Josh and Keri

I glared at a picture from a folder on my laptop that read, “Sample Pictures.” Seconds before opening the folder I looked at my background picture of myself and a very close friend. The reality hit like the typical cliché, a load of bricks. I was on the brink of losing the relationship I had put so much effort into. The picture was taken a week yesterday. And I heard the news today.

She was leaving.

When one goes it tends to remind you of those who have gone before them. Memories overwhelm your soul with the loved ones you have let close to your heart….some would say too close. I can not help but wonder if the pain would never again exist if I could simply turn off the switch of my heart, so that the light and warmth would only shine for self alone? If I could just go to a state of numbness and forever live with that reality, instead of these moments.

It has been done before, by alcoholics, drug addicts, anorexics, bulimics, shopaholics, workaholics, rat packs, etc. Numbed by whatever it is that drives them. Relationships are no longer the goal to obtain…..but whatever that feeling is that comes with the compulsion.

Is it so wrong to give up? And does this needless talking have a point?

Perhaps not, but the picture, a simple moment caught in time.

A picture of a forest; a path in the forest, made by some sort of vehicle that left in two dirty tread marks in its wake. Could one over analyze this piece of art, of course….this too happens all the time.

I glared at a picture from a folder on my laptop, a picture that read, “Life.”

The beginning of the path was clear, dirt marks left the signs that some one had been there. They had implanted a part of them selves among the trees, their leaves, the wind which held a hint of mist, and the spirit.

The end of the portrait was a bit foggy, one might be scared to follow the path with out being able to see what lay ahead. A white cloud hid more forest, another piece of the path….who knew. The only way to know was to walk on.

The uncertainty for some would be to much, so they would sit in the dirt that had been made for them by some one else…waiting for the veil to lift and show what lye ahead. Some would figure they had nothing to fear…it was a forest and more of the same trees, the same grass, same leaves are the items that lay waiting for them. So they would walk unable to fully take in their surroundings. It would only be a matter of time before they would find them selves in a world they simply could not figure out. Same trees, same path, same leaves or not, their eyes could not fully see.

But some, maybe some, would see that there was not one tread mark in the clearing, but two. Sure they were made most likely by a jeep with four wheels, two on each side; none the less there were two dirt paths for a reason. Two imprints in world around them, in their reality.

Perhaps we were not meant to walk alone our paths. We are not meant to sit alone and wait. We are not meant to block the path of those who walk beside us. Perhaps we walk with others so as to have multiple eyes in life. As the path changes the human who walks beside us may change, they may not be able to see the large rock, the way a new human could.

The reality is it is scary and painful to lose those who we have let close to us on our path in a dark and scary forest. We come upon valleys, cliffs, mountains, and deserts and think there is only one person who could have taken this journey with us. When in reality some know how to grow nourishment in the valleys. Others know how to rock climb on the cliffs. Some know how to survive the fierce weather of a mountain. While yet others know how to save water and travel through the desert with us.

I may know how to walk through a forest, but I would need others to be my second tread mark.

                                                                                                                        ~Keri Lee

I know it has been a little while since our last update. This is due to many reason…but the most important one….I am lazy and my husband never even looks on this thing he he he.  

Since the last update we have moved in with our friend Tiffany who I work with. She has an adorable puppy named cupcake who is about four months old now. She is a bit loud at times but mostly just cute!  

We are still in the process of buying the condo and we should know for sure if it will be ours by the end of this week. If all goes well we will be moving into our very own condo.,….which out here is the same of an apartment by November 21^st.  

When not worrying about the upcoming move/ invest our life savings into a piece of property. Josh has the opportunity of hopefully being able to present some of his most recent research at a national conference. He has to submit his work to the conference committee in the beginning of December. If accepted he will go and present his results! So this is a huge opportunity and slightly stressful at the same time. On top of that on December 16^th we will be celebrating out TWO YEAR ANNIVERSERY!!!!!!!!!!!!  

So we have a few exciting months/changes ahead of us. Which is good since we will not be able to come home for the holidays again this year. It is hard to not be near family during these upcoming months but we are hoping to make it home during the first few months of 2009. My mother will be out here during Christmas which we are super excited about and then we have made many of great friends out here! So we have been truly blessed and I know we will not be alone this year during these happy times!  

Praise God for all the friends and wonderful opportunities we’ve had since moving out to the East Coast. We truly love it out here and never want to go back to the
Midwest….EVER! Ha ha ha just kidding….I know for a few of you that may have made your heart stop. Breathe it is okay. We don’t know where we will be in the next few weeks…so how could we know where we will be in the coming years. He he he.  

So this is us and our update. We love you and as always we appreciate your support….
(mostly the monetary support….that we are still waiting for ….from some of you! He he he jk) and we appreciate your prayers most of all. Love youKeri and Josh (but mostly just Keri since I’m the only one who cares to keep you all informed about our life he he he )

So last Tuesday, Josh and I spen the entire day packing up boxes and cleaning our small one bedroom apartment. We had bigs plans to move on Sunday into a friends house that would allow us to have the entire second floor of this four bedroom, two and half bath house. With a Hot tub as well. whoo hoo.

So around when we recieve a call from our realtor we are not quite sure what to think. After talking to her she confeses that the owners of the condo want to come down in price again…..so it looks like we might have a chance after all!!! Which would be great. LEave it to the Lord to create roller coasters out of a smooth path.

For those of you who may not know…I wanted to let ya know that Josh and I did not end up getting the condo after all. Due to the economy and the mortgages they way they are  at this time. We were unable to get the loan we wanted and thus we have decided to rent for a while longer. We are happy with this descion and feel that it will be the right one for us. While we morn the lose of our first home…..We are excited to still be able to enjoy our life and not have to tie all our money up in a house. So please pray for us as we continue to look for the right place to live.

So I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear about whether or not we got the Condo. Well………………………………………………..WE DID!!!!! Yay. We are so excited but now we feel like there is a ton of things we need to get done! We have to pack and get all the paperwork in order, get a home inspection done, and just so much more.

But the good news is that now when you all come to visit we have a place to put you! We have a 2 bedroom and 1 and 1/2 bathroom. As apposed to our now one bedroom 600sq foot apartment. Don’t get me wrong it is still a small place. In both MI and IN this place would be considered an apartment….but not on the good old east coast! here we call them Condos! We will have access to a swimming pool and tenis courts and a rec room. So we are excited about taking this next step in life. Any one want to come help us move? It would only coast a plane ticket, a few meals, and um some furniture (as our spare bedroom does not have a bed yet) he he he just kidding. I will post pictures as soon as we move.

Love

Keri and josh

Today I sat in a confrence room at work, listening not so intently upon my manger’s words about how he is wanting to change the company….when all of a sudden I see a flash across the ceiling go from the far right to the far left side of the room. Again, and again…I don’t understand it is coming about ever thirty seconds. Or to someone like me who seems to see things in rhythm instead of time it was coming every measure. I was facinated at tryint to figure out what this could be. Now conicidently it was also apear just at the top of the windows on that side of the room. And it looked like this white thing that  went for the right to the left. I could not figure out what it was….a bird….well if so it would have to be a seagull but how would it know to go ever for four beats or so? A plane? No, they don’t travel that close together. What could it be. I was so distracted, so enamored, and detirmined to figure out what this could be I literally missed about fifteen minutes of our meeting. With that realization I was very happy I was not in fifth grade again and in dread of being called on by the teacher who can tell you are obviously not listening.

 so after about fifteen minutes or so…I realized it had to be the reflection of the cars on the street below as they passed by. While this did provide a conclusion to my utter confusion, it is not the point of the story.

I realized how distracted I really was in just those fifteen minutes. Right, I can hear you all saying, “yes Keri we know you have ADD.”

But I had to wonder, how often are we distracted in life? and in those moments, what are we missing?

I watched a music video I’ve seen several times before where the Creator and his creation are walking hand in hand…..doing a dance if you will. The creation Marvles at what the creator has to offer and show it. Suddenly, from out of no where the enemy sneaks in and distracts the creation from it’s creator. Slowly but surely they drift apart…..In the end the creator sacrifices itself for the well being of the created and they walk hand in hand off the stage. I know we all know what this represents…but just a quick thought.

A simple distraction takes the created is taken further and further away. Caught up in greed, gluteny, and pride. I wonder how often do I spend my time “distracted?”

what seems to be innocent enough, is just one step away from the Lord’s path in my life….yet WHAT is that shiny thing just two steps away? Well now I have to find out what that is.

So here is the question…..What distraction has the enemy stratecigally placed in your life. Because my friend if you think it just happened….let me assure it did not. Things that take you further from your faith……do not JUST HAPPEN…but are a DISTRACTION.

Ok not really, but we are getting there. we have put in an offer on a 2 bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath condo this week. The sellers did counter us and we countered them once again. We are praying diligently to see if this is the home the Lord has for us. So we shall see. but please keep us in your prayers and we will keep you updated!!!! YAY

There she lay upon the hot moistened sand, in the dreadfully defeated ground. Her cheeks intimately coming to know the smell of evaporating hope, unprotected from the sun’s abusive hands.

Anyone passing by would have thought she had passed out from the gapping open wounds; the worst part may have been that she was still acutely aware of what was going on around her. The enemy’s soldiers were currently occupied with carrying out their general’s plan of defeat. Her helmet lay just out of reach over her head as though begging her to try for it. Her weapons and belt which held most of them, had been thrown Lord knows how far from her body. Clothes were ripped and exposed most of her torso, as her right foot held on loosely to the boot it owned. The precious shield she usually shook behind was just to her right, though she was not sure her arms could support the weight of now. Even if her muscles did not burn from the beatings, she was not sure her shield would be enough to get her off the battle field at this point. While her eyes remained closed she could sense her fellow soldiers were either wounded or none existent. Was she to blame for the separation?

Now I don’t know what it is like to be on the forefront of a battle field that is for sure. But if I had to imagine my own life as a battle for spiritual warfare at this point….I honestly believe I would be the character above.

I surrendered upon my knees this morning and threw myself before the Lord. Over some issues I was having at work. Deep with in the prayer where I was explaining to God my situation and how poorly I was being treated and how miserable I was, I saw a battle field. I watched as a lifeless body just laid there, with some armor spread all around them. Suddenly I remember the Music Camp I spent at my church where we learned this song about the ARMOR of GOD. I thought, “Weird.” I hated that song, and what could that possible have to do with me.

It is in those moments, where nothing makes sense and then all of a sudden it is so profound you wonder why you didn’t see it before, That you know it is God putting you face to face with the truth of who you are! He takes the time to figure out how to confuse you enough to get hold of your undivided attention…and just when you think you are going crazy he reveals the meaning behind the situation. Sound unbelievable? It is, but look it up. How many times did the disciples sit/stand before Jesus not only thinking he was crazy, but they might just be as well, before he spelled out the meaning behind each parable?

I realized in that small moment, that I was right where Satan has strategically place me on this battle field called earth. My armor was spread all about me just out of reach, and surely his demons could not have enough power to throw them away? No, I had slowly over the course of this battle, taken off my armor. Some how thinking I no longer needed it. I was in a new environment and I needed to fit, I might stick out if I wore it all the time. I would pick it back up if I needed it.

There lay my belt of truth along side my sword of the spirit just out of reach. My helmet of salvation was disillusioned by the self saving attitude I placed in my head. My vest of righteousness became a shade of grayness, and my prayers became none existent.

As I began to read the scripture that contains the truth of which pieces of armor are priceless. I thought perhaps it if I walked out my door that afternoon with the helmet or the sword I would be Good!!! Apparently I was more blind then I thought.

I read about how important the full armor was in order to concur anything. I set forth upon my march towards the meeting I was about to have with my managers about how “Wronged” I was. And I prayed. I prayed for the entire drive to work. Half way through the drive, I realized something…I was only trying to pray. For the first time in my life I felt as though I fully understood the meaning of having two sides of your brain. The Left side, was praying and trying to convince God I was a good person and listening to praise and worship cd I had in my car. The Right side of my brain was in the process of “Enacting” how my meeting would play out with the managers. I was planning what I would say, then how they would respond and then what I would say next.  I know what you are thinking and yes, I am multi talented.

I stopped…mainly because I was at a red light. But I stopped, I turned off my music and I began to pray out loud for the devil and God to hear both. I said, “God, I have to surrender to you. These ‘discussions’ never end up the way I envision them going on my head.” I began to pray heavily asking God to help me surrender to him this issue…this
Battle if you will. At that moment I was again Transported back in time to my early years of faith. I was suddenly standing in my old church looking at the big screen during praise and worship. I remembered this song about how “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” Now I could not say for certain how long it had been since I had sang….let along heard this song. Suddenly my mouth opened and I sang in the right melody, “The battle belongs to the Lord.” And I didn’t stop there I continued, “When the enemy presses and darkness surrounds, the battle belongs to the Lord, and we Sing glooooory, Hoooonor, Power and Strength to the Lord” Which is basically the whole song. I was literally stunned that I would remember this song. But I sang this song almost my entire ride into work…..If I began to start thinking about my upcoming meeting, I would stop and sing. Over and over again, I said the battle belongs to the Lord.

I would be lying if I said I went in to my meeting and everything went perfectly. It was hard, emotional, frustrating, etc. But I made it through. And if you read Ephesians 6, it does not say “you wear this armor and you will never lose.” But it does say, “you will stand firm and you will stand strong.”

Before today I felt weak, helpless, and tired of life. But now I’m beginning to pick up my armor, put it on slowly piece by piece and for the first time in a long time I am STANDING FIRM.

This is my story….what is yours.

A few months ago…I thought that life could not get any harder. I can’t say I was right or that I was wrong. But the truth is that we would not have made it through with out those God has strategically place in our life to help us along the hard rocky path.

During times of doubt and utter misery we turned to family, friends, teachers, and prayer wariors for help. Some offered words of wisdom, others offered a loving ear, some offered plans or their personal stories. We had a lot of help and some times I can easly over look the fact that so many people helped carry us through. Out here it is easy to think we are on our own and that we have to fight the battles alone. we forget while not in close proximity that there are people out there who love us and truly truly care about our quality of life. 

Josh got word today that he recieved a grant we have been waiting for that will provide funding for us for the next year and allow him to continue to follow his dreams and pursue research in the area that interests him the most. I am still waiting to see the results of some new medicine that I’m trying. We are continueing to question are believes and what we have been told to blindly think and follow all our lifes. We are meeting new people and trying to understand their believes and their struggles as well.

 We could not have made it this far with out many of you.

To Josh Mother Judy Campbell…because of you we know the power of prayer and the strength of a woman. We know the love of a mother and the desire to see her children be all they can be.

to Josh’s father Rick Campbell…we have leaned on you many of times from learning to fix things around the house, to getting the dent out of our brand new car that was only two weeks old (if you don’t know the story do not ask!) Along with finacial descions.

To Josh’s sister, we have learned the art of decorating and how furniture works to accent a room and should not overwhelm it.

To My Mother Lin Jarratt…we have learned to embrace life. We’ve learned the beauty of health and happiness. We have learned to scrap by on pennies and to cherish the little things. Like  birthday presents that do not involve any pennies to a simple slow dance.

To my sister…Kelly, we’ve learned the importance of always working towards being a better person. We’ve learned to always put family first and to be the bigger person….even when it hurts.

To all our Aunt’s and Uncle’s….we have learned that we always have people to turn to when we can not find our way. We’ve learned that you are not just old people he heh e but people who have lived life and have so much wisdom and experience to share with us.

To our friends…we’ve learned to have fun, to laugh even when the flood waters seem so high you could drown if you open your mouth. We’ve learned what loyalty is and that we always have people to confide in.

To God….we are still learning from you. And while your parables and proverbs are often hard to follow and internalize we continue to have faith. We see your beauty in this wonderful country that you have given us and the love of those you have placed in our life.

That is right we I have great news!!! I am the newest member of the Southern Mass Festival choir!!!!!! We are a group of a hundred and have a concert scheduled for December 13 and 14th. So if you are in MA round that time let me know!!!!! I’m so excited!!!! http://www.smfconline.org/upcomingevents.html her e is our website