with you! But that doesn't mean that I am not right. I have the Right to choose for myself. I have the right to decide what I want. I believe that God created this universe. Along with doing that, He created us. He also gave us FREE WILL. Therefore, this gives us the Right to do as we please. We have that Right!
With that said, I think that a lot of people have forgotten that during this election time. They get so caught up in the frenzy of things and they want to tell you who to vote for. Being a free citizen in America allows you the right to choose for yourself. Therefore, I am so tired of people trying to pressure others into voting for their ideal candidate. This is so unhealthy for the country. It is so sad to see how ugly things have become. I am deeply disappointed in many of my fellow Americans' behavior and attitudes. Our beloved country has spiraled downwards under Bush's Administration. Yet we, as Christians, were told during last election that George Bush is the ideal candidate for Christians. Churches want to tell you that they won't tell you how to vote, but then before election they show you videos of General Superintendents telling you that you should vote for a "certain" candidate. This General Superintendent or other chosen video announcer will tell you that as a church they cannot endorse any one candidate but then they point out obvious issues of why you should vote for their chosen candidate. Don't be fooled by this. Do not feel pressured to vote the way that your Pastor is voting. I have been there before and 4 years later I still regret it. God is your only judge. No you will not go to hell if you don't vote for the candidate that your church or Pastor voted for. Your vote...you decide! It's that simple.
I leave you with something to ponder on:
Every one has two sets of numbers on their tombstone. There are two on every one... but the most important thing that is on our tombstone is the dash. The dash represents what we have done and the decisions that We have made between the first date and the second date on our tombstones.
Memorial Day was now over and all had left and I was alone....
and began to read the Names and Dates chiseled there on every stone
The Dates differed and the names showed whether it was Mom or Dad or Daughter or Baby Son
The "dates" were different dates... but the number the same... there were Two on every one.
It was then that I noticed something... it was but a simple line.
It was the dash between the dates. Placed there it stood for time.
All at once it occurred to me how important that little line.
The dates there belonged to God. But the line is yours and mine.
It's God who gives this precious life.... and God who takes away,
But the line between he gives to us, to do with what we may.
We know that God's written the first date down of each and every one,
and we know those hands will write again for the last dates has to come.
We know he'll write the last date down very soon, we know for some,
But I pray that the dash between my dates will reflect a life.... Well Done!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Breaking News...Live From Toddsville
I have been meaning to blog about this news in the last few days but I didn't get a chance to sit at my computer and write. Life took over!
I am currently in my fifth month of pregnancy and I am very thankful that my stomach has gone back to "normal". I've had so many problems with food and now I've been enjoying very delicious meals. I am enjoying this stage.
On Thursday, we had a doctor's appt and a sonogram. We were able to find out the baby's gender and....(drum roll please)...It's a girl!!!!
I had pretty much guessed as much due to my morning sickness and other symptoms. Our daughter has also been praying for a baby sister for more than a year now. There's power in prayer...she got her wish.
She was so excited when we told her the news after she got home from school. She said that she had prayed to Jesus and he heard her and answer her prayer and gave her what she wanted. I could've cried when she said that. To me, that was more significant that anything else. Her learning a lesson like that about prayer was priceless. Thank you Jesus!
I am currently in my fifth month of pregnancy and I am very thankful that my stomach has gone back to "normal". I've had so many problems with food and now I've been enjoying very delicious meals. I am enjoying this stage.
On Thursday, we had a doctor's appt and a sonogram. We were able to find out the baby's gender and....(drum roll please)...It's a girl!!!!
I had pretty much guessed as much due to my morning sickness and other symptoms. Our daughter has also been praying for a baby sister for more than a year now. There's power in prayer...she got her wish.
She was so excited when we told her the news after she got home from school. She said that she had prayed to Jesus and he heard her and answer her prayer and gave her what she wanted. I could've cried when she said that. To me, that was more significant that anything else. Her learning a lesson like that about prayer was priceless. Thank you Jesus!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
On This Day...
...3 years ago Arjay was born! We are so thankful for him. Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Arjay. 
We celebrated Arjay's 3rd birthday this past Saturday at Chuck. E. Cheese. He had so much fun with his friends and was even dancing with Chuck.E.Cheese. Our family came up from Ft. Lauderdale and it was nice to have them around.
We celebrated Arjay's 3rd birthday this past Saturday at Chuck. E. Cheese. He had so much fun with his friends and was even dancing with Chuck.E.Cheese. Our family came up from Ft. Lauderdale and it was nice to have them around.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My Marathon Man
I promised details of my husband's marathon experience in Chicago. Please check out the details in his own words.I am extremely proud of him. I know that he's taken a lot of time to pursue this dream and I'm happy he made a new PR (personal record). Although he is disappointed about his finish time, I know he had an awesome experience over all.
In the end, I am truly inspired by his focus and dedication. A lot of family and friends are saying how inspired they are now to get out there and run too. As my husband says, it takes a lot of time, dedication and discipline but it's an awesome feeling when you've gone the distance. And what a distance he's gone. Proud of you Babe!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
He Did It!!!
Most of you already know that my husband has been training for the Chicago Marathon. Well, today was the big day! And he did awesome!
He finished in 4:36 which is his best marathon time so far. I'm sure he will have more details to share with me once he gets back but that's all for now. I'm so proud of him.
Go Greg!! Soooo happy...for him...and his accomplishment.
This is a picture from his half-marathon in Jamaica (not from his marathon in Chicago).Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Acts of Kindness
Teaching children how to show kindness to others can be easily achieved by being a role model. Show your kids how to treat others by your actions.
Yesterday an opportunity presented itself for me to show my children how to show someone kindness.
After picking up my daughter from the bus stop, we started driving towards our home. It was very overcast and I noticed one of the little boys walking home. Not wanting him to get caught in a massive downpour (that was threatening to come at any second) I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down my window and asked him if he would like a ride home.
My daughter just started school this August so I've only known the Moms and Dads at the stop for a few months. The little boy refused my offer for a ride.
Immediately following me driving off the rain started pouring and it really came down.
It was very ugly outside, with loud thundering and even lightning.
While it broke my heart to drive off and watch the little boy running towards his home, I kept thinking that his Mommy would be proud. I think he's in the 4th grade so he's not as little as I might be portraying him.
The bottom line is, although he's seen me often at the stop, I am a stranger to him and I couldn't help being proud of him for telling me no. Of course I wouldn't harm him but he doesn't know that.
So while my random act of kindness didn't quite go over as well as I would have like, I was presented with an opportunity to explain to my five-year-old how important it is not to accept rides from strangers. It was difficult for her to understand why the little boy refused to get a ride home when he was going to get wet in the rain. We talked about this for quite some time and she kept saying, "I feel so bad for ________."
Although we had a good discussion on how the little boy was just doing what he was told by his Mom, my daughter was still worried about him being wet in the rain and getting hit by lightning. Finally after a few minutes, I assured her that he would be home by now and was probably drying off.
In the end, the lesson learned wasn't the one of intention but it's always great when you are able to teach your children a lesson through actions.
When is the last time you did a random act of kindness?
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
Yesterday an opportunity presented itself for me to show my children how to show someone kindness.
After picking up my daughter from the bus stop, we started driving towards our home. It was very overcast and I noticed one of the little boys walking home. Not wanting him to get caught in a massive downpour (that was threatening to come at any second) I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down my window and asked him if he would like a ride home.
My daughter just started school this August so I've only known the Moms and Dads at the stop for a few months. The little boy refused my offer for a ride.
Immediately following me driving off the rain started pouring and it really came down.
It was very ugly outside, with loud thundering and even lightning.
While it broke my heart to drive off and watch the little boy running towards his home, I kept thinking that his Mommy would be proud. I think he's in the 4th grade so he's not as little as I might be portraying him.
The bottom line is, although he's seen me often at the stop, I am a stranger to him and I couldn't help being proud of him for telling me no. Of course I wouldn't harm him but he doesn't know that.
So while my random act of kindness didn't quite go over as well as I would have like, I was presented with an opportunity to explain to my five-year-old how important it is not to accept rides from strangers. It was difficult for her to understand why the little boy refused to get a ride home when he was going to get wet in the rain. We talked about this for quite some time and she kept saying, "I feel so bad for ________."
Although we had a good discussion on how the little boy was just doing what he was told by his Mom, my daughter was still worried about him being wet in the rain and getting hit by lightning. Finally after a few minutes, I assured her that he would be home by now and was probably drying off.
In the end, the lesson learned wasn't the one of intention but it's always great when you are able to teach your children a lesson through actions.
When is the last time you did a random act of kindness?
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Please Pray!
My Mother-in-law recently lost her mother. Her mother died on Friday morning after suffering a stroke (about a month ago) and then also being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died from a heart attack, that was due to the cancer. She died exactly 24 hours after my mother-in-law got to Jamaica to visit with her.
All her children living in the United States had spent the last few weeks after her diagnosis visiting with her and saying their goodbyes. Greg's mother was with her when she passed and although she's thankful for the last moments that they shared she is still saddened by her Mom's passing.
In true "when it rains it pours fashion", she received word from Jamaica that her father passed away yesterday morning. As you can imagine, she is torn apart by these simultaneous deaths and is in desperate need of all our prayers. Please pray for strength and peace through this whole process. Unfortunately, Greg has not seen either of his grandparents in many many years. He is deeply concerned for his mother. Please pray for his mother and all of her siblings as they make funeral arrangements and deal with the loss of both parents. Thank you!
All her children living in the United States had spent the last few weeks after her diagnosis visiting with her and saying their goodbyes. Greg's mother was with her when she passed and although she's thankful for the last moments that they shared she is still saddened by her Mom's passing.
In true "when it rains it pours fashion", she received word from Jamaica that her father passed away yesterday morning. As you can imagine, she is torn apart by these simultaneous deaths and is in desperate need of all our prayers. Please pray for strength and peace through this whole process. Unfortunately, Greg has not seen either of his grandparents in many many years. He is deeply concerned for his mother. Please pray for his mother and all of her siblings as they make funeral arrangements and deal with the loss of both parents. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)