My heart has been flooded with prayers for people in my life and even complete strangers. I would like to take a few minutes to write my prayers down and to share in hopes that you can add these people to your prayers too.
Dear Lord, please watch over and care for the following people:
1. My brother, Jerry's friend, Ethan and his family. They recently lost Ethan's dad. My heart breaks for all of them, especially Ethan, because he is so young. Ethan was one of my students when I did my student teaching in college.
2. My brother, Mark's friend, Pat, who just this weekend committed suicide. Hearing his story breaks my heart. A recently divorced, father of 2, who lost everything in his split with his ex. I pray for his two children, especially, who lost a loving father who was struggling with life.
3. My church friend, Katie, who is searching for her purpose in life right now and what God's plan is for her. She is feeling very lost and she is young working professional away from family.
4. My church friend Julie - her mother, who recently found out that she has lung cancer.
5. My friends, Jill and Mike and their baby, Gia, who still has not come home from the hospital due to a lot of health complications. She was born early in May 2012.
6. My brother, Mark, who was recently deployed to NJ. He is an EMT. I pray that he arrives and return safely. He is so brave and I admire the work he does every day to save lives.
7. My brother, Jerry, who is still struggling, I know, with the troubles he has faced with our older brother, Brandon. I pray these two will some day mend their relationship and find love in their hearts again for each other.
8. My brother, Bill, who is recently deployed with the Navy until March. I pray for safe travels. He only has two years left of service. I am very proud of him and everything he does to keep us all safe.
9. My brother, Cody, who is always seeking in his place in the world. I pray that he some day finds the direction God has meant for him.
10. My mom. She is recently on her own again after a long relationship with her ex. I pray that she find comfort and strength to do life with God. I pray that she realizes she isn't alone - that God is with her and will look after her.
11. My grandma, who is still finding her place in this world as a widow. She is doing well and I pray this continues. She has struggled so much after my grandpa's death. I cannot imagine losing the love of your life after 45+ years together.
12. My dear friend, Ellie, and her dad. He is battling cancer and has been for awhile now. I pray for his good health and peace in their lives.
13. My co-workers and their safe travels back to the office.
14. My church, as we go through some changes. I hope our new transitions keep us in line with our mission and vision for our church.
15. My pastor, Ben, he is so strong and probably has a lot on his mind and heart these days. With his long-time friend, and co-pastor, move on to a new church.
16. My fiance, Matt. He doesn't know it, but I pray for him daily. I pray that he arrive safely at school and basketball practice and home. I pray that he know and feel the love and commitment I have for him and our relationship. I pray that he never doubt me or my love.
17. My nieces, Jade and Ella. These two little girls hold a very special place in my heart. They are my world. I would do anything for them. I am always praying for them. I pray they feel and know the love their fathers have for them despite actions and decisions made a couple years ago. No little girl should ever not know her father or the love he has for her.
18. I pray for all those who are on the east coast as hurricane sandy approaches. I pray for their health and safety.
I pray for all those that I have missed in this prayer. I will try to make this Pray Out Loud post a regular weekly thing.
Thank you, God, for all that you do in my life. I am so grateful and I am reminded of your everlasting love and forgiveness. This last week was a wake-up call and reminder of all that you have done for us. I pick up and carry my cross for you, always, Lord. Amen.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Book Club Reading List
I promised to share my book club’s reading list, so
here it is:
1.
The
Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William Paul Young
2.
Change
of Heart by Jody Picoult
3.
Dancing
at the Shame Prom by Amy Ferris & Hollye Dexter
4.
The
Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenrides
5.
The
Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens
6.
The
Homecoming by Dan Walsh
7.
Little
Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
8.
Good
in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
9.
The
Guy not Taken
by Jennifer Weiner
10.
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
11.
The
Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld
12.
The
Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
13.
The
Choice by Nicholas Sparks
14.
Baby
Proof by Emily
Giffin
15.
Where
We Belong by Emily Giffin
16.
There's
Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder
17.
Long
Drive Home by Will Allison
18.
All
We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown
19.
The
Baby Planner by Josie Brown
20.
Secret
Lives of Husbands & Wives by Josie Brown
21.
Room
by Emma Donoghue
22.
The
Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
If you have any good book suggestions,
let me know. I am hoping to choose our next book in November.
Our current book by Jennifer Weiner,
Good in Bed, is amazing. I am only about half way through it, but it has been
great so far. I love the twists and turns in a story.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
How to blow your marriage....
This guy, Dan, from, Single Dad Laughing, wrote an awesome blog post about marriage advice. Divorced twice doesn't mean he doesn't know what NOT TO DO in a marriage.
Funny how people meet a divorced person and automatically think the worst.....
1. They are marriage-challenged
2. It was their fault it ended
3. They are out to prey on married men/women
4. They cannot be trusted
5. They're damaged goods
6. They're on the rebound
And boy, does the list go on!
Just because someone is divorced doesn't mean they don't know anything about marriage or what it takes to make one work. If anything, they know more, because they've experienced what can go wrong and can grow from that. This can make them an even better husband or wife for the next person. Bet you didn't think about that, huh?
Here's Dan's quick list (his blog goes into far more detail about each one - you should read it!):
1. Don't stop holding her hand
2. Don't stop trying to be attractive
3. Don't always point out her weaknesses
4. Don't stop cooking for her
5. Don't yell at your spouse
6. Don't call names
7. Don't be stingy with your money
8. Don't argue in front of the kids
9. Don't encourage each other to stop working out
10. Don't poop with the bathroom door open
11. Don't stop kissing her
12. Don't stop having fun together
13. Don't pressure each other
14. Don't label each other with negative labels
15. Don't skip out on things that are important to her
16. Don't emotionally distance yourself after a fight
I would also like to add some from my own experience:
1. Don't put your spouse down in front of others
2. Don't choose whether or not you're going to spend time with her based on if her plans are better than your friends' plans
3. Don't just say you love them, SHOW it
4. Don't forget about sex after the honeymoon
5. Don't put him in the middle of you and his mother (or someone like that)
6. Don't stop dating each other - establish a day for date night
7. Don't talk to someone of the opposite sex about your marriage problems - TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE
8. Don't put yourself in situations with someone of the opposite sex that walk the line of right and wrong
9. Don't use sex as a bargaining tool
10. Don't stop asking "how was your day?" and actually listening
11. Don't shrug off her tears
12. Don't stop sweeping her off her feet
13. Don't stop being a team
14. Don't go to bed angry
15. Don't leave God out of your marriage
16. Don't let her give up on her dreams for yours
You can read Dan's full blog post here: Single Dad Laughing.
Funny how people meet a divorced person and automatically think the worst.....
1. They are marriage-challenged
2. It was their fault it ended
3. They are out to prey on married men/women
4. They cannot be trusted
5. They're damaged goods
6. They're on the rebound
And boy, does the list go on!
Just because someone is divorced doesn't mean they don't know anything about marriage or what it takes to make one work. If anything, they know more, because they've experienced what can go wrong and can grow from that. This can make them an even better husband or wife for the next person. Bet you didn't think about that, huh?
Here's Dan's quick list (his blog goes into far more detail about each one - you should read it!):
1. Don't stop holding her hand
2. Don't stop trying to be attractive
3. Don't always point out her weaknesses
4. Don't stop cooking for her
5. Don't yell at your spouse
6. Don't call names
7. Don't be stingy with your money
8. Don't argue in front of the kids
9. Don't encourage each other to stop working out
10. Don't poop with the bathroom door open
11. Don't stop kissing her
12. Don't stop having fun together
13. Don't pressure each other
14. Don't label each other with negative labels
15. Don't skip out on things that are important to her
16. Don't emotionally distance yourself after a fight
I would also like to add some from my own experience:
1. Don't put your spouse down in front of others
2. Don't choose whether or not you're going to spend time with her based on if her plans are better than your friends' plans
3. Don't just say you love them, SHOW it
4. Don't forget about sex after the honeymoon
5. Don't put him in the middle of you and his mother (or someone like that)
6. Don't stop dating each other - establish a day for date night
7. Don't talk to someone of the opposite sex about your marriage problems - TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE
8. Don't put yourself in situations with someone of the opposite sex that walk the line of right and wrong
9. Don't use sex as a bargaining tool
10. Don't stop asking "how was your day?" and actually listening
11. Don't shrug off her tears
12. Don't stop sweeping her off her feet
13. Don't stop being a team
14. Don't go to bed angry
15. Don't leave God out of your marriage
16. Don't let her give up on her dreams for yours
You can read Dan's full blog post here: Single Dad Laughing.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Jesus & Why I Don't Believe in Spanking Children
Warning: this blog post is pretty deep today. It is not meant to be offensive, but if you feel offended, I apologize. Remember, these are my own thoughts and beliefs. I don't expect everyone to agree. That's the beauty of our world.
Okay, the title of this post seems like polar opposites and you're probably wondering why the heck I am writing about Jesus and spanking children. Here's why......
Our church service on Sunday was the last day of the series, "It's Personal." Our pastor, very bravely, showed the scenes of Jesus' torment and death on the cross from the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ. If you haven't seen the movie, it's very real and can be difficult to watch at times. Here's the movie trailer if you're interested:
I say our pastor bravely showed this, because it is challenging to watch. He even said some people might be offended by him showing it in church, but if we can't observe it in church, when can we?
You may think, how dare I compare Jesus' death to spanking children. That's just it.....as we watched the scenes of Jesus' flogging and whipping, my head was down. Tears poured from my eyes. This is how I feel about spanking children. I can't. I won't. I cannot inflict any of kind of physical pain like that on another human being. Not even my dog, actually.
Hearing the scenes was enough for me. It was a reminder that Jesus died for our sins and how selfish we can be. Think about all the times we get upset or angry and curse aloud.....
Someone cuts you off while driving.......
You're walking behind someone super slow in the mall........
Your luggage is lost at the airport.......
You stub your toe on the curb.......
Someone steals your parking spot.........
The waitress messes up your order.......
Your spouse forgot to rinse their dishes......
The dog chewed up your favorite pair of shoes......
These are small things folks! Yet, we scream, we curse, and we stress. Jesus' death serves as a constant reminder of why I am here. He gave us all a second chance. He forgives. Why can't we?
Okay, the title of this post seems like polar opposites and you're probably wondering why the heck I am writing about Jesus and spanking children. Here's why......
Our church service on Sunday was the last day of the series, "It's Personal." Our pastor, very bravely, showed the scenes of Jesus' torment and death on the cross from the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ. If you haven't seen the movie, it's very real and can be difficult to watch at times. Here's the movie trailer if you're interested:
I say our pastor bravely showed this, because it is challenging to watch. He even said some people might be offended by him showing it in church, but if we can't observe it in church, when can we?
You may think, how dare I compare Jesus' death to spanking children. That's just it.....as we watched the scenes of Jesus' flogging and whipping, my head was down. Tears poured from my eyes. This is how I feel about spanking children. I can't. I won't. I cannot inflict any of kind of physical pain like that on another human being. Not even my dog, actually.
Hearing the scenes was enough for me. It was a reminder that Jesus died for our sins and how selfish we can be. Think about all the times we get upset or angry and curse aloud.....
Someone cuts you off while driving.......
You're walking behind someone super slow in the mall........
Your luggage is lost at the airport.......
You stub your toe on the curb.......
Someone steals your parking spot.........
The waitress messes up your order.......
Your spouse forgot to rinse their dishes......
The dog chewed up your favorite pair of shoes......
These are small things folks! Yet, we scream, we curse, and we stress. Jesus' death serves as a constant reminder of why I am here. He gave us all a second chance. He forgives. Why can't we?
Friday, October 19, 2012
Small chest...what?!
Today's post is about a complete and total random topic.....you might not even be interested after reading the title of this post and that's ok.
No fun pictures today, folks.
Let's start with the comment I made in my last post about the size of my girls. No, I don't all of a sudden have daughters and no, I am not talking about my girl friends. I am talking about my chest.
I have always been petite - good genes? Hmmm....maybe from my grandpa.
I workout regularly too, so I that doesn't help my girls bulk up. Instead, it deflates them. Sigh.
I look at these women with tiny waists and big chests and I wonder, "what the hell?!" The thing is, not all of them are fake boobs. Some women are just blessed.
So, why am I all of a sudden "noticing" my forever, never-has-changed, small chest?
Well, I put on a sports bra the other day in the bathroom after work and blinked thinking my contacts were blurry or something. My chest looks smaller! Yes, I know sports bras make you look smaller, period. I just don't recall noticing how small my little boy chest looked.
Have I not been paying attention? Have I been getting dressed with my eyes closed lately?
I have never been insecure about my chest, so that's not what this post is about. I am very comfortable with below-average girls. I don't want to have back problems in the future. I would also like to be able to golf and workout without sandbags strapped to my chest.
I applaud women who carry those big things around. Good for you.
What I LIKE about being smaller up top:
1. I can enjoy playing sports without feeling like I have a couple water balloons floppin' all over the place.
2. No back problems.
3. I don't have to worry about "Is this shirt too low-cut for work? Do I have cleavage?" HAHA! Never.
4. I wear the same size shirt - no matter what style.
5.They won't be hitting the floor by the time I'm 50.
For the ladies out there with a set of tiny girls....be proud. And remember, there is thing called the push-up bra, so if you want to show a little cleav, you can without toppling over.
Have a great weekend!
No fun pictures today, folks.
Let's start with the comment I made in my last post about the size of my girls. No, I don't all of a sudden have daughters and no, I am not talking about my girl friends. I am talking about my chest.
I have always been petite - good genes? Hmmm....maybe from my grandpa.
I workout regularly too, so I that doesn't help my girls bulk up. Instead, it deflates them. Sigh.
I look at these women with tiny waists and big chests and I wonder, "what the hell?!" The thing is, not all of them are fake boobs. Some women are just blessed.
So, why am I all of a sudden "noticing" my forever, never-has-changed, small chest?
Well, I put on a sports bra the other day in the bathroom after work and blinked thinking my contacts were blurry or something. My chest looks smaller! Yes, I know sports bras make you look smaller, period. I just don't recall noticing how small my little boy chest looked.
Have I not been paying attention? Have I been getting dressed with my eyes closed lately?
I have never been insecure about my chest, so that's not what this post is about. I am very comfortable with below-average girls. I don't want to have back problems in the future. I would also like to be able to golf and workout without sandbags strapped to my chest.
I applaud women who carry those big things around. Good for you.
What I LIKE about being smaller up top:
1. I can enjoy playing sports without feeling like I have a couple water balloons floppin' all over the place.
2. No back problems.
3. I don't have to worry about "Is this shirt too low-cut for work? Do I have cleavage?" HAHA! Never.
4. I wear the same size shirt - no matter what style.
5.They won't be hitting the floor by the time I'm 50.
For the ladies out there with a set of tiny girls....be proud. And remember, there is thing called the push-up bra, so if you want to show a little cleav, you can without toppling over.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
CrAzY baby dream
With everyone....ok, not everyone, but with a LOT of people around me getting pregnant and having babies, I have had baby on the brain.
As I mentioned in a previous blog post.....I am TERRIFIED of becoming a mother. Not that I don't want to, just nervous.
I think my CRAZY baby dream last night was due to few conversations yesterday.
1. talking babies with my boss yesterday over lunch....when? how many?
2. discussion with Matthew about getting another dog this summer, so our current dog, Ellie Mae, has a friend before we get pregnant.
3. complaining to Matthew about how small my girls are....yes, you read that right. I think that deserves a blog post all in itself.
So, here's my crazy dream......
Matthew and I had a baby girl. We named her Ellie Mae. Weird, yes, I know. We do NOT intend to name any of our children after our pets. In the dream, we were so concerned with it being too close to my niece's name, Ella, but figured it was different enough. It wasn't until we got home and realized we named our child after our dog (after we called to our dog by her name).
The name was the not the biggest issue in the dream. We went to the grocery store with our new baby and realized we didn't have a car seat....only one of the baby wraps that parents wear around the front of their bodies. See, I don't even know the name of the frickin' thing! How am I going to be a parent?!
We get to the grocery store and I asked Matt if he fed her before we left. No. He asks, "did you?" No. OH MY WORD! We didn't feed our starving and now screaming newborn baby! Horrible parents. I take her to the bathroom to try to breast feed her. She wasn't having it. I said, "Look kid, I know their small, but get over it." I cried right there in the bathroom stall. My baby was rejecting my boobs. How awful?! I left the bathroom a total hot mess. A screaming, hungry baby with a full diaper, because we forgot diapers.
Are you laughing yet? This dream fed right into my every fear of becoming a parent.
For all my mommy friends, be prepared to be on my speed dial and to receive phone calls at all hours. Be ready for sobbing calls and "HELP ME!" text messages.....and LOTS of questions....probably a few "dumb" or common sense ones too.
Good thing we have a couple years until we plan to have a baby. :)
As I mentioned in a previous blog post.....I am TERRIFIED of becoming a mother. Not that I don't want to, just nervous.
I think my CRAZY baby dream last night was due to few conversations yesterday.
1. talking babies with my boss yesterday over lunch....when? how many?
2. discussion with Matthew about getting another dog this summer, so our current dog, Ellie Mae, has a friend before we get pregnant.
3. complaining to Matthew about how small my girls are....yes, you read that right. I think that deserves a blog post all in itself.
So, here's my crazy dream......
Matthew and I had a baby girl. We named her Ellie Mae. Weird, yes, I know. We do NOT intend to name any of our children after our pets. In the dream, we were so concerned with it being too close to my niece's name, Ella, but figured it was different enough. It wasn't until we got home and realized we named our child after our dog (after we called to our dog by her name).
The name was the not the biggest issue in the dream. We went to the grocery store with our new baby and realized we didn't have a car seat....only one of the baby wraps that parents wear around the front of their bodies. See, I don't even know the name of the frickin' thing! How am I going to be a parent?!
We get to the grocery store and I asked Matt if he fed her before we left. No. He asks, "did you?" No. OH MY WORD! We didn't feed our starving and now screaming newborn baby! Horrible parents. I take her to the bathroom to try to breast feed her. She wasn't having it. I said, "Look kid, I know their small, but get over it." I cried right there in the bathroom stall. My baby was rejecting my boobs. How awful?! I left the bathroom a total hot mess. A screaming, hungry baby with a full diaper, because we forgot diapers.
Are you laughing yet? This dream fed right into my every fear of becoming a parent.
For all my mommy friends, be prepared to be on my speed dial and to receive phone calls at all hours. Be ready for sobbing calls and "HELP ME!" text messages.....and LOTS of questions....probably a few "dumb" or common sense ones too.
Good thing we have a couple years until we plan to have a baby. :)
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Fathers be good to your daughters....
29 years....you'd think one would learn.
On and off....and on again.....and off again.
A roller coaster relationship.
Disappointment and tears.
Never attending a single graduation.
Mom taught her how to tie her shoes.
Countless missed birthdays.
Broken trust.
Someone else taught her how to drive.
Abandoned and hurt.
Feeling like an inconvenience.
Mom taught her how to read.
Absent hugs and kisses.
Lies.
Being last in your life.
Feeling forgotten.
Getting her hopes up, only to let be down again.
Child support was an inconvenience.
No daddy-daughter dance for her.
Broken heart.
Take-your-daughter-to-work day was always with mom.
Unsupported.
Scared of commitment.
Feeling uninvited in your life.
Bittersweet wedding day.
On and off....and on again.....and off again.
A roller coaster relationship.
Disappointment and tears.
Never attending a single graduation.
Mom taught her how to tie her shoes.
Countless missed birthdays.
Broken trust.
Someone else taught her how to drive.
Abandoned and hurt.
Feeling like an inconvenience.
Mom taught her how to read.
Absent hugs and kisses.
Lies.
Being last in your life.
Feeling forgotten.
Getting her hopes up, only to let be down again.
Child support was an inconvenience.
No daddy-daughter dance for her.
Broken heart.
Take-your-daughter-to-work day was always with mom.
Unsupported.
Scared of commitment.
Feeling uninvited in your life.
Bittersweet wedding day.
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