bear island bio

Follow up on Kitchen Nook Project

2008-07-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here is where we are so far. This wonderful color changes all through the day. In it's truest form it looks like a stick of butter, but the light plays off of it so well from warm to cool and everywhere in between.

Shoes...

2008-06-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

..something we take for granted every day. Our church is having a shoe drive this weekend. According to some statistics 40% of the worlds population does not have shoes. If you attend my church or do not have a church home and are looking for one, visit us this weekend and bring a pair of shoes with you.

Our church has also teamed up with TOMS Shoes . Check out what they are doing.

Another shoe ministry we were introduced to while watching the NBA playoffs was Samaritan's Feet. They are doing some wonderful things to bring attention to this need.

So come to Fellowship this weekend, bring some shoes, buy some TOMS Shoes at church if you forget to bring some, buy some TOMS Shoes online if you don't come to my church, or go here to donate shoes or cash to Samaritan's Feet.

Not Happening...

2008-06-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

My husband and I went to see the highly anticipated new film by M. Night Shyamalan : The Happening. Let me begin with "I cannot remember a time when I was as disappointed in a film as this.". When the credits rolled we looked at each other and said " No...that cannot be the end of the movie. Your kidding, right?".

How does someone make a brilliant film like "The Village" and create this as well? If you have not seen it do not waste your time or money. The sad thing is that Mark Walhberg did a fine job and the cinematography was great. The problem was the story line. There were so many things they emphasised that were never followed up on, lots of interesting ideas, thoughts and characters left dangling. The consistency was poor, the explanation for the occurrence was pitiful. It was not scary in any sense of the word. To sum up the feeling you had when you left the theatre, in one word, longing. So much more was expected.

Let me know if you agree or have a different take on it.

Adding some color to our Life...

2008-06-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

We have been having fun with projects around the house as of late. The first thing we have taken on is our Kitchen Nook. It has a soaring 2 story ceiling and lots of windows. We have currently painted one wall SW Color Butter Up (a really pretty yellow, not too bright, not pastel). We ordered curtains yesterday that are striped...they have a tan background with yellow, red and green stripes of different sizes.

Next up is lighting...like I mentioned the ceiling goes up to the second floor....guess what the builder put in for a fixture.....a can light. Are you kidding me? Candles light the room more than it does. If you have any suggestions on a cool solution let me know...we are leaning towards something hanging but not a chandelier.

Once the lighting is in we want to paint the other walls a warmer neutral. We have SW Color Smokey Topaz on our living room walls and want to go with a color on the same sample page just lighter so we stay in the same hue.

Here is a picture of the nook "before"....will post "after" picture when we are done.

Into the Wild

2008-05-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

I finally talked my husband into watching this movie with me Friday night. First let me say that the cinematography is amazing. It does not hurt that it was filmed on location in places like Oregon, Washington, California and Alaska. But the most surprising thing about this film was the biblical themes on love, forgiveness and community.

It is a pretty heavy film. I would not suggest watching it unless you are in the mood for that. It really brings to light just how fragile life really is and how awesome God's creation is and how God has designed us for relationship.

Check it out if you get the chance and leave me a comment with your thoughts.

A couple of my favorite quotes from the movie...

"When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines upon you."

"Happiness only real when shared."

Got It!!

2008-05-07T11:59:00.001-07:00

And not from Amazon. I found a copy at my local Barnes & Noble. I scoured the shelves for an hour (an employee looked where it was supposed to be and it was not there. Told me it must be an inventory mistake). Well being as tenacious as I am I located it. Now....just need to get to the store to buy my ingredients for real French Macarons. Will update soon on how the process is going.

Books in the Mail Part 2

2007-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am still waiting for my Chocolate Desserts book. I guess the original publication date was several years ago so I guess new books are hard to find. Amazon assures me that they will be shipping the book sometime in the next year!

My Photo Blog

2007-12-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am having much more fun taking pictures that writing right now so come visit me at www.bjornfoto.blogspot.com for new stuff.

Portrait

2007-10-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait..

With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

New Books in the Mail

2007-10-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

I have ordered some new books and cannot wait for them to arrive. I love to cook and recently make 22 pumpkin creme' brulees for a friends baby shower. I need a new challenge and have been inspired by this blog to try and make these. I have ordered Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herme It has the coveted Macaron recipe in it. If I can't make it to Paris I might as well bring Paris to me.

I have heard it can take up to 8 batches to perfect. If I can get it right maybe I will box them up real pretty and give them as Christmas gifts. I will post some pictures here when I dive in.

The Dollar vs The Euro

2007-10-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am super bummed right now. As of last check the Dollar is at an all time low against the Euro. For every Euro you need $1.42. That makes travel to European countries who use this currency much more expensive. All because the Fed continues to drop interest rates due to sub-prime mortgages...

Europe is calling...

2007-09-25T08:07:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that I have always been a fan of Europe...my husband (he is half Polish and half Swedish), French food, classical music (especially Beethoven), Italian coffee, Foreign Films, the list could go on. Now I have become mesmerized at the notion that my husband and I might visit next year for our 5 year anniversary.

Now Europe is a big place with lots of cities to choose from. Paris was my initial first choice. Then I looked at Prague, my husband does not want to go to Italy so those cities were out, Barcelona was on the radar, but we finally settled on Vienna!

Why Vienna...why not? It has royal palaces, Cafe's everywhere (I adore coffee), the Spanish Riding School (home of the royal Lippazzaner Stallions), Beethoven spent most of his life in this city, Mozart, Strauss, Museums, The Vienna Boys Choir, Baroque Cathedrals, and the Sachertorte was invinted here!

If you have been to Vienna please give me some feedback.

If you think I should visit another area please let me know where and why?

Check out my new Photo Blog

2007-09-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

It's called Bjorn Foto. Click here to view.

I am motivated...

2007-09-24T11:38:00.001-07:00

..to make this a real Blog. Watch out, there is more to come!

Late night thoughts

2007-07-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

Thought I would make an attempt to update my blog today. I can't sleep so we will see what the brain comes up with as this late hour.

I have made an observation. There are several blogs I read often...the one common theme is that the writers of these blogs all have children. I wonder if I would have more to write about if I had children? I guess it made me a little sad as well...cause you see we have been trying to have children for the last 4 years. God has not blessed us in that area of our lives and we are at peace with it all, but sometimes things still make me sad.

At this point there is nothing anyone can really say...I have read all the books (from christian writers re: infertility), seen doctors, given it to the Lord, taken vacations, relaxed, etc. I truly believe the Lord has closed my womb for a reason. I do have expectant hope though each month that God will create a miracle in me. If you look at the women in the bible that were barren and then gave birth their children went on to do amazing things for God...so my joy comes in knowing that maybe God is preparing the way for a great man or woman of God that I get to be the mom of!

My husband and I have talked about adoption and are open to it. The strange thing to me about it though is the cost...Gladney in Fort Worth ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the ethnicity of the child. Minority children cost less...can you believe that is even possible...to be honest with you it makes my skin crawl. Society puts value on life based on skin color from the very beginning. We really do not feel led at this time to seek out a child...however if the Lord brought a situation to us that would be another story.

So I guess that is what is on my mind as this late hour. I think I am finally tired.

Where have you been?

2006-08-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Thought this was cool and fun. Create your own by clicking on the link below the map. Guess I am a Western girl. My fave hockey teams are in the NHL Western Conference, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings (how Detroit is West I am not sure).

Of all the places I have visited I have only lived in 2 - Washington State and Texas.

My fave place (s) to visit for vacation.....Washington (western of course, Seattle, Mount Rainier, San Juan Islands, etc,), New York (Manhattan, LOVED IT).

Places I passed though (on the way to or from Texas and Washington) but want to go back to really visit (a vacation maybe)...Oregon, Montana and Northern Idaho.

Places I went as a kid that I would like to go back to...Colorado, Nevada (not Vegas), Arizona, New Mexico.

Place I want to visit again but a different city...California (went to San Fran, would like to check our some other parts, maybe Northern Cali).

I seriously have to work on the East Coast...the North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine.

Leave me a comment on why I should visit your favorite or home state and why!

Small Group Night

2006-08-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight our small group from church meets at our home. My husband and I are the leader/facilitators. We have the BEST group ever. It is filled with people that love each other the way God calls us to love one another. The really amazing thing is that this is tangible love. We have seen our group bond in a very short period of time. They have reached out to one another emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically.

And you know what the really great thing is...we are not a holy huddle. We have three new couples visiting tonight and my prayer is that they feel the love of Christ expressed through each of us. Most importantly, that they will be edified and walk away with something applicable that will glorify God.

So this was really just a shout out to all my HomeTeam homies, love ya so much! And also to my husband who is so committed to our group...thank you for all the time, effort and prayer you put into each person and meeting. I love you most of all!

My new obsession

2006-08-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

Well, really an old obsession come alive again. My mom was always taking pictures when I was little. I still remember the day we went to San Antonio (a big deal as we lived 30 miles south in a very small town) and my dad bought her a real camera. She was so excited. When I say a real camera I mean one with an interchangeable, manual focusing lens and a removable flash. I love some of my mom's pictures. One thing I love most is that she is not afraid to grab her camera and shoot anything at anytime. My Mema (grandmother) is the same way...sometimes Mema is too bold. She took photographs at my Grandaddy's funeral last February. Who was to tell her no, it was her husband for crying out loud. It made some people uncomfortable...guess I am just used to it. She even sent me a picture of his headstone once it was placed at his gravesite. She was very proud of how it turned out as she had designed it and commissioned an artist to create it. Just a little background for ya...now back to me...

I love photography. I love journalistic style and portrait photography the most. It is so amazing how pictures can tell a story without a single word. I love photo essays as well, words and photo's together are great too. Annie Leibowitz is an amazingly talented photographer. Some of her subjects and the way she captures them are a bit extreme, but some are beautiful beyond description. Emotion jumps out at you and you feel as if you know something more about her subjects.

The first photograph I took that I was really proud of was of a tree. I was taking a photography class through 4-H (told you I grew up in a small town). They taught us how to make a camera out of an oatmeal container. It would take a single photo. I sat it in a bunch of leaves and positioned it towards a towering Live Oak Tree. It was amazing (to me at least). I have no idea where that pic is now. I am sure stored away at my parent's house.

I have become inspired again. Food & Wine Magazine is having a contest on food photography. Grand prize is a Canon Rebel Digital Camera. That would be so awesome. So they have combined my love of food (cooking & eating) with my new desire to take beautiful pictures. I will let you know how it goes. It is a one time shot (no pun intended) as you can only enter a single photo into the contest. I might upload some of my pictures to get your opinions.

If you know of any good books on photography let me know. My husband does not know this but he will be my first serious portrait subject...oh what he is in for.

School is Out (for two more weeks)

2006-08-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

You are probably confused 'cause school just started for most of the districts in our area (DFW). However, my husband is in Bible College at Criswell and it seems to me that college is never out, he has Fall Semester, J-Term, Spring semester, Summer I, Summer II and Summer III. It just so happens that he does not have another class until August 21st. He was off last week at well, three weeks in a row without class, reading, papers to write, stuff to memorize...etc. I know Mark loves school, and I know that he is committed, determined and called to his education. I fully support him in this. Mark also works full time (up to 60 hours a week) at a job that is very mentally challenging, volunteers at church, volunteers with parachurch activities and is a devoted husband and friend. When you add all this up he is constantly on the go. Most weekend he spends any time at home in his office doing school work and studying.

It has been really refreshing for him to have this break. I have loved it too! We have been able to hang out with our friends, watch movies, read (for pleasure), go to bed early, sleep late, just hang out. Next Tuesday we are taking the day off and going to Six Flags. We are gonna ride all the thrill rides and just act like kids (we don't have any so we are still allowed to act like a kid). I am just so blessed that Mark and I will get to spend some time together where the sole purpose is to have fun and act silly. Sometimes I think we take life too seriously. Don't get me wrong, serious is good, maturity is a wonderful thing, but every now and then you need to act like a kid.

So this is my public thank you to God for giving us a few weeks with limited outside commitment so that we can refocus on each other and have some down time mentally and physically.

Praise the Lord for President Bush's Veto today!

2006-07-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

I received a proposition from a website I registered on last week to gain information on fertilitiy treatments and options to send a letter to President Bush to tell him to NOT veto the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill. Below is the email I sent to them explaining why I SUPPORT the Veto.

In response to your request to take action against President Bush and his veto of the Stem Cell research bill I have to comment. I will NOT send a letter urging the President to NOT veto this bill. In fact, I commend President Bush for taking such a strong stand regarding the sanctity of life. A “five day old fertilized egg” is an embryo. An embryo is a human being. We must continue to fight to educate the public that life, even at the single cell stage, is valuable.

The interesting thing about this entire debate is how everyone who supports this talks about using all these excess “cells” (you must mean babies) or they will simply become medical waste. They talk about how the couple would like some good to come from their “biological tissue” (you must mean unborn children), that it would be used to save lives. Funny thing is that the life they would be saving would be at the expense of the life of their own child. I wonder if you approached one of these couples and asked them to donate their 8 month old baby, or maybe their 5 year old to medical science so that others could live the answer would be “NO” 100 percent of the time. Why do these same women (the ones with 30 excess frozen babies) mourn over the loss of a pregnancy at 4-6 weeks and talk about losing their “baby”, when their actions say that all they really believe is that some biological tissue exited their body?

President Bush has my full support of the Veto of this bill.

You probably wonder how/why I am a registered user of your site. I just joined this last week. My husband and I have been married for almost 3 ½ years and have yet to conceive a child. I registered on your site to gain information. I do not wish to be solicited to support political, moral or ethical views that I do not agree with. God creates life, not man. It is a sin for man to take life. I may be hard pressed to find a Physician who agrees with mine and my husbands view on this subject, but I will not proceed with any procedure that will take life to give life. What would I tell my child if via IVF we discarded 15 of his/her siblings? Would I say “Sweetie, you are so special that we killed 15 of your brothers and sisters just to have you.”? I will never have to wonder about that. I pray for those who have gone down that road and now regret it. Will God forgive them? Yes, if they are repentant of their action/choice. But we must do everything possible to prevent the continuation of this type of killing being promoted as something normal, even noble.

From Psalm 139
For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

Please reconsider your stance on this subject and the consequences that will come if we continue down the road of giving little or no value to life that God has created. God gave his son, Jesus Christ to die so that all could have life. Who are we to take it away? And Christ did not remain dead, the grave had no hold on Him. In fulfillment of the scriptures He rose again and lives today. We are not God. His thoughts are higher that our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. We cannot play God without dire consequences.

Good Stuff

2006-03-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

This has been a great week for me. Yesterday was our 3 year wedding anniversary. My husband, Mark, and I are going to celebrate on Saturday with dinner at The French Room in Dallas. It is a fabulous restaurant where dining is an experience and the service is impeccable. We are really looking forward to our night out.

Mark is currently at a dress rehearsal for a concert he is playing in tomorrow night called 100 Guitars of Praise . It will be at Bedford Methodist Church and I can't wait. It is put on by Master Media, Tom Dooley's ministry.

I had a wonderful dinner at Cowtown Sushi with my friend Stacie this evening, we were celebrating her birthday. The food was great but the company was better. We had so much fun just talking and laughing.

I guess you are used to it by now...

2005-12-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

...My long breaks between blogs that is. Life has just been busy. I have been using my new computer more, but not for blogging as you can see. I quick update on the last few weeks.

Work has been crazy. I new legislation change has effected the way we are able to treat patients who were injured on the job. There is now a long and arduous process for preauthorization of physical therapy services. It has added work load to a already full plate at work. We are slowly but surely streamlining the process so that is a positive thing. God had blessed the business I work for over the last year and we are so grateful for that.

My friend and co-worker Tina had her baby girl this week. Her name is Ella MaryLin and she is the most perfect and beautiful thing you have ever seen. Congratulations Patrick and Tina!

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving was pretty low key for us. Mark and I went out to dinner at McCormick & Schmick's. We are celebrating Christmas with some great friends and having a few people over for a quiet New Years celebration. I have been shopping online this year and LOVE it. We have to ship all of our gifts anyway so it has been such a breeze. No crowded malls, aching feet, etc. Just sitting at home in my flannel pajamas and shopping away. Tomorrow I will be in the kitchen making goodies for friends and co-workers as well.

I bought a CHI flat iron today from my stylist today and it is just awesome. I have had an old school metal one for years now. This one feels like silk gliding over my hair...Makes my hair feel like silk too. If you use a flat iron this one is so worth the upgrade. It's even pink! By the way, Melissa my stylist is awesome too.

Mark is done with school for a few weeks and then back at it. It has been nice to have him out of his office more.

I will try and post again real soon.

Blueberry-Lemon Banana Bread & New Notebook

2005-11-04T23:03:00.000-08:00

Well, it is one o'clock in the morning and this is where my procrastination has gotten me. A few things collided today and my self control was weak. Tomorrow is a baby shower for my good friend Tina that I am co-hosting with two other women. Tonight I helped one of my co-host get her home ready for tomorrow. I had to make banana bread and prep for the quiches I am making in the morning. Well, the bread is still in the oven (25 minutes to go) and the prep work for the quiches will have to wait until tomorrow (I need the oven for that too). How did this come to be you ask, making banana bread at one o'clock in the morning.....
What had happened was...I got my new Notebook delivered today (that my awesome husband got for me, see previous blog for more about him). Yes, my new notebook PC, the one I am using as I sit in my favorite chair in my living room. I could not wait to take it out of the package and hook it up to our wireless network and go. This is what I did when I got home at 8:30 rather than cook banana bread. I sat upstairs with my husband and played with my new toy as he flipped back and forth between hockey and UFC. It was fun cause I was looking up athlete stats and sharing then with him as he watched. So, now you see how the banana bread got pushed aside and why I am going to be so tired tomorrow afternoon. I am already planning a nap before church.
So, not only did we get our wireless up and running but my husband got me this great notebook and I am gonna rock my blog from now on!

My Husband

2005-11-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

I just have to say that I am the most blessed girl in the world. My Husband is amazing and he has been extra sweet this week. I got roses, a clean house, we went to see the Star's play, plenty of snuggle time and foot massages...I could go on and on but you might start to get jealous. He is so caring and so committed to our marriage. Mark is also committed 100% to God and to seeking His will for our life. One of his gifts is leadership and he has started several bible studies at his work. He is also a very hard worker as he works 60 hours a week as a Design Engineer at LMCO, goes to school at Criswell Bible College, volunteers at church and still has the time, energy and desire to be a great husband. I LOVE YOU BABY! Here is a pic of us on our wedding day, March 22nd, 2003.

I am Still Alive

2005-10-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Just really busy! Plus, we do not have the wireless internet working at home and it has been cumbersome to get online. I have been super busy at work and have not had time during lunch to post. So, just wanted to let you all know that I was still here. The move went well and we are expecting our new dining room table and chairs to be delivered this week. So...You all will be getting a dinner invite soon 'cause you know we love to cook! We have not settled in completely but are well on our way. I hope we get the internet thing fixed this week, I know it is driving Mark as crazy as it is driving me :-)

Furniture?? Movers??

2005-09-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we are scheduled to close on our home on the 23rd. I am packing as we speak. Anyone have a moving company they would recommend? I have a couples of quotes out now but have not nailed anything down. If you have moved recently and were pleased with your movers leave a comment on my blog. Also, we are looking for kitchen & dining room furniture (dark wood). If you have some to sell send me a pic. If you have a fave store send me the link or name. I am thinking of just going to IKEA. Found a couple of things I liked at Rooms to Go and The Room Store as well. We are trying to stay within a budget because we are paying cash for everything (by choice). I found a great table at Drexel-Heritage but do not want to pay $420 a piece for the 10 chairs to go around it (you have got to be kidding me). Oh, by the way we need a dining table that seats minimum of eight, preferably 10 (we love to entertain/cook for our friends). Here are a couple of pics of my kitchen nook and dining room (the rooms I am trying to fill).

Be a Blessing, Help your Neighbors

2005-08-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or go to www.redcross.org Any amount will help, these people have lost so much and will need assistance for weeks and months.

God Help Them

2005-08-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Father God please be with the people of America that have been devastated by hurricane Katrina. Father, comfort those who have lost much including loved ones. Father help those who are stranded to find a way out to safety. Most of all give them the peace that can only come though your son Jesus in this that is probably the most difficult and tragic moment in their lives. Be with those that are there to help in the rescue and relief efforts. Bind us all together as a nation to reach out to our brothers and sisters in any way we can. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Lot Going On

2005-08-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been over a week since I posted. Well a lot has been going on as we are in the process of buying a new home (we live in an apartment now). It is exciting and stressful at the same time. We are moving to Keller. Which is kind of funny...you see we have said we would not move to Keller. God obviously had other plans (don't ever tell God what you will and will not do). It really makes perfect sense, we can get much more house for our dollar, it is closer to my husband's job, tons of people we know live out there including some of our closest friends, the list could go on. I am really excited as our house is too cute! Here is a pic!

Just Do It...Live Strong...

2005-08-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

...I could go on and on with slogans and mantras, but alas I am just going to do it! Last Friday was the kick off to my new work out regimen. My husband has really inspired me as he is training for a sprint triathalon in September. I just pray that God will give me the discipline, strength and endurance to stick with it. That is always my problem. I ran 3 miles on Friday, ran 3 miles on Monday and biked 15 miles last night. I run the front office for Riata Therapy Specialists so my friend Tina, who is a MPT, OCS, is going to teach me a core body routine on the swiss ball. I will keep you updated on my progress. Posting about it will really help with the accountability part of it. I have no excuse as I have plenty of time to work out along with a great gym, Lifetime Fitness.

My Friends New Business

2005-08-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

I wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine who just opened her new e-business. Her name is Tiffany and she is an awesome woman, wife and mom. We met through HomeTeams at Fellowship . Her company is Trinity Silver . She will be adding more products as the week goes by so please stop back in if you don't see something you like. When it is all updated there will also be scripture journals, bibles, Veggie Tales gifts and lots more. The jewlery is great and you can't beat the prices.

A few days off

2005-08-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

I know I am supposed to be getting better at this but you will not hear from me for a few days. My great uncle went to be with the Lord yesterday. The funeral is out of town this weekend. He is my Mema's brother. My Mema lost her husband, my grandfather, in February. Please pray for her as I am sure she has not completed the grieving process for him since it was less than 6 months ago.

Hopefully I will have some joyfull things to post about next week...I am looking forward to it.

Starving in Plain Site

2005-08-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Matthew 25

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Anderson Cooper is having a special tonight about the horrific struggles of the people in Niger tonight at 6:00 central on CNN. I would encourage each of you to watch it if you have the chance. My husband and our friend Steve Dilla have touched on it recently in their blogs. People, mostly children are dying every day.

It is my daily routine to go home at lunch time. I live close to where I work so it makes it easy. I let our dog Zacch out, eat my lunch and watch either Fox News or CNN. Today, I stopped at Sonic to get lunch. They got my order wrong so I sent it back and had them remake it. Not sure what happened to the food I sent back, probably got put in the trash. So I drive home and continue my daily routine. Zacch goes for a walk and them I proceed to sit down, eat my lunch and watch the news. As I am sitting stuffing my face an image of a child comes on the screen. I decide to watch and it is of a child in Niger, starving to death. He is hungry but almost unable to drink. If they are not able to drink by the time they reach the medical teams they usually die. He is crying, but not like I have ever heard a child cry...almost a moan. I look down at my food and almost throw up. I am still nauseous as I write this. How could I enjoy my lunch when there was so much need in the world. I could probably stand to loose about 30 pounds, here was a ten month old dying because he was so starved that he could no longer drink the milk that was being spooned into his mouth.

Then it hit me. I spend on average 50 dollars a week on lunches, Starbuck's, etc. That does not include groceries, eating out for dinner or on the weekend. I decided to start a fast. Why? Well for several reasons. First, so that I could start to, on a very small scale, empathize with the people of Niger. Second, to really see the over indulgent lifestyle most of us live for what it is. Third, to reconnect with God through prayer and fasting for the people of Niger and all people throughout the world who physically and spiritually hunger each day. Finally, to send money to a relief organization that is working in that region.

How could God allow this to happen? Well, evil is in the world. What are we as followers of Christ going to do? Please re-read the bible passage at the beginning, seems like an easy answer. The people of Niger need to feel the compassion of a generation of Christ followers who have had much, too much if you ask me.

Click here to help

I am so bad at this

2005-08-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

It has been forever since I posted a blog....i really want to do this thing but it seems that fear and time management are getting in my way. I love reading other peoples blogs, they always seem to have so much to say. I need to just jump in and go...the reality is that I am sure my husband is the only one who looks at my blog cause anyone else I have sent it to has seen the same article for six weeks. So, today I am going to do this thing...even if I am posting random thoughts that most people could care less about.

I must say I am impressed with my husband Mark's blog, he has been working really hard on it, even got a custom header designed for it. He has been getting more and more personal and that is what I think blogs are so great for, like conversations with friends. He is such a great man and a great husband. I am so blessed to have him in my life. His blog is www.teknon0301.blogspot.com, check it out!

Zacch

2005-06-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our new baby boy. If this works I will upload more of our family and his cat brother and sister for you all to see.

Zacch Attack

2005-06-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

We have a new addition to the Bjornholm family, his name is Zacch. He is a Miniature Pinscher and is the most adorable boy. We adopted him through Furever Friends, a rescue organization in the DFW area. He has had a hard first year of life and we are so excited to have welcomed him into the family. Zacch was found running around the busy streets with duct tape on his muzzle. Becasue of this he is missing quite a bit of hair on the top and bottom of this area. He is also blind in his right eye, but you would never know it the way he runs around the house and plays. He has settled in very well and even gets along great with his cat brother and sister Niko and Tabatha. I will post some pic's of him tonight and more musings about him. We have been truly blessed as he his such a good boy and just needed some love and nurturing.
By the way His full name is Zacch Kula Bjornholm. Kula means bullet in Swedish and if you get to meet Zacch you will see that he lives up to his middle name quite well.

What's in a name

2005-04-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

This is my first post, thought I would take this opportunity to explain the name of my blog. My last name is Bjornholm, it's Swedish. Bjorn means "bear" and holm (or holme when it's a word not a name) means small island or islet....so now you get it. Looking forward to making my blog real jazzy with pictures and all as soon as I get the hang of all this. Later.