How could this possibly be the last day of September...it just started.
With the end of September comes the end of the first grading period. It also marks the end of the jr. high soccer season for Austin. Last game tonight. It also signals the winding down of high school soccer for Ethan, with sectional just around the corner. I think we are all ready for it to be over.
Every morning these days I am looking out my front windows anxiously awaiting the changing of the leaves. I have an aboslutely beautiful view that I normally take for granted the rest of the year...but not in the fall. I think with the weather the way it has been, this fall will be a great one for color.
The persimmon tree out front is loaded down with persimmons. Dad and Kent will be glad to hear that. Persimmon pudding is a Thanksgiving tradition at the Burns house. We have gotten out the jackets and the long sleeves. Put flannel sheets on the beds. Being cold natured, like I tend to be, we have already had to run the furnace twice. Last year at the end of September, heck way into October, we were still swimming in the pool. I think Aaron may close it down this weekend.
And so it goes....let the winding down begin. Fall is my favorite!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A little older...a little wiser...
My birthday was Saturday. I was working the Walk of course, so I didn't get to spend it with my family... but it was a great day!
At times when I would go back to my room there would be cards and gifts from my besties and texts from my family which was cool. Evan did not fail to remind me that I am now "Finding Myself at 42." Thanks Ev. But perhaps the coolest thing came from my dad.
Every single year on my birthday as far back as I can remember, my dad has told me the story of the day I was born. He was in Music Appreciation class at Oakland City College... someone came to get him to tell him mom had went into labor... and on and on...He goes to great detail to tell the whole thing. When I returned to my room for the night it was very, very late. I saw the flashing light on my phone and checked to find that dad had texted...in several texts.... the entire story. He did not leave out a single word. Must have taken him a long time. That meant the world to me.
I know God has great things in store for me as I start my 42nd year. I am thankful to be starting it with an even deeper relationship with Him. I believe working the Walk on my birthday was His gift to me. It was THE best present ever.
At times when I would go back to my room there would be cards and gifts from my besties and texts from my family which was cool. Evan did not fail to remind me that I am now "Finding Myself at 42." Thanks Ev. But perhaps the coolest thing came from my dad.
Every single year on my birthday as far back as I can remember, my dad has told me the story of the day I was born. He was in Music Appreciation class at Oakland City College... someone came to get him to tell him mom had went into labor... and on and on...He goes to great detail to tell the whole thing. When I returned to my room for the night it was very, very late. I saw the flashing light on my phone and checked to find that dad had texted...in several texts.... the entire story. He did not leave out a single word. Must have taken him a long time. That meant the world to me.
I know God has great things in store for me as I start my 42nd year. I am thankful to be starting it with an even deeper relationship with Him. I believe working the Walk on my birthday was His gift to me. It was THE best present ever.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wow...
I really don't even know how to begin this post. I have been bowled over and swept off my feet so many times this past weekend. It was joyful...it was inspiring... it was heartwrenching... it was hilarious... it was every single emotion all rolled into one. God showed up and man did He show off. I love it when He does that. :)
I looked at the faces of the women as they arrived on Thursday night. I studied them. I saw the fear, the apprehension, the worry, and the extreme amount of burden they carried. I don't think I have ever seen that much burden in one place. Over the course of the 72 hours, I saw those expressions change. From a spark of interest, to an opening up, to a breaking down. I witnessed as they lay those burdens down at the foot of the cross and I am praying today that they never pick them back up. I stood in awe as COUNTLESS women - I lost count - confirmed or reconfirmed giving their lives to Christ. We were so very priviledged to watch these women's eyes be truly opened for the very first time to the incredible love and grace of Jesus that he has for each and every one of us. It was a humbling experience that I shared most intimatley with my asst. table leader and the 5 incredible ladies at our table. Man did He know what He was doing when he put all of us together. We all belong to Him.
Sharing this experience with my Ya-Ya's was beyond words. We have prayed over this weekend for so very long, then to finally be there and live it was more than I had ever imagined. Laying (yes I said laying) at the alter in prayer for these women with my dear sweet Christy and then seeing those prayers answered was a blessing I will cherish forever. Watching Susan go about her duties with such a pure heart for God blessed me in a way she will never quite understand. The times I got to see Annette in passing and give her a squeeze and an I love you were priceless. Seeing Andi in her tinkerbell jammies shuffle into the bathroom every morning is forever etched in my mind :) Sitting across from Shirl at the amazing meal on Saturday night and sharing that with her was humbling. (even tho our husbands did not include us in the Hot Wives club :) And Tami...wow. As she led us through this experience, when I looked at her I saw Jesus. Towards the end of the weekend she stood before us all and gave THE most amazing talk and then sang a song that perfectly conveyed her feelings for everyone there. She raised her hands at the end as she sang and I think it may have been one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. All the praying, and the hard work, and the organizing, and the hundreds and hundreds of hours she had put into this weekend all came to fruition in that moment. I loved it.
I spent the better part of my life searching for something to fill the void in my heart that kept me in depression and misery most of the time. I thank God for those that interceded in prayer on my behalf until my own eyes were finally opened on my Walk. I owe that experience to the prayers of my big brother. I remember vividly one day riding in the car with him and he was listening to a christian radio station. It freaked me out. I asked if he had become a religious fanatic. He laughed and said "define religious fanatic" I said "someone who reads the bible everyday" he laughed again and said "well sis... I guess that makes me a fanatic" Wow... to go from that to the relationship I have with the lord now has been quite a journey. It's far from over...and I am loving every minute of it.
I would love for everyone to have this experience. Pray about it. (If you have been on a Walk pray about someone you may be able to sponsor.) If you know someone who has previously been call them up and ask questions. If you don't know anyone who has been drop me an email. I would love to talk to you about it. And it's not just for women you know. There are men's weekends also. I got a different husband when Aaron returned from his weekend up in Indy. I hear the men cry more than the women do. :)
I leave you with a verse that struck a chord with me during the weekend... it is from John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." Just like a branch that is cut from a tree and later withers and dies, so will we if we separate ourselves from Christ. Food for thought...
SIDEBAR...AFTER posting this, I read the verse of the day to your right... (which at the time I posted was this)... "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you keep growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns." Phillippians 1: 9-10 That is nothing but pure confirmation my friends straight from God to me this morning. Man... here comes the ugly cry.
I looked at the faces of the women as they arrived on Thursday night. I studied them. I saw the fear, the apprehension, the worry, and the extreme amount of burden they carried. I don't think I have ever seen that much burden in one place. Over the course of the 72 hours, I saw those expressions change. From a spark of interest, to an opening up, to a breaking down. I witnessed as they lay those burdens down at the foot of the cross and I am praying today that they never pick them back up. I stood in awe as COUNTLESS women - I lost count - confirmed or reconfirmed giving their lives to Christ. We were so very priviledged to watch these women's eyes be truly opened for the very first time to the incredible love and grace of Jesus that he has for each and every one of us. It was a humbling experience that I shared most intimatley with my asst. table leader and the 5 incredible ladies at our table. Man did He know what He was doing when he put all of us together. We all belong to Him.
Sharing this experience with my Ya-Ya's was beyond words. We have prayed over this weekend for so very long, then to finally be there and live it was more than I had ever imagined. Laying (yes I said laying) at the alter in prayer for these women with my dear sweet Christy and then seeing those prayers answered was a blessing I will cherish forever. Watching Susan go about her duties with such a pure heart for God blessed me in a way she will never quite understand. The times I got to see Annette in passing and give her a squeeze and an I love you were priceless. Seeing Andi in her tinkerbell jammies shuffle into the bathroom every morning is forever etched in my mind :) Sitting across from Shirl at the amazing meal on Saturday night and sharing that with her was humbling. (even tho our husbands did not include us in the Hot Wives club :) And Tami...wow. As she led us through this experience, when I looked at her I saw Jesus. Towards the end of the weekend she stood before us all and gave THE most amazing talk and then sang a song that perfectly conveyed her feelings for everyone there. She raised her hands at the end as she sang and I think it may have been one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. All the praying, and the hard work, and the organizing, and the hundreds and hundreds of hours she had put into this weekend all came to fruition in that moment. I loved it.
I spent the better part of my life searching for something to fill the void in my heart that kept me in depression and misery most of the time. I thank God for those that interceded in prayer on my behalf until my own eyes were finally opened on my Walk. I owe that experience to the prayers of my big brother. I remember vividly one day riding in the car with him and he was listening to a christian radio station. It freaked me out. I asked if he had become a religious fanatic. He laughed and said "define religious fanatic" I said "someone who reads the bible everyday" he laughed again and said "well sis... I guess that makes me a fanatic" Wow... to go from that to the relationship I have with the lord now has been quite a journey. It's far from over...and I am loving every minute of it.
I would love for everyone to have this experience. Pray about it. (If you have been on a Walk pray about someone you may be able to sponsor.) If you know someone who has previously been call them up and ask questions. If you don't know anyone who has been drop me an email. I would love to talk to you about it. And it's not just for women you know. There are men's weekends also. I got a different husband when Aaron returned from his weekend up in Indy. I hear the men cry more than the women do. :)
I leave you with a verse that struck a chord with me during the weekend... it is from John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." Just like a branch that is cut from a tree and later withers and dies, so will we if we separate ourselves from Christ. Food for thought...
SIDEBAR...AFTER posting this, I read the verse of the day to your right... (which at the time I posted was this)... "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you keep growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns." Phillippians 1: 9-10 That is nothing but pure confirmation my friends straight from God to me this morning. Man... here comes the ugly cry.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Final Post...
... not really.... just for a few days. :)
Tomorrow begins Southwest Indiana Walk to Emmaus #39! Starting at 5:00, 52 team members and 44 women from all walks of life will begin an incredible life changing journey. 72 hours in the presence of the Lord. Unless you have been, you can't even imagine. I HIGHLY remcommend it.
Counting my own walk, this will be my 4th Walk experience and I can tell you this...every walk is a bit different, BUT one thing is the same...Jesus always shows up. He will be in the faces and hearts of all those coming together to make this weekend happen. Pray that these women will be able to see Him and feel Him and be open to what He has in store for each and every one of them.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Tomorrow begins Southwest Indiana Walk to Emmaus #39! Starting at 5:00, 52 team members and 44 women from all walks of life will begin an incredible life changing journey. 72 hours in the presence of the Lord. Unless you have been, you can't even imagine. I HIGHLY remcommend it.
Counting my own walk, this will be my 4th Walk experience and I can tell you this...every walk is a bit different, BUT one thing is the same...Jesus always shows up. He will be in the faces and hearts of all those coming together to make this weekend happen. Pray that these women will be able to see Him and feel Him and be open to what He has in store for each and every one of them.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Friday, September 11, 2009
Finally Friday..
This "short" week has been a long week in my opinion. SO much to try to fit in. Since my last post, Aaron and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. (That is hard to get my mind around.) We spent Labor Day weekend at my dad's with the family (Had an awesome time!) And we had our last team formation for Southwest Indiana Walk to Emmaus #39!! (Hard to believe it's here! Woo Hoo)
The lord has revealed a great deal to me over the last several weeks. He has reminded me that when I have no strength left to go on, He will carry me. That when worry begins to enter my mind, He will take care of it. That when people hurt or disappoint me, I can find forgiveness. That none of us should complain about our lives because others are going thru unspeakable pain. That there is nothing that can quite compare to the Body of Christ praying together in unison. That He be can praised in ALL things and ALL situations.
A friend from our team of the upcoming walk lost her brother-in-law yesterday to a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed this past January. He was only 40 years old. He never had a chance to "find himself at 40." He and his wife also lost a two year old to a brain tumor several years ago. So much pain for one family to bear. As I would read the emails and the posts on his caring bridge site about his failing condition my heart would ache. I could picture myself, sitting at a hospital bed in my living room, holding my husbands hand and I could feel the magnitude of that situation. They have a 13 year old boy. I thought about what it would do to my 13 year old to watch that happen to his dad. Doesn't that kind of put your whole life in perspective.
Throughout this most difficult, unimaginable time, that family never once... not for a single minute stopped praising God. Never Once. What a testiment to their faith. They were so completely confident that Kevin's healing would come. If not on this earth, then in Heaven. And they were ok. I could never do justice in conveying the complete and total faith that this family has. I would encourage you to go to his site and read his journal. www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinking/journal
You will be blessed more than you can imagine.
A dear old friend posted on facebook this morning "we are only one phone call away from falling on our face before Him." Man...that's heavy stuff. Where are you on your journey. Do you have a personal relationship with our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I'm not talking "yes, I go to church every Sunday" I am talking a REAL relationship. There is a huge difference. Pews are full of people who will never make it into heaven. Are you one of them. Do you have a daily walk with Him, or only think of Him when times are difficult. I challenge you to really examine your life. Will you be prepared when you get that phone call. Will you be prepared if someone else gets that phone call about you.
The last words that Kevin had his wife type on his caring bridge site on Sept. 1st were these... "Live, love, and abide by God's glorious commandments. Good Night and have a blessed day tomorrow. Love, Kevin."
The lord has revealed a great deal to me over the last several weeks. He has reminded me that when I have no strength left to go on, He will carry me. That when worry begins to enter my mind, He will take care of it. That when people hurt or disappoint me, I can find forgiveness. That none of us should complain about our lives because others are going thru unspeakable pain. That there is nothing that can quite compare to the Body of Christ praying together in unison. That He be can praised in ALL things and ALL situations.
A friend from our team of the upcoming walk lost her brother-in-law yesterday to a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed this past January. He was only 40 years old. He never had a chance to "find himself at 40." He and his wife also lost a two year old to a brain tumor several years ago. So much pain for one family to bear. As I would read the emails and the posts on his caring bridge site about his failing condition my heart would ache. I could picture myself, sitting at a hospital bed in my living room, holding my husbands hand and I could feel the magnitude of that situation. They have a 13 year old boy. I thought about what it would do to my 13 year old to watch that happen to his dad. Doesn't that kind of put your whole life in perspective.
Throughout this most difficult, unimaginable time, that family never once... not for a single minute stopped praising God. Never Once. What a testiment to their faith. They were so completely confident that Kevin's healing would come. If not on this earth, then in Heaven. And they were ok. I could never do justice in conveying the complete and total faith that this family has. I would encourage you to go to his site and read his journal. www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinking/journal
You will be blessed more than you can imagine.
A dear old friend posted on facebook this morning "we are only one phone call away from falling on our face before Him." Man...that's heavy stuff. Where are you on your journey. Do you have a personal relationship with our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I'm not talking "yes, I go to church every Sunday" I am talking a REAL relationship. There is a huge difference. Pews are full of people who will never make it into heaven. Are you one of them. Do you have a daily walk with Him, or only think of Him when times are difficult. I challenge you to really examine your life. Will you be prepared when you get that phone call. Will you be prepared if someone else gets that phone call about you.
The last words that Kevin had his wife type on his caring bridge site on Sept. 1st were these... "Live, love, and abide by God's glorious commandments. Good Night and have a blessed day tomorrow. Love, Kevin."
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Happy Birthday Jaden!
Jaden put the "Labor" in Labor Day six years ago. It was nice that he was born on a holiday, because the ENTIRE family was able to be there. He spent his first hour being passed around among a dozen people or so. It was really cool. His big brothers were so proud of him.
Today he is spending his birthday at school. Another "first" to deal with. He wanted me to make brownies for his class, since he isn't a cake person. I told him I would bring them out for his classroom party this afternoon. His reply, "you really don't have to come mom." I said "it's ok Jaden, I want to come" thinking awww, he is worried about how busy I am and doesn't want to inconvenience me. How sweet. But then he said it again. And then a third time. Finally I asked..."Jaden do you not want me to come?" He tried his best to be diplomatic, but DANG... another dagger to mom's heart.
So I will honor his wishes and miss the classroom party today. This one seems to be growing up at lightening speed. Little mister independent. I don't like it a bit.
Today he is spending his birthday at school. Another "first" to deal with. He wanted me to make brownies for his class, since he isn't a cake person. I told him I would bring them out for his classroom party this afternoon. His reply, "you really don't have to come mom." I said "it's ok Jaden, I want to come" thinking awww, he is worried about how busy I am and doesn't want to inconvenience me. How sweet. But then he said it again. And then a third time. Finally I asked..."Jaden do you not want me to come?" He tried his best to be diplomatic, but DANG... another dagger to mom's heart.
So I will honor his wishes and miss the classroom party today. This one seems to be growing up at lightening speed. Little mister independent. I don't like it a bit.
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