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Tuesday, 13 October 2009

  • The Title of Captain

    I am hesitant to post this because so many people are vocal about the antiquity of "rank" but decided, whatever.  Anyway, about a year ago, Anna-Karin made friends with a girl up the street.  She has called me Valerie which is fine.  This summer, she was able to go to Jr. Soldier Camp at which she gave her heart to Jesus.  She has been coming to church ever since.  I realized on Saturday as we were going to the movies that she has started calling me Capt. Valerie.  I was trying to remember when she started calling me that.  It's only been a couple of weeks.  I have never told her she had to change what she calls me. 

    Anna-Karin's other friend was with us and she is a friend originally made through youth night.  She usually calls me Valerie when hanging with us.  But Saturday she called me Capt. Valerie.  Anna-Karin has not corrected the friend from up the street but she told her "old friend" she didn't have to call me Captain.  Which she doesn't. 

    But all this got me thinking.  When Emily, the "new" friend, calls me Capt. Valerie, she says it differently.  I don't know if I can adequately describe it but it's like she says it with, what's the word . . . something like awe but not that grand.  Like respect.  It's like I've moved from being the mother of her friend to being her pastor and she acknowledges my role in her life by calling me Captain. 

    So for those who think rank is no longer necessary, that may be true for you.  But for me, Emily has reminded me that being a "Captain" is indeed a holy and wonderful and important title and I better do my best to live up to it!

Friday, 02 October 2009

  • Interesting Conviction or Silly Thought????

    Ok.  So I was lying in bed praying.  I asked God to show me any area of my life in which I am not representing him well (thanks to Made2Sing4Jesus blog the other day with some lyrics).  As I'm drifting off to sleep, I think of this:  On Facebook, I play two games in which the way to get experience is to dirty the fish or tables, tie them down with a rock or give them rats and to earn money you steal tips or fish.  Now I would never steal in real life.  BUT should I be playing a game which the goal is to steal and mar?  Even for fun?  Now some will say this is a silly thought.  And it just might be.  But I thought I would post it and see what you think. 

Monday, 03 August 2009

  • Vacation Week 1

    Well, vacation started out with a super long drive (the same amount of time as always but . .  ) to Michigan.  We got in at 3 in the morning.  When we woke up, we went to South Haven to go to Lake Michigan.  We had a blast.  Mark had previously injured himself and bruised his chest so he when he tried to go into the water, trying to keep his balance caused him great pain.  But the kids and I had a fun time.  Mark got super sun-burned.  Poor guy!.  We had to get Shirley back to start her "cleansing" for surgery so we didn't get to stay as long as we would have liked.  I'm no sure the kids will like Kansas pools after experiencing the great waves of Lake Michigan.  

    Tuesday was the morning of surgery.  We got Shirley there a little bit late.  Oops.  But they got her in and surgery pretty much started on time.  The surgeon said it was the best possible surgical outcome she could ask for.  There was no visible sign of the cancer spreading.  They took biopsies and that took until Saturday to come back.  They also had to operate a little higher than expected, the mesh on her hernia had gotten attached to her intestines.  The biopsies did show that the cancer had spread to the outer cells.  So it's stage 2 but curable with chemo and radiation.

    Mark and I went downtown to lunch.  We were going to eat at Sandwhich Express which is where I used to always eat lunch when I worked downtown.  It was no longer open and neither was the bakery (Well, at least I couldn't be tempted to buy their cinnamon rolls and frosted cookies!).  So we ate at a new place called Taco Bob's.  It was yummy.

    Now it is not a good thing to be at the hospital but it was good to reconnect with Mark's cousin Amy.  I have missed her.  We walked down memory lane and it was great.

    Wednesday we slept in and spent some time at the hospital.  We didn't do anything special.  It was nice to be able to do nothing.  

    Thursday, I can't remember!  I think it was a nothing day.

    Friday, I went to Battle Creek and reconnected with my two longest friends.  We had great conversation.  And Lorri made me dinner.  

    Satruday, Mark took senior pictures for our friends' son.  Then we went to dinner and were going to go to a movie but the husband (not mine) would have been sleeping.  Instead we played Phase 10.  Great fun.  

    Sunday we had an awesome meeting in church.  Major Anderson preached a rip roaring sermon that is applicable to everyone - no matter where they are in their spiritual walk.  Thanks, Gene!  

    Shirley was home when we got back to the apartment.  She did not rest very much.  Mark and I stayed at Tom's for the night.  We had a good talk with Tom.  

    We didn't like the pictures we took on Saturday so we went out again to retake them.  It was much better.  Then I met a couple of long time friends for ice cream.  Good food.  Good friends.  Yea

    Now we are at my mom's with Alan and Kim.  

    I think this vacation will be one for nostalgia and remembering how things used to be.  This Saturday we have our graduating class' 40th birthday party.  It will be exciting to see all again.  

    I hope you are all having a great time where ever you are!

Saturday, 27 June 2009

  • MAGAI

    Camp was interesting this year.  Mostly good.  Some not so good - well mostly frustrating.  One thing bad but not mine to share.  I will only report on the highlights:

    1.  My beginner band, Pioneer Band, played well at both the ARC on Wednesday and at the concert today. 

    2.  More importantly, they were for the most part well behaved. 

    3.  All but one of my players worked super hard over the week.  He waited until the last full day of camp. 

    4.  Kristin G and Desiree were flexible enough and wise enough to be willing to try a different horn that would be a better fit for them.  And they played their new horns well. 

    5.  Katie didn't want to even try to play a "G" at the beginning of camp.  At the end, she could play an "A" with precision, good tone and without working up to it 8 out of 10 times. 

    6.  Dawn Tooley is the best!  She is a great encourager and I could not have made it through this camp without her.

    7.  Marina Womack is also the best!  She is willing to do whatever you ask her to do. Oh, I owe you $2 for the pop you bought me.  I'll have to come visit in Detroit to repay you.

    8.  Prezza - I love being at music camp with you again.  And you rap pretty good too (THe HIP CHICKS deserved to win).

    9.  Michelle Mungai continues to impress me and I can't find anything negative to say about her.

    10.  My cabin was beyond awesome - have you ever been in a cabin with 12-14 year olds and not had one fight or agument??????  I can now say I have. 

    11.  I could tell you more about the fun we had in the cabin but the rule is what happens in the cabin, stays in the cabin - I wouldn't want them to tell you of my silliness since I am always such a mature, serious acting Officer.

    12.  Jim Mungai really can't see without his glasses.  Jim, it really is 3 measures rest, not 8.  I think we giggled for about 10 after that! 

    13.  I learned how to play tone chimes.  I'm going to see if I can borrow DHQ's and use them in my Corps.  That was fun.

    14.  My theory class was interesting.  One tanked his test on purpose, I'm sure.  But why would you want to be in theory 1 when you're in the top band???  Another one probably just doesn't do written tests well because he knew everything we talked about pretty much. 

    15.  I had some great devotional times with a couple of the counselors. 

    16.  Candace and Cornell are awesome DYS'.  I enjoy being able to talk to them and I think they really have the kids' interests and safety and spiritual health at heart. 

    17.  Our Corps won the award for the Corps with the highest behavior points.  More importantly we get $150 for our music programs. 

    18.  My husband came to see me 4 out of the 8 days we were gone.  I'm blessed to be loved by such a guy.  He is so considerate of me.  **sigh**

    19.  I am so very glad to be home.  I cannot wait to lie down in my very comfortable bed. 

    ****ADDED on Sunday****

    20.  I stayed on my eating plan as best as I could.  I lost 3 pounds at camp!  This brings me to 21 which is 2 pounds more than what I've been able to lose in 15 years. 

Saturday, 06 June 2009

  • For the Family of Debbie Kelly

    "Broken Hallelujah"

    by Mandisa | from the album Freedom 

     

     

    With my love and my sadness

    I come before You Lord

    My heart’s in a thousand pieces

    Maybe even more

     

    Yet I trust in this moment

    You’re with me somehow

    And You’ve always been faithful

    So Lord even now

     

    When all that I can sing

    Is a broken hallelujah

    When my only offering

    Is shattered praise

    Still a song of adoration

    Will rise up from these ruins

    I will worship You and give You thanks

    Even when my only praise

    Is a broken hallelujah

     

    Oh Father, You have given

    Much more than I deserve

    And I have felt Your hand of blessing

    On me at every turn

     

    How could I doubt Your goodness

    Your wisdom, Your grace

    So Lord hear my heart

    In this painful place

     

    Chorus

     

    Hallelujah

    I lift my voice

    Your Spirit moves

    I raise my hands

    I reach for You

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Valerumba

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    • Name: Valerie
    • Country: United States
    • State: Kansas
    • Metro: Leavenworth
    • Birthday: 5/19/1969
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 9/12/2005

About Me

  • I am a daughter of grace. God allows me to share that grace with a bunch of different people every day through Salvation Army Officership. He's also blessed me with a wonderful husband of 20 years and 3 children. And a dog (born on Mark's birthday).

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