Vacation Needed!

So Scott had some time to take off and we decided to take a trip to places we had never been before. We decided since our cousin had suggested coming to Arkansas we would look into it and during the fall we thought it would be very pretty. WE didn't get in touch with our cousin but we did get to visit Scott's Aunt and Uncle in Tulsa, His youth leaders in Little Rock, and the West/Lewis's in Monroe Louisanna. It was a great trip. Scott and I had fun driving around Eureka Springs and going through caves. Exploring the Arkansa land and we thought it was pretty amazing. We are such Colorado goo roo's so going somewhere else close was a little bit of a stretch but we loved it.
We were refreshed listening to Music and driving through nature. It was awesome. God really encouraged us and allowed us to be an encouragement to our friends. We were just going for a trip and we were rewarded with being a blessing to others. We were able to get a tour of Family Life. It was a very beautiful building and their work there was amazing. All the things they are doing in other countries is amazing. PTL.
I learned never to put God in a box and allow God to use you in everything and everywhere you go. I love the desire of my husband's heart even more. We had such a wonderful time and I really feel like he has softened my heart everyday. He is amazing.

Pray like you mean it!!!!!!

So my birthday is over and I am now closer to 40 then I ever thought I would be. Aughuagh.. The shear thought of it makes me just want to throw up my hands and say okay when do I get my new body??? Oh yeah not until Heaven. Seems so far away. So Scott and I have been working on having a baby. I know many of you who read this are close enough to us, I am not telling you anything you don't already know. But I woke up this morning and thought... Why am I not praying like he is going to answer? I mean pray like God this is your promise and desire for us. To increase our number and multiply.
I went to Glory babes (changed the name so it won't show up on the internet) because Wendy wanted me to. Of course this is a for sure step into (hello my name is tina nickel and I have a problem). Now, no one understands but the few who are walking this road with me. It's a support group for women who have miscarriages and are dealing with infertility. So Wendy talks me into going for another friend who is having troubled times but so much worse off then Scott and I. She let's me know she will be about thirty minutes late. GREAT!!!! I get to go by myself. So I go to support her and it was tough. My fear was someone would ask me the worse question "Why are you here?" HELLO>>>>> what is Glory babes people? So then the second worse thing that would happen someone i know is there from a class I am in at church. NICE! She mentions to me..."Hi, we were hoping you guys wouldn't be in this class." YEAH US TOO!!! But as I am sitting there going.. why am I here.... I see my friend walk in and we make eye contact. I see her need for someone to understand and then this guy starts sharing his heart. Oh, I about lost it! Then the leader starts to speak and her words are so comforting. My heart warms with her sweet care and understand of the pain I am feeling. How every month it's a loss and there is no comfort but a small hope for the next month. She mentions how there are pains that are real when you find out you are not and then a friend calls about how she just found out she is pregnant. Ouch!!! You look in a People Magazine and every person has a baby or two. You walk through the grocery store and there are mothers with there babies just smiling away at YOU!
So she nails it, right! I am like wow!! I go over to my friend and we hug.. a very long time. There were three of us who were dealing with the same issue. We shared our pains and views. The leader came over and she listened. She was super sweet. I guess I knew I was suppose to be there. I love my friend. I guess my pride was just so strong I didn't want to believe or stop believing Scott and I can have children. Life deals us all different hands. I am wondering what miracle baby he has for us, that is taking so long.
I long for this child. I sing and pray. I read Hannah's prayer and I vow to God this child will make a differents and be a mighty warrior for your kingdom. Yet, I don't know if I mean it! I want this child for myself. To hold and love. Share memories, take to school, teach to read! But do I want this child for God's purpose or my own. HMMMMMM.... I guess it's God who knows my heart. I need to show him I am a good example. I haven't been reading, studying and challenging myself. Have I already given up? What motivates me to do His will or just sit around waiting for him to finally say... aahhahhhh... she isn't going to lead this child. How can I pray like I mean it. Live like I mean it! Worship like I mean it... Even when I am painfully upset with God. I can't. I need to pray God will show me to release this anger and love Him through this time. I know... this is not the path God wants me on.
Scripture does not clearly state God's purpose in creating the universe, we must be careful not to presume that it was done solely for human benefit. There is no room for false pride. We are pilgrims not tourist in this world. Here is a good quote "We might also recognize that God has called us to lives of difficult paradox, of painful negotiation between conflicting and competitive values, of seeking to cooperate with God wherever he is at work. Such a position, full of ambiguity and irony, is also full of faith and hope" Romans 8:37 This is a faith that God can be trusted and honored even when the way is dark and confusing, and a hope God works all things together for the good. (Christianity Today)
I keep holding my Saviors hand.

Scott's Birthday Bash!

Scott was very surprised at who all was coming over to our house. It was great to have so many people show up. We had a lot of people we hadn't seen in a long time and others whom we love. It was a great night of lots of kiddos and lots of laughter. I love watching others value my sweet husband. He is a great husband.

Nickel for your Thoughts on Dad's Stay

So when we were confronted with my father's health issues about three months ago. After he was put in a nursing facility, it was a scary thing for all of us. We truly found out what kind of condition they were living in and how things were not good. With Dad having had brain surgery and now a hip replacement, it's good we are finally going to have people caring about these two individuals. Tomorrow we go to the Doctor and then over to the house to visit with a social worker.
The good news is Laura is getting her surgery for her back and this might help them a ton on getting back to a normal life. But the social worker did state its good to have something in place for when someone goes down again that they can come directly back to their house instead of having to go to a nursing facility or to our house.
We are in special need for Laura to understand the importance of dad being on medicade. She is in control of his money and it's her decision. I pray she will allow him to live a normal life with care at home. This is what she has been fighting for but yet she is fighting it with not wanting him to be on Medicade. Seems ironic.
This week is much better then last. Dad is able to do more and his home health care is over this week as far as his therapy here. Last week it was just so awful because neither Scott or I felt appreciated. Dad wanted to go home and had a long talk with Laura and things are much better now.
I put this tree picture up because sometimes I feel like dad has lost so much of himself. This tree had a large branch break off from a storm recently. Everyday I walk by it to get the mail and never really paid attentions until one day a long branch stuck out like a sore thumb. Then I saw all these little branches starting to grow where the tree was missing branches. It was healing itself. I saw this little branch growing where the old one was and it reminded me.. it's just going to take time to grow. Dad needs more time to grow back his strength and gain what he has lost. Thanks Nature and God for reminding me there is still hope when so much is taken away.

Happy Fourth of July

Fourth of July was a long day. Traveling home from Colorado and then going over to Scott's Aunt's house. We shot off Fireworks and had fireworks shot on us by their neighbors. Great food and great fun even though I was super tired.
Found out Dad is being taken to a rehab center thought maybe he was headed to our house but since things are so bad for him because of the hip replacement they feel it's best he go to the home. I hope we can care for him when he starts feeling better. Lots going on and hoping to follow God's leading.. Grandma is now in HUD housing and has some assistance. I hope she is happy in Newton closer to her kids. Family is so important. I pray I will honor my father and mother the best I can.

Shockwave

It was my first tournament with these girls and we had a great time learning to work together. They are so much fun. We actually won more then I thought they would and the pitchers did outstanding. I had a blast with the girls. We became a strong team this weekend just wish some coaches would have been there to see them. Great tournament. Love these girls! So much fun!

Sports Camp in Africa!!! 930 kids loved on!

Kenya! Bring the LIght!

Going to Africa as a team leader was very rewarding. We had such a great experience of just loving on these kids and teachers with our VBS. But the most rewarding time was going into the homes of these wonderful Africans and bringing them light by cutting an opening in the roof then putting a plastic cover on it to keep rain from getting in. It was amazing sharing the GOSPEL with these people and then seeing the light transform their home. I will be forever touched with hope and love Missions of Hope gives to the people of the Slums. Mary and Wallace have done an incredible job making sure people are being helped. It's an amazing journey to be partners with them. God is so good to allow us Americans the opportunity to be apart of something so important to Him. God loves us all so much! I am in awe of God.

Heights Softball 09'

My goodness how time flies. The softball season is coming to a close we won our regional and I was very proud of our girls. Heights softball has been very fun for me this year. We actually have a really fun group of girls. Ashlea and Charolette are our seniors and they have done a great job of pushing for a regional win. We go to State this next weekend. We play Olathe East first round and it will be interesting to see how our girls do.
Congrats my sweet girls! Pray we come back with great play and have fun up in KC.

A Song for Africa

I was so hoping to bless others last night and I got blessed the most. My husband happens to be the greatest man on the planet and he is my hubby! Love it! Last night I was feeling a little discouraged over the day events and just spending some quality time with him before the concert helped calm my nerves. As my husband was praying in the parking lot when I looked up and my father and step mother arrived to the coffee shop, my heart skipped a beat as I was thankful they came. Even though there has been rough times with them lately it was a joy to see them there supporting our cause. Dad looked tired and yet Laura looked strong. I often wonder how she has the strength sometimes. I am not giving up hope my father will understand who God is and how God can love him. It's my miracle prayer and I will not give up on my God's love for my father.
The songs went smoothly and the concert seemed well received. We raised a ton of money for our trip. It was a blessing to just see how God touched the hearts of those who were there.

New Camera and Softball Season

We are very excited to have our new golden canon camera. It's small and takes amazing pictures. So we will start loading more pics very soon. Yeah!!!!

Softball season is going well. Our JV team has gotten smaller but very managable. With music concerts and grades kids have been falling behind and most of my JV kids had to play both C and JV it was four games a week. Scott and I have enjoyed the kids but we are glad it's coming to a close. May has been super busy. Varsity is 12-4 for the season and is in third place in League. We should have a good Regional and hopefully go to State again.

Kenya Trip is coming up very soon and we are so looking forward to hanging out with kids in the two villages we will be going to. We will be working in two communities: Mabatini and Mathare North. We plan to show the Jesus File, bring some light, conduct a VBS and have some sports and games with the children. It's going to be so amazing!!!!

Spring is Here!

Scott and I are staying busy with getting prepared for our trip to Kenya, Softball games at Heights and getting our yard work done. Scott's job is going well and he has finally gotten some work, he got 6 months ago. He is helping me coach the JV team at Heights and he has done a great job lovin on the kids. We always have fun together.

We have decided, I am going to start working with a program called Shockwave. They are a softball organization and I will be a head coach. I will receive pay for the season and we plan on continuing our program throughout the school year. It's a club team for WSU and it's to promote WSU softball. I am very excited about the opportunity to help promote kids to get them to the next level!

Also, we are going to have a fundraiser at a coffee shop May 14th and I will be singing some orginial songs. I am very excited about this because we have a celloist and violinist with us. It's going to be amazing. God is so good.