4.27.2011
PRAY PRAY PRAY
Just a quick note to let you all know that Heather was induced this morning and baby Eli is on his way! This is a critical time so your prayers are needed ASAP! If you would, set aside some quiet time and ask God to watch over them and protect them. This family has been an incredible journey and really wants to hold this little boy in their arms as a living, thriving little man. PRAY PRAY PRAY as hard as you can! Feel free to keep up with their blog as well. I will also keep you updated. Here is Greg and Heather a few weeks ago on the anniversary of their daughter Maelee's day of birth.
4.18.2011
Facebook Can Drive Me Nuts
Almost a full 40 days completed without posting on facebook. It has felt good. It was a distraction before Lent and I really think I can keep my facebook time to a minimum now. Only being able to read facebook and not post has brought a few things to light for me about this social media.
1. Reading what people ate for dinner every night is super annoying. That is information I'm not sure why people share. I understand being excited about a special night out or something, but what you cooked or ate EVERY night?? We really share waaaay too much information with people on our status updates. Pictures of your food does not make it more awesome.
2. I do not want to know what color you saw when you blew your nose this morning even if this is the worst cold you have ever had. Gross.
3. I do not want to buy your crap over facebook. Stop posting your junk on facebook for me to buy. I'll go to the store or find it cheaper on Amazon.
4. Do we really need to know how often you drink alcohol? Let's be honest, it makes you look like you are a 20 year old desperate to be 21 so you can be "cool". It's not impressive and makes you seem very irresponsible. I get it. Most of us enjoy a good beer or glass a wine to unwind from time to time, but going through 4 bottles of wine or putting a way a keg of beer over a weekend is not cool. At all. Either stop lying about how important booze is to you or join AA.
5. It's awkward to know you are mad at your spouse or significant other.
6. I can't imagine many people care that you just checked in at McAllister's for lunch. Foursquare needs to stop.
7. Do people even look at the pictures they post these days? That drunk night out should be kept to yourself. Not attractive and there's always someone from your place of employment looking at it.
8. I'm excited for your good mood, but saying "Good Morning" or "Good Night Facebook" every day....
9. Updating your status every 30 minutes is really not necessary. Seriously.
10. Working out is great. It's healthy. Congrats on being healthy. Stop posting your workout plan on facebook every time you hit the gym.
Lastly,
11. Stop using profanity on facebook. You are not cooler for it. You look like a D-bag.
Lastly,
11. Stop using profanity on facebook. You are not cooler for it. You look like a D-bag.
That is all.
4.14.2011
Fun Apps On My Phone
I used my silent movie app on my iPhone to create this video from an older video I took of Ella. This is hilarious! I love this girl!
On the 10th day
UPDATE
That's right people... I have been without my favorite beverage for 36 days. I haven't been off diet coke for more than 3 days in a row in over 20 years and I'll tell you it's been hard. Water isn't so bad, but let's face it, it doesn't do the job first thing in the morning (or at lunch, or at dinner, or while I work, or on a sunny day after yard work, or while I'm doing freelance, or when I'm watching a movie.... you get what I'm saying, right?) 9 more days of no diet coke. I can do it. If Jesus can do all He's done for me, I should be able to do this small thing for Him. 10 more days from now, I will be celebrating the resurrection of my Lord and sippin' on a cold diet coke. Mmmm mmmm mmmmm!
Not posting on Facebook hasn't been quite the challenge I thought it'd be. Just lately have I wanted to upload cool pictures or videos of Ella now that I have an iPhone that makes it so easy, but I will wait. I do read, on occasion, the news feed on facebook just to see what folks are up to and pray for those who need it. I'm thinking I need to make facebook not so much a part of my life after Easter anyway. It's really been nice.
Lent, so far, has really been worth experiencing. I've never given anything up before and after this year, I think I'll participate again next year. God has been so good to us. I've spent more time with my family and my bible which has made me a new person. I thank God that He challenged me this year. Maybe next year I'll give up french fries or chocolate. I'm glad that's a whole year away. *whew*
That's right people... I have been without my favorite beverage for 36 days. I haven't been off diet coke for more than 3 days in a row in over 20 years and I'll tell you it's been hard. Water isn't so bad, but let's face it, it doesn't do the job first thing in the morning (or at lunch, or at dinner, or while I work, or on a sunny day after yard work, or while I'm doing freelance, or when I'm watching a movie.... you get what I'm saying, right?) 9 more days of no diet coke. I can do it. If Jesus can do all He's done for me, I should be able to do this small thing for Him. 10 more days from now, I will be celebrating the resurrection of my Lord and sippin' on a cold diet coke. Mmmm mmmm mmmmm!
Not posting on Facebook hasn't been quite the challenge I thought it'd be. Just lately have I wanted to upload cool pictures or videos of Ella now that I have an iPhone that makes it so easy, but I will wait. I do read, on occasion, the news feed on facebook just to see what folks are up to and pray for those who need it. I'm thinking I need to make facebook not so much a part of my life after Easter anyway. It's really been nice.
Lent, so far, has really been worth experiencing. I've never given anything up before and after this year, I think I'll participate again next year. God has been so good to us. I've spent more time with my family and my bible which has made me a new person. I thank God that He challenged me this year. Maybe next year I'll give up french fries or chocolate. I'm glad that's a whole year away. *whew*
4.12.2011
Miracles
Do not doubt my Lord. He is amazing. God gives us miracles to see, be a part of, hear about and pray for every day and what He can do can bring you to your knees.
This past Sunday, church started out with a baptism (as it does often in such a big church). The first to be baptized was a man that had come to the church just 5 short weeks prior to ask for prayer. His teenage son had been in a horrible motor cross accident and was in really bad shape. He was in ICU and the doctors weren't sure he'd even make it. This man, the dad, came to the church and prayed and read scripture for hours with some of the others at the church. He continued to do this for 5 weeks. His story was moving and we all clapped after he was baptized. It's hard to understand why, but sometimes, when life is good, we don't turn to Christ. It can take a tragedy or pain to pull us in and bring us to God. It's a shame, really, but it's so nice to have Him there for us whenever we need Him. He never turns us away.
The second person to be baptized was the mother of this teenager. She, too, had been brought to her knees during this horrible time and turned to God. It was amazing to watch this family turn to Christ and not to anger and hopelessness. This family had found a blessing in this horrible time. We all clapped when she was baptized.
The dad has stayed behind after his baptism to watch his wife start her new life in front of hundreds of people, but it seemed odd to me because most people "get dunked" and walk off. He stayed even after she was baptized. What was he doing?
The minister at this point stated that the doctors also told the family that if Tyler, their son, made it, he'd been in ICU for AT LEAST 6 months and they weren't sure he'd make it at all. At that point, the dad helped Tyler down into the baptism water. Tyler was discharged from the hospital FIVE WEEKS after his accident after such grim predictions by the doctors and was now ready to give his life to God. WOW!!! There was not a single dry eye in the entire sanctuary. Tyler received a standing ovation as it was so evident God had created a miracle.
So don't doubt my Lord. He can do things we can't even imagine or understand. Turn to Him. He will never turn away from you, even as we sin against Him. Let Him create a story through you to share with the world and be on the look out.... miracles are happening all around us.
This past Sunday, church started out with a baptism (as it does often in such a big church). The first to be baptized was a man that had come to the church just 5 short weeks prior to ask for prayer. His teenage son had been in a horrible motor cross accident and was in really bad shape. He was in ICU and the doctors weren't sure he'd even make it. This man, the dad, came to the church and prayed and read scripture for hours with some of the others at the church. He continued to do this for 5 weeks. His story was moving and we all clapped after he was baptized. It's hard to understand why, but sometimes, when life is good, we don't turn to Christ. It can take a tragedy or pain to pull us in and bring us to God. It's a shame, really, but it's so nice to have Him there for us whenever we need Him. He never turns us away.
The second person to be baptized was the mother of this teenager. She, too, had been brought to her knees during this horrible time and turned to God. It was amazing to watch this family turn to Christ and not to anger and hopelessness. This family had found a blessing in this horrible time. We all clapped when she was baptized.
The dad has stayed behind after his baptism to watch his wife start her new life in front of hundreds of people, but it seemed odd to me because most people "get dunked" and walk off. He stayed even after she was baptized. What was he doing?
The minister at this point stated that the doctors also told the family that if Tyler, their son, made it, he'd been in ICU for AT LEAST 6 months and they weren't sure he'd make it at all. At that point, the dad helped Tyler down into the baptism water. Tyler was discharged from the hospital FIVE WEEKS after his accident after such grim predictions by the doctors and was now ready to give his life to God. WOW!!! There was not a single dry eye in the entire sanctuary. Tyler received a standing ovation as it was so evident God had created a miracle.
So don't doubt my Lord. He can do things we can't even imagine or understand. Turn to Him. He will never turn away from you, even as we sin against Him. Let Him create a story through you to share with the world and be on the look out.... miracles are happening all around us.
4.06.2011
Happy Birthday
1 Year Ago
One short year ago, my friends gave birth to their daughter, Maelee Linn, at 38 weeks gestation.... still born. April 6, 2010. What a horrible time that was. I remember the pain, the sorrow, that deep, deep anguish we felt for Greg and Heather when we heard Maelee didn't make it. Days were filled with sobs and prayers. Over the past year, there have been tears, long and hard prayers and some healing... at least for me. I remember asking God "Why?" over and over again trying to understand why He would take Maelee away. I know it's not for me to understand. I know that God has a purpose for everyone, even Maelee. I know now that Maelee is healthy, happy and thriving with Jesus by her side and that we will all see her one day. This is where the healing, for me, comes from.
I feel like today should be a special day for Maelee, Greg and Heather. Meetings at work should stop. The hustle and bustle of every day business should stop. I have a friend being induced today and I secretly hope her baby doesn't come until tomorrow so that Maelee can have this day. I don't know why, but I do. It just seems like everyone should be sad today. Remembering what last year on this day was like is so hard. I can't even try to imagine what Greg and Heather must be feeling right now. The first and last time they held their little girl was a year ago. This makes my heart hurt.
I've watched Greg and Heather over this past year grieve and carry on through their days because they have to. I have seen them not give up hope and continue to praise Him through the storm. I have watched them put smiles back on their faces and talk about Maelee with pride. They have truly been an inspiration during this and I feel like my faith is even stronger watching them in their journey. Maelee has made Heaven shine brighter for me and I hope Greg and Heather know how proud they should be of Maelee for showing us God is good, even in tragedy.
Today, I will have that day on my mind more than ever. I will worry about Greg and Heather and how they are coping. I'll listen to music that reminds me of them and that time. I will pray. I will also praise Him for His grace and mercy and thank Him for little baby boy Kasowski on the way this month. If you find some time, pray from Greg, Heather and the new baby on the way. This is a hard time.
I feel like today should be a special day for Maelee, Greg and Heather. Meetings at work should stop. The hustle and bustle of every day business should stop. I have a friend being induced today and I secretly hope her baby doesn't come until tomorrow so that Maelee can have this day. I don't know why, but I do. It just seems like everyone should be sad today. Remembering what last year on this day was like is so hard. I can't even try to imagine what Greg and Heather must be feeling right now. The first and last time they held their little girl was a year ago. This makes my heart hurt.
I've watched Greg and Heather over this past year grieve and carry on through their days because they have to. I have seen them not give up hope and continue to praise Him through the storm. I have watched them put smiles back on their faces and talk about Maelee with pride. They have truly been an inspiration during this and I feel like my faith is even stronger watching them in their journey. Maelee has made Heaven shine brighter for me and I hope Greg and Heather know how proud they should be of Maelee for showing us God is good, even in tragedy.
Today, I will have that day on my mind more than ever. I will worry about Greg and Heather and how they are coping. I'll listen to music that reminds me of them and that time. I will pray. I will also praise Him for His grace and mercy and thank Him for little baby boy Kasowski on the way this month. If you find some time, pray from Greg, Heather and the new baby on the way. This is a hard time.
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