The Josties - "What Happy Is" Official Music Video

I strive to remember......

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

I just came across this song on a friend's facebook and I was immediately quite taken by its title and had to listen to it. I had planned on writing a Christmas message but just hadn't thought of what to say so I will let the words of this song speak for me.

Where's the Line to See Jesus?"
(An Original Song)
Performed by father and daughter, Steve Haupt and Becky Kelley
Inspired by grandson, Spencer Reijgers

The story behind the song, as told by Steve Haupt:
"While at the mall last year, my 4 year old grandson saw kids lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God's son, with the innocence of a child, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? If Christmas is Jesus' birthday, why don't we see Him more? As his grandpa, I was so happy that little Spencer understood the meaning of Christmas at such a tender age, and then the words for a song were jotted down in just a few minutes. The song was inspired by my grandson, and the message was inspired by my Savior. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation and our song will cause people to reflect on the love of Jesus, and the certainty that one day we will all stand in line to see Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone."


Written by Steve Haupt and Chris Loesch
Recorded at Shock City Studios, Saint Louis, MO
Produced by Chris Loesch
Video by Robbie Haupt and Greg Haupt

Sometimes it takes the wisdom and wonder of a child to make us really think. Let us remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. Keep CHRISTmas in your heart this season and throughout the new year. May His love embrace your family. Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Stephanie Nielson's family marks her year of survival

I started reading about Stephanie before the horrible accident that changed her family's lives forever. She is a great writer. I loved reading about her and her beautiful family. I had linked to NieNie Dialogues from another blogger and NieNie became a frequent blog read. After the accident, I continued to follow her story. I have seen her on Oprah and The Today Show and now her story written by Jamiee Rose is featured in Arizona Central Newspaper. Whether you are a NieNie follower or not, you need to read this. It's up close and personal and tells as Stephanie put it "my journey from the accident to now and becoming a mother again". Stephanie is an amazing woman, a beautiful and strong woman with a loving and caring heart. This week features 4 chapters and next Sunday more chapters will be released.

Have you heard of Susan Boyle?

If you haven't, then you should read on. If you have, she's worth hearing again. I received an email from our very good friend, Bill. He doesn't send emails often and when he does, he isn't "linking" to another site, so I thought, "I better see what this is."

Now I must admit when Susan walked out I was probably thinking what the majority of the audience and the judges were thinking, "Who is this woman? What talent does she have? I bet she's going to be like Renaldo Lapuz and entertain by being a ridiculously funny singer." What I heard was entirely different. (Scroll down to the bottom to mute my playlist.)

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 - Click here for this week’s top video clips

If you want to hear the whole song and the judges talking to her, please click here: Susan Boyle sing, "I dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. When she started to sing, I got a big smile and I became more entranced and delighted as the voice of the angel continued. The audience felt the same as I did and the judges were mesmerized as well. I only got to listen once because I was off to school, but as soon as I got home, I started to listen to to her sing over and over. At times, I got teary eyed because of her talent and listening to the words of the song, I think they must tell some of her life story. Watch the judge, Piers Morgan, when he is watching her sing. He loves her and he is glowing with joy while watching her sing.

Here are the Lyrics(Thanks to NewHotdox)

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

And still
I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

I had a dream my life would be
So different form this hell I'm living
so different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.

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After listening to her, I thought why are we so judgmental? Why did we automatically assume she wouldn't have talent? My momma always told me, "Don't judge a book by its cover" and "Beauty is only skin deep" and "It's what's inside that counts". Thankfully, I was reminded of these lessons once more and I hope and pray I won't be so quick to cast judgment. The right time to judge someone is NEVER! Let us not miss out on chances to know wonderful people because we are only looking at their cover. Lest we not forget some of the beautiful people-actors and actresses, famous sports figures, and some of the awful and mean actions and words they have spoken. Look within a person to know their true beauty and worth.

Susan Boyle-You are a delight! You make me smile, laugh, and cry!! I wish you the very best. Your dream is now my wish. GOOD LUCK!! I'm going to be watching for you and when you get your first CD published, I will be one of many to buy it.

An Amazing and Inspiring Man

My principal sent our staff a link to this video today and asked us to take about 5 minutes and watch it. This is about Nick Vujicic and he's 25 years old. He was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. I did my best to download the video here, but something is wrong with the code so just click on his name and you can see it.


I must say I felt some guilt after watching this; after all I am guilty of complaining. My level of complaining varies depending on what's going on with me, my family, job, etc. My poor hubby probably suffers the blunt of this and that's not fair to him. When my kids were younger and at home they got to share in the wrath of mom. I know I do need to vent and let off steam from time to time, but I don't need to take out my frustration on others. Does complaining accomplish anything or does it bring me more unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and self pity? I'm thinking I don't really need any more of those......

incredibly strong people

since i started my blog, i've linked to many other blogs that i find fascinating and in some cases incredible. incredible, because of the challenges they face each day and the lives they have lived. i wanted to pass a couple on to you.

the first is about Randy Pausch
i have followed randy's story since i first heard him doing "The Last Lecture" on oprah. he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 25th.


this is a blog i just happened to come across from a friend's blog. beware, it's hard to read and i've cried many times as i have read angie's story. it's about a young mom's life and and handling a child's death. her writing is amazing though and i have drawn strength and wisdom from her words. it's also where i first heard the song, all that i can say, by the david crowder band.