There is something so "real" and relaxing watching God's creation in its natural habitat doing what God created it to do. 
Sunday, May 31, 2009
In Heaven...
...in Heaven there will be lots of dolphins. And I will swim with them.
There is something so "real" and relaxing watching God's creation in its natural habitat doing what God created it to do.
There is something so "real" and relaxing watching God's creation in its natural habitat doing what God created it to do. 
Graduation and Awards!
Proud! I just love my boys and the end of the school year always makes me a proud Momma! Eli kicked off the festivities with Kindergarten graduation! He was awesome! He knew a thousand scriptures and every song perfectly. He even recited a long poem all by himself about a turtle. (first pic) I can hardly believe baby #2 is about to enter 1st grade! Tell me it isn't so!
The next day, Cade had his moment in the sun! The awards ceremony was great fun...he got straight A's and the "CROWN" award...the only 2nd grade boy to receive it! I am so proud of his Christlike character in the classroom!
The next day, Cade had his moment in the sun! The awards ceremony was great fun...he got straight A's and the "CROWN" award...the only 2nd grade boy to receive it! I am so proud of his Christlike character in the classroom!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Beach!
The Beach! When we first arrived, I thought we would be in trouble! You can tell from this first picture that the waves were angry and rain was everywhere! The forecast even called for rain EVERY single day...but God smiled at us and gave us perfect weather! I just can't say how nice it was to get away and not be responsible for anyone. It was very rejuvenating! Thank you, Mom and Amelia for kidnapping me! And a special thanks to Eric and his parents for holding down the fort. 
Ahhh, the dolphin cruise. It deserves a post of its own...and will get one in the future!
wow! I just love sunsets over water.
#1 reason I love the beach: God speaks more clearly there! Maybe that is because everything is turned off: blogs, email, and tv. I'll share more later.
Ahhh, the dolphin cruise. It deserves a post of its own...and will get one in the future!
wow! I just love sunsets over water.
#1 reason I love the beach: God speaks more clearly there! Maybe that is because everything is turned off: blogs, email, and tv. I'll share more later.Oh, and I put up some of my favorites of my sister and her beach photo shoot here:
Thursday, May 21, 2009
umm, i am headed to the beach!!!
I am going to the beach! We are headed to Gulf Shores...the place we last got to vacation with Kiley. Pray away the rain! I will update with pictures! Can't wait for some sand, rays, girl time, reading, shopping, picture taking, seafood, dolphin watching, and sleeping! umm, i heart the beach.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Crucial Times
If you love America, you will be interested in this:
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com
America has stood by Israel since its start as a country. What right do we think we have to pressure them to give up their land? Sometimes our governing officials are so arrogant. If it is true...that Obama will encourage the Israelites to divide their capital and hand over their God-given land, then I shudder to think of what will happen to our country. If you see an influx of "natural" disasters this summer, I wouldn't be shocked. I know I sound doomsday-ish, but I am angry that powerful law-making people can't take the word of God at face value. I am sure I sound like a drama-Queen, but this is a big deal...it may be the life or death of our country.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com
America has stood by Israel since its start as a country. What right do we think we have to pressure them to give up their land? Sometimes our governing officials are so arrogant. If it is true...that Obama will encourage the Israelites to divide their capital and hand over their God-given land, then I shudder to think of what will happen to our country. If you see an influx of "natural" disasters this summer, I wouldn't be shocked. I know I sound doomsday-ish, but I am angry that powerful law-making people can't take the word of God at face value. I am sure I sound like a drama-Queen, but this is a big deal...it may be the life or death of our country.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Big Day
Today is a big day in the political/spiritual grand scheme of things. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington yesterday and is set to meet with President Obama today. I know there will be critical points of discussion that will take place. The significance of the Iranian threat will be one of those things. The significance of Israel keeping her land will be another.
Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
It is comforting to know that these two "kings" are not outside of God's sovereignty or plan. I pray that God's will would be done today...and that His Kingdom would come soon.
We, as Christians MUST remember Genesis 12:3 in times like these.
"I will bless those who bless you (nation of Israel),
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Lord, we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem today. Lord, let us be mindful to pray over Washington today as the spiritual warfare must be intense.
*if you want more information, see the blog to the side by "Joel Rosenberg."
Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
It is comforting to know that these two "kings" are not outside of God's sovereignty or plan. I pray that God's will would be done today...and that His Kingdom would come soon.
We, as Christians MUST remember Genesis 12:3 in times like these.
"I will bless those who bless you (nation of Israel),
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Lord, we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem today. Lord, let us be mindful to pray over Washington today as the spiritual warfare must be intense.
*if you want more information, see the blog to the side by "Joel Rosenberg."
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Impossible
Trying to get a good shot of my threesome has proved to be impossible.
Cade likes to keep everyone in line. This is a hard task when the two younger ones start to harass one another.
Enjoy the sunshine everyone!
Cade likes to keep everyone in line. This is a hard task when the two younger ones start to harass one another.
Enjoy the sunshine everyone!Thursday, May 14, 2009
Practical Help for Suicide Survivors
In the days since our pastor and his wife lost their son to suicide, I have been thrown back to my own experience with losing Kiley. I have had a few people ask me how they could help this family and my first thought has been that nothing at all helps. This isn't entirely true...and I thought I would leave you guys a few things that did, indeed, help me when I was thrown into the pit of anguish. They may or may not help other suicide survivors, but I thought it might be helpful to have some ideas.
There are many emotions that course through your veins when you hear the news and in the months to follow. The first is shock. This lasts a long time. Everything feels surreal. While you are experiencing shock, other things come as well. Anger at the person that abandoned you. Feelings of rejection. Confusion towards God and His plan. A feeling of a negative stigma that now surrounds your family since suicide is seen in this way. A search for an explanation that you eventually discover will never be satiated. Emotional numbness...an inability to care or make decisions. An attack of "if onlys" will harass the mind. The pain is indescribable...so much so that you perceive a lack of social support, simply because you know no one else truly feels the way you do nor can they understand.
There are things that helped me process my grief. Some practical things that helped me and might help others include:
1. Remember the date of the month that the person died. (If it was the 13th, then make a specific point to call or email or just say that you remember.) The emotions experienced on this "date" will haunt the survivor for months and maybe years later.
2. Say the suicide victim's name. If you are sending a card or an email or calling, use the person's name. Survivors want others to acknowledge that their loved one was REAL and still is REAL. It is a way of honoring the person.
3. Remember the victim's birthday. This day will be horribly hard.
4. Do something special on holidays...days like Christmas and Mother's/Father's Day may forever lose their luster.
5. Presence means more than anything that can be said. For me, just having people around me proved their love. I really didn't care about what people said...I knew there were no answers.
6. Don't forget them! If it has been 3 or 6 months, chances are that they are not indeed better, but now in the throws of grief since the shock has worn off. Continue to provide notes, calls, and your presence. They are needed at this point more than ever.
7. Pray practical verses over them. I had a horrible time with my mind afterwards...my ability to make decisions was nullified. A great verse for this is 2 Timothy 1:7..."For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind." If you find out what their specific struggles are, then you can pray specific verses over them.
Again, these are things that helped me and may or may not apply to other survivors. If you are a suicide survivor and want to comment on something that has helped you, then please do so! You can even leave the comment anonymously if you would like.
Hope this helps!
There are many emotions that course through your veins when you hear the news and in the months to follow. The first is shock. This lasts a long time. Everything feels surreal. While you are experiencing shock, other things come as well. Anger at the person that abandoned you. Feelings of rejection. Confusion towards God and His plan. A feeling of a negative stigma that now surrounds your family since suicide is seen in this way. A search for an explanation that you eventually discover will never be satiated. Emotional numbness...an inability to care or make decisions. An attack of "if onlys" will harass the mind. The pain is indescribable...so much so that you perceive a lack of social support, simply because you know no one else truly feels the way you do nor can they understand.
There are things that helped me process my grief. Some practical things that helped me and might help others include:
1. Remember the date of the month that the person died. (If it was the 13th, then make a specific point to call or email or just say that you remember.) The emotions experienced on this "date" will haunt the survivor for months and maybe years later.
2. Say the suicide victim's name. If you are sending a card or an email or calling, use the person's name. Survivors want others to acknowledge that their loved one was REAL and still is REAL. It is a way of honoring the person.
3. Remember the victim's birthday. This day will be horribly hard.
4. Do something special on holidays...days like Christmas and Mother's/Father's Day may forever lose their luster.
5. Presence means more than anything that can be said. For me, just having people around me proved their love. I really didn't care about what people said...I knew there were no answers.
6. Don't forget them! If it has been 3 or 6 months, chances are that they are not indeed better, but now in the throws of grief since the shock has worn off. Continue to provide notes, calls, and your presence. They are needed at this point more than ever.
7. Pray practical verses over them. I had a horrible time with my mind afterwards...my ability to make decisions was nullified. A great verse for this is 2 Timothy 1:7..."For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind." If you find out what their specific struggles are, then you can pray specific verses over them.
Again, these are things that helped me and may or may not apply to other survivors. If you are a suicide survivor and want to comment on something that has helped you, then please do so! You can even leave the comment anonymously if you would like.
Hope this helps!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sallie Cone Fishing Day!
A couple of years ago, our church partnered with a local elementary school. We chose this school because parental involvement is a little low. We are able to mentor the kids, provide Christmas gifts, and go with them on special field trips. Today, I was able to capture their much anticipated annual fishing day! It was perfect weather and the fish were biting!
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