Archives for September 2008

Almost don’t want to do this but it’s pretty thought-provoking.

1. If you were to die today, what would your last words be?

Hopefully I won’t ever have to plan these but I would like them to relate to the love of my family and my love for God.

2. What would you want your epitaph to say?

My name means Beloved so I would want something in there about Beloved. I know Beloved wife, daughter, mother, friend are overused but I think that means something a little more special for me.  I’d like it to somehow state that I try to live for God and hopefully that I’ve touched others in some way.

3. What song would you want played at your funeral?

It is Well.  Mostly because I believe my death is already in God’s hands and the same God that sustained me in life and took it as well will comfort and sustain those I leave behind.

1.	When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
	when sorrows like sea billows roll;
	whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
	It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
	It is well with my soul,
	it is well, it is well with my soul. 

2.	Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
	let this blest assurance control,
	that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
	and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
	(Refrain) 

3.	My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
	My sin, not in part but the whole,
	is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
	praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
	(Refrain) 

4.	And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
	the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
	the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
	even so, it is well with my soul.

4. In lieu of flowers, what should loved ones do in your honor?

Give to the church or sponsor a child through Compassion or another Christian related organization.

5. What unfinished business would you wrap up?

If God takes my life, I truly don’t think I have unfinished business.  Selfishly I would say raising my girls is a task I’d like to see through but really when does that job every end?

Found at Tamara’s blog

“Sometimes I’d like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it……

But I’m afraid God might ask me the same question.”

-Anonymous

Hmmmm. 

do something

I’m sinking to new blogging levels.  It HAS been 6 years now though.  When I got home from work today, our new washer and dryer were installed and Scott had already washed a few loads.  He “let me” wash a load and I got a little excited over it and made him film me using it.  I just can’t believe it’s so easy!

And a little forewarning…it took Scott forever to stop the video and there’s nothing like a little awkwardness at the end of the video so I didn’t cut it out.

By the way, it’s a Fisher & Paykel and you can get the set at Lowe’s. Here are a few benefits:

• It’s just as efficient as all the fancy front loaders.
• I didn’t like that you needed to buy the stands for the front loaders.
• These were WAY cheaper.

I’m so happy to report that today is the first day Emma did not cry AT ALL before or after school.  It took two weeks but I think we’re rounding a corner (is that the right phrase??).  A few things I’ve learned or have been reinforced:

• Emma does not do well in large crowds.
• Especially by herself.
• Emma does not like to be the last one from her class picked up.  I have to get there as early as possible.
• I can’t control it but she does better when our van pulls up near either a teacher or the front door so she doesn’t have to walk by herself for long.
• Prayer works.  Today is also the first day I have prayed out loud with Emma, holding her hand before we got to school.
• She can do it.  I can do it.  We can do it.

Scott finally finished up the last part of our hardwood floor project by tiling the laundry room.  So much better.  Good riddance to that linoleum!  We are planning to buy a new washer and dryer today or tomorrow.  It will be the first time we buy a new set as a couple.  Scott’s parents bought us a new set as our wedding present when we got married.

Today Ayiesha Woods’ CD “Love Like This” comes out but as promised, I have one to giveaway…and without further ado, the winner is…

#3 Jen

I listen to KLOVE all the time and have never heard her. I think Refine me is my favorite right now, but that is subject to change at any moment. I love her sound!

For those that didn’t win, her CD Is now available on iTunes.

There is a phrase from a blog post last week that I simply can not get out of my head. I know people get tired of those bloggers who simply copy and paste from larger blogs but I honestly am not trying to do that.  There is just one sentence that this atheist guy wrote about this Christian guy.

…he seems to do what few Christians do these days, that is to say a lot of good.

I don’t have an issue with giving..most of the time…so I wasn’t really convicted that I wasn’t.  It’s just, I don’t know.  I want to be MORE giving.  There is a quote I have on my desktop by Helen Keller that says “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”  And that’s what I want to do.  Sort of like Palin said in her recent speech at the RNC…just because it doesn’t fix all the problems, it doesn’t give us an excuse to do nothing.  I will do what I can to make a difference.  And really, I’d like to inspire others to change that viewpoint that non-Christians have…that we don’t do a whole lot of good.

Acts says the church, that is to say CHRISTIANS should be taking care of others.  I may not ever say it again, but the atheist was right…we should be doing better jobs.

And I really couldn’t believe the first Sunday of my our Sunday School class yesterday talked a lot about making a difference in our community.  And then just last night and this morning I was presented with at least three CONCRETE ways we can help.

1. This is from a local source: I am part of a fundraising organization called Team Bellenger which was put together to raise money for a brother and sister pair both with Stage IV kidney disease and both active on the transplant list. Their names are Stephanie and Matthew.  Long story short we have several things going on that we are trying to promote locally. We are selling t-shirts for $10 and rubber bracelets for $3. We are having a Christian Concert on Oct. 4 by The Ladd Family.Concert Info:The Ladd Family
   October 4, 2008 7:00pm
   Palmetto Room at Historic Old Town
   150 E. White Street
   Rock Hill, SC 29730

   Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. To support Stephanie or Matthew: Make checks payable to: NTAF South-Atlantic Kidney Transplant Fund Note in the memo section: In honor of Stephanie Bellenger or Matthew Bellenger Please mail to: National Transplant Assistance Fund 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120 Radnor, PA 19087 To make a credit card donation call 800-642-8339 or visit www.transplantfund.org

2. That Christian guy I mentioned above posted this today:
   My boy LV asked Pastor Dino what he needed to help the victims…

   “As of Friday, Sept. 5th, power is expected to be out in parts of southern Louisiana for 4-6 weeks; homes are destroyed, and many people in “the bayou” have yet to be reached. They need help!

   We asked Dino what they need and how the Catalyst audience might be able to help.”
   The answer… Blue Tarps.Blue Tarps.Blue Tarps.Blue Tarps.Blue Tarps.Blue Tarps.

   Order your blue tarps at this link and have it shipped hereONE (1) BLUE TARP
   Healing Place Church
   19202 Highland Road
   Baton Rouge, LA 70809
   225.753.2273

3. Hurricane Ike devastated Haiti.  I know I’ve mentioned helping the Haiti Rescue Center before and they had extensive damage.  Check for information on their blog and there is a donation link on their site.

I am working to give to all of these in one way or another.  Please join me in doing some good today.