Stuff I Think 2

Kelsey's Confectionery Review

2010-07-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

I should be editing the whopper of a file that is sitting here on my desk, waiting to be sent to the printer, but I needed a break from the book and thought I would opt for a little light writing. I can hardly keep up with all the confectionery delights offered in our fair city these days. In the spirit of servanthood, I have visited several new, trendy dessert establishments and am here to offer my review. After all, it's for the children.

Would love to have your comments as well, chiming in with the places I haven't been able to get to. I do have 7 kiddos and can't seem to get to every ice cream joint in town, although it is on my to do list.

1. PACIUGO GELATO - I give this 5 stars, 2 thumbs up and throw in a big toe. This place rocks my world. The flavors are intense, they don't use yuck sweeteners (no HFCS found here!) and it's 70% lower fat than ice cream, so you don't feel like you just ate a stick of butter. I feel happy when I leave here and so does my stomach. Free samples offer a first taste before you commit. My favorites are: Amaretto, Irish Coffee, Wedding Cake and Dark Chocolate (oh, man, my mouth is watering). Fresh flavors and friendly staff make this my #1 summer treat for 2010. Located at Towne Center across from Ingredient. Get there this weekend!

2. CUPCAKES AlaMODE - 5 stars for cute and yummy, thumbs down on price, this trendy cupcake cafe makes me want to dress up in pink heels and gather the girlfriends for a fun afternoon treat. The cupcakes themselves are hands down the best I've ever put in my mouth. Atmosphere is adorable and very girly, all in pink and black. But at $3.25 per cupcake, this will be a once a year thing for my girls and me.

3. OVER the TOP CUPCAKES and YOGURT - Zoe loved this place, and if it were up to her I might come back, but overall I was completely unimpressed. The cupcakes totally tasted like a cake mix with that horrid chemical aftertaste. The decoration part was a mere sprinkle bottle at the "Creation Station", but I suppose that was enough to garner a 3-year old's attention. The yogurt was a ton better than Peachwave, although just as expensive. Very creamy and tasty - I recommend the PineappleCoconut if you have to go. I wouldn't suggest this as a date night, but if you have toddlers and a Spreesy coupon it might be worth the trip.

4. PEACHWAVE - I guess I'm getting old. For all the hype and the masses of people in line, I expected some kind of dairy nirvana. I didn't get it. Aside from the "do it yourself" aspect (yes, I always go thru the self checkout), the whole experience didn't "wow" me. The yogurt was bland, and I sampled every single flavor. I will say the topping bar was very fresh and nicely stocked. I see these going up all over Kansas City -- I suppose I am just not catching the wave.

5. MOCHI-YO - In a word, YUM. Love the original tart flavor. Makes me think I'm eating something very healthy, which I'm probably not. It's definitely a different dessert than gelato or ice cream, but it's hip and next door to the Apple Store, so I call it a win.

6. TCBY - 135th and Roe. This is as old as I am, but it's a faithful friend. White Chocolate Mousse is the standard and needs no topping for it to please.

OK, I could go on, but I really need to get back to work. On another note, the Five Guys at Ward Parkway is just about to open and I hear that Trader Joe's is coming to Prairie Village. Just kidding about that part. We can only dream, huh?

Going in Circles

2010-04-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today did not play out how I had planned. It was a day jam packed with bullet points that needed to get checked off the to-do list, starting early in the morning until tonight, when everyone would get tucked back into bed. Piper decided the day needed to begin before the birds started to sing, so I was a bit tired before the sun even came up. Looking at the schedule and the pantry, I knew I needed to get the the grocery store and would end up taking all four girls. For those who don’t understand the enormity of this endeavor, imagine taking four beagle puppies to WalMart, no leash, putting them in carts and shopping for a family of 10.

Before we even pulled into Target, Zoe was throwing a full blown temper tantrum in her car seat, feet kicking the side of the big white van. I looked back and Anna was crashed asleep in her seat, head drooping and snoring. Piper, who still had not napped, was beginning to squeal. Jackson, who was with me to help guard my sanity, had to be at work in a little over an hour. How was I going to cart in a grumpy 3 year old, sleeping 18 month old and her twin, along with a sleepy 9 month old? If we made it in, would I even get through the first aisle? At this point, we needed at least 2 carts, if not 3, and Zoe’s kicking convinced me that I did not have the energy for this little adventure. As soon as I parked Big White, I started her back up and pulled back out, taking the back way to Jackson’s office.

With Zoe screaming, “I wanna go to TARGET!!”, we drove down the highway while I pondered my next move. Plan B was now well in motion. I would take them to the McDonald’s playland for 30 minutes until it was time to take Jackson to work. I would be a hero mom and all the children would rise up and call me blessed. As I pulled into the golden arches to the yelling of “I want a CHEESEBURGER”, I realized none of the girls had socks on. They would not be allowed to play in the playland. Fail, fail, fail. We pulled through the drivethru, in full sight of the slides inside and Zoe loudly exclaiming, “The playground, Mommy! We will play at the playground!”. Ugh. I broke the news that we were driving through and it would be so fun to eat our cheeseburger inside the fun van (at 10:30 in the morning, no less!). Cheeseburgers seemed to pacify all concerned and Anna woke up just in time. Now everyone loved me again and I figured I could make up for the lack of nutrition with some chewables later.

We dropped Jackson off at work earlier than he had to be there because I had run out of steam. We had now just made a huge loop of the city, burned a bunch of gasoline and ate scum food, none of which was in my iCal. I thought to myself, “I have just gone in a big circle and wasted the entire morning!”. As soon as the thought formed in my mind, a tiny voice spoke to me and said, “No. Sometimes the circles are just an exercise of the heart.”

I pondered that phrase......and realized that in the 2 hours of riding around, dealing with screaming toddlers and fussy babies, the Lord was exercising my spirit. It was not a waste of time in His book. I had prayed 90 second prayers for friends, family and national leaders. I received mini-downloads from Holy Spirit that I knew He would be faithful to expound on in a later, quieter moment. I had conversation with my 17 year old, who won’t be riding in my big white van forever. I prayed over Grandview as we drove, asking the Lord to pour out His Spirit and transform this city, claiming landmarks and buildings for His glory as we drove. In fact, these two hours had been quite productive in the scope of eternity. I don’t want to call it a “test”, but it certainly was a “workout” of my inner man.

So, the next time you feel like you are simply going in circles, getting nothing done and wasting your morning....remember...sometimes the circles are actually an exercise of the workings of your heart.

2010-04-06T19:24:00.001-07:00

Don't faint. This is an actual blog post. I know, you all thought I disappeared. I have not. I have been in an educational period, enrolled in the school of kids and life and a few other surprises. I can't promise a daily or weekly blog post. But over the last year and a half, there have been many written on my heart. The next post will be one of those lessons learned from spending time with four children under the age of 3. A good rule of thumb is that anything you plan will always take 4x longer than you think and some things truly are impossible. Being the eternal optimist, this has been a hard rule to accept, but I am coming to the realization that I will NEVER get everything done that's on my to-do list. There will always be a bathroom that needs cleaned, a wall that needs painted, something I forgot at Target, someone who needs a ride, an email that needs answered...you get the picture. Times seven....and all their friends. So, as much as I have had it in me to write, well, I didn't get that far down on my list until now. And only now because I didn't clean the kitchen or paint that wall tonight.

So the next post will be about my day and what I learned. In the natural, it doesn't look like I got much checked off my list, but in the spirit, much was accomplished and that's what keeps me going, day by day.

Intercessory Shots

2008-11-18T19:56:00.001-08:00

Last night I started my Lovenox shots - a twice daily injection into the abdomen to help blood flow during pregnancy. It's no fun, but having done it before, I thought I would get into the groove of it pretty quick. I let Zion watch and he was unimpressed. I guess he was expecting more blood and drama, not a tiny little needle submerged into Mom's belly roll. I didn't expect the burning sensation that followed the initial prick. Lovenox is a different medication than I have used before, so I didn't know it would burn so bad. I almost passed out. Randy found me crumpled on the kitchen floor with cold sweats and seeing black dots. As he helped me up to the bed, I cried like a baby. THIS HURTS! And it is the first of 600 more!!!

Today's shots were a little better, although it still made me queasy. Tonight, as I sat waiting for the burning to pass, Jackson came over and asked, "Mom, can I pray for you?" Of course, that was a no brainer. "YES!" He went on to pray with more wisdom than I thought a 15 year old could hold. He prayed for strength and said, "God, this is her intercession right now. In a weird way, this is her act of intercession, taking these shots and carrying this baby" and he asked that God would see it and bless me in this season. What a kid!!

So today, maybe you are in a season of taking "intercessory shots". It burns and you cry alot because it doesn't seem like you are doing much, but deep inside there is something growing that will be an inheritance for Jesus when He returns.

Just call us Abraham and Sarah

2008-11-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. If you've followed the twitterati and facebook, you will know that I am indeed, PREGNANT. We have never laughed so hard for so long.

Now, I don't have long to blog because I have a hundred facebook messages and a bunch of instant chats going on from people who think this is as incredible as we do. And in just a few minutes I have to go feed our 2 month old twin baby girls who are soon to be BIG SISTERS. But I wanted to take a minute and give the update for both of you who still read my blog.

In case you haven't done the math, we will have more kids than seats in the Suburban. 4 children under the age of 3. And 3 children who can't walk. (Just putting it in perspective).

Oh, and did I mention that we will have SEVEN children? Barring twins or triplets, the 7th Bohlender will arrive sometime in July 2009.

We told Lou and Therese -- they cried and laughed and said, "You caught up with us!" Ha!

So, it is now time for me to make the bottles and feed babies. And I guess I will be doing that for, oh, the next two years!! hahahahahaha!! Hopefully I will be able to keep up the blog like so many of my superhero mom friends. Pray that I can. I have a couple posts that have been brewing for quite some time. Now I just need some down time to myself for a couple hours to process thoughts and write. And maybe a foot rub. And a homemade chocolate cake.

More to come...I promise

2008-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. You thought since I was sitting around waiting in the Florida sunshine I would have a ton of time to keep everyone updated and post pics. I had that romantic notion too for about, oh, a minute.

We fly home tomorrow and I am counting the hours! Not that I don't love Sarasota (and Kilwin's -- Mint Chocolate Chip, baby!), but I am so looking forward to having all SIX children in one spot. Ha!! If I faint, just leave me for awhile. I will be fine.

When I come up for air, I will give detailed updates on the babies, their story, and the state of the Bohlender tribe.

Pray for lots of sleep!

Up in the middle of the night.....

2008-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

I know this will get to be routine again, but it never feels normal to get up 4 times in the middle of the night. At this moment I really could go back to sleep. Babies are fed and back down, cuddled together in bed. Hubby is snoozing. Except I can't go back to sleep. I suppose my brain is on overload trying to process the events of the week.

How could I have known when I woke up on Thursday that my nice, quiet weekend would be turned into a whirlwind and life would be forever changed with two little bundles of love? Who knew that God had divinely orchestrated every single step, from our home study being finished the evening before or a planned meeting with our adoption experts that very morning? The Lord knew.......He wrote these days before even one of them came to be.

I am tired, but cannot imagine how a nice, quiet weekend could have been more fulfilling than this great journey. It's been kind of like planning to enjoy the glacier at St. Mary's and finding yourself climbing Quandary Peak. Exhausted, yet exhilarated. Out of breath, but full of life.

Good night......if you are up in the middle of the night, remember that your days have been written in His book too. Sweet dreams.

BABIES! (Yes, that was plural!)

2008-09-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

We are at the hospital, waiting for the mounds of paperwork to be signed. The Lord has divinely orchestrated this day in such complex ways that it is blowing my little mind! Today, we will have legal custody of beautiful, twin baby girls....a double portion to celebrate the 9th anniversary of IHOP. Wow!

Obviously there is quite a story. I wish I had time to write it all now, but I don't. We are literally waiting for the attorneys to come out and hand us the babies. It could be any minute.

They are beautiful. An Asian heritage gives their skin that beautiful glow and dark eyes. We thought we had names, but in the short moment we held them, we felt they weren't quite right. Hope to announce the decision later today!

Pray for us, for Aemi the birthmom and for the little babies that they would know their stories were written in a book before they were one day old.

More updates soon......I promise!

TWISTER!

2008-09-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a tornado to create a family bonding moment. The whole fam is cuddling in the basement listening to the weather reporters repeat (with high drama) the warnings and instructions on where you should take cover. John Loux is out with his new truck chasing the tornado. Randy is laughing so hard he is crying while he twitters away.

New report "Funnel cloud at 119th and State Line". Boy, that's getting close.

Ma, I hope yer in yer basement!

The Bug Light Gathering

2008-09-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

When we came home from DC, someone had changed the light bulb in our front porch light to one of those ugly, yellow bug lights that are supposed to not attract moths. At first, I thought, how atrocious looking! The dim, yellow light was depressing. But after a few nights of not catching a bugs in my teeth on my way in the front door, I have decided it's not so bad after all. The other light, however bright and cheery, always drew those stinking bugs!

We are all like bugs in a sense. We love the light and we love gathering together where there is bright, cheerful light. Tonight, some amazing friends threw open their doors and turned the bright lights on for all of us bugs to gather. Sean and Danie always know how to throw a party. The cool thing is, they never see it as a special occasion, they just think it's normal life. Kind of like turning on the porch light at night - it's just something you do.

There were quite a variety of lovely insects around the table tonight -- musicians, nannies, pregnant mothers, adopted babies, writers, chefs, teachers, visiting Southern Californians. We ate grass-fed-organic beef burgers with sauteed onions and famous Henry-style guacamole. People ate, talked, sat on the floor or crashed on the sofa while the roar of laughing children could be heard on every level of the house. I saw friends that I adore, but just don't intersect with very often. It was loads of fun. One guest I must mention by name is Jason - who is single and very much wanting to not be. I proposed the idea of establishing a website called "E-12 Harmony", a kind of matchmaking service for end times messengers. On second thought, maybe that idea is ahead of it's time.

Yep, it was fun hanging out with the bugs tonight, all those with like hearts running after the light together. Thanks to the Henry's for making their house a home for crazy beetles like us!

Omega Remix....coming to a DVD near you

2008-09-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

We hosted the Omega team meeting at our dining room table this morning. Hot chocolate chip cookies and fresh brewed Starbucks helped get the creative juices flowing. In the spirit of leaking only enough information to produce intrigue, let's just say the new Omega package will be more Ken Burns and less EGS. I am way looking forward to working on this project!

Don't look for this one by Christmas though. The initial project went from an idea over dinner with Mike to production and on the shelves in the bookstore in 3 months. We are going to need a little more time on this one. The Lord has sent some ingenious folks to help this time around. Brent Steeno, Phil and Jackie McLeod and Adam Sugah Beets McArthur are sitting at the table and the energy on this remix is akin to a small nuclear reactor. I love it. We will be assembling a small content and production army over the next several months to pull this off. The last team was Randy, me and....uh....well that's kind of it. Jackson came up with the name "Omega" and we bribed Adam and Taryn to help us put papers in binders during the Night Watch before OneThing. Luis Cataldo showed up at the book table and helped us assemble a few more packets as we were selling out. Yeah, things are definitely going upscale.

Have I mentioned how excited I am about this project? I think it may blow The History Channel out of the water. Of course, it's the story of the ages......why should it do anything less?

How 'bout that Sarah?

2008-09-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

There was no better place to be tonight than watching the RNC on the big screen with TheCall team and Lou Engle in his Pappa chair, rocking back and forth, yelling out the occasional, "It's a Civil War this year!"

Huckabee had us all cheering with his story about the desks. The Governor of Hawaii had us worried for a few minutes, but pulled it off in the end. I thought Guiliani was going to spit flames at the crowd talking about fighting terrorism. And then the Woman of the Year stole the show......

Sarah Palin, Hockey Mom of 5 from Alaska who just happened to run for the PTA and ended up in the Governor's Mansion where she quickly put the luxury jet on eBay and fired the personal chef. This is my kind of woman. She is the perfect mix of spunk and style. She also seems to live by her convictions. Staunchly pro-LIFE, Gov. Palin gave birth to a son with Down's Syndrome in April. Having hidden her pregnancy for nearly seven months, surely it would've been easy to hide an abortion. Her critics would say this child is an inconvenience, one that would be better off if he were just "taken care of quietly". Those who stand with her for LIFE cheered as this little one was lovingly held in front of the nation tonight as his mother spoke about her perfectly beautiful baby boy.

Surely it would've also been more convenient for her 17 year old daughter to "take care of her problem". Certainly better for the Governor's conservative political career, as well as for the future of this bright young woman. Yet, Sarah Palin has remarkably stood by her daughter and encouraged LIFE.

Early on in the speech, she likened herself to Harry S. Truman. Somehow, I wonder if this was prophetic.

John McCain is a smart man. Did he really know she was the trump card or was he risking it all on a hunch? I mean, he had only met the woman once before he nominated her as his running mate. Either way, he did the right thing. Sarah Palin on the ticket has injected a fervor into this campaign that won't soon be forgotten.

I think maybe her name should be Deborah......I am praying that the nation wins and God gives favor to a woman, NOT to a man named Barak.

19 Years (a day late)

2008-07-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated our 19th anniversary. Thelma told me today that I don't look old enough to be married 19 years. (Thanks, Thelma!) Of course, I didn't mention that I got married when I was 12.

Actually I was of legal age and right mind when I said "YES" to the adventure of spending my life with this man. And I assure you, it has been nothing short of adventure!!! We started out in Gas City, Kansas living on a gravel road with cows, leading a youth group of 5. We successfully pastored it to 3 before leaving Kansas to move in with his parents on the farm and slept for 3 months in a 3/4 bed. That is not a typo. A 3/4 bed is a like a twin bed that went to college, but didn't quite graduate into full-size. Needless to say, we cuddled a bunch.

We have lived in 17 different houses (if you include the farm, the Ladd's cabin, the Bosley's guest room and the trailer on top of the gravel pit) and driven more weird cars than I can possibly remember. I look back on some of those early years and realize we lived below the poverty level, but I don't ever remember feeling poor. In fact, I have always felt rich having my best friend at my side, knowing we could get through anything together.

Randy has always been able to make me laugh. Even when I didn't want to laugh. When we first got married, he wasn't entirely tuned into the fact that I was more a night watcher and not so much a morning person. He would get up so stinking cheerful and had a little song he would sing to wake me up. We have affectionately named this "The Good Morning Song". It would so annoy me and I would just want to kick, scream and go back to sleep. But somehow I would always end up laughing......that's kind of been the story of our life together. (Not the kicking and screaming -- the laughing part.)

19 years seems like a long, long time. How come it seems like we just started this adventure? I guess because I know there is so much in front of us and I love the thought of dreaming together, jumping off a few more cliffs and, of course, the laughter that will certainly follow.

In the spirit of my friend Tracie (who also got married on 7/7), here are a few factoids about our wedding day, just for the fun of it.

1. Yes, it is true, I was aghast that Randy would even consider wearing cowboy boots to our formal rehearsal dinner. Where did he grow up?

2. Randy's blessed little dad spent the whole day of the wedding filling 350 balloons with helium for the reception. People let balloons fly instead of throwing rice. Don't stone me; I wasn't environmentally aware back then.

3. I wore a mermaid dress. And my hair was very, very poofy. So was Randy's.

4. I bought my earrings the day of the wedding at Tri-County Mall. What was I thinking?

5. Randy sang me the song, "Find Us Faithful". I still get all choked up when I hear it.

6. We had a commissioning service at the end and our bridal party laid hands on us and prayed for us to be sent into the ministry.

7. In typical A/G fashion, there was no dancing at our reception. You will be glad to know that we have now been set free.

Next year, expect an invitation to a huge party celebrating our 20th. I am all about parties, dancing and laughter. Most of all I am all about my wonderful husband! I love you Randy James Bohlender and look forward with great expectation to our many adventures ahead, even if you do sing me the Good Morning Song, give me lines and make me sleep on the monster side.

Don't faint....

2008-07-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

...but, yes, I am actually posting. After a two month unintentional blogging sabbatical, I am back. Kind of. I am the kind of person that blogs in my mind ten times a day, but somehow I never get to the computer to blurt it all out. Hmmm.....that might not be so bad either.

"Found Money"

2008-05-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

I am not sure this is what Bob Jones had in mind when he prophesied this phrase, but it seems that we have "found money" in unusual places this week. I am reminded of an incident that happened when we decided to say "yes" to this missionary lifestyle 5 years ago this spring.

One particularly windy day, we pulled into our driveway and noticed that there was something sticking to our garage door. As we got closer, we realized it was dollar bills being blown against the door. Randy got out, grabbed the money and headed inside with all of us eagerly following. There had been four dollar bills on the garage door and he promptly lined the boys up and said, "The Lord has given us provision today and I want you to remember this". He handed each of them $1 and stuck one in his own pocket. He went back outside and in the same exact place, there was now a $10 bill being blown against the garage door. He grabbed that one and brought it inside and we were all jumping up and down at the outrageousness of God. I opened the front door and there in the landscaping lay several more dollar bills scattered throughout the mulch. As we collected all the "found money", we knew that it was a sign from God that He would always be our Source and would bring in provision even by the wind.

Recently, we have been in a season of financial need due to unexpected medical and dental bills. As a family we have been reading the story of George Mueller's minstry to the orphans and our faith has been stirred again to ask in faith for all of our needs. It has come down to "D-DAY" and our kids are asking, "Did we get the money we asked for?" I just have to smile and tell them, "Not in the way we thought, but we kind of found money."

Allow me to elaborate.......today was Zion's early birthday party. (Don't ask - that's for another post). Randy and I wanted to bless him with a fun birthday gift, but had a very small budget. Before Jackson's scheduled dental appointment this morning, we went to a few garage sales (a favorite family pasttime). Lo and behold, at the first stop, we found a jewel. The $100+ Playmobil Castle that Zion has wanted was sitting there with a $10 price tag. SOLD! It was now time to go to get Jackson's crown put on -- he had a root canal a few weeks ago and needed to get it all finished so he can get the long awaited braces! We knew this was going to be costly. And we did not have the money going into the office, so I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do. For whatever reason (maybe because I had to wait over an hour in the office, or because Jackson is simply so charming), when I went to check out, the receptionist looked puzzled and said, "That will be $46".
I must've looked stunned when I responded, "How much?"
She said, "Let me go check with him."
I saw her talk to the dentist and came back and told me, "Uh, you don't owe anything today. You are ready to go."
I asked, "What? Really?"
"Yes, that's what I have been told. Have a great day."

Well alrighty then. I certainly will.

Now, the money never passed through my hands, but I felt like the Lord just gave us over a thousand dollars today. Free dental work. An amazing birthday gift for a tenth of the cost. And best yet, no taxes!!

"Found money". What a great concept!

Angels Watching Over Us

2008-05-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

We had just had the conversation, "We really need to get a copy of the Suburban key". Alas, that is now at the top of the weekend To Do list!

It was that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach that I encountered -- you know the one, like you have just done something incredibly dumb and would do anything to turn back time if only for 3 seconds. I had performed my routine: open driver's side door, open passenger side door, secure diaper bag at base of car seat, lock doors with automatic lock, shut driver's side door, and, yikes, my arm hit the passenger side door which closed with a thunk. That thunk changed my day.

The diaper bag, which was now securely inside the car, held my only set of car keys. Worse than that, Zoe was still fastened in her car seat. Arg! How could I have let this happen? I called our helpful emergency personnel at "911". The nice lady assured me help was on the way. 4 minutes passed. 5 minutes. 8. 10. I don't watch alot of tv, but somewhere on some police show I was almost positive that I learned that the response time for a baby left in a hot car should be way below 10 minutes.
I called back, "Uh, I ordered help? It's been 10 minutes....."
"Maam, I have an I-33 en route".
Well, of course.
"Uh, does that mean another minute or two".
"Maam, it means they are on their way."

15 minutes. 20. Dialed again. 9-11. I was put on hold with an automated answering system that said all their operators were busy, but please hold and do not hang up. OK. My options were limited, other than asking Mr. Henry's Cooking Class to use their meat cleavers to break the window. 45 seconds.

"Hello, Kansas City Emergency"
"Yeah, I called twice about my baby girl being locked inside my car"
"What address did you give?"
"106th and Wornall - rear parking lot"
"Well, Maam, there's nothing they can do to help you anyway. They can't carry tools like that."
What the????
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"I would call a tow truck"
"I am in the middle of a parking lot with my baby locked in a hot car, I can't call a tow truck!"
"Well, I would call a friend who can get you the number of a tow truck"
"That's why I called YOU 25 minutes ago!!! Thank you EMERGENCY!"

I was about to blow my stack until the amazing policewoman pulled up and took over. She told me that she was so long in coming because 911 did not tell her it was a Code 1 (whatever that means). She called in the big guns -- fire trucks and paramedics.

They came with sirens and the whole sha-bang. The crazy thing was, the firemen couldn't unlock my doors either. They could only break the window. Arg! again. I could've done that with alot less drama! As the firemen were gently attempting to shatter the rear window, a random tow truck speeds into the parking lot, the guy hops out, runs to the truck and begins to work feverishly work at unlocking the door. I lost it -- now I was crying. I said, "Who called you?" He told me that no one called him, but sometimes he listens to the police radio. Whoa.

It was seconds before I pulled a hot, sweaty, crying Zoe out of her carseat and the paramedics surrounded her to make sure she wasn't overheated. She cuddled one of the guys attending to her and got a Teddy Bear out of the deal. The wild thing was, by the time we got done in the ambulance, the tow truck guy was gone. I asked the other moms in the parking lot if he asked to be paid and they said, no, he just collected his tools and left.

Amazing. No shattered window and a man with tools just in time. I think God might have sent a tow truck angel. Either way, I am very thankful!

And Zoe is just fine -- although she hasn't let me out of her sight today! (Which has been fine with me!)

More revival news

2008-05-04T22:28:00.001-07:00

We got in line super early today - 4 pm - in hopes that we would get a good seat. This would be Telma's last night here, at least for awhile. We also knew that Paul Cain would be sharing, so we wondered if that wouldn't draw the curiosity seekers.

It is me, Jackson, Grayson, Telma, Mercy and Laura. I am definitely the old one in the bunch, but I love hanging with these guys. They keep me on my toes and keep me young! It was another powerful night here in Lakeland, and again very different from every other since we've been here. What I think I loved the most was the conversation on the way home.

It was the consensus among the group that "this" isn't quite "that" and "that" would have to include a whole bunch more young people. I will have to admit that this revival crowd borders on the geriatric (myself included) and in looking around the stadium tonight, my heart was pained that it wasn't full of teenagers. Someone in the car said, "They kept singing, 'We are the generation who will stand and fight....' but my generation wasn't even there". It was also interesting to hear that these kids are looking for more sober, fear of the Lord and less laughter and rolling around "drunk". Funny -- it's my generation that is rolling around laughing and these kids are crying out for holy fear.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for the laughter, joy and refreshing that is released by the Spirit of God. We will need that in the days to come. But I am very aware of that which will capture the heart of this next generation. I loved listening to them process tonight. They loved the healings. They even loved the laughter. What they are waiting for is the raw power of God to empower THEM to preach the gospel, cast out demons and raise the dead. They want holy fear to descend upon their frame and ruin them for anything less than the glory of God covering the earth. They don't want to watch it happen on a stage, they want to feel it and do it.

Jesus....come. Baptize us with fire inside. Let us do the stuff.

Revival?

2008-05-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

I know I have dropped off the blogging grid for awhile -- sick kids, Tilly, DC, it's been wild. And now I find myself in Lakeland, Florida where all I have to say is something is UP. I can't say "this is that" which was prophesied, but it's at least a taste to make us hungry for what is coming.

We have been here since Thursday. We spontaneously changed our return tickets from DC to come down here and see firsthand what was happening. Our friend, Kelsey Hays, was dramatically healed last week here in these meetings, which have gone from a 700-seat church to an 8,000-seat auditorium to a stadium with capacity for 11,000.

The first night I think I was too tired to feel anything. The words kept coming from the platform, "Ooooo, do you feel that? Do you feel that?" And I had to admit, nope, I feel absolutely nothing. In fact, I don't like the music and it's cold in here. What got me though, was the little children who have been healed. Kids don't lie. The desperation and the faith that is evident here is off the charts.

Friday night it went to the stadium. Paul Cain's vision? I guess that remains to be seen. You could feel the anticipation in the air. The seats filled up and there were people overflowing on the hills outside the stadium. No one got out of a wheelchair -- at least no one who was bound to it. Our friend, Telma still had a bent spine. Grayson still had a sore throat. But when we left at 1:00 am after Todd Bentley laid hands on every single person in the stadium, I felt we would never be the same. No one in our group manifested by shaking or yelling "HO" or falling down (although we did get pushed). No one had a vision or saw angels. But we are ruined for nothing less than the glory of God blanketing the earth and empowering His people. The day is coming for sure and we have renewed hope to press on.

Last night was completely different than the others. I had waves of weeping come over me. I looked back at Mercy and Laura a few times to see them crying too. The holy power of God was hovering over that place. A bunch of people came forward to be set free from drugs and other addictions -- many gave their lives to Jesus. Demons manifested, came out and grown men who had struggled for years were set free.

Toward the end, something erupted in the crowd - a loud roar - and I looked down to see a little boy who was bent in every limb taking steps on the baseball field. This child had cerebral palsy and had been in a wheelchair. His words were precious, 'This is a dream come true". He didn't run, he was still bent, but something measurable happened in his body. It's like a small taste of what is coming -- the great end time revival that will sustain the people of God through the most severe crisis of human history.

Is "this" the beginning of "that"? Not sure. I don't know what "this" is, but I am just glad I am here. Randy and I have always said that if Azusa Street was happening in our day, we would do whatever we had to to get there. God made a way, and here we are. I am leaving with a holy hunger and faith rising in my spirit. At the end of the day, it's a win win.

Why I am going to do what I am going to do....

2008-03-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

.....no I didn't forget. I just got surrounded by puke and snot and the moans and groans of sick kids. I haven't felt so hot myself.

I will get to this - I promise. Really.

A little hint. Capitol. Court. Prayer. Summer. Lots and lots of kids. Destiny. Dreams.

It's coming. Watch for it. Tell everyone you know. It's a window of time.

What a Day!

2008-03-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have just washed my hands and applied super-duper-germ-killing-goop to my hands for the 100th time today, boiled a little boys toothbrush (because you never can be too careful), given out the appropriate doses of codeine elixir (might grab some myself!), wiped a nose too stuffy to be blown and picked up all the tissues wadded on the floor from the days' use. The only thing left to do is to place buckets in strategic places next to the beds in case anyone pukes in the night. Ahhhhh.....all in a days' work.

It started as a normal Tuesday, except it was anything but normal. I was awakened by Grayson's groaning, complaining he couldn't breath well. I took him back to the doc who took one look at him and announced, "I'm stumped as to a diagnosis, but he looks sick enough to be hospitalized". Yes, those were his exact words. Grayson promptly burst into tears as I asked for the next steps. We found ourselves driving to Children's Mercy in Gramma's new Volvo (easier to park than the beastly Suburban) and I explained to him that Thelma got to order ice cream whenever she wanted and could watch movies any time day or night when she stayed in the hospital. That's all he needed for a buy in. We checked ourselves into the ER and waited.....and waited....and waited. A guy nurse came in and taught Grayson how to "cough up the biggest loogy you can" for the flu test (so much for all those manners we have been teaching!) and told him how it was by far the grossest and coolest one he had seen that day (what's a mom to do??). Apparently Gray didn't make the cut for an overnight stay, much to his dismay, and we came home loaded with drugs that will help his pain and give him rest.

We walked into the house to the sound of Zion crying his head off -- kid #3 got it. Less than an hour later he barfed up lunch onto the dining table. I guess the Pepto didn't work so well. Randy was so great as he cleaned up all the "big stuff". Jackson was comatose in bed, still in jammies and feeling like his head "was in another universe". Again, exact words.

It is 10:55. I am attempting to get to sleep before midnight. That would be luxurious. Tomorrow is a new day and maybe this was all a bad dream.....but I will still wake up and boil toothbrushes and wipe the doorhandles down with Lysol just to be safe.

** Thanks to Therese Engle and Ann Cone -- what would we do without extra mothers???

For Zion's Sake

2008-03-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

Zion Bohlender is sitting here, chowing down leftovers of Gramma's homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and listening to the IHOP webstream. They are praying for Israel and the chorus went something like this....

"For Zion's sake, do not keep silent......for Zion's sake don't hold your peace"

Cute little son is heard singing along between bites, 'FOR ZION', 'FOR ZION', 'FOR ZION'.

What a funny little kid -- he thinks the webstream is just for him!

BREAKING NEWS!!!

2008-02-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today, Tuesday, February 26th (Jackson's 15th birthday by the way!), STARBUCKS will be closing ALL its stores for 3 hours beginning at 5:30 pm local time. I know this will affect the IHOP community greatly, so I wanted to be the first to let you know an offer an alternative.....

Yes, folks, it's true. According to foxnews.com, Starbucks will be re-training their baristas in the passion of making your favorite espresso beverage. They are doing this because they are concerned about you, the customer (and their falling stock).

If you are in the Kansas City area, don't worry -- Dunn Brothers will remain open (and still roasting their own beans to perfection). A little further of a drive, you can check out The Roasterie, also serving fresh roasted. In fact, after trying these, you may never go back to The 'Bucks after all!

Just for fun, what's your favorite coffee dive and drink?

20th High School Reunion

2008-02-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

Class of 1988 -- big hair, blue eyeliner and stonewashed jeans. My kids crack up at all my high school pictures, kind of like I did when I looked at my mom's yearbook, circa 1967.

This summer is my 20th year reunion. I have been having a blast looking through all the profiles on Facebook from all the folks I haven't seen in 20 years. Some I wouldn't recognize and some look amazingly the same as when I saw them last (minus the big hair).

My Lakota friends found me on Facebook, even with my name being listed as Kelsey. (apparently the WPP didn't work for me.) I have had a blast looking at all the photos and profiles, reading the journeys of so many I thought I may never see again. Marivi Tordil, loving God and living in Columbus, OH -- Jen Pifer, working for CNN in Atlanta -- Barbie Nicol, mom of 4 in Florida -- Greg Holder, still in Cincy and enjoying baby #1.

Cincinnati Christian HS (where I transferred my junior year) is also planning a 20th celebration, but with other classes invited too. I ran into Aaron Bates at TheCall SOI last month and he filled me in. My CCHS buddies haven't discovered Facebook yet (except Tim Sweeten -- he always was a step ahead!), but I look forward to hearing where they have all ended up. We got to see Faith (Shelton) Wooton a couple months ago when we did a Call rally for their church in Oklahoma. She and her husband Darryl are pastors there in Bartlesville -- we actually went to college with them too, but had lost touch over the years. There are too many that I have lost contact with. I am just glad we have the millennium to catch up!

I love connecting with the past, not because I would ever go back (thank God I never have to do high school again!), but because there is a certain joy in surveying where I have been and where God has brought me. Plus it's just plain fun to catch up with friends who knew me way back when.

Look for some high school memories in coming days -- and if you happen to be one of those from the good ole' class of '88, chime in. Would love to hear your stories too!

Sundays at the Bohlenders

2008-02-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

We have a few traditions in our house. One that may be news to you is that Randy sleeps on the "monster side" of the bed and I sleep on the "bug side". It doesn't matter that we have moved umpteen times, 'bug' and 'monster' are kind of like 'north' and 'south' - they are directional and never change.

Another tradition is weekends at the breakfast bar. I get up, make the batter for homemade pancakes (just call me Aunt Jemima) and Randy is the Griddle Man. It never changes, except for last week when I declared myself the Griddle Girl. He doesn't allow that very often, but I had a hankerin' to flip the flapjacks.

This morning, we were true to Bohlender Tradition - I whipped up the the batter, Randy provided expert flipping, Zoe got the first cake with a dusting of powdered sugar, Grayson had a stack of 4, Zion had his "tower" (several pancakes of differing sizes, stacked up and decorated with the topping of the day), Jackson only had one because of his separators (ouch! ask him about it!) and I waited till the end to enjoy 4, 5, uh maybe even 6!! They are so incredibly yummy! Randy ate and sipped java in between flips. We did what we normally do, talk, laugh, wrestle, eat.

This is from a past weekend......but it is representative of where you will find the Bohlender tribe on any given weekend morning:

Adoption Friends

2008-02-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Last night we got to meet Amy and Malcolm Young for the first time since we were connected with them on our adoption journey in May 2006. We enjoyed our favorite (cheap) Asian dive and realized that dinner didn't offer nearly enough time to hear their story, so we moseyed over to Borders to hang a little while longer. The Youngs are probably going to make "The List" (a secret scroll of people who we know, love and would choose to spend time with again and again). They are fun, sincere, love Jesus and read the whole Bible (inside joke, but not really). The Loux's are already on The List and therefore qualified for after dinner coffee and conversation, although they probably would've opted for a hot toddy and a fuzzy blanket. The poor dears were way sick and I was shocked they made it through the night. Neither of us wanted to miss out though, as it felt like a divine moment. Tracie was right -- I am sure we will look back on 2/22 and say, "Remember the night.....". Ha, 2/22. It's a Lou moment!

Randy and I had the honor of sharing our adoption story this morning at the adoption seminar hosted by Christian Adoption Consultants. Amy and Malcolm have recently hired Tracie Loux as consultant here in the Kansas City area and today was their first seminar here in the area. I suppose there were about 40-50 searching souls who came out to hear more about adoption. It was a wonderful morning -- I choke up every time I hear the stories; they never get old. It makes me think how often God must smile at the stories even though He knew them from the beginning of time.

It was fun to see so many IHOP friends at the seminar. Some were there to support those who will adopt, some wanted information to get started in the process; all were touched and few had dry eyes by the end of the presentation. The Spirit of the Lord was present and you could just feel His heart as the pictures of all the babies that had been placed were displayed. Looking at Elia and Zoe, I wondered how many more God has planned to rescue and set in the house of prayer?

Amy and Malcolm left after being introduced to Chipotle. (Isn't it just plain wrong that they live in a Metro city and have never had Barbacoa??) I have a feeling they will be back soon. Who knows what is ahead, but it feels bigger than a burrito. God is in this connection and we are grateful for our new friends!

Why I Do What I Do

2008-02-22T19:13:00.001-08:00

Now here's a post that could actually necessitate a table of contents. If I added one, it might look like this:

Chapter One Joy in the Mundane - things that can only be done by me

Chapter Two The Secret Place - things that no one will ever see

Chapter Three Pioneering - things that no one else wants to do

Chapter Four The Spotlight - things that other people think they want to do

.......and so on. You get the picture.

There are some things in life we do because we want to eat, live indoors and wear clothing that doesn't smell (i.e. grocery shopping, cleaning the bathroom and endless laundry). These things don't seem noble, but done with an attitude of excellence they all count as mega points in the internship of God. I don't want to take too much time on this category - I've pondered the majesty of the mundane before and will certainly do so again, but I am thinking different thoughts tonight.

There are other things that we do or don't do because we just know it's right. Period. These things don't always seem grand at the time, but God sees the depths of our motivation and He smiles. As important as these hidden acts are, these are not my focus tonight either.

The focus of many of my thoughts lately has been the reasons why I engage in the activity of "Chapters 3 and 4". I have asked myself, why do I do this? I mean, I could just concentrate on being faithful in the first two chapters and I would find life abundantly. Is it because of the fame and the travel? Yeah, the glamor of trying to feed a screaming baby on a 3 hour flight across the country? Or cleaning up the barf in the x-ray bin after son #2 pukes his guts out going through security? Maybe it's the smoky hotel rooms and continental breakfast bars. And for the record, let me just say it is entirely creepy when people walk up to me in another city and know my name simply from reading this blog......"Uh, you don't know me, but I know all about you!" No.....I didn't sign up for those reasons.

First of all, our involvement with The Call has been since the original trumpet blast in 2000 to come to Washington DC for a day of revolutionary fasting and prayer. We closed down our church and told everyone to go to The Mall for the day. Since then, it has become our life. We do it because we believe this is the only way forward for our nation and ultimately for the planet. Solemn assemblies aren't just a good idea, they are the prescription for a people in crisis. It isn't mostly about 12 hours of rockin' good bands. The Call isn't a Christian Woodstock. It's a desperate plea and a mercy cry as we stand on "that piece of real estate called 'the gap'" (thank you Matt Lockett! Brilliant language!) and believe we serve a God who relents from sending calamity.

We have also poured our lives into the start up of The Daniel Academy this past year. I remember looking at all the websites that gave instructions for private schools and they gave an 18 month start up plan. The problem was, we only had 7 months. When in doubt, shoot from the hip. And duck. We did. Why? The same reason we have given ourselves to The Call.

It's all about the next generation and gaining an inheritance in the end, not even mostly for ourselves, but for Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I am in it for the reward too. Jesus knew we needed motivation and He actually desires for us to gain a prize at the end of the day . It's His joy to give it. I have seen Narnia and I am going for a crown like Lucy's and the spot in the temple that I never have to leave. But I truly am coming to the point in my life (thank God!) where I know that I know that it's not all about me anymore. I am a generational link -- like in the Telephone Game -- I don't want to be the person that screws up the message. I want my kids to know Him and I want to have done all that I can to create for them a place where the Word of the Lord can "run swiftly".

So even though I have a lot of options in life right now, none of them remotely compare to the joy set before me; the hope of His Glory is the energy that keeps me going. We are super busy, more than we have ever been in our lives, I don't get enough sleep and rarely have time to myself. But I know that we are partnering with the God of the Universe during a time in history like never before. These are MY times. I want to be a good link for the times that are coming for my kids. And I want to leave a legacy that paves the way for His presence on the earth.

I want every moment to count - for now and for eternity. That is the reason I do what I do.

Give me a minute.....

2008-02-18T19:32:00.001-08:00

Never fear, the series will continue, but I must get my beauty rest. After prayer leading, baby leading and teenager leading, I am a bit tired tonight. I started the day with Psalm 45 (which rocked, even if we did ramble a bit) and ended the day counseling my 14 year old through his attempt at a business plan. Now I have to go get my homemade paper out of the oven and slaughter the hens for tomorrow's dinner. Good night.

Why I Did What I Did

2008-02-17T07:46:00.001-08:00

As a child, I was confident, determined and rather intense. I was the child who really believed I could do anything I wanted to do. When I was 12, I decided that I would become a doctor by the time I graduated high school. I went to the library and checked out a stack of medical books. I studied the charts and the terms and the location of organs I had never heard of. I was to be the first self-studied, teen physician. In Junior High, I met with the principal to introduce my plan for helping the poor in our school. There were two girls that needed clothes and food and it was imperative that we do something to affect their future. At 14, I was sure I was headed to USC to change the face of Hollywood. I had won a trip to the Star City and got to meet a bunch of directors, actors and university faculty. I told them all to look for me in 4 years. At 17, my dream was to be the first woman Chaplain to the US Senate. I carried Richard Halverson's prayer book with me and recited his governmental prayers.

I went off to Bible college and got my MRS degree in the first year. We got married and lived on a gravel road in Gas City, Kansas pastoring a youth group of 5 with no future in sight, I wondered how on earth I ended up there. On a gravel road of all places?? Wasn't I made to change the world for crying out loud? I vividly remember driving around curve on the main road toward the church, pondering the meaning of my life and I heard a voice on the inside say, "INTERCESSOR". I had heard the word before, and vaguely knew it was related to prayer, but had no idea what it meant. I wouldn't have even a clue for many more years.

As we houseparented at a boys home on the tundra of western North Dakota, we learned more about the leadership and authority of God than ever in our lives. At age 19 and 22, we were parents to 8 fatherless teenage boys. I cooked for them, helped them with homework, washed their underwear, bought their Christmas presents and took them to church. At the time, it seemed so far away from what God had "called" us to be. If only we knew then..........

Youth pastoring 7 more years, planting a church that died, flourishing in mega-church ministry, starting a seedlet house of prayer, joining the prayer movement as an occupation -- and in the midst bringing into the world four of the most brilliant lives ever known to this earth.

I did what I did because of the little voice inside that directed us, sometimes not quite sure we were doing the right thing. But here we are, and I am filled with a fiery confidence that the Lord has led us with precision and we are exactly where we are supposed to be.

So why all those crazy twists and seeming turns? Why have I wondered all these years, "Who am I? Where are the dreams?" It's all part of the journey I suppose. I liken it to being in Breckenridge this summer, up on the mountain that Bob had led us on, wondering where the heck we were going. It seemed like we had taken a wrong turn and it was taking forever to get to the top. Once on the top, I stared down at the beauty of where we had been. I could see the path, the most direct one, steering away from dangerous cliffs, and it had led us to this marvelous place.

I am not at the top yet, but I look down and for the first time in my life, I am realizing the brilliance of God in making me who I am. He actually LIKED me when I was an intense, radical, annoying kid! He knew that's what it would take to get me here -- and to where I am going. He knew that I would be the one who would say "yes" to the crazy, spontaneous stuff. He knew I would fight for the underdog and believe we could win. He knew I would not know the word "impossible". He likes that about me. And I am finding (finally!) that I like that about me too.

I did what I did because He made me who He made me and His leadership is like fine gold over m life. Now and forever. Kansas City or the moon. He really likes me. And I like that!

New Series

2008-02-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

So I am about to board the culture current boat and begin to post a series. It's not so much that I want to fit into the modern trend, I just have way too much that I am thinking these days and I need to split it into bit sized chunks that I can chew on. I am doing this mostly for me....if it encourages or inspires you in the process, I'll call it a bonus. Do you ever have times in your life where you look back and realize that God actually knew what He was doing all along - even in making you the way you are? Or looking forward, knowing more than ever before that His leadership is perfect, and all the while still feeling like you are about to get on the scariest roller coaster ever?

In the next few days, I plan to post a three-part series called "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife". Just kidding -- although that seems to be the road most traveled these days. Nope, I will be exploring "Why I did what I did", "Why I do what I do" and "Why I am going to do what I am about to do". Feel free to join me in the journey of looking at the past, present and near future. Maybe you'll find God in unexpected places too.

Conversation Around the Breakfast Bar

2008-02-08T08:20:00.000-08:00

I love these kids......they fascinate me!

Zion: My main things are football, drums, guitar and skateboarding.

Grayson: But your main thing is drums. What would you rather get, a football or a new drum set?

Zion: Well, a new drum set. But I would rather get a football STADIUM.

Grayson: Yeah, because you could use your drums in a football stadium. You could just do TheCall there and play your drums.

Zion: (big smiles) Yeah, I could just start a church there. It could be a 24/7 church in the stadium!! Yeah, I could just plug in my guitar and (guitar sounds) "neeeer, neeeer, neeeer".

I don't even think they know they are prophesying!!

Date Night

2008-01-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

The longer we are married, the more I look forward to date night. I realize that I kind of like that cute, little bald guy and in the land before offspring, we actually gazed at each other and talked alot. That's mucho fun. With the third Call coming in about 5 weeks, right behind OneThing and Christmas, date night was long overdue. So last night we called Spunky and she entertained the offspring while Baldy and I went out on the town.

Our dates are increasingly less structured and more "let's just talk". We ate yummy salad at D & D, grabbed an organic chocolate bar and sipped Americano at Starbucks (decaf for me). After talking each others ears off and listening to the 20 year old music flowing through the speakers, we headed over to the family fitness center we just joined (which deserves a post of its own, trust me!). Randy provided running commentary for the soundless tv's on the wall as we jogged our guts out. The hot tub and the sauna were the perfect ending, I LOVE this place!

I think the whole date was less than 20 bucks, but it was priceless and much needed time together. Reminds me of the time in college when Randy picked me up for a surprise date. I really was surprised because I knew he was broke -- but he was so creative. He had gotten a bag of fresh rolls and a jar of apple butter (a favorite) and we drove around neighborhoods eating white bread and looking at Christmas lights, probably talking about what we would want to be doing in 20 years.

Well, here we are, babe -- 20 years later. Not that much further from broke and still craving simple dates with you!

**Tell us your favorite cheap, creative date. It may be an inspiration for some other couple who desperately need a night out**

A Just-For-Fun Gift

2007-11-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

I am a gift lover. Gift giving and receiving are high on my love language profile. My husband, on the other hand, is more of a "quality time" kind of guy. Over the years he has learned how to sneak me little gifts to show me his love in a practical way.....or something like that. Anything from a coffee to a pack of gum to flowers -- it all rocks my world and I get warm fuzzies when he thinks of me.

My most recent for-no-reason-except-I-love-you-and-know-you'll-love-this gift was a rather large book. By large, I mean it looks like the Bibles that sit up front of those fancy churches for decoration only and it weighs almost as much as Jackson's backpack. It's not the kind of book that I would lug into the prayer room, but it is the coolest book ever! A project by Bishop James Ussher first published in 1658, "The Annals of the World" is the perfect complement to any Bible story. It covers historical happenings from the beginning of the world to 70 BC. I sit at the end of a long day, peruse the pages of history and get completely jazzed inside. I love how it fills in the blanks for me to see what was happening in, say, Egypt at the same time Nebuchadnezzar was invading Jerusalem. Very cool.

Check it out. And let the good times roll!

Kindergarten Worship Leader

2007-11-26T20:23:00.001-08:00

Imagine my joy today as I walked past the kindergarten room and a mother said to me, "Have you seen what is going on in there? It's priceless!" My curiosity aroused, I peeked my head into the classroom to see all the kids crowded around my Zion who was perched on a chair, strumming his guitar and leading a rapid fire prayer set. I guess he led the afternoon prayer time and has been asked to bring his guitar to Bible class on Wednesday. Perhaps now is the time to teach him a few chords!

I remember when he was 2 and Gramma made him his first cardboard guitar, complete with rubber bands for his little fingers to strum. He would stand on the fireplace mantel for a couple hours a day, singing spontaneously as he had seen it done in the prayer room. At the time, Todd Ganovski was his role model and his favorite chorus was "Holy is the Sheep".

Four years, six guitars and a drum set later, Zion is still strumming and pounding away, often singing a Luke Wood or Misty Edwards original. Tonight, Gramma set up the iMac-cam to try to capture the raw emotion of Zion practicing alone in his room. Another priceless moment frozen in time!

2007-11-22T20:07:00.001-08:00

Your 1996 Theme Song Is: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something

And I said "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film,
And as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it."
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got."

What's Your 1996 Theme Song?

I was made to take this city........

2007-11-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

It's been over two years since I have walked through the streets of Washington DC, but tonight I felt like I owned it. Lauren Fraser and I came to attend a solemn assembly sponsored by the ReignDownUSA folks and thought we would take a couple extra days to scope out the land. We decided Abraham Lincoln looks better in the dark, so we took an overpriced taxi down to the memorials. As we walked back towards the Washington Monument, we broke out in a spontaneous prayer walk. It was awesome -- this is what I was made for!

We prayed for TheCall DC '08, calling upon God's mercy to gather a million of His friends to stand in the gap for America. We found ourselves at the World War II Memorial, calling out the name of each state, asking the Lord to release young ones once again who would go to war, giving their lives in prayer and fasting for the sake of the nation. We called out for the house of prayer to be established in this city, asking for buildings, property and an army of young people.

I found myself with tears brimming the edges of my eyes as I looked toward the Capitol Building lit up in the night, knowing that the Lord is desiring partners in this hour. I can't help but wonder what time it is in America -- time to push back the judgments, or to welcome them as His mercy in calling us back to His heart.

Abraham Lincoln spoke it with such poetry in his second inaugural address, almost like a prayer:

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war might speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue....until every drop of blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'."

40 Years?? C'MON!

2007-07-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of an IHOP favorite -- Chik-Fil-A. Pretty much any day except Tuesday you can be sure to find a worship team or two feasting on the white meat delicacies of this fine fast food establishment. My boys think Chik-Fil-A is one of the groups on the food pyramid. So when we were there earlier this week, enjoying the freedom on this side of the fast, you can imagine their giddiness when we read the fine print on the Anniversary Sign....

*Come wearing a cow costume and receive a free combo meal.

They immediately began discussing the best way to make a costume.

"Well, we can get blankets and use a Sharpie to draw spots"

"Gramma can sew us some costumes"

Then I had a brainstorm -- we simply blow up latex gloves, call them udders and it's a cow costume. Brilliant.

My plan worked. We waltzed into the State Line Chik-Fil-A around 11:00 to beat the other cows in line, udders and all. The workers were so amused that they called out their whole crew to see the herd of moo-moos that had walked in. The boys just chuckled and ordered their favorite combo - upsized.

I called Randy when we left, laughing at what a great time we had and we pondered the significance of Chik-Fil-A being celebrating their 40 year anniversary on the heels of the 40 day fast for the ending of the 40 year rebellion. My hubby joked, "I say 40 nuggets for 40 years", and somewhere I think I heard the voice of Lou Engle crying, "C'MON".

Cheers to my Little Brother

2007-06-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

This one is for Ryan, my younger brother who turns 32 (how did THAT happen?) next month and who sent me birthday shout outs via the blog commenter. I haven't talked to Ryan for a few years, except for the occasional email, but it hasn't kept me from thinking of him often.

I have fun memories of Ry Guy from when we were kids. When he was a wee runt, I used to hold him up on my feet as I laid on my back and would catapult him across the room. We called this little game, "Hi Bye Chickens Fly". It's been passed down to the next generation and my boys routinely ask to play. In fact, just the other day I overheard them telling Zoe this is how we do "Hi Bye Chickens Fly". I had to intervene on that one!

There were the Super Heroes, Wrestling Figures and Matchbox Cars. Funny, most little brothers end up playing Barbies with their sisters. I ended up never owning a Barbie doll in my whole life, but somehow shared about 500 Matchbox Cars and Star Wars figures. We used to line up those crazy cars and pretend they were all going to a "Kiss" concert. Just couldn't get enough of Gene Simmons and Ace Freely.

I remember pulling ticks out of his bright white hair one July when we went camping. That was the year he had the Star Wars birthday cake from Kroger. I can still see R2-D2 sitting on top of the melting cake and Ryan's blue tongue from the frosting.

I will never forget the look on his little face when I convinced him that the red lights in the sky from an airplane were really Santa Claus's reindeer flying overhead as we drove through the night to New York one Christmas in the early 80's.

He always had high score on the Nintendo, but I am pretty sure I beat the dickens out of him on Atari.

Tether ball on the lamp post at the condos. Baseball in the backyard on Esther Drive. Nintendo at the 'plex.

Good times.

Hope you have a good birthday too, Ryan. Maybe I'll see you again someday.

Stay Tuned for The Call

2007-05-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

In the weeks and months to come, no doubt you will know more than you bargained for about the Bohlender journey with The Call. It all started when Melody Mosley dragged me to a conference at Belmont Church in Nashville - 1999 (and I am NOT a conference junkie!). We came back talking about this weird guy with a hoarse voice that rocked back and forth......"and he mentioned this thing out in the desert where they burn a man". Thus began the voyage.

We make the trek back to Nashville this July and we sense same mysterious tingling in our spirit as the summer of 2000....the same sense of urgency.....the same expectation going into a 40 day fast.....the same longing for God to break into the realm of our reality with signs, wonders and miracles.......the same desire to see a people become revolutionaries with their entire lives devoted to the living God of fire.

Check back to see the drama unfold -- and to hear some of the cool stuff God did in 2000.

Taking Mom to the Prom???

2007-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether to be flattered or repulsed. Jackson and I were recently in a department store where I was frantically trying on dresses for the next big IHOP social event. The Misses section was definitely too frumpy, so I opted to try out Juniors. As Jackson is waiting patiently outside the fitting room for dear old mom, I hear the sales clerk start a conversation with him...

"So, is it for the prom?"

"Uh, no, a friend of mine is getting married."

"Oh, because those are prom dresses she is trying on."

I laughed so hard I nearly soiled myself. Did this woman actually believe I was dating my son?? I know that Nicole Miller Eye Cream is great, but cmon, I'm no spring chicken anymore.

Needless to say, I was more than aware of our previous outing when we went on a true mother-son date last night. We discovered a new Bohlender favorite -- PeiWei Asian Diner, the Chipotle of Oriental cuisine -- hip, cheap and yummy. Most definitely a rival of the Sliker's fav BoLing's. We then trotted over to the 'pot (that's Home Depot for those of you not familiar with language in the slopes) to pick up a few last minute items for a project or two around ye ole Bohlender Casa.

No one looked twice at the two of us last night. Whew. Perhaps it was because I wasn't wearing my prom dress. Or maybe I forgot my eye cream. Either way, it was good.

Oh, and I wore a borrowed dress to the fashionable event. Give a clap for Tracie Loux -- how fun is it to raid the closet of a friend who is so doggone cute?!?!! I recommend her jewelry box too......just don't ask where she gets it all. You would never believe her anyway.

Coming out of hiding......

2007-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Not that I was really in hiding. I kind of just got real busy all of a sudden and felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought of writing something worthwhile in the midst of it all. The last month or so I have captured my thoughts in my moleskin rather than the blog.

There are quite a few reasons, actually, that I have taken a little break. I won't go into it now, just suffice it to say I am back and will try to post more than monthly.

Ya' know, having four children is more work than three. Yes, I hear the collective "DUH" from the crowd, but who would'a thunk that one little, tiny baby added to the chaos
of three rambunctious boys would really make such a difference?

It's after midnight -- meaning it's officially "tomorrow" and I should get some sleep while I can. I hear our house guests coming through the door now from their late night in the prayer room, so the mom in me can rest at ease. All the chickadees are back in the nest.

Good night, all!

It's a NyQuil Night

2007-02-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

I have just pressed through Jackson's 14th birthday dinner party. It was a fabulous night with a house full of kids and teens celebrating at maximum capacity. The guest list included young and old - Tim Cone, Brent Steeno and Becky Hill were the senior members in attendance, along with the Dinsmore and Loux clan and their army of young'ins. The adult fossils in the group lingered over homemade salsa, guac and whole wheat cookies. Boy, it doesn't get more exciting than that, now, does it?

The crowd left way past my bedtime and as soon as the front door closed, I headed for the medicine cabinet and grabbed the NyQuil. I came home from my mom's group retreat with no voice and a burning in my chest. Not good signs. I went to prayer lead this morning and Marcus kindly asked me to get a replacement. I suppose they don't want germs and things on the prayer mic. Not to mention the fact that I sound like Bob Hartley with a cold. Anyway, I smiled and tried to make intelligent conversation this evening, all the while feeling that I was on a different planet as things were spinning around me. So, when everyone left, it was NyQuil time. I have about 17 good minutes left, so I thought I would blog my way to sleep.

I was supposed to teach the Simeon's tomorrow morning, but I told them unless they speak pigeon sign language, I probably couldn't do it, being that I can't talk and all. To top off the evening, Zion has an earache and a slight fever. Now would be a good time for that "no disease known to man" stuff to break in over our family.

Hey, and if you think about it, pray for my friend Shari too. She is going to have her baby tonight at 28 weeks because of a severe case of preeclampsia. Shari and Jono Hall are stellar examples of faithful intercessory missionaries, working long hours to get this GodTV thing off the ground and now they are facing who knows what with her health and the baby's. Plus they have no medical insurance. It might be nice if you feel led to send them a few bucks via IHOP -- the hospital stay alone is over $1,000/day plus an ambulance ride and other stuff no doubt. Anyway, they need a breakthrough of God's power as well.

Pray also for the Voran family. Both of their children are in the hospital -- almost 2 year old Elisha and Zeke who is just a few days old with RSV, which is a very dangerous disease for babies. Pray for healing and strength.

OK, I feel myself about to nod off. Pretty soon I will start to see stars.....and my words will begin to slur........but I sure will forget that I feel so crummy so I guess it's worth it!!

My Baby Turned 14 Today

2007-02-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

I say "baby" because I vividly remember the day he entered this world, the hours of watching "Barney", his fascination with masking tape and feather dusters, his sweet hands on my face gently turning my eyes to his when he needed my attention. Memories flood my mind of Jackson reading books on Thomas Edison, then seeing the special Edison Exhibit at the Smithsonian and crying at the lifesize display of the man himself because he was so excited to see him. I remember his first day at Miami Valley Christian School - 4th grade. I thought he was so grown up! I looked at the parents of the junior high kids and thought they seemed so much older.

Now we have high school staring us in the face and I wonder how did the time go by so fast? 14. A real teenager. I told him tonight that 13 was kind of like "teenager practice", but now he is the real deal - a full fledged teenager. I was scared of teenagers when I was growing up. I think because I lived in a shady condo development and they all smoked pot. Nonetheless, I now have one of those creatures of my own - minus the pot, of course. How did that happen? Wasn't I a teenager just a minute ago?

My baby is 14 today -- that cuddly, chubby little blond haired wonder has grown up. I love him more now than the day I first got him. Happy Birthday Jackson! I am so proud of you!

2007-02-18T17:43:00.001-08:00

www.thedanielacademy.com

check it out.

What to expect in your first year of marriage....

2007-02-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, before our e12, we spent a few hours with these wonderful people at this local dive. We ate, talked and answered the question, "So, what can we expect in our first year of marriage?"

It was all I could do to not look at Randy and let my eyes twinkle. How can you tell a young couple who are about to enter the adventure of their lives that the next year may look so very different than they imagine? How can you prepare young ones in love for the mountains and valleys that they are sure to experience in the next several months?

Our first year was FOR SURE not what I expected! I had great dreams of being a preacher and reaching thousands for Jesus all the while supporting the man of my dreams as he pursued his own destiny in "full time ministry". Ha. What a rude awakening. We ended up living on a gravel road in a dinky house making 50 bucks a week as part time youth pastors in rural Kansas and both working extra jobs -- me at an ice cream shack and selling newspaper subscriptions and Randy in the sporting goods department at WalMart. And then I found out you had to PAY for WATER. Whatever! When our Kansas Youth Ministry ended about 2 months into it, we had no choice but to move back to where food and drink would be provided with a roof over our head -- the upstairs of Randy's parents farmhouse, where we spent the next 7 glorious weeks before we landed a position at Eckert Youth Home, where we all of a sudden were blessed with 8 teenage foster sons, many of which were only a few months younger than me! Nope, not a year I expected.

All the while, I wouldn't trade any of it. It drew us closer, developed character and was all a part of God's brilliant design for our lives.

So what would you say to these guys and these guys who are most certainly headed into the journey of a lifetime??

Savannah Zoe - Dedicated to the Lord

2007-02-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

Today was the baby dedication at Forerunner Christian Fellowship. Twenty something families dedicated babies and children to the Lord and it was announced that Lenny LaGuardia has certain job security because there are 33 pregnant women in the community right now.

Zoe wore her "Jane Koth" special dress (and made Gramma Jane cry!), stunned the masses with her beauty and received prayer from wonderful friends as she chewed on her fingers the whole time. After we sat down from being in the parade of the infants, Lauren Fraser came and stole Zoe away during the rest of the service. She is quickly becoming a fixture in the arms of the Frasers!

Here's Zoe being prayed for by her many friends:

Honey, I Moved the Desk!!

2007-02-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Home School Object Lesson of the Day: You can move just about anything if you have the right hammer. Provided, of course, that you don't intend on using that piece of furniture ever again. You should also wear eye goggles and be current on tetanus shots. A dust mask wouldn't hurt either.

Girls can do just about anything.

I got bored one day last week.....

2007-02-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

....and decided I should just call up my friend Lauren and ask if she wanted to start a school for the IHOP community that would offer classes for K-12. Am I dreaming?

Nope. It's real. And it's wild.

The Daniel Academy -- a place for children to gain knowledge and wisdom in all kinds of literature, math, arts and sciences to prepare them to become world changers for such a time as this. We will achieve this by pursuing academic excellence with a spirit of prayer and fasting and doing it all with marvelous comrades.

Actually I wasn't bored at all. My plate is rather full and this was the farthest thing from my mind until the Lord surprised us with the divine invitation to partner with Him as He raises up this generation of messengers who will serve in all arenas -- from the platforms of Houses of Prayer to the platforms of Presidential primaries.

I couldn't be more excited about the people God has teamed us up with for this adventure. Bob and Lauren Fraser are the real entrepreneurs of the project. As we sat over coffee listening to the vision God had stirred inside them, our jaws were dropping and our hearts were skipping beats. "You mean our kids can get a great education and still be deeply involved in the prayer room? Rock on!" Looking at the class structure, potential teacher pool and prayer room combo, I am thinking about just doing high school all over again. It sounds like it is going to be a blast!

No More Ditch Digging

2007-02-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

There are times in life when it seems the river of God catches you in it's current and you are swept into the activity of the Lord Himself. I love it when this happens. In fact, I have done life and work in the river and out of it and I am quite fond of being carried by the water.

It's the difference between thinking something up then praying, "Please bless what I am doing" and not having a clue but looking to God and saying, "Oh, God, please let me do what you are blessing". It's the difference between standing in the current of the river or digging a ditch on the edge of the water. I have dug enough ditches in my life and I don't want to go back.

We are finding ourselves lately in a surprising flurry of activity originated by God; things that we would have never thought up ourselves, but have received heavenly invitation to participate in. These invitations were not expected and have disrupted my goals for 2007, but I find my heart skipping beats when I think of what is ahead.

As the new year began and I started to make plans, I felt a strange resistance from the Lord and the plans of my heart fell flat. In God's mercy He resisted me, knowing that He had chosen me for such a time as this - for plans much greater than I would ever dream - if I would only yield to the resistance and ask Him, "What are You doing?" He is so good to us.

I am blessed. Blessed to not have to dig a ditch, but to be invited into the river of His activity. And so are you! Take a step back and ask God to show you what He is blessing. Then watch your mailbox for that heavenly invitation. He sends an answer the very minute you ask!

Study, study

2007-01-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in Randy's plush little office, quietly sipping my Amaretto steamer (which I think has been spiked with espresso) and trying to gaze studiously at my Millennial Kingdom notes so that I have something to say to the Simeon's tomorrow morning. Actually, this is my favorite of the 8 Omega sessions and I am filled with excitement to be able to teach it. Murray got first pick last time and I got stuck with Armageddon. Just kidding. That is just as fun - as long as you end up on the right side of the battle.

I have so much in my head that I want to blog as of late, but I have been spending life one handed. Not because I have been injured, but because a certain someone who happens to be very cute and 2 feet tall has taken up residence in my left arm. It's hard to type and think one handed.

Lots and lots of new things on the horizon in Bohlenderville. Watch my blog for big announcements and the journey of my heart! (No, I am not pregnant. Just thought I would put that rumor to rest before it even starts.)

In the spirit of Shawn Blanc, I will shamelessly ask you to leave a comment today. I would just love to hear from you invisible people! For an extrovert, blogging is a bit on the edge of introspective. I would love to make it more of a "conversation".

OK, off to peer into the Millennium.

"Life is not right until You split the sky. The Spirit and the Bride say, 'COME!'"
-New chorus by Tim Reimherr and team

Kelsey the First Lady?

2007-01-25T20:16:00.000-08:00

I just don't think that will work.

I am not the First Lady type. Being an "ENFJ" doesn't mix well with being quiet and hospitable for international diplomatic guests. Of course, the campaign slogan IS "Together we can make a mess!", so perhaps I am perfect for the job. K.J., we have a lot of work to do, girl!

Actually I used to half-dream about being President someday. Mostly because people told me I could. They told me I could go to the moon too, but I am pretty sure that won't happen in this lifetime. The closest thing I got to the White House was being elected Student Council President my senior year running against the guy I was dating, the incumbent. Kind of made the relationship awkward for awhile.

My real dream was to be the first woman chaplain to the U.S. Senate. I carried a couple of Richard Halverson's books in my backpack and would pull out "We The People" and pray the prayers he prayed for the nation. I believe that the place of intercession that the Lord has given me is, in part, a fulfillment to that dream. God moves at the sound of my voice and the government of Jesus moves forward as we pray. It's His brilliant administration. And, no matter what Hillary Clinton says, I can bake cookies with my kids and change the world at the same time.

I still dream that dream about the Senate. It may not look like I imagined when I was 17, but somehow I believe I will have influence on the government of this nation and perhaps even many others. Maybe I will stand before Senators, Congressmen and Presidents to prophesy. I'm open to that. That's why my nose ring disappeared. But maybe I will be most effective in that unusual place called the Prayer Room. Many would call it wasting a life. I call it an investment for the future.

Come join us -- together we can make a mess!

2007-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight we closed a chapter in our home improvement adventures, although the journey is far from over. It has been a fun vacation. Partly because I love getting grit under my nails and playing Mrs. Fixit. Mostly it's because I love my family and no matter where we are or what we are doing, things are always better when we are together!

When Randy and I first got married, we decided our goal would be to work side by side the rest of our lives. Those seasons have come, gone and will probably come around again. I covet those times working with my hubby-friend -- even if we do look at each other through the drywall dust!

Watching our kids observe the transformation of the house has been a bit comical as well. Zion has been eye-ing the hall bathroom the last several days, probably waiting to see if anything beautiful could emerge from the ashes. Tonight he paid us the biggest compliment of all. As we added the finishing touches, I asked him to come see the new bathroom.

He had a half grin on his face and I said, "Well, do you like it?"

He replied, "Yeah! It looks like a sample. 'Cept it has running water!"

In that moment he was so entirely cute I could've just squished him with hugs. A "sample"? Ha! He meant a "model home" or a "display" like they have at Home Depot. Wow! Now if we can only keep it that way! Something tells me with 3 boys and a baby girl, it might not look like a sample for long, so here's some pics..............

RANDOM BLOGGING

2007-01-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

A few thoughts worth recording......

1) Quote for the day at the Bohlender house

"Hey, Jackson, can I tie you to the couch?" (Zion, after finding his prized cowboy rope)

2) Things always take longer than you plan on. If you think you can do a project with one trip to Home Depot, it will take four.

3) Tim Cone will be 21 tomorrow. He was 9 a minute ago and shorter than Randy. I have photos to prove it.

4) Our next house will be brand new. It might be small, but it will be new. Trust me. We have learned our lesson well.

5) The new thing around here is playing Bible Playmobil. Overheard in tonight's round -- "Let's play Paul and Silas" and "Hey, you forgot the angels!"

6) I can cook, clean, paint, change diapers, make bottles, lay tile, give meds and still have a life in God! I am loving life.

7) I love Cincinnati. I don't think we will ever live there again, but I love that city. Driving around Stanley, Kansas (south Overland Park) made me think of home. I smiled alot and got warm fuzzies....and a sudden craving for a 5-way.

We interrupt this vacation for bronchitis....

2007-01-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

....and bank errors. So much for getting a ton done the last couple days. Our poor kiddos ('cept Zoe) have had the creepy cruds and Jackson just hasn't been able to bounce back after almost a week in bed. I finally took him to the friendly neighborhood physician today who promptly diagnosed him with bronchitis. Grayson is now hacking away and Zion is proclaiming himself totally better.

Randy spent the first half of the day at our local bank, trying to iron out the little mistake they made on our account. Seems someone deposited 5 counterfeit checks into their account and our account number must've been close when they keyed it in -- incorrectly! A couple hours later and we had our money back, but not without taking away precious time from our home improvement gig.

Goal for the day was painting the kitchen walls and ceiling, grouting the tile and painting the bathroom. I didn't accomplish the ceiling, but all else is drying tonight. In a little falling off the ladder incident, I managed to dump a gallon of Kilz on our Pergo flooring. I had visions of a new tiling project, but fortunately I was able to clean it up.

4 more days to get about a months worth of projects done while nursing sick kids and taking care of a 4 month old. Crazier things have been done.....

The Mother of Harlots

2007-01-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

Excuse my language, but I was reading Revelation 17.

Here's the deal -- if Jerusalem is the Harlot described here (verse 18), then what in the world is going to be happening in Israel in the years to come? And another question -- what is going to happen to those of us who are standing with Israel when Israel decides they don't want us on their side? I guess it tells us in Rev. 6:10 and 17:6. They kill us.

Dude, this story is getting rather intense.

God not only paints Israel into a corner (or rather, a wilderness, Hosea 2) in order to redeem her, he paints the CHURCH into a corner, with no one on her side except His Son. Wow.....the end of the age is going to look like nothing we have ever seen before.

Craving for Power (Tools)

2007-01-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

Very few power tools intimidate me, but I must admit I met my match tonight as we wound up the gears of the wet saw and went at the tile backsplash.

See, a perfect birthday or Christmas gift for me would be either a Bible commentary or a power tool. I drool when I am in Home Depot. I love to look at tools and gadgets that might make my next project more fun or even easier. Like a paint sprayer -- how cool is that? Or a jigsaw. The next big thing I am eying is an electric sander. Oooolala.

However, a wet saw is not on my list. I don't care if I never learn how to use one. Randy knows how and that's all I need. He cut, I gooped and stuck (not the technical term, I'm sure). And walla, our backsplash is complete! (See pics at his blog -- I'm too tired to post them!).

Our kitchen might actually be FINISHED this week -- can you believe it? All we have left is grout, a little paint and a few pieces of trim. I won't know how to act!

Revelation of Revelation

2007-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

I am fascinated by the book of Revelation. I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord is going to give ultimate expression of love and justice via His end time judgments, the overcoming church and the enthroning of His Son in Jerusalem. It is mind boggling and yet it makes my spirit soar.

I stole a few minutes today to read a few chapters in this most excellent book today, in between paint, epoxy and joint compound. What struck me in the gut was the very realness (made up word -- "reality" is overused here) that there are going to be those who really say NO to antiChrist with boldness and YES to Jesus with passion!! I am raising those in my own home.....oh, God. What does the church look like when she goes low enough to serve and yet is bold enough to resist? Have we seen anything like this in human history? My heart was so incredible warmed this morning, trying to grasp what will be the personality of this group of radical, passionate lovers of God who live on the earth during the last days of time and space and choose death over comfort. To those are given a white robe and a place under the altar of God in heaven.

"Just a little while longer......" He tells them.

Now I am in a quandry -- do I want to be martyred so I get a white robe and a place of intercession under the altar OR do I want to be alive and have a front row seat for His return??? Not that I really have a choice, but it's such a toss up to even think about.

Psalm 23 is the bomb.

2007-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

In studying for prayer leading this week, I was mulling over Psalm 23 and was astounded at the timeless implications of this song. Not only is it for right now, present time always, but I am seeing such future tense, last days hints in it as well.

My first "aha" happened when I read that the word "restore" in verse 3 doesn't mean "refresh" like I have thought all these years. It literally means "return" -- "He returns my soul...." When I wander, He pursues me and causes me to come back. His kindness leads me to the path of repentance. When I become the 1 and leave the 99 behind, He aggressively chases me and returns me to the safety of the flock. This realization made my time of pondering very rich.

As for the end times "aha" - there are many, but my favorite is "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me". It's the same "rod" used in Psalm 2. I can just hear David -- "I know you are coming back with an iron scepter to dash the nations and take up residence in Jerusalem. Your authority is my anchor and my comfort".

He really is coming. Ahmadenijad can rant all he wants, but the man Jesus will dominate Jerusalem, Babylon, Kufa and the rest of it. In the midst of what is coming, His rod comforts me.

What kind of end times scenes do you see hinted at in Psalm 23?

2007-01-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

Funny how phrases now meant something totally different 50 years ago.

Quote of the morning.....

"Honey, would you mind waiting to surf until it's done syncing?"

There's no place like the 'pot

2007-01-06T20:19:00.000-08:00

After a 2+ hour trip to Home Depot to pick up "a few last minute things", I think we are ready to get to work this week on the finishing touches to our kitchen project and other half baked ideas around the house.

I admit I was a bit offended when I saw the flyer at the Customer Service desk for something called a "Do-It-Herself" workshop where women could learn how to refinish an antique table. A refinishing project for girls?? C'mon! Are we not good enough for power tools? Window installation? Cement staining? What's this wienie stuff about refinishing old tables?

After we filled the girly-man cart, we switched over to the mumba-jumba contractor flat with wheels and filled one of those too. Items purchased included, but were not limited to....joint compound, dining room light fixture, a coping saw, cool register covers, paint, a new toilet seat, caulking, tile and assorted goop and about a half a mile of trimwork. Thank God for the Suburban.

We got home and I got to put my favorite summer bargain to use! I found a brand new miter box at an estate sale last summer and have been itching to try it out. Apparently you have to be Einstein to figure out how to use it, but I now feel like a genius having cut all my kitchen trim with 45 degree corners. This thing is sweet! I almost can't wait to install the trim in our basement next week.

Designing, shopping, measuring, sawing, staining, painting and I fed my family too. All in a day's work.

Fight for your Right to P-A-R-T-Y

2007-01-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

I love IHOP parties. We eat, we laugh and mostly everyone is laid back and having a good time. Tonight was no exception - a surprise party for Seth Parks' 30th birthday - and the cast of characters was quite colorful. Among the famed party-goers.....

New parents with that sleep deprived look in their eyes, Peter and Elizabeth Herder, sporting the Moses basket and other baby apparatuses (obviously the first child).

The lovely Jennifer Roberts - always the life of the party!

Marcus and Rachel Meier who will be forever young and hip. I just LOVE these guys! Godly, great parents and just plain fun.

Matt the postman. I don't know this guy, but he was hilarious.

Party hostess, Jesse DeMiers, mother of four, keeper of a beautiful home AND a constitutional law student this semester - how does she do it and look gorgeous all the time?!

Jack Hill - one of my favorite people that I seriously wish we knew better.

Party animal himself, Seth Parks. Quote from the man of the hour, responding to the fact that he turns 30 tomorrow, "Tonight is a night to make memories."

There were many more who came and went and I enjoyed many wonderful conversations over a huge Italian feast (complete with homemade biscotti -- Erin outdid herself!). I love these kinds of gatherings because it displays the diversity and beauty of our community. It gives people a chance to communicate with phrases other than, "Let's go to C minor" or "Brent will start this time of rapid fire and Terri will cut it off".

As we left the party tonight, we walked down the damp sidewalk in the chill of the night, but somehow I was warmed in my heart for the couple hours we had with all these precious ones. I said to Randy, "We should do this more often". And we should!

Fun with Friends

2007-01-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

Spontaneous fun is always, well, uh....FUN. It always feel a bit more like, "hey we're family" than "hey, can we schedule dinner in February?" We hung out at the local Mexican dive tonight with our good buddies and ate for under ten bucks. It was a win-win.

Discussion topics included the new IHOP stage, our collective need to begin an exercise program and flying monkeys.

Also tonight my son Jackson played the role of "hero" by collecting enough money from various surprise-party-goers to purchase Truman a 30 GB iPod for his 16th birthday. Scha-weet.

Uh-oh, Zoe is crying.....later.

New Year's Declarations

2007-01-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year that seems to allow a clean slate and a chance to write a new ticket. I have some fun new plans, goals and promises for 2007 and I am excited to plunge right in to the year. There are also some very specific things I am asking from the Lord. I will be writing about all of it in coming days. But first, let's hear from you......

What are the declarations you are making over your life this New Year?

What are you believing God to accomplish in your midst?

Maybe next time I'll take an elephant

2007-01-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

The next time I decide to go grocery shopping with all 4 children and Randy, would someone please come slap some sense into my head? We headed to WalMart tonight straight from the 4 pm prayer meeting. I thought I could feed my kids dinner at Subway and then grab a few food items while the boys played in the Electronics department.

All was going well until Grayson barfed by the greeter. Poor kid. He said he felt better so we kept with the plan. I was halfway through the organic cereals when my four wild monkeys (Zoe not included, let the reader understand) came running down the aisle asking for everything in sight. Randy belted out, "Honey where's the TANG?" I had to just act like I didn't know them and walk away.

I'm sure this would've been funny if I hadn't been up most of the last 72 hours.......

Merry Christmas to Me!

2006-12-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

My hubby is so wonderful! We decided to forego the usual gifts under the tree for each other this year in lieu of a post-Christmas shopping date. But Randy couldn't help it and called my gift a stocking stuffer, even though it would take one gi-normous sock to hold this treat.

I opened the gift and thought I had a bit of heaven -- 4 -- yes, count them, FOUR -- commentaries on the book of Hosea!! Wahoo!! This is hours and hours of fun!! A couple of them have an added bonus of Amos, Joel and Micah. What could be better??

I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on these with a latte and some highlighters. These commentaries are probably my most favorite gift ever.

HOSEA, by James Luther Mays

First published in 1969, this one looks scholarly.

I am giddy.

The Preacher's Commentary, Vol. 22

Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah

Lloyd Ogilvie

I have already learned cool stuff skimming the intro.

Interpretation, Bible Commentary for Teaching & Preaching

Hosea-Micah

James Limburg

More devotional. Probably good, but not quite as much to chew on.

Hosea, Joel and Amos

Bruce Birch

Definitely worth a look-see!

If you see me crying.....

2006-12-21T13:02:00.000-08:00

If you see me crying in the prayer room, please don't comfort me.

I seem to be a fountain when my heart burns. When I encounter the Word in a fresh way or if Holy Spirit whispers to me, my response is usually tears. When I DON'T encounter the Word or when I feel Holy Spirit is far away, I cry. I am OK. Don't console me. Don't try to make me stop. I don't want to stop. I am alive when this happens. Really.

I have had all kinds of people stop and ask, "Are you OK?" or offer to pray away my pain. The other day a little girl asked, "Can I pray for you Mrs. Bohlender". She was so sweet, but I wanted her to know this was a good thing, not bad.

"Blessed are those who mourn (long, cry out) for they will be comforted (and not by this world)."

I know that God holds my tears in a bottle and some amazing day He will pop the cork and pour out His own response to the cries of my heart.

Until then, let me cry. Let me mourn for the lack and the gap. Let me feel God to the extent a human can feel Him. And if there are tears in the process, count it all good.

JUST DON'T COMFORT ME.

Thank you.

What was I thinking??

2006-12-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

The artistic bend in me sometimes causes me to throw all common sense out the window for moments at a time. For many weeks, Jackson has been working on a design to present to his art teacher for screen printing on a t-shirt. Last Friday was the day of reckoning and over breakfast he showed me his final designs. One I had seen before, a dolphin jumping and words that proclaimed the wearer "Dolphin Friendly". Cute. The other was new and in my sleep-deprived stupor I took a glance and told him, "Very creative. I like that one alot."

It wasn't until mid-day that it hit me -- Jackson can NOT turn that design in! It's horrible! What have I done! He could never wear the shirt in public, particularly on field trips to the Middle East! I sent him a text message telling him he had to call me before art. It was imperative. Turns out Dad saved the day and had already put the kabash on the new design. See for yourselves folks......

Question of the Day

2006-12-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

Why is the grain offering "the most holy"? Why not the lamb? I figured if Rob Bell starts his church reading the book of Leviticus, claiming the entire gospel is preached in its pages, I probably should read it again. Leviticus isn't an IHOP favorite devo scripture. I have never heard a Worship with the Word set on Leviticus. It's not exactly what I would call devotional - I mean, what do to with the guts of an animal you just cut open, instructions on body fluids, commands to stay away from mildew - but it's the Bible so it's supposed to point the way to the beauty of God, right? I am asking Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus in Leviticus. So far I have more questions than answers. So any ideas on the grain offering? (Chapter 2)

Food, Friends and FUN

2006-12-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight it felt a little like Christmas. Every year I enjoy cooking, baking and downright feasting with friends during the holiday season. This year all of the festivities have been a bit scattered because of someone under 2 feet tall. Not that I mind it, you see -- hospitality just hasn't been a real possibility the last few weeks. But tonight felt festive. We had Tim, Misty and Jenny over for a home cooked meal (haven't cooked for Mr. Timness since Zoe was born, so it was high time), complete with pot roast and Christmas cookies. The conversation ranged from demonic cats to Lindell Cooley to the holocaust conference in Iran. It was simply delightful! I love laughing and pondering with true comrades!

In the middle of recounting our F-16, RUN!, evacuate the capital story, we heard a rapping at the back window. Soon we saw a face staring at us -- then suddenly Allen Hood comes through our back door just to say hello followed by his wife Rachel. They had just been out looking at Christmas lights and thought they would stop and harass us a bit by stalking our backyard. Life is never dull around here.

Zion had to play drums a bit with Tim. Misty made up a new song for him. "Z-I-O-N, Zion, because I like him!" Of course, he couldn't look at her he was so enamored. It was totally cute.

We sent them home with plates full of cookies and were left with warm hearts. Tonight was just plain fun.

2006-12-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

Do the makers of baby apparatuses (or would that be apparati?) sit and design stuff to make a perfectly capable parent loose their everloving minds?? I mean, shouldn't it be easy enough that, say, a BABY could understand?? Apparently you have to be smarter than the carseat to actually change the harness straps to a different location. I feel like I have just endured a wrestling match, but I have won my friends. I have conquered the Evenflo Aura Child Restraint System and we are now wheels up and ready to fly!

Morning Ritual

2006-12-11T04:15:00.000-08:00

One of the hardest things for me about fasting is not having breakfast. I am one of those people whose feet hit the floor and head straight for the breakfast bar. This morning I am so happy to be eating, how 'bout you?? (Sorry to all those on the Monday fasting team -- what a bummer.)

I have a ritual that hasn't changed in quite some time. I didn't follow it so much in DC, because the oatmeal was so yummy, but the last year it has been 2 pieces of Ezekiel Sesame bread with peanut butter and a tall glass of Tropicana NOT from concentrate orange juice. Aaaahhhhh -- there is nothing better!!

So what is your favorite wake-up meal?

'dissin the "dys" and gettin' some unction in my function!

2006-12-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

OK so that sounds like a T.D. Jakes sermon. Sorry. It was fun to type.

In all seriousness, I am hoping to say bye-bye to the dysfunctional way I have been grocery shopping for the last year and return to order, clarity and peace. For most of our married life, I have made a month long menu and then a corresponding grocery list. Over the years, my lists have matured from hap-hazard, unorganized random lines to columns and rows that go in order of the aisles of the stores. When we lived in DC, I got away from this plan as there were days that we didn't even know if we were eating until the 9:00 morning meeting (C'mon! Let's fast for 40 more days!) Since we moved back, I have been playing catch up and find myself quite often in the trap of, "Oh, no, it's 4:00, what will I make for dinner??" Yesterday was the first day in many months that I actually ventured out with a LIST made from a menu for the next 18 days. I can actually tell you what we will have for dinner each night until the OneThing conference. My beautiful creation was complete with a color coded system. Yellow for Whole Foods, green for Costco and purple for anything that could be purchased at HyVee or Target (although there are a few items that most certainly could ONLY be procured at HyVee - like 5 lbs of fresh ground whole wheat flour!). I felt like I had been set free, flying like an eagle, a horse let out of a stall. Who knew that a LIST could bring so much joy??

I started by making columns: "Produce", "Canned", "Frozen", etc. You get the picture. Then each needed item was placed in it's respective column and highlighted depending on where I would shop for it. At a glance I could see the green items while pushing my heavy duty cart through the Costco warehouse and only shop for those things. Then head down to Target where I only look at the purple items. When I got home, I had the entire Suburban full of groceries and a very happy heart.

Randy made fun of my dear list because it was hand written and did not utilize the latest in technology. Call me crazy, but it works for me! I know, you may think why not just jot down "milk, juice and bread" on the back of a WalMart receipt or used envelope like the rest of the world? All I can say is that I have been like this for a long time and it feels good to get back to my roots. And like I always tell my husband, some day my lists are going to save his rear!

Surgery Success!

2006-12-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

We either spelled or banned the word surgery before Zion's procedure that was to remove a cyst on the back of his head. We have affectionately called it "The Mole" since birth, but it is really some kind of weird cyst that looked like a birthmark and had an official name as long as the Amazon. It started to grow and change color, so instead of waiting a few years, we decided to go ahead and get it over with. Zion was ever the trouper! He sat still through about 8 shots of lidocaine to his scalp and another 45 minutes of cutting, poking, pulling and stitching.

An hour after we got there, we were walking out, with a little less of Zion's head than when we came in. He has to have a bandage over the incision for 2 weeks, which should be interesting considering it is on his hairy little head. Today, they wrapped him up like a pirate and the nurses gave his stuffed elephant the same treatment. It was adorable! What a kid!!!

Christmas Countdown

2006-12-02T06:49:00.000-08:00

This year I have managed to get 90% of my Christmas shopping DONE by now, which is amazing, but presents some challenges as my boys know there are presents stashed stragtegically around the house. In an attempt to get their minds off all the gifts and focused on the meaning of Christmas, we have started a new tradition in the Bohlender family -- the celebration of advent! We began last night. I plopped a bowl of red and green M&M's on the coffee table and we all shared our favorite Christmas memory, which quickly turned into an hour of laughing and sharing all kinds of memories! Some of the highlights....

....Jackson's favorite gifts -- a roll of masking tape and a feather duster. These were not random, he specifically asked for these! And he cried with joy when he opened them. When we asked a couple weeks ago, "Why a feather duster" he replied, "So I could cuddle it of course". Of course.

....Grayson' first word spoken at 10 months late one night at the Ladd's lake cabin in Tennessee. Skip and Ann Cone were there feasting with us on Fazoli's cheesecake and Ann pointed to the tomato on the bag and got him to say, "BOB".

....the time Zion was lying on a blanket in the great room at 2 weeks old, I turned my back for 2 minutes and when I looked back the baby was naked! I looked at Grayson (age 4) sitting peacefully on the sofa and asked what happened. "He was hot".

There were countless other stories that came forth and it was so much fun talking about our history and making a new memory. As we all got ready to go to bed, Zion asked me, "Mommy, can we do that some more when I fall asleep?" He wanted to drift to dreamland with thoughts of our family stories - it doesn't get much better than that!

I wonder if this was part of God's plan when He told us in Deut. 6 to REMEMBER and talk about His commands as a part of life. Or when He institued the feast days as days of memorial. I have always thought of those as rigid laws, but after last night, I just wonder if what was on His mind was a great big family memory-fest. And my guess is that the M&M's in heaven will be amazing!

....

2006-11-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

The night I posted about the 80's, I went to bed with lyrics going through my head that were not welcome. I haven't thought about some of those songs in 20 years and all of a sudden the words were rushing back through my mind. Call me crazy, and maybe it's because I deeply feel most everything, but it made me ponder the purpose and power of music and it made me so incredibly sad for all those on the entertainment scene who are being used as pawns in the spirit realm without a knowledge of the Holy One. I mean, think about it -- we can remember crazy weird lyrics from songs in our teen years but we can't remember how to do an Algebra problem or who sat next us in Biology in 9th grade or the Bible verse from last week. But set any of that to music and it's set in our minds for years to come. Truly music is a weapon and an opportunity to partner with the heart of the Living God. It's been recently (ok, so in the last, what, 50 years or so?) that scientists have figured out that matter IS music. Like at a level that we cannot see with the naked eye, matter is waves of sound. There are even people out there who make their lives out of creating music from DNA chains. So at our very core and molecular level - WE ARE A SONG. When our song is joined with God'a song, it's harmonic and joyful. When we begin singing another song, we experience dischord and chaos. Chaos - huh - typing as I think - like Genesis 1. Did God SING things into existence?? He will do that in the restoration of all things - Hosea 2 talks about "In that day God will 'respond'". The word "respond" can literally be translated "SING". Ohmygosh - this is so much deeper than I can even begin to think about or blog about with any kind of wisdom. Perhaps that what my spirit was experiencing the night I threw out my YES album -- the invitation to sing and harmonize with a greater song and the Creator of all music. This invokes the fear of the Lord in my heart.

The 80's Lives On!

2006-11-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the one and only John X. Loux, I have decided to post this to all those who mock the decade of cheese, the 1980's. Truly, the only ones with the authority to mock that genre are those who lived through it (with the parachute pants to prove it). I, too, have felt the brunt of the jokes against my generation and have felt the wave of emotion watching the trends of my youth be called "vintage" and "retro". Let me just say to all of you under 30 who have mocked the '80's -- mock no more if you can say yes to any of the following!

I have....

.....purchased anything from J. Crew in the last 6 months (has anyone noticed those alligators and chinos?? From Bobbie Brooks to the big time!)

.....worn a polo with the collar turned up (this idea was not orginated in this millenium)

.....thought about wearing leggings or leg warmers this season

.....carried a purse with a wooden handle

.....asked for a haircut that resembles Farrah Faucet (ya' know, short on top, long on the bottom. They don't call it "feather" any more, that's all)

.....sung along with any song from Sting, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, R.E.M. or U2. (The '80's is what made these people famous -- unfortunately)

.....finished any sentence with "like it's 1999"

I was 10 when the decade began and married by the time it ended. Those were the best of times, those were the the worst of times. In fact, it's the end of the world as we know it. But I feel fine. I want to be the one to walk in the sun. Girls want to have fun. What a feeling to be dancing on the ceiling. Here I am, playing with your memories again. We could change it if we'd just accept the gift of faith. Don't stop believin'. Wow,now the wheels are going round and round in my mind. We all need circus clowns to make us smile, don't we? Didn't we almost have it all? El Shaddai. More power to ya. I speak love in any language. It's fluently spoken here. Let's rock the world with a new beat and may all who go behind us find us faithful!!

2006-11-16T07:41:00.000-08:00

Ah, now I get it. The "underwear parade" from yesterday makes alot more sense today. Zion is once again sporting Hanes on his head, but it's all part of the Ninja costume. He has a big cardboard box that Gramma cut a door in and he just announced it is the "Ninja Mobile". Of course! I should have known!

2006-11-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

It was just a normal day at the Bohlender's. Zoe was up till 2 am -- she says it's her "quality time with mom and dad". Jackson added "more ram" to his Christmas list (which includes a megaphone and a sock monkey). The little boys decided their stuffed animals needed to take a swim in the toilet. Too bad someone forgot to flush. Then they had a parade with underwear on their head (as we all have done).

We went to the library tonight to bail ourselves out of lock down. I explained how the adoption had thrown our life for a loop and we were a little overdue. The librarian was thrilled for us -- although we still had to fork over $15 to remove our names from the "BLOCKED" list.

We had Chinese tonight because I was too tired to cook. Chiang Chiang makes a whoppin good Mongolian Beef. But the Chicken and Veggies left little to be desired. I think it was because they told Randy it was spicy and he told them we didn't want it spicy. I am pretty sure they left out any flavoring whatsoever.

Yep, just a regular day.

2006-11-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

I always said I was made for the Night Watch, but this is not the way I pictured it! The last few nights have been a bit sleepless, as Zoe has decided she loves to be held and is not comfortable in her crib. Now before I get a zillion unsolicited comments, let me just say we were perfectly "Baby Wise" with Grayson after 4 years of Jackson sleeping in our full size bed with us. Eat, play, sleep - cry it out - learn to entertain yourself and wake up happy. He was the Ezzo poster child. Zion apparently forgot to read the book; we had a little harder time teaching him the rules. Zoe is writing her own book - she thinks the Ezzos are kooks.

"Lay me down awake and expect me to go to sleep by myself? HA!" "

"Let me cry it out? No way - I can holler for 30 minutes EASY!"

"Crocodile tears and cuteness works every time!"

I don't know if it is that she is the first girl or that I keep wondering what she went through for 9 months before we got her and feel the need to comfort her every time she cries, but I am about to go dig up that Dr. Spock book I threw away at the last book burning. We all need sleep!

Did I mention I am getting almost zero done around the house because the Princess likes to be held and talked to? Of course, who could blame her? All these fancy baby accessories designed to sooth and comfort and nothing works quite as well as the old fashioned Mommy Cuddle.

I am enjoying this time for sure -- I just wish I wasn't so TIRED all the time!! I keep telling myself, only a few more weeks or months. It's just a minute, really. Uh-oh - the Princess calls. Gotta run.

Words a Mom Never Want to Hear...

2006-11-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

I don't like blood. It makes me faint. Thank God for Tracey Sliker! She had just come over to visit when we heard a chilling scream. I thought the boys were fighting so I rolled my eyes, apologized for the interruption and went to investigate. As I stood at the top of the stairs, Jackson ran up as if he had seen a ghost and yelled, "There's blood everywhere!" Knowing his tendency toward melodrama, I remained calm and asked what happened. The chilling scream continued, so I deduced that something was not quite right. "Uh, Tracey, I am not good with blood". OneThing Leader to the rescue! Grayson arrived at the top of the stairs covered in blood. Tracey stepped into a triage role and assessed that we would be heading to the doctor ASAP. She helped make phone calls, getting Randy out of his meeting and helping us into the vehicle to head to the doc.

Of course, a mom never wants to hear, "There's blood everywhere", but she REALLY never wants to hear from the doctor, "Ooooo....I can't do this. You really want him to see a plastic surgeon." That set Grayson's imagination wild and all the way to Children's Mercy he had visions of surgery! 5 hours after we arrived in the waiting room of the E.R. with a spilt open lip, we left all sewn up and ready to have a millkshake.

All this due to boys being boys -- a wrestling match gone bad!

Maybe tomorrow will be more "normal. Probably not!

A Customer Service Rep will be right with you....

2006-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

It has been brought to my attention that there is a minor glitch with linkage (made up word) on this blog. No worries folks, my vast tech team is working on the problem now and we should be "links up" (a little hip, street lingo) by late afternoon.

Susanna Wesley had HELP for crying out loud!

2006-11-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

I have always held Susanna Wesley in high regards, and rightly so. Her sons Charles and John were great heroes of the faith and undoubtedly would not have attained such stature without the influence of their godly mother. I am always tempted to compare myself to women like this. Today, as I began to read Jackson's biography on John Wesley, I wasn't sure whether to be angry or relieved to find out that Susanna Wesley was not able to care for her home, husband and 9 living children singlehandedly -- she had servants!! On one hand I wanted to cry "no fair!" and appeal to God for a do-over. On the other hand I thought, "Well then, I don't feel quite so bad for the mound of laundry and that my kids have eaten more Papa John's since Zoe's been home than they have collectively all year long". Perhaps this is the missing link for IHOP moms - SERVANTS! Aha! I think I may have an idea for some of those folks needing adminstrative hours on their Sacred Trust.......(smile)

2006-11-06T21:45:00.000-08:00

It's easy for me to get intimidated in Blogland. I am not as quick-witted and technologically savvy as my favorite superhero. I am not as creative with communication and blog post ideas as the caffeinated guru. This kid passed me with his vocabulary and humor as few years back. Sometimes I just can't find a spare minute in the day to glue together two coherent thoughts, much less record them for the world. But this evening I had a thought....or should I say a thought had me. It's kind of simple, but very difficult. I want God to consume me. That is so cliche. Ugh - I wish I had language to express what only feels like a groaning. Not only do I want Him to consume me, if He doesn't come and burn my heart with His fire, I will surely fall. That's the plain and simple of it. My entire being must be enamored with God Himself and nothing else or I am done. Finished. Whacked. Period. I'm not trying to be cute - this is really serious. Apart from being completely overtaken by His affections for me and His holy character, I can be nothing that really matters. I will only be a clanging cymbal and one striving for attention from men. Yuck. And to add to it all, there's really nothing I can do except lay down everything I possess (destiny, dreams, desires), open up my fists into palms extended wide and cry out, "Make me clean. Take it all. Give me You."

2006-11-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

For anyone who ever wondered, a Free Chipotle Boo-rito is much better frozen for 2 days then heated in a 375 degree overn for an hour. The tortilla is crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside and all the ingredients of a Vegetarian Fajita Burrito are aged to perfection! Split 3 ways it is a feast (unless, of course, you are on the Thursday fasting team. Sorry guys.)

2006-11-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

Bullet Point Update.....this is what I write when I have been up way too many hours in a row staring at another short night. Of course, it's all worth it for real. I think it is the grace of God that allows you to forget how exhausted you get when caring for a newborn. Anyway, here's what's happening in my world:

.... my sweet friend Amanda had twin girls today, Charli and Ali. Please pray for them; they need a miracle as they both have severe brain abnormalities and are fighting to survive. Also remember Wes and Amanda and ask God to fill them with strength for these days ahead.

.... a few hero-moms and I have been commissioned to write a battle plan to make life work for moms called to the prayer room. I have no idea if this is even possible, but it might be fun trying.

.... I am thinking about doing major internal cleanse to start the holiday season (oversharing, I know). Check it out here.

.... I wrote a song on my flute the other day. That was fun.

.... reading G.H. Pember right now and my brain is about to explode. Anyone else love this guy?

.... most of my days are filled with Avent bottles, Similac and Pampers. Oh, and laundry that is creating a mountainous heap in my bedroom and basement. These days are glorious. For real.

2006-11-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Good News! Erica did not have the abortion and has decided thus far to place her baby for adoption. This is defintely the more difficult and noble choice - pray that she has strength to follow through.

PRAY FOR ERICA

2006-10-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

Erica has an abortion scheduled for this Saturday morning here in Kansas City. Pray that this appointment with death will be broken. Pray that those who are able to speak truth into her life are heard.

Pray for LIFE for this baby. May she be another Savannah Zoe - divinely rescued.

2006-10-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

We spent the evening with the Pennsylvania Loux's (not to be confused with the Indianapolis Loux's, who are equally cool and fun) and as always, had a blast. Tracie is a kindred spirit - she enjoys good coffee and a good thrift store almost as much as I do; John and Randy are way scary when they start reminiscing 80's style; the younger chitlins play as if they have known each other all their lives; and Jackson and Nick disappear for periods of time and come up muttering about various technologival discoveries they have made.

We told Zoe's story again, as we do whenever a live human being will listen. As dessert was being served, John had the quote of the night....."So, Kelsey, are you pretty much just working from home now?" The burst of laughter that bubbled from my gut surprised me as much as anyone in the room. I giggled hysterically and said, "Yeah, I pretty much do work from home". I laughed so hard I thought I might wet my pants right there on the good furniture! I guess it just struck me as funny because I had just been talking to the Lord (and Randy!) about how little I will get to the prayer room now and just exactly what will I DO at IHOP? Ha! I'm glad I laughed because it made me say out loud - my prayers on the wall count even from a couple of miles away from the "sacred room". My words still move the God of heaven and He dispatches angelic warriors to drive back darkness when I cry out from the nursery or from under mounds of laundry. I can hear the Word of the Lord for myself or for the nation as I set myself before Him in the prayer room or at my dining room table. It all works and it all counts.

So there ya go.....Kelsey's home business. The pay isn't great on this side, but in the age to come I get to be a pillar in the temple and I never have to leave. Wahoo.

Intermission....

2006-10-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

.....it's that break in between acts that let's everyone take a breath, get a refreshment and ponder what they've just witnessed. I know the drama is far from over, but as the curtain of this first week of celebrating life comes to a close, I go back to my dressing room alone and think. And feel. And wonder. As I sit for just a moment and let the silence provoke my spirit, I hear the sound of longing deep within. Just past the longing to belong and to be surrounded with friends who are like family is the familiar desire to leave a lasting impression here on the earth, to be great, to change history. It has taken on a different voice here in the quiet between the inevitable chaos. I remember listening to this longing as a child. In my immaturity I became lots of things according to the hunger inside of me.....star of the play, speech contest champion, MVP of the softball tournament, Student Council President, straight A student, Most Likely to Succeed, the best at most anything I tried. It only left me as a frustrated adult, not receiving joy unless I was number one, the top of the game, winning all things. My longing to be great had become a dysfunction -- it had turned into a longing to be greater than someone else.

Life with a newborn has once again caused my heart to look past my "5 year goals" and ask "what about eternity?". What of all I am doing will make a difference here on the earth as well as earn eternal rewards? All the stuff I was so great at -- it's all gone. Poof. Vanished. After the final rush of adrenaline, the reward is over. But the stuff I am so weak at -- 3 am feedings, staying home watching the webcast rather than being in the prayer room, teaching Zion to read, making crafts with Grayson, holding a crying baby when I don't know what's wrong with her -- all those things seem to be what God is breathing life on in this moment. It is such a paradox. The longing to be great is an invitation to lay down my strength and take up holy weakness. It is so amazing that He LIKES me in all this that I am not even GOOD at.

In a few hours, the curtain will pop back up and the drama will resume. I pray that God helps me learn greatness as a stagehand and not only as the star.

TRYING TO FIND A GROOVE

2006-10-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

I think I lost my groove somewhere between here and Las Vegas. Life is certainly not the same! Nor do I want it to be. Today was day 5 back in Kansas City (6 if you count re-entry when we slept all day). It was the first time I ventured into the real world with all four children by myself. First to the bank. Uneventful. Then to USA Baby where I found the perfect crib on double clearance. Wahoo. Then to Costco. This is where things got a bit more interesting. We now have to use TWO carts - one for a car seat and one for all the stuff. Because things take longer with 4 kiddos, we ran into feeding time (or "milking time" if you are Zion) for Zoe. I did what any resourceful mother would do -- we took a group shopping break in the massage chair aisle and fed the baby. Had alot of conversations with passersby as well. When she was done, we finished our list checked out and went home. I DID IT! Of course, now I am exhausted, but I call it a win!

I seem to be swimming in so many thoughts and emotions these days with very little spare time to journal and blog. God knows. One thing I am super thankful for is the grace there seems to be in these times for the richness of His presence when I whisper quick prayers. It's like - woosh - He's there. I love that.

I hear a baby crying - that's my cue. Perhaps I will write more in the middle of the night.......

2006-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

The last couple days have been filled with diapers, bottles and downright exhaustion! I have to keep reminding myself I am not 22 anymore! That's how old I was when we brought Jackson home from the hospital, stuck his carseat on the coffee table and said, "Huh, what do we DO with him?". We've learned alot since those days, but are a few years older, so the wisdom is balancing our age.

Zoe is doing great!! She has decided she likes to sleep in the dresser drawer stuffed with the changing table pad I got from Babies-R-Us. She eats and goes right back to sleep at night -- we really have no complaints.

I just long to be HOME. I miss sharing these moments with our boys, Gramma and all the friends waiting for us. Las Vegas is not my choice of a town to spend a couple weeks alone in. I keep steady by remembering we have come to this city in the middle of the desert to rescue one saved from death. And God let us begin peering into His plan for this 5 years ago by a simple dream. Truly, there is a God who is concerned for humanity and knows us from the matrix of our mother's womb. He has fashioned our lives for this very moment. Astounding. What kind of God is this???

I LOVE MY TOES!

2006-10-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

I was just saying the only thing I wanted to do for myself while I was here in Vegas was to get a pedicure. It seemed like the girl thing to do and being that I have never had a pedicure, what a way to celebrate! Sean and Danielle came to visit and spoil us on Sunday and after a trip to the never-ending-feast-on-a-beast buffet at the Mandalay Bay (where there was steak, salmon, lobster and chocolate dipped strawberries for brunch!), Danie surprised me with a trip to the spa at this luxurious resort. Ahh, I have happy feet! And my toes are still pretty 4 days later.

In between baby feedings at the hospital, we managed to fit in quite the day with our friends, the soon to be Happy Henry's (wedding date, 10/28). After brunch and pedicure, we strolled the strip in search of quality, wholesome activites. About the only thing we found was Venetian mall with the basics - Kate Spade, Giorgio Armani and Godiva. We ate fancy mexican (who knew such a thing existed?) as a gondola floated by in the inside canal. We took a taxi a couple blocks down to Belagio where we watched a spectacular water and light show. I was skeptical, but it realy was amazing! After that it ws dark and time to get back to the baby, but only after a stop to the gelato bar inside Caesar's Palace. That place is so weird. Where else can you find millionaires in fancy dress alongside a man in a Winnie the Pooh suit sipping a margharita in a wheelchair?

2006-10-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

I will be SO ready to get Zoe from he hospital! The nurses are wonderful, but they do things opposite of what I would do. Last night, we had to wait until "visiting hours" started so as we stood peering through the glass into all the babies, I could see Zoe squirming and crying. It is the most frsutrating thing to know your baby needs you and be told, "No, 8 more minutes". When we got in, she was so hungry, but then we were told, "It's bath time". What are these people thinking? I almost blurted out, "That's not what the Ezzo's would do!" but I refrained. Randy made the comment that when we drive away from this place with her in the car seat, it will feel like we stole something -- perhaps even snatched from the fire. Driving through this city, I couldn't be more convinced.

Between evening feedings last night we drove down the Ls Vegas strip. The intercessor in me groaned. We saw a bunch of establishments with the word "sin" in the name. At least the don't pretend. It's like legalized lust on every level. Money, food, physical pleasures. More than once I have been overwhelmed at the sovereignty of God and the life He is saving her from. This isn't Westport, kids. Or even Clifton. Think Bangkok only everyone has alot of money to spend.

This morning we get to celebrate baby and LIFE with our friends Sean and Danie who have come from L.A. It's been incredible to delight in God's goodness with each other, how much better with friends.

For LIFE.

2006-10-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

I couldn't sleep last night so i was up at o'dark thirty, counting down the hours until we were to sign papers and take Zoe from the hospital. We were on our way out the hotel door to find breakfast when we got a phone call from the social worker -- "Child Protective Services won't release her until they get a court order from the judge. Just a technicality that has to wait until Monday. I'm a Christian, I will pray!" Kudos for divine connections - we got the only Christian social worker this agency has! We didn't get to bring her with us today, but the good news is that we signed a bunch of papers that makes her legally ours! Wahoo! We did the happy dance.

As we signed papers and talked with our wonderful social worker in a side room off the hospital nursery, we got to talking about the Lord, adoption and Lou Engle. Turns out that Lou was just at this woman's church a few weeks ago and prophesied over the city. She pointed over Zoe's bassinett, out the window and to a mountain in the distance. "See that mountain? There is going to be 24/7 prayer on that mountain - and Lou Engle prayed and blessed it!" It felt like a dream. We told her of our "Lou Connection" and she was so amazed she called her husband. We all looked at Zoe and wondered what in the world the Lord had for her that He paved the way so clearly and with so much prophetic promise over her life!

We did find a Whole Foods today (thank the Lord!) and also an In-n-Out so we are sufficiently stocked with a balance of junk food and nutritional prodcuts. I don't know what we would do without Susie, our affectionate term for the navigation system that our rental car is equipped with. We tell Susie where we want to eat, shop or visit and she gets us there. It's actually kind of creepy how it all works, but we wouldn't have gotten our burgers and souvenier hats without her!

Off to sleep -- back at the hospital for the morning feeding! We are now in the world of diapers and spit-up again. And there's no place like it!

2006-10-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

Today has been another in a series of whirlwinds. We spent the day between the hospital and shopping for a car seat. If you have ever shopped for a car seat in Las Vegas you know it's not quite like bee-bopping over to Town Center or Tri-County Mall or "fill-in-the-blank-with-any-mid-western-city-shopping-area". Fortunately because of the favor of God and the amazing adoption story that we tell everyone who will listen, we got a free upgrade to a BrianKim car that talks to you and tells you where to go. For real - we just type in "Target" or "Baby Depot" and it tells us where the closest one is and how to get there. Grace for the navigationally challenged!

It rained in the desert today and there was a double rainbow - just another kiss and an arrow in the prophetic arsenal of promises that help us wage war (1 Tim). For all of you who have walked the road with us of Burning Man, The Call and the Spirit of Adoption, you know exactly what I mean. (C'Mon!!)

We met the birthmother today quite unexpectedly. We went for the afternoon feeding and there she was, holding little Zoe. I wasn't quite sure what to do. I hugged her and told her thank you. She told us she was glad that her baby would have parents and that she would sign the papers in the morning, then she walked out the door. It was one of the more surreal experiences of my life. Probably not the last.

I have so much emotion and so many thoughts to record, but at this very moment I am afraid if I don't put my head on a pillow I may very well fall asleep sitting up. I look forward to the next few days -- bringing Zoe back to the hotel with us, not having to leave her with all the other babies in the secondary nursery on the 6th floor in the middle of this crazy city; taking tons of pictures and documenting this incredible journey; seeing California friends who will come to celebrate with us; finding a Whole Foods and loading up on some good eatums (after a trip to In-n-Out, of course).

The good news is that we are in a new hotel, perhaps the ONLY hotel in the city that has absolutely no gaming on the property. So I can sleep - and maybe sleep in for the last night in a long time. Tomorrow we put our signatures to the documents that give life to one otherwised abandoned in this city that means "grassy meadow, open field". I feel a Lou Engle moment coming on...........to be continued. (I used to hate it when the Brady Bunch ended that way!)

MOTHER OF 4?!?!?

2006-10-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

I should be sleeping or something. It is 2 am. But how am I supposed to sleep when I have a BABY GIRL waiting for me in Nevada?? We leave tomorrow after making quick stops at the bank, the social worker and maybe one more trip to Gymboree. I had to make a shopping run tonight because I have just a few baby girl clothes on loan from friends and they will all be too big for this little punkin! She weighed in at 5'13" and 18.5 inches long. I splurged and bought her an outfit from Janie and Jack that was not on the clearance rack. What can I say? I have purchased blue for 13 years and this one was pink. I couldn't resist.

I woke up this morning (which is now yesterday morning) not realizing we would have a baby tomorrow (which is now today). Life can take a swift turn quickly. As of tomorrow I will be back in the land of diapers and spit up -- and the change is all too welcome at the Bohlender house! Jackson prayed his heart out over his little sister tonight. Grayson jumped up and down and squealed alot. Zion quietly plotted. Randy is wondering what he will do with TWO girls (smile) and I am just one happy camper.

I feel slumber racing upon me. This is a good thing. More details (girl style) the next few days, but for now, let me just declare that I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!!

2006-10-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

We are home! It felt like planes, trains and automobiles yesterday (minus the trains). The Omega Intensive was fantastic and I have such an affection in my heart for the Hiebert's and Tim Cone! We just could not ask for a better team. Tim with his hymns, Murray on the Millenium, Randy bringing humor to the tribulation and Deborah just being Deborah (let the reader understand...) -- WOW! It was an amazing weekend.

We prayed for an uneventful trip home and almost got it. We had to drive to Nashville to board the plane, so fortunately the sky was clear and bright, the van was warm and cozy, and it seemed perfect for that Sunday afternoon nap we all needed. Somewhere just past Knoxville we came to a dead stop and there was a collective "uh-oh" among us. We have a plane to catch - perhaps we should go off roading. Then there was the cry from the back, "I have to go to the bathroom!" and the cry from the front "I think I'm gonna barf!" Being the sensitive parents we are, we encouraged both children that they were fine. Zion began to wiggle and squirm. Grayson began to turn green. Needless to say, we had to pull over (from the dead stop in the highway) to, uh, take care of these issues.

We made it to the airport with no time to spare, ran the 20 gates and boarded the full flight from the mountains of Tennessee to the plains of Kansas. 2 barf bags later, we landed ready to see our little boy that stayed home from this trip. Never mind that little boys is taller than his dad!

It was good to be with friends this weekend. And now it's good to be home. With a full week of prayer, fasting and conferencing ahead, I am filled with expectation of experiencing the wonder and beauty of God. Even if there aren't any mountains or sweet tea.

2006-09-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

I tried to post earlier, but it told me that I couldn't connect. Quite indicative of a rather challenging day. It actually started yesterday when I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning hoping to get a last bit of revelation on The Role of Israel in the End Time Drama (one of my sessions for the Omega Intensive this weekend). After a bout midnight, the revelation gets foggy. So this morning, I drag myself out of bed, make a certain teenager's lunch, get him out the door and the entourage of mom's and kids began for the mother's group that I host.

All was well until a certain child was noticed swinging on the low-hanging power line in the backyard. I went out and tried to graciously explain why that wasn't such a great idea -- Linda Hackett came and took over. "Did you know you could DIE from doing that??!!" So much for diplomacy. Aunt Linda won that round. Zion then comes in and says, "Mommy, would you please tell (nameless other child) to give my guitar back? He is batting acorns with it." Almost immediately a precious little girl comes to me, tugs my shirt and says, "Uh, we can't find Kiwi. The babysitter took him out and when we turned around he was gone." I faked a smile and tried to vent the fumes that felt as if they were coming through my nostrils. I went down to apprise the hamster situation and found that the children, in their attempt to lure said hamster back, had strewn rodent food the entire length of the basement on the freshly cleaned carpet. I began to wonder if I was wearing a sign on my back that said, "Go ahead, test my meekness".

The moms helped me clean up and when everyone left I sat down to study Armageddon and Israel. I have to have something to say to these people this weekend, ya know. I hear what sounds like a wimpering dog crying loudly right outside our house. I ask Grayson to go check it out. He runs back in, "MOM -- it is that 3 legged dog! I am going to run get him. He is getting away, but I will be faster because he only has 3 legs." I admoinish him to not pick up a stray dog. Should I be surprised at any of this?

I make everyone lunch and try a movie for the kids. I should've picked a longer movie. It was only long enough to get me through a few pages of Armageddon. Aaaaggh. What to do? I remember that Allen Hood said once that if you want to preach, practice by preaching to no one. It's time to go get Jackson from school, so I figure, what the heck. I'll try it. I take my notes and glance at them as I am driving down I-435, preaching as I go. Somewhere around the 95th St. exit it got a little anointing on it. And I was reminded that it isn't about how much I study or how great I do, it's about Jesus and Him showing up.

I am convinced that this weekend will go great. Not because I had tons of time to prepare or because any of us are such powerful communicators. But because God anoints weak words and desperate hearts. It occured to me as I was driving that He doesn't "use" me to deliver a message, He invites me into partnership. You "use" a dishrag, you PARTNER with a lover. And if I stand with Holy Spirit as my friend, what more can I ask for?

2006-09-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Dittos on Randy's "If I don't blog it's not because nothing is going on" entry. Quite the opposite for me. In short I have had to figure out how to do everything I was doing with only one good foot. Driving, for example, has been interesting. It was only today that I could really drive with the appropriate foot. Good news - my ankle is not broken, just sprained. It's very colorful and twice as big as the other one, but not broken.

I had to go to the grocery store and that was entertaining as I rode around in that little electric cart while Randy made smart comments. As I rounded a corner and about took out an end cap display, he cackled "Bloggable!" and whipped out his cell phone to take a picture. I was not amused at the time, although I'm kind of chuckling to myself now.

Lots more going on in the Bohlender World......maybe I'll get to some of that later this weekend. Until then, GITRDON.

Too Much Hebrew Dancing

2006-09-19T21:47:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should have stopped when the angel touched my hip last night. But, ya know it was just too tempting -- Julie Meyer singing all that Israel stuff in a slightly minor key with a good beat, the front of the prayer room cleared out for dancing and a hundred people twisting in a circle.....yeah, I couldn't resist. I was clipping right along, singing "Yah!" when all of a sudden a small child (who shall remain nameless but comes from that Southern-Methodist-Fiery-Preacher clan) was trying his own version of the circle dance and went WHAM! against my ankle bone. I was down for the count and managed to crawl over to the steps where I cried my eyes out because it hurt so bad. I was sure it was broken, but hey, it's the prayer room so a bunch of people are shundai-ma-hundai-ing over me and in a few moments it felt a bit better. Not tons of swelling, no real color change -- I just can't put any weight on it. The bone part hurts when I touch it. My toes are a little numb and tingly. Hopefully it's all better in the morning!

Reminds me of the time when I actually DID break my ankle. I had the role of Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof" and we were working late one night on the set, the week before opening night. I was goofing around in the parking lot and landed on my can, via the ankle bone. It immediately turned black and swelled double the size. It was broken and the director mentioned something about an understudy. No honking way! I had taken voice lessons and everything to do this part (any of you who know my singing voice know what I mean!) and I was going to play it well for crying out loud. At the ER, they set a large cast on almost up to my knee. That Sunday, they had an altar call for healing. I didn't think I could make it down with my crutches, so I asked for healing right where I stood. All of a sudden I felt a crack up the cast -- it had split in two!! I went to an ortho doc on Monday and he told me that my ankle was going to be fine - that what he was looking at was scarring from a previous injury. He wrapped it up and I sang and danced my heart out the next weekend. Wahoo!

God, do it again......

L'Chaim!

7th Anniversary Celebration

2006-09-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

The way we all partied, you would've thought it was 1999 (well, I guess only if you were alive in the 80's would that have entered your mind). Tonight was one the most fun times I've had at IHOP. With the stories, skits, prophetic history, free coffee and "Hebrew dancing" that turned Greek in just a minute I am wired and ready to do the night watch!

I had so much fun dancing. Rachel Meier pulled me by the arm and said, "C'mon, you're gonna dance with the Falkner girls!" and I'm so glad she did! I think an angel must've touched me because I am walking with a limp. I guess that's the stigma of the anointing -- or just the fact that I am sadly out of shape. Trying to keep up with the 20-year olds isn't as easy as it used to be! I should have done what Mike told all the geezers (those over 30) on the football team -- "take an ibuprofen before you play". No pain, no gain I say. It was worth it. Melody Green pulled me into a dance circle with about a hundred others, then we did the Peanuts thing for awhile because there were so many people it almost turned into a mosh pit. I even saw Shawn Blanc getting into the action! And, sorry Marci, we all had to take our shoes off, but things will get back to normal on Wednesday. (Although I kind of pray NOT......)

Hearing the prophetic history once again has provoked me to want more. Signs and wonders. Healing anointing. Power evanglism. Mass conversions. Stadiums filled. Open heavens. Dreams. Visions. Heavenly encounters. The name of God Most High glorified on the earth as He is around the throne.

Seven years. It's just the beginning, really. Can we even imagine what is ahead?? Tonight I go to bed satisfied and yet groaning. Full of the joy of celebration and friendship, yet longing for the fullness to come. How many more years will we do this? How much longer, O Lord? I don't know the answer, but after tonight I am sure of one thing.....I still BELIEVE. How 'bout you?