Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from January, 2010

have a heart for orphans

I just saw an ad for valentine flowers (50 euro). I love flowers but I'm going to ask Juergen to save the money and give it to my friends that are adopting. I challenge all my blog friends to trade their flowers for orphans. If you don't know anyone adopting I can suggest an orphan cause. Have a heart for orphans...donate your valentines money to a child that needs a family!

snow

It's snowing very hard. Juergen didn't want me to drive in it because it's actually pretty bad. So anyway, he has gone to do the shopping. The store is just at the end of the street. Nicole said she fell down walking Mickey. That's how slippery it is. I'm sure we will be eating junk food until Monday because Juergen is shopping. We will be late returning a video too. The movie "Up". The film makes me cry!

?

President Obama decided not to submit to the limits of campaign finances...spending 5 to 7 times as much as John McCain. He practically bought the election. Now he is criticize the Supreme Court in his state of the Union address. What nerve! You do not criticize the high court like that…unbelievable! And about the issue of unreserved campaign finances? He has like zero authority on the subject.

so sorry

I woke up this morning with Juergen telling me how cold it was outside. It was -10 C. I thought what an awful day for a funeral. An 18 year old girl in our church died from a flu last week. Her funeral was today. I guess it wouldn't matter if it was raining, sunshine or freezing cold outside. How could any parents deal with the sudden loss of a daughter...especially one so young? But somehow the bitter cold seemed to add insult to injury. What a great loss. Juergen and Nicole went to the funeral. I stayed home with the kids. I still cried. They have a hope they will see her in heaven. Still, they had hoped to witness her graduation in only a few short months. She was so young and had her whole life ahead of her. The loss is great...I feel so much grief. I did not know her but I have an 18 year old daughter and a 16 year old too. I can imagine the pain, and I hope I will never experience it myself. Mickey our dog sat in my lap. He cried with me. I pray the family

please pray

There is an EU meeting today about fast tracking adoption in Haiti. It is my hope and prayer the leaders of the EU fast track the adoption and or international foster care of the aprox. 500,000 known orphans (pre EQ). This will provide safe homes for these children, and free up space in the orphanages so the "new" orphans can be cared for.

Let's end child slavery in Haiti now!

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 4 No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Child slavery is a known practice in Haiti. They are called Restaveks. The world has rushed to the aid of Haiti. The world should now demand the ethical and humane treatment of children living in Haiti. Let us start a face book and blog campaign to end child slavery in Haiti. Children have a right to food, shelter, and education. Protect the most vulnerable in this tragedy. Demand the end of slavery now! If you agree with this statement then please copy it and send it to everyone you know! Thank you.

getting ready for the Olympics

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab! My friend Patricia on facebook shared the most amazing video of herself doing a handstand. She is working out for the musical “Cats”. I’m very impressed! Most of you know Juergen and I are representing both America and Germany in the upcoming Olympics. I thought I’d share some of our ice dancing routine. Enjoy!

please keep your heart and eyes open...and try to make it personal

I'm having trouble sleeping because my heart is breaking over Haiti. I have a good imagination, and I can imagine the smell of death, the real fear, the grief and the loss. It all seems impossible. Last night I broke when I saw a CNN story about the UN Doctors needing to leave the hospital because of security concerns. Gangs of people are out terrorizing the population that has already been so hurt. There is no government, no police. The children in the orphanages are sleeping outside because of the fear of aftershocks...but who can protect them from the gangs ? I prayed for God to send angels to guard the poor people. My heart breaks for the senseless loss and pain. I pray for the US military and other military to come in to establish order and law. I also wonder what other people do with all this information that is very hard to bear? I think we all need to keep our eyes open, keep our hearts open. We all also need to make Haiti personal by finding one organization to

Statement Regarding Pat Robertson's Comments on Haiti

Statement Regarding Pat Robertson's Comments on Haiti CBN.com – VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., January 13, 2010 -- On today’s The 700 Club, during a segment about the devastation, suffering and humanitarian effort that is needed in Haiti, Dr. Robertson also spoke about Haiti’s history. His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led by Boukman Dutty at Bois Caiman, where the slaves allegedly made a famous pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French. This history, combined with the horrible state of the country, has led countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed. Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath. If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson’s compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and reco

more of my 2 cents

God did not destroy Sodom because of sin, he destroyed them because of their lack of kindness to the poor. Haiti had/has a great deal of sin and corruption. But so does America. Good people have died in Haiti, and even the "bad" people (the gang leaders, prostitutes, drug dealers and those who kept child slaves) are loved by God. Haiti is a lawless and lost country but Jesus died for the ungodly. Even if there is truth to what Robertson said (they sold their souls) who are we to judge? America has the death of 40 to 60 million unborn babies on it's head! If God will judge a nation, America will also be judged! The people in Haiti are suffering hell on earth and our response should be to love them. I’m sure that CBN will reach out to Haiti in love, and I’m sorry that Pat Robertson said what he said. When Jesus looked at people, he saw their sin, but he focused on their pain. The only people he condemned where the religious leaders. I believe Pat Robertson is

Pat Robertson says Haiti paying for 'pact to the devil'

I woke up to read the less then compassionate statement by Pat Robertson. Haiti is a land covered in darkness, but a light can shine very bright in darkness. God loves the people of Haiti! I pray the people of God do not cast blame (as if our society is living in such a moral way). We should simply run to help...and help in a sacrificial way. I cry, I grieve. Who could bear such a loss? HERE is the CNN story.

Jessica is ours for 7 years

We signed the final papers today making Jessica ours for the next 7 years. She is 18 years old and would normally be considered independent. And as most of you know Jessica has autism. She is unable to talk, and 100% dependent. I'm basically not going to give this much thought. It was paperwork we had to do. Nothing has really changed. Jessica was my responsibility, and remains mine. I wish she was able to take care of herself...but I could get depressed if I gave that much thought. She has a new haircut. She looked beautiful this morning. I'm using my new sonic toothbrush on Jessica. It came with heads you can exchange. I have the blue brush, and Jess has the pink brush. Her teeth look wonderful, and her smile is amazing. She and I both have trouble getting up in the mornings. I am not going to think about the what could have, or should have been. I just look at now. Now she is mine. And she is beautiful and very loved.

Maybe I'm wrong

Yes I can be wrong! I felt like the house in Bad Schönborn was a no. I don't like the owner and how he speaks of his mother. The whole thing is sad. But I described the house to some friends Juergen and I had breakfast with yesterday. To be honest with you, I've never seen a house with a better design. Never. It was very wisely thought out. It would make an excellent house for our big family now, and a super house later with a 2 bedroom rental apartment. It is perfect! It has good access to the S Ban (fast train that goes to Heidelberg in 15 minutes), and I can see one of my best friends back yard from the 2nd story window. The garden probably is just big enough (not too big to manage or too small for my purpose). The storage is massive. It even has the guest room and the sauna. I think I should rethink my no. Honestly, I have never ever seen a house more perfect for us. If we get it, we will have to bring some friends over to pray for Gods peace and absolute re

no

I can not figure it out, but after one day Juergen and I both decided we just don't like the house we saw yesterday. Maybe it's the cost? I think it's the owner. He hated his mother, and now he is selling her house. I could feel the conflict in this place. I would have to pray out the devils in the place. I need a house that was loved. I still want the old farm house we looked at. I’m sure we just haven’t found our house yet. We will just keep looking. this is the house I want

We saw the house

We went to see this house today. First we went to lunch at the home of very good friends. Then the kids stayed at our friends house while Juergen and I and our friend went to look at the house. It is really a great house. The entry is big, with built in places for coats, shoes and bags. There is a dinning room, separate kitchen with a pantry and a large living room. The highlight is the winter garden with it's wood stove. Then there is a large mudroom/Landry room. I love that! You can go directly from the garden and wash up. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, and a separate walk in room closet (it's a small room). Up stairs there are 3 small bedrooms and one giant bedroom, and a large bathroom. When Philip, Thomas, and Nicole move out the upstairs could be rented out as a 2 bedroom apartment. In the basement there is a guestroom, a very large storage room, a sauna room with a shower and toilet, and an underground garage. So with the garage

I see this house Saturday

I have an appointment to see this house on Saturday afternoon at 2. The realtor gave me the address and Philip and I drove by it. It's really nice. It is at the end of a very quite street in a very nice neighborhood. It's only 2 blocks from my good friend Petra. The yard is bigger then I thought and it has a green house. Perfect for a big vegetable garden. They would need to go way down on the price...and we would need to sell our house. First things first, we will look at it. It doesn't have the charm of an old farm house, but we could not manage the work needed to get an old house into shape. God knows!

Doug being sent to Iraq

http://www.wftv.com/video/22150654/ Troops from across Central Florida are headed to Kuwait and Iraq. (01/06/10) My sister wrote, I don't know how to decribe the feeling. BEING A MOTHER OF AN AMERICAN SOLDER IS HARD. Yet I am very proud of him,and want him come home safe We all Love you son, Mom Amen!

Like being married to Spock

Last night I was watching my new blue lava lamp. Juergen had purchased it for Jessica. I told him that Jess couldn’t have a lava lamp. They get too hot. I wouldn’t want Jessica to burn herself. So he just gave it to me. It now sits on my fake fireplace, next to the dancing turtle the boys bought me for my birthday. My fireplace looks like an idle to kitch. I love how the wax in the lava lamp moves around. It looks like blue aliens. I was watching the movement and flow, trying to describe it in poetic terms. Then my computer scientist husband says, It is a true chaotic environment. No matter how you try to calculate it you can not predict the movement. I said , yes. That is very romantic…I never would have thought of that. Never! How a lava lamp works… The principles of Lava Lamp are simple. The "lava" is basically a specially compounded wax. When heated from below by a 40-watt bulb, it expands until it becomes less dense than the liquid above, causing it to ris

Mom is fine

I read on my sisters blog, and email that my Mom is fine. With the time difference I could not phone them to find out. Thank God I didn't need to wait all day to call home. I will call anyway, but Mom's heart is fine and she doesn't need any surgery.

Tim Pawlenty Gets No Respect

He doesn't have Sarah Palin's pizzazz or Mitt Romney's money. But the governor of Minnesota may be a shrewd Republican bet in 2012. By Howard Fineman | NEWSWEEK http://www.newsweek.com/id/227748/page/1 I like Tim Pawlenty. He is smart and very funny in a dry Minnesota way. His wife I believe is a judge. I think they met in law school. I personally wanted McCain to pick him as his VP. Now he is my top pick for the next President. But know one really knows him. I’m not sure if he has much of a chance.

a year of transition

We had guests all year (well, since last week). It was loud but great. I finally had a few mins to myself today. The kids played in the snow and I could think a little. The thing that is strong in my mind is a word called transition. I think I will be in transition in 2010. How, where, what I do not know.

last night

Last night was great! We had 3 different families join us to cheer in the New Year. We eat dinner, did some dancing, had a fun time of worship, and took communion before shooting off some fireworks. Juergen and Nicole played guitar together and the kids played drums and bells. This was my favorite part of the night. I'm thinking the kids should bring their instruments to the worship service once a month during our family service at church? They were so into it. I love that! I also loved having communion together at midnight. I haven't had communion at New Years for a long time. I want God to take the "Staring" role in my year. I even took the bread and grape juice up to Jessica’s room and prayed with her shortly after midnight as the fireworks were going off. That was very special to me. I'm so grateful to God to have friends. Each one is a precious gift! The time went by very fast because we were having a good time. That's not easy when you ha

Happy New Year!

2007 and 2008 were both hard years for us. I think God gave us grace and rest in 2009. I feel like I can dream again. One of the things I dream of is moving to a larger house with a bigger yard. Here is one more house I will try to look at this week. It has 8 bedrooms (room for an office and guest room). I'm not sure of the yard. It maybe too small? I love the wood stoves and the winter garden. We will see! We had a great party last night. I'll load photos and video soon. Do you have dreams for the New Year? The sad thing about stress is it robs you of your vision. I've been there. I'm so grateful to God I am not there right now. I know that can change...but for today I am glad!