God's Hands...

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that you were in God's hands? I mean I know as Christians we "know" this, but aren't there just real times when you know, that you know, that you know, "I wouldn't get through this if I wasn't in His hands?" Or you feel the details of an event in your life fall so perfectly into place that you, once again, know you are cared for & directed by His mighty yet loving & gentle hands? It's hard to even go into detail here of all the changes, major changes, that have and are occurring in my life. From one child leaving the "nest" to begin his life in a whole different state, to the other traveling across the ocean to minister to others, being unable to communicate with us while she's gone. From losing a home and jobs, to friends moving, to seeking a new place to worship. All of this, piled one on-top the other. And yet, as we traveled to & from Florida to help settle our son in his new home, I had an overwhelming feeling of being in His care. I know that He began the work of our being able to let our son go long before we had our final hugs. We marveled day after day at how wonderful this journey was, how He allowed us to leave our son with a peace in our spirit & a limited amount of tears. While we'll miss him, to be sure, there's this beautiful peace that it was God's perfect timing for him and for us. Our son was ready...and so were we. To any parent, you know, this is a miracle. Our daughter arrived safely home late Sunday night, exhausted yet elated at the experience God had blessed her with. Friends of ours were in a pretty serious car accident that very night & walked away with minor injuries. Again, we rejoiced in the loving way He took care of them...how He takes care of all of us. I love Him beyond words & trust Him each day with the crazy details of my life. I don't know where I'd be without Him & praise Him that I'll never know. I am forever His child...who truly has learned how to "rest" in her Father's hands. I pray the same for you.

Florida Bound...

So, the day has finally come. No more introspections or reflections. No more analyzing how surreal it will be to be to take our boy to his new home in Florida. Tomorrow, we make the journey...guess its the journey he's been on since the day he was born. We're just blessed to have been along for the ride.

Please keep us in your prayers... See you all soon.

"Czech" it Out...(ouch!)

Sam off to the Czech Republic...











So, here's the final packed suitcase...just so you know it was 8 lbs over the limit. Thankfully a friend was about 10 lbs under, so we made some quick switches. Thanks Shanelle!!












Sam all checked in, getting ready to go (yeah, that's her brother making faces behind her...what are brothers for???)











Alex & Sam say their good-byes. Do they realize they won't be seeing each other until Christmas?? I don't think that sunk into Sam's mind yet...too much else to think about right now.











Some of Sam's best friends....Pat, Dan & Austin. Can you imagine traveling to Europe with THESE guys???



The team....please keep all these beautiful faces in your prayers.

Thank you!

Celebrations & Farewells...

Today we're celebrating my son's "almost" 20th birthday (since his birthday isn't actually until Sept., but he'll be long gone by then). How can he be turning 20 when I'm only 30??? Must be some kind of space continuum physics phenomena... Anyway, we are also taking today to say good-bye to Alex as he prepares to head down to college to continue his education down in Florida. We're driving him down next week. I know I've blogged about the incredible speed in which they grow, but seriously its warp speed! So, in honor of the 20 years we've been blessed to have him, today we will celebrate....and then say good-bye.

But he's not the only one we're preparing to see go. My daughter will be leaving early Monday morning for the Czech Republic. She, along with a group of teens & leaders from her youth group, are headed for a 2-week missions trip to the Czech, working with children at a youth camp. Sixteen years old & she's going to the Czech Republic. What was I doing at 16??? Well, that's another blog... I'm extremely proud of her. She raised her money, got herself organized (with a little help from Mom) and is excited now for these next 2 weeks to do what God has asked her to do. Again, we're very proud.

Please keep my family in your prayers over these next few weeks. Lots of transition. It will be odd to not have my son in my home, but I'm excited for him as he heads into this next phase of his life. Will I be able to hold off until Christmas to see him?? Time will tell.... I'm going to miss both my "kids" tremendously over the next few weeks & months....so again, please keep us in your prayers. Pray for God's protection on them, for His graceful direction in their lives & for direction in mine as well. I have this feeling that this next year is going to be quite interesting.

But today, we celebrate...the rest we'll trust Him with. Have a great weekend my friends...

Fresh Approach...

So, here's another way to approach "church". This Pastor, Dan Smith, uses rap music (more specifically, reworked rap music) to reach the unchurched. Maybe you've seen one of his videos "Baby Got Book", its hilarious! Its a parody on the rap song "Baby Got Back". If you haven't seen it, check out a recent article I found on Yahoo News - you'll find the video included. Don't be offended!

http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/20253/jesus-laughed

Smith says this about the church he runs in a local movie theatre in Cleveland, "We're not trying to reach other Christians. If you love your church, stay at your church. That's awesome. But for people who haven't gone in ten years — or all of their lives — I think there's a lot of people who might need to hear the message of 'maybe this might be the church that I can go to. The same church, Smith says, that welcomes people who cuss, watch R-rated movies and smell like cigarettes; the church where "Baby Got Book" is always in rotation and whose services are available by Podcast if you just happen to sleep in some Sunday.'" Now, I'm not saying that this would be the church for me necessarily, but I do appreciate people who are trying to examine what church really means and how they can best reach God's children. I also appreciate a fresh approach. If its making people laugh, having church in a movie theatre, creating Christian music videos, then so be it. I don't believe there's any one right way to worship God. I have read a few blogs recently about what true Christianity is. It isn't necessarily easy to define. Sometimes I think its as individual & personal as our relationships with Him are. It's not HOW we worship, just that we worship. Its not WHERE we choose to connect with Him, its that we do. Its not a style, but more importantly its finding ourselves being followers of Christ, or more to the point, Christ "imitators". I really want to find a place again that I can call my church home. I want to be surrounded by a church family again. I know He will lead me there, eventually. But, truthfully, that isn't what defines me as a Christian. How I live my life on a daily basis, how I strive to be more & more Christlike, how I put others ahead of myself, how I love...that's what makes me a true Christian. I'm not always fond of the word "Christian" either. Its a muddy, discriminatory, even derogatory term these days. It can suggest anything from weekend attender to "bull horn man". I prefer the term "Christ-follower". The implication is not a label as much as a way of life. It implies action. I don't want a label on my chest pronouncing "CHRISTIAN" like some well-worn badge. I'd prefer that my actions would speak for themselves. That how I choose to live my life shows that I am a follower of Christ. Its a daily choice, not to mention a daily struggle. Not an easy target to hit & I often miss the mark (by alot!). But its in the striving, and knowing that He knows my heart; it's in the knowledge that I am His dearly loved child, even when I don't get it exactly right.

Family, Fireworks & Foul Weather...

Despite the lousy weather on the 4th, we managed to have some fun with family. The weather even cleared so we could check out some fireworks. I just love this odd tradition! Looking around at my fellow revelers, it occurred to me that we've gladly immersed ourselves in the crazy American culture. It is what it is....and it's only once a year...

These are just some shots from the day. Hope yours rocked too!

Hey...we did our best....

Dad & Jeff grilling in the rain. How sad...










Sam & Jesse escaping the rain - watching TV










Grandma & Grandpa with the grand kids - Sam, Alex, Adam, Jesse & Sophia











Me & my "big brother" Dave...love him!!











First cousins...Sam & Sophia!











Grandpa & his "little pupka"....Sophia!











My "baby sister" Amy & her husband Jeff.











Dave & his lovely wife Barb











Me & my beautiful sister Amy. Yes...I'm older...











Me & my Mom...she's the sweetest woman on earth!











Me & "Stormin"....cute, huh??

Hope you had fun, wherever you are
& whatever you did.
And I hope that you were as blessed with great
people to celebrate with as I was!
Even if the hot dogs got wet....

Freedom...

Humility

at the lives
the heroism
the bravery
the sacrifice
the love
the honor
the absolute integrity

of those who fought...
and died

so that I,
and my children...
may be free.

God eternally bless all of your souls,

gratefully yours,

(By Greg Duggan Copyright 2005)


Enjoy your day with with friends & family!

I Love You & God bless you all...