"someone's been sleeping in my bed"

Another bear wandered into our yard. It wasn’t Patrick (the REALLY BIG bear), and I don’t think it was Tom and Jerry (the two teens). It seemed like a new one. Maybe he was looking for a comfy place to sleep, just like me.

Darryl and I got our new bed delivered today! Yay! I get to go sleep in my own bed again tonight and hopefully it will be comfortable.

Kyle stayed home from church today because he was feeling lousy this morning. So I learned how to hook up the computer for recording the sermon. I was feeling pretty lousy myself and started to wonder who will do the recording when Kyle and I are both out. Oh well, not my problem. Just glad we didn’t have to go anywhere tonight! I got the sermon cropped, and posted on the website. Got 2 CD’s burned and labeled, and did some other work for church. I need to figure out what day of the week I can rest because I’ve determined that Sunday is not my day of rest.

While Kyle was home he continued working on his set of yoyo tutorial DVD’s that he’s been working on for the past couple of months. I’m so proud of his diligence and perseverance. No matter how difficult it has been or how many challenges he has faced, he has figured out how to work through them and be successful. Ok, well he’s not quite ready to put them up for sale yet, but he is so close! I love that he won’t release any tutorial or DVD that is shoddily made, but takes the extra time to make everything perfect. I will post the pics when they become available.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Father, please bless Kyle’s efforts and hard work!

Goldilocks needs a new bed

Here’s my first grandchild. The new mom is doing very well, except for the stress over losing the sale of the home. Found out today that the buyers backed out, so now we are back to ground zero, with an added list of jobs to be done, including a new roof. Not exactly the outcome we hoped for.

Things don’t always work out the way we want. Life is jam-packed with disappointments, isn’t it? Just goes to show we can’t ever get our hearts set on anything. Because just when we do, and we think we are close, it just disappears before our eyes.

I tried sleeping in my bed last night and had a terrible night’s sleep, and even woke up with a sore shoulder, so today we went out and tried some new mattresses. I can’t believe how incredibly expensive they are!! Whoah! Sticker shock. We didn’t purchase anything yet, but think we are close to deciding. So I guess I’ll stay on the couch for a while longer. I have such a great husband. He wants to buy me any mattress I want. He takes such good care of me.

Yesterday Kyle and I walked/ran to Staples to get a new remote for church. We climbed down the side of a mountain and I slipped into a hole. I was so glad I didn’t break or sprain anything!! But my legs got a good workout and are even a bit sore today. Maybe I should do that more often!

Ryan is at his cousin’s house this weekend visiting. Hope he has a great time there! He’ll be home in a few weeks for Thanksgiving. It will be awesome to have him here for a week!

Planning a trip to NY shouldn’t be that hard, but it seems that we will never get there. Thought it would be fun to take the train, but then we will have to spend like 3 hours just sitting and doing nothing, so that might not be the best thing. I hate sitting and doing nothing!!! (my husband thinks I’m ADD because I cannot sit still) And then there is the whole “unknown” element of going there. We don’t know how to get around, how to do the subways, or how to find our way around. What we really need is a tour guide!!

Sometimes we need to step back and take a look at our lives. See where we are. How did we get here? Why did we go this way? Was it the right way, or did we go the wrong way for the wrong reasons? Maybe I think too much, but how else can I figure anything out? Thinking is not the same as worrying.

Matthew 6: 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Yep, it sure does.

was blind but now I see...

Children’s Church yesterday was great! I used a “sinner” pumpkin as an object lesson. It actually came from a cute email that I received from my mom and my sister. It goes like this:

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

So, I carved up the pumpkin in front of the kids while telling the story of how we ALL start out as sinners. I removed all the “sin” (yucky stinky seeds and guts) just like God removes our sin when He forgives us. We talked about how God opens our eyes to the scriptures so we are able to understand the Bible, and how we are to shine our lights before men (Matt. 5:16). When I got done with the messy part, Kyle put a candle inside the pumpkin and we sang This Little Light of Mine. It was fantastic. All 6 kids (I think) raised their hands to accept Jesus as their Savior. Of course we don’t always know what a child understands or believes, but even if 1 kid got saved today, it was 1 soul that is not going to be separated from God for eternity. I praise God for that and pray that all the children believed!

And here is our newly "saved" pumpkin!
The one eye is droopy in this picture because one of the boys got ahold of the knife!

A Royal Concert

Kyle and I ventured down to Princeton University Saturday night. Got to hear the Mozart concert that Sam was in. It was certainly different. We were surprised how seriously people were taking the whole thing. We noticed we were the only ones who were whispering, everyone else was facing straight forward, not budging a muscle. Well, except for the man that was hunched over crying. For some reason it all struck Kyle and I as very humorous. Kyle said to me, “If I shout really loud, ‘We love you, Sam!’ do you think we will get kicked out?”

So, that made us both get the giggles. The man in front of us turned around and said something to us. He was clearly perturbed at our lack of reverence. So, after that we started writing notes to each other. It was a fun experience, glad we got invited. The inside of the Chapel was amazing!

Never borrow keys to the city

This is a view of Rt. 80 when we were going to church yesterday. We spend a lot of time on there. Kyle was trying to get a picture of the nice fall colors but the IPhone failed to pick them up. On Sunday morning we came within inches of an accident when a maniac truck driver came up fast behind me in the slow lane. He veered quickly to the middle lane, hit a tire, veered back behind me, ran off the road, and swerved one last time back behind me and back to the middle lane again. It happened so fast! I was shaking thinking how close we came to being hit at 65 mph. It almost put the fear of Rt. 80 in me. The only reason I went to church that day was because I had the bulletin. Otherwise I would have stayed home because I was still sick.

There is a full moon tonight.

CBC went really good last night. We had 22 kids and not enough leaders so it was pretty crazy. Kyle played guitar again because we didn’t know the piano guy was coming. But it was good because they played well together! Next week things will go back to normal and I won’t have to do any more “up front” stuff.

Children’s church went well but a bit disappointing that there weren’t many kids there. Maybe next Sunday will be better. I have a very fun object lesson planned for the kids to teach them about salvation.

Kyle and I have been trying to plan a trip to NYC. But so far we haven’t been able to go because either we have been sick, or busy, or both! Can’t wait to go!

Darryl’s in Las Vegas this week.

Me and Kyle are still coughing.

That is my week.

oops...

"Sorry Officer, but I was so excited to eat the steak my wife made that I forgot to tighten the lug nuts."

Hehe. True story! On the way to the inspection station the tire flew off, rolled down our neighbor’s yard and bounced off their shed! The nice officer lit some flares so Darryl could put it back on, but not in time to get it inspected.

Today while I was sitting around feeling sick and miserable I made postcards for childrens church. I want the kids to write “thank you” messages to our missionaries since I’m teaching about missions tomorrow. I think the missionaries would also like receiving them. I sure hope Kyle and I don’t spread too many germs!

Darryl went to the Grace Church on the Mount Harvest Fest.

Try or Dismiss

Things don’t always work out the way we plan, but that’s ok. Kyle was too sick to hang out at church all day, so we stayed home and did the Bible lesson and went in late to set up CBC. Everything went great! We had no piano, BUT WE HAD KYLE! He managed to strum out a couple songs for us. That was a lot of fun. We probably all sounded terrible but it didn’t matter! I think the kids enjoyed it. By the time we got the church cleaned up and got in the car to drive home, I was feeling awful! So now Kyle and I are both sick.

What better way to spend the morning than to sit in court? The prosecutor again offered me a sweet deal if I would just plead guilty to a lesser charge and receive only 2 points on my license. I again declined his generosity and thanked him for it. He thought I was crazy and tried to intimidate me. I told him I’m not guilty. After 3 ½ hours we finally got called to go before the judge. We were the last ones! The prosecutor said he had put 2 calls in to the police officer but the officer was busy and couldn’t show up, for the third time! Since the judge told me last time that this was a “Try or Dismiss” court date, he had to dismiss it. It was amazing! I’m still kinda shocked! I didn’t have to say anything except “yes” and “thank you”. But when I got outside I shouted, “THANK YOU GOD!” I’m so glad I didn’t plead guilty to something I didn’t do. I’m so glad I didn’t pay a lawyer!


Spent another hour sitting in the dentist’s office. Decided to wait a couple more weeks to see how things go.

Me and kyle are gonna just veg tonight; cough, sneeze, blow our noses, and feel terrible!

lots going on

I’m so excited about CBC tomorrow!! I get to run the show while the boss is away. Hahaha! This should be very interesting. Now I’m just hoping Kyle isn’t too sick to go because it will be nice to have him there for moral support. I am trying to talk him into playing some chords on his guitar for song time because our piano guy isn’t coming!

So, if he feels up to it, we will spend the whole day at church, starting with womens Bible class while Kyle does his school work. Then I will teach his Bible lesson. Then we can head to the Belmont Grill for lunch again because I know he looks forward to that! Then we can try to come up with some game ideas for the Fall Festival, and then set up for CBC. And then the fun begins!

The church website is coming along nicely! We are able to put the sermons online, but unfortunately we had to upgrade to a paid account to get all the cool features, one of which is unlimited audio files and bandwidth. We have also started making CD's which is another new venture.

Thursday is my next court date for the trial. I’m trying so hard not to be nervous. I wracked my brain trying to think of one shred of evidence that the officer could have against me, but I can’t think of one thing. Even if he is as arrogant as I give him credit for, he’d be an idiot to walk in there with nothing and that’s all he’s got! If he has a video of what happened, all it will show is my pretty blue car signaling and then pulling in front of him from the right lane. That’s it. Darryl and I have been looking at the law. It basically says the same thing the driver’s manual says, but it’s in legalese. He also has a call in to a lawyer now, waiting to hear back. If this thing actually does go to trial though, I will be shocked! My Dad told me to leave my emotions home that day. Yes Dad, I will. Also, note to self: take a St. John’s Wort pill so I am nice and calm.

After court on Thursday I am seeing my dentist again about the root canal that lived, as well as the loose crown. I’m guessing he will want to have a “do-over” after he takes the post out (if that can even be done). It’s so annoying. I haven’t been able to chew on that side for almost a year now. My mouth hasn’t been very happy.

“My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
there’s nothing my God cannot do”

Home away from home

Here is where I am at my home away from home. This is the BIG comfy couch at the back of my church.

You wanna know what I’ve been doing?

Wednesday was CBC with our famous Balloon Escape, and then a BIG small group meeting.

Thursday we got invited to a BIG benefit dinner with some folks from church. We had a really good time, and of course I ate too much!

Friday we watched “Facing the Giants” out on a lawn and froze BIG time! But it was great!

Then today we spent all day between the church and the parsonage. Oh wait! I’m still here! It’s been a full day. Kyle and I enjoyed hanging out with Ben and Isaac at their house, and I even got to watch my favorite team play with the BIGGEST Packer fan ever! It was a thrilling experience, especially watching in fast forward with no sound. I’ve never watched a game like that before.

Chalking this up as a good week. Had a lot of fun.

Death’s Monsters At Sea

A stormy sea below a midnight sky,
An overturned boat caught a glance from my eye.
I stood sure on the shore and surely could stay,
But what of the boatmen gone under the waves?
The waves were assailing and beating that boat,
Rising like monsters and diving like ghosts,
And the ghost inside of my chest was trembling,
“Why must I be witness to this hellish reckoning?”

I scurried the beach like a rat in a panic,
Looking for someone, something to traffic
This horrible fear far away from my soul.
But oh, but oh, there is no hope!
The time’s too late and the night long spent!
“What are these reckless thoughts in your head?
You think you can save from certain death?
Nonsense! Nonsense! I’ll say it again.
If ever a hope were here, it is gone.
It passed long before you ever caught on.
So go home to your kids and your beautiful wife;
Move on from this scene, move on with your life.”

So on I went, though with hesitant feet,
My face dejected at the thought of retreat,
When over my shoulder a sound tickled my ear:
A distant cry, and so severe
That it pierced the very air I breathed.
But in terror I was relieved
That maybe my life made more sense than I thought
And my pitiful help could save a soul that was lost.

I jolted my head toward the source of that sound
And what a sight of horror I found!
The monsters at sea were more monstrous still
And in their grasp they had their thrill
In thrilling a lone man gasping for breath,
Sinking under their power, slave to their death.
And death seemed a worthy price to pay
To help this man in this evil day.

So with no delay, I jumped into the water.
I felt like a man going down to his slaughter.
Yet maybe in death I would find my existence,
What the point of my trials and life’s firm resistance,
All the lonely nights and dreadful fights
With my own kids and my own dear wife.
“Why?” said I. “Why this chaos I find?”
But now, now I will die…
My purpose must lie on the other side;
Maybe I’ll save another from this hell of a life.

Thus plunging into the clutches of death,
I closed my eyes and held my breath.
But the man saw me in the midst of the ocean
And moved his arms with a great commotion
As if the notion of hope in this monstrous sea
Had brought him to life if only to plea,
“Oh please! Help me!” And under he went.
I swam, but the monsters would not relent.
And under they took me, and under I died.
They took from me my very life.
My last few seconds live only in blackness,
No hope for that seaman, only deafening madness.

Where am I now? What do I see?
What purpose is here and what of me?
I see only darkness, I hear gnashing of teeth,
My purpose extinguished in inexhaustible heat.
The last precious sight was the Lord’s own face.
He greeted me at hell’s dark, rusty gates.
Then He said with tears streaming down His face,
“Why did you choose to live life for your sake?”

The question pierced me and I started to flame,
“I lived life for others! I died trying to save!”
“But what of your wife and your kids back home?
What of Me and my royal throne?
When did I see you bow at my feet?
When did you ever live life for Me?
I, too, died trying to save,
But I succeeded and conquered the grave.
It was for your purpose I hung on that cross,
All I asked for was love and I’d pay for your cost.
But now your debt’s brought you straight to this place,
And from now on you’ll be far from my face.”

by Ryan Vegh

Innocent until proven guilty

From Wikipedia:

"The presumption of innocence, sometimes referred by the Latin Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat (the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty) is a legal right of the accused in a criminal trial, recognised in many nations. The burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which has to collect and present enough compelling evidence to convince the trier of fact, who is restrained and ordered by law to consider only actual evidence and testimony that is legally admissible, and in most cases lawfully obtained, that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In case of remaining doubts, the accused is to be acquitted. This presumption is seen to stem from the Latin legal principle that ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat (the burden of proof rests on who asserts, not on who denies)."

At my first court appearance the prosecutor announced that just like in a criminal trial, we are all innocent until proven guilty. But I have to tell you, that is a lie. If I was INNOCENT in the court’s eyes, why do I have the burden of hiring an attorney to PROVE my innocence when the legal burden is on the one “who asserts, not on who denies”? And if the burden is on THEM, I shouldn’t have to do anything except show up.

I have a spotless driving record. My Dad was a police chief for crying out loud. I know the bloody rules of the road. I don’t speed, I don’t drive carelessly, I don’t pass improperly…. I don’t do anything wrong while driving. But I passed a State Trooper in my pretty blue car and that must’ve really pissed off the little twirp so he figures he’ll make me pay.

I was corresponding with a man called The Road Warrior today. It was quite depressing to tell you the truth. He says I need a lawyer. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY A LAWYER TO DEFEND ME WHEN I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY A LAWYER WHEN I AM PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY A $400 FINE, GET 4 POINTS ON MY LICENSE AND HAVE MY AUTO INSURANCE GO UP IF I AM INNOCENT? WHY SHOULD I PLEAD GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE IF I AM INNOCENT? Does that make sense to anybody? What on earth is wrong with our legal system?

Denville Municipal Court, YOU SUCK!!!

The End of an Era

Goodbye pool! You were the best use of $600 ever. So much fun was had in you. I will always have fond memories of you.

Yep, the good ol’ pool met its demise today. I am remembering so many years of great fun with the boys, and their friends and cousins. Can’t believe it lasted this whole summer since it was so rusty it just fell apart the other day. And we have already replaced it with another very similar pool for next summer (bigger and better but cheaper, how could you go wrong?). So weird to think that next summer is the last that Kyle will be here. We have been sleeping in the living room this week. Maybe it’s my rebelliousness, or my childishness, I don’t know, but I am enjoying sleeping on the couch.

I feel like I have to hang out with Kyle as much as possible now because once he’s gone to college, I will be a complete and utter basket case. I try not to think about those days, but I know they are looming. I know how sad I was when Ryan left, but at least I had one more kid at home. It is the worst feeling to know they will BOTH be out soon. What will I do? Should I get a job so I don’t have to stay home without them? Man, so much to think about. I just hope that God helps me to stay calm because I fall apart just thinking of them not being here.

This week I heard a woman say, “When I have kids I won’t be able to wait for them to go to school.”

I said, “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

People like that should not be allowed to have kids!

My kids are the best thing I ever did!

When everything falls apart You’re the only hope for this heart…