Shadowfeet

It's no secret how much I love music, in particular, worship music. There is a song out right now which I LOVE, and it's not labeled "worship," but it sure makes me worship! I bought it on itunes and have listened to it a million times. It's by Brooke Fraser, and she is from New Zealand. The song is called, "Shadowfeet," great title. We both love C.S. Lewis, and she has ties to Mercy Ministries which is where we have applied to adopt. Please check out her music and you will be blessed. The lyrics speak to the day coming when God shows up! Here they are. . .

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet. Toward home,a land that i've never seen I am changing: less and less asleep made of different stuff than when i began and i have sensed it all along fast approaching is the day

[CHORUS]when the world has fallen out from under
me I'll be found in You, still standing when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their
knees when time and space are through I'll be found in You

Theres distraction buzzing in my head saying in the shadows it's easier to
stay but I've heard rumours of true reality whispers of a well-lit way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KiGN1j1No

I Left My Heart in San Francisco and Carmel!

We just returned home from our belated 10th Anniversary trip to San Francisco and Carmel. It was the most amazing trip of my life. There are no words to describe the beauty and majesty of the Pacific Coast. The pictures can only give a glimpse of being there. The smell of the pines and the eucalyptus trees, and the sound of the waves crashing as sea foam sprays on your face are missing from the visuals. Every where you look, there is beauty- breathtaking beauty. In that beauty it was hard to miss seeing God in all His splendor.

We had so much fun in San Francisco. This was Justin's first trip west of Colorado, and we were both amazed at the hills in San Francisco. It was crazy to drive to the top of a hill and not even be able to see the road until you started going down. We took a professional tour (Mr. Toad's Tours) and they showed us all the sights of the city. We were able to stay at the Fairmont San Francisco and it was AMAZING! (This was the hotel site used in the old TV show "Hotel") We will never stay anywhere nicer than this hotel, and our room overlooked most of the city all the way to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. We had the robes, flat screen TV, granite shower and large tub, and complimentary champagne with chocolate covered strawberries. While we were there, we rode the trolleys, ate at Ghiradelli square, toured Fisherman's wharf, and heard the sea lions on Pier 39. We also took the hike to Point Bonita Lighthouse which was our favorite part of San Francisco. The views were unbelievable and we had to take a cat walk bridge to the lighthouse. (It was an old bridge that only 2 could cross at a time.) When you walked across the bridge, it would sway in the wind. I was terrified! We toured the Muir Woods and it was a peaceful walk through trees from the turn of the century.

In Carmel, we stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn which had an amazing view. It was a very wonderful place. Carmel is so quaint with all the cottages and shopping, all the while hearing the roar of the ocean only yards away. We took the 17 mile drive and it was captivating. We rode horses on the beach and rode through golf courses to get there! There was a place on our ride called "Seal Rock" where hundreds of sea lions all were on a rock about an acre wide. They were so loud, but it was just incredible. We shopped and toured the infamous Pebble Beach Golf Course. Once again, beautiful. Then we took the drive to Big Sur, which was just incredible. We drove over the Bixby Bridge and everywhere you looked it was a picture.

The best part of the trip for me, was spending much needed time focusing on each other. We get so busy in our day to day lives, we forget how much we enjoy just being together. Hopefully our next big anniversary trip will come close to this one.

The Election

I find myself quite political every 4 years, and this time was no exception. I remember turning 18 just in time to vote for Bush instead of Clinton in 1992. When Bush lost, I was devastated. I felt like no one heard my voice. This year was such a different election for me. I really do like John McCain. How can you argue with someone who has served his country so faithfully even as a POW for the country he loves so much. He is a man of honor and distinction and I cried as he read his congratulations to Obama speech to the country last night. A different time, and a different election and McCain would be President. I guess it was not to be.

I am excited to have a black President, and I can see how charismatic Obama is. Of course, I am worried about his liberal agenda, and his desire to get out of Iraq quickly. Justin and I are both concerned about what will happen with the healthcare industry. The good things about his presidency are the healing of the racial tension in the country and the world view of the US has already improved in many places. I will stand behind Obama as President, and before we try to villanize him, just as the democrats have done to President Bush, I will remember the respect the office deserves. I believe God brings the right people into government at the right time. If this is the beginning of the end times as some suggest, then it is still God's timing. I hope Obama can bring our country together, and will be someone who God uses in a great way. It's time for everyone to quit fighting and come together. So I will take the McCain/Palin sign out of our yard, and be so thankful I get to live in the greatest country in the world.

Happy Halloween!

Our morning started out a little rough with the dreaded words, "Mommy my tummy doesn't feel good." This was followed by throwing up in the bathroom floor. (At least it wasn't the bed.) This is always difficult for me as I am a sympathetic vomitter. (This was something I really loved in Justin. As a nurse, I knew he could handle cleaning up blood, poop, and vomit. Much to my surprise, he does not handle Addie's vomit very well.) I managed to clean it up, and I felt terrible for Addie. She was looking forward to all our Halloween activities, and there she was pale as a ghost laying on the couch. I grabbed the thermometer and played nurse for awhile, only to discover no fever. This was odd. Addie has never had a stomach bug without a fever. Then it occurred to me how much snot she has had lately, and that's exactly what it looked like coming back out. She threw up one more time into a blanket (GROSS) and tried to hide it from me. She was desperate to go trick or treating. After a few more hours, it was obvious she was not sick she had just swallowed too much stuff. Addie slept the afternoon away, and was ready to go! We were able to trick or treat in our neighborhood, and then drove to a friends house and trick or treated more with their families! It was a blast! As Macy said, "This is the best Halloween ever!"

Justin dressed as Phillip Fulmer (UT's football coach for at least a few more games) and held a sign that read "Will Coach for Candy." I attempted to be somewhat crafty and got ideas from the internet for these cupcakes! Addie and I had lots of fun making ghosts, bats, and mummies. The ghosts melted, so I thought I'd share these!