It was nice while it lasted...

Here was our day back in early October to enjoy the leaves. We left for Ohio shortly after this and when we got home, the wind had taken care of anything that was left.

Shiny, Happy People

This is my post dedicated to happiness.

I realize there should be joy dwelling in all those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. But I think sometimes we downplay happiness because we think it's shallow or just a passing phase based on our circumstances.

But when was the last time you really encountered a happy person? A happy Christian?

I say happiness is getting a bad rap. Happy is not so bad. Not a fake, "Well, praise the Lord and hallelujah, I just had my bunions removed, but God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!" type of happy, but a balanced, real person who is pouring life into you.

I was sitting in a church choir rehearsal a few weeks ago and I looked across at the other choir members for a moment. My eyes immediately settled on a middle-aged woman who looked so incredibly sad and defeated. I wanted desperately to see her smile, to see her enjoy singing and experience the way it can breathe fresh life into a soul. Now, I have no idea what she was going through or the circumstance that occurred before she walked into rehearsal that night. I realize it's pretty easy to be happy when life is all cotton candy and popcorn. And there are times when it is down-right inappropriate to be happy.

But, isn't it time to start acting and looking like we are the children of a very good King? Can't we claim happiness for once instead of complaining about politics, church situations, and anything else we can come up with?

I like happy people. Happy people don't take themselves so seriously. They know when to let go and let it ride. They have a way of making people breathe easier. I want to be a happy person. Mostly to my husband and children, because I think I am the least happy around them, to be honest. But that's another post...

Happy Blogger

I don't have a lot of time to post today, but I wanted to show my "artsy" pictures from Ohio - I love how you can see the dust as Dad harvests the field next the house. I took about a gazillion pictures that week and I won't bore you with all of them. I'm just happy our computer is well again.

I miss my computer

I am here at my local library because my internet connection has issues. We put a huge protection package on there, and now it's like dial-up. Any helpful hints? We cleaned up our hard drive and all that good stuff, but it hasn't helped.

It's no fun playing on this computer with an angry toddler in the stroller beside me. I type as fast as possible and then hand him a fruit snack to quiet him. He wants DOWN. Now. Sorry, pal.

I have some really cool pictures from our time in Ohio a couple of weeks ago, so some night when I have about 3 hours to kill I'll post those.

Thanks for your patience!

IWU Homecoming

Indiana Wesleyan University isn't exactly how I remember it, but that's a good thing.

Aaron and I drove into campus and parked in front of just one of the many new dorms that have been built over the last 10 years. Bowman Hall, where I first stayed as a freshman,looks like an outhouse compared to the new dorms and other buildings!

The first people we recognized were actually our former pastors from Kalamazoo, Danny and Tanna. That was a wonderful surprise and we loved catching up with them. Two girls from the womens' quartet I sang with were there, too, and I was thankful to see them again. I really wish one of these years we could get a good majority of chorale/ministry team former members to head down to IWU -- it's so fun to see everyone!

Aaron and I really loved the new library and all the incredible features of the student center. Our favorite, though, would have to be the chapel built through the vision of Dr. Wilbur and Ardelia Williams. We loved how in the midst of all this "newness" there lies at the heart of the campus this simple, but majestic structure that appears to have been there for years.

When we opened the heavy wooden doors, the sanctuary was empty and with only a handful of small pews and then a large sculpture on the platform at the front. It was a rendering of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. His entire body is literally thrown across a massive rock where he is praying in anguish. From the back of the sanctuary, you can only see his hair falling over his face, but when you approach the front, you can walk to the side and gaze on his pleading, pained face.

One part of me desperately wanted to take a photograph, but the other side of me simply could not take a picture in this holy, sacred place. I can't remember the last time I was so moved by an artist's work. It was truly anointed.

I also loved how very simple the chapel was. It's sparse in a way that frees you, makes you feel transparent and at peace. Nothing is placed there by accident. I wanted to go get my journal, my bible, and stay for a few hours.

We actually got to talk with Professor Williams and Ardelia later that day, and I had to work hard not to cry when I told them how much I loved the chapel. Ardelia smiled and said, "It really accomplishes what we hoped it would; it's a very sacred place." I'm so thankful for their lives and how they have completely poured out everything they've been given from God.

More photographs from that beautiful Saturday at IWU...

Carmin Hall where Aaron and I met (thank you, Kevin Smith, wherever you are...)

The Jackson Library

Road Trip

We are headed "down south" this weekend to my parents' in Ohio and then we'll be at Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday to celebrate our 10 yr. (whoa) reunion and catch up with friends.

I'm sure I won't recognize the sprawling metropolis the campus has turned into, but....it will be fun to remember our beginnings there as college sweethearts. I wonder if our first ghetto apartment will still be there or if it's knocked down by now! Livin' on love, baby!

Hope to see you there!

You Have to See This!

To the right is a link to my brother-in-law's website, Nick Reid for Congress. His new TV commercial is up and running and you can watch it right on his website now! It's so cool! There are only a few weeks left, so please help us in praying for them and this incredible opportunity. Please pray for his first debate this Friday, too!

Also, I have a link to a website called "African Daylight." I remember when Rachel was just a little girl in Superior, Wisconsin, but now she and her husband are missionaries in South Africa. The photographs on this website will take your breath away. Her older brother, Micah, is one of Nick's best friends. I love the quotes on their website, too. Enjoy!

And here is a picture of all of us outside our house last week. My sister-in-law took a bunch of pictures, but we may have to try again. It was such a windy day and Jonathan was not a happy camper most of the time. Challenging!