Incredible Faith

I stumbled across this blog several months ago and it has been an amazing journey to follow. Angie found out at her 20 week ultrasound that things were not as they should be. They ultimately lost their fourth daughter. Her journey of grief is inspiring and it is inspiring to read about her walk and journey with God through this wilderness in her life.

Several months later, her sister-in-law lost their newborn son to SIDS. Unspeakable pain, sorrow, and grief.

Sometimes it helps us to read the stories of others on their journey and see how God is working through them. If you have some time, I truly believe you will be better for having read her words.

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Out of My Comfort Zone

Okay, so this is very unlike me to post something like this but I'm trying, alright. Part of the reason I don't blog is because I am very private about things until I get to know someone, then I am likely to share a lot with you. It's all about comfort levels...I don't want to disappoint, cause controversy, or upset anyone. Some people would be shocked to know this about me...because at the same time I am all about pushing the envelope and rethinking the way we do things (I get this from my dad). I guess this would actually be number one of 7 quirky things about myself but we will just consider it a bonus!

Here it goes...

Seven Quirky Things About Me

1. I’m a “bare minimum” person in many aspects. For example, when it’s time to go to bed I just go to bed – even if it means not taking off my makeup or hanging up my clothes.

2. I’m a serious bargain hunter. I like nice things, but I never pay full price and I frequently buy things for other people if I get a deal.

3. I have no fear of public speaking, even in front of large groups, but small social settings make me nervous.

4. I always ask for a “to go” cup when I leave a restaurant. If I’ve paid for it, I’m taking it with me.

5. I read LOTS of blogs. Over 100. Many of people I don’t know. I love stories about people. Mike makes fun of me because I drive down the road wondering about the lives of people driving next to me. (I say it’s because I care about people more than he does! When I told him about this sentence he came back with.... You care about their stories but I care about spending time with them. I don't totally agree with this but figure it isn't fair reporting unless you give both sides of the story.)

6. I’m observant and notice things . . . especially faces. For example, I notice people at the gym so when I see them other places I always know where I know them from. Of course, if I went over to them and said, “Don’t I see you at the gym?” they’d probably think I was a stalker.

7. I take my water bottle with me everywhere I go, and have since my senior year of college. I don’t like ice, but I really like a straw. I haven’t had the same water bottle the whole time, but I always have one with me. I’ve converted Mike and the church people accuse us of carrying something other than water!


Join in the fun if you wish.....As I said before, I hate tagging.

The A,B,C Tag

(A.) Attached or single? Attached to my darling Mike
(B.) Best friend? Mike and Steph
(C.) Cake or pie? Fruit pizza count?
(D.)Day of choice? Friday 5 p.m., used to be Thursday before I worked full-time
(E.) Essential item? camera
(F.) Favorite Color? Blue, black
(G.) Gummy bears or worms? Either!
(H.) Hometown? Muskogee, OK
(I. ) Indulgence? Sonic Happy Hour, sushi, pedicures, massages . . . I like indulgences!
(K.) Kids? Topaz the spaz (labradoodle)
(L.) Life isn't complete without? Diet Coke
(M.) Marriage date? July 26, 2003
(N.) Number of brothers & sisters? 1 younger sister
(O.) Oranges or apples? oranges
(P.) Phobias? Someone breaking into my house, having a car accident
(Q.) Quotes? This stresses me out . . . I don’t do quotes!
(R.) Reasons to smile? I have a clean house and an amazing husband who cleaned it!
(S.) Season of choice? spring
(T.) Tag seven peeps! I HATE TAGS!
(U.) Unknown fact about me? I don’t have a middle name
(V.) Vegetable? Zucchini and squash
(W.) Worst habit? Sonic Happy Hour
(X.) X-ray or ultrasound? Had an x-ray for a broken arm on the last day of Kindergarten which they said wasn’t broken until the second x-ray
(Y.) Your favorite food? Sushi, pasta, diet coke
(Z.) Zodiac sign? Taurus

Same Kind Of Different As Me

A few weeks ago I almost picked this book up while at a bookstore with Mike. I decided at the last minute not to buy it but put it on the list of books I wanted to read. Fast forward a few weeks and I couldn't resist. Within that few week period, I found several reviews on blogs that raved that this was a "must read." When I read, I read and that means I can't usually put a book down. This is one of those books. It is a true story of two people, a man that was practically a slave in the 1960's that ran away from that life and lived on the streets and considered that a better life than the one he had known and the story of a white man that grew up poor but got a break as an art deal and enjoyed a life of wealth.

However, Ron's wife wasn't to excited about the upscale life and couldn't say no to opportunities to volunteer. She felt God's presence strongly urging her to look for a particular man and wouldn't allow him to run too far. This story is INCREDIBLE and challenging for those of us that call ourselves Christian. I believe that this is what evangelism looks like....it's not catch and release relationships but "forever" friendships. It's not one night a week but a way of life and seeing people with new lenses.

I talk to people all the time that don't like the fact that they feel "different" from people around them. Some people say that they like being different but they don't really like it. Everyone is different and I believe that is what helps this world work the way it does. If we all liked the same things then there would be alot of things that need to be accomplished that are neglected. We all serve in different ways and it is important that we are all the same in being different.

I encourage everyone to find a copy of this book and read it and allow your heart to be open to what ministry God may be calling you towards.

Fun Times

Our Fourth was the awesome!  It was the perfect day - sleeping in, getting a project or two done, a LATE breakfast with good friends, watching Nate (and Owen assisting) eat birthday cake, and watching some fireworks x 2 with friends.  To top it off we get Saturday to do about the same.  I love low key weekends that don't have definite plans, even though I ask Mike all week in advance what we are going to do this weekend.  I've learned that I love the anticipation of getting to choose from multiple possibilities what we might do that day and when the actual day comes we may change our minds again!  Getting back into a routine on Monday won't be near as fun!

I don't go far without my camera so here are a few glimpses of what we saw last night!

Amazing Family

Mike succinctly recorded all of our travels over the past weekend.  I realized last night that I have been in 5 airports this past week and taken 7 flights.  Only God could have allowed the details to work out so easily.  Amazingly all of my flights were direct flights (no layovers!) and had few delays!

It was such a blessing to spend time remembering my grandma, who was a pillar of faith in my life.  I was honored to assist with her funeral and share thoughts about her life.  I was so glad that Mike was home from camp and able to join me and then together celebrate the life of his grandpa.  I can't imagine walking that road alone!  It was hard enough being away from him when we both received the news about our grandparents deaths.  We were definitely reminded that we come from a strong heritage of faith and have incredible examples to follow of what it means to serve loudly and quietly!

This title has a double meaning because I was not only reminded about my amazing biological family but about the amazing chosen family of faith we have here at home.  I was totally blown away by the cards, gifts, calls of concern, food, lawn mowing, and so much more that has been shown to us over the last week.  I knew I loved this church but it was just a LOUD reminder of how much this is home for us.   We can't imagine being anywhere else!!!  As long as Reidland will have us, we will be here.  We truly believe that God has put us here and love working alongside our family here.  THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

In addition, last night I witnessed an incredible event.  Many of the volunteers that help with our high school group served our students in a powerful way.  They began their class playing some silly games in the grass.  Then our leaders did this for the kids...... 

What an incredible example of service.  These adults had huge smiles on their faces as they showed our teens that they are willing to get down and dirty for them.  They don't ask them to do anything that they aren't willing to do.  I just love this church.... they aren't afraid to work, to serve, and to love!

A New Chapter

My grandma's body gave up on Wednesday. Her heart was really strong and held on several weeks longer than any of us expected. As timing would have it, we were all supposed to gather in Pennsylvania this weekend for a wedding. The first great-grandchild is getting married and we are celebrating with her. Grandma would want us to celebrate and enjoy being together. So this weekend we will celebrate with Cassie and go home next week and have a celebratory service for my grandma. The weekend can't help but regale stories and sayings from years past.

A new chapter will begin as we all begin to navigate life with our memories but learning how to live without her daily presence in our lives.

Your prayers are coveted this week.