Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Gearing up for THANKSGIVING
The last couple of days Chantal and I have been gearing up for Thanksgiving. We have been baking and cooking, and baking and cooking some more! (...the blasting Christmas music in the background is giving us endless energy to accomplish this grand mission!) This year we are taking our Thanksgiving celebration to some local mountains, trees, and a lake. Our motor home is arriving within the hour, and we are going to set out for some exciting family time! (There is nothing I enjoy more than being with my incredible husband and delightful kids!) I can't wait!!!!....My husband preached a beautiful 'Thanksgiving' sermon last night...I think I am going to use his thought for a new Thanksgiving tradition for our family....I will tell you about it in a later post. (It is so neat!) I would like to wish my friends and family, and anyone else who happens to be reading this blog, a very blessed Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Good Bye AZ, and …Thank You.
We are driving home from a GREAT weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. What a wonderful time we had preaching for the Abbots. They had quite a fun weekend planned, and we loved every minute of it! Saturday Night they hosted a special youth service that was attended by many local churches and Pastors. Everyone was so friendly, and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with these great Pastors and wives!
Sunday was one service (am), and then a special Thanksgiving Dinner was planned at a GORGEOUS country club. It was a great day of fun and fellowship. Everything was organized and executed so beautifully. (All the way down to the fun planned by Bro. Jimmy!) A special thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it all happen!
I am so IMPRESSED!!!! I know that I cannot put into words how I really feel, but I’m going to give it my best shot..
The Abbots are such pure, sweet, REAL Christians, and it’s so apparent as you sit in their church services. As we sat in the services, the spirit of God was so…..sweet and beautiful. David Abbott Jr. lead us in worship, (What an anointed worship leader he is!) We sang songs like “God is so good to me”, and some other beautiful hymns . As we sang, tears began to flow down my face. As I looked around I saw my children David and Chantal being as touched and moved as I was. I cannot tell you how thankful I felt. The more I see this world changing and ( sad to say ) the changing of many churches, the more I long for my children to be in this kind of atmosphere. ‘Cutting edge’ and ‘relevant’ don’t impress me. Those words are the words used by empty vessels that need an excuse for what they cannot supply. Give me what I felt this weekend. Give my children what they felt, as they couldn’t help but weep in the purity of the ‘real thing’. Thank you to the Abbotts for their incredible hospitality, but most of all,…we went there to be a blessing, and are driving home feeling like the blessed ones!
Sunday was one service (am), and then a special Thanksgiving Dinner was planned at a GORGEOUS country club. It was a great day of fun and fellowship. Everything was organized and executed so beautifully. (All the way down to the fun planned by Bro. Jimmy!) A special thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it all happen!
I am so IMPRESSED!!!! I know that I cannot put into words how I really feel, but I’m going to give it my best shot..
The Abbots are such pure, sweet, REAL Christians, and it’s so apparent as you sit in their church services. As we sat in the services, the spirit of God was so…..sweet and beautiful. David Abbott Jr. lead us in worship, (What an anointed worship leader he is!) We sang songs like “God is so good to me”, and some other beautiful hymns . As we sang, tears began to flow down my face. As I looked around I saw my children David and Chantal being as touched and moved as I was. I cannot tell you how thankful I felt. The more I see this world changing and ( sad to say ) the changing of many churches, the more I long for my children to be in this kind of atmosphere. ‘Cutting edge’ and ‘relevant’ don’t impress me. Those words are the words used by empty vessels that need an excuse for what they cannot supply. Give me what I felt this weekend. Give my children what they felt, as they couldn’t help but weep in the purity of the ‘real thing’. Thank you to the Abbotts for their incredible hospitality, but most of all,…we went there to be a blessing, and are driving home feeling like the blessed ones!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Family Traditions - "I never want to stop Mom"
Tonight was our annual Family Christmas Decorating Night. When my husband and I were first married, we felt the need to start our very own personal family traditions, that included only us and our children. So, when our children were itsy-bitsy, we began birthing these very important memory-making times. One of them is our Annual Christmas decorating night. Every year, I make a delish home cooked meal, (this year we went out to dinner in Alpine...) and we ALL decorate the house for Christmas. After dinner while the aroma of baking cookies is floating around the house,we decorate to the sound of Christmas music turned up so loud the neighbors whistle to it! LOL
Have the decorations always looked picture perfect? NO. Would Martha Stewart want to hire our little decorators? NO. Would you trade your family-decorated Christmas house for a another? NEVER!!
This has been a night that has been so sweet and precious to me, and I knew my kids enjoyed it, but tonight I found out just how much....
Jonathan (My 22 Year Old Son) said "Mom, I want to always do this". ('This' meaning the decorating tradition.) I looked at him kind of funny and wondered why he would say that since we do it every year...I said, "Jonathan we do it every year"...He then looked at me and said..."No Mom, you don't understand. I mean when all 3 of us get married and have kids, I want to still come home and help you and Dad decorate the house. I never want to stop, Mom." I am soooooo proud of myself. I wanted to bawl right then and there. I wanted to throw myself prostrate all over my handsome grown-man son, I wanted to slaver his whole face with Momma kisses, I wanted to tell him he just gave me the greatest gift a son could ever give a Mom! Instead, I swallowed and blinked away the tears in my eyes and very proudly said, "That would be awesome Son."
What a lovely memory making night we had. I am still feeling that warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart as I write this post. Here's to never stopping Family Traditions!
Have the decorations always looked picture perfect? NO. Would Martha Stewart want to hire our little decorators? NO. Would you trade your family-decorated Christmas house for a another? NEVER!!
This has been a night that has been so sweet and precious to me, and I knew my kids enjoyed it, but tonight I found out just how much....
Jonathan (My 22 Year Old Son) said "Mom, I want to always do this". ('This' meaning the decorating tradition.) I looked at him kind of funny and wondered why he would say that since we do it every year...I said, "Jonathan we do it every year"...He then looked at me and said..."No Mom, you don't understand. I mean when all 3 of us get married and have kids, I want to still come home and help you and Dad decorate the house. I never want to stop, Mom." I am soooooo proud of myself. I wanted to bawl right then and there. I wanted to throw myself prostrate all over my handsome grown-man son, I wanted to slaver his whole face with Momma kisses, I wanted to tell him he just gave me the greatest gift a son could ever give a Mom! Instead, I swallowed and blinked away the tears in my eyes and very proudly said, "That would be awesome Son."
What a lovely memory making night we had. I am still feeling that warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart as I write this post. Here's to never stopping Family Traditions!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Car Wreck & Christmas Rehearsals
After the choir practice I had tonight, I feel like I'VE been in a TRAIN wreck!! LOL
No really, our latest 'happening' in the Bertram household, is a car accident, and Christmas rehearsals.
(Why I am pairing these two things together I have NO clue....just both on my mind I guess....and I'm goofy!)
Yesterday David was in his first (and prayerfully only-ever) car accident. Here is how he told the story.
He was South bound on I-8 coming home from work, and had been feeling tired all day, when he 'zoned out'.
He was very rudely awakened by the steel bed of a big Ford truck as it came through his window and bonked
him in the head. (It being the perfect heighth with his head.) His front windshield, and side mirror are now a thing
of the past. Also the side of his car has some new artwork in the form of dents and scratches. MIRACULOUSLY
my Lovey-Dovey (this is our name for each other) has NOT ONE scratch, bruise, or ANYTHING on him. (Keep in mind,
his whole windshield exploded in pieces at the point of impact, and the STEEL bed of the truck made direct contact.)
I am SO THANKFUL TO GOD for protecting David. It could/should have been very serious. But David has a God
who with his angels watches over him. THANK YOU PRECIOUS LORD!!
What is funny, is that Chantal and I were out spending time together, and she received a text and picture message from David, that had a pic of the inside of a wrecked car. The text said, "I was just in an accident on I-8." Chantal and I got soooooo mad. We thought he was playing a joke (Which Lovey-Dovey is famous for). Chantal texted a very 'stinging' rebuke back to him from her and I, really putting him in his place...teaching him a thing or two about what you should and shouldn't tease about!! LOL Poor guy. I must say that when we got home and saw him, the stinging rebuke was remembered no more, and he enjoyed the love and adoration of the 2 females of the household.
Now about the train wreck....LOL We are doing something TOTALLY different this year for Christmas. Usually I put on a Christmas musical play. This year I am putting together a 'Christmas Concert'. I AM CERTIFIABLY CRAZY FOLKS!!!! Oh my word. I think this is going to be more work than the play!!!! So please PRAY, that I won't lose my patience, my mind, or anything else 'lose-able' that I haven't thought of.
Another day in the life and times of......me.
No really, our latest 'happening' in the Bertram household, is a car accident, and Christmas rehearsals.
(Why I am pairing these two things together I have NO clue....just both on my mind I guess....and I'm goofy!)
Yesterday David was in his first (and prayerfully only-ever) car accident. Here is how he told the story.
He was South bound on I-8 coming home from work, and had been feeling tired all day, when he 'zoned out'.
He was very rudely awakened by the steel bed of a big Ford truck as it came through his window and bonked
him in the head. (It being the perfect heighth with his head.) His front windshield, and side mirror are now a thing
of the past. Also the side of his car has some new artwork in the form of dents and scratches. MIRACULOUSLY
my Lovey-Dovey (this is our name for each other) has NOT ONE scratch, bruise, or ANYTHING on him. (Keep in mind,
his whole windshield exploded in pieces at the point of impact, and the STEEL bed of the truck made direct contact.)
I am SO THANKFUL TO GOD for protecting David. It could/should have been very serious. But David has a God
who with his angels watches over him. THANK YOU PRECIOUS LORD!!
What is funny, is that Chantal and I were out spending time together, and she received a text and picture message from David, that had a pic of the inside of a wrecked car. The text said, "I was just in an accident on I-8." Chantal and I got soooooo mad. We thought he was playing a joke (Which Lovey-Dovey is famous for). Chantal texted a very 'stinging' rebuke back to him from her and I, really putting him in his place...teaching him a thing or two about what you should and shouldn't tease about!! LOL Poor guy. I must say that when we got home and saw him, the stinging rebuke was remembered no more, and he enjoyed the love and adoration of the 2 females of the household.
Now about the train wreck....LOL We are doing something TOTALLY different this year for Christmas. Usually I put on a Christmas musical play. This year I am putting together a 'Christmas Concert'. I AM CERTIFIABLY CRAZY FOLKS!!!! Oh my word. I think this is going to be more work than the play!!!! So please PRAY, that I won't lose my patience, my mind, or anything else 'lose-able' that I haven't thought of.
Another day in the life and times of......me.
Friday, November 7, 2008
WCC
We have made this conference a part of our lives every year for MANY years. All the hard work and expense to put something like this together, is HUGE, and is not overlooked. We are so thankful to Elder Morton and Truth Tabernacle for all they do to make this possible. (I'm sure by the time this week is over, they all need a very well deserved vacation!)
The services are great, and getting together with our Northern California friends is a TOTAL BLAST!!!! I am having a great time giggling constantly with my GORGEOUS friend Christy Morton (She is one of the most beautiful females in pentecost!)
Another sweet reason I love to come to WCC is Deanna Deatherage. This lady is very special to me. She is another pentecostal model, and is precious through and through. (Now you know my secret....I make friends with the beauty queens....They make me look good!! LOL)
...So although not terribly exciting, this is where I'm at and what I'm doing.
PS
Although I have been the recipient of scornful mocking this week, I blog on. Rain, sleet or snow. The blog has to be published. As one great singer so passionately sang...'You can rattle me shake me'......BUT you have not broken my will. I WILL BLOG ON.
(LOL)
The services are great, and getting together with our Northern California friends is a TOTAL BLAST!!!! I am having a great time giggling constantly with my GORGEOUS friend Christy Morton (She is one of the most beautiful females in pentecost!)
Another sweet reason I love to come to WCC is Deanna Deatherage. This lady is very special to me. She is another pentecostal model, and is precious through and through. (Now you know my secret....I make friends with the beauty queens....They make me look good!! LOL)
...So although not terribly exciting, this is where I'm at and what I'm doing.
PS
Although I have been the recipient of scornful mocking this week, I blog on. Rain, sleet or snow. The blog has to be published. As one great singer so passionately sang...'You can rattle me shake me'......BUT you have not broken my will. I WILL BLOG ON.
(LOL)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy Birthday to my BEST BUD EVER!!! From your bestest bud, Chantal
I'm sure you all know what has transpired today, on November 4, 2008... an event that has changed lives. This day is of great importance to me, but not because it's the day a new president stepped into office.
On November 4, 1993, my best friend was born.
Briana Danielle Hoffer is a beautiful young woman with extraordinary strength and faith. She is a girl who is a shining light and example to all those who cross her path. Many have looked to Briana though she may not realize it, as an example of what they would like their lives and spirits to mirror in times of trouble. A little over a year and a half ago, Briana was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The cancer was at stage four when discovered, and the tumor was located in the right region of her chest, squeezing her airway almost completely shut and at the same time squeezing a nerve. The squeezed nerve and airway caused her face to swell and her breathing to become very labored. Briana, though the doctor's reports were anything but encouraging, continued to let her light shine for all to see. People drew strength from her attitude, optimism, and faith. She and her family would speak to other patients and families going through much of the same difficulties they themselves were facing. they ministered to the hearts of those who were looking for some solid ground to stand on when disease, a silent and demanding intruder, invaded the seemingly impermeable lives they lived. Briana never sat down to feel pity for herself, but rather, took up the banner of a child of God who would serve in the most difficult of times. These are some of the reasons i admire Briana Danielle Hoffer the way I do. Briana and I are sisters, though not by any blood or family ties, but we are sisters of the heart. Briana and I have grown up together, sharing secrets like sisters, laughing like sisters, fighting like sisters, and living like sisters. Today I would like to honor her on her 15th birthday, and let you all know what a wonderful friend she has been.
Briana,
You have been an incredible example to me. I love you with all my heart, and want to let you know that you mean the world to me. Nothing in the world can replace you. I hope the thoughts above gave you an idea of how much you mean to me. I want to wish you THE HAPPIEST birthday ever on this very special day! In you I have found a confidante, a model by which to shape my attitude and faith, and a very deep friendship. Thanks for being who you are, and I LOVE YOU TONS MY SISTERCHICK!!!
(Mom thanks for letting me hijack your blog to honor my friend.=D. You're the BEST!!!)
-Chantal Bertam
On November 4, 1993, my best friend was born.
Briana Danielle Hoffer is a beautiful young woman with extraordinary strength and faith. She is a girl who is a shining light and example to all those who cross her path. Many have looked to Briana though she may not realize it, as an example of what they would like their lives and spirits to mirror in times of trouble. A little over a year and a half ago, Briana was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The cancer was at stage four when discovered, and the tumor was located in the right region of her chest, squeezing her airway almost completely shut and at the same time squeezing a nerve. The squeezed nerve and airway caused her face to swell and her breathing to become very labored. Briana, though the doctor's reports were anything but encouraging, continued to let her light shine for all to see. People drew strength from her attitude, optimism, and faith. She and her family would speak to other patients and families going through much of the same difficulties they themselves were facing. they ministered to the hearts of those who were looking for some solid ground to stand on when disease, a silent and demanding intruder, invaded the seemingly impermeable lives they lived. Briana never sat down to feel pity for herself, but rather, took up the banner of a child of God who would serve in the most difficult of times. These are some of the reasons i admire Briana Danielle Hoffer the way I do. Briana and I are sisters, though not by any blood or family ties, but we are sisters of the heart. Briana and I have grown up together, sharing secrets like sisters, laughing like sisters, fighting like sisters, and living like sisters. Today I would like to honor her on her 15th birthday, and let you all know what a wonderful friend she has been.
Briana,
You have been an incredible example to me. I love you with all my heart, and want to let you know that you mean the world to me. Nothing in the world can replace you. I hope the thoughts above gave you an idea of how much you mean to me. I want to wish you THE HAPPIEST birthday ever on this very special day! In you I have found a confidante, a model by which to shape my attitude and faith, and a very deep friendship. Thanks for being who you are, and I LOVE YOU TONS MY SISTERCHICK!!!
(Mom thanks for letting me hijack your blog to honor my friend.=D. You're the BEST!!!)
-Chantal Bertam
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Call Me...'Republican Party Volunteer'
I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. What is wrong with me?! I wait till a few days before the BIG election and get this bright idea..."I wonder if my 'party' needs any help?" Better late than never I guess.
Yesterday morning I was busy doing errands when the 'lightbulb' went off. (I'm always getting these 'bright' ideas, and take on 'another' thing to add to the gazillion things I aready do....but I must say, I'm so glad I did it!!!!) I picked up my iphone, and immediately got the directions to the nearest Republican Party campaign office. I walked in and asked if they needed any help. The welcoming smiles and enthusiastic exclamations won me over, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers, a cricket cell phone in my hand, and a stack (a HUGE stack, *no exaggeration*) of phone numbers to call. My script went as follows...."Hi, my name is Lorraine, I am a republican party volunteer, and I am just calling you to remind you to vote on Tuesday November 4th. Along with voting for John McCain, and YES on prop 8, I wanted to remind you that the polls close at 8 p.m.. Can we count on your vote this Tuesday? Thank you for your time and have a FABulous day. (The "FABulous day" part was my idea. hehe) I must have said that at least a thousand times.
Although I was in a room with total strangers, I felt such a camaraderie. We all had the same passion and mission. At one point, a man who I later found out is a local store owner walked in and gave one of the ladies some money and said "Please take this money and buy everyone in this room lunch." I was so moved as I looked around the room. On one side of me an 'executive-type' well-dressed man my age, on the other side a senior citizen female (Who must have had a bag of onions for lunch. I was praying that Mr. Executive didn't think that was me!!), on the other side of the table, two very well spoken college age guys intensely working. In and out they came. A mother with four kids came in, and while the mother and older daughter made phone calls, her three sons were putting together 'YES on 8' yard signs. On and on I can go. Through out the course of the day the 'volunteer' traffic never ceased. As one volunteer would end their 'shift' another would come and take over. I was VERY touched, and thankful. With our corrupt media, sometimes it feels like no one else in the world has any morals! These people ACTUALLY were doing what they could to stop the demoralization of our country! Before the day was over I made a lot of new friends, and began to feel something stirring inside of me. These people gave me a gift. HOPE. Grounds for believing that something good can happen. This all may sound very dramatic. (It's just in my nature :) No really....I am VERY patriotic, and this election has really had a profound effect on me....(and it's not even over!) Okay, back to the 'hope' thing. The old proverb is really true.....it is human nature to always find fresh cause for optimism. I really don't know if I 'found' it or these dear strangers found it and 'voluntarily' gave it to me,... I'm just thankful for the gift!
Yesterday morning I was busy doing errands when the 'lightbulb' went off. (I'm always getting these 'bright' ideas, and take on 'another' thing to add to the gazillion things I aready do....but I must say, I'm so glad I did it!!!!) I picked up my iphone, and immediately got the directions to the nearest Republican Party campaign office. I walked in and asked if they needed any help. The welcoming smiles and enthusiastic exclamations won me over, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers, a cricket cell phone in my hand, and a stack (a HUGE stack, *no exaggeration*) of phone numbers to call. My script went as follows...."Hi, my name is Lorraine, I am a republican party volunteer, and I am just calling you to remind you to vote on Tuesday November 4th. Along with voting for John McCain, and YES on prop 8, I wanted to remind you that the polls close at 8 p.m.. Can we count on your vote this Tuesday? Thank you for your time and have a FABulous day. (The "FABulous day" part was my idea. hehe) I must have said that at least a thousand times.
Although I was in a room with total strangers, I felt such a camaraderie. We all had the same passion and mission. At one point, a man who I later found out is a local store owner walked in and gave one of the ladies some money and said "Please take this money and buy everyone in this room lunch." I was so moved as I looked around the room. On one side of me an 'executive-type' well-dressed man my age, on the other side a senior citizen female (Who must have had a bag of onions for lunch. I was praying that Mr. Executive didn't think that was me!!), on the other side of the table, two very well spoken college age guys intensely working. In and out they came. A mother with four kids came in, and while the mother and older daughter made phone calls, her three sons were putting together 'YES on 8' yard signs. On and on I can go. Through out the course of the day the 'volunteer' traffic never ceased. As one volunteer would end their 'shift' another would come and take over. I was VERY touched, and thankful. With our corrupt media, sometimes it feels like no one else in the world has any morals! These people ACTUALLY were doing what they could to stop the demoralization of our country! Before the day was over I made a lot of new friends, and began to feel something stirring inside of me. These people gave me a gift. HOPE. Grounds for believing that something good can happen. This all may sound very dramatic. (It's just in my nature :) No really....I am VERY patriotic, and this election has really had a profound effect on me....(and it's not even over!) Okay, back to the 'hope' thing. The old proverb is really true.....it is human nature to always find fresh cause for optimism. I really don't know if I 'found' it or these dear strangers found it and 'voluntarily' gave it to me,... I'm just thankful for the gift!
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