Happy New Year!

This year has been a rough one. We've had so many things that brought us stress. Church struggles, financial struggles, health struggles, you name it.
But God has kept us, and blessed us and I am so thankful for that.
I am looking forward to 2007. I believe it will be a year of great blessing for our church and our family, and I pray that it will be a year of blessing for all of you, too.
Thank you to all of my friends who have prayed for me and my family and my church this year.
I couldn't have made it without you.

May God bless you and keep you.

Kendra

Another Personality Test

Advanced Global Personality Test Results

Extraversion |||||||||||||| 60% Stability |||||||||| 33% Orderliness |||||||||||||| 60% Accommodation |||||||||||||||| 70% Interdependence |||||||||||||||| 70% Intellectual |||||| 23% Mystical |||||||||||| 43% Artistic |||||||||| 36% Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Hedonism || 10% Materialism |||||| 30% Narcissism |||||||||||| 50% Adventurousness |||| 16% Work ethic |||||||||||| 50% Self absorbed |||||| 30% Conflict seeking || 10% Need to dominate |||||||||||| 50%

Romantic |||||||||||||| 56% Avoidant |||||| 30% Anti-authority |||||| 30% Wealth |||||| 30% Dependency |||||||||||||| 56% Change averse |||||||||||||| 56% Cautiousness |||||||||||| 43% Individuality |||||||||||| 50% Peter pan complex || 10% Physical security |||||||||||||||| 70% Physical Fitness |||||||||| 37% Histrionic |||||| 23% Paranoia |||||||||||| 43% Vanity |||||||||||| 43% Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||| 56% Female cliche |||||||||||| 43%

Take a Free Personality Test

Nearing the End

The end of this sickness is in sight. FINALLY. Scott is pulling out of it and I seem to be just fine. Kelsey is full of vim and vigor, and rarin' to go. Merry seems okay. No more fever or any other symptoms. Whew, what a relief!
Now I have to get back into the swing of things and clean up this germ-ridden house!

Wish me luck!

Kendra

Update on Our Sickness

Now Scott is sick. He's been vomiting all morning, NOT good.
Merry just came into the kitchen with VERY rosy cheeks, and I felt her head. She has a fever. Hope she only has that and no flu symtoms.
Kelsey is feeling better, and I am still weak and a little nauseated. Don't know if we'll make it to church tomorrow...almost naptime here, so I'll sign off for now.
Keep us in your prayers.

Kendra

Sickness

It has hit us full force...the flu. First Kelsey, now me....who will be next, I wonder?
Say a prayer. This is a wicked flu. Hope none of you get it.
I think I'm going to go change back into my jammies.

Kendra

Christmas For Christ Recordings

Here are the recordings you all have been waiting for.
One of them is my mom, singing a solo, "Not That Far From Bethlehem".
The other is me, singing, "Heaven's Child".

I hope you enjoy them. Sorry it took me so long to post them!

Not That Far to Bethlehem (1.1 MB)

Heaven's Child (2.9 MB)

My Diamond Ring

Scott finally got me a diamond. I thought it would never happen, so I didn't believe him when it tumbled out of a plastic egg that I found in my stocking.
He told me he went to the dollar store to get stuff for my stocking, so I assumed it was a dollar store ring, until it clunked against something in my stocking pile! I was totally in shock, and it took me quite a few minutes to remember to kiss my handsome hubby! He is definitly the best husband ever.
Thanks, baby!


My New Ring 

Santa Claus Came to Town (from New Jersey!)

Yes, there really is a Mrs. Claus! Okay, she comes in the form of my mother-in-law, clear from New Jersey! Did you see that pile of loot, mostly for my kids?
Thanks, Mom, for giving us a very Merry Christmas! (Oh...and Dad...but not for THAT CERTAIN GIFT!)
We had a blast watching the girls open all those gifts on Christmas morning!


Santa Came! 

Christmas Eve

Here are my cute girls on Christmas Eve in their new nightgowns. They were sooo excited! Can you tell?


Christmas Eve 

Kelsey's Cheesy Smile

Kelsey is becoming quite the poser. Love that cheesy grin!


Kelsey's Cheesy Smile 

Kelsey and Poppy (and Chloe)

Here is Kelsey with her Poppy Lynn. Chloe, our mini schnauzer is sitting waiting for a bite of something. Kelsey LOVES her Poppy!


Kelsey and Poppy (and Chloe) 

Scott and His Cutie-Pies

I love this pic of my man and his girls!


Daddy and His Girls 

Merry's Special Gift

Merry asked Santa for a "Ariel the Mermaid Princess Married Doll with her Guy". She also wanted Santa to wrap her gift in yellow paper with a red bow. Grammy Roberts did a GREAT job finding and wrapping her gift. Merry was THRILLED!


Merry's Special Gift 

Katie and Me

This is my beautiful, skinny sister. I love her to death. We are the best of friends, and never, ever fight. (anymore, anyway.)
I love her so much!


Me and My Beautiful Sister 

Grampy and His Kids

My kids LOVE their Grampy! Isn't this a cute pic of all of them? They had so much fun opening gifts and playing together.


Grampy's Kids 

Christmas Cousins

Here are Merry, Zach and Kelsey. They were so excited to be celebrating Christmas!
I think they are the three of the cutest kiddos ever.


Christmas Cousins 

Dr. Zach

Here is my nephew in his new Dr. Zach getup!
He loved pushin' around that little cart with all his stuff!
But he thought the notepad was for taking orders, not diagnosing. Oh well.


Dr. Zachariah 

Kelsey's New Jacket 

Merry's New Jacket 

Merry 

Kelsey 

Christmas Hugs 

Christmas For Christ Sunday

Here are a few pics of my sweet ones on CFC Sunday. They were all dolled up in their Christmas dresses, and so sweet!


Christmas For Christ Sunday 

Pretty in Purple

Here's Kelsey, posing as usual. I just thought she looked so cute in this purple getup!


Pretty in Purple 

Kelsey's Princess Pose 

Merry's Princess Pose 

Merry, The Star of Bethlehem

Here is Merry, in her school Christmas program. She got to be the Star of Bethlehem. I think she was the cutest star I've ever seen! (I might be biased.)


Merry, holding the Star of Bethlehem 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, all! Hope you are having a beautiful Christmas Day.
We are celebrating with Scott's parents, who came in from New Jersey.
They came loaded down with wonderful gifts for all of us.
The girls have more stuff than they know what to do with, and I am looking
forward to shopping some, maybe as soon as tomorrow!
(I LOVE gift cards, don't you?)
Anyway, I hope you are all full and warm and satisfied today.

May God bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Kendra

p.s. OH! My best gift today? Scott bought me a GORGEOUS diamond ring! More on that later...

CFC Service

Well, our Christmas For Christ service went VERY well! Thanks to all of you for asking and also for saying a prayer for me.
I am hoping to get the recordings tonight and post them perhaps tomorrow.
Things went very smoothly, and we really didn't have any glitches that I could see.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out last Sunday! You are all greatly appreciated!
And thanks to the young adults for doing such an incredible job on your song! Your signing was great.

I will post songs and maybe some pictures later.

Kendra

Christmas For Christ

Tomorrow is our Christmas For Christ service at church. This is the one Sunday every year where we bring gifts to Jesus. Each family brings a wrapped offering, and places it in the manger. The offering is used to help start new churches, and sometimes part of the offering is used to help our own church. This year, we will be giving part of the offering for other churches and keeping part to help us with our building fund. We have been renting a building for seventeen years, and it is our dream to have our own building someday in the near future.

Also, on this particular Sunday, we have our Christmas program. This includes special songs by the choir, kids' choir, and soloists. We also have a narration or play, depending on the year.
This year, I have nine songs planned. One of them is part of a puppet show. Another is done is sign language. The choir is singing four songs, and the kids' choir is singing two. In addition to these, I am singing two solos. I can feel the pressure building!
I know that God will bless our efforts, I just hope all goes smoothly.
But no matter how it goes, our purpose is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and to worship Him.

I will give you all an update after things calm down.
Say a prayer for me, please!

Kendra

Caroling

Tomorrow our church is going to a nursing home here in the area. We will be doing some caroling and we put together some Christmas goodie bags for the people in the home.
I (with the help of my good friend, Amy!) put together about 75 goodie bags tonight.
Whew.
I didn't realize how much work it takes to organize that many bags of stuff!
Thankfully Amy came to my rescue, and the work was done if half the time.

I'm looking forward to the caroling tomorrow.
The elderly in nursing homes always enjoy singing and people visiting.
I try to bring my kids when we go do stuff like this because it never fails, children ALWAYS bring a smile.

Sunday night, after church, we are having a youth and young adults Christmas party at our house.
That will also be loads of fun!
Scott has a "marshmellow gun" that he made, (okay...NUMEROUS marshmellow guns!) and we will be having marshmellow gun wars out in the yard. I will try to capture a few pictures and post them for your enjoyment.

Take care, and everyone have a marvellous weekend!

Feelin' Jolly

Okay. Thanks to all that gave suggestions to get me in the holiday mood. :) They are working!
I wrapped a ton of gifts last night, and that certainly made me feel a bit jollier.
I also bought a couple gifts today, and listened to Christmas music, and I'm planning out my dessert menu for a Christmas party on Sunday night.

Feelin' better now...thanks, friends!

Kendra

'Tis The Season to be Jolly

So, I want to take a poll. How many of you feel "jolly" this Christmas season?
I am JUST NOW getting into the holiday spirit. For some reason it has been rather difficult for me to get into the swing of things this year.
I have been listening to Christmas music since October, trying to prepare for our Christmas program at church. I have a huge stack of gifts hidden away in the basement, ready for Christmas Day, and they've been there for a month already!

Is anyone else having trouble being jolly this holiday?

Just curious...it might just be me!

Kendra

In Retrospect

Okay...just so you all know, I did not type that post earlier today so you could compliment me. I hope you all know that I am NOT perfect or angelic or even very good. Thank you for commenting, and I do hope that you all find someone to help this Christmas, but please, please, know I did NOT post that so you could compliment ME!
(thanks, though, it DID make me feel good.)

Kendra

A Good Deed and A Heavy Heart

Today, Merry and I were trying to kill time while waiting for Kelsey to get out of school. We went into a Dollar General store (which I NEVER go into) and witnessed something very sad.
I noticed a pretty rough looking man in line ahead of me, and was keeping Merry close and hanging onto my purse. You know, you never know when a strange person might try to snag your kid or your purse. I was being paranoid.
I was watching Merry out of the corner of my eye, and watching the man at the same time. I noticed that he purchased two cans of stew, and that was it.
After we checked out, I gathered our stuff and Merry and we went out into the cold, rainy day.
I saw the man, standing behind the stack of carts. He used something to open the one of the cans of stew and started eating it immediately!
I realized he was homeless, and it broke my heart. This guy was only in his mid-forties or so, and so hungry that he pried open a can and wolfed it down in the time it took me to walk to my car and buckle Merry in.
I watched as he took off his trench coat, slung the bag with his remaining can of stew over his arm, and replaced his coat. How awful it must be to have to protect your FOOD like that!
I had already told Merry that I would get her a milkshake from McDonald's, so we drove over there. I purchased the milkshake and a ten dollar gift card. I prayed, "God, if its safe, let me find that man so I can give him this gift card." Trust me, I ONLY do things like this if I feel it is a safe situation!
Merry and I drove around the strip mall, and I finally spotted the man sitting under the awning of a store. There was a young girl sitting a few feet away from him, having a smoke, so I took that as a "yes" from God.
I stopped my car and got out.
I said, "Excuse me, sir, this is for you." He looked at me incredulously.
"What's that for?" he asked me.
"I wanted you to be able to buy yourself a meal or two." I handed him the card.
"Why did you do that?" he asked.
"Because I could, " I replied. "God bless you."
As I walked away, he called out, "Thank you, ma'am."
My heart hurt for that man, but I know that that was all I could do for him.
Merry asked me about the card I gave him and I told her that sometimes people don't have everything they need, and we should help them if we can.
I told her we would pray for that man, and she was happy to do so.
I hope that I can teach my children to display the true Christmas spirit of giving.

This Christmas, if the opportunity arises for you to help someone less fortunate, do so, if at all possible.
That is the true spirit of Christmas. That is what Jesus would do.

Kendra

A Christmas Meme

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Oh dear, Santa is a very controversial topic around our house...I don't know WHERE Santa puts the presents!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? LED white/blue lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Thanksgiving or soon after.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Ham or turkey and potatoes
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Christmas at Granny and Papa's house
8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I always KNEW. :(
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes lots of gifts...depends on which Christmas party we go to.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? LED White lights, ribbon for garland, oodles of ornaments and I have champagne colored roses stuck in, here or there.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE it!
12. Can you ice skate? I don't fall often, if that is what you are asking.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My mom couldn't afford to get me a porcelein doll for Christmas, so she cut out pictures of dolls from magazines, and gave me this great 3 ring binder FULL of pictures. She cried, but I LOVED that gift....I still have it. :)
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating the birth of Christ and being with family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cherie's peanut butter fudge or any kind of Christmas cookie.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Putting up the tree with my girls, while listening to all my favorite Christmas music.
17. What tops your tree? A Gold Star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I prefer GIVING. It brings such joy to watch someone receive a gift that I put alot of thought into.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Away In A Manger

I've Been Tagged

Judy tagged me to do this, so here goes:

A - Available/Single? Married
B - Best Friend? definitly my sister, Katie
C - Cake or Pie? French Silk Pie
D - Drink Of Choice? Sweet Tea
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Contact lenses!
F - Favorite Color? Blue, blue, blue
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? How about neither?
H - Hair Style? Um...my hair is REALLY long, so I have lots of styles.
I - Indulgence? books
J - January Or February? Both
K - Kids & Their Names? Merry and Kelsey
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? God and my family
M - Marriage Date? May 13
N- Number Of Siblings? 1 sister
O - Oranges Or Apples? apples
P - Phobias/Fears? claustrophobic
Q - Favorite Quote? Proverbs 25:11
R - Reason to Smile- my family
S - Season? Fall and winter
T - Tag Three People? Lauren, Carol, Granny
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I used to be extremely shy...like...I didn't talk.
V - Vegetable you don't like? GREEN BEANS!
W - Worst Habit? prodcrastination
X - X-rays You've Had? don't know
Y - Your Favorite Food? Mexican, and fried crappie fish from Tennessee
Z - Zodiac Sign? Virgo, I think

Thankful

Ten Things That I Am Thankful For

1. God

2. My family

3. My dad's improving health

4. My home

5. My church

6. My friends

7. Food on my table

8. Money to pay the bills

9. Good health

10. Too many things to count!

What are YOU thankful for?

GREAT News!

My dad got some wonderful news today! His CT scan came back clear. No sign of any cancer or anything else that would cause a problem. He will still be seeing a radiologist to be on the safe side, but God has really worked a miracle here!
I am so thankful for all of your prayers and support. God heard us, and answered our prayer with a resounding "Yes!".

Kendra

How Well Do YOU Know Kendra?

Take this quiz, and let me know how well you THINK you know me.

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Shekinah Kids' Choir Concert Part Two

Alright. I finally got the songs selected and ready for you all to listen to!
I hope you enjoy them.
The kids' choir and adult choir did an awesome job on Sunday! The Shekinah Kids' Choir ranges from age 3 to age 12. I think they did a great job for such a wide range of ages! And we couldn't have done it without the adult choir. They really added alot to the sound quality. We had a large crowd turn out for the concert, and the kids sang their hearts out!
Here are a few songs for you...let me know what you think.

Kendra

In That Name (1.7 mb)
Obvious (1.9 mb)
Praise Be To Jesus (1.7 mb)
Wash Me Oh Lord (1.6 mb)

Shekinah Kids' Choir Concert

Well, we are going to be very busy tomorrow afternoon!
Tomorrow is my very first kids' choir concert. I will be directing the adult and kids' choirs. Me, by myself...I am so stinkin' nervous!
If all turns out well, I will post a sample or two of our songs. If it doesn't go well, don't expect to hear ANYTHING. :)
Say a prayer for little 'ol me...if I mess up, everybody messes up!

Kendra

Allergic Reaction

Okay...I am so mad.
I have been doing TONS of laundry this week...and guess what? I put on a skirt and shirt that I had laundered, and had an ALLERGIC REACTION! My hands and feet are all broken out with hives and itchy, dry splotches. AFTER I wore my clothes all day, I remembered that this happened once before when I used Clorox Color-safe Bleach.
Yep...I did it again.
MAN! I itch so bad!
Now I have to redo about five loads of laundry!

Kendra

Wonderful News!

Thank you all for being patient and waiting for my news.
Guess what? My dad doesn't have lymphoma! The U of M cancer board met last night, and they've decided that he has something that mimics lymphoma, but is not. Whatever it is, it is more localized, and will only need to be treated with a small amount of radiation! Thank God! He may have a gene that generates cancer, and if that is the case, Katie and I will have to go and be tested for this gene. But that is minor to me. I don't care about that. All I care about is my dad, and I'm so thankful that God has touched him!
Thank you all for your prayers and concern.
I will keep you posted on further updates.

Kendra

CT Scan and More Tests

My dad will be going in for a CT scan on Monday and blood work and other tests on Tuesday at U of M Hospital.
We will know more after he has all these tests. I am praying that God works a miracle and I know you all are as well.
Thanks so much for all the love and support you have shown us already! I cannot believe how many friends and family we have! You all have called, emailed or left comments, and it is much appreciated.

Thanks to you all.
Please continue to pray.

With a grateful heart,
Kendra

An Urgent Prayer Request

Some of you know, some of you don't, so here's the news.
My dad had a mole removed from his nose this past week...his doctor thought it was a mild cancer, not something that would spread, etc.
Turns out, it is large cell lymphoma. A very aggresive cancer, treated with chemotherapy and other medications.
We are in the waiting game now...not sure when I will have more news, but I am asking everyone to PLEASE pray...this is such a blow to our family!

Kendra

Kelsey's First Day of School

Kelsey was so excited to start school!
She loves it, too!
She has a special friend already. She talks about "Olibia" everyday.
I'm looking forward to my first parent/teacher conference so that I know how she is doing academically.
Isn't she a cutie?


Kelsey's first day of school 

Merry's First Day of School

I know that these pictures are a bit late, but I've been so busy!
Merry is loving school this year, although there is a little girl in the class that seems to enjoy antagonizing the other girls. We are in the process of dealing with that.
My schedule is so crazy because the girls go to school on opposite days and in the middle of the afternoon to boot!
I love their teachers and their school, though, so I wouldn't change a thing.
Isn't Merry radiant in this picture?



Merry's first day of school 

Sisters

I love this picture. It really shows how close the girls are. Yes, they fight, but mostly they just love playing together. Best friends for life.


Sisters