"THE MAN" details!

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching everyone find out about my engagement!  Not gonna lie!  So let me introduce you to my fiance'.

This is Russell Noll.  He lives in Lynchburg, VA and we were set up by a mutual friend back in late August.  He must have liked what he saw on FB because he called soon after and we started seeing each other in early September.

He is a Sales & Personnel Manager at a manufacturing company and has worked there for 30 years. He is kind, gracious, patient, loves to garden and cook!  (that one's a plus)  He loves kids and dogs and sings in the choir. He is a servant and loves people.  He is not intimidated by a strong-willed, been-single-her-whole-life-independent - woman, which is really nice! : )

My family and friends love him!  In fact after meeting him the first time, my SIL said if I screwed this up, they would be mad!  haha!  He has been very patient, as I am a "slow mover" when it comes to relationships.  After spending a weekend down in VA a few weeks ago,  many hours of processing and phone conversations with him ... and a good friend...I finally admitted that yes, I love this man!  The next thing I knew he was coming for Valentine's weekend!  

We are planning a late July wedding here in Cedarville.  

#Hucksgettinhitched

Because He lives

"Because He Lives - Amen"

I believe in the Son

I believe in the risen One

I believe I overcome

By the power of His blood

Amen, Amen

I'm alive, I'm alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

I was dead in the grave

I was covered in sin and shame

I heard mercy call my name

He rolled the stone away

Amen, Amen

I'm alive, I'm alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because he lives 

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

Every fear is gone

I know He holds my life my future in His hands

Amen, Amen

I'm alive, I'm alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Amen, Amen

I'm alive, I'm alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

Because He lives

Celebration!

What a crazy weekend with my family!  4 basketball games, one soccer match and two baptisms in the span of about 36 hours.  Unfortunately we went 2-3 as a fam in the sport arena!  Oh well, we can't always win!  : )

Preston's high school team won 2 huge games, both by two points.  They beat the #2 team in MI Class B who until that night had not lost in nearly two years in conference play.  It was wild and a lot of fun to be there.  

But what I will remember most is Sunday ... when two young men stood in front of thousands of witnesses and family and friends to proclaim their commitment to live as a follower of Christ.  To hear them share their stories, raise a fist to heaven and say, "I am proud to be a Christ follower", were the proudest moments of my life as an Aunt.  Yes, even prouder then the two free throws made at the end of the game to win the game!  

It made this Aunt want to stand up with arms raised herself and celebrate these men!  and why not?! We SHOULD stand and celebrate those moments more then game winners.  We SHOULD get together afterwards with family and friends and celebrate and mark this time in their lives.  No more sitting in our seats, solemn and sober when young (or old) men and women stand and proclaim their faith ... receive Christ as Savior ... experience healing in their lives ... whatever the case may be.

While all of this was going on, in the back of our family's minds was the fact that mom passed away two years ago on Sunday.  Yes, same day as the boys were baptized.  Mourning and celebrating at the same time.  I can't help but believe that mom was standing and singing with the Angels when those boys stood up, shared their stories and were baptized!  THEY are part of her legacy ...

Oh ... and had the boy's favorite - Qudoba - catered for lunch!  QUESO ... nuf said ........

Two Years Later

This picture was taken at our family's first Christmas without my mom.  Not gonna lie, it was miserable.  Two years ago, this week, was the worst week of my/our family's life.  We knew mom wasn't going to be with us much longer, but it still came as a shock to get the phone call that she was on her way to the hospital.

While in some ways it seems like yesterday, it has been 2 years.  I can remember so much about that week, in detail.  Wish I couldn't.  How do you decide to take your mom off a machine that is allowing her to "live" ... how do you plan for a funeral when you have never done that before ... how and what will it be like to watch her take her last breath ... what will we do without her ... how will dad do ... when its over, what then ...

Still through all of that, Scott and I got to be with her in those last hours, but more importantly, in those last minutes.  I wouldn't have changed that for anything.

I can't summarize in one writing all that has happened in the 2 years since.  But it has been A LOT of change, and not just within my family.  I struggled to the point of not knowing if I could take one more thing.  Several surgeries, loss of another dog, changes in my professional life, a dear friend/sister moving, a dad who now needs us to care for him, a final move and closing of my parents house and what felt like, throwing away of their "stuff".  It's been a dark time for me, but with the help of others, support of family and close friends, daily grace from God and literally, one day at a time mentality, I am through the worst of it.  (I hope!)

I'd like to tell you that I spent a lot of time in God's Word and prayer, etc.  but that just wasn't the case.  Most of the time I didn't want to.  I am past feeling "unspiritual" because of it.  What I hope I am now is, more aware of hurting people around me, more willing to engage them, more understanding, more loving and more aware, THANKFUL and in AWE of God's grace in my life.  I am VERY aware of how underserving I am right now.  God doesn't bless us because of how we have responded to something, just like he doesn't keep something from us because we didn't earn it.

He blesses us because of HIS SON and what HE DID on the cross...and because of that and my accepting that gift, I am worthy before Him to receive anything.

Life for me is still a day at a time.  I miss my mom terribly, I miss my dear friend, I miss what was both personally and professionally, I miss my dogs, I miss what I used to be able to do physically, I miss my dad ( he is still with us, just struggling ) and on a lighter note.....I miss what I used to weigh before all of these surgeries!  LOL - life will NEVER be the same.  However, I am out of the fog and though I anticipate more change, I believe I am in a better place to handle it this time.  Again, by and because of God's grace and my circle of trust (friends and fam) around me.

I have a new dog, his name is JACK!!

As Seen on TV

So this is one of my all time favorite things!!  I don't know why, but I LOVE all things "as seen on TV".  I'm sure it means something regarding the way I am wired and might make a great case study
for a therapist!

One of my dear friends is a regular recipient of these potentially life changing items.  I mean, what
bacon lover doesn't want the BACON BOWL!  The Ped Egg is nice for someone who wants smooth feet but doesn't want to pay for a pedicure.  The miracle Sealer for those nasty cracks in your favorite flower pot.   

One of my other favorites is the vacuum hair cut product.  I have NO idea how it works, but just run the thing over your hair and not only do you get a precision haircut, but it vacuums up the mess! The "one size fits all" tummy flattener is a nice one, or the nose hair and unwanted hair removal system could be the ones for you.  

Who needs the eye doctor when you can receive 20/20 vision from the $19.99 pair of night vision glasses.  Or make your own French fries with the French fry potato slicer!  However, one of my huge favorites is the Slanket, the blanket with sleeves! You might be wondering what the difference is between the Slanket and the Snuggie.  Well .... I'm here to tell you that the Slanket is WAY better!  The snuggie is a "knock off"!  Just ask the Internet, it never lies.  Even more exciting....I just saw the Siamese Slanket!  for you and your significant other.

Oh, and the miracle water hose that expands and shrinks up to save you from having to roll the hose up after every use? It's AWESOME!!  Until it bursts because the water pressure is too high.  

I feel like someone is becoming a millionaire sitting in a back room coming up with these products that people like me buy, whether they "work" or not.  How hard can it be?  

Anyway ... I have absolutely NO life lesson with this post!  I'm sure there is one, I'm just too tired to think about one.  Plus, every now and then, I just have to write a nonsense blog!  

The next time you really NEED something, check the aisle of As Seen on TV first.  You just might find something that will work and it will cost you a lot less!

My Christmas letter!

My Family (minus their rents!)

I NEVER send Christmas cards or update letters, etc.  Just not my "thing".  However, now that I have a blog, I thought I'd write a "Christmas update blog". There continued to be changes and difficult times this past year, but in the midst I have seen God's hand and protection & provision for me and others in my life.  So, here we go .......

1.  Most people here only know me as the girl who keeps having surgery!  Let me assure you, I do NOT like nor want to have anymore! : )  I would not change my athletic career, but I am definitely paying for it now.  I had a major fusion in my lower back just as the new year began.  It was pretty awful.  Thankful for good friends and co-workers who helped, made food and came to encourage me (even though I almost threw up on one!)  

2.  One of my dearest friends moved.  I hate change and this kind of change I probably hate the most. But I am thankful for God's provision for her as it was a major change for her in many ways,  and .... its not too far away!  

3.  I developed and taught a brand new course this semester.  Always tough when you don't know what it will look like and there were certainly challenges that will result in some changes for next year,  BUT, it was one of my favorite classes ever to teach!  (social media in sport)

4.  We moved my dad from PA to MI over a period of months starting this summer.  It's time for my brother, his family and I to take care of him.  So he is now living with Scott and his family.  He is adjusting.  Wow, its hard when roles change but God has been gracious to us.  Oh....and, DOWNSIZE PEOPLE, DOWNSIZE!

5.  I lost my second German Shepherd : (  She was my first dog.  I rescued her in VA when she was 7 weeks old.  Sweet pup, but stubborn!  haha.

6.  A Friend of mine was moving and could not keep their 2 year old dog...... yep ...... I adopted him. Did I mention he's a SMALL dog?  Oh my ...... never thought I would have a small dog, but he has won my heart and keeps me warm!  Pretty sure I have gone from "favorite neighbor" whose shepherds NEVER barked, to "most annoying neighbor" whose new dog doesn't stop barking!

7.  Still teaching at Cedarville.  Love my students and our major!  Taking 10 of us to the Dominican Republic over spring break in March.  We will be working with a community holding mini sports camps for kids, working on a construction project and hopefully meeting up with some professional baseball players for a day.

8.  Big news:  started my doctorate.  It may kill me.  Just finished my first class and will be taking two more this next semester.  It will be a Dr. of Education in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy.  I will be finished in ..... well ..... umm ..... let's just say, a few years!

9.  Did I mention a surgery?  No, not THAT one.  Needed to fix a hip issue that was getting in the way of my recovery from the other one.  So just had a scope done a few weeks ago and feeling a lot better.  After 4-6 months of rehab, I should be good to go!  

10.  and number 10 ....... my first nephew is a senior and will be graduating in June!  WHAAATTTT!!!  in honor of him, let me share a picture of days gone by.

and lastly ...... but most importantly .... I am thankful for all that God has done IN me over the year.  I am still lazy and don't read my Bible enough, praying is not always my first instinct, I still complain about things I can't change and I still struggle over things that have happened in my life and in those I care about.  But, God is patient.  He is gracious and faithful.  He continues to heal my heart and soul.  

As we get ready to celebrate our second Christmas holiday without my mom, I am not only reminded of how much I miss her, but continue to be thankful for all I have learned from her and for her Godly example of trust and faith in God.  I also can't begin to fathom the celebration she is experiencing in Heaven!

Merry Christmas

Taboo Subjects

Not only in light of recent events, but also because of some things I have been thinking about for awhile, I have some thoughts on taboo subjects.  The definition of taboo, according to Merriam, is "not acceptable to talk about or do".  When we are little kids, our parents teach us that picking our nose in public, burping or worse, talking in class, etc. are "taboo" things to do.  We each probably have our list of things we didn't talk about. Either because that is just the way it was or how that generation of parenting was done.  But that isn't really where I am going with this.  My issue is with the Church and our Christian organizations today.

My desire is not to get into a theological discussion of what Church is for or what it is not for, or who's job it is to confront and talk about these taboo topics.  I grew up in the church and around a Christian organization and think I have a pretty good handle on what they are for and their role.

Whether it is because of this generation's ability to talk about difficult subjects or because our society is in such turmoil that we all feel the need to talk, it is clear that (in my opinion) we need to step up. What are those taboo subjects?  Depression, suicide, physical, mental and sexual abuse, homosexuality (other then to say its wrong), death and its affects on those left, racism, alcohol (again, other then to take a specific stand in certain settings) to name a few.

These are real issues that do not need the platitude responses that they usually garner.  Nor do they need the fighting over that we often find in our churches about what the Bible says or doesn't say about them.  Nor do they deserve silence.  This is not an attack on all churches and Christian organizations.  A lot of them are having difficult conversations and getting involved in people's lives who are experiencing these things.  My issue is simply about the silence, ignoring or denying they exist.  Don't forget, this is just my personal opinion and thoughts! : )

We either don't talk about them because we have never experienced them and don't know how to, or they are just uncomfortable. Or worse, we don't want to get our hands dirty to walk through life with someone who has experienced one of these.  Life is messy, so is sin and its results and consequences.  Jesus walked though life with messy people.  I trust, admire and want to be like those people (even in my own life) who have chosen to do messy.

If we don't talk about them, engage in them, address them and do something about them, we are only going to, as they say, repeat history.

If not IN THE CHURCH, then where can we talk about these things and do something about them? Its not comfortable.  Its sometimes scarey.  I'm scared at times.  But its time to stop denying or ignoring bad things happen or are happening.  Its time to talk and engage people who are hurting and experiencing these real life situations.  Its also time to stop being silent.  It doesn't really matter where we all fall theologically - we certainly aren't silent on THAT.  It matters that people are hurting INSIDE the church as well as OUTSIDE.

It matters that people are struggling with depression and effects of abusive relationships (yes, it happens in the church).  It matters that people struggle with homosexuality.  It matters that people live in poverty.  It matters that racial inequality & injustice exists.  It matters that we, as Christians, divide ourselves in groups based on what WE believe about specific topics, theologically or otherwise.

I don't know the answer totally.  I don't even know what I am to do, other then to love others, get messy and try to help others.  But I do know this:

It's time to talk about taboo topics in churches and christian organizations......and to DO something about them.

On a lighter note........one more paper and I am finished with my first doctoral class!  Well, maybe that isn't a lighter note! haha