Several weeks ago, I was asked to submit 4 articles to the Lowell weekly newspaper, beginning the first week of March. My first article was due this Friday, and in typical fashion, I was waiting until the last minute to put down my thoughts on paper. So, come Wednesday, readers in Lowell will be exposed to my rawest emotions, as I struggled to keep my commitment in the midst of grief.
Lowell Reflections article - appearing March 5, 2008
Where do you go in times of need? Where do you turn for safety?
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) This verse has been in my mind all week, as I shared it with my ministry team last Monday evening. As God’s people, the church is called to be a safe haven for those in trouble. We are called to show people the One who can deliver them. Because ultimately, He is the only one able to protect, comfort, deliver, and save.
I found that out in a very real way last Wednesday. Nine weeks into a long-awaited and much welcomed pregnancy, I lost my child. I belong to a great church, have a wonderful family, and am surrounded by amazing friends. I have leaned on all of them this week, thankful for their love and support. But they are people just like me, and realistically cannot always be around. In those times, when I can only crawl in bed and hide, God is still there. He is the one whispering words of comfort when I am by myself. He is the one holding me day and night. He is the one giving me words to sing when I cannot find my voice.
Do you have that? When the worst life has to offer comes at you, do you turn to God? Did you know that you can? As David declared in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me.”
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
One In A Million
In the last 25 years, according to Fifth Third Bank, only two mortgage payoffs were not properly processed. We have the dubious honor of being one of the two!
We refinanced our house in January, shaving about $90 off our monthly mortgage payment, which of course is especially helpful now. But, we received a notice last Friday (dated the 15th, arriving on the 22nd) that our checking account was overdrawn due to an automatic payment on our OLD mortgage. When we looked up our accounts online, the system showed we had TWO outstanding mortgages! Naturally, we had to wait until Monay until anyone was available to correct the mistake. In the meantime, daily overdraft fees kept hitting our account, and Stephen was down to $10 in his wallet.
Finally, a credit was posted to our account this morning (12 days after the initial overdraft), but for the wrong amount. We've been promised that will be corrected soon, but at least Stephen can use the ATM immediately.
Let this be a lesson to everyone reading this - DO NOT finance through Fifth Third! Argh!
We refinanced our house in January, shaving about $90 off our monthly mortgage payment, which of course is especially helpful now. But, we received a notice last Friday (dated the 15th, arriving on the 22nd) that our checking account was overdrawn due to an automatic payment on our OLD mortgage. When we looked up our accounts online, the system showed we had TWO outstanding mortgages! Naturally, we had to wait until Monay until anyone was available to correct the mistake. In the meantime, daily overdraft fees kept hitting our account, and Stephen was down to $10 in his wallet.
Finally, a credit was posted to our account this morning (12 days after the initial overdraft), but for the wrong amount. We've been promised that will be corrected soon, but at least Stephen can use the ATM immediately.
Let this be a lesson to everyone reading this - DO NOT finance through Fifth Third! Argh!
Friday, February 15, 2008
I Suppose I Should Write Something...
I know, it's been way too long since I've updated my blog. As most of you know, I have had other pressing things on my mind...
I am in school 2 days a week, 4:00-5:15 (can you THINK of a worse schedule for me?), but it is my last class, so that at least motivates me. It's going well, I think. It is helping me view my ministry through different eyes, and helping me clarify what God has called me to do, so I suppose it is worth $2,000.
I am also supposedly working at the church 3 days a week 9-3, but that's flexible. Which is good, considering all the nasty weather we've been having. Forest Hills and Lowell schools have already had 6 snow days and 3 delays, which pretty much tell me to work from home instead of venturing out. Last Wednesday, the storm kind of took me by surprise. It took 55 minutes to get home, instead of the usual 25. Fortunately, church was canceled that evening, the 2nd of 3 times we've canceled services.
Well, that seems to be all my tired, scatter-brained mind is letting me write. But at least it's something!
I am in school 2 days a week, 4:00-5:15 (can you THINK of a worse schedule for me?), but it is my last class, so that at least motivates me. It's going well, I think. It is helping me view my ministry through different eyes, and helping me clarify what God has called me to do, so I suppose it is worth $2,000.
I am also supposedly working at the church 3 days a week 9-3, but that's flexible. Which is good, considering all the nasty weather we've been having. Forest Hills and Lowell schools have already had 6 snow days and 3 delays, which pretty much tell me to work from home instead of venturing out. Last Wednesday, the storm kind of took me by surprise. It took 55 minutes to get home, instead of the usual 25. Fortunately, church was canceled that evening, the 2nd of 3 times we've canceled services.
Well, that seems to be all my tired, scatter-brained mind is letting me write. But at least it's something!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Christmas Loot - Thank you!
A few of my favorite things from Christmas...
The red plates (8) and cups are from Mom.
The red goblets (8) are from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, courtesy of a gift card from Stephen's parents.
The red serving set is from Dad and Nancy.
I would post a picture of me in my new coat(from Kath!), but Stephen never takes pictures of me.
And my prune bread plate (from Ken!) is safely ensconced in the cupboard with my platters.
And my teacups (from who else but Mom?) are still in their lined box awaiting a place to display them.
And my red frying pan (also from Stephen's parents, aka BB&B), still has hamburger grease in it, so would not make a very attractive photo. I can make 4-5 hamburgers at once now!
In Lieu of Webkinz...
Since the Webkinz site is down for very important maintenance, I have time to post to my blog.
Where to start?
Christmas was busy, fun, and relaxing all at the same time. Stephen worked REALLY late on Friday the 21st (I think he got home after midnight), but then he was completely off work until Monday the 7th. It was so nice to have him around for over 2 weeks. And we knew that the main objective of vacation was met when Kira wandered off to play by herself, because she'd had "lots of time with Daddy." So we had a really good mix of time with extended family, just the three of us, just the two of us, and individual time.
The last few days of vacation were crazy as we tried to work quickly to get things ready for our new unit at church. Although we were borrowing from a unit we had done in Jackson, it was our first foray into doing something new at this church, and we wanted it to be great! I don't know how impressed the kids were, though. One of the seven year old boys asked why we put so much work into something that lasted only 5 minutes. But a lot of our efforts were front-loaded and will carry through the entire 12 week unit. So, maybe it really will have been worth it.
Vacation was good to Jersey, as well. He stayed at Stephen's parents' for a week as we traveled to other family. He got to play with their dog, Stephen's brother's dog, the neighbors' dog, and have a great time! But when he came home, he was ready to be with his people again. He seems much more calm and obedient than he was before Christmas; he'll even get in his bed when told!
I will be starting my last class in just a couple of days! When we moved, I applied at Cornerstone for my final two classes. Only one was offered that semester, the other was offered every other spring. So, I tried to register this semester for Middle School Ministry, but that course has been dropped! The alternative class, Philosophy of Youth Ministry, meets my requirements, but doesn't sound nearly as interesting. But at least I will be done with school!
I know there is more going on, but I am tired and starting to ramble. So, until next post...
Where to start?
Christmas was busy, fun, and relaxing all at the same time. Stephen worked REALLY late on Friday the 21st (I think he got home after midnight), but then he was completely off work until Monday the 7th. It was so nice to have him around for over 2 weeks. And we knew that the main objective of vacation was met when Kira wandered off to play by herself, because she'd had "lots of time with Daddy." So we had a really good mix of time with extended family, just the three of us, just the two of us, and individual time.
The last few days of vacation were crazy as we tried to work quickly to get things ready for our new unit at church. Although we were borrowing from a unit we had done in Jackson, it was our first foray into doing something new at this church, and we wanted it to be great! I don't know how impressed the kids were, though. One of the seven year old boys asked why we put so much work into something that lasted only 5 minutes. But a lot of our efforts were front-loaded and will carry through the entire 12 week unit. So, maybe it really will have been worth it.
Vacation was good to Jersey, as well. He stayed at Stephen's parents' for a week as we traveled to other family. He got to play with their dog, Stephen's brother's dog, the neighbors' dog, and have a great time! But when he came home, he was ready to be with his people again. He seems much more calm and obedient than he was before Christmas; he'll even get in his bed when told!
I will be starting my last class in just a couple of days! When we moved, I applied at Cornerstone for my final two classes. Only one was offered that semester, the other was offered every other spring. So, I tried to register this semester for Middle School Ministry, but that course has been dropped! The alternative class, Philosophy of Youth Ministry, meets my requirements, but doesn't sound nearly as interesting. But at least I will be done with school!
I know there is more going on, but I am tired and starting to ramble. So, until next post...
Friday, December 21, 2007
Jersey loves the snow!
Unfortunately, he likes the snow so much that he won't come back in the house. And he has the habit of walking around bushes and trees and getting his leash tangled, so even if he wanted to come in, he couldn't. So, we have to get bundled up and trudge outside through cold yellow snow to retrieve him. But then he just wants to snuggle, so it's worth it!
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