not sure how many people are checking the blog anymore...but i wanted to put this out there for everyone. we will be meeting at our house this wednesday to discuss group and how we want to move forward. there have been several ideas mentioned already, but it would be good to sit down and intentionally talk about how we are feeling and what we think the lord is doing. for all who are interested in continuing on with this group, please pray about what the lord is doing and come and share on wednesday night! i think we all understand that the lord may be leading some people in the group to move on, and that is fine too. hope to see you this wednesday night!!
mary
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
my day tripper
Hey guys...
sorry i've been m.i.a. lately-- really busy with school. i'm basically writing, directing and acting in a play for a theatre project...
Anyhow... I wanted to ask you guys to pray for Luca. Sunday evening at the park of roses we went down a slide and luca's tennis shoe caught the plastic side of the slide and yanked his leg back, fracturing his right tibia. He's not very pleased because he cant walk and is still in a little bit of pain. He's supposed to have this hard cast on for about 8 weeks, depending on how quickly he heals- of course... so if you guys would please pray for him- i'd really appreciated it. I hope all's well! Take care everyone & don't break anything! :)
sorry i've been m.i.a. lately-- really busy with school. i'm basically writing, directing and acting in a play for a theatre project...
Anyhow... I wanted to ask you guys to pray for Luca. Sunday evening at the park of roses we went down a slide and luca's tennis shoe caught the plastic side of the slide and yanked his leg back, fracturing his right tibia. He's not very pleased because he cant walk and is still in a little bit of pain. He's supposed to have this hard cast on for about 8 weeks, depending on how quickly he heals- of course... so if you guys would please pray for him- i'd really appreciated it. I hope all's well! Take care everyone & don't break anything! :)
Sunday, April 6, 2008
pretty bummed
i have been following the story of this 16 month old little boy named ethan powell and praying daily for his healing. yesterday morning he died. he had a rare form of leukemia but beat all kinds of odds by surviving as long as he did. he actually died of a virus that his body was unable to fight because his immune system was completely depleted. it's just a heartbreaking story and so so hard to pray fervently for healing and then learn of his death. he was the only child of 2 young parents (i believe only 25-26 years old).
anyway- i just have come in contact with the real hurt and pain that you make yourself vulnerable to when you sincerely pray healing for a person. i have been following this little boy's story since june of 2007. i knew when i began following the story and praying for him that i had 2 choices: 1. say a passing prayer for him, but avoid reading the updates so that i wouldn't have to see anything sad, or 2. start following the updates and praying for him despite the potential for getting hurt. part of me really wanted option number one because this little boy was very close in age to kian and i wouldn't be able to separate myself from any sad news. the other part of me knew that i had to choose option 2 because if this was my sweet kian i would want every possible person to dedicate themselves to praying for his healing. it is just hard living in a "not yet" world where we cannot and will not understand everything that happens. in the process, we open ourselves up to pain and suffering because we know that this life is about community and sharing in the joys and pains of others. but man...it's hard. there is definitely part of you that wants to avoid truly loving anyone so that you can avoid the pain of ever losing them.
i'm just reminded that this call to social justice is not a simple one. it's not a matter of giving a little here and there, but avoiding the outcome so that you can avoid any sad news. it is a matter of opening up our lives and our hearts. it provides the opportunity for great great joy...and for immense pain. i feel like i was able to get a glimpse of the heart of God. jesus chose to become fully man and open himself up to joy, pain, loss, heartbreak. it was a choice he made without any credence given to what it would cost him. it just really makes me think, are we ready to choose the kingdom despite the cost? i'm glad i can share this with you guys.
anyway- i just have come in contact with the real hurt and pain that you make yourself vulnerable to when you sincerely pray healing for a person. i have been following this little boy's story since june of 2007. i knew when i began following the story and praying for him that i had 2 choices: 1. say a passing prayer for him, but avoid reading the updates so that i wouldn't have to see anything sad, or 2. start following the updates and praying for him despite the potential for getting hurt. part of me really wanted option number one because this little boy was very close in age to kian and i wouldn't be able to separate myself from any sad news. the other part of me knew that i had to choose option 2 because if this was my sweet kian i would want every possible person to dedicate themselves to praying for his healing. it is just hard living in a "not yet" world where we cannot and will not understand everything that happens. in the process, we open ourselves up to pain and suffering because we know that this life is about community and sharing in the joys and pains of others. but man...it's hard. there is definitely part of you that wants to avoid truly loving anyone so that you can avoid the pain of ever losing them.
i'm just reminded that this call to social justice is not a simple one. it's not a matter of giving a little here and there, but avoiding the outcome so that you can avoid any sad news. it is a matter of opening up our lives and our hearts. it provides the opportunity for great great joy...and for immense pain. i feel like i was able to get a glimpse of the heart of God. jesus chose to become fully man and open himself up to joy, pain, loss, heartbreak. it was a choice he made without any credence given to what it would cost him. it just really makes me think, are we ready to choose the kingdom despite the cost? i'm glad i can share this with you guys.
Friday, April 4, 2008
vaccines
see the excerpt of an article below. i'm not condemning anyone for delaying vaccines...i'm just highlighting a different voice from the ones currently being heard. people say that researchers have financial interest in the vaccines that are "causing" autism. what about all of the people who have million-dollar lawsuits in the system right now pending evidence of a link between autism and vaccines? all i'm saying is that it is really easy to think "why do we even need vaccines?" because we have never lived in a society plagued by any of these epidemics. i'm certainly not excited about seeing any kids "go blind from measles, or deaf from mumps." everyone's got to make their own decision...i'm just not basing my decision on what jenny mcarthy says. (for all who don't know...she is one of the most vocal in this debate because her son has autism and she sent out a letter from the autism community to parents encouraging them to challenge the government on this issue)
taken from the washingtonpost.com
"People who don't vaccinate their children are putting them at risk, as well as kids who can't be vaccinated" because they have cancer or other medical problems, Wexler said. "This is about protecting yourself and protecting your community."
Once accepted without question as a parental responsibility, immunization has lost the urgency that used to propel it, Wexler and others say, in part because mass vaccination has been so successful.
Most parents have never seen or heard of children who went blind from measles, deaf from mumps or suffered overwhelming infection from other childhood diseases such as haemophilus influenza.
Some of the skepticism about the need to vaccinate is attributable to what many health officials say are persistent unsubstantiated myths about childhood vaccines that circulate on the Internet: that the dangers of vaccines outweigh their benefits, that they cause autism and other serious ailments or that they encourage promiscuity.
Much of the controversy has swirled around mercury, which was once used as a preservative for the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella known as the MMR.
"The MMR controversy did a lot of damage and made people scared of vaccines," Wexler said.
A study by public health researchers from Johns Hopkins, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October, found that states that permitted personal belief exemptions had significantly higher rates of pertussis infection than those that did not allow them.
taken from the washingtonpost.com
"People who don't vaccinate their children are putting them at risk, as well as kids who can't be vaccinated" because they have cancer or other medical problems, Wexler said. "This is about protecting yourself and protecting your community."
Once accepted without question as a parental responsibility, immunization has lost the urgency that used to propel it, Wexler and others say, in part because mass vaccination has been so successful.
Most parents have never seen or heard of children who went blind from measles, deaf from mumps or suffered overwhelming infection from other childhood diseases such as haemophilus influenza.
Some of the skepticism about the need to vaccinate is attributable to what many health officials say are persistent unsubstantiated myths about childhood vaccines that circulate on the Internet: that the dangers of vaccines outweigh their benefits, that they cause autism and other serious ailments or that they encourage promiscuity.
Much of the controversy has swirled around mercury, which was once used as a preservative for the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella known as the MMR.
"The MMR controversy did a lot of damage and made people scared of vaccines," Wexler said.
A study by public health researchers from Johns Hopkins, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October, found that states that permitted personal belief exemptions had significantly higher rates of pertussis infection than those that did not allow them.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend
Hi everyone. Some of you know about this already, but we thought it would be fun to get a cabin in Hocking Hills for memorial day weekend. Tony looked into it, and they have a 3 night requirement because it's a holiday weekend which is dumb, but there's nothing we can do about that. The one he was looking at sleeps 8, but since we only know of 7 so far that are interested, we figured the cost based on 7...which comes to $150 a person. We would still love to do this, but we need to know what everyone else feels about it so we can reserve the thing asap before someone else snatches it up. Hope to hear from you soon.
hugs,
Sandy
hugs,
Sandy
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
dinner night
how about this guys...why don't we order pizza tomorrow night and we will take care of drinks. sandy and tony are going to bring hummus. does anyone want to volunteer to bring a salad or dessert? everyone be sure to bring a few bucks per person for the pizza. sound good?
mary
mary
Thursday, March 13, 2008
who wants to buy a house...
in the cul-de-sac right behind us? it needs a little bit of work and a few coats of paint- but wouldn't it be fun to be real-life neighbors? http://connectionrealtors.ohio.remax.com/listings/ListingDetail_r4.aspx?LID=38810767#
mary
mary
Friday, March 7, 2008
new nephew
i have a new nephew!! sander gabriel heselton was born at 12:11am, march 6. i was up until about 3:30 in the morning giving me a grand total of about 4 hours of sleep, which was awesome. just wanted to let everyone know that kian has a new cousin!
mary
mary
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Potluck
Here's the line-up:
Amber & Stephen - pulled chicken and refried beans
Sandy & Tony - Drinks
Mary & Chad - Mexican Rice
Liz & Corey - Tortilla Soup and quesadilla maker
Alisha & Denny - Salsa Guacamole & Sour Cream
Katie & AJ - Cheese, Tortillas & Taco Bell Sauce
That's all I got.
Amber & Stephen - pulled chicken and refried beans
Sandy & Tony - Drinks
Mary & Chad - Mexican Rice
Liz & Corey - Tortilla Soup and quesadilla maker
Alisha & Denny - Salsa Guacamole & Sour Cream
Katie & AJ - Cheese, Tortillas & Taco Bell Sauce
That's all I got.
potluck
does someone who remembers want to post what the deal is for the potuck tomorrow? i know i'm supposed to make mexican rice...
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
been outta commission
Hey y'all. Hopefully see you all tonight - i've missed you. it's been a busy and sick quarter. & I'll probably have Luca with me :)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Justice Revival 2008
hello my fellow villains,
I just wanted to get the posts starting again. Let us keep connected that goes for me as well.
Anyway I have some great news! Shane Claiborne will be at the Justice Revival hosted at Vineyard Columbus! I believe that he will be apart of a discussion, dinner thing I am not sure what night but the dates of the conference is April 16-18. Also Matt Redman will be doing worship on Wednesday night April 16th. Put these dates in your calendars. This is what God is doing in his church. Looking after the poor and the meek in this world. This also is not just a pep rally for social justice it will equip us on how to be involved in these matters. I will try to get some more info on this event, but this is pretty exciting knowing that this is where God is leading us as a small group and us as the church. Remember I am not trying to put people on a pedestal I don't think that we as a group need to swallow everything that is said by Mr. Claiborne. I will see you all Tomorrow night.
Peace
Stephen
I just wanted to get the posts starting again. Let us keep connected that goes for me as well.
Anyway I have some great news! Shane Claiborne will be at the Justice Revival hosted at Vineyard Columbus! I believe that he will be apart of a discussion, dinner thing I am not sure what night but the dates of the conference is April 16-18. Also Matt Redman will be doing worship on Wednesday night April 16th. Put these dates in your calendars. This is what God is doing in his church. Looking after the poor and the meek in this world. This also is not just a pep rally for social justice it will equip us on how to be involved in these matters. I will try to get some more info on this event, but this is pretty exciting knowing that this is where God is leading us as a small group and us as the church. Remember I am not trying to put people on a pedestal I don't think that we as a group need to swallow everything that is said by Mr. Claiborne. I will see you all Tomorrow night.
Peace
Stephen
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
kian shmian
hey guys- it would be awesome if you could pray for my little guy. he was pretty sick earlier today (vomiting and diarrhea) but, praise the lord, he has been much better since about 12:30 this afternoon. the nurse said a stomach bug is going around that lasts for about 24-48 hours. thankfully, it appears as if kian's was even milder. however, he pretty much had to consume nothing except for pedialyte today so that we could make sure he didn't get dehydrated and could keep stuff down. so...since he is a little guy already, just pray that he doesn't lose too much weight! when he loses weight it is sooo hard for me to get it back on him (maybe he needs to start eating mcd's a little more regularly...) anyway- i will start him back on some solids tomorrow morning...but we will have to take it slow and start out with broth and then maybe move to applesauce and so on, so the potential for weightloss is high. just keep my buddy in your prayers! it's soooo hard to see him not feeling well. it really breaks my heart :(
mary
mary
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Good byes suck
So I think a lot of you already know this by now, but Erika's dad passed away on Saturday morning. I haven't spoken to her since Sat. but they were hoping to have the funeral on Tuesday(today) in Texas. She may or may not be around for group this week, but I think it would be awesome if we could just remember her and her family in our prayers. This has been a long process of him getting more and more sick over time, but no amount of time can prepare anyone for such an enormous loss. I got a card that I will bring on Wed for everyone to sign for her. Sorry for taking so long to post anything about this, but my internet has been a mess for a couple of weeks. I hope you are all having a good week, and I'll hopefully see you all tomorrow.
Sandy
Sandy
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Irresistible Revolution
The bookstore had nine copies for $6.50 each. So please bring the money next week and we can start reading together. Hope all are well.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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