tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41520186275042644952024-03-14T04:37:42.563-05:00Newberry Party of 5This is the place where I can come to write the journey of my life.Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-65410908672175057872010-10-14T22:40:00.000-05:002010-10-14T22:37:25.947-05:00Boys Only...Girls Only"Girls Only!"...."Boys Only!"<br /><br />These were signs that managed to get past me and taped to doors upstairs at my house. Then, being the great mom that I am, I never stopped to really read what was on these signs. Then yesterday my sweet, innocent little 4 year old daughter asked for help spelling out "Girls Only! No Boys in my room!" Her big brother actually helped her spell it. Then she got some tape and proceeded to hang it on her door. Since she wanted me to read it I finally discovered what was on the doors upstairs. All the signs went in the trash.<br /><br />I want my kids to learn that we don't exclude others because they are different from us. We spent the day talking about how God gave us all gifts and that even though we are different it is because God wants us to be different. They seemed to at least start to understand. I know this is going to be an ongoing lesson with many set backs, but it has to start somewhere.<br /><br />Diversity is not something to be scared of. God made us all unique and then to add on top of that we have all had unique lives that we have led to this point. This was made so very clear to me tonight. At the Bible study that I attended we split into 5 small groups. For us it was a random selection, but for God it was very intentional.<br /><br />The group I selected was based on the fact that I knew one other person in the group and I knew the leader. Every other face was brand new to me. As we went around the circle and shared a tiny bit about our lives some tears started flowing. Some prayer started happening. And some walls started to come down. When we got to the last person I just knew that God had already started a work in our group. The last woman didn't feel like she belonged in our group because she thought she had nothing in common with us. Nothing, that is, until the woman right before her shared. Some of their life journeys were similar enough to make the last woman ready to share. I go into this only because it is such a picture of how God works. We thought we were a random group of women but God knew that we were meant to be together and grow together. Something very special happened tonight with a very diverse group of women.<br /><br />We have all led different lives, but we have a few things in common. A desire to know God more, to know who we are in Him, and to do this with like-minded women who can become friends.<br /><br />How can we grow if we are all alike? If we exclude others because they are not just like we are?<br /><br />Acts 2:42-47 says<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26981">4<span style="font-style: italic;">2</span></sup><span style="font-style: italic;">They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26982">43</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. </span><sup style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26983">44</sup><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">All the believers were together and had everything in common. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26984">45</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26985">46</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-26986">47</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.</span><br /><br />See, we may be different, but we should be TOGETHER. The early church would have fallen completely apart if they had split themselves based on differences. But they were together and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.<br /><br />So, there will be no "Boys Only" and "Girls Only" in our house. Because, you see, we girls have a lot to learn from those boys, and I am pretty sure it is the same the other way around!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-892756884842854882010-10-10T21:38:00.003-05:002010-10-10T22:19:48.576-05:00Good Guess...Wrong Answer"Good guess!...Wrong answer!" <br /><br />I don't know how many times I heard this come out of my 7th grade science teacher's mouth. He was a very encouraging man, and someone that we all could trust. He was also one of the few Christian men that I knew that was the real deal. And he, by God's happy coincidence, was also my youth pastor. Richard McGovert and his wife, Donna, were my first mentors. And they were just the right people to plant seeds of truth inside a tiny, scared, and insecure 12 year old. (me, if you didn't guess that one.)<br /><br />Often during science class Mr. McGovert (as we called him at school) would ask us tough questions and we were never scared to try an answer. Because if we got it right then we were right. If we got it wrong we would hear, "Good guess, wrong answer." Then he would use it as an opportunity to teach us and encourage us at the same time. In his living room, McGoo (as we called him during youth gatherings) would also ask us the tough questions. Sometimes we would get it right, sometimes we would hear, "Good guess, wrong answer." Always, though, he was encouraging.<br /><br />Sometimes I think I hear God whispering in my ear, "Good guess...wrong answer." Often this is when I am expecting one thing but get something else. A different response, a different attitude, a different anything than what I was expecting. And sure enough disappointment sets in. Discouragement settles into my heart. Frustrations rise at unmet expectations. Surely what I wanted was the right thing. Surely God would side with me on this one... But alas, no. I hear, "Good guess, wrong answer," whispered in my heart. <br /><br />And then, yesterday He expounded on this simple thought. In that still soft whisper in the deepest part of my heart I heard, "Just do what I tell you to do, and I will take care of the rest." All God wants from me is me. He isn't worried about things not going the way I planned, even if my plan aligns with His word. See, all He wants from me is to do what He asks me to do, and He will take care of the rest. God doesn't disappoint, and he never gets the wrong answer!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Proverbs 19:21</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-16946"></sup><span style="font-style: italic;"> Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.</span>Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-22171232581693724882010-10-09T22:40:00.001-05:002010-10-09T22:38:38.164-05:00Fingerprints of God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2CN-K_Be3_Jpw9tm5H9J6Ml-YFddbGL5Wbat4nnz_6W8TXeqtcKbC-o8C56MTEzAiO07lip_tsegdZu55q9MtTR8ITmXYCAhLF-v6vKUP2emMXEnlXBA6v1C_xJoB2fkB423rztzreA/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2CN-K_Be3_Jpw9tm5H9J6Ml-YFddbGL5Wbat4nnz_6W8TXeqtcKbC-o8C56MTEzAiO07lip_tsegdZu55q9MtTR8ITmXYCAhLF-v6vKUP2emMXEnlXBA6v1C_xJoB2fkB423rztzreA/s320/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526256607682786610" border="0" /></a><br />Our sweet Julia is a miracle. Period. But, so as not to leave you with a confused expression, I will explain. :) First of all we did not plan her, God did. Then she decided to slide into our world 8 weeks early. Well, she didn't really decide, the doctors did because she was shutting down my kidneys. (Remember this because we will touch on kidneys again here in just a bit.) A day or two before she was born the doctors ordered an ultrasound to check her vitals and to see if her lungs were working. (I had received those beautiful shots that make the lungs work sooner and my hiney hurt a lot.) When the ultrasound technician came in and got settled she grumbled that she didn't understand why she had to check the lungs because the lungs never work at 31 and 1/2 weeks, or 32 for that matter. I looked right at her and said, "You don't know how big my God is." She looked a little stunned that I would say that to her, but then just settled into her work. No less than two minutes later I heard her say, "I can't believe it, her lungs are working." HA!<br /><br />So all my blood work got a little out of control and the doctors decided to induce. I say Julia slid into the world because that is how it happened. One big contraction, no pushing, no doctor, and the nurse just put her hand in the right place to catch Julia at the very last second. She got one puff of oxygen because I had drugs in my system to lower my blood pressure, and she was breathing/crying like a healthy full term baby. A true miracle!<br /><br />Not once did I fret or worry about her or myself during this whole ordeal. I knew that God was in control and when she was able to eat on her own and maintain her body temperature I would get to take her home with me. God had this one covered and I wasn't about to take it from Him!<br /><br />16 days later, on December 6th, almost 6 weeks before she was due, I got to take my little girl home. Not even 4 pounds and the most precious thing in the world!<br /><br />She has not had to endure many of the trials that pre-term babies have to go through, but when there have been bumps in the road I would just plead for her to be left alone. I know there was one time when I got really mad at God only a few weeks after she was born because she got sick and ended up back in the hospital. But I have always claimed that I have never worried about her. And I think at the heart of it that is true. I have always known that God could and would heal her. I have never doubted that she would be healthy and grow into an incredible woman of faith.<br /><br />But now, in the past couple of months, we have hit another bump in the road. Julia has some problems with her kidneys. Her right kidney is enlarged and her left ureter has a swinging valve and is letting fluid back up into her kidney. We got the official news on Thursday that Julia has grade II Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR). When I heard this news I was fine. I knew God was going to heal her, either by a miracle of His hand or with modern medicine. There was not a doubt in my mind that God was bigger than this and that this was an easy one for Him. We had prayed God's word over Julia, and His word is truth.<br /><br />And then I went to a women's event at my church. As I began to worship God in song I started to get mad at Him, like I did when Julia was in the hospital as a bity bity infant. I couldn't contain my tears I was just so frustrated. Why was God letting this happen? Why couldn't she just be left in peace to grow up healthy and strong and perfect?<br /><br />At the end of the evening I had two very wise women speak straight into my heart. I am forever grateful to God that these two women took some moments to pour truth over me. You see, I hadn't learned to recognize the fingerprints of God. His word says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give life, and life to the full. (John 10:10) If it isn't life giving, it isn't from God. I shouldn't be mad at God because Julia is sick, I should be thankful that He came to this earth to give her life. And not just any life, but life to the fullest. I honestly cannot tell you what that looks like, but I can trust that God does. And because of that, I can rest in Him, knowing that He is totally in control.<br /><br />I am still on this journey of discovering the details of God's fingerprints, but it is a journey that I am excited to be on. I am enjoying the real rest that I have discovered in knowing that I don't have to have all the answers, because my God does. And He loves my little girl more than I ever could.Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-44962502099635308042010-10-07T17:45:00.003-05:002010-10-08T10:56:09.514-05:00Give ThanksSo, a friend sent me a message asking if I blog. I said I haven't in a long time, then I thought...why not? Life has fallen into a rhythm that is comfortable and there isn't any reason why I shouldn't blog, so here I am.<br /><br />My life is full to overflowing with blessings, but, sadly, I haven't written them down anywhere. Then my mentor asks me to write out a list of 100 things I am thankful for. How often do we take time to think of the things we are thankful for? Being thankful is more than just a once a year thing. I Thessalonians 5:18 says "<span style="font-style: italic;">give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."</span><br /><br />In all things? Yes in all things. In good times it is easy, though sometimes we forget that every good and perfect gift comes from God and we forget to give glory where glory is due. And in the bad or sorrowful times. Lately it seems like death is all around me. No one close to me has died, but death has been very close to people that I love, and so therefore it touches me too. But these times are not excluded. We need to be thankful at all times. I am not going to sit here and say that this is easy. We need time to mourn. But we cannot sit in our grief forever. If you are hurting, start by giving thanks that you have this day to live. Find something, anything, to be thankful for and watch as your eyes begin to open and see all that there is to be thankful for. Being thankful is a habit. It is a place that we choose to be until we are just naturally there.<br /><br />I was going to list my 100 things in this blog, but things change, and in the last 48 hours I have heard of 5 people that have passed away. This is a time of hurting for many people that are close to me. I will not say that you need to just get over it. I know the pain of losing someone I love very deeply. But I will say that God knows how it feels to watch His son die. He knows your every hurt. Lean into Him and thank Him for being God. Thank Him for knowing how you feel. Thank Him that our life on this earth is not all there is. Thank Him that it is ok to be sad and to grieve. We can give thanks in ALL circumstances. Thanking God turns our thoughts from ourselves to Him and He is the only one who can comfort us in a time of loss.<br /><br />My heart goes out to you if you are one who is in a time of suffering right now. I will leave you with this.<br /><h4>Romans 5</h4><h5>Peace and Joy </h5><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28034">1</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28035">2</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28036">3</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28037">4</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">perseverance, character; and character, hope. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28038">5</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. </span><p><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28039">6</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28040">7</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28041">8</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. </span><br /></p><p>Now that is something to be thankful for!<br /></p>Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-32527722454837019612009-05-25T00:11:00.002-05:002009-05-25T00:14:01.685-05:00If you don't live for something, you're gonna die for nothing!Okay, so strange the things that you can learn from a cabbie, but this was a song that one of ours blared after a nice romantic 10 year anniversary dinner. I have much to write about, but will just say this for now. That was one wild ride! Will journal more about this most amazing weekend with my husband...probably tomorrow night. We'll see...Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-78782414814290568592009-04-29T22:06:00.002-05:002009-04-29T22:10:01.794-05:00Fun DayI had such a great day with my kids! We played in giant mud puddles in the church lawn and got so wet they all came home in underware. Then it was showers and a movie with popcorn. Then they all did my hair up really pretty! After this we played with neighbor friends and then off to church for Caleb and Julia while Draden watched another movie while we had lifegroup. I'll post pictures tomorrow. But, ahhh, what a great day!<br />I love my family!!!!!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-4809593121751667702009-04-22T10:00:00.002-05:002009-04-22T10:07:14.327-05:00Daddy/Daughter date<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnBSwlkrPsIr75sqXjGleNLpVyUc8bKCMVvMZ5yYmftS37rSJ58DbwbfHw6L781J1Vld1CLUcjdOTH2BGrE5obPCcJbE4e2DH_vbCrYD4uUU3pimTYgtflN6-qrWmqswOOkfje6VAf1k/s1600-h/458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnBSwlkrPsIr75sqXjGleNLpVyUc8bKCMVvMZ5yYmftS37rSJ58DbwbfHw6L781J1Vld1CLUcjdOTH2BGrE5obPCcJbE4e2DH_vbCrYD4uUU3pimTYgtflN6-qrWmqswOOkfje6VAf1k/s320/458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327531239043110818" border="0" /></a><br />Last night Russell got to take Julia on their first Daddy/Daughter date. With her being number three, it took a while to get to a point where he could take her. They both loved it! The first picture was from before the date. They went shopping and then out for ice cream!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QLomG_nKgBzwEbwNUjBnQxt2XObhjlvSrRm1S7II3mm-LQjegly1FhaxictFsW11W1OFoHTmWvJu3_n7CoftARoGR-gUJMnBqbF16M-fuQNlc_F8g0kMcbwTt5r67bZrcnlDI1ATCrI/s1600-h/460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QLomG_nKgBzwEbwNUjBnQxt2XObhjlvSrRm1S7II3mm-LQjegly1FhaxictFsW11W1OFoHTmWvJu3_n7CoftARoGR-gUJMnBqbF16M-fuQNlc_F8g0kMcbwTt5r67bZrcnlDI1ATCrI/s320/460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327531244134984642" border="0" /></a>This was one of the outfits that they picked out. Didn't they do a great job! Oh how I love them!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-71811879884451925932009-04-01T10:14:00.001-05:002009-04-01T10:16:17.801-05:00living arrangementsA couple of days ago I was driving with my kids to the chiropractor when the following conversation happened.<br />Draden: Hey mom<br />me: yes Draden<br />Draden: When I grow up I want to live right by Caleb so I can see him whenever I want to.<br /><br />It blew my mind! Now, how do I foster that so it stays that way?Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-69183305952535270362009-03-20T10:03:00.002-05:002009-03-20T10:05:53.177-05:00YEA!!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1IrlK6lyOUkKqMA9sVUA6Fs7nzTRann3ar3r4zJF2ideN2tQLdk52Qi7mXiFydn5IHj0pgBRbktxHHewtnoD96gj4fAiJcs68cpKgUGK9oVqvDyi7SkghwTmtuEwX8eXcSZv6cqxNqA/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1IrlK6lyOUkKqMA9sVUA6Fs7nzTRann3ar3r4zJF2ideN2tQLdk52Qi7mXiFydn5IHj0pgBRbktxHHewtnoD96gj4fAiJcs68cpKgUGK9oVqvDyi7SkghwTmtuEwX8eXcSZv6cqxNqA/s320/067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315286313755169522" border="0" /></a><br />BRYAN AND MINDI ARE ENGAGED!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I was so excited that Bryan chose to let our life group be a part of this with them. I love my life groupies!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-22181690602265334632009-02-27T13:42:00.002-06:002009-02-27T13:47:16.054-06:00Tribute to Goodnight Moon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZih3Ktw5BlkRvEXIWbEKJG0eqQ8Ji_U-eQPpUEk-DRSKKR7j-IvrBV6aQU7e8uLf_RzHequWToFkMj3fwxT8nw7Ku7EN3MYBeB7JqchR2lglHZtVU1QEb7fLitEN8JajktAxLyihy3Lk/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZih3Ktw5BlkRvEXIWbEKJG0eqQ8Ji_U-eQPpUEk-DRSKKR7j-IvrBV6aQU7e8uLf_RzHequWToFkMj3fwxT8nw7Ku7EN3MYBeB7JqchR2lglHZtVU1QEb7fLitEN8JajktAxLyihy3Lk/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307565400806141154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">And there were three little bears sitting on chairs...<br /><br />This is Goodnight Moon come to life in our house.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqIrqjdG80RYxgFrOwqV-RhTdDZYhh_57x1jn7WJgIJOukOcZSafTDk7RhW1QmjkqrebKlsnYl7osPWXVe6-IwAu4g1WvxC5bhSvqbOeFKZ8Sx9urrcBaeEcIviXjmMI-wFi7PPYYjtg/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqIrqjdG80RYxgFrOwqV-RhTdDZYhh_57x1jn7WJgIJOukOcZSafTDk7RhW1QmjkqrebKlsnYl7osPWXVe6-IwAu4g1WvxC5bhSvqbOeFKZ8Sx9urrcBaeEcIviXjmMI-wFi7PPYYjtg/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307565394382486146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love these boys! I don't think we have gotten out of our pj's all week! I guess the chicken pocks make it unnecessary to get dressed!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-32421385006391400502009-02-24T15:47:00.002-06:002009-02-24T15:50:24.693-06:00Chicken pocks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEQJlqTjm4ryL0hJuYB1OFM0f4dl0YBaIfps9RiHZGGt8bfvaLY02oT8I4zP2yS_t78WctarTx2HXjm6STq1jNtU4SRFEb_Ie6DGtGpMaOoqKZoXuRyTmXxeRlBmk6POXO4XTluuPIBM/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEQJlqTjm4ryL0hJuYB1OFM0f4dl0YBaIfps9RiHZGGt8bfvaLY02oT8I4zP2yS_t78WctarTx2HXjm6STq1jNtU4SRFEb_Ie6DGtGpMaOoqKZoXuRyTmXxeRlBmk6POXO4XTluuPIBM/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306484119054055042" border="0" /></a>They are kind of hard to see, but this is what we have. I thought, as a good mom, I should document our fun with chicken pocks. Caleb calls them his spots. I think he has somewhere between 10 and 20. I am hoping that is all there is to this. <br />He has a cute belly button! :)Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-52541804172167143082009-02-21T09:42:00.002-06:002009-02-21T09:56:46.986-06:00A night babysittingI spent last night babysitting some friends kids, just like I do do every other Friday night. It is a great trade-off because every other Friday night I get a date with my husband and we don't have to pay a babysitter! Anyway, it was a really quiet evening, and then my friends came home. That is my favorite part because I get to sit and talk with my sweet friend, Debra. I love to sit and chat with her. She has such a quiet spirit. I have a lot to learn from her. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-88006568763219054482009-02-19T20:36:00.002-06:002009-02-19T20:41:17.360-06:00my princess<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: georgia;">From the front and from the back. My little JuJu was decked out as what she called "a pretty pricess" all day! I love this girl!!!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ28m7VKfmay3hlYWzVP8x81BVJfOfJKr5avpMRVv311_vLQlRGZBY5tHpNHe8hIKA1Mg4Fq97i2P3VGIX5n2BbMhSCiZ5MVytCMvJ74oRotCFZaeCPJNncZVmqFD6nnmt6qZ4R1Ez0uA/s1600-h/060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ28m7VKfmay3hlYWzVP8x81BVJfOfJKr5avpMRVv311_vLQlRGZBY5tHpNHe8hIKA1Mg4Fq97i2P3VGIX5n2BbMhSCiZ5MVytCMvJ74oRotCFZaeCPJNncZVmqFD6nnmt6qZ4R1Ez0uA/s320/060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304703381224521698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2NVDlOSOLr1DVEYadBW8GW6jWkPL5PCe3G7u6BA9hquFDYu8rGqAvA6tD_mSiRtSDMrb_V2MofyhnZYjhyphenhyphenl94e7xBQOVfrC_4UbXl09u-fVKFnOAiXibTHldBYSQM_Wempth7RYNb-Q/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2NVDlOSOLr1DVEYadBW8GW6jWkPL5PCe3G7u6BA9hquFDYu8rGqAvA6tD_mSiRtSDMrb_V2MofyhnZYjhyphenhyphenl94e7xBQOVfrC_4UbXl09u-fVKFnOAiXibTHldBYSQM_Wempth7RYNb-Q/s320/061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304703383524569282" border="0" /></a>Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-41226811744373557522009-02-12T09:43:00.001-06:002009-02-12T09:44:48.431-06:00TodayToday I am learning to trust God a little bit more and be willing to listen and heed what I trust He is telling me. If you read this today, please pray for me. God is molding me into His character. It just hurts sometimes. :)Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-11770415191884923162009-02-08T21:46:00.000-06:002009-02-08T21:47:55.467-06:00Carol's heartI just love her! Tonight Carol asked if she could help the next time Hope Chest works on a house for another family! She was the first and now she wants to turn around and do it for someone else. I love her heart. Keep praying for her as her wrestling match with God continues!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-51340709052108971412009-02-06T09:49:00.002-06:002009-02-06T10:00:56.825-06:00two superheros and a princess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgYAN_C6EJaz7tMNktJVMkJK3iCTqwuyvmmPopngpSjNot1srDlyIhpSQVJHSwLreLip8ib87gbH7ELSlcl2zBHYsJN15KX5911G_DtLo2RKPwrNEjo3A0yfjYamQWtvN9PpvivpzLSA/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgYAN_C6EJaz7tMNktJVMkJK3iCTqwuyvmmPopngpSjNot1srDlyIhpSQVJHSwLreLip8ib87gbH7ELSlcl2zBHYsJN15KX5911G_DtLo2RKPwrNEjo3A0yfjYamQWtvN9PpvivpzLSA/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299714847425604162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK9g9LHto1tckFp7trwQ0cvtKZfSKAmoxj2sIyUQDhJxKBYahsjutreP5p1MOkVCYkwyVoQdnEGfARbo4l3CrWmLmkKtFZS3t5zg9VDD48zKvcPB1mxnSFWFGZV2YM_ZD1BuAWftVkDc/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK9g9LHto1tckFp7trwQ0cvtKZfSKAmoxj2sIyUQDhJxKBYahsjutreP5p1MOkVCYkwyVoQdnEGfARbo4l3CrWmLmkKtFZS3t5zg9VDD48zKvcPB1mxnSFWFGZV2YM_ZD1BuAWftVkDc/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299714837826438898" border="0" /></a><br />Need I really say more?Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-45675908823262322172009-02-05T18:18:00.003-06:002009-02-05T18:20:38.400-06:00summer?My boys apparently have had enough of winter because today they threw on their swim trunks and went outside put on sunscreen filled the water table and had a blast. At one time they turned on the sprinkler and I had to veto that. I didn't get pictures, but wish I had. Oh well, I guess I am gonna miss some things!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-6548966512896792112009-02-02T22:06:00.006-06:002009-02-02T22:15:12.560-06:00Ed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjYtuouJb749BJzJCQVGwzWXG2Wb29IN1tIOb0Pcjo-nzmVL2RP8OU2grrQY2eKOoykEbbB3vfbZD7MV7hjuRAnU665reR8j72gyk49S1ygp8CsMmEEwABjYkoe0TnD6BFlCCheML-Kg/s1600-h/team+talent.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298418997765721474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjYtuouJb749BJzJCQVGwzWXG2Wb29IN1tIOb0Pcjo-nzmVL2RP8OU2grrQY2eKOoykEbbB3vfbZD7MV7hjuRAnU665reR8j72gyk49S1ygp8CsMmEEwABjYkoe0TnD6BFlCCheML-Kg/s320/team+talent.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Team Talent</strong><br /><br /><div>Ed was a member of Team Talent (he is in the pink shirt in the front row). This was the "team" that went to LA to do the PSA for the 2008 3Day. Ed passed away yesterday. I have no details except that it was quick and it seems unexpected. My heart is so sad because I cannot go be with his wife Sherry on Wednesday. We checked all the flights and none of them can get me there and back on Wednesday. Please be in prayer for Sherry. She is a Breast Cancer survivor. Ed was her best friend and such a wonderful husband. You can see them in this video (it is the first one on the page). It is brief, but it is Ed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I will miss you Ed, and I will see you when I get there.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Videos">Welcome to the Breast Cancer 3-Day: Videos</a></div>Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-49565450191787969042009-01-29T16:40:00.005-06:002009-01-29T16:49:07.688-06:00my boysWatch out world! Give him 10 years and Draden will be staring in the Winter X Games. He learned how to "snow board" on our plastic sled. By the time he was done he was doing some pretty cool tricks. Now if only we lived where there was snow/ice more than once a year! Sigh...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPkFUh07GturcrXGgg6uzAdX2uCjUHTzGWWctyK1zCWIcLfk8tnOQeYucqQuYLm04aB5amB6zLy3caJg3cDUzWy1t_wNKARcQsU6RAPdb9fytrgSd1e1zSSxjG7ov_HG4_e6_aQFMyg/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPkFUh07GturcrXGgg6uzAdX2uCjUHTzGWWctyK1zCWIcLfk8tnOQeYucqQuYLm04aB5amB6zLy3caJg3cDUzWy1t_wNKARcQsU6RAPdb9fytrgSd1e1zSSxjG7ov_HG4_e6_aQFMyg/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296850224084487682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And then there is Caleb...<br />He will be starring in...oh never mind. He is a four year old boy who climbed to the top of our pantry and couldn't get down. So I did what any good mother would do. I took a picture and then got the ladder to help him down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII-6nEdm9wFDBrMvnyKoUCkrg5TswNaVC1Kf6G_0rT5F6wAzUPYhpXB5reHau2R6sbMXZ7sa3hSZqwV6Uz5ciC5lCYh_ko3FHzHJcmAqqnnL8KJyYLHX8Mq_puK3Se29scW3QkIbJRDU/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII-6nEdm9wFDBrMvnyKoUCkrg5TswNaVC1Kf6G_0rT5F6wAzUPYhpXB5reHau2R6sbMXZ7sa3hSZqwV6Uz5ciC5lCYh_ko3FHzHJcmAqqnnL8KJyYLHX8Mq_puK3Se29scW3QkIbJRDU/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296850883253207986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETcWjiYO3AwewGcyOhJKgRx7Ml96jZNM-TGgsSWDiXlwA5SbljAp1zJfdp-WhgdztMQQicfhsEwVv6jThLtnC4yNjGFnMXOvTvzgtfVPO76uRDuYkwAM5Ijy2cadb1e7dvQxy4TdfeGk/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETcWjiYO3AwewGcyOhJKgRx7Ml96jZNM-TGgsSWDiXlwA5SbljAp1zJfdp-WhgdztMQQicfhsEwVv6jThLtnC4yNjGFnMXOvTvzgtfVPO76uRDuYkwAM5Ijy2cadb1e7dvQxy4TdfeGk/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296850873368378754" border="0" /></a>Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-80037520326719589822009-01-27T17:27:00.004-06:002009-01-27T17:46:57.882-06:00Snow DayOkay, Okay... until about two hours ago it was really actually an ice day. But we had fun anyway. Then the snow started coming down. So we will play in the snow tomorrow! With the passing first of Staci, then of Russell's grandpa I have decided to seize the day! Even if it is cold. I love playing with my kids!!!!<br /><br /><br />Draden getting ready to slide down the driveway with Austin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3nQmxS68M2RA-7RvREUv89XUxMONsuGUH55O7QKRxMwNiCOjn47mEs7b10O-4tjXE01Rtskot5uOU8dl6ix8ai5T37G3FiHajA2Jqmlo94HHRmpImeTw834UQ-zAn6ROf1kWKKY1eT8/s1600-h/078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3nQmxS68M2RA-7RvREUv89XUxMONsuGUH55O7QKRxMwNiCOjn47mEs7b10O-4tjXE01Rtskot5uOU8dl6ix8ai5T37G3FiHajA2Jqmlo94HHRmpImeTw834UQ-zAn6ROf1kWKKY1eT8/s320/078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296122328779204962" border="0" /></a>Draden sledding down the driveway with Becca.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOSSK3_izp_Yhz8VKGUL_BMTeUAP7a3zJqkXjUfEIdbgMEv7OP-5PM3uZArlNwCrR8BWwo35K6xALel1ZQilColOxYAzz9bafHjCo0kI8sIHBAwAOA39XDo3GIwaoGCo0s_JX3XnA3iI/s1600-h/084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOSSK3_izp_Yhz8VKGUL_BMTeUAP7a3zJqkXjUfEIdbgMEv7OP-5PM3uZArlNwCrR8BWwo35K6xALel1ZQilColOxYAzz9bafHjCo0kI8sIHBAwAOA39XDo3GIwaoGCo0s_JX3XnA3iI/s320/084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296121004371592674" border="0" /></a>Jonathan, Caleb, Madison, and Julia getting ready to sled. I was ready to push! Julia and I went down a bunch of times together on the orange sled. We had a blast. Once I went down with Julia in front of me and Jonathan behind me. Amy's parting words? "I hope J doesn't pee on you. He has big boys on!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aTZ0JeBShqrcGrOgxU7QcT894AkTkaqEJT4O0eTWv7h9UMHq_WwBSUNm19wKdkw3aCBT0iC3ZyRJGS2VWnv8YLvsJcNBEaBUwGyUsFIfCDCpNQpAbP5hLMmluMAIMpcYATLEqIJJ5y8/s1600-h/086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aTZ0JeBShqrcGrOgxU7QcT894AkTkaqEJT4O0eTWv7h9UMHq_WwBSUNm19wKdkw3aCBT0iC3ZyRJGS2VWnv8YLvsJcNBEaBUwGyUsFIfCDCpNQpAbP5hLMmluMAIMpcYATLEqIJJ5y8/s320/086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296121002958418578" border="0" /></a><br />Draden sledding on a cookie sheet. These go really fast!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2IfFo6npdGnipyzhrksKh_UEQHtmxZl75Y9jM-NWasCEBYSlu-IcJFbS3wQbw10C_aVo9NlnvS0LyRDVZrqbeQgnMFJMDADio4eiOOFeelaXPdZgfndQwRho3mPv9QdzkxTgqctvvTs/s1600-h/074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2IfFo6npdGnipyzhrksKh_UEQHtmxZl75Y9jM-NWasCEBYSlu-IcJFbS3wQbw10C_aVo9NlnvS0LyRDVZrqbeQgnMFJMDADio4eiOOFeelaXPdZgfndQwRho3mPv9QdzkxTgqctvvTs/s320/074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296120981586384722" border="0" /></a>Caleb making a snow angel! This morning he came down dressed in shorts a t-shirt and snow boots. He said he was ready to go play in the snow!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL4XTMkR_M0Fyu6JrYWibxBI2zm9lVYsHSAG9dD_sqUq7po7X6OrY_Ek33yEv3AjOd9kJfrFP_0D8qEIOSuC1HU7L39P8i0WXGgy9GATe-R7UVi0EEE_f6qesiCF-WSNn1Dx8OMHaoU0/s1600-h/071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL4XTMkR_M0Fyu6JrYWibxBI2zm9lVYsHSAG9dD_sqUq7po7X6OrY_Ek33yEv3AjOd9kJfrFP_0D8qEIOSuC1HU7L39P8i0WXGgy9GATe-R7UVi0EEE_f6qesiCF-WSNn1Dx8OMHaoU0/s320/071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296120982674432194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our house when there was actual snow coming down. It is really pretty outside right now!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pcsl74QZrs7X41Bfn6q7zcqkm8W5tH8lkWAHc6yVxCU6gaRDChxIXz3nOsdiBZAO4mQvostrltsndSqtRqSP4p4C92UlxRhCjZBN_-OS1Z_uvAJzveVDhRbSod52rtbEQlxDB4qrXw0/s1600-h/093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pcsl74QZrs7X41Bfn6q7zcqkm8W5tH8lkWAHc6yVxCU6gaRDChxIXz3nOsdiBZAO4mQvostrltsndSqtRqSP4p4C92UlxRhCjZBN_-OS1Z_uvAJzveVDhRbSod52rtbEQlxDB4qrXw0/s320/093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296122336811889746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Confessional: Amy, Becca, and I stayed outside and sled down the driveway several times after all the kids had gone inside to warm up. I think we said "last time" about five times each. 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Stretch me, God.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >While driving from the Life Church campus to the City Rescue Mission/Refuge for the annual block party, I chatted with God about what was going to happen.<span style=""> </span>I had been serving breakfast at the City Rescue Mission for over a year, so hanging out with homeless people was not a stretch for me.<span style=""> </span>In fact, if I wasn’t careful, I would spend all my time that day just hanging out with my friends who live at the mission.<span style=""> </span>I wanted more than that.<span style=""> </span>I wanted to be stretched.<span style=""> </span>I wanted God to take me outside my box of comfort.<span style=""> </span>So I took a deep breath and asked God to stretch me.<span style=""> </span>If you have ever asked God something like that, you will understand why I had to take the deep breath.<span style=""> </span>When a person asks God to do something, they need to be prepared for anything.<span style=""> </span>So, stepping out of the parking garage downtown, I knew that I could be in for the ride of my life if I would just heed the promptings of God.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Once I was down on Shartel and California, I was in my element.<span style=""> </span>These are my people.<span style=""> </span>Just over a year ago God brought me to a place where I knew that it was my mission to just love these people that so many pretend they can’t even see.<span style=""> </span>I was roaming from group to group saying hi and asking how breakfast was.<span style=""> </span>There was a large group of people waiting across the street from the refuge (on the mission side of the street) waiting to cross and enter into the gated area where the block party was to take place.<span style=""> </span>So I crossed to this group of people and there was a particularly large, loud man.<span style=""> </span>Raving about how he needed medical attention.<span style=""> </span>He asked me if there was medical and I answered that I didn’t know for sure but that the City Rescue Mission had a medical clinic.<span style=""> </span>He told me that he had been barred from the mission and he could no longer go in for services, food or shelter.<span style=""> </span>I asked if he would like me to check on how long he had been barred for and he answered yes.<span style=""> </span>So into the mission I wandered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >As it turned out the people at the mission had never heard of this man.<span style=""> </span>Make of that what you will.<span style=""> </span>When I came out of the mission I turned the corner and there sat a woman who was very pregnant.<span style=""> </span>Also there were two children in strollers, another woman, and a young man (my guess was early 20’s).<span style=""> </span>I asked if I could sit down, they said yes.<span style=""> </span>Then we proceeded to have a conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >So What’s Your Story?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >It hasn’t been long since my sister-in-law, Amy, taught me a little trick that gets the people down at the mission (and really anywhere) to open up.<span style=""> </span>That trick is to simply ask the question, “So what’s your story?”<span style=""> </span>And then shut my mouth and listen.<span style=""> </span>This is exactly what I did for this woman.<span style=""> </span>After introductions all around, I found out her name was Carol, and she was on the streets with her brother and her two children.<span style=""> </span>The other woman was someone they had met in their 3 days that they had been on the streets.<span style=""> </span>Then I heard Carol’s story.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Carol was waiting for her sister in Minnesota to come pick her up.<span style=""> </span>She had been on the streets for 3 days with her two babies.<span style=""> </span>She was 38 weeks pregnant and had run out of living options in Oklahoma.<span style=""> </span>DHS was involved and her biggest concern was that she had until the end of the weekend to come up with a plan to get off the streets or DHS was going to take her kids from her.<span style=""> </span>And if she went into labor, she had no one to keep her other kids while she had her third child. I offered to keep them at that very moment, and she looked at me like I was crazy and said, “I don’t think I can just let you walk away with my kids.<span style=""> </span>I’m sure you are nice and all, but what kind of mother would I be to let a complete stranger take care of my kids?”<span style=""> </span>I knew my suggestion seemed crazy, but I let her know that my offer was on the table should she need a back-up plan.<span style=""> </span>At this point I asked if I could pray for her.<span style=""> </span>She said yes and I said a simple prayer of protection and wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >At this point, I am sure most anyone else would have moved on to the next cluster of people to pray with them.<span style=""> </span>That was our job as the prayer team, to pray with people.<span style=""> </span>Well, I kind of changed my job description and stuck with Carol and her family for the rest of the day.<span style=""> </span>We ate lunch together and talked all day.<span style=""> </span>I let her use my phone to call her sister.<span style=""> </span>She found out that her sister was not going to be able to come.<span style=""> </span>The only time I saws Carol cry was when she realized that she didn’t want to go to her sister’s house.<span style=""> </span>She knew she had made some bad choices and didn’t want to drag her family into it.<span style=""> </span>She didn’t want to run any more.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >The blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I spent all day being blessed by the opportunity to get to become a part of this woman’s world.<span style=""> </span>The more I listened, the more of her story she told me.<span style=""> </span>She felt helpless.<span style=""> </span>She was lost, oh so lost.<span style=""> </span>She had run out of options. She felt like no matter what she did, she would lose her kids.<span style=""> </span>She was paralyzed with the fear of losing her children.<span style=""> </span>Any words I said that Saturday were purely from God.<span style=""> </span>I could not in a million years have dreamed up the right words to say to her.<span style=""> </span>Strangely, with the exception of our short prayer in the morning, our day looked a lot like the book of Esther.<span style=""> </span>No mention of God, but completely controlled and guided by Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >At the end of the day I got to make an offer to come back and see her the next day.<span style=""> </span>Her two year old had gotten spaghetti sauce all over her shirt and Carol didn’t want her to get her picture taken like that. (Pictures were offered as a free gift to those we served that day.)<span style=""> </span>So I told her I would be back the next afternoon to take some family pictures of her and the kids.<span style=""> </span>It was my chance to prove that she could trust me.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Before I said goodbye I got to have a short but meaningful conversation with her.<span style=""> </span>I had the opportunity to ask her what she thought about God.<span style=""> </span>I hadn’t brought it up all day, but I thought it was important to know where she stood.<span style=""> </span>Her answer?<span style=""> </span>“With all that has happened in my life?<span style=""> </span>All the bad things that have happened?<span style=""> </span>I’ll tell you the truth; I stopped believing there was a God that cared about me a long time ago.”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Her honesty struck me.<span style=""> </span>This beautiful woman had hit bottom and God placed me smack in the middle of her pit to be His light for Him.<span style=""> </span>What an amazing blessing and gift to get to become a part of Carol’s world!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Earning her trust.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >The next day I showed up at the Mission, just as I had said I would, with my camera in hand.<span style=""> </span>Carol looked a little shocked that I followed through on this.<span style=""> </span>Oh if she only knew!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Then, the next day, Monday, I showed up at the mission again.<span style=""> </span>I had my kids with me, but she knew who I was and asked what I was doing there.<span style=""> </span>I told her that I had come down to check on her.<span style=""> </span>Then she said four words that told me that I was making some headway on this trust thing.<span style=""> </span>“You came for me?”<span style=""> </span>Why yes I did.<span style=""> </span>I came again and again.<span style=""> </span>Then on Friday morning I was serving breakfast, and when she walked in she greeted me like a friend.<span style=""> </span>And something else incredible happened.<span style=""> </span>She asked me if I was still willing to keep her kids for her when she had her baby.<span style=""> </span>It is amazing what 6 days can do!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Follow through<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >The next Monday I got a phone call.<span style=""> </span>Carol was in the hospital. But she wasn’t going to get to have her baby.<span style=""> </span>She was dehydrated.<span style=""> </span>I offered to take the kids for the night so she could try to get some rest.<span style=""> </span>Imagine having a one year old and a two year old in a homeless shelter.<span style=""> </span>You would never close your eyes.<span style=""> </span>This was Carol’s life.<span style=""> </span>So I kept her babies that night.<span style=""> </span>I had to take them back to her the next morning because they were sick and needed to be seen at the clinic at the Mission.<span style=""> </span>But then Wednesday I got a frantic phone call from Carol.<span style=""> </span>Could I please come get the babies?<span style=""> </span>DHS has given her a deadline to get them off the streets and the deadline was fast approaching.<span style=""> </span>I jumped in my car and picked those sweet babies up.<span style=""> </span>This filled my house.<span style=""> </span>My children at the time were 5, 4, and 2.<span style=""> </span>Add to that another 2 year old little girl and a 1 year old baby boy, and you have some crazy joyful chaos!<span style=""> </span>But Carol knew she didn’t have choice but to trust me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >The next Monday Carol had her third baby, a girl.<span style=""> </span>I took her other kids up to meet their new baby sister.<span style=""> </span>By Wednesday Carol was leaving the hospital and she had made temporary plans to stay with a friend until she figured out what she was going to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >At this point I could have prayed with her and let her go.<span style=""> </span>But then I don’t think I would have been doing what God had called me to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Are you who you say you are?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >At this point in our story, Life Church was being taught a sermon series called Practical Atheist.<span style=""> </span>During this series many of us wore wrist bands that said, “Are you who you say you are?”<span style=""> </span>Don’t you just love God’s timing?!?!?!<span style=""> </span>I wore this band and it was a wonderful reminder of who I am called to be.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Carol had a temporary place to stay, but it didn’t even begin to fix her problems.<span style=""> </span>She would still be on DHS radar until she had a home of her own and was taking care of her kids and in counseling.<span style=""> </span>This is where I dove in head first and prayed that I was doing the right thing.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >My brother-in-law owns some properties.<span style=""> </span>One, in particular, he had just fixed up and was going to offer as section 8 housing.<span style=""> </span>He offered it to Carol.<span style=""> </span>So Carol applied for section 8 housing.<span style=""> </span>Then we showed her the house.<span style=""> </span>She loved it.<span style=""> </span>Then she was told that she could live there for free until her funding came through, and that we would provide a bed for her and her kids.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Okay!<span style=""> </span>So we didn’t exactly reveal to her what we were really going to do.<span style=""> </span>Or should I say, what God was going to do.<span style=""> </span>Upon returning home I sent out this email.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Dear friends, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Recently I went on a day mission with my church, LifeChurch, and several other churches. We did a "Block Party" downtown for the homeless and poverty stricken people who live downtown. I serve weekly at the City Rescue Mission, so on the way downtown I did some praying. I asked God to stretch me, and boy did He. Without going into all the details of the last 3 weeks of our journey I will tell you that we have hit a little road block. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >The lives that God chose to intertwine with ours is a woman named Carol and her three children (ages 2, 1, and 2 weeks!) The baby was born after I met her. They are now off the streets and living with a friend. My extended family has supplied a place for her to live with her children. She has filled out the section 8 forms. She wants to get her life going and I intend to see her though it all. She is my friend. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >This is where you come in. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >We have a move-in date set for next Sunday. We want to have her whole house furnished and supplied when she moves in. This includes everything from dishes to picture frames to clothes in the closets hanging on hangers. We are also searching for a car so she can get to a job and take her kids to day care. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >I am asking you to think big and give big. If you are a Life Churcher too, think of this as your chance to practice what you learned this past weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >If you have any questions or want to help with decorating or if you have a truck and some time or can assist in any way please email me and/or give me a call. Thank you in advance for giving BIG!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12;" >Trusting that God is who He says He is,
<br />cissa
<br />Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I think this was the week that Craig talked about giving big!<span style=""> </span>So I used his sermon as a spring board, and boy howdy did it work!<span style=""> </span>We turned that house into a home.<span style=""> </span>When all was said and done I think we counted up over 35 people that helped by giving or by getting dirty.<span style=""> </span>Many of them I had never met before.<span style=""> </span>It was so wonderful to see how God had worked in each person’s life to bring them to a point of caring about Carol.<span style=""> </span>We even had a car donated!<span style=""> </span>Someone from People’s Church had called someone that Amy was in a lunch meeting with and asked if anyone needed a car!<span style=""> </span>Amy was blown away and got to share Carol’s story and she got a car!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >When we brought her to the house Saturday night, she was moved to tears.<span style=""> </span>She didn’t understand why so many people would want to help.<span style=""> </span>She had never seen the body of Christ move!<span style=""> </span>The thing that hit her the hardest was when I walked her to her bedroom.<span style=""> </span>She saw her bed and said, “I’ve never had my own bed before.”<span style=""> </span>I know of at least one person who appreciates her bed more after hearing Carol say that.<span style=""> </span>See, Carol grew up in the foster care system, and nothing she ever had was her own.<span style=""> </span>Until now.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >The story isn’t finished.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >It took us a few days after that to actually get Carol into her house.<span style=""> </span>We had some hang-ups with the utilities, but God’s timing is so perfect.<span style=""> </span>It all came together on the following Wednesday and Carol moved in with her 3 kids.<span style=""> </span>But of course we can’t leave it there.<span style=""> </span>Carol has become my friend.<span style=""> </span>I get to go hang out with her.<span style=""> </span>Amy and I have gotten to share with her about who Christ is and pretty much why we do what we do.<span style=""> </span>(Which I’ve gotta say I never did to this extent before Carol!)<span style=""> </span>She asked some very though provoking questions.<span style=""> </span>We answered the best we knew how.<span style=""> </span>And every once in a while she will ask another question, and I answer with guidance from God.<span style=""> </span>I’m not a scholar, but I know that He saves and He redeems!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >A couple of days after she moved in I asked her if she would come to church with me on Christmas Eve.<span style=""> </span>She said that she would like that.<span style=""> </span>Oh how I am praying that we have planted all the seeds that we could!<span style=""> </span>I can just envision that lives that could be touched by Carol.<span style=""> </span>What a powerful tool she could be for God if she would just let Him in and Trust Him.<span style=""> </span>So at this point we pray.<span style=""> </span>Her story isn’t finished yet!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >How God has changed me.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I never expected to be so involved with single moms who need so much help.<span style=""> </span>It is so different from the life that I lead.<span style=""> </span>This is a true testimony to how we don’t really pick what God has in store for us.<span style=""> </span>Our job is to put our yes on the table and then wait for whatever He asks us to do.<span style=""> </span>Since meeting and helping Carol, her former DHS worker (yes, former.<span style=""> </span>She got a home and her case was closed!) has called and asked if I could help other moms.<span style=""> </span>I have called in the troops of Christ and they have responded with gusto!<span style=""> </span>Now I am looking at renting a storage unit and storing items that make a home so that when God brings others my way I will have some sort of inventory.<span style=""> </span>Where did this ministry come from?<span style=""> </span>And who thought that I was the one who would be so blessed to get to be a part of it?<span style=""> </span>Not from me.<span style=""> </span>Not in a million years.<span style=""> </span>God had a job that needed to be done, and I asked Him to stretch me.<span style=""> </span>Will I think twice about asking that again?<span style=""> </span>Not on your life!<span style=""> </span>My life has changed, my husband’s life has been changed, and my children’s lives have been changed.<span style=""> </span>Even my 6 year old has found that he loves to give and he loves to serve. (Most of the time.<span style=""> </span>He is 6!)<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >And the most amazing thing that I have discovered is this.<span style=""> </span>God can use anyone to make an impact for Him.<span style=""> </span>All we have to do is say, “Here I am Lord, Send me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >And the Story Continues<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Christmas Eve morning I went to pick up Carol and her children.<span style=""> </span>We pulled into the parking lot and she nearly giggled that we were picked up on a golf cart.<span style=""> </span>We fit three moms (Amy was with us) and 8 children on that cart!<span style=""> </span>Then we checked in and took the kids to their rooms.<span style=""> </span>Carol was simply mesmerized by Lifekids.<span style=""> </span>We went into find our seats, and that is when the fun began.<span style=""> </span>Amy and I met up with our husbands and we all got ready to worship.<span style=""> </span>There really isn’t a word good enough to describe Carol’s face and demeanor about the worship.<span style=""> </span>Awestruck would be okay.<span style=""> </span>Like a kid in a candy shop would probably be more accurate.<span style=""> </span>She was definitely overwhelmed.<span style=""> </span>And though she didn’t understand everything that Pastor Craig said, she was very interested in learning about it.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >On the way home she said she would like to come again.<span style=""> </span>I said, “I’ll pick you up at 10:30.”<span style=""> </span>I had to give up serving in Lifekids for a while, but somehow I don’t think Craig would mind.<span style=""> </span>I am Carol’s only way to church until she gets her driver’s license.<span style=""> </span>Anyway, Carol has only missed one week since Christmas Eve and that was because she and her kiddos were really sick.<span style=""> </span>But even on the weekend that my family was on vacation in Missouri she found another ride to church.<span style=""> </span>This time Amy took her on a Saturday night at the South Side campus.<span style=""> </span>And this time she got to meet Rosa who happened to be featured that same weekend.<span style=""> </span>When I called Carol to ask her about church she was so full of questions.<span style=""> </span>Her biggest was, “How can Rosa be so excited about praising a God that let such horrible things happen to her?”<span style=""> </span>She wasn’t being cynical.<span style=""> </span>She was being honest.<span style=""> </span>Carol has had a life that most of us could never even fathom living through in our worst nightmares.<span style=""> </span>She wanted to know how someone could trust God and forgive people who have hurt them so much.<span style=""> </span>Oh, the seeking that is happening right now.<span style=""> </span>What Carol needs most right now is the biggest dose of forgiveness that God can dish out.<span style=""> </span>Not just for her sins (because we all need the same amount of that) but forgiveness that will spill out to every person who has shoved her into the million pits that she has been in.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I am always very honest with Carol.<span style=""> </span>She knows who I stand for and she likes that I speak the truth without judging her.<span style=""> </span>I always tell her “When you choose Jesus…”<span style=""> </span>I never say “If.”<span style=""> </span>I think she knows that she will never be able to forgive what people have done to her on her own.<span style=""> </span>It will take, very literally, an act of God.<span style=""> </span>But first she needs to choose God.<span style=""> </span>And she knows that.<span style=""> </span>She tells me she knows that God seems to be the only way.<span style=""> </span>And she tells me that she is still seeking.<span style=""> </span>To be honest, I think she is engaged in quite a wrestling match with God.<span style=""> </span>He is everything she has never had.<span style=""> </span>She wants Him, but is scared to take that leap of faith.<span style=""> </span>Still, I keep on praying.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >A ministry being born<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I was all kinds of okay with just being available to God and doing it without putting a name to what I was doing.<span style=""> </span>Then it was brought to my attention that agencies take you more seriously (and treat you 1000 times better) if you have a name attached to you.<span style=""> </span>So, Amy and I have a name and a purpose.<span style=""> </span>This makes it easier for us to serve the needy in Oklahoma City.<span style=""> </span>Our ministry is twofold.<span style=""> </span>First we have <u>The Tapestry Project</u>.<span style=""> </span>“Weaving together the resources in Oklahoma City.”<span style=""> </span>There are so many resources to help the needy in OKC, but it is so hard to piece them all together.<span style=""> </span>This is where we come in.<span style=""> </span>We want to make the resources easier to use for those who need them.<span style=""> </span>The second ministry is birthed out of my storage unit.<span style=""> </span>It is <u>Hope Chest OKC</u>.<span style=""> </span>Basically we want to use this to fill homes for families that are starting over. <span style=""> </span>The details are yet to be worked out, but these were the needs that we saw, so we are doing what we can, being available, and seeking God with all our hearts, to try to fill in the gaps.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-385133722090830172009-01-20T17:11:00.002-06:002009-01-20T17:13:15.345-06:00Carol's StoryI am currently working on editing and adding to Carol's story. I plan on adding it soon. Also, Amy and I are putting together a way for people to serve those who are trying to start life over again. Be watching for a way to join us in loving and serving God's children. It is what we were all born to do!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-6549883930619930832008-12-22T22:49:00.002-06:002008-12-22T23:03:57.566-06:00loose tooth, pink eye, ear infection, and a broken fingerso that was my day in a nutshell! <br />The day started kinda full on plans. Mostly, Amy and I wanted the kids to have a fun day full of mommy time and playing before we got busy with all the Christmas festivities. Before the play came the shopping for people who needed food. Then after Walmart we took the kids to a play place for some grub and fun. While we were there, Caleb complained about his mouth hurting. So I checked his teeth and a front one was loose and slightly bloody. I would like to say that this was a natural phenominon, but I would be lying. Yesterday he was jumping off of the couch when he fell and bloodied his lip. I soothed him and washed him and sent him on his way. Little did I know that he had loosened the tooth. So I made an appointment to see the dentist this afternoon. But first I had to run groceries to Carol. Then I took the other two to Amy's and off to the dentist we went.<br />Good news! Caleb's tooth was already just being held in by tissue, so no damage done. Just wiggly until it decides to come out.<br />Then when we got back to Amy's she said that Julia;s eye was looking really bad and she thought I should take her to the doctor. She was totally right, so I made an appointment. We left Draden and Caleb with Amy. I said something along the lines of "Don't let Draden break a bone or I will be three for three."<br />I had barely made the highway when I got a call from Amy. Draden had gotten his hand smashed in the door. He was screaming and was having a hard time moving his fingers. I told her to meet me at the doctor's office.<br />First the doctor looked at Julia. Yep, she has an ear infection and the pink eye to go with it. None of my kids have ever had either of these ailments, but there you have it.<br />Then she looked at Draden's hand. She told us to go over to the hospital and get it x-rayed.<br />Draden got to look at his pictures when he was done, and sure enough, he has a fractured index finger!<br />I was three for three!<br />When I went to Walgreens to get all the meds and first aid gear I needed, I also picked up "good patient" gifts for each of my children. The likelyhood of us having another day like this anytime soon is slim. The surprise made putting the splint on his finger worth it for Draden. And the splint actually helped it feel better. Julia is just a mess, but the eye drops shoul dhelp quickly and of course there are the antibiotics for the infection. Caleb, well, Caleb is just a boy and the dentist almost seemed proud of him for knocking his tooth loose. Seems our dentist did that when he was 8 by jumping off the coffee table.<br />Quite an eventful day! But the best part is that we still had time to serve another family in the midst of our chaos. And as Draden told Amy today at Walmart, "You are giving a present to Jesus when you give Christmas to a family who wouldn't get one if you didn't help."Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-70288018161402893792008-12-10T18:05:00.001-06:002008-12-10T18:06:07.769-06:00Hooray!I found my writing about Carol! Just thought I would share!!!!!!Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152018627504264495.post-32573872337475034912008-12-10T16:27:00.002-06:002008-12-10T16:30:13.315-06:00frustrated and gross!I had a really good start on my story about Carol saved to my computer. Now I can't find it! Just a little frustrated about that!!!!!!!<br /><br />Gross! Megan dissected a shark today for marine biology. It smelled bad and was disgusting. But also very very cool!!! Of course I wasn't the one who had to touch it with my bare hands. Kuddos to Megan who did it with only one glove! :)Cissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15867054503476417965noreply@blogger.com0