Thursday, August 6, 2009
Coming Attractions
I returned Sunday night from 9 days in El Salvador on a missions trip. I am still catching up from being gone and processing all that happened on the trip. I promise a new blog post soon with pictures of the amazing adventure.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Weekend in Tennessee
I flew down to Tennessee to get my hands on my new nephew, Jack. He's a month old now. He's such a cute little boy with big blue eyes and tons of blonde hair. My job for the weekend was to help Hannah out by holding Jack a lot and playing with Marshall. Perfect! I love being an aunt and savor every moment I get with my boys. I arrived late Thursday night. Friday morning I went into Marshall's room to get him out of bed and was greeted by a smile and "Aunt Jennifer! I was wondering if you were coming to visit me." He is 3 now and such a goofy, smart boy. You never know what he's going to say and he usually makes you laugh. We played a lot and had a picnic snack in the yard. 
"I want to hold my brother." He did a good job. He's very good with Jack and seems to be making the adjustment to being a big brother quite well. 
I even got to see my parents for an hour. Dad drove down to drop Mom off for a week. Jack looks so much like Grandpa. He was fussing a little bit but as soon as Grandpa held him, he calmed down and went to sleep.
I even got to see my parents for an hour. Dad drove down to drop Mom off for a week. Jack looks so much like Grandpa. He was fussing a little bit but as soon as Grandpa held him, he calmed down and went to sleep. 
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Is this heaven...no it's Kansas
I spent last weekend in Lawrence. It was great to get some time with my family since I hadn't been home since Easter. JT loves the water. He & Grandma often have special dates at the aquatic center. They have a large kids pool. He is a little fish. We babysat JT on Friday night since it was Sharon & David's 10th wedding anniversary. I got to go along to the pool with JT & Grandma. He is becoming quite the good little swimmer. He could swim the length of the pool on his back, and can swim well underwater for as long as he can hold his breath. He has a little trouble with going forward on his stomach with is head out of the water still. But he amazed us - he's 4.5 years old! And he's getting quite independent. We had fun hanging out together.
One of the reasons I made the trip to Lawrence was because there was a Kansas City Youth For Christ reunion at Circle-C Ranch on Saturday night. It saw something that started with people getting connected on Facebook and it snowballed. It was open to anyone who had ever been involved with any facet of KCYFC over it's 66 years. By Friday afternoon, 650 people had RSVP'd. The ministry's name is now YouthFront and the camp is called YouthFront West. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Many made the observation that we were getting a small taste of heaven - all the joy at see old friends and getting to fellowship with each other. It was incredible and they promised to do it again in a few years.
Vidy Metsker spoke for a few minutes. Vidy & Dr. Al started the ministry in 1943 a week before their wedding. I had the priviledge of meeting Dr. Al when I was involved in KCYFC. He passed away 16 years ago but Vidy is still going strong at 85. I am reading her book, "God Did It!", and enjoying learning about the way the ministry started.
I got to see several old friends and catch up with them- especially Lisa & Todd Reed. When I was in high school, they were at KU and were leaders with our YFC club. I've had the priviledge to stay in touch with them over the years but hadn't actually seen them in awhile.
It was great to see that the ranch carpet is still in the chapel. This beauty carpets both L-Bar-C & Circle-C's chapels. It's a lovely shag that was donated when they were building the camps. It still looks the same after close to 30 years. You can't understand the love affair we have with ranch carpet until you have experienced. But it's a think of beauty.
It was a great weekend - time with the family and seeing old friends at the reunion.
One of the reasons I made the trip to Lawrence was because there was a Kansas City Youth For Christ reunion at Circle-C Ranch on Saturday night. It saw something that started with people getting connected on Facebook and it snowballed. It was open to anyone who had ever been involved with any facet of KCYFC over it's 66 years. By Friday afternoon, 650 people had RSVP'd. The ministry's name is now YouthFront and the camp is called YouthFront West. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Many made the observation that we were getting a small taste of heaven - all the joy at see old friends and getting to fellowship with each other. It was incredible and they promised to do it again in a few years.
Vidy Metsker spoke for a few minutes. Vidy & Dr. Al started the ministry in 1943 a week before their wedding. I had the priviledge of meeting Dr. Al when I was involved in KCYFC. He passed away 16 years ago but Vidy is still going strong at 85. I am reading her book, "God Did It!", and enjoying learning about the way the ministry started.
I got to see several old friends and catch up with them- especially Lisa & Todd Reed. When I was in high school, they were at KU and were leaders with our YFC club. I've had the priviledge to stay in touch with them over the years but hadn't actually seen them in awhile.
It was great to see that the ranch carpet is still in the chapel. This beauty carpets both L-Bar-C & Circle-C's chapels. It's a lovely shag that was donated when they were building the camps. It still looks the same after close to 30 years. You can't understand the love affair we have with ranch carpet until you have experienced. But it's a think of beauty.
It was a great weekend - time with the family and seeing old friends at the reunion. I pray you have a wonderful 4th of July as you celebrate the good old US of A and the independence we have because of the faith of our founding fathers.
Friday, June 19, 2009
He's Here
I am an aunt again. Jackson Davis Fant was born on June 18 to Hannah & Jonathan. He weighed 7 lbs, 6.5 oz and has tons of blonde hair. Mom & baby are doing well. And Marshall was very excited to finally get to meet his baby brother. Hannah sent some pictures to my cell phone but I don't know how to transfer them to the computer. Take my word for it, Jack is adorable! I can't wait for my trip down there next month to get my hands on the little guy!
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Sunshine State
Last weekend I flew to Florida to spend the weekend with a close friend from college. 
It was a bit of a belated 35th birthday trip for Christy & I. We had gone to New York City for our 30th birthday and she decided we needed to mark this birthday as well. The trip evolved from the initial concept but it was the perfect weekend getaway we both needed. I flew into Orlando Thursday night. We went to dinner with a high school friend of mine. It’s a story in itself how Angela & Christy got to know each other. Friday morning, Christy & I drove up to Amelia Island. It a 13 mile long island just north of Jacksonville. It is the only community in the USA that has existed under 8 different countries flags. Our hotel was in the sole town of Fernandina Beach. It was early enough in the summer season that things were fairly quiet and not crowded. We spent the afternoon wandering through the quirky little gifts shops of the main street. Someone was thinking when they named streets - the intersection of Front & Centre.
That evening we drove around the island down to the southern tip. Walked around the state park and out onto the old bridge that is now a fishing pier.
Saturday we took advantage of the sunshine and spent the morning at the beach.
That afternoon in the drizzle we went to Fort Clinch State Park on the north end of the island. Toured the fort & ramparts. Got to see some dolphins frolicking in the river. We also took short detours in the park to walk out on the fishing pier and get a view of the light house while trying to ward off the mosquitoes. After dinner we took a walk through Fernandina Beach to view some of the beautiful old Victorian homes.
I highly recommend taking a trip to Amelia Island if you are looking for a little beach resort town. You can see the majority of the island in a weekend without being rushed. And the food choices were fantastic. A good number of nice seafood places to choose from. Christy & I were both impressed with the wine list at 29 South Bistro. They particularly impressed me by having Woodpecker English cider on it. I couldn’t pass up having one. All in all it was a fabulous weekend and exactly what I needed & expected.
It was a bit of a belated 35th birthday trip for Christy & I. We had gone to New York City for our 30th birthday and she decided we needed to mark this birthday as well. The trip evolved from the initial concept but it was the perfect weekend getaway we both needed. I flew into Orlando Thursday night. We went to dinner with a high school friend of mine. It’s a story in itself how Angela & Christy got to know each other. Friday morning, Christy & I drove up to Amelia Island. It a 13 mile long island just north of Jacksonville. It is the only community in the USA that has existed under 8 different countries flags. Our hotel was in the sole town of Fernandina Beach. It was early enough in the summer season that things were fairly quiet and not crowded. We spent the afternoon wandering through the quirky little gifts shops of the main street. Someone was thinking when they named streets - the intersection of Front & Centre.That evening we drove around the island down to the southern tip. Walked around the state park and out onto the old bridge that is now a fishing pier.
Saturday we took advantage of the sunshine and spent the morning at the beach. 
That afternoon in the drizzle we went to Fort Clinch State Park on the north end of the island. Toured the fort & ramparts. Got to see some dolphins frolicking in the river. We also took short detours in the park to walk out on the fishing pier and get a view of the light house while trying to ward off the mosquitoes. After dinner we took a walk through Fernandina Beach to view some of the beautiful old Victorian homes. 
I highly recommend taking a trip to Amelia Island if you are looking for a little beach resort town. You can see the majority of the island in a weekend without being rushed. And the food choices were fantastic. A good number of nice seafood places to choose from. Christy & I were both impressed with the wine list at 29 South Bistro. They particularly impressed me by having Woodpecker English cider on it. I couldn’t pass up having one. All in all it was a fabulous weekend and exactly what I needed & expected.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Of backyards and movies
If you've been around me or talked to me in the last month, you know I've been working hard on the backyard. I hired a friend to do some of the heavy work and he did an amazing job - removing bushes, trimming a bed, fixing the gate, removing a sidewalk, and some other odds & ends. Then another friend helped me just because he likes playing in the dirt. I adjusted last year's plantings and added more. Slowly but surely the flowerbeds are coming along. I planted mainly perenials so it won't be so much work every year. Laying the ground cloth & mulch was a huge job that took me a week. But I am very pleased with the finished product.
I make this disclaimer: I have no clue what I'm doing when it comes to gardening. I'm as surprised as anyone that I have a somewhat green thumb.
I make this disclaimer: I have no clue what I'm doing when it comes to gardening. I'm as surprised as anyone that I have a somewhat green thumb.
This is my new daisy bed - shasta, button, gerber, sea-breeze, black-eyed susans, dahlias.
The hostas I planted last year have come back quite well. The back bed is mainly hostas with some coleus, ferns & impatiens.
I was surprised at how large this hosta is. That's my size 8 foot for some comparison.
The clematis is blooming like crazy.
The snowball hydrangea had great blooms this spring. And you can get a peek at the fixed & freshly painted gate.
My big deadline for finishing the backyard was May 30 - Backyard Movie Night. It's becoming an annual event. This was the 2nd annual. Saturday I hung a sheet on the back of the house and the boys set up the borrowed audio equipment & projector. After church Saturday night, people came over to hang out and I had the grill available. We hung out until dark to watch a movie or two. The only requirement is to show up with a blanket or lawn chair. 
The hostas I planted last year have come back quite well. The back bed is mainly hostas with some coleus, ferns & impatiens.
I was surprised at how large this hosta is. That's my size 8 foot for some comparison.
The clematis is blooming like crazy.
The snowball hydrangea had great blooms this spring. And you can get a peek at the fixed & freshly painted gate.
My big deadline for finishing the backyard was May 30 - Backyard Movie Night. It's becoming an annual event. This was the 2nd annual. Saturday I hung a sheet on the back of the house and the boys set up the borrowed audio equipment & projector. After church Saturday night, people came over to hang out and I had the grill available. We hung out until dark to watch a movie or two. The only requirement is to show up with a blanket or lawn chair. Forty or so people came and several brought their kids. We watched Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and then a handful stuck around for Top Gun. The weather was fantastic this year except for a very brief sprinkle of rain in between movies. 
A big thanks to all who helped set up or man the grill.
Be excellent to each other...and party on, dudes!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
It's a paradox of sorts...
I recently spent some time with a person who uses the term “my religion” anytime he/she talks about his/her spiritual beliefs. This person and I differ some on doctrine but our core beliefs are the same: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth through the virgin birth, who died on the cross and rose again to give us forgiveness of our sins and that believing in Him is the only way to Heaven.
But I find the use of the term “my religion” bothers me. It was said enough that I had to examine why it bothered me. In our society, “religion” is used to describe any spiritual belief system. To most, it means a tenet of beliefs that you follow- rigid rules on how to live a confined life. I find I am colored by society’s use of the term. The circles I move in don’t like the word “religion” any more than those outside the church. It represents something hollow, cold. When I describe my beliefs I want to express something that moves me to the core of my being, that represents the foundation of my life, my reason for living. Jesus is my Savior, my Lord, my all in all. It’s a relationship that defines my worldview.
The dictionary says religion is: A) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator or governor of the universe. B) A person or institutionalized system grounded in such belief.
While the word itself has a definition that aptly describes a spiritual belief, it leaves a lot to be desired. “Institutionalized system” conjures up images of white walls, straight jackets and seeing the world in black & white. I want the words I use to describe my faith in Christ to in paint vivid strokes of color. It’s hard to define it in one little word, much less with a stigmatized word like “religion.”
As I grasp at how to aptly convey my relationship with Jesus, I’ll leave you with a bit of a quote by the late, great Rich Mullins: “If you’ve ever known the love of God, you know it’s nothing but reckless and it’s nothing but raging…”
But I find the use of the term “my religion” bothers me. It was said enough that I had to examine why it bothered me. In our society, “religion” is used to describe any spiritual belief system. To most, it means a tenet of beliefs that you follow- rigid rules on how to live a confined life. I find I am colored by society’s use of the term. The circles I move in don’t like the word “religion” any more than those outside the church. It represents something hollow, cold. When I describe my beliefs I want to express something that moves me to the core of my being, that represents the foundation of my life, my reason for living. Jesus is my Savior, my Lord, my all in all. It’s a relationship that defines my worldview.
The dictionary says religion is: A) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator or governor of the universe. B) A person or institutionalized system grounded in such belief.
While the word itself has a definition that aptly describes a spiritual belief, it leaves a lot to be desired. “Institutionalized system” conjures up images of white walls, straight jackets and seeing the world in black & white. I want the words I use to describe my faith in Christ to in paint vivid strokes of color. It’s hard to define it in one little word, much less with a stigmatized word like “religion.”
As I grasp at how to aptly convey my relationship with Jesus, I’ll leave you with a bit of a quote by the late, great Rich Mullins: “If you’ve ever known the love of God, you know it’s nothing but reckless and it’s nothing but raging…”
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