Monthly Archives: August 2013

HaPpY bIrThDaY mOtHeR!

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Today is my mom’s 65th Birthday!  This post is filled with lots of pictures!  I’m being nice and not posting some of the more funny pictures I have of her!  I sure do wish though I had a picture of her and her cow!  When she was a lot younger and was living in Osage on the farm she raised Cow’s for 4-H.  She sure did love those cow’s!  

My mom was born in Colorado.  Moved to Iowa as a girl and grew up in Iowa.  She has a sister named Cindy who they are as a different as night and day.  She cared for her parents George and Florence until they passed away in 2010 and 2011.  She is opinionated and it is a little scary as to how much we are a like in our personality.  So, here’s a few pictures and I’ll comment on them as I go along. 🙂

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Riding on her daddy’s back.  She followed him every where even down the bunny trail in Greeley, CO!

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Cindy and her sister waiting for the bus on the first day of school.

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Her senior year of high school.  She graduated from Westwood High School in Sloan, IA.

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Her and Bill have been married for over 20 years and essentially a match made in heaven.

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The “Look”.  Bill is thinking “What Now DEAREST?!”

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The girls with Grandpa/Daddy after Grandmother’s funeral.  You notice my mother is the odd one out, not dressed up!  She was tired and had gone back to the apartment to try to take a nap only to be drug up to take pictures!  Little did she know she wouldn’t get much of a nap because her beautiful daughter would want to go to the Island and have shrimp!  We drove Grandmother’s van over to the Island only to have one of the headlight’s not work!  Grandmother lived on!

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My mother being goofy!  With her family at Lily’s birthday celebration at the zoo!

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She is being crazy with the grandkids!  She LOVES being crazy! 🙂  But maybe that is where I picked her the personality from!  😉

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I LOVE YOU mom!  She has been a strong support through out the last year.  She was always there through out Timmy’s whole hospitalization’s and surgeries.  I am grateful she always had an encouraging word to say or a warm blanket to through on me to know I was LOVED!

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Girls being Silly!

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the PINK hat!  This is her trade mark!  She wears it many places and because it is so crazy people remember her for it!  She also has a crazy pink floppy hat that she made many moons ago and it is now worn when we play card games!  Why, I don’t know!  Because were goofy!

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My mother loves to teach others her fine crafting skills including Lily!  Here she is teaching her to knit!  She LOVES to be crafty!  She can whip up a blanket in less than a day!  She makes quilts and she even makes blankets for the babies at Memorial in the NICU!  I love that my mom is way more crafty in the area of making blankets because many time’s I’ll go to Wal-Mart buy the stuff and mail it to her to make!  The latest is a quilt for Timmy! 🙂

Happy Birthday Mom!  I’m lucky your my mom!   While we may have our differences from time to time your still the one I call with my problems! 🙂

 

Wordless from me Wednesday!

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The Day I Became a Heart Mother

One day my world came crashing down,
I’ll never be the same.
They told me that my child was sick.
I thought, “am I to blame”?
I don’t think I can handle this.
I am really not that strong.
It seemed my heart was breaking.
I have loved him for so long.

I will not give up on this child.
I will listen to your advice.
I will give my child any chance.
No matter what the price.
I will learn all that I need to help my child thrive.
I’ll even use that feeding tube.
My child must survive!

Will he need a lot of therapy?
Will he gain the needed weight?
Please God, help me do this.
I will accept our fate.

When the monitors beep at night, it serves as my reminder.
How many parents would love that sound.
Tomorrow I will be kinder.
As another Angel earns his wings,
I run to my child’s bed.
I watch him sleep for quite a while.
I bend down and kiss his head.
I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.
I look to You wondering why?
Oh Lord, I just can’t know your ways….no matter how I try.

And yet, I trust you hold his life, and guide us through each day.
My mind says savor each moment he’s here,
but my heart begs, “PLEASE let him stay”!

From pacing the surgical waiting room, to sitting by his bed.
From wishing for a good nights sleep, to learning every med.
From wondering, “will he be alright?”, to watching him reach out his hands.
With every smile my heart just melts, despite life’s harsh demands.

For all who see that faded line.
I look to them and smile.
You see my child is loved so much.
I would face ANY trial.
That scar I trace with my finger (It’s the door to his beautiful heart).
God must have known how much I’d love him (Just as He loved him from the start).

A heart mom is always a heart mom.
Now wise beyond her years.
For those who have angels in heaven,
Our hearts share in all of your tears.

Every day I will try and remember,
I was chosen for him (and no other).
I will always embrace that beautiful day…….
When I became a “Heart Mother”.

– Author Unknown

Buy it Now TUESDAY!

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Mandisa’s new OVERCOMER CD came out today!  If I were you I would go and buy it!  This album is unlike any of her other music.  It has maturity to it!  It starts off with “Overcomer”.  This catchy tune is written to encourage you to stay in the fight and keep on because with Christ by your side you are an OVERCOMER!  There are two other song’s that stuck out to me one is “Dear John”.  It is a song for her brother!  He is not saved but it is her prayer that her brother will realize his need for a relationship with the ultimate Father!  “Praying For You”  This is this SONG she wrote for her future husband!  It is so encouraging as a single women to know that there are other’s out there waiting for the one that God has created for US!  Then there was one other song called “What Scars Are For”.  Sort of like “Overcomer” but it talks about how our scares weather physical or emotional remind us of how far we have come and that He brought us through them!  Thanks Mandisa for another kick butt album!  Now on to that Zumba one! 🙂

Hunch Back!

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For the next few Monday’s I’m going to share with ya’ll what has gone on with my back and some of my story.  I am praying about writing my full story into a book to share with other’s who are facing the hardships of a life altering event!  

The above x-ray is of my back on the morning of Friday September 17th, 2010.  I was already in the OR and under drugs!  I find it humorous that the above picture needed a label of “upright”!  I was that hunched over that it appeared I was laying down!  The day I went in for my first surgery my curvature in my back was at a 109 degree angel.  A “normal” back has a maximum curvature of 35 degree’s or so.  The proper medical term for what I had was called “Severe Schumann’s Kyphosis!”  My doctor had not seen a case as severe as mine and he was the top doctor in the state of Indiana to do surgery on my spine!  I am not sure how much further I could have gone before my heart would have burst!  I know I remember waking up in post op after 8 hours in the OR saying “I CAN BREATHE!”  I guess I never realized how little I could breathe!   When your lower lungs are compacted as mine were I had to retrain my lungs to breathe deeper than just the shallow breathe’s they were used to taking!  I had grown up with a slight curve.  It was checked in school and always passed off.  It was checked in my early teens by two different family doctor’s in two different states but still no one saw anything out of sorts.  My grandfather was always telling me to “standup” straight when in reality I could not do that!  Schurmann’s Kyphosis is a deformity of the spine sort of like scoliosis is but instead of going side to side my spine went forward.  At the age of 21 I had health insurance and asked my family doctor if something could be done.  He said “yes” but he needed to send me to a surgeon.  He set me up with one but I NEVER went!  I was AFRAID!  I was young and didn’t want to face the fear or facts of surgery.  I had people in my life who cared about me, ask me about my back as well and I would just bite their heads off and say there was nothing that could be done!  So, I am not sure how but I went on to have three beautiful children and it wasn’t until the spring of 2010 when I was in a car accident.  We were living in Indiana at the time.  I was going to a chiropractor for pain management and he asked if I had ever had x-ray’s taken of my back and I said “no”.  He suggested seeking out a orthopedic doctor to fix my back.  I went to my NP who was amazed that I had never had x-ray’s of my back and she actually KNEW what was wrong with my back!  She sent me down to Indiana Spine where a doctor there took one look at my x-rays, came in with a grim look on his face and said I am sorry but there is nothing I can do for your back.  “If I did surgery on you I could paralysis you”!  That was too great of a risk for him to take!  I was actually very happy to hear this news…NO SURGERY!  I went back to school and went about my day while Josh was upset and angry that nothing could be done about my back.  After talking with my dad, who lived in Iowa, and worked at hospital, he had asked around some of the nursing staff and they suggested I seek a Neurosurgeon.  I first though wait….nope…that’s too expensive and second aren’t they just brain doctors!……..to be continued next week! 

WOMEN of FAITH! INDIANAPOLIS!!!

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No words can really describe what the weekend felt like but I will try to do my best!  I have been attending Women of Faith for over ten years now.  I have seen speakers and musicians come and go.  I have seen things change and evolve with Women of Faith as a ministry.  I believe that this is their time and their season!  If you are able to go yet this year go!  Here is the link….

http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/

Check it out!  If you don’t see your city watch for 2014 REVIVAL schedule as it rolls out!

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Friday night started with WORSHIP!  For me the WORSHIP put the whole weekend over the top!  There’s a live worship band called “Gateway Worship”!  They are from Kari Jobe’s church and they lead you to the presences of God.  It doesn’t get much sweeter than to worship with thousands of other women who love the SAME God I do!

Friday night included Sheila Walsh speaking!  She shared a really good point on how when her son Christian was young she was preparing to speak at a WOF event and she was in a cream colored suit.  Christian came running up to her with chocolate cake all over his face and he gave her hug!  Her suit got chocolate on it but that didn’t matter, Christian mattered! The point was that God want’s us to to come to him JUST as we are!  We do NOT have to get cleaned up to come to HIM!

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The boat was a great illustration of how we have the choice to stay on the shore where it is safe or to jump into the storms and trust that God will carry us!

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Mark Lowry!  There is NONE other like him!

He had me in laughing that my stomach was hurting!  He is a hoot!  He sang “Wonderful World” and “Mary Did You Know!”

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Next up was the QUEEN of Soul!  CeCe Winans!  And yes she has a brother named BeBe!  She lead us in just Hallelujah and it was a kiss of heaven!

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She closed the house down Friday night!

I had found my room at the Hilton on Hotwire!  Can we say LOVE Hotwire!!!

Saturday morning back at it!  Such a fun filled, blessed time! 

Saturday Morning the worship team brought us into his presences and prepared our hearts to hear what the speakers were about to share with us!  It was also Lisa Harper’s birthday so the festivities got off to a resounding Indiana “Happy Birthday!”  Oh, yes and there was a Sand Artist, one that used sand and a light table to depict the life of Christ.  Powerful!

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We sang “Whom Shall I Fear!”  Each time I sing that I sing with such joy knowing that God has already GONE BEFORE me!!!!!  Liz Curtis Higgs brought the first message!  She shared how she had spent some of her “Bad Girl” days in Indianapolis.  God will honor her for sharing such hard stuff with us!  If you have never heard here like I had not, you should!  I did not know what I was missing! 🙂

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Angela Thomas brought a very encouraging message and one I related to as being a mom who has boys in soccer and whose named William! 🙂  “BE THE SUNSHINE!” 

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Next up was Lisa Harper!  I LOVE this women!  I have heard her speak at Women of Faith since she started speaking with them a few years ago!  She brings the bible deep to you but in a way you can understand it!  She is in the process of adopting a little girl from Haiti named Missy.  If you would keep her in your prayers as the end is in sight.

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I love Lisa’s smile and long legs too! 🙂

Then it was time for THIRD DAY to ROCK!  I seriously can NEVER get enough of these guys!  They are the REAL DEAL!  They are men of God who LOVE their wives and family!  They have been around a really long time and they are the same people!  We in Indy got a special treat because Sheila Walsh sang with Mac Powell on “God of Wonders!”

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Then Angie Smith finished off the speakers!  Angie, I LOVE her too!  She has the sweetest spirit and the funniest facial expressions!  She is a neat women who has an amazing story!  She is a mom to 5 beautiful daughters!

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The weekend ended with this amazing media presentation of The Bible!  It was clips from different movies depicting Christ life, then a speaker would get up and present the passage from the bible, then the worship team would lead us in a song!  I think for me if I had to pick one thing it would have been this that was the icing on the cake!!!!  So, GO to a Women of Faith event if you can’t go this year start a penny jar and start saving for next year!!!  You WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!!

 

Thankful Thursday

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Many times we forget to count our blessings and find ourselves grumbling.  Each Thursday I’ll post something I’m thankful for!  

1) O.J.-Soothe’s a soar throat.  I’m not sure why but just about every year the weekend of WOF I get  soar throat.  NOT fun but the enemy can not take away my joy!

2) The ability to serve at WOF this weekend!  Beyond blessed!

3) I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve at my church.  We take this opportunity for granted.

4) My air conditioning.  I have not used it much but these last few days with the humidity it has been a blessing!

5) The ability to worship freely.  

What are you thankful for?

Thanks To You

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I’m going to declare Tuesday’s on my blog “Friendship Tuesday’s!”  I’m going to talk about a different friend, a song or my thought’s on friendships! This week I am going to start with a simple song entitled “Thanks To You!”  By Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman.  Geoff Moore for those of you that don’t know used to be the lead singer in Geoff Moore and The Distance’s!  He and Steven are BFF’S since college!!!!

Well I can’t find a video surprisingly for this song, so the lyrics will have to work along with an audio clip!  We all have those friends that make us a better person and this song defiantly resounds that!  We are NOT called to walk this life alone!  Thanks to the many friends who have and are walking this life with me from Holly, Sly, John, Josh G, Dave, Jamie, Brad, Loretta, Dee,  Judy, James, Ann, Abe, Shirley, Dave, John P., Mary, Jenny, Rene’, Vicky, Linda, Peggy, Deb, Kori, Mom, Kevin, Deb, Lori, Kim, Betsy, Peggy K, Mom, Dad, Beth, Tammy, Dottie, Nikki, Jessica and I could go on and on.  This is in no particular order either!

I’ve been picked when I was low 
And I never have been left alone 
I know it’s true 
Thanks to you

I have had my burdens shared 
There’ve been valleys 
That I’ve been carried through 
Thanks to you

So I won’t let another moment slip away 
Right here, right now 
I’ve got to stop and say

Thanks to you 
I’ve learned to laugh a little bit harder 
Thanks to you 
I never cry alone 
Thanks to you 
I know what it means to have a friend that’s true 
Thanks to you

I remember all the walks 
And all the crazy things that I got talked into 
Thanks to you


And even now I’m amazed 
When I think of all the ways God’s voice came through 
Thanks to you

Through all the thick and thin 
And places in between 
We have been side by side 
And that is why you hear me singing

Thanks to you 
I’ve learned to laugh a little bit harder 
Thanks to you 
I never cry alone 
Thanks to you 
I know what it means to have a friend that’s true 
Thanks to you 
For never giving up 
Thanks to you 
For sometimes giving in 
Thank you for always listening

By Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman

Taken from christianlyricsonline.com

Great I AM!

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I am grateful to be able to choose where I worship!  I enjoy checking out different churches every now and then to see how they do ministry but I am grateful to be plugged into an amazing ministry at Madison Park in Anderson!  Over the summer I have watched the worship go from people watching worship to people PARTICIPATING in worship!  Not to say they weren’t before but they are understanding what it MEANS to worship!  We have an amazing team that leads us in worship!  I am grateful that they chose to use their gifts at Madison Park!  I am grateful that they are bold in asking you to step out of your comfort zone and raise your hands!  I remember the first time that I raised my hands!  It was intimidating.  I was worried about what other’s would think.  Would they laugh at me?  I would raise my hands but keep my arms close to my side.  Worship has now taken on a whole new experience to me as I have grown in my faith.  As I have learned more about what worship means.  When I raise my hands in worship I am raising them TOWARD my heavenly Father, my Abba, my Daddy!  I am saying “I am YOURS!”  I raise my hands because it is an OUTWARD expression of the INWARD love and joy I have for Him!  If I could I would jump because of the joy that is bursting inside of me!  But I can’t!  So, I raise my hands heavenward saying “I am YOURS!”  Everything I have, Everything I am!  I CAN NOT sing either!!!! I LOVE music but can not sing! 🙂  I sing with a JOYFUL heart and a smile on my face!  Try singing with a smile on your face as you think of all that God has done for you!  We sang the following song in church today and as I listened and sang the words “I want to see dry bones living again.  Singing as one……The Mountains shake before you The Demons Run and flee!  At the mention of the name KING of MAJESTY!  There is NO POWER in HELL!  Or any who can stand before the power and presences of the GREAT I AM!  

NOTHING CAN STAND BEFORE HIM!!!!!!!  I don’t know how you can NOT get EXCITED knowing that!!! 🙂  Seeing DRY BONES living again!