Wednesday, April 27, 2011

a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

So this will be a short post, kind of like a mid-week randomness HA. I am preparing for the Royal Wedding on Friday and I couldn't be more excited! So before I write on that topic tomorrow, today I thought I would share pictures from our Easter Celebration this past weekend!



I hope each of you had a wonderful Easter weekend and were able to spend it with people whom you love!  Besides the Rain ours was beautiful!


Lucy


Sunday, April 24, 2011

HE HAS RISEN!

他复活了!

!הוא קם לתחייה

Il est ressuscité!

Er ist auferstanden!

Ông là Đấng Phục Sinh!

เขาฟื้นขึ้นมา!

वह बढ़ी है!

彼は復活さ!

Он Воскрес!

Él ha resucitado!


He is Risen!

Matthew 28


Lucy

Friday, April 22, 2011

IT IS Finished!

IT IS Finished!
Friday is the day MY King was Beaten.
Friday is the day MY King was Mocked.
Friday is the Day MY King was Made Fun Of.
Friday is the Day MY King Carried His Own Cross.
Friday is the Day MY King was Nailed To The CROSS.
Friday is the day MY King Died for My Sins.
Friday is the day My King Saved the World.


But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.  They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus
 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b] 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[d] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.


Lucy

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Do this in remembrance of me...


Thursday.......“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them.
So they prepared the Passover.  

Before they ate the Passover Meal or Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He performed this  act of service, to “show them the full extent of his love” John 13:1-2. Because of the washing of the feet Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service.  

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”  17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[ 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives  

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

We Remember

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wednesday....

Wednesday…





Betrayal- To give aid or information to an enemy of. To commit treason or aguish; to deliver into the hands of an enemy in violation of trust or allegiance. To divulge in a breach of confidence.

Wednesday… Judas Betrayed Jesus
·         Judas went secretly to the chief priests to let them know when it would be safe for them to take Jesus into custody.
·         The priests gave Judas 30 Silver Coins for his information.
·         The high priests were looking for an excuse to have Jesus arrested and crucified because they were afraid of his influence and leadership amongst the people.

Wednesday… the day Jesus was anointed with an expensive jar of alabaster by the women of Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper {Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-19}
Wednesday...14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Wednesday… Christ is preparing to be Crucified on the Cross.

Lucy

Monday, April 18, 2011

The day after Palm Sunday

First off, I must apologize for not posting in like a week.  I have been quite busy at work, and at night I have been occupied with a Husband, a cat and a house to clean! Oh the joys of being a wife! J  I wouldn’t change anything.
So today is Monday, the day after Palm Sunday. So I’ve been in church my whole life, and after thinking about what to write for this last week of lent, I’ve decided to highlight the week before Christ died for you and I. So you might be thinking, “What did Christ do his last week on Earth”. Thanks to my FIL {Father in Law} and the Bible I researched a little about it.


Could you imagine what was going through Christ’s mind? He was both Man and God, and knew what was coming before him, but what did he do? HE PRAYED for God’s WILL! Ok so let me bring this down to our level. If I knew I would be tortured, beaten, nailed to a cross, and hung half naked on a cross, between two criminals, in 5 days, I’m pretty sure I would be saying my good byes, eating a multitude of “Last Meals” and I would probably be scared out of my mind, but CHRIST, He prayed, He thanked God for what was about to happen, and he accepted it.  
So what did Christ do the day after Palm Sunday? The bible says he ‘’Cleansed the Temple” “and He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, my house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers”. And He was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. {Luke 20:45-48}”
Palm Sunday in Jerusalem

I am reminded of a quote from Johnny Hunt {FBC Woodstock, GA} “The next time you think you’re a good person, remember that God had to kill His Son to keep you out of Hell!

Lucy

 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

GERM "IES"!

So when I was little all the way up till L and I got married. I was a huge germ a-phobe!! My family used to make fun of me about it, because I would not eat off the same fork, drink from the same glass, even eat other peoples food. It seriously grossed me out! So if you have a light stomach you might not want to continue reading, but if you are like me and want to know the places to avoid, than PLEASE keep reading.
Random Fact: Did you know that it is possible for a person to touch about 30 things in one minute from daily and normal activities? EWW! This heightens the chance of contracting and spreading germs to and from all these objects if in a public setting. But there are ways to avoid being infected by knowing the more obscure places germs hide other than door knobs, light switches, and bathroom surfaces. Based on an article I read {read it here} off ABC News below are the 7 dirtiest places, and thanks to Dr Mercola {read them here} for sharing his thoughts and comments.
Restaurant Menus: Studies from the Journal of Medical Virology reports germs like the cold and flu viruses can survive for up to 18 hours on a hard surface. When dining in a public place, be conscious to not let the menu touch your flatware and wash your hands after you return it.
Lemon Wedges: The Journal of Environmental Health discovered 70 percent of restaurants had contaminated bar fruit with microorganisms like E. coli, fecal bacteria, and other disease causing microbes. By opting out of the garnish for your beverage is a good way to prevent ingestion.

Condiment Dispenser: Many people do not wash their hands before eating and they can spread their germs to bottles at the condiment stand. When grabbing for the ketchup, a paper napkin is not sufficient due to the abilities for microorganisms being able to pass through.
Restroom Door Handles: Don't think you can escape the restroom without touching the door handle? Palm a spare paper towel after you wash up and use it to grasp the handle. Yes, other patrons may think you're a germ-phobe--but you'll never see them again, and you're the one who won't get sick.
Soap dispensers: About 25% of public restroom dispensers are contaminated with fecal bacteria. Soap that harbors bacteria may seem ironic, but that's exactly what a recent study found. "Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grow as the soap scum builds up," says Charles Gerba, PhD. "And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture feeding millions of bacteria." Be sure to scrub hands thoroughly with plenty of hot water for 15 to 20 seconds--and if you happen to have an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, use that, too.
Grocery Carts: The handles of almost two-thirds of the shopping carts tested in a 2007 study at the University of Arizona were contaminated with fecal bacteria. In fact, the bacterial counts of the carts exceeded those of the average public restroom. Swab the handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing hold (stores are starting to provide them, so look around for a dispenser). And while you're wheeling around the supermarket, skip the free food samples, which are nothing more than communal hand-to-germ-to-mouth zones.
Airplane Bathrooms: When Gerba tested for microbes in the bathrooms of commercial jets, he found surfaces from faucets to doorknobs to be contaminated with E. coli. It's not surprising, then, that you're 100 times more likely to catch a cold when you're airborne, according to a recent study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research. To protect yourself, try taking green tea supplements. In a 2007 study from the University of Florida, people who took a 450-milligram green tea supplement twice a day for 3 months had one-third fewer days of cold symptoms. The supplement brand used in the study was Immune Guard ($30 for 60 pills; immune-guard.us).
Doctor's Offices: A doctor's office is not the place to be if you're trying to avoid germs. These tips can help limit your exposure. 1. Take your own books and magazines (and kid's toys, if you have your children or grandchildren with you). 2. Also pack your own tissues and hand sanitizers, which should be at least 60% alcohol content. 3. In the waiting room, leave at least two chairs between you and the other patients to reduce your chances of picking up their bugs. Germ droplets from coughing and sneezing can travel about 3 feet before falling to the floor.
Happy Germ Fighting! :)
Lucy

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Seeking RE-Election… Here we go again!

President Obama announced yesterday his plan to seek re-election as well as the money that he would like to raise. Now my question is before I give you the details, why would someone want or NEED to raise that much money for a re-election campaign? 1Billion compared to the 745 Million he raised in 2008. He spent 730M, which in 2008, left him with $15 Million Cash on Hand. My understanding is that he still has some cash that is going towards his 12’ Campaign.

This article in National Journal this morning {read it here} offers a great perspective and eye opener to his 12’ Campaign. “The WH'12 campaign is starting later, right? Well, here's one candidate who isn't waiting to get in the race: President Obama. And when he's got 19 months to raise $1B, it's no surprise he wanted to get in the race fast. Obama kicks off his re-elect bid in a much different way than he did his '08 race. Then, it was about the pomp and circumstance of a statehouse announcement, attended by thousands despite the bitter cold. Now, it's an understated video, in which Obama himself appears only in televised clips for 7 out of 130 seconds. The initial stage will be a Rose Garden campaign, as Alice from MI points out: "He's got a job. ... We can't say, 'Hey, can you take some time off and come and get us all energized?'"

“Obama's relationship with white voters won him states like IN and NC in '08.”  This is going to be the key to the 12’ Election weather you’re for Obama or the GOP. “Some GOP’ers have worried the exploding Hispanic population in TX will put that state in the purple category and'12 may be the year that hypothesis gets tested.” Though you have to also note many “Voters” in Texas are not eligible to vote. (Source: NationalJournal.com)
A great chart breakdown from 1996- 2008 is listed on the FEC.Gov Website {See it Here} regarding money spent on campaigns, both Republican and Democrats. My thought is why doesn't Obama pump that money back into the economy instead of using it for Commercials, Jetting around the US, paying his staff a substantial amount of money, or making  constituents’ believe he will do a great job as a new president, when I’m not really sure what good he has done so far? Expect Raised YOUR Taxes, spent YOUR money, and raised YOUR debt ceiling.
Lucy

Monday, April 4, 2011

Whew.. What a Weekend!

WOW! What a wonderful weekend to be outside, and L and I sure took advantage of that. Saturday was the usual Chick-Fil-A for breakfast and then I headed out for a Bridal Shower for a dear friend. Then Saturday afternoon, L and I headed out to meet L’s Dad and my FIL for a game of golf at the country club. So much fun even though sometimes I feel rushed because they play so fast. HA! I still think I need Hank Haney to give me some lessons. L is amazing, even though he is so humble about it and he would never tell you that. He needs to go back on Golf Tour, a little practice, a gym and some extra time he’d be good to go in a couple of weeks! Seriously ya’ll he’s amazing!

We then headed over to his parents (My In-Laws) to watch the basketball ball games and we stayed to have an amazing dinner. It was great even though I felt like we intruded upon their dinner. HA! and my MIL, D insisted and L wanted to stay so it was fine. After dinner L and I took his little sister and his Mom to Orange Leaf on Dickson Street to get some yogurt. Which by the way if you live in NWA and you haven't tried this place yet, its a FOR SURE must TRY; its’ so Great!
Sunday was a great day too! The weather was a mere 82* and SUNNY! L and I went to Church and then we headed to Mad Pizza for a great Lunch. After lunch we went to Sonic because of course it was happy hour! Yea for ½ priced drinks. J and then headed back over to his parents house for a game of Basketball with A and H (L’s Little Sisters) and His Dad. We team up; all 3 girls play individually with L’s Dad, and then all three girls play against the boys (which is usually domination) . Although I have to say us girls, Me, H and A pulled it off last time we played and we BEAT L and His Dad. I have discovered the key to this is we always must play them last and after 3 games they are always sweaty and worn out, so that is why we won. If we played them first.. HA. HA. HA! We would lose! We then headed over to my Sisters B and BIL G house, to babysit my Niece and Nephew while they enjoyed a dinner party... Peacefully! I love those kids, and I will be an Aunt in June to yet another little girl as B is Prego with the 3rd. Can't wait!

L drawing with Chalk


L teaching L how to really hit the ball (melts my heart)


L & AC jumping



 Practice makes Perfect!

I love spending time with family and it’s great to live close and have the option to do that.  The weather…. Perfect, the golf game…. Needs Improvement… The Niece and Nephew… Make me feel 5 again and make me laugh so much! Church… refreshing. Spending time with L… Priceless!

Lucy

Friday, April 1, 2011

Favorite Friday: Coming Home!

Happy Friday Everyone! Favorite Friday: Coming HOME!!!! {TV Show}

Grab your Kleenex, some hot tea, a blanket and get ready for the most inspiring post I’ve done thus far! Today in the spot light is my new favorite TV show ever. Lifetime’s Coming Home, which airs Sunday Nights 8.00p CST. I cry through the entire thing.
No one in my family has ever gone to war, nor has anyone close to me been killed in the line of duty, but I have a whole new respect for those who keep me safe everyday from CRAZY TERRIORISTS!



If you know someone or have the chance to thank someone who is in the military do it, because you really don't know if you will see them again once they leave. I had the chance to work with the "Wounded Warrior Project" {Read about it here} while I was working at the White House. It was truly amazing. Thankfully those men who came back were alive, wounded but alive.
Also every day more and more young men die while at war. Thanks to "iCasualities" for providing this information. {iCasualties} Since January 10 Men have died for our Country while keeping you safe! Be Thankful!
  • 1.02.2011- Rosado, Jose M. Clintron, age 38, Hostle Fire- IED Attack, U.S. Army National Gaurd
  • 1.15.2011- Lamar, Martin J., age 43, Hostle Fire- Small Arms Attack, U.S. Army
  • 1.15.2011- Barley, Michael P., age 23, Hostle Fire- Small Arms Attacks, U.S. Army
  • 1.15.2011- Torre, Jr., Jose A., age 21, Hostile Fire- RPG Attack, U.S. Army
  • 1.17.2011- Evarts, Michael S., age 41, Non Hostile, U.S. Army
  • 2.15.2011- Evans, Lashawn D., age 24, Non Hostile, U.S. Army
  • 2.17.2011- Owens, Corey C., age 26, Non Hostile, U.S. Air Force
  • 2.17.2011- Johnson, Christoffer P., age 20, Non Hostile- Vehicle Accident, U.S Air Force
  • 3.16.2011- Hinkle II, Michael J., age 24, Non Hostile, U.S. Air Force
  • 3.20.2011- Hocking, Brandon S., age 24, Hostile Fire- IED Attack, U.S Army





Thank You!






Lucy