{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!

{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!

{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

friends from far

Guam Danna and her 4 kids planned a 6 hour layover at MSP with some online friends. When I saw a fb status about it, I jumped in and said I would love to see them too! I hadn't seen Danna since I left Guam in '01, and that was when she only had one child! Her husband, Abe, was unable to make this trip as he was preparing for a work trip that would take him around the world, well, at least to Europe and Asia and a few other places, I can't remember!

Anyway, we met at the Mall of America and enjoyed dinner at Tucci Manuchi or something like that...it was especially yummy Italian food since I had skipped lunch to finish work early and meet up with them as soon as possible!! Danna's online friends were lovely and they brought some of their kids. Danna's kids enjoyed making new friends; it was fun to get to know her kids too!! Little Leslie warmed up to me after her brothers each found a buddy and she was left with no friend. She decided I could be her friend :0)

Jordan

Nathan & Steven

Leslie

indoor plants

So this spring I received a plant from my aunt's funeral. It was a leafy green plant, very full! I did really well with it until I left for a 10-day trip to Indiana to meet Lily...I overwatered it. It's been dying a slow death ever since.

So full and green!!

Another plant that I lost this year was a beautiful flowering plant I had outside my bedroom window. I had picked it up at garden center outside of Rainbow this summer because I thought it would make me smile when I left for work in the morning and when I came home at night. However, because it did not get enough water and was in direct sunlight for most of the day, the day before I came home from my 10 days away, it blew over and out of the planter. It died a much quicker death...

This is probably when I should point out that my mom has a very green thumb and would be very disappointed in my history of plant caretaking. I remember always having plants in our house growing up and we had a garden for the years we lived on Fremont.

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Why I didn't pick up on the green thumb skills, I don't know. You may recall, I did try a little patio garden a couple of years ago and was fairly successful, but this year was not my year, I guess.

I went shopping recently with a friend who was looking for classroom plants. We were quite the pair...neither of us knowing anything much about what kind to get. If I remember right, she settled on a money tree and a lucky bamboo from Ikea. I'm eager to hear how they are working out for her!

So now I've done some research...

I've been contemplating getting a mum plant to replace my outside flowers but I haven't gotten around to it. With the change in weather lately, I'm not sure there's enough time to really enjoy it. If it's nice this weekend, I think I'll have to go plant shopping. Also, today I was looking around my cube decided that I needed something green to brighten it up. For my low light office cube, I found this website and this one. I think I'm convinced that a lucky bamboo plant will work best for my skills.

Did you like ALL my links?!

{Book Review} A Child Is Missing by Karen Beaudin

This is not my usual book review as it is unsolicited. My past few reviews have been for BookSneeze, but this one is on my own! I hope you'll read this book!


Book Description
As I walked into the house, the scene I beheld was like something out of a movie. Every eye turned toward me, but no one spoke a word. 'What's wrong?' As tears ran down my sister's face, she said, with a voice filled with sobs, 'Kathy's dead; she's been murdered.' It was a cold November night in 1971 when thirteen-year-old Kathy Lynn Gloddy went missing, only to have her beaten, bruised body found the next day on the cold ground. Enter into the tragedy as Karen Beaudin vividly recounts the horrifying revelation of her younger sister's death in A Child Is Missing--the shocking true story of a small New Hampshire town stunned by the revelation of such a brutal crime, and a family devastated by the loss of a beloved daughter and sister. As Karen and her family search for justice, their faith will be tested in the battle against the guilt, fear, and devastating grief that comes when they realize every family's worst nightmare: A Child Is Missing.

Author's website: http://www.karenbeaudin.com/

A Tate Publishing book trailer for A Child Is Missing by Karen Beaudin.

My Review

I went to college with the author's oldest daughter. We had many of the same friends even before I met her. I met Joscelyn when we sang in the same traveling choir after she transfer in from another school. After I graduated I didn't hear from her until Facebook, but I have lots of fond memories of my friend Joscelyn from our choir tour adventures and also a trip to Chicago with 3 other friends to watch Phantom of the Opera. While this book was not  written about Josc, it is a record of a piece of her family history that directly impacted her mom in a severe way.

A Child Is Missing tells a first-hand account of a family who were the victims of a horrible crime: a daughter, a sister, murdered. It's hard for me to imagine losing one of my siblings, let alone losing one because of a murder. Even typing the word murder in the same sentence as siblings is hard. As I read Karen's account of losing her sister to murder, a brother to a heart condition, her father to cancer, and her mother who took her own life, I tried putting myself in her shoes and I don't know that I would come out the other side as strong she did. However, Karen's life is a testimony of God's faithfulness in her daily life and I believe that God can and will show himself to be just as faithful to me and you.

Through Karen you get a very real idea of what people go through when crime cases go unsolved. The hopes are very high and the and disappointments are very low. There is often a struggle to move on with your life and lay to rest your loved one. You relive the sadness not only out of guilt and trying not forget your loved one, but also from trying to remember any detail that might help the case. 

Karen's writing a sequel to this book to recount what happened when the case was reopened in 2004. She hopes to find new leads to solving her sister's murder.

Recommendation: Excellent Read

new plans

Since my plans were changed for the weekend, I decided to do some blogging! Aren't you glad?! :o)

Friday after returning from my new tire adventure (not sure reading this would have helped), I went to dinner and bowling with my sister, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law's sister (aka Jess, Luke, Lindsay)!

We enjoyed a little fast food Chinese at Leann Chins and then headed to Park Tavern Bowling to use the last of a "summer of free bowling" pass that Jess and Luke had.



This morning, I didn't sleep late, but went to the local Farmer's Market for the first time with my sister Jen. We didn't buy much and didn't stay long. Our purchases included: cucumbers, green beans, zucchini and fresh flowers.

I don't know what the rest of today holds, but it might be a movie with my sister during my niece and nephews' rest time or it could be a jaunt up to some cafe Lindsay has a coupon for...Stay Tuned!

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...!!

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... :)

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

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Counting My Blessings Tonight

1. Blender broke this morning, but after noting it on facebook, a friend offered to give me one they're not using.
2. Since I moved in back in May I have had only two comfy chairs but no couch in my living room. My sister and her family are downsizing and offered to loan to me a lovely, leather love seat.
3. A friend volunteered her time and truck to help get the said couch to my apartment from "canada". ("Why do you have a big tchwuck, Whiz?" :-D)
4. Another sister and her dear husband volunteered to help unload the said love seat from the said truck.
5. I had food in my house and was able to make a delicious meal for the friend with the truck and before mentioned sister and brother-in-law, albeit a little late for a weeknight supper...yeah, 8 o'clock....but it was yummy!
6. With the moving of the couch, meal preparations and cleanup, I thought I wouldn't have time tonight to type songs lyrics for an upcoming ladies retreat at which I was deemed song leader. The ladies working on the program need the songs ASAP, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to get them all typed tonight. As I sat down to see how many I could pound out, I remembered to check online for the lyrics! I found almost all of them!! Yay!!
   

Just a few blessings reasons to praise the Lord tonight!

"I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with me." -- Psalm 13:6

G'night! Sweet dreams!

free cd download

Just wanted to let my blog readers know about some great music that you can get for FREE!

http://mincymedia.com/blog/2009/08/13/free-cd-download/

It's kind of fun/interesting to be able to tell you about this music because I personally know the musician! Dave was the music director/pastor at Harvest when I lived on Guam. I really enjoyed singing in choir and ensembles under his direction and learned a lot from him. Like me, he's not on Guam any more, but he's still actively involved in church and music to the honor and glory of God! His blog will tell you more about his ministry and his music. Hope you get a chance to download this FREE CD and maybe even buy his newest CD!

Just as a point of fact, last year I received his Christmas CD from my sister for my birthday. Let me tell you it was my favorite CD of the season. I think I listened to it well into January, maybe even February! Yes, it was that good!

(So, Dave, how about adding Minnesota to your itinerary!?! Sara, you have roots up here! You should come for a visit!)

support family & friends in business

This is a preliminary list of friends and family who have their own business. One of my fellow direct market friends had the idea to gather websites and contact information with those we know in an effort to support them with our business. I hope you can use this list to do some gift shopping for Christmas, birthdays, other special occasions, or just for your every day needs/wants! I'd love some feedback on this idea so leave a comment or send me an email: bekahflaming at gmail dot com!

Friends & Family GIFT Shopping Source
The go-to place for online shopping and friend supporting!

134 Shopping Days Left Until Christmas!

127 Shopping Days Left Until My Birthday!

Gifts of Scents

PartyLite – Bring ambiance to your home! www.partylite.biz/bekahflaming
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

Leave a comment with your name/website to get added to my growing list! *
Or modify the list and pass it on to your friends & family!

This information is shared via email, Facebook and my blog with permission by the seller mentioned.

*Generally, I should know you personally before I add you to this list...

this & that...time to catch up, continued again

Seems like I'm always trying to catch up on my blogging...

Here are some pics from our church's recent Patriotic Musical presented each year on the weekend prior to the 4th of July. Note our lovely scarves...hmhmmm... They tell me I should be thankful because we don't have to wear the sequins anymore...



Here are some random pics from July:

escape to wisconsin - WTTN trip

Recently I mentioned that I took a trip to Watertown to do a PartyLite Show. Here are a few pics from the trip (note the captions):



I enjoyed visiting with many friends during my weekend away. My friend Sue even took some time off from the Pie Shop to go to Milwaukee to the Domes with me. Here are a few pics:



**You can click on a picture to view the entire album in a larger size in Google Photos**

moving day = many blessings!

My most recent move was due to the fact that Jess got married.

We started the loading at 9:00am and thanks to everone's* efficient help, my stuff was moved in an hour and I was unpacked by 3:30pm!

Most of the unpacking was done by Liz Charpie and I, but if I remember right Jen and Lindsay unpacked half of my kitchen before they had to leave.

*Attempt to list everyone: Jen, Morgen, Heidi, Eric, Lindsay, Liz, Mr. Charpie, Cynthia, Ruth, Phil, Doug, Deb, did I miss anyone?!

Here are few pics from moving day:

Move to Virginia Ave N

And in case you're curious, here's a moving summary - 11 Addresses in 11 Years:

1. May '09- - Virginia Ave N #1, New Hope -my own place, hopefully for a few years!


2. Aug '07-June '09 - Condo, New Hope - Jess bought the Condo when I moved here so we could share the cost of living near the City of Lakes!


3. June '07 - July '07 - Markgrafs, Hanover (A.K.A. Canada) - lived with Jen & Co. for 6 weeks when I first moved to Minneapolis.


4. Jan '07 - June '07 - Western Ave, WTTN - lived in small one bedroom apt (1 of 4 apt in an old house). Creepy old guys lived in the other 3 apts...but it was my HOME for 6 months.


5. Aug '06 - Jan '07 - Eighth St., WTTN - lived in 3rd floor apt of Spencer's huge mansion-house. Good times with Michelle, Dennis & Co. when I'd stop by the Kitchen on my way to do laundry in the basement :)


6. Aug '03 - Aug '06 Lafayette St., WTTN - lived on the "guys side" of campus with Betsy & Linda; got to walk to work!


7. May '02 - Aug' 03 - Cady St., WTTN, WI - lived with Sue, Lora, & a few cats for a little over a year when I found housing without cats...


8. Jan ' 02 - April '02 - Burnsville, MN - lived with Anna while we worked temp jobs to support ourselves and finished a lease on an apt for Jen & Eric.


9. Jun '01 - Jan '02 - McPherson, KS - lived with mom & dad until I "found myself" - haha! :)


10. Jun '00 - Jun '01 - Imperial Apt 1, Barrigada, Guam USA - had apt by myself, but spent most of my time with Brenda & Cristin...they called me roommate too!


11. July '98 - Jun '00 - Guahan Apt A1, Barrigada, Guam USA - had different roommate each year, Christa & Missy.

more fun!

MINI-GOLF

Here's some more fun! Lindsay wanted to celebrate her birthday with mini-golf. We had a great time at an indoor mini-golf place. Just don't ask us how long it took to get there! ;-)

Check out the "CD Cover" photo I took!

Mini-golf with Tuttles, Formans, & Shirley

BABYSITTING
Linday got flowers for her birthday from her good friend in China; however, she left town two days after she got the flowers. Fortunately for me, I got to babysit the flowers! They were so fragrant and pretty. A new flower opened up almost everyday. I was sad to give them back to her when she returned from her trip, but she did get to enjoy them for several more days after that. I also got a couple of nice pics of my apartment in this folder (which is a sneak peak since I haven't posted moving pictures yet!)

Lindsay's Lillies