The Feather Poem...by request...

This is what the poem on the ornament read...

This is an angel feather,
Sent from God above.
To serve as a reminder
Of His gracious love.

It's from your guardian angel,
That God assigned to you
And fell out in his struggles,
As he protected you.

Each time you almost stumble,
Each time you nearly fall,
Remember to thank God and all His angels
For answering your call.

-Anonymous (to me, anyway)
The photo is the feather that was at the door that night

Thanks Mom!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful mother! This past week a dear friend of mine passed on some concert tickets to Erik and I that she was unable to use (SO cool...a whole post on that to come!), although we are fortunate to have Erik's family in town, I have been feeling like they may be burnt out on watching the grandkids right now. I called my mom out of desperation, she lives 4 hours away. I guess I was expecting her to be busy since it was short notice and she is an active member in the community that they live in...but she said, "Where...when....tell me and I will be there!" You can't beat that! I can't wait to say that to my girls when they are grown and ask me for help!

Not only did she watch the girls for us, she took me shopping and out for dinner...I love that she is still my Mom, even though most days I simply think of her as my best friend!

The picture is of my sister, Kathryn, me, and my Mom.

Invisible Bonds

I am so excited that I have been in contact with some of the most wonderful people in my life!!!! It is funny how just thinking about someone everyday is enough to get through even the toughest days, but when you actually communicate...it is like a rush...like falling in love all over again! I think we all are guilty of getting busy, days turn into weeks...months...and you still haven't called that friend...I tend to think that if I haven't kept in touch with someone as well as I had planned, that I have lost them. That is absolutely NOT the case! I recently sent an email to a dear friend...she responded right away, with updates and pictures! I cried as I studied about 93 photos of her and her family. Though our communication wanes at times of absence, I'm aware of a strength that emanates in the background!

letter to the editor

This is a formal retraction prior to receiving any "Letter's to the Editor"...as much as I love the story in my last post, I do not have any regrets about any part of my testimony! I was simply referring to the fact that I felt I had to push just see how far God would go...push I did...God went all the way...I am so grateful!

-Chrissy

Pieces of Me

I was browsing thru some older photos and came across this one from my baptism last year (in October). Wow...to remember what it took to get me to that day almost makes me cry! I have recently made a friend who accepted Christ as a young child, and- like many friends I know- she feels like she has maybe missed out on having a "story". Well, to her and others like her I would like to say "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29). I am (unfortunately) much like Thomas, and couldn't believe until I saw Christ for myself. I am truly thankful that I am saved, but I admit that I wish I had just believed as you did! The Beginning of my journey to Christ warms my heart as it reminds me that He is a great pursuer! I remember feeling like my life was over, I had been raked thru the coals one too many times. I was at work unwrapping Christmas ornaments thinking about ending it all, when I came across a golden feather ornament with a poem attached. I read the poem and wept...I mean a really soul wrenching cry for help! The poem basically said that this was a feather from a guardian angel that fell out in his struggles to protect you. I was sad that God didn't care enough about me to send an angel to protect me. Protect me from the pervert up the street when I was five, or protect me in my own home, or from the multitude of injustices I felt I had endured. Why didn't God care for me? That night I went to a party to drink the pain away, but before I took that first drink of the night, I felt an urge to just go home. I opened the apartment door, and a pure white feather landed at my feet. I didn't know what to believe, but I went home feeling like maybe I did matter. I still kick myself for not letting this story be my testimony!

The Big Boss

Have you ever had one of those days where you cannot deny that God intimately cares for his children? Today was one of those days for me...not so much that anything life-changing happened today, but more like I felt the sunshine on my face and the burdens lifted off of my shoulders. The aroma of hope and peace seemed to fill the skies around me all day! I went to see our new dental office (still in construction) with two of my dearest friends, and standing in that office space I could feel a chance for a new beginning...the three of us remembered together some of the injustices that we endured at the old place and it was obvious that we are doing the right thing! Our previous boss told me time and time again "You control your own destiny", but the encouragement between these friends shouts loud and clear in the truth that God is in control...lets be prayerful together and listen to what we are told! I have all the confidence that because we are all in agreement that God is really our boss, this is going to be a truly amazing dental office! I feel like we are forging ahead in some unknown territory, but we are all comforted by the same familiar hand.

Pray 2

Love for God's Word- Lord, may my children regard your word as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. (Psalm 19:10)

Justice- God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do. (Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8)

Mercy- Oh, Father, grant that my children would be full of mercy and compassion as you are Lord. (James 5:11)

Respect- Lord, help my children to show respect to everyone, as your Word commands. (1 Peter 2:17)

Self Esteem- God, help my children develop a strong self-esteem rooted in the realization that they are Your workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)

Smurf-ette

Blue chalk and a bucket of water...who knew that's what Smurf's were made of? Ava stirred up a batch of the blue sidewalk "paint" the other day...she had a blast! F.Y.I., if your children think this would be a fun creative outlet, let me be the first to warn you...this paste does not wash off easily! I had to scrub Ava's legs multiple times with warm soapy water, but that still couldn't remove the color from her nails. Adult strength whitening toothpaste and an old toothbrush worked better than soap, but still left her slightly blue! I have yet to find something to remove the footprints from our bathtub! I struggle with letting kids be kids and get messy, so this was a good activity for both of us...I hope I can relax more in the future!

Oh...here comes trouble! Ava gets messy from time to time...but Molly gets DIRTY! This episode still makes me throw up a little in my mouth...

While I was cleaning the girl's room over the weekend, I thought to myself "How wonderful is my family? Everyone is quietly entertaining themselves and I am getting some serious cleaning done!" As I carried the laundry basket down stairs I caught a glimpse of Molly standing a little too close to the toilet...YUCK!

I thought "It isn't too bad, I just bleached the bathroom yesterday..." Oh, it was bad! Molly was splashing around in USED toilet water! Ava had gone #2 , forgotten to flush, left the lid up and the door open! Gross! I gave Molly the longest, soapiest bath ever! Erik needs to stop working weekends!

Pray

Salvation-Lord, I pray that my children would obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)

God's Grace-I pray that I/my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Love-Father, grant that I/my children would learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in me/them. (Ephesians 5:2)

Integrity-Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect me/my children because my/their hope is in you. (Psalm 25:21)

Self Control-Father, help my children not be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Get to know Ava

Ava was born Jan. 8, 2004. She was an answer to my prayers and a fulfillment of God's promise. She has blessed our lives in so many ways. Of our two children, Ava is the more easy-going one. She is very sensitive and eager to please.
If I had to predict right now what Ava would grow up to be, I would guess a Hallmark card writer! She is always coming up with wonderful things to say! Here are a couple of my favorites... "Mommy, she is a wonderful dream come true..." said as we stared at baby Molly sleeping as an infant.
"Mommy, you are my best friend...it is good to have best friends forever" said after I read her a bedtime story.
As Ava was looking out our front window one evening, I asked her what she was looking at....her reply blew me away..."All the possibilities" She was two years old at the time.

Get to know Molly

Molly was born Feb. 25, 2006. Since the beginning, Erik and I have considered her to be very high maintenance! Even at the end of my pregnancy, Molly was getting into trouble...I was going into the doctor's office twice a week to monitor her heart rate which was very abnormal. It was so slow that they would have me drink juice, and then soda to see if they could "wake her up". It didn't work, so they decided to induce labor 3 weeks early. After she was born we could see that she was the picture of health!

Even now, at 14 months, she is still giving us a few gray hairs! In these pictures she had found the Easter eggs filled with candy, hid with them under the table, and ate as many as she could as fast as she could! We have to keep a close eye on this one!

Molly has so much "spunk", and she fills our lives with laughter...we love her for so many reasons!

I am a Christian

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin' "

I'm whispering "I was lost,

Now I'm found and forgiven"

When I say "I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

my flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have had my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner

Who received God's good grace, somehow!

-Annonymous

Remember the promise

I feel so blessed to have this wonderful family! I must admit that 8 years ago when God promised me all this and more, I didn't really think it was possible. "Obey Me and I will bless you and YOUR family" All glory to Him who keeps his promises!
As blessed as we are, we still have our struggles! Ava, who is definately an answer to our prayers, is challenging me DAILY! After the birth of our second daughter, Molly, 14 months ago, Ava has been occasionally playing "baby". I understand that. But for the past couple of weeks, she has been acting like a baby more often than like the big girl she is. I feel bad because it really aggrivates me and it embarrasses ME. When we are out in public and somebody politely asks her a question (i.e. "What is your name?") and she stares at them blankley with her tongue hanging out and grunts. She is VERY intelligent, and I am so proud of that. But it gets under my skin when she does that to people. I have been dilligent about praising her when she is a big girl, and ignoring her when she acts like a baby. But it doesnt seem to make any difference.
I hope she outgrows this quickly, she is such a sweet little girl.
Thanks for letting me vent!

-Chrissy