CLEVELAND ROCKS

Yesterday I took Alex and a friend to watch the Brown's Training Camp. It was hot...it was crowded and I know nothing about football. To me a "tight end" is something I once had. The boys had a blast. We were able to put a blanket right down on the side of the field. To let you know how close we were...the pictures we took were with a regular lense.

CONFERENCE

I mentioned earlier some exciting news about an upcoming conference. I believe STMM founder Leigh says it much better. With her permission...I am including an excerpt from her blog.

Leigh writes:

Speaking Thru Me Ministries has just been granted 501(c) tax exempt status. That means that we are able to take donations and give the donor a tax benefit. Yeah!! But having said that we have little to nothing in the pot to speak of. If you remember correctly our speakers take no kind of speaking fee. I would say we have even less than 5 loaves and 2 fish. Nevertheless God has given me this story today to encourage me that He will provide in abundance.

September 2009 I have rented the Marion Civic Center for a conference for men and women. I have already booked Curtis Jones, Beth Moore's son in law, to speak. I am working on the worship leader and a few more speakers. Priscilla Shirer has already gracefully declined. So i continue to reach my hand in the basket to pull out more and more loaves and fishes. Every time I begin to panic - will anyone show up - how will i ever pay for all this - what if my speakers cancel at the last minute - how is this different than anything else - I reach my hand once again in the basket and
He provides...scripture, cards from friends, emails from family, holy nudges!!




Head over to Leigh's blog to get more details and the story of how God led her to this decision.

Pray for us!!!

BLOG UPDATE

I am trying to update the look of my blog. This is a work in progress so it will be changing a lot.

I wanted to share a quote that I saw at the beach.

"MEN ARE FROM MARS...WOMEN ARE FROM VISA"

OFF TO MEDICAL SCHOOL

Ashley has officially started her journey to becoming a doctor. Her Camry headed down I-271 yesterday afternoon. Ashley, we are so proud of you and so excited to see you going after not only your dream but the plan that God has for you. I know it won't be easy...but you won't be alone. Many people are praying for you and you will not fail.

I was so touched by two Godly women who pulled Ashley aside and prayed with her at church yesterday. Sandy...thank you for telling Ashley that she can call you at any hour of the day for prayer...you're the best.

Ashley my prayer is that your class is the class the cures cancer, that helps children live the life that children should live. My prayer is that your class wipes out the diseases that are taking the lives of people too soon.

On a selfish note...I hope your class finds that miracle pill that keeps us all looking young and thin forever. I will be your guinea pig.

We love ya!

VACATION SLIDE SHOW

GOOD TO BE HOME

We safely arrived home today and it was so exciting to see Grady. I hate to admit that I have become one of those crazy "dog" people. I missed him and was so excited to see him. He looked bigger, fluffier and better behaved.

Vacation was awesome. We did many things that we haven't done in the past. One of the favorites was renting a speed boat and going tubing. The kids had a ball. I even tried it. We splurged and rented a boat for 2 hours. We had 40 minutes let on the rental and the tube broke. We were disappointed since the kids were having so much fun. When we returned to the rental shack we asked if they could compensate us some way because of the tube. They went above and beyond...they actually allowed us to come back the next day for 2 more hours...FREE!!!!That is what I call great customer service.

We ended our trip with a family scavenger hunt. We had 45 minutes to take 12 different pictures. The other team won..that's okay...it was worth it to see my mom go up to strangers and ask if we could take their picture.

Gotta go...suitcases won't unpack themselves.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

I would like to interrupt blogging about our vacation to bring an exciting announcement.

Leigh Gray the founder of Speaking Thru Me emailed us all today to say that we have been officially approved as a non-profit and have tax exempt status. Yeh!!!! This is a huge deal for us now as we begin to plan for announcement number 2:

STMM will be posting a conference (Fall of 2009). Plans are being finalized to have Curtis Jones (Beth Moore's son-in-law) as our conference speaker. Leigh and Ginger are working diligently to secure a top worship leader.

Details will be shared as they are finalized.

Check out the website and please pray for us.

BEACH TRIP CONTINUED

Yesterday we went to barefoot landing and had a fun lunch at Johnny Rockets. JR takes you back to the 50's. at any moment the "fonz" could be walking in with his leather jacket and "hey....

Last night was our night to cook so wally and I made what we call "beach chicken". I will share the recipe later. It is delicious and only has 4 ingredients. Debby made a special salad that Todd suggested and her signature peanut butter pie.

Last night was karaoke night at the beach. It was fun. There are some really good singers here and a few that well let's say...bless their hearts.

We also had dun driving around on the golf cart and visiting the many people who sell homemade crafts at their site. I am definately going to investigate the new jewelry craze here...I'll share later.

Sadly the trip is winding down...more to cram in 3 days.

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

I love "Works for Me Wednesday!" There are some great tips posted every wednesday. This is a first...I am going to post a tip.


How do you manage the many cords that come with Ipods, cell phones, Gamecube, WII, Xbox etc.? With a large family and everyone having at least 2 of these...I have found a system.

I hand a shoe organizer on the back of a door. Shoe organizers come with many departments and can easily make the cords accessible. That's my tip.

BEACH UPDATE!!!

We are doing great at the beach!!!!

Internet is unpredictable and I can't upload any pictures. The concert was great!!!
Wait until you see the picture of Tim McGraw. I am not sure how he moved in such tight jeans. The performers were great!!

Monday we hit the outlet mall. I mean true outlet stores. I bought 2 pairs of pants, shirt, dress, shorts for $40.

We spent the afternoon with my cousin and her family. There are 19 members of our family here at the beach. We are going to try and take a family picture on thursday.

Yesterday the entire family hit the beach jumping waves and swimming with the fish. Because of recent storms the waves were wild and fun.

Last night we dined among rock stars at Hard Rock Cafe. We walked around Broadway at the Beach. A highlight was watching the performers prepare fudge at the fudgery.

We are having a ball just spending time together.

WE SAW GARTH BROOKS TODAY...IN CHURCH

Every year on vacation we attend Low Country Community Church. We love the laid back atmosphere, the sweet tea you drink during worship and the greeters. We walked in today and we were met by two men with long beards...numerous piercings, tattoos all the way up their arms and the nicest men you ever met. They worshipped God with all their heart and soul. Worship was GREAT!!! Get this...the worship leader's side job is as a Garth Brooks impersonator. He did not lead us "friends in low places" as Garth but as himself...but we are going to a benfit tonight where he will be in full Garth regala. Rumor has it that we will also meet Elton John, Tim Mcgraw, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course...Elvis. We are so excited.

We are having a blast here at the beach. Temperature was 98 degrees today. I will try to post a picture tomorrow of us with our famous friends.

Gotta go for now...and as Garth would say.."Thank God for unanswered prayers."

TELL ME WHY GOD!

God...why do we have to have hot flashes when it is already 95 degrees outside?

CAMP ROCK...ROCKS

Austin comes home everyday excited about camp. Today they met Jim Peterick who wrote "Eye of the Tiger." The kids were impressed that he knew Sylvester Stallone. Austin asked if I had ever heard of any of the bands that he played for since it would have been during my teenage years. I told Austin unless he played back-up for David Cassidy or Donny Osmond I probably wouldn't know him. We are gearing up for the big show on Friday. We spent all day making shirts for all of the band members families. My says "mom of the guitarist" on the back. We helped Austin practice his autograph just for fun.

I was getting ready for church tonight and I was thinking about Austin's excitement. How could we duplicate that for church? I keep a binder of ideas that I would use if I am ever blessed to be a children's director again. Several years ago I had written down "Camp Rock" for a church. I think you could do this in a very appropriate way and have a fun week for kids who love music. You have to be creative. Look at how the world is grabbing our kid's attention. We have to be creative in how we do ministry. I have a whole notebook full of fun and creative ideas...just waiting for the opportunity.

SUMMER REWIND

We have had a great summer so far:

- 4th of July in Chicago visited family that we haven't seen in awhile. We were able to attend a graduation party for my nephew and re-connect with family
- Short trip to charleston and a chance to visit with mom and sister last weekend. I have to say that we hit some GREAT!!! garage sales and found some real bargains.
- Austin is having a great time at "CAMP ROCK". Rumor has it that Nickelodeon will be filming the concert on Friday. We had to sign a release. On another band note...the name of his band had to change for the week. They added a bass player so "LITTLE ROCK THREE" doesn't work. His mentor temporarily gave them the name "SHOW ME THE MONEY".
- ALex is at "CAMP CHARLESTON" and is being spoiled beyond repair
- Allison continues to mentor little girls each week as she teaches them cheers and stunts at a cheerleading camp
- Ashley is busy packing up her room for her big move to Erie on friday

BEST OF ALL...we are off to the beach soon. YEH!!! We have planned our menu and even planned a mid-week scavenger hunt.


I look at the above list of fun activities and I feel guilty and sad. WHY?

Last night the girls and I attended the vigil for the police officer that was killed in Twinsburg recently.

500 people came out with candles to mourn the loss of this man. He was a new father and seemed to have his whole life ahead of him.

I am reminded of what someone shared with me once. The only breath you are guaranteed is the one you just took.

Life is fleeting...eternity is forever...we need to live like it...note to self.

WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY

I just returned from a wedding that was incredible. It wasn't because of the food (it was delicious) it wasn't because of the beautiful bride (even though she could have been on the cover of a bridal magazine) it was because of the love story that led up to this day.

I have known the couple since they were in 7th grade. They were only friends. I watched both of them grow in the Lord and begin to serve Him wholeheartedly. I watched them serve at outreach events and missions trips. I watched them comfort their friends in times of need and I have watched them respect their parents and love their families.

Today was special. Today I watched them come together as husband and wife. Through the years I have watched them let "God write their love story". He can write it like no other.

MY NEW BOOK

So...if I ever write a book about my journey as a mom...I already have a title:

Here it is...

"I'D ESCAPE MY WORRIES BUT GAS PRICES ARE TOO HIGH"

I like the following title that I saw the other day in Today's christian woman

"Due to the high cost of energy the light at the end of the tunnel has been dimmed"

What do Ya think?

So tonight at Bible study I was talking to some of the women about the social network programs online. We were talking about how confusing we found FACEBOOK and whether or not we were too old. We decided to create a new social network for those of us over 40...We think we should call it

FACEliftBOOK

KINDERGARTEN MEMORIES

Do you have a certain meal that reminds you of a special time in your life. I do. My grandmother's bake steak and gravy, my mom's chili, my grandmother's graham cracker pie.

We returned from Chicago last night and I was too tired to cook so everyone was on their own for dinner. I went to fix myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when something in the pantry caught my eye...fritos. It took me back to kindergarten. Everyday my best friend Kim Runyon would bring a PB&J and fritos. She would open her sandwich and pour the fritos on the sandwich. We thought it was so cool that kim's sandwich made a crunching noise when she bit into it. We all began putting "crunchies" on our sandwiches. The best was fritos. So last night...I regressed back to kindergarten and put the "crunchies" on my sandwich. It was just as good as it was 37 years ago.

Giveaway

Hey,

Check out my friend Leigh's Blog. She is having a really fun giveaway.

www.leighhargisgray.blogspot.com