Friday, May 22, 2009 Budding Stage
It is always exciting to see little stems and leaves poke through the ground where we planted seeds. However, because of our inexperience, we cannot tell very well which ones are the vegetables/fruits we planted and which ones are weeds :). Some are obvious but some are not. We can see zucchini and green beans growing but we are not sure about the rest. Last weekend, we planted corn seeds. The weather here in Oregon has been pretty nice...some rain...some sunshine.
 
By the way, this post is part of a gardening challenge hosted by Kathy Brodock at Teaching Good Things.
If you like to do crafts, you can get a free Garden Crafts eBook here.
"For knowledge to become wisdom, and for the soul to grow, the soul must be rooted in God." William Mountford |
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Sunday, January 18, 2009 25 Random Facts About Me
Miiko Gibson tagged me with "25 Random Things About Me" on Facebook. I thought it would be fun to post it here, too, in case some homeschoolbloggers would like to do it :).
The rule of this tag: "Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you (that would be me). If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you."
I guess I will skip all the obvious things about me (hopefully, it's obvious that I love the Lord, that I live for Him, and that I desire to live by the Book/the Bible :)).
1. My parents are Chinese; I was born and raised in Thailand.
2. I came to the U.S. on September 14, 1989 (to study for my master's degree).
3. I am extremely blessed to be married to Eric L., a man after God's own heart. One of the most Godly, most gentlemanly, most gifted, and funniest men on earth!
4. I am also blessed to have 3 delightful kids who love the Lord and desire to please Him (sometimes fail...but always trying). No greater joy! (3 John 4)
5. I take the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) seriously and hope all other Christians do, too.
6. I am passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel (Romans 15:20) and about saving the unborn.
7. I desire to memorize more and more of God's Word. Psalm 119:11
8. I wish I could adopt all the orphans in the world.
9. I knew/studied 5 languages (French, Japanese, Chinese, English, and Thai). "Knew" is the key word :). Now I only speak the last two.
10. My Thai first name "Urailak" means golden appearance.
11. My nickname is "A" and my brother's nickname is "B." Wish my parents had all the way to "Z" :)!
12. I don't wear make-up.
13. I am allergic to hazelnuts. My allergic reaction includes rashes and swelling. Once my swelling got so bad that my husband had to saw (using a little saw) a gold ring off my finger. Thankfully, he left my finger intact...mission accomplished :).
14. I don't mind going to the dentist (except the bill). I like sitting in a comfy, reclining chair doing nothing except opening my mouth wide. I spend that time to pray and relax.
15. I love spicy food and I can have spicy food at any meal, including breakfast. To me, rice with curry is better than a bowl of cereal for sure :)!
16. I love to sing...especially singing praises to the Lord.
17. I marvel at God's creation and enjoy taking pictures. My photo blog is http://wondersbeyondwords.blogspot.com/ .
18. I smile and laugh A LOT! (often to the point of "too much" ) Seriously, this is no laughing matter! I have to consciously force myself to leave giggles out of my speech (especially on the phone).
19. I also cry easily (touching songs and movies usually make me cry).
20. I've always enjoyed reading aloud to my kids (no matter how old they get).
21. In Thailand, I was a contestant in a TV game show similar to Wipeout. I got through to the last challenge and lost.
22. In Thailand, I appeared in two different music videos.
23. I first met my husband on my campus in Thailand. He went on a short-term mission trip with Campus Crusade for Christ during the summer of 1988 and 1989.
24. I used to translate American movies (videos) from English into Thai for a cable TV company in Thailand.
25. I love seafood, especially crab, lobsters, shrimp, and salmon cheeks.
If you are reading this, please consider yourself tagged (well, only if you would like to do it). Please let me know if you decide to do this tag. Thanks! |
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Thursday, December 4, 2008 How Does Your Family Keep a CHRIST-centered CHRISTmas?
The Homeschool Lounge is having a weekly theme/giveaway each week this month. Week 1 (Dec. 1st to Dec. 5th)'s theme/question is: In this day of over commercialism, how does your family keep a meaningful and Christ-centered Christmas?
We strive to live a Christ-centered life everyday. Our children see how we live...living simply for God...each day, not just at Christmastime. Thankfully, commercialism does not affect our family. Our children do not ask for presents...never make any wish list. They are grateful for whatever gifts they receive. They know Christ, the Heart of Christmas...who gives us the greatest gift of all--the gift of salvation!
We focus on giving, rather than receiving. Two years ago, I wrote a post titled, "It is more blessed to give than to receive!" Please click on that to see ideas for giving. Our family enjoys shopping for those in need and for things that transform lives like Bibles, Gospel tracts (Did you know that you can buy 200 tracts for only $1?), etc. On Christmas Day, our children each give Jesus a present. If you would like to know more about this Christmas tradition of ours, please go here. And the post titled, "Let's Celebrate" is where you can read more about how we usually celebrate Christ's birth.
May Jesus Christ be the center in our hearts and our homes this CHRISTmas and always!
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Monday, November 3, 2008 My Kind of Party
I take my job as a daughter and servant of the King of kings seriously. I desire to honor and please God in whatever I do and say...voting included. I have to admit that I don't like politics. Most politicians are insincere and only say what they think will persuade people to vote for them. They put down their opponents mercilessly. Very, very few truly care about people and even fewer really care what God thinks/wants/says.
I am pleased to see that the "Constitution Party" shares my desire in honoring God and obeying His Word. They "believe in Divine Providence and recognize our Creator as the author of human life;" therefore, they "believe in the absolute sanctity of human life." I agree with what they say about liberty: "Far from granting license to 'do whatever we want,' true liberty comes from God and real freedom is born of self-government." They also value the importance of family: "Our Creator set in place the family as the first divinely instituted form of government. It is the duty of civil government to recognize and protect the authority of the family unit. When the state usurps the family's authority, the hearts of the children are turned to the state, rather than to the fathers. Such socialist actions deny the created order and harm our communities." The Constitution Party is pro-life, pro-family, pro-homeschooling, and most importantly, pro-God's principles. It's my kind of party :).
If you would like more information about the Constitution Party, please visit http://www.constitutionparty.com or http://www.constitutionpartyoregon.org (esp. if you live in Oregon). All quotes above were taken from the voters' pamphlet.
Please pray before you vote. Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Then, "do what's right, come what may!" It may take 4 years or 8 years or more before America gets on the right track (walks in God's ways). It has to start somewhere. Let's educate our children now so that they will grow up to be voters and/or perhaps candidates of conscience...of values...of God's standards & principles...ones who put "honoring God" above "winning the election" or "choosing the lesser of two evils...which is still evil" or "going with the crowd." My goal in writing this post is not to cause any division among Christians but rather to call for unity among Christ's followers. I hope and pray for all fellow Christians to seek after God's Will and to rest in God's grace and mercy. Please don't be driven by fear or worry. God is in control and Romans 8:28 still stands!
"So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." Acts 24:16
"If we are correct and right in our Christian life at every point, but refuse to stand for the truth at a particular point where the battle rages--then we are traitors to Christ." ~Martin Luther
"A country cannot subsist well without liberty, nor liberty without virtue." ~Daniel Webster |
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Thursday, October 16, 2008 He Knew Words, The Word, and God's Word
Today is Noah Webster's birthday. He was born on this date 250 years ago; however, his legacy lives on. He was one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. He was a famous lexicographer, best known for his dictionary: An American Dictionary of the English Language. I posted a "report" on Noah Webster written by my daughter on my other HSB blog. The following are some of Noah Webster's quotes:-
"The Bible must be considered as the great source of all the truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as in all social transactions.”
"All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”
"In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.”
"No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
"In every condition of life, and in forming your opinions on every subject, let it be an established principle in regulating your conduct, that nothing can be honorable which is morally wrong. Men who disregard or disbelieve revelation often err from the true standard of honor, by substituting public opinion or false maxims for the divine laws. The character of God, His holy attributes, and perfect law constitute the only models and rules of excellence and true honor."
You can visit here if you would like to search for definitions in his 1828 dictionary. I also recommend Noah Webster's Advice to the Young & Moral Catechism. This is a man who truly knew words, the Word (Jesus, our Redeemer), and God's Word! Wish we had someone like him running for president :)! |
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008 I Didn't Know Birds Can Be So Funny :)!
My 9 year old son told me today that Barred Owl and White-Winged Dove say, "Who cooks for you?" and California Quail's location call is "Chicago." Inca Dove should become a spokeperson...a spokesbird for "Whirlpool" (they continually repeat "werl-pool"). Yellow Warbler certainly doesn't have any problem with self-esteem; its song sounds like "sweet sweet sweet I'm so sweet." |
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Monday, September 8, 2008 Lovin' Country Life
On Labor Day (Sept. 1st), we purchased 2 female goats to graze our land. They are sweet and friendly. Our kids enjoy spending time with them.
 This is Nubi (1 1/2 yr old Nubian).
 This is Vicki (3 yr old LaMancha).
 Our boys like hanging out with our goats and our neighbor's sheep, Midnight.
We have seen 3 deer in our pasture. We enjoy the visits by a variety of birds. So far...we have seen mourning dove, scrub jay, steller's jay, woodpecker, American goldfinch, house finch, house sparrow, white-breasted nuthatch, red-breasted nuthatch, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, cedar waxwing, robin, hawk, and hummingbird. My 9 year old son has turned into an ornithologist!
We love trees, especially fruit trees :). We have 3 hazelnut trees, 2 pear trees, grapes, and blackberries on our property. We have wonderful neighbors (only 3 other homes besides ours sit on our road). They have already brought us apples, green beans, cucumbers, canned salmon, and berry cake. When the weather is nice, we like sitting around our firepit on the patio roasting hotdogs and making s'mores, gazing at the stars at night. Life is good. Country life is groovily good ! |
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008 A New Chapter in Our Life
In June, my husband accepted a new job as an Assistant City Engineer. As a result, we needed to relocate to a different city (closer to his new workplace...still within the same state). We put our house up for sale and it was sold in a month. We were so busy house-hunting and packing during June and July. We stored our belongings in 2 PODS and stayed at my mother-in-law's house for 2 1/2 weeks until we closed on our new home. Last Thursday (July 31st) was the first day we moved into our new home. We finally get an opportunity to experience country-living. We have 1.76 acres of land and an incredible panoramic view here. We feel so blessed! The Lord beautifully worked out every step of the way for us to get this awesome home (it's a long story :)).
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
We all are very excited to see what God has in store for us in a new chapter of our life. We're glad to be able to always count on Him who never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Locks of Love Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Murdering Rampage: A Homeschooler Refuses to Stand by and Do Nothing
This post (my entry for Blog Tip Challenge of the Month on the HSB Company Porch) will remain on the top for a while. Please scroll down to read my most recent entries. Thanks!
Murdering Rampage:
A Homeschooler Refuses to Stand by and Do Nothing
According to statistics, abortion (the killing of innocent, defenseless babies) mercilessly takes away the lives of 1.5 million babies each year; 4,000 babies every day; 1 baby every 20 seconds; approximately 40 million babies since 1973; and that's just here in America. While this murdering rampage is going on, many people are rallying for it to continue because they want to exercise their right to choose what is convenient to them and to get rid of an unwanted "obstacle" in their lives. Some people do not agree but yet do nothing to help stop this rampage.
However, other people including many homeschoolers refuse to just stand by and do nothing. Alyssa, a 14 year old homeschooler in Oregon, is one such example. She has a strong conviction and passion for saving the innocent and defending the defenseless. Since she was 5 years old, she has been participating in Steps for Life, a two-mile walkathon which is an annual fund-raising event for Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC). The Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater Portland is a Christian organization that helps women and teens who face unplanned pregnancy. They help meet their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, enabling them to CHOOSE LIFE. They have six centers throughout the Portland area, and have ministered to over 110,000 women and teens since 1984. They provide free services such as counseling, ultrasound, adoption info., maternity & baby clothes, parenting classes, spiritual encouragement, etc.
On May 10th, many pro-life supporters are expected to take part in Steps for Life at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Oregon. Alyssa urges us all to support this great cause, either by being a Steps for Life walker, making pledges/sponsoring a walker, or praying. She has a website that you can visit if you would like to make pledges and be a part of this attempt to save as many babies' lives as possible.
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Sunday, April 20, 2008 Flat Smiley's First Trip Monday, March 31, 2008 Our Homeschooling Journey
 Sisterlisa is hosting a monthly "Share Your Faith Carnival." The first one is a homeschooling edition. She asked readers to share their testimony about how God led them to decide to homeschool. We have been homeschooling our kids for about 9 years now....more accurately over 14 years now :). Let me explain...
Our oldest daughter will turn 15 this July. We have taught our kids the things of the Lord since birth (we sang to them songs about God and read to them Bible stories, etc.) My husband and I are very protective parents :)....wanting to protect our kids from the things of the world. We first heard (before we had kids) about "homeschooling" from my husband's aunt who homeschooled her 2 girls (using ABeka). Those girls were sweet and well-behaved. We were impressed to say the least :). Another incident was when we visited a church, a topic of "homeschooling" somehow came up and we were very interested. I have always loved to read to my kids and books are ever present in our home. I also took my daughter to "Story Time" at our local library almost every week when she was little. On one occasion, I noticed a meeting of homeschoolers in a room at the library. I was curious and asked someone there if I could watch what they were doing. They invited my daughter and me into the room. They were having some presentation given by homeschooled kids. I was hooked :). I became a part of their group even though my daughter was just three. Then when she turned five, we had to make a decision about school. I was pregnant with our second child. At the time, we lived really close to an elementary school and we had heard so many good things about a Kindergarten teacher there who's a Christian. We decided to give it a try (besides, it was only a half-day kindergarten). I walked my daughter to her school and went to pick her up every school day and went on field trips with her. She had a wonderful experience. At the end of her kindergarten year, we moved to another nearby city. Just prior to that, we had an opportunity to get to know a homeschool family at the church we were attending. The Lord used the mom from that family to encourage me tremendously. She showed me what kinds of books/curriculum they used and let me borrow some books about homeschooling. My husband and I talked and prayed about "homeschooling". Finally, we decided to give it a try.
Umm...it didn't start out so well because my daughter is very strong-willed and a perfectionist. However, we've kept trusting the Lord for strength and guidance, trying hard not to lean on our own understanding :). Then when she was in second grade, we moved back to our old location (close to her kindergarten school). My second child was about 2 years old and he was a high-maintenance toddler (requiring lots of attention). My husband and I discussed and prayed about whether to put our daughter in that same school in the middle of her second grade. We felt that "being homeschooled" was a privilege; if she was not appreciating it and was not cooperative, then she needed to go to school. We gave her a "3 strikes and you're out" deal. She blew it :(. We kept our word and put her in school. I (and my son in stroller) walked her to school, walked to school to eat lunch with her, and walked to pick her up after school. In her class, she was way more advanced (academically)than the other kids; her teacher had to find extra stuff (worksheets, projects) to keep her occupied in class. I personally witnessed many horrible mouths and attitudes of young, elementary students in the cafeteria during lunch hour. My daughter often had a stomach ache because she felt rushed in the morning to get ready for school. Then there was a boy who kept bothering my daughter during music class. My daughter told his teacher (he was from a different class) but she didn't do anything about it. When I confronted the teacher about this, she said, "He's usually a good kid." I couldn't believe my ears. She defended him, instead of my daughter (the victim). That same boy was then very rude and disrespectful to me outside the school when we were walking home. My husband and I pulled our daughter out of that school the next day! One of the best decisions we've ever made :)!
Since then we have been homeschooling our kids (the two boys have never been to school). Our daughter learned her lesson and has been thankful for "being homeschooled" ever since. The Lord has greatly blessed her and helped her use her strong will for His glory. She has blossomed into a beautiful, Godly young lady. Our homeschooling journey has been through some bumpy roads; however, we enjoy traveling along experiencing all kinds of adventures and collecting all kinds of precious memories. Best of all, we have the Best Navigator (God) and the best map/GPS (the Bible). We are truly thankful to the Lord for giving us the opportunity to homeschool our kids. I listed many benefits/reasons when I shared a piece of my mind on why I homeschool. In summary, by God's grace...we're Christ-centered, Bible-based, mission-minded, family-bonding, character-building, & life-long learning homeschoolers. We cherish our togetherness; we enjoy learning and growing together as the Lord leads us.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:4-6
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Growing in grace
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter3:18
My 14 year old daughter, Alyssa, is a great example of that verse :). She wholeheartedly loves the Lord and desires to please & honor Him. She is living a life of faith and is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. Alyssa has recently joined a team of wonderful Godly ladies as a contributor at Growing in Grace (free online magazine for girls). You can read her article here.
 (Big thanks to Susan Marlow and her son Ryan for making this graphic button for Alyssa!)
Alyssa is also hosting "Entertainment without Electronics" Challenge on her blog. Please check it out. You may want your children to participate in this cool challenge (causing creativity to come out) :). Please help spread the word, too. Thanks! |
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Friday, February 15, 2008 A Place to Live, Laugh, Love, Learn Together
Tiany and her husband have recently started a fabulous website designed especially for the homeschool mom community. It's called "The Homeschool Lounge."
Please spread the news about this exciting website where homeschool moms can hang out safely :). Tiany is also hosting a giveaway. Those who post about The Homeschool Lounge on their blogs or websites will be entered into a drawing for two $25 Amazon gift cards. I look forward to making new friends and seeing old friends over there. |
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Monday, February 11, 2008 Quirky Things about Me
Michelle at Heart of the Prairie tagged me for the "Six Quirky Things about Me" meme; she thought it would be a good complement to my list of favorite things. Well, I like #7 better than #6 so I'm going to list Seven Quirky Things about Me (actually, my favorite number is 12 but I don't want to overdo it because you may never come back here again after seeing how strange unique I am). Here they are:
1. I am allergic to hazelnuts. My allergic reaction includes rash and swelling. Once my swelling got so bad that my husband had to saw (using a little saw) a gold ring off my finger. Thankfully, he left my finger intact...mission accomplished :).
2. I have never been afraid to go to the dentist. I even enjoy going to the dentist :). I like sitting in a comfy, reclining chair doing nothing except opening my mouth wide. I spend that time to pray and relax.
3. I love spicy food and I can have spicy food at any meal, including breakfast. Rice with curry is better than a bowl of cereal for sure :)!
4. I rub (play with) my nose when I'm in deep thought. I don't know why but maybe my nose knows :).
5. I have never had a driver's license. I just keep renewing my instruction permit. My children probably will get their driver's license before me. Oh well, I'll just gain more chauffeurs :).
6. I don't like bananas. I have never liked them and never will :). When I was little, my mom hid bananas with other food to get me to eat them but I always knew :).
7. I smile and laugh A LOT! (to the point of "too much"  ) Seriously, this is no laughing matter! I have to consciously force myself to leave giggles out of my speech and to have a straight/stern face. Extremely difficult task for me!
Here are the rules of this tag (sorry...I'm not really following the exact rules :)):
~Link to the person that tagged you
~Post the rules on your blog
~Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
~Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
~Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
I don't like to tag people but I thought this might be fun to tag some people I know (my daughter, my friend, and her daughters). Please don't feel obligated to do it. For everybody else, if you're interested in this fun meme, please consider yourself tagged at your convenience (and at your own risk). I tagged the following wonderful quirky or not people:-
Life of Faith
nbusser
princesstotheKing
tigergirl
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Monday, December 31, 2007 Top Ten Highlights from 2007
1. My husband got a new job with a new work schedule (getting every other Friday off).
2. We’ve been volunteering/serving with ISI (International Students, Inc.) and hosting game nights for the international students from a local university.
3. My brother finally received his green card and was able to come to America after waiting for over 10 years.
4. We had a fabulous 5 day vacation at Sunriver in Bend.
5. My husband and I celebrated our 16th anniversary and our "Half-a-Billion Second" Anniversary!
6. My daughter won a Playstation 2 from mathmovesu.com, 2 $100 Barnes & Noble gift cards from Pixlit.net, and $10 gift certificate to the Old Schoolhouse Store & publication on their next year’s Father’s Day issue from a Tribute to My Dad writing contest.
7. My middle son won a Haiku contest.
8. My youngest son won 1st prize (a sweater valued at $39.98) at a local Barnes & Noble’s guessing contest and 1st prize ($25 Target gift card) on a coloring contest.
9. I was chosen as a feature blogger of the week here at HSB.
10. We started using cell phones and DSL.
We thank the Lord for another year full of blessings and grace. We're excitedly looking forward to a new year of living for God and serving Him. Have a blessed and refreshing year because of Him! One year closer to the Lord's coming :)! |
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Christmas Surprises
We had a white Christmas! The snow was a very nice surprise. I don't know if my kids were more excited about the snow or about the presents :).
Another surprise is not so nice. I got Strep throat (just found out today). However, I am so thankful that I was well enough on Monday to have a wonderful Christmas Eve with my family and others at my mother-in-law's house. I kept feeling weaker and totally exhausted by the end of the day (started to have high fever). The Lord gave me enough strength to enjoy Christmas with my family at home yesterday with lots of bedrest in between. Today, my throat hurts so bad that I can hardly talk. Swallowing causes me excruciating pain. I got antibiotics now so I should be getting better soon. I am so glad that CHRISTmas is all about CHRIST. We can rejoice at our Savior's birth and His redemption even when unpleasant surprises may come our way.
Because of my extremely painful sorethroat, I have been mute most of the time today. That's a blessing in disguise :). I listen more and I take time to think more before I speak (actually write down on paper). My kids quickly learn to read Mom's mind and Mom's sign language :). They sweetly take care of me and pray for me. My daughter is such a big help. She has taken care of me and her brothers all day long. It was so precious to find her reading the Bible and a devotional book to her brothers on the couch. My husband has also been pampering me and taking care of everything for me. I am truly blessed! |
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Saturday, December 15, 2007 The Christmas Post and the Christmas Love
 12/27/1947 "Christmas Rush"
Last night, we went to a nearby church to see "The Christmas Post," a musical comedy based on illustrations of Norman Rockwell, written by Deborah Craig-Claar and Robert Sterling. We enjoyed it. We had lots of laughs :). A friend and her boys were in the play and they did a great job. After the play, I picked up a free handout near the door that is thought-provoking. It is a Christmas version of the Love chapter:-
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on CHRIST, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss your loved one.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
After all, the CHRISTmas story is a love story: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16) Because of God’s love for us...sinners, Jesus came... Jesus died...Jesus rose...and Jesus will return. A love story that never ends! The greatest redeeming love that the world would ever know! Let us all share His love with everyone this CHRISTmas and throughout the years.
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Friday, November 9, 2007 The mysterious case of the missing (not really) bookmark
| We went to our local library today to return some books and pick up the books that were being held for us. While we were checking out those books, a librarian handed me a brown envelope addressed to the library from Department of Environmental Quality. I was dumbfounded :); why was she giving it to me? I carefully opened the envelope and took out a flat item. To my astounding surprise, it was a bookmark that my daughter made when she was 4 1/2 years old!! She won the first prize at a bookmark design contest at the local library. At that time, the library produced many of her bookmarks to give out to patrons. We took several and laminated them. The one in the envelope was one of those we laminated because it had her name and age written on the back (my handwriting). I think we gave some to friends and relatives. Oh...I forgot to mention that there's a sticky note attached to the bookmark saying, "Found in a Spanish book 10/29/07. Thought you might like it." signed with initials. Who found this and who left it in that Spanish book? How and where did that person get the bookmark? Why did the finder send it to this library with that sticky note? Doesn't this make an interesting, suspenseful case? Any volunteer detectives? :) |
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Thursday, October 25, 2007 Announcement...Announcement!
My 14 year old daughter has recently begun her blogworld adventure. Her username is LifeofFaith and her blog's name is One Nation Under God. Please welcome her and visit her blog when you get a chance. Below is an ad promoting her blog (one of her assignments from HomeschoolKidsWrite).
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