Plans and Weariness

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, " and will bring you back to the place form which I carried you into exile."-Jeremiah 29:11-14

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."-Galatians 5:9-10

Woke up this morning with a verse in my head. I always love when the Lord wakes me up with a verse or a song. I actually woke up early thinking of Jeremiah 29:11 and then went back to sleep. After reading Galatians I was thinking how the two, relatively well-known, verses seem to work together (29:11 and 5:9). God tells us He has a plan for our lives and much later encourages us to be faithful and keep doing good like He has called. If we do so, we will reap the harvest and I do believe that harvest is often proof of God's good plan coming to fruition! Oh how we must be patient and avoid the weariness that tends to strike.

Craft!

With all this fashion business on Martha Stuart today, it gets me in a crafty mood and I don't mean sneaky I mean it in the fullest sense of 'get those creative juices flowing!' I have a dress I need to finish making and those flowers that guy made on Martha Stuart seemed doable. I thought they would be cute on some headbands. I ought to make a purse, seeing as how mine has seen better days. Well summer has just begun, we shall have to wait and see how many projects I get done! If I successfully finish any good ones, I'll try to post pics.
PS Annie, I don't know what happened to posting in three's I guess I got a little excited today :) and went a bit overboard.

Bjorklunds, O'Malleys, Flanigans

In the meantime...I've started my summer reading list. I finished Drenched in Light by Lisa Wingate. I actually started it in January because I was itching to read a good book! I hadn't read for fun in a while, since I'm a college student, and once school started again it just sat on my shelf. But I finished it and it had a great ending! Good book for Education Majors, love success stories where its more about the kids and students than the job!

Now I'm reading A Heart for Home by Lauraine Snelling. She writes Historical Fiction. I have been reading her since middle school I think. This is the one series that I have read all the way through. I've been following the Bjorklund Family for about 25 years (historical fiction time, not real time). I haven't finished the book yet but Im afraid the first homesteader-Ingeborg-may be headed home by the end of the book if you know what I mean. The series covers about 3 generations (4 if you include her parents). Yes, there's a Bjorklund Family Tree at the beginning of each book now. The story follows Norwegian immigrants who homestead in North Dakota. Im not sure if this one is as good as the first, but I can't stop reading...I've been reading them for so long, how could I not finish the series! We used to own all of them but I think with moving, many of them have been donated to school and church libraries (hopefully others are enjoying them now!)

Red River of the North
An Untamed Land
A Land to Call Home
Tender Mercies
A New Day Rising
The Reaper's Song
Blessing in Disguise

Return to Red River
A Dream to Follow
Believing the Dream
More than a Dream

Dakotah Treasures
Ruby
Opal
Pearl
Amethyst
(These were an aside but they were good too)

Secret Refuge
Daughter of Twin Oaks (I'm pretty sure this was set in the Civil War if I remember correctly...not part of the Dakotah series)

Home to Blessing
A Measure of Mercy
No Distance Too Far
A Heart for Home

Daughters of Blessing
A Promise for Ellie
Sophie's Dilemma
A Touch of Grace
Rebecca's Reward
A Heart for Home

I guess I have read two other series, pretty much all the way through. In one, I followed the O'Malley family. These were some of my favorites!! One summer I got a thick book of the last three books in one. I'm pretty sure I read the last 3 in a day or two!

The Negotiator
The Guardian
The Truth Seeker
The Protector
The Healer
The Rescuer

The other series is by the famous Karen Kingsbury. Now I started late in this one so I haven't read all of them but since I started I haven't been able to stop. It's a little bit frustrating because now that I've caught up, I have to wait for her to write new ones! It's like watching Lost or something...I now know why people like to wait until the series is finished and watch them straight through on dvd! I kept thinking she would finish the story of Bailey only to realize she now has her own series! Kingsbury keeps leaving me hanging! Sounds like a good writer to me! This one follows the Baxter Family...

Sunrise
Summer
Someday
Sunset

Take One
Take Two
Take Three
Take Four

Leaving (on the list to read!)
Learning-not yet released
Longing-not yet released

What are some of your favorite series or books? Got any good ideas for summer reading?

A lil bit o fashion

Today I watched Martha Stuart and it was all about fashion....supposedly inexpensive bargain consignment shops. I think we do pretty well here in the South with places like Ross and The Orange Peel! Anyway, she had a guest on named Iris Apfel. I've never seen or heard of her but now I know all about her and she's got quite an eye for fashion, though perhaps a bit and some fun words of fashion wisdom...check out the article! Here are some of my favorite quotes and sections from the piece...

“If they don’t fit, ill turn them into pillows.”

“If you hear anyone say I'm dead, tell them: 'No, she's very much alive and just walking around to save funeral expenses.'"

"There's a sad lack of glamour in the world today," Apfel mourns. "And there's absolutely no fantasy."

“She once wanted to show Apfel some of her collection, and when she took out "this divine Geoffrey Beene dress", Apfel said: "Oh my God, you must have had so much fun wearing it!" The woman was horrified. She said: "Wear it!? This is part of my collection. You don't wear your collection!" Apfel said: "In that case I don't have a collection.”

“And wealth is in many ways a state of mind. Apfel asserts that she would never spend $700 on a handbag – not because she doesn't have $700 to spend, but because she doesn't think handbags should cost that much. Incidentally, she votes Republican. She is socially liberal, she explains, but fiscally conservative.”

“I had some doctors' wives, and one day one of them was wearing some beautiful alligator pumps. One of the ladies said: 'Oh my goodness, those are great-looking.' She said: 'Oh yes, two heart attacks.'" A couple of people had had to die, or almost die, in her husband's arms for those shoes. "So I took to wearing a black tunic with black stockings, high black boots, a hood. It was like a revolt."

"Doing your own thing is very good," Apfel concludes, "if you have a thing to do."

Fashion is like a big box of Lego to her."-Olowu

*Article written by Gaby Wood, The Observer, January 2010

Don't you think everyone can dance?

Love this! A friend posted it on facebook and I thought Id pass it on! I usually hold out that just about everyone can dance.....this looks so fun and is bound to bring a smile!

Midnight Conclusions

1. oreos and milk are delicious!

2. it is just about impossible to do dishes quietly....not matter how hard you try.

3. beach=summer. I hear it calling my name....is it calling yours? If it is, you should answer the call. All you have to do is show up. Come on, you know you want too!!

Beyond Hiccups

My hair is not quite as long as Rapunzel's much to the little four year old's disappointment, but she did claim that it was close and wondered why it wasn't the same length.

She did however, make sure that my nose was just the right size for me! We 'tried' on a few different ones and then she made me a special one!

We also attempted to get rid of the hiccups with the ET trick but for some reason it didn't work this time. Do you have any tricks to get rid of those little guys?

I also think babysitters should write a book entitled: Confessions of a Babysitter and record all their fun stories! Don't you think it would be a best seller?

Weddings

The nails are French tipped, the invitations have been sent, the gifts have been bought, the flowers are beautiful, the dresses are buttoned and zipped, the tuxes too are crisp and sharp. The party is near, the pictures are snapped, the food is warm and we've had a snack. There's just one thing left to do....of course they must say I do!

Here in Jackson getting ready for a friend's wedding!

Weddings can be stressful, it is a lot of people and a lot of organization. Sleep is often lost and by the time the big day arrives, the couple is so happy to just be married. It's neat when amidst all that stress and chaos, it only takes a little smile, hug, kiss, or even look from that special one and everything else seems to fade away.

Praise the Lord for marriage that is a reflection of how Christ loves the church. If only we would see Christ as the one who can make all the stress and chaos go away with a simple reminder of his vast love for us!

It was one of those days...

It was one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong....
Recently, I've had some curves thrown in best laid plans if you will and that's ok. I think sometimes God says, ok I know you think you have it all figured out but it's really ok if that changes.

I so often get caught up in what I want and what I think is best when really, I have no clue. Sadly, it is easy for me to get caught in the should-have-beens. Thankfully, it doesn't take much to snap out of it! I start to fall into woe-is-me's but oh how quickly that can change with a matter of perspective.

God brings one friend into my life to share an hour, hour and a half conversation and catch up! Suddenly, life isn't all about me and I realize that is the best place to be! Oh how I love to sit and listen to people share their lives, their struggles, their hopes, their dreams, their successes, their failures and ultimately I see God's hand at work!

Suddenly my problems aren't that big anymore. And if they are big, I am reminded that God has the whole world in his hands, as cliche as that may sound.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?....But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. EAch day has enough trouble of its own."-Matthew 6: 7, 33-34

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Romans 8:38-39

"Mim smiled tenderly. 'What a fine thing to be the answer to someone's prayers.' "
"Caught in the beauty and mystery of the moment, we were swept from horrible fear to awe-inspiring joy."
-Lisa Wingate Drenched in Light

Happy Mother's Day!

You are one amazing woman! I am so blessed to call you mom!

Oh my

Check out the Senior High Retreat!

Thursday

Summer has begun and for whatever reason whenever I come home I tend to sleep a lot. It's like I'm in college or something :)
Well I made it back to our new home in Loganville, GA.
Mom and dad have beautiful square foot gardens and though we had a small cold snap last night, this afternoon is just lovely!
There's just one problem: we have a bird, another bird, and a nest in our dryer ducts. Im afraid to run the dryer, because that just doesn't sound like it will end well. You can hear them scratching and building their nest! Today I even watched one climb through the chicken wire-now that's some dedication! I just don't know what we are going to do....

Thanks Gena!

Here they are! Im sorry they are so small but thanks to Gena for taking them....




slip n slide 2011

Brownies at Midnight

12:17 pm-we should get brownies and ice cream....12:25 Polson, come with us! 12:28....pour on the chocolate....12:30-she's sitting in a chair!!!....12:35 k bye, we came, we conquered, we left...this happened in real time and in the words of a Madagascar penguin: 'you didn't see anything'

Today we finished reading Broken Down House
I definitely recommend this book....here's some excerpts from the last chapter that I really liked

"There is never a situation, location, or relationship that you enter alone. Your Lord is not away somewhere and he never sleeps. He never greets your calls with ab suy signal. He is never too tired or too busy to respond. he will never mock your ignorance or weakness, and he does not cruelly throw your failure in your face. He will never threaten that he is at the end of his rope with you. He will not grow weary of your inconsistencies, bored with your ambivalence, or irritated when once again you fall short." p. 223

"Even the trials he sends you way will supply what you need: the character to live for him more effectively. These are all evidences of his commitment to you, that you might be who you are supposed to be and do what he has created you to do." p. 223

Just about every poem in this book was very powerful...here's a taste

Legacy

Its' impossible not to
somehow
someway.
I will leave a
trail
behind me.
I will leave
footprints
for others to
follow.
Footprints of
relationships
values
character
worldview
worship.
Footprints
of some kind of
glory.
May my trail point
others
to the glory
that can only be found in
You.

p. 204

Trip, Paul David. Broken-Down House Living Productively in a World Gone Bad. Shepherd Press, 2009.

Classics

Sometimes you just need a good song...

Happy Easter!

"He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon him.
By his wounds, by his wounds we are healed."

Friday

"It is finished!" went to a student led Good Friday service, rejoiced in the work of the cross! Reminded that "It is finished" is a victorious battle cry!

Thinking about the term Good Friday (it was such a horrific experience and yet brings life! Oh the sacrifice I don't think we will ever truly grasp this side of heaven).....Death on a Friday does not seem good but the consequences of the resurrection are far beyond good and bring Life. That the two can be used together, only God could orchestrate.

"And don't apologize for all the tears you've cried/you've been way too strong now for all your life."-Closer to Love by Mat Kearny....reminded that you never know what someone is going through and you don't have to go through life and its struggles alone.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

The Year of the M&M's is over :(

Today I took down all our hall decorations. I am really going to miss these girls! It has been a great semester and we have all grown so much! God is good all the time!



We've seen some girls go and had some new ones join, but we'll always have the memories! Thanks for a great year 3rd floor street side!

Out Of The Wreckage In Raleigh, A Hero Emerges

Out Of The Wreckage In Raleigh, A Hero Emerges

Makes me cry! What a testimony! You never know the needs that are right next door!

BU Slip n slide and the moon

I love my school.

Hopefully more pics will come but for now...

Enjoy!

I also love study day. Its great-laughing, hanging out with friends, slippin' and slidin', good food. Ok, I read at least one chapter in my science book :p
and i even learned something....

Halley's comet is not named after its founder but the guy who predicted the cycle of appearances of the comet. Mark Twain was born and died when the comet appeared. "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.' "-Mark Twain (p. 493 Shipman, Wilson, Todd)

The Large Megellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud Galaxies were named after Ferdinand Magellan because his crew was the first to spot them, they can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

The Milky Way gets its name because its stars look like a trail of spilled milk.

Well I actually read about those last two today but I did find out why the moon is sometimes orange (pollution or the blues are scattered because it is low on the horizon and all the colors have dispersed through a whole lot of atmosphere) yesterday (I googled it). But i promise I read all about the moon yesterday! Pretty amazing stuff! Can I just say there are a whole lot of moons out there!

Just in case you are dying to read this book: Shipman, Wilson, Todd, An Introduction to Physical Science, 12th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009.

"God shakes you and you gotta let go of what your holding onto, the more God shakes you, the less the world shakes you."

Last day of classes

Here's some pics from my Reading Class and Social Studies class (I had news up to my ears!)




My sticky notes are disappearing. My life was in sticky notes but now they are slowly depleting, except that somehow I keep finding more to make. Either way, it's a sign that things are coming to a close. Today was the last day of classes for my junior year!

Went on a senior high youth retreat this past weekend. It was full of quelf, attempts at jokes, messy games, an epic shaving cream battle, and some good thoughts from Daniel.
I almost avoided the shaving cream but I suppose when you spray someone with shaving cream you all of a sudden become a big target....

Finished!

Well im not quite finished junior year yet but I did finish my forty chilren's book project so here's the final list! Don't worry, next year I'll read 60 more, keep ya posted!

Dance

A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student by Valerie Galdstone
Marie: An Invitation to Dance, France 1775 by Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird
Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quijada
Dance! by Elisha Cooper
Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts
Piggies in a Polka by Kathi Appelt and Leuyen Pham
Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems (this is super cute! for preschoolers or kindergartners)
Feel the Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Jenai Cutcher

I still want to read The Day We Danced in our Underpants by Sarah Wilson

Nonfiction

Magic Windows Ventanas Magicas by Carman Lomas Garza
See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman
Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley
Cleopatra by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Safari by Robert Bateman
C.S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller by Beatrice Gormley (now I want to read Boxen)
Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope (very difficult subject matter, might break your heart but powerful) by Jenna Bush
The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek
You are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions by Diane Swanson

What can I say, I love biographies!

Newbery

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (great ending and fun characters and chapter titles)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (the movies is pretty accurate)
The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread by kate Dicamillo (my favorite! a must read!)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (silly and quirky with an unexpected ending, mystery!)
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (might make ya cry, great integration of art and worth a read!)
Holes by Louis Sachar (movie is also very accurate but you should still read the book!)
Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (I heard there's a sequel, I want to try it!)
Sounder by William Armstrong (a classic but slightly depressing, hard times!)
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor (also very sad but good explanations about slavery)
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg (you've got to read this, it will take you back to the days of childhood, smart kids spend a week in a museum!)

Controversial

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
The Great Waldo Search by Martin Handford (can you find him?)
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell (boys will be boys, just don't eat while you read it...)
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (precious)
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (the original people watcher)

Multicultrual-Indians
Beyond the Ridge by Paul Goble
My Song is Beautiful Poems and Pictures in Many Voices Selected by Mary Ann Hoberman (every teacher should have a copy of this!)
Eyewitness Books: Aztec, Inca and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano (great resource but some unpleasant customs)
Beardream by Will Hobbs (beautiful illustrations)
Pocahontas Princess of the New World by Kathleen Krull (bright pics and interesting info, again I love bios)

Do you have any favorite kids books I should check out?!

What if-thoughts from Laura Story

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise....'

-Laura Story "Blessings"

Thanks Kimber and Klove for sharing this song!

There's a little kid in all of us!

The Mississippi Children's Museum is the place to be on a rainy day! Actually on any day! There are cars to race, gears to move around, cows to milk, construction projects to work, a kid-sized model of MS, an underground to explore complete with a volcano, puzzles to build, healthy workouts, DDR, theater, story books, a trip through the digestive system (complete with sound effects), dancing, sail boat racing, fishing, music making, sculpting, paint, lifesized scrabble, and more!! We were blessed to have a tour and even had some time to play!


The Underground complete with mirrors and explorer coats! Yes, you can crawl through tunnels!



All-time favorite exhibit! I mean the others are great too....it's hard to choose!



My friends liked to explore...



The dance, music, and art exhibits were so interactive! You could take ballet, record your own mix, video yourself dancing, and more!

Check it out here!

Today in science class...

Today in science class... we had more science experiments. (Ok this was actually on Monday but I got a little behind.) We learned about convection cycles, taste buds (i tried a cry baby for the first time! the gum didn't last long but it sure was sour!), fat free foods v. fat foods, and miscible and immiscible liquids. Sometimes, it is pretty funny to watch grown adults be in an elementary classroom. It is quite necessary because it is important to get on a child's level, but it also makes for some great conversations. I also had an excellent picture moment but alas by the time I got a camera, the moment was gone. It was of two 'students' (college students) pouring liquid very carefully and watching and waiting to see what would happen while the teacher (college student) helps. Ah yes! exciting times. Anyway...

On predicting what will happen when an oil and a liquid are combined...

Girl: I think they will separate.
Boy: I think she's done this before.
Girl: I think I'm smart.
Boy: I think your a liar. Wait, what grade are we in? 6th? yes that's something I totally would have said in 6th grade.
Ms. Quinn: and you would have totally been in the corner!

Girl and Boy poking each other. Innocent bystander: are they in love?

Sometimes we are such kids in class :) Oh to be back in the day when you say you are going out to eat and they automatically think you have a date.

"When experiments work, it's a glorious thing!"-Ms. Quinn

And now, we dance!

Some of you may know that I am also a dance minor. As a minor, we get to critique dance pieces. This semester we had to critique a classical dance variation. I chose Marianela Nuñezas as The Lilac Fairy. She is an impeccable dancer and my critique was all positive, no areas in which to improve. I mean after those fouettes into pirouettes and those incredible balances, you are left speechless!!

Just a little while longer and dreams WILL come true...

I will post much more, hopefully tomorrow! But I am sitting here, quite sleepy and thinking...I know there will be an end to this school work, actually quite soon. Maybe then I can finish a non-related school book or watch a movie! Hey a girl can try to make her dreams come true :)

Easter Egg Hunt

Good times

Easter Eggstravaganza!!
For our last hall party of the year we decided to do our annual Easter Egg hunt as a joint hall party. Decorate your bag and start huntin'! 600 eggs, 20 gift cards and lots of delicious food! Caldwell held true to its saying and we sure had some good times!

BU Reader's Theater Play

One of my finals in one of my reading classes was to perform a Reader's Theater. Our class did a take on the book Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman. This is a western version of Cinderella. It was very cute and unfortunately both my mac video and my camera video failed me but I did manage to get a picture and a preview of the show. Enjoy!

Shine

Service day! Jackson had a local service day called Shine in which Pinelake Church partnered with the community and helped beautify the city! Our Education Department, KDE, took a group to help out as well. We started with picking up trash and branches on lots that a nonprofit organization just received. These lots will be cleaned and new family homes will be built! There is something special about a home and to see them in such disrepair really breaks your heart. I'm so glad there is hope and so thankful for people who are in the business of fixing up homes!
Many people were already at this site so we went to an elementary school to help out. We weeded a garden bed and layed some mulch. Others put up picnic tables and painted the outside of the school. We worked on a fresh coat of paint for the office. Kelsey and I tackled the green sections. Once again, I lived up to my name and was quite green. At least it was a cheerful and happy green! Kelsey and I plan to paint Jackson rainbow colors...

Pavilion Fest

Well it is that time of year again, the end of the year! Our semester is shortened this year so we will finish school by April 30th, actually classes will be done before then! Friday we had our annual talent show...Here's a taste of some of the acts

Robert Little's Dream Power

At Power APAC, on Wednesday, author Robert Little came to speak. He is a children's book author and motivational speaker. He is big into 'dream power' where you work hard for your dreams and you can be or do anything you want. He opened with a story about a young boy who skipped school to play on a frozen river with his friend. The friend fell through the ice and the boy could not reach him. He did, however, find a huge limb and got it into the water so he could pull his friend to safety. The paramedics came and said there's no way the boy could have lifted that limb-it was too heavy. An older gentleman watched from the side and said, "I know how he did it. There was no one there to tell him he couldn't."

Life Lessons

today i learned

1. don't leave your window open when there are tornado warnings and watches. If you do, your window sill, ac unit, and floor will become quite slick.

2. avoid opening an umbrella when it is windy and stormy. It WILL flip upwards into a 'u' shape instead of an 'n' shape. and then you will laugh about it in class and your teacher will wonder why you are grinning and you simply agree with whatever they just said and try to wipe that grin off your face.

3. you generally can't go wrong with curious george and chocolate.

and yes we make spiders in class. well only the good kind of course. don't worry, it was dead, i certainly would not eat a live one. actually i was hard pressed to eat this one as i really stopped to think about a spider, but then again the krispy kreme was calling my name.

did you know that a spider can have 6, 8, 12 plus eyes!

Question

Why is it that when you start eating at 1:00am you just can't seem to stop? And you always seem to get that craving at college....ok you could be at home too.

How come chocolate and nuts put together are so delicious? And why is it that when you eat them, you admit that its ok because somehow the nut is healthy? Ok its healthier than just chocolate. And you somehow feel like it will fill you up. Once again, the idea that it has some potential of being good for you. Or at least better than your average chocolate bar.

I do not know. But that is why I like peanut M&M's. And snickers.

Lessons....

Today I learned:
1. Catfish are big and gross.
2. So are some nature videos where they show spiders eating bats.
3. It is sad when it rains because then little kids are subjected to nature videos which are interesting and amazing but a 'lil shocking.
4. My college degree is so that I can peel oranges for kids.
5. Suddenly 20 somehow became old.
6. Yes, I am in my 20's, no I am not 25, but if I look like a teenager, or 23, or 25 NOW, what will i look like when I'm actually 25?
7.You've got to have in imagination, thank you very much Captain Hook for that reminder.

Its amazing how much you learn in four hours observing an elementary school class compared to how much you learn in a semester of college.

Rain. Beautiful Rain. Fresh.

Tonight is beautiful.
I am sitting on my bed right in front of the window.
There's absolutely nothing like smelling fresh rain, listening to the pitter patter and sprinkle of rain drops and hearing some rolling thunder. A nice cool breeze wading into my room. How lovely.

Fresh. New starts. Change. Rain washes away so much.

God is so good.

Chapel today was given by Dr. Guy Richardson and he did have some thought provoking statements.
He said how leaders serve. He brought up the story of how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and commented on how, to wash someone's feet, you have to bend over or kneel down, you can't be standing up proudly. Great reminder that no job is too low for a leader.

Shared a statement on love: You can give without loving but you can't love without giving.

Ballet was also very encouraging too. Our dance teacher stopped and asked us how we were doing. After many comments of "stressed" or "sick" he mentioned James 1:17 and Matthew 11:30. It was neat to hear someone talk about how even in the midst of circumstances you can still find a way to 'dance'. Great reminders that God is in control. He wants us to lose control so he can take it.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

yes, we make eggs float in class

Life as an El Ed Major...

Guess what...it worked!

On this Sunday morning

Woke up to darkness and thunder.
Perfect for sleeping.

On this Sundy morning, I do indeed love the rain but sometimes you just need a little sunshine in your life to remind you of beautiful truth! God knows just what you need, and I did catch a glimpse of it lighting up the tree branches. The clouds came back but it was just what I needed. Thank you Jesus for your reminders, short and sweet was all I needed!

Also, can we have story time-a bedtime story full of red ferrari horses and rain storms of bubble gum!

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."-Psalm 100:5

Oh Newbery

Some favorite passages, quotes from Newbery books I have been reading....

"But before he could speak, Crane-man continued. 'Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk.' 'One day, one village. That is how you will go, my friend.' "

"How much slower the work went when the joy of it was gone."
"Why was it that pride and foolishness were so often close companions."
-A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

" 'Sounder might come home again. But you must learn to lose, child. The Lord teaches the old to lose. The young don't know how to learn it. Some people is born to keep. Some is born to lose. We was born to lose, I recon. But Sounder might come back.' "-Sounder by William H. Armstrong

"Zero wasn't worried. 'When you spend your whole life living in a hole,' he said, 'the only way you can go is up.' "

"She ran to him. She wanted to throw her arms around him but couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead she hugged Mary Lou's neck.
'Is something wrong?' he asked her.
'Oh, Sam,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.'
'I can fix that,' said Sam.
She turned to him.
He took hold of both her hands, and kissed her.
Because of the rain, there was nobody else out on the street. Even if there was, Katherine and Sam wouldn't have noticed. They were lost in their own world."-Holes by Louis Sachar

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."-Revelation 21:4-5

Are you wearing green or reading?

Are you wearing green today? I don't know if I am yet because I'm still in my PJ's reading. You can get a lot accomplished when it comes to schoolwork if you just wake up and hop to it. Stay in those PJ's and get the job done!

Oh my it has been much too long since I have posted. Somehow I have a lot of books to read with this forty book class so over Spring Break, I'm putting a dent in the Newberry Books. I read the Whipping Boy this morning because it's short and I thought it would help me feel like I'm actually making some headway. It turned out to have one of the better endings. As far as Newberry Books go, some of them have heavy issues and sad endings like Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. Bridge to Tarebithia is sad but ends as well as possible. The Whipping Boy had a great ending and since I don't want to spoil it, here's a few of my favorite quotes...

"Was it clothes that made a prince, Jemmy wondered, just as rags made a street boy."

" 'One more thing!' The king broke into a smile you could warm your hands over. 'If you boys decide to run away again, take me with you.' "-The Whipping Boy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Good night and good morning!

You know you got to school in the South when....
They serve King Cake in the caf! and it actually tastes really good!

I love books. I would like to read for fun soon. I am thankful I get to read 40 books for one of my classes because I have trouble picking which books to read! I need to remember this, when I am struggling to finish reading all of them.

I danced today! Actually a lot. I had two classes, a chapel performance, and a show with two pieces. I think that is the most I've danced in one day since my college career. It was really fun-God is so good!

And now, my body is telling me it needs sleep after all that dancing!

1 Peter 3:4
but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Sanctuary

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

With that, good night and good morning!

what makes me happy

Pink lemonade at midnight makes me happy.
Ice cream in the summer makes me happy.
Summer time-cooking out with delicious food, makes me happy.
Food makes me happy.
It doesn't take much to make me happy.
Grace-now that's something to be ecstatic about!

what makes you happy?

ps posting in three's makes me happy for Annie....I didn't do them all at once but I got three in one day!

courage, it's a good thing

"....Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me." Ezra 7:28

Mid-week

Wait (p. 110) from Broken-Down House by Paul David Tripp

I have come to
understand
that I am not the
author
of my own story.
My narrative
is being penned
by One
who is the definition
of all that is
wise
loving
pure
true
and good.
But since I am
in the story but not the
author of the story
I am often called
to wait.
I wish I could say
that I wait well
but I don't.
I wish I could say
that I never question
your wisdom
but I do.
So, Lord
once more I ask for the
grace to wait
not only so I can get
what I'm waiting for
but so that I will become
what you want me to become
as I wait.

Spring Break is ever closer!

Sunday

Two songs I had in my mind today that go along with two thoughts
1. I want to be available to God for Him to work in and through me.
2. I want to love like He does.






It seems like so many are losing loved ones and facing tragedies and trials in their lives. The world is a chaotic place right now and I think now more than ever, the church has an opportunity.

I want to hold God's hand...

Happy Monday

There's a mountain
Here before me
And I'm going to climb it
With strength not my own
He's gonna lead me
Or the mountain beats me
Carry me through
Carry me through

There's a river
Here before me
And I'm gonna cross it
with strength not my own
He's gonna save me
Or the river takes me.
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
Help me in.

Oh Lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

There's a sinner
Here before me
And I'm gonna give them
Strength not my own
He's gonna carry me
when I get weary
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
And help me in

Oh lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Carry me through

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Lord Sweet Lord
Carry me through.

-Carry Me Through, David Mackee Barnes

I love to read!

I really do love to read! I remember in hs I used to not like the fact that I was 'forced' to read summer reading but somehow I generally managed to like the books after I read them. I went to the library yesterday and found some great books! My next reading segment is 10 Nonfiction books. For some reason I was really drawn to the Biographies, I just love learning, reading about other people's lives!

Oh and I picked one more dance book up to add my collection because it was just so good!

A Dictionary of Dance by Liz Murphy-fun pictures and great simple terminology

10 Non-ficton (I haven't read them all yet, but I did check them out-that's the first step!)

1. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles-what an amazing little girl! beautiful illustrations

2. The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek-the story of Joseph

3. Magic Windows by Carmen Lomas Garza

4. C.S. Lewis Christian and Storyteller by Beatrice Gormley

5. Anna's Story A Journey of Hope by Jenna Bush

6. See How They Run Campaign Dreams, Elections, Schemes, and the Race to the White House

7. Safari by Robert Bateman

8. You are Weird Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions by Diane Swanson

9. Cleopatra by Diane Stanley Vennema and Peter Vennema

10. Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley

I found myself having trouble picking books because so many of them looked good! So many books so little time!

Valentine's Day and sticks

I got a Valentine package today from my momma!



Psalm 136
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Most of us had a pretty full Valentine's Day since it was on a Monday this year.

I had class just about all day but sometimes class can be fun. We went to give a book talk (i gave one on dance to some very cute and excited kindergarteners) and went to the science museum to see all kinds of fun animals.

The alligators live with the turtles-its amazing how the alligator just rests its head on the turtle's back, such opposites of strength in nature, yet they live together! If you turn an alligator on its back, he will go unconscious. They also adapt to whatever temperature environment surounds them.

The gopher tortoise was grumpy because he wanted to go for a walk so he was pushing over all the stuff in his pen. I think I could just sit and watch animals for a long time. He was making quite the racket during a speech!

The Eastern Indigo Snake can shoot some not so pleasant stuff a very far distance and also eats venomous snakes! Their tongues are amazing!

We saw some sort of albino fish, which was cool. Because they are all white and don't have any sort of camouflage, they get eaten rather quickly.

We also saw these turtles that slap each other around, they do have a purpose for this odd behavior. If you really want to know, I will tell you the secret behind this funky little play time.

There was a very old dogwood and we were reminded that the dogwood is the tree that the cross of Jesus was made. The Judas tree as well, always grows crooked.

We were good little students and stayed around after our tour....we just HAD to go through the butterfly exhibit. I got my card stamped and everything!

I learned today that my country, America, is named after Amerigo Vespucci. He was a map maker and everyone kept seeing his name on the bottom of maps.

In other news...you know your an El Ed major when you 1. Take pictures of all the American flags on the way home from the store. 2. Your only reason to go outside is to find a small tree for your project. 3. It's 11:00 pm and you, again, go outside to look for sticks because there has to be some sort of creative way to represent the Underground Railroad...

-Life as an Education Major.

Be Still

We have a chance of snow again here in MS. I have to say, the once nice thing about snow days in the South is that everyone has to stop. They are forced to stay home and 'do' nothing. I love how time stands still. And if you do actually get some of that beautiful snow, you can take a deep breath and say Thanks God!

Excerpts from Broken-down House by Paul David Tripp

"Sometimes, what looks like obedience on the surface may not be obedience at all....You ask your child to turn off his Gameboy and go clean his room. As he goes down the hallway he loudly and rather disrespectfully complains about your request. If obedience is a willing submission of the heart to the authorities God has placed in his life, then this child is not being obedient. No, what looks a little like external obedience is not obedience at all, but a rebellious heart bowing only reluctantly to the power of another." (bold added by me)

"But the battle is ever-present, and I am afraid that at the same moment we are nibbling at the table of the Lord, we are often stuffing ourselves at the buffet of the world. No wonder our hearts are not satisfied; we are feasting on food that has no capacity to satisfy. And no wonder we are addicted; as we feed on what cannot satisfy, we must go back again and again and again."

Source: Tripp, Paul David. Broken-down House Living Productively in a World Gone Bad. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2009. 93, 95. Print.

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, I was flying back from my Grandpa's memorial. I remember because it was the second time I had flown by myself and the Super Bowl (the one with the Saints-who Dat!) was going on. I was flying in the South so people were very excited, they even let people board at the very last minute just so they could keep up with the game!

Grandpa has been in Heaven for a whole year!! We shall have to have that bowl of ice cream when I get there!

College tends to be a roller coaster and though students are not quite living an 'adult' life per say, sometimes they are thrown into life head first, more than they expected. I have one more year left and looking back so much has happened: life, death, taxes. Well that sounds a bit dramatic but honestly, a lot has happened and yet God is there every step of the way just as He promised!



P.S. the pic was taken by Alli and her caption says it all: I know it's blurry, but it's the only picture I have of Grandpa Schreck taking pictures. The whole photographer thing apparently runs in the family - we had three guys with fancy cameras taking a billion pictures.


We love our Schreck boys!

So many books so little time

I finished reading my ten books for my topic (combination of fiction and nonfiction): Dance (I wanted to read The Day We Danced in Underpants by Sarah Wilson, but I couldn't find it. There are SO many good ones to choose from, I most certainly did not pick the best but here's what I read. If I had more time and resources I think I would've chosen differently.

Nonfiction

Dance! by Elisha Cooper (my favorite Nonfiction I read!)

Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quijada (great overview of all styles of dance, simple how-to's, and some fun trivia!)

Feel the Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Jenai Cutcher (some interesting info about how MTV started, though today it is far from what it was)

A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student by Valerie Gladstone (has real-life pictures and I think kids would enjoy learning about an actual dance school!)

Fiction (I really enjoyed these!)

Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird (thanks mom!)

Jazzy Miz Mosetta by Brenda C. Roberts (jazz and the South at its finest! shows that young and old can dance!)

Piggies in a Polka by Kathi Appelt and Leuyen Pham (the piggies go to the "yearly hootenanny")

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg (Disney and Whoopi came out with a good story, this is a series so young readers can keep going!)

Marie: An Invitation to Dance, France 1775 by Kathleen V. Kudlinski (excellent historical fiction and easy to understand, beautiful illustrations and fun story)

Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems (My favorite! You just must read about Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig!)

Next group: Nonfiction!
We'll see how my Dance Booktalk goes...

It's great to be a kid

I just love this. Also I have babysat for a little one before who, I think, could've experienced this...

P.S. thanks for sharing this Abbie

Hall Party!

3rd Floor Street Side! We finally had our SPA themed hall party and I think it turned out ok :). It was full of goodies, magazines, massages, movies, and more! We watched Letters to Juliet and painted nails-a truly girly night!

40 Books

I have to read 40 Children's Books for one of my classes. They are divided into categories and the first category is a topic/subject of my choice for a Book Talk we will give. My topic: Dance.

So far, I've read four books. (I know I'm a bit behind but I hope to spend much of my day in the library tomorrow or Saturday!) If you don't mind, I'll keep a running record and update you on all the books I choose. If you have any suggestions, let me know! I love to read, especially children's books! I know, I'm a child at heart.

10 Books (Nonfiction or Fiction) on Dance:

1. Dance! by Elisha Cooper (I really like this one-the print is in unusual patterns and beautiful water color pictures are used as illustrations, the information is also very accurate!)

2. Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quidad (good resource for kids, shows a wide variety of dance styles)

3. A Young Dancer The Life of an Ailey Student (check out the Alvin Ailey School!)

4. Feel The Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Tenai Cutcher (might not recommend this for elementary school kids to read as it discusses MTV, but interesting information)

A Saturday on a Wednesday?

I have one of my busiest schedules of my college career but somehow I managed to be blessed with only one class on Wednesdays and Fridays. It's a little odd but very much needed, as the other three days of the week tend to be relatively full.

So yesterday, I had my Saturday on Wednesday...

So what do you do on a Saturday? You shop. And run errands and catch up on life.
Well first, I went to one class, did some reading, sat at the Leadership Fair for school and prepared to attempt the Verizon store (my phone is a little bit broken). Verizon was a quick trip because we have to make some decisions. Putting that aside, I headed to good ol' Wolly's World, and the Dollar Tree! It was time to do some shopping!
Our latest hall party for the girls on 3rd floor street side will be a SPA party so I pulled out my list and hopped to it!

I got platters, and decorations, and of course all kinds of fun spa goodies. I didn't realize how many lotions, creams, and tools they offer to take care of feet, nails, and face!

It was hard to decide what to get on my limited but well supplied budget! I am very excited to see how it all turns out. I'm going to try a really easy peanut butter cookie recipe and make some brownies!

It should be quite the girl's night...I'll let you know how it goes and try to snap a few pics! Here's a taste of what the night might look like....


Do you have any beauty secrets to share?

Heavy Heart

Wish i could be there for my friends but on my knees in prayer instead!
God is faithful!

Short and oh so sweet

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Do what you are called to do...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good pleasing and perfect will. For by grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is in contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12: 2-3 and 6-8

MLK Day

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Belhaven University has an optional service day the first half of the morning. Our little group went to the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Jackson. We were able to help paint and organize!

Quick look

here's a quick look at some fun things I've done in the past few months...

From most recent...
Some of my classmates and I attended a Poject WET workshop at the Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, MS. It was a great workshop and I'd highly recommend it. If you want some more info click on the Project WET words it will take you to their site!
The Museum was also fun and the following are a few of the creatures we got to see.



This guy was brought in by someone and yes, it's a two-headed snake! Apparently both heads do eat and one side appears more in control.



This little fellow just seemed very cute. and hungry. They swim around with their mouths open waiting to eat. It seemed like they enjoyed posing for us. They were in a tank with a turtle. He was hungry too and ate a fish; there were scales flying everywhere! Its amazing to me how turtles and alligators can swim together and not get eaten.



You guessed it! Jackson was part of the ice storm and unfortunately we just got ice. The snow skipped Jackson. My friend Jessica was so nice to help me scrape my car. I also discovered that the defrost works wonders! My little car, Joy, has seen a lot of weather in her time.



I included this pic because, alas, I headed back to school for another semester. This is my amazing endless/bottomless bag that I got for my birthday one year, from my brother and his wife. I can't fit just about anything in it! Of course, you can see, I brought along some essentials :)



At home, I finally made this recipe I had wanted to make for a while: Pecan Chicken Pockets.
They are easy and tasty-very rich though so you can't eat a lot. On second thought, I think I might like to try making them again sometime. If you'd like to try it, check out the recipe by clicking on the words 'Pecan Chicken Pockets'.

Frogs, tomatoes, and life

My life suddenly got quite occupied with a wide variety of subjects and topics. Why is this you ask? Because I am an elementary education major. It has been quite some time since I've signed off as "life as an education major" or shared a Ms. Quinn story. So now, without any further ado...I would like to do just that.

"Little children can always ask questions that we can't answer."-Ms. Quinn

Ms. Quinn asked a little boy what he learned from the story of David and Goliath. His lesson: Duck. Well said my friend, well said.

On behalf of America, I would like to thank Thomas Jefferson for introducing us to tomatoes. They are both pretty and not poisonous contrary to popular belief in TJ's (Thomas Jefferson's) time.

Experiments are wonderful. Especially when they involve tears and joy. Well I would try to avoid the tears, but if you want a great experiment that kids will never forget, and may even claim it is the best one: watch a frog hibernate. It's that simple. And you didn't even know frogs COULD hibernate. It's ok, I didn't either.
Step 1: catch a frog.
Step 2: observe said frog.
Step 3: put ice in water.
Step 4: frog will shut both eyelids and sink to the bottom of the tank.
-Note: kids my cry and fear the poor little guy is dead.
Step 5: have no fear!
Step 6: let the water return to a warmer temperature and your frog will come back to life!
Step 7: beware of hopping frogs that have come back to life
-Note: kids generally cheer and shout at this time

Did you know? That people wore their wedding bands on their ring finger originally because it was believed that this location contained the one vain that ran all the way from your finger to your heart. Aw, so sweet. Now we know that veins run throughout the body as the heart pumps the blood but hey, it was the thought that counted!

-Life as an Education Major.

Firsts!

It's my first day of being a Senior! (well with credits)
It's my friends' last first day of classes!
It's my first time, in a very long time, sitting at a desk to read a school book ....we'll see how long that one lasts!

Winter musings

Back at BU for another semester. I can not believe that after this one, I will be a senior (i just found out that I do actually have senior level credits right now)! And for once in my college career I might not be taking summer school (well at a campus, I might take one class online but I'm not sure yet).

Well, it didn't rain when I came back to school this time but it certainly was windy! Instead, we had a 'wintry mix' Saturday and Sunday. Jackson mostly got encased in a bit of ice as the snow just kinda skipped us. Oh well, it sure makes for some lovely trees. We braved the weather and went to church on Sunday but it took us about 15 minutes to thaw my car-never had to do that before! My friend from Iowa offered to scrape the winshield for me, so I handed her my credit card and she was like, that's what you use?! It was quite funny. Thankfully we cranked up the defrost and another friend had an ice scraper we used.

A hard lesson: don't get stuck living in the past. Look forward to when you can look back and say THAT has the mark of Christ!
Romans 8:24-25
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

PS for those of you who liked the red layout, i did too but i also like this one-Im all about the cheerfulness and happy colors. Kimjo, i thought id update my blog design too :)

Another Update

Now there are not just birds! there are squirrels!!! We were just about to pray before breakfast and I looked out the window and low and behold I saw a very big bushy tail that accompanied a cute little squirrel. We prayed and then dad "scatted" the little guy while mom said, "but he's so cute!"
Watching the today show on my last day at home with mom we saw Ted Williams (the homeless man that was in the yahoo news story yesterday). What a neat story: another news man and his family saw him around Christmas, gave him $20 and heard his gift. The news man kept looking for him and told him he wanted to video him. The next thing he knows, he's got lots of job offers and is on lots of morning shows! All I could think about was the quote I heard on Sunday by Mr. Andy Stanley: "Do for one what you wish you could for everyone."

Thanks yahoo news!

I like to read yahoo news stories.
Today's highlights included a homeless man with a really cool radio voice and a shoe tree.
I want to find a shoe tree. But some vandals went and chopped it down. Why would you do that? The story goes that shoe trees were started when a couple tossed each other's shoes in the tree on their wedding night because they were in a bit of a disagreement and the rest is history!

Good Word

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."-Acts 4: 13

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."-Colossians 1:27

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."-Psalm 28:6-7

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."-Romans 3:22-24

Oh school

I just found out that school starts next Wednesday not next Monday. Except, one of my night classes starts today. It's going to be an interesting semester.

Christmas isn't over Just Yet....

It's a wonderful Life-classic Christmas movie....here are some of my favorite quotes from it:

"No man is a failure who has friends."

"I want to live again!"

"The only things you can take with you are the things you give away."

A new prayer

"Do for one, what you wish you could do for everyone."-Andy Stanley