Wednesday, June 24, 2009
What a BLAST...
I am serving in the Imaginarium (aka The Craft Lab) which is quite an adventure. Monday we made glow-in-the-dark slime and yesterday we made aquariums with "grow fish." Today's adventure will be marshmallow launchers...how cool is that?
So, aside from all the fun crafts we're making, I also get to go to the Chapel each morning and watch the skits and music put on by the staff. Seriously, I NEVER would have imagined this would be my life. Life as a mom, helping at a church program...with kids! Truly, the Lord is blessing me so much these days. He has used this little girl Charlee to bring me to an entirely new place in my life...a place where I just love kids and I have even come to love hand motions with songs. Oh, and one of the best parts of the program is that two of the songs they're using are from WorshipForKids...some personal friends of mine from back home!
Christ has done an amazing work in my heart, and I don't say this to be prideful or to brag in any way, but really this change did not come from within me. I still don't believe I'm actually enjoying hanging out with kids as much as I am.
So, Lord, thank you for bringing along little C who You have used to open my eyes to an entirely new world. A world in which I am so free! Free to enjoy your children in such fun, creative ways. And to see these little ones learning about You is the greatest blessing of all. Thank you for bringing Adam and me into parenthood and using C to encourage us to step out of our comfort zones and be so incredibly blessed! You rock!!!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
What a sad world...
Rare prenatal testing case raises ethical questions
Thank you, Lord, that even while we were yet sinners Christ died to save us from ourselves.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Here, ducky ducky...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Maddening...
Yeah
Mama (while "dancing" with absolutely no rhythm): "Do you think your Mama is strange?"
Charlee: "Yeah."
Daddy: "Can I spend the money in your savings account to buy a Wii?"
Charlee: "Yeah."
Mama: "Did you go potty in your pants?"
Charlee: "Yeah!" (This response will a little extra excitement in her voice.)
Mama: "Are you beautiful?"
Charlee (while checking herself out in the mirror): "Yeah!"
Mama: "Do you want Mama to go away?"
Charlee: Yeah
Essentially, anytime she hears a question and thinks it might be directed to her, she responds in this way. I think it's so funny because unfortunately, it's not necessarily a mark of obedience. So far, the word "no" has not entered her vocabulary...it's only a matter of time! For now, though, I will enjoy the "yeah" stage! =)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dad & Me
Today is Chuck's 60th birthday and while he is no longer here with us on this earth, all that knew him are still celebrating this day! Today I am praising the Lord that 60 years ago He brought a little baby boy into this world who would, in turn, help to bring another baby boy into this world 30 years later...my dear husband. Gosh, it's still hard to believe that Chuck is truly not here with us...I'm not sure when that reality will set in. We all miss him so dearly, but I for one am so blessed by the life he led and the legacy he left behind.
I knew that this would be a particularly difficult day for Adam and wanted to make sure I did something for him so that he would know his dad will never be forgotten. While in Ogallala, I found this picture frame at Buenz and just knew this would be a perfect "birthday present" to Adam on this day. This picture was taken on October 22, 2005...the day I married my best friend. What a wonderful day...the day I joined the Saunders family! Praise the Lord for His good and perfect will! =)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Another trip to the Gilbert Water Tower...
A Special Anniversary
So, on June 7th, 2003 my parents and I left from Encinitas with two cars and a U-Haul packed full of my stuff and arrived in Mesa, Arizona some time later. Actually, it only took me about 5 hours to get here...apparently I was excited to get here because 5 hours means I was driving too fast! Lemon and Pear Tree Apartments on Alma School Road just south of the 60...that was my new home. I didn't know a soul here and didn't have a job lined up. All I knew was that I was done with life as I knew it in Encinitas. In fact, I was beyond DONE with that life!
That life really wasn't much of a life...all by my own choosing. I really didn't feel there was anything to live for. Self-centered and destructive are the two words I would use to describe my life, to describe me, at that time. Finally, I reached a point where I just had to get out...I had to start over. By the grace of God, He called me to a new life...in Arizona.
This new life meant freedom for me. I no longer had to be a slave to the bulimia and the depression that had consumed me in so many ways for far too long. Looking back, it's hard for me to believe that was me because I always knew it wasn't. My feeling for so long was of being held underwater and just not being able to surface...no freedom to get to the surface, being suffocated from the life I knew I was meant to live. So much has changed since those lonely days. I have discovered that life doesn't revolve around how much fat is consumed and calories burned. Sure, I still have my issues because I am female and I am human, but there is simply no comparison to the bondage I was once in. The Lord brought me here so that I could experience true freedom, true grace and true mercy. In addition, He allowed me to meet the love of my life, find an incredible church home and give birth to my little Charlee. He truly has restored the years that the locusts had eaten. This is the reason I celebrate today! Happy Anniversary to me! =)