Eternal Love

She sits, she fidgets, rubbing her hands together in constant motion.  Her eyes dart back and forth, never quite settling on any one thing.  After sitting for just a moment, she rises, and paces.  
He watches quietly, eternal sadness in his eyes.  She doesn't know his name anymore, but she recognizes love when she feels it.  She goes to him, and holds out her hand.  
"What do you need, honey?" he asks.  "Are you hungry?  How 'bout a cookie?  You sure do like those."  
She smiles and nods, her eyes brightening.
"Come on, then, " he says, leading her into the kitchen.
I love to watch them, even now.  He takes care of her every need, physically and emotionally; taking his vow seriously.  
"In sickness and in health, 'til death do us part".
The years weren't always easy.  Many things tried to part them, but, choosing love and forgiveness, they pressed on.
They fought addiction, jealousy and poverty.  
They lived the greater part of their lives without eternal hope.  And when 
they found that hope,
they found a greater love than they had ever imagined.
And now, sickness is taking its toll.  She isn't the same woman he married so long ago.  But sometimes, the young beauty he fell in love with shines through a laugh, a smile, a simple touch.
I watch as he leads her back into the den.
"How 'bout some bluegrass?" he asks her.  She claps her hands and smiles.
As the music begins, she moves her feet and sways, lost in a past and a present that we can't be a part of.
Nevertheless, I can't help but smile as she does, and I feel the beat of the music.
I tap my feet and sing along with her, and feel that somehow, she is happy.
I go to him, and hug him.  Tomorrow I go home, and leave him here alone with her.  But now I see, love will see them through, 'til death do them part.

Written by Kendra Roberts Lynn
December 29th, 2007

Incredible Song

This is a new song by Bonnie MacDonald. I thought it was so incredible that I just had to post it here.
Enjoy.
Kendra
Mommy, Can't You Hear (or The Mommy Song)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, all!  Just stopping by to say thank you for all the recent comments.  We've been busy and stressed in our house for quite a few months, so I haven't been around much, but things are looking up.
Scott started a new job last week, we are very excited about having a steady income!  The girls are excited about Christmas.  We are heading to Tennessee tonight, and then after Christmas we will be going to Florida with Scott's family for the Disney World thing.  I KNOW the girls will love that!
Our Christmas programs are all over with, thank goodness, and I can sort of relax now.  (one more service to do this afternoon, THEN I can relax for real!)
We wish you all a very happy and relaxed holiday season.  Enjoy your families and friends.  
Lots of love,
Kendra

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi, everyone.
Just stopping by to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. :)
We are in New Jersey to celebrate the holiday with Scott's family.
Today we went into New York City and took the girls to see the Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes.  They were totally enthralled!  We had seats about five rows behind the orchestra, so we could see it all.
(My inlaws are incredibly generous, and really spoiled us all today.)
The girls really liked the Santa Claus part of the show, and Merry said she knew he was the "real" Santa.  She also said that she thought he might have left his sleigh and reindeer on the roof.
(Scott's losing the war on whether or not our kids believe in Santa...they seem to really enjoy talking about him.)
They also loved the Nativity.  There were real camels, a donkey and a herd of sheep.  Kelsey LOVED the sheep.
After the show we walked around the City for awhile.  We took the girls into The American Girl Place.  That store is incredible!  Merry is getting an American Girl doll for Christmas, and she is completely captivated by the catalogues.  When she saw the store she flipped!
After that we started trying to make our way home to NJ.  It took us almost half an hour to hail a cab and then the cabbie only took us within a block and a half of Penn Station.  We had to hoof it the rest of the way, carrying two sleeping little girls.  Oh man, it was rough.  In the meantime, I developed a major migraine and was ready to collapse.
We finally made it to Penn Station, missed our first train, and managed to catch the next one half an hour later.  It was jam-packed,  but we got seats all together, so that was good.  We were ONE stop away from home, and the train just stopped.  We sat there for close to an hour.  What should have been an hour and a half trip turned into over three hours!
I am exhausted, and still battling a migraine, but it was worth it to see those little faces light up today!
I hope you all have a really marvelous day tomorrow.
God bless!

Kendra

Moments Like These...

Kelsey:  Mommy, could you hand me that book?

Mommy:  Sure.

Kelsey:  Thanks, Mommy.

Kelsey:  Mommy, could you hand me those crayons, please?

Mommy:  Sure, Kelsey.

Kelsey:  Thanks, Mommy.

Kelsey:  Mommy?

Mommy:  YES, Kelsey?

Kelsey:  You are a great mother.

I live for moments like these.

So....What to Say?

Hi.
Okay...I know its been awhile. I just can't seem to get back into blogging mode. Life has been crazy hectic all summer long, and seems to be continuing on that way through the autumn.
We are in our new church building. I'm hoping Scott will help me post some pictures soon. That's been a bit stressful for me. And now the kids are in school...we've started a young adults' Bible study on Wednesdays in our home, and we are now the "official" young adults' leaders in our church.
So...if I'm not around much, I'm probably counseling someone on the phone, or in person, in between cleaning my house, starting choir back up, and taking kids to and from school.
I love you all....please keep in touch.

Kendra

What Color Am I?

You Are a Blue Flower

A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance. At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower. And at other times, you are wise like an iris. And more than you wish, you're a little cold, like a blue hydrangea.

What Color Flower Are You?

I'm a GEEK?

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig. You consider pizza to be bread... very good bread. You fit in best in the Midwest part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are unadventurous and boring. You should consider staying home when taking a vacation. The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Just dropping by...

Well...life has certainly been busy.  I am sorry I haven't been by your blogs or called or emailed.
I hope that all is well with you and that you are enjoying your summer.  We bought a church building and are in the midst of remodeling. Also, I am trying to prepare myself for Merry starting kindergarten.  That is going to be an emotional day..any advice from those of you who have already gone through that phaase?
Anyways...love to you all....keep in touch...and I'll be back around soon.

Love,
Kendra

Am I REALLY a Geek?

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How Addicted Am I?

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I think that's a fairly benign addiction.  Don't you?

I'm Alive!

Hey, everybody.
So sorry I haven't been posting. Life has been a bit crazy around here...it IS summertime, after all.
We had a great time in New Jersey...got to spend some quality time with Scott's folks, celebrated Kelsey's fourth birthday while there, and worked alot on the summer camp.
We got home and have been going full force since then.
I have a full week of playdates, company for dinner two evenings, and then a young adults' party after church next Sunday...at my house of course. :)
What fun!
We are enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.
We will be moving into our new church building, hopefully, by the first of September...we have alot of remodling to do between now and then.
We sign the closing papers next week.
So..as you can see, its been crazy busy around here.
Oh yeah...and I've developed this really weird bruise on my leg...don't know where it came from...so say a prayer...its not improving at this time...anyways...just pray.
Thanks...I miss you all.

Kendra

Summertime

Hi, everyone.
So sorry for the long time in between posts. Its seems since summer has arrived that our schedule has become busier than ever.
We've had a lot going on at church and at home.
Kelsey's birthday is coming up and we are having a small family party for her tomorrow night. That means lots of housecleaning and baking tomorrow.
On Saturday, we leave for a little jaunt to New Jersey to visit Scott's family. We will be there for a little while, helping set up their summer camp.
Lots of work, and a little bit of fun.
So...you may not hear from me much in the next couple weeks, but I promise to check in with you all as much as I can.
Take care!

Kendra

Thank You For Giving to the Lord

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Memorial Day Post

Today, Sunday, Merry did a remarkable thing for a five-year-old. She led our entire congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang a solo, a capella version of "God Bless America". I was so proud of her. She wasn't nervous at all. She just stood up straight and spoke/sang right into the microphone.
I've included the audio of her today.
I hope you all enjoy.

God bless America, and a special prayer goes out for all our troops this Memorial Day.

Merry's Pledge of Allegiance (586kb)
Merry Singing God Bless America (1.5mb)

Goodbye Chloe

In the Leaves



Getting Comfortable



Taking Care of Business
(We were on a small boat trip
and Chloe needed a bathroom break)



Chloe, Mom & Dad on Boat



Ready to Go



Lookin' Good in Shades



Favorite Sleeping Spot



Good-bye hugs from girls

Chloe Buttercup Lynn

She was the absolute cutest puppy. Fuzzy black fur all over the place, with a few little white whiskers, and some white on her paws.
When we brought her home that first night, she was so cuddly and sweet. She was tiny, too...she fit into my two hands.
Right from the beginning she was an obedient doggy. She loved it when we praised her, and would get so excited if we offered her a treat. We taught her to sit, stay, walk on her back legs, and balance a treat on her nose. She never barked much, only at bikes and rollerblades. She sure wasn't much of a watchdog!
But everyone loved her. She was so gentle with kids, especially our kids. She would stand totally still and let Kelsey pull on her ears and her beard.
She loved going outside without a leash. We'd let her into the back yard and she would run around wildly for a few minutes, and then come back and sit with us.
She loved her "Aunt Katie" and her "Grampy and Grammy". She especially liked going to Grampy and Grammy's house to play. Their yard was her favorite place to explore.

More than anything else, she loved her "Daddy". And he loved her. She was definitely Scott's dog. She would sit with him in his office while he programmed. She always loved going for a ride in his car. They would go to the bank or the store, and Chloe loved sitting up in the front seat of Scott's truck.

On Thursday, Chloe went to doggy heaven. We all cried when we had to say goodbye and we are doubtful that we can ever find another dog as sweet as Chloe.
Yesterday we took the girls to the park and had them send some balloons up to heaven for Chloe. They each drew a picture and we attached them to the balloons. As the balloons floated up, the girls ran across the field calling, "We love you, Chloe!". And those words are what echo in our hearts when we think of our precious puppy.

We love you, Chloe, and we always will.

Chloe Buttercup Lynn
8/28/01 - 5/17/07

Our Little Doggy

Please say a prayer...I know you probably don't usually pray for dogs, but...our little dog is super sick.
Scott is with her right now at an emergency pet clinic. They have her on an I.V. because she is dehydrated.
This is Scott's "baby". She was with us before we had the girls, and he never had a dog before, so he's really attached.
She's only five years old, but she has a problem with her liver, and this is the third time we've had these problems with her.
If you will, and you don't mind, please say a prayer for the little pooch tonight.

Thanks.

Kendra

Gall Bladder Update (Like You REALLY Want to Know)

Hi.
Well, I finally got my CT scan results back last Friday. Turns out, they were normal. Imagine that!
So, now I play a waiting game to see how bad my gall bladder may or may not get.
I am planning on doing a natural (or UNnatural, depending on how you look at it) cleanse in a couple weeks.
This cleanse is NOT something I'm looking forward to. First of all, you do an apple juice-only-diet for two days. Then on the third day, you drink a PINT of olive oil. Yes...I did type olive oil. And you drink a cup or two of lemon juice. Niiiice, right?
Next, you spend the next day and a half on the toilet, getting rid of gall stones. Unfortnately for me, this is a proven cleanse. It actually works, which means that I have to do it. I am not happy.
If you pray, say a prayer for poor Kendra, and her gall bladder.

Thanks!

Gall Bladder Fun

Hey everyone.
Sorry I haven't been around. Its been a little crazy. My gall bladder starting acting up a few months ago and I went on a low-fat diet, recommended by a doctor friend. Things seemed to be getting better, and I sort of went off the diet. I've been trying to cut out most of the sodas and french fries and such, but not as much as before. A couple of weekends ago, Scott and I went on a little getaway and I got really sick on our last day.
I thought I had caught a flu bug somewhere, but it lasted for almost a week and I didn't have any soreness or a fever. I finally went to my doctor last week and he said that it was my gall bladder. He told me that it is enlarged and sent me for a CT scan.
I got that done today, don't have the results back yet, but hope to tomorrow.
Let me tell you, drinking two bottles of barium is no picnic! I barely got it all down, even though I had an hour and a half to drink it. When it was time for the test, I got through it okay. I didn't cry when they put in the I.V., but I sure wasn't happy about it. (I don't "do" needles...AT ALL)
The last time I had a CT scan I had an allergic reaction to the contrast dye, and broke out in huge hives all over my face. I had hives the size of nickels on my eyelids....NOT FUN.
So this time they tried to prepare me by giving me Prednisone and Benydryl beforehand. I felt fine after the the test, but when we got back to the front desk (thankfully, Scott was with me) the woman at the desk asked me how I did and I suddenly felt very strange. I got really lightheaded, felt like the top of my head was lifting off, and my face and ears flushed bright red. I started crying, and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me, I feel so weird!". Needless to say they got me to a chair and took my heart rate and blood pressure. Everything was normal, but I apparently had a combined allergic reaction and anxiety attack. (My diagnosis, not the doctor's)
I feel fine now, but am glad its all over with.
I will hopefully get the results of the CT scan tomorrow and find out what my doctor wants to do about this gall bladder.
Everybody say some prayers for me, okay?
I'd really appreciate it!

Love to you all.

Kendra

God Bless America

I never realized how patriotic I am until my five-year-old learned how to sing "God Bless America".
She came home the other day from school and I heard her singing in her playroom.
I asked her to come into the kitchen and sing for me, and I was amazed when she knew all the words to the song! Apparently, she is learning it for her end of the year program in preschool.
It was so cute to hear her sing the words, and she really got into it. (I did video it, but haven't figured out how to post the video yet...Scott's working on it.)
It made me stop and think about how I feel about my country.
Yes, this country is not what it used to be. There is such violence, as the recent Virginia Tech tragedy shows us. And premarital sex is rampant, as well as child and spousal abuse. But, in spite of this, we STILL live in the best country in the world.
We have the freedom to choose where and how we want to worship God. No, we can't pray in our public schools, but we can still pray anywhere else. I don't have to fear arrest while reading my Bible in a restaurant or in the public library. I can still talk to people about my church and my beliefs openly.
I can teach my children to love and obey God. I can teach them Bible stories and Sunday School songs. We can pray over our meals in public places.
All in all, America is still a great place to be.

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her,
And guide her,
Through the night
With the light from above.

From the mountains,
To the prairies,
To the oceans,
White with foam!

God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

Cutest Kid Contest

Hey everyone.
I've entered Kelsey into a cutest kid contest. Please stop by the website and vote for her, okay?
If she wins, I get free prints each month from my digital camera.
That could come in handy.

The website is: www.clix-canton.com
Click on Cutest Kid Contest.
Kelsey is on the second page, first pic on the second row.

Thanks!

Kendra

Happy Easter Part Three

Okay...you are probably getting tired of the title on my recent posts, but I keep forgetting to add something to them!
First of all, I hope you all got to hear the choir song, "How Jesus Loves". There are two soloists on that song.
The second one is my mom, Patti Roberts. Doesn't she have a great voice? I learned everything I know about singing from her. :) And she's the best mom ever.

Okay. The first soloist is Rebecca Beyer. Rebecca has an incredible voice. I have known her for probably close to ten years...maybe a little shy of that. When I first met Becca, she was a wild thing! She was four years younger than me and tried to get me to buy her a pack of cigarettes. Obviously, I refused. But I have always loved her...underneath her tough attitude, there beats a very gentle and sweet heart.
Last year, Rebecca made the decision to turn her life around and live for God. I have never been so proud of anyone in my life! I was just beaming when she sang that first verse of "How Jesus Loves". Nobody knows better than Rebecca how much God loves them.
As a music director, nothing makes me happier than seeing how somebody can let God turn their life around and be used to sing for His glory.
I'm proud of you, Rebecca!

Happy Easter Part Two

Hey, everyone.  Just a quick note to answer the question that many of you asked about the last post.  Yes, I am the soloist on "The Old Rugged Cross".  It was actually a congregational hymn, but the microphone only picked up my voice and my mother's voice is in the background.
We had a nice Easter service today, and I will have two more songs to post hopefully tonight or tomorrow.
I hope all of you had a blessed Resurrection Sunday.

Kendra


UPDATE:
Here are those two songs I promised.

How Jesus Loves (5 mb)
Jesus Loves Medley (6 mb)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, to all my friends and family! May your holiday be blessed with much love and time spent with your loved ones. And may we never forget the sacrafice that Christ made for us.

With love,
Kendra

P.S. I led worship at our Good Friday service last night. Here is a rendition of "The Old Rugged Cross". Hope you enjoy.

The Old Rugged Cross (6 mb)

Spring, Asthma and Laundry

Well, seemingly, spring is here. Although, its a typical Michigan spring. One where its 80 degrees one day and 50 the next. Lovely, don't you think? That brings me to my next topic. Asthma.
My kids went through the entire winter with no episodes, and suddenly, (due to the wishy-washy spring weather) are coughing up their lungs. I am trying to use Albuterol sparingly because the girls get so hyper when I give them their breathing treatments. Hyper and irritable. Combine their irritablity with my PMS and the fact that Scott is on a business trip, and I'm sure you can imagine the shape my home is in.
Which brings me to the NEXT topic. Am I the only person who has FIVE loads of laundry to put away? I don't mind washing or folding the clothes. I HATE putting the clothes away.
So, there you have it. My week in just a few words.
Maybe next week will be better.

Kendra

How Nerdy Are YOU?

I took this great test, sent to Scott from his brother.
I scored 39...I'm not nerdy, but definitly not hip.
What did YOU score?

Kendra

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety, Jig

Well...we are on our way home from Virginia.  We had a wonderful time.  We stayed at a resort that was a horse farm.  Unfortunately, Scott and I did NOT get to go riding, but that's a really looong story.  The short version is this, do NOT buy a timeshare from BlueGreen Vacation Resorts...not worth the sales pitch hassle.  We didn't buy...just tried 'em on for size, and we won't be buying.
Anyhow.  The girls got to ride a pony and pet some  goats and chickens and mules and horses.  They had such a blast!  We went to Montpelier, James and Dolly Madison's home.  That was really cool.  They are in the middle of restoring the manor back to its original early 1800's frame and decor.  We saw its bare bones, and it was very fascinating.  I want to go back and revisit it when the restoration is complete.  The girls were EXCELLENT on the one hour tour.  When the tour began, there were a few older women that were eyeing the girls with obvious worry.  I think they thought we might disrupt the tour.  But by the end, those same women were smiling at the girls and me with delight.
We shopped a bit and I am delighted to say that by the end of the week I will be the proud owner of two, small but beautiful, antique stained-glass windows.  I plan to hang them on my soon-to-be-newly-painted-yellow bedroom wall.

We are ready to be home...we just hope that we can remember how to get back on schedule!

Love to you all.

Kendra

Where I Went

Okay.  I didn't really go anywhere.  I've been here, in Michigan, all along.  
We've just been so busy!
We've had just about every day filled with activity.  
The girls have had school, and we've had alot
 going on at church as well.
I have been in a cleaning/or
ganizing frenzy for a couple weeks now.  I couldn't stop doing laundry and organizing closets and cupboards.  It was great.  Now I am back into my regular schedule of trying to keep up with the laundry and the rest of the house, and wish I had that former energy that I had a few weeks ago!  Ah well.
Oh yeah...we have all been pretty healthy this past month, but I developed a severe sore throat over the weekend and finally got to the doctor on Monday.  He determined that I had either strep throat or walking pnemonia and put me on some antibiotics.  I started feeling a LOT better today, and so far, no one else has gotten sick.  

We will be going on vacation in six days.  I cannot wait.  We need a break!  We will zip over to New Jersey for a visit with Scott's folks for a few days.  The girls are very excited to see their Poppy and Grammy and are hoping to go to school at Briar Hill. (My inlaws own a nursery school, and the girls sometimes get to attend classes while we are visiting.  If you'd like to know more, visit www.briarhillschool.com).
After New Jersey we will be heading to a resort in Shenandoah, VA for a few days.  The girls are particularly excited about this part of the trip because we will be staying on a horse farm.  Yes, lots of horses to pet and feed and ride.

Sorry it took me so long to post...I think I've figured that I can only post on this new Blogger from certain computers...how weird is that?
Keep in touch.
I'll try to stay updated now.

Kendra

I Really Am Back!

Okay...FINALLY I can post with this crazy new version of Blogger!  I switched over a few days ago, and haven't been able to post a thing.
How weird is that?
I don't have time to do a detailed post right this minute, gotta take Kelsey to school. But now that I know I can post, I'll be back later.

Chao!

Kendra

I'm BACK!

My New Camera Phone

Meredith 

These photos were taken with my new Motorolla camera phone.
I love it!
Aren't they sweet?

Kelsey 

Life Goes On...

The holidays are over. I took down my tree last night, (yes, I KNOW its late to take down the tree!) and my living room is back to its pre-holiday look. Now we race, headlong, into the new year. We already have a LOT of commitments in the next month or so, and I need a vacation.
I'm thinking Scott needs to take me someplace sunny and warm...maybe on a cruise?

The girls are excited about being back in school.  They missed all their friends and their teachers over the holidays.  I'm glad they are back, too!  Now I can have a few hours of relative peace while one is in school and the other plays quietly by themself.

Life is good, God is great, and I am blessed.

Kendra

Merry, pretty in braids 

Kelsey Smiles 

My Mom and Merry 

My Mom and Kelsey 

My Sunshiney Girls