Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Hersheys Better Basket Blog Hop
Renee at My Special K's has passed on a virtual Easter Basket !
It's the best kind.....so cute and calorie free! Plus it helps a very worthy cause!
Hershey is partnering with the Childrens Miracle Network, and has promised a $10.00 donation in honor of each blogger that writes a post about this event.....up to $7000.00!
Since we all like to talk, and EAT CHOCOLATE....we have a winner here!
In my basket there would have to be a big chocolate bunny, Chuck's favorite Cadbury Creme Eggs (I just can't stomach them), Malted Milk Balls (yum), jelly beans, and a special Easter toy! We also used to give our kids a new cross every Easter.
I think everyone deserves a yummy Easter basket, so I'm passing this one on to each one of you!
Before you dig in, be sure to read the rules! Then go back to Hershey and link them to your post.
Hershey Better Blog Hop Rules:
Copy and paste these rules to your blog post
Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
Please note that only one blog post by each blog URL will count towards the donation.
Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
Please note that only one blog post by each blog URL will count towards the donation.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!
Monday, March 29, 2010
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Have you ever been in the middle of a situation and could see God shining all over it?
That happened to me over the past 2 weeks. I just had to share!
Rewind to my posts a few weeks ago. There has been major problems with my son and daughter in law for a while now. Actually, we haven't seen our daughter in law since August. You can read my rant here.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and bear with me....this gets really really weird!
Chuck and I received a letter from some friends, Heath and Paige Wilson, who are adopting a child from Ethiopia. They are doing a fund raiser with a ministry called Both Hands. I had never heard of this organization, so I did a bit of research. What an awesome idea!
They had chosen a local "widow" to do a project for, and we're asking for our support.
As I read the letter, I was shocked! The widow they were helping was Catherine's mother!
She is not a widow, but is disabled and really needed the help.
I didn't know what to say! There were a few concerns with this situation that may have caused Paige and Heath to loose their funding for the adoption. There were things they did not know about and I wasn't sure how to approach the situation. I did not want them to miss out on the adoption, but I also did not want to get involved because of the situation with my kids. I spoke with a mutual friend of ours, and we all decided to pray and pray about it and let God do what was in his plan! He had put this whole situation into motion and HE was in control of it!
Paige and Heath contacted Both Hands and asked for guidance. The answer came back to all of us....Go ahead with the project because Brenda (Catherine's mother) needed the help. God also opened the door for the team to witness to my children. HE knew what he was doing!
Saturday, the work began. Chuck and I decided not to work at the house because of the family dynamics. We did support them financially, however. We went on about our day as usual (grocery shopping, etc)
When we pulled up at Walmart, the first thing we saw was our kid's truck parked right in front.
Since we had not laid eyes on them (or our granddaughter) in months, I all but jumped out of the truck! I was a mom on a mission! I wanted to see my children, even if they would not speak to me. I just had to "see" them.
I went on the hunt for them, and there they were....all 3 of them, right in the front of the store! Praise be!!
I sheepishly approached them and just had to get a kiss from Lyric! They were all smiles, and spoke to me as if nothing had ever been wrong at all! They told me they were staying away from the house during all of the construction and didn't know what to do with themselves for the day. Then it happened.....they asked if they could come to our house for the day! I all most passed out!
I told them they were welcome any time they wanted to be there. AND THEY CAME!!! ALL 3 OF THEM!! They stayed all afternoon.
Not only that, but we are all spending Easter together!
Soooooo....Paige and Heath received their funding, Brenda got many, many needed repairs to help her out, and we got our family back! GOD IS GOOD!
That happened to me over the past 2 weeks. I just had to share!
Rewind to my posts a few weeks ago. There has been major problems with my son and daughter in law for a while now. Actually, we haven't seen our daughter in law since August. You can read my rant here.
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and bear with me....this gets really really weird!
Chuck and I received a letter from some friends, Heath and Paige Wilson, who are adopting a child from Ethiopia. They are doing a fund raiser with a ministry called Both Hands. I had never heard of this organization, so I did a bit of research. What an awesome idea!
They had chosen a local "widow" to do a project for, and we're asking for our support.
As I read the letter, I was shocked! The widow they were helping was Catherine's mother!
She is not a widow, but is disabled and really needed the help.
I didn't know what to say! There were a few concerns with this situation that may have caused Paige and Heath to loose their funding for the adoption. There were things they did not know about and I wasn't sure how to approach the situation. I did not want them to miss out on the adoption, but I also did not want to get involved because of the situation with my kids. I spoke with a mutual friend of ours, and we all decided to pray and pray about it and let God do what was in his plan! He had put this whole situation into motion and HE was in control of it!
Paige and Heath contacted Both Hands and asked for guidance. The answer came back to all of us....Go ahead with the project because Brenda (Catherine's mother) needed the help. God also opened the door for the team to witness to my children. HE knew what he was doing!
Saturday, the work began. Chuck and I decided not to work at the house because of the family dynamics. We did support them financially, however. We went on about our day as usual (grocery shopping, etc)
When we pulled up at Walmart, the first thing we saw was our kid's truck parked right in front.
Since we had not laid eyes on them (or our granddaughter) in months, I all but jumped out of the truck! I was a mom on a mission! I wanted to see my children, even if they would not speak to me. I just had to "see" them.
I went on the hunt for them, and there they were....all 3 of them, right in the front of the store! Praise be!!
I sheepishly approached them and just had to get a kiss from Lyric! They were all smiles, and spoke to me as if nothing had ever been wrong at all! They told me they were staying away from the house during all of the construction and didn't know what to do with themselves for the day. Then it happened.....they asked if they could come to our house for the day! I all most passed out!
I told them they were welcome any time they wanted to be there. AND THEY CAME!!! ALL 3 OF THEM!! They stayed all afternoon.
Not only that, but we are all spending Easter together!
Soooooo....Paige and Heath received their funding, Brenda got many, many needed repairs to help her out, and we got our family back! GOD IS GOOD!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
RELAY FOR LIFE
A friend recently told me that "if you want to get rich quick....count your blessings".
I just want you to know what a blessing you have been in my life this past year.
The illness and passing of my brother Mike truly showed me just how God has blessed me,and my family with such wonderful friends!
Every day, it seems, I meet another person that cancer has affected.
I am so encouraged and blessed by these survivors !
Whether it be in their life, the life of a family member, or a friend... cancer has no boundaries.
It does not discriminate, and it destroys!
In honor of my brother Michael, and my mother, I am participating in the Christian County Relay For Life this year.
During Mike's illness, the American Cancer Society supported, encouraged, and sustained us.
They not only worked diligently researching a cure, but they provided my family and myself with the tools necessary to fight.
From food and lodging at no charge while Mike was hospitalized in Nashville, to the gas cards they provided to help with travel expenses....
they did everything possible to support our family....all at no charge to us!
Please join me in my efforts to give back!
If you could make a gift to my team and the American Cancer Society, I would truly appreciate it!
We all seem to think that "I can't give more than $5.00". You should know that $5.00 can do wonders!
If we all decided to give just the money that we'd spend on a lunch out for just one day.....lives would be changed!
You can make your gifts at www.relayforlife.org/christian. Just search TEAM STRONG TOWER!
You can also find a link to donate on my Facebook page.
If you prefer not to donate online, I will be glad to provide you with my home address.
I would also like to invite you to attend the Relay For Life in your area. I promise you will be blessed!
My Brother Mike....The reason I Relay!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Cracked Pots....I LOVE THIS!
One of my friends sent me this story. I LOVE IT!! Hope you will too!
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived
only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one
day by the stream.
'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all
the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the
path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the
table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the
house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in
them.
So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the
flowers on your side of the path!
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived
only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one
day by the stream.
'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all
the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the
path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the
table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the
house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in
them.
So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the
flowers on your side of the path!
What's a Sabbatical?
A few years ago, in reviewing the by-laws of our church,we realized that scripture teaches the principals of a sabbatical.
What an awesome teaching! EVERYONE needs a break from time to time....just to relax, rethink and re-evaluate.
Today, we sent our pastor on a one month sabbatical!
Brother Kevin, in his sermon yesterday, gave us a family talk!
He said when ever his dad would travel on business, he would call a family meeting to instruct the boys how to act while he was away....and to warn them "don't make your Mom cry" lol
The associate pastor Cory (whom Kevin kindly referred to as "Mom") will assume the business of the church, while Brother Kevin takes a much deserved "working" break. He will be in Florida visiting and learning from the church we "snitched" our "Out Of The Box" program from.
I love New Work Fellowship!!! There is so much going on within our church, and so many good things happening! It sometimes feels as if the building is actually trembling (in a great way) and the Holy Spirit is going to blow the lid right off of us! What an awesome feeling! We are so excited to give Brother Kevin this rest, and excited to see what the Lord is going to teach him!
He has decided to blog his sabbatical! How cool! My pastor blogs! lol
You can follow his trip here. Please join me in praying for a safe trip, much needed rest, and a spirit filled journey back to us! We Love You Kev !!!
What an awesome teaching! EVERYONE needs a break from time to time....just to relax, rethink and re-evaluate.
Today, we sent our pastor on a one month sabbatical!
Brother Kevin, in his sermon yesterday, gave us a family talk!
He said when ever his dad would travel on business, he would call a family meeting to instruct the boys how to act while he was away....and to warn them "don't make your Mom cry" lol
The associate pastor Cory (whom Kevin kindly referred to as "Mom") will assume the business of the church, while Brother Kevin takes a much deserved "working" break. He will be in Florida visiting and learning from the church we "snitched" our "Out Of The Box" program from.
I love New Work Fellowship!!! There is so much going on within our church, and so many good things happening! It sometimes feels as if the building is actually trembling (in a great way) and the Holy Spirit is going to blow the lid right off of us! What an awesome feeling! We are so excited to give Brother Kevin this rest, and excited to see what the Lord is going to teach him!
He has decided to blog his sabbatical! How cool! My pastor blogs! lol
You can follow his trip here. Please join me in praying for a safe trip, much needed rest, and a spirit filled journey back to us! We Love You Kev !!!
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