Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tribute to Harry

Harry was my father-in-law.  Or do you still say “is” once someone has passed?  After all, he still lives, but now in Heaven.

Harry began his life 77 years ago.  He was a Kansas man through and through, though he did leave for a short time to spend an Army stint in Korea.  He married the sweetheart of his youth, Theodora.  They were a team for 53 years. 

Harry worked hard, with a work ethic that never quit.  He was father to Jim, Jeanne, and John, grandfather to Peter and Emily.  He was generous with his time, expertise, cash whenever possible, and any kind of help he could give when he saw a need.  Harry loved to garden, growing everything from beans to berries to dinner plate dahlias to sunflowers – he grew what he could, year after year. 

Harry also made some lovely candles, supplying them to his children’s weddings.  And he could build and he could fix.  He had a shop to envy, even if it may have looked like you couldn’t find a thing in it.  Harry could, so that’s what mattered. 

I loved Harry in a lot of ways, though I was not family by blood.  I grew to appreciate him over the years.  He adored my children and would give them anything he possibly could.  I only regret they did not have more time together.

I put together a little slideshow of the graveside honor guard salute given him.  It was a very precious moment.  I will include it here (I hope!).

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS – NBC NEWS

I missed this, didn’t know it was on.  To Write Love on Her Arms is a wonderful group of young people reaching young people who feel alone and who need help but aren’t sure how to get it.  Scroll down on this page in the link to see the news article.  I met the mom of this young girl featured in the article – it’s been a rough road but a road full of hope and love.

http://thevibe.socialvibe.com/index.php/2008/09/12/to-write-love-on-her-arms-featured-nbc-nightly-news-tonight/

Beijing 2008 Prep for the Olympics

Have had no extra time for this lately but someone sent this link to me, worth putting here.  I know most have been watching the Games to some extent and have seen the amazing work that China did to prepare, but this is still well worth a look.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/07/beijing_2008_preparations_thre.html

Not Today, Mom

Here we go, 7th grade begins!  Prayers and hopes for good friendships and a good head on her young shoulders!  I know she can do great, but it’s really up to her.

First choice of the morning, no pictures. 

Best I could do

Stephen Curtis Chapman Family Interview on Larry King, pt. 2

I just finished watching.  I was not disappointed.  What a beautiful family with remarkable faith.  The maturity of their three older children – Emily, Caleb, and Will (22, 19, 17) – impressive.  I was deeply touched. 

Postscript next morning.  The faces of the Chapman family were in my mind and heart all night.  We have a daughter from China and a teen son too.  Our daughter watched with us, who is now 12.  The story touched her.  Over time, perhaps we will discover how much.

The show is on You Tube.  In six parts.

Anyone feel free to comment here if you like.  I know there are a lot who have been touched.

Stephen Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live – Thursday

Sometimes CNN actually sends breaking news in a timely manner.  Just got notice that Stephen Curtis Chapman and family (everyone?) will be on Larry King Live tomorrow, that is Thursday, 9 p.m. Eastern on CNN.  The link for Larry King is :  http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/  There you can post any questions you may have.

The Shack

 

I finished reading this book last night. Took me awhile to digest this one, a fictional story about a man who loses his young daughter to a serial killer.  The book is not really about that, however. The man has pain, yes. He has suffered deep, deep loss, yes. But, as for all of us, pain goes deeper than the latest hurt. The story tells of misconceptions about God and what it means to follow Him. topics cover are many: forgiveness, grace, relationships, walking with God, judgmentalness, love, peace, hope.  I recommend this one highly. 

There is a lot about our independence, our desire to live our own independent lives.  I for one love to call myself independent, think of this as a thing to be proud of. True, I am my own person, but that person is the one God made and he made me for a purpose, and for Himself.  I am unique, yes, because that’s how He made me, and I can be pleased in that.  BUT He has given me worth, purpose, life, everything. In independence, I pull myself away from God, standing on my own, creating my own system of living.  Now that’s not a good thing.  In my life I have been broken, we all have, in some way.  Here is a quote that stood out for me in this book:  People are tenacious when it comes to the treasure of their imaginary independence. They hoard and hold their sickness with a firm grip. They find their identity and worth in their brokenness and guard it with every ounce of strength they have.  No wonder grace has such little attraction. In that sense you have locked the door to your heart from the inside.

Something to think about.

AI Tour

Copied the following from a friend who went to the American Idol concert last night in Arizona, first night of the tour.  Admittedly, I am an AI junkie.  Though I am unlikely to attend one of these concerts, I do believe I would enjoy it! 

Here is Kari’s report:

Yes, I was there last night!  woot.  Here are my thoughts.  I don’t want to give away too much in case someone here is going to see them on tour.

Each finalist sings 3 songs, except David A who sings 4 and David C who sings 5.  there are 2 group numbers.  They sing songs they did on the show and some others.   They do a countdown from #10-#1 for each to come out, do their own thing during their “mini-set”.  There is also  a freaking 45 minute intermission between Brooke and Jason! ugh.  

The show seemed to not have much excitement at the beginning, nerves maybe, or that I wasn’t too in to Chikezie and Ramiele.  Ramiele messed up one of her songs.  Then Michael Johns came out.  Oh boy, hot,, that boy needs to be signed. He had an awesome rock/blues set!  Even hubby liked him.  Kristy was next and boy does she look awesome on the stage, very pretty voice and hot!  Yes, she sings God Bless America to a standing ovation, very emotional.  Then Carly….never a Carly fan I kinda zoned out.
Brooke is next on the piano.  She is the first to use an instrument in the show.  She does 2 on piano and one on the guitar.  The guitar one she wants you to snap instead of clap – kinda weird.   She is from Mesa, AZ so  for her she said this was really weird being on stage there, where she lives and, of course, she was nervous!

After a 45 min. intermission came Jason.  I was never a Jason fan on the show but I have to tell you, he really really impressed me.  I was surprised, didn’t expect to enjoy his set but I did.  He has an amazing voice and changes up his songs to suit his style.  Said something about friends teasing him about being a dreamer, but look where it has gotten him!
S
Miss Syesha belted it out!  She has pipes!  A loud, booming voice.  I don’t understand Simon’s comments about her not having the voice to do big songs…she sure did last night!  And, she looked hot!  The crowd went nuts at the end of Syesha’s set as she got to announce the next artist….

In a cloud of smoke, comes up from under the stage, David Archuleta on the piano.  I knew he could sing, but wow!  His voice is so pure sounding.  He was very humble, that cute smile was there, and was the crowd going nuts!  He looked comfortable on stage and like he was having fun.  This boy is going to have a big, big career ahead of him.  Reminds me of Elton John

#1…There was a huge video fanfare for the #1 singer, David Cook, and the crowd went wild.  He came up from under the stage with his white guitar (with AC on it) and did Hello.  Oh my god.  He look like he is having fun, basking in the glory, enjoying every moment…that smile, that excitement, just like on the show.  He looks exactly the same as on the show.  At one point, he grabs a video camera and tells the crowd, that he bought a camera after he finished this “little thing called American Idol, have you heard of it?”     That he wanted to film what was going to be the most exciting summer of his life.  Has the light come up, and films the crowd for about 1 minutes.  Cute.

DC announces to the crowd he has great news.  That just today he has learned that his brother’s tumor has stopped growing. he is teary eyed and crowd applauds.  Then he breaks into a rocking number complete with electric guitar…runs all over the stage, full of excitement and is awesome!  Finally, a rocker has won AI and he is going to have a full career in front of him.  They do the whole encore thing,  Cook sings one song and then a group number.

My faves:  DC, DA, Syesha, MJ, JC

Thanks, Kari!  I feel a bit like I was there!

Wii

Yesterday we got a Wii.  So if you wonder why there’s nothing new posted in here, that could be a part of the reason.  Now will be on a hunt for games.  I am not a big fan of computer/video games, but, hey, this one is up off your feet actual physical and mental activity.  Can’t argue with that.  A friend of Peter’s had the basic package for a very good price, so scooped it up.  Maybe that will get a couple of us away from the TV and all of us together for some healthy competition!  Yea!