The Scooter

This is the story of how a scooter, a mode of transportation meant to ease the stress of high gas prices and commuter frustrations, becomes the thing that pushes you to the edge.

So the story starts as most stories of people intereted in purchasing a scooter start: Vince and I were looking to be economically responsible and thought, "Hey you only communte around town, why not get a scooter?" (Vince would argue the conversation was not pricisely as this, which is partially true. I was against the idea, until I realized that gas prices were going to kill our budget.)

So we got a scooter. We had the money to pay cash for it and decided to get the cheapest one in order to pay more towards our debt. (Great idea, right?! We thought so.) However, the second we got home with our recent purchase, we realized this scooter was immediately our enemy. We were not friends.

After weeks of wondering if the scooter was going to start we came to a pinnacle in our relationship with the piece of metal on wheels, otherwise known as the scooter. The strain on our relationship and lives was not worth keeping it.

It sat on its two wheels, refusing to start. (I think it was laughing at us, surely by now). This was the final straw. We kicked that piece of metal on wheels to the curb! You're probably thinking we would just get a car...well not so fast. We liked the idea of a scooter and knew if we invested the money in a better more qualified scooter our pocketbooks would still be free of too much stress.

We bought a more reliable scooter, but the old one definitely taught us some valuable life lessons....

1. Never buy anything Chinese

2. Never think you're saving money by simply spending the least amount on the cheapest option. (The saying "You get what you pay for" sneaks up on you)

3. Don't be afraid to make an investment (for safety and for your sanity)

4. Never let something you've purchased get the best of you. Machines should not dictate your emotions or the quality of your life.

Going to the Chapel....

After 9 months of planning and waiting the day finally came when my dad walked me down the aisle in my white wedding dress to the man who I will love, cherish, respect, and adore for the rest of my life, my best friend, my prince charming, my husband!



I have dreamed of my wedding ever since I was a little girl. Those childhood fairytale fantasies of wedding bells and white dresses became a reality for me. Our wedding day was perfect, even the rain made for a wonderful and beautiful day. It went by so quickly, I couldn't believe how fast it zipped by. It was so much fun and everything I had ever dreamed it would be. Laughing, dancing, tears, and joy filled our reception.



There was not one moment of my entire day that I did not enoy, it was all so special and everyone who made it possible and put all the decorations together did such an amazing job.



I made a promise that day that I would not try and take over, I would not tell people what to do, I would let people do what I asked them to do without micro-managing....and you know what, I did exactly what I promised to do. I think because of that, because I chose to let go and let others help out and put things together it made my day that much more special.

Who am I?

It's your 80th birthday party. The cake is being brought out as everyone around you beings to sing "Happy Birthday." Your gaze meanders around the room; family and friends surround you. As you meet the gaze of the many familiar faces you begin to think back at the connection that was once made between the two of you. Whether its family or friends, your connections are different and vary from person to person. Despite the difference of connections, the same question sparks the question, What kind of legacy did you leave? What lasting impression do all these people have of you?



You hope most of the answers to those questions are positive and the impact you made was genuine. However, despite the positive thinking, you realize it probably wasn't always that way. Did they truly forgive you for that harsh thing you said, for that sarcastic remark that may have cut much deeper than you thought, or for that unintentional gesture that offended.



How often do we do or say something without thinking? If we were to place ourselves in the position of the person celebrating their 80th birthday, what would your answers to those questions be? What would your questions be?



I look back on my life now and wonder what impression I've made thus far. What type of person do people think I am? Do they see Christ in me and through me? Am I the woman I am called to be?

6 Impossible Things before Breakfast

If you've seen the new Alice in Wonderland, this concept originated from that movie. It's a great concept at that too! What are those things in our lives that we want to accomplish but feel like they are never going to happen? What is that one thing you want to do but never feel you have the time, money, resource, etc. to achieve it? What are those things we want in our lives that we simply write off as impossible?

"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'" Luke 18:27

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

I was challenged to think of my six impossible things (some may have more than six, but focus only on six of them). Then write them down. Then pray about them every morning before breakfast. We get what we emphasize, so praying for those six impossible things before breakfast focuses you attention on what matters to your heart.

Because we've written those things off as impossible, how BIG is your God?

Here are my six impossible things:

1. Out of debt by our 1 year anniversary
2. Ready to buy a house by our 2 year anniversary
3. Write a book
4. Backpacking through Europe with Vince
5. Go to Israel and tour the Holy Land
6. Be part of or put on a conference/seminar for victims of sexual abuse.

With the Click of a Camera

The past few months we've been part of a few photoshoots with some of our now dear friends. Kamee Nuzman (www.jameejune.com) and Katrine Kirk (www.kitschbykat.blogspot.com). Here's a sample of what we've been up to..................

Swallow Your Pride

The most valuable lessons we learn in life are not always the easiest. Learning to swallow your pride and grow from a situation takes discipline and a humility that not everyone is able to attain. I love the saying “God loves to mold us, but He’ll chisel if He must.” This rings so true in our lives by the way God is constantly molding us to become the person we are called to be, but when we face something about ourselves that needs to be drastically changed, God will chisel away at us. It hurts, it’s painful, it’s not something enjoyable, but at the end of the day you know it’s for the better.

I’ve faced a range of emotions in this season of my life. I’m changing and God is the one changing me. He’s chiseling away and I’m enduring and persevering because that’s what God has called me to do. I don’t want to be stuck in one way of doing things and not willing to waver from learned behaviors. I have to unlearn and then relearn. Rather than focus on the negative aspects and the things that would bring me down, I’m focusing on the future and focusing on where God is leading me.

When we are incapable of learning and growing we are incapable of leading. Our leadership is limited by our willingness to change and grow; if we are not growing we are dying.

A debrief from Kenya

As I ventured to Kenya for a second time this year, the emotions I felt were different. I was not overwhelmed with the smells or the scene of poverty overrunning the streets of the slums. I noticed, more prominently this year than last, was HOPE. The children at the schools are filled with so much hope, so much optimism of their future. They dream dreams larger than most American children: Pilots, teachers, neurosurgeons, aeronautical engineers, doctors, nurses, and more.

So many dreams that need filling; how do we help them, how do we improve their situation, is there anything we can do? I saw first-hand how much we can do. God gives us all the resources and abilities we need to help. Most of the time it requires us to be passionate about something and have the discipline to learn more about what's going on and how to help.

“The great miracle and mystery of God is that he calls me and you to be a part of what he is doing in history. He could, of course, with no help from us proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with lifeless stones, feed the entire world with five loaves and two fish, heal the sick with the hem of his garment and release all the oppressed with his angels. Instead God has chosen us-missionaries, agricultural engineers, doctors, lawyers, lawmakers, diplomats and all those who support, encourage and pray for them-to be his hands in doing those things in the world that are important to him.” Good New about Injustice by Gary A. Haugen