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Monday, July 29, 2013

Recovery

Hey y'all! Sorry for the short hiatus of blog writing. The past few days of my life have been pretty hectic and pretty great.

The shotgun wedding I was in as a bridesmaid was this weekend. I shouldn't have to say more...J and I got to get all dressed up and eat cake.




On Friday, one of my friends from church and I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children and had such a great time! The organization is a Christian non-profit that provides meals to children struggling with hunger all over the world. I was most impressed with the fact that over 90% of donations go directly to the products needed to pack food. The packing is done solely by volunteers. Pretty cool. I recommend checking them out. www.http://www.fmsc.org/ It's a really great cause and I will be returning.
                                    



J and I both had such a great weekend and got even closer with a couple from church. They have been an answer to our prayers. We continually learn from them and can't wait to see what else we can learn together about the Lord and His plan for our lives.

Be back soon,
B

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

What Would You Do?

 
Hey y'all! I saw this story on Facebook and wanted to share. Let me know what you think.
 
Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.
 
Some websites are calling this story a lie. They are saying that it is purely fabricated.
 
Ok?
 
Does that change our opinion of the story? Does it still make me think about how I would have treated the homeless man amongst a congregation? Yes.
 
If you think that this hasn't happened countless times in all denominations of religion all over the world...you're delusional. It's real life people. Real or fake, who cares? Take it and learn from it. Apply it to your life.
 
p.s. I am not condoning lying or creating stories to manipulate Christian believers, but I want to focus on the main message of the story. I did not post the picture that was attached to the article because it has been confirmed that it was not the preacher. (Why do people post pictures of people that are not of the people they are talking about?! Come on folks.)
 
p.s.s. I want to cite something so I don't feel like I'm copy and pasting someone else's work, but all I found was Facebook posts and other blogs. Sorry!
 
Be back soon.
B

Blessings


10,000 Reasons
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Thanks azlyrics.com. 

Little Jesus for you this on this Tuesday. 
Be back soon.
B

Monday, July 22, 2013

Monday Funday

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We sure did. J's dad came to visit and we went for a little walk in one of our local downtowns. They were hosting a car show so the boys had fun talking cars. I had fun eating a massive brownie fudge sundae.

J and his dad played golf on Saturday morning then we did a little outlet mall shopping. Basically the point is that the weekend was chill. No sight-seeing or train riding. Hallelujah.

Today is a fun day because it is loaded with appointments! Ellie has to go to the vet for her check up and shots. I have a dentist appointment. I'm pumped because I love clean teeth! J and I have to go to a business dinner for his job. The guys he works with are pretty nice and easy to hang out with so it should be a good time. As for the remainder of my day, a grocery store will be involved and maybe a haircut. I'm not getting ahead of myself.

I don’t know how I am going to make it through the rest of the week with such a hectic start, but I bet I will figure it out. The wedding that I am in is this weekend so I’ll be prepping for that this week as well. Wish me luck.

Be back soon.
B

Friday, July 19, 2013

Finally Friday

Hallelujah! It's Friday! I want to quote one of my favorite YouTubers, Melmphs: Y'all ready for the weekend baby! Y'all ready for the weekend baby!

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great week and is preparing for a nice fun and relaxing weekend. My weekend is going to consist of a family visitor. J's dad is coming, but it should be a quiet weekend.

 
Thank you Chicago Tribune for letting everyone know that Adam Levine is off the market. Sorry, little sister.

 
Picked up some blackberries on a whim and they were absolutely delicious! Thinking of you mom.

 
J didn't feel very good so he laid down on the floor -- Ellie came to check on him.

Be back soon.
B

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thankful Thursday

This week I am especially thankful that it is Thursday because it means that after 4:00 pm today my work week is done. I had to be at work early this week which means the alarm went off early...I don't like that. 

I am thankful that my car ran out of gas in a safe place while I had the kids. 

I am thankful for the kids behaving so well during that whole ordeal. 

I am thankful for J and his friend from work that came to rescue us. 

I am thankful for the library, gym and pool that the kids and I go to every week. 

I am thankful for the warmth of the sun and for summer!

Only 8 more hours to go until the weekend. 

Be back soon.
B

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Out of Gas

Literally. I literally ran out of gas for the first time ever...with two small children whom I am responsible. Ugh. 

Hey y'all! So I am babysitting for a living right now. I watch two kids three days a week. One girl (age 5) and one boy (age 3) are keeping me busy during the week. 

The summer has been providing us with great things to do! We have been going to the library every morning to practice reading and to go to story time. "Nature hikes," pool days and open gyms at the local rec center have made the days go by so quickly. 

Yesterday, we went to the pool! Great, right?! It was...until we went to load up and my car wouldn't go. I assumed it was gas, but the battery and low oil pressure lights came on so I got nervous that it was more serious than low fuel. I called J. We carpool so he had to get a guy from work to come rescue us. 

Everything worked out. It was just out of gas. They rescued us and the kids were so great and I didn't get grumpy (miracle). I thought I would get the kids a special treat since their babysitter and her husband are ridiculous sometimes. They had never had a slurpee! Then I went into panic mode again--thinking their mom doesn't want me to give her kids slurpees. 

All turned out well. Their mom was so great about everything. The kids were so great about the whole situation. The little girl always tells me that they are my practice kids since I don't have any kids of my own. Well, I actually felt it yesterday.

Glad yesterday is over! Here is to today.

Be back soon. 
B

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Twenties Tuesday: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Hey y'all! It has been a while since I have done a "Twenties Tuesday" post because I had not finished any books. I finished up The Handmaid's Tale yesterday and thought I would tell you about it. 



This book is set in the future after a Christian society takes over the United States and forces women into subjection. The novel follows the storyline of a handmaid whose main purpose is to reproduce with the Commanders. 

Weird. This whole thought is strange. Our world is going in the opposite direction. It was interesting to catch myself through the book appreciating the freedom our country gives women while simultaneously wondering if a "stricter society" would be more conducive to leading a Christian life. Obviously I don't want to start living the way the book entails, but the handmaid states the frivolousness of so many things in our daily lives. If nothing else, it gave me a little perspective and has kept me thinking about it. 

I would recommend it, but be warned that it isn't an easy read. You actually have to pay attention. This book has less fluff than the other books on this list so far. 

Be back soon. 
B

Monday, July 15, 2013

Back to Reality

Hey y'all! I am back home from my speedy trip to Texas. We have been in Illinois for a little over six months. My body has been going through the motions of missing everyone so when I got to see my people this week it was like a fresh wound. A fresh and new reminder of the crappy parts of living 14 hours away from everyone we love.

Here are the highlights of my time in Texas:

- Snow cones
- Wrestling my cousins
- Babe's Chicken
- Tex-Mex
- Shopping
- Hanging out with my family

There is plenty more where that came from. I can't wait to go back...permanently. I really missed my husband while we were both out of town. Swapping stories about our time away and really appreciating each other was a bonus though.

Until next time, Texas...

Be back soon.
B

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Oh...Texas

Oh, Texas. How I love you--and your heat. The instantaneous sweat that appears on your body as soon as you step outside even at 9:30am. I didn't know I would have missed the heat. 

I'm with my people. The only thing missing is my husband.

I might even get Babe's Chicken tonight! I'm going to eat Tex-Mex too. Everything about food. You know me. 

Be back soon. 
B

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Texas Bound

A last minute trip to Texas to see...

this face...

 
   these faces...
 
 
 and hopefully these faces too!
 
I want to see a few more people's faces while I'm in the south, but with such short notice...you never know. I'm pretty pumped about seeing the faces above. Pretty pumped indeed. 

P.S. I'm flying standby so this whole post could be a joke in a few hours--just so you know. Ugh. 

Be back soon. 
B





Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Movies

Hey y'all! During our long weekend we saw two movies! We never do that. 


We saw Despicable Me 2 and The Lone Ranger. Surprisingly both of them were pretty good! We laughed out loud in both of them which is a rarity with me in kids movies. Despicable Me 2 was better than most sequels--pleasant surprise. The Lone Ranger tried to walk the line between serious western movie, but include sarcasm and irony. Army and Johnny Depp were great, but I think the world has forgotten about the original "Lone Ranger." I think we were one of five couples in our theater. P.S. The movie was PG and I thought it was a little gory for little kids. I recommend both. 

P.S.S. Isn't the best part of going to the movies is the Milk Duds?!

Be back soon. 
B

Monday, July 8, 2013

Worst Blogger Ever.

Hey y'all. I am so sorry for being the worst blogger ever. I'm back. I promise.

Our month of visitors has begun! Here is a little bit of our lives lately:


Field Museum

"Sue"

July 4th

Buckingham Fountain

Millennium Park

Sculpture outside of Navy Pier

cutest boy ever with his ice cream with cookie dough 

Millennium Park
Be back soon.
B