Updates are posted below - including Snow and Holidays Fit for a King pictures.
Enjoy. While you do, please remember the Bond family as they grieve the loss of their husband and dad today. (See post below)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blog Lurking and Such...
As most of you are I'm sure (maybe even how you get to THIS blog), I am guilty of blog lurking. This is when you look at a friend of a friend of a friend...'s blog. You get so hooked on this person's stories or experiences or whatever that you feel so connected and keep updated with their blog. Whether you post comments or not, you keep going back. This is one of the great but weird things about blogs, facebook, websites, twitter, etc. of today's culture. You can "know" someone without really "knowing" them.
Well, some of you know about a blog that I have been checking quite frequently. This blog was found through a series of blogs that I randomly checked - aka blog stalking. Anyways, this blog was the journaling of a teacher/pastor in Pennsylvania, James Michael Bond, who was battling Ewing's Sarcoma. What began with pains in his shins, turned out to be a tumor in his legs and over a year long battle with this cancer.
After discovering his blog, I quickly made it habit to check his blog regularly. Some days were good and others were quite a struggle. Yet, his faith in God and love for his family remained strong. You see, he counted it a privilege to stay here on earth with his family but an even greater privilege if God chose to allow him to die because "Absent with the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) He would journal about his family and what they were going through, how they tried to remain at some point of "normal", and would bring out Scripture lessons that he learned through it all. What an amazing testimony through such a difficult struggle.
Well, recently, they discovered that he had a fracture in his leg and because he was at a terminal level (knowing that he did not have much more time on earth, unless God decided otherwise), they decided against any surgery to correct the fracture. Knowing that it would be difficult to go back home to a 2 story home, friends of their family offered their home to this precious family. They joined both families together (12 in all!) to take care of each other and for him during what would be a difficult journey, not knowing how long it would last. His wife and son (who had put his college at West Point on hold to come home and care for his dad) became his primary caregivers while this family helped with the other children and other normal family tasks. Slowly, the blog entries became fewer although his teenage daughter was keeping updates on her own blog.
Well, knowing that time was short, I have been checking their blog with anxiety knowing that it could be the last. Today was that day. What a privilege to "know" this family and this man who fought the good fight and kept the faith even until the end. I know God rejoiced this morning in saying , "Well done, good and faithful servant."
To read more about James Michael Bond and his journey with Ewing's Sarcoma, please check out his blog. What an amazing testimony of a man of faith, a family who had the right perspective, and friends who lifted each other up during an incredible time of need with no expectations. May I/we learn from them!
Well, some of you know about a blog that I have been checking quite frequently. This blog was found through a series of blogs that I randomly checked - aka blog stalking. Anyways, this blog was the journaling of a teacher/pastor in Pennsylvania, James Michael Bond, who was battling Ewing's Sarcoma. What began with pains in his shins, turned out to be a tumor in his legs and over a year long battle with this cancer.
After discovering his blog, I quickly made it habit to check his blog regularly. Some days were good and others were quite a struggle. Yet, his faith in God and love for his family remained strong. You see, he counted it a privilege to stay here on earth with his family but an even greater privilege if God chose to allow him to die because "Absent with the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) He would journal about his family and what they were going through, how they tried to remain at some point of "normal", and would bring out Scripture lessons that he learned through it all. What an amazing testimony through such a difficult struggle.
Well, recently, they discovered that he had a fracture in his leg and because he was at a terminal level (knowing that he did not have much more time on earth, unless God decided otherwise), they decided against any surgery to correct the fracture. Knowing that it would be difficult to go back home to a 2 story home, friends of their family offered their home to this precious family. They joined both families together (12 in all!) to take care of each other and for him during what would be a difficult journey, not knowing how long it would last. His wife and son (who had put his college at West Point on hold to come home and care for his dad) became his primary caregivers while this family helped with the other children and other normal family tasks. Slowly, the blog entries became fewer although his teenage daughter was keeping updates on her own blog.
Well, knowing that time was short, I have been checking their blog with anxiety knowing that it could be the last. Today was that day. What a privilege to "know" this family and this man who fought the good fight and kept the faith even until the end. I know God rejoiced this morning in saying , "Well done, good and faithful servant."
To read more about James Michael Bond and his journey with Ewing's Sarcoma, please check out his blog. What an amazing testimony of a man of faith, a family who had the right perspective, and friends who lifted each other up during an incredible time of need with no expectations. May I/we learn from them!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
1st Snow of 2008 & Blue's 1st Snow!
Tuesday brought a few flurries during the day but nothing to really speak of. I have never lived in a place that could even imagine seeing snow before Christmas, much less Thanksgiving. But...
Friday morning, Mike got up with Polly and Blue around 6:15 and came back to the bedroom and said "Hon, you might want to check outside." Which translates to "MIRIAM, IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT!!!" to me. So, I quickly forgot that I was tired and wanted those last 15 minutes of sleep and jumped out of bed. To my surprise, the ground was covered in snow and it was still coming down pretty hard. So, I pulled up the blinds in our room, Polly and Blue snuggled in the bed with us, and I just watched it come down for a while before I finally had to get up and get ready for work. Yeah, one of the bad things about being grown up and working for a bank is that you still have to go to work. They were fine. In fact, once I hit the Durham Co. line, there was no snow to be seen! I couldn't believe that we had gotten close to 1 inch at home and nothing was left at work.
Well, before I left for work, I got a few pictures of Polly and Blue. This was Blue's first snow where he was old enough to go outside. Last year when it snowed a little, he was only 4 weeks old so he wasn't heading outdoors yet. It was so funny to see him with the snow though. He would just eat it off the deck and then went to the yard and would just eat it from the ground. He wasn't really phased with the cold temps...he just LOVES to be outside and the snow brought a new fun thing to explore.
Of course, the temps rose during the day and melted all of the snow so when I got home, I had to break the news to Polly and Blue that all of the snow was gone. No fun playing in the snow...but MAYBE there is more to come this season??? We hope!
Here are a few pictures of Blue's and 2008's 1st snow:
BubbleShare: Share photos - Craft Ideas
Friday morning, Mike got up with Polly and Blue around 6:15 and came back to the bedroom and said "Hon, you might want to check outside." Which translates to "MIRIAM, IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT!!!" to me. So, I quickly forgot that I was tired and wanted those last 15 minutes of sleep and jumped out of bed. To my surprise, the ground was covered in snow and it was still coming down pretty hard. So, I pulled up the blinds in our room, Polly and Blue snuggled in the bed with us, and I just watched it come down for a while before I finally had to get up and get ready for work. Yeah, one of the bad things about being grown up and working for a bank is that you still have to go to work. They were fine. In fact, once I hit the Durham Co. line, there was no snow to be seen! I couldn't believe that we had gotten close to 1 inch at home and nothing was left at work.
Well, before I left for work, I got a few pictures of Polly and Blue. This was Blue's first snow where he was old enough to go outside. Last year when it snowed a little, he was only 4 weeks old so he wasn't heading outdoors yet. It was so funny to see him with the snow though. He would just eat it off the deck and then went to the yard and would just eat it from the ground. He wasn't really phased with the cold temps...he just LOVES to be outside and the snow brought a new fun thing to explore.
Of course, the temps rose during the day and melted all of the snow so when I got home, I had to break the news to Polly and Blue that all of the snow was gone. No fun playing in the snow...but MAYBE there is more to come this season??? We hope!
Here are a few pictures of Blue's and 2008's 1st snow:
BubbleShare: Share photos - Craft Ideas
Holidays Fit for a King 2008
Each year, our church does a thing called "Holidays Fit for a King." It is a time for the ladies to come together and get practical ideas for keeping Jesus at the center of the upcoming holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas).
We start by meeting together and having breakfast. We also have a speaker that focuses our time together on Jesus and the season. Ladies are invited to help by bringing food for our breakfast or by decorating a table. It is always fun to walk in and see the creative tables decorated either in a Thanksgiving or Christmas theme.
Then, we break up and go to two workshops that we pick at registration. These workshops vary on the topics but the two that I picked were on celebrating Advent and Christmas Desserts.
I have always heard of Advent and of the advent calendars, wreaths, etc. but never have participated in them personally. This workshop was a great time to get verses and true meanings behind a lot of the traditions that we celebrate. See this blog for a lot of the ideas and verses that we received.
The Christmas Desserts workshop was a true favorite. Three ladies led this workshop and gave recipes (AND samples!) of favorite desserts and how they can be given as gifts to bless others during the Christmas season.
I look forward to Holidays Fit for a King each year. It is a reminder that the season is beginning! It is always a great time too to get ideas for my own home and traditions. And to remember to keep Christ at the center of EVERY day, not just Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Here are a few pictures of the tables. Some are a little blurry...sorry! Also click here for more pictures.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.
We start by meeting together and having breakfast. We also have a speaker that focuses our time together on Jesus and the season. Ladies are invited to help by bringing food for our breakfast or by decorating a table. It is always fun to walk in and see the creative tables decorated either in a Thanksgiving or Christmas theme.
Then, we break up and go to two workshops that we pick at registration. These workshops vary on the topics but the two that I picked were on celebrating Advent and Christmas Desserts.
I have always heard of Advent and of the advent calendars, wreaths, etc. but never have participated in them personally. This workshop was a great time to get verses and true meanings behind a lot of the traditions that we celebrate. See this blog for a lot of the ideas and verses that we received.
The Christmas Desserts workshop was a true favorite. Three ladies led this workshop and gave recipes (AND samples!) of favorite desserts and how they can be given as gifts to bless others during the Christmas season.
I look forward to Holidays Fit for a King each year. It is a reminder that the season is beginning! It is always a great time too to get ideas for my own home and traditions. And to remember to keep Christ at the center of EVERY day, not just Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Here are a few pictures of the tables. Some are a little blurry...sorry! Also click here for more pictures.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Hiking at DuPont State Forest
On Monday while Bec and David went to work, we went to Hendersonville to shop downtown and then went hiking at DuPont State Forest. We really enjoyed seeing the beautiful waterfalls and Blue loved the hiking!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
Meeting Bella
This past weekend, Mike, Blue and I went to visit David and Rebecca. On Saturday, Blue was playing outside and met the next door neighbor, Bella. He wasn't quite sure what to think of her but they played very friendly together. I was so afraid that he would jump the fence - as you can see it wasn't much taller than him!
THE STANDOFF
Hey, you're not so bad...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hope for Tomorrow...
"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
and life is worth the living
just because He lives."
just because He lives."
Monday, November 3, 2008
Have you??
We chose to participate in early voting this year which I highly recommend for any future elections. Saturday was the last day for early voting in our county and we were glad to only have to wait a short time.
We are very thankful for the privilege of being able to cast our vote - for our voice to be heard. And, we hope you chose to do the same on Tuesday, November 2.
Please do not believe that the election has already been won by any specific candidate or party. The outcome will not be determined until Tuesday night so you have time to make your voice be heardtoo. Please vote with conviction.
Research the candidates and prayerfully consider your vote.
From Daniel 2:20-22
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."
I am thankful that MY God already knows the outcome and has a plan and purpose for it all.
Special Note: If you vote straight ticket, please remember to vote for your presidential candidate separately! A straight ticket vote does not cast a vote for the presidential candidate of that party!!
We are very thankful for the privilege of being able to cast our vote - for our voice to be heard. And, we hope you chose to do the same on Tuesday, November 2.
Please do not believe that the election has already been won by any specific candidate or party. The outcome will not be determined until Tuesday night so you have time to make your voice be heardtoo. Please vote with conviction.
Research the candidates and prayerfully consider your vote.
From Daniel 2:20-22
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."
I am thankful that MY God already knows the outcome and has a plan and purpose for it all.
Special Note: If you vote straight ticket, please remember to vote for your presidential candidate separately! A straight ticket vote does not cast a vote for the presidential candidate of that party!!
May God bless our nation in the days to come.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Fun with the boys...
This morning, the other 2 male puppies came to visit Blue to play. Blue was super excited and really enjoyed playing with Oliver and Dash. They constantly ran and chased each other and fetched the frisbee. Boy was he worn out when they all left!
Hey, that's MY frisbee! KEEP AWAY!!
Blue taking it all in.
Dash waiting patiently for a treat.
What?!? I'm just taking a little water break...
Oliver is too tired to even stand up!
Ok...got some water and ready to go!!
Shake...(anything for us to throw that frisbee!)
Here's Dash in the water bowl now...
Looks to be the way to drink water today, huh?
Good shot of Oliver
Here's Dash in the water bowl now...
Looks to be the way to drink water today, huh?
Good shot of Oliver
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