November

Cutie P making carpet angels

Main Squeeze M running away before I could snap his picture.  :)

Here it is the last day of the month and I let it slip by without a single word on my blog.  Shame on me!  We finished the play.  I will have to post pictures another day.  We had B's brothers in town for a week.  I got to meet my youngest nephew for the first time.  I have a great video of Uncle B giving him a horsey ride.  The kids wrapped up their homeschool Christmas Recital this week, so we have a break from group for a couple of months.  Today we are headed out to my hometown for a couple of days.  My goal for the month of December is to get back on the wagon and blog daily.  I found something on Pinterest that has photo ideas for inspiration.  I am looking forward to this project.  Will you join me? 

Sneak Peek

The kids have their first dress rehearsal for Cinderella this week.  I've been busy sewing and altering costumes, buying makeup, cussing, laughing and going crazy.  Here are some pictures of a couple of their outfits.  Each of them have 4.  This is just a peak into the play and their other costumes.  Hopefully I'll get more photos to post later. 

Miss K gets to play a Rich Boy (pictured), servant, rabbit & horse

Mr. C plays Coachman, Hairy the Horticulturist (costume pictured), villager and priest



Mr. H is not IN the play, but is helping build sets.
In this picture he is enjoying cocoa through a fun straw while
we play a new game before bedtime.



 

I decided to play with Pinterest again.  This was my day yesterday.  I've been trying to get a sinus/respitory thingy too.  See the tea and honey? 

Tweaking brownie recipe and painting salt dough ornaments

Today I'm trying to figure out how to patch a sweater dress that my daughter pulled a thread on at church today.  It's unravelled terribly smack dab in the center of the dress.  Pinterest to the rescue?  Unless one of YOU wants to send me tips here! 

More Than a Minute to Win It

Every year our church holds a Missions Convention.  The above is the promotional copy for this year's convention.  I write this moments after stepping through my front door. 

During the convention, we welcome an AG (Assemblies of God) missionary to speak to us of how God is moving and working through them.  This morning we heard from a gentleman whose family will be traveling to Spain in January to reach Muslims.  One of his speaking points this morning is that the Muslims communities have strong relationships.  They most often do not move far from where they were born and that when they do, they hunger to have the sense of relationship that they experienced before their move (in the case of moving to a non-Islamic community). 

At one point, after a shared meal (delicious paella, gazpacho, salad, etc) the floor was opened for a question and answer segment.  I don't often think of questions (that is until after the opportunity is passed, instead trying to soak up everything else), but I do have thoughts and sometimes I wish I could stop the whole proceeding to talk about the topic more on a personal level.  I can learn some from the speech, but would learn more I think from a real discussion.  Anyway...the question that grabbed me today was this, "What can we do as Christians to begin to talk with and convert Muslims?"  The answer was relationship.  A sea of blank faces as if the question was not answered.  A red herring thrown into the room. 

Our family has been sharing the thought that we were still in Belize this time last year and all of the things that we missed being gone.  The cooler weather.  The homeschool play.  Apple picking.  We sometimes feel it's been "forever" since we were in Belize--the longing to be there again.  Another feeling that it was only yesterday.  The longings that we have are to feel the relationships.  (Ask yourself when the last time was that you lingered over a meal just to talk and spend time with one another.)

Pastor mentioned today that he'd taken a course this summer centered on Islam.  He was able to speak with an imam who grew up in a Baptist church, but converted to Islam because of the hypocrisy and lack of relationship.  Whoa!  Wake up call! 

Back to the question about what Christians can do to convert Muslims...we Americans want the Drive-Thru solution.  We want the magic pill.  We don't want to take time.  We SAY we want relationship, but what do we do that shows that fruit?  Do we make ourselves available?  Do we start conversations with people who look different than us?  Do we do anything that doesn't involve the Henry Ford assembly line of having a rigid set of actions to put together something that "works"?  Do we pray about how God wants us to approach others? 

Our missionary this morning pointed out that we as individuals need to begin with our own relationship with Christ.  It is that we, as Christians, have a relationship with Christ and not a regimented set of things to do daily to make us good, that set us apart from Muslims.  (Not the only thing, I know.)  It is that which we have that others do not, and if we, as humans notice what is different then His Light will be seen through us and it will not be anything we DO, but what we HAVE that will be seen.  But it takes time.  It takes time with others.  It takes relationship.  It takes more than a minute to win...them. 

Ground Chuck

(Skipping over apologies for not writing...)

We started our third week of school today.  Only 34 more weeks to go, but who is counting?  Below are our first day of school photos.  The idea to write their grade in sidewalk chalk and have them lay next to it came from Pinterest.  Note to self:  Sun is great for color, but not for the best smile.  Too much squinting.  That will be our fun story to tell about these pictures years from now. 

We've had our first field trip.  We visited T.C. Steele Historic Site in Brown County.  It was the perfect day for an outing.  The weather was gorgeous.  Fluffy clouds, temperatures in the 70's by the afternoon.  T. C. Steele was an impressionist painter, which I love.  What struck me was his portraits.  Maybe it was the difference between the portraits and the landscapes.  Click here to learn more about his life and work.  Interesting fellow.  I wanted to spend the entire day in his library though.  Impressive collection and I love old books.

Yesterday was our first homeschool group day.  The boys had fun playing with a trebuchet during their Contenders class.  They discovered that pumpkins were too large to hurl through the air, but that cabbages worked better.  Oh, the things that creative teachers come up with! Miss K earned a solo in her Choir class and will be performing it during our Christmas recital.  She's nervous but proud of herself too--as she should be. 

I led the first drama coordinator meeting yesterday as well.  It went well and I felt prepared, but it took much work to get to that point.  I am blessed to have a good team to work with. 

We've been busy with C's Scouting activities the last few weeks.  He's had back to back campouts and advancements.  Yay!  He's also becoming involved with Venture Crew, which is a lot of fun and a new group of kids to interact with.  Our entire family joined in for a night of Venture fun during a cookout this weekend.  We played volleyball, cornhole, fed apples to the horses, played team games, etc.  Worn out!

Because we didn't feel enough was going on, we decided to clean out the attic and have a garage sale.  I only realized last night (where has my mind gone?) that we planned it for the same time as C's Venture fundraiser in Tipton County and K's AHG fundraiser in Hamilton County. 

H has his first electric bass lesson today.  He is reserved, but I think that he is excited and a little nervous at the same time.  B and I hope to hear something other than the bass line of Smoke on the Water.  We are a little tired of that one. 

B is continually on again/off again with work travel plans, but we are looking forward to new avenues coming soon.  More of our own work and less in the direction of contracting. 

I am also starting to move in the direction of my heart with my ministry at church as we've had a new single mom join our church family.  I am praying for real ways that I can help her and spend time with her.  Single moms need so much.  I spent the weekend baking 200 cookies for a program at church and have been rehearsing for our upcoming Missions Musical on the 30th.  I too have a solo!  Fun!

I wish I were feeling a bit more creative with my writing this morning, but I feel tapped.  Actually like Ground Chuck.  (see photo below courtesy of H)

Labeling is fun when H helps.

 

Courage

"Trees" that H made from weeds in the yard

I visited with my mom today while the rest of my gang headed to the NHRA Nationals.  It is now late at night and I received a text that they are on their way home after a fun time.  I'm glad.  I had fun too. 

A couple of times today the subject of discouragment came up.  I had two seperate conversations with two people, but both revolved around the notion of children being discouraged by teachers and how that affected the children as they grew and later once they became adults.  The discouragement faced for both students centered on their creativity, one with painting, the other student their writing.  

I came home tonight and decided to blog on this idea of how in life we are guided so much by the feedback we receive as children and how much of what we do as children is for the first time.  Our young years are a time when children are so tender and oftentimes teachers are not encouraging of the efforts put forth on the firstfruits of their students.  How many times do teachers point out the wrong thing instead of finding something good and complimenting it, nurturing it and watching it grow?  Pointing out the wrong brings with it a desire NOT to reattempt in an effort to avoid more bad feelings.  Our creativity is very personal and judgment upon it is subjective. 

 en·cour·age

   /ɛnˈkɜrɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-/ Show Spelled[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-] Show IPA

verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

1.

to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

2.

to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.

3.

to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.  

 

 

I am a mother, teacher and leader.  I admit that I do not always encourage as I should.  I discourage more often than I'd like to admit.  As we begin yet another schoolyear (I have a Freshman this year and two middle-schoolers!), I pledge to remember to encourage more.  I will concentrate on finding something good about everything--especially the first tries in creativity. 

In a Pickle

It is good to be back in the blogging community.  I just read a couple of my favorites and am now inspired to restart mine.  I've taken a break over the summer to spend some much needed time with family.  My sister and her family were home from Mexico for a little over a month.  It was pure joy to spend some time with them and sad to see them go last week.  It's been such a long time since I've  blogged, that I am a little unsure how to even get pictures from my camera/phone.  I'm in the middle of an update to some software that I use to assist me in retrieving photos from my phone.  I'm not always sure it really is easier.  (note that it is now a day later and I've finally figured out how to get the pictures)

This year I took on the position of Administrative Director for our homeschool group's drama.  This year we are performing, Cinderella:  The Enchanted Version.   Yesterday and today were auditions.  So begins the LONG drama season.  (Actually I've been working on this since May)  Performances are at the end of October and beginning of November.  Whew! 

In the middle of this, I made freezer pickles yesterday.  I haven't done that in YEARS and it felt good!  The boys have been (half-way) tending a veggie garden for a merit badge they are working on for Scouts.  I say "half-way" because between being gone so much for the summer visits and the water bans, the garden has gone a bit wild.  We have harvested cucumbers and one tomato so far! 
Here are the photos of the pickles.  I can't wait to try them.  I think that C may be the only other member of my family to appreciate their goodness.  No one else likes the onions!


Mutant cucumber from friend's garden. 
It's two cucumbers from same stem.
Notice the size next to the deck of cards!

"Taco Salad Bowl" of cucumbers in brine to soak overnight.

5 Quarts of Freezer Pickles!

Not Lacking Anything

The Rock

I've just finished the third session of the Beth Moore study, James; Merchy Triumphs.  First, I LOVE to study the Word, especially Beth Moore style.  Second, last week we focused on trials and temptations and some of the opening lines of James, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.  (I have to stop right here and tell you that I typed those verses from memory.  Yay!  I'm trying to memorize the book of James.) 

This week in our "homework" and in our group discussion, we spoke about how our personal trials had become blessing.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I personally keep a journal that includes many of my cries to the Lord, triumphs, joys, my fears and failures, the trials that I've fallen into, some trials that were my own doing...we all experience these things to greater or lesser extent.   I mentioned that sometimes I read past enteries in my journal and in so doing, I can see God's hand clearly carrying me, providing for me and preparing me for THIS day and how my trials can be used for blessing for others.  The entry I just happened to read today was this:

December 5, 2009

Here it is, the eve of our first anniversary.  Some may say the last night of what is a magical year since it was the first year.  Newlyweds.  I think it's been nothing short of a miracle that we are still standing after this first year--don't know that I'd describe it as magical.  We started out with my torn ACL during our honeymoon, followed by being abandoned by omitted during the holiday, B losing his job and pension, being put under a microscope for the adoption process, losing friends who didn't agree with the timing of our marriage, a 6 week vacation across 2 countries in a pop-up trailer, an adoption, death of Shawn, Aunt Betty's cancer, Grandpa Jones' death, job search, trying to sell a house, trying to blend our families has a few rough patches--but better than most.  But we also had much rejoicing and some of those times were the same as the trials.  The adoption, the six week vacation, pulling together as a family while I was down before my surgery, during the surgery and healing process, learning to homeschool and being a stay-at-home mom again, being able to have 3 children, meeting and making new friends, having B home so we all could really learn and adjust to each other--love each other.  I was going to say that I wouldn't trade any of it, but that wouldn't be true.  Some of it has been extremely difficult and I haven't yet seen how I can use those things for the Kingdom yet or how they've strengthened me.  I guess it's not for me to decide or see--not now anyway.  I will say that I wouldn't trade my husband for another to have gone through any of it.  God knew that we needed one another, that we sincerely do complete one another when we stand together with our Lord.  I love him and appreciate him like no other.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift of marriage with B, my Adam.

I can tell you that many more blessings have happened since that entry.  Some more trials have come since then too.  But one thing I know for sure:  God loves me and blesses me through these times. Today I know something I didn't know the day I wrote the above words, I may have just blogged this today for the Kingdom. 

(The picture above was taken today by MomII.  We visited my hometown and I couldn't leave without showing her THE rock!)