Tonight.....

I'm going to hug my husband a little tighter! Today was a bit unusual and not in a good day. I talked to my mom on the way to work, they've been moving their belongings out of their basement with the anticipation of the river rising. In fact, the whole town of Bismarck where I grew up is banning together to help those who live on the river. I feel helpless being here...I want to be helping! I want to be sandbagging, I want to be with my mama, instead...I pray. I ask the Lord to protect my family.

Later in the day I get a text that my grandpa is going to have to stay in the hospital for another night. He had a minor surgery and was suppose to be released the same day, unfortunately that did not happen. His heart rate dropped and they wanted to keep him for monitoring. My grandparents mean more to me than most peoples grandparents. They've been there for me, taught me about Jesus, and their marriage has been an example to Ben and I. They're not old, they're not sick, and they have to be here to be an example to my kids......Got it Grams and Gramps? No more of this hospital business!

Lastly......I'm sitting at my desk at work and the tornado sirens start sounding. Seriously...Where am I suppose to go? With the recent events in Joplin I know I don't stand a chance if I'm not somewhere safe. So I went to the store next to my office...mainly because I know there are people there and if I'm going to die...it will not be alone! So we spend an hour and a half in the backroom under a desk. The tornado touched down a couple of blocks from my office. It was so surreal. All I could think to do was text my family and pray. My phone stopped working when the tornado was going over us so I just kept praying. It was neat to see a bunch of strangers huddled together in a small room praying! I was convinced that this was the end for me....it was very scary. The good news we made it out in one piece! PTL!

So tonight....I hug Ben a little tighter! When I got home from work with both just looked at each other and embraced. We had no words....but we both knew we needed to hug each other a little tighter! All I could think about today was not being with Ben....when it is my time....I pray we go together.

My Husband

I've been sitting here thinking about what to blog about....I'm trying to make it a habit. Nothing was really coming to mind until I look over at Ben who is sitting in his orange chair talking on the phone to his buddy and laughing. What a great laugh! Then I listen to his conversation and it really makes me fall more in love with him. He is discussing "church" stuff. I have the best husband! He is genuine, loving, selfless, loves Jesus with his whole heart, and treats his wife like a princess. If I never get one more thing in life I'm ok. I've got the best thing! I love you Ben!

Happy Rapture Eve

So....from what I hear the world is going to end tomorrow? Are you ready? Shouldn't we always be ready? Anyway...I think it's a bit ridiculous and have decided my blog is a good place to voice my opinion and have a little fun. I remember reading the 1st book of the Left Behind series when I was in high school. I was convinced that this book was truth, not to sure now, and truth be told I don't really care. Why do people get so wrapped up in this? Doesn't it say he'll come like a thief in the night? We most likely will not know when the Lord is coming back! That's what the bible says and the bible is truth!

Anyway...I'm thinking about hosting a rapture watch party? Anyone want to come? If you're reading this and you think tomorrow is it....can I have all of your stuff? Would you please consider donating your life savings to Ben and I? We'll use it to work in Haiti...I promise!

It's my blog and I'll write what I want

I'm been trying to think of new things to blog about, since I really want to continue doing so a few times a week. Nothing really came to mind except.....I wanna be a mom. I was hesitant to write about it, fearful that people would make comments like, "is that all she talks about?", "it'll happen when you least expect it", or my favorite..."once you adopt, you'll get pregnant!" Then I thought..."It's my blog and I'll write what I want!"

So here goes....I wanna be a mom! I can't wait for Ben to be a dad! I think what excites me most is the images I get of Ben being an amazing dad to his children. I can't explain how much I love him now...it's going to be intensified 10 fold. Then I think...If I love Ben this much, how much will I love my child? Do I have that much love to give? Those of you who are parents are going to tell me YES! I don't want you to tell me...I want to keep wondering and be surprised when it happens.

As I'm writing this I'm watching a T.V. show and the couple on T.V. have been trying to get pregnant for over a year, they've been prepping to do IVF and now they find out they're pregnant! The Dr. called it a miracle! WOWZA! A little reminder that miracles do happen. I think I'll keep asking!

Can I do it?

Well...I'm trying out this blogging thing again. I'm notorious for starting things with the intention to continue, only to lose interest a short while later. This blog is proof of that! I love reading all the blogs I follow...my fav being my cousin Mandie's....word cuz! I got to thinking, maybe if I blog more I will have more followers. So I'm going to test that theory. My goal is to blog a couple of times a week. I think it's a bit therapeutic truth be told. So I'm not really doing this for all of you, although I like the thought of publishing something...even if it is just a blog. Pressing the "publish post" button at the end gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Speaking of trying new things...Ben and I bought bikes. My bike look like a bike you would imagine your grandma riding, curved handle bars, room for a basket on the front, I've even got a little bell! We've been loving spending time riding bikes lately. It's a hobby we can share and that makes my heart happy. I love spending time with Ben, and having a hobby with both love just makes out marriage stronger!

So here's to trying new things, continuing things I've started and having fun while doing it!

Short and Sweet

Dear Blog, (and the 2.5 of you that actually read this)

Sorry we've been so neglectful. It's hard to update on our lives as I feel like things change daily. We're really trying to seek the Lord and figure out what is next for our lives. We have many questions that have gone unanswered for so long. When will we become parents, are we suppose to go to Haiti, where should we be plugged in at church, and WHEN WILL WE BECOME PARENTS? As we go through life we see people with babies. Our friends, families, teenage girls......does that seem fair?

I think we are naturally going through the stages of grief and we've just recently went through anger. I don't want to be angry because I know God has a perfect plan for us...he promises that. He also promises to give us the desires of our hearts if we delight in him. So here we are...waiting, delighting, and enjoying out time as a couple. We have hope, we have faith, and we will keep asking. We know we will be parents in God's time, sometimes I wish it was in my time. I take heart in knowing that God is never late, rarely early, and usually right on time!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Please Help us!

At times I think I have taken clean water for granted. I turn on the faucet and water comes out that we can drink and not worry about getting sick. And there is a spigot on the outside of our house with a garden hose hooked up to it and we can turn it on to water our grass and yet that same water is clean and we could drink it without fear of getting sick or catching an illness that would lead to our death. That sounds a little drastic and yet it is a truth for people who live in Haiti. If you've looked over this blog at all you may understand that Haiti is near and dear to us, And it hurts to know that people in Haiti are catching cholera because they don't have access to clean water and their life is being cut short because of this.
The mission (NWHCM) we had the honor to work with in Haiti has an outreach to a Haitian prison and a friend of ours has gained favor in the eyes of the authorities at this prison and is there weekly for a Bible study. And the prisoners (and guards who are probably pretending not to be listening) are hearing about Jesus and singing His praises and coming to know Him. The prisoners don't have water often times. They sometimes go days without water. Can you even imagine? And the truth is for about $4800 this problem could be solved. With this money 2 600 gallon water tanks and a well and 4 pumps could be drilled/installed and the prison would always have plenty of water that is safe to drink. Some people scoff - they are prisoners, why does it matter? Well, if you claim to know Jesus then it matters and now that you have heard of this need you really don't have an excuse. Jesus said a little something about being in prison and something about I needed a drink of water and you gave it to me. You see, if you really look at those prisoners you might just see Jesus looking back at you. I did. I never expected it, but it happened. The need is $4800. So far I believe $0 has been given. You can contact either of us and we can give you more information about the project and where to send the money. This is not some hypothetical concern in a far away country but it is the reality of a country only about 700 miles away from Miami. PLEASE join us in helping with this worthy project.