Thursday Date Night: Rio

I love Thursdays from Red  Box.  Every week, I get a code texted to my phone for a free movie.  Last night for dinner, I made a Cheesy Chicken and noodle casserole with green/red peppers and mushrooms.  It turned out great.  Very cheesy! 

Then we went over to our local Red Box and picked out a movie.  Steve wanted to see Rio.  It's a movie about a bird that gets bird-napped by an exotic pet shop and ends up lost in a small town in Minnesota when he fell off the truck.  He is found by a little girl who raises him as her pet.  She names him Blu.  He is a very spoiled, happy bird until a scientist comes to find him and says he is the last of his species.  The scientist has found a female blue Macaw and they only way for their species to survive is for them mate and have baby birdies.

After much prodding, the girl, who is know an adult, decides to bring her bird to Rio de Janero, Brazil with scientist.  The scientist runs a bird refuge that finds injured birds in the wild or rescues them from smugglers.  They arrive in Brazil just in time for the annual Carnival festival.  Blu and the female Macaw, Jewel, are again bird-napped by some local smugglers.  Blu must learn to trust his new friends and learn to survive out in the unknown wild.  It's a really cute movie about a bird who never learned to fly, who has lived as a pet his whole life, and never really had any bird friends. 

In all the adventures, Blu must gain the courage to learn to fly, develop friendships, and learn the value of family.  I thought it was a good story about perseverance, believing in yourself, and getting outside your comfort zone.
Definitely Pitney Approved.  Rated: G

One Week Left! Please Help if You Can!

The Big Red Shoes Are Back

The YWCA Staff Team needs some help to reach our goal.  There is one more week left to reach our goal!  Go to www.ywcancin.org and click on the red shoe or click on the link.

Join us in my efforts to support YWCA - North Central Indiana

Thank you for supporting YWCA - North Central. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Team Fundraising Goal:	$1,000.00
Total Raised:	$400.00

Can you walk a mile in her shoes! Join men throughout Michiana in the effort to raise awareness & money for the YWCA's Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault programs.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

9 am check in begins

10 am walk begins

Coveleski Stadium

South Bend, IN

Book Review: Your 100 Day Prayer

I am currently reading Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God by John I. Snyder.  I am on day 15 of the 100 day journey.  The premise of the book is that you pick one thing to pray about and then focus on that one thing for 100 days.  Not only do I think this book helped me get in the habit of praying every day, but it also has helped me focus on what to pray for.  For me, sometimes I find it hard to pray for myself because I feel that either I'm selfish to focus on myself or that I'm unworthy for God to answer something for me.  It's a process, but I am learning to break free from both of those opinions.  I am looking forward to continuing the journey of self discovery and watching God works is ways I have never seen before.  I'm excited to see what He is going to teach me through this journey.  We have some big changes coming into our lives in the next few years and it feels good to know that God is in control.  For each day there is a short devotion beginning with scripture and a guide to prepare you how to pray, so it forces me to go a little deeper than I might go on my own.  You can also jot notes and track the progress each day. 

"Go to God humbly and ask him to reveal the secret places of worry and anxiety that surround you and your need."

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Birthdays and Fun with Friends

Today is my best friend's birthday.  I hope she has an exceptional day.

It definitely been some crazy weeks for Steve and I.  I'm waiting for life to slow down a little.  I don't have any major complaints though.  Life is pretty good right now.  I feel really busy but I'm happy.

I have been feeling kind of lost for the past few years since switching churches.  I like Gospel Center but it didn't feel the same as Granger Community.  At Granger, I had friends and connections.  There was a real family atmosphere, even though it was so big.  Last week, I watched some old sermons and videos to reminisce.  Gospel Center is much smaller, but it seems to be taking longer for me to feel connected.  Steve felt connected pretty quick, but he started attending before I did.  Steve and I have started attending a small group at Gospel Center and I think that has helped me feel like I belong more.  I've actually been praying for opportunities to connect and I was invited to help with AWANA this year.  This is my first experience with AWANA.   AWANA is definitely different than Oasis.  I am working with Cubbies.  Cubbies are three and four year olds.  They have so much energy.  It's fun though.  I wish there was something fun like that for kids when I was little.  The kiddoes are so much fun. 

Last night after work, I met some friends to watch the Ohio State game and Steve met us after he got off.  The time with friends was great, but the game was a little disappointing.  There is always next week, right? :o)

Tonight, Steve and I are having dinner with some other members of the church as part of the Dinners For Eight event.  It should be fun and a relaxing way to end the week. 

Can You Find a Way to Help!

I’m going to tell you the story of “Mary.” Mary could be a client at the YWCA. She is a young mother struggling to go to school, work, and take care of her kids. She wants more than anything to make a break the cycle of poverty that has gripped her family for generations. Since she doesn’t have her GED yet, she can not get a good paying job so she is living with her boyfriend, the father of her youngest daughter. She has three children (4, 3, and 1) and she just told her boyfriend that she thinks she is pregnant again. He gets angry and calls her a whore and says he can’t afford anymore kids. He says he already pays enough in child support and that he will leave her if she doesn’t have an Abortion. He pushes her towards the stairs, but luckily she grabs the stair railing to avoid falling down the stairs onto the floor below. Unsatisfied and still angry, he grabs her hair and pulls her into their room and smashes her head into the mirror. Her oldest daughter walks into the room to see what happened and the door is shut in her face. This young mother’s first instinct is to protect her children, so she tries to leave the room, but he won’t let her. She sits cowering in the corner of the room afraid to make a sound, so she doesn’t make him angry again. She sits there thinking to herself that she can’t afford to live on her own and she has nowhere else to turn, so she begs him for forgiveness. She is crying, scared, and bleeding, but what other choice does she have but to stay? In a few days, he will apologize and life will get back to “normal”…at least until she does something “wrong” again.


This women is made up, but this story plays out in different ways all over Michiana and I think it’s time we found an end domestic violence. How does that happen? It happens when we raise awareness that the issue exists in all households, in all demographics, in all races, and yes…it happens to men as well. The YWCA is in the business of helping women and their children escape and find a safe place to stay while they attend classes, find a better job, and get the counseling that they need. The YWCA is working to break the cycle of poverty by offering the clients life skills classes where they can learn things such as job interviewing skills, resume writing, parenting skills, CPR/First Aid, financial management, and so much more.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!  I think a great way to start the month is to make the YWCA's Walk a Mile in her Shoes a great event.

Join men throughout Michiana in the effort to raise awareness & money for the YWCA's Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault programs.
Go to www.ywcancin.org and donate to the cause or join the team of walkers.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
9 am check in begins
10 am walk begins
Coveleski Stadium

Remembering September 11th

I'm not sure I could tell you exactly what I was doing all day last Tuesday, but I remember exactly where I was and what i was doing that Tuesday morning, September 11th. So much have changed the last 10 years. I watched the news for days straight. My roommate and I left the TV while we went to sleep. We didn't want to miss anything.  The terrorists didn't just knock down some buildings that day. The terrorists didn't have a plan to kill people.  They wanted to destroy our country.  They wanted to make us afraid and vulnerable.  They hate our freedoms.  They tried to destroy our economy and they almost succeeded.  If we, as a nation, continue to live in fear than the terrorists have won.  I believe there is hope that God will restore this country.
I didn't have any classes that semester on Tuesdays, so I was still a sleep. All of a sudden my phone rang twice, but I didn't get to the phone either time. For some reason, I thought that I had better check my voice mails just in case it was important.  My mom said there was a fire in the Trade Center in New York and I should turn on the news.I thought that it was probably just a gas leak or a fire, but when I turned on the news and they said it was a plane, I just knew it had to be an accident. I didn't really know what to think at first. My first thoughts were that some pilot had fallen asleep and got off course and crashed. It seemed so unimaginable that someone would deliberately fly a plane into a building. Then we watched live on TV the second plane hit the second tower. I knew then that it could not have been a mistake.  We really didn't know what to think then. I was afraid for the people in the towers; hoping they would be able to get out of the building. Then we heard about other missing planes and everything seemed to be in chaos.  Then we watched in horror both towers collapse.  It was surreal. I remember watching the towers collapse right before my eyes thinking....there is no way everybody got out of there. When we heard about the other planes crashing, I just watched waiting for something else to happen. I couldn't take my eyes off the TV. I felt like I was watching a movie. It didn't feel real at first. I definitely remember feeling fear.  I kept thinking that i was going to wake up and everything was going to the same. I soon realized that nothing would ever be the same again.

Bethel called a emergency chapel service, so the Bethel community could get together and pray for the people involved. We continued to watch the news on the big screen in chapel and Bethel canceled classes for the rest of the day.  My roommate and I went back our room and sat in our dorm room and watched the news for the rest of the day.  I don't really remember anything else for the rest of day except for sitting in our room watching the news.  I don't even remember eating.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Our Crazy Week

It looks like we have survived our crazy work week so far.  Steve and I both worked almost 60 hours this week between our two jobs.  I didn't think we would make it through.  I am so tired today.  I can't remember the last day I had off from both jobs.  Steve actually had the day off today from both jobs.  I hope he had a great and relaxing day.  He really needed a day off.  He was getting pretty tired.  He actually worked more than I did because a kid at Sears decided on Saturday that he didn't want to come in to work, so Steve picked up some unscheduled hours.  If we had the extra money, I would say we needed to take a vacation, but maybe someday soon we will take a "stay-cation." 
I am definitely thankful that Steve and I both have great jobs.  There are so many people out there that don't have any jobs.  God has certaintly been providing for us with all the budget cuts at the YWCA.  The upside of all the work is we have the money we need to house repairs and we can throw the extra towards paying off Steve's student loan.   The downside is that I'm so tired all the time and we don't get the spend very much time with friends or family or each other.  I do love getting together with my family every Tuesday for Trivia Night at Mancino's and we did have some much needed time with friends on Labor Day.  I even made ribs for the first time all by myself because Steve was at work.  We really need to do that more often.

The Important of Starting to Save Early

Learn From Ben - Start Saving NOW!

Saving money consistently is so important! The earlier you start, the better. Let compound interest work in your favor! While you can’t change the past, you CAN start right now! What is every high school student couldn't graduate until they could understand and explain this chart?  I sure I would have!
Example - Ben and Arthur

Both save $2,000 per year at 12%. Ben starts at age 19 and stops at age 26. Arthur starts at age 27 and stops at age 65.

Age	Ben Invests		Arthur Invests
19	$2,000	$2,240	$0	$0
20	$2,000	$4,749	$0	$0
21	$2,000	$7,558	$0	$0
22	$2,000	$10,706	$0	$0
23	$2,000	$14,230	$0	$0
24	$2,000	$18,178	$0	$0
25	$2,000	$22,599	$0	$0
26	$2,000	$27,551	$0	$0
27	$0	$30,857	$2,000	$2,240
28	$0	$34,560	$2,000	$4,749
29	$0	$38,708	$2,000	$7,558
30	$0	$43,352	$2,000	$10,706
31	$0	$48,554	$2,000	$14,230
32	$0	$54,381	$2,000	$18,178
33	$0	$60,907	$2,000	$22,599
34	$0	$68,216	$2,000	$27,551
35	$0	$76,802	$2,000	$33,097
36	$0	$85,570	$2,000	$39,309
37	$0	$95,383	$2,000	$46,266
38	$0	$107,339	$2,000	$54,058
39	$0	$120,220	$2,000	$62,785
40	$0	$134,646	$2,000	$72,559
41	$0	$150,804	$2,000	$83,506
42	$0	$168,900	$2,000	$95,767
43	$0	$189,168	$2,000	$109,499
44	$0	$211,869	$2,000	$124,879
45	$0	$237,293	$2,000	$142,104
46	$0	$265,768	$2,000	$161,396
47	$0	$297,660	$2,000	$183,004
48	$0	$333,379	$2,000	$207,204
49	$0	$373,385	$2,000	$234,308
50	$0	$418,191	$2,000	$264,665
51	$0	$468,374	$2,000	$298,665
52	$0	$524,579	$2,000	$336,745
53	$0	$587,528	$2,000	$379,394
54	$0	$658,032	$2,000	$427,161
55	$0	$736,995	$2,000	$480,660
56	$0	$825,435	$2,000	$540,579
57	$0	$924,487	$2,000	$607,688
58	$0	$1,035,425	$2,000	$682,851
59	$0	$1,159,676	$2,000	$767,033
60	$0	$1,298,837	$2,000	$861,317
61	$0	$1,454,698	$2,000	$966,915
62	$0	$1,629,261	$2,000	$1,085,185
63	$0	$1,824,773	$2,000	$1,217,647
64	$0	$2,043,746	$2,000	$1,366,005
65	$0	$2,288,996	$2,000	$1,532,166
			...And he never caught up!

http://www.daveramsey.com/

Always Lead By Example

Poem: I'd Rather See a Sermon

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

I'd rather you walk with me than merely point the way.

The eye is a more ready pupil than ever was the ear.

Good advice is often more confusing, but example is always clear.

--Heinrich Kopka

--From Focus on the Family radio broadcast, "Teacher of the Year" featuring Guy Doud. 

...I was important in the life of a child.

One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like.

One hundred from now it will not matter what kind of school I attended, what kind of typewriter I used, how large or small my church, but the world may be a little better, because...
I was important in the life of a child. --Anonymous

In Honor of Teachers
You are the molders of their dreams
The gods who build or crush
Their young beliefs of right or wrong.

You are the spark that sets aflame
The poet's hand or lights the flame
of some great singer's song.

You are the god of the young, the very young
You are the guardian of a million dreams
Your every smile or frown
can heal or pierce the heart

You are a hundred lives, a thousand lives.
Yours the pride of loving them
And the sorrow too.

Your patient work, your touch
Make you the goals of hope
Who fill their souls with dreams
To make those dreams come true.

by Ronald Reagan

BookSneeze

I signed up for this website to see what it was about.  It's a website that sends bloggers free books, then you have to write a review of the book of 200 words of more once you have read it.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love free stuff.  I just requested my first book and I am really excited for it to show up.  This should be fun.  Maybe this will get me back in the habit of reading more.

Our Crazy Summer

This has been a really busy summer so far in the Pitney household.   We just went entered the new Fiscal year at work.  That means that not only am I am working to finish up the prior Fiscal Year, but I also have get everything started for the new one.  I finished the Annual Data report last week.  I kill a few good trees everything I have to complete that.  It's between 60 and 70 pages long and I need to print 9 final copies of it and I have to do it at the end of every Quarter.   It is interesting to look at the finished report and see what we have done all the year and how many clients we have served.  It tells a fun picture of what we do. 
Due to budget cuts, I am still only working 36 hours a week, plus the hours I'm working at Sears.  We are working to get some new funding to replace what we lost.  We also just finished a big event and we another have one coming up in October.  Walk A Mile: Mens March Against Domestic Violence --> Steve is participating in this and could use your support.

Steve has been working really hard too.  His hours were cut back to 32 hours a week at the YWCA, so that means he will have one day off every week.  That will give him so four day weekends, so he is happy about that.  He is picking up whatever hours he can at Sears to make up the difference.  I really do have a great husband.  He has a really tiring job some weeks, but he still willing to work sometimes up to 24 hours a week at Sears.
With both of us working on average 50 or so hours a week, it makes it interesting to find time to spend together.  God has been providing for us in amazing ways this summer and I trust that He will continue to do so.  There are a few goals that may have to slowed down a little for us, but the important things are still in tact.  This post made me really tired to read. I think I'm going to take a nap...after I make dinner, exercise on the Wii Fit a little, and do some house cleaning.  I have to admit life is pretty good right now.

I Stand In Awe of You

I Stand In Awe Of You by Hillsong United

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

Run jane run 2011

Well, that was really fun. My friend, Sue, and I walked the 5K for the YWCA's run jane run. The money raised goes to support the domestic violence, sexual assault, and housing programs at the YWCA. It was a beautiful day and I love being out in nature at St. Pat's Park. Sue and I finished the walk in 59 minutes and six seconds. We were pretty happy with our time. I was happy to see so many people out to support the YWCA. It's a great organization.
I'm a little tired, so I think I'm going to do some cool down stretches before I have to go to work this afternoon. My body wants to take a nap but the expert runners tell me that will cause me to cramp up.

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Is There More than Corn in Indiana?

Steve found a really good deal on corn at Meijer this week for 20 cents an ear.  He decided that we should buy a bunch and freeze it for the winter.  He bought 130 ears of corn.  We try to eat corn with every meal if we can, so it makes sense to have a lot of it around.  We really do love corn.  I had Wednesday off work as a vacation day.  The original plan was to use the day to clean because my best friend was coming into town on Thursday.  I also scheduled our appliance tune ups since I was home.  As part of the house-cleaning process, I thought I would get the freezing process started.

After getting some tips from some friends, I started making our corn.

First, I removed the corn husks and as much of the slimy white silky stuff as possible.  Then I cleaned the corn and tried the cut out all the bad kernels.  The whole sink was filled with corn.   I don't think I have ever shucked that much corn in my life.  It didn't take as long as I thought it would though.


Then, my sis came over and she helped with the process.  We had two pots on the stove for the blanching.  Directions and tips from friends said to blanch the corn for about five  minutes then quickly throw it an ice bath.  I took corn out of one half of the sink and put cold water and a bag of ice in it for the ice bath.  After the ice bath, my sister's part of the process started.  She cut the kernels off the cob with a Pampered Chef corn cutter.  Which made the process so easy.  Thank you mom for letting us use it.
Next, we bagged up the corn.  I put about two cup of corn kernels in each bag with a teaspoon of sugar.  Thanks Jamie for that tip.  I'm sure the corn will be very sweet when we eat it.

We still have about two dozen ears left to do.   We had trivia with our family and friends on Tuesday and we brought some corn on the cob with us and last night we corn on the cob for dinner, and they tasted good.  I think we are going to have corn around the house for a little while.  Yum! Yum! Yum! 


Once the corn process was done and we found out we wouldn't have to go pick Liz up from airport Wednesday night, I cleaned some more of the house and played some WII games with Erin until Steve got home from work.

The Benefits of Spirit-Filled Living

I got this devotion in my email today.  It was a very timely email, I thought.  I do feel physically, emotionally, and spiritual depleted.  My "security gland" has taken a beating this past few weeks with all the stress of trying to cut back on our budget.  I am learning to lean on God and trust in Him that He will continue to provide for us.  I almost feel guilty for even being stressed because there are so many people out there that are struggling much more than we are.  We are going to be OK.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Bridget,

The Bible proclaims it. Christ promises it. Your life can be filled with love. Joy. Peace. Self control.
Sounds good, right? Perhaps a little too good to be true!
The Christian life is never effortless. But I've got some encouragement for you today: you have been well equipped for the journey!

My hope and prayer for you today is that with God's help and a little spiritual pruning, you will see a powerful difference in your life.


God bless you,

Dr. David Jeremiah
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Ah ha. I knew It. Younger Siblings are Spoiled. :o)

This comic explains my whole childhood. :0) Just kidding...mostly. Anyone else with younger siblings that can totally relate to this?

Our Baby Tomatoes

With my mom's help, at the beginning of the summer we started a garden in our back yard. I have never had a garden before, so I thought it would be fun. I thought I would try me hand at tomatoes, because they seemed easy and I love tomatoes. They loved all the rain we got at the beginning of the season, so the plants are really big. With this heat, we have to keep them watered, so we don't kill them. Last week, I saw that we finally have little green baby tomatoes. I can't wait until the grow up into big red tomatoes. They are going to be so tasty. If I'm successful with tomatoes, maybe I'll try a different vegetable next year.

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Budget Cuts are Not Fun

It is going to be an interesting couple of months for Steve and I. We just found that Steve's hours are going to be cut starting in August. Luckily, we wont lose our benefits though, so that we are thankful for. I trust God is going to continue to provide for all our needs. He has done it before and He will do it again. It's going to tough though trying to squeeze every last dollar out of our already tight budget. We are still going to continue working on the Wycliffe application process. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
James 1:12

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Learning to Sew

My mom got to me a sewing maching for my birthday last month.  I haven't sewed anything on the sewing maching since I was in 7th and 8th grade Home Ec class.  In 7th grade, I made a chocolate chip cookie pillow and in 8th grade I made a blue tote bag, which I still have.  I guess now is as good a time as any to learn how to sew.  Now, I just have to figure out how to use it and make project I should make first.  I found a website allfewsewing.com that has some free patterns on it, so I think I'm going to start there.  This should be an adventure. :o)
I wonder if there any sewing classes in the area where I can take classes.  I might learn better if I have someone teaching me, than just teaching myself.  Hopefully, learning to sew will help teach me some patience along the way too.

Therefore Encourage One Another...

1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Throughout my years of middle school ministry, I have received many notes of encouragement from students and my fellow leaders.  I can not begin to say how much those mean to me.  I still have many of the notes on display around the house and in my Bible.  I am going to take them with me and keep them close as we continue to make plans to move.  One of the hardest parts of the thought of moving is knowing how many close friends I'm going to leave behind.  This is my way to bring you with me.  I hope that I continue to live up to the words they wrote.

Here are just a few:

• "I loved leading with you this year. You are a great person." - Naomi
• "I love your heart for kids. You shine...my friend...you shine." - Judy
• "You always are so happy. Thank you for encouraging others and my children." - Laura
• "I love your positive attitude & the joy that you carry with you always. Love ya sis." - Judy
• "You have a heart for God and it's been a joy watching you on your walk with Christ." - Jason
• "You have a great memory for names. Good way to love our kids." - Adam
• "How faithful & awesome you are. You have been a part of Oasis longer than I have. How special you make our events." - Chris
• "You rock, my friend. I have known ya for...well a long time and you have always have the same sweet smile & friendly lovable personality." - Loretta
• "You are awesome leader. You have taught me so much." - Dianna
• "It's great being a leader with you. You have so much insight. Thanks for all your wisdom." - Carole
• "Your dedication to Oasis is so appreciated." - Wendy
• "Hey gurl, I love you & you are a great girl. I hope you will always be here & I can count on you. Love you tons." - Jeanette

Telling My Story

As part of the Wycliffe application process, I thought I would write out my "My Story" of how I started my Christian walk.

Here is my story.  It's not great, but it's mine:

I grew up with Christian parents and we went to church every week. We prayed before meals and I knew all the Bible stories from Vacation Bible Schools and my children’s Bible. I knew there was a God but I didn’t understand then what a personal relationship with him was like. My dad worked for trucking company that transferred him to different cities throughout my childhood. By the time I was ten, we had moved eight times. When we arrived in Mishawaka, at the beginning of fifth grade, I had decided that I didn’t want to make friends. It wasn’t that I couldn’t make friends, but I didn’t want to because I “knew” we would be moving again and I was tired of saying goodbye to good friends. This caused me to be somewhat of an outcast in my class because I avoided people. I actually preferred that people not like me because then I wouldn’t care when I moved away from them. My classmates thought I was just shy and I probably was a little and instead of trying to break through the walls that I had built up they just gave me more reasons to not like them. I figured if I didn’t let anyone get to near me than they couldn’t hurt me. My fifth and sixth grade and Junior High years were pretty lonely. God did protect me from getting into anything too destructive because with my negative attitude I probably could have. I have found though that most often when kids find themselves hanging out with the wrong crowd, it’s because they are searching for friends and a need for acceptance. I wasn’t searching for friends; I was avoiding them for the most part. I got pretty good at being nice to people, but not forming really deep friendships.

It wasn’t until High School that I started to feel safe making friends. During my sophomore year of High School, some friends that I had made invited me a youth ministry event at their church. I decided to go and once I got there I looked around and was shocked at how many people that I knew there. There was something different about the people in the room and I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I started going every week with them and I realized that I starved for connection and relationships. I realized that even though I thought I was avoiding friendships for the past five years that I had some great friends anyway. These friends actually seemed to genuinely care about me. For the first time in my life I learned that God actually desired a personal relationship with me. I felt like every week the youth pastor was speaking directly to me. I recommitted my life to Christ surrounded by some of my closest friends. My high school small group was very supportive of me and helped me to break down some of the walls I had built up. It is interesting when I look back and realize that some of the closest, dearest friends that I still have now I met during those tough Junior High years. I wouldn’t trade those friendships for the world.

Because of those friends and the ministry of that church, I decided to go to Bethel College. While at Bethel College, I got involved with my church’s middle school ministry. Sometimes I wonder why God brings things into your life, but when I look back I think that maybe God was preparing me to do ministry to students just like me. I also met my husband at Bethel College. Sometimes when we don’t understand why something is happening, we just have to remember that God might a bigger purpose. If I hadn’t started attending the youth ministry in High School, I wouldn’t have made some of the amazing friends that I have now and I’m not sure that I would have wanted to go to Christian college. If I wouldn’t have moved around so much as a child, I don’t think I would have wanted to stay in the same city for college. I was finally in a place that I felt I could call home and I didn’t want to leave. If I hadn’t gone to Bethel, I wouldn’t have been invited to join the middle school ministry team at church, which taught me so much and helped me grow in my walk with Christ and I wouldn’t have met my husband, who is my best friend.

I continue to learn and grow in my Christian walk everyday. I don’t think I am where I need to be, but I’m on the journey. I still struggle sometimes with feelings of unworthiness and sometimes I will still shy away when meeting new people because I am not really sure if I want to let them in or not. I have learned that during those times I can lean on God and He will be my comfort. There is no feeling like the feeling of knowing the God desires to my friend.

Wycliffe Application Process Continues

Joining Wycliffe is a bit of a long process.  Before we can even be given an application, we have to become approved by our recruiter and assigned an Application Specialist.  Our Application Specialist will then send us a link to the application and we have 41 days from the day we receive it to complete it.  Well this week, we got assigned our Specialist and received our application, so now the fun part begins.  They estimate it will take about 10 hours to complete the application.  There are some really probing questions on the application that you really have to think about.  Some are pretty basic questions, such as employment history and education.  Other questions, though, are about my doctrinal beliefs, moral convictions and how I handle stress.  Because I am interested in IT, I also had to complete a questionnaire about my IT skills and experience.  I hate talking about myself in applications. I am really bad at describing myself.  I guess that could stem from the low self-esteem that I often have.  I think I'm going to write out my thoughts on another word document, then after going over it again I will add them to the final application.
Steve is farther along on his than I am, because he started his while I was making dinner on Wednesday and then I had an 30 more questions than he did about IT stuff.  I am going to have to carve out some time tonight and work on it.  Please continue to pray for us as we go through this process.  It is going to be a really stretching experience for us as we continue to application process, get ready to move, and start to raise up our support team.

Support the YWCA at a Ladies Night Out at the Cove

Ladies’ Night Out!
Summer has finally arrived and its time to have fun and make a difference...all at the same time! The South Bend Silver Hawks are providing one night of fashion, entertainment and community outreach for all Michiana women on Wednesday, July 20th and we hope you’ll join us. 

• InspireMe boutique, the title sponsor of Ladies’ Night Out, presents a Summer Line Fashion Show during the game along with the latest fashion advice.
• Silver Hawks staff and interns will also be lending a hand by auctioning their services to the community with all proceeds benefitting the YWCA North Central Indiana’s programs for women and children.
• And if that isn’t enough to get you there… one lucky woman will be chosen to participate in the Silver Hawks Ambush Makeover. The winner will receive free services from Salon Rouge and a fashion consultation with Jeanne from InspireMe.

Don’t miss out!! Take a night off with your best girlfriends and join the boys of summer for some fun!

To order your tickets please CLICK HERE
(type “YWCA” as the Special Offer Code) so a portion of the ticket price goes to the YWCA or call (574) 235-9988 to purchase tix over the phone

Thanks for supporting the YWCA!

Join the YWCA & the South Bend Silver Hawks for Summer Fun at the Cove

Looking Forward to What's Ahead

It feels like things are coming together. Steve and I had a two hour conversation with our Wycliffe recruiter on Sunday. Since we hit the break even point in our debt we felt that we could move ahead with the process. We now know what our next step is. Once we fill out the application and become approved candidates, and have an interview with the application specialist we can apply for the Equip training in Orlando. Equip is a two week training that will teach us about partnership building, language development, and other things for Wycliffe. The next Equip training is at the end of January. Two weeks in Orlando in January 2012...that sounds like a great plan. Then when we complete that we will get our assignment and can start our graduate studies at GIAL. At this point we will put the house on the market and move to Dallas. Selling the house will not only make us debt free but will give us the money we need to pay for school. We are thinking that maybe that can happen in the next two years. We can keep working our current jobs through the whole process.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in the next few years.

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I Survived Turning 30

I turned 30 over the weekend on Saturday.  It was a beautiful weekend.  Steve and I went out for my birthday dinner on Friday night after I got off work.  We decided to try somewhere that we had never been before.  We tried The Flat Top Grill in Mishawaka.  It was pretty good.  Basically, they give you a bowl and you fill it up with all the veggies and meat that you want and pour some sauce on top and they stir-fry it all up for you.  I actually decided to live a little and get strawberry lemonade, instead of my normal water.  Hey, you only turn 30 once. :o)
Since we were in the mall, we walked around Barnes and Noble and looked at the clearance tables and see if there are any books that we want to read.   I wanted to try the new yogurt shop in Granger, but it wasn't open yet.

Friday and Saturday was my parent's neighborhood garage sale.  Friday I sat at my parent's in the morning, but then I had to go to work at Sears until 7.  Saturday, I requested off from Sears so I sat at the sale all day with my mom and our friend, Sue.  Steve and I love to go garage saleing.  We were pretty successful at our sale.  We seemed busier on Friday, then on Saturday but Steve and I sold a bunch of stuff.  My mom said between all the families involved in our sale we made over $400.  Steve and I walked around the blocks to see what everyone else was sellling.  We didn't find much to buy, but Steve did find some tools.  It was a beautiful weekend for a garage sale.  We heard that it rained in other areas on Mishawaka, but it didn't rain at all in Reverewood.

Sunday was Father's Day.  Since I took Saturday off work for the garage sale, I had to work on Sunday.  We were kind of busy with shoppers, possible some last minute Father's Day presents.  I got off work at 4 and when I got home Steve was doing yard work.  Then we went over to my parent's for Father's Day dinner.  I love having such a tight-nit family that live so close to each other, so we can get together so often.  I saw my family on Thursday when I was bringing things over for the garage sale, Friday and Saturday during the sale, and on Sunday for Father's Day.  I will see them tonight at Trivia Night too.
I'm looking forward to the next decade.  It should full of new and exciting adventures.  Bring it on!

Steve Thinks My Tractor's Sexy!

Do you like my new tractor?  Just kidding, I got to drive the tractor at work today while we were putting them away from outside.  It was pretty fun to drive it around.  It rode it around the parking lot while I was waiting for my co-workers to get the rest of the stuff inside.

Can God Really Be Trusted?

I know that God has promised to provide all our needs.  This year just seems to have been filled with so many set backs when it comes to our financial goals.  With all the job losses, car repairs, and such similar events it seems like every time we were getting ahead something happened to set us back.  Even with all these things setbacks, God has been providing for us at every turn.  We finally, after a lot of hard work, have gotten to our "Break Even Point" where when we sell the house we will be debt free.  That is exciting for us because now we can make the necessary plans to move to Texas and join Wycliffe completely debt free.  There is an application process and some classes that we have to take and then once we get accepted we can make plans to sell the house, create our support team, and move to Texas.  It's a process that can take some time, but it's exciting that now can start.  And it also means that each debt payment that we make from this point until we move is just gravy.  The more I think about the question above, the more I realize that the answer is an absolute "Yes."  He may not always provide in the speed that I expect or in the way I expect, but He will always provide all our needs.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:25-33

I love Summer!

Steve and I had a somewhat productive weekend.  We both had to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We don't usually work on Sunday, so it was strange that we were both scheduled.  I like the extra hours though.  Saturday, I also helped a friend move after work.  Sunday, I was pretty sore after that.

We did manage to get some stuff done around the house this weekend though.  The weather was just beautiful this weekend.  It was hot and sunny and I like that much more than cold and rainy.  Summer is very close to my favorite season and it looks like summer is here finally.  We actually broke down and turned the air conditioning on in the house this weekend.  The fans just weren't cutting it with the humidity.

Steve used the great weather to get the garage cleaned up and organized.  It looks great.  I turned the sprinkler on to water the flowers in our backyard that my amazing mom planted and then decided since the water was on I might as well wash my car.  I even vacuumed it out.  It looks very nice. 

I'm still working on getting garage sale stuff together.  I have filled my car up twice now and am starting to bring stuff over to my parent's house.  I have tried to advertise in all free places I can think of.  I am hoping for a very successful sale because our Emergency Fund took a big hit last week when we took my car into the shop.  It was making some weird noises and shaking really hard when we were driving on the bypass.  So now the Focus has some brand new tires, a new tire rod, and a few other things were done.  Overall, it was a relaxing and productive weekend.

2011 Reverewood Neighborhood Garage Sale

Steve and I (and a few other families) are having a garage sale at my parent's house in Reverewood.  Saturday the 18th is my 30th birthday, so you should come and celebrate with me at our garage sale.  On the map below, the house is actually a little farther down the street from the marker, but it's close.  The house is actually at the "d" in Medford.

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Save the Date: YWCA run, jane, run 2011