School Program 2008

Friends (Yes, Bean I mean you)

This fall I switched positions at the university I work for (MVNU). I moved to the position of Director of the University Fund. Not having ever raised funds before, they sent me off to Fundraising School in November. It was quite a learning curve, but a pretty exciting one. I really love meeting and talking with people so I think I'll really enjoy this job. How fun getting to meet and thank people who have supported and continue to support the great mission of this school!

On that note, while I was at class in Indianapolis I got to have dinner with two alumni that I went to school with. Jason Bean and I have been friends since he came to MVNU in 1992. He and his family met with me and another alum, Micah Wright. Jason has a beautiful wife (not sure how he managed that. LOL) and two absolutely sweet and beautiful children. Ethan is almost 9 and Abby is 6. After Tim, I and Grace went to Chicago, we stopped by and had dinner with the Bean's again on our way out of town. It was great for Grace to get to meet his children. Grace and Ethan are both in 3rd grade, so it's conceivable that they could both be at MVNU at the same time. How fun!! It was great getting to see Jason again and to get to meet his family after all these years.

My friend Micah is on a totally different path as he is studying to be a priest. It was also great catching up with him and listening to his journey from MVNU to where he is now. We ate, we laughed, and fun was had by all. :o)

Thanksgiving

Ya'll I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already. Where did the fall go? It has been crazy busy at our house this fall. I've been teaching a class on top of working full time in a new position that I'm trying to learn and understand. Tim is working on his doctoral program and has had a ton of change going on at work. Grace has had an exciting time in 3rd grade and has started taking karate lessons. It just seems like we're in constant motion. I'm sure you all can understand.

With that said, let me just tell you that I'm so thankful for the craziness of family. I love my life, my husband, my daughter, stepdaughters, granddaughter...just everything about life right now. My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and are doing well. Even through the tough things that we face, my siblings are doing well. God has blessed us all so much! To Him be glory!

Last weekend Grace and I traveled with Tim to Chicago for class. We dropped him off at the hotel to study while we drove into Chicago. We had a wonderful time at the American Girl Doll store. We started off with a tea which was so much fun! It was one of those mommy/daughter times that I think we'll always remember. She loved the cinnamon buns and the hot chocolate. Then we got her doll's hair done and bought her some boots for the winter. Anyone who's been there knows that you can spend an enternity in that store alone, so we were there for quite a while.

After that we went to the Lego store which was a couple of blocks up Michigan Ave. Grace was not a fan of walking in the cold and it was cold. However, we managed to get there and back and she had a fun time while she was there. We stopped by the Hershey store after that. Grace had a meltdown when she was told that she couldn't "create" a cupcake because they could not guarantee it was peanut free. Bless her heart, she was just bawling. The sweet lady then came and gave her a hershey bar to take with her. It was a moment!

At about 9:00 we headed back to the hotel. It was such a precious time with my beautiful daughter. One I will never forget! For that time, I am very grateful! :o)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Humble yourself and pray

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2Chronicles 7:14.

I can't seem to get this scripture off of my mind. Tomorrow we will elect a new president. May our hearts be stirred to pray continually and ask God to bestow His mercy upon our nation. For every unborn child, aborted baby born alive, the orphan and widowed, pray that God intervenes and grips the hearts and minds of His believers to do what is right and what is just.

My husband's a wise man.

I was reading comments on a friends Facebook page the other day. All political and some just so sad. The original post by my friend mentioned his concern about the abortion issue with regards to voting for Obama. Many began to comment on his note, and I was taken back by the number of "Christians" who were discussing how that we cannot be too narrow in looking at just one issue. One man, a pastor, even went on to say that it's not something our vote for president can change so why not look at other more signifanct issues that we face. I cringed, my heart broke. Seriously!? I couldn't believe what I was reading. Then I told my husband about it and this was his reply to me.

"Hasn't it become very popular for Christians to now put forth a strong message on how they aren't fighting any longer against abortion and have taken up "bigger" causes. The deaths of our 4,000 troops in Iraq has been an extremely high price. Doesn't God's grief over the deaths of that number every year through abortion matter to these folks any longer."

That night as we were discussing it, he brought up William Wilberforce. For 30 years Willberforce fought against slavery in the Parliment of the United Kingdom until the day it was finally abolished. The wonderful movie, Amazing Grace, portrays his great struggle. It was not an easy fight and took much out of Willberforce. Tim said, "Aren't we glad he didn't give up to take on 'bigger' causes."

I am certain that my passion for the unborn child as well as for the orphaned, widowed and poor can all exist together. I can have concern for the stewardship of the earth as well as the economic crises in our country and still fight for the right of the least among us. This is not about "one or the other" but rather an all of the above. As a follower of Christ, I can no more turn my back on the unborn child than I can on my heavenly Father. His spirit compells me to act! So whether it's through a vote or my sharing personally, I will do all that I can to make a difference.

The real facts about Obama

Check out this article for some detailed information about Obama.

The Secret

For any of you all that know me or have heard me share my personal testimony, you know the topic of abortion is near and dear to my heart. Please check out the link at the bottom. Melinda at "traveling the road home" is giving away a wonderful resource that can be used by anyone to help those who have had an abortion.

She gives a statistic that 1 in 3 women have had an abortion. Can you imagine? I know what it's like to live with that deep dark secret, and I also know what it's like to be free! When I think of what God has done to bring me out of that pit...I have to smile. There's nothing like it! Picture standing in the rain and having each drop reach to your very soul...that's grace. Oh, it's so good. To know the freedom that comes from forgiveness. To know that complete healing that comes from God. To know that God loves you no matter where you've been or what you've done. Ladies, it's good...very good! I KNOW.... ;o)

http://travelingtheroadhome.blogspot.com/2008/10/giveaway-that-keeps-on-giving.html

The Presidential Election

For anyone who truly knows me, ya'll know I am so into politics that... well frankly I'm totally obsessed! I am a strong conservative, although I haven't always been. I grew up with a strong Democrat as a father and most all of my family were Democrats. However, there are two things that have forever changed my life and those have affected how I vote.

When the primaries began I was a supporter of Mitt Romney. I absolutely love his morals and values as well as his family! Do we completely agree on theology? Nope...but frankly he lives out what we as Christians are suppose to live out and for that he had my vote. When he bowed out of the election I just about cried. By that time I knew that the Republican candidate was going to be John McCain and I didn't like it...NOT ONE BIT! What I knew of McCain, I didn't like. But being me...I began to research and more importantly listen.

One thing swayed me and two things sealed the deal.

1) I heard McCain speak with Rick Warren at the Saddleback Forum. That began to sway me. I really believe that McCain spoke from the heart and I like what he had to say. He talked about the worst moral thing personally that he's ever regretted was the end of his first marriage. I respected that. Then he spoke with such great love for our country that the ice (on my end) began to melt. I was warming up to him.

2) He picked Sarah Palin. I must say I love her. I really don't care what the media thinks. This lady has a moral compass and for that I am grateful. I will post more on her tomorrow, but I gotta tell you...she was one of the things that sealed the deal for me.

3) I read an article that discussed one specific vote that Obama made in the Illinois senate. A bill was written that would allow doctors and nurses in the state of IL to treat babies who were born alive after being aborted. Simple right? A woman has an abortion, her baby is born alive, the doctor gets to treat it. No brainer. Obama voted against the bill. He was the only one to vote no. That my friends completely sealed the deal. To think that a precious baby would be set aside to die...I can't even fathom.

So now you know. Please pray for Sarah tonight as she debates. I am praying that God gives her clarity of mind, wisdom and strength. I really want her to do well.

More tomorrow.

Hurricane Ike in Ohio

Well for the very first time in my life I got to experience the wrath of a Hurricane. Now we don't normally get Hurricane's in Ohio...well we never get hurricane's in Ohio...remants of course, but not the full blown thing. That was until Sunday. We experienced 75 mile per hour winds here in my little town of Mount Vernon. Our electricity went out at 5:00 pm on Sunday and we just got it back last night at 11:00 pm. Now having been part of the clean-up in New Orleans, I know that I have little to complain about, but frankly by Tuesday I thought I was going to lose my mind! Monday morning we cleaned the debris out of our yard and then headed out to see if our friends were doing ok. I could not believe the devastation! Trees were down everyone...not just tiny trees, but huge old oaks. I couldn't even get to my friend Heather's house because every road was blocked by downed trees. Now of course when the trees came down so did the power lines. Our university had to close on Monday and Tuesday. Grace was out of school until today. Although we have our electricity back on many still do not. Some have no water. We here in Amish country are beginning to understand just how they live....and frankly, I can't fathom it. I don't think of myself as a sissy, but to not be able to communicate with the outside world just about did me in.

On the bright side, my furniture was delivered earlier today and I now have electricity so all is well. Tonight you can catch me on my couch (or love seat) in front of the TV...all night!!!!

Kimberly

Update

I found furniture!!! Tim and I looked at several stores and finally went to one in town last night and both agreed right away that it was the right thing. Right look, right price...just totally right! And once it gets to your house, if you don't like it, they'll take it back. Pretty nice, hugh! The one downside is we won't get the couch until next week and the love seat will not be available for 3 weeks. Yuck! I suppose we will continue to pretend we're at a soccer game. :o)

Also, Grace is doing better. No strep throat...just a cold that I'm praying is about over.

That's it for now.

Kimberly

Here I am

OK...I know it must have seen like I'd fallen off the face of the earth for anybody out there who might read this post. Since getting back from San Antonio things have gotten much busier. School's back in session both for Grace and me. I'm teaching Expository Writing this semester, so I'm trying to get my act together and prepare. I decided to have my students read The Shack, basically because I can. I'm anxious to have a dialogue with anyone at this point and since they're a captive audience why not. I've asked them to journal about it and I will also have them write a paper on it. We'll discuss the book in class as well which should be very interesting.
On the first day I told them that they would also need to have a Bible. I decided that instead of some expensive text book with essays in it for them to read, why not use the Bible. One of the students told me that I'm the only prof to have that as required reading...hmmm.

OK...another thing that has happened since SA is SARAH PALIN. I must say I love the choice. For those of you who have heard me share my personal testimony you will understand when I tell you that the night she spoke I wish I could have been there to wrap my arms around her daughter and give her a humongous hug!! That precious child. I cannot imagine having to go through everything she's had to in the last two weeks. I do know that I'm very proud of her decisions and them more I see of the entire family the more I fall in love with them. If you're a democrat, please know that I love you, but as the election gets closer I will probably be sharing my feelings about it. It is not my intention to offend anyone (as if there was anyone besides Megan reading this!), however, I do like to voice my opinion every now and then. :o)

Lastly for the day....I just sold all of my living room furniture and we are sitting on soccer chairs in an empty room. Grace is sick and so missing a couch to lay on and Tim, who is having trouble sleeping, has lost his "bed". Please pray that we find furniture that we like and is in our price range. On a positive note...the sweet lady that bought our furniture kept telling Tim that it was such a blessing to be able to have. God is just so good! That my old furniture could be a blessing to someone else is pretty awesome. :o)

Also, please pray for Grace. She's feeling under the weather and we're hoping it's not strep throat!!!!

Love to all !
Kimberly

San Antonio

Wow!!! What a great week. Grace and I left last Wednesday for San Antonio. We went for a Beth Moore, Living Proof Live event. It was so wonderful!

This was the first time Grace flew and she was quite nervous. She did really well, although when we finally got to SA she was asking if we had to fly home. She had some ear trouble on the way down and was not too eager to get back on a plane. We left the house at 6:30 am and did not arrive in SA until about 5:30 their time. So, she was pretty much wiped out. She fell asleep while watching the Olympics that night. So cute!

Then next day we swam, headed to the Alamo and went on a Riverboat cruise around Riverwalk. It is so beautiful! We meet 14 Siesta friends and had just a wonderful time. We all had dinner at the RainForest Cafe afterwards. Grace had a blast. She thought is was just the funnest thing.

On Friday evening the conference began. Before going we had lunch at Denny's...yes, Denny's. Grace was just dying to go there. Don't ask me why but she was. We then headed to the Alamodome for the conference. There we meet lots of Siestas and got to meet Wendy, aka MomofEleven. We both just love her. She's so sweet! Grace invited them to come to our house.

The conference was so good. Beth was incredible and Travis Cottrell did an amazing job of leading worship, which he always does. After the conference on Saturday we got to participate in a question/answer session with Beth and her daughters, Amanda and Melissa. It was so much fun. We really had a great time.

We just returned home yesterday. It was a great time. I'll update more later.

Kimberly

Back from Nashville

We just got back from a long weekend in Nashville TN. Tim's family live there and Grace had a wonderful time playing with her counsins. I'll post some pictures later. I had some extra fun meeting Patty, who is a Siesta, and will be attending the Beth Moore conference in San Antonio. Check out the Siesta Fiesta link on the right to learn more. Grace and I are going and just cannot wait. It will be her first time flying and we are both so excited. She has a million and one questions about it: How does it feel when the plane takes off? Does it go up and down like a roller coaster? What's it like to go through the metal detectors? And so much more. ;o)

While in Nashville I picked up the book, The Shack. I had been told by one of my students that it was an incredible read. I began to read it on the way back and am about half way through. Once I'm finished I'll give you my thoughts. My sister-in-law has already read it and was discussing it with me. I won't let the cat out of the bag yet, but let me just say that it's been quite interesting. More to come....

Prayers

We received terrible news yesterday. My two stepdaughters uncle has passed away. He was only about 40 and had been very close to them in the last several years moving to live close to them. Please pray for the girls and the entire family as this is a very difficult time for them. Please remember my sweet husband as well. He and Butch had been quite close at one time and although time and distance had come between them, fond memories never fade. He, too, was just devastated by the news.

Thank you,
Kimberly

Jesus at the fair

OK...So last Sunday we went to the county fair. I enjoy going. Tim on the other hand is not so much a fair person (such a city boy). As I was getting ready to go, I began thinking about the fair and the people that you see there. The county fair brings out people from all walks of life. I have one friend (whom I love) who jokes about people who have no teeth being seen at the fair. She understands this because she comes from a "fair" kind of family. However, as I began to think of the fair, something hit me...I think Jesus would have been at the fair. I think if he were living here today, I would have caught a glimpse of Him there because people at the fair need Him just as much as anyone else anywhere. Maybe more so. If you think about the crowds that Jesus hung out with in His time, they were similar to the fair crowd. People who were not necessarily on the high end of society, but rather people who were every day people. Sometimes even the outcast of society. All in need of a Saviour.

Sometimes I think we forget who Jesus was and what He did while He was on this earth. I just finished two books by Anne Rice, Out of Egypt and The Road to Canaan. Reading those I was reminded of the life of Christ. He didn't come to earth to hang out with kings and world leaders. He was born in the stable for a reason. Maybe so that ordinary people like you and me could understand Him better and understand that we too, no matter how rich or how poor, can have a relationship with The King of Kings.

There's a song that Grace did in one of her Christmas plays. The words go something like this:

If You had come on big white horse, so mighty and so strong. I might have been afraid to talk to you, afraid that I'd say something wrong. But when you came the way you did to such a simple place. You let us see an awesome God with the sweet and tender face. And you made it easy for everyone to come, cause everyone loves babies even God's own son. And you wrapped your power in sweet simplicity. Jesus I thank you for coming as a child like me.

He came in such an ordinary way to ordinary people...and for that I am thankful. So yep, I think He is definitely a fair person.

Saint or Sinner

I was just reading another blog and ran across a comment that someone had said and it struck me when I read it. The comment was, “we are all sinners.” Now, I know there are many theological differences between Christians. However, as I read those words I thought, “Really?” As a person in the Wesley and Arminian tradition, I don’t normally call myself a sinner. We believe that we do not need to sin in word, thought or deed every day. That God’s power is enough to bring us above that. However, as a former pit dweller, I know that I am, at any one time, a mere decision or two away from the next pit. Without God’s continual guidance in my life, without His pervasive Spirit revealing Himself to me, without a daily relationship with Him, I am lost! I need Him every moment of my life!

The words “we are all sinners” drives me crazy though, and I think I just figured out why. If I think of myself as a sinner instead thinking of myself as God’s precious and holy child, I believe I give myself the excuse to be that person – the sinner. If I fall one day, well, it’s because we’re all sinners. As someone with a degree in counseling, I often see people who have been labeled somewhere along life’s way and they live up to those labels. Parents are encouraged to be careful what they call they’re children. The labels often stick. The person who is called worthless believes themselves to be worthless. We can take on the persona of whatever it is we are called or labeled. The mind is a powerful thing and thoughts can influence our behavior. So instead of thinking of ourselves as sinners, why not think of ourselves as Children of the Most High, God’s child, prince or princess to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Maybe then we will begin acting the part. The Message states the first part of Romans 12 this way,

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best think you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-informed maturity in you.”

Or as the King James Version states: "And do not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

Maybe, if we see ourselves as the Children that we are, instead of the sinners that we were, we could, through the power of the Holy Spirit that is so freely available to us, live more victorious lives for our Father. As with any child, there may be days that we fall down, but that’s the most wonderful part…He is always there to pick us up! He loves us so! Amen. Amen.

Just an update

This is for Megan who checks my blog daily (or so she says). I told her I'm not that dedicated, plus just too busy to update often. I guess I'm overdue a post though, and so thought I'd write a quick one. To update everyone on our sweet bunny...he's doing really well and making lots of pellets. I've had to clean his cage this week and will have to do so again tonight. Can I just tell ya all how fun that is! But I'm just glad he's alive and so will gladly clean his nasty smelly cage.

A funny story about Grace...two nights ago she woke me up and said that she heard a chainsaw. Now, we really monitor her TV viewing and since my husband's not exactly Tim the Tool Man, I was wondering how she even knew what a chainsaw was. The funniest part came next, though, when she continued. She said that she believed that someone was down stairs cutting Fluffy into little pieces! Again...we do monitor her television/media viewing and so I was bewildered by this. Where in the world did this come from!! I told her to go back to sleep that I was sure no one was in the house and I did not hear a chainsaw. It was a restless night of sleep! Yesterday when I asked her about it she was adamant that she really did hear a chainsaw. Freaky!

Fluffy Lives!

I have grand news! Fluffy is doing much better. After three days in the vet hospital, we brought him home and continued to give him pineapple juice over the weekend. He is now eating really well and making pellets. ;o) So, it seems our sweet little bunny is on the mends.

Kimberly

Fluffy (aka Captain Jack Sparraow)

OK...so Tim took Fluffy to the vet today and they did an x-ray. They say that his stomach is about half full of hair, and that it is blocking the intestines. They are keeping him at the animal hospital for several days during which time they will give injections and pineapple juice to try and dissolve the hair. The vet was very optimistic that they will be able to help him. Hopefully (and prayerfully) he will be home in a few days healthy!

My husband has been such a trooper to help him through this. Even with his allergies, he's been right there helping out as you can see in the picture. We all really love him.

Heartbroken

It's been a tough week in our household. It all started on Sunday when Grace's nanny quit. Grace really loved her a lot and so we had one brokenhearted little girl when we finally told her Sunday evening. At 11:30 pm she finally fell asleep after crying for quite some time. What can a parent do in a situation like this? Honestly, I was crushed just seeing how upset Grace was.

Monday started off on the down side. If Sunday was bad, Monday got even worse. Tim got up early as usual and then came and woke me up to let me know that our bunny Fluffy was not moving, seemed very lathargic and was just not being himself. Usually he's hopping around his cage in the morning, but not that day. After a trip to the vet Monday afternoon we found out that Fluffy has a blockage in his digestive tract. Laymen's terms: Fluffy has can't poop. So, every day we've been giving him medicine, which means I'm up early to help Tim give it to him, but still nothing has passed.

We called the vet again today and now we're giving him pineapple joice as well. Not only is he not pottying, he's not eating either. The vet said that if he doesn't go potty by Monday we have to bring him in. We all have been fervently praying for him and I believe God does care. My mom even called me the other day just to see how he was. We all love him so. Tim is allergic to dogs and cats and so we thought the bunny would be a pet Grace could have. However, we've found that Tim is allergic to him as well, but because he too loves Fluffy he faithfully holds him while I give him medicine even though it makes him sneeze his head off. Frankly, we need a miracle for our bunny!

We've let him out of his cage so that maybe some exercise will help. So, right now he's running around the basement. I don't even care if he makes an incredible mess all over the place. I just want him to potty!! After the exercise, he's right now going to town drinking his water so maybe that will help.

Today Grace was at our pastor's house playing with his kids in their front yard. They having a great climbing tree and Grace was playing in it and fell. No broken bones, but some major scapes up her side and belly. She was pretty brave and didn't even cry (or so she says).

All around, it's just been a tough week. Please pray that next week is better in our house. I've never been more excited to see poop in all my life.

Innocence lost

My sweet innocent little girl has officially learned her first really bad word. The nice thing is she didn't believe it was a word at all. We were laying in bed the other night and Grace said something about "potty words". To which I said, "Like what?" She then gave me the normal list:

Stupid
Shut up
Dumb

Yes, I agreed those are all bad words. Then she said:

"Mama, Alex (the 3 year old next door) keeps saying a word, but I don't think it's really a word."

Me: "What's the word?" I couldn't really understand her so I asked her to repeat it, then spell it.

Sh** (Yes, she spelled it correctly). My heart sank. "Yep, that's a bad word Grace. A really really bad word that we don't ever want to say."

Grace: "So what's it mean?"

Tim: "It doesn't matter what it means. You just should never say it."

Grace: "OK" (after asking a few more times)

As a parent, I just felt horrible. Now that word is stuck in my baby's head. And as long as she plays with the neighbors she's probably going to hear it again. It's not that I want to put her in a coccoon (we'll maybe) it's that I want to keep her as pure and innocent as I can for as long as possible. Isn't it my job as a parent to keep her safe? I'm all about letting her grow and experience life, but I truly believe as a parent it's up to me to make sure she does that within some boundaries. Tim said that we're lucky that she made it to the age of 8. I guess he's right, but it still feels sad. My baby is growing up and fast.

Heartbroken

I am just heartbroken today after learning of the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter, Maria. As a parent it is the most unthinkable thing ever. As I have read over all of the condolences on various sites, I think the only thing that can give one comfort in this kind of tragedy is knowing that millions of people are praying for you. What a dark day for this family! Only the God of peace can bring the kind of comfort that is needed in a time like this, and it is up to those of us who have faith to lift them up to Him. I cannot even begin to fathom what they are going through, and if the only thing I can do is to pray, then I will pray. Please join me.

The Prince Caspian Adventure

From Grace:

Yesterday Mom took me and 6 of my friends to see the movie Prince Caspian. It was a birthday present and was so fun. Susan and Caspian kissed. The boys all thought it was gross. It was an awesome movie. Then we went back to my house and had cake. We got to play outside after that. It was a great day!

Happy Mother's Day

This Mother's Day is extra special. We haven't really done anything different than any other day, but this year we happen to be grandparents. Our first granddaughter was born in January. Jada is so sweet and just plain precious. We were able to see her last weekend at Grace's birthday party in Columbus. As I held her and tried to get her to sleep, her mama said I should sing to her. For a moment I couldn't think of anything to sing. Then it came to me and I began to sing for the first time to this sweet little girl, "Jesus Loves Me." Can I just tell you how special that was to me. And don't you know she went right to sleep hopefully hiding those words in her heart that Jesus does love her.

Mother's Day has not always been an easy thing for me. Face it...being a stepmom is not what we all dream of growing up to be and there are no glamorous stepmoms to be found in any fairytale. At 25, when I got married, I'm afraid I was not the best at it. Looking back today there are so many things that I would do differently. Did I love my two stepdaughters? Absolutely! However, I realized that what I was trying to do in those early days was to love them in my own strength, in my own way. That did not work and never will. I have to say my biggest regret is that I don't think I represented God's love to them in a very good way. There are days that this thought overwhelms me. That I could have been a stumbling block to them is frankly tough to deal with. However, I know that I cannot change what was and I can only move forward.

Almost four years ago I did a Bible study called "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. It was the most pivotal moment in my life. I realized at that point that all my controlling behavior was because I did not trust that God could work things out the way I wanted Him to. If I wanted something to turn out a certain way, I had to take care of it, manipulate it, direct it, whatever you want to call it, so that it would work out my way. However, it never works out the way you want it to and I found I only made things worse. Through that Bible study I began to understand that God's plan is always better than mine and that the only person I can change is me. If I work on myself and allow God to do whatever it is He wants to do....things will always be good. He can change people not me and more importantly He can change them into whatever He wants them to be. Father does know best (at least our Heavenly one). So, today I'm working on doing things His way, not my way. It has been a tremendous journey for me since the days of Breaking Free...and it continues.

It wouldn't be right this Mother's Day if I did not mention my beautiful 8 year old. Grace is an amazing little girl and we are so blessed to have her. She just turned 8 last week and I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. We were having lunch with friends on her birthday and Nancy, whose daughter is also 8, reminded me that after the next 8 years they'll be driving. UGGGG! I don't even want to think about that. I will try to enjoy each and every day God gives us together. She has promised me that she will live right next door to me when she grows up and will let me watch her kids every day! I'm sure I'll have to remind her of that later. I love her so!

I don't know how many stepmom's might be out there, but let me just wish you a special Happy Mother's Day. I know it's not easy and you're bound to make mistakes. However, hang in there. Remember that whatever is going on try to look at it through the lenses of Christ. It's only in His love that you'll make it.

Blessings!
Kimberly

Alvin, Simon, & Theodore

I love the movie Alvin & the Chipmunks. Here's a line from it.

It's going, it's going, and it's gone. Oh, whatever! Maybe we should take a break. Ouch! (Theodore falls out of the tree.)

Grace

OK...Grace's birthday is next Sunday and we are still trying to decide what to do. My parents are coming to my sister's on Saturday so we could do a party with the family, but even then the whole what & where has to be decided. Grace wants an American Idol party or Alvin & the Chipmunks. The problem is I really don't want to have to put much effort into this. She also wants to do something with her friends which means more planning. However, all I want is to lay on the couch. Must children have a major birthday party every year? I love to celebrate, especially with cake, but it seems like such a chore this year. We've also discussed taking a couple of her friends to see Prince Caspian when it comes out instead of a party. I'm leaning toward that right now. We'll see....

Kimberly

Ramblings

One day at work I had a situation come up that was somewhat overwhelming to me. It had been a terrible week and for whatever reason I was just feeling blah. After a discussion with a fellow employee I just fell apart. It put me way over the edge. As I went back to the office the only thing going through my mind was "I need a word from the Lord." I kept thinking that over and over...so I googled it. I put in "word from the Lord" and this is what came up.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. II Chronicles 20:12b NIV

Is that not perfect! Exactly what I needed! How many times are we in a place where we do not know what to do or how to fix whatever problem is facing us? The good news is we don't have to. Throughout my cancer ordeal last year, God reminded me of Romans 8:28:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

When we look at those two verses together, we can be assured that God is working things out for our good and our job is just to keep our eyes fixed on Him. When we can do that, He will bring us sweet peace. He is so good!

What a wonderful day!

First I went to breakfast with my best friend and she had a massage chair. She let me sit in it. This afternoon we are going to the movies together with our other friend to see Nim's Island. This is going to be an awesome day! I heard it was a really good movie. Fluffy (my bunny) says "Hi." I just spent a whole hour trying on my summer clothes...not fun! Oh, well...that's all. BYE!

Grace

My dear, sweet Drama Queen

I have been given permission from Grace to post the following conversation which happened the night after her colonoscopy/endoscopy.

Kimberly: Grace, you did so well, and just think really the only thing that will change is that you cannot eat popcorn anymore.

Grace (as she begins to sob): But, Mama I love popcorn!

Kimberly: Grace you hardly ever eat it.

Grace (still crying): But, Mama, now I'll never get married.

Kimberly: What in the world are you talking about?

Grace: Well, you know when you are at the movies with a boy and you both reach for popcorn, and your hands accidentally touch and you fall in love...that will never happen to me now!

Kimberly (laughing): Grace, you hands can touch while you're reaching for Twizzlers. And, anyway that's not how you fall in love. Someday a boy will fall in love with you because you are beautiful inside and out, you're smart and you love Jesus with all your heart. That's why someone will fall in love with you.

It was one of the most precious moments in our life! I smile every time I think of it.

Kimberly

Amazing Grace

I've been thinking about Easter and the movie the Passion of Christ. I am overwhelmed whenever I think of the incredible love that God has for us. To send His one and only Son, to die such a horrific death...for me. Can one even put into words what that kind of love means? It speaks to me at such depths, I can't even begin to explain it. It moves me to such great emotions. Think about it, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." That anyone would think so highly of me...Amazing...so utterly amazing.

Grace asked me why all of my blogs talk about God. I explained that I talk about her as well, to which she replied, "Yeah, and God." How can she understand that I can no more separate my life from God than I can stop breathing. I hope someday, she will understand completely. That is my prayer for her this Easter, that she will know the depth of God's love for her.

In Christ Alone,
Kimberly

Easter at Grandma's

Hi. We got to Grandma's yesterday. My cousin Kassidi and me wanted to sleep over but we couldn't because tomorrow is Easter. Today we had an Easter egg hunt with my other cousins, Madison and Andrew. I've also had a good time with my brothers.

Happy Easter!
Grace

A New Day

From Grace:
Hi, I just got up and last night my mom and dad said I could be their boss for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Well, that's all I wanted to tell you. Bye.

From Kimberly:
Yes, we did agree that Grace could boss us for 2 hours and 10 minutes (great negotiating). We promised that if she took her medicine then that would be her reward. She did and so at some point today Grace gets to play the role of parent. Should be fun. :o) I'll let you know how it goes.

From Grace

If you have any questions for us, please just ask and we will answer you. By the way, I love Sponge Bob Squarepants...my mom doesn't though. OK that's it for now. :o)

About Me

Hi, I'm Grace. I'm seven years old and my favorite color is red. It's funny, though, because I hate blood. My favorite stuffed animal in the whole wide world is Alaska. She's my purple bear and she sleeps with me every night. I have a bunny named fluffy. He's one year old. It's pretty hilarious because he's older than my niece Jada. My sister, Devin, had a baby in January. My dad is Tim and my mom is Kimberly. Right now I can hear my dad talking up stairs.

Today we have snow outside that is probably up to my chest. It is so big I don't even think a tiger could crawl through it. I have two sisters, Devin and Alison. I love to write books. Some day I'm going to be a famous author. My first grade teacher said so. Now I'm in second grade. My birthday's in May. I love getting presents. I love the surprise part.

Well that's all for now. Bye.

The Beginning

I am the mother of Grace. She is seven years old and we just found out this week that she has ulcerative colitis. It has been quite the week with a trip to the hospital on Thursday for Grace to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy. The trip to Columbus was a fun one, as we jammed to Travis Cottrell on the way down. We are Christians and had been asking everyone for prayer. God was truly with us as Grace was so calm and in high spirits although she had gone through a "cleaning out" process the day before. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how happy my little girl was. God had given us all great peace. When given the option of having one of us go back with her, Grace decided that if only one of us could go then she would go by herself. She was such a trooper! She took her favorite bear, Alaska, with her, and we left them both at the OR door as they wheeled her in.

After about a two hour wait her doctors came out to let us know what they had found. Grace was diagnosed with a mild case of ulcerative colitis. They said that is was very much contained to the lower part of her colon. Although it would have been great if they had found nothing, we were glad it wasn't more serious than that. Grace did very well after the procedure and two days later we are only beginning the journey of understanding this disease and what it will mean for our little one.

One reason I wanted to start this blog was so that I can hear from those of you who may have this disease or know people who do. Grace's doctors talked about educating us and we certainly want that as well. We are trusting God that He is taking care of Grace and I believe that He is working for her good!

With all that said...welcome to the beginning of our journey.