Lens Giveaway from Crave my Photography!

Ok...I'm really hoping to win a new fabulous lens...but I'd take the mentoring workshop too!

http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/lens-giveaway-2/

I'd love to win so that I can use either prize to enhance my photographs!  First faces I'd capture or edit -- My 3 little handsome boys - Lincoln, Justice & Zeke...always my favorite subjects!

In March of 1996 I took my first mission trip to Mexico to work in an orphanage.  As a 17 year old girl, the experience of this trip changed my life.  Although I had already dedicated my life to Christ, this was certainly a turning point in my life and deciding to serve Him full time.  I was able to see first-hand the impact of a life lived without the love of Christ.  Since that trip I have had the opportunity to return to that orphanage as a sponsor for high school kids.  It was so wonderful to see some of the children that I had remembered from the previous trip.  I think in America we don’t necessarily see the big picture of children abandoned or left orphans by their families.  This was something that hit me like a ton of bricks on my third trip to Mexico.  While we were there a family of 6 children were dropped off and left at the orphanage because their parents no longer wanted them. This was absolutely devastating to me.  While I am no longer naïve enough to think things like this do not happen in America, I was never aware of it before, so this impacted me greatly.  From that point on, I was committed to giving all that I could to make sure everyone had the opportunity to know the true LOVE of our Savior. 

This coming February 14^th - 18^th I have to opportunity to return to Mexico and share Christ’s love.  I will be joining a team from StoneBridge Christian Church (Omaha, NE) and traveling to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.  We will be working with Amor Ministries and building two homes for needy families in the city.  Families in Puerto Penasco apply for homes and Pastors from Amor line up homes to be built.  All labor is done manually: no power tools, cement mixers, etc.  We want to show the family and others that they can build and make improvements without needing power tools since many areas do not have electricity.  As much of an impact that I think a trip like this has on the people we will be serving, I know from experience that it will be an even bigger blessing for me to be able to serve them.

I am asking for you to partner with me for this trip in two ways. First and most important, I covet your prayers.  Mission trips can be risky.  Please pray for our safety, strength and good health!  Also, pray that our efforts will make a difference and that our work will demonstrate the love of Christ.   Secondly, I am asking for you to help support me financially.   The cost of the trip is about $750.  I will be sending in my deposit the 1^st of November and purchasing my plane tickets as soon as possible.  

If you are interested in supporting me financially, please contact me via email stinasander@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook and I will get you the details.  

Thanks for your prayers and support!

The Bright Side.....

Today at church I gained a little perspective.  Everyone has been doing the "thankfulness posts" (me included), and I'm not going to lie, sometimes, I sit and really have to thank at the end of the day about what I'm thankful for.  Anyway, today at church, one of the men was talking about Thanksgiving and how we should have "an attitude of gratitude."  This really struck me.  Because honestly, I have spent the last 18 months constantly focusing on what is going wrong in my life, and how bad it all is.  When I actually stop to think about it, no wonder I've been so miserable.  I've never been one to thrive around negativity(really, do any of us?) and I have been breeding in myself for over a year.  Why is it so easy to see the negative instead of the positive?  I know for me, if I am continually around negative, grumpy people, it becomes contagious....meaning I GET GRUMPY TOO!  Negative Nancy!

So, today, I'm choosing to actively change my attitude.  Not just for this season that we are "supposed to be thankful," but back to what I like to think of as "normal Cristina." Happy, positive, cheery, look on the bright side, glass half full kind of girl.  I have a good friend who has been coaching me to "take captive your thoughts."  At first, it annoyed me, like I was just going to be able to stop thinking things that made me sad or angry, but in reality, she was telling me that I own my thoughts.  Yes, sad & infuriating thoughts will cross my mind, but how I choose to handle them is up to me.  I know this will not be easy, but I also know that I like myself a whole lot more when I am "normal Cristina" (see description above).  I have said for years, "I don't like me when I'm grumpy, I'm sure no one else does either!"  So here we go, a few days before the big "Thankfulness day", join me in seeing the bright side, and not the negative first. And, maybe, just MAYBE,  if I start focusing on the brighter side of things, that the darkness won't be so noticeable! :-)

Day 5: My church family

Today I'm thankful for my church family.  This church is so loving & kind.  I've always known that, but since moving back here about 9 months ago, it has been shown to me time & time again.  The love they have for me & my boys is outstanding.  At times, I second guess my choice to move back to Norton.  This town if filled with many memories & happy times, which seem to make my current situation more painful. As I sit & question if this is the right place for me & the boys, I receive constant affirmation from my church family.  Encouraging notes in the mail, a phone call, a hug, a kind word, generous support & help with my house, vehicle stuff etc.  I am so humbled by the outpouring of love they continue to show me.  I know that I am here for a reason, and that one of the reasons I came back to Norton, is that this is my home. My church family proves that to me. This is where we belong.

Day 4: Zeke...

Today I'm thankful for my baby(not so baby anymore) Ezekiel(Zeke).  He is such a light to my life.  I absolutely adore him.  I don't know what my little family would be like without him.  His cheeks are so perfectly kissable, his giggle is infectious, and he is great at snuggling.  I love seeing his little personality develop right before my eyes.  His brothers adore him too...they miss him when they are at school & love to play with him when we get home. I often think about the meaning of his name, Ezekiel - "the Lord provides strength"  SO POWERFUL!  For me, every time I say his name I am reminded of that meaning. It is such a humbling thought, that HE (the Lord) is in control and providing & sustaining me & giving me strength.  On the other hand, I am so encouraged to pray the meaning of his name as a prayer over him for the future.  I pray that Zeke will always stay in the presence of Christ & allow that Lord to be his strength.  I am so blessed to be the mommy of these 3 amazing little men.  I am so thankful that God saw fit to entrust them to me....may I be ever faithful & do my best to raise them according to His Word!

Day 3...Justice

Thankfulness...Day 3

Today I am thankful for Justice, my middle boy!  He is so full of JOY! On the worst day, he can put a smile on my face that won't go away! He is so full of life & energy.  I am so thankful that he is still here today!  To be honest, the worst day of my life was the day he was flown to Kearney in the helicopter when he was 11 months old.

Read the story here:

http://gretchensgiggles.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-adventure-with-justice.html

He is the sweetest ornery boy I have ever know & I'm so happy he is mine!  He loves so completely & he makes my heart smile!  Jesus had a lot of fun creating him!! He is Mr. Personality!  I can't wait to see how God will use him as he grows!

Day 2...Lincoln (catching up)

Thankfulness Day 2

Today, I am thankful for my oldest son Lincoln, the boy who gave me the name Momma!  I love his tender heart (a little too much like me at times), I love his stubbornness...as he grows I pray this will develop into perseverance.  He is so loving & kind, he is an amazing big brother.  His big blue eyes have melted my heart since the first time I caught their gaze.  He snuggles, hugs & kisses me all the time.  When we drive down the road, he sits up from & holds my hand the whole time.  I am looking forward to the man that He grows to be in Christ.  Thank you Jesus, for my Lincoln =)

Day 1...(catching up)

Thankfulness (Day 1)

I am MOST thankful for Jesus.  My relationship with Him is the most important thing in my life & I am so thankful that no matter what, I will always have Him.  I truly am His forever =)

On a lighter note....

Here are a few things that I really dislike about being a single woman...

1- Filling up my own gas tank...ugh, I hate getting gas on my own...I always spill & get it on my hands.

2- Vehicle maintenance in general...so far as a single woman, I have dealt with..
     
     * hitting a deer
     * buying a newer vehicle
     * a couple of flat tires
     * purchasing new tires
   
3- House stuff
     * repairs
     * dealing with hiring people to fix things and then having to call & try to be grumpy  assertive when the job isn't finished.

4- Life insurance stuff...ICK

Not too much really...it's all just little stuff.  I guess maybe I took for granted having someone to help with all that stuff.

Total honesty....

So...I haven't written for quite awhile, truth is, I've been avoiding writing about my situation.  I guess I kinda thought that if I ignored it, or pretended that it didn't happen, that no one would know.  Truth is, many people don't know what has happened in my life over the last year and a half.  I don't know that I'm ready to share, but truth is, most of my readers already know.  I think I was also trying to protect Mike & Rachelle, I didn't want them to look bad, but why would I want to protect their image?  But, I think that writing my story is good therapy for me.

Tonight, I wonder if anyone actually realizes how excruciating this experience has been.  I know others have been in similar situations.  The betrayal, the lies, the deception, but I don't know anyone who has walked a path parallel to mine.  In June 2011, when the truth of Mike's affair came out, I remember a friend asking me if I knew anyone who had been through this and survived, not only survived, but thrived.  I couldn't think of anyone...and even now...the people I know who have been through this, chose to make their marriage work. She forgave, he stayed.  Unfortunately, Mike chose to leave.  He chose to abandon his vows, as if the affair wasn't enough, he chose to quit.  He chose to walk away from the commitment we had made 12 years previous.  I have tried to wrestle all of this through my brain, the whys, what ifs, if only, etc.  Nothing makes sense. It hurts more than anything possibly imagined.  I don't want to accept that he is not the man I used to know.  I don't know what the time frame should be, I feel like everyone thinks I should just get over it & move on.  It is as if the whole world is still moving around me & I am standing still. I don't know how let go and give up.

As I sit here in the dark & see my 3 sweet sleeping boys, I don't know how I feel alone.  I try to cling to Scripture and rest in the fact that Christ will never leave me or forsake me, I am never alone.  I know I have a hope and a future, I just struggle to remember that.  Honestly, 2 days ago I prayerfully admitted the other day that I have a hard time trusting Him now.  The man that I believed God gave me, to love me, protect me, honor me, & cherish me forever, failed & broke my trust.  I am struggling to trust God, it is hard to not feel like God let me down.  I know who I am inside & I know all credit goes to Christ, but I still struggle trusting.  I know He didn't do this, that He would never cause me harm, but I guess my struggle with trust is wondering why He didn't protect me from this? Why does He think I am strong enough to handle all of this? Doesn't he know that I'd rather be home with my boys, than to be working everyday & missing out on so much? In a blink, Zeke is now one and I don't even know where the time went.  The last year is a blur...and I feel so guilty.

As I read through this writing, I'm not sure it all makes sense, or if I should even post it.  But, I am going to, I am going to let myself be vulnerable, & hope somehow it is part of the road to healing.

Mentoring...

I have had a passion for investing in teen girls lives for about 15 years.  Unfortunately, most girls don't ask for/think they need a mentor until they have a sin induced life crisis.  Most girls don't come running for help until they have made life altering sin choices that have their life in shambles. The weird thing for me is that I don't always connect with them because I was too afraid of getting in trouble when I was a teenager, so I don't have much "experience" with teenage struggles.  I will never give up on these girls, I will always invest in them & offer any advice and guidance that I can.

When I was in high school, I always remember having "testimony envy."  I would hear speakers at various events and always think that since I had never made any "huge" mistakes, that Christ's redeeming story in my life wasn't as good.  Now, as an adult, who made it through those years virtually unscathed, I have a different perspective.  I feel like more stories of people who don't have what would be considered "huge" sin issues in their life.

1)Sin is sin....our world tries to put it on a scale.  Certain things worse than others etc...truth is "all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23.  But certain sins/mistakes rank higher on the "scale" because they are more visible and have greater consequences.  Therefore, it's better to avoid as many of those as possible.

2) I want girls to know that it is possible to make it through high school & college & life in general without making those "life altering sin choices"  I think too many girls get caught in a trap of thinking that they have lots of years to make mistakes & so many of the influential women in their lives have made "HUGE" mistakes(sin choices) and they have turned out ok.

Anyway, my brain & heart are stirring & dreaming of a ministry geared to empower girls to be confident & make wise choices.  Join me in prayer & thinking about how to mentor and reach these girls who have yet to make those "life alter sin choices" and to help them avoid the years of guilt that follow from moments of pleasure in high school or college.

Ok...I'm starting to feel ready to blog again....beware...my brain is working over time lately...lots of thoughts in here!  When I get them gathered into something readable & sensible I will be sharing...hope you are all ready! :)

Ezekiel Grey Sander

I know this is a couple months late...but, I'm a little busy!  3 boys (and MIKE) so, I hope you all understand!  But here it is the official birth announcement for our sweet Zeke.  I just ordered some printed ones also...for everyone who doesn't do the whole computer thing. But I will probably have extras, if anyone wants one!

While I am on here...I will add some of the best from the last 2 months as well!  

For the record...Mike thinks its terrible that I took pictures while Zeke was crying!  Oh well, I think he's the most adorable crying baby ever...LOL!

More domestic stuff.....

Some might call it 'nesting,' but I really just don't want all this yummy produce to go to waste!  I got some tomatoes from the garden when I went to Kansas last weekend.  I wanted to make salsa, & also canned crushed tomatoes.  Since Mike is allergic to onions, I use alot of crushed tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, chili, etc...any tomato based stuff...most of all store bought stuff has onions.  Anyway, I came  across a post saying that you could puree your fresh tomatoes (skins & all) and freeze them in freezer bags to use whenever!  I thought that sounded so much easier than trying to stand over the hot stove canning all these tomatoes.  So I tried it!  I did have enough peppers to make Mike 1 3/4 qts of salsa!

This little gadget came with my blender & attaches to it.  It has a bigger blade...I guess its kinda like a food processor!  It works great, I have used it more in the last 2 weeks than the whole time I've had it.  *Side note* My mom & mom -in- law both have their blenders that they got when they got married (37 & 36 yrs.) And I already have had to replace my blender once in 12 years (probably about 4 years ago).

So I ran the tomatoes through here & then transferred them to a bowl

Then I used this ladle to put the tomatoes into the baggies.  The ladle measured just about 1/2 a cup

I filled each bag with about 3 cups.

I ended up with 8 quart size bags of crushed tomatoes..can't wait to use them!  But...I should probably use the canned grocery store stuff that is in my pantry.  That way, when it's super cold & wintery, I can use my "fresh/frozen" tomatoes and they will taste so much better!

Mmmmm...Peach Rhubarb Jam

So, I bought 2 boxes of Colorado peaches recently!  YUMMY!!  I could easily just eat them fresh, but part of the fun is extending their goodness through the cold of fall & winter!  I have been looking for things to use them in.  I will be freezing some & also dehydrating some for snacking!  But I thought..hmm...jam sounds yummy!  Then I remembered I still had some rhubarb in the freezer from earlier this summer!  I wondered what the combo would taste like. So I asked my friend google...and it seems like many people pair the two off season fruits together.  So I decided to try it!

I used this basic Peach Jam recipe from Martha
http://www.marthastewart.com/345551/peach-jam?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/peach-recipes#slide_3

Then I modified it just slightly to add the rhubarb.  I adjusted the amount of peaches to include the rhubarb.  I didn't take into consideration that the rhubarb was frozen & therefor a little more watery as I used it, so the jam did not thicken as quickly.  But all in all, it was fun & it tasted yummy on my toast today!  I made 3 jars & also have a little dish in the fridge!

Chopped peaches added to food processor!

Blend them up!...So pretty!

Cooking everything together! YUM!

Pretty easy & very tasty!  Have fun!

Date to the 'Mountain'

Since we moved here, Lincoln has been obsessed with the 'MOUNTAIN' (Scotts Bluff National Monument).  He has been wanting to go there so badly. One evening, the boys & I drove out past there & then he got really excited, because he could see the tunnels.  The next night as we were leaving church, he told Mike that he wanted to go on a date to the mountain!  A picnic date!!  So, Mike told him that on Wednesday, we would go!  He was so excited!  Tuesday night, I asked him what kind of food we should take on our picnic date to the mountain.  We decided on: meat, cheese, & crackers, strawberries, cookies with chocolate candy in them, and root beer!  So much FUN!

On Wednesday, I told Lincoln that it was time to get our clothes & shoes on so we could go to the mountain & his response was, "Is it WEDNESDAY?!?!" So, off we went... all four FIVE of us!

We had a blast!  The boys loved climbing & hiking on the rocks!  Mommy did pretty good too...no worries, I didn't try to do any climbing, but we did have a nice walk!  The season pass cost us $15 and it is good for a whole calendar year!  We have a card & as long as Mike or I are in the vehicle, we can use it!  I originally thought that I would be able to take the boys sometimes when Mike was at work...HA!!!  There is no way I will be able to do that for a LONG time!  They are so busy up there.  Mike had to stay very close to them the whole time.  Absolutely not a great idea while I'm pregnant for sure, then when I have the baby....um...still not a good idea!  Oh well, we can still go very often!

Well, here are some pics from our day!  Enjoy...OH & come visit & you can join us on a picnic date to the mountain!

My guys!!

Justice!  

So strong!!!

My climbers!!!

Lunch time!!!

View on the way down!

The tunnel(s) there are 3 of them to drive through...THE BOYS LOVE THEM!!!

All of us...the best I could get! love these guys!!

Backyard Fun!

We had a great night tonight!  We set up our little fire pit & built a fire, cooked hot dogs for supper & then roasted marshmallows!  So much fun...the boys had a blast!!! 

We had some funny moments...I wish I could remember them all!  One time Lincoln said, "I love marsh(buuuurp)mallows!"  LOL I said, "Lincoln, what do you say when you burp?"  He proceeded to "pretend burp" too funny!  I explained...about 'excuse me'  Oh BOYS...what fun, they are!!!

Ahhh....FALL!!

OK, so I know its technically not fall until September 23rd...but this weather is so not summer!! I AM SO HAPPY!

First of all, our nice little window a/c unit does well for the front room.  Actually, it does too well for the front room, (cold) but the rest of the house is still stuffy & warm.  This girl can't sleep when it's HOT (preggo or not)...so I actually slept on the sofa a few times, because I was uncomfortable!  ANYWAY, yesterday we actually got to open all the windows & turn the little a/c unit off!  IT WAS AMAZING in our house!  AND....to top it off, the smell of sugar beats or feedlot were not invading my house along with the cool breeze..YAY!!!! And I actually slept in my room & had to use the sheet to cover up with for a bit...I was actually a little chilly!

Secondly, FOOTBALL!!!! YAY for FALL FOOTBALL!!! Is there really a better time of the year....EVER??? especially in Nebraska...hello?  I love Husker football & I can't wait to see how this season unfolds.  There is so much uncertainty...the newness of everything, the conference, the offense, new places to play, etc....I am stoked...no matter how it turns out each week, I anticipate Saturday!!!  (of course, it's always better if the Huskers win!)

Next, cooking & baking!  I told Mike the other day that I was so excited because it was finally almost soup season! He laughed & said you eat soup anytime!  I know...but I explained that somehow soup always tastes better when you don't have to cook over the hot stove to achieve a tasty pot of soup!  YUMMO!  Plus, I am kinda "famous" for my chili making skills!  But I also enjoy making beef n noodles, chicken n noodles, veggie beef stew, cheeseburger soup, & potato soup!  MMMMM.....
Oh and baking...mmmm...so many yummy flavors to choose from!  This morning I got up & noticed that Justice had taste tested 4 large apples in the fridge & returned them!  HA!!  So I cut out the teeth marks & then sliced & cored them.  This afternoon, I made apple crisp!  YUM!  I love making things like this that don't require a precise recipe!  After all, how can you go wrong with ingredients like, apples, oatmeal, a little flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, & butter?!!
So really, this also comes down to temperature...really who likes to cook when its 100* outside?

A few more things I am anxious for this fall!

• BABY SANDER #3...HELLO!!! Can't wait til October...or whenever this little munchkin decides to join us!?! 
• New wardrobe...actually for me..2 times!  I love change of seasons when you can pull out all the things you haven't worn for months...for me I get to do this a few times!  I will (maybe) get to utilize my fall maternity clothes & then also pull out all the non-maternity things I haven't gotten to wear for awhile. 
• Pumpkin patch with my boys!! HOORAY!!!
• The fact that summer is actually gonna be over...it's not been an easy one :)
• Cooler weather (already said that, didn't I?)
• Outdoor parties!  We have a ginormous backyard & I can't wait to spend some more time out there in the evenings! Gotta have people over!!

Anyway, I am extremely excited for the change in weather that has sparked all of these thoughts in my head!  Hopefully, it's not just teasing me...I really would like it to be here to stay! 

Great Article!!!

http://theresurgence.com/2011/08/31/a-wifes-testing-ground?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheResurgence+%28The+Resurgence%29

This girl is speaking my story!  I really needed this!  Sometimes its so easy to forget that God is always there even when things are so uncertain.  Change is hard for me...this moving & starting over bit, I DON'T LIKE IT!!!  I am not one to reach out, ask for help, seek friends etc.  So...obviously this is a difficult transition for me despite all of the things we are dealing with @ home.  BUT....GOD is ALWAYS FAITHFUL...he will always be my rock.

LIGHT UP THE SKY!!!!

Earlier today we were driving around & my boys insisted on listening to "Light up the Sky" by the Afters, over & over again...so precious to hear their sweet little voices trying to sing along...can you just imagine?  Lincoln does really well, and Justice...he's just cute while he sings it! So seriously we listened to it probably 12ish times.  Each time before the chorus, Lincoln would say "are you ready Momma?"  Then we would sing the chorus together...really loud!!  Then at the end of the song, he would say, "I want to listen to light up sky again!" (Have I ever mentioned how much these boys melt my heart?)

Anyway, it was so much fun!! Here's the song!!



"light up the sky, to show me you are with me!" AND...that's exactly what God did tonight!!! SO AMAZING!!!!!  He has really been reminding me of His presence lately!  I am so in AWE of His POWER & GREATNESS.  From everything He is doing in my life & teaching me lately and also the AWESOME light shows he creates...I like to think sometimes He is just showing off, or maybe just wants to make me smile, or wants me to have a little fun trying to capture a little bit of his GREATNESS on camera!  Well, I was so surprised tonight to see that I did just that!! I had some fun & captured what His GREATNESS looks like to us on earth!  What a great reminder of a CREATOR!!!!

Here are the best of the night!!

Hope you take some time to recognize the Greatness of the Creator!  I'M SO IN LOVE!!!!