This was Bethany’s nick name when she was a wee little peanut.

A picture of me and Grandma Hill. I miss her and the way she used to pinch my cheeks…

My Dad-in-law and Bethany in North Carolina…

Oh, how I can remember those words. I was completely fascinated with the ability to talk over airwaves of the two-way CB radio. I do believe this may have been what go me started as a technology nut. Love that picture…

Great Picture of Dad.

Here I am with my Mom and Dad on a whale watching boat. I love my Dad’s hat.

Lori, my Mother in law, holding Bethany at just two weeks old.

Here I am caged up like the wild animal I am sure I acted like.

Cousins….

I remember as a teenager, acne was not my friend…

It seemed there was always a big old pimple rising up trying to get everyone’s attention at the worst possible time. I remember being in a musical and of course the night before the curtains rose, one would show up right in the middle of the forehead…I can remember saying these exact words, “I can’t wait until I am twenty or thirty something, and I don’t have to worry about freakin’ pimples.”

Well last Tuesday I turned 30 something,

3 freakin’ 9 and this thing is on the side of my face.

Oh well, I know a few things, blemishes will fade but God’s grace won’t. I cherish that.

God is Good!

All of the time!

This past week we drove into the city of Pittsburgh to a Cathedral. The  denomination of this weeks church was Episcopalian. I really enjoyed the pipe organ and the acoustics of such an old cathedral. The service was traditional, I did not expect anything else. As I listened to the message, I was gazing up at the beautiful arches and detailed millwork. It was breathtaking.

So far we  have experienced quite a variety during this adventure, from the mega (contemporary) to the old (traditional) worship services. On this Sunday we first took our seats kind of out of the way, in a pew that would not allow anyone else to set right next to us (the girls don’t like to sit next to strangers). I kept smelling something, and I could not put my finger on it at first. Then I recognized it, URINE…. I quickly gazed around us to see if anyone was near us, I found no one. I then noticed the kneeling pillow below me had some sort of dried liquid on it. Hmmmm. I gave the pillow a quick kick to under the pew in front of us. I then began to wonder, did the churches in the city stay open all of the time for prayers and such???? My curiosity got the best of me and I asked Brenda. Since she works downtown, I figured she would know the answer. (She always has the answer) She then explained that the downtown churches take turns during the week in staying open so that the homeless can take shelter within them. Exactly at the moment of her finishing her explanation, the pastor announced that everyone was to go to the dining room for the blessing of the palms. As soon as we started to make our way, I quietly told Brenda that we would not be sitting in that seat when we returned to the sanctuary. It was a very pleasant service, lots of ups an downs, literally, but was very nice. As we returned to our van after the worship service, we all sanitized our hands, like the germophobes we are.

As funny/gross as the story may seem, as I have typed this out, it has made me really think about our lives and our surroundings. We live a very comfortable lifestyle. It’s almost like living in a bubble, making sure we look just so and our house looks perfect. This visit made me realize (even more) the blessings that we have. A roof over our head, unconditional love from family and friends, food that we often waste, running water, electricity, heat in the cold, and cold in the heat. What amazes me more is how fast I become disenchanted with all that we have or loose focus on what is important. You know, when I have a bad day or get into one of my foul moods and lash out at my family or friends. I really needed to go to that church in the city this past Sunday. I came away, thinking, “Okay God, clearly this so much bigger than me and my family. Why, us? Why have you blessed us with so much?” Although the answer may not be clear to me right now, it has made me think and wonder, what is it I should be doing with all of these blessings?

I would appreciate some prayers this Easter weekend, that the signs that God is giving, become more clear for us. For a better understanding of what we should be doing with these gifts he has given us. I truly feel that my family and I are blessed, but have a deep desire for us to be a blessing to others during this journey He has created for us.

This coming week we will be at our home church, VPC. It will be good to see familiar faces on Easter Sunday. The following week I think we will visit a back country church. Oh, the diversity we are experiencing, it is an amazing adventure.

Thanks for taking time out of your day to visit my blog. Please take a moment to leave a comment.

For those of you wondering what this adventure is all about click on the following link: Church Adventure or the weekly links below.

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A Church Adventure: Week 1

A Church Adventure: Week 2

A Church Adventure: Week 3

A Church Adventure: Week 4

A Church Adventure: Week 5

A Church Adventure: Week 6

A Church Adventure: Week 7

A Church Adventure: Week 8

Here I am surrounded by some great cousins…Tim is in the foreground, his head cut off a bit, and Todd is in the background. I think this may have been a Toronto Blue Jay’s game or an Air show we took in as a family, but I’m not completely sure. We did a lot with them when we were younger and lived closer.
I have many fond memories with these guys. We were always up to something when we were together.

Bethany look like a pirate here, Rrrrrrrrr.

This is Caitie, my niece. This was taken in November 2001, which would put Caitie at around 12 years old and Bethany at just about 12 months.

This is myself reading to my nephew Ben. We were inseparable for quite a few years. We lived together for a while when my Sister and Brother in law relocated to our area. It was great times. He was my bud. We grew apart later in life which I regret. Ben went to be with the lord well before any of was ready for him to….

R.I.P. Benjamin Michael Andrews 9.14.2006

That’s right, yesterday it was Christmas in April. I actually won a cd just for commenting on a blog. The cd is Rebecca St. James new worship album I Will Praise You. It is a great CD.

The blog that I won the cd from was Arms Wide Open by Aaron Conrad. His blog, as it mentions,  is “Inspired by a true story.”

Aaron is a great blogger who visits and comments here on my blog on occasion. If you are looking to be inspired, motivated or for some general encouragement, go look at his blog (Arms Wide Open). It is definitely worth your time.

You can also follow Aaron on twitter: @aaronconrad

Thank you Aaron for your friendship and the opportunity you presented on your blog.

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Brenda, Bethany, Rachel (my niece), Lisa (my sister), and Derek (my nephew).

Kelsey, my niece’s foot. Love her!!

Here is Bethany and Brenda. During a visit with my Mom and Dad, we did a flea market within the compounds of Sun City.

Here is another get together with my Cousin Todd (far right) Uncle John, Mom and Aunt Joyce.

Here is Bethany dancing with Grandma.

Last week Brenda had an insane work schedule which included a long day on Saturday. She was extremely tired once Sunday arrived so she slept in, Bethany decided she would keep her company while Bridget and I ventured out to a Baptist church just north of where we live.

At this Church we experienced a small, diverse congregation, lead by a very young pastor. It was a refreshing sermon about being a peacemaker. The congregation was very friendly, the music was very traditional and okay, the pastor just about insisted that we stay for a luncheon they were having. We did not stay but it was a nice gesture.

We actually belong to this communities pool and was surprised that we did not see at least a few familiar faces. This congregation was not as flamboyant as I remember once when I visited another Baptist church as a teenager with my parents. Bridget liked the service, but did not like the pews. They were solid wood with no cushions…I told her that was just incase you came to church sleepy. I thought it was funny that she pointed that out. Thanks for visiting.

For those of you wondering what this adventure is all about click on the following link: Church Adventure

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A Church Adventure: Week 1

A Church Adventure: Week 2

A Church Adventure: Week 3

A Church Adventure: Week 4

A Church Adventure: Week 5

A Church Adventure: Week 6

A Church Adventure: Week 7

This is Todd on the left and me holding a guitar in my cookie monster slippers. I love those as a kid…I remember when I grew out of them. What a bummer!

We would always get together with my cousins on any holiday and if it was Christmas that meant we would sing, and that meant that Todd and I would ham it up…hat we fun together.

I think I am about 5 or 6 here.

It must be in the genetics…Bethany with Grandpa on weekend trip to South Carolina to see my parents.

Week 36 with our first born, Bethany.

Here are some shots I took at the Shrine Circus last night with my phone.

Now if I could just get Lori(my mother in law) to look at me…

I love that I can do panoramic shots with my phone. Click it for more detail.

There is a ton of rigging for the circus. It was a great evening.

To top the night off,  as we were leaving we had a beautiful view of Pittsburgh’s skyline. The Pirates/PNC Park set off some fireworks. We could see them between the buildings. What amazed me was as we were driving across the bridge on rt. 579, there were a bunch of cars stopped and pulled over to watch the fireworks while everyone else sped past at 60 mph. I don’t think that was a very smart thing to do, so the girls got a glimpse of them as I safely navigated through their recklessness.

Question:

• What is your fondest memory of the circus?

…of her crib.

Here some random words from my blog, brought to you by Wordle.

Below is the one I did back in September.

Thanks for visiting and go ahead leave a comment, I dare you…

 

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As regular shoppers at Aldi stores. Name brands usually are not important to us. There are a few things that we shop for a particular name brand. Jif peanut butter is one of them. I buy BerryHill/Aldi’s brand for baking. I have been in a pinch and have run out of the almighty Jif, and tried to substitute the BerryHill in it’s place. Notice I said, “I have tried” and every time I have done so I have been called out. It just isn't the same. Miracle Whip, Heinz Ketchup, Kool-Aid, and bread are the other things we have to go to Walmart or the local grocery store for.

Questions:

• Is there something on your grocery list that has to be a certain name brand? If so, What is it?
• Have you ever tried the generic equivalent for this product?

Go.

 

 

 

On Wednesday in our small group during G.R.O.W., we were picking thought/discussion provoking questions out of a box randomly. When one came up that has had me thinking since.

• What is one thing on your bucket list?

I quickly answered that I would love to have the renovations done on our house be able to be checked off of my bucket list, if I had one. I also mentioned that I really just want to be with my family, and had no aspirations to go anywhere or do anything in particular.  I guess I have never put a lot of thought into a bucket list per say.

A question for you my reader:

• What is one thing on your bucket list, if you have one?

Go.

Photo Souce: By Photographer dragonski via everystockphoto.com

Left to Right, Front – Aunt Mary, Uncle Bernie, Uncle Maynard, Aunt Vi, Uncle Larry,

Left to Right, Back – My Dad, Gerry and Uncle Harry.

All of my Dad’s Siblings.

This was taken at our wedding. Many of them have went to be with the Lord. They are missed!!!

Love that hat!

Here are the girls & I, ready to go to their Open House. We were missing our better 1/4th, she had to work this evening. We got into the school at 5:45 and was leaving at 6:30, just before it got over crowded. We saw everything and the girls even got to show some of there stuff or tricks on the monkey bars on the playground.

Okay, I have never had a beard or any facial hair left on my face for any amount of time. I take that back I had a soul patch for a month or so, but I thing that most people just thought I was not cleaning my face very well.

So this year for NHL playoffs I decided I would go ahead and grow a playoff beard. Because I have never done this before, I decided I would get a head start a couple of days ago. Is that cheating??

Yesterday, the family and I attended G.R.O.W. at church and on the way home, Brenda asked what was the crap on my face all about. Then she said, “you look like a vagrant”. Needless to say you can tell she is not fond of facial hair what so ever. This may have something to do with the fact that in almost 39 years I have never had beard.

This morning the girls were getting ready for school, I reminded them that we would be eating early and going to their Open House early to try to beat some of the crowd. Bethany then looked at me and said could you shave and get a hair cut for tonight, I don’t want people to think we are dirty…

Before:

 

So I took the hint from my 10 year old and shaved and went to get a hair cut this afternoon.

After:

 

I hope they are both happy.

I am still going to work on the playoff beard, even if I look like a Dirty Vagrant.

I do love my girls honesty.

My second and last VW. I really liked that ‘85 Golf…

A big kiss for mommy!

This week we ventured over to Wexford to attend a 9am Sunday Morning service at a very popular, inter-denominational, mega church. Overall it was a good experience. The music was all contemporary, and well balanced. The talent that was on stage was amazing. The message was compelling, the pastor had a way of connecting with you, during his sermon. The programs this church offers is astonishing. Their weekly calendar gave me heart burn, not that the calendar was a bad thing, it was just overwhelming for myself. If we were looking for a new church, which we are not, where would we start getting involved in a church this large?

One thing I love about our little church in Valencia, is the closeness. Everyone knows your business.If you we miss a week, friends and other members ask why we were absent. You know, getting all in your business, making sure everyone is alright. I know these larger churches do this usually by branching off into many smaller groups during the week and that is a good way to be closer. The one thing I notice when visiting larger churches is we are able to slide into and out of a service with out being noticed. I want to feel welcomed. Not that we did not feel welcomed, a greeter pleasantly welcomed us in to the lobby, many other worshippers acknowledged us with friendly hello’s and such.

A note of reflection after reading this for myself. I, in no way am criticizing this church we attended, I have no grounds to, being we only went once. I guess I just like the close knit feeling at our Home Church, VPC.

What do you like about your “Home Church”?

For those of you wondering what this adventure is all about click on the following link: Church Adventure

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A Church Adventure: Week 1

A Church Adventure: Week 2

A Church Adventure: Week 3

A Church Adventure: Week 4

A Church Adventure: Week 5

A Church Adventure: Week 6

This must have been taken before work, I look much too happy for it be after.

This is Bethany in her stroller.

I love this shot.

Being an early bird myself, I had no problem being up early with Bethany while Brenda got to sleep in. Ten years later, things have not changed much. I feel better when I get up early. If I sleep in I fell like the day is wasted.