In Remembrance

To the greatest Mom in the world. I miss you and love you dearly.

Memorial Fund Contributions

Thank you for the many of you whom have asked about memorial fund contributions for my mother Sharon Hurley.

A memorial fund has been established in Sharon's memory in which the proceeds will be used to support higher education for the grandchildren. Contributions accepted by Chase Bank Account Number 2947570616 or checks can be made out to Angela Kintner and sent to:

Angela Kintner
5489 Old Farm Circle East
Colorado Springs, CO 80917

With Sincere Thankfulness

Sharon's Memorial Celebration

It is with great sorrow and joy that I share that my mother Sharon is resting in the arms of Jesus as of Friday, March 4th 2011. Our loss is heaven's gain. We celebrate that she is singing her heart out for her Jesus in heaven's angelic choir.

We would be honored to have you attend her Memorial Celebration.

Details are as follows.
When: Sat. March 12th, 2011 at 1:00p.m.
9440 W. Hutton Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351

Please forward the memorial service details to friends you know who love Sharon. We appreciate you helping us to spread the word.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.

Cards can be sent to Angela's home:

Angela Kintner
5489 Old Farm Circle East
Colorado Springs, CO 80917

Thank you for your prayers for me in this time of deep loss.

Best of Advent 2010

Our Advent season overflowed in goodness, was rich in fellowship, and was full of anticipation, expectation and joy of the coming of the King.

Here I will highlight the 'Best of Advent' 2010:

• I spent my birthday weekend with my mom in AZ. On my birthday my Aunt Melanie joined us for dinner and a concert by the a capella group Kings Singers. The next evening we celebrated duo birthday's with my sister in law and brother. My last night before departing home my dad treated my mom and I to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Our time together was significant. It is the only meal that I have had the pleasure of experiencing alongside both my mother and my father since my childhood.
• Our 3rd annual Caroling party was another highlight. It was a sweet time of fellowship with friends old and new. In between caroling sets we shared stories. The awe and wonder of the Advent season filled the room. Several times my breath stopped at the raw beauty of the voices ringing around the piano. This yearly tradition is one that I hold close to my heart.
  
• Enjoying our children sing songs to the King at church. Cuteness!
• The joy I experienced Christmas Eve leading our church congregation in worship was overwhelming. My heart leaped out of my chest as I joined the masses in celebrating the coming of our King. The harmony of the congregation along with the band and string ensemble left me awe struck. Singing an 'Ave Maria' solo was serendipitous as it had a double meaning with my own mother present. An additional blessing was having my extended family in our midst.

• In general, having mom and my brother's family at our home was a complete joy. More to come soon about our time together!

It's hard to believe how quickly Christmas came and went. While our Advent was overflowing in goodness, sometimes it felt too full.
Looking ahead it is our desire to be more intentional in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. We desire to have family devotionals each day, to celebrate with friends and family, to keep gifts to a minimum and to continue to build family traditions in meaningful ways.
As you experience 2011 may you continue to dance with anticipation, expectation, hope and joy of our King.

Happy December

This picture I took today is laugh-out-loud hilarious.


A genuine belly laugh was definitely medicine for my body and soul.

HAPPY DECEMBER!

With Thanksgiving

After a holiday weekend full of family, friends, savory nibbles and game playing I pause again to give thanks to the One who withholds no good thing. He gives and He is good.

I am indeed grateful for the bountiful gifts of: my husband, our children, extended family, friends old and new, our church, the roof over our heads, our health, and employment. I'm also grateful for slipper socks, the warmth of the fireplace, scented candles, and freshly baked bread just to name a few.

I'm realizing the desire for my senses to be awakened to the gifts in the daily - to experience God working in even the littlest of things and to be fully present in each of them. Because God gives in the big moments and He gives in the small ones too. He gives. And gives. And gives.

For this I am a thankful Daughter of the King.
____________________________________________________

A few snapshots of our Thanksgiving weekend.Papa & Grandma with the huge bird!Cousins Kelci & Carissa

Caleb really thankful for his bread roll (he ate 4)Carissa striking a pose
and her younger cousin Olivia piercing us with the bluest eyesAnd Olivia's sister and Carissa's older cousin Kelci who is driving her own car now!
Its hard to believe that she was Carissa's age when she walked down the aisle as a flower girl in our wedding. How do they grow up so fast?A lovely holiday weekend

Here and Gone Again

My Mom, aka 'Nana' came to visit us but she came and went very quickly. She was here two days before we had to send her back home on an airplane.

No more than 12 hours after her arrival she was unable to move her right shoulder and arm. Even with medication the pain was unbearable. After a series of events and talking to the on-call oncologist in Phoenix, consulting via Skype with our family chiropractor (my uncle), and attending the hospital emergency room it was decided that further diagnostics and care were necessary in AZ. In short the tests indicate a badly torn rotators cuff. (More details can be read on her blog - Strength of My Soul.)

We are thankful that Nana was here but it was a disappointment for her to leave. I know we made the best choice but the reality of her health issues hit the softer spots of our hearts.

Although my mom has been an exception to the norm I know that we are on an extended journey. The journey is occasionally calm, sometimes distressing and often intense like a winding road with unpredictable turns and random stops.

Sometimes I want to escape the ups and downs, other times I want to accept them. Admitting my conflict, it isn't my desire to shun the zigzags of the journey. Instead I want to embrace the joyful moments and grieve the sorrowful ones with harmony and balance.

May I learn to walk this journey well and ultimately experience authentic transformation.