Our prayers our with our V-Tech students, families, and alumni…

What a scary thing to happen – I was just talking to a mother here in Bismarck, ND and she was expressing her fear of sending her two young children to school for this very reason. She said that just because we live in Bismarck, ND, we are not exempt from the crazies in this world. And it’s true. But we cannot live in fear because of them either. However, we CAN pray… Our students are facing so much these days. I’ve come to the conclusion that the students these days don’t know exactly how to deal with their feelings. When we live in a world of no relationships, ie. text msg., email, video games, movies, internet, it’s very difficult to deal with people. And kids especially because they are at a critical time of learning how to interact. This is just a cry for the students these days. We have high schoolers in our Youth group that turn to violence, beating cars, beating people and many other alternatives because they just don’t know how to deal. What a blessing it is for me that everyone that I knew who went to Tech has already graduated, but I feel for the students and parents still there. We will be continually praying…..

HA!

I’m probably the meanest sister-in-law known to man-kind! BUT – I blame it on my parents for not having any more kids – I always wanted little brothers! Anyway, I am working on a graduation video for my 18 year old brother-in-law, Johnny. I ran across this picture that his mom picked out for his video – I just thought I’d share – just in case you haven’t figured out, he’s the one in the middle! 🙂 Just a little picture to brighten your day and let you know things could be worse! Your sister-in-law could be posting these pictures of YOU!

Here we are again!

Well, just in the nick of time! Actually, I got my taxes done yesterday – which gives me one day to be happy that I’m not having to rush around to get my taxes done! We had a good weekend. Johnny and Judah both got to play b-ball in the Metrodome! They had a pretty awesome time. Johnny got to pitch at least one inning – I don’t know, by then it was close to 1am and I’d been sitting there since 7pm! 🙂 He did a good job though! And Judah started the game by catching! They both got good hits but the other team perfected catching pop flys. So I think Johnny came in once and the final score was 8-4. Oh well, the kids had fun and for never having been in the Metrodome before (for me) I got my fair share experience of sitting there for a full 6 hours! I don’t know if we have any good pictures, but if I find some, I’ll post them!

Other than that, I think Spring is in full-swing. While we were in Minneapolis, we got to stay with some dear friends. And Del got Sam all hooked up with Fly-fishing gear! One more hobby to add to the list, thanks Del! 🙂 Just kidding. It does look like fun, so Sam is anxious to get out and see if it will actually help him catch fish! I have my doubts! hehehehehehe!!!

And lastly, (I know you have better things to do than to keep up with the crazy antics of the Colemans!) we did get to visit some galleries that represent Sam’s Art. There is one in particular, Gallery 310 in Stillwater, MN that Sam has his work in and we were really praying if the Lord wants Sam to keep his work there. It’s so hard to be so far away, it’s hard to control or check on, etc. So we pulled into Stillwater, and the town was brimming with people. The Lord answered our prayer right away. The disappointing thing was that when we walked in, his art was no where to be found. So if you could keep Sam in your prayers, he’s having a hard time understanding what the Lord wants from him in regards to his art right now. I think he needs to step back and not try so hard with marketing right now, I think he just needs to build his portfolio and let the Lord take control of the marketing in His time.  So we are going to concentrate on getting a really nice website up and just working on that. When we talked to the Gallery, she said that Abstract Art is what’s really hot right now – and landscapes. (Sam’s art just doesn’t fit into the Abstract, so that is another reason why I think the Lord is telling us to focus on the ministry He’s given us right now – YOUTH) So Sam is going to start painting some smaller landscapes and just giving them to that gallery and otherwise, paint more and just put it on the website. But if you can, pray for Sam’s encouragement. It’s hard; he’s got this talent and a desire to share it with the world right now, but the Lord has other plans,  I think…. Thanks. 

Ugh….

I suppose the whole world remembers that Taxes are due on Monday – It was a slight little thing that I happily put out of my mind until moments ago, when I had a slight break-down! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! TAXES ARE DUE ON MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, normally, it wouldn’t be that big of a problem except that 1. I have to pick up my brother-in-law in 15 minutes from school, get him lunch, and take him back to another school 2. Pick up Sam from dropping off the car to get it checked out 3. Come back to work for an hour 4. Dr. Appt 45 min later 5. Meet with a friend to plan a baby shower in two weeks 6. Go home and make pizza crust from scratch for “Make your Own Personal Pizza Night” with our small group 7. Pack 8. Leave for Minneapolis to watch 2 brothers-in-law play baseball in the Metrodome 9. Then there’s always tomorrow!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I think I might be able to squeeze taxes in there between pizza crust and packing… somewhere. Now, I know what you all are thinking – Why did you wait till the last minute? Well, I DON’T KNOW!?!??!?!!!! I HATE waiting for the last minute. But I was hoping that the taxes would take care of themselves. I hate doing them ALMOST as much as I hate doing vacuuming. But Sam does that, so magically that gets done. Why wouldn’t I think the taxes would magically appear done? Oh well. All in a day. (You’ll be happy to know that I have them started! 🙂 )  But I had a little breakdown. Thank you for letting me share. Deep breath, deep breath…. Perfect – the sun is shining!

Happy Birthday to my favorite brother!

 

The Birthday Quake!

I just got this email that showed the cake my sister-in-law made for my brother – it was great! I just had to post it! Happy Birthday to my beloved brother – 36 years! What a celebration of your life and all that the Lord has brought you through! I’m so excited for you and the plans the Lord has for you and Cindy. (Hey everyone, they are coming to visit me over Labor Day, and I can’t wait!) But since I haven’t had a chance to talk to you, I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE YOU!

Happy Easter!

I just noticed. I have a lot of random thoughts! But it’s kind of nice to be able to share all my random  thoughts without being interrupted! 🙂 Anyway, have you ever really thought about Sunrise Service and all that it entails, most importantly “SUNRISE”? Well, here’s the wonderful thing about North Dakota – they don’t want to be left out of the great tradition for Sunrise Service, yet it is too COLD to go outside*.

 * Note – It is 12 degrees above this morning. Yesterday, it was 9.

Anyway, so they have sunrise service in a sanctuary that doesn’t even have windows – what is the point? It’s got to be one of the most depressing Sunrise Services I’ve ever been too… And usually, it’s my favorite. Well, last year we just skipped it. I can see more sunrise through my bedroom window. But this year, we are heading out to the farm for Easter, so we have to go. I just thought I’d share my thoughts on the subject!

Happy Easter, I hope you have a new year of Sunrises and realizations that Jesus Christ took on YOUR OWN sin and died the worst death, so we could have SUNRISES! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

There is a slight problem….

With TV! It’s so addicting. I’ve decided it’s the best thing in the world that we don’t get any channels on our TV. It started about 3 years ago… I was home alone quite a bit when my roommate got me hooked on Alias. Then when she wasn’t home, it would go off and I wouldn’t be quite ready for bed, so I stayed. And that was the first problem. The pilot of a spooky show came on, and even though I was scared out of my mind, in one little hour, I was hooked. I only got to see the first 6 shows of “Lost” but when I moved to ND and had to give it up COLD TURKEY, I made it. Now, three years later, I’ve been introduced to it again, in DVD format!!!!! While you may think that isn’t so bad – it’s horrifying! Episode after episode – I CAN’T STOP!! Even Sam is hooked. Whew… Then we finished the first season, which was borrowed from someone else. Do not get Season 2, Do not get Season 2. It kept ringing in my head. Then a few weeks later, we are innocently in the Library, the LIBRARY of all places, trying to find a nice old flick to watch with the fam, when suddenly, it happened; Season 2 jumps out and screams – take me home – you NEED me! I fight. I loose. It’s going home with me. Luckily, it is only half the season – 12 episodes, I have a hard time sleeping, what’s going to happen next… I fight again. This time I win. Sleep comes quickly. But then I wake up – it starts again… Where are the OTHERS?!?!?!

Guess what?!

It’s suppose to snow again… Well, now that we have the weather out of the way, did you know that I LOVE jelly beans – must take after my dad! Remember how I told you a long time ago that we started this 6 week small group of crazies?! Well, since yesterday was Palm Sunday – and Celebration Sunday – the week that everyone finished their small group. We will be starting week #4 on April 12. So we’re three weeks behind – oh well. They didn’t bring any special attention to our group which was good for some and for Sam, well, he likes to be in the limelight as much as possible. And if he could get an award for taking the longest time – well, he was a little disappointed! But we have finally decided on a project! We are going to go to our sister church in McGlaughlin, SD (Native American Reservation) and provide a meal for the families after church and do an art afternoon. We have a professional weaver amongst us (she’s bringing professional tie-dying supplies!), we have a drawer, we have Sam, we have a duck decoy painter, we have two ladies that are awesome with kids, and we have me! So we might even paint some murals, do hand prints on the walls – whatever kinds of crafts we can come up with! It’s going to be lots of fun! I should get a picture of our group to put on here… That would be fun! Well, since I don’t have any pictures of our crazy small group, I’ll put a picture of one other small group that’s crazy. This is from a couple of summers ago!