O-MAN, MY HEART HERO

 

As many of you know, the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart campaign has become kind of a big deal in our family.  Just a month or two after Jeremy's passing, Owen's school sent home a flyer announcing their participation in the fundraiser.  All month long, the kids would be learning about ways to keep their heart healthy, and at the end of the month they would all participate in an hour long "jump-a-thon".  They would also have the opportunity to collect donations in support of the American Heart Association which would then be used to benefit medical research and assist children with special hearts.

I immediately called Owen in to look at the flyer with me.  He was hesitant at first.  I'm not sure he had ever jump roped before in his life.  But as I began to explain that his daddy was just like these children who needed help - born with a special heart, in need of a surgery, or other medical care - I could see the wheels start turning in his head.  We sat down together, and he dictated a message that I then emailed out to everyone we knew. 
 
 It felt so good, in those first few weeks of our grief, to find something we could actually DO.  We spent time in the evenings learning and then practicing his jump rope skills, and watched our emails as the donations started coming in.  We never could have imagined the incredible response from our friends and family!  By the end of the month, Owen had raised just over $2,000!    He was ecstatic!  His school raised more that year then ever before, and he raised the most of any student in school history as well.  A couple of months later, Owen was awarded a medal and certificate at a school assembly, and he received lots of goodies from the American Heart Association, including a Razor Scooter.  He was over the moon!

As amazing as our experience with Jump Rope for Heart was last year, 2013 was even better!  In February, Owen's school started the campaign again.  Our house was buzzing with jump-rope talk and activity.  One night over dinner Owen said, "Mom, I'm so excited about Jump Rope for Heart.  I hope I raise the most money again even though I already have the biggest prize.  I just want to raise the most."  He went on to explain that the big gift from the American Heart Association this year is the same bike that he received for his birthday a couple of years ago.  He began to think of ideas for what to do with this bike if he were to get it.  Keep it, and give his old one to his sister?  Give it to his friend across the street so they could ride together?  Or keep them both for himself for friends when they come over?  I offered up the idea that it would be really cool to give it to the student at Jackson who raised the closest amount to him as a way to thank them for helping kids with special hearts, too.  He shrugged his shoulders, gave me a "yeah, maybe", and went on to finish his dinner.

Again, we emailed our amazing friends and family members to let them know about Owen's participation, and again, they overwhelmed us with their amazing support and generosity!  Owen jumped his little heart out at the jump-a-thon and had a blast with his friends doing it!

Last week, Owen's PE Teacher gathered the first graders together to hand out the gifts sent by the American Heart Association.    Owen's name was called last when she announced that in memory of his dad, Owen had raised over $2,600 and raised more than any other student at Jackson Elementary.  The school beat their own fundraising record again, too!  Owen's eyes filled with tears as he stood to receive his gifts.  He walked to the front, and one by one, Mrs. Coleman gave him the gifts ending with that grand prize Razor bike we had talked about all those weeks ago.  Owen tapped her on the shoulder, and said he had something he would like to say:  "On Monday morning (at the all school assembly), I have a surprise for everyone.  Whoever raised the most money closest to me is gonna get this Razor 360.  Cuz I already have one."  The kids gasped, and the adults wiped tears from their eyes.  My mother's heart swelled with pride and gratitude to have a son with such a big, big heart.  It was such a special, precious moment that I know I will never forget. 

Even more precious to me, is the statement Owen made as we walked back to his classroom that day.  "Mom", he said, "I'm sure glad I won, but what I'm most excited about more than anything, is that I get to give that bike away!"  And this week, he got to do just that.  At the all-school assembly, he was able to announce the winner of the Razor 360 - a fellow first grade girl, named Alix.  She was excited, and even brought Owen cookies the next day to say thank you.  He thought that was pretty cool, too.     


So I just want to say to everyone who donated...THANK YOU.  Thank you for supporting the American Heart Association.  Thank you for supporting Owen and our family as we continue to walk through these difficult days, and thank you for providing my son with the opportunity to pay it forward....to take the kindness and generosity you have shown, and pass it along to someone else.  To see that it IS better to give than to receive...a life lesson that his daddy lived by.  And if he's anything like his daddy (and I know he is!) - he is just getting started!

God Bless,
Carrie

In Memoriam

It's hard to believe that my dear, sweet husband passed away one year ago today.  The reality that it has been a whole year since I have held his hand...heard his voice...hugged his neck - it just seems unreal.  While the days seem to drag on, the months have flown by faster than ever before.   We miss him terribly, and love him greatly.  That will never ever change.  Our sadness remains, and I am beginning to understand that this thing called grief doesn't just go away one day.  Grieving isn't something that heals you...it is a process that changes you. But I believe with all of my heart, that by choosing to trust God through it, I will be changed for the better...to be a better minister of His Word and Spirit, and to become just a little bit closer to the person God created me to ultimately be. 

I still find myself asking God "why?" from time to time...and if I'm honest, I could still ask that question every second of every hour of every day, but more and more I am choosing instead to replace it with prayers of gratitude:  that we had the time we had together, that I had the honor of really  knowing and sharing my life with such an amazing, Godly, giving, and funny man.  It truly was so much more beautiful than I ever could've imagined.  And for that I am truly blessed.

I have spent the past few evenings looking at old photos and other little treasures, and something I stumbled upon led me to pull up Jeremy's blog.  (jdalton27.blogspot.com).  It was such a gift to me to be able to go back and read through those old posts...to be reminded just how opinionated and funny he was.  I shed many tears, but a good number of them were from laughter.  

In honor of Jeremy, I am copying one of his blog posts below.  There are so many things I loved about Jeremy.  But the two things I loved the most were his love for the Lord and his love for others.  Knowing Jeremy's heart for Christ has brought me so much peace.    As much as he loved me and our precious children, he did love Christ more.  And He loved to worship...whether it was by singing in church or by serving his community. He understood that worship is what this life and our eternal life to come is all about. 

It brings a smile to my face to think of him worshiping his heart out face to face with his Savior.  I know he is loving every minute of it. 

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Alabaster Jar 

by Jeremy Dalton

A while back, Kyle and the band at Journey started singing Alabaster Jar by Gateway Worship. I don't know what it is about this song, but every time we sing it I lose it. I'll be singing and tears just start pouring down my face.

It is an interesting thing to worship while basically crying. Vulnerable is the word that comes to mind. I am a self-conscious person and wasn't really comfortable with it (as if anyone was paying attention to me). So, I tried to wipe the tears as they came. Now I embrace it. I feel like I am truly worshiping. The only thing in that moment is me praising the one true God. The One who has blessed me beyond measure. The One who sent his son to die on a cross for me and you.

As I thought more about the song and read the lyrics and the story in the Bible it is based on (Luke 7:36-50), I realized the thing I love about the song and the story is that it is about giving. This woman brought the one thing she had that was worth anything and she broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus feet. This was after she washed his feet with her tears.So the question becomes, "what is my Alabaster Jar?" What do I need to bring to Jesus? I don't really know the answer right now. I know I need to figure it out and give it to God. What about you? What is your Alabaster Jar?

Alabaster Jar - Gateway Worship
This alabaster jar
is all I have of worth
I break it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
You're far more beautiful
More precious than the oil
The sum of my desires
and the fullness of my joy!

Like You spilled Your blood,
I spill my heart as an offering
to my King

Chorus
Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat
For Your glory take me

The time that I have left
is all I have of worth
I lay it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
And though I've little strength
And though my days are few,
You gave Your life for me
So, I will live my life for You

Bridge
Worthy, Worthy
You are worthy
Worthy is the Lord

Posted 3rd August 2009 by Jeremy Dalton

 

I Pinned It & I Did It: Baked Oatmeal Casserole

A couple of days ago I stumbled upon a pin for Baked Oatmeal Casserole.  (original post here )  It just looked too amazing to pass up.  So, last night, my best sous chef, Camille, and I decided to go for it.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE recipes that just keep on giving, and this is definitely one of them.   It only takes a few minutes to whip up, and once baked, you have enough servings to last several days - if not the whole week.  Such a big help on those busy mornings!

I only made two changes to the recipe below.  I used raspberries instead of strawberries.  Baked strawberries just didn't sound appealing to me, and I had raspberries on hand that needed to be used.  Camille vetoed the cows milk, so we substituted her favorite almond milk instead. 

 Gluten-Free Baked Oatmeal Casserole
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnut pieces
1 cup strawberries {any berries work}
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2 cups milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

 Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal).
In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.

 

 

Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set. For an extra tasty top, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of extra brown sugar.

 

Enjoy! 

The recipe states that it serves six, but you can easily get 8-10 out of it...maybe more.  I let it cool completely, and then placed in the refrigerator overnight.  Served it up in bowls this morning...microwaved for about 45 seconds.  I ate mine plain. Camille liked hers with a little (almond) milk poured on top.  It was a delicious breakfast, easy and fast!   Can't go wrong there!

One of the best things about this recipe are the many ways you can mix it up.  Blueberries and white chocolate chips.  Apples and cinnamon chips. Pumpkin and butterscotch chips.  So many ways to keep it interesting!   Feel free to comment and let me know what worked for you!

I Pinned It & I Did It: Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful day at my sisters house with lots of immediate and extended family.  I was responsible for the green bean casserole, pumpkin bread and cranberry sauce.  Most of our family enjoys the gel from the can variety, but a few of us can't do without the real thing.  So I decided to use half a bag of cranberries to make a small dish of sauce.  With half a bag of cranberries left over, I set out to find a use for them.  



Of course, I headed straight for Pinterest and it did not disappoint.  I found a pin for Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.  (link to the original source here)  It was super easy to assemble, and most importantly, everyone loved it!  I halved the recipe and it was more than plenty for 15 adults and a few kids to snack on before Thanksgiving dinner.  Also note, that even though many of the ingredients have a kick to them, this really was not a spicy dish at all.  The cranberries and sugar counteracted the heat nicely.  I will definitely be making this again soon.  

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Time: 15 minutes prep + 4 hours refrigeration

Yield: 15 servings

Recipe adapted from Heather Peterson

1  12 oz package fresh cranberries, chopped

1/4 C green onion, chopped

1/4 C cilantro, chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 1/4 C sugar

1/4 t cumin

2 T lemon juice

dash salt

2  8 oz packages cream cheese

1. Put your cranberries in a food processor or mini chopper.  You could also, just chop them up.  

2.  Combine all ingredients EXCEPT the cream cheese.   Refrigerate at least 4 hours.   

3.  Spread softened cream cheese onto platter.

4.  Top evenly with cranberry mixture.

5.  Serve with Wheat Thins, Ritz Crackers or Tortilla Chips.

  

**Remember I halved this recipe.  It served 15 of us and I still have some leftover!   

The Problem with the Re-Pin

About a month ago, I discovered the wonderful world of Pinterest.  For those of you who are not familiar, Pinterest is a unique social networking sight.  Instead of posting a personal status, you create virtual bulletin boards where you can post pictures of projects you are working on, recipes you are baking, products you love, or fashion/interior design/home decor styles that you either currently have in your home or simply dream about having one day.

You can follow the boards of people you know, and of others you don't know on the site. It is brilliant!  There is an endless supply of beautiful things to choose from to get your creative juices flowing.  Since joining Pinterest, this non-crafty girl started her very first wreath.  I have framed printable artwork just for the holidays.   A picture on pinterest inspired me to organize closets in my home that otherwise would never have been touched, and would probably be busting at the seams.  It is a good thing!


I have a confession, though.  I rarely post original ideas.  If you search my boards, only two or three of my pins are original.  Every other photo on them, is a result of the Re-Pin.  A Re-Pin is where you re-post someone else's  photo onto your own board.  On one hand this is a great thing.  You see a beautiful project you would love to duplicate in your own home, or a recipe you think your family would love, and you Re-Pin it to your own board to save the idea for later.  So when the mood strikes, it is easy to find and easy to get started.  But on the other hand, how do you know if the project is really as simple as it seems?  Or if the recipe is really as delicious as it looks?  There are rarely follow up posts to let you know if the undertaking was a piece of cake, just one giant headache or something in between.


And that is the inspiration for this latest blog post.  I am going to keep track of the Pinterest projects I actually decide to tackle, and give an honest review of how an everyday un-crafty, somewhat skilled cook is able to succeed or fail at them.  You can see them on this blog and on my Pinterest board:   I Pinned It & I Did It! 

Happy Pinning!

B90D: Day 4

Owen's Assignment:  Genesis 40
Owen seemed really interested in this story.  He had lots of questions and read the entire chapter without a single complaint or distraction...probably because we read just before bed tonight and he was stretching it to the max!  He is pretty familiar with the life of Joseph, and I was blessed by our talk about the reading and the many ways God used Joseph to bless others. 

S:  "We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them."  Then Joseph said to them, "Interpreting dreams is God's work.  Go ahead and tell me your dreams."  Genesis 40:8

O:  God gave Joseph the ability to do his work, and then he used that work to change Joseph's life.

A:  God (or the Holy Spirit) helps me to do God's work, too.  We can help others with the gifts He has given us just like Joseph helped others by interpreting dreams. 

P:  We prayed, giving thanks to God for the gifts He has given us and for the ways He will use us to help others.  We asked him to help us see when we can help others and to act upon it.
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Mom's Assignment:  Genesis 40:12-50:26

S:  "You intended to harm me, but God meant it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children."  He reassured them and spoke kindly to them.  Genesis 50:20-21

O:  Joseph understood the big picture.  He was able to look past all of the hurt (and presumed bitterness), and see that God had used his circumstances for good.  I will admit that when I've been wounded, the thought of getting even has brought a smile to my face.  Now those of you who know me realize that I am probably the last person on earth to actually act on such thoughts, but there are times when the only relief for burning anger is the thought of revenge.  I imagine that Joseph had thoughts similar to this at one time as well.  Yet, when he was faced with the opportunity to even the score, he not only resisted, he took a giant leap in the opposite direction.  He was exceedingly generous with his brothers, making sure their every need was met, and even being KIND to them!  If only I could be so gracious!


A:  Look for God at work in every situation.  Focus on the positive outcome instead of the negative events that transpired on the journey to my destination.  Ask God to heal the hurt, and help me forgive.

P:  Heavenly Father,  Thank your for being a God who forgives.  Your mercy and grace astound me.  I long to have the heart for forgiveness that you possess.  Please remove past grudges and help me to take on new offenses with a heart of compassion and kindness, and to walk in the freedom of forgiveness.  Amen

B90D: Day 3

Owen's Assignment:  Genesis 28
Owen did a great job reading through the chapter despite the unusual names and places.  He was a little squirmy through our review and discussion of what we'd read, so mom had to help out a little more today.  But here is what we came up with together:

S:  "What's more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go.  One day I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you."    Genesis 28:15

O:  God had a plan for Jacob's life, and he has a plan for my life too.

A:  Knowing that God has a plan for my life helps me to trust him.

P:  I led Owen in prayer thanking God for his promises and plans for us, and asking God to help us trust him.

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Mom's Assignment:  Genesis 28:20-40:11
Today's reading was an interesting mix.  Lots of that biblical genealogy that always keeps us on the edge of our seats (NOT!), and some crazy tales that could give today's reality tv stars a serious run for their money.  At first glance, it appears that God is almost absent from these pages because there isn't as much interaction between God and His people as we have seen leading up to this point.  But if you look deeper into the events taking place, you can clearly see that God is using each circumstance to fulfill the promises He has made. 

S:  "When the master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant."  Genesis 39:3-4

O:  Joseph's obedience made it obvious to those around him that God was with him.  They knew that his success came from God.  People wanted Joseph around...not because he was a nice guy (which I'm sure he was) or because he was good at what he did, but because they knew that he had God on his side. They could see with their own eyes that he lived under the blessings and the provisions of God.  The way that Joseph lived his life brought glory to God...not to himself.

A:  Walk in obedience to the Lord so that other's might see the work He is doing in me.  Give credit where credit is due.  When I receive praise for something I have or have done, do I give the glory to God?  Or am I too quick to take all of the credit myself.  I have to admit that sometimes I "secretly" give glory to God.  Even when I recognize the source of my success, I am often intimidated....Afraid that others will think I am weird if share the truth about the source of my blessings.  There have been countless times that the words, "Glory to God", have been on the tip of my tongue, but I have backed down for fear of the look on the person's face after I say it.  But the truth of the gospel is that we walk in God's abundant grace and blessings SO THAT we can make God's glory know to the ends of the earth.  If I only accept the first part of that statement, I am not truly living out my calling as a follower of Christ.

P:  Lord, I am humbled and overwhelmed at the way you have blessed my life.  Thank you for showering me with your goodness even when I do not deserve it.  Help me to recognize your provisions in my life.  I never want to take a single blessing from you for granted!  I want to care more about what you think of me than what others do.  Give me the confidence to be bold in sharing your work, your grace, your blessings in my life with others.  Give me a voice for you.  Help me to live a life of obedience to your word, so that you may use my life to reveal your glory to everyone around me.  Amen.