A word from your local nurse

Don't mean to preach here, people, but I love you, so deal with it (hehe).

We all could use a little encouragement in the healthy eating department, so here's my soapbox for the day:

Blueberries are in season - you can buy a carton for two bucks in most stores.

As a reigning superfood packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants, these are berries of life!

So grab a handful a day, and enjoy.

'Tis the season.

ejk

A peek into our travels home

Our Fish named Belle - she LOVED mamaw's pool.

Aron Paul out for a night swim. Beautiful Grace & Little Belle
Precious Samuel (Ben & Danielle's son)

Isabelle imitating papaw
Mommy & her favorite girl!

He is your praise.

"20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes." Deut. 10:20-21

This verse blew me away. You know what was great about the Israelites? God loved them and chose them to be his. That's about it. Notice I didn't mention anything they did? For so long I've wanted recognition for my various abilities--music, guitar, songwriting, sports, etc. Through Christ, God chose everybody to be his, and that includes me, and not because of any of my great abilities.

This verse puts things in perspective. When I'm loving God with all that I am, all else fades away. Soon I don't care if I'm recognized for my abilities. My wants become his wants. My will becomes his will. To live is Christ, to die is gain, and people start noticing.

Soon, when people think of me they think of God. When I play guitar people think about God. When I help someone push their broke-down car off the road they think of God. When I write a song people think about God. When I clean my house to serve my wife people think about God. As I try to bring praise to God in everything I do God becomes my praise.

I'm waiting for the day when I do something and someone looks at me and says "you truly are a child of God." What greater praise could be given? This type of praise is not given for any of my great abilities (i.e. face-melting guitar solo [note: I doubt anyone ever told Steve Vai 'you truly are a child of God' after one of his concerts]). No, this type of praise is usually given after a menial service or favor administered with much love. No wonder Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but took on the nature of a servant.

Followers of Christ: He is your praise.
APK

Priceless "GIVE" video

The GIVE video from this past Sunday is now on youtube. Not bad for our first self-produced video (props to Marti Mattia). I have to say it was a hit, and that guy on the telephone is a natural when it comes to acting (extremely good-looking, too!).
APK

never sleep on your good ear...or so I hear

Worship on Sunday should be interesting - that is unless Aron gets his hearing back. My poor husband is temporarily deaf in his left ear (a bad case of swimmers ear from vacationing poolside).

He's complained all week that he can't hear out of his left ear. I thought he was exaggerating. So last night I decided to test it out. (this was really evil, but so funny). I got right up in his left ear and whispered quite brash, outlandish statements that would have made me blush had Aron actually heard them. I knew if he could hear them, he'd burst out laughing...or scold me. But instead he just sat there....staring. He had no clue!

To top it off, Aron slept on his good ear last night, so the alarm clock (which sounds more like a seriously loud, annoying FOG HORN on the front of a cruise liner right in the middle of our bedroom) screeched for 45 minutes before he awoke. And I quote, "When I woke up I heard this quiet pulsing noise...then I lifted my head off the pillow and realized it was the alarm. I slept on my good ear so I couldn't hear the alarm clock, and I woke up 15 minutes after I was supposed to leave. Ahhh, I was so mad. (pause) Man, how do deaf people wake up in the morning?"



I don't know babe, I don't know, but you sure are cute to watch trying to figure that out!

ejk

Easter Drama on YouTube

The drama we did at church this past Easter is now on youtube (thanks to Marti Mattia). You can check it out by going to http://www.youtube.com/ and searching "Macomb Christian Church" or just click here. The drama starts about 30 seconds into the video. It's worth the 5 minutes if you've got time.

As you can see, we made good use of the 'ole "baptistery window". Denise Timm, Erica, and I wrote this drama and I wrote the song we're playing in the video called "For the Sake of Love." Becky Rumbuc and Denise helped direct and choreograph the wonderful cast which included:
Jonce T(really complicated last name) as "Jesus"
James More as "Adam"
Emily Young as "Eve"
Erica Kirk as "the Temptress"
Larry Dodge as "the Tempter"
Andy Young on lights
MCC worship band playing "For the Sake of Love"

This Sunday we're playing our first video produced "in-house". It's a spoof on the Mastercard "Priceless" commercials. We'll post it on youtube soon.
APK

a real dose of truth

I sit here this afternoon checking the news - Yahoo, Fox, Associated Press. I sit and stare, overwhelmed at the massive assault on truth by the "prince of this earth" to deceive and ensnare us all.

Deception about the origin of all that we know, lies about how we are supposed to act, utter lies about what will bring us life. Lies about what it looks like to be a man or woman, deception that is even rotting the foundation of our economy, our government at large, and family life. Check it out for yourself...here or here.

Why? Why does Satan even care? From my limited understanding, it seems that his one aim is to destroy God...because he cannot be God. He tried once, failed, and is now very very bitter. Yet Satan cannot destroy the One who created Him; but alas...there is a weak spot...an Achilles heel, if you will:

The heart of God.

Because God loves so passionately, so fiercely, so consumingly the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, we have become both Satan's target and his weapon - or so it seems to me.

If he can distract and deceive us, cause us to distrust our one True Love, not only is he causing pain to the object of God's affection - he is using us as the dagger of pain & betrayal straight to the heart of God. Its a brilliant plan really, and it has worked for centuries.

Yet God pursues. Pursues to the point that - because of his unyielding love - He gave His life for we who are worse than whores. And it doesn't stop there. God takes our whore-bag filth (and that is putting it kindly) and offers to restore us to a beautiful, whole, white bride...by His side, called by His name, and free of the shame of our past.

Now that is the truth. And that, my friends, should set us free and change the way we live.
ejk

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. --Henry David Thoreau

Day 29

40 days of Focus update:
I've been slacking a bit on my committments. The fasting and prayer have been consistent, but the whole eating healthy/exercising has been tough. I also learned it's hard to be disciplined when you're on vacation. We had a week vacation a few weeks ago and that's when I started going downhill. I'm getting back in the saddle, though, and I'm looking forward to finishing strong.
APK

a quick photo hodge podge

This is what I find when Belle awakes from her naps (and yes, she is fully dressed when she goes down).
July 5th - Fireworks on Rankin Hill Josh, Owen, & Belle awaiting their ice cream.
No matter how far you travel or how long you are gone...Some things never change.
ejk

whirlwind

Our whirlwind ride through July is nearly complete; after unpacking tommorrow yet another time this month, we will settle into a somewhat normal schedule - for at least another month or so. Its been crazy...but we wouldn't have had it any other way!

Saturday Nite Revolution fair-style went so good...hopefully we'll have a video up for you soon. I have to tell on my husband for a moment, though. So we're on our way to the fair and Aron looks over at me as serious as he can be and says, "Hun, I have to be honest...I'm diggin the mini-van. I mean, its the epitome of luxury (pause...silence) I mean, look at all these cup-holders!"

I don't know if that translates as funny as it was to me at that moment, but to see my rockin 24 year old husband coveting the mini-van ride...yeah, I never saw that one coming. But he was right...lots of cup holders, and I believe we used every one!

Hope you all have had a great week. Can't wait to catch up!

ejk

Saturday Night Revolution @ the Adams County Fair

We're heading down to Ohio tomorrow afternoon. I'm speaking/playing music at the Adams County Fair on Saturday night. The music group "Tri-Blessed" is kickin' the shin-dig off and then I'm going to speak on The Dirty Rag Revolution. If you don't know what that is, come on out and see. It's just pretty much the greatest thing ever. Then I'm going to play a few a few songs with my ole' band-mates Clint Berry and Tyler Truesdell. We're getting started at about 8pm. There's going to be iPod give-away's and all kinds of craziness. The place to be in Adams County on a Saturday night, or so I hear.

APK

L-O-V-E

God has been so good to us. So good. Beyond words. The way He pursues, the way he grasps us in His hand. The beauty He creates. Wow.

I am so thankful for the way He chooses to love us - not only in sunsets and laughter and lattes and intimate moments in His presence...but also through His children. For example, after posting that my camera broke & asking for advice of which kind to buy, Bernadette Caullie sent an email and offered us one of her extra cameras (a very nice one, I might add). Bernie didn't have to do that, but she knew we are trying to be very diligent with our money so that we can pay off all of our student loans. So she offered what she had. We were floored!

And then later in the week we posted our need for a bigger vehicle to travel home this weekend now that two bubbly tires would have to accompany us on our trip, and within 24 hrs Becky Jo & Bernie enter the scene to save the day. Both offered to allow us to use their vehicle! I mean, that kind of generosity is unheard outside the body of Christ.

Once again, we are not worthy of the love shown us...the love God pours out on us moment by moment, the love of our family lavishes so freely, the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ so generously offered. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Goodnight all.
ejk

This is a long shot...

...and it would require a bit of trust... but I'll throw it out there anyway!

So here's the scoop. On our trip home from Ohio, we discovered that 2 of the Tiburon's high performance tires (we which we purchased last summer at quite a high price)...had huge bubbles sticking out of the side. Thank the Lord they didn't blow while driving 75 miles/hr up I-75. Aron got the tires replaced today...We have the warranty & reciept, but the only way to cash in our warranty & get our money back is to return them where we bought them in Ohio.

We're going home this weekend because Aron is speaking/playing music at a youth event, but there's no way we can pack two tires, Aron's guitar/amp/musical equipment...and the baby plus luggage into our sweet little two-door tib (or the Civic for that matter).

So if any of our MI friends have a larger vehicle that they won't need from Thurs July 17 - Mon 21...we would be most appreciative. The payoff, you ask? Well, I offer you our eternal gratitude, plus a weekend with a pretty sweet sports car (as long as you can drive a stick).

Otherwise Belle & I will be holding tires on the way home (250.00 is worth it to us since aron & I are both tight & going home anyway!!)

So there's my long shot...

lots of love friends

ejk

short & sweet

So much to sum up...so little time!

We had an amazing vacation at home the past week. Aron commented last night how refreshed and loved he felt...and I would second that!

We layed poolside & relaxed, spent time with old friends and precious loved ones, and enjoyed the beauty & serenity of "the shire".

My camera broke on our trip, so I can't share any photos until I upload them onto a cd at walmart. I'm in the market for a new one...any suggestions?

And just a heads up: Aron will be speaking/playing a few of his songs at The Revolution Saturday night of the Adams County Fair...more details to come!

I work the next two days, but Aron's off, so...more to come!
ejk

We're back...

Hey everyone! We're back to our cozy abode, and we'll be sure to post soon! lots of love
ejk

and away we go

Well, we're headed south today for a week of va-ca-ti-on & time with family & friends in the homeland. We will most certainly miss you...

but don't be too sad, cause we'll probably post a few blogs while we're gone!

The 4th of July is a pretty big deal to our family.

We are most looking foward to fireworks on Rankin Hill Saturday night. A whole bunch of family (& now friends are coming too) gathers on beautiful Rankin Hill overlooking the Ohio River for a magical evening. Different family members make homemade ice cream (banana, pinapple, vanilla, cookie-dough, blackberry, mango...you name it!) & we watch the sun dip into the river & the fireflies dance with the children.

Aron & I are both very, very sentimental...so this tradition has become very dear to us. Last year, Aron told me, "I think fireworks on the hill...the magic of the whole evening...is what heaven must be like." Here's a few photos from the years:

erica & rae (aron's 1st cousin)

brian, jackie, aron, jean, & dp

alyssa & brian (aron's sis)
erica & sage (she's so little here!)

And of course, being the saps that we are, we decided that the only place to celebrate our marriage was this wonderful spot that had become so special to us. So we also had our wedding reception on this very grass.

Needless to say, we are a little excited about this weekend...now maybe you'll understand a little better why. We love you all very much!

ejk

PS...for our non-ohio friends:

The Rankin House was owned by John Rankin, a minister & abolishonist, who opened his home as the first stop on the underground railroad. Slaves would cross the Ohio River from Slave Territory (Kentucky) to Freedom Land (Ohio) and head directly up the steep hill to Rev. Rankin's safe abode. He & his many sons would guard the house with shotguns should any slave catchers attempt to climb up the hill.

Pretty cool place to celebrate our freedom and remember those who have sacrificed greatly so that we may live free.

Take One For the Team (40 days of Focus)

I've been doing pretty good with my 40 days of Focus routine. The other night, though, Erica came home with Birthday Cake ice cream. It's one of my fav's. Then she dipped a large bowl for her and Belle to share and brought it into our bedroom. I was working on the computer and Belle didn't want any ice cream, so Erica put the bowl on the bed while she went out to the living room to put a Dora DVD in for Belle.

So there we were. Just me and the ice cream. I thought, "I'll just take a bite..." So I did. But Erica took awhile. I ate the entire bowl in about 30 seconds flat. I was drinking the melted residue when I heard Erica yell from the living room, "Don't eat my ice cream!" to the crescendo of the Dora theme song: "Swiper no swiping!" Appropriate.

So I failed in the whole "eating healthy" area, but hey, I saved Erica from eating that fattening ice cream so I guess I excelled in the "loving my wife better" category. Sometimes you just gotta take one for the team.

We are not worthy!

Isabelle spent the day with Miss Bernadette yesterday while mommy worked. When I walked through the door last night, Belle grabbed her box and came running to show me her treasure. Bernadette and her lovely daughters, Hannah & Bridgette, took Belle to the mall yesterday. There's a massive "Build-a-Bear" store that Belle cannot resist. Apparantly, she went running in the store, went straight to this "kitty-tat", and held on to it the entire time. Hannah said she had to get it for her (so sweet!)

Not only this, but Bernadette sent Aron home with enough leftovers of their supper last night to feed us both & then some...what a huge blessing after working 12 hrs to come home to a yummy meal!

So this post is a HUGE thank you to Bernie, Hannah, & Bridgette for loving on us yesterday and for being so good to our daughter. Words are not enough, ladies!
ejk