Raymond Foiles

Today the angles rejoiced, sweet hearts were reunited and God Said "Well done my good and faithful servant".  Dan's grandpa went home today. He was 89. 

Dan and I spent some time together remembering Dan's grandpa. Dan has so many sweet memories of him. A man who truly loved the Lord with all he had, a loving grandpa who let Dan do so many fun things as a child and someone who Dan truly admired.  I will never forget the last time Dan was with his grandpa. His grandpa gave him the most precious hug I have ever seen. A cherished moment never to be forgotten. 

Please remember Dan's family during this time. 

Easter Egg Hunt

Couldn't help but post a few pictures from Easter. 

My oldest brother Alex and his family came along with my Dad. 

Alaena had an Easter egg hunt... Couldn't wipe that smile from her face.

 She was seriously excited!!

Alaena looking inside the eggs with help from Dad

Tucker was hoping that Dan would drop some ham 

Hope you all had a blessed Easter. 

Gratification

First I must state that this post is not written to pat myself on the back, but rather to encourage and challenge us all. 

Webster defines gratification as the pleasurable emotional reaction of happiness in response to a fulfillment of a desire or the fulfillment of a goal. When was the last time you felt that feeling? Do you get that feeling from your every day life chores, job, family or friends? Or do you feel like you are peddling a stationary bike getting no where, but hoping to get there. I would have to say that I have been feeling like I am on that stationary bike the past few months with my job. Peddling hard and fast but never making it past the starting line. It is a tiring and an emotional place to be. 

Being in health care has it pros but also its cons. Lately, I have been dwelling on the cons. Lately, the cons have been more prevalent not because I was looking to be negative, it just keep staring me in the face. Yesterday at work I was busy doing the everyday routine and was stopped in the middle of it. Stopped for a good reason. The CEO of the hospital was rounding on patients and had rounded on two of mine. Those patients I was told spoke very highly of me as a nurse along with my personal touch to taking care of them. He went on to talk to me and thank me. I know it may sound corny but it meant a lot to me. Did I get a big award or raise? No (though the raise would have been nice). But honestly, just being acknowledge for my hard work was enough. Enough to know I was making the difference I hoped to and was needed. When I think about this it makes me frustrated that such a little thing was all I was looking for to feel like I was making a difference. How simple, and yet so complex. How many times do we go through our daily routines and never stop to really thank people that have 
made a difference. Whether it was big or small. We are all looking for some type of gratification. 


I love how encouraging Paul was when he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that I may love and encourage people the way he did in this passage below.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy... And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God.... God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:3-11

Love Never Fails

I am a person of order.I am becoming more of that annoying person the older I get. I love there to be routine to my everyday life. Even if I say I don't, I need it. One of my daily routines is to listen to KTIS (christian radio station) on my way to work and as I listen I pray. I pray for my day at work, my patients, for safety, for healing. I pray for friends and family, I pray for my marriage. I pray for Dan and I to be Godly examples.I pray for whatever God brings to my heart. While I pray, I also listen to the music and let God speak through it. I wanted to share a song that I heard on the radio that really got me thinking.


 Dan and I have been going through the book "The Love Dare" with our small group. It has been challenging at times to say the least and for sure eye opening more often than not. I am finding that I can be ugly inside and that I am selfish with many things in life. Some I do intentional and other not. Either way, it is convicting. This past week we talked about the different types of love we have for our spouse. One that stuck out the most was Love believes the best. The authors talk about two rooms we have in our hearts. The first, The appreciation room. This is the warm fuzzy place we keep thoughts about our spouse. Its the hopeful room. Sadly, we only go there every so often. We often spend a great deal of time there when we are first dating or recently married (AKA: honeymoon period) and then quickly forget about it. However, there is another room that we frequent more often. The Depreciation Room. This is where we store all the frustrating, negative, hurt feelings, along with the disappointment of unmet expectations. Staying in this room kills a marriage. The author then goes on to say "Love knows about the Depreciation Room and does not live in denial that it exists. But love Chooses not to live there. The only time we should go in there is to know how to pray for our spouse. WOW. How many days do I go Depreciation Room just because its easier? I don't only do this for Dan but for other people in my life. I was feeling very convicted about this!!


 As I drove to work this song played. How lucky are we that God always choses to go the appreciation room for us. What an amazing God we have that he loves us no matter what. 

LOVE NEVER FAILS

BY:BRANDON HEATH

Love is not proud 

Love does not boast

Love after all 

Matters the most 

Love does not run

Love does not hide

Love does not keep

Locked inside 

Love is the river that flows through

Love never fails you

Love will sustain

Love will provide

Love will not cease

At the end of time 

Love will protect

Love always hopes

Love still believes

When you don’t 

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love never fails you

When my heart won’t make a sound

When I can’t turn back around

When the sky is falling down

Nothing is greater than this 

Greater than this

Love is right here

Love is alive

Love is the way

The truth the life

Love is the river than flows through

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love is the place you will fly to

Love never fails you 

What room will you dwell in today? 

Memories...

Dan's Grandpa and Grandma Mach

I have been working on the finishing touches for the wall of pictures in our basement. It has been so much fun to look back at pictures and see how much we have all grown up. Just for fun... 

Grandpa Cedarholm and Kate

Dan

 Kate, Jessie Grandma Happ

Jake, Sue, Mike and Alex

             

Kate's Grandpa Happ 

Mom's Masters Graduation!!! 

Grandma Cedar hiding from the paparazzi in Hawaii 

Dan, Grandpa Foiles, Jennie and Ella 

Dan's Grandpa Mach

   

Jake and Kate  

  

Jennie, Carmen, Steve and Dan

Blessed Beyond Measure

I woke up today in a warm comfortable bed feeling fully rested and relaxed. I got out of bed and my feet were on plush carpet. I walked into the bathroom and with out even thinking turned on my lights and there was light. I turned on the shower and there was clean hot water to use. I brushed my teeth with clean water. I could go and on about the daily things I use and never have to stop and wonder where they came from or if they will be there tomorrow. How blessed am I? I have a job that I get to go to and make money to buy the things I need and want. I have a new house with nice things, I have a car that runs, I have a closet full of clothes, I have several pairs of shoes to pick from each and every day. I have cabinets full of food in my house. I have medication to take if I am sick, insurance to go to the doctor and hospitals that have equipment to take care of me. I have friends and family close by that are healthy.  I have so much and yet there are times when I feel jealous that I don't have what others have. Oh, how this must break God's heart. 


 Check this out....  This is how blessed we are. 


Dan and I are blessed to go to an amazing church that challenges us and helps us grow. We are in a new series called, "The Micah Project".  


It is based off of Micah 6:8 " O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 


We have been focusing on serving others and walking in the shoes of the less fortunate. Since Monday we have only been eating 1 cup of  rice and beans for meals.  It has not been easy, but it has been an eye opening experience. 

Humbling facts:

* Half the world's population lives on less than $2/day.

* Approximately 1 billion people live on even less than a $1/day.

* More than 1.1 billion people don't have access to clean water

How easy it is to go to the store and get the foods that we want. To go out to eat and not even think about spending $10.00 on a meal. How many times do you grab a water bottle for connivence or pay $3.00 for a cup of coffee? Something to think about...


Yesterday, Dan and I went to a World Vision Experience: AIDS, Step into Africa . This was a time to stop from the hustle and bustle of life. To have a chance to see and walk through what others are going through on a daily basis. It broke my heart all over again. I highly encourage you to try to go to this if it is ever in your community. It will challenge you and change you forever. If you want more information click on the link above. 


I was lucky enough to go to Africa when I was in High School. It was an experience that changed my life. Changed who I was. This is where I decided I wanted to be in health care. I wanted to be able to come back and take care of these sick people. To be able to show them GOD'S LOVE. I have always had a heart for Africa ever since. I remember being there and watching how sad so many people where and the lack of hope. However, I also remember watching in amazement as they were so gracious with the little that they had.   The reason I went to Africa was to help start a school and hospital for a community in Nigeria. It is a prayer that I am able to return there and serve the people that touch my heart and changed my life. 

What can we do? 

Dan and I have not been blessed with children of our own so we decided to sponsor two boys. 
Jose who is 8 years old and Fernando (who has the same birthday as Dan's) is 13 years old. Both live in Mozambique, Africa. Please pray for these boys and their families along with others in their villages.  If you are interested, please consider doing this. There are children all over the world that need us. Sponsor A Child


Volunteer your time to serve others locally or over seas. Feed My Starving Children is a wonderful organization where you can give of your time to pack food for others. 


Give to your local food shelf. 


Pray. 

Do something. 

In a world where we have been blessed beyond measure. We are called to do something. 

Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I was not looking forward to this birthday. I know it was not considered a "big" one, but it was a hard.  I was talking with some of my girl friends a few weeks ago about this age and we all agreed for different reasons this was a hard one. I was glad to be in good company with my thoughts. However, it was a great day. I woke up to fresh flowers in my room and through out the house. A card from my husband that made me laugh till my stomach hurt. A great breakfast and Star bucks coffee (a girl could get used to this). Tons of phone calls, text messages and cards wishing me a great day. I had to go to work for a meeting (which Dan lovingly came with and waited for it to be over) while there my boss had bought me a birthday cake and everyone sang to me. I was feeling loved. To make things even better Dan took me to Como Zoo.  For those of you who don't know this is where we got engaged. And even better trivia, Dan fell down this flight of stairs when he got on his knee. It's something we alway laugh about. Glad he has a good sense of humor. It was still magical.

We got engaged in Spring. So, if you look down there is a pond with a waterfall. 

Dan proposed on the stairs mid way down.

Then we went shopping (did I mention I got new boots that were org. $77 for only $13!!!) out to eat and a movie (my pick). What a great day, thanks Dan!!

When we got home I had this pretty little girl singing to me. Made my day to hear from BOLIVIA on my birthday. We still can't get over how grown up our niece is. Thanks you guys~

 Ella 2 yrs old

I made it through and it turned out to be a great day! I am looking forward to next weekend where all my college girls will be in town and we are going out to dinner to celebrate birthdays. I am one lucky person.

Thanks for making me feel loved. 

Great Coffee Table and End Tables for Sale

Since we are all moved into the basement we decided it was time to down size to better fit the room and our needs.

So if you are looking, we are selling!!!

2 solid cherry end tables and a cherry coffee table with two storage ottomans. 

Family Pictures

Calling all family members.....

I need your pictures. I have just started to put up pictures of all your smiling faces. I am headed to Costco tomorrow to print more. Please send me family photos. I thought it might be nice to see what I have been putting up. I have about ten more frames to put up yet and we have lots of wall to cover. At this time I am working on more recent pictures. Shoot me an email or leave a comment if you have a question. Remember, you can always send new ones to go up on the wall. I will always print them in black and white.  Thanks for being a part of this!!

Ps. We also have a digital frame in the living room that we would love to put friends and family in. So please any type of picture you would like to send, we would love it!! 

Favorite Friends

I was spoiled to have my best friend come to MN and spend more than a month here! I was able to see her and two of my favorite little girls several times through out their busy visit. One day I was able to spend the afternoon playing at an indoor play land. (Ella, tell your parents when you come to visit we will go).  It was crazy to think that just two years ago I was out in CO visiting them in the NICU. So fun to watch them grow. They were always styling!  Amy is doing a great job with them.  At times just watched in awe of how she did it.  Looking forward to seeing you girls again.