tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229621620042372512024-02-20T09:28:06.594-08:00Grace and Peace to YouThe blogging tales of a native Texan who is now living in Iowa. A one-time resident of Chicagoland and the San Francisco Bay Area. Gracious daughter of God. Proud Roadrunner (UTSA) alum. Married to college sweetheart. Mom of two kids. Survivor of Dystonia. A PK and now a pastor's wife.Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-86621867142955122952017-09-27T19:51:00.000-07:002017-09-28T13:49:28.602-07:00Dystonia MOVES Me: Reaching the Un-Diagnosed
September is Dystonia Awareness month and therefore I feel
compelled to share my story about living with dystonia.
I was in college when a doctor scribbled ‘dystonia’ on a
post-it note. Although they said it was just a fancy word for ‘jerking’, I held
on to this scribbled note as if it was a winning lottery ticket. I tucked it
away in my wallet and pulled it out anytime I met with a new Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-61600039800200418262015-06-29T10:37:00.001-07:002015-07-06T12:51:37.608-07:00Heeding a "left-field" calling Last spring it became unexpectedly clear that Jon would transition away from his current position at church. When something unexpected happens it can bring up a slew of emotions, fears, and hopes. This was the case for us, to the point that it was difficult to put into words all the emotions, fears, and hopes that were running through our hearts and minds. Therefore, even writing this blog is a Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-35175091999049824062014-11-04T07:50:00.001-08:002014-11-04T08:42:14.213-08:00Baring all about my breastfeeding experience
I promise no nudity, rants, or lobbying. Just want to
reflect on my treasured breastfeeding experience.
Prior to Amelia’s arrival I prayed often for God to give me
the ability – no, the opportunity – to nurse Amelia. My growing breasts were
helpful reminders to pray! As they grew so did the length and frequency of my
prayers! I was not comfortable with expecting “nature to takes it’s course.”Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-23865689592644120072012-08-30T06:26:00.000-07:002012-08-30T06:26:45.524-07:002011 Picture RecapHi friends!
Here is a link to a book I put together to capture our 2011 memories...or atleast show what a camera caputred :)
Enjoy!
Ps...Some 2011 pictures are in another book I made about a year and half ago and therefore not in this book.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZuWTFo2bsWbrY&cid=SFLYOCWIDGETGrace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-6816788707118807982012-07-06T09:26:00.005-07:002012-07-06T09:32:30.952-07:00Challenging God's faithfulness?
God’s faithfulness is ever present even in the most unseen ways.
I experienced this when I went to see a neurologist for my shaking and then was sent to a Rheumatologist for having too many antibodies. Long story short, I found out that I’m perfect candidate for a progressive autoimmune disease. Yet, I cannot be formally diagnosed for this disease because it has not progressed to the point Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-52511549071481850142012-05-29T06:07:00.000-07:002012-05-29T06:43:28.976-07:00The Importance of Knowing How You Are DifferentI’m different.
Not in a way that makes me better than you
Nor in a way that places me below you.
This is only possible because
you are different too.
Surprised?
Confused?
All–all–of humanity are His image bearers.
That is what (should) bind us all–all–together.
Yet, just as He did with the flowers
He gave us an array of differences.
To Him we are a beautiful arrangement.
Do we see all–all–of Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0Deerfield, IL, USA42.1711365 -87.844511942.147600000000004 -87.883993900000007 42.194673 -87.8050299tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-69822982462563558732012-01-27T09:04:00.000-08:002012-01-27T19:41:28.489-08:00Transitions Are Like VitaminsTransitions are tough.
They are like a One-A-Day vitamin.You gag trying to swallow it.Its bigger than a peppermint. Can’t they come in smaller sizes?
Gulping down water, the vitamin scrapes against your throatand rests somewhere between your mouth and stomach.
More water is needed. Gulp, gulp, gulp.
…15 minutes later….nausea is your name.
Who tries taking a vitamin on an empty stomach? You did.Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-32229659506669227172012-01-22T19:11:00.001-08:002012-01-22T19:11:58.298-08:00Coming Soon...<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-7853459947248424682011-11-17T06:49:00.000-08:002011-11-23T08:29:43.034-08:00Pilgrims and Martha Stewart Aside, What is Thanksgiving?Recently I went to google.com and typed “What is Thanksgiving?” In less than a quarter of a second the computer displayed over 23 million links! Evidently, there are many ways to describe Thanksgiving. Here is my take on it:
Where to begin?
I could start in 1621, when the first American Thanksgiving feast is recorded to have taken place and end with the many things that have grown out of Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-17763266250495336572011-10-12T08:07:00.000-07:002011-10-18T06:09:45.249-07:00Why I don't like the B (busy) wordOne of my least favorite words to describe myself is the word busy. Literally, my stomach turns whenever I use it. This has not always been the case but it is now. Some take pride or comfort in reporting to others that they are ‘busy’ while all I feel is guilt. There are many reasons why I am like this, but I think the most prominent and important reason (though not always the most prevalent Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-64729344483984846932011-09-13T06:03:00.000-07:002011-09-26T14:19:40.500-07:00A mustard-seed-mountain-moving faith
I was ¾ of the way through my training schedule when God said something that blew my mind away. Seriously. It challenged everything I knew – or thought I knew – about him.
I was crunching the numbers, calculating how many miles I could run, how many miles I needed to run, and how many days I had left to train. Trust me things were not looking good. I was behind on my training and it wasnt for Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-18008154022034652132011-08-28T16:24:00.000-07:002011-08-28T16:27:27.347-07:00How my purple toes are helping Africa
Dear family and friends,
Did you know that I am running a half marathon? Its true! On September 11th I will run in the Chicago Half-Marathon. I’m running with a great team too – I’ll get that later.
First, I want to tell you about my purple toes. Yes you read right, my purple toes! I began training for the race in March; back then I was exhausted just thinking about running five miles! I Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-45802311287270205172011-08-17T18:22:00.000-07:002011-08-18T19:06:40.166-07:00Why Spring Needs WinterI’ve thought for some time what I would post today. Where could I begin to describe the last year of my life. A year ago today I said goodbye to Texas, something I had never done. After a loong road trip we arrived in Deerfield and finally saw our new home. You’d be surprised how many people ask Jon and me, “Why did you come all the way up here?” Well, in case you forgot, we came up here Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-13167105234117095852011-07-30T14:44:00.000-07:002011-07-30T14:44:44.539-07:00Our guest blogger is revealed!Today's blog post was written by my father, Alex Mandes. Yes, he is our guest blogger. Today's post is very special because its my parent's wedding anniversary! Their marriage is such a testimony, to me and many others. They are the type of couple that, as Hebrews 11 says, this world is not worthy of - for their integrity and faith. If you have been encouraged by my parent's example as Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-9124232967453821342011-07-22T11:43:00.000-07:002011-07-22T13:32:31.359-07:00A special announcement!I have a very special announcement! I’m having a…
…guest blogger join our conversation next week! Ekk! To add to the hype, I’m not going to reveal who it is. Wait. Before you start throwing rocks, I’ll give you a few hints.· This person has the type of notoriety that their name is easily dropped in conversations across the country! No joke. Kevin Bacon Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-47475813471363843342011-07-19T11:38:00.000-07:002011-07-19T11:43:04.555-07:00Strangers, already? I hope not!It's been too long, have you missed me?
It feels like it was years ago since I last wrote. Since my last post God has continually pressed words to my fingertips. PTL! (I hope its the same case for you!) I am very excited to get back into the swing of sharing my thoughts with you, the are indeed the very conversations that I am having with God.
Here it goes....
Each day it Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-10772636899496683662011-06-17T12:22:00.000-07:002011-06-17T13:32:39.481-07:00He Did What?!?Pet peeves often involve specific behaviors of someone close, such as a spouse or significant other. These behaviors may involve disrespect, manners, personal hygiene, relationships, and family issues. A key aspect of a pet peeve is that it may well seem acceptable to others. For example, a supervisor may have a pet peeve about people leaving the lid on the copier up and react angrily, be annoyedGrace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-51939232109596467282011-06-08T12:04:00.000-07:002011-06-08T12:04:41.484-07:00A Very Good PoemI may not get to see my Texan friends and family as often as I'd like but God is using this distance for good. Since moving to Deerfield, God has come alongside me and lent me his eyes, allowing me to see my family and friends as he does - which casts a warm glow upon their faces. I am learning to treasure who they are in Christ and not the memories we are creating or Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-31902614308860647332011-05-23T07:12:00.000-07:002011-05-23T09:31:48.277-07:00It's our birthday!!
Happy marriage day to my handsome groom!!! We are two years old! Would that make us toddler lovers? Does that mean the terrible twos are upon us? Just joking!
As days like today are usually called wedding anniversaries, allow me to explain why I also liken it to a birthday: December 6th is of course my birthday, the day Emily Mandes was born and May 23rd is my wedding anniversary, the day I Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-33612675136674966812011-05-17T10:28:00.004-07:002012-02-23T11:17:10.634-08:00Confessions of a PK
Mom, dad, and me at Seaworld
I write ‘PK’ –Preacher’s Kid– because my father serves God in a pastoral role. But since I’m 25 I wonder, does the K in PK still apply? I don’t think I will ever shake it! But let the record show that I have grown leaps and bounds in maturity since I last sat on the receiving end of a flannel-board bible story lesson.
So much of who I am today is a result of who Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-91674926136809891292011-05-09T12:05:00.000-07:002011-05-09T12:05:05.941-07:00Top reasons why my mom is the bestI had a fabulous internet free weekend and therefore was unable to post this untill now.
It has been interesting living the seminary life and reflecting on what it was like for my parents, as my Dad attended DTS. Walking in their shoes has helped me have an even greater appreciation for them.
Top reasons why my mom is the best
1. She just wants what is best for me.
This most recently showedGrace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-66166647244018448402011-05-05T19:16:00.000-07:002011-05-05T19:16:32.181-07:00It is time to put Time in its place!<!--StartFragment-->
With each tick of the clock time reminds us that we are indeed only human and constrained to walk to its beat.
Planning a wedding helped me realize how little control I had over time. Never had I felt so rushed, pressed, and pushed by time. In addition to my usual workout of squats and sit-ups, I was getting an additional workout from time. Each day had moments I couldn’t Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-2484363445055214192011-04-20T17:59:00.000-07:002011-04-21T06:48:43.427-07:00The five-day challengeFrom the richest to the poorest, no one would question that 3.5 billon, which is half the world’s population, is a HUGE number. However, we may not all (all 6.7 billion of us) as easily agree on the significance of two dollars. Why? …Because half the world’s population eats on less than two dollars a day.
Two dollars? …Sound like a lot? Not to me…Which is why I knew I needed to do the challenge.
Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-48864118913346620092011-04-18T09:06:00.001-07:002011-04-18T15:01:38.858-07:00A successful rhymeThis past weekend I did some Spring Cleaning or, in other words, I sorted through accumulated excess of dust, clothes, odds and ends, ect. It was a very accomplishing and very tiring task. As I sorted through all my stuff I naturally asked myself, “Just how did you manage to accrue all this stuff?!” Which is when I realized, I accumulate more than I need to ensure that I will never be in need. Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-822962162004237251.post-15640403830781868392011-04-06T20:40:00.001-07:002011-04-07T11:23:22.762-07:00The girl who cried coyote
The other day I was walking across campus delighting in the warmth of 40-degree weather (Yes, you heard right – de-light-in’) when my eyes locked onto a strange sight. It was a furry brown creature that was crotched under a tree. While I have noticed that the squirrels on campus are larger than average, this animal was 50 times their size. With a closer look I knew – this larger than life Grace and Peace to Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950422515290222215noreply@blogger.com0