It's been a long, long time

Well, I managed to get behind in my blogging again...seems rather typical. : ) However, I have a good reason. Since I've announced my pregnancy, I've been rather sick. It seems like I've had it all! Along with all of that, I haven't much energy to do much of anything, let alone talk on the phone or type on the computer.

This pregnancy has been quite a journey. I've experienced happiness, sadness, frustration, depression, loneliness, joy and a myriad of other emotions. It's been a time when I've had to totally depend on others and depend on Christ. It's not easy for me to ask for help...I would rather not ask. But through this experience so far, I've realized that when I need help, I need to ask. There are people in my life more than willing to lend a hand. It's true of my heavenly Father. He is there no matter what...and He wants me to go to Him for help. Even though He already knows my needs, He wants to hear it from me. Of course it's easy to go to God in times when there is pain and suffering and ask for healing and for things to be restored but He wants to hear from me as a friend, a child...I've had so many good conversations with my parents during this process and I think, "do I talk to God the same way?" God wants that from me and I need to remember that He is interested in every part of my day, every part of my pregnancy, every part of my life.

I hope that encourages you too...do you speak to your heavenly Father in the same way each day? Meaning you say the same words or pray for similar things? Or do you just talk to Him like you would your best friend or parent? My most meaningful prayer times are those not when I'm closing my eyes, but when I'm sitting, driving, cleaning, etc and just talking out loud in a conversational tone like I would do with someone that is right there with me.

have you forgotten?

September 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. I remember being at work and having the radio on. We didn’t get the full story of what was going on but we knew something wasn’t right. I ended up going home for my lunch break and turned on the TV. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was horrific. I couldn’t break away from watching the events unfold. I wept. I tried calling my parents because they were on their way to Maine. They had been hiking that morning and I finally reached them on their cell phone.

The days following I just sat and watched the stories as they flooded in about the people who were lost on that day. I felt such sadness and yet so much pride in my country. I remember picking up newspapers and magazines and seeing the devastation and yet there were pictures of a nation coming together as one. I used those newspapers and magazines to do something that became quite therapeutic for me. I made 2 scrapbooks. The first one was black and it contained pictures from the dreadful day. The second one was red and it held pictures of hope and promise; pictures of flags, pictures of people helping one another, pictures of our soldiers, police and firefighters. I don’t know if you remember, but in the newspapers after 9/11, companies were taking out advertising space to write their letters of condolence to those who lost loved ones. It was amazing to see people in our country coming together to express love and concern for those who were mourning. I clipped all those letters and notes and put those in my scrapbook. Another thing I did was with a friend of mine. We got together and made pins to wear. We made yellow ribbons and red, white & blue ribbons. It helped us heal during a time of such hurt. It also was a way for us to show our patriotism. We also took time to write letters to our elected officials, police, firefighters and service members. It was through these tragic events that I met my husband.

I have to say I thought that I was a pretty patriotic American before I met Art but in all honesty I had no clue to what it was really like to be patriotic until he was deployed just 5 months after we were married. That year of him being gone was awful but it was a time I would never change. I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. I felt such pride in my husband and such pride in my country for which he fought. It killed me to watch the news and not know of Art’s well being every moment of each day. It hurt me to hear people arguing over whether or not we should be in Iraq. Bottom line was…my husband is there, it doesn’t matter how he got there, let’s support them! Still to this day I get very emotional thinking about it and reliving those moments. I really believe the only people that can truly understand this level of pride are those who have protected our freedoms and their families. You haven’t a clue until you are actually faced with it. I will always be a proud Army wife and even more proud to be an American because of Art’s sacrifice for me and all of you.

As we reflect today on the events that took place 7 years ago let's not forget our military men and women who are defending the freedoms that we take so easily for granted...you can have an opinion and share it because of those who guard your freedom to do so. Those out in the world that protest the war are only able to do so because of the men and women of the military that preserve that freedom.

Thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines and Airmen for your sacrifice to our country. Thank you to all the spouses and family members...you have the toughest job in the military.

Thank you also to our police, firefighters and other servants in our communities. You face dangers daily and we thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of our safety.

Below is a video from when Art was deployed. It's made up of pictures from his unit. Take a moment to see some of the faces that have protected us.


This next video is a reminder of the events that happened 7 years ago today. To see some of the pictures and footage is haunting. It brought back many thoughts for me and caused me to cry. But maybe that's what we need...we have gotten back into our own way of life, often forgetting what did happen on 9/11/2001 until it is remembered today. Have you forgotten?



The Psalm below is one that I would read almost daily the year that Art was gone. It was so very encouraging in some of my darkest moments. It's the Soldier's Psalm.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

mourning a loss

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
~Isaiah 41:13

this morning i received a call from a dear friend of mine. she told me her father passed away unexpectedly on wednesday. i just was shocked. i adored her parents. when i was talking with her this morning, i shared a memory.

during the first gulf war, mr. farmer was deployed. i wrote him a letter and he wrote back. i still have that letter to this day. i even pulled it out and read it when art was deployed. that is a letter that i cherish. i also remember when he returned, aarionne and i bought matching patriotic boxer shorts and shirts to wear to the welcome home ceremony. i think that night we also attended a lee greenwood concert! those are memories that i cherish.

i was looking up a song on youtube this morning and it just seemed appropriate to the news i later heard. listen to the song and read the lyrics. when we cry out to God, He is there. He is "I AM".

Pencil marks on a wall
I wasn't always this tall,
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed,
You watched my team win,
You watched my team lose,
You watched when my bicycle went down again,

And When I was weak unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Elbow healer, Superhero,
come if You can,” and You said “I am”

Only 16, life is so mean, what kind of curfew is at ten PM
You saw my mistakes, You watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I’d never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Heart-ache Healer, Secret-keeper,
be my Best Friend” and You said “I am”

You saw me wear white, by pale candlelight,
I said forever to what lies ahead
two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
too much it might seem when it’s two AM

when I am weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name.
“Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture-maker,
hold on to my hand,” and You say “I am.”

The winds of change,
And circumstance blow in and all around
us so we find a foothold that’s familiar,
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
Life had begun, I was woven and spun,
You let the angels dance around the throne, who can say when,
But they’ll dance again, when I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name
“Creator, Maker, Life-sustainer,
Comforter, Healer, My Redeemer,
Lord and King, Beginning and
the End, I am, yes, I am.”

By: Nichole Nordeman

what makes a teacher?

when i was a little girl i used to play "teacher". i loved setting up school in our basement and reading books and handing out assignments to my make believe students. when i was in elementary school, i loved cleaning the chalk boards and wanted to write on them all day long with colored chalk...that real smooth stuff. i loved all the details of being a teacher...stickers, putting smily faces on papers, recess and of course "heads up 7-up". there was a reason i loved playing teacher so much...i had great examples!

do you remember your favorite teacher? what was it about that person that made them your favorite? was it because they were especially nice to you? was it because they pushed you to your potential? over my years of schooling i had several teachers that stood out.

* miss staples aka mrs. anderson: was my 1st grade teacher. she was the sweetest teacher around. i just remember her gentle spirit and loving heart.


* miss love: was my 2nd grade teacher and was miss staples' friend! they were so much alike. i was so glad to have both of them especially since in 1st & 2nd grade i broke my leg (same leg, same bone...i know, crazy). both of them took the extra time to help me in the classroom and out on recess. for that i will always remember these ladies.


as i grew older the relationship with my teachers became different. as i "matured" (as much as a teenager can do), teachers became more like friends. in high school i had many teachers that i loved. not only because they were good teachers but because it went beyond teaching. they touched my heart and soul as a young person trying to find my way in life.

* miss bowman: she taught economics...she was very hard in class, but great. you either liked her or you didn't. she was my mentor in the girls' discipleship group. she became my friend.

* mrs. orme: was my typing teacher. she taught business classes. i didn't do too well in typing because i couldn't get the keys memorized...still don't know them all. what is so special about mrs. orme is that she later became my teacher and advisor in college! she was always so genuine. she helped to mold me to be in the profession that i am today.

* miss scott: what girl doesn't love home economics?!?! miss scott was the teacher. i loved being in that class. she taught me so much about being a domesticated woman...too bad i don't remember a lot of it...like sewing...ugh


* mr. chamberlain: was my art teacher. i enjoyed being creative in many different outlets. i thoroughly enjoyed ceramics during j-term and the drawing in art 1. he went on fine arts trips to nyc. he was a great man to be around.

* mr. mohler: this man was around during my elementary days and high school days. he taught music. he directed the choir. he also was the band and strings director. i participated in all of those groups...singing in the choir and playing the violin and percussion.


and last but not least...

* mr. sundberg: i remember hearing what a tough teacher he was when i was a freshman. students feared him. i would only be fortunate to have him as a teacher my junior year. this was a difficult year for me. i had several issues with health which caused me to miss a lot of school. then of course on top of that i had mr. sundberg for english. english was not one of my better subjects (still isn't). i love to write but the whole grammar thing just gets me. from what i remember of mr. sundberg he was tough but loving. he pushed you to be all you could be. he had high standards and by all means should have. he was a friend to the students and a friend to me when i needed it.


a few of these people i see on occasion and still keep in touch via email. it's neat to have a relationship with them after all these years. it's comforting to be able to go back to those more innocent days and reminisce.

thank you to all teachers past and present for your sacrifice. you challenged, you disciplined, you befriended, you laughed, you cried, you prayed, you discipled, you taught. i am forever grateful to you!

remembering a friend

Sixteen years ago today, someone i loved left this world. i can't believe that time has passed so quickly. i remember i was on my way home from the mother daughter banquet at church and i was going to go home, change and then head to the hospital to see her. i got home and one of my parents took me into the dreaded living room (that is where all bad news seemed to be delivered). they told me she was gone. to hear that news was unbelievable. i couldn't even comprehend at age 17 how someone you have known for so many years could just be gone in a moment. i have so many wonderful and happy memories of her...going on vacations together, spending time at each others houses, shopping at the mall, taking tennis lessons, playing ping pong, driving around in the car thinking we're cool...i loved her...i still do. i miss her terribly. today i remember the impact sheryl has made in my life.