Welcome

If you are new to our site, this blog is sort of a hodge podge of our ministry and family life, and whatever else God lays on my heart to share. The Home Page above will link you to our Sufficient Grace Ministries page. You can read more about the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and the outreaches of this ministry whose mission is to offer comfort and hope to grieving parents. The Blog button brings you to the page you are currently reading, featuring a variety of subjects...some ministry updates, some family news, and some biblically-based encouragement. The Walking With You page is a place for bereaved parents who have lost a baby or child to find encouragement and hope. It is an online support group created so that families would know they are not walking this path alone. On the Dreams of You Shop page, you can learn more about the products and services we offer, place an order, or sponsor a family. The Encouraging Women blog is a work in progress. There, we hope to offer biblically-based encouragement to all women. The Resource page has been newly updated with a list of resources that are helpful for grieving parents. Our blogroll is also located on this page. Thank you so much for visiting our site. Blessings to you...
Showing posts with label just for fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label just for fun. Show all posts

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Because Everyone Loves an Irish Girl...At Least That's What My Kelly Green Shirt Says!

In case you think I'm always serious...



You see, sometimes I'm kind of fun, crazy, and off-the-wall! Even the second graders I work with were "talking about" my outfit on St. Patrick's Day! (Except for a certain second grade friend of mine who happens to lovvvve green! He said, "OHHH Mrs. Gerken, you are wearing my favorite dark green, and all the colors of green!!" with a big grin that made all the other snickers worth it!) And, my kids said, "Wow, Mom!"...shaking their heads.

It made me smile, remembering when I was young and so caught up in what everyone else thought. To some degree, I still do care about a few things. But, definitely not whether I dress crazy on St. Paddy's day!

It reminds me of something my Irish father once said:

"With every decade you will concern yourself less with things...you will not get stressed out over every little thing. The things that bother you in your twenties, won't when you're thirty...and so on."

It sounds like every decade brings a little more freedom from the things that we hold on to, and the things that hold on to us, keeping us from fully being the person we were intended to be. And I think as I walk with the Lord, I am more O.K. with the person He has created me to be...with each passing year.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Little Blog Party Fun




I've been feeling a little lonely in blogland lately, and a little bit heavy with the demands of this life. So...I thought I'd lighten things up with a little fun Blog Parade! Thanks Abigail!

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?

I like the evening, after dinner when everyone's bellies are full and satisfied. The day is winding down, and we've settled in to enjoy the peace and quiet (or raucous laughter) of home.

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

Although, I have a fondness for most things chocolate, it has to be Doritos...hands down. I've never met a Dorito I didn't like!

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?

Hmmmm, I think I wish that I could do ministry work full time.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?

In a house full of boys, I am teased a lot about everything! Let's see...my girly golf swing...my forgetfulness? I suppose I get teased (sometimes lovingly and sometimes in annoyance) for being late. I'm working on that!

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?

I love Johnny and June at the end of the movie Walk the Line...not the parts full of turmoil or all the mistakes they made...but the end, when they are ministering to the prisoners. Actually, the movie doesn't show them singing gospel music, but they did that. What I love about Johnny and June wasn't so much depicted in the movie, as in their real lives. I love their story of redemption and love...not so much they way they started out...but the way they ended up. Johnny became a Christian, and had a heart for the lost. (Of course, I would be June and Tim would be Johnny Cash...and we'd be singing about Jesus! Hey, it's my fantasy, right? I can make up the rules!) I'd love to be able to minister to others through music with my husband. In some ways, we are already being allowed to do that. So, who knows? (By the way, my love for Johnny and June is probably another thing close friends tease me about!)

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?

I'd love to play the piano.

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

Somewhere warm with lots of sunshine...a beautiful beach on the ocean...and lots of golf courses. Maybe Disneyworld, too. I think that would keep everyone in our family happy!

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?

While I'm not an awesome singer by any means, I do love to sing...especially with my husband who is just bravely learning to sing along with his wonderful guitar playing. We like folksy-rock music...with Christian lyrics, of course.

Like this...(my husband and I singing This Little Light of Mine during church worship)




9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?

Home Depot...to purchase new carpet and flooring, paint, and other remodeling items.
Guitar Center...to purchase music equipment

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?

Don't laugh, but sometimes I'd like to live in the '50's. I'd like to stay home and focus on my family, rather than working outside the home. And, I would love to wear pretty dresses everyday. But, I would miss the internet! Now is good...and I suppose someday I could stay home...and maybe even wear pretty dresses in the time we're living in! =)

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?

My color loves vary...so hard to choose just one. Maybe turquoise right now? Other times, it could be fuchsia...and I always like a lot of black!

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?
(Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey)


Lately...Sleepy! But, most of the time...Happy!

13. What's the last album you listened to?

Stephen Curtis Chapman - Beauty Will Rise

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a missionary, an actress, a writer, or a political journalist! =)