Hey, this date looks familiar...Oh yah, it is our anniversary!!!!! One might not know it by observing the way my husband and I are spending our day (in separate states) but, we are both glowing from our shared appreciation for the gift God has given us. A marriage that is truly rooted in His plan and His hope and His love. Believe me, God has everything to do with our marriage. If we had just come into this with our own selfish agendas and plans, we'd be toast. As it stands, we are able to face our human imperfections and shortcomings by accepting God's grace and forgiveness and then attempting to extend that to each other. Happy Anniversary to us! For those of you who were there on the wedding day, you know how sickening happy I was on that day! And, I can say that God has blessed us with a wonderful marriage!
OK, people keep asking me to update my blog. Well, geez! I thought I did a pretty good job just 10 days ago. But, I'd be happy to ramble on about our family and what we've been up to the last 10 days!
After a week in NY, we packed up our suitcases and travelled back to MI. We travelled on Father's day and were able to make the trip in just over 10 hours. We arrived at my parents' house just in time for dinner and relaxing time with my Dad. That was nice. It happened to be my nephew's 6th birthday as well. So, it was nice to sing happy birthday to him and give him love on his special day.
Timm had less than 24 hours before he had to turn around and head out of town again. So, on MOnday, the girls started their week of theater camp, and Timm and I went shopping for a sofa. We had decided on one from target, but it wasn't available online, and NONE of the Target stores in NY had them in stock! It comes in separate pieces and we found two in Port Huron, and two in Chesterfield. My sister was able to pick up the girls and take them swimming at Grandma's while we finished our running around. Timm took off in his rental car, saying goodbye to us for the next 11 days, and then we got ready for an evening at vacation bible school. I volunteered to help all week, and the kids had a great time singing, crafting, and learning about ancient Rome and the underground church and Paul's ministry. Very fun.
So, this week.....the girls had rehearsal each day for their play "The Pied Piper" and each evening they did vacation bible school. In between, they swam. It was finally hot! A wonderful week. On Saturday, they had two performances at the Richmond Community Theater, and we were blessed to have both sets of Grandparents come out to watch, as well as Aunt KT, Aunt Kelly, and Aunt Liz. My kids have a fan club! They did great. Liv as a rat and Alli as a cook. I'd love to share adorable photo's, but am having a major issue with uploading photos at this time. Let me just tell you....they LOVED their week of theater! THis is the second year they have done this. And, they loved it beyond words. On the way home from McD's (where we went with their cousins to bask in the after show glory and eat greasy food and play on the playland) Alli said "This was the best day of my life!"
Oh, by the way! DUH! Guess where I am right now? Sitting at my in-laws house ON THE INTERNET! That's right, they got hooked up to that there internet machine this week! Pretty cool.
OK, so that brings us up to yesterday, Sunday. Went to church and out to lunch with aunt KT at Panera. YUM! Then the kids went swimming. Next, we packed an overnight bag and I drove them out to Clarkston for a sleepover at our good friend's house. I stayed and visited till 10pm, then came back to Memphis. Now, they are in Clarkston, living it up with their friends. Today, I will eventually get off this computer, clean up a little around the house, run a few errands, then go to pick them up (stopping on the way to get new running shoes). Anyways, when we get home this afternoon/evening, we will be greeting the Atlanta crew! Timm's bro and sis-in-law and our nieces are arriving today from GA! They will be here for over a week to visit. The girls are so excited, they can hardly contain themselves! Especially since, when they depart for GA, they are taking my girls with them! And, they get to travel WITHOUT Timm and I for a week. At that time, Timm and I are taking another load (sofa and a few garage sale purchases I scored on this week) out to NY. WHile there, we will take advantage of some time to get settled into our apt, arrange things, etc, and celebrate our anniversary with a date on the town in Manhattan, and visit with some friends out there. Then, we will head out on the road to GA to meet up with the girls.
OK, I will stop. I have this tendency to RAMBLE ON AND ON AND ON! Sorry. I have said it before, I will say it again....BLESSED! We are so BLESSED!
Almost forgot, a pool party this Thursday to celebrate Liv's b-day (which was in May). But, it will be interesting to see what happens with this crazy MI weather! Looks pretty cool this week!
Signing off....
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
quick update
OK, so I'm a blogging freak. This is post #3. But, it's been a LONG time, so bear with me.
I couldn't sign off without at least giving a brief update on our life!
We packed up the moving truck on Sunday, June 14...with the assistance of family!!! Thank you! What a gorgeous day we shared.
We pulled out of Memphis, MI on Monday morning at 5am. Made it to our new apartment in about 12 hours. It was a gorgeous sunny day to travel. Then, as soon as we pulled up and thought we'd unload our bodies to check out our new home....the first raindrop fell from the sky! Whoa! THen it started to POUR! It poured rain for a while while we were double parked with a big old moving truck in the street. So, as soon as it let up a little, we went to work. Poor Patrck was the only helper who showed up early, so we put him to WORK and we unloaded that truck in the drizzle, trying not to slip with our wet feet on the wood floors! Slowly but surely, our little apartment was stacked HIGH with our stuff. Reinforcements arrived for the last of the unloading, which was perfect because our arms and legs just growing weary.
The girls, Kate, and I took the three block walk to the local pizza place and ordered some NY pizza to bring back and enjoy with our crew. THankfully this just happens to be Patricks favorite pizza place in Brooklyn, so we were happy to provide him with his payment for all his help! We utilized the patio furniture to sit out on our terrace (thanks mom and dad, and Gerdy's).
OK, I'm going way to slow. This was supposed to be a quick update. Once I get going, I can't stop.
Fast forward...Lots of unpacking and figuring out what will and will not fit. It's funny how our belongings seem like they took steroids on the trip out here. How in the world did our coffee table get so BIG? Trip to IKEA where we succeeded in finding a dinette set (thanks small group for the gift card!). Small group bible study at Alexander's. Trip to the local parks and grocery store by bike. Trip to Target for some more shopping.
So far, we feel very hopeful about being able to continue using our van! That is not something we had thought we'd be able to do. But, parking has not been an issue yet this week, and Timm has driven to work each day. So, that's cool. We used the subway and bus to get to small group, and it took about 50 minutes. BUmmer that teh commute takes that long, but we feel very confident that we are exactly where God wants us to be!
RIght now it's raining and we just threw in a load of laundry. The washer and dryer are HUGE and I am very excited that it's free and right now a couple flights of stairs!!! Our terrace is an absolute gift from God. THank you GOd!!! Not only that, but our storage space above the closets, and in the THIRD bedroom!?!?! What a blessing. Between that and the fact that my awesome father-in-law built our bed UP so that we would have 15 inches of clearance for under bed storage....we are doing well.
THis is a strange week because we are really just getting things organized and checking out the neighborhood. ANd, we will still have a LOT to organize when we come back out in July. We had plans for our third bedroom, but now we aren't sure. We thought we'd do a tv room, but there isn't cable hook up? So, we are rethinking. Also, do we try to use what we have for our living room? Or get rid of it and get stuff that is more narrow and tall?
OK, I'll leave you with this.... I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! THank you God for bringing us to THIS apartment, and not the others that we thought we should have! Once again, God has blessed us BEYOND our wildest imaginations. We are sitting here in awe! Absolute AWE!
I couldn't sign off without at least giving a brief update on our life!
We packed up the moving truck on Sunday, June 14...with the assistance of family!!! Thank you! What a gorgeous day we shared.
We pulled out of Memphis, MI on Monday morning at 5am. Made it to our new apartment in about 12 hours. It was a gorgeous sunny day to travel. Then, as soon as we pulled up and thought we'd unload our bodies to check out our new home....the first raindrop fell from the sky! Whoa! THen it started to POUR! It poured rain for a while while we were double parked with a big old moving truck in the street. So, as soon as it let up a little, we went to work. Poor Patrck was the only helper who showed up early, so we put him to WORK and we unloaded that truck in the drizzle, trying not to slip with our wet feet on the wood floors! Slowly but surely, our little apartment was stacked HIGH with our stuff. Reinforcements arrived for the last of the unloading, which was perfect because our arms and legs just growing weary.
The girls, Kate, and I took the three block walk to the local pizza place and ordered some NY pizza to bring back and enjoy with our crew. THankfully this just happens to be Patricks favorite pizza place in Brooklyn, so we were happy to provide him with his payment for all his help! We utilized the patio furniture to sit out on our terrace (thanks mom and dad, and Gerdy's).
OK, I'm going way to slow. This was supposed to be a quick update. Once I get going, I can't stop.
Fast forward...Lots of unpacking and figuring out what will and will not fit. It's funny how our belongings seem like they took steroids on the trip out here. How in the world did our coffee table get so BIG? Trip to IKEA where we succeeded in finding a dinette set (thanks small group for the gift card!). Small group bible study at Alexander's. Trip to the local parks and grocery store by bike. Trip to Target for some more shopping.
So far, we feel very hopeful about being able to continue using our van! That is not something we had thought we'd be able to do. But, parking has not been an issue yet this week, and Timm has driven to work each day. So, that's cool. We used the subway and bus to get to small group, and it took about 50 minutes. BUmmer that teh commute takes that long, but we feel very confident that we are exactly where God wants us to be!
RIght now it's raining and we just threw in a load of laundry. The washer and dryer are HUGE and I am very excited that it's free and right now a couple flights of stairs!!! Our terrace is an absolute gift from God. THank you GOd!!! Not only that, but our storage space above the closets, and in the THIRD bedroom!?!?! What a blessing. Between that and the fact that my awesome father-in-law built our bed UP so that we would have 15 inches of clearance for under bed storage....we are doing well.
THis is a strange week because we are really just getting things organized and checking out the neighborhood. ANd, we will still have a LOT to organize when we come back out in July. We had plans for our third bedroom, but now we aren't sure. We thought we'd do a tv room, but there isn't cable hook up? So, we are rethinking. Also, do we try to use what we have for our living room? Or get rid of it and get stuff that is more narrow and tall?
OK, I'll leave you with this.... I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! THank you God for bringing us to THIS apartment, and not the others that we thought we should have! Once again, God has blessed us BEYOND our wildest imaginations. We are sitting here in awe! Absolute AWE!
club
7 years ago, a girl's club was formed. I know, I teach my girls NOT to form clubs because it sounds exclusive and we should never exclude people. SO, this is one time where I clearly communicated to them that they should do as I say, not as I do!
Anyways, what a riot we have at our monthly club gatherings! We rotate host homes, eat an indulgent meal, visit, laugh, play games, laugh, eat, laugh, eat, and talk talk talk. I can typically count on having insomnia after a night with these gals which I attribute to huge doses of adreneline and other various neurologically altering chemicals realeased during our laughing fits and non stop chattering!
On this second Thursday of the month, Carrie hosted. So, we made our longest commute from the East Siiiiiide out to LO.
What awaited me? A going away party!!!! Surprise!!!!
What an amazing evening my girlfriends planned. COME ON! All of my favorite foods (including velveeta/salsa dip, mexican food, home made guacamole, salad, hot fudge sundae bar)!
And, each girlfriend came with a suitcase. They said that since I did not invite them to come along with me, they packed their suitcases instead with memories of our times shared. They alo each presented me with a charm that held a memory and a beautiful charm bracelet.
I was so touched. I can't even tell you how loved and special I felt! Some of the girls shared things about me that I didn't really know. Just ways that God has used me inspire and draw them closer to Him. That was such a gift to me! Because, I've never "preached" to my girl's club about my faith or theirs. And, although I have prayed for each girlfriend many times and asked God to show me any opportunities to show his love, I never really saw it happening. So, it was cool to hear that He was indeed at work and answering my prayers.
I have to give a quick run down of my charms. So, for those of you who coule care less, goodbye.
Jaime - a plate and silverware to represent how much I love food!
Annete - Sweden charm to remember when I told her "Im totally from there!"
Kim - A pepper grinder to remember the infamous gift that KEEPS on giving.
Nada - a beautiful cross and heart to represent my heart for faith and family.
Michelle - Adorable praying girl to remind me of precious Morgan and all the nursery babies.
Sandra - fish to represent my journey as a 'fisher of men"
Pam - cheerleader because none of us can forget the American Idol night and "Hey Mickey"
Kelly - coffee mug because we both enjoy it so much (and they didn't have a pickle!)
Carrie - Sales tag with 50%off to represent our shared love of a bargain.
Amy - ice cream cone. Need more be said?
Katie - home sweet home. Because she wants me to know I am ALWAYS welcome back HOME.
Theresa - butterfly to symbolize the new life I'm starting. But, she also noted that a Monarch butterfly always returns to the place it first sprouted it's wings! So, she knows I will always return "home".
Maybe those random things don't stir much emotion for you. But for me, and all of club, it was an emotional evening. Tears of joy and sadness, and of course those tears produced by the kind of pee-in-your-pants laughter that leaves your cheeks and abs sore! These girlfriends are such a blessing to me!
And, of course, I can't forget that I acquired a new nickname that they fully expect me to start going by in Brooklyn. So, from now on, you can just call me...char-isma.
Anyways, what a riot we have at our monthly club gatherings! We rotate host homes, eat an indulgent meal, visit, laugh, play games, laugh, eat, laugh, eat, and talk talk talk. I can typically count on having insomnia after a night with these gals which I attribute to huge doses of adreneline and other various neurologically altering chemicals realeased during our laughing fits and non stop chattering!
On this second Thursday of the month, Carrie hosted. So, we made our longest commute from the East Siiiiiide out to LO.
What awaited me? A going away party!!!! Surprise!!!!
What an amazing evening my girlfriends planned. COME ON! All of my favorite foods (including velveeta/salsa dip, mexican food, home made guacamole, salad, hot fudge sundae bar)!
And, each girlfriend came with a suitcase. They said that since I did not invite them to come along with me, they packed their suitcases instead with memories of our times shared. They alo each presented me with a charm that held a memory and a beautiful charm bracelet.
I was so touched. I can't even tell you how loved and special I felt! Some of the girls shared things about me that I didn't really know. Just ways that God has used me inspire and draw them closer to Him. That was such a gift to me! Because, I've never "preached" to my girl's club about my faith or theirs. And, although I have prayed for each girlfriend many times and asked God to show me any opportunities to show his love, I never really saw it happening. So, it was cool to hear that He was indeed at work and answering my prayers.
I have to give a quick run down of my charms. So, for those of you who coule care less, goodbye.
Jaime - a plate and silverware to represent how much I love food!
Annete - Sweden charm to remember when I told her "Im totally from there!"
Kim - A pepper grinder to remember the infamous gift that KEEPS on giving.
Nada - a beautiful cross and heart to represent my heart for faith and family.
Michelle - Adorable praying girl to remind me of precious Morgan and all the nursery babies.
Sandra - fish to represent my journey as a 'fisher of men"
Pam - cheerleader because none of us can forget the American Idol night and "Hey Mickey"
Kelly - coffee mug because we both enjoy it so much (and they didn't have a pickle!)
Carrie - Sales tag with 50%off to represent our shared love of a bargain.
Amy - ice cream cone. Need more be said?
Katie - home sweet home. Because she wants me to know I am ALWAYS welcome back HOME.
Theresa - butterfly to symbolize the new life I'm starting. But, she also noted that a Monarch butterfly always returns to the place it first sprouted it's wings! So, she knows I will always return "home".
Maybe those random things don't stir much emotion for you. But for me, and all of club, it was an emotional evening. Tears of joy and sadness, and of course those tears produced by the kind of pee-in-your-pants laughter that leaves your cheeks and abs sore! These girlfriends are such a blessing to me!
And, of course, I can't forget that I acquired a new nickname that they fully expect me to start going by in Brooklyn. So, from now on, you can just call me...char-isma.
Back up to june 4
Hi. It's been a long time since I have been able to update my blog. I'd like to back up to June 4. See, as i've mentioned before, I maintain quite a few journals. So, in the absence of this blog, I wrote more in my other journal.
ON that day, I wrote about my devotional for the day.
In "My Utmost for His Highest", Chambers has this to say:
"We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing-that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But, as we grow in His grace, we find that God is glorifying himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God's assurance behind us, the most amazing strentgth becomes ours and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life."
How does he do it? How does Oswald Chambers manage to just nail it and challenge me RIGHT where I am. Or encourage me, right when I could use it? He pulls these thoughts from Hebrews 13:5 "He himself has said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'"
Now, I love that verse, but, on my own, I don't see how I would have been inspired to make the statements he made. It's so cool.
This has been one of the biggest lessons I've learned the last two years of my life! God is not simply PREPARING me to do something exceptional and grand. No. He is with me right now. Today. This day. THis moment. And, on THIS day, with my little "to-do" list place by the side of my journal....He wants to glorify Himself through every single thing I do. ANd, it is my absolute joy to allow His glory to shine through me. I may never leave the house-yet it is a day God has given me and I will bring Him glory, in all I do, think and say!
So many people are curious about what I plan to do for Communitas once we move. Truth is, I have no idea! God has not revealed to me what He has planned for my time, talent, or treasure. But, by abiding in him daily - I have been able to discern what I believe to be some of my God given talents and abilities. I want to use them to bring Him glory in any way that I can. But, it's foolish to believe that I'm WAITING for some grand opportunity or transition and THEN I'll be doing God's work. NO! I'm His faithful servant NOW. Here. Anywhere I go! And I may never have what appears to be an impressive ministry, but I don't need to impress anyone but my boss - God. He knows my heart and my heart praises Him as King...Lord...Giver of life and love and grace. And I will proclaim that through my words and actions wherever He chooses to place me.
So, am I excited about His plans for me in NY? You betcha! But, I don't expect some big, grand, specific role. I just expect to continue honoring him with my choices. And I know He will provide the opportunities for me to serve. When people ask me "What are YOU going to do in New York?" I need to answer "I'm going to serve God by showing love to people. I'm not exactly sure how that's going to look yet - but I'm excited to find out!"
Did you read all the way through this???? Wow.
ON that day, I wrote about my devotional for the day.
In "My Utmost for His Highest", Chambers has this to say:
"We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing-that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But, as we grow in His grace, we find that God is glorifying himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God's assurance behind us, the most amazing strentgth becomes ours and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life."
How does he do it? How does Oswald Chambers manage to just nail it and challenge me RIGHT where I am. Or encourage me, right when I could use it? He pulls these thoughts from Hebrews 13:5 "He himself has said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'"
Now, I love that verse, but, on my own, I don't see how I would have been inspired to make the statements he made. It's so cool.
This has been one of the biggest lessons I've learned the last two years of my life! God is not simply PREPARING me to do something exceptional and grand. No. He is with me right now. Today. This day. THis moment. And, on THIS day, with my little "to-do" list place by the side of my journal....He wants to glorify Himself through every single thing I do. ANd, it is my absolute joy to allow His glory to shine through me. I may never leave the house-yet it is a day God has given me and I will bring Him glory, in all I do, think and say!
So many people are curious about what I plan to do for Communitas once we move. Truth is, I have no idea! God has not revealed to me what He has planned for my time, talent, or treasure. But, by abiding in him daily - I have been able to discern what I believe to be some of my God given talents and abilities. I want to use them to bring Him glory in any way that I can. But, it's foolish to believe that I'm WAITING for some grand opportunity or transition and THEN I'll be doing God's work. NO! I'm His faithful servant NOW. Here. Anywhere I go! And I may never have what appears to be an impressive ministry, but I don't need to impress anyone but my boss - God. He knows my heart and my heart praises Him as King...Lord...Giver of life and love and grace. And I will proclaim that through my words and actions wherever He chooses to place me.
So, am I excited about His plans for me in NY? You betcha! But, I don't expect some big, grand, specific role. I just expect to continue honoring him with my choices. And I know He will provide the opportunities for me to serve. When people ask me "What are YOU going to do in New York?" I need to answer "I'm going to serve God by showing love to people. I'm not exactly sure how that's going to look yet - but I'm excited to find out!"
Did you read all the way through this???? Wow.
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