January 21, 2010 · 10:26 pm

I Have A Favor That Can Change Lives.

Dear Friends,

I have a favor.  It’s a small favor, but it can pay huge rewards.  If you are a Facebook member, I am asking for you to become a fan of Chase Community Giving here.  Chase is giving one charity $1 million to pursue a Big Idea.  You can learn more about this project here.

Once you become a fan of Chase Community Giving, you can cast your vote for the charity you would like to see funded by Chase.  I humbly ask that you consider voting for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Network Cares.  Heard of EDS?  Most have not.  The EDS Network Cares writes,

“EDS is a life-threatening, painful, crippling genetic disorder caused by faulty collagen. It weakens the connective tissue causing fragile skin, joints, ligaments, organs, and blood vessels. EDS is misunderstood, grossly misdiagnosed, and some 90% never receive a proper diagnosis in their lifetime. There is no funding for research. There are no treatments. There is no cure. Today, we are at the threshold of promising research that can change all this and offer those who suffer, HOPE. It’s estimated that 1,358,640 people are affected worldwide, and thousands die. Sadly, many are diagnosed at autopsy after catastrophic internal ruptures. Yearly, 30,000 children are born with bleak futures as they struggle with lifelong consequences due to EDS. Our HOPE is to continue to fund research, increase education/awareness, find treatment options, and save/improve lives. Help us find that cure.”

You can read more about EDS and their Big Idea here.

Why is this charity so important to me?  Because, I lost a best friend in 1998 to Vascular EDS.  His name was Josh Doss.  Few have ever been as passionate about life as Josh.  He was a lover of Christ and a lover of people.   His son, Karsten, was only seven weeks old at the time of Josh’s death.  In the few short days after Josh died, his mother, Debbie learned that Karsten had the same disease. 

And, there is no cure.

Please, watch this video as a tribute to Josh and Karsten.  Then, please cast your vote for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Network Cares so Karsten, and so many others like him, can have a chance at long life.  Vote for EDS.  Vote for hope.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

4 Comments

Filed under giving, health, making an impact

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

January 21, 2010 · 6:00 am

Questions That Catch Me By Surprise.

Anna:  Why does Johnry get to have two dads, and I only have one? 

Me:  Well, Anna……

John Henry:  Anna, it’s hard to explain.

John Henry was right.  It is hard to explain to a five year old.  But, I did explain why to her in the most effective way she could understand.  She went on about her day without mention of our conversation. 

It’s just her way.  She has always accepted our answers and explanations to deep questions and thoughts without  need for further discussion.  It’s the small stuff she struggles in.  Like why she can’t wear flip flops and shorts in a painful 10 degree wind chill.  Because, it isn’t cold.  To her. 

But, the big stuff?  She is my sponge.  “Mom, when we do something bad, God forgives us right away.” 

She knows this is true.  I’ve told her so.  And, she believes it. 

“No one is more powerful than God, Mom.”

And, my recent favorite:  “God can do a back flip better than anybody.”

Some questions catch me by surprise.  But, she listens to my answers.  Then, she’s okay.  She is learning to build her hope on nothing less than Jesus Christ.  She’s learning to filter every explanation through that hope. 

I love her acceptance.  I love her faith.  It doesn’t matter that she questions me on why wearing a purple bandana on her head is not appropriate all of the time. 

Having faith does matter. 

I tell her all of the time that she’s my favorite girl.

She really is.

2 Comments

Filed under divorce, God Stuff, Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as , , ,

January 20, 2010 · 6:00 am

Kris Takle’s Fab Five.

As a follow up to yesterday’s post on a produce department breakdown, I asked Kris to give advice to any men out there living with a pregnant wife – or hormonal woman.  Pretty much any man living with a chica.  So, without further ado, I give you my favorite pilot.

1)  Always tell your wife she looks beautiful.

2)  If your wife asks you “Do I look big?” NEVER answer yes.  The answer is ALWAYS no.

3)  If you have other children, it is wise to create time away from them so she can maintain her sanity and they can maintain their lives.

4)  Don’t tell her what she can and cannot eat.  Ever.

5)  Her emotions are like waves.  Some are big.  Some are small.  But, you gotta ride ‘em all.

There ya go, men.  Number five was pretty clever, Mr. Takle.  I’d also like to add that the Little Debbie Valentine box tucked away in the refrigerator is solely for the wife. 

That is all.

What would you add?

6 Comments

Filed under Marriage, pregnancy

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 19, 2010 · 6:00 am

Those Pears Can Be A Doozy.

It was a busy, emotional weekend.  Well, not too busy.  But, apparently it was emotional considering I broke down in the produce section at Super Target.  I don’t think it really matters why. 

It was the produce section, after all.  Kris was with me.  His expression was a silent “wow.”  He didn’t mention the tears over the tomatoes the rest of the shopping adventure. 

Until the check-out line when he pretended to cry over the jar of jalepenos, the bag of carrots, and the honey crisp apples. 

I would say, “the nerve.”  But the truth is….

He made me laugh.

My friend, Marla, made me feel better when she uncovered her sister Melanie’s pregnancy breakdown.  Poor girl cried when her person didn’t win the Showcase Showdown on the Price Is Right.  And, rightly so.  The Showcase Showdown is kind of a big deal.

It’s hard growing a person, people. 

To top it all off, I can’t even look at the devastation of Haiti.  But, I do.  Because, I refuse to be unaffected by it.  Unmoved.  Unwilling to do something.

I have to.  We all do.  Our hearts have to break over what breaks God’s heart.  Isaiah 61 says God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor and to comfort the brokenhearted.  I think it’s awesome that most of us can give something financially.  And, we should.  But, when I heard my friend, Amy Newberry, say this, it made me want to invest more than just my money:

“I really wish I could go to Haiti today and hold some of those precious women while they cry over the loss of their children.”

That’s a deeper level, friends.  It’s actually being the hands and feet of Christ.

God, please.  Break my heart for what breaks yours. 

And, bring healing to Haiti’s people.

15 Comments

Filed under giving, God Stuff, making an impact, pregnancy

Tagged as , , , , , ,

January 15, 2010 · 6:00 am

The Real Me.

The blogosphere has been filled with people posting pictures and/or videos of themselves in their truest form.  As in….

no make-up.

no prepared pose.

just the raw, authentic self.

It’s a campaign launched by People of the Second Chance.  I thought I’d end the week showing you Dusty Takle sans make-up – early morning.

I told my dad I was going to post this, and I heard a sound come out of his mouth that I cannot even spell.  I could even hear in my husband’s voice a “Are you sure you want to expose yourself like that?”  And, I really appreciate the, ahem, support, fellas. 

Often times, we try to hide behind an image.  We are afraid for people to see who we really are.  And, I’m not just talking about our physical appearance.  I’m talking about how we live our life.  But, I have come to appreciate transparency in others.  It’s in our transparency….in our realness, that we surrender.  We become accountable.  And, subsequently, we become more like Him.

So, in celebration of authenticity, I took this picture of myself yesterday morning not long after getting out of bed. 

Even though I didn’t brush my teeth, I, at least, smiled.  Then, I probably yelled at my kids to hurry up and finish getting dressed for school.  In the name of Jesus, of course. 

Are you afraid for people to see the real you?  Heart and everything?

12 Comments

Filed under life, Randomness

Tagged as , , ,

January 14, 2010 · 6:00 am

I Kind of Want to Break Out Rocky I-IV. But Not V.

Never Rocky V.

I did refrain from my awesome dance moves, while Anna Takle wasn’t about to give up her microphone. 

So, in honor of a new AI season, I give you my two favorite rock stars.

Those lyrics can be tricky.

These lyrics?  Even trickier. 

And, I have no good explanation as to why it looks like Christmas morning in my family room with all of the pillows, drums, and other paraphernalia lying around.  Except, Christmas was only a few mornings ago.  Or something. 

Whatev’.

13 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 13, 2010 · 6:00 am

Checks And Balances.

Some may think this picture is the result of fine parenting.  Most can probably figure out it’s the product of a good photographer.  Thankyousokindly, Janna Goodwin.

I have days where I, well, I pretty much rock as their mother.  Then, I have days where I fail them.

I don’t like those days.  I think yesterday was one of those days.  I’m a tad hormonal.  I mean, just a tad.  Recently, I have the tendency of being a little short with them.  And, I’m not talkin’ ‘bout my height.  I love God.  I love studying His Word.  I’m finding that this whole asking God to stretch me in ministry thing is a little more than I may have bargained for.  And, in this process of loving, growing, and stretching, I have noticed a few times where I put that in front of my children.

And, God’s not in that.  Because, they are my greatest mission field.  They shouldn’t have to compete with other things that can sometimes consume my life.  Sure, there will be times when those other things will need immediate attention.  There will be times where they cannot have 100 percent of my attention.  There will be times.  It’s finding that balance that’s important.  And, there have been a few days recently where I haven’t achieved that balance.  Not well. 

So, today, I’m going to ask them to forgive me.  They will.  Then, perhaps, today, I’ll rock as their mom again – sans the awesome dance moves that embarrass John Henry and time consumed on Anna’s microphone; because, clearly, any and all time on the mic belongs Anna Takle.

3 Comments

Filed under Motherhood

Tagged as , , , ,

January 12, 2010 · 6:00 am

When Deep Secrets Are Revealed.

It’s one of the moments where I sit down to type my thoughts, and I can think of a gazillion things to write about.  I have so many thoughts, feelings, emotions, and spiritual things going on inside me that I hardly know where to begin.  I attempted to share a little of what I’m feeling with Kris last night.  I ended up just saying, “If I could take my spirit out and place it on a table for you to look at, then that would really help me right now.”  I don’t even have words for the look on his face after that comment.  But, he was encouraging still.  Whew.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.  For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” 

The only way for us to understand God’s will for our lives is through His Spirit.  The chapter continues, “11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit…..”  This totally explains why it’s so hard to communicate with others some of the things God’s Spirit reveals to you.  And, how beautiful it is when I am tuned into His Spirit.  And, how frustrating it can be when I am not.

God’s up to somethin’ good.  I just know He is.

2 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , ,

January 11, 2010 · 6:00 am

What’s In the Bucket?

The other day, I heard my friend, Kim Heinecke, say, “What’s in the well comes up in the bucket.”  This rings true in probably every area of our life. 

Kris can fly an airplane, because he invested into learning how to fly.  He achieved all of his ratings, surrounded himself with other pilots, and flew as often as he could to become good at what he does.  He invested a lot into his aviation well. 

If I want to learn how to knit, I’ll probably read a book on knitting, spend some time with my skilled mother-in-law, and practice the hobby until I become proficient. 

Whatever we invest ourselves into and how we invest ourselves will come up in the bucket.  If I invest into gossip, criticism, and negativity….my bucket will come up looking pretty dirty.

But.

If I want to be prepared for any spiritual attack (or spear)….

If I want to respond to people in a way that is pleasing to God….

If people come to me and need spiritual guidance or counsel in their relationships….

If I want to live a life without fear and a real understanding of what it means to place my hope in Him….

If I want to comprehend that the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is in me….

If I want to be happy….

If I want to be content….

Then I have to invest into His word.  I have to spend time with Christ daily.  I have to seek Him above all else.  I have to love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind – a love so deep and so invested that it is obvious to every person around me.

So, when the enemy comes rushing at me like a flood, he will not move me.

Because, what’s in the well will come up in the bucket.

5 Comments

Filed under Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 8, 2010 · 6:00 am

A Perfect Example.

A final thought on throwing spears….

Jesus Christ was the perfect man. 

Blameless.  Accused for things He did not do.

But, He did not defend Himself.  Not even on His way to the cross.

Isaiah 53:7 says, He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus, He simply responded by asking anyone without sin to throw that first stone.  The only person who could have thrown a stone was Jesus Christ himself. 

And, He didn’t.

What do I do with my spears?

I think I know the answer.

1 Comment

Filed under God Stuff, life

Tagged as , , , ,