More Random Pics I love ~

Random Pictures for Fun - Halloween pics included

Homework ~

What is your Motto?
Be a cheap date. It's more fun! (translation: stop to enjoy the little things in life)

What superhuman power would you most want to have?
Be invisible

What makes you laugh?
my kids, cousins, Brian, my brother, my childhood friend, Molly (in a good way. = ), Daddy Daycare, Wil Farrel, Monty Python Search for the Holy Grail )

Cats or dogs?
Dogs

Would you rather be a little smarter or sexier?
Smarter so I could make lots of money to pay for all of the products and procedures to make me sexier. LOL!!

What's the one thing you'll never understand?
Why people run from being transparent and real with others.

My life would be simpler if?
If I had a nanny and housekeeper. he he

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...
What I should buy at Toysrus tomorrow at their 5am-noon after Thanksgiving Sale.

Contemplation ~

Jerry Dull, a wonderful member of our church, passed away recently. I had the honor of being a part of his memorial service today.

He chased after God. He instilled into his children a character of love that only could have come from our Heavenly Father. He was humble and meek in the shadows of others, holding them up to shine. There was purpose in his ministry. He had seven children, some of them adopted from other countries. The legacy he leaves behind will be felt and shown in the lives of his children, grandchildren and many more generations to come.

A friend of Joy and Jerry's said he was the backing of a picture frame, supporting his wife's ministry and dreams.

My focus lately has been on my dream of becoming a worship artist/singer/songwriter. I definitely want everything I do to be an act of worship and honor to my God and King and Saviour. But what about my loved ones. Where do they fit into that dream? I sit here huddled on the side of my bed while the kids are napping and wonder, am I instilling a legacy of love into them? Am I being obedient in enjoying where God has placed me and what He has given to me to take care of? Am I supporting my husband 100% in his ministry and where God is leading him? Am I finding other places to serve within my neighborhood and community?

I think I am, but I know I could be doing a lot more. There is no reason for me to be discontented here where God has placed me. He has placed me down this journey for a reason and I want to embrace it.

God, I am sorry for looking at life through my eyes and not through Yours. It's not about me. It's about how You can use me to win one more for You. Give me ideas of where I can serve and be used. With my family, help me to love them with my words and actions and build their lives up so that they can shine. Teach me Your ways O God. Thank you for our home, for the abundant water we drink, the variety of food we eat. Thank you for so many choices in clothing and jewelry. I look around at what I have and I can see how blessed and rich we are. Thank you. We don't deserve anything You give us. Help me to serve You at home with the everyday chores, sitting with the kids and reading to them, watching tv with them, playing with them, taking care of their needs. Help me to serve my husband by supporting him, praying for him and his needs and wants, loving him with an unconditional love, and liking him everyday, throughout the day through my words and actions. Help me to be ready to serve whenever and wherever You need me through any acts of service. May You use the gifts and talents that You have given to me for Your glory and not my own. Keep me ever so humble God. Give me abundant opportunities to win people to You. What an honor that is and what fulfillment. Help me to love others more than I love myself and others who are most dear to me. Show me ways I can help love and serve the poor and heavy-hearted. I want to be Your servant everyday, every hour, every minute, every second that You decide to give me. May You be the center of my life.

So Much To Say ~

Wow, such response to my last two posts! That's awesome. I thought I would answer some of the questions they brought up. When Hannah said that prayer and said she wanted to go to heaven. I first was thinking "does she know something I don't know. Like an insight into the future.", but I just smiled and said, "oh, really honey. uhuh." = ) Thankfully it didn't come true yet, so she's still with us. I found out that it is never too early or too late to tell someone about Jesus.

Now, regarding the 8 random things I listed. I had fun reading everyones responses. = ) Now, Quickies is a place not an action. lol. I love to read the Yellow Pages to see what attractions a city has, the maps of the city and where parks, restaurants, libraries are, and in the back they usually have coupons. I like to get out and experience a city (i've moved around a lot) so the Yellow Pages is a great tool for me.

I traveled to Poland with a Vocal Jazz Group in 12 grade. We stayed in hostels and sang at churches, theatres, schools, etc. Sharing the gospel. I LOVED Poland very much. The people there were soooo giving and hospitable. I loved their language and their food. The cars would park on the sidewalks. The buildings were full of character and history. We even went to the boarder of Russia and Poland and got a couple Russian dolls that open up to smaller and smaller dolls. There was a lot of history and experience in most of their eyes. I knew I could learn a lot from them. Oh, and I visited a consentration camp. Too much to tell you about that experience. It was so overwhelmingly sad.

In Germany we stayed in a five star hotel because our flight was overbooked (i think we each got $500.00 too). The speed limit was super high. I remember speeding down the freeway in our bus. People loved to smoke and drink beer there. The food was good. It was snowing there and we walked the streets of Hiedleberg and went to a castle of some sort where Mozart and his father visited. It had a room with a floor to ceiling barrel of beer. It was about three stories tall.

After graduating from High School I was chosen to represent Canada as a World Vision Youth Ambassador. We went to Teipei, Taiwan to stay with 50 other YA's from 50 different countries. We were suppose to live in a "global community" to prove we had more in common then not and could live peacefully together. We promoted peace and reconciliation and traveled all around Taiwan singing and dancing in a choir with our Nations Costume (mine was a Mounty Uniform) lol. Met the president of Taiwan and gov't officials, traveled to Mexico City, Mexico was on there TV program, all over the US was on Good Morning America, CNN, went to the United Nations and spoke with our Ambassadors, sang at the World Bank, The Kennedy Center, went to the World Vision head quarters. I was interviewed by a christian station in Vancouver, BC. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience.

I dated the guy from Guatemala. = ) So I went to Guatemala to visit him and his family. We toured there a bit and visited Atitlan. It was a great experience, but also an emotional experience. We were very close to getting engaged, but I knew in my heart I didn't love him. I also got a bacterial infection and was hospitalized. When I got home I was very weak.

But I had been asked to go to Calcutta, India two weeks after Guatamala to be a special guest singer for "Mission of Mercy's" Christmas Tree production. Lilly Knolls was suppose to go, but couldn't so she asked my mom's good friend who was a singer, but she couldn't so she asked me. Why? I still have no clue, but she did and I accepted. So I flew there still sick and sang two our of the 5 nights or vise versa I can't remember. I was hospitalized the other days due to my infection. It was aweful, I was so embarrassed, but they were very gracious and kind. I would love to go back and make it up to them somehow. We were right next to Mother Theresa's hospital which was exciting for me, but I never actually saw her. It was noisy in Calcutta. They have no rules for driving on the streets so you hear honking all day long. What a different culture, but beautiful at the same time. The people there were in so much need. Right when I got off the plan people without legs or eyes, on crutches, etc. were bombarding us, asking for money, food, whatever. It was so sad. We had a stop in New Delhi on the way back, oh I stoped in Taiwan, then slept over in Tailand, then flew to Amsterdam and stayed overnight there.

I'm telling you I am convinced that God has put beauty in everyplace around the world to enjoy. He is everywhere and His people are all so beautiful and special. I hope to travel again someday. = )

Now what were the other ones? Ice cream, yes, I have one scoop of mint chocolate chip and one scoop of pinnapple coconut in a waffle cone together. I don't know how I came up with that combo, but it works for me.

I know Spanish from learning it in school, friends, and traveling. I know French from studying it with a private teacher for a little while. I know Italian from singing and learning Italian Art Songs. I know German from German songs and my German grandparents. I know Mandrin Chinese from living in Taiwan for three months. I know Canadian from being born Canadian lol. I know Polish from being in Poland. Languages are so fun for me. I wish I had a great retaining memory so I could be fluent in all of them. = )

I honestly can't remember the rest. So I think I'll stop for right now and pick up again soon. I still want to post pictures of Halloween and talk about this great Worship Musician's Summit Brian and I went to. Hopefully soon. = )

Too Much To Write/So Here Are Pictures = )

Hannah's Prayer ~

I want to respond to all of the comments to my last post in more detail, but always got distracted. Then something wonderful happened yesterday I had to document.

Hannah asked Jesus into her heart yesterday in the car when we got home from the gym. She was very loving and made statements like, "I love Jesus so much." "I want to do two things really bad. I want to go to Oma and Opa's house and then the next day go to see Jesus in heaven." Then we had a conversation about what it ment to love Jesus and to have him be with us always by asking Him into our hearts. I asked her if she wanted to pray to ask Him into her heart and she did.

I tried this during the Salem Riverfest, but she didn't want to ask Him into her heart then. It was very special and unexpected.

I love you Hannah. This was such a special moment in your life. Jesus is with you always.