I received some very thoughtful and nice gifts for Christmas, however, you are looking at my favorite...and to make it even nicer, it came from my favorite people...my children. Along with a very cool rubber spatula (and not your ordinary rubber spatula, but a metal-feel-so-balanced-and-cool spatula), along with a gorgeous table cloth, all from William Sonoma.

I love cookbooks. I read them like other people read novels. They relax me, motivate me, intrigue me, and make me better at something I already love doing.

I saw the movie Julie and Julia with my friend, Julie Locke. I found it sweet, kind of silly, definitely not a "deep thinking" movie, but overall, very enjoyable. What I loved most was the way the two couples in the movie really did love and respect each other. I also loved the passion by which Julia Child tackled the man dominated field of "fine chefs" with such humor and childlike excitement.

It inspired me.

I'm not a French cook. I'm certainly no chef. I'm "southern" in my cooking roots, for some reason with no obvious explanation. However, I'm determined to tackle this cook book with the seriousness it deserves.

I'm not silly enough to tell you, as "Julie" in the movie did, that I'm going to tackle the 500 + recipes in a one year period. I'm not even going to guarantee I'll cook EVERY recipe in the book. I will, however, post a picture when I conquer something from this beautiful volume.

So, my friends, on with new adventures in 2010.

New challenges, deeper relationships, longer times to sit and chat with a friend, greater passion for God, and genuine love for man.

Blessings and Bon Appetit!

Christmas Eve Eve

Husband and I FINALLY had a spare minute and a spare dime to go do some Christmas shopping last night...

We left fairly early after work, grabbed a bite of dinner together while compiling the "list", and then took off to conquer the whole "kit n caboodle" in one night.

Turning into Fig Garden Village, a very nice shopping center with what you would probably consider fairly "high end" stores, we headed to our destination store within the Village...

Husband stopped the car to let me out while he went and parked and there was a CRAZY COMMOTION with strange noises and sounds that just didn't match the location. There was yelling, and a kind of scuffle of feet and banging of pans, more yelling and ladies screaming. We had pulled over in front of a William Sonoma store, and two men were robbing the store while I and several others were standing there.

No weapons, just the element of surprise and very fast tennis shoes!

I told Lex that "those two guys are robbing the store" and he put the car in park (in the middle of the parking lot) and took off after them hot on the heels of another customer who actually pushed one of them down. However, the store clerk told them to let the guys go...I'm sure they didn't want customers getting hurt on their account!

It was quite a sight to witness, and actually made me very sad. They were stealing big copper pots, which can be sold for quite a lot of $$. (the Copper is very valuable)

I wondered how desperate you have to be to steal from a store that is set within a large village with no easy escape. I wondered if he needed diapers, or formula, or food or rent money. Husband tried to convince me that he was just a smart thief, knew what to steal for a quick sale, and just wanted it for drugs. Somehow, that was supposed to make me feel better about him...

But it didn't.

Blessings.

Kitchen Restrictions

Looking at the number of things I'm slated to cook and bake for in the next two weeks, I'm here to say that if I ever win the lottery, I'm going to gut my house except for bedrooms and bathrooms and make one HUGE kitchen.

I found this lovely little kitchen online with multiple stoves, ovens, and even refrigerators! I'm drooling at the amount of space this kitchen has to work in.

My kitchen is tiny. Itty Bitty. So small you have to step out to change your mind.

That's o.k. I'm managing in spite of my restrictions.

Hmmm...I wonder if you have to buy a ticket to win?

Blessings.

Already?!

August, 2006, driving my girl to Abilene, Texas to attend ACU, I remember crying . . . often. I remember saying things like, "isn't this exciting?! what an adventure you are on. God is certainly leading you somewhere...isn't this exciting?"

It's all I knew to say, because the future felt more uncertain than ever before. It's in those times you either crack, or buckle down and acknowledge your dependence on God, the Creator, the Almighty all knowing Father.

Today, daughter finished her "final finals" for her undergraduate study. She will Student Teach next semester, but no more classes will be taken!

Now, this doesn't mean she won't decide to tackle the "graduate" work...in fact, we're trying to slip this information gently, in little bits and pieces, to her Daddy, who really just wants her home!

However, from the first moment in the first class of her Freshman year at ACU, she has worked, studied, laughed, played, prayed, and loved her experience on full octane. My daughter really doesn't do much of anything "half-way", and in keeping with her usual nature, she tackled ACU with the same "gusto".

I'm having trouble believing she is so close to graduation, but my heart is full and overflowing with gratitude for such a gracious God who has kept her safe, secure, and successful in this important adventure.

So, my sweet daughter...congratulations! I'm not at all surprised that you not only did it, but you did it with such grace and Godly character.

The children who will have you as their teacher are blessed, indeed!

Women Drivers

I'm going to say something that will probably ignite some folks to defend, object, get angry...so, let me say right off the bat, I'm sorry if I upset, but here goes.

Men are typically better drivers than women.

Now, before you get all upset at me, let me explain what I mean.

Men aren't typically good multi taskers...(boy, the generalizations are flying here, folks!) Men focus on one thing at a time. They concentrate on that and get it done. Am I not fairly correct about that?

Women, on the other hand, are second nature multi taskers. We really can do and think and converse all at the same time.

HOWEVER, when it comes to driving, that gets us in trouble.

I've been paying attention to this fact just lately, and I'll tell you why in a moment...but, when driving, women are talking, singing, texting, drinking coffee, comforting a child in the back seat, putting on lip gloss...and the list goes on. If we could figure out a way to iron while driving, I'm convinced we'd do that, too.

So, the other day, while sitting at a red light, I wasn't surprised that it was a woman who rear ended me. As I looked back, her head popped up like she was as shocked as I that she had just hit me.

We pulled over to a parking lot, she got out and started talking a hundred miles a minute, apologizing, explaining, justifying, telling me how late she was, and so on, and so on. She never stopped talking...or looking for her information (license and registration)...she just kept talking, and looking through her millions of papers floating in her car...talking and looking...

I was actually leaned against my car, arms folded, resting, breathing for her because she hadn't taken a breath in about 5 full minutes, saying, "it's o.k. Just relax. It's o.k." She was a mess.

My car is fine...tiny scratch. Fortunately, she was driving a very tiny convertible BMW that actually slid under my car. She was in much worse shape than I...in so many ways!

She finally said, "I can't find my information. Can I give you my card? It has all ways you can get hold of me."

She gave me her card. Worship leader, Inspirational speaker, Singer...

I thanked her and as she confessed she had been reaching for a tissue when she hit me she said..."I started praying as soon as I hit you. USUALLY, when this happens, people get out and start yelling at me."

I turned my head like a confused puppy and quietly said "USUALLY? How often does this happen?"

But she didn't hear me. She was still talking...

Blessings.

There are people who make $150 per hour.

In fact, we could probably name many professions that make far above that.

However, I certainly don't earn that kind of money, nor does anyone in my immediate family.

So, when our pipes quit piping, and our shower, sinks, and unmentionables wouldn't drain Saturday, we called a local plumber. One of the "little guys". Trying to save a buck as well as support the smaller company. He worked, complained a lot, worked more, whined a little more, until he finally gave up and said he couldn't fix it. We paid a "come out and stare at the problem and complain" fee, and sent him on his way.

We moved on to the bigger company. The one we knew would have the equipment and knowledge to fix this very inconvenient problem.

They charge $75 for each 30 minutes they are there working. (Do they think that sounds better than $150 per hour?)

They discovered great problems stemming back to the original building of the house. Between that, and some tree roots, we had a very pricey problem on our hands.

The guy looked at my son and said he could dig the hole for $150 an hour, or we could and he would come back tomorrow. We opted for strong son to dig.

Sweet, Willing, Capable, Very Strong Son dug for about 3 hours and finally, hit pipe! Whoo - Hoo! We put reflectors, caution tape, dirt piles all around the massive hole and called it a night.

Sunday morning, plumber shows up, works with son (who stayed home from church to save us more money!) and fixes the problem. Plumber assures us he knows we're "good people" and he will give us a bill that reflects that. He will "do his best to take care of us".

Total? $1227.50

Wow! I'm still in shock...what if son hadn't worked so hard? What if we hadn't been "good folk"? Really wanted to look him straight in the eye and just sweetly say..."are you high? have you hit your head? you're kidding me, right?" But, I didn't.

Wrote out the check and felt sorry for myself.

Daughter called later that night and after whining to her she finally said..."momma, you're sounding pitiful. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. In two weeks, I'm coming home and we'll all be together. Isn't that what matters at Christmas? It's a stupid pipe. Get over it."

Hmmm...somebody raised her well.

So, thank you, Mr. Plumber, for not only satisfying the immediate problem, but actually fixing it properly.

Thank you, sweet son, for working very hard all weekend to help our family save hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Thank you sweet daughter, for reminding me that it's just a stupid pipe.

The most valuable thing in my life isn't a "thing" at all. It's those deep, beautiful, eternal relationships that God has provided through His love...

Blessings.

Packages

One of my very favorite things to do is send packages to my daughter.

As you all know (all to well, I would imagine at my constant conversation of this point), she is in Texas studying to become a teacher. I don't know if it's the actual sending, or the gathering that I so thoroughly enjoy. I love collecting things here and there. Cheap chick flicks, lip gloss, fun paper and pens, magnets, trail mix, silly cards, gift cards, etc.

I take as much care in the "packaging" of the package as I do the "gathering" of the package. I stuff coordinating tissue (the color will match whatever the 'theme' of the package is...i.e. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, etc...) into the box and then, right before I close the top for taping, I blow kisses into it. A greeting card with a $20 bill is always sitting right on top of the mounds of tissue. I've never asked specifically, but my guess is that with all the pretty packing tissue and crinkle paper, things don't move a bit in the delivery!

Finally, it's time to tape. I write her name on the "To" section and in the "From" section, I draw a heart next to the word "Home", and then my address. I always use different color markers that coordinate with the tissue inside. (by now, if my Mom is reading this, she's shaking her head at me)

Then, I use enough tape to wrap around the earth a couple of times and finally, it's off to the post office to ask them the same question I ask every time.

"What's the fastest you can get this to my girl?"

They always tell me the "middle" fastest one first, then the longest time and then finally, the fastest. I never go with the fastest. It's usually more expensive than the contents of the package, so I go middle. Even though I want to go with the FASTEST.

I don't know what happens exactly to those packages between the time I leave it at the post office and she picks it up at school. I DO know, however, when she gets one she knows without a doubt that she's loved, thought of often, cared for deeply, and missed...really missed.

It's so good to know someone is thinking, praying, and caring for you even when you're not physically standing beside them. It's even better to get evidence of that!

There's a sermon in there somewhere...

Blessings.

Tennis 101

My sweet daughter is taking a tennis class to complete the final Physical Ed requirement for her degree. This class is Tues/Thurs mornings and she has labored through it with great determination. She hates tennis. She is a softball / volleyball player, and really doesn't understand the concept of letting the ball bounce before you hit it gently across the court. No...her idea of "sport" is to see the ball coming, aggressively charge it, and either knock it out of the park with the bat, or spike it down the throat of the opposing player across the net with all your might.

The first week she was in this class, she texted me with this news...

"Dear Mama, I'll never make it to Wimbledon. Sorry to disappoint you. Love, Ashley."

This has been a source of comedy and laughter throughout the semester. The good news is, my girl has a tremendous sense of humor and can make any situation funny in spite of itself!

Today, though, after many weeks of plugging through, here came this news.

"Dear Mama,
I scored a point in tennis. The class clapped! It was so funny. It just happened and my sweet little team and I got so excited that we had to sit down cause we were laughing so hard. The TA just smiled. He tries to be serious, but that just doesn't work with me in your Tennis class!
Love,
Ashley"

I love that girl.
Blessings...

The Invasion

It hit our house...
The invasion of the germs...

Son and I are literally tip toeing around (like that's going to help!) thinking if the germs can't hear us, we'll get away without catching anything. We're talking quieter, walking quieter. I've moved into daughter's bedroom for the time being and closed the door to the room filled with germs, with husband in it.

I take him his meals, put them as close inside the door as I can without really stepping in. I hold my breath while I'm in there! It feels like I haven't inhaled in a full day. Little tiny breaths...no deep breaths to tempt the germs to jump to my inhalations.

Husband has H1N1...Swine flu. Ick! He said his head feels like it's going to split open and even his hair hurts! Poor baby.

For a guy who hates being alone, this is awful. Not only does he feel horrible, but we're lovingly treating him like he has the plague.

Hope the germs give up and go away.

Blessings.

Good Song

Some weeks are easier than others. Some moments are calmer, sweeter, more fun, less stressful...

We've had difficult times. Nothing earth shattering. You know, those "little hits" that just seem to keep coming and don't give you a minute to catch your breath from the last hit.

Financial issues, Health struggles, Decisions difficult to deal with, Heartbreak, Sadness, Disappointment, Worry...it goes on.

Driving out to a football game last night, a song came on the radio. My husband was driving, my son in the front seat and I in the back. I wasn't listening until my husband turned it up just a bit, and while driving reached his arm back and just patted my leg while it played. I'd never heard it before, or maybe I just hadn't paid attention, but the words were precious. He sang quietly, driving, singing, patting.

Nothing else mattered. He is so good at reminding me that very few things are worth worrying about, and always reminds me of the blessings we have. What a true partner and precious blessing he is to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrSUwqnZj0

How Long?

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted!

The bad news is, there isn't a reason. Nothing exciting. Nothing new. Nothing to keep me from it...I just haven't thought there was anything worthy to post.

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Or, as I remember my Dad quoting Abraham Lincoln:
"Better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!"

Blessings!

Outbursts

*effusion: an unrestrained expression of emotion
*a sudden intense happening; "an outburst of heavy rain"; "a burst of lightning"
*a sudden violent disturbance

The word "outburst" is typically associated with the last definition listed above..."a sudden violent disturbance".

Sometimes, as parents, we've experienced our toddlers having "outbursts" at inappropriate moments.



At times, a parent may have an "outburst" if patience has run thin.

And, let's be honest here, ever been to some type of church Committee Meeting?

Well, anyway, as I was reading recently, I ran across a scripture that stuck with me and I've posted on my wall beside my desk...just to remind me that some outbursts can be good!

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds! Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

May your outbursts be many!
Blessings!

30

What you are looking at is approximately 30 pounds of butter.

That's what I've lost...so far...

Well, I've not lost 30 lbs of butter, but whatever that is that you lose when you're trying to lose weight.

Fat, Water, Muscle, your mind...

Anyway, I've lost 30 lbs of it.

Blessings.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

If you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate...together...at the same time...

Let me introduce you to my latest creation, of which I'm rather proud. Nothing complicated. Just delicious.

Home made brownies.
Peanut Butter Icing (home made, of course)
Peanut Butter Cups chopped and placed on top. (those, I'm ashamed to say, are store bought!)

Anyway, that's all I have to say about that.

I'm not stepping on the scale until Monday.

Blessings.

Hard Day

Is there a chocolate diet? An "all carbs all the time" diet? How about a "fry everything" diet?

The trouble with mirrors, is that you can see yourself in them.

The problem with cameras is they take pictures of you that are posted then in the church foyer for all to see...(along with others, of course, but the others look good and unfat)

The problem with video taping your church worship time is that even though you weren't the object of the taping, you are all you can see when watching it with disgust!

Whew! Hard day today. I am posting this because I'm just sure there may be one or two others out there who relate. Even though I am equally sure there are those reading this who have no idea what I'm talking about and maybe even think I'm a little silly.

I am struggling like crazy to not just lose weight, but to really like myself in the process...(whether I lose weight or not!)

So, excuse me while I search some scripture and listen to some music. Feeling fat and empty.
Blessings.

Lock In

"Lock In"

• close with or as if with a tight seal; "This vacuum pack locks in the flavor!"
• place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape

Husband is the interim Youth Minister until arrangements can be made for another person to take over this spectacular group of kids. He loves the job, he loves the study, he loves the questions, he loves the games, he particularly loves the kids. He is really not more than about "12" himself, maybe "15" on a good day, so this is a dream job for him!

Monday is a holiday, so what must be done on a holiday weekend? Take your wife to the beach? Clean out a closet or two? Do some creative landscaping?

Oh no, silly...on a long weekend you plan things for the youth group. Things like a "lock in". (see definition #2 above)

These kids show up at 5:30 Sunday night. Enjoy some dinner together...many games...prayer...devotional with question and answer time...movies...snacks...etc. The alarm is set on the building so there can be no entering by strangers or exiting by students.

It is now 4:45 a.m. and husband is still irritatingly chipper and happy and full of energy. Me? I feel old and sore and very tired! In about an hour and a half, I will put some breakfast out for them and then they will head home...to sleep...except for one precious young man who has football practice at 7:00 a.m. Can you imagine? Staying up all night and then heading to football practice?

Let me think about that for a minute...I can't even imagine having football practice on a full night sleep, much less no sleep at all!

Well, bless them all. They are wonderful young people with sweet hearts and happy spirits. I do feel blessed to be around them...even if it means I miss a night of my beauty sleep. I can sleep any time, right? How often do you get to hang out with such cool young people!?

Blessings!

Heart of Praise

If you check out our minister's blog @ http://jlockeblog.blogspot.com/ , you will read about a "Retreat" the ministers of this church experienced last week.

For many reasons, which I will save for another post, it was a very funny experience. Lots of things to be learned about each other. You can't drive for hours and spend a complete day together without learning something new, and laughing a time or two.

However, one of my favorite things was the opportunity to sit on a bench overlooking the ocean. As I listened to the waves crash against the cliff, and watched the water come in and then gently retreat back to the sea, I couldn't help but have a heart of praise and wonder.

It doesn't matter what I'm going through personally, I thought as I sat there. Good or bad, it is tiny compared to the glory of God and the splendor He possesses.

^{Psalm 57:7}
My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

I couldn't help but sing...quietly...calmly...most assuredly in the arms of the great and mighty God.

Blessings as you feel His arms of love around you today.

My Diet, My Faith

I have probably tried almost any diet that has come down the hatch.

Cabbage Soup, Grapefruit, High Protein Low Carb, High Carb Low Protein, Vegetarian, Banana, Weight Watcher...and the list goes on.

I hesitate to write this because as I write, it puts spotlight to my struggle...and who wants that?! If you know me at all, you know the last thing I want to do is acknowledge or focus on my faults, my weaknesses. Ick...feeling a little shiver rise in me as I even say this!

However, today, I came to a conclusion I felt needed to be shared.

There are diets. Every diet is a successful diet as long as you stay on it. If you only eat certain things for a period of time, whatever they may be, you will lose weight. However, in walks real life and you find yourself "straying" from the "diet". Birthday parties with yummy cake, Christmas time with lots of parties and social "eating" times, difficulties that cause you to reach for something delicious to "comfort" your soul...(we all know that doesn't work, but feels good at the time). So, you leave whatever that "diet" says to do and you find yourself gaining not only what you've lost, but a few more on top of it...(can I get an "amen" somewhere, please!?) Your body is starving for something more...balance.

The only successful "diet plan", is a life change plan. Something that changes you from the inside out. Something that allows you to be sturdy when the things come along to trip you up.

Similar to those "fad diets", there are "fad religions". We can "do" all that looks good on the outside. Follow all the "rules" of the day. Go to church. Clean up our language (in front of people). Watch "appropriate shows". Support the right things. "Do" all that is required of us to "look" like genuine strong religious people. We can live this way all our lives and never be shaken from it.

But what happens when life throws you a curve? What happens when you are heartbroken? What happens when you or your spouse are out of work? What happens when your children disappoint you? What happens when your family lets you down? What happens when you become very ill? What happens when you find yourself deep in the dark moments of depression, or guilt, or anger, or sadness?

Where is your faith? What sustains you?

Have you been rooted in "doing"? Or rooted in Christ?

Is your faith a faith of what looks good to others? Or a genuine deep heart that follows Christ?

I struggle with my weight. I always will. Forever, until He takes me and gives me a new body. (Praise God!)
I'm losing a tiny bit at a time as I learn to change the way I look at food. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

I struggle with being the best Christ follower I can be. I always will. Forever, until He calls me to Him for eternity. (again, Praise God!)
My walk is an ever changing journey as I seek and discover His will for my life. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

Colossians 2:6-10 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I pray for God to change me from the inside out!

Blessings on your journey.

I Was Going How Fast?!

Let me set the stage...

Driving to Abilene.

Already gone over 1300 miles with just a bit to go.

The G.P.S., (whom we've named "Sheila") tells us to turn onto a particular road that we've not traveled before any of the last 6 times making this trip. But, we've trusted her this far and will trust her until we know better. At this point, we don't know better.

Very long road with NOT ONE OTHER CAR ANYWHERE to be seen, but here we go...
Late afternoon, rolling into evening, still driving this two lane deserted road. Nothing is familiar to daughter or I, but Sheila still stands her ground as to the direction we should be going.

Sun will be setting soon, and if you've not been out in New Mexico or Texas when the sun sets, it's the darkest dark I've ever seen!

I start going faster because I see Sheila says only 27 miles until I change roads and I'm hoping in 27 miles, something will look familiar to me. So I'm going a tad bit fast. Finally, see approaching headlights coming toward us in the opposite lane. Very glad to see other signs of life...until said vehicle just barely passes me and whips a U-turn and turns on his little red and blue lights.

Mama lets out a bit of an exclamation and daughter says..."What are we going to do?"
"Well, sweet girl, we're gonna stop. And don't say a word. Just sit there. Everything will be fine."

Sweet older gentleman sheriff comes walking, (more like moseying) toward our truck...

"Hi" I say.
"Good evening, ma'am." (looking into the window to check out all the "stuff" piled in the back seat for daughter's move)...
"Hi" I say again
"Where are we headed?" he asks
"I'm taking my daughter to Abilene."
"Goin a little fast." he says
"Oh really? I didn't realize that. We've been driving so long I must have lost track. I'm so sorry." I reply
"I clocked you goin about 89" he tells me.
*GASP* (I put my hand over my mouth in disbelief!) "I never drive that fast. I'm so sorry" I say again.
"You can't trust those things" he says pointing to 'Sheila the G.P.S.' in the window. "They aren't accurate when calculating your speed."
"Oh, I didn't know that..." I reply thinking that satellites linking up all over the world are probably fairly accurate, but who am I to argue..

As he pats me on the arm, he says, "well, I'm just gonna give you a warning. Maybe you just needed a 5 minute break. Lemme see your drivers license and I'll be right back. You just sit here for a minute and rest."

So, I hand him my license feeling like I may get through this without a ticket. As he walks away, my daughter says in a quiet panic voice..."What are we gonna do? He's running your license. What's he checking?"

"Oh, honey, don't worry...he's running my license...not my credit history! Everything's fine. Just stay quiet."

He comes back returning my license to me smiling and still patting my arm. "You girls be careful. Slow it down a bit. You're almost there. And if she were mine...I'd have put her on a bus and said 'so long'!"

I laugh politely and reach over to pat my girl who I know wants badly to comment on his "bus" statement. But she, too, is smiling politely...

We roll up the windows, put the thing in Drive and head out.

"Wow" daughter says. "That was something, Mom."

"Yeah, I'm just glad he wasn't any younger. We wouldn't have slipped by with just a warning..."

Guitar Great

Guitar Great Les Paul passed away at 94.
Check out this little clip.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=15034187&ch=130510

Nap Time

Soooooo many things to blog about, however, after a call from my girl, I decided this was priceless...

My daughter is close to finishing her degree at ACU. This is her Senior year, with this semester being the last one of actual class instruction, and next (spring) semester will be devoted strictly to her Student Teaching. She was assigned a local First Grade classroom and was required to "shadow" the teacher the week before school started helping with all things "preparatory" for welcoming in your little charges on the first day of school. She did this, and then today was the first day of school

She just called and said that it was funny, exciting, and exhausting. But this story, I believe, took the blue ribbon as far as I'm concerned.

Little Hannah, a new first grader looked at my daughter and asked, (imagine with a little girl Texas "drawl")

"Do we get naps in first grade, Miss Ashley?"
"No, Hannah," my daughter replied, "you're a big kid now. There are no naps in First Grade."
"Well, who thought of that?!" exclaimed Hannah irritated.
"I don't know", replied Miss Ashley, "but I think whoever it was should be put in 'time out'!"
"Yes ma'am" replied little Hannah.

I'm with Hannah. Who thought to take naps away?

I could go for one right this minute!
Blessings.

Time to Go

Sweet Daughter and I will soon take off for the drive we have become all too familiar with...

Fresno to Abilene, Abilene to Fresno

This is the week, beginning with Saturday, that I say things like, "this is the last Sunday you'll be here for a while, where do you want to go for lunch?" Or, "make sure you give me all those clothes so I can get them washed before we leave.." But the thing she can count on me saying over and over is this...

"Don't Go"

I say it with a twinkle in my eye and a tiny smile, because she knows I don't really mean "Don't Go".

Those two little words really mean a few different things.

"I can't believe my sweet little girl is in college."
"Goodness I miss you when you're gone."
"Of course you have to go...you let God lead your life and this is His direction."
"I am so. . .very. . . proud of you."

Just as she can count on me to say "Don't Go", her response is always the same.

"I love you, too, mama. And I have to go so I can come back."

I sure love that girl.

Blessings.

Bible Depot

Last weekend, my little family and I escaped for a couple of days to the beach for a quick mini vacation before Ashley returns to Texas and Avery gets back in school here. This summer has absolutely flown by.

So, while driving down the main street in Grover Beach, (on our way to a wonderful Frozen Yogurt shop we found) Ashley and I spotted this sign. We went by quickly the first time, turned to each other and asked if we had really seen what we thought we had seen. So, on the way back, we attempted to look again, but weren't quite sure where it was and missed it. We managed throughout the weekend to pass it multiple times, each time exclaiming at the awkwardness of the sign. Not sure why it made us so uncomfortable, and amused, but it did.

Was it the picture of Jesus? Is that a Bible he's holding? I'm fairly certain there weren't any leather bound scriptures while he walked and taught here on earth... Or, is it because the grammar is correct? Really? The apostrophe is in the correct spot and it says "Your" instead of the casual "Yo" typically used in that phrase?

Well, if the purpose of the sign is to catch your attention, it's successful...awkward, but successful.

Blessings!

July 30

There are lots of things I like about my big brother.

He is gentle and kind.

He LOVES books and reading.

He is current, up to date, well informed.

He really is hard to beat at most games. . . my goal is to find games I can win and play those over and over with him. So far, haven't found one.

He can tell and appreciate a good joke.

He loves my children and has always spoken with them intelligently and respectfully...even though he is the grown up and they are the kids.

He BBQ's a great hamburger!

He is extremely intelligent.

The list is endless as far as I'm concerned...however, my very favorite thing about my brother is this:

He is ALWAYS glad to see me. Whenever he sees me, whether for a specific purpose or no reason at all, my brother makes me feel extremely loved and welcome by the way he treats me.

I love my brother.
Happy Birthday, Rich!

Chili Cheese Fries and 3D!

One of my favorite people in the world is Salma Sue.

She's beautiful inside and out.

We became friends because the church decided to pair up a student with an adult. This adult had the task of getting to know, pray for, and generally love this student throughout the school year. Salma was not "assigned" to me, I chose her. I had been watching her grow and was impressed with her poise and gentle spirit and wanted to get to know her better.

At the end of last year, we decided we weren't sure what the "official" rules of student/adult pairing were, but we were sticking together. And so, we have.

The pictures above are from a phone camera, so they aren't the typical quality, but you can see us at the movies with our fancy 3-D glasses on, and then as we headed to eat a bite, we all (Ashley was with us) decided that sharing a plate of chili cheese fries sounded perfect! With cheese and onion, of course!

Such a fun day!
Such a special girl!

Blessings~

Particular about Pencils

I am going to reveal an idiosyncrasy of mine...

noun, plural -sies.

1.	a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

I want my pencils sharp!!

Not "usable" sharp, not "it's o.k." sharp, not "good enough" sharp. SHARP!

I have a cup, as you see in the picture above, that is filled with my freshly sharpened pencils.
I use them once, for a limited amount of time, and then place them down on my "to be sharpened" pile, which you see on my desk.
This never changes.

Oh, and I don't like those slick yellow (or fancy schmancy cutsie) pencils. I need the unfinished-like ones that I can grip in the "just right" fashion.

O.K. Now you know. I feel we've bonded.

Blessings.

My Bible

I love my Bible. I love the size, the feel, the weight. I am partial to the version most every time I compare to other versions.

It's just a paper covered Bible with underlines, and post it notes, and pages coming loose. In fact, now that I look at it, it's not pretty. This Bible didn't sit on an end table or in a book shelf and look pretty. There is no smell of leather or visions of gold embossing/engraving on the cover. However, it is beautiful to me.

I've used this Bible for lots of years. I've studied with it, prayed through it, wept as I read sections, and found great joy along the journey. It has sustained me, fed me, encouraged me, taught me.

Have you ever looked at some folks...older folks, who may have lost their youthful luster? Maybe they need help walking, or thinking, or hearing. Maybe at a quick glance, they aren't "pretty" any longer. And yet, as you hear them speak, as you see them encourage, as you feel them drift from earthly satisfaction to heavenly longing, you see great beauty. Great wisdom. Great comfort in their presence.

I hope I am sufficiently tattered as my life continues here on earth. Keep the plastic perfection...the gold engravings. I desire a dog-eared, page loose, underlined and post-it note life.

Blessings.

Where to Start...

V.B.S. is always a production at the College Church. It is big, and loud, and exciting, and over the top. The auditorium is decorated in massive fashion, the "character actors" are crazy silly, the music is loud. There is flying candy, good guys and bad guys, crafts, snacks, singing, praying, laughing...and lots and lots of loving. Adults loving children, children learning to love the Lord and each other. If you were to visit this place the week before or the week of Vacation Bible School, there are two conclusions you would come to very quickly.

These people love the Lord, and kids are a priority in this place. It is a great week that I'm always amazed and thankful for. Enjoy some pictures...these are just a few of hundreds! We discovered our new preacher is quite the cornball actor...and a very good sport. (he is at the end of these pics as the sheriff!)

Blessings!

Sunday, July 5, our church will host a "Great American Bake Sale".

If you've not heard of this effort, check it out at
http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_homepage

If you're in the neighborhood, come see us. Buy a brownie, or cookie, or whatever...

We will look forward to seeing you!
Blessings

Hospitality and Love

Almost every Sunday night, the Youth Group gets together for a meal and some study and, of course, fun.

This is a great time for a couple of reasons...

First, these students genuinely love getting together and enjoying each other. They are a loving and social group, rarely walking the "clique" or "exclusion" path. Typically, they are beautiful at enfolding new comers and visitors.

Second, it's a more relaxed atmosphere where they seem to have their guards down, as well as do those who are teaching or leading them.

And, finally, it's a great time because it allows the students to see hospitality and love for them in action. We have somebody from the church provide the dinner for them. They come, drop it off, and leave the students happy and well-fed. And, it's rarely one of their parents, rather somebody who doesn't even have a child in the group. Somebody with no obligation, other than caring deeply for that particular group of the church.

A couple of Sunday nights ago, a sweet family offered not only the meal, but their home...their property...their time to the students. We all met at the church and carpooled to Madera where the students were greeted with the smells of amazing BBQ cooking just for them. The horse shoes were waiting to be played along with a couple of bikes and a volleyball court. They enjoyed playing and laughing together while the meal was being laid out for them. BBQ chicken, garlic bread, beans, salad, lemonade. Amazing meal, amazing love for the students.

Lex brought them together and talked about being the aroma of Christ. Just as the BBQ smells filled our hearts as we got out of the cars, so should we be to a world so hungry for a Savior.

And finally, a big campfire with songs and prayers.

The kids were definitely filled with goodness from that night. They were covered with the aroma of Christ from adults who let them know how important they are to the Kingdom.

The Big 2 - 0 !

20 years ago today, I was holding a beautiful, quiet, precious baby boy for the very first time.

20 years later, he is still beautiful and quiet...
He is also extremely intelligent, very strong, and full of amazing talents and gifts that have been developing steadily over his journey. And he's not really a little boy any longer.

Today, we celebrate our son turning 20!

There are so many things about him that I am proud of. And although I could go on for days about all the things that make him special, I will spare him the embarrassment and just simply say he is a tremendous blessing in our lives, as well as any one else who is blessed enough to know him.

Happy Birthday, sweet son.
You are precious to me...