Thursday, November 30, 2006

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

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

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

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

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

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

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?

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

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

Sunday, November 12, 2006

How Well Do YOU Know Kendra?

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





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Monday, November 06, 2006

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)

Saturday, November 04, 2006

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

Friday, November 03, 2006

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