Ok--I am almost done with my Christmas shopping! I was feeling good about my progress. Today an electrician came to our house and put in an outside socket--I know how stupid we don't have one right! Christmas lights can go up! But I was stressed that we had no tree and no real good time to go get one. So.....
Jay and I went to get our tree tonight while we dropped off both kids at their practices. Yes that means the kids were not with us but I just couldn't make it happen.
We have a tradition in the Sergio household. We go the Sat. after Thanksgiving to this place about an hour away and cut down our perfect tree! It is perfect in every way becuase not only are they meticulously maintained through the year but they are only $40 for any height, any species of tree!!! Can't beat that! Well, due to our lives being totally crazy and in NYC for the Sat. after thanksgiving, we had to go to plan "B".
Jay and I made the decision and drove to the nearest nursery and bought an 8 foot frazier fir for--are you ready for this--$80!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!! Seriously?!
Yes, I am not joking!
So it is up--not decorated--just up. Who knows when we will decorate it?!!
Can someone tell me why I paid $80 for a christmas tree on a 73 degree day in Nov?!!! What is this Florida or California?
I told Jay that Chelsea was going to be mad....and she got home from volleyball tryouts and said "are you kidding me?! you got a tree without me?!" I can't blame her. She only has 3 more Christmas' at home with us before she goes to college....tradition is a big deal right now.
I feel like a such a bad mom--maybe I should buy her a pony. Oh wait that's right...tonight we bought a "new to us" vehicle! Maybe I should buy her a black video ipod...oh wait she bought her own in Soho this past weekend! Well she will have to settle for what I got her for Christmas!
fa la la la la la! La la la la!!!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
long story
Ok, so I have been gone for a while! Sorry....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa too much going on! Let's see...
October 27th--Alex made travel basketball and has practice 3 times a week. His 13th birthday was great! Can't believe he is 13!!!! We had his bday party back at the end of sept. So glad we did when you see what has been happening in our lives.
Here he is with his BFF getting into the Hummer limo we rented for Chelsea's sweet 16!
Alex's report card was great!!! We are so proud of him!
Oct 31st--Halloween--Alex and 6 of his buddies go trick or treating around the neighborhood.
NOv 3-5--Daughters of the King--over 400 teen girls and their moms/chaperones came to hear about how they are a loved by God and how they fit into his Kingdom! It was so great!!!
Sometime in between there and Nov. 7th--Sarah enters the hospital.
Nov 7th--Chelsea's 16th bday!!!! This day proved to be very trying. We almost lost Sarah that day. If you go to her Caringbridge site you will read all about it.
Chelsea goes to lunch with friends and the movies! We eat out and let her open some gifts!
Then the Democrats take over DC and the day was just not a good day! other than my sweet daughter's 16th bday!
Nov 10th--Chelsea has volleyball party.
November 12th--Chelsea's sweet 16 party!!! Like I said, we rented a Hummer limo and took 19 teens around DC to take pictures and then eat at Jay's restaurant! It was sooo much fun!!! Everyone had a blast!!!
Now Chelsea is trying out for club volleyball and my word it is so cut throat! Just crazy!!! We are packing for our NYC thanksgiving trip! We are just crazy crazy crazy busy! She is taking behind the wheel everyday. Folks she can be on her own on the road come Feb 7th! Look out! I am 1/2 way done Christmas shopping. I cheated...I did it all over the internet last friday! Should of thought about that because now the stuff will be coming while we are in NYC!! oops.
We are trying to figure out when in the world we will cut down our tree! I have begged the kids to get a fake tree--no such luck! So now I am trying to buy one from the local nursery and not drive the hour to cut one down!
Things with Sarah have been up and down. I could go on and on about my thoughts and feelings about it but to be honest....i am just plain tired. Tired physically and emotionally! On Sunday the 26th our small group is going over to Sarah's house to put up the Christmas lights on the outside of the house. It is for the kids.
Life is good. It is very good. I don't know when I will be able to post again. Please continue to pray for Sarah and Bob. Please visit Sarah's website to get updates on her. Please kiss your family and thank God for them. Life is so precious. Please live each day with purpose and don't blow your day with stupid stuff. Make your moments count. I am sure that Sarah and Bob were, at this time last year, reflecting upon their life. Who knew that this year would hold these things for them.
Praise God for who He is and what He does. Regardless of what happens. Happy Thanksgiving! You have a lot to be thankful for!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
its coming.....
there have been major things happening in the sergio's lives over the past 2 weeks.....i promise an update is coming with pictures of my now 16 year old and 13 year old!!!
in the mean time check out the web
www.fxcc.org/dotk for pictures of daugthers of the king
and
www.caringbridge.org sign in sarahbergquist for updated news on sarah............
PLEASE PRAY!!!!
in the mean time check out the web
www.fxcc.org/dotk for pictures of daugthers of the king
and
www.caringbridge.org sign in sarahbergquist for updated news on sarah............
PLEASE PRAY!!!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
misc.
this is Chelsea at her friend's house for homecoming. She went with a bunch of friends from school.
I thought I would post this now so as not to overshadow the fact that her brother is turning 13 tomorrow! I will post about him becoming a teen and reflect on the past 13 years. I will also try to include a picture of the birthday boy. Then after that, my friends, you will not hear from me for about 10 days becuase we have a very important event coming up that I am deeply involved in and well...let's just say the final details are needing to be put in place and not a whole lot of sleep will happen.
Until then.....have a great time!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
STA
Hi. I'm Ellyn.
Audience responds "Hi Ellyn!"
Wow, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.
I have been addicted for about 2 months now. I can't go one day without it. I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I need it to get going in the morning. I need it again by the time I get to work but I hold off as much as I possibly can. Sometimes I can't get any work done because I am consumed with its thought. I can usually hold off until lunch and then I really have to have it again. That holds me over until I go home. I have some at home, grant it, it is not as good as the mass produced product but it does tied over the craving.
Last night after church, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have my fix. So I went and found the nearest distributor. I got a large amount-- about 44 oz. worth.
I'm Ellyn and I am addicted to sweet tea from McDonalds. I know I have a problem that is why I am here telling you this. I am hoping that the STA meetings (sweet tea anonymous)will provide me with a sponsor and help me through the withdrawl period until I can make it on my own.
The good news--I have every section san one block in the monopoly game. Maybe if I win 1 million dollars, I can just have my addiction and be rich!
Audience responds "Hi Ellyn!"
Wow, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.
I have been addicted for about 2 months now. I can't go one day without it. I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I need it to get going in the morning. I need it again by the time I get to work but I hold off as much as I possibly can. Sometimes I can't get any work done because I am consumed with its thought. I can usually hold off until lunch and then I really have to have it again. That holds me over until I go home. I have some at home, grant it, it is not as good as the mass produced product but it does tied over the craving.
Last night after church, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have my fix. So I went and found the nearest distributor. I got a large amount-- about 44 oz. worth.
I'm Ellyn and I am addicted to sweet tea from McDonalds. I know I have a problem that is why I am here telling you this. I am hoping that the STA meetings (sweet tea anonymous)will provide me with a sponsor and help me through the withdrawl period until I can make it on my own.
The good news--I have every section san one block in the monopoly game. Maybe if I win 1 million dollars, I can just have my addiction and be rich!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
In This Storm
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians. 4:16-18--Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 42:5 --Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
Psalm 121:1-2--I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Job 1:20-21--At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. [a] The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Daniel 3:16-18-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Casting Crowns--Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
And stepped in and saved the day
Once again, I say Amen,
and it is still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
As your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll Praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will Praise You in this storm
I remember whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cryYou raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you
I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
Rhonda--email me and I will give you the number
Bob--email me and I will give you the number
Sarah--email me and I will give you the number
I saw Sarah today. She looks great!!! She got a new short haircut so that she wouldn't have stringy long hair as her hair fell out. She is tolerating the chemo well. In fact her blood levels are so good that the dr. has given her 2 days off this week from taking the chemo administered by drip! Praise God!
Sarah met a woman today when taking chemo today. Sarah is going to pray for her to be healed. This woman and her husband go to church but their church is not set up to "take care" of people. Sarah was appalled! This woman was so taken by Sarah that she signed up to take her chemo on friday at the same time as Sarah!
Sarah desperately wants people to know that their focus should not be on her and how she is dealing with this. Their focus should be on God. God is seeing her thru. God is helping her. God is with her.
Sarah told me that if it takes her having cancer to bring people to a relationship with Christ, then so be it. She said bring it on! God is being glorified!
Like the song above.....She knows her help comes from the Lord. She is raising her hands and praising Him in the storm. She also knows that the storm is just starting to brew. She knows with God she WILL get through it, no matter what that means. Sometimes God calms the storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us. No matter what--we praise Him through the storm.
2 Corinthians. 4:16-18--Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 42:5 --Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
Psalm 121:1-2--I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Job 1:20-21--At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. [a] The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Daniel 3:16-18-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Casting Crowns--Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
And stepped in and saved the day
Once again, I say Amen,
and it is still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
As your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll Praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will Praise You in this storm
I remember whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cryYou raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you
I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
Rhonda--email me and I will give you the number
Bob--email me and I will give you the number
Sarah--email me and I will give you the number
I saw Sarah today. She looks great!!! She got a new short haircut so that she wouldn't have stringy long hair as her hair fell out. She is tolerating the chemo well. In fact her blood levels are so good that the dr. has given her 2 days off this week from taking the chemo administered by drip! Praise God!
Sarah met a woman today when taking chemo today. Sarah is going to pray for her to be healed. This woman and her husband go to church but their church is not set up to "take care" of people. Sarah was appalled! This woman was so taken by Sarah that she signed up to take her chemo on friday at the same time as Sarah!
Sarah desperately wants people to know that their focus should not be on her and how she is dealing with this. Their focus should be on God. God is seeing her thru. God is helping her. God is with her.
Sarah told me that if it takes her having cancer to bring people to a relationship with Christ, then so be it. She said bring it on! God is being glorified!
Like the song above.....She knows her help comes from the Lord. She is raising her hands and praising Him in the storm. She also knows that the storm is just starting to brew. She knows with God she WILL get through it, no matter what that means. Sometimes God calms the storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us. No matter what--we praise Him through the storm.
Monday, October 16, 2006
leaving love
some of you have found it and heard about it....
www.caringbridge.org
at the sign in type-- sarahbergquist
You will have to go thru and "register" but then leaver her love. She needs it.
Lord willing in a day or 2. I will be able to give you her pager number. everytime you pray for her-- you call her pager and it will vibrate and she will know that someone just prayed for her!
Cool huh? Thanks Mrs. Shephard for that fantastic idea!
Pray on!
www.caringbridge.org
at the sign in type-- sarahbergquist
You will have to go thru and "register" but then leaver her love. She needs it.
Lord willing in a day or 2. I will be able to give you her pager number. everytime you pray for her-- you call her pager and it will vibrate and she will know that someone just prayed for her!
Cool huh? Thanks Mrs. Shephard for that fantastic idea!
Pray on!
Friday, October 13, 2006
hope--God's doing it again!
Psalm 25:5guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD
Psalm 33:18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love
Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
I went again today to see Sarah. She needs hope. We were talking about what we put our hope in.
We hoped it was mono. It was not.
We hoped it was breast cancer. It was not.
We hoped it was lymphoma. It was not.
Gideon put his hope in things other than God. Please read Judges 6 and 7. God proved to him over and over that He was with Gideon. Still Gideon was unsure. Gideon gathered a large army to fight the enemy. God told him. "You don't need them". Gideon didn't understand how he was going to beat the enemy with a small army but still God whittled away his army.
Then God showed up and proved himself in a big way. Gideon's hope was in wet and dry fleece or large numbers of fighting men. God proved him wrong. Gideon's hope needed to be rested firmly in the Lord.
God has shown up for Sarah. She still needs to be reminded of the hope she has in the Lord. We are putting some things into place. I will let you know about them as they come to fruition. Until them, pray for her to put her hope in the Lord. If you get the chance go buy the new cd by Casting Crowns and listen to the song "In the storm".
Have a great weekend everyone.
Psalm 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD
Psalm 33:18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love
Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
I went again today to see Sarah. She needs hope. We were talking about what we put our hope in.
We hoped it was mono. It was not.
We hoped it was breast cancer. It was not.
We hoped it was lymphoma. It was not.
Gideon put his hope in things other than God. Please read Judges 6 and 7. God proved to him over and over that He was with Gideon. Still Gideon was unsure. Gideon gathered a large army to fight the enemy. God told him. "You don't need them". Gideon didn't understand how he was going to beat the enemy with a small army but still God whittled away his army.
Then God showed up and proved himself in a big way. Gideon's hope was in wet and dry fleece or large numbers of fighting men. God proved him wrong. Gideon's hope needed to be rested firmly in the Lord.
God has shown up for Sarah. She still needs to be reminded of the hope she has in the Lord. We are putting some things into place. I will let you know about them as they come to fruition. Until them, pray for her to put her hope in the Lord. If you get the chance go buy the new cd by Casting Crowns and listen to the song "In the storm".
Have a great weekend everyone.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Perspective and 100th post
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
So I saw Sarah today. She looked tired but good. She started her chemo last night and then I was there when the nurse brought her tablet chemo. She's doing good. She knows what she is up against. She willing to fight.
I was asked today if I could host our small group meeting this Sunday night. I really really don't want to. Why? Well Friday which is my normal day off, I will need to work...Sat. I am at church from 9-3 in a meeting so that we can figure out our mission, values and vision at good ole FXCC. I am not up for that BUT Sarah was on the team with me and you know what, she would want me there to give my 2 cents on what I htink God calls the church to be. Sunday I am there again at FXCC from 8-5 for various assundry of reasons that all fall under my job title. Small group starts at 6. I was pretty mad when I was asked. I thought why can't other people who are not as busy as me and have Sundays as a work day step up and do this?
I went to see Sarah today and you know what? If she can take chemo that is going to completely tear her apart to fight cancer and live another day, then I can host small group.
This situation puts it all into perspecitve, doesn't it? What Sarah wouldn't give right now to be able to host small group. So come on you 40 people--my carpets will be dirty but you are welcome in my home.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor. 4:8-10
So I saw Sarah today. She looked tired but good. She started her chemo last night and then I was there when the nurse brought her tablet chemo. She's doing good. She knows what she is up against. She willing to fight.
I was asked today if I could host our small group meeting this Sunday night. I really really don't want to. Why? Well Friday which is my normal day off, I will need to work...Sat. I am at church from 9-3 in a meeting so that we can figure out our mission, values and vision at good ole FXCC. I am not up for that BUT Sarah was on the team with me and you know what, she would want me there to give my 2 cents on what I htink God calls the church to be. Sunday I am there again at FXCC from 8-5 for various assundry of reasons that all fall under my job title. Small group starts at 6. I was pretty mad when I was asked. I thought why can't other people who are not as busy as me and have Sundays as a work day step up and do this?
I went to see Sarah today and you know what? If she can take chemo that is going to completely tear her apart to fight cancer and live another day, then I can host small group.
This situation puts it all into perspecitve, doesn't it? What Sarah wouldn't give right now to be able to host small group. So come on you 40 people--my carpets will be dirty but you are welcome in my home.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor. 4:8-10
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
God hear our prayers
.... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective! James 5:16
I am putting a call out to all who read this. My dear friend of 31 years Sarah, has been diagnosed with acute lymphblastic leukemia. The is a cancer of the blood and it is all over her body. She entered the hospital late last night and will start very intense chemo immediately.
In perfect Sarah style, she sent an email out at 4:30 a.m. to her prayer warriors in ladies Bible class. She shared that she is scared but knows that this cancer is NOT bigger than God. She petitioned them to be in prayer for her. That is her strength. Knowing that her fellow christian mothers are lifting her to our Lord daily, if not hourly.
Sarah, is an amazing person. She has 4 children under the age of 9. She is one month younger than me. Yes, she is 37.
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my (Sarah's ) relief. Psalm 143:1
I am putting a call out to all who read this. My dear friend of 31 years Sarah, has been diagnosed with acute lymphblastic leukemia. The is a cancer of the blood and it is all over her body. She entered the hospital late last night and will start very intense chemo immediately.
In perfect Sarah style, she sent an email out at 4:30 a.m. to her prayer warriors in ladies Bible class. She shared that she is scared but knows that this cancer is NOT bigger than God. She petitioned them to be in prayer for her. That is her strength. Knowing that her fellow christian mothers are lifting her to our Lord daily, if not hourly.
Sarah, is an amazing person. She has 4 children under the age of 9. She is one month younger than me. Yes, she is 37.
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my (Sarah's ) relief. Psalm 143:1
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
frightening
So I am watching the Discovery channel show "Cash Cab", which by the way when we are in NYC at thanksgiving...I AM going to find and I AM going to win money. You wanna know why? Even if you don't I am going to tell you....
Cause I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than those yahoos on that show! My word! Some of the questions they miss are just dumbfounding!! I am now convinced that we have dumbed down Americans. One episode there were 3 men from jolly ole England and they won over $1000 on American trivia!!!
So once I find the Cash Cab among the other 13,000 cabs in NYC--yes that is 1 3 0 0 0! I think I can do it! I am going to kick tushy at this. With my hubby a.k.a. King of useless knowledge and I will win the largest amount ever!
Don't try to be realistic with me. Let me live in my fantasy! I enjoy it there!
Cause I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than those yahoos on that show! My word! Some of the questions they miss are just dumbfounding!! I am now convinced that we have dumbed down Americans. One episode there were 3 men from jolly ole England and they won over $1000 on American trivia!!!
So once I find the Cash Cab among the other 13,000 cabs in NYC--yes that is 1 3 0 0 0! I think I can do it! I am going to kick tushy at this. With my hubby a.k.a. King of useless knowledge and I will win the largest amount ever!
Don't try to be realistic with me. Let me live in my fantasy! I enjoy it there!
Friday, September 29, 2006
um, i dunno what happened...
nothing profound, i just can't figure out how to change the font on my previous post. I never changed it in the first place so I am not sure why it looks like that.
oh and for the deutschmann--i don't lead people astray--i make their lives better!!! :)
happy friday everyone! it is a beautiful fall day here and the weekend looks great!
oh and for the deutschmann--i don't lead people astray--i make their lives better!!! :)
happy friday everyone! it is a beautiful fall day here and the weekend looks great!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
we live, we love, we forgive and never give up
So this has been a very interesting week...I feel like the past 5 days have been weeks worth of time.
I honestly don't remember what happened on Sunday....oh wait, it is coming back to me now. Yes, our family had a little melt down. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had all been peaceful at home. It was just about time to go to small group when--BAM!--all you know what breaks loose! It was like my 2 offsprings became demon possessed!!! Needless to say we didn't make it to small group. Instead I spent 2 hours on the phone with the nonfruit computer company because our older laptop crapped out on us. I then handed the phone over to Jay as he was speaking with the nice albeit scripted Indian (not native but other) man, because Chelsea comes screaming upstairs to tell me she has a project/paper due tomorrow and the older laptop crapped out on us and the new laptop doesn't have the printer drivers installed on it! So in world could we do that to her! The inhumanity--ya know never mind she spent 7 solid days in a 3rd world country helpign the poor and afflicted--she was now afflicted!! So I then go online wtih Dell--oops i mean nonfruit computer company--to download the printer drivers to the computer. Yes, my blog friends that took 2...count them 2 hours to get right! So in the mean time I keep reminding Alex that he has not practiced his trombone. Well of course not--he left it at school!!! Apparently it is a little hard to play a trombone with no actual trombone. So now I am mad becuase he is going to fail for the week.
But then Monday came--well let's just say God put me in my place. Monday evening, we got word that a good friend, a very Godly man all of the age of 42 with 5 children all under the age of 12 and works for a certain secret group of the government has cancer and it is pretty bad. I am in total disbelief! How could this man have cancer? How can it be so bad? I go to back to school night for Alex and Jay and I just walk around and are literally sick to our stomachs over this.
Tuesday--the news about this man seems to get worse. The doctors say that the cancer has eaten away at his hip and it may not be the only place the cancer is. I am in constant prayer allllllll day. My prayer is "God, I don't want it to be cancer BUT if it has to be then make it fixable." I pray that over and over and over. A part of me feels like this is not going to be as bad as we all first think it is but you know, you are always afraid to say it. But my gut is telling me--it is not going to be bad like the doctors think. He wants everyone to know and for everyone to pray--we spread the word....We, when I say we I mean pretty much the whole church--prays all day and a SLEW of people go to the hospital to visit and provide support and encouragement to a man who has done exactly that to soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people. I go to back to school night for Chelsea and again, it is hard to concentrate on anything because, well I am remind once again how fragile life is. How we MUST live with purpose to make our life count for God.
Wednesday--he is to have cat scans and a biopsy. My co-worker and I go to the hospital to sit with the wife to wait for the news. This man is visibly shaken to the core. We pray twice with him before he goes for the biopsy. The man who has stood in the gap for countless of people needs us to stand in the gap for him. He goes thru the biopsy and the doctor comes out to hug the wife and says yes it is cancer of the bone BUT it is VERY treatable! He can beat this!
answered prayer!
We have a prayer vigil at the beginning of church that night for he and another woman fighting cancer. Our hearts are very heavy but comforted in the fact that God has heard us. He is good!
Today--More good news--tests from overnight and today show that they are fairly certain that the cancer is only in the hip! He will ahve hip replacement surgery next week and then a round of chemo.
My prayer--"God, Satan thinks he can get to this man and his family. But he has shown you and many others that Satan will not prevail. Keep Satan away this man is ours and you know that."
It made me wonder. Like Job, did Satan ask God to test this man? This man is one of the strongest and most faithful men I know. If anything maybe he was stricken with this cancer to touch someone in the hospital. I know taht only God knows the plans He has for us but I am jsut curious. Whatever the answer--God is faithful and God is Great! This man and his family are not going to waiver. They are strong and courageous.
Between not getting a lot of sleep and being emotionally wiped out--I have stopped at McD's for a sweet tea (which by the way I LOVE!!) to help me survive on the sugar high and caffeine. I had pretty much cut out sodas but I am also living on cokes. This weekend is not going to be relaxing either....it is jammed packed....Can I get an IV of soda and sweet tea? I am going to need it!
Remember--Great is our God!
I honestly don't remember what happened on Sunday....oh wait, it is coming back to me now. Yes, our family had a little melt down. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had all been peaceful at home. It was just about time to go to small group when--BAM!--all you know what breaks loose! It was like my 2 offsprings became demon possessed!!! Needless to say we didn't make it to small group. Instead I spent 2 hours on the phone with the nonfruit computer company because our older laptop crapped out on us. I then handed the phone over to Jay as he was speaking with the nice albeit scripted Indian (not native but other) man, because Chelsea comes screaming upstairs to tell me she has a project/paper due tomorrow and the older laptop crapped out on us and the new laptop doesn't have the printer drivers installed on it! So in world could we do that to her! The inhumanity--ya know never mind she spent 7 solid days in a 3rd world country helpign the poor and afflicted--she was now afflicted!! So I then go online wtih Dell--oops i mean nonfruit computer company--to download the printer drivers to the computer. Yes, my blog friends that took 2...count them 2 hours to get right! So in the mean time I keep reminding Alex that he has not practiced his trombone. Well of course not--he left it at school!!! Apparently it is a little hard to play a trombone with no actual trombone. So now I am mad becuase he is going to fail for the week.
But then Monday came--well let's just say God put me in my place. Monday evening, we got word that a good friend, a very Godly man all of the age of 42 with 5 children all under the age of 12 and works for a certain secret group of the government has cancer and it is pretty bad. I am in total disbelief! How could this man have cancer? How can it be so bad? I go to back to school night for Alex and Jay and I just walk around and are literally sick to our stomachs over this.
Tuesday--the news about this man seems to get worse. The doctors say that the cancer has eaten away at his hip and it may not be the only place the cancer is. I am in constant prayer allllllll day. My prayer is "God, I don't want it to be cancer BUT if it has to be then make it fixable." I pray that over and over and over. A part of me feels like this is not going to be as bad as we all first think it is but you know, you are always afraid to say it. But my gut is telling me--it is not going to be bad like the doctors think. He wants everyone to know and for everyone to pray--we spread the word....We, when I say we I mean pretty much the whole church--prays all day and a SLEW of people go to the hospital to visit and provide support and encouragement to a man who has done exactly that to soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people. I go to back to school night for Chelsea and again, it is hard to concentrate on anything because, well I am remind once again how fragile life is. How we MUST live with purpose to make our life count for God.
Wednesday--he is to have cat scans and a biopsy. My co-worker and I go to the hospital to sit with the wife to wait for the news. This man is visibly shaken to the core. We pray twice with him before he goes for the biopsy. The man who has stood in the gap for countless of people needs us to stand in the gap for him. He goes thru the biopsy and the doctor comes out to hug the wife and says yes it is cancer of the bone BUT it is VERY treatable! He can beat this!
answered prayer!
We have a prayer vigil at the beginning of church that night for he and another woman fighting cancer. Our hearts are very heavy but comforted in the fact that God has heard us. He is good!
Today--More good news--tests from overnight and today show that they are fairly certain that the cancer is only in the hip! He will ahve hip replacement surgery next week and then a round of chemo.
My prayer--"God, Satan thinks he can get to this man and his family. But he has shown you and many others that Satan will not prevail. Keep Satan away this man is ours and you know that."
It made me wonder. Like Job, did Satan ask God to test this man? This man is one of the strongest and most faithful men I know. If anything maybe he was stricken with this cancer to touch someone in the hospital. I know taht only God knows the plans He has for us but I am jsut curious. Whatever the answer--God is faithful and God is Great! This man and his family are not going to waiver. They are strong and courageous.
Between not getting a lot of sleep and being emotionally wiped out--I have stopped at McD's for a sweet tea (which by the way I LOVE!!) to help me survive on the sugar high and caffeine. I had pretty much cut out sodas but I am also living on cokes. This weekend is not going to be relaxing either....it is jammed packed....Can I get an IV of soda and sweet tea? I am going to need it!
Remember--Great is our God!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
sigh--i am very happy!
The air was cool today with the first touch of fall in the air. You could smell it!!! I love the fall!!! but more importantly...I love the fact that the Office and Grey's Anatomy start again tonight!!!!
I am just too happy!!! I know, it is sad but it is so very very true!
Has anyone been watching Deal or no Deal? I am not watching nor tivoing it tonight but we have caught glimpses of it here and there this week. Some of those contests are too funny!
On a side note, my poor daughter has not been home all week due to commitments at school. The newspaper goes to print this week and she has had 2 games which they won both! She did not come home on Monday until after the game, on Tuesday she did not come home until after practice, on Wednesday she came home for about 20 min. before heading back to meet iwth the trainer about a pulled muscle in her back. She has not been home today yet and it is 8 p.m.
I met her at the school with her practice gear and she was just standing out side crying! I felt so bad for her!! I am proud of her but she is working too hard. I wish I could tell you that this weekend would be calm for her but it is not. Her weekend is packed!
I actually offered her a chance to go ot school late tomorrow morning and she cried and said no, she needed to be there all day! What a good girl I have!
By the way, the 16th b-day plans are coming along!!! More later...it is a surprise and I don't know if she reads my blog or not so you will have to wait.
Alex's 13th birthday is not until Oct 27th BUT he wants to celebrate it with his best friend's who is the 10th. So Jay pulled some strings and the boys are getting a private tour of RFK stadium and Nationals clubhouse. They get to enter the dugout and go on the field!! cool huh!? So Jay and Brian are taking 8 boys to go and do a really cool thing! That is happening on the 30th because that is the 2nd to last game for the Nationals. I wasn't sure this was going to work out but so far we have heard from all but 2 of the boys and they can all come! NOrmally these boys have games on Sat. but none of them have games or they don't play until that night!!!
I love it when a plan comes together! Well friends, snuggle up and watch t.v.!!!! You deserve it!
I am just too happy!!! I know, it is sad but it is so very very true!
Has anyone been watching Deal or no Deal? I am not watching nor tivoing it tonight but we have caught glimpses of it here and there this week. Some of those contests are too funny!
On a side note, my poor daughter has not been home all week due to commitments at school. The newspaper goes to print this week and she has had 2 games which they won both! She did not come home on Monday until after the game, on Tuesday she did not come home until after practice, on Wednesday she came home for about 20 min. before heading back to meet iwth the trainer about a pulled muscle in her back. She has not been home today yet and it is 8 p.m.
I met her at the school with her practice gear and she was just standing out side crying! I felt so bad for her!! I am proud of her but she is working too hard. I wish I could tell you that this weekend would be calm for her but it is not. Her weekend is packed!
I actually offered her a chance to go ot school late tomorrow morning and she cried and said no, she needed to be there all day! What a good girl I have!
By the way, the 16th b-day plans are coming along!!! More later...it is a surprise and I don't know if she reads my blog or not so you will have to wait.
Alex's 13th birthday is not until Oct 27th BUT he wants to celebrate it with his best friend's who is the 10th. So Jay pulled some strings and the boys are getting a private tour of RFK stadium and Nationals clubhouse. They get to enter the dugout and go on the field!! cool huh!? So Jay and Brian are taking 8 boys to go and do a really cool thing! That is happening on the 30th because that is the 2nd to last game for the Nationals. I wasn't sure this was going to work out but so far we have heard from all but 2 of the boys and they can all come! NOrmally these boys have games on Sat. but none of them have games or they don't play until that night!!!
I love it when a plan comes together! Well friends, snuggle up and watch t.v.!!!! You deserve it!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Celebration of Life
Today I had the honor to be with about 100+ people to celebrate the life of Fred Henson. He went home to be with his Lord this past Sunday after suffering for almost 2 years with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
I had the privalege to know Fred because I grew up with his boys, Mark and David. While Fred and his wife Linda had 4 children, I was closest to Mark and David. Mark and I are the same age/grade and were friends since we were 5. For those who are counting, that is almost 33 years of friendship. When we first moved to the DC area we lived literally right around the corner from the Hensons. The Hinckleys, Nighs and Hensons were fast friends and we spent many friday nights and holidays together. I don't know if Mark and David remember but we used to play Dukes of Hazzard together. I of course was Daisy Duke. I think since Mark had brown hair he was Luke Duke and David, having blonde hair was Bo Duke. We would slide over the arm of the sofa to be like we were entering the General Lee!!! Good times!!!
Today we did celebrate Fred's life and dedication to God. He was a great man who dearly loved his wife and children. He knew that we was afflicted with ALS and decided to live every moment to the fullest. He could of complained, he could of asked why but he accepted the path before him and relied on God to get him through. From the moment he was diagnosed he said that it was ok becuase he was ready to go home.
He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Linda, Children--Mark (w/Edie), David (w/Jennifer), Heather (w/Darrin), and Chris (w/ his wife...who I am sorry to say I can't remember her name!) And 6 grandchildren with 3 on the way!
Thank you Fred for your family. Thank you for your love of God. Thank you for your life's example. It was an honor to know you.
I had the privalege to know Fred because I grew up with his boys, Mark and David. While Fred and his wife Linda had 4 children, I was closest to Mark and David. Mark and I are the same age/grade and were friends since we were 5. For those who are counting, that is almost 33 years of friendship. When we first moved to the DC area we lived literally right around the corner from the Hensons. The Hinckleys, Nighs and Hensons were fast friends and we spent many friday nights and holidays together. I don't know if Mark and David remember but we used to play Dukes of Hazzard together. I of course was Daisy Duke. I think since Mark had brown hair he was Luke Duke and David, having blonde hair was Bo Duke. We would slide over the arm of the sofa to be like we were entering the General Lee!!! Good times!!!
Today we did celebrate Fred's life and dedication to God. He was a great man who dearly loved his wife and children. He knew that we was afflicted with ALS and decided to live every moment to the fullest. He could of complained, he could of asked why but he accepted the path before him and relied on God to get him through. From the moment he was diagnosed he said that it was ok becuase he was ready to go home.
He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Linda, Children--Mark (w/Edie), David (w/Jennifer), Heather (w/Darrin), and Chris (w/ his wife...who I am sorry to say I can't remember her name!) And 6 grandchildren with 3 on the way!
Thank you Fred for your family. Thank you for your love of God. Thank you for your life's example. It was an honor to know you.
Monday, September 11, 2006
How do you explain?
I have been postponing blogging about today. After 5 years, I still don't know what to say. I don't know how to make the horror of 5 years ago fade. Time has not made that happen for me.I remember every moment like it just happened.
I went to the website from Malicious's blog (a.k.a. Malia to the side) and was assigned a person to blog about who died in the WTC that fateful day. But I don't know what to say.
I know he was loved. I know taht he was special and real in many people's lives. All those people were loved. Everyone of them had someone post their picture on the fence looking for them. Everyone of them deserved to live. But we, as a nation, saw evil up close and personal. I thought I could blog about one person who lost their life that day and the moment I hit the button to recieve the person, I knew....I couldn't. I just don't feel like I can do him justice. He was someone's son, husband, brother, cousin, and friend. I am not worthy of speaking about a man I didn't even know. I am sorry taht he is gone and that people ache for him. If I could take it away from them I would.
You see, I really wanted to blog about the man whose desk was right next to my father's in the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon. A man who survived the Vietnam war to move to America and die at the hands of evil. But again...what do you say....
I am going to apologize now for my rambling but I don't know how to explain it clearly.
So the name I got was....
Name: John (Jay) J. Corcoran
Age: 43
Killed at: United Airlines Flight 175
From city: Norwell
From state: Mass
Special Notes: Passenger
We won't ever know what Jay thought or knew or felt while being in that plane. But his family and friends do know what he thought or knew or felt about so many other things in life and they have those memories to carry them to tomorrow and the next day and the next.
People turned to God 5 years ago to find the comfort that they needed to cope and deal with this. We Americans have NEVER had anything like that happen to us!! How do we deal? How do we cope? How do we explain?
We need to not let this "moment" of opportunity pass us by. We need to not get complacent. There are people hurting out there. The people who love John (Jay) Corcoran are hurting. They miss him. They have great memories of time with him. They can remember the laughs. But can they begin to understand how to deal with his loss?
God wants us to take the opportunity to help people find Him. Over the past 5 years we have had people just walk off the street into our building in Fairfax, VA to find answers to questions that were brought up either directly or indirectly to 9/11. People are searching now more than ever before for their purpose in life.
I know that may see like an overused word since the inception of "Purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. But you know what, I ahve been to his church and I have seen the power of God working in those members because they understand their purpose.
Even though it is hard to explain--we have the answers. I don't know why it happened, other than God gave us free will and Satan is alive and well today and working overtime to tear us away and keep us away from God. Don't let that happen, not in our sadness of 9/11. Because if that happens then John Corcoran and Khang Nguyen (the man who worked side by side with my father) and 3000 other people died in vain. We have the ability to offer the comfort of a loving God. I have no doubt that He cried that day. Evil showed up in a way that we Americans had never seen. It was senseless and just...well just evil.
The best thing we can do to give honor to those men and women is to go out there and show Americans that God loves them. He aches for them. He has the ability to take their hurt away.
I may continue to blog about this more as I can really get my thoughts together. IF the family of Jay Corcoran reads this. Please know that I am not trying to trivialize his life or his death. For you see, I too was greatly effected by the events of 9/11. My dad was at the Pentagon and lost people he worked with everyday. In fact there wasn't even DNA found of a man who worked there as I am sure there wasn't any DNA of many people on the planes and in the WTCs. I don't know why I have my dad while you don't have your loved one. Often I feel guilty because you see my dad is a Christian and he KNOWS he is going to heaven. Yes, there really is a heaven and there really is a God. I will steak my life on it. I will stand before a firing squad for it. I promise you.
My prayer for your family is that God brings you someone in your life to comfort you and love you and heal your wound of your loss. I pray that you can know God becuase He knows you and He loves you.
For all you Christians out there--well there is no time like the present. Remember and do something about it. We can offer comfort for a world that is hurting. Let's just do it.
I remember one of the women whose husband was on the plane that crashed in PA, was talking with Diane Sawyer. Diane asked her how she was doing. How did she make sense of this and the woman said taht she relied on a song. We Christians know it--we tend to call it an "oldie" in the Church of Christ...."It is well with my soul". She told Diane that because of her beliefs and faith, it had to be well with her soul. WOW! That is faith! Here are the words. It was written a long time ago and we still sing it like it was written.
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"it is well with my soul"
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part but the whole.
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord--oh my soul.
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, It is well with my soul.
I went to the website from Malicious's blog (a.k.a. Malia to the side) and was assigned a person to blog about who died in the WTC that fateful day. But I don't know what to say.
I know he was loved. I know taht he was special and real in many people's lives. All those people were loved. Everyone of them had someone post their picture on the fence looking for them. Everyone of them deserved to live. But we, as a nation, saw evil up close and personal. I thought I could blog about one person who lost their life that day and the moment I hit the button to recieve the person, I knew....I couldn't. I just don't feel like I can do him justice. He was someone's son, husband, brother, cousin, and friend. I am not worthy of speaking about a man I didn't even know. I am sorry taht he is gone and that people ache for him. If I could take it away from them I would.
You see, I really wanted to blog about the man whose desk was right next to my father's in the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon. A man who survived the Vietnam war to move to America and die at the hands of evil. But again...what do you say....
I am going to apologize now for my rambling but I don't know how to explain it clearly.
So the name I got was....
Name: John (Jay) J. Corcoran
Age: 43
Killed at: United Airlines Flight 175
From city: Norwell
From state: Mass
Special Notes: Passenger
We won't ever know what Jay thought or knew or felt while being in that plane. But his family and friends do know what he thought or knew or felt about so many other things in life and they have those memories to carry them to tomorrow and the next day and the next.
People turned to God 5 years ago to find the comfort that they needed to cope and deal with this. We Americans have NEVER had anything like that happen to us!! How do we deal? How do we cope? How do we explain?
We need to not let this "moment" of opportunity pass us by. We need to not get complacent. There are people hurting out there. The people who love John (Jay) Corcoran are hurting. They miss him. They have great memories of time with him. They can remember the laughs. But can they begin to understand how to deal with his loss?
God wants us to take the opportunity to help people find Him. Over the past 5 years we have had people just walk off the street into our building in Fairfax, VA to find answers to questions that were brought up either directly or indirectly to 9/11. People are searching now more than ever before for their purpose in life.
I know that may see like an overused word since the inception of "Purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. But you know what, I ahve been to his church and I have seen the power of God working in those members because they understand their purpose.
Even though it is hard to explain--we have the answers. I don't know why it happened, other than God gave us free will and Satan is alive and well today and working overtime to tear us away and keep us away from God. Don't let that happen, not in our sadness of 9/11. Because if that happens then John Corcoran and Khang Nguyen (the man who worked side by side with my father) and 3000 other people died in vain. We have the ability to offer the comfort of a loving God. I have no doubt that He cried that day. Evil showed up in a way that we Americans had never seen. It was senseless and just...well just evil.
The best thing we can do to give honor to those men and women is to go out there and show Americans that God loves them. He aches for them. He has the ability to take their hurt away.
I may continue to blog about this more as I can really get my thoughts together. IF the family of Jay Corcoran reads this. Please know that I am not trying to trivialize his life or his death. For you see, I too was greatly effected by the events of 9/11. My dad was at the Pentagon and lost people he worked with everyday. In fact there wasn't even DNA found of a man who worked there as I am sure there wasn't any DNA of many people on the planes and in the WTCs. I don't know why I have my dad while you don't have your loved one. Often I feel guilty because you see my dad is a Christian and he KNOWS he is going to heaven. Yes, there really is a heaven and there really is a God. I will steak my life on it. I will stand before a firing squad for it. I promise you.
My prayer for your family is that God brings you someone in your life to comfort you and love you and heal your wound of your loss. I pray that you can know God becuase He knows you and He loves you.
For all you Christians out there--well there is no time like the present. Remember and do something about it. We can offer comfort for a world that is hurting. Let's just do it.
I remember one of the women whose husband was on the plane that crashed in PA, was talking with Diane Sawyer. Diane asked her how she was doing. How did she make sense of this and the woman said taht she relied on a song. We Christians know it--we tend to call it an "oldie" in the Church of Christ...."It is well with my soul". She told Diane that because of her beliefs and faith, it had to be well with her soul. WOW! That is faith! Here are the words. It was written a long time ago and we still sing it like it was written.
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"it is well with my soul"
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part but the whole.
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord--oh my soul.
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, It is well with my soul.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
i forgot...
so i totally forgot to tell you all that the kid's first day of school was GREAT! It was POURING that day so I didn't get the annual picture of the kids in front of the tree.
Alex really likes the majority of his classes. chelsea does too. Alex has his best friend in his band class. Chelsea has her best friend in her spanish class.
Chelsea's team lost their first game on Tuesday (they played great but lost to a really really good team) but we are hopeful for the game tomorrow!
Life is good--except that instead of paying out about $300 at the beginning of school, we have paid like $500 because of band and teacher's having last minute supply additions!!! GRRRR....
...and Jay's car needed $400 worth of work. So my car which the axle is about to fall of will have to wait until next month! Please pray that it all stays where it suppose to!
no eating out for the Sergios this month! Oh well!
Alex really likes the majority of his classes. chelsea does too. Alex has his best friend in his band class. Chelsea has her best friend in her spanish class.
Chelsea's team lost their first game on Tuesday (they played great but lost to a really really good team) but we are hopeful for the game tomorrow!
Life is good--except that instead of paying out about $300 at the beginning of school, we have paid like $500 because of band and teacher's having last minute supply additions!!! GRRRR....
...and Jay's car needed $400 worth of work. So my car which the axle is about to fall of will have to wait until next month! Please pray that it all stays where it suppose to!
no eating out for the Sergios this month! Oh well!
Let the new episodes begin!
So I am sooooooooooo excited about a few season premieres!
I am bummed about LOST not being until Oct 4. But I bought the 2nd season on DVD on Tuesday before it even hit the shelf! I made the poor stock boy go to the back of the store at 7:30 a.m. to get it!!! Yes I am a geek!
I am ready for Grey's anatomy! will she mcdreamy? or mcvet? who knows!!!! Will Izzie get kicked out? Will Burke forgive Yang for turning her back on him in his hour of need?!
Survivor is staring up soon too, I think! Amazing Race too!
Gilmore Girls!!! Lorelai was a naughty, naughty gal...will Luke find out? Will she go with Christopher and leave the man she loves? Will Rory continue to love Logan?
I can't decide if I am going to watch/tivo the new Rachael Ray talkshow on Fox. It is on at 11. So I will have to tivo it anyway.
What premieres are you looking forward to and why? Are there any new shows that look interesting to you?
By the way, if you don't have tivo....run don't walk to get it! It is totally worth it and you will NEVER go back!!!! It will change your life! It will liberate you!
We only watch what we tivo! Tivo on-Tivo on!
I am bummed about LOST not being until Oct 4. But I bought the 2nd season on DVD on Tuesday before it even hit the shelf! I made the poor stock boy go to the back of the store at 7:30 a.m. to get it!!! Yes I am a geek!
I am ready for Grey's anatomy! will she mcdreamy? or mcvet? who knows!!!! Will Izzie get kicked out? Will Burke forgive Yang for turning her back on him in his hour of need?!
Survivor is staring up soon too, I think! Amazing Race too!
Gilmore Girls!!! Lorelai was a naughty, naughty gal...will Luke find out? Will she go with Christopher and leave the man she loves? Will Rory continue to love Logan?
I can't decide if I am going to watch/tivo the new Rachael Ray talkshow on Fox. It is on at 11. So I will have to tivo it anyway.
What premieres are you looking forward to and why? Are there any new shows that look interesting to you?
By the way, if you don't have tivo....run don't walk to get it! It is totally worth it and you will NEVER go back!!!! It will change your life! It will liberate you!
We only watch what we tivo! Tivo on-Tivo on!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
be the sermon
Yesterday as the rains fell allllllll day from tropical storm Ernesto, there were things to be done. Unfortunately it required us going out! I picked up Alex and his friend from their middle school orientation and headed to Wal-mart.
As we were leaving and being assaulted by the local gymnastic center to buy something for "good cause", I noticed a very old and fraile woman trying to wrestle with her loaded cart and umbrella. The wind was blowing pretty hard. I watched as people just rushed by her and didn't pay any attention to her and her trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get to her car. Yes, I know you are thinking that I was standing there and watching but I was curious as to what people would do.
So I turned to Alex and I said, "what should we do?" He said, "help her out". So he and I went up to the lady and said that we would like to help her get her stuff in her car. She grabbed Alex's arm and said "bless you, bless you".
You see, we learned that her husband is home bound and the healthcare nurse was only there one day a week. That was the only day she has to go shopping. She couldn't help that all hell was breaking loose in the skies. It was the only day she had. I won't name specifically what she had in her cart but nothing was frivolous. It was all items necessary for her to get her and her husband through the next week.
When we finished loading her stuff in her trunk, I looked at Alex and said..."God expects us to serve". We got soaking wet!!! It didn't matter.
We sit, well I don't but my kids and husband do, in an auditorium filled with people every week and we get our cup filled. We are blessed to be able to have this freedom to do this.
I will be honest, I ahve been remiss in returning the blessings. I will also confess to you that it will happen no more. I have heard sermons, almost every Sunday of my life...now it is time for me to be the sermon.
So come on! Do it with your kids or your spouse. Can you imagine if every Christian went out on Mondays and their goal was to be the sermon that week?! There just might be more people in heaven because of it!
As we were leaving and being assaulted by the local gymnastic center to buy something for "good cause", I noticed a very old and fraile woman trying to wrestle with her loaded cart and umbrella. The wind was blowing pretty hard. I watched as people just rushed by her and didn't pay any attention to her and her trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get to her car. Yes, I know you are thinking that I was standing there and watching but I was curious as to what people would do.
So I turned to Alex and I said, "what should we do?" He said, "help her out". So he and I went up to the lady and said that we would like to help her get her stuff in her car. She grabbed Alex's arm and said "bless you, bless you".
You see, we learned that her husband is home bound and the healthcare nurse was only there one day a week. That was the only day she has to go shopping. She couldn't help that all hell was breaking loose in the skies. It was the only day she had. I won't name specifically what she had in her cart but nothing was frivolous. It was all items necessary for her to get her and her husband through the next week.
When we finished loading her stuff in her trunk, I looked at Alex and said..."God expects us to serve". We got soaking wet!!! It didn't matter.
We sit, well I don't but my kids and husband do, in an auditorium filled with people every week and we get our cup filled. We are blessed to be able to have this freedom to do this.
I will be honest, I ahve been remiss in returning the blessings. I will also confess to you that it will happen no more. I have heard sermons, almost every Sunday of my life...now it is time for me to be the sermon.
So come on! Do it with your kids or your spouse. Can you imagine if every Christian went out on Mondays and their goal was to be the sermon that week?! There just might be more people in heaven because of it!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
As time goes by....
Let's see if I can get through this without crying! Hush! deutschman...hush!
Tomorrow is the 7th grade orientation. Tomorrow my baby gets on the big yellow bus and rides it to the big ole school (it's 7th-12th grade by the way)! We have always lived in walking distance to the elementary school, so I don't have the official 1st day of school photo by the bus. That scrapbook page(well it will be scrapped booked as soon as I do it!) has always been marked by my kids standing next to each other with their backpacks on next to the tree out front.
No, I will not take a picture of him as he gets on the bus tomorrow! That would not be cool! If I thought I could get the picture, I seriously would do it! So just wait...maybe I will! AH-AH-AH-AH (sinister laugh).
Ok I am prolonging the inevitable....you see starting next tuesday, either Jay or I will always drive the kids to the school. I have loved that time with Chelsea in the morning! Just she and I for the 10 minutes to start our day! Now Alex gets to join in on the fun!
Alex has not always been the easiest child to deal with. From the moment he was born the strong will was very apparent! He refused to sleep in his crib and then bed until he was in Kindergarten. There have been moments that he has looked at us and said, "I will not do what you want until I get what I want" Yes ladies and gentlemen, the kid in the Dobson book "Strong willed child" has NOTHING on Alex! I just laughed at that book and prayed my life would be that easy. For the first year of his life, I only slept about 3 hours a night. I had bruises on my arms and face from where I would walk into doorways and walls because I was soooooooooo tired! He screamed at people when they tried to talk to him.
Jay and I would just pray for God to lead us to become the kind of parent that he needed us to be for our son. It was hard. There were times when I wanted to give in and let him have his way. I knew in my heart of hearts that it would only hurt him in the long run. Jay and I often had to take turns dealing with Alex and his tantrums and strong willingness. There were times we often had to physically restrain him until he relented. It would take hours and upset Chelsea. We would tell Chelsea that Alex needed to learn this lesson to submit to his will to authority because God tells us to obey first. We obey Him and THEN we might get what we want but no matter what we surrender our will to His. Jay and I knew that if we didn't instill that in Alex then we could lose him when he hit teenagehood.
4th grade was another horrific year! We stayed on him like his life depended on it becuase in a way, it did. His spiritual life for sure and maybe his physical life. I would look at him and say to myself..."what is wrong with him!" "Why doesn't he get it?!" At one point Jay and I seriously considered having him tested for learning disabilities because he REFUSED to give in and learn his lesson.
5th and 6th grade were GREAT! He made the turn around the corner! That is not to say that he doesn't try from time to time to exert his will over ours but it is alot less frequent and not as strong. My prayer is that it doesn't rear it's ugly head like the first 10 years of his life again!
My point is this. Jay and I believe that you shape the spirit and break the will so that it can be submissive to the Lord's will. We also believe that what we do now is to raise a child of tomorrow. What we do now is to shape who they are as adults not just deal with the here and now.
I was watching Alex come out of the school today (he went with Chelsea while she got her locker) and it hit me! We are in a new phase of life! It is AWESOME!
Jay and I worked hard and cried tears and with God's help--I do believe we are on the other side! Alex is such a GREAT kid! He is funny and talented and yes he is strong willed. But I would rather him be strong willed with friends and drugs and alcohol and sex than with God's will. I am so proud of who he is! He is turning out to be such a fine young man. I know his cousins think so! His cousins have always thought Alex was DA BOM!
Thank you Lord for your steadfastness and faithfulness. Lord willing, we won't be going through the next 6 years like Alex's first 10 years!
Tomorrow is the 7th grade orientation. Tomorrow my baby gets on the big yellow bus and rides it to the big ole school (it's 7th-12th grade by the way)! We have always lived in walking distance to the elementary school, so I don't have the official 1st day of school photo by the bus. That scrapbook page(well it will be scrapped booked as soon as I do it!) has always been marked by my kids standing next to each other with their backpacks on next to the tree out front.
No, I will not take a picture of him as he gets on the bus tomorrow! That would not be cool! If I thought I could get the picture, I seriously would do it! So just wait...maybe I will! AH-AH-AH-AH (sinister laugh).
Ok I am prolonging the inevitable....you see starting next tuesday, either Jay or I will always drive the kids to the school. I have loved that time with Chelsea in the morning! Just she and I for the 10 minutes to start our day! Now Alex gets to join in on the fun!
Alex has not always been the easiest child to deal with. From the moment he was born the strong will was very apparent! He refused to sleep in his crib and then bed until he was in Kindergarten. There have been moments that he has looked at us and said, "I will not do what you want until I get what I want" Yes ladies and gentlemen, the kid in the Dobson book "Strong willed child" has NOTHING on Alex! I just laughed at that book and prayed my life would be that easy. For the first year of his life, I only slept about 3 hours a night. I had bruises on my arms and face from where I would walk into doorways and walls because I was soooooooooo tired! He screamed at people when they tried to talk to him.
Jay and I would just pray for God to lead us to become the kind of parent that he needed us to be for our son. It was hard. There were times when I wanted to give in and let him have his way. I knew in my heart of hearts that it would only hurt him in the long run. Jay and I often had to take turns dealing with Alex and his tantrums and strong willingness. There were times we often had to physically restrain him until he relented. It would take hours and upset Chelsea. We would tell Chelsea that Alex needed to learn this lesson to submit to his will to authority because God tells us to obey first. We obey Him and THEN we might get what we want but no matter what we surrender our will to His. Jay and I knew that if we didn't instill that in Alex then we could lose him when he hit teenagehood.
4th grade was another horrific year! We stayed on him like his life depended on it becuase in a way, it did. His spiritual life for sure and maybe his physical life. I would look at him and say to myself..."what is wrong with him!" "Why doesn't he get it?!" At one point Jay and I seriously considered having him tested for learning disabilities because he REFUSED to give in and learn his lesson.
5th and 6th grade were GREAT! He made the turn around the corner! That is not to say that he doesn't try from time to time to exert his will over ours but it is alot less frequent and not as strong. My prayer is that it doesn't rear it's ugly head like the first 10 years of his life again!
My point is this. Jay and I believe that you shape the spirit and break the will so that it can be submissive to the Lord's will. We also believe that what we do now is to raise a child of tomorrow. What we do now is to shape who they are as adults not just deal with the here and now.
I was watching Alex come out of the school today (he went with Chelsea while she got her locker) and it hit me! We are in a new phase of life! It is AWESOME!
Jay and I worked hard and cried tears and with God's help--I do believe we are on the other side! Alex is such a GREAT kid! He is funny and talented and yes he is strong willed. But I would rather him be strong willed with friends and drugs and alcohol and sex than with God's will. I am so proud of who he is! He is turning out to be such a fine young man. I know his cousins think so! His cousins have always thought Alex was DA BOM!
Thank you Lord for your steadfastness and faithfulness. Lord willing, we won't be going through the next 6 years like Alex's first 10 years!
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