Showing posts with label John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John. Show all posts
Marine Corps Prayer
"Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen."
Steady my faith this week, Lord. When I am tempted to doubt and fear, make me strong to resist. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
the lake {part one}
We spent last week on the lake in northern Wisconsin with my parents and brother. We had a ball. We swam, fished, went for boat rides, drank cold beer and just really enjoyed being together.
I took some photos but not nearly as many as one might think. It seems funny to say but I felt like I didn't want to ruin it by horning in there with my camera all the time. I didn't want anything standing between me and the precious moments that were happening. I wanted to be fully present in those moments, rather than seeing the moments happen with the buffer of my camera in between us.
Sometimes having a camera to my face allows me to disconnect from real life and become lost in trying to capture what I see in my mind and what I see through the lens, trying to merge the two. And yet there are times when I want to get a shot and know that I should really pick up my camera but I can't bear to miss what's really happening. While photos allow us to remember and re-live special moments, they cannot take the place of really being there when they happen; being fully present in those moments with the people we love most.
I took some photos but not nearly as many as one might think. It seems funny to say but I felt like I didn't want to ruin it by horning in there with my camera all the time. I didn't want anything standing between me and the precious moments that were happening. I wanted to be fully present in those moments, rather than seeing the moments happen with the buffer of my camera in between us.
Sometimes having a camera to my face allows me to disconnect from real life and become lost in trying to capture what I see in my mind and what I see through the lens, trying to merge the two. And yet there are times when I want to get a shot and know that I should really pick up my camera but I can't bear to miss what's really happening. While photos allow us to remember and re-live special moments, they cannot take the place of really being there when they happen; being fully present in those moments with the people we love most.
believing for the best
It was my kid brother's birthday over the weekend. He's not really a kid anymore though I guess. He's 28 and finally, finally pursuing his dream and what I believe is God's plan for his life. There are lots of big changes ahead for my brother in the next few months and years. When I think about all that lies ahead, I am, at times, overcome with fear and panic. Fear of everything and fear of the unknown. I realize that I cannot spend the next few years in this constant state of fear about what may or may not happen, where he may or may not be. These are all things that are out of my control.
What I can control is what I believe. I believe that God works for the good of those who love him. I believe that if I choose fear, it will rule my life. I believe that if I choose faith, I am believing God for the best. I am believing that when I ask my Heavenly Father to watch over him, to protect him and to guide him, that He will do just that. And that His plan and His will are perfect.
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." Deut 31:6 (The Message)
What I can control is what I believe. I believe that God works for the good of those who love him. I believe that if I choose fear, it will rule my life. I believe that if I choose faith, I am believing God for the best. I am believing that when I ask my Heavenly Father to watch over him, to protect him and to guide him, that He will do just that. And that His plan and His will are perfect.
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." Deut 31:6 (The Message)
hulee hoop
Caroline's favorite birthday present was an $8 Cosmic Hula Hoop from my brother. According to Isabel, it's actually called a hulee hoop...just go with it, ok? Sometimes it's just easier and it's always funnier her way. Promise.
Turns out, Caroline is the only member of our immediate family who can successfully hulee for more than 2.4 seconds. I can't even remember being able to do it as a kid and Matt definitely can't do it...have you seen him dance? Scary. Scary. Scary. Maybe it's like rolling your tongue - either you can or can't do it and that's just the way it is.
Oddly enough, my brother can hulee too - but I think his record last night was about 21 seconds. Caroline's current record is 127 seconds. That's more than two minutes! I know, I'm a math whiz, right?! I can't stop laughing. Her hulee "technique" is evolving and hilarious. Her arms, her hips, her little tushie...it's all hysterical. After about 12 seconds, we all just burst out laughing and watch her go. And don't even get me started on my parents' hulee hoopin' skills...whoa. My side still aches from all the laughter in their living room last night.
The girls couldn't wait to hulee this morning after breakfast. My girls are not always in pajamas with crazy bed-head. Really. I know it may seem that way from the photos on this blog, but we do get dressed, brush the fur from our teeth and tame our manes on a daily basis. But not before we hulee. Rock on, birthday girl.
Turns out, Caroline is the only member of our immediate family who can successfully hulee for more than 2.4 seconds. I can't even remember being able to do it as a kid and Matt definitely can't do it...have you seen him dance? Scary. Scary. Scary. Maybe it's like rolling your tongue - either you can or can't do it and that's just the way it is.
Oddly enough, my brother can hulee too - but I think his record last night was about 21 seconds. Caroline's current record is 127 seconds. That's more than two minutes! I know, I'm a math whiz, right?! I can't stop laughing. Her hulee "technique" is evolving and hilarious. Her arms, her hips, her little tushie...it's all hysterical. After about 12 seconds, we all just burst out laughing and watch her go. And don't even get me started on my parents' hulee hoopin' skills...whoa. My side still aches from all the laughter in their living room last night.
The girls couldn't wait to hulee this morning after breakfast. My girls are not always in pajamas with crazy bed-head. Really. I know it may seem that way from the photos on this blog, but we do get dressed, brush the fur from our teeth and tame our manes on a daily basis. But not before we hulee. Rock on, birthday girl.
*Update: While waiting for the bus, she made it 187 seconds. New record. Just so ya know.
***
Love this photo of Isabel. And the infamous "bear bear" lovey makes her first appearance here on the blog. She (bear bear) really isn't as grody as she looks here. She has Oreo cookie crumbs on her sweet little face. Isabel may or may not have eaten Oreos after breakfast and then given bear some big time love. I may or may not have eaten Oreos after breakfast too. I did not, however, join in on the bear bear lovin'. Gross. Have you seen that thing?!
And check out little man. I forgot to change my ISO settings so this photo is super grainy but I still love it. Today I'm all about accepting what is good - his expression, his smile and the fun we were having with the hulee. I'm not about beating myself up over the grainy photos of my little love. So there.
Happy Monday!
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