You are holy - 2nd time around

A few months ago, I posted about the song "You are Holy"
http://rebecca-belle.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-are-holy.html

It was played again this past week....

I thought it would get better....

It was even worse.....

Mylon Lefevre

Mylon Lefevre

I found my cassettes the other day (yes - cassette's) and in them, I found my Greatest Hits of Mylon Lefevre & The Broken Hearts! They were the first real Contemporary Christian group that I had been into. My mother actually turned me onto them after taking me to their concert in 1985. It was awesome! I haven't heard their songs in probably 15 years (if not longer) but I popped that cassette in & remembered every word to each song. They still touched me even today. Isn't it funny how music can transend time!? I can't believe they actually have video's of their concerts online! I thought that was before video cameras where even invented (joking!) I hope you enjoy the video - remember, it was the 80's - enjoy the flashback!

Making Strides

I was so blessed this morning to be able to attend a benefit breakfast for "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer". The room was full of pink & white balloons, people wearing all shades of pink everywhere, & the most touching sight - seeing people everywhere with "Survivor" banners drapped across them like Miss America. The event was at the Galt House & there was roughly 750 seats - almost all full. I would say half, if not more, had the "Survivor" banners on. You would see them on every race, age, size of women around the room - showing that cancer is not choosy on who it attacks. The speaker for the event was a young lady who is in her early 30's who is a cancer Survivor herself. She was pregnant with her second child while fighting this disease & her story was truly touching. (Her & the child are wonderful now - & she's actually pregnant with her 3rd child due in December) Her mother is a breast cancer survivor as well & sadly, her grandmother is now battling the disease herself. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when she talked about how she was so afraid she wouldnt be there to raise her own child, & no matter how old she gets, she still needed her mother....& no matter how old her mother gets, she too needs her mother......you could hear the sniffling around the room! You talk about a girl & their mother - it touches the heart!

I've participated before in the walks & am now planning on being an active member again this year. The walk will be on Sunday, October 28th (which is actually mine & Ricky's 12 yr wedding anniversary - I'll have to get him to walk with me!). Having a friend just pass with cancer - & seeing another wonderful friend, Vicki, surviving her round with breast cancer - I'll be walking proudly that day! Maybe I can get a team together & we can go & support all the people who have to battle this horrible disease every day! Together - we can make a difference!

Just take a minute & think of all the women you know in your life - all the women you LOVE in your life - now think - 1 in 5 will probably get breast cancer. Its bone-chilling! Early detection makes the survival rate go to 95% - gotta spread the word - gotta beat this horrible thing that is cancer! I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me about this - I may be contacting some of you to join me on my "stride".

Hair Night

You know the term, "Only your hairdresser knows for sure..." - I have to laugh everytime I hear that. I had my regular appointment with Audrey at the Hair Salon & its always so much fun to go there. Everytime I'm in that chair, its just like going to church. Last night - I saw 7 people from church while I was in there. Now, its not the prettiest sight to see though when my hair is in bags, goop is all around my hair line, eye brows are red from waxing....these people aren't seeing me at my best! But its OK because its always fun to just sit around & get a "beauty shop talk" in! I always looks forward to my visits. Just another 6 weeks & I'll be back!

So proud!

A couple of weeks ago, I was such a proud mom! Yes, Julie was here & I'm proud of her & that new baby that's coming - but something else very important happened! Lindsay finished her first knitted sock!!!! Now, for those of you who don't knit - this is a HUGE step (pun intended?) - there is not a feeling like making your first sock. You fit it to your foot, put it on & realize you actually made something that awesome - its a cool thing! Now, once you get the swing of it, you can do a pair of socks within a day or two (for me - a couple of weeks) - but Lindsay, it took her over 1 year for the first sock. Now, remember, she does have 2 feet so we'll see when she completes the set - but for now, I'm beaming for her that she's got that first one done!

(Notice in the back ground Julie's cute little pregnant belly! She's proud of her sister too! Without Julie, none of us would be knitting - she's the one to blame!)

Our View

Watch this to the end...
Is our lives like that? We can't see what's being created - but God sees the masterpiece completed? What a cool concept!

20/20

Tonight, I am anxious to see 20/20. They are doing a special called "Pastor to Power" & looking into the life of Billy Graham & his relationships with our Presidents. I love Billy Graham & his life story - if you havent read his Biography, its wonderful. What a man of God! Its amazing how he can draw people into hearing the Word - & its amazing how he has influenced so many of our Presidents. What a reward he will have in Heaven one day!

I had the opportunity to see Billy Graham a few years back when he stopped in Louisville & preached at Cardinal stadium. That whole week was wonderful! To see the stadium full of people hearing messages of salavation - seeing the overflow of people having to sit outside & watch via screens - to see hundreds of people go & dedicate their lives to Jesus. It was a moving experience just to witness!

Hopefully, the program will do Mr. Graham justice tonight.

Say a little prayer

For those who haven't heard - lift up a little prayer today for Julie & Baby Isaac. She flew home on Monday, had a doctor's appt. on Tuesday - & found out her cervix is thinning causing contractions. She's been on bed rest this week & goes back Friday to see if things are slowing down. We are anxious to see Isaac but not this early. I told Julie, he was so excited about all the new toys from the baby shower, he's ready to come play! So say a little prayer for both of their health & safety.

We know God's in control!

Dates

For those who havent seen it - the headstone is in for my dear friend - looking at dates is just wierd to me. To know there is a day marked for the beginning of life & a date marked for the end of our lives. But really, I guess that final date marks the beginning date as well - a new beginning to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father. I guess its all about perspective.

Told ya so!

Look at my sunflower that I mentioned on an earlier post - ITS HUGE!!!! Its starting to fall over so even in this picture, its not at its full height! Look at the leaves over the twins heads - its bigger than them!

Baby Shower Day!

What fun it was! It was good to see all the work come together & have everyone have a good time, & celebrate this coming baby. Friends & family all together - laughing & enjoying each other - is there anything better than that? My only regret - I was so busy running games, making sure food was OK - cutting cake - I didn't get to take many pictures - & I'm a HUGE picture-taker! Darn it! But I did get a few & I'll post at least a picture of the new mommy when I get them downloaded! Now - I feel sorta lost without an event to plan. That's alright though - I'm sure something will come up soon enough!

On a side note - you have to click on the side on "Chad" & look at his latest posting "EVERYTHING" - that video is just so moving! It reminds me of the skits of "One Time Blind" from "Believe" - the Jr. High Conference. Sometimes, the simpliest forms of art holds the biggest impact of a message. I have teared up every time I see this video - its wonderful!

Fairy Tale

I was talking to a wonderful friend who lives in Canada today. She is making me a scrapbook that I'm so excited to receive! She is working on all the pictures of mine & Steph's friendship & she was looking for a quote that fit. She gave me a few but the last one she said just spoke to me like no other!

"A man's life is a fairy tale written by God's finger" -Hans Christian Anderson

If anyone knows anything about me - I'm very adamant about who we are on this earth. We are children of the King - which makes me a Princess! I love to wear my tiara, have my friends wear their tiaras - have people realize they they too are a touch of royalty. Even if the road of life is tough, we as His children, do receive the "Happily Ever After" when we get to spend eternity with our Father! So the idea that our life is a fairy tale - just fits in perfectly!

"How great is the love the Father lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1

Casting Crowns - Does anybody hear her ?

Baby Shower coming up!

Julie gets in town tomorrow & the baby shower is Saturday! I'm so anxious for Julie to have a good time & get to see her friends & family & enjoy the day. But WHOOO-WEEEE - planning something like this takes alot of time & work! I think everything is good to go - just picking up all the food & drinks on Friday & last minute things needed. We will be having 1 man at the shower - one of Julie's best friends will be coming - so I've got to think of something creative to incorporate him into the fun! Any ideas? Any fun things on baby showers anyone wants to share? I'm still open for suggestions!

Doing a heart good!

I just have to say - it was such a wonderful weekend! It was jammed packed with friends, family & messages that really touched me! Saturday, we got to spend time with my family celebrating my daddy's birthday. After a great meal (which I did not cook - ate out!) we came back to my home & brought out the ice cream & cake. The twins were running around making everyone smile - how amazing they have such personalities! It just seems they were born - now they're fast approaching 3 yrs old! (where does the time go?)

Sunday - I was so impacted by the messages I received at both the morning church service & the Thrive message. The morning message, the main thing that stuck with me was the question that was posed - "Would anyone mistake you for Jesus?" - if someone didnt' know anything about Jesus & heard about Him for the first time, would you be the one they thought, "Hey, I already know that person!" HHMMMM..... one of those things that make you think! Then at Thrive, it was brought up how the disciples weren't the "best of the best" - how they must have failed at their tests to become a rabbi - but yet, Jesus chose them & considered them the best to follow him. A great point that hit my heart was the idea that Jesus believed in them, as He believes in us today! We always think about us having to believe in Him - but switching it around - how encouraging is that? The idea that Jesus believe in us to do the things He instructs us to do! What a challenge - but its made easier to know we have "the man" behind us cheering us on! It was just a great "God-day!" - along with the band ROCKING OUT at Thrive - LOVED IT!!!

Plus, I have to mention - me & Ricky were so blessed to go out to lunch with friends, Lynn & Mickey & gang, who are fast becoming such wonderful God-friends to us!!! Who would have thought a lunch right after church could last until 4:00!!!??? By the time we left each other - I was ready to go back in for dinner! We would have probably still be there talking if that's what we did!

And the topper of the weekend - I get to love on my nieces. There's nothing better than lying them in bed & them just hugging & giving me their sign language for "Aunt Bec" - does a heart good!

Animal Senses

I'm sure you heard of this story yesterday if you had any sort of media - it was on the news, on the radio, on "Regis & Kelly" -everywhere was a story about this cat that lives in a nursing home that seems to know when someone is going to pass away. Apparently, this cat will go into a room, curl up with someone & within the day, that person passes away. It has happened over 24 times so its not like it was a fluke of some sort. Now, the ongoing joke was, when the nursing home residents saw this cat come up to them, they just had a heart attack because they were scared to death.

The news of this didn't surprise me in the least! Have you noticed animals & their sense of things we dont see? I've told the story many times about how Steph's cat, Hercules would not leave her side. This cat is just like any other cat - he will ALLOW you to pet him on his terms, not just the kind to hang out & enjoy company. When Steph was in her final weeks, this cat got on her bed & wouldnt leave! Even with all the visitors coming over, he would never leave Steph's side - when normally if a visitor would come over, Hercules was gone only to be seen once the home was filled with the "normal" people. At one point, when it was time for Steph's medicine, her bedroom door opened & out came Herc as a reminder for the medicine doses - how the door opened for him? I dont know - we just cracked up wondering how he managed that one! When someone would put him out & shut the door, Hercules would cry out until he could get back up & curl up in a ball at Steph's feet.

The day Steph passed away, Hercules was on that bed - & the minute she left this world, Hercules got up, walked out of the room & went back to his bed. He had that sense to him like, "My job here is done". While we waited for the coroner to come, Hercules never even got back on the bed - he knew she was no longer there. Isn't that crazy how they sense things?

For those of you that have pets, dont you see that they notice when you aren't feeling well, or even when you're sad? I was home sick from work last Friday, & one of the things that made me feel a little bit better - I got to lay on the bed & was surrounded by my four dogs who can sense something's wrong & just want to snuggle as a way to make me feel better - it works!

One part of their sense that drives me nuts though - whenever I am home alone, they seem to look down the hallway & bark like someone is standing there. Why dont they do that when Ricky's home? I think they sense it aggrivates me & that's just a tad revenge for not giving the treats they prefer! (hehe)

What do they see - what do they feel - how do they sense these things? I guess I just chaulk it up to another one of God's wonderful creations!

Knitting WHERE?

OK - I'm only sharing this to put a smile on everyone's face - but it is in fact a TRUE story - which makes it even more embarassing!

Yesterday was my yearly exam at my doctor's office & of course, I take my knitting with me to pass the time in the waiting room. I get called back into the room, change into the robe they provide, hop up on the table & continue knitting while I'm waiting for the doctor. When she comes in, her eyes immediately go to the cute little hat that is being created & her questions start about the stitches, the yarn, the needles - a knitting conversation started! We get through the exam & then she asks me if I could give her a refresher course on knitting. SURE! - always up to share the joy of the needles! "Wait, my nurse wanted to learn this too" - call her in & another nurse also wants to learn - invite her as well! I'm showing them the stitches & how it works on double pointed needles (which looks more complicated than it is) & they are being sucked in the magical world of knitting! I give them places to go find the neatest yarns, the best needles I recommend, all the tips I can think of. A great time sharing my "knitting knowledge" - & then I realize - I'm still in my exam robe - sitting in a room full of strangers naked - teaching knitting!!!! My bum is sticking out the whole time - you know those flimsy little robes are like toliet paper! ..........Anything for the art of knitting & sharing it with others!

I challenge anyone to tell me they've knitted in a more akward situation in their life!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my daddy's birthday! His name is Tom & if you've never met him - he's an amazing person! I was raised with my dad being a deacon in the Baptist church so both my parents raised me with Christian values - set a great example of God's love. He's been through health turmoil's over the years, but it never stopped him or got him down. He's a true cowboy at heart - loving horses as much as I do dogs! Now, he's got his granddaughters trained to love horses as much as he does & I know he visualizes them all riding around one day. I always say I'm so blessed to still have both my parents with me on this earth - & especially on his birthday, I am reminded of that! I can always count on my father for anything - isn't that the best thing in the world? So HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD - I LOVE YOU!

Kicked in the butt!

What a week! VBS was fun, exhiliterating, full of fellowship, creative & tiring! I dont think I've been that busy in a long time - but it was wonderful spending time with all these kids. Seeing them excited about learning things about Christ - its all worth it.

On a personal level, it was such a reminder of how much I miss Stephanie! We have done the past few years VBS in crafts together. I know people dont understand how much I miss her - but then you dont understand how much a part of my life she was. Lately, I dont think I've missed her more. I was told it's OK to let everyone know how much I miss her & how bad it hurts me still - so thats why once again, I'm saying how sad life is without my friend! I try to keep a happy face on for everyone & not let them think its hurting as bad as it is - but yes, it still hurts - worse than ever.

I do have to say though, I am so thankful for my friends that I have with me now - the people who held my hands this week - who let me cry on their shoulder - the people who took me into private rooms & prayed with me - I am so blessed to have you all in my life! I had Stephanie's children working crafts with me & I had to smile thinking how proud she would be to see them step in her place! I saw Stephanie's husband working to help me prepare & offered his time. I saw my own bonus-daughter come a few nights to help (even when she professes to not even like to be around children) - life goes on I guess, even if we dont like the changes it throws at you. But I am blessed with new changes too - new friendships that are developing - people I can count on to say a prayer for me - people who put a smile on my face & make me laugh. I am so blessed.

So if you see me & I look a little sad - I'm just feeling that broken part of my heart again. But just say a quick prayer for me, give me a quick hug & know I'll be OK!