DAD'S POETRY

I love to write and I think I inherited this from my dad. I have been cleaning our basement and I came across this poem that he had written when his mother died. The same time she died...Ally was born.

IN MEMORY OF EUNICE RUTH BUMPUS

What are they seeing when in their sleep they smile,
the dying Christian and the newborn child?
The one just arrived, the other soon to leave.
With the one we're happy, the other we grieve.

But wait, they're both smiling, what can it mean.
The pleasant, peaceful looked they have as they dream.
Is it God they see and he's saying don't despair.
"I love you both and you're both in my care."

We've watched our babies smile this way.
And now mom, grandma smiled today.
So now we know why there is this smile,
on the face of the Christian and the newborn child.

And we're happy for both the Christian and the child.
For God loves them both and on both HE has smiled.

WEEKEND REWIND

- Went to old navy and bough flip-flops for $1
- Watched alex and austin play over 8 hours of baseball this weekend. Austin hit a grand slam and completed something called a "batting cycle"
- Had a whole afternoon to myself while everyone else went to an Indians game
- Went to a wonderful Bible study today on the history of the church
- Enjoyed another weekend visiting with Todd
- Had someone surprise me today with personalized cards made just for me
- Made Ashley and Allison laugh so hard that Allison fell to the floor


A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

THE DISNEY EXPERIENCE

I was watching the news the other day and there was a story about how the airline industry is sending their employees to a disney training program to help improve customer service. Disney is known for their attention to detail and goes the extra mile to make it a great experience for families. The statement was made that "one negative employee can ruin the disney experience for a family." That is why they are so intentional on training their employees. I thought about a similar experience at a church. A church may have all the bells and whistles but if they don't love on their people are they creating a bad experience. If they are judgmental are they creating a bad experience. I remember one time feeling judged by a church and it took me awhile before I wanted to go back. I didn't feel loved. I have visisted large churches where not one person greeted me or said hello. Could a bad experience cause someone not to want to come to the place where they will hear the good news of Jesus?

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS

SometimesI think we forget to look for the blessings in our lives. Especially those that we never expect.

When I joined Speaking Thru Me Ministry I really needed a current professional headshot. I wasn't sure how I was going to afford this and then I remembered a wonderful photographer that I met at a mother/daughter event this year. She was so kind and patient and I loved her work. I saw her at another event and asked if she would do my headshot. She not only agreed...she volunteered her time and services to me and this ministry. I was so blessed. I hate having my picture taken but she made it so much fun. I felt like a super model for a day. I would highly recommend Mary Rabai, photographer. If you are interested...email me and I can put you in touch with her. She is wonderful and will make you feel so special and beautiful. Thanks Mary.

We have been de-cluttering our house so I have been putting things on craigs list. Today I posted a "free swingset". I was overwelmed with emails and wasn't sure how to go about responding to all of them. A wonderful Christian family came and picked it up. I was so blessed my them that I started looking for other stuff that I could give to them. They went home with a van load.

HIGH HEELS FOR BABIES

I love shoes...and I love high heels...but I think this may be a little young.

Check out this adorable website...

www.heelarious.com

It will make you smile

SPEAKING THRU ME MINISTRY

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I am now part of a new speaking team called Speaking Thru Me. I am on a team with 8 other wonderful women scattered across the United States. We had our first conference call this week and all 9 of us were on the phone together for over an hour. It was like a virtual slumber party. They are incredible women with such faith and desire to serve God. We are led by 2 women who are dedicated to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. This ministry is exciting for several reasons but here is the biggest....there is not a fee to book a speaker from this ministry. Speaking Thru Me Ministry provides speakers FOR FREE. Many churches can't afford the large fees so they don't have events that could help grow God's Kingdom. If you are part of a church or you are a ministry leader, please check out www.speakingthrume.com

WORD ON THE GO

I am in my car alot. Driving kids to activities, school and etc. I have tried to use this time to listen to Christian radio and mainly times of teaching. We have satellite radio so there is always a wonderful speaker. Today I was listening to Alistair Begg. He was talking about teens and the pressures they go through in particular those who are "cutting" themselves. He said something that was so profound. He said what would it be like if they let His scars replace the ones they made. What if they were able to understand the cuts and scars that Jesus took for them on the cross and replaced His cuts with their's. I am start to understand more and more why teens do this after spending some time with recovering "cutters."