Dean = Hope

A few weeks ago, John and I had an interesting encounter while grabbing coffee at a nearby Roasters.

We had stayed inside for about an hour, kicking back and sipping on hot tea and coffee. The evening was chilly and windy, so after finishing our drinks, we made a fast exit toward our warm car. Out of nowhere, a man comes upon us and strikes up a conversation (I say out of nowhere, for that is how it seemed to me--apparently he had been standing inside the Roasters just near the doorway attempting to stay warm without bothering any other patrons--John had seen him there). He began to ask John questions, one of them being if we knew of a man that frequented this Roasters--"his name was Jared and he was a Christian." We told him we did not know Jared, and then asked if there was something we could help him with.

The man began to tell John about his struggles in life--how he had 3 DWI's, was just fresh out of prison, how he rides the bus every day in search of a job, etc.
It was amazing how he just felt so comfortable sharing with John. Let me say that this was not your ordinary down-on-his-luck kind of guy. He was genuinely struggling, definitely trying, and assuredly reaching out for help. Not once did he ask John for money or food. He simply enjoyed talking.

After about 30 minutes of conversation, we invited him to get in our warm vehicle and take a load off (we were having date night, so no children were present). He was so thankful just to have a heater blowing in his face. We offered to drive him to wherever it was that he was staying, and he agreed.
After stopping for some food, we began the drive across town. Apparently he was living in a not-so-good part of town, with just a sleeping bag and plastic tent to his name.

The interesting part was the drive.

I sat in the back and just listened to him continue his talk with John. I was amazed at how much he had to say. Apparently he was lonely....and very tired. He kept apologizing over and over for being a burden to us, and that broke my heart. He also continued to say how embarassed he was about his current situation, and the fact that he did not really have a way to keep himself groomed or clean.
As we drove, he told John more life stories--and that his name was Dean. He turned to John and told him that he looked familiar, and what was weird was I was thinking the same thing about Dean the whole time. More on that later....

There was one story he told that stuck with me.

Dean asked if we went to church anywhere. He then told us which church he had been visiting for a few weeks now, and then he told John about how he liked the Old Testament Bible Characters (i.e. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc) the best. When John asked him which story was his favorite, he replied:
*loosely quoted*

"I like the one about a man---oh, I can't remember what his name was--maybe Abraham? (It was actually Elijah, but we didn't correct him) Anyway, he visited a widow and he told her to go make him some bread to eat. She didn't want to because all she had left was enough to feed her and her son one more time. He told her to do it anyway, and she did. Then her food and oil didn't dry up. I think it's cool that the woman always had food from that point on--she would never run out. I want that someday."

As he finished his story, we arrived in an alley to which he had directed us. Dean fought back the emotions and he grabbed his sack of food and beverage in preparation to leave the car. He commented on how long it had been since he had felt the warmth of a heater and had food in his belly. I think he said it had been days since he had eaten. He was overly thankful for the ride and the food, and it seemed as though he just wanted to linger a bit longer and talk. Feeling the need for sleep catching up with him, he stepped out of the car, shut the door, and disappeared into the dark alley.

Dean has been on my mind every day since then. I wondered if he was okay. Was he sick? Hurting? Hungry? Tired? Alive?

Something about his favorite Bible story hit me too. At first I thought it very odd that THAT one was his favorite--after all, it's not well known (1Kings 17:8-16 if you are interested in reading it). You know what though? It gave Dean hope. Hope that he might someday be like that woman and his food would not run out.

I am not sure if Dean was real or not. Let me explain.
I feel like he might have been an angel. I know you hear that sometimes about strangers, but I really think it applies here. His familiarity was overwhelming. His eyes were kind, his spirit humble, his heart very real. We had expected to see him recently again (or hoping we'd see him is more like it) since we were in his neighborhood, but he never showed up. I worried about it when I got home, hoping and praying that he had found a job and was moving on up instead of being stuck in his rut. Amazingly, a sense of peace came over me, and I was calmed by the thought that Dean was only here for a short time to speak into my life what I needed to hear.

Thinking that I might just have seen an angel gives ME hope. Having a man like Dean remind me that there is, in fact, hope left in this world was more than I ever bargained for when John and I invited him to take a car ride with us.
I can't wait to someday find out--is he still here? Was he real? My answers will come--I'm sure of it.

Mel

The 1st Before/After

I finally got pictures taken of the living room since we've changed it up a bit...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Mel

Praise

Today has been a day of praise!

My mom's surgery was a big success. After a very long wait and about a 2 hour surgery, she had good news. The doctor believes the cancer had not spread, so the parts that were removed were the only ones involved. That means she will NOT have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation--2 of her biggest fears. She has another 3-4 days left of her hospital stay, but thanks to sweet nurses and great pain meds, she should be feeling like herself in no time. I am just so thankful for thoughts, prayers, etc.
We serve a very mighty God!


Also, baby Stellan's surgery went very well. He is recovering, and the doctors are trying to decide where to go from here with his heart condition. Just the mere fact that he came through the very risky surgery is amazing in itself!

Mel

The Long Stories Short (Sort Of)

I know, I know. It's been forever since I've blogged. I will, however, make up for that this week-promise!

Do you ever have "those" stories--you know, the ones that, to you, are not long--but they somehow turn out to take forever to tell when relaying them to someone else? Ok, then you can see where I'm going with this.

First Long Story Short (sort of):

~As most of you know, John and I have a condition called Gymrataholicness...quite simply put, we frequent Gold's Gym on a daily basis (sometimes twice a day if I'm wanting to play racquetball). We know most of the people that come at our regular time, and we chat it up a lot between sets. Actually, we have people come up to us every now and then that are very friendly and just want to strike up a conversation.

This is one of those instances.

While working out alone one afternoon, about 5 wks ago (John was on shift and I was minding my own business), an older man came up to me and began asking questions.

"Ma'am, do you go to church anywhere?" he asked.

"Yes sir, I do," I replied. I was really trying hard to ignore him, but he wasn't going away anytime soon. I'm just really not used to talking to "strangers" when John isn't around.

"What church? And are you involved in your church at all?" he quizzed.

"PCF, and yes, I am involved. I play the violin with the worship team amongst other things."

"You play the violin, do you? Ohhhh....can you fiddle?"

"Actually, yes sir, I can."

"Wow. Well, can you play 'Cotton Eyed Joe'?"

"Absolutely!"

"Ohhhh wow. I would LOVE to hear you play sometime. It's been years since I've heard that song. Do you play anywhere else besides church? See, I go to The Church At Quail Creek, and we have a great team of musicians. Maybe you'd like to join 'em sometime??"

*Oh dear. He was now putting me on the spot.*

"Well, I'd love to come play, but I'm sure I'd have to find time to do that. Maybe someday."

He nodded and walked away.

Seriously, I thought that was the end of it.
He had other plans.

EVERY DAY since then, he has sought me out in the gym and talked to me. Actually, truth be told, I've begun to really enjoy our short talks. He's a great guy, and he obviously has the same love for the fiddle that I do. Hmmmm....

Ok, so fast forward to today:
John and I were heading into the gym, when this same man stopped us in the parking lot. He dug around in his truck for a few moments, then handed me these:

Apparently, he has been working on getting these tickets for me for some time now. This "opry" at his church is "a big yummy BBQ with a bunch of fiddle playing."
I'm so excited!!

I was completely amazed and blown away by this man's kindness. Just the pure fact that he thought of ME was mindboggling. Wow. I am truly blessed!

I will let you all know how it goes--it should be a lot of fun!!

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Second Long Story Short (sort of):

~Tomorrow is a very busy day for 2 reasons.

First of all, I'd like to let you all know that Stellan, the baby that I've been reading about on his mom's blog for a year now, is having MAJOR heart surgery in the morning. This particular surgery hasn't been performed on a baby and is very risky. In honor of him, people that read his blog are being encouraged to wear orange--it's his mom's favorite color and kind of a way to show support. I am pretty sure I have something orange in my closet (did I mention it's MY favorite color too?!?), so I think I'll join in and have a "wear orange for Stellan day" too.

Also, to help Stellan's family out with the ever-mounting medical expenses, I recently purchased hair accessories off of Etsy.com for Caroline. Aren't they cute?!?

Ok, now on to something a lot more important and closer to home:

My mom, Kathy, was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

I am sharing this here and now 1) because she said I could, and 2) because I'm asking that you pray for her tomorrow. She will be undergoing major abdominal surgery around 12:30pm. Although this type of cancer is very curable and they think they've caught it in the early stages, she's still very concerned (and who wouldn't be?). I will be spending the majority of the day with her, and I will update tomorrow evening with her status and the findings.

Basically, they will go in and take things out, but they won't know for sure the true extent of the situation until they get inside.

I'm just asking for peace and healing for her body--she has a wonderful doctor, as well as as the Great Physician working on her behalf, so really I have no worries. I just want her to be as much at ease as possible.

While you are going about your morning routine, just remember her please. Thank you in advance! :)

Not Me Monday

That's right...I've chosen to actually play along with the rules instead of scrapping the idea all together. Funny how that works out, huh. :)

As most of you know, I used to do "Friday Fess-Ups," and I found them so fun that I just couldn't make them disappear forever. I got the idea from MckMama (http://www.mycharmingkids.net/), and I loved fessing up to things I would "not" do throughout the week.

That all being said, shall we begin?

~I did not take Caroline to a dirty public restroom (after all, which ones are actually CLEAN these days?), let her use the potty all by herself like a big girl, and then leave without washing our hands. Yuck. That would just be too gross to comprehend.

~The kids' Easter candy certainly has not been calling my name from the pantry for several days now. I am not weak. I can say NO like the best of them. Really.

~My poor little Yorkie, Basel, did not get a free haircut this week curtesy of my oh-so-irritating-hair-munching-Sheltie, Charlie. Didn't happen. *deep sigh*

~I don't ever find myself planning the next trip to Target, simply because I think I need a new shirt or funky piece of jewelry. After all, I'm way too busy to have time to contemplate the fact that I have no long red necklace to match a certain shirt already hanging in my closet. Nope.

~I don't tan in a tanning bed. That's unhealthy, and if you know me but at all, then you know I am very health concious. I have no weaknesses.

~Thankfully, I do not take my children to McDonalds, eat a big mac w/fries, and let the kids eat whatever they want and play for as long as they want, just to get a moment's peace. Never happens.

What have you "not" done this week?

Mel

Not An Out Of Body Experience

I usually don't like to do "dramatic" posts (those of you who know me well may be snickering by now), but today being Easter Sunday, I thought it might be okay.

Our family did not go to church today. I know what you're thinking:
"Gasp! The Haskells didn't go to church on EASTER Sunday?? What in the world has come over them?"

Since there have been so many, many questions about "what has come over us lately," I wanted to address them....here....now....for all who wish to know and feel as though they need an explanation.

I am not, nor will I ever be, embarrassed of my Jesus. He is, after all, the reason we humans celebrates Easter. He didn't create the Easter Bunny, didn't promote eggs--or the hiding of them, and he certainly doesn't care if we eat our weight in chocolate bunnies.
Instead, he walked this earth as a man, died on the cross as payment for our sins, and then rose 3 days later from the grave.
Plain and simple.

That all being said, John and I have chosen somewhat of a different route in our spiritual lives. We view the "church", not as a building, but as a group of believers.
The BODY is the church.
We are called as Christ-followers to join together and do the Father's Will here on earth. There are many different opinions as to how this works.

John and I know these statements to be the truth:
1. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist (the Trinity)
2. God has a Will for our lives, but we have a choice as to whether or not we give our lives to Him and submit to that Will
3. There is more to the Body than just meeting in a building once a week

We have made decisions lately that have thuroughly confused and frustrated those that we love and respect. This is sort of my way of explaining without offering up a full explanation--for we feel that if we are doing what the Father says, then there's no need for an explanation.

We chose to step away from the church--as in the building. We are still part of the Body of Christ, and that includes meeting with other Christ followers in homes, eating places, and social gatherings. The one and only thing we have given up for the time being is the Sunday morning service. We are finding more and more ways to become a part of outreach ministries, touching those less fortunate than us, and sharing the love of the Savior with them.
We are listening better than ever to the Holy Spirit. After all, we trust Him with our very lives. If the Holy Spirit nudges us to jump, we ask, "how high?"
John and I just want to walk in the Will for our lives. By stepping out/stepping back, we aren't trying to isolate ourselves. Instead, we are desiring to hear more clearly.

This is not an "out of Body experience"...
...we are not leaving the Body of Christ just because we've left a building for 1 1/2hrs on Sunday mornings.
Instead, we look forward to working more closely with other Christ-followers. We want to serve our purpose in the Body, and we LOVE being around fellow believers, and we should not ever feel divided because of buildings/locations.

That is it folks, as simply put as possible.
Please keep us in your prayers as we seek His face and His Will for our earthly lives.
Trust that we hear from Him, and that what we are doing right now--although it might seem stupid, wrong, or frustrating--is going to make us stronger.

Mel

Etsy & Stellan

Most of you already know this, but I LOVE Etsy (www.etsy.com ) about as much as I love Ebay. Etsy is all things handmade, and that makes it so fun to shop for the kids.
Recently, several Etsy sellers decided to come together and send some of their proceeds to Stellan's family (in case you aren't familiar with Stellan, please go to www.mycharmingkids.net to read his story) for medical expenses and such. I loved the idea of being able to help the "McKfamily" somehow, so I went and shopped a bit.
hee hee hee
I got Caroline some of the most adorable crochet hair clippies at great prices. They also have a ton of baby items (onesies, burp cloths, wippee cases), as well as jewelry and a few items of home decor. There are also some CUTE organic shirts that I'm keeping an eye on for Caitlin.
To shop for all things being sold in Stellan's name, just go to Etsy.com and type "Stellan" into the seach bar. All of the sellers currently participating will have items pop up for your viewing pleasure.
Here is the link to the lady that sells the adorable crochet hair clippies (click on the name below to be taken directly to her store):
BRIAR CLAIRE
I'm sure more and more sellers will be jumping on the "Stellan Fund" bandwagon soon, so I'll continue to go back and look in anticipation.
I just thought it would be nice to do something...anything...for this family, even though I am all the way in Texas.
I did, however, see that another family (the call themselves the B Family) went to the Cadillac Ranch and wrote Stellan's name on a Cadillac for his name gallery...that's SO COOL!!! Check out Stellan's name gallery too if you have a chance. It's quite impressive!

Hurricanes/Tornados??

The wind is HORRIBLE. It has to be blowing steadily at 40+mph and gusting to well above 60mph. Are we under some kind of weather watch and I wasn't informed?? The top story of my house is swaying, and I'm attempting to sleep but the bed is moving.
Jeez Louise.

Mel

My Blogiversary

I know--2 posts in 1 day. WOW.

:)

It's just that I realized that today is my 2nd blogiversary (I've been blogging for 2 years--that's amazing)!!

THANK YOU to all who read my blog, for it was originally meant to just document our lives as a family and have some way for my kids to go back and read about when they were little. I had really no idea that I would have people other than my family reading it---and I think I saw that I've had over 15,000 visitors in the past year. Wish I woulda had a counter for the 1st year. Oh well.

I'm touched!

Mel

Buying Shoes

You would think that buying shoes for a toddler would be easy, right?

Not in the Haskell household.

Apparently, Caroline has a fashion mind of her own and doesn't want Momma picking out what she wears.

Sheesh.

Yesterday, I put her cute pink/brown plaid Rocket Dog sneakers on her feet, only to discover that her toes were scrunched up in the end. I had NO IDEA that she had grown a whole size in a matter of weeks. She's been just wearing flip flops because the weather has been good enough for them, so I hadn't even tried to get her to wear sneakers.

Did I mention she has a huge dislike for socks as well? She'll put them on her hands and pretend to be a "sock hand monster" instead of keeping them on her sweet piggies.

Anywho....

So after realizing her sneakers weren't going to work, I decided it was time to go buy some new ones. First stop---Payless Shoes. We go straight to the section with her size, and sad to say, there wasn't a huge selection. Caroline went right for the pink sparkly dress shoes (which she has about 3 pair of already) and started trying them on. I kept attempting to make her try on sneakers, but she didn't want any part of that. Plus, I wasn't finding anything that I liked well enough to just grab the box and buy them in her size.

What's a momma to do?

I finally made her stop trying on the dress shoes, and that produced a mighty ugly fit. Needless to say, I left Payless with no shoes and a mad little girl in my arms.

There are just times when going shopping is NOT what I want to do (that's sad to say).

She NEEDED a pair of sneakers, so my only choice was to go somewhere else--where she'd be confined to a shopping cart, and her desire to try on every pair of cotton-pickin' shoes in the store would be at a minimum.

We ended up at Target. Let me tell you, they have the CUTEST shoes on the planet! I found probably 6 pair that I wanted to get her, none of which had princesses, sparklies, glitter, or pink on them.

Not what Caroline had in mind at all, that's for sure. The girl only has 3 criteria when it comes to clothing/shoes:

1. pink

2. sparklies

3. princesses

*sigh*

I finally stumbled upon a cute pair of ballet-looking athletic shoes with rainbows and sparklies on them, and she was willing to try them on. When I saw that she wasn't ripping them off in disgust, I quickly grabbed the box and made a bee line for the checkout counter before she could change her mind.

She loves them, and this momma is pleased!

Just to show you how much of a fashionista Caroline is turning out to be, I'll share with you what she said to me in the car on the way home from Target:

Caroline: "Ooooohhhh I like your pretty earrings, Momma!"

Me: "Thank you, baby."

Caroline: "Is that a new shirt? It's pretty too!"

Me: *well my gosh--it actually IS a new shirt* "Yes, Caroline, it is a new shirt. Thank you for noticing."

Wow.

Mel

A Couple Of Things

Since we are staying in this house, we decided to do some redecorating and sprucing up. There were only a few rooms that I wanted to change the colors of, so no better time to do it, right? :)
Here's the list:
1. living room
2. kids' upstairs bathroom
3. Caroline's bedroom

I've picked the colors and already completed #1, so pics will follow soon.

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April Fool's Day is turning out to be a weird one this year. Why, you ask? Well, I've already seen 2 MAJOR traffic accidents today. There's nothing funny at all about that....
My mom did, however, try to pull a fast one on me at lunch time, but I had my April Fool's radar up and waiting--she didn't have a chance at pulling it off. HAHAHAHA!!!
There's just something about today that's kind of odd. If I figure it out, I'll get back to you...

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Trying to teach Basel to use the "piddle pad" in the house (in case you are not familiar with piddle pads, they are designed to help house break dogs--they are a plastic backed cloth that you put on the floor that's full of scent--supposed to attract the dog so they go potty on it) is like trying to teach a monkey to swing dance. Why he chooses to piddle RIGHT NEXT TO the pad is beyond me.
Stuuuuuupid piddle pads. Ornery Basel. Oy!

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Who said it could be this darn windy outside and stay that way for days????? I haven't had a decent hair day in weeks, and my car's gas mileage is biting bad right now. Sheesh. Seriously?!? This much wind? I think it would rival the category 1 hurricanes in Florida any day.
I think I just saw a shingle fly off.
Darn it.

Mel