I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last updated my blog! Both MacKenzie and Dylan had basketball last weekend and MacKenzie had her band concert on Tuesday night. This weekend MacKenzie will be going to her second school dance. I'm still having a hard time accepting the fact that she is old enough to go to those. Another chapter in our life I guess. MacKenzie doesn't seem to think her dad and I are "cool" enough (is that the in word today or am I showing my age?) to chappareone one of her dances. Now that would be fun!

We are planning to go bowling tomorrow night after that basketball. It's been a while since we have done that and are looking forward to it. Hoping that Jeff''s folks will be able to bowl with us.

Jeff and I have both been busy at work with upcoming construction projects and bids. I'm very thankful we both have jobs (jobs that we love too). We have continued to exercise and watch what we eat. It's funny how making small changes make it more bearable. One day at a time.

I had a good visit with my oldest sister and mom today. Mom is still in the hospital but seems to be doing a bit better today. She is still not eating or drinking much so we are hoping and praying that she will regain her appetite soon. Mom was able to sleep a good portion of the afternoon and even talked in her sleep! It sounds like the doctors are going to do a CAT scan tomorrow.
Will keep you posted.

Have a great weekend!

Tonight I spent time with some dearly loved friends of mine. Laughter is such an awesome thing! Especially with friends and a cup of coffee. Over this past week I have been thinking about the things I am thankful for. It's amazing how taking captive negative thinking and counteracting it with the positive has started to change my perspective. First, none of this could have happened without the Lord carrying me and using circumstances, friends, and family to remind me of all of the wonderful things that I am thankful for. I am thankful that I have a loving and devoted husband. 2 wonderful children, that can make me laugh to the point of tears. I'm thankful the Lord gave me the tears for moments of joy and sorrow. For a warm place to sleep and food in our kitchen. For my mom, my sisters, and my brother and for the 31 years that I was able to spend with my dad.

I want to share with you some of the wonderful memories of my dad. He was 33 when I was born. One of my earliest memories of my "Pa", as I often called him, was when he came home from work he would pick me up and swing me in the air, then give me a whisker rub. I loved those moments. When I was in grade school he worked overnight at the convenience store next to our house so I would go over there in the middle of the night and hang out with him for a couple of hours. Then there was the middle school years...dad loved to embarrass me every chance he could get. He would pick me and one of my friends up from school in "Ole Nellie" which was the biggest, uggliest, green car that I have ever seen. He couldn't possible park around the block...noooo he had to park right in front of the school. And he would grin and laugh as Anna and I climbed in and tried to hide from our classmates. I miss those days but I'm thankful for the memories. Dad and I shared a passion for watching the Twins...he'd get right in front of the t.v. and yell (as if the team could here him) when things weren't going well for our team. Then there was the night that we watched the Twins win the World Series in 87. The hoopin and hollerin that went on between the two of us must have been a site. There are many memories I have of my dad but it would take a book to write them all.

One of the verses I read this week was out of Psalm 139. "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well."

What are you thankful for today?

Woo-Hoo

We survived the sleepover! Jeff wasn't overly impressed with all the giggles and laughter from the girls. Crazy as it sounds, that didn't bother me a bit; I love that age. They had a great time singing and playing the High School Musical game. Although we have decided no more sleepovers until basketball is over. Going to bed at 3:30 in the morning and getting up at 7:30 makes for a long day at basketball. Funny thing though, we didn't get a single arguement from our kids when we said it was bedtime.

As Jeff was dropping off the kids this morning our little dog, Savine, decided to tour our neighborhood. Her chain let loose and off she went. I found her a few houses down the road eating snow. As soon as she recognized me she ran right to me. It's a good thing she likes me!

Now it's off to bed.

Daily Living and Knowing Who Holds the Keys

It was great to be back at church on Wednesday night. We finished our study "Having a Mary Spirit" and will move onto "So You Want To Be Like Christ" in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to that study and hope that as I spend time in the Word and this study God will use it to mold me and make me more like Christ everyday. It was a blessing to reconnect with friends that I hadn't seen for a while. Even my "grumpy" ole friend. :0)

Jeff and I started to exercise each day and for the first time in my life I'm actually looking forward to that everyday. The kids are getting involved too. MacKenzie likes to walk on the treadmill or ride the bike and Dylan likes the rowing machine. Our dogs like to watch or take a nap as we exercise. Oh, the life of a dog!

We decided to tackle our kids' bedroom tonight since they are having friends over this weekend. I'm not sure how many times our neighbors heard my yelling as the kids were doing their typical dilly dallying while Jeff and I cleaned each room. That was not the original plan...we were just going to "help" the kids. I'm sure most of you have been there and would agree that they would probably still be up at midnight cleaning if we didn't help. We talked about being organized last night - guess my kids don't have that trait. But I wouldn't trade in either one. MacKenzie also had basketball tonight so in her defense she was extremely tired and emotional. Gotta love those pre-teen (I guess their called tweens now) years.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

I also wanted to share part of the song "He Holds The Keys" by John Mohr. I hope as you read it that you will really think about the meaning of these words and the One - Jesus Christ who holds those keys. He is mighty to save and worthy to be praised moment by moment, each and every day.

"And to all the things that have kept you away. That keep you defeated day after day after day. The heartache that nobody sees that eats at your soul like a cruel disease. He who sets the captives free, it is He; it is He; it is He who holds your keys!"

Birthday Boy

Today is our baby's 10th birthday. It's hard to believe 10 years have gone by so quickly. He was a very excited kid when he opened his presents - a tool box with new tools and a Star Wars game for the Wii. If I had been thinking (save the comments - and you know who I am talking to :)) I should have taken pictures of Dylan and Jeff playing the new game on the Wii. It was quite a sight. We enjoyed a cookie cake with 9 candles (we were one short - maybe that's wishful thinking on my part) and watched Dylan blow out 8 candles. Yeap that's right he missed one...maybe that's wishful thinking on his part. Oh, I am not ready for those days!

He was very sweet and thoughtful this morning before he left for school. I've been sick for the past 2 days and he decided to make me toast before he left. When I came downstairs after sleeping for the past day and a half I saw the plate with toast sitting on the counter. He melted my heart! I love that boy!

Both kids are having their birthday parties on Friday night. It will be a full house - 2 adults, 8 kids, and 2 dogs. Could be an interesting evening! Will update you on Saturday night if I have the energy.

On another note, I'm looking forward to starting up Wednesday activities at church this week. It is a great feeling to be exciting about meeting with fellow believers/friends again. It has been a long time! God has been doing amazing things in my life over the past few weeks and I can't wait to reconnect again.

I have been reading "The Heartache No One Sees" by Sheila Walsh and the chapter I just read is titled "Longing to be Loved" with the following verse:

"But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your name's sake; because Your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." Psalm 109:21-22

She goes on to talk about 2 sisters that lived next to each other and both had received a gift box on their front doorsteps. As each one looked in the box and found it to be empty. One said unfortunatly her box was empty and the other said yes mine is too but I will treasure it. The other sister said there is nothing to treasure. She said she planned to sit it on the doorstep each night to see if by morning it was filled. A year had passed. The sisters' experiences with the gifts were worlds apart. One sister used her box to gather flower, pick berries, filled it with autumn leaves, and put a single candle in the box to add warm light to the long winter nights. The other sister had a disappointing year. Each morning she looked to see if her box was filled. It was always empty. For one sister, the box was filled with hope and promise. The other saw it as simply empty.

The boxes represent their lives. One sees the emptiness and waits for someone to come under cover of night and fill that emptiness. One sees the box and accepts it as a gift. Part of the joy of her day is filling her life with good things. She always has something to share, something to give, while her sister waits alone.

Both are believers. One who is disappointed and one that accepts the gift of life. One is an unhappy ghost, the other one accepts the gift represents a resurrected child of God brought back from the dead places of her past.

Each of us is given the gift of life, symbolized by the empty boxes above. Think of your perspective on your life and your response to that gift. Which sister are you more like?

Lately I have been the disappointed one but God has been molding me, protecting me, and always, always loving me. He is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer! Slowly, I am starting to fill my box with the good things in life - faith, family, and friends. God has used many of you in the past few weeks to encourage me and sometimes to light a fire under me to get me moving again. I am forever greatful to you and love you!

The Braak Dash

Welcome to the Braak Dash!

As I sit here trying to figure out where to start I am listening to one of my favorite songs "Amazing Grace" (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin. The words of this song are a wonderful reminder that I am set free "My Chains Are Gone". This past year has presented new challenges and changes in the Braak household. Our oldest, MacKenzie, started middle school and has caught up to me in height and takes great delight in letting me know she will soon be taller than me. She's a blast to watch on the basketball court and it has been one of my greatest joys to hear her singing in the car, her room, the shower, etc... Our youngest, Dylan, went from the lowest reading level to the top reading level in his class. That is an answer to the many prayers we've lifted up over the past 2 years. He loves to be in the garage with his Dad building anything and everything. And for those of you that know him you will appreciate this - we visited with his teacher after his IEP testing and "discovered" that his verbal expression is off the charts. Of course, it wasn't a discovery for us as we know he loves to talk and talk and talk and talk some more. I always joke that he talks so much because he is using his and Jeff's words for the day. Jeff and I are still at the Sioux Falls School District and feel extremely blessed to be there doing what we both love to do. He draws, I buy! It's great!

I want to leave you with some of my favorite verses that has been and continues to be a source of comfort and encouragement for me when trials rise up as we live our dash.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1

Jesus answered "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Blessings to you!