Warmer Weather = No Blogging

Has anyone else noticed that when its nice outside, the computer stays off for days at a time? I'm usually a computer addict - paying bills, shopping, blogging, emailing - at least once a day! But, this past week, my laptop has stayed in its case for days at a time. The reason? Beautiful sunshine, warmer weather and a backyard that needs some serious help.

So...if you don't hear from me for a few days - I'm not dead. I'm just resurrecting my yard.

Flashback to Yesteryear

Saturday night was a night filled with "flashbacks" to my high school years. Matt and I attended Calvary's High School Banquet (prom), but this time as faculty! I went to that same prom each year for 6 years! It was a lot of fun this time...especially seeing it from an adult perspective.

Hey Peeps!

So my wife is making me write on this "blog" thingy (I'm old, I know). Our Zambia trip was great - action packed, nonstop, go go go that you would expect... but still a life-changing experience none the less. When you think short term missions trips, you probably think building stuff or tearing down stuff ~ to sum it up, this one was more relational. I'll never forget the bonds we made in the Siachatema village and school we visited. Just walking, talking, eating, visiting, praying and encouraging them were but a few of the things we did.

AIDS. There were some I met and prayed with that will not be alive at this time next year. POVERTY. Because of the recent drought some will not have enough to feed their families and will starve. Just a couple of things that cause me to look at my lot in life and see how truly blessed I am and that I have a responsibility with what God has entrusted me with. Enough said, pray for the communities we served and the missionaries who are laying down their all for the kingdom.

He's Home!

Yeah! Matt and his team arrived home safely yesterday. With a little trouble missing flights and enduring some sickness, we drove to Chicago to get them from O'Hare airport. From the little I've heard, it was a great trip and they were able to accomplish much! I'm hoping Matt will "blog" a little over the next week so you can hear firsthand how it went. Until then, enjoy this picture.

A Wedding and One More Day

I spent the weekend in snowy northern Michigan for my cousin Justin's wedding. It was beautiful and a wonderful way to spend Easter weekend. Justin has had a rough life, making some bad choices, but in the last few years has come to know the Lord in a very personal way. And, I truly believe that God has rewarded him with a wife like Krista. She is a beautiful, godly young woman, that loves Justin. It was such a blessing to watch them exchange their wedding vows and reminded me of my own. I have a renewed passion to see my marriage glorify Christ, which gets me to my second point...

Matthew comes home tomorrow! I can't believe he's been gone for a week and a half already. For those of you that have husbands that travel often, you probably are rolling your eyes at my next statement, but I'll say it anyways. I miss him a lot! We've only been apart for a week in our short three years of marriage. This has definitely been a huge test for me. And I think I succeeded. God used this time to refine some things in me that needed refining, and showed me that my confidence doesn't lie in my marriage to Matthew, but my salvation in Christ. And that will never leave me! Thank you Lord for your sacrifice on the cross for me...and thank you that many years ago, today, you rose from the grace to claim victory over death forever!

Until next time...

Before & After

Kitchen Before - YUCK!

Kitchen After - YEAH!

It's FINALLY FINISHED!

My new kitchen! Click here to view the entire picture album.

Almost there...

Here's the most recent progress on the kitchen. New backsplash, all the cabinets painted in some form (primed or finished), new hand towels to match and a nice new set of flowers! Should be finished in the next couple of days. Just enough time for me to get the house spic and span, go out of town for a wedding and surprise Matt on Monday!