tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67285764920287801192024-03-05T08:11:23.030-08:00The Sufficiency of GraceKelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-41039018861674772022012-07-23T07:42:00.002-07:002012-07-23T07:42:43.080-07:00I'd rather have Jesus....<blockquote>
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; <br /> I’d rather be His than have riches untold; <br /> I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; <br /> I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand<br />
<blockquote>
<em>Than to be the king of a vast domain, <br /> Or be held in sin’s dread sway; <br /> I’d rather have Jesus than anything <br /> This world affords today.</em><br />
</blockquote>
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; <br /> I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; <br /> I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; <br /> I’d rather be true to His holy name.<br />
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; <br /> He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb; <br /> He’s all that my hungering spirit needs; <br /> I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.<br />
(Rhea F. Miller, 1922)<br />
</blockquote>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-13050767937875520122012-06-02T14:05:00.003-07:002012-06-02T14:05:40.783-07:00Prayers, Faith, and Healing<span style="font-family: Times;"><b>I wrote this post about prayer and healing six years ago shortly after Erik died.</b><br />
<br />
Sep 17, 2006<br />
There is a question that I think many of us have wrestled with since Erik's
death. There were so many people praying for Erik to be
healed. People all over the world were praying for healing, and yet
God still took Him. Were our prayers in vain? Why pray if God will
ultimately do what He wills anyway? I have wrestled with these
questions and still do, but there have been a couple of things that have helped
me to have perspective and most of all, to trust God. <br />
<br />
I read a great chapter in an Elisabeth Elliott book entitled, "On Asking
God Why." This particular chapter was written by her brother,
Thomas Howard. I believe he wrote it shortly after Elisabeth's second husband
died of cancer. He addressed the "what about all the
prayers" question. What about all the prayer vigils, the
fasting, elders laying hands and anointing oil, etc.? Yet, God
remained silent and deliverance did not come. <br />
<br />
Thomas writes of why is it that Jesus seemed to heal a complete stranger, yet
even those in His closest circle were not healed. For instance, John
the Baptist was beheaded and James was killed in prison. What about Paul, who
had a healing ministry and the handkerchiefs that were sent out from him that
brought healing to others, yet he could not heal himself. After much
pleading, God still did not take away the thorn in his flesh. God is mysterious
and His ways are unsearchable.<br />
<br />
Thomas writes, "We prayed, with much faith or with little; we searched
ourselves; we fasted; we anointed and laid on hands; we kept vigil. And nothing
happened. Did it not? What angle of vision are we speaking from? Is it not true
that again and again in the biblical picture of things, the story has to be
allowed to finish?" </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Were
the prayers lost? Did they have any effect? Thomas then
says, "Hadn't they? How do you know what is piling up in the great
treasury kept by the Divine Love to be opened in that Day. How do
you know that this death and your prayers and tears and fasts will not together
be suddenly and breathtakingly displayed, before all the faithful, and before
angels and archangels, and before kings and widows and prophets, as gems in
that display? Oh no, don't speak of things being lost. Say rather
that they are hidden-received and accepted and taken up into the secrets of the
divine mysteries, to be transformed and multiplied, like everything else we
offer to him--loaves and fishes, or mites, or bread and wine-and given back to
you and to the one for whom you kept vigil, in the presence of the whole host
of men and angels, in a hilarity of glory as unimaginable to you in your vigil
as golden wings are to the worm in the chrysalis."<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Then
just this weekend, one of my pastors, Nate, helped me to have a little
perspective on the prayer issue. We were talking and he said,
"I guess it all depends on what the purpose of prayer is." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">He
added, "Is it to get our requests (which certainly God grants) or is it to
know God?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">God
wants us to ask Him for things, but ultimately He wants us to know
Him. I think many of us can attest to the fact that we have grown
closer to the Lord through this and through our prayers for Erik's healing.
Does that make it easier? No way, but that still doesn't change the truth that
God is deepening our relationship with Him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">God
is mysterious and His ways are unsearchable, but our prayers are not in vain.<br />
<br />
I am clinging to Him and seeking to give Him the desires of my heart including
praying for healing for friends who have health issues including
cancer. Is it easy? No. Does God want me to trust Him?
Yes! I still wrestle and will continue to, but oh how I want to
trust Him!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-65217555685217995682012-03-26T10:50:00.004-07:002012-03-26T17:31:45.069-07:00Less Than PerfectHow many times have I had this conversation with a young college woman who is struggling with body image? This time it was Panama City Beach, and the conversation took place with one of the girl’s who was attending the conference.<br /><br />“I really struggle with body image,” she said. And as the conversation continued, she shared that she is “being bombarded with my thoughts.” “It’s so hard to not compare to the other girls especially the ones on the beach,” she confessed. I felt her ache.<br /><br />On my way home from PCB, I was listening to the radio while the boys were watching countless DVD’s (thank you for DVD players!). A song by Pink came on titled, “Less Than Perfect.” When I listened to the song, I thought of the sweet college student who was struggling and the many who have felt this way.<br /><br /><blockquote>Pretty, pretty please<br />Don’t you ever, ever feel<br />Like you’re less than<br />less than perfect<br />Pretty, pretty please<br />If you ever, ever feel<br />Like you’re nothing<br />You are perfect to me<br /><br />You’re so mean<br />When you talk<br />About yourself<br />You are wrong<br />Change the voices<br />In your head<br />Make them like you<br />Instead<br /><br />Pretty, pretty please<br />Don’t you ever, ever feel<br />Like you’re less than<br />less than perfect<br />Pretty, pretty please<br />If you ever, ever feel<br />Like you’re nothing<br />You are perfect to me<br /><br />Why do we do that?<br />Why do I do that?<br />Why do I do that?</blockquote>I think Pink does a great job of describing what many women have felt at one point in their lives. Less than perfect. We can have this phantom image of what we should look like and be like.<br /><br />Pink says that we are so mean when we talk to ourselves. We can think some pretty wrong thoughts about ourselves. Pink’s answer: Change the voices in your head, Make them like you instead.<br /><br />In one way, I agree with her. The voices need to be changed. However, the answer is not a self help strategy for thinking good thoughts about ourselves. The answer lies in replacing those wrong thoughts with what God says about us. He says, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made; You are deeply loved.”<br /><br />Jesus himself is singing to us, “No, you are not perfect, but I AM, and I love you.” Our significance and worth are found in Him and Him alone! NOT in being the prettiest, smartest and best at everything.<br /><br />For all those who feel less than perfect . . . .Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-70535364422065172752012-03-18T18:10:00.001-07:002012-03-26T17:22:41.112-07:00Florida FunThe boys and I had the opportunity to spend a week in Panama City, Florida at a CRU conference with 1000 college students from all over the US. Such a fun week! I miss it already. I love getting to watch the Lord capture the hearts of college students. It's a beautiful thing! (I'll post more about the week later)<br /><br />I have family that live in the area and we got to spend one afternoon with them at their house in Paradise! (jet ski's, hot tub, beautiful gardens) Here are a few pictures from our trip.<br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqJ1rydEox8QkT-Oe6Ag0UQ28tPQ-tNReoJM5sMnyeGrHeSSk98X5FSYHGbBE__CErg3su2vSMw_eJn1gRB2uV73sLk0p1TSJJ-P14vLkYRmGR8s0XnQv3Okd-TukRKdyP4kgeBe58cIc/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721393227910791842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqJ1rydEox8QkT-Oe6Ag0UQ28tPQ-tNReoJM5sMnyeGrHeSSk98X5FSYHGbBE__CErg3su2vSMw_eJn1gRB2uV73sLk0p1TSJJ-P14vLkYRmGR8s0XnQv3Okd-TukRKdyP4kgeBe58cIc/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" border="0" height="400" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shamrock shakes are a must for any road trip in March!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95qem-JqWFGCxKYQrOSeXC2tRh0EpTxzUhal-3EZe4qKCRiuvPzN-vNsFyC_5RC-W3YJ5IctPJigAmi4pWGODyMl9d2d3SwaDUWAgpBc0SkDqwMbfUovCdJsIABw9x-_fyMkiOzFgGriY/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721393880938248194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95qem-JqWFGCxKYQrOSeXC2tRh0EpTxzUhal-3EZe4qKCRiuvPzN-vNsFyC_5RC-W3YJ5IctPJigAmi4pWGODyMl9d2d3SwaDUWAgpBc0SkDqwMbfUovCdJsIABw9x-_fyMkiOzFgGriY/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" border="0" height="400" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Jensen with their cousin, Steffen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA49wL1IZXNUMjRRBHTzuReFIv6TfXRXbDuCy538-6Xo1GfgafYOjuMRKB2GkCfugEw0codVXsCtWItkS3K7VG1FRHN0d8T7UB186a-G4BeAVYs31NsoJkEOonCZ8FydKQoCvktPyeLww/s1600/IMG_0017.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721394224993619346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA49wL1IZXNUMjRRBHTzuReFIv6TfXRXbDuCy538-6Xo1GfgafYOjuMRKB2GkCfugEw0codVXsCtWItkS3K7VG1FRHN0d8T7UB186a-G4BeAVYs31NsoJkEOonCZ8FydKQoCvktPyeLww/s400/IMG_0017.PNG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" border="0" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jet ski fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9y7_XYQO4wYMzlkK3exSh34z8p_ewgYKeaYmrPjzC4YbNtLprMsdkrrxvzDiTnOYxO6EG9xdVkZZc4keWbDjYJgzdOYQR-vcyduTTJJkP0BVq1nN0woqHeaHLm8-1TPMJWXlzQrPu9ru/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721394864511995042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9y7_XYQO4wYMzlkK3exSh34z8p_ewgYKeaYmrPjzC4YbNtLprMsdkrrxvzDiTnOYxO6EG9xdVkZZc4keWbDjYJgzdOYQR-vcyduTTJJkP0BVq1nN0woqHeaHLm8-1TPMJWXlzQrPu9ru/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" border="0" height="309" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys playing in the ocean with the Butler students! </td></tr></tbody></table>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-55178411530046576302012-03-03T12:55:00.004-08:002012-03-03T13:59:08.691-08:00The lonely flower<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKqqK5dv3P0gePm_jW-OWiR63nEsotxVeItiAQBwrzEEX4LU0eX8ri_0jDfSd1t3ZVfNAEIV6wR-5cnWCDdPm6PKInrO9vaHAY9upw7jWUDw2z6HWVqiTEItsLEphex-LJBfxS5pji_Cn/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKqqK5dv3P0gePm_jW-OWiR63nEsotxVeItiAQBwrzEEX4LU0eX8ri_0jDfSd1t3ZVfNAEIV6wR-5cnWCDdPm6PKInrO9vaHAY9upw7jWUDw2z6HWVqiTEItsLEphex-LJBfxS5pji_Cn/s200/IMG_5566.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715793602388359026" /></a> The boys and I were painting recently. I’m not really a painter, but my oldest, Alex, is, and he painted a beautiful picture of some flowers. There were two red tulips and one purplish/black flower. I asked him what the name of the painting was and his response was, “The lonely flower.” I was a bit puzzled because there were three flowers on the painting. <br /><br />He proceeded to explain that it was the purple flower that was lonely. I said, “But there are two other flowers right beside it, why would it be lonely?” <br /><br />He said that the red flowers were a father and his son and the purple flower was a father without a son. That’s why he was lonely. “Don’t you see his head drooping, mom?” <br /><br />Uh, no I don’t, but one must never argue with the artist.<br /><br />I can identify with the lonely flower. Longings unfulfilled. There have been lots of lonely days since Erik’s death. Some days it feels palpable.<br /><br />It’s easy to run to other things to fill the loneliness. For me, TV and Facebook are joy stealers. Not that they are inherently bad, but often it’s my default when I am lonely. Others run to alcohol, drugs, sex.<br /><br />I read Psalm 16 to Erik the day that he died. In these verses, the Psalmist practically screams of God’s presence and ability to satisfy our longing hearts. “He is at my right hand;” “My heart is glad;” “For you will not abandon me;” “You will make known to me the path of life;” “In Your presence there is fullness of joy;” “In Your right hand there are pleasure forever more.” <br /><br />We will experience this perfect satisfaction in Christ only in heaven, which is why I read it to Erik, but this is also a reminder for life here on earth. God is screaming to the lonely heart. I AM WITH YOU! I WILL BE WHAT YOU NEED! I CAN SATISY!<br /><br />And here lies the struggle . . . am I really going to believe God is enough today?Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-48697843313116069322012-01-03T17:41:00.001-08:002012-01-03T17:41:52.416-08:00IntrusionI am noticing a trend in my life and writing. I tend to talk a lot about fear, heaven and waiting. Today it’s fear. I wish I could say that I had the whole fear thing figure out, but I don’t. Life just keeps happening, and new fears emerge.<br /><br />A few days before Christmas, someone tried to break into our home. By God’s providence, our neighbor was getting out of his car (at 11:30 at night, I might add) and saw the intruder. My neighbor scared him off, and the guy ran away. <br /><br />I was left unnerved. It seemed as if this intruder was trying to get to me. I could be paranoid, but our car was in the driveway and lights were on in our house even though I was sound asleep in bed. We live in a duplex, and our neighbors’ car was also in the driveway and all their lights were on because they were still up and about. Seems like an unlikely place to rob if robbing was your intention. Especially, living on a college campus where many of the surrounding homes were empty due to students being gone for Christmas break. If I were a robber, wouldn’t I choose a home where no one was home? <br /><br />All that to say, I’ve been afraid -- really afraid. My friend, Corrie, reminded me today that “perfect love casts out fear.” What a great reminder of God’s truth! I wrestle with how to practically live that out: what does that look like on a daily basis? Perhaps, if I’m spending my time thinking about how to love God and others, I won’t be so afraid. I won’t be consumed with the “what if’s.” <br /><br />That doesn’t mean that I don’t put more security measures in my home, but in the midst of that, I am praying that I grow a lot in loving this year because living in fear is not really living.Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-86379779579238496082011-12-10T18:05:00.001-08:002011-12-10T18:05:18.954-08:00Perfect daysAs I sit in Starbucks, it’s a seemingly perfect morning. It’s my day off. I’m drinking my pumpkin spiced latte (oh, sad day when the holiday drinks will no longer be served and I’ll have to wait an entire year for a sip of my favorite drink). Did I mention that snowflakes are falling outside, and Starbucks is playing music from the Nutcracker? I also just received notification from the library that the book I have been waiting for is in. I was number 64 on the waiting list.<br /><br />Pinch me! What a delightful and wonderful morning!<br /><br />As great as this morning is, it is a dim picture of what’s to come. This Advent season I am not only trying to remember that Jesus came to earth as a baby, but that He is coming again. Pumpkin spice lattes’, days off, and snowflakes are a pale comparison to what’s coming. <br /><br />I am also reminded that those seemingly perfect mornings are rare. Life as we know it is plain hard sometimes. This time of year, I am always reminded of Christmas morning 2004. “Your husband has a brain tumor,” the emergency room doctor said. “He has a what!” I was utterly shocked! I will never forget making the phone call to Erik’s family Christmas morning. His sister answered the phone and the joyous “Merry Christmas” greeting quickly turned to disbelief and horror as I told the rest of his family that was gathered together. <br /><br />We all long for the days of perfection where all is well. Those days seem to be so few and far between. So I wait -- wait for His return. Because when He comes, oh how perfect that will be! Perfect days will abound and be limitless. We get Jesus, and we will be filled to all the fullness of God every second of everyday. Complete joy, satisfaction, rest, peace. Filled completely! <br /><br />That’s what I am trying to remember this Advent season. He is coming again! He IS coming again! What hope we have for our future and what courage that gives me for today!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-34256495469223648582011-09-21T06:31:00.000-07:002011-09-21T06:37:00.182-07:00Kisses from KatieI am continually challenged by this girl's life. I have been following her blog for a while now and wanted to share this with you. She has a book coming out soon. Take a look and tell me what you think! (scroll down to the blogplaylist at the bottom of my blog and click on the stop button to turn off music, so you can hear the video)<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zfXgCx3f_1c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-10302245852828264222011-09-05T17:13:00.000-07:002011-09-05T17:23:15.950-07:00Tent Fun!I have been cleaning out the garage, so I can actually park my car in it and stumbled upon a tent. Erik and I received it as a wedding gift. We never used it, but there are two Steffen boys who have had a lot of backyard fun with it! Perhaps, one day I will be brave enough to take them on a real camp out! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1R9HRggg-ax9xuLiT-WlzqwTpmqryDeHH3dPHFj7C9d9LTkrL8n1EIdlbg5flkxOzAor9Cw367IFvBU0tBnTDUfMFLTUEhR3erPHsgiMlr3IGXpMvr9Kg4tdddVLZV-L7TSTDRIMckXb/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1R9HRggg-ax9xuLiT-WlzqwTpmqryDeHH3dPHFj7C9d9LTkrL8n1EIdlbg5flkxOzAor9Cw367IFvBU0tBnTDUfMFLTUEhR3erPHsgiMlr3IGXpMvr9Kg4tdddVLZV-L7TSTDRIMckXb/s200/IMG_5351.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034780716412962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXrq6V4dbKNx0hlnIx3l5xi5oqNTqmkYo6tZUh7RR1Rl__J9EAkIAqTizYe1cqPZCN3fXD-TRa3BPq6dFXlsTX8QqfCIj12bGQXfEss6FCUyA0HEM2zfyd9NDs05TdJw-qW3vhvs0k8A4/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXrq6V4dbKNx0hlnIx3l5xi5oqNTqmkYo6tZUh7RR1Rl__J9EAkIAqTizYe1cqPZCN3fXD-TRa3BPq6dFXlsTX8QqfCIj12bGQXfEss6FCUyA0HEM2zfyd9NDs05TdJw-qW3vhvs0k8A4/s200/IMG_5348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649035031863546338" /></a>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-32073453534341836162011-09-04T18:41:00.000-07:002011-09-04T19:06:59.458-07:00Good Intentions...A lot has happened since i wrote last. I must have written a million posts in my mind, but in my mind they have remained. Here are a few pictures to sum up the last month. Jensen turned six, we went to Colorado for a conference, and since we've been home, the boys have been playing non-stop with their new neighbor friend, Luke.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMM_zcmSbR3MwuohS5koA20kT-n4QQBRJy49RjVXu90T2bdFwxI5V5xbuv6nVU7L7ljkIX0uE04JS5rNiegmJKy-IveWTEmE2OKRQei0gwfOONSJBkcg27wu5PoLZKduUpyawfmeH8rzH/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMM_zcmSbR3MwuohS5koA20kT-n4QQBRJy49RjVXu90T2bdFwxI5V5xbuv6nVU7L7ljkIX0uE04JS5rNiegmJKy-IveWTEmE2OKRQei0gwfOONSJBkcg27wu5PoLZKduUpyawfmeH8rzH/s200/IMG_5271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648687674022355442" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwhYJzMQ3nCnoqglPkt0r6AnLDgRQ3GR0G4IoLZfQXiC4JDDqE1VdQDCstuNTDZvx8_dVSLDstxDlympYextvq5C9avmojJRvNOj0-hdBDXF1kMylzyTYOUfVwwuZ8gCzeUZTs4Kj3PLW/s1600/KellyandBoysEstes-05.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwhYJzMQ3nCnoqglPkt0r6AnLDgRQ3GR0G4IoLZfQXiC4JDDqE1VdQDCstuNTDZvx8_dVSLDstxDlympYextvq5C9avmojJRvNOj0-hdBDXF1kMylzyTYOUfVwwuZ8gCzeUZTs4Kj3PLW/s200/KellyandBoysEstes-05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648688022175324082" /></a
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEAVRSMhxffg5c3qAwpd7mKkqyWplFFIzu5W7hF0p8MNqP5ZgaEjZ_iseNIxqoEmqQTEcdXl0B6WDlpGJIb7sckWl2mhbz8hyphenhyphenC-K6OQKMcTmTY_IMoiNRsSRGq01vfbEmfzQVK5KG8kFO/s1600/IMG_5343.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEAVRSMhxffg5c3qAwpd7mKkqyWplFFIzu5W7hF0p8MNqP5ZgaEjZ_iseNIxqoEmqQTEcdXl0B6WDlpGJIb7sckWl2mhbz8hyphenhyphenC-K6OQKMcTmTY_IMoiNRsSRGq01vfbEmfzQVK5KG8kFO/s200/IMG_5343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648688338905296946" /></a>
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<br />Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-2809684550754351102011-07-11T18:33:00.000-07:002011-07-11T18:34:18.231-07:00The Word of LIfeWhat are three words that best describe your life? What is one thing you want to do before you die? Who is Jesus Christ? What happens after death? <br /><br />These are all questions my seven year old asked a man on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. He was with our good friend, Scott, and they began to share the gospel with this man. Scott, who is very tech savvy, happened to have a gospel presentation on his iPad. Alex held the iPad up high above his head so the gentleman could see it, and Scott shared with this man how he could know Jesus. This man came to Christ that night. <br /><br />I am challenged by my seven year old who shows no partiality and has a child like faith when it comes to telling others about Jesus. I often shrink back in fear that others will think I’m the weird Bible beater. Oh, how I learn from my children.<br /><br />As Alex was literally holding up the gospel via an iPad, I am reminded of Philippians 2 where Paul exhorts the church to hold fast the word of life, which is the gospel. Oh, may we hold fast the gospel and may we not be ashamed, for it is life for all who believe!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-54811294972282374052011-06-18T17:33:00.000-07:002011-06-18T17:34:20.304-07:00VirginiaThe boys and I have settled into our home away from home. We are in Virginia for most of the summer carrying out my summer assignment with Campus Crusade for Christ. There are over 70 college students who have been accepted for a summer project that I, along with others, will help staff. The focus of the summer for staff and students is “Encounter Christ, Experience Transformation and Engage in the Mission.”<br /><br />We are all living in a motel that is about 4 blocks from the beach. It’s definitely motel living, complete with smoky rooms and all. The definite bonus is the motel pool which the boys have enjoyed swimming in nearly everyday since we’ve been here. <br /><br />As they have been swimming in the pool, the boys have gotten to know some other children who have also regularly been frequenting the pool. We learned that these kids live at the hotel. It’s humbling, as I have grumbled more than once about our home away from home this summer. This is where they have lived for the past 6 months.<br /><br />They came up to our room to play, as it was a rainy day in Virginia. I was humbled once more as they walked in and said, “Wow you guys have a lot of toys,” referring to the one small container of toys I brought from home for the boys to play with for the summer. <br /><br />I’m thankful that the Lord takes me out of my bubble and helps me see a bit more of reality. Oh, may I cultivate a thankful heart and not one that is so quick to complain, and may I love extravagantly those the Lord puts into my path. I am praying that as I encounter Christ, experience transformation and engage in the mission that others I come in contact with will also. <br /><br />There are the lessons I’m learning in Virginia.Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-21906792116389088562011-05-11T04:02:00.001-07:002011-05-11T04:10:47.744-07:00anniversary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjse-DZaoQoY0mrwH-DP4TaLxCeYd2YlrhIQUcjQXEDGXvD5fTAkj7749NZb38iq60uJ1AM32zO7MIBLjcwyrDpIvrm6xzRJeK0lNJgQZY599VMmCsrZ0zNd6OtMdyfZ0XewFbe6BKp-o1/s1600/191.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjse-DZaoQoY0mrwH-DP4TaLxCeYd2YlrhIQUcjQXEDGXvD5fTAkj7749NZb38iq60uJ1AM32zO7MIBLjcwyrDpIvrm6xzRJeK0lNJgQZY599VMmCsrZ0zNd6OtMdyfZ0XewFbe6BKp-o1/s200/191.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605413789224868194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVZTamvLeX0-m9LPrcMFz0QwhDXBv5AudE9w3cKEtS9z7nNyZzyWhVRAVY1W28QFr3y-kPw7nllR-fgwVKor_hdJ2fwu3_yWkM4qnVSPNM60K4Z5u1D_nhMP6IH45RpIbIrA0HW6yie_V/s1600/210.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVZTamvLeX0-m9LPrcMFz0QwhDXBv5AudE9w3cKEtS9z7nNyZzyWhVRAVY1W28QFr3y-kPw7nllR-fgwVKor_hdJ2fwu3_yWkM4qnVSPNM60K4Z5u1D_nhMP6IH45RpIbIrA0HW6yie_V/s200/210.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605413984589126066" /></a><br />Remembering this day 9 years ago and thankful for the 4 years of marriage with Erik Steffen!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-88264042928650682432011-05-02T18:02:00.000-07:002011-05-02T18:37:36.442-07:00JusticeToday there are many celebrating and many who are saying that justice has been done. Bin Laden is dead! I would imagine for the one who lost a loved one on Sept. 11th, today would be especially poignant. I watched the images of people at ground zero and the White House cheering and celebrating! Chanting USA!<br /><br />I was thinking about the celebration we will have when ultimate justice will take place. That day when Satan will be cast into the fiery pit forever. Won’t that be amazing! It IS going to happen and what a celebration there will be! Justice will be served! It will be especially poignant for the one who has suffered unjustly. There will be no USA chants, instead a resounding JESUS, JESUS!<br /><br />Until that day, keep persevering! Justice is coming!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-45024370634433935882011-04-04T06:28:00.000-07:002011-04-04T07:03:01.988-07:00DAWGS!So excited for the Butler Bulldogs and the championship game this evening! The boys and i have enjoyed participating in all the fun on campus. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVIliKhXcLB_EqZQ-3fE04SC1yYZDXS_VQ9N6NxjRW6a7G_yGSmF8bRq44QXqh8e_sDxf7fGZDeZDMdTTj5XqTJ17nR58mHYai5_LfOoTugBTbjbXBFGdxbqqilyuZR4_MW9d0nQIEMtW/s1600/IMG_5047.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVIliKhXcLB_EqZQ-3fE04SC1yYZDXS_VQ9N6NxjRW6a7G_yGSmF8bRq44QXqh8e_sDxf7fGZDeZDMdTTj5XqTJ17nR58mHYai5_LfOoTugBTbjbXBFGdxbqqilyuZR4_MW9d0nQIEMtW/s200/IMG_5047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591721250586004290" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGymOsZZs_EiIw78nBljU56UMA1i1ewvUYbckh7oGA2n9lXaIb0DfEK16Rd_Jbw1EIVYCBtO_FZCWtgx07iY_zKY883MgZWR34EYO8802t0Awi0yadDtBYnfIoOmbctI7gR0WIVL8ATYd-/s1600/IMG_5048.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGymOsZZs_EiIw78nBljU56UMA1i1ewvUYbckh7oGA2n9lXaIb0DfEK16Rd_Jbw1EIVYCBtO_FZCWtgx07iY_zKY883MgZWR34EYO8802t0Awi0yadDtBYnfIoOmbctI7gR0WIVL8ATYd-/s200/IMG_5048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591728365369124866" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFvls5lDUZ84e9az8NexyZRvQWVKeSNDahPsRZLT4adrXsAaR5rWvugBh_-uiNCZjFCWKJH6FiIIh2rSbkKs0iruEIoieiaJ_dHPoOXvLzoMzBf5erV7-53r8rnF-riEJN357UIC9AraX/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFvls5lDUZ84e9az8NexyZRvQWVKeSNDahPsRZLT4adrXsAaR5rWvugBh_-uiNCZjFCWKJH6FiIIh2rSbkKs0iruEIoieiaJ_dHPoOXvLzoMzBf5erV7-53r8rnF-riEJN357UIC9AraX/s200/IMG_5051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591726545156898530" /></a><br />Watching the final four game at Hinkle fieldhouse. My little entertainer!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-43330914152452592882011-03-17T10:51:00.000-07:002011-03-17T11:32:36.399-07:00Last DayToday is the last day of wearing the dress. I can’t wait to hang it up in my closet tonight never to bring it back out again. A friend asked me today if I was going to burn it. There will be no dress burning as tempting as that might sound. I’m sure one day it will make it’s way out of the closet.<br /><br />It has certainly been something I won’t forget. Thank you <a href="http://www.amyseiffert.com/">Amy</a> for allowing me to be apart of this amazing experience with you. I am no longer unaware and uninformed. I have much to still learn, but you have helped me to have better understanding. You are having an impact in helping others become aware, but also encouraging others to do something about it! Thank you!<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about Amy. How in the world has she done this for four months and still has two to go? I can definitely appreciate more of what she is experiencing even though I only did it for a month. It’s like my friends who have husbands that travel. They often say, “I have a whole new appreciation for single moms”. They’ve gotten a glimpse. I’ve gotten a glimpse of Amy’s world.<br /><br />It’s when we walk in another person's shoes for a while that we know a little bit about what it must be like to be them. I think of Jesus. He became flesh. The God of the universe experienced humanity and he didn’t just get a glimpse. He experienced it fully! He knows what it’s like to hunger, because he experienced it. He knows what it’s like to be weary. He knows what it’s like to have others reject him; one of his own betrayed Him. He knows loneliness, grief, mourning, pain. He knows! He’s not a distant bystander. He KNOWS and He wants us to turn to Him.<br /><br />Certainly many who are reading this, haven’t been personally affected by human trafficking. We haven’t walked in their shoes. But, we can be apart of the healing process. Ultimately, I believe God is the one who can bring hope and healing to these girls who are in slavery, but we can be apart of what He’s doing. <br /><br />If you haven’t had a chance to check out the website: <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/">The Daughter Project</a>, please do. Would you consider giving to the Daughters and being apart helping girls who are sold into slavery?Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-69429283160199419752011-03-08T19:07:00.000-08:002011-03-08T19:14:46.323-08:00Psalm 34:18Alex has another broken bone. This time it’s his ankle. I won’t go into the details of how it happened since little brother was involved in the incident. His broken ankle has kind of been a word picture for the state of his heart these past few days. Broken, sad and missing his dad.<br />.<br />Some days grief just hits you like a giant wave that catches you by surprise and knocks you right off your feet. Even though it’s been almost five years since Erik’s death, there are days were we are still sad. Alex has had a few of those days lately. As a mom, I want to fix it and make it better. I know I can’t. I just held him while he wept and prayed that the Lord would comfort him. <br /><br />The next morning, the boys were coloring while listening to the Seeds family worship CD (which is excellent by the way). It’s Scripture set to music and just a lot of fun to sing. One song came on, Psalm 34:18 and I noticed Alex singing the words. The chorus of the song is: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." <br /><br />He asked me to play it over and over and over again. God was encouraging, strengthening, and ministering to him through this song and through His word. Sometimes it’s just good for me to step aside and let the Lord do what only He can do!<br /><br />I think about the women and girls who have been trapped in the modern day slavery of the sex trade. Broken. Crushed. I believe the Lord can bring hope and healing. I believe He can use ordinary people like you and me to be a vehicle of hope. <br /><br /><br />The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ua4j_p46izXWjl51mxy3MzrTquQd9hgnucWfbM7xmfkbWSWSQMd7LsQmTrBs3J5Iv_671rUnrPxtJHHT3jXqWELtJOl9ybNrqIJvZOg57FI-i7gMgRLvPDNU-elcQNbCpCeoxsmb1IYx/s1600/IMG_5007.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ua4j_p46izXWjl51mxy3MzrTquQd9hgnucWfbM7xmfkbWSWSQMd7LsQmTrBs3J5Iv_671rUnrPxtJHHT3jXqWELtJOl9ybNrqIJvZOg57FI-i7gMgRLvPDNU-elcQNbCpCeoxsmb1IYx/s200/IMG_5007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581912793632392642" /></a>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-47218532118926829222011-03-01T18:16:00.000-08:002011-03-01T18:56:56.538-08:00Debbie and Miya's storyWhy am i wearing this dress everyday? For these women! Check out this article. Be forewarned; it's a bit graphic. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1596778&page=1">Debbie and Miya's story<br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItcwZ58O1ehS_-uD0CabZfypFM4561BIH5N8rh5dKIKp5oxSy9x4h6xuUTp77GSPez2zwcwOviGN59OFXVsVYadN8NpxjYPyd9fWeT8BQxxUQzxRsw_r2LIe_19T557xms0Hci0AEjBp-/s1600/IMG_4990.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItcwZ58O1ehS_-uD0CabZfypFM4561BIH5N8rh5dKIKp5oxSy9x4h6xuUTp77GSPez2zwcwOviGN59OFXVsVYadN8NpxjYPyd9fWeT8BQxxUQzxRsw_r2LIe_19T557xms0Hci0AEjBp-/s200/IMG_4990.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579311008972454098" /></a> rockin' the straight hair<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17LPuqwMNNUAxSEWC-mk2LnTlBIWSrhEy0GfmbPrnJOzzCnDqLjaY5X3uzH-DiYViUgV6DyLfLmHqtbqbcLuAwWUrMOpRi1wKNPT79wtI1_wKruMwh8c44m1zkTYqsU5xAAnfJC_hi_-m/s1600/IMG_4998.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17LPuqwMNNUAxSEWC-mk2LnTlBIWSrhEy0GfmbPrnJOzzCnDqLjaY5X3uzH-DiYViUgV6DyLfLmHqtbqbcLuAwWUrMOpRi1wKNPT79wtI1_wKruMwh8c44m1zkTYqsU5xAAnfJC_hi_-m/s200/IMG_4998.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579308633671971826" /></a> Watching the Butler Bulldogs play some ball! Yes, i have on the dress!Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-4091879884192066622011-02-26T12:43:00.000-08:002011-02-26T12:56:42.766-08:00Aruna 5k<div style="text-align: left;">Check out this video that some of my peers put together. They are hosting a 5k walk/run in Cincinnati to raise money to stop human trafficking in India. (scroll down to the bottom of the blog and mute the playlist, so you can hear the video)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aDOQ6kkmxZA" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe></div>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-66772947228236662582011-02-22T17:23:00.000-08:002011-02-22T18:07:59.084-08:00More Daughter Project detailsI thought I would fill you in on some more details of <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/">The Daughter project</a> in case you haven't had a chance to look at the website. The Daughter Project is a non-profit organization in Northwest Ohio that exists to help girls recover from the trauma of sex trafficking and to help prevent others from being trafficked.<br /><br />They are seeking to build a home that will help house girls who have been rescued. This is what their website says about the services the girls will receive: abuse & addiction counseling, family/friend restoration, health & nutrition education, medical/dental/vision care, legal counsel and spiritual mentorship. This help will be provided by caring & competent professionals and volunteers. More specifically, we have recruited doctors, counselors and other professionals to provide medical services to the girls. We are also developing plans for art, drama, equine and music therapy. In addition to medical services, we have begun to contact various local community organizations to provide healthy, educational opportunities for our girls. Some of these include the YMCA, the Zoo, the Symphony and others.<br /> <br />They are seeking to raise $80,000 for a home that will house girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking. They have raised $40,0000 so far. The plan is to begin building in May with the completion of the home in June, which will allow them to house their first girl in July. Would you consider giving to <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/">the Daughter Project</a>?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphFM1OujULKoOzvZ-kHawB4gactZpnuSF8Iwaa0UIANI7IuAejzpIHkqDQpz5jdkBRAmOdBhn7QL_VyTFQ88MBmsom3J4dnLd4vl8cJjm6hgcFzeA7SoMpZI-k0CizLcqCY-XMn0w2pGo/s1600/IMG_4977.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphFM1OujULKoOzvZ-kHawB4gactZpnuSF8Iwaa0UIANI7IuAejzpIHkqDQpz5jdkBRAmOdBhn7QL_VyTFQ88MBmsom3J4dnLd4vl8cJjm6hgcFzeA7SoMpZI-k0CizLcqCY-XMn0w2pGo/s200/IMG_4977.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576697542625700402" /></a><br /><br />I got to see Amy over the weekend. She's the one who is wearing the gray dress for 6 month. SO glad that she roped me into doing this!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4pNNfjqMLD4GbFtShUuxs_apSv8x2Jqr8cNzwO2Anv_Gc8DXwo4NJChwoPQBWfTItVQpukT2wt1IvSEXzsSWAscv19GzZLlUQlEtvY0XSPu6heZ8eimRM3mCacTAzy3bCBSvjaPpXF5t/s1600/IMG_4989.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4pNNfjqMLD4GbFtShUuxs_apSv8x2Jqr8cNzwO2Anv_Gc8DXwo4NJChwoPQBWfTItVQpukT2wt1IvSEXzsSWAscv19GzZLlUQlEtvY0XSPu6heZ8eimRM3mCacTAzy3bCBSvjaPpXF5t/s200/IMG_4989.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576698182780951714" /></a><br /><br />Hanging out at my mom'sKelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-12860083825405613522011-02-17T19:58:00.000-08:002011-02-18T07:17:58.944-08:00One black dress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl17hiJKSpbuLcV4x2IymKEFE8229bFCW7o9gXffC7vP9tkU41onybqJCHpg2BDj7N6zZ1xtw8lekLNS6N2ebxYZBF0nIlgWzPbEFvxnxPyRSITtqQiszfoVG83iVHEcVW8T1dsYMUTZD/s1600/IMG_4975.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl17hiJKSpbuLcV4x2IymKEFE8229bFCW7o9gXffC7vP9tkU41onybqJCHpg2BDj7N6zZ1xtw8lekLNS6N2ebxYZBF0nIlgWzPbEFvxnxPyRSITtqQiszfoVG83iVHEcVW8T1dsYMUTZD/s200/IMG_4975.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574875835781407762" /></a><br />Today was day number one of wearing my black dress. I am excited about all the opportunities just in the first day that I have had to talk about <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/">The Daughter Project</a><br /><br />I won't be buying anything new to wear with the dress. I am just wearing what i have and what i can borrow from the college students that live down the street. College ministry does have it's benefits! I did buy a few tights and leggings, so i don't freeze. Some have asked if i am going to exercise in the dress. The answer is no. That will be the exception along with sleeping. And yes, i will wash it. You should have seen the amount of mud my two boys caked on the dress today after we walked the dog. <br /><br />Check out these sobering facts about human trafficking: <a href="http://facts.randomhistory.com/human-trafficking-facts.html">fifty five facts</a>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-56475203834308696472011-02-16T17:59:00.000-08:002011-02-16T18:56:10.515-08:00The Daughter ProjectI am about to embark on something a little crazy, crazy for me at least. My dear friend, Amy, has been wearing the same gray dress everyday since November. Everyday! <br /><br />Why, you ask? To raise money and awareness for <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/"></a> <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/">The Daughter project</a>. It is a non-profit organization in Northwest Ohio that exists to help girls recover from the trauma of sex trafficking and helps to prevent others from being trafficked.<br /><br />Why Northwest Ohio? Amy says this, "“I had no idea there was sex slavery in my own backyard,"I think I was overwhelmed to realize that in 2006 in a rescue bust in Philadelphia there were 150 rescued. Over 50% that were rescued were from Toledo."<br /><br />Amy was interviewed by her local tv station, which lead to recognition on CNN. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/02/10/dnt.one.dress.six.months.wupw?iref=allsearch">Click here</a> to see the interview<br /><br />Amy has asked friends to each take a month with her in the one dress campaign. So, here I go......I am wearing the same dress everyday for a month. I am starting tomorrow February 17th and ending on my birthday, March 17th.<br /><br />I'm certain that i won't be as creative in making the dress look different everyday as Amy does. It would take you awhile to realize she was wearing the same dress over and over because she comes up with lots of creative ways to wear it. <br /><br />Despite my lack of creativity, I hope to be apart of helping raise awareness and money for the Daughters. If you are interested in giving, visit: <a href="http://thedaughterproject.org/#/get-involved/donate">The Daughter Project<br /></a>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-19233414487433850822011-01-30T17:48:00.000-08:002011-01-30T17:50:52.832-08:00lesson from a five year oldThe boys and I moved just before Christmas and have been settling into our new house. Many of the boxes have been unpacked, although there’s a room in the basement full of all the remaining boxes that I haven’t had time to get to yet. But pictures are being hung, and it’s starting to look like a home. <br /><br />One morning recently, I was spending time with the Lord, and Jensen woke up early. He crawled onto my lap and asked what I was reading in the Bible. I started sharing with him some things I was learning and he looked at me and said, “Mom this isn’t our home.” I sat there for a second thinking we might have yet another discussion about why we moved, then replied, “What do you mean, buddy?” He said, “This is our earthly home; heaven is our real home!” Oh, how right you are Jensen!<br /><br />Jensen was feeling sad, missing our old house, missing his dad and yet, thinking about our future home in heaven gave him hope. What a good lesson from a five year old!<br /><br />Colossians 3:2 “Set you mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVECpEUQSoDbr2jykSfaqdnJUCCrd-fx8f1BeoFG3NSyO4IU5o_1myJz43EN_eZNt0QT6nHPl_R3vvrGq1W6dITuJUXxny9lTz_w44sXgQgubpjDwBNSfhePOwAm-ANYUV1Lcot1ETQ3/s1600/IMG_4946.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVECpEUQSoDbr2jykSfaqdnJUCCrd-fx8f1BeoFG3NSyO4IU5o_1myJz43EN_eZNt0QT6nHPl_R3vvrGq1W6dITuJUXxny9lTz_w44sXgQgubpjDwBNSfhePOwAm-ANYUV1Lcot1ETQ3/s200/IMG_4946.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568161320858819058" /></a><br /><br />Making memories in our new home. Yes, they have on helmets! :)Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-15584493126770003212010-12-10T18:58:00.001-08:002010-12-10T19:14:45.037-08:00Everything I needThe other day I was driving in my car, listening to the radio and just feeling the weight of life. I was praying and talking to the Lord about my life and my need for him in the midst of chaos. A song came on that brought me to tears. It's by Kutlass entitled, "Everything I need". It was just what i needed to hear. Just what i needed to sing to Him! God is everything I need. He is my strength, my refuge, my everything. He is sufficient!<br /><br />Here are the lyrics:<br />When every step is so hard to take<br />And all of my hope is fading away<br />When life is a mountain that I can not climb<br />You carry me, Jesus carry me.<br /><br />You are strength in my weakness<br />You are the refuge I seek<br />You are everything in my time of need<br />You are everything, You are everything I need<br /><br />When every moment is more than I can take<br />And all of my strength is slipping away<br />When every breath gets harder to breathe<br />You carry me, Jesus carry me<br /><br />You are strength in my weakness<br />You are the refuge I seek<br />You are everything in my time of need<br />You are everything, You are everything I need<br /><br />I need You<br />You are everything I need<br />I love everything about You<br /><br />You are strength in my weakness<br />You are the refuge I seek<br />You are everything in my time of need<br />You are everything, You are everything I needKelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728576492028780119.post-31302024480557256102010-11-25T18:14:00.000-08:002010-11-25T18:30:39.484-08:00gobble gobbleHappy Thanksgiving! I have much to be thankful for this thanksgiving! In fact, a friend of mine and i were talking about thankfulness today. She has experienced the life change of cancer and commented that she used to complain more before cancer. Now, after having walked through cancer, she chooses to be thankful instead of complain. She's a survivor and has a whole different perspective on life and circumstances. May we choose thankfulness on this and the days ahead!<br /><br />Here's a picture of me and my little pilgrim at his 1st grade thanksgiving play!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmi3S-S5OL_Zn_KjDsU1SIVcePxDgR7xO5ddIt16xHF2deg2weGsP7kyHQXj8bOznpHDpVEt5fvLfJA101BNLVsGsg-ENenlVkgCkCa8eznl11CqZRz17NqEiyg07aspH7S3T2I2tEwuA/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmi3S-S5OL_Zn_KjDsU1SIVcePxDgR7xO5ddIt16xHF2deg2weGsP7kyHQXj8bOznpHDpVEt5fvLfJA101BNLVsGsg-ENenlVkgCkCa8eznl11CqZRz17NqEiyg07aspH7S3T2I2tEwuA/s200/IMG_4867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543679133323270530" border="0" /></a>Kelly Steffenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674390595654811144noreply@blogger.com0