LAEP Contest Results

As I mentioned before, as a part of the LAEP set construction crew, I've learned how important it it to remember how the set is put together so it can be put BACK together the RIGHT way the next time that particular part of the set is constructed. I took pictures last year - worth 1000s of words, you know - so we'd have an easier time putting things together this year & thought I'd see if any of YOU could recognize what is in the photographs.

The results are in and we have a winner (drum roll please!): Stephanie!
Congratulations!
I know you are really surprised since Stephanie was the only person who played. Still a win for her! She will be receiving a cute little stationary gift.

Photo #1 does indeed show the inside of the baptistery looking toward the congregation underneath the staging for Pilot's scene.
As Steph put it in architect speak: "cantilevering over the baptistery taken from inside the pool."




Photo #2
This caused some confusion.
This is the ramp that the tomb door rolls down. Perhaps if I'd turned the photo counterclockwise it would have been easier to identify but Rachel knew what it was. Smoke is piped out of the white tube.

Photo #3

Under the scaffolding beneath the scrim ladder is a tight squeeze. We nearly always have to re-arrange HEAVY things because they are not initially placed close enough to the wall or the blocks are not sticking out the door.

Photo #4
Rachel didn't know this one either. This is the ladder that Pastor James climbs so he can perch on top of the tomb for a solo. The fan is inside the tomb. Scott asked me to photograph this specifically so that poor little upside down fan must have some important job. In this photo, all the black hanging cloths have been removed so just that corner of the tomb frame is visible.

Photo #5

On the other side of this grey wall are the choir risers so the red frame is part of the scaffold and the silver air vents are a blessing indeed to all the costumed cast & choir members. I took a couple of photos of this section that had to be redone TWICE because an older MAN (who shall remain nameless, just as well because I don't recall his name!) would not listen to the females who knew where things were supposed to go. TWICE.

No, I'm not mad upset irritated bothered by it.

Anymore.

The photos are ammunition proof. Just because we are female is not a reason to assume that we don't know what we are doing. Don't believe what we say? Just look at the pictures, buddy.

LOL!

American Heritage Girls

I may have told you that Rachel joined a newly formed American Heritage Girls troop last October. AHG is a Christian scouting organization complete with merit badges and level awards including a BSA Eagle comparable called the Stars and Stripes Award. Their mission statement is Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

For more AHG info, go here.
Since they are a new troop, exploring their books has consumed some of their meeting time. One fun component of the book is the song section in the back.

There are the traditional camp songs such as "Boom Chicka Boom" and "Bug Juice" plus the ever popular "Kum Ba Yah". Also included are songs to help the girls learn the AGH creed, oath and service pledge.

However, the words, not the music are all that's there so unless there's leader materials containing the tunes, I guess we just make up our own.
That's Rachel in the baby blue.
Jackie & Linda are the adult leaders pictured.
This looks like "Lord I Lift Your Name on High" but I suspect it's something else.






Here we are starting the family Christmas party meeting with pledges and oaths: "As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to love God, Cherish my family, Honor my country and serve in my community.



Prior to digging in to the goodies, the girls pose for this photo op. Rachel is the oldest (& tallest) in the group.



One of the requirements for a cake decorating badge in the Family Living Frontier section of the book is making a ginger bread house. Don't these look yummy?




Jackie read a Christmas themed story to the kids.

Note the devastation surrounding the goodie table: a sure sign of a good party.


Last night was an official joining ceremony. Rachel, as the oldest AHG member, had the privilege of reading/directing the flag ceremony as the Color Guard Commander.



Jackie recognizes Linda & Elizabeth as foundational leaders.


As a part of the ceremony, a candle was lit.
I found it humorous that couple of Boy Scouts were on hand with a lighter to accomplish this task. Once some of the girls earn the Fire Safety badge, I expect they'll be able to light their own candles.
Each girl was called to the front, given a candle to light from the group candle then stood at the front letting her little light shine.

We have a nice group here. Rachel is still hoping for some older girls to join. (Pssst: Hint! Hint!)

While up front, still holding their lit candles and displaying the AHG sign, the girls quoted their oath and creed:

As an American Heritage Girl I promise to be:
Compassionate

Helpful

Honest

Loyal

Perseverant

Pure

Resourceful

Respectful

Responsible

Reverent

Before sitting down, Jackie presented joining pins to each girl who had completed the initial requirements - but she was too fast for me to get a photo. Maybe next time.

I'll keep you posted.

Lake Area Easter Pageant CONTEST?

Photo #1

As a part of the LAEP set construction crew, I've learned how important it it to remember how the set is put together so it can be put BACK together the RIGHT way the next time that particular part of the set is constructed.

Photo #2
We have maps of staging units and carpet placement but other sections have tended to rely mostly on memory which, sad to say, can be faulty after a year has passed SO last year as we were tearing-down, I pulled out my camera & took pictures - worth 1000s of words, you know - so we'd have an easier time putting things together this year.

Photo #3

I spent some time yesterday organizing those photos into more friendly sizes and layouts & just for the fun of it though I'd see if any of YOU can recognize what is in the photographs.

Photo #4

Leave a comment with your guesses.

Photo #5

And, YES, there is a prize for the most accurate guesser. Have fun!

Color Me Blue for My Boys

This arrived in my e mailbox today from the Christian Worldview Network:

Posted: 01/22/09

Distracting and Destroying

the Middle Class
By Brannon Howse
Listen to Brannon’s live, national radio program

M-F at 5:05 p.m. CT at www.worldviewmatters.net

Obama’s economic advisor Robert Reich, who served as labor secretary under President Clinton, testified before the House Steering and Policy Committee Jan. 7, 2009, on federal funding of infrastructure projects throughout the nation.

Reich said:
"It seems to me that infrastructure spending is a very important and good way of stimulating the economy. The challenge will be to do it quickly, to find projects that can be done that will have a high social return that also can be done with the greatest speed possible. I am concerned, as I'm sure many of you are, that these jobs not simply go to high skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers. I have nothing against white male construction workers I'm just saying there are a lot of other people who have needs as well. There are ways in which the money can be, criteria can be set so the money does go to others, the long term unemployed, minorities, women.”

Can you imagine what the media and cultural elite would say if the agenda was to only give federal contracts for infrastructure to whites and NOT minorities and women? The last two groups that can be discriminated against in America without consequences are Christians and white males. If you happen to be both a Christian and a white male then you are really a target in today’s politically correct culture.

I predict that one group that will be employed by the federal tax dollars that were paid in by the hated “white, high skilled people who are already professionals” and the “white male construction workers” will be illegal aliens.

I predict the Obama Administration will not only give illegal aliens high paying jobs through this federal infrastructure program, but also citizenship. With citizenship comes the right to vote and thereby securing election after election for the Cultural Marxists.

Responding to the testimony of Robert Reich, was U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Rangel had no problem with what Reich was proposing. In fact, Rangel wants to implement even more federal dictates to the states. Rangel said the federal government, must "remove the discretion" about where the money would be spent and how it would be spent. Governors and legislatures would have no say on how the money will be spent. Reich agreed and said, "Governors ought to be, should be given a choice of signing on the bottom line or not."

Now hold on to your hat. Rangel said when the "middle class" hears about their plan; the middle class will do nothing. Rangel said:
"One thing that you can depend on, you don't have to be worried about what the middle class is going to do. Things are so bad, they have to put food on their tables, get clothes for their kids, get them in school.”

The more I read, hear, and research, the more I am willing to believe this financial crisis, that was birthed in the Clinton Administration, was possibly orchestrated in order to destroy the middle class and implement radical, extreme socialism.

Who is the largest employer in America? The answer is small business. Who runs small businesses? The middle class largely run small businesses in America.

Who supports pro-family, pro-life organizations like Worldview Weekend, The American Family Association, Focus on the Family and other groups that oppose the humanistic, global governance worldview of the cultural elite? Who is the most politically active for faith, family and freedoms? Who funds Christian radio, missions, and the spread of the Gospel? What group of Americans most understands history, has served in the military, and is opposed to socialism? What group makes up the largest members of the Reagan Revolution?

The answer to all these questions is the middle class.

The social engineers know that if the middle class is consumed with food, shelter, clothing and employment; most will not even notice what is happening in the area of public policy. Those that do see what is happening will not be able to do anything about it because as Rangel said, they are overwhelmed with the basics of life.

Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, Rahm, Emanuel told business leaders in a November 2008 meeting that the financial crisis was “an opportunity to do things you could not do before.”

The goals of Cultural Marxism are primarily the destruction of Christianity and the creation of chaos. The ultimate goal is to move from Cultural Marxism to traditional Marxism and that is what is happening to America today. Obama, the Clintons, Rangel, Reich, Emanuel and Obama’s entire Administration is committed to moving from Cultural Marxism to traditional Marxism. To get there they must destroy and distract their only real obstacle…the middle class.

For a more complete understanding of Cultural Marxism read an article I wrote during the summer of 2007 by clicking here: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4104/Brannon-Howse/Brannon-Howse
Click here to view the Rangel and Reich comments for yourself:http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4488/Brannon-Howse

Ahem.
You may know by now that I have 3 sons, at least 2 of which will be seeking good jobs during the current presidential reign. Strong, intelligent, hard-working, Jesus-loving, American melting-pot white, middle-class sons whom I love like crazy. I'm starting to feel like our new administration is out to get them and that idea makes me mama-bear don't-you-mess-with-my-cubs mad. My dukes are up and I know where to find the Power Who can bring change.

Stan told me earlier today that Rush said something like "praying for your president to succeed is good if he is doing good things, but if he has devious plans that are anti-America, pray for his plans to fail."

I repeat from a couple of days ago:
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Are you on your knees praying for our country & for your children's future?

I am.

Plenty have Plenty to Say

I can contribute very little to the abortion debate besides adding my name to those who stand against it.

Pastor James spoke as one who has faced the issue personally and triumphed. Hopefully, Sunday's message will soon be posted here. I recommend it.

Here's one of the articles from World Magazine Blog (see it on my Blog list?) R.C. Sproul on abortion Written by Mickey McLean

January 22, 9:36 AM
Issues WorldMagBlog-->
On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Ligonier Ministries is offering free streaming video of R.C. Sproul’s teaching series on abortion. At Ligonier’s blog, Karisa Schlehr writes: “If you would like to be able to present an intelligent, well-reasoned defense of the unborn without engaging in a shouting match, this series can help.”

Citizen, a production from Focus on the Family has this article from Chuck Colson lamenting our nation's culture of death. They regularly address this issue with excellent argument points. I read today that few pro-deathers will even argue the point since they currently stand in a place of victory. Very sad.

Perhaps you've seen these bumper stickers:

"Equal rights for unborn women"

"Be a hero, save a whale.
Save a baby, go to jail."

"Blacks didn't choose slavery
Jews didn't choose genocide
Babies don't choose abortion"

"Terrorists have killed 3000 Americans since 1990.
Abortionists have killed 4000 Americans since yesterday."

"Respect Life
From the Womb to the Tomb"

Want to make a statement? Here's a good site for shopping for them: ChristianShirts.net

My favorite:
Abortion?
If it's not a baby,
You're not pregnant.

Sparkin'

By any chance have you noticed the new buttons on my sidebar?

First, let me draw your attention to the one that looks like this:
Got some DVDs just sitting around that you really don't watch any more? Here's your opportunity to trade them for other neglected movies! Help depressed DVDs to find a loving home where they will be taken out and watched on a regular basis. It's the humane thing to do. :-)

Now an ode to my Aunt Betty & Uncle Jr who upon meeting my fiance' (yes, this was probably 25 years ago at least) shared with us the tale of their young romantic days of driving up into the mountains to go "sparkin". Love that word!

Which brings us to the next new button:
SWAK =
Sealed with a Kiss.
This is a Valentine challenge for married couples
to smooch until there's
sparks a'flyin'.
Who's game?

That brings us to the one at the top, the 1Corinthians 7:5 Challenge button which I currently cannot show you because SO MANY people have been visitin' that I'm getting this message: Bandwidth Limit Exceeded The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.

See how many people like this one? :-)

If the button is STILL not usable, read the verse & try to figure out the challenge.
Note: http://thediaperdiaries.net/the-challenge-a-refresher/ is for wives. The challenges have been weekly so far & have included fixin' up the boudoir & purchasing some new non-granny undies.
Just between you & me, I've seen some pretty wild granny undies > meaning the undies belonged to a granny. Those grannies have frillier finery than moi. Thus the challenge.

Spark! Spark!

Presidential Assignment

Look at my two guys in red squashing their oldest brother. Don't cha feel sorry for the big guy on the bottom?
Not me!
I was there when Andrew cleaned books & newspapers off the couch so he could spread out upon it & just as he was sitting down, Jacob dived into position.
So Andrew sat on him. Then Caleb brought over some reading materials. Obviously not schoolwork.

Today's newspapers & the TV for it-seems-like forever have been rejoicing over today's "historic event" with the inaguration of a black man. It would be more historic if he were actually an "African American" - descended from slaves rather than being an import. I could actually enjoy the "historic event" if I thought he were a man of character who would bring God's hand of blessing on this nation rather than judgment. I pray that I am wrong & that God will protect His people. PTL God is still on His throne & still answers prayers if we earnestly seek Him. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Time to get the kids re-focused on the world around them and politics, past awa present.

Compostion assignments for this week are the ones given the the Liberty Writers at our January meeting as homework to be shared with the group at our February meeting:

1. "If I were President of the United States..."
As I said then, "Note that means if you, yourself were president, not if you were the president elect who is being sworn into office" today. I can hear some of them: "I looked into the mirror and realized that my skin was darker! And I was married with kids!"

2. Write a report on a past President of the United States who you know little about.
The group did not sign up for specific presidents so we still may wind up with a number of repeats but hopefully this will challenge students to research their topics rather than writing down everything they remember about Washington, Lincoln or W.

Rachel picked Garfield because she likes the name >think fat orange cat with a 'tude. :-)

I'll keep you posted!

MLK Day

Overheard a couple of days ago:

"I can't believe there is a holiday for a food group!"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Dairy Day. No, wait. It's Milk Day on Monday. There's signs everywhere."

"M. L. K? Milk? You are too funny!"

"Whaaaat?"

Disclaimer: I am not related to at least one of the people having the above converstaion.

Kitchen Waterfall

This morning I had a waterfall in my kitchen.

Sounds peaceful maybe? Thematic? Are you hearing running water & birds in the background? Soothing music? Perhaps the scent of flowers? Maybe a rainbow?

No. It was not like that. At all.

We are used to hearing the sound of water running as it fills the ice maker in the freezer, but today the sound drew our attention as water poured from the ice dispenser, quickly filled the little drip pan & streamed down the freezer door.

Water.
Pouring!
Gushing!
Spilling!

We stared for a moment, waiting for it to stop. Shocked. Mouths hanging open.
It did not stop.

Kids scattered for towels & started tossing them into the puddle pond lake as the deluge splashed on our feet.

I opened the freezer door. Water cascaded down all the frozen foods, remaining inside the freezer to freeze items in place rather than feeding the rising waters.

I pulled out the ice bin & filpped the regulating bar into the off position. We watched as the last of the flow drained, dribbling down to make droplet shaped ice balls.

Pulling the fridge forward, Andrew unplugged the giant then turned off the water supply. Each of us began working to clean up the mess - the biggest of which was the swamp under the fridge. I'm sure you know of what I speak so there is no need for me to mention the collection of interesting artifacts nor the screams from the drowning dust bunnies. I was glad to find no other wildlife, living or dead.

sigh.
I will miss my ice maker. It's the first one we ever had. It started acting up the week after the fridge's 2 year warranty expired but we've found ways to deal with its issues so far. Maybe my wonderful mechanic will be able to fix it - you know he has time on his hands (LOL!) He likes ice tea so there is some motivation. :-)

Praises:
We were home!
I wonder how long it would have pumped water into the kitchen had we not been here to shut it off. How badly would the floors have been damaged?
Teamwork!
The kids were fantastic, running around grabbing towels & working together to put the house right.
We found the old ice trays under the sink when I cleaned under there last week & Rachel had just washed them all so we've got ice!
The floor under the fridge is now clean!
But I think I heard some of the sideboard dustbunnies discussing a possible pilgrimage so I don't expect it to last long.

I'm it. You may be next.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
I've been TAGGED!!!

That's actually kinda COOL. :-)

Here's the directions from Dayna (with a Y, notice.):

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder (no cheating -- cropping, editing, etc.)
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 4 other people to do the same.

Remember how well I follow directions? I noticed the tagging while peering over Caleb's shoulder while he visited this site from the kid's PC. He immediately looked for the photo which met the criteria:
This was taken during Rachel's first and only visit to a hair cuttin' place April 17, 2006. Her beautiful tresses were being washed prior to getting cut then donated to locks of love. Her hair reached almost to her waist.







Since I post from my PC, I decided to provide this featured photo to fulfill my tagging completely; a two-fer.

11-11-2005 is the date on this one. Old camera - my first foray into digital. After Stan was blessed on our garage-raising day with help from many talented hands (Thank you again Brad, Scott, Van, Jason, Tim, Jerry, Dilan, Sam & the Eades kids!) the work on the garage progressed as time & weather permitted. Here the guys are attaching the decking. Van is on the "roof" (don't tell his wife - he threatened me with bodily harm if I told) calling out "sheet" whenever he wanted Jacob or Andrew to hand up another. PTL for tall, strong boys & good friends who know how to build.

I'm tagging Christi, Alice, Stephanie, and Dan because it's been too long since he's posted.

A Vision for Christian Movies

As a church librarian, let me tell you, it can be difficult to find movies that BELONG. I've settled for CLEAN but have longed for more with a Christian worldview that is presented in a well made format and interesting storyline. You know what I mean. Sherwood Pictures has blessed us with Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof, improving their craft with each offering. Fox Faith has also produced some good work, but the Biblical worldview may be lacking & there may be foul language. (boo hiss!)

For movies to exist, there must be movie makers. Have you ever wondered where a Christian can go to learn the how to's without having to deal with the Hollywood mindset? Ponder no more!

Having ties to the San Antonio area & having shopped with Vision Forum for YEARS, I've received advertisements about the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival since it's beginnings 5 years ago. Something that I've heard about but have not kept tabs on has been the Christian Filmmakers Academy which is held just prior to the festival. I've enjoyed the blog about it on The Rebelution which is run by the Harris kids (of Do Hard Things fame > available in the church library).

Vision Forum's Doug Phillips' blog on January 5 introduces the Academy with these words:
The 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy kicked off this morning at 10:00 a.m. with introductions from faculty members and special guests Geoff Botkin, Voddie Baucham, Isaac Botkin, and Jim Broyden. From there we launched into a foundational discussion on “Biblical Worldview and the Theology of Christian Filmmaking.” He explains that academy "attendees will get a crash course in biblical worldview for filmmaking along with special instruction in science fiction, stunts, violence in film, and composition."

His photo blog on stuntman Jimmy Broyden was KAPOW, SPLAT, WHAM, ZOWIE fun. He also rejoices over Fireproof being the top grossing independent film of 2008 - ahead of at least 8 big nasties. Woohoo!

You've missed your chance to compete this year but hear the call to make movies to the glory of the Lord. Next year's festival will be here before you know it and we could use more good DVDs in the library. So get to work.

Resolved

Do you do New Year's Resolutions?

Not me!

However, this year I'm endeavoring to read through the Bible. I may not get finished in a year > I have trouble reading quickly through the deep stuff. It requires pondering. That's WHY it's considered DEEP.

My MIL & FIL told me that they'd read through the Bible last year. When I expressed my frustration in that area ( I know, Pastor James: "Be persistent until consistent!") my MIL offered me the Bible she used for 2008: The Daily Bible - In Chronological Order - 365 Daily Reading - NIV with devotional insights -
Large Print Edition.

She said that with it being chronological, some of the repetition is eliminated so it is a little shorter. Now, some of you legalists will tell me that I'm not REALLY reading the whole thing if I don't read the repetitions. Suit yourself. I personally will be thrilled to read it through as is!

I started early but have not been paying attention to the dates while reading so it may take me more or less time. Today I am on January 12 which is Gen. 26-30. You are welcome to ask me about it to help keep me accountable. Realize that I'm apt to share with you where I am & the gems which brighten my understanding.

I am resolved but it is NOT a RESOLUTION. Just so that's clear.

BTW, did you know that God established the death penalty?
Gen. 9:5-7
Now you know.

Christmas Re-run

All was quiet around the tree as the kids slept in. While this scene lay undisturbed, Mom C. & I were fixin' breakfast. She wrapped the piggies (cocktail sausages) in their blankets (whap biscuits)- a tradition at her house, while I whipped up some Smokey Mountain Cinnamon rolls - a tradition here.

While breakfast baked, I took the traditional kids-with-the-tree photo then we emptied our stockings. The grandparents even had surprises stuffed into Santa hats since we had no extra stockings. New tradition: hang your caps by the fireplace?

Then we had breakfast & Stan read the Christmas story to us.
Afterwards was presents time: Stan chooses a gift, the recipient opens it then chooses & presents the next gift to the next gift-ee.
It works for us!

The grandparents were pleased with their digital clock/photo frame. I had fun loading it up with pictures later in the week.

See Stan's stocking haul? Chocolate syrup & sardines. uh, yum?

Rachel was thrilled with her gift. It brings new meaning to the term "horse blanket" :-)

An early Christmas gift for her was getting her ears pierced. She's able to change out the earrings now.

Jacob goes with peanut butter like mormons & bicycles. Can you guess who was just at MY door?

A funny note: Caleb & Rachel actually argued over who would get to give the large jar of PB to Jacob. Rachel won so Caleb got him 2 6-packs of single servings instead. And Jacob was thrilled. LOL!


For the uninitiated, this is a binder to hold Boy Scout cards completed in the line of duty to obtain merit badges. Now I can get them off my fridge. He got the merit badge sash too. Can't you just picture him all decked out?

Oh, yes! Andrew & the Spurs! They go together like Jacob & peanut butter!









What do you get any guy who has a car? Car parts!! I read somewhere that it really doesn't matter WHAT kinds of parts they are but Stan did a great job (plus had a blast) digging around in a pick-n-pull auto junk yard in search of exactly what Andrew needed. In the plastic in front of him - wrapped in bubble wrap no less - are about a dozen different little bits, picked & pulled just for him. How special.

Jacob was also blessed with an electric razor. But it only works out of the box, Buddy.






Maryn came by a little later for lunch (ham, Mom C.'s mac & cheese, sweet potatoes & apples, broccoli salad, rolls, pumpkin pie) & to open & pass around her gifts.

I told her that I had to do some hoodie diving & wrestle another mom for the pink Tinkerbell hoodie in her lap. And I wasn't even yet a MIL to be.

Recognize what Jacob's holding? A bagpipe chanter. He's wanted one of these for years. Guess we'll be seeing more of him in that kilt.

Christmas for me? Company!!
Oh, the stuff part? Off the top of my head I remember lights for under the kitchen cabinets, Fiddler on the Roof DVD (2 actually so the library gets blessed as well), monogrammed bath towels - never had those before, an under-the-counter CD radio, & 12 coupons from Caleb & Rachel = a car wash each month plus all that cool stuff from Mom when she was here Thanksgiving. Woohoo! Blessed indeed.

Best gift? That baby in the manger. My Savior on the Cross. The empty tomb. Grace greater than all my sins. No gift bags or bows required.

Gathering Together the Bits & Pieces

1040 Forms & Instructions 2008

Receiving this booklet gives me pause to consider where I have filed all those receipts and urges me to bring together all the loose pieces into one cohesive taxing pile: A year in review.

Since we've been together on this blog journey for awhile already, I'll not bore you with a month-by-month highlights. Here's some of the parts I'll remember from this last year & some of the plans for the next:
Our trip to TN. The only trip we took besides the FPEA convention. Maryn didn't make this one either (missed the Nov. 07 trip to AL) since she had another gallery opening > what is it with gallery openings that require her presence when we go on trips? Maybe if we took more trips she'd be featured in more galleries? :-)
Hopefully she'll be available to make the next trip so we can start introducing her to more family. What a blessing they are. I don't think they'll scare her. Much. :-)

Rachel raised squirrel #2, Jessie. She was a successful release back to the wild. We think she may be the "stalker" squirrel who chases Twitchy away from the dog food handouts which she receives when she comes knocking on the back door. We watch her march back & forth, peering in through the glass, impatient for some attention.

Sadly, we failed with 5 baby fliers. I think I figured out the problem though & hope for another opportunity. These are supposed to make good pets & you know we could use some more critters around here.

Current pet count: 1 dog, 3 cats, 4 snakes, 1 tarantula, 2 parakeets, 1 hamster (missing one leg - if found, you can have it). Rachel's 2 turtles went to live with a couple of little boys for Christmas.

May 2008 ended the 10th school year for Trinity Homeschooling Association. Time flies as fast as these kiddos hit the water at our end of the year celebration.

Rachel left elementary school behind. We are finished with VBS, AWANA and Children's Choir - at least as active participants. She is faring well in youth, completing her first overnighter to Orlando a couple of weeks ago. She decided to take an online Spanish class but is having a hard time with it. Your prayers are appreciated!

Caleb has entered High School - still homeschooling but now all those credits count & community service hours need to be recorded & tallied. He's close to being finished with 1 of 2 online classes. I've told him that he can take the drug class required for getting a learners license once he's finished it. The other one is Spanish. He'd appreciate your prayers too!

Andrew is a senior. This year he bought a car and got his driver's license. More hours in my day! Now graduation quickly approaches & scholarship applications need to be filled-out. With the dual enrollment hours, I expect him to have his associates by this time next year. I think it's so cool that he made the dean's list while a high school junior last spring. :-) Good grades this semester too. He's signed up for 4 classes which begin Tuesday. Jacob will be in two with him.

Jacob made the dean's list both semesters this year. WOOHOO! He needs 3 hours to get his Associates but is taking 6.
You know his other big news. :-)
Maryn is teaching private art lessons and selling some of her works or prints. Even did a commissioned piece that you can see & read about here. Alice was so excited about that Christmas gift for her daughter that she couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to her! :-)

J & A are still working at Ace. Kelly eyeballs Caleb when he visits the store but since he's only 15 it will be awhile before he submits an application. Wait - he turns 16 later this year!

Caleb & Rachel rode horses together at Ms. Cindy's for a year. Caleb stopped in August or September and now does Boy Scouts.
Rachel is still enjoying riding plus volunteers at the horse ranch on Thursdays.

After 20 years on second shift, Stan and the rest of his co-workers were place on first ("I'm not askin' ya who's on first!") and it appears will be for the foreseeable future since second shift was discontinued in the shop where he works. He is thankful to have a job, for lower gas prices, and for our new, larger bed - he says I sleep in the middle but I don't. I actually could now & there'd still be room for him & 3 of the kids on the other side.

My ugly orange shag carpet from the 80s was replaced with wood laminate flooring by some of my favorite guys! It's been down for nearly a year now. We have new dining room pets: dust bunnies who reproduce rapidly and try to eat your socks when you walk by.
It is funny to roll a tennis ball & watch Molly skid/slide/try to get some traction to chase it down. No, we don't run her into the walls on purpose. She does that fine by herself.

I'm still having a ball doing the stuff I've been doing. No big changes. God is good. All the time.

A Good Place to Start in 2009

Aunt Louise sent this to me:

In the devotional book "Moments with You," Dennis Rainey spells out what he calls "non-negotiables":

1. Seek God, not sin.
2. Fear God, not man.
3. Love God, not the world.
4. Believe God, not the deceiver.
5. Obey God, not your appetites.
6. Serve God, not self.
7. Worship God, not comfort.

A VERY good place for all of us to start in 2009.

If you belong to Christ, YOUR eternal life has already started so LOVE, LAUGH and LIVE exuberantly!