Mike Westendorf
Back in September, I posted this interview with Shaun Groves in support of his Third World Symphony album.
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Today, I’d like to introduce you to another musician – a mentor and friend of mine, Mike, who is also a husband & Dad (and weatherman).
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My Youth Pastor suggested I call Mike to talk about music, since he [...]
Women of Faith – Imagine
Imagine starting your day being led in worship by the astounding Allison Abbott, Janice Gaines, Laura Cooksey & Jenifer Thigpen.
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Imagine being joined in worship by an arena full of fellow sisters in Christ.
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Imagine hearing stories of God’s faithfulness, comfort, power & love from speakers like
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Sheila Walsh, Nicole Johnson and Angie Smith.
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I’m thrilled to have [...]
Choosing JOY- a gift from Sara
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After a busy day of preparing for & celebrating Greg’s birthday Wednesday, cleaning up, praying with and blessing my kids, I finally checked email. I wasn’t prepared.
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I was shocked to see that hospice had been brought in to my friend, Sara’s condo and she’s on the verge of going Home.
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I wasn’t prepared. As I read [...]
Shaun Groves – Third World Symphony
We’ve been listening to this wonderful new album from Shaun Groves.
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Here, take a listen, yourself.
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Third World Symphony by shaungroves
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The whole CD bursts with beautiful melodies under Biblically-sound, experience-rich lyrics.
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It’s not merely music that sells, but that teaches, acknowledges, reflects and remembers.
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Shaun graciously answered a few questions of mine as he prepared to [...]
This is (in)courage …
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The (in)courage community chose my song “Surrounded by Your Love” for their newest video. I was delighted, honored and humbled (and a teensy bit excited – ok, A LOT excited – I may have squealed)!
Here’s the video. This community of women, many of whom I’m proud to say I’ve met and connected with, are [...]
a birthday, a wheelchair, a thankful Mom
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HE’S 7 TODAY.
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He got out of the hospital yesterday.
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And had surgery the day before.
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A week ago, his foot got caught under the tires of a Montana campground pedal-cart our family was riding.
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We spent an HOUR in the ambulance, a DAY in an Idaho hospital, 2 DAYS driving home to Minnesota, 3 DAYS trying to find the right specialist to help him.
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And, now we’re here – a little (ok, A LOT) tired, emotionally spent, weary and wondering why and how it happened – in mere seconds.
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As we waited for the ambulance, my youngest said, “I don’t want to go to Heaven – I haven’t had my birthday yet.”
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In the grand scheme, his injury is small – could’ve been way worse – missed major arteries, tendons & did not break bones – but his fear was HUGE. He was afraid he’d die, not be able to walk … and miss his birthday.
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He kept praying for God to heal him right away. He believed as a child with faith should, that God could heal him on the spot.
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He was right – God could. But that doesn’t mean that God would.
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We told him God was helping him, even if that meant he’d need help from doctors. Even if he needed surgery. Even if it took time.
We prayed for God to bring the right people to us for help – and we believe He did.
We were blessed with:
- a heroic Deputy Sheriff who got us help faster than we could’ve on our own
- EMTs who were supremely gentle and compassionate
- a smart specialist that got him ready for the 20-hour ride home
- Burn & Wound Clinic staff who knew exactly what he needed
- a Surgeon & staff who were attentive, skilled and fast-acting
- Nurses who understood the fears of a 6-year old
- … even the Hospital Pharmacist, making rounds with the doctors, who just so happens to have known my husband since kindergarten
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GOOD NEWS – his surgery went really well. He’ll have another on Tuesday which will hopefully close up his ankle fully, without having to do any skin grafts.
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And, He DID NOT die. He WILL walk very soon.
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and his birthday, though mostly viewed from a wheelchair, will be thoroughly enjoyed by the bravest little guy I know.
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Happy Birthday, Gus!
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I am so thankful to be home with my sweet, smart, serious, silly, strong, spunky, sassy, sensitive 7-year old.
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And, thank you so much for all the prayers, as I shared our ordeal with you via facebook & twitter. We felt the love from far away and Max smiled each and every time I read him a message or told him so-and-so was praying.
What’s Your Gift? – Clothes4Souls
I’m starting this new series entitled What’s Your Gift?
In it, I’ll be sharing people, organizations and groups who are using their gifts to make an impact locally and/or globally.
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Gift Giver: Clothes4Souls (clothing division of Soles4Souls, a charity I first learned about as I attended Blissdom two years ago, armed with my own shoe donation)
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What’s Their Gift? helping to clothe those in need
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How Does it Work? You purchase a lovely dress or lounge pants from Olive Juice Gives and Clothes4Souls donates clothing to someone who needs it. It’s essentially a one-for-one campaign.
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This is taken from their website:
The donations will include items for girls, boys and infants ages 12 months to 16 years in everywhere from North America to South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. To help jumpstart this giving website OliveJuiceGives.com is offering free standard domestic shipping on every order placed. Clothes4Souls has already donated more than 1 million articles of clothing to less fortunate people all over the world since its inception in April 2011.
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Olive Juice makes classic, Euro-inspired fashion – this is how they define themselves:
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And, because they are a giving organization, Clothes4Souls offered me an article of clothing. I declined, but asked if I could instead give it away to one of you. They said, “Absolutely!”
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To Enter:
Please look at their catalogue, come back here & leave a comment telling me what you would choose from their darling assortment. If I could rewind a few years, I’d get my daughter the georgia dress.
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I will use Random.org to choose the winner at 9 p.m. CST on Sunday, August 21, 2011.
UPDATE: Nancy was chosen as the winner of the giveaway. She will be get to choose a garment from Olive Juice Gives – thanks!
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Oh and by the way, if I could pick, I think my boys would look super sharp in this bennet vest
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Lessons from my Kids
Here’s a recap in pics from our weekend …
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BE CURIOUS
My inquisitive, creature-loving boys took great care of the new, amphibious friends found in our yard.
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BE GRATEFUL
We are thankful for neighbors who think of us when they have tomatoes and cucumbers to give away.
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BE PATIENT
My boys were troopers as we traveled to pick up their sister from a week spent at Grandma’s.
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BE ENCOURAGING
My darling daughter wasn’t too keen on hitting balls at the driving range with her overly-enthused brothers. However, a little encouragement and coaching from her Daddy went a long way.
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BE OUTGOING
The kids gave it their all at the driving range. Simon & Paige both hit balls into the pond, which automatically scores them ice cream! And, in true Kamin fashion, everyone’s a winner, so we were all treated to something sweet. And, my never-shy, almost 7-year old Max chatted up the patient, nice young man golfing next to him. It was funny and adorable. Max said to him at one point, “You’re my new friend!”
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BE BRAVE
And, because we like taking risks and love the Packers even more, this is my crew heading into a Minnesota sports bar dressed appropriately for the first pre-season game of our favorite team.
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What did you do this weekend? Learn anything or make any new friends?
