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Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!!

This morning as I was getting ready to take the kids to Tolmachoff Farms for our Moms outing I decided to clear of my SD card in my camera.  I had several months worth of pictures on there so I had to move them over in batches.  I got 75% when right before my eyes all my files were gone, GONE!!  I was missing at least 100 pictures from our trip to Colorado Springs, including pictures with Santa, pictures of my kids playing with their cousins and our trail hike in New Mexico.  I was frantic!  I started searching every folder in my picture file hoping that I had somehow accidentaly moved them to another file.  Much to my dismay I realized they were gone.  I was devestated to say the least.  Then I thought to myself, I know you can recover lost data from a hard drive so why not an HD card?  All files leave a residual image on the hard drive/memory, which is why so often on cop shows you see the 'CSI' team recovering seemingly deleted photo's, videos and other incriminating evidence.  

So I Googled, "undelete sd card software free" (cuz you know I'm always looking for a bargain!) So the first software I tried was a generic program called Undelete SD Card.  It found my files but it wouldn't let me save them.  So I though huh, I bet I have to buy the software.  So I clicked on the purchase tab and the license was  $49.95!  No way, there had to be a better software out there.  So I tried again.  This time I found a program called DiskDigger. 

I downloaded the software with mixed enthusiasm.  Much to my surprise not only did the software find all my missing files, it let me save them to harddrive, FREE!!  However each time a file is saved you have to go through a licensing screen.  Understandable, working in the SAS business myself I understand that software doesn't write itself.  So feeling both grateful for the working software that saved my precious pictures and wanting to get rid of the annoying license screen I clicked on the Purchase link.  I nearly fell off my chair when this clearly superior software was only asking for $14.99!!  $ 14.99 PEOPLE!!  Remember the other company with the hokey software wanted $49.95!  SOLD!  I paid for my software and with in a minute there was an e-mail in my inbox with my registration code.  Plugged the code in to the licensing window and voila!  All my pictures have been FULLY RECOVERED!!  I am so happy if I had a tail it would be wagging. I know that I will be able to use this software over again.

Now, this doesn't just work for SD cards, here is some info straight from their site:

"DiskDigger is a program that undeletes and recovers lost files from your hard drive, memory cards, USB flash drives — you name it! Whether you accidentally deleted some documents or photos from your computer, reformatted your camera's memory card, or want to see what files are lurking on an old USB drive, DiskDigger is here for you."

So my friends, here is a screen shot of the DiskDigger program at work. 

On the left is a long list of files discovered on my SD card.  All told, 362 pictures recovered!!!

I'm telling you friends, this software is fantastic.  I can't stop smiling knowing that this adorable picture of my kids with Santa was saved. Thank you DiskDigger, I could kiss you!!!

If you are interested in checking out their software here's the handy link:  http://diskdigger.org/

Breaking it down: Finally Free 10/10

Last two Sundays Pastor Tim has been focusing on James chapter 5 verses 1-9. 

From the NASB; “After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

So today he talked about viewing life through a frame; creation, fall, redemption and recreation.  So God through Jesus created everything, Adam and Eve messed it up and we fell, Jesus took on human form and redeemed us on the cross, Jesus recreates us and eventually the world.

That's a lot to try and process.  I'm not even going to attempt to regurgitate Tim's sermon because quite frankly I can't.  What I can do is share with you all what I personally took away from today's message.  To do that I'm going to start with a confession: most days I feel like a fraud.  I go to church, I'm even a church member.  I teach Sunday school.  I participate in two faith based women's groups. I do my very best to uplift others through faith and perseverance.  But on the inside I feel like a fraud.  In the privacy of my own soul, where only God can see, He and I alone know the terrifying truth which is that I am an ugly human being.  Sometimes that truth suffocates me.  I get mired down in the details of what I am not doing.  I'm not praying enough, I don't read the Bible enough, I'm not discipling enough to my kids... I'm not enough.  So what happens is I get on a 'kick'.  I decide, I'm going to change "this" about my life so starting today I am/am not going to do "this."  I do pretty well for the first few days, and then I hit a speed bump and I go careening off the side of the road into a ditch.  Now I'm discouraged and I'm feeling pretty down about myself so rather than feel that disappointment and failure again I give in. 

One of the most powerful and potent things Pastor Tim talked about was the Bibles repeated reference to the power of Jesus' word.  The Bible from Old Testament to New relays to the reader that simply by speaking, the world was brought into creation.  Just by saying to the man who for 38 years lay lame and unable to move, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk" the man WALKED.  He didn't put his hand on the mans forehead and shove him back shouting you are healed, he didn't touch him at all.  His WORDS alone created all life and restores life. 

So...Jesus is not here, walking the Earth with his disciples healing people.  However, through his disciples, he left behind a very clear instruction on how we too can be healed.  He left behind, his Word.

What I realized today after hearing all this was: #1.  I cannot fix myself through my own actions or will.  Only by submitting my will to God can I then be transformed and my actions will reflect that transformation, not vice versa.  You can't fix the body work on a car and give it a new paint job and expect the engine to fix itself with out laying a hand on it.  #2. Transformation is not a passive act.  In order to be truly transformed I need to immerse myself in Jesus' word  #3.  If Jesus can and did heal a non-believing man, what more can he do for me?

While in finding Jesus and accepting that he is in fact my savior, I am saved, that does not produce a magical transformation.  When I find myself struggling to overcome an obstacle whether it be mental or behavioral, and I'm not getting anywhere, instead of being discouraged I need to assess my process.  I also have to ask myself if I am placing a realistic expectation on myself.  That point is particularly hard for me as I am so hard on myself.  I am my own worst critic and I often have unrealistic expectations of myself.  I have to remind myself, God made me new, not perfect.  Recreation is a process.  Jesus is the process, his Word heals.  I happen to have a handy copy of his word, the Bible. Focusing on one area at a time, investing my time and energy in his word and allowing him to transform me will get me where I need to go. 

I do not have to get into the water, Jesus is the water.  Now all I have to do is pick up my pallet and walk. 

Breaking it down: Finally Free 10/3

Last Sunday Pastor Tim focused on James chapter 5 verses 1-9.

From the NASB; “After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; (4) for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.



So, two things; #1 the italicized section verse 4 is highly contested as having not been the original work of John which is why it is in brackets. Most scholars believe that this verse was added later in order to clarify the lame man’s statement to Jesus regarding the water. #2. This man did not recognize Jesus as being the vessel of healing, he saw Jesus as merely a tool to get him to the healing waters. He didn’t say, “Yes Jesus, please heal me.” No instead he basically asked him hey, next time the water stirs help me get to the pool first, then I’ll be healed.


Now last week when Pastor Tim was talking about this and about how people often view Jesus as a tool to get what they thing they need it was hard to grasp. A great example of this would be someone praying to God, “God if you would just get me that promotion, everything would be okay.” Or “God if I could just meet the right person, my life would be complete.” Instead of finding completion IN God, that person is looking to find completion through God. You get it? It’s a hard concept, especially for those who are deeply suffering. I know they are hurting, bad, and they are on their knees praying for relief from their suffering in the form of an Earthly solution. However even if Jesus provided them an Earthly solution, it would not eliminate their spiritual suffering.

Think of it this way; Jesus is not a lamp genie. You don’t go to church, rub your crucifix and Jesus pops out asking what your three prayers are! No! Instead, if you have invested your faith, and placed your trust in Jesus then you would know that if you lose your job, there is a will and purpose and Jesus will set all things right. This doesn’t mean that you will never suffer. It doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. It simply means that rather than laying down and dying, you endure. People who have no hope give up. They throw their hands in the air, rail against the heavens, giving God the bird and scream, screw you, where were you when I needed you? The bottom line is, a new job is not going to restore your soul. A new couch from Pottery Barn is not going to save you. A presidential candidate may lower your taxes but he won’t shed his blood on a cross and pay your sin debt for you. There is only way, and his name is Jesus. So, if you find yourself praying, “Jesus I really need___” and you’re not getting it, you may just have to ask yourself, am I relying Jesus to suffice, or am I asking him to give me what I think I need? The next question you need to ask yourself is, am I asking Jesus to give me more, or am I giving him thanks for what I already have?

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

 In 1988, Ronald Reagan declared October Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. My daughter, Angel Grace Ann, was stillborn on 5/26/2010. I am helping my cousin Heather raise money for the cause in on honor of her daughter Angel Grace Ann (March of Dimes) by offering handmade awareness ribbons (generic Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness versions are available) for a minimum $5.00 donation. To support the cause and receive a ribbon, please message me.

This is what happens at our house when you refuse to pick up your toys.  They get placed in a box and confiscated for a short period of time (if you're lucky).   After a while, these toys go the children who will really appreciate them.

Change is good...bumpy, a little smelly, but good

While visiting my brother, sister in law and my new nephew in Colorado Springs I found out that my sister in law is using cloth diapers, I knew my cousin was doing cloth as well but Stephs were really cute and seemed…EASY. I had seen some of the new styles on-line but hadn’t really given it much thought. After all my daughter was out of diapers and my son was already a year. Was there any point really in going cloth? At first I didn’t think so. Until I started calculating in my head how much we spend on diapers alone in this house. My son goes through diapers twice as fast as our daughter ever did and the diaper fund was getting astronomical. So I started looking into cloth and crunching the numbers.

Now, my son is 18 months old. Our daughter was not fully potty trained until she was a little over 3. So if we calculate another 18 months at the least, and Sam goes through approximately 6 diapers a day…the average cost per disposable diaper is $ .25, the estimated cost to diaper Sam for another year and a half is, $821. Not to mention the 500 years it takes a disposable diaper to decompose. AND cloth diapers can be resold. Try doing that with a used Pamper. Ewe. So if you figure you spend about $200 all told to purchase enough covers and inserts, your savings is $620. If you are curious, you can calculate the cost for yourself: http://www.diaperpin.com/calculator/calculator.asp

Other benefits: no chemicals on your babys bum! You can wash most of the new cloth diapers with your regular laundry so you aren’t using any additional resources. I found anther blog post, written by a Dad that was interesting: http://cashmoneylife.com/2010/01/04/cloth-diapers-vs-disposable-diapers/

The sad fact is, I wish I had done my research before I had my daughter. I wish that I had looked into how modern and convenient cloth diapers really could be. It’s not as horrific as you think it’s going to be and while yes the initial investment might be more, if you have family and friends buying you baby shower gifts, the cost could be easily managed. Not to mention if you plan on having more than one, you’ve just doubled your return on investment.

So yesterday was the first day we used the cloth diapers. We had one incident, first thing and that was because I simply wasn’t paying attention. The cloth does not carry as much as the disposable, but that’s probably a good thing. The idea that my son was walking around with that much pee against his bum along with all the accompanying chemicals, frankly makes me feel bad.
So today I go boldly and a little more confidently into day 2. I feel better about what I’m putting on my baby and the cost and environmental savings for me is just a bonus.