Detour!

I was really excited about taking this MK idea for the camps we're speaking at this summer and running with it. Well, there was a slight detour I had to take...another brain blockage...and really, where it was a good idea, it just wasn't developing from there. After the brainstorm there was something of a drought.

So, I thought and thought and thought...and finally decided to go with my very first idea (that always seems to happen) which is based on Missionary Biographies. Each day, I'll tell a shortened story of a Missionary from her biography (Mary Slessor, Corrie Ten Boom and Amy Carmichael, Jim & Elisabeth Elliot, etc - it will vary between camps) then on the last day we'll focus on "Writing your Own Missionary Story." See, kids are pretty familiar with the idea of Missionary Stories, and we want to encourage them to read bioagraphies and to seek to obey God, trust Him and share the gospel of Jesus, just as these missionaries have shown in their lives. I know how reading Missionary Biographies has impacted me to follow God at whatever cost. I'm getting copies of books of each of the people we're going to talk about to give away as prizes, too (for the appropriate ages and reading levels, of course). Anyway, after I tell the story, Jim will give a brief lesson from a Bible verse that parallels a characteristic the Missionary showed in her life (Faith, Perseverance, Compassion and Obediece).

So, pray for us as we continue to prepare and pray that God would use these lessons in the campers lives for His glory!

Human

Just when I get discouraged about my faults, mistakes or character flaws and think "How, Lord, are you going to use ME in the ministry?" The answer comes to me like a wave of obvious truth.

"Because you're human. Just like everyone else."

Those faults, mistakes and character flaws are EXACTLY what God is going to use to let me reach real people for Him. When others see His work of grace in my life...my imperfect and scarred life...they will see that I'm real and that God's grace can work in their lives, just like it has in my own.

I'm thankful for my imperfections. I'm thankful for my flaws. I'm thankful that I'm human.

I'm thankful for God's grace.

The Birthday: Part 1

Ok...so, a while back I told you about my friend Gina's birthday and how I had an exciting surprise planned. Well, it went off without a hitch and here are the results.

Working on The Big Surprise

Before I load 'em in the car. 3 paintings & 3 frames of flower pictures I took. Her birthday was in March...and we still have our Christmas tree up.

After I revealed her gifts, we got to work painting the kitchen, which was, in a way, part of her birthday present. We started out with a shade of "pink" not wanting to go too dark for fear the landlord would have a heart attack. Well, it looked like Pepto Bismol and made us feel like puking.

So, Gina had a stroke of genius. We opted for a much prettier hue. And more appetizing.

And this was the result at 3 am. Beautious, is it not?

Fog-et It

I'm having the WORST brain fog EVER today. I can't think of any way to structure my lessons for camp, which are due at the end of the week. This is my biggest hurdle today.

Plus, I KNOW I had something interesting to update you all on, but for some strange reason, I can't remember...for the life of me!

It's kind of like that feeling I had earlier today when I left the house. I took my purse, projects, keys and mail to the car a few minutes early so that I wouldn't forget anything important. I walked back into the house and thought "Why did I come back in here?"

I meandered around the house for a few minutes, made sure all the lights were turned off and grabbed a bottle of water. I thought that nagging feeling of "I forgot something" would be gone by then, but it was still lingering. "Oh, well," I thought. "I'm sure I'm just being over concerned."

So, I locked the door and made my way out to the car and proceeded to drive to town. As I pulled up to my destination and got out my phone to tell Jim I was coming to drop off his lunch...it occured to me. Drats! LUNCH! It's still sitting on the dryer where I put it so it wouldn't be forgotten (the dryer is right next to the door near the driveway).

So, let this be a lesson to you. Brain fog likes to linger and tease you all day. Well, at least it does to me. And it's stinky. Don't envy me.

Forgiveness

A Promise never to:

• repeat (to others)
• review (in my mind)
• remind (the offender of his/her offense)

-college counseling class my freshman year

Patience

"Bearing evil without resentment."

-from Jim's 2 Timothy Sermon

Frequent Stops for Photo Opps

On our Memorial Day drive from the UP of Michigan to Iowa, we made frequent stops for photo opps (ooo, that sounds like it would make a good post title). We enjoyed a relaxed and picturesque trip home. Unfortunately, some photo opps came at a not so opportune time...like when we were flying down the interstate at 70 mph with no convenient place to stop. Except for the time we saw the Bald Eagle.

My favorite stop was in Plateville, WI. They have a beautiful visitor's center with a stream and a garden with a walking path. A great place to stop, stretch your legs and take a dip in the stream. A 4 inch, ankle-deep dip, which I do not have pictured because I didn't like it (the picture, that is...the dip was instantly refreshing).

This is the Allium Gladiator...

related to the onion family and originally grown in China.

I did a little color-work to this one, just for fun.

Does this make anyone else think of "Horton Hears a Who"?

"Heeeelp!"

Pretty Columbine.

White & Pink Bleeding Heart

I have no idea what this is either, but Jim really liked the pattern on the leaves. I liked them, too.

Viney Things...

Wildflowers...

Now, you can't be in the UP of Michigan without seeing a black bear or kissing one, for that matter.

Now, I recognize this isn't the most attractive picture of me...but, who is when they are roaring like a bear. They don't call me Sar-Bear for nothin'.

It's affordable and fun. You should come for dinner sometime.

An image (doctored for impact) on the road.

Here, we just turned down an offer to go Whitewater Rafting...uh..in THESE clothes, in THIS temperature (remember, we're up north)...NO thank you.

Oh, and we got to see Jim's cousin's (Jeremy & Naomi) new baby, Abigail. Aww.

Humility

"Remembering that God has done a work of grace in my life, too."

-from Jim's 2 Timothy Sermon

Encouragement

• the expression of approval and support
• boost: the act of giving hope or support to someone

wordnet.princeton.edu

Human Relationships 101

Today I've been thinking about my relationships to others, how I treat them and how I should treat them. Here is a list of 10 things I want to improve upon, begin exercising and enjoy completely.

1. Say "yes" cheerfully when asked to help serve.
2. Offer to serve before asked.
3. Not let the price of gas hinder that act of service.
4. Be more joyful and less judgemental.
5. Let love cover hurts.
6. Forgive and forget.
7. Go out of my way to make someone feel special.
8. Get to know people in a deeper way instead of settling for who they seem to be.
9. Be sincere.
10. Smile and remember the Golden Rule. Do unto others...

Home Sweet Home

At the end of April, I got to show Jim around my "old stomping grounds" as they say.

We visited the house I grew up in...the meaning of this place flooded over me. I accepted Christ in front of this house and that's the memory and the moment that would change my life forever...for eternity. It was such a strange feeling not to just walk into the house like it was my own, and such a strange feeling to think that other people were living in it now. If I had the guts (and the time) I might have knocked on the door and asked for a tour. Maybe next time.

You know how something as simple as a tree can bring back memories...well, this one has. It was the best tree ever to hide behind and use to build snowforts around. It was the tree we where we always met our friends. It was my thinking tree. Sometimes, I would go outside, and rest at the foot of this tree...the roots made a good seat. Other times, I would glare at the tree as if it were my worst enemy. Mowing the lawn around it was NOT an easy job. This was my tree.

From Our Backyard...mostly.

Words Cannot Express.

Shoe Shenanagins

Not that you wanted to know this, but it's been BUGGING me since I was old enough to go shopping for shoes on my own. My feet (like most people's feet, apparently) are two different sizes. I can get a size 8 1/2 shoe and it fits my left foot wonderfully, but my toes on my right foot have to suffer minor squishage. On the other hand...or foot, if I get a size 9, my right foot is happy and my left foot is left wanting for a snug comfortable fit. I guess I can't win. Consequently, I feel like this: