A past post that I thought could bear repeating...

One of the reasons I started this blog was because I was growing very tired of the complaining and finger pointing happening on so many Christian blogs. We have the power and love of Christ!!! This is something to be celebrated!!! I think that one of the ways the enemy distracts us is by helping us to keep at the top of our minds all of the things we don't have AND that other people would be so much better off if they would do things our way...the latter thought (and a response on Pastor John's blog-then and recently) prompted the entry below.

If Christians spent half the time actually trying to share why they love and follow Christ with those that don't know him as they do arguing about how they should do it, or that their way is better than someone else's because the way they live is more Christlike...etc, etc, etc...can you imagine how many people would actually be living changed lives as a result of giving their lives to Christ? It would be a number that I'm sure none of us could predict. Others will be drawn to Him because of the life we're living...because we're different and we shine with our love for Him (and His love for us)...because we belong to a community of broken people who love each other through past/present/future hurts and triumphs. Because His Truth, Love and Word are the only things that will fill our emptiness.

Conversations in the back seat

As we're driving to see my sister-in-law this morning, this is part of a conversation my two boys had in the back seat:


Older Son- You know what? Hell is a very bad place. It's no fun...there are no good friends to play with.


Younger Son-No good friends?


Older Son-Nope, only anemones.

I'll Take One of Each, Please

Okay, who doesn't love cupcakes? They're pretty close to the perfect dessert. Creamy frosting, moist cake, in a perfect size...for one!

What if I told you that you could eat a cupcake and fight cancer at the same time? Pretty cool, huh?

Here's the deal:
National Cupcakes for a Cause Week is October 15-21, when participating bakeries across the US help support CancerCare for Kids.

A Portland cupcake shop, Saint Cupcake, is participating. Your part is easy....go to Saint Cupcake, choose your favorite one(s), enjoy, support cancer for kids. Almost nothing can drive the icky weather blues away like your own personal dessert treat. I'm telling you, the website alone will make your mouth water!! Let me know if you need a friend to go along...I'm willing to make the sacrifice...and my little guys will thank you!!

There are some days I'll never forget

One year ago I was trying to get a hold of one of my close friends and couldn't. We had tickets to a play and I was hoping to coordinate where we would be going for dinner and talk about what we'd all be wearing. It was odd, she usually responded right away to email...especially when we were planning a night out with our season tickets to the theatre. She called late that afternoon...our conversation changed the way I see my children...it opened my eyes to suffering and pain that I had never really stopped to think were a part of each day for some people. "Jenn, I won't be able to make it to the play tomorrow night." I made some smart alecky comment and then she said to me, "Lillian has a brain tumor."

My dear friend's little girl had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. I didn't know what to say...what do you say to someone when you know their life will never be the same again? As I watched my friend, who so fiercely loves her precious little girl, watch her little one battle one of the ugliest diseases to ever enter anyone's life I had no idea what to do. Those of you who know me know that it's a VERY rare day when I don't have something to say, but I truly was speechless. I felt so helpless...and then I felt selfish because how could I even begin to feel that way...she was the one who had to endure what will most likely be one of the most difficult battles of her life.

I was so angry with God when Lillian joined Him in heaven. It was just before Easter and I couldn't understand how He could do that at a time of year when we are supposed to be focused on life. I remember standing in the back of the sanctuary during worship with my arms folded, unable to sing any of the words to some of my most favorite worship songs. When I did finally force myself to worship, I was barely able to choke out the words between my tears.

My friend has such strength, grace and humility. After she said goodbye to her little one she continued to support the children in her cancer community. She took them home-cooked meals and is such a great source of comfort to many of them. She grew stronger in her faith and her relationship with God.

I know God uses all things for good. I'm slowly starting to realize how He's using the sweet light of Lillian's life. I had never really stopped to think about how childhood cancer affects so many people. I mean I'd usually cry when I would see their stories on the news, but it had never affected me personally. I used to waste so much of my time doing mindless things instead of spending time with my kids. I still often worry about trivial things, but I try to be so much more aware of what's really important and what really constitutes a tragedy.

Over 40,000 kids are battling cancer right now. And the incidence of childhood cancer is growing with no explanation. It is the number one killer of children by disease - more than asthma, cystic fibrosis and pediatric AIDS combined. Yet the funding for childhood cancer research is nominal and has been cut! This is simply ridiculous. Especially now that I have seen firsthand what so many children and their families are forced to deal with on a daily basis. I have joined an online advocacy network at http://www.curesearch.org/. They notify me of any cancer related bills so I can send a pre-written e-mail to my elected officials. I'd like to encourage you to do the same. Please don't let these beautiful, precious children fight this disease alone.

When I Grow Up...part 2

My kids are at the age where they're always talking about what they want to be when they grow up...the list is always changing and has included golfer, artist, race car driver, superhero, fire fighter and spy. They're in the living room now, designing what my 3-year-old refers to as a "popsicle course" (I'm sure you've figured out that actually means obstacle course...they're in spy training).

But, this leads me to a question for all of you...this is a great time for you lurkers to chime in :-).

(Some of you may remember a similar question on my friend, Lori's blog, but I figure what the heck!)

What did you dream of being or doing when you were little?