Binding up my broken heart

God is so good!

Can I get an AMEN?!

I know it has been a while, and that was unfair for me not to update you all sooner!  I have so appreciated all the prayers that you all have spoken over Rhett and me during this time.  I felt them during the "unknown" period of this whole situation.  God gave me peace and understanding no matter what the best course of action would need to be.

That being said...

I got incredible news when I went to see my surgeon 2 weeks ago!

NO SURGERY!

I am not quite sure how my cardiologist and surgeon came to this conclusion, but my heart looked better during the cardiac cath than the echo had originally made it seem.  The concern about the left-to-right shunt is something that they both feel has been the same all my life!

So they both feel that my heart is stable enough for babies (which I am so excited about), but my OB wants  me to see a perinatologist for counseling of my risks first.

God is so faithful and His timing is perfect.  I am so thankful for this news, and can't wait to see where our next chapter in life will lead us.

And through it all, my heart will keep on beating...maybe not the lub-dub you all hear with yours, but a whoosh-whoosh, just the way I have always liked it!

I always liked to do things my way and be different....and if you don't believe me, just ask my mama!

The heart of the matter

I write today to offer an explanation from this post.  Beware, it is very long.

The past month or so has been a whirlwind regarding my health.  Actually, I need to back up a little to explain where I am at now.

I was born with a VSD.  So basically all my life, my heart has made a "whooshing" sounds instead of the normal "lub-dub" that a heart should make.  It has never caused a problem or been a concern for me, other than the pre-medication before a dental appt.  (Ehh that's kind of a lie, but for this story's sake, it has always been somewhat benign.  Another day I will talk about my other health problems).

While I lived in Albuquerque, I had the opportunity to participate in a research study that also found a nearly undetectable ASD. However, my heart was still very healthy, and neither of these murmurs caused any problems.

Fast forward to August (of this year), and I went to establish care with an OB/GYN, because Rhett and I were looking to start trying for babies in a few months.  Upon hearing about my cardiac history, she felt that it would be best to be looked over by a cardiologist and have the necessary echocardiogram performed to verify that my heart was healthy enough for pregnancy.

I knew that there would be no change, so I happily made my appointment, battled the Monsoon to make it to said appointment, and plopped down on the table for them to press on my chest with a sonogram machine for 20 minutes.  During this time the tech said things like, "Wow, how come you never had this repaired?  We never see adults with these kinds of murmurs."  And then I start to feel uneasy, concerned that he can see things that may indicate my heart is not as healthy as I had thought.

Well, my fears were confirmed about 5 minutes after the test was over.  The cardiologist came into the exam room, and told me pretty bluntly that my heart pressures were more than double what it was 3 years ago, and that he wanted to send me to a surgeon to talk about repair.  I, of course, start crying, and the conversation continued like this (between sobs of course),
Me:  "What kind of surgery will this mean."
Cardiologist:  "More than likely Open-heart surgery."
M: "What is the recovery time for it"
C:  "About 2-3 months"
M:  "If I lost the 30 lbs I have gained since 3 years ago, will it go back to normal?"
C:  "Probably not"

I left the office a complete mess.  I went in thinking that it would be a run-of-the-mill appointment,   him telling me that everything was fine, but it wouldn't hurt for me to lose some of the extra weight I had packed on.

Well not so much.  obviously...

So I met with the surgeon a week ago (that was the important appointment I had), and he basically said that he thinks I will need the surgery, that it will be open-heart, but I could go back to work after 4-6 weeks, and the full recovery would be 2-3 months.  He also stated that during the operation he could repair both defects and not just the VSD (which was causing all the problems).  As difficult as this was to hear, I felt that God's timing couldn't have been more perfect.  He gave the OB the foresight to have me checked out, which revealed a fixable defect, that would have had the potential to seriously affect me and the baby I may have been carrying.

Pretty incredible huh,  God never ceases to amaze me in the protecting hand He has on my life.

Well the surgeon ultimately wanted me to have a cardiac cath to verify the need for surgery, because sometimes the echo can sometimes be wrong.

I had this done Friday.  And after a brief, drug-induced discussion in the recovery room with the cardiologist, it revealed that my pressures appeared better than they had previously on the echo, but my heart was still shunting blood from the left ventricle to the right ventricle at a rate of 1.46 (if you are confused just remember that your heart SHOULD NOT do this at all).  The actual cut-off point for surgery is 1.50.  So, I am just below the need for surgery.  However, my doctor did say that he would recommend surgery IF I wanted to get pregnant.

And then I passed out in the restroom right before I was discharged.  That was neat.  At least I didn't wind up with a bruise on my face like the last time I fainted.  That is my typical MO.

So that's where I am.  It looks like I will be having surgery, and it will probably be in November (with nothing confirmed yet), because I kind of want to get it over with!

Even after hearing that I will be forever changed through this operation, I feel so incredibly blessed through it all.  I know that through every trial and hardship, there is are reasons why we go through it.  God knows my heart (in more ways than one) and my desires for kids, but He also knew that I wasn't physically and mentally prepared for them, at least not yet. 

Through it all I have felt incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by loving people and many many prayers.  A special thank you goes out to my sweet husband, wonderful family, and all my old, new, and blog friends

I know that most importantly, my heart is in the Ultimate Healer's Hands.

a heavy heart

Dear friends I come before you today to ask for your prayers for things not only happening in my life, but to some sweet people around me.

#1-Please be in prayer for a friend, former coworker, and sister in Christ, CP.  After having many symptoms, she had a hysterectomy and the pathology came back this week showing a rare form of agressive uterine cancer.  She is the person who made me feel like I belonged when I was living in Albuquerque.  She encouraged me, invited me to be a part of a life changing Bible study, and loved me like a daughter.  Pray that she continues to remain pain free, and if it is His will that her scans this week will show clean lungs, and hope for a complete cure.  If not, pray for peace over her and her family.

#2-Prayers for my sister-in-law, Melissa, that she continues to recover from her unexpected surgery!  That little precious baby of hers missed her mama!

#3-Prayers for a current coworker's husband Harry.  He is suffering from cancer (I believe chronic lymphocytic leukemia) caused from effects of agent orange.  I don't know a whole lot other than he has dealt with many health issues over the years including cardiac arrest on 3 different occasions, the loss of a kidney, and severe diabetes.  She (my coworker) is an amazing person.  She works after everyone goes home (except for me) as a housekeeper, and she has the biggest smile on her face.  She is a believer, but her husband is not, so also pray that God touches his heart during all of this.

#4-And prayers for myself and Rhett.  I have a very important doctor's appointment on Thursday morning.  What this doctor says, will affect us both pretty significantly and change my life forever.  I promise to post more about this when we have some answers.  I am asking for peace in this situation and patience.

Thank you all.  So many terrible things are happening to people, but through it all I can see the provision and love of the Lord.

Empty = Full

It was no coincidence that Beth Moore's message last week was so appropriately timed for this Easter Season.  I want to share some of what she talked about today.  Soak it in friends, it is some GOOD stuff!

Luke 24:5-6
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has RISEN!"

Because the tomb was EMPTY, NOTHING in our life is meant to be EMPTY; it is meant to be FULL, full of Grace, Faith, Proclamation, Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace!

Because of Christ's Glorious Resurrection, the tomb alone is EMPTY!

Are you living your life to the fullness that God has intended?  I know I haven't, and Beth's message was a wake up call for me.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter, remembering what we are truly celebrating!

We are what we are, because He is who He is!

In search of a church

There are many reasons why I didn't like the idea of moving.  Finding a new job, new doctors, new friends, and familiarity were the major reasons, but another big one was finding a church.


When we were living the "high life" in the apartment, we had found a church we really liked attending.  It was close to the apartment, we learned so much from the sermons, but we had a hard time feeling especially welcomed.  Now we live about 30 minutes away from that church, and would like to find something a little closer.


So we began our hunt for a church.  More than anything we just want to have a place to feel welcomed and grow in our faith.  A bonus would be either a young marrieds group or even a life group that we could connect with.


Well we have searched, and searched and found some really "special" churches in the process.


This past Sunday was quite a doozy though...definitely not our cup of tea.


Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find a church that can become our church home?


Happy Tuesday!

Thoughts on a special Friday...

1. The Marriage Ref is a hilarious show. You should watch it....like right this moment. I plan on dedicating a whole post about this....don't you worry!

2. The Beth Moore study that I am participating in has been absolutely wonderful. It makes every Thursday quite a LONG day, but it's always worth it as I reflect on my drive home. It's like water for my parched soul.

3. I love these....

Be still my heart.

they make me happy, and that makes this time of year wonderful in a candy sense....not to mention for other obvious reasons.

4. I'm really excited for the new job. This has been a long week, with only 1 real day of meeting all my new coworkers (the rest was tons of orientation). However, everyone is so nice, and helpful, and I am hopeful!

5. I have a wonderful feeling that my 26th year of life will be better than my 25th! Yesterday marks the end of the "Quarter Year Crisis." Happy 2nd quarter to me!

6. I don't know which flavor of cheesecake (from cheesecake factory) I should choose for my birthday dinner. Suggestions?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! I hope it's full of sunshine and happiness for you all!

So excited!

Beth Moore is coming to Tucson!

I have had the privilege of taking part in 3 studies of hers while in Albuquerque, started a new one in Tucson, and got to see her at Living Proof Live in Albuquerque.

She has a passion for God, and it's contagious. If you have never had the chance to take one of her studies, go here to find one near you!

So I have an offer to extend to anyone who wishes to see her live. We have some spare bedrooms, couches, and an air mattress and if you can make it here, you have a place to stay!

Mark your calendars for March 26th and 27th!

Let me know if you are interested!

Everyone needs to read this!

Have a wonderful day!

A time to reflect on all of my blessings

As this posts, we will be driving to Texas to see family and friends. This past year we have been so incredibly blessed and I just wanted to share these blessings with you all.

I am blessed....

-to have a wonderful husband who loves me even on my worst days!
-to have amazing parents. No matter how old I get, I can't imagine not needing my mom and dad. They are the reason I am the person I am today. They provided me with so much, and taught me so many amazing lessons.
-to have amazing in-laws.

• Amy, you remind me to laugh about everything. You have raised wonderful children and I am so blessed that your son chose to put up with me. I know you have been through so much this year alone. The love that you and Steve shared is something that many people never experience, and those memories will be there with you always. You continue to amaze me with your strength during the past year, I just wish there was more we could do! Thank you for accepting me into your life.
• James and Kara, you both have given so much of yourselves to us and I am forever grateful. From the moment I first met you both, I knew that I had been accepted into a wonderful family. Thank you for welcoming me and providing me with so much love!

-to have a strengthen relationship with my brother (in part because of his awesome wife). We fought so much, but you are still my brother. I look forward to the new chapter in our lives now that we both are married and getting along! And thanks for finding me an wonderful sister-in-law!

-to my wonderful sisters-in-law,brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

• Melissa and Aaron - Thank you for just being down right awesome! You teach us so much about dealing with life during the good and bad times! I am so happy that you will finally be welcoming a precious little Wee Wag in the future! I can't wait to meet him or her! And tell him or her, how awesome their Aunt Kelley is!
• Jennifer - I think you are pretty much fantastic! Thanks for always making me laugh, and for having such an wonderful son! (Caleb, remember I'm your favorite red-headed aunt!).
• Robert - We are praying for you, and whatever you need, we are here for you! I look forward to getting to know you better!
• Lindsy - Can't wait to meet that little man in your belly! You have raised wonderful kids, and we are here for you!
• Danielle - you are a rock star! Need I say more?

-for our jobs. Even if I complain, I am incredibly thankful for having one, when so many around us don't!

-for having a roof over our head, food in our tummy (and on my hips, gut, and thighs), and getting to sleep in our incredible California king mattress again!

-for the little joys we experience daily! I have a wonderful Health Assistant at each of my schools, who bless me daily with different things. They encourage me and help me to feel welcome here!

-for amazing friends who continue to remember about us, even though we moved to another state! Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

-for my faithful readers! It's one of the highlights of my day, when I have comments! Thank you for caring enough to read about my senseless postings!

-my silly Max. You are a doofus...but I still love you!

-for a wonderful and loving God. This has been a difficult year for us, but even when things were at the absolute worst, He provided every step of the way. I know that if I will just put my COMPLETE faith in Him, I will never be disappointed.

What are you thankful for?

Rejection

I receive the Proverbs 31 emails, and even though I don't always read them, today I did, and it really touched me. I have been dealing with many feelings of rejection (my current job, my difficulty in finding jobs, trying to make it in our new reality) and it has been weighing very heavy on my heart. This helped me put it into perspective

--------------------------------------------------------------

Rejection

Nov 5, 2009 Lysa TerKeurst

"For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance." Psalm 94:14 (NIV)

A few months back I got a phone call I'd been hoping for over 15 years to receive. It was the slightest crack in the doorway of a dream.

I was hesitantly excited. When you have wanted something for a long time and it comes close to becoming a reality, it's thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. Suddenly, your heart shifts from neutral into this vulnerable place where acceptance co-mingles with rejection. And you are all too aware things could go either way.

Following the call, I packaged up my application to send and let my mind prematurely celebrate.

Then I waited.

And waited.

And nothing.

Feeling like a foolish girl who'd bought a prom dress before actually being asked to the dance, I sheepishly called to inquire whether or not my application had been received. I was told it had been and if I hadn't heard anything yet, I should assume it was a "no."

Ouch.

That's when you go sit on your back deck, close your eyes, and decide whether to let the tears slip quietly down your cheeks or blink them back in an act of courageous defiance.

Rejection stinks.

I mean it really stinks.

It stunk when Saxon Palmer didn't ask me to couple skate in the 5th grade. It stunk when my Dad left our family. It stunk when I thought I was getting engaged at the very dinner my college love broke up with me. It stunk when each of my book proposals for years were declined by publishers. And it stunk when I sat on my deck and processed this situation.

Sometimes things like this just simply stink and there's no cheery rainbow or pot of gold around the next corner. The musi c doesn't crescendo as the hero in the story scoops you onto the side of his horse and the two of you ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
Sometimes it just is what it is. And that's that.

But God's girls have a beautiful promise tucked in our pocket that lets us smile even when tears puddle in the corner of our eyes. Even when there's no rainbow, pot of gold, or galloping prince, we have the promise of redemption.

On the other side of every death there will always be a resurrection of some sort. Maybe not a resurrection of our circumstances. And maybe not a resurrection of things lining up like we thought they should. But there will be a resurrection. Jesus has insured that.
Nothing in this world can permanently strip hope from our lives when we know we do "not follow cleverly invented stories…about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" but we follow the reality of the Risen One (2 Peter 1:16, NIV). He is our resurrection.

He is our hope.

He is that beautiful reminder that rejection from man never means rejection from God.
And He is the one who is weaving a story into our life that will one day make sense.

Dear Lord, I know You suffered the sting of rejection in a much more intense way than I ever will. And while this rejection is small in the grand scheme of life, it feels huge in my heart right now. Will You help me process this? Will You help me see past it? Will You let this fragile heart feel the warmth of Your acceptance and love today? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst

thoughts on jobs

Hello again everyone....it's me Kelley....the long lost author of this silly blog.

After reading many comments from my last post, I felt some clarifications were in order!

1. I am still employed as a school nurse.

2. I am not sure if it's my forever job.

3. I am soooo blessed to have a job.

4. I am really quite homesick (for both Albuquerque and my family)

Let me explain the job interview.

I was contacted in June (while still in NM) about a job with the pediatric bone marrow transplant clinic at University Medical Center here in Tucson. I interviewed for it, it seemed right along the lines of what I was currently doing at my Albuquerque job, and they really wanted to hire me. Fast forward 2 months. They were still trying to hire me, but budget cuts and lack of funding prevented it. So that meant no job, but I was able to get a job as a school nurse. Fast forward another 2 months, and I get a call that there is another position the manager of "clinic that could not hire me" recommended me for. I interviewed and am not selected "because of my lack of management experience."

At this point I don't know what I really want. I have been happy at my job this week, and I pray that it will stay that way.

Regardless of what happens, I had great advice from a former coworker and amazing friend, Cyndi. She left me a comment that completely changed my attitude about the whole situation. It said,

"You are so precious. The job will come just as the proposal, Rhett's job, sale of old house, purchase of new beautiful house and all the other blessings God's given you. I love you and miss you my sister in Christ."

God has provided for me every step of the way. It took me almost a year to really learn to love Albuquerque, and it may take me just as long in Tucson, maybe longer. He provided an amazing job that I loved and more importantly brought wonderful people into my life. He hasn't brought me out to the desert to wither up and die, He will provide everything I need, but I have to be willing to give that control over to Him.

Who knows what will happen, but anytime I want to complain, or start feeling sorry for myself, I will give those concerns over to the Lord, and relinquish my control on the situation. I mean seriously, I haven't made my situation better when I try to fix it myself, so why do I keep trying to do it?

Thank you Cyndi, for giving me such attitude changing advice!

when something you hear really hits home

(Disclaimer: I'm not too sure if this will make sense, but it helped me to write it. So I apologize if I confuse you).

We have been visiting a church here in Tucson called Faith Community Church. We decided on this one because it is about 3 blocks from our apartment, and we have stayed because week after week, I am moved by what the pastor is teaching.

I feel blessed that during our most difficult times this past year, we have been assured of God's love consistently through sermons at church (in other ways too, but this is just one very meaningful affirmation of His promise). In the early parts of 2009 when Rhett first lost his job, found a new one, and we prepared to move to a new state, our Pastor was also preparing for his appointment to the El Paso district which required an out of state move that he and his family were not initially excited about. He preached about change, about God's plan not always being our initial plan, and trusting in Him even when things are incredibly overwhelming. That helped see me though the most difficult part of the move, the unknowns of jobs, house selling, and financials. And indeed God brought us through.

The sermons from the pastor at Faith Community Church have really touched my heart during the difficulty of dealing with Steve's (Rhett's Step dad) death. This past Sunday specifically, we had a guest speaker named Richard Exley. He started the message with personal stories of heartache, sadness, and death, but with ever sad story he talked about how God had worked in his life and brought him through it. Most specifically, he talked about how God places people in your life. He talked about how even though friends and family can't fix your problem or take your pain away, that they are placed in your life to support you through the worst times.

I can't tell you how important my family and friends have been to us during this time. The multitude of prayers that have been directed our way when we were looking for jobs, trying to sell our house, moving, and trying to make sense of Steve's death have been a comfort during this time. Without all of you, I don't know what we would have done. Even though you couldn't take that hardship, pain, and sadness from us, you were there when we needed someone to pray for us, to just let us cry, or to give us a hug. We could never express our gratitude fully and I pray we can be the kind of friend you need at your most difficult time.

To end with, Pastor Exley also gave an additional side to his message. He said that even though those closest to us can't take away that pain, Someone already has taken that pain from us.

our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ took all our sin and pain (past, present, and future) upon Himself. He knows the pain we feel, the hardships we are experiencing, because He has felt it all Himself.

Praise God that we have our family, friends, and Jesus.

And indeed, He will bring us through the fire!

in times like these...

This past week has felt like a whirlwind of bad dreams.

On June 30th, 2008, I lost my (step) father-in-law.

Steve Alexander was driving to work (which happens to always be around 2 o'clock in the morning) and fell asleep at the wheel and died in a tragic accident.

He was a good man, a funny, loving, simple, respected, and faithful man. He loved the Lord, his family, and all those that he met. He worked hard to provide for his family, accepted my husband and his sister as his kids for the past 21 years, and treated Aaron (Melissa's husband) and me as his children as well. He enjoyed the life he had, and always made us laugh.

I know that he is up in heaven fishing with Jesus. I know that he no longer feels pain from his health issues. But even knowing all of this, doesn't take the pain that his absence leaves this family. My mother-in-law, Marmie, is hurting. Her soul mate is no longer by her side.

Please keep us in your prayers. This is a difficult time for everyone, but unfortunately we are dealing with the aftermath of Steve's death. He didn't have a will or a life insurance policy, and he had lots of "good" debt (house and auto). His drug addicted daughter from his 1st marriage stole his bank card the day he died and has now stolen more than $500 of money that was desperately needed to cover the funeral expenses and keep Marmie afloat. The next several months and possibly even the next year will be incredibly difficult for everyone, but as my sister-in-law Melissa said, "that's what faith is. Not knowing how we are going to make it through all of this, but trusting the Lord to provide for us all, no matter how impossible to situation may seem."

So that is where I am today. Life seemed pretty impossible yesterday, but today I'm hopeful. God never gives us more than we can handle, and I am fully trusting my life to Him.

a face punch of humility

NOTE:  This is long.  It may not make sense.  And I'm ok with that, because really, I don't make sense.  Now on to the post....

***********************************

When Rhett and I first got married, I was so excited to start our life together.  I felt like we had it together.  Marriage, college degrees, our own home, 2 jobs, a dog, great friends, awesome families, and a sense of comfort.  Then...

BAM

I got punched in the face with my friend Humility.

Rhett lost his job and spent the next 4 months trying to get one, and he was finally successful BUT it was in...

Tucson

So not only would Rhett have a new job, but we would be completely uprooting everything we knew to move to a bigger city further away from our families.

So remember that list at the beginning of the list?  See what was lost...

marriage

college degrees

2 1 jobs

home

dog

friends (we have great friends, but none fo them will be in Tucson)

family (we still have family but they will be far far away)

comfort

Ok now back to the story.

So now Rhett found a job in the far away desert of Tucson, we found an apartment to stay in until the new house will be ready, and the company that Rhett works for gave us a nice moving package that helped us get through this whole move thing.  So let's tally everything up again...

marriage

college degrees

2 jobs again

2 homes + apartment

dog

friends 

family 

comfort

Then...

BAM

I get another punch in the face from Humility

I can't find a job in Tucson; no one is hiring pediatric nurses.  Our house isn't selling.  Our home was broken into.  Life is just kinda crappy.  

I won't bore you with that list again, but just mark out job, add a marked out security, and add a large side of STRESS.

(At this time I've kind of lost the original point to this, so I apologize, but I'm about to make a huge shift in subject, well kind of).

Why do I tell you all this?  Because I know that this is a really stupid story, but I feel like I had too much Pride and Self-Assurance.  I (now) feel that everything that has happened, good and bad, stems from this.  I feel that if Rhett and I were spending more time in the Lord, we may have been bettered prepared for everything that happened.  I feel like it is God's plan for us to be in Tucson.  That we have served our purpose in Albuquerque, and He has incredible opportunities awaiting us in Arizona.  I feel like we (by we I mean more myself than Rhett, but since we are married I'm trying to include him) tried to control the situation and make life how we wanted it, not how God planned it.  So then things changed, and taught us things about each other, as well as ourselves.

Did anyone else notice how I didn't include God in any of the lists?  I realized it too after I finished writing the last one.  God should be at the beginning of all our lists.  Even before your spouse and family.  And He hasn't been for us, for me.  I don't view of any of the things that have happened to us as punishment from God.  I believe that God = Love, I believe in free will, but I also believe that we will ultimately be held accountable for all our decisions, good and bad.  I see all these events as Him reminding us that He is the Ultimate Planner, Boss, Decision Maker, and Assurance.  A much as I try to have control, it's futile.  

*************************

Ok so that's all I've got.  I have no idea if this makes sense, and it doesn't really matter.   While writing this, I feel like a lot of my issues seem a little more bearable.  I no longer feel like I want a pity party thrown in my honor.  

Thank you God for my wake up call (or as I lovingly like to refer to it, my punch in the face).

Cardboard Testimonies

This is a long one....but a good one. I don't know how you couldn't be moved by this video.

Cardboard Testimonies from College Park Church on Vimeo.

Conversations with My husband! (the weekend version)

So, as most of you have read, that sweet husband of my "surprised" me in the early morning hours on Friday! It was such a great surprise and I am so thankful for the short time we had together!

Even though the weekend was jam packed with so many things, I did manage to come away with a few random and (in my opinion) hilarious moments.

Here you go.

#1-While we were price shopping for TVs and running some random errands, we stopped by my favorite drink shop, SONIC!

We received our overly priced drinks from a 20-something roller skate wearing guy, who had an entire conversation with Rhett. When I asked Rhett what the guy was talking about, Rhett responded with "I have NO idea." My husband is really good about acting like he's listening to conversations ,when in fact, he is in the middle of daydreaming (I have 1st hand experience with this). While we were talking about the fact that we didn't know what carhop dude #1 was saying, carhop #2 (a middle aged, gray haired man) skated on by....while wearing BIFOCALS. hmmm that's some serious talent....

#2-This morning as we were about to leave the house to go to church, I look at Rhett's pants, and they are looking wadded-up-on-the-floor wrinkled. I complain about it for about 5 minutes, He states that he doesn't care, I decide it's not worth the argument, so we leave to go to church. Yes I do know that Jesus doesn't care if we are wrinkled, but some days I think Rhett just wants to annoy me! ANYWAYS, we were walking into Chili's to get some lunch and Rhett says, "My pants are finally getting dry." And I'm like,"What? You wore wet pants to church? What the heck?" Yes readers, my husband wore the pants he wet to church pants that had not completely dried from last night to church. What do you think Jesus would say about that. I do have to say that once they were dried, they were far less wrinkly....


#3-And lastly, here's a video of our bear adventure from last night. Here's some background. My first Christmas present was giant bear, purchased from Albertson's, the only grocery store open late enough on Christmas Eve in Pampa. Rhett was always the plan-ahead-kind-of-guy. This bear is ginormous, seriously it's the size of a 12 year old. So the day we moved everything into my house, where else do you put a massively huge bear? On the overhang entrance of the formal dining room. And that's where it has stayed for almost 2 years, until yesterday when we thought Baby Kate would enjoy playing with the bear. She had a good time, and Rhett also did when trying to get it back up there! He got it up there with the 1st toss 2 years ago...such was not the case this time.



I apologize for my scary laugh, but it had to be posted....I think it's hilarious....

Sunday songs...

I grew up in a relatively traditional Methodist church. I have come to love the songs that have been bound inside the the United Methodist Hymnal. Just hearing certain ones can bring me incredible joy, move me to tears, and speak to my soul. It never fails that whatever burdens I may bring to church with me, I find that at least one of the songs reminds me that God is right there next to me.

In church this morning there were 2 songs that really spoke to me.  I decided that it may do the same for you....whatever baggage you might be bringing with you.

The Spirit Song

O let the Son of God enfold You
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have those things that hold You
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life
And make you whole

(chorus)
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender
To His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life
In Jesus' name


And...

He Leadeth Me

He leadeth me! O blessed thought,
O words with heav'nly comfort fraught;
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis Christ's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur or repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since it is Thou that leadest me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When, by Thy grace, the vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since Thou in triumph leadest me.

I hope you all have a beautiful Sunday.  It's an absolutely gorgeous day here.  I plan to enjoy it to its fullest!

He is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Thank you God for sending your only Son, to live among us, teach us, and then ultimately die for us.

Thank you Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice so that I may live and come to know you.  Thank you for paying for my sins all those years ago.

Thank you for the empty tomb and the promise of life in You!

Luke 24:1-8
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8 Then they remembered his words.

A New Mexico Wonder

New Mexico is SO beautiful.  Most people may only think of desert (I did when I first moved here), but there is so much more. If you are in Albuquerque there are the Sandia Mountains.  You have White Sands at the Southern end of the state.  You have great skiing in the more northern regions.  It truly is a beautiful place. 

This past week my cousin Jake and his girlfriend Jess visited us for their Spring Break.  We got to eat some delicious food and see some incredible stuff.  One of the things I have wanted to do for a while was visit Tent Rocks.  For those who do not know what that is....here are some picture....

When I see natural wonders like these, I think to myself, "How can people not believe in God. How else are all the wonders in this world created?" It was such a beautiful place and a great "little" hike. We left realizing how ridiculously out of shape we are!

"What did Max do" Wednesday....and Lent

I guess I should really make this...."What did Max NOT do" Wednesday.

Here's the story....

So I was quickly trying to get some last minute things packed up so we could get on our way for our weekend trip to Pampa.  I had the clothes packed, camera and phone charged, ipod synced and ready, when I was looking for the carrying case for my camera. You see, when I first bought the camera (like the actual day I purchased it), Mr. Max thought it was a new toy and took it outside and buried it.  I looked and looked, but was unable to find it.  Yet again, my husband saved the day and found it buried DEEP in his normal hiding place (think the bra incident).  

Ok so I digress (my blog wouldn't be complete without constant digression), anyways, so I just assume that Max buried that dang camera case again.  I had looked everywhere that I had left it...and it was not there.  So I go outside and dig, and dig, and dig some more.  No case....now I was starting to get frustrated and a little i mean extremely peeved at the dog.  I go harass Rhett and he looks underneath some papers and voila....a camera case.  So dang it....I'm just an idiot trying to blame my dog for everything!

But this post would not be complete without Max trying to do something sneaky....so here ya go...

Here he was at Christmas trying to steal a stocking full of doggie treats...but alas he was caught only because my folks don't have a doggie door

And for a completely different topic, let's talk about Lent....

I am Methodist born and raised, and I never felt a huge press to participate in the whole "self-denial" of Lent.  I honestly can say I never knew that people did that until college.  A few of my Catholic friends would talk about not eating meat, but that was about it.  My freshman year in college, I learned more about the giving up of things, and partook in my 1st Lenten fast.  I gave up sodas and chocolate.  I was actually quite amazed that I went 40 days without soda (I did cheat on the chocolate part....).

Ok so anyways.  I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to give anything up this year, until Monday.  I am drinking way too many diet cokes.  I pretty much feel like I'm addicted.  I know they are not good for me, they have very little caffeine, and they are just not satisfying anymore (even though I continue to drink them).  So I say, "No more," at least for 40 days....however I hope to completely break my habit.  

So goodbye for now diet coke...i hope to not see you again!