I am still in the middle of reading "Wild Goose Chase, Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God" by Mark Batterson. This has been an inspiring, encouraging book. One that I prefer savoring in chapters at a time so that the encouragment and thoughts can sift deeper in.
The Celtic Christians called the Holy Spirit - The Wild Goose. When one thinks about the characteristics of the wild geese, I think this is a very apt name for the Holy Spirit. Since reading this book, I have gone on-line and have thought about some of the facts about the Canadian goose. For instance: the Canadian geese who are in back of the v-formation, honk to encourage the ones in front to keep up their speed. Sometimes it feels like the Holy Spirit gives us honks of encouragement through God-incidences in our daily lives.
One of my favorite comments in this book is that circumstancial uncertainty equals adventure. The Holy Spirit leads us on the adventure of our lives. :-)
I'd love to write more, but for lack of time let me just encourage you to get your own copy of this wonderful book at Amazon.com: Wild Goose Chase
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590527194 It will be worth it.
Author Bio:
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Flowers and such...
I'm trying to pick back up on my walk/jogging, so the other morning I was out. I was so rewarded by the cheerful good morning of these Black-eyed Susan's. Usually that area of the woods is mowed by Papa in anticipation of a large amount of snowfall, so it doesn't give time for the later summer flowers. (I did let him know so he won't mow yet this year. :-) They are so perky.
Here's Darling "helping" with the laundry. She loves that perch. She likes to play with the dryer sheets or whatever else is up there from someone's pockets.
There other day we walked up the hill to Gpa & Gma's and enjoyed the beautiful sunset. This is posted for Gma's sister in Texas.
Darling and Gma share a favorite passion - looking for and collecting rocks. 
Gma lets Darling put rocks along her flower garden ledge. 
Gma lets Darling put rocks along her flower garden ledge. 
Dunk has Gma playing ping pong (great brain exercise!) with her grandkids along the front of the house. 
(The pink board is for covering the table when not in use, so the dew doesn't wreck it.)
The moon has been beautiful and full!! This is from up the hill, looking down.
I've been busy getting ready for school, as well as helping and watching a close friend get ready to leave for China. It is heart-rending to watch her go, but inspiring to watch her family go through this time and see God's grace in their lives. We take them to the airport about 4 or so on Wednesday morning. If you think of them, please pray for them as they make the journey and the transitions. Tonight will be our last meal together for quite awhile. Our family is praying about making the journey to visit them in 2010. That would need quite a bit of prayer as well. :-) We'll see what the Lord has is store......
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Book Review - Children's Extravaganza!
We had cozy fun reviewing the following delightful books:
God Gave Us Heaven
In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!
When God Created My Toes
God Gave Us Heaven
Summary: Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?
During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.
Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”
Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.
Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.
God Love Me More Than That
Illistrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.
During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.
Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”
Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.
Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.
God Love Me More Than That
Illistrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.
In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!
When God Created My Toes
In this book, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.
Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.
Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.
Have some little ones or grandchildren you'd like to bless with these books? Post a comment by August 26th. Thanks!
Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.
Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.
Have some little ones or grandchildren you'd like to bless with these books? Post a comment by August 26th. Thanks!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Firearms Refresher Course
'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.'~ Thomas Jefferson
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE (going around on e-mail)
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c)1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE (going around on e-mail)
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c)1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Weekend
We had a great weekend!
Friday night I went to the our local fair to help out at a booth for a friend. She's my midwife when we have kids, and her 13 yr. old daughter, a former ballet student of mine, passed away last Sept. Since then she and her husband have been working hard to fulfill Hannah's dream to help the children in other countries through World Vision. They have raised enough money for a well in Africa - $18K. This September they are planning a bike-a-thon to help raise money for a second well. Feel free to visit them at http://www.hannahshundreds.org/
The picture at the top of the page is of Hannah. One evening she and her mom were enjoying the sunset at their home. After taking pictures and marveling at what God had designed, Hannah exclaimed "He's Magnificent!" while her mom snapped a picture. It's incredible.
Saturday we went to my folks cabin for a family reunion. Dot stated, "It's the best reunion I've ever been to!" She had a good time. :-) Drum got up on skis for the the first time, and Dime did a 360 on the knee board. Both were ecstatic!! They can hardly wait to go back and do it again.
It was fun to visit with my Aunt who was back from the war, where she was serving as a soldier. She has 3 kids who were so happy and relaxed this year to have their mom with them.
My other Aunt showed several of us how to make my Grandma's kuchen. It's loaded with cream, and includes eggs, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. I haven't had it since my Grandma passed away, and it was one of my favorite treats. What fun to now know how to make it! My kids wondered what the big deal was about kuchen. I mean, it's good, but... Memories, my child, memories.
After watching the stars at the end of the dock, and enjoying some games around the campfire; we finally headed home at 12:30 am!! :-)
Sunday we slept in. Our church meets at the fair once a year - a great thing! - but expensive for a family of 9, so we rested our weary bones in bed.
Plus, we got together with Jerry's sister and husband for lunch to celebrate Papa W's 78th birthday!! I can't believe he's 78 with the energy he has. I think he'll easily make it over 100. I'm praying they do. We need them!!
In the afternoon, the kids played croquet with everyone.
At 4:30 Dunk left for the week; at 5:45, Dot and I left for her mission's trip reunion. We had a great time listening to everyone's memories of the trip. They'll be sharing in church on the 24th.
When we got home, Dot left with her Aunt and Uncle to spend the night and go to the science museum today. She was looking so forward to spending some time with them.
PS. Joy's been starting her updating from the trip at www.xanga.com/joy4kitties It says "don't read this yet" because she's still adding stuff. She's started with getting some poems on there. Tuesday or Wednesday should see a fuller report. :-)
Friday night I went to the our local fair to help out at a booth for a friend. She's my midwife when we have kids, and her 13 yr. old daughter, a former ballet student of mine, passed away last Sept. Since then she and her husband have been working hard to fulfill Hannah's dream to help the children in other countries through World Vision. They have raised enough money for a well in Africa - $18K. This September they are planning a bike-a-thon to help raise money for a second well. Feel free to visit them at http://www.hannahshundreds.org/
The picture at the top of the page is of Hannah. One evening she and her mom were enjoying the sunset at their home. After taking pictures and marveling at what God had designed, Hannah exclaimed "He's Magnificent!" while her mom snapped a picture. It's incredible.
Saturday we went to my folks cabin for a family reunion. Dot stated, "It's the best reunion I've ever been to!" She had a good time. :-) Drum got up on skis for the the first time, and Dime did a 360 on the knee board. Both were ecstatic!! They can hardly wait to go back and do it again.
It was fun to visit with my Aunt who was back from the war, where she was serving as a soldier. She has 3 kids who were so happy and relaxed this year to have their mom with them.
My other Aunt showed several of us how to make my Grandma's kuchen. It's loaded with cream, and includes eggs, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. I haven't had it since my Grandma passed away, and it was one of my favorite treats. What fun to now know how to make it! My kids wondered what the big deal was about kuchen. I mean, it's good, but... Memories, my child, memories.
After watching the stars at the end of the dock, and enjoying some games around the campfire; we finally headed home at 12:30 am!! :-)
Sunday we slept in. Our church meets at the fair once a year - a great thing! - but expensive for a family of 9, so we rested our weary bones in bed.
Plus, we got together with Jerry's sister and husband for lunch to celebrate Papa W's 78th birthday!! I can't believe he's 78 with the energy he has. I think he'll easily make it over 100. I'm praying they do. We need them!!
In the afternoon, the kids played croquet with everyone.
At 4:30 Dunk left for the week; at 5:45, Dot and I left for her mission's trip reunion. We had a great time listening to everyone's memories of the trip. They'll be sharing in church on the 24th.
When we got home, Dot left with her Aunt and Uncle to spend the night and go to the science museum today. She was looking so forward to spending some time with them.
PS. Joy's been starting her updating from the trip at www.xanga.com/joy4kitties It says "don't read this yet" because she's still adding stuff. She's started with getting some poems on there. Tuesday or Wednesday should see a fuller report. :-)
Friday, August 08, 2008
Today was the first morning this week that I did not have something going that I needed to get up quickly and ready for. Yeah!! It is relaxing. I really should be out walk/jogging, but I just had to check blogs first.
Dot got her pictures back from her trip. She's working on a picture board for church to show what she did on her mission's trip. It is so fun to see what she's been talking about.
Our biggest news is that Dunk is now working out of state again. I'm not a crying person at all, but it was horrible to find out Monday morning last week, that he needed to travel again. He had only been working "in town" for two weeks. When I picked up Dot from her trip, she was bummed to find out she couldn't hug Dad until Saturday night. The good news is that the job has overtime. We are praising the Lord for cell phones. I can't imagine what it was like when husbands had to work out of town, and could rarely call home. It really helps the kids to be able to at least call. This job may last until mid September.
Gotta run.
Dot got her pictures back from her trip. She's working on a picture board for church to show what she did on her mission's trip. It is so fun to see what she's been talking about.
Our biggest news is that Dunk is now working out of state again. I'm not a crying person at all, but it was horrible to find out Monday morning last week, that he needed to travel again. He had only been working "in town" for two weeks. When I picked up Dot from her trip, she was bummed to find out she couldn't hug Dad until Saturday night. The good news is that the job has overtime. We are praising the Lord for cell phones. I can't imagine what it was like when husbands had to work out of town, and could rarely call home. It really helps the kids to be able to at least call. This job may last until mid September.
Gotta run.
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