Guilty As Charged

Dr Bob said the following last Thursday at New Community and he said it with such passion I wanted to take note of it.
(I had to listen to it a couple times to be exact in his quotation.)
You can watch the entire message online under "midweek"

"I believe in the blood of Jesus, the authority of the scriptures, Heaven, hell, angels and demons- the whole nine yards, but if I am a liberal because I embrace smokers before they've kicked the habit, or even if they never kick the habit, then I am a liberal.
If I'm a liberal because I don't call non-Christians "non-Christians" anymore, or pagans, or heathens, or unbelievers anymore, but instead I think of them as God's treasures next door... then I am a liberal.
If I'm a liberal because I've got friends who are Democrats, or drink, or have an occasional glass of wine, or are members of another denomination that's not mine, or even if I have friends who aren't Christians…YET... if that makes me a liberal then I'm guilty as charged.
There are a lot of reasons I don't drink or smoke, but none of them are because I think I'm better than someone who does.
I don't love Jesus because He's my personal savior, I love Jesus because He wants to be the Savior of the World. And if you just keep turning people off because they have behaviors that you don't like or you can't stomach then I'm telling you: you will never have anybody to talk to and love to to Christ. And as far as I'm concerned the Bible says to "Be the light of the world and the salt of the earth" and friends, its time to get into the world and get into the earth. Into the real world where real people are dying without Christ."

WOW-what an amazing servant of God!
Hope today is going wonderful for you*

pray.

pray with me.
i have some decisions to make pretty soon
as well as some opportunities that will hopefully work themselves out

i know God will provide

things are going to be busy- im holding my breath and sipping coffee while i still can.

Rescue is Coming
DavidCrowderBand (Trace sang this last weekend)
There’s a darkness in my skin
My covers wearing thin, I believe
I’d love to start again, go back to innocent
And never leave
Don’t give up now
A break in the clouds
We could be found
There’s nothing wrong with me
It’s just that I believe things could get better
And there’s nothing wrong with love
I think it’s just enough to believe
-Rescue is coming-
And there’s nothing wrong with you
And nothing left to do
But believe something bigger
And there’s nothing wrong with love
I know it’s just enough to believe
Don’t give up now
A break in the clouds
We will be found
Rescue is coming now

MyOfficeSecrets.com

Granger is starting a new series in 3 weeks and it is based on the hit TV show, my personal fav, The Office. If you are in the area, you will see some billboards around town similar to the one above. If you go to the website MyOfficeSecrets.com then you can anonymously share your very own story or "inside joke" I've already chuckled at a few that are posted.

Enjoy!

the big 40

My Uncle Rich is 40 today! I hope he has a great day...

Just one of those days...

I don't know about you- but lately it seems like I've had a lot of celebrations and never-ending "TO DO" lists. It hasn't helped that there have been a couple cloudy days where it seems like all you want to do is take a nap but "life" prevents you from doing so.
Today we had a get together for my Uncle Rich's 40th and after the celebration everyone took some time to converse and "chill"
Grandpa was being funny for the picture I took, but within 5 minutes he was asleep. Michaela was out and Zach was awake but his eyelids looked a little heavy while he was watching tv.
I would have loved to grab a pillow and join in the napping fun but I had to get some things done for Cayden's announcements, apply for a job, clean, go to a friends new apt, church, and now here I am.
Maybe I'll look forward to a nap tomorrow ;)
Hope your weekend has been great!!

sibs

The Three Musketeers
Kendyl, Cayden & Cameron

Cayden

I did some pictures for his birth announcements and there are a couple shots where he looks sooo much like his brother Cameron! I heart these kids! And Cayden is such a good baby!

Oh Fun!

Check out the pictures from my Grandma's party here

I've not been feeling very "fun" the past couple days :(
this too will pass.

Happy Birthday Grame!


Hope your day has been great- I'll see you soon*

Girls night

Last night we had girls night at my place

I think this could become a habit now that Anna is living closer to us!
--Fun times--

Congrats Leah!!!

<---we are just a bit excited
My bestest just got a teaching job! Leah was hired today as the kindergarten teacher at Growing Kids Learning Center.
I'm very happy for her as I know the search for a teaching job has been rough but the interviewer said "You are exactly what I am looking for"
They had recently hired a teacher and she quit last week... so this worked out great!

And Michael got a new(er) car today! Yay! Its a good day for the Runyon family!

Old friends

beth visit summer07

Beth, Alex & Abby came over last night since they will be heading back to Richmond Monday morning-they wanted to see the apt. I had already seen Beth twice since she had been here but only saw the kids at church last weekend while Alex was trying to cram 6 months of catching up into 3 minutes it took to get them to their classes. I heart these kids so much! Alex will be in 1st grade this year and Abby is 4! I started watching Alex when he was about 10 months and Abby when she was a newborn. I'm going to have to start making plans for a visit to Richmond soon!
Love you guys- have a safe trip back!

New friends

Suz & I were able to get together Friday night and had a great time.

Haci, Starbucks, a movie & a whole lotta girl talk was the story of the night.
Its crazy how much we have in common!

In My Daughters Eyes

I whipped out Martina's cd for study/background music.
And since I know of some "daughters" in my extended family I figured I'd share the lyrics. Its a precious song- I actually got the cd for my Mom because of this song.

In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero. I am strong an' wise, And I know no fear. But the truth is plain to see: She was sent to rescue me, I see who I wanna be, in my daughter's eyes. In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal, Darkness turns to light, And the world is at peace. This miracle God gave to me, Gives me strength when I am weak. I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes. An' when she wraps her hand around my finger, Oh, it puts a smile in my heart. Everything becomes a little clearer. I realize what life is all about. It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough; It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up. I've seen the light: it's in my daughter's eyes. In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future. A reflection of who I am, An' what will be. An' though she'll grow an', some day, leave: Maybe raise a family, When I'm gone, I hope you'll see, How happy she made me, For I'll be there, in my daughter's eyes

Leeland- Carried to the Table

Trace & the band did an amazing job on this song tonight! The lyrics are so genuine!
Happy Friday*

Wounded and forsaken

I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God
You carried me

story of my life

...every morning!

Just a week left to get a zillion things done for this independent study!

-Pray for me-

If you have about 80 minutes check out the message from last weekend! Mark hit it out of the park! Amazing message! (thats why Mom has a M&M guy on her blog)
He spoke at all 5 weekend services the weekend of 7.7.07 and then went to Camp Adventure and poured his heart into the middle schoolers for a week and was back on Saturday and lead another 5 services! God really spoke through him!
Incredible.

*new* photography blog

I'll be uploading my recent work to here

If you are interested or know of someone who would be interested in doing a photo session let me know!

brittanirenee@gmail.com

I'm just waiting for a "Gene Kelly look-a-like" to come and sing!

all in a matter of 5 minutes

Madre called me and since she signed up for store duty, (thanks so much!) I figured she wanted to see if we needed anything else. When I answered she asked if it was raining since she heard the pinging on the store's roof.

So I look outside, and for about 5 minutes, while the sun was still out- it was raining pretty hard and then suddenly stopped. Hopefully it will continue tonight since we need it. :)


It made me think of the way I stick God in a box and limit Him to only my calls while I'm heading out into a storm- I want Him to give me an idea of what I'm going to be dealing with. Only to find out that the current circumstances I'm stressing about He has under control and they may only last a few minutes in the larger time line of "life"
Just some random thoughts.

Disclaimer: Mom was just making a call (she wasn't worried)... the rest is what God was smackin me with. :)

Ok back to the hw!

Jeny-is this what you saw?

If so, we have one too :)

He is hard to see since he is hanging onto the ceiling of the balcony and later was chillin on the door.

Interesting.

then & now

Aaron & I back in the day ::80s::

and just last weekend ::07::

Ahh we're growing up

The countdown is on

My good friend Ruby is headed to Mexico to teach for a year! I remember getting the phone call when everything was for sure... I was so excited for her because this is what God has called her to do for such a time as this. I'm still very excited for her although, after seeing her today and remembering all the fun times we've had- I'm going to miss her a lot. I still have about 30 more days for capturing more memories that I will cherish while she is away.

Ruby- you have been a great friend over the past year and a half and I know God has so many great plans for you and that the year will fly by! I love you dear!

all in a day- a saturday

8am Coffee-a much needed start to my day
9 Office Depot run
1130 Call from Beth about taking her rental car to the airport
1230 I'm at budget rental picking up her and the kids
110 Drop them off at Ker's & head for the bypass
205 Arrive at Jason's in North Liberty for the family reunion
315 leave for Clint's
430-1130 Watch Zach
1130-3 Watch Jake
330-8 zzZZZ

Walking her home

My new friend Cayden

Aww I heart this lil boy! He is sooo cute-can't wait to photograph him in the next few days! I'm in charge of taking pictures since they aren't doing hospital pictures. And then I'm doing his announcements.
He is such a cuddle bug and his siblings are getting used to the fact that he is here to stay... Well I think that will settle in once Alex & Abby go back home.

Happy birthday to the following people

Mr Tony

Jeny

Sue (not pictured)
and 5 of my friends from HS & College! whew

Hope everyone has a great day!

Yesterday was also Jill's bday along with Kendall's son Alex!

Happy day of birth

to Cayden David Stockbridge!

Born July 14th weighing 8lb 8oz!

photos to come*

ND

After visiting Anna Friday, I decided to go to ND and walk around a bit and it was a "picture perfect day" I wish I would have had more time!

Baby Anna

I was finally able to visit lil Anna who was born in record time one week ago today. Bryan & Janine got to the hospital at 4:58 and Anna was born at 5:27.
29 minutes which was not enough time for Janine to get an epidural so she had to be a trooper without pain meds.
She is such a sweet baby! Perfect skin and all!

I walk

knowing that God will make a way

-when one door closes another one opens-
Doors are opening & I'm praying

mon&i

This is all I got for pictures. sad face.

The night didn't go exactly as I had planned but it was still nice hanging out with Monica for a bit and church was great!
I was able to hang out at Michael's party till late-which was nice... but now I smell like bonfire! :)

Happy Friday* (the 13th-I just realized it)

What a beautiful day!

Bird shaped cloud (see it?)

God is really distracting me today with these clouds. I'm trying to clean and read and its hard when God has set these beautiful white fluffy things in the sky! I have kept my camera on the table on "ready mode" With such an amazingly beautiful day- I just want to keep watching the clouds- I feel like a little kid who doesn't want to go to bed on time for fear they may miss something. I feel like I'm going to miss a photo opp if I don't keep looking out the window. Above are just a couple I captured- I'll post the rest in a slideshow later.

The many faces of Mon&Britt

This is over the course of a few years... but still funny nonetheless.

Mon & I are having a girls night tonight and she is coming to church with me again so I'm sure I'll have more photos from our extravaganzas*

Happy...

birthday to you!

Michael

Kendall

Hope you guys have a great day!!

My Personal DNA

Well, I found this interesting site
So I took the quiz- its doesn't take long and read the results. Sure enough it pegged me in a variety of ways.

there is nothing better then the smell of cool fresh air

the heat wave has passed and the humidity has lowered- so the a/c is off and the nice breeze is coming through the open windows...
hope you enjoy your Wednesday

Back to dark hair...

back to dark brown

eh... what do you think?

I'm an Aunt to Niobe & Nigel

Meet Niobe! I want her.. at least I get to spoil her

Meet Nigel.. he is a cutie as well!

Leah & Michael make great parents to their new kitten and puppy! I enjoyed my visit with the Runyon family tonight. I could have fit Niobe in my purse.. I'll kitty sit whenever they need me to! ;)

little change

Just a few picture frames and a sweet candle decoration
really make the room :)
Now I just need a lil art done by Cassi & I'll be set

Casting Crowns new single "East to West"

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

What a great message of hope... I'm not grasping for the hand of Jesus- He is the one holding on to me. I've heard this song a few times today and it was a great reminder.