I spent Saturday with a woman named Carol. Then I went back downtown to take her pictures on Sunday. Well this woman without a home probably thought that was the last she would see of me. Until I showed up on Monday just to check on her. I took my kids down to the mission to see if she had been able to get into the program. When I found her (still on the emergency side) she asked what I was doing down there. When I told her I was there checking in on her she was a bit stunned. Carol is not a girl that cries when people are looking, and I saw the tears in her eyes when she said, "You came for me?"
I guess it was pretty powerful that I cared enough about her to go check on her.
This is a woman I want to get to know. I don't want to fix her. I want to be her friend and do what any friend would do.
God, where is this one going?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The block party
Yesterday was the second annual Oklahoma City Block Party. I wasn't able to make it last year, but this year it was a priority to me. I have been volunteering down at the City Rescue Mission for just over a year now, and those are my peeps!
When signing up for the mission, I asked that I be put on a team that would be allowed to wander, because I didn't think that I would do my job well unless my job was to love on the people. They put me on the prayer team which gave me permission to go where I was led when I was led there and didn't have to ask for permission to do anything.
So the morning started with me wandering through the City Rescue Mission with my friend Kelle (who is a graduate of the program at the City Rescue Mission) to find out why and for how long a man had been barred from the mission. At least this was my intention. The guys at the desk had never heard of this man before. So when we came out the doors and around the corner of California and Shartel I met the real reason why I had come down to the block party.
Her name was Carol, and she had two babies (ages 1 and 2) and another on the way. She is due in two weeks! She was there with her brother Anthony and a friend they had met while on the streets, Christina. Anthony and Carol had been on the streets since last Wednesday.
Her story is long and complicated, as stories usually are. There came a point when I asked to pray with them and then when most people would have moved on to the next homeless person...I stayed with them. I felt drawn to Carol. I spent the whole day with this group just talking and mostly listening. She needed to get off the streets ASAP. She was in danger of having her kids taken away. She felt completely hopeless. She didn't know what to do and even if there was anything she could do to keep her kids.
Her brother had already been looking into getting into the program but wasn't going to do anything until he knew his sister was safe. So I had him by my side pouring into her the benefits of the program at the City Rescue Mission.
By the end of the day she started to really consider the program as an option. And I started to see her as a friend. I told her I would come back Sunday to take pictures of her with her kids minus tomato sauce stains.
Sunday I showed up and she was a little surprised. My goal in taking the pictures was to show her that I was a girl of my word. I wanted her to trust me, so I started little. And the pictures are so cute!
I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this relationship. I want Carol to trust Him, so I want her to trust me so she will begin to believe what I say about Him.
When signing up for the mission, I asked that I be put on a team that would be allowed to wander, because I didn't think that I would do my job well unless my job was to love on the people. They put me on the prayer team which gave me permission to go where I was led when I was led there and didn't have to ask for permission to do anything.
So the morning started with me wandering through the City Rescue Mission with my friend Kelle (who is a graduate of the program at the City Rescue Mission) to find out why and for how long a man had been barred from the mission. At least this was my intention. The guys at the desk had never heard of this man before. So when we came out the doors and around the corner of California and Shartel I met the real reason why I had come down to the block party.
Her name was Carol, and she had two babies (ages 1 and 2) and another on the way. She is due in two weeks! She was there with her brother Anthony and a friend they had met while on the streets, Christina. Anthony and Carol had been on the streets since last Wednesday.
Her story is long and complicated, as stories usually are. There came a point when I asked to pray with them and then when most people would have moved on to the next homeless person...I stayed with them. I felt drawn to Carol. I spent the whole day with this group just talking and mostly listening. She needed to get off the streets ASAP. She was in danger of having her kids taken away. She felt completely hopeless. She didn't know what to do and even if there was anything she could do to keep her kids.
Her brother had already been looking into getting into the program but wasn't going to do anything until he knew his sister was safe. So I had him by my side pouring into her the benefits of the program at the City Rescue Mission.
By the end of the day she started to really consider the program as an option. And I started to see her as a friend. I told her I would come back Sunday to take pictures of her with her kids minus tomato sauce stains.
Sunday I showed up and she was a little surprised. My goal in taking the pictures was to show her that I was a girl of my word. I wanted her to trust me, so I started little. And the pictures are so cute!
I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this relationship. I want Carol to trust Him, so I want her to trust me so she will begin to believe what I say about Him.
Friday, October 17, 2008
My delicate flower
This picture is small because I took it with my phone at the doctor's office. Yesterday Julia had a run-in with our brick house, and the house won! She was riding her tricycle. Our very own Evil Conevil. (or however you spell it...you get my meaning!)She basically burned off the top layer of her skin. Funny thing was that the thing that made her the most mad was that we had to remove the Sponge Bob band aide that her daddy had put on it last night. She kept crying, "Daddy, Sponge Bob, Owie!"
The doctor said that if we treat it twice a day there should be little to no scarring. Poor thing! She is quite a sight.
Local News
Okay, I am not a fan of local news. So many times I see "stories" that aren't news, but more like gossip. It is a silly waste of my time. HOWEVER...now I know which station I will watch when I do think about turning it on. Channel 9. And my reason may seem silly to some, but it is my reason. Here is the story.
I go to a chiropractor who just happens to be my neighbor. Matt Yost. (He is really great by the way. doesn't rip you limb from limb to adjust you:) ) Robin Marsh (from news 9) also goes to see Matt. I have seen her there before all done up. It looked like she had just done the news, but for all I knew she looks like that all the time. She is very pretty! Then we saw her again today. Only today she looked like a normal everyday mom. No make-up. comfy clothes. like someone you would be friends with. Once again, she is very pretty. So today I walked in with my three crazies...I mean kids...and she was on the roller table. (this is a contraption that rolls up and down your back while a pad under you vibrates. It is AWESOME!!!!) she saw Draden and Caleb and asked if they were twins. Then when she got off the table and I got on it she started up a conversation with Draden. She asked how old he was and then asked where he went to school. He said he was home-schooled and she said, "Well, you must be pretty smart then." Then they went into this whole dialog that I did not hear much of. The point is that she talked to him like a person and not like a little kid. She earned my respect by her character in how she treated a five year old boy.
This woman, Robin Marsh, showed her true character in a simple conversation with my son that made me smile. I know they talked about what he had been learning in the Bible among other topics. Draden liked her and thought she was fun to talk to.
So there you have it. My reason for choosing channel 9 should I choose to watch the local news. You may think it is silly, but out of the overflow of the heart comes our words, and she had such kind and thoughtful words with my son.
I go to a chiropractor who just happens to be my neighbor. Matt Yost. (He is really great by the way. doesn't rip you limb from limb to adjust you:) ) Robin Marsh (from news 9) also goes to see Matt. I have seen her there before all done up. It looked like she had just done the news, but for all I knew she looks like that all the time. She is very pretty! Then we saw her again today. Only today she looked like a normal everyday mom. No make-up. comfy clothes. like someone you would be friends with. Once again, she is very pretty. So today I walked in with my three crazies...I mean kids...and she was on the roller table. (this is a contraption that rolls up and down your back while a pad under you vibrates. It is AWESOME!!!!) she saw Draden and Caleb and asked if they were twins. Then when she got off the table and I got on it she started up a conversation with Draden. She asked how old he was and then asked where he went to school. He said he was home-schooled and she said, "Well, you must be pretty smart then." Then they went into this whole dialog that I did not hear much of. The point is that she talked to him like a person and not like a little kid. She earned my respect by her character in how she treated a five year old boy.
This woman, Robin Marsh, showed her true character in a simple conversation with my son that made me smile. I know they talked about what he had been learning in the Bible among other topics. Draden liked her and thought she was fun to talk to.
So there you have it. My reason for choosing channel 9 should I choose to watch the local news. You may think it is silly, but out of the overflow of the heart comes our words, and she had such kind and thoughtful words with my son.
Monday, October 13, 2008
We got hitched!!!
In Vegas Baby! That's right after nine years, 4 months, and some odd days we thought it would be fun to say "I do" again in Vegas. We didn't pay the obscene amount to have Elvis sing at our wedding (though I was tempted) but I did get a picture with him after the ceremony.
Russ and I had a great time during our long weekend in Las Vegas. It was a good romantic time away that took basically no pre-planning and was just a blast!
On our gondola ride
Which vacation was this?
The Fountains at the Bellagio
At night!
My surprise show....it's Bette!
Russ waiting to see the Beatles' show, Love
Russ and I had a great time during our long weekend in Las Vegas. It was a good romantic time away that took basically no pre-planning and was just a blast!
On our gondola ride
Which vacation was this?
The Fountains at the Bellagio
At night!
My surprise show....it's Bette!
Russ waiting to see the Beatles' show, Love
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Pumpkin Patch
Today was our first visit to the pumpkin patch. We had a ton of fun and Amy even worked us a deal where we can get a season pass. Never been done before, so all we have to do is figure out what he needs to do this for all of his customers and then we get in the rest of this year free. Pretty cool. I am glad I asked and then really glad that she followed up and followed through! I took no for an answer, and Amy tried again. Good deal, since we will both get our families in for free if we work it out together! Okay, so her good business sense aside....here is what you all want to see. Some great pics of some even greater kids! enjoy! (oh and I need to point out...Draden is 5 and therefore cannot take a picture without making a face. I had to catch him by surprise to get a normal pic. It is in his very nature to make faces!)
The Newberry Kids!
and one with their mommies
Weston and Alex...we love these kids!
Draden and Madison. Their 5th year to visit this patch!
Me and my baby girl!
Sweet Julia!
Julia and Caleb watching the ducks.
Draden jumping off the haystack
Caleb jumping off the haystack...he actually did it first!
Not to be outdone by her brothers!
Draden and Alex
Draden picking his pumpkin
A Julia sized pumpkin!
And one for Caleb
What's gonna work? Teamwork!
What a fun day with all the cousins!
The Newberry Kids!
and one with their mommies
Weston and Alex...we love these kids!
Draden and Madison. Their 5th year to visit this patch!
Me and my baby girl!
Sweet Julia!
Julia and Caleb watching the ducks.
Draden jumping off the haystack
Caleb jumping off the haystack...he actually did it first!
Not to be outdone by her brothers!
Draden and Alex
Draden picking his pumpkin
A Julia sized pumpkin!
And one for Caleb
What's gonna work? Teamwork!
What a fun day with all the cousins!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ponder this
The question posed by my 5 year old today:
"If I want to make good choices, why do I make bad choices? I don't want to make bad choices, but I make bad choices when I want to make good ones."
Seriously....a quote from his lips.
"If I want to make good choices, why do I make bad choices? I don't want to make bad choices, but I make bad choices when I want to make good ones."
Seriously....a quote from his lips.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Exploding Coke!
Today we had Cousin Madison and Cousin Jonathan over for a little science experiment. We watched and did some hands on experimenting with the differences between physical reactions and chemical reactions. There was some great excitement and a lot of curiosity during the afternoon. Thanks to Deleise for this awesome idea! Now for some pictures!
What reaction does the Coke have to Salt?
What reaction does the Coke have to shaking it?
What reaction does the Coke have to Smartees?
HMMMM...What is in there?
What will the Coke do when you put in 7 Mentos? Wow!
These "formal"experiments were followed by some of the best kind of experiments. The kid kind! Nothing exploded, but they sure had fun!
Madison ready to experiment!
Madison adding a little exercise to her experimentation!
Draden trying a little (read a lot!) of salt!
Caleb, Julia and Jonathan checking out Draden's experiment.
Even Caleb was able to give this one a try!
We had such a great afternoon! I love home education!!!!!
What reaction does the Coke have to Salt?
What reaction does the Coke have to shaking it?
What reaction does the Coke have to Smartees?
HMMMM...What is in there?
What will the Coke do when you put in 7 Mentos? Wow!
These "formal"experiments were followed by some of the best kind of experiments. The kid kind! Nothing exploded, but they sure had fun!Madison ready to experiment!
Madison adding a little exercise to her experimentation!
Draden trying a little (read a lot!) of salt!
Caleb, Julia and Jonathan checking out Draden's experiment.
Even Caleb was able to give this one a try!
We had such a great afternoon! I love home education!!!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Shoes for Orphan's Souls
Hey Guys! Have you ever wanted to change someone’s life with the simple click of a mouse? Here you go…
Lifechurch is teaming up with http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/ to supply shoes to needy children. All you have to do is go to this website and choose the pair (or pairs) you would like to donate. Then mark “ship to registry address”. That’s it! You just blessed a child. Help me make a difference and send a child a pair of shoes today!
Seriously… the OKC Campus goal is 6,500 pairs of shoes for kids. That’s a lofty goal for our campus. But nothing if we get the word out. Help me make a dent in this number. Help us exceed it in ways we can’t imagine. Post the paragraph above on your blog. Give others the opportunity to join this cause.
(this was from my friend Gina's blog. I assume she will not prosecute me for copy write! :) Help put some shoes on some feet y'all!)
Lifechurch is teaming up with http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/ to supply shoes to needy children. All you have to do is go to this website and choose the pair (or pairs) you would like to donate. Then mark “ship to registry address”. That’s it! You just blessed a child. Help me make a difference and send a child a pair of shoes today!
Seriously… the OKC Campus goal is 6,500 pairs of shoes for kids. That’s a lofty goal for our campus. But nothing if we get the word out. Help me make a dent in this number. Help us exceed it in ways we can’t imagine. Post the paragraph above on your blog. Give others the opportunity to join this cause.
(this was from my friend Gina's blog. I assume she will not prosecute me for copy write! :) Help put some shoes on some feet y'all!)
Friday, October 3, 2008
update on victory
So it has been a full three weeks since I declared Victory in God's name over my rising temper with my kiddos. And you know what I have found? A new frustration. It seems that God still doesn't want just a part of me. I have fully given over my relationship with my oldest son so that God can show His might where I am at my weakest. This is a complete victory in Him...and it happened overnight! I give Him the glory for it every day because it is not something that I could do on my own. But now what?!?! I have found that I am still dealing with my middle child on my own strength. Apparently this was one I could handle on my own because the other needed so much help. But now I find my frustration rising with him when it never really had before. I can still claim that I have not raised my voice in anger or frustration since the retreat, but it has gotten close. Starting tomorrow morning I need to hand my sweet four year old over to God as well. And for good measure I should add my two year old to the list because I am sure I can't do her on my own either. Why am I so slow to learn sometimes? Satan wants to attack and my weakest border is my parenting. Why would I think I could do any of it on my own?
I have been so excited about the changes in our entire family dynamic. I love to be with my kiddos and even my husband has commented on the changes. Sure there is still the craziness of living in a world with kids, but when I don't try and do it all in my power, then I have more than enough of God's power to live as He always planned for me to live.
I am so thankful that God gave me the children He gave me so that I could learn to rest entirely in Him!
I have been so excited about the changes in our entire family dynamic. I love to be with my kiddos and even my husband has commented on the changes. Sure there is still the craziness of living in a world with kids, but when I don't try and do it all in my power, then I have more than enough of God's power to live as He always planned for me to live.
I am so thankful that God gave me the children He gave me so that I could learn to rest entirely in Him!
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