It has been a long time since I have won anything, in fact I don't think I can remember if I have ever won anything before, but today, I won. I hope you read Beth Moore's blog--mostly because she is funny, insightful, wise, and it will bless your heart. Occasionally she runs a contest and gives away prizes, and today I was the first runner up in her latest, see:
Our next five winners are:
1) Christine at "Christine's Corner"
2) Trish Wagner
3) Sue in Las Vegas
4) Gene54
5) Twinkle
*Applause and cheers for these five siestas*
So Thanks Beth, that made my day! Could you pass my name on the to folks at Publisher's Clearing House, they often give away things too.
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Night for Africa
A few weeks ago we had the honor of attending the 2nd annual night for Africa sponsored by 410 Bridge. Last year it was held at Northpoint Community Church and was really cool. This year they moved it to the Gwinett Center to coincide with the conclusion of Catalyst 08. I think that worked because so many of the Catalyst conferees stayed for it. Obviously the setting was not as intimate, and many of the participants were tired, but it still was an amazing evening.
In addition to great music by Fee, we heard the children from Africa sing, and Jeff Foxworthy hosted the event. He is very funny, but also a very committed Christian who openly shared his faith. The event was a fund raiser, and I hope they raised a lot of money because they are doing some amazing things for Jesus in Kenya. Oh yeah, and at the end all we groupies went down for autographs and pictures!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What we need is Change
I really love this time of year, especially here in north GA. The air is crisp, the sun is bright, and the leaves are turning millions of colors of red, yellow, and orange. I have already made the first batch of cabbage patch stew, and am considering getting out the hot chocolate. My fall decorations make the house seem so cozy and warm. The seasons are changing and it is exciting. It is interesting to me that when fall comes and everything changes I welcome that; usually change is difficult for most of us. Maybe it is because this change is so clothed in beauty; or perhaps it is because I have experienced this change before and am confident of the outcome. For whatever reason, I welcome the change in weather and am grateful fall is here. Change seems to be the buzz word during this election year, but all that is accompanying it is not very beautiful. We have two weeks left and there will be change; I only pray it will be a change for the better.
I strongly support our democracy and encourage everyone to vote, but I have also been reminded, in Proverbs 21:1 that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." The Lord is in control and regardless of who wins the presidency, His will will be done. He is not limited by man, good or evil, and should He choose to allow us to pursue our greedy and evil ways, that does not mean He will abandon us. I believe it does mean that Believers will be forced to sacrifice and live out our convictions more faithfully, and that may be a change for many. As Tony Campolo reminds us, "We are not called to happiness, but to holiness."
Yes, change is in the air, and I believe that for many Christians we may be on the brink of changing from somewhat of a complacent faith to an active testimony of God's grace. The leaves would never be the beautiful colors of fall were it not for the fact that they were dying. The Lord wants His bride, the Church, to be a beautiful witness of His love. The change we see in the future could be that she will need to die to selfish desires, and let His love change her to be a brillant, muliticolored picture to the world. I agree, it is time for a change.
I strongly support our democracy and encourage everyone to vote, but I have also been reminded, in Proverbs 21:1 that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." The Lord is in control and regardless of who wins the presidency, His will will be done. He is not limited by man, good or evil, and should He choose to allow us to pursue our greedy and evil ways, that does not mean He will abandon us. I believe it does mean that Believers will be forced to sacrifice and live out our convictions more faithfully, and that may be a change for many. As Tony Campolo reminds us, "We are not called to happiness, but to holiness."
Yes, change is in the air, and I believe that for many Christians we may be on the brink of changing from somewhat of a complacent faith to an active testimony of God's grace. The leaves would never be the beautiful colors of fall were it not for the fact that they were dying. The Lord wants His bride, the Church, to be a beautiful witness of His love. The change we see in the future could be that she will need to die to selfish desires, and let His love change her to be a brillant, muliticolored picture to the world. I agree, it is time for a change.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Our Tennessee Vacation
A few weeks ago I mentioned that we took a short family vacation and someone commented they would like to know more about that, so if you are still reading, let me tell you.
We went to Chattanooga for 3 days and had a nice, relaxing time. The city was not as big as I thought, which was a pleasant surprise. We went to Ruby Falls, which I had heard about for years, but did not realize it is an underground falls--several hundred feet underground. Lookout mountain is a long mountain, located in more than one state. When you visit Ruby Falls you begin by going down in an elevator a couple of hundred feet. Then you walk almost a mile underground in the cave. While we were walking on almost ground, the mountain above us was getting higher, so by the time we reached the falls we were almost 1000 feet underground. All of this was a little disconcerting to both Rachel and Edgar; strangely enough that did not bother me--my issues are with heights.
The falls were pretty, I think the water falls 45 feet and there are colored lights that have been placed there to give a lovely effect. It was cool and damp in the cave but not uncomfortable. The little boys did well with all the walking. We did not do the incline railroad, but it was a nice adventure.
A little surprise was that Lookout Mountain, the tourist part, is actually in Georgia! To get to it you start up the road in Tennessee, but when you get to the top you are in GA!! I remember seeing the signs for it all in TN and VA when I was younger, no signs in GA. I took my word for it that you can see 7 states, I looked, but with out the map lines it is hard to tell. The wildflowers on the path were really pretty and I did okay with the heights.
We also ate at one of my favorite places, one that we do not have in GA--Qdoba's! It was great! We also visited Cheeburger Cheeburger--a LOT of great American food! We ended our visit with a riverboat lunch cruise. The kids enjoyed the view and we had a couple of hours to just visit and relax.
We always enjoy time with family from CA. The boys are so cute together, the van ride with eight people is an adventure, and overall it was a great trip! There you have it!
We went to Chattanooga for 3 days and had a nice, relaxing time. The city was not as big as I thought, which was a pleasant surprise. We went to Ruby Falls, which I had heard about for years, but did not realize it is an underground falls--several hundred feet underground. Lookout mountain is a long mountain, located in more than one state. When you visit Ruby Falls you begin by going down in an elevator a couple of hundred feet. Then you walk almost a mile underground in the cave. While we were walking on almost ground, the mountain above us was getting higher, so by the time we reached the falls we were almost 1000 feet underground. All of this was a little disconcerting to both Rachel and Edgar; strangely enough that did not bother me--my issues are with heights.
The falls were pretty, I think the water falls 45 feet and there are colored lights that have been placed there to give a lovely effect. It was cool and damp in the cave but not uncomfortable. The little boys did well with all the walking. We did not do the incline railroad, but it was a nice adventure.
A little surprise was that Lookout Mountain, the tourist part, is actually in Georgia! To get to it you start up the road in Tennessee, but when you get to the top you are in GA!! I remember seeing the signs for it all in TN and VA when I was younger, no signs in GA. I took my word for it that you can see 7 states, I looked, but with out the map lines it is hard to tell. The wildflowers on the path were really pretty and I did okay with the heights.
We also ate at one of my favorite places, one that we do not have in GA--Qdoba's! It was great! We also visited Cheeburger Cheeburger--a LOT of great American food! We ended our visit with a riverboat lunch cruise. The kids enjoyed the view and we had a couple of hours to just visit and relax.
We always enjoy time with family from CA. The boys are so cute together, the van ride with eight people is an adventure, and overall it was a great trip! There you have it!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Best Alarm Clock
So when Edgar is away on business, he really likes for me to let Ellie, our dog, off the lease at night. She normally sleeps right inside the back door, but on a lease. She is a great watchdog and will alert us if any unknown being--human or animal comes in the yard, so I have no problem with her sleeping inside; I do prefer that she stay on the leash as I do not want her wandering around the house-ever.
But, being the submissive wife that I am (quit snickering) I let her off the leash the other night and let her sleep on the floor beside Edgar's side of the bed. At 5:55am Rachel came into my room breathing very heavily and with fear in her voice said, "Mom, Mom, Ellie was is my room and I felt her breathing in my face--it scared me to death!"
Evidently at some point early in the morning, Ellie very quietly went upstairs to check on the children and when she got to Rachel she very lovingly laid her head on the bed right next to Rachel's face. Needless to say, the child was AWAKE!
But, being the submissive wife that I am (quit snickering) I let her off the leash the other night and let her sleep on the floor beside Edgar's side of the bed. At 5:55am Rachel came into my room breathing very heavily and with fear in her voice said, "Mom, Mom, Ellie was is my room and I felt her breathing in my face--it scared me to death!"
Evidently at some point early in the morning, Ellie very quietly went upstairs to check on the children and when she got to Rachel she very lovingly laid her head on the bed right next to Rachel's face. Needless to say, the child was AWAKE!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Where Do I Begin?
When you get too busy to blog and you go weeks, months!, without a word, it is increasing difficult to get back into it. So many things have happened, but I must resist the temptation to try and blog about all of them, lest this would be so long no one would read it! I will hit the highlights and vow to be more faithful in writing. We are doing well by God's grace.
Rachel--a Sr. this year (how is that possible?!?!), beautiful, smart, independent, in love, missing Kenya, singing in choir, co-leading a group of 7th grade girls at church, and still won't learn to cook!!
Ryan--doing really well in school--almost reading for pleasure, active in cub scouts--he is a Bear this year, gaining more skills in soccer and playing very well, is our resident expert on the Titanic.
Edgar--jet setting between Jamaica and South Fl--finishing a cemetery job in FL and farming in JA. At home he and Ryan are enjoying their new canoe, and is contemplating opening a coffee roasting operation here.
I am staying busy with the coffee Internet business--creating gourmet coffee baskets, co-coaching 17 amazing kindergarten volunteers at church, and praying about the possibility of a Christian Montessori school here.
The weather in north GA is more than amazing, leaves are turning color, air is brisk, and I am loving every minute of it. We would love to get a contract on our Greensboro house, but God is faithful and keeping us dependent on Him.
We were reminded a few weeks ago that if God invites us to do something He will guarantee its success. So I am doing some 'housekeeping' things to be prepared so that if He asks, I will be ready to say 'yes'. The trick is to let Him do the asking.
Rachel--a Sr. this year (how is that possible?!?!), beautiful, smart, independent, in love, missing Kenya, singing in choir, co-leading a group of 7th grade girls at church, and still won't learn to cook!!
Ryan--doing really well in school--almost reading for pleasure, active in cub scouts--he is a Bear this year, gaining more skills in soccer and playing very well, is our resident expert on the Titanic.
Edgar--jet setting between Jamaica and South Fl--finishing a cemetery job in FL and farming in JA. At home he and Ryan are enjoying their new canoe, and is contemplating opening a coffee roasting operation here.
I am staying busy with the coffee Internet business--creating gourmet coffee baskets, co-coaching 17 amazing kindergarten volunteers at church, and praying about the possibility of a Christian Montessori school here.
The weather in north GA is more than amazing, leaves are turning color, air is brisk, and I am loving every minute of it. We would love to get a contract on our Greensboro house, but God is faithful and keeping us dependent on Him.
We were reminded a few weeks ago that if God invites us to do something He will guarantee its success. So I am doing some 'housekeeping' things to be prepared so that if He asks, I will be ready to say 'yes'. The trick is to let Him do the asking.
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