100% Contained

For all who are curious and haven't heard, the Waldo Canyon Fire is 100% contained! It was been 100% about a week before their predicted time, which was July 17! We are worried, however, about flooding in the burn scar area. There is nothing to hold the rain, and the ground will not absorb it, so pray for protection from potential flooding.

The stories we hear about the fire fighters are touching. I know God's had was with them. The stories that home owners have to tell are touching, and telling of God's love and protection.
Without the rain, there would be no rainbow!

Sunday stories

Granny and Gramps and Nacho Taco came to visit last weekend. While they were here, we had Jocelyn dedicated and presented before the Lord.

Nick was enamored with Jocelyn and just could not get enough of her. He is such a good kid and so good with babies and little kiddos.

We had a good time visiting with them and were sad to see them go. Love you mom and pop!

We took them to the Airplane Restaunt to celebrate Pop's birthday. Nick had a great time. He got to sit and play in the cock pit of the play. He even made a little co-pilot pal.
I would post more pics, but blogger won't let me. So maybe later.

Another Sunday story.

When I was pregnant with Jocelyn, during worship at church, she was always a mover and shaker. I took great joy in her movments during church, I knew that she already had a relationship with the Lord.

Yesterday, we sang the Hymn, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus". Michael and I smiled and stood in awe of our little sleeping princess during the beautiful hymn. Her head was bobbing up and down in rhythm to the hymn. Her movements were in time with the song and when we were finished singing it, her head relaxed and was no longer bobbing.

What a precious gift God has given us.

I just want her home for Christmas

That was my secret, or not so secret prayer. I just wanted to have Baby J home for Christmas. It wasn't that I was done with being pregnant, although the thought of being able to move and sleep freely was enticing. It was this: I wanted to hold her and hug and kiss and love on her. And I didn't want to wait any longer than necessary. And what better day to have a little baby at home in your arms, than on Christmas? I prayed and told God that I just wanted her home for Christmas, but asked that He would send her to us when the time was right. Well, to my astonishment, Christmas was the right time. For once, my desires and God's timing were on the same path.

Starting about the 9th of December, I had been feeling "weird". Now, describing anything during pregnancy as "weird" doesn't necessairly mean much since everything that happens to your body during pregnancy is down right weird and akward. I was feeling a different kind of weird. A weird I hadn't experienced prior during pregnancy. Come to find out, my blood pressure decided to sky rocket for two weeks. I was tested for preeclampsia, but thankfully that came back as negative. On December 16, I met with my doctor. She diagnosed me with gestational hypertension. Never in my life have I had problems with my blood pressure. High blood pressure problems were a new experience for me--no wonder I was feeling so "weird". Any way, she decided to monitor me a bit more closely for the remainig three weeks of my pregnancy.

Little did we know...

When it all began: Friday, December 23, 2011.
7:30ish PM (shortly after a good meal, good lauhgs, and txting memories of college days with Allison).

Where it all began: Chili's on N. Powers

Another new weirdness set in as I was finishing my delicious dinner of fajitas. I stopped eating, stopped talking, stopped laughing...I just stopped everything but breathing. My back was experiencing an intense loss in comfort. My belly was experiencing an intensified contraction, one that prohibitied me form doing anything but sitting and breathing.

We left Chili's, Mikey and Catherine had not a clue as to what was happening to me. We barely made it home before the contractions set in. We pulled into the drive, I kicked the kids out of the car and started to cry. Michael got me in the house. From about 8:00-Midnight contractions were intense but sporatic. Some were 10 minutes apart, others were 30 minutes apart. Starting at midnight until about 3:00 AM, the contractions were five minutes apart and I was ready for the whole labor thing to be over.

Off to the hospital we went. They admitted me and pumped me full of something that totally and completley relaxed and knocked me out---within minutes. To make a long day of labor story short...Around 8:00AM they broke my water. I dialted quickly. Things were looking good. They gave me an epidural. It worked so well, I didn't even know I had a left leg. About 1:00 PM, I was dialted to 9.5 cm. Ready to get the shimmey-shake show on the road and have this baby....But no. I remained at 9.5 cm all afternoon and into the evening. The docotor finally suggested that I have a cesarian since things were not progressing and my risk of infection was increased to to my water being broken for so long.

They whisked me away to the operating room. I really had no idea what to expect. The child birth class didn't address c-sections at all. All I can say about that is: OUCH!!! Strange sensations of having my abdomen pulled apart and almost like they were kneading my insides like a pile of pizza dough. Michael was wonderful through all of this. He held my hand, talked to me, made sure I wasn't in a too much pain (apparently I was making some wretched noises and faces as they cut me open and pulled my insides out.

Around 6:40 PM, December 24, 2011...

FINALLY, I heard her cries and gasps.

Michael went to the baby warmer with the nurses while the doctors continued to knead my insides back inside my body and staple me up....Did I mention the fact that I threw up about a bazillion times througout this 24 hour labor experience? As I was lying on the table being stiched back up, a doctor held a puke bowl and suction thingy at my mouth as I gagged and dry-heaved the entire time they were putting me back together. Good thing I was all drugged up, otherwise, the pain from the suregery and vomitting probably would have made me pass out.

I could barely see Baby J while they were working on us. So, to help ease the discomfort and anxiety of not getting to hold or see my baby, I started singing "Joy to the world, my baby is here!" The doctor's laughed. Then I engaged them in a conversation about their favorite Christmas movies...Desperate to get my mind off what was happening to my abdomen on the other side of the blue screen.

I was all stapled back together, and Baby J was all cleaned up and swaddled, Michael brought her over for me to see. Then they took her to the nursery for baby things they needed to do and took me to recovery.

Finally, I was in my room and they brought my baby to me. She did not have a name. We still hadn't decided, and I refused to name her until I had a chance to see her and held her.

About 8:00-9:00 Christmas morning, Baby J recieved her first gift...Her name. We decided on Jocelyn Rebekkah Ilene.

My first breaths of life

All swaddled and warm after my first bath.

Mommy and Daddy loves

Big Brother and Big sister and Daddy adorations

At home. All cozy in my favorite blankie. Sleeping on my side with my hands folded in front of me. Life is good.


Thanks for the love and prayers everyone.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year---a little late, but not forgotten.

We love you all.

Michael, Katie, Catherine, Mikey and Jocelyn

PRAYer changes things

Praise
Rejoice
Adore
Yearn

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice.
Adore Him all ye little children, God is love, God is love.
Yearn to be Home praising, rejoicing and adoring your Heavenly Father in your Heavenly home.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Blessings that come from tears to trials.
Rejoice in the Lord, in all circumstance, good or bad, rejoice in the Lord.
Adore Him, for he is almighty and abounding in love.
Yearn to be in His presence, forgetting what is past and looking to what is ahead.


I would like to take this moment to praise God for the miraclous healing He has performed in my friend's lives. Sadly, Samantha had to leave her earhtly home after only four moths of life, but the joy she is living in now, is filled with more awe and wonder than anything we could imagine for her on Earth. Second, God is healing Mark's brain and restoring him to a life of "normalcy" and functioning. FOr more awe-inspiring and God praising details of these miracles, please check out Allison's blog by clicking on her icon to the right.

I love you guys so much---Gruhn's, Hasse's, Moldenhauer's and Pittock's!

Without the rain, there would be no rainbow

It's just me.
Kids are at their mom and step-dad's house.
Hussybun is out with the guys doing guy things.
Just me and the tick-tock of the grandfather clock and the kicks, flips and turns of little miss
Baby J. Not bad for a Saturday evening. Finally, a little silence. A little time for me. A little time to relax and reflect. A little time to be still. To be still and know that He is God. Even in the still, quiet and loneliness, there is to be found brilliant sparks of light that fill my heart with rainbows embracing the small moments that are reserved just for God and His beloved.

We visited our dear friends, the Moffett's last night. Their house is always a friendly, loving open and inviting. It is filled with excitement and wonder of their three young grandbabies. I spoke to my dear friend, Allison, this morning (which reminds me that I need to call her back). Although we haven't seen each other in more than a year, we can pick up where we left off, just like we were back in college---only with husbands, children and responsibilities we'd never imagined. Our wonderful friend, Kevin, stopped by for a few hours this afternoon. He brought me lunch in exchange for teaching him a few words and phrases in ASL. Seems he is courting a lovely young lady who is deaf. They are going on a second date tomorrow, and he wanted to be able to communicate with her in her language. The miles that seperate friends, the circumstances that prevent connection bring on the clouds and rain, but the vibrant colors painting the sky outnumber the miles and raindrops that come between.

I talked to my mom this morning, seems my niece Karina is much like her sister and dad when it comes to the command and manipulation of writing and cutting tools. Seems she has an artists eye and hand---just like the Bean and her dad. Also seems as if the Sammy-wam-bam-bam is inventive in the toys that give him the most entertainment and pleasure. Brooms, dustpans, garbage cans, phones, remotes and boxes attached to jump ropes. Who could ask for anything more? I talked to Kim yesterday and told her the woes and "what the heck is gonna happen when/if" of pregnancy. I told her some of the embarrassing details of what is happening to me---details that no pregnant person ever divulged---probably because it was too embarrassing. She laughed and assured me that when she comes out in a few weeks for Thanksgiving, that she will share all kinds of pregnancy stories with me. You know, I just might be bold and post all these embarrassing, "what the heck is going on" pregnancy happenings. Someone might as well share---and readers won't have to buy a book to get the "this is what happened to me" pregnancy stories. There has been rain and rumbling of thunder and rolling of clouds, but the colored bows have drowned out the brewing storms.

I love teaching kindergarten. It is kicking my rooty-patooty, but I love it. It is just what the doctor ordered for my sanity, joy, faith and desire for change. I prayed and prayed that I would get to teach kindergarten in the morning and do interventions in the afternoon. I prayed that God would answer my prayer and provide the job that was best for me and the students. I got exactly what i wanted!!!! Shortly after the school year started, I was overwhelmed by the number of darling, excited, and exuberant 4-5-6 year olds I had in my tiny little classroom. I didn't want to give up my interventions, but I knew that 30+ kindergartners was not what was best for them...or for me. I prayed that God would orchestrate a change according to His will and what was best for the kiddos and me. I told my principal that we were ready to split the class. A day or so later he told me it was going to happen the following Monday! It has been a wonderful change for the students, parents and myself. I pray for the students and myself each day on my way to work. The days I forget to pray are the days my patience is tested the most. There has been rain, but rainbows have out numbered the drops of rain.

update on kari

kari is recovering from the the virus and the infectious disease doctor has lifted the ban on pregnant women. i am waiting at the hospital now. she is in surgery to remove the gall bladder. if she can keep food down tonight she may be released to go home sometime tomorrow.

i am headed home early thursday morning.

thans for the prayers.

Kari is on the mend!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
God is the revealer of secrets and He is the ultimate healer.

Apparently, Kari is a very unique case for someone with the CMV virus. This is a common virus and most people don't even know they have it, and if diagnosed, most are not treated for it. The virus just runs its course. Not so with Kari. Aside from the Gall Bladder, all of Kari's symptoms over the last month are all consequential of the CMV. The swollen spleen, high liver counts, fever--are all due to the virus. So, I guess this is the WHEW! Mom visited with her today, and mom says this is the perkiest, most talkitive and just looking good mom has seen Kari in a month. Kari even has her sense of humor back. She told mom that her outfit made her look like giant pink lolli pop or pink cotton candy! I guess that is better than being told you look like a bottle of Pepto Bismol.

Kari is off of all treatments, including antibiotics and the food bag. She still is not able to eat, but that is because of her Gall Bladder. She has not had a fever today, so if she is able to go 48 hours without a fever, they will take her Gall Bladder.

That is the update on my sis. Thanks for all of the inquiries, warm well wishes and prayers.
God listens. God answers. God reveals. God heals.

Update on my sis

Thanks for the prayers!

Kari is still in the hospital. Sunday was a week.
This is what we know:
1. She cannot fight the fevers without medication (Tylenol/IB Profuen)
2. She has high liver counts.
3. She has a swollen spleen.
4. She has lesions on her spleen.
5. Her Gall Bladder does not work (which is seperate issue from the firs four issues).
6. Because her Gall Bladder does not work, she cannot eat with out keeping anything down or causing her severe pain.
7. She is now being fed through an IV (she hadn't eaten anything in about a week).
8. Vials and vials of blood have been taken and tested. Several vials sent to the Mayo Clinic.
9. On Tuesday, results came back that she tested positive for CMV (a virus).
This virus is not serious, and most people have it or have had it and didn't know it. It is common in young children. They do not treat for it unless the person has a compromised immune system or cannot fight a fever for more than two weeks. It is not safe for pregnant women (in their first trimester especially). No pregnant women are allowed in her room, so now I cannot go visit her. The way I understand it, the virus is not suspected to have anything to do with the other issues.
10. THere is talk that she may have a lumbar puncture--test her bone marrow.
11. There is talk that they may perform explratory surgery to check the spleen.
12. There is talk that they may take the spleen, but the suregeon wants to do that as a last resort.
13. They will take the Gall Bladder, but not until she goes 48 hours without a fever.
14. She has been on a few different antibiotics.
15. Her white blood count is not elevated.

When I saw her on Tuesday, before having to leave (because I am pregnant), she was much better than when I had seen her on Saturday. She was sitting in the recliner, she talked and even smiled and giggled a bit. I think getting some nutrients in her made a big difference! That was wonderful. On Saturday, though, she looked absolutely horrible. She could barely keep her eyes open, could hardly move, and if she talked it was a pathetic sounding utterance in response to something.
I do have to say though, that Kim and I made sure she was entertained even if she didn't have the energy to laugh and engage in our antics! Get us three together and ya better watch out! We know how to have a good time and cause a little havoc.
Johnny, Kari's husband of a month, is a gem! He has been by her side day and night. I am so thankful that she has such a wonderful husband that loves her with a great depth.

It has been fun to be home again just hanging out with my family. The kids are getting so big. The heat index has been upwards of 100-115 since I've been back. YUCK!!!!
Thank you again for the prayers.

Prayer Requests

Dear friends, family and strangers.
I have two prayer requests.

First,
Samantha Pittock, went to be with Jesus yesterday. She graced our lives and brought many blessings of hope to the world in her four months of life. Please pray for her parents, Stephanie and Travis. Please pray for her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and all of her many caretakers. Pray that the God of all comfort will bring the overwhelming comfort and the peace that passes all understanding. Pray that they will continue to find their hope and rest in arms of Jesus and that healing will come for them as well.

Second,
My sister, Kari, is in the hospital right now undergoing a myriad of diagnostic tests. She has been sick off and on for a while. She has been running a 103+ fever and some tests came back with elevated liver levels. She went to the ER on Saturday, they sent her home with antibiotics for a bladder infection, said she had a gas pocket in her upper intestine which was probably the cause of her abdominal discomfort, and they instructed her to get an appointment with a liver specialist. Sunday she returned to the ER (at a different hospital) and they admitted her. She has an enlarged spleen so they have done an ultrasound on her abdomen and are doing some tests on her lymph-nodes.
Please pray for wisdom for the doctors treating Kari, that they are able to treat her with precision and that she will soon heal from the ailment(s). I am thankful that Kari has a wonderful husband who is loving her and taking care of her. I am also thankful that she has our family close by to be there to support and love both of them right now. Also, please pray for my mom. She is having a difficult time with this, anticipating all the possible outcomes. She needs some peace and assurance right now as well.

Thank you for your love and prayers.

For Samantha

This post of for Samantha.

Samantha is the two month old baby daughter of my dear friends, Stephanie and Travis.
I cannot give you Samantha's story, as Stephanie and Travis share everyday her story on Samantha's CaringBridge site. The stories shared are precious moments of Samantha's life--they are filled with love, peace, hope, joy, kindness, thankfulness, fear of the unknown and reassurance of the unfailing and steadfast love and protection of God.
I hope that you will check out this link and read about Samantha's life. I also plead with you for prayers. Prayers for Samantha. Prayers for Stephanie and Travis. Prayers for her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Prayers for the doctors, nurses and others in control of her medical care.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samanthapittock

Also see Stephanie's blog at: http://bloomingjoy.wordpress.com/



Samantha Renee,
a beautiful child, anticipated and adored.
A gift of love unkown.
A baby girl,
every moment cherished.
A breath, a sigh,
a smile, a twinkle of recognition in her eye.
Small baby sounds, tiny finger and tiny toes.
Crying and sleeping, the feel of her tiny body in your arms.
Moments and memories parents ponder in their hearts.
Each new day is a gift,
celebrating the precious moments of life.

I have called you by name, Michael Bentley Jones, Jr.

Father in Heaven,

To your hands, we bring this child to be washed in the water and covered in the Spirit. An heir of Your Kingdom, we ask You to write his name in the book of Heaven.

Your Child

Look upon Your child with favor in Your eyes.

Baptize Your child with water and Spirit.

Let Your child see You with a new heart.

Dream for Your child a dream of salvation.

Speak to Your child with words of forgiveness.

Cradle Your child in Your arms of comfort.

Shelter Your child from the sin and evil world.

Reassure Your child with peace and love.

Call Your child by name.

Michael Bentley Jones, Jr.

A gift of prayer:

For you always, I will pray.

Pray for your life, that the Lord will protect.

That He will guide, uplift and restore you.

That He will shower you with peace, love and grace.

That you will accept Him as your Savior.

your helper, healer and friend.

each moment of your precious life.

A gift of love:

That through my power you will know my love

and above all,

know the power of His abundant love.

Love that unveils your heart,

that you might see His face,

and that you might hear his voice.

Hear the voice that speaks peace to the raging sea,

who will quiet the cries of the child He loves.

A gift of forgiveness:

that you will leave the prison of your shame

and abide in the glory of His name.

You hold the pain of your guilt

but He sees the heart of His precious jewel.

A gift of peace:

That the road will rise up to meet you.

That the sun will shine warm upon your face

the wind will be at your back

and the rain will fall softly at your feet.

Both prayer and poems were written by me for the Baptism of my cousins, Alesha and Kobe. I wrote them and give them as gifts of love when children enter God's family through the profession of faith and act of Baptism.

Alesha, Kobe, Austin, Nick, Kelli, Karina, Sam, Eric and Mikey: I Love you all so very much and I pray for each of you. I pray that you will always seek God and find Him first in your life.

Baptism

I don't know if it was due to being sick, so I was extra emotional or if it was the power of God, moving me to tears during yesterdays church service. Honestly, I wasn't feeling good, but even more honestly, I believe God was doing a work in not only me, but also Mikey.

Mikey has been asking and inquiring quite some time about being Baptized. Growing up in a conservative Lutheran church, and attending a Lutheran university, to not be Baptized as an infant is a bit out of my realm of knowledge, therefore, I am so sooooooooooooo thankful that Mikey is seeking out the knowledge and expressing the desire to be Baptized.

Yesterday was the day. Things seemed a little different than usual, I anticipated an altar call or something of the like to occur at the end of the service. The Pastor said that it had been put on his heart all week to "preach about this". Well, God's timing is impeccable! This also was a week that we had the kids. There is a lot to be pondered from the Pastor's sermon, but nothing more important than the offer to get Baptized.

I saw Mikey staring towards the Baptismal Font (or pool). I also knew that he was too apprehensive to take that leap. I rubbed his back and gave him a reassuring smile. He gave me one of his adorable, "thanks, i love you, i just don't know" smiles. Michael told him to go! We walked over with him and the Pastor took Mikey and Michael in the back to get ready.

Mikey took that leap! He proclaimed Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior (fighting back tears of overwhelming love and joy as I type this)!!!! Yesterday, Michael Bentley Jones, Jr. became a new child, Baptized in Christ!!!

Hope for Haiti

My how the Lord can move hearts! I have been watching the Hope for Haiti special and cannot stop the tears. God's almighty and loving hand is at work admist the disasterous pain in Haiti. I am not much for celbreties, I really do not care to know the ins and outs goods and bads of their lives. I do not really care to hear or see people publicly boast about all the goods that they do, however, it is refreshing to see how the Lord uses local celebraties and Hollywood to do His will and take care of His children. Today, right now, He is moving hearts to aid His people in Haiti.

I feel so helpless in matters like this, but then I have been given gentle reminders that prayer and faith can move mountains. I do not have a lot of money to dontate to this cause, but I have a heart of love, of compassion and have been convicted to do my part. Right now, my part is to pray. Pray that we, as humans, will come together to get this job done. We took care our our fellow American's when Katrina hit New Orelans. Now is our turn to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Please pray with me. Pray for rescue. Pray for healing. Pray for comfort. Pray for peace. Pray for restoration. Pray for those donating monatary funds, for those donating time, equipment, food. Pray for those offering medical attention. Pray for the families adopting the many children who were orphaned prior to the earthquakes and now the many more who have been orphaned since the earth quakes. Pray for those who have lost loved ones and those waiting to locate their loved ones.

I am going to adpot 10 of those darling orphaned children!

I love you.

Hebrews11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The drive to Iowa

We left for Iowa on December 26th after Michael got off work. First things first...I will take a Colorado Springs winter over and Iowa winter any day!!!

In all the years I drove to Iowa solo, God showed mercy on me by giving me superb driving conditions through Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa! I think I hit a spitting of snow once, other than that, dry and clear from one state to the other.

This year, however, proved to be a little different. We experienced God's loving protection up close and personal....

We were just outside Adair, Iowa. Mom and dad called in a frightened panic and told me to listen to 1040 WHO...They had call0ins and were reporting adverse driving condtions that spanned pretty much the entire state of Iowa and down into Missouri and over into Illinois. They were reporting freezing rain, sleet, and ice qickly covering pretty much everything. Fortunately we had not seen anything of the sort. NOTHING but FRIGID COLD temps.
I pay very close attentions to mile markers and town/mile signs so that if anything ever happens, I know exactly where I am (a lesson I leared on a drive to Iowa about 6 years ago).

I made a mental note as we passed the "Des Moines 44 miles" sign. Within a couple wheel turns and clicks of the tires on the road...

"OH SH*T!!!! (I hit Michael to wake him up) What do I do? What do I do?"
No defensive driving skills and knowledge of getting out of a skid worked. I just saw the frigid world outside the truck spinning around us. We slid from one side of the road to the other. As we slid back to the other side of the road, we spun in circles a few times.

As I realized we were just going to have to ride it out, I gripped the steering wheel, closed my eyes and prayed, "OH DEAR GOD..." At that point, I heard some banging like rocks hitting the truck, some crunching and we came to a GRINDING HALT. I opened my eyes and where were in the median between the two interstate lanes.

Like I said, we experienced the almighty, loving protection of the Lord. No other cars were on the interstate...we didn't see an oncoming car in either lane for miles. We stayed on the interstate and did not descend the embankment when we slid to the right side of the road (there are a lot of places along the interstate that are in need of gaurd rails to protect cars from going off and into the rivers, trees, fields, streams and creeks found below). Michael and I got out of the truck and did not find any obvious damages, although we did find a lot of snow and chunks of ice torn up and strewn all over the road and median (the banging I heard).

We pulled back onto the interstate (heading West istead of East). The truck was working fine, we were fine and the kids uninjured but adrenline flowing! We turned around and headed East again and made it safely to Kari's place in Norwalk. There we relaxed and slept the day away....There was no going anywhere due to the ice strom that had set in.

No denying God's love and protection. He fulfilled His promise that He would send His angels over us to protect us.

Well done my good and faithful servant

There are so many things to consider in every election, but this one, in my opinion, has a different feel. I feel like there are deeper issues at stake, issues that have not been discussed, debated or even mentioned. I feel like there is something more lurking behind this election.

I think of the Harry Potter stories and movies. Harry knows there is something differnt and he is affected by it, but he does not know or understand exactly what it is. As he continues in his schooling and grows older, he learns more and the more he learns, the more frightening and life-threatening it becomes. Then you see it played out in the movies. Lord Voldemort lurking around, slowly creeping and crouching in on Harry, inflitrating his life with pain, confusion, anguish. He constantly battles the forces of good and evil. Evetually, the entire ugly truth shows itself, and only after years of pain, suffering and death is Harry, and everyone else, able heal and move on. Is something similar to this in our future? Are we going to experience a new kind of turmoil or repeat historical wars?

I believe there is more going on behind the scenes of this election. The media does a fabulous job of manipulating information for their gain, but at the same time, even if they did not manipulate things to spout their desires, I believe it would be difficult for the honest-to-goodness truth to be told anyway. I think some people are trying to tell the truth, but as soon as a glimmer of it is heard and seen, something else is put out there that tarnishes it again.

I am not set on either candidate. There are things about both of them them that I do not like or agree with (one more so than the other). I realize that I am not going to get the perfect President or get everything I want when the next President is elected. The job of the President is not an easy one, and the next term is probably going to be one of the toughes terms the America has seen in quite some time. Our world is a mess and there are a lot of corrupted people leading and protecting our country.

I want to know that I am safe whe I go to bed at night. I want to know that the freedoms I woke up with this morning will still be there a year from now. I want to know that our service men and women are not and have not fought in vain to give us the freedoms we value most.
There are a lot of things to consider in this election, but for me, what it boils down to is this: When my vote is cast will it be a vote in which the political party of our choice is pleased or one in which our Lord Jesus is pleased? I want to hear Him say to me: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

One Vote. My Vote. Why I vote.

My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Philippians 4:19
This election season has been a rough one. There are a lot of issues for candidates to cover. Of these issues, voters must decide where their priorities lie and then decide which candidate will best best address them.
For me, my faith in God is what helps me to decide what my priorities are. In my life, the Bible is the One Truth. In the world, the Bible is not exactly valued by the media or many of the poiticians leading our country. In a self-indulgent world, the One Truth I acknowledge is often scoffed and set aside so selfish ambitions and desires can be met. Putting the Truth on the shelf makes it easier to act upon and justify decisions that would otherwise weigh heavily on the conscience. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow that His faithfulness towards us does not depend upon our faithfulness in Him!As Americans we have a myriad of freedoms that we take for granted. These freedoms did not, do not and never will be free. Being a woman and able to vote is a freedom not every American woman has known. The ability to vote is a freedom many people do not value. Upon entering the polling booth on November 4, 2008, I will act upon this privelege with many hopes and prayers that my vote will represent the Truth.
I am not a political guru or spitfire. I have thoughts and opinions on things--which to most would be considered a bit on the conservative side of the political ring. If walking my faith into the polling booth and voting for a canidate that I feel represents the same Truth that I acknowledge, then conservative I will be and conservative I will vote.

I will vote for life. I will vote for education. I will vote for children. I will vote for public servants. I will vote for the military. I will vote for those who cannot vote. I will vote for truth. I will vote for freedom. I will vote for America. Above all things, my vote will be cast with many prayers for God's Way, Truth, Life and Will to be done.
If you so desire, here is a clip and some one page articles to check out.

(4 minute video clip)
http://68.178.170.193/index.php


Click on the link "Hank Speaks Out" (By the way, Hank Hanegraaff is one of my most favorite radio talk-show hosts. He is profoundly intelligent and can speak the Truth with knowlege and eloquence that I can only hope to possess).
http://www.equip.org/site/c.muI1LaMNJrE/b.2106253/

Here are a few "Hank Speaks Out" articles that I have found profound and important.

(Barak twists Scriptures)http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=5761325

(Fetus Fatigue)
http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=6242241

(Religiousity with Bill Maher)http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=6242255

(Barak's take on when life begins and partial-birth abortion)http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=5475591

(Having an Eternal Perspective)
http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=5661165

(Sarah Palin on abortion)http://www.equip.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=muI1LaMNJrE&b=2616123&ct=5912733

Congratulations to me

good morning all. i just wanted to let you all know that i am finished wiht my masters degree, the portfolio and have recieved email verification of degree completion and notification that my diploma will be sent to me in 10-12 weeks! with this also comes a decent salary increase with which i just might be able to pay all of my bills on time and start spending money on wedding things!!! GOD PROVIDES!!!
love you all and thanks for your support and prayers.

Congratulations, Kim

Kim,
I want you to that I am very proud of you. I am very excited for your job promotion.
You have worked multiple jobs while raising your children and attened college and earned your accounting degree. You have worked your tail off to better yourself and give your darling kiddos what the need and want. Things have not been easy for you, but now Kim, God is rewarding you. He provides everything we need for this life.
I am so happy for you and so very proud of you.
I love you so very much.

God provides

I skipped church this morning...But I am listening to a few radio sermons, sometimes I get more out of the radio sermons than I get out of a church service. I think that is because I fewer distractions fighting for my attention and thoughts. So today I am sitting in my bedroom plunking away on the computer---desperately trying to finish my portfolio. A commercial break means I can take a quick think break before the next sermon.

For those of you who are not aware, I finished my last Masters class!!! All I have left to do is finish my portfolio, which I have made good progress on, but need it done ASAP. I intend to finish it and send it to my professor no later than tomorrow. I need a few prayers...In order to get my salary increase I need a letter by September 1 written on univeristy letter head stating that I completed the program and transcripts are pending. My professor is doing everything he can to get this done for me. If HR does not receive this letter by Sept. 1, then I have to wait until March or until next Sept. for my salary increase. Timelines, deadlines and rules. GRRRRR!!!!

On the positive side, March wouldn't be such a bad month to recieve the salary increase. You see, we get paid on the 20th of the month, so I get paid on my birthday which also means I would be getting a nice salary increase on my birthday which is the day before I get married!!!! But that money would really be nice to help pay bills, save money and get things for the wedding.

God provides...The radio sermon is all about God meeting our needs....He knows my needs---and your needs---and He will provide all that we need for this life. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. II Peter 1:3.

Ok, I am off to continue working on my portfolio. I will return later with more stories, thoughts and pictures.
Love and miss you all so very much.