The Great Debate

You can not turn on the news, radio, or log onto Facebook without seeing a mass of opinions over the Health Care Reform Bill. I think that most people feed off of the opinions of others and then form their own opinion based on that rather than looking at the facts and then taking an educated stance on the matter.

As someone who has been on both sides of this debate (with health coverage and without health coverage and stuck in that middle of not making enough money to buy private insurance, but making too much to qualify for assistance), I understand full well the need for reform in the current system.

As a young mother my daughter, then only 5 months old, began to have seizures. We did not have health coverage at that time because my husband had just started a new job and we had not passed the designated period for coverage to start. Had it not been for the kindness and mercy of the doctors at Children's Hospital, I do not know what we would have done. Ashlynn's medical bills skyrocketed; her medicine alone was over $100 per month. As a family we survived that time, but only by grace. I know that there are thousands of people in the same situation. In addition to the countless seniors who have to choose medicine over food.

We live in America... things should not be this way.

I told my love yesterday that this great debate reminds me of a conversation that I had with an 80+ year old lady in the Ukraine in 2004. Her parents had been killed during the rule of the USSR. She witnessed with her eyes the tyranny of communist rule as well as the fall of the Berlin wall, and the new found freedom that it brought. She said that during the communist rule that she had no freedom, but she did have healthcare, rations for food, medicine, and provision. Now she has her freedom, but none of the other things. She asked which is the greater?

To me.. freedom is the greater, but only because I have a living, active relationship with Jesus.. my provider, my protector, my healer. In HIM I have all things.

Maybe people who are so up in arms over this health care bill should shift their focus. First stop your lips from speaking lies. Research this bill. What are the facts? Stop praying for what YOU think is best and start praying that these leaders see a vision of JESUS! That will change EVERYTHING. Look what one glimpse of Jesus did for Saul. I believe that nothing takes God by surprise and that there is a plan and purpose for everything in Heaven and on Earth.

None-the-less, my opinion does not matter. Let's look at the facts:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/Issues/health-Care
http://www.healthreform.gov

I encourage you to read these articles. These are the facts.. not opinions. Fuel your great debate (for or against) this bill on the truth.

The Four Letter Word

It has been almost a year since my family and I attended a stateside church service. I have expressed to many of you my feelings about the church. I have met so many people who have been wounded by the judgment and lack of authenticity that exist in many churches today. It absolutely breaks my heart. The church was never intended to be this way. I believe that the church should be a living portrait of Jesus who exalted love above all else.

Today my family attended our first church service since arriving in Colorado Springs. The congregation is huge, the facilities are superb, the programs are on target, and there is limitless potential for our family to grow and mature in the word. It is all very exciting. But if all those "things" were stripped away, what would be left? If there were no programs, no grand facilities... what would draw the people into the service? I sincerely believe that it rest within that one four letter word.. L-O-V-E. We as a family felt loved today, and because of this and this alone we will return. We will jump in with all eight feet and serve with all our hearts.

Think about this with me for a moment. L-O-V-E... what does that word mean to you? Has it lost its power? Is it over-used, under-stated? What has it driven you to do? What has it stopped you from doing? What did it mean to Christ? How are we to be motivated by it?

I know that I have much to learn about this word.

This is my prayer today...
Lord Jesus, teach me what love is. Help me to sincerely love the way that you love, without judgement or pretense. I have made many plans for my life. I have written it down from A-Z, but all of it is in vain unless I learn to love. Let my plans, my hopes, my dreams be ruined by your love. I know that your will for me is far greater than anything I could ever dream or imagine... so let me rest in love.. hope in love.. serve in love.. be identified by love.
AMEN!

Full Speed Ahead

I suppose that you should never write about being in a lull. About an hour after that post, we got the phone call from our movers that kicked us into high gear. 6000 pounds of household goods will vaporize every single moment of down time.

For the last two days I have been unpacking boxes, sorting, and attempting to turn this house into a home. I am almost done. I have one more room of boxes to unpack. Then the cleaning and washing begins. Hopefully, I will have things looking and smelling lovely by the end of the day.

Photos to come soon...

Shifting Gears

I have tried a dozen times to learn how to drive a manual vehicle. After stripping the gears in several of said vehicles, no one is willing to try to teach me again. I am okay with that. Automatic cars were built for people just like me. Too bad life doesn't have an automatic version. Then we could avoid all the spits, sputters, and jerking-grinding that life can bring.

As you all know, for the last several months we have been in a constant state of transition. Well now the gears are shifting once again. When we left Germany last month we entered a lull, an odd vacation of sorts. We enjoyed our journey getting to Colorado. It was wonderful seeing more of our beautiful country and reconnecting with old friends. But now we are all having a bit of trouble shifting from that state of lull to real life.

We are in our new home. The kids started school this week and Wes and I are busy with all the little details of moving, registering for college, and job searching. Our household goods are making their way across the ocean and life is happening. But for some reason, I still feel like I am in limbo... like I am stripping the gears somehow.

Please, pray with me as I shift from neutral to drive. Who knows, I may even do some off-roading. After-all, I do have mountains to climb.

What did the momma tomato say to the baby tomato?

Ketchup! (hehe)

Here goes my attempt to catch-up on the events of the last few weeks.

We said good-bye to Germany February 18th. Our flight from Germany to Chicago to Alabama went very smoothly. We were all exhausted and a little frizzy around the edges when we arrived in Bama, but we were all together and well. (Word of advice.. get the pasta NOT the chicken when flying AA)

Our short stay in Bama was very hectic to say the least. It was all business and not much visiting. However we did get a lot accomplished, including purchasing a new vehicle for our journey. We bought a black crew cab GMC Serria Z71 4 wheel drive with the best package... all leather, heated seats, Bose stereo. It is nice and we got a steal of a deal. This little country girl is very happy. I told my love that I want a tag that says, "Silly boys, trucks are for girls!" I am not sure that he agrees.

While in Bama, I did get to meet baby Trey. He has stolen my heart. He is so smart. I swear that he asks for me in sign. I miss him and my Ranna already.

We also celebrated the 85th birthday of Wesley's grandpa and discovered that our little red head is quite the stand-up comedian.

From Bama we headed to Louisiana. We avoided the interstate and enjoyed the sights of country roads and the flavors of "hole-in-the-wall" diners. We drove slow and enjoyed the journey. Wes even ate an alligator sandwich. Yuck!


When we arrived in LA, we were greeted by my dear friend Jody, She is one of the sisters of my soul. I love her so much. I first met Jody at Fort Gordon Georgia in 2006. She has been my sister ever since. I can't imagine my life without her in it. We all enjoyed our time in LA with her and her family. We flew kites, had nerf war fights, celebrated the birth of Nicky-Baucker. It could have only been better had Snop been able to share the time with us.










From LA we traveled to TX, again avoiding the interstate. Along the way we stopped at a little cafe called The Branding Iron. Oh my heaven, that was some amazing food. My mouth is watering just recalling it. We arrived in Killeen in time to enjoy MORE good food with our dear friends The Graves. We were also quickly smothered in doggy kisses from the two four-legged Graves'.



On day two in TX we drove to see my sister Misty and her sweet family. The twins have grown so much. They are absolutely beautiful and so hilarious. I am extremely proud of my sister and her husband Eric. They are wonderful parents. I am amazed at how the girls follow such a great routine. The kids played everyday until they nearly passed out. The big boys enjoyed some "game-time" while the girls did some shopping, of course! Killeen is not in short supply of great food and places to shop. Our time went by too quickly.





We left TX late at night and drove straight through to CO. We were in KS when the sun rose over the horizon. KS is as flat as a pancake, but it is beautiful.


Arriving in CO was like a dream. Words just can't describe the beauty that this state holds.

We moved into our new home last Sunday. When I walked through our front door for the first time, I literally just cried. It is far greater than anything that I could have imagined. Our neighborhood is thriving and we are so hopeful of what our future holds.



On the first day in our home we were greeted by one of the most precious women that I have ever met. Rebecca has shown my family such love and generosity. She is a beautiful portrait of Christ. I am truly humbled by her friendship.

I seriously have no idea why our hearts were lead to Colorado. It is all being revealed one small step at a time. None-the-less, I do know for certain that our family has together taken a giant leap of faith; no matter what the outcome of this journey we will all be stronger for having listened and followed.

I hope that you will take this journey with us in your heart and in your prayers. Come what may... it is going to be a grand adventure.

It's Been A Minute

It has been a minute or two since my last post. It is going to take me days to follow-up on the lives of my fellow bloggers. Life seems to be flying by these days. Everyone I know is in a monumental moment in their lives. So many things to be thankful for and equally things to be in fervent prayer about. Two of my dear friends began a battle with cancer in the last month. I know that I serve a mighty God who is more than able to bring healing to these families. Seeing people that you love dearly enter into the fight of and for their lives is very sobering. It makes everything else just go dim, personal struggles seem smaller and victories seem bitter sweet.

Join me in prayer for The Queen Family & The Ibriahm Family.

Thank you.