Deep within there is a glorious and terrible empty space - loneliness. It is out of sight, pushing us to our best and to our worst. Behind every effort to make a friend - Behind ambition - Behind pride - Behind gossip - Behind memories of your mother's kitchen - Loneliness. We were created with the space carefully planted in our hearts. God created us with the loneliness that moves the heart to others, the loneliness that moves the heart at last to God. Is it what moves us to become whole.
-David Kidd
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Maturity
I started reading this short "quote" series on Christian Maturity by James Packer, I love it. I just wanted to share. While I like to think I a "mature" on some points, I am a total Kindergartener on others. I originally had been sending these to Maya day by day, as she has expressed so much excitement about her spiritual growth since she's been back from CIY. I'm encouraged with great joy to see her discover God's love for her; it's amazing. I thought these would be really relate-able for her, but also found them to be pretty universal for all of us, no matter the age. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
The first mark of Christian maturity is the ability to deal constructively with reality, to face facts, to not cover up reality or call it something else, but to deal with it as it is. Mature people do not kid themselves.
The second mark is, adapting quickly to change. We all experience change, whether it be physical, at work, in the family, or whatever. I am amazed at how much some people change through the years while I remain exactly the same! Immature people resist change. It makes them nervous. But the mark of maturity is to adapt to change because change is inevitable.
The third mark of Christian maturity is freedom from the symptoms of tension and anxiety. The worried look, the frown, the ulcers, the palpitations of the heart - come because you are upset, anxious and worried. Maturing means you have begun to see that God is in control of this world. He is working out purposes that you do not always understand, but you accept it. He will take you through the deep water, not drown you in it. Maturity means you are learning to trust.
Fourth, it means to be satisfied more with giving than receiving. Some of you know that the joy of Christmas is not getting presents, but giving them. To see the joy in someone else's face when they get something they either need or want. That is a sign you are growing up. You are discovering the true values of life.
The fifth mark is, to relate to others with consistency, helpfulness and mutual satisfaction. Maturity is learning to get along with other people, to be a help, not a hindrance, to contribute to the solution and not to be always a part of the problem.
Finally, Christian maturity is sublimating and redirecting anger to constructive ends. Maturity is the ability to use the adrenaline that anger creates, not to lose your temper and add to the problem, but to correct a situation or to contribute to changing the nature of the difficulty.
The first mark of Christian maturity is the ability to deal constructively with reality, to face facts, to not cover up reality or call it something else, but to deal with it as it is. Mature people do not kid themselves.
The second mark is, adapting quickly to change. We all experience change, whether it be physical, at work, in the family, or whatever. I am amazed at how much some people change through the years while I remain exactly the same! Immature people resist change. It makes them nervous. But the mark of maturity is to adapt to change because change is inevitable.
The third mark of Christian maturity is freedom from the symptoms of tension and anxiety. The worried look, the frown, the ulcers, the palpitations of the heart - come because you are upset, anxious and worried. Maturing means you have begun to see that God is in control of this world. He is working out purposes that you do not always understand, but you accept it. He will take you through the deep water, not drown you in it. Maturity means you are learning to trust.
Fourth, it means to be satisfied more with giving than receiving. Some of you know that the joy of Christmas is not getting presents, but giving them. To see the joy in someone else's face when they get something they either need or want. That is a sign you are growing up. You are discovering the true values of life.
The fifth mark is, to relate to others with consistency, helpfulness and mutual satisfaction. Maturity is learning to get along with other people, to be a help, not a hindrance, to contribute to the solution and not to be always a part of the problem.
Finally, Christian maturity is sublimating and redirecting anger to constructive ends. Maturity is the ability to use the adrenaline that anger creates, not to lose your temper and add to the problem, but to correct a situation or to contribute to changing the nature of the difficulty.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The lazy girl's guide to eh, whatever. Installment 1 of ?
So I went to the store today, loving the fact that I got such a good, close parking spot. You know, that spot that's RIGHT next to the handicapped spots, and close enough to the entrance to give yourself a mental high-five? It's a real rarity to get that spot--go me! It's hot...who wants to walk on the radiating pavement very far, right? So I went in, did my thing, and came out to unload my groceries into my Element, and to my dismay, I was in a dilemma. Do I take my cart alllllll the way back into the store, or ditch it on the sad patch of concrete encased grass, only to get funny looks from others as I hop the curb, so the cart boy can fetch it next time he's on the prowl? Eh, I'm in my 30's...who cares what others think--they've done the same lazy thing before! After all, the cart boys get paid to take that clever little cart-herder machine that creates a tidy line of nested wire-basket clones to wheel back into the store, right? I'm providing them with some job security, which is sadly, more than my friends left at ATT, have these days. Anyhow, close parking spots rock, having to walk your cart allllll the way back into the store, or hoofing it to the nearest cart return really seems to defeat the entire purpose of getting that sweet spot in the first place!
Don't judge me.
Stay tuned, more lazy installments to come...or maybe not. I dunno.
Don't judge me.
Stay tuned, more lazy installments to come...or maybe not. I dunno.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Love? Love.
Is there anything to be gained by confrontation and the airing of feelings and issues with people that we are in conflict with?
Wellll....I guess that all depends on the issue, and the person with whom you are talking. I have always been a huge advocate of the importance of honesty and communication, it's the reason my marriage rocks. When it comes to friendships and family, it's just not always that simple. The older I get, the more fascinated I become by human nature, emotion, ego, motives, depth, or lack of...I will say it once again, people are a trip! I find it interesting when you learn the "why" of it all. What makes people do the crazy things they do, or say. I am very analytical, and can sometimes over-think things to death, while at the same times, I also see things that others may not. It's kind of a catch 22 in my personality to be able to have the spirit of discernment, while also not caring to discern because of my need to understand and comprehend the why of things. Anyhow, I know that we are commanded as Christians to love everyone. Can this really be possible, I keep asking myself? Because if we are really honest with ourselves, there are those people that have wronged us one way or another that really hurt our spirit. It's hard to say, I "love" this person that hurt my child, or my husband, or me. Still, we are commanded to do this, and knowing that, brings forth our accountability to God. So I suppose I try to rationalize people's behaviors, in order to try to love them in some way. For instance, person X is unkind or rude to me, and seems generally unhappy all the way around. I could just say, oh well, this person is a moron... orrrrr....I can rationalize that person X is having a rough time and isn't really snubbing me, rather going through something of which I am unaware. If there is something I have done to create a negative reaction out of person X, then I also will examine my own behavior and adjust accordingly.
Now alot of people would say, who cares, right? Sarah, seriously, who cares!? Well, the thing is, God cares. And to be commanded to love one another is NOT easy. It just isn't. Now I, of course, love my inner circle of family and friends and even acquaintances 'til the cows come home, but to branch outside that, to really say I "love" someone I'm not too crazy about; well, it's tough. So how do I go around this?
I prayed about this last night. And with just that instant peace that comes with knowing you turned your issue over to God, I slept well. I awoke to this thought today: To truly forgive and walk in love is to let it go, and not talk about it again. So that is what I am going to do. There is no need to rehash pains, or to "communicate" in any way. Loving someone can be as simple as just wishing them well, and harboring no bad feelings for them. Does that mean they need to be up in your face, or having dinner at your home? Nope. Just simple feelings of kindness. That is sometimes the only way people will allow us to love them. Sometimes communication can be a tool of the devil, or a God given comfort spoken through our lips. But, I am learning that communication is not always the answer. If I allow faith to play it's part, it shouldn't really matter. God is so large, He sees through us, and knows our thoughts before they become our own. Through prayer and scripture all things ARE possible. I am working on "loving" those people that I need to examine in my heart. If for no other reason, than because it's pleasing to God. I may just need to love them from afar. ;)
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", and whatever other commandment there might 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.
Romans 13:8-10
Wellll....I guess that all depends on the issue, and the person with whom you are talking. I have always been a huge advocate of the importance of honesty and communication, it's the reason my marriage rocks. When it comes to friendships and family, it's just not always that simple. The older I get, the more fascinated I become by human nature, emotion, ego, motives, depth, or lack of...I will say it once again, people are a trip! I find it interesting when you learn the "why" of it all. What makes people do the crazy things they do, or say. I am very analytical, and can sometimes over-think things to death, while at the same times, I also see things that others may not. It's kind of a catch 22 in my personality to be able to have the spirit of discernment, while also not caring to discern because of my need to understand and comprehend the why of things. Anyhow, I know that we are commanded as Christians to love everyone. Can this really be possible, I keep asking myself? Because if we are really honest with ourselves, there are those people that have wronged us one way or another that really hurt our spirit. It's hard to say, I "love" this person that hurt my child, or my husband, or me. Still, we are commanded to do this, and knowing that, brings forth our accountability to God. So I suppose I try to rationalize people's behaviors, in order to try to love them in some way. For instance, person X is unkind or rude to me, and seems generally unhappy all the way around. I could just say, oh well, this person is a moron... orrrrr....I can rationalize that person X is having a rough time and isn't really snubbing me, rather going through something of which I am unaware. If there is something I have done to create a negative reaction out of person X, then I also will examine my own behavior and adjust accordingly.
Now alot of people would say, who cares, right? Sarah, seriously, who cares!? Well, the thing is, God cares. And to be commanded to love one another is NOT easy. It just isn't. Now I, of course, love my inner circle of family and friends and even acquaintances 'til the cows come home, but to branch outside that, to really say I "love" someone I'm not too crazy about; well, it's tough. So how do I go around this?
I prayed about this last night. And with just that instant peace that comes with knowing you turned your issue over to God, I slept well. I awoke to this thought today: To truly forgive and walk in love is to let it go, and not talk about it again. So that is what I am going to do. There is no need to rehash pains, or to "communicate" in any way. Loving someone can be as simple as just wishing them well, and harboring no bad feelings for them. Does that mean they need to be up in your face, or having dinner at your home? Nope. Just simple feelings of kindness. That is sometimes the only way people will allow us to love them. Sometimes communication can be a tool of the devil, or a God given comfort spoken through our lips. But, I am learning that communication is not always the answer. If I allow faith to play it's part, it shouldn't really matter. God is so large, He sees through us, and knows our thoughts before they become our own. Through prayer and scripture all things ARE possible. I am working on "loving" those people that I need to examine in my heart. If for no other reason, than because it's pleasing to God. I may just need to love them from afar. ;)
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", and whatever other commandment there might 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.
Romans 13:8-10
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ah..so true!!
This totally made us laugh! We have experienced this scenario before. A bride books us, and then has a family member with an expensive (or not so expensive) camera offer to shoot the wedding for "free". Oh the sadness when that bride gets her wedding photos and realizes the mistake she has made. Sadly, bad wedding photos are forever. This video says it all!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Just a coupla ?'s
When something says it's a "new and improved" formula...and it's a product that's been on the market for say...25 years...then is it safe to assume that the old formula sucks?
Why do we say "excuse me" or "pardon me" when we want someone else to move? There really is no cause for an excuse or pardon then right?
Some expiration dates say "use by 3-12-10" and some say "sell by 3-12-10". So on the ones that say to sell it by a certain date, how long is it then good for after it's been sold? And what if there is just a random date stamped on it with no "use by" or "sell by"??? Ahhhhh!
Did you know we all have little bugs that live in our eyelashes? Yup--we do. Google it. It's nasty.
Why do we say "excuse me" or "pardon me" when we want someone else to move? There really is no cause for an excuse or pardon then right?
Some expiration dates say "use by 3-12-10" and some say "sell by 3-12-10". So on the ones that say to sell it by a certain date, how long is it then good for after it's been sold? And what if there is just a random date stamped on it with no "use by" or "sell by"??? Ahhhhh!
Did you know we all have little bugs that live in our eyelashes? Yup--we do. Google it. It's nasty.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
mid-July jazz
Well, it's a girl. Tatoes has a new sister, Miss Frankie-Boo Coleman. Frankie is a chihuahua that actually found us, instead of us finding her. She is adjusting nicely, and loving her new digs. I am having fun playing dress up with her in Tatoes outgrown clothes. Hard to believe little Tate was just 7 pounds when we got her, now she weighs in at 12. Frankie weighs 6 pounds and eats EVERYTHING, she is a very hungry little dog! I never envisioned us getting another dog, for Tatoes is my dog soulmate...however, little Frankie stole our hearts, and is going to be wonderful company for Tatoes when we are away. We have always felt guilty leaving Tatoes alone, now she will have a buddy to hang with. They are really similar in personality, and both just crave "lovins". We aren't short on that around here, and love snuggling on a warm puppy. Now David and I don't have to fight over Tatoes anymore, we can take turns!
~Sadhu Sundar Singh
Maya leaves for CIY in Carbondale, IL tomorrow; I am praying this is going to be a great time for her. It's a great Christian Summer program for High School age kids. Reality keeps smacking me that she's going into High School this year! Doesn't really seem possible she is that age. Wow...just wow. Time sure does fly. Seems like just yesterday we were walking holding hands everywhere we went and exchanging "I love you's" until one of us "won" (the last person to say I love you). Ah...sweet memories I will always cherish.
David and I both got the new iPhone 4, so far so good. I really like mine, the ability to do HD video is sweet, as well as the toggling between apps, and long battery life. I don't seem to be having any antenna issues that others had complained about. I really like Face time too...lots of fun to be able to see someone and visit, just a bummer that they have to have the iPhone 4 too, to be able to do it. iPads are cool as well, and David has a new mistress, her name is iMac...he's in love. :) His editing time is now almost cut in half, this baby flies! Good for him, what a killer investment for the biz. I got to do my first client consultation with the iPad a few days ago. It was totally awesome. So much easier than flipping through that clumsy huge portfolio that was 3 years old. This keeps it new and fresh...totally excellent. I was able to show my client a full wedding at the venue she had chosen, I just went to that folder and voila...pictures! Good stuff.
I have a nasty Summer cold. ICK! I feel like dirt. David had a wedding today, normally I would have gone with him, but I just wasn't up to it today. So I stayed in bed and watched some movies on the iPad and got all the laundry done. I had never watched Donnie Darko, and had heard it was interesting and cool...and yeah, it kinda was, interesting concept, but I am just not that cool. I get so sick of Christians in movies being portrayed as idiots, close-minded bigots, and unintelligent simpletons. But, I guess that's cool in godless Hollywood. Anything to escape accountability and morality, because the opposite always sells. Although I look at films like the Passion of the Christ, (Mel Gibson, for the record, is completely NUTS) and Fireproof (even though the acting left alot to be desired) and how well they did at the box office. I think people do want more entertainment with relevant thematic Christian messages, but it's just not popular to make those movies, or claim Christ. Ah, our society...the more depraved the better, I spose. (Insert frowny face here). I personally love documentaries, they are my favorite types of movies, and while this may make me a nerd, I like to stay informed about a variety of topics this way. Typically most of them have some sort of agenda or bias, but nevertheless, even if to play "devil's advocate" with the topic, I come out more educated one way or the other.
Well, it's time for some Nyquil and the snuggling of pups. Here's an eyebrow raising thought for today:
While sitting on the bank of a river one day, I picked up a solid round stone from the water and broke it open. It was perfectly dry in spite of the fact that it had been immersed in water for centuries. The same is true of many people in the Western world. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity; they live immersed in the waters of its benefits. And yet it has not penetrated their hearts; they do not love it. The fault is not in Christianity, but in men's hearts, which have been hardened by materialism and intellectualism.
~Sadhu Sundar Singh
Monday, July 5, 2010
Why I love urbandictionary.com
This is hilarious...and alot of it is dead on...and some just giggleworthy!
Word of the day: indie
1. The term: Short for independent rock. In terms of music it would be independent of major labels/mainstream stuff.
History: grew out from 60s garage, 70s punk, and 80s post punk it started in the mid 80s as alternative/college radio music. Once nirvana hit big the alternative genre split: the popular side was just alternative(Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, No Doubt, etc.) and the other half that wasn't mainstream(by choice or not) became indie rock(Pavement, Sebadoh, Built To Spill, etc).
Some bands have signed to major labels but are still considered indie(Modest Mouse, etc.). Go figure.
Sound: In the begining indie sounded like alternative(because it was) but it grew more experimental and weird. In Britain indie has more of a typical sound like Radiohead, Muse, etc. rather than a definition based on 'the scene.'
The scene: if you think all indie folks are cooler than other people then... well.. you're mostly right. The main point is, don't take the scene and the whole hipster attitude seriously. No one does. And if you do, well, then I'm cooler than you.
2. A gloriously vague term for Independent Music. Basically unsigned or more obscure bands (It's odd that Radiohead and REM are considered indie...). While the indie scene is known for it's ridiculous elitism, this doesn't spill over and hurt what's most important....the music. One of the few genres left that can at least carry a tune without screaming like a moron or crying.
(Examples of Indie music)
80's- Joy Division, Sonic Youth, The Smiths
90's- Pavement, Radiohead, The Pixies, Happy Mondays (Are they considered dance music or indie rock?).
Now- The Shins, Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service, Rilo Kelly, Modest Mouse.
Indie listener- "Do you guys carry Crooked Rain by Pavement or Closer by Joy Division?
Confused Best Buy employee- "Uhh, no. We do have a wall of My Chemical Romance albums behind you".
Indie listener- "Nevermind"
3. Independent music. The anti-"emo". (well, maybe like emo's second cousin twice-removed with more talent, skill, and IQ). Indie people generally like their lives.
the state of being "indie":
1)being unable to talk to anyone about your music.
2)but knowing that, in the process, you're cooler than the people you try to talk to about it.
3)talking to poseurs about Death Cab for Cutie and they had never heard of them before the Twilight New Moon soundtrack came out and suddenly Meet Me on the Equinox is their favorite song.
indie listener: The Shins(before Garden State)? Muse? The XX? Screaming Trees?...anyone? Bueller? anyone?
4. a. Music released on an independent label
b. Any music slightly left of mainstream
c. Not always about lost love, sometimes about Christmas in Zoos and inanimate objects breathing.
"Yeah, I'm into Indie"
"You don't look it"
"Do I have to?"
Word of the day: indie
1. The term: Short for independent rock. In terms of music it would be independent of major labels/mainstream stuff.
History: grew out from 60s garage, 70s punk, and 80s post punk it started in the mid 80s as alternative/college radio music. Once nirvana hit big the alternative genre split: the popular side was just alternative(Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, No Doubt, etc.) and the other half that wasn't mainstream(by choice or not) became indie rock(Pavement, Sebadoh, Built To Spill, etc).
Some bands have signed to major labels but are still considered indie(Modest Mouse, etc.). Go figure.
Sound: In the begining indie sounded like alternative(because it was) but it grew more experimental and weird. In Britain indie has more of a typical sound like Radiohead, Muse, etc. rather than a definition based on 'the scene.'
The scene: if you think all indie folks are cooler than other people then... well.. you're mostly right. The main point is, don't take the scene and the whole hipster attitude seriously. No one does. And if you do, well, then I'm cooler than you.
2. A gloriously vague term for Independent Music. Basically unsigned or more obscure bands (It's odd that Radiohead and REM are considered indie...). While the indie scene is known for it's ridiculous elitism, this doesn't spill over and hurt what's most important....the music. One of the few genres left that can at least carry a tune without screaming like a moron or crying.
(Examples of Indie music)
80's- Joy Division, Sonic Youth, The Smiths
90's- Pavement, Radiohead, The Pixies, Happy Mondays (Are they considered dance music or indie rock?).
Now- The Shins, Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service, Rilo Kelly, Modest Mouse.
Indie listener- "Do you guys carry Crooked Rain by Pavement or Closer by Joy Division?
Confused Best Buy employee- "Uhh, no. We do have a wall of My Chemical Romance albums behind you".
Indie listener- "Nevermind"
3. Independent music. The anti-"emo". (well, maybe like emo's second cousin twice-removed with more talent, skill, and IQ). Indie people generally like their lives.
the state of being "indie":
1)being unable to talk to anyone about your music.
2)but knowing that, in the process, you're cooler than the people you try to talk to about it.
3)talking to poseurs about Death Cab for Cutie and they had never heard of them before the Twilight New Moon soundtrack came out and suddenly Meet Me on the Equinox is their favorite song.
indie listener: The Shins(before Garden State)? Muse? The XX? Screaming Trees?...anyone? Bueller? anyone?
4. a. Music released on an independent label
b. Any music slightly left of mainstream
c. Not always about lost love, sometimes about Christmas in Zoos and inanimate objects breathing.
"Yeah, I'm into Indie"
"You don't look it"
"Do I have to?"
Saturday, July 3, 2010
July's word of the month: Acceptance
I'm baaaaaaack! :) Yeah, wow...what a wonderfully fun month June was: Relay for Life, weddings galore, and David's mom's visit, and hosting charity garage sales, and lotsa fun outings to Branson, new iMac for David and iPads for us both, and new iPhone 4's on the wayyyy - busy as all get out! It's July and we are having a weekend to catch our breath due to a wedding cancellation, and it's actually been such a blessing in disguise. So here's some random ramblings I was thinking about today...
I'm feeling great, like really great. David and I had a conversation the other night...about me not having a family anymore. He said, "you know how great our marriage is, most people don't get what we have together. Yes, you don't have bio-kids, and yes, your parents are from another planet, buuuuut you have ME!!" ...And what a friend I have in my husband; he's the complete package. One poignant thing my mom always said to me that keeps resounding in my mind is, "nobody gets it all". She was right...noone does. So it's a trade off, in my mind at this point. Healthy functioning marriage, amazingly fulfilling and lucrative business VS. in my mind, what should have been... Interesting to ponder. Then I bring God into play(or rather He brings me into play)...and David and I, for a year or so now, have talked about traveling while doing mission work, or being able to use our photography for good. This sounds strange, I am sure, but I haven't really prayed about God's plan to implement David and I....I'm almost scared to...does that make sense? Sometimes things manifest that are beyond our control...and what if He takes me outside my comfort zone, and I'm not ready! I digress... Well, anyway...my point is, there are reasons, God implored reasons, why life is the way it is right now. On your darkest day, with your worst hurt, there are reasons. I did what God laid on my heart as far as trying to reconcile with true forgiveness and peace...and was stomped into the ground by Satan's handiwork of embittered hearts and sickened souls, resulting in my grief-filled depression this last Winter. So now I must guard my heart as I move forward. {Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23}. Sooooooo, I remain faithful, and this, combined with David's unwavering support, amazingly positive friends, a nifty dog-buddy, a functioning relationship with the kids, and my God who promises not to give me more than I can handle, just wait and take in life. Breath it in. I'm just sitting tight, relishing in the sweet happy moments of date nights, and girl outings with friends, the joys of shooting a wedding, cuddling my pup, and working for good causes. Good moments abound, and my estranged family misses out. I mourn only for a moment, a fleeting thought...then delight in the gifts God keeps giving me, because at the end of the day, I am so grateful for my life, and my family. God knows my heart...and this thought too, keeps me content, even in strife. It's ok. "Acceptance and hope" is the last stage of the of 7 stages of grief, and I have felt them all. I accept my new life without my family, and hope and pray it will be different some day. In the mean time, I will keep my head up, my heart humble and open, and LOVE my precious life. It is a good life, and it's amazing to be able to be this happy. I don't have it all, but I sure love and am grateful for what I do have.
I'm feeling great, like really great. David and I had a conversation the other night...about me not having a family anymore. He said, "you know how great our marriage is, most people don't get what we have together. Yes, you don't have bio-kids, and yes, your parents are from another planet, buuuuut you have ME!!" ...And what a friend I have in my husband; he's the complete package. One poignant thing my mom always said to me that keeps resounding in my mind is, "nobody gets it all". She was right...noone does. So it's a trade off, in my mind at this point. Healthy functioning marriage, amazingly fulfilling and lucrative business VS. in my mind, what should have been... Interesting to ponder. Then I bring God into play(or rather He brings me into play)...and David and I, for a year or so now, have talked about traveling while doing mission work, or being able to use our photography for good. This sounds strange, I am sure, but I haven't really prayed about God's plan to implement David and I....I'm almost scared to...does that make sense? Sometimes things manifest that are beyond our control...and what if He takes me outside my comfort zone, and I'm not ready! I digress... Well, anyway...my point is, there are reasons, God implored reasons, why life is the way it is right now. On your darkest day, with your worst hurt, there are reasons. I did what God laid on my heart as far as trying to reconcile with true forgiveness and peace...and was stomped into the ground by Satan's handiwork of embittered hearts and sickened souls, resulting in my grief-filled depression this last Winter. So now I must guard my heart as I move forward. {Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23}. Sooooooo, I remain faithful, and this, combined with David's unwavering support, amazingly positive friends, a nifty dog-buddy, a functioning relationship with the kids, and my God who promises not to give me more than I can handle, just wait and take in life. Breath it in. I'm just sitting tight, relishing in the sweet happy moments of date nights, and girl outings with friends, the joys of shooting a wedding, cuddling my pup, and working for good causes. Good moments abound, and my estranged family misses out. I mourn only for a moment, a fleeting thought...then delight in the gifts God keeps giving me, because at the end of the day, I am so grateful for my life, and my family. God knows my heart...and this thought too, keeps me content, even in strife. It's ok. "Acceptance and hope" is the last stage of the of 7 stages of grief, and I have felt them all. I accept my new life without my family, and hope and pray it will be different some day. In the mean time, I will keep my head up, my heart humble and open, and LOVE my precious life. It is a good life, and it's amazing to be able to be this happy. I don't have it all, but I sure love and am grateful for what I do have.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Bizzy-Bizzy
I had truly forgotten how busy summer is...2 weddings last weekend, 2 weddings the week before, Relay Garage sale in the middle of it, set up, preparations, and 2 days worth of sales, etc...Relay for Life is tomorrow night....we are almost there! Another wedding on Saturday and then David's mom gets here from Albuquerque on Tuesday and will be here for a week. I am ready for a vacation. I am slacking on my blog, and I know it...just too much going on! A little coffee and Alt. Nation will get me through! Lots of blessings are abundant this time of year and we are grateful! God is good. Maybe I will write more in July.... ;)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Happy Memorial Day
What a weekend! Memorial Day weekend for most people means going to the lake, or decorating graves, or having a BBQ. For us, it usually means at least 2 weddings, last year it was 3...yes, 3 in one weekend. This year, we had the pleasure of working with 2 great smalltown couples. It was really ironic that both days we were headed to the Stockton area too; well, one was actually Jerico Springs, a tad further than Stockton. From a photography standpoint, we always look forward to ornate ceremonies and receptions, and love the Tower Club, Highland Springs Country Club, Big Cedar, Chateau on the Lake, Wellington Place, and the Grand Ballroom. But in the all the grandness of those larger venues, sometimes the feeling can get lost. I do have to say there is something so special about the intimate family oriented weddings we were asked to be a part of this last weekend. Saturday brought us to Stockton, to a small Baptist church and the Stockton Expo Center. Our bride and groom were High School sweethearts, and their entire day was sweet, personal, simple and meaningful. These two were married by the groom's father, who really worked their stories into the ceremony, and broke down himself during the vows. I, without fail, CRY! I don't think there has been a wedding that I have been to yet, that didn't make me get all teary at some point. There is something so special about the family members coming together to bless the couple with their heartfelt words and kindness. I am always amazed by the outpouring from friends and family during these special days. Everyone works together to get along, even though most families at least have one side that is divorced. Everyone is happy to be photographed, happy to smile, and devote their time and energy to making the day special for the couple. Matrons of Honor, and Best Men are precious folks with their toasting and roasting. There is a reason the bride and groom pick these sweet people to stand up for them. This wedding was complete with a miniature bride/flower girl, who was decked out head to toe with a little veil and all. We were taking a picture of her and the bride together at Stockton lake and I was so happy thinking of that little girl's wedding day...someday. She will look back on that precious photo and see herself as the bride in years to come. *cue tear-filled eyes about to spill* Our job is special to me because I realize the importance in these photos that are treasures for the family for years to come. We are creating moments of reflection, and capturing those frozen moments in time. There will never be another wedding day (hopefully - ha), and we are chosen to capture priceless memories. It's a big job, we take very seriously; it's as important to David and I, as it is to the couple.
Wedding number 2 on Sunday brought us to our couple's family farm, 900 picturesque acres in Jerico Springs, complete with big red barn, reception tent, the best BBQ ever, and an Amish colony next door. This couple, too, had been together for 8 years and were High School sweethearts, and drove back to Missouri from where they lived in Pennsylvania to exchange vows. The groom grew up hunting on the farm, and recalled it as his favorite place as a child, I loved that they were tying the knot somewhere so close to the groom's heart. The simplicity of the entire day was totally refreshing, all the flowers used were wildflowers from around the property, and they were gorgeous! I thought they had gone to the florist! No diva moments, no fussing over hair, and makeup, no worrying about getting the dress dirty for a cool photo op (which of course, we didn't, the bride even picked up a tick in the weeds, but that didn't phase her, she just picked it off the dress and moved on); just relaxed, REAL fun. Mason jars with lemon, lime, and orange slices in water were coupled with candles for the centerpieces. We waited for the festivities to begin in Grandma's house, complete with cozy furniture and quilts and afghans galore; so universal, made me miss being a little girl at my Grandma's, and those treasured memories. The ceremony was in the middle of a mowed field, with hay bale seats, with God shining his goodness down upon the whole bunch. The best part was the Best Man literally sobbed through his entire toast...not a dry eye in the house, including mine, of course. The family was so kind to David and I, kept offering us water because it was hot in the sun and we were all sweating, and literally MADE us sit down and eat their prizewinning BBQ, which was great with us! Sometimes people just view us as paid, hired help and never think to offer us anything (which is ok, we are there to do a job), but these folks made us feel like we were part of their family. The genuine sincerity was refreshing, and it was neat to be around a functional, loving family...even if it was just for the day. I teared up again watching the father-daughter dance, so precious and real. Weddings like these make our job so fun, and make me look forward to the rest of the Summer!
We are both so blessed to be able to share these moments with each other, working with your spouse is special, and not for everyone. I am so proud of David and his work, he is always working to improve, and try new things. I love being the voice of D-Co-Pho, and creating a relationship between us and our clients, and helping people determine what suits them best, what a perfect job. Sometimes God allows us to feel the calm and contentment that gives us the peace to know we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
To finish up our Memorial Day weekend, we are hanging with the kiddos, and going to a BBQ with some treasured friends later. Life is good. Happy Memorial Day to all. Take a moment of silence and remember your loved ones lost today, alive or past. God Bless.
Wedding number 2 on Sunday brought us to our couple's family farm, 900 picturesque acres in Jerico Springs, complete with big red barn, reception tent, the best BBQ ever, and an Amish colony next door. This couple, too, had been together for 8 years and were High School sweethearts, and drove back to Missouri from where they lived in Pennsylvania to exchange vows. The groom grew up hunting on the farm, and recalled it as his favorite place as a child, I loved that they were tying the knot somewhere so close to the groom's heart. The simplicity of the entire day was totally refreshing, all the flowers used were wildflowers from around the property, and they were gorgeous! I thought they had gone to the florist! No diva moments, no fussing over hair, and makeup, no worrying about getting the dress dirty for a cool photo op (which of course, we didn't, the bride even picked up a tick in the weeds, but that didn't phase her, she just picked it off the dress and moved on); just relaxed, REAL fun. Mason jars with lemon, lime, and orange slices in water were coupled with candles for the centerpieces. We waited for the festivities to begin in Grandma's house, complete with cozy furniture and quilts and afghans galore; so universal, made me miss being a little girl at my Grandma's, and those treasured memories. The ceremony was in the middle of a mowed field, with hay bale seats, with God shining his goodness down upon the whole bunch. The best part was the Best Man literally sobbed through his entire toast...not a dry eye in the house, including mine, of course. The family was so kind to David and I, kept offering us water because it was hot in the sun and we were all sweating, and literally MADE us sit down and eat their prizewinning BBQ, which was great with us! Sometimes people just view us as paid, hired help and never think to offer us anything (which is ok, we are there to do a job), but these folks made us feel like we were part of their family. The genuine sincerity was refreshing, and it was neat to be around a functional, loving family...even if it was just for the day. I teared up again watching the father-daughter dance, so precious and real. Weddings like these make our job so fun, and make me look forward to the rest of the Summer!
We are both so blessed to be able to share these moments with each other, working with your spouse is special, and not for everyone. I am so proud of David and his work, he is always working to improve, and try new things. I love being the voice of D-Co-Pho, and creating a relationship between us and our clients, and helping people determine what suits them best, what a perfect job. Sometimes God allows us to feel the calm and contentment that gives us the peace to know we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
To finish up our Memorial Day weekend, we are hanging with the kiddos, and going to a BBQ with some treasured friends later. Life is good. Happy Memorial Day to all. Take a moment of silence and remember your loved ones lost today, alive or past. God Bless.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Well Said...
The world needs men and women.......
who cannot be bought;
whose word is their bond;
who put character above wealth;
who possess opinions and a will;
who are larger than their vocations;
who do not hesitate to take chances;
who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
who will make no compromise with wrong;
whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";
who are true to their friends through good report and evil report in adversity as well as in prosperity
who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheartedness are the best qualities for winning success;
who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes."
~ Dr. Larry M. Groves
who cannot be bought;
whose word is their bond;
who put character above wealth;
who possess opinions and a will;
who are larger than their vocations;
who do not hesitate to take chances;
who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
who will make no compromise with wrong;
whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";
who are true to their friends through good report and evil report in adversity as well as in prosperity
who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheartedness are the best qualities for winning success;
who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes."
~ Dr. Larry M. Groves
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Loving Spring Because....
Pineapples are sweet and ripe
pots overflow with green goodness
Peach hibiscus are bountiful
These purple impatiens are impressive
new blooms show their faces every day
dainty flowers are vibrant
My orchids are blooming
...and Berry Trifles are delicious! Sunday, May 16, 2010
Y oh Y
Oh, how old I am about to sound, but I don't care, here I go...
And as not to offend, this doesn't apply to all...just to some...
Store 1: Hobby Lobby
So I was perusing darn near every aisle at Hobby Lobby looking for some various this-n-thats to place in my spare bedroom and I was on the phone with Theresa. During my conversation I found myself getting very irritated b/c 2 workers, probably around the ages of 16-20 were talking so loudly I couldn't hear myself on the phone! I had to go to another aisle. So that was fine...had their yelling been work related. It was not. Loud talking about a party, talking about a co-worker, talking about the "junk" they were burdened with having to mark down for a sale. I growled under my breath, told Theresa what jerks they were and went on about my business. I saw them throwing resin figurines into a cart as I walked off, with absolutely NO care whatsoever, one of them broke something and just chuckled. I get to the register to encounter another young person, that was ridiculously unfriendly, no smile, no greeting, just doing her miserable time, punching the clock, miffed that I had items that she was actually going to need to wrap in packing paper. Nice.
Store 2: Target
I too, was all over Target yesterday looking for bath towels, a new iPhone case, blah blah blah....and 2 girls, same age group as the Hobby Lobby boys were wheeling around a cart of misplaced items to put away. I heard them talking, and one of them was in training and learning what to do from the other one. I heard them saying "we are never going to get outta here, so who cares anyway". Then the new girl went to put away a misplaced rug, asking for direction, the other girl said just throw it wherever, noone ever really checks anyway. Then they went on about their business of talking about a Spanish teacher that was a total "douche", without even trying to be quiet about it in my presence, ya know, me; the customer?? Not sure if they were in college or High School, don't really care, just seeing a pattern here. The most striking thing was the apathetic way in which they spoke, like they had come straight off The Hills (vomit-gag), every word was drawn out, and every eye roll was pronounced. Missouri wanna-be valley girls, trying to sound cool, overtexted, over electronicized, and completely unenthused and lackadaisical, dying to get off work and doing a crappy job while they are there. Super.
Store 3: Sam's Club
I am nuts about Sam's Sweet Golden Pineapples, they are HUGE, so off I go to the produce section to grab some fruit and veggies, a few other asundry grocery items and get outta there! I pull up to the pineapples, and there is a worker there that greets me, he's restocking my favorite yummies, great! I start sniffing their bottoms to see which ones are ripe, and a friend walks up to pineapple boy. Apparently this friend works there too, but is off work and has come to Sam's to bother the friend stocking. They get into a conversation about going somewhere later that evening, who was going to be there, and why both their last paychecks sucked. I thought yes, I bet their checks did suck, perhaps no incentive to work any harder, to show a more grand work ethic, naaaahhhh, screw it, let's just hang on the pineapples, shoot the breeze and do my time.
All of these young kids (oh man, I can't believe I am saying this, I feel old) had one thing in common; apathy. Welcome to Generation Y. I suppose, it's great that they have jobs at all. I think the worst part is when you are seeking one on one customer service and the person waiting on you acts as if you have interrupted their conversation. I needed a new photo id at Sam's a few weeks back, and you would have thought I was a leper the way these young girls looked at me for interrupting their NON-work related conversation. I found it interesting as they were typing in my info and clicking my picture, they were still carrying on their conversation, as if I wasn't even there. I just stood there incredulous, the audacity, and the sheer rudeness, has noone ever taught them any better? Obviously, the answer to that is no. Or how about going to a restaurant and just honestly asking your waiter or waitress for a refill? Is that too much to ask when you see them flirting with their co-worker two tables away from yours. How dare you want more Diet Coke! Or what about the checker that hasn't gotten to take her break yet or do a shift change, and makes you feel guilty for getting in her line. That's always fun.
I know I sound like a geriatric fuddy-duddy and I know I sound like I just hopped off the pissy train, but I get so tired of seeing first-hand the ridiculous sense of entitlement, lack of work ethic, respect, and acknowledgement, some kids/teens/young adults possess. There are common courtesies, manners, greetings that you just assume are universal, but apparently those things are falling by the wayside to the real problem, self-absorbedness. Sadly, these sassy young 'uns, usually have parents that have enabled their selfish behavior. --It's all about the child's convenience, their agenda, their wants, needs and caudled feelings superceed anyone and anything else. Some parents are raising insensitive kids because they are so overly-sensitive in child rearing, and the children cannot begin to understand anything that doesn't revolve around them, pertain to them, or benefit them in some way. Some children in the formative years are allowed to treat their parents like butlers, maids, peers, piggy banks, servants, and mainly like dirt, and it's often times too much work for a parent (plain 'ol lazy parenting) to correct or instruct, so the kids turn into little narcissistic monsters...monsters that eventually make their spoiled little ways into the work force... at Target, Hobby Lobby and Sam's. I found this excerpt in an article I was reading about Generation Y:
"Generation Y is much less likely to respond to the traditional command-and-control type of management still popular in much of today's workforce," says Jordan Kaplan, an associate managerial science professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn in New York. "They've grown up questioning their parents, and now they're questioning their employers. They don't know how to shut up, that's aggravating to the 50-year-old manager who says, 'Do it and do it now.' "
"The millennium generation has been brought up in the most child-centered generation ever. They've been programmed and nurtured," says Cathy O'Neill, senior vice president at career management company Lee Hecht Harrison in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. "Their expectations are different. The millennial expects to be stroked and told how they're doing."
Matt Berkley, 24, a writer at St. Louis Small Business Monthly, says many of his generation have traveled and had many enriching experiences, so they may clash with older generations they see as competition or not as skilled. "We're surprised we have to work for our money. We want the corner office right away," he says. "It seems like our parents just groomed us. Anything is possible. We had karate class, soccer practice, everything. But they deprived us of social skills. They don't treat older employees as well as they should."
I also found it interesting that Generation Y is considered to be kids born between 1977-2002. Technically, I am generation Y (just barely, I was born in January of '77)? Ha - nope, not me. I cannot relate. I know most of my generation has seen our parents work, work, work, and lost the quality of family life that so many of us all craved, but there must be some sort of balance. Things have so flipped. Now we may have an upcoming generation that may not be able to make it into work at all because their mommy called in for them! We live in such an amazing technologically advanced age, that you just pray we don't lose our humanity in the process. I love my iPhone (and hopefully iPad soon-hehe), email and Facebook, but pray for our upcoming generation. I have no answers, only a short list of complaints, and the desire to understand why things are they way they are. It's really sort of fascinating from a sociological aspect, and then really can be aggravating at times. I did find it ironic, that in going to just 3 stores in the same day, they all shared such a common thread of Generation Y workers. Interesting and eye-opening for sure.
And as not to offend, this doesn't apply to all...just to some...
Store 1: Hobby Lobby
So I was perusing darn near every aisle at Hobby Lobby looking for some various this-n-thats to place in my spare bedroom and I was on the phone with Theresa. During my conversation I found myself getting very irritated b/c 2 workers, probably around the ages of 16-20 were talking so loudly I couldn't hear myself on the phone! I had to go to another aisle. So that was fine...had their yelling been work related. It was not. Loud talking about a party, talking about a co-worker, talking about the "junk" they were burdened with having to mark down for a sale. I growled under my breath, told Theresa what jerks they were and went on about my business. I saw them throwing resin figurines into a cart as I walked off, with absolutely NO care whatsoever, one of them broke something and just chuckled. I get to the register to encounter another young person, that was ridiculously unfriendly, no smile, no greeting, just doing her miserable time, punching the clock, miffed that I had items that she was actually going to need to wrap in packing paper. Nice.
Store 2: Target
I too, was all over Target yesterday looking for bath towels, a new iPhone case, blah blah blah....and 2 girls, same age group as the Hobby Lobby boys were wheeling around a cart of misplaced items to put away. I heard them talking, and one of them was in training and learning what to do from the other one. I heard them saying "we are never going to get outta here, so who cares anyway". Then the new girl went to put away a misplaced rug, asking for direction, the other girl said just throw it wherever, noone ever really checks anyway. Then they went on about their business of talking about a Spanish teacher that was a total "douche", without even trying to be quiet about it in my presence, ya know, me; the customer?? Not sure if they were in college or High School, don't really care, just seeing a pattern here. The most striking thing was the apathetic way in which they spoke, like they had come straight off The Hills (vomit-gag), every word was drawn out, and every eye roll was pronounced. Missouri wanna-be valley girls, trying to sound cool, overtexted, over electronicized, and completely unenthused and lackadaisical, dying to get off work and doing a crappy job while they are there. Super.
Store 3: Sam's Club
I am nuts about Sam's Sweet Golden Pineapples, they are HUGE, so off I go to the produce section to grab some fruit and veggies, a few other asundry grocery items and get outta there! I pull up to the pineapples, and there is a worker there that greets me, he's restocking my favorite yummies, great! I start sniffing their bottoms to see which ones are ripe, and a friend walks up to pineapple boy. Apparently this friend works there too, but is off work and has come to Sam's to bother the friend stocking. They get into a conversation about going somewhere later that evening, who was going to be there, and why both their last paychecks sucked. I thought yes, I bet their checks did suck, perhaps no incentive to work any harder, to show a more grand work ethic, naaaahhhh, screw it, let's just hang on the pineapples, shoot the breeze and do my time.
All of these young kids (oh man, I can't believe I am saying this, I feel old) had one thing in common; apathy. Welcome to Generation Y. I suppose, it's great that they have jobs at all. I think the worst part is when you are seeking one on one customer service and the person waiting on you acts as if you have interrupted their conversation. I needed a new photo id at Sam's a few weeks back, and you would have thought I was a leper the way these young girls looked at me for interrupting their NON-work related conversation. I found it interesting as they were typing in my info and clicking my picture, they were still carrying on their conversation, as if I wasn't even there. I just stood there incredulous, the audacity, and the sheer rudeness, has noone ever taught them any better? Obviously, the answer to that is no. Or how about going to a restaurant and just honestly asking your waiter or waitress for a refill? Is that too much to ask when you see them flirting with their co-worker two tables away from yours. How dare you want more Diet Coke! Or what about the checker that hasn't gotten to take her break yet or do a shift change, and makes you feel guilty for getting in her line. That's always fun.
I know I sound like a geriatric fuddy-duddy and I know I sound like I just hopped off the pissy train, but I get so tired of seeing first-hand the ridiculous sense of entitlement, lack of work ethic, respect, and acknowledgement, some kids/teens/young adults possess. There are common courtesies, manners, greetings that you just assume are universal, but apparently those things are falling by the wayside to the real problem, self-absorbedness. Sadly, these sassy young 'uns, usually have parents that have enabled their selfish behavior. --It's all about the child's convenience, their agenda, their wants, needs and caudled feelings superceed anyone and anything else. Some parents are raising insensitive kids because they are so overly-sensitive in child rearing, and the children cannot begin to understand anything that doesn't revolve around them, pertain to them, or benefit them in some way. Some children in the formative years are allowed to treat their parents like butlers, maids, peers, piggy banks, servants, and mainly like dirt, and it's often times too much work for a parent (plain 'ol lazy parenting) to correct or instruct, so the kids turn into little narcissistic monsters...monsters that eventually make their spoiled little ways into the work force... at Target, Hobby Lobby and Sam's. I found this excerpt in an article I was reading about Generation Y:
"Generation Y is much less likely to respond to the traditional command-and-control type of management still popular in much of today's workforce," says Jordan Kaplan, an associate managerial science professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn in New York. "They've grown up questioning their parents, and now they're questioning their employers. They don't know how to shut up, that's aggravating to the 50-year-old manager who says, 'Do it and do it now.' "
"The millennium generation has been brought up in the most child-centered generation ever. They've been programmed and nurtured," says Cathy O'Neill, senior vice president at career management company Lee Hecht Harrison in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. "Their expectations are different. The millennial expects to be stroked and told how they're doing."
Matt Berkley, 24, a writer at St. Louis Small Business Monthly, says many of his generation have traveled and had many enriching experiences, so they may clash with older generations they see as competition or not as skilled. "We're surprised we have to work for our money. We want the corner office right away," he says. "It seems like our parents just groomed us. Anything is possible. We had karate class, soccer practice, everything. But they deprived us of social skills. They don't treat older employees as well as they should."
I also found it interesting that Generation Y is considered to be kids born between 1977-2002. Technically, I am generation Y (just barely, I was born in January of '77)? Ha - nope, not me. I cannot relate. I know most of my generation has seen our parents work, work, work, and lost the quality of family life that so many of us all craved, but there must be some sort of balance. Things have so flipped. Now we may have an upcoming generation that may not be able to make it into work at all because their mommy called in for them! We live in such an amazing technologically advanced age, that you just pray we don't lose our humanity in the process. I love my iPhone (and hopefully iPad soon-hehe), email and Facebook, but pray for our upcoming generation. I have no answers, only a short list of complaints, and the desire to understand why things are they way they are. It's really sort of fascinating from a sociological aspect, and then really can be aggravating at times. I did find it ironic, that in going to just 3 stores in the same day, they all shared such a common thread of Generation Y workers. Interesting and eye-opening for sure.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Anthem, Because it Can't all be Wedding Cake...
The Underdog,
Spoon
Picture yourself in the living room
Your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain't too far
But I hear the call of a lifetime ring
Felt the need to get up for it
Oh you cut out the middleman
Get free from the middleman
You got no time for the messenger,
Got no regard for the thing that you don't understand,
You got no fear of the underdog,
That's why you will not survive!
I want to forget how conviction fits
But can I get out from under it?
Can I gut it out of me?
It can't all be wedding cake
It can't all be boiled away
I try but I can't let go of it
Can't let go of it,
Cause you don't talk to the water boy
And there's so much you could learn but you don't want to know,
You will not back up an inch ever,
That's why you will not survive,
The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op
In the way that I spell it out
But you won't hear from the messenger,
Don't wanna know bout something that you don't understand,
You got no fear of the underdog,
That's why you will not survive! (Hey!)
Spoon
Picture yourself in the living room
Your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain't too far
But I hear the call of a lifetime ring
Felt the need to get up for it
Oh you cut out the middleman
Get free from the middleman
You got no time for the messenger,
Got no regard for the thing that you don't understand,
You got no fear of the underdog,
That's why you will not survive!
I want to forget how conviction fits
But can I get out from under it?
Can I gut it out of me?
It can't all be wedding cake
It can't all be boiled away
I try but I can't let go of it
Can't let go of it,
Cause you don't talk to the water boy
And there's so much you could learn but you don't want to know,
You will not back up an inch ever,
That's why you will not survive,
The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op
In the way that I spell it out
But you won't hear from the messenger,
Don't wanna know bout something that you don't understand,
You got no fear of the underdog,
That's why you will not survive! (Hey!)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
An Author in my Own Right
Indulge me if you will, this blog examines things I could talk all day about....
Books I could write, but probably won't:
Time After Time: Which Grocery line NOT to Get Into
Sarah's Cookbook: Recipes That Make My Husband Happy
Sarah's original book of goofy nonsense words. *Shabooski*
Getting to know Tatoes: Why my dog is a person in disguise
Chubby Girls are Cool and Spunky, Skinny Girls are Hungry and Sad (he he) ;)
An Insane Story From a Sane Gal: The Many Times I've been "Disowned" and Why
The Proper Way to Sort Laundry... I think the title to this one will be "Greys and Pinks"
The Art of being Observant of your Surroundings
101 Ways to Kill Slugs
Help: I'm drawn to Sock Monkeys and Hello Kitty and I Don't Know Why
The Photographer's Assistant's Guide to Making a Wedding go Smoothly
The Do's and Don'ts of Stepmotherhood. ...or the alternative title: Making the Best of What You Have in the Face of Adversity
How to Keep your Orchids Alive 101
Designer Purses: Why my Closet is the Real Door to Narnia
The Miracles I Have Seen in My Lifetime
A Recovering Girl, in a Drinking World
Working for ATT, Great Job, or Corporate Prison?
Working From Home, The Best Thing Ever - Period.
Smalltown Girls Enjoy Culture Too
Procrastination Produces Stellar Results; My Journey as A Feeler.
People That Could Benefit From Therapy, and How to Stay Far Away From Them
Baking 101: Exact Measurements
Marrying Your Best Friend, Why Communication Solves Everything
Sarah's Expert Book of Scentsy Scents
Baskets: The Best Invention Known to Man
Things I Have Done That I am Not Proud Of, But Learned From
Nevada, Mo: Why I Dislike Country Music, Cowboy Boots, Big Belt Buckles and Ignorant People
Coasters, Use Them at My House or Die
Dogs Can Never Have Too Many Toys
God's Grace: What Saved a Wretch Like Me
The Key to Understanding: My Need To Understand and Psycho-Analyze, Psycho-Analyzed (repetitive or redundant, you think?)
Sarah's Story (All names have been changed to protect the innocent) ;)
Living in My Sanitary World: The 1001 Places You Can Stash Hand Sanitizer
The Empty Toilet Paper Roll, A Metaphor for Life?
Blogging, Just For Fun Because I Enjoy it ;)
Books I could write, but probably won't:
Time After Time: Which Grocery line NOT to Get Into
Sarah's Cookbook: Recipes That Make My Husband Happy
Sarah's original book of goofy nonsense words. *Shabooski*
Getting to know Tatoes: Why my dog is a person in disguise
Chubby Girls are Cool and Spunky, Skinny Girls are Hungry and Sad (he he) ;)
An Insane Story From a Sane Gal: The Many Times I've been "Disowned" and Why
The Proper Way to Sort Laundry... I think the title to this one will be "Greys and Pinks"
The Art of being Observant of your Surroundings
101 Ways to Kill Slugs
Help: I'm drawn to Sock Monkeys and Hello Kitty and I Don't Know Why
The Photographer's Assistant's Guide to Making a Wedding go Smoothly
The Do's and Don'ts of Stepmotherhood. ...or the alternative title: Making the Best of What You Have in the Face of Adversity
How to Keep your Orchids Alive 101
Designer Purses: Why my Closet is the Real Door to Narnia
The Miracles I Have Seen in My Lifetime
A Recovering Girl, in a Drinking World
Working for ATT, Great Job, or Corporate Prison?
Working From Home, The Best Thing Ever - Period.
Smalltown Girls Enjoy Culture Too
Procrastination Produces Stellar Results; My Journey as A Feeler.
People That Could Benefit From Therapy, and How to Stay Far Away From Them
Baking 101: Exact Measurements
Marrying Your Best Friend, Why Communication Solves Everything
Sarah's Expert Book of Scentsy Scents
Baskets: The Best Invention Known to Man
Things I Have Done That I am Not Proud Of, But Learned From
Nevada, Mo: Why I Dislike Country Music, Cowboy Boots, Big Belt Buckles and Ignorant People
Coasters, Use Them at My House or Die
Dogs Can Never Have Too Many Toys
God's Grace: What Saved a Wretch Like Me
The Key to Understanding: My Need To Understand and Psycho-Analyze, Psycho-Analyzed (repetitive or redundant, you think?)
Sarah's Story (All names have been changed to protect the innocent) ;)
Living in My Sanitary World: The 1001 Places You Can Stash Hand Sanitizer
The Empty Toilet Paper Roll, A Metaphor for Life?
Blogging, Just For Fun Because I Enjoy it ;)
This-n-That
I have been busy with this and that, last week I got out all my flowers, that always makes my heart sing. I was also preparing for our Mother-Daughter Relay for life benefit at Church, which went so well! We made $1600!
Today I planted some Calla Lillies over by my office doors that my Secret Sister at church got me for Mother's Day. They are purple and so pretty!! It's humid today, which is welcome compared to the cold weather we have had lately, I was afraid one night we were going to have a frost that would kill my newly planted little jewels!
The treadmill and I have a real love/hate relationship right now. Grrr. I am down 14 pounds; I am grateful and feeling good...a zillion more to go! *sigh*
Tatoes is recovering like a champ from her little surgery. The kids are jazzed only a few more days of school and David and I are full swing into the busy wedding season. David painted our downstairs bedroom this week. We actually have a full fledged guest room now for when his mom comes! It's also my scapbooking/craft room, its so nice to have room to spread out! I am having fun decorating it and getting it all ready, I am going for the 'shabby chic' thing in there...I will post pics as it comes along.
Lastly, I leave you with this tidbit...friends are the coolest, be a positive, encouraging friend to someone today.
I love that word "encourage" – when you do it, you literally put "courage in" to that person. Someone who may be more battered than you know, closer to going down or giving up than you could imagine. You never know when your encouragement might literally be the difference in that person's life. When you're bruised and hurting, it's that person in your corner who can get you back in the ring for another round.
--Ron Hutchcraft
Today I planted some Calla Lillies over by my office doors that my Secret Sister at church got me for Mother's Day. They are purple and so pretty!! It's humid today, which is welcome compared to the cold weather we have had lately, I was afraid one night we were going to have a frost that would kill my newly planted little jewels!
The treadmill and I have a real love/hate relationship right now. Grrr. I am down 14 pounds; I am grateful and feeling good...a zillion more to go! *sigh*
Tatoes is recovering like a champ from her little surgery. The kids are jazzed only a few more days of school and David and I are full swing into the busy wedding season. David painted our downstairs bedroom this week. We actually have a full fledged guest room now for when his mom comes! It's also my scapbooking/craft room, its so nice to have room to spread out! I am having fun decorating it and getting it all ready, I am going for the 'shabby chic' thing in there...I will post pics as it comes along.
Lastly, I leave you with this tidbit...friends are the coolest, be a positive, encouraging friend to someone today.
I love that word "encourage" – when you do it, you literally put "courage in" to that person. Someone who may be more battered than you know, closer to going down or giving up than you could imagine. You never know when your encouragement might literally be the difference in that person's life. When you're bruised and hurting, it's that person in your corner who can get you back in the ring for another round.
--Ron Hutchcraft
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My little buddy
Maya and Tate
Tatoes has to have surgery tomorrow to remove several large bladder stones she has :( This makes me mucho nervous. I hate what she is going to have to go through, and I hate the pain she is in. Thank goodness they gave us some pain meds for her so she isn't totally miserable until tomorrow. I feel like I could throw up, I wasn't this nervous for my own surgery. I am also NOT excited about the cost of all this, but she is worth every penny. She is not just a dog, she is a little furball that has brought David and I alot of joy since she has come into our lives...daily this dog has brings me joy--honestly, how many people can you say that about? She is excited when we walk in the door, and I feel sad when we leave her. Sometimes when we are leaving, she runs out to the car and puts her little paws up on the car door, asking us if we will take her with us. We come home and she knows the very last pair of shoes I have worn and finds them and lays with my shoes, without ever chewing one up. To me, Tatoes is a little furry fourlegged person, and we treat her with just such dignity. She gets grumpy, she pouts, she gets excited, she is silly, she is smart, and the absolute best snuggler, sorry David. ;) Nothing is more pleasing to her than ripping the stuffing out of one of her little stuffed rodent friends, getting the squeaker and relishing in her accomplishment by rolling around in it's fluffy "guts"!In my perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog. She is that "once in a lifetime" dog....so yes, I am VERY nervous about tomorrow, and have asked for prayers for Miss Tatoes, and myself to not lose a marble. God knows my heart and I am trusting in Him to protect it.
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner
The Morton Salt Pup
Monday, April 26, 2010
To know, or Not to Know
Things I know:
Not to watch a scary movie if I want to sleep well for the next 3 weeks.
I really enjoy helping people.
I am a teensy bit neurotic,(SJ--ha!) but mainly a big 'ol feeler. (Meyers Briggs)
That grace and mercy are better than bitterness and unforgiveness.
People don't like it if you talk about yourself all the time.
Gerbera Daisies don't like cold weather.
That if you should have raw turkey juice spilled on your Nike's, you better throw those in a bleach load as soon as possible
God is big, pray hard, and believe in Him and your prayer to Him.
Running is harder than I ever thought it would be, I like walking better.
If you are hosting your own pity party do not expect others to show up, but your real friends will listen.
That I am grateful.
That the expression "killing 'em with kindness" doesn't always kill them, but sometimes it makes them mad.
I am still immature enough to giggle when I hear the word weiner.
You can tell alot about a person by how good a listener they are.
Poor spelling and grammar make we wanna get out my red pen and wreak havoc.
Things I don't know:
The rules of football. (been learning for awhile now, still don't understand--it's like a foreign language to me)
Why people try to make you feel dumb for using a word they aren't familiar with....but YOU are the dumb one?
How you abandon someone you love in the name of bitterness and hatefulness, especially grand-children.
How you could not think my dog Tatoes is the cutest, sweetest dog on earth. ;)
Why the voice on the Wii Fit has to be so condescending.
Where I would be if I had never gotten clean and accepted Jesus.
How to stop buying Scentsy stuff.
What I ever did to deserve to be blessed with the life I have.
Why anyone in their right mind would jump out of a plane, off a bridge, or dive from a cliff. Nuts, I tell ya.
Why I cannot ever do a white load and have all the socks match up with their friends.
How some people cannot laugh at themselves, but can laugh at others.
How to help Maya with her 8th grade Algebra.
How to be serious at all times.
Why the weather forecast is generally wrong and we have the most technologically advanced doppler equipment now than ever?
Not to watch a scary movie if I want to sleep well for the next 3 weeks.
I really enjoy helping people.
I am a teensy bit neurotic,(SJ--ha!) but mainly a big 'ol feeler. (Meyers Briggs)
That grace and mercy are better than bitterness and unforgiveness.
People don't like it if you talk about yourself all the time.
Gerbera Daisies don't like cold weather.
That if you should have raw turkey juice spilled on your Nike's, you better throw those in a bleach load as soon as possible
God is big, pray hard, and believe in Him and your prayer to Him.
Running is harder than I ever thought it would be, I like walking better.
If you are hosting your own pity party do not expect others to show up, but your real friends will listen.
That I am grateful.
That the expression "killing 'em with kindness" doesn't always kill them, but sometimes it makes them mad.
I am still immature enough to giggle when I hear the word weiner.
You can tell alot about a person by how good a listener they are.
Poor spelling and grammar make we wanna get out my red pen and wreak havoc.
Things I don't know:
The rules of football. (been learning for awhile now, still don't understand--it's like a foreign language to me)
Why people try to make you feel dumb for using a word they aren't familiar with....but YOU are the dumb one?
How you abandon someone you love in the name of bitterness and hatefulness, especially grand-children.
How you could not think my dog Tatoes is the cutest, sweetest dog on earth. ;)
Why the voice on the Wii Fit has to be so condescending.
Where I would be if I had never gotten clean and accepted Jesus.
How to stop buying Scentsy stuff.
What I ever did to deserve to be blessed with the life I have.
Why anyone in their right mind would jump out of a plane, off a bridge, or dive from a cliff. Nuts, I tell ya.
Why I cannot ever do a white load and have all the socks match up with their friends.
How some people cannot laugh at themselves, but can laugh at others.
How to help Maya with her 8th grade Algebra.
How to be serious at all times.
Why the weather forecast is generally wrong and we have the most technologically advanced doppler equipment now than ever?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
How low can YOU go?
Ok, so we are really doing our best to change our eating habits. Let me tell you, this takes LOTS of planning on my part, and knowing my personality type, I can plan, I just don't always. First of all, I am making out my weekly menu. Now I have done this for awhile, but this seemed so much easier when I was making rich comfort foods, and yummy stuff with real butter, sour cream and ranch dressing. Trying to cook healthy, I am now looking for fresh ingredients to make things with spray butter, fat free this and that, and smaller meat portions. My family loves to eat. I'm sort of a foodie, I suppose. I like making new recipes, and trying new stuff, so it's fun for me to try this and that; and then there was that night I made the lime cod...and we all gagged from the bitterness, pitched it, and ran to Braums for a bag-o-burgers. Honestly, my very favorite recipes are those I can make in 30 minutes or less or throw in the crock pot and let it simmer for the day. Above all things, I am practical and don't wanna spend 3 hours making something we will wolf down in 20 minutes (well, unless it's a special occasion or a holiday or something....bring on the potato peeling). My current Bible study is called "My Whole Life" and the basic concept is incorporating God into everything you do, right down to the food you eat and the excercise you are getting, and the steps to getting there. Good stuff, really good. It's the beginning of week 3 and so far I am down 8.5 pounds, I am excercising every day and have completely cut refined sugar out of my diet. I have a caloric limit of 1600 calories, and am trying to stay low fat, and relatively low carb, which is HARD to do simultaneously unless you just want to eat spinach exclusively....which I do not. I am eating tons of fruit, raw veggies, steamed veggies, chicken...chicken...and more chicken. I thought I would include a few recipes for my gals that are also getting healthy too. Easy and yummy, I get most of my recipes from http://www.allrecipes.com/ I love that site, I can find almost anything there. All of the following recipes I have tried and they are great, some are even my very own!
Lowfat Chicken Enchiladas (this is what I made last night)
3 chicken breasts
1 tsp cumin
1 can rotel tomatoes and chiles, drained
1 7oz can green chiles, drained
1/2 cup lowfat shredded cheese (mexican blend)
1 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced onions
1 large can green enchilada sauce (I buy whichever one is lowest in calories and fat)
1 small can red enchilada sauce
7-10 98% fat free tortillas
1 tsp salt
Cover chicken breasts in water, add cumin and boil until cooked throroughly. Drain, and shred chicken (I have found the Pampered Chef, Hold N Slice is the coolest thing ever for shredding chicken click here to see Hold N Slice).
Mix the fat free cheese with the low fat cheese and set aside 1/4 a cup of cheese mixture.
Mix together the shredded chicken, with the remaining amount of shredded cheese, green chiles, the rotel tomatoes and chiles, onions, and salt. Grease your casserole dish with cooking spray and roll chicken mixture into tortillas and place them snugly together in the dish. Pour green enchilada sauce back and forth over the enchiladas until gone, then follow with the red. Take the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and sprinkle over the top of the enchiladas and bake on 350 for 35-45 min until bubbly.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (17.5 fluid ounce) bottle buffalo wing sauce, I use Frank's Red Hot Original
1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix
2 tablespoons light butter
6 lowfat whole wheat buns or hoagie rolls, whichever you prefer
Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker (even frozen still), and pour in all of the wing sauce, the ranch dressing mix and butter. Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken has cooked, shred the meat finely or most likely meat will just fall apart and let simmer for a bit in the remaining sauce. Pile the meat onto the buns or rolls, and serve.
Melon Salsa with Teriyaki Chicken (this is what I made tonight, David and Maya LOVED it, and I thought it was pretty darn good too, just a little time consuming with all that dicing)
3 tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
1/2 honeydew melon, peeled and finely diced
1/2 cantaloupe, peeled and finely diced
1 cup minced red onion
1 large cucumber deseeded and finely diced (I like to use the English ones from Sam's b/c the seeds are small and you don't have to deseed them)
1/2 yellow pepper finely diced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 chicken breasts
1 tsp minced garlic
1 bottle of any teriyaki marinade (I like the thick stuff, seems to give it good flavor when basting on the grill)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Marinate chicken breasts in half the bottle of teriyaki sauce, garlic and salt and pepper for at least 30 minutes or more (3 hours is optimal). Grill chicken or bake in the oven @ 350 continually basting with remaining amount of teriyaki sauce.
Dice all fruits and veggies, mix together, and add salt, fresh cilantro, OJ, and lime juice together. The longer it sits the better the flavor gets.
Serve chicken breast covered in melon salsa, could even serve over brown rice if desired.
Baked Asian Style Honey Chicken
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (or substitute 4 chicken breasts)
3 tablespoons chopped onion
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger powder, of could use fresh too (I used powder and it was great)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Arrange chicken pieces in baking dish. Combine the onion, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and honey; mix together and spoon mixture over chicken. Cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for at least 1 hour, turning pieces once. Preheat oven to 425.
Bake chicken at 425 for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over and top with green onion, then continue baking for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through and juices run clear. Serve immediately with brown rice.
Easy Mashed Sweet Taters
2 cans Bruce's Yams, drained
1 tsp cinnamon
10 squirts spray butter (Parkay or I can't Believe it's Not Butter)
1/2 TBSP Splenda
1 TBSP sugar free maple syrup
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp clove or pumpkin pie seasoning
1/4 Cup chopped nuts (optional)
On the stove add all ingredients and mash together until creamy and smooth, heat all the way through and serve! EASY!
Lowfat Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplins (a Coleman family favorite and the easiest thing ever--put a smile on your kid's face, oh and the hubby too)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons light butter
1 can of mixed veggies, peas, carrots and diced potatoes, or a small frozen bag of mixed veggies, whatever you prefer, better yet use fresh veggies, whatever time allows for you
2 (10.75 ounce) cans fat free condensed cream of chicken soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages reduced fat refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
Place the chicken (I put it in still frozen), butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover the chicken.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High, chicken should just fall apart, if not, shred it. About 30 minutes before serving, place in the veggies and the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center and serve. SOOOO YUMMY!
Sarah's SUPER Easy Chicken Breasts
4 chicken breasts
1 bottle fat free Italian dressing
(yep--that's it)
Marinate chicken breasts in the whole bottle of dressing for at least an hour, if not more in the fridge, throw on the grill and voila~YUMMY!
Lowfat Chicken Enchiladas (this is what I made last night)
3 chicken breasts
1 tsp cumin
1 can rotel tomatoes and chiles, drained
1 7oz can green chiles, drained
1/2 cup lowfat shredded cheese (mexican blend)
1 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced onions
1 large can green enchilada sauce (I buy whichever one is lowest in calories and fat)
1 small can red enchilada sauce
7-10 98% fat free tortillas
1 tsp salt
Cover chicken breasts in water, add cumin and boil until cooked throroughly. Drain, and shred chicken (I have found the Pampered Chef, Hold N Slice is the coolest thing ever for shredding chicken click here to see Hold N Slice).
Mix the fat free cheese with the low fat cheese and set aside 1/4 a cup of cheese mixture.
Mix together the shredded chicken, with the remaining amount of shredded cheese, green chiles, the rotel tomatoes and chiles, onions, and salt. Grease your casserole dish with cooking spray and roll chicken mixture into tortillas and place them snugly together in the dish. Pour green enchilada sauce back and forth over the enchiladas until gone, then follow with the red. Take the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and sprinkle over the top of the enchiladas and bake on 350 for 35-45 min until bubbly.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (17.5 fluid ounce) bottle buffalo wing sauce, I use Frank's Red Hot Original
1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix
2 tablespoons light butter
6 lowfat whole wheat buns or hoagie rolls, whichever you prefer
Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker (even frozen still), and pour in all of the wing sauce, the ranch dressing mix and butter. Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken has cooked, shred the meat finely or most likely meat will just fall apart and let simmer for a bit in the remaining sauce. Pile the meat onto the buns or rolls, and serve.
Melon Salsa with Teriyaki Chicken (this is what I made tonight, David and Maya LOVED it, and I thought it was pretty darn good too, just a little time consuming with all that dicing)
3 tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
1/2 honeydew melon, peeled and finely diced
1/2 cantaloupe, peeled and finely diced
1 cup minced red onion
1 large cucumber deseeded and finely diced (I like to use the English ones from Sam's b/c the seeds are small and you don't have to deseed them)
1/2 yellow pepper finely diced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 chicken breasts
1 tsp minced garlic
1 bottle of any teriyaki marinade (I like the thick stuff, seems to give it good flavor when basting on the grill)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Marinate chicken breasts in half the bottle of teriyaki sauce, garlic and salt and pepper for at least 30 minutes or more (3 hours is optimal). Grill chicken or bake in the oven @ 350 continually basting with remaining amount of teriyaki sauce.
Dice all fruits and veggies, mix together, and add salt, fresh cilantro, OJ, and lime juice together. The longer it sits the better the flavor gets.
Serve chicken breast covered in melon salsa, could even serve over brown rice if desired.
Baked Asian Style Honey Chicken
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (or substitute 4 chicken breasts)
3 tablespoons chopped onion
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger powder, of could use fresh too (I used powder and it was great)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Arrange chicken pieces in baking dish. Combine the onion, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and honey; mix together and spoon mixture over chicken. Cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for at least 1 hour, turning pieces once. Preheat oven to 425.
Bake chicken at 425 for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over and top with green onion, then continue baking for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through and juices run clear. Serve immediately with brown rice.
Easy Mashed Sweet Taters
2 cans Bruce's Yams, drained
1 tsp cinnamon
10 squirts spray butter (Parkay or I can't Believe it's Not Butter)
1/2 TBSP Splenda
1 TBSP sugar free maple syrup
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp clove or pumpkin pie seasoning
1/4 Cup chopped nuts (optional)
On the stove add all ingredients and mash together until creamy and smooth, heat all the way through and serve! EASY!
Lowfat Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplins (a Coleman family favorite and the easiest thing ever--put a smile on your kid's face, oh and the hubby too)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons light butter
1 can of mixed veggies, peas, carrots and diced potatoes, or a small frozen bag of mixed veggies, whatever you prefer, better yet use fresh veggies, whatever time allows for you
2 (10.75 ounce) cans fat free condensed cream of chicken soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages reduced fat refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
Place the chicken (I put it in still frozen), butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover the chicken.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High, chicken should just fall apart, if not, shred it. About 30 minutes before serving, place in the veggies and the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center and serve. SOOOO YUMMY!
Sarah's SUPER Easy Chicken Breasts
4 chicken breasts
1 bottle fat free Italian dressing
(yep--that's it)
Marinate chicken breasts in the whole bottle of dressing for at least an hour, if not more in the fridge, throw on the grill and voila~YUMMY!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
God's Ear
Have you ever told someone that you would pray for them, and then forgotten to pray? I have, and it makes me feel terrible. I know a few weeks ago there were like 5 people I had told I would pray for them, and then I forgot, who and what, so I just prayed for God to remember all I had told I would pray, and please remember their specific needs. He is so much bigger than my brain, sometimes I forget that. We all get the church emails for prayer, and I try to pray right there in front of the computer before I forget, otherwise they might not get prayer from me!
We can do nothing, we say sometimes, 'we can only pray'. That, we feel, is a terribly precarious second-best. So long as we can fuss and work and rush about, so long as we can lend a hand, we have some hope; but if we have to fall back upon God... ah, then things must be critical indeed!
--Arthur John (A. J.) Gossip
Right now, I could use prayer for my immediate family, David, myself and the kids. --Real, meaningful intense prayer. We are ok; noone is sick, things are fine, my family just needs some unified prayer from some of the amazing prayer warriors I know, I am asking specifically for Maya and Noah. I love my sweet family unconditionally, just as God loves us. I am not asking for prayer as a last resort, I am asking as the first. I am so blessed to have a church family I can ask for prayer, and friends that I know will follow through. Thank you in advance for your prayers, God moves through you!
The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil everywhere. Prayer, in one phase of its operation, is a disinfectant and a preventive. It purifies the air; it destroys the contagion of evil. Prayer is no fitful, short-lived thing. It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice which goes into God's ear, and it lives as long as God's ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God's heart is alive to holy things. God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed to death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God's heart is set on them and prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; they outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world. That man is the most immortal who has done the most and the best praying. They are God heroes, God's saints and God's servants. A man can pray better because of the prayers of the past; a man can live holier because of the prayers of the past; the man of many and acceptable prayers has done the truest and greatest service to the incoming generation. Prayers strengthen the unborn generation against the desolating waves of sin and evil.
--Edward McKendree (E. M.) Bounds
We can do nothing, we say sometimes, 'we can only pray'. That, we feel, is a terribly precarious second-best. So long as we can fuss and work and rush about, so long as we can lend a hand, we have some hope; but if we have to fall back upon God... ah, then things must be critical indeed!
--Arthur John (A. J.) Gossip
Right now, I could use prayer for my immediate family, David, myself and the kids. --Real, meaningful intense prayer. We are ok; noone is sick, things are fine, my family just needs some unified prayer from some of the amazing prayer warriors I know, I am asking specifically for Maya and Noah. I love my sweet family unconditionally, just as God loves us. I am not asking for prayer as a last resort, I am asking as the first. I am so blessed to have a church family I can ask for prayer, and friends that I know will follow through. Thank you in advance for your prayers, God moves through you!
The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil everywhere. Prayer, in one phase of its operation, is a disinfectant and a preventive. It purifies the air; it destroys the contagion of evil. Prayer is no fitful, short-lived thing. It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice which goes into God's ear, and it lives as long as God's ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God's heart is alive to holy things. God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed to death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God's heart is set on them and prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; they outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world. That man is the most immortal who has done the most and the best praying. They are God heroes, God's saints and God's servants. A man can pray better because of the prayers of the past; a man can live holier because of the prayers of the past; the man of many and acceptable prayers has done the truest and greatest service to the incoming generation. Prayers strengthen the unborn generation against the desolating waves of sin and evil.
--Edward McKendree (E. M.) Bounds
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Calling all Scentsy addicts!!
Okay, this is for the hardcore Scentsy junkies like myself... Get ready- it's Scentsy FORMULAS!!
Courtesy, my own Scentsy lady, Theresa we now have the recipes to mix scents! Thanks, T! Sooooo, if you find yourself getting bored with the same scents, why not mix them, heck even create your own!! In fact, if you have a mixture you like, that isn't listed here, share it with us!! Some of the scents listed here are discontinued, so not to worry if you can't find it, or don't have it...Theresa can often find discontinued scents for you too!
Sunkissed Citrus + Sangria = Citrus Fresh Sangria
Black Raspberry Vanilla + Sunkissed Citrus = French Martini
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar = Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry Sweetie + Vanilla Cream = Strawberry Shortcake
Black Raspberry Vanilla + Mediterranean Spa = Mediterranean Raspberry
Wasabi Ginger + Sunkissed Citrus = Wasabi Citrus
Go Go Goji + Lucky in Love = Lucky Peach
Lots of Lavender + Sunkissed Citrus = Lots of Sunkisses
Pomegranate Orange + Sangria = Hangover
Cranberry Mango + Spruceberry = Christmas in Hawaii
Mediterranean Spa + French Kiss = French Spa
Simply Irresistible + Cranberry Spice = Sexy Santa
Cucumber Lime + Falling Leaves = Cold Outside but Cozy Inside
Silk + Tuscan Garden = Adam & Eve
Pumpkin Roll + Cranberry Spice = Thanksgiving Dinner/Dessert
Herb Garden + Vanilla Walnut = Herby Walnuts
Pumpkin Roll + Vanilla Walnut = Iced Pumpkin Cake
Watermelon Patch + Strawberry Sweetie = Watermelon Sweetie
Irish Cream + Tarocco Mint = Shamrock Shake
Irish Cream + Lucky in Love = Luck O’ The Irish
French Kiss + Irish Cream = Kiss Me I'm Irish
Mysterious + Red Delicious = Magically Delicious
Simply Irresistible + Irish Cream = Irresistibly Irish
Lucky in Love + Havana Cabana = Honeymoon
Lucky in Love + Cinnamon Bear = Passion on Fire
Ocean + Simply Irresistible = Hunky Lifeguard
Lucky in Love + Strawberry Sweetie = Love Sweet Love
Luxe Vanilla + Cashmere = Baby Lotion
Sandalwood & Cranberries + Spruceberry = Christmas Wreath
Spruceberry + Cinnamon Bear = ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Pumpkin Roll + Cinnamon Vanilla = Grandma’s House
Grapefruit Blossom + Mulberry Bush =
Cinnamon Bear + Pumpkin Roll = Spicy Pumpkin
Sugar Cookie + Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkin Pie
Falling Leaves + Cozy Fireside = A Crisp Cozy Fall Evening
Falling Leaves + Pumpkin Roll = A Day at the Pumpkin Farm
Cozy Fireside + 2 of Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkins By The Fire
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = October Apple Orchard
Verbena Berry + Strawberry Sweetie = Berry Blast
Grapefruit Blossom + Sunkissed Citrus = Citrus Celebration
Sunkissed Citrus + Go Go Goji = Fresh Citrus Peach
Cucumber Lime + Havana Cabana = Margarita Twist
French Kiss + Black Raspberry Vanilla = Raspberry Vanilla Kiss
Sunkissed Citrus + Skinny Dippin’ = Skippin’
Cranberry Spice + Enchanted Mist = Spiced Cranberry Mist
Cucumber Lime + Strawberry Sweetie = Strawberry Cucumber Limeade
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar = Strawberry Lemonade
Cinnamon Bear + Vanilla Cream = Cinnamon Creamer
Perfectly Pomegranate +Cinnamon Bear = Spiced Punch
Sticky Cinnamon Bun + Vanilla Cream = French Toast
Baked Apple Pie + Vanilla Cream = Apple Pie Ala Mode
Cinnamon Bear + Pumpkin Roll = Spicy Pumpkin
Grapefruit Blossom + Sugar = Gummy Grapefruit Wedges
Blueberry Cheesecake + Sugar Cookie = Hot Blueberry Muffin
Cucumber Lime + Strawberry Sweetie = Strawberry Cucumber Limeade
Sugar Cookie + Cherry Clove Chutney = Grandma’s Fried Cherry Pies
Sugar Cookie + Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkin Pie
Toasted Apple Butter + Welcome Home = Cinnamon Apple Toast
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = October Apple Orchard
Strawberry Sweetie + Vanilla Cream = Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Sweetie + Blueberry Cheesecake = Blueberry/Strawberry Cheesecake
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar Cookie= Strawberry Jam-Filled Sugar Cookies
Enchanted Mist + Sugar = Bird of Paradise
Lucky In Love + Ocean = Love Waves
Tuscan Garden +Thunderstorm = Tuscan Rain
Enchanted Mist + Ocean = Ocean Mist
Grapefruit Pomegranate + Ocean = Tropical Island
Tuscan Garden + White Tea Cactus = Sweet Cactus Garden
Cashmere + Mysterious = Very Romantic
Enchanted Mist + Welcome Home = Some Enchanted Evening
Enchanted Mist + Cranberry Mango = Shirley Temple
Sunkissed Citrus + Black Raspberry Vanilla = The French Martini
Cinnamon Bear + Havana Cabana = Hawaiian Volcano
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = Fall Is In The Air
Flirtatious + Sugar = Flirty Girl
Aromatherapy Mixes
Enchanted Mist + Lots of Lavender = Anxiety Gone
Enchanted Mist + Lucky in Love + Lots of Lavender = Anxiety Gone
Camu Camu + Lots of Lavender = No More Irritability
Lucky in Love + Lots of Lavender = No More Irritability
Camu Camu + Sandalwood & Cranberries = No More Irritability
Falling Leaves + Lots of Lavender = No More Stress
Sunkissed Citrus + Herb Garden = Energize
Grapefruit Blossom + Coconut Lemongrass + Lots of Lavender = Happiness
Sandalwood & Cranberries + Sunkissed Citrus = Never Fear
Grapefruit Blossom + Wasabi Ginger = Believe in You
Cashmere + French Kiss = Believe in You
Grapefruit Blossom +Spruceberry = Believe in You
Tuscan Garden + Coconut Lemongrass = Thoughts of Clarity
Oh, but wait--there's more!!
Courtesy, my own Scentsy lady, Theresa we now have the recipes to mix scents! Thanks, T! Sooooo, if you find yourself getting bored with the same scents, why not mix them, heck even create your own!! In fact, if you have a mixture you like, that isn't listed here, share it with us!! Some of the scents listed here are discontinued, so not to worry if you can't find it, or don't have it...Theresa can often find discontinued scents for you too!
Sunkissed Citrus + Sangria = Citrus Fresh Sangria
Black Raspberry Vanilla + Sunkissed Citrus = French Martini
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar = Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry Sweetie + Vanilla Cream = Strawberry Shortcake
Black Raspberry Vanilla + Mediterranean Spa = Mediterranean Raspberry
Wasabi Ginger + Sunkissed Citrus = Wasabi Citrus
Go Go Goji + Lucky in Love = Lucky Peach
Lots of Lavender + Sunkissed Citrus = Lots of Sunkisses
Pomegranate Orange + Sangria = Hangover
Cranberry Mango + Spruceberry = Christmas in Hawaii
Mediterranean Spa + French Kiss = French Spa
Simply Irresistible + Cranberry Spice = Sexy Santa
Cucumber Lime + Falling Leaves = Cold Outside but Cozy Inside
Silk + Tuscan Garden = Adam & Eve
Pumpkin Roll + Cranberry Spice = Thanksgiving Dinner/Dessert
Herb Garden + Vanilla Walnut = Herby Walnuts
Pumpkin Roll + Vanilla Walnut = Iced Pumpkin Cake
Watermelon Patch + Strawberry Sweetie = Watermelon Sweetie
Irish Cream + Tarocco Mint = Shamrock Shake
Irish Cream + Lucky in Love = Luck O’ The Irish
French Kiss + Irish Cream = Kiss Me I'm Irish
Mysterious + Red Delicious = Magically Delicious
Simply Irresistible + Irish Cream = Irresistibly Irish
Lucky in Love + Havana Cabana = Honeymoon
Lucky in Love + Cinnamon Bear = Passion on Fire
Ocean + Simply Irresistible = Hunky Lifeguard
Lucky in Love + Strawberry Sweetie = Love Sweet Love
Luxe Vanilla + Cashmere = Baby Lotion
Sandalwood & Cranberries + Spruceberry = Christmas Wreath
Spruceberry + Cinnamon Bear = ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Pumpkin Roll + Cinnamon Vanilla = Grandma’s House
Grapefruit Blossom + Mulberry Bush =
Cinnamon Bear + Pumpkin Roll = Spicy Pumpkin
Sugar Cookie + Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkin Pie
Falling Leaves + Cozy Fireside = A Crisp Cozy Fall Evening
Falling Leaves + Pumpkin Roll = A Day at the Pumpkin Farm
Cozy Fireside + 2 of Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkins By The Fire
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = October Apple Orchard
Verbena Berry + Strawberry Sweetie = Berry Blast
Grapefruit Blossom + Sunkissed Citrus = Citrus Celebration
Sunkissed Citrus + Go Go Goji = Fresh Citrus Peach
Cucumber Lime + Havana Cabana = Margarita Twist
French Kiss + Black Raspberry Vanilla = Raspberry Vanilla Kiss
Sunkissed Citrus + Skinny Dippin’ = Skippin’
Cranberry Spice + Enchanted Mist = Spiced Cranberry Mist
Cucumber Lime + Strawberry Sweetie = Strawberry Cucumber Limeade
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar = Strawberry Lemonade
Cinnamon Bear + Vanilla Cream = Cinnamon Creamer
Perfectly Pomegranate +Cinnamon Bear = Spiced Punch
Sticky Cinnamon Bun + Vanilla Cream = French Toast
Baked Apple Pie + Vanilla Cream = Apple Pie Ala Mode
Cinnamon Bear + Pumpkin Roll = Spicy Pumpkin
Grapefruit Blossom + Sugar = Gummy Grapefruit Wedges
Blueberry Cheesecake + Sugar Cookie = Hot Blueberry Muffin
Cucumber Lime + Strawberry Sweetie = Strawberry Cucumber Limeade
Sugar Cookie + Cherry Clove Chutney = Grandma’s Fried Cherry Pies
Sugar Cookie + Pumpkin Roll = Pumpkin Pie
Toasted Apple Butter + Welcome Home = Cinnamon Apple Toast
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = October Apple Orchard
Strawberry Sweetie + Vanilla Cream = Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Sweetie + Blueberry Cheesecake = Blueberry/Strawberry Cheesecake
Strawberry Sweetie + Sugar Cookie= Strawberry Jam-Filled Sugar Cookies
Enchanted Mist + Sugar = Bird of Paradise
Lucky In Love + Ocean = Love Waves
Tuscan Garden +Thunderstorm = Tuscan Rain
Enchanted Mist + Ocean = Ocean Mist
Grapefruit Pomegranate + Ocean = Tropical Island
Tuscan Garden + White Tea Cactus = Sweet Cactus Garden
Cashmere + Mysterious = Very Romantic
Enchanted Mist + Welcome Home = Some Enchanted Evening
Enchanted Mist + Cranberry Mango = Shirley Temple
Sunkissed Citrus + Black Raspberry Vanilla = The French Martini
Cinnamon Bear + Havana Cabana = Hawaiian Volcano
Autumn Sunset + Falling Leaves = Fall Is In The Air
Flirtatious + Sugar = Flirty Girl
Aromatherapy Mixes
Enchanted Mist + Lots of Lavender = Anxiety Gone
Enchanted Mist + Lucky in Love + Lots of Lavender = Anxiety Gone
Camu Camu + Lots of Lavender = No More Irritability
Lucky in Love + Lots of Lavender = No More Irritability
Camu Camu + Sandalwood & Cranberries = No More Irritability
Falling Leaves + Lots of Lavender = No More Stress
Sunkissed Citrus + Herb Garden = Energize
Grapefruit Blossom + Coconut Lemongrass + Lots of Lavender = Happiness
Sandalwood & Cranberries + Sunkissed Citrus = Never Fear
Grapefruit Blossom + Wasabi Ginger = Believe in You
Cashmere + French Kiss = Believe in You
Grapefruit Blossom +Spruceberry = Believe in You
Tuscan Garden + Coconut Lemongrass = Thoughts of Clarity
Oh, but wait--there's more!!
Timmy has a future
Random junk... Because life just is, why not share?
Recent movies worth checking out:
Food Inc.
Avatar
Up in the Air
500 Days of Summer
The Informant
The 4th Kind
The Blind Side
Precious (only if you can stomach it...pretty disturbing)
An Education
Date Night (In theaters)
Movies not worth checking out:
2012
The Men Who Stare at Goats
The Box
The Gamer
Did you Hear About the Morgans?
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
My treadmill/excercising playlist:
Run this Town--Rihanna and Jay Z
How you like me now--the Heavy
Le Disko--Shiny Toy Guns
Imma Be--Black Eyed Peas
Maneater--Nelly Furtado
Panic Switch--Silversun Pickups
Creator--Santogold
Poker Face-- Lady Gaga
Tik Tok--Keshia
Stylo--Gorillaz
Resistance--Muse
Boom Boom Pow--Black Eyed Peas
Show me what I'm looking for--Carolina Liar
Stronger--Kanye West
Live your Life--T.I. and Rihanna
Lisztomania--Phoenix
Bad Romance--Lady Gaga
...and because my last song on my playlist sticks in my head constantly (mainly the rah rah ga ga part)
...and sometimes you just have to laugh.
...and Timmy's mom is one step away from entering her little fella into a pageant.
...and Timmy has alot of issues at the ripe 'ol age of 5
...and I can't decide if I like the banana best, the Mickey Jammies or the mystery person in undies running through the background.
Enjoy! Just for you! click here to see Timmy!!!
I am so enjoying this weather, the people in my life who are cool, eating out on the deck, my dog, my yummy Scentsy Spring scents, having a secret sister and being one, my new 'Whole Life' Bible study, trying out new recipes, birds chirping, Netflix, my pineapple slicer, Priceless albums that are done, starting our 8th year of marriage, giggling with my friends, my Sam's Club membership, new haircuts and highlights, self-employment, excercise, fruit, my Alt Nation & DCFC Pandora stations, sitting on my deck getting some sun, raw veggies and all things Spring!
Recent movies worth checking out:
Food Inc.
Avatar
Up in the Air
500 Days of Summer
The Informant
The 4th Kind
The Blind Side
Precious (only if you can stomach it...pretty disturbing)
An Education
Date Night (In theaters)
Movies not worth checking out:
2012
The Men Who Stare at Goats
The Box
The Gamer
Did you Hear About the Morgans?
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
My treadmill/excercising playlist:
Run this Town--Rihanna and Jay Z
How you like me now--the Heavy
Le Disko--Shiny Toy Guns
Imma Be--Black Eyed Peas
Maneater--Nelly Furtado
Panic Switch--Silversun Pickups
Creator--Santogold
Poker Face-- Lady Gaga
Tik Tok--Keshia
Stylo--Gorillaz
Resistance--Muse
Boom Boom Pow--Black Eyed Peas
Show me what I'm looking for--Carolina Liar
Stronger--Kanye West
Live your Life--T.I. and Rihanna
Lisztomania--Phoenix
Bad Romance--Lady Gaga
...and because my last song on my playlist sticks in my head constantly (mainly the rah rah ga ga part)
...and sometimes you just have to laugh.
...and Timmy's mom is one step away from entering her little fella into a pageant.
...and Timmy has alot of issues at the ripe 'ol age of 5
...and I can't decide if I like the banana best, the Mickey Jammies or the mystery person in undies running through the background.
Enjoy! Just for you! click here to see Timmy!!!
I am so enjoying this weather, the people in my life who are cool, eating out on the deck, my dog, my yummy Scentsy Spring scents, having a secret sister and being one, my new 'Whole Life' Bible study, trying out new recipes, birds chirping, Netflix, my pineapple slicer, Priceless albums that are done, starting our 8th year of marriage, giggling with my friends, my Sam's Club membership, new haircuts and highlights, self-employment, excercise, fruit, my Alt Nation & DCFC Pandora stations, sitting on my deck getting some sun, raw veggies and all things Spring!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Gift
Tomorrow is my 7th Anniversary. I am married to the love of my life. I can say there is honestly not a day gone by that he hasn't made me smile; and we have endured some rough days.
I am blessed with a partner and best friend that accepts me, my flaws, my un-cute body, my bad days, my hurts and my frustrations. I am blessed with someone that has NEVER let me down. We aren't a perfect couple, we argue, we grumble...although rarely, but most importantly we forgive each other. We fuss and stress and have tough times, just like everyone else. But we always find solace in one another. There is no person that makes me feel safer, more loved, more cared for. My husband is hilarious. We laugh more than anything else. This is a huge part of our marriage. I would say if you are having marital problems (aside from big stuff like infedelity or abuse or something), you are either taking yourself too seriously, or you aren't laughing enough with your mate.
I am married to a man that listens. This means more than anything in the world. For someone to listen and actually hear you, your likes, dislikes, hurts, favorite things, and to remember your words, and store them in his heart. It's so neat.Today we drove by our first home together, just to go see it...and reminisce a minute. I remember the excitement of figuring one another out and the fun we had furnishing our house together, the laughs and silly times when Maya and Noah were small. Teaching kids to ride bikes in the driveway, and smoking cigarettes over deep conversations on the deck (yes, we used to smoke--ick). The shrubs we planted together have grown large and healthy (just like us--ha). This little house contained a special time in our lives, and we both got teary looking at it again today. I wondered if there was another young couple that was living there and creating their memories. I know mine are unforgettable.
All the memories created in 7 years flood my brain. We have had a blessed and favored marriage thus far. I am still in love with my sweetheart. We relish our abundant time together. After not having seen one another for a day, we can't wait to talk and fill each other in on what the other missed. I like my husband, not just love...I really like him. He makes me so happy. I am going to praise God on our Anniversary for the neatest gift, and maybe watch our shaky wedding video a friend filmed for us and cry a bit. Thank you God, for David. Thank you, David for the best 7 years I could have ever dreamed of having. Thank you for loving me. I am home.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Eight Legged Miss
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout;
Down came the rain and washed the spider out;
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain;
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
Isn't that life? I'm that little pitiful spider climbing up the water spout, and inevitably the rain comes...sometimes it's the monsoon season!! ...And we get all "washed out". But the "sun...or Son" comes, or rather we come to Him and the "rain" dries up.... and REPEAT. C'est La Vie!
I'm gettin' on my hiking boots, and my scuba mask.
Eph 6:10-17 ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out;
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain;
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
Isn't that life? I'm that little pitiful spider climbing up the water spout, and inevitably the rain comes...sometimes it's the monsoon season!! ...And we get all "washed out". But the "sun...or Son" comes, or rather we come to Him and the "rain" dries up.... and REPEAT. C'est La Vie!
I'm gettin' on my hiking boots, and my scuba mask.
Eph 6:10-17 ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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