Bridget Pitney

Monsters Inc: Fighting the Monsters Within You

2012-01-24T13:07:00.007-05:00

I have learned that when bad things happen to you, you have two choices. You can become bitter and angry at God and the world or you can become better and stronger. I choose to become better. There are monsters all around us that want to steal our joy: impatience, hurt, anger, envy, bitterness, greed, loneliness, guilt, etc. The trick is to call them out and find ways to combat them. I find that worship music, the old hymns, really helps me.

You have to tell the voices in your head, that seem so loud, to be quiet. I wish it wasn't so hard. I find myself failing a lot. I have found that if you are not careful that impatience can turn into anger, angry can turn into bitterness, and bitterness turns into envy. Envy is a horrible emotion. Envy not only steals your joy, but it robs you of feeling joy for someone else. Guilt speaks loudly in your ear when you are alone. What did I do wrong? You go through every moment in your mind and wonder what you could have done differently. The Devil would love it if I gave in and let him win. He would love it if I got anger at God and walked away from His love.

I have chosen to lean in to what God is teaching me. If we don't learn something during life's trials, then the situation was wasted. It had no purpose. What is God trying to teach me? I don't know that yet. Even when I feel alone and just want to scream, God is there. While I try and find an explanation, God is there telling me He has it under control. Have I hit the acceptance stage? Hardly. Do I feel better today than I did yesterday? Yes, so far.

I am choosing to become better. I am choosing to move forward and not live in the past. I am choosing not to let the monsters steal my joy for one more day.

2 Cor. 12:9-10: My Grace is Sufficient For You

2012-01-18T09:26:00.003-05:00

2 Cor. 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 3:12-14
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,d but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Do I truly believe this? I am made stronger in weakness. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It sounds good and I want it to be true. But do I really believe it? I am looking forward to God's plan for us this year. The best is yet to come.
Psalm 40:5

Isaiah 40:31: They will walk and not become weary

2012-01-13T11:03:00.000-05:00

* Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

CONTENT; CONTENTMENT
kon-tent', kon-tent'-ment (ya`al; arkeo): To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew means simply "to be pleased." The Greek brings out the full force of the word in 1 Timothy 6:8 Hebrews 13:5. Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is more inward than satisfaction; the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object.

* But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

* I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

You're Still God by Kathy Troccoli

2012-01-12T11:46:00.003-05:00

You're Still God by Kathy Troccoli

Jesus,I love you
And I believe all that you've said.
I know your promises,they are true
Beyond my questions
And times when I just don't understand
Help me remember Lord
The answer's in your hands
So I sit at your feet and I listen
For your ways are much higher then mine

Do what you want to do,I give my all to you
Whatever you ask of me
Lord fill me with your grace.
Do what you got to do,I surrender my life to you.
I'm never whitout a prayer.
You're hope inside my heart.
I know you're still God

Jesus,I need you
I have been wandering in the dark.
Whenever I call your name
There you are
You have been faithful
Even when I have I have turned away.
I've seen your mercy
Always light my way.
So I sit at your feet and I listen
For your ways are much higher then mine.

Every storm you lead me trough
I will put my trust in you
Give me grace to carry on

The Snow is Coming...Maybe

2012-01-11T14:10:00.000-05:00

Thursday Forecast: "Cloudy with snow showers early and steady snow likely later in the day. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected."

According to weather.com, we are under a Winter Storm Watch from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. The article claims that this might be the biggest winter storm of the season. The worst of the lake effect snow is supposed to come Thursday night. So we will just have to hunker down and wait to see how bad it. The local forecast is only calling for 1-3 inches of snow. We shall see who is right.

Year In Review: 2011

2012-01-06T17:07:00.012-05:00

Goals for 2011

I can't believe that 2011 is over already. I can't wait to see what adventures God has in store for us this year. I suspect that our lives will change a lot this year with starting Wycliffe training, getting our house ready to sell, and preparing to maybe move down to Texas. There is so much up in the air when it comes to a time line. I'm trusting that God has it all in control.

We actually paid off about off more debt than we did last year, so we did make our financial goal. I didn't think that we would with all the pay cuts. We have leave the credit up to God, because we did not do it on our own. God has really provided for us this year. I could not be happier with the way things are right now.

The year started out with us remodeling our bathroom. It looks really nice. Steve did a really nice job. We replaced the last two windows in the house this year too. That was basically all the major work we did on the house this year. In February, it got a little stressful in our house when I lost my job at the mall Sears. We scrambled to adjust our budget while I looked for another part time job. God provided me with another job at the new Sears Hometown Store the next week. Then Steve transfered down from the Electronics Department to the Hardware Department. That was a huge blessing, because Hardware does quite a bit more business than Electronics. So when the YWCA cut his hours back again this summer it was easy for him to work for hours at Sears and make up the loss in income. In the Spring, we took a trip to Tulsa to visit my best friend and her family. It was an eventful trip. I was happy with my Lizzy and her parents though. That part was a good part of the trip.

Steve and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary. I'm looking forward to another 80 more. Before we even got married, I knew that he wanted to work with Wycliffe and do Bible translation. This June, we got to the point financially where we could start the application process. I didn't realize how long of an application process it was going to be. In November, we were finally accepted as members and now the process continues. We have to find a place to serve and wait for that country to send us an invitation. We have been in talks with both Chad and Cameroon in Africa.

My sis and I turned 30 this year. I'm looking forward to what the next decade has in store. We had another baby boom in our family this year. Two of my cousins had kids this summer. For my cousin Joe and his wife, it was there first son. Little Chris is an absolute cutie. My cousin Pete, his wife Gina, and their son, Isaac welcomed a little brother named Eric. He is a cutie too. So far, I have three little "second cousins" and they are all boys. Our family needs some little girls. Steve's family grew too. His mom decided to adopt a baby this year to help out one of her students. Her name is Julienne and she is precious. I know it might sound crazy, but I think that little girl is going to be blessed. God pulled her out of a life of generational poverty and put her into a huge loving family. God has a special plan for her.

We were blessed beyond belief this year. I am so thankful for the amazing friends and family that we have. I'm so looking forward to great adventures 2012 will have in store for us.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T09:10:00.002-05:00

Oh, how I love Christmas. There is just something special about getting together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I love the spirit of giving that comes out this time of year. If you look hard enough, you can find the joy in the season. I know I'm slightly biased, but I think I have to best family ever.

Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
I have traveled
Many moonless night
Cold and Weary
With a babe inside
And I wonder
What I've done
Holy Father
You have come
Chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting
in a silent prayer
I am frightened
by the load i bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now
[chorus:]
-----------------------------------
Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy Breath of Heaven
-----------------------------------
Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Happy Fiscal New Year!

2011-12-22T18:33:00.000-05:00

Today is our Fiscal New Year! Since we get paid every other week our paychecks don't line up with a traditional month. At the beginning of every year, I map out and label each check with either "Check 1," "Check 2," or "Extra Check." This year our "Check 2" of December landed on December 8th, so that means the checks we got today are the first check on January. So HAPPY NEW YEAR to us!
Now that mean it's time for us to have our year budget committee meeting and see how we did for the year. I think we were incredibly blessed this year.

Book Review: The Love and Respect Experience

2011-12-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

I just started reading The Love & Respect Experience A Husband Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I chose this book because Steve and I were looking for a devotional that we can go through together. This sounded like a good one because I have heard good reviews of this authors other books and I have heard him speak. The devotional is designed that you can do it together each daily or one each week. Because of our busy schedule, we chose every Sunday. Each devotional (there are 52) is just a few pages long and begins with Scripture and includes a personal example followed by suggestions for prayer and action.

Each devotion focused on how men and women think differently about different topics. My biggest disappointment was that I hoping that it would go a little deeper and be more of a Bible study. It seems perfect for a couple that is struggling with communication in their marriage or if a couple wants a simple devotional. It is nice that it gives us a chance to relax on Sunday evening after a busy week, read the devotional for that week and then discuss what we read.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Are you Square Peg Trying to Fit into a Circle Hole?

2011-11-28T13:43:00.002-05:00

We had a great conversation last night with the African coordinator. Chad or Cameroon?

The African Coordinator last night said that we wants to make sure that the job is a good fit for both us. In Chad, if we focus on my work we would be in the capital city, and they are very interested in me coming as an IT Manager. However, they won't have a linguistic position available in the city, so Steve might have to work in something that he is not necessary as passionate about, literacy work. If we focus on Steve's skills of linguistics, we would have to be in a more rural area closer to the people groups and they would have to find something for me. In Cameroon, there is an opportunity to be in a city and they can use both Steve's linguistic skills and my skills as a computer help desk specialist of sorts.

Of course, we are both willing to work where we are needed and Steve is willing to fill the role in literacy, instead linguistics, if we do choose Chad. Dave, the African Coordinator, however; said that even though Steve is willing to step out of his passion area he doesn't want to "take Steve as a square peg and drill him into a round peg, just so they can fit him into a round hole."

In either country, it sounds like we would most likely be working in a language cluster where they are working on many languages at the same time, since we have to be in a city but still close to the people groups. Steve would occasionally take trips to the villages to meet with the "mother-tongue translators."

My New Sister-in-Law

2011-11-24T11:12:00.003-05:00

We got to meet our new sister today. She is such a sweet little baby. I got to feed and snuggle with her. She is so very precious.

Steve's mom adopted a baby. She is one week old today. She is such a lucky little girl to have been taken out of a cycle of generational poverty into a huge loving family. God must have something really amazing planned for her.

I love Fall

2011-11-06T17:41:00.004-05:00

We raked our leaves for the second time this season today. Our first pile was about a third of the one we made today. This is a picture of our leaf pile from today. I parked my car next to the pile, so you could get an idea of how big the pile is. It is taller and longer than my car. There are still some leaves on the trees too, but the rest we can mulch with the lawnmower. I love Fall or Autumn as it likes to be called. I really think it's my favorite season. I love the cool crisp air and all the pretty colors. It was such a beautiful day today. It was perfect day for raking leaves and yard work outside. I hope the weather stays like this a little longer.

YWCA 2011 Winter/Christmas Wish List

2011-11-04T16:43:00.007-04:00

This week we been over capacity averaging between 145-155 women and children residing at the YWCA North Central Indiana. Today, we have a census of 78 women and 78 children for a total of 156. This proves there is a great need for our services here in the Michiana area. The YWCA serves women and children that are victim's of domestic violence, chemically dependant, and living in our Transitional and Permanent Housing programs.

Many of our clients are young single moms that enter the shelter with nothing but their kids and the clothes on their backs. We never turn away a woman and her children in need of shelter due to domestic violence.

What does this mean? It means that we have some huge needs currently and I predict bigger needs as it gets colder.

Our Current Immediate Needs:

Hats/Gloves/Scarves/Winter Coats for both women and children
Twin sized winter blankets
Pillows
Snow boots for both women and children

YWCA Wish List

Due to Indiana Health Laws, we cannot accept used Stuffed Animals

Food Related: Canned & Boxed Foods of all kinds, Non-Perishable items, Food Storage Containers, metal teaspoons, plastic forks/knives, Plastic bowls/cups, Juice, Cereal

Personal Care Products: Deodorant, Conditioner, Lotions, Shower gels, Hand Sanitizer, Combs, Toothbrushes (adult and children), Toothpaste (small and large), Disposal razors, Kleenex, Feminine Care products, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper

Infant Care: Baby bottles, Disposable Diapers (all sizes), Baby Wipes, Baby Shampoo, Baby Lotion, Baby Powder, Baby Food and formula, Sippy Cups, Baby monitors, Strollers, Toddler and Preschool Car Seats

Over the Counter Medicines and First-Aid: Aspirin, Tylenol, Midol, Advil, Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Non-Alcohol Cold medicines, First Aid tape

Household Items: Shower curtains, Wash Cloths, Towels, Crib sheets, Twin-Sized Blankets and Sheets, Bed Pillows, Elevated toilet seats, Space Bags for storage, Laundry Detergent, Small Alarm Clocks, Microwave Ovens, Small Kitchen Appliances.

Clothing: Plus Sized Women, Baby Clothes

Miscellaneous Items: Pre-paid Phone Cards, Bus Passes, Wheel Chairs, Office Supplies, Blank Journals, Reading Glasses, Luggage, Heavy Duty Snow Blower, Leaf Blower, Drill Dress, Gas Fryer, Heat Lamp for Kitchen, Commercial Washers and Dryers

Almost anything you use in your household is needed at the YWCA.
Items can be delivered to the front desk between 8-5 Monday through Thursday and 8-2 on Friday.

YWCA North Central Indiana
1102 S. Fellows
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone Number: 574-233-9491
Crisis Line: 574-232-9558

Passion: We are Hungry

2011-10-30T13:01:00.003-04:00

Lord I want more of You

Living water rain down on me
Lord I need more of You
Living breath of life come fill me up

Lord I want more of You
Living water rain down on me
Lord I need more of You
Living breath of life come and fill me up

We are hungry
We are hungry
We are hungry for more of You
We are thirsty, oh Jesus
We are thirsty for more of You

Lord I want more of you
Holy Spirit rain down on me
Lord I need more of you
Living breath of life come and fill me up
chorus x2

More of You
We are hungry for the more of You
We are thirsty (thirsty)
We lift our holy hands up
We want to touch You
We lift our voices higher and higher and higher to You

We lift our holy hands up
We want to touch You
We lift our voices higher and higher and higher to You
chorus x2

We lift our holy hands up
We want to touch you (We are hungry for more of You)
We lift our voices higher and higher and higher to you
We lift our holy hands up (More of You, more of You)
We want to touch you (More of You, more of You, more of You more of You, more of You, yeah)
We lift our voices higher and higher to You

We lift our holy hands up (We are hungry, We are thirsty
We want to touch you (We are hungry for the more of You)
We lift our voices higher and higher to You
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/passion/#share

What a Beautiful Weekend

2011-10-25T11:59:00.004-04:00

I had a great weekend. The crisp cool air and the beautiful trees. I love this beautiful fall weather. I actually had both Saturday and Sunday off work. That doesn't happen very often, unless I request it.

Saturday: On Saturday, I went to my first Women's Conference. The North Central District of the Missionary Church had their Annual Women's Conference. The church we are now attending is a part of that. I decided to go because the speaker was a missionary with Wycliffe and I thought it might be cool to hear from someone else who actually works with them already. The conference was in Shipshewana at the Farmstead Inn. That area is so beautiful. It seems so peaceful out there. I was really glad to see other people from church there, since I had no idea who else was going. I'm glad I went though.

Jan Benson was the main speaker and she has been serving in Peru for the last 30 years. Gospel Center was their sending church and has supported them for over 30 years. They had their Bible dedication in August where they delivered the completed Bible to the people they had been translating it for. She showed a video of the dedication and it was so exciting. The people looked so happy. These are people that 40 years ago didn't even have their language written down and now they have the Bible printed in their language. The next step is to continue to teach the young people to read and write, so they can continue to study the Bible and maybe get sent out as a missionary themselves. God is at work! There are about 2000 languages left that need a Bible in their language.

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 1:6

One big thing I took away from the day is that if God calls, then he will provide us with whatever we need. Life as a missionary in an unknown country can sometimes be scary or stressful. You may have to work with people that you don't work well with or the people you are called to serve may not receive you with open arms. But God can use us even when we don't understand why things are happening. After the conference was over, I introduced myself to her and told her that Steve and I were in the application process for Wycliffe.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

On the way home, since I was in Shipshewana, I had to stop my Das Essenhaus and pick up some tasty food. I got some Apple Cinnamin Bread and some Black Bean Salsa. Both were spectacular. Then I rushed home hoping to get home before the Notre Dame game started since I only live a few minutes from campus. I didn't want to get stuck in the traffic going to the game.

Sunday: We got up and went to small group and church. The speaker from Saturday's conference and her husband spoke at church. He talked again about the work they did in Peru. The Missions Committee was taking them out to lunch and invited us to come along. We were babysitting our favorite girls on Sunday too and since we didn't want to be rushed at lunch, we picked up the girls and brought them with us. We went to Ho Pings House Chinese Restaurant. It was pretty tasty and it the lunch special prices were good. I feel like we made some new friends. I love knowing they they will be praying for us as we continue to Wycliffe journey.

When we got home, the girls wanted to play some Mario Cart with Steve. Kariana helped me make some Turkey Pumpkin Chili for dinner while Steve got the games set up. She learned how to saute peppers and was pretty excited about that. She said that even though she doesn't like vegetables, she still likes to saute them. I love that girl. She cracks me up. She also helped wash some dishes afterwards. I also made some pumpkin cookies too with the leftover pumpkin. The girls and Steve took a break from playing Mario Cart for some "snack time" and enjoyed them very much.
After some tough Mario Cart matches with Steve where Kariana actually beat him once, the girls relaxed and played until their dad came to pick them up. After the girls went home, Steve and I relaxed around the house, ate some dinner, and relaxed some more. It was a great ending to a great weekend.

Wycliffe Application Process Continues

2011-10-20T21:24:00.002-04:00

I think I had a pretty productive night tonight. First, I started dinner in the crock pot. I'm making some Italian Country Ribs. They should be great. Then I started some laundry, folded it, and put it away. The last load is currently in the dryer. Then I started some dishes in the dishwasher. I love the feeling of accomplishing stuff and getting the house clean. It still needs some work, but it's a start.

Steve and I have about 20 days left to finish our Wycliffe application. The only part that we have left to do is the summary of our Church Interview. It was a dinner interview, so I had to cook for everybody. I made some Parmesan Chicken and they turned out great. I made some rice, corn, and fruit salad to go with the chicken. Lance and John said if I wasn't good for Wycliffe, I was definetly good at making chicken. I thought the interview went great. It was neat and helpful to meet with someone who had actually grew up as a missionary kid. I think we interviewed them as much as they were interviewing us. We discussed everything from raising kids to partnership building. Now the only thing we have to wait for is one more reference for me to come in and we are done with the application. Once our application team looks over our application, we can move forward in the process. The next step is to be assigned a ministry location and start our Equip training. This has been a long application process.

Baked Parmesan Chicken! Yum!

Smile on this Rainy Day!

2011-10-19T09:42:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 15:13: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

"Be glad today for the clouds or the rainbows. Both are meant for your good. And without both, neither has meaning." Anonymous

Thursday Date Night: Rio

2011-10-07T10:24:00.000-04:00

I love Thursdays from Red Box. Every week, I get a code texted to my phone for a free movie. Last night for dinner, I made a Cheesy Chicken and noodle casserole with green/red peppers and mushrooms. It turned out great. Very cheesy!

Then we went over to our local Red Box and picked out a movie. Steve wanted to see Rio. It's a movie about a bird that gets bird-napped by an exotic pet shop and ends up lost in a small town in Minnesota when he fell off the truck. He is found by a little girl who raises him as her pet. She names him Blu. He is a very spoiled, happy bird until a scientist comes to find him and says he is the last of his species. The scientist has found a female blue Macaw and they only way for their species to survive is for them mate and have baby birdies.

After much prodding, the girl, who is know an adult, decides to bring her bird to Rio de Janero, Brazil with scientist. The scientist runs a bird refuge that finds injured birds in the wild or rescues them from smugglers. They arrive in Brazil just in time for the annual Carnival festival. Blu and the female Macaw, Jewel, are again bird-napped by some local smugglers. Blu must learn to trust his new friends and learn to survive out in the unknown wild. It's a really cute movie about a bird who never learned to fly, who has lived as a pet his whole life, and never really had any bird friends.

In all the adventures, Blu must gain the courage to learn to fly, develop friendships, and learn the value of family. I thought it was a good story about perseverance, believing in yourself, and getting outside your comfort zone.
Definitely Pitney Approved. Rated: G

One Week Left! Please Help if You Can!

2011-09-26T15:43:00.001-04:00

The Big Red Shoes Are Back

The YWCA Staff Team needs some help to reach our goal. There is one more week left to reach our goal! Go to www.ywcancin.org and click on the red shoe or click on the link.

Join us in my efforts to support YWCA - North Central Indiana

Thank you for supporting YWCA - North Central. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Team Fundraising Goal:	$1,000.00
Total Raised:	$400.00

Can you walk a mile in her shoes! Join men throughout Michiana in the effort to raise awareness & money for the YWCA's Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault programs.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

9 am check in begins

10 am walk begins

Coveleski Stadium

South Bend, IN

Book Review: Your 100 Day Prayer

2011-09-23T15:57:00.000-04:00

I am currently reading Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God by John I. Snyder. I am on day 15 of the 100 day journey. The premise of the book is that you pick one thing to pray about and then focus on that one thing for 100 days. Not only do I think this book helped me get in the habit of praying every day, but it also has helped me focus on what to pray for. For me, sometimes I find it hard to pray for myself because I feel that either I'm selfish to focus on myself or that I'm unworthy for God to answer something for me. It's a process, but I am learning to break free from both of those opinions. I am looking forward to continuing the journey of self discovery and watching God works is ways I have never seen before. I'm excited to see what He is going to teach me through this journey. We have some big changes coming into our lives in the next few years and it feels good to know that God is in control. For each day there is a short devotion beginning with scripture and a guide to prepare you how to pray, so it forces me to go a little deeper than I might go on my own. You can also jot notes and track the progress each day.

"Go to God humbly and ask him to reveal the secret places of worry and anxiety that surround you and your need."

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Birthdays and Fun with Friends

2011-09-18T15:23:00.001-04:00

Today is my best friend's birthday. I hope she has an exceptional day.

It definitely been some crazy weeks for Steve and I. I'm waiting for life to slow down a little. I don't have any major complaints though. Life is pretty good right now. I feel really busy but I'm happy.

I have been feeling kind of lost for the past few years since switching churches. I like Gospel Center but it didn't feel the same as Granger Community. At Granger, I had friends and connections. There was a real family atmosphere, even though it was so big. Last week, I watched some old sermons and videos to reminisce. Gospel Center is much smaller, but it seems to be taking longer for me to feel connected. Steve felt connected pretty quick, but he started attending before I did. Steve and I have started attending a small group at Gospel Center and I think that has helped me feel like I belong more. I've actually been praying for opportunities to connect and I was invited to help with AWANA this year. This is my first experience with AWANA. AWANA is definitely different than Oasis. I am working with Cubbies. Cubbies are three and four year olds. They have so much energy. It's fun though. I wish there was something fun like that for kids when I was little. The kiddoes are so much fun.

Last night after work, I met some friends to watch the Ohio State game and Steve met us after he got off. The time with friends was great, but the game was a little disappointing. There is always next week, right? :o)

Tonight, Steve and I are having dinner with some other members of the church as part of the Dinners For Eight event. It should be fun and a relaxing way to end the week.

Can You Find a Way to Help!

2011-09-12T16:35:00.001-04:00

I’m going to tell you the story of “Mary.” Mary could be a client at the YWCA. She is a young mother struggling to go to school, work, and take care of her kids. She wants more than anything to make a break the cycle of poverty that has gripped her family for generations. Since she doesn’t have her GED yet, she can not get a good paying job so she is living with her boyfriend, the father of her youngest daughter. She has three children (4, 3, and 1) and she just told her boyfriend that she thinks she is pregnant again. He gets angry and calls her a whore and says he can’t afford anymore kids. He says he already pays enough in child support and that he will leave her if she doesn’t have an Abortion. He pushes her towards the stairs, but luckily she grabs the stair railing to avoid falling down the stairs onto the floor below. Unsatisfied and still angry, he grabs her hair and pulls her into their room and smashes her head into the mirror. Her oldest daughter walks into the room to see what happened and the door is shut in her face. This young mother’s first instinct is to protect her children, so she tries to leave the room, but he won’t let her. She sits cowering in the corner of the room afraid to make a sound, so she doesn’t make him angry again. She sits there thinking to herself that she can’t afford to live on her own and she has nowhere else to turn, so she begs him for forgiveness. She is crying, scared, and bleeding, but what other choice does she have but to stay? In a few days, he will apologize and life will get back to “normal”…at least until she does something “wrong” again.

This women is made up, but this story plays out in different ways all over Michiana and I think it’s time we found an end domestic violence. How does that happen? It happens when we raise awareness that the issue exists in all households, in all demographics, in all races, and yes…it happens to men as well. The YWCA is in the business of helping women and their children escape and find a safe place to stay while they attend classes, find a better job, and get the counseling that they need. The YWCA is working to break the cycle of poverty by offering the clients life skills classes where they can learn things such as job interviewing skills, resume writing, parenting skills, CPR/First Aid, financial management, and so much more.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! I think a great way to start the month is to make the YWCA's Walk a Mile in her Shoes a great event.

Join men throughout Michiana in the effort to raise awareness & money for the YWCA's Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault programs.
Go to www.ywcancin.org and donate to the cause or join the team of walkers.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
9 am check in begins
10 am walk begins
Coveleski Stadium

Remembering September 11th

2011-09-11T12:49:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure I could tell you exactly what I was doing all day last Tuesday, but I remember exactly where I was and what i was doing that Tuesday morning, September 11th. So much have changed the last 10 years. I watched the news for days straight. My roommate and I left the TV while we went to sleep. We didn't want to miss anything. The terrorists didn't just knock down some buildings that day. The terrorists didn't have a plan to kill people. They wanted to destroy our country. They wanted to make us afraid and vulnerable. They hate our freedoms. They tried to destroy our economy and they almost succeeded. If we, as a nation, continue to live in fear than the terrorists have won. I believe there is hope that God will restore this country.
I didn't have any classes that semester on Tuesdays, so I was still a sleep. All of a sudden my phone rang twice, but I didn't get to the phone either time. For some reason, I thought that I had better check my voice mails just in case it was important. My mom said there was a fire in the Trade Center in New York and I should turn on the news.I thought that it was probably just a gas leak or a fire, but when I turned on the news and they said it was a plane, I just knew it had to be an accident. I didn't really know what to think at first. My first thoughts were that some pilot had fallen asleep and got off course and crashed. It seemed so unimaginable that someone would deliberately fly a plane into a building. Then we watched live on TV the second plane hit the second tower. I knew then that it could not have been a mistake. We really didn't know what to think then. I was afraid for the people in the towers; hoping they would be able to get out of the building. Then we heard about other missing planes and everything seemed to be in chaos. Then we watched in horror both towers collapse. It was surreal. I remember watching the towers collapse right before my eyes thinking....there is no way everybody got out of there. When we heard about the other planes crashing, I just watched waiting for something else to happen. I couldn't take my eyes off the TV. I felt like I was watching a movie. It didn't feel real at first. I definitely remember feeling fear. I kept thinking that i was going to wake up and everything was going to the same. I soon realized that nothing would ever be the same again.

Bethel called a emergency chapel service, so the Bethel community could get together and pray for the people involved. We continued to watch the news on the big screen in chapel and Bethel canceled classes for the rest of the day. My roommate and I went back our room and sat in our dorm room and watched the news for the rest of the day. I don't really remember anything else for the rest of day except for sitting in our room watching the news. I don't even remember eating.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Our Crazy Week

2011-09-09T18:22:00.000-04:00

It looks like we have survived our crazy work week so far. Steve and I both worked almost 60 hours this week between our two jobs. I didn't think we would make it through. I am so tired today. I can't remember the last day I had off from both jobs. Steve actually had the day off today from both jobs. I hope he had a great and relaxing day. He really needed a day off. He was getting pretty tired. He actually worked more than I did because a kid at Sears decided on Saturday that he didn't want to come in to work, so Steve picked up some unscheduled hours. If we had the extra money, I would say we needed to take a vacation, but maybe someday soon we will take a "stay-cation."
I am definitely thankful that Steve and I both have great jobs. There are so many people out there that don't have any jobs. God has certaintly been providing for us with all the budget cuts at the YWCA. The upside of all the work is we have the money we need to house repairs and we can throw the extra towards paying off Steve's student loan. The downside is that I'm so tired all the time and we don't get the spend very much time with friends or family or each other. I do love getting together with my family every Tuesday for Trivia Night at Mancino's and we did have some much needed time with friends on Labor Day. I even made ribs for the first time all by myself because Steve was at work. We really need to do that more often.

The Important of Starting to Save Early

2011-09-01T14:25:00.003-04:00

Learn From Ben - Start Saving NOW!

Saving money consistently is so important! The earlier you start, the better. Let compound interest work in your favor! While you can’t change the past, you CAN start right now! What is every high school student couldn't graduate until they could understand and explain this chart? I sure I would have!
Example - Ben and Arthur

Both save $2,000 per year at 12%. Ben starts at age 19 and stops at age 26. Arthur starts at age 27 and stops at age 65.

Age	Ben Invests		Arthur Invests
19	$2,000	$2,240	$0	$0
20	$2,000	$4,749	$0	$0
21	$2,000	$7,558	$0	$0
22	$2,000	$10,706	$0	$0
23	$2,000	$14,230	$0	$0
24	$2,000	$18,178	$0	$0
25	$2,000	$22,599	$0	$0
26	$2,000	$27,551	$0	$0
27	$0	$30,857	$2,000	$2,240
28	$0	$34,560	$2,000	$4,749
29	$0	$38,708	$2,000	$7,558
30	$0	$43,352	$2,000	$10,706
31	$0	$48,554	$2,000	$14,230
32	$0	$54,381	$2,000	$18,178
33	$0	$60,907	$2,000	$22,599
34	$0	$68,216	$2,000	$27,551
35	$0	$76,802	$2,000	$33,097
36	$0	$85,570	$2,000	$39,309
37	$0	$95,383	$2,000	$46,266
38	$0	$107,339	$2,000	$54,058
39	$0	$120,220	$2,000	$62,785
40	$0	$134,646	$2,000	$72,559
41	$0	$150,804	$2,000	$83,506
42	$0	$168,900	$2,000	$95,767
43	$0	$189,168	$2,000	$109,499
44	$0	$211,869	$2,000	$124,879
45	$0	$237,293	$2,000	$142,104
46	$0	$265,768	$2,000	$161,396
47	$0	$297,660	$2,000	$183,004
48	$0	$333,379	$2,000	$207,204
49	$0	$373,385	$2,000	$234,308
50	$0	$418,191	$2,000	$264,665
51	$0	$468,374	$2,000	$298,665
52	$0	$524,579	$2,000	$336,745
53	$0	$587,528	$2,000	$379,394
54	$0	$658,032	$2,000	$427,161
55	$0	$736,995	$2,000	$480,660
56	$0	$825,435	$2,000	$540,579
57	$0	$924,487	$2,000	$607,688
58	$0	$1,035,425	$2,000	$682,851
59	$0	$1,159,676	$2,000	$767,033
60	$0	$1,298,837	$2,000	$861,317
61	$0	$1,454,698	$2,000	$966,915
62	$0	$1,629,261	$2,000	$1,085,185
63	$0	$1,824,773	$2,000	$1,217,647
64	$0	$2,043,746	$2,000	$1,366,005
65	$0	$2,288,996	$2,000	$1,532,166
			...And he never caught up!

http://www.daveramsey.com/

Always Lead By Example

2011-08-30T21:51:00.001-04:00

Poem: I'd Rather See a Sermon

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

I'd rather you walk with me than merely point the way.

The eye is a more ready pupil than ever was the ear.

Good advice is often more confusing, but example is always clear.

--Heinrich Kopka

--From Focus on the Family radio broadcast, "Teacher of the Year" featuring Guy Doud.

...I was important in the life of a child.

2011-08-30T10:03:00.001-04:00

One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like.

One hundred from now it will not matter what kind of school I attended, what kind of typewriter I used, how large or small my church, but the world may be a little better, because...
I was important in the life of a child. --Anonymous

In Honor of Teachers
You are the molders of their dreams
The gods who build or crush
Their young beliefs of right or wrong.

You are the spark that sets aflame
The poet's hand or lights the flame
of some great singer's song.

You are the god of the young, the very young
You are the guardian of a million dreams
Your every smile or frown
can heal or pierce the heart

You are a hundred lives, a thousand lives.
Yours the pride of loving them
And the sorrow too.

Your patient work, your touch
Make you the goals of hope
Who fill their souls with dreams
To make those dreams come true.

by Ronald Reagan

BookSneeze

2011-08-27T15:30:00.002-04:00

I signed up for this website to see what it was about. It's a website that sends bloggers free books, then you have to write a review of the book of 200 words of more once you have read it. Anyone who knows me, knows I love free stuff. I just requested my first book and I am really excited for it to show up. This should be fun. Maybe this will get me back in the habit of reading more.

Our Crazy Summer

2011-08-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

This has been a really busy summer so far in the Pitney household. We just went entered the new Fiscal year at work. That means that not only am I am working to finish up the prior Fiscal Year, but I also have get everything started for the new one. I finished the Annual Data report last week. I kill a few good trees everything I have to complete that. It's between 60 and 70 pages long and I need to print 9 final copies of it and I have to do it at the end of every Quarter. It is interesting to look at the finished report and see what we have done all the year and how many clients we have served. It tells a fun picture of what we do.
Due to budget cuts, I am still only working 36 hours a week, plus the hours I'm working at Sears. We are working to get some new funding to replace what we lost. We also just finished a big event and we another have one coming up in October. Walk A Mile: Mens March Against Domestic Violence --> Steve is participating in this and could use your support.

Steve has been working really hard too. His hours were cut back to 32 hours a week at the YWCA, so that means he will have one day off every week. That will give him so four day weekends, so he is happy about that. He is picking up whatever hours he can at Sears to make up the difference. I really do have a great husband. He has a really tiring job some weeks, but he still willing to work sometimes up to 24 hours a week at Sears.
With both of us working on average 50 or so hours a week, it makes it interesting to find time to spend together. God has been providing for us in amazing ways this summer and I trust that He will continue to do so. There are a few goals that may have to slowed down a little for us, but the important things are still in tact. This post made me really tired to read. I think I'm going to take a nap...after I make dinner, exercise on the Wii Fit a little, and do some house cleaning. I have to admit life is pretty good right now.

I Stand In Awe of You

2011-08-22T10:18:00.002-04:00

I Stand In Awe Of You by Hillsong United

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

Run jane run 2011

2011-08-20T09:52:00.001-04:00

Well, that was really fun. My friend, Sue, and I walked the 5K for the YWCA's run jane run. The money raised goes to support the domestic violence, sexual assault, and housing programs at the YWCA. It was a beautiful day and I love being out in nature at St. Pat's Park. Sue and I finished the walk in 59 minutes and six seconds. We were pretty happy with our time. I was happy to see so many people out to support the YWCA. It's a great organization.
I'm a little tired, so I think I'm going to do some cool down stretches before I have to go to work this afternoon. My body wants to take a nap but the expert runners tell me that will cause me to cramp up.

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Is There More than Corn in Indiana?

2011-08-04T16:17:00.002-04:00

Steve found a really good deal on corn at Meijer this week for 20 cents an ear. He decided that we should buy a bunch and freeze it for the winter. He bought 130 ears of corn. We try to eat corn with every meal if we can, so it makes sense to have a lot of it around. We really do love corn. I had Wednesday off work as a vacation day. The original plan was to use the day to clean because my best friend was coming into town on Thursday. I also scheduled our appliance tune ups since I was home. As part of the house-cleaning process, I thought I would get the freezing process started.

After getting some tips from some friends, I started making our corn.

First, I removed the corn husks and as much of the slimy white silky stuff as possible. Then I cleaned the corn and tried the cut out all the bad kernels. The whole sink was filled with corn. I don't think I have ever shucked that much corn in my life. It didn't take as long as I thought it would though.

Then, my sis came over and she helped with the process. We had two pots on the stove for the blanching. Directions and tips from friends said to blanch the corn for about five minutes then quickly throw it an ice bath. I took corn out of one half of the sink and put cold water and a bag of ice in it for the ice bath. After the ice bath, my sister's part of the process started. She cut the kernels off the cob with a Pampered Chef corn cutter. Which made the process so easy. Thank you mom for letting us use it.
Next, we bagged up the corn. I put about two cup of corn kernels in each bag with a teaspoon of sugar. Thanks Jamie for that tip. I'm sure the corn will be very sweet when we eat it.

We still have about two dozen ears left to do. We had trivia with our family and friends on Tuesday and we brought some corn on the cob with us and last night we corn on the cob for dinner, and they tasted good. I think we are going to have corn around the house for a little while. Yum! Yum! Yum!

Once the corn process was done and we found out we wouldn't have to go pick Liz up from airport Wednesday night, I cleaned some more of the house and played some WII games with Erin until Steve got home from work.

The Benefits of Spirit-Filled Living

2011-08-02T15:18:00.001-04:00

I got this devotion in my email today. It was a very timely email, I thought. I do feel physically, emotionally, and spiritual depleted. My "security gland" has taken a beating this past few weeks with all the stress of trying to cut back on our budget. I am learning to lean on God and trust in Him that He will continue to provide for us. I almost feel guilty for even being stressed because there are so many people out there that are struggling much more than we are. We are going to be OK.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Bridget,

The Bible proclaims it. Christ promises it. Your life can be filled with love. Joy. Peace. Self control.
Sounds good, right? Perhaps a little too good to be true!
The Christian life is never effortless. But I've got some encouragement for you today: you have been well equipped for the journey!

My hope and prayer for you today is that with God's help and a little spiritual pruning, you will see a powerful difference in your life.

God bless you,

Dr. David Jeremiah
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Ah ha. I knew It. Younger Siblings are Spoiled. :o)

2011-07-26T13:06:00.005-04:00

This comic explains my whole childhood. :0) Just kidding...mostly. Anyone else with younger siblings that can totally relate to this?

Our Baby Tomatoes

2011-07-24T14:08:00.001-04:00

With my mom's help, at the beginning of the summer we started a garden in our back yard. I have never had a garden before, so I thought it would be fun. I thought I would try me hand at tomatoes, because they seemed easy and I love tomatoes. They loved all the rain we got at the beginning of the season, so the plants are really big. With this heat, we have to keep them watered, so we don't kill them. Last week, I saw that we finally have little green baby tomatoes. I can't wait until the grow up into big red tomatoes. They are going to be so tasty. If I'm successful with tomatoes, maybe I'll try a different vegetable next year.

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Budget Cuts are Not Fun

2011-07-24T13:52:00.001-04:00

It is going to be an interesting couple of months for Steve and I. We just found that Steve's hours are going to be cut starting in August. Luckily, we wont lose our benefits though, so that we are thankful for. I trust God is going to continue to provide for all our needs. He has done it before and He will do it again. It's going to tough though trying to squeeze every last dollar out of our already tight budget. We are still going to continue working on the Wycliffe application process. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
James 1:12

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Learning to Sew

2011-07-19T23:05:00.001-04:00

My mom got to me a sewing maching for my birthday last month. I haven't sewed anything on the sewing maching since I was in 7th and 8th grade Home Ec class. In 7th grade, I made a chocolate chip cookie pillow and in 8th grade I made a blue tote bag, which I still have. I guess now is as good a time as any to learn how to sew. Now, I just have to figure out how to use it and make project I should make first. I found a website allfewsewing.com that has some free patterns on it, so I think I'm going to start there. This should be an adventure. :o)
I wonder if there any sewing classes in the area where I can take classes. I might learn better if I have someone teaching me, than just teaching myself. Hopefully, learning to sew will help teach me some patience along the way too.

Therefore Encourage One Another...

2011-07-17T18:35:00.004-04:00

1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Throughout my years of middle school ministry, I have received many notes of encouragement from students and my fellow leaders. I can not begin to say how much those mean to me. I still have many of the notes on display around the house and in my Bible. I am going to take them with me and keep them close as we continue to make plans to move. One of the hardest parts of the thought of moving is knowing how many close friends I'm going to leave behind. This is my way to bring you with me. I hope that I continue to live up to the words they wrote.

Here are just a few:

"I loved leading with you this year. You are a great person." - Naomi
"I love your heart for kids. You shine...my friend...you shine." - Judy
"You always are so happy. Thank you for encouraging others and my children." - Laura
"I love your positive attitude & the joy that you carry with you always. Love ya sis." - Judy
"You have a heart for God and it's been a joy watching you on your walk with Christ." - Jason
"You have a great memory for names. Good way to love our kids." - Adam
"How faithful & awesome you are. You have been a part of Oasis longer than I have. How special you make our events." - Chris
"You rock, my friend. I have known ya for...well a long time and you have always have the same sweet smile & friendly lovable personality." - Loretta
"You are awesome leader. You have taught me so much." - Dianna
"It's great being a leader with you. You have so much insight. Thanks for all your wisdom." - Carole
"Your dedication to Oasis is so appreciated." - Wendy
"Hey gurl, I love you & you are a great girl. I hope you will always be here & I can count on you. Love you tons." - Jeanette

Telling My Story

2011-07-15T11:09:00.002-04:00

As part of the Wycliffe application process, I thought I would write out my "My Story" of how I started my Christian walk.

Here is my story. It's not great, but it's mine:

I grew up with Christian parents and we went to church every week. We prayed before meals and I knew all the Bible stories from Vacation Bible Schools and my children’s Bible. I knew there was a God but I didn’t understand then what a personal relationship with him was like. My dad worked for trucking company that transferred him to different cities throughout my childhood. By the time I was ten, we had moved eight times. When we arrived in Mishawaka, at the beginning of fifth grade, I had decided that I didn’t want to make friends. It wasn’t that I couldn’t make friends, but I didn’t want to because I “knew” we would be moving again and I was tired of saying goodbye to good friends. This caused me to be somewhat of an outcast in my class because I avoided people. I actually preferred that people not like me because then I wouldn’t care when I moved away from them. My classmates thought I was just shy and I probably was a little and instead of trying to break through the walls that I had built up they just gave me more reasons to not like them. I figured if I didn’t let anyone get to near me than they couldn’t hurt me. My fifth and sixth grade and Junior High years were pretty lonely. God did protect me from getting into anything too destructive because with my negative attitude I probably could have. I have found though that most often when kids find themselves hanging out with the wrong crowd, it’s because they are searching for friends and a need for acceptance. I wasn’t searching for friends; I was avoiding them for the most part. I got pretty good at being nice to people, but not forming really deep friendships.

It wasn’t until High School that I started to feel safe making friends. During my sophomore year of High School, some friends that I had made invited me a youth ministry event at their church. I decided to go and once I got there I looked around and was shocked at how many people that I knew there. There was something different about the people in the room and I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I started going every week with them and I realized that I starved for connection and relationships. I realized that even though I thought I was avoiding friendships for the past five years that I had some great friends anyway. These friends actually seemed to genuinely care about me. For the first time in my life I learned that God actually desired a personal relationship with me. I felt like every week the youth pastor was speaking directly to me. I recommitted my life to Christ surrounded by some of my closest friends. My high school small group was very supportive of me and helped me to break down some of the walls I had built up. It is interesting when I look back and realize that some of the closest, dearest friends that I still have now I met during those tough Junior High years. I wouldn’t trade those friendships for the world.

Because of those friends and the ministry of that church, I decided to go to Bethel College. While at Bethel College, I got involved with my church’s middle school ministry. Sometimes I wonder why God brings things into your life, but when I look back I think that maybe God was preparing me to do ministry to students just like me. I also met my husband at Bethel College. Sometimes when we don’t understand why something is happening, we just have to remember that God might a bigger purpose. If I hadn’t started attending the youth ministry in High School, I wouldn’t have made some of the amazing friends that I have now and I’m not sure that I would have wanted to go to Christian college. If I wouldn’t have moved around so much as a child, I don’t think I would have wanted to stay in the same city for college. I was finally in a place that I felt I could call home and I didn’t want to leave. If I hadn’t gone to Bethel, I wouldn’t have been invited to join the middle school ministry team at church, which taught me so much and helped me grow in my walk with Christ and I wouldn’t have met my husband, who is my best friend.

I continue to learn and grow in my Christian walk everyday. I don’t think I am where I need to be, but I’m on the journey. I still struggle sometimes with feelings of unworthiness and sometimes I will still shy away when meeting new people because I am not really sure if I want to let them in or not. I have learned that during those times I can lean on God and He will be my comfort. There is no feeling like the feeling of knowing the God desires to my friend.

Wycliffe Application Process Continues

2011-07-15T10:56:00.000-04:00

Joining Wycliffe is a bit of a long process. Before we can even be given an application, we have to become approved by our recruiter and assigned an Application Specialist. Our Application Specialist will then send us a link to the application and we have 41 days from the day we receive it to complete it. Well this week, we got assigned our Specialist and received our application, so now the fun part begins. They estimate it will take about 10 hours to complete the application. There are some really probing questions on the application that you really have to think about. Some are pretty basic questions, such as employment history and education. Other questions, though, are about my doctrinal beliefs, moral convictions and how I handle stress. Because I am interested in IT, I also had to complete a questionnaire about my IT skills and experience. I hate talking about myself in applications. I am really bad at describing myself. I guess that could stem from the low self-esteem that I often have. I think I'm going to write out my thoughts on another word document, then after going over it again I will add them to the final application.
Steve is farther along on his than I am, because he started his while I was making dinner on Wednesday and then I had an 30 more questions than he did about IT stuff. I am going to have to carve out some time tonight and work on it. Please continue to pray for us as we go through this process. It is going to be a really stretching experience for us as we continue to application process, get ready to move, and start to raise up our support team.

Support the YWCA at a Ladies Night Out at the Cove

2011-06-29T10:13:00.002-04:00

Ladies’ Night Out!
Summer has finally arrived and its time to have fun and make a difference...all at the same time! The South Bend Silver Hawks are providing one night of fashion, entertainment and community outreach for all Michiana women on Wednesday, July 20th and we hope you’ll join us.

InspireMe boutique, the title sponsor of Ladies’ Night Out, presents a Summer Line Fashion Show during the game along with the latest fashion advice.
Silver Hawks staff and interns will also be lending a hand by auctioning their services to the community with all proceeds benefitting the YWCA North Central Indiana’s programs for women and children.
And if that isn’t enough to get you there… one lucky woman will be chosen to participate in the Silver Hawks Ambush Makeover. The winner will receive free services from Salon Rouge and a fashion consultation with Jeanne from InspireMe.

Don’t miss out!! Take a night off with your best girlfriends and join the boys of summer for some fun!

To order your tickets please CLICK HERE
(type “YWCA” as the Special Offer Code) so a portion of the ticket price goes to the YWCA or call (574) 235-9988 to purchase tix over the phone

Thanks for supporting the YWCA!

Join the YWCA & the South Bend Silver Hawks for Summer Fun at the Cove

Looking Forward to What's Ahead

2011-06-27T18:52:00.001-04:00

It feels like things are coming together. Steve and I had a two hour conversation with our Wycliffe recruiter on Sunday. Since we hit the break even point in our debt we felt that we could move ahead with the process. We now know what our next step is. Once we fill out the application and become approved candidates, and have an interview with the application specialist we can apply for the Equip training in Orlando. Equip is a two week training that will teach us about partnership building, language development, and other things for Wycliffe. The next Equip training is at the end of January. Two weeks in Orlando in January 2012...that sounds like a great plan. Then when we complete that we will get our assignment and can start our graduate studies at GIAL. At this point we will put the house on the market and move to Dallas. Selling the house will not only make us debt free but will give us the money we need to pay for school. We are thinking that maybe that can happen in the next two years. We can keep working our current jobs through the whole process.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in the next few years.

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I Survived Turning 30

2011-06-21T17:11:00.002-04:00

I turned 30 over the weekend on Saturday. It was a beautiful weekend. Steve and I went out for my birthday dinner on Friday night after I got off work. We decided to try somewhere that we had never been before. We tried The Flat Top Grill in Mishawaka. It was pretty good. Basically, they give you a bowl and you fill it up with all the veggies and meat that you want and pour some sauce on top and they stir-fry it all up for you. I actually decided to live a little and get strawberry lemonade, instead of my normal water. Hey, you only turn 30 once. :o)
Since we were in the mall, we walked around Barnes and Noble and looked at the clearance tables and see if there are any books that we want to read. I wanted to try the new yogurt shop in Granger, but it wasn't open yet.

Friday and Saturday was my parent's neighborhood garage sale. Friday I sat at my parent's in the morning, but then I had to go to work at Sears until 7. Saturday, I requested off from Sears so I sat at the sale all day with my mom and our friend, Sue. Steve and I love to go garage saleing. We were pretty successful at our sale. We seemed busier on Friday, then on Saturday but Steve and I sold a bunch of stuff. My mom said between all the families involved in our sale we made over $400. Steve and I walked around the blocks to see what everyone else was sellling. We didn't find much to buy, but Steve did find some tools. It was a beautiful weekend for a garage sale. We heard that it rained in other areas on Mishawaka, but it didn't rain at all in Reverewood.

Sunday was Father's Day. Since I took Saturday off work for the garage sale, I had to work on Sunday. We were kind of busy with shoppers, possible some last minute Father's Day presents. I got off work at 4 and when I got home Steve was doing yard work. Then we went over to my parent's for Father's Day dinner. I love having such a tight-nit family that live so close to each other, so we can get together so often. I saw my family on Thursday when I was bringing things over for the garage sale, Friday and Saturday during the sale, and on Sunday for Father's Day. I will see them tonight at Trivia Night too.
I'm looking forward to the next decade. It should full of new and exciting adventures. Bring it on!

Steve Thinks My Tractor's Sexy!

2011-06-11T17:07:00.000-04:00

Do you like my new tractor? Just kidding, I got to drive the tractor at work today while we were putting them away from outside. It was pretty fun to drive it around. It rode it around the parking lot while I was waiting for my co-workers to get the rest of the stuff inside.

Can God Really Be Trusted?

2011-06-10T21:46:00.001-04:00

I know that God has promised to provide all our needs. This year just seems to have been filled with so many set backs when it comes to our financial goals. With all the job losses, car repairs, and such similar events it seems like every time we were getting ahead something happened to set us back. Even with all these things setbacks, God has been providing for us at every turn. We finally, after a lot of hard work, have gotten to our "Break Even Point" where when we sell the house we will be debt free. That is exciting for us because now we can make the necessary plans to move to Texas and join Wycliffe completely debt free. There is an application process and some classes that we have to take and then once we get accepted we can make plans to sell the house, create our support team, and move to Texas. It's a process that can take some time, but it's exciting that now can start. And it also means that each debt payment that we make from this point until we move is just gravy. The more I think about the question above, the more I realize that the answer is an absolute "Yes." He may not always provide in the speed that I expect or in the way I expect, but He will always provide all our needs.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:25-33

I love Summer!

2011-06-07T17:13:00.000-04:00

Steve and I had a somewhat productive weekend. We both had to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We don't usually work on Sunday, so it was strange that we were both scheduled. I like the extra hours though. Saturday, I also helped a friend move after work. Sunday, I was pretty sore after that.

We did manage to get some stuff done around the house this weekend though. The weather was just beautiful this weekend. It was hot and sunny and I like that much more than cold and rainy. Summer is very close to my favorite season and it looks like summer is here finally. We actually broke down and turned the air conditioning on in the house this weekend. The fans just weren't cutting it with the humidity.

Steve used the great weather to get the garage cleaned up and organized. It looks great. I turned the sprinkler on to water the flowers in our backyard that my amazing mom planted and then decided since the water was on I might as well wash my car. I even vacuumed it out. It looks very nice.

I'm still working on getting garage sale stuff together. I have filled my car up twice now and am starting to bring stuff over to my parent's house. I have tried to advertise in all free places I can think of. I am hoping for a very successful sale because our Emergency Fund took a big hit last week when we took my car into the shop. It was making some weird noises and shaking really hard when we were driving on the bypass. So now the Focus has some brand new tires, a new tire rod, and a few other things were done. Overall, it was a relaxing and productive weekend.

2011 Reverewood Neighborhood Garage Sale

2011-06-01T15:14:00.004-04:00

Steve and I (and a few other families) are having a garage sale at my parent's house in Reverewood. Saturday the 18th is my 30th birthday, so you should come and celebrate with me at our garage sale. On the map below, the house is actually a little farther down the street from the marker, but it's close. The house is actually at the "d" in Medford.

View Larger Map

Save the Date: YWCA run, jane, run 2011

2011-06-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Clocks for Sale

2011-05-27T21:24:00.001-04:00

Here are some more things from our garage sale. We have two really nice clocks. They are great decorative clocks. I love them, but we are trying to downsize our stuff. We are asking $5 for both or $3 each. If you are interested, please email me at bethelgal42@yahoo.com or comment below.

Small Blue Couch for Sale

2011-05-27T20:51:00.003-04:00

This small blue couch would be perfect for a college dorm room or a small starter apartment. I used it while I was in college and it served me very well. It is looking for a new home. If you are interested in, please email me at bethelgal42@yahoo.com or write a comment below. We are asking $20 for it.

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YWCA Men's March Against Domestic Violence 2011

2011-05-23T16:40:00.000-04:00

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The YWCA North Central Indiana is kicking off the month with Walk a Mile in her shoes - Men's March Against Domestic Violence. Steve is participating in this event again this year. I'm announcing it early, so you can mark the date on your calendar. Steve missed his goal last year by only $50. I think he plans on raising his goal this year even higher than last year. I have faith that he can make his goal this year. It's on Saturday, October 1, 2011. I will most post details as the date gets closer and of course I'll post a link to his pledge site.

This is for a great cause so I hope as many people that can will participate. If you cannot participate yourself, please consider giving Steve a pledge when the time comes.

If anyone knows of any fun ways to build pledges, let me know and I'll pass the idea along to Steve.

Semi Formal Prom or Bridesmaid Dress - Purple

2011-05-21T20:49:00.004-04:00

I am selling this beautiful Lavendar Alfred Angelo dress. It is a size 14 and has only been worn once. I bought it for my best friend, Liz's wedding in 2006 when I was a Bridesmaid. It was altered for my height of about 5' 4''. It has beading on the top above the flowers and down the front of the dress. It has thin straps, but they can be removed to me made straplesss. The dress cost almost $200 when I bought it, but I'm selling it for $75 or best offer.

The other dress I'm selling is a strapless dark purple semi-formal dress. It is a size 9/10. The dress comes with a shawl. This dress was also only worn once for a semi-formal event. I am asking $75 for it.

Both dresses have been stored in a plastic "Space Bag", so they look great. If you are or someone you know is intereted, please send me an email at bethelgal42@yahoo.com or send me a message on facebook.

TV For Sale

2011-05-20T16:16:00.001-04:00

,I'm posting a few things that will be in our garage sale next month in advance. Does anyone know someone who needs a new tv. It runs great, but we just don't need it anymore. The TV is surrounded in a beautiful wooden case. It would look great in anyone's living room.
We are asking $30, but we willing to negotiate.
If you, or someone you know, are interested email us at bethelgal42@yahoo.com or send a message on facebook.

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May 5th, 2011: National Day of Prayer - What If His People Prayed?

2011-05-04T21:03:00.001-04:00

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

What If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more

What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way

Chorus II:
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray

Bridge:
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Choruses:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear yeaah
If only we would pray

Currently Reading: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

2011-04-29T11:27:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading the book A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I loved this movie when I was growing up. My sister and I used to watch it over and over. Shirley Temple was so cute with her little blond girls and I just loved the story. Well, if you have seen the movie but you haven't read the book there are spoilers ahead. So if you plan on reading the book, which I totally recommend, I would stop reading now. I will try not to give too much away though. Most of the movie and the characters follow along with the book pretty nicely, but there is one major plot point that is totally different in the book. Just for the record, I loved the book and I don't understand why they felt it necessary to change it. A Little Princess is a story of a girl who, even though she went through the worst of times, she never lost sight of the important things in the life. It's the opposite of the rags to riches story. She had great wealth but never let it go to head and then she lost in all and regained it again.

In the book, Captain Crew is not a soldier, but an investor. He brings Sarah to the school, so he can go back to India and invest in a diamond mine with a friend. The diamond mine, or so he thought, had no diamonds in it. Captain Crew is so grief-stricken over losing his fortune that he dies of brain fever. After hearing of her father's death, Miss Minchin keeps Sarah as a servant and a teacher for the younger kids. Even though she is dealing with hard times, she still views herself as a princess and treats everyone, even "beggar children" with great kindness. Well it turns out the friend that lost all her father's money comes back and regains the fortune and finds diamonds in them mine, but it's too late Captain Crew is dead. The friend becomes very heart sick at the lost his friend and begins to look for Sarah. With Sarah's great kindness and the fact that he is searching for young child, she attracts the attention of the Indian gentlemen that has moved in next door. Sarah is drawn to the new neighbor because she was born in India and he reminds her of home. The Indian gentleman's servant showers the Sarah and her fellow servant, Becky, with secret gifts in their room. He feels that if he helps Sarah then maybe he won't feel so bad about his friend's missing child. This man is Sarah's father's friend but they don't know it yet. Through the course of events Sarah meets the Indian gentlemen in person and it is discovered that Sarah is the little girl he has been looking for. Sarah leaves the cold attic she had been living in under Miss Minchin's care and goes to live with her father's dear friend and she brings Becky with her as her servant/assistant. Sarah again has wealth because she now owns half of a diamond mine and regains her status as a "princess", even though in her heart she always was one. It has a great happy ending and I loved how it all worked out. It seemed to flow very nicely and all the characters were well developed. The ending of the book is not as "Hollywood" as the movie, but it's true to Sarah's character.

In the movie, after Sarah finds out that her father is presumed dead she is made into a servant for Miss Minchin. An Indian man moves next store and Sarah befriends him. He showers her with secret gifts. The man feels sorry for Sarah and says he will help her find her father if he is still alive. Sarah runs away to the veteran's hospital certain that her father is still alive and finds her father in a dark room and even the Queen makes an appearance in the movie. The movie has a "happy ending", but I don't think the book had a sad ending. Sarah is greatful and happy at the end of the book with her new friends.

I grew up on this movie and I always loved it, but in my opinion the book was 100 times better and a must-read. I don't understand why they changed the character of her father. Maybe they thought that having a soldier has a father was more romantic for the movie, then her father being an investor. Maybe they thought the happy ending of her father still being alive was better than the happy ending of his friend coming to find her.

Taxes By State - 2011

2011-04-27T09:00:00.010-04:00

Taxes by state

The sales tax seems to be more politically acceptable than the income tax. ~Raymond C. Scheppach
Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a refund from the IRS, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with. ~Author unknown, from a Washington Post word contest
People try to live within their income so they can afford to pay taxes to a government that can't live within its income. ~Robert Half
A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right. ~Author Unknown
Did you ever notice that when you put the words "The" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS?" ~Author Unknown

How does your state measure up? The first column is highlighted in blue if there is no income tax. In the second and third column, I highlighted the states with the lowest tax rates.

I can't wait to move to Texas. They have a lower sales tax then Indiana, a lower gas tax than Indiana, and no state income tax. :o) It will feel like a got a raise.

Fun Parenting of Twin Tips

2011-04-21T15:37:00.007-04:00

Several of our friends and family members had twins this past years, so I thought it would fun to write some fun tips for parenting twins.

1) Names: You do not have to name your twins names that rhyme or are very similar to each other, like Sarah and Kara, Matt and Pat, Christian and Christopher, Michael and Michaela. Your twins are going to spend the rest of their lives being called the wrong names even if they not alike, why make it more difficult for people. My sis and I have very different names and people still can’t seem to get them right. I have been called Erica, Elizabeth, and of course Erin, because someone thought I was Erin and I have been called Brittany, Becky, Brianna, and even Jennifer, Heather or Rachel. It’s not fun to always be called the wrong name, so try and make it easy on people.

2) Identity: It's important that you treat the twins like separate individuals and not half of a person. Calling them "The Twins", "The Girls", or "The Boys" all the time, instead of using their names, can makes them feel like they are not important as an individual, but only as a team. Try to remember that they are two people with different interests and many times very different personalities and do not always need to be lumped together as one person. They already feel insecure and not important as an individual since nobody can remember and call them by the right name. My sis and I have a great relationship now and the best thing we did, in my opinion, is go to different colleges with different friends, so we could actually figure out who we are as individuals and not just as "the twin." I had friends at Bethel that knew I had a sister, but did not know I was twin and that's ok. I have to admit this was party to avoid the questions outlined in point number five.

3) Interests: I alluded to this in the earlier point, but sometimes the twins have different interests. One twin might be interested in math and baseball and the other twin might be more interested in music and tennis. THIS IS OK! They do not always have to do everything the same. If they have similar interests and friends, that's great, but it's not necessary. You also should avoid always comparing them to each other. Saying things like, "Your sister likes math and is good as baseball, aren't you supposed to good as math and like baseball too" does not help their self-esteem. What they hear is "You are so stupid. Why can't you be smart like you sister? Aren't you supposed to be clones of each other and do everything exactly the same?"

4) Gifts: You have two separate kids, so you don't always have to get one present “for both of them” for every occasion. Sometimes, it's ok to get two presents, one for each separately, that could even be different from each other. And if you have other kids and you spend $50 on a present for Sibling-non twin, then it's NOT OK to spend only $50 for the one present you bought for both twins. Do you see how that is not fair? You spent twice as much on the sibling-non twin, than you did for the each twin. This causes conflict because the twins will start to feel that you love the other sibling more and it will cause the twins to resent the other sibling and see them as spoiled. Or worse yet, they may start to resent being a twin and wish they weren’t and that can really hurt the relationship between the twins.

5) Questions: Start to prepare your kids really young for the really stupid questions and comments they are going to asked throughout their lives no matter how old they get. This is including but not limited to: There are so many more: Here are some more. Apparently, we are not the only twins that have been asked these questions.

* Did your mom always dress you alike as a kid? (Answer: Of course...)
* Did you try to switch places during classes to confuse your teachers? (Answer: No, this only works on TV or in movies)
* I think it would be cool to be a twin? Do you like being a twin? (Answer: No, I hate it....she says sarcastically)
* Do you ever wish you weren't a twin? (Answer: Of course, I wish every day my sister would die....she says sarcastically)
* Oh my gosh, I just say someone who looked just like you, are you related? (Answer: No, Oh my gosh I must have an evil twin out there that I have never met before. That is so cool...she says sarcastically)
* I think I'm seeing double, do you know you guys look really alike? Are you twins? (Answer: Oh my gosh, you are right. I never noticed that before. No, I have never met her before in my life. (Again usually said sarcastically)
* Who's older? (Answer: For us, we hate this question because we born via c-section so they answer is a few seconds, but why does that always matter to people. Most twins are born within minutes of each other, so who cares who's older.)
* Do you want twins when you get older? (Answer: I want healthy kids...and just one at time. If God blesses me with twins, that ok but it's his call, not mine)
* Do you think you will twins since it runs in your family? (Answer: This is a common misconception. Identical twins are not genetic. They are random. The fact that I'm a twin and my mom is a twin is merely a fun coincidence. Fraternal twins are genetic and tend to skip a generation.)
* You have the same birthday. Are you twins? (Answer: Duh!)
* My favorite one I get is: Does Steve ever get you two mixed up? (Answer: NO!)
Just in case someone reads this and gets the wrong idea, I don't love being a twin. I'm sure Erin is laughing her head off while she is reading these questions and I'm sure she is thinking of others too. I know I was cracking myself up while writing it.

Our Response From Delta

2011-04-20T10:53:00.007-04:00

Delta sent me an email asking for some feedback about our flight. I got this response in my email today.

This is what I said:
The first leg of our trip was from Chicago to Atlanta. We took off on time from Chicago but landed in Atlanta behind schedule. Then we ran to our connection flight to our destination of Tulsa, OK. The flight was delayed because they were waiting for the crew to show up. We were finally in the air and ready to land and because of the storm we were rerouted in Little Rock, AR. I actually thought this part of the trip was well taken care of for us. Some other passengers were sent to really bad hotels but we were sent to a really nice hotel for a free night. We also received meal vouchers and a $200 travel voucher. I really appreciate how the pilot decided at the last minute not the land because it would have been too dangerous. The gentleman that helped us book a room seemed genuinely concerned about getting everybody a hotel room for the night. Delta redeemed itself but unfortunately the rest of the trip was not so good. On our trip back, we had a layover in Minnesota and then a flight back home to Chicago. We arrived at the airport early and got to the gate just to find out that they were overbooked on the flight or so we thought because they were looking for people to give up their seats. Our flight was not even boarded yet at the time we were supposed to be taking off. We found out later that the real reason that we were delayed was not because they overbooked, but because 3 flight attendants and pilot wanted to fly deadhead and there wasn't room for them. So Delta kicked off paying customers and delayed our flight because a flight crew wanted a free trip to Minnesota. We finally started boarding 20 minutes after we should have been taking off. On top of that, since only 3 people volunteered to switch flights they actually kicked a guy off the flight involuntarily. I don't get too upset if the delay is caused by a mechanical problem because I understand that safety is a priority, but delays caused by a missing flight crew or because a flight crew wants a free trip is not acceptable to me, especially if there no room for them and they are delaying a takeoff. Well our flight finally got into the air and we landed in Minnesota only 15 minutes before our flight to Chicago was scheduled to take off. The flight attendant told the gate number the Chicago flight was supposed to at and told us she hoped we made it. We ran through the terminal to the gate thinking we would get there barely on time anyway just to find out the flight attendant was WRONG!!! We were at the wrong gate and so we had to run through the terminal to the right gate thinking there was no way we were going to make the flight. Well it turns out that Delta's inability to take off on time worked in our favor this time. We finally got to the right gate just to find out that the flight hadn't even boarded yet due to engine troubles. Our 2:15 flight finally took off at 3:30. So where I am thankful that we didn't miss our flight, if the flight would have taken off on time, we would have because of the delay taking off in Tulsa and the flight attendant giving us the wrong gate information. This is not the first time we have had problems with Delta, but certainly the most upsetting.

This is Delta's Response:
Dear Mrs. Pitney,
RE: Case Number 3185831
Thank you for writing about your recent flight experience while traveling with your companions. On behalf of Delta Air Lines and our Connection partner SkyWest and Compass Airlines, I sincerely apologize for our flight delay and lack of assistance from one of our flight attendants. It is abundantly clear that your experience was far from a shining moment in airline travel and far from the level of service you had every right to expect. It was good to know that despite of a flight diversion on your departure flight your situation was handled appropriately.

Moreover, I understand the frustration you experienced when your plans were disrupted due to the delay of our flight for crew reasons departing Tulsa. Your report about the manner in which this was handled by our representatives concerns us. We clearly recognize that we cannot become complacent, and we are actively and aggressively seeking ways to improve all areas of our operation.

Also, it was disheartening to learn that our flight crew advised the wrong gate number for your flight. As our customer, you are in the best position to point out areas that need attention as our goal is to provide accurate information at all times. We will not tolerate discourtesy, and we do all possible to prevent anything similar from happening in the future. Your feelings are very important to us and please know your feedback will be shared with our Airport Customer Service leadership team for internal follow up.

Mrs. Pitney, as our valued customer, you are an integral part of our customer base and we are always interested in your feedback. Thank you for taking the time to write about the flight disruption and poor customer service. Your business is important to us and given the opportunity of serving you in the future, I am confident Delta will not only meet but exceed your expectations.

Sincerely,
Henry P. Torrence, Coordinator, Customer Care
Delta Air Lines/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Our Tulsa Vacation was Definetly Memorable

2011-04-18T17:14:00.006-04:00

So we had a pretty eventful vacation. I'm going to call this vacation, "If it can go wrong, it probably will." I am going to premise the story by saying that I really hate to fly. I get nervous and have a small panic attack at take off and with even the smallest turbulence.

Thursday: We left for our trip around noon and headed to Chicago. We met up with Damian and got to see him for a little while and he brought us to Midway. Midway is pretty good airport. We don't normally have a problem with flights going out of Midway. Our flight was on schedule and we headed to our layover in Atlanta. I don't know if it's Delta or just the Atlanta airport, but we never seem to have flight in or out of Atlanta be on time. Some how we took off from Midway on time, but landed in Atlanta late (which is typical). We ran to our connection flight and of course if was behind schedule because they were waiting for the crew to show up. We finally took off and we should have been in Tulsa an hour and a half later. The pilot told us that we were on our final decent and that we should be in Tulsa in the next twenty minutes. Apparently, it was storming in Tulsa and the pilot came back on the speaker and said that he didn't feel that it was safe for him to land during the storm (which we found later was probably the right decision), so we were on our way to Little Rock, Arizona. The rest of the flight was nothing short of terrifying. The plane shook and it felt like at any moment it would break apart. Now as much as I will complain about Delta in this situation I thought they did a great job. The Delta representative gave us hotel vouchers for a really nice hotel. Apparently some on our flight were not so lucky. A few of the passengers were given vouchers for a hotel called Roadway Inn, which we found out later is similar to the Wooden Indian Inn. Those passengers showed up at our hotel and luckily were able to get a hotel room. One lady said her cab driver refused to even take her to that hotel and brought her directly to the hotel we were at.
Friday: The storm followed us to Little Rock and the tornado alarms were going off all night. Friday morning, they gave everyone a breakfast and lunch meal voucher and $200 flight voucher for our next flight. I don't know if a lot of people complained or if they just felt really bad about the situation. Getting 109 people booked in different hotels at 10pm is probably not easy after all. So by 9:30, we were on our way to Tulsa for the second time. I was so tired by the time we actually got to Tulsa. When we picked up our rental car and finally got settled into our hotel room, we met up with the Steinbachs and helped them finish setting up the hotel. I was good to finally see Liz and her parents. I have missed them. If I can find a bright spot so far the Little Rock issues did give us a free hotel room for a night and one less day for the rental car. That saved us at least $100. We went to dinner at the same restaurant they had the rehearsal dinner. We weren't with the party, but we sat at a table near them.
Saturday: Saturday, we did some shopping around the city and got ready for the wedding. Amy was a beautiful bride. After the reception, we helped clean up and hung out at Liz's house for a little while with her family.
Sunday: We showed up at the airport on time. Of course, per normal Delta, the flight was delayed. We only had a 40 minute layover in Minnesota, so I was getting nervous that if we didn't take off on time that we would miss our flight home. We thought the reason the flight was not taking off was because Delta overbooked the flight because they were asking for volunteers to leave the flight. We actually considered it because they were going to give us $400 each but they couldn't get us on a one-way flight to Chicago until after 10pm, so wouldn't have gotten home until long after midnight. Since we had to work today, they wouldn't work for us. We found out later that they actual reason we were waiting was because three flight attendants and a pilot wanted to fly deadhead on the flight and there wasn't room for them, so Delta kicked paying customers off the flight because some employees wanted to fly for free. I don't mind waiting if there is a mechanical problem because I understand they want to keep us safe, but waiting for flight crews to arrive or kicking off passengers for a non-paying flight crew is unacceptable in my book. We finally boarded the plane almost twenty minutes after we should have been taking off. Only three fliers volunteered, so actually had to kick one guy off not voluntarily. He did not look happy at all. We landed in Minnesota with fifteen minutes to spare before our flight to Chicago was to take off. We asked the flight attendant for the gate of our connecting flight and ran to that gate just to find out that the attendant was wrong. We were at the wrong gate, so we ran to right one knowing that we probably would get there just in time to watch the plane take off. That however was not the case. They hadn't even boarded the plane yet because there was an engine issue with the plane. This time the delay actually worked in our favor. Our 2:15 flight finally got off the ground at 3:30 and we were on our way home. Damian picked us from the airport, we drove home and went to bed.

It was a crazy vacation that involved a near nervous breakdown, but Steve knows my comfort food and he got me some ice cream while we were waiting for our Chicago flight to board. He is such a great husband! The positives are that I got to see Lizzy and her parents and we did save some money on hotel and rental fees, but the rest of it...Let's just say that I'm glad to be home.

Happy Birthday to Steve!

2011-04-13T16:05:00.000-04:00

Steve eating his Hacienda cake! It was really good cake.

Sears Hometown Store Grand Opening Weekend

2011-04-11T11:55:00.000-04:00

This weekend was a great weekend. Saturday was the South Bend Sears Hometown Store's Grand Opening. I worked from 9am to almost 6:30pm. We were really busy, which is great. I loved watching all the people supporting the new store. I was surprised that I didn't see anyone from the other Sears come and support the new. It's privately owned family business, so when you shop at the Hometown Store you are supporting a local family and the couple that owns the store is super-nice. Anything that is available at the mall Sears can be ordered into the Hometown Store, so instead of going to the mall you should come to the Hometown Store on South Michigan. :o) I was pretty exhausted when I got off work. I thought the day went really smoothly. After work on Saturday, I had to babysit for the girls. Saturday was also my dad's birthday, so I picked up the girls and brought them to my parent's house and we had some dinner and birthday brownie.

Sunday was another busy work day for me. We got up and went to small group before church. Then Steve stayed at church, but I had to go to work at Sears. Steve decided on Saturday night that he wanted to have a cookout on Sunday for his birthday, so while I was at work he had to invite people and get things set up. We had to babysit again on Sunday and since I had to work till 4 and Shere has to leave for work at 2, Steve volunteered to watch the girls for a few hours all by himself until I got off work. He survived the craziness of two little girls just fine. When I got home, I took the girls and we did some cookout shopping while Steve went to go pick up Damian from the airport. The girls and I bought some chicken, hot dogs, and chips. We even got some cake and ice cream. I think were excited to help pick out what we were going to eat. We got home and I cleaned up the house and got it ready for the cookout and girls played outside in the front yard. It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday. It was a perfect day for a cookout.

Today is Steve's birthday! Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!

An Amazing Song: Blessings By Laura Story

2011-04-08T08:53:00.000-04:00

BLESSINGS
Laura Story

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family

Protection while we sleep

We pray for healing

For prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand

to ease our suffering

And all the while

You hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

Cuz what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know you’re near

What if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness

We doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

Lord, that we’d have faith to believe

Cuz what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know you’re near

What if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not

This is not our home

Cuz what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know you’re near

What if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life

The rain

The storms

The hardest nights

are your mercies in disguise

Megamind Movie Night

2011-04-01T08:32:00.000-04:00

After dinner, Steve and I were sitting on the couch trying to what we were going to do for the rest of the evening. First, we had our Budget Committee Meeting so we could finalize our March numbers and create the April budget. Then I remembered that our bank started this rewards program and I had a coupon on our debit card for 10% cash back on a redbox movie, so it would be like paying only 90 cents for a movie. Woohoo. We decided on Megamind because there really wasn't much else to choose from that we really wanted to see. Steve went to go pick it up and I made some popcorn. I really like the rebox program because instead of a movie costing us $8 a person for the ticket, plus another $10 for popcorn and drink, movie night only costs a few dollars.
Megamind was a pretty fun movie and it had a good life lesson in it. "When there is evil, there will always be good to stand up to it."

Is There Other Life Out There?

2011-03-28T14:03:00.000-04:00

This is the Core of the Milky Way

Is there really life out there somewhere? I'm reading a book right now called, "Is Mars Inhabitable" and it got me thinking. Could there be life on another planet out there somewhere? We serve an almighty God with infinite power and wisdom. Do you ever wonder if He created another solar system just like ours billions of light years away that we haven't discovered yet with planets just like ours and with people just like us? I wonder if they have the same hopes and dreams that we have? I wonder if they have turned their back on God like we have so many times. I wonder if God is weeping for His children and calling them back to Him too? I wonder if they are looking up to the heavens and wondering if there is other life out there. I wonder...

When I was in Junior High, I thought it would be fun to be an Astronomer or an Astronaut. I loved science and the beauty of the night sky was always breath taking to me. I thought it would be really cool to go into space and witness the majesty of God's creation. Obviously, life took me in other directions, but I still love to be still with nature.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Genesis 1:1-5

My New Job Starts Tomorrow

2011-03-24T15:04:00.002-04:00

View Larger Map
I get to start my new part time job tomorrow. Who knew that I could be unfairly fired from the Sears in the mall, then go work for the Sears Homestore in South Bend? I'm excited about it though. I already have some knowledge about the stuff I will be selling and it's a family-owned business. They close at 7pm during the weeks, so I will only be working on the Friday and Saturdays, and possibly some Sundays but not many. It's a pretty new store and they don't feel like the have the business yet for me to be on commission like I was at the mall, so I will be hourly instead. I don't know yet what the hourly amount will be, but I trust it will be fair. The new location is on Michigan St, just north of Ireland. The Grand Opening is April 9th, so I hope all my friends and family can make it to support me and the new store.

I have a second interview next Tuesday for a part time job that would be Monday-Thursday evenings and Saturdays for 20 hours a week. It's for 4-C's in South Bend and it's a data entry job that feels like it will be very similar to what I'm doing at the YWCA now and they even said I could work some from home. My mom used to have an at-home day care with 4-C's and the lady I had my first interview with actually remembered my mom. I feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of potentially working three jobs. I will definitely have to get my time organized, so I don't work myself to death.

Am I crazy? Possibly, but I don't see it as my life forever. I figure if I work like a crazy person now when Steve and I start a family, I won't have to work as much. I really want to be able to stay home for as long as I can after the child is born. I also really want to pay off our debt.
I was so stressed and angry when I lost my job at Sears, but it seems like things are really coming together. It's been a long few weeks, but I'm ready for the next adventure.

Happy St. Patrick's Day: The Prayer of St. Patrick

2011-03-17T15:08:00.000-04:00

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation

Steve and I have One Million Dollars!

2011-03-13T18:31:00.003-04:00

Steve got me this puzzle for Christmas. We decided to start when we were sick. We have been working on it for about two weeks now and we finally finished it last night. It has 1000 pieces and all the money on it equal 1 million dollars.

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Babysitting Fun!

2011-03-13T18:07:00.002-04:00

I'm so exhausted today. I've had a great weekend so far though. Friday after work I filled out some job applications and then went home clean the house. Since Sarah is hiring allergic to everything, I had to dust and clean everything. The house looks really nice right now. Friday evening, Steve and I were on babysitting duty again. The girls were very excited about having a sleepover at the Pitneys. We let them play in the living room while we worked on our puzzle. For dinner, we had cardboard pizza, carrots, corn, and fruit. Yum! After dinner, we played some more games and turned on the Wii. We played some tennis, baseball, bowling, and some others. I have to say that I like video games like the Wii much better than the games I grew up with or at least people my age since all we ever had was an Atari. These games involve getting up and being active while playing, instead of sitting on the couch and playing. The girls are pretty good at the games too. Kariana and I beat Steve and Cadence at tennis. Cadence beat Steve at bowling a few times. When Steve got a spare, Cadence always said, "Oh, Steve you were close."
Saturday morning, the girls got up and ready for their mom to come pick them up. Steve left for Chicago to pick up Sarah. After lunch, the girls came back to our house so Shere could go to work. The girls helped me clean and I took them with me for some grocery shopping. It was nice out so we played at the park for a little while and then went home for some dinner of turkey, corn, and grapes. Yum! The girls wanted to bake some brownies to surprise Sarah, so the girls helped me make some brownies. I think Steve and Sarah really liked them. After my sis got off work, we played some more Wii games and then she took the girls home for bedtime. Today we are just relaxing. We love the girls and they such great kids, but I'm exhausted today.

A Busy Week!

2011-03-10T20:27:00.000-05:00

Moments after this picture was taken, she snuggled up with Steve and said, "Is it bedtime yet?"

We have had a busy week this week. Last weekend, we babysat on Friday. We played some Wii games and I lost at Connect 4 to a 4 year old three times in a row. Saturday, I went to a dinner get together and a family friend's house and played some more Wii games. I had never played the dance game before, but it was really fun. It felt good to be out with friends since I had been so down all week. I really needed a good pick me up. I have spent the last week applying for jobs online for a new part time job. I have gotten a few calls, so we will have to wait and see what happens. My old Fazoli's manager is still managing at Taco Bell and he said I could go and work for him. I'm not sure if I want to go back to minimum wage food service, but I'd be willing to do if I have to for the short-term. It was nice to be home all week to spend time with Steve. Things are starting to look up.
Wednesday, Steve's mom and step dad came into town, so we went to dinner with them to Red Lobster. Cheddar Biscuits = yummy.
This weekend is going to busy again because we are babysitting again on Friday and Saturday. The girls are actually having a sleepover at the Pitney's on Friday night. That should be loads of fun. Our friend Sarah is coming to visit us on Saturday until next Wednesday, so Steve will be driving to Chicago on Saturday to pick her up. So that means, I'll be watching the girls all day all myself on Saturday.

My New Phone

2011-03-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

My Palm Treo has been pretty sick lately. The speaker was failing, so basically, in order for me to hear someone I was talking to I had to have the phone on speaker phone. Steve found a website online that was selling Droids for $20, so I started reading all the reviews to see which one was the best. After reading the reviews, we bought the Droid 2 Global. It had, by far, the best reviews.
It arrived at our house yesterday afternoon, so Steve went home during lunch to get it. I know I did not like that I have to pay the extra data plan fee, but I think I'm going to like it. Usually I just use my phone for phone calls and the occasional texting, but I figure since I'm going to paying for it, I might as well us it. I downloaded a free audio book application and today I am "reading" The Phantom of the Opera, the book not the play. There are quite a few free books, so I'll have to decide what I want to "read" next.My mom gave me the first call on my new phone. It was then that I realized that I was not a big fan of the default ring tone, so I reset all the sounds. I got my calendar to transfer to my new phone, but I haven't been able to get my contacts from the old phone to transfer yet. The phone did automatically add all my Facebook contacts on the phone, even though I didn't ask it to.

I'm Waiting for my Crown of Life

2011-02-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

I don't feel very blessed today. This week has just been one trial after another. My spirit feels very deflated right now. I don't feel thankful and I don't really want to rejoice. I think I have the right to be angry for a little while. I'm angry and frustrated. Sometimes I feel like whenever I start to feel good about myself or when I think good things are going to happen something bad happens. It doesn't feel fair what happened.

I know that I can find another job and the next job could possibly be much better than the one I had. I have no ill will towards Sears, my boss, or my co-workers. They were all just doing their job and what they thought was right. I unfortunately got blamed for something that I didn't do.

I'm trying to hard to live by the verses above, but this life is hard. I can't help always feel like something bad is waiting for me right around the corner. I have struggled my whole life with that voice in my head telling me that I will never measure up. That Little voice that tells me that I shouldn't bother even trying because I'm never going achieve what I want. I know that I have to ignore the voices and rebuke them with scripture, but they get so loud sometimes.

So what do I do now? I have to lift myself back up, ignore the voices in my head, try to remember all the things I have to be thankful for and move on with my life to, hopefully, bigger and better things. It's not as easy as it sounds. Life is a journey filled with stress, disapointments, joys, and laughter. We have to live life one day at a time until we reach our final destination, our ultimate purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Celebrate Women: Shop and Support the YWCA

2011-02-23T09:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T12:34:00.001-05:00

Today is Valentine's Day and my Valentine is sick today. We both took a sick day today. I had a planned doctor's appointment and Steve is sick. He had been sick all weekend and he finally went to the doctor today and the doctor thinks he has a virus. So I have to clean the whole house really well, so we kill whatever virus might still be hanging around the house. We turned on our air cleaner to a higher setting and put out both of humidifiers, so hopefully he will start to feel better soon. I haven't got sick yet and hopefully I will not get it. I am starting the get the sniffles, but no flu yet.

I figured since I'm cleaning everything really well and I'm home, this would be the perfect time to organize stuff for our garage sale this summer. So I'm emptying all the cabinets in the kitchen and cleaning all the pots and pans and putting the ones we don't use very often in the garage sale pile. I will probably do that with our linen closet too, once I am done with the kitchen. We have a lot of towels, sheets and such in several different closets. They need to be better organized.

Steve is sleeping right now and he will probably be asleep for awhile. I hope he starts to feel better soon.

Exodus 23:25: "So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you."

I'm Evicting Mickey!

2011-02-10T21:11:00.001-05:00

Mickey has decided that he wants to raise his family in our garage. Actually, there are three empty houses on our street and Steve thinks Mickey's family lives in one of those houses. Our neighbors all have dogs, so they like to come to our house for dinner. I am so grossed out by this. We have tried putting traps and poison in the garage to catch them, but that seems to only discourage them temporarily. I would think the sight of their dead family members would discourage them from coming back. I read online that mice do not like the smell of Ammonia, because it smells like the urine of their enemies, so I have been using Ammonia to clean the kitchen. It does not smell very good at all and it only seems to work if I clean the kitchen every night and spray it around the doors. I'm not sure how effective it's going to be long term though. We haven't figured out yet how they are getting in. I need a good way to make them leave forever. I am officially giving Mickey and his family an eviction notice. Please raise your family and find your food in a different house, preferably one very far away. If anyone has any mouse evicting tips, I am willing to try just about anything at this point.

"You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are."

2011-02-10T10:15:00.001-05:00

This is a quote that a mentor of mine used to say often. She had a lot of sayings like, "You can tell the students all about character and integrity and that God is real, but if the way you are living your life contradicts what you are saying, then you might as well stop talking because they aren't listening anymore." Students can recognize a hypocrite a mile away. Quotes like this make me nervous though, because I know that someday Steve and I will have kids or maybe I'll get involved in ministry again. These little lives are going to be watching the way I live. Am I living up to the high standard that I have set for myself? Is my standard to high? Is it high enough? I try to keep in touch with as many of my former students as I can and it breaks my heart when I see one of them fall away from God. I can't help but feel like I failed them as their leader. What more could I have said? What more could I have done? Was I not modeling Christian behavior like I should have been? Did I miss something in their lives? I know that the students grow up and have other influences that may have lead them astray, but what could have I said to help them avoid those traps? How can I love them better now that they messed up? How can I show them that God still loves them despite anything they may have done?

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson

The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right. ~William Safire

I Hate Taxes!

2011-02-09T23:10:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting here working on our taxes. This is not an enjoyable process for me at all. We usually do them ourselves because we are too cheap to pay someone to do them for us. We were hoping to use our refund to pay off some debt. It looks like this year we are going to get a small refund from State and we are going to owe to Federal. I guess we can just think of it as us doing our part to "spread the wealth around." I think for next year we are going to change our W-4, so more gets withheld out of our checks. Sears never seems to take our enough. Apparently, we didn't take out enough extra in 2010. It also didn't help that we apparently jumped into the next tax bracket. I am looking forward to one day moving to Texas where there is no income tax.
But I guess I can be thankful that we pay taxes because that means we have a job.

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4

Recipe: Oreo Cookie Cake

2011-02-08T15:54:00.002-05:00

This was my first attempt at making an Oreo Cookie Cake. I made it for my friends for our Super Bowl party. At one point, it looked like a really big Oreo cookie with Oreo cookies around the bottom and a few on top. I drizzled some chocolate sauce on top too. I forgot to take a picture of it before it started to get eaten. The cake was a little crumbly so it was hard to frost on the top, but it tasted really good.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food chocolate cake mix

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

12 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed

MAKE IT:

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
PREPARE cake batter and bake in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 min.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and crushed cookies. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading cream cheese mixture between layers. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Super Bowl Fun 2011

2011-02-07T15:57:00.001-05:00

I'm the Child of a Cheese Head!

This was a good weekend. I'm not really a big football fan, but I love being around great friends. Steve and I hosted the Super Bowl Party again this year. The weekend started out with both of us having to work Saturday, then cleaning when I got home. Our vacuum cleaner did not survive the cleaning of the house, so we had to get a new one on Saturday. Sunday, after church we finished cleaning the house and started making food for the party.
My sis wanted this year's theme to be cheese due to the Packers playing the game. Normally, I don't really care who wins, but this year the Packers were in it. One half of my family are Packers fans and the other half are Bears fans, so that makes for fun competition. The Super Bowl is really about great food, great friends, and commercials, right? Most years the game is just what happens between the commercials. Some of the commericals were kinda lame this year, but some were really creative and fun. I think this was my favorite, but it was hard to choose.
Since Steve and I hosted, we are in charge of the main dishes. I made a Tuscan Beef Stew in the crock pot, some Honey BBQ and Spicy chicken wings, and an Oreo cake. I thought they all turned out really well. Our friends brought some great food too. I seriously have the great friends every. I am so thankful that I have these people in my life.
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers: 25 - Green Bay Packers: 31

Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew - I added some red potatoes and did one can each of red and white kidney beans.
Chocolate-Covered OREO Cookie Cake - I just used store bought chocolate frosting for the top, instead of making my own frosting. This was heavenly.

2011 Blizzard Update: Snow Day

2011-02-02T09:52:00.001-05:00

So, Steve and I got a snow day from work today because of all the snow. I didn't think it was that bad out when I was starting to up this morning, because they were actually plowing our street. We live on a dead end road with mostly rentals, so our street doesn't get plowed very often. Steve and I both got calls from our bosses this morning telling us that we didn't have to come in. Steve thinks he might still have to go in to shovel the sidewalks around the YWCA for the clients, but South Bend has declared a "Snow Emergency" so I don't think he will have to shovel. I don't anticipate the clients wanting to go anywhere in this mess. My uncle that lives in the south east corner of Wisconsin said they have about 5 feet of snow in their yard, probably due to snow drifts We don't have that much yet, but it is still snowing. It is supposed to continue to snow all day. It's crazy out there, but it does make me want to go ice skating or something.

On the bright side, the ground hog did not see his shadow this morning, so that means only 6 weeks until Spring. :o)

Blizzard Warning Issued

2011-01-31T17:08:00.000-05:00

So, all over the news they are threatening that we are going to get another big snowstorm over the next few days. I've heard anywhere from 6-8 inches to two feet. Good thing I went grocery shopping yesterday.

News Story

"Storm seen as worst since '99"
I remember the storm in 1999. That was my Senior year of High School and we got an extra week of Christmas Vacation. All the other grades had to make up the days, but we didn't because we were graduating. :o)

"The weather service said the storm, expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon over much of northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, could be "dangerous, multifaceted and potentially life-threatening."
All told, forecasters expect at least a foot of snow over much of the warning area. White-out conditions are expected at times Tuesday night, with snowfall rates of at least 2 to 3 inches per hour possible with northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph and even stronger gusts."

Well, we may be stuck inside for the next few days.

Mandisa: Voice of the Savior

2011-01-27T09:23:00.000-05:00

I heard this song on the way to Sears yesterday and I really liked it, so I'm sharing it with you.

Mandisa-Voice of the Savior

Some people try to listen, to the bottom of a bottle
Some people try to listen, to a needle in their arm
Some people try to listen, to the money in their pocket
Some people try to listen, to another’s arms

{Chorus}
You and I are not that different
We got a void and we’re just trying to fill it up
With something that will give just a little peace
All we want is a hand to reach to
Open arms that say I love you
We’d give anything to hear
The voice of a Savior

Some people try to find it with blind ambition
Some people try to find it where no one else has gone
Some people try to find it in the crowns of victory
Some people get defeated and lose the strength to carry on

{Chorus}

Some people try to find it in the shadow of a steeple
Some people try to find it in the back row pew
Some people try to find it in the arms of Jesus
That’s where I found it, how about you?

Remodeling Fun

2011-01-26T11:07:00.000-05:00

I am really ready to have my house back. We have been in construction zone since Christmas. We drove all around town on Sunday looking for a mirror that we liked to put in the bathroom. We didn't find anything, so the search continues. We found a really great shelf online at ikea.com but it is only available in the store. The closest Ikea to us is 106 miles away. :o( Luckilly for us, my Aunt lives near there and she is amazing and she is willing to drive to the store and pick it up for us. I love my Aunt. It's not a fancy shelf, but I really like it. Then ikea also has some little white wicker baskets that we are going to put on the shelf. You have to buy those at the store too, so we are hoping we can find some that we like close by. Now we just have to find a mirror that we like to put over the sink and the bathroom will be almost done.
Last night, I started getting the living room cleaned up. I folded some laundry, vacuumed the floor, and put the exercise bike back where it goes after we got home from Trivia Night.

I Feel Productive Today

2011-01-25T12:58:00.000-05:00

I feel really productive today. The past month has been so busy at work with all the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual grant reports that have to be done by January 15th. Since I've spent the last month working mainly on those reports, there are other projects and other work that has had to be put on the back burner. I also have to do the semi-annual data report about all the services and clients we have served in the last 6 months. That report is about 50 pages long. I actually enjoy working with data and statistics though, so it's kind of fun. I think it's interesting to see how many clients we have served and from what walks of life they are coming from. It makes me feel like even though I don't actually meet personally with the clients that my work is making a difference in their lives.

Today, I have spent the morning trying to catch up on everything that I have been putting on the back burner for the last month. I'm very happy to see my big pile getting smaller. Hopefully the rest of the day will be just as productive and hopefully this productive feeling will continue when I get home. I have a bunch of housework, ie laundry and dishes, that need to be done. The laundry is actually all clean. It just needs to be folded and put away.

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Proverbs 12:14
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:1

God's Promise!

2011-01-19T09:27:00.001-05:00

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”

Budget Cuts

2011-01-19T09:15:00.000-05:00

The YWCA is having to cut back the budget again due to the loss of some grant money, so that means my hours are being cut again. Starting this week, I will be getting off at noon on Fridays, so I will go from 40 hours a week to 36 hours a week. I still will be considered Full Time and my benefits will not affected, so praise God for that. Luckily, so far Steve's hours have not been affected. Praise God for that too. The last time the YWCA had to cut staff hours, Steve lost 8 hours a week, so I'm thankful that has not happened yet.
I trust that God is going to get us through this temporary set back in the budget. Hopefully, the YWCA will get some new private donors, so we will not have to rely on government funding so much.
We are going to make some changes to our budget in the coming months and that will probably mean that we will have to slow down a little on our debt snowball, but I believe that we will make it work. God has always provided for us in the past and I am trusting that He will continue to do so.

Goals for 2011

2011-01-14T16:27:00.006-05:00

I decided that I didn't want to make a New Years Resolution this year. I want to have a plan and a goal. Resolutions without a plan is just a dream. Successful people reassess their lives and then start living intentionally, in writing, on paper, on purpose. Goal setting is how you win. Once you've made your resolutions, they will drive you forward. The goals will motivate you to seek activities that will help you succeed. It's not always fun, but those exercises bring you closer to your goal and make you a winner.

To Make Goals Happen They Must Be:

Specific
Measurable
Your Goals
A Time Limit
In Writing

My Goals for 2011:

Financial:

We are going to pay off more in debt by the end of the year, than we did last year.

Intellectual:

I am going to read one non-Fiction book a month.
At least two of those books, will be topic I know nothing or not much about right now.

Family:

I am going to make a commitment to having a date night at least once a month, without the TV.

Spiritual:

I am going to make a start receiving a daily devotional online or Bible reading.
I am going to read at least one Christian book this year.

Career:

I am going to read at least one career book this year.

Physical:

I am going to exercise, either on the Wii Fit or by walking, at least 3 times a week. I want to get my BMI down 2 points by the time I turn 30 (6 months).

Snow Day!

2011-01-08T11:51:00.000-05:00

So Michiana got dumped on by lake-effect snow last night and since the city didn't plow our street after the last snow the foot or more that we got overnight just added to the snow we already had, so as you probably already guessed it, we are stuck in the house today. Steve tried to leave this morning to get a free sandwich from Chick Fil-A, but he only got a few feet past our house and had to come back. He is pretty disappointed in his lack of free sandwich.
I had to call off from Sears today because there is no way that my Focus is going to make it down the street and I don't have very high hopes that the city is going to be plowing our street anytime soon. My dad is borrowing the truck, but I'm not even sure the truck would make it through. Our neighbor tried to get out with his truck and gave up after about 30 minutes.
Steve has actually been wanting a big snow like this since he moved here. Hopefully, we will be able to get out and play in it, since we won't be going anywhere today.

A Year in Review: 2010

2011-01-05T15:48:00.002-05:00

Wow, I can't another year is over. It seems like every year goes by faster than the one before.

In April, we made the final payment on my student loan. That really felt good. I do not miss having that payment in my life. Six years after graduation, I figured it was time to kick Sallie Mae out of the house. Steve's family grew with the addition of twins. Steve's cousin and her husband had one boy and one girl, David and Elizabeth.

In May, Steve and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary with dinner at Ruth Chris in Granger. I love him more every day. We also took a week trip to Texas for a Total It Up training during the last week of May. Total It Up is a five-day course that includes introductory classes on phonetics and phonology, grammar, language and culture learning, translation and semantics, as well as field reports, videos, and personal testimonies. It was fun and we also go to see my best friend, Lizzy, and her family while we were there.

In June, I celebrated my 29th birthday and the next day my cousin got married to his long-time girlfriend, Carrie. She is awesome. I'm so glad she is part of our family now and I'm even more excited that they are going to have their first child in July 2011.

July and August involved a lot of family time. Over the 4th of July weekend, Steve's brother visited us and we got to meet our newest niece at 10 days old. In August, my little brother got married and my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan Cruise. We also welcomed another niece in August. We got to meet her at Thanksgiving. She is very cute.

The fall/winter was busy with October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Steve participated again in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event. He raised $251 for the cause. Our great friends, Tabby and Greg, welcomed their first child, Grant, at the end of October. My friend Esther and her husband also welcomed a son and the chef at the YWCA and her husband welcomed a daughter. This was the year for babies around our world and next year is looking to be another baby boom for us too. For Thanksgiving, we got together with Steve's family. We are both still working at Sears and the Christmas season is the busy time at work. We survived the craziness though. After Christmas, Steve and I took a week of vacation and Steve used the week to renovate our bathroom. We are getting a new tub, a new toilet, and a new vanity. Steve did a really great job and it's almost done.

We were blessed beyond belief this year. I am so thankful for the amazing friends and family that we have. I'm so looking forward to great adventures 2011 will have in store for us.

"To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in."

"Stay-cation" 2010

2010-12-30T21:28:00.005-05:00

Steve and I both took a week of vacation time this week from the YWCA. I had to work a few nights at Sears, but Steve had off from both jobs. Steve and I decided to use our vacation time to fix up our bathroom. It's been on our to-do list since we moved in, so we figured we had the money saved up, it was as good a time as any. The bathtub was chipped and really dirty, so it is being replaced with a Whirlpool tub with tile on the wall around it. The toilet is being replaced with one that is more water bill-friendly and will not leak. We are getting a new vanity and sink too. The cabinet and mirror, we are keeping because we like them. My dad put in the tile floor new when we moved in, so we are keeping that too.
Steve spent Tuesday, with the help of our friend Stacy, planning the project, taking measurements and ripping out the dry wall. Stacy helped with the drywall part mostly. I think they had some fun doing that. The drywall had to be replaced because there was some mold behind the old tub that we have to get rid of. Wednesday and Today was spent going to Lowe's and Menards way too many times to get everything we need for the project. Steve is working on the electrical right now, so we can put up the dry wall tomorrow and put everything in where they go. The plan is to have the project completed by the end of our vacation. I'll post pictures of the finished project when it's done.

Interesting Stats

2010-12-22T13:35:00.000-05:00

I was looking at my blog stats for the past 30 days and I thought that is pretty interesting what countries people are coming to my blog from. I wonder how they are finding it. I work with numbers and statistics all day, so statistics are fun for me. It does make you realize just how interconnected we are with the rest of the world.

Counties They Came From
United States	528
Netherlands	25
Russia	25
Canada	18
Germany	12
South Korea	8

The Top 5 Visted Blog Posts

Six Months to Thirty (30)

2010-12-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music and it occurred to me when I looked at the calendar that six months from tommorrow I am going to be 30. I know to many people 30 doesn't seem like that old, but I remember thinking when I turned 20 of all the things that I wanted to do before I turned 30. Back then 30 seemed so old, but it's funny how it doesn't seem that old to me now. When I turned 20 I remember thinking that I wanted to married and at least have a child by the time I'm thirty, but I think that goes back to the fact that I thought 30 was really old. When I got married at 25, I thought, "I want to be debt free by the time I'm thirty." Well, we are still working on that. Maybe by 40, we will be. :o)
Well, in just six short little months, I will reach to milestone of 30 years old. As I look back on the last decade, I think I did pretty good. There may be a few things that I would do differently if I could go back and do them over again, but not many. I consider myself to be very blessed. I will be celebrating my half-birthday tommorrow by making Christmas cookies after work. Yum!

2010 Pitney Family Christmas Weekend

2010-12-13T16:26:00.004-05:00

Me with our newest niece, Heiress.

This weekend was great. Friday night, Steve went to the YWCA Christmas party and I had to work, so I couldn't go. :o(

Saturday, we both had the day off from Sears because it was the day of Steve's family Christmas. Steve's family never has Christmas on Christmas and that's nice since my family always have Christmas on Christmas. It was such a relaxing day of just hanging out with family. The party was at Steve's brother's house in Bourbon, IN. He lives out in the country, so he has a lot of space for playing for the kids and the guys had room to shoot guns at targets. There was only a few minor injuries, so I guess they were successful. The weather was a little rainy, so we did have to stay inside a lot. On Steve's side of the family, there are ten kids between all of his brothers, so there were kids playing all over. The kids range in age from school age to 3 months. The little cutie in the picture above is our newest niece that was born in August. It was a great day of family fun and eating really good food. Steve's brother, Randy and his family stayed the night with us on Saturday night. When we returned home, it was bedtime for the kiddos.

Sunday, we got up a little early for a normal Sunday. We woke up and ate some breakfast. Cheerios with banana was a big hit with the kids. Steve and I wanted to give his bro and family the gift of Christmas family pictures this year and we were going to have Erin take them. She had to work on Sunday, so packed up the family and headed to Sears. Our adorable little nieces and nephew had fun meeting some of our co-workers. Erin took some great pictures. Casey kept looking at my funny when I was holding her. I'm not sure she knew what to do with two Aunt Bridget's. Steve and I even got to get in one with the kids. They love their Aunt Bridget and Uncle Steve.
They had to leave after we ate lunch in the food court. It was a great weekend. :o)
We didn't do much else for the rest of the day since mother nature decided to dump tons of tons on us over the weekend. Steve did rent a movie from Red Box, so we watched G-Force (which is a very cute movie) and ate some popcorn.
Red Box Movies - $1; Kroger Popcorn = $1 for a box; Not having to pay more than $20 for the movie and popcorn at the theater=Priceless. :o)

Reason #5042 I love My Husband!

2010-12-09T18:17:00.001-05:00

I got home from work tonight and I noticed that the house looked a little different. The table was all cleared off. Then I walked into the bedroom and the bed was made and the floor was clean. The living room floor was clean too. My amazing husband hired a cleaning crew to come out today and clean our house for my Christmas present while we were at work. The cleaners did a spectacular job. This is the perfect time for this great gift. I have been feeling so overwhelmed with everything that had to be done before Steve's family came into town this weekend. I had planned to come home from work and start cleaning and hope that I got it all done, but now all I have to do are a few loads of laundry and some dishes. I love Steve! I have the greatest husband ever!

1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick

2010-12-08T17:03:00.001-05:00

I feel a little better than I did yesterday. I just felt so overwhelmed and stressed yesterday it was making my stomach hurt. Work has gotten really busy and things just seem so out of control. I know they aren't but I can't help but feel so disorganized. I find myself getting angry at the really small stuff that shouldn't matter. I am so thankful that Steve and I have two jobs, so we are able to make some good headway on our debt, but I'm tired. I really don't like weeks like this week when I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights and Steve works Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. We won't see much of eachother this week, except for the at YWCA, in the morning, and at bedtime.
On top of that, Steve and I are trying to get our house organized. We have lived in the house for two years now and there are projects that were started that aren't done and we still can't use our garage. The house seems to messy and cluttered. I know I need to get more discipline to get everything done, especially if we plan to have kids someday. "How do you eat an Elephant?" One bite at a time, right.
I know that I have no reason to complain. I have an amazing husband that is such a hard worker. I have so many blessings. I have a job that I love, amazing friends, a great supportive family, and so much more. I am really looking forward to the Pitney Christmas get together this weekend. It should be a much needed break with family. Steve's brother and family are going to be staying us over the weekend. This means we have to kid-proof the house and do some de-cluttering. I'm exciting that they are coming though.

Lately everytime I feel overwhelmed and just want to quit and take a break from the two jobs, I just focus on this verse. We are so close.
"Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law." Romans 13:8

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

2010-12-06T16:01:00.001-05:00

I love the first snow of the season. It looks so beautiful and peaceful when you are looking out the window. Today is one of the days that I wish my office at work had windows. I can see outside when I leave my office though. The picture is the view out of the Admin office window. It really does look like we are living in a snow globe.

This week is going to be pretty busy for Steve and me, so it is definitely nice to look outside and see such peace. I'm not sure if I'll feel the same way when I leave work and start driving to Sears. Let's hope that the people of Michiana remember how to drive in snow.

YWCA North Central Indiana Volunteer Opportunities

2010-12-03T11:53:00.001-05:00

Volunteers are critical to the mission of the YWCA. Whether the project is small or large, long-term or short-term, many people or just one, volunteers make the YWCA the best it can be. THANK YOU!

Opportunities Available
* Special Group Projects- The YWCA serves over 1400 women and children each year. We are always in need of sprucing up. Help the YWCA by organizing a clean up day! Cleaning, painting, minor maintenance, sewing, playroom and toy cleaning, restocking and reorganization.
* Supply Drive- Organize a drive for art supplies, baby blankets, children's school uniforms, diapers, toiletries, food etc with your family, friends, office, church group or other group.
* Neat & Tidy - The YWCA receives many donations and can always use help keeping them organized. Help us sort and organize donated merchandise.
* Love Books? - Help the YWCA pull together a top notch library by volunteering to organize and clean the library/resource room or having a book drive.
* Enjoy the Kitchen - The YWCA serves over 50,000 meals each year. Help restock the cupboards, prepare, and even serve meals. The kitchen is always in need of help on holidays and special occasions. Join our staff and help us make the holidays special.
* Bi-Lingual? - The YWCA serves women and children of diverse cultures. Your knowledge of other languages could be a wonderful resource in helping us to translate needed materials for our clients.
* Host a Party benefiting the YWCA - Invite you friends to attend an event and bring either monetary contributions or wish list items to donate to the YWCA. The could be done in lieu of birthday presents or could be a party specifically to raise awareness of YWCA program.

These are just a few opportunities available. For other ways to help, to get more information or to sign up, contact Peggy King at 574-233-9491 X 307. You can also donate with a monetary gift online at ywcancin.org.

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man (or Woman)

2010-12-02T14:57:00.004-05:00

The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.

* It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.
* I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
* I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
* I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
* I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
* It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14

Give Thanks!

2010-11-24T16:58:00.000-05:00

GIVE THANKS

WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

GIVE THANKS

TO THE HOLY ONE

GIVE THANKS

FOR HE'S GIVEN

JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY

I AM STRONG

LET THE POOR SAY

I AM RICH

BECAUSE OF WHAT

THE LORD HAS DONE

FOR US

GIVE THANKS...

Thanksgiving is Not About Turkey!

2010-11-22T10:47:00.002-05:00

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Thanksgiving
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

YWCA Christmas Wish List 2010

2010-11-17T15:25:00.005-05:00

Once again the YWCA has had a busy year with a large increase in the amount of women and children we are serving. We have also recently merged with the YWCA of Elkhart County greatly increasing the number of families we will be serving.
When you are shopping for gifts for your family this year, consider picking up an extra present for a hurting child at the YWCA.
Below is a list of items that would be wonderful gifts for the many women and children that will call the YWCA home this Christmas season.
Note: It will be most appreciated if all gifts are non-violent in nature.
Teenagers:
CD players, MP3 players, watches for male and female, hand held videogames, music CDs, DVDs (G, PG, PG-13 only), young women's toiletry items, young men's toiletry items, hats and scarves, hair accessories, age appropriate art supplies, gift cards, books, footballs/basketballs/soccer balls, make-up
Children (age 4-12)
Legos and other building sets, dolls and accessories, books, trucks, cars, educational games, craft projects, hats, mittens, socks, transformers, zu-zu pets, hand held games, play sets (such as farms, schools, houses for preschool age), nerf balls
Infants and young toddlers
Baby action toys, educational toys, stuffed animals, books, hats, mittens, socks, teething toys, rattles/small hand held toys, baby wipes, baby lotion, baby powder, baby wash/shampoo, and baby monitors
* batteries for toys are always appreciated and needed
Adult Women
Robes, slippers, pajamas, throws, alarm clocks, MP3 players, portable CD players, CDs, cameras, watches, costume jewelry, calendars, organizers/day planners, book bags, perfume, bath/body lotions, hair accessories, hats/gloves and scarves
In order to ensure that all the YWCA have a wonderful Christmas, it would be helpful to have donated gifts by Monday, December 13th.
If you have any questions, plese call Peggy King at 574-233-9491 X 307.