say, cheese!!

Original Flaming 7 L to R: Jen, Anna, Jess, Bekah

Mom, Dad, Jake

Flaming 7 + 7 = 14!

L to R: Mom, Dad, Bekah, Anna, Jake, Meg, Lily

Luke, Jess, Morgen, Jen, Ethan, Eric, Carsten

Flaming 5 (yes, 5!)

L to R: Anna, Jen, Jake, Jess, Bekah

more miles, more smiles

This summer is turning out to have a bit of travel in it for me!

I left Minneapolis a week ago Friday evening and stopped at a friend’s in Watertown which is roughly half-way to my parents. I spent Saturday morning visiting a couple of friends and then headed East again. I detoured through Lake Geneva and took a picture or two of the lake. I love it there! but I didn't want to waste too much time since I had made this a two-day trip... :(

The first part of last week I was able to help my mom prepare the house for 14 people before my Dad had pilonidal cyst surgery on Wednesday. I didn't realize my parent's house was so big until I had to clean it! I took care of dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms, ceiling fans, etc. We also went to the grocery store...hmm, fun!

On Wednesday, the surgery went well and Dad made it home to recover in only a few hours. He did really great the day of and day after surgery as he still had lots of pain meds in him, but he slowed way down each day after that. Of course, there was a lot of excitement around the house as my new niece, Lily, came for a visit the same day. Anna had picked up Jake, Meg & Lily from the airport in Indy and they drove up and met us at the house.

Funny story about the waiting room...

Mom had gone back to sit with Dad before his surgery. I waited in the waiting room and when Mom returned, I headed out to get us some lunch. When I came back we left some of our things (bag of snacks, water bottles, and a book) on a chair and went to a kitchenette area to eat our lunch. We ate and chatted but didn't get a chance to go back to the sitting area before a nurse came to get Mom because the surgery was over.

I went to wait in the sitting area until she came to get me. I didn't go sit by our things because a lady was sitting next to the seat with our things and I didn't need them. I had my phone and was checking email, facebook, etc. I looked up a few times and noticed the lady had gotten interested in my book. No harm, I thought.

I didn't think much of it until I heard rustling of a bag and looked up to see her rummaging through our things and unzipping the bag with our water! Ok, I guess I should move the stuff out of her way... I walked over and very sweetly said, "I can move this out of your way."

As I had approached her, she had put her finger in the book and moved her arm across the back of a chair. She said something about wondering what it was and maybe something else, I don't really remember because I was eyeing the book. She was acting like it was hers... "I guess, I need the book, too." I said...and finished in my head, since it's a library book.

She very hesitantly said, "It was just getting good." I didn't explain that it wasn't her book because just then Mom came to get me to go back to see Dad. I just smiled and walked away. Thankfully she was gone by the time I came back out to go get the car to take Dad home.

Anyway, back at the ranch...The rest of the family trickled in each day for the next two days: Jen's arrived late on Thursday and Jess & Luke arrived late on Friday. All 14 of us were together so we were able to get a family picture on Saturday morning (I’ll be sure to post it when I get a copy! I think Jake's editing it for us).

I had to leave Sunday to make the 9 hour drive back and the rest of the family trickled out throughout the rest of the day and also today…except for Lily and her parents—they get to stay until Wednesday.

Hopefully my dad will heal quickly and then be able to have surgery for his herniated disc. He’s been in a lot of pain from that since Easter. He describe the pain that goes down his legs like a “220 volt”.

My trip home was mostly uneventful. I did stop in Watertown for a couple of hours and catch up with the Kurschner sisters. Oh, and when I arrived back in Minneapolis there was lovely construction greeting me when I was only a few miles from home! I was detoured downtown with no further signs of assistance. Now, I do work downtown, but not in the area where I was diverted from the highway...so my trip lasted a little longer than planned.

It was good to be back and sleep in my own bed!

miles of smiles & a few tears

I planned a last minute trip to visit a dear, dear friend to "get away from it all" and also to be an encouragement to my friend.

What I expected was a trip with a change of pace, a vacation from my work-eat-sleep, work-eat-sleep routine. I expected to catch up with my friend who I hadn't seen in 2 years, learn about her new life in Colorado, help with her kids, and just plain enjoy being with my friend Danna.

What I got was all that and more!

Saturday - woke up at 4:15a to get to my 7:05a flight. Arrived in Denver at 8:30 and we hit the ground running! Danna and Gang picked me up and we headed back to the "ranch". They're currently living with Danna's brother's family who happened to be on vacation for almost 2 weeks...leaving behind 1 dog, 1 cat, 12 chickens, and a huge garden that needed water!

We arrived at the ranch and the Dumplin' Gang scattered to their usual... Kelli, age 9, loves to read. She probably read 3 or 4 books while I was there. She also loves to swing on the tire swing that creeks with an annoying sound [kerr-erk! kerr-erk! kerr-erk!]. Karis, age 6, always heads for the chicken coup: she loves to carry "Fluffy" around like a sack of potatoes!! Ryan, age 4, just loves to bug and he's got 3 sisters, so he's good at it too! Little Selah, age 2, who acts like she's 3, she loves to sing. Whatever she's doing, she's got a song going while she's doing it. [You love me, You love me, We're a happy family...You love me, You love me, We're a happy family...] One more time, Selah-baby! :0)

That evening, after a delicious dinner of Danna's famous Calico Beans, we headed to the local fireworks to meet up with a group from church. We arrived a little late so we were lucky to find a parking spot. We found the group and were warmly welcomed! The fireworks were delightfully choreographed to patriotic and other fun music, but they were a little loud for Karis - she had her head buried under jackets and blankets. She made it through like a champ and then while we were waiting for the traffic to clear out, she enjoyed playing with a sparkler from some people we didn't know. All the kids had fun playing with their new friends.

Sunday we were all exhausted from our late night and swooped into church right as the preaching began. Kelli took the two youngest down to class and Danna headed to the cry room with Karis. There wasn't a seat for me in the cry room so I slipped into the auditorium to hopefully get a blessing.

To my surprise, I not only got a blessing, but a challenge to my thinking! The speaker was just getting into his message about work. Work?! I don't want to hear about work, I thought. Here's the outline:

Get...to Work
Proverbs 6:6

I. Work is given to us...
A. As a good gift from a loving God.
B. As an opportunity to serve others.
C. As an opportunity to partner with God.
D. As an opportunity to be like God.

(Work was hard before the fall. God cursed the ground which brought thorns & thistles.)

II. In your service of others...
A. Thorns and thistles are produced easier than wheat.
B. Thorns and thistles drive you back to dependence on God.
C. Thorns and thistles train and prepare you for future service.

Application
- Some jobs are not for Christians.
- Choose work carefully...don't choose for what it can do for you but what it can do for others.
- Retirement is not a biblical term. There's only a change of service.
- Trust God to place you in the area of service he wants you in.
- Trust God to place you in the perfect timing in your work.
- I need to change my thinking from "work is a necessary evil".

Sunday late in the afternoon we headed to downtown Denver. Neither Danna, nor I had been there before so we weren't sure what to expect. We found directions online for something called 16th Street Mall. Turns out it was a fun, outdoor mall with street vendors in the middle of the road. Also turns out there was a Jamba Juice, which Danna claims Kelli is made out of, so that was our first stop! Our second stop was a bathroom for 2 of the kids. We then started to explore the mall but were quickly distracted by Karis' interest in a horse & buggy. After a short inquiry, we all climbed aboard and had a half-hour tour of downtown Denver! Everyone enjoyed the ride so we decided to end our trip downtown on this high note. Side note: as we were heading out, Danna mentioned she hadn't started to water the garden yet (this usually takes most of the day). My serious reply was, "It's Sunday! God will provide!" Even though I meant what I said, I truly did not know I was speaking as a prophet! On our way home from downtown, it began to rain, pouring rain!! Jehovah Jirah, God will provide!

Monday was possibly going to be a trip to Garden of the Gods and Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, but a call from church friends with an invitation to hang out at a pool easily changed our plans. We were all excited to get a little extra vitamin D, especially me!! That evening Kelli had a friend over and we made a little campfire and s'mores in the cool of the evening. The ranch has several pine trees in the yard, so there were plenty of pine cones to add a little extra spark!

Tuesday was the last day of my visit, so we were all a little sad. I did have a college friend come by and take me to lunch (thank you , Jeni!!) so that brightened the day for me, but not so much for the Dumplin' Gang. They wanted to go with me, of course! :) Jeni and I had fun catching up on ol' times and what we've been doing in the 12 years since we last saw each other.

Back at the ranch it got a little crazy before heading out by 3:15 to get me to the airport: little Ry Guy got his feeling hurt and spent a while in a room...; Karis collected "berries" from a bush outside to make a smoothie, but that didn't that didn't end well; and Selah ended up in tears, but I can't remember why... Kind of made it a little stressful for the Gang's mama, but somehow we made it out the door on time! We even had time for a couple of detours: Gap & Wendy's!

I was definitely sad to end my visit. I miss them all already!! I hope it's not 2 years before I see them again!! MSP to DEN seems to have decent ticket prices, so we'll see...!!

kid's choirs

Wednesday nights I help with Jr Choir. Jen usually leads the group, but she took the past few months off main director because of their big move, etc. Jonathan Shevy stepped in as director and did a great job.

The kids also got to do handchimes this year (led by Christie Gotzman) and I got to help them with that too.

Here's video from the Cherib choir practicing right after our group for this coming Sunday evening's service. Pics are from a little bouncy-ball game time that Jonathan does with music. Clay decided to show off his juggling skills, with permission, of course - see video#2.

open house

Jen & Eric hosted an open house for their friends to come see their new place. I was in charge of making coffee :) Here are a few pics. Can you tell when Morgen picked up the camera for a little photo fun?!

family fun

Pictures are a little fuzzy...they're from my phone.

weekend road trip

I had an 18+ hour round trip drive this weekend to Vinita, OK. My dad's brother Ken lives there but I'd never been there before. I got to see family I haven't seen in years. Enjoyed catching up with everyone and celebrating the life of Ken's wife Margaret. I didn't get many pics of Norma's...I'm hoping someone puts some on FB.

Click to Enlarge

quote of the day

This morning during our staff prayer meeting my boss mentioned that yesterday his pastor spoke on suffering. He said he was reminded of his take on the book Job: "Suffering in our life adds depth to our character. It's kind of like soil. You have to add a lot of crap to get really good soil."

In other local news...Our Twins play their home opener in their brand new field today at 3:10pm. Weathermen called for rain but we haven't seen it yet!

dead sea scrolls, singing, and sweet rides

Two weekends ago Anna was here for a long weekend. She drove up in her sweet new ride: Nissan Maxima. It was an especially big deal since she's only been driving department issued vehicles for almost a year.

It was a busy weekend for me since I had 5ish hours of practice for Deo Cantamus and a 2 hour concert to fit in on Friday night and Saturday. I've included a video clip below.

In between my practices, we enjoyed several meals at Jen & Eric's as well as a many rounds of Wii that Anna brought with her. I'm thinking I want to add a Wii to my wish list. We had a lot of fun, and Ethan even got into the action!

I took a half day off work on Monday and after lunch at Brit's, Anna & I visited the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum of MN. After the exhibit we strolled the area near the museum in downtown St. Paul. Enjoyed hanging out with my lil-cop sis!

the boyz

The night that Jen & Eric moved to their new house in Plymouth, I kept the boys. Jess & Luke kept Morgen and Jess took her to school when she went to work. Since I had to work the next day too, I took the boys to day care...that was weird! :)

The pics were taken on my air mattress...I gave up my bed so the boys could have my room. Ethan just got the pack n' play, but Carsten got my comfy bed! He must be special!!

buBba

Yep, it's been a while so here's a start to updating my blog...

I'm not sure how it happened, but I got Bubba all by himself for a day & night. Jen dropped him off and we hung out for a while, then we headed to meet the Virginia Ave girls for brunch. I don't remember the name of the place, but it was yummy! Ethan liked the pancakes! The sausage, not so much. He still had his cast on from his broken arm which didn't seem to phase him at all. I think we both enjoyed our time without the older siblings... :)

TO DO List

My "oh, so exciting 100th post" was a TO DO list. Want to see the progress I've made?

What's in the works/done:

• Take a day off of work. Yah, I was sick so I had to take a day off...boo :( Our vacation/sick days are combined so it really stinks when I actually use a sick day.
• Finish my taxes. I've done what I can and have asked my dad to help me review them. Hopefully, I did it right!
• Go to doctor for routine checkup. Scheduled for next Tuesday!
• Sign up for individual health insurance. Application is completed!
• Prepare for PartyLite show. Gotta get on this! Party is Thursday!!

What's left:

• Order Internet cable
• Join a gym
• Go tanning
• Send out my "New Years" letter
• Start planning vacation time
• Buy new phone
• Install showerhead

More for the list

• Schedule eye exam

And of course, to stay focused:

• Debt Elimination: Destination 2011.

All I can say is I love crossing off items on a list!

100th post

Update 1/31/10: So I realized I left off a few things...I've added them below.

Well, my Dashboard says that this is my 100th post so I should probably make it a good one, eh? I have a "New Years" letter that I've been meaning to post, but I haven't actually mailed it to anyone except my immediate family so I'm going to hold off for a little while.


Speaking of getting things done, here are a few things I need to do in the next couple of weeks (in no particular order), but they should be done before the middle/end of February:

1. Order Internet cable - hooking up my cell phone to my computer for internet is just not cutting it anymore for me.
2. Take a day off of work.
3. Finish my taxes - I started, but stopped when I got to the point of entering my PartyLite stuff...this is out of my scope of knowledge. Hopefully I can dive in and figure it out soon...I'm eager for the return $$.
4. Join a gym.
5. Go tanning. I'm tired of Minnesota Winter White and need a little color in my world. Thought this would be a nice pick me up!
6. Send out my "New Years" letter...oh, I did mention that already, didn't I?
7. Go to doctor for routine checkup. Ok, so it's not routine for me, but they say it should be...
8. Sign up for individual health insurance. My company is not offering group insurance anymore. This is also the reason for #6. The new company is going to want to see some medical records and I don't have any since I've been in Minnesota.
9. Start planning vacation time: Trip to my parents (spring). Trip to Jake & Meg's to see Baby Jake (late summer). Trip to ______? Got any ideas?
10. Prepare for PartyLite show for a friend this next week & work on planning my own PartyLite show. Who want's to come to my house for a party?!
11. Buy new phone. Found out this weekend that mine has problems. I was able to fix them, I think, but it makes me nervous! Especially since this is my only source of telecommunication with the outside world. Maybe I should look into a land line...?
12. Install showerhead I got for free from Xcel Energy...they sent me a survey by mistake and I still go the free showerhead for turning in the survey!
13. Debt Elimination Destination 2011. This won't happen in Feburary obviously, so I think I'll blog on that more at a later date. I'm putting it on this list b/c I want to keep it in focus! I'm soooo close, but I have to stay focused!!

So what's on your TO DO list?

I had a neat answer to prayer today!

"...pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
James 5:16

Last night as I got home I discovered my keys to my apt/mail box/work were missing. They’re on a separate ring from my car keys, plus I had my sister’s house keys still attached to my car keys (they’re in California for the week). I figured my keys dropped off between the time I got out of my car at the park & ride that morning and when I got on the bus. I was late getting home (as I had ran two errands on my way home) so I didn’t want to go back to the park & ride that night when I wasn’t really sure what happened. I looked around my parking spot at the apartment and then went to my sister’s to get my second set of keys. Thankfully I didn’t lose their keys too!

I let one of the girls (Lindsay) in my apartment building know that my keys were lost. At this point I wasn’t sure if my sister had keys to my building or just my apartment. I got to my sisters’ and found both keys! I remembered later that I had to ask my landlord for an additional key to the building when I first moved in. I forgot that I actually got the key! Yay for planning ahead! So then I went home and let the apartment girls (Lindsay & Elizabeth) know I got in and ask them to be on the lookout for my keys. They offered me pizza and said they would be praying! I was very thankful for the pizza!

This morning as I drove to the park & ride I prayed the whole way. I drove to the area in which I normally park and as I searched for a spot I looked around for my keys too. I then parked and started my serious search. I didn’t remember exactly which spot I had parked in, and wasn’t sure how my keys would still be there if that’s where I had dropped them. But to my surprise, I soon spotted a shining lump on the ground; it was just next to an SUV and right where they must have dropped from my key ring yesterday morning. I was so shocked I just calmly walked over and picked them up. I stared at them in my hand as I walked to the enclosed waiting area of the bus stop. With reality sinking in and excitement brewing, I decided to text Lindsay to let her know the good news and thank her for praying!

Another lady waiting for the bus asked me what time the next bus came. I told her and then shared my good news. She said, "Someone must be looking out for you!" I told her I was thanking my friend for praying for me [via text]! I hope she understood that I was giving God the credit!!

*************
This verse was in my email inbox this morning (I subscribe to a daily email devotional) and I wanted to share it too:

"But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart's desire is to glorify your name."
Isaiah 26:7–8

december events & happenings

good times

classics

In 2008 I took Morgen to Disney on Ice Finding Nemo. (Eric, Jen, & Carsten went a long as well.) She may have been 3 1/2, but she still remembers it and still talks about the flashlight that I got her which is broken and long gone... Funny thing is that Carsten remembers it and he was only 2.

Well, Morgen asked recently (after viewing an ad on the side of a bus) if I would take her to see Disney on Ice Princess Classics. Of course, I said, "Yes!" ...what?? she asked very nicely!

So today Morgen & I ventured out for a late afternoon showing of Disney on Ice ~ Princess Classics at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. This is the day after she had the stomach flu, so we went with a little trepidation...we made it through the afternoon and got home before 7pm.

She fell asleep on the way there and back. It was worth it...just ask her! :o) I did ask her what her favorite part was and she said in her dreamy voice, "Ariel." I asked, "Why Ariel?" and she said, "Because I like wormmaids."




Now I have to plan a special day for Carsten. He told me tonight that he'd like to see "Lightning McQueen, but not on ice, on the road!" It was so cute when he made sure that I was going to still be there after he had his bath. He also told me that he was "very excited that [I] got to stay at their house for a whittle bit." I'm pretty sure he told me that twice! And while I'm on the subject of cute things Carsten says...tonight during prayer time he prayed, "Dear God...and in January, pray that I'll be big so I can be a big boy..." He'll be four in January. I guess that's when you become a big boy!

Yes, these two are my classics.

you're invited

Come hear me sing with my choir!

Saturday, December 19, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 20, 6:00 p.m.

Fourth Baptist Church choir, orchestra, handbells and other musicians combine to present a meaningful and unique program of music with a relevant message from God's Word in celebration of Christ's birth.

Please accept my invitation to attend this year's Christmas Musicale.

And for more listening pleasure here is a videow that I forgot to blog about, but is certainly worth watching: Deo Cantamus Clips from Performance on 10/24/2009. Enjoy!

thanKful

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Singing with Thankfulness

This morning as I left for work, I was reminded to be thankful. Yes, I know we already had Thanksgiving, but my reminder to be thankful often comes when I get into my car. A friend of mine used to make up songs to sing for her K4/K5 classes and one of them was "Thank you, Lord for my _______" -- you fill in the blank. The song basically repeats several times and ends with "right where you are!" Anyway, this little song comes to mind regularly when I'm driving, so the first thing I usually fill in the blank with, is my car. And now you know :0)

Thank You, Lord for...

• My salvation -- Psalm 103
• My family --

• My church -- http://www.fourthbaptist.org/

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

• My friends far & near -- www.facebook.com/bekahflaming

A friend loves at all times...Proverbs 17:17a

• My job #1 -- TheJob
• My job #2 -- www.partylite.biz/bekahflaming
• My home & neighbors -- Yeah, Virginia Ave N Girls!!
• My extended family & my extended family twice removed -- yes, even my sister's crazy sister-in-laws in Cali--love their running commentary ;o)
• My co-workers and fellow PL team members
• Road trips when your brother-in-law drives all the way (except for 1 hour that your sister drove!)
• Statuses
• Thanksgiving dinners your sister cooks (and you "supervise")!
• Big & little blessings each day
• Water
• Sprint to Sprint
• Presents to give (and to get!)
• Others who are "tankpull"
• Second (& third, fourth, etc. ) chances
• My birthday!
• The letter "K"
• Valentines

This is a great starter as a prayer list! I'm so needing to remember to pray for and thank God for those people and things He has put in my life!

What would you add?

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Gifts of Scents

PartyLite – Bring ambiance to your home!

Order Online: www.partylite.biz/bekahflaming

Have items shipped directly to you or to your friend or family member!

Contact Bekah: bekahflaming@gmail.com

Scentsy – Wickless Candles! - www.scentsy.com/dewbear Contact Danna: dew44bear@yahoo.com

Handmade Gifts

Upper Krust Pies - Ship a delicious pie to anywhere nationwide! www.upperkrustpieshop.com

Handmade items by my mom (terlyn) - www.etsy.com Contact Terry: dtflaming@kconline.com

Art and other handmade items by Sara (sarasart) - www.etsy.com Contact Sara: saramincy@gmail.com More Info: sara-mincy.blogspot.com

Music & Books

Books - www.2by.net Contact Hollands: mholland@netwurx.net

Quiet Piano CDs…make great gifts - mincymedia.com Contact Dave: dave.mincy@gmail.com More Info: mincymedia.com/blog

Miscellaneous

Agel - Nutritional Supplements and Skincare - healthfulsonshine.iamagel.com
Contact Ruth Bolton: rute4him@juno.com

General (apparel, school supplies, Cameras/Frames, Craft & Hobby, etc!) - www.2bynow.net Contact Hollands: mholland@netwurx.net

Interior Design by Meg - www.megannedesign.com Contact Meg Flaming – megatuttle@yahoo.com

Website Design for Ministries by Dave & Jake - dwjfm.com Contact Jake Flaming - jacobtaylor@email.com

Team National Online Shoppping - http://www.akhomefree.com/ Contact Al & Kay Hawkins - allanhawkins@mac.com

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