No More Football!

A couple weeks ago, during practice, Alex got hurt.
He came home and Duane iced his knee and we gave him Advil. That was two weeks ago, and it was not getting better, only worse.
On Sunday, he started really complaining and even shed tears (that means it is bad!!), so Duane wanted him to get checked out.
I took him into the doctor this morning. After x-rays, he was diagnosed with a Medial Meniscus Tear.
Dr. Wells said, "No more football!"
He has to go to physical therapy for four weeks, and then we will see how he is doing. We would appreciate your prayers, that this will heal, without surgery!

Autumn Apple Cake & Caramel Sauce

Cake:

4 cups apples, chopped
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup pecans (optional)

Mix apples, sugar, and applesauce together. Add eggs. Sift dry ingredients and add to apple mixture. Add vanilla and nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup butter
1 egg

Mix together in a saucepan, and cook on medium heat stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Be careful not to cook it on high as it scorches easily.
Enjoy!

Becoming a Doula

Doula.....A non-medical assistant in childbirth. A doula is not the father but is a woman who is experienced in childbirth. The role of the doula is to provide the mother with physical and emotional assistance before, during, or after childbirth. Also known as a birth assistant, birth companion, childbirth assistant, or labor support professional.

I am in the beginning process of becoming just what you read above! I have been doing a lot of research, reading and praying, as I decide if this is where God is leading me! It is all very much in the "new" phase, and I have much to do, to actually become a professional Doula.

In my lifetime, I have attended eight births, and had three of my own! That does not make me a pro, but it does confirm that this is something that I REALLY want to do! I recently attended the birth of a very close friend, and was absolutely certain that I was right were I should be!

There are several doors currently opening for me, and today I found out that I am going to be attending another birth in about 5 weeks...only this time, it will be a training experience for me! I will actually be working along-side a Certified Doula.

If you think about it, just help me pray that it will all work out for God's glory. I want to be a vessel that He can use, no matter what it is I am doing!
I must say that I am excited!

Women of Faith Trip to Portland, Oregon!

Talisha and Tina

The Creek near the Falls

Dinner at "Salty's on The Columbia"

I woke up early Sunday Morning, to see Talisha watching "Church" in the dark..had to take a picture!!

Going to the Liberty Concert...My Mom, Cher, Talisha, Jolene, Kristi and Tina

Multnomah Falls

This looks like a cover picture for a CD...can't remember the name that Anita gave it! I love them all...I feel rich in friends!!

Cher...my sister!

Kristi....my sister!

Some of us at the WOF Conference
(There was an usher woman, that was not favorable toward me for some reason...I took one picture, like we do every year, and she came rushing towards me, threatening to take my camera away if I took another picture. She watched the section we were in like a hawk for the entire event! She said that picture taking was not allowed, which none of us knew...we truly didn't! I tried to ask her a question about flash cameras, and she thought I was arguing with her....must have been a bad day/week/month/year for her!)

I very carefully snuck one picture of Mandisa for my girls!

Dinner at Salty's

Tina, Anita and I...I love these girls!

Jolene and my Mom.....These were the "Grandma's" of the bunch, but they are darling and oh so young looking! :) I can't imagine my life without these two! One is my mother, the other is my mentor, and they both are my encouragers! Between the two of them, I am loved and prayed for on a daily basis!

I know that compared to other years, I didn't get enough pictures. I can only say that being sick the entire trip, caused me to not engage my brain enough to take a lot of pictures. I was the "driver" while we were in Portland, and that was about all I could focus on!
Although I was under the weather...I had a great time!!!

Women of Faith 2008

INFINITE GRACE CONFERENCE 2008

"And God is able to make grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
11 Corinthians 9:8

I have been asked to review the conference speakers and musicians for those who where not able to attend this year, so I thought I would share that with everyone. It was an amazing conference!! Every year I say that, and every year, it gets better!

This years speakers were:

Patsy Clairmont
Marilyn Meberg
Sheila Walsh
Nicole Johnson
Sandi Patty
Steve Arterburn
Louise Duart

The Musical Artists were:

Mandisa
Nicole C. Mullen


Sandy Patty:
Her talk this year was about Layers and it is also the title of her newest book.
We wear the layers of shame and guilt and the mask of Christian Perfection. God wants to peel away those layers, and replace them with blessings.
Sandy says that every day, she chooses to believe God is who He says that He is! She shared how God is teaching her to accept the forgiveness in her life and that he doesn't want her to cover up her pain, but get it out into the light, where He can heal her!
She ended by singing, "My Tribute" as only Sandi Patty can!!!!

Sheila Walsh:
Sheila's book and speech this year where titled, Get Off Your Knees and Pray.
She says, "I've always shied away from this topic, as I really stink at prayer!" But she has come to realize that "every sound we utter, every thank you we say, every tear we cry in God's presence is prayer."
She shared a story about finding resolution with the death of her father (he died when she was 9 years old), just this last year. God spoke to her heart, telling her that He was with her father at his time of death, and He was with her, when it happened!
In Christ's humanity, he showed us where to go, to fall apart. He went to his father! And then he trusted his Father's heart.
She now approaches each new day with a question of God: "Where are You going today? Because I am going with You!"

Nichole Johnson also did three drama's/sketches:
Three Ring Circus...our life is like a circus, and God longs to bring his peace to us!
Losing My Mind....who took my mind? Was is the dog, the kids, my husband.....?
Arsonist....is my tongue responsible for setting fires? James 3:6

The next morning, we were treated to worship from the Women of Faith Worship Team. There is just something about participating in worship and praise along with 12, 000 women! It always makes me think that it will be a little bit like that in Heaven, but oh so much more!!

Patsy Clairmont:
Patsy always makes me roar with laughter!! She is so witty and for an old grandma, has a lot of spunk!
She told the Biblical account of the lady who had an infirmity, and it caused her to hunch over. She believed in Jesus, and he healed her. She spoke on the grace that God gives us so freely. She said, "Grace takes the lid off of the box, so God can pour himself in."
She went on to share a story about her dearest friend who is fighting cancer right now. Patsy asked God to give her something from the Bible that her friend could hang onto...a promise. She said that the promise that God gave her was "Let there be light!" You can watch Patsy tell the story here.

Steve Arterburn from New Life Ministries is the one who started Women of Faith 12 years ago, and he was there to share with us.
He spoke on the topic, "Healing is a Choice."
Grieving is a decision to heal our future. God doesn't want to waste an ounce of our pain! We have to get rid of the things that make us sick and ineffective and choose to receive God's grace! Bold moves produce change!

Marilyn Meberg: Love Me, Never Leave Me
Marilyn spoke on Abandonment, and the fear of it! There is a difference in 'being left' and 'being abandoned'. Left is when someone is going to come back for you, most likely. Abandonment is when you have been left for good.
When you feel like you have been ditched, you feel shame and hide it from others! Abandonment is a branding of the soul. When you have been abandoned, you tend to avoid connection.
She also touched on healthy relationships vs. unhealthy relationships. She shared 1 Corinthians 3:16-17:
You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember you, are the temple!

A new comer to WOF was Louise Duart.
She was hilarious, sharing her impressions of many famous people. But she also shared with us her testimony about how God showed up in her life!! She spoke on God Winks...those times when God is letting you know that he loves you and that he is there!

Mandisa was there and was she ever there!! She shared her testimony of God's divine direction in her life, and sang her heart out!

Nicole C. Mullen was there as well. I have heard her on the radio, and love her music! But I didn't have a clue how much this girl loves God, and lives her life not only making music but making a difference in the lives of others. She is heading up outreach ministries for kids in Nashville, and has adopted three or four kids as well as the three she has with her husband. She is out to change her world for Jesus!!!!

She sang the following songs (and several more).....
Call on Jesus

Redeemer

One Touch

There is really no way to really portray to you on this blog, exactly how amazing this conference was! I wish that I could load everyone up and let them experience it for themselves! God spoke to me through EVERY single speaker....plus we had a blast being together!

Tomorrow I will blog about the trip with 9 of my friends...and post some pictures!

It's Coming!

I have much to tell you about our trip to Women of Faith and Portland...it's coming very soon!

Packed and Ready!

I am almost finished packing for our annual "Women of Faith" weekend!! We are going to have a blast!!

I will take loads of pictures!!

Nikki is getting glasses!!

Nikki went to see Dr. Dean yesterday, and he said that she is far-sighted and needs to wear glasses. She was excited to think that she will have glasses like Ashley, and even picked out a pair that are similar to Ashley's! Hopefully they will help her see better, and she will want to keep them on!

Psalms 19...

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Birthday Lunch

My sweet friends surprised me yesterday with a beautiful birthday lunch. It was at one of our favorite little shops...Cafe' de Coco. It is where my book group usually meets, so that is how they got me there. I didn't know that it was going to be a party, so I didn't have my camera.

While we laughed our heads off, we feasted on Turkey Foccacia Sandwiches, Toasted Crab Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese, and Tomato Basil soup, and sipped a variety of yummy beverages, including Iced Market Spice Tea! Fall is a perfect time for it...the spicy sweet flavor is delightful! Some of the gals topped off the event with Cafe' de Coco's famous Lemon Creme Cake!

My friends all blessed me with sweet gifts...

A relaxing Piano CD from Julie, a darling bag full of shower gel, lotions and chocolate from Rose, a coffee card from Paula, tea from my mother, and then Cherylyn, Talisha, Paula, Steph and Damaris all gave me the most darling bracelet. It is a tea cup bracelet that I had been drooling over!! I was so happy!!

Thank you dear friends for blessing my life with the most beautiful friendship and an abundance of love!! I love each one of you!!