Jon and Kate June 23, 2009

So so sad to hear that they are ending their marriage after ten years. But can I just vent here a little?

What’s been more sad and frustrating for me is to watch other people’s reactions to their situation. Yes, we know a few details of why they are divorcing…but really, what do we know? We know what they say on a 20 minute show once a week. We know what tabloids tell us. And the rest is speculation…and frankly – judgment.

I’m not at all advocating that divorce is the best option for a family, but I’m also not going to get on a soap box and condemn someone else’s choices that I don’t even know. Never spoken to. And even if I had spoken to them, is it the next best thing to do to get on facebook or twitter and proclaim my disapproval for their choice?

I hate this for their kids. But I’m sad for them, too. I don’t think this is what they would have chosen for themselves ten years ago. But who ever does?

I saw the following messages on facebook:
“This will destroy the kids…and they have themselves to thank for it!”
“So are they going to continue the show and follow them as a divorced couple? That’s sick….”
“Yes, they are. It will be great for ratings to watch the kids cry while they try to adjust to their new life. Oh, and then they can add even more drama when the kids get to meet mom/dad’s new boyfriends/girlfriends that are sure to come along.”

WOW. Just seems like a lot of anger for a family in crisis.

There…said my peace.

Happily ever after June 18, 2009

John sent me this article today about a project to see where the princesses might have actually ended up.

This particular picture was my favorite:

I admit to constantly comparing my workload with my husband’s.   The other day at my mom’s house, I asked John if he would help with the dishes after dinner while I took the kids outside to play.  (I’ve learned to just ask instead of being frustrated that he can’t read my mind.)  After a few minutes of hanging with the kids and my mom, he poked his head outside and asked my mom to come in.  Turns out he had put Dawn in the dishwasher and the suds had overtaken the kitchen.  Needless to say, it didn’t help with my frustration.

So today I came across this article, which may help some of you out there that might feel like Snow White gone Housewife.

In it, the author makes a list of all of the things her husband DOES do to help her.  I thought that might be a good public excersize for me as well.

So here goes…

John -

• Takes care of the yard
• Takes the trash cans to the curb
• Picks up all of his clothes
• Hangs his towels
• Grills fantastic meat
• Takes the kids to the Y
• Lets me sleep in on a lot of Saturdays
• Gets up with the kids if they wake up in the middle of the night
• Fixes my coffee often
• Washes clothes every now and then
• Hangs pictures in our house
• Takes care of upgrades like wood floors and paint jobs
• Helps with bathtime and bedtime
• Pays all of the bills – literally and figuratively
• Takes the kids for walks and errands
• Tells us all he loves us a hundred times a day

And that’s just the things I could come up with in the ten minutes my kids were distracted by their lunch. (And of course, this has nothing to do with all of the incredible things he does for the church, his family, our friends and neighbors.)

I love you John, thank you for all that you do – seen and unseen.

Oh, and thanks for loading the dishwasher the other night – the suds have died down now.

Food, inc. June 15, 2009

The food industry in this country is pretty insane once you start to understand some of the things they don’t want you to know.  If you’ve ever read Fast Food Nation or even seen Super Size Me…or if you are at all interested to know where the food in your grocery store comes from – check this movie out.

Do you believe in miracles? June 9, 2009

Just recently I got an email from a friend who has been doing overseas mission work for a couple of years. She is currently on a stint in Mozambique, working with a dynamic Christian worker named Heidi Baker.  You should take some time to read about what all God is doing there on their website.

This is what she said:

Dear friends and supporters!

I am pleased to report that I have arrived safely in Mozambique with all of my luggage! Things have been going well here.

Last Sunday we prayed for an elderly woman who was deaf to be healed and the Lord opened her ears. Please pray that Jesus would continue to heal His Bride in Mozambique.

Today, I went into the local village to invite some Muslims to a conference we will be holding at the missions base tomorrow. At the conference 3 speakers will be sharing the gospel, and we will be serving lunch to about 2,000 people. Please pray that the Lord reveals Himself in a powerful way to all who are attending.

I apologize that this update is so brief, but the internet in Mozambique is very unreliable. I would love to know how I can be praying for you and your families! Have a blessed summer.

I asked her if it would be ok for me to post her email and this was her response:

Of course you can blog it .

Our first outreach team went out this weekend and saw just over 200
Muslims accept Jesus. 6 deaf people were totally healed. There was

actually a film crew here and some Harvard doctors who are making a movie on supernatural things of God who documented the healings. God

is on the move in Mozambique!

Do you believe?

Sprinkler Park 09! June 9, 2009

(Fulmer now has a new home…)

Charis is a nut about it this year.

The Books of the Bible June 8, 2009

John and I recently had a chance to be taught by Ray Vander Laan. He’s an incredibly gifted teacher and student of the Jewish culture and context that Jesus lived and ministered in. While at his conference, he said some of the very orthodox Jews that he knows think that one of the worst things that we’ve done to Scripture is to add chapter and verse distinctions to the books. The books were meant to be read in one fluid reading, not divied up and taken out of context.

So, he directed us to a version of the Bible called “The Books of the Bible” where the chapters and verses have been taken out (and the columns).  So each book reads fluidly, without interruption.  John and I went ahead and ordered a case of them if anyone wants one.

They are $8.99 on the website, we’ll let you have one for $5 if you’re interested.   (They are olive green.)

You better not, you better not June 4, 2009

One of the best scenes in all of movie making. (I am not exaggerating…ok maybe a little.)

Thanks for the laugh Betsy.

Found something he doesn’t like June 1, 2009

Memphis Idol June 1, 2009

Got to meet Alexis Grace (from American Idol) at the Redbirds game today. So fun!

This was actually the first picture we took…she was trying to get Charis to smile…she didn’t know that was nearly impossible on command.

Joshua Jones May 31, 2009

What a sweet blessing he is.
We will finalize our adoption and officially make this little guy a Carroll on June 8th!
We love you Jones. So very much.