Weekend Glimpses

Chess tournament--

Making silly faces....

Last game to finish of the entire tournament, fighting it out until the end!

Our local chess club won  1st place in the 7th-9th grade division for the Team category.  Daniel came in 3rd place in the same division.  Our club did very well and it was a great tournament.  

This beauty was at her choir festival.  JP dropped her off early for practices in her jeans and ponytail.  He didn't even recognize her when she came on stage in her choir dress and hair up-do.  No pictures because the booger changed before she went out to meet her daddy.  So, a couple of pictures at home is all I got.  I sure do love these two!  

30 Days of Thanks: Day 8

Our God meets our needs no matter what they are.  He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Comforter, our Friend.  He is our Creator, our Peace, our Hope.  He is the Resurrection and the Life.  He is the Light in our darkness.  He is our Healer, our Defender.  

He is the One that carries us through the hard time.  The One that promises to never leave us or forsake us. The One who has called us by name and knew us from before we were in the womb.  The One that has plans for our future.  The One and only Way!  

He is all these things and so much more.  I give thanks to the only One worthy of praise!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7

30 Days of Thanks: Day 7

Today I give thanks:

• for two cars, especially on a day when we had to be in two different places an hour apart in distance
• safety driving to and from the chess tournament
• that Tera cleaned our house while we were gone
• for Hot n' Ready pizzas
• that Daniel had a great chess tournament placing 3rd in his division, but really doing a great job using his time and recording his moves
• that Tera and JP had some quality time together
• that even though Michael didn't win one game today, he still had good sportsmanship despite being upset.
• good conversation
• clean and hot water
• for a nice place to walk during the tournament

  And that we're home.....

30 Days of Thanks: Day 5

Today's challenge in our thankful group: 

God puts people in our lives for a reason. Think about someone from your past (a teacher, pastor, family member or friend) that helped shape who you are as a person. Give thanks to God for that person and if they are still living say a prayer for them today. Maybe even call or write a message to them thanking them for the impact they have made on your life. 

Several pastors have made their mark on my life and I am thankful for their influence and love:

I had the same pastor for the first 18 years of my life.  I enrolled as a baby in the Cradle Roll and 18 years later I was still there.  Bro. Jerry and Mrs. Dean discipled me over those 18 years.  They gave me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.  Summer camps, dresses and music to compete in the district talent competitions, encouraging me to use my musical talent in service.  They have prayed with me at all hours of the day and night. 

My former pastor, Bro. D and his wife, Linda. I first met them as a teenager. Their daughter and I were roommates in college and later I served as his music minister. They became my second parents. They were there at 12:45 AM when I gave birth to my first child. Held my hand as I've grieved and toiled over questions and doubts, filled my car with gas, helped me find a job, prayed for me and so much more!  

Bro. Powers and his wife Ann showed me the example of how a quiet spirit speaks volumes.  He would tell the stories of his time in Alaska that eventually knew by heart, but loved the telling all the same.  They were so loving to everyone they met.  I never remember them saying an unkind word about anyone.  True servant leaders.

Today, I give thanks for all those that God has chosen to put in my path that have taken discipling others seriously!  The encouragement, comfort, prayers and love I have received can never be fully expressed.  

30 Days of Thanks: Day 4

Today, I have been so encouraged!  It started when a friend shared her thoughts and thankfulness about a passage of Scripture that spoke to her.  Then, other friends in a thankful group started sharing their praises and thanksgivings.  It has been such an uplifting experience. 

We have shared thoughts on how God does not want us to be afraid, or to worry or feel anxious.  How God has plans for our life, to give us a hope and a future.  How God uses His word to correct us and comfort us. 

I'm thankful for friends that desire to draw closer to God and let Him lead their thoughts and actions.

I'm thankful for a God that loves us so much that He sent his Son to die for our sins.  

You as God on High, came to earth as a man to serve and give Your life for us. You withstood such torment when You were spit upon, hit in the face and wore the crown of thorns. You endured mocking and the One who knew God so intimately felt alone and forsaken. Thank you Lord, for loving me that much!

 

30 Days of Thanks: Day 3

Today I give thanks for: 

• beautiful birds soaring high into the trees
• being able to still wear shorts in November
• God's grace that covers my multitude of sins
• a life filled with music (that's why I'm typing this at almost 10 PM...we just got home from rehearsals)
• extended warranties on refrigerators
• being able to feed my family another day, even though our fridge is still in limbo
• exercise 
• Christ taking my sins upon Himself, so that I could find forgiveness and have eternal life!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Halloween and fun times

 Fun at the library

The much anticipated Lord of the Rings Risk game arrived!

Halloween 2015 

Einstein

Sherlock

 

Watson 

30 Days of Thanks: Day 2

Oh my, the last two days! 

Our second day without a working fridge and I slipped on the porch and down the stairs.  So, it's definitely been a "challenge", but He says to "give thanks in ALL circumstances!"  Here goes:

• I'm thankful that we bought the extended warranty on our refrigerator and hopefully, we will get the problem resolved soon.

• I'm thankful that even without a fridge, I was able to give my kids healthy meals today!

• I'm thankful that when I slipped there were:  1. no broken bones; 2.  I didn't fall head first; 3.  JP was home to help me up, in the house, assess the damage and administer first aid in the form of ibuprofen; 4.  that we were still able to make it to choir, karate and the orchestra concert.

• I'm thankful my kids love to read!

• I'm thankful for opportunities to introduce my kids to arts!

30 Days of Thanks 2015: Day 1

So, I toyed with the idea of not doing a "30 Days of Thanks" series on my blog this year. "We have been doing "thankful" journals throughout the year. Does anybody read this? What's the point?" Then, I started thinking that it's important for us to share with others our thanksgiving. To point them to a God that is bigger than all their failings, struggles and crazy lives. He is worthy of thanks and praise. 

Today has been a humdinger of a day to kick off the month! Our refrigerator showed no real signs of needed to be defrosted until we got up this morning and it felt WARM! Instead of crying like I really wanted to do, I started thinking of things I could give thanks to God about.  

• I'm thankful that I scaled back my grocery shopping yesterday.
• I'm thankful that the freezer stayed frozen through the whole process.
• The refrigerator needed a good cleaning out and wiping down anyway.
• There were things that needed to be purged and this was a good time to do it.
• I'm thankful for a husband that keeps me grounded when I just want to have a good cry!
• I'm thankful for someone who understands my quirkiness about food safety and doesn't judge me for it.
• I'm thankful that my family didn't mind having corn bread and apples for lunch, when I didn't feel comfortable serving the dinner I had prepared yesterday for today.
• I'm thankful that JP offered to go to the store to replace the stuff we need replacing. 
• For provision to buy new food to replace what we will lose.  

After defrosting the fridge, it still does not seem to be cooling right.  I will take a deep breath and continue to give thanks!


"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Glimpses from last week...

Eye doctor appointments all on the same day. We were entertainment for the doctor that's for sure.  I guess if you have to go to the doctor, you might as well have fun! 

Chess...again....

Sparring with equipment for the first time

Waiting for Tera and playing freeze tag

5K to 5K and a bunch in the middle

 Photo Credit:  Tina

From 5K to 5K--- 

Last Saturday, we ran/walked in the rain with some friends for our 2nd 5K.  We hadn't planned on doing any more, but JP needed a healthy event logged for work.  So, we signed up to do the Glow Trot--an after dark 5K.  Michael and I had planned to only do a 1 mile fun run, but ended up walking the 5K with JP.  I logged over 14000 steps yesterday and then couldn't sleep last night.  You would think I would have had no trouble.  

Tera placed 2nd in the female age division 13-18.  This is her second medal in the past month. 

This is a horrible picture, but Daniel gave the thought of the day at the 4H meeting.  I was so proud of how well he picked a quote and wrote out a very thoughtful response to deliver.  He received so many compliments on his presentation, as well as the content.  Of course, it revolved around The Lord of the Rings. 

We will be working on speeches for the local 4H speech contest that I'm requiring my kids to enter.  Public speaking is a skill that you use for an entire lifetime.  I remember placing in our school's speech contest in 6th grade with a speech entitled The Famine in Africa.  I went on to deliver my speech at the county contest.  I didn't place, but I still remember it after all these years.  

On Wednesday, I went out for a rare girls' night out with one of my good friends to celebrate her birthday.  We had a nice relaxing dinner out and then went bowling.  She beat me bad!  It was a much needed evening!  I'm blessed to have such wonderful friends!

 







A beautiful basket of apples from our neighbors...

Fall seems to be a busy time, but we are just trying to take one day at a time.  Trying to clean up, declutter and get on top of outside obligations while keeping up with school work.  It's a struggle sometimes, but it's our life.  A life with these four awesome people and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Weekly Wrap-up: The one with allergies, alligators and chemistry

Chess....

Swim lessons for Michael

Michael made this cute alligator from clay using a design he found in a book...

This year, Daniel's science is a hodge podge.  He completed a unit on the brain and has moved onto carbon chemistry.  He attempted to make diagrams of the carbon allotropes:  diamond, graphite and buckyballs.  The graphite one was the most successful.  Just pretend all the pieces are black, we couldn't find jujubes.  

To keep things real, it hasn't been the best of weeks around here.  All three of the kids have had allergies this week or a mild cold at most.  Crankiness has been present more than one day.  School work has been procrastinated until the last minute.  Boundaries have had to be reset.   We stayed at home on Thursday and Friday just to help everyone recover.  

One of my biggest struggles right now is the busy-ness.  There is just so much going on this time of year.  The past two days (although, not totally stress-free) have been a nice respite from the on-the-go normal.  

Another struggle I'm dealing with is teaching three different levels of math:  1st grade, Pre-algebra and Algebra 2.  Michael is moving quickly through the 1st grade Saxon curriculum and will be able to start on the 2nd grade stuff this year.  Daniel wants to finish Pre-Algebra by the end of October, so he can get Algebra 1 done in 8th grade.  Tera has just started going over trigonometry in her book and trying to find her rhythm.  It just feels like a lot of math juggling!  

The bigger issue is that this is the time of year for my seasonal blues.  I feel like I've done better emotionally this year than in the years past.  I'm giving myself grace for all the things I'm not getting accomplished that I feel like I should be doing.  A friend and I are doing a book study on prayer.  It's really helping me stay in the Word and staying focused on Him.   One of my favorite hymns has always been: "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace."

It is so true!  The more I turn to Him in prayer and reading His word, the less the things (drama, conflict, worries) seem to get to me.  This week my verse has seemed to be:   

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail. 

 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 

The days haven't went necessarily great, but His faithfulness and compassion never fail!