tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250523676158836112024-03-12T23:25:38.764-04:00sonyagranolaSonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-88845172466203624172014-02-24T22:36:00.001-05:002014-02-24T22:36:33.655-05:00The Power of a Praying Man—a tribute to “Cowboy Gene” Gene J. Wallace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I’m gratefully remembering a man from my home church—Cowboy Gene, who has gone on to heaven. While Parkinson’s weakened him, I still remember him as tall, strong man usually wearing a cowboy hat, Wranglers and boots. Cowboy Gene would often encourage me and tell me that he was praying for me. Before I married, he also pulled aside my now-husband and admonished him to treat me right. <br /><br /> One Sunday in March ‘97, Cowboy Gene told my mom that God had put my sisters and me heavily on his heart to pray and intercede for us that week. My mom realized why and fully appreciated it more after hearing back from us after that weekend.<br /><br /> I had been on a Concert Choir tour for Spring Break from my college, Trevecca, in Nashville. It was the Alabama/Mississippi tour. We were riding our tour bus toward a Sunday night concert before the era of cell phones and didn’t realize the danger of tornado around us. At one point we stopped for a break, then continued to our destination. When we got there we learned that we had missed a tornado likely “by five minutes.” In the light of the next day, we saw the devastation for ourselves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1997_tornado_outbreak <br /><br /> That same Sunday night, my middle sister was on an NNU weekend Concert Band Tour. While students slept as their bus was returning from Portland to Nampa, it hit ice and the bus spun around going the wrong way on the interstate. It had to drive the wrong way for several miles until it was able to turn around again.<br /><br /> My youngest sister, still in high school, had been attending a National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. that weekend. She called home from Salt Lake City that night saying that the last leg of her flight had been delayed—a small plane had crashed right before hers landed and there had been a fatality. http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20001208X07623&ntsbno=SEA97FA067&akey=1<br /><br /> So, as the reports of the weekend came back to my parents, my mom remembered what Cowboy Gene had said—that he had been praying for us especially hard that week. I’m thankful for Cowboy Gene’s prayerful life and for his positive influence on my life! </div>
Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-15208650086279534502011-09-19T00:03:00.000-04:002011-09-19T00:03:13.935-04:00Rain!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzM-FWHG0gSn9pTSExQRaoEJ3k4Y5SGJ9uIT9Q52TCn-conRqmFqYQgSr2SGOls-f7awNm8yf8R-Xa4AI_22wZLQbihKggo-wKGSgEfb4BgfyTkfC78y6dUceMB8yfAAclDl4uFCZhxk/s1600/photo-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzM-FWHG0gSn9pTSExQRaoEJ3k4Y5SGJ9uIT9Q52TCn-conRqmFqYQgSr2SGOls-f7awNm8yf8R-Xa4AI_22wZLQbihKggo-wKGSgEfb4BgfyTkfC78y6dUceMB8yfAAclDl4uFCZhxk/s320/photo-15.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday night, we had no water. A
neighbor came over to help with the well. We discussed the dry
weather and he asked what I'd do if our well ran dry. "Pray for
rain!" I said. He got the well running, but a funny thing
happened; it rained the next morning! The paper's forecast for Thursday
was "Brilliant Sunshine" and the weather column published
that day anticipated dry and warm weather for the rest of the month.
The neighbor asked what I had going on over here since I got the rain I prayed for—I said that God is so funny sometimes and he
hears!! Thank you, God, for sending the rain! Soli Deo Gloria!</span></h6>
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</style>Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-67647655070711279432010-03-21T22:24:00.000-04:002010-03-21T22:24:39.136-04:00Exploring Prince Edward Island and all things AnneGrowing up, my sisters and I were obsessed with the Anne of Green Gables movie series and books. We hatched a dream to go to Prince Edward Island (PEI) and walk in the path of the fictional character, Anne, to take in the beautiful surroundings and thrust ourselves into her way of life. <br />
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This past fall, our dream became reality. We met up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, rented a car, took a ferry, and arrived in Prince Edward Island. We ate in the charming capital of Charlottetown, bought some groceries and headed through red-soiled farmland north to our cottage, <a href="http://www.orchardviewcottages.ca/">www.orchardviewcottages.ca</a>, near Cavendish (the real Avonlea).<br />
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Sunday morning, we attended church at Cavendish United Church<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6STAHwiq1eknf9h3E8PXRHnqjJFSo0mOKi-a1XR7IE_AKgYYLYR6YZm2QveHyNpSnn0Tcf5BIUHR_2dX0gLy7fp6YA4Jm6LmrzjHcR8Intv5J0ASg0ECCdteyXa1_uBpUa_wJ1QAMak/s1600-h/IMG_8432.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404448719463324978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6STAHwiq1eknf9h3E8PXRHnqjJFSo0mOKi-a1XR7IE_AKgYYLYR6YZm2QveHyNpSnn0Tcf5BIUHR_2dX0gLy7fp6YA4Jm6LmrzjHcR8Intv5J0ASg0ECCdteyXa1_uBpUa_wJ1QAMak/s200/IMG_8432.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a> where Lucy Maud Montgomery (Maud) had attended for many years. Maud had been the church organist and became secretly engaged to its minister. We spent the rest of the afternoon seeing other Anne sites such as “Avonlea”—a theme park with no rides, but a quaint, nicely done, Anne utopia. It included a gift shop with every Anne collectible imaginable, the actual schoolhouse where Maud taught, another church she had visited, raspberry cordial <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tbGdu-S9JqNe1U_OBeFh21HiJ4BTNRwplyoBH_FqxqSZYJxMEZkIr4yiTQHPp32RheiZIzTPSlRByNhbMMBuE7DQlIArerQIBqE09Sga50LUM0Mqd1K-dbQALQyVGw9i8vEv-6sE3AU/s1600-h/IMG_8462.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404449025485558658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tbGdu-S9JqNe1U_OBeFh21HiJ4BTNRwplyoBH_FqxqSZYJxMEZkIr4yiTQHPp32RheiZIzTPSlRByNhbMMBuE7DQlIArerQIBqE09Sga50LUM0Mqd1K-dbQALQyVGw9i8vEv-6sE3AU/s200/IMG_8462.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a> was sold at a candy shop, a room was filled with self-serve dress up clothes and scenes to take pictures of yourself, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TEzZ79XuKFBnWQvXPmUpdiFzUErTyLUwDVX8Uok9QdkSgIMSS1go7oi3zNPcwPcJmda05DrJkYBCiSAOw-pWAta7z2HxvUkoAofUjHdY6_oUO2yuH9lLe_F7febJEeLr8T4y2pyu38c/s1600-h/IMG_8450.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404449370991581378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TEzZ79XuKFBnWQvXPmUpdiFzUErTyLUwDVX8Uok9QdkSgIMSS1go7oi3zNPcwPcJmda05DrJkYBCiSAOw-pWAta7z2HxvUkoAofUjHdY6_oUO2yuH9lLe_F7febJEeLr8T4y2pyu38c/s200/IMG_8450.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a> and other businesses, exhibits, and animals formed this community. We drove past Maud’s birthplace and visited the Anne of Green Gables museum (a home of her relatives and where she married) which was up from the “Lake of Shining Waters.” <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFRoYP49fTbNuxEcB3d5DLW80JWgsuH7bNclosoinemgxtNaqn6UuchbLLZntH3kgN5AX3kujyUK6TIMnoA1gHUkzZE4b-_mwqsEn552zpmofz4-pXW-qdDSJamI5LUjG9_g03uRKbwg/s1600-h/IMG_8468.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404449772897180994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFRoYP49fTbNuxEcB3d5DLW80JWgsuH7bNclosoinemgxtNaqn6UuchbLLZntH3kgN5AX3kujyUK6TIMnoA1gHUkzZE4b-_mwqsEn552zpmofz4-pXW-qdDSJamI5LUjG9_g03uRKbwg/s200/IMG_8468.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>We also visited the post office/museum like the one Maud worked at with her grandparents, saw the foundation of her childhood home, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUoxy618OE73qIA_F_dA6t-olshK1ECVUP6h_lVNZcIwge6vyueoCc_X53F5pF0A-34_tl67dNpzG4DHfKfMylwzQmEjOxKWAHQcTvBaZ4qFYFokkcLx_DwMz6Hw1x5UsYQGaKoTMl5k/s1600-h/IMG_8472.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404454659386953586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUoxy618OE73qIA_F_dA6t-olshK1ECVUP6h_lVNZcIwge6vyueoCc_X53F5pF0A-34_tl67dNpzG4DHfKfMylwzQmEjOxKWAHQcTvBaZ4qFYFokkcLx_DwMz6Hw1x5UsYQGaKoTMl5k/s200/IMG_8472.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>walked through Lover’s Lane and through the Haunted Wood (beautiful, not scary) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuUdixPiwUg1sDUa87cB0Gj76SAHvXBdL_Gmr7uV5PoeDf5_LG_nOgNgElnCzJ0OG9L3DjcgQsrr-byN6uF8JpuLuzNr0y5sHrJ0mWoqPUC6ZC9tHMsCqElNjzKBugxxw4S0sZaMbuFs/s1600-h/IMG_8473.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404450204755562690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuUdixPiwUg1sDUa87cB0Gj76SAHvXBdL_Gmr7uV5PoeDf5_LG_nOgNgElnCzJ0OG9L3DjcgQsrr-byN6uF8JpuLuzNr0y5sHrJ0mWoqPUC6ZC9tHMsCqElNjzKBugxxw4S0sZaMbuFs/s200/IMG_8473.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a>to the house that inspired Green Gables. <br />
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That night, we were invited to a lobster feast that I very much enjoyed! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oqfKSaXMmDehY9dyNUDMb6fsy72888xbSpqBbV9TogH8XRdBuHUoqWoWQG_kv9V1LrORaQ7P9ViYD33_0W5ogox-zk2QODI5YU2xlN0isCTChXE1_FwnzsNIXOepxxV77b9Ggi_zuVI/s1600-h/IMG_8480.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404450459117268562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oqfKSaXMmDehY9dyNUDMb6fsy72888xbSpqBbV9TogH8XRdBuHUoqWoWQG_kv9V1LrORaQ7P9ViYD33_0W5ogox-zk2QODI5YU2xlN0isCTChXE1_FwnzsNIXOepxxV77b9Ggi_zuVI/s200/IMG_8480.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a> My sisters weren’t big lobster fans; more for me! A big thanks to our shirt tail relatives on the MacNeil side.<br />
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The following day, we visited some beaches and nature trails on the island. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlXz2z8z6fQx24y_d9LYtYKAtMbIUzMoiZtL4GmtMB2SqUU3kwOflKpVCnQf2n_fzHKWiUp7b1vY3PunD6SpcSvrTa6Wv2GRYCQsYjtsiXoo_2F-IJpz2dejJ9o6tvqvokAFkL8j6Zs4/s1600-h/IMG_8521.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404454064586924114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlXz2z8z6fQx24y_d9LYtYKAtMbIUzMoiZtL4GmtMB2SqUU3kwOflKpVCnQf2n_fzHKWiUp7b1vY3PunD6SpcSvrTa6Wv2GRYCQsYjtsiXoo_2F-IJpz2dejJ9o6tvqvokAFkL8j6Zs4/s200/IMG_8521.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>The island includes lots of coastline, a large national park, beaches, and golfing. The scenery includes some rugged red cliffs, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnJM320TFSp5Sm0ZEBMVGBicqQGo8tvN30AizFIdyTa-_v8Ocfx0RuVnieojA0Z1uXrlM98Wx6b-gEP1qAzEn-ZLpl4tlAH84aqcihLycu7h1CKIW6K-RyOue7j7mK85uNXmn_eirJ8/s1600-h/IMG_8511.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404453399677075746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnJM320TFSp5Sm0ZEBMVGBicqQGo8tvN30AizFIdyTa-_v8Ocfx0RuVnieojA0Z1uXrlM98Wx6b-gEP1qAzEn-ZLpl4tlAH84aqcihLycu7h1CKIW6K-RyOue7j7mK85uNXmn_eirJ8/s200/IMG_8511.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>well maintained farms, <br />
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and cute fishing villages like one in nearby North Rustico. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAa0msGqTFHVL2pCVorajXVp4Xo_mM61xWdmPAjwe_5Zz2-V30nLDi5haJPByR2qODxce-sWnWMsXfpHizZ3STWDVVTXXWvpAc3rZzriYvbnbbGDFhtSJkx-HMlEskxqEns7xckLR5Nk/s1600-h/IMG_8498.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404453702278236146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAa0msGqTFHVL2pCVorajXVp4Xo_mM61xWdmPAjwe_5Zz2-V30nLDi5haJPByR2qODxce-sWnWMsXfpHizZ3STWDVVTXXWvpAc3rZzriYvbnbbGDFhtSJkx-HMlEskxqEns7xckLR5Nk/s200/IMG_8498.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>We also visited the author's grave which definitely stands out from the others. That afternoon, we took a scenic route back to Charlottetown and enjoyed its small, fun downtown, shops, restaurants, and the summer musical, “Anne of Green Gables.” We returned to our cottage to see the most spectacular view of stars we’d ever seen. The stars were visible from the ground up to the sky in every direction. We could see galaxies and more stars than I knew existed; it was an amazing site to behold. One sister commented that the view of the stars alone was worth the entire trip. <br />
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The next morning, we bid adieu to Prince Edward Island and left by way of the Confederation Bridge. It is nicknamed the Gentle Island and it was quiet, with friendly people and a slower pace of life. We had taken in the beautiful sites of the island, learned more about our heroine and her creator, and saw our Creator’s handiwork in the night sky as well.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-79710926122952666552009-11-17T23:08:00.000-05:002009-11-17T23:08:15.705-05:00Basement BeautificationWhen we bought our 1918 Colonial Style home back in 2002, it had a creepy basement. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7l3-QvcGhZRq9U_pDqLDBA_3ekK9DwLxzqo8mtqfmaYoY09ZEMw1S7S9x3zxgCd4ipNaWw-xrukqgHtaBldyn5oacyE2PdX9zHeffdZ4sA3_9_vNJr7klIIM5e6pSCEnWjE45Dyf-Cg/s1600-h/basement+in+02.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404423254037765474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7l3-QvcGhZRq9U_pDqLDBA_3ekK9DwLxzqo8mtqfmaYoY09ZEMw1S7S9x3zxgCd4ipNaWw-xrukqgHtaBldyn5oacyE2PdX9zHeffdZ4sA3_9_vNJr7klIIM5e6pSCEnWjE45Dyf-Cg/s640/basement+in+02.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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We hung drywall to hide the crawlspace, painted the floor, stairs, and walls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWn_8JHEFDVDCcCblJfQz5keH2TmkstW61X14xGb2AI05Q-J1q0JJhlvOR9Bqa-d53ccupMHYrM6QMViPhaQG7334W0wTV58ecoBPAh0mtGz05IMHhPrErGHQb5_JHvS0dIKP_QqJ8n4/s1600-h/first+paint+stairs" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404434752138792370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWn_8JHEFDVDCcCblJfQz5keH2TmkstW61X14xGb2AI05Q-J1q0JJhlvOR9Bqa-d53ccupMHYrM6QMViPhaQG7334W0wTV58ecoBPAh0mtGz05IMHhPrErGHQb5_JHvS0dIKP_QqJ8n4/s200/first+paint+stairs" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
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While shopping in a market in Pakistan back in 2003, I purchased fabric and later stapled it to the joists to create a ceiling and keep up the cords and insulation. <br />
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Recently, I was inspired by the blog, <a href="http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/2009/10/decorating-staircase.html">The Stories from A to Z</a>, to embellish my wooden staircase. With some of the old paint and a $6 stencil, I went to work. On Halloween, I donned old scrubs as paint clothes and worked on the stenciling. I ran out of time, and took my kids to the Harvest Festival at church in scrubs with red paint stains, which, I am told, made a very realistic costume.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0v31VlObObhH3WQjTQN4V7nbRBGWd0kak_fIEXZSWRCygiVvuzLc8HADHsir-Eng6NLdph8HUhRKN930lMI0anu7ngFTqdIuiYMuctSLIrKtOESdF1hlvv-vyfG6jQb26b2VTa6zZEI/s1600-h/beautified+stairs" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404438042884869074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0v31VlObObhH3WQjTQN4V7nbRBGWd0kak_fIEXZSWRCygiVvuzLc8HADHsir-Eng6NLdph8HUhRKN930lMI0anu7ngFTqdIuiYMuctSLIrKtOESdF1hlvv-vyfG6jQb26b2VTa6zZEI/s640/beautified+stairs" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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I love the look of my basement stairs now! <br />
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<center><a href="http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="189" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4018962323_31339c218d_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></center>Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-8414241406236916352009-10-04T16:32:00.007-04:002009-10-04T17:41:16.087-04:00'Tis the Season of Pumpkins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dpFr4Ha_Z5gF6LWT_idtIMFbT6iPYMJKPLra_xhnx_ENm43daTgsxme06NplCitEWvKbvD0oPChKgMgADRX57RWnRGF6lqCV_2k7x9qL0odkTU8z9NabQij6XEg4C3_Gt_dOOwZjAzk/s1600-h/pumpkin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dpFr4Ha_Z5gF6LWT_idtIMFbT6iPYMJKPLra_xhnx_ENm43daTgsxme06NplCitEWvKbvD0oPChKgMgADRX57RWnRGF6lqCV_2k7x9qL0odkTU8z9NabQij6XEg4C3_Gt_dOOwZjAzk/s200/pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388859757726611922" border="0" /></a>Fall is here and it is pumpkin season! In the past, I've celebrated by hosting a pumpkin recipe tasting at my home, where everyone brings a food item made with pumpkin to share. This year, I'm responsible for creative activities chair for my Mothers of Preschoolers' (MOPS) group and so I wanted to share a fun and festive pumpkin craft creation that is frugal, too:<br /><br />Paper Bag Pumpkins<br /><br />1) Select bag size you want to use (we offered lunch bag to grocery bag size)<br />2) Paint bag orange (except the bottom), also paint some paper green for leaves<br />3) Round the bottom of the bag by reaching in, pulling it up and tying it<br />4) Fill with scrunched up newspaper<br />5) Add stem (stick) and tighten around stem with raffia, wire, or hot glue. The stem can be wrapped with florist tape if desired.<br />6) Add leaves<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOKY8pCUd75_VgG5LUEOnL3UUkgbSpC5rxfa-N1Wec2XVHr9-rxtl8B61UveJHG_jIF9mZP8FcnfNPg8td4FFufo0f_6mEI4ZyJ6pPw_TFXZ4Qkdq292JhEusGt92lwzaZ0XAnBUFGvE/s1600-h/IMG_8588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOKY8pCUd75_VgG5LUEOnL3UUkgbSpC5rxfa-N1Wec2XVHr9-rxtl8B61UveJHG_jIF9mZP8FcnfNPg8td4FFufo0f_6mEI4ZyJ6pPw_TFXZ4Qkdq292JhEusGt92lwzaZ0XAnBUFGvE/s320/IMG_8588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388858396109456002" border="0" /></a><br />When my son saw my paper bag pumpkin, he asked whether it was a pinata for his sister's birthday. I decided to use it for that, inserted candy, added a tape strap at the top, and then my husband threaded a rope through the tape loop. I was impressed with the durability of the bag, but with adult intervention, the pumpkin was smashed and candy released.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WNu8Gg07LAYYfADlOL-cdqZNkpBUDO1YeaTewYw40UB71F8psMtvKmc1mA5_vm9oSxEprqoKbs57maa7o6Z5vDVSrBuJfBZnb1lhhs-q3fInneY6HEfHW1TexIvsubSO7-AUJOER1G0/s1600-h/IMG_8608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WNu8Gg07LAYYfADlOL-cdqZNkpBUDO1YeaTewYw40UB71F8psMtvKmc1mA5_vm9oSxEprqoKbs57maa7o6Z5vDVSrBuJfBZnb1lhhs-q3fInneY6HEfHW1TexIvsubSO7-AUJOER1G0/s320/IMG_8608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388858384710732210" border="0" /></a>Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-41152960015966500742009-05-26T23:35:00.007-04:002009-05-26T23:48:34.513-04:00Marriage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhMkRDQnqZBF3CYcRaGDaJqG0SIdG6A9rHEsCJFgRCjA8pJh7Y2Ww0Ysf5FeHBbGYbS49CidFNrqFxjuTqX0aXLpLr0YI1xDdh6IG2aw_D9bljq5V8k3TTi154StRk-gLJPecgB1UIQQ/s1600-h/J&s.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhMkRDQnqZBF3CYcRaGDaJqG0SIdG6A9rHEsCJFgRCjA8pJh7Y2Ww0Ysf5FeHBbGYbS49CidFNrqFxjuTqX0aXLpLr0YI1xDdh6IG2aw_D9bljq5V8k3TTi154StRk-gLJPecgB1UIQQ/s320/J&s.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340343839778806386" /></a><br />It’s wedding season and I love weddings. I also really hate to see marriages break up, even in couples I’ve never met. <br /><br />Last week, I tried unsuccessfully to e-mail Jon and Kate—parents featured on TLC’s reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Recently, the media has feasted on rumors of their marital problems, yet before that, it was disheartening to see their ways of relating on the show. It was the classic “crazy cycle” discussed in the Love and Respect DVD series. That seven hour series by Emerson Eggerichs (www.loveand respect.com) discusses how women often become critical, the man responds by being unloving and the downward spiral continues to feed itself in this warped fashion. The series goes on to teach the biblical way of relating with lots of practical help. I wanted to encourage them see the DVD series, which is like a marriage conference in the privacy of your own home. It also comes in book form, I recommend it to everyone, and bought the DVDs to share. <br /><br />My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this summer. Here are some other marriage resources that have helped us along this journey: <br /><br />1) The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This book talks about how individuals express (and expect to receive love) in five main ways including: gifts, acts of service, physical touch, quality time, and words of affirmation. The book explains how to better express love to your spouse by showing love according to their preferred love language. <br /><br />2) The movie Fireproof and its book Love Dare. Fireproof is about a couple on the brink of divorce. It is a powerful and thought provoking movie with a Christian perspective. The husband in the movie decided to complete a love dare and change his actions toward his wife. The book is a practical exercise in agape (unconditional) love.<br /><br />3) Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas. The premise of this book is that God’s goal for our marriage is not for our happiness, but for our holiness. Yes, this is in total contrast to the world’s thinking! God uses the trials in marriage to refine us and draw us toward Him. Marriage is a spiritual discipline, growing and testing us, and causing us to rely on God. The book is not a formula for perfect marital bliss and happiness, it’s a realistic view that we are created for paradise, yet we live in a fallen world, and so the journey isn’t guaranteed to be wonderful or pain free.<br /><br />This year, I planned ice breakers and games for our church’s moms group. One of our lessons was on marriage and I was a little stumped in planning a game to correspond with this theme, but had a voice in my head saying, “call Chris.” I called Chris, who told me she had been in the process of calling me, too. (At this point, I knew it was a God thing!). She had the game idea—having everyone draw a question and share positively about their husbands. I’m attaching the list in case anyone else can use it. <br /><br />What is your spouse especially good at?<br />What did you do on your 1st date with your husband? <br />What is the 1st movie you watched together with your husband?<br />What did you eat on your first date with your husband?<br />What did you wear on your first date with your husband? <br />What initially attracted you to your husband? <br />Describe the first time you decided you really liked your husband—was it love at first sight?<br />What is your husband’s favorite dessert?<br />What is your husband’s favorite food item to order at a restaurant?<br />What is your favorite date to go on with your husband?<br />What song was sung at your wedding?<br />What type of flowers did you have at your wedding?<br />What was your wedding color/the color of your bridesmaids’ dresses?<br />Describe your bridal gown<br />What was the most embarrassing thing that happened at your wedding?<br />What were your new, old, borrowed or blue items (that you can recall)?<br />How did your husband propose to you?<br />Did you ever read a book together? Which one?<br />What TV show(s) do you like to watch together?<br />What is your husband’s favorite food?<br />What is your husband’s favorite restaurant?<br />Would your husband prefer chocolate chip cookies or brownies?<br />What is your husband’s favorite pie flavor?<br />Where did you go on your honeymoon?<br />What is your husband’s favorite thing to cook?<br />What is the most romantic thing your husband has ever done for you?<br />What was your favorite vacation with your husband?<br />What do you like to do together with your husband for fun?<br />What is your husband’s love language (words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch)<br />What is your husband’s favorite hobby?<br />What is your husband’s favorite style of music or favorite group/artist?<br />What is your husband’s dream job?<br />What is your husband’s favorite "comfort food"?<br />What is your husband's favorite color?<br />What was the last book your husband read?Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-92101530692437750562009-03-31T11:15:00.003-04:002009-03-31T11:23:12.070-04:00Kindergarten choice "revealed"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1dUsNkl8bKnXERKkDigHkFgF5c6H7v7bW3S7y_sSSy9zSevS4_Xm6gd1h4VLrtb7I4oEi1M1bt4ojxskhFUyBWaTWp6snpV8RMNBd2b92Uw2dJRXGAKzhO9vl9vlFjQa6NMDVQs_BHg/s1600-h/March+09+005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1dUsNkl8bKnXERKkDigHkFgF5c6H7v7bW3S7y_sSSy9zSevS4_Xm6gd1h4VLrtb7I4oEi1M1bt4ojxskhFUyBWaTWp6snpV8RMNBd2b92Uw2dJRXGAKzhO9vl9vlFjQa6NMDVQs_BHg/s320/March+09+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319371315891554386" /></a><br /><br />So, I went through the Kindergarten selection craziness—visiting nine schools and additional preschools. I was a bit preoccupied by the whole thing—our designated public school frightened me, yet I am a product of public schools and felt as a taxpayer they should work. I had narrowed it down to three options and was planning to apply to two public schools in hopes that one could take Eli. Plan C was Norfolk Christian—attached to our church, triply accredited, but with a cost. (I might add that my husband had told me from the beginning not to worry about the money aspect, but the coupon queen and garage sale bargainista in me couldn’t handle the thought of paying out). <br /><br />As I was explaining my preoccupation with this process, a Bible Study leader asked me, “Have you prayed about it?” I answered quickly and a bit defensively, “well, yes.” Of course, I’d prayed general prayers over the situation, but in my quick answer, something didn’t feel right. I recognized I had not asked God what He wanted me to do. It took me a few days to figure out why I was holding back. Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church, it became clear. I was afraid God would want us to pay for schooling for Eli, and I didn’t want to ask the question because I didn’t want to hear the answer. This exposed my root unbelief of God as provider. Right away it clicked with me, God is my provider (Jehovah Jireh), and He can afford his own plans, so I might as well be open to know them and trust Him. <br /><br />That Sunday morning the pastor preached about Abraham’s faith—Abraham is noted for readily obeying God even when it didn’t make sense. During the sermon, the pastor also mentioned the faith involved with building our church and Norfolk Christian School which he said is now a top Christian school. This was news to me and I wondered if God was using the pastor to tell me something.<br /> <br />Then Monday night, I was in a small group and we were discussing the kindergarten dilemma and our leader mentioned that Norfolk Christian was excellent and really the ideal choice for school if it is a financial option. <br /><br />That night, I was involved in a conversation in a dream where I was told Norfolk Christian. I argued a little bit and felt kind of put in my place and, while not frightened, I got the impression that I didn’t want to disobey. <br /><br />Tuesday morning I was wondering whether I was just crazy or if God was speaking to me through the dream. He has been known to do that, but I couldn’t remember it happening to me before. Before lunch, I met up with a friend who is also going through the kindergarten selection process; we got together to exchange notes on our findings. I told her about how things were not going the way I’d planned; it was looking like God was pointing me to Norfolk Christian and had even had a very direct dream about it that I didn’t know quite how to take. One of the things she said was perhaps I should call or visit the school to get all of my questions resolved . . . <br /><br />About two hours later, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL CALLED ME!! I had visited their open house a few weeks back so she was calling (on this particular day) to follow up. It was sure looking like God was trying to get a message through to me, but I was still a bit reluctant to accept it.<br /><br />Wednesday morning, I ran a quick errand before Bible Study at 9:30. As I was returning, I found myself right behind a Norfolk Christian school bus (and I’d never even noticed their buses before). Anyway, I felt like a character in that routine, “here’s your sign”—there it was, smack dab in front of my face. Okay, I finally succumbed, and was laughing and crying at the same time how this had been orchestrated for my benefit.<br /> <br />I had lunch with my husband, Jason, and was explaining to Him all of these things and how I was feeling led that way. I wasn’t sure if he was going to say I was crazy for seeing God’s hand in all of these things. He suggested I just step out in faith and destroy the other applications and get working on the one for Norfolk Christian. He asked why I was continuing to try to doubt the message and what I was going to do next. I told him find a cave (or maybe the basement would do) or perhaps I could follow in Jonah’s footsteps and find a ship to take me away from Norfolk. He reminded me that that hadn’t work out so well . . . Anyway, I started on the application.<br /><br />Over the next few weeks, I began asking God, “what about Ava?” (my younger daughter). I explored many, many preschool options, but none were working out for many reasons including geography, start times, and waiting lists. It didn’t make sense that God would have a great plan for Eli but not for Ava since He knows everything and could have anticipated this problem. I’ve heard that when God remembers, it isn’t that He has forgotten, it’s that he springs into action. Well, I found out a couple weeks ago that Norfolk Christian had just decided to expand their preschool program for Ava’s age group! It is exactly what we needed, and the geography and start times are perfect! He remembered! <br /><br />Just got an e-mail today that they’ve both been accepted!<br /><br />I found out where the Norfolk Christian buses are stashed and got a picture of the sign on the back of the bus.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-22945939047774897522009-02-14T17:47:00.002-05:002009-02-14T17:59:11.406-05:00Trials and Comfort<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8RstOKt-3I6xozcG-GXGIrdNYhOBvHt5x1rw5hFuKYbJUZP7i3NJSceJbot5RXTotnii0wKEOVND2nTK6lnTeqOJVKWBYPyjYEpa5CflDgMmzlaeywO7mCdYrSQi7bS3Uh16z1Sj34o/s1600-h/IMG_3889.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302789109075972402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8RstOKt-3I6xozcG-GXGIrdNYhOBvHt5x1rw5hFuKYbJUZP7i3NJSceJbot5RXTotnii0wKEOVND2nTK6lnTeqOJVKWBYPyjYEpa5CflDgMmzlaeywO7mCdYrSQi7bS3Uh16z1Sj34o/s320/IMG_3889.JPG" border="0" /></a> 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.<br /><br />The fall of ’07 was horrid for me! We were re-doing our 90 year old house and about everything that could go wrong did, money was flying out the window, our family of four lived in the homes of three sets of friends over seven weeks (I felt homeless), my husband seemed to change personalities in a bad way, my then 1 year old got an ear infection that did not respond to the first round of antibiotics and lasted a month (and caused screaming that I thought might seriously put me into insanity--sort of how flashing lights can cause seizures in some). She also was six months behind developmentally which worried me (would she ever crawl or walk?). Anyway, those were bleak months and I do sometimes think it was a miracle that I survived. At one point, I took my kids to the park and literally could not lift myself off the bench to push a swing.<br /><br />I just (tearfully) kept going and passed through that very horrible “season” and it has taken me a while to feel recovered from it and I am very grateful to have passed through. Now, I feel like I can relate and empathize with so many more people in crisis (whether with their house, marriage, children, finances, etc). I was reminded of the scriptures (above) about comfort when I was driving through a huge storm last fall. I kept driving on, and praying for those who were on the side of the road. I felt like the storm was an illustration from life, to keep on and saw this perspective of cars ahead, beside, and behind me on a journey. The storm was like many trials in life. For a time it was really strong, then stopped abruptly at one point, and later re-started. We really can’t get away from them in this life! <br /><br />A couple weeks ago in my EGP Bible Study we had a very thought provoking lesson and discussion about tests in our lives. The notes from the class will be posted on this website:<br /><a href="http://www.egpministries.com/Groups/1000028720/Establishing_Gods_Peace/Community/EGP_Leaders_Blog/EGP_Leaders_Blog.aspx">http://www.egpministries.com/Groups/1000028720/Establishing_Gods_Peace/Community/EGP_Leaders_Blog/EGP_Leaders_Blog.aspx</a><br />God gives and uses tests to humble us, let us see what is in our hearts and our level of obedience, and to causes us to depend on Him. Tests can grow our faith, deepen our relationship with God, and let us recognize what we don’t believe about Him. We may think that this life and all of the problems in it are all about us, but tests are another way God is drawing us to himself. This world is temporary, but eternal glory awaits believers. Per 1 Peter 5:10, after suffering, God will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us. <br /><br />When I look back on that fall’s stressors, I can see a lot of ways in which I didn’t respond well. I went into control and worry mode versus depending on and communing with God. Now I can look back and see how silly this was—I was living out a belief that I could out-smart God by trying to take care of everything myself instead of letting God take care of it. I was focused on my own circumstances instead of focusing on God and the big picture. This is quite a reminder of what NOT to do and it certainly led to despair, not peace. Through all of this, I became more aware of my tendency to try to do things my own way instead of trusting God and it is a lesson to remember. I’m told that if we don’t learn the lesson to totally rely on God, he will give us more opportunities to grow in that! <br /><br />God was faithful, too (whether I recognized it or not at the time). We were provided wonderful, free, housing from friends. My husband has since returned to his normal self. We financially recovered from the endeavor and corrected dangerous structural deficiencies. My daughter caught up in her development and her ear infection eventually subsided. Our house is lovely now, and I even lost ten pounds through the process (but I’ve found them again).Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-61456676151273402009-01-10T19:57:00.002-05:002009-01-10T20:00:09.398-05:00Joy Amidst RealityLast Saturday night in the middle of the night, I woke and began pondering some disturbing and sad things. Two women I know in their thirties (with three kids each) are fighting cancer. I was pondering how, if God is on the throne, and He is—and I am still acutely aware of and in wonders I cited in my previous post—then what is the deal in these two situations? Sometimes when I wake during the night I get up and have some quiet time, but this night I prayed a bit and then had a sense that my question would be answered in the morning (Sunday) and was able to fall back asleep.<br /><br />In Sunday School, we had a guest speaker, a visiting missionary from Pakistan. He spoke from Isaiah and about those troubled times and likened them to the present. He mentioned that in troubled times, hold on to the things you know are true. He has been asked whether he should leave Pakistan now, as it is very unstable, and he said, no. People are asking questions and the message of hope is needed. Biblical hope is assurance—not just a whimsical wish. He also recounted two accounts of people who had sought out his ministry after they had visions/dreams of Christ which they did not understand. <br /><br />The sermon was on the subject of being joyful even in tough times. As I sat there, I was acutely aware that I was receiving the answer to my question from the middle of the night. The pastor spoke about how God has a purpose and God is at work. He mentioned Philippians 1:29, that suffering can be part of the calling in the life of a Christian. Tough times show the world the truth of His Word. There is power in weakness. There is joy in choosing to understand spiritual realities versus focusing on temporary problems. <br /><br />I reflected on the lives of the two young women with cancer. April told me that she asks God to give her someone to encourage every time she waits for her treatments—and God provides. The waiting room is a gloomy place, patients are slumped in their chairs, but they sit up taller and liven up as she engages them. Her faith is strong and she is an inspiration. The other mom, Melissa, has a blog, http://danceintherainmelissa.blogspot.com/, in which she shares her journey and testimony. She feels God carrying her through and has peace, even through the trials. God is working, in these situations, too.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-22473956422349372402008-12-03T16:29:00.002-05:002008-12-03T16:33:49.766-05:00God the ultimate MaestroRecently, God has been showing me how He is working through his people and orchestrating all sorts of events here on earth (major and minor and some which would seem insignificant and go unnoticed in those unattuned). As a musician, it is a touching visual image for me to imagine God on a 360 degree stage at command of an incredible symphony with His baton. Some of the countermelodies are not recognized even by the musicians who play them because they can’t hear all the parts the other instruments are playing.<br /><br />I’ve been noticing that sometimes people are unaware of how their acts are being used by God—but it is a wonderful encouragement to find out here on earth how that occurred. God is using his people to carry out his plan and sometimes little, seemingly random, spontaneous acts are being directed by God—orchestrated at a higher level. It is an awesome privilege and blessing to be God’s hands and feet here on earth, have His Spirit, and know that you are part of a greater plan that God is carrying out through you. Some people have an amazing ability to hear God’s voice and obey, and other times people don’t always recognize it’s God’s voice, but take action and this action is used by God. For some reason, I had thought that one needed to be doing something intentionally for God’s purpose to be used by God—vs. living out life as a Christian and then Christ in you is carrying out His purpose. Then there is the fact that God is all powerful and can use all people and events for his good pleasure. <br /><br />Here are a couple examples that have spoken to me as of late. A few weeks ago, a Christian friend gave me a bag of clothes she was passing down for my son, Eli. It was only a handful of items, yet it was exactly what we needed. In fact, the subject of my thank you e-mail to her was, “how did you know exactly what Eli needed?” I looked through those clothes and felt so blessed!! The gift included a couple of sweaters. He had needed some sweaters (and I’d even had bought an “ugly” one at a garage sale recently out of necessity). It also had a hooded sweatshirt jacket –and I had discovered the previous weekend that his only light jacket with a hood was a size too small. There was also a pair of pants and a couple of weeks before my mom had asked what Eli needed and I had told her pants! I was reminded of the words of a favorite hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”—all of my needs he hath provided. Now I could go buy new stuff for him, but God knows I don’t enjoy spending my time and money that way, am into recycling, etc.—and would rather put extra money into something eternal. Speaking of which, we recently made a donation to a ministry and the handwritten thank you card explained that our gift was an answer to a specific prayer . . . so the blessing keeps on going. <br /><br />I was telling my friend in Wisconsin this story and she had a “freaky” story to share. She was counseling a friend about her career and highly recommended the friend watch, “Chariots of Fire.” Later, the friend called and asked whether she’d sent her that movie, since it had arrived in her mail without any sender info. No, my friend in Wisconsin had not sent it or arranged its sending. . . somehow God was working through someone else. <br /><br />I’ve just started a couple books contrasting Christianity with Buddhism. One of the differences between the two is the view of the nature of God—a personal Creator/controller or an impersonal non-being (karma type). I definitely have experienced the personal God and know His baton is moving all around!Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-48444488640982760672008-10-23T17:35:00.007-04:002008-10-28T10:22:28.255-04:00Worship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANKsqAevdyVFIxk_PUS3hsppPbIb3FGoNY8WRqUrPA8xPZ-wwSN5HHcrjgNjYNaAuW8xlTT6OmZCtVSfHhk61XWGtoFZXqTac9TBLPc4-Dj9AJrSFzN79QcGrdP4VjoOYZCv6ISwZhvs/s1600-h/BGSF01-06.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260530118186831762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANKsqAevdyVFIxk_PUS3hsppPbIb3FGoNY8WRqUrPA8xPZ-wwSN5HHcrjgNjYNaAuW8xlTT6OmZCtVSfHhk61XWGtoFZXqTac9TBLPc4-Dj9AJrSFzN79QcGrdP4VjoOYZCv6ISwZhvs/s320/BGSF01-06.JPG" border="0" /></a> Today I spoke at Bible Study on the subject of worship and what God had been teaching me about it.<br /><br />First, for a bit of a refresher course of what worship is and why we include it during Bible Study. Worship is about giving God glory – the worth that he’s due. He is our creator, our provider, he sent his Son for us. As recipients of that amazing gift, thanksgiving and gratitude in the form of worship flows out of us.<br /><br />Worship helps change our focus from ourselves to God. It connects us to God when our hearts are one with his and we are worshipping with our spirit, not just singing. This came to mind last summer when I was singing with my sister during church. As sisters, we have a natural voice blend, and we can harmonize together—so I caught myself performing and NOT worshipping. My focus was on myself and on the gift of music, —but not the Giver. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit caught me pretty quickly and I refocused. God listens to our hearts, not just our voices.<br /><br />Worship music streams truth into our minds and helps us hide it in our hearts so that we can live it out. In selecting songs every week, leadership provides the theme of the lecture then songs are chosen to reinforce the lecture’s message, to help us “get it.”<br /><br />God is the creator of all things and the giver of good gifts and one of these gifts is music. Music has a special way of speaking to us—however, we are all unique and certain styles of music are not universally appreciated.<br /><br />Ethnomusicology and cultural issues <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgyWvCmA_A3pb5dG_ipyxawLy2IuBU28w6RIdBUM3wAtWqy8oWMtqmjIQkw8SxPKK8WzGcuYcG_g0HryIH2DYhS8n-y_yaQHK26rphNpWv5lGWM3TR8eS57QLFGLK5fEnEXrK7DNiGqI/s1600-h/HS+playing+pipes+-+Copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260467041469303650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgyWvCmA_A3pb5dG_ipyxawLy2IuBU28w6RIdBUM3wAtWqy8oWMtqmjIQkw8SxPKK8WzGcuYcG_g0HryIH2DYhS8n-y_yaQHK26rphNpWv5lGWM3TR8eS57QLFGLK5fEnEXrK7DNiGqI/s320/HS+playing+pipes+-+Copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Last spring, I had the opportunity to hear a Wycliffe missionary couple [Tom & Kristy Avery] speak about Ethnomusicology with tribal cultures. As missionaries, they want to reach the people of the world with the gospel and know that music is a powerful vehicle to do that. However, they’ve found that each culture has its own “heart music.” That is, music that is familiar and loved within that culture—that can interact with deeper thoughts and emotions. So they don’t just translate Western hymns and impose them on the people. They listen to and record the local music that appeals to the people then set scripture to music of that culture so that it will speak to the people’s hearts and truly minister. They explain that, “Such music lifts the words of Scripture off the printed page and gets God’s thoughts into minds and hearts.” Note: Tom Avery was promoted—and is now worshipping in heaven. I count it a privilege to have had the opportunity to hear him speak and sit down and speak with him last spring; it made a huge impression on me. A tribute to him is posted on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Vnu3Rlefs<br /><br />In many churches, forms of music have become a very polarizing issue. At some level, it seems like everyone is demanding THEIR heart music. The more I study and learn I find that it isn’t about my rights or my glory, but about God’s. Perhaps some of the concepts we’ll be studying later in I Corinthians can speak to these situations. Paul asks believers to defer for the sake of others and to do everything in love. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul said that he had become all things to all men so that by all possible means he might save some. In I Corinthians 10:33, he says he is not seeking his own good, but the good of many so that they may be saved. It’s difficult, though, because the goal of worshipping together is for each of us to be drawn closer to God, but different styles of music don’t speak to everyone the same way.<br /><br />With this group, we come from many different traditions and experiences, so we’re familiar with different songs, too. And, if you’re unfamiliar, sometimes it takes longer for the message of the song to connect with you. If you’re not familiar with a song, I would encourage you to try to grasp the truth in its message; the heart of the song.<br /><br />So, I’ve discussed how God uses music in worship to connect with us and speak truth to us. I also mentioned that worship itself is giving God glory and worth that He’s due. This summer, I read something in the book entitled Captivating, that was a new, yet beautiful thought to ponder—our worship can minister to the heart of God. Wow! Thinking about it that way really clarified the concept of glorifying God and brought the significance of worship to a new level for me. The book gave the example of the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive oil. His disciples thought it was a waste, but Jesus thought it was a beautiful thing and was deeply touched by her lavish gift.<br /><br />I asked a Bible scholar about this—saying, I want to believe this and it makes sense, but can it be backed up by scripture that we can minister to God’s heart through worship? He said, yes, and as God works things out, he’d just taught a lesson about it and so he sent me the notes. The notes discussed how we can make God happy, take pleasure in us, delight in us, rejoice over us, etc. These ways include our praise and worship of Him, as well as our knowledge of Him, our obedience, and the good things he does for us. As we are in the image of God, we have emotions like Him and one of the things that bring him pleasure and blesses his heart is our worship. He loves it when we offer our hearts to him in devotion.<br /><br />God desires for us to seek his face, to get to know him, to love and worship him wholeheartedly. He’s calling us, and worship is one way we can respond to him with our whole selves. A friend of mine had a very rough time last fall, yet Sunday morning in the choir, her face was radiant—she forgot about herself and concentrated on Him and worshipped Him! She said it was the highlight of her week—she felt like it was just her and God. As we draw close to Him, he will draw close to us—and cause us to become like him. Psalm 34:5 says, Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that “we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory.” <br /><br />It is an awesome privilege for us as believers to be God’s temple and the body of Christ here on earth. Romans 12:1, encourages us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices as an act of worship and Hebrews 13:15 says to offer a sacrifice of praise.<br /><br />It is from hearts filled with love for him that worship, obedience, good works, and acts of love flow. We can worship God through all of the aspects of our lives and serve and participate as his hands and feet here on earth. As Christians, we don’t have to earn God’s favor, we already have it. We can live with gratitude and show our adoration in worship to Christ for his sacrifice for us and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be part of His plan. So, let me encourage you to respond to the call of God to know him and to minister to his heart through your worship.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-43367967461347533912008-10-08T16:51:00.004-04:002008-10-08T21:27:56.708-04:00Least of theseThis week at Moms’ Connection (our church’s homespun and free version of MOPS) our session was about how we should see ourselves as God sees us. I was tasked to try to come up with a game that might emphasize some of these truths. It struck me that we women are often critical of ourselves and others, and don't see the precious daughter of God that He created, sees and loves. I was reminded of a Bible Study last spring over Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and goats. <br /><br />In this parable, Jesus explains that He will eternally separate those who served others and those who didn't.<br /><br />35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'<br /><br />At the time, I had been a little disturbed by this. It was sort of a conundrum (was I doing things I wouldn’t know I was doing?). I was trying to figure out how this fit with my understanding of grace. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, 8”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I was concerned that I wasn’t doing enough, was comparing myself to others, etc. I knew that this wasn’t grace focused thinking—when acts are out of fear versus thankfulness. Grace is the influence of God in our hearts and its reflection in our lives (not out of duty, but out of love and gratitude).<br /><br />So, as I was pondering all of these things, I felt God reassure me that he sees the little things done by his children (and is working through us even when we aren’t aware of it). I was reminded of words in the book, "The Shack," that God is especially fond of each of us. I was also reminded of how everything is turned around in the kingdom of God—the weak become strong, the poor in spirit are blessed and theirs is the kingdom of heaven, the poor become rich. When we do things to the least of these, we do them to Him. Success in the world is not equivalent with success by God’s standards. I felt his love as he reminded me of ways I and others have been his hands and feet.<br /><br />This was such a reassurance to me of God’s love, of his way of calming my fears from the Bible Study last spring, and I wanted to share it with the women in Moms Connection to hopefully give them a glimpse of God’s pleasure in them, too, and the beauty in the other women in the room who have also given of themselves.<br /><br />I had been planning to do a Human Bingo game, but as I was thinking about all of these things, new ideas came into my mind which created this game piece. The game was lively. I really had no idea if a whole page BINGO would be possible—but, yes, several women were able to get signatures on every spot from our group of less than 30 women. It was a special reminder of how God is working through all of us in various ways. Here's the list of the bingo blanks (can't figure out how to get an excel spreadsheet to correctly copy over here).<br /><br />Has Donated blood<br />Gave to a beggar<br />Gave to a bell ringer<br />Kissed a child's boo boo<br />has taken a meal to someone<br />has adopted a child<br />visited someone sick<br />visited someone in prison<br />contributed to Helping Hand Ministries (our church's ministry for those in need)<br />served at a homeless shelter<br />gone on a mission trip<br />wrote a friend an encouraging note<br />prayed for someone who came to mind<br />volunteered<br />taught children<br />made an Operation Christmas child shoebox<br />gave an Angel Tree gift<br />donated clothing<br />visited someone in a nursing home<br />given someone a needed hug<br />gave a drink to someone thirsty<br />invited a stranger in<br />supports a missionary or ministry<br />helped with Special Olympics<br />cared for a sick relativeSonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-26688735088628119612008-09-20T00:24:00.002-04:002008-09-20T00:40:58.558-04:00A tribute to my church Grandma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5mDDnKVCRN-PqomBeUumj4k0oJTBubNsSsA7TDwB2k_6_2CN4Ocnum7XvMlfy-NXT-tQ6ovEaVjEsXcbbnEYu3SGFfIZiQAe4qaMcfpTF3fpDk6VwB9R7v3BoxMuxrvDJv5_s4ISsW0/s1600-h/July_6th_2008.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247958136350790130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5mDDnKVCRN-PqomBeUumj4k0oJTBubNsSsA7TDwB2k_6_2CN4Ocnum7XvMlfy-NXT-tQ6ovEaVjEsXcbbnEYu3SGFfIZiQAe4qaMcfpTF3fpDk6VwB9R7v3BoxMuxrvDJv5_s4ISsW0/s320/July_6th_2008.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Every child should feel loved and special—and the more positive influences on a child’s life, the better. One woman who made my childhood even better was Mrs. Hart, who traded her earthly dwelling for a heavenly one on Wednesday. She was 89 and had been married over 70 years!<br /><br />Mrs. Hart had a way of making me, and many other kids from church, feel very special. She and Mr. Hart let us sit with them during Sunday night services and occasionally would watch us while our parents would shop for Christmas presents. Somehow, that gift of time and presence added to my sense of worth as a person and also made me look forward to going to church to be with more people who loved me. She was a loving, gentle, sweet, positive Christian woman and a Southern lady, too.<br /><br />I would try to visit the Harts whenever I was back “home.” In the last couple of years, she and Mr. Hart had a sudden, drastic change when they both fell and had to leave their home and lose their independence. When I visited their new place over Christmas, I had a sweet, grown up, conversation with her as she discussed disappointment in the change of circumstances, being isolated, and dependent on others, and how she was trying to live out her beliefs to be joyful despite the circumstances. This July, my sisters and I visited her in the hospital, where she had ended up after another fall. She was her usual sweet self and we were so glad to have visited her. I didn’t know it would be the last time. <br /><br />How is my life better from knowing her and from her investment in my life? My childhood was enriched by a feeling of being loved by many . . . my family and then others such as Mr. and Mrs. Hart who adopted us, made us feel special, and gave my parents a break, too. </div>Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-12990952458297263462008-09-12T22:14:00.002-04:002008-09-12T22:18:18.290-04:00Mountains are moving!If you have ever talked to me about my neighborhood in Norfolk, you have probably heard me complain—<br /><br />--about the drug house with a constant flow of traffic, noise, criminal activity, and trash<br />--the frat house across the street with loud parties, trash, cars taking all of the parking spots, drugs, an unusually high number of side swiped car, one witnessed drunk driving hit & run, and other such aggravations<br /><br />I’d coordinated a neighborhood watch, been in contact with our neighborhood police contact, etc. and then this past spring I added to my neighborhood to my prayer list, being reminded of 2 Chronicles 20:12, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."<br /><br />After living with these situations for four years, here is what has happened in the last few months:<br />1) The drug dealer was put (back) in jail for a while, and has subsequently gotten a job and an apartment so he no longer lives with his relative on our street and that drug traffic is gone!!<br />2) The frat boys were kicked out and their house is fixed up and on the market!! No noise, parking problems, trash, and drug deals there anymore.<br />3) There was a school connected to our street and twice a day a bus would come by and set off our car alarm, the school created traffic for our street, and when we had tried to sell our house, a potential buyer had been turned off by the school’s presence. Well, the school district closed the school to students, so no more buses twice a day, parent traffic, etc.<br /><br />I had been praying for God to work on my block and he outdid my expectations in ways I had not even imagined!!Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-87053080748984589282008-08-27T16:05:00.002-04:002008-08-27T16:14:01.338-04:00My recent reads<p>What a summer! I have only been home for 10 days all summer, so on my vacations I have read a number of great books! <br /><br />**** The Shack (friends everywhere have also been reading this)—it’s a brain-bending work of fiction that causes one to look at God in a totally different (yet positive) way. A broken man has a weekend makeover with God in three persons (literally) and God causes him to re-think all of his preconceived and somewhat negative images of God. It causes one to examine a lot of beliefs that are not necessarily directly scriptural, but are part of one’s thinking when “churched.” It also presents a somewhat more inclusive idea of those who will be in heaven; those seeking a relationship with God, although not always/only those who fit into the traditional “Christian” definition. <br /><br />***** If Jesus Were a Parent—by Naz. Pastor Hal Perkins. A fascinating and inspiring book about having a discipleship plan for children to teach them to listen to God and develop a relationship with him. I really loved this book and found it spiritually motivating and encouraging. He and his wife had a plan—they began praying for their children and determined their overriding goal in parenting was for their children to have authentic relationships with Jesus. The author’s mission was to disciple his children as Jesus would, to develop Christ followers and then disciple makers. He talks about how he developed a relationship with his kids including having a special outing with each of them weekly starting at a young age so that he would trust and talk with him. These weekly dates continued through their teen years and he gives true life examples of the fruit of this in his children’s lives. He also explains how to teach children at a very young age to discern God’s voice, follow His lead in their lives, and pray meaningfully. It was really inspiring and I’m hoping to implement these techniques with my kids. The forward says, “This book is all about helping you understand how to cooperate with God in positively influencing and winning your child’s heart.” For parents, it also gives direction on developing spiritual maturity.<br /><br />***** Captivating—by John and Stasi Eldridge—discusses a woman’s heart—desire for romance, beauty, and God’s desire for wholeness. It's the sister book to Wild At Heart which was/is sort of a rage at churches for small groups for men. The book talks about core desires of women--to be in an adventure, to be beautiful and to be loved and then all the complications with this while living in a fallen world. The book is a refreshing reminder of Jesus' love and desire for wholeness for us and a relationship with us. There's a chapter about men "arousing Adam" that I found very interesting, too. It basically says every man is wounded and looking for approval, first from his father and then from a woman. "His search for validation is the driving force of his life." On page 151, it says this is the root of most affairs. The book goes on to say that we should validate each other, but our primary validation has to come from God. (It also says that this works both ways--women look to men to meet all their needs instead of God, etc.) <br /><br />***1/2 How to Listen to God—by Charles Stanley—I had an older (1985) edition. It discusses various ways God speaks to his people today. It is a pretty short book and put together a lot of things I’d heard before, but has affected some of the decisions I’ve made since reading it. <br /><br />*****+ I’ve also watched Love & Respect seven hour DVD marriage series by Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs—AWESOME! The series humorously explains male and female differences--how God made us different, not good or bad. The essence is that men need respect and women need to feel loved. If this is not happening the couple gets on the crazy cycle and everything starts setting them off spinning. It has caused me to look at male/female interaction differently and explained oh so many things in life. I bought it and am planning to share with all my friends who are interested (let me know!). It’s in book form, too. Info and purchasing info is at: <a href="http://www.loveandrespect.com/">http://www.loveandrespect.com/</a> I mention this because I couldn’t find it on amazon or half.com when I was looking and one opened set sold on ebay for $20 more than retail!<br /><br />*** The Mommy Diaries—This is a MOPS book, sent to all MOPS moms this year. It is definitely more like a Chicken Soup book than the Nanny Diaries! It has many brief essays about adventures in motherhood and lessons learned along the way.<br /><br />*** Focus on the Family’s Growing a Healthy Home edited by Yorkey—an older book with many chapters relating to family /marriage/child raising/health issues. <br /><br />**** Book: Breathing Grace by Dr. Harry Kraus—uses a medical model to explain grace. I’ve been learning more about grace in my Establishing God’s Peace class (http://www.egpministries.com/) and this totally agreed with that teaching. I have this on CD and have listened to it several times. As Christians, we don’t have to earn God’s favor, we already have it and we can live fully with gratitude to Christ for his sacrifice for us. The book is really a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to have this heaviness over our shoulders, will I be good enough, do enough, etc.—Jesus paid the debt for our sin and our motivation for service is not out of fear, but out of love.<br /><br />**** The Five Love Languages of Kids by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. This book is a follow up to the best seller book for couples-The Five Love Languages—that is awesome and I like to give as a wedding gift. Anyway, it talks about filling a child’s love tank by understanding how they like love expressed to them, whether by words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, gifts, or acts of service. They say that it really isn’t possible to detect your child’s primary love language until they are about five—so express love in all these ways while they’re young and until you find out which way is most meaningful to them. One way to determine their primary love language is just to ask them how they know you (the parent) loves them and see whether they describe presents, time together, things you’ve done for them, etc.<br /><br />**** A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle—This was the book for Oprah’s online class. He uses a lot of scripture and some Buddhist principles as well, discussing concepts like living in the present, enjoying nature and contemplating it (as Jesus said “see how the lilies grow”), how not to get stressed out, contentment, spiritual oppression (he called it a pain body), not taking life or yourself too seriously, not defining yourself by the role you play, etc. It was very interesting and in some cases presented Biblical truth with a fresh explanation of it that was helpful. I wasn’t in agreement with all of it, but will “cling to what is good.” <br /><br />***** The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle. My college friends who considered me a feminazi will roll on the floor when they hear this title. However, I love this book and am now reading it for the third time (I need lots of reminders!). It is just full of common sense wisdom about how to have harmony in marriage by giving up the desire to always be right, have everything done your way, have the last word, etc. Here’s a typical nugget (p. 55), “Either you hold your tongue and preserve harmony or you speak critically and create a chasm of resentment and resistance.” Like the previous book—it just re-states scripture in another way which is helpful. It also meshes very nicely with the Love & Respect DVD message.</p>Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-5168463233374837992008-07-22T16:16:00.002-04:002008-07-22T16:31:25.354-04:00Immeasurably more than we can ask or imagineThis week, I flew three legs of flights from the west coast to the east and, yes, it was the RED EYE. Add to this, that I was taking with me a very active three year old boy and a lap child--32 pounds, but not quite two. <br /><br />I couldn't sleep the night before the flight, but I got up and read my Bible and read the scripture, that "God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine," and prayed that this would occur for these flights. <br /><br />We survived the flights! Here are some of the answers to the prayers. <br /><br />Initially, as an after thought, I asked whether my parents could get a gate pass to help me get the two kids (two backpacks, stroller, and carseat) through security. The ticket agent said she would make an exception and do this for us!! The kids were so wild that it took all three of us adults to look after them and the luggage, but we didn't lose them or the luggage.<br /><br />There was an extra (free!) seat for Ava on all three legs of the flights, even the 10 p.m.-6 a.m. flight from San Francisco to Dulles which was overbooked. This was particularly amazing. The flight was overbooked, yet there was an extra seat directly across the aisle from our seats, and Eli was able to take it. On the first flight, there was a guy assigned to the seat we needed and he was very gracious to find another spot. <br /><br />Both children slept soundly during the long, overnight cross country flight. The friendly people next to Eli, kept him covered with a blanket and a pillow under his head. They even gave us their pretzels since we had slept (I had attempted, at least) during the snack times. <br /><br />Random people helped me carry the carseat when I needed help.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-55401024396054493062008-05-16T15:20:00.002-04:002008-05-16T15:28:37.827-04:00Lesser Known facts about meI've traveled to 47 states<br />I've backpacked through and inspected salt plants in Central America<br />I've worked with uranium<br />I've worked in a hospital in India<br />I pitched fastpitch softball (windmill technique and all)<br />I saw Rick Steves in Rome and got him to autograph my Rick Steves Rome guidebook<br />I was chased by a cow while hiking in Pakistan<br />I've snorkeled in Papua New Guinea<br />I got a parasite in Guatemala (and it wasn't the painless diet plan I'd imagined)<br />I ran cross country in high school<br />I've sewn all the window treatments in my houseSonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-91987043164870164582008-05-11T16:50:00.002-04:002008-05-11T16:53:05.106-04:00Cereal Shopping Bargain!!I had a shopping success this week. Farm Fresh had this special--cheerios and a bunch of other GM cereal was on sale $2 a box and then if you bought 10 boxes you'd get $10 off to make $1 a box. Plus I had about five $.75 to $1 off coupons, so I bought 12 boxes, plus $2 worth of corn and $4 worth of salad dressing. The total for all items? $12.72. The checker was in disbelief and actually pulled the ad to confirm. Basically, I paid about $.50 a box for cereal. I'm totally stocked up now!Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-54420778891979462552008-04-16T14:01:00.002-04:002008-04-16T14:06:18.951-04:00EthnomusicologyThis weekend I had an opportunity to hear a Wycliffe missionary couple speak regarding Ethnomusicology with tribal cultures. Their goal is to provide cultures meaningful music to interact with deeper thoughts and emotions (not just translating Western hymns/choruses). To do that they listen/record the local music that appeals to the people then help set scripture to music of that culture so that it will speak to the people’s hearts and truly minister (going along with Wycliffe’s goal of God’s word being accessible to all people in the language of their heart). They evaluate the local resources, instruments, etc. and see what they want to use. In some cases, certain instruments have been used for pagan ceremonies so they contemplate whether to use them, knowing that God can redeem instruments/elements of secular music, etc. They said that music is not the universal language in that it is not universally understood and reactions to it are not the same. They use local language and music traditions, the sounds of which may even seem odd or evil to us, but not to the nationals. He played some music for us—one song was in a minor key and sounded like a dirge, yet the lyrics talked about how it was God who makes them so happy. It seemed so ironic, yet he said that the music really did appeal to the local people and did lift their spirits. I found their talk fascinating and saw some parallels with some of the challenges I have selecting music for my Community Bible Study group trying to make the music and worship meaningful with a group coming from many different backgrounds.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325052367615883611.post-31540590633051874042008-03-14T22:08:00.001-04:002008-03-21T23:21:45.769-04:00Stinkin' Good Smashed PotatoesPeeled potatoes, halved<br />Gorgonzola cheese (or blue cheese)<br />Minced Garlic<br />a little salt<br />freshly cracked pepper<br />water about half way up the pot of potatoes<br /><br />later--milk and butter to taste<br /><br />Combine ingredients in pressure cooker, bring to pressure, then turn down to a steady stream for about 8 minutes. After pressure is released, smash the potatoes and add milk and butter to taste. We really enjoyed this creation, but the kids weren't too fond of it.Sonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05758553070780357607noreply@blogger.com0