John & Shannon Turner

The Burgess Wedding

2009-09-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

It went without a hitch...and Loretta is now Mrs. Bill Burgess. Seriously, this was such a sweet and special day. She absolutely loved everything we did for her for the wedding. And he was sooooo thrilled to get his "Baby." She originally didn't want any wedding at all, so I pushed and pushed...and so did her pastor and his wife. Loretta is so glad we did. She walked sooooooooo slow down that aisle on the arm of John, she was taking in every single person and every bit of the moment. It was really a special day. When Marilyn called the happy couple the next morning, she said to Bill, "Your wedding was beautiful." Bill replied, "Because I married a beautiful bride." Seriously...how stinkin' sweet is that?? 92 years young and he's the happiest young man out there!

G. Looney's Doggie Bootcamp

2009-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, Zacchaeus is off to Doggie Bootcamp with G. Looney!! He was all excited to get in her car, then looked at me as they drove away like, "Hello, Mom, you were supposed to get in the car too!" Since we're leaving for family camp, he will be staying the week with my mom. We've never been away from the little guy that long...only once did he stay with somebody that wasn't one of us, and that's when he was little, little...so...off he went to his Doggie Bootcamp!

Had to make G. Looney a bootcamp shirt and put Zachie in his matching camo bandanna.

Family Burger Night

2009-06-25T09:37:00.001-07:00

Last night was a fundraiser for our upcoming Women's Retreat...Family Burger Night at FAFC. Claude and Araceli entertained us with beautiful music...Bob Palmer and crew barbecued the burgers...the women set everything up and served...the people came and really enjoyed themselves. It was really a great night!!! Here are a few of the decorations I got to make for the event...plus we set out crayons...loved reading what people wrote while they were fellowshipping and eating dinner...the people of this church love our church and our pastors and the staff...what an awesome display of reverence and fun!

End of Love To Pray

2009-06-25T09:32:00.001-07:00

I was so blessed to be the table leader of some amazing women during this study. God is moving mightily through these women and there was such a connection. Last night was the end of the study and it was powerful! Thankful for Lori, Kelly, Gigi, Regina, Wendy, and Liz...will continue to pray for them...knew I had to give them annointing oil so they can have it handy as they continue to pray, pray, pray, as they've learned to Love to Pray!

Gilbert is our Sugar Daddy!

2009-06-20T19:41:00.001-07:00

As you all know, Gilbert and Regina have become amazing friends. The way that they so lovingly serve in sooooo many areas is just remarkable! Well, Gilbert is the kind of guy that wants no public acknowledgment for what he does, so we will quietly give him his Father's Day gift from the Single Moms group. Thanks to my handy-dandy Christie, I was able to put vinyl on a simple spatula as the card to go along with his personalized apron. The moms and the team wrote him the sweetest thanks! I just knew when I saw this lunch pail, we had to get it for him too!! Gilbert is our Sugar Daddy and makes the sweetest lunches!!

Zacchaeus' New Trailer

2009-06-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

IT'S OFFICIAL AND WE'RE PROUD OF IT...WE'RE THOSE WHACKY DOGGIE PARENTS!!! Our little Zacchaeus got his own trailer so he can go on bike rides with us!! Can you believe the price of a doggie trailer is higher than a kiddie trailer??? John, with his amazing shopping skills, found this baby on clearance...with a coupon and shipping...under 100 bucks!!! Had to personalize it, of course...thanks to my Cricut and vinyl, it now says: "Zacchaeus the wee little dog" on the back with a paw print...paw print on the flag as well! Maybe we'll hear people singing the song as we bike on down the river trail!

Gracie's Dance Recital

2009-06-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Gracie's dance recital is tonight...back at the beautiful theater at Huntington Beach High School. Gracie has been with Laura Roberts School of Dance for many years...it's always a really nice show and brings back the memories when Chelsea began dancing with Miss Laura!! Here is a pic of the gift card holder I will give to Gracie tonight. I'm always saying to "Shine For Jesus," when our kids perform...of course, had to bling it some too!! Loved the pink and black combo so much from Mother's Month for the Single Moms, plus it reminds me of old-fashioned ballet colors! The last picture show what it will look like when the card is inserted. Can't wait for the show!

Mother's Month Single Moms Event

2009-06-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a week, and I still get teary-eyed thinking about how amazingly God blessed our "Sassy Southern Style" Tea to cap off Mother's Month with our Single Moms group. It's been gifts, gifts, gifts galore for these moms!!! It started off with a plea on the Cricut Message Boards for cards...the men and women on the board blew my mind with an outpouring of beautiful, hand-made cards...each individual with such love and care. The responses to the message board post were so incredibly encouraging and I truly believe new single moms ministries will be birthed out of this plea for cards in churches around the world! Not only did we receive cards...tons of them...we also received monetary gifts to the ministry and these beautiful calendars for each of the moms, that were given to them to kick off Mom's Month! We claimed the entire month rather than just one single day!

We also were blessed to surprise the moms and have a professional photographer come to the event. Will Slattery and Salina Garcia are in my Sunday School class and were asked at the last-minute if they'd come and shoot the moms...not only did they come, and come big with columns and backdrops and LOVE...they then donated all the pictures and even continued to bless us with putting them all in gorgeous frames!! Chelsea helped arrange our special table, which we called the Florence Avenue Single Moms Hall of Fame. It was simply amazing.

Gilbert the amazing servant cook that blesses our group each month had the idea to do a tea for the moms...as we began to pray, the Lord revealed more and more based on that theme Gilbert had...and it all culminated into the "Sassy Southern Style Tea" it became! As I continued to make it what I thought it should be, the Lord blocked every move I made when it was me...and blessed every move when it was Him and His ideas and plans!

The Lord reminded me of the Godly men He placed in my life when I was a single mom, and the difference they made in my life and my children's lives...so the call went out to my buddy Thomas for 9 Mighty Prayer Warriors that would be willing to come serve the moms as another surprise. They prayed for weeks before the event, and the preciousness of these men as they helped set up the tables, pray over each place setting, and lovingly serve these moms...UNBELIEVABLE! While I shared my testimony in the Fireside room with the moms, my buddy Sybil orchestrated the setup of the whole room...she too had the opportunity to pray over each place setting, as did the young girls helping to set things up. Sybil is singing the praises of Chelsea because Chelsea was fully responsible for the setup of the Hall of Fame...I'm so proud!

John called me over to take a sneak peek before the moms came into the room...when he took me into the room and I saw all the decorations the Lord had directed the creation of and these amazing men...standing guard and ready for the moms and their children that would sit at the table they would host, I LOST IT! It was more beautiful than anything I could ever have imagined, and the POWER in that room...simply unbelievable! I could not stop crying! Thankfully my buddy Regina was there to help me get myself together...her hug was what I needed at that moment!

The picture of these Mighty Men serving these moms and kids, the countless trips they took to the kitchen, the continuous refills, even cutting strawberries for these precious children...it will be engrained in my head forever, and I will ever be grateful that the Lord allowed me to be a part of this whole thing He desired for our moms!

God bless my Cricut Board friends and the blessing they were to the moms that received their loving cards. Blessings to Gilbert and Regina for the idea of the tea and the countless hours spent preparing for our event, as well as being my support system during the planning and preparation stages...also for orchestrating the service of the food like a fine-oiled machine! Blessings to Thomas and Sybil...you were my eyes and ears and hands...God moved through each of you in the selection of our Mighty Men, as well as the placement of the tables...the prayers...oh, those prayers were soooo evident in our room. Blessings to the Mighty Men...when they spoke and shared with the moms their heart and the blessing it was to them to get to serve, I could only look at Pastor Terry and simply say, "Those are your men!" Of course, blessings to my wonderful hubby who not only helped, but also had to assume the "Irma role" since she wasn't able to be there, and also to my children, Cameron & Chelsea...you both amazed me yet again as I see the love of the Lord in each of you as you served, took the pictures, and arranged the Hall of Fame...Lord, Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this day...I am so humbled and encouraged, and sooooo loved!

Happy Birthday Super Sammy

2009-05-12T18:54:00.001-07:00

This weekend is Samuel's birthday party. Unfortunately, we won't be able to make the party on Sunday afternoon. ;( All of these items fit into the can, except the Whoppers...sorry, Sammy!! He's participating in a basketball camp at church right now, so he HAD to have a basketball t-shirt. And every kid needs Hot Wheels; right? There is actually one that is a "Mystery" Hot Wheel...how fun is that??? Sammy is an artist, so we had to get him some sidewalk chalk to share with his little brother Daniel. Of course there had to be something to throw...a nice little Nerf thingy to throw in the house! There's a cool little card game, and some Fun Dip! Oh, yeah...and Goldfishes crackers...ala Chelsea!

We think Sammy is a Super Star...So Happy Birthday, Super Sammy!

Mother's Day Camping Weekend!

2009-05-10T16:47:00.001-07:00

We had such a relaxing weekend. Zacchaeus the wee little watch dog was on duty this weekend guarding the motor home. You can see how John spent most of his weekend, catching up on some movie time in his comfy chair while I worked. We ran out of dish soap, so here's a pic of my sink full of dishes!!! ;) Probably could have finagled John to wash them since it was Mother's Day, but dummy me actually ran out of dish soap...ding bat! As you can see, it was a successful weekend, we tuckered little Zaccheaus out...back home again, but looking so forward to our full week out next week! Praise the Lord!

Roses, Roses, Roses!!!!

2009-05-10T16:42:00.001-07:00

John and I had to stop by the Super Target on the way out camping this weekend and what a treat did we have. Never in my life have I seen so many amazing roses. I was like a kid walking into Disneyland when we pulled into the shopping center out in Menifee. "John, look at all those roses." "I can't, Shann, I'm trying to figure out where we're going to park." Then I hopped out ahead of him and couldn't stop raving about the smell...such fragrant roses and sooooooo many, all over the entire shopping center. I made him drive his mom by on our way to lunch, just so she could behold the amazing beauty that God had created and some amazing person has cultivated! At a shopping center for goodness' sake! Simply an amazing start to our relaxing Mother's Day Weekend Camping Trip!

Loretta's New Boy Toy

2009-05-10T16:35:00.001-07:00

John & I were able to meet up with his mom and her new boyfriend Bill for a Mother's Day/Birthday lunch this weekend. Despite the smile on her face, getting that hat anywhere near her head was a task in itself. The waiter at the restaurant brings out this hat along with her free spamoni ice cream...then takes a picture of her. Although she was thrilled with her spamoni and her picture, I think she wanted to punch us all for coaxing her into wearing the hat and messing up her hair! :)

It was a nice day and such a pleasure meeting the spry Bill...at 91 years young...he has more energy than we do!!! He just wanted to assure John and Don that he really cares about Loretta, it was the sweetest day. We're praying for the two of them...both having outlived two spouses each, the thought of another loss is a bit more than Loretta can handle, although Bill seems up to the challenge!! Trust me...he'll probably outlive us all if the Lord doesn't come back before then!

Prayer Journals

2009-05-06T14:22:00.001-07:00

So excited...we're starting a new Bible Study tonight at church called Love to Pray. John and I both have been asked to be table leaders during the study. Last week was our kickoff meeting with the men and women all in the gym together, and they had to bring in over 140 MORE chairs than they had originally set up because the turn out was so HUGE!! How incredible is that??

So tonight starts the 8-week study with the men in Fellowship Hall and Pat & John leading worship and the women in the gym. I decorated these little flower pens and journals for the ladies at my table. I think they'll like them.

Mr. & Mrs. Dalton! May 2, 2009

2009-05-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

What a blast...an Anaheim Ducks wedding!! We surprised Bobby with the Ducks garters and we surprised Carly with the Ducks-named tables. Bobby and Carly as season ticket holders and actually got engaged during a Ducks game. They were the first people ever to be allowed to take their engagement pics at the Pond, aka the Honda Center! The happy couple is cutting the honeymoon short so as to not miss the home playoff game between the Ducks and the Red Wings tonight!

It was a beautiful day, Carly was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Bobby was absolutely thankful! And the families so lovingly are now joined together. It's always a blessing to know when the special girls in our lives get married that they are marrying a man that adores them and a family that is so excited to have her be a part of it! We are praying for Bobby and Carly and Josh, Bobby's son, and all the future little Daltons. We're praying that God would bless this marriage as Bobby and Carly seek His will for their life together. It was such a blessing for our family to be a part of their special day!

Aunt Cheryl's visit!

2009-05-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Cameron, Cheryl, and the California Chelsea (Cheryl has a granddaughter Chelsea too)! Last night was an awesome night spending time with our Aunt Cheryl. It was exciting to hear about Uncle Lucky & Aunt Cheryl's fair ministry where they travel around to various fairs sharing the gospel and leading many, many to Christ. Cheryl shared the reminder of the need to gird themselves up with the FULL amour of God as they enter into this next fair season. Please pray for them, as well as the churches that will then follow up with the people who make decisions for Christ. It's such a blessing to know the Christian heritage in our family is continuing on as we continue to pray for salvation for our family members and friends.

Foursquare Missions Press

2009-03-16T19:06:00.001-07:00

Recently I was blessed to be able to have a tour of the Foursquare Missions Press facility. The experience of the tour will never, ever be forgotten! My buddies Ophelia and Celia and I just sat in the truck after the tour, in utter amazement. Foursquare Missions Press provides necessary tools for missionaries in the field. Bob Hunt has now taken over running the operation, which was started by his wife's grandparents in a relative's home. There will be a new printing press coming and it will be dedicated in May during the Foursquare Convention. I can't wait to be there amongst the leaders of the missions groups in like 34 different countries. I was able to have the opportunity to join Norma Faulkner, whose dad started the program, to prepare letters to be sent to Foursquare churches across the country. At first I was praying for each of the pastors and their congregations as I touched each envelope. Then after hearing Norma's heart and the need for these pastors to join the cause of the Missions Press, my prayers became more fervent, "Lord, help these pastors to realize the necessity of this ministry. Place it on their hearts to give!"

Yolanda's Baptism!

2009-03-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Bible Study Buddies/C.A.R.E. partners-Ophelia, Yolanda, and Shannon! What an incredibly glorious service. Yolanda was among 39 people to be baptized this night. The service was so personal as Pastor Terry lovingly baptized each person. Yolanda's smile says it all!!! She is so grateful for the opportunity to take this next step in her Christian walk as she declares, "As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord!"

Ga-ga-ga-gorgeous Bride Alert!

2009-02-28T17:27:00.000-08:00

Here she is...Mrs. Hoy! Got the e-mail yesterday that the pics were up on the photographer's website, and as you can see...well worth the wait!! Does this not look like a bridal magazine photo shoot??? I texted Brittany the morning of the wedding while she was getting her hair done to see how she was...and she was GREAT!! I reminded her that she was going to rock that Maggie Soterro designer dress...to which she replied, "Yes, I am...whoohooo." I knew she was excited and ready to be Charley's wife!! And were we wrong about her rockin' this dress?????? NOPE!!!! SHE SOOOOOOOOOOOOO ROCKED THIS DRESS!!!

My Paczki Adventure

2009-02-26T15:23:00.001-08:00

So my VanderHorst Family friends, Charolette, Yvonne, and Mom Theresa, introduced me to Paczki. What the heck is that???? They were talking all about it on Facebook and were all excited, I had to join in the excitement. So with the information they gave me and the information on the internet I learned that Polish Catholics eat Paczkis on Fat Tuesday.

Like any recipe they vary, but the basic premise is that you are supposed to clean your house of all the ingredients for Lent, so they came up with this recipe of making this doughnut-type of a danish the day before Lent is to begin. Most are fried, but some are actually baked. Some are filled with fruit, some are filled with a custard, some are filled with a cream cheese filling. I read one article about this Polish Catholic church up near San Francisco that make these as a fundraiser for their senior citizen group, sell them on Fat Tuesday, and the proceeds from the sale are what funds their whole program for the year. I read one article that talked about people lining up at 4:30 in the morning in Chicago to get theirs, and one town in Michigan that has a whole Pazcki Day Parade. Crazy; doncha' think???

So Charolette picked up her Paczki at the market, Yvonne's hubby picked theirs up at a bakery, and Theresa picked hers up at Walmart since there were no great bakeries near her home. Where am I to pick up a Paczki in Norwalk? Tamales...no problemo...but Paczkis???? I hunted down a Polish Deli in Orange. Make the call, yep, they have them. Okey dokey...out the door I go on my search for this VanderHorst Family tradition.

I drive over there, three freeways later, and go in. The lady behind the counter is speaking Polish to a male customer who leaves empty handed. Then again has a conversation in Polish with a woman who leaves empty handed...whatever, I don't speak Polish; right? So then it's my turn. "Hi, I called a little bit ago about some Paczkis." "They're all gone." "What????????? Are you kidding me?" "You need to order them, if you want them." Okay, so I proceed to tell her how I drove all the way from L.A. to get these suckas and had never heard of them before today. She says they only make them three days a year; the Thursday before Lent, the Saturday before Lent, and Fat Tuesday. She explains that their belief is that they are good luck. If you eat them and then keep your fasts for Lent, God will give you good luck the rest of the year. "Well, I guess I'm outta' luck," I say. To this she cracks up!!!!

Well, long story short, she took pity on me and explained that she had some for her family and I can have ONE, just so I can taste it, but next year I have to pre-order them. I'm so humbled and blessed that she would take one from her family stash...but it hits me and I ask, "Am I taking somebody's luck?" She cracked up and I thought once again...always an adventure for Shannon!

So...what did my little guy taste like??? Well, like they said...a rich doughnut. Ours had a filling, which at first I thought I got a bonus with chocolate...but we actually think it was more like maybe apple, peach, and prune. It was tasty...but truthfully, the adventure made it special and worth it all. I've already warned the VanderHorst Family...I'm taking a trip back east next year to experience the whole Paczki Craze out there! You've heard of pub crawls...I'm going on a Paczki Crawl!!! I'll letcha' know next year about the experience!

Brittany & Charley's Wedding

2009-02-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

What an amazing display of God's love for His children and the Love that only He can place in the hearts of those called to His service!

The wedding of Brittany & Charley was such a true experience of two people that truly love God and were put together by Him. There is no other word for this wedding than LOVE! Love of the couple for each other, Love of the family for the couple, Love of the friends...this wedding wasn't about the "show" of a wedding or the whole wedding production, it truly was about the Glory of God's Love here on earth in human form! I can never thank Brittany and Charley enough for the amazing experience of their wedding and being allowed to be a part of it!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hoy!!

Behold I stand at the door and knock...

2009-02-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the amazing church that Brittany & Charley were married in. As I was taking pictures a Catholic monk that just "happened" to be walking by was explaining to me about the architecture of this beautiful church and how it was the exact replica of a Catholic church in France. I have to do some research because I HAVE to find out the information. He explained how the only difference is there is no Cross on the top of the church and the little alcove areas are empty, whereas at the Catholic church in France there were statues and the Cross. Interesting thing he told me was that Protestant churches at the turn of the century did not put crosses on top of their church for some reason. Crazy, I thought, especially considering our Lord and Savior died on the cross and it's such a symbolic thing for us Christians...but then again, Christ didn't stay on that cross!!! He arose unto Heaven, just as was prophesied...maybe that's why.

Shannon the Wedding Coordinator!

2009-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

I'm lovin' this new role!!! So today we get to get into the wedding and reception sites to decorate and prepare for the Valentine's Day wedding of Brittany & Charley. Here are the chair signs I made for them as they're seated at their sweetheart's table. I, of course, had to "bling" 'em a little with Swarovsky crystals...you know me!!!

Love Letters From Our Father

2009-02-10T12:51:00.001-08:00

I made these little mailboxes for our Experiencing God Bible Study today. Inside were a chocolate "Hug" and different scriptures that remind us of who He is; i.e.,
I Am your Prince of Peace-Isaiah 9:6..I Am your Hiding Place-Psalms 32:7..I Am your God of Comfort-II Corinthians 1:3.....I Am your Lord of lords-I Timothy 6:15.....
I Am your Friend-Job 16:20

We prayed over each scripture as we put them together, and as always, the Lord spoke today to the different women who received their personal Valentine from our Father!

The card on the table for each table leader read: "Inside are 'Hugs' from Heaven and love letters from the Great I Am for the ladies at your table." What better example of His love for us than the scriptural reminders of who He is to us and for us, our personal
Lord and Savior,
The Ultimate Valentine."

Movie about my Chelsea????

2009-02-10T12:41:00.001-08:00

There's this really neat house (not pictured) by our house that John said hosts different events like the City's Prayer Breakfast, weddings, and even movies sometimes. So today I'm leaving the total wrong direction to go to Bible Study today...I usually go out of the track the other direction...but today I had to go this way and look what I saw...a full movie crew filming a movie. I'm hoping they forget the signs so I can go grab one...or maybe tonight when John (the nice one of us) gets home from work he can go schmooooooze the crew and see if we can get one of these signs! A movie about our Little Chelsea...see...it's not all bad living in Norwalk!

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

2009-01-16T08:51:00.001-08:00

Why was this the Best Christmas Ever? The week before Christmas John answered the phone to hear his brother Don on the other end. John got off the phone grinning from ear to ear. He said, "That was The Best conversation I've had with my brother in soooooo long." Donald explained to John that he had been sober for over two months. He explained to John how he's learning so much about himself now that he's not drunk all the time!! Don was sharing with John how things he thought were "issues" in his life, truly aren't at all what they were made up to be in his alcohol-soaked mind. John was so thankful to hear the excitement in Don's voice, and hear how he's been able to work on changing his life. Don offered to pay for John and I to fly to Hawaii to be with him for Christmas, but obviously plans had already been set for Christmas in California, as well as not wanting Don to spend that kind of money on us.

So we wake up Christmas morning to call Don and wish him a Merry Christmas!! Don then gives us the Best Christmas Present ever! He explains how he and a friend went down on the beach at Sunrise Christmas morning. Just as the sun was rising on the Maui beach, Don got down and asked Christ into his heart and asked God to direct his life from now on since he's not done such a great job on his own!!!!!!!!!!! Salvation for Don Turner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!!

Don explained to us that that is the reason he wanted to fly John and I out to Hawaii because he had planned to do it Christmas morning, as if he needed to make an appointment with God!! How awesome to know that the Lord is ALWAYS there when we're ready to come back to Him!! When Don told me what he did, I simply said, "Wow," as the tears streamed down my face. "Is that all you can say," Donald asks. "Yes, that's all I can say, Wow!" Then I snapped out of my amazement and said, "Now you'll be stuck with me as your sister-in-law here and in Heaven now that you've accepted Christ as your Savior!" :)

So we have this awesome Christmas Miracle Book that we keep in the motor home for reflecting on Christmas Miracles, and we added one to the front page of our own: "Donald Turner, New Life 12/25/08!"

1st Annual Drive-Thru Nativity at F.A.F.C.

2008-12-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6:

Santa Visited Florence Avenue Foursquare Church!

2008-12-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the first night of the First Annual Drive-Thru Nativity at our church. We had the blessing to be a part of the festivities. We were both able to be carolers. It was soooo much fun and such an exciting night!! Every year since I was a little girl I looked forward to the Drive-Thru Nativity, and now to get to be a part of it at our own church...God is so good, and we are so blessed! One of the best things was Chelsea and Wes coming to cheer us on!!! We even had time to visit with Santa in the Kids Zone!

The Little Patient Came Home!

2008-12-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

All warm and snuggly in his new jacket!

He can barely keep his little eyes opened...still groggy from the anesthesia! He just doesn't want to miss a thing...plus he's afraid what will happen to him if he falls asleep! Our poor little patient! He was a trooper...and we know from before his beautiful hair will grow back...but for now, I've got a couple of little jackets to keep him warm!

Blessings are a blessing!!

2008-11-26T09:16:00.001-08:00

It's been a desire of mine lately to be able to bless people. My old understanding of blessing people was buying them gifts, but the Lord has shown me how important time and friendship is a blessing. My new friend Ophelia has had a rough couple of years, but she is still able to see God's hand on her life and her obedience and faithfulness have been rewarded. This year she will be hosting her son and his family for Thanksgiving, and for the first time is having it at their temporary home. After the Heart & Home Event at church she was so excited to host this year, using one of the concepts that we learned that was soooooo profound, and that was to use what you have...before the event I thought that meant scrounging around your home and not buying new decorations to make your home look more festive, which to a point it was, but more importantly it was to use what we have and share it, which is the love of Christ! That's what we're supposed to do at the holidays, but oftentimes we get wrapped up in the whole affair. Ophelia has never done a menu before and really liked the idea of that, but doesn't have a computer at home...well, since I work on my computer all day I can help! So I typed up her menu on some pretty Thanksgiving paper, she is going to use a picture frame she has at home already to put the menu in and on the table, and tonight I'm giving her these little guys as place cards for her table setting. I made a batch of jar cupcakes with chocolate cupcakes, chocolate frosting and Reece's "Peaces." ;) Here is hers...what a blessing it was to her that I typed up the menu, but what more the blessing is that I can do it for her! Trust me, it's more of a blessing for me!!! That's one thing I'm thankful for this year, learning to walk in kindness with open eyes to see where I can bless somebody!

Happy Bird-day, Sally!!

2008-11-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

My Pal Sal's birthday is on Thanksgiving this year! She's going to celebrate in style with her family! She always teases me the way I say "birthday," so that's why it's Bird-Day...or Birt-Day...I never say the full "th" sound! :) I love ya', Pal! This will be on your doorstep tonight! Enjoy your chocolate/mint cupcake!

Merry Christmas!

2008-11-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning with a wonderful kiss from my man! "Merry Christmas, Baby," he says! Oh, how he makes me smile...I'm so thankful God gave him to me! Yesterday John came home with a beautiful anniversary card! "Wait, is it Christmas Eve?" you may be asking yourselves. No! John just loves to on occasion on the 24th of the month give me an anniversary card. John doesn't believe in celebrating our anniversary only once a year. Of course, again, the little booger made me cry and thank him for marrying me!

On Christmas Eve we will celebrate 5 years of marriage and I still am in awe at how wonderful this life is being Mrs. John Turner! I still feel like "It sucks to be you," because I feel like God loves me more than anybody else by giving me this amazing man. This morning proved it again, just how special and loving John is and how gracious I am for my marriage! John is THE BEST husband, the man of every single dream I ever had...and also THE BEST example of a dad for my kids!! We all know our life wouldn't be anything like it is had John not married us, and we're so thankful for him! Merry Christmas!

Papa George & Nonni love Chelsea

2008-11-24T18:03:00.001-08:00

Whether George & Barbara like it or not, Chelsea and Cameron have adopted them as their grandparents...not that the kids don't have grandparents and not that George and Barbara don't have enough grand kids of their own...it just happened that God blessed the kids with another set of grandparents!!! George and Barbara really had no choice in the matter, they just lovingly stepped up to the plate! Papa George is taking a digital photography class right now and learning all sorts of neat things to do with his photos...today my e-mail in-box brought me to tears when this was attached.

There are pictures of Chelsea & Wes, Chelsea & Barbara, Wes, and Chelsea. The picture of Chelsea in the middle is actually from a picture with George & Barbara's "real" grandson Dakota, who got cropped out, and was taken at George & Barbara's daughter Dawnn's wedding to Rick when Chelsea was like 3 years old. Don't you think Chelsea looks exactly the same!?!? Oh, time flies!! Thanks for the wonderful tears, George!!! We love ya'!

Roots!

2008-11-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

You know, there are times when it's hard to count it a blessing what we endure, but truly, after an initial bit of a panic, we can count our blessings with the current catastrophe at the Turner Home. Our beautiful tree in the front yard that saves us considerably on air-conditioning costs in the summertime has caused a great expense. The roots have grown into the old pipes leading out of the house to the City's sewer. The plumbers put a camera into the pipe, and I was truly amazed that ANYTHING had been able to penetrate the weave of roots that has grown into the walls of the ceramic pipes that were used 60 years ago when the home was built! When the plumbers told me how expensive this fix would be, I told them, "Well, I know God will provide." Then I joked, "Man, I wish I were like Moses and could part the roots out of the pipes." Well, then I realized, regardless of the parting of the seas for Moses, God restored the water and didn't leave it parted...so, we write the 4,000-dollar check and give thanks that the pipes lasted as long as they did, give thanks that we can actually cover that check, give thanks that God allowed this to happen BEFORE the proposed new tax on services such as specifically, plumbing! Yep...we can count this a blessing!

Danielle's Update From India

2008-11-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

Friends and Family, Namaste!This is the greeting they use here. Whheeww...By God's good grace wearrived here in India safe and sound with all our baggages, rearing togo! Airport security was a breeze and we were put to rest as we sawlittle Linnet jumping up and down amongst a crowd of people waitingoutside the airport. How that little body found us through all thosepeople was another miracle...though i am sure 11 Americans wanderingaround in Chennai's airport is hard to find! :o) We were greeted byLinnet Gupta and her fearless accomplice, Sushima. Both ladies were sowelcoming and graciously provided us with cool towels and cold water(it is almost 90 degrees, and 80% humidity), swooped us up and we wereon our way to the HBI campus.HBI has generously provided us with nice living quarters...way nicerthan I expected. I am rooming with Linda Pearce on the first floor (orthe ground floor as they call it) with Charlotte and Barry next doorto us and the others are on the 3rd floor (2nd floor). We have acommon room up on the third floor that is connected to all theirrooms. this is where we meet in the mornings to pray and discuss ourprevious day as well as the agenda for our current day.We have been blessed by very warm welcomes from the people here;during our introductory seminar yesterday, 4 girls from the HBI schoolcame and dressed us with home-made jasmine/rose leis, a traditionalcustom here. We have also been able to attend a church service ourfirst night here...Unfortunately we were all exhausted and fightingjet lag that we must of all looked like sleepy bobble heads,continuely nodding off. Thankfully the people here understood ourexhaustion and shooed us off to bed. For the most part, all of us ourrecovering well from the time difference and have almost caught up onour sleep. Today we were blessed by visiting a senior citizen home.There we were able to visit and pray with the elderly residing there.To our surprise many of them knew English and Jesus!!! They prayedWITH us and ' I was sung to by a sweet lady by the name of Mary Paul.The men recieved little pieces of paper a senior man, named' andHerold made in the form of a mini bible with one page. Opening it upthere was handwriting, inside it read "Let the peace of God rule inyour hearts" and "The Lord crowns you with loving kindness and tendermercy: Praise the LORD." Please keep these people in your prayers forthey have such a sweet and tender heart...they just crave for visitsfrom people.We'll I must run off to tour around the campus...We have the 2ndsession of the Truth Project going on as I type and tom we start ourWomen's conference and painting training. Please pray that these goover smootly as well as the upcoming pastor's leadership seminars,child development teachers' training as well as the continued showingsof the Truth Project and possible medical camp activities. We havefaith that the Lord will go before us, prepare the way, and provide uswith the right culturally sensitive yet effective words. So far ourhealth has been good with the exceptions of a few minorailments...please continue to include our health in your prayers,especially with this heat. We have only just begun the journey of ourmission here...Thank you all for your continued Prayers and Support! We really feelthem here---all the way on the other side of the world!!Love you all and many blessings sent your way from India!Peace, love and JOY,DanielleIndia Team 2008

International Tri-tip???

2008-11-08T15:51:00.000-08:00

Anybody that knows me knows how interesting I find my local Mexican Markets! For a while there I was going daily and would share with everybody all the wonders of the Mexican Markets, but I had to stop those daily excursions because I was spending too much time away from my desk when I could be working, as well as too much money. Last week for Halloween I found THE CUTEST little painted pumpkins with feather hair...too cute and only 99 cents! Funny thing is we went to Super Target in Menifee while we were camping, and the exact same little painted pumpkins were $3.99...how crazy is that?? But today's find is a bit different, as well as perplexing...if you look at this label you'll see what I mean. "Tri-Tip Roast Product of US, Canada, and Mexico," huh????? Did the little cow walk all the way from Mexico to Canada and back to the U.S.? Gram thought maybe it was bred in Canada, Raised in Mexico, and slaughtered in the U.S. I don't know...what do you think??? It's in the smoker right now, so I'll have to let you know how it tasted...my little international tri-tip!

Praying for Danielle and Team

2008-11-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

Today's the day and Danielle and her team left for India for their trip. Things have been hectic this week for her, but as I write this, she is at the airport ready to start the adventure.

Two weeks ago we met Papa George at Naleeni's church service on a Friday night so that Naleeni could pray for Danielle and give Danielle an opportunity to just talk to Naleeni for advice and encouragement. It was an awesome night and was such a blessing for Danielle to have somebody pray so specifically for her. Of course, the Lord revealed to Naleeni Danielle's specific fears and concerns, and the power of the Holy Spirit lead her prayers.

We're anxious to hear how the Lord has used Danielle and we'll be kept posted on the team's adventure. Please keep them in your prayers. I will update the specific requests or victories the team has as I am updated.

Prophetic?

2008-11-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

CAMERON
Gender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: KAM-rən (English), KAM-ə-rən (English) [key]
From a Scottish surname meaning "crooked nose" from Gaelic cam "crooked" and sròn "nose."

So when Tommy and I decided on the name "Cameron" over 21 years ago, never did we think we were being prophetic...another broken nose...it's getting more crooked with each season playing hockey! Talked to Cameron last night and got the lo-down on the latest broken nose. He said while sitting in the penalty box after the latest scuffle, he noticed pressure against his eye and realized it was his nose out of place. Having had previous broken noses he knew to get it repositioned as quickly as possible so he "crunched" it back into place...then at the period break the coaches and trainers saw it was a bit too far to one side, so they "smooshed" it back into place again. After the game the team doctor took a look at it and realized it still wasn't in place properly, so "crunch, smoosh, crack," back into place! Ick!

Poor Gram!

2008-11-05T21:05:00.001-08:00

Grandma's blood pressure has been up a bit this past couple of weeks, so we had to go in for a checkup today. When I got to her house she told me she had a "little rash." Immediately I see the "rash" that extends from the tip of her finger, all the way up into her arm pit. I said, "Gram, that's not a 'little rash,' that's shingles." She says, "Honey, I think I just got bit by a spider." "No, Gram, those blisters look just like when I had shingles; that's shingles!" Well, sure enough, the doctor walks in the room, looks at the rash, and says, "I know exactly what it is; one second." He comes back with a diagram of a body that shows the nerve tracks on your body and says, "Yes, it is shingles attacking your C8 nerve," which explains how it is all the way up her arm. The doctor explained her blood pressure being elevated is a side effect of the shingles and just upped her dosage of blood pressure medication for a bit. This picture doesn't even do it justice, to show how horrible her little arm looks. She looks as though somebody has poured hot oil down her arm. Poor little Gram! I explained to her that the reason he prescribed Vicodin was because by tomorrow she probably will begin experiencing extreme pain. She said, "No, I won't. I will myself to not have pain, Honey. Where there's a will, there's a way!" So, we're going to believe she's not going to be in pain, and that this pass quickly. I told her we would be praying for the same, so please do too! The only thing that is bothering her right now is she can't have her glass of wine before bed!

Election 2008

2008-11-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

It's a big day in our country and a big day in our family! Not only did our nephew Brenton turn 16 today, but Chelsea got to vote for the first time and exercise a right that our great country affords us! I'm so excited for her and proud of her for standing up and letting her voice be heard. Although we got Cameron registered before he left for the season, his paperwork didn't come back early enough to be able to vote as an absentee voter. Conspiracy against yet another registered potential Republican voter??? Now we just wait to see how things come out. I've prayed and prayed, and we all know that God has a plan, so regardless of the outcome, there is a reason! God Bless America...please.

Roughin' it!

2008-11-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

Roughin it! We took the condo out this weekend to camp near Kelly & Trudy's house so we could zip over there for Halloween! The campground had tons of activities all weekend long for Halloween and actually did trick'r treating on Saturday night instead of Friday for the safety of the kids with incoming campers on Friday night. To identify the camp sites giving away candy the kids had to look for signs posted at the sites, so they didn't disturb the others. We wanted to see all the cute costumes, so we picked up our sign. We passed out 6 bags of candy in 20 minutes and ran out! We had to take down our sign and go in and turn out the lights...there were soooooo many kids. I have to say, they were the most polite kids I've ever experienced! Well, done passing out candy, we headed inside, turned on the big TV, put in "Journey to Center of the Earth" in 3-D, put on our 3-D glasses and sat back to enjoy the show. 3-D movie, under-the-counter lights, and surround sound on a 32-inch High Definition TV! My kind of camping!

Happy Harvest!

2008-11-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

Ally & Chelsea
Favorite Cousins
Ally was a Girl Rapper
and Chelsea was a
Cave Woman

Chelsea & Wes...awwww aren't they a cute couple??

The Homies-Ally, Chelsea & Wes!
We had a great time at my brother's house. Sorry, no pics of my nephews. Brenton was already out with his friends, he is going to be 16 on Tuesday, so he's just too cool for us! Chad was a camo commander, so you can't see him in the pictures because he blends right in!

Rooster Dawg!

2008-10-30T10:43:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when the kids leave ...Halloween comes around and the only victim is the dog! Can ya' see his tail feathers too?

COPD/Bronchitis/Pneumonia No More!

2008-10-15T12:32:00.001-07:00

This is a look at my life this week: my trashcan filled with work and tissues! The whole runny nose thing is a new phenomenon for me. My life has been spent battling bronchitis and pneumonia. Never do I get a "cold," because it always is an instantaneous upper respiratory infection. With all the medical tests this past couple years, it's been confirmed that my lungs have severe damage and my sinuses have extreme amounts of scar tissue. The doctors are amazed at the severity of the damage; however, it's just been my life.

Last week we attended the Holy Spirit Conference hosted by our church. The guest speakers were John and Sonja Decker, and they taught on the POWER of the Holy Spirit. In one of our group sessions we were encouraged to pray for people in our group and "command" healing. This is not a name-it-and-claim-it, mumbo-jumbo theology, it is a practical act of following instructions in the Bible such as from James 5:14-15, which says, "Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up."

Our group had some extra time and asked if I needed prayer. I didn't believe I did at the current time, but told them I will never pass up the opportunity to have prayer and anointing. I asked specifically for prayer that if there is ANYTHING within my body that will try to come up and prevent me from doing what the Lord has in store for me, for it to GET OUT! I'm done being sick and done having illness prevent me from being ALL He wants of me!

Well, that night the cold hit and it's GETTING OUT! I think I've lost about 20 lbs of snot alone! I truly believe this cold is just getting all that last bit of sickness within my body out, a complete healing and cleansing of my physical body so I can be an effective Christian witness! I know my Women's Bible study class has taught me practical ways to deal with the emotions that are setting up road blocks, and that is being healed, and now my physical is being healed!

I know the Lord has great things in store for John and I, and He is orchestrating His plan in such an awesome way! I'm also so thankful that He has chosen us for this amazing life!!

Pray for Danielle and her team!

2008-10-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends
I realized it has been a while since I updated you on what’s been going on with India. A lot has been happening, not necessarily with the trip itself, but GOD's influence in all other aspects of my life through India. I don’t even know where to start! I guess I can first talk about my school. Now, this is my last year at CSULB. I am graduating in the spring. I am taking a full load and wasn’t sure how much school work I was getting into. I was also a little nervous about being absent from school for two weeks while I go to India. Well, GOD totally took these worries into His amazing hands. I can’t tell you how much God has worked things out for me. I will try and give you a glimpse at the gloriousness of it all.
Before I graduate I am required to work beside a professor on a project we devise up. I have been truly blessed with being able to work with one of my favorite professors who is not only the best in my field=2 0but is also from India!!! She was thrilled to find out I was going there and made my project to totally correlate with my time and experience of the trip!!! I also get to help her with her charity she started about 3 years ago—“Pennies for India.” What she does with this charity is by collecting pennies/change she goes back to India and provides children in slum schools with school supplies that they never had, field trips that they never had been on and for one of her future goals, a bathroom that they never used before. I feel so honored to be a part of this program with her!!
I have been even able to use this charity as our philanthropy of the month at my preschool where I work. How crazy was it that this month was the only month my boss didn’t have a charity for! WE needed something easy and to relate to children. GOD knew exactly the charity: “Pennies for India!” Yes!!! I am able to connect India to my work now!!! The kids and staff have been so excited about donating their change. I made a presentation at out Back to School Night to all the parents and was able to share my trip with many parents—Christian and non-Christian. Now a witnessing tool too! Okay GOD, I am in awe!!
As far as my other classes go, I have been immersed with India. I get to use my experience in India for at least one project in every class! How awesome is that! All my teachers are so supportive of me going. I do have to make up a lot of work; however my professors have been very flexible about it. I have meet more people from India randomly lately than I have ever met in my whole life! Not a week goes by that I do not get goose bumps over something relating to India!!! GOD has His hands in everything that I am surrounded by. How GREAT is the GOD we serve! When He wants us to do something He does not mess around!!
So that’s my story with how GOD has been using India in my life. As far as the happenings of the team goes, Praise GOD we all have our Visas now! The men and women of the team have been busy organizing and planning their designated areas of the trip. One of the many things we will be doing in India is mentoring, discipling and encouraging the people there. The men will be speaking to pastors and us women will be putting on a 3 day conference for about 50 women. These two events have been given the greatest attention, for they take the most preparation. Speaking as one of the women, we are a little anxious to see how the conference goes. Originally we thought we were just attending and helping out at the=2 0conference. However, we soon learned (about 3 weeks ago) that we are now running it and are supposed to speak at the whole thing!! Please pray for the planning of this and that the Indian women will respond to the topics GOD chooses for us.
Also, it is my mom’s one year anniversary of her miraculous healing! It is crazy to think that one year ago, I was sitting in ICU with my dad, not knowing what was going to happen to my mom but knowing it was in GOD”s hands. I definitely think GOD has rewarded me with India for my faithfulness. Please pray that I can fully prepare for my trip and that school, work, home, and all the other commitments and workload with be taken care of so I can go on my trip knowing things at home are taken care of!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life. May GOD bless all of you this week!
Peace and Hope in Christ,
Danielle Mitchell

My Kids, My Blessings!!!

2008-09-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today's Bible study was awesome! Our current Women's Bible study is "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed, A Study of David," by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. I can't even begin to say how blessed I am and how much I'm learning more about God's love for me and who He wants me to become. Today, though, something really stuck out at me and literally brought me to tears...my kids are both Christians! I mean, you look at David's life and how God used him, even though he wasn't always perfect, and his family line, as promised, was that which produced our Savior!!! That is so incredibly awesome! And my children have chosen that same Savior and will carry on down our family line a legacy of God's hand in their lives. It struck me so strongly today, and I don't know if I have ever thanked my kids for their choice to follow the Lord!

Having the full responsibility of raising my children in a Christian household wasn't always easy, nor was I always perfect, as I'm sure Cameron & Chelsea could fill volumes of books with how imperfect I was, but having my children know God in a true and meaningful way was always my goal in life, even before I had my kids. Yes, my kids were raised in church, but oftentimes kids are raised in church and don't grow up to serve the Lord! Yet, both of the kids have been through things this past couple of years that we've prayed together about, and how awesome it is when they come to us and ask for prayer, knowing that they each know God will answer those prayers!

This is such a different stage in my life as a mom, Cameron is close to 21 and Chelsea is close to 20, they each are experiencing life somewhat on their own and are growing up. I've been dragging my heels this past couple of years as I learn to let them grow up, and it's been really tough not being their go-to person anymore! I have been so focused on their not needing me anymore, that I lost sight of the fact that God has blessed me with the knowledge that He has His hand on each of their lives and they both are seeking Him in their lives and seek His Will for their lives and their futures!

Cameron & Chelsea, thank you for being who you are. Thank you for understanding when I try to hold on too tight! Thank you for making wise choices, and learning from not so wise choices! Thank you for blessing me by being your mom! But mostly thank you for choosing to follow Christ! So many other parents pray daily that their children will "return" to the Lord, but each of you have made the wisest choice to stay with the Lord, and you've let Him heal your hurts and disappointments and you've praised Him for your many gifts! Thank you so much for being Christians and giving me the satisfaction of knowing your future in Him! You are such awesome, amazing people, and I can't even begin to tell you how proud of each of you I am! I know you each have amazing talents and gifts, and it's pretty amazing watching them unfold in your lives as you continue to grow up! I love you guys and am so thankful for you!

Love, Mom

Training Update!

2008-09-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well, what's that saying, "All the best laid plans"? We had great plans for last week. These pictures are of our first day training in the hills of Solvang to prepare for our 1/2 Century in November and our Century in March. The first day of training was also our last day of training for last week!

The ride didn't start out too bad...I was a little winded just preparing the bikes for the ride, but figured that was simply from not riding for so long. So we headed out on the road. I was really enjoying the smells of the area...it smells so clean and crisp out on those roads. There's no smog, no stinky car exhaust. Just fresh air. I knew I wouldn't ride too great the first day because the 13 days prior I hadn't been able to hop on Mad Dawg and get in a ride. I was slammed with work the weeks before vacation, so I knew the first couple days of rides would be tough, but had such high hopes for our training and hill work this week. John's back was out, but he's a trooper so I figured, if he can do it, let's do it!!! 8 miles into the ride I couldn't breathe! I was so upset. I got to the top of a little hill and couldn't catch my breath! I couldn't explain it to John because it wasn't like my legs gave out, nor was it like my cardio was that bad, I just couldn't get a deep enough breath...well, then try breathing when you're crying...not so good! For the first time in our training I called it quits. The scary thing was my legs were shaking, I was shivering from chills, something just wasn't right...poor John. I felt like I let him down so much, but what the heck????? We made it back to the motor home having only ridden 15 1/2 miles, at an average speed of 10.5 mph...oh, boy, how am I going to do it? John then announced we may have to rethink our goals...okay, more water works from me!! What???? Is he losing faith in me? Does he not believe I can do it anymore??? Have I totally let him down????

Well, waking up the next morning it was quite clear why I couldn't breathe, the Mother of all Bronchitis attacks decided to pick our vacation to rear its ugly head!!! I haven't had a cold in over a year and thought that was a part of my past that was well behind me...my lungs thought otherwise! Thankfully I had antibiotics in the motor home for emergency attacks such as this and was able to get right on them, but a week later, I'm still not breathing normally. John's back was out the entire week, so no training for him either. He's on his way to Dr. Duddy again tonight to assess the situation...so, that was it for our training week!! We got a lot of rest, which is obviously what each of us needed after this past 6 months of craziness in our life. My goal of at least 200 miles for the week...only 184 1/2 miles short!

You know the saying, "If you fall off your bike, you gotta' get back on." Or is that horse?? Whatever...my hope is to hop on the bike tomorrow night and get at least a few miles in...will we make the 1/2 Century Prelude ride on November 1st? Probably not, unless something miraculous happens, but I'm not giving up my hope of finishing the Century in March! I'm still planning for that one!! I keep reminding myself, this is a lifestyle change for me...it's not just about a one-day event! One day and one pedal at a time...God has given me the strength to go from giving up physically to physically challenging my body, and I know He will continue to give me the strength to get my body where my brain is!

One Hockey Mom to Another!

2008-09-15T22:55:00.001-07:00

Need I say More?! We believe in miracles and FINISHING WELL!!!

Danielle & Wes to the Rescue!

2008-09-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Day One of our vacation: I get up early to finish up one last job and scan it and one other. In between the scanning I showered, scanned, brushed my teeth, scanned, did my hair, scanned, ironed clothes for church, scanned...church starts at 9:00--out the door at 8:55! We walked into church during the first song! Bad, bad, bad! But worship was AWESOME so I think John forgave me! Then incredible service and Sunday School was phenomenal! Well, I notice John gingerly walking...his back is jacked! Great...vacation and a bad back...what a combination.

Well, we get home, finish loading up, and hit the road...only like 20 minutes after our originally planned send-off time...I was pretty impressed!

We drive to Solvang, get checked in, set up, three hours later...we're camping! Whew...we're camping! Such a needed camping trip...it was as if we wanted to cry we were so happy to FINALLY get to go camping again! John's back is pretty bad, but he figured he just needed a break and some rest!

Then Chelsea calls again...she hasn't been feeling well and had planned to go to the doctor on Monday. After several different calls she is now crying because the pain is so intense. We advise her to head straight to the hospital...maybe it's something major! Great, we're like 3 1/2 hours away, what if she has to have surgery??? Good gracious! If there was an emergency surgery she could have it and be out before I even got there...Well, Papa George and Barbara would be there for her...oh, wait, they actually are out of town in San Diego! Richard's there...oh, crap, he's down in San Clemente and can't get back with her. Gram's with Lil...Wes is at work...Chelsea's now getting scared and is crying from fear and pain at the emergency room all by herself. "Call Danielle," John says. What, call the busiest girl in the world. Who knows where she is...she's at home for once in her lifetime...she's at the hospital within like 5 minutes! Whew! Now we feel better. Then like 20 minutes later, Wes is there too...okay, Chelsea feels better now...is it the company of her heros Wes and Danielle? Maybe it's the morphine shot that helps!

While this drama with our little girl is going on Cameron is playing a game with the Detroit Red Wings. It's his first game of the tournament and as a mom I'm concerned about his nerves. So, I'm praying! I've got one kid in the E.R., one on the ice, a hubby with a jacked up back...this is vacation!!!????!!!!

Well, Danielle calls and gives me an update...they think it's either a really bad kidney infection or possibly kidney stones. She said the morphine is helping to edge the pain, although she still is in pain. Chelsea has the highest pain threshold of anybody I've ever known, so for her to be complaining of this much pain...it must be really bad! What a vacation!!!!

So, Chelsea calls, it's just a really bad infection, she's headed to the first Pharmacy, Sunday evening, they're closed. Now they have headed to the second pharmacy! Wes and Danielle drop her off so they can go pick up his truck, which he had left at the hospital to drive her car home. Then she finds out that pharmacy is closed too, so she has to walk across Beach Blvd. to the other pharmacy...drugged out on morphine talking to us on the phone...what a combination! Relief she's okay, but now worried the ding-bat is going to pass out from the morphine. "I feel weird," she says! Great...this is vacation????

Well, in summary: She got her medications and got home and settled, thanks to Danielle and Wes! They took care of our little girl.

Danielle said I can't thank her anymore, but one last time, Thanks so much for being there when we couldn't be!! She said God obviously knew Chelsea was going to need her because for once in her lifetime, she didn't have 100 other things lined up to do!

Wes, thanks for getting there and making sure she ate and staying with her! He stayed until she fell asleep, treating her like a queen!

Okay, so Chelsea's home and settled in and drugged up...Cameron text messages me that he played well. They won! John's settled into "vacation mode." All's well, now can I get into "vacation mode" too? When Mom's kids aren't settled, Mom's not settled, so now that they're both okay...I think I can sit back and get into "vacation mode."

Good Luck Cameron & Kurtis!!

2008-09-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Good Luck Cameron & Kurtis-Cameron heads today to Michigan to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the season-opener rookie tournament. Kurtis heads today to Phoenix to play with the Phoenix Coyotes in a tournament as well. After the tournaments both boys will participate in training camp with the respective teams...all in hopes of making a great impression and getting that pro contract!!! Good luck boys!

It's been quite a week with Cameron getting traded from Edmonton to Prince George. He found out Monday afternoon, called me at like 4:10 as soon as he got in his truck to head home to pack up for the move. By 4:48 the news was posted in the newspaper in Prince George and on the team websites...it's so fast!!!! So Tuesday Cameron drove the 8-hour drive from Edmonton to Prince George to get settled into his new house. Then Wednesday got up for a practice with the new team and a quick flight back to Edmonton to spend the night with his Mucha Family, so he could catch his flight this morning for Michigan!

Crazy, crazy couple of days! He's handling the whole thing so much better and with such a positive attitude than either Lee-Ann or I am!!! It's so funny when our kids are much more mature than we are! I know these kids have to grow up, but isn't always just too fast!!!!

With the move out of the Muchas' home in such an abrupt way, and then all the packing and traveling, and craziness the nervousness as moms has been overshadowed by our emotions. Lee-Ann, Cameron's Canadian mom has been slammed this week with the loss of her "other" son, slammed with work, lest she forget about Kurtis' try-out as well!!!

Well, Boys! Do us moms (mums) proud! Make an impression and seize your spots on the teams!!! Lee-Ann and I need to get together with some good news to see our boys in the "Show." God bless you both and may He give you the peace of knowing that He has the perfect plan for each of you!

She's our Queen!

2008-08-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Annie & Chelsea

Wes & Chelsea

Chelsea & Her favorite Uncle

We spent a weekend in Anaheim for the National American Miss California pageant. Chelsea competed in the Actress competition doing a commercial for Barbie. She also strutted her stuff in an awesome leopard print jacket, skinny jeans, huge hoop earrings and matching bracelets. We thought she was awesome, poised, and beautiful! Unfortunately the judges didn't agree with us, but you know Chelsea, it was a great weekend and she had lots of support! If you ask Chelsea what her favorite part of the weekend was, I'm sure she'd tell you Red Robin...poor kid, had Red Robin, Friday, Saturday & Sunday...don't think she'll be going there for a while!

Chelsea, we're proud of the way you presented yourself and the poise and grace you exude! We love you and are proud to be your fans!!!!

Unnamed Angel

2008-08-22T08:26:00.001-07:00

Well, the artwork has been finished, just in the nick of time before Cameron left for the season. Dr. Quinn spent many hours bringing Cameron's vision to life. The details on this piece are simply amazing! The artwork blended Cameron's brother-sister tattoo together so it appears as though it's all one pice of art.

Even now with the blending it makes more special than before the meaning of the Shou Zo Qing, which means: "This is the love between siblings. When you love, protect, care for, and have a deep bond that only brothers and sisters can." That combined with the scriptural reference for the angel tattoo from Psalms 91, which begins in verse 1 with "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." The scripture then goes on about His faithfulness and protection for His children. In verse 91:11 the promise is: "For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways," which talks about the protection, which is so appropriate for the times that Cameron may feel far away from home and away from his loved ones, it's a reminder that he is under God's protection and in the prayers of his family, especially his No. 1 fan, his sister Chelsea!

Now Cameron is just looking for a name for his angel...any ideas????

Psalms 91:11-Cameron's work in progress

2008-07-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

The tattoo is based on Psalms 91, but with the specific reference to Psalms 91:11 where it says: "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

Cameron had an opportunity for an on-camera interview for the LA Ink show. There was a specific tattoo that he wanted, but after realizing the cost it would be decided he would pass on the opportunity with LA Ink. In steps Uncle Rick with a great suggestion of Dr. Quinn down in Balboa! Richard and Cameron met with Dr. Quinn and there was an immediate bond. They sat down together, discussed what Cameron wanted, and the sketches started...above is the beginning sketch, minus the shading. The shading is where the art will really take a form of its own. You also can see how the new artwork is being blended with the Brother/Sister tattoo Cameron got last year with Chelsea that talks about the bond between a brother and a sister, which means: "When you love, protect, care for, and have a deep bond that only brothers and sisters can."

There is more work to come, but Cameron is currently working on earning the remainder of the money to finish the shading of the tattoo. John and I gave him the initial money to get it started, but it's his responsibility to pay for the rest. Stay tuned for the updates and the pictures as the artwork continues to take shape!

Richard was thankful to have found this new artist for some more work he wants to have done, but was more thankful Cameron was the guinea pig to make sure her work is good enough...it is; don't you agree?

He's back!

2008-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

It's been some time since John has played during a worship service; in fact, it's been since our trip to Missouri when John got to play at Open Door with Dennis, Brad, Roger, Roberta, Rebecca, and Trent.

Last night was John's first rehearsal with one of the worship teams at our new church, and he will be worshipping with them this Sunday during both of the main services. There are sooooooo many musicians and so much talent in this church, but the Lord has allowed John the opportunity to join the group. We don't know how often he will be playing; however, at this point he's just so thankful for the opportunity to just worship together with an amazing group of people who love the Lord and love to worship! Some of the people that will be playing on Sunday were away for various other events within the church, so John will get to meet them Sunday morning. Everybody there last night, though, was so warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was simply sweet last night!

Our Bible Study teacher Wayne was there watching his beautiful new wife Tia rehearse and was so excited to see John up there. He came up to me and was like, "Look at your hubby up there, stepping out and getting involved." Wayne was so supportive and thrilled that John was up there. "He looks so happy up there," is what Wayne continued to comment, and how true that is! John's back where he loves to be, worshipping the Lord! And how thankful we are that he's been given this opportunity!

For our benefit??????

2008-07-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

Well, this is all for our benefit; right? Oy!!!! So John and I met with our endurance coach today, Ken Snowden from EnduranceCoaching.com. Ken was on the 1972 Olympic Cycling Team and currently trains both runners and cyclists. Today was our initial meeting/bike fitting with Ken. The good news is our new Trek Madones are the right size...well, Praise the Lord, I can't even begin to think about shopping for new bikes any longer. The bad news is, our nice, comfy seats had to go!! The only thing I said this week to John was, "I don't care what he changes, as long as I don't have to give up my seat!" Well, that's one of the first changes made!

Basically what Ken does is puts us on our bikes while we "spin" in a bicycle trainer so he can see our positioning on the bike as well as our pedaling stroke, then makes adjustments accordingly, whether it is to higher or lower the seat height, or move it back or up, or in the case of my bike, he changed the angle of the handle bars. The ultimate goal is the most comfortable ride with the most efficiency.

John was up first. Okay, so John's the ringer in this family; right??? Ken watches John's pedaling form and was impressed!!!! Everything was so fluid and smooth, just a bit of a tweak to the height and position of John's seat. Ken then took some measurements and took the bike out of the trainer to watch John on an actual ride. He just kept commenting on how great John looked and how even after all of these years, John has maintained incredible control and precision. That's my man!!!

Then, it was my turn...okay, totally different story!!!!!!!!! So we first had to explain to him about my knee problem with the ligament damage. Dr. Duddey, our chiropractor, who also is a die-hard cyclist has suggested some massage therapy and told me to lose the ligament brace I had been wearing, so my knee is quite swollen and quite sore; that's Problem No. 1 with Shannon! Then I have to explain that on the same side, I've got a jacked up ankle, which doesn't have a socket that rotates and where all the bones have fused into one mass, making a very stiff ankle with no movement; but, hey, at least it's all on my left side! Well, after some tweaking and adjustments to the seat and the handlebars, I'm good to go...or at least get started! Ken was extremely supportive and understanding, and at the end of our 2-hour session as we are leaving, notices that the left foot is extremely flat and said some of the problems I'm having with my knee, among other issues, is directly related to that foot being flat, so Monday I'll be making an appointment for a podiatrist to get some orthotics, and again talk to him about my ankle issue! Of course my form wasn't as nice as John's, but I've got some things to work on and I'm even more encouraged!

So, another shopping trip to the bicycle store, another couple hundred bucks, and new seats, that as you can see don't quite look as comfortable! I mean, seriously, check out the padding difference. I was cracking up when we put the old seats on top of the new seats to truly see the padding difference...okay, Coach! Whatever you say! We'll check 'em out for comfort tomorrow morning before church!

Lesson Learned?

2008-07-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope the lesson has been learned; otherwise, I'll have to hear it more from John!

So we're moving right along on 4th of July and I felt GREAT! We slept much later than we usually do, so we didn't get on the road until almost 9:00 a.m., and it was HOT already! I was experimenting with eating a bit before our long morning rides so a breakfast of oatmeal, almonds, and a banana it was, obviously a bit too much initially because I felt too full for probably the first 5-6 miles, but we were moving along at a speedy little pace and felt INCREDIBLE! As we passed each marker I would remember in my mind how much more difficult that trail used to be, so I had a sense of accomplishment; however, when we got to the 17-1/2-mile point John pulled over to say we were turning around. What???? I felt good, let's keep going!! Being the stubborn woman I am I kept going...BIG MISTAKE!!! Not only did John then reluctantly follow me, he passed me up and pushed me even more to the end of the trail, to the 20-mile point. Boy did I hear it there! By the time we got there, with the extreme head-wind as well as the major congestion with weekender-type riders, it wasn't the same ride as the first 17 1/2 miles! I was wiped out and had hit empty...bad, bad, bad, when I was still 15 miles from home! John was angry that I didn't listen to him and either turn around and have an incredibly successful 28-mile ride, or at least re-fuel a bit with a fruit and nut bar to fill my tank a bit! He read my body language and knew better than I how I was riding at that point, but I was just feeling so great, I thought I'd push through and end a longer ride! I didn't listen my coach/hubby who obviously knows more than I and paid for it the remainder of the weekend! I limped on home, completely exhausted! We still managed to maintain a 12.2 mph average speed for the 34 1/2-mile ride, but only because we were averaging such a high speed on the way down! Not only was I exhausted and competely depleted, my body was sore...still is.

So, what did I learn? #1-Listen to John #2-a shorter ride, ended strong is better than a longer ride, physically depleted #3-Listen to John #4-Listen to your body, not your mind when training #5-Listen to John #6-pushing it for a 34-mile ride messed me up only able to push myself for 10 1/2-mile rides the next two days, instead of riding moderately for the 28-mile rides two of the days and the 10 1/2-mile ride the third day, which would have resulted in less physical fatigue and more time in the saddle!

Three days later, I'm on my way to the chiropractor and masseuse a day earlier than anticipated, and still am sore and exhausted, but I'm right back in the saddle tonight for whatever length John tells me!!!!

The Dimples are coming! The Dimples are coming!

2008-06-28T20:51:00.001-07:00

So...we've just completed our fifth week of riding and are still enjoying it!! It's getting more fun each trip out!! Today we did our longest ride; 35.20 miles!!! I bombed out about 10 miles from home, but got another burst and made it home! Our average speed on this trip was 12.2 miles per hour, which I have to admit, I'm pretty stinkin' proud of, considering the headwinds we hit down toward the beach, and the length of the ride. Tomorrow is Sunday; therefore a rest day, but then we're back at it Monday!

We stopped weighing ourselves after the second week because I got really discouraged that I hadn't dropped a significant amount of weight!! John told me not to get obsessed with the scale, yet I wanted it to show some loss! Of course I understand that muscle weighs more than fat; however, after having been basically sedentary for over a year, I thought for sure I'd have a significant loss; oh, well...didn't happen! So basically, we've decided to weigh like once a month or so...whatever; right? It's not necessarily all about the weight-loss, but about the health issues and the goal of the 5,000-foot, 104-mile ride in March!

I do have to say, though, I look at myself in the mirror these days and notice several things. One, I can't believe how heavy I am when I feel soooooo good! I feel like a much smaller woman than I truly am because I'm working out so hard and just feel so much healthier...I'm sure my body will get there in time, but I'm glad my brain is recognizing how great I feel! Two, I notice my legs looking much more tone and the cellulite on the thighs is getting less noticeable! Three, I have the funniest tan line on my hands from where I am wearing my gloves...my hands are 5 shades lighter than my arms! Four, my dimples are coming back!! Wow...used to hate them, now I'm loving to see that they're coming back again!!! Nope, it's not necessarily about the weight loss...I've got noticeable changes and I'm lovin' it!

Well, that's our update...5 weeks of riding, 357.37 miles ridden! Tomorrow we rest! Thanks for your continued prayers and support! I love how loved we both are and how encouraging each of you have been! Thanks!

Solvang Century-2009!

2008-06-17T07:21:00.001-07:00

Solvang Century-2009-104 miles!!!
Well, John threw down a challenge to me a few weeks back...after our physical fiasco with Grandma's Great Adventure! John explained that we had 10 months to go from couch sloths to bicyclists and complete the grueling 104-mile Solvang Century that takes a beautiful ride through the beautiful mountains and beaches of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and the beautiful wine country area outside of Solvang. The key to that last sentence is "mountains." We've driven around the area on our scooters and there are some wicked steep hills, but, with my new bike, which I've named "Holly," I can do it! Why "Holly," you may be asking...for several reasons; namely, the salesgirl, who was AWESOME was named Holley. Also, I figured "Holly" is gonna' "haul" my buns for this encounter. But most importantly, because when I finish that 104-mile ride, if I have the strength, I'll be praising God for helping me through it, with a "Hallelujah!"

Now keep in mind, John is the ex-bicyclist that held the record in California for a bit for the 500-mile qualifying race for the Race Across America. John used to do the 100-mile century rides just as warm-ups, some of the times he even did them twice in the day, what the heck; right?? A Double Century?????? Yikes!

I truly feel as though God has been preparing both of us to do this in so many ways. It's as if, seriously, once a week for the past year somebody that has either rode with John in the past, or has just picked up riding, or was thinking about doing some major riding, you name it, God has had them cross our path...all the time, I'm panicking! But I could see it in John's eyes...he just has to get back on that bike! Everything has pointed us to extra time and the necessity to get in shape! Even changing churches, has allowed us the extra time to put into the training. With the new church only a few miles from the house, there's an extra 45 minutes each way to church! That travel time adds up!

Well, that's what's new for the Turners! Please keep us in your prayers that our rides would be productive and safe! We're currently riding between 18-25 miles during the week 3 or 4 times, with longer rides on either Saturday or Sunday...we've got to push those weekend rides up to 125 miles or so, integrating hill work into the workout. Our Wednesday rides are 10 miles because we want to keep them short to assure our timely attendance at Bible study, so Wednesdays will be our power days where we push it physically. Last week it took us 53 minutes to do the 10 miles, obviously we've got to really cut that time down!!!

Funniest thing, though, when talking with our buddy Darrin. He was saying what a great cardiovascular workout we're getting, without the pounding...well, that's true in a sense; however, as evidenced by the picture below, there is some pounding the pavement involved too...those darn shoes clips...I'm getting better, but sometimes I just can't get out of the clips, or into the clips as smoothly as I need to! So, there have been four "poundings" onto the ground so far...but, that too will get better! If you look closely you'll see bruises from the first fall, scraping on the left of the knee from the second fall, and then the larger scrape and road rash from Fall No. 3! Fall No. 4 was into the grass, so that just got grass in my hair and twinges to my ego! But, hey, swelling and pain go away; right!

STAY TUNED...I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED!

Miss Money Bags!

2008-05-19T11:58:00.001-07:00

Little Miss Money Bags! Chelsea has a project for one of her college finals this week. She wrote a paper on Shopping Addictions and now has to do an oral presentation of her findings on the subject. As part of her presentation she is going to give each of the students in her class "Chelsea Money" to spend as they might! Of course, when she told me her idea I was thinking she'd use a dollar bill...nope, not my baby! She thinks B-I-G! Only a hundred dollar bill would do her justice! ;)

Grandma's Great Adventure

2008-05-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

My uncle had this great idea to take Grandma on a bike ride through the Back Bay of Balboa to see the route he takes when he goes on his bike rides. He had previously taken her on a drive in his truck through this area to see his "flowers" that she had to clarify to him were simply "weeds." Well, as if that would ever happen...well, it did! So off we go to rent the bike with Cameron at the helm! Grandma with her oxygen tank and not a hair out of place loaded up, and let the games begin! We even took the bike on the ferry across the Newport Bay!

You can see, there were times we actually had to get out of the bike and push it up the hills...okay, I have to admit, I wasn't helping push it up the hill! It was enough trying to get my incredibly out-of-shape body up the hills, just walking and pushing Richard's bike, since he had to use his muscles to push, all the while the Queen Bee of our family sat on her moving throne.

I have to say, Richard, you had a great idea!! What an incredible family bonding time we had. We laughed our heads off the entire two hours, at least when I was able to breathe I was laughing! So, hats off to Richard for an innovative way to get our family together for a memory that will last a lifetime!!

Thanks to John for always falling back to encourage me when I was huffing and puffing! Thanks to Cameron and his incredible driving skills! There were times I swear he had a hair's width clearance. Thanks to Chelsea for taking over the bike riding and switching with me so I could ride her bike, even at the sacrificing of her cute new shoes while she put her feet down "Fred Flinstone style" trying to slow the bike down. Thanks to Danielle for helping to document the trip too, can't wait to see her pics. Thanks to Matt for offering to revive me with his CPR skills if I were to die of a heart attack! And thanks to Richard for planning the whole event, even handling all the stresses of getting our mottley family together all at the same time and place!!! Oh, yeah, we must thank Grandma, of course, for just giving in to Richard's nagging and going along for the ride! Four generations of laughter and memories!

Day 4-Eureka Springs, Arkansas

2008-05-08T22:14:00.001-07:00

Day 4 took us from Branson, Missouri, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in the Ozark Mountains. We saw the most incredible Passion Play at this outdoor theatre nestled in the woods. There were live donkeys, sheep, horses, camels, and the Passion Play ended with Jesus ascending up into the heavens and disappeared into the trees. It was breath-taking! I sat and sobbed at the portrayal of Christ's crucifixon for the sake of me! The role of the slithering demons reminded me how satan is constantly seeking to destroy us; however, because of Christ's sacrifice, we too will join Him in Heaven some day soon. Also the Christ of the Ozark statue was an incredible sight!

Day 3-Branson, Missouri

2008-05-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Lambert's restaurant-home of the famous "Throwing Hot Rolls." I just about had a heart attack with excitement after seeing this restaurant on the food channel and actually being there in person! As if that wasn't enough...off to the Roy Rogers Dale Evans Museum. I was a freak fan growing up and visiting the museum when it was in Victorville...oh, my goodness...there was the Trigger statue that I saw every chance I got when I was a kid!!!

That night we went to the Pierce Arrow show. We couldn't believe how great the show was! We didn't know it, but the whole group were Christians and openly talked about the blessings of the Lord! There was a commedian that had us rolling in our seats. Good, clean humor! The patriotism was incredible! At one point they had all of the veterans stand for applause...it was such a touching tribute!

Day 2-Pleasant Hill, MO

2008-05-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

Day Two of our vacation afforded us the opportunity to attend Pastor Dennis Gulley's church in Pleasant Hill, MO, Open Door Gospel Church. Pastor Roger Nichols came to town to preach along with his wife Roberta, daughter Rebecca, son-in-law Trent, and precious grandbaby Celia, aka "Sugar." What an incredible opportunity to fellowship with the Open Door people and a great blessing for John to get to play with the Nichols Family!

Day 1-Kansas City, Missouri

2008-05-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

What a vacation!!! These are a few pictures of our arrival into the great MO! The architecture is simply breath-taking in the downtown area of Kansas City, Missouri! Dennis & Denise took us to their favorite barbecue restaurant. Dennis hasn't been lying to us this past decade when he repeatedly told us how much the barbecue in his neck of the woods! Seriously, John & I had the best meal we've ever eaten upon arrival to the city! Burnt Ends (never heard of them) cheesy potatoes, and baked beans that were actually better than my grandma's! Stuart Hall is the company that should ring a bell as the company that manufactured our lined paper when we grew up in school. The other pictures are of the train station, yes the train station...the ceilings were simply amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Edmonton to Home Depot in Southern California

2008-05-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Pictured at the right, Dustin Penner, a 25-year-old player from the Edmonton Oilers.

Pictured at the right, Cameron Cepek, doing what he does best, fighting in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

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They'd seen each other around the rink in Edmonton, seen each other around town when they were out on the town in Edmonton, but at Home Depot in Sunny Southern California!!!??? So, Cameron's at work today and sees Dustin Penner walk in. Of course, being the shy guy he is, he decided to take his chance to say, "Hey." So, Penner was wondering what the heck Cameron was doing down here in Cali of all places, and Cameron explained that he's from here. Of course they got a chuckle about that, as does anybody who is into hockey when it comes to talking about the boys from California trying to make it in the "Show." So they talked about Cameron's career so far in the Western Hockey League and his plans for the future. I'm sure it was just a bit of an inspiration that Cameron can push himself and make it in this hockey career of his and actually afford to live in HB on his own in his off seasons instead of living at Grandma's house!

Poor Kids have to work!

2008-04-30T08:41:00.001-07:00

So my poor kids, I feel so sorry for them!!! I got the wimpering phone call from Chelsea yesterday saying, "Kim gives Paige gas money even though Paige works...why don't you give me money, Mommy?" As if going into her kindergarten voice is going to make me feel sorry for her! I had to just admit that Keith and Kim are better parents than I am! I just had to admit it! She's got her three jobs, she's got excess cash, I don't feel guilty one bit!

Then my poor little boy has to slave away at his new summer job at Home Depot! It sucks to be him since his mommy isn't rich and isn't like his friends' parents that don't make their kids get summer jobs. Shouldn't every 20-year-old get to have the entire summer to work on his tan, work on his surfing, and practice his frisbee-throwing in his quest to become a professional frisbee golf, "frolf" player to take up his summers from hockey! Heck, I've already given up my cute little "Joy Bug" so he doesn't have to drive around in his gas guzzling "Beast" of a truck! I should be paying for all the gas too??

Oh, my poor kids! :) I guess the article below kinda' sums it up a bit too...here's an article in a Canadian paper about Cameron's summer job.

http://www.albertahockey.com/story.aspx?c=13&id=1136

Proud to be an American

2008-04-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

I am so proud to be an American today. I just watched the beautiful reception for the Pope that took place on the White House lawn. I wasn't really going to watch it, but was just in awe as I did. The majesty of the trumpeters scattered around the alcoves of the White House was breathtaking. There was a harpest and opera singer that sang The Lord's Prayer that gave me goosebumps. Then President Bush addressed the crowd followed by the Pope's address. Followed up with the Marines singing Glory, Glory Hallelujuah. There's just something about the strength of an all-men chorus. There was a band of flutes and drums that performed that at first I thought was a bit corney, but as they continued on and marched through the area, I was just amazed. Today was a new sense of honor to be an American for me!! With all the problems in our country at this time with the election drama, the gas prices, the home foreclosures, the economy, the war, one begins to forget what a blessing it is to be born in the U.S.A.!!! I am so proud to be an American today and am so thankful to have had this little reminder today!!! Thank you, God, that you chose me to be born in the United States and be an American citizen!

Family Time

2008-04-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

We don't get it often, but today was "Family Time" with the cousins! Getting them to pose for a picture was like pulling teeth. Brenton, Cameron, Chelsea, Ally & Chad cookin' in the 95-degree weather at the outlet mall!

Our Stylish Girls!

2008-04-13T18:07:00.001-07:00

Chelsea and Ally at the outlet malls near Lake Elsinore. Chelsea is modeling her beautiful noodle necklace Ally made in church today. Ally wanted to make it for Chelsea because according to Ally, "Chelsea has style."

Cameron is Edmonton's Poster Boy

2008-04-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Cameron's Canadian Mom Lee-Ann sent us the link below showing Cameron as the poster boy for the Oil Kings in the Alberta Hockey paper. The link below is where you can go to check out the article! Be praying for Cameron as he is working really hard right now to recouperate from the season and get ready for the next. We are praying and anxiously awaiting his contract from the Montreal Canadiens. Stay tuned...

http://www.albertahockey.com/story.aspx?c=13&id=1046

"Ruff Rocker"

2008-04-10T12:39:00.001-07:00

Like father, like son! Zacchaeus is Rockin' for Jesus! He's got his new "Ruff Rocker" t-shirt to prove it!

Poor little guy woke up this morning shivering because his hair is gone. We had to go shopping to get a t-shirt to keep him warm. Plus, we're going camping this weekend, and John said he'd be embarrassed to take Zach for his walks looking like a poodle!

Okay, so his hair cut is covered now and he's got a tough new black leash and collar and his new t-shirt! Dad should be okay for his walks now!

I guess we just need to find some little jeans for Zach and he'll be set to go!

Hair Trauma

2008-04-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well, he seems okay now, but boy did we have a day today. So Terry, our normal dog groomer, has retired after nearly 30 years doing John's dogs. The people who took over his shop couldn't handle our precious little guy...imagine that! So I start making phone calls and find a lady that "sounded" nice over the phone that agreed to give it a try with all of her experienced staff. Oh, you ladies know what it's like to find a new hair dresser!!! It was so tramautic for me...then to hear that because of his hair being matted, it would be better for him to give him the standard "Lion Cut." Well, his beautiful blonde locks...shaved into a lion's mane! The lady at the dog parlour assures me it will grow back...but in the meantime, well...Chelsea hates it! Our little Zachaeus, the lion! Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

I Saw Monk Today!

2008-04-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we're at the airport to pick up my mom today. You know me, I love to people watch, especially at the airport! So at the baggage claim area I look over and see Monk! It was like the weirdest feeling because I felt like, "Hmmmm, I wonder what kind of a case he's on here in L.A." It was the weirdest feeling. I had to like, remind myself he's a character, not reality.

I told Cameron, "Hey, there's Monk." Cameron was thinkin' Mom was out of her mind! "No, it's not," says Cameron. "Trust me, Cameron, I watch Monk every afternoon. That is Monk." Sure enough, it was Tony Shaloub! I guess he was on my mom's flight from Chicago. We made eye contact and I must have scared him because then he moved to the other side of the carrousel. I tried to get Cameron to take a picture of him with his camera phone, but he wouldn't! I was like, "Come on, Cameron, I need a picture for my blog." :) Oh, well!

Together again!

2008-03-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

My babies are together again! Okay, so Cameron needs to shave that junk off his face...what's the deal with that? Overprotective brother took no time giving Chelsea big-brotherly advice and threats to keep the boys away! Yea, Cameron's home to protect his little sister!

"Seeds don't work so hard."

2008-03-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Wow! We have had one of the most incredible, life-changing weekends of our lives! John and I were able to attend a service last night, thanks to Micah, where Kevin Prosch lead worship and Heidi Baker spoke. Wow! The incredible worship just was beyond this world! It reached a whole other dimension and was just such a healing opportunity for me personally. Then came time for the message. There are things the ordinary Christian wouldn't understand, but God allowed John and I to be there and experience something we've missed for a long time! Heidi spoke on Ezekial 47 and the River of God and the Healing Waters and gave such a visual message on jumping into the River and letting go instead of "slogging" around stirring up the muck and mire. She explained how when we're in the water and we just let go and relax that we can float and we'll be weightless. She explained that stepping into His kingdom is just as easy if you're totally emersed. You can't float in water that is ankle deep. You can't float in water that is knee deep. You have to be fully emersed in the water!

It seems like such an easy thing to do, yet we in our normal lives just don't do it. We hold onto weights and busy ourselves in things that weigh us down, instead of just letting the Lord handle it for us. Heidi asked the question, "Do you want to be somebody or become like Him?" Wow! Smack me upside the head! How simple it is...how complex we make it!

Fruit will come because the seeds are planted on the banks of the river. Only the water can nourish the plants, the "seeds don't work so hard." The seeds don't need to get the water, it will come through the rains and the river. The seeds will flourish and be fruitful and have an abundance. We need to fix our eyes on the prize and don't work so hard.

Wow!

He's Home!

2008-03-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

Lights down the street...here he comes!

Hugs from John...he's home!

Even Zach gets in on the act of

welcoming Cameron home!

Yipeeee! Tired from the drive, but he's home! What's on the agenda? Harbor House with Richard and Chelsea! Gotta' stock up on all the food he's missed since he's been gone! He looks so skinny! ;(

Cameron's Coming Home!

2008-03-29T09:31:00.001-07:00

Pictured here with his buddy and teammate from Sweden "Figgy" at Christmas time! Hamming it up as always!!!! Dorks!

So, Cameron's trek home started a week ago today...after a long, hard hockey season in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings, he headed back to the USA! His Canadian family, Wes, Lee-Ann, and Katie Mucha, woke up to see him off at 5:00 a.m., as he headed to back to California via his dad's home in Seattle, Washington. Truck packed and warmed up, he headed west...well, then he realized he left his hockey bag back in the Muchas' car...turn around, back to the Muchas' house! Then it was on the road again.

It was the perfect sunny day for him to head through the Canadian Rockies. Along the way he ran over a squirrel. Obviously getting ran over by a Ford F250 4X4 is gonna' do some damage to the carcas! Then a crazy duck decided to dive bomb him! Okay, that wasn't a pretty sight. He said he had to pull over to let get the body out of his tires because it was like, "thump, thump, thump." Okay, back on the road...then he had to swerve to avoid the dead fox in the road. He missed the moose on the side of the road and no bear sightings like we had on the trip up there! Oh, Cameron, you ain't in California anymore!

He arrived safely in Seattle to his dad's open arms! Of course, he was hoping his dad's open wallet since it cost him over 400 bucks in gas to get that far. He spent a few days in Seattle, headed for a few days down to Portland to visit Kurtis Mucha and the ladies he lived with when he lived in Portland. Saw Meghan and her family...now he's headed back to Cali!!!! I can't wait to have him home again! He left at 5:00 a.m., and I can't wait to hear about the adventure tonight! My baby boy's coming home!

Thanks, Yvonne!

2008-03-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

So I was looking for a unique present for my hubby this Valentine's Day. How do you get the man that is the PERFECT gift-giver a gift that will knock his socks off? Give him what is his already! Thanks to Yvonne at ybscrapbooking.com she made my vision come true. Who'd a thunk it would take over 3 1/2 hours to pose the guitars! It was a lot of work, but really fun too...I try to not let myself spend too much time "playing" during the day since I'm trying to get work done from home, but this day it just happened and now I'm hooked! If you check out Yvonne's site below you can actually see the article that she wrote explaining the process of bringing my vision to life! I let her down by not getting it framed in time, but it's still awesome to look at on the coffee table while I wait to have it framed!

P.S., He thought I rocked!

http://www.ssreflections.com/yvonne.html

Walking Through the Valley

2008-03-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours last night sent us a reminder to listen to the song by Third Day, Called Mountain of God. It truly is a song with an appropriate meaning to us at this time as we are walking through a valley of growth right now. I had to remind John last night that the Lord has given us sooooo much joy in our life as a reminder of how our life truly is, even when we're walking through a valley. The line in the song that stands out is "You are there for me." He never does leave us and He's right there holding our hands, drying our tears, and giving us His hug, as well as that little "push." We've come to learn that He has set us apart to be somewhat of "Firestarters," which we have always believed were ways to start the fire of His Spirit in our church, our family, and our friends. Well, right now the "Firestarters" got a bit burned by the fire we were trying to start. As painful as it is right now, we are able to see clearly there is a bigger picture, and growth will come from this situation. I, personally, am ready to see the growth and move on to the next little fire; however, we know He has the perfect timing for His Will to be accomplished.

Lord, you know the situation, you know our hearts' desires, you know our weaknesses. Thank you that your Hand is on the situation and good will come of this. Thank you that you think enough of us to handle the responsibilities you've placed before. Thank you for loving us!