Gorgeous weather day trip!

Today CJ and I went to the Wizard of Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas. Let me tell you... this little town had some of the cutest historical sites!! Including a Dutch Mill & a Rifle and Bible Church. The story of the church was quite interesting - Readers Digest version: A Company from New Haven, CT came to Kansas in the 1800's and brought with them... you guessed it... Bibles and Rifles. They then established the church.

The Wizard of Oz Museum was cute and full of fun little facts. For instance: I did not know that there were MANY pairs of slippers... and in the original book, they weren't "ruby"... the producer did that during the creating of the movie so that they would stand out against the yellow brick road. Cool, huh?

I also learned that there are plush Wizard of Oz dolls, that came from a store (oh, the name is escaping me right now) that was located in the World Trade Center. The owner of the museum was asked if he wanted them on one of his visits to his father, who worked on the 31st floor of the North Tower. When 9/11 happened he wasn't sure if the dolls had been shipped. He found out 3 days later when the dolls arrived...

Was a good day trip, got to see some cool buildings and also drove around Topeka... I'd never actually BEEN to Topeka. LOL

Toddlers & Tiaras

Lately on the news and tv it seems the topic is young girls (and their mothers) and beauty pageants. Really? I don't get this.

I think of JonBenet Ramsey... this little girl was precious! Yet forced into this world of pageants so her mother could live vicariously through her. Seeing previews of this "toddlers and tiaras" show on TLC quite frankly angers me. The things they do to their children -- spray on tans, fake teeth, all for what? A trophy? Popularity?

What happens to these kids when they get older? They're scarred for life and have issues and drama beyond belief! Ugh!!! So annoying and I want to know how these mothers live with themselves.

Haiti Update

I thought I'd also post another Haiti update. Support letters went out a couple weeks ago, and support is slowly but surely coming in. God is so faithful and He keeps showing me over and over.

Our first payment deadline is the end of this week. It's kind of nerve-racking, but once again God is trying to teach me to not be anxious, but pray about everything, always giving thanks. I am so thankful and grateful to those who have contributed to the endeavor of our group. Not just the people I know, but the people I don't - who have contributed to the others in our group, donated supplies that we'll be taking with us.

I'm also thankful for the prayers of support and words of encouragement. Sometimes all it takes is one bad apple and I get scared and feeling like, "Why on earth am I doing this?" I know why I'm doing it. I know why we're all doing it. I feel led... I know we all do. Keep praying all, they're much needed as deadlines approach.

CJ and I are going to turn in our passport applications on Saturday. So hopefully we'll have those in a couple weeks. In the next couple weeks I'll also be beginning the process of getting shots... ugh, shots. Lots of shots. Ewww! *Pray for that too! lol*

Love you all. God Bless!

Weekly Reflection and goals

I'm slacking just a little bit. :)

This week is off to a good start. I worked out with Bob (from Biggest Loser) and drank TONS of water. Last week was good too... I didn't get to Curves as much as I wanted, but I did work out 4 times, 5 if you count twirling kids around in church (right, Christi? :)).

It's been a good journey and I'm looking forward to the changes. I'm getting better at the whole water thing, which is definitely a big one for me. Another big challenge is not eating past 7, or 8, whatever the rule is....

Anyone have any encouragement or challenges they'd like to share? Have an awesome week!

I Can Only Imagine....

So last night I'm watching Idol.... yes, one of my guilty pleasures and this season they've had a touching story from each city. Last night's was a guy who took care of his mother because she was ill. This guy sacrificed a lot of stuff to care for her and she really wanted him to make it to Hollywood.

SO! He tries out and the judges end up liking him... and send him on to Hollywood. (You know the part where Randy says "WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD, BABY!")... anyway, I digress.

During their filming of this guy showing his mother that he got a golden ticket, they were playing none other than Mercy Me's song "I Can Only Imagine." Now, as a Christian who loves her tv, I get really excited when they start playing Christian music, especially when they call their show "American Idol" and that's not biblical -- if you want to get technical. So go FOX for putting some Christian tunes out there!

On the same note, the other day I was watching a movie and on THAT show they were playing Building429 as this girl was driving down the highway. Whew! Let's get some Christian music in Hollywood why don't we! I think it's great and really says a lot... you don't HAVE to have gross movies (gore, f-bombs all over the place, etc) to have a good movie.

Speaking of movies... who's ready for dinner and a movie on Saturday? ME! :)

Fresh Brewed Tuesday

When I would go to Women of Faith every year, my favorite quickly became Nicole Johnson. She's a dramatist who gets you so far into her stories that you will laugh, cry, and gosh knows what else within seconds!

I'm going to try out Fresh Brewed Tuesdays and post little videos of Nicole's. Check out her website. I love it!

Reflections & Goals

Last week was ok. Today I actually drank my one thing of water (yay). The whole eating out thing didn't go well, but I think I was ok on cutting down on carbs. Did I mention that my doctor says I eat too many? Hmm. :)

I only worked out once - bah! Trying for curves 3 times this week, since we're off on Monday. Try and try again. I'm getting better and not using the elevator... it's just like a habit that you're trying to break... shutting tha automatic pilot off.

Anyway - goals for the week: More water, more workouts, Less carbs.... Ahh... welcome back to dear diary moments. ;)


Tomorrow is also my baby brother's 16th birthday. Ahhh! So sad. So... happy birthday to him! Love ya, dyl.



This is back when Dylan was sweet... looooong ago. :)

I Accepted This Challenge

There is a challenge floating around the blog world. I got this from Meg . She picked the letter R for me, so I will name 10 of my favorite things that begin with this letter.

If you want to play along just leave me a comment and I’ll assign a letter for you. Just post a blog that lists 10 things that you love, like or lust for that start with that letter…and why.

So here are my R’s in no particular order:


Rain - I love waking up to a good rain storm, peacefully hitting the side of the house.

Rainbows - I love seeing them and being reminded of God's promise. It's also the name of my kid's group on Thursday nights.

Rob Thomas - Because I've loved Matchbox Twenty forever.. seen them in concert three times.. and he's HOT!

Reese's Peanut Butter cups - As the commercial says... so you don't have to choose between chocolate and peanut butter. :)

Rockettes - They are fabulous to watch! They're so precise and amazing!

Red Sox - Of course! I love my baseball!

Radio - Without it I would die! I love listening to K-Love on the way to work, at work on the internet, and on the way home. Positive and encouraging! :)

Reading - Even though I don't do it as much as I used to, I love learning about historic events or reading a guilty pleasure novel.

Red Robin - I love this place! Whether it's a cheeseburger, salad, or their yummy onion rings!

Reese Witherspoon - She's so cute and I love her movies!

Praying with Grateful Heart

I've always wondered and thought about my prayer life. I pray most often in the car -- that happens when you drive 80 miles a day to work. Are prayers still effective when you have the intent to pray before you fall asleep, but instead you being praying and fall asleep in the middle? I know God knows our hearts, but does He ever look down on us and say "Really? You can't even stay awake to talk to me?"

Now, in all fairness I have had company staying over when I fell asleep talking to them.... so when I do it to God, it's like doing it to a friend... right? The other night, it was 10:00 and I was ready for bed, done my routine, etc. My head had just hit the pillow and I began talking to God about various things. Today God gave me great hope about His answers to those prayers. I don't know what He has in store, but it's going to be great whatever it is!

Weekly Goals

I've decided every Sunday to post little goals so that all my readers can be sure to encourage me or kick me in the rear as they see fit! :)

1. Drink more water on the weekends... I do ok during the week; now I need to hop on the train during Saturdays and Sundays.

2. To work out at Curves 4 times this week.

3. No eating out... and if it's a must, then eat salad. :)


Starting slow so that's all for now! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Haiti Trip Update

Some of you may know, some of you don't. In April I have the amazing opportunity to go to Haiti for a week on a missions trip with the Hands and Feet Project.

Some information on the Hands & Feet Project:

MISSION:
Hands and Feet Project exists to care for orphans and to use pop culture to introduce the 1st world to the orphans of the world.

VISION:
To raise a generation of orphans raised by their own culture who will change their country so orphanages are empty and we are out of a job.

Hands and Feet Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is a children's village in Jacmel, Haiti that was started by the band Audio Adrenaline in 2004. The land was purchased in late 2004, and construction began in early 2005. Their first little girl arrived in the spring of 2005, and they now care for 36 children ranging in age from 2 months to 9 years old.

Hands and Feet Project is currently building more houses in order to be able to help more children who have been abandoned and will probably have 40 children by the end of 2008. They are hoping to replicate the model that brings artists/bands and orphanages together, with the next project starting soon in Nicaragua with artist T-Bone.

I encourage you to visit their website (http://www.handsandfeetproject.org) to see what this organization is about. While in Haiti, we will be working at the orphanage in Jacmel. They were hit by 2 hurricanes last season and here is much clean up and work to be done. We will be offering our energy and time to that endeavor, as well as spending time with the resident children.

The applications are in, deposit is paid. There's no turning back now! :) Hopefully next week I'll be able to get turn in my passport stuff and get that going.

We're having a meeting next Sunday as well to get to know the people on our team. There are 10 of us going. I'm getting excited; a little nervous about funds and the raising of them, but I know God is faithful and He'll provide like He always does. Our support letters are done and will be mailed out tomorrow.

I'll be posting updates every couple weeks or so. Thanks again for your continued prayers during the process and the journey.

God Bless.

Diet Tribe & Weekly Reflection

There's this new show on Lifetime called "Diet Tribe" and I love it! It's about a group of friends who decide to lose weight together. Their personal trainer is Jessie (and he is HOT!) and each week he gives them challenges. The goal is to lose 30 lbs in 90 days. As I'm catching up on my weekly shows tonight, hop into my fat pants and grab a snack (an apple and peanut butter, by the way)... it's 9:30... hmm. Then Jessie starts giving tips: No eating at 10 pm. Well. I just blew that out of the water.

I've been doing not too shabby -- I've only used the elevator once (or twice)... but I'm getting better! AND I've drank all my water for week -- hey, it's the little things right? :)

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Is it me?

I've done this one before, but I like it!

My Testimony of Faith

I may have blogged about my testimony before... but I speak a lot about my faith and my love of God, that I thought I'd share it again.

I've always gone to church. I don't remember ever putting up a fight on Sunday mornings. Things weren't always easy in our house, but it's the one thing that was for me. Growing up the Lutheran church, I always assumed that being baptized and confirmed, I was "good to go." I've learned so much about having a relationship with Christ, it's amazing! When I was in high school I was helping out with Vacation Bible School. When I was in college I was active in Campus Crusade for Christ, teaching confirmation, and preschool Sunday School (even back then, God knew what he was doing... :)). In 2006, I began to get a tug on my heart. That's generally how God speaks to me... he says, "hey...(nudge)... this is what I have for you." CJ had just became the Director of Children's Ministries at her church. (God again says, "Hey... you should go.")

Looking back now it's quite amazing how things fell into place. I told my parents I was moving, the next day gave my two weeks notice at my job. Two weeks later I was packed and ready to go. Don't think the enemy didn't have his hand in it too. The week I was supposed to move the battery in my car went out. On my last day at work, my stepdad picked me up, took me to my house, jumped my car so I could drive it to my uncle's shop and get a new battery. Two days later I was singing "Kansas City here I come!"

The significance of events is nice too and I'm glad that God had it planned that way. I had planned on packing and leaving Lincoln early morning. I didn't get out of town until almost 2 pm. An hour later, as I was driving into Nebraska City to hit I-29, my mom passes me going the opposite direction, toward Syracuse. I wave and she calls me to say "good-bye."

Once I arrive in Kansas City, I managed to find temp jobs from October - December. I interviewed for a job in December, but it wouldn't start until January... the afternoon I was hired for that position, the same staffing agency called with a temp job that would last until December 30th. God is AMAZING, I tell you!!

I'm continually in awe of His grace and mercy. I thank Him everyday for allowing me the opportunities to serve Him. My favorite Bible verses are: Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." and Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." So true, so true...

Thanks for reading and I pray you've found some encouragement.

Even I knew that!

Tonight as I'm driving home from work, CJ's giving me a list of things to do when I get home. She wanted me to get dinner started before I went to Youth Service. She told me to start the noodles so she could make goulash, but to make sure the water was boiling first. At first I was like "ok, who didn't know that?" Apparently, there are people who don't know that! :)

How many times are we given instruction and we turn a deaf ear? Pretending we heard and were only half paying attention. How often does it happen with God's word? Proverbs 28:9 says, "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable." If we turn away from God's law, God detests our prayers -- He's flat out not listening. If we continually ask God for things that we want, but aren't living the life of His law, He's not going to give us what we want. Some people think that God doesn't answer prayers. I'm a firm believer that He answers all prayers, but sometimes His answer is no.

May we all clean out the deaf ear and live a life of Christ.

Day 1... again

I know what you're thinking. Yes, I'm starting over. I was talking with Christi today about how much weight I could lose before I go to Haiti. Her being the sweet girl that she is, knows me and my lack of will power, and how many times I've dieted since we've started working together; gives me a good number, that we both think is doable. I love her because she's so encouraging yet knows me well enough to keep it real.

After work I go to the gym, doing my thing... thinking I'm going to kill myself. I'm parched and I feel my face getting hot. Then, there she is. The woman on the phone. Not kidding... on the phone going around the circuit. Oh my gosh!!! Annoyance! I finish my work out (burning 336 calories I might add) and get out of dodge! Good golly! When I'm working out I'm in my mode... I just want to go through my circuit, stretch, and go.

Looking forward to the hurting abs in the morning! :)

Get ready!

I kind of did a 2008 Review, but I thought instead of doing a reflection of the last year, I thought I'd write the things I'm looking forward to in 2009.

*Missions Trip to Haiti, taking place April 3-12.
*Getting deeper in my relationship with Christ.
*Many more travel adventures, so I can use my new luggage! :)
*Seeing Kyle graduate from high school.

On my birthday I wrote 15 things I'd like to do before I'm 30. I'm excited for 2009 as a chance to get started on this list; since I turn 30 in 2010. ;) New Years Eve was great! We didn't do much but visit, eat, and watch New Years Even Live in Vegas. I love spending time visiting with friends I can't see every day - and going to bed at 4 am! New Years Day we vegged most of the day and then got ready that evening and went to Abuelos for dinner. All in all, a weekend - I could get used to having 4 days off every week! :)

I hope you all had a great New Years no matter what you did. Wish you all the joy and happiness in 2009!

Who are you?

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear


• * Listen to me carefully


• * Don't judge me for my anxiety


• * Work things through with me


• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us


• * Laugh and make jokes with me


• * Gently push me toward new experiences


• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends


• * being responsible and hardworking


• * being compassionate toward others


• * having intellect and wit


• * being a nonconformist


• * confronting danger bravely


• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind


• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself


• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of


• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger


• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right


• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn


• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger


• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent


• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel


• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty


• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence


• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt


• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy