October 28, 2010.

This Sunday Chris and I are renewing our wedding vows in church. He initially asked me to do this on Monday. I said yes, but later got to thinking that I really didn't want to do this. I am uneasy doing things in front of people like this, so I later told him I would rather not. The crushed look on his face immediately made me regret saying that. So, I told him OK, we would do it. Later, I found out his whole family is coming. No wonder he was crushed when I said I would rather not.

So, Sunday during the Celebration Service we will renew our vows. We asked my mom to come, but she is not sure she wants to. She says she cries to easy. I don't know if that is just her excuse to not come, or if she really is afraid she will. I told her Chris' entire family will be there, but she still said she is not sure. Whatever...that is my mom.

I just realized I never actually made a post here about or 25th wedding anniversary. Probably because I was sick earlier this week. But, on Tuesday was our silver anniversary. We did not do anything special, we both had to work. This Sunday will be our something special for the anniversary.

It is truly hard to believe it has been 25 years. There have been good years and bad. Sometimes it seems more bad. I would not trade Chris for anything, but if I could do some of those years over there are some things I would do different. But, I guess that is how we learn and grow together.

October 27, 2010.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns." Isaiah 52:7


This verse was in my Disciple reading this week. I liked it enough to highlight it so thought I would share it here.

October 25, 2010.

Chris is home from his Emmaus walk. He seems to have had a really, really meaningful time. Like I was when I returned, he has been talking non-stop about everything that took place. We had three guys from our church who went and all three seemed to have brought back experiences that were life-changing.

I made it for the candlelight ceremony and also served in the kitchen that Saturday afternoon. It was so wonderful experiencing some of the events from behind the scenes. The women's walk was canceled so I didn't get to work there. Hopefully in the spring, I look forward to being on the Apage team.

Closing ceremony was last evening. Hearing all the pilgrims testimonies and how the weekend affected them was so cool. During my walk, I was on such an emotional roller coaster I honestly don't remember a lot of the talks given by the other pilgrims.

Last evening towards the end of the closing ceremony I started to not feel so good. I wound up with a stomach flu or food poisoning, not sure which, but either way I was one miserable puppy on the way home. I just pray that if I have something contagious that the others in the van don't catch it. Chris is positive it is the devil working, trying to deflate the wonderful things that happened that weekend for him. He may very well be right!

October 22, 2010.

I'm not sure why I have not been posting in my blog. No reason, really...just haven't take the time and I really need to!

This weekend Chris is at his Walk to Emmaus. I really hope his experience is as meaningful as mine. Only time will tell! I'm going there tomorrow to work behind the scenes. Most likely in the kitchen. I'm looking forward to it. Since the women's walk was canceled I've been itching to experience the "behind the scenes" work at the walks.

I guess they have been having some problems there. A friend of mine called and asked me to pray extra for the guys. They have had a couple of key workers take sick and not able to fulfill their roles at the walk.

The devil just loves making things hard for us at times like this!

Oct. 12, 2010. Verse for today.

Jeremiah, say to the people, "This is what the Lord says: " When people fall down, don't they get up? When they discover they're on the wrong road, don't they turn back?" Jeremiah 8: 4




No, not always......

October 9, 2010.

Well, I've been really neglecting this blog! It's so easy to get out of the habit of posting in something like this. My last post I sounded really depressed, but I'm over that depressed hump for now. Today it's actually been one month since we lost Rudy. For some reason, it seems like it's been a lot longer then a month. Not sure why. The first week or so was really hard adjusting, but now we've gotten back into daily routines and things are better. Charlotte seems to be over her initial sadness and is not moping around the house as she was. It doesn't hurt that we have been showering her with a lot more attention..also, Chris' new work schedule means she has one of us at home just about all the time.

Our bankruptcy is finally over, praise the Lord. That went on entirely too long. But now we can begin rebuilding our savings and just getting our finances back into decent order. We have pared things back at home as much as can be done. Reduced our cell phone bill, paid off Chris' car with the money we did get back from the bankruptcy. We now officially have NO car payments! And that is just how it's going to be...forever if we can help it. We have a big stockpile of wood pellets for our stove in the back room. This way we can turn up the wood burner and turn down even more the house furnace. I'm even thinking of buying one of those oil filled space heaters for our bedroom. We kept the thermostat on 62 last year. Downstairs was decent with the wood burner..upstairs was pretty darn chilly. If we buy a little space heater for the bedroom, I'm thinking of even trying to lower the thermostat to 60. We did reduce our heating bill last year, I'm hoping we can reduce it even more. Someday we will have the extra money to invest in having insulation put into this old house.

Been keeping busy with both jobs and lots of events at church. Chris is working full-time at Family Express here in town and seems to enjoy it. I still get worried over things going on in our life, but I am having an easier time letting go of that worry and relying on God to help me through. In two weeks Chris will be going on his Emmaus walk. I truly hope he gets as much out of it as I did. I will be praying for him as well as all the other pilgrims who will be joining him that weekend.