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     I said before that I was going to be on to bigger and better things with Mike's friend Mark, but he never called. Normally I would have been really hurt and upset, now I don't really care. I'm fine with the fact that he didn't call me. I have been strangely calm these last few days as well. I cleaned my room and it only took me a day. That NEVER happens. Usually my room is complete chaos for atleast 3 to 4 days. Idk. Sometimes I just feel really calm and this is one of those times. I don't really feel like there is drama that I have to deal with and I love that. I love the feeling of nothingness. I wish I could have this feeling more often. I just love the feeling of having nothing to do and just chilling out and thinking about the simpleness that really is life. We make life so complicated that we never stop and see how many things really are extremely easy.

     Another thing that is been strange about the last few days is that I have been thinking about Michael a lot. I haven't seen him since the last day of school, but now I think about him a lot. I have been having dreams about him and random thoughts. I also get the urge to call him quite often. I never do, but I want to all the time. I kinda miss him and how easy it was to talk to him. He really is a sweet guy and one day I hope that we can be the way that we were. Liking him kinda changed that. I don't know how someone could not like him though. Maybe I will call him ... soon.

Sam:
Breakfast: Snack Pack Sugar Free pudding, Diet Dr. Pepper
Lunch: Small chicken wrap, baked chips, Diet Coke
Dinner: 4 slices thin crust veggie pizza, Diet Coke
Nitecap: 2 glasses of wine

Jodi:
Breakfast: 1 cup raisin bran with 1 cup skim milk
Lunch: turkey on wheat sandwich
1 mozzarella cheese stick
handful of grapes
carrots dipped in low fat dressing
Dinner: 1/2 piece of b-day cake, 1/2 piece of pizza, 1 chicken fajita, stewed tomatoes

Emilie:
Breakfast: 1/2 cup of no-fat cottage cheese and small container of peaches and Diet Dr. Pepper
Lunch: Grilled Tuna salad with dressing on side
Dinner: 1/2 of a calzone with Diet Dr. Pepper

Drew:
Breakfast: Cafe Mocha
Lunch: 1/2 roast beef sandwich and Diet Coke
Dinner: 4 small slices of bacon and cheese pizza and Diet Coke

There’s a major difference between having a tribal mindset and a missionary mindset. The highest value of a tribally minded person is self-protection. They ask questions like: Since I feel the safest around those who are just like me, how can I protect myself from those who are different than I am? So they intentionally surround themselves with people who think the way they think, like the things they like, and despise the things they despise. As a result, they live with a sense of superiority, looking down on those who are not like them (for half my life I was convinced that surfers like me were far cooler than anyone on the face of this earth).

In contrast to a tribal minded person, the highest value of a missionary minded person is not self-protection but self-sacrifice. A missionary minded person is a person that exists, not primarily for himself but for others. She is a person that is willing to set aside personal preferences in service to those whose preferences are different than hers. Missionaries are people who are willing to be inconvenienced, discomforted, and spent for the well-being of others. The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands that we be missionary minded, because the gospel is the story of God sacrificing himself for others.

You can read more HERE.

You can make your own magizne cover at

http://www.magmypic.com/ go now!!!

P.S. Drew and Selena aren't really dating its just for the movie (Another Cinderella Story)

L Out. L X.

http://www.whoseline.pl/

http://www.wliia.pl/

Well, that's my introduction.

Signed and sealed this First Day, Sixth Month, Two Thousand and Eight.

Just for fun, let's post the combined stats of the Red Sox who took a massive 7 of the 33 total roster positions on the AL Squad.

Manny - 0 for 2, 1 k

Youklis - 0 for 2, 1 k

Pedroia - 0 for 1, 1 bb

Ortiz - injured

Varitek - defensive substitute for 2, yes 2 innings (will somebody please tell me how a guy with stats worse than Richie even MADE the all star team??)

Drew - 2 for 4, 2 rbi, AL MVP

Papelbon - 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 unearned run, 2 k's

So, just because it skews things nicely, and I'm not a huge Sox fan, let's total these numbers and let statistics ring their beautiful bias, shall we?

The Boston Red Sox, as representatives of nearly ONE QUARTER of the AL All Star Team:

.222, 2 bb, 3 k's, 2 rbi, an MVP Award, Papelbon's surrendering of a run in the 8th that almost won the NL the game, 2 innings of no error defense at the plate, a cripple in Ortiz and a partridge in a pair tree! Go Sox!

And just to make things fair (or for the curious), here are the stats for the 2001 M's, who had 8 All Stars that year:

.167, 1 SB, 2 k's and 3.0 IP, 2 k's, 1 bb, 1 win, oh and the save also, thanks to Kaz.

Just goes to show you that even the best sometimes fall..., so here's to the Red Sox and their 116 wins this year!! Huh? Not that many? Oh. Well, at least they'll make the playoffs! What? Oh, it's not a wrap, is it... Hmm...

Well, then you suck, Red Sox.

Love,

A delusional Mariner fan

We can't wait to introduce you to Jonathan.  No, we did not see this one coming.  And yes, I brought all the wrong books to the beach.  God has been very gracious, and we are in awe of His faithfulness.  You can pray for us as we put ten years of parenting theory to the test and as we thank God for our own adoption as God's sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.  And join the four of us (including Cody) as we continue looking forward to bringing Salem home at least 18 months from now.  Our praise today is "Jonathan!" - Yahweh has given.

[caption id="attachment_149" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Our family"][/caption]

 

It is such a rare moment, that I soaked it in for a while. He made a new friend, and slept on the couch today - a big day of changes for my little boy...who isn't so little anymore.

I just spoke with one of Drew's favorite friend's mom today. I wanted to make sure they would be around for Drew's birthday. This is the family we have celebrated Drew's birthday with for the past three years...it is a non-negotiable as far as Drew is concerned. B HAS to be at my party, mommy.

Speaking of, we have been going around the block with all sorts of ideas for his birthday. He wanted Hot Wheels for a while, which I was SO excited about, but then it changed. He said Wall-E, but I told him we haven't seen it yet, so maybe something different. Buzz Lightyear was a choice, so was Monster's Inc. and then he settled for Little Einsteins. You may remember Santa's tactical error just last year and the story of Rocket. Now I have to get to figure out the fun challenge of making this:

You need to go to Andrea's Recipes and see the other things she has there - great stuff. I am not a cake maker. I watch Ace of Cakes and LOVE what they do - that is not me. That is SO NOT ME. Sure, I could go buy a cake...a boring sheet cake with a picture of the Little Einsteins on it...I could...I won't, but I could. Instead, I will conquer this cake. I will make it, or one sort of like it, for my son's birthday. Up until now, I've been lucky. Drew has always preferred cupcakes, so I haven't had to make a cake since Randy's 30th.

But I'm not thinking about the rocket cake quite yet. That is for another list of things to do - and with luck, Drew will change his mind again, and I could make this or this or maybe this....heh.

There is a lot of confusion about evangelism in the church today. Even within our own lives – we must admit, evangelism is not a subject we understand all too well. We come with baggage to church with our ideas of evangelism and sometimes our church adds even more baggage to our concepts. We’ve surfed the channels and crossed “Christian TV” and seen these men and women asking for money. We’ve heard their message of how God wants to bless your life – usually with wealth and health. If we avaoided those landmines, we can’t help but remember that one man/woman went before a large audience.

Billy Grham hasn’t helped church culture with his massive crusades. Sure, many people have come to faith by this man’s presentation of the Gospel and the efforts of the “crusade,” but once again, we’ve been blasted with this idea that one person must evangelize masses. Even our own church experience dictates that the Pastor give the Gospel and the “church” receives it. Baptist churches through the last century were notorious for Sunday after Sunday presenting the Gospel – demanding an altar call and hoping that some lost soul would walk the aisle or possibly raise his hand.

Evangelism is scary when you aren’t a public speaker or a fundraiser. For most of us, the idea of going before an audience and doing a “sales-pitch” isn’t our idea of fun – nor do we feel qualified to do so.

But evangelism isn’t about any of that. Evangelism isn’t about crowds, tv, money or the like. Evangelism is communicating the Gospel. Which of course – implies a working knowledge of the Gospel. Understanding the Gospel is crucial. Then all evangelism really is – is a communication of the Gospel message to another person. Sure, groups are great – but God is calling you to be faithful, to be obedient to present the ”Good News” to non-believers. Once this has been done – Evangelism has occurred.

Another reason we don’t evangelize is because of fear. Fear that we won’t be successful, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being thought crazy. God covers all these in His Word. Failure is not telling another person the Gospel. Success is not “converting” somebody – success is being obedient to the task of testifying to the Gospel. The other fears – are quite all right – in fact warranted. Rejection is going to happen. Men and women will reject the message of the Gospel (don’t worry – its not your fault), they will reject you personally and they will think that you are crazy. All of which are signs of you doing the work God has already laid out for you.

The world hated Jesus – it will hate you. The world rejected Paul – they will reject you. The world thought both Jesus and Paul were crazy – they will think you are crazy. It’s guaranteed. Even Paul tells Timothy that those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

So what are you waiting for? Why aren’t you evangelizing? What is holding you back? Who is in your family that is unsaved? Have you actually told them the Gospel – if not, what are you waiting for? What about your friends? What co-workers do you know that aren’t Christian? Why haven’t you told them? What about your neighbors? This is where evangelism starts. Are you waiting for their time to be up, to be judged by God, sent into everlasting darkness? Are you waiting until there are no more chances? Why wait? Will you ever find a more perfect time than the time that is near? Paul says “today is the day of salvation, now is the time of God” (2 Cor. 6:1-2). If you are waiting for them to like you more, think that you are more acceptable or even be “more of a Christian” – don’t wait. You’ve already developed relationships with these people. They know who you are, they know what you do, what your priorities are – tell them the Truth – tell them God’s facts. Share those facts, call them to change, call them to faith and repentance!

Now is the day of the Lord! Today is the day of Salvation

Sorry men – I obviously lost track and missed posting on this last week. So here goes.

Conversion. What happens in Christian conversion? What does Scripture tell us about conversion and how do we know it has taken place. Is conversion marked by tears? Abundant emotion? Overwhelming joy? How about deep sadness – even depression? Is conversion marked by walking forward and submitting to an altar call? How about raising the hand after a Gospel presentation. Is it a prayer we said after hearing the Good News?

We could speculate on a myriad of options for how we see evidences of conversion. But Scripture is clear – none of these things is in any way a marker of conversion. They may happen and could be byproducts of conversion, but they are truly that. Possible byproducts. And if they are only possible byproducts why would we ever want to take our stand on them as true evidences of real, genuine conversion.

If we truly realize that praying a prayer, raising a hand, filling out a card, and even feeling guilt or joy are not true evidences of conversion – we would do well to look for the real evidence.

Jesus says in John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Jesus is saying that if you have “FAITH” you “will do” what he did. What is that exactly? In verse 10 he has stated that he is doing the fathers work (John 14:10).

Jesus continues describing what it means to have faith. Faith isn’t mere acceptance – it is trust. Like you are trusting the chair you are sitting in to hold you up – is the trust that God is calling all men to have in Him and the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Later he says the same thing again, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:23-24).

Scripture is clear – not only is there a change in “religion” or even “morality.” Conversion is something that changes a man’s affections, his love and who he aligns himself to. Conversion’s byproduct, the only byproduct we can truly see and in some sense measure is in a man’s love of the Lord, demonstrated in obedience. Scripture tells us that to become a believer you must “repent and believe.”

But anybody can say they’ve repented and believed. We can train anybody to say those words. So what is the reality behind this – what does it look like in real life?

James 2:14-26 handles this argument. At the core – faith without deeds is dead. Dead faith = unsaving faith. Alive faith = saving faith. Alive faith is one that has deeds to match the profession. Those deeds may look different among people – but they demonstrate allegiance and obedience to Jesus Christ.

So church, Bethel Grace, where do you stand? Personally – do you have actions in accordance with your faith? What kind of actions?

If you believe it is God working through you to do good works (Phil 2:12-13)  - there should be no shame in sharing what God is doing in your life?

Unless – there really is no action?

Comment – don’t be silent on this one. 

Rove Snubs Congress: Ignores Subpoena to Testify (story)

He is quite the character. Wonder how it feels like to consider yourself above everyone else. You know sometimes in life you go, “With what trivial stuff are those folks messing about?”… well MC Rove just lives like that 24/7. Must be a weird feeling. All about attitude I guess.

Does Jesse Jackson Resent Obama? (story)

Why we even paying attention to this guy… I bet he has the Rove groove one, but man does reality hit back hard.

Oops! The Biggest Mic Mistakes (story)

Pretty funny there at the end when the CNN guys are delicately trying to avoid saying the word ‘nuts’.

Iran's Bold Move: Round 2 of Missile Tests (story)

They just love making headlines. I guess we can say they won round 2 seeing how they didn’t lose.

Yes, There Is Water on the Moon (story)

Interesting if you’re interested in this type of news.

Done Deal: Brinkley Gets Kids, Cook $2.1M (story)

Sounds fair and square… $2.1M or the kids… tough call.

For Your In-Flight Viewing Pleasure: Nothing (story)

I read while back they got these teams trying to figure out how they can save on the weight an airplane has to carry. I guess this one was pretty easy to spot. 500 pound of wiring and equipments easier.

'Racist' Comic Strip Sparks Wal-Mart Hubbub (story)

“In 2005, the Mexican postal service issued a series of stamps commemorating the Memin character. President Bush and several African-Americans, including Jesse Jackson, asked the Mexican government to recall the stamps.” You start wondering what Jesse Jackson actually does in term of useful stuff.

Doctors' Personal Lives Need Saving, Too (story)

Article is alright, though not exactly breaking headline news.

Ooh La Lawyer? Site Ranks Hot-torneys (story)

The stuff folks figure out to come up with. This is just sad. You don’t have to be just smart and eloquent anymore to be a lawyer, good-looking is also a prerequisite now.

A Look Inside the World of Gay Muslims (story)

Not sure if I wanna have a look inside the world of gay Muslims …

Serial Killings Target Rabbits (story)

Evil is on the loose. Killing time killing rabbits.

Flavor Flav Says He Lost 'It' at 6 (story)

Oh save us the details. First gay muslim men now childhood sex stories.

Drew, Kate, Megan Newly Single (story)

Now this is more like it… newly available celebrity single women… now we’re talking.

What Are the Six Fattiest Ice Cream Flavors? (story)

Obviously anyone eating icecream doesn’t remotely care about how fatty it is. Icecream is rated by taste, butter is rated by fattiness. This just makes me feel guilty while I should be enjoying myself. Kinda like rating Kama Sutra position by their chance to transmit STDs… don’t do it!

High-Speed Chase Ends in Murder (story)

See the right to bear arms saves lives! A .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, why would anyone wanna run around with that??

Amanda Knox Turns 21 in Italian Prison (story)

Bummer!

5 Things to Cut Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (story)

I’m guessing not eating one of those top 6 Icecreams would help.

7 Steps to a Happy, Healthy Dog (story)

1 step to a Happy, Healthy Life, don’t get a pet.

And some of the remaining headlines:

Women Live Longer But Die Poorer *** Fuel Costs Hitting Schools in the Lunchbox *** Dentists Open Wide for Mercury Criticism *** Teen Survives Pin to the Head *** New Laser Zaps Away Cancer *** Modern-Day Miracle Man? *** The Golden Toilet Survives *** The Brady Bunch, Then and Now *** Beauty of Albinism *** H'wood's Baby Boom! *** Ventura Rips Media on Senate Story *** Now That's Just Nuts

      I don't know how to feel about this situation. If I really am looking for someone who won't do what Drew did. It doesn't seen like Trevor is the best canidate. He is more or less the same package plus a car and experience. I know that he has cheated before because it was with me. He cheated on Rhio with me. He has done the whole not talking for months thing. The other thing is that he is older. He is about to be 20. He is more in tune with who he is. I love that about him. He is really confident. I have talked about this before with Wesley and it is a proven fact that I like the overly confident-cocky guys, but all of them have an insecure side that I see when I get to know them. Trevor is no different. I don't know man.

     I think about it and it's a complicated situation.

     Pros

1. He is really really Nice.
2. I already know that he likes me ;]
3. He is super cute.
4. He has a car.
5. My mother already knows him.
6. He knows what he is doing when it comes to "romance"
7. He isn't afraid to love
8. We have that connection.
9. He has awesome taste is music. Lol (minus that he hates Simple Plan)

     Cons

1. He is almost twenty.
2. He has cheated before, who knows how many times.
3. My mom thinks he is too old for me.
4. He lives in Flint.
5. He is unemployed ... I think.
6. My mother thinks he is a nice guy.
7. My brother might not be so hot on the idea of him.
8. He doesn't like Simple Plan.
9. He has A LOT of experience.

     Now do you see the problem? I have exactly as many Pros as I have Cons. I feel like I am getting a little ahead of myself here. Lets see if it goes anymore with either Drew or Trevor ...

     I didn't know if it was the smartest idea, but ... I texted Drew when I found out that he was home. Well, I THOUGHT that he was home. All I said was "Hey :]" and from this I got a phone call from Drew's mom. I kinda freaked out. When she said that Drew was away for six months I kinda freaked a little. I wanted to be like... "ummm. I heard that he was back and thought he had his phone," but I used the noodle and something tells me that if his mom was still saying that he was away then there was a reason. I don't know the reason, but I'm sure there is one. So... He is back, but not HOME? There are so many things that are racing in my mind and all of them tell me that I am crazy insane. I have come up with many ideas on what is really going on and it seems that none of them make much sense. 1. Drew broke out of where he was staying and his mom doesn't know it. 2. Drew broke out of where he is and his mom knows, but doesn't want to tell me. 3. Drew somehow found a computer where ever he is and is lying to everyone about being back. 4. Drew and his mom are both crazy and have been flat out lying to me this whole time. 5. I am paranoid and I don't have the whole story so I am jumping to conclusions.

     The only one that makes ANY kind of sense to me is numero five. This is more than  likely my best choice. I really do feel like I am being lied to though. I don't know. I just feel like I don't know Drew anymore. How can you love something with all that you are and know nothing about them. Well, I DO know him, but not the way you should when you are in love. I know his middle name. I know his favorite band. I know him birthday. I know he doesn't get along with his parents. I know some of his friends. I know where he went to middle school. I know where he went to elementary school. I know all his ex girlfriends. I know some of the issues he has with his rentals. I know he loves hanging out with his grandfather. I know he is an amazing skateboarder. I know that he used to be the shortest kid in class. I know his favorite song. I love that he loves me. I know that I love him. The last two sentences, these should be the things that matter right? They do, they just feel like they don't.

     I know all these little things, but I want the big ones. I want to know WHY he ran away. I want to know where he is. I want to know why is would cheat on me. I want to know want he wants to do with his life. I want to know how he feels about college. I want to know why he didn't call me. I want to know what is inside his head. There are so many things that I want to know and so many things that I feel like I need to know. I don't know whether or not I actually DO, but I feel like it's something that is important. The only way that I will ever know any of these things is by talking to him, but I don't know how I am going to do that. How can I love someone who didn't call for two months?

     What did I do that deserved to be ignored for two months?  I just miss him and I love him. I miss knowing everything about him.

     It's just really really hard to go from knowing everything about someone to feel like they are a complete stranger to you. I feel like I have been so clueless.

If this is found to be a valid interpretation of the law, it's really quite frightening. If you violate the Terms of Service of a website, you can be charged with hacking. That's an astounding concept. Does this mean that everyone who uses Bugmenot could be prosecuted? Also, this isn't a minor crime, it's a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment per count. In Drew's case she was charged with three counts for accessing MySpace on three different occasions. (link)

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Yesterday, after a romp in the sprinkler, Drew decided he and Duncan needed a snuggle.

music has been the theme of the last few days. Either Drew is listening to it on the "white computer," his headphones, or the radio in his room. Sometimes he doubles up.

Here is the layout that I finally finished yesterday. This is from Las Vegas in April '07. The boys slept so lovely together...sigh.

Other than that, not much happening.

D: Mommy! (said while I tossed an empty box down the stairs to store later.)
M: What?
D: What IS that? (pointing at the box at the bottom of the stairs.)
M: A box?
D: Nooooo. That is a space wrapper for my flashlight!
M: Of course. How could I miss that?