Ten Truths About Me

It seems to take a long time to be comfortable in who you are.  I never would have guessed it would take me this long, 40 some years, to be comfortable in my own skin.  But it feels good to be here, in this place, content, comfortable, happy.  As I reflect on this place, I thought I'd share Ten Truths About Me.

1.  I'm in a very creative place right now with my photography and Photoshop, and I am having a blast doing it. {I love Texture Tuesdays!}

2.  I'm hoping to be brave enough to begin selling my photography very soon! {did I just say that?}

3.  Summer is my absolutely favorite time of the year.  I spend much of the day outside.  I don't mind the heat as much as the rest of the family.  I adore time in my garden and back yard.

4.  I'm reading through the entire Bible this summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Bible in 90 Days program)  I'm excited my Husband is joining me on this adventure.  We'll have some great discussions as we read together.

5.  I hate cleaning house.

6.  I am shocked at how my life continues to evolve.  I feel the same as I did 15 years ago, but I continue learning new things and enjoying old things.

7.  My girls are growing up too fast!!

8. I love road trips with the family.  We are currently planning for this summer's trip, possibly north through the Dakotas and Montana, into Canada.  I can't wait! (This is when I love digital cameras the most!!)

9.  My Husband is my absolute best friend, and I couldn't possibly live without him.

10.  Organization is not my strength and sometimes it drives me crazy!


Just for fun, I'm hosting a fun photography challenge for Moms and their kids.  Come check it out  We're calling it Mommy & Me Photography Challenge.!

My photo above: Two layers of Kim Klassen's texture 'Oh My' at Soft Light 100%, Kim's 'PaperStained' texture on Overlay at 100%, a new texture 'Cocoa Linen' at 50% color burn, and a few adjustment layers for brightness and exposure.

Top Ten Crazies of the Last Two Weeks

Do you ever have those seasons in your life when everything just goes haywire?  Oh yeah, I've had so many over the last two weeks that I had to just pick the top ten to share with you!

1.  Planning a non-profit event for 400+ people tends to sidetrack housework.

2.  Moving a work office.  Need I say more?

3.  Youngest girlie is scheduled for an overnight event at church, but gets sidetracked when sickness hits.

4.  A death in the family changes our plans for the weekend.

5.  Unexpected family arrive to stay overnight for said funeral.

6.  Sick girlie keeps me at home, not able to attend funeral services.

7.  Above sickness keeps me on a strange work schedule, trying to get an office back up and running.

8.  Poor little girlie ends up with a throat infection, which keeps us home from church on Sunday, sitting at the doctor's office.

9.  Dad has to take a half day off work to stay home with A, since I have to be at work for those pesky utility hookups.

10. Tending to overtime work and family = no blogging time.

Please, can anyone relate? 

Ten Reasons I Love My Kindle Fire

Husband and I bought a Kindle Fire with some Christmas money this year.  I wasn't even sure of everything it could do, but Husband thought this would be a great fit for our family.  Boy, was he ever right!  We are all enjoying it so much that we fight for our turn!  Here are ten things I love about the Kindle.

1.  It is small and lightweight and easily fits in my purse. {bonus}

2.  I added all the music from my computer and could even transfer my playlist of Worship songs.  That means the Kindle can travel from room to room with me when I am cleaning to keep me company!

3.  I have found some awesome books for only 99 cents!  I love finding a bargain!!

4.  I love being able to check my email and twitter without having to tote my laptop around the house with me. {or steal it from a game-playing child}

5.  All those ebooks I've purchased from friends can load right up on the Kindle.  Managing my Kindle is super easy from the Amazon site as well.

6.  So many fun {FREE} games!  Little A and I have been tending to a zoo app and are having a great time taking care of our animals.  Husband loves Scrabble!

7.  Educational games make waiting so much easier for the little ones!

8.  The long lasting battery is such a nice change!

9.  Deleting an app that just isn't right for our family is super easy with the touch of a button.

10.  There is something for everyone!  We all have our favorite things on the Kindle, but the problem is we only have one!!

Yep, we love it, and we would highly recommend one for your family.  And I don't even get a commission for telling you that!

Ten Reasons to Boycott Offensive Advertising

Our family looks forward to the Super Bowl each year for the fun of hanging out with family and friends, eating great food, watching superb football, and being entertained by fun commercials.

This year when I saw that GoDaddy.com was featuring a Super Bowl ad, I was immediately apprehensive because they haven't always shown the best taste in the past.  Unfortunately, they proved me correct again this year.  I won't send you to their website to see the commercial because I don't want to give them any traffic, but the commercial was essentially two guys dreaming of half naked women telling them about web hosting.  Trust me when I say you paid very little attention to the information, because the women were in high "Victory Secret" regalia of very little clothing.

Here are my Top 10 Reasons to Boycott GoDaddy.com:


1. Super Bowl time is family time-still in prime time. My children don't need to see this kind of low advertising.
2. The commercials were a simple means to peddle soft p*rn through my living room.
3. The marketing approach was obviously created by men for men.
4. I didn't appreciate the 90% naked women being flaunted in front of my husband.
5. What are you selling?  It certainly wasn't clear from that commercial.
6. Using sex to sell is entirely degrading to women.
7. They offended 50% of their target market and especially the powerful mommy bloggers.
8. The $3 million spent on that commercial could have provided clean water for thousands of people, or food and shelter for those without.
9.  Using sex to bring attention to yourselves is insulting to our intelligence.

10. It's time to send a message to advertisers that we are tired of smut being displayed in the name of advertising.  Let them know how you feel -- don't use their services.


...stepping down from soap box.....


What do you think?  Was I the only one offended??

Need an alternative?  Go check out www.puritynames.com.  They've got it going on!  Purity Names was founded to give individuals and organizations a chance to establish their presence on the internet without having to patronize companies who enable and profit from the spread of pornography. As the world's first and only family friendly domain name registrar, we ensure that the domains we sell and the websites we host are not used for pornography. Unlike other companies, we turn away those who want to engage in the distribution of obscene material because we don't want to be associated with such activity.


Now that is a company I can stand behind and support!!

Top Ten Ways My Life Will Change This Year

You may have noticed that things have been a bit different around here lately, at least I hope you noticed...you were reading...weren't you?  Since the beginning of December, life has been anything but normal here at our house.  It is amazing how a mission trip can impact the family!

As with many life changing experiences, I came home from Haiti with a completely different view of life, not just theirs, buy my own as well.  I thought a list may be in order of ways I think my life will change as a result, so here we go!

TOP TEN WAYS MY LIFE WILL CHANGE THIS YEAR

1. Although I love me some alone time (no more hiding at home), I also love hanging out.  This year I'm going to spend more intentional time with friends.
2. While we're spending time together, I want our relationships to be deep and meaningful.  No more shallowness or fear of asking deeper questions.
3. Although I love my time blogging, I have realized that it has overtaken other things that are more important...it is time to gain some perspective.
4. My eyes have been opened to many new social issues that I find appalling.  I hope to find a couple that really click with me and lend my support through exposure and support here on my blog.
5. I want to do more reading and studying God's word.
6. Haiti has now taken up residence in my heart.  There is not a day that has passed that my mind hasn't wondered to the people living there. I will be finding ways to continue helping the Pillatre Christian Center and community.
7. God really showed me how He takes care of me, even in the smallest of ways, during my trip.  I can't wait to trust Him with more of my every day!
8. I've seen unbelievable poverty up close and personal.  It has left a large hole of conviction about how I steward my resources.  Big changes are coming.
9. Witnessing God's love in action through others has changed me.  I want to be his hands and feet everyday, not just on a mission trip.  I'm praying about where I can love others who may not know the Lord.
10. GIVE.  I want to give more!  Not just my belongs and financial support, but of myself to my friends and family.  Selfishness of my time needs to take a backseat.

It may look like I just typed out a list of New Year's Resolutions.....but I didn't.  I don't believe in those.  This is a list of ways that I know God has already been working and wants to see a continued difference in me as a result of serving Him in Haiti.  Did I know some of these things before going on a mission trip?  YES.  But upon returning home, God's purposes were even more clear to me.  I can no longer ignore that still small voice asking me to do more, and be more.

Yes, Lord.

Ten Prayers For My Mission Trip To Haiti

Top Ten Prayers For My Mission Trip to Haiti

1.  Above all else, that God's name is glorified on earth as it is in heaven.

 "I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." 

Psalm 86:12

2.  As God's kingdom advances, Satan's hold on Haiti will be destroyed and demolished by the power of God.

 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."  

Revelation 20:10

3.  Corruption in the Haitian government will cease and it's people will prevail.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." 

Psalm 82:3

4.   May this team of 8-Tom, Connie, Gary, Miriam, Michael, Joe, Erin and myself,  be the hands and feet of Jesus to whomever we encounter.

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

James 2:15-17 

5.   That every deed, every act, every smile, every encounter, every service be rooted in love.

"Love never fails."

I Corinthians 13:8

6.  May the strength and power of Jesus Christ rest on Pastor Manno as he shepherds and leads at the Pillatre Christian Ministries.

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

I Peter 4:11

 

7.   May those who hear the gospel believe and be saved.

 

"..and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped."

Exodus 4:31

 

8.  May spiritual revival spread and ignite the people of Haiti.

"The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

Acts 4:21 

 

9.  May the Lord comfort and protect the families of those going out.

 

"The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Psalm 121:8 

 

10.  Not my will, but Yours be done.  I surrender all.

 

"..your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10 

 

 

Ten Ways to Protect Your Marriage

Ten Ways to Protect Your Marriage

1. Discuss and set boundaries and expectations.  For instance, you may agree that neither of you will meet individually with a member of the opposite sex over a meal.  Talk issues out before something happens to cause conflict.
2. Keep confidences.  Our girlfriends do not need to know every detail of our marriage conversations.  Keeping your husband's conversations confident shows a great deal of respect and honor to him.
3. Be sure that you know each others Love Languages.  It is crucial that you know how your husband receives love from you!
4. Carve out time for just the two of you.  If it is difficult to get a sitter, just stay in!  Play a game of scrabble or choose a movie together, pop some popcorn, pull a mattress onto the living room floor, grab some pillows and blankets to snuggle under, and enjoy a great evening together!
5. Go to bed at the same time each night!  This creates an easy way to have conversations, talk about your day, and connect.
6. Stay connected every day.  You should never have gone through a day without having kissed and hugged your husband several times!
7. Find recreation that you both enjoy.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy: going to movies, a favorite TV show, walking the dog, etc.  Just find things you can enjoy together.
8. Keep it fun!  You most likely married your best friend, right?  Laughter and silliness together is good for the soul and your relationship!
9. Encourage his time to find and cultivate friendships.  Allow him "space" for down time and friends.
10. Pray together.  Nothing will bring you closer  than spending time with Christ in the center of your relationship.

Having had my first marriage crash and burn and disintegrate into pieces, I have learned the hard way that our marriages cannot survive without the proper time and attention given to keep them alive.  Don't just aim to keep your marriage good, strive to make it great!

Greet your husband at the door tonight like he's been gone for a week!

My Top Ten Greatest Fears of a Mission Trip to Haiti

As I begin mentally preparing for my trip to Haiti, I can't help but find my mind wondering to all of the unknowns that will accompany me!

1. Am I truly equipped to be a blessing?
2. I've never left my family for this long before - 8 days
3. Foreign foods! Can my stomach handle things I am not used to eating?
4. Language barriers-Can I translate love without the use of words?
5. Satan's attacks-When the kingdom advances, Satan throws up road blocks
6. I never expected that on my first mission trip I would be going without my husband!
7. Can I control the emotions that will inevitably find me as I witness abject poverty?
8. Raising $1500-God knows where it is coming from, 'cause I sure don't!
9. Surrendering to God's work
10. Sleeping-Yes I worry about this.  I am a big sleeper and I already know the compound where we stay is surrounded at night by barking guard dogs.

But above all, I know my God holds all the answers.  If my name happens to cross your mind in the coming months as I prepare, will you pray for these items?  Thank you SO much!

Would you like to partner with me financially?  If you would like to contribute directly to my church, they can send you a receipt.  Simply send a check(with my name on the memo line) to:

Eastview Christian Church

Attn: December Haiti Trip

1500 N Airport Rd

Normal IL 61761

Please be sure to enclose your contact information.

If you would like to help with the extra expenses, you can contribute directly to my paypal account.

Top 10 Tuesday - Favorite Summer Things

Summer is my absolute favorite time of the year.  It has to be pretty stinkin' hot for me to stay indoors(we've had a few of those lately!).  So here are some of my favorite things about summer:

1.  Spending time at Grandma's and finding fun things to do!  Husband pulled this archery set out of the shed.  The kids were shocked that we both knew how to do this! (see the bare feet? read #5)

2.  Anything water related!

3.  I can take my office outside on the front porch and watch the kids play.

4.  More time with my dog since I'm outside all day. (she's an outdoor dog)

5.  Bare feet!  Oh yeah, kickin' it old school!

6.  Working in my garden, adding new plants, moving things around and watching it grow!

7.  Waiting for my favorite flowers to emerge.

8.  Enjoying every second that the butterflies visit!

9.  Family Vacation!  Heading up to the family cabin in Canada is always a highlight of our summer!!

10.  Hanging out with this man!  Husband is a teacher, so we get to spend lots more time together during the summer, and we love every minute of it!

My Top Ten Favorite Perennials

I love flowers of every kind, so choosing just 10 can be difficult for this gardener.  But I'm going to give it my best shot!

1.  Daisies

2. Roses

3. Bleeding Hearts

4. Purple Coneflower

5. Lily of the Valley

 6.  Hostas

 7.  Clematis

8.  Yellow loosestrife

9.Bachelor Buttons

10.  Phlox

And there you have it! Aren't they gorgeous?  Who wouldn't love these perennials in their garden?

I'm linking up today with Top Ten Tuesday!

Ten Things I Love About My Church

Ten Things I Love About My Church

The Husband and I met over 16 years ago at our church.  Back then it was in a much smaller building with about 1/3 of the congregation.  We are so richly blessed by our church family.

We have a fantastic book store on site that provides great resources for everyone.  Every week the message is recorded so if you hear something you'd like to give to a friend or co-worker, you can purchase it right after the service.  It is also a cozy place to look through books!

Our atrium is full of tables and chairs for folks to gather between and after services each week.  Trust me, this area is jam packed with people every Sunday morning.  We love the sense of community, and it happens here each Sunday.  This area is even set to be expanded this Spring!
 

Our attendance is now around 4,400 each week.  I love to be among that many believers worshiping the King of Kings and growing together.  Yes, it is a large congregation, but when you get involved, it becomes much smaller very quickly!

We house a food pantry that is fully stocked and run by our congregation.  Thousands of families are blessed by this pantry every year. 

Our church believes strongly in Missions!  This year alone we will send about 12 different groups to various places around the globe.  We've had an ongoing relationship with a church in Haiti for over 10 years and have partnered with them to build a church and a christian school.  We are also heavily involved in the Dominican Republic.

I love that if you are struggling in any given area in your life, we have a group that can help you!  We offer many different support groups, as well as specific groups like single moms and seniors.

This guy is the heart and soul of our church.  Mike Baker is our Senior Pastor.  Husband and I have known Mike from even before he came to Eastview through retreats with CIY, where he worked previously.  You could not meet a more genuine guy who is on fire for God and for His church.  Mike preaches only from the Bible each and every week and he is an awesome speaker.  His wife?  She is awesome too!

Our kids are taught straight from the Bible as well each and every week.  Every two years they cover the entire Bible.  That means in their time in Kidsview they will have studied the Bible 3 times!  The teaching, love and encouragement found in our childrens department is TOP NOTCH!

Our girls have been involved with Upward Basketball at our church for several years and truly love it.  It brings in over 700 kids throughout our community every year.

We've been involved with a small group the entire time we have attended this church.  It is the great way that our large church can seem much smaller.  We have made some of the greatest friends through our small groups.  Our kids all grow up together and have created some terrific bonds.  We have been able to "do life" with many of these families that helps us through the day to day challenges of marriage and parenthood.  I consider them my dearest of friends.

Top Ten Tuesday-My Favorite Bible Verses

Choosing just 10 bible verses as my favorite is a difficult task.  I have so many that have touched my heart in various seasons of my life.  God's word always provides the direction and encouragement that we need in every circumstance. 

1. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
2. Live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  Colossians 1:10b-12
3. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  Ephesians 6:11
4. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  II  Corinthians 1:3-4
5. The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8: 6b
6. My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.  Luke 1:46
7. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33
8. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11
9. I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  Psalm 40:1-2
10. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:17-18

These are some of my favorites, but I hardly even put a dent in some of my favorite Old Testament verses.  Maybe that will be another Top Ten list for later.


I'd love to see a couple of your favorites!  Leave them for me in the comments!

Top 10 Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday over at Oh Amanda's sounded like a lot of fun, so I thought I would participate today with the top 10 things I need at my prayer chair.  I know it doesn't exactly match the rest of my living room, being blue and all, but it was the rocking chair that I rocked my first baby in over 20 years ago, so it isn't going anywhere!  It is entirely comfortable and a perfect fit for my morning prayer and devotion time.

So here are my ten items that can be found at my prayer chair:

1. bible, I use NIV
2. Jesus Calling devotion, I love because it is like Jesus talking directly to me
3. notebook for notes and prayers
4. pencil
5. highlighter
6. The Power of Praying Through the Bible, is cool right now to read along with my Bible in 90 Days program
7. The Power of a Praying Parent Book of Prayers, my kids need all the prayer they can get!
8. NIV Exhaustive Concordance
9. post it notes
10. my blanket to keep warm in the early morning before the furnance has caught up

So there you have it.  Ten things I can't live without in my prayer chair.  Have 10 things you'd like to share?  Link up and join the fun!






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