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Like so many other people I know, I had to work on New Year's Eve. It wasn't so bad. I got to get all dressed up and do what I love to do...sing sing sing and jump around the stage.
watch this little video
While on break, I took a look at my 2009 goals that I've been carrying around in my wallet. After reading the list of achievements that were important to me last year, I decided to just make one change....at the top of the page, I changed the year to 2010 and left the list as is.....oh well....I'll just keep plugging away!
I am definitely praying for a better year for us all. I especially pray for the people in my life who's hearts are not open.
twenty-ten! |
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Jesus is Risen. That is the focus of this holiday.
It was different for me than my last 18 Easters. I woke up NOT at the farm. I didn't do Easter baskets with the kids or make them breakfast. (It was Jeff's turn) I attended church with my mom and son James...that was a very nice change....we were Spiritually fed!
Nana and Papa Adams had my sibs over and Grandma Adams. Irene came with baby Sophia, so we were able to pose for a 5 generation picture....
The kids came later, and we all camped out on couches. Still a great time, but different than before.
Mom always said, LIFE IS CHANGE. I am thankful that I have a close relationship with my parents and my children....even the ones who have drifted away.
The current circumstances of my life are temporary. Any of my personal issues seem so insignificant in comparison to what Jesus did to wash away our sins.
Jesus is Risen! Life goes on...
and look how pretty she is:
http://app.talkfusion.com/fusion2/view.asp?NDA2MTQz_2056475
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This week, I'm feeling Blessed. On Sunday, I attended church with my son James. It was special because we have not been in touch for awhile. Today, we went to the bank together and made a deposit to Olga Spachil for her help to the orphans of the Krasnodar region. A portion of my book sales goes into Olga's ministry. She is one of my all time heroes. My older children know her as their ANGEL because when she visited their orphanage, something good always came to them. It felt really great to be able to do something POSITIVE with my son. I pray daily that positive people will surround him and influence him.
learn more about Olga and her ministry at www.carefororphans.blogspot.com
go here to watch the video....
http://app.talkfusion.com/fusion2/view.asp?Mzk2MjE1_2056475 |
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Last weekend, the fellas and I spent the weekend with Andy and Polly Andrews and many special members of thier church down in Orange Beach, Alabama. It was a great weekend of fellowship and FUN. Pastor Alan and his wife Karen are AWESOME people....and of course, we got to enjoy some great southern hospitality....and some AWESOME seafood!
I so appreciate the moments I get to experience when I'm in the circle of my brothers in the band. I get to let my CHILD out and they are so accepting of my sillyness. Click on the link to watch the video for some inspiring moments that we shared together. These men Bless my life....
http://app.talkfusion.com/fusion2/view.asp?MzcwNTc0_2056475 |
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So far, January is flying by. I've been practicing guitar alot lately and it feels really good. Next week, the band is going to Alabama to play a concert for Andy Andrews and his community. It'll be nice to get out of the cold weather for awhile and hang with my brothers. I need some group therapy!
The kids are doing great, especially with all the changes taking place with Mom and Dad. They still feel the love from both of us and always will. Whew...so far...
click on the link to see the latest video of my grandchild, Sophia. She sat on my lap at the twins' basketball game today. What a treat...
http://app.talkfusion.com/fusion2/view.asp?MzYxMTYy_2059817
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I'm getting ready to leave soon for our Christmas Eve celebrations. It's a surreal time, and I'm soaking it all in. I love the little moments of Christmas and I will especially savor them today.
May you be BLESSED in 2009!
watch a video message from me...
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Hard to believe it's already almost the end of July.....where does the time go when there is so much going on?
First off, my daughter Irene (age 21) is now married. On July 13th, she married her boyfriend Ryan at a lovely back yard ceremony. I gave her away. Thank you to all family members who came to offer support at this milestone in her life. She and Ryan are excited about their baby SOPHIA who is due in early September. (Yep, I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!! but I don't think I'm ready to be called that yet....how about NANI or BABA or even ZHA ZHA....now that suits me!)
Secondly, I did the Trenton Street fair with my little duo ....STATE OF FAITH. We performed some inspirational songs that WE want to do. It was very windy, so my Dad held the tent down during the gig. (Thanks Dad) There will be more little gigs to come....I am slowly plugging away at my dream of becoming a folk singer....it's a great feeling to pursue a challenge and succeed at something that is special. It helps with the rough spots of life to have something positive to pursue. (Thanks Tony D for all of your friendship and guidance)
Jeff just returned with the boys from an amazing trip out west. They hiked down the Grand Canyon, spent the night, and hiked back up....grueling! But they made it back and have lots of great memories from the trip. I'm thankful that they made it home safely.
I just recieved my national certification as a group exercise instructor. I am now certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Currently, I am teaching 2 classes at the Downriver YMCA.....silver sneakers for active older adults...and PUMP, which is a weight lifting class, plus training my own clients. I am loving my job at the Y....so many great people there. The kids are also liking that they get to come out and work out or swim at the splash park any time...
Jeanette is in summer classes at MCCC. She just got a new job at the country club. I'm so happy for her and proud of the young woman she now is. Our relationship is evolving as she is now an adult. We enjoy hanging out together. They guys flock to her, it's so funny....she is pretty focused, but also having fun too. Rock on JJ...
Nick is still in Russia working hard as a missionary. I'm very happy that he is doing so well and accomplishing so much. He works very diligently daily, and it is not easy work. This experience is so good for him. He is becoming a MAN....the man that he wants to be.
I continue to pray for my one son who quit on himself years ago. He is living the consequences of his own poor choices right now. We never dreamed that his life would be like this...we worked very hard to pull him out of the negative, but he seems to still be staying in the dark right now. It is difficult, because he is now an adult and there is nothing we can do to help until he wants change. I hate the situation, but I still love the child I used to know. But I also won't be manipulated...it's tough love time. I just pray that no one gets hurt while he is digging himself deeper into the hole. His sister and I had a conversation a few weeks ago that did not go well. Unfortunately, she too has left our value system and chose another way than what we had taught. It's very tough, but I am hopeful that one day she will come back and want to connect again in honesty.
DID I MENTION THE OTHER KIDS? Dan came back from the Grand Canyon trip with a beard! He is 15, passed drivers ed, and clocked 1000 miles of drive time in the last two weeks. I think he'll be the quarter back next year for JV at St. Mary's (hopefully). Dennis (17) did some great volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity this summer. He helped to build walls, paint, move shelves, install storm clips, etc. It was a great experience. He has a job at the cemetery cutting grass...he's doing great. Mitch (13) is the master at guitar hero and has a deeper voice than Dan and Dennis....I keep bugging him to play REAL guitar (the girls LOVE musicians!) but he will not have it. Maybe next year. As I write this, Emmalee (13) is in Traverse City with my side of the family on a vacation...cottages, the lake, board games, etc. She is growing and seems to require 12 hours a day of sleep.....Kevin and Craig (10) are gearing up for football in August. LOOK OUT! The RUSSIAN TWINS will take CYO 5th grade football by STORM this year....Jeff is ready to coach all the newbies. It will be a blast!
One of our new alpaca's, Summer, is pregnant and due in late September. We will have a new baby kria at the farm this fall. We now have 5 alpaca's, 1 llama, and a new kria coming soon.
Seems like there is growth. I am realizing that I need to go with the flow, but still make my own way. Much of it is beyond my control. But some of it is within my reach and influence. I refuse to get lost in the chaos of some of it. I'm still me, and bumping along, plugging away, looking up, keeping my heart open. |
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