Friday Confessions

http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank">http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/FridayConfessionalMamarazzi.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" />

I confess... it's been an emotionally draining week. I didn't realize that his police officer's death would impact me as it did. I even made the news for a 2 second clip of me crying in front of my work on the funeral procession route. Seeing his casket on top of the firetruck pulled at my heart, but seeing the police officers following behind, with their lights on, and wiping tears from their eyes, that's what got me.

I confess... it's been a physically draining week. We joined the gym. I need to get in shape for my mission trip to Guatemala, Mister Husband needs to get in shape to better his health. I've gone daily since we got the membership... I cant do a whole lot b/c of my neck, but I've been riding the bike. 35 mins gets me 12+ miles on the bike. My legs feel like Jell-o but I'm making progress. We meet with a personal trainer on Monday to find out what else I can do that's low impact.

I confess... my daughter is babysitting a co-worker's baby today. I'm a little nervous. Not sure why b/c she is uber-responsible and good with kids, but all the same... little nervous.

I confess... joining the gym is giving me a reason to shop. I already got new sneakers... off to Old Navy today to get some new pants and a sports bra. Nothing like having your shorts go up your butt while you are on the bike!

I confess... I got a white ink tattoo on my wrist. Mister Husband has a matching one on his arm. I really like it. It's an infinity symbol with the word "Love" in it. We did it for God's infinate love and the love we have in our marriage.

A Photo Tribute to Ogden's Fallen Officer

Yesterday I had the privilege to witness the funeral parade for one of our officers who was killed in the line of duty last week while serving a drug warrant. What a humbling and emotional experience that was.  The outpouring of community kindness was overwhelming for all.

Here are some pictures I took throughout the day...

 My prayers are with his family and friends, along with the other officers who were injured. I admire what you do on a daily basis to protect and serve. For that I thank you.

Farewell Officer Jared Francom- Ogden Police Department

Picture from KSL.com

Picture from KSL.com

I've been keeping up on this story because it has shook our community and I feel it  has brought out the goodness in people. Everyone is coming together and doing funraisers and different things for the family... getting involved in ribbon making and flag holding as his funeral procession tours the city before he recides at his final resting place. My work is allowing us to go outside as they pass today to honor our fallen officer, how humbling this will be.

I was on my way to work this morning and passed the mortuary where his viewing was last night. I glanced over and there was a dim light in the lobby and at the doorway to the left, I saw another officer in his dress uniform standing guard. It hit me then... I was SOBBING in my car. I dont know this man... but I do know the impact his has left on our community. I know the protection we had due to his faithful service. I know our city is heartbroken with his loss.

I am imagining him in Heaven and the Lord saying " 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23)

Officer Francom, thank you for your work here on Earth. You were committed, you served and protected, you gave it your all. Rest in Peace.

The Book of Genesis

This year, my church is diving into the bible one book at a time... Sunday we started with the book of Genesis and here is the devotional my pastor put together in case you want to follow along. I hope to be able to post these weekly. Enjoy!

Genesis Project Life Week 1 Devotional : Genesis

The book of Genesis is all about God's story of Covenant lived out in the lives of men and women. In the beginning we see a Creator with a passion for relationship, so much so that He created us in His own image and gave him the gift of choice. What a risk to take for an all-powerful God. To create a being that is so intimately tied to you and give him the ability to hate, reject, and walk away. But real relationships cannot exist outside of that choice. Love is all about choice and God chose to love us! How would we respond to that selfless of an act?

Well, we know how Adam and Eve responded, they wanted more! Didn't they have it all? A beautiful garden they could call their own, all the resources and luxuries of creation, daily walks in the cool of the garden with God himself. Sounds like Heaven on Earth.....it was. But it wasn't enough. Or at least it didn't seem to be when the serpent made his infamous sales pitch.

Of all the spoils of the garden there was ONE tree God asked Adam not to eat from, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to not know evil? To not be plagued by its taunting voice? To be free of its scars, its baggage, its worry? This was the innocence Adam and Eve enjoyed. Living life naked and happy with no idea of the world of horrible possibilities that laid outside the presence of God.

But the serpent was clever, "Did God really say 'you must not eat from ANY tree in the garden'?" Here was the beginning of a long line of liars who would try to rob, kill and destroy by adding to God's Word. It is just like our enemy to try to use legalism to make God's Words sound ridiculous. The truth was God's lone commandment was to preserve and protect the innocence of his beloved creation. To protect them from a sure death. "Surely You will NOT die" said the serpent, Gods word was clear and absolute and the allure of sin stood in direct opposition to it. Adam...Eve, what will you choose? Who will you serve?

That day in the garden Sin won. Adam and Eves eyes were opened to the horrors of a life away from God. Sin replaced the intimacy they once lived in. Toil replaced paradise. No more walks with God. No more innocence. No more life as God created us live. Sin was unleashed upon a perfect creation and the world would never be the same.

The next 47 chapters of Genesis walk us through the implications of this mighty fall. Death, murder, destruction, debauchery, lies, laziness, lust. Sin was multiplying as rapidly as man. But God didn't quit on us! Maybe He should have. This wasn't his mess to clean up it was ours. He clearly warned us that the wages of sin was DEATH. Yet in spite of our rebellion God continued to peruse men. In spite of our atrocities God continued to spare us from complete destruction.

He continued to call out men like Noah who were still willing to walk with Him and offer salvation when He could have just ended it all and put humanity out of its misery. God's heart

for relationship beat on. He made a covenant with Abraham that was passed down through Isaac and Jacob and even when they broke that covenant God upheld His promises. God's heart for relationship beat on. From old women past their prime, to deceivers and liars, to young shepherd boys in colorful coats God's plan to rescue his fallen creation marched on.

Time after time, generation after generation God continues to seek and save men and women from the curse of sin. And time after time, generation after generation we continue to choose that same old tree of sin and rebellion. We find ourselves naked and broken because of that choice and there is the God of love, actively waiting on His creation, His people, His Sons and Daughters to come home. And He fights for us, calls to us, perfectly loves us the entire way!
Pastor Matt

Suggested Reading for 1/9/12 - 1/15/12

Monday - Genesis 1-4, 6-9 &11

Tuesday - Genesis 12-19

Wednesday - Genesis 20-26

Thursday - Genesis 27-33

Friday - Genesis 37-41

Saturday - Genesis 42-45, 47-50

Guatemala Meeting- Fundraising

We had our first meeting last night for our mission trip to Guatemala. We have 21 people who are going with us. Our groups has a variety of ages and backgrounds, so its going to be neat to see everyone's perspective while we are there. This trip is the pilot trip for our church, so we are going to be doing a lot of videos and pictures to show the people at home what we did and get them excited for other opportunities. I can't wait!

We are in the fundraising stages of our planning. The trip costs $2500 to go plus supplies for while we are there (seeds, gardening tools, etc). We are going to do a Hunger Dinner on Feb 4th at the church that we are selling tickets for. We talked about waitressing for tips at Golden Corral. We talked about selling pizza or candy bars. We have a lot of ideas, it will be neat to see how God uses them.

One thing that keeps coming up is the fact that we need to be in shape. There is a lot of hiking up mountains involved. I am going to be going to the gym today to sign up. It's the motivation I need. I've been putting it off long enough and I want to be in the best shape possible so I can focus on serving and not worrying about pulled muscles and huffing-puffing up the mountain. I'm not a big excersise person, pray for me!

My Little Beauty

For Christmas I got a new camera... and it's kinda fancy and I am trying to figure out how to use it. My daughter, who normally hides or cover her face when I have the camera out, decided she wanted a photo shoot to "help" me learn my camera. Thanks dear!

Here are some of the pictures I took of her... my little beauty.

(Ty age 11 with a picture of herself when she was 6 or 7)

Loss in our Community

I woke up this morning to a lot of facebook messages regarding an officer shooting where I live.... then I saw it on the news... and heard it made national news... then I found out that of the 6 people injured/killed I know people who know atleast half of them. So very sad... so heartbreaking.

Here is the news article: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=18748705&title=1-officer-killed-5-injured-in-ogden-shootout

Father God, I come to you on behalf of the officers who were shot... for those injured and the one who lost his life. I pray for their healing. I pray they feel comfort and support from You. I pray for their families and friends, I can't imagine what they are going through. They make a daily sacrifice for us and I am so grateful for their service.  Lord, none of this makes sense. It's heartbreaking, but I know that you have a plan for all this and I trust in You. I say these things in Jesus' name, amen.