10 February, 2009
I am sure that everyone in this nation at this point knows what has been going on in our corner of the world here in Orlando. We are mourning the loss of Caylee Marie Anthony! If you don't know the details up until now, you can check out our local news station online! They have all the details there, which leads me into my next thought! What makes us so fascinated by THIS case that it is plastered all over the news? Nancy Grace makes it a nightly show? Our news websites have special sections dedicated to the case? We pretty much witness every portion of this case through the local and national media? It is crazy! Why wasn't the other missing/murdered children given this much coverage? I think it because due to the facts of this case, the murderer may turn out to be Caylee's mother, Casey. How could she-- we think? What snapped-- we ponder? I am a mother and I would never-- so we watch for justice. We watched from the moment she was reported missing and the terrible assumptions started coming in . We searched for her in every child we saw. I blogged about finding her many months ago. We connect ourselves to this case on a personal level. We take it personal. We invest in what we care or are impassioned by. This enaged our spirits into deep mourning when she was found dead in a garbage bag with ducktape around her mouth. I am guilty of this. I watch because I want to KNOW that justice is being done for Caylee! I watch because it sent fire to my soul to hear that this baby suffered. I think a big part of the fascination started with the media. Had they not covered it so much 24/7, we wouldn't be so engaged. That being said. There is a purpose!Our town is mourning! So today the family held a public service to honor Caylee's short little life. I like many hundreds, maybe thousands, of people watched from my home. At first, I couldn't believe that they would take 2 hours of our day from regular programming to air this service. Who are they to do this? What makes their service any different than the murdered child on the other side of town? So I watched to find out. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, on my knees, crying my eyes out! The LORD was in that place-- HE was holding every family member in his arms-- HE had a message HE wanted us to hear! Now hundreds, maybe thousands were going to hear this message! It was a message of HOPE! Thanks to the Anthony family, the Lord's message of Salvation- the message that there is one way to the Father- the message that Lord is the Peace that passes all understanding was bringing a community and a nation to their knees! HIS message was being spilled over the airways of numerous radio, media, and tv outlets!! Think of the people HE has reached today that because they connected with a little girl, they will now hear that there is HOPE in Jesus Christ!
It was a beautiful service! I couldn't stop the waterfall on my face. Despite your feelings or judgements about this case, it was a time to celebrate a little gift from God that is touching so many! I am so guilty of passing judgement on Caylee's mother Casey. No matter the outcome of the trial, Casey Anthony is still loved by her creator! She still deserves only to be judged by God, not man. I am making an intentional choice today to honor Caylee by forgiving her murderer, holding judgement , and remembering that Caylee loved her mama so very much! I pray our town finds peace, compassion, forgiveness and comes together in unity. It is a shame that tragedy has to strike to bring people together, but what the enemy means for evil, the Lord turns for good. He will redeem this tragedy in some way! Pray for the Anthony family and those touched by this case.
I am going to hold my children a little tighter, kiss them a little longer, look into their eyes a little deeper and not take one single minute for granted. I don't want to say, " if only I had one more day!"
I am going to hold my children a little tighter, kiss them a little longer, look into their eyes a little deeper and not take one single minute for granted. I don't want to say, " if only I had one more day!"
30 January, 2009
I don't know about you, but my kids love their "Crocs" shoes! They are simple plastic slip on shoes with holes in them! Great for the beach, park, quick trips to the store etc. The only con is that they are plastic, and they break/wear out very easily and quickly! I have thrown away many pairs after the dog chewed them up, they were broken, or just worn down! A waste?NO! Not anymore!!
There is a company called Soles United that is taking worn out "Crocs", and is putting them to good use! You can take your worn out "Crocs" to a participating retailer (or mail in) and drop them in the marked boxes. They then send them to be recycled and made into new shoes for needy people in countries like Armenia, Cambodia, Chad, Darfur, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Philippines, Romania, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
There is a short video as well as FAQ's about the program that can answer all your questions on their website! Please take few minutes to check it out and pass it on!! One by one, we can make a difference!! What a great and simple way to help out people who needs shoes!! All it takes is a little stop, while you are already out, and drop your used "crocs" off at a retailer listed on their list!!
14 December, 2008
This weekend was a lot more laid back than last weekend. Partly due to "monkey" being sick and partly due to the boys going camping. So us girls hung out this weekend!! I did manage to go to a Tastefully Simple party at my friend Jaci's house! This wasn't just any party. She and her consultant are donating a percentage of profits/hostess gifts to "blankets for China"! China just had that devistating earthquake not too long ago and the children are cold! So many of my friends have adopted from China so it becomes personal for so many! You can read more about this effort and her partnership with KidsLake at my friend Brandi's site! This girl has a HUGE heart and deep passion for Africa and abroad!! You can also read about the need and donate right on her site. What a great way to spread the "warmth of Jesus" this holiday season!! Everyone is donating and raising money in their own way! I got some tastefully simple products, which I love, and donated to warm some bodies!!
I know this is a lot of "links" and little information, but trust me-- this gal and these links can explain things so much better than me trying to blunder my way through them!! Please take some time to check them out!
Hope you all had a great weekend!!
02 October, 2008
My two guys are in Cub Scouts in our town. They started when my boy was in first grade. That was the beginning ! (the youngest they can join.) My hubby became his den leader from the get-go! This was their thing. Something they could be boys and do together. Well, it quickly turned into a family affair. Camping, outings, meetings, and get togethers!! The cub scouts are very family friendly and encourage involvement from everyone! They started off as Tiger Cubs and are now Webelos. He has this year and next as a Webelo and then is off to Boy Scouts.
There are many reasons why I am so happy my boys are in cub scouts, but one stands above the rest! Yes, they teach great character qualities. Yes, they assist our boys in becoming great men. Yes, they teach everything from everyday safety in every area to being a community leader, BUT underneath it all... GOD is in the mix. The cub scout pledge that they say each week is :
I, (name), promise to do my best To do my duty to God and my country, To help other people, and To obey the Law of the Pack.
They pray before each meeting. Cub scouts is not a religious entity, but just the fact that He is acknowledged is fabulous. Cub Scouts are chartered by many different organizations, like churches, schools, community groups etc.
There is one thing that is amazing to me about the cub scouts achievements! There is a course called GOD AND ME that the boys complete with their respective pastor , religious leader, or pack sponsored pastor. It walks the boys through "becoming best friends with Jesus!" Once they complete all the lessons and get signed off, they receive a nice plaque, patch , and card stating that they completed the course. They are given these items in a nice little ceremony and are really held in high regard. WOW! The attention that this one achievement gets speaks volumes to the boys. The greatest thing of all is that this patch for the GOD AND ME achievement is the ONLY patch out of hundreds that they earn in cub scouts that can be transferred to their Boy Scout uniforms.
GO CUB SCOUTS!!
GO CUB SCOUTS!!
This a picture of the boys who just earned their GOD AND ME
achievement as last week's Pack Meeting!! See my proud boys!!
To find a cub scout pack near you click here!
24 September, 2008
This is pretty exciting to me. New, different, and weird to think of at first but worth it!! During this election season with stem cell research being a topic of interest, there is a study out that gives us a new way we can preserve our own stem cells and save them for , God forbid, any future need. According to the BBC online and many other sources, (just look it up in your search engine) baby teeth can be a source for stem cells. I was prompted to research this a bit more when my pediatrician told me yesterday that when the kid's baby teeth fall out, freeze them immediately. Save the teeth in the freezer to preserve any cells. The "gold" is in the pulp of the baby tooth! I believe that wisdom teeth in adults can have the same cells too.I am all for any new and exciting ways to find stem cells if it means we pull our focus away from embryonic stem cells!!
11 September, 2008
schember.comI am almost positive that you will get many posts about 9-11 today!! Yup, I am one of them. Do you remember where you were that day? I was in State College at my in-laws house drying my hair after a shower, when someone came in and said a plane just flew into the twin towers in New York. I dropped everything and tip toed quickly past my sleeping girl who was 4 mo. old at the time. I couldn't believe my eyes. We sat glued to the TV for hours. We then realized that Jack's oldest brother's wife was in New York on business. No one could get ahold of her until later. Finally his brother called and said, she was fine, but couldn't get out of town. I will never forget the sacrifices made and lives lost that day.
This day changed everything for our family!
My brother is now retired from the US Air Force. He was deployed to Kuwait during the start of the Iraq war. Oh, my... if you think we were glued to the TV on 9-11... the stories, the bombs, the air raid sirens, the casualties. Watching and waiting for some sort of call from my brother to say I am okay! Each time we got that call-- relief. Then 10 minutes later after hanging up, another story on CNN of another attack. This time the bombs were reaching Kuwait city. We waited for that call again.
This was him eating birthday cake we sent to him after his 1 year old's birthday party!
My brother was part of the crew that remained at the airport hangers to load and unload supplies coming in and going out. (At times he had to go out and do his shift protecting the ammunition bunkers... with a gun! Glad mom wasn't there!!) He loaded and unloaded, inventoried, inspected everything. Everything meant even the dead who had to be transported home to be buried by their loved one. This was incredibly hard for him to do. He of course had to make sure the DB (dead body) was "who" the tag said and make sure it was on the right inventory sheet to go to the right place. Yes, he had to inspect the bodies. I can't even imagine.
This is him cleaning the pallets that transported the DB's on to the hangers to be shipped. (Sorry the pics are so small, but I think you get the point!) Like I said , he is now retired. Thank the Lord he is home and safe where he belongs. Whether or not you agree with our troops being over in the Middle East, Please support our troops! They are doing their job that they signed up for and that they believe in. These men and women are giving up family, friends, and sometimes their own lives for the cause. Whether it is right or wrong, they are there! There isn't anything we can do about it. Let's just support them and PRAY them home!!!!!!!!!!
Do you remember where you were on the day that changed a nation?
Take a minute and click on the music player to the left and click on Letters from War, by Mark Shultz!! Remember!!
30 July, 2008
If you have been watching the news, you know the odd and bizarre case of missing Caylee Anthony. No matter the circumstances or who is to blame, a little precious gift from God is missing!! Please pass this along and let's bring her home!! (there is also a link below to her "missing" poster you can print and pass along as well!) My mother's heart is aching for this sweet little one right now!
CAYLEE MARIE ANTHONY
Case Type: Endangered Missing
DOB: Aug 9, 2005
Sex: Female
Missing Date: Jun 9, 2008
Race: White
Age Now: 2
Height: 3'1" (94 cm)
Missing City: ORLANDO
Weight: 35 lbs (16 kg)
Missing State : FL
Hair Color: Brown
Missing Country: United States
Eye Color: Hazel
Case Number: NCMC1100742
Circumstances: Both photos shown are of Caylee. She appears to be the physical age of three. Caylee was last seen on June 9, 2008 in the Orlando, Florida area. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, jean shorts and white sneakers.
Case Type: Endangered Missing
DOB: Aug 9, 2005
Sex: Female
Missing Date: Jun 9, 2008
Race: White
Age Now: 2
Height: 3'1" (94 cm)
Missing City: ORLANDO
Weight: 35 lbs (16 kg)
Missing State : FL
Hair Color: Brown
Missing Country: United States
Eye Color: Hazel
Case Number: NCMC1100742
Circumstances: Both photos shown are of Caylee. She appears to be the physical age of three. Caylee was last seen on June 9, 2008 in the Orlando, Florida area. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, jean shorts and white sneakers.
ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida) 1-407-836-HELP (4357)
Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida) 1-407-836-HELP (4357)
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