Merry, holding the Star of Bethlehem
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
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, holding the Star of Bethlehem
Monday, December 25, 2006
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...
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...
Thursday, December 21, 2006
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
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
Saturday, December 16, 2006
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
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
Friday, December 08, 2006
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!
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!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
'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
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
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
(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
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
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
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?
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
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
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
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)
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
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
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
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
Friday, October 27, 2006
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
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
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