my job. It was a tad bit stressful and I have to admit I did not react nor handle this situation as well as I would have liked to have. (I never did anything dumb but I just would have like to have handled it better.)
I did get birthday cake at work as Thursday was the day that we had the cake for August's birthdays. My friend, Carol made a special trip to 1521 to make sure that I got a peice of my cake. I really appreciate her for that and thought that the gesture was really, really nice.
Friday was my day off and I had planned to relax for the morning, take Bug to his first day of Kindergarten and then go to a children's church workshop before the evening church service for our Raising the Standard conference. Well you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...Friday morning did find me getting to go downtown to pay the water bill but as soon as I got home I began calling our family doctor (on holidays), our "second" doctor (not in until 10:30) and finally talked to the doc who had taken care of Rush in Emerg as her headaches were NOT getting any better. Dr Ribeiro (or Dr Rubberroo as Bug called him) quickly arranged a Catscan and C-spine xray for her and we got that out of the way with the happy knowledge that there is nothing clinically wrong other than she got a bad concussion and may have to endure headaches for awhile (fortunately we have a God who heals and we don't need to endure anything of the sort).
I got Bug to his first day of Kindergarten (after giving him a lunch of Kraft Dinner and "octupus") where he was very pleased to see two of his buddies from Pre-K. Immediately following his drop-off I went to the workshop and was there until just before supper time.
Friday evening's service and our first night of Raising the Standard conference was very good; we got lots of things to think about that night (however I heard Saturday's was very, very powerful)Saturday Rush worked until 11 AM at the grocery store and BigB worked at the church (the school is almost done and can be occupied by our students on Tuesday!!!!!). After they got home we headed off to McDonald's (yuck) and ate our lunch on the way to the lake where we were going to watch my cousin get married. It was really nice (a little windy on the beach) but it was nice to see family again and Bug had so much fun dancing with his buddy and cousin, DD.
Bug and DD ran up to the head table at one point ringing their bells to make the bride and groom kiss when the bride told them that if they kept doing it she was going to kiss them. She then planted a big kiss on Bug and he strutted back to the table looking proud as a peacock (he even got to have a dance with the beautiful bride).
Sunday held the final two sessions/services for the conference and in between we had a nice lunch and visit with a new family to the church.
There hasn't been much down time this week and today I am pretty worn out but, there is lots to do: School supplies for Rush, last minute stuff on the building, bath the kidlets, make lunches...I do, however, think I have to get a nap in here sometime. Yeah, a nap would definitely be nice.
Just found this...
Our friend J.D. King has gotten himself a blog and has some very interesting views on religion that some of my friends may be interested in reading...
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