mom 2 mom sales

They have these specific garage sales in Michigan called Mom 2 Mom sales and they are FABULOUS! There are about 50 a Saturday through the Spring and Summer- depending on your location. They are usually at churches and cost $1 to enter. So moms buy table space and sell their used clothes. Some moms still don't get the whole garage sale concept and try to charge $5 for an outfit. Other moms totally get it and charge $5 a bag.
So today I went to my first one since Bentley was born and it was great. I bought him fall and summer clothes- 29 pieces of clothing for under $20. AMAZING!
So anyway, there is no need to spend a lot of money on clothes when you can get it used.

Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning

My friend and future roomie in the hippie commune :), Leigh and I went to see the movie Sunshine Cleaning at the Indie theatre in Royal Oak last night. Bentley had a night watching the Red Wings and playing Settlers with the men! Anyway, so the movie was really good. It's about sisters who are struggling financially so they start a business cleaning up crime scenes and stuff- better known as bodily fluids and blood. Gross! It's about their relationship with each other and the people around them. I really liked it. So if you get a chance, rent it, pop some popcorn and get out the chocolate. You'll enjoy (I hope!)
Here watch the trailer!

thus far...

went to bad with a stomach ache after too much Mexican food
woke up at 5:50 AM to NO WATER (They had turned it off)
fed Bentley in bed
Got up found enough water in the fridge to make coffee (and leave some for teeth brushing)
read Bible and went to read my devotional- couldn't find it- David had taken it with him
heard Ben wake up- when to get him ready for the day:)
cut Bentley's finger while clipping finger nails this morning
began packing all shower essentials so I could shower at the gym so I wouldn't be sweaty when I went to meet Katherine for lunch...
came back to bedroom to find blood all over- cut bled through bandaids onto floor and all over adorable monkey outfit
held onto cut area for over 20 min while waiting for it to clot
heard water start working again!
David came home to care for baby and sent me off to kickboxing...
on my way I realized I hadn't eaten breakfast and became quite hungry!
arrived 15 minutes late to kickboxing (reason for tardiness: see above)
kickboxing and one mile run
returned home
ate bowl of cereal
changed Bentley into adorable outfit number 2
showered and ready- in a total of 15 minues I did all of the above after arrival home!
got into car and on highway when I realized I took the "wrong" exit to see Katherine (still able to get there- but took longer)
had a GREAT time with Katherine
Found a shortcut home
Put Bentley in bed
ate lunch
posted this blog
Bentley is awake and crying....
off to get baby and hopefully have a less eventful evening!Oh wait, it's only 1:41 PM.
Whew! what a day!

Recipes

We are moving into our hippie commune on May 2! First to move in are Chris, Leigh, David, Me, and Bentley- followed by Micah later in the month and Scott later in the summer.
We are excited.
We also have some needs as we prepare for this time... recipes! I am looking for recipes that are great for large groups of people! On a typical night there will be 6 of us- but often many more will eat in our home...

I really appreciate any and all kinds of recipes- side dishes, main dishes, and just good stuff you want to share with me!

Egg Hunts

Yesterday we had an Easter egg hunt at the park in our community. It was really fun... and a great opportunity to meet people. I forgot my camera, but Micah let me use his... so there are a variety of photographers (including a young child- you'll know his pics when you see them!) And you'll probably recognize my style too- but if you don't, it's about the 2nd half of the album.

Anyway, click the title to view the pics.

a modern day jonah pouting outside detroit

So read my previous blog first- I didn't want my post to be too long to scare people away from reading!

There is no doubt in my mind that God has called us to Detroit... and God has made it clear from the beginning. Yet we ran to our Tarshish- Ann Arbor- and while running we ended up in the belly of a big fish. Jonah was in the fish for 3 days- we were in the fish for 18 months. And it took the same kind of repenting and calling out to God to follow the Lord to Detroit. So here we are. And we're happy here. And God is working here. Yet, like Jonah, I run outside the city, sit on my rock and pout. "Why have you brought us here, Lord? Why didn't you want to use us in Tucson? I am begging for the comfort of friends and family." And I know God is conversing with me- I am not turning my back on him- just sulking about my current state.
So God provides a vine from me to comfort me from the sun- this translates to the YMCA, friendships, a wonderful place to live, etc... and the worm comes to eat it all away- although these things haven't gone anywhere, sometimes in my sulking I don't enjoy the good things God has provided me with... so the worm may as well come along and eaten them away.... at least then maybe I would recognize God's greatness even more.
So there it is... my sin out there in the open. I am still rejecting God's calling...


A Week Later....

I have been saving this post for awhile- first I wanted to edit it, but that will just take too long... so I am going to post as is.... but I want to add a few things.

1. Our time in Ann Arbor was not a waste. We learned a lot about generosity, how to be a servant, and many other things. We also developed some (hopefully) life long friendships with wonderful people.

2. I am praying more diligently to get excited about living in Detroit. I LOVE our new church and new community- and now that Spring has arrived- my spirits are lifted more and more.

Jonah

The book of Jonah is nestled in towards the end of the Old Testament. It's easy to miss- in my 1,334 page you'll find the book of Jonah on pages 916,917. The story of Jonah is a popular one. Follow the Lord, or you might end up in the belly of a big fish. I think even Disneyland has a ride that takes you into the mouth of a fish, doesn't it?!? David and I have spent time talking about our experience in Ann Arbor as our running from God to avoid where God had called us: Detroit.... but this small tale has had more impact in my life than I imagined. So first I am going to summarize the book of Jonah before I babble on with my experience.
So God calls Jonah to Nineveh, but he ran from the Lord to Tarshish and went to Joppa and goes on a ship. While on the ship massive storms come and the other people on the ship are scared and know Jonah is running from God (he told them). The storm gets worse and worse and the only way to make it calm is to throw Jonah overboard--- so over he goes and God saves him by putting him in the belly of a fish... then Jonah calls on the Lord and rededicates himself as a servant of God. So God commands the fish to vomit out on dry land. (There's a sketch for you, Sue!) Off Jonah goes to Nineveh proclaiming that the city is going to get overturned because of what they're doing... well eventually they turn back to God and He spares the city. The End. Nope... that's where I thought it ended, until I read with more care yesterday. Ch. 4 JONAH'S ANGER AT THE LORD'S COMPASSION
There's a title for you. How can he possibly be angry at the Lord's compassion? ?
So Jonah leaves the city and is outside pouting about God's compassion- how he is slow to anger and abounding in love. So he's out pouting in the sun so God provides a vine to shade him from discomfort and Jonahs was happy about the vine. The next day God provides a worm to eat the vine so it dies away leaving Jonah exposed to the heat of the sun. So the last verses in the book are, 10 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" I think God is talking about the number of people (perhaps children) in the city who are in need of a moral compass. Anyway... you can write your thoughts about that interpretation in comments if you want.

Ok now read the other post.

Click the title to view ALL the pictures from Florida

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

So everyone has been telling me how I should see this movie, and it arrived on Netflix yesterday. So Scott, David, and I watched it this afternoon. I just finished A Fine Balance for the 2nd time and it is all about India (an incredible read by the way... thanks Jane!) So anyway about the movie... it is really good! I love the cinematography... especially the opening scene. The stories in the beginning are all along the same lines as the stories in A Fine Balance... further revealing the painful truth about India.
So I definitely recommend the movie. The whole find your love and win a million bucks isn't my favorite, but showing the truth about life there is really intense and worth experiencing.
So Steven... I think you should see it... oh and Jane too... since the two of you are all anti Slumdog!

peace

I found our seat on the plane yesterday. I hate planes. They are loud, crowded, and the turbulence scares me.
Bentley sat on my lap, toys in hand as he waved his arms up and down making the bells jingle and smiling with his success. He turned to look at me and give me a large grin as if to say, "Hey! You're there and because you're there and I am safe I am going to keep playing here!" When the plane begins to ascend in the air I give him his bottle and he drinks away, looking up with his large eyes and smiling between gulps. He falls asleep. There was a lot of turbulence around Atlanta. As I began to tense up and fear, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and wisdom. My child rests in my arms in total confidence that I am going to take care of his every need. He need not fear because I am holding him, providing for him, protecting him... and God was trying to show my that I should have the same sense of peace and trust. So I sat back and studied the behavior of my son... his peace... and imagined myself wrapped up in God's loving arms... taking care of my every need, offering me His ultimate peace... and suddenly I felt safe... and because I felt safe and full of peace, I nodded off to sleep.

do people really want this?

So I was reading my friend's sketch blog... which is amazing by the way... and she had drawn her daughter using the technique from another artist... so I googled the artist to see what Sue's painting was created after and I found this painting and article:
The Best Places to Live


Illustration by Alanna Cavanaugh
The Classic Suburbanite
Barrington
It’s been called Borington, and that’s just fine with the residents of this perfect little suburb. This is the best place to live if you’re into the Scott’s five-step lawn fertilizer program, weekend barbecues and teaching your 2.4 children how to ride their bike on a freshly paved street. Crime is low, 100 percent of the schools are considered high performing and the kids have an academic home advantage: nearly 80 percent of Barrington moms have at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest in the state. What would the suburbs be without services and stores to cater to Ward and June Cleaver? Modeled after the village centers of New York’s Westchester County, Barrington’s downtown has a faux brick median running between the two traffic lanes and street lamps adorned with overflowing flower baskets installed and maintained by the local garden club. There are high-end women’s chain stores, quaint boutiques and a friendly bookstore. The sign of a desirable town is the reaction you get when people discover you live there. You know you’re in one when someone says, “Oh, you’re in Baaaaaarrington.”
And when I was done reading this section I just was wondering if this is something people really want. :)

FLORIDA!

So for all you who read my blog, and not David's (very few I know :) David left for Honduras yesterday. You can read more about his trip on his blog (www.bentley81.blogspot.com). I always think I am going to be fine without him... I encourage his adventures (even though it really is very difficult that he is going to the places I have always wanted to go without me)... and I look forward to his stories, but it is very hard to be apart. So as you're reading this pray that the peace of Jesus will rest upon me and that I won't fear for his safety and that I will be encouraging to him.
Since he's gone in Honduras, and I vowed last year to get out of Michigan during the gloom, I found a really cheap ticket awhile ago to go see my Papa in Tampa with my mom. Also, my aunt and her 3 children will be joining us at the end of our trip. Oh and my Papa's brother and wife will be there for a BBQ next Saturday. Unfortunately I see my family very little... and this is my only living grandparent ...so it's a big deal for me to be seeing all these people who I only get to spend time with every few years... I am looking forward to the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the ocean, and the love of family.
So there's an update of what I'll be doing!
Here are some pictures from 3 years ago at my Papa's 70th birthday. My dad flew in as a total surprise! My dad was very close with my mom's family, and he hadn't seen my papa for many years, so it was a lot of fun!


My dad, Papa, and Kate (his 2nd wife)

Me and my mom :)

The cousins... minus Michael.... Meg, me, Meredith, Meranda, and Mackenzie.... yep they all have "M's" but me!

Aunt Charlotte and me
Anyway, I am looking forward to this vacation!

ignorance

So I was telling a friend about how therapy was going well for Bentley and we probably will have him set up in Detroit in the near future, and I turned to a guy I've never met, who isn't from Detroit, and informed him Bentley has Down syndrome- so he'd know what I was talking about. So I continue my story to my friend. At the end this guy (who I don't know) says, "We had a family a in our church who has a child with Down syndrome and they changed his diet, and of course we prayed and he doesn't have Down syndrome anymore!" We were walking out the front door anyway, so I smiled and said, "Really?" and left.

1. It is not out of God's capability to change the genetics of my child, but why would He want to?
2. Seriously? (as in, I know you have no idea what Down syndrome actually is)

I got a glimpse into the world of people who share their stories and then are informed by people (with good intentions) of another person in a similar situation who was cured... or whatever. And let me give you advice.... it isn't helpful. So the next time you meet a person who can't have a baby, or is in a wheelchair, or has cancer, or has a child with autism, or a kid with Down syndrome :) don't tell them about your friend who had the same thing and was cured. Just listen with an attentive ear and offer your prayer to God silently.

The whole thing is sort of funny and annoying all at the same time!

time magazine pics

Our friend Micah emailed us this link today... the photos are exactly as Sue described in on of her comments on my post last week http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1882089_1850973,00.html

post 201! :))

This is an interesting article about Detroit! Just so you know, the $700,00+ house they are talking about is the infamous "castle house" I have been watching for 7 months! You can rent it for $3500/month. Apparently it's a maintenance nightmare! Anyway, there is NO WAY it will sell for that much money. Houses in that neighborhood don't sell for more than $150,000.... even the sweet ones! Our friends bought a house for $100 and at closing paid $2000. :) CRAZY!

(Click the title!)

Eastern Market

I bought the following items for $19.50 at Eastern Market!

Ok, I recognize 8 min is a long to keep your attention. :) Here's a link to the pictures so you don't have to view them slideshow style.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Adriennelynne82/Detroit#

on medical students

Background information:
So David and his friends have this big test in June... in the medical world it is the first board exam and the score is considered when you are applying for residency programs and it is a REALLY big deal... in the non medical world, it's just a test the medical students take after completing the first two years of schools... basically it's a comprehensive exam of the first two years. When you choose your doctor you wouldn't ask what the scores of your doctor were... you just want them to have passed!

David is taking the exam June 13 and his friends are taking it on June 20... David chose to take it a week earlier so he gets that time free before starting in the hospital in July.

So I ask, "Hey what are we all doing for Memorial Day weekend this year???"
And I get 4 straight faces looking at me like I just asked the stupidest question ever, "Studying." They respond.
Oh yeah, that's right... they have this test.

So basically the other 3 medical students who were with us that day start talking about how their performance on this test determines the type of medicine they can study and what residency program they will get into... David and I sort of challenged that thought because we believe God is Sovereign and will lead you where He wants you to be. (In his heart a man plan his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9, For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10)
This is something God has been really teaching us. Firstly, in His leading us back to Him a few years ago which we both would NEVER happen.... this alone is an extremely humbling experience.

Obviously everyone knows the biggest thing that points us to a Sovereign Lord was His bringing us to Michigan. David did everything right. He had a perfect GPA, amazing MCAT score, volunteer work, and the right personality. According to the world, he was set for medical school... and we assumed ANY medical school. But God wants us here and so His will was done when Wayne State was the only school David got into.

And so when it comes time to take these exams for residency we know the same is true. David can do amazing in medical school and well on his exams.... or even just pass... and the Lord will lead us where He wants us.

So why is it that our Christian friends who are medical students think they can actually control their fate by getting a good score? Do they really think that their ability to do well or not do well is going to separate them from the will of God for their lives? Or perhaps better thought... it do they really want to control their lives apart from the will of God. "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:17 It's not that studying and doing well is a bad thing.... it's just that they are sort of stressing out about this exam and I want to be like, "Chill out, hang out with your wife, and believe that God has your best interest at heart." "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart!"
(In his defense, one of our friends is taking off Sunday which I do have respect for. But I still think he believes he can control his destiny. Which I used to believe too... until I was seriously humbled.)
They even went on to say maybe David didn't have enough extra curricular activities which is why he didn't get in. (He did by the way, he volunteered at the hospital and was a foster parent). But aside from my defending David, my point STILL stands... God wants us here. And it didn't matter that he had "done it all right"

Henri Nouwen writes in one of his books about how we are so shaped by this world that we have to RESHAPE our minds and our lives to live Kingdom lives and not follow the powers of this world. (Romans 12:2) It really is a complete TRANSFORMATION of not following into the belief system and value system of this world.... (I do hope to post more about this on another day).
He writes, "The basic question is whether we ministers of Jesus Christ have not already been so deeply molded by the seductive powers of our dark world that we have become blind to our own and other people's fatal state and have lost the power and motivation to swim for our lives."

It's so frustrating because I know I do this too. I read my Bible and I pray and I am trying to focus my mind on the things above and not on the things of this world.... but I am so tempted. I am so tempted to choose where my life is headed... I want this and that, I want to DO this and that... I want this for my family.... and I don't SEEK HIS FACE FIRST and how we can SERVE Him and love people.

I hate that we are in Michigan and I wish more than anything we could be back with our family and friends in Arizona. I hate that my son's aunts and uncles are not his actual aunts and uncles... but our dear friends here. I wish that I could control it all... it would sure restore hundreds of hours of sleep I lose because I have so much anxiety.

So I guess this post is turning into a confession of sin. A confession of sin for our fellow friends and for me. Once again Satan has enticed us away from our Heavenly Father... He is showing us his delicious apple, while God is offering me His kingdom. The problem is I can see the apple and I have to BELIEVE in the kingdom. Satan wants us to choose our life because it will lead us away from the purposeful work of the Lord.

Anyway, I was just annoyed that they weren't listening to me and still want to "do it all right." And I want them to do it right, I just want them to seek the will of the Lord first. And I want the same for myself.

Pictures of Detroit

So here are the pics I took in Detroit on Saturday... I am still going to do a set in the neighborhood we are moving into! The first two pics on this video are the apartment building we live in now. I tried to show pics of the broken buildings, as well as, some of the ones that are in use. Although, just because they are boarded up doesn't mean they aren't in use... you know what I mean! Towards the end is a series of pics on the train station that is downtown. It obviously is no longer in use. Here's the history on it: (I think you will find it quite fascinating)

Opened in 1913, the building is of the Beaux-Arts Classical style of architecture, designed by the Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stem firms who also designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal.[2] The price tag for this 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) building was $15 million when it was built.
The building is composed of two distinct parts: the train station itself and the tower which rises 18 stories. The roof height is 230 feet (70 m). Speculation as to what the tower was originally designed for include a hotel, offices for the rail company, or a combination of both. In reality, the tower was only used for office space by the Michigan Central Railroad and subsequent owners of the building. The interiors of at least the top floor had never been completed and served no function.
The main waiting room on the main floor was modeled after an ancient Roman bathhouse with walls of marble. The building also housed a large hall adorned with Doric columns and contained the ticket office and arcade shops. Beyond the arcade was the concourse, which had brick walls and a large copper skylight. From here, passengers would walk down a ramp to the departing train platforms, 11 tracks in all. Below the tracks and building is a large area for baggage, mail, and other office building functions.
The building has since been stripped of most valuable items including brass fixtures. It has also been the victim of extensive vandalism.

So enjoy this video. Oh and DO NOT put it in to full screen, you will lose the quality of the photos... which are important to me!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALIE!

Yep, today is her 7th birthday. Pray for her today. :) Pray that she'll know Christ as her Savior and Daddy who will never leave her or forsake her... and is the only One who can fill the empty spaces and pain she is going to face. And praise God that He has brought me to a place where I can rejoice in her birthday and not be sad that she isn't with us. Enjoy being reminded of her laughter and love!