Carmen today "I ran too fast and hurt my feelings."
Monday, March 30, 2009
He Gave His Only Son!
I received this in an e-mail this morning and reading stories like this always help me put into perspective what God did for me. I think we always need a little reminder about his sacrifice especially this time of year. I hope you enjoy!
AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING. IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE . WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. 'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.' THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY. THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE , ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW , ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.' WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.' 'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR> ME. YOU SEE... I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'
AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING. IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE . WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. 'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.' THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY. THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE , ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW , ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.' WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.' 'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR> ME. YOU SEE... I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'
I am Blessed!
This was a poem that I read today and thought that I would share. A few of my blogger friends have been posting 5 things that they are thankful for daily. This helps us to recognize how blessed we are as we tend to forget the good things and dwell on the negative. Below you will find my blessings that I counted today!
I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now. But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,I'm reaping better than I sowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven't got a lot of riches,and sometimes the going's toughBut I've got loving ones all around me,and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,and the mercies He's bestowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong,My faith wore somewhat thin.But all at once the dark clouds broke,and the sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe,about the tough rows I have hoed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,When the way grows steep and rough.I'll not ask for other blessings,I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,to help others bear their loads.Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.
When I think of how many people in this world have it worse than I do, I realize just how blessed we really are.
Author Unknown
1. Jake & I are both still employed!!
2. I am feeling so much better today.
3. The sun is shining and bright
4.We left the house early this morning, no missing the bus today!
5.Cordell's cough sounded better this morning.
These are just little things, but they are still things that I am thankful for. I could probably do more but I won't bore you to death. I encourage each of you to make a list each day whether written or just a mental note of the joys in your everyday lives.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Yep she did it!
As I was giving Cordell his haircut Sat. night, Carmen decided she needed one too. She was sitting right behind me on the floor and had been combing her hair. The next thing I know, Cordell says "Mom, Carmen is cutting her hair!" Not again, the last time Carmen had a haircut at home, Cordell was the barber. I didn't freak, I just told her that it looked funny and that mommy was going to have to give her bangs. So much for my plan of She was oh so proud and with her new cute bangs it is hard to stay mad at her.
Carmen's hair was all one length until she cut it right in front. The pic on the left is after I fixed it and the one on the right is of her masterpiece. I can't ever get my pics right, it only lets me put them all at the begining and not within my post, what am I doing wrong??
There isn't much else going on in the Vrbka house. Wrestling is wrapping up with his last meet at Malcolm April 4th at 9am. Then we will start baseball and be busy once again.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Biggest Loser
We had weigh in yesterday and the scale was not nice to me. It said I gained 7.5 lbs, what??!! I have only lost 9 since we started in Jan and now I just gained all but 1.5 back. This is so not fair, I bet it was all the sodium in the beef jerkey I had on Sat night, or the pizza at Chuck E Cheese's for Carmen's B-day, or the fact that we have been so busy that I haven't excercised. My motivation has dropped again and I'm asking you guys for suggestions. Those of you who have been in my shoes what has helped you stay on track with the excercise or the eating? Oh that one cheeseburger won't hurt, but I never stop with that. I think that if I already messed up the week with that one cheeseburger I might as well eat yummy food the rest of the week.
Carmen had a blast at her much anticipated Chuck E Cheese birthday party. I made her a castle cake and thought it didn't turn out too bad. I'm amazed but Carmen has not brought up her birthday since last Wednesday and let me tell you that's all we have heard about since the first of the year.
I got a phone call today that I won a drawing at Women of Faith to attend A New Life Weekend! They have workshops and small group discussions with counselors to work through their problems in life. The closest one is in Denver and its 3 days, I get the registration of $649 free but still would have to fork over $400 for transportation, hotel & food. I think I'm just going to offer it to someone else, but I was surprised that I actually won.
I loved the weather today, too bad I was at work. The chickens are getting HUGE and we finally moved them into the coop tonight. That's all I know for tonight, Good night!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
I am High!!
Sorry I have been MIA this past week. I just returned from Kansas City with some wonderful women in my life. I hope I didn't offend anyone with my title as anyone who knows me knows that I don't do drugs lol I am high as in I am so rejuvenated and feeling the love of our Lord!!
My mom, my Aunt Deb, my favoritist cousin Sarah & I went to the Women of Faith Conference. This was our 2nd annual trip together and I must say that even though I missed Jake and the kids, I needed this retreat to fill my soul until next time.
Last year at WOF I was in a very low point in my life and I relied on my faith & family to get me through. My relationship with God has grown tremendously, so much so that he has removed my burden of guilt that I was carrying around. I miss Carter so much but January 30th, 2008 was not the last time I will see him. I will see him again in Heaven and I am so greatful for that.
This year at WOF I was able to let go and have so much more fun. We met Mandisa from American Idol, we stayed in the same hotel and rode the elevator with the WOF worship team and one of the speakers. Steven Curtis Chapman put on an amazing performance. The theme from this year seemed to be that even famous people aren't exempt from problems, Patsy Clairmont lost her bff of 50 years, Shelia Walsh 's husband put them in major debt, Mandisa was told by Simon Cowell that she was too fat and Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter Maria was killed in a traffic accident. All of these people were able to overcome and heal because they relied on God and their faith to see them through.
Thank you mom, Deb & Sarah for a wonderful & spiritual weekend. I Love you!
While I was gone my amazing husband and children spent the weekend cleaning house. I came home expecting to have to pick up today but they did it for me. I am very blessed to have such a caring husband and wonderful children.
We still don't have anymore calves, dad said 3 are ready. We did have a stillborn on Friday.
We lost a chick over the weekend as well and the rest are huge already. Jake is doing a wonderful job at raising his chicks!
I hope you all have a blessed week and remember to Be kinder than nessesary, because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle...
My mom, my Aunt Deb, my favoritist cousin Sarah & I went to the Women of Faith Conference. This was our 2nd annual trip together and I must say that even though I missed Jake and the kids, I needed this retreat to fill my soul until next time.
Last year at WOF I was in a very low point in my life and I relied on my faith & family to get me through. My relationship with God has grown tremendously, so much so that he has removed my burden of guilt that I was carrying around. I miss Carter so much but January 30th, 2008 was not the last time I will see him. I will see him again in Heaven and I am so greatful for that.
This year at WOF I was able to let go and have so much more fun. We met Mandisa from American Idol, we stayed in the same hotel and rode the elevator with the WOF worship team and one of the speakers. Steven Curtis Chapman put on an amazing performance. The theme from this year seemed to be that even famous people aren't exempt from problems, Patsy Clairmont lost her bff of 50 years, Shelia Walsh 's husband put them in major debt, Mandisa was told by Simon Cowell that she was too fat and Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter Maria was killed in a traffic accident. All of these people were able to overcome and heal because they relied on God and their faith to see them through.
Thank you mom, Deb & Sarah for a wonderful & spiritual weekend. I Love you!
While I was gone my amazing husband and children spent the weekend cleaning house. I came home expecting to have to pick up today but they did it for me. I am very blessed to have such a caring husband and wonderful children.
We still don't have anymore calves, dad said 3 are ready. We did have a stillborn on Friday.
We lost a chick over the weekend as well and the rest are huge already. Jake is doing a wonderful job at raising his chicks!
I hope you all have a blessed week and remember to Be kinder than nessesary, because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Our little Monster turned 3 yesterday!
I can't believe that it has been 3 years already since this "sweet" little girl came into our lives. She sure was in a rush to get here as I was only in labor for 3 1/2 hours before she was born and had only been at the hospital just over an hour before she arrived. She weighed 8lbs 1oz, was 20 1/4in and was born at 10:45pm on March 8, 2006.
We were so excited to be having a girl but we didn't even agree on her name until an hour before we brought her home from the hospital. I wanted Delaney, Jake wanted Rachel. 3 days before she was born we decided that we liked Mariah Rose & Carmen Jade. Cordell was set on naming her Mariah and we had even called her that the first day in the hospital. It took everyone awhile to actually call her the right name, I remember calling her Cameron (I wanted to spell her name Carmyn but didn't want people calling her Camryn) one of her first days. She may be naughty as most 3 year olds are but we are very blessed to have such a wonderful girl in our family.
New life has sprung!
Annie
DaisyWe had our first calf of the season on March 3rd (Annie), Destiny got her 1st bucket calf on March 4th (Daisy) & we got 30 chicks on March 7th. As I am writing this dad is picking up Destiny's 2nd bottle calf. Hopefully we will have more calves soon!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Updates
First off, Jake has not been laid off yet, it was just a regular boring meeting. It is still a very real possibility though.
As of yesterday morning the 2 stubborn calves had still not been caught. They started the morning on four wheelers and were just going to run them home. The only problem....they couldn't find them, the dumb cows walked back to our house and into their pen. I would have never thought they would do that nor find there own way back 3 miles.
More to come later...
As of yesterday morning the 2 stubborn calves had still not been caught. They started the morning on four wheelers and were just going to run them home. The only problem....they couldn't find them, the dumb cows walked back to our house and into their pen. I would have never thought they would do that nor find there own way back 3 miles.
More to come later...
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