Not much to say...the weekend is over! It was a good weekend but really busy! Mark and I "worked"...more like made appearances and pretended to be in charge. We had a wedding of some friends from church on Saturday after work. Doug and Jen who were in our "Fit to be Tied" class 2 1/2 years ago!!! They had been dating 5 years!! I'm sooo happy for them. The wedding was alot of fun! We only new 2 other people there but we had a good time being together and out. We ditched for 15 mins to go swing at the park across the street.
Today after church I had breakfast with Dad and his pal Lou, who attented the 9 o'clock. Then we went shopping for Baby Shower gifts for a friend of Mom's. Then we went to the shower. This woman, Missy, got more gifts then I have ever seen at a shower!! Good for her, shes set!
Now Mark is on his way to the train station to pick up his Mom and nephew who will be staying with us for the next 3 days. I just got a call from him saying the battery light came on in the car and he hopes he will make it home!! Yikes!!! Oh..and he has Malachy with him. Its after 4 o'clock and the last time Malachy ate baby food was 6:45am (before church) so I asked..."did you give the baby lunch" Mark replied "he didn't act hungry, why do you expect me to think of these things?"...hhhmmmm!!! Hope he's had a diaper change!
Should be an exciting couple of days!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
New Community
I don't even know where to start or what to say about New Com last night. No offense to my husband the Tech director...but...man that was the worst technical service I have experienced at willow in a long time! I'm not usually a "the devils in the sound board" kinda gal but man there was something strange about last night. Not only was the tech off but the congegration was strange too! There were tons of kids talking and screaming one had a massive melt down during the closing prayer in which his kicking made the messanine shake and scare little kimmy! People were having conversations during worship and a lot of people just got up and walked out before the service was even over. (it did go 30mins over!)
With all of that going on the message was amazing for those who were able to focus and hear it! Something wonderful and frightning is happening at Willow. I don't know how to explain it but the man we meet in line for coffee (who Kim has labled affectionatly a socialist) called it the natural progression of those who follow Christ. The message was about Gods mana and how we are commanded to only take enough mana for today. The point was that we shouldn't store up for a tomorrow that may never come when there are people starving today. We shouldn't hoard, we should share with those less fortunate. we should have all things in common... none with too little and none with too much. We should always be on gaurd not to allow Gods blessings to replace God and ruin our lives. All of this we have heard before but none of which we really live by. If we did we probably wouldn't be sitting at home on our computers right now.
You could almost feel people putting up walls at points and not wanting to let in what the speaker was saying. And you could see his desire to not get off stage until we got it. I can understand why people were hesitant to get excited about giving not just their left overs to the poor but a real leveling of the playing field. But he made it clear that was Gods call and anything else falls short. Very interesting night it will be a while before I get my head around it.
With all of that going on the message was amazing for those who were able to focus and hear it! Something wonderful and frightning is happening at Willow. I don't know how to explain it but the man we meet in line for coffee (who Kim has labled affectionatly a socialist) called it the natural progression of those who follow Christ. The message was about Gods mana and how we are commanded to only take enough mana for today. The point was that we shouldn't store up for a tomorrow that may never come when there are people starving today. We shouldn't hoard, we should share with those less fortunate. we should have all things in common... none with too little and none with too much. We should always be on gaurd not to allow Gods blessings to replace God and ruin our lives. All of this we have heard before but none of which we really live by. If we did we probably wouldn't be sitting at home on our computers right now.
You could almost feel people putting up walls at points and not wanting to let in what the speaker was saying. And you could see his desire to not get off stage until we got it. I can understand why people were hesitant to get excited about giving not just their left overs to the poor but a real leveling of the playing field. But he made it clear that was Gods call and anything else falls short. Very interesting night it will be a while before I get my head around it.
Samuel
This is Samuel. Samuel is the kid I sponsor from Compassion International. He lives in Ethiopia with his Mother and 2 other siblings. Samuel loves soccer and attends kindergarten. I would appreciate it if any of you would like to pray for Samuel. I'm hoping the next picture I get of him he will be smiling. I'm sending him some Elmo stickers, that should do the trick!I thought I would include this link if any of you were interested in checking out the financial break down at Compassion. I have heard more then one person say they don't sponsor a child because they are afraid most of the money would go to overhead and not to the child directly. Compassion is comitted to keeping overhead as low as possible. Another great orginazation is World Vision this link will take you to their financial statement. I think it is something worth investigating!
Im really excited about building a friendship with Samuel and being able to write to him and encourage him directly. It takes a long time for the letters to get back and forth but I will keep you all updated!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
I decided to post MORE fabulous Malachy photos after I got a request from Sara. You know I can't deny anyone the pleasure of his beauty! This first one is from the WEEK I spent in the hospital before my Gal-bladder surgery! I posted it so Sara could feel sorry for me...and anyone else who is so inclinded!
This is a photo of Malachy on the Cubs opener day! Mark got to go to the game with a friend and Malachy and I cheered them on from home. (it was the day after I got out of the hospital) Malachy is a big Cubs fan despite cool Aunt Laurens disaproval.
Here is a photo of Kimmy and Malachy at Lords park. I don't know why Malachy's hat always gets twisted like that!
This is a photo of Malachy on the Cubs opener day! Mark got to go to the game with a friend and Malachy and I cheered them on from home. (it was the day after I got out of the hospital) Malachy is a big Cubs fan despite cool Aunt Laurens disaproval.
Here is a photo of Kimmy and Malachy at Lords park. I don't know why Malachy's hat always gets twisted like that!
Opps! I didn't rotate this one before I posted it...but..the cuteness still shines through!
This is Malachy in his favorite Saucer! Now that he knows how to crawl he's not a big fan of the saucer! He's always on the move and usually searching for sneakers to put in his mouth!
I hope you liked the pictures Sara! You should start a blog so we can all see what you and Steve are up to! It's really easy there should be a start your own blog button on the top right hand corner of this page. And Jason if your reading this you should do it too!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Vacation Pics Emily might want to see
Crystal mentioned her and Emily watched Little Women and enjoyed it last week. So I thought Emily might like to see these pictures. They are pictures from Concord Mass. Mainly of Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott (Jo in the movie/book) and her family lived from 1858-1877. The book is fictional but Louisa based all the characters very heavily on her parents and sisters. Some of the things are true-ish. Her and her sisters really did have plays in their home. Her one sister really was an artist. Louisa obviously really does become an author... and things like that. However while viewing the home we learned that Louisa (Jo) never did get married in real life and was quite happy not to. The only reason Jo got married in the book was because all of her young fans wrote in to her editor saying Jo must marry! Her sisters however all married I think (except the one who died). One sister even got married in the house. Louisa (Jo) was an amazing women she served as a nurse in the army and wrote many books for young women.
This first picture is of Nathaniel Hawthorne's house. The blurry people in front are Kim, Mark, and baby. Nathaniel lived next door to the Alcotts for a little while and was friends with Louisa's (Jo's) father. He would go for walks with the girls and talk to them about his love for nature. He was not in the book Little Women but his house gives you an idea of what the neighborhood looked like. (and maybe was her inspiration for the fictional wealthy neighbors home in Little Women) Nathaniel Hawthorne was another famous author from Concord Mass. He wrote The Scarlet Letter and many other books. We also visited his birth place in Salem Mass. while we were there. (and the House of 7 gables)
This one is the side view of Orchard House and Kimmy is out front.
This is the school of Philosophy that Louisa's (Jo's) father built and taught in. It is right in there backyard!
This is a blury postcard I scanned in. It is the front view of the Alcott home (Orchard House) the front was under construction when we visited. It's a beautiful home! Remolded from 2 buildings built before the revolutionary war! So it's OLD! Loisa wrote Little Women here in 1868. She had lived in the home for 10 years at that time.
Ok well those are all my pictures from Old Orchard house. I hope you liked them Emily!
This first picture is of Nathaniel Hawthorne's house. The blurry people in front are Kim, Mark, and baby. Nathaniel lived next door to the Alcotts for a little while and was friends with Louisa's (Jo's) father. He would go for walks with the girls and talk to them about his love for nature. He was not in the book Little Women but his house gives you an idea of what the neighborhood looked like. (and maybe was her inspiration for the fictional wealthy neighbors home in Little Women) Nathaniel Hawthorne was another famous author from Concord Mass. He wrote The Scarlet Letter and many other books. We also visited his birth place in Salem Mass. while we were there. (and the House of 7 gables)
This one is the side view of Orchard House and Kimmy is out front.
This is the school of Philosophy that Louisa's (Jo's) father built and taught in. It is right in there backyard!
This is a blury postcard I scanned in. It is the front view of the Alcott home (Orchard House) the front was under construction when we visited. It's a beautiful home! Remolded from 2 buildings built before the revolutionary war! So it's OLD! Loisa wrote Little Women here in 1868. She had lived in the home for 10 years at that time.
This was Louisa's (Jo's) youngest sisters bedroom. She was an accomplished artist and would sketch on the walls. She has paintings in many of the rooms in the house.
Ok well those are all my pictures from Old Orchard house. I hope you liked them Emily!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Disturbing Voices...40 million people are calling
"For he has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help." Psalm 22:24 (NLT)
I got an e-mail at work today that had a link to a new conference being held at Saddle Back. I'm proud that Willow is partnering with them in adressing this subject.
"Find out how God has changed the hearts of two of America’s most influential pastors, the hearts of their wives, and the direction of Saddleback Church."
Click here to check out the conference.
I got an e-mail at work today that had a link to a new conference being held at Saddle Back. I'm proud that Willow is partnering with them in adressing this subject.
"Find out how God has changed the hearts of two of America’s most influential pastors, the hearts of their wives, and the direction of Saddleback Church."
Click here to check out the conference.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
This is POST 4 today...scroll down and check them all out!! Wouldn't want you to miss out on Mark's "fitness"!!
Another quote from Kims article that I really liked!
"Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spells that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years. "
C. S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory"
"Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spells that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years. "
C. S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory"
Harry Potter
This is a piece of an article Kim has linked on her blog. I think it is an interesting debate. I have heard parents who support books and movies like Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and Star Wars condem Harry Potter. I don't know what thats all about. Gandolf, if you remeber was a wizard and there is plenty of magic in Lord of the Rings. I'm not intending to start a fight with any well meaning parents!! I certainly believe it is responsible for parents to censor what their children read or see. (and I'm pretty sure that I would not let my child read Harry Potter until he is old enough to handle it) However I think it is important as parents and Christians to be careful not to fight the wrong battles and to be careful not to send our kids contradicting messages.
Is there a place for magic in the imagination of a Christian child?
'Magic' is activity not obedient to naturalist law and material quantities. Rowling is writing a broadside, Christian attack on 'the reign of quantity', error, evil, and ugliness in the modern world; what better place to cast the counter spell to the enchantment of modernity than in a technology free world of magic alongside our own? And, yet, because of the poetry of magic she uses in her defense of the greater view, she has drawn fire from the very community she defends.
The irony of Christian objections to Harry Potter is that they are uniformly made against their magic and 'occult elements.' There is a real danger in the occult, and I protect my children from any exposure to it, even in 'popular culture'. Objections to the magic in Harry Potter, however, mistake the edifying use of magic in literature for actual invocational sorcery condemned by Scripture which it clearly is not.
Is there a place for magic in the imagination of a Christian child?
'Magic' is activity not obedient to naturalist law and material quantities. Rowling is writing a broadside, Christian attack on 'the reign of quantity', error, evil, and ugliness in the modern world; what better place to cast the counter spell to the enchantment of modernity than in a technology free world of magic alongside our own? And, yet, because of the poetry of magic she uses in her defense of the greater view, she has drawn fire from the very community she defends.
The irony of Christian objections to Harry Potter is that they are uniformly made against their magic and 'occult elements.' There is a real danger in the occult, and I protect my children from any exposure to it, even in 'popular culture'. Objections to the magic in Harry Potter, however, mistake the edifying use of magic in literature for actual invocational sorcery condemned by Scripture which it clearly is not.
MORE Fab Vacation Pictures!! You just can't get enough can you!?!
This is Malachy and me at my Aunts wedding in Mass. Kim and I wore matching dresses and we looked pretty silly. Unfortunately the camera died before I got a picture of that.
This is Key and I at the Plymoth plantation living History museum. He wanted to hop into the craddle but he settled for tasting it.
This is Mark and I in front of the Maflower 2 a remake obviously of the original.
This is the cutest baby ever in the grass at the House of the seven gables in Salem, Mass.
This is Malachy and me on the whale watching boat in Boston.
This is Key and I at the Plymoth plantation living History museum. He wanted to hop into the craddle but he settled for tasting it.
This is Mark and I in front of the Maflower 2 a remake obviously of the original.
This is the cutest baby ever in the grass at the House of the seven gables in Salem, Mass.
This is Malachy and me on the whale watching boat in Boston.
Spiritual fitness
Do you often wonder "...Man!! How does that Mark Stanger stay spiritualy fit!?" well wonder NO more friends. All the answers are right here.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Some MORE random vacation Photos...but still not the ones from Marks computer!!
This should be the end of the pictures until at least wednesday!
Vacation Pics Part II
These still aren't the ones from Mark's computer, but these are from my favorite day in New York. We went to the beach (Lake Ontario) with Noah and Lauren.
Our happy little family at the beach.
Our happy little family at the beach.
Malachy's first time at the beach.
Noah, Steph and Kim at the beach. Lauren pointed out we all have fangs!
The newly weds (congrats on your one year anniversary!)
Mark and Noah frollicking in the waves. (Can you see them?)Vacation Pics Part I
These are some of our vacation pics. The rest are still on Mark's computer, and we'll add them later.
Malachy still finds swinging to be one of his favorite things.
Kim at the park with her dearly departed glasses :-(
Malachy and me on the teeter-totter. This park is less than a block from Noah and Lauren's house on base.
My favorite part of vacation was Uncle Noah getting to know Malachy.
We spent hours laughing at Malachy.
Malachy still finds swinging to be one of his favorite things.
Kim at the park with her dearly departed glasses :-(
Malachy and me on the teeter-totter. This park is less than a block from Noah and Lauren's house on base.
My favorite part of vacation was Uncle Noah getting to know Malachy.
We spent hours laughing at Malachy.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Im feeling Nostalgic
I haven't blogged in a while. I was on Vacation for 11 days. And let me tell you there is NO place like home. (when you have a 9 month old traveling with you!) The highlight of our vacation was seeing Noah, Lauren, and our family in Boston for sure! However I don't think I was prepared for what vacation after kids meant! I will blog more on Vacation later and post some super cute pictures.
Vacation and spending hours upon hours in the car and on the train made me really reflective. I have always been an over thinker when it comes to relationships of any sort. Lately I have been consumed with mistakes and regrets from relationships in the past. Something's are best forgotten but I have a hard time letting anything go. I don't know how to explain it but it feels some what like I owe the memories respect for making me who I am. If I just throw them out it would mean the pain or joy I went thru was meaningless.
At the same time I think I am the healthiest I have ever been emotionally and I don't want to be held back by the past. I rarely spend time "reflecting" out of joy. I reflect when I'm down so I can feel sorry for myself about everything I have lost or ruined. Which is ridiculous because I have more then I have ever imagined possible and I have many more joyful memories then painful ones. I just choose to think about the painful ones. Maybe it's a need for closure or a desire to figure out a way to fix it. I think I really know that's all just an excuse to indulge and wallow in painful memories that have nothing to do with who I am today and only hold me back from the joy God intended me to have and the joy my family deserves from me.
Hmmmm....Reading that back to myself I think it comes off heavier then I intended it to be. I'm just thinking on "paper" and it's not as serious as it sounds. I feel really great about my life right now especially my new Harry Potter book which I should be reading while Malachys being soooo good! So I better get going.
Vacation and spending hours upon hours in the car and on the train made me really reflective. I have always been an over thinker when it comes to relationships of any sort. Lately I have been consumed with mistakes and regrets from relationships in the past. Something's are best forgotten but I have a hard time letting anything go. I don't know how to explain it but it feels some what like I owe the memories respect for making me who I am. If I just throw them out it would mean the pain or joy I went thru was meaningless.
At the same time I think I am the healthiest I have ever been emotionally and I don't want to be held back by the past. I rarely spend time "reflecting" out of joy. I reflect when I'm down so I can feel sorry for myself about everything I have lost or ruined. Which is ridiculous because I have more then I have ever imagined possible and I have many more joyful memories then painful ones. I just choose to think about the painful ones. Maybe it's a need for closure or a desire to figure out a way to fix it. I think I really know that's all just an excuse to indulge and wallow in painful memories that have nothing to do with who I am today and only hold me back from the joy God intended me to have and the joy my family deserves from me.
Hmmmm....Reading that back to myself I think it comes off heavier then I intended it to be. I'm just thinking on "paper" and it's not as serious as it sounds. I feel really great about my life right now especially my new Harry Potter book which I should be reading while Malachys being soooo good! So I better get going.
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