Thoughts Along the Journey

Some of you may know Kimber , one of my blogging buddies. She sent me a prayer request for her daughter, Maddie. Maddie's appendix burst this week. The dr. cannot operate until the infection is under control. She is on medication, and they have a drain inserted. She is on morphine, but still in quite a bit of pain. She is also still experiencing high fevers. Please keep this little girl in your prayers. God bless!

Four generations! The new mama and her sweet little guy... Proud Daddy... ___________________________________________________________ Can you tell I'm a bit proud of the new addition to the family??? :o)

Isn't he just the cutest little fella???

Our family had a great time away last week. We spent some time with my husband's mom and dad. We had a day to ourselves for our anniversary (thanks to his mom and dad!). We were able to spend Father's Day with his parents and his sister's family. The kids had a great time playing Grandpa's new Wii game system! The next five days were spent at his parents' cottage on Rifle Lake, near Rose City, Michigan. His parents joined us for most of the week. There were boat rides, fishing (none caught...), playtime outdoors, time on the beach...it was loads of fun! We had some time with my husband's brother's family, too. It was an enjoyable week. The end of the week included some bouts with sickness (oldest son and me), but we still had a great time. One of the highlights of my week took place Thursday afternoon. Even as I'm typing this, I'm getting choked up. My sister-in-law gave birthday cards to our sons and me. The boys each got some McDonald's coupon...

I'm passing along this link http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.blogspot.com/ for anyone who would like to help this family.

I would like to introduce to you all Mr. Isaiah James U.! Isn't he precious??? He made his appearance this past Tuesday, June 19, weighing in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. I had to share photos of this handsome fellow with all of you.

I'm typing this the night before...but pretend it's already Sunday, June 17th. Today is Father's Day. I have a great dad, to whom much honor is due. He is a wonderful, godly man, who has shown me in so many ways what it means to be a servant. I have a father-in-law to whom much honor is due, too. He, too, is a godly man. I am thankful for the example he set for my husband. And, of course, I honor my terrific husband, who is a great dad and an example for our sons. And today is our 18th wedding anniversary. I love you forever, Keith.

I'll have to say goodbye for a few days. We're headed north to Michigan to visit hubby's family and spend some time on vacation. A much-needed vacation, for sure. Keep us in your prayers, and I'll be back...hopefully refreshed and full of more bloggy inspiration! :o)

In honor of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Joseph Kuglics , of Green, Ohio, who was killed by a roadside bomb on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, in Kirkuk, Iraq. ________________________________________________________________ Today, my two sons and I stood in the hot Ohio sun, looking down I-76 from the Route 94 overpass. We held American flags, and waited. Our eyes were focused on a hill approximately 1/2 mile east of where we stood. Finally, after close to an hour, we saw what we were looking for. Highway patrol cars with lights flashing. Cars with headlights on, and small black flags atop their roofs. A hearse carrying the body of an American hero. Car after car filled with family and friends who were processing to Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. And last of all, the Patriot Guard , riding their motorcycles decked out with American flags. I never met this young man. I don't know his family. What I know of his life I have learned from articles in the paper . T...

I go through these seasons in life. More like some type of cycle. For awhile, I can be fine with who I am and what I look like. I mean, I'm stuck with "me", so I just figure I should make the best of it, right? Of course, I realize there are always things that need improvement. I'm talking mostly spiritual things, attitudes, habits...that type of thing. But I go through these seasons where I feel like I've felt most of my life: I'm just plain ol' me. I mean that literally. I have that "girl from a Kansas farm" look. The reddish hair and freckles. A little Dorothy (of Wizard of Oz fame), a little Laura (of Little House on the Prairie fame), and a little Elizabeth (of Waltons fame)--all mixed together. [Don't get me wrong. I think they all--Judy Garland, Melissa Gilbert, and Kami Cotler-- grew up to be beautiful women!] Of course, that look has changed over ...

If you're like me, and you've been around Christians for any length of time, you know there are some that seem a little "fruitier" than others. I'm not talking strange here, folks! Don't misunderstand! (Although, now that I think about it, there are some...well, anyway.) Let me explain. There are Christians that seem to just overflow--dare I say ooze ?--with the fruit of the Spirit. They always seem to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind... No matter what trial they're going through, they seem to be able to walk in the Spirit. The truth is, though, that none of us get it right all the time. Some of us just get it right more often than others! I've heard the illustration many times that if you're carrying a glassful of milk, and someone bumps into you, milk will spill out. Not orange juice. Not Pepsi. Milk. Why? Obviously, because that was what the glass was full of. Similarly, whatever we are filled with is what comes out when we are ...

I've been thinking about this whole "king" thing since I wrote my last post. It's hard not to, with LeBron's name being in the paper and on TV and on the radio and...you get the picture. With the playoffs still underway, the local media is all abuzz about LeBron, and if he and the Cavs will be able to pull off another upset. It remains to be seen. A few years ago, another NBA player made it very clear that he wasn't a role model. He said as much. His actions were not those of a role model, for sure. But as much as they don't want to be given that label, professional athletes have to realize that young kids do idolize them. They try to dribble and shoot a basketball like their favorite player. They try to swing a bat or throw a ball like a major league baseball player. They walk like them. They talk like them. When they're playing alone in the backyard or shooting hoops in their driveway, they visualize themselves as their idol. Hitting that last secon...

Since I live in the Cleveland area, the big news right now is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are in the NBA Finals. They start their series versus the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night. The star of the Cavs' team is LeBron James. He has earned the nickname "King of the Court." The media, Cavs' promo people, and companies he endorses have played up the name "King James" in many different ways. Even to the extent that some Christians have been offended by the use of "Christian" phrases comparing LeBron to Christ. I have to admit: LeBron is good. Michael Jordan good? I'm not sure. LeBron is still young. We'll just have to wait and see. Is he the king? Well, there's debate over whether he is really the "king" of the basketball court. I guess the next couple of weeks will have to determine how high his status can climb. In some terms, he is a comeback king, he and his Cavs. They were down 2-0 to the Detroit Pistons (our ...

I found these two pictures on this website . I thought it was a pretty neat "coincidence", since I wanted something depicting the Holy Spirit! (Photos by Gun Legler) ________________________________ Today we celebrated Trinity Sunday. I love this day. Though sometimes, I wonder why. I mean, we can't really explain the Trinity. We can't put into words how the one, true God can be three Persons. Our human intellects cannot wrap themselves around that concept. But it's true. And that's why I love it. It's one of those incredible, beautiful mysteries. One of those ways God reminds us that He is God. If we could figure it out, after all, well, then, it would no longer be a mystery. Right? I love that He is God, my Father. The Creator of the Universe. I love that He is Jesus, the Son. Born of the virgin Mary. Crucified, died, and risen. My Savior. My Shepherd. My risen Lord. I love that He is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. The power-giving One who seals me ...