Funny Fun in Loveland!

Oh how I have enjoyed my 4 days in Loveland with my family. The biggest hugs from my sister in laws and tears from my mother in law as we surprised them with me getting to come home for Thanksgiving! Nice to get to spend some time in the mountains hiking and climbing. We got to see many friends and quickly catch up face to face. It has been so fun, so refreshing and wonderful!

My nieces are getting so big and talking so much! They are 4 and say some of the most hilarious things! Here are a few of them for you to enjoy.

Addy: "Tara, you and Aaron should get married." Which she then told us we needed to dance because you know that is how you are married - Got to love Disney! (-: After several more comments on us getting married, I decided to print a picture of us dancing at our wedding, which might have helped some - but then on Sunday night she told me, "Don't tell Aaron you want to marry him until he marries you, then you can tell him!"

Addy was doing my hair, which I'm pretty sure could last all day if I would last that long. When she finished a 'do' she asked everyone individually in the room "Does Tara look like a boy or a girl to you?"

This may not be PC - but rather funny! Camry and I were playing catch with a little dolly (her idea!) and I got distracted talking to someone and she yelled from across the room, "Just throw the darn baby!"

Thankfulness for Divine Goodness

Happy Thanksgiving a day early!

On another blog I follow, someone wrote the definition of Thanksgiving. The most profound definition was "thankfulness for divine goodness."

Divine goodness - although I don't believe that everything here on earth is "good." I do believe that God works everything for good for those that are called his children.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I think that this is how we can give thanks for and in all things, even here on earth. It is because God uses bad things to create goodness - divine goodness for his children. He is able to take pain, suffering and extreme hardship and somehow work them for good. I have no idea how this works, but I have confidence that His Word is true and that I can take joy in knowing He will do what He says He will.

I pray that each one of you - my friends - are able to celebrate Divine Godness tomorrow and everyday of your life.

All my love, Tara

A week of Thanksgiving

One of the blogs I read posted this exercise - I think I'm going to try it and wanted to share it.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/uploads/AWeekofThanksgiving.pdf

Here is the introduction to give you a taste:
God’s Word teaches that thankfulness ought to be a way of life. But in the reality of our daily lives, it is so easy for discontentment, murmuring, complaining, criticizing, or even bitterness to displace the “attitude of gratitude.” Cultivating a thankful heart will result in speaking thankful words. But we all need periodic reminders to be thankful, and, for most of us, developing the habit of thankfulness may require some practice! Here are some practical suggestions for devoting one week to practicing thankfulness. You may even want to include the whole family in this project.

Here today, gone to Maui

About 8 weeks ago my job had an unexpected turn of events. A co-worker of mine got word that the district had hired a permanent OT to fill the position I'm currently covering. This new person was not arriving until January, but I was supposed to be here until June 2009. So I knew things were going to change, and I would not be in control of the change. I quickly called my contract company to see what they normally do in this situation. I had 2 choices - typically they just let the person stay at their job and job share. However in my case this doesn't make sense - I hardly have enough work to keep myself busy, there is no way we both wouldn't be bored to tears if I stayed. I asked what my other option was, and she said that she could see if there was anywhere the DOE would want to move me. Aaron and I talked and prayed about it for a couple of days and decided that if they offered us somewhere we would want to check out, that we were up for the move. Rather quickly we found out that the likely options were going to be Kihei, Maui or Kailua, Oahu - and so we said we were up for the move.

I know you are thinking, is there anywhere in Hawaii that you would turn down - and the answer is a slightly snobby - yes, there are a couple places. I won't list them in fear of offending someone, but there are a few communities that I'm not sure I would feel safe in the schools.
So we got the ball moving, we thought. And then we waited, and waited. The weeks went by and I tried not to be the annoying employee calling for updates. I did well, I only called twice in 8 weeks to see if anything was new.

Last Thursday I got the call - we have news - the Maui job is yours! This is what we were hoping for honestly. We love Maui - it is beautiful, lots of sand beaches, still has a big mountain where we can get our Colorado fix at 4000-8000 feet and there are many fewer people than on Oahu.

In all the moving that we have done this past year and a half - the hardest thing is always moving away from friendships. I feel like I just started to get deeper in several of my friendships and now we are leaving. I know that these gals will be my friends for life, but friendships have to change when you don't live near each other. The element of presence certainly changes things and it is certainly more difficult to stay in as good of touch from a distance. I guess I have to know that I was here for a reason - to love, be loved, to grow, to share, to bless and to be blessed. And although the friendships will change, those reasons will not change from afar.

We will miss Hawaii, we will miss our Big Island friends - but we can't help to be excited for what God has planned for us during our short stay on Maui.

Lesson from Hebrews

Tonight we had bible study and I was struck by the message of the first two lessons.

#1 Don't ignore salvation.
Hebrews 1:3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

#2 Don't stop believing.
Hebrews 4:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.^[f] Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Our Bible Study leader summed these 2 lessons up as "Trust and Obey" in that order. You must know that you can trust and once you know that, it is possible to obey and be faithful to the end.

Another enlightenment was regarding God's rest. Hebrews is written to believers and so the following passage is not saying that believers have rest while non-believers do not. It is saying that some believers have rest, while other believers do not.

Hebrews 4: 1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.^[a] 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest.

What is the difference between rest and no rest - belief - belief in every little decision, belief and trust and faith in God's control and love for us. When we quit trying to take care of things for ourselves, quit worrying, quit forcing God to the side - we get to live a life full of His rest. This is so cool, because as we rest in Him - He can more fully use us to bring Him glory and bring life to this Earth.

God be with us as we run the good race! May we find ourselves wrapped in grace, love, peace and trust - able to do the good work that God has designed us to do!

Another Baby Dies

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

My co-worker just came to me and said she just found out about a family friend's baby who died at 5 months old this week. He was placed on an adult bed and rolled into the comforter and suffocated.

I feel so helpless - this was so preventable - the information is out there - they just didn't have it and now they must suffer. Suffer the worst loss imaginable becasue they didn't 'know.' I sit here doing evaluation paperwork and getting other things in order for my job - when I could be out the spreading the message - a message that would save families from carrying the worst burden ever. I hate it, I just hate it! Lord help me until I can spend my time doing what I know I'm supposed to be doing.

My co-worker who shared this sad news said to me - my sister is having a baby any day - do you have any information for her. "Yes" I do - I have information that I wish every family in the world had. I just can't spread it fast enough.

Pray for these families that have lost, lost so much. Lost life as they know it - are left in a pit of darkness dreaming of what could have been. Pray that they find God's love and peace - they need it more than anyone.

27

Oh the love I have felt these last 27 years! Here are my thank yous for the last 27 years - I love you all so much.

Mom and Dad - thank you for your love for me that began before I was even born and now continues to grow into a more beautiful love each passing year. Your unselfish care for me, your love of Christ that you passed on to me, your loving discipline, your provisions that exceed my every expectation - I thank you from the depths of my soul.

Aaron - thank you for your love - love that binds our hearts together. A love that God holds together and cannot be broken. 5 and half years ago you presented me with a ring and asked me if I would let you love me like Christ loved the Church. You have not disappointed - you hold me accountable, you give me gentle encouragement, you hold me with tenderness... Thank you for being my husband.

Chad - You show me brotherly love and care that blows my mind. Thank you for putting up with me in our formative years so that we could be great friends as adults.

Grandpa Alfred and Grandma Nona - Thank you for your legacy - thank you for loving the Lord. You have blessed my life and bring me love that is felt to the bone.

Grandpa and Grandma Cross - you won't get to read this because you beat us to heaven. But I want to express my thanks and gratitude for showing me how to have a strong loving marriage that is based on God's love and showing me how to put God first, others second and yourself last.

Mary and Jerry - I praise the Lord regularly for giving me such wonderful in-laws. Thank you for raising your son to be a man of God - he is my greatest gift. Thank you for loving me always.

Connie - thank you for your sweet heart, kindness and love. We met at such a fun time in life - figuring out who we were. We got to make mistakes, grow in truth and love each other through it. You are my sister in Christ - a sweet gift as we travel this life.

Amanda - My dear cheek to cheek friend. Thank you for the laughter, love, and joy through the years. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly - you are always there for me. Thank you for your friendship!

Josh, Lisa, Ashton and Addyson - thank you for bringing so much happiness to my life. Lisa - thank you for your friendship - I love that we can chat about anything. Josh - thank you for serving our country and being a rock in our family. Ashton and Addyson - I love every minute I get to play with you - I miss you so much and can't wait to be in Loveland to watch you grow up.

Jeremy, Kelly, Caleb, Hannah and Camry - thank you for the love and joy to bring to my life. Kelly - thank you for being tender and kind - I appreciate it so much. Jeremy - thank you for your care and love. Caleb, Hannah and Camry - I love you so much and praise God I get to be your aunt! Thank you for bringing joy to my life.

Christie - my dear friend and sister in-law, thank you for your love and sweetness to me. Thank you for taking care of my brother and making him a better man. Miss you.

Kaitlin - I wish I had the words to express how thankful I am to be called your friend. You are an amazing woman, I have learned so much from you and am blessed to walk beside you in this life.

Callie - my mentor and friend. Thank you for your love, guidance, words of wisdom and faith. You are a gift from God.

Elyssa - your friendship is so special to me - thank your for sharing this road with me! Separated by only hours and a few hundred miles at birth - our friendship was meant to be. God bless 27!

Stephen - my childhood buddy - thank you for the fun times - we have so many! I'm so blessed that our friendship grew even after we weren't children anymore. Thank you for your faith, adventurous spirit and love!

Julie Butler - your heart is so beautiful, you glow Jesus! Thank you for sharing your love and friendship with me. We may never get to camp illegally in NZ again or share a room in a cold flat - but I look forward to more fun memories!

Todd, Wes and Jeff - thank you for your brotherly love and support for my husband. Thank you for welcoming me into the adventures with open arms.

Angie - thank you for showing me ruthless trust. You are a beautiful woman, amazing mother and sweet friend.

All my other amazing family and friends - I could be here all day - you have all blessed my life with love, kindness, fun and joy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I see God's goodness in the gift he's given me in you!

I've been tagged

My friend Ashley tagged me! Here's the rules and here's my response:


1. This is random, but on my mind tonight as I clean - "I hate mold!" I've been fighting it everyday here in Hawaii - it is in my closets, it is in my car, it is under the drawers in my dresser, it makes my comforter stink... it is everywhere. I fight it and it sneaks right back. I love the tropical weather, but with it comes mold and bugs. I will not miss the mold (or the bugs) when we move back to Colorado.

2. I was telling this to Aaron the other day and he said I should use it the next time I play 2 truths and a lie. But I think this is as good of a place as any. It is one of my most embarrassing moments. In Occupational Therapy school I taught 2 semesters of medical terminology. Now, if you've taken this class you know that some of the stuff is embarrassing to read about, let alone give a lecture about it to 120 students (most of which are my age or older). I was giving the lecture on the good old digestive system and out of my mouth came. "And last, but not least is your anus - it is a sphincter muscle that keeps things from coming in." Laughter from all. And then I corrected - "oh I mean keeps things from coming out, or I guess it is good for both." I'm sure I was as red as red could be.

3. I have a fear of settling down in one place. I love moving, it is so fun to be all over the place. I've always had an end date. Undergrad ended 5/2004, Grad School ended 12/06, first contract ended 10/07... you get the point. I love having an end date, and a date to start something new. The idea of being in one place and not knowing when it 'ends' is a bit scary.

4. I'm a total adrenaline junkie - I have slowed down in may later 20's and take fewer risks than I used to (which honestly is probably a good thing - my parents praise the Lord that I got married because they think Aaron helps me make better decisions - and they are probably right) I love the feeling of falling. I bungy jumped 333 feet in Zambia, skydived 12,000 ft in New Zealand, have jumped off many, many cliffs into water, love rock climbing, surfing and skiing. Please don't send this to my life insurance company (-:

5. I've had malaria. Opps ... I was on anti - malaria pills, but the dang paracite didn't seem to care. After 5 days of pounding headaches, sleeping 14 hours a day and not being able to help in the House of Moses nursery I finally went and got tested. Three days and some TLC from a missionary family and I was back to new.

6. I'm so thankful and blessed to have both sets of my grandparents be servents of the Lord who raised my parents to love the Lord.

7. I'm the most blessed girl in the planet - my husband is a servant leader that loves God first and then me, my family is the greatest (this of course includes my in-laws who are the greatest in-laws ever) and I could not have asked God for better friends. He always provides brothers and sisters to love and be loved on - all over the world. Thank you God!!!

I'm breaking the rules with Ashley - only 4 tags!
I'm tagging Connie, Kendra, Elyssa, and Jenn