Micah 6:6-8
Monday, December 17, 2007
What day is it?
I mean seriously, she looks just like her Daddy.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Miracle
Many years ago, when Candy was a single mom, her seven year old son Rick fell out of a tree. He landed flat on his back on the concrete. The other kids ran in and got Candy. She raced to his side. After realizing he could move, but was in a lot of pain, she scooped Rick in her arms and got him to the ER. The doctor came out and told Candy that Rick had major internal bleeding. They needed to do emergency surgery, but he was not hopeful that the surgery would be successful. The doctor suggested that Candy tell her son goodbye before he went to surgery. Candy spent the next few moments with Rick. She left his room. They were taking him to one final scan and then to the OR. Candy was told to go to the surgery waiting room. Candy was alone. She tried to go to the waiting room, but she fell on her knees in the middle of the hallway and prayed. Candy prayed and begged God to heal Rick. After a while, the Dr. found Candy, still on her knees in the hallway. He bent down beside her and asked if she believed in miracles. She said yes. The Dr. informed her that during Rick's final scan they couldn't find blood anywhere. It appeared as if his internal bleeding had stopped. They were going to keep him and run tests. Four days later, Candy took her healthy son home.
Fast forward fifteen plus years. Candy's other son, Davie currently lives in California with his wife, Chelsey, and son. They are expecting another son. Last Monday night, Candy awoke in the middle of the night thinking she needed to tell Chelsey the story of Rick falling out of the tree. She decided to wait until the next day. When she awoke in the morning, this consumed her. She decided after work she would call. When she got off work on Tuesday, she drove to K-Mart and listened to a voice mail she had received from Chelsey. Candy called her back. Chelsey told Candy the doctors have found something wrong with the baby. She said there is a huge bubble in the amniotic fluid and they aren't sure what it is. And, some blood tests indicated the baby may have Downs syndrome. They were supposed to have an amnio later this week. Chelsey was scared. Candy was scared. Candy then shared with Chelsey the story of Rick and how she woke up last night thinking she needed to share this with Chelsey. They hung up both praying for a miracle for this baby. Candy went into K-Mart. As she walked, she again became overwhelmed. Right in the middle of the Martha Stewart isle, she fell to her knees and prayed. She was sobbing and praying when a K-Mart employee approached her and asked if she was alright. Candy told the worker about the baby and how she just needed to pray. The employee asked if she could pray with her. The employee got down on her knees beside of Candy and prayed for this baby. Through their tears, they asked God for healing. As they stood up, the employee asked Candy her name. Candy told her as she glanced at the employees name tag. It said, Angel. Candy told her she was her Angel today. The employee said Candy was sweet, like Candy, and promised to continue praying for the baby. Candy finished shopping and checked out. She decided to find the manager and tell him about the great employee he had. She found him and explained the story. The manager just looked at Candy and stated, "lady, we don't have anyone who works here named Angel." "No one?" Candy said. "No, not named Angel. We have an Angela but she is a high schooler so she's not working right now." Candy said, "no this lady was older with gray and red hair." No one with that description works at K-Mart.
Last Tuesday, Candy prayed with an Angel. Sometimes, we entertain Angel's without knowing it, other times, God puts their name right on their chest, and we still don't know. Candy knelt down with God's messenger. She was in awe. But there's more. That sweet little baby and his mom had more tests last week. The amnio showed he does not have Downs and that weird bubble, is almost completely gone. Candy was not surprised. She knew the miracle would happen. After all, she prayed with an angel.
May God bless you all with the knowledge that He can interrupt our lives with His messengers anytime. I wonder how many Angels you saw today?
Saturday, December 08, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
We have our decorations. We have many presents purchased. Our calendar is full of parties, caroling, and outreaches. Our house smells like cinnamon, (thanks to the Yankee candle company, not cooking). Yet I am having a difficult time remembering that it is Christmas time. Mostly because we were all outside today playing in short sleeve shirts. It's warm, and tomorrow it is supposed to be 80. Don't get me wrong, I love the weather. It may look like Christmas at our house, but it doesn't feel cold enough for it. We watched Christmas movies tonight drinking cold drinks instead of hot chocolate. Ahhh...this I could get used to.
But, since I am missing the snow, Melonie sent me a picture of WV last week. We have it up on our desktop to help Chris and me get more into Christmas decorations. Thanks Melonie,it was so much fun to get this, I love you...Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
A great weekend
Natalie and I also got to meet Stephen. He was Chris' absolute best friend in High School. We spent the day with Stephen, his wife, Chrissy, and their daughter Katie. Katie is a month older then Natalie. It was really cute watching Katie and Natalie play and fight together. I can't thank Stephen and Chrissy enough for welcoming us into their home this weekend. We had a great time. Here are a few pics from the weekend. Enjoy!
Did you know those four holes in a baby swing fit two toddlers perfectly? It was funny to watch those Natalie waiver between laughter and being a little scared...Katie was all smiles...
They loved to slide down together and for just a minute, they switched Daddy's...
And finally, one of little miss sitting underneath the tree, eating her crackers. Does life get any better then this?
Friday, November 30, 2007
A busy time
And by the way, LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!! I expect that you all will be cheering for them this weekend! :-)
This is Natalie assisting us with Christmas decorations, she's still not too sure what to make of all this.
And a couple of Natalie in her Christmas dress...
Finally, one that is always fun to take, she is finally still when she is sleeping...
Have a great weekend...and Merry Christmas!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
passions-chapter one
Passion is one of THOSE words. You know, the words overused and misused by Christians everywhere. One of those words we snatch out of the air and hold onto for dear life, pretending it holds the key to evangelism. Those words we hide behind again and again so we do not actually have to get out there. You have been to those meetings right? “We need to figure out what we are passionate about.” “We shouldn’t move on anything until we pray and see if this is God’s passion for our church.” “Let’s take this inventory, it will tell us what we are passionate about.” We sit and talk our passions to death. This convinces me they were never passions to begin with.
Passions are powerful. They compel us. I am always confused that we would have to determine what compels us. It’s a look backward at our life that shows us our passion. This is what bothers us. We are more comfortable believing we do not have time for our passions. We prefer to think that if it were not for real life we could be more passionate. This is a faulty thought. Something compels us everyday. Something. That something is what you are passionate about. If you are not currently acting on your passion, then it is not passion. It can’t be simply because it is not compelling us to action. Someone will counter this by stating they “have to go to work” even though they hate it. They will say this prevents them from doing something they love because they are at a point in their lives in which they must stay at their hated jobs. Then these people have to take another step backwards to find their passion. Why are they staying at jobs they hate? Does it pay the bills so their kids are secure and cared for? So this person in the hated job does have a passion. Their children compel them to work. They are passionate about their children.
We do not have to sit in a meeting or take a test to determine our passions. We are all compelled by something. Passions guide us and our actions. Passion influences every decision we make. I heard a man a few weeks ago state that he is passionate about music. This man does not participate in anything with music. He has casual conversations occasionally with musicians. He is not truly connected to anyone in the music world. Yet, he claims to be passionate about singing. What is unfortunate is this man is very involved in visiting people who are sick or dying. He is constantly checking on families and staying connected with their needs. God has gifted Him with the ability to walk with these people. They are his unacknowledged passion. He claims to be passionate about something he has no part of, yet does not recognize his gift; his true passion. Why? I have no idea.
We refer to the crucifixion as The Passion. Christ’s love for us compelled Him to come to earth. He walked with us. He wrapped Himself up in our bodies and planted His toes in our world. He saw life through eyes that were forced to squint from the sun He created. Jesus was so passionate about us. He became us just to save us. Jesus did not come to earth and suddenly decide He loved us. His love for us compelled Him to come. That compulsion for us killed Him. He is passionate about our salvation. Our salvation did not come before His passion. The Passion.
God created you. God knows how you are wired. He knows what you are made of. He gives you passions. If you know Jesus as Savior then you have Spirit led passions in your entire being, because the Holy Spirit is your entire being. Do not ever allow yourself to be fooled into thinking you are passionate about something you are not a part of. I can tell myself I am passionate about evangelism all day long. The fact is, I have not witnessed to anyone this week. I was more passionate about my family and eating than evangelism. I may want to be passionate about evangelism. If so, I need to start praying that God will compel me towards this. I will never be able to compel myself. However, before I start praying for new passions, I must look at what I am already compassionate about. I talked with some middle school girls for a while yesterday. I worked on a drama for church. I spent time with my husband and daughter. I’m passionate about family. I’m passionate about equipping believers. Maybe one of the believers God allows me to equip will be passionate about evangelism. Maybe, just maybe, our current passions are God given for reasons we don’t know.
It’s long past time to reevaluate our use of this word. Passions compel us to actions. If you do not like your current actions, you need to talk with God about your compulsions. Let’s stop pretending we will be passionate tomorrow. We are passionate today. Let’s stop acting like we all need to be passionate about the same thing. When we are truly following God, He gives us our passions based on how He carved our being. Our passions are from Him. It’s time to shred the inventory tests and put up the table and chairs. We don’t need a meeting to talk about passion. We need the author of The Passion to compel us to the actions He created us for.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
almost tomorrow...
You know, we can dream of mansions and streets of gold all day long...I can't wait to be at the wedding feast with Jesus, finally sitting at the table with Him. I can picture my Iowa friends, Sweden friends, Europe friends, Milligan friends, people I've never met, family, all gathered, at last, eating from the same table. I can only imagine my anticipation for the day can not touch Christ's anticipation. He will be allowed to gather all who love Him to the table. And while there will be people present that I didn't know in this life, He will intimately know us all. Our minds won't wander anywhere. We will be home. Finally. We will be home.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Good job...
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Miss Beth
Dear Miss Beth,
My Mommy told me that you were going to see the doctor this week.I wanted to tell you that Mommy, Daddy, and me are praying very hard for you. I also wanted to ask all the people reading this to pray for Miss Beth too. She was my day care teacher in Villisca and one of my Mommy's best friends there. My mommy still gets sad dropping me off at day care here. They take really good care of me, but you will always be her favorite...( and mine too Miss Beth.) My mommy said you have colon cancer, but that God is much, much, bigger then colon cancer. Mommy said that Miss Beth is going to the cancer treatment center in Chicago this week, so everybody please pray that she will be healed in such a way that everyone present will know God healed her. God already has you Miss Beth, I'm praying you see Him very clearly today. We all love you very, very, much.
Grace,
Natalie
Sunday, November 04, 2007
39
They are both female.
She has two children, 12 and 6.
She has one child in his teens.
She is dying.
She is also dying.
She was diagnosed four years ago.
She collapsed four weeks ago.
She is trying to reconcile faith of a mustard seed, with doctors who say there is no hope.
She is wresting with a whole different type of despair.
She is trying to prepare her children for a life without her.
She has not seen her son in a very long time.
She knows that no one can or will ever love her children like she does.
She knows someone else has already been loving her son.
She and I talked about faith, love, hope, and heaven.
I held her hand and encouraged her step father to talk to her, she can maybe still hear you.
She is fighting, fighting, fighting.
She has already fought.
She is dying of breast cancer.
She is dying of liver failure.
She could not have prevented this.
She has been addicted to cocaine and alcohol for as long as anyone can remember.
She needs better treatment.
She needs better treatment.
She needs to know God still loves her.
She needs to know He always has.
No one expected her to die so young.
No one expected her to live so long.
No wonder God calls death the enemy.
Death robs anyone when it is least expected.
She is ready.
I don't know if she is.
Are you?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
A halloween tale
"I'm out of here"
Okay Mom I'll let you take one quick picture...
Mommy and the bee...
Hershey's are awesome!
I know a lot of pictures, but we had a lot of fun. We went trick or treating with Robert, Emily, and Avery. I'll post some pics of Avery and Natalie together soon. Happy November and happy 16 month birthday Natalie!!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Top 10
1. Someone can both torture and love our dog, Mocha. Mocha will continue to return to you either way.
2. You can either brush your teeth the traditional way, moving the brush back and forth in your mouth, or to spice things up, you can hold the brush in your mouth and move your head back and forth. Both will equally clean your teeth. One leaves you a bit dizzy.
3. I am shocked at how many times she can ask, "was daaat?" I am more shocked when she repeats whatever answer I just said.
4. Miss Hazel at day care is an angel who probably answers "was daat?" more often and more patiently then I ever will.
5. Everything is new, every morning, every hour, every minute. Just because you get an answer to, "was daat?" does not mean you should stop pointing at the same object and asking again.
6. I am not the Mom I thought I would be. She does scream in restaurants, Target, the parking lot, and at church.
7. Polite comments from onlookers explaining to me what she wants are not helpful. I know she wants to eat the mac and cheese with her hands. Your right that is why she is upset. My job is to teach her to use her spoon. Yes, she does know how. Yes, she eats with it at home. Yes, if you leave me alone I can continue ignoring this tantrum.
8. If you don't feel like using your spoon, just wear Minnie Mouse Ears, no one will notice your eating with your hands.
9. Natalie is her father's daughter. A flashlight can double as a microphone, and when she starts singing into it, you had better dance.
10. Two tiny little fist grabbing onto mine, with her head bowed to say bedtime prayers followed by a slobbery wet kiss, makes me think, for just a second, that I might, just might, survive this.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
some recent pictures
I prayed that God would allow me to upload some pictures tonight. I've been having a hard time doing this lately, and He answered my prayer. I know in the grand scheme of all that God is thinking about and doing this was a small request, but He answered. I think sometimes He answers small prayers of mine to remind me that He is always working and listening.
The Halloween costume is one my Aunt got for Natalie. It is already too small so we put it on her for pictures. It's an interesting unicorn outfit. For Halloween, Natalie will be a bumblebee like her older cousins, Mollie and Xander. Fortunately, this outfit still fits. Earlier this week she was wearing a 24 month outfit. I'm not sure where her height comes from, but I hope she keeps it. I'm not so secretly hoping she'll love basketball as much as I do. Anyways, today has been a good day. Thursday's are Chris' days off. I try to not work on Thursdays either. This has quickly become my favorite day of the week. We get to hang out with Natalie together. We get to swap stories from the week and just be. I love it. Today none of us got out of our pajamas until after 2 this afternoon. To me, that's a perfect sort of day. Have a great one and ask God to show you something today. He is good.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
a week
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Natalie's BFF
Avery lives just down the street...we are thinking they are already planning many adventures together...
I am having trouble getting any other pics uploaded to blogger lately. I'll keep trying. Have a great week!
Monday, October 08, 2007
what if?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
My big girl
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Doctor says
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
being cynical
I have been praying this month. On a regular basis I have asked God to help me be less cynical. I enjoy being sarcastic. Somewhere along the lines this has turned into cynicism. It's not a characteristic I recognized in myself. However, it has been pointed out to me on a regular basis, by well meaning sarcastic people. When I realized this about myself, I prayed. I wanted to be less cynical. I believed that cynical is one step away from critical. I don't want to become the person that criticizes and critiques everything I see anyone else doing. I don't like that person. Oops, I mean I would like to not be that person. So in my praying and searching I had the fabulous idea of looking up the definition of cynical. It is "Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others" or another definition is " a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view". After reading the definitions and the Bible, I'm wondering aloud, is it bad to be cynical? I mean Jesus had to come because we are selfish and flawed people. If any of us are only motivated by human actions we can be nothing but selfish. Spirit filled actions are different. They are the antonym of selfish. Those actions are filled by love. Love is not selfish. Love listens. It's motive is only to love unconditionally. I am becoming more okay with cynicism if it is spirit led. My prayer has changed. I'm praying for discernment and wisdom. If someone is motivated purely by themselves, I'm praying to see it. We all should be. Nothing good comes from us. God is good. We are fallen, broken, bleeding, hurt people. We are so incapable of helping ourselves; how can I possibly help anyone else on my own? I'm praying to be spirit led. To walk with God. To radiate unconditional love to those He brings into my path. I might hang on to the sarcasm though. I think it is a God given creativity to force people to see the world differently, hopefully while they are laughing. If you just sneered at me, you too my friend might be cynical. The question then is this, do I want to hang on to my sarcasm out of spirit led reasons or fleshly ones? This my friend will be the question.
Monday, September 17, 2007
This makes my heart happy
Friday, September 14, 2007
Life with Chris
I'm sorry it's been a week since I've written. Things here have been quite busy. It's been more difficult then I thought it would be to get used to working again. Natalie is loving day care. She is Miss Independent.
Chris, my do everything in a big way husband, decided it would be fun to go the ER yesterday. Now for those of you who know him, his body is weird. I mean that literally. When he was in high school, he was sent to the ER with chest pains, stomach pains, and his left arm was tingling. He thought he was having a heart attack. A long story later, his family doctor discovered he had strep. Apparently some "rare" individuals show these symptoms to strep rather then having a sore throat. Because of his rarity, I tend to not have much sympathy for him when he is sick. So fast forward to Wednesday of this week, when he comes home complaining of mid to low back pain. He is walking like an old man imitating John Wayne. He was nauseous and had a fever. By yesterday morning he thought he was better. But, by early afternoon, he had a bad headache, along with a backache, and a fever now to 103.1 So, we go to an urgent care since neither of us have bothered to get primary care doctors yet. They are immediately concerned about his kidneys. Now, I'm getting more sympathetic. Kidney stones made my dad cry. I've seen him cry twice. They do some test and the nurse practitioner comes back in the room and says, "I'm sending you to the ER". My stomach sank. My growing sympathy turned to genuine concern. So off we go. Of course, we wait forever in the ER. We sat in the post triage waiting room with half a dozen other people, including one ADHD kid with a head injury from a car wreck. Then they bring in a nice lady in a wheel chair. Right after they parked her, she starts throwing up everywhere. The triage nurse says, "Get some help in here." I jump up. One- I don't deal with throw up well, Two, I'm the only one in the room who does not currently have a broken foot, headache, or ADHD. Surely I can get help. I step out of the room and look at three nurses behind the station and say, "uh, we need some help in there." They all stare at me. Nothing. Finally one says in a very condescending manner, "who needs help?" I didn't have time to be social worky on them and explain that it doesn't matter who they should jump simply at the words help. So I simply said in my best non sarcastic, your going to treat my husband so I'll be nice voice, "There is a lady throwing up and can't stand and the triage lady asked me to get some help." Ahhh, the magic words, they got up and ran in. Log into memory, people run in an ER when the words "triage nurse needs help" are stated. Anyways, now we are in the hallway with our ADHD child. Even more fun. Finally after one and half episodes of Charmed, we get called back. Chris who is still walking like John Wayne just really wants to lay down. He does for a second, then moves to the recliner. Another thirty minutes later, the doctor comes in. He looks at Chris, talks for a while, and is also concerned about his kidneys or gallbladder. He decides to run a few test and look Chris over really well. So he does find something. It doesn't fit with any symptoms and all the test came back normal. My husband, the one with severe back pain and horrible headache. Yeah, he has an ear infection. And, no, his ear does not hurt.
Moral of the story is, if any of you are ever around Chris and he complains that his toe is hurting him. Please start CPR. I'm certain he'll be having a heart attack.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
New video
praying 1.wmv
We have a super busy weekend coming, but I'll fill everyone in on life after we get back. Have a great weekend and enjoy this video.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
How do we get there from here?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Smart baby
123
Thursday, August 23, 2007
I love Uncle DJ and Aunt Sarah
I want you to know I was almost stripped at church on Sunday for wearing this outfit. Many Gator people mistook it for a Georgia Bulldogs outfit. Once they saw the Reds they spared me. I left with my dress still on and I did look super cute. Daddy says he only let me wear it because Mr. Ryan was in town too. Mommy said I could wear it when I wanted. I love you both!
Natalie (the best niece in the world)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I'm a walking oxymoron...
8-13-07
"Dear Father,
Let's get real. Well, you're always real~I'm great at pretend. I'm a walking oxymoron. I've always wanted to work in a hospice. I love the city. I can do anything. All I want is to stay home with Natalie. I have to get out of the house. I trust you to provide money. I must get out and make some money. I hate the city. I miss Iowa. I hate the state of Iowa. I miss all the people in Iowa. Except her. I should love her and forgive her, but I haven't and I don't. I miss all my friends in WV. I only have a few friends. I want more friends. I don't want to spend the time it takes to build real relationships. I want to be authentic. I like my big, tall, walls. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I am so wishy-washy all of the time. I need you Lord. You are the only constant thing in my life. And, even, with you ~I crave everything about you ~ yet I so easily wander and lose focus. Heather said 'only you can change my heart.' 'Only you can change my heart.' 'Only you can change my heart.'
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\____________________________
Only you. Only you. How do I give it to you to change? Do I have to? Will you just take it? Please? I'm slow. I'm unresponsive. I grab onto you for the shock. We get a good rhythm and I get up and move. I don't want to move anymore. I need you. Please keep me Lord. Please save me...from myself. I know I was created in your image to bring you glory. Please make me look more like you and most of all forgive me. Please always and daily be my Savior. Please make me bring you glory. Thank you that you are God. Thank you most of all that I am not. You are God. I'm an oxymoron.
In Jesus' name,
Amen"
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
8 random things
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read their blog.
Before I tell you 8 random facts about me I must tell you that we spent the last couple of days with Grandmama, Natalie's Great-Grandmama. We had a lot of fun with the family and can't wait to make it back over soon. Natalie is talking more and more. She learned to say "shshshoes" the other day. Chris is already clutching his wallet quite tightly. She also says "bubbles" and "uh-oh". We thought uh-oh was so cute, but since she is using it appropriately, I'm learning to jump fast when she says this. Here are the pics and then, hang on for the random facts.
Natalie eating breakfast with Aunt Pam. Natalie is a big eater and this was her third breakfast of the morning.
Grandmama and Natalie are having a good time looking at each other. Natalie is giving out a kiss in the next picture.
Natalie is attacking Dustin...then the Jack in the Box is attacking Natalie. She thought this thing was hilarious, but she a little afraid too...
8 Random Facts about me...
1. I rarely ever drive with my shoes on...
2. I discovered yesterday that jelly fish really do sting every part of your body they touch.
3. I cannot run effectively in water.
4. I hate go carts.
5. I do not like any creature that God created on the fifth day. If it has wings or scales, I have no need for it.
6. I hardly ever use a pillow.
7. I always check the protein content of my chocolate, it makes me feel better.
8. I sleep with Christopher Robin ;-)
Now, I'm tagging Mom, Dad, DJ, Sarah, Beth, Scott D., Aunt Martha, and finally, my hubby. I'd better here back from you all! (For anyone interested, click on Megan, she has the best list.)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Miracle Bash
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Natalie Blue Eyes
Sunday, July 29, 2007
"Deep fried baby Jesus"
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I'm back...
As for being here, we are liking it. Natalie threw her first official tantrum the other day. It lasted longer then 30 minutes and carried over into three rooms. Every time I left the room to ignore her, she stopped crying walked to me so she knew I could see her, then threw herself back down and screamed. It was lovely. My mom tells me that persistence is an admirable quality to have. I'll appreciate it more when she is persistently doing something productive. :-) Chris is great and loving it here. It feels like home to him and I can tell he is good. Without corn pollen to be allergic to, he is exercising, losing weight, and moving forward. I didn't realize how bad he felt in Iowa until we were here for a while. However, to all you Iowa folks, we do miss you terribly. I still wish we could have moved you with us. I look forward to heaven for many reasons, one of which is so that we can finally be all together. I'll update with pics soon. Have a great day of worship tomorrow. God is good!