Audrey Caroline

For those of you who follow "Bring the Rain" and especially for those who have never heard of it. Go there and watch the video Angie has made for the anniversary of finding the diagnosis for her sweet daughters impending dimise. Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith, lead singer for Selah. They lost a baby last April. We all followed their journey on her blog. She is now writing a book about the whole experience. Sweet family.

Bring the kleenex.
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

cubs update

For those of you who haven't been following the offseason moves of my beloved Cubs, here are the highlights:

1. They let Kerry Wood leave the team and sign with the Cleaveland Indians.

2. They signed Kevin Gregg who is a pitcher to be the set-up for the new closer Carlos Marmol.

3. They signed Milton Bradley, an outfielder who had a great year for the Texas Rangers last year.

4. They lost Mark Derosa to the Phillies and traded Jason Marquis.

5. They have not yet signed pitcher Jake Peavy of the Padres.

so it has actually been a pretty quiet offseason.

35 days till Pitchers and Catchers report to spring training.

joe

Back to School

It has been a whirlwind, but I have everything set and ready to go. I start taking a class on MONDAY at IU Kokomo. In order to start my Masters at IUPUI, I have to pass Statistics 301. So, here is my test. I sure hope I am up for it. Every Monday and Wednesday I will trek to Kokomo for a 1.5 hour class. I hope there are OLD people like me in there.

I am still trying to figure out a way to pass Joe off as a me for my tests- Tia seems international right? the picture may be the kicker though. Just registering online took me 3 days and about 10 phone calls, do you think the class will be much harder than that? nah.

After I talked to the help desk young college girl and explained that I was 38 and going back to school to bear with me. She said "ahh, good for you" suddenly I felt 80, or maybe 8.

Now, do you think I could talk Joe into new school clothes for me? Doubtful, especially after he sees the bill!

Prayer Request

A friend of friends of ours from the Nappanee/Wakarusa area got a tough diagnosis today. Her name is Keri Rohr, she is 9 years old and had a brain tumor removed from the base of her brainstem. It ended up being cancerous. Please pray for this family as they have rough road ahead of them. I can't even imagine as a parent the pain of having a child going through something like that. They are down here at Riley now and for a while undergoing treatment. I do know that I would want as many people storming the gates of heaven in my childs name. Visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kerirohr to learn more.

Menu Monday

Back to school means back to menus. Yes, Jill, we have eaten frozen pizza's over break :).
Monday- Amy's Day: Tuna melts, mac and cheese, Caesar salad, applesauce
Tuesday- Tandoori Chicken(new recipe), cauliflower, rice, blue cheese popovers,(new recipe)
Wednesday-Sausages, salad, sweet potato wedges, butter bread
Thursday Ann's Birthday meal: Pigs in a blanket, mac and cheese, salad, fresh fruit, Brownies
Friday: Ann's Slumber Party: Pizza, Oreo cookie dessert, veggie tray, fruit tray
Saturday: vegetable soup

funny

Rocki Stillson has a blog that my wife and I have enjoyed. Her testimony of God's grace and forgiveness is truly inspirational.

However a recent post made us both laugh hysterically.

See it here.

joe

New verse, new comments

As I have thought about this verse throughout my christian lifetime it has carried different significance. Isnt that the wonder of the Word of God? We can read a verse, then reread it and have different thoughts illuminated by the Holy Spirit within us.

WOW. If you like mysteries......then that is right up your alley.

Now for the next verse;

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

The word PRESS used to mean something specific for me for much of my lifetime. Of course it is basketball related. A "press" is used by the defense to dictate the tempo of the game or to create turnovers which can lead to easy baskets. There is no "resting while pressing".... that was a phrase I used a lot as a coach. *SMILE* . Hopefully you can see the easy transition to our christian walk...

however... I have been led down different significant paths as I read this verse lately....

Goal.... win.... prize... all these definitely speak to me as former athlete and now as "poser" athlete! Yet.... still not .... quite.......fully..... now.......here it is......

.....HEAVENWARD in christ jesus....I am sorry to say I have missed this significance for much of my lifetime....

As I continue to learn how PRIDE and self worship prevents me from loving my savior intimately;

He teaches me that He has called me HEAVENWARD. Not to fix my eyes on these troubling times and treacherous waves (alas Peter). Not to fix my eyes on these temporary prizes and comforts. And certainly not to look elsewhere for answers for my needs for He is my Creator and He knows exactly what I need.

He teaches me that these years in this rented body (temple) which houses a soul that was bought with a heavy price.... are truly short.

and He loves me enough to keep saying, "Joe I am your Father and I know you need me and I know you are scared and I know you dont understand but you must trust me...I am preparing a place for you which is more than you can imagine..."

Oh Father, please continue to put your hand under my chin..... lift up my face so that my eyes may look heavenward.

Do you all feel his fingers under your chin??? I do and it is the best feeling in the world.

Heavenward...

looking up,
joe