Tori's SOL

Just for the record: Troy would hate this photo, due to the double chin thing going on, but I couldn't bring myself to change it, because my sweet daughter picked it out herself.

SOL/Tori: Rainy Days

SOL/Connie: "Sew" Sweet

Happy Birthday to me early, way early!!!
My dear sweet Mom, insisted that as I begin the clothing quilts for my kids graduation, that I make them on a machine that has the capability to sew a straight line.
"Sew" she took me out on Saturday and bought me this sweet thing!
It was on sale for $100 off!
It is amazing compared to the machine I was using.
It's quiet, smooth, and look how many different stitches I can do.
Now, only to find time to play!!!!!
Thanks Mom, your the best.
Connie

SOL/Connie: Promotion

Here in our bedroom oasis, tucked in the corner, a treadmill stands in its upright position. No longer does it wait to be ran on, because it has been transformed into a dvd, and TV box, entertainment center. I'm sure that it was content with that roll, until the most recent promotion that my dear husband has received. Little did we know, (both the treadmill and I) that we to would be in store of a promotion. The treadmill, has now become a place for any clothes that need ironing. This is the place they hang, just waiting for me to grab a hold of them and massage all the wrinkles out. For years, the Mister, has been asking for this to be done for him, and for years, I have promised that when the kids were gone I would gladly do all the ironing his heart desired. Little did I know that I would be promoted to the Head Ironing Lady so soon. I have 2 choices, 1. I could be haunted by the clothes that hang there and call out to me every time I enter the oasis of our bedroom. Or 2. I could somehow embrace this promotion and do it with joy. As of now, I have chosen #2. When the clothes beckon me before the rightful time, I pray that he would have eyes only for me and that he is safe where ever he might be the next time he is wearing that outfit, because his new promotion doesn't only require nice clothes, but times of travel. When the time of ironing is at hand, I pray for each part of his body that the piece of clothing covers. So I'm enjoying and embracing this new promotion, and can only hope as time goes on I will be a master at my trade. As for the treadmill, it already has surpassed all that we could have possibly asked of it.
Connie

SOL/Connie: An Anxious Heart

Snow covered ground, the reminder of death that lingers at the door.
Puddles and ducks reveal the coming of spring and new life.
It won't be long now and the rains will come and wash the snow away completely, just as the drops of my dear Saviors blood has washed my sin covered life.
Soon the world will be changed and all of creation will be singing and dancing-full of life, and the snow covered ground will only be a memory.
O' anxious heart, be still and wait, for it won't be long now.
Connie

SOL/Tori: Pen Pal

SOL/Connie: Reflections on Retreat

In a quiet time recently God spoke Isaiah 61 to me: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...."
Last weekend, God used this once bound, broken-hearted, and poor in spirit woman to pray with others to be free. How humbling it is to live out the word of God.
Connie

SOL/Connie: 6 AM

For sometime now, I have felt the nudge to get my day started a little bit earlier then normal. The nudge sometimes comes from the Holy Spirit, Troy, or in this case the 2 sweet little children were caring for this weekend. Sleeping is always a concern with little ones, especially when they aren't in there own beds. Laying them down last night went exceptionally well. The baby fell right to sleep in my arms at around 7 pm. What precious days. Then the little one, I laid down at 8 pm. She went down without a peep. We went to bed and I had a taste of victory and high hopes of sleeping peacefully all night. Though it wasn't long and around 11pm, Troy, rolls over and says, "The baby is crying." My response was, "What?" And so he repeated himself, and again, I was a little confused. Then I realized, oh the baby......so I sprang up to see what was the matter, as I tried to recall the list of things to do that was sent with them from their mother. I don't remember her saying anything about 11pm? Then, I began to pray, Oh Lord, please let it only be that I have to cover him up and stick his nuk in! As I stumbled my way in the dark, I opened our creaky door as quietly as I could, only to find a bundle of blankets! Where was the baby? My heart started to quicken as I pulled back the beautiful quilt once used by my kids, and there he was fussing in his sleep. I breath a sigh of relief and straighten out his bedding and he is restful once again. Back to bed I go, hoping to find peaceful rest once again. Next thing I know, I hear a little crying voice, calling for her mommy. Up I spring once again, and peek at the clock only to see the numbers 5:54 AM. In my mind I think that this may be a long day. I make my way to the next room and pick up that sweet child who is wondering where in the world she is and I remind her of her stay at the Hoehne house. She settles quickly in my arms, and rests her head on my shoulder. Should I try to lay her back down or is it really time to get started. I decide to try laying her back down, just for a little bit longer, Lord! Not, today! Today I will start my day at 6AM! When is naptime, anyways?\
Connie

Sol/Tori: Taco Dip

SOL/Connie: No more Kleenex

Empty Kleenex boxes,
Crumpled tissues,
cough drop wrappers,
sticky medicine cups,
nasal spray,
Dimeatapp, Advil, Robitussen pick your pleasure,
bloody noses,
continued coughing,
extra laundry,
no sleep,
healing please?

Slice of Life/Connie: Beauty of the Truth

I look out over the snowy lake and watch as the 2 men look in the holes to see if they have caught any fish. My eyes burn from the lack of sleep and my legs drag as I move to a different window to get a better view of the horizon. As I take in the beauty that surrounds me, I reflect about the hearts of my friends, who shared just the day before in the very room I stand. My heart aches for them as I recall their stories full of pain. I wonder what this new day will bring for both them and myself. The time comes to share with others of the new things that God is doing and the truth that had been hidden is now revealed to a room of 380 women. Quiet stillness, faces full of pain appear, and tears slowly fall. My friend stands tall as she chokes on her words as she shares the truth of a long kept lie, and then it happens~she smiles. I'm sure her journey to healing has just begun, but I do know that a sense of freedom came across her face on this cold morning and it warmed the whole room.
"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32