tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32697440609098077942024-03-13T08:32:56.158-05:00Kruger KidsKruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-39872967891109468932020-03-30T12:50:00.000-05:002020-03-30T13:08:13.676-05:00The Quarantine Post<span style="font-size: large;">As with pretty much everyone else, I've had a LOT of things swirling around in this lil brain of mine. I'm nada special in this scenario. We are all in this together and we are all experiencing something new. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of us feel like we aren't doing anything different and it should be "business as usual"... IT AIN'T. It is anything but business as usual. Even if your particular circumstance of school, work or retirement hasn't changed, I can guarantee that other things around you, which affect you, have changed. We are ALL dealing with "different" right now. So I want to give a shout out to EVERYONE here! Good JOB! Keep up what you are doing... or for some of you, for what you are not doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning, I've been thinking a lot about what has happened in times of history and how it relates to today. I was thinking about the memes, because they are LEGIT the things that are getting me through this time! Follow the news? No thanks, I'll just stay home, follow the rules, quarantined, and <i><b>read funny memes</b></i>. I don't need to know the stats. Tell me when it's May and I can come out of social isolation (that is if I haven't drown myself before that because this EXTROVERT is MISSING HER PEOPLE! P.S. Did you see the one that said, "Having trouble not leaving your house? Try shaving your eyebrows. Problem solved." BEST.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Good gracious that was a sidetrack! Anyways, I was thinking of some of the memes out there and I like the one that says, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"Our parents and grandparents were called to war. We have been called to stay home and lay on our couches watching netflix. Don't screw this up." </b></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And another one that said, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"I felt so bad about all the seniors in high school who are missing out on their spring breaks, until my husband reminded me about many high school seniors during WWII and Vietnam, who spent their spring breaks in LITERAL COMBAT. Perspective."</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While these scenarios are not true for everyone (because... essential workers!) it does put things into perspective. And this is where I want to give the <span style="color: red;"><b>BIGGEST SHOUT OUT TO THE MEDICAL WORKERS!</b></span> They are our army right now. They are putting their lives on the lines by going to work caring for the sick, the compromised, the elderly, etc. They are literally walking into the virus, the war, with their armor on, because they took at oath to protect. Both Jeremiah and I have SEVERAL health care workers on both sides of our family and we don't take lightly what health care workers are doing these days. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So yes, while many of our parents and grandparents went to fight for freedom because they know the value of every single life, and for who I am EXTREMELY grateful, I want to say THANK YOU to our current front lines- the health care workers. They are our fighters!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">❤❤ <span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>THANK YOU HEALTH CARE WORKERS!</b></span> ❤❤ </span> </div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-4529003048114116122017-10-03T13:39:00.001-05:002017-10-03T13:39:26.923-05:00Just LotsOn top of the kitchen island they are perched, looking at me with intent. We are having a stare down and so far, I'm winning. I'm just so tired today, that I don't even have the energy to stand up, walk five feet, and grab a handful of peanut butter M&M's, which happen to be my favorite candy in the whole wide world. <br />
Is anyone else tired today?<br />
Yesterday, I woke to the news (as we all did) of another mass shooting in the U.S. I waited to hear from my longest-time friend if she had gotten home safely, since she was in Vegas for the weekend. I praised God that she was safe. I cried out to Him that so many others were not. My underlying mood for the day had been set as an upset and it lingered there all day, causing me to be short with my kids, irrational in my thoughts, harsh with my tone, and generally irritated at life. <br />
Late afternoon, I received some heartbreaking, "Why?! asking" news from a friend, that made my heart wrench. Pile on top of that the fact that I just had my second carpal tunnel surgery on Friday, the dull, nagging pain from the incision, and the general inability to do anything that requires two hands and I was just a pile of piles. <br />
Today I woke up after a good night of sleep, which I was grateful for! Aphia made a comment about how I can sleep through anything. She was right. Jeremiah said, "Yep, you slept through me waking up at 3:00 a.m. to check the sump pump after all the rain. You slept through me finding that it was working fine. You slept through me walking to the opposite corner of the basement to step in a slush of water. You slept through me vacuuming up 3 gallons of water, turning on the dehumidifier, and the fan." My jaw dropped as I said, "Seriously?! Of course, it wouldn't be carpal tunnel surgery if we didn't have water in the basement!" {side note: The day after my first carpal tunnel surgery last summer we found our ENTIRE basement under water after the sump pump just quit.} And then I looked at my calendar and remembered that I had signed up (weeeeeeeks ago) to deliver Meals on Wheels today (good thing I have 3 great helpers home with me!). And I'm getting a cold. And I haven't had a cold in three years and now I'm just plain old mad. {cough, sneeze} <br />
<br />
And I'm just tired. Tired. The gloomy skies and the drizzly rain just seem to echo our society and my feelings for today. But in the midst of it all, there is good because God is omnipresent. He is always near, and His goodness radiates through those who love. My friends have brought us dinner and cookies and peanut butter M&M's and had coffee with me. My mom is coming to help me with whatever I need help with this afternoon. My husband gave it a "good ol' college try" at washing my hair for me, which was better than my one handed attempt. My hair stylist friend offered to wash my hair EVERY DAY for me and all she asks is that I give back to my church. My uncle offered to drop what he was doing to come over and help with the water in the basement. Jeremiah's good friend (who is roughly the same size as him) randomly gave him two pairs of super nice jeans and he has no idea how long I have been procrastinating in shopping for new jeans for him! <br />
<br />
And so through all the heart ache of lives lost and the complete devastation that was caused, I look to the Heavens. I look to see where our help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth. He has {lovingly} given us free will and His heart breaks a billion times more than mine when He sees His creation turning to such evil. I will turn my eyes to Him. I will love all the more. I smiled bigger to the Meals on Wheels recipients today and lingered a bit longer to see how they were. I will treasure each moment with my T&T Awana girls tomorrow, while encouraging and helping to bind us as a team. <br />
<br />
I will turn my eyes to Him. I will love more. Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-58684558418040501312017-06-28T13:30:00.001-05:002017-06-28T13:30:53.954-05:00Today I Want to CryToday I want to cry. Today I want to melt down and bawl. But not for the reasons you might think. <br />
Today I want to cry out of sheer GRATEFULNESS and thanks to God. <br />
<br />
Over the past 3 1/2 weeks I have been the busiest I've ever been in my life in that particular span of time. And it has been gooooooood. Seriously, SO. GOOD. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
The week before VBS, we worked, and decorated, and prepared, and prayed, and laughed, and we finished EARLY! It makes me want to cry. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
The week of VBS was smooth, and beautiful, and fun, and tiring, and challenging, and filling, glorifying, and serving, and joyful, and our generous kids surpassed our goal for our mission project, bringing in over $5100 for approximately 500 Awana clubs to be started in Ethiopia. 500 clubs where kids can come, be safe, be loved, have fun, BE KIDS, and hear that the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE LOVES THEM AND WANTS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. Wow! What we do at VBS at Buffalo Covenant goes so far beyond Buffalo. It makes me want to cry. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
The Middle School Mission Trip was my first dive into Youth Ministry at BCC. And OH what a blast that dive was! I cannot say enough good things about the week that I got to spend with 3 other incredible leaders and 16 amazing middle schoolers. The way that God grew us, challenged us, stretched us, loved us, opened our eyes, answered our prayers, held us in His hands, brought us close, gave us laughter and more laughter and more laughter was intense. Our middle schoolers learned to seek Him, depend on Him, work together, serve selflessly (even when we don't understand WHY we are doing WHAT we are doing), WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD. And I got home and I missed my 11, 12, & 13 year old people so much. It makes me want to cry. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
And finally, the Awana T&T Book Completers Campout- two days to end my 3 filled weeks. WHAT. A. HOOT! We had a record number of kids on the Campout with 34, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. We were generously welcomed at the Lingo Ranch as we brought in our 34 kids and multiple leaders (who devoted SO much time to serving and helping with those 2 fun-filled days!). We ran those kids ragged! We swam a lot. We played "Captain's Coming" a lot. We ate a lot. We hiked a lot. We played 4 square a lot. We prayed and did devotions a lot. We worked together a lot. We finished our two days with ONLY a pair of socks and a can of sunscreen in the lost & found. ;-) And our leaders were unbelievable! It makes me want to cry. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
And today... Today I rest. Today I'm still in my jammies at 1:15. Today I ate Lucky Charms for lunch. Today I watched tv with my kids. Today I snuggled them. Today I stopped and looked at them in the eye and listened intently to what they were saying to me. Today I'm enjoying the rainy, cloudy day. Today I'm watching Isaiah, with an old school cell phone, listen to songs like, "Ring of Fire" (singing along to ALL the words! Ha!), "Whomp! There it is!" (But saying, "Whomp! Mayonnaise!"), the Olympic Theme song, the "Friends" theme song, and "Mr. Jones and Me" while dancing outside in the driveway. Today I wait for Jeremiah to get home so we can just sit and talk for the evening. Today I texted our small group to say that "Yes! We will be at the bonfire on Friday night and I can't wait to be with all my adult people!" And I sit in awe of how God has BLESSED me through these packed weeks. How He has given me energy (and LOTS of coffee!) to enjoy this time, not just endure it. How He has put people around me who are being the hands and feet of Christ to the world. How He is revealing Himself to me in new ways. How He has give me so much to be grateful for. It makes me want to cry. #becauseGod<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-20634781794139425222016-11-06T19:46:00.000-06:002016-11-06T19:46:12.083-06:00Dear Wednesday, I Will Choose Joy.Dear Wednesday November 9, 2016, You will be the day after this election. The election season when pretty much NO ONE is excited about anything. Everyone is tired, everyone is annoyed, everyone doesn't see how any good can come of anything. <br />
But Wednesday November 9th, you will be a day when everyone finally sighs. Some will sigh a sigh of relief because it's all over. Some will sigh a sigh of fear because of who gets elected. Some will sigh a sigh of anticipation at what the next POTUS will bring. Some may even sigh a sigh of happiness. <br />
Today I was reminded of two things, the first of which is something I've been saying over and over in my head for weeks... even months. <br />
1. God is still God and He will not be surprised at the outcome of this election. He knows that many broken people are coming to the polls to vote for one of many broken people to lead this nation. No POTUS has been perfect. No POTUS has been righteous. No POTUS will ever be any of these things. As long as our nation (and all nations) want an earthly leader as opposed to the Sovereign Lord as their one and only leader, we will have broken and flawed individuals leading us. That's just fact people. I'm coming to grips with what this will mean for the rest of my adult life, what this means for the longevity of my children's lives, and my grandchildren's lives, and their children's lives and so on. And so this brings me to the second thing that I was reminded of...<br />
2. On Wednesday November 9th, when regardless of who is elected, there will still be uncertainty and unrest, I am going to CHOOSE JOY! Joy is so much more fun than anxiety. Joy is so much more productive than worry. Joy is so much better than anger. Joy can be a choice. I can choose to continue to focus my eyes on God, His Word, His peace, and His hope. I can choose joy for so many reasons and that is what I am going to do. <br />
When our new President and leaders take their seats, there will probably be things they do and say that I will most certainly disagree with. When this happens, I am going to CHOOSE JOY and do something good. I will bring a meal to a person who does not have one. Or I will give financially to a cause that is bringing broken people to a place of healing. Or I will give bags of clothing to people who do not have enough, because my family has been blessed in receiving so much from others. Or I will pay for someone's coffee in the line at Caribou (and not even on the "Drive Through Difference" day, folks! Ha!). Or I will invite a family or friend over for Sunday lunch after church. I can say for certain that all of these things will bring me JOY and that is what I will choose.<br />
So Wednesday November 9th, 2016, you will not have any power over me. Joke's on you kid. Take that. Boom. Mike drop. <br />
Sincerely, The Me-and-JOY-are-gonna-be-walking-hand-in-hand-and-ain't-nobody-gonna-stop-us Girl Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-6360119703113995622016-06-26T16:42:00.000-05:002016-06-26T16:42:07.121-05:00MNTCToday at church I was immensely moved. The Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Choir was there to give their testimonies, to sing and to worship with us. It was beautiful. I cannot express the deep recognition of redemption there was in the morning. The word "beauty" doesn't even come close to describing the time. <br />
<br />
As they recounted lives that started both as wonderful and horrible, but either turned horrible or continued on the path of destruction. They talked of addiction and dependence on drugs and alcohol and my brain and heart couldn't help but to connect with them. I'm only one generation away from some of the same destruction. Both of my grandfathers left a deep legacy and imprint of alcoholism. Neither of them are talked of in high regards and I understand why. The destruction that drugs and alcohol cause and the stronghold they have on families for generations is a weight that is oppressive.<br />
<br />
My parents were pattern-breakers and new-path makers. They were bold and real about the alcoholism that runs in our family. They were insistent that I know that it is something that I could have a strong tendency for. They were smart in how they approached the issue with me. I was knowledgable about what drugs and alcohol could do to my life. I was aware of how the pattern was not very far away from me in history. I am reminded of desperation when I see other relatives struggle with addictions, depression, mental illness, and drug & alcohol destruction in their lives.<br />
<br />
But I'm reminded so heavily of God's GREAT story of redemption and deliverance. We all struggle with our own "demons." Sin is something that grips each and every one of us. It was SO comforting to be reminded, today, that all of us need to daily lay down ourselves and let the Lord fill the hole in our hearts that only He can. To be reminded that we have a God who loves us and wants to see restoration in Him. To bring families back to Him and bind them with His cords that cannot be broken. <br />
<br />
The enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy. I am eternally grateful that I have parents who were determined that the enemy would have NO stronghold over me, like he had over my grandfathers. But I am even more grateful that I have a Lord and a Savior who from the time I was born, called and whispered my name, to come to Him and rest in the knowledge of His saving love. I'm grateful that my own testimony does not include a stronghold of drugs and alcohol, because I'm human and could have just as easily been pulled into that world of hurt. I'm grateful that my testimony might seem boring to others. I'm grateful that my testimony does not hold depths that are at the bottom. I'm grateful for those who have hit the bottom and turned to the Lord, seeking deliverance from the pits. I'm grateful that they can share their stories with others and help those who are at bottom. I'm grateful that Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save the lost. Because at one point or another we were or are all lost and need to be found and saved. Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-58454935449086701902016-05-27T11:38:00.001-05:002016-05-27T11:42:27.443-05:00Feeling All the FeelsLots of feels going on over here these weeks. Last night Isaiah had his school program. The Kindergarteners were OVER-THE-TOP cute. CUTE. With all their "Boom! Boom! Ain't it Great to be Crazy"'s and their "Que Sera Sera"'s. Who could stand it? The program was entitled, "Love You Forever" and followed the story from the book. Each grade sang a song that went along with the progression of the book. I can't even. <br />
<br />
And then... AND THEN... their music teacher had asked parents to email her a picture of the kid with their parent(s). And then she did a slideshow with them. Now press play on the video below, just to listen to the words of the song, it's not the slideshow she did, and read the rest of the blog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aK3TROzVRiE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aK3TROzVRiE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
The slideshow of parents taking selfies with their kids or family pictures of the fam while all the kids sang the Coldplay song, "Fix You"... you know the one that goes, "Lights will guide you home..." and all the kids had little flashlights that they did choreographed movements with. {sidenote on that song... Isaiah calls it "Lights Will Guide Your Bones" because the words go, "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones." I laugh every time he mentions the song.} <br />
<br />
All of this was especially emotional for me since Isaiah is going to join the older two at home next year and we will be homeschooling all of them. And so when they sang the words, "Lights will guide you home," I was pretty much a fountain of tears. I'm a fountain of tears just listening to the music, remembering last night, and typing this. And ya know... when the lyrics say, "Tears streaming down your face..." it's all just too much... TOO MUCH PEOPLE!!! <br />
<br />
And then if that wasn't enough, Principal Louwagie said that the middle school students had asked if they could sing "The Blessing Song" over Ms. Gorton (the long term music substitute who rescued the music program the last half of the school year). Que the tears AGAIN! All the kids raised their hands to her and sang "The Blessing Song" over her. And I didn't expect it, but Aphia raised her hand and sang along too. <br />
<br />
I am so very grateful that God has called us to homeschool our kids. I feel extremely privileged that I get that honor. But we also love St. Francis Xavier School. It is going to be tough next year, not having a connection there. Jonah started pre-school there and we have had a child in elementary school or pre-school there for the past 6 years. <br />
<br />
Jonah is finished with 5th grade in just days from now. All he has left is 5 math lessons, and I told him that once they are finished, he's DONE. DONE WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Jeremiah and I are going to take him to the sushi restaurant here in town (because he LOVES sushi!) and have a little celebration night with him. But there will be no tears that night, because it's not one of those ceremonies where I would do that, ya know? And I think that's ok for now. I need this to be an exciting time... a moving-on of sorts. I told Jeremiah that God called us to homeschool because my psyche and emotions couldn't handle all of the "graduations" that schools put on for the kids. I'd have a perpetual headache from all the tears. I've decided that I will never grant my children all the credits that they need to finish middle and high school. I'll always hold one credit hostage so they CAN NEVER LEAVE ME!!!! <br />
<br />
Thank the Lord that Aphia has no big things this year. I would crawl into a hole and die.<br />
<br />
Happy Friday. Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-51395043278170528762016-05-07T08:21:00.001-05:002016-05-07T12:57:01.164-05:00Yes, Please Slow DownWe were done! It was a glorious night of Awana Awards and the year of flexibility was over. For those of you who don't know, our church was under a major construction project all year (and still is!) This caused our Awana program, for which I am the Commander of, to put on it's "flexibility hat" and go through the year, not knowing what things we might encounter during any given Sunday.<br />
<br />
The Leadership Team had endured, showed up, championed the program, and continued to pour their hearts into the lives of well-over-a-hundred preschool and elementary kids. They were the rockstars that kept that canoe rowing. They may not have known where their small group would meet until moments before needing to be there, but they never skipped a beat. The kids felt secure and safe, knowing that their leaders had their backs. <br />
<br />
I was in "Commander" mode during the Awards ceremony. I hand my own kids their Awards, just as I hand them to all the other students. I kind of detach myself and do my job during Awana. It's a hard reality to look back on, but it is what it is. This is all we know.<br />
<br />
And now, it was all done. Done. Breathe big sigh of relief for a year well played. But as I sat on the stairs in our home, I looked over at Jonah in his Awana jersey. It hit me, he would take it off in a few minutes and put on his pajamas and head to bed. And he wouldn't ever put that shirt back on. He was done. He was done with Awana. How could this be?! Wasn't I just sitting with him, wishing he was a little older so we could START Awana? I wanted to help with the Awana program at church and wanted him to be older so I could volunteer, but with questions of apprehension swirling in my head like, "Would they need me? Would they want me? Would I be good enough to volunteer?" I guess I really didn't need to think or worry about those things, given the current situation. :)<br />
<br />
Jonah started as a Cubbie at age 3. He worked through Cubbies, through Sparks, through T&T, memorizing hundreds of Bible verses, doing Bible study and investigation, and completing tasks helping him to grow and build his faith. And now he was finished. I looked at him and my world suddenly gripped me. How was he done? How did we FLY through these 8 years? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've been lamenting the days when my kids were little-little. When they couldn't say their R's and said motodacka instead of motorcycle. I always seemed to have a way of wishing my life was about 5 years in the future. Now Timehop has a way of making me wish I was about 5 years in the past. <br />
<br />
I found this song yesterday, by Nichole Nordeman. She has been one of my favorite Christian artists for well over 10 years. She wrote this song for her son who just completed 5th grade. I watched and listened to it. And I UGLY CRIED. U.G.L.Y. It's spot on. Jonah's not done and gone. I still have 7 years to go with him at home. But I'm identifying with this song in that I just need things to Slooooooooooow Dowwwwwwnnnnnn. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/clcNB_EUao8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/clcNB_EUao8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, this Mother's Day weekend, this is for all you mamas who just need the time to just slow down. Who just need to be able to enjoy a few moments and trap them in your memories and smile. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Mother's Day beautiful Mama's, near and far. </div>
<br />Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-28820901058456693852015-12-12T14:02:00.000-06:002015-12-12T14:02:32.082-06:00What's It All For?<div class="MsoNormal">
Get the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make
the cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy the presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the (torturous) family pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to the Christmas parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrap the presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to remember if there are other presents
stashed in the house that you forgot about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Buy the ham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shop for Christmas
outfits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><s>Buy film for the camera for
Christmas morning</s>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><s style="text-line-through: double;">Charge the camera battery for Christmas
morning</s>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure your phone is
charged to take pictures on Christmas morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stop eating the Christmas cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Try to lose a few pounds before December 24<sup>th</sup> when you will
see all of your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat an entire
batch of Spritz cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get to the post
office to send out-of-town gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to
school concerts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Endure said band
or orchestra concert with elementary or middle school students, while your mind
is mentally going over all the things you need to do (and secretly hoping your
ears are not bleeding from the sound).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Try desperately to finish the things on that list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fall into bed each night, exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this what the Christmas season is for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each year, we look back and vow to make next
year different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we ever made the
next year different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we ever had a
Christmas season that we look back on and say, “Yep, I kept Christ as the center
of Christmas and we didn’t get caught up in needless and stressful
things.”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if Christmas looked like this- Get the tree… or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decorate it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make Christmas cookies or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Play soft instrumental Christmas music
(Pandora has a great station).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to
school concerts and really, really pay attention to your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy presents or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy new Christmas outfits or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read an Advent scripture passage each day, or
every few days, or just one time before Christmas comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make hot cocoa and popcorn and snuggle in to
watch a Christmas movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop what you
are doing (no matter what it is, everything else can wait), take your child’s
face in your hands, look into their eyes and tell them that the God of this
universe loves them so much that He sent His Son to earth, for the purpose of dying
to save us, because He did not want to be separated from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now really, go and do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GO! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if your kids will think you are super
weird, embrace your inner weirdo and do it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And lest you think I’m just barking out orders
I did this with my daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She, of
course, looked at me with an, “Okaaaaaaay….?” Look on her face and said, “I
know, Mom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And guess what, she will
remember it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is why we have Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas isn’t about cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t about decorating a Christmas
tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t about driving around
looking at Christmas lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t
about opening presents on Christmas morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christmas actually isn’t even about being with family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas actually isn’t even about giving to
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may sound really blunt, but
Christmas is about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about the
Father loving us, how we turned our backs on Him and walked away, how He had a
plan to stay connected with us, how He put that plan into motion, how He sent
His Perfect Son to earth (a pretty rotten place if you really look at the scope
of it!), for the sole purpose of dying so that we would have the chance to be
united with Him forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THAT is what Christmas is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even Christians, CHRIST FOLLOWERS and LOVERS OF THE LORD make it about
more than this, myself included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Christmas is about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s remember that this season in whatever we are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas is about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not about who we see or the presents we
give or the food we eat or the Christmas cards we send or the money we donate or
the decorations we put up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I am a practical girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am going to do a lot of those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So let’s keep GOD in the direct center of all that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go look at Christmas lights and tell
our kids that we can shine the light of Jesus just as those Christmas lights
shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">For God, who said, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">“Let light shine out of darkness,” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">made <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his light shine</i></b> in our
hearts <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">to give us the light of the <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">knowledge of God’s glory <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">displayed in the face of Christ.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s make sweet Christmas cookies and tell our kids what
Psalm 19:9-10 says, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d;">The fear of the Lord is pure,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">enduring
forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d;">The decrees of the Lord are firm,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">and
all of them are righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d;">They are more precious than gold,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">than
much pure gold;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d;">they are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sweeter than honey</i></b>,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d;">than honey
from the honeycomb.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Christmas let’s give gifts to others and tell our
children that we give gifts because God gave the ULTIMATE gift. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 6:23 tells us, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">For the wages of sin is death, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">but the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gift of God</i></b> is eternal
life <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #990000;">in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christmas is about the Father, giving us the best gift of
all, wrapped up in a simple cloth for anyone who would reach out their hand and
simply receive this gift of eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there you have it folks, that’s what it’s all for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy peasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-8094106700139574792015-07-20T18:22:00.002-05:002015-07-20T18:22:18.739-05:0035 Things in My 35th YearAs I approach my 35th year in life, the word "intentional" has been a prevalent one for Jeremiah and I. There are lots of things in life that I'm glad that I have done, but definitely some things that I still want to do. Inspired by my SIL Stephanie, I have decided that I want to complete 35 things in my 35th year. <br />
1. Do a mud run (this will be completed two days before my birthday, but I'm counting it!)<br />
2. Go on a silent retreat.<br />
3. Learn to play a great song on the piano<br />
4. Feed a homeless person a meal<br />
5. Go somewhere I've never been before<br />
6. Go ice skating on Buffalo Lake<br />
7. Go to and eat at a Pizza Farm<br />
8. Go geo-caching<br />
9. Do the drive-thru difference and leave a note about Christ's love<br />
10. Complete one month with no pop<br />
11. Paint a canvas<br />
12. Deliver flowers anonymously<br />
13. Share the Gospel with someone who has not heard it<br />
14. Indulge more heavily in my old hobby of bow shooting<br />
15. Read a classic novel... Most likely War and Peace<br />
16. Learn to make pie crust<br />
17. Read Proverbs everyday for a consecutive 31 days<br />
18. Take an impromptu trip with someone who will be equally as excited as me to do so<br />
19.<br />
20.<br />
21.<br />
22.<br />
23.<br />
24.<br />
25.<br />
26.<br />
27.<br />
28.<br />
29.<br />
30.<br />
31.<br />
32.<br />
33.<br />
34.<br />
35.Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-21072350150826918952015-04-13T20:17:00.000-05:002015-04-13T20:23:22.718-05:00Light in the Dark<div class="MsoNormal">
God first placed a desire for missions in my heart in 9<sup>th</sup>
grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our church youth group was headed
up to Belcourt, ND to a Native American Indian reservation about a ½ hour from
the U.S. and Canada border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now when I
say that God placed a “desire for missions on my heart,” I say that rather
loosely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I really mean is that God
was working through my desire to go on a 10 day trip with a lot of my best
friends and a lot of cute boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up until then I had been a fairly sheltered kid, as most of
us are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure my dad had driven me
through his old stomping grounds in North Minneapolis where we would see people
of all sorts, engaged in all sorts of activities, where my dad would never
actually come to a complete stop at stop signs simply because he’s a smart guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our trip to Belcourt would open my eyes
to the vastness of the word “poverty.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Poverty, by Webster, is defined as 1. Lack of money or possessions, or
2. Poor quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the above and
more were true in Belcourt, North Dakota.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Belcourt… even though here, within the U.S. borders, still
its own nation with many troubles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Belcourt… where most kids get to eat only once per day;
meals that are provided at the school, year round. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Belcourt… most are deprived of the Gospel message because
their religious history with the spirit world runs very, very deep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Belcourt… a very solemn place, pretty void of any happiness,
peace, joy or contentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Belcourt… a place where the children either craved the
attention that we would pour out onto them or be afraid of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They craved attention because none was ever
given, but some were very afraid of us because the only interaction that they
got with anyone who was older was abusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our main goal for the week was to exhibit and show love to
these kids and tell them about the saving power of a relationship with Jesus
Christ, the Son of the only God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We would run a 5 day Vacation Bible School for any child who
wanted to come to VBS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had kids as
little as 2 and as old as 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
Sunday before we started, we would go to the housing projects to recruit and
advertise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I saw was this: (and
remember we were in North Dakota… Minnesota’s NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR!) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Houses provided by their government, but very run down<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Alcohol bottles ALL. OVER. THE. PLACE. Yet alcohol is
illegal on the reservation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Naked or barely clothed children running unattended<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Oral hygiene that would shock you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Stench and stink that I didn’t know existed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Numerous children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome because their
mothers drank to great excess while they were pregnant<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do I give you these pictures and descriptions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it was real and it was right next to
us here in Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove, in a
coach bus, to this town in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
walked the streets littered with beer cans, liquor bottles and other drug
garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scooped up kids in our arms,
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would wonder when the last time they
bathed was… and question if it was ever…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would tell them about Jesus and have many respond that they weren’t
allowed to listen to us when we talked about that stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would pray that our words would fall on at
least a tiny piece of fertile soil in their hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would return to Belcourt two more times in my teens and
early twenties and what I would see would remain mostly the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the words I would hear would bring joy
and hope to my heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys were here 3 years ago!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I remember when your group came
before!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, you’re the kids from
Minnesota who do the Bible School, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hey Blondie, I remember you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Can I come to your camp even though I am in high school?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I bring my friend too?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we would have a chance to sit with the Christian leaders
of their community and hear them talk of the enormous struggle to break the
chains of bondage in their heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
to see that the Holy Spirit is there, even if only seemingly as a tiny spark,
He is there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings me, fast-forwarded 12 years, to a pitch, black
tunnel in the underground of Lalibela, Ethiopia in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I say pitch black, I mean PITCH
BLACK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pitch black, people!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could not see your hand if it was a
millimeter from your eyes, even if you waved it around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t even close to closing your eyes,
because there was NO light, absolutely NONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now I had read John 1:5 that says, “The light shines in the darkness and
the darkness has not overcome it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
know the meaning and all that, but to truly and actually experience this kind
of blackness was surreal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the tunnel
it took a little while for it to get completely dark, but once it was, it was a
several minute walk, through this very small, hand carved tunnel, in the PITCH
BLACK, before light appeared again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this experience, I thought about two things:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. In the pitch black I never felt alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was soaking in the experience of this and
using it as a time to actually practice my faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others might be blessed to practice theirs
where and when I don’t, but God used this time with me to draw me to his
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about Psalm 23 when it
says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall
fear no evil, for you will be with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was so much darker than a shadow (however, I realize there was no
death around me either) and I focused on “…I shall fear no evil, for you will
be with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. The second thing I thought a lot about afterwards and
after a conversation with Guy, who had been walking in front of Wendy, who was
walking right in front of me, was about darkness not overcoming light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had actually experienced this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light always infiltrates the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At each end of the tunnel there was
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were in the middle, in
the PITCH BLACK (have I mentioned that it was completely dark in there?!) and
coming close to the end, we knew we were close because even with the teeniest
amount of light you could see more and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We didn’t get to the end and have darkness spill out on to the open
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pitch black had no power of
any bit of light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where there is darkness in this world of any sort, whether
it be poverty, slavery, addiction, idolatry, greed, deceit, or any type of
evil, it cannot remain pitch black when light is introduced to it’s midst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light will always shine when it encounters
darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was on my way to and from Ethiopia I frequently had
the question, “Why do you have me here Lord?” and one of the reasons, I
realized, was to be part of that light throughout my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is darkness here in Buffalo, in
Minnesota, in the Midwest, in the U.S.A., and all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when we, Christ followers, venture to step into that dark,
we will shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the Holy Spirit
dwells in us and will never leave us, we will shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can tend to become overwhelmed when we see the
big-picture-need in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God
doesn’t call us to be able to see all and know all, He’s got that covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are called to be disciples of Christ who
shine in dark places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter what dark (or darkish) place you are in…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter what you are doing there (building, teaching,
being, doing, etc.)…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter how long or short you are there…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the Holy Spirit lives in you, then the light of Christ
WILL shine where you are!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So go, go somewhere and let Christ shine His light of love
through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-14397545158015185542014-11-13T22:20:00.001-06:002014-11-13T22:49:56.774-06:00Emotional OverloadI'm grateful to say that I am a person who has been blessed with a wide range of emotions. I'm not one of those boring people (like the boy or his mini-me... just sayin') who doesn't range like us super fun people who are ALL. OVER. THE. BOARD. What??? What's that you say? That's not always a good thing? Hmmm, I'll have to think that one over. <br />
Anywho. I can be an emotionally charged person, just ask my family. They would all concur. And as for those emotions, they have been overcharged and on overload for the last... well... while. <br />
There are so many emotionally charged things going on, indirectly, in my life. That sounds weird, I realize that, but that's the best way I can explain it. All these crazy things keep happening to people that I know. But the main thing is premature babies. There have been 6 premie babies that I know, all born at least 10 weeks early, in the past 6 months. Don't these little ones know that they are giving Auntie NeeNee gray hair?! And the funny thing is, my start to being a mama was to a premie baby, 10 years ago TOMORROW (November 14th). Though he was only 5 weeks early, it was early enough to give his mommy and daddy a little scare and spend some time in the NICU. <br />
When the first two babes were born in June at 25 weeks, I was in shock, and then another baby in July and then another baby in July, and then another baby in October and then another baby in November. Did I mention they were all more than 10 weeks early?! That puts a girl into prayer mode. And it's hard, when the babies are born early and God answers differently than we ask for. But I know that He knows the big picture and I do not. A particularly difficult thing for me in all of this is that I. Am. A. DO-ER! And for multiple reasons, there is so little that I can do for any and all of these situations. I process by doing and when I can't "do" then processing is a wee bit difficult, thus the roller coaster ups and downs in my head and in my heart. <br />
<br />
Yesterday was the pinnacle of my emotionally charged roller coaster... I hope. Very early in the morning, my very good friend Holli (who lost her sweet 15 month old, Hannah, a year ago) delivered a baby boy at 30 weeks. Ethan was born at a whopping 2 lbs. 8 oz! They are doing well, praise the Lord! Then I got word that Mandy, who delivered Lincoln at 28 weeks and has been at Children's Hospital since July, got to take Lincoln HOME!!! As I was processing these things, I was also grieving the fact that the Ethiopia team was leaving for Ethiopia and I was not with them. Even though I know that this was not my year to go, I was still full of emotions! They were flying to D.C. yesterday and heading straight to Ethiopia from there, today. Early on, Dana started out the morning, letting several of us know that the whole team was having major glitches in flights. They all had to rebook and reschedule, praying all the while that they'd actually get to D.C. before this morning, so they could depart for the other side of the world today. As of right now, they are high above Africa, close to their destination, praise the Lord some more! <br />
<br />
So all of this is going on and of course it's a Wednesday and an Awana night. So with that comes it's normal coordination, but then there was a snafoo with a lost voice and I got word that I needed to do the lesson for the K-2nd graders. OK! Here we go, prepare a lesson to give in a couple short hours. As I'm reading through the lesson in Acts about Peter, God was just waiting for me to be done so He could tie it into the day in an incredible way. The lesson was when Peter was in jail for teaching and preaching about Jesus' saving power. King Herod had plans to kill him after Passover was done. Well, as Peter's friends were FERVENTLY praying, God pulled out the big guns. As Peter was sitting in his jail cell, chained between two guards with FOURTEEN more of them outside of the cell, God sent an angel to release Peter. The chains fell off and Peter and the angel walked out of the cell and out of the jail into the city. Then POOF! The angel left him. At first Peter was astonished, but realizing what God had done, he went to his friends to tell them and show him that he was there! The Lord had answered their prayers in the EXACT way they prayed! They were also JUST as surprised and astonished! Here's one of the funny things, we shouldn't be surprised when God answers our prayers, but so often we are. God tells us to pray continually. So again, we shouldn't be surprised when He answers them. <br />
<br />
So onto how God was just waiting to tie this into my day. But first back up about 7 months. My dear friend Becky's 1 year old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. ISH. What's up with that?! A one year old with BLOOD CANCER?! Talk about a blow to the gut. Well, it was time to get our prayin' hands together and we did. Countless amounts of people were praying for sweet Evelyn and her complete healing from the cancer. Well yesterday, just as I was reading through the lesson about God answering prayers, Becky and Jeremy were receiving the results of Evelyn's tests saying that everything came back clear and she was CANCER FREE!!! They took the central line from her chest, leaving her to cry for a couple seconds (normally they put children under to remove a line like this, but NOT EVELYN! She is one tough little cookie!) and then in her not-yet-two-year-old voice proclaimed, "All done!" Praise Jesus for complete healing and a perfect answer to prayer! <br />
<br />
And to top it all off, near the end of the night I got word that another person close to me is newly pregnant. I am going to speak loudly into the tummy of that mama to that baby to STAY PUT until 40 weeks, lest all my hair go stark gray. <br />
<br />
My emotions needed to purge here on this blog. Thanks for reading... if you even got to the bottom of this! If you did, I applaud you :) <br />
<br />
And just for funsies, here are two Isaiah quotes from today. While still snuggled up under his covers this morning, I was chatting with him and he said to me, "Mom, I don't have jammies on. Just boxers. And Mom, did you know that I just gave myself a huge wedgie?!" No Isaiah, I wasn't aware, but thanks for the info.<br />
Then tonight after dinner the kids were playing downstairs and Isaiah came up half laughing, half crying and said, "Mom, Jonah was making me laugh so hard that I peed a little. Sometimes I do that." When I busted out laughing, he was not happy with me, so I straightened up real quick. <br />
Thanks for the laughs Pal. I needed the lightheartedness. Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-45373928799647385292014-10-30T13:13:00.003-05:002014-10-30T13:13:50.554-05:00I'm a Global-Spaghetti-ThinkerToday is so many things.<br />
Today is cool outside, but not as windy as it has been, thankfully.<br />
Today is warm inside with the crockpot cooking and the dryer drying the clothes. <br />
Today is the one year anniversary of Hannah going to heaven. <br />
Today is a busy homeschool day.<br />
Today is the day before Halloween. <br />
Today is a busy laundry day as we got a lot of hand-me-downs from a friend.<br />
Today is about 2 weeks before the Ethiopia team sets out for their journey across the globe. <br />
Today I am trying to soak everything in. <br />
Today I am praying for so many people, especially a lot of babies. <br />
Today I am drinking lots of yummy coffee.<br />
Today I am playing a lot of "jinx" with my kids and I am winning ;) <br />
Today I am going to get my hair done. <br />
Today I am still in my pajamas.<br />
Today I wish I could do more.<br />
Today I wish I could slow down more.<br />
Today I wish I could accomplish more.<br />
Today I wish I could just "be" more.<br />
Today I wish my kids were still little kids, now they're all big kids. <br />
Today I feel burdened.<br />
Today I feel free.<br />
Today I feel full.<br />
Today I feel the reminder of my need for my Savior.<br />
Today I will read aloud to my kids.<br />
Today I will snuggle with Big at nap time.<br />
Today I will carve pumpkins.<br />
Today I will have dinner ready with the boy comes home from work.<br />
Today I will listen to the practicing's of Christmas songs on the piano.<br />
Today I will enjoy Beeb playing with my hair while I read aloud.<br />
Today I will prep a fun science project for tomorrow.<br />
Today I will read Scripture to my kids and let it sit on their hearts.<br />
Today I will be grateful for everything that today is and today isn't. <br />
<br />Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-859849808959281882014-04-07T21:33:00.001-05:002014-04-07T21:33:08.058-05:00Creatures of Comfort
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We Are Creatures of Comfort…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It has been a long, cold, blustery, snowy, long, cold, long,
cold, snowy winter. It was Thursday of last week and finally the snow was 90% melted away and glimmers of the hope of
spring were shining in little corners of our neck of the woods. And then it
started to snow, and snow, and snow, and snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>11 inches of a disgusting white blanket of grossness and school was 2
hours late, then called off completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was April 4<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s a girl to do?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I went off the deep end and decided
to make a beach in my living room. I had to laugh when the Kirby Vacuum
sales-dude (Sidenote off of an already tangented paragraph: I say “dude”
because he really can be called neither a man nor a guy or anything of the like
because he was all of maybe 17 years old trying to tell me that I should buy
his $3000 vacuum. He might have only been 13 because when I offered him a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich he was pretty much elated!)…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the point here… I laughed when he
said, “Wow, the people who lived here before you must have had a sandbox in the
living room!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, that was us, last
winter!” is what I got to reply with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year, there was no beach living room, despite Isaiah’s best efforts
to convince me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anywho, just as quickly as those 11 inches of gross
whiteness came, they left, by Sunday at noon, it was 95% gone again
and the temps were reaching the mid 60’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Halleluia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise the Lord God
Almighty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could it be???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could we be safe to put away *most* of our
winter gear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an exciting time
‘round these parts when you get to do that folks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And so the Kruger family got home from church and the children
were directed to get their play clothes and tennis shoes on and head outside on
what was a glorious day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my surprise,
the request by Jeremiah and I of our cherubs was met by groans and moans of not
wanting to go outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you JOKING?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been cooped up for what seems like
8,496 days and you want to STAY INSIDE?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This train has been wildly derailed and I’m not quite sure of what to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah replied with, “Ok, you can
stay inside, but you guys all have to take naps. Outside or naps. Those are
your two choices.” So begrudgingly they went outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What, of course, followed were 3 children playing outside for
hours and hours and hours and NOT wanting to come inside at the end of the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rode bikes, played with
friends, climbed trees, filled up the kiddie-pool to have a bike wash, laughed,
yelled, ran and breathed in the FRESH AIR!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were blissfully wiped out at the end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So what in the world was going on when they said that they
didn’t want to go outside and play? What was up with that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that we as humanity, so often get
caught in what we think is comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We get caught in the habit or the cycle of doing something over and over
and over and it can be a scary thing to pull ourselves out of it and do
something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids had been
stuck inside for months and it was like they didn’t know what they’d do with
themselves outside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was this
GORGEOUS day outside, but the “comfort” of staying inside was pulling at
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure that running through
Jonah’s complete analytical mind were questions like, “Will I be warm enough?”
“Will there be something to play with?” “Will there be some<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one</i></b> to play with?” “What
if I get bored?” “What if I can’t remember how to ride my bike or I can’t run
as fast as I could last summer?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going
back to what seems “comfortable” always pulls at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To step out and experience something better
can be scary to some people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when
we KNOW that the new thing WILL be better, we can still tend to be hesitant and
wary of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So weird we are… So weird. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I realized that it’s like that with sin too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get caught in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caught in the familiarity of it being around
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us know that the word “sin”
doesn’t have a good connotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
not something that most of us strive for… at least I HOPE NOT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we still wade in its swamp, afraid to
step out of it and experience the white sands, blue waters, and amazing sound
of crashing waves in the ocean!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We all struggle and get caught in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get caught in gossiping, we get caught in
anger and tempers, we get caught in self-medicating with many different
substances and vices, we get caught in comparison, we get caught in judgmental-ness,
we get caught in lying (even those little white ones!), we get caught in
foul-mouth-language, we get caught in unforgiveness, and we get caught in
putting almost everything and everyone before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things are so easy to step into and so.
very. difficult. to. step. out. of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UGH.
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But just as my kids listened to Jeremiah and stepped outside
in the beautiful sunshine, we too can listen to God’s direction, leading us to
something that is better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says to us,
“Go and enjoy the good life!” and we reply with a whiney, “Noooooo, I just want
to sit here in my comfy little swamp. I’ve gotten used to the smell and I know
the temperature of the water.” And he says back to us, “Ok, you can stay here
in this junk and I promise you, you won’t like it, or you can go and enjoy the
good life. You choose.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to heed
the example of my kids who listened to their dad yesterday, who went out and
thoroughly enjoyed the good life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
telling you, it was goooood!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
so busy playing and having fun that I didn’t even want to bother them with
dinner, so I told them that if they were hungry they could run inside and grab
something and go back out. They noshed on Cheetos and bananas and granola bars
and strawberry applesauce and Easter egg nest cookies and juice boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking that to a kid- THAT is the good
life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ME that’s the good life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m choosing to trust the Lord when He
gives me a new direction to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as
Jeremiah and I wanted what was best for our children and we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">KNEW</i> what was best for our children, the
Lord wants what is best for us and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He
KNOWS</i> what is best for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks
for havin’ my back Lord, you’re pretty rad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-80449280424531704062014-02-17T12:00:00.003-06:002014-02-17T12:00:54.055-06:00What Is It About That Place?The other day I was craving Ethiopia. Yep, if one can crave a country, which I'm sure is entirely possible, I was craving Ethiopia. As I thought about this and all that was behind it, a lot of questions started swirling in my head. <br />
<br />
Why do I love Ethiopia so much? Prior to my trip there, I craved being on a tropical beach or on a cruise ship. I craved a fancy dinner while on vacation with the boy. I craved crystal blue waters of the beautiful ocean, just staring at them and watching the waves roll in. I craved seeing palm trees with soft sand in my toes.<br />
<br />
So what was it that I was craving about Ethiopia? Was it the desertish land that lacks water in the "non-raining" months? Was it the poverty that you see in the begging woman along the road? Was it The desperation in a mother's eyes to be able to feed her children? Was it the wondering and questioning in the teens we met with, who wondered if their future would be stable? Was it driving on the roads, wondering if we'd get T-boned at any point in time or hit in a head on collision?<br />
<br />
Or was it the beauty in the landscape? The trees that do grow there and their uniqueness? Was it seeing the water from the faucets connected to the well that gives the kids clean water to drink and wash with? Was it the smile and sparkle on the faces of the Ethiopian people when they see a friend? Was it the joy in their voices when they sing? Was it the determination to work and provide? Was it the satisfiedness with the simple things? Was it the gratefulness for small things? Was it the perfect climate? Was it the rolling hills and mountains? Was it the beauty in their faces? Was it the love of the children? Was it our team that I went there with? <br />
<br />
Yes. Yes to all of these things. The good and seemingly bad. I craved it all. I CRAVE it all. But mostly I crave the people. For in the eyes of the people I saw the LORD shining through. In a country that is surrounded by extreme unrest, I saw the joy of the LORD in them. I saw a nation who has so little, filled with so much. I saw their pride in who they are. I crave it all, because when I was there I saw and felt the power of God in all that we did, in all that we saw, in all that we experienced.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to a whole new level. Am I craving Ethiopia? Not really... I'm craving the LORD. And He is the only thing that satisfies. In Isaiah 58 it says, "The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will guide<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18798AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup> you always; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-58-11">he will satisfy your needs<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18798AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup> in a sun-scorched land </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-58-11">and will strengthen<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18798AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></sup> your frame. </span></span><span class="text Isa-58-11">You will be like a well-watered garden, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-58-11">like a spring<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18798AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup> whose waters never fail." Would going to Ethiopia quench my thirst? Maybe, yes, absolutely, for a bit. But will going to the LORD quench it always? Yes, always. He will ALWAYS satisfy, his word tells us that his waters never fail. HIS waters never fail. :) </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-58-11"> </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-58-11"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Poj6vdDXlmo/UwJOMKEqLNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/qOOZYvPmdwo/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Poj6vdDXlmo/UwJOMKEqLNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/qOOZYvPmdwo/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span>Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-55221720943909874502014-01-24T09:24:00.001-06:002014-01-24T09:24:05.557-06:00Their Voices<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can hear their voices in song, greeting us to their school as our bus slowly pulled into Trees of Glory on the dry, crunching gravel. Anticipation of all sorts filled my mind and heart. Will they like us? Will they want to talk with us? What will I say? How will I communicate? I have no idea what they were saying while they were singing, but I could hear them singing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I stuck my head out of the bus window so I could see them and immediately my eyes filled with tears. Huge smiles were plastered to their faces as they “yell sang” for us. We were finally here. We were at Trees of Glory, the first of the two care points we had traveled hours and hours to visit. We were here to love, to teach, to listen, to smile, to share, to hug, to kiss, to hold hands, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I hear their voices sing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-dUi6m--Xo/Ut9L4LS8OeI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/dWUC0rM9Wj4/s1600/IMG_7820+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-dUi6m--Xo/Ut9L4LS8OeI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/dWUC0rM9Wj4/s1600/IMG_7820+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a> </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, as we taught in the classrooms, <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14387">I can hear their voices talk of their troubles when I asked the question, “What problems and issues do you have here in this life?” Soft, quiet voices muttering answers to themselves. Knowing full well that they have a multitude of troubles, I waited for the first hand to rise to give an answer. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“When my dad died.” My mind whirled at this answer, knowing that it would come, but unable to be prepared for it nonetheless. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Car accidents.” Yes, that is a real and true fear of the children attending Kind Hearts School, children who live just outside a city populated by 5 million people; a city that has zero traffic laws. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Being attacked by animals at night.” What a horrible thing for a child to worry about. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Economy problems.” What 8 year old has to worry about such a thing?! </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sickness.” Of course, which child has not had to deal with some sort of major illness in themselves or a close family member. I can hear their voices talk of their troubles. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8o9knJKyxw/Ut9LSfVWacI/AAAAAAAAPyw/UiKxTiIFHc4/s1600/IMG_1185+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8o9knJKyxw/Ut9LSfVWacI/AAAAAAAAPyw/UiKxTiIFHc4/s1600/IMG_1185+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14390"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IS6O0_qyJ0/Ut9LCfC4RwI/AAAAAAAAPx4/-E_u6UmKyX0/s1600/IMG_1174+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IS6O0_qyJ0/Ut9LCfC4RwI/AAAAAAAAPx4/-E_u6UmKyX0/s1600/IMG_1174+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I can hear their voices as we ask our class if they would sing a song for us at the end of a long teaching day. Their voices, somewhat quiet at first, gradually growing louder and louder as they gained confidence and momentum. Seeing our faces filled with joy and excitement, they sang, oh did they sing! </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their teacher, one of our translators, started pulling children from the desks to come and join in the song and dance at the front of the room. The children sang loud and danced with such passion and happiness. I didn’t know what they were saying, but I danced along with them. Later I was told that it was a song about how good the Lord is. The way they sang and danced held both chaos and energy and yet it was organized and peaceful all at the same time. They sang and beat drums and smiled and held hands and we all danced together. I can hear their voices sing out loud. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14395" style="font-family: inherit;">And after ten days with these kids, I can hear their voices as they said “goooodbye!”<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14396"> </span>The time had come to leave this place that I had quickly fallen in love with. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the rolling hills off in the distance. I had fallen in love with the sight of the trees native to Africa . </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the paint colors on the buildings. I had fallen in love with the innovation and determination that the staff at TOG has to deeply love and care for the “orphan and the widow.” </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the beautiful faces of the 200 children whom we were privileged to meet, to love, to attend to. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with seeing just how huge our world is, but just how intimate the Father’s love is for each and every one of His children. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love and now my heart was breaking as we, for the last time on our trip, drove away on that dry, crunching gravel. I can hear their voices say “Goodbye…” </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SL3BCHl_qaw/Ut9P279MpQI/AAAAAAAAP0w/wluqZWXCKss/s1600/IMG_1356+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SL3BCHl_qaw/Ut9P279MpQI/AAAAAAAAP0w/wluqZWXCKss/s1600/IMG_1356+(2).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-26362229338793823522013-12-28T17:10:00.003-06:002013-12-28T17:10:55.954-06:00Today...<div class="MsoNormal">
Today…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I was slotted to wedding dress shop with my sister.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today my sister is sick and we did not wedding dress shop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I took Phia on a mommy/daughter date to get our nails
done and then went shopping. We went
real shopping, like not at a thrift store or a quick run through Target. This is a first for us. It was so fun! We hit up Old Navy, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Colombia</st1:country-region>, Mrs. Field’s and <st1:place w:st="on">Bath</st1:place> and Body Works- good times for us girls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today was a great day for a great 3 mile walk with a great BFF. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I spent a good amount of time on Pinterest which hasn’t
happened in a long time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I want to start a thousand projects around the house
(probably because of the time spent on pinterest), but cannot guarantee that I
will finish any of them, so I will start none.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am thinking about someone close to me who had a
miscarriage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am thinking about the many moms I know who have lost
little ones, whether in utero or after. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today my heart is so sad for them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I went to the chiropractor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I overheard to people at the chiropractor talking
about the scoliosis they had and how it is being corrected.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I had hope, seeing as the 12 degree curvature I
thought I had, is actually a 39 degree curvature. Hmm. Who knew?! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I heard of a bunch of people taking down their
Christmas tree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I thought, “I could NEVER take down my tree before January,”
and I never will. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I looked at my “Ethiopia clock” (the one that sits
just above my oven clock and has Ethiopian time on it from when I was there, so
that JJ & kids would know what time it was for Mom- props to JJ on that
idea! And P.S. it’s not ever coming down) and wondered what my Roza was
doing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today my kids have been really good, playing in and
outside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today JJ is sick and I really wish I had more innate
compassion for him when he is sick. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am wondering questions like, “Why did I get to be
born after Christ was born and died and didn’t live in the time of ‘the law’?” “Why was I born in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.A.</st1:country-region> and not
in some war torn or very impoverished country?”
“Why do I get to experience things like pedicures and shopping with my
daughter?” “How can I be more conscious of others who don’t ever get the luxury
of these things?” “What is next for me
in this journey?” </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today has been a fantastic Saturday.</div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-71589047881497888072013-11-27T15:45:00.000-06:002013-11-27T15:45:11.212-06:00You know you've been in Ethiopia for a long time when...
<br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It
doesn’t surprise you to see a horse standing on the median in the middle
of the road all by itself.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
don’t gasp or scream when you come within a ½ inch from hitting another
vehicle (or even just nick their mirror with yours).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
don’t gasp or scream when you come within a ½ inch or less from hitting a
person walking across the road or maybe even bump into them.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">The
word “ahmesugenalew” rolls off your tongue like it ain’t no thang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
question your coffee if it isn’t as black as the tunnels of the churches
of Lalibela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">When
someone says something to you, you raise your eyebrows and give a little
inhale as your response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
are a pro at squatting over a hole in a cement slab to do your duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
can “Double Double, This This” with the best of ‘em at Kind Hearts!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
haggle with the shop owner over the price of a necklace- 30 birr vs. 40
birr and win!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
know that the goats on the side of the road with a hot pink stripe on them
are ready for market.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
hardly realize that the kids playing with your arm hair have been doing so
for the last 30 minutes. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Your
table mate at dinner (MMM) says he wants to sponsor the waitress because
she’s cute. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
immediately sanitize your hands after handling money.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
start saying, “sprechen Sie Deutch?” so the peddlers will stop trying to
sell you stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
see a goat being slaughtered and instead of being grossed out, you’re
excited that the kids get to eat such an amazing meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">The
van you’re riding in is frequently driving head on with another vehicle,
but you never crash.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">After
you’re done doing your duty, without giving it a second thought, you throw
away your toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it because
“that’s just how it is with Ethiopian plumbing.”</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You
realize when you are home that some of these things, crazy as they are,
are very near and dear to your heart and you wouldn't exchange the experience for anything! </li>
</ol>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-46061058872460966082013-11-01T12:13:00.001-05:002013-11-01T12:21:56.532-05:00Sweet Baby Girl<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Fingers sit still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mind whirling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heart
breaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Body frozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emotions paralyzed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eyes red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nose running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers
spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers screamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers pleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers uttered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers desperate for the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last Saturday I went to an engagement party for a long-time
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a family party, so we
were all invited, but my brood could not come and I went alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another sweet friend also came sans hubby
because he was working, but she was with her two daughters, ages 3 and 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she came in I put out my hands to the
one year old so Mama could run back to the car for a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Handing her over, she said, “She’ll probably
cry, but will be fine when I’m out of sight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I smiled at this sweet girl in my arms and she didn’t utter a peep. She
looked at me and we went to sit down and play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was enthralled with the other kids at the party and the teeny puppy
that was also in attendance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat
with me for about 20 minutes, watching and smiling; soaking it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know, this would be the last
time this sweet face would smile at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Little did I know, this would be the last time that I would hold her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know that the original heartache
I felt at not having my own children with me was a blessing in that I was able
to sit with this sweet one, stroking her hair, playing with the soft curls,
playing with the puppy, laughing at what the other kids were doing because this
would be the last time I would do those things with her. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sweet little Hannah passed away on Wednesday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Mama went into her room and found her
unresponsive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Daddy did CPR on her
right away and they called 911, but it was too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had had pneumonia a couple weeks ago, had
been on the upswing, but then got sick again Tuesday night. She slipped from
this world into Heaven peacefully in her sleep around midnight, the medical
examiner said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I raced to the hospital to be with my friend and what I
watched was one of the most difficult, heart wrenching things I’ve ever, ever
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the ER, Hannah laid in her
mama’s arms while the nurses & social workers painted and inked little
Hannah’s hands for handprints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Daddy
sat next to them holding her Mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was very quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched my dear friend
take a washcloth and wipe the paint from Hannah’s precious little hand. The sight of this was
almost enough to completely break me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This little hand that should be having the finger paints washed from it.
This hand that should be having the sand from the beach washed from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hand that should be having the play-doh
washed from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hand that should be
having the brownies washed from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
hand that should be having the makeup that she was trying to put on
her-big-girl-self washed from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
mama kissed her hand and laid it down, having washed it for the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mama whispered sweet words to her and
they continued to love her.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
These have been some of the most horrid and awful days that
I can recount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can barely complete a
thought in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hurts so
deeply, down in the depths of my heart, that I find it almost impossible to
breathe at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my heart feels this
way, I can’t even imagine what my dear friend’s feels like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
No matter who we are, we find ourselves asking the question
“Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no good answer to the
question “Why? Why God? Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
answer is, “I don’t know,” and that’s ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We want answers because we think it will make us feel better, but it
really won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way we can
ever feel better about the loss of a dear, sweet babe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way that we will ever again see
light, is through the light of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our Heavenly Father is the source of comfort from pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The source of peace from calamity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The source of knowledge during
uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The source of guidance in
the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The source of joy from the
despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But right now pain, calamity,
uncertainty, darkness and despair are what are present at the forefront of our
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now it’s almost impossible
to see beyond those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s
ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s ok to live in that world right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But here’s the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It won’t be like this forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is hope in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus himself said, “I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may
have peace. In this world you will have <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">trouble</span>.
But take <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">heart</span>! I have <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">overcome</span> the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 16:33)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Jesus we can find peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without Him, the search for peace will be a losing battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayers for my friends, for our families, and
for all of us is that we will seek the face of Jesus in this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a parent, when something is going on and I
want to get the attention of my child and when I need them to focus on me in a
time of unsettledness I say to them, “Look at Mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at my eyes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they look at my eyes and keep focused on
my eyes, they are able to listen in an attentive way so that what I’m saying
will sink in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they keep their eyes
on me, together we find calm amidst the chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is just as it is with sweet Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He says to us in this dark hour, “Look at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at my eyes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need look nowhere else but the eyes of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the eyes of Christ, we
will one day find true peace again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-40958045420340631702013-10-24T14:30:00.001-05:002013-10-24T14:30:34.659-05:00Why?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Why are you going?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This question has been posed of me, in reference to my
upcoming mission trip to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
a few times in the past couple weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This question, “Why are you going?” is a very different question than,
“What are you going there to do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
I surely know what our team is going there to do and what I am specifically
going to do, the big question of WHY behind the trip is still a bit of a
mystery to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture here
kids.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am the wife to one husband, a mother to three children, an
Elementary Ministry Director to a couple hundred children, and a housekeeper to
one house among all the other hats I get to put on in a given day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of my life and especially in my
head is normally pandemonium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
worked VERY hard to bring structure, balance, prioritizing and calmness into
our home this fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, in and of
itself, brings stress!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to bring
peace, brings stress!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giminy Crickets! How
twisted is that?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m sure several
of you are laughing at me at this point because of one true fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I. CANNOT. BRING. PEACE. Just not
attainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True peace can only be given
by the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so in the midst of this
revamping of our family life this year there have been many successes and many
failures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh boy… I’m really getting off
on a tangent here and this is not going in the direction I was originally
thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s get back on track, maybe
I’ll come back to those thoughts later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re probably thinking, what kind of a writer are you?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, a jumpy one I guess!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On track, READY! GO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ok, so I wear a lot of hats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m going to add
“missionary” (or maybe we should say, “Global Project Partner” to be
politically correct here) to that pile?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that, “Really
Lord?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>?!”
is a question that was asked by some people close to me and I know that it’s
because they love me and my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back
to that whole, wife, mother, job, home thing…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shouldn’t I just stay put and manage what I have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t I be focusing on my own children,
rather than taking a 15 hour flight to focus on other children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t I be creating lessons for the
Sunday School kids at my home church (for my job!), rather than creating
lessons for kids in <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t I be putting time and effort into my
marriage with my best friend rather than building relationships with others
half way around the globe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t
I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t I? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I should
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe</i> is only what the world thinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This journey across the globe has been
nothing but peaceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I told my
mother-in-law about going, “I can’t even say this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feels</i> right. It <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IS</i></b> right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, that beyond a shadow of a doubt, that
God has called me to do this, has called me to GO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not know <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i></b> He has called me to
do this, but I know He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i></b> and that’s all I need to know
for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is sovereign, His timing is
impeccable, His plan is perfect and His love & mercy are immeasurable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are great things and I’m going to cling
to those truths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-44248246790217869352013-08-13T12:18:00.003-05:002013-08-13T12:18:51.869-05:00And it just got really real
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">I’m
a leavin’ on a jet plane… Sing it with me now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I DO know when I’ll be back again (Lord willing of
course).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a huge leap of faith
yesterday and actually bought my airline tickets for…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">ETHIOPIA</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whaaaaaa????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the hugest
tourist and vacation destination, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me back up a bit for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll go all the way back to the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">Several
months back, I can’t even pinpoint an exact time, there were many things in my
life that kept pointing to one word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
word kept popping up and I wasn’t sure why or what I was supposed to do with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word was “<st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a long time I thought about it and (to be
honest) prayed only a little about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But “<st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>” kept coming up and
stirring in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let it sit there
and simmer for quite a while as I know God wasn’t ready to let me know why He
was bringing it up yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">In
April of this year our church hosted it’s first “Chosen” Sunday where we
focused on those in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The priority
was placed on any person in need from our own church family, to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Buffalo</st1:place></st1:city> community, and to
the entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had people come to
represent the different organizations they worked & volunteered for such as
our local Crisis Nursery, Compassion International, the Buffalo Food Shelf and
Children’s HopeChest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also heard
testimonies and personal stories from people in our congregation who have been
foster parents, child sponsors, and from others who have adopted children of
their own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">As
I listened to one gal, Karen, talk about her experience with adopting their two
sons from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and also about the organization that she works with, something grabbed hold of
my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The impulsive part of me
wanted to jump up and run to the nearest adoption agency and say, “I want to
adopt a child who needs a Daddy & Mommy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right now!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I knew that that
wasn’t God’s plan for us and that I needed to just pray and wait until God let
me know what He wanted me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started really thinking and praying about the next step God wanted us to take
as a family and I was pretty sure about what it was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to talk to Jeremiah about it and so I
said, “Honey, I’ve been thinking,” to which he replied with, “Uh oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled and continued, “What do you think
about adopting?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just stared at me
blankly until I felt enough time had gone by for him to feel sufficiently
freaked out and said, “Too much?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok,
well then how about sponsoring a child from Children’s HopeChest in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region> that
Karen was talking about a few Sundays ago?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children’s HopeChest (CHC) is an organization that our church has been in
a growing relationship with for the past couple years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah was on board right away, and was
probably relieved that I wasn’t serious about adopting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">In
just a couple short days we were the proud sponsor family to Zekir, a little
kindergartener who attends <st1:placename w:st="on">Kind</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Hearts</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype>
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
through CHC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our children were excited
about “our new buddy Zekir” and were thrilled when we got to go to the store
and pick out gifts to send directly to him via one of the mission teams going
to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
a few days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">Shortly
after all of this I had been praying about what God was doing and what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i></b>
was supposed to be doing when out of the blue, at a garage sale, my friend
Julie said, “Do you want to go to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region> with me in November?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kind of just stood there and all I could
get out was, “Yes. Maybe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">I
started praying if THIS was what God was leading me towards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked with Jeremiah and he was fully on
board if this is what God was asking of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I talked with Karen and got my name on the waiting list (waiting list
for a mission trip… what a FABULOUS problem to have!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just prayed that God would reveal the plan
and let me know how to be obedient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was, surprisingly, very patient in waiting for Him to give me the answer and on
June 27<sup>th</sup> He said, “Go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
so here I am, planning to be a part of a mission team to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region> in
November, 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there, we will
work with the children at two of the care-points that CHC has- Kind Hearts
& Trees of Glory Schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of
these care-points serves to educate, feed, clothe, provide medical care and
clean water, and come along side families (if the children have one) in raising
up children in this very poverty stricken region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have the privilege of working 3 full
days at each care-point, teaching and loving the children there, and also get
the awesome opportunity to meet Zekir and his family!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">From
the time I was in ninth grade and went on my first mission trip, service &
mission projects have had a special place in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hasn’t always seemed logical or felt like
it was going to work out in the way that I thought it should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I know that God is bigger than my
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is working in
Ethiopia, the mountains of West Virginia, the hills of Wyoming, the plains of
North Dakota, the inner city in Minneapolis, or in lil’ ol’ Buffalo, God has
called me to care for and love those less fortunate in very real and practical ways. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calisto MT";">If
you feel so inclined and have a spare minute or two, would you please pray for
me and the team that will be traveling November 14-25, 2013 to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ethiopia</st1:place></st1:country-region>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that God would be smooshing and
squishing our hearts so that we feel the burden of the kiddos and families we
get to serve over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for safety
among the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for all logistical
things to fall directly in line with where they should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for health and that our tummies can
easily handle the food that will be different to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for energy, perseverance, and
stamina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for peace for our families
back at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that God’s Word and
His love would be so evident in all we do that the children and families we are
serving won’t be able to miss it and that they will feel the Love of God deep
within their hearts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-42174045197289770072013-06-06T17:27:00.001-05:002013-06-06T17:27:18.211-05:00Earth Shattering Calls from God... Errrr not...
I wrote this awhile ago, but it was in the last MOPS newsletter and it was a good reminder to myself. Especially with summer coming up! Enjoy! <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
It was an amazing weekend filled
with amazing women, amazing speakers, and amazing sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give you a better feel… it was… well…
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Hearts at Home” conference
had wrapped up and I was filled to the brim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord had certainly shown up as thousands of moms converged on the
Rochester Civic Center for 24 hours of worship, fellowship, eating, chatting, learning,
shopping and growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard
incredible words of encouragement from Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, we laughed
until we had tears streaming down our faces from listening to a hysterical improv
trio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord was blessing us in
immeasurable ways, allowing us to be filled with His Glory!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The following week as I was looking
back on this high experience I had so many ideas and thoughts floating in my
head that I didn’t know how to begin to process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a note taker I thought that my first
line of duty would be to spend some time reading through and re-copying my
notes, in fun colors and nicer handwriting for easy access of future reference
of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Side note on that… As I’m
writing this, I went to go grab my notes to look them over, only to realize
that I really have NO CLUE where I put them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had re-written my notes and had about 4,936
things that I was going to put into action as a Christ-follower, a wife, a
mother, a Children’s Ministry worker, a friend, and as a homemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had gone to sessions about relationships
with close friends, listened to speakers talk about organization and learning
to “FLY” (Finally Love Yourself), watched as women spoke of heartache and past
regrets turned to an intense desire to impress a love for God on their
children’s hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready to hit
it, head on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh wait… I should probably
pray about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a tendency to
bite off a lot to chew, so I figured I should seek the Father’s guidance on
this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I sat before Him with these
words, “Lord, what an awesome weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have blessed me with an indescribable weekend and there is so much
that I have taken away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, lead me to
the steps that you want me to take in my life that will glorify You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help me to listen to Your voice and know the
things you want me to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was armed
and ready to be Super Wife, Super Mom, and Super Christian!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready to listen, for He was sure to
give me great direction and clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, I had just spent a weekend gulping up every sweet word like
honey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sure enough, the Lord spoke!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is what He said, “Clean off your
kitchen island countertop.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Umm. What?!
Surely I was just being distracted by things in my house and I was not focusing
on His bold words to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok Lord, I’m listening,”
I prayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time as I felt more
focused, He was louder and clearer and He said, “CLEAN OFF YOUR KITCHEN ISLAND
COUNTERTOP!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That IS what you said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ummmm, ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I set to the task of cleaning off the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure I was putting everything away in
the spots they needed to go, not just moving junk around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all cleaned off and I approached the
throne again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Done Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s next?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Keep it clean,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“WHAT?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know that I just
went to this incredible conference with nationally known speakers, ONE WHO HAS
19 KIDS NONETHELESS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ready to take
on big things Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, lay it on
me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again He said, “Just keep your
counter clean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I rolled with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I had to admit that if this
was all He wanted me to do for now, then I got off easy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
After several days of guarding my
precious, clean island like an armored soldier, I realized just why the Lord
had called me to this task. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After many
days I saw just how this island was becoming our meeting grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each afternoon, my older kids would come home
from school, come into the kitchen where I would have a snack waiting for them
on the island (previously, they’d just rummage through the pantry to find
something to grab) and we would all congregate around chatting over the day,
talking about what they had for lunch, what happened at recess, who interrupted
the teacher and got in trouble, what people had for show-and-tell, and so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God desires for us to reach the
hearts of our children for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Communication (and good snacks!) are a central way to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they know that we are safe, that they
can come to us, when they have open lines of communication with us to talk
about whatever it is they need to talk about, then we as parents have the
extreme privilege of being the place where faith is caught, rather than only
taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can show our real selves to
them just as they do with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Our kitchen island is becoming a place of centrality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s becoming a place that I hold dear to my
heart as a place where relationships with our family are built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God told me to clean off my counter, I
was almost offended, like He was disgusted with the cleanliness of my
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that wasn’t it at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was giving me the opportunity to capture
the hearts of my children for His glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And for that, I’ll be eternally grateful for the
soul-saving-earth-shattering-mission-driven charge of… cleaning my countertop.
;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-49610557959903439042013-03-18T10:29:00.002-05:002013-03-18T10:29:27.998-05:00BransonBack from Branson! <br />
It was a great, great trip that was given to us by my mom and dad for Christmas! My kiddos and I (because Jeremiah didn't have enough vacation time) drove down with my brother Richie & his girlfriend Melissa. We met my parents there, along with my sister Gina & her boyfriend Chase. <br />
Some highlights from the trip were:<br />
* Go-karting on a super fun track (that had a 4 level twirly ramp)<br />
* Swimming in the pool everyday!<br />
* Going to Build-a-Bear and the kids getting their own animals<br />
* Eating out at a couple great places with great food<br />
* Spending good time with family (especially Gina & Chase)<br />
* Walking on a beautiful day at Table Rock Lake<br />
* Cake and Cream 50's ice cream shoppe!! <br />
* Driving up and down the main strip which looks kind of like a family-friendly Vegas strip. Saw things like "Ripley's Believe it or Not" building that looks like it's cracked in half, the Hollywood Wax museum that has a fake Empire State Building with King Kong on it, The Titanic Museum that looks like the front of the Titanic, driving by "our little country church" which always make the kids giggle because it's really actually huge, driving by The Track go-karting places which has multiple locations and they'd get so excited to see the one we went to. <br />
* The church we went to on Sunday was a great experience and I'm so proud of my kiddos who sat through the 2 1/2 hour service and did really great. <br />
* Having cable and getting to introduce my kids to "Full House," my absolute favorite show as a kid and seeing that they equally loved it and wanted to know why it wasn't still on! :) Great family values show. <br />
* The weather was sunny the whole time and really warm and great on Thursday and Friday.<br />
* My kids do really great with road trips and I'm so happy about that. I keep it fun and fresh. We had a little "How Close Are We?" indicator: I made a little picture of MN and put it on one side of the van, then tied a string over to the other side where there was a picture of Missouri. I printed off a picture of a van like ours, put it on the string, and moved it so the kids could see how far we'd traveled and how close we were. We got lots of library books, a couple library movies, had Roadtrip Bingo, bought a handful of Dollarstore gifts and wrapped them up for the kids to open when they were being really good. I had "Branson Binders" for them with paper and markers in them to color on and a whiteboard with Scrabble tiles that had magnets for Jonah and Phia to "play" scrabble with. <br />
I also let them pack a little backpack of stuff they wanted to play with. They each had their own snack bin with snacks in it. Whenever they'd ask for a snack, I let them have one from their bin. I didn't have to go digging for one for them and they were able to have as they pleased :) <br />
* My absolute FAVORITE was going to see "Joseph" (not the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat version). It was SUCH an amazing musical, beautifully written and performed. Part of the cool part of this is that I'm reading the book "How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph" and to see this show that depicts Joseph, his story and his relationship with God put everything into a very cool perspective. <br />
<br />
It was a wonderful, wonderful trip and none of us wanted to come home! That's the sign of a great time! <br />
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-29477401060839866952013-02-19T18:19:00.000-06:002013-02-19T22:16:10.181-06:00When God Doesn't Get the MemoShe pulled me aside and said, "I'm pregnant." Wide-eyed, I rejoiced with her! This was a surprise and wasn't an expected pregnancy, the other three hadn't come as easily. She seemed to have an apprehension right off the bat. Joyful and in awe of God's work, yes she was, but an uneasiness that I couldn't place my finger on. <br />
<br />
A couple weeks later, I placed my finger. The doctors noticed some abnormalities on the ultrasound and after a few days/weeks of testing, it was determined that their baby girl would have Downs Syndrome. They embraced this challenge as a blessing and proceeded forward with careful, watchful eyes of the doctors. Each week went by and we prayed fervently for this baby girl that would join us in February. I prayed for perfect health for the baby, leaving whatever that looked like, up to God. But I felt Him say to me to pray for no Downs. So I proceeded, awkwardly, because I knew that they were embracing this and were ok with it. I wondered if they'd be upset with me for praying this, but like I said, I believe that God wanted this prayer from me and I have to follow Him first. I prayed that she would be the picture of health and wellness. <br />
<br />
On the 15th of February she made her debut into our world! The first night was good, but things slowly slipped downward. She was very jaundiced, but that issue paled in comparison to being diagnosed with a condition called Transient Abnormal Myelopoiesis. It is only present in some babies with Down Syndrome. It mimics leukemia and can require some of the same treatment. My mind reeled! My heart sank! Leukemia?! In a 1 day old, 5 pound baby? How is this even possible? As if the road wasn't rocky enough with the challenges of Downs Syndrome. Now chemotherapy would be administered to this teeny baby... I shuddered at the thought. <br />
<br />
I was mad. I was angry. I was confused. I felt neglected. I felt like my prayers did nothing. I felt desperate for my friends and their family. I had prayed for perfect health and felt like God gave her the complete antithesis of health. Really God? REALLY?! Were you listening to me AT ALL? <br />
<br />
I needed to pull up the bootstraps and get over myself. I needed to pray for these new developments. One problem. I was still mad at Him. I wasn't really on... how shall we say it... speaking terms with the Man Upstairs. It's like when husband & wife are in a fight. You know that you need to talk and communicate the issues, but you just need time. Sometimes you look at the other, knowing that you need to talk it through, but just can't, just not yet. It was like that. I would start to pray and just couldn't. I'd give an irritated sigh and walk away from the conversation, arms folded and pouty faced. <br />
<br />
Exasperated, I said "Ok Lord. I just need a verse to give to my friend. I'm going to flip open this book, 'Streams in the Dessert'." The verse for that date was Mark 11:24, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Well if that isn't just a nice little mixture of salt and sand in the wound I don't know what is!!! OUCH. I felt like I got punched in the gut. Or hit by a Mac truck. Or slapped across the face by Barney or Marshall on "How I Met Your Mother." Or chopped off at the knees. Ok, I think you get the picture. It stung. Those weren't the words of comfort I was looking for. Madder than a wet hen, I walked away from the book and said, "That wasn't it Lord, try again." Thankfully, He obliged.<br />
<br />
"Psalm 23," He said. "Really Lord," I said, "That's pretty generic, everyone uses that verse, it doesn't feel very special." (Oh my arrogance... God's Word... Not special? Man am I a jerk) But it kept coming back to me. Then I received an email from a friend about this situation and she said, "I just have kept coming back to the mindset that God's character does not change, regardless of the circumstances that He allows to happen. I have been studying the 23rd Psalm and have been so amazed at the idea that we will walk through the darkest valley, but we have nothing to fear, for God is with us. He may not spare us the trip through that valley, but will be our rod and staff, there to comfort us, protect us and reassure us of His presence! God is exceedingly generous and faithful, even when we are not so inclined!" <br />
<br />
Ok. Message received. 10-4 Good Buddy. I remembered a video I had recorded of Aphia last year and thought, "Maybe the Word of God, spoken by a [then] 4 year old are the Words we need to hear." I listened to this and cried. God's Word is true. God's Word is right. God's Word is alive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LQ-EMlw21_8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQ-EMlw21_8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LQ-EMlw21_8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
I went back to that verse in Mark that I had read earlier. I read the rest of the devotional, and it talked about a little boy knowing that his grandma would come through on a promise she made to him. Even while the mother was in doubt of it happening, the grandma was working it out on her own. The promise came, just as she had said it would, not exactly how the mom and boy had expected, but better. She came through and the boy was victorious in his faithfulness to grandma. And so it is with God. He's working it out, while we are waiting. It doesn't always go as we expect. It doesn't always go as we want. He doesn't promise that we won't walk through the valley (of the shadow of death nonetheless!!). But He does promise that He will be with us to comfort us and bring us through the valley. <br />
<br />
Through it all He reminded me that He is always there. He's always listening to me, but just as a good parent, he doesn't always give me what I want. I can be a whiney, stomping foot, bratty little girl, and He just shrugs and says, "Have your pity party, you know that my promises never fail. You know that I'm always here. You know that I'm waiting for you to come on back and be real with me. I'm not worried about your stubbornness and selfishness, you're my daughter and I'm waiting here with open arms for when you're ready." <br />
<br />
I listened to the words of a Chris Tomlin song as it washed over me in the car on a snowy, windy, dark night, <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind, there's no one like you, none like You!<br />
Into the darkness you shine, out of the ashes we rise, there's no one like you none like You!<br />
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.<br />
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?<br />
And if our God is with us, then what could stand agains?.<br />
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?<br />
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?<br />
What could stand against?"</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I felt an unbelievable honor and priviledge to be a child of the most powerful God. A God that is SO big, Master of the Universe, and yet He stands next to me, waiting for me and wanting me to fall into His strong arms so that I don't have to pretend to be strong anymore. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-80339885938507704412013-02-13T14:08:00.001-06:002013-02-13T14:08:26.603-06:00TidbitsHello Blogger... It's been a while huh? Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Life, ya know.<br />
<br />
I don't have anything big & grand to post today, but a bunch of little & mediocre things. So if you want to plod through, be my guest :)<br />
<br />
-It's the day before Valentine's Day and the kiddos and I are going to finish up their cards for their friends. We tried to stay away from giving out candy, but decided on each card getting two Life Savers with the card saying, "Valentine, We are two of a kind!" The "o's" are the Life Savers. <br />
<br />
-I'm looking forward to our trip down to Branson, MO with my parents & two of my siblings (and their SO's) in less than a month. I don't think I'm going to make my goal of losing 8 pounds by then. <br />
<br />
-On said trip to Branson, we will be leaving at 3:00 a.m. and I love, love, love driving at this time of the morning when it's dark and quiet. No music, no radio, just a van full of slumbering people, my thoughts, and my Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. <br />
<br />
-I am going to be working full time for 8 weeks this spring/summer. I am excited and dreading this all at the same time. I'm excited because I love my job and it will be very exciting! I'm dreading it because it's the beginning of summer and I'll miss that time with my kids. But at the end of the 8 weeks we are going to FAMILY CAMP!!!!!!!!! We're going to a camp in northern Wisconsin with friends of ours and I am SO EXCITED!! I LOVE (I cannot write LOVE big enough here) camp. I had dreams and visions of owning a camp when I was younger. We'll be taking our pop-up camper and staying in that, but we'll be spending our time eating every single meal in the dining hall. Mama doesn't have to think about cooking or doing the cooking for a WHOLE WEEK! This is the icing on the cake. <br />
<br />
-JJ & I are helping to facilitate a parenting class at church and participating in it, the other weeks. It's called Swimming Upstream 101. Parenting a child to have values, morals and a Biblical foundation today is completely counter cultural... Thus Swimming Upstream! The video series we're watching (and reading the book to go along with it) is called Visionary Parenting and it is absolutely, hands down, phenomenal material. More on all of this in a later post. <br />
<br />
-A very, very dear friend of mine is due to have her 4th baby in about 2 weeks. I am anxiously awaiting this beautiful girl, because I KNOW that God has and is working miracles in her life already!<br />
<br />
-Soccer sign ups for summer is happening soon. Both kids want to play again. Jonah was very enthusiastic about wanting to play (the more... how shall we say it in a nice way? "Relaxed" player of the two). Aphia was actually a little reluctant (the more... aggressive & cognizant player of the two). <br />
I loved watching both of them play last year- a stark difference from watching t-ball the two years prior (it might have been more fun to try to pluck each toe nail off one by one). <br />
<br />
-Today, Isaiah was the red Power Ranger and his name was Sam. On Sunday when I went to pick him up from Sunday school, he was not there, but I was delighted to be able to pick up Superman. We are trying to find a nice happy medium of imaginging and playing pretend (which he is VERY good at) and not telling all out lies (which he is getting good at). <br />
<br />
-My new nephew Ryan Jr., who I would like to call RJ but I haven't cleared that with my SIL, is 3 weeks old. He has found his voice. He is stressing out my SIL and I'm praying for him and her. Those early days can be so touch and go. It's all new and a learning process. It's exhausting. <br />
<br />
-JJ is amazing these days. I keep thanking God for the man that he is to our family. Just like everyone, we go through ups and downs, that's life. But I love to ride the ups and downs with him. With him the ups don't go as high and the downs don't go down too far. I like that he keeps us pretty steady. I'm not always the most even keeled person don'tchaknow. <br />
<br />
So that's what's happening in Kruger Land these days. I hope you are well and making it through the winter. Today we are one day closer to spring than we were yesterday! Yahoo! Peace out y'all. <br />
<br />
Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3269744060909807794.post-20971268013275972832012-11-16T15:27:00.000-06:002012-11-16T15:58:24.802-06:00The post where I go all "capsy"I don't mean to be a complete Debby Downer here... but well that's exactly what I'm going to be. <br />
The past two weeks I feel like I've been BOMBARDED with how full of crap and trash our society is. <br />
<br />
We all know I wasn't thrilled with the outcome of the Presidential election, but that's basically the least of it. <br />
<br />
1. I'm saddened that just because of how people "feel," our state is deciding that they can leave the door open to changing the definitions of words if they want to. What?! Who does that? A spade is a spade is a spade is a spade. A spade is not a heart. A spade is not a diamond. It's....wait for it... a spade. There are reasons it's a spade. There are origins of it being a spade. And just because society says, "We kinda want a spade to now be a spade AND a heart," doesn't mean that we make it both. If peeps want to make up another word for this thing that's a spade & heart- go for it. <br />
<br />
2. The states of Colorado and Washington decide that recreational marijuana is now legal. Again what?! And how does that fit in with the fact that (I believe) it's federally illegal. All you Colorado snowboarders can now be high on the mountains, but if you want to drink soda in NY- think twice! <br />
<br />
3. I just read an article about transgendered people being allowed in locker rooms with the gender that they identify with. WHAT?! So now if I bring my daughter (who is a female, born with female genitalia) into the women's locker room with me so that we can change to go into the pool at the gym, she can be faced with a grown male's genitalia??? That's disgusting! And LIKE I want to see some other-than-my-husband's junk! YEAH RIGHT! EW. And who says that all these transgendered people (I don't even know if I'm supposed to call them men or women- how whacked out is that?!) who identify as women, but have male parts are actually being truthful? What about the CREEPY CREEPY pedophile who wants to go in and see little girls (or a dude who wants to see grown women) naked? AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I want to pull my hair out. <br />
<br />
4. Another article I just started reading included a pamphlet from International Planned Parenthood. It made my want to BARF. It talked about the sexuality of "young people." I thought, "How young are these people? 18-21? 18-25?" NOPE. These "young people" are not even adults. Our society says that minors (and even adults ages 18-21) cannot consume alcohol, BUT they should be able to express themselves sexually in any way they want as long as the other person is ok with it??? This is BOGUS. We don't let people under 21 drink booze because they can't handle the consequences. THEY AREN'T MATURE ENOUGH. But we think that young people, under the age of 18, are mature enough to make smart choices about having sex??? OH. MY. GOODNESS. How dilisional is our society? There are SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOO many consequences to "exploring sexuality" no matter what age, let alone some kid whose hormones are already going nuts and can hardly even make a clear & wise decision on what clothes to wear. My heart hurts at the thought that people think this is wise. <br />
Should we talk about sexuality to our young people? OF COURSE. ABSOLUTELY. Should we encourage them to go explore it and try it out and see how it feels at these young ages? NO WAY. How stupid are people that they believe this is a good idea? As a parent, I'm OUTRAGED.<br />
I am SO sick and sad that my kids are going to grow up in a world that tells them these HUGE lies. That there aren't really consequences for our actions and even if there are, there's always an easy fix or "solution" to them. Sad. Sad. Sad. <br />
<br />
5. Finally. I was just watching "Katie" and she had Dr. Phil on the show- who I generally like. She also had this other guy on who founded some website for people who are married who want to have affairs. He said that there was a market for it because the other dating websites had 30% of people on there that were married already. First of all, that's sick. Second of all, you're going to capitalize on that?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!?!?! And he thinks that THIS is not going to tear down the structure of marriage and family? What a complete idiot! <br />
The dude said that so many affairs were committed on Monday mornings because so many weekends were filled with unmet expectations. Probably true. I believe it. But WHAT IN THE H.E.DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS happened to personal responsibility? How about instead of always focusing on ones own expectations not being met, trying to meet the expectations of the other? How about being the FIRST one to turn the marriage around? How about being the FIRST one to take the step towards a spouse instead of waiting for THEM? What happened to "change starts with me"? Marriages around the globe fail because of pure selfishness.<br />
<br />
Love starts as a feeling, a super awesome, amazing feeling. But it often times turns to the mature choice that people make when the initial feeling goes away or seems less than brilliant anymore. We make the choice to show love, even when it doesn't seem to come naturally. THAT is what love is!!! It's choosing to put the other person's wants, needs, desires in front of our own or even in front of our own "what I would or wouldn't normally do." Sometimes I really don't want to stay up and watch a movie with my man because I'm super tired, but guess what, he really likes it when I sit next to him, snuggled up to watch a movie. So I watch the movie and snuggle up by him. Sometimes I get really excited about something and he (in case you didn't know) doesn't always show excitement in the same way that I do. But he knows that when he pretends to get all giddy and excited it makes me smile and laugh so he does it... for me... because he knows it makes me feel loved and attended to.<br />
<br />
Wake up world. Things that "feel" good are not always the right things. Truth is... the right thing is always THE thing to do. Sometimes we need to go against the grain of what "feels" right and and do what IS right. <br />
<br />
Ok, now that my blood pressure is probably 190/100 I need to relax and go enjoy a lil Curious George with my lil buddy who just woke up from his nap. Kruger Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12037274805147481337noreply@blogger.com2