nablopomo... no mo(re)

Well, here we are... the last day of the month. I've made it; posting each day for the entire month of November, as part of NaBloPoMo. I'm actually a little sorry to see it end. Not necessarily writing and posting each day - because that wasn't always easy - but the theme I used all month; sharing some of my favorite Bible verses each day.

When I started the month, I had quite a few "favorite" verses in mind, but ended up having to go hunting through my Bible towards the end of the month. What I came to realize is that there are so many verses that I could have posted as my "favorites," certainly more than 30. It also reconfirmed my unshakable knowledge that God's word is relevant, comforting, full of wisdom, and truly words to live by.

And I've always loved how you can read something one day that you've read before but for some reason, it means something different to you this time or you feel God speaking directly to you. That happens so often. That's why they call the Bible God's living word. I love when that happens.

Anyways, I didn't post any scripture with yesterday's post so here is day 29 and 30 of 30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12:1-2 The Message

"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

dani's 15 minutes of fame

As I alluded to yesterday, our trip home Saturday had a little bit of excitement. I'll just type it out in the order it all happened...

We were at the Los Angeles airport and as our boarding time was approaching, Danielle and I decided to use the restroom. As we approached the monitors that displayed the departure times of flights, we noticed a couple of cameramen with their cameras pointed at the monitors. I then notice a couple also standing there and instantly knew I'd seen them before. They had been on TV but I couldn't remember what show. I tell Danielle and we both rack our brains trying to figure out where we've seen them before. We then realize that there's another couple there (two African American women) and the light bulb goes on - they're a part of the TV show, The Amazing Race.

I go up to the familiar looking guy and ask him if he's a part of The Amazing Race and he tells me all that he can say is that they're in a race. I wish him luck and walk away still not knowing where I know him from. Danielle then asks, "weren't they on Big Brother?" YES!! That's where they're from. Jeff [Schroeder] and Jordan [Lloyd] were fan favorites on last season's popular reality TV show Big Brother, and made it obvious on the show that they had feelings for each other. Jordan was the eventual winner of the season.

Okay... this is pretty big for me. The Amazing Race and a Big Brother connection. I watch both of these shows (yes, I like reality TV). I tell Danielle to take a picture with her iPhone. She doesn't want to do it but hands her phone over to me. So I step forward and take the two best pictures I can without making it seem overly obvious of what I'm doing. We then leave to go share our bit of news with Don and Jake. Before we board our plane, I update my Facebook status with what I thought was pretty exciting and Danielle updated her Twitter with the simple statement, "It never fails. I always see famous people at the LAX airport," along with the picture of Jeff and Jordan (the one I took!).

An hour into the flight, we're told by the pilot that there is a medical emergency on board and we have to make an emergency detour to the Las Vegas airport. Ugh! Although I understood the need to do this, I just wanted to get home. As we deplaned, Danielle turned on her iPhone and found that she had numerous updates/comments to her Twitter - all expressing great excitement over her sighting and photo. By the time we get to Denver, the feedback is at a frenzy level.

I say frenzy level because evidently we (because it really was a joint effort) broke the news to the world that not only had the 16th season of The Amazing Race started (that day, as it turns out), but that Jeff and Jordan were one of the teams. Word traveled fast and now the information that we had and the photo that we took is all over the internet. And not just blogs and forums, but such sites as Entertainment Weekly and other celebrity monitoring sites. Most of them give credit to Danielle as the one who took the picture and even that she broke the story. It's been crazy to see the photo everywhere as well as Danielle's name and account of what we saw.

You can google and find the pics but I'll save you the trouble by posting them here. You can also read Danielle's Twitter posts here.




Dani is enjoying her 15 minutes of fame. Had we known this was such a big deal, we would have tried to take a few more pictures, not of just Jeff and Jordan, but the other teams as well. It will be fun to watch the next season knowing that we have a connection to it.

six word saturday

...

I am glad to be home!

It's been an eventful day and I'll write about it later (probably Monday), but right now, all I can manage is that it feels good to be home.

Six Word Saturday is hosted each week by Cate of Show My Face.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble."
Proverbs 17:17 The Message

home away from home

My time here in California has come to an end. Tomorrow we get on a plane to return home. It always feels good to go home, but we'll also miss the time we spend here. It truly is our home away from home.

The week was a good mixture of visiting with family and enjoying the beach and warm weather. It was also a good balance of being with my family and Don's family. It's not always easy feeling like you're spending quality time with family and still enjoying your vacation.


Today, we ended the week by hanging out with my brother, sister, and their families. We rented bicycles and cruised down the strand on Balboa Island, with million dollar homes on one side and the ocean on the other.


We then ate lunch on the top deck of a restaurant at the end of the pier. What a great place to enjoy a burger and fries and catch up with each other. We said our good byes after walking through the sand to the break wall and watching the boats enter and leave the harbor. It was pretty well the perfect day and I will call on my memories of our time together when our time away from each other has stretched out from days into months.


30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:35 NIV

gobble, gobble

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY


"Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks."
1 Timothy 4:4 New Living Translation

wordless wednesday

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17 NIV

a young beauty...

And four generations later...


30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 NIV

90 years

Imagine the years you've lived. The things that have happened in the world... presidents come and go, 9-11, wars. Technological advances... the computer, the cell phone, the Ipod. How about emotional experiences you've endured or celebrated... first love, marriage(s), anniversaries, deaths, children - and their lives.

If you think back on your life, there's a lot to reflect upon. A lot of memories. A lot of heartaches and a lot of triumphs. And how old are you? Are you in your 20s? 30s? 40? 50s? 60? 70? 80s? No matter how old you are, a lifetime is a lot to reflect upon.

Imagine if you were 90, or older. That's how old my grandmother turned this weekend. We celebrated those 90 years yesterday with a big party where family and friends, old and new, were there. I tried to imagine what 90 years would feel like stored in my memory box. I really can't. I only have 50 years of memories and 40 years added to that is out of my grasp at the moment.

90 years old! To me, that's amazing. And my grandmother seems the same today as she did 40 years ago. Yes, her body seems to have shrunk a little, she looks a little more frail and her hearing has diminished, but she still has her mind and other capabilities. She walks a little slower with a cane or walker, but she still walks. She's able to take care of herself (and does) and she still has her sense of humor.

She has one daughter, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who love her very much. She loves us very much and that has been the example passed down to us. She is a God-fearing woman who has passed her faith down to us. She was a working woman who passed on a good work ethic and what it means to be responsible. She has a legacy that not only has been passed down three generations, but will beyond that.

Happy Birthday (again) Grandma. I love you and thank you for who you are and what you have passed on to me. I look forward to birthday #100 =)

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness."
1 Peter 2:1-3 New Living Translation

a day of celebration

Today we are having a special celebration. We will be celebrating the 90 years my grandmother has lived and loved. I will write more about her and the party tomorrow. Have a blessed day.

"Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."
Psalm 1:1-6 New Living Translation

six word saturday

...

Reliving the past through my memories.

I am sitting here in my mother-in-law's home, surrounded by my memories of not only this house but of this city and area where I spent my teenage and young adult years.

Stella's house has not changed much since her son grew up here, met a girl and fell in love, and that girl (me) spent so much time getting to know her future husband and his family. The same pictures are on the wall, the same books on the shelves, even most of the furniture is the same. Stella might feel embarrassed that not much has changed over the 30 plus years, but I find it comforting.

As I drive through the streets, I'm washed with memories of places lived, of friends, of schools, of church... and again, it's comforting, but also a bit distracting. When at home, I don't give these things a second thought. I'm immersed in my own life, the present and the future. But when I'm here, in my old home town, I seem to live most of my moments in the past.

Is this normal? It seems with each trip back here, the more I want to stay in this place of remembering the past, reflecting on who I used to be and the experiences - big and small - that make me who I am today. I don't know if it's normal. I know the kids get tired of hearing about the past and having the different landmarks pointed out. I mostly keep quiet now, but my mind doesn't turn off. I'm reliving the past through my memories.

Six Word Saturday is hosted each week by Cate of Show My Face.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

pass the potatoes

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This week's Aloha Friday question is...

What's your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table?

It's a hard question because there's so much good food at Thanksgiving. For me, it's a black cherry jello salad that is traditional in my family. For some reason, the only time I make it is at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe that's what makes it so special.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NIV

what was i thinking?!

Tonight, at midnight, I will be sitting in a theater with a bunch of Twilight fanatics [which I've been told will include screaming girls] to see New Moon - the second installment of the Twilight series.

I wouldn't call myself a fanatic, but I did enjoy the first movie and that's what lead me to reading the books - well, 2 of the books, so far. I would normally go see this movie during normal viewing hours but we'll be on a plane for California tomorrow and Danielle (with a few friends) wanted to see the movie as soon as it came out. That means tonight at midnight.

As I mentioned, I'll be in California for the next week. I have scheduled posts already and will hopefully be able to get on the internet to write new posts. We'll be spending Thanksgiving with family but the reason for the trip is to attend a special celebration. You'll be able to read about that in a future post. It will be wonderful to see family and to spend a whole week with my kids, near the beach, without any major responsibilities.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

be encouraged

I'm enjoying flipping through my Bible and finding scripture that I've highlighted, reading it and realizing how much the words mean to me. I've been encouraged each day as I post these verses and I hope you have been, too.

I'm glad I've included the theme of WORDS TO LIVE BY to this month's posts because there's days like today that I have nothing else to write about. =)

**oh, and to answer the question from my previous post of which door is the correct door... it's the one on the right. **

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Romans 5:3-5 New Living Translation

which door would you go through?

This was my dilemma today as I had to use the restroom after my wonderful lunch with my son. I really wasn't sure and I didn't want to make the wrong choice. That could be a real embarrassing catastrophe! I had to ask Jake which one was the women's restroom as he had been to this eating establishment before. He laughed and pointed me in the right direction.

The problem is that not everyone is as lucky to be with someone who has personally gone through the same process and either made the right guess or the wrong one. As I sat in my stall, I heard someone come in and wash their hands. I didn't think anything of it until this person gave out a little cough. It was a deep, manly cough. I peeked through the cracks and could only tell that this person was tall and had a masculine build. I realize it could have been a woman but I'm pretty sure it was a man. Thank goodness he (or she) only chose to wash his/her hands.

I've decided that if I ever return to this fun Boulder landmark that served great burgers, I will make sure I don't have to use their restroom. Even though I know which door to go through, it is obvious that not everyone does.


30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

the start of a busy week

...
For Today. . .

Outside my window... icy, glistening snow blankets the greenbelt behind my home. Dollops of snow embraced by the tree's branches. But the sun is shining and most of it will disappear before the day ends.

I am thinking... I need to get my daughter's car over to the mechanic... and... how long is it going to take to be fixed because I'm without a car until it is.

I am thankful for... the weekend I had with my kids.

I am wearing... jeans and a sweater.

I am creating... nothing really, but I've started thinking about a Christmas letter.

I am hearing... Good Morning America and the trash truck out front.

I am remembering...being in California a few weeks ago knowing I'll be back there this weekend.

I am going...to California for Thanksgiving and a special celebration (which I'll write more about later).

I am reading... The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I am hoping... to get everything done this week that I need to.

On my mind...Christmas shopping!

Pondering these words..."If months pass and certain goals still haven't been accomplished, how important could these goals have been to begin with?"

From the kitchen...a different look (and a future post)

Around the house...dog hair... everywhere! This is the time of year when our dog sheds the most and it's a constant battle to keep up with it. This morning, the excess hair is winning.

One of my favorite things...eating Guiliano's sandwiches on the beach - which I'm planning to do this Friday.

From my picture journal...


I took this picture in the California Adventure Disney Park when I was there. I love it because of the sunshine aspect to it. It's my current desktop background.

You can find out more about Simple Woman's Daybook here.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6 NIV

it's all about love

...
30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that."
Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message

six word saturday

Gray skies... snow on the way.

Six Word Saturday is hosted each Saturday by Cate of Show My Face.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31 NIV

one of his flock

...
30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 New Living Translation

honky tonk badonkadonk

I had the pleasure of sitting with my daughter last night while she watched the Country Music Awards show. I personally am not into country music but it was important to her and I could sit with her and work on my laptop. A couple of things struck me.

One was how enthusiastic Dani was about the awards and the artists. She knew most of them by name and the words to the songs they sang. She had her favorites and was thrilled when they won in their perspective categories. She is a big country music fan and I didn't realize just how big until last night. It was fun watching her excitement, knowing this has become part of who she is and not something her parents decided for her.

The other thing that made me take notice and even reflect upon, to the point that I decided to write this post, was the character of most country western artists. Watching not only the performances, but how gracious they were when they won and didn't win made an impression. They seemed to genuinely care for each other and for the larger community. I think every acceptance speech included some kind of gratitude to our service men and women.

I don't want to stereotype anyone and I could be totally off base. I know not all country western singers should be lumped into the same category, but I think overall, this group of people have shown themselves to be more down to earth, compassionate, and humble - which makes me like them... a lot.

Now, if I could only get into their music.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NIV

a heartfelt thank you

Today was Veteran's Day. I should have posted first thing so the content of this post would go with the day that most readers will be reading it. Actually, I write this post more for my future generations who might some day read my words here on my blog.


Veteran's Day is a big deal. I don't remember it being as such when I was growing up. Maybe it was because most of my childhood years were war free. Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention to such things. But ever since 9-11 and the fact that we have so many men and women who have or are serving in a war, a day that celebrates those brave men and women gets a lot of notice - as it should. And I would like to take this opportunity to personally say thank you to those who have served this country to ensure our freedom and security.

My grandfather served in the Air Force and saw duty in the Korean War. My father retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and saw duty in the Vietnam War. I couldn't be more proud of them and thankful for their sacrifices.

We don't need one day a year when we can honor and thank our veterans. We can and should do this every day. They deserve it.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

honest scrap

My blogging friend Karen, of Over the Backyard Fence, passed on a meme a while back and I finally came up with my answers. The goal is to share 10 honest things about myself. I've shared so much about myself over the past nearly 3 years so I challenged myself to come up with some (maybe not all) new stuff. It took me a while, but I think I came up with some new honest scrap about myself...

1. I went sky diving when I was younger, somewhere around the age of 19. It was something I always wanted to do, so it was a great accomplishment. Some time after that, I started acquiring a fear of heights. Now I can't even imagine going up in a plane and jumping out.

2. I am not a very healthy eater. How I wish I was. It may be how I came to have Diabetes. Even now, living with Diabetes, I don't eat as well as I should.

3. I graduated from high school and then only attended one year of college (a community college). It is a regret of mine. I consider myself intellectual to a certain degree but I feel like I have been gifted more with a keen amount of common sense. It has served me well. I think I'd rather have the common sense over a college degree. Okay, if I'm really honest with myself (this is Honest Scrap after all), I'd like to have both.

4. This year I turned 50, my mother turns 70 and my grandmother turns 90. I was given a little grief for not having my first child when I was 20. I was 28 when Danielle was born and 30 when Jake was born.

5. I color my hair and have for years. I'm sure I would have a full head of gray hair if I didn't color it. I occasionally think about discontinuing the color treatments, but then I think that's would just be crazy. I don't want to be a gray haired lady.

6. I have a second cousin who used to play for the Dodgers and was a good player and hitter. He's now a coach for a high school baseball team. It's nice to be able to say you have a relative who played professional baseball.

7. I have no first cousins. Both my mom and dad were only children.

8. It's easier for me to talk to kids than adults. I can walk up to any teenager and feel comfortable starting a conversation, but I don't feel comfortable with adults. I have to force myself to step out of my comfort zone when interacting with adults.

9. I love to scrapbook, but I haven't done it for a few years. The last book I worked on (but didn't completely finish) was for Danielle as a graduation gift. She graduated in 2006. Jake's book needs to be started and completed. I have boxes of photos that need to be put into books. It's just something I haven't made a priority. I have plans, but I'm also a procrastinator.

10. And that should be my #10... I am the world's biggest procrastinator. I've always been that way. When it comes to a deadline, I always felt - and thus, became my excuse - that I performed better when I had to do something at the last minute. It's who I am. I could try to change, but would I really be successful. I will probably never know... because I have procrastinated giving it a try.

Feel free to post your own Honest Scrap. If you do, let me know so I can check it out.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13 NIV

we all need encouragement

Does anyone watch The Amazing Race? Did you catch it this past Sunday night? I'm specifically thinking about the challenge of finding the flags in the field of hay bales. If you didn't see it, it went down this way; one of the two members of each team had to unroll giant rolls of hay one at a time in hopes of finding a flag hidden deep within. Some of these players spent hours unrolling hay for hours before finding a flag.

It was interesting to watch the dynamics of the different teams, specifically one. Where most of the team members that sat on the sidelines gave encouragement to their partners, that wasn't the case for the team of two brothers. The brother that sat on the sideline chose to yell at his brother for a good part of the time telling him to "hurry," "go faster," "don't do it that way!," "do it this, or that, way."

As you might expect, this did not sit well with the other brother. You could see, and hear as he would just yell back, the frustration that this brother was dealing with. Not only did it waste valuable time, but it just added to the despair that this brother obviously felt.

At some point, the sidelined brother figures out that his yelling and lack of encouragement is not helping. In fact, it's hurting. He admits all of this on camera and adds that he doesn't know why he took this particular tact, not truly realizing how it impacted his brother.

I think there's a lesson there (thus, why I'm writing about it). Some times we handle a situation in a way that comes naturally to us not really thinking about how it might impact others or knowing that there may be a better way of approaching it.

Watching it all play out on The Amazing Race and seeing both sides of the relationship made me realize how important this principle is. It also confirmed my opinion that encouragement goes a lot further than nagging and pestering.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

sunday scripture

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

i am...

wanting to decorate NOW for Christmas!


Six Word Saturday is hosted by Cate at Show My Face.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 NIV

what's your favorite?

...
In the spirit of my theme this month, as I participate in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month), my Aloha Friday question is...

What is your favorite verse(s) from the Bible?

On November 1st, I started sharing the Bible verses that mean the most to me with what I stated as my favorite. Well, I actually have two "favorites." Here is the other one.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

love is...

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

the fat lady sang

Congratulations to the Yankees, and all of their fans, on winning the World Series. I was rooting for the Phillies, but it wasn't meant to be. I look forward to the next season. I always feel a little lost when we're out of the baseball season. I've never been much of a basketball fan, but I'm getting to be more so each season. So... let's go Nuggets! And of course, there's always the Broncos to root for.

There are so many reasons why I love living in Denver. Their sports teams being just one.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

... but I also like the way it's stated in The Message version

"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it."
1 Corinthians 10:13 The Message

chocolates on my pillow

One of the special aspects of our vacation to Disneyland was staying at the resort. It extended the magical atmosphere outside of the parks, down downtown Disney, and on into our hotel.

The hotel was beautiful and a short walk (through downtown Disney) to both parks, which made it very convenient. The staff were very friendly and went out of their way to meet your every need. Our room was comfortable and had so many cute little touches that made it exclusively Disney. Every night our bed was turned down with Disney character chocolates sprinkled about. As evident in their parks, Disney goes above and beyond in everything they do, which makes for a very happy and satisfied customer.

If you're going to take a vacation to this special place, I highly recommend that you stay in the Disney resort.


30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV