My Weekend

I apologize for the little blogging break I took, but after the events of last week, I crashed this weekend emotionally and physically. It was nice to spend Saturday at a Creative Memories crop with my mom. It's been awhile since both of us had done any scrapbooking, and I, for one, am WAY behind! I spent the entire day scrapping Christmas photos from 2002 and 2003. In my chronological family albums, I'm only on 2000, so I'm a little better off on my Christmas photos than my every day photos! I really need to make it a priority, especially in light of last week's events. My cousin's wife and her sister were both scrapbookers (the younger sister introduced her older sister to the craft) and now both husbands are thanking their wives for leaving behind so many well-preserved and organized memories. I know it sounds morbid, but I really want to get caught up for Dave and the boys in case something happens to me. (And no, I'm not getting paid by Creative Memories!)

On Sunday I taught my fourth grade Sunday School class. Ironically, the lesson revolved around the hope we have through Jesus Christ. I shared with the class how apropos this lesson was to my week, and then they shared the difficulties they face on a daily basis...everything from passing the PSSA's this week to the death of a pet to divorce in their families. It was refreshing to be able to reiterate again how the hope we have because of Jesus's resurrection from the dead enables us to face whatever comes our way. Our God is a faithful God, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever...praise be to His Name!

So now I'm back to my normal weekly activities...grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, ebaying, blogging...but I'm not the same person I was a week ago. I've changed somehow...and that's okay. God works ALL THINGS together for my good, and I know He knows what He's doing! More later!

Exhausting, Exhilirating Day

Today Karen Peters, my cousin's wife, had her earthly body laid to rest. The celebration service of her life was beautiful, from the solo at the beginning, to the benediction at the end. In between we laughed and cried as Karen's life was remembered. My Dad led the service and shared the message. The hope that we have through Jesus Christ was clearly presented. Admirably, and with strength that only hope in Christ can give, Karen's brother and mother shared words of testimony. Karen's mother was amazing...she shared her memories of Karen and then prayed for both of her sons-in-law who have sustained such devastating losses this past week. Karen was buried just steps from my grandfather in a beautiful cemetery in Wilmington. We all commented that even though Karen had never met Grandpop Christian, we are sure they found each other in heaven. Now I am tired...and I can't even fathom how exhausted my other family members must be. Continue to pray for my cousin and his daughter, and his brother-in-law and three sons. Some tough days lie ahead for them as they adjust to this new normal...but God is good, and will give them the strength to take it a day at a time. The service began with my cousin's sister singing a beautiful song entitled "I Can Only Imagine". Karen's not imagining any more...praise God!

Prayer Request from Ebay Friend

Those of you who faithfully read my blog know that I have been on Ebay lately, attempting to purchase vintage tupperware to help organize my pantry. In so doing, I have "met" some very nice sellers through e-mail exchanges. One of those sellers is Judy, with whom I have exchanged many e-mails in an attempt to clarify some things. Long story short, I have found out that Judy's nephew, Jamie, has just been diagnosed with Wilson's Disease, a genetic disorder that causes excessive copper accumulation in the liver or brain, and is potentially fatal. This news has weighed heavily on her family as it comes on the heels of other losses in the family. I told her that I would be praying for Jamie, and her family, and asked if I could put his name on my blog so that others could pray, as I know most of my regular readers pray faithfully. She agreed, so I humbly ask that, as God brings Jamie and Judy to your mind, you would pray for them, and for God's will to be done in this situation. Judy and I thank you!

Beautiful Poem

To read a beautiful poem that my youngest sister wrote about the tragedy that has affected our family and the hope we have in Jesus Christ, please visit her blog here.

For a very moving and thought-provoking three-minute video that has increased significance for our family these days, please click here.

Please pray for my cousin and our entire family in the days and weeks ahead. Thank You!

What Resurrection Day Means To Me

It has been an emotional weekend for our extended family. We found out early Saturday morning that my cousin's wife and two sisters were in a fatal car accident late Friday night in upstate PA. My cousin's wife and her youngest sister were killed instantly when a drunk/high driver failed to negotiate a turn and hit them head on. The middle sister, who was driving, is in critical condition with internal injuries and a leg that is all but destroyed and will possibly need to be amputated to some degree. My cousin and his wife have a four year old daughter who was adopted from China a few years ago, and her sister and husband have three young sons and a foster son who subsequently was returned to social services...loss upon loss. The surviving sister has a 16 year old son. As details of this tragedy unfolded over the weekend, I couldn't help but think about the ramifications for my cousin, and how important it is to keep short accounts because you never know what the future holds. He didn't go to bed Friday night thinking that his wife and sisters-in-law wouldn't return home from dinner and shopping. He didn't expect to get awakened abruptly by state police at 4 a.m. with such horrendous news. He didn't expect to be burying his 39 year old wife this week and raising a daughter by himself. He didn't expect any of this...BUT IT WAS NOT A SURPRISE TO GOD.

Yesterday, my cousin's wife and her sister celebrated Resurrection Day in Heaven. They were embraced by their father, who passed away almost two years ago. They were greeted by my grandfather, who preceded them almost 25 years ago, whom my cousin's wife had heard a lot about, but had never met. And they were welcomed home by their Heavenly Father, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Jesus Christ himself, who made their eternity in Heaven possible through His sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection over 2000 years ago. For you see, at a specific point in time, both of these young ladies placed their faith and trust in Christ and asked Him to forgive them of their sins and be their Lord and Saviour...Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life eternal.

As we gathered to celebrate Resurrection Day at church yesterday, we sang that beautiful Gaither song, "Because He Lives". As I sang the familiar words, I was struck afresh and anew by the third stanza and chorus:

And then one day I'll cross that river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory--

And I'll know He lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living--

Just because He lives.

I thought of my cousin, and the peace he has in the midst of his grief, because he knows his wife is in Heaven, and he will see her again someday. And the hope he has in the midst of his grief, because he knows that God will sustain him and his daughter through the difficult days ahead...BECAUSE JESUS LIVES! It is my prayer that all who read this blog would know that same peace and that same hope that only trusting in Jesus's finished work on the cross can bring. If you do not know that if YOU were to be struck by a drunk driver tonight and killed instantly, YOU would be in Heaven with Jesus...please allow me to share with you how you CAN be sure!

What does Resurrection Day mean to me?

BECAUSE HE LIVES, I CAN FACE TOMORROW...AND WHATEVER TOMORROW BRINGS!

Imagine That!

Yesterday I spent a good part of the morning cleaning out and reorganizing my pantry in anticipation of my new, old, tupperware arriving later this week. I have not really done that since we originally move into this house almost two years ago, so I found many interesting things! Of extreme satisfaction to Sabastian was the location of a long lost Game Boy game and shark tooth; I was impressed with the spare coinage I found...it was enough to allow the boys to purchase lunch this week! I also threw out a bunch of stuff, and put some of my Longaberger baskets to good use...now I'm just awaiting my tupperware so that I can put my dry goods away properly. When it's all done, I'll have to post pictures...I know, not the most interesting thing in the world, but important to me! Speaking of waiting, I'm still waiting for my first Etsy purchase to arrive from Chile. The tracking website says it's still enroute to Miami, but that was almost a week ago! I check the mail with anticipation every day...when it gets here, I'll let you know!

Ebay-ing

Well, I have won and lost on Ebay the last few days. I'm currently waiting on a couple of more auctions to end this evening before I go to bed. The competition has been fierce on these tupperware containers (believe it or not!) but I'm close to having what I need to store my dry goods and my fresh home baked bread. Dave says he never would have thought that I would be baking and cooking like I am...I always knew there was an ulterior motive for keeping me at home...it wasn't just for the kids! The funny thing is, we are working on losing weight so I'm cooking more, but eating less--go figure! When my new, old (vintage sounds so much better!) tupperware arrives, I'll post a picture! Gotta run and check my auction standings........

"God didn't make all Daniels"

This week I met with a dear friend from our new church who has become a mentor to me. She is at a later stage in life than I, and has a lot of wisdom about raising children and being a woman in ministry. We were talking about our children, and she made the comment with which I titled this post. It really struck home for me. I want my boys to be Daniels, who follow God no matter what the cost. However, God didn't make all Daniels. He made the Jonahs, who whither under the pressure to do right, and the Jacobs who connive their way through life until God gets ahold of them. He made the Peters who love God ferociously, but lose sight of Him when the going gets tough, and the Samsons who fall prey to what the world offers, depending on their own strength instead of God's. And the list could go on and on. But while these biblical men all failed in one way or another, they also all were used by God in a mighty way...in spite of their weaknesses. I am reminded anew that in our weakness, God is strong, and He has a plan and a purpose for my children which far surpasses anything I might dream for them. To God be the glory...and may I have the patience to see them through to the end!

I'm Vintage!

I have been having fun lately looking at vintage items on Etsy and Ebay. I'm looking for some large tupperware containers in which to store my flour and sugar, etc., and am really wishing my mom kept all her old stuff...that's what's vintage and collectible now! I just have to laugh when I see pictures of the things I grew up with labeled "vintage"...I just don't feel that old yet! I'll let you know if I win any of my current high bids!

TravelingMom.com

If you love to travel, as I do, then you must check out this new website. It is all about traveling with kids and families, and is written by moms who have "been there, done that." The message boards have some great threads with everything from car seats in airplanes to potty training to when you should go to Disney World with a 2 year old to what people pack in ziploc bags when they travel. It's really a neat place to look around and get some interesting and informative tidbits. There is also a section on what to see when you go places that is being written by moms about their own hometowns! Check it out!

Etsy-ing

My new favorite pastime at night is to browse Etsy for unique and different handcrafted items. If you have not visited this site yet, you really must do so. I am just amazed at the creativeness of so many people, and their willingness to share it (for a fee!) with the world. I have found that the prices are usually very reasonable for the time and effort that was put into creating the items. My favorites list grows nightly as I peruse the stores and their merchandise. So far I have only purchased twice...my first purchase was from a Chilean woman in the northern city of Antofagasta (where my youngest sister and her family are going to be missionaries) who creates handstamped items and had just opened her store the day I found it--I figured "what's the likelihood of that happening" and decided to be her first customer! I'm still waiting for my cards to arrive from Chile, but when they do, I will post a picture of them. My second purchase was of two vintage black and white postcards with photos of little girls on them...they were just too cute to pass up. I want to frame them and hang them in my workspace downstairs for inspiration. While they are not uniquely homemade items, I have found many vintage things on Etsy that people use in altered, creative ways. So when you have some extra time on your hands and you want to be inspired, check out Etsy and all it has to offer...and if you find any favorite stores, pass along the information! (BTW, I'm not being paid for this commercial!)

"My Husband Rocks!"

While at our church's women's retreat this past weekend, I noticed the title of this post very tastefully and attractively printed on a lady's t-shirt. I know her husband, and I thought it was a very cool way to show her love and respect for him. Of course, the way she, a personal trainer and runner, looked in the t-shirt and I, a person in need of a personal trainer, would look in the t-shirt, are two different things. So instead of wearing a t-shirt, I am announcing to the world, or at least those in the world who read my blog, that my husband rocks. He had his one year evaluation meeting at work yesterday and was told by his boss that he already meets or exceeds all of his benchmarks. This means a little more raise and bonus then we were expecting, for which we are grateful to the Lord. It also means that Dave is right where he should be for now, and we are grateful for that, too. I'm proud of you, honey! You rock!

Pooh's Thoughtful Spot

I love Winnie the Pooh...always have and always will. Fortunately, I now have a son who loves him as well...and all the other characters, of course! When we are home in the mornings, part of our routine is watching "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" on The Disney Channel. Benjamin laughs out loud at Tigger's antics and voices his concern when Piglet feels left out or Pooh is unnecessarily concerned about something. So when we were at Disney and found a little slice of the 100 Acre Woods, of course we had to take a break there! Here are some really cool photos of Benjamin in Pooh's house. Enjoy!

I'm Baaack!

I know I have myself tricked into thinking that a lot of people visit my blog to see if I've written anything (b/c that's what I do with other people's blogs!) and that they miss me when I'm gone. For those people...I'm back! I was away for a few days at a Women's Retreat sponsored by our church here in Lebanon. It was very refreshing, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally...not so much physically! I was tired when I got home, but it was a good tired. I'll post more about what I learned at the retreat later. While I was gone, Dave survived with the four boys, and even made it to the second service on Sunday...I had had my doubts that he would make it to church at all! Many thanks to my dear friend, Sharon Metzger, for babysitting on Friday night while Dave worked. She loves our kids like her own grandkids, and I know they enjoyed being with her. This week I'm pretty busy with a couple of trips to Lancaster (more about that later, too), my women's Bible study, and a PTF meeting. Never a dull moment! But I promise to continue my new year's resolution of daily journaling here on my blog...stay tuned!