Jan. 25, 2009 - Sad times

We are currently in Odessa, Texas.  Great weather! Horrible circumstances!.  We left Wisconsin last Monday afternoon.  Driving straight through to Texas.  We arrived here on Tuesday evening.  Wednesday afternoon we went to visit Rickey's (my husband) mom.  She has been fighting cancer for almost 3 years.  Wednesday night she passed away.  Please be praying for my family as we travel back home tomorrow afternoon.

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Oct. 2, 2008 -

We are struggling again with reading.  My son has finally learned to read over the summer months, but he is still so far behind.  I know I should be thrilled that it finally clicked and he understands it, and I am thrilled about that.  But I am also frustrated, he is still about 2 years behind where he should be. We are reading, reading, reading everyday and there seems to be no improvement.  I know it will take time.  I am just concerned that all the time we are reading should be making bigger changes than I am observing. The extra time we are devoting to reading is also lessening the amount of time we are doing, spelling, and math, and history.  ...  I guess I am just venting about a frustrating day.

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Jul. 3, 2008 -

A few pictures from camp (it may take awhile for me to get them all here)

Lake Lundgren -

out boating on the lake and looking back toward camp.

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Jun. 30, 2008 - gone to camp

This summer, so far, as been filled with camp.  My daughter was there for a week volunteering, then my oldest son and daughter were there as campers for a week.  Now this week the middle son and daughter will be campers for a week.  With children out of the house, it has seemed incredibly quiet.  After this week of camp is over, everyone will be home for a short time.  Then my daughter and I will be at camp volunteering.  Finally at the end of the summer, we all will go to camp for a work weekend. 

I never went to camp when I was a child,  I think I am making up for it now.  I love summer camp.

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Jun. 8, 2008 - remember/forget

This morning at church we had an interesting message.  This is just a short exerpt.

Psalm 143:5 "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done."

Phillipians 3:12-13 "Not that I have already obratined all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,"

We often remember what we should forget, and forget what we should remember. 

We should forget our failures, and remember our successes.  Don't let your failures dictate your future.  You can accomplish anything.  For "Nothing is impossible with God."  Believe your dreams and doubt your failures.

We should forget our pains, and remember our joys.  Don't let your pain keep you from doing or saying the right thing.  Forget with joy, for joy will ease the pain. Joy is like a big eraser in life.  We can have a "joy that passes all understanding through Christ Jesus." 

We should forget when people hurt us, and remember when they bless us.  Christians should be overwhelmingly grateful.   When was the last time you said "Thank you" to your spouse, your parents, your children?  We should be people who are grateful. 

We should remember what Jesus did for us.  Remember His sacrifice.  Remember that He loves us without condition.

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Jun. 7, 2008 - rainy day gardening

I've been trying to get the garden planted for the last week.  It has been raining everyday.  Yes, we need the rain, but I want it to hold off just long enough for me to finish getting the plants in the soil.  The only time it has been dry, has been when I am gone to work.  Grr!  Pretty soon I am going out rain or shine.  A little mud won't hurt me.   I actually have most of it completed.  A few more pepper plants, set onions, some squash, and some more green beans to go.  I first need to have the ground dry enough to finish tilling the top garden.  Can't plant if the soil isn't tilled yet.

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Nov. 9, 2007 - Emergency Telephone Numbers

These are more effective than 911

When -

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Sep. 14, 2007 -

Today I am very frustrated with school, work, family, almost everything.  I felt like I had to wrestle my 11 yr old to do his school work this morning.  "I don't like my school...why do I have to do this...you are being so mean..."  Days like this really try my patience as teacher, and mom.  My daughter never did any of her school work before we left for job and volleyball. I had the wonderful opportunity to play taxi driver most of the day.  Drive her to work, then home to make salsa and get the boys motivated to finish their work.  Then back to work to pick up my dear daughter, oh no the volleyball uniform is at home, back home we go to gather the uniform, then off to the game.  The game is half over, now it is time to bring one of the boys to a get to know you party at church.  Drop him off, run home to make supper, finish just in time to head back for my dear son from the party.  Tomorrow morning I need to pick up my dear daughter from a sleep over with the rest of the volleyball team and bring her to work again.  The cycle starts over.

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Sep. 10, 2007 - Bible Conference

We attended a Bible Conference over the weekend at HCBC.  We were very excited about listening to Ergun Canner speak.  It was well worth it.  He is a former Muslim, now Christian, teacher from Liberty Seminary.  We were able to attend only 2 of his sessions.  During the first one he spoke about the woman at the well.  Ergun challenged us to be bold and speak the truth to people outside of our comfort zone.  Don't stay hidden behind the walls of the church, get out into the world and share the good news of Christ's salvation.  The woman at the well helped to bring most of the people in her village to Christ.  The second session he spoke about our relationship with the Father and what that intimate relationship means.  All Christians are family, related through the blood of Jesus.  We may worship differently, but we worship the same God.  He did not make us identical, we are all individuals with different gifts, personalities, abilities, etc.  we need to allow God to use us and grow us to become what He wants us to become.  Not to become all alike, cookie cutter images of each other.  Ergun peppered his preaching with stories about his move to America, his mishaps and missteps throughout his life, and comparisons between his Turkish/Muslim roots and American culture.  If you ever have a chance to listen to Ergun speak, take advantage of the opportunity.

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Aug. 28, 2007 - school starting

Well we have been busily doing half school days for a week now.  Why half days, you ask?  Volleyball.  My daughter has decided to join the Volleyball team this year.  We have been traveling back and forth for practices, scrimmages, and a tournament so far.  That, and she has a job now.  More running for me.  We still have 9 months before she can get her license.  I don't know if that will make it smoother, or more chaotic.

We will probably continue with half days through volleyball season, unless we figure out a way to get a lap top to bring along for school work in the car.  But, as I have been reminded, the worst homeschool day, is often better than most public school days.

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Aug. 19, 2007 - worth quoting

Something worth quoting from The Best of Barbara Johnson. 

Resolutions for Avoiding Misery

Choose to love ... rather than hate

Choose to smile ... rather than frown

Choose to build ... rather than destroy

Choose to persevere ... rather than quit

Choose to praise ... rather than gossip

Choose to heal ... rather than wound

Choose to give ... rather than grasp

Choose to act ... rather than delay

Choose to forgive ... rather than curse

Choose to pray ... rather than despair.

- source unknown

Don't just think about it - act upon it.

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Aug. 19, 2007 - a journey

The last few weeks have been an interesting journey for me.  I was very sick, with an infection in my salivary glands, 3 weeks ago.  I went through a reaction to two different  medications.  The first one causing sores in my mouth, shortness of breath, and exhaustion (I slept through almost 2 days).  The medication was changed, and so were the side effects.  On the second medication I was light headed, dizzy (I actually passed out one time - at church), and still exhausted - not as bad.  Throughout my treatment I continued to run a fever on and off, promting much testing.  I had much blood drawn, a CAT scan, an X-ray, and a Spinal tap ... all showing normal results.

After I was finished with the antibiodic, I was feeling somewhat better.  Thus going to camp as I wrote about below.  At camp I was still not feeling 100% but I chalked that up to recently being sick.  Well this week the fun began again.  Several days I was feeling light headed and dizzy, short of breath, and just all over blah.  So ... back to the Dr. I went again.  He ordered more blood work.  Finally, one test came back with an abnormal reading.  Maybe the answer is near!  Well this abnormal reading prompted , of course, more blood work.  Those results should be back the beginning of the week.

This week, I also started reading a book by Barbara Johnson, The Best of Barbara Johnson.  I have not read very far yet, but have already found some great tid bits of information.  She says that "The only thing you can really control in this life is your own mental attitude"  That is something I have needed to be reminded of over the last few weeks.  I could just feel sorry for myself about my health, complain, and just be miserable.  Or I could  take this as a blessing, I have caught up on my sleep, the kids and my husband have managed to survive without me,  and I have gotten to know my Dr a lot better.  Pain and suffering are inevitable, but we don't have to choose misery.  It is all in how we look at our circumstances.  Are you looking for the weeds or the flowers? The thorns or the fruit?  The rain clouds or the sunshine?

Everyday is a beautiful day - a fresh start - a new beginning.  We should say thank you to the Lord for each fresh start, each new day - this day that hasn't been messed up yet.  There is only one day this year you should be concerned about.  Today!  You can't change yesterday, and tomorrow is a promise that hasn't arrived yet.  So rejoice for today.  Be thankful for today. 

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Aug. 14, 2007 - camp

Last week, my daughter and I, volunteered at camp.  She on dish crew, her 3rd week for the summer.  I in riflery.  I had such an awesome week.   The worship time in chapel was outstanding.  Great praise and worship music and great preaching.  Then there were the activity times.  I had 3 periods of time when kids came down to the rifle range.  Activity time in the morning, cabin time right after lunch, and free time later in the afternoon.  We all had fun learning together.  Some of the kids were quite skilled with our air rifles others had never touched them.  The most amazing part of teaching riflery were the questions the kids asked.  For example, one day, a group of boys came down and asked me what I thought about dinosaurs.  We talked for at least 25 minutes about dinosaurs, wether they were in the Bible, when they died out, etc.  Another time the kids asked me what the light was on day 1 when the sun, moon, and stars were created on day 4.  

When I was in college I worked at camp for 5 seasons.  That was a very enjoyable experience.  I always wish that I could have continued working at camp.  Now that the kids are getting older, it is an opportunity for me to go back to camp. 

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Jul. 12, 2007 -

Through the last 2 weeks we have had rain almost everyday.  Fortunately, it has only been a portion of the day, or overnight.  The plentiful rainfall has helped the garden immensely.  The peas are loaded, with blossom and fruit.  Zuchini growing like wild.  Tomatoes and Peppers galore.  The only problem is that the weeds are enjoying the moist conditions as well.  Every day I am out in the garden, weeding, weeding, and weeding.  I suppose the weeds would be their either way.  On the bright side, the moist soil makes it easier to pull them out.  I usually do one section of the garden a day, moving around until the whole thing is done by the end of the week.  Then go back and start all over again.  That is where I should be now, since the sun is out.  Off to the garden I go. Hi Hoe, Hi Hoe...

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Jul. 11, 2007 - Teaching

Now that I am a black belt I have had a few opportunities to teach part of class.  It has been fun, and also a nice challenge.  Most of the classes I have led have been small, 4-6 people, but on Monday I had the opportunity to lead class with 19 people.  I  was quite nervous, but did very well.  I have always been nervous being in front of a group of people.  Yep, thats why I stand in front of church interpreting. 

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