Walk by Faith

Yesterday was my 30th day between projects. I had the "30 day" talk with my HR rep...wow a bit humbling. 10 months ago I would have never imagined this. At this point I have applied to over 45 internal roles and have had very few leads. Today I feel as if I have lost all direction and am am starting to realize 30 days went by way to fast. I am struggling with decisions to travel my life away and be employed or to take a leap of faith and hold on.

I decided to take a walk at lunch today even though it was overcast and looked a little chilly out. When I got downstairs I was regretting not taking a coat and figured I would just make this quick. After about 5 minutes I noticed the sun peaking through and the temperature warming up, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. I walked around for about 25 minutes listening to my ipod and turned down the street my office was on. The song 'Walk by Faith' came on by Jeremy camp, and I started listening to the lyrics..."Will I believe you when you say,
Your hand will guide my every way , Will I receive the words You say, Every moment of every day" seemed fitting. It's then when I notice the clouds rolling in over the lake and the fog engulfing some of the buildings, a chill was back in the air. It was metaphoric for me really...how the fog clouds your vision, makes things impossible to see....but God saying the fog and clouds don't last forever, showing me a glimpse of whats on the other side a... crystal clear day. I hear the words of the song and know its true..."You've been so faithful for all my years, With the one breath, You make me new, Your grace covers all I do."

So back into the clouds I walked as I headed back to my desk... "Well I will walk by faith , Even when I cannot see , because this broken road, Prepares Your will for me, Help me to RID my endless fears...Hallelujah, I will walk by faith...."

Chicago through the view of our new Powershot...

and the window of the car...

In Memory

God called our friends, Kendra and Aaron's, baby home on Friday, March 28th. Our hearts our heavy with sadness for his parents but rejoice that he is now truly home. He will be deeply missed.

Kelan Joseph Lengel, 4 months old, had to fight his way into the world. After arriving 6 weeks early, on November 20, 2007, he spent 3 weeks in the NICU at the Toledo Hospital making what doctors said was an amazing recovery. He came home and was such a sweet baby and a blessing to our lives. On Friday, March 28, 2008, Kelan unexpectedly left us in his sleep to be with his Creator. He leaves behind his father, Aaron Joseph Lengel and mother, Kendra Lynn Lengel; along with two older brothers, Aiden (3 years) and Kolbrin (1 1/2) years. He is also survived by loving grandparents, Kenneth and Jayne Bixler, Waterville, OH, and Joseph and Karen Lengel, Monclova, OH; aunts, Jessa Bixler and Mary Lengel; uncle, Joe and Tenille Krischan; uncle, Matthew Lengel and cousins, Kaya Nicole Bixler and Layla Grace Lengel. Kelan, you were a part of our lives for such a short period of time but we are so blessed to have seen you smile and look into your blue eyes. We will forever remember how precious you are and how much you are a part of our lives..... our baby boy.

...Hypnotised...

While on our last cruise, there was a hypnotist comedian during one of the nightly shows. John was selected with 20 other people to be hypnotised. I was very skeptical and did not think that she would actually be able to hypnotise him. Boy was I wrong. After 5 short minutes my husband was complete lost in a trance and at the mercy of this woman. Two of the highlights for the night were when she told him to that there stage was full of nails that he must hammer down....with his butt and the second clip was when she told him he was the newest Cantonese rap star.

Sorry for the bad camera work on this one...I was laughing so the picture is shaky...

While this is all very funny now, I do have to admit it was a little creepy while I was watching him. He looked very distant and was very serious the whole time the show was going on. So while other people were doing very stupid things right in front of him (as he also did in front of them) everyone on stage was stone cold faced, no laughing no smiling.

To hypnotise the group, all she did was have them focus on her, then close their eyes and deeply relax. She did not really touch them or wave anything in front of their eyes. She simple talked them into it. So strange, neither of us ever thought he would go under! He told us that he was fully aware of everything going on, he knew where he was and what he was doing but he just could not really explain why he was doing it. Basically said he was doing it because she told him to.

The whole thing has been such an experience for both us and my parents. We've even been studying where hypnosis falls into Christianity. Surprisingly, very little is said in the Bible about it, but the general consensus is that under the right circumstances and used for others benefit it is not a sin to be hypnotised, but there is danger if you let the wrong person have control over you.

A weekend (plus some) with Max

Last week I had to go to Wilmington, DE for work and although I really missed my Husband and my own bed, I got to spend time with my crush (whom John refers to as my boyfriend) and the best part was that I didn't have to share him with anyone.

New Port Harbor

Is anyone else ticked that Clay took Chrissy back? Come on people!

Merry Christmas from Max, Auntie Em, & Uncle Cashew

The rest of the family...



Maybe Auntie Em and Uncle John will stick to wearing the candy cane ears next year.

My Very First Tap Recital...as promised

John had to sit with all the soccer moms tonight and watch my tap dance recital. It was a recital for all ages ending with the 2 and 3 year olds. I'm in red.

Meeting Pedro...I mean Max....

This weekend I flew to Maryland to meet the newest member of the family. Max, my new nephew is perfect in every way! I’m pretty sure him and I have the same lips. We spent all weekend snuggling, sleeping, and watching him. I already can’t wait to fly back for Christmas to spend some more time doing the same.

His website has more pictures.

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

Max Diegel was born today at 1:05 cst. Mom & Baby are doing fine. Grandma Jeannie almost didn't make it.

Notice the 'Rock On' fingers! More pictures are located on his website at www.diegelboy.blogspot.com