I Realize I'm Distracted

I am distracted.

I realize, as I type this, that I'm sitting in a pair of pajama shorts and a sports bra that is on inside out.

Distracted.

I realize that I was in the process of cooking bacon in the oven, and the oven has been in "pre-heat" mode for the last hour as the bacon sits on top of the stove.

Distracted.

I realize that I should have put coffee grounds in the coffee pot in order to have more than just hot water this morning.

Distracted.

 I realize that my goodies for 4th of July party I'm supposed to go to aren't being made because I'm typing this.

Distracted.

I realize that even though I'd LOVE to think about something other than my family, our problems, and how I wish I had a simple fix for things that I cannot.

Distracted.

You see, they are the reason that I am...

DISTRACTED.

All I can do is pray!

Amen.

Honoring Daddy on Father's Day

I am fully aware that Father's Day was 3 days ago.  But I'm blogging about it today because we were in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on Father's Day, fishing, bonding, celebrating the man that is my Daddy.  

  

"You fathers will understand.  

You have a little girl.  

She looks up to you.  

You're her oracle.  

You're her hero."

-Stanley T. Banks,

Father of the Bride

Wait a minute....Surely, you don't think he's the only one that caught fish??  

He had us girls there helping him celebrate his day AND catching fish right alongside him!

Fresh from the garden!

I love living in a farming community!

Everyone shares in the disappointment of a harvest that yields no crop in years of drought, 

but recently we’ve had ground quenching rain that allows us to celebrate the victory of bountiful harvests!

These are all fresh from the garden, and from a girl who LOVES her veggies, I could not be more excited!  I’m off to make zucchini bread!

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Email sent to Carla, our church secretary, on May 15, 2012

Hi Carla!

I hope this email finds you doing well.  I'm coming to you for some direction on an idea that I have regarding fundraising for my next trip to Africa. 

I already have people wanting to make monetary contributions towards my next trip to Kenya at the end of this year.  The idea that I have is, if these people make the checks payable to me, they don't get an tax advantages because I am not a non-profit organization.  Could and would First Lutheran Church be able to or interested in accepting these donations on my behalf?  A couple of reasons for this question...first, any people that contribute would have a taxable deduction at tax time.  Secondly, the company I work for will match any associate donations 2:1.  For example, if I contribute $1 to a non-profit organization, they will send an additional $2. 

Do you know the answers to these questions or is there someone that I can ask/meet with?  Any help you can provide would be beneficial!

Thank you,

Jordan Bremerman


Response from Mrs. Moczygemba, Treasurer of the Church Council

Jordan,
  Please let me know if you get this e-mail.  I sent you an e-mail last week, but may not have sent it to the right address.
The Council of FLC would be glad to help you with your next trip to Keyna.  We have a fund set up for anyone who
would like to make donations.  Anyone can send a check to the Church and just put a designation on the check that
it is for your trip to Africa. We would cut you a check shortly before you leave on your trip.  We are all extremely proud
of you and your willingness to spread God's word to the far corners of the earth!! In fact, I am somewhat jealous that you
have caught the meaning of discipleship at such a young age.  It has taken me a life time to learn what your already know!!
Keep in touch and all the best.  Patty Moczygemba

Pickle Making {in pictures}

 Washing of the cucumbers, by hose, in the front yard.

The simple ingredients that make {in my opinion} the worlds best snack!

 

 Some of us like 'em hot, so this one has a jalapeno for heat!

 This is the worst part of the job, stuffing cucumbers in the jars like puzzle pieces.

 About as good as they're gonna get packed.

Sunshine Pickle recipe, trying something new this year.

Pour the water, salt, vinegar mixture over the cucumbers.

Seal the lids by water bath.

And now they are sitting in the sun for the next 14 days.  I'll be sure to let you know how they taste, or you just might be a lucky recipient of a jar!

And because I *absolutely* love my new cabinets my uncle made for me, I decided to share them with you.  They are newly decorated and still a work in progress- watch out Hobby Lobby!!

Happy Birthday Ava!

There are times in our lives when time seems to drag... and drag... and drag.

Then there are those times, usually when you want them to drag, that just fly by.  

Today, is my sweet niece Ava's 1st birthday!  I can't believe how time has just flown! 

Happy Birthday baby girl!  I love you more than words can describe!

Ring, Ring.... It's Nairobi Calling

It's been five months since I've returned from Kenya, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of the people there.  The same people that I've come to love as my own family.

This mornings routine was much different that it usually is.  You see, once the alarm goes off, usually I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready for the day.  But this morning, I was more worried about uploading the new music I downloaded (man, I sound like a nerd) to my iPod from the computer. This means that I had to go into the office/spare bedroom which is definitely not on my list of priorities.

To my surprise, I had TWO missed calls from David Kariuki on Skype.  David is the social worker that we first met when we went to Tumaini in 2010 and lived at the home.  He had tried once at 4:30am, and again about 5:30am.  The best part about missing his calls: HE WAS STILL ON SKYPE!!  So I quickly called him and he answered. 

We talked about the recent happenings with him, his family, Isaac, and Tumaini.  Everyone is doing well. All except for Isaac.  He's back on the streets again.  This is now the 5th time in a years timeframe that he's gone back to the streets.  David said that he just saw him yesterday and that he had a bandage on his head.  He ran before David could question him about it but he was sure he was either beaten or had fallen and hit his head while he was high.  My heart breaks for that boy.  I wish he could understand that life is so much better in a home, but the people there do not understand him or the life that he's lived.  I pray that when I go back, that I might see him.  Just to talk to him, hug him, and let him know that there are people halfway around the world that love him dearly.  I pray God keeps him safe until then.