The lack of Internet access has forced me to consider how much I value that connection to the online world.
Gene and I arrived in sunny San Diego Tuesday around 10:30 a.m. We were able to check into our hotel early and start our day.
We did the tourist thing for two days and spent several hours at the beach. Gene managed to get his ankles wet, but I was all out. I love the ocean and the town of Coronado. We both managed to get slight sunburns despite the sunblock. We have seen Old Town and Seaport Village, only a few minutes from our hotel.
Today is D-day. I will finish "d" grading or I will surely lose my mind. I have also decided to mail the work home because just the folders from my class weigh eight pounds!
Well, back to grading I go. Hope all is well in Kansas : )
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday's report and camping
(yes, I should be grading, but I need a break, OK?!)
Took the fellas camping Friday with a 30 percent chance for storms lurking. Should have known given my day that camping was not a good plan. Went anyway. Here's the top 10 things NOT to do when camping with a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy.
1) Think you are properly organized when in fact you are NOT.
2) Assume that the baby who usually sleeps in a crib will just "adjust" to the big tent.
(these are not exactly in order)
3) Forget lawn chairs.
4) Camp next to a family who brings other families and has at least 14 kids running around until midnight.
5) Have to run to the store before you leave when it's already well after dinner time.
6) Try camping and mounting bike carrier on car in same day.
7) Ask husband questions when he is putting said carrier on said car.
8) Pack up kids and leave at 2 a.m. because of lightning.
9) Look at lake water. Best just to get in at planned time.
10) Expect children to behave while you are putting up the tent.
Took the fellas camping Friday with a 30 percent chance for storms lurking. Should have known given my day that camping was not a good plan. Went anyway. Here's the top 10 things NOT to do when camping with a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy.
1) Think you are properly organized when in fact you are NOT.
2) Assume that the baby who usually sleeps in a crib will just "adjust" to the big tent.
(these are not exactly in order)
3) Forget lawn chairs.
4) Camp next to a family who brings other families and has at least 14 kids running around until midnight.
5) Have to run to the store before you leave when it's already well after dinner time.
6) Try camping and mounting bike carrier on car in same day.
7) Ask husband questions when he is putting said carrier on said car.
8) Pack up kids and leave at 2 a.m. because of lightning.
9) Look at lake water. Best just to get in at planned time.
10) Expect children to behave while you are putting up the tent.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A New Year's Baby?
My sis is pregnant. I have nieces and nephews from Gene's family who are precious and wonderful children, but I'm so very excited to meet MY sister's baby.
Her due date right now is Jan. 2. If she's really good and has him or her (we hope her, but suspect him b/c that's the way things have gone in our family) on Dec. 31, she won't have to wait a year for that awesome tax credit : )
Or she might be online to have the first baby of the year or something really cool like that.
At any rate, I'm very excited. Join me in praying for a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby if you're the praying type.
We love it!
We recommend the trail-a-bike thing to anyone thinking about it. Jacob is having a wonderful time riding with his daddy!
One thing off the list (ha ha)
As my faitful blog followers (mom and Anna) will recall, I had a mission to type up a list of all of our kid books. Well, it's past midnight, but I did finish. Sometimes I just have this overwhelming need to finish a project, mostly to calm down my nutty brain.
Anyway, our boys currently have 376 titles. I pulled the books off the shelves tonight and I likely missed one or two. Starting out, I thought I was on track to have more like 600 books.
A side mission of the typing expedition was also to out the missing library books. Alas, two of the three have been found. Hmm.
I need to go to bed, but first I'm gonna throw a photo or two on my site.
Peace to all ya'll organizer wanna-bees : )
Monday, June 18, 2007
Ramblings of sorts
Coming off of another busy weekend, and yes, I should be grading.
Took the boys to the zoo Friday with two other moms. Five kids to three moms isn't a bad ratio, and we all had an enjoyable trip. No luck in getting five kids, ages 4, 4, 3, 2 and 1, into ONE picture though. I will have to post a couple of the ones I did manage to get.
Was on a mission Saturday to buy Gene a new bike and a trail-a-bike thing for Jacob. It's a very cool addition to a regular ten speed that allows a younger rider to ride with a parent. It's like attaching a kids bike, minus the front wheel, to the back of the adult bike. Jacob loves it! I know Jared is going to have a cow b/c he already wants to ride on it, too.
Sunday we made it to church early. My husband does not always enjoy eating out with our kids. I think his prediction that they might be terrorists at the restaurant comes true, and a better attitude would prove more effective. At any rate, we did the Chili's to go for Father's Day. Then my parents came for a BBQ for dinner. We spent some time picking up sticks and cleaning up the yard.
I have become a recent fan of the library's online catalog. You can look for books and have them mailed right to your house. I have read in my magazine about a few books I wanted to read. Ta-Da. The library has them. Now I just wait for them to arrive. How cool is that?!
Well, I started this little post well before lunch. Now I've been and gone. Folded and put away a load of laundry and started another one while at home. Picked up toys for the 20th time in two days. Yep. It's a regular old work week.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
My family
Here is the photo taken at the reception to honor my grandparents, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, May 28. They were married in Hiawatha, Kan.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Swimming, Take 2
OK, last night was the second night of the scary swimming.
Jared did much better. The shoes were a definte help. He did not care about the ball, but the ring floatie device proved to be a comfortable distraction.
He actually walked around the pool, splashed and generally had fun. He did go completely under twice, and he did not cry a bit either time. I think the third time will be a charm. I am still getting looks from those who clearly think I am pushing too hard or torturing my child. Trust me. If he was having a major problem, the whole city of Topeka would hear him.
Jacob desperately wants to learn how to swim, but I have yet to sign him up for lessons. I think they will go much better this year.
Hooray!
Jared did much better. The shoes were a definte help. He did not care about the ball, but the ring floatie device proved to be a comfortable distraction.
He actually walked around the pool, splashed and generally had fun. He did go completely under twice, and he did not cry a bit either time. I think the third time will be a charm. I am still getting looks from those who clearly think I am pushing too hard or torturing my child. Trust me. If he was having a major problem, the whole city of Topeka would hear him.
Jacob desperately wants to learn how to swim, but I have yet to sign him up for lessons. I think they will go much better this year.
Hooray!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Swimming
My baby boy hates the pool, which is not good considering we have to go at least 19 more times to make our pool pass cost efficient.
It took about an hour and a half for him to agree to cling to me with his upper chest and lower body submerged.
Jacob, however, loves the pool and wants to do everything. He was quite sad when the lifeguard told him he wasn't big enough for the rope game at the pool. His biggest problem, like genenrations of others, is not running at the pool. He listened fairly well, which was good because Jared was stuck to me like glue.
Jared hates being barefoot, first of all. Then there's the "shower before you enter the pool area" that he's not a big fan of either. We had not even made it out of the locker room before I my child was hysterical.
He loves baths, so I figured walking into the water would please him. Yeah, not so much. I'm sure the other parents there thought I was a horrible mother torturing my poor baby.
Maybe next time will be better. I've got the pool shoes and I'm bringing him a ball. He loves balls, so surely that will work. (Quit laughing. I need support here.)
It took about an hour and a half for him to agree to cling to me with his upper chest and lower body submerged.
Jacob, however, loves the pool and wants to do everything. He was quite sad when the lifeguard told him he wasn't big enough for the rope game at the pool. His biggest problem, like genenrations of others, is not running at the pool. He listened fairly well, which was good because Jared was stuck to me like glue.
Jared hates being barefoot, first of all. Then there's the "shower before you enter the pool area" that he's not a big fan of either. We had not even made it out of the locker room before I my child was hysterical.
He loves baths, so I figured walking into the water would please him. Yeah, not so much. I'm sure the other parents there thought I was a horrible mother torturing my poor baby.
Maybe next time will be better. I've got the pool shoes and I'm bringing him a ball. He loves balls, so surely that will work. (Quit laughing. I need support here.)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
10 Years
This Thursday will mark the last day of the first 10 years of my marriage. Wow. Ten years. I am not sure what to blog in this space. Perhaps a rundown of the last 10 years. That could be tricky and really test my memory.
June 7, 1997: OK, that's easy. I married my sweetie at 6 p.m. in Mound City, Mo. I could not wait to walk down the aisle. It was awesome to celebrate with family and friends, but it would have been the same if it had just been Gene and I and the preacher.
1998: I graduated with my master's from KU and Gene gets the job he loves as Washburn's SID
1999: I live in Maryville, Mo., and Lawrence, Kan., as I spend 10 months teaching at NWMSU. A lot of miles on our little black Cavalier. I have a husband and a roommate.
2000: We decide to move to Topeka. We closed on our first house on June 7, 2000. I also start my job in alumni at Washburn.
2001: We work. Back in the these days, I would frequently travel on weekends with Gene to football and basketball games. Of course, I often read my book, but we were together. We work, go to church, spend too much money.
2002: We take a fun cruise to mark what we planned to be our last anniversary without children. Our plans prevail. And, we love cruises.
2003: Our first baby boy, Jacob, is born, March 23. What a screamer. Is this baby ever going to go to sleep?
2004: We start to realize the full impact of parenthood. We were too tired the first year, and I don't actually remember a lot of it. We start thinking we had better have another baby before I lose my nerve. My mom said we couldn't not "plan" children, but we did pretty well. We were hoping for April babies both times and got March and May. Pretty darn close.
2005: Our second (and last) baby boy, Jared, is born, May 26. He was 9 pounds and four ounces. Perhaps God thought my prayers for a healthy and SMALL baby went unheard.
2006: A hard year at times. With my sister facing cancer, it really did change our focus. Jared also got ear tubes this year and was sick a lot. Jacob starts preschool and does quite well. The year ended very well though as my parents were baptized Dec. 30.
2007: The boys drive our world in a big way. We visit the zoo, take bike rides, pull the wagon, visit Sam's Club, ride the train at the park, fix meals that end up on the floor, and watch our boys grow. We love to hear Jacob's prayers from the heart and watch as Jared soaks up everything Jacob says and does. (and yes, that includes the spitting and the sassy mouth!) Gene and I still love to goof around and spend time just the two of us.
I'm a very lucky girl. It's been an awesome 10 years.
June 7, 1997: OK, that's easy. I married my sweetie at 6 p.m. in Mound City, Mo. I could not wait to walk down the aisle. It was awesome to celebrate with family and friends, but it would have been the same if it had just been Gene and I and the preacher.
1998: I graduated with my master's from KU and Gene gets the job he loves as Washburn's SID
1999: I live in Maryville, Mo., and Lawrence, Kan., as I spend 10 months teaching at NWMSU. A lot of miles on our little black Cavalier. I have a husband and a roommate.
2000: We decide to move to Topeka. We closed on our first house on June 7, 2000. I also start my job in alumni at Washburn.
2001: We work. Back in the these days, I would frequently travel on weekends with Gene to football and basketball games. Of course, I often read my book, but we were together. We work, go to church, spend too much money.
2002: We take a fun cruise to mark what we planned to be our last anniversary without children. Our plans prevail. And, we love cruises.
2003: Our first baby boy, Jacob, is born, March 23. What a screamer. Is this baby ever going to go to sleep?
2004: We start to realize the full impact of parenthood. We were too tired the first year, and I don't actually remember a lot of it. We start thinking we had better have another baby before I lose my nerve. My mom said we couldn't not "plan" children, but we did pretty well. We were hoping for April babies both times and got March and May. Pretty darn close.
2005: Our second (and last) baby boy, Jared, is born, May 26. He was 9 pounds and four ounces. Perhaps God thought my prayers for a healthy and SMALL baby went unheard.
2006: A hard year at times. With my sister facing cancer, it really did change our focus. Jared also got ear tubes this year and was sick a lot. Jacob starts preschool and does quite well. The year ended very well though as my parents were baptized Dec. 30.
2007: The boys drive our world in a big way. We visit the zoo, take bike rides, pull the wagon, visit Sam's Club, ride the train at the park, fix meals that end up on the floor, and watch our boys grow. We love to hear Jacob's prayers from the heart and watch as Jared soaks up everything Jacob says and does. (and yes, that includes the spitting and the sassy mouth!) Gene and I still love to goof around and spend time just the two of us.
I'm a very lucky girl. It's been an awesome 10 years.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Advanced News
This post is the start of an ongoing conversation that will last approximately five weeks. I'm teaching Advanced News Writing this summer, and I have decided to have students post each week to this blog. In reality, it's much easier to grade things that are all in one place, but it's also great to be able to respond to the thoughts of others.
Here are the rules:
1) It's OK to POLITELY disagree with others who post.
2) Be sure to click on this entry and post everything here.
Week one: By Wednesday, please answer the following questions. Be sure to read what those before you have typed b/c it should have some effect on what you say. I don't want 15 posts that all say the same thing.
1) What is it that journalists do that make their jobs so important?
2) In your opinion, what has been the biggest or most important news story in the last two weeks?
Here are the rules:
1) It's OK to POLITELY disagree with others who post.
2) Be sure to click on this entry and post everything here.
Week one: By Wednesday, please answer the following questions. Be sure to read what those before you have typed b/c it should have some effect on what you say. I don't want 15 posts that all say the same thing.
1) What is it that journalists do that make their jobs so important?
2) In your opinion, what has been the biggest or most important news story in the last two weeks?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
In Christ Alone
If you can find a copy of this song, go for it! There are about 25 recordings by different artists. I have not found the perfect one I'm seeking yet, but they are all good. At any rate, just the lyrics are amazing. I googled In Christ Alone and got this below:
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Newsboys - In Christ Alone Lyrics
In Christ alone my hope is foundHe is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
How bad is it …
when you barely have time to do half of your list, let along blog.
Yes, I should be planning for my Advanced News Writing class that begins Tuesday. I am going insane!
I have not even been able to blog about my amazing, and I do mean amazing time at the Beth Moore conference. I've also been to an amazing writer's conference.
Beth first. She is an amazing woman. She's on fire for the Lord and knows how to study His word.
Funny thing about God putting you in places you are meant to be. I'm sure there was no reason At ALL why I was at a conference where one of the main focus was on ANXIETY.
OK, this is summary of Beth's profound thoughts, not mine. Stay with me.
She says prayer is to worry as everything is to nothing. She also shows us how God will not provide us one single ounce of energy to waste on anxiety or worry. Prayer, on the other hand, taps into the Spirit's power. And that would be the spirit of the creator of the universe for those a bit behind.
Prayer is the answer to peace while anxiety is the quick way to insanity (OK, the last part is mine.)
Now, here is where it really gets tricky. Beth thinks the root of all anxiety is our refusal to relinquish one thing. Any guesses?
Oh, yeah, it's control. Hmm. What does this type-A control freak have to say about that? Hmm.
So we sat down on the floor, literally a few feet from Beth a few times, and there were these spotlights going around the room. At points, these lights would shine directly on me and not on the people sitting on either side of me. As if I would miss the whole contol thing, God decided to give me a visual clue.
Here it is God: TAKE IT ALL!
love, regina
Yes, I should be planning for my Advanced News Writing class that begins Tuesday. I am going insane!
I have not even been able to blog about my amazing, and I do mean amazing time at the Beth Moore conference. I've also been to an amazing writer's conference.
Beth first. She is an amazing woman. She's on fire for the Lord and knows how to study His word.
Funny thing about God putting you in places you are meant to be. I'm sure there was no reason At ALL why I was at a conference where one of the main focus was on ANXIETY.
OK, this is summary of Beth's profound thoughts, not mine. Stay with me.
She says prayer is to worry as everything is to nothing. She also shows us how God will not provide us one single ounce of energy to waste on anxiety or worry. Prayer, on the other hand, taps into the Spirit's power. And that would be the spirit of the creator of the universe for those a bit behind.
Prayer is the answer to peace while anxiety is the quick way to insanity (OK, the last part is mine.)
Now, here is where it really gets tricky. Beth thinks the root of all anxiety is our refusal to relinquish one thing. Any guesses?
Oh, yeah, it's control. Hmm. What does this type-A control freak have to say about that? Hmm.
So we sat down on the floor, literally a few feet from Beth a few times, and there were these spotlights going around the room. At points, these lights would shine directly on me and not on the people sitting on either side of me. As if I would miss the whole contol thing, God decided to give me a visual clue.
Here it is God: TAKE IT ALL!
love, regina
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Never enough hours in the day
If I close my eyes, my to-do list dances in my head. If I open my eyes, it's all around me, staring at me, beckoning to me.
From yard to house to fitness to the mess in the kitchen and the clothes in the dryer, all of which are situated around piles of grading to be accomplished, I simply do not know where to begin.
I have three to-do lists. I cannot bear to look at them. I seriously think I am a lunatic. A serious lunatic, not to be confused by a moderate lunatic.
My blog is too self-centered. Oh, well.
From yard to house to fitness to the mess in the kitchen and the clothes in the dryer, all of which are situated around piles of grading to be accomplished, I simply do not know where to begin.
I have three to-do lists. I cannot bear to look at them. I seriously think I am a lunatic. A serious lunatic, not to be confused by a moderate lunatic.
My blog is too self-centered. Oh, well.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
I should be sleeping
So I have discovered gmail and the beauty of the google calendar. I should be sleeping. It was a very very very long day and promises to be a very long week.
I am going to see Beth Moore in Omaha Friday, so the week will have a good end.
The only bad thing about a calendar you can add stuff into and then see months in advance is how quickly you can fill the darn thing up. aaauuughhh.
OK, I am going to bed now.
I am going to see Beth Moore in Omaha Friday, so the week will have a good end.
The only bad thing about a calendar you can add stuff into and then see months in advance is how quickly you can fill the darn thing up. aaauuughhh.
OK, I am going to bed now.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
In conclusion
I hate how when I post two in one day, my second post is below my first post. Perhaps I should consider a blog entry much like I tell my students to write cutlines. Assume the reader will not read the story. Try to get them there, but give enough info.
I finished my Beth Moore study. We went to dinner last night to discuss what we learned, but we really just visited. (nothing wrong with that). We did the To Live as Christ, which is a study of the life of Paul. Amazing.
Here are some of the things I took away from this study.
1) Paul, who started as Saul, let a very disciplined life, which I believe was a key to his amazing faithfulness.
2) Saul got to meet up with Christ in a very dramatic way. And, when Christ meets you in this fashion, there is really no turning back.
3) God rules were created to protect us and help us, but he loves us the same no matter how well we follow these rules.
4) The power of the Holy Spirit does not come automatically. When we accept Christ, we are joined by the Spirit, but it's only through the disciplines of prayer, reading God's Word and choosing to obey that we are able to harness the spirit's power to be patient, kind, faithful, loving, gentle, joyful, peaceful, good, and self-controlled.
5) Following our convictions can be tough. God did not promise a life of pampering. Hardships are actually necessary to build genuine faith.
6) Paul moved out from under to law to fall under grace. It's a choice we all have. The law condemns us all. You can accept grace or live life as Christ did -- without sin. Hmm, think I'll take GRACE.
7) The key to freedom is our obedience "DO the right thing, until we FEEL the right thing."
8) We need to fear the sin that comes disguised as a friend.
9) Salvation is a gift. We must PURSUE godliness and holiness.
10) We can learn to be content with what we have. It's not an automatic thing.
11) Beth says "our testimony is today!" We need to start living an obedient life, so our light can shine forth into the darkness. AMEN.
I finished my Beth Moore study. We went to dinner last night to discuss what we learned, but we really just visited. (nothing wrong with that). We did the To Live as Christ, which is a study of the life of Paul. Amazing.
Here are some of the things I took away from this study.
1) Paul, who started as Saul, let a very disciplined life, which I believe was a key to his amazing faithfulness.
2) Saul got to meet up with Christ in a very dramatic way. And, when Christ meets you in this fashion, there is really no turning back.
3) God rules were created to protect us and help us, but he loves us the same no matter how well we follow these rules.
4) The power of the Holy Spirit does not come automatically. When we accept Christ, we are joined by the Spirit, but it's only through the disciplines of prayer, reading God's Word and choosing to obey that we are able to harness the spirit's power to be patient, kind, faithful, loving, gentle, joyful, peaceful, good, and self-controlled.
5) Following our convictions can be tough. God did not promise a life of pampering. Hardships are actually necessary to build genuine faith.
6) Paul moved out from under to law to fall under grace. It's a choice we all have. The law condemns us all. You can accept grace or live life as Christ did -- without sin. Hmm, think I'll take GRACE.
7) The key to freedom is our obedience "DO the right thing, until we FEEL the right thing."
8) We need to fear the sin that comes disguised as a friend.
9) Salvation is a gift. We must PURSUE godliness and holiness.
10) We can learn to be content with what we have. It's not an automatic thing.
11) Beth says "our testimony is today!" We need to start living an obedient life, so our light can shine forth into the darkness. AMEN.
I should be grading …
Or washing the dishes or sleeping.
Last week of classes. Three more classes for me, in fact. Yes, three more.
It's been two, possibly three, weeks since I've finished my Beth Moore Bible study. I am back in the adult Sunday school as my 12-week stint with the 4-5 year olds in temporarily over. We are studying the life of King David. Our teacher has encouraged us to work on memorizing scripture.
I am working on memorizing Psalm 34. I must say it's not going as well as I would like it, too. The Psalm was written by King David, known as a man after God's own heart.
Here it is, in case you want to memorize it with me. (From the NIV version.)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
The poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who take refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weary and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
The face of the Lord is against those who do evilto cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in the spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bons, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked,
the foes of the righteous will be condemned,
The Lord redeems his servants;
No one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Last week of classes. Three more classes for me, in fact. Yes, three more.
It's been two, possibly three, weeks since I've finished my Beth Moore Bible study. I am back in the adult Sunday school as my 12-week stint with the 4-5 year olds in temporarily over. We are studying the life of King David. Our teacher has encouraged us to work on memorizing scripture.
I am working on memorizing Psalm 34. I must say it's not going as well as I would like it, too. The Psalm was written by King David, known as a man after God's own heart.
Here it is, in case you want to memorize it with me. (From the NIV version.)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
The poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who take refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weary and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
The face of the Lord is against those who do evilto cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in the spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bons, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked,
the foes of the righteous will be condemned,
The Lord redeems his servants;
No one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Monday, April 23, 2007
100 books and counting
So the madness continues as I type into excel our expansive collection of children's books. Just last week, Jacob and I carefully scoured the Scholastic flyer for the books we thought we needed. He picked dinosaurs and pirates. I picked Charolotte's Web and Stuart Little.
Then, he carried around a crumpled up flyer from something we received in the mail. A collection of Veggie Tales Books. I am an addict when it comes to mail-order books, so with no obligation purchase (ha ha), our Veggie Tales books will start arriving in four to six weeks.
At the Women of Faith conference, I spent $75 on a gorgeous pink bag that declares "Finally Free" to the world. I would not have paid so much for a bag, but this one came with five books that I plan to read and then share liberally!
The bottom line is that I love books, and I want my fellas to love 'em, too!
I remember when I was a little girl and I decided to play library, so I cut and glued pockets from notebook paper and stuck them to every book I owned. What a wacky kid!
I also remember the time I had planned to be a scribe and had set out copying down the entire Bible. It was a lot harder than I thought. I had to be younger than second grade, and I still only had the OLD King James version. I think I made it through the first three chapters of Genesis before I gave up my mission.
Then, he carried around a crumpled up flyer from something we received in the mail. A collection of Veggie Tales Books. I am an addict when it comes to mail-order books, so with no obligation purchase (ha ha), our Veggie Tales books will start arriving in four to six weeks.
At the Women of Faith conference, I spent $75 on a gorgeous pink bag that declares "Finally Free" to the world. I would not have paid so much for a bag, but this one came with five books that I plan to read and then share liberally!
The bottom line is that I love books, and I want my fellas to love 'em, too!
I remember when I was a little girl and I decided to play library, so I cut and glued pockets from notebook paper and stuck them to every book I owned. What a wacky kid!
I also remember the time I had planned to be a scribe and had set out copying down the entire Bible. It was a lot harder than I thought. I had to be younger than second grade, and I still only had the OLD King James version. I think I made it through the first three chapters of Genesis before I gave up my mission.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
An answered prayer
Years before I had even considered being a mother, I attended my first Women of Faith conference. (note, I am in a posting mood, so I doubt these will not be in order)
At the conference, I was surrounded by amazing women who seemed to have a good handle on their faith in God. And, I, too, was well on my journey in faith. I had already spent a fair number of years praying my family would understand that my "interest" in God was not a hobby.
I have always had a close relationship with my mom. She's a great lady, but I was never able to relate to her spiritually. She had always believed in God, and that seemed to be enough for her, but it never was for me. It's the relationship with the son that I am aiming for. And, as I experienced God in such a powerful way some 10 years ago, I remember wishing my mom could share in something like that. I prayed often for my parents and my sisters over the years.
As someone was unable to attend this week's conference, my mom was able to go. As I was singing with the 12,000 women who attended the conference, I was suddenly very aware of how much had changed in 10 years. Here I was with my mom, and we were both worshiping the same, wonderful, awesome supreme God. Her faith awakened and renewed.
God is so good.
I know I have family, friends, students and even mere acquaintances who are not yet in a relationship with Christ. You can trust that if I know you are not in said relationship that I am praying fervently that you will come to know the one and only true God.
Believing there is a God isn't enough. Jesus is the only way to an eternal life in heaven, and He loves you. And I encourage my Christian friends: Never quit praying for the lost. Eternity is a fate for everyone. You can spend it with God or without Him. It's your choice.
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