A refugees story.

Hi, everyone. As you will see below, this was shared w/ me, It really touched my heart and therefore I wanted to share it w/ all of you. Take Care. Love, Kim.

Sis,
I receive many e-mails from our Command Chaplain. I think of you often especially after receiving the emails. The email below is true. He really was a refugee who escaped from a European Country. He has an impressive story. Well, I hope all is well with you. Be good. Bill

I grew up in the 60s with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed plastic bags and reused them. She was the original 'recycle queen', before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their goal was to raise decent children, - nothing more. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. Most of their relatives have died already either in the war or during the failed revolution. We never ate in a restaurant. We could afford meat once a month, but we thought that was normal. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress , things we keep... It was a way of life, and as I got older, sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating left-overs, hand-down clothes... I wanted -- just once,-- to be wasteful! Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there would always be more. But then a colleague of mine disappeared, and my girlfriend got arrested, beaten, and raped. I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. All the time we have is now; we cannot dwell on the past, and we have no guarantees for the future. So, I left that God-forsaken country to become homeless, stateless, jobless, - a refugee. I lost my family, friends, culture, language, - everything, but I was free! Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... while we have it... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken...... and heal it when it's sick. Live each day as it were the last! This is true, for marriage... and old cars.... and children with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.Serving you as I serve Him,Ch. A.P.S.People will forget what you said; they will forget what you did,but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Windows~~ and more Windows

Hi, just wanted to share one of our newer computer toys, not the actual one but similar. It was a gift from a family member and its so cool. At first thought it was a key chain, but its an actual working mouse and we really like using it. As for the computer itself~lets just say PROBLEMS. I can still get to the Internet and the places I want to be~ its the windows itself that's not working. I did some sort of upgrade and didn't register it w/ the 30 days so now I've been informed that version has expired. I accept responsibility but how much money do they think its worth. It came w/ windows vista. I've contacted Microsoft multiply times & have talked to the various departments who then tell me to contact manufacture~ who won't help because the warranty has expired and they are only willing to help for the cost of $60~ all this run around has left one unhappy customer. I'm having my sister in law look at it and from there we will see what to do~ I'd personally prefer to just buy the upgrade through Best Buy if that's what it takes~ but only time will tell~ its not that it matters~we don't use windows often except to download pictures and school reports. It can wait. As we are on the subject of windows~ I have exciting news. Are you ready? I got brand new widows in the front room ~ and get this they can actually be opened & closed~ haven't had that in this room in the 15 years we lived here. Almost unbelievable~ had them opened a couple days ago when it was nice outside. The girls got new windows in their rooms also. It's nice to have ones that are easier to rise and that's a great advantage~ only disadvantage worrying if they are sealed and locked when we leave for long periods of time~ shouldn't be to concerned we live in a pretty safe area but one can't help to be safe~ crimes do happen everywhere. They will take getting used to ~ but when those nice little breezes come floating through during the upcoming days of spring and summer we'll be ready. I've got to be going ~ have a great evening.

Hello!! Blogging buddies. Here to tell ya things are going fair. Last week was our Ladies Conference and I'm so glad I made the decision to go~ I of course proscrinated til the last minute. A little push from my doctor and Karen spending the night~ there would of been no way out. I really liked hearing the ladies give their testimonies~and I'm so proud of Karen~ she accomplished one of her greatest fears or perhaps two~ one being public speaking and to such a large crowd and two being the crowd itself. I was happy & surprised to see the other Kim and Joann. I had the privilege of sharing a table with Kim and getting to know her better and many other ladies as well. But to tell you honestly~ I didn't know if I'd survive the whole day. I had come down w/ the flu the prior Wednesday and was taking meds on a steady schedule b/c I was determined I was going to be there. The only thing I sort of resent~ I didn't really fellowship much as I'd liked~ I had worn Karen's shoes which were a bit tight and had a heal much higher than I'm used too because the new ones I bought were more than a tad bit to big and I didn't feel very comfortable running around in just stocking feet and I was extremely tired~ only slept maybe three hrs~ Matthew ad been up & down with a stomach ache and I was having an anxiety moment~ fearing I wouldn't be up in time to bathe and get ready. You'd think given the fact I knew I needed an outfit - I would of been prepared~ but no not me~ I left that to the very last minute only to discover I'd grown in the midsection and that my nice shirts weren't exactly roomy and flowing as previous years and the only other one that would of perhaps fitted I must of loaned it to my mom b/c its missing in action. Given all these small petty things~ I was was up and ready to go in plenty of time and had a great time. Thank you to all who participated in making it a wonderful day!!

The Buzzard, Bat & Bumblebee

I just love receiving e-mails from anyone but those that are interesting & tend to put a different prepstective on things ~ I just have need to share. The following is from my brother:

BUZZARD

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

BAT

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, are remarkably nimble creatures in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.

BUMBLEBEE

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE ~In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up.

"All good things are from above..." [James]

Up & Running again

I'm so excited. I've been having trouble with downloading pictures from memory chip, actual camera w/ proper cords and the like. It has been a fustrasting process. I did loose quite a few pictures in the process of trying to fix things~ I am glad on one hand for I saved many photos to discs~ but still there were others I didn't. I'll have to ask of those who had copies also. Anyway, I'm happy to report after rebooting, and re~installing different programs its up and running again. So I'll get to share pictures again~ yeah!!! Here are a few that I had planned to share back in Januarary~ but given computer problems~ now is a good time as ever.

Amanda & I at Round~up Sunday.

Paige & Matthew also @ round-up Sunday.

Breaking news!!

There was a situation over the weekend concerning Bob Preston, that would be my mother's boyfriend. He was really sick, had all the works done to him, you know the tubes, put into a sleep and placed into ICU and etc. Things weren't at that time looking good. Well today is a new day! and I couldn't be happier for him. He was taken off the ventilator and got to eat- and will hopefully be moved soon to immediate care. I haven't been to see him~ I have a cold and besides only mom and immediate family were aloud in too see him- I've done what I could I called my extended family- I had them pray as well as myself. Why did I call the extended family? Bob spends alot of his time w/ us at family functions and is considered one of us. We will & have had our differences , but I'm so relieved he is doing better. Please pray for him~ as he will be in the hospital for a few more days. Thank you!

New exciting changes

Its official I now have a new sister-in-law (Jane). and back in December She and my Brother Bill had a baby boy ( Paul Bennett) . I'm so happy for them and excited too that they gave the baby a family name- We had a wonderful fun loving uncle named Paul Bennett as well as a cousin with the same name and we lost them both over over the course of a couple of years~ so its indeed a special name. What I'm looking forward to is meeting them this summer. My brother is in the Navy- currently in Guam and come July they will be moving back to Illinois w/ him stationed out of Great Lakes. Great News! its only been about 3 years since we saw him last. I'll post pictures at a later time~ thats after I go copy them of his My Space. So what else is new?

I've just completed another two weeks of group therapy~ made a couple of medicine adjustments, and have started a new photo album ~ Its going to be my encouraging album~ An album w/ people who've made an impact in my life at one time or another~ and an accompaning poem that I've penned. Remember the Anniversary Picture taken at church? I used that pic as well as a copy from my Ist time at Camp Joy with my poem on "Friends". So far its turning out nice! The therapists and my doctor loved the idea.! Though not the greatest of pictures~ I plan on using those of me speaking @ church about Camp Joy- as a visual that I did overcome -& conquered that fear for that time being.

Well thats about it~ just wanted to update~ and tell everyone Hi and I'm doing okay.

A wonderful scene

During this past week I'd had the opportunity to share my Bible with a fellow patient @the hospital. He desperately wanted to read the Word and went about inquiring the nurse station~ specially asking for the James version. I'd happened to overhear and asked him if he meant the King James Bible. He said yes and I sent him on his way w/ my copy. He was so happy and seemed a little more at peace. I'd planned on reading my Bible at every opportunity available so I called home and requested another copy. I placed it on the table in the eating area so that he could read @ anytime. What surprised me was how many of them picked it up and was actually reading the Word. Out of 7 of us 4 read a passage here and there. It was really nice to be able to talk about God w/ another christian. We also discussed outside support groups and how Church was a very good choice. I wouldn't be surprised if the counsellors read the Word while we were asleep. Most of the counsellors didn't seem to mind much about us talking God, The Word and religion. The same gentleman that I mentioned above even wrote a verse on the dry erase board and then here came a counsellor/ nurse who made him erase it. He used a verse w/ yoke in it~ and this lady just assumed he was being mean and told him that was not nice. Together we told her it's a biblical word found in the Bible and trying to prove us wrong~ she had to go on a definition hunt. A short while later she emerged and apologized for she had found other meanings of that word. I saw first hand how the Word had calmed and bought peace to those souls and how the Lord used me. I left that extra Bible knowing that God would use it to bring others hope , encouragement and love during these stages of trail & tribulations.

The mystery is over.

As some of you know, I've been having some heal pain in my left for sometime~ the question most often asked Was did you hit it, step on something? and etc. Of course being the difficult one that I can sometimes be I didn't consult the doctor til the pain worsened and didn't take pain meds neither. Well worse came to worse til I began slightly limping and the pain was consistent both night & day. Today was the day that I finally got an answer! It was a bone spur as some of you had speculated & YES I did receive the cortisone shot~ Thanks to many of you who had warned me. What I wasn't prepared for ~ was the pain associated with it. I had a really cool doctor w/ a great sense of humor~ only rule not to kick him would have be quite difficult considering he had a good grip~ so I screamed loud with the accompanying ouch and begging for him to stop~ my lovely little Amanda thought it was funny~ making a sign teasing me w/ ha, ha times two. All was good and fun til the shot wore off about an hour later. For the time being I have foot exercises I need to do twice daily, wear temporary orthopedic in-soles, and take a prescription pain med twice daily as well. That I'm not crazy about and will take it only as needed~ I mean I did deal w/ some discomfort for the months leading up til now ~ so I have become some what tolerant to the associated symptoms. The other cool thing besides having a good doctor, was getting my feet fitted for the permanent in-soles with warm plaster which I'll get in 3 -4 weeks time. Please pray I do all that is recommended to get back on my feet . and yes for the time being I feel alright, still limping a tad bit but with a little more comfort~ the pain med is kicking in.

A Christian poem

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design,

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

~~~~~

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I,

The flower God opens so sweetly,

In my hands would fade and die.

~~~~

I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

~~~~

So I'll trust Him for His leading

Each moment of every day

And I'll look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

~~~~

For the pathway that lies before me

My heavenly Father knows

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments

Just as He unfolds the rose.

~Anonymous

( I happened to find this and several others @ http://www.maxpages.com/heavenlyplace/Inspirational_Sayings. They have a great assortment of different christian stuff. I liked this poem though. I'd just thought I'd share.)