White Christmas

Today marks the first white Christmas for a guy who has waited thirty years... you finally got one bud!  It is also our first Christmas alone, which I have to confess I thought I'd be crying by now.  However, we have had plenty of calls from family and we have been enjoying our last few weeks together before the little one decides to arrive, keeping plenty busy.  Brenton and I have made about every kind of Christmas goodie one could think of, watched all our Christmas movies, slept in, gone to the mall for plenty of walks to try and hurry our baby gal along, and, with working, I have not had a chance to be sad.  Exactly what I had hoped for, a fun and full Christmas, our last one with just the two of us.

And so today, Christmas day, we've been pretty lazy; watching the snow fall, resting, listening to Christmas music, waiting on the ham to cook, and watching the dogs frolic in the snow.  It is absolutely beautiful and perfect.  We've come to expect our weekly snow storm on the weekends here in the North Carolina mountains.  It usually snows about two to three days and then clears up for the remainder of the week.  Within a few hours this morning we already had two inches... feels like we are vacationing in a mountain cabin, though we live here.  And it looks like the constant snow could leave us with 8-10 inches of fluffy white goodness with no trouble at all!  Pray we make it to the hospital if our baby comes with in the next two days, and that I don't have to ride our neighbors 4-wheeler down the mountain by means of getting there.  Although, I can imagine it could be much worse!

Merry Christmas!

Love the Benwares

And a little picture to leave you smiling!  The pups trying on our baby's gifts...

A Benware Thanksgiving

Happy turkey day!  It was our first Thanksgiving without family and we decided to lay low. 

A little bit of advice, I learned the key to self-control on Thanksgiving.  I (Kelly) got a stomach bug this past weekend that had me out for most the week.  Today I'm feeling fine though I've not been able to eat much.  Sadly, it had to be on our first attempt at cooking a turkey, which turned out mighty fine.  I ate a small portion of turkey, potatoes and corn before I felt I'd eaten a huge Thanksgiving feast!  I'll say we had a feast on our table though I was the little bird that just did a fly-by. 

Regardless of how much I ate, I must say that I am thankful for all that we have.  We are thankful, thankful for family, friends, and everything the Lord has blessed us with when we truly only need Him.  I left humbled from our local grocery store yesterday.  We were in line behind a young mom with three kids, one a newborn.  Whatever her circumstance, she had misjudged how much she could afford.  It started with her her taking a few Thanksgiving items out of her bags and quickly became weekly groceries that were unloaded.  The kids were oblivious that they were leaving with a few bags of groceries, as opposed to their weekly grocery list.  Why I did nothing, I don't know.  I do know that the family and their apparent need has not left my memory since I walked out of Ingles.  So, again, all I can say is thanks to our Savior, while asking He'll make me a better steward.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Here's a few days out of 35 weeks.  Just about a month out from meeting our little girl...  I told B that from this picture I look like I ate the whole Thanksgiving feast!  One would never know.

The Blessing of Parents

Brenton and I often talk about how blessed we are by both our families.  We are grateful for godly heritage, loving parents, the prayers that bathed us before we were born and those that still cover over us now.  Most recently, a few different blessings have brought this conversation up again.

This past week, the Benwares made their yearly fall visit to the North Carolina mountains to say, "Hey" and catch some soccer games.  Thankfully the boys won both games we attended, finishing their season 10-6, and are now preparing for their first conference game this weekend.  Sadly, the Benwares had a family reunion without me (Kelly) much of the time as The Cove had four programs in one week; a concert with Selah, a seminar with Erwin Lutzer, a Pastor's Institute with Johnny Hunt and Jerry Vines, and a seminar with David and Kay Arthur.  While they were ever so gracious with my constant yawning and nodding eyes, Brenton and his parents relaxed and made some visits around the area.  And they caught the end of our fall leaves, as our trees have become quite bare.  It is truly amazing how quickly the leaves changed and fell this year. 

  

All the other random pictures are of a cosmetic wall my (Kelly) dad added in our basement downstairs.  We use to have a large living area that we only used one side of, which became our living room.  The other side, we were able to convert into our third room, thanks to the Dongells.  Mom and Dad, thanks for making the trip out here this summer to make this possible.  Here is our new guest room and living room! 

And I almost forgot to mention how infatuated our dogs are with both of our fathers.  You can begin to get the idea from the few pictures posted!  Does not matter how much time passes, grandpa is still a hit!

Molasses Bars

And yet another fall delight.  Jen and I used to rave everytime our friend in high school brought these.  I finally called her mother a few years back for the recipe.  Oh so heavenly!

3/4 cup Crisco
2 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Ground Cloves
1/2 tsp. Ginger
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 cup Molasses (Grandma's Yellow Label)
1 Egg

• Preheat Oven to 375 degrees
• Use a 10" x 15" cookie sheet
• Mix dry ingredients
• In a skillet, melt crisco (right as it becomes liquid, set timer for 3 1/2-4 minutes to let cool)
• Have egg and Molasses ready
• As soon as timer goes off, pour the crisco into the dry ingredients and mix
• Then add the egg and molasses
• The quicker you work the better
• Spread in pan and cook for 9 minutes (start with 8 1/2 minutes and find the time that works with your oven)

(NOTE:  Recipe is sensitive to specific order of mixing ingredients and moving fastly once crisco melts.)

White Chicken Chili

One of my favorite recipes given by a friend at The Cove.  It's a must make in the fall and what we are eating for dinner this week!  Mmm Mmm Good!

3 Chicken Breast (cubed or shredded... I buy the pre-cooked chickens from the bakery)
2 (15oz cans) Chicken Broth
1/4 cup Chopped Onions
2 (4oz cans) Green Chilis
2 (tps) Ground Cumin
1 (tps) Oregano
1 (tps) Cilantro Leaves
2 (tps) Garlic Powder
4 cans White Kidney Beans

Cook in crockpot for 8 hours on low or simmer on stove top for 30 minutes.  Doesn't get much easier!

The Cavs

In North Carolina, we just create our own mascots.  Especially when one has never seen a real Cavalier; we're forced to create makeshift mascots for Montreat pride!  However, I will say this little gal will not be going to any games, ever again.  I tried once the first year we moved here and after a few friendly faces passed by, she had my lying on my back at one of the home games.  My only prayer was that she would not dart off into the middle of the soccer game.  What a classy coach's wife... lying on the side lines with a dog gone mad!

On a more serious note, the Cavs had two unexpected losses this past week.  Which has left this week as a chance to recuperate.  The last of the two games were away and Brenton called to tell me the boys had lost.  He added in that a number more had gotten injured, and that there were two going to the ER when they returned home.  One of the guys came back from the ER with staples in his head and another just relieved to find he was not the second player this year with a broken leg.  Thankfully none of the recent injuries have been quite as serious though it has left a handful of the Montreat men's soccer team needing time to heal and regain strength.  The hope is that the majority are ready for this Saturday's game.  The boys have amazing potential and half the season left, pray for healing and health for the next two months.

I will say, it seems that every year there is some type of obstacle; sadly I know it is a part of growing up.  On the mature side, I know it is a chance to grow and develop character.  Often I want life to just be easier, like my call to insurance today.  All I could think of, while I was on the phone, is how I wanted to be a kid again and have my mom worry about life's details.  I know I've written it many times before but stretching is not fun, though I know it is necessary.

Family Updates

The Montreat Cavaliers are 4-2 after a close game with Bryan College, the 1-ranked team in conference.  Though I was not able to be at the away game, it sounds like it was as heart-breakingly close as the final conference tournament game with Bryan last season.  In both games we only lost by one goal and held out to the very end.  The boys have two more conference games this week, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. 

We are officially at 25 weeks with our little girl, though the picture attached is from 24 weeks.  Every fiber in me did not want to post a pregnancy picture since everyone does, but with all of you close friends wanting to see my belly... here it is.  Our little girl didn't seem to move much the last week and a half, until today... she has been an active little gal!  Which probably explains the odd rush of nausea I woke up to last night.  Unfortunately, I could tell it was over as soon as I woke up and it did prove to be the most violent of the stomach episodes.  I started to feel this way around dinner again tonight, now just hoping my stomach can stay settled enough to not have another rough night, while being thankful that the nausea is not anywhere near as often these days.

Came home to a sweet surprise after such a rough night and exhausting, late work day.  My wonderful husband had gotten a chair for the nursery that some friends were selling.  He knows how much I love the accent color... RED!  May sound odd, but the baby's room will be in tan, black, deep brown, and red, as you can tell by the picture.  We have a cream dresser to bring up and we registered for a wooden cherry crib this weekend.

Which leads to our Sunday adventure... we registered at Walmart and Target, mostly online.  Walmart did not have scanners, interesting.  Both had a lot of similar stuff, so we tried to compare prices as best as possible when registering.  I'd say we are most excited about the crib, though the carseat/stroller combo was pretty amazing too.  Oh yes, and I was really intrigued and stoked about my pacifier thermomether find.  It is just fun to think we'll be meeting our little girl in less than three and a half months!

More than a little surprised today when I was told that North Carolina has decided a baby needs to be born before December 1st to get a full tax deduction.  Supposedly, if the baby were born in December, we might get a small tax break but nothing compared to babies born by November.  (If someone is smarter and knows better, please prove me wrong on this!)  Really hoping this is not so as we began to hope our little girl would come around December 31st.  Guess that means we'll have to stick with having the first baby of the New Year! 

Oh and our friend that makes handmade wooden signs as a hobby allowed us to have one of his treasures.  Our new rustice "Welcome" sign seemed to be the perfect touch for our mountain get-away!  Thanks Heather and Wes!

Montreat Cavalier Men's Soccer Team Update

The Cavaliers are off to a booming start! The season began a few weeks ago and the team is proving to be very talented. Their current record is 3-1. Though the team lost to Trevecca Nazarene, they out shot Trevecca 22-10. Their most recent victories came over this past weekend at a tournament held here in North Carolina. The Montreat Cavaliers beat Oklahoma Baptist University 1-0 and St. Francis (Illinois) 4-1, all four goals in the St. Francis game scored by freshmen. The skill shown at the tournament allowed two of the guys to earn "Player of the Week" in conference and currently ranked the team 2nd in conference.

With all their Conference games and the larger part of the season ahead, it has at least been an encouraging start. Regardless what happens, the boys' talent has been commented on by many; coaches, referees and fans. The Montreat Cavaliers have a good deal to be proud of though there is a lot of hard work and competition ahead. They have, at the least, made a real big fan of the coach's wife! And please be in prayer for one of their starting defensive players who just broke his ankle (during the OBU game), a tough break as this is his first year and for the fact that he is from Latin America, a good ways from home. Thankfully, the boys have rallied around him to build a community of support here in North Carolina.  Keep watch, their next game is this coming Saturday.

Pregnancy Peculiarities

I know I'm a first timer, but really?!  One would expect certain things to happen to their body when they are pregnant, but there are others that seem a mystery to me.  Some of them I won't share for the sake common courtesy, but a few of my peculiar favorites are listed below.


1)  Leg cramps (Why does a potassium deficiency affect you only when your pregnant?)

2)  Eating sooths nausea

3)  Feeling claustrophobic during church or in big crowds of people

4)  Having trouble breathing during Sunday worship

5)  Starting a walk and having a sudden urge to use the restroom (Before the halfway mark is even in sight!)

6)  Lower back pains before the belly has really grown

It's a Girl!!!

We are thrilled!  I think this is the most exciting part of the journey so far, to know something about our baby or should I say our daughter!  It is amazing how much can be known and seen with technology.  I took some advice given me and had caffeine about an hour before our appointment so the baby would be active for some good views, and boy was she!  I loved seeing her little hands, fingers and feet, by far the most precious.  The definition in other areas was not so clear to me, not being an ultrasound technician, but who doesn't recognize little fingers.  And her profile was also very defined.  You could clearly see her nose and mouth; how unreal that at five months the little one is so intricately created!

Brenton says he had a hunch all along; I knew nothing. It was fun to be surprised with no expectations.

Amazingly, the technician could tell the baby was about six days smaller than originally believed.  The little one is healthy and the due date was not changed.  They said they were just going to watch her growth over the next few months, as would be expected.  And as I know nothing about the process, they mentioned if the baby had been 10 days behind or more, then they would have been concerned.  Thank goodness we weren't the extra four days lacking.  I'm hoping she'll be a small little thing, especially come time for delivery! 

Heavenly Shoes

This past week my Pappaw on my Mother's side went to meet our Heavenly Father.  The previous weekend, before he moved out of consciousness, he told someone he was ready for his "heavenly shoes".  It seems he knew his time was near and was ready to meet the Maker.

While it is sad to have him leave, I was amazed to hear so many people say they had never met a more godly man.  Each of the three pastors that spoke at the funeral said just that as they choked on unshed tears.  One saluted a fellow soldier for the last time as he concluded his portion of the funeral.  His, was a life well lived. 

Ironically, as I went to bed Friday night after the funeral, I imagined Pappaw, Howard & Benji (the students who passed at the colleges we've worked at) sitting together and joyfully chatting in heaven.  I know there is no other place those men would rather be than with our Savior.  And how can I be sad on that note.

Thankfully, just before Pappaw past, we were able to spend time with him at the farm.  We drove Pappaw up on his trekker and he watched as we took family pictures, one of which can be seen above.  Little did we know about two and a half weeks later, we'd learn of his passing.  We are so thankful for the godly heritage on both sides of our family!

Family vacation at the beach was also a much needed rest.  I think I'm still feeling a little lethargic from all the rest I took in that week!  Unfortunately, all the pictures are on my sister's camera.  The ones you see, I've taken off her Facebook page!  Thanks Jen.

No More Food!

I never thought the day would come when I would ever say this, but I am tired of food.  Previously, before becoming pregnant, my daily excitements were meals and sleep, very exciting... and they were to me!  So what has changed?  To keep my nausea at bay and stay off the medicine, I have had to eat obscene amounts.  Brenton brags to his friends about the fact that I can out eat him.  And if your are wondering, sadly this is true.  I do not think I would have believed it had I been told, until I got to this point!  I guess I should be embarrassed but, in reality, I am just thankful to not be throwing up as regularly.  Even with my new diet, I would say I have one or two uncontrollable moments per week.  Not bad with the previous ratio, and considering the fact that I am not taking medicine for the most part.  And while Zofran is what made life doable early on, it is nice to not have to deal with the side effects from the pill either.

Really, I should be and am grateful to not be throwing up through out the day.  I feel great for the most part and have gotten to where walking/physical activity, in doses, does not bother me.  We have made some big strides, all except for the lovely new diet! 

My current prayer... "Dear Lord, help me be able to walk so that my eating habits won't take my weight out of control.  Oh, and if you could make the nausea go away, that'd be nice too."  Not superficial one bit, eh?!  (*Wink*)

Last update, my pregnant belly is showing now.  Were I to wear a more fitted shirt, it would be obvious I had not just gained a little weight at 17 weeks (this weekend).  Thankfully, the current trend it baggy, not fitted, and comfortable.  Shirts can be very deceiving and I love it!  We are three weeks away from the gender appointment.  We are excited to find out!  

Guess What?!

So I said we had lots to say and boy do we ever!  This past winter in February, I went to the doctor for a check up as Brenton and I thought we were pregnant.  We'd held off on Valentines as we were going to send belated Valentines saying we were going to have a baby... and our story changed.  The first ultrasound showed there was no baby but there was an abnormal growth, what the doctor thought could be a mole... and would mean we had a molar pregnancy.  I was taken in for a D&C quickly as they wanted to look at the make up of the growth.  Thankfully, it was only a miscarriage.

I don't say that to be heartless, but the doctor had braced us for having to monitor my body for a year to make sure there were no other moles or regrowths.  The doctor left out the part that the growths can be cancerous, but if curiosity gets you like it does me, it is "Google" time when you get home for the appointment.  I will say that possibilities of the next year weighed heavily on me the two weeks we waited on surgery and the lab report.  I was in a drug store when they called to tell me it was "just a miscarriage."  It was almost as if the miscarriage part had been forgotten as it was jumbled with all the other news.  I don't know that I really grieved the miscarriage as I was only eight weeks along, I think it would have been hard had we shared with everyone prior to the news.  I will say it felt like life had been handed over to me again once we found out I was cleared.  It was a huge burden released.

I don't share this to make everyone hurt or grieve for us, it is more of an update to further fill you in on our current news.  Brenton and I are expecting!  We will have the little one at the end of December or early January.  Not sure it is true, but I hear 90% of babies are not born on their due date so we are thinking in more broad terms.  Brenton's praying for a December baby for tax purposes and I'm hoping for a New Years baby, only because how cool would that be?!  I'm just into the second trimester and the nausea has calmed down a good deal.  It's still lingering but much more doable.  My current trend has been a date with the toilet on Friday nights.  Poor Brenton, our dates have been much less adventurous lately.  However that is a blessing, as it is much less frequent than when the toilet dates started!  In short, we wanted to fill everyone in on the details of our lives and that we are very excited!  Oh and we just heard the heart beat for the first time this past week.  The baby is a mover... guess we have another little soccer player on our hands!

The Chore... Not Family, Rather Discipline

I never thought writing a blog would be such a chore, but like anything else, you get out of the habit and it takes discipline to get back into it.  Don't honestly know why, but for the possible fact that I don't know what to say anymore and yet we have lots to say on behalf of the Benwares... ironic, an emphatic, "YES!"

The latest on our adventures was our trek out west to visit the Benware crew and a drop by Oklahoma for a day.  One of the things we miss most about Oklahoma are all the wonderful friends and the history we had together.  Oh we have met many wonderful people in the Blue Ridge Moutains but good ole friends, one just can't get enough!  As always, it's hard not being able to see everyone as this is a prominent time for summer vacations... go figure.  Everyone's schedules are hit and miss, like the ever constant game of cell phone tag in today's society.

And for Texas, boy had it been a while!  It can best be summed up best by one of Brenton's blood-related nephews that looked at his mama the first night we arrived and said, "Mom, who's that boy with Aunt Kelly?"  However, I must say that I felt special I was remembered!  It is truly amazing how much we miss out on watching all 10 Benware nephews and neices grow up while we are out of state.  We can't believe that they have changed so much and then they have to get use to us all over again.  Guess it is just that constant story of... LIFE.  Yet it is always a joy to go see family and catch up on lost time.  Just leaves us something to look forward to the next time we all get together!

Jaeger Crew from New Mexico

Ford Crew from Texas

I guess I'll save the rest for next time... otherwise I really won't have anything to write about!  You'll just have to wait and see!!

Montreat Cavaliers Men's Soccer Team 2009-2010

Athletic Banquet

This years athletic banquet went three and a half hours... some how I always forget how long these occasions are!  The guys' soccer team picture is above, minus Howard who passed and Shaka who is now playing professional soccer in Puerto Rico.  We are so proud of all these guys!

Oh, and last weekend... Brenton saw his first wild black bear.  We had some friends over to our house Saturday evening that hopped out of their car and said there was a mama bear and her cubs just down our drive.  We headed down and apparently, the guys caught the mama with a rabbit (one Brenton and I had previously named, "Buddy") before heading into the woods.  By the time us girls got down the drive, the mama came back out and crossed the road behinds us to her little cubs.  They were beautiful, but I am more than thankful I was in a car!  And funny enough the guys got out of their cars... who does that?!

Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday To You...

... Happy Birthday dear family, Happy Birthday to you!!!

Today is Brenton's birthday for a few more hours yet, and in addition to his birthday is that of all Lexi's pups.  It has been our joke, for some time, that Brenton had to share his birthday with our youngest pup, Bentley, as he has slowly grow into himself.  He's becoming a sweet little critter but it has taken some time to get him to where he is... Hence the idea to make a cake of Bentley for Brenton's birthday. 

Ironically, B had a text from one of the couples who bought a pup asking if they could stop by.  So, we were able to see the smallest of Lexi's litter today, who is now bigger than his brother Bentley.  These critters terrorized our newly planted yard while we ate birthday sweets, as the couple had also brought Brenton birthday surprises.  (Side Note:  You can tell how quickly Spring has come as the trees are almost full compared to the bare trees in previous pictures.)

Another ironic twist is the Josh Mc Dowell was in town speaking at The Cove this weekend.  One of my Cove supervisors was unable to take McDowell's crew to the airport, so I offered my husband as he had previously worked for McDowell...  It was an early morning, which many of you know we are not morning people, but B enjoyed catching up with a few past connections and christian mentors. 

On top of this craziness, Obama was in town this weekend.  Today he was having lunch with Billy Graham and heading out of town, so we had security and cops swarming the freeways and freeway ramps. 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband whom I love more than I did when we married.  I treasure our friendship and marriage, knowing I always have my best friend at my side.  He has been a wonderful friend, husband, provider, and support; as he always takes care of me first, wanting to make sure I am able to acheive my dreams and have purpose.

Our LOVELY Lives

HAPPY EASTER  from the Benwares!

(Brenton, Kelly, Lexi, & Bentley)

Here is my best job at a panoramic view of our land...

And all the work Brenton has done.  We have added all the accent plants and shrubs.  The rest, Brenton has cleared out, especially the far patch in the very last picture (previously wooded and covered with wild brush and berry patches... no worries we have saved a number of raspberry and blackberry bushes for you visitors).  And again, Brenton has bordered the whole property with stone...

Property Updates

We have been busy little beavers bustling around our property the past few weeks. With Spring here and warm weather, we are taking advantage of the prime time to upgrade the yard. We are loving our view for the time being, as the trees are starting to bud and soon to close in. The view is amazing and pictures do not do justice; we will have a hard time saying goodbye to the city lights for a season!

However, we really are looking foward to the yard improvements and the reason we fell in love with the home... Being up in the woods and completely surrounded by "green".  We have spread grass seed in the far left lot surrounded by stones (picture above)... just waiting for the little blades to sprout out. I was so excited today when I saw a few sprouts, but B assured me they were only weeds. No good and a bit disappointing! In the mean time, it has been satisfying to see bits of progress. Brenton had to clear brush out of the whole area and surrounded the property with stone, both of which we still have an abundance.

As you can tell, our road has been paved! It has been just over a week and we are loving it. We both have said we LOVE our home ten times more with the improvement of our road. Ah, and the first picture was of the awkward space we finally made use of by pulling our table upstairs... You may be wondering, "Why the down low on the Benwares home?" This is more for those who saw it before and we are just obsessed with our home, because... We simply love it!

Charlie Bit Me

Congratulations Honey!

A word to my wonderful husband...

Just wanted you to know how proud I am to be your wife. I could not have asked for a better husband; you are a godly man of integrity and purpose. I greatly respect you and your desire to honor the Lord in all you do.

And a big CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your last masters class!!! You are done!

Everyday Updates

What is it that you wake up to in the morning? Generally, we wake up a little lazy in our dorm apartment, let out dogs jump up on our "craiglist" bed, and smother them with attention for a few minutes before we are both off for the day. We usually come home to the pups ready to play and Bentley pulling Lexi across the floor by her collar. Never gets old!

After this strange and never-ending winter, our neighbors came to us requesting that we pave our road. This was an answer to our prayers as we were the only ones wanting to do so originally. And now that Spring is on its way, our paved road should be coming within the next month! No more mud... except for our back driveway. It is a huge step forward!

What is more exciting, Brenton and I will be able to enjoy the road so soon! We have had a wonderful time with the ladies in our dorm this past year, but we plan to move into our house officially this June. Brenton will still be coaching and I will continue my work at The Cove, we will just be moving on from dorm life. Kind of fun that we can say three out of our four years of marriage have been in a dorm! We have surely had some adventures, long nights, and good times.

Ebay Attempt

So I ventured out as a seller on ebay tonight. I have not a clue what I am doing and I realized how much I do not enjoy being on the internet extensively. Took care of what I needed to take care of, but there are just way too many details to work through the first time! I pushed through as I thought about how proud my ebay sister-in-law, Claudia, would be. This is for you sis!

McGregor dorm at Montreat College is throwing it's second Clothes Swap later this month. Last semester we had a glorified "clothes" yard sale and sold everything for $1 to help cushion our dorm budget. The girls were a little reserved about the idea until they saw what it was about and how cheaply they could get nice clothes. Thankfully, my wonderful Cove friends are big time GW (Goodwill) shoppers, always looking for name brands and faithfully switching out items they are able to resend to GW. I took a few Goodwill runs off their hands and we had quite the Clothes Swap in our dorm.

I started to clean out my closets this week for round two but then I thought, "Why not try selling some items to a Consignment Shop first?" Then the nicer clothing items came to mind; "Why not ebay?" All the doubts came rushing in... More work, more time, may not even get a bid... but I did it anyways!

After Brenton's response, I am not expecting a bid. I think he helped me realize it was a fun venture but I really do not know what I am doing... but in NO way did he insinuate this. He liked my store prices as I took a few items down to the cent and he found my high starting bids humorous. (His heartfelt laughter was all in good fun and made the whole night worth the time!) However, I really do wonder if I started the bids way too high, but how do you ebayers do it if you do not want to get taken? I did not spend all this time on the computer to next stand in a line at the post office for $5. The question still stands... "What am I doing?" But then, again, I guess it really does not matter since I do not plan to get any bids. Just another chance to explore and another random adventure.

Our Little Ski Town... Or So It Looks

When the Bosses Are Out

An email a co-worker sent to me at work... "What my other co-worker and I do when the bosses are out!" A good, needed laugh last week.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The Gentle Giant

A shaken community, a life well lived and a future with the Father. For both Howard Fisher and the Montreat community, the last few days have been a glimpse into life with the Father. For Howie, it became a reality as he woke up in heaven early Wednesday morning. For the Montreat community, it is the image of Howard praising the Savior at the throne and a reminder of living eternally while still on earth.

Howard Fisher, the gentle giant from Jamaica, was a stellar goal keeper on the Montreat Cavalier soccer team. His smile would change your day and his light-hearted humor would make you laugh in a heartbeat. Howie was a senior, one semester away from graduation, and being looked at to play soccer professionally. He had a sweet girlfriend that he'd planned to married, also graduating this year.

At Christmas, Howard went home and visited the hospital feeling dizzy and weak. He headed back home for the holiday, but realized he was not getting better. At the end of December, Howie was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare condition. The developed state in which it was discovered, did not leave much chance of survival. The CEO of Duke was working with many to bring Howard to the states for treatment, and the school was raising hundreds of thousands to help make the flight and the bone marrow transplant possible. However, our almighty God had other plans.

Howard's mother would stand at his bedside in Jamaica and tell Howie, "Just trust Him." It is our almighty God, still just as powerful as He was Wednesday morning, calling Howard home. And there was no better testimony to this fact than the testimony of his own family, accepting the will of the Lord and His hand at work.

Howie's example, hard-work and love for the Lord will always be remembered. It was a life well lived and is a testimony continued, even after Howard's life here on earth. The memorial service today was truly evangelistic and worshipful, it spoke forth what Howard was all about. One of his favorite worship songs speaks forth his heart's desire.

How lovely is
Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty,
For my soul longs
And even faints
For You
Oh, here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I see beneath
The shadow of
Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask,
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells

His soul will no longer faint or long for Him. Howie now understands this reality better than us, as He has truly seen the Father and is dwelling in His presence at this very moment, no doubt smiling. Never has he, nor have we experienced such inexpressible joy. He asked and sought, and has now seen "The place where His glory dwells."

Cold Weather & Bare Trees

Winter, seemingly endless with it's cold weather and bare trees. And so it was that we had another big snowfall this past weekend. We had 10 inches of snow between 3pm and 12am Friday night. Steady sheets of snowflakes fell consistently. Walking from the car inside, my head and coat were covered in plump white flakes.

Brenton had to leave for the airport shortly after 4pm, with a good inch of snow already on the ground and during our "Winter Storm Warning". At 6pm he called saying he was leaving the airport. What is normally a 45 minute drive was taking a bit longer with the snow showers. An hour and a half later he called to say he'd sat on Interstate 26 without moving. At 11:00pm I jumped off the couch when I heard the dog bell jingle as Brenton opened the door. Ironically, the gentleman Brenton dropped off at the airport made it to Chicago, on a re-routed flight, before Brenton made it back to the college.

Sure enough the snow came down good and hard. I missed the good pics though, quite a bit thawed out today with the warmer weather. Guess that means there is still work on Monday! But at least there is also 24 to look forward to Monday night!





Lexi (left) & Bentley (right)