Picture this:

Quote of the day

2008-12-26T08:21:00.001-05:00

SCREWDRIVER,

Is NOT the magic word.

Baby Peanut... @ 20 mos old.

Blessed Hope

2007-08-22T13:55:00.000-04:00

Its been a long time since I've taken the time to say anything here, but this is so precious, I had to share it.

My mom has not always been a 'living for God' type of Christian. We've had many debates about what one of those may look like. Because she was raised in Lutheran church and parochial school, she always felt that she was "all set" in the religion department.

About a year or two ago, she found a community of believers that she loves and shares her life with.
Both mom and my brother Kevin, have invited me to their church many, many times.

They both felt loved and wanted there.

I heard about the meals served daily, the household items given when needed, how struggling families are helped once they find housing with furniture or bedding or dishes or whatever may be needed.

In the spring, mom had a heart attack.
I finally made time to visit Blessed Hope Christian Church with my brother, before we visited mom at the hospital.

The small church is housed at the end of an old fashioned strip of store buildings on Fort Street.
It could be a corner boutique or shop of some sort, were it in another neighborhood.
Narrow and long, it has a front door on the main road, as well as a door at the side street.

Mom called to tell me that her friend Bill died. He was a homeless man from the mission. Bill was known as a bit of a trouble maker, (just her type). But, they liked each other alot. She said he was very generous, that he received checks from the government, and could afford to live in a cheap motel, but preferred to live on the street. She especially likes Bill because, when my brother Kevin was living on the street, Bill took care of him. He gave Kevin cardboard and papers to cover with, and stayed up all night to watch over him.

I had no idea that living on the street was so dangerous. I mean obvious danger, heat, cold, starvation. I realize that I have actually put little if any thought to homelessness.

Bill also gave Kevins wife $20.00 when Kevin was in jail and there was no money.

A homeless man gave my family money for food? When and how did this happen and I did not know about it?

Leaders from Blessed Hope called the hospital to inquire about funeral arrangements. They were told that since they were not family, no funeral information could be given. Thats understandable, I guess. Except, Blessed Hope was Bills family. He ate there and fellowshipped there every day.

Mom said he sat outside behind the building every day. It it was raining, Bill was still sitting out behind the building. He was often seen pushing his shopping cart across Fort or Southfield.

Sunday night, Blessed Hope had a memorial service for Bill. Mom attended, as well as bikers and homeless and regular people. Mom said it was the nicest service. People were given the opportunity to stand up and speak about Bill.

She is telling me this on the phone, as I am driving to work. I find myself unable to breathe or a choke and sob will come out of me and I will be a wreck when I arrive at work.

People were given the opportunity to stand up and speak about Bill?

People with ripped, dirty, mis-matched clothes, and dirty faces and nasty hair were given opportunities to grieve and mourn and speak about their loss? They were hugged and valued?

They had a funeal service for one of their own?

Behind Blessed Hope is a dumpster. Mom said the next morning, there was a cross attached, and flowers. I had to make her stop telling me about this. My heart was completely overwhelmed with the genuine and sincere love of Christ this messy church had shown.

I haven't stopped thinking about Bill. Monday it rained all day. When mom got to the mission, several people made comments about Bill. "Bill's not sitting in the rain anymore"

I drove over to the mission this morning. The flowers are still there.
A shopping cart with a black bag inside is parked next to the dumpster.

These people are living the love of Christ daily.

I am humbled. This time I won't forget.

Quote of the day

2006-12-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

Tina Fab:

the best intention is to have no intentions is what i always say. and by always, i mean just now.

Debt Abuse Resistance Education

2006-12-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

**

So just an update, since I have dropped off the face of the blogger universe.

I was thinking this morning about what a wonderful Christmas season I am having.
Its really something I have always dreamed of: Two weeks prior to Christmas, I am not crazy, I am actually calm. We have enjoyed the company of friends and family and have had great meals together. Shopping is as done as it can be.

What's the difference, I wonder?
The difference is that this year we are using NO CREDIT. Every purchase we have made with cash and we are still paying our BILLS!
Previous Christmases we have used credit (which has been a huge burden) and debt has piled up over and over. Then every few years we refinance, or balance transfer which has left us with no savings.

Now I find that we can actually set limits on the amount of gifts we purchase, and still love and enjoy and celebrate the birth of our Savior with those we love.
I can't believe how stubborn I can be..that every year I get myself crazy with stress. I spend WAY more money that I can pay back in a year... all in an effort to "enjoy the holidays".

I think its something like a drug fix, when you know I am doing something wrong in an effort to feel right. I have had some days when I had to talk myself down from a nervous breakdown.
Thinking that people I love will not feel it or know that I love them if I do not buy them something this year, or if I don' tbuy as MUCH as last year. What's actually happened, though, is that its made me figure out better ways to love them and show it.

Me, On a DIET

2006-11-12T15:04:00.000-05:00

**

So, who's with me? Anyone else getting healthy these days?

**

What's your favorite?

2006-11-01T06:56:00.000-05:00

Quote O' The Day

2006-10-31T09:03:00.000-05:00

Hard work doesn't work in marriage. Soft hearts, do. And the Gospel.

~Pastor Mike Edwards, The Journey

No time to pray...

2006-10-27T20:44:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I find myself wishing that I lived in another era. I am certain that "back in the day" it was so much easier to pray. There were so fewer distractions from God. Right now, my family is downstairs watching and cheering the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

Back in the day, I bet families were gathered around the radio listening to ballgames. They werent in different rooms of the house, with various electronic gadgets. For that matter, farther back in the day.... I bet they were gathered around a piano and violin, singing hymns. Its probably not wrong to also imagine that those families prayed and read Gods word daily.

Regularly, I beat myself up with such thoughts. Today, while researching some great stuff on the computer... I came across some serious wisdom from Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889 Good meat to chew on.

(Lesson learned: Making time to pray is a self discipline and should be done regardless of circumstances, lack of time, environment, or era in which I live.)

Time for Everything but Prayer
Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? Why is there so little forethought in the laying out of time and employments so as to secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so much speaking, yet so little prayer? Why is there so much running to and fro, yet so little prayer? Why so much bustle and business, yet so little prayer? Why so many meetings with our fellow-men, yet so few meetings with God? Why so little being alone, so little thirsting of the soul for the calm, sweet hours of unbroken solitude, when God and His child hold fellowship together as if they could never part? It is the want of these solitary hours that not only injures our own growth in grace but makes us such unprofitable members of the church of Christ, and that renders our lives useless. In order to grow in grace, we must be much alone. It is not in society -- even Christian society -- that the soul grows most rapidly and vigorously. In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others. It is in the desert that the dew falls freshest and the air is purest. So with the soul. It is when none but God is nigh; when His presence alone, like the desert air in which there is mingled no noxious breath of man, surrounds and pervades the soul; it is then that the eye gets the clearest, simplest view of eternal certainties; it is then that the soul gathers in wondrous refreshment and power and energy.

Aha Moments~

2006-10-27T20:11:00.000-04:00

Some wisdom/truth/enlightenment and other assorted things to ponder that I brought home from my week at Acts 29 Boot Camp:

The more influenence you want, the less freedom you have (the loss of Christian liberties) ~Ed Stetzer
Yes, I am called to come alongside a church planter!!
Yes! I am deeply burdened by nominal Christianity, (says this recovering nominal Christian)
I want to develop my life so that I can integrate my work, and faith without compartmentalizing either.
I am willing and desiring to make deep sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel.
I strive to be holy and blameless because I am created in the image of God. (Gen 1:27)
All of God's promises are YES!, in Christ Jesus ~ Daniel Montgomery
Let's not forget the unity that is ours in Him ~ Daniel Montgomery
I must preach the gospel to myself.
Time. Talent, Treasure.. give all with generosity and enthusiasm as a core member in a church plant team.
Support and uphold my Elders and their wives and childen in prayer and fasting as they uphold the Kingdom of God, and oppose the gates of hell.
Love, exhort, grow, forgive, share, develop pray, and give with the soft heart that God has so graciously given to me.

This is one of the most exciting times of my life. Praise, and thanks to my love and my Lord Jesus Christ.

Kindergarten Graduation

2006-10-27T10:44:00.000-04:00

November 4, 2006

Me and my husband, and another couple (treasured friends of ours)
Will finish reading the bible all the way thru for the first time ever.

I met these friends (family) on a trip to Mississippi for disaster relief work. I couldn't wait to get home and begin sharing lfe with them. It didn't take long for my husband to feel the same way...and thru chatting and dreaming and getting to know each other- we all had a desire to know God more through his Word.

We shopped together for the best one year bible to suit us. We agreed to make this one of our highest priorities and commitments. And, over the course of the year we have accomplished that.

Now, we are finding ourselves both awakened and provoked. While it feels like quite an accomplishment, keeping our goal, we realize that we are only in kindergarten. This is only the beginning. We are planning our next year of studies- and are inspired to never stop learning.

Romans
12:2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Love Like Crazy

2006-10-05T08:29:00.000-04:00

So glad to see But Seriously posting again! After reading your recent
He Loves Me, this song popped into my head and will NOT leave.

I only wish I had the blogger abilities to play the song while you read the lyrics.

Go love like crazy!

Love Like Crazy

Chris Rice (Eb+Flow Records, LLC. / Clumsy Fly Music [ASCAP])

I heard a rumor that love will make you crazy
Well is it true?
Well that’s no rumor, look at the crazy things that love made Jesus do
The friends He chose were thought to be outrageous
And you could even find Him touching the contagious
And the craziest is how He chose to save us
He gave His life away
Then He had to go and say
“Gotta love the same way that I love you”

Love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
The way He loves you and me
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy

What the world needs now is for love to spread
As fast as the rumors do
But to make it, we gotta take this thing from another whole point of view
We can start by keeping our vows and not breakin’ promises
And bring hope to the women at the well and the doubting Thomases
And you kids, you gotta cheerfully do what your pops and your mama says
He gave His life away
Then He had to go and say
“Gotta love the same way that I love you”

Well I’m tellin’ you boy, you got a lot to learn
I think you’re crazy all right to love for nothin’ in return
You’ve lost your marbles, got a few loose screws
And if you count yoru cards, I’ll bet you got less than fifty-two
But now you got me thinkin’, you sorta planted a seed
‘Cause you know this might be just the kind of love that I need
Naw, your train’s off the track, you’re from the loony bin
You know that brain that you ordered? Well it never came in
‘Cause your lights are on, but ain’t nobody in your house
Your elevator doesn’t quite reach the top floor
I think you’re out in left field, and I could say a lot more
But you don’t care what I think, it doesn’t matter what I’m tellin’ you
You got the love of Jesus, and He’s the one compellin’ you to love
Like He does
You gotta love like He does
You gotta love like He does

‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
The way He loves you and me
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change

HIghlights of my week:

2006-09-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

Truman Varsity Cheerleaders having fun with the Cougar (tiger) Mascot
Shivering, blue-lipped kids swimming in the pool
Sleeping with the window open and being cold
Squirrels running and playing in yards
Children trying to catch falling leaves in their hands
Knowing friends are sleeping in a safe neighborhood
Three year old pirates
Laughing with my honey
Famous Darryls ribs
Meeting someone special I've been praying for
My neice driving all by herself
Thoughts of camping, canoeing
Brand New Survivor, Amazing Race, Deal or No Deal, Greys Anatomy
75 people in the backyard for a baptism celebration

Peanut Blessing

2006-09-14T13:15:00.000-04:00

(Not actual baby)

We recently were surprised with the great news that Peanut is on the way!!

I've been praying for almost a year now, and Peanut's parents and grandmas, grandpa, and other aunties and uncles, cousins and friends have been praying *alot* longer than that.

Today Peanut's mommy went to the doctor for her first ever ultrasound.

Peanut's mommy called after and was so excited! She left me a voice mail and I was also able to speak to her. Both times I heard her voice, it made me cry. Peanut's mommy and daddy already love Peanut so much.

Today they were able to see for the first time, their little Peanut. Eight weeks and 4 days worth of growth and miracle already. They were able to see Peanut's heartbeat. Oh, happy day!

There is a great big loving family anxiously waiting to meet and love Peanut. Whether biological, social or spiritual family, we all love Peanut's mom and dad, and love peanut too! We look forward to loving, supporting, laughing, crying, praying, thanking Jesus, and doing this life together with them.

How sweet that God intends for us to be family together. To live and rejoice, mourn, learn, grow, challenge, react, respond, encourage... all together. Lord, thanks for today.

(Our Peanut is this size, but this is someone else's peanut)

(Our peanut looks something like this today)

Jesus? Is that you?

2006-09-13T08:25:00.000-04:00

This morning I was woken up by the most intense thunderstorms. So much so, that my brain jumped right into worship songs, just in case it was Jesus returning. (I wanted to get caught singing and worshipping in my heart rather than sleeping soundly and then being irritated at having to wake up at all)

Today, I met Robert.

2006-09-12T15:15:00.000-04:00

8:30 am
Ring Ring

Kathy: Hello?

Vicki: Hi .. I was thinking I would drop off your car this morning, and you could drive me back home to get mine.

Kathy: Well, what time? I am getting ready to leave right now, I want to try and meet up with Robert.

Vicki: Oh!! Well, go ahead and do that-

Kathy: Yeah, lets do that and maybe you can meet him too!

8:55 am
Ring Ring

Vicki: Hello?

Kathy: Okay we missed Robert. I am going to go home and wait for you, Maybe when we come back by, we will see him! I really want you to meet him! I want him to know that people are praying for him and care for him.

Vicki: Awesome- see you soon

9:15

(Driving in car... approaching 7-11... )

Kathy: Oh.. man... No Robert... we are too late! I left the shoes for him at the counter.

Kathy: OH WAIT!! (Whipping into 7-11 parking lot) There he IS!!!

Parking car, getting out.
Robert, sitting on display racks filled with window washer solvent... holding one shoe, looking it over, having just put the other one on his right foot.

Robert has on an american flag do-rag, a members only zip up jacket, tshirt , and clean jeans.
His eyes look tired and red... with a yellow background. He is smiling at Kathy.

Kathy: Robert!! I want you to meet my friend Vicki !!

(Robert looking up and noticing us, rather slowly) Says hello to me and to Kathy..

Kathy: Do the shoes fit you, Robert?

Robert: Yes, yes they are very good.

Kathy: Well I am so glad they are comfortable and do they feel better?

Robert: Yes, they feel much better.

Kathy: Robert I want to tell you that there are all kinds of people praying for you!!, and caring about you.

Robert: Well thats good to know- I want to say thankyou for these shoes. She told me (the 7-11 clerk, Kathys other friend) that you were bringing me some shoes.

Kathy: Well you're welcome. God cares about you Robert. Thank Jesus Christ for them, not me.
Oh!! and I have some bottles, do you want them?

Robert: Well, Sure!

(We get in the car and leave)
Kathy: Lets turn around!! I want to see him walking in those shoes!! Everytime I see him, he walks as if he were 100 years old.. like walking in pumps all day when your feet hurt. I want to see if they are more comfortable for him.

Vicki: NO!! He is going to call the cops on us, like we are crazy stalkers.

Kathy: Lord, please let me see Robert walking in his shoes.

Vicki: I believe God is going to be sure that you see Robert in those shoes.

(Driving to work)

It was so amazing to actually be able to see and meet the man that I have been reading about, and praying for. What a special blessing that was. What a day of perspective for me too... I have been worrying about things in my life that arent right: dryer broken, lawn mower broken, vacuum broken... have to find a new job by the end of the month.

I've read the scripture in bible study this week; His eye is on the sparrow, He clothes the lillies, etc. Today I saw it in action. He gives shoes to Robert, who rummages thru trash cans looking for bottles. Robert who seem to have no friends, who walk for miles around a city every single day, with bent up feet that hurt. Robert, who ran into Kathy at 7-11, who loves Jesus.

Romans 10:14-16
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"[a]

Today I met Robert, thanks to my sister, who has beautiful feet.

Quote of the day:

2006-08-30T12:28:00.000-04:00

It actually feels really good to spend my own money

--Angie Vann,17, a young woman with proud parents

Way to go, Angie!

2006-08-29T22:02:00.000-04:00

2006-08-24T14:33:00.000-04:00

Things I am happy about this week:

2006-08-23T11:11:00.000-04:00

My daughters 17th birthday

My son is registered and paid up for his first semester in college

A dear friends birthday

Blackened Salmon from Sams club

Finishing the Old Testament and beginning the New

Being completely caught up with laundry

Our yellow lab finally loving the swimming pool

Talladega Nights: The ballad of Ricky Bobby

Its been almost a month!

2006-08-10T22:18:00.000-04:00

Uncomfortable

2006-08-10T12:09:00.000-04:00

We have a joke throughout our friend group:

"Excuse me...Uncomfortable..."

(You have to imagine it in Joyce's sweet sing-song voice.)

Darryl and I were squabbling one day on our couch while Joyce was visiting.
Until Joyce broke in with her objection, we had'nt realized anything might appear abnormal.
(We're comfortable with a little bit of fussing whether in front of people or not.)

In the last few months, we've been full of prayer and excitement about working on a church plant team. We just had our first week of core team meetings, vision casting, prayer, team building, etc. After all the build up and excitement, I've been surprised to find myself...uncomfortable.

Not in a sense that I don't feel comfortable with all the people God has brought to the team.
Nor in any way with the format or leadership. The best way I can describe this discomfort is by comparing it to a mission trip. I have no idea what to expect, because I have not been here before. On a mission trip, I would pack and then read a little, and then head off to.... well, whatever God has for me there. Maybe a construction project- building a school or a women's shelter, or on a disaster relief team. I would have little expectations, except that, God will show me what to do and speak to me whenI get there. I see this journey the same way..except in my own town. Before I leave on a mission trip, I am prayed up and prepared to serve my guts out.
I am out of my "comfort zone" so to speak... with new people and experiences.

That's what I hear God telling me right now. Pray up and prepare to serve your guts out. Get out of your comfort zone, be with new people and prepare for new experiences. Being uncomfortable is good-- because it reminds me that I am always completely dependent on Christ anyway.

Love * Submit * Obey

2006-08-07T16:17:00.000-04:00

I learned another life lesson from Prince the Wonder Dog.

We had the best weekend- (me and Prince) We woke up Saturday and Sunday and went for a long walk (maybe 4-5 miles). Both of us love the long walks. Then we came home, and jumped in the pool. Prince the Wonder Dog now LOVES swimming.

We are so pleased.

After a long exhausting walk, a refreshing swim in the pool and lots of laughs, we decide its lunch time. I make fat free turkey franks with lo carb wheat buns and sit down to eat.

I am reading a good book, Easy Chairs, Hard Words... and enjoying my lunch when I notice that Prince is laying on my feet. I realize what a great feeling it is. So I stop and enjoy this loving moment. Prince the Wonder Dog could lay anywhere in the house, but CHOOSES to lay at my feet.

At the 'Prince laying at my feet moment' I thought: How relaxed and safe he looks laying at his masters feet. He looks so comfortable. So then, I think: Its been awhile since I have actually layed myself at my Masters feet. It made me wonder what He thinks and how He feels when I do slow down enough to rest at his feet. I know how I feel when I'm there.

I'm going to make sure I get there more often.

2006-08-02T23:49:00.000-04:00

Quote of the day:

2006-07-08T22:18:00.001-04:00

Its okay, KayMac, according to Michael Foster:

Any good idea is usually stolen.

Quote of the day-July 3rd 2006 2300ish

2006-07-04T22:29:00.000-04:00

"We are now officially on FULL PRETEND"

P.S. Whoever tied the camper closed..that was fabulous~~

Quote of the day Sunday July 2nd 2006

2006-07-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

"Bureaucracy can cause you to pee your pants"

Aunties, Behave!!

2006-06-28T13:20:00.000-04:00

Dear Lord,

Please put your hand upon Aunties right now.
Remind their hearts to be kind, loving and understanding.
The things they say and do, the way they act and respond can uplift and restore, or deflate and discourage.
We know which way pleases you.
So be it, Amen.

Life Group

2006-06-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

Movie Night @ The Cards Backyard!

Movie Screen, lawn chairs, bug spray

popcorn, movie snacks

Hot Tub, Trampoline.....

Good Friends doing life together.

HooHah!!!

I love you

2006-06-22T12:42:00.000-04:00

Hero

Safe; Gentle

Never gives up

Love of my life

Soulmate

Still not really sure....

2006-06-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

You scored as Calvinist. You are a Calvinist, a view of God's means of salvation, in which God's sovreignty is a key theme, and the permanence of salvation is a characteristic tenant. Calvinism can be summarized thus:
T-Total Depravity,
U-Unconditional Election,
L-Limited Atonement,
I-Irresistable Grace,
P-Perpetuity of the Saints.

Calvinist

73%

Arminian

55%

Calvinist or Arminian?
created with QuizFarm.com

Tell me about them...

2006-06-20T14:32:00.000-04:00

You are my JOY

2006-06-20T13:59:00.000-04:00

Romans 8:38-40 (New International Version)

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Jesus:

You are my joy

You are my JOY!!!

There is even a symbol for it:

2006-06-09T11:11:00.000-04:00

White Chaos

*Hug*

Shout Out

2006-05-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

Girlfriends

2006-05-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

I love beauty shop with girlfriends!!

Thanks Lindsay Lou Who~

Inspiration

2006-05-25T18:06:00.000-04:00

Little League baseball games are the BEST!
My favorite are the farm division players. Guessing at their ages, I would say 5-7 years old.
Here's what I observe:

The MOST incredible toothless smiles
Great big batting helmets that they hold onto when running
Black eye from missed pop-up
Outfield conversations with themselves about their latest All Star play
Enthusiastic waving to their family, friends, cheering section and other assorted admirers
Getting a hit, running to first- arriving safely, and then looking down at shoes to see if there are smoke or flames coming out, because they run as fast as superman
Four players running after the ball on the opposite side of the field
Big League Chew!
The pee pee dance in the outfield
Swinging hard like dad or big brother
Left fielder counting ants on the grass
Getting a base hit, scoring a run, and getting the game ball (no big deal)

There's just nothing sweeter.

Good idea

2006-05-25T11:20:00.000-04:00

Better than silver OR gold

2006-05-13T21:36:00.000-04:00

Sisters

Duhpends

Reese's PeePees

Sour Pants Kids

Don't flush the toilet paper!!!

Mafia

Lights Out!! Please be QUIET!!

Rhinos have very small eyes, positioned on either side of their head, and they have very poor eyesight

Funeral Food

Sister Love

Vase fell on my head!!

Life is about change

2006-04-25T16:54:00.000-04:00

Life is about change.
Life is about change.
Life is about change.

If I repeat that often enough, eventually I will catch on.

So I am working with myself (I am my own therapist) on appreciating my life exactly as it is.. today.

We've had such an unusually beautiful and mild spring. The other day, I was driving home from work, enjoying the windows down, the warm air, the birds chirping, and the radio.

I notice a mom pushing a stroller. I'd guess she was about 28. In front of the stroller, a girl riding a bike, probably about 6 years old. My heart tightens as I remind myself that I am not a "mommy" anymore. Very sad, I remind myself, since being a mommy was a cherished part of my life. Instead, I am just a "mom".

Our kids are growing up. Our first son is going to be 23 this year. We're so proud of the man he is becoming. We love to be around him. He's wickedly funny. He's fiercely loyal. He's not afraid to challenge what he thinks is wrong. I suspect in the near future, he will have a pez loving, beatle-maniac fiance. We love her too. We couldn't be prouder.

Our "middle child" we affectionately call him, will be graduating from high school in a few weeks. This guy is so smart.. and serious, and a dreamer, and hilarious .. we have so much fun trying to figure him out. He doesn't bore us with tons of useless information, like, when the cap & gown orders are due, or graduation announcements...but he is always quick to give us the latest details of the most current episode of South Park or Family Guy. He'll be the first on either side of our family to attend college. We couldn't be prouder.

Our baby girl- is going to be 17. Right this minute she is taking her road test for her drivers license. Next year she will graduate from high school. She's a high-energy young lady. The way she observes other people, notices mannerisms, and quirks- again- hilarious! Also, not afraid to take a stand= or conquer a challenge. We couldn't be prouder.

I've decided that where we are right now is not bad. Not the end of anything. Just a new part. Just different. I wouldn't change a thing. Its seriously exciting to be part of their lives right now.

They're becoming friends. (Thank you Lord for answered prayers) They have fun together in (Somewhat) mature, and adult ways.

Baby girl has just passed her road test. She is driving a car now. Her brother taught her how to parallel park- from the left of course, but she still passed anyway.

My life is blessed and changing all the time - I appreciate Gods patience with me.

I'm missing grandma

2006-04-05T13:15:00.000-04:00

What I miss about Grandma Rowland:

11. Souvenirs from Traverse City
10. Cookies and IceCream at her house
9. Diet Vernors, & "holy toledo"
8. The smell of AquaNet hairspray
7. A drawer full of pens and never ending paper
6. Jukebox in the basement playing Red Roses for a Blue Lady
5. Red refridgerator filled with every flavor of Towne Club pop
4. Spending the night at her house
3. Zipper bag for her shoes, and little plastic container for plastic hair net
2. Gentle Hugs
1. The safest place on earth

I miss you grandma!
Love, Vicki

Community

2006-03-28T18:24:00.000-05:00

The Father knew we couldn't make it on our own.
So, He birthed us into families.

But He didn't stop there.

Once we've been born again,
He sets us up
with a loving community that
laughs with us and
cries with us and
prays us on to forever.

--from Hugs for Friends

Cleaning House & Mind

2006-03-27T12:46:00.000-05:00

Today is clean up day....

First~I would like to thank the kind HippieAnge83, for sharing her blog page setup skills.
I hesitantly declare that my previously boasted about links are now operational.

Second~ Question to fellow bloggers: Am I supposed to ask permission before I add someones blog link to my own blog page? (Now that I have already done it?)

Third~ Cleaning my mind. AKA - The Hills Have Eyes.
Friday I did something so stupid. What really makes me mad is that I knew better.
I investigated first, had appropriate information, and then decided to do the stupid thing.

My daughter and I had a movie night. We both wanted to see the horror flick remake: The Hills Have Eyes. I've seen Wes Craven movies before. Some of them are more funny than scary.
After inviting friends to go, I decided to lookup the review of the movie on http://www.dove.org
This review site give great reviews including a Christian Worldview, language, violence, sexual scenes, etc.
Every possible thing I read in that review told me that this was not an appropriate movie for us .
I decide to leave my brain at home and go see the disgusting movie.
Loaded with fresh buttered popcorn and cherry pepsi, we barely live through the first few minutes of the film, showing bombs exploding and mutated human beings, 2-3 per second.
Jokingly, I ask her, Do you want to leave?
Another 30 minutes and we are jerked into an experience of violence like I have never seen before. Now, honestly, I read in the review:

Content Description:Sex: Woman brutally raped. Another woman sexually molested.
Language: F-15; D-3; GD-2; JC-3; BS-1; S-3
Violence: Many gory scenes so graphic at times, this reviewer could barely watch.

So I told myself, we will close our eyes for the rape scene. Is that INSANE? Yes, Of course it is.
And, we stay and watch the human prey hunted down by the mutants, and brutally killed.
This was so assaulting and violent to my eyes and ears, I could not make myself get out of my seat and leave. After 5 minutes of the rape scene, I realize that my daughter is begging me to leave. ( have one hand covering my ears, and one hand covering her eyes, so that she can use both hands to cover her ears)

We get out of the theater, (only about 8 people watching the movie) and get in the car.
Both of us, emotionally and spiritually devastated. I was sick to my stomach for making such a ridiculous and grievous choice. The theater is near our friends home, the ones who wisely opted out of the experience. We call and beg them to go to dessert with us. We go to Red Robin (Yummm!) and attempt to purge the experience from our hearts and souls.

The sweetest older man came to our table. A magician! Now, usually I have no patience for these annoying people. But I wanted to be distracted. Get some new information into my brain.
This sweet man told the corniest jokes. It was just what we needed. He stayed with us close to 30 minutes, I bet. Before long we were laughing and working hard to salvage the evening. I believe God sent him to us.

I know better than participating in such a thing under the false title of "entertainment"
The Hills Have Eyes, is entertainment for the likes of Hell and its kingdom.
Whats worse is that the Holy Spirit counseled me against this, and I gave Him a VETO.
I Vetoed the Holy Spirit! Now I repent for my sin. I hate when I do that to myself, and hate it more when I do it to my Lord.
My choice hurt my daughter and myself. Our souls are scarred. We've talked about this and decided we will use it as a lesson in trusting the Holy Spirit. I hate to admit that sometimes I have to experience pain in order to learn a lesson. They're the lessons I remember the longest, the ones I never want to repeat.

I'm No Einstein.....

2006-03-24T11:38:00.000-05:00

Today is the day...

That I realize I am a computer GENIUS!

I mean, it wasn't that long ago, that I was required to take a computer tutorial on how to: "Click & Drag".

Last Friday I decide that I refuse to be left out of the blogger world. Even though I have NOTHING profound to say. (But I do like to respond to other peoples blogs.)
I decide I cannot go to sleep until I try and set up my very own blogger page all by myself.
So, I get it started, and thought I put out my first entry. Turns out I left it in 'draft' stage, and never 'published' it. So Fridays blog entry became real on Monday.
Today, I decide that I better blog something new, or all my fans will get bored and move on to other Einsteins blogs. Instead, I get caught up in trying to add links to my page.
Evidently, I'm some sort of computer-coding genius because I actually read the directions and was able to do just that! (Thanks Hippie Ang for the inspiration!)

Now, my life is full and complete. I have email. I have instant messenger. I'm a blogger.
I know how to create the lines around the boxes in Excel without clicking the icon over and over and over and over and over... (like I used to do about six months ago)

I'm sure there are still 3 or 4 things left for me to conquer in life.
Like taking better care of our finances. Then I'll be a financial genius!

Life Groups

2006-03-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today is the day... That I excitedly brag about our awesome Life Group .
Let me explain.
So, we have this Life Group. A group of people from our local church, (http://www.metrosouthchurch.com) meeting at our house twice a month.This is really a great way to keep our church feeling small as we grow. We open our homes to anyone who would like to get to know new people and be a part of one another's lives.
We usually discuss a Sunday message, sometimes watch a video or do a Bible study.
We always eat a meal together, chat for awhile, and pray a bit.
In the summer we swim and bbq.
Over the past year we have had the most awesome people in our lives as well as our home.
This Life Group has really been a growing, living, changing thing. Its so exciting to be part of a group of people willing to get to know one another. Really, strangers, coming together in the common name of Christ, attempting to know and be known.
So what's so great about us? How about this: Great FOOD! The past few get-togethers, we've had no dinner theme really, someone suggested pot-luck and we went with it.
Would you believe we have a gourmet-chef/builder-home fixer guy, brought home made Sushi, and almost everyone tried it? So that was just one week. This is really the week to brag about- so we send out the email, POTLUCK!! And here is what comes in the door:
Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy
Baked Beans
BBQ Ribs
Homemade Chili
Desserts
Shrimp and scallop appetizers wrapped in bacon
Mexican Dip and chips
Salad
Sausage and cheese
Lo Carb Cheesecake
Now, I know I am forgetting something. You can't imagine the food we had!! But thats not the only thing. So people are arriving, letting themselves in (I love that) putting their coats wherever they want them ( I love that too) setting their food down... and getting right down to life. Everyone catching up on one anothers lives. Someone got the cutest haircut EVER, and most of the ladies noticed. A youngster broke his toe, and it turns out my dog stepped on his foot and broke it... (but they still love Prince, the wonder dog-thats what friends do)
We are checking up on our soldier, who has been in Iraq about a month ago, a dear friend of one of our group members. She is now adopted by all of us and we are learning how to send her care packages and notes of love and encouragement. Someone is telling a hilarious story of how she stepped in the biggest pile of poop in the world ( its true, I actually saw it and should have taken a picture for the rest of you) and how that experience affected her day and those around her. Find the poop story here:
(http://praisemycreator.blogspot.com/) March 22nd entry.
Why is all this so great??? Because over the past year, we've changed a little, brought more people in... but the best part is seeing Gods people working hard to be the church and to do life together.
And it really works!! Great conversation: (home made chess sets, holes in the ceiling, closets torn out, macaroni stuck in the nose, Great Danes wandering around pooping, CDs stuck in car stereos, cats being brought home from the vet, shoes being chewed by dogs, vacations in Dominican Republic, kids running around playing hide and seek, sweet pets that are aging, working out at the gym)

All this is DOING life together and I love it!! Gods people are awesome.

PS Remind me to tell you someday about Macaroni in the Nose

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

2006-03-17T22:39:00.000-05:00

Today is the day...

I remember my promise to myself. I guess I forgot to remind myself that I am not at my best when I am addicted to carbs, over weight and wasting money on fast food.

Thanks to my accountability crew, today I made a one year financial and personal commitment to myself at a health club. So for the next 13 monthes, (1 month free with a paid year) I'll be walking, running, gazelle-ing, weight lifting, crunching, weighing, sweating and shrinking!
(Possibly also whining, tripping, and blistering. ) By the way, if anyone is thinking of joining, let me know, if we sign up one more person we get a year for FREE!!

Today I look forward to the following perks:

Enjoying time with my husband exercising together.
Spending time with my accountability crew. (Hoohah!)
Feeling tired from exercise vs tired from stress and bad food.
Teaching my kids that health is important.
Honoring God with my health choices.

Today is also the day, I join the blogger world. I'm not really sure why, except that I do love to get my two cents worth in.