{Old Friends}

I just found this blog post not posted!! What?! It was a such an awesome day - I can't believe I didn't post this?!! Please enjoy!


...

A week ago Friday (July 8) I had the unique opportunity to see three childhood/college friends: Jody Erdmann Kalata and Keith & Kimmy Cashner (and boys). I've known Jody since 2nd or 3rd grade and I've known Keith (aka Keifer) since I was 4 1/2 when we moved to Watertown. I've known Kimmy since college (I roomed with her crazy, fun sister, Val, for 1/2 a semester!).

Jody had Facebook messaged me that she would be in town and we finally put it together that she would actually be attending a conference right across the street from my work as well as staying in the hotel where I park my car everyday! We made tentative plans to meet for dinner sometime while she was in town but didn't confirm the date. That week came and I was beginning to wonder if it would work out. 

By Thursday afternoon I still hadn't heard for sure if we were going to meet but I happened to see on Facebook that Keith & Kimmy were on their way to the Mall of America that night. There were actually arriving in town Thursday night and planned to go to MOA for the day on Friday. I wrote that they should come downtown to meet for lunch and that I was trying to get together with Jody as well. 

I heard from Jody after work on Thursday and we made plans that would try to get off at 2:30 when she had some free time in the conference schedule. I went to work hoping I would be able to contact one of two bosses who were both out of the office that day. I

We ended up hanging out until almost 6 - first at Starbucks and then in the hotel lobby where we went down memory lane with my scrapbook of pictures.

Great time visiting with the 5 Cashner Ks tonight at Kokomo Cafe at MOA!

Kade - a special buddy from the moment we met. He's a hugger!!

{Book Review} Nick of Time (A Bug Man Novel) by Tim Downs

Book Description

Tying the knot may be the toughest thing Nick Polchak has ever tried to do.

Nick Polchak is comfortable with bugs. Their world is orderly. He knows where he stands and exactly how to interpret the signs they give him. But a fiancée and an upcoming wedding? Not so much.

That's why—a mere four days before the nuptials—Nick finds himself driving to Philadelphia for the monthly meeting of the Vidocq society. Being among a group of forensic professionals consulting on cold cases will surely allow him to feel useful and normal.

But while there he discovers that a close friend has been murdered . . . and in classic Nick style, begins to follow the trail of evidence rather than returning to his fiancée. Fearing that his one-track mind won't lead him home by Saturday, Alena and three of her dogs go to track him down.

When she finally finds him, nothing is as Alena expected . . . because the twists in this case will surprise even the most dedicated Bug Man fans.

Book Review

Ok, this book title sounded a little corny  and the book it had it's moments, but overall, it was a good read. There was this one thing that kind of bothered me throughout the book and it ended up having to do with the outcome so I won't give it away. The twists and turns of the story mostly distracted me from "this one thing" and I really did enjoy the read. This was my first introduction to this author and I think I'd like to read more of his books.

Thank you BookSneeze for the free book.

{Book Review} Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode

Book Description
Imagine a place where becoming a Christian is a punishable crime—and your own family exacts the punishment. Where those who spread the gospel among locals are deported if discovered. Where converts to Christianity face persecution, isolation, or even death as the price for their faith. “Reema Goode” and her family are Christians working in a closed Middle Eastern country where all of these things are true. Yet they are also firsthand witnesses of a whole new trend that is taking shape in missions to Muslims. Despite all obstacles, God is opening miraculous doors in the Islamic world, where an unprecedented number of Muslims are becoming followers of Jesus. In this powerful collection of personal stories, Reema takes us deep inside her Arab neighborhood to show how God is opening doors in just one of many Islamic communities. As she walks us through everyday life in a Muslim town, she reveals the diverse, creative, unexpected, and thrilling ways God is reaching her neighbors with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”—Revelation 3:8


Book Review
I really got a lot out of reading this book. I think it's the first "on the field missionary" book I've read all the way through. It's a short read so it didn't take too long.

Reading these short stories about a Christian missionary couple who lived in the Muslim culture was eye opening. I don’t know much about the Muslim culture so it was very informative. Learning about the dangers that missionaries face just in their every-day encounters makes me very grateful to live in the country I live in. The Goode family took many purposeful-opportunities to develop relationships with their neighbors and others they met in their daily routine. These relationships led to amazing times when Reema was asked by highly influential Muslims to explain the Bible and their Christian beliefs to large groups of Muslims. My eyes were really opened to the struggles these missionaries face just to create relationships with a culture that is so different from what they know. I was challenged by the fact that these missionaries made the most of each encounter with their neighbors and those they met in the community. Because of their faithfulness God was able to use them to reach many for Christ. This book is a clear testimony that God was using them to do His work. 

Recommendation: Good read.

Thank you Tyndale for the free book.

Happy 29th Birthday, Anna Grace!

This is a special day for my li'l cop sis', Anna. Today she turns 29. She's the last of us 5 kids to be in our 20s...hope she's enjoying it!!

29 Reasons Why I Love You, Anna Grace:

1. You're my baby sister.
2. You love God.
3. You're brave, bold, and beautiful.
4. You cut your hair short once but grew it out again (I'm trying to do that!).
5. You finished 2 years of college, then 2 more.
6. You love to read :)
7. You're loyal.
8. You're my friend.
9. You tell it like it is and make no apologies for it.
10. You take long road trips by yourself to see your family.
11. You like guns and you know how to use them - yeah, you're a real-live, Annie-Get-Your-Gun-Oakley!
12. You have good ideas.
13. You drink coffee.
14. You're our runway model (uhh...that's code for something else ;)
15. You like Sarah Palin.
16. You're our nieces' and nephews' 2nd favorite :P
17. You're passionate about your police work.
18. You love Notre Dame football.
19. You let me call you Ann...at least, I think you do :)
20. You taught yourself how to play the guitar - and you're good at it!
21. You're the Boss.
22. You, Jess, and Jake used to count the days until Jen and I came home from college.
23. You've made tough decisions and help me make some of mine. 
24. You're not afraid to try new things.
25. You save money.
26. You used to play dress up...but the end result did not mean you were completely dressed!
27. Someday you'll be Mayor of Carmel!
28. You kick butt and then take names!
29. You've got Bridgewater eyes.

Happy Birthday, Anna!!!!

Read about more family birthdays here.

{conversations with littles}

How Long is Long?

Carsten and I were driving in the car. I told him I was growing my hair out.
Me: Should I keep growing my hair long?
Carsten (age 5): Yes.
Me: How long should I grow it?
Carsten: About 9 days.
Me: 9 days?
Carsten: Yeah, in 9 days it will be really long!

Oh, Bummer!

Ethan (age 3) and I were walking into a Bruegger's Bagel shop and noticed a dog with his owner by some outdoor tables. On our way out...
Ethan (age 3): Where'd the dog go?
Me: Oh, bummer, I guess the dog went home!
Ethan: Bunner, the dog all gone!
Me: Bummer?
Ethan: Yeah, I said, "Bunner, dog all gone!"

Truth vs Fiction

I almost forgot this one but remembered during church - you'll see why...

I was trying to explain to Carsten the plot of the play Arsenic and Old Lace. Let me tell you, it was hard. How do you tell a 5 year old that two old ladies who were crazy were killing lonely old men, because they could - ?

We discussed if the poison was real and I was able to say that, "No, for the play it was pretend." I also explained that the whole play was not true. "It was fiction - like a story you would read in a book."

To that he said, "But the Bible is all true. It is true because it's God's Holy Word."

{The Rest of the Week}

Yes, the Busy Week Continues…

Ahhhh, Wednesday...a day full of work and meetings, and, oh yes, the Intern's first day! In between the work pile and the meetings I was teaching the intern how to scan. Since it’s not rocket science, the intern seemed to catch on fairly quickly and even seem to master the naming and filing of the scans (we have an extensive filing tree)!

For the scanning project there are only 10 full file drawers left of old files to scan. I’ve been working on the scanning since I started – 4 years ago! Obviously it’s not a project I’ve worked on every day, but for at least 2 of the years I made serious effort to scan an average of 3 files per week.

At the beginning of 2010 I had thought that another staff member was supposed to be helping me so I had hope that we would be done by fall that year. Nope, it didn’t happen. That staff person never made time in their week to do any scanning. Not even a little. I’m a team player and was very discouraged that fall when we still weren’t done with the project. It was around that time that my boss got the idea for his daughter to help with scanning. Strike two – between her school work, job at Target and some problems with her jaw (TMJ), and the fact that scanning is boring, she didn’t last but a few times in the office.

Continuing with the adventure that was this week...

On Thursday, the Intern's second day, I found a random task for him to do – stick labels on file folders that we are reusing – while I worked through my morning routine and prioritized my tasks for the day. He then hit the ground running with scanning. I felt kind of bad because I didn’t pay much attention to him that day. Since the first part of the week had been so not normal, I had a lot of things to catch up on and he also seemed like he had a good handle on things. I would check on him through out the day but he’s a quiet one and didn’t have much to say! Hope he comes back next week!

Finally Friday. Friday my boss was back. He’d been gone all week (which is one reason I didn’t think I would be that busy at work – boy, was I wrong!) to Texas with his wife and daughter. His daughter was getting treatment at a chiropractor who specializes in TMJ. They’ve been working on this problem for a long time and none of the treatments have worked so far.

The number of green folders (business to process) that were on my desk on Friday were more than I had seen in quite sometime. I guess all week I had been adding them to my boss’s inbox not thinking that I would see them all back on my desk the same day he got back! Plus he had more for me! On top of that I had left messages for a couple of clients about rescheduling appointments and they had to call me when I wasn’t at my desk which meant I had to call them back. Not being a phone-lover, the tasks for phone calls always seem to stack up and then I’m frantically trying to get them done before I leave at the end of the day.

I had every intention of leaving work on Friday at 4 (or earlier if we were allowed as sometimes is before a holiday) but leaving the phone calls to the end and not factoring in that they would want to discuss more than just the calendar, I ended up scrambling to get out the door by 4:05. In all reality I could have been there another two hours finishing up stuff from the week, but it was a holiday weekend! And I had evening plans!

I made it home in time to change and turn around and head back downtown with Lindsay. Me, Lindsay, her mom Cheryl, and Cheryl’s friend Shirley were meeting downtown for dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory and then hitting rush line at the GUTHRIE to get tickets for Arsenic and Old Lace.

Dinner was great! Lindsay and I got there first and ordered. Since were ordering for all and all sharing what we ordered, we chose three entrees that OSF listed as their SPECIALTIES: chicken marsala, lasagna, and a garlic mizithra spaghetti. Each entrée came with bread, salad or soup, tea or coffee, and a dish of ice cream. Everything was delicious! We had a little left over but we were all so pleasantly filled that we didn’t even want to take it with us.

We walked a few blocks to the Guthrie and got in line for rush tickets. Our wait was only about ½ hour, I think, and then we purchased good seats for about $25 which is about ½ price! Not bad, not bad at all!

The set was awesome! The stage had seating on 3 sides. The costumes were believable. The actors were excellent: Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha were a good pair of entertainers for sure. Mortimer was spot on. Teddy was Teddy. Elaine was delightful. The police were funny! Jonathan was scary. Dr. Einstein was quirky. Mr. Witherspoon is dead, or is he? If you don’t know who I’m talking about, well, you’re just gonna have to see that play!

Here are a few pics from the evening:

Oh, and I'll leave you with this short clip I found of the play - enjoy!

happenings

While last week was birthday week and it may have seemed busy, this week is ACTUALLY busy!  :)

My week started off with a 2-day Administrators Conference on Monday. First I went to work like normal, and on my way remembered about the conference. Yuck! It was going to be a long day! Two good things ran through my mind: 1) my boss was out of town, so work should be “lighter” and 2) the intern that was scheduled to start today had bailed so I wouldn’t have to try to be two places at once!

Got to work and dove into the work that Monday always brings – the conference didn’t start until 11 and was held at work in our 4^th floor conference room. I got a good handle on things and headed to the conference with two of my co-workers (one had come from North Dakota—or “No-Dak” as someone kept saying - never heard that before…).

The conference was put on by our “umbrella” company and the compliance team and they started it out with sub-sandwich lunches and some meet ‘n greet time. Then with out much ado they started the first session a PowerPoint of notes from all the staffer’s bosses about their staff person who was attending the conference. It was sweet. My side comment when I realized what was being projected was that I hadn’t intercepted the email nor was I asked to draft anything so who knows what was going to be said! Since my boss had four staff present, he didn’t actually say anything specific, but made more of a general comment about how his staff CARES for people, blah, blah, blah – it really was nice :)

After the initial welcome and lunch we divided into three groups (there were about 40 present) and went to 3 sessions over the next 4 hours. Well, we were supposed to go to 3… Lynette* and I went together to the first two and then ditched the last one because Sabrina* had gone to it while we were in the other sessions and gave us the 4-1-1: “Don’t go!” So we didn’t! We went back to our desks and worked until about 5.

Lynnette* and I did get some benefit out of the first sessions we went to but the session we missed was a little basic. Since she has been in the industry for 25 years or so and I’ve been doing it for four years, to us ol’ vets we decided to skip the basics. ;) Since the conference had never been done before I think the coordinators felt they needed to start at the beginning and also I think there were quite a few newbies in the group.

The first day ended with a dinner at Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse which happened to be two doors down from our building and next to the Millenium hotel. There's not much to say about the dinner except that the fried rice was OUT OF THIS WORLD. So. Good. You haven't had fried rice until you've had Ichiban's. Trust me. If you visit Mpls, do go there and have at least one person order the fried rice - you won't regret it!! So. Good. Yum!! :)

This is a picture of us at Ichiban:

Day two of the conference again started out with work for about an hour and then the first session began at 9 o’clock with breakfast and a presentation/spoof on office etiquette. The presenter used exaggerated pics of the compliance team in action doing the things she was saying not to do (talking on your cell phone with your feet up on your desk, etc.). Thankfully the session was short.

We then went to Round Table Discussions about who to call for what and then what works and what doesn't. There’s not a lot to say about these session's content because they were short, but we did learn a few nuggets that will help us do our job better.

The end of the conference was a pizza lunch and drawings. My co-worker won a door-prize so that was good!

One of fun things about the conference was that in the second session on day one I met a person who I had seen occasionally but had never met. I found out she worked for an advisor group that had been in our building but they had moved their offices to Maple Grove. Also, my co-worker’s husband who is a Lutheran minister had done the wedding ceremony for this girl and her husband.

The session where I met Ellen was not that in depth so we were able to chat about our jobs a little (we also got shushed by the presenter once!). Then at the second day breakfast session we sat next to each other and chatted some more. I really enjoyed getting to know her and am kind of bummed that she doesn’t work in our building any more – now that I know her!

The conference ended and Lynnette* and I headed back to our desks for more work, but later attended a building meeting to introduce a new phone system. They presented four phone options and then said you didn’t have to have a phone base because the system was actually software you use on your computer. They also indicated that we would be getting the new system in June. I’m kind of glad for this because we knew there would be a new system for our new location but it will be good to learn it before we actually move.

There was one more meeting for me that day but the phone system meeting ran long so I missed that meeting. When I got back to our office area I checked in with my boss and filled him in on the phone system. Sounds like we might try to get by without actual phones and just use the computer. That will be weird, I think, but the software has some pretty cool features so I’m game!

Tuesday ended with dinner at Jen's and hanging out with Jen, Morgen, Carsten, & Ethan. We were able to Skype with Dad for a little bit too! I brought over my goodie bag from the conference and handed it all out to the kiddos. They really enjoyed the glow-bracelets, post-it notes, highlighter and water bottle! In fact, I even got a post-it note thank you note written in cursive before I left: “tank you for the lit up braslis” read as, “Thank you for the light up bracelets.” Love it!

The week’s events didn’t end here! Stay tuned!

*names changed to protect the innocent

birthday week cont.

Taking a time out of this busy week to stop and smell the roses...er, whatever these trees are! I actually took the picture because it looked like snow! We're very familiar with snow around here, but are enjoying the lack of snow this week! ;-)

While we haven't had snow for a while, it's actually LILAC time!! And you know when the lilacs bloom, it's time for my first niece's birthday! (These lilacs are courtesy of the side of the road. I wanted to pick more, but a car was coming!! My house sure does smell lovely!)

We celebrated Morgen's 7th birthday tonight with a small family affair including white sauce & chicken pizza and an ICE CREAM cake from DQ. Of course this was all at the birthday girl's request and it was delicious!!

Dinner was followed by presents and my parents were able to join us via Skype! The funniest part was that my parents video feed was frozen so they were talking to us but we were just looking at their picture. Ethan seemed intrigued and kept showing them the presents and chatting with them - giving his version of a play-by-play. Once the presents were opened we were able to get the video feed corrected and then Ethan was not so sure about talking to them...weird kid!

I remember the day this sweet girl was born - May 20, 2004. It seems just like yesterday! Her birth day was scheduled so it was not a surprise. I worked a half day and drove up from Watertown that afternoon. While she was born at 8:30 am, we did not learn her name until mid-afternoon because her parents were still deliberating. Morgen Rae: Morgen means morning in German and Rae means little lamb in Hebrew. I still remember Eric telling me, "Our little lamb was born in the morning."

Seven Reasons I Love You, Morgen Rae:

1. Your smile is infectious!
2. You're a girlie-girl and love to play dress up (and go shopping).
3. You know I want you to stop growing up but you don't listen to me!
4. You have so many characteristics of your mom and your aunts, but you're your own person too! 
5. You love horses and dolls and coloring.
6. You'll drop anything to do a PROJECT - you call yourself the Project Girl!
7. You watch movies that I like - Annie, Little Women, and more!

In case you missed it, click here to read about Ethan's 3rd birthday!

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birthday week

MAY is typically a BUSY month for anyone, but add two family birthdays in one week and busy is taken to a new level!

The two-birthdays-in-one-week started three years ago when my nephew Ethan joined us. We celebrated his 3rd birthday this Sunday.

Of course there was a crowd of people (two families of my sister's clique who have a few kids each, plus uncle Luke and the aunts-Jess & me), a big lunch (pork roast - his favorite meat, can-you-believe-it?!), lots of presents (race cars, race tracks, $, etc., etc.), and of course, cake -- a chocolate, dinosaur cake!

This picture captures the essence of the birthday boy on his special day - he was so well behaved! He even said "excuse me" multiple times while he politely (and excitedly) played with his new toys (that he gets to share with his older brother)!

Three of the Many Reasons I Love You, Ethan:

1. You're my one and only Bubba!
2. You love to play "a phone on your game" (game on my cell phone) and ask to play ALL. THE. TIME.
3. Your fun to hang out with so I do it a lot - I especially like reading books to you, especially We're Going on a Bear Hunt!

From the Archives: Enjoy a short stroll down memory lane with two old posts from MAY 2008 when Bubba joined the family. 

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{stormy weather}

The same night that I helped pack food for starving kids there was the first major storm of the season here in Minneapolis. A tornado touched down north of us and there was some hail in our area. Here's a few pics I snapped that evening:

{feed the hungry}

Our Evening of Packing Food

Click to Enlarge

Chicken, Veggies, Soy, Rice!!

It's very important to remember the order of the food that is placed in the bags!

Earlier this year we received an email at work about volunteering as a group for an evening of packing food for Feed My Starving Children. I signed up to go, but due to a late January snowstorm we ended up cancelling the event. They rescheduled for this past Tuesday and I got to go with Jess, Luke, Liz, and Morgen.

At the beginning of the evening we listened to a short, but sobering, presentation about 8 year old Omar who weighed 19 lbs because he was starving. After a few months of FMSC food he is healthy and thriving.

Clear instructions were given before we hit the sinks to wash our hands. Don't forget your hairnet! A few were volunteered to be warehouse workers - I think they do the hardest job - to carry refills to the different stations. Each of the 11 people per station were given a job in one of the two assembly lines: adding the ingredients to a bag, holding the bag, weighing the bag, sealing the bag, and then putting 36 bags in each box.

We packed bags and boxes of food for 53 impoverished children for a year. I believe it was over 500 lbs.

You can see from the pictures it was fun, but we were tired at the end (especially since we did this right after work).

I hope I get the opportunity to do this again sometime. I'd love to see our Young Adults do this as an activity or just get a group together and go pack! 

What about you? Would love to hear about your efforts to feed the hungry. Please share in the comments!

{happy mother's day}

To the BEST Mom in the whole world...

In case you need a reminder, go here to read about the 60 reasons why I love you!!

{newsy notes} Part 2

As you may have read I've been feeling a little mailman-neglected and decided I need to start writing more letters. Here's more, enjoy!

Dear Credit Card Debt, Just 3 more slightly chunky payments and you’re all gone! I’m excited, not gonna lie! Then I'm on to the ol’ school loan--you’re going down!!

Dear Hair, It's been 3 looong months since your last cut. Please be mindful to stay smooth and manageable as there are a few more months before you will see scissors! Oh, and would you mind not growing any more gray? Thanks.

Dear Future Car, No, I’m not talking about a futuristic car. I mean the future car I’m going to own in the near, near future. Yes, You! (I’m really hoping Future Car is not, You!) Anywhoo, hope you’re resting up for some road trips!!

Dear Slaves Interns, Only a few more weeks and then you are ours--for 3 months! Hope you’re ready to learn all about the financial planning industry by reviewing client documents (a.k.a. scanning!). Don’t worry, Boss has many other projects to throw in the mix!

Dear Mo’gen, Thanks for spending last weekend with me. It was fun hanging out with you and doing whatever you wanted -- including a trip to Target where you asked for everything you saw! Can’t believe you’re about to turn 7!! Didn’t I tell you not to grow up?!

Dear Lily Bug, You're soooo cute - I could eat you up!! When you come to visit me, I'll be sure to make you a strawberry and banana smoothie (your cousins looove them and practically demand that I make them!). We'll also work on you saying my name ;-) Lots of love, Auntie beK <3
 

Got a stamp?!

Oh, and I think I'll post some pics soon so stay tuned!

{newsy notes} Part 1

Lately I haven’t had much from the USPS mailman, and it got me to thinking: maybe I should write more letters...hmmm...

Well, that's not likely so I hope these notes put a smile on your face and make you want to run home, pull out the ol’ paper and pen and send me lots o’ letters!

Dear Sebring, Thank you for getting me to and from work each day and all the other places you take me. At ~148,000 miles in 15 years (that’s ~68,000 miles in 6 years with yours truly), I believe your almost ready for retirement -- we’ll have a party soon, I promise! Party date and location: TBA.

Dear Anti-lock Brake Light, Thanks for going off today as the streets were wet and there was a chance I might actually need the anti-lock brake system. Normally I do enjoy how you and Check Engine Light brighten up my dash!!

Dear Traffic, Thank you for getting out of my way when I needed to merge. I didn’t want to bring out my south-of-Chicago-learned driving skills, but I would of, if I had to...Yo, Westside!!

Dear Vincent A Restaurant (French - oui, oui! ...or si, si!, according to the English to French dictionary), yesterday your $14, The Vincent Burger was delicious and filling: so delicious and filling I didn't finish the fries! Not sure I would have chosen you on the menu description alone (Ground Beef, Braised Short Ribs, Smoked Gouda), but two fist pumps for the assist (a.k.a. recommendation) by compliance branch manager, Cindy!! So glad I didn't have to pay the $14!

Dear Camera, Wow! I haven’t pulled you out since, well, I’m not sure when...Christmas?! My phone has been an acceptable replacement with it’s easy Facebook sharing features and, well, I just am too lazy to make sure you, Camera, have charged batteries, too! But I did pull out last Sunday for the kids' choirs at church last Sunday, so thanks for standing by!

Part 2 coming up soon!

{Reply to a Dear Friend}

Below is an edited version of my reply to a private blog post...personal specifics have been redacted.

Hey - I'm still mulling this one over...

Mostly thoughts that are coming to me are about how we react to circumstances...I know I struggle with this, but then I'm mostly just able to relate to the daily stuff, not something as big as [situation redacted]...

On the way to work I heard the usual Faith Minute broadcast and thought I'd share with you:

At first glance it’s easy to think that courage and fear are contradictory traits. But that’s not necessarily true. Brave soldiers often admit to being scared in battle. Humans are complex creatures. We can mean well and behave badly.


On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter courageously followed Jesus to his trial. Peter was a fisherman suddenly surrounded by sophisticated and powerful people. He realized he was in over his head and he got scared. When asked about Jesus, Peter denied even knowing him.


Most of us have walked in Peter’s sandals. Under stress we have denied our most cherished principles. Call it the “Peter Syndrome.” But remember, Peter didn’t stay afraid. After the resurrection, he found total forgiveness from Jesus – and we can too.

Peter was faced with a bigger than himself situation - I like how they said it, "He realized he was in over his head and he got scared."

That would definitely be me if I was in his/your shoes. Ah, but here's the kicker: "But remember, Peter didn’t stay afraid."

I think that's you! You're not staying afraid. You've found forgiveness in Jesus. [Name redacted] can too. (And you and I aren't responsible for him.)

I think I'm going to take time later today to read the additional stuff (as opposed to what I normally do - just listen to the "faithminute") b/c there's more to think on and learn from Peter.

Something else that was shared on fb yesterday was this guy. He's dealing with cancer. Not really the same category but also has to do with reacting to our circumstances. This video was a blessing. I ended up watching a few of his updates b/c it was encouraging.

Back to you...I'm not sure I've fully digested all that you wrote, nor do I think that I HAVE to. I know your writing is largely healing for you and doesn't need my approval - haha :) Seriously, I believe you're on a right path, my dear...especially concerning reactions to circumstances that are bigger than you.

I wish I could change those circumstances, but none of us can. I can pray that God will change the circumstances. I do pray that. But He doesn't have to. Um, that's a tough pill for me to swallow. But GOD can get the GLORY (whether we react well or not...?!)

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thanks, friend, for challenging my thinking today. I hope I'll react well to whatever circumstances come my way today.

lots of love,
~b

{Deo Cantamus} In Awesome Wonder Concert

Just wanted to share a little bit of the recent Deo Cantamus concert with you my faithful readers. Below is my playlist from YouTube with the 6 songs I had the privilege to be a part of.

Enjoy!



There are a also more songs on the Deo Cantamus Youtube Channel that the "Let the Children Praise" choir sang at our concert.

Can you guess what my favorite song is? (Hint: If you saw the post on fb, you already know!)

What's your favorite?!

{Conversations with Littles}

If you're a regular reader, you probably know that my oldest sister has three littles who I spend a lot of time with. Last night I headed over there after work to play "catch up on Favorite Aunt status" since I hadn't seen them in a week or so. The reason I hadn't seen them was because they had taken a trip to Grandma & Grandpa's. They also saw Aunt Anna while they were there - she's my biggest competition, you know! I don't carry a gun or drive a car with lights & sirens...

So I asked Ethan about his trip:

Me: Did you go to Grandma & Grandpa's?!
E: Yes.
Me: What did you do?
E: I hit Tarsten [Carsten].

Apparently my "what did you do?" voice was a little too serious! Or he just automatically answers "I hit Tarsten" when he hears that question. :)  :)

Me: Oh. You were naughty then?
E: Yeah, I hit Tarsten.
Me: So, did you have fun with Grandma & Grandpa?
E: [I think he started rambling about how he didn't hit Grandma & Grandpa, just Carsten, but it was not clear. Then he started talking about his pig and cow he was playing with.]

Morgen, Ethan and I started to watch the of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers while Carsten went with Jen & Eric to Carsten's kindergarten open house. After almost an hour or so Morgen asks, "When is this going to be over so we can play?!" I'm not sure if that's a reflection of her opinion of the movie or if she really would just rather have been playing. She did get some new/used toys that same day so I think they were more exciting than a musical.

During the movie Ethan decided he wanted to cuddle with me so as he was coming over I asked him if we needed a blanket. I think it came across more like, "Where's my blanket?" though because he said, "My blanket up in my bed. Your blanket at your house." Yeah, he went up and got his blanket and shared it with me.

Part of the new/used toy collection was American Girl doll horse cards. As Morgen and I started to look through them I said, "I wonder if they have an Appaloosa horse in here?" Sure enough, we found one! We talked about how Grandma used to ride Appaloosas and how the info on the back of the card listed the height of the horses by hands. Oh, and I forgot to bring home the card she kept insisting that I could have...oops!

When Carsten returned from the open house he was excited, I could tell. He had his cute-little-Carsten-grin on his face and he was eager to show off his coloring pages. He told me he started kindergarten in the morning...uh, no. His mom had to break the news that he didn't start until after the summer...bummer! He took it all in stride, but I think he was a little crushed...

What are some of your favorite conversations with Littles?! Do share!

{Book Review} Your Money God’s Way by Aime Streater

For the past 10 years I have been trying to get out of debt. Realistically, I have been seriously trying for the past four years. I am very close to reaching one specific financial goal and I think the fact that I’m so close that goal has given me a little inspiration.

Several months back I chose to review the book Your Money God’s Way by Aime Streater through BookSneeze.com, but only got through the first chapter before it was laid aside and kind of forgotten about. Recently I picked it up again in hopes that I could finish a review and get another book and I was surprised (in a good way) to find lots of things to help me reach the finish line of the specific financial goal I mentioned above.

I’m going to post this review in two sections because 1) I've finished reading half of the book and 2) since this has turned into more of a Bible study for me rather than a normal Book Review, it's going to be a little longer than unusual...

Book Description

“Amie Streater…delivers a powerful message of common sense and biblical wisdom that today’s churchgoers desperately need.” - Dave Ramsey

Readers discover the seven "counterfeit convictions" that keep them broke and encounter proven plans for getting out of debt, building wealth, and finding financial peace.

Money habits. Where do they come from? Can you pinpoint when you started shopping to feel better, why you can’t usher grown children into financial independence, or why saving for the future is a priority in theory but not in practice?

Amie Streater, associate pastor of financial stewardship for the 10,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, has been there. From her own experience, she knows what it’s like to look at an impossible pile of bills and a pile of toddlers wrestling in the next room. In Your Money God's Way, empowered by her own incredible journey to financial freedom, she leads readers to the dream of mastering their finances. She also expertly uncovers seven “counterfeit convictions” Christians believe that hinder their personal finance success.

Book Review

From the start I think the author is harsh in her analysis of what Christians should do to be good financial stewards, but I think it’s necessary. She found “that it takes more than just teaching steps to get out of debt—it takes confrontation of the wrong thinking that got them there to begin with.”

Counterfeit Convictions is first chapter and the book concludes with Conviction Clean-Up Plan. The middle chapters describe the author’s view of “seven key spiritual conditions most often cause Christians to fail in meeting personal financial goals”:

1. The Fix-It Fantasy: Unrealistic, unbiblical beliefs about the power money has to improve our lives
2. Saviors or Enablers?: A habit of trying be a savior by continually bailing reckless people out of their messes, and waiting our own resources in the process
3. Self-Righteous Slackers: Polluted theology, which we use to mask laziness and justify not working or failing to work up to our full potential
4. You Must Be Here to Help Me!: Naïveté about the intentions of others.
5. God Is an ATM: Failure to give, or a tendency to give with the wrong intentions
6. The Scarlette Syndrome: Denial about our current circumstances of the consequences of our actions
7. The Cliff Jumpers: A tendency to blame God for our own impulsive behavior

Introduction

One thing that stuck out in her introduction was “Your wealth—or lack thereof—is a direct result of the decisions you have made regarding every dollar that has passed through your hands.” Uhh…she said “every dollar”!

I was encouraged by this prayer and intend to pray it often:

Daily Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, for staying beside me, for holding me up when I fall. Please give me an open mind and an open heart. Let me see things as You see them. Show me what’s truth. Show me where I am wrong. Open the doors You want me to walk through, and close the ones that lead to places You don’t want me to be.

Please bless my efforts to improve my finances. Multiply my resources, and bless me so I may be a blessing to others. Most important, line up my thoughts with Your thoughts. Help me forgive myself for the mistakes of my pat, and forgive others for mistakes against me, just as You forgive me for all my sins as soon as I ask. I release the mistakes of yesterday, and I receive the blessing You have for me today.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Chapter 1 – Counterfeit Convictions

In this chapter I was challenged to highlight the scriptures used so that they will provide a quick reference for me to do as the Berean Christians did in Acts 17:11.

The author explained counterfeit convictions as “beliefs that started out as biblical truths but that we absorb into our hearts incorrectly.”

Here’s the first one she mentions:

Counterfeit Conviction: “I can’t really afford this, but I’ll just put it on my credit card. When the bill comes, God will provide!”

Timeless truth: Proverbs 21:17 tells us, “HE who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”

A daily prayer:

Father God, I acknowledge that my current financial habits may be inconsistent with what Your Word teaches because my current financial condition does not line up with the promise of the Bible. God, open my heart and my mind to new ideas and fresh thinking. Help me to see what You want me to see, when You want me to see it. Father, bless my efforts to become financially healthy, and let my decisions bless my family and honor You.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Chapter 2 – The Fix-It Fantasy

While Chapter 1 set the stage for the next 7 chapters, Chapter 2 jumped right in to the main idea from this chapter to me was the power of negative words in your life, and replacing negative thinking with Scripture truths is the key to reversing the effects of those negative words.

A couple of quotes I pulled from the chapter:

·         “If you’re not grateful for what you have now, you won’t be grateful with more.” Contentment is happiness, not more stuff.

·         “See your setback as a temporary circumstance and not a permanent condition.” It’s easy to get into the “permanent condition” mindset. But by reversing your thinking, you will be more positive. To be more positive, you will need to add Scripture to your thinking.

·         “The only thing that can truly change you is the power of God.” Again, more Scripture in your life is key!

A daily prayer:

Dear God, please help me see money the way You see it. And show me that You value me right now for who I am and for who You created me to be. Give me the wisdom and the patience to multiply my resources so that I can be a blessing to others. Let me value my life in terms of the amount of love I give and receive, and not by the number of dollars I have in the bank. Show me what money can do, and just as important, what it cannot do. Help me to find peace and my safety in You, and only You.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Chapter 3 - Saviors or Enablers?

Counterfeit Conviction: It is my Christian duty to be at the beck and call of everyone who wants me to help them out of a jam.

Timeless Truth: You have to take care of yourself if you’re going to be in a position to help anyone else. And the world is full of people who live to take advantage of generous souls. Generosity and a desire to be helpful to others must be coupled with wisdom and discernment.

While I like to think of myself as a generous person, I know don’t have anyone in my life taking advantage of my generosity and I also don’t believe I generally give more than I can afford so this chapter was somewhat not applicable to me. However, she did raise some good points for when you are in these types of situations and there were two things that stuck out to me:

·         Establish a budget in which your tithe and your most immediate needs (food, clothing, shelter, [and] transportation) are covered first, followed by your secondary goals and obligations (retirement savings, debt elimination, mortgage payoff acceleration, [and] vacation savings). You cannot give away money that you do not have.

·         Set aside a monthly amount to use for “spontaneous” giving or helping others. If after making your budget you don’t have money left over, then you are about to get a crash course in saying no.

Chapter 4 - Self-Righteous Slackers

Counterfeit Conviction: God didn’t want me to go to work…My responsibilities will be met somehow.

Timeless Truth: Laziness does not honor God; neither is it His plan for your life. However, God always blesses hard work and dedication.

Some themes of the chapter included:

• The author was certainly passionate about telling those she has counseled that it was a privilege for women to be stay at home moms/wives, not a right. If one chose to get in debt (i.e. for education – student loans) then one should contribute to the effort to pay those debts off.
• Caution against get-rich-quick schemes. Proverbs 21:5
• Encouragement to “work up to our full potential”- maybe even sacrifice a little now to ultimately get to do a job that we desire.
• Using more than just one of our talents if God closes the door to the one we’ve always done (be the tweezers or pliers in the Swiss army knife instead of just a knife).

Pray for my work life:

Father God, I thank You for the gifts and talents with which You have blessed me. Please help me use these gifts to make a living for myself and for my family, to bless others, and to honor and glorify You. Break off any barriers in my hear that keep me from working up to my fullest potential. Give me a strong work ethic, energy for the day, patience for the tasks before me, and grace to handle my job with a smile. Bless the work of my hands, Lord, and please bless the job searches of everyone who is out of work right now.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Bottom line: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23

I hope to post the conclusion of this review in the next week or so.

{deo cantamus concert} - Saturday, April 2nd @ 7pm

Two weeks until the concert!

You can find pictures from past events here. You can listen to past events here.

Invite your friends - I'll see you there!

From “Masterworks of Choral Music” to “Great Hymns of the Faith,” the Deo Cantamus chorale and Let the Children Praise honor choir come together to present a program that is worshipful, inspirational and edifying.

The program will focus on the unconditional love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The audience will hear music that glorifies our great God and draw our hearts to the message of the cross, including the world premier of “God Be In My Head” by Joshua Bauder.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the auditorium at Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MN. There is no charge for admission, but a free-will offering will be taken.

Happy 60th Birthday, Dad!

Here Are 60 Reasons Why I Love You, Dad:

1. You’re my dad!

2. You encourage me in my strengths and challenge my weaknesses.

3. You get me.

4. You’re practical.

5. You’re a teacher.

6. You’re faithful to your responsibilities.

7. You’re thoughtful.

8. You sacrificed much to put me through a Christian school.

9. You’re there for me whenever I need you.

10. You’re my moving van - one man & a truck.

11. Your wisdom has helped me with many decisions.

12. You’re creative.

13. You’re strong.

14. You’re quiet.

15. You are unchanging.

16. You’re not ashamed to say “I don’t know.”

17. You like driving.

18. Your hair looks good no matter what.

19. Deep down, I believe you are adventurous.

20. You are honest.

21. You love Mom.

22. You taught me that education matters.

23. You are patient.

24. You forget clothing items or shoes for big trips so you have to get new ones!

25. You listen to me.

26. You love me.

27. Your kind heart.

28. You made me believe I could do anything.

29. The values in which you instilled in me.

30. You don’t know much about fixing cars, but you love 'em!

31. You taught me to love to sing.

32. You like Cowboy music.

33. You’re other name is “Fred”.

34. You taught me right from wrong.

35. You are always there when I was ready to ask for help.

36. You supported my decisions, even when they were dumb.

37. Your strong work ethic.

38. Your willingness to help others, asking nothing in return.

39. You could always talk/relate to older people really well - and now you are one! :)

40. Any daughter would be lucky to call you Dad and I can.

41. You’re a gentleman.

42. I have fun memories of watching dad work

43. You love Jesus.

44. You taught me how to swing a bat, throw a baseball, and shoot a basketball.

45. You work hard on the job and at home.

46. You pray me and my siblings.

47. You’re very clean and organized, and you showed me how to be like that.

48. You want me to do what’s right.

49. You make a good Laurel or Hardy.

50. You continually seek the Lord for direction in his job and personal ministry.

51. You enjoy music (and musicals!).

52. You now own a gun (or two).

53. You got the best groceries when you went to the store fore mom.

54. You make me laugh.

55. You look out for me.

56. You listen to classical music.

57. You’re smile is sweet.

58. You like taking road trips.

59. You’re an artist.

60. And you’re the best dad for me!!

Read about more family birthdays here.