tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55111326505365370942024-03-14T07:33:42.616-07:00Cheerful Heart's Journey"All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-57420570841351127522011-07-26T20:25:00.000-07:002011-07-26T20:25:11.668-07:00Off To Battle<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="verse Eph_6_12">For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="verse Eph_6_12"> Ephesians 6:11</span></b></i></div><span class="verse Eph_6_12"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">I have worked in a call center/customer service environment for nearly 6 years. For the first time in those 6 years I had a horrible caller yesterday morning. This individual called me 'the B word' several times, told me I was stupid and had no sense and was pretty much a complete jerk. I was appalled at how this person acted and was pretty upset as you can imagine. NO ONE talks to me like that, period! The call rattled me a bit, but not for long. I have a little plaque on my desk that holds tiny cards with scriptures on them, and the one that was showing said "</span>Be still, and know that I am God!". I had to 'fight' to keep from replaying what the customer said to me over and over, but I did. I made a choice to move on and let it roll down my back. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">In the past I would have told everyone about it, and stewed all day, it would have stolen a few hours of my life and some of my joy. But not this time... </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12"> We are in a battle, the battle of our lives, in fact. I knew (head knowledge) that the devil doesn't like me, and is a 'bad guy' that will try to trip me up as I walk along life's path, but I never truly understood the magnitude of his hatred.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">The truth is Satan despises me!! He will do whatever he can to keep me in bondage and prevent me from experiencing joy and living life to it's fullest.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">As I was having my quiet time with God this morning He showed me how that awful customer that I talked to yesterday was a physical manifestation of Satan and how he truly detests me. Satin thinks I am worthless, stupid, unworthy of respect etc etc... it really put things into perspective for me.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">I'm not saying the customer was the devil, God just used the experience to show me the real truth about my accuser. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="verse Eph_6_12">Satan is not this cute little red man with horns and pitch fork, he's a real enemy with a real army of demons who detest me and my brethren. I will NOT allow myself to beaten down by this jack wagon any longer!! He has stolen way too much of my life and it's time for me to STAND FIRM and fight!!! </span></div><span class="verse Eph_6_12"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="verse Eph_6_17 selected"> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. </span></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="verse Eph_6_17 selected"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ephesians 6:17</span></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs31ofRcJgi1uYzaxSGGz5XsyEk0anZFEN7OhSQtSQNrqLYgcLqQT1L_EtKFL5Vv38GVG-V8nLpH62s1qbOccYSIVe-oLS-_KIl1vm7DT07V9aNtdOc2PowP3kLWEvpSa7SV8U9uw5gEA/s1600/swordofthespirit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs31ofRcJgi1uYzaxSGGz5XsyEk0anZFEN7OhSQtSQNrqLYgcLqQT1L_EtKFL5Vv38GVG-V8nLpH62s1qbOccYSIVe-oLS-_KIl1vm7DT07V9aNtdOc2PowP3kLWEvpSa7SV8U9uw5gEA/s1600/swordofthespirit.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-81396933037465689122011-07-26T19:21:00.000-07:002011-07-26T19:21:57.415-07:00The Armor of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzOf-5nVbtNFDTcEhyphenhyphenUGa_IXbaHIyzRwO1Mj7Bu83nOcfVA6HREp8qkqLSjZLtUOrlalxKezKpySWzRnq6EYtUjKxmMVbuch-iI8CVAj2CYHq-ljsKr5sLRsjkGpLWWxXotppL-S8F-Y/s1600/67946_point_shield_lg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzOf-5nVbtNFDTcEhyphenhyphenUGa_IXbaHIyzRwO1Mj7Bu83nOcfVA6HREp8qkqLSjZLtUOrlalxKezKpySWzRnq6EYtUjKxmMVbuch-iI8CVAj2CYHq-ljsKr5sLRsjkGpLWWxXotppL-S8F-Y/s320/67946_point_shield_lg.gif" width="294" /></a></div><h2></h2><span class="verse Eph_6_10"><strong>10</strong> Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.</span><span class="verse Eph_6_11"><strong>11</strong> Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.</span><span class="verse Eph_6_12"><strong>12</strong> For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual <i> forces </i> of wickedness in the heavenly <i> places. </i></span><span class="verse Eph_6_13"><strong>13</strong> Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.</span><span class="verse Eph_6_14"><strong>14</strong> Stand firm therefore, <span class="vsmallcaps">having girded your loins with truth</span>, and <span class="vsmallcaps">having</span> <span class="vsmallcaps">put on the breastplate of righteousness</span>,</span><span class="verse Eph_6_15"><strong>15</strong> and having shod <span class="vsmallcaps">your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace</span>;</span><span class="verse Eph_6_16"><strong>16</strong> in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil <i> one. </i></span><br />
<span class="verse Eph_6_17"><strong>17</strong> And take <span class="vsmallcaps">the helmet of salvation</span>, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.</span><span class="verse Eph_6_18"><strong>18</strong> With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,</span><span class="verse Eph_6_19"><strong>19</strong> and <i> pray </i> on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,</span><br />
<br />
<span class="verse Eph_6_19">Ephesians 6:10-14 NASB </span>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-49259308468294276512011-07-22T18:04:00.000-07:002011-07-22T18:04:08.859-07:00Thank You!!I am honored to work for a company that honors it's employees like Sprint did for us today when we lost a fellow coworker and dear friend. Things can get stressful but when the stuff hits the proverbial fans of life, they have their priorities right. Thank you John Schilling and the rest of the management team!!!<br />
<br />
And to every single one of my " Sprint peeps", let's stick together and love on each other as we grieve in the coming weeks and months. If you need a hug, I'm here for you!! Love & blessings to you all!!!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>you be embraced by the One most dear to you. " -Matthew 5:4, MSG</em></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAH_0H4xYC7IFKjHl2bKs-Zx1i-RLdJRQcBd4A_Ykl_TUTT9WsRoU5oGd_fB4xalLFbDKb2T205DOUCXV197wHI0NQVeKeadI_hVNxulQ5QgbD7gQGS8PX4Yn3VVzV6ImldWCKomoGHqQ/s1600/cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAH_0H4xYC7IFKjHl2bKs-Zx1i-RLdJRQcBd4A_Ykl_TUTT9WsRoU5oGd_fB4xalLFbDKb2T205DOUCXV197wHI0NQVeKeadI_hVNxulQ5QgbD7gQGS8PX4Yn3VVzV6ImldWCKomoGHqQ/s1600/cow.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
To explain the picture I've attached.... I got a ghost call from a guy who pocket dialed me while he was feeding the cows, apparently. I said my greeting and I heard a cow...said it again, heard a cow again...did my ghost call script and ended the call. I found it pretty funny, and told my pod-neighbors that I had gotten a call from a cow. A little later than morning, Vicky told us that she got a call from a cow also, she had a woman's voice. :)<br />
<br />
The next day, I brought this cow in to greet Vick each morning. It stayed there until we moved seats. :)<br />
<br />
RIP dear Vicky...you will be greatly missed!!!Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-37372266648464682992011-01-12T16:06:00.000-08:002011-01-12T16:06:15.927-08:00My Sweet Serenity<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a49794e444d324d544d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" height="303" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a49794e444d324d544d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" height="46" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center">Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-85226534526537506742011-01-12T15:32:00.000-08:002011-01-12T15:32:01.590-08:00My Beautiful Boo<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a49794e4449344e7a553d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" height="303" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a49794e4449344e7a553d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" height="46" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center">Create a <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows.html" target="_blank">free slideshow design</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-32472113142571757972011-01-09T14:47:00.000-08:002011-01-09T14:47:16.562-08:00A Little Web Cam Fun<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoZeHBRDKGaAf5QxhrQ7b_ZgqeJMgsmODV88LixUAPB1QJ9CrrNLWZDZCbm-_5bqF9nmwcHp0p1TMVjwRBQK_v1ecWgaYAMbBS87upDpiWmQzJlGpcFFrr7DzjUghZJb9yKWL5PakGKE/s1600/Picture+235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoZeHBRDKGaAf5QxhrQ7b_ZgqeJMgsmODV88LixUAPB1QJ9CrrNLWZDZCbm-_5bqF9nmwcHp0p1TMVjwRBQK_v1ecWgaYAMbBS87upDpiWmQzJlGpcFFrr7DzjUghZJb9yKWL5PakGKE/s400/Picture+235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was playing with the web cam today and was cracking myself up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstrh8U61O3EWS83nMcLlUJ7iHrOqGdmwB-lFP3B0AY_F8atErPQhN9f9LnXgGTzIH4VQ7ZJO993T6qBSLAO20wcM0zWHWrS8vr1G4ItZmihR4d_M0g1nRrmT_7GcygNR_DloioCS1RL8/s1600/Picture+231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstrh8U61O3EWS83nMcLlUJ7iHrOqGdmwB-lFP3B0AY_F8atErPQhN9f9LnXgGTzIH4VQ7ZJO993T6qBSLAO20wcM0zWHWrS8vr1G4ItZmihR4d_M0g1nRrmT_7GcygNR_DloioCS1RL8/s1600/Picture+231.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubby thought I was nuts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbjh0l-Qhs3NOi6wlraFX53MdifdRQl0n3tPfHDZRqWFbrk_dyFBRcAku9yUGI4iRpfhYTSTqIkGzAuEhCWq255YI4NB5RQOVyQmOAxmeKFhmwcz496iKiGugXNn8OfZUtPkgmkLInKM/s1600/Picture+233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbjh0l-Qhs3NOi6wlraFX53MdifdRQl0n3tPfHDZRqWFbrk_dyFBRcAku9yUGI4iRpfhYTSTqIkGzAuEhCWq255YI4NB5RQOVyQmOAxmeKFhmwcz496iKiGugXNn8OfZUtPkgmkLInKM/s1600/Picture+233.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I heart my web cam!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFEQElckXXZ1M0ce-TncQq1eYitA8NDlxbVFyxm4RPqn4jUXXiF2GoMPCNdKL3-2VnlAgIXnToND1dCVC1-78lTndzPdNWvu9yzukrtpeKY0a58c5lWETv-9EJCNrLxyiQSfQucHsRY/s1600/Picture+234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFEQElckXXZ1M0ce-TncQq1eYitA8NDlxbVFyxm4RPqn4jUXXiF2GoMPCNdKL3-2VnlAgIXnToND1dCVC1-78lTndzPdNWvu9yzukrtpeKY0a58c5lWETv-9EJCNrLxyiQSfQucHsRY/s1600/Picture+234.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughter is the key to a joyful heart....that and Jesus, of course. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>ICheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-1422902317040591372011-01-09T14:07:00.000-08:002011-01-09T14:08:33.484-08:00A Man Fell in a Hole....<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zx1FqGuADR4?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
<br />
Powerful message...Jesus is THE ONLY WAY out of the hole!!!Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-37637286668911955812011-01-06T20:46:00.000-08:002011-01-06T20:46:22.459-08:00Not Consumer ReportsI was having a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago, and we were talking about different religions and beliefs. As we talking it occurred to me that my faith in Christ is not a "belief", but the Truth. Not something to debate, it simply is. <br />
<br />
The sky is blue, some places may have 'bluer' skies than others but the sky is blue. No room for debate, it just is. <br />
<br />
In Gospel of John, Chapter 14 verse 6 Jesus said "<b>I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through me</b>". Pretty straight forward, no room for interpretation there. It is simply the Truth.<br />
<br />
The world is filled with different tastes in music, flavors, political views, cars; Toyota Camry vs Ford Fusion... Variety is the spice of life, right?<br />
<br />
Well Jesus Christ isn't a spice, He is the Bread of Life! God's only Son, that He sent to earth, to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world so that whoever believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life with Him in heaven. (John 3:16) This isn't my opinion...this is simply the Truth!!<br />
<br />
I certainly don't mean to offend, however I must share this with you. I cannot stand idly by and let you think the I'm okay you're okay-wishy washy-watered down "spirituality" is okay, because it is not!<br />
<br />
<b>YOUR ETERNITY</b> is on the line here folks!!!<br />
<br />
Please check out Life Church. An amazing online ministry. You can come, and hear more about Jesus and God's love for you. <a href="http://live.lifechurch.tv/"></a> There are 50 worship experiences every week. Music, message, chat and prayer available. Join us sometime, ask your questions, have someone pray with you.<br />
<br />
You are God's precious child and He loves you more than you can imagine!! <br />
<b><br />
He who finds God finds Life! <br />
</b><br />
<br />
In His amazing love,<br />
<br />
Cheerful HeartCheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-84096424319606178752010-12-28T21:12:00.000-08:002010-12-28T21:12:46.597-08:00Ignoring Tucker<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a45344d446b794e6a453d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a45344d446b794e6a453d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Create a <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/" target="_blank">picture slideshow</a></td></tr></table>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-71042283634749787272010-11-30T15:07:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:07:54.914-08:00A Tribute to My Dear Friend, Tanya Summerville<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczFCbIqw55vC-ZJCsvjPbGRPU3toJnU6OOeYr3XSVPpG4SHkFFH5EKrMjtxrB7BDkMC8Zt2KCqUv6xKwW0AGy3Fifr7epRP9eAXds1L2Q0aHimBRkNuh8EHTPQreuKx9PsrGQGymVEHo/s1600/27878_391872957741_510872741_4226130_5501625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczFCbIqw55vC-ZJCsvjPbGRPU3toJnU6OOeYr3XSVPpG4SHkFFH5EKrMjtxrB7BDkMC8Zt2KCqUv6xKwW0AGy3Fifr7epRP9eAXds1L2Q0aHimBRkNuh8EHTPQreuKx9PsrGQGymVEHo/s320/27878_391872957741_510872741_4226130_5501625_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve at the Vail Chapel. Tanya is top right.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
Tanya went home to be with Jesus on November 29, 2010. She was 48 years young.<br />
<br />
Tanya was the epitome of a servant, she loved Jesus with all her might and shared that love with everyone, especially children. She loved to laugh and have a good time with friends and family. She had her struggles with health, but didn't let that slow her down in the least. Tanya was a talented artist, made beautiful and delicious cakes for countless parties. She loved playing games and telling red neck jokes. She could do that because she is a self-proclaimed redneck. :)<br />
<br />
Heaven is celebrating right now, one of their finest is home. And Tanya is running free, no more health issues, no more pain. I can just picture her reuniting with her family members that have gone before her and all the friends she hasn't seen in a while. For some reason, Tanya's passing into eternity gives me a sense of joy and peace, and I'm looking forward to seeing her again someday.<br />
<br />
To all of Tanya's friends and family, I pray God's peace that surpasses all understanding be with each of you now, as you mourn the loss of our dear Tanya.<br />
<br />
In His Amazing Grace,<br />
<br />
Sara <><Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-66171062665374192902010-11-16T16:03:00.000-08:002010-11-16T16:03:43.101-08:00The Play of the Game<a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=433386352741">http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=433386352741</a>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-24546619794257000432010-11-16T15:59:00.000-08:002010-11-16T15:59:54.889-08:00Take Me Out to the Ball Game<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSugJvA51RKBo9RBBYwXKzlZuEsUYdMxlQWJ4Ef9Vxfugv95ezM5guWMGxc_QZljouNlt7hta8ibpGt-qi0RvLRbUqRGiUVnxLQMth55Y3G5jCD4_9JNjkScwusleRo5HusQJ666zVQU/s1600/DSCF4893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSugJvA51RKBo9RBBYwXKzlZuEsUYdMxlQWJ4Ef9Vxfugv95ezM5guWMGxc_QZljouNlt7hta8ibpGt-qi0RvLRbUqRGiUVnxLQMth55Y3G5jCD4_9JNjkScwusleRo5HusQJ666zVQU/s320/DSCF4893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hubby & me at 'The Golden Glove"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7uSxC8Sq1pY_CeMEBqgoD4B1p8lsnwckishtsOM7ayyP3-x58YKJOLlk6O09qJnH28hmM9H6gFvirVYyP7LoLutHWOMET0g6sIM_dYFos4u1xR2YxYnEhFh0F82yxXOfViN2a7f5ql8/s1600/DSCF4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7uSxC8Sq1pY_CeMEBqgoD4B1p8lsnwckishtsOM7ayyP3-x58YKJOLlk6O09qJnH28hmM9H6gFvirVYyP7LoLutHWOMET0g6sIM_dYFos4u1xR2YxYnEhFh0F82yxXOfViN2a7f5ql8/s320/DSCF4902.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a bat in the jaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZau9wNUXdLPQwhK5nhTFvWwh4yS3R5xqznnFL8SJywAZbHZb-rgm5lMN20Y44V7sNH-bd_hlbM2uD7ZdKGtiAc7IQrKpspbB4cJaGW6ncI362myBg5ROVTZbwYerjnV3FHs6ZedI9GOo/s1600/DSCF4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZau9wNUXdLPQwhK5nhTFvWwh4yS3R5xqznnFL8SJywAZbHZb-rgm5lMN20Y44V7sNH-bd_hlbM2uD7ZdKGtiAc7IQrKpspbB4cJaGW6ncI362myBg5ROVTZbwYerjnV3FHs6ZedI9GOo/s320/DSCF4850.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pictures ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfde8NyphfVgIctWk7rjv0hkQu653woUnIiKIHC988yiuDEeNCFivqB8JRwMBoHi6VlGFO2M2Rd8tDAD13_zp26PRzQMDjO-QBgYtM2iqb32mXdXCe29to7tga9FABI47NgUYKE8tLZBo/s1600/DSCF4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfde8NyphfVgIctWk7rjv0hkQu653woUnIiKIHC988yiuDEeNCFivqB8JRwMBoHi6VlGFO2M2Rd8tDAD13_zp26PRzQMDjO-QBgYtM2iqb32mXdXCe29to7tga9FABI47NgUYKE8tLZBo/s320/DSCF4845.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dear friends and us, can you tell we were freezing!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceT2bD3HAYfTu0uhciUgE7ufzvrxiP3F142YMdCdCSe-eh_kQebyOhMbLbJipKCeJte6GWEHsEN8I5sptO_th0cpBrvXRGM8g1BMIPDO2Y3lphCQSpqC25nU70WZZdlWwF6_wpi0UCe0/s1600/DSCF4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceT2bD3HAYfTu0uhciUgE7ufzvrxiP3F142YMdCdCSe-eh_kQebyOhMbLbJipKCeJte6GWEHsEN8I5sptO_th0cpBrvXRGM8g1BMIPDO2Y3lphCQSpqC25nU70WZZdlWwF6_wpi0UCe0/s320/DSCF4910.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Catcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GWKZ3WYIrO4uFAHQSkCL_t-cEGwcM4pb4zxaJIM90rMzWdLyMIFjRHdCp6TRbCV0k3QIy_AUGn8km1w6D84I8GRkJhb6stoG4kwthjJGYDsFUFT1QtjJCe5IEHdq7HuJcdXjJsHG3_E/s1600/DSCF4894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GWKZ3WYIrO4uFAHQSkCL_t-cEGwcM4pb4zxaJIM90rMzWdLyMIFjRHdCp6TRbCV0k3QIy_AUGn8km1w6D84I8GRkJhb6stoG4kwthjJGYDsFUFT1QtjJCe5IEHdq7HuJcdXjJsHG3_E/s320/DSCF4894.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They share a birthday, Pi Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp2ZTVrWPrFnOzGZCkwofU0wNRK8W3d7Xg8FH0-cLjQM2VtCkQaSPOm1cH-mcxdyjKUYMCbd0jKh1a71pBCFUay50K-3KCOunHfUOMkUmVWtq453E5kiZkZbzmWed1yqasZpZvdB5TLc/s1600/DSCF4863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp2ZTVrWPrFnOzGZCkwofU0wNRK8W3d7Xg8FH0-cLjQM2VtCkQaSPOm1cH-mcxdyjKUYMCbd0jKh1a71pBCFUay50K-3KCOunHfUOMkUmVWtq453E5kiZkZbzmWed1yqasZpZvdB5TLc/s320/DSCF4863.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute couple and the diamond</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaEibBIkZmguXbE0bRJBwSRjsU1HddxASN-CiCrE8L_zkKjEVk5LayxeXNIuHm1PX2vdr_WNFc3RMR32ZgkzYAByJiUay3Klco617sjqftvCoXQdjrM6QQ3-yuUeYJy49RooyPhlbRW4/s1600/DSCF4887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaEibBIkZmguXbE0bRJBwSRjsU1HddxASN-CiCrE8L_zkKjEVk5LayxeXNIuHm1PX2vdr_WNFc3RMR32ZgkzYAByJiUay3Klco617sjqftvCoXQdjrM6QQ3-yuUeYJy49RooyPhlbRW4/s320/DSCF4887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxing on 'the glove'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWawAq0nXdWbw2kXN4jrHSDg1Hi501RwSmymvYiffArNyEmGvqDsr_L-RK6mrgLna5nTtblZzmj-xst1b-29KetkpF7ucYbfGK1jWsv95PPYsr_w-H8RxkD4XuC0KtZf_2HUAi9oxbmC4/s1600/DSCF4882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWawAq0nXdWbw2kXN4jrHSDg1Hi501RwSmymvYiffArNyEmGvqDsr_L-RK6mrgLna5nTtblZzmj-xst1b-29KetkpF7ucYbfGK1jWsv95PPYsr_w-H8RxkD4XuC0KtZf_2HUAi9oxbmC4/s320/DSCF4882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field and downtown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We went to the Twins game early October, beautiful, chilly day with friends.Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-60330294325955056472010-11-16T15:25:00.000-08:002010-11-16T15:25:32.041-08:00In It to Win It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCSQ0PmAIuNxcJK_-DDMtZrTrrDIw31QQNO02IysbaaDCarmguiHcVTkzOoWCrSrlKZTgbAVe3Md7vq4SaVq00PaoXHG8vZL9oPLrTDZxZk-DwqsQy_Mt19iVxQOH27t-I5LOMGwpb2c/s1600/DSCF4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCSQ0PmAIuNxcJK_-DDMtZrTrrDIw31QQNO02IysbaaDCarmguiHcVTkzOoWCrSrlKZTgbAVe3Md7vq4SaVq00PaoXHG8vZL9oPLrTDZxZk-DwqsQy_Mt19iVxQOH27t-I5LOMGwpb2c/s320/DSCF4756.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiked the bluff, that is the Mississippi River down below. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My 'journey' has begun, I've dropped a little weight, and a jean size, even!! I tried on the dress I wore to my friend's wedding the other day and my hubby told me it looks better than it did in July, yippee!!! It's gonna be a long journey, but I'm in it to win it. :)Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-19250731765687653672010-08-03T19:33:00.000-07:002010-08-03T19:36:09.795-07:00New BlogI've started a new blog!!<br />www.1000poundjourney.blogspot.com<br /><br />Let me know what you think...<br /><br />Thanks for following my blogs. <br />Hope it blesses you somehow.Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-71510431940387727642010-07-30T19:43:00.001-07:002010-07-30T20:58:46.815-07:00Journey to a New Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sQdRbkJFWFNPUkehUFZukBdTyqAX3qj76gtXx6J72DT-q5xT5C41cI-saWc7b5-yUF3arYut3GTQWpp17WjgcZ_A2xtWD0B0_u5p3vjerCi_ShAGHLs2XzygD3lnGtR40SaVGrcJIAY/s1600/DSCF4647.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sQdRbkJFWFNPUkehUFZukBdTyqAX3qj76gtXx6J72DT-q5xT5C41cI-saWc7b5-yUF3arYut3GTQWpp17WjgcZ_A2xtWD0B0_u5p3vjerCi_ShAGHLs2XzygD3lnGtR40SaVGrcJIAY/s400/DSCF4647.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499901991740690402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPM72XTrIXmH9_APhgr0i8Q2MUpYhbuCdKhGiHFVOyivbWXUEmOP9-Q4M0kmC_WnoP5fIy6WaYjshJsuEQyKvCreCLFrSwREbhr1ILQFLGM3qTWOabCoH2x_Xdlma6H_jEkFN6e1foE/s1600/DSCF4650.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUPM72XTrIXmH9_APhgr0i8Q2MUpYhbuCdKhGiHFVOyivbWXUEmOP9-Q4M0kmC_WnoP5fIy6WaYjshJsuEQyKvCreCLFrSwREbhr1ILQFLGM3qTWOabCoH2x_Xdlma6H_jEkFN6e1foE/s400/DSCF4650.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499899874964376514" /></a><br />I joined a gym a couple of weeks ago...I know, right?? I'm really excited about my new adventure. I'm still in the process of figuring out what and how to eat so I'm don't work against my body's quest for health and wellness. I've got a long way to go, but a journey of a 1000 pounds, uh, I mean miles, begins with the first step, right?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Here are a couple of pictures from a friend's wedding last weekend, we'll call them my "before" pictures. I'm looking forward to getting closer to the pic in "Our Story" post. :) <a href="http://shakenshedfitness.com"></a></span>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-70043767638731539892010-06-27T12:47:00.000-07:002010-06-28T18:21:49.549-07:00Our Story...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SOTf5KLaQw6MQUyP2XNneA6pWDa4lzS5svdR5nO5OB6W_9CfT50qOkMK8UcXRjS5CbhzGJY3oukKWZWYKxELtNr5z849vkTP9jpbyFXoU-msl0QToL3HuabZCkw-9XR1akQ32NCsBEI/s1600/asuhomecoming89.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SOTf5KLaQw6MQUyP2XNneA6pWDa4lzS5svdR5nO5OB6W_9CfT50qOkMK8UcXRjS5CbhzGJY3oukKWZWYKxELtNr5z849vkTP9jpbyFXoU-msl0QToL3HuabZCkw-9XR1akQ32NCsBEI/s400/asuhomecoming89.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487999597028215058" /></a><br />It was the fall of 1984...the story begins in the band room of Chaparral High School. I was a sophomore on the flag line and he was a freshman trumpet player. We had just gotten back from the Peer Leadership Retreat. A mutual friend of ours, Marni, called "James", to stand up and have the rest of us give him a 'battery recharge' by clapping for him. I can still picture it to this day; this adorable brown eyed freshman tentatively stood up in front of me and 149 of our band peers. His eyes looked like saucers, you know he wanted to kill Marni at that moment. I was standing down in the front with the rest of the color guard team, and I was in love. Well, not 'in love' exactly, but I HAD to meet this adorable "little guy". (He came up to my nose at the time) After we were dismissed, I ran up to him, wrapped my arms around him, hugged him and introduced myself. *Note, I have not introduced myself to anyone like this since. While I was just an enthusiastic extrovert and excited to make a new friend, he on the other hand, was petrified of "The Amazon". A couple of weeks later, I saw him in the guidance counselor's office behind a pile of books. I went from being Scary Amazon Woman to his future best friend. :)<br />Throughout our budding friendship, we had crushes on each other, here and there, but never at the same time for some reason. One story J likes to share is when we were at a mutual friend's party one time. I was dating someone at the time. He built up the courage to ask me to dance, and my reply was "But Jamie, I already have a boyfriend". Whenever he shares that, I feel so lame, but thinking back objectively, I didn't want to be unfaithful to my boyfriend. Don't think the bf would have minded, but I made a judgment call and besides, he gets to dance with me anytime he wants. <br />We were best friends! There were countless talks about life and religion, double-dates, family parties w/friends, band trips or hanging out at his place. I asked J to my senior prom, but he had already asked someone else...sniff sniff...so I asked another boy who became my bf for a couple of years, ya snooze ya lose, right? lol When that bf "dumped me", my sister told me I needed to get over him and get together w/J, my best friend... I told her through my tears, that we were just friends, it wasn't like that w/Jamie. Little did I know, I guess things were 'like that'... As soon as J heard the news, he swooped in the for kill...as he says...he wasn't going to miss another opportunity. :-) One November night in 1989, we talked until dawn and we knew that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together. <br />We were married 2 1/2 years later and the rest, as they say, is history.Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-67199230795106212202010-06-25T23:17:00.000-07:002010-06-25T23:28:53.067-07:00The Boom Booms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wgjfXYumgl5FoGDV1dmenkZmm2fVZ4Wq1D6aZRUhzoGmNdLI7jqc55_hRFFZhPCSSSIDkWcTbUsjHkjsednzO5KJO2Sn0MAM2xbdgs_EPI_JXd9SqxRrqDY-ukGDulx-vGz5xhKQKq0/s1600/DSCF3230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wgjfXYumgl5FoGDV1dmenkZmm2fVZ4Wq1D6aZRUhzoGmNdLI7jqc55_hRFFZhPCSSSIDkWcTbUsjHkjsednzO5KJO2Sn0MAM2xbdgs_EPI_JXd9SqxRrqDY-ukGDulx-vGz5xhKQKq0/s320/DSCF3230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486965513477381938" /></a><br />Boo Boo is a pretty adventurous girl; taking any opportunity to go outside and explore the world around her. She is always around when people come for a visit and normally a brave little fur ball...except for the dreaded "boom booms"!! Boom booms are REALLY LOUD NOISES such as fireworks in the neighborhood or more recently, THUNDER!!! If the boom booms come when she is in the living room, she will do the belly crawl to a place of safety, strategically placing her fluffy little self where she can't 'see' the boom booms and the boom booms can't 'see' her. Poor little soul has been in the kitchen hiding by the fridge most of the evening. Unfortunately, I can relate...I'm not a fan of the boom booms either. :)Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-53376897056450308282010-06-25T22:56:00.001-07:002010-06-25T23:06:40.499-07:00More than friends...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWe8iYQljeD-yk7W4Lq5BzRRt_Clo8QSy_wb1zh9JhJjEZPhXKWfTpY9AbDrH21hcayaIMNqLE8GpbQECcJt6XXWtin1v6s7SzDWUsaELnhnBCdtnzVzGtK7NIv__KCTsRmCr_SoM68s/s1600/DSCF3452.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWe8iYQljeD-yk7W4Lq5BzRRt_Clo8QSy_wb1zh9JhJjEZPhXKWfTpY9AbDrH21hcayaIMNqLE8GpbQECcJt6XXWtin1v6s7SzDWUsaELnhnBCdtnzVzGtK7NIv__KCTsRmCr_SoM68s/s400/DSCF3452.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486959543282566498" /></a><br />I just came across this photo of Jake & I with Jake, Sarah & Bella Peloquin on Bella's dedication Sunday, Mother's Day '09. We were honored to be a part of such a meaningful occasion. I'm so grateful that they "adopted" us, and we "adopted" them right back. Their friendship is one of those that no matter the time or distance between us, we are never far away in our hearts. Love you guys!!Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-49478344184653216502010-06-25T22:37:00.000-07:002010-06-28T18:02:29.396-07:00Picked Scab...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Snw1VuvBU__kz1A6mjtCAiaoSlDIKAVOCJcTTTdac5lMSFYU-lJygacrsHM2vJqUACWMbOLr9ukOgYsvamjEQJ0W7PND_E3h6dp0oUhds-qnl8F_91BfPNfEXSIJOf8JOceeSfm1S50/s1600/IMG00541-20100627-1535.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Snw1VuvBU__kz1A6mjtCAiaoSlDIKAVOCJcTTTdac5lMSFYU-lJygacrsHM2vJqUACWMbOLr9ukOgYsvamjEQJ0W7PND_E3h6dp0oUhds-qnl8F_91BfPNfEXSIJOf8JOceeSfm1S50/s200/IMG00541-20100627-1535.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487994227474544242" /></a><br />We lost Jim almost 10 months ago. Today was he and Charlie's 44th wedding anniversary. It feels like the scab on the wound of losing him was picked off today and the skin underneath is fresh and tender again.Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-1352386414907596252010-06-24T17:49:00.000-07:002010-06-24T19:58:22.673-07:00A Tribute to Jim & Charlie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx3TLyVXML1G0io971GoU08c0hc4iDSv6P4KDCgllpvF8E1W5eOpfH1TixopgLfHp2b-60MXpQjft1X13g6gumz3p1HFMvlH-pUl0b4JBD4K3Uv8S6y43e3hCcoBpy_kh2wqpvd9IFdE/s1600/6-24-2010_001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx3TLyVXML1G0io971GoU08c0hc4iDSv6P4KDCgllpvF8E1W5eOpfH1TixopgLfHp2b-60MXpQjft1X13g6gumz3p1HFMvlH-pUl0b4JBD4K3Uv8S6y43e3hCcoBpy_kh2wqpvd9IFdE/s320/6-24-2010_001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486526542084785202" /></a><br />I not only married my best friend, 18 years ago, but I married his family, as well. I got the little brother I never had and the best in-laws a girl could ever hope for... seriously. <br /><br />They say that the best way a man can love his children is by loving their mother and boy did he. Jim and Charlie were hardworking and dedicated to giving their sons the best life they could; camping, skiing, hiking...family was the most important thing. Jim and Charlie were best friends...they shared a passion for horses and tasting life, and they shared this love with their kids. <br /><br />I am blessed to have countless memories with Jim and Charlie...primitive camping, and all the 'critters' that come with that...downhill skiing, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"...horseback riding... square dancing in a barn...driving through the night to see family in MN...divinely placed rest areas in eastern CO...lunches in Vail Village...foot rubs in the back seat...moonlight gondola rides on Easter morning...practical jokes...laughs...openness and authenticity...love and devotion...they have enriched my life and have helped me become the woman I am today. <br /><br />Jim went to be with Jesus last September. Our last moments together were precious and we had absolutely no regrets. Jim went home knowing what he means to me, and I know what I meant to him. <br /><br />Thank you, Mom & Dad. Your marriage was a beautiful example of unconditional love and devotion; this is one of the best gifts you could give your kids.<br /><br />I love you!!Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-30259230449941676452009-11-15T13:14:00.001-08:002009-11-15T18:18:18.099-08:00Silence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYOt6pQWHcRbTdOJwhg800UZeQ9p-uAt2rjJKGjG-aCHQPHDWtxWjnFzsNdD2jpL6v_D1yKGPMkzzr5lH4Zxvo9E9zETqamy6NXWasmkEpe0jv2K4xSHub-UpgElARGt0cNerx3T7W6M/s1600/IMAG0009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYOt6pQWHcRbTdOJwhg800UZeQ9p-uAt2rjJKGjG-aCHQPHDWtxWjnFzsNdD2jpL6v_D1yKGPMkzzr5lH4Zxvo9E9zETqamy6NXWasmkEpe0jv2K4xSHub-UpgElARGt0cNerx3T7W6M/s320/IMAG0009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404520055423765698" /></a><br />Went on a day retreat yesterday. Aside from worship and the prayer of the day we kept a code of silence, even during lunch. There was some tension for me as I'm not one to keep quiet very often, but I leaned into it and was pleasantly surprised. I never realized just how foreign silence is to me, and yet at the same time, how rich. The Bible tells us that Jesus went away in silence and solitude often, I guess I never thought that example ever really applied to me, but I was mistaken. If Jesus, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords needed to get away and have time with His Father on a regular basis, how much more do we?Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-52626940920982799252009-10-19T17:47:00.000-07:002010-06-28T17:49:41.736-07:00Relatives....or Family??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zuh3P4HgMlCjEmhfFIpUUcsAlFz4t4CwVct0j2OaSNawozbUyLGqS5-g1NnZ0Iek7bdjnZhG7p2dCPhs5-t5kzoTYIMt1k9EHFT-UFNvkn4hPF41H6j8ehsMgGn-AT2BmPRII2XGaDs/s1600-h/DSCF3831.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zuh3P4HgMlCjEmhfFIpUUcsAlFz4t4CwVct0j2OaSNawozbUyLGqS5-g1NnZ0Iek7bdjnZhG7p2dCPhs5-t5kzoTYIMt1k9EHFT-UFNvkn4hPF41H6j8ehsMgGn-AT2BmPRII2XGaDs/s320/DSCF3831.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394504081107711954" /></a><br />My family moved to AZ when I was 3. While I am proud to be a semi-native Arizonan, there are a several things I missed out on simply because of my birth order. Trips to the World's Fair and Niagara Falls, having to sing "Back Home Again" every time we crossed the IN state line and Sunday brunches at Grandma & Grandpa's w/the aunts, uncles & cousins. I grew up knowing I had relatives, they were always in my prayers before bedtime but any one of them could have passed me on the street and I wouldn't know them. This has always bummed me out and I felt like I missed out on that part of my life. When my dad passed away 7 1/2 years ago, we had his service in Indiana and Jake and I had the pleasure of getting to "meet" my "Mybeck relatives". Since then we have kept in touch with my cousin, Mark, via his <A href="http://nomadplanets.com/bio.htm">band</A>'s email list. They perform in and around the Chicago/Hammond area at various venues. Jake and I have talked about going to Chicago to see them play since we moved to the midwest 6 years ago, and we finally did it!! Mark performed his first solo/acoustic set in 15 years-and did a great job, I might add!! It was so good to finally see him play!! He was #4/5 in the lineup for the evening, he was my favorite, if I may say so myself. :) The venue was a beautiful little <a href="http://towletheatre.com/">theatre</a> in downtown Hammond. As I was sitting there with Jake and my cousin, Marcia, it felt surreal, I felt like a grown up. :) We had a wonderful day on Saturday. Started out with breakfast at Cracker Barrel (our favorite) with Mark & his wife, Karen, Marcia and their folks Uncle Bob (aka Uncle Grumpy) and Aunt Mary Lou. After breakfast Jake went back to the hotel and I went to a local craft fair with Bob, Mary Lou and Marcia. Later that afternoon, Jake and I headed over to Bob & Mary Lou's house to spend the evening with them. Dinner at a local diner, great conversation and another concert, by Uncle Grumpy this time, were on the agenda. While it was a short visit, it was sweet...and long overdue!! We have rekindled a relationship with not just relatives, but family and I am so grateful!! Uncle Bob is my dad's fraternal twin; a part of me felt like I spent the evening with Dad. I could have stayed up all night visiting with them. (They probably would have kicked me out at some point) Our hearts were overflowing with the joy of family on our drive home. We are already looking forward to our next visit.Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-85104881988305355582009-10-18T16:35:00.000-07:002009-10-18T17:15:35.237-07:00Some time away...I am desperately needing time away from technology and all the distractions of life, so I took my camera and a bottle of water and headed to The Lady of Guadalupe Shrine this afternoon. Beautiful day...beautiful time with my Savior.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUqysKyzeMztjvAMzfItPq0Xsbr7apnUKRQMXvKPD69evKP4UGsdg4ykdaF04EpNX4OhNZW2MTsFzyy1mRKpEQmlyVOcXAIHiY3MA5NJPF7Kl-fQ73thRVHp73p7VVCPKKRq3D9LdeSE/s320/DSCF3873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUqysKyzeMztjvAMzfItPq0Xsbr7apnUKRQMXvKPD69evKP4UGsdg4ykdaF04EpNX4OhNZW2MTsFzyy1mRKpEQmlyVOcXAIHiY3MA5NJPF7Kl-fQ73thRVHp73p7VVCPKKRq3D9LdeSE/s320/DSCF3873.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-61558682557816697932009-10-16T13:53:00.000-07:002009-10-18T16:34:49.775-07:00Jim's Eulogy, by James Sebastian Kern, II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XkfonCB0Jo5AKeo3y6bHfiorioXdRhyh2WJys1EWHV9UiiiW_6k4DClsy9XqeShg_OmunRq07NQwfOFRaPXRW9-BxHXYlg5rYYEVh6rEAcTmRjEHBfcUMcj5sz4wC69FtXga8PnYxZQ/s1600-h/DSCF3687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XkfonCB0Jo5AKeo3y6bHfiorioXdRhyh2WJys1EWHV9UiiiW_6k4DClsy9XqeShg_OmunRq07NQwfOFRaPXRW9-BxHXYlg5rYYEVh6rEAcTmRjEHBfcUMcj5sz4wC69FtXga8PnYxZQ/s200/DSCF3687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393304769959853186" border="0" /></a>My wonderful father-in-law, Jim, went home to be with Jesus on September 4th. Jake gave his eulogy, it was very touching, thought you would enjoy it...
<br /><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><meta name="CREATED" content="0;0"><meta name="CHANGED" content="0;0"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hello. My name is James Sebastian Kern, II. Some call me James. Others call me Jake. Most of you know me as Jamie. We are here today to celebrate the life of my father, James Sebastian Kern…or as most of you knew him as…Jim.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My dad was an amazing man who had an incredible work ethic.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He was a craftsman and builder of beautiful homes.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He was the image of physical fitness and an outdoor enthusiast. He had a passion for hiking, hunting, skiing, and most of all horseback riding in his beloved Rocky Mountains.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He loved the Lord with all of his heart. I remember talking with him at one point in his life when circumstances were difficult, and he simply said to me, “I made a decision to place my life completely in the hands of Christ. Where He leads, I go. When He closes a door, He then makes clear the path I am supposed to take and I take it. Ever since I made that decision, my life has been filled with peace and forever changed.”</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The evidence of his love for Christ was most greatly shown in his love for others. He opened the doors of his home to any and everybody in need. Whether a missionary, a hockey player from the Czech Republic, or a scruffy looking person who had the intent of living in a tent in the desert, he gave them a place to stay and be clean and food to eat…and not just for a night or a weekend, either, but for a full season.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He was an affectionate husband who loved my mother dearly and was her best friend…so much so that he’s been an inspiration and model for how I need to love my wife, Sara.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He loved his children, and not just his boys. Sara and Michelle were every bit his daughters as Nick and I were his sons. A personal story, my dad being the Type A personality that he was, I had grown up having trouble that I never measured up to him. We worked together in construction for 15 years, and at first with all of our differences, it was rough. He was the driven person with the work ethic to keep us at task. I had the personality of, “There’s gotta be an easier way of doing this.” But then he grew to accept me for the person I was which helped me accept myself as well. Eventually, we learned to embrace the differences in our personalities, and in doing so, were able to accomplish amazing things…just the two of us.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">On Christmas Eve of 2005, my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. From the beginning, he made the clear, optimistic decision that he would fight for his life and win. He underwent chemotherapy treatments, but they unfortunately did not remove the cancer. His next step was to receive a bone marrow transplant from my Uncle Larry. What he knew at the time but didn’t tell us was that the doctors gave him a 10% chance for survival going into the transplant. All he said to us was, “Hey, I want you to KNOW that I’m going to beat this thing.” And he did. Through the treatments that would ravage his body and make most simply give up, he kept on fighting to the point where he was declared to be in full remission for 2 years. That being said, as anyone who has experienced the effects of cancer, a lot of times, the treatment hurt worse than the disease. There are so many stories to share of my dad beating the odds time and again that I simply do not have time to share them with you.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In the last couple years, I’ve had my own medical struggles…particularly with depression and anxiety. This condition is so misunderstood by so many; especially the “Type A” personalities who have told me to simply pull myself up by my bootstraps and make the decision to be happy. Not so with my dad. Instead, he chose in his own broken condition to be my cheerleader and advocate. In this time, he became my inspiration to fight to get better. I made the decision to get the help I needed and make the changes necessary so that I could have a chance with winning my own battle. Because of my dad’s inspiration, you see a man before you who was diagnosed with a severe case of agoraphobia, one of the most difficult psychological ailments to treat, standing in an auditorium and speaking to a room filled with people. My dad was, and forever will be my hero.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So while we may be dealing with our own sadness at our loss with his passing, we gather here today to honor and celebrate my dad, Jim Kern, and to give all glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</span></p> Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511132650536537094.post-79437115525400636832009-08-08T10:08:00.000-07:002009-08-09T16:13:12.026-07:00Please pray for my father-in-law, Jim.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlE2FUEgx1uxuB9gAvMBg0Q3UJlnaJ8eRcqZBaflvT_Aj_8V-3Y4tCKnoqSlFv__hd55IuzqfcQs8H5Q1rivWBqSte8iqH-WS4Vi9Wd2AmghZnN8g7Xned7BHUhes2VI3c1YNWY22hbI/s1600-h/DSCF3126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlE2FUEgx1uxuB9gAvMBg0Q3UJlnaJ8eRcqZBaflvT_Aj_8V-3Y4tCKnoqSlFv__hd55IuzqfcQs8H5Q1rivWBqSte8iqH-WS4Vi9Wd2AmghZnN8g7Xned7BHUhes2VI3c1YNWY22hbI/s200/DSCF3126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368105585327363906" border="0" /></a><br />We found out Jim had leukemia December '05. He had a bone marrow transplant June '06 and has been doing remarkably well. He is in complete remission, praise the Lord!!<br /><br />He has dealt with GVHD aka graft vs host disease, on an off since the transplant. GVHD is where his cells declare a war against the bone marrow donor's cells, thinking they are intruders. For the most part, the symptoms he has had to deal with have been minor in comparison to the leukemia treatment/chemo etc and really haven't gotten Jim down too bad, up until now that is.<br /><br />He hasn't been feeling well for a few months, he went to his "regular" doc and he couldn't figure it out, gave him various meds that didn't help and actually made things worse :-/<br />He finally said the heck with this and went back to City of Hope, his cancer center to see what his cancer doc thought. She figured it out right away! THANK YOU DOCTOR BRIGGS!!!<br /><br />Jim has a virus called Epstein Barr Syndrome in his lungs, due to GVHD. He is one of only 9 people in the US with this!! [He bought a couple of powerball tickets. ;-)]<br /><br />There will be 8 treatments, very expensive-praising God the insurance will cover them!! Recovery chances are excellent!! He is working with the best of the best!!!<br /><br />Jim's faith is strong, he has a great attitude as always and we are all very hopeful!!<br /><br />The attached picture is the last time the 6 of us were together, about a year ago. I'll update as things progress. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. They are much appreciated!!Cheerful Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02598793015324617927noreply@blogger.com0