Eyes still wide open

It's amazing the things that God throws your way when you have your eyes wide open...last weekend David & I were on a date...we wanted to see the movie "Transformers" and it was only playing in a theater out in Valley View(which is not any where close to us)but we went knowing that the movie would be leaving the theaters soon...we drove out there & when we walked in we were greeted by one of David's clients. She has a non-profit organization that helps people with cancer. Her mother recently died of cancer. She was there not about her organization but about herself. She needs to raise a lot of money for an upcoming surgery that she HAS to have to save her life-she found out that she has some major heart problems(I don't know the medical terms for it). She not only asked for prayer but she said that she needs help to fix her house to make it "live in care" ready(she'll need someone to care for her during this time)she said she needed to build some sort of shed to house her extra boxes to clear out a spare bedroom....praise God, our church just started a program that reaches out to those in need. I suggested Mosaic(our church)to come & build what she is in need of! She was blown away! I plan on organizing this project this week with Mosaic...

Then another woman greeted us asking if we were interested in doing a Moviegoer focus group...what in the world? We were interested since the movie world is our thing...she told us to come to this office in a few days, watch some previews, talk about them, critique them & we'll each make $100!!!!!Okay, was there a catch? Nope. We went, since we love critiquing movies & commercials...and we had a blast! They filmed us as we talked to show to the movie producers & such...not only was it fun, but we had a chance to share some cool God stuff about why the movie idea was either good or bad. Who knows who will be watching it & what God will do with our words...We both were very open about our comments & felt like God had led us there...plus, we each earned some Ben Franklins!!!!! What fun! Thank you God for yet another cool, fun opportunity!

Awesome Night

I just wanted to share what an awesome night I had tonight! We are involved with our small group from our church Mosaic & during the summer we've been meeting just for cookout & hang out time(not really bible study). We encourage everyone that hosts a cookout to invite their neighbors...well, it was our turn to host this month & I totally forgot to invite my neighbors...

Last night as David & I were taking our pup out I noticed a neighbor just getting home-I basically ran to their house(barefeet & all) and rang the doorbell...after I invited them, she actually hugged me & thanked me for the invite! Then as I walked home(barefoot)I noticed my zipper was down....haa haaa...I must have looked like a dork! But then I walked across the street & invited 2 more sets of neighbors....after I zipped up my zipper of course.

Well, let me just say how good God is....all of them came tonight!!!!!!!Everyone! Usually when you invite 3 people you'll get maybe 1(if your lucky) but we invited 6 and got 6!!!!!God is good!

We had a house full (about 16 people plus 10 kids) & I was just praying that we'd have enough food-and of course we did! It reminds me of the fish & the bread story in the bible.

I got a chance to connect with a neighbor who just had a stroke(about 3 months ago) and she is unable to speak really well. She understands everything but she can't always remember the words to say...I wrapped my arms around her & tried my best to make her feel comfortable(I can't imagine what that must feel like-to suddenly not be able to talk)
the other neighbor ladies & I discovered that we all love to scrapbook so we are planning a ladies get together in the next couple of weeks...

Man, God is good! I almost didnt run to my neighbors...I remember looking at David saying" It's too late, they arent going to be able to come-it's tomorrow"
But they came! Thank you God for being bigger than I am! I'd like to think that I'll continue to keep my eyes wide open to your prodding...zipper down & all! Hee hee....

Our summer in a nut shell

Here are some photos to enjoy of some of the things that we did this summer! As school approahces I am reminded that summer is almost over :(

Some of our favorite memories are:

Kalahari

Kirkland Farm

Swimming with friends

Picnics

Hikes

Reese(our new pup)

Idlewild

Camping

Stan Hywet(the butterfly conservatory was amazing)

Soccer with Mosaic

and just plain doing nothing...being together!

Windstream commercial pics

Finally, here are some photos of David & I shooting the commercial...the guys we are with are the directors. They were awesome, down to earth guys that really made sure that we were ok...every half hour or so, they'd poke their heads into the trailer and say"you guys okay, do you need anything?" They took such good care of us. We are still in contact with them & are hoping to do more work for them in the future.

The hours that we waited for our time to be on set gave us opportunities to chat with the other actors & crew members. Its amazing the work that goes in behind the scenes to stuff like this...you work hard, then you wait a lot! And eat!

I loved watching behind the camera-it was incredible to see how the commercial will actually look from just seeing it in person. In the back sat the sound crew & the Windstream clients with head sets on to make sure they were getting everything they wanted from the shoot.

Being that we were the last ones on set with the crew it gave us even more opportunities to get to know them & how things are done. I asked a lot of questions & just watched. I love this stuff!

It made me want to pursue this dream even more!

So, be on the look out for the commercial near the end of August & don't be surprised if you hear us on the radio & see us in some print ads! Crazy, fun stuff!!!!!

Love=Forgiveness

Our pastor has been talking alot about love & forgiveness...I've been thinking about it lately. Do I love even though it is hard too? Do I forgive? If I do not forgive then I have not love...so I am not loving like God has called me to do. How often do people look at me the same way? Have I asked for peoples forgiveness when I needed to most? God forgives me daily...and daily I need His forgiveness...but do I extend that same type of grace/love to others? Hmmm...reality check.

eyes wide open

I have much to post but such little time...I'll be back & running soon...I'll share some photos of our commercial gig & our time out with some friends...and some great deep conversations with our friends about life & God...
I recently watched the movie"Bridge to Tarabitha"(loved it-hated it at the same time)but I love what the little girl says"Keep your eyes WIDE open"
I'll post more about that later too....in the meantime, I'm keeping my eyes WIDE open....