tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71929927755026220632024-02-21T10:13:36.587-05:00alivingjournalKellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-86857308187752915172010-08-12T07:14:00.003-04:002010-08-12T07:57:54.660-04:00On Gay Marriage.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On August 4th a judge ruled that California's ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker in a 136-page decision. "Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples."..........</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians. The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples," wrote Judge Walker.</span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I could talk about how he had no right to overturn the votes of over 7 million state wide voters, how has a judge he made a legislative ruling which is NOT within his rights to do. I could talk about how as one of the few openly homosexual judges on the bench he should have recused himself from this decision because of an inability to be un-biased. If you think perhaps I am being unfair on his bias you should read more of his ruling. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> T</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">he ban on gay marriage, for example, "exists as an artifact of a time when the genders were seen as having distinct roles in society and in marriage." "That time," the court declared, "has passed." According to the court, "gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals." The plaintiffs in </span></i><em style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Perry</span></em><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> "do not seek recognition of a new right," but instead simply the existing fundamental right of marriage. </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So are ALL laws based on morality unconstitutional? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The voters should be allowed to make the decision, and those who don't like it can move to a state that satisfies their preferences. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">During the Constitution's ratification, Alexander Hamilton assured New Yorkers that the Constitution would never permit the federal government to "alter or abrogate" a state's "civil and criminal institutions [or] penetrate the recesses of domestic life, and control, in all respects, the private conduct of individuals." (insert your own LOL here!) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> All that said that is not my main basis for being opposed to what the judge did. I am opposed to gay marriage whether it is handed to us by a judge over stepping his bounds or by a vote of the people. I am morally opposed to homosexuality and I think that the ramifications of it becoming mainstream are harmful to me and my family, and my children. Marriage is not a 'right' that we have to fight for, it's not a "social contract that we can re-negotiate based on changing social trends". It IS something set up and established by God, and to suggest that we can in any way change his laws is somewhat prideful of us. Gen 1:27 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:6...Whenever Jesus was asked about marriage he went back to the passage defining it as between a man and a woman. Romans 1:26-27, 1 Cor 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-10. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> There is more that I can say but part of why I felt compelled to write is because a lot of the response I am hearing from Christians is about how we are to be loving, and that how others live their lives shouldn't affect us at all. I agree COMPLETELY that we have to respond in love, only ever condemning the sin, always loving the sinner. However a quote in Martin Luther's biography got my attention and I couldn't shake it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"<b><i>If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking. I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." </i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">WOW! So if the enemy has been revealed, perhaps it is time for us to reconsider where we pick our spiritual battles! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-52703613499530600022010-06-02T09:11:00.006-04:002010-06-02T10:00:45.582-04:00Books<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> would be most content if my children grew up to be<br />the kind of people who think decorating<br />consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.<br />~ Anna Quindlen ~</span></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb19EEnGkd5xNM8AhgkRM7FwMkTHHiM8CO9jONC899RvIxMLAmy8NxsXruo8cdhlL-onpN5nzMh7TvWTD93z-0VxLqXpCWA5F5uMnk1Qa9yETv0NL3OGuP7ENhuyVmLOh8RpQ4KqRWWw/s200/P1010067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478170972664338418" /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have always enjoyed reading to my kids. Ever since Kaity was born practically, she has never been more content than to be curled up in someone's lap having them read to her. She also picked favorites pretty early on. By the time she was not much older than two she had "Curious George goes to the Hospital" memorized word for word. Rodney took a little longer but the love of reading is in his blood and now he has come to enjoy a good book as well as the next one. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE3QCt8Y5_QuYcL0zLBNUagbU7Fv_fsthxStGUiB2A2qlMqqa__TeBltR4jg4j8_pt7arZ45aKC7kB-nJqsTQUafT3nsHdaDZah6rwt_AK-GGJuulAB8a1k7ottC1U2B0v5Z-dbbbtUY/s200/DSC_0231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478170963482364738" />We get our books from all kinds of sources. Some have been passed down, some we borrow from the library, some we purchase from the </span><a href="http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Book Barn</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Some become instant favorites like "Click Clack Moo, cows that type". Some only get read once and never looked at again. Others......</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GdmVMnUMkloV1fETqE9K62EU9_QKN5Oxoq5hjoApWpBmf85GHc5YYEuc1Yyr3Td_L_1WUkrZ67afahiXiIfHxO-aQjXHHBBAaz9AkJrcjTJQGj46wRHnCoPSJE5jh0bduNe16yCaO0w/s320/DSC_0045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478167493242089362" />Well others give you the chance to share ......wow share what? Recently a child's version of "Anne of Green Gables" made it's way to our house! There are almost no words to describe what reading it to Kaity is like. For those of you who have never looked on a book as one of your closest friends you won't understand. But for those of you who are kindred spirits and "of the race that knows Joseph" I am sure you can relate. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Most of the Anne of Green Gable books I had read to me. I was older than Kaity is now, but after dinner in Ecuador we would all go into my mom's room and she would read the books out loud to us. We went through the whole series that way. Laughing at Anne's antics together, crying through Matthew's death, cheering with her through her joys and triumphs and feeling for her through her struggles. As I sat down to read the book to Kaity for the first time I could not believe how quickly I was transported back to that room, every detail in vivid memory in my head, I could see us all lying on the bed, I swear even the smell came back to me. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I LOVE the Anne of Green Gables books. In a way they really are part of my childhood and life in a way that a dear childhood friend would be. I LOVE being able to introduce that old dear wonderful friend to my daughter and start to see them have a relationship. </span></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-24106034233425856762010-05-07T08:17:00.006-04:002010-05-07T08:38:02.378-04:00I am getting a new roof!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes that face that projects on a house seem to be never ending can be a bit frustrating. Sometimes, I have to admit I find the projects exciting. This spring my house is getting quite the face lift because are getting a new roof! And not just any new roof a standing seam metal roof. It is apparently very green and eco-friendly which means we get a $1500 tax credit for installing it. It also lasts for 50 years which is roughly 3x longer than your average shingle roof. Other huge things that it had going in it's favor was that my husband can install it, AND we got most of the material for free. :-) Some of the things that it had NOT going in it's favor was that since we are installing it ourselves I have had to find myself on the top of a fairly high roof, leaning out over the edge in order to hold a piece of metal on while my husband attaches it. *shudders* that is not exactly my favorite but what are you going to do? I will keep posting pictures as more of the final picture emerges but here are some pictures of the first real day of roofing.<br /></span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIbxwtdI8YxM1ggO0wAG7wfpfJygUn6OJ4l8yHYnnS3itm6av9noqR2cFjD6LmUxjeV8vlMZxene4bO0fc6_xqNBY08Qu2gJQu02uNaQIOxj_SGQv9m_gRqho72OdOlYVB63RFLKKcKY/s200/DSC_0060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468503312877449682" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAEOL0ClgK_tMf5le9roiCpboHqdLEFsRLpP0I1ixS0AdlwELmZ8kUrmkRVstZbL0d9IcP8f75CFynBMWvPYs1X25E32knorFF1lzuceUSo69em11sVaxnjXHAlfVNXHpVFkiTMyb8i0/s200/DSC_0059.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468503308686380450" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UUOuk1Js0qsTF_5eYPhLzRxJTxIzXf3qK3jqrrPwCvx2mLZGHw5eO9oT26Kniuh_Rc84jNZVaZ8tRdGSOsE9g7Mx48Moj_yXkBt86Dp44oKiZOdeX-MsvC6FujHw1LraP0gpNfrJ_Rg/s200/DSC_0058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468503301069049474" /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEamYmu2Kohd2PHhlHn_oiuuT4sQOOb_zjsC5692aUIfbl8KDvmRXTxKC5wwTtgGUUYygcHXnAhJ_d1eD3cGYGg096QJXjuqCZArw1m3nJpVcWnardXjMdHL7h25ZrM3ZeP6-nru3wDRw/s200/DSC_0057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468503301260088546" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-3721174921495941092010-04-21T09:22:00.002-04:002010-04-21T10:11:12.452-04:00Beyond BeliefI pull up yahoo.com this morning in order the check my e-mail and the headline that is staring at me is <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100421/ap_on_re_us/us_day_of_prayer_military">" Evangelist's invitation stirs controversy" </a>. A watchdog group is objecting to Franklin Graham coming to speak at the National Day of Prayer event at the pentagon because his past description of Islam as "evil" is offensive. <div> Sort of makes sense doesn't it? I mean we have a president who bows to the Saudi king, he shakes hands with Chavez. He has well documented ties to anti-american anti-Semitic terrorist like Rashid Khalidi, Ali Abunimah, Bill Ayers , Bernardine Dohrn, the Rev. Bill Wright. Also, lets not forget that when Netanyahu came to visit the white house the president would not allow them to be photographed together. I think we all know that while he might not say it out loud Obama is a little offended by the fact that someone like Franklin Graham has been invited to speak at the pentagon. </div><div> The story only gets scarier as you keep reading. Weinstein the head of the watchdog group that is objecting to Graham goes on to stay that he objects to the pentagon working with the National Day of Prayer task force. He said that he doesn't object to a national day of prayer he just doesn't want them to endorse the task force because they organize "Christian events" for the day and that is preferential treatment. </div><div> A federal judge in Wisconsin <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/15/federal-judge-rules-day-prayer-unconstitutional/">agrees</a>. She called the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional because it "amounts to a call for religious action". She did postpone enforcement of the decision until all appeals are exhausted. </div><div>Phew *breathes sigh of relief*. Well I guess that last part is good news. I guess at least THIS year I can still gather at my local Christian school or church for a National Day of Prayer without being shut down. My church can hand out brochures about the day without being in fear of losing their tax-exempt status....for now. </div><div> You know in an attempt to be fair and balanced lets look at this from the other sides point of view for a minute. Imagine how relieved <i>they</i> are. I mean after all these years of being brow beaten and forced to participate in something that they didn't want to participate in, now they have been offered the religious freedom to do .......what they always had the right to do. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:180%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-42251324025019092942010-04-11T17:35:00.003-04:002010-04-12T08:42:11.399-04:00part of the journey<div><br /></div><div>I am taking a break from exercising. Starting this morning. When else would you start this kind of 'diet' if not on a Monday morning? My leg is not getting better. After finally going for an MRI it was diagnosed as a stress fracture. However, even as a stress fracture and not shin splints it should be almost completely healed by now and it's not. Since going to the Dr. almost two months ago I have for the most part done no running of any kind, but I've done the elliptical, and swimming, and biking, and weight training. I have honestly spent no less time exercising than I did before I've just avoided running (for the most part ;-) ). Did I mention the leg is not really showing many signs of healing? </div><div> I actually came to this conclusion Thursday night after talking to a close friend of mine. I was in a lot of pain, and very frustrated that this long after my original injury I was still dealing with this much pain so I realized I needed to do something more drastic, I was going to have to actually rest the leg. As if to verify my decision I woke up Friday morning to my leg actually in fairly painful spasms. Sooo I did what any rational person would do. I got up, put a phone call in to my physical therapist put on my sweats and tank top, laced up my sneakers and headed to the gym. Actually had to cut my work out short by about half an hour because after an hour on the elliptical, I was having a hard time putting any weight on my right leg during my upper body workout. </div><div> That night I mentioned to two of the people closest to me that I had come to the conclusion that this was a spiritual battle. God was trying to teach me something, there was a reason why He had taken running away from me and I was not going to learn it by replacing it with other exercises I was going to have to take a serious step back. That night the decision did not seem like a hard one as I laid in bed icing my leg with tears pouring down my face from the pain. So the next morning I did what any rational human being would do. I got up put, on my helmet and gloves, laced up my sneakers and headed off for a 20 mile bike ride. To be fair by that point I had decided that it made the most sense to start the 'fast' on Monday. </div><div> Yesterday morning on my bike ride (yes I biked again...but again I had decided to start on Monday so it really did make sense...honest). I spent most of the time trying to 'convince' God that I didn't really need the time off and if He would just heal my leg I was pretty certain that I could learn what it was He was trying to teach me while still exercising and running. He wasn't buying it. </div><div> I am planning to spend this time as a fast of sorts. The time that I would have spent working out I am going to focus on spending with God. I'll probably have more time to blog since I usually spend as much time at the gym as most people spend on a part time job. So lets see what He is trying to teach me! </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-83633188017325259132010-03-24T09:47:00.005-04:002010-03-24T10:09:40.941-04:00Spring<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth? ~Edward Giobbi</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Is there ANYTHING better than knowing that spring is here? Maybe actively participating in it by planting seeds and watching them grow! Or having kids old enough to 'help' you plant seeds and be as excited as you are to watch them pop up through the ground. WHen Rodney saw the first seedlings pop up his eyes got huge, his grin was even bigger and he said "daddy can we show everybody?" Or to be able to use the opportunity as a chance to share with them the wonder of God's creation and that He is soo generous to allow us to participate with Him in helping things grow.<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVkJua4DPAoexee0_Pyf4dFEJYh9NsZsZhhPksi92Ij-OZTNuwMQO6RCZ58LBlntUmGJDc45aRdMr8l6aFipOKFFgnNlGx08Qwyc-mhDWkseqFmSOWBAO-nhmJLSeB-SWKE_d5vz8maM/s200/DSC_0004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452198150761233314" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">While talking to Kaity it became on object lesson for myself. IF I didn't plan a garden would the world be any less beautiful? Does God need me to plant HIs flowers for Him? Clearly no. BUT oh the joy that He allows me to be a tiny part even of His creative process. </span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7D5xKyllXzhRXiPDxUPYoieumV9W_ATNX2RjVIYxEFQy3vKER_rQtQE65JJ6a0Kdexjv0z9Hs_4rG4Rtxm8fQJwEnqdlCK0l0BMOGOltvdzAOeU33OjK3VGH1dVyhxVTqM_jLKaBB1I/s200/DSC_0005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452198169923061922" />S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ometimes having the kids participate is a rough definition of the term 'help'. It would be easier to do it by myself at some point when they were out of the room. BUT it would hold less joy, less significance then doing the task together, watching them learn, seeing</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> their </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">joy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">at being part of the larger process. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr56iYyZvA2_8fQIn6wG9NavAuo_rGeDzuNUtfx-yXxZjynvIRkGAjWNyn2gmdONd0RhWW49WCcnv0liBnrT7CC_2DdpppSRs5_KvKUeM91-7eCrSqHqedpPSY_3RtpuOkFbIyqnasfc/s200/DSC_0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452198175025738562" />I couldn't help but think that God must feel the same way </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">most </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">of the time about letting us participate in His master plan. Oh it would probably be soo much easier for Him to do it all while we were 'out of the room'. Much like my kids I find that I don't have patience for doing EVERY part of His plan, I want to skip to the fun part, I get distracted half way through by something shiny, I take my eyes off the goal .</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Sometimes I just want to play in the dirt. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMXjy44423hBzzqIXrZun9pXHfXZUt3sY4_-HL6q963bRnOIyYUVFsflWtkZLNbe6FV8Mb7uX8K4wV9fbwCVAtLS1YexqLJJdIk4b2QAic7aDrB3RHMf1d84bc2tCh_Nj-k9ZNZl6z9M/s200/DSC_0013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452198163747828114" />I am grateful that His patience is greater than my own. I am grateful for the promise of spring! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Spring makes it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">s own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-32416818763840623492010-02-26T18:38:00.003-05:002010-02-26T18:44:08.090-05:00Quote of the day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1Ju1f9E8X44E0lK8r0jySVCp4rxvbyYmOyrNDFARewujoSQA7RCq4r32CevFPXpbRHndhoIIX0iuyRVfY5fba9OLeLTDKeomON7MlCUF94SadT7JKs_GqbOa5nRJvWC_tyBq1b7-nGk/s1600-h/snow_blower.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1Ju1f9E8X44E0lK8r0jySVCp4rxvbyYmOyrNDFARewujoSQA7RCq4r32CevFPXpbRHndhoIIX0iuyRVfY5fba9OLeLTDKeomON7MlCUF94SadT7JKs_GqbOa5nRJvWC_tyBq1b7-nGk/s400/snow_blower.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442701766331874802" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Daddy there's snow all over your blow snower" _ Rodney </span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland</span></b><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-27020471930045934632010-02-16T10:42:00.002-05:002010-02-16T10:47:39.706-05:00in honor of Valentines Day...<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"The truth about love, I think, is that it is indeed a profound comfort, but it is also a monumental challenge. Love immediately challenges me to break the fixation I have with myself." - John Powell </span></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-53465147441126981852010-02-12T11:01:00.002-05:002010-02-12T11:21:29.503-05:00*ouch*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6kmIAbrI89W-1nNxe9tcpouzLJlAxbvVvjp1q1ZvMnMKPuWBSJwwCqnEMDoOF0Rl2CJ-utIwJXUbniD-ORWZSipESWu35YoAuGbr_mEjx41Rdc3WZu8par-v0r0uU2-Kx99S7OAX9wo/s1600-h/RE_19.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6kmIAbrI89W-1nNxe9tcpouzLJlAxbvVvjp1q1ZvMnMKPuWBSJwwCqnEMDoOF0Rl2CJ-utIwJXUbniD-ORWZSipESWu35YoAuGbr_mEjx41Rdc3WZu8par-v0r0uU2-Kx99S7OAX9wo/s400/RE_19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437388027600815090" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>I run. I don't know if I would say "I'm a runner". I'm slow, I don't race. I run. It relieves my stress, works out the kinks. It is what makes the world make sense. Sometimes when I am running I think things through. Sometimes when I am running outside rather than on a treadmill in a crowded gym I will actually talk things through out loud. Most of the time I don't. I focus on each footstep, I listen to my breathing. I listen to big hair 80's rock and roll. Doesn't matter, the effect is the same. At the end of a good run I feel like superwoman, and I'm relaxed and ready to take on the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>About four weeks ago I hurt myself. Kind of a stupid rookie mistake. I did a hard sprint workout on a Wednesday followed by an 8 mile run on a Thurs. My legs were sore after the sprint workout. That is to be expected. My legs were KILLING me after the 8 miler, again not entirely unexpected. WHat was unexpected was that the pain wouldn't go away. I was sure that a couple of days off running would help. Any other pain that my running has caused in the last 10 years has gone away with a couple of days cross training. This didn't. </div><div><br /></div><div> Three weeks of not running later, I was at my wits end and decided to see a doctor. Turns out I have shin splints...or strained a muscle...or something. Who cares? Looks I am looking at at least another couple of weeks of not running. I know those of you who don't run are thinking; "whats the big deal? do something else for exercise". Those of you who do run....thank you for understanding. </div><div> You have probably heard the quote "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional". I have felt pain before. Now I am suffering. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-68586046266753288572010-02-01T14:49:00.002-05:002010-02-01T14:57:51.775-05:00Out of the mouth of babes.....<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">Sitting in church service last night we started singing "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. Kaity who was sitting in church with me full of enthusiasm broke into singing during the chorus: "Savior He can move the mountains, MY God is mighty to save He is mighty to save........" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">Yes He is Kaity, yes He is. <<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-20787972340919581912010-01-27T16:48:00.002-05:002010-01-27T16:51:13.728-05:00Experience<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">"Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God do you learn. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">-C. S. Lewis</span></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-89756589326097856142010-01-04T08:45:00.003-05:002010-01-04T09:01:31.761-05:00Happy New YearsNew Years. Frankly, I tend to find it pretty depressing. A friend of mine put it fairly well when she said "it's like a birthday but without presents". It's just a stark reminder that another year of your life is now behind you. Forces you to reflect back. If it was a good year, you are sad to see it go, if it was a bad year...you're just sad. Plus, at least when I "celebrate" a birthday it's in May so around the corner is June...summer....fun in the sun...etc. When I "celebrate" the New Years all I have to look forward to is January and February. yuck. <div> 2009 was not a banner year. New President, new policies, new economy, new worries, new struggles ....and as always marching constantly closer to my inevitable mid-life crisis. Here is hoping 2010 shapes up a little better.</div><div> FOr the most part I don't 'do' resolutions. Why 'resolve' to do something? Way to start the new year by setting yourself up for failure. I figure either do something or don't. I confess I am approaching this year a little differently. I think partly because last year was not a great year, I am ready to put it in the history books. If I want 2010 to be better I think that I am going to take a more pro-active approach. Rather than assuming that life is going to happen to more, I am going to work to get what I want out of this year. Do you suppose that if I am more disciplined I will find life less overwhelming and out of my control? Perhaps if I make time to have a quiet time I will wonder less why my relationship with God seems to be stagnating. Hmmm....time will tell.</div><div> One of my resolutions is to blog more. Shouldn't be hard to succeed there since I think I blogged roughly 6 times last year. But my kids are growing up soo fast (*sniffles*) and more of that has to be documented and reflected on before it slips away. So ....for starters....<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhh9L5Pa8z3dfi95SGyUmoZ1qtSsy3LA-AybLqnedF1l5hh-dr3Mn1DDSIK-qiu9WviVE5wbZBIpiSxKzUV-oSymn1zO3lLjs2umtNeqKHO4O14Uw3Ucf-fR7OGF3xlPiUSN-3qfMwag/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422884226719553938" />here is the birdhouse that my gorgeous goose made with her father this long Holiday weekend. Do you think she had a good time? :-) I will have to upload more pics later because it's not really done...it's going to be pink. </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-28248593002316139512009-10-07T14:04:00.003-04:002009-10-07T14:09:25.065-04:00Thank You Paige<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZIXwG8-y6LBlHRSymv0OwItCpnebz32q7UtcNUaD0rVi5YYVH9Y-MU2jzmXO0jgOzgIMLuIqOo13c3-CA8AoPMJO9vFBhATQ3t6c9pU9DJu29ZuX6PqTVXI5nYOWaHDoQCgeHK5t3lM/s1600-h/Paige+Bennethum+and+Dad+soldier+hold+hand.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZIXwG8-y6LBlHRSymv0OwItCpnebz32q7UtcNUaD0rVi5YYVH9Y-MU2jzmXO0jgOzgIMLuIqOo13c3-CA8AoPMJO9vFBhATQ3t6c9pU9DJu29ZuX6PqTVXI5nYOWaHDoQCgeHK5t3lM/s400/Paige+Bennethum+and+Dad+soldier+hold+hand.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389920775843456066" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZIXwG8-y6LBlHRSymv0OwItCpnebz32q7UtcNUaD0rVi5YYVH9Y-MU2jzmXO0jgOzgIMLuIqOo13c3-CA8AoPMJO9vFBhATQ3t6c9pU9DJu29ZuX6PqTVXI5nYOWaHDoQCgeHK5t3lM/s1600-h/Paige+Bennethum+and+Dad+soldier+hold+hand.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: normal, none, georgia; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 16px; ">This is 4 year old Paige Bennethum saying good-bye to her daddy before he leaves for deployment to Iraq. I guess more accurately this is Paige Bennethum NOT saying goodbye to her daddy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:normal, none, georgia;font-size:100%;color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: normal, none, georgia; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 16px; "> I have a four year old. She doesn't like daddy going to work in the morning. She REALLy doesn't like it if daddy goes away for the weekend. So I wanted to take the time to say "thank-you" to Paige, thank-you Paige's mommy. We DO understand your sacrifice, we understand what you are fighting for and you have our undying appreciation. You also have our daily prayers for your daddy's safety. </span><br /><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-73820439667233842022009-09-18T07:32:00.003-04:002009-09-18T07:53:27.867-04:00Kaity's first day of schoolYes you read that collection my sweet baby girl is starting school. *sighs*. Well Pre-K home-schooling.<br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0u2WL59hLN5IjnDwcch7UvvPWNfti133Hm22EFUIFieY6FCF9KZ-Ma7xdRmI2HrMeJyhOjf1PoVkJ1ZzPJ8P0UbgPOWSRxlXCR0NnqWrhrEn1vkV9E7M1_StO35dWBXnFkpphr6T2ic/s200/DSC_0001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382769447180351778" />But when you are the mother of said sweet, baby girl. That is starting school. She has been asking me about going to school since she was 2. Ever since then she has been counting the years, thats right counting the years until she was five and could go to school. <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-OxJRsTLEhIeMZThkTcWPpj8tqWAJlFdO4nYvCJkSCHlpRsr1DxR9dkqT1fgFVjqxAgBI3fqeXwYXO8osb_R5iwWnmGx03oXv3YiAjirvDDJLluESsjZBb9Yx8RrzVmHCYqnm4qZREY/s200/DSC_0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382769456041004978" /><div>Needless to say she is a LOT more excited about this change in her life than I was! I actually had to put school off for about a week because her curriculum books had not arrived by the time that I had told her we would start, this did NOT go over well. We have been going for a week now and every day I have to come up with more work for her to do because there is no way that she is ready to be done by the time that we are done going through what the curriculum says we are supposed to cover for that day. Now granted the curriculum isn' t quite as ambitious as I was thinking it was going to be. IN the first SIX weeks of her math curriculum I am supposed to teach her how to count to 10 and how to write the number one. (woah). IN the second SIX weeks I am supposed to teach her how to count to 20 and how to write the number two. Now to be fair writing the number two is tricky for a four year old, but somehow I think we might be able to cover that in twelve weeks of trying since she already knows how to count to 29. After 29 she thinks it's 100. I'll deal with that week 13 of school. </div><div><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybWgzGhClsCZC750iAujQIlOE43ePvp6PkVHee8BjPY1NIjGipRtbiZPJLtT91LJLJoql94RZ-k-loVAetec1Y3EbKTES8gOZ3lpsxAGAiVZndc9_vlMnhNmabEbwsgpdhBxCCB_orSw/s200/DSC_0005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382769460486520802" />As for me, I don't deal with change well. I can hear the gasps now coming from those who have known me for so long and are shocked to hear that. I don't deal with my kids growing up well, and well I am not a very organized, routine oriented person. I know some shocking revelations this morning but honesty is the best policy and I have heard that admitting you have a problem is the first step towards fixing said problem. </div><div> It has been fun. It is exciting to see the passion she has for learning, oh how I pray that I can help her keep that passion for learning. We have been learning Bible verses as part of her Bible curriculum. If you are a parent I can NOT stress enough how much I wish that I had started this with her earlier. Being able to memorize something and quote it back to me is something that I always assumed she would find frustrating and something that we would do 'later'. Well it is one of her favorite parts of school. It is so tangible for her, when she quotes back a verse to me from memory she <i>knows</i> that she <i>has </i>really learned something that she didn't know before. She can rattle it off to anyone that she happens to come across in her life and thereby show <i>them</i> that she has learned something. In doing so she has effectively taught her brother her memory verse. So now I know that I am at <b>least</b> two years later teaching her scripture memorization than I could have been. </div><div> Oh well, no looking back we move forward. So the next time you see one of my kids, ask them what Genesis 1:1 says. You won't be sorry. :-) </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-16046132021408644922009-09-11T10:11:00.002-04:002009-09-11T10:21:21.909-04:00Have YOU forgotten?<div>"They say, time heals everything. But I'm still waiting.". </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AW8puRqE4Sc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AW8puRqE4Sc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-87431258812369432272009-06-15T17:23:00.004-04:002009-06-17T10:02:42.518-04:00Where is my mission field?This post could also be titled "African Mission Trip Part II". OR "somewhere in the middle" <div><br /></div><div> Tim and I went to Africa to work with TIMO. It's a mission that places teams with un-reached people groups on the continent of Africa. We went because we were both feeling like God was possibly calling us to full time ministry and some doors opened for us to visit Africa. Before we went we prayed that God would make His will clear to us before we came home, and we prayed that Tim and I would both be on the same page. I couldn't imagine much harder than one of us flying home wondering how soon we could get back and the other flying home wondering how we could ever face going back. </div><div> God answered our prayers....my fingers are aching to write "sort of". But that would be unfair and blatantly untrue. God answered our prayers. Flying home we both felt that God had made it clear to us that we were not being called to the ministry in Africa we thought we were being called to. Both of us....same answer. Isn't that what we prayed? Then why is the answer so hard to accept? Honestly because it's not the answer we expected or really wanted to hear. We both went on the short term trip assuming that all was going to fall into place for us to go back full time as soon as possible.</div><div> So now we are back to my original question. Where is the mission field that God is calling us to? Something that God seemed to talk to both of us about while we were in Africa was that we were not doing enough HERE. In a lot of ways Africa is a far more open country to hearing about the word of God than the USA is. In a town meeting we went to they opened with "WE greet you in the name of our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ", THAT would NEVER happen here. In a lot of ways I think we have found more effective ways of sharing the gospel with the un-reached in Africa than we have of sharing with 'over-reached' here. </div><div> Here's the problem. For me personally, sharing the gospel seemed a lot easier over there. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what now? I don't know. I wish I did. We are back in the United States and back to working and living and I sooo don't want to find that we have put our hands to the plow and then turned back, I don't want to have "reckless abandon wrapped in common sense". </div><div><br /></div><div>Have you heard Casting Crowns song "somewhere in the middle"? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px; font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px; font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Somewhere between my heart and my hands</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px; font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Somewhere between my faith and my plans<br />Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves<br /><br />Somewhere between a whisper and a roar<br />Somewhere between the altar and the door<br />Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more<br />Somewhere in the middle You'll find me<br /><br />Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control<br /><br />Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side<br />Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); line-height: 16px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Do you ever feel like a song was written for RIGHT where YOU are in life?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></span><br /></span><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-37665843982828710532009-04-20T14:53:00.002-04:002009-04-20T16:03:37.768-04:00I'm leaving on a jet plane....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Well this is it. It's really here. Tomorrow afternoon I am going to be getting on a plane for a 22 hour trip to Tanzania Africa. I can't begin to share the excitement, and anxiety I am feeling. We have a pretty good idea of what our itinerary is going to be when we get there which makes it nice to prepare, but at the same time there can be no doubt that there will be so much that we are unprepared for. IT is a culture and a language that we have NO familiarity with and although we have been told and are trying to just focus on the two weeks before us, you really can't stop yourself from thinking that we are doing this in order to prepare for possibly spending a lot longer portion of our lives here, for raising our kids here. What are you looking for in a country and culture when you are wondering if this can be 'home'.? </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> Please keep us in your prayers, keep our babies in your prayers the thought of leaving them is becoming unbearable.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> Alright well since in just about 24 hours I am going to be getting on a plane I think that I should probably go and start thinking about packing...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> Oh come on don't act surprised anyone who knows me had to know that I hadn't packed yet. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-86731299936342780912009-04-06T15:07:00.004-04:002009-04-06T15:42:43.125-04:00The Point of No Return...All right the title is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">litttle </span>dramatic but after a lot of talk and discussion and prayer, it is weird to have hard evidence that this trip to Africa is going to happen. WE bought our tickets this morning!!! There is no turning back...We are leaving April 21st and returning May 5th. We are flying into Mt. Kilimanjaro airport.<div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlwZdDuMzepVtV99J9rF55ihoJ8J74Ndvhjx-vNflp4dLHl1y_PrOZuvB8Onv8urOc_XltrpHmT_CaF7KGR3nWlhGO2PMgL97YlBNoERPmgCgjtGeVYq07RENCuTnGQtQkdsoRWsHk8Q/s400/image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321661996457191970" />We will be spending the first few days to a week in En Gedi. The Timo-aim headquarters in Tanzania. That will give us time to learn all about how Timo works and to get our bodies adjusted to Africa time. They are 8 hours ahead of us and our flight to get there is about 22 hours all told so I am thinking they know what they are doing when they don't throw us right into working! </div><div> After that, there were several options as to where we would be going for the actual work site but it is looking like we are going to be going into Southern Sudan. Our missions pastor said it was 'interesting' to fly into the airport in Southern Sudan because you fly in going up the mountain to slow the plane down and you leave the airport flying downhill to get up enough speed for flight! I am thinking <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">interesting</span> might be the understatement of the year! </div><div> Our goal while we are there is to get as far as we can in building accommodations for a timo missionary who will be living there full time to minister to the people of Southern Sudan. </div><div> I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to even THINK about being a part of something like this! </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlkaVInxp4nxRJGtQRfnT2HbmWvrZ-kZyBeKcPVMBYLLwzHqDcbcK-M7tpHhggYD8TNxQV72PJt9o6Ir9CbqK0Qfr9NpyAjOpHsiN11Cp3EYjDtCu-bdXSgsZpy1TGauza-2wwwjgMTA/s200/cattle_southern_sudan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321665119675863506" />THe two weeks by themselves are exciting enough and for most of us a once in a lifetime opportunity. But for me and Tim as we look around to see if maybe this is something that we are looking to commit to long term the stakes go even a little higher! <br /></div><div> The hardest part right now is thinking of leaving my kids stateside while we go over there. We have never been away from them for more than two NIGHTS at at time and now we are looking at two WEEKS! </div><div> Alright well....keep us in your thoughts and prayers PLEASE...we leave two weeks from tomorrow.!!!! TANZANIA HERE WE COME. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-78165099443109849642009-03-09T14:41:00.003-04:002009-03-09T15:19:39.674-04:00Rome is burning!! hmmm...where did I put my fiddle...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson said: "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">"President Obama on Monday signed an order to life restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, a move he said rejects the "false choice" between science and morality"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">"Warren Buffet says the economy has 'fallen off a cliff" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I am SURE that allowing federal funding for stem cell research is definitely what we need to get the economy going!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-17709246096154623482009-02-19T12:16:00.003-05:002009-02-19T12:51:30.431-05:00Beantown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdORKxnIMGeMOc4uYSDmoncHhpix5-MaAngFLXWkaY8hyphenhyphenj8ibZvYdBODcMh-ZibVzUL_rJBemdSEBo_RccBastFpxD3NJAjmBu9_4r_AV5rb4S_-ulEPE7NdaC-JXdtiuAFVibsunboxo/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdORKxnIMGeMOc4uYSDmoncHhpix5-MaAngFLXWkaY8hyphenhyphenj8ibZvYdBODcMh-ZibVzUL_rJBemdSEBo_RccBastFpxD3NJAjmBu9_4r_AV5rb4S_-ulEPE7NdaC-JXdtiuAFVibsunboxo/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304561502552082098" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Every year my mom and my sister go away for a girl's weekend away. Usually, Ok pretty much every year we go to Lancaster, PA for shopping. WE go to the outlet stores and find all the local consignment shops. Well this year we decided to do something different and we headed to Boston, MA for the weekend. Why we didn't head south I am not sure I will ever understand, but for some reason we thought it would make sense to head North towards colder weather. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> What a great weekend. We stayed in the Hilton which is a beautiful hotel. For Friday and Saturday we bought trolley passes to get around Boston. It was perfect. Our tour guides were great, very informative and it was a great way to see Boston. We hopped off w<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">hen there was something we wanted to see, or when we suspected that their might be a consignment shop near by, then we hopped back on to learn more about the great history of that town. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> We had some GREAT seafood. For the record an 'oyster shot' is not a clever way to sell you one raw oyster. It actually involves beer...and a LOT of hot sauce. Do NOT recommend. However, the actual raw oysters were delicious....you know the ones without the Sam Adams and tabasco sauce. I am not sure that the lack of that stuff made it more appealing to my sister who still shuddered every time I put one of them in my mouth but I thought they we<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">re delicious. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> We found a 'tapas' bar with $5 tapas, and a consignment shop with $12.50 red coach shoes in MY size!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> We sat in the hot top, watched chick flicks and just generally had a great time. ....till next year ladies....Saratoga perhaps? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-size:18px;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8UUGeD0nTvVddQbui_F-Fis-ag9LwNhHCMhKW1d9q3XoyYolI-6hKa9PcrvBh7Da7QHtn2vnPbh4xhZNIG4Z1EooE_59vmcnqywd-kn2nmn0jwoPhrTzVrX4jb8hEFkanyhyphenhyphenhNcYayE/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304561502456129250" /><br /></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-5168490939021618722009-01-23T13:33:00.004-05:002009-01-24T11:07:39.967-05:00Remembering Mom-Mom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshi6wd2uPdGrGO3-_Dk9P16Y7Db1jrFQ8XAKOsssY6UC-_bVwL0MKWcQsp-yVunbHZI_kiCNNeF_BTeFpLiFqaLY-pd_gSuG_xQfY2NOdhg-ON9_PTCM4P7F2Fo0z7SBFDDYiGmk9cSk/s1600-h/39674425.WinterCemeteryMorning2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshi6wd2uPdGrGO3-_Dk9P16Y7Db1jrFQ8XAKOsssY6UC-_bVwL0MKWcQsp-yVunbHZI_kiCNNeF_BTeFpLiFqaLY-pd_gSuG_xQfY2NOdhg-ON9_PTCM4P7F2Fo0z7SBFDDYiGmk9cSk/s400/39674425.WinterCemeteryMorning2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294569102565173650" /></a>My Mom-Mom passed away Janurary 17th, 2009. Wednesday was her funeral. Growing up in South America I never had the kind of relationship with my Mom-Mom that my cousins had who grew up living right by her. My mom's relationship with her parents was often strained as well so there was also that dynamic added to our relationship. That being said, you can not deny the legacy that has been left by my Mom-Mom and to be honest with you family legacy means a lot to me. I care about what has come before that has made me and my life what it is, and I care deeply about what we leave behind to our kids. Speaking of legacy I get <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">THAT</span> from my mother. She has always mentioned how important it is to her what she be remembered for, and that she wants to be remembered. <div> I think that is why my Mom-Mom's funeral had such an impact on me. I remember the last time I saw my Mom-Mom alive. It was a couple of months ago, I went down with my mom and my sister and based on her health we knew then that there was a good possibility that it would be the last time we would see her. She was soo happy to see us and she referred to me and my sister as the 'grand-babies'. That took me off guard. I have kids of my own now. I have made my parents grand-parents and I can tell you that I had not thought of myself as being a 'grand baby' for a LONG time. </div><div> The funeral service was beautiful and so well done. There was a time given for testimonies and there were plenty of people who came up to speak about the impact that Grace English had on their lives. There were plenty more who would not speak because they knew that they could never get through it without breaking down in tears. My Mom-Mom was feisty. A week or so before the funeral my own mom for the first time heard the song " I hope you dance" By Lee Ann Womack. She mentioned after the funeral that the song definitely applied to my grandmother. She sometimes had to fight in order to get out on the dance floor of life, sometimes the song she danced to was a sad song, but let me tell you I don't think she ever looked at the choice to sit it our or dance and chose to sit it out. She was truly a 'dancer'. It's something she has instilled in my mother and my mother is doing her best to instill in her own children. I still haven't worked up the courage to go line dancing with my mother, but I am fairly certain she's not done asking. ;-) </div><div> The service ended with a clear salvation message. My Mom-Mom is in heaven, she would want everyone she knew to be able to join her there some day. She'll still be dancing. </div><div> One of the songs we sang was especially poignant to me. "Because He Lives". It is obviously very fitting for a funeral service. The final verse says "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">And then one day I'll cross the river. I'll fight lives final war with pain, and then as death gives way to victory I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Mom-Mom has fought her final war with pain, she HAS seen the light of glory. What struck me was the verse we sing right before that "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How sweet to hold a new born baby, to feel the joy and pride he gives, yet sweeter still the sweet assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span>It's almost like the author was dealing with my own 'circle of life' thoughts while he wrote the song. Old ones die, new are born. What is important doesn't change "Because He Lives". </div><div> What legacy are we leaving? When our children and grandchildren sift through what we have left behind? Will they want to follow in our footsteps? Will they long to 'dance'? Will they 'find us faithful'? Will their lives '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">be worth the living just because He lives?". </span></div><div> My dad prayed at the funeral. In his prayer he mentioned that we don't necessarily think about Heaven as often as we do, but we do think about it at funerals. That made me think about my daughter because she is obsessed with Heaven. She is constantly asking questions about what it is going to be like there, always asking when we get to go there....always. This is something that she is anxiously awaiting. Thinking of Kaity made me a little sad because sometimes you mourn as much for what you didn't as for what you did. I don't know that she has ever met my Mom-Mom. Also, I know how important my parents are in the lives of my children and it made me sad that I never had that with my grandparents and "now I never will" I thought to myself. But you know what? That's not true and that's the beauty of Heaven. Some day Kaity and I both will cross the river and we will have the rest of eternity to continue our relationship with Mom-Mom. Why? Because He Lives. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-70395691770007722122009-01-14T11:26:00.008-05:002009-01-14T11:49:48.665-05:00This is Tanzania<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As some of you know, and some of you don't. My husband and I are considering the possibility of going to Tanzania, Africa as missionaries. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVMl9uc0SKxLdnTVfWzl_M_MwaLWNcU5hHKgGSKQkVbNbqTchDNXGu_S-iR5ZXTR9qjJJSEt_06coK8hYWQYS0bS2yjVyU2i2pWZYE8XCTCiAd4fm_3HOF2aGhYXXjAKmkZSiQpqeNRI/s320/tanzania.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291187724828428514" /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> God has been working in our hearts for a little over 6 months and at this point we are praying that God would show us open doors and closed doors and give us the grace to accept them for what they are. We would have to sell our house, which is not nearly the easiest thing thing to do these days. But we are fully confident that we are proceeding following God's call and He will work things out according to HIs perfect plan regardless of where that has us living a year from now. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> It's kind of a cool story about how God brought me and Tim both to this place in our lives, some parts of our story are inte</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rtwined, in some cases we were both on our path completely alone getting to this point, and yet here we both are ready to go to Africa and terrified and exh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ilarated at what comes next. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tim is in Mississippi right now on a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IIbhlpU5LLfkFdumDYwNanv_RTp7PjlOiYov8c9PgJk7XSJlKW0Zh9U7-aHCYTB89aDxBfkKF-xWLvGQQxG5azg7pq_yN381JAgyzFZoWiv0DA6i5jMtxPmfOWSp1CcTTze7FLA5qv4/s320/DSCN0337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291189693891080786" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> completely different missions trip and when he comes back we will be getting serious about planning a two week trip to Tanzania to get the lay of the land, sort of see what our role would be an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">d kind of feel out if it is going to be a good fit. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> With all this in the works I thought I would find some things out about Tanzania. Can you believe how beautiful the pictures are??!?!?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE5BExbR3ltwI9SiscetZ8RVfQ5Hyi5deMlIdj4oDPwwk2HFUd5wdUhePVXUa7Um6sL79SAjqgqMB0oWInDv-7_UqH3Nwlj97PGjhUhPnQSavUsSnXaHCa-z5QycwyuVtBEtlv5Uj5Nk/s320/tanzania-kilimanjaro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291188455614824226" />I also found out the population is about 38 million. They are 30% Christian, 35% muslim and 35% "indigenous beliefs". Zanzibar which is next door is 99% muslim. The age structure is 43.7% 0-14 yrs., 53.6% is 15-64 yrs., 6.2% 65+. The life expectancy rate is 45.64 years so it makes sense that they are a fairly young society. The HIV/AIDS rate is 1.6 million or 8.8% of the population. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> They are also considered to be one of the most stable countries in Africa with very little internal conflict or problems with it's neighbors which was encouraging to hear about the country I am considering raising my children in! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I hope you will come along with us on this journey. We will need all the prayers that we can possibly gather not only if we go but even on this side as we make our decisions. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> More to come......</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-14822892445687954822009-01-03T20:02:00.003-05:002009-01-03T20:16:49.535-05:00Thought for the day...For every un-reached people group in the world there are 6 HUNDRED churches in this country. <div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMz8oycAcibKuGM52pczIKWIdQmE2KKMOZqAfbCfqY3Nu-dV_8Mo730mzhnofAeCmfpXc2kS2gIOgtvkYqw6SKuCmlxlHUThOcZxuy0yKvp6KEiwLZzx78RwJLfpFmVoXFpwM8Lcmpag/s400/children-725750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287241166961789442" /><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-7659253340482272052008-12-13T13:21:00.004-05:002008-12-13T13:52:51.032-05:00What's a meme?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">OK so I am new at this blogging thing.....but apparently I was 'tagged' in</span><a href="http://inthedailies.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> someone's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> blog and I am supposed to 'tag' </span><a href="http://inthedailies.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">HER</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in mine...and do a meme thing? Whatever...I'm game. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6 Things I Value: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My engagement ring</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. OK...I KNOW how materialistic and 'shallow' that might sound when others are writing things like ...."faith' but the word 'value' actually has a definition and part of it is what is something worth to YOU vs. what they are worth to the rest of the world. If someone came up to me today and offered me 10x what my engagement ring appraised for in order to buy it from me, I would turn them down without considering the offer. I value it for all that it represents. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">silence. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Say what you want you try going without it for a couple of days...then see how high it is on the list of things YOU value! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">honesty: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I cant' stand being lied to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">faith, certainty, world peace, my health. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Those are not listed in order of what I value most to the least...just written down. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6 Things I Support:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Missions! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My local community blood center-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">easiest way in the world to save a life and give something back</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> my local pregnancy resource center </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">recycling</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> locally grown produce</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> BUY AMERICAN </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Might as well if not it's going to cost you $25 billion PLUS the cost of your subaru!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6 Things I do NOT support:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> People collecting money in cans (or fireman's boots) at intersections. (!!!!!)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amnesty for illegals</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Government bailout of Wall St. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Philosophies that 'save the trees and kill the children' </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "tolerance" for tainted truth or un-biblical values and standards in a church</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> my local bagel shop...(it's time for them to catch up to the times & start taking credit cards.) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Alright that's it....my first 'meme' still don't know what that means or what it is....but hopefully my first was not a complete failure. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7192992775502622063.post-21625280520226868622008-12-02T15:14:00.009-05:002008-12-02T17:53:00.336-05:00thanks for the memories....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauxktTsOfmiT2MklSK1pXgpcT0vzWigHmmC6OdvwmUzw7275_KlcXp3H53VWKGY7ETO1hcJK0V3Di629MQxrHoj4CEmmmQXIR-kT9OmzEx1B9BAKCKnWasVWDEPasMDtKCVfGOCJH9To/s1600-h/swimmingteam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauxktTsOfmiT2MklSK1pXgpcT0vzWigHmmC6OdvwmUzw7275_KlcXp3H53VWKGY7ETO1hcJK0V3Di629MQxrHoj4CEmmmQXIR-kT9OmzEx1B9BAKCKnWasVWDEPasMDtKCVfGOCJH9To/s200/swimmingteam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275329494238436706" /></a><br />A couple of weeks ago I was taking out boxes of books from my attic to put out on some new bookshelves we bought. After 6 years of living in this house we thought maybe it was time to finish unpacking. Well one of the boxes that we dragged down down from the attic turned out to not be books but rather a box of memories. It had my old year books in it (yikes!). It had letters from old friends and old boyfriends, it had things like the number I wore when I ran the NYC marathon, my finishing certificate. Isn't it amazing what a box of memories can bring back? I found a thank-you note in there from my old high-school principle from when I had done devotions. An old high-school paper I had written that had notes on it from my favorite teacher telling me that it was one of the best papers he had ever read. It was unbelievable how some things so forgotten for so long could be brought back so vividly. I definitely recommend keeping a box of memories, even what you are sure is going to be insignificant can be fun to look through 10-15 years down the road when life is so different from where it was! By far the most fun was the pictures. I will try to control myself and not post ALL of them..but some of them must be shared. <div><br /></div><div>Me BEFORE the marathon.....</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQNPHfpbsuqRGnkQLk2F9blCwtZjdYI771z4WHAB_xIFB8d_Xs_cO7JKvQnuyCPvidY-CivZqRl4sLDKZUpByt6EqgvBOC1_Q7z-2bEv9BewsQ-ndHxUne4zFY1LzF_pDwWg71V3796U/s200/premarathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275294935654187426" />This was November of 2000. For those of you who don't know, you start the NYC on Staten Island, and you have to be there several hours before the marathon starts. Fortunately for me my sister had a friend who was a coast guard stationed on Staten Island the year that I ran the marathon so I got to hang out in his room (and have my sister with me) while I was anxiously waiting for the start of 26.2 miles as opposed to out in the freezing cold with most others. <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblRxv-pwENonkhIVxTCbMih4z_Lu1zkvi6FEPScTLuX1TGvHotVlolPSg4m0HDe6UmKc7bd5Hf47gwbm4B_xwGHPdGt2OpuL7zClWd8pt7Xmzd1JKOWU6zaIcnCnXe5elLNfNuL70Yb8/s200/endofmarathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275294947909393138" />This is me AFTER the 26.2 miles. Again for those of you who don't know that is a STUPID long distance to try to cover on foot. I can't take this opportunity (well shouldn't) to share all the memories that going through the photos brought to me but it really is funny how looking at a picture can take you back to that point in time. I remember how I felt, physically, emotionally, everything. Something I could not have really remembered enough to talk to you about the day before is back with stunning clarity. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe9czuT10hG9t3q4KjMG7ulg5cB-k-q2p1ur3EYSJFN0RIa5UWEEbMdARJurRIgS6LbS1zk4QcSLLTorg948kcWWE2GptNai8e5Pyt1lBhD8JrKGVPm_r74RgoAXsgJfgXfSqhALqlx8/s200/drewsweddingpic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275294951689458194" />This is me and my sister at my brother's wedding in May 2001. My sister is all dressed up in silver because she was asked to be part of the wedding party...one of my brother's grooms..women? Was I asked, you ask?? Noo.....but that's OK....I'm not holding on to bitterness after all these years.....;-) </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjwUOWsQefJIJJ02UCMQ6vsMZNTsNNa7Q2IcnO4AFF3orl7klolA3ABHW6Lc4ozeJ4KE8fQQSAcPU-aHmKmyC4eAgclMt3R0t7FpJGpdbEWCCawgcQcHIrPXBWlJ2WbvdV538LGFvbPY/s200/kellyunderwater.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275294958987581026" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bVGbv6ppcyKeEf3CHmGADr8QIow-PM4rI3y4q-yzKQAsUAJNkuaGpFMGtkKnKlFWYOhpb4LvcotvdqRKDJrh4WliUDcO8QmGIjhKJXr8WdVvohdK2tRxavxxITZHkDrvRv7QcGJ_AiM/s200/kellywdolphin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275294963926118050" />These are two of me on a vacation to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic...sadly I don't remember the year....02 or 03. Scuba diving and swimming with dolphins. Scuba diving is still something that I would describe as a life-changing experience. You dive into the water, worried about being able to breathe through the machine they give you, worried about remembering all the instructions you were given and all of a sudden you look around and you are in a whole new world!! We were surrounded by gorgeous fish and beautiful plant life. I don't know when I have ever been in more awe of God's creation than I was then. I mean it's like He didn't just create one world. He created several. There is our world, then there is outer space, then there is deep ocean can you imagine the creativity and imagination of our Creator God? Ok. I know it's a rabbit trail but I heard something the other day that struck me. How recently have people started exploring the ocean? Especially the deep ocean? There are depths we may never get to, animals we may never see with human eyes? Do you know what that means? That means that some things were created simply for GOD to enjoy? How cool is that? SOMEDAY I am going to do it again. A life dream of mine now is to get certified and go scuba diving as often as I possibly can. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some memories were more poignant than others. I found pictures of me with ex-boyfriends.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgvcoOrS5Hrm2XVgEtkGL-sl6VQbMUGZmreI1eqQIT41-duyXOPNELcxbIlOx4mxcPw7HsuIOu-gFOKVQNYQxDv28V3oNr0bkWdVkRYgRQnY6Io6YoufnMM8l4nCQ27VWYsGP7Dcv5kE/s200/sc00fa09fb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275302442297063666" /><br /></div><div>THIS is my first love Matt. I also found some old diaries. I am SUCH a girl!! It was funny reading through those. Have you ever heard Garth Brooks' song "Unanswered prayers"? The main line is "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers, remember when your talking to the man upstairs that just because He doesn't answer doesn't mean He don't care. Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers". I don't usually take my philosophy from Garth Brook songs..honestly. But I think he might be on to something here. ;-) Looking back I can honestly tell you I don't think that I would do things all that differently. Matt played a big part in my life, he was a piece of the puzzle, or yarn that is forming into the larger picture or tapestry of my life...BUT he broke my heart. </div><div> I read through part of the diary and it was fairly ironic all these years laer, parts of it. I talk at one point about having Matt call me talking about getting together, and another friend Mark coming to see me in the city to take me to a Broadway play, and about going out with Tim. I follow that up with " you would think that I had a very full social calendar and would never worry about being alone but I don't see it really going anywhere with any of those guys! (HA!). My last entry was the one that got me though. There was almost a quarter of the diary left so I would guarantee you that I did not know at the time that I wrote it that it would be my last entry but I said "what a difference a year makes, aren't I glad that I am not the one ultimately in charge". Have truer words ever been said? I can tell you looking back now that "what a difference 10 years make, aren't I glad that I am not the one ultimately in charge." <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009478051673195374noreply@blogger.com4