Summer 2010 - the One that Got Away!

I got way behind in summer postings!  So, I will start with the Fourth of July!  It was a glorious weekend!  We began in Bayfield at a great parade.  Sunday we were at church, then the Durango parade and then fireworks.    Happy Birthday, America!

THE BAYFIELD PARADE

Miss Madison - my Faithful Friend.

Miss Jenn - painting faces and loving kids!

Kayle - doing the Red-White-Blue Nails! 

Ashley and Miss Somer Joy - our newest Little Friend.

Chris, Larry and David

Miss Grace and Josie

Jack and Kale

The Saunders Tribe

THE DURANGO PARADE

the riverKids rode, walked, scooted and handed out candy

Miss Violet

Here we  go!

Sit.

My posts lately have been few and far between and mostly just catching up with pics of the kids and activities for the family.

There's been no great revelations from God.

No thunder in the sky.

Although there is snow on the ground!

We have been busy, though!  Helped friends by watching their little ones.  Fixed food for folks.  Learned that I love Home Schooling my kids.  I love their bright minds and the wonderful conversations we have, weaving God into history, math and science.  I love their eyes when they "get it!"

However today, I feel like I"m standing at a Dead End Tunnel.  It's dark and the only sound is of sick kids coughing.  The only thing I can read are posts of friends struggling with illness.

In reading our book for this month, "Sacred Echo", I have found that I see God's love as global.  "God loves the world."  I see his love as sweet.  "Jesus loves the little children."   I see his love as transforming others.  "God loves orphans." 

Yet, I have not seen Him as, "God loves me."

It's like a Goggle Earth map with zooming perspective - God as Creator of the Universe, Savior of the World, Provider for our Nation, King of Colorado,  Lord of our City, Redeemer of our Church Body - but I never seem able to zoom into Jesus who loves Kim.

Why?  I don't know.  Maybe it's the feeling that prayers aren't answered.  My family was split.  My kids are still sick.  My daughter still has a handicap.  My son still has asthma.  My mother is still ill.  My dad still needs a job. 

I keep praying and I keep believing.  But those things still hang in the air.

God has shown his love for me in many ways - I'm not unaware of  His blessings.  I wonder, though, if those blessings are out of obligation. 

Does God do for me just because I'm one of many who call themselves Christian?  Does He really see ME?

Do we all struggle with this?

Does God see me, really see me today, tired, headache, caring for sick kids, worrying over finances and my children's health, praying for so many friends who are hurting;  whose dreams are fading;  whose marriages are dissolving and their children struggling?  Does he see me personally or just one of many with the same problems.

Am I an individual to Him that he would advocate for me, Kim Beach in Durango, Colorado?  Would he move the earth for me as He did Samson or Elizabeth?  Or am I just one of the many who walked across the desert with the Children of Isreal and God provided for as part of the group?  Am I the one sheep He would search for or am I one of the flock who always does what's told and gets left in the pin?

Sit.

That's what I keep hearing.

Be still.

Calm your heart.

God, I'm sitting.  Do you see me?  Do you hear me?  Do you remember me?

I can send you my address.

Easter in Durango

Join us tonight for our final production of The Passion Play of Durango.
7 pm MST

www.iriverchurch.com/streaming.

Passion Play of Durango!

Join us this week as we celebrate the

Passion and the Love of Christ.

www.iriverchurch.com/streaming

Friday and Saturday Nights

7:00 pm / Mountain Time

If you are in the area,

Please Join us Live!

Wednesday - Saturday

6:00 pm Musical PreShow

7:00 pm Production

The River Church

806 Plymouth Drive

Durango, CO

(970) 247-7777

Song of the Week

I love this song! As a cast, we declare this song over the Four Corners!


"God Of This City"

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this City

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city!

Go Debbie!

A few years I ago, I began watching TLC's "What Not to Wear." Love it. (Yes, I love clothes!) Then last year, my diva-in-training discovered the show, too. We have sat and watched marathons of this program!

Ashley has gone so far as to email Clinton Kelly and suggest that he do a children's show on how young women should dress modestly because they show their bellies too much.

Now stay with me, this gets confusing!

Last night, I had a facebook from Jill Palmer that her sister, who lives in New York, had a friend who would be featured on "WNTW" that evening. We set the DVR and thought we'd have to watch it later because of our boys. But - the boys had soccer! So we watched the program!

As it turns out, Debbie (featured on the show) had been reading my blog about Ashley's surgery. Debbie had read Jill's blog - sent there from Jill's sister - then hoped on over to us. I had seen New York on my ticker but didn't know who it was (I love seeing the different places that people read us from!) Once, Debbie had asked Jill's sister how Ashley was doing while Jill and Sis (confused yet?) were talking on the phone.

So now, Debbie - we fell in love with you last night! Your wit and humour - you are such a lovely human being! You must come to Durango! (Don't bring Clinton - he'd have a heart attack. We've been voted the Worse Dress City in America three times!) Come ski, or hike - whatever! And we'll take you shopping Durango style - which means buy whatever you want because no body really cares!

Ashley and I love watching and talking fashion. Cerebral Palsy does not hold this Diva back one bit!!!! Even in a wheelchair, she was styling - bows on the legs of the chairs. In a cast, she was gorgeous - I had to match outfits to go with a green cast! I love mostly that she knows that the inside makes a person beautiful - the outside is just the picture frame for a gorgeous masterpiece.

Our Saunders Family

Those of you who read my blog have often followed a link to my friend's blog, a place called simplicity. This family, our pastor's, lost their home and belongings in a fire this past week - their their son had emergency surgery and to compound the grief, their dog Lucy passed away during hip surgery.

We are bombarding ABC's Extreme Homemakeover (the Saunder's Favorite Show!) with requests for them to build a house for the Saunder's and quickly. Please follow the link and you, too can add your comments. These will be used to petition ABC for the construction.

http://lovebuildsahouse.blogspot.com/

Many have asked how they can help. There is an account sent up at First National Bank of Durango for the Saunders and donations can be made there. Until insurance is settled, their second greatest needs are financial - personal necessities, food, hospital bills.

Their first is prayer: for peace, for wisdom, for rest, for the children; for God to redeem this tragedy for His glory!

Thanks!

My Engineer

I never know what I will find in the morning. As a drummer, Chris makes music with everything. Now, he's making towers with everything.

I went in the kitchen on Wednesday morning, Christmas Eve, and found this tower on my kitchen counter. The base is a water bottle; next his vitamin container, a condiment service piece with tums and glue as counterweights!

Anyone else see an engineer in training?

Soccer In Grand Junction

Chris playing soccer. What you can't see in the continuous rain they played in all weekend. No wonder four boys were sick by Monday. They won this game 2-0!

Ashley and Luna. This is our friend Joanne's little dog she rescued from the pound as a pup. We've watched her grow up - kinda the soccer team dog. Ashley loves walking Luna and playing with her during the games.

It was rainy in Grand Junction and snowing on the passes, so we elected to drive home through Utah. The drive was gorgeous. Turns out the passes were okay but we would have missed a beautiful drive.

Chris in the Parade

Chris marched in the Homecoming Parade
















Isn't he handsome!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's the day! I am now 39 years old - and closing in on 40. My mom called and wished me Happy Birthday this morning then gave me permission to begin lying about my age next year! She's too young to have a daughter who is 40! Okay, mom. I'll stick at 39.

This day has me thinking about those people in my life who are a gift. Some have come into my life for a short time and left quickly; others are life-long friends; some have drifted in and out and are always welcome. I have been so blessed to know so many people from so many walks of life!

Even the internet is too small to name everyone I am thankful to have met, but today, I want to send these ladies a big "Thanks!" and "I love you!"

Kelli and Alison - my sisters. Kristen and Marilyn - my friends. You four are are my go-to girls.

The Literacy Ladies - Libby, Christy and Diane. I am so honored to work alongside you. Thanks for breakfast!

theRiver Girlfriends - you are there, building your families, strengthening one another and it is a beautiful thing.

Ashley - I love you, sis!

Kayle - you are such a joy in our life!

The women in my family - Roorks, Wilsons and Beaches - you are so strong! Our ancestors came across this land in covered wagons; fought alongside the men in wars; nursed sick children; picniced in the snow; loved our families dearly - and still found time to sing and tell stories and quilt blankets that wrapped us in love. What a beautiful heritage!

It is a beautiful fall day here in Colorado and I feel that beauty in my soul.

Thank you, Lord for this day. For this life you've laid before me. The twists in the road have been unexpected, but worth the trip. Each day has made me who I am. Thank you for caring enough for me to take me through the rough times and provide me days for rest. I am so in awe of your love, dear Father.