Just Me

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone! We had a great New Year's Eve although not a typical one! Ty & his cousin Kamen spent most of the day outside playing water/mud wars which was interesting to say the least! After Kamen left we headed to Target to run a quick errand before heading home to fix dinner and have a quiet night together. Ty spotted the "cafe" as we were checking out and desperately wanted a hot dog. Tim & I figured that we might as well just grab something small so pizza, a sandwich and a hot dog made up our New Year's meal! The seating area was completely empty as was the Starbucks which is right there. One girl was working at Starbucks and Ty struck up a conversation (are we surprised?!). She was extremely nice, has 2 younger brothers and is studying to be a teacher (she'll make a good one!). Ty decided he would suggest some ideas for "new" drinks. He told her she should make one with milk, whipped cream, chocolate and candy canes. She told him that "Peppermint Mocha" sounded like a great name for it (lol) and that she would try out that "recipe". She made "his" version and gave it to him for free. He (and we) thought that was incredibly nice. We spent quite a while just the three of us eating and talking. In a really weird way, it was probably the nicest New Year's Eve we ever had! We came home and I went to bed by 9:30pm and Ty tried his best to make it till midnight with Tim until Tim told him that we could celebrate tomorrow and he finally laid down and fell asleep. Fireworks woke me up at 1:30am and I raced to the living room thinking it was midnight. Tim thought that was pretty funny!

In the middle of the day with Ty & Kamen I had the brilliant (not!) idea to talk to them about New Year's resolutions. They were giggling hysterically (the first sign!) as I tried to tell them resolutions were like decisions we made to make changes in ourselves or maybe to decide to help others etc. I then asked if they could think of some resolutions they could make. Kamen volunteered that they could stop peeing in the backyard (a practice they started when they were about 2 & 4 and unfortunately still continue to do!!). Ty said that he could help an old lady cross the street. Admirable resolutions but I figured we might as well let them go after that! ;-)

At Target, I figured out my New Year's resolutions. 2009 will probably hold many changes for us and many decisions and many unexpected things - but here are the 3 things I am going to strive for:
1. The Strength to serve Christ MORE!
2. The Wisdom to serve Christ BETTER!
3. The Courage to make changes even if difficult!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-26T04:59:00.000-08:00

This year we spent less and had the fewest presents. WHo knew that would equal a better Christmas?! Ty loved everything and wan't overwhelmed like he sometimes is! We had a great start with a phone call from Mickey to tell Ty what he "would see him real soon" (in 9 days!) and then a relaxing time here and at my parent's house followed by a matinee showing of "Bedtime Stories". A great day and most importantly - a chance to sit and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas!

"Santa knows my name!"

2008-12-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Monday night we made a hurried trip to the mall with Ty & Kamen after realizing that we had not visited Santa yet and Christmas WAS 2 DAYS AWAY!! What bad parents we are! lol Actually Ty is well aware of the true meaning of Christmas but Santa is a part of our Christmas tradition as he was in my family. Rox had given me a heads up that at the age of 10 - Kamen was a little skeptical of most Santas and that it was important to him that Santa call him by name. After quickly figuring that one out (a whispered conversation to Santa's helper while we were looking at picture packages) and then the boys were on their way. Ty approached first and Santa called out, "Tyler, what do you want for Christmas?". It wasn't until he called "Kamen, how about you?" that the boys had stunned looks on their faces. Their picture is so cute - partly because instead of the hilarity that ususally surrounds these two - it is a softer, sweeter version! The both came running out to tell us, "Santa knew our name!" Kamen added, "He must be the REAL Santa!" Sharp as he is, he noted that WE hadn't even talked to Santa before the boys got to go see him! The rest of the night, they marveled at the fact that they had talked to the "real" Santa, otherwise, how would he have known their name??!!

It was actually a cool spiritual thought as well. After all, we know the true Messiah, one who knows us BY NAME. The one who came to earth as a baby and left it a Savior. Every night we read our Advent book and have read Luke 2 many times this season. But Jesus Christ isn't some far off Savior - He lives in our hearts and calls us BY NAME! My mind can't remember the actual song that goes something like, "He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call, and hears me when I call..." Isn't that the greatest gift ever!

"Will there be Nintendo in heaven?"

2008-12-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

Ty actually asked me "Will there be Nintendo DS and dvd's in heaven?" the other night. Since the question came out of nowhere, I admit to being at a loss for words for a minute.

I guess I should say this, Christmas time always brings about conversations about heaven. Tim's mom passed away on Christmas Eve 6 years ago. Ty's friend, Janefar, has also lost 2 grandparents (strangely enough, in both the same way as Tim's parents - car accident and heart attack). I heard them talking about it one day and I guess with all of that - Ty came up with this question. I told him that I think that God has whatever we need to be happy there but I was pretty sure that after seeing Jesus - Nintendo DS and dcd's would be the last thing Ty would think about! He then asked me what his house would look like. I asked him what he wanted it to look like? He said, "I think I would like it to be wood and have doors and handles like those (the doors to our large armoire in our room)". I told him that I thought that since God could do anything - I am sure He could do that.

Fast forward to this morning. Tim got a call from a friend needing help this morning so Ty and I had "church" here at home including reading Luke 2. I came to work on the computer and Ty was playing a game on his DS when I heard him mumbling something. I finally listened closely enough to hear "Please Jesus! Please Jesus, help me to win!". He soon got upset that he wasn't succeeding as well as he would have liked. He came running in to ask "Why isn't Jesus answering??!" I told him that Jesus gives us what we need, not always what we want and since I don't necessarily think that winning a video game would be high priority on a "needs" list, that I think there was a bigger lesson to be learned.

I am glad his first thought was to pray and I don't want to change that. But we had a good conversation about asking for what God wants and that being a "winner" doesn't always mean winning a game.

"Big" thoughts around Christmas this year - and since several friends have lost loved ones within this past week - thoughts have turned more to the eternal than the material. Just the way I think God wants it!

Christmas Card 2008

2008-12-21T08:04:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ty's 8th Birthday Party

2008-12-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Ty's 8th Birthday Party invite

2008-12-21T07:58:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sun & Fun - Orlando June 2008

2008-12-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Fun in the Sun - Orlando May 2008

2008-12-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Mickey's Pirate & Princess Party May 2008

2008-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Reality Check slideshow

2008-08-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Camp - it's a reality check!

2008-07-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

In just a few days - Monday to be exact - we will leave for youth camp. For those of you who know me, you know that the last weeks/ indeed months have been consumed with youth camp plans and preps. (My Aspie trait coming out - live and breathe one thing!) Our camp is not the biggest and I'm certain not the best, not the cheapest, not the most expensive. We don't have big name speakers or big name groups. We aren't the "funnest" camp and probably not the "coolest" camp. So what is different about our camp - besides the fact that it is ours?! I guess if I had to explain it with a word - we're "real"! One mom was on the phone with me at the psychologist's office treating her daughter (who is coming to camp). I guess it is a compliment when she said that he looked over all our materials and thought sending her teen was an awesome idea and one that would be very beneficial for her. We strive to make every moment a God inspired one (and that doesn't mean we don't have a TON of fun!!). We try to think through EVERYTHING and pray about EVERYTHING!! We try to consider EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY! And at the end of the day - we strive to not just talk about our Christianity - but live it. Other camps have teams - so do we. Other camps play games and compete - so do we. We also use the very counselors who eat, play, and sleep in the same cabins with the campers - to be the ones to get up and share what God lays on their heart. We have to "live" it before we ever get a chance to teach it. We get real - very real. The campers have heard me say a million times (at least), "I don't care if you have an experience with God - I only care that you have a relationship with Him!"

So next week after WAY too many hours of planning and praying and prep work - we will take a group of teens to the woods and starve the world and feed them Jesus for 5 days. We have teens coming that are white, black, spanish, asian and everything and anything in between. We have teens coming that have grown up in church their entire lives and some that have only gone a few times. We have teens that come from affluent homes and ones that come from poverty. We have teens all the way from the Bahamas flying in and many from our own "backyard". We have teens struggling with lying, and gossip, and cutting, and promiscuity, and pornography, and drugs, and gangs, and severe depression, and alcohol. We have teens that are in abusive environments or simply neglectful ones. We have teens that it breaks your heart to send home and a couple that don't even have a home to go to and currently live in a shelter. We have teens coming that don't believe in God, or religion, or Christianity. We have teens that "look" the part - go to church every time the doors are open - some even in leadership - and still have no idea what it really means to have that relationship with Christ. I know this - because I can give you names (in many cases - several of them).

We also have teens that are spiritually mature and floundering because our local churches have to be so evangelistic in their approach that they miss out on the deeper discipleship. So we have a "Timothy track" where teens that have exhibited spiritual maturity and leadership qualities have a small group workshop every day and are mentored individually every day.

Next week will hold little (or no!) sleep, sunburn, mosquito bites, hopefully no ER runs (our record is 4!), in depth theological discussions at 3am, basketball, volleyball, team devotions, scripture memorization, swimming, canoeing, human foosball, scavenger hunts, campfires, hayrides, softball, "team goofy games", "S.A.C.'s Got Talent", workshops, worship, rallies, tears, lots of tears, confessions that you never dreamed or wanted to hear, and the most awesome presence of God that you could ever imagine.

This year is tough - Satan has fought extra hard and he will continue to do so. But God fights harder and better and He wins! But we'll probably be a little bruised and battered for the process. And I think that is how God uses us best. Next week we will be privileged to work with some of the most passionate youth workers I've ever seen. People whose testimonies are not to be believed! But they stand and can say - "I've been where you are - I know there is hope." One teen told me through tears - "IF I can just make it to camp - I think I'll be ok." We're not the best or the most organized or even the most fun. But we are real - and this year we are praying that God will do a reality check on each of our lives!

So next week if you think about it - say a prayer. It is the greatest thing we do - and the hardest! We just pray that God will be honored!

Happy Father's Day!!

2008-06-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

Pops - only you would love your grandson enough to subject yourself to playing a "Pirate that doesn't do anything" for his birthday!

Tim - to the best dad in the world! Ty drew your "gift" - a "whippersnapper". I asked him what it was - "something that whips up houses so Dad doesn't have to work anymore and can stay home with me". He loves you soo much!

Grandpa - How we treasure every chance we get to spend time with you and love those phone calls that just say that you are praying for us!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

To my 3 most favorite fathers!

Grandpa,
I Love You! How can 3 very small words hold such meaning – but they do! From warm hugs and family prayers before hitting the road to hearing that deep voice sharing God’s word from the pulpit. From serving your country, to serving your God, to serving your family – you have served each with distinction and honor. You may not stand as strong physically as you once did but you stand strong in our hearts and in precious memories. Thank you Grandpa for loving Jesus, loving Grandma, loving us!
Happy Father’s Day!

Pops,
What a difference a year makes! This time last year I was writing you words of affirmation – and fearing the future. This year I sit amazed at what God has done – not changing our circumstances but working through them and in them! I told you then that I had asked “Why?” many times until God said quite clearly – “Why not?’ All great men in the Bible went through terrible adversity and allowed their circumstances to be used to bring God glory. You have done that this past year. I respect you more than ever. I am proud to be your daughter. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in the future knowing that His ways are not ours. Your character shines through and we love you all the more for just being who you are!

Tim,
It is hard to believe the journey our life has taken us on so far and the fact that we celebrate Father’s Day not for our dad or grandpa but that 7 years ago God made us parents and made you a Dad! You are an awesome father. You love God, you love me, you love Ty – in incredible, unconditional ways! You are passionate about life and about serving God in practical, meaningful ways! You are strong – in all the ways that matter. You care enough to do the little things – dishes, laundry etc even when you don’t feel like it but you know I am tired. We have walked long paths over the past few years through issues with Ty to my dad’s situation to just life in general. In each of those situations you were beside me – supporting and encouraging and walking with me. We are a team – and I love you for that. Our vows said in part, that we could serve Christ better together than we ever could apart. I see that every day and I am a better woman of God, a better wife, and a better mother – because of you! I Love You!

She beat me to it!

2008-05-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

Mom wrote an awesome "tribute" to us (her daughters) for Mother's Day! That was my idea too so I will just proceed even if it seems like I am copying her idea!! Oh well!

This Mother's Day, I have thought a lot about who my Mom is and what she is not. I treasure and value all of those things and thought I would share them.

What she is NOT:

1. Perfect! Thank goodness! We could never live up to that. Instead she taught us to strive to be like Christ - not her (although that is her goal as well!). And showed us that being weak is not a weakness if you allow God to work through that!

2. Selfish! Mom gives and gives and gives again! She has finally started realizing that she also needs to let herself "take" sometimes but I think it is hard for her still!

3. Unfriendly! She sometimes even embarrasses us by her desire to be friendly to everyone! But that is a gift and a treasure and that must be where Ty gets it! As a result, Mom has friends almost everywhere!

What she IS:

1. Loving! In that real, not enabling way! My sisters have sometimes viewed our relationship as "more" than their own with her. That is not true. But she is the type of mom that is comfortable with silence with me (you'll know it when you experience it). We don't have to do anything to be content in each other's presence. And she can still be tough when she needs to be!

2. A "Great" Grandma! I think her relationship is equal but different with each one (if you know me, you know that is HUGE to me!). Ty loves spending time with Nana. And his relationship is somewhat like mine with Mom. It is enough to just "be" without having to "do". You may find Ty on the computer, playing a game and as long as Nana is in the house - all is ok! And he LOVES hitting the movie theater with Nana. He loves every minute of it!

3. A "REAL" Christian! Does that mean she is without faults - no. But she recognizes them, works on them, and allows herself to be transparent about them. She has faith when it is hard to. She believes when no one else does.

4. A great Wife! This past year has taught us and her what commitment means. What true love endures and conquers. What love can experience when tested and be stronger and better for it.

5. FUN! I love being with my mom and some of my favorite, fun memories are with her! We have a blast!

I LOVE YOU MOM! For what you ARE and for what you are NOT!

Have an awesome Mother's Day!

*You know I love you - what a great picture of you and a horrific one of me!lol

Sandi

Ty's first pro baseball game

2008-04-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

He was hilarious! He loved the stadium, the view from the cheap seats(!), and we actually made it through almost 3 innings before breaking out the GameBoy for entertainment! His favorite thing - seeing the umpire get hit by a ball! I know - that's a boy for you. He said, "It was hilarious!" Obviously the umpire was fine, otherwise it wouldn't have been quite so "hilarious". Our Rays didn't manage to quite pull off a win over the Orioles but we had a great time anyway. Our funniest moment - when the Rays weren't doing so well - Ty volunteered to "jump down there and go help them out" (we were in the VERY cheap seats - a very LONG way down!).

"Just Give"

2008-04-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Almost a month ago, Common Grounds hosted "Just Give". Following is a "brief" (ha!) rundown of our day. What an incredible, inspiring time!

Sunday, March 16 a group of people gathered together to “Just Give”. We had collected $150 and our mission was pretty simple – go make a difference in someone’s life. It wasn’t about $$ - it was about living out our Christianity. We covered the day in prayer and took Isaiah 58 as our “marching orders”. So many things happened that afternoon and everyone that participated was impacted. We split into teams and brainstormed ideas. There were many – so we tried to figure out what were the most effective things to do. One team headed to a neighbor’s house. The neighbor suffers from mental illness and is a hoarder. Although one of the team members has lived near her for quite some time – she had never realized the neighbor had a driveway since it was covered with packed leaves and debris. This neighbor had agreed to let the team come to work outside her home to clean up trash. It wasn’t simply manual labor that day although those involved invested quite a lot of that. It was a mentally, emotionally tough day as well. It was a very sensitive thing to work with her to give up what she had gathered, even though it was trash. Team members had to get over fears and phobias of roaches and spiders and just filth to do what needed to be done. One of the team shared that it brought her back to a time in her life when she lived in addiction and reminded her of how far she had come.

That team later went to a gas station and gave out $$ to pay for fuel (with the cost of fuel being so high right now). One lady responded with “Great! A church is giving me money (instead of taking it!)”. The team member that gave it to her was concerned she had picked the wrong person but we realized that she obviously had strong, negative perceptions about church and we were able to plant a seed to change that perception.

My team headed out with a cooler of cold bottled water and first stopped at several corners where guys were selling our local newspaper. We simply told them that we didn’t want to buy anything – just thought they could use a bottle of water. It was in the 80’s that day and many of them stand there all day long (this was about 3:30pm – 4pm in the afternoon). They get paid minimum wage to do this. One of the men we gave water to was so sunburned his skin was literally blistering on his face. When we handed him the water, he immediately opened it and drained it in just a few seconds. The smiles and “thanks” we got were truly humbling. One of our team had observed that if we started with giving away gas money – that was to people that at least had a car. So we felt inspired to focus on those that didn’t. We figured out that $3 would pay bus fare (round trip). So we hit the bus stops – first at the mall. The people we encountered there were really interesting. The first person we talked to was a guy that was very skeptical. “Is this for real?” was what we heard over and over, or “Seriously?” People could not believe that someone would offer them something of value with no expectation. People kept thanking us and telling us “God Bless You.” Our purpose was to simply serve so we didn’t push our church, instead what we usually said was something to the effect of “We are with our church out blessing our community today and we would like to pay your bus fare.” Usually after the shock wore off there were questions of “what church” etc. We also had people that turned us down and one lady in particular acted offended. But we had prayed for wisdom and discernment and know that we planted a seed anyway. We definitely had some comical moments as well. We had driven for a distance without seeing anyone at bus stops and so Brandi (one of our team) started to pray. She had said, “Keep your eyes open, watch God send someone in the middle of our prayer”. And He did exactly that, we literally pulled to the side of the road, opened our doors and gave bus fare to a guy. We then got back in the van and finished our prayer! We also saw a lady at a bus stop and had to make a very fast stop right on the side of the road. Brandi & I flung open our doors and the lady looked completely shocked. In retrospect I am sure it probably was a little frightening to see a van cut across traffic on a busy street and stop suddenly right in front of you and the doors to be flung open! We were on the south side in a higher crime area when we spotted a gentleman standing at a bus stop. I jumped out of the van and ran towards him holding a small wad of cash to give him. Even though he was a big guy and my team was actually worried about me going by myself; the guy actually jumped back and put his hands up as if to say “Don’t hurt me”. He was very hesitant until I explained what I wanted to give him. Later on we realized that he might have thought I was approaching him to try to buy drugs or something and he was obviously not that kind of guy (even though the area is one that would probably be normal). We went back to the mall bus stop and gave out our remaining bus fare. In all we paid bus fare for 17 people and gave out bottled water to 8-10 people. At that stop we also gave out beads to a little girl waiting with her mom and had 2 more interesting experiences as well as many more meaningful conversations. The 2 comical ones were one guy that raced to the next bus shelter to try to get us to give him more $$ (thinking we wouldn’t recognize him from just seconds before!), and one gentleman that actually sniffed the cash. No idea why but it was funny. One older guy turned the fare down since he had a bus pass but was very appreciative of the offer. While my other team members were talking to people, I headed back towards the van. The guy stopped me and asked to talk. He wanted to tell us what an awesome thing we were doing and must have said 4 times “People don’t do this anymore (help people)”. He told me that we were an inspiration and since he volunteers 4 days a week with the VA hospital, he understands what it means to give of our time. He thanked me over and over. We were nearing the end of our time and we had $20 left to give. We decided to head to a gas station and put $20 of gas into someone’s car. We went to one gas station and it was apparent that it was not the right place. We went to another one and prayed that God would send the right car there. When we pulled into the station we passed a homeless man on the corner. We sat there and waited for a car and finally someone said, “Maybe this isn’t the right thing. We are praying for a car and that guy over there doesn’t even have a home.” So we got out and headed to the corner. When we got there to cross the street towards him, we realized that another homeless guy was on the opposite corner. We looked at each other and said “Which one?” At that moment, the light turned for us to walk in the direction of the original guy we had noticed. That was our sign – literally! So we headed there and asked him if we could buy him some food at the convenience store. He was very emotional as he shared that his birthday was the next day and told us his condensed life story, Vietnam vet, lost his wife to brain cancer, 58 years old. We took him in the store and told him to get whatever food and drinks he wanted up to $20. He asked for a sandwich and a bottle of water. He kept insisting that was all he needed. We all felt compelled to give him the rest of the money and he told us (without a word being said by us), “I’m not going to do with this what you think I will, I’m not going to buy alcohol or cigarettes or drugs.” He was very emotional and asked if he could give us a hug. It was emotional for us as well.
I guess summing up “Just Give” was “when I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink…” We didn’t serve people, we served Jesus. Everyone wanted to do it again soon, like next month, next week! But someone reminded us that we needed to not let it be about a certain day or time but always look for opportunities to “Just Give” and then when we meet again it will be a celebration of all that has already been done and a chance for us to brainstorm more and corporately “Just Give”! Following is Genniser’s “story” from “Just Give”:
I had the privilege of participating in the “Just Give” activity Sunday, and I’ve been asked to share one particular part of our experience that afternoon.

The group that came to the church was split into three teams, and I had the opportunity to be on a team with Joe Lorenzo and Daniel Costa. We left with $50 and a lot of ideas on how to best use the money. We decided right off the bat to go to the Shell gas station right down the street from the church and give away $10 to some folks for gas.

The first opportunity we had to give gas money was this group of people that looked friendly. A man came out of the car, and I went ahead and offered the $10 and explained what we were doing. Immediately he responded by saying, “Well, I want to give you something”, and he pulled out another $10 bill…a Canadian $10 bill! He explained that he was deacon of a church and his friend was a priest. (ASIDE: It all happened so fast, and I thought to myself this is sort of defeating the purpose of what we’re trying to do! I certainly don’t want to create an awkward moment with a priest and a deacon over a Canadian $10 bill!) So, I took the Canadian $10 bill. Our team walked back to the car, somewhat excited about giving away the $10, but somewhat confused as to what actually just happened.

Our next stop was to Checker’s. We knew that Checker’s had a $.69 hamburger deal on Sundays; so, we decided to pick up ten of those and give them away to people along our way. Our first stop with our burgers was St. Pete General. We decided to give a burger and bottled water, which we had picked up earlier, to the volunteer receptionist working the emergency room. As Joe and Daniel made the delivery, I stayed in the “getaway car” in case there was a real emergency and I had to move for someone that really needed to get to the hospital entrance. As I waited, a man came out that was in need of directions.

He approached me, and asked, “Are you from here?” I said. “Yes.”

Holding a map, he said, “I need help with some directions. I’m vacationing from Canada…”

I cut the man off somewhat rudely and explained what I was doing at the hospital and quickly offered him the Canadian $10 bill. He laughed, pulled out his wallet, and offered to exchange the money. I quickly turned down the money and he responded by saying, “this is ridiculous” with a big smile on his face! After that, I assured him that it was legit and that I was legit and helped him with his directions – just in time for the guys to come out from their burger delivery.

This was just one of the experiences that we had yesterday. The afternoon was filled with “God moments” just like this that made us fully aware that God was orchestrating every encounter we had.

I'm still alive!

2008-02-24T05:37:00.000-08:00

Even if it has been a long time since I posted! It's not that nothing has been going on - it is that too much has! Some of it great, some good and some hard - basically - life!

But here is a pic of Ty from his cousin's wedding in IN on Valentine's Day. Ty was an usher along with his cousin Nick. (Nick on left, Ty on the right) Yes, I said usher! They were very cute! Now we are home and Tim spent half the day yesterday at the dr's office since he now has a bad case of bronchitis and Ty started hacking away yesterday so they are both on meds and are asleep!

Hopefully they will stay that way - I think rest helps more than anything!

How weird is that?!

2008-01-21T17:01:00.000-08:00

This morning Tim and I were watching the news when they reported that there had been a study that confirmed that today (January 21) was the most depressed day of the year. As Tim noted, "well, if it wasn't before - it will be now!". And isn't it true how much perception changes things?! Anyway - just had to say - "how weird is that?!". Who pays for these studies anyway?!

24 hour "thing"

2008-01-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas is always a little different around our house and part of the reason is 5 years ago on Christmas Eve Tim's mom died of a massive heart attack. We had just left her house 24 hours before that and were on our way home to FL. We were actually in a hotel room and I will never forget that phone call. You know how you know something is wrong as soon as it rings? That's how it was. In retrospect the weekend before was filled with Ruth (Tim's mom) doing things that seemed like she had some premonition and was getting things done and saying things that needed said. She had a dream the night before we left that frightened her. When she explained it to me, I told her that it sounded like she would be going on a journey soon to a beautiful place she had never been before but that it wasn't a bad thing and shouldn't be scary. She told me it felt like people knew her there and that it would be ok. Within 48 hours she was in a new place - one more beautiful than she could have ever known and she was certainly met by people who knew her! So Christmas is somewhat bittersweet - the night of her passing we went to Christmas Eve service - which seemed to be the most appropriate thing we could do - she must have loved knowing we were in church on her special day. After a very hectic and grief stricken time in IN with the funeral and all that comes with it - we returned home.

The following Sunday night we met with our young adult group. It is always strange following a life changing event like that. But I handed out pieces of paper and asked them to do the following : to write down everything they were going to do in the next 24 hours. They could be as specific as they wanted or it could be more general but to make sure that they at least hit the highlights. After they were done I asked them to turn the paper over. I then told then that 24 hours from now, they would die. And then to write down what they were going to do in the next 24 hours. Some were shocked but everyone filled out their sheets. Then I asked that they compare the 2 lists. For most, little was the same. I then asked them if their 24 hours before dying list included talking to or doing something with other people. Most of then did. So I gave them another sheet of paper and asked them to write a letter to that person or persons and tell them all the things they needed to tell them. Beause we aren't promised tomorrow and we need to start living in such a way that dying won't matter. Tim's parents both passed away suddenly and he wan't able to speak to them knowing that they were dying. But when they died, I asked him the same question, already knowing the answer. I asked him what he would say to them if he could. He answered "I would just want them to know I loved them." I asked him what his last words to each of his parents had been (both on phone calls a day or so prior). He answered "I love you." He had no regrets because his last words of every phone call and every "leaving" were the same - "I love you". He still does that today and I love him for it.

In 2008, I hope we live in such a way that dying doesn't matter. Last Sunday, we lost one of the "saints" of our church and my mom was so disappointed because she hadn't gotten a chance to go see her this past week. But she had taken the time the Sunday before to talk and listen and share with her. I told her that that was a God thing. This year will be filled - with things that bring us joy and things that bring us grief. Things that make us laugh and things that make us cry. I want to live for Christ in such a way that no matter how much time we have - they will be filled with doing the things that matter.

"I don't want to ask for too much!"

2007-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

IN pictures - finally!
With cousins at the Children's Museum (world's largest!) - Ty's favorite place

Ty at the Dinosaur area talking to the scientists on duty (I think they are called paleontologists - probably have that completely wrong!!). Ty enjoyed getting to talk to them and observe them working on fossils etc!
Let it snow - and it did!!!
It was cold - very cold!!
And now on to the rest of the story!!!!!

"I don't want to ask for too much!"
That is what Ty said when I asked him what he thought Santa might be bringing him. He said "Hmm... maybe 4 presents? I don't want to ask for too much." He was quite serious and although I have no idea what was going through his mind - it was not the response I quite expected. In fact he had only asked Santa for one thing - a blue power ranger (all of about $7). I'm not sure if he thought Santa couldn't carry it all or that Santa was having a hard year but for some reason he didn't expect much. He was quite excited Christmas morning to see an air hockey table (and enjoyed beating all of us!) and a lot of other presents but after the first couple, he started asking "is that for me too??!". It wasn't the excited glee you might have figured and to be honest, he looked a little confused. I think he really thought that 4-5 presents would be ok. The more I thought last night (after a wonderful day spent with my mom and sister's family and phone calls with dad and more family!) the more I realized how true of a spiritual concept that is. We so often don't want to ask for too much from God. And I think that we sometimes set ourselves up for diappointment when we ask for things that are only for our comfort and not really seeking the heart of God. But either way God has the resources of heaven ready and waiting. This next year I want to ask for too much. Too much of His grace and power and peace. And wake up expecting all of it to be available to me. What a gift to open that every morning!

A Lesson Learned

2007-12-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

I still need to post pics from IN but something that happened yesterday has been on my mind and with Christmas just a few days away - wanted to share this. We live in a world that is very different from the one my parents grew up in. A very cynical place where you can't trust anything or anybody. Where this past week after the Mitchell report, one famous ballplayer insisted that another needed to prove he DIDN'T do something (whatever happened to the presumption of innocence - how well we know!).
Last week we went to IN. I purposefully didn't have my mail held since I had asked my mom to check it for Christmas stuff, bills etc. She checked it a couple days after we left and there was no mail. This continued for the entire time we were gone. I was getting quite upset about this since I had no idea of what was going on. We thought maybe our mailman had held it noticing that we were gone (even though they aren't supposed to do that). We arrived home and Tim went to check at the post office. They had none of our mail there but thought that our mail man might have it on his truck. TWO pieces of mail arrived that day (it was now 12 days). The next day - nothing. Tim went to try to track down (literally) our mail man. Then I noticed something strange. Friday is our trash day and we had put our trash can out. I heard the truck and got up to pull the can up to our house when I saw our neighbor from across the street (the same one who stood and just watched while we were moving in with the help of 3 trucks and 4 vans and about 25 of our friends "Exactly HOW MANY people are moving into that house??!! he asked Tim!) pulling our trash can to the side of the house. Hmmmm! I called Tim and told him what I saw "Do you think...???". He went over to our neighbors and sure enough - he had collected all of our mail - bundling it nicely for us. He told Tim - well you told me you were going to be away and to keep an eye on the house - so I did. We still had the rental vehicle that we had taken to IN and he had actually walked over and written down the license plate because he was concerned that someone was in our house that wasn't supposed to be! It's weird now days to have neighbors that watch out for you - that care enough to collect your mail and even write down license plate numbers. But we have neighbors like that and we are blessed! This man doesn't attend church or claim to be a Christian but he exemplified what it means to BE a neighbor to us. I have really been struggling lately with a desire to BE the church - not to DO church anymore. Ty memorized the verses that talk about "when I was hungry - you fed me" etc (thanks to Mr. Bruce and Miss Karyl!). Those words have resonated with me more and more. I want to be a part of a congregation that serves Christ by serving people - anybody know where I can find one of those?! A few weeks ago at Common Grounds Cafe' - we served our first homeless person. He was probably 70+ years old and rode up on a rickety bike carrying all of his possessions. He walked up slowly and just stared at the muffins and said "Do you think I might could have a muffin". I anwered "Absolutely!" and Steve (the guy helping that day) said "Could I get you a cup of coffee to go with that?". I am sure that some people were concerned and not happy (or would be if they had saw). And I know we need to be careful but I am more concerned that people aren't BEING the church anymore - just content with DOING it. My family has experienced the "fellowship of HIS suffering" this year in a very small measure and we are doubly blessed because of it. We can't be Christ like without understanding sacrifice and suffering too. I think my "resolution" for 2008 is to stop "doing" and start "being". I hope that yours will be too.

Let it Snow! NOT!

2007-12-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

Got home Tuesday night after a wonderful time in IN. Even if our return trip home was delayed by snow. Will post pics soon. But we should have known - Tim told Ty to pray for snow. (his prayers usually get answered!) Soon we were asking him to pray that it would stop! Ty had a blast sledding and playing in the snow. We are concerned though - he also prayed for a baby sister and informed Nana it would be here by next Christmas!! He has "named" the baby as well. That is certainly not in our plans - I guess we'll have to wait and see if it is in God's!!

It's beginning to look a lot like ... Christmas - even in Florida!

2007-12-01T05:51:00.000-08:00

Tim , Ty and I headed to Disney on Monday and checked into the Port Orleans French Quarter hotel. Ty received his birthday "button" and we were off. We have stayed at this hotel often and Ty knows his way around so as soon as we dropped our bags we were headed to the boat dock to take a water taxi to Downtown Disney. Ty had saved his birthday money to spend. (It was almost hilarious - he is very frugal with his money - but was finally ready to spend it!) We headed to Ghiradelli to get our free sample of chocolate and then to Ty's destination - Lego World! After playing and shopping we then headed to Once Upon a Toy where Ty (with LOTS of help from Tim and a salesperson) proceeded to make a double light saber. They had a "gift" of a complete set of commemorative coins celebrating Star Wars 30th anniversary if you would buy $50 in Star Wars items. Ty only wanted a light saber ($20) and wasn't about to part with any more of his hard "earned" money - but the salesperson told Tim he was just going to throw them in our bag as a gift for us! It was a really nice set and we were just beginning our days of "free" stuff! We took the bus to the Grand Floridian to see the life size gingerbread house (which was underwhelming for Ty!) and then the monorail back to MK to catch a bus to our resort.We thoroughly enjoy meeting all kinds of people especially ones from other countries and it is fun to hear other accents and info from them and be able to pass on some good American hospitality. I am slightly (??!) neurotic in terms of planning and figuring out how to get the most for our money and out of our experience so am usually able to pass on some info. We ended the day in the pool and hot tub after some jambalaya and beignets as Ty anxiously awaited the arrival of Nana, Aunt Roxanne, and Kamen the next day!

Once they arrived, we hit Downtown Disney again for a little shopping at World of Disney and then back to the resort to catch our bus to the Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. We had a blast! Even with the rain - made all the more memories. One highlight was watching the Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas Show. Last year we arrived late and stood at the back next to a very nice couple. We noticed them "signing" along. Ty and I had been studying some signs so he showed them what he knew. They were actually impressed and told us that they worked full time for Disney signing for hearing impaired guests. They work in a variety of situations but that night they were practicing the show. This year we looked up on the platform and saw the same couple signing the show for a big group of guests. They were incredible! Mom & Rox remarked that it was almost as much fun to watch them since they put so much expression into it. We ate more than our share of free cookies, apple slices, and hot cocoa! We enjoyed rides like Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan and the Jungle Cruise. And things like Mickey's PhilharMagic and Snow White ride, the race cars, the fireworks (in the rain!) and more. All in all a great night and as we left the parade to snow falling on Main Street - it really did begin to look a lot like Christmas! The next day was spent at the pool, hot tub, more Downtown Disney and a boat trip to the sister resort Port Orleans Riverside where the boys had a blast at the playground. We did really get a lot of "free stuff" too! Ty got a banana at dinner the first night; I noticed I had been given extra money in change and when I returned it the gift shop manager awarded me an exclusive pin(s) (1 to keep and 1 to give) that aren't sold - they can only be gifted; Rox got a pin on the boat ride from the captain for having to put up with Tim giving her a hard time!; the boys each received giant cookies with icing and mickey sprinkles to decorate; the food court crew gave Ty a birthday card, Mardi gras beads and coins and Mickey Rice Crispie treats (and Kamen got those too!); a birthday card from Mickey written to Ty; the Star Wars coin set; lots of extra stickers etc for Ty's birthday and lots of special attention - which he of course loved! It was a great time away and we didn't want to leave. Mom & Rox were the funniest parade and pool side (parade in the rain - ready to leave; poolside - just a "few" more minutes Ha!). Hardly any crowds or any wait - our favorite time of year to hit Disney and start our holiday celebrations. We were blessed to spend it with family!

Just me

2007-11-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

I don't know about anyone else but the holidays always bring about reflection. And one of the things I have thought about is one of the areas I have always stuggled in. I was a "Martha" born in a family of "Marys". I will never be the "funny" one, the "pretty" one, the "popular" one, the "musical" one, the "athletic" one or the "outgoing" one. Probably the best I could do was the "smart" one and even that was questionable at times! I am never the first on anyone's list to ask out to dinner or the movies and that is partly my own fault. Through my own experiences and stuggles, I have developed my own set of "rules" for myself and they include not allowing gossip when I am around and never talking to someone about an issue unless they are the person involved or seeking advice only from those in my level of leadership or above. That can make friendships interesting to say the least. There are many times when I walk in a room that conversation stops. And I can understand why people would feel that I am not the most "fun" person to be around. I also made a decision about 4-5 years ago that I would rather be respected than liked. That can be very lonely place to be but I feel like it was something I needed to do and God was calling me to a different place in my relationship with Him and with others. Since words of affirmation is my "love language" - the position that I have placed myself in doesn't necessarily lend itself to be shown love in that way very much. So it was truly a gift to get the following from one of the teens that has come to the church that we attend and the youth camp we run for the conference every summer. Our commitments with young adult ministries haven't always allowed us to have the time to invest in our youth on a weekly basis although we are doing more and more of that lately. All that to say - sometimes you wonder what impact, if any you are having. And when you aren't the "fun" one or the "cool" one - does what you do really matter. So wherever you are - if you have ever stuggled or wondered - the following is for you too. (this is all the more meaningful since this teen now goes to another church and we don't get to see each other that often)

Sandi,
At my church, one of the pastors gave us all a few challenges for the week of Thanksgiving in the last week of our "Macedonian Project" series, and one of them was to thank one person who has influenced you in your walk with God. You should feel blessed just to know that you came to my mind. =) So I just want to say thank you for all that you have done for me in the past. Thanks for all of the times that we had fun together in fellowship. I can remember numerous times when I have had so much fun with you hanging around at your house or at the church with the rest of the girls. Thanks for all of the years of camp that you organized so well. Those late nights were always awesome! Most importantly, thanks for all of the spiritual instruction you have ever given me. Even though there were other people who I got spiritual instruction from more often than from you, it seems like you were always the one to help me out the most. Even though I don't get to see you hardly at all anymore (except random times at Walmart), I will still always remember how you have helped me in my faith and helped me to grow closer to God. Thank you! =) Nicole

**If you haven't taken the chance to say thank you for someone that has impacted your life - I bet they would also think this was the greatest gift they could receive this holiday season!

Thankful!!!

2007-11-22T05:58:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving I am so thankful! Thankful for so many things. And the past year has showed me that being thankful or full of joy has NOTHING to do with your circumstances and EVERYTHING to do with who God is. So this Thanksgiving I am thankful even for the situations that have caused us pain because God has and is getting glory out of them! God has been so real to us this year and my prayer would be that everyone would know that kind of relationship!
This year I am thankful for:
*My Saviour - what more can I say than that. He truly has been everything that He has promised He would be!
*My husband - we have walked through lots of things but he is the person who lives out his Christianity to me every day - from daily reading his Bible to witnessing to anyone, anywhere. To loving his wife and son in ways that are practical and meaningful!
*My son - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY! I am so grateful that every few years we get to celebrate on Thanksgiving one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave us. Thank you for bringing fun and creativity and for showing us a different side to the world that God created and lives through you every day!!
*My parents - they truly live God's grace and His power and His peace every day of their lives and I am blessed to call them Mom & Dad.
*My siblings and extended family - you make me a better person and enrich my life in so many ways. A special salute to my Grandpa Boynton and Grandma Bedford - you model God's faithfulness for all of us!
*My friends - who are way more like family to me. You challenge me, love me, pray with and for me - I am grateful for the impact you have in my life!
*My ministries - God has given me such a passion for youth and young adults - I am thankful for those that allow me to live out that passion in ministries that I love!
*My friends and acquaintances who have walked though hard times this week - makes life all the more "real" to know that life is short and tomorrow isn't promised. To live today fully. Thankful for the ones that came through situations and are on the road to recovery. Thankful for the knowledge of those that will spend their first Thanksgiving in heaven. Thankful for the parents that spend every day caring for special children - God given and I think - so very close to the heart of God.

If you don't have anything to be "thankful" for - borrow some of mine. We always go around the table and say one thing we are thankful for. I will be remembering so many Thanksgivings from before - the first year Ty was born - straight from the hospital to the Thanksgiving meal; the year Thanksgiving was spent in MS doing hurricane relief - the tears that flowed as we stood in a destroyed neighborhood listening to my dad pray for the meal over a cell phone; this year as Dad will be on the phone praying for our meal from his own mission field. Thankful - very thankful.

More pics from the party!

2007-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Ty!!

2007-11-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Ty's 7th birthday with a Star Wars themed party with about 50 of our closest friends and family. Ty had a blast and I think the other kids did too as they went through JEdi Trials including Lightsaber agility practice, X wing flying practice, cleared the sector of asteroids and defeated Darth Vader. Some very good friends agreed to subject themselves to the humiliation of dressing up as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Princess Leia, and Obi Wan Kenobe. It was certainly interesting!! The kids also loved jumping in the trampoline, playing foosball and generally just having fun!!The fact that I have never watched a Star Wars movie didn't keep me from trying to have a party that seemed to make at least a little sense to all those Star Wars fanatics out there. Ty wanted a Yoda cake - can I say what a hard thing that is to do??! And thanks to our friend Genniser who attempted to be in the "spirit" of the whole thing even if he wasn't Jabba the Hutt as Ty had originally wanted him to be. Pray for Kevan and Jeffrey (Darth & Luke respectively). After having kids chase and attack you for 2 hours - I am sure they are resting up and recovering!!

We'll see!

2007-11-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

How this goes on blogger! It figures that just when I get comfortable with yahoo 360 - something would happen! Oh well, such is life!!