We Salute...

Not too long ago our local news shared how one of our local soldier boys was killed in action in Afghanistan. He is connected to a family in our church, even attended our church years ago when he was younger. From all accounts he is now in Heaven, but today, we said our farewells throughout the county to one of our fallen heroes.

The funeral procession came down the road where I work, and we all stood out as they passed with salutes and hands over our hearts honoring our soldiers and military. Tears ran down my face as I thought again of the price he paid to keep us free.

I hope I see this young man in Heaven, with thousands of others soldiers who fought to keep America free. Most of all, I can't wait to see my greatest Hero Who died on the cross to give me eternal freedom.


All gave some.... but some have given all.... what have you given to share Christ with others?

August Awes

Alot of what I have posted lately has been spiritual, but not necessarily personal.


I would be remiss if I didn't extend Birthday Greetings to those in my family who are celebrating.

From July, we wish to say Happy Birthday to my brother David, my sister-in-love Amy, and my niece Emily.


For August, we celebrated Ted's birthday with a huge feast at Maggianos.

Today is my father's birthday - Happy Birthday, Dad.

Tomorrow is my nephew Luke's 16th birthday, we celebrated tonight with a surprise birthday party for him.

And Mark and Amy had their 20th Anniversary, while my parents will celebrate their anniversary later this month.

Congratulations on Dad(Ted's Dad) and Annette's anniversary as well.


We love you all and pray God's blessings upon each of you.

"Post" It

As teacher of our Super Teen Class in our bus ministry at church I am always looking for ways to help our youth learn about God and also share Him with others. This year's theme has been about telling others about Christ. We have done various projects and challenges to help them to witness. In this digital age with all sorts of social networking sites along with texting capabilities by phone, it's paramount that we utilize these resources when we witness. One of my prayer captains had posted on her blog a special card she had made for her father's birthday. It used various candy to spell out words in her message. The idea inspired me, and God finally let me use it yesterday in our class.

Each prayer group had to make a poster using candy wrappers to spell out a message that could be used as a witness tool. The added challenge wasn't to see who could get sick on all the candy, but who would be willing enough to "POST" their posters on their social networks, or send the picture by phone to someone else. They had alot of fun eating candy and creating their own team messages with the candy wrappers. I took a picture of each one and will post it here as my way of helping them get their message about Christ out to my own sphere of the world.

First we have the boys and their short sweet message:

Next we have the poster that was created by our first group of girls(their prayer captain is the one who planted the idea in my head).

Thirdly, the second group of girls went straight for the Scripture and spelled out this verse using letters from all the candy wrappers. The last part " It's up 2 U" reminds us all that it's a choice to accept or reject Christ, to Live for Him or not, and to tell others about Him.

It's up to us to witness... are you "Posting" about Christ?

Leaping Lizards? Lying Lobsters? No, it's the Liebster Award

My wonderful friend Kristi of Thimble Thoughts has awarded me with the Liebster Award.

Rules for the Liebster Award are as follows: (1) Post 11 things about yourself, (2) Answer the questions that your nominating blogger has set for you and then create 11 questions for your nominees, (3) choose up to 11 blogs to nominate and link them in your post, (4) go to their respective blogs and let them know, and (5) no tag backs!

Here are 11 random things about myself- I love the color blue, I can't swim, spiders are creepy except writing spiders, sleeping in and then enjoying a great cup of coffee is like a mini vacation. My heart still leaps in my chest when my husband calls me or comes through the door. Reading a good book is better to me even then enjoying an amazing Italian dinner. My husband's affirmation and confidence in me makes me feel like I can slay giants. I hate talking on the phone. I am partially deaf, and for years I had lost my sense of smell. Last random quirk about me at least for this list -I have a huge imagination and write books in my head(putting it all on paper or computer is too time consuming).
This passing along of the blogging award comes with the responsibility of answering some personal questions. Here are the questions that Kristi has asked of me.


1) What was the most significant event that happened in your life to lead you where you are today?
I can honestly say it was when Jesus saved me at the age of 4. Without His loving, strong guidance I do not know where I would be today or if I would even be alive. I can think of some other stepping stones along the way, but I know they were orchestrated by God as He was molding me for His glory.

2) What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
Wow, as I think of this question, so many verses from various parts of Scripture pop into my head, but I really think the Book of Psalms speaks to every aspect of our human soul. Suffering, praise, meditating on God's work in our lives, and the pouring out our angst and human uncertainty to our Creator Father. Psalms teaches us how we can be human with our Maker, and that in spite of our weak, frail flesh He loves us any way.

3) What is it about your husband that first caught your attention? And how has he kept it through the years?
I think what caught my attention is that he seemed comfortable in his own skin, meaning that he didn't care about popular fads or what the crowd was doing. He exuded confidence in who he was and how he carried himself. The first time I saw him he was walking down to receive an award during a talent competition. The next time he really caught my eye was when he was walking down the sidewalk at college, and he didn't swagger or strut as many young men like to do. He just seemed at peace with who he was, and that caught my eye. This was appealing because I am rarely comfortable in my own skin. After all these years, I know that he is just as insecure at times as I am, but his strength and personal acceptance of who he is reminds me that I don't have to be like someone else. I love so many things about him, but the way he loves me for who I am and accepts that I am a work in progress is paramount even after all these years together. I need to just be myself and let God mold me into His image.

4) What is your favorite style of shoe and why?
Ok, this question is funny because I actually despise shoes or at least the wearing of shoes. I am a sock person, a fluffy soft sock is my preference, but I adore knee high socks especially ones with different designs on them. So I would have to say the shoe that is my favorite is one that fits me, feels comfortable and looks attractive all at the same time... if you find this rare commodity let me know!

5) If you could become a new character in your favorite book, what book would it be and what would your name be?
I am a bookworm! My name would be Cassandra, Cassie to those who love me, and I would have to find a spot in one of Lori Wick's or Dee Henderson's books.

6) Have you pinned any DIY projects to pinterest and if so, how many have you done?
Well, I rarely have looked at Pinterest, but I saw someone do something they saw on it, and I am going to do my variation of it with my Super Teen Class on Saturday. I think that sort of qualifies as "1".

7) What is your favorite thing to do when you find yourself alone in your clean, quiet house?
A clean, quiet house is so rare, but I would probably do a range of things like listen to praise music, read a favorite book, or watch a favorite movie, if I wasn't in the mood for any of those and hadn't already fallen asleep, then I would be daydreaming.
8) If you could tell a brand new mother one thing, what would it be?
Love your children fiercely, but don't be afraid to use the word "NO" and use necessary discipline right from the start. Babies are extremely intelligent and can understand when they do something they shouldn't.

9) I give you a thousand dollars. What will you do with it?
Sigh, this is hard for me because first of all Kristi did NOT give me $1,000. Secondly, although I want to pay my bills, and give to missions, this imaginary $1,000 doesn't go very far anymore. Between wanting to help my boys get through college, or put it towards a house or vehicle it all seems so little in those aspects. I think I would buy 1 special gift for all my family and friends as a token of my appreciation for them.

10) A thief breaks into your house in the middle of the night. Where will you hide?
I am laughing at this question, because a year ago I would have hoped I could slide under my bed fast enough, and then pray a loved one would be able to pull me back out later. This year though, I think the intruder will wish he had chosen to walk the straight and narrow and stayed out of my house. If I hide, it will be on the floor where he can't see me, but where I can "pray and spray, or aim and maim".

11) What is your favorite time of day and why?
I have two favorite times, one is where I get the chance to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning with my husband, we do try to do this as often as we can. The second would be that time of night where it's not quite bedtime, but everything is done and we are relaxing and settling down from the stresses of the day. This usually settles me down enough so that I can have quiet time with my Heavenly Father. Both times are so precious to me, that I never feel quite right unless I have been able to enjoy both ends of the day.
The Liebster Award is a pass-it-along award. I really do not know of too many other bloggers these days who are active. The blogs I follow are of missionaries or something I stumble across. The only blog that I faithfully follow is Thimble Thoughts and she said no "tag-backs".
Thanks Kristi, for wanting me to participate in this and the questions you picked to ask were very contemplative. You are my Sunshine.