Satan has struck again

So, we are 4 days away from Nick's 13th birthday party. It is always an event. We have squirt guns, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks, cake, ice cream, Slip-N-Slide, water balloons & a slime fight...for anyone who wants to be slimed. This year, we are doing that and going to add horse shoes, bad mitten/volleyball, 3 legged race, party horns, and spinning yourself dizzy with a bat....I don't know what you actually call it. Its when you hold the ball bat up right on the ground, bend over putting your head against the end and then walk around it several times until you are dizzy AND THEN racing your friends, that are also dizzy, past the finish line. I have seen it done before but this will be the first time for us. Then, on Sunday I get the privilege of teaching Children's Bible Time at our church to the 6-8 year olds. I really love doing that. I love the kids, the planning, the crafts, the songs, everything.....and I get to do it for the whole month. SATAN HAS STRUCK AGAIN......Eric is sick with a cold/flu something and has a fever that has gotten up to 102 degrees. He feels horrible. Nick and Abbie are both running low grade fevers but haven't gotten the full blown attack yet. Abbie is a little whiny but Nick actually missed football practice. There have been times I have thought that he would rather chew his own foot off than miss football....he must be getting it. I felt yucky earlier today but at the moment, feel fine. Thank you, Jesus. It comes in times of great plans of great fun, when Satan stands so proudly in our home. "Knowing is half the battle" to quote the old G.I. Joe cartoon of my childhood. He will try anything to make us doubt. But I don't doubt, he will lose and I will win because I am on God's side. My wonderful husband recently made me so proud to be his wife. I can not and will not go into details but the situation was a woman he knows very well told him that she was involved in a relationship with another woman. She is married to a nasty man and has every reason to leave him. When she told Eric this, he was amazed. He never thought that was who she was. He said that he thought about it for a little while and then took her into a private room and simply said, "Don't do this. Don't do this. When you are standing before God on Judgement Day, you know better than this. Don't do it." She started crying and finally told him the truth, that her husband had been abusing her for months and she would rather people think she was leaving him because of another relationship than that there was physical abuse. How sad?!?! In this pitiful world we live in, it is better to be a lesbian than a battered wife. I personally think it has to do with pride. Letting others know that someone has that kind of power over you and, in this case, that you haven't left and have put up with it for so long. Pray for her and her children.....that God gives her the strength to be who and what she is, exactly the way God made her. And on a less serious note: Eric is now a Brown Belt in Karate! He belt tested on Monday. Again, he makes me proud.....and safe to be in a dark alley ;-)

Doubts?

Doubts about your purpose? Doubts about your reason here on earth? Doubts about God?

Just watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

When you look at science and the Bible agreeing on something....it blows your mind.

Thanks, Jennifer, for finding and sharing this.

Recently....

Recently, some people that I know have died. This is very sad and I am so sorry for their families. Grief and loss are horrible emotions to survive. Sometimes it destroys families forever, when arguments and hurt feelings are pushed in the wrong direction. A very confusing time, to say the least.

For these people, I don't believe that is the case. Kay, Annette & Rick loved the Lord. They lived their lives for Him and with Him. You didn't have to ask or listen to them speak to know, you could see it everyday, by the way they lived and loved. A greater testament cannot be.

Their families will never be the same. Family reunions and holidays are changed forever.

But, take comfort. They are in HEAVEN rejoicing and singing praises! I can just see Annette and my Grandpa reliving old times together. They grew up together their entire lives, same school, same area, same church. I'm sure they are happy to see each other and have lots to talk about.

God IS good ALL the time!

Rick Richmond, 37 Richard "Rick" Otis Richmond, 37, of South Webster, died Monday, July 21, 2008, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. He was born in Portsmouth on June 15, 1971, to Richard and Brenda Baker Richmond. Rick was a 1989 graduate of South Webster High School. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the outdoors, where he liked riding motorcycles, ATVs, and horses. Rick also loved spending time with this family. He was a member of the New Boston Eagles Aerie 2271 and the Sunshine Church of Christ in Minford.

He is survived by his wife, Rushie Rakes Richmond, whom he married on May 22, 1993, in Scioto Furnace; his daughter, Rikki Lynn Richmond, at home; his parents, Richard and Brenda Baker Richmond of South Webster; grandparents, Howard and Garnet Hill of Wheelersburg; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Delmer and Thelma Rakes of Oak Hill; six uncles, Arnold Richmond, Tom Richmond, Larry Baker, Don Baker, Les Hill and Kirk Hill; eight aunts, Fern Duncan, Anna Holcomb, Rita Shumway, Barbara Dingus, Patty Chamberlin, Camie Holbrook, Beverly Stiles and Karen Miller; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kay E. Peach Coriell, 61 Kay E. Peach Coriell, 61, of Portsmouth, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. Born Nov. 3, 1946, in Portsmouth, a daughter of Stanley Peach of Portsmouth and the late Wanda Maddy Peach, she was a retired elementary school teacher from Minford Local Schools. She was a member of Sciotoville Christian Church and Shawnee Nature Club.

In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband, Steven Coriell, whom she married May 28, 1966; two sisters, Joan (Mike) Coriell and Polly (Bob) Warnock, both of Portsmouth; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Mary Annette Coriell, 90

Mary Annette Coriell, 90, of Minford, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at her residence. Born May 16, 1918, in Scioto County, Ohio, a daughter of the late Walter S. and Virginia Mansfield Coriell, she was an occupational therapist and had worked for the Receiving Hospital in Portsmouth for 15 years and VA Hospitals in Huntington, W.Va., and Lexington, Ky. She had worked in Home Health Care in Lawrence and Scioto Counties and taught school in Minford and South Webster School Districts. She was a graduate of Minford High School in the Class of 1935 and attended the former Alfred Holbrook College in Manchester, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University in the Class of 1946. She was a member of Sunshine Church of Christ near Minford.

The "Triplets": Annette, Abbie & Scott Gampp.....all born on May 16th, varying years, of course.

Dad's voice

So, today I spent some time with a friend of mine and her daughter and a little while with my Dad in the pool. It started clouding up and so she and her daughter went on home and Abbie and I went home. As we walked home, we heard some distant thunder. Nothing much to worry about, I thought.

I started some laundry and started thinking about supper. Then, the rain started......then, the wind kicked in. "Wow," I said looking out the front window, "I don't ever remember seeing the trees bend that far in the wind."

I was walking to the phone to call Dad and tell him about how we were getting the storm that the news guy on the radio said we wouldn't get. (just to torment him, duh, he could see the storm coming as well as I could) The phone rang. The Caller ID said it was my parents, which kind-of creeped me out a little. It was my Mom and she said, "Your Dad is worried and you guys need to come up here."

***My father and I have an interesting relationship when it comes to weather happenings. I do NOT like storms! He is not fond of them but will stand out on his porch and watch them. I watch the weather channel and when I see something coming, I am the first one to move next door to Dad's house until it passes. #1-its a house with a basement #2-I live in a house trailer that I don't feel like is much protection in a storm situation.

Dad or Mom usually calls and says something like 'the weather is a little if-ie and if you want to come up, you know that you are more than welcome.'***

The tone of my Mom's voice speaking my Dad's message was enough to move me. I simply said, "Okay," and then grabbed a few things and we were on our way to safety. (I understand that a storm can bring down any structure but to me, their house is going to stand up longer than mine in storming conditions) While getting in the car, Eric pointed out to me the fallen tree about 30 feet from our house. That is my guess, it was too close to me.

My Dad and I fight....I mean, REALLY FIGHT sometimes. Most of the time we are fine and get along great. Regardless of which it is, I listen to him, I hear what he has to say about things and what his opinions are. I might not follow what he says BUT I HEAR HIM.

When I hear my Heavenly Father's voice or nudge, I move. No questions, no fears, no hesitations.

Comedy?

I LOVE to laugh! Ask anyone that knows me...I LOVE to laugh and make others laugh. Few things in this life are better to me than laughing about something with friends and family so hard that you cry. And then, hours later, a single word even remotely related to the subject, will make you start laughing again. There are many comedians out there that have the same effect on us. Words and phrases get stuck in our heads and we laugh for days or weeks after. For politeness and legality's sake I will not mention the name of the well known comedian that recently past away. For five decades the Grammy award-winning comedian, actor, and author has been making audiences laugh and think with his salty, provocative style of stand-up comedy. He is best known for his loud, negative thoughts about God and religion. Here is a cleaner version of a direct quote from December 2005: *********************************************************** When it comes to ***, big-time, major league ***, you have to stand in awe of the all-time champion of false promises and exaggerated claims, religion. No contest. No contest. Religion. Religion easily has the greatest *** story ever told. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But I want you to know something, this is sincere, I want you to know, when it comes to believing in God, I really tried. I really, really tried. I tried to believe that there is a God, who created each of us in His own image and likeness, loves us very much, and keeps a close eye on things. I really tried to believe that, but I gotta tell you, the longer you live, the more you look around, the more you realize, something is *** up. Something is wrong here. War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption, and the Ice Capades. Something is definitely wrong. This is not good work. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed. Results like these do not belong on the résumé of a Supreme Being. This is the kind of *** you'd expect from an office temp with a bad attitude. And just between you and me, in any decently-run universe, this guy would've been out on his all-powerful *** a long time ago. And by the way, I say "this guy", because I firmly believe, looking at these results, that if there is a God, it has to be a man. ************************************************************ I can't believe any person out there, even of the secular world, would ever be so bold.....and so wrong. He found a way to make a living, support his family, achieve all the fame and fortune anyone could ever want.....but at what cost? I read about things like this and it makes me sick, and then it makes me sad. He now knows how wrong he was. Philippians 2:9-11 (The Message) Because of that obedience, God lifted Him high and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that He is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. I believe God loved/loves this man. I believe God had great plans in store for him. I believe that the man, not God, made the choice to do something else with his life. Colossians 1:16 (NIV) For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. Now, I am not his judge and I do not know what happened between him and God in his final moments. I would be more than thrilled to see him in heaven but God calls us to act now. Love now. Spread the joy of His love now. To love God first, others second, and ourselves last. When someone you do or do not know is "googling" your name after you die, what will it say? What will you leave behind? Is your life a video worth bringing home from the movie rental? or something those people hide and hope know one they know sees them with it? Jesus left everything we need to know about Him, His life and how we are to live, in black and white. Faith and prayer combined with God's mercy and grace finish it off. It's a perfect package! The first step is you. What do you believe enough to tell other people about it? Romans 1: 18-20 (NIV) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Vacation Bible School highlights

Lost city of Jericho: Eric, me, my Dad, my Mom & Mike Oh, so sad, its already over. I love Vacation Bible School. I love getting ready for it, planning and decorating, reading the stories over and over to get them right, thinking like a child to make sure they will understand what I'm saying, just the all over feeling of excitement! It is very worth mentioning the children I usually bring with me.....they are the reason for doing it. My children and I have a couple of girls, that are sisters about Nick's age, that live next to us. They are wonderful kids and we love them. Every year, I mean EVERY year, one of them calls or comes by to ask about when VBS is and what the theme is, usually 4 or 5 weeks ahead of time. I don't know if they attend church anywhere regularly or not, but they live for our VBS. This year we ended up taking the two of them, and another girl and boy that are about Nick's age. How wonderful! Could it be any better? The third girl said she had NEVER been to any church except one VBS with a cousin when she was 5 and she doesn't really remember it. That in itself is sad. But how blessed I feel to get to take her and show her what God's people can be. She had said that her mom doesn't think much of any of the churchs that her mom had attended before. Talk about God opening a door! When we got home this evening, we got a phone call from this girl. She asked us when Sunday services were and if we could give her a ride. GOD IS AMAZING!!!!! One of the sisters that lives next door was disappointed about one thing. She knew her memory verse by the second day and there wasn't any contest for it. (Some years there has been.) She sang and sang that verse all the way there and all the way home. I am exhausted but the room has already been taken down. Its sad that two days of work is gone in 25 minutes. Thank you Mike & Becky for helping to put it up and take it down. I feel blessed to get to be a part of such a wonderful out reach program that obviously touches people of all ages in the community.

URGENT prayer request

This was sent to me, by email, by Mary Collins: I don't know if you guys remember or not but about 8 or 9 months ago I requested prayer for a co-workers baby granddaughter, Krisma, who was going to have major heart surgery. That surgery was a success at the time, however, as her body has grown in length, she has not gained a lot of weight. She turned 1 yr old on Friday, June 13 and she is only the size of a 7 - 8 month old. A little over a month ago she underwent another surgery to replace the aortic valve with an artificial one. She has not been able to be taken off the ventilator since. They have been keeping her in a drug induced coma. She has continued to become weaker, fluid keeps building up in her lungs and they keep draining it. They had to do a heart cath last week and they are saying that the mitral valve is not working properly and the left ventricle is also not functioning right. Her parents were told this weekend that they need to make the decision of whether or not to put her on the transplant list. The doctors say that a heart transplant is the only option now. However, they don't know if she will survive long enough to receive it or even if she would survive the transplant. This baby is in critical condition and I would appreciate if the whole church would please start to pray for this entire family. Linda (grandmother and my co-worker) is financially supporting this whole family and is in danger of losing her job because of the time she is needing to take off to be with them and her only granddaughter. Adam and Michelle (father and mother) are only in their early 20's with another child Keaton (2 yrs old), they are living in the Ronald McDonald house in Columbus and taking turns being with their daughter. They are devastated and completely overwhelmed. There are so many questions that no one can answer. ***I removed the last names for privacy....and because God doesn't need them, He already knows who they are.*** God can do all things and in His own time. Please, pray for this family and their physical, spiritual and emotional health. Prayer is the only thing that really matters here.....obviously, the doctors are at a loss and have hit the end of what they know to do. Krisma (the beautiful baby girl) is in God's hands.

She can swim!!

We spent some time in the pool today. Oh, it felt great....just enough sun and just enough cool breeze. Humid and 90 degrees to everyone else, to me, I was 3 feet from heaven...Oh, it was good.

So, my friend Becky and her children, and me and mine were having a wonderful time. Our big kids are like fish, the littler ones (both 5 years old) are very interested in "swimming like adults." Those are actually the words Abbie used. She wanted so badly to get out of her inflatable ring. She kept trying to prove herself by closing her eyes, holding her nose, taking a big breath and putting her head under the water....but only for a minute.

Today, she took off. I held her under her belly and she was "paddling" her arms and legs, as you would to actually swim. After a few, few minutes, I was only holding her by a finger under her middle. I stood very close and watched carefully, and took my hand out from under her. It was like teaching a child to ride a bike. Letting go of them, when you see they are ready, but without them knowing it.

My parents' pool is 4.5 feet deep and 24 feet across. After only a few trys, Abbie made it 3/4 of the way across the pool, completely by herself...no rings....no swimmies....no help.....but with me right beside her. She is SO proud of herself and so am I.

Sometimes I know that is how God and I are, how our relationship falls. I beg and beg for something that I really want or think I need but only God knows how deep the pool is, how to swim and what I am actually asking for. Its too big for me to see.

Summer classes

Summer Classes for Men AT THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED by Friday, August 17th 2008 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM. Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours. Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks. Class 5 Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM Class 6 Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM Class 7 Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours. Class 8 Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 9 Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined Class 10 Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours. Class 11 Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined Class 12 How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM. Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 14 The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined. Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors. *********************************************************************** How funny is that?????

the ABCs

Although things are not perfect Because of trial or pain Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame Even when the times are hard Fierce winds are bound to blow God is forever able Hold on to what you know Imagine life without His love Joy would cease to be Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee Move out of "Camp Complaining" No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone Quit looking at the future Redeem the time at hand Start every day with worship To "thank" is a command Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky We'll run the race with gratitude Xalting God most high Yes, there will be good times and yes some will be bad, but... Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Thank you

A couple of weekends ago, I was sick. Really, really sick. I will not go into the details, those of you reading this blog...I want you to come back, but it was bad. I recovered. Then, a few days ago, I started sneezing and coughing and had immense pressure in my head due to sinus allergies or infection....I still don't know for sure. It is getting better but I still have a cough once in a while.

My point comes to something that HASN'T happened in nearly a year.

For a year, about a year ago, I had incredibly bad bladder infections. In that year, I had 11 infections. Count that up. I was miserable. Anyone who has ever had one knows the pain. Those of you that haven't, its like peeing fire,having the urge to go every 10-15 minutes, headache, fever, nausea, & chills. I couldn't play with my kids most of the time, clean house, or even leave the house, at least not the way I wanted to. All I could do was sit and cry and wait for the antibiotics to kick in or the doctor to call back. NOT HAPPY TIMES.

I prayed and prayed. I cried and begged for mercy.

Then, something occurred to me. I prayed while I hurt, and thanked God when it was over, but I didn't continue my thanks during the between times.

I am not saying God cursed my bladder because I didn't pray enough, please, don't misunderstand me.

But, it did stop. Partly, because I started telling a few close friends about it and they began praying as well. But mostly because I gave it to God. The doctors and I were not able to do it without Him. My thankfulness is endless. God gave me my life back and the ability to take care of my family.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Jesus

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen. As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky. North. South. East. West. Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy... The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship. Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, holy, holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must. Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is. Jesus. Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: I am the Alpha and the Omega. The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy.. All that mattered, matters no more.... for Christ has come. What is important to you today?

Psycho Test

Read this question, come up with an answer and then scroll down to the bottom for the result. This is not a trick question. It is as it reads.

A woman, while at the funeral of her own mother, met this guy whom she did not know. She thought this guy was amazing, so much her dream guy she believed him to be just that! She fell in love with him right there, but never asked for his number and could not find him. A few days later she killed her sister. Question: What is her motive in killing her sister? (Give this some thought before you answer). Then, SCROLL DOWN.

Answer: She was hoping that the guy would appear at the funeral again. If you answered this correctly, you think like a psychopath. This was a test by a famous American Psychologist used to test if one has the same mentality as a killer. Many arrested serial killers took part in the test and answered the question correctly. If you didn't answer the question correctly good for you! If you got the answer correct, please let me know so I can take you off of my email list unless that will tick you off, then I'll just be extra nice to you from now on. Be sure to share the test.

Prayers to the Chapman family

(Left to right Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily) MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE... 5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, transported by Life Flight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters. This tragic story is not in the headlines today, but I wanted to share with those of you who may want to pray for this family. Many of you many know Steven Curtis Chapman from his success as a Christian music artist. He and his family have also become strong adoption advocates, and they are the founders of Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation that awards grants to assist adoptive families. The 5-year-old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman has been struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle driven by her brother. Authorities in Tennessee say the girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway at the family home today south of Nashville and died later in hospital. The Toyota Land Cruiser was driven by the girl's teenage brother. Reportedly several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident. The brother apparently did not see the little girl. No charges were expected to be filed. Chapman and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children. The singer's web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption. The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the web site. More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife Mary Beth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles. In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope.

My husband

I have recently realized, again, what a wonderful man that God has given to me. My husband Eric is truly a gift.

He lets me be who I am, without insisting I become something that I'm not.

He believes in my feelings, that they are real and something worth spending time on.

He is willing to hold my hair while I puke and clean it up afterward.

He gives me all the time I need to recover from something, even if it doesn't feel like that big of a deal to him.

He takes his role as father and husband with the utmost respect for the position. He steps very lightly and carefully, in any direction, in guiding a nearly 13 year old boy and a 5 year old girl.

He never gives me any grief for the time I spend away from the house, just playing with my girlfriends or my mom.

He is always happy to come home to me and the kids, even when the house is in the same shipwreck, pig sty shape it was in when he left.

He supports my faith, my feeling of the Spirit moving me. If I feel "the call" to do something, whether he feels it or not, he is right beside me.

I don't have to "ask" him for his permission....we talk and come to an agreement...usually.

Even though his job is sometimes a life sucking experience, he goes without complaint because he is responsible for us and takes that very seriously.

He bravely goes into work, where people die, get sicker, get hurt, complain and rarely are ever happy and comes home to do it again the next day.

He makes me laugh. Everyday. Sometimes we just look at each other, know what each other is thinking, and start laughing.

He holds me so close and so perfectly when I cry. My shoulder fits just right under his arm; my head sets right on his shoulder. I don't know what I would have done recently during Grandpa's funeral, without him beside me.

He would happily step in front of a bullet for me. People say that but I honestly believe that he would.

He is my protector and my rock. I don't go anywhere and worry about my or my children's safety.

For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive. Romans 7:2 He is not perfect but he is perfect for me. It sounds like God has a wonderful plan in store for me!

Our worth

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,"Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said,"I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the bill up. He then asked,"Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied,"What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air."My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20."

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him.

Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us,"as the apple of His eye."

THOUGHT: The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we are but by WHOSE WE ARE! You are special - Don't ever forget it!

Mothers and Moms

MOTHERS and MOMS

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, 'It's okay, honey, Mommy's here.'

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or softball games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?' they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year. And then read it again, 'Just one more time.'

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?' in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home?

Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug her child when she hears news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And for mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us... Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them. And pray and never stop being a mother... Please pass along to all the mothers in your life.

'Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.'

Happy Mother's Day, Mom, I Love you!!!

Oh, so much has happened....

So much has happened and is going to happen.

Life is getting back to some degree of normal after Grandpa's funeral. It's sad to say, but I feel like I am spending so much more time with Grandma now, than I did. Why is it that we do that? When something happens, we begin seeing things differently.....to treasure people more than ever. Grandma and Grandpa have always had each other.....now, we, the family, have to figure out how we can "fill" Grandpa's shoes. No one will ever be able to replace him.

We are already counting down the days until the end of school AND until football conditioning starts. Nick is so excited.....so am I. I love to see him play!

Abbie's 5th birthday party is this Saturday, though she doesn't actually turn 5 until the 16th. This year we are doing a Monsters Inc. theme.

Remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned Eric & I had some plans for the future and I ask that anyone reading this pray about it? Well, some of those things might be happening. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself, but I really feel like God might be at work.....well, I know God is at work, but sometimes you can't see it. I can see this in front of me. There is still a long time before we know anything and that means a long time to continue to pray for guidance.

This year at Vacation Bible School (June 23rd - 27th), the theme is the Lost Cities of the Bible. Each room or space will be decorated as a different city and have the story told as the lesson. I have Jericho and I am so ready. I have been planning how to do Jericho, in my head, for years. It is just a wonderful story of faith, prayer, and believing in God's power being greater than your own ideas.

The Youth Rally was great! It is wonderful to be surrounded by people, of all ages, whose only goal is to worship God. I have posted pictures.

I would ask you all to pray for Grant Kallner. He is the infant son of Jodi & Aaron, friends of ours that also attend church with us. He was born Monday, May 5th and was soon after transfered to another hospital with a NICU because he was having real problems breathing. I have heard that he is doing better now but still needs all the prayers we can offer.

Youth Rally

I am so excited about our Youth Rally this year! Eric and I get to be big kids at our Rallies. Nick is big enough to be in a cabin with the other kids and Abbie is staying at home with my parents. I will miss her, yes, but we get to just be "us" - single "us" - like we have never been. Eric & I have never been just a couple, without children in tow. That might sound selfish but, for short periods of time, it really is fun. When we eat, I only have to get my own plate. When I have to pee, its only me. ....yeah, that sounds pretty silly. I have prayed and prayed that God will bless this weekend.....that all of the kids, younger or older, will walk away from this a step or two closer to Jesus. I know, having been involved in the Youth Rallies for years now, that the adults have no choice....God touches you. He opens your eyes and your heart. This weekend rains down blessings on the adults because of their selflessness, their effort and their desire to share the love of God with children. Work for God always has benefits, in this life or the next. Even if no one come forward and is baptised, the seeds are planted, the eyes have been opened, the hearts have been pricked. The theme is "Go." Like, Go into all the world or when God moves you, you need to Go. I can't wait to see what has been prepared for us and, then, what God does with it. So, Eric, Nick, Alex, Nathan & I are off to the Rally this evening. I, of course, will not be blogging again until, at least, Sunday afternoon. Yes, I will post some pictures.

football

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=20821208 http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=20109801 I couldn't get it to load these, so I had to put the link on instead. Nick is in a red jersey and is #24, usually in the center of the viewing screen....you may have to watch it more than once to see what actually happens. This just brings a tear to my eye everytime. I love that kid!!! I would suggest that you turn the sound up enough to hear it but not too loud....there is alot of squeeling and cheering at the end of each.