February KOFFEE House Karaoke

We had a pretty good turnout for KOFFEE House Friday night at church. We've been doing this once a month for a couple of years now. It's unbelievable to me that there are still church members that have no idea we are doing this. It used to be the 3rd Friday of each month and we recently changed it to the 4th Friday, but it is always in the bulletin and newsletters.

KOFFEE stands for: Karaoke Outreach For Fellowship, Entertainment and Evangelism. The original idea was that people could invite friends or neighbors, (that may not otherwise go to church), for a fun night of karaoke, to give them an chance to check out what our church may have to offer them. We also wanted to provide a fellowship opportunity for our members, and there is a core group that pretty much comes every month, and we've all gotten to be very good friends because of it. We're all very happy to see new people each month too though, and most people have a great time, whether they are there to participate in the singing, or just enjoy laughing at watching, or visiting with others. We also have had some great snacks, mostly provided by Jody and Lindsay, (Thank you soooo much, ladies!!), but anyone is welcome to bring food to share if they'd like.

I think I counted 34 people there last night. There have been some karaoke nights with as little as 8 of us there, but it seems to be catching on.

Noah and Denver (very bravely) started us off the karaoke for the night,

But, we ended up with a true "Coffee House" atmosphere. Besides karaoke, we had Eric Miller play his guitar while he blessed us with the new song he wrote (that day), I believe it was called "Jesus Will Make A Way." A little later, his wife Padma joined him and they a song that she wrote the lyrics to, and he put to music. Such talent we have in our church!

Awesome job, Padma and Eric!

Here's Anna and her niece, Tami Jo singing a duet

Our numbers increased greatly when the Jerry W. family showed up, well at least PART of the family. Christina must have stayed home with the youngest 3, but Jerry and the other kids all sang more than once. The kids seemed to especially enjoy singing with dear old Dad. Their oldest son decided to get up and play guitar and sing the original song that he had written himself. He did a great job too. The song was called "Remission:

Then, Jason entertained us by using his singing and piano playing abilities, with his rendition of "Piano Man". Jason, you are a very talented young man.

We also had a few couples karaoke duets; Donnie and Lisa sang "Summer Nights", Terry and Sarah did "Love Shack", and Ray and I did our old standby, "Let Me Be There". I got the others all on video too...but my computer is in major MELTDOWN mode at the moment.

Eventually, even the little ones get in on the act. Jody's husband Dan couldn't be there Friday night because he was out of town on business. When he is there, he sometimes sings, "Hey, Good-Lookin'." His sons, DJ and Charlie have now learned the song and sang the first verse for us. The boys appear to be developing very different singing styles already! DJ also sang a "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" with my grandson, CJ.

Little Maddie chose to sleep right through a lot of the commotion, though. But isn't she cute?

All in all, I think everyone had a great time. We won't be having a karaoke night in March, because we're doing our women's retreat at that time, but if you're in the area, drop in next time, which will be April 24th. See ya there!

God's Timing! ~ He sure has a sense of humor sometimes...

We bought a pretty pink digital camera for the 12 year old for Christmas. It was on sale for $99.99, with a $30 rebate. I hate rebates, but this seemed like a pretty good deal, and Molly LOVES pink...and besides, we had a credit card we could use at this particular store, and it was 2 days before Christmas... and we hadn't bought anything for her yet.

Anyway, I had cut out the UPC code from the box shortly after Christmas, and then went, "Now where did I put the receipt and the rebate form....hmmmm". Well, I checked my purse, and all the usual places we stash things like that, but never came up with it. I set the UPC on Ray's dresser, just in case we found the receipt and form needed to collect our $30...but had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that they had somehow inadvertently been thrown in the trash.

Well, you know that thing where if you're LOOKING for something in particular you WON'T find it? Yeah. You know what I mean. Yesterday, I was busy on one of my favorite new online hangouts, Crackbook Facebook. I had found some old pictures in my night stand drawer and was uploading them to our Family Group site on there. Late last night, (actually 2:00AM this morning), I decided to go back and dig in the drawer to see what other goodies I could come up with. I pulled out a handful of photos...and a receipt from Office Depot. I saw where it was from and thought, "No...it couldn't be"....it was. Here's the kicker, the rebate form said it must be postmarked by 2/28/2009! That's TOMORROW folks. Ray filled it out this morning, and took it to the post office. Of course it will take some time to get back, but we're sure to need that $30 badly right about the time it shows up. Praise the Lord, and His wonderful sense of humor!

So, now I'm wondering...if Ray quits LOOKING for a job, will he find one???

Wordless Wednesday #22 ~ If you like to talk to tomatoes...Have I got a cake for you!

The Bob and Larry cake I decorated for a church bakesale last Sunday.

Grandpa's Little Helper is a Bit "Under the Weather"

My husband, Ray seems to be enjoying having our 4yo grandson here with us almost as much as I am. For one thing, Ray's not the only male in the house. They can do "guy things" like shoveling snow together, for example. Saturday morning, we woke up to 2 or 3 inches of beautiful white snow on the ground, so CJ went out to help Grandpa and try out his new snow shovel. I'm not sure he really "gets" the concept though. While Ray was shoveling the snow OFF of the driveway, CJ was throwing more snow on it! Oh well, he was having fun:

By the time I decided to take this first pic, they were already way down at the end of the driveway. These were taken through the window, and I had to zoom in quite a bit, which may explain the picture quality.

Here's CJ dumping his shovelful back on the driveway.

Making their way back toward the house.

Helping Grandpa shovel out Mama's car.

Posing for Grandma, after a job well done.

I don't think it had anything to do with being outside with Grandpa, but later that night CJ started coughing a little bit. Sunday night, he was coughing a little more...and last night was running a low-grade fever. Thankfully, our household had escaped all the sick bugs that have been floating around this Winter, for quite some time. In fact, no one has been sick so far in 2009. Please pray that this doesn't develop into anything serious. Jessica and CJ are without any health insurance at the moment, ever since she got out of the USAF. She is currently in the process of joining the AF Reserves, so they will have insurance again soon...but right now they don't...so hopefully he will not need to see a doctor.

Weekend Update: Saturday Randomness

Just a little update on things that have been going on around here:

I was awakened this morning, by a bluejay on my bedroom windowsill. He was tap-tap-tapping again. This is the second time that has happened. He would make an effective alarm clock, if he was a little more dependable.

Ray's still not working. He doesn't want to go crawling back...again, and I don't blame him, but the guy owes him quite a bit of money, so he needs to go collect it, somehow. I really wish he could find a regular job, that would pay REGULARLY, but I with the rest of the world out of work too...that's not likely to happen. I'm still trying to Fully Rely On God for this to work out, put it's hard to do.

In weight loss news: I'm still kinda stuck. I haven't been going to WW, just can't afford it. That doesn't mean I'm giving up, I'm still TRYING to lose on my own, but nothing much has been happening lately. I've decided I will just pick a day and time to weigh in on my own scale, and then I'll do a regular weekly weigh-in post, so you can all keep up with my progress too.I'm going to count on you, my lovely readers, to keep me accountable. I haven't quite decided when to do the weigh-ins, but I'll let you know SOON...

And now, from the fishy files... Molly's latest fish, "Tiger", died of Ich the other day. Jessica bought something to cure it, but by the time Molly was going to put the stuff in the water, the poor little fishy had gone to that big ocean in the sky...or wherever little fishies go. So far, he is survived by his friend, "Spiderman II". He was preceded in death by: Cody, Ozzy, Cody II, and Spiderman. All of the fish that have died so far, have come from Wallyworld. The surviving fish was purchased from a pet store. If this one lasts a little longer, Molly MAY get another one from there.

Friday Funnies ~ (Grand)Kids Say the Cutest Things!

1. "Hey, Bart's not dead anymore! (upon finding out that his dog had actually survived being run over by a car)




2. While lying in bed with me one night, "Grandma, does God have Super Powers?" My answer to him? "Absolutely!"




3. To Jessica, "Mommy, go give Grandma a hug and a kiss goodbye", (when they were off to the grocery store or something like that)




4. His mom asked him why the handful of "conversation hearts" he'd brought for her, were all wet and sticky. His reply? "Cuz I licked 'em!"




5. Out of the blue one night, "Grandma, do you know who loves us?" "Who loves us, Christian?" "Jesus!" I guess he's learning something in AWANA Cubbies.




6. First thing the other morning, after coming downstairs to check on his new fish, "Thank you fishy, for not jumping out of the tank!" (read my post A Fishy Tale to fully understand)




7. After taking inventory while we were visiting my parents; "Grandma...Great Grandma, Grandpa...Great Grandpa, Molly...where's the great Molly?"




8. He asked me to crack open a peanut for him one day, I said, "You're a peanut." He replied, "I am SO not a peanut!"




9. The other night, he wanted to put his stuffed giraffe in our bed to sleep while we went to Awana. He told me, "I'll put a Pull-up on him, so he doesn't pee in your bed." Wasn't that thoughtful of him?




10. And last, but not least..."Grandpa, if you eat too many peanuts, you'll get fat... like Grandma!" Et tu, CJ??

Wordless Wednesday #21 ~ If Only You Could Keep Them on a Shelf, Just To Look Cute!

Top Tunes From The 60's ~ For Those Of Us Who Are Old Enough To Remember The 60's

I got this email from my sister the other day. I've seen similar ones, but I thought this one was pretty cute so I thought I'd share:

Some artists from the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:

1. Bobby Darin --- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash


2. Herman's Hermits ---Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker


3. Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends


4. The Bee Gees --- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip


5. Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face


6. Johnny NashB --- I Can't See Clearly Now


7. Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver


8. The Commodores ---Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom


9. Marvin Gaye --- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts


10. Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair


11. Leo SayerB --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping


12. The Temptations --- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone


13. Abba --- Denture Queen


14. Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall


15. Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore


16. Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To

And Last but NOT least:

17. Willie Nelson --- On the Commode Again

The "For Couples Only" Books WINNER!

To be perfectly fair with this giveaway, I had my grandson pick a winner out of his Ironman hat. He chose Laura from "The Walker Family". I will contact Laura, and get these wonderful books sent out to her. If, for some reason I don't hear back from her within the next 3 days, I'll draw another name. Congratulations, Laura!

My Funny Valentine ~ An "Indecent" Proposal

(my 2009 Valentine Roses)

Ray and I first met, via a Christian online dating service in April of 1999. He was a widower with 3 children, aged 17, 15 and 11. I was divorced with 4 children aged 20, 17, 15 and 2 at the time.

By the following February, things were going great with us, and Ray was always hinting about us tying the knot. The day before Valentine's day, he was very STRONGLY hinting about it...so I figured he was going to ask me on that special day of love. I think he may have been planning to, however, his son Dan was 16 by then, and wanted to take his girlfriend out on a date too. The only thing is, the girlfriend's parents required them to have chaperones along. I actually think that's a good idea, but I wasn't really thrilled about being one of them. After all, this was OUR first Valentine's Day together too. We ended up going on a "double date" with a couple of sixteen year olds. We went to a movie called, "Down to You", which didn't have much of a plot, and bored me to tears. I don't know that I was really watching it anyway, mostly I was trying to figure out how we could be alone at some point, so he could propose to me.

After the movie, we went to a Chinese restaurant. I was hoping we would at least sit at separate tables, after all...if we could see them, we were still doing our job as chaperones, right? We all sat together, and had an enjoyable meal...but I was still waiting for him to pop the question. Eventually, we dropped the girlfriend off at her house, and went back to Ray's. I lived about 30 miles away from him at the time, and his daughter Ruth, (who was 12 by then), had been babysitting my Molly (who was now 3 years old), at their house. Little Molly was fast asleep by the time we got home, and I really didn't want to wake her. Besides, I was tired and had to work early the next morning. I decided to stay there and drive the 30 mile trip to work in the morning.

As I tried to go to sleep that night, I got more and more angry that Ray had built me up, with all the hinting...and then let me down by not actually asking. So by morning, (exactly 9 years ago today), I let him have it with both barrels! I told him exactly how I felt...while I was getting myself ready for work. I was in the bathroom, (with the door open), putting on my make-up yelling at him in the next room. After a little while, he came in to the bathroom, stood behind me and said, "So...do you want to marry me...or what?" How romantic. My first inclination was to say no, just because I didn't want to remember this as the way we got engaged. Would you? But then I figured, I'd gotten to know this man over the past 10 months or so and had learned that he could be pretty stubborn at times. So after a moment's hesitation...I said yes. We thought it would be cool to be married in the year 2000, so we planned a wedding for the end of September that year.

Ray later explained to me that he had wanted to get me a ring, and was trying to come up with some elaborate plan...like taking me out to sing karaoke, (which we enjoyed doing together), singing me a love song and then getting down on one knee and proposing. Unfortunately, he didn't have the money for a ring, and with the whole double date thing and all...it just didn't work out. I was really hoping he would at least ask me decently when he got the ring, but I never did get a decent proposal out of him. Oh well.

I can't say that we have a perfect marriage...no one does, but we have figured out that we are perfect for each other...and that's all that counts.

A Fishy Tail Tale

A couple of weeks ago I posted about my daughter Jessica buying two betta fish for her son, CJ and her sister, Molly. Remember "One Fish, Two Fish...Red Fish, Blue Fish"?Anyway, CJ's blue fish, "Cody" lasted less than a week, and was found belly-up one morning. Okay...now we are down to just one fish; red fish. So, we remove the divider between the apartments, to give Ozzy a much more spacious home. But after a few more days, the plastic tank he is in, (which has a plug on the bottom of it that is not sealed properly), begins to slowly seep water out of it. I walk into the room and see a tank that looks completely dry, (and water running across the top of the shelf that it's sitting on), so I investigate a little further. Poor Ozzy is lying with his nose in the corner of the bottom of the tank, ...and another one bites the dust...or so I thought.

I walk out of the room, and it occurs to me maybe, just maybe, the thing is still alive. After all, stranger things have happened around here lately. So I walk back in, assess the situation...and Ozzy the fish, "pulls a Bart" on me! Well okay... he didn't roll over, but I swear he turned his little head and looked up at me! He had his nose stuck in about an 1/8 of an inch of water in the corner of the tank, and was still alive...so I rescued him and put him in the container that he came in from the store. Yes, my husband saves a dog after it suffers a near death experience, and now I get to be the hero and save a little fishy from one!

For some reason though, we can't seem to get the stupid tank to hold water anymore. So Jess goes back to the store and buys a new pinkish-colored fish for CJ, (which he names Cody II), and two new tanks for the two fish. This time they get their own separate cubicles...instead of living in a duplex. Well, that was all fine and dandy for a few days, until Molly came in the room the other night, and discovered BOTH fish belly up. So long Ozzy...so long Cody II! I never even got a picture of Cody II.

Fast forward to last Thursday night... Jessica takes the kids to Walmart to get them each ANOTHER new fish. Molly picks out an orange and black one this time and dubs him "Tiger". Christian's new fish is kind of blue with red fins, and of course he wants to name this one, (you guessed it), Cody as well. Four year olds are so original at times. But then I tell him that his fish reminds me of Spiderman, because it's red and blue. CJ agrees with me and decides to name him that, which may have been a mistake. "Spiderman", apparently decided that with his new-found "super spidey powers", he should have no problem jumping from his tank into Tiger's....alas, he was wrong.

Friday morning, Ray finds his cold, dead fish body lying on the floor...poor Spidey. And then there was ONE...again. Jess is going to buy ONE MORE fish for Christian. That's it. If he doesn't survive more than a week or so...we were just not meant to have fish.

Book Review ~ The Love As A Way of Life Devotional: A 90 day Adventure That Makes Love A Daily Habit

Written by the best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages", Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford,"The Love as a way of Life Devotional" is a companion devotional to Gary Chapman's book, "Love as a Way of Life".

In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.

Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.

The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

Find out how to make love habit-forming, in just three months by purchasing your own copy from Amazon.com for $11.89!

Author Bio:
Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. Dr. Chapman, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Seminary, serves on a church staff in North Carolina.

Elisa Stanford is the author of "Ordinary Losses: Naming the Graces That Shape Us. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters.

Wordless Wednesday #20 ~ How Mount Rushmore Was Formed:

( by erosion over millions and millions of years)

If that sounds absolutely unbelievable to you, then CLICK HERE.

Book Review ~ I DO AGAIN: How We Found a Second Chance at Our Marriage--and You Can Too by Cheryl & Jeff Scruggs

I Do Again, by Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs is a true story. I would recommend it to everyone, because not only is it a very good book, it also proclaims that nothing is impossible with God. And if you just happen to be in a marriage that you think is beyond hope...once you pick up this book and start to read, you will have found your hope. Having gone through divorce myself, I had no trouble relating to what Cheryl was going through when she felt she could "no longer live like this". I think I said those exact words. Another thing that hit home, was the fact that as one person is thinking they can't stay in a loveless marriage, their spouse just may be oblivous to any marital problems at all, and will be totally dumbfounded when the other first mentions the word divorce.

With their professional success and adorable twin daughters,
Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs looked like the perfect couple. But their polished
facade concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an
intimate, soul-deep level.

After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional
fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, divorce. Yet, incredibly, seven years
later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor,
and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of
this family’s pain.

I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple
whose relationship seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening
led them to reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting
account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers
renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.

You can order your copy of I DO AGAIN right now from Amazon.com for just $11.19

Author Bio:
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs are the founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries, and for the past several years they have shared their incredible story of a marriage restored with audiences across the nation. Jeff is an account manager with OshKosh B’Gosh, and Cheryl has served as director of the Frisco, Texas, office of the Center for Christian Counseling. They live in Dallas, Texas with their two college-age daughters.

For Couples Only! Review and Giveaway

Do you ever wish you could get inside the mind of your spouse? Why do they say or do the things they do? Why do they act like that? Just what is their problem, anyway? These two books, "For Women Only" and "For Men Only" by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn attempt to answer these age old questions and promise you'll find eye-opening insights about how the opposite sex thinks. I just finished reading "FWO", and (of course) I took a peak at the book "FMO" too. While I wouldn't exactly say that I found anything shocking or eye-opening in these books, for the most part they do have men and women figured out. I guess in my 50 years or so of life, I've gleaned a little bit about how the opposite sex thinks, on my own...which is why I didn't really learn anything new myself.

I also don't think my husband or myself are exactly typical when it comes to the way we think. As much as we are different (PTL), in many ways we think very much alike. Supposedly, women are supposed to want love more than respect...and men need respect more than love. For example, they did a survey where they asked men, this question: If you had to choose, would you rather feel alone and unloved in the world, OR would you rather feel inadequate and disrespected by everyone?

When I read that, my first thought was, "What's the difference? if I don't feel respected, how can I feel loved"? As I read a little further, the author says she was perplexed that many of the men had a hard time answering this question, because they equated the two. So apparently, I tend to think much more like a male, in this respect (no pun intended). But then, I also have a husband that honestly LIKES to go shopping with me, and always asks why I bother to put on make-up, because I don't need it, in his opinion. The author does caution that she generalizes, out of necessity in this book and that there are bound to be exceptions to the rules. I guess we are some of those. On the other hand, a lot of the material in these books was "spot-on". This boxed set is available at Amazon.com for the amazing price of $15.56! Check it out here!

Either that, or you can try to win the set that I am GIVING AWAY right here. This contest is open to anyone in the US, and all you need to do is leave me a comment. Just make sure you leave me an email address, so that I can contact you in the event that you are my winner. I'll leave this contest open through Feb 15. I will choose a winner on the 16th and they will be contacted. If, for some reason I don't hear back from them within 3 days, I'll pick someone else. Thanks for entering, and good luck!

For Couples Only Boxed Set:
Since their debut, these revolutionary guides have sold
well over a million copies, been translated into fifteen languages, and
sparked much fascinating water-cooler conversation around the country. Now
together in the For Couples Only boxed set, these books provide the perfect
resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man
in your life. Each volume is based on input from more than a thousand
members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews. This innovative approach yields candid and
surprising answers about everything you don’t “get” about your significant
other—even what that person deeply wishes you knew. It also produces simple
but groundbreaking awareness of how you can best love and support the one
who is most important to you. [Part of me wanted to make this paragraph past
tense—yielded and produced—because of the first paragraph, but that took
away some of the immediacy of what the books offer. I’ll leave that up to
you.] So whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get
ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!

Author Bio:
Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn hold graduate degrees from Harvard
University and are popular national speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs. They
are also active church members and the parents of two young children, and they
enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.

We Are NOT Having A Great Week!

First, it was the news on Saturday morning that our former pastor, Tom Kyle had passed away. We said goodbye to him on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, I had gotten an email from my sister Laurie, saying that her daughter Missy's boyfriend, Scot had died the day before. He had some kind of cancer, and was doing better lately. In fact they'd just had a benefit for him last Saturday. His funeral is today.

Thursday morning, my mother called to inform me that my cousin, Patrick had also passed away. Patrick was 51 years old. He had been diagnosed with a melanoma skin cancer on his face last Fall. They had fought it with every cancer treatment there is, but it was apparently a very aggressive cancer, and nothing was working. His wake is tomorrow, with a funeral planned for Monday.

To top it all off, Ray came home yesterday (Friday), and said that he was unemployed. Technically, he's self-employed, he owns his own construction company. However, for the past few years, he has almost exclusively worked for one guy. The problem is, this guy has consistently tried to get out of paying Ray when he should, or what he is worth. The guy ALWAYS tries to discount everything, or says "I'll pay you next week", etc. Or he'll look at a bill and say, "We need to talk about this". I wonder if he says that to the phone company or the electric company when he gets bills from them.

Ray has put up with all of this nonsense for the past few years, mostly because he hasn't had to go out and find other jobs to do. This one man owns all kinds of property, mostly rental units, that always need maintenance, and sometimes major remodeling. At the moment, he has quite a few "irons in the fire", and had Ray constantly jumping from one to another. He was even doing some remodeling at the man's own house, because his wife didn't trust anyone but Ray to do it.

Ray is VERY knowledgeable about all aspects of the construction business and is VERY good at what he does, and can do pretty much ANYTHING. In spite of that, every time he bid on anything, this man would tell him that he could get someone else to do it much cheaper. Yeah, maybe. But whenever he's actually tried that, he'd end up paying Ray to come in and RE-do it the right way. Anyway, Ray finally got fed up with all of this and walked away yesterday.

Good luck, Sohan. Yes, you can probably find other men to do the work that my husband was doing, you'll just have to find about eight of them to fill the shoes of the one you let walk away, just because you didn't think he was worth more than $10 an hour to you.

There. I feel better now. I know that the Lord will provide for us through this difficult time, as he has in the past. There are just so many people out of work right now, including some of our best friends, that it seems difficult to me to "Fully Rely On God"...but I must. Please keep us in your prayers.

Thursday Thirteen ~13 Reasons To Believe in Father God and NOT "Mother Nature"

I find it fascinating, that even atheists have no problem believing in "Mother Nature", and that scientific types can talk about "nature's plan" or "nature's design" etc. Like as if it somehow just happened, and coincidentally all worked out into some sort of wonderful cosmic accidental plan. I'm sorry. If there is a plan, it stands to reason to me that there was a "Planner". If there is a design, does it not follow that there had to be a "Designer"?

I'm just so tired of people saying the universe and all of its contents are the result of a big bang, (that came from absolute nothingness), and "evolved" over millions and millions of years. That is the most ridiculous idea ever thought up since the beginning of time. Oh wait, when exactly DID time begin? Was it before or after this supposed "BIG BANG"??

Anyway, the whole concept hurts my brain. I just can't fathom how supposedly intelligent people can even think this way. I wanted to find thirteen reasons to believe in our Father God, the Creator of the universe. Of course there are many many more reasons, but I'll start with thirteen. I've decided to use the lyrics from my all-time-ever favorite song, "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen for my inspiration:

Creation Calls

by Brian Doerksen

1. I have felt the wind blow, whispering your name…

2. I have seen your tears fall,When I watch the rain.

How could I say, "There is no God"?

When all around creation calls!!

3. A singing bird,

4. A mighty tree...

5. The vast expanse of open sea…

6. Gazing at a bird in flight...Soaring through the air!

7. Lying down beneath the stars...I feel Your presence there.

8. I love to stand at ocean's shore, and feel the thundering breakers ROAR...

9. To walk through golden fields of grain, 'neath endless blue horizon's frame...

10. Listening to a river run...watering the earth.

11. Fragrance of a rose in bloom,

12. A newborn's cry at birth!

How could I say, "There is no God,

When all around, Creation calls ~

A singing bird, A mighty tree,

The vast expanse of open sea,

I love to stand at ocean's shore

And feel the thundering breakers Roar,

To walk through golden fields of grain,

'neath endless blue horizon's frame...

I believe,
I believe,
I believe,

I believe,
I believe,
I believe,

Just like a child...

13. I BELIEVE!

Just Another Wacky Wednesday

As I begin this post it is 1:42 Wed. AM. Don't ask me why I'm still up. I have a busy day ahead of me...after I sleep for a few hours that is. I won't be on the computer much today...if at all.

1. First of all, Molly has to get to school by 7:45am. (she's got some overdue work to get done)
2. Next, Ray has his Contractor's Breakfast at Menard's in a city that's about a half hour to the South of us. That ends at 9:00am.
3. At 10:00, I have my doctor appointment for my physical, which is in town, (and we are not anymore)...and I don't have a car that works yet. That means we all ride together...I go to the breakfast, (but I don't get to eat anything if I want lab work done at this appointment). I'm going to drink black coffee though, I'm pretty sure that won't hurt anything. I can always go back to do the labs if I have to.
4. Then I guess we'll run home for lunch...(I may have time to pop online for a few minutes).
5. Today is also the day we say goodbye to Pastor Tom. Visitation begins at 1:30pm and the funeral is at 3:00pm. This is going to be the hardest part of the day. Oh...and the funeral is in another town a few miles to our NORTH.
6. After that, we'll stop back home, and probably have just enough time to change out of our funeral clothes, and into our AWANA uniforms, pick up Molly and Christian and head to church for AWANA and Youth Group!

When I made my doctor appt, I had no idea there was going to be anything else going on that day, (other than Awana at night of course), so I was planning on having Jess drive me. But since there is now so many other things going on, Ray has decided to take the day off. After all...he did work Saturday AND Sunday this weekend. He deserves a day of "rest". And speaking of rest, I'd better get myself to bed. It's now almost 2:oo am! Good night.

The DVD VeggieTale Fans Have Been (Patiently) Waiting For...

PRESENTS:

Abe and the Amazing Promise
A Lesson In Patience

You've heard that good things come to those who wait! The good news is, you don't have to wait much longer! Abe and the Amazing Promise releases on DVD Saturday, February 7 in Christian book stores, and Tuesday, February 10 everywhere else. It is also available at Amazon.com for $10.49 or directly from Big Idea for$14.99. Big Idea has a PRE-ORDER Bonus too!! You get a FREE VeggieTales Easter Carol DVD with order. *While supplies last.

VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise, the exciting new
Bible-story-based adventure from Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group
company, releases on DVD February 7, 2009. The DVD launches amidst a
comprehensive multi-product VeggieTales "Values To Grow By" marketing campaign.
Abe and the Amazing Promise is a Veggie-spun Bible classic that tells the story
of Abraham and Sarah and their wait for a promised child. Featuring a lesson in
patience, the DVD showcases nationally syndicated radio host "Delilah" as the
voice of Sarah. Including a new Silly Song with Larry entitled "Sneeze If You
Need To!," the musical "misadventures" of Blunders in Boo-Boo-Ville and lots of
family-friendly bonus features.

But Wait! There More!!

Introducing...THE VEGGIETALE'S BIBLE!!!

Releasing simultaneously in February with the Abe and the Amazing Promise DVD
will be The VeggieTales Bible from Zonderkidz. This full-text Bible, aimed at
children 8-years old and under, will be offered at $24.99 SRP (Jacketed
Hardcover) and available in the complete New International Version (NIV,)
considered to be the most-read and most-trusted Bible translation. Highlights
include 32 full-color pages with a Veggie-retelling of eight favorite Bible
stories pictorially, as well as a "Veggie Values" feature where Bob and Larry
show kids how to find themes such as forgiveness, trusting in God, being helpful
and more. The VeggieTales Bible invites children to experience God's Word using
the backdrop of much-loved VeggieTales characters, who remind them that "God
made you special, and He loves you very much!"

Consumer Rebate Offer: Consumers who purchase both the Abe and the Amazing Promise DVD and The VeggieTales Bible can receive a $10 rebate by mail with proof of purchase. The offer will be promoted via point of purchase and on product.

I have just ordered my Abe and the Amazing Promise event kit, and should be receiving it soon in the mail. It will include a screener version of this movie, along with posters, stickers and balloons etc. Maybe we can have another Family Movie Night at church soon.

My Man at Work

My husband, Ray is self employed, but works almost exclusively for one man, who happens to be the new owner of the old Nate's Clothing building in downtown Minneapolis. The building is approximately 95 years old, and is currently undergoing a total renovation project, which will eventually transform the upper floors into upscale office space, with a couple of restaurants on the main floor too. Below is what the outside of this building is supposed to look like someday:

Besides this building, the guy owns many residential rental units in the metro area as well, which are usually enough to keep Ray occupied...with remodeling them, or just doing every day maintenance work for the tenants. Anyway, he's not doing the major renovation here, but they do call him whenever they need guardrails built around new holes they've opened up in the floors. They've removed a couple of old elevators, and stairways etc., so without guard rails, these holes could be quite dangerous to fall into. Ray's told me all about what he was doing there, but I could never have imagined what this place looked like without seeing it in person, (nor can I imagine it ever looking like upscale office space or restaurants in the future)...but I guess I don't have much of an imagination for such things. Here's what it looks like on the inside now:

This is a view from the main floor, looking down into the basement. The dirt is from a hole they had dug to make a new elevator. You can see Ray and some of his previous guardrail handiwork.

We had to take the freight elevator down to the basement to get something first, so I took a picture looking up from there too.

Before we got to Minneapolis, I asked Ray if there happened to be a bathroom available at this workplace. I drink a lot of coffee, and figured I'd need to use one before he was finished working. His answer was, "Sort of". "What is that supposed to mean?", was my next question. I guess this is what he meant:

I had never seen anything quite like it before. This contraption was on wheels, and when standing up in it, you're looking over the top. I thought it was strange that there was no ceiling on it, but my hubby pointed out that it would not fit through doorways that way, so apparently it is made just for indoor construction sites like this one. I guess that makes sense. The thing that didn't make sense to me though, was the urinal trough on the back of it. If you are a guy, I guess it is perfectly acceptable to stand there and pee in front of all of your co-workers, out in the middle of everything?? Ewww...guys are gross! And they think we women are weird because we always go to the restroom together. At least we usually have separate stalls...with doors...and ceilings.

Okay, here's the elevator shaft on the 4th floor, where we started. He had to build the guardrails and then put them up around this hole, and then repeat the process on the 3rd, 2nd and 1st floors.Here's Ray assembling his railing. I helped a little bit. I could hold one end of it and help him stand it up, or hand the pieces to him when he needed them.

Here's what they looked like when he was finished.

By the time we got back down to the main floor, (after a few hours), I was a little bored I guess. I was looking across this open expanse and thinking that I would NOT want to be walking on that narrow strip of concrete on the other side!

I was also having a hard time picturing a nice restaurant here on the main floor.

Here's Ray putting the finishing touches on the main floor railing. That one was partially finished already, he just had a little modifying to do there.

I told him to "Smile for the camera", while he was cleaning up after a day of hard work. All in all, it wasn't a bad day. After all, I DID completely avoid having to watch the Super Bowl, and I got to spend the whole day with my hard-working husband too. Not that I was a lot of help to him, but at least I kept him company. Ray would have rather enjoyed watching the game I suppose, but the railings had to be put up yesterday, before anyone else could do any work in the building today.