Go. Be. Do.

Ever have a moment when a story from the Bible really hit home?  Most recently, this happened while reading 1 Samuel 18-20, where one finds a story of friendship.  The two friends are David and Jonathan. This friendship is not without its trials, however, unless you want to overlook the fact that Jonathan's father was trying to kill David.  Add to that (as if that weren't enough), David spent a lot of his time in hiding so the two friends weren't exactly going out and grabbing a burger together like friends usually would. There were so many obstacles, one wonders how or why a great bond remained between the two.  Apparently, there is something to learn from these two men and their friendship...I cannot imagine that there would be 3 chapters devoted to sharing their story if there wasn't.  If you Google "David and Jonathan" you will find a plethera of links and ideas and thoughts on their story.  Trust me, I did and you will.  Want to read the commentators, f

Last Thursday, after schooling was complete, we jumped in the pool to take advantage of the still warm enough weather/water for a fun afternoon together.  As we floated, splashed, swam (and tried to avoid the shade that quickly wanted to invade my space), I counted down the days of school until we'd be "free" in the days of summer again. We all had on our water fight "helmets". We enjoy school, but we love summer! Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

As long as I can remember, I've loved to fish.  No matter the water source...pond, lake, river, ocean...each has their own joys when it comes to fishing.  I am not choosy when it comes to fishing, just put a pole in my hand and lead me to water.  I will enjoy my time there trying to catch the big one. Grew up primarily fishing in Grandpa Miller's pond, but we would occasionally visit a neighborhood fishing spot or go to the river.  Have to have a license to fish on the river...still remember that fishing trip when Mom was just holding one of the poles (out of the water mind you) for one of us girls for a moment and that was the moment the Game Warden happened to show up.  He apparently never went fishing with kids and didn't know they need help from Mom sometimes...that doesn't mean she was fishing without a license. I'm not for sure where we had gone fishing in my first picture.  This picture makes me smile to think of where it all started...and how far I've

As a metro Atlanta resident, it seems almost a requirement to go to a Braves game to continue living here.  I grew up watching baseball and loving the game...and have been to a few games in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit...and of course, Atlanta.  The problem for me going to a Braves game is purely mental...having been a Mets and Cardinals fan for years, I just haven't the love necessary for the Braves to call me a fan. However, as with many things in life that I haven't particularly enjoyed over the years, my boys make it so worth my time and heart.  I go watch the Braves because I love my boys...and my boys and I love baseball.  Well, they love what they know of the game...still in training, but getting the hang of the lingo and SOP's of a baseball fan rather well. There are a few things that remain the same from stadium to stadium..."the wave" (Braves' attendees do not always get into this, which is very disappointing), organ music to lead you to yell &q

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18:19-20 Thursday, July 29th - Sunday August 1st My final days in AK were filled with cooking, laughing, and visiting the parks with teams.  As I went to the park party on Thursday evening, my heart was moved once again for the people of Alaska.  Yes, it is a beautiful state...and there are great people to meet both from AK and on the teams who come the volunteer...but the reason I went to Alaska was the ministry.  Without the ministry, it's simply a vacation.   God moved among His people in Alaska.  Lives were changed.  Hearts and eyes were opened up to His goodness and forgiveness.  Although I had a backseat view this year, it was evident that God was impacting communities because of the willingness of His children to go and make disciples.   The vision behin

Usually every summer we find time to drive up to Helen and go tubing down the Chattahoochee River.  It is one of our favorite summer activities.  We haven't made it up yet this summer, but there's still time...maybe even for this weekend. :)  The boys keep asking if we are going, so maybe we'll just have to stop what we're doing and go.  A lex and Tim have both been tubing since in diapers.  The first trip with Alex when he was around 8 months old.  Tim was around 6 months.  They both slept during the last half of the trip.  They have grown to love tubing.  We've even introduced them to white water rafting and now they're hooked on that, too.  So thankful we've been blessed with such fun, adventurous boys! These pics are from last year...such fun!  I can't wait to make more memories while tubing the Hooch!

Some have asked for the dessert recipes that I made in Alaska.  So, in case you didn't have a chance to copy them down in Alaska, or for those of you reading who don't know what I am talking about, here are some tasty treats to try one day.  Cherry Delight 1 pkg. graham crackers 1 stick butter or margarine (melted) 1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.) (room temp. is best or heat in microwave for a few seconds to soften) 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Cool Whip (8 oz.) 1 can cherry pie filling (20 oz or the next size if you prefer) Crush graham crackers to make crumbs.  Melt butter and pour on crumbs.  Mix.  Spread mixture into a 9 x 13 pan.  Combine softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  Mix in Cool Whip.  Spread this mixture on top of crust.  Spread cherry pie filling on top of cream cheeese filling.  (Can add nuts to cream cheese mixture if you like).  Keep refrigerated. Peach Cobbler preheat oven to 350° 1 stick butter or margarine 1 cup sugar 1 cup flour

Wednesday, July 28 This morning was a beautiful morning.  As Kim and I were pulling out from our staff house, we saw the sun rising over the mountains.  Three different visits to AK and I had never seen the sunrise.  I was always awake, but it just was never clear enough to experience it....until today.  As we were driving we both just wanted to stop and capture the moment with our cameras, but everytime we tried there was something in our way.  We could see it, but it just wasn't a good photo.  We laughed together as Kim said she felt like we were like the "storm chasers".  Needless to say, our on time status became a late status to Calvary.  I think it was worth it, though. It was our big "Alaska Day" in the kitchen...breakfast consists of pancakes and blueberry syrup...lunch, Alaskan salmon and halibut fixed in a variety of ways.  Mrs. Geri had told me that the staff come in and know how to get it done.  They were in full swing by the time Kim and I arrived

Tuesday, July 27th Last week during staff meeting I had been chosen to take over as head cook for today and tomorrow while Billy and Geri had two days off.  No pressure.  I had to learn all about the "system" in one day yesterday to be fully ready to feed 70+ people today...and know how do it just the way it had been done the past 5 weeks.  Ummm....yeah.  I had the "know where things are" part okay...even the "feeding lots o' people" part...as for the "doing it just like it had been done" part...not going to happen.  I am not someone else nor am I going to be in 24 hours time.  That just isn't who I am.  I don't expect it of others...we all do things differently in our homes, and the same is true when in the kitchen somewhere else. My policy is more of an open door policy...come in, hang out, help some if you want or not...just feel free to come and go as you want.  As long as I get things done well and for the most part on time, we

Monday, July 26th Someday I will look back on this day and laugh.  Someday.  For now, I will choose to write about the highlight of my day, revisiting Native New Life Fellowship.  Let's just say, prior to Native New Life, my day was filled with a range of events and emotions.  I am so thankful God gave me a wonderful week last week to remember and the sermon yesterday to remind me that there's a greater good out there in having a bad day.  God can use my day to draw me closer to Him.  I will admit I cried out to Him time and time again throughout my day.  At other times, I just cried.  Thanks to Joan for just giving me a hug and not asking a whole lot of questions.  I needed that! Having gone to Native New Life last Monday, I was so excited to go again this week.  There were alot more people in attendance this week, but mostly because all of the teams with GraceWorks this week came.  (As did, a group of 21 young men, serving in Anchorage with Campus Crusade for Christ.)   Same

Sunday, July 25th  It was moving day...but first things first: church and lunch.  Dr. Bowman from the Hyde Park Baptist team preached at Grandview this morning.  He spoke on Jonah...how we are all runners at one time or another and that there's always a ship waiting to take us to a "Tarshish" in our own lives and away from where God wants us to be.  He brought out the message of God's love and grace that the book of Jonah reveals to us.  God doesn't use our circumstances to  pay us back for our sins, He uses them to win us back to Himself.  Jonah's time spent in the belly of a big fish wasn't payback, it was God's way of getting Jonah back on track.  God can use whatever means He desires to win our hearts back...and I am so glad He does!  I am so thankful that in 2008 he used my homesick heart to speak His words of love and direction to me. A wonderful surprise was getting to see some of my team again...especially those that I didn't get to say

Saturday, July 24th Sightseeing day = weather not fit for man nor beast.  Sad, but true.  During the entire trip never saw a wild animal, but who could blame them for not wandering around in the wind and rain?  I think we were able to make our first two stops, Bird Point and the bakery, without it raining, but pretty much after that we were wet.  Third summer and the worst weather experienced yet on sightseeing day...I'll have to try again next year, right? :) We went right to get on the Ptarmigan for our glacier boat tour after the bakery stop.  It was pouring rain at this time.  It was difficult to keep the lens of a camera free of raindrops.  Never mind that I had my umbrella actually along this year and even with me, but I had left it on the van.  I'm pretty sure it would have been turned inside out by the wind on top of the boat, so it's probably best I didn't even try.  Thankfully, by the grace of God, the glacier was still visible with hovering clouds just above