The Royal Throne

So, I feel like I've been tested lately. About a month a go (maybe not quite) my upstairs toilet ran over and leaked down into the basement AGAIN! I put it out of commission and was down to one toilet, the one in the basement. Until this week, all crap broke loose, so to speak. The basement toilet began to continually run. I figured the porcelain gods were out to get me!!!! So I had to shut off the water so I wouldn't come home to a mess after work. After work, me and my basement toilet bonded and I managed to fix the problem--yea for me! I decided that I was not about to attempt 2 toilet repair jobs so I called a plumber. They came today and fixed the upstairs toilet and replaced the float in the basement toilet and fixed my shut off valve to the basement toilet, as well. I now have 2 working toilets!!!!! Praise Jesus!!!!! Now you can come over to my house and use my throne(s)!!!!!

That's not all to this story, though. So, I come out of work on Tuesday and the battery on my car is absolutely DEAD. I go back in to work and call the security office and they come out and jump my car and get me on my way. I go to Wal-Mart, but they don't have time to check my battery so they sent me to Advanced Auto. They check the battery and say it's ok, but it's my alternator that's going out and that I need to get it replaced THIS WEEK and they are more than happy to price one for me. I'm pretty naive at car parts and I'm thinking 150.00 at most, right? Oh no, this puppy is going to cost $370! Then this nice, very handsome man proceeds to tell me they don't put the part on, but he knows someone who will and it shouldn't cost more than (wait, are you sitting for this?) $600 to $1,000!!! I about wet myself in the parts store!!!!!!!!!!!! He says, and I quote, "I'd get an estimate first, but would not have it done if it would cost more than that." I'm thinking, "NO KIDDING!!!" So at 8:00 that night I set out for Grinnell, KS--the half way point to meet dad to exchange cars. Dad is having the car checked in Goodland by the VoTech, so the jury is still out on whether or not the alternator is going to be replaced.

I know there is a lesson to be learned here, I'm just not sure what it is, just yet. I told dad the other night that I'm tired of being tested. He told me to keep my head up and keep going (boy he's so wise)! Looks like I'll be eating PB & J's till I gag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you'd like to make donations to POOR Man's fund you may make checks payable to Amanda Gittinger!!!!!!!!! Ha!Ha! Ha! Here's my theory, Ya gotta keep laughing, or you'll cry!

Ellen funny

My mom sent me this link to the Ellen DeGeneres show. It's about 6 minutes long, but very funny and worth your time! Enjoy!

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php?emf=1

WAKE UP

This weekend was our 5th annual youth conference, and my first time helping out. I had a great time! I helped out in the kitchen and the concession area throughout the weekend. We had a great crew to work with and everything went smoothly. I showed up on Saturday to help cook pancakes and was told we were making 900. I was wondering if we would be able to be done by 5:00. We started at 12:30 and were done in about 2 hours!! Did I mention we also filled syrup cups, butter cups, and browned sausage in that time as well? We finished by filling juice and water cups and set up tables for the food line and were done by 4! God blessed us with a little time to sit and relax.

Throughout the weekend the kids had games on Friday night, worship lead by the Ignite band, and a visit from Dan Meres (KC Wolf) who gave a great talk on how important it is to have a relationship with Christ. Saturday started with worship lead by the Ignite band, breakout sessions on various topics, and the evening was ended by a concert lead by Every Day Sunday. There were about 75-100 kids who made the decision to give their life to Christ, as well!!! We give God all the honor and glory for a very powerful and successful youth conference!


The troops are ready to feed the hungry kids. We made over 900 pancakes, poured syrup into small cups,and put butter into small cups as well. Then we filled juice cups and water cups, all prior to the 5:00 feeding frenzy!







As the kids filed in, they were given pancakes and sausage, picked up their cups of syrup and butter and a drink, then went to any spot in the church and had supper. The supper feed went really smoothly!







This is the Ignite band leading worship. They did a wonderful job all weekend!








Another picture of the Ignite band leading the crowd in worship to their God and King





Youth Pastor Brant talking about Waking Up (the theme of the weekend). He talked about how we tend to hit the snooze button on our spiritual lives and what we can do to find allies to help us out of our slumber. The verse of the weekend is found in Romans 13:11-14--The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

OOPS!

I don't think this set of pictures warrents an explanation, except for the following phrases:


1. Oops, I did it again.
2. "Holy Crap" (famous line from Frank Barone)
3. Not again

So after this happened, I procedded to the church to help make 900+ pancakes for youth conference. Can you believe they let me near a griddle?

Father's Day

So, here are some pics from father's day. My grandparents were down for the weekend, so it was great to see them again. All in all, it was a nice, relaxing weekend!

A pic of the card I made dad! I think home-made cards are the best kind!

Continuing with the home-made theme, I made apple pie ala mode (dad's favorite). It was very tastey!!!

Hawaii update

So, here's the latest update. Our family trip dates are December 23 through Jan 1. The thing is we may not be able to get trip insurance. We really don't want to put out all that money and risk loosing it. So dad is going to do some more checking on the insurance aspect of things. If we definately cannot get the insurance then we will postpone going to Hawaii. Looks like skydiving may have to wait. If we don't go to Hawaii we may look at going some place else, instead...any suggestions?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY DAD.....

1. His creativity. He always comes up with the funniest Christmas gifts for mom.
2. His kind heart. He is always helping others, in fact, I don't think he knows the word "No".
3. His annual light display. Every year he puts up this fantastic light display that doesn't disappoint! If you've seen the Griswold's Christmas, you'll know what I'm talking about.
4. His love for the simple things. My dad has the spirit of a kid. He also loves kids!
5. He made me feel special as a kid. Dad would take me on "Father/Daughter" trips. My favorite trip was always Stars on Ice, especially when we got to meet the figure skaters, thanks to Diane.
6. His teachings. My dad is very wise, especially when it comes to a "nutritious meal".
7. Seeing my dad in a servant's role. We've been to Mexico twice together and have also gone to several soup kitchens to serve others. It's a pleasure to serve with my dad.
8. His love for my mom. They still hold hands after 31 years of marriage; I just love that! And he has taken such good care of my mom over this last year when she was sick--good job dad!
9. His ability to calm me down. I don't know how he does it, but I can call him in a panic and by the end of the phone conversation, everything is alright.
10. He is a very hard worker. I can remember when he would work 2 jobs to make ends meet. We never had fancy things as kids growing up, but we sure had enough. We were comfortable, well fed, and very much loved, and that's all that mattered!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!!!