A Month in the Life

Honest, caring people in the world still exist! I received a lost check in the mail today with a note: "Cara, I found this in the parking lot of Walgreens in Lake Mary."

I remember losing it vividly. It was the windiest day I can ever remember and I was trying to run to Walgreens before a doctor appointment. Nothing is that simple with a baby. Between the wind, baby, stroller, purse, diaper bag and Walgreens bag, I was a wreck. I forgot the purse was in the bottom of the stroller so when I went to collapse it, everything fell out of my purse and started flying around the parking lot.

I had three checks and two deposit slips along with everything else flying under cars and in the air. I had the baby in the car so I collected what I could as fast as I could. I knew I didn't get it all, but I had no choice but to leave it since I had the baby in the car.

Thankfully, I got all the checks but this one, which was a rebate check for a cell phone we bought, and just thought it was gone forever. Then a generous stranger took the time to mail it to me with a note!

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

The New Kids on the Block are back together. They made the official announcement this morning on "The Today Show" to a crowd of hundreds of fans. Although they weren't able to perform due to the weather (I mean, that would mess up their hair, right?), they've promised to return May 16. Plus they have a fall tour scheduled to promote a new album they've recorded.

This MTV news article has quotes from a handful of crazed fans who were on hand at the show. They point out that it's been 14 years since the group disbanded.

Boy, does this boy band bring back memories. I was in fifth or sixth grade when I discovered the band through my school friends. I was certain Jesus would not approve of this music because mom and preachers had told me that rock music was bad.

The Desert Storm War was waging, and I remember thinking it was leading to Armageddon. I was horrified, and felt extremely guilty for liking NKOTB, knowing that if the Rapture took place, I would be left behind with thousands of other naughty prepubescent girls who liked them.

Then, one night, as if the war in the Middle East wasn't enough of a sign from God, a terrible thunderstorm rumbled through Middle Tennessee, bringing with it tornado warnings. That was it! The last straw! The wrath of God was coming directly to my house - all because I listened to the devil's music. I repented right then and there to a background of thunderclaps and vowed to release my love for Donnie, Joey, Jordan, Jonathan and Danny. (I don’t think I even owned any of their music.)

Around that same time, I discovered "Carman." I won one of his cassette tapes at my Christian school's fall festival. I took this as a sign from the Lord that He would rather me listen to Carman than those sinful NKOTB boys - even if all the other girls who were cool liked them better.

I had a couple of friends who liked Carman, so we decided to become obsessed with him instead, and suppress our feelings for worldly boy bands.

So, along with my mom, I waited for hours outside of arenas for the doors to open to Carman's free concerts. I bought all the tapes. I had the posters. I had the shirts. I had a couple of videos. Most importantly, I felt like I still had my salvation.

Obsession over Carman soon matured and switched to an obsession with Michael English (who wasn't?) after watching one of those blasted Gaither sing-a-thon sessions on TV. That love was squashed on my 16th birthday when the news of his “fall” was all over the evening news in Nashville.

Not idolizing celebrities – whether Christian or otherwise – was a tough, tough lesson to learn. (I remember one particularly embarrassing moment when I literally got on the floor and kicked and screamed because Mom wouldn't let me go to a Michael English appearance the next day because I would have to miss school.) I guess it was all part of growing up and maturing, but boy were those tortured, painful years ... Can I get a witness?

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

As I get older, it seems that life's joys grow exponentially, but so do its griefs. It used to be that "bad" things happened just ever so often - in between patches of normal, happy life. Now it seems these extreme joys and extreme pains co-exist constantly.

This latest observation began the week of my due date. My husband and I received a phone call that our two nephews and niece had been in a horrific car accident with their grandmother. Two were life-flighted to a hospital, the other two taken to a closer, local hospital.

My husband and I jumped in separate cars to cover both hospitals. On the way there, I went into labor. Being just the beginning stages, I wasn't sure it was labor, so I didn't say anything.

Everyone in the accident lived, and my oldest nephew, Brock, has almost healed completely from two broken legs and an internal head injury. We praised God for His mercy.

Many hours after the accident, the joy of my life, Madilyn, was born. I heard a quote once that says something like having children is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body. I can say that I've found that to be true.

Two weeks after Madilyn was born, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly. My mother had been with me in Florida and left immediately to go home to Tennessee. I felt guilt for having her here with me instead of home near him, but I have to trust that God had His hand in the situation.

I flew up for the funeral and left my Madilyn. It was hard to do but my husband was (and is) wonderful with the baby. And I was thankful I was able to even go to the funeral. But it turns out it wasn't the only time I'd have to leave her.

A few weeks later, I landed in the hospital for a week and had to have emergency surgery. A month later, I had another surgery. All the while, Madilyn was growing as was our love for her, and best of all, God blessed with me a new job where I could work from home. It was been a dream come true.

Great joy, great sorrow ... side by side.

The trend continued ... a cousin had a heart attack then open-heart surgery ... my brother-in-law's father fell from a ladder to his death at their house (the same family who was in the car accident).

Then, on the flipside, we got a huge tax return (thank you, Jesus, and our little tax deduction, Madilyn), and Jeff received a promotion at work. (Lots of other blessings in between as well.)

Then, after three months of bronchitis and pneumonia, we learned that my father has cancerous cells in a lymph node under his arm. After much fasting and prayer from the family, a PET scan revealed there was no other cancer in his body and that the lymph node that is infected can be removed. Hallelujah! I even testified in church at the news of such a miracle. Then, a second test, a CAT scan, showed some "spots" on Dad's brain. Now we're waiting to hear from the oncologist what that means: watch and wait or immediate radiation.

Rejoicing, then grief ...

And just this morning, we learned that tests have discovered enlarged lymph nodes around my mother-in-law's lungs.

What is going on?

It seems like there's one thing after another ... Pastor emailed me the other day and encouraged us to "feed your faith and not your fears."

So with that, I'm off to Thursday night prayer meeting. I can't imagine what life would be like without the hope of prayer.

(Your prayers for the above situations would be appreciated as well. I will keep you updated throughout the month as we learn more ...)

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

Last night I went to the 29th birthday dinner for Maya Strang, my friend and former boss' wife. Maya and her husband Cameron own Relevant Media Group, which publishes Relevant magazine. I worked there nearly six years. It's the reason I moved to Central Florida. I worked as editorial director and oversaw the launch of each phase of their magazines, websites and books. I even had the opportunity to publish a book (Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot) help launch Radiant magazine, a publication that focused on the female portion of Relevant's "twenty- and thirty-something" demographic. It was great experience and I had the opportunity to write and edit some unique pieces.

Here is a profile piece I wrote on Gary Haugen, president of International Justice Mission, a group of lawyers and others who work to bring freedom and justice to victims around the world.

Gary is well known for heading up the investigation of the Rwandan genocide (those who have seen the Hotel Rwanda will know how brutal and devastating that was).

Profile: Gary Haugen (RELEVANT magazine)

PDF pages 1, 2, 3, 4

Another favorite interview was with recording artist Jonny Lang, who has been making waves in the music world since he was in his teens. A couple of years ago Lang heard the truth of the Gospel and now attends a Pentecostal church in a suburb of L.A.

Profile: Jonny Lang (Radiant magazine)

PDF pages 1, 2

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

My husband Jeff is a dean at the local high school here in Apopka, Fla. They're on spring break this week so we headed to beach! It was Madilyn's first time and she loved the sand! She played with it, ate it, you name it .... Here are a few snapshots from the day.









We went to New Smyrna Beach on the east coast, about an hour from where we live -- just south of Daytona Beach. You can actually drive on parts of the beach! It was so bizarre to do that and see others doing it as well. The weather was gorgeous. Not too hot. You gotta love Florida for days like this.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

This past weekend our church played host to the annual youth conference called Fusion. Approximately 1,000 12- to 18-year-olds gathered to hear music and preaching. Speakers included Tim Rutledge from Alexandria, La., and Paul Pamer from Barberton, Ohio. The music was lead by our music directors, Derek Arms and J.P. Bellamy. The overnight conference included fellowship and games until 1 a.m. at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando after the Friday night service, the same place the NBA team, the Orlando Magic, practices.

Jeff, my husband, did the crowd warm-ups before the services ... he's a ham. Friday night he and his brother, Gordy Davis, brought up some teens and their youth pastors for an embarrassing game of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Saturday he had teams "mummify" a team member, then had the mummies try to whistle with three saltines in their mouths. The winners won a copy of our church's youth band's new CD, for which I helped design the CD artwork.

The highlight of the weekend was a live painting of Jesus from 17-year-old Eleanor Hawthorne from our church. Eleanor painted a huge canvas and worshiped during an extended jam session from the Fusion band. Eleanor and her youth group fasted and prayed for days leading up to the performance. It was a truly moving and worshipful act -- something so different.
The Fusion band was made up of some "all-star" musicians who flew in from around the country just for the conference including Jason Biggs from Dallas, John Hensley from Memphis, and Nate Sexton from Delaware. One of the keyboardists was St. Louis' James Simms, who has two CDs on his own (this one's reviewed on ninetyandnine) and he's written for ninetyandnine as well. If you'll notice in the picture, he's playing a keyboard that was placed inside an old upright that they spraypainted bright blue. So cool! There were so many unique touches and details that made the weekend so special by all those who helped plan and put it together.

The stage background included a huge 8x24-foot backdrop of the word "Fusion" all in lights - 1,476 light bulbs in all, built by Peter Johnson from our church and about four other guys. It made such a visual statement.

I was proud of our church and thrilled that our youth and others from around the state and country (we even had some international visitors) could enjoy fellowship and worship in such a great atmosphere. It proved that we don't have to settle for second best in anything we do.

My husband Jeff takes photos for the church, so I've posted a few of them here. If you'd like to see the rest, visit the slideshow I put together on our church's website.

Anyone reading this who was there or has been there in the past? What did you think? How was your experience? Post your comments below!




















Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

It's a new month and ninetyandnine is excited to introduce the blogger of the month - none other than ...



Drumroll please ...


Bro. Kenneth Haney, General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church!





*cymbals crashing*



*the crowd goes wild*





Come on ... you didn't believe that did you? It's April Fool's!



I'm Cara Davis (formerly Baker) and I'm happy to be your new blogger of the month. (I hope you're not too disappointed!)

I enjoyed March's "photo blog" hosted by the lovely and talented Stephanie LeBlanc. I also love to take photos, although I'm sure my husband and I don't do nearly as well professionally as she does. Our favorite photo subject is our beautiful 8-1/2-month old, Madilyn.

A little more about my life:

Jeff and I have been married a little more than four years and we attend The Pentecostals of Apopka, just outside of Orlando, FL. I'm a freelance content specialist (fancy phrase for writer & editor) and I build websites (including our church's).

ninetyandnine and I go way back ... let's see ... all the way back to October 1999. Some friends who were part of the launch of the site (and who are still on staff!) told me about it and I couldn't wait to play a part. I started off by doing some graphics for the site, then shifted to writing and editing for many years. Ironically, now I'm back to working on the graphics! I'm the gal behind the recent redesign, so if you don't like it, be sure not to post any comments about it here. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

ninetyandnine also played a role in my love life! I met Jeff because I asked him to write his testimony for the site. Let's just say he kept my number in his cell phone and used it a few weeks later. The rest is history.

I'm now 29 (this is the last month I can claim that) and enjoying my new role as a mother. I've been "academic girl" and "career girl," and although I'm still working, I'm enjoying the wonderful benefits of being home. From getting to witness each full day of my daughter's life (and chronicling it on a blog) to discovering the domestic diva who has been dormant for many years (watch out, I might just post a recipe or two here!), my life is so different than it's ever been. I thank God for each day.

My goal for this month is to give you a glimpse into my life through snapshots of my everyday, links to writing I've done over the years and hopefully a dose or two of inspiration.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!

Well, it is March 31st... the last day of the month. You know what that means... no more photoblogging. Although I wanted to blog more, blogger seems to hate me and didn't want to let me post most of the time. I do hope, however, that you at least enjoyed what little blogging actually took place.


Remember, I exist beyond the blogging world of 90&9! Be sure to check out my blog (which many of you have, thanks!) http://www.stephanieleblanc.wordpress.com/ and the website http://www.stephanieleblancphotography.com/. Contact info is available on both if you ever need a photographer or want to talk pictures.


So, for my last blog, I will go full circle and begin sort of where I started off.. with pictures of my cousin-in-law from one of her senior portrait sessions.



These next pics weren't taken at the same time as the Mr. A. Breeze post. These were taken at the swamp near the hubby and me this past weekend. It was raining and humid (gotta love Louisiana) and her mom fell on her booty while walking around the swamp. Such great time was had. Here we go...










Thankfully it is spring here (although the pecan trees haven't started to sprout new leaves) so we had some greens and yellows in the swamp that made a beautiful background. Molly, true to form, hardly smiled in any of the pictures to show off her artsy side. But, she's so pretty she can pull it off. Here she is leaning on the boardwalk that goes through the swamp.











Here she is standing in front of a field of weeds. At least they were pretty weeds! Can I just say that I am jealous of her thick hair?! My hair is quite possibly the thinnest hair ever. And don't suggest hairspray or teasing or curlers... they don't work... ever... it is my curse. But Molly's hair held up nicely even in the harsh humidity of a muggy morning coupled with a wet swamp.






And here she is actually smiling! Yay! To get this picture, my husband had to help out. See, there was a big ol' slug climbing up the tree. I didn't want Molly to sit on it (neither did she) and neither of us wanted to move it. Husband to the rescue! He picked up a stick and flung the slug on the ground. While this is no feat of heroism, we marveled and watched as the slug tried to regain its balance. Then we took the picture.

So, that's it. My last and final post as March blogger. Adios!

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!