For all my sisters going through deployments...
Ode to Deployment
Deployment, you WILL NOT get the best of me because you are not worth my best! My family deserves the best I can give them and a deployment is not a crisis, it is an opportunity to shine and GROW. So, deployment, Though you seem large and looming, though you come and go in my life, know this: you will NOT beat me down, chew me up or make me wither…I am MORE than a conqueror, and the example that I set, walking hand in hand with my God, united in spirit with my husband, will make my children want to rise up and face any challenge that comes their way with GRACE, DIGNITY and HOPE, for the strength they walk in will be the strength that walked before them.
From the Protestant Women of The Chapel Blog
posted here with much love and admiration and prayers!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sign Language from International Space Station (from nasa.gov)
Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson sent a special sign language message to Earth. Interpretation done by non-certified users of American Sign Language (ASL) who are fluent in conversational ASL; syntax and vocabulary corrected for intended meaning in written American English.
if you dont want the closed captions click on the CC button in the lower right hand corner :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Remembering Parrot Jungle (the old site) (oldmiami.blogspot.com)
For those who grew up with me in Miami here are some pictures of the OLD Parrot Jungle Site....REMEMBERING PARROT JUNGLE
Thank you to my friend who writes Remembering The Old Miami Blog (www.oldmiami.blogspot.com)
Thank you to my friend who writes Remembering The Old Miami Blog (www.oldmiami.blogspot.com)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
This Is What The Church Should Look Like (Thank you Adam For Sharing!)
This is a Caring Bridge journal entry written by my friend Adam. Adam's oldest son Abel is living with challenges that have occurred as a result of treatment of cancer. For more about Adam and Abel please ck out their Caring Bridge website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/abeltyson/mystory
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Adam here again:
It was striking that the first thing I saw this morning as I came through the front doors of this new church I was visiting was an older man in a very nice suit sitting in a wheelchair. He smiled at me and I could instantly tell he was severely disabled and unable to do the most basic of things. He had a stack of bulletins on his tray and he gestured for me to grab one. His disability must have prevented him from handing them out. He smiled when I picked one up and with his crippled hand he proudly pointed to the tag on his suit that read Greeter. I said hello with a giant grin and shook his contorted hand trying to hide the tears that were trying to jump from my eyes at such a beautiful man and a beautiful act of service for God. To me it was such humble service and yet the pride he had in his service to God was SO very humbling to me.
Mid way through Amazing Grace the same man began to attempt to move his wheelchair. Another man sitting across the isle seeing that he would be unable to move the wheelchair on his own, stood up and helped him to roll down to the altar. (Mark2:4) The pastor came down from the stage and knelt by the man and prayed with him. I was in awe.
There were three others in wheelchairs throughout the sanctuary as well. All three had obvious mental and physical impairments. They sang loudly and unbothered by anyone's opinions. The beauty of their seemingly unintelligible and disconcordant singing was so astonishing to me. No one else seemed bothered and the worship seemed more pure and more Holy because of it.
One of the men was more intelligible than the others. During the pastor’s sermon, the pastor told a joke having to do with creation and comparing a man with a dog. The disabled man in the wheelchair started laughing out loud. He obviously got the joke and in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, said “that’s silly, just plain silly.” Again, the pastor smiled with grace and agreed with the man. There were several instances where one might say the service was disrupted... but not in this small congregation. Sometimes people joined in and laughed (at appropriately funny comments or interactions), other times they seemed to ignore the sounds (the coughing, gurgling, moaning, etc…) It was abundantly apparent that these disabled individuals were welcome here and their contributions appreciated, even treasured.
I couldn’t help but think of Matthew 25:40 that says
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”
In the service this morning, I sensed a certain charming quality of God’s presence I have never experienced before in my life here on this planet. I believe I sensed God’s presence described by Jesus here in Matthew 25:40. Indeed it WAS God’s presence that touched my heart this morning and very gently reminded me that what I saw this morning was a mirror image of what happens in our home every day and every night. There is a worship going forth to our Saviour, a sweet smelling aroma to His nostrils, and a precious character of love that brings honor and glory to our King in a unique way. This is part of Abel’s purpose and part of His worship of the King. He is a like a light and a magnifying glass on the hearts of men. A person’s weight, their measure, their heart, can be measured by their interactions with my son just as Matthew 25:31-46 describes. I am, once again, humbled to be called Abel’s dad. Well done, Calvary Assembly of God, well done.
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Adam here again:
It was striking that the first thing I saw this morning as I came through the front doors of this new church I was visiting was an older man in a very nice suit sitting in a wheelchair. He smiled at me and I could instantly tell he was severely disabled and unable to do the most basic of things. He had a stack of bulletins on his tray and he gestured for me to grab one. His disability must have prevented him from handing them out. He smiled when I picked one up and with his crippled hand he proudly pointed to the tag on his suit that read Greeter. I said hello with a giant grin and shook his contorted hand trying to hide the tears that were trying to jump from my eyes at such a beautiful man and a beautiful act of service for God. To me it was such humble service and yet the pride he had in his service to God was SO very humbling to me.
Mid way through Amazing Grace the same man began to attempt to move his wheelchair. Another man sitting across the isle seeing that he would be unable to move the wheelchair on his own, stood up and helped him to roll down to the altar. (Mark2:4) The pastor came down from the stage and knelt by the man and prayed with him. I was in awe.
There were three others in wheelchairs throughout the sanctuary as well. All three had obvious mental and physical impairments. They sang loudly and unbothered by anyone's opinions. The beauty of their seemingly unintelligible and disconcordant singing was so astonishing to me. No one else seemed bothered and the worship seemed more pure and more Holy because of it.
One of the men was more intelligible than the others. During the pastor’s sermon, the pastor told a joke having to do with creation and comparing a man with a dog. The disabled man in the wheelchair started laughing out loud. He obviously got the joke and in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, said “that’s silly, just plain silly.” Again, the pastor smiled with grace and agreed with the man. There were several instances where one might say the service was disrupted... but not in this small congregation. Sometimes people joined in and laughed (at appropriately funny comments or interactions), other times they seemed to ignore the sounds (the coughing, gurgling, moaning, etc…) It was abundantly apparent that these disabled individuals were welcome here and their contributions appreciated, even treasured.
I couldn’t help but think of Matthew 25:40 that says
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”
In the service this morning, I sensed a certain charming quality of God’s presence I have never experienced before in my life here on this planet. I believe I sensed God’s presence described by Jesus here in Matthew 25:40. Indeed it WAS God’s presence that touched my heart this morning and very gently reminded me that what I saw this morning was a mirror image of what happens in our home every day and every night. There is a worship going forth to our Saviour, a sweet smelling aroma to His nostrils, and a precious character of love that brings honor and glory to our King in a unique way. This is part of Abel’s purpose and part of His worship of the King. He is a like a light and a magnifying glass on the hearts of men. A person’s weight, their measure, their heart, can be measured by their interactions with my son just as Matthew 25:31-46 describes. I am, once again, humbled to be called Abel’s dad. Well done, Calvary Assembly of God, well done.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Two of our Finest Who Just Happen To Be Women :) (pbs.org)
http://www.blogger.com/moderate-comment.g?blogID=8576948832288726280
Monday, July 5, 2010
How Is Haiti Doing?? (Video from CPT12.org)
When ever I have been asked about my trip to Haiti (my first trip back in April 2010) people have been asking me how Haiti is doing...
Well in response to that question I wanted to post this great video of an episode of Studio 12 from CPT 12 (formerly KBDI the PBS station out of Denver) that is talking about life in Haiti 6 months after the January 12 earthquake. It originally aired June 16, 2010 and the show lasts aprox. 1 hour long.
Included in the round table discussion was a representative from World Vision, one of many Christian based organizations that is serving children and families in Haiti and around the world and HANGER ORTHOPEDICS that is a US based organization that works fitting prosthetics for individuals who lost limbs during the earthquake.
Also I am praying for my next opportunity to go down to Haiti and work with God's Littlest Angels Orphanage again....Right now I am thinking it might be sometime in Oct/Nov of 2010...If anybody is interested in coming with me on this particular trip please let me know and we can start pursuing this venture together.
Well in response to that question I wanted to post this great video of an episode of Studio 12 from CPT 12 (formerly KBDI the PBS station out of Denver) that is talking about life in Haiti 6 months after the January 12 earthquake. It originally aired June 16, 2010 and the show lasts aprox. 1 hour long.
Included in the round table discussion was a representative from World Vision, one of many Christian based organizations that is serving children and families in Haiti and around the world and HANGER ORTHOPEDICS that is a US based organization that works fitting prosthetics for individuals who lost limbs during the earthquake.
Watch the full episode. See more Studio 12.
Also I am praying for my next opportunity to go down to Haiti and work with God's Littlest Angels Orphanage again....Right now I am thinking it might be sometime in Oct/Nov of 2010...If anybody is interested in coming with me on this particular trip please let me know and we can start pursuing this venture together.
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