Tomorrow is not promised....

Wow---we leave in 3 days! That's crazy!! Not even sure where to start.

My cousin passed away early Tuesday morning. My 2nd cousin---55 years and no definate word on happened. She went into the hospital last week and every test they ran was coming back negative. There just didn't seem to be a reason for what was happening...and then early Tues. she died. While mortality is something I've always been okay with accepting....I mean I know we are all going to die sometime---when it comes so unexpectedly, so suddenly it just floors you. The funeral is Friday and I'm thankful that we will be around to go before leaving. My heart is just aching for her kids and her mother. My dad and aunts and uncles who remember a funny, goofy girl they played with growing up and partied with as young adults...I knew her to be a riot---always laughing and cracking jokes but she had a lot of hard times in her life and many sad things happening...I think I'm a little numb really.

Leaving has me both excited and yet a little worried about how everything is going to run while we're gone. Believe me, I am certainly not prideful enough to think that life won't go on without us...lol...there's just so much with our kids and my job especially that makes wonder a little how it is all going to fall into place. I have off today and tomorrow---still some work to do to be prepared to leave, but nothing I have to be at church for. My head was swimming yesterday as I was trying to remember each little detail in hopes that there would be no big glitches while I am gone. I have to remember that life is short and no day is promised to us so to worry about that which I have no control is a total waste of energy.

What can I control other than my own actions and reactions? Everything else--I have no control over. If while I am gone a problem arises---I won't be there to handle, so why worry or stress over how others handle it? It's very nice to know that I'll be missed and that they need me, but there's also a lot of pressure in that because then a lot rides on me as well. As for the kids, there's just so much that I feel a little bad for my parents to have to swallow all of that, but again, they are happy to do it and haven't made us feel that it's a chore at all. So I go released.

Here's my to do list:

Finish lists for camp week 4 and 5
Change voicemail at work
Create "cheat sheets" for camp while I am gone
Laundry
Pack the 6 of us (I did start that today at least)
Clean (I hate coming home to a dirty house)
Give Chloe a good bath and grooming (my friend Roberta is taking her for us)
Elijah's birthday party is today
Funeral is tomorrow
Marlon's family is having dinner for us tomorrow before we go
Go to Walmart to buy a bunch of stuff Brother Bob needs
Try and stop by the Teen MOPS picnic on Sat.
Take Isaiah to Spano's on Sat.
Cry a little I'm sure...lol
Take Chloe to Roberta's on Sat. night
Double check the calendar and contact info. I gave my parents for the kids
Go to the bank
Dye my hair

um...ok, based on that list, of which I am sure I am missing something, I better get off this computer and get to work!!! Much love to each of you---I'll be back!

Yes I'm Still Alive!!

Yes I am still here....Michelle you are right, I am crazy busy...lol!! I'm not sure if I'll make it out to Mukwonago next week, but I really am going to try--it's exciting for this church plant because there's been a lot of people in that area praying about it for a while and it's finally coming to fruition.

My schedule is quite crazy actually until we leave for the Philippines. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's what we've been up to since getting back.

Last week I was able to take a little time off from work which was wonderful. I actually still did a lot of what I needed to--I just did it from home on my laptop. The 4th we watched the parade and then cooked out at my Grandma's. Last 4th of July there. Then we went to swim at my parent's and watch the fireworks from their backyard. It's cool because we can see like 5 or 6 fireworks displays from their yard. Thursday I worked and the kids hung out at my parent's house. The weekend was spent getting the house back in order from being gone--swimming at my parents house and going to church. On Sunday I spoke at our church during 3rd service at "Iced Expresso" a special ministry starting between the 20 Something Ministry and Woman's Ministry. It's a really cool effort to combine young 20 something women with "older" (and that is totally relative because at 36 I am older!!) seasoned women as mentors or teachers. I spoke on our identity in Christ and it seemed to go well. I felt very comfortable and enjoy teaching/speaking so that was good.

This week was back in full swing at camp. Marlon is crazy busy this week with meetings, an interview, curriculum writing at school (he teaches one day a week at a school in Milw) Izzy had soccer practise on Monday, Jordyn went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter last night, I had a Teen MOPS meeting tonight, I have worship rehearsal tomorrow, Jordyn goes to her dad's on Friday until the 20th, Izzy has a game on Sat. morning, Marlon speaks at his grandfather's church on Sunday, I'm onstage all weekend...Sunday we may have to go to a prison...wow. Writing it all down it seems totally mental that our life would look like that. No wonder I don't have any laundry done!! lol

Next week continues to be full, but much of it is getting ready for our next mission trip. We will be gone from the 22nd until Aug. 2 doing prison ministry there. I am so excited, but I am a little nervous for the longggggggggg flight.

I am maintaining. I really don't like being in a maintaining place because I feel somewhat disengaged from life. I can only become surface involved in order to maintain my sanity, my focus and keeping on task. I've been praying basically non-stop all day, but have been neglecting my bible time. I've studied---for the talk I did, for speaking I may do in the Philippines...but I haven't just been in my own personal study. Marlon and I have been talking about starting a couple's small group. I think for many years we just had so much...issues, stresses, personal things to work on...that a couples small group just wasn't a good choice. We both feel like we are ready to be accountable as a couple---to have a group of couples that we confide in, share with, pray for...when we get back from the Philippines we are going to look into this. The main thing is that it will need to be people we know we can be open, honest and free with.

One exciting decision we've made is that for our tenth anniversary in Jan. we are going to go on a cruise. We've never been on one and we never had a honeymoon so it will be a great treat and blessing all around.

Anyway---it's getting late and I've finally let my mind unwind enough to lay down so I'd better get some sleep!

PEACE

Back home again...

Well, we're back home after quite an eventful trip. Our van started sounding odd about an hour or so after leaving Biloxi....to make a long story short, we were blessed to find a mechanic that was open on Saturdays AND Sundays-that was willing to fix out van (wheel bearing) AND blessed to have friends that chipped in and paid for the expense of fixing our van. Amazing.

Thought I'd share some more photos....


Here's the room we stayed in.



Here's some of my group during worship time.



Marlon teaches the kids how the game they played relates to the lesson of being a team player for Christ and always putting forth your full effort in life.





These are just a few of the pictures that show the intense state of destruction that Biloxi was left in after Katrina hit. The bottom is a FEMA trailor that someone is living in on their property. Many people have not yet begun the clean up of their property, much less the rebuilding. Slowly, one house at a time, Biloxi has begun to rebuild.

Getting late. More later. Happy 4th everyone!

Can't believe it's almost over!!!

Here's a couple of pictures. One of our whole Katrina Team 17 at God's Katrina Kitchen and one of my 3rd and 4th grade group from VBS.




I can't believe it's Thursday nite? This week flew by! I can't seem to get signed onto Marlon's e-mail so I'll have to do that update in the morning, but I thought I'd get a post done anyway. It's hard to even know where to start...

VBS---it has been so wonderful. The church here is sooo thankful that we've come down to help. Marlon, Collin and the boys have totally taken the game station and run with it! They developed games to play, made Friday a "water day" and Miss Cindy (the VBS director) is so thankful because they really didn't have any one to do games if they hadn't taken it. Jordyn has been so helpful in the craft room. She is patient and so detailed that she just takes any direction Miss Charlotte gives her and really keeps the kids on task to finish their projects in the allowed 25 minutes. I love our group. Tiffany, another WI lady on the trip came along to help when my group grew from 16 on Mon. to 24 by Tuesday! We've had a blast. My heart will definately miss these kids when we leave. A few have asked if we can come back next year for VBS--if it's at all possible, I'll definately be here! Tomorrow after VBS we have been invited to go to lunch with the rest of the team. It should be fun.

Yesterday and today for afternoon work project I was able to go to nursing homes with Miss Angel. Yesterday Izzy and Elijah came along to a small hospice home and we played games...today we went to a larger nursing home (Isaiah went this time) and sang songs for and with the elderly. What an experience. Miss Angel and I have made a real connection. She enjoyed my singing so much that tonight at spa night for the community ladies she made me sing for everyone...lol.

That leads me to the last thing I'll talk about tonight. Spa night. It's an Elmbrook tradition to have a Spa Nite whenever a group comes and so tonight was our turn. 15-20 women from the community and church family came for pedicures, facials, manicures, massages...it was so humbling to have them share their stories with us as we pampered them. A privilege. Nothing less then a privilege.

Well, the towels from spa night are finally in the dryer and I just tossed a load of our personal clothes in so I guess I will close up shop. Tomorrow will be a long day , VBS in the morning, lunch with the rest of the VBS crew, service projects in the afternoon, a deacon is bringing us all dinner and somewhere in there we have to clean the church before heading out EARLY Sat. morning.

Much love to you all!!! Beth---Collin is LOVING it! He already wants to come back in August with another group!

Updates from Mississippi

Since I really don't have time to blog--but thought it'd be fun to keep this thing somewhat updated about our family mission trip---I thought I'd post the emails that I've been sending our friends and family. I am in total awe of how God is blessing us. The trip has been so wonderful. Travel---went AMAZINGLY well. Heat---incredibly easy to handle. Family Dynamics---nobody wants to kill each other yet! Tomorrow will be a hard day as we are going to tour some very damaged areas and have dinner at Katrina's Kitchen. Pray that we continue to put Him first and push ourselves aside. Thanks!


June 23
Just wanted to send a quick note to let you all know that we made it to Horns Lake, MS and are relaxing in our hotel room. Our group of 17 met at Elmbrook and hit the road at 6am in the morning. One car followed our van full of Pitchford's (and one Sims) and the other embarked on their own with different directions. With Marlon at the wheel and only 4 short stops---we made it here at a little after 4! After check in we all went to a Chinese Food Buffet and then hit the pool.

Thanks to you all who prayed, gave support both financially and emotionally and have just encouraged us in this trip. If you would like to pray---we would so appreciate it!

Pray for the last 5 hours of our trip tomorrow. That we are well rested tonight and have a fresh start.
Pray that our group continues to gel---we've had fun together already so that's been a blessing.
Praise that we made it here safely and the kids did AMAZINGLY well with the long drive.
Thanks and we'll send another update when we can! (and hopefully a photo or two)

6/24/07
Well, it's 9:48 pm and we are in our jammies, under the covers and getting ready to go to sleep. After a quick hotel breakfast this morning, a short devotion and prayer by the pool-we hit the road by 9:30am. We made good time and hit a little bit of rain---making it here by 4pm after a yummy buffet lunch in Gulfport.

Here's what we've done since getting here:

we had a small tour of the church and facilities here
broke into groups with some of the church members and delivered flyers to the houses in neighboring subdivisions. Izzy and I were with some of our group and two ladies from this church. The neighborhood we were in was very run down, but full of friendly people. We were even chased for a few blocks by a little dog. We had some great conversations.
had pizza delivered and devoured in 15 minutes flat...lol!
debriefed for the evening about our experiences today and had a small devotion led by Marlon
the boys got shaved heads, and most of us took showers tonight so we don't have to do them in the morning.
Our day tomorrow begins at 7am for breakfast in the fellowship hall. We pray that you all have a wonderful day! Camp Vertical and Zoom folks, Edie and I are praying for you and that tomorrow goes smoothly. Isn't it awesome that we can be so far away from each other and still doing the same great work for His Kingdom!! God is good!

June 25
Well, it's 10:22 and the kids and I (as well as two other young girls from our team) are up playing Uno. Although it was a long day, we had a burst of energy that came from a 9pm trip to Wal-mart I think!

Here are some of what we did today:
VBS--wonderful! Just about 80 kids (age 3-13 yrs) came. Even a few familiar faces from our neighborhood walk yesterday-that was cool.
Marlon & the boys got to lead the game "fieldhouse" station
Jordyn helped in crafts
I got to lead the small group of 3rd and 4th graders (16 in all)
We used a fun LifeWay curriculum with a "Game Day" theme which the kids really enjoyed. They had the following stations: crafts, bible study, games, music and snack. The volunteers here were so happy that we came to help.
After lunch we separated into groups for work. Marlon and Collin went to help at a house with a group from Kentucky. Since they didn't want women or kids there due to the heavy lifting and mud the rest of us went to a free medical clinic. Some of us were inside "popping pills" (yes that was a HUGE joke all day) and the rest of us did some cleaning, moving...let's just say I'm much stronger that I thought I was!! Edie and I had to have sweated off at least 10 lbs today--so that's a good thing.
Highlights and awesome God moments:

During our clean up, a young woman approached me and asked if I spoke Spanish. I explained that I did, and asked what she needed. I then translated to the man running the clinic and got her mother who suffers from diabetes and has leg problems a walker. The amazing part is that I wasn't going to be with that team and at the last minute I got put with them.
Clive. Now this silly, 60+ old man came with his wife from North Carolina right after Katrina hit for medical help. Two years later and they are still here running a free clinic. He has a home and family in NC still, but feels that God continues to need them here in MS and so they stay. Shipments of free medicines continue to come in. In fact, today a shipment of medicines (prescription mind you) came in totaling $430,000!! This was the first shipment ever straight from a pharmeceutical company and not just doctors working together to donate the meds. What a testament to the gospel! He really got a kick out of the kids and they had a good time helping him.
Thanks for continuing to pray for our safety and ability to stand the heat. So far so good! Tomorrow after VBS we are going on our tour of the area and get to eat dinner at Katrina's God's Kitchen.

Alive & Kickin'

I am still here. :) Camp started Mon. and couldn't be better!

Here's a little window into my past few days...

Last weekend was soccer in Rockford. Izzy had a game on Sat. as well---so Marlon did Rockford and I did baseball. Knowing I'd have a crazy week, I opted not to drive down to catch the 2nd game and instead lounged at the pool. Marlon and the boys joined us later and we swam for a bit before heading home so Marlon could pack. Jordyn spent the weekend with her dad. Sun. brought EARLY rising to be in Rockford by 6:15!!! Arrgh! We drove down in two cars and then Marlon left after the first game to go back home, snag his luggage and wait for Pops to pick him up. He and Pops stopped in Rockford to watch the game (which we won and Isaiah SCORED---his first for the spring session, wow was he excited) on their way to St. Louis. Marlon is going to be gone until Fri. evening at a Men's Conference.

After the games the boys and I headed to my parent's for a Father's Day cook-out. Some of my mom's family was there and we swam again. I tell you---what a blessing that pool is. It's so relaxing and fun to just pop in for a bit or stay and visit the whole day. :)

I headed home because I had a slew of work to do. Up to Sam's right at 7am when they opened on Monday and then straight to work. Camp was GREAT. Was there some chaos-of course it was the first day. Did we realize there were a few things to tweak so that things would run smoother--of course. BUT the kids had a blast, the parents were happy and God was exhaulted at every turn so what else could you ask for? Ended up having to stay until 6pm--I have a feeling my Mondays are going to be 11 hour days. The hard part is that I have to keep up with all of my other non-camp duties as well. It's going to be a whirlwind summer.

Sat. we leave for Biloxi. 6am. I am so excited for our whole family (and Collin) to have some undivided time together. While it's not really a vacation--we will be busy and working and with 11 other people--it will be nice to get away from the frenzy of our everyday life and experience something so special together. Saturday can't come soon enough. A nice long car ride to unwind and then one night hotel stay to swim and relax before getting to Biloxi on Sun. afternoon. That will be good.

Well, we need to be out of here by 7:15. Normally, I won't have to get to work until 8ish, but Brodie is having his baby...well his wife is having the baby...today so we need all hands on deck as much as possible. I just had to stop in and say hi and fill everyone in.

Love!!!

HELP!

I'm needing some prayer guys...I'm starting to drown. The past few weeks of chaos when anyone has asked how I'm hanging in there with all of the busyness--and I've said that I'm treading water and keeping my head above water. Now---I'm starting to drown!! There is really nothing that can be done at this point to alleviate my schedule or our obligations---so please pray for:

--The spirit to lead me in all of my interactions with co-workers, camper's parents and my bosses
--Pray that I have strength, patience and peace beyond all understanding!
--Finally, please pray that time is stretched and I am able to get done what just simply can't get done in the amount of time I have. I know this is an odd request, but believe me I've prayed over this before and I have firm faith that God can truly give me time that just isn't there.

Love you all and wish you well. Amy, I was so bummed that I couldn't be there. I just had too much to do. I am STILL up working---just needed to give my brain a break!

Hasta luego!

Just a little catch up...

I can't believe it's been a week again! Where in the world does time go? And why do we continously ask ourselves that when we know the answer!! lol

First---let me do my Thursday Thirteen----Things That Begin with H

1. holidays
2. home---I enjoy just being home relaxing---even if it doesn't happen often.
3. hip-hop music
4. hot tub
5. hot sauce
6. hotels (staying in a hotel is so much fun--especially when the kids are not with us!!)
7. hugging
8. Halloween....favorite scary movie of ALL time!
9. Heaven---how marvelous will it be when I get there!
10. history---I love knowing the past and trying to learn from it
11. Hawaii...alright I've never been there, but it's the one place that I daydream about vacationing with Marlon someday when we are old and gray!
12. helping
13. high heels...even though they aren't the best for my back/neck...I LOVE wearing them.

This week flew by---last week of school!! While I enjoy summer and all of the fun things that we get to do (especially this summer) I do worry because we always seem to be a little off kilter in the summer. I think we function best with a schedule and sometimes the summer gets thrown off. I am hoping with the kids at Camp Vertical and Jordyn part of the training program there---that it will help us stay on schedule.

This weekend was so beautiful out! We had a baseball game for Izzy and Isaiah had a soccer tournament. They took 3rd--played a little stale a few of the games, but overall they did well. Isaiah had tryouts and made the U-12 team. He was very excited. I keep instilling in him the need to always give 100% because us being friends with the coach means nothing. If he wasn't good enough he wouldn't make be on the team. If they give themselves too much kudos as a team and think they are the best out there---they get cocky. There is nothing worse than a big headed kid who thinks the world revolves around him and that he is the best thing that ever happened to a team. I never want Isaiah to be that kid. He can be confident and know that he needs to leave his heart on the field at the end of the game---but I never want him to think that he can't be replaced.

Spent a lot of the weekend at the pool. I could just sit in there all afternoon (well, actually most days I did...lol) It's so relaxing but really keeps from doing stuff here at home that I need to. Came home today though and got the dishes, vaccumming and dusting done. Now I'm just sitting for a minute and then I'm gonna go up and fold some clothes while I watch Law and Order (yay--for marathons and TBS) Marlon's school (where he teaches) had graduation today and then the teachers went out for dinner so he should be home in about an hour or so. He's gonna have to put some after sun on my back because I got a little red on my back today.

Tomorrow training for Camp Vertical starts. Jordyn is excited but I think really realizing what 40 hours a week means...lol. Her friend got her driver's license so she was gone gallavanting about all weekend with her...lol. I remember doing that with friends---what fun. Although it does cause a whole new sense of worry...lol.

Well, gotta go and give Grandma her shot. Have a good nite all!

Freedom Writers

Have you seen the movie Freedom Writers?

What a movie. Man, if you haven't seen it-you need to. I love true stories. I love peoples stories. For all of the lost, broken, misunderstood, forgotten young people in the city--you need to watch this movie. For all of the naive, afraid, misguided judgements we make about young people with a hard shell. For all of kids who will die, end up in jail, live homeless, hurting, painful lives that many of us could never relate to. For all of those reasons--watch this movie.

A hodge podge of happenings...

Last night we had so much fun hanging out with our friends the Andersons and the Spanos. Amy made some very yummy chicken and there was just a ton of sides. Grandma was so sweet and cute! She ate with us and showed off her living quarters to us (wonderful job Troy and Amy!!)...you could tell she was so happy to be somewhere she could call home! Owen was such a doll---he has such beautiful eyes. We played with the Wii, so much fun. We might have to break down and have that be a family gift at Christmas time because we all had a blast.


*****************My Jorgie and her friend Kristie in Wis. Dells************

Jordyn chose to hang out at her friend's Molly's house all night instead. She got her first assignment in for next year's AP US History class. It was due June 1st. Now she has another due in July. This AP stuff is gonna kill us! Of course in the long run it's worth it because it could save her from having to do some credits in college. For her classes in the fall---US History, $85 for the books and for Econ $95! Of course due next week and we just got the letter on Thursday. Never mind that the test in the spring will be close to $100 each! Blech! She is so intelligent and talented though--how can we not allow her this? She actually had such high grades (A+) in a few of her classes that she doesn't even have to take the final. Since she already took her AP World History test that's done--yearbook didn't have a final....so next week she only has to take 2 finals. Then she will be a junior! That is crazy to me. I can't believe that she will be graduating in 2 years.

Today was a long day. Helped my friends move in the morning, Izzy's game was cancelled due to flooded fields, ran errands, went to my cousin's birthday party, swam at my parents, ran to the grocery store, made tacos for Marlon, visited with my Grandma...now I am in my jammies and ready to lay down. I have some stuff to do for a meeting tomorrow, but I may just lay down and then get up early to do it. We'll see.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Much love to you!!