Strap yourself in-this year is going faasssssssssst.

Does everyone realize that tomorrow is March? WOW! Last year we couldn't hit the fast forward button enough on the year-this year it is flying by. I am NOT complaining by any means-March is closer to April which is closer to May. May means Spring. I love Spring!

Another resolution....down the tubes!

Yes siree-I'm leaving my resoultion behind. Between computer issues, memory cad issues, and running out of things in my house to take pictures of, I've decided to forgo a picture a day. I don't want my hobby to become work and that is how it has felt lately. I'm still going to post things on my blog but more than just pictures. Hope you'll continue to follow :)

Charlie and his Daddy!

 

Dawn and Keith

Toto-I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!

Back!

I'm back up and running! I know I am behind a few pictures but here are some from the past week:

 

An old truck in a field outside of BS-

 

 Shoes! :)

 

Glee starts up again soon-only a few more weeks!

Rockband!

For anyone who has noticed, and for those of you who haven't-I am not able to post pictures right now! My laptop is ill and I am working to get my documents back. :( Hope to be back soon.

2 pictures today:

Picture 1-We had out valentine's to each other at work. In effort to work on my sewing ( a newly acquired hobby), I made door hangers for eahc co-worker. Our "tag" is "A home for every heart" and our logo is similar to what the decoration looks like.

The second picture is of my dear Wesson-the side most people don't see when they visit. :)

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Today was Superbowl....we went to a party, but, I don't think I watched any of the game. I enjoyed conversation with friends though! :) I know I'm getting old....we were home shortly after 9 but I'm ready for bed. Raymond is relaxing too...

Catching up!

A few days worth of pictures.....

This is the one of the few things I enjoy about the winter-a warm fire in the fireplace!

I took a few pictures of Raymond...some of them were pretty funny. I decided to post this one because I like his silly smile.

I'm in the process of making valentine's for my coworkers. We deliver them to each other every year. I'll post when I get one finished! (They look nothing like this picture!)

"Uncle Keith" bought these bones when he came to visit at Christmas, in 2008! Can you believe they are still around? They are so thick that the dogs just can't chew them up.

For my Duncle

If there HAPPPENS to be SOMEBODY who lives with my Duncle and reads my blog...could you please show him the picture today? This will explain why he is not getting his birthday card on time-because he doesn't live in Grain Valley, MO. Sorry Dave-your birthday card was in MY mailbox today as a return to sender.

(If the picture looks funny it is because I deleted out the information that would give mine and my family's address away!)

2/1/2010

Everyone has favorite things-mine include walking down the laundry aisle at the grocery store and the smell of fresh, warm, laundry.

Just for Fun....

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

At BSCC we are in the middle of a series entitled, "This Year I Resolve." Part 5 is to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.



Jesus told us that the most important commandment is to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.” The second commandment, equally as powerful, is to "Love your neighbor as yourself." For me, the service today was really moving.



In general, I like to think that loving people is a strength of mine. I am a social worker and naturally I am inspired to find the best in people even when they are in their lowest place. In my job this may mean they are partaking in destructive behaviors which have the potential to cause trauma to themselves and/or their children. Some of those people are abusing their children, abusing substances, harming their significant others, and participating in criminal activity. Some of our clients "lowest point" just means they are down and out, can't find steady employment, or have a disability or mental health concerns. Working with clients, I can accept people for who they are and I can dream of a future where they are living up to the potential I know they have. I'll admit that some of those things are harder to look past than others. I also know that the difference between them and me is often a manner of seconds and the decisions that I make during those seconds. Most of those decisions a direct result of an upbringing I was blessed to have been given, an upbringing that many Americans don't ever have.



So why, if I can find the good in the majority of people I serve at work everyday, can't I find love for every person I encounter, for all my neighbors? Service today taught us that everyone is our neighbor-the person who lives next door, our family & friends, our co-workers, the homeless person begging for money, and the inmate on death row. EVERYBODY is our neighbor and all of our neighbors were made in the image of God.

The shocking realization? 1 John 4:20-21; If anyone boasts, "I Love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both." (The Message).



Does this mean I don't really love God? Scary huh? I'm shortchanging Him. I'm picking and choosing who I love and when I love them. If I can find the good in my professional encounters with my neighbors then I should be more than able to find the good in my personal encounters with my neighbors. I have fallen short. The good news is Jesus has saved me and my church has challenged me.


Those who are the hardest to love often reflect a character flaw of yourself or something you are afraid of becoming. It is impossible to love everyone without taking a deep look into your own heart and learning to love yourself. On the obvious, enemies are incredibly difficult to love-we should pray for them feverishly. God loves the good and the bad and is fair to everyone. We need to act like Him and spread genuine forgiveness. For everyone is made in God’s image and everyone is worthy of God’s grace and forgiveness; everyone is worthy of God’s love.

One of the most powerful parts of worship today was singing "Hosanna" by Hillsong United. A few of the powerful lyrics are below, but, you can catch the whole song here: Hosanna-.



Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me


Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

I want my heart to break at the things that breaks God's heart-even if I am the one with the actions that are heartbreaking. I WANT to know these things so I can heal my heart and become clean.

HOSANNA

Does anybody know what time it is?!

Even worse that getting behind in posting, I forgot to take my picture yesterday! =) I made plans to head over to a friend's to play Rockband last night-if you don't know what this is or haven't played you are missing out. Last night was my first time. It was so much fun and I tried every role out (guitar, bass, drums, and singing (not alone though!). In all the excitement, I left home without my camera. I had been saving my picture for that group game. By the time I got home it was after 11:30PM and I fell asleep. I took a picture first thing this morning to make up for it.

Catch up-Thursday's Picture

Thursday night's make me get behind in blogging! I realize it is Friday, but, I'm just now posting for the last two days due to work. 

Today is the State of the Union and, being an optimist, I still have hope that the best is yet to come. Here is my picture for the day "Watching the State of the Union address."

Today is my aunt's 50th Birthday, officially! You may recall we held a party for her last week. As usual, I had a busy, busy day and then small group tonight. I didn't get her called until about 45 minutes ago and she goes to bed early. I think I missed getting to talk to her on her Birthday. I do know though, she often checks this first thing in the morning, so:

01-26-2010

1-25-2010

Today's picture is a celebration! Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary of Raymond's seziure. We are thrilled to be where we are today. He is taking this cookie cake to work with him tonight to celebrate with his co-workers. At one point we weren't sure he was going to be able to continue his career but one year later, he is still there! As you can see, it is made from scratch-excuse the messy decorating! :)

1-24-2010

Today I traveled home from Iowa. On the way I had to stop and take my picture for the day. This picture is so "Iowa" and is of the farm equipment out in the field. Isn't it beautiful?! (I NEVER thought I would say that!) Much of my family (father, grandpa, uncles, etc.) have retired from John Deere. John Deere Green has always been in my life! =)