1.18.2009

The Update Post

Lets see, how can I update everyone about what happened last year? I'll give you the shortened version because some of these events I don't feel like digging up again. Here it goes.....
  1. I went to New York City for work and saw a play on Broadway (a dream of mine).
  2. Went to Michigan to see my friend Ann with a cute pregnant belly.
  3. I decided to start looking at buying a house (mostly because I hate moving every 6-12 months).
  4. Went to Michigan again to see Pete, my now favorite baby boy.
  5. I met a boy.
  6. I bought an 1898 Victorian style home. I love it!
  7. My parents brought me all the rest of my stuff that they've been trying to get out of their house. Fun to show them the new place.
  8. I lost all sight in my right eye.
  9. My mom came out to take care of me for a week. What a blessing it was!
  10. The boy and I broke up.
  11. I lost feeling from the waist down on my right side.
  12. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and started on drugs to slow down the disease.
  13. I went to Dallas for Thanksgiving with my parents, my brother and his wife, Kendra, and of course, Walker (my dog).
  14. Stayed here for Christmas and my parents joined me. First Christmas in my new house.
What a crazy year. I can't believe all that has happened. But it's done and God was faithful through it all! I have learned so much about being and trusting. Being weak, being strong, being angry and being sad. Trusting God, trusting nothing, learning to trust again and leaning only on trust in God.

So that has been my year and I'm more of who God wants me to be because of it.

Want to review books for NavPress?

Because of my lack of posts in the last year (sorry, life was too crazy to post) I've probably lost most of the people who were following me. BUT in case there are a few faithful people out there, I thought I would let you know about a blogging program that NavPress just started. After being part of Thomas Nelson's Blogger Review program, we decided to start one of our own.

Here is what you get: Free Books!!!!

And then all you have to do is write a short review about the book (good or bad) and post it on your blog, on NavPress.com and one other retail website. It's that simple!!!

So check it out!

1.08.2009

Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy

Since I live in Colorado, I often hear of tragic stories around climbing expeditions but I've never heard one that impacted my life as greatly as this one. Back in 2006, Kelly James and two of his close climbing buddies attempted to summit Mount Hood during one of the worst storms of the winter season. Karen James, Kelly's wife, was left waiting to hear back from her husband to contact her about their progress but little did she know that her last phone call from him as he was in a snow cave would be the last time she would hear his voice.

Many of us vaguely remember seeing this story on television but as I learned more of Karen's story of faith, I was struck by how much she leaned on the Lord during this time of waiting. Karen, along with many others, waited for days as the rescue teams attempted to find the three men. As the reports bombarded each of the family members with questions, all of them kept praying and believing that God could give them the Christmas miracle that they were looking for.

Even though that Christmas miracle wasn't given to them, Karen was able to grow in her faith in a way that many of us don't get to experience every day. It's during those moments when we don't think that we can make it any further that we find ourselves in the palm of His hand, which is where Karen stayed for many months following. I've found myself in that same place recently when I found out that I was diagnosed with MS. And the most beautiful thing about being in that place is that God's comfort, peace and love flow freely to those that are will to trust Him enough to let Him have control.