Yesterday a young lady had a baby that she'd once planned not to have. She hadn't planned the baby. She's only 20 for crying out loud. If her age and financial status weren't enough, she suffers from a disease that will never leave her and was once considered reason enough to abort. She knew that she just couldn't handle it. There was no one to help. She was alone. Her family was not there... and money... she had none.
It's not a unique story. I'm sure it happens, LITERALLY every single day. I don't know the statistics on young single women who have nothing and find themselves carrying life inside of them at THE most inopportune time but I've been there and I know countless others that have as well. This young lady's story ends differently though. Not by any coincidence she found herself at an event hosted by the Pujols family and it was there that she realized that everything changed.
She could not... She would not abort her baby.
The cost would be huge. I don't even mean financially, though that goes without saying. The lost sleep... the energy... the time... the space... all things she doesn't have to give and yet, today she holds her daughter in her arms. Having a baby made no sense at all until Christ stepped in and today her daughter has a chance to change the world because her mother chose to sacrifice for her. How could she not when she learned the sacrifice that had been made for her...
Today we have an opportunity to bless this young mother. She is not just a statistic nor is she some nameless face on the streets. She is real and just like her daughter now has opportunities to change the world, so do we! We can change the world for this small family of mother and child. Will you join me?
Please contact me to receive information on how to bless her as she begins this new amazing journey where she knows she is no longer alone!
You can call me at 314-540-4718 or email me at dorinda_peyton@yahoo.com.
OR simply comment below with your email address and I will send the information to you.
Thank you, in advance, for showing love and support to this family!
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand... For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:10 & 13
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Unworthy... Humbled... Amazed
Today these are the words that describes how I am feeling but it's not a bad thing at all. It's actually one of the sweetest things I've ever experienced. "Humbled" would be another word to describe the condition of my heart today. Funny, though, I always thought that when a person was humbled that it would hurt but that's not the case here either. Finally, I am also "Amazed" and it feels exactly like it sounds!
As I posted here, God has allowed me to start a program at the kids' school to provide students whose families are struggling financially with food over the weekends. As I posted here, with the increase in poverty in this country statistics show that "one in four children in the country is living without consistent access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life." The program has been going for one month, as of this week, and it has been an absolutely A-MAZ-ING experience! You know how when you first become parents and that sweet cooing sound is just your most favorite thing in the world to hear.... until that baby first says "ma ma" or "da da"... which it's usually da-da first which I think it totally unfair!... but even if it is da-da, you think it's the sweetest sound you've ever heard! Well, I have discovered a new favorite sound in my life.... It's the sound of people sneaking up to my front door to put food in the plastic tub for Bear necessities! It makes me smile and brings just deep gratitude every single time!
This week was a great test for Bear Necessities... in more ways that I can post at this time... but in one way because next week begins our fall break. We had two weekends worth of food that we needed in the same amount of time that we usually collect for one. I admit, at times it was a conscious effort to not allow my mind to wonder "ok. If the food doesn't come, then..." I continuously took the thought captive and reminded myself that my God is Jehovah-Jireh, THE-GOD-WHO-PROVIDES. At this moment, I am soooo excited to say that there is SOOOO MUCH food in my basement for these kids that as I put each can on the shelf this morning I reminded myself with each one "God will provide" over and over... with every.single.can! I came upstairs and told Madeline and Gavin about it and asked Gavin what "Jehovah-Jireh" meant and we double high fived when he said "The God Who Provides!" Be still my heart! We still need ten jars of peanut butter and 14 jars of jelly but that's nothing for God. HE.WILL.PROVIDE!
So, as I've been in awe today of all that God has provided... and literally, I promise that only a fraction has even been mentioned in this post.... I was reminded of my very first post this year, here. I asked God to amaze me with who He is and His character and WOW (In my best Joey Lawrence voice... go ahead and read it again for the effect) WOW! HAS HE! He is the God who provides and that makes me feel unworthy. Unworthy to love Him in the way He deserves. Unworthy to worship Him properly. How could I ever? It makes me feel humbled. Why would he use me? What is He thinking trusting ME with something to dear to His heart? But it's not about me, though I've come to know that when He looks at me what He sees is entirely different than what I think of me. He is the God who takes a "willing, scared half to death, ill-equipped vessel" (quote from the lovely Beth Moore) and does what cannot be done without Him. He is the God who is able. He is the God who is grace. He is the God who redeems and lifts us up from the bottom of the pit. He is AMAZING!
I am BEYOND amazed and as God continues to show me each step that He has ordained in this journey, I am excited to share just how He amazes me!
As I posted here, God has allowed me to start a program at the kids' school to provide students whose families are struggling financially with food over the weekends. As I posted here, with the increase in poverty in this country statistics show that "one in four children in the country is living without consistent access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life." The program has been going for one month, as of this week, and it has been an absolutely A-MAZ-ING experience! You know how when you first become parents and that sweet cooing sound is just your most favorite thing in the world to hear.... until that baby first says "ma ma" or "da da"... which it's usually da-da first which I think it totally unfair!... but even if it is da-da, you think it's the sweetest sound you've ever heard! Well, I have discovered a new favorite sound in my life.... It's the sound of people sneaking up to my front door to put food in the plastic tub for Bear necessities! It makes me smile and brings just deep gratitude every single time!
This week was a great test for Bear Necessities... in more ways that I can post at this time... but in one way because next week begins our fall break. We had two weekends worth of food that we needed in the same amount of time that we usually collect for one. I admit, at times it was a conscious effort to not allow my mind to wonder "ok. If the food doesn't come, then..." I continuously took the thought captive and reminded myself that my God is Jehovah-Jireh, THE-GOD-WHO-PROVIDES. At this moment, I am soooo excited to say that there is SOOOO MUCH food in my basement for these kids that as I put each can on the shelf this morning I reminded myself with each one "God will provide" over and over... with every.single.can! I came upstairs and told Madeline and Gavin about it and asked Gavin what "Jehovah-Jireh" meant and we double high fived when he said "The God Who Provides!" Be still my heart! We still need ten jars of peanut butter and 14 jars of jelly but that's nothing for God. HE.WILL.PROVIDE!
So, as I've been in awe today of all that God has provided... and literally, I promise that only a fraction has even been mentioned in this post.... I was reminded of my very first post this year, here. I asked God to amaze me with who He is and His character and WOW (In my best Joey Lawrence voice... go ahead and read it again for the effect) WOW! HAS HE! He is the God who provides and that makes me feel unworthy. Unworthy to love Him in the way He deserves. Unworthy to worship Him properly. How could I ever? It makes me feel humbled. Why would he use me? What is He thinking trusting ME with something to dear to His heart? But it's not about me, though I've come to know that when He looks at me what He sees is entirely different than what I think of me. He is the God who takes a "willing, scared half to death, ill-equipped vessel" (quote from the lovely Beth Moore) and does what cannot be done without Him. He is the God who is able. He is the God who is grace. He is the God who redeems and lifts us up from the bottom of the pit. He is AMAZING!
I am BEYOND amazed and as God continues to show me each step that He has ordained in this journey, I am excited to share just how He amazes me!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
My dad will get it
Tonight I took Madeline to her piano and voice lesson. I sat in the lobby, reading my book as I do each week. With all of the lessons that take place i can hardly tell which is Madeline and which are someone else's child so I don't even try. Then out of the blue I heard this powerful voice singing the song that Madeline has been practicing (to be announced at a later date when she gives me permission) and sat straight up when I realized it was my daughter! I got up out of my chair to go hear the conversation that she was having with her teacher when i received the greatest compliment from my child. She's been practicing her song with a CD that I burned from itunes. It has the band that sings the song and she's just been singing along. I had noticed yesterday that she's probably ready for an accompaniment version where she wouldn't be following the lead singer but would be the lead singer. As I listened to her teacher tell her that she needed to get such a version to practice with Madeline said "My mom can do that." Her teacher asked "Do you have one?" Madeline replied "No but my mom will get it for me." I smiled as I realized that her words about what I would do without even asking me were not about a pompous attitude or a spoiled child but were in complete trust that I would supply her with whatever she needs.
I was both blessed greatly by her confidence in me and then humbled just as much by the realization that I don't always speak with the same confidence in my Heavenly Father. Despite the fact that Jesus Christ himself told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34) I do at times and shame on me. How offended would I have been if I'd overheard Madeline say "I don't know if I can get that because I don't know if my mom loves me enough to get it for me" but isn't that what we're essentially saying about God when we doubt that He will act on our part?
The book that I was reading in the lobby is titled "How Children Raise Parents." When I heard her singing and got up from my chair I had been thinking about all the things that i have learned as a parent thus far and how God has used the experience to sanctify me in so many ways... and then He did it again. So often God uses the mirror of myself that I see through the lives of my children to show me who I am and the changes that have occurred within me and those that still need to take place. It's not always a warm and fuzzy experience but I am grateful for each and every one.
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Just so you all know, whatever I need, my Heavenly Dad will do it. My dad will get it for me. :)
I was both blessed greatly by her confidence in me and then humbled just as much by the realization that I don't always speak with the same confidence in my Heavenly Father. Despite the fact that Jesus Christ himself told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34) I do at times and shame on me. How offended would I have been if I'd overheard Madeline say "I don't know if I can get that because I don't know if my mom loves me enough to get it for me" but isn't that what we're essentially saying about God when we doubt that He will act on our part?
The book that I was reading in the lobby is titled "How Children Raise Parents." When I heard her singing and got up from my chair I had been thinking about all the things that i have learned as a parent thus far and how God has used the experience to sanctify me in so many ways... and then He did it again. So often God uses the mirror of myself that I see through the lives of my children to show me who I am and the changes that have occurred within me and those that still need to take place. It's not always a warm and fuzzy experience but I am grateful for each and every one.
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Just so you all know, whatever I need, my Heavenly Dad will do it. My dad will get it for me. :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The gentleness of a mother...
This morning I am reading in 1 Thessalonians. First and Second Thessalonians are two of my favorite bible reads. I just love the nuggets of encouragement and guidance that Paul gives. The one that struck me this morning began in verse seven.
"but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Am I gentle when I care for my children? If I am honest, I know that the answer is, at best, sometimes. Sometimes I am not. Sometimes I let my mind become focused on other desires I have in life and I'm short with them. Sometimes I let fatigue win and my tone is harsh. Sometimes I place my expectations on them, instead of God's, and I'm astonished when they fail. Sometimes, though, I hear their laughter as they play together and I remember the distinct privilege I've been given.
In the next verse, verse nine, Paul says, "worked night and day in order to not be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you." Just like a parent works day and night, so did Paul as he "raised" the small church in Thessalonica. He admits that it was hard work, just as parenting is but he was delighted to do it. He later goes on to say that the words "holy, righteous and blameless" could be used to describe how he was. I'm not sure those will be the words my kids use to describe my mothering but I'm convicted by that.
A while back I was asking Madeline a question about her piano teacher when she said "Which teacher? I have several teachers." Curiously, I asked who all these teachers were. "I have Miss Erika for piano and voice. I have Miss Strebeck for fourth grade and you are my teacher for life and how to love God."
I couldn't help but smile and yet feel a little overwhelmed by the important role she gave me, "life and how to love God."
I am confident of this, if there is a job that I will do more important than that of parent, I cannot imagine what it could be!
Dearest Madeline & Gavin, I am delighted to share the gospel of Jesus with you and it is a privilege to share my life with you every single day! I promise to work day and night to not burden you by my own selfish junk but to love you as you are. I will remember that my mothering should be gentle and I pray that God will make a miracle happen on the days I'm really struggling with that. It's never your fault. It's always mine and my trying to do too much. You are supposed to act like kids. I love you both with everything I am and I am convinced that being your mom is the greatest contribution to this world I can make! Love~Mommy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
"but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Am I gentle when I care for my children? If I am honest, I know that the answer is, at best, sometimes. Sometimes I am not. Sometimes I let my mind become focused on other desires I have in life and I'm short with them. Sometimes I let fatigue win and my tone is harsh. Sometimes I place my expectations on them, instead of God's, and I'm astonished when they fail. Sometimes, though, I hear their laughter as they play together and I remember the distinct privilege I've been given.
In the next verse, verse nine, Paul says, "worked night and day in order to not be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you." Just like a parent works day and night, so did Paul as he "raised" the small church in Thessalonica. He admits that it was hard work, just as parenting is but he was delighted to do it. He later goes on to say that the words "holy, righteous and blameless" could be used to describe how he was. I'm not sure those will be the words my kids use to describe my mothering but I'm convicted by that.
A while back I was asking Madeline a question about her piano teacher when she said "Which teacher? I have several teachers." Curiously, I asked who all these teachers were. "I have Miss Erika for piano and voice. I have Miss Strebeck for fourth grade and you are my teacher for life and how to love God."
I couldn't help but smile and yet feel a little overwhelmed by the important role she gave me, "life and how to love God."
I am confident of this, if there is a job that I will do more important than that of parent, I cannot imagine what it could be!
Dearest Madeline & Gavin, I am delighted to share the gospel of Jesus with you and it is a privilege to share my life with you every single day! I promise to work day and night to not burden you by my own selfish junk but to love you as you are. I will remember that my mothering should be gentle and I pray that God will make a miracle happen on the days I'm really struggling with that. It's never your fault. It's always mine and my trying to do too much. You are supposed to act like kids. I love you both with everything I am and I am convinced that being your mom is the greatest contribution to this world I can make! Love~Mommy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, September 9, 2011
Life
A while back I was watching Madeline and Gavin play the game Life on our Wii. Gavin had the most money and the biggest house but no kids. All he could say, over and over, was "I just wish I could have kids." Madeline had much less money but two kids and was perfectly content.
Tonight all four of us played. When Chris and my Mii characters "married" other people in the game the kids got sooo upset. Even in a game they couldn't stand the thought of their mommy & daddy not being together.
I guess some things transcend from the reality of life to the game of "Life."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tonight all four of us played. When Chris and my Mii characters "married" other people in the game the kids got sooo upset. Even in a game they couldn't stand the thought of their mommy & daddy not being together.
I guess some things transcend from the reality of life to the game of "Life."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bear Necessities
Each school year since Madeline began kindergarten I have been a part of a Moms In Touch prayer group. It's quite funny to remember the very first meeting four years ago when one woman that I'd just met said "My girlfriend has been doing Moms In Touch for years and she says that those girls are her best friends!" I wish I could say that I thought it was sweet or exciting but all I could think was "I do NOT have time for more friends!" While I feel a constant struggle for balance in my life, I must say that I'm so glad that I was wrong and that I allowed these women to not just be my prayer partners but friends that are so much more like family! I seriously don't know what I'd do without them!!!
Last fall we were discussing service projects that we could get our kids involved in so that they could experience serving others as scripture says we should. We found very few opportunities for kids our kids' ages. The one that we finally agreed upon was Operation Backpack. This is a division under Operation Food Search that sends food home with underprivileged students on Fridays so that they have something to eat on the weekends. The majority of students effected by Operation Backpack live in the downtown St. Louis area but they have, in recent years, brought it out to St. Charles County.
As we talked my friend, Leigh, spoke several times that she wished that we could help the kids at John Weldon that might have parents who are struggling to feed them. While I agreed, it wasn't until someone talked about how OFS also sends home cake mixes and party plates for the kids' birthdays that I was really broken. You see, many might look at the financial state that I grew up in and say that it was "underprivileged" but I NEVER went a birthday without a cake... or a meal for that matter! Yes, of course, I realize that having food every weekend is critically more necessary but the thought of a child sitting at home on their birthday, not feeling special and celebrated opened my eyes, broke my heart and popped the bubble in which I lived.
I began to pray that God would move someone to bring the program to JWE because the thought of kids that my kids knew, sat next to at lunch and played with at recess being hungry and not feeling celebrated made me want to melt into a heap of tears. One morning at breakfast I was sharing my prayer with Madeline and Gavin when Gavin said "Mom, why don't we just feed them?"
My prayers changed. "God, I don't want to do this just because it needs to be done or just because it's a good thing. I only want to do this if YOU are calling ME to do it." I spoke to no one about it but God for weeks. One day as I was praying about it and reading in Titus I came across these words:
What could be a more daily need than that kids have food?! Finally, I felt led to meet with the principal, Mrs. Crigler. Pretty quickly a meeting was set and I was on my way to the principal's office! I'm certain that I was more nervous and sweaty that day than any other time I've gone to the principal's office. I called my friend, Leigh, and asked her to pray. I shared my concern for student hunger with Mrs. Crigler, along with the district statistics that I'm sure she already knew. In our district the percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch has been low but it is increasing with the current economy. According to the data at that time, JWE could have had somewhere around 50 I think. I told her that I believed that these were God's kids and I believed that He wanted to feed them. I told her that I had absolutely no idea how it would work but that I would promise to pray over every bag of food that went home whether it was 2 or 100. She agreed to talk to the "higher ups" about it. I must say that Mrs. Crigler was delightful and not at all as scary as on might think a principal would be. ;)
A few months later I was told that the "higher ups" approved and Mrs. Crigler asked that I create something to go home in the school newsletter. This meant that I had to come up with a name... and a logo... and some way to explain to parents what this was! Ok. I probably didn't HAVE to have all of that but it's just how I am. As I was thinking about it I remembered the word that God spoke to my heart a few months earlier... necessities. These kids need their daily necessities... or as Baloo the bear would say their "bear necessities."
My meeting with Mrs. Crigler was nine months ago. Yesterday, applications for Bear Necessities went home for the first time. Before school began this morning I received a call that there are already two students that have signed up to receive services from Bear Necessities!!! I can only wonder how many we'll have by the end of the day!
I do have an idea of how this whole thing will work now. The information I will receive from the counselor, Mr. Marion, will be nameless. I will get information on if there are food allergies and how many students and that's it. I will be praying that food is donated for this from other John Weldon parents. You see, I believe that one of the things that our fast-paced, technology driven, far traveling world has created is a lack of community. My prayer is that God will use Bear Necessities to bring more than food to children, but also a feeling of community to those who participate and all the families with kids at John Weldon Elementary. This community type lifestyle was one of the critical "glues" that held the first century church together and enabled them to show Christ's love to one another and to those around them. In Acts 2:44-45 it says, "And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need." The first Christ-followers depended upon one another for their bear necessities. They shared and provided for one another.
I have been waiting for months to share this request. I need food. Will you help me provide for the daily needs of others? The food needs to be stuff that kids can fix themselves and that doesn't need to be refrigerated. The following is a list of what I'll need to fill bags for the first three weeks:
hot chocolate mix
individual boxes of cereal
instant oatmeal
peanut butter
jelly (no glass please)
crackers
mac n cheese
canned green beans
canned corn
canned peas
canned ravioli
canned beefaroni
chilli
soup
fruit cup
applesauce
cheez its
granola bars
pudding cups
peanut butter crackers
raisins
fruit snacks
Thank you, in advance, to all who donate and pray for this community of people that God loves. May He bless you and keep you!
UPDATE: Bear Necessities has its own blog-
www.bearnecessities-titus314.blogspot.com
Last fall we were discussing service projects that we could get our kids involved in so that they could experience serving others as scripture says we should. We found very few opportunities for kids our kids' ages. The one that we finally agreed upon was Operation Backpack. This is a division under Operation Food Search that sends food home with underprivileged students on Fridays so that they have something to eat on the weekends. The majority of students effected by Operation Backpack live in the downtown St. Louis area but they have, in recent years, brought it out to St. Charles County.
As we talked my friend, Leigh, spoke several times that she wished that we could help the kids at John Weldon that might have parents who are struggling to feed them. While I agreed, it wasn't until someone talked about how OFS also sends home cake mixes and party plates for the kids' birthdays that I was really broken. You see, many might look at the financial state that I grew up in and say that it was "underprivileged" but I NEVER went a birthday without a cake... or a meal for that matter! Yes, of course, I realize that having food every weekend is critically more necessary but the thought of a child sitting at home on their birthday, not feeling special and celebrated opened my eyes, broke my heart and popped the bubble in which I lived.
I began to pray that God would move someone to bring the program to JWE because the thought of kids that my kids knew, sat next to at lunch and played with at recess being hungry and not feeling celebrated made me want to melt into a heap of tears. One morning at breakfast I was sharing my prayer with Madeline and Gavin when Gavin said "Mom, why don't we just feed them?"
My prayers changed. "God, I don't want to do this just because it needs to be done or just because it's a good thing. I only want to do this if YOU are calling ME to do it." I spoke to no one about it but God for weeks. One day as I was praying about it and reading in Titus I came across these words:
Our people must learn to commit themselves to doing what is good. Then they will be able to provide for the daily needs of others. If they do that, their lives won't turn out to be useless.
Titus 3:14 (Gavin's NIRV Bible)
Titus 3:14 (Gavin's NIRV Bible)
What could be a more daily need than that kids have food?! Finally, I felt led to meet with the principal, Mrs. Crigler. Pretty quickly a meeting was set and I was on my way to the principal's office! I'm certain that I was more nervous and sweaty that day than any other time I've gone to the principal's office. I called my friend, Leigh, and asked her to pray. I shared my concern for student hunger with Mrs. Crigler, along with the district statistics that I'm sure she already knew. In our district the percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch has been low but it is increasing with the current economy. According to the data at that time, JWE could have had somewhere around 50 I think. I told her that I believed that these were God's kids and I believed that He wanted to feed them. I told her that I had absolutely no idea how it would work but that I would promise to pray over every bag of food that went home whether it was 2 or 100. She agreed to talk to the "higher ups" about it. I must say that Mrs. Crigler was delightful and not at all as scary as on might think a principal would be. ;)
A few months later I was told that the "higher ups" approved and Mrs. Crigler asked that I create something to go home in the school newsletter. This meant that I had to come up with a name... and a logo... and some way to explain to parents what this was! Ok. I probably didn't HAVE to have all of that but it's just how I am. As I was thinking about it I remembered the word that God spoke to my heart a few months earlier... necessities. These kids need their daily necessities... or as Baloo the bear would say their "bear necessities."
My meeting with Mrs. Crigler was nine months ago. Yesterday, applications for Bear Necessities went home for the first time. Before school began this morning I received a call that there are already two students that have signed up to receive services from Bear Necessities!!! I can only wonder how many we'll have by the end of the day!
I do have an idea of how this whole thing will work now. The information I will receive from the counselor, Mr. Marion, will be nameless. I will get information on if there are food allergies and how many students and that's it. I will be praying that food is donated for this from other John Weldon parents. You see, I believe that one of the things that our fast-paced, technology driven, far traveling world has created is a lack of community. My prayer is that God will use Bear Necessities to bring more than food to children, but also a feeling of community to those who participate and all the families with kids at John Weldon Elementary. This community type lifestyle was one of the critical "glues" that held the first century church together and enabled them to show Christ's love to one another and to those around them. In Acts 2:44-45 it says, "And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need." The first Christ-followers depended upon one another for their bear necessities. They shared and provided for one another.
I have been waiting for months to share this request. I need food. Will you help me provide for the daily needs of others? The food needs to be stuff that kids can fix themselves and that doesn't need to be refrigerated. The following is a list of what I'll need to fill bags for the first three weeks:
hot chocolate mix
individual boxes of cereal
instant oatmeal
peanut butter
jelly (no glass please)
crackers
mac n cheese
canned green beans
canned corn
canned peas
canned ravioli
canned beefaroni
chilli
soup
fruit cup
applesauce
cheez its
granola bars
pudding cups
peanut butter crackers
raisins
fruit snacks
Thank you, in advance, to all who donate and pray for this community of people that God loves. May He bless you and keep you!
UPDATE: Bear Necessities has its own blog-
www.bearnecessities-titus314.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Finally... the KITCHEN!
Ok. I don't think there's been anything that I've done that I've been randomly lectured for not sharing pictures! The kitchen has been finished for a month and now the kids are back at school and I've finally got time to share pictures of how it turned out. I'll start with... I LOVE IT!!! I doubted myself every step of the way... "oh, I think I chose the wrong floor"... "oh no, I should have chosen the other finish on the cabinets"... that is until the crown molding and knobs were in and then I knew I had chosen everything perfectly!
I knew that there were certain details I wanted and these corbels under the peninsula were one of the things I had picked out over the years looking at kitchen displays.
This is a post that is in front of my sink and I knew I wanted the furniture detail but wavered COUNTLESS times on which one but love the one we ended with.
This is the detail that I wanted on the front of the sink base.
This is a view of the front of the sink base with the furniture legs, detail and the view outside. Bring on the dishes! I'll stand here and wash them!!!
I also knew that I did not want my microwave over the cooktop. I wanted a mantel. It's all about making it pretty and I like to decorate mantels.
I hate how trash cans look. Who doesn't? So, we have it nicely tucked away in a cabinet.
I also hate having all of the small appliances out on the counter so I insisted on a corner garage. I can fit my toaster, panini/grill thing, blender and my knives it and my counter stays looking clean!
This is the cooktop and the mantel over it. It's the first thing you notice when you walk in from the family room and I LOVE how it turned out.
We put in a microwave with a convection/speed-cook option and a wall oven. The microwave can be a microwave or normal wall oven... so far it makes the best chicken nuggets the kids have ever had!
So the rest of the pictures are just the overall kitchen. Enjoy!
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