Kristin McLendon: May 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Oh, Amelia

We have a roommate this summer and we are ecstatic that a) she is here b) the Lord is so good and c) He wants to pour out His goodness this Summer over ALL of us!

Amelia came 2 weeks ago to start her Burning Ones Internship here at RiverStone. Amelia is a dear friend of mine and we spent a lot of time together during my time at RHUMC. It is a joy to have her in our home and to see her on a daily basis once again. Amelia has just spent her Freshman year at UGA. We are coming in high expectations of what the Lord wants to do through all of us (myself included) through this internship.

My purpose of telling you this is that Amelia is blogging her internship. So--I'd like to suggest that you subscribe to her blog, add it to your Google Reader--or whatever other form of keeping up with blogs that you use--add her! And if you haven't clicked on her name yet (persistent aren't I?) then you can click here for her blog.

Amelia, we are grateful for you and glad you are here!

Amelia and Luke at Graduation last year. Can't believe it's already been a year!

I share this picture with you as it's from her freshman year at UGA. If you only knew how often Amelia and I prayed that God would give her friends that LOVE JESUS @ UGA then you would know why this picture is so important. Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers so abundantly! (She's the second one from the right).

Labels: amelia

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Just thought I'd share...

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of a trip we took last month to Birmingham. Right now Amelia and I are just hanging out in the living room enjoying a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Funny how I complained about the rain all weekend while we were in Richmond Hill, but for right now, in this very moment, I am grateful for a lazy afternoon with the rain falling outside. I know I should be doing something--like cleaning the house that looks like a tornado came through it thanks to our suitcases, but I just want to sit still. (Don't worry--I do have a load of laundry going and the dish washer going, so this isn't a completely still moment).

I have lots to blog about from this past weekend, but before I make an effort to find the cord to the camera to have pictures to blog about, I thought I'd share a few fun pics from Birmingham. Thanks for sharing life with us!

Here we go:

We started our day by discovering this really cool coffee shop downtown called Safari Cup.

After we took this picture we realized it was probably rude to have our feet up on the coffee table. Oops.. But the little spot provided the perfect spot to read the Word together and start our day.

Yep, feet still on the table, but I fell in love with these things:

The are called Cool Corc and you can see there website here. I thought it was so neat that I kept mine, cut it and made it into a bookmark that is now in my Bible. I know, I'm a dork.

Down the street we discovered this beautiful church---that we took lots of pics of, but I'll just share one that Robert took...

Our goal on our little trips is to always go to the places we can't go at home--which causes an adventure and stumbling upon places such as Safari Cup, but we were on the hunt for this place thanks to the suggestion from our friends Daniel & Taylor who just moved from Birmingham to come on staff at RiverStone. It's called the Urban Standard. If you are ever in Birmingham, you must go---and if you are there on June 5th you have to go because our friend Daniel is playing there. Here's a pic from inside:

Robert looks thrilled---but the point of this picture was the medal looking thingys hanging from the curtain behind him---I had some vivid flashbacks from my childhood sitting here. They were all from Europe--and they were the exact type medals I got when I was a kid living in Germany when we use to go on walks/marches and get medals--I know random, but cool flashback! I immediately called mom and asked if we still had my medals and she said, yes that they were in the attic and asked if I wanted them. I said, sure. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. Maybe I should get a big burlap curtain like they did and hang them :) I'm sure that will look nice in the new house, don't you think so??? :)

The next day we headed back downtown and took a few more pictures and ate at Newks thanks to the recommendation of Robert's Aunt and Uncle that so graciously allowed us to stay with them for the weekend.

We then headed to the Botanical Gardens. Absolutely perfect Saturday afternoon together! We enjoyed strolling through, stopping and talking and having some fun with our camera:

I want a spot like this in our new backyard...think it's too much to ask? :)

And I know I've shared this picture in a previous post, but in closing, I'm going to share it again, because I like it! :)

Labels: Birmingham, vacation

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Maine, good for my heart

In April (I know, I'm a little late, sorry!) the Lord blessed me with an amazing trip to get away! I can't remember the last time I had a "spring break" to just go and relax and be still! And that's just what I did. I finally cashed in those frequent flyer miles and headed north--way north. The day I flew out of the ATL it was snowing in the ATL and warmer in Maine--who knew! :) The day I flew out of Maine it was chance of snow in Maine and warm in ATL. Coming home, in the ATL airport, there were lots of people in shorts, flip flops and TANS--I was in long sleeve, long johns, pants, jacket, scarf, you know, the works. But I would not have traded this spring break for anything!

I went to visit my friend Sami. Sami and I first met in the 7th grade in Mascoutah, Illinois (how's that for random!) Want to know why we met? We became friends because we were both "little." Way little. Like 4'2" little--which if you do the math, means I have grown a total of 8 inches since the 7th grade. Sam on the other hand had the major growth spurt I'm still waiting on!

Moving on, when my dad retired from the Air Force at the end of my 7th grade, we moved back to my parents roots of Savannah. A year or so after we moved, her family moved back to their roots of Maine. What's so amazing about our friendship is that the only time we ever lived in the same town was that 9 months of 7th grade....but we are always able to pick up RIGHT where we leave off. When we were in high school, we would rotate summers and I would fly up there for a few weeks and the next summer she would come down here. Over the years we've still managed to visit and be apart of one another's lives. She's traveled with us on a few mission trips--but the last time we were able to visit was when she was a bridesmaid in our wedding. She came a week before the wedding AND I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THAT WEEK WITH OUT HER!!! She punched holes, tied bows, ran errands HELPED KEEP MY SANITY!!!! She is incredible! But not gonna lie, it was nice this go around and not having all that to do and REST! I should have taken a before and after picture, but the only pictures I got of us was on day one---and we both look exhausted and look like we need a vacation!

Breakfast with Mama Hibbard, morning after me flying in at 11pm:

Hanging out at her mom's house. Somehow I forgot to take a picture with mom...I know, I'm a bad photographer/bad blogger:

Dinner with daddy Hibbard (yeah, I really could have used a growth spurt to keep up with this family!)

And here's a few of my favorite pics I took during my time there (you know me, the wanna be photographer):

On the Plane heading there:

The Camden Harbor:

Some randoms of Sami's home. I seem to have a fascination with trees:

Sam putting wood in the stove for this southern girl that doesn't handle the cold all that well:

I had a slight fascination/obsession with this wood burning stove. I could have sat in front of it curled up for days/weeks:

Sami's kitties:

They like the stove too:

I'll leave you with those photos for now! The full album is on Facebook (under Spring 2009) for those that want more! For now, Robert and I are in Savannah/Richmond Hill for a long weekend of R & R. We came in search for some sun to get that tan that my legs desperately need. But thanks to some nasty weather we're not getting much of that right now, but Maddie does have her very own rain jacket--don't worry, we've taken pictures. Forgot the cord to the camera that would allow me to be an on the spot blogger. Maybe next time! :) We're also here to celebrate my kids that were in the 7th grade when I became their Youth Minister. I might not be that in their lives now, but I wouldn't miss this for anything. I love you all more than my heart can stand and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

Labels: maine, vacation

Monday, May 18, 2009

A day in the life of Maddie...

Labels: maddie

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Happy Saturday!

Just thought I'd share a picture of our crazy family! Happy Saturday my friends!

Labels: family

Friday, May 15, 2009

Maddie's 6 months old today!

Remember this little one:

Here she is now...she's 6 months old today...and weighs in at about 35 pounds!

**Please excuse the bright eyes from the flash--the "red eye" option made her look pretty creepy!!!

It's a great day here in our family.....Maddie's 6 months old and 17 months ago today Robert & I got married. We are all about having a reason to celebrate around here! Enjoy your Friday!

Labels: maddie

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Happy Birthday Ash!

Couldn't let today go by without saying Happy Birthday to another Crappiott!

Today we celebrate you Ash and what you mean to each and everyone of us! We love you! See you very soon! :)

**For a previous blog on what is a Crappiott, go here!

Labels: Crappiott Crew

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Follow Up

On Monday I wrote about His eyes. Asking the Lord to give my His eyes and to break my heart for what breaks His. I received some very encouraging words since then--thank you to those special people in my life--and wanted to share with you my experience and open the floor up to hear from you--has the Lord broken your heart lately over what breaks His? I will confess--I am not a preacher, but a teacher. When I speak, I like interaction. I want responses. So here's opening up the comments to you--let's hear what the Lord has shown you lately and how he's used you.

For me, on Monday after writing that blog I was in constant prayer asking the Lord to give me His eyes. To not let me walk through the day not aware of Him or His Spirit. Monday evening I found myself at Barnes and Nobles (perfect date night with the Hubby!) and I noticed this lady walk hastily past the aisle I was sitting in (common practice of mine--to sit on the floor in an aisle at a bookstore). A little while later a visit to the ladies room was needed, so I headed that way. While I was in there I heard the door open and I knew it was her. So I came out to find her at the sink washing her hands. I said hello and asked her how her day was going. She mumbled a lot and it was hard to understand her and I had to keep asking her to repeat herself (nice, right--not going as well as I had hoped!). Finally she looked at me and said, "Let me guess--you're 17." That comment totally took me off guard. A smile came across my face and I proceeded to tell her that no, actually I turn 30 this year, but thank you for the encouragement. We exchanged a few other words, but not much as we walked out the ladies room together. I told her to have a good day and again thank you for encouraging me. SOOO...moral of the story--I don't really have one. I kept asking the Lord how He felt about her and what He wanted to say to her. All I heard was the word "encourage." But obviously, instead she encouraged me. I also learned that I should probably take a shower, not wear jeans and a tshirt, hair in a ponytail and no make up on if I want to be considered being close to my age. Oh well, the closer 30 gets--the more I enjoy those "17" comments.

So, tell me what the Lord has shown you--and if you don't have a comment to put in the comment box just yet, let me encourage you to enjoy Him today. Let me share with you something I read this morning from Smith Wigglesworth,

"Are you ready to be so in God's plan that you will feel God's hand upon you? You will know that He has chosen you, so that you might be a firstfruit unto God."

"Are you ready for the Lord to have His choice, so that His will and purpose will be yours, so that the "Amen" of His character may sweep through your very nature, and so that you may know as you have never known before that this is the day of the visitation between you and Him?"

"No matter how you come into great faith and believing God, God says, "Much more abundantly, much more."

Monday, May 11, 2009

His eyes...

A little over a week ago I wrote about how the Lord was stripping me of the things that had become my identity. As He's been doing that, He's also been revealing the things that are desires and passions in my heart. My friend Heidi just sent me this video and it left me speechless. So much so, I had to share it with you. It reminded me of a time in my life that I walked asking the Lord for His eyes. Yes, I still do this, but back in the day with my friend Heidi, we could not be in the car together without it ending up with our vehicle being on the side of the road ministering to someone. With Richmond Hill having I-95 running through it, the opportunities the Lord gave us to share about His love and salvation were endless.

Having moved to North Atlanta--I haven't stopped on the side of the road once. Is it that I don't have my friend Heidi? Is it that I don't have my eyes open or heart stirred? When I lived in RH, I brought youth to downtown Atlanta to minister to the homeless. What has happened to me? I'm sitting here pondering, do I even see homeless people anymore? I now live in West Cobb County--I live 3 miles from the church and I'm able to drive all back roads, so never seeing a major interstate or highway. I've gone 9 months without stopping on the side of the road and sharing Jesus with a stranger.

I don't really know where I'm going with this blog or what I'm trying to convey to you, but even as the Lord has been stripping me of the things I've become known for, there are still passions deep in my heart to see the Nations come to Him. So, I might not be going International this year, but I am asking the Lord to refresh my compassion. To let my heart breaks as His does. To let me see things the way He does. I'm asking for divine interactions. I'm going to not only look on the streets, but ask the Lord who He wants me to talk to--whether it be my waiter in a restaurant or someone at Wal-mart. I want to see the earth the way He sees it....Break my heart for what breaks Yours Jesus.

**For those of you getting this in an email or newsfeed, you don't want to miss this video.

Please take the time to check it out by clicking here.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Thank you, Mom

Although we are not there to celebrate with you in person, know that we love and miss you more than we can put into words.

We love you. Happy Mother's Day!

Click to play this Smilebox photobook: Thank You, Mom

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Saturday, May 2, 2009

Update on Maddie

**New update (5.2.09 @ Noon): Maddie just ran over to me after being in a comatose state for a few hours with Ralph--her hedgehog-wanting me to play with her. When I bent down to rub her little head I noticed that her nose was wet again---it has been dry all week. Looks like she's on the upside of things. Hallelujah! Now to the kitchen to make her lunch! :)

***Original post:***

Just wanted to update all of you really quickly, for those of you who have been asking about our Maddie girl. We're not quite sure what happened to her, but starting about 2 weeks ago--she seemed to be a little off. Earlier this week she seemed way off and was really lethargic and wasn't her puppy self. As the week progressed, we waited hoping she would get better, but she eventually stopped eating her food. On Wednesday morning, I went in late to work due to our Senior Banquet the night before and at 11:00am I decided I should go wake her up since she wasn't wanting to get up on her own. I made her get out of her bed (aka dragged her out) and soon discovered that she was very very lethargic and had no interest in not only her food, but now her water. Upon that discovery, we called the vet and they said to bring her in, thinking she was dehydrated and would need fluids.

They couldn't get her in right away, so I put her in the kitchen so that she could have access to her food and water and went to the church for a couple of hours. I then came home to get her and she had actually eaten all of her food (which was more than she had eaten combined in 4 days) but still had not touched her water.

So, off to the vet we went. Upon examination she showed that she was in pain when they touched her tummy. So, they no longer were concerned about dehydration, but injury. So off to x-rays and blood work she went--and she hollered the whole time. It was horrible! Well, when they x-rayed her, guess what they saw---a belly full of food. Little booger. But it at least ruled out that she had an obstruction. The blood work came back almost normal (one thing was off, but they said not to worry--okay, trying!) but the blood work ruled out that she had eaten anything toxic (which this puppy eats EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING so that could have been the issue).

Since her belly was full, they gave her an injection of pain meds and sent us home to observe her, not feed her and bring her back in the morning for round 2 of x-rays. So off we went. It was Wed. night, so Robert stayed home with her while I went to youth.

The next morning, I brought her in under the impression that they would x-ray her and re-examine her right away and then let me take her back home. Instead they took her from me, handed me her collar back and asked what number they could reach me at. I stood there in tears--not knowing I was going to have to leave her, this turned into a traumatic moment very quickly! They wanted to spend the day examining her. Nice.

So I left and a couple hours later we got the phone call that whatever was in her tummy (and she had a lot in her tummy and a lot of gas) had moved to the colon--and they thought something was wrapped around her colon (which it ended up not being), so they would give her an enema to push it on out and they'd call us when they had more info. Again, nice and now gross. (Aren't you glad you are reading this blog?)

An hour or so after that we got another phone call saying we could come get her. Long story short (which I'm sure you wish I had written in paragraph number one, not seven) is they think she injured herself somehow--now sure how, when, where, etc. but the injury eventually led to it being painful for her to go potty---so she stopped...which led to her not eating which eventually led her to not drinking. So...now we're home and she is on pain meds--which she's okay with because she gets a "treat" every 12 hours...and she is on homemade chicken and rice....for 3-4 days, then we can start mixing in her regular food, to eventually having her back on a normal diet.

Moral of the story is--in Robert's words, "that was an expensive piece of poop!" No kidding. For now, Robert's at work today and pup and I are just hanging out. She has lots of energy when she first wakes up and runs around like a mad-woman (which worries me because that is probably how she injured herself in the first place---if I could ever catch her mad dashes on video, it would be a good laugh for you!) Then the pain pills kick in and she is out cold--so much so I look over at her every few minutes to make sure she is still breathing.

I don't know about this parenting stuff--my heart almost didn't survive this week---over a soon to be 6 month old puppy (on the 15th!). How does anyone handle this with a child??

So, there's our update on our Maddie girl. Sorry it wasn't as quick as I thought it would be, but this is our life. Thanks for sharing it with us!

**Sidenote, picture on the top is the picture I captured from my cell phone upon first arrival home on Thursday after the vet had had her all day--pitiful isn't she? I captured a picture later on that evening when I walked into the living room at about 11:30 thursday night and Robert was asleep on the floor and Maddie was asleep next to him. If only the lighting in the room had been better it would have been the perfect picture! He loves her, don't let him lie to you! :) Enjoy your Saturday everyone!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Easter 2009

Aren't y'all proud of me? We've definitely had a week of me blogging things out of order! :)

Finally, here are our pics from Easter. Mom bought me a pretty Easter dress, but it was 40 degrees when I left my house at 6:45 in the morning! So...dress didn't make it--but it did make an appearance at the wedding we went to the following weekend!

Following church, Robert and I went out for Mexican food---how's that for starting a family tradition? Really, I did have good intentions on cooking---but my delayed flight coming back from Maine the night before Easter put me home later and not in the mood for the grocery store---so my sweet husband suggested Mexican--so we went and enjoyed lunch...and then we went to the grocery store so that I could cook dinner later on--which I did and we enjoyed an evening at home watching the Amazing Race!

So there's our Easter update and it's not even a month late---now if I could just get the pics up of Maine we'll be doing good. :)

Enjoy the scrapbook (it's only 8 pages long--it won't take long to look at we promise! :)

**For those getting this in an email, if it doesn't show up go here.

Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Easter 2009

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India on my mind

I don't know if this ever happens to you, but over the past few days I've had India on my mind. It could be the fact that a few of the blogs I read have been in India this week. It could be that I picked up a book that I began reading last summer in an attempt to finish it. It's called "A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot. It could also be that a great movie just came out and if you haven't seen it yet---you must see Slumdog millionaire. For the trailer go here. It could also be that a friend of mine and her husband are heading to India soon. To see about where the Lord is sending them, go here. Some of you Richmond Hillians might recognize Lisa as a former Crossfire member! And if you want even more to make your heart stir, visit our friend Tammy's blog (which is where Lisa and Ben are going!). Tammy is a long time Wesley and RiverStone friend and she runs an orphanage in India. For Tammy's blog, go here.

Okay, really how many of you have had a certain country on your mind lately? Honestly, I'd love to hear from you (that's me requesting comments! Let's hear from you!) In all reality it hasn't just been India on my mind, it's been "go to the nations..." that's on my mind. This year I find myself for the first time in 6 years not leading a mission trip...and it's the first time in 8 years since being a Christian that I'm not even going on a mission trip. Is my heart okay with this? Not really. Have I cried over this? Yes. Does it bring tears to my eyes every time I even think about it? Yes. Do I know this is the Lord? Yes. Does that make it easy to swallow? No.

I knew last summer that I was done doing construction mission trips. I felt as if the Lord was leading me into a season of something that would stretch me out of my comfort zone when it came to missions. We (and when I say we--I mean me, myself and I) get comfortable "building" things. It's uncomfortable when we actually have to get out there and share what the Lord has done for us and each day share the Gospel. As Robert and I moved to RiverStone I thought I might lead a mission trip that really would have stretched me to Skid Row in Los Angeles, but as time played out, this year was not the year for that. At the same time, Robert and I were praying about going with RiverStone on a mission trip to Spain. As time went on and as we felt this summer the Lord had us buying a house we felt as if this summer was one we sat out on as far as missions go. Oh, my heart still hurts over this one, but I know it's from the Lord.

Bottom line is--the Lord is stripping me. He has been since we've moved here. It hasn't been the most pleasant experience. He's stripping me of those things I've become known for--whether it means leading mission trips, or taking youth to minister to the homeless. He's had me in a season of "hiding under His wing." I was talking with someone lately and we reflected back to when I first felt the call to be in ministry. It was in that conversation that I confessed that when I first started out, all I wanted to be known for was that I was a lover of Jesus.

So here we go. I'm no longer the girl that leads mission trips (or anything else for that matter that has become my identity). All I want is to be known as that crazy girl that is head over heals in love with Jesus. This stripping process isn't easy--but it's gonna be worth it. Yes, as Rita Springer sings my absolute favorite song that I have clung to over the years, it's gonna be worth it:

Kristin McLendon