Photo of the Week - January 26, 2014

Front row seats at a Fernando Ortega concert on Saturday night. All of the songs were special. As I come off of vacation travel and plan for business travel, these lyrics were especially sweet.

Neon lights Flickering
Outside the cafe'
Ice on the windshield
Stars in a black sea
On a winter road
Flurries of snow
I'm ready to go

Past farmhouse and pasture
Our voices together
Rise to the drumming
Of big-rigs and trailers
Long hours to daylight
A rumbling bus
Our bed and our board

Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Safely home

In the towns of this highway
The people are kind
They welcome us in
I sing in their church halls
Old hymns and prayer songs
With lifted hearts
We rejoice in the Lord

Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Safely home

I long for my family
And friends to remind me
Of where I have been
And where I am going
And where I came from

Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Heavenly father
Remember the traveler
Bring us safely home
Safely home

Photo of the Week - January 19, 2014

I met with my 'Smart Step-Mom' Group on Sunday afternoon at the Burger Barge in East Peoria. Fun, uplifting, encouraging, tasty chips!

Photo of the Week - January 12, 2014

We weren't able to visit the inside of the Dealership, but we were permitted to take pictures around the facility. Next time I'll visit on a non-holiday! The facility was incredible well maintained compared to the standards of the surrounding businesses in the industrial part of town. Yellow Pride!

Photo of the Week - January 5, 2014

We visited a Compassion International Center on the first day in Tanzania. The center was just on the outskirts of Dar es Saalam. It is a new center with about 50 kids yet to sponsor. Amazing leadership by the Compassion employees. I was impressed with their skills and heart for the kids. It is a new center (only 1 yr old) and obviously, visitors don't come often. We received a warm reception.

2013 in Review

Here is a summary of the big moments and the special people of 2013 that impacted me in such a way that I will carry the effects, the memories and the inspiration into 2014.



Tanzania - What an adventure! Jeff and I went to Tanzania for two weeks in January. I still don't have the words to explain the experience with the magnitude it deserves. Maybe that is part of why we are going back in January, 2014.

Girls Bible Study - I started meeting with some girlfriends from work for a monthly lunch. We started by going through the book of James and now we are going through the entire New Testament. God has touched me in a profound way through this group.

Work - This year was a roller coaster for me at Caterpillar. Some enjoyable days, some challenging. More than ever, I am reminded that I am at Caterpillar for a reason and the work season of 2013 has left me more confident in who God has designed me to be and as a better leader.


Morning Prayers - Everyday, Jeff and I kneel to pray. Some days I'm too busy. Some days I'm too lazy to kneel. Jeff doesn't stand for my excuses and makes me do it anyway. Obviously, that is a good thing.

Family - I love my family more everyday . . . immediate and extended. The time with them at the holidays was especially nice!

Cards - I have never put much value into buying cards. I always think they are overpriced and lack meaning. Jeff's family, however, definately puts some thought, effort and value into the practice of giving cards for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The cards I received from the kids this year on Mother's Day were thoughtful, loving and mature. There are many akward feelings and selfish moments for us step-moms on holidays, especially Mother's Day. While I don't remember the words on the cards specifically, I do remember the love and joy I felt when reading them on Mother's Day and my Birthday this year.