tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30821411299517994312024-02-20T22:12:55.613-06:00He leads. We follow.Keep up with the Coelho Family as we follow Gods call on our life...Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-539651881743787002009-03-17T09:23:00.000-05:002009-03-17T09:24:19.741-05:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://portugalbound.blogspot.com/2009/03/president-farkas-and-growing.html">President Farkas and the Growing Frustration - Guest Blogger</a> </h3> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Do you remember the scene in the movie, “The Christmas Story” when Scut Farkas, the consummate bully goads Ralphie into crying after pelting him in the face with a ginormous snowball? Something snaps in the mild mannered Ralphie, and he commences to unleash a torrent of tiny fists and swear words in an unknown tongue rendering the bully humiliated, bloodied, and reformed. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Well, smack dab in the middle of the winter of our economic depression, the spirit of Scut Farkas has been channeled into the US government. They have pitched snowball after taxing, hypocritical snowball toward the quiet, unassuming Ralphies across the country. How many more snowballs will it take to reach critical mass? What will be the final salvo launched to insight the bullied and bespectacled to punch back? </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>For the record, I believe that we should pray for our leaders on every level that we may live a quiet and peaceable life. I would never advocate anarchy or revolution; however, I firmly believe if the government continues its current pompous taunting of the citizenry, some will respond in an unprecedented fashion. Atlas will shrug. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Today, the current checks and balances are breaking down and people are starting to understand the intentional destruction that is taking place. At least I want to believe it is intentional and not borne completely out of idiocy. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Since the inauguration we have systematically alienated our closest allies and opened new doors to welcome our enemies. We have shaken hands with Syria, pledged to give $900 million to Hamas (er, Gaza), and spit in Israel's face. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>We are genuflecting before Russia and telling the Poles and Czechs to take a slow train to Siberia. Do you know that Poland is such a strong ally that within our intelligence community some refer to them as the 51<sup>st</sup> state? </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>In the middle of a recession, we are turning down sales of fighter planes to Taiwan because we don't want to upset the Red Chinese. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>We just gave the British Prime Minister 25 DVDs in exchange for priceless heirlooms and blew off a joint press conference. With friend like this...you know how it goes. As far as I'm concerned, the President would have done worse only if he had urinated in the Englishman's tea. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>But at the same time we are falling over ourselves to hug the Taliban and sing kum-ba-yah with Islamic terrorists around the globe.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Farkas gave us about a quarter raise ($13 a week tax break) at the exact same time he was lifting our wallets so that he could max out all of our credit cards while buying environmentally friendly golf carts, paying for our neighbors' abortions, building a snowmaking facility in Minnesota, and upgrading intercoms in Alaska. Incomprehensible!</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>President Scut armed with even more snowballs and insults (aimed at freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms, among other things) daily treads closer and closer to that imaginary line in the sand for so many. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>Whatever faith there was in the government has now dwindled down to those who lazily stand with an outstretched hand crying for someone else to pay for their mortgage and put gas in their car. Like a parasitic side kick they look to big brother Farkas to fix it all. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>But one of these days that last frozen missile will plant itself for the last time in Ralphie's face. The gloves will come off and the landscape could look dramatically different. Although I'm not a betting man, my money's on Ralphie.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><span>Written by Michael Andrzejewski for <a href="http://www.lagrangenews.com/pages/full_story?article-How%20many%20snowballs-%20=&page_label=news_opinion&id=2085289-How+many+snowballs-&widget=push&instance=secondary_stories_left_column&open=&">The LaGrange Daily News.</a></span>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-1287911112868426712009-02-16T10:31:00.002-06:002009-02-16T10:40:28.451-06:00Save the trees but kill the children??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqLo-82khtZiGgqoRFT_ix6CQwx8-JTB-NeL9qTGgVU6Lb0ds7NBYk_rUjybU8_8qjOBCv7TSJvnXlVXv3Dp2Cjp98LbGczb-DbMTPdbZHdY3JTY4n6DpS01J0re6dZIAzDGkJfaER9og/s1600-h/save+the+trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqLo-82khtZiGgqoRFT_ix6CQwx8-JTB-NeL9qTGgVU6Lb0ds7NBYk_rUjybU8_8qjOBCv7TSJvnXlVXv3Dp2Cjp98LbGczb-DbMTPdbZHdY3JTY4n6DpS01J0re6dZIAzDGkJfaER9og/s400/save+the+trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303435923997260034" border="0" /></a>
My sweet friend Abbye posted this on her blog and it echoed my feelings exactly. These are her words...
"I know I will offend someone, so in advance, I apologize. I will not however apologize for what I'm going to say.
In the background I'm listening to the news and I realize I'm getting a little stressed. If I think about it, life has gotten a little more stressful lately. News of "stimulus bills" that prayerfully will work, but realistically is just full of pet projects for the president, house speaker, etc... is worrisome when I think about how it will affect my childrens lives down the road. I worry that our nation's leaders have no moral compass, and have no concept that their votes, their actions, their bills will have consequences in the eternal. We will all be judged. Do people not realize that they too will be judged on the way they vote? I'm not saying God is a republican or a democrat. I'm saying in the eternal, the economy, taxes, healthcare and bailouts won't matter. Life matters. And when some of my friends, people who are close to me rationalize their vote and put more importance on the economy, than the importance of protecting life, my heart breaks. I don't think on judgment day God will say how glad he was that we voted to save our economy, that we voted for "change". I think he will ask why didn't we do everything in our power to protect the life he so perfectly created. I get angry that people will get rageful and protest and go on hunger strikes to save the trees. Is human life less important than trees? I don't get it. I don't get it. I also don't understand people getting upset about the genocide around the world, but vote for the womans rights to kill her own child. There have been more murders from abortion alone than genocide (I'm not saying genocide is not important). And yes, I did say "kill her own child". I'm tired of Christian pregnancy centers, the government and "politically correctness" telling us not to use the words "kills, death, die, murder" when talking about abortion so that we might not offend anyone. Am I the only one who is sickened by this? I'm tired of women being lied to, that abortion is an "option", just like parenting and adoption are options. What they aren't told is the percentage of women who try to kill themselves after an abortion. They aren't told the number of women who suffer from depression, eating disorders, alcoholism, self-mutilation, drug addictions, shame, hatred for themselves, insomnia, night terrors, ongoing health problems...need I go on? People who say they are "for women's rights" are lying to themselves. If women's rights are something that is so important, why then, are they being lied to, and not warned of the heartache that will follow an abortion? It may be immediately, it may be a week, month, year, or 30 years before it hits.
And since people usually bring up the "rape" situation, I'll comment on that too. Rape of course is a HORRIBLE event, a tragedy. There is no argument that it is an ugly, evil and horrific violation. And when this results in a pregnancy, the majority of people, even "pro-lifers" give an "out" to abortion. "It's okay, but only in this case. The woman shouldn't have to be reminded everyday of what was done to her." I agree that the women shouldn't have to be reminded of what happened. The rape should never have happened. But take the focus off the rape, the rapist, the womans rights. A life was created, yes out of selfishness, violence and ugliness. But a life was created. A baby was created. Tell me, when God looks at that life, that baby, that child, that teenager, that adult who was conceived this way, does he look at this life and say, " I created you, but you are not good?" Do you think God looks at that child and says, "I love you less because of the way you were created?" I absolutely don't think so. Jesus didn't say "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full, but only those who were conceived in love." That innocent life when born doesn't know he is so despised. That baby was still "beautifully and wonderfully created". Why do people have no regard or respect for life? I just don't get it.
People of today are so focused on convenience, not being in-convenienced, not being uncomfortable in anyway, being instantly gratified and not thinking their actions have any consequences. I of course struggle with this thinking too! I want what I want when I want it! God has become a joke, a parody, and only something for "weak-minded people". Our nation has turned it's back on God, and I am deeply saddened. When our president is only in office a few days and lifts a ban on government funded abortions, how does God feel about that? Is God going to bless a nation who spits in his face?
I pray for my children and the world they will grow up in. I grieve that they will never really know pride for their country. I grieve that society is "raping" their innocence with promiscuous kids programs, homosexual characters in their cartoons, homosexual education in kindergarten, murder is a common theme in video games and cartoons, sex is pushed on them in elementary schools, and God is not allowed in their schools! I grieve that kids are killing eachother and their parents don't understand why. But take a look in their homelife and all you see is a TV with violence, games with violence, internet full of porn and parents who leave other caregivers to raise their children and don't want to be bothered with the "inconvenience" of parenting. I'm not saying that parents who have their children in daycare are doing this, I'm saying parents who don't raise their kids, who don't teach, grow, direct their children. Parents who don't want their lives to be inconvenienced with the "boring" needs of their children.
I know how it will all end, and I rejoice in the victory Jesus has already won! I serve the Creator, the Redeemer, the Judge, the Great Physician, the Lover of My Soul, Jesus the Son of God! He grieves along with me, with us, in how we treat eachother.
What's so beautiful is He didn't just die for me. He died for and adores those who spit in his face. He loves those who have kicked him out of their lives mock him. How beautiful is that? He loves someone who does "good" and the most evil person the same. It's so hard to understand that! But the evil child-rapist, the most evil terrorist in the world and time is still His child. He still wants that child to be with Him in paradise. It's so hard to understand that kind of love. But he is Love. He IS Love. And I have to daily put my life, my childrens lives, my marriage, our family, our finances, and my worries at the foot of the cross. I need to be reminded daily what he did for me, so that I don't have to carry all these worries and questions. He is big enough to handle them. He has redeemed my life from the pit, restored what was stolen from me and has turned my ashes into beauty! Nothing and no one on earth can do what He has done for me. I don't live my life perfectly, and I am constantly wanting to do things better, to be a better wife, mother, woman, daughter and friend. I am learning that my first role and my priority is to be His daughter and dwell in Him. I can't do it all by myself, and I'm not supposed to. He is Love. And Love is full of Grace.
I worship the lover of my soul, my creator, my Father."
Please be in prayer for our new president and for our country....Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-79972022552720471312009-01-24T20:41:00.002-06:002009-01-24T20:59:35.590-06:00Don't make me count to five!!<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Obedience</span>. Something I expect from my children the first time. I have trained them to listen the first time, in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">preparation</span> for obeying our Lord when He first calls them to obey. I have learned ( and continue to learn) that His ways are best. Most of the time I wonder WHY? Because I don't see the big picture. Just like a loving parent screams to their child to move as a car comes barreling around a corner. The child is scared and wonders why you had to scream to get their attention. They were unaware of their impending doom. In the same way our heavenly Father guides us (and yes sometimes he has to scream at me to get my attention) and I wonder why did He have to do it that way? If I do not listen to His voice, however loud or quiet it may be, I am facing impending doom!! His ways are higher than my ways!
Being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">obedient</span> is easy at times. It's not hard to say Yes I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">believe</span> in Jesus Christ because then I am free from sin. But to LIVE for Christ is at times hard. When the Lord leads you in ways you have never dreamed and you know if you CHOOSE to follow Him others may look at you differently (or think you're off your rocker!!). That is where I sit these days. As God, in His perfect timing, reveals His plan for our family. We find ourselves sitting in an awesome place. Because we know we are right where God wants us. And we won't move until He says it's time. Until then please continue to pray for us. As we face these huge life changes pray that we would stand bold in our faith, be obedient and as we do we will fall more in love with Jesus...
</span></div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-47668691767037621032008-12-25T06:53:00.007-06:002008-12-25T07:32:19.767-06:00Good Friends & Good Food<span style="text-decoration: underline;">This is the first year since being married that we have not had plans for Christmas Eve.</span> We have always been home or made plans with friends who were also away from home. I thought we would just have a quiet day at home. However Matt and i both woke up yesterday feeling homesick and sad (I know we are pathetic, we have so much to be thankful for). It wasn't that we weren't thankful for our many blessings. Just sad to be so far away from family. So I began thinking what would make the day more fun. Back at home EVERY Christmas Eve my mom makes Cioppino. It's a seafood stew and before you turn your nose and say "gross" let me tell you about it. It is the best meal ever. My favorite by far!! These are few of the ingrediants...
Butter, onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes, chicken broth, white wine, bay leaves, basil, oregano, thyme...and the kitchen sink (there is more but you get the idea). Once all that is ready you add crab legs, scallops, shrimp and clams. It's so fun to eat because you get to dig in and peel everything apart at the table. So, yes, its amazing! So back to my story. Yesterday I decided I would make it myself and see if any of our friends were without plans too. Some dear friends of our were!! The Martins and there 2 boys came about 7. It was so nice to watch the kids play (Dodie and I met when we were both pregnant with our oldest kids, who are now 6). I had fun getting the house "ready". You know setting the table, making place cards, etc. Here are some pics. I forgot to take one of the group but you get the idea. Merry CHRISTmas!!
(Oh, if your wondering why I am up on CHRISTmas morning posting a blog...my kids are still sleeping and it's almost 7:30. That NEVER happens!!)
<div style="text-align: center;">Ready for guests to arrive.
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuumUZcqfgXrmTdNQbpnIi_wpNHsOJwOHnfEkuPsOI5FOmOXyz9Gq0LxMbAk1_Zqr02EOlxzZBP-DV3LbyVC_blBV6UCeeW_SDfK7PioMXH9Qfz90QgzKrlMXQikn2WwlzubAZ_SdS2rr/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuumUZcqfgXrmTdNQbpnIi_wpNHsOJwOHnfEkuPsOI5FOmOXyz9Gq0LxMbAk1_Zqr02EOlxzZBP-DV3LbyVC_blBV6UCeeW_SDfK7PioMXH9Qfz90QgzKrlMXQikn2WwlzubAZ_SdS2rr/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283718179818182082" border="0" /></a>Here are the table settings. I know I'm a total dork, but I had so much fun putting it all together!
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsexElfseWJjDQkYghn_JhudkTPk8KPcJEJMAUksj8J_sjtUMucDsrzIh2EQguJA_Cw88KHEJzx33eopoFuIyd83qm1jT9AfZKce5WyTI9Dpm1lEt4Ccr6VbLIe5I5QM28nPWrv0tDGa93/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsexElfseWJjDQkYghn_JhudkTPk8KPcJEJMAUksj8J_sjtUMucDsrzIh2EQguJA_Cw88KHEJzx33eopoFuIyd83qm1jT9AfZKce5WyTI9Dpm1lEt4Ccr6VbLIe5I5QM28nPWrv0tDGa93/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283718176641964162" border="0" /></a>
Yummy seafood ready to go in the pot
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1WMI9xaqdMrLWcCWVxbinPmeWNzhPJH9fRbNZ81RUOjsmiDMl_hVqpbKcAVpDqhyphenhyphencIHI2D7JJhLVkMSOgJ-1psM7Uw72kEyY9dflW1KQfOtIeYhVhE5hSN1a_iFMUqDvcynSrjAAeYmz/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1WMI9xaqdMrLWcCWVxbinPmeWNzhPJH9fRbNZ81RUOjsmiDMl_hVqpbKcAVpDqhyphenhyphencIHI2D7JJhLVkMSOgJ-1psM7Uw72kEyY9dflW1KQfOtIeYhVhE5hSN1a_iFMUqDvcynSrjAAeYmz/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283712683443713202" border="0" /></a>The pot waiting for seafood
</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaDMbT6fEtMPNj1meIafTg0qX4CYg20P4fO0gxSTvDxdR56J_ITBrpjSSXoYVjGH8Q3TWF9LppOXsZxkfiVTjHmfgcKrQJbNlnFkQEiBNGp9d-qVYgEEIu78eMWaVIueCrpdRnyL-vAWs/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaDMbT6fEtMPNj1meIafTg0qX4CYg20P4fO0gxSTvDxdR56J_ITBrpjSSXoYVjGH8Q3TWF9LppOXsZxkfiVTjHmfgcKrQJbNlnFkQEiBNGp9d-qVYgEEIu78eMWaVIueCrpdRnyL-vAWs/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283712674053385202" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;">I guess it's time to wake up the kids. Matt just got back from feeding our friends dogs. I seriously can not believe my kids aren't up!!
</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-60130266541000874982008-12-24T12:27:00.002-06:002008-12-24T12:40:06.460-06:00Forgotten Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">I was reminded recently of these pictures. They were taken this summer while Matt and I were away at summer camp (helping with youth). She stayed with a sweet family we know (thanks again <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nease</span> Family). I just thought they were cute...The first is from the Grace Museum. The second one is the one I saw just the other day! I thought the story behind it was funny. Lauren had gone to the bathroom and she came back <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wearing</span> this hat. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Apparently</span> it was pretty high up hanging on the wall in the bathroom. And while Lauren was taking care of business she thought "I have to get that somehow." Belinda still is not sure how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lauren</span> was able to reach it...enjoy!
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMKQ16Et4dP1bl4qhielKAp7MZcUTzUgzy69QlVN-iYYsTQCQ4rrG-rmGiJXHycOcZo1oLJw3QaZKSZEhwcVcIuRzUFQvgmkM6ofAwlcZxZ0ufsIiXoddBW3Yas4Eg1dlV85KD2VMvjXr/s1600-h/Photo_071708_005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMKQ16Et4dP1bl4qhielKAp7MZcUTzUgzy69QlVN-iYYsTQCQ4rrG-rmGiJXHycOcZo1oLJw3QaZKSZEhwcVcIuRzUFQvgmkM6ofAwlcZxZ0ufsIiXoddBW3Yas4Eg1dlV85KD2VMvjXr/s400/Photo_071708_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283425528979139698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkGa2BKobEezqwW44Kk0KPy8DBtM71Hdv2mWOrjaVFfga1n3vmnMVXT5jTCAAfzOZdDwQsD10BD1hnisHszGs9J4ORIQOfLRAQmzHtc8pc_gE8SEZywVGJDINZL60g8DMJGBR5u6tGPSb/s1600-h/Photo_071508_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkGa2BKobEezqwW44Kk0KPy8DBtM71Hdv2mWOrjaVFfga1n3vmnMVXT5jTCAAfzOZdDwQsD10BD1hnisHszGs9J4ORIQOfLRAQmzHtc8pc_gE8SEZywVGJDINZL60g8DMJGBR5u6tGPSb/s400/Photo_071508_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283425525865209202" border="0" /></a>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-40224789072571581142008-12-02T21:03:00.004-06:002008-12-02T21:20:58.301-06:00The 80's were like, totally radical!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275395038968249602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-2CcM18uFUZvR3XDVdvPW9EanAkuH6NtKuTZgSFNF6l5sd7eD8bQMa6Ju4s2cdQEOZGt-NOU1Sxj1IJ3Sw8G7d05HefK3skvkVEbQyUY5yw6Om8EoiUN6AIoW3ToVQca8uZ1ily3hK8V/s400/802.jpg" border="0" />
<div align="center">Although I was born in 1981 I still was old enough to enjoy the "fashion" and big hair!! At MOPS last week we had 80's day. I was so excited. I decided to go for an 80's rocker chic look. I had so much fun getting ready. However once I got to MOPS ALL the moms were dressed more like flashdance! So they were all in comfy cloths and I was wearing tight skinny jeans, pink leg warmers and 5 inch yellow heels (and fun makeup). Needless to say it was probably pretty entertaining watching me walk around. I had to take baby steps so I wouldn't fall. Then after 30 minutes I changed into my UGGS (they were popular in the 80's too). Here are some pics from my day!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt4gF6upQpI7R030ePU71KR-uCtaAi8c7Qazjdr7I-VXlIU7Ur3zCnfHH13sBv-qmBpXq31egb8KJpfQeqrAwm3wlIGLeQpkTpShy_UX7BH1K7omhZYHoOx-dmgwgGi94WkVNebPHtOYp/s1600-h/803.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275395047006775698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt4gF6upQpI7R030ePU71KR-uCtaAi8c7Qazjdr7I-VXlIU7Ur3zCnfHH13sBv-qmBpXq31egb8KJpfQeqrAwm3wlIGLeQpkTpShy_UX7BH1K7omhZYHoOx-dmgwgGi94WkVNebPHtOYp/s400/803.jpg" border="0" /></a> Flashdance vs rocker chic</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275395040813061634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3rCUjeohVm_bwJ2RNsEhMDUo84wNXxW7ZukpjA5_TQ5VinkFdGg_vBK8oYxpNU9vgn57m0hwkIqsGCEtjmhq5SDoWJ0a4ZA6mR8OViMc_41-W3WQ2Im-lOVYzgqzrhw2pTfoGU47O4qf/s400/801.jpg" border="0" />My best rocker pose...not very believable!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Nv1uri6DICRIbrxAX_4rHIUi9v-IMofAvrg1P_69SnpIEQJYKjzxa2pBxEqG-akF1oTztlJ2JmF-OUdfWdzSou1dMY5E8t1ODcOopxoI-gD8wOc_9JwDWx4mhlyvlsHlLcMUGJ9wuGs/s1600-h/804.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275395052025747362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Nv1uri6DICRIbrxAX_4rHIUi9v-IMofAvrg1P_69SnpIEQJYKjzxa2pBxEqG-akF1oTztlJ2JmF-OUdfWdzSou1dMY5E8t1ODcOopxoI-gD8wOc_9JwDWx4mhlyvlsHlLcMUGJ9wuGs/s400/804.jpg" border="0" /></a> When we got home Hailey grabbed my heels and walked around the house for a while!! And it must be said...she was better at it than I was!!</div>
</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-2333489196626101262008-11-28T08:22:00.000-06:002008-11-28T08:29:18.039-06:00Our little swimmerLauren has been swimming since age 2. She has always loved the water and as she has gotten older she has enjoyed it more! This summer she joined the Abilene Tidal Waves. It a USA swim team here in Abilene. It has bee amazing to watch her learn new strokes and improve on her times. Here are some pics from her first swim meet (this was about 2 months ago...sorry).
<div align="center">This is LC right after her first comp swim!!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vDveG5iAIr702SEmHYzesluWPNkeA2UioXErdzDlj6lF-gQ9HQ7ZzZeY7UmfAfxh_UQ3HF7IB4qjFKE8KEH7XpMwhQ0JmJu-p3E9E2ZdLWVs6kb7b6RBWZLsGXrqqUHJmOTqLiYB0sjJ/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273714293891163650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vDveG5iAIr702SEmHYzesluWPNkeA2UioXErdzDlj6lF-gQ9HQ7ZzZeY7UmfAfxh_UQ3HF7IB4qjFKE8KEH7XpMwhQ0JmJu-p3E9E2ZdLWVs6kb7b6RBWZLsGXrqqUHJmOTqLiYB0sjJ/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Cheering on her team mates.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXEzud1FHdL5v_qxiEnEMrdA93z4tp2Nw8TtHf3OlXNQAIsxwQiKQy2Pvg2QQMOQmKjYKZkJxruP1mCH_i-PIBXmirHTJkYEeMFxBgs0oSUr7jV5eEQ0dWaAU0pAhM1SxpeejWpOVsEAL/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273714286887482642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXEzud1FHdL5v_qxiEnEMrdA93z4tp2Nw8TtHf3OlXNQAIsxwQiKQy2Pvg2QQMOQmKjYKZkJxruP1mCH_i-PIBXmirHTJkYEeMFxBgs0oSUr7jV5eEQ0dWaAU0pAhM1SxpeejWpOVsEAL/s400/4.jpg" border="0" /></a>
</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-72719580344206898252008-11-26T12:28:00.000-06:002008-11-26T12:59:00.259-06:00Not yet...As we celebrate this time of thanksgiving we are blown away by how much we have to be thankful for. Last night as Matt and I lay in bed we talked about all that we had been blessed by in the past year. What blessed us the most was our realization of growth. As husband and wife, as parents and most of all our walk with Christ. We have walked through pain, loss, joy, triumph, and a call to missions knowing that God is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sovereign</span> and He knows all things.
Being called to missions has been the biggest growing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">experience</span> in our lives. Over the past 5 months we have been stretched in ways we've never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">experienced</span>. God has covered us with His grace and supplied us with His <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">strength</span> when the enemy attacked (and he did!!). Today we received an e-mail from our consultant. God's timing is perfect and He is all knowing!! Matt and I have been praying for an answer from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IMB</span>. The next step would be to go to conference, have face-to-face interviews, and get our assignment (in a nutshell). We have been preparing ourselves for a "not yet" answer. We both feel we need to take care of somethings here before we go overseas. Part of that is finances and part of that is finishing our degrees. The e-mail we received today said "not yet". I thought I would be upset, but I'm not. We are both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">relieved</span> knowing we have more time for God to work in our lives, draw us closer to Him and we don't want to go a minute before He desires us to. Although it would be exciting to go now, we both want what God wants and in His timing. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">IMB</span> said to contact them in 6 months and let them know our progress and they will reconsider us at that time. Please be in prayer for us as we continue to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">follow</span> His call on our lives... and PRAISE God for answered prayers!!Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-51461787789049153372008-11-25T08:14:00.000-06:002008-11-25T08:19:35.257-06:00Breakfast TableHere are some sweet pictures of Kevin and Hailey at the breakfast table. It normally takes them 30 minutes to eat because they sit there and make each other laugh!!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQTBgSi9o0-Sxm4rZK_J0hiuGlZtUVjcVu0fIU4tc5Cy95Q5a-ezEwfWfm1_yBvaJ15fQGafH0hF6Ch_EzKi38iMSauDovpPpwW_umofSB4tOx70Plu2zPCBG5NuHoDHCp62n6Dv08aw4/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272599142783324258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQTBgSi9o0-Sxm4rZK_J0hiuGlZtUVjcVu0fIU4tc5Cy95Q5a-ezEwfWfm1_yBvaJ15fQGafH0hF6Ch_EzKi38iMSauDovpPpwW_umofSB4tOx70Plu2zPCBG5NuHoDHCp62n6Dv08aw4/s400/8.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvjmNrtfZB4qDyeM6iPeKo_xZYRvRZ2w3WmUPLNVOOYAtULUxVxDV5NQepapTtZKGX8bjEDkLQDgRidNlgOv4dmx6OzTTqD5_JkQRwxiruWr8MaVVFdWSEco1kLX6reiM1zYTeft6x39-/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272599135604065714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvjmNrtfZB4qDyeM6iPeKo_xZYRvRZ2w3WmUPLNVOOYAtULUxVxDV5NQepapTtZKGX8bjEDkLQDgRidNlgOv4dmx6OzTTqD5_JkQRwxiruWr8MaVVFdWSEco1kLX6reiM1zYTeft6x39-/s400/7.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div></div></div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-51356720638925858332008-11-24T14:24:00.000-06:002008-11-24T14:44:49.464-06:00The difference a year makes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzODPagdy9NBcAMRHBxNpZdqCMhsLAh-1zONIBIatNZ67D5wpJ-qrzehnnz6USK6w_luKKxQiseOcLXwTNB0U5Z-fzhLU0K9njHhkwRJ2f5l0cahEyIDTsOS9OVhqKAuYQtXm8BJP0mPY6/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272326669688759842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzODPagdy9NBcAMRHBxNpZdqCMhsLAh-1zONIBIatNZ67D5wpJ-qrzehnnz6USK6w_luKKxQiseOcLXwTNB0U5Z-fzhLU0K9njHhkwRJ2f5l0cahEyIDTsOS9OVhqKAuYQtXm8BJP0mPY6/s320/1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This year has been amazing and totally different from last year. I am so grateful for the wise advice we received from other parents who have been down the same road. With a sick child we were faced with several hard decisions. One of them was to pull Lauren out of school and focus on getting her healthy. Although it was hard we were so blessed by our extra time with her at home. As the summer ended we were faced with another decision. Do we place <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lauren</span> in 1st grade or kindergarten?? Again we received great counsel and placed her in kindergarten. I was surprised to find that she was still not the oldest in her class (there are actually 5 kids who are older). It's been great to see her thrive and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excel</span> in her new environment. Her teacher also says that she is blessed by Lauren's helpfulness and fun spirit!!
<em>Thank you Lord for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surrounding</span> us with friends who give us wise counsel and pray to you on our behalf. Thank you for blessing us with encouragement and love. </em>
<em>In Christ's name, Amen.</em>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-69650253277772133072008-11-06T13:59:00.000-06:002008-11-06T14:09:36.161-06:00Boo at the ZooAt our local zoo they hold a candy/fall festival each year. Local vendors pass out candy and the kids get to see all of the animals. It was our first time (and probably our last). There were over 6,000 people there...needless to say it was crazy. The kids had fun but after about 45 minutes of waiting in candy lines we were ready to hit the road! Lauren was an angel (Amanda B. do you recognize the wings and halo? I beleive you had the matching set!!), Hailey was a butterfly and Kevin had plans to be a pirate but it was too hot. Kevin did come but he was in the stroller eating candy...
<div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR49TmNDOhiI6qHexZnvArWbcsxU7K-krWYJt6JQf63iD9aNZwNL9BFuBrS8XAkY-WhqsigFNC9_IDD8rDMsBaZ564EOn5uLRpBbiLz-nQWi8XCu42i5Z2N2hatseleaXmMr6vpvhF1XE-/s1600-h/b4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265637420493158594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR49TmNDOhiI6qHexZnvArWbcsxU7K-krWYJt6JQf63iD9aNZwNL9BFuBrS8XAkY-WhqsigFNC9_IDD8rDMsBaZ564EOn5uLRpBbiLz-nQWi8XCu42i5Z2N2hatseleaXmMr6vpvhF1XE-/s400/b4.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqHqs0xIqwOKTCXxir7U84Mn7l-8AApSVco8rM7-q6n7MYOIGL-vWoyND5G3mEsrGrjWdQa9ZlQN99PohVENUUscE7J006w0D9wHy-gyfeazEG40jcrGycndmHc2ifFxiW3q8KIhqsTin/s1600-h/b3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265637415575199874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqHqs0xIqwOKTCXxir7U84Mn7l-8AApSVco8rM7-q6n7MYOIGL-vWoyND5G3mEsrGrjWdQa9ZlQN99PohVENUUscE7J006w0D9wHy-gyfeazEG40jcrGycndmHc2ifFxiW3q8KIhqsTin/s400/b3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1YZ70MSXD87IxXCuQnmmO30_owp_fIF8n-K5NoVHkDVtU4adSw2iIp8Dc8fCVtfwMeLM3obA5oMPyKAvKjLuOJvUJttWlPYQU06w0_2qzMEZrH5mO4XsXXSAypOybnAiHpuBZGsnEqq/s1600-h/b2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265637404497616770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1YZ70MSXD87IxXCuQnmmO30_owp_fIF8n-K5NoVHkDVtU4adSw2iIp8Dc8fCVtfwMeLM3obA5oMPyKAvKjLuOJvUJttWlPYQU06w0_2qzMEZrH5mO4XsXXSAypOybnAiHpuBZGsnEqq/s400/b2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAX9YnzICA6laajGnAp-Eu2nWpb_rhLmtzIzvHkW59qv8YVVfgZerZsinheeCBkNcLztC-enNJ-7nY46r0iNl5e2InY3yJmEE0tK-qdy3xjkTKgMsJDoV1EM4qogOx5gTXYqWy3PNJzQZ/s1600-h/b1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265637406663165506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 359px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAX9YnzICA6laajGnAp-Eu2nWpb_rhLmtzIzvHkW59qv8YVVfgZerZsinheeCBkNcLztC-enNJ-7nY46r0iNl5e2InY3yJmEE0tK-qdy3xjkTKgMsJDoV1EM4qogOx5gTXYqWy3PNJzQZ/s400/b1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-28040311303473371432008-11-06T10:46:00.000-06:002008-11-06T13:57:39.000-06:00Pumpkin Carving<div><div><div><div><div><div>
<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265635075142330066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUE_GPSdqJFzobLAB2n9LHThE7Hu6aCzEsQB_zSpEjgiG0eqHZbw3y4C2LULX3QQ-KyELwdzOnEUyXT9VFrVLeVCgr-QWVx3yP16c4PRsWxaKeyW8nhgU0icSUiDWuYR58-zbzHRk2iwf4/s400/f6.jpg" border="0" />
<div>Obviously I'm still playing catch up! A few weeks ago we got a large pumpkin. The kids were looking forward to getting out the seeds and Matt and I were looking forward to eating them. The girls had so fun fun. However, Kevin didn't like the slime and kept proclaiming "it dirty"! Here are some pics from the day...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265634518476662290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjAOsPyRDnyVLghY6KtOvNBdTiSxprS0vcL3PW9kVFozmE-_9Y2dSfGrSBxkkIHcQp2MpL6RBZT8_7FnvudHGMOWwVp5wph8di4Jwt59_s-YX1W_Iqt_vkdsuWDk2bhilPprmoPM7m4pi/s400/f4.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265634504110689970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJoI6BEtVrCAWquJ7w2U1lP3tMjcFAT4b6SpVdq2c_HoYPsKlIWVsO1hCcVfwp-dQGD47azJR6kAUVfW6U7TE0008ZPbJ8jb2hIkt_e0tOA8SyWSfDNQUH9ETHjKJo81ZY_YMBZ60-DAA/s400/f1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265634508009244546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7vN_itir-MEtAF4lxSCIA_3licV4FUrl9fAYwkP3Cw_Z2lOuaUk37s-yyyMh5fI6LulhyphenhyphenhxhPS1_mcv18XkwBNdCZqRbppG7ae-VHd9PdynOqZED3tA_TqgxvNlzKFyWaJ2QHaDtb3xU/s400/f2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265634509495689570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8H4TVkXIShxpenCCuiBDHkG7PyhUqxq0BbHnIjEtLwRENwOz7iHRfzOTI-uo7l9CoM-CGCyptIhtDsFrBbU3-Vijd4WLGj61wSqSOoDdgTE2fLrrDskpcEsBU-vGvzoOZNse0eBIYDM9/s400/f3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265634528933913330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMbxbCysA-1uvXCAIYY58EoCACk-f0AWOxu4SDlP6shpGTraZNREVJ2KjglMiUTGullSmk79Yvi0pxTFyc13jz-ExpIm0Xp5upa7xbOc6XY0BlfrSxZ4CDdEMAeUF5cIsAYTL_1-d0Rv7/s400/f5.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265635083245853394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LCasIHNOCYYt9wZq1pBdc6LE53e-KsUbhlnFD17U7r8AzuRhdVkRulCadzy1g__Me9iN5_eETJ0y9XmBO6ui3794j4LfMn0HuYmhvyEvqrcRr3RZeboyJMHmdbzQ76yaS40ZGcyCu8WT/s400/f8.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265635081516253250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprRa9mzaEVPV9WZS2RO8WpGPn2NSLhTO5F_q37okg-9pmxrDbQ1cloeXF07KtOlpeqpydyWYNWj_V5q7pys-pcDsZ4NrLEAlY2fKHWtlVCMrnBIqt3Q-Q9erBnPFjMQwMPlvJE7udQR-l/s400/f7.jpg" border="0" />Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-22299501612320830222008-11-06T10:02:00.000-06:002008-11-06T10:33:02.500-06:00Random acts of craziness AKA the Coelho kids<div align="center">There are always a bunch of random pics that don't "fit" with my other posts. Enjoy!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My kids will say they are NOT tickelish...But thses pics prove otherwise</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265578077988899698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ib1Kl8K_FHBvOJSDPGkJjMg80aEyd0vyLwTqc0ERRvbiUpvRb0FO1ASXj6DKOLwnG4LZVeLE-44euqmGs0GHlupGsn2FC_H0PEt7xWzOzZIhiEJ-PCYxgD6ahPoeSNZzGuovuHjbhjeH/s400/r11.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblwhBWdDo2Fm2SH7tEJk8_2eSi8FAAE3_LyalmLAQbZWoOPQzqC3v0opNmRcOUYihQYJCTrXzKQzPst27TU52XfR_nhI-vOpJMHSfsraBbQ8T51Ugz6ITNCl-lrFVXL7616bNtpkfe4-d/s1600-h/r14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265579217133303314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblwhBWdDo2Fm2SH7tEJk8_2eSi8FAAE3_LyalmLAQbZWoOPQzqC3v0opNmRcOUYihQYJCTrXzKQzPst27TU52XfR_nhI-vOpJMHSfsraBbQ8T51Ugz6ITNCl-lrFVXL7616bNtpkfe4-d/s400/r14.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265579203124580386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWk8F5-_6jflqBMX6zca1ucHKyiVdQXSc36bRcNDYpu1WyNq7MA8LtCRN75m0fLHMXs-Dm1nGEP2ATVDWyZsZIZZoHsATQxNydDAbLLdfQzWnG2eW9R9kvRc9YJf4M11dHpjFAQMZBNqv/s400/r13.jpg" border="0" />The little ones get to enjoy 1 movie per day...here they are "in the zone"!!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1_WL5ePnVN97iPMOXsdxvSMfNZCKr6-trhm6UZCgP2IIeCfSCRwUGDQmDuE0I7ymj0VQC-wd_YIRVdBAzcEEFxBntY0KbY5aQn85rFDdxNLYacCK7juk2GblnyWOTlBifQZ9_FNlu_7W/s1600-h/Oct+2008+281.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265579223970419090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1_WL5ePnVN97iPMOXsdxvSMfNZCKr6-trhm6UZCgP2IIeCfSCRwUGDQmDuE0I7ymj0VQC-wd_YIRVdBAzcEEFxBntY0KbY5aQn85rFDdxNLYacCK7juk2GblnyWOTlBifQZ9_FNlu_7W/s400/Oct+2008+281.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lauren loves to swim. She is on the city wide swim team and recently had her first swim meet. It was awesome (I'll post it later). Here is her competition suit.
<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIIoFJZPxzdFyq9EWVrWc4ixVWUsJNqr2mC-JTQxOKahhbZbRBY-WBJLNBd5qFXPAqgDA5EWIaGv9TjwSmAMsnPtmFVazbMQaLf5ZJJ4i4Wyhn8Bqy8UpigCWKK5N6z-I6qhvoa4pWwXf/s1600-h/r7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265579201469308722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIIoFJZPxzdFyq9EWVrWc4ixVWUsJNqr2mC-JTQxOKahhbZbRBY-WBJLNBd5qFXPAqgDA5EWIaGv9TjwSmAMsnPtmFVazbMQaLf5ZJJ4i4Wyhn8Bqy8UpigCWKK5N6z-I6qhvoa4pWwXf/s400/r7.jpg" border="0" /></a> Cutie Pie!!
<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNiTpglLm_lg1lXMaVRHocVFYBe9WJjjizOrZt3UhipzcxFwlQ4-c8pu54fFWlbaxd4kgANfQw8QJGJb3SZvCzk1KiwinihrJY_GZVWpEOzZg3BwlLFKfyHlC3BgY2N7vgQPLskTwlzWr/s1600-h/r9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265578069283286850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNiTpglLm_lg1lXMaVRHocVFYBe9WJjjizOrZt3UhipzcxFwlQ4-c8pu54fFWlbaxd4kgANfQw8QJGJb3SZvCzk1KiwinihrJY_GZVWpEOzZg3BwlLFKfyHlC3BgY2N7vgQPLskTwlzWr/s400/r9.jpg" border="0" /></a> Awww, LaFawnDuh (we call her LaLa) is actually a boy. However we didn't find this out until we got her fixed. The kids had already named her and gotten used to calling him a her. So we still call him a her...very confusing, I know. She is a beautiful siamese cat and loves our family. We are still trying to find a way to take her with us...if not Bonnie will "watch" her while we are gone.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ33fBnbAaSQwBSbBDn0mljUpGqQDqbSb-tgJd3E__eRviysELut9h6Q2a1CC33vYQeX5SRUVIJkpaXLpNmLRF2WFXu1lc54v3G8DhRj9XoRetFGeVWKgxt9Ekk48wrPi0Ff4V9B-YF1wG/s1600-h/r8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265578060428574562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ33fBnbAaSQwBSbBDn0mljUpGqQDqbSb-tgJd3E__eRviysELut9h6Q2a1CC33vYQeX5SRUVIJkpaXLpNmLRF2WFXu1lc54v3G8DhRj9XoRetFGeVWKgxt9Ekk48wrPi0Ff4V9B-YF1wG/s400/r8.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kevin and Hailey started school (just 1 day a week). I am able to clean houses during that time. Kevin has started talking more and loves hanging out in a classroom full of boys!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_mbjcNw8CTsCS8DwC8CJ7lztKWrLxziM0NjJrnS7qlsH_ASar3YufRQuLs0LryVLJX2yNYxRyzDbh8Hnbt2EpI_fqiH551gOy8ECzw74C998XcwLVf1QqwLFbLtqwxIYrWqxylmfBq_a/s1600-h/r6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265578051861449426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_mbjcNw8CTsCS8DwC8CJ7lztKWrLxziM0NjJrnS7qlsH_ASar3YufRQuLs0LryVLJX2yNYxRyzDbh8Hnbt2EpI_fqiH551gOy8ECzw74C998XcwLVf1QqwLFbLtqwxIYrWqxylmfBq_a/s400/r6.jpg" border="0" /></a> Relaxing on the patio
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEibSn7fBOAtwNH3AXpzftDQqV-VpqHZRzU7Ciw_fClf5ZHPFpZJWvoG4SvU6wIrt7CXxCO5k0RUnVRXy2Uwgu35Pnld9lm7L0BoxUr7ffcsktczY1P7mfcIIuyj150d5UHxO6IWLUE_57/s1600-h/r5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265576672416333154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEibSn7fBOAtwNH3AXpzftDQqV-VpqHZRzU7Ciw_fClf5ZHPFpZJWvoG4SvU6wIrt7CXxCO5k0RUnVRXy2Uwgu35Pnld9lm7L0BoxUr7ffcsktczY1P7mfcIIuyj150d5UHxO6IWLUE_57/s400/r5.jpg" border="0" /></a> He would not participate in carving pumpkins...he didn't like the slime!!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkB30jnfwmIvlKGfgRSDkBpb2T4Z9932zpUho3qDx7tgerAG7LqGbfvq6NljkzOoWUPG0ideEbRuWE5hp2tNenxUZFv9npCiFcXMJ2DgM20hUa0WIlS3kOTVCcPeukCEC2gxvbS4ZGFSr/s1600-h/r4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265576662171693234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkB30jnfwmIvlKGfgRSDkBpb2T4Z9932zpUho3qDx7tgerAG7LqGbfvq6NljkzOoWUPG0ideEbRuWE5hp2tNenxUZFv9npCiFcXMJ2DgM20hUa0WIlS3kOTVCcPeukCEC2gxvbS4ZGFSr/s400/r4.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here I am drinking from the girls princess cup....
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTh76ZRVEotD2oPhzC4HpoAuF35gkRKLiX7EMD39YvPaHKpdw_LizUWdnBlhz4WC-NQEp-ujsmi13d-abIIlUZx_s2U6nhOdQXzGx4oXYEw4ohWkkmjl7f5T6kZ2KhzSBOSJuN1Tq5iy3/s1600-h/r3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265576657184055058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTh76ZRVEotD2oPhzC4HpoAuF35gkRKLiX7EMD39YvPaHKpdw_LizUWdnBlhz4WC-NQEp-ujsmi13d-abIIlUZx_s2U6nhOdQXzGx4oXYEw4ohWkkmjl7f5T6kZ2KhzSBOSJuN1Tq5iy3/s400/r3.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...and here is LC "drinking" from a large princess cup!!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprFkCb_wGdPrP4mdWOaH921b3F06Dm3QpFcSZdPPq-zv_Q9avshMaT-_duUaXA9UPqg0BA4xTcgdvlZuk_wiyTR6cU79dLaqlbTlFbkjSbJEXMfRVNVrVCfvo2-yTVgLVNxAT75RK_1Ic/s1600-h/r2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265576654592118978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprFkCb_wGdPrP4mdWOaH921b3F06Dm3QpFcSZdPPq-zv_Q9avshMaT-_duUaXA9UPqg0BA4xTcgdvlZuk_wiyTR6cU79dLaqlbTlFbkjSbJEXMfRVNVrVCfvo2-yTVgLVNxAT75RK_1Ic/s400/r2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hailey has a quiet and mysterious personality. It has been so fun spending more time with her (while LC is at school).
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhsxXdFnCwAqnzBKWRQ810TwIlCPAww7mBP4kAH__Y9zvt6fitGDkMiosdHzjNq7_ooaby8_GTfiiK4s2c54U37iLVsdA_gxoJdfLob5326Pk4grqJbIR4P0q_k9m3rWeJSzNRBmDj_GN/s1600-h/r1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265576645558627330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhsxXdFnCwAqnzBKWRQ810TwIlCPAww7mBP4kAH__Y9zvt6fitGDkMiosdHzjNq7_ooaby8_GTfiiK4s2c54U37iLVsdA_gxoJdfLob5326Pk4grqJbIR4P0q_k9m3rWeJSzNRBmDj_GN/s400/r1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><p align="center">Stay tune for Part 2!!</p>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-27792413844426002922008-11-06T09:39:00.000-06:002008-11-06T09:52:42.890-06:00Jackson Skate NightLauren could not be happier with school. She loves her teacher (and her teacher loves the Lord) and has so many new friends. This year she is not the youngest and she is enjoying the perks of following rules and it's rewards. There was recently a skate party for her school and the whole family was invited. Amazingly we ALL were able to skate (even Kevin)!! This was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">first</span> time one of us did not have to "sit out" and watch the baby...amazing. Although some were more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">successful</span>, we all had a great time. Here are some pics of us at the skating place and Lauren and her Teacher.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265572170089934386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 348px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjboOnaUXks8Js3vFYDa6XtJ6LoDtjUjkBZWzwLwCSElngtog0_m_fHJZ9eu6CwMjd3-eGn8aABOP1CiQYJntTjMhshoU-9c0SBe06Q2BwCZ-N4SFvGYPzCQWxpzBqFdEx1XqT8FvRDCx/s400/sp1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265572188225007506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXejckKtbq9x6F-R313m4uejwPKaDLbh2zRBWAW7tVPea28BbP2iJvFzRW7WxNnOja2jHBA_68Ao0GmKySHN2PO-j9A0olt2KEWUg-Rokd5QNMJY8n7SOi0DEyYzA9x2D8sij3pjog5o8/s400/sp4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265572178539017330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g4tv37bwftcLJaOSYAhek_p7HPVeYkPuy4pGooN-WqtPFe4YAF2WKUKtgszhRMueUevWu9X2NobzoMPo7_ozeK0sAB9aQ6HHnOC3VsyDgxrmj_xZgxnS4qDaUVsgKWFaQQKaFBSTO3jK/s400/sp3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265572174668434018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q3AFzVPWP5sf3hQX0QkcXiFHue7O82gNPuDj-38YYiYcmWOscKUQcOGXTA3deOkHrqnCFihQlu3veh-CDOiU2yPDyLi9r4f8nF8ZlcD6domlMxB3MteUOT45kV0dyqEnnu0p2MjTPDGu/s400/sp2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265572191039925058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgubzu84oXl0fsSm-AJN7MKYr1LIHo-PMu0MZnLTKi6y6WDY9lxbQyHyPTmYY22uT2CRn8XMqBUDEnLttEhtdcdzgw8Df3pLS3vUoeIFEfqUuk6bW5HjyPzpyHUqIUWknW3BglSVLBDHG3/s400/r10.jpg" border="0" />Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-70051422735156723132008-11-03T15:58:00.000-06:002008-11-03T16:13:32.336-06:00Well Fed!!While visiting my sister's home in California I came upon this picture. It was posted on the fridge (I'm sure at some point her daughter will be the one to take it down). I laughed at the sight of it. I had seen this picture many times before but I guess after being gone for over a year I saw it in a different light. My neice is now 8 (you can see her in my previous post) and I am happy to say she is a beautiful young lady...
<div></div>
<div>...this picture has not been doctored in any way.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264556165254365346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNadPUV78WX5zzdWrFLMR7SOglY4mDnNRrYVHeuLy7sKhyphenhyphenuG10A5PvGnBcrqYQ4jMeKZG9oMSVAzVhHUKacTAAB7a-ZltnmLkHAHdM-Cto-6NwRoJvsazcKdoSzSF1tbHE_M1twvMwzduv/s400/c6.jpg" border="0" /></div>
From what I can tell she was only 4-5 months in this pic!!! I must say, I am so proud of my sister. She has grown so much in the last 8 years as a mom. It has changed her in every way and her children are blessed by her love and hard work. Love you Kristen!!... okay now get back to work!!!Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-47540584805841588762008-11-03T14:11:00.000-06:002008-11-03T14:44:03.992-06:00Trip back to my home land (er ...town)As some of you know my Pop (grandfather) passed away about a month ago. I was blessed to go back to California to attend his grave side service and spend some time with family. Here are a few pictures from my trip ...
<div align="center">This was the first night. I had so much fun reading books and enjoyed lots of cuddle time with my neice(8) and nephew(5) (my twin sisters children).</div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264527476304558242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh5i1qYUxMkqLim8PDjBWhGVeDsSpc6drtVJViIeSWAV6XP5gdOwk5D0EAde9MVBh7do2rGc5uPsJMRFDeMsRdj1E30IDdYDWy853ZFKShuHYpvyPpSXYDs6-iWe932yZnKVpmSj3BOv_/s400/c2.jpg" border="0" />
<div align="center">Isn't she gorgeous?!!</div>
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHwn6QBUNzu5KNLgSdXhr8I-OK43I4cPj-psmDiAH_QPFv1tHteXmRRSj8sQ2o2YlJUSzKoy9PC8UwcHUPpwCrfQhi5ecnw0zoRDZjOZMyj391jR4xhm-lgO98VZ7rmidzPQoSAZSq9hj/s1600-h/c8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264527493420364194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHwn6QBUNzu5KNLgSdXhr8I-OK43I4cPj-psmDiAH_QPFv1tHteXmRRSj8sQ2o2YlJUSzKoy9PC8UwcHUPpwCrfQhi5ecnw0zoRDZjOZMyj391jR4xhm-lgO98VZ7rmidzPQoSAZSq9hj/s400/c8.jpg" border="0" /></a> Right after I landed in SLO My sister and the kids went shopping downtown. It was almost time for Farmer's and we ran into a guy and his snake. I asked to touch it, then he let me hold it...it was amazing!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNpaE-AcdvguXnSla4QCV7mlqbGv2FAMKBFUgabUthMqHa2Y9w61x4v8VucdoTYivmwq9wMEJDj40Kwjnmg9fIdhpkCd11Sj5BxuPkHKFFM7f6d51qWKvF1MUOa5ONBroeaRaajmi3IoW/s1600-h/c1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264527464486200642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNpaE-AcdvguXnSla4QCV7mlqbGv2FAMKBFUgabUthMqHa2Y9w61x4v8VucdoTYivmwq9wMEJDj40Kwjnmg9fIdhpkCd11Sj5BxuPkHKFFM7f6d51qWKvF1MUOa5ONBroeaRaajmi3IoW/s400/c1.jpg" border="0" /></a> I think Mitchell looks a lot like Kevin....
<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264527484283423074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgm7sL3oPQmmiRE_4MbXCO2y49td2BddYfqQ5gB9-no4AGn90XdK_TLh583SVsLVLF2WVpNb5CqwDTeJ5SwjSFbiuF-LmS4kGVxk-5GmxU0DCenVm-wGOITvO-W3f4vYKke9b5fSAuBXs/s400/c7.jpg" border="0" /> Here is a pic of me and my siblings.</div><div>From left Rebecca, Mia, Billy and Kristen
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpX8Z0iqgT1gXuFObghiB0o425cfbACMtWpQ9sU8dvA4Y4fn1chMWlMLfavQVOiF96QP_H_t8Zo20kVYu-aXspFyHAHRdNMjjA4_OXh1jzcUaK3hbgMfHydoAf2DDYob3Xa4G-y-u2zRt/s1600-h/c4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264527478505238114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpX8Z0iqgT1gXuFObghiB0o425cfbACMtWpQ9sU8dvA4Y4fn1chMWlMLfavQVOiF96QP_H_t8Zo20kVYu-aXspFyHAHRdNMjjA4_OXh1jzcUaK3hbgMfHydoAf2DDYob3Xa4G-y-u2zRt/s400/c4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-68903292807104708232008-10-24T08:55:00.000-05:002008-10-24T09:18:39.292-05:00It's that time of yearAs I think back, going to the pumpkin patch was so much fun. Warm cider, a haunted house, corn mazes, wooden cut outs painted so when you stuck your head in you appeared to be a monster and best of all finding the "perfect" pumpkin. Sadly, these days upon arriving at the pumpkin patch you realize it's not really a "patch" at all. Instead it's a parking lot or front lawn covered in pumkin's that came from who know's where. I don't mean to be a downer, but I definatlty miss the experiance of going to an actual farm (surprisingly in California they still have thse, just not here in Texas).
<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>However the kids don't know any better and we all had a great time!! There was a tractor they could climb on, a hay ride and we were able to support a good cause...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260722891344481346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLgK337HElYxRlPQBxS8UMslU4oWXq32KHyHXo2GB9qpGsLTxkHjYM8iHSt5-bEGCQcc1y-BpDdh_H58PXrtniASF9TNAR9d0fzwrOgcFSYiMaS3BZnjkHGfF1atPEGjmtsMrCATGBaAj/s400/p3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260722905632283506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKX1X6kc7PVLW4ZEvqH9mcV44lQzD96Feu_KJmXgB5rZoKPhw6QXVa5_g6fp4nRTou1rBgEZc3UDO2ZjA1u82KyhgodVzMaFx3dKHrpHDO-QCjZEYR55fNU3hCcVOuc4P-_aFxuL9yLWy/s400/p5.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260722877234864322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdp0LHlMEwq3Kw1DdNkp5ppg2OY0XvUoTSD4vkcGOnG0y1gwBiixX7ItyKkkrf7YKtVIK2h7w4-tLP7x2Bdy7JMYU0vRkTZlbX1az1vSU4WuErMHrEcKCzxbkdJTF_S44Vw_ElgZAGFkx/s400/p1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260722880041580082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv5ZK2arH3xfcofEOnPY5AMPiOUiROciXsp0_-GN6OwuZN3S9KSZLogVgpU-7j2OyzysiDbBsbHlU7c0A5gFHekged-6X2I-_-gf_aJgCEkS6JpZbv_Jr39HOaTjNZQgG-jhu690AUWwt/s400/p2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260724350500517394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEr3XBpXlTjiiZH0UNpRIVl8mIaXZFsXdBAAWGvFbZOfSSy-VqBa8uoknBbtp-VuW3a43TrmCU6I8CYOiUQe_GpfxGKNilsDRzHaZww4idOF_EumFGssparQX5k0pz9HhSJPPCHew30bXu/s400/p6.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260722900419715346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1tBRDZQjeNO8A0oMWxUNfhkPwj7UuSwdhcJtacGyMKQOtOl8QQUUt6cGn23kkr9dljToGURHX8FBlSWbfk6dE6YX4X4lyqqcN2ZOqqX4_BI0EWFkvxdKSsyLFC794x9d-H4rpWy1H9dq/s400/p4.jpg" border="0" /></div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-4239255724343976902008-10-23T20:31:00.000-05:002008-10-23T21:29:37.979-05:00A Blustery Day ( I think)It felt as though I was in a Winnie the pooh story. Picturesque skies and autumn leaves falling from full trees. Now that Lauren is in school all day she comes home and her sister tells her about our day. Normally Lauren is unmoved by our events while she is away. However last week she was sad she had not gone to the zoo with us. So the following day we picked her up from school and headed back to the zoo (thankfully we have a family membership). We stopped at Sonic and picked up drinks on the way. It was so nice outside, although it was very windy. Here are some pics of our day...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260541128763123314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7aItcwsuObHdRloi3747ugrEEFwOkwkNmw-_ABGPwKWwNZouPI9dFBiH5fcBWf4IVzcjyCa39br22eUENd_ZkvETeNNoGuh62iy3eb_3ehFU8APTgSoYjMwV3Afk7Z4KEuSQPhZ_pjW9/s320/z4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260541138300896562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qWHNzxuMur0lXm5YURw15mIjTi0kXYeKm7dAv2Sx-79MIPfXtcMa35iedEg_fBKL091n_uo9aS64rV25n26bc8X-ZdluJVaWQb6MEHIrvzxbeB7VYnbJ_gMhbP08cb_4VyfwQ2zA_yq7/s320/z2.jpg" border="0" />
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260541144579324834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF8LobOpOZlsuyrc2icRnG9Q0TaI3BKFFAaImqJpuhom-13BlKH_YD_W3ebqQuvADaSWCDIcrjxM3dzxHvFuNKhLjzuRAXVtzW09VoIFZtJY3DEQqGgtS2NyDKfkdlakzjApgHcZM7Zfv/s320/z3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260541132521092674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXdQmSHwR0xne70s9oAb5dGTAigudohyphenhyphenyoBA6r7Jnr86wxqxHqKc1_hcftWs1Mw27wAZzHBcAu-5LBblRe1rykxnczedOCqGetIsNATbjMdIw_MNOH-c3XGjhKGZbBPsn1MDwMEjJUMRf/s320/z1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260541153510326370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4CwXQxfwr7KgiuZAnVv_uvB1Bha6crQ4CTAdXc73FoSeU1s-YZdflY6ZSo0cMEIaMma0U801PRl1YkLsUrg9J1kglIci_CLt8A4ELBH-JWISUwVKYVR2lfxu8RnRoGbKVA0OEG_FBSQa/s320/z5.jpg" border="0" />Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-31562679558431377582008-10-11T20:27:00.000-05:002008-10-11T20:54:07.303-05:00Quick update...It's been a while since I posted anything. I'm just going to update everyone on what is going on with us... <div>On the IMB front things are still going smoothly. Athough it turns out that the e-mail that said our whole family had received medical clearance was a mistake. Matt and Hailey have. However, myself, Lauren and Kevin are still waiting. Lauren has to get blood work done, again. She is not a fan at all and she is so strong it's hard to get done. Also please pray for Matt and I as we continue to complete all things related to mission work. We know that God is calling us to do this but it's easy to get discouraged when you are still unsure of medical clearances and other complications. We are eagerly waiting on God's perfect timing!</div><div>I also went ahead and starting preparing to start cleaning houses. It's been going great. I already have one client (which is great considering I only placed 1 flyer in 1 place and it only stayed there for a few hours before it was taken down). I cleaned my first home on Thursday and I was amzed by how relaxing it was. I was able to work quickly while listening to praise music. It took about 2 hours and I had the rest of the afternoon to get my own house work finished before picking up the kids at school. Now that I have 1 home under my belt I feel ready to go for it!! So, this week I am going to really start promoting and telling people about my new venture... Here are some recent pics. We were just relaxing outside waiting for Matt to get home. I am so blessed with cute kids (and yes I know, I'm totally biased)!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256078003607021666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WGDrehTwFXkiA2lfUNC1lodvG0vF2GYnX0ObS1DmZRiZWUSGjKd_I_6EAQklxMHYn5E8F4DgEdkesSMr9Q_3J9lRDO_nWCmNFh0MmL0xyQKGCS4rhKqfQYR1bxA47WQ2sJG7qguj9mVM/s320/1.jpg" border="0" /></div>
<p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256078011547618754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYPwQuRThZPEPv1mybpgoNb-wRXu87fPwphZqPOnr3-zxHoUr2AZoHQv-lC2naDMmIOVJFDtFUDPLj7Xmzsx6kYpnbci2-SU-m7lQzx1T-lQWVC7gtYgSThyphenhyphenjifZcj2Ldgl4JxEo5hCCY/s320/2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256078021713569266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojgfMHQA5GF61ntI-Y4cUL3YRMS7K9q8LBg7xI9ggp2k7gez2lwSYroH1DhuY8rLbUFY9wPDoFGyorsCOuGw60QUBkpW_Muya7egxdnaqjoslNvEKVkfQp0N06EjExzjtMsi0PFym5bgx/s320/3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256078033060868498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizeqGECCtSSmeQ58GD6qp-ST4SpOHB10B4p-jyXjgZ0N2Psgi9RMD52zdy_1a9Mu6QshvqZxp_BnGKkqTT202rCEx60iVowWm5_GuiyGdi5bova2eG__3HZEYvLOisfC8zFtbnnOoRRch/s320/4.jpg" border="0" /><em></em></p><p><em>Lord, I pray that as our family continues through the process of applying with the IMB that You would continue to direct our steps. I pray that we would trust you in everything and that we would not be fooled by the enemies attacks. I pray that you would continue to confirm your call on our lives. I pray for our children as they go through their days that they would see Christ in us and they would place their trust in Him. Thank you for all that you have sacrificed for us and all that you have blessed us with. May we continue to give it ALL to you. In Christ's Holy name, Amen.</em></p>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-91803639561408567682008-09-16T08:40:00.000-05:002008-09-16T08:54:09.361-05:00In good health...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ1tFYzQpRiT27_vyO9XehyphenhyphenHjbWoURO8OXhEGTuVFbbYWYPh2UJrn-qAVAJdYssTQnovXgPnsV5j7tegKTAT4uIKj7eKSUxcnRB-pwNkysDryHMdkrhQtqzWcX6nL_FVNjufUhQxplTxz/s1600-h/medical.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246614419780229010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ1tFYzQpRiT27_vyO9XehyphenhyphenHjbWoURO8OXhEGTuVFbbYWYPh2UJrn-qAVAJdYssTQnovXgPnsV5j7tegKTAT4uIKj7eKSUxcnRB-pwNkysDryHMdkrhQtqzWcX6nL_FVNjufUhQxplTxz/s320/medical.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<p>This past week has been a roller coaster. After my post last week I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">emotionally</span> tired. I began to pray that God would restore my soul and that I would seek His answer. After a lot of prayer I have decided not to complete my application to work full time outside the home. I KNOW God wants me with my children. </p><p>As you know i am working through a bible study on the Proverbs 31 Woman. This week's lessons were on "Her Loyalty" and "Her Contribution". God is so good! After reading <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">about</span> Her Contribution I began to pray for an answer to our financial struggle. God opened my eyes to a job that would allow be to have my children with me and make some extra money. Housecleaning. I am finishing all of my readiness and plan on putting my name out next week. Please join me in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">praying</span> that I would be busy!! </p><p>Also we got some very exciting news this morning...we are ALL medically cleared for missions. As many of you know I have severe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rheumatoid</span> Arthritis that is controlled with 2 weekly injections and Lauren has recently had surgery. I thought that we might not even receive clearance for at least another month. I am so thankful we have gotten our clearance. We are 1 step closer...</p>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-47581082518393189792008-09-09T14:06:00.000-05:002008-09-09T14:33:15.816-05:00I'm giving up...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ZrV5XDos44jSY56uHgAt_ZpVmRX7qQu4b_0TKOel4p3_NEMfe9rVasN_24SmbWzuDWbo-3jWHOvKNImzy9znttS0qt65wKpgNgi7Oa6xXpwh8LTASPE8IoHnVK0P5-j9-pcdpH-eANE/s1600-h/women+at+work.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244101906347737634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ZrV5XDos44jSY56uHgAt_ZpVmRX7qQu4b_0TKOel4p3_NEMfe9rVasN_24SmbWzuDWbo-3jWHOvKNImzy9znttS0qt65wKpgNgi7Oa6xXpwh8LTASPE8IoHnVK0P5-j9-pcdpH-eANE/s320/women+at+work.jpg" border="0" /></a> I've had it!! I am tired of giving it to God... and then taking it back when I think no one will notice. I know better!! God has shown Himself to be faithful and ever present in my life. As we continue the process of applying with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IMB</span> I find myself thinking, "when is the other shoe going to drop?" I feel so unworthy of this high calling and it seems sometimes I spend a whole lot of time worrying and little time trusting. God has continued to confirm this calling on our lives.
Last week I began a new bible study. I'm sure many of you are familiar with it. Beautiful in God's Eyes, by Elizabeth George. I am realized that my definitions are far different from the Lords (and I am so thankful for that!!) I desire to be a woman of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">character</span> and a jewel to my husbands crown. Among many other things I desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. At this point I have nothing to lose!! If the world judges me and calls me a Jesus FREAK, I will praise Him because He has called me to be set apart. I will seek Him in everything and trust that His ways are higher than my ways.
I will also add <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">that</span> I am currently struggling about what to do with our debt. I know that God called me to stay at home with my children. However when our small business flooded last August we were left with about $23,000 of debt. We have paid off about half, however I know this needs to be taken care of. I am so thankful for a husband who provides for our family. However at this point we are unable to pay off any more debt. There is just nothing left at the end of the month. So here is what I am faced with:
Do I take a step of faith and apply for a full time job at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dyess</span> AFB CDC knowing that God will open or SHUT the doors??
or
Do I continue to stay at home with my children and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">trust</span> that God will provide a way to pay off this debt??
I feel like staying at home and not doing anything would be foolish. But, am I not trusting God to provide if I apply for this job?? At this point I am trusting God as I apply for this position. Please join me in praying that God, in His perfect timing, will open or shut doors according to His purpose.
So, here I am swallowing my pride, allowing you to see who I really am. A person covered by His grace and standing in faith, trusting His ways are better than mine. I am giving up and giving it ALL to Him.
<div> </div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-37788476209641712752008-08-24T21:07:00.000-05:002008-08-24T21:30:45.502-05:00under fire....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA_b5y82Y28W8UgZ-schAAmxb4J7TNSJXWuNA0BJc3EhAwMQqSLFLCg6N2cZEb0ysesgUNFEgn2BWkHIjozeiE8fbdtkYSuSdE7AUSn5h2SI3I7oU8QWgUmCmAV1pUWq1PwwrnEUe66u2/s1600-h/warfare.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238277135247795858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA_b5y82Y28W8UgZ-schAAmxb4J7TNSJXWuNA0BJc3EhAwMQqSLFLCg6N2cZEb0ysesgUNFEgn2BWkHIjozeiE8fbdtkYSuSdE7AUSn5h2SI3I7oU8QWgUmCmAV1pUWq1PwwrnEUe66u2/s320/warfare.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Emergency room visits, electricity turned off for no reason, losing my diamond out of my wedding ring, car breaking down, locked out of my car, and the list goes on and on. Since returning from summer camp in mid July and announcing our plans to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">obedient</span> to Christ our lives have been turned upside down. It seems as though what could go wrong has. All this I have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dealt</span> with mostly at home by myself. Matt was working out of town for the past 4 weeks. I had every opportunity to wallow in self pity and ask God why? And a year ago I would have done just that!! What a difference a year makes. I am so thankful to share that God has shown me measure upon measure of His grace in my life during this time. After a year of praying and asking God what <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">direction</span> He wanted for our lives, I have done plenty of waiting on Him. I am so glad He is active in my life and I can see His hand in every situation. For example, the diamond fell out of my wedding ring and I looked for it all over only to find it on my kitchen floor later that day. When our car would not start in San Antonio we were in a parking lot with a man who had just started his own "roadside assistance" business and there was an Auto Zone across the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">street</span> with the parts we needed!! In every emergency there was an awesome outcome. He is so good. He has met our every need and given us grace as we deal with life. I cannot say it is FUN being under attack but I can say I am thankful that Gods favor rests with us and He has extended us grace. Spiritual warfare has never been so "real" to me, but I can say that I know who wins in the end and I'm humbled to be on His side...</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-78828736915118090582008-08-18T08:24:00.000-05:002008-08-18T08:34:39.995-05:00God continues to confirm...I am blown away by how quickly God answers prayer. Again and again we pray for God to make a way where there seems to be no way and in His timing He is faithful. As some of you know we have been waiting almost 6 months to close on the sale of our home. It should have happened months ago. However due to some financing issues with the buyers and other happenings it still has not happened. This past Friday we got a call from our realtor and she said the sale of our home was not going to go through and we needed to think about our options. After getting off the phone I said to Matt "this has to go through in order for us to be considered for missions". So we prayed that God would make a way if this was His plan for us. Later in the day our realtor called again and said she didn't know how it happened but the sale went through that afternoon and all we were waiting on is us signing the papers when we got back into town (we were in San Antonio). She said I don't know how this happened. It was so awesome that all I could do was smile and think to myself "I know how it happened...We prayed and God, in His perfect timing, He answered!!"Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-60334003687537120482008-08-03T17:38:00.000-05:002008-08-03T17:44:08.204-05:00In Process<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkpiBVVFDUJdPbUeYg0OU458adP3uLbqISKkHq1jAp_H9q6hylAI525lberyTC4rHyYOF3Saj6ZbCXeyZcO8YyZ7E0DHAy7JTucIOhUan2S89y13p1mNiDWpvKUIm5apCGkfNMpCqDj3z/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230425767311370178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkpiBVVFDUJdPbUeYg0OU458adP3uLbqISKkHq1jAp_H9q6hylAI525lberyTC4rHyYOF3Saj6ZbCXeyZcO8YyZ7E0DHAy7JTucIOhUan2S89y13p1mNiDWpvKUIm5apCGkfNMpCqDj3z/s320/images.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>At the time being we are working on 3 papers (each) for part 3 of our IMB application. Matt and I have not written a "paper" since high school but we are excited to continue seeking Christ!! Please be praying for us as we go through the application process... Thanks to all of you who checked out the new blog, we will continue posting as God moves in our lives!!</div><div> </div><div>Covered by HIS Grace...</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3082141129951799431.post-78039217858891953042008-08-01T12:48:00.000-05:002008-08-01T13:30:23.662-05:00Surrendering Everything<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWNbEC2PTS_mzfDXDJAZWh3biJ-MhiEa-3LOb-YSufLjE3a97vySXHOt5vRq2aIgNNhyphenhyphenId5S8khS8B1oEcb3_-CpU_1AfyEZS54Thoji0qiR9XVfEIOCKy781dnPtS92elE3aWvBm5sRi/s1600-h/portugal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229616862966622322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWNbEC2PTS_mzfDXDJAZWh3biJ-MhiEa-3LOb-YSufLjE3a97vySXHOt5vRq2aIgNNhyphenhyphenId5S8khS8B1oEcb3_-CpU_1AfyEZS54Thoji0qiR9XVfEIOCKy781dnPtS92elE3aWvBm5sRi/s320/portugal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>In the past month I have been blown away by how BIG God is. I sadly realized that I had put Him in a box and expected far less from Him. Before leaving for Falls Creek I prayed that God would open my eyes, that I would fully surrender to Him and that He would speak to me in a way that I could not deny. I am so thankful we serve a God who hears our prayers! </div><div> </div><div>After arriving at camp <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Monday</span> afternoon (July 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>) we settled in to our cabin. That night at tabernacle (worship & teaching) I practically begged God to speak to me. Something...anything!! For a good part of the past year we have been seeking Him. What He wants for us. He called us to sell our home and we did. We have had garage sale after garage sale to get rid of all the "stuff" in our lives. But we still wanted to know "why?". Why did He want us to simplify things? Why did He call us to sell our home? I just wanted to have an answer from Him so we could move on and "plan" for the future. I'm sure over the past year God spent many days laughing saying, "child what are you doing?? Be still.." So Monday I went to bed surrendered. Surrendered to what He wanted for me. Surrendered to His desires and not my own.</div><br /><div>Tuesday was a blur. I was exhausted from the day and then at 10:15 pm a missionary was coming to speak. I wasn't really interested...I just wanted to sleep! However Joe came and spoke to us. I have heard a lot of missionaries speak over the past 10 years, but this time something was different. I hung on to his every word and as he spoke all I could hear in my own head was "GO". Over and over, "go, you're going, it's time, go." No it wasn't an audible voice, but it was there. Like when your thinking to yourself, but it was not me. By the end of his lesson I knew God was calling me (and my family) to missions. Later Matt and I went for a walk and I told him about what God had called us to. He reminded me that when he was first saved he felt called to missions. However once we got engaged I was already signed up for duty with the USAF, so he put it aside. We prayed that God would speak to Him and we would both be confidant in what God was calling us to.</div><br /><div>The next morning during worship they talked about an opportunity to go overseas for 2 weeks on missions. I thought maybe this is it. I can go for 2 weeks and be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">obedient</span> and that's it! I went to get more information about the trip (I was under the impression that you had to have a 4 year degree to be a missionary...so I had counted that out). When I went in I explained that I hadn't finished my degree( so I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">couldn't</span> BE a missionary) so I was just going to do this. She informed me that I was wrong and we could apply with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IMB</span> for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ISC</span>(International Service Corps). I knew that this was what God was calling us to so I asked for more info on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ISC</span>. She explained that we would need a platform (job title). Well, Matt wouldn't have an obvious platform(he isn't a teacher or something) so I asked about sports (thinking yeah right). Turns out Sports Coordinator is one of them!! I was so blown away. Then she asked where I felt called and Portugal was the only thing that came to mind. However I didn't want to say anything because I had no reason to say Portugal. So I kept my mouth shut. As she did the search for sports <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">positions</span> Portugal kept popping into my head (I was thinking "what is going on here?") and (of course) Portugal was available. I wrote all of this down and prayed with Kristi. When I got back to our cabin I shared this with a good friend and decided I would not say <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">anything</span> to Matt. I didn't want him to see SPORTS and PORTUGAL and think "okay lets go!!". I wanted him to hear from God. I wanted him to lead our family. So I continued to pray for God to speak to him.</div><br /><div>Thursday was pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">un</span>eventful. I kept waiting all day for Matt to come and say "God showed me too!" But it didn't happen. So that evening I wasn't expecting much at worship. I knew God would speak to Matt in His timing. During worship Matt came to me crying (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">immediately</span> I thought something had happened to one of the kids) He said" I feel called to Portugal, God is calling us to Portugal" (can you even <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">believe</span> it!!?) I showed him the paper I had written on the day before and we prayed and cried together. </div><br /><div>While at camp Matt and I continued to pray that God would speak to us through His word and His people to confirm His call on our lives. He is so faithful. Over the next few days He did just that. Over and over again he confirmed that we are called to missions (specifically Portugal). </div><br /><div>I know this first post has been long but we wanted to share what God is doing in our lives and hope you will join us in praying for God to make a way (His way) for us to serve, as He has called, in overseas missions.</div>Matt & Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441470663514077700noreply@blogger.com0