Just Because

Fun times in the yard!

Sometimes you just need to wear your goggles.

Practicing for the tightrope

All smiles!

Mohawk bath baby hairdo.

Bubble bath princess.

Sir Smiles-a-lot

Jungle mud baby

Pretty pose before sliding on the the slip-n-slide.

One night we made the biggest pancake in America!

Getting ready to brush her teeth.

More fun beach pics

Running into the waves!

At the Astros game!

Every Day With You

Every day with them
Is something new
something wonderful
when I feel there's no more reasons to go on
to get out of bed
to do the dishes . . .
I see their faces
and I know
that there's something worth it . . .
Every day with you
Is comforting and humbling
It has been the best experience
To watch you grow
from a baby
into the young lady
that you are becoming
Every day with you
Is about learning
Because you love to tell us
Everything
that you have learned that day -
from bats to lazy 8's to amphibians to four-digits
You want us to know
everything that you know
And I am so happy that you do.
And you tell me things from church -
last night it was the letters that your class wrote
to children of missionaries;
Twenty letters in all, you said!
Won't they be surprised when they open their mailbox!
It makes you happy
To make others happy
Every day with you
Is a lesson in love
You love your family,
Your sister and your brother,
your mom and dad
and you try so hard
to teach us all to be kind to one another
to love each other as a family
to pray for one another
My little first-born, seven-year-old,
You love the Lord
and you pray for your family
and your classmates
and you challenge me
to be better
Your love and forgiveness
amaze me,
when you have rights to so many things,
you lay them down, to save others from hurt,
even at age seven
Every day with you makes me so happy
That I can be your mom and your friend.

Every day with you
Is a wonderful surprise!
Your smile is contagious
As you wake up with a happy grin,
and announce to the world,
"I'm awake!"
You are learning so much
becoming a little girl
not even much of a toddler anymore
Every day with you
is happiness,
joy and energy
I try to keep up with you
But sometimes I can't!
We love to talk with you
To hear the funny things you say
To hear your ferocious growl as you say,
"Rrrrr! I'm a scary monster!"
And giggle as we mock surprise
We love to tickle you and hear you shriek,
"Stop! Stop!"
And when we stop, to hear you say,
"Tickle me more!"
You tell us that you are a princess
And that your big sister is the king
My heart is full of happiness as I see your joy
When sister comes home from school
And to hear you ask after her all day
You love her
And when your little brother is upset,
to hear you say,
"Boo-Boo ok?"
You care about your family
It also makes me happy when you sing songs,
The ones you are learning at Sunday school,
"Oh, I love God!"
"Jesus loves me!"
They're so true, my sweet girl
Every day with you and your big smile
Is absolute and pure joy.

Every day with you
Is something new
How I would miss
Your cuddles,
your hugs and sugars,
your ready smiles and giggles
If you were not part of our family.
Every day with you
Is full of love
as you love to hug us all
to snuggle up
to give us those winning smiles
You make us all feel so special
Every day with you
Is so much fun
You amaze us with
New words, new dances,
New expressions;
Your sisters amaze you
and we love to watch you
as you stare at their antics,
Planted in one spot on the floor,
Grinning big . . .
You are so happy
so easygoing
I love to sit with you in my lap
as you look at me intently
and we have important conversations
I can tell you are saying big things
Important things
And you're growing and growing
becoming a little boy
but still enough of a baby
for Mommy and Daddy to cuddle you
and cradle you . . .
Every day with you is wonderful.

Happy Birthday!

It's my friend, the Boss's, birthday today! So you should go by her blog and wish her a happy birthday!
I refuse to tell you her age, but if you are clever enough to figure out complitcated formulas, you might figure it out from this riddle:
It has a three near (the first number) the beginning of her two-digit birthday number and a 0 somewhere (the last number) of the two-digit birthday number. Only a realy smarty could figure this out, so good luck!
I can't tease her for much longer, because that same number is looming in my very near future!
Anyway, Boss, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!




*ps, for those who might be upset that I didn't remember their birthdays - Boss and I talked a couple or so weeks ago and said how we never remembered anyone's birthdays, but how we might remember birthday months, then told each other our birthdays, so I wrote it down right then and there. Which is what I ought to do with everyone's birthdays!

The veggies you gave me were great, Mom . . .

. . . but the brownie you gave me was much better!

I Want to Have More Kids

Nothing mysterious about that. I do. I want more kids. A few more, possibly. But it seems that a lot of people think that is not a good idea to have more kids. In my world, people have two kids. That's it. Two. Maybe three, and usually the third is an oops. But then the tubes get tied, the hubby gets fixed, whatever. And that's fine. If you want a family of four, I don't judge you. I personally don't care how many children you want to have, or don't want to have for that matter. But for some reason people seem very interested in the number of kids that I want to have.

I usually cringe when I even feel the beginning of the question, "So . . . "

This is a "So . . . " that has been building after a conversation about my children and about how I feel being the mom of three young kids. Tired, exhausted, frustrated, joyful, angry, unsure, etc., etc. (but please show me a mom who has never felt those things . . . even if they have only one child).

"So . . . do you think this is it? Do you want any more?"

And then when I say yes, the person with whom I'm conversing will usually say, "Girl, you're crazy!" or, "Oh, girl, that is not for me!" And like I said, that's fine. But it is for me, and sometimes I get more (what I think are) judgmental comments.

A friend asked me just a couple of days ago, after asking the, "So . . . " question, "Why?!"

I told her that I like the thought of a big family, of all the kids and grandkids coming home for holidays, the house full and bursting at the seams. I still cling to some of my ideals, and a big family is one of them. My friend said, "Well, just because you want that doesn't mean it is going to turn out that way," and went on to tell me stories of siblings not getting along.

I'm sure that my friend cares about me and just wanted me to enter reality for a moment. I didn't say to my friend that I live in reality. I know already that it's hard to be the mom of kids and that it never gets easier. And just because sometimes siblings don't get along, who's to say that BW and I can't cultivate the kind of family in which siblings do love each other and get along? I always got along with my brothers (well, past the beating-up, kid stage). My dad and all seven of his siblings get along, and always have been agreeable and had fun together. Those are the examples that I have to go on. Why couldn't my family be the same?

Do I have a vision of perfection? No. I know that perfection isn't possible. But I know that within a family there can exist peace even in conflict. We can teach our kids kindness and forgiveness toward one another as my husband and I model it to each other. We can grow our children in the Word of God, a fool-proof for any situation. Why couldn't my family of several children be just as fulfilling and happy as a family with fewer children?

Some people grow concerned when I mention having more kids, because they know that it is expensive to have children these days. That's true. We think of the expense. I think you've got to have your ducks in a row, too. And BW and I are trying. But we've also known that when times have been tough, we've never gone without anything that we've needed. And I think we've got more, so much more, than we need. So I never doubt that if the Lord guides you into something, He will provide for it. And, yes, I feel that it is God's plan for our family that more children come along. I want to delight myself in the Lord that He may grant the desires of my heart.

I sometimes feel that people would look down on me if I were to get pregnant very soon. Part of me wants to wait for quite awhile just to let the kids get bigger so that we wouldn't be judged for having kids in such quick succession. But then, I think, this is our family and no one else's. (Not that we are planning to be pregnant for awhile yet!)

So, this is the desire of my heart. More kids. I want a family that serves the Lord, that loves each other and loves and serves others. I want kids to cuddle and tickle and a family to bond with and have fun with. I want to be surrounded by little people who will grow into wonderful big people. I want to be with all of them and love them through the thick and the thin, the good stuff and the hard stuff. There will always be some of both. It's funny that people would judge BW and I for wanting several kids. But then, I guess there are people who will judge you for just about anything.

Saturday Mornings are Fun and Relaxing

Here's what Banana and Noodle did while I cleaned up the house and while BW and Chicken Nugget went to their soccer game. It's nice to take some time out of being a busy toddler to relax on the couch, watching some cartoons, and to run around with only a diaper on while playing and laughing.

The Little Gift I Give Myself

I don't know why I thought the world would want to know this (OK, that may be a lofty thought, as though everyone on the planet is reading my blog). But, in the realm of pampering myself, this is as good as it gets. I may not shower every day, don't have a stylish hairdo, shave my legs when necessary, polish my toes only when I realize it's been two or three months, keep my fingernails clipped short, period. BUT - I brush my teeth. Two or three times a day. I brush and brush and brush until I feel that every nook and cranny has been touched. I use mouthwash. For everything else I may not have, I've got some fresh breath. I figure that at some point, everything else can be repaired. But this is the only set of teeth I'll ever get (unless I buy myself a new pair like my mom did), and though I can run down to the barber shop (yes, I said it) and get an $8 haircut, I'm pretty sure that veneers are going for a bit more than that these days. So this is one thing that I will not compromise on. I will have clean teeth. Three times a day if necessary. So, it's not a gift of pampering or glamour, but I do give myself the gift of clean teeth. It's also the one thing during the day that I can do for myself without spending lots of time on it!

Anthony

Today is my brother's, Anthony's, birthday. He would have been 39 today. He died just about a month after his 32nd birthday in a tragic vehicle accident.

There are several things that I want to share, so hang with me. I only wish I had pictures. I have snapshots of Anthony, but don't have a scanner. So my memories, and yours if you had the pleasure to meet Anthony, will have to suffice.

Anthony was nine years old when I was born. His nature wasn't as laid-back as my brother's, Matt's, but we got along anyway. Anthony was boistrous, generous, loved by everyone, and my protector. He loved to laugh and to make other people laugh. He was certainly the life of the party no matter where he went. When he was about 21 or 22, he joined the US Navy and truly did travel the world.

Anthony was generous to a fault. So many memories of him are full of him giving or doing for others. He would give everyone in the family grand and impractical gifts. The second to last time that I saw him, he had come with my parents to visit me at college. We were poor college kids, and he bought us groceries, telling me, "Get what you need." When I saw the total at checkout, I was uncertain, but Anthony paid without blinking an eye. Then he asked me what kind of furniture I wanted, took me and my (then) husband to the furniture store, and helped us pick it out. He later took my parents on a wonderful vacation to Washington, D.C.

At the visitation just before the funeral, I was standing with a group of Anthony's friends that had come from very far away to Benton, Arkansas, to bury their friend. I was complaining (I never did like visitations) that I didn't want people to remember Anthony this way. He didn't look like himself. I was upset. One of Anthony's ship-mates said, "When I remember Anthony, I will remember him laughing and I will remember his generosity." and his friends began to tell stories of Anthony's giving nature.

My family and I have often gotten a kick out of looking through Anthony's pictures. Especially those of his Halloween costumes. My favorites include the picture of him dressed as a woman and dressed as a Christmas tree. He did make an attractive woman, but said he got hit on by some drunk men anyway. In the Christmas tree picture, Anthony is standing on a table, trying to look as Christmas-tree like as possible, dressed in a green shirt and pants, green wig, and with lights strung around his whole body.

Anthony got to spend some time with his oldest nephew, Matt's son, Trevor. Trevor was about 15 months old when he met his Uncle Anthony. We've got pictures of tall Anthony and short, pudgy Trevor, walking through my mom and dad's yard, hand-in-hand. Anthony wanted to take Trevor out to play and my mom asked if he wanted any help. He turned to her and said, "It's ok, Mom; I got this." He loved children and was a great friend to many of his friends' kids. I was very sad that he never got to see Chicken Nugget. He was going to come home in Feb. of 2000 to celebrate Mom's and Trevor's birthday and to get to meet CN. She was six months old when he died. My dad said to me, the week of the funeral, "I think he has seen her." I don't know about how life beyond the veil of this earth works; God is God and can do as He wishes. I'd like to think Anthony has been able to rejoice as another neice and nephew have been born. It's one of my greatest sorrows that he never got to spend time with them.

My family recieved crates and crates of Anthony's things after he died. One day, my mom told me that Daddy found a small pad of paper that was Anthony's when he was a child. Tears welled up in my dad's eyes as he showed it to my mom; it said, "When I grow up, I am going to go all over the world and see the world." There's a man who lived his dream. He was living in Italy when he died. I have kept every post card I have ever gotten from him - Paris, Japan, Canada . . . to name just a few.

I would like to share some of two letters he wrote to me. Anthony wrote me often and always sent birthday cards and gifts.

"18 MAR 98
"Hear you are doing well in school, that is great keep up the good work. I went to Yokosuka, Japan. I visited a Canadian friend of mine who teaches English there. She allowed me the privelage of teaching an English class to a Japanese jr. high school. It was interesting because of my accent. We also went to a house party for a Japanese couple she knows. There were people from seven different countries there. It was a great cultural event. It also snowed 6" while I was there. I went to Tokyo Disneyland. Pretty much like the one in the States. We are on our way to Thailand. I have never been there before . . . Well, have fun this summer. Don't spoil your new nephew too much. See you in the fall."

His last letter to me, postmarked Sept. 17, 1999, just before his 32nd birthday:
"Hope you guys and crumb-grabber are doing well. I just left Toulon and am on my way to Agosta Bay on the island of Sicily. . . We (my ship) were in Toulon, France for two weeks working on another US ship that was in dry dock. It was very hard for some people, but not for my shop. Well I guess school is back in full swing. Hope you are doing well in that also. I start Italian II when we get back to La Maddalena on the 9th of Sept. I probably will not come home for the holidays and wait to come home in February for a month. That way I can be home form mom's birthday and Trevor's. Well not much else so I'll say Ci Vediano; which means until
later . . . take care of the crumb grabber (CN). Oh ya, Amy have you caught back up with your school work? I know that was a nightmare. . . write me."

As sad an event, Anthony's funeral and the events surrounding it still hold good memories. So many friends of ours and Anthony's came from all over. One of his shipmates even traveled from Italy, as well as his captain. So many people that had never heard the word of God got to hear it that week; my dad even gave the Navy Captain a Bible and encouraged him to read the book of Romans.

After the funeral, Captain Imholt had this to say in a correspondence and e-mail he sent to many people:

dated Nov. 15, 1999:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
"I am not an eloquent writer nor am I a professor of moral truths and nationalism. But I wanted to share a recent experience I had.
"I recently had the distinct (albeit sad), honor of escorting a fallen shipmate's remains to his family and home. During the mission I had a lot of time to reflect on my career in the Navy and the time I have spent working with him and other shipmates like him in the past. I struggled with many emotional issues stemming from this duty. I composed and discarded several different things I thought I would say to the family of my shipmate when we arrived. In the end I simply spoke from my heart, and expressed the profound sadness his passing had left us feeling.
"It was during my stay in his hometown and with his family that I cam to realize that there is more to America that my own family and my hometown. You see, I had become myopic in my view of why and who we are serving in the military. This beautiful small American town and his wonderful family and friends have become an indelible part of my life experience. I have returned with a renewed sense of pride in service to our nation. When I presneted Petty Officer Magby's mother with the flag, that had moments before draped her son's casket, the symbolism of that event overwhelmed me. How many of us salute our country's national ensign, because we are told or reminded to do so. The cost to our nation for the right to raise this symbol is immeasurable.
"Families like the Magbys and towns like Benton and Bauxite Arkansas are why I am here. The American way and all the hometowns and families, the big cities and wide open spaces, the right to pursue happiness. This is what we are preserving. If that means some corrupt politicians and criminals get a free ride and happy hunting grounds, so be it. We can work on that another day. For today I am thankful that my family and friends, the Magbys and millions of other Americans know we are out here for them.
"The family of our fallen shipmate thanked me and the Navy for all we have done, I could only reply, 'it was an honor.' "

I do not know what has happened to Andrew A. Imholt. I am humbled by the impact that the event of my brother's passing, and the example he saw in my family, our friends, and our hometown had on him.

Dean E. Lake, a coworker of Anthony's, wrote to us with this to say:
"His ability to work with others and his enthusiasm were key to molding our workcenter into one.
"Petty Officer Magby was assigned as an electrical planner. Planners are assigned because they are leading technicians in their field. Petty Officer Magby's sonar and electricl troubleshooting skill was second to none. He knew submarines like the back of his hand and was respected by all for his technical knowledge. His job was to control maintenance in his firle providing technical guidance or to conduct technical research when required. This job requires the use of many computer software programs and coordination and communication with various shipyards in the United States. Often you are molding young sailors into leaders of the future. He was in training to take my posision as the Leading Electrician . . . He completed all his qualifications well ahead of his peers.
"Petty Officer Magby was also busy outside working hours. He was studying and using Italian so he could maximize the opportunity being stationed here in La Maddalena. He was also actively pursuing his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia so he could train others and lead by example.
"I spent some liberty time with Anthony. . . He never had trouble finding somebody to accompany him on liberty. He had many friends . . . because he had so many interests and just liked company. He was generous and polite and just great fun."

Because I collect seashells, Anthony and a friend gathered some from the seashore of Italy for me. His friend brought them to me at the funeral.

There are so many reasons to be proud of Anthony and to miss him. But there's no reason for regrets. We always said, "I love you," and always laughed and had wonderful experiences around Anthony. I'm so grateful for that. I tell his neices and nephews about him often.

photos above: USS Emory S Land on the left and USS Asheville on the right. The Asheville was Anthony's first submarine, where he worked as a sonar tech. The Emory S Land was a sub tender on which Anthony worked. Another one of Anthony's achievements was his becoming a certified Navy diver; this allowed him to tend to the outside of the submarine, etc.

Cooking and stuff

I really do like to cook and bake. I have not had much time for it for quite awhile, but I like to do it. Especially if I have enough ingredients on hand. It always bugs me when I find a great recipe that I really think I could make, only to discover that one or two ingredients are missing from my cupboards. So over the weekend I made a list of recipes for two weeks and when I bought groceries, made sure I had absolutely everything I would need for those recipes. I can't wait to get with it in the kitchen. So often I feel like my family deserves so much more than I give them - especially when I make something like a nice, hot, steaming bowl of . . . spaghettios. Know what I mean? I can do this. It just takes a little organization. And though I'm not predisposed to act in any kind of an organized way, I can discipline myself into it. I actually kind of enjoyed flipping through recipes and making a list of all the things I'd need. And I know I'll feel good about actually getting going in the kitchen. I like the process of cooking, although I am abstract-random in my approach. I am slow, un-methodical, messy, often befuddled and discombobulated, but I get the thing done. And I feel so good about the thing I have created, and feel that double-satisfaction when my family gobbles it all up. I'll let you know how it goes this week!

Today Chicken Nugget and I made some out-of-this world brownies. She loves to crack eggs and dump ingredients and stir stuff up. I like that it is something productive we can do together, and that it teaches her basic cooking and baking principles. I got to let her taste some bakers' chocolate today. She said she liked it, but I didn't believe her! I also let her taste some plain powdered sugar. I taught her what it meant to use "packed brown sugar," and how to make your own home-made glaze or icing. I was never interested in cooking when I was that age, so it amazes me how much she wants to do it herself.

At church tonight, I was teaching Mission Friends with my friend from Sunday School class. We were talking about food, etc., and I told her about the brownies. I said that I made them from scratch, and not from a box! My friend's eyes got wide with amazement, and she said, "How do you do that?!" She wanted to know what ingredients go into real-live, made-from-scratch brownies. I guess that baking from scratch, like letter-writing, is becoming a lost art.

By the way, D/S McNary, if you happen to be reading this, please e-mail Di's amazing Tarimisu recipe. Yum, yum.

I think I am going to try my hand at baking bread next. I've never, ever done that. Not the real, live yeast starter, knead and let rise, real-deal kind of breat. Any pointers from from-scratch veterans out there?

Steam

This life
It is
A vapor

A wisp
Carried away
By the wind

This life
Is filled
With pain

I watched today
Helpless to stop it
As an ideal
Crumbled to the ground

I watched today
In stunned, helpless silence
Unable to keep
A precious one
From hurt
From disappointment
From anger
From rejection

We don't know why
But we wish it didn't have to be
We will never know why
But we must keep going
Fight the good fight
Hold on by our fingernails
And pray

Just pray
just pray
just pray

Maybe we'll find some relief
In the morning

It's a Small World After All

My husband's worlds keep colliding.
Born and raised in Iowa, he spent a wonderful summer several years ago at a place called Bear Trap Ranch in Colorado. He also went to a Bible college in Seattle, Washington. After those adventures (which would be a blog post in itself) and a few more, he wound up in Winterset, Iowa, which is where I met him. And, of course, the rest is history. But it seems that history lives on!

When we moved to Albert City, Iowa, just after we got married, BW and I became aware of a new pastor and his wife that had also just moved to Albert City from Chicago. BW had gone to Bible college in Seattle with the husband of the pair! Small world, huh? Our friends, G&L, were from Washington and California, respectively, and had ended up in Albert City after a few years in Chicago so that G could go to school! Who would have thought? Albert City is a town of 800 residents, in the middle of nowhere - literally. It is a place that, as I like to say, you really have to be wanting to get there in order to get there! So that was a fun coincidence, and we had a great time spending time with G&L, who, by the mysterious ways of God, had landed in AC just like we did. They are still there at the church and L is teaching elementary school.

We moved to Texas in 2004. It just so happens that some very dear friends of BW's from Bear Trap Ranch live here! The Barlowe girls! And their mom and dad. We've seen the mom and dad, S & J, once, but have spent some good time with the girls (but not enough good time), especially R, the oldest. BW is so fond of this family and was so excited (and amazed) that we were moving to their hometown!

Now it seems that just today there has been another collision! BW called me about lunchtime to tell me about a girl in his class that moved here from Iowa. I was already aware that this girl came from Iowa - BW had told me excitedly the day she'd started classes. (He goes crazy every time he meets and Iowan.) He learned today that this young lady knows our next-door neighbor from Albert City! This is pretty strange, because Miss Iowa Student comes from Ottumwa, Iowa, which is pretty Southern Iowa. In Albert City, we were only about three hours South of Minneapolis, so the two cities aren't exactly next-door neighbors. It just so happens that Miss Iowa Student's mom dated Miss Teenage Next Door Neighbor's boyfriend's father. I know. It's all so, well, too weird to be true.

I wonder what dot BW will connect next.

I wish that I was a baby

Poor little Banana has been so sick. So he's been up a lot at night. Which means that BW and I have been up a lot at night. And though I don't want to be sick, at least if I was a baby and not a grown-up, I'd have someone to feed me and lull me to sleep (as if at this point I'd need lulling - any flat surface will do). I don't want to get philosophical about being a baby, as in "if I had to be a baby then I'd have to do my life all over again, " yadda yadda. Nope. When I just now put Banana in his bed and thought, "That little monkey gets to lay down and relax and
sleep . . . " I really wanted to trade places with him. Because as exhausted as I am, I've got to keep on keeping on and NOT take a nap! So, at this little moment, I sure would like to be a baby like little Banana and lay in a comfy bed covered up with comfy blankets and sleep till I'm good and finished sleeping, and then have someone come in and pick me up and take care of my every whim . . . hmmm . . . that assisted living place I see advertised on tv isn't looking too bad. Here's to retirement!

I Remember

Everyone does.

I had been in California about a month. I was settled in a routine and was making friends. That morning, I was running late. As I hurried my daughter and myself out the door and down to my car, I was annoyed when a neighbor stopped me.

"Did you see the news?" he yelled down to me from the top of the hill where he stood.

I said that I didn't (my tv stayed in my closet at that time. I never watched tv).

"There's been a coordinated attack of terrorism on the United States," he said, "The World Trade Center has been hit."

I don't remember my exact response to him, but it was one of disbelief. I went on toward my day confused and wanting to know more about what had happened, to understand.

That day moved along in slow motion. My professors didn't do much lecturing. The chapel was open all day for prayer. Classes were cancelled. I went to work, but no one was much into buying shoes that day. As I walked down the sidewalk toward the shoe store, I saw sign after sign in the windows of businesses. They were closed and empty.

I walked into the shoe store and saw Billy Mac sitting on a fitting stool, stooped down and listening to the radio that we kept on the floor. Peter, the owner, greeted me. Terry waved me to him from the back. Terry, the former NFL football player, the very definition of "a big black guy," waved me over and caught me up in his arms.
"I just need a hug, Arkansas," he said, "I just need a hug. It's terrible."

A few people straggled in that day, but not many. The ones that did weren't there to buy anything. Rather, they needed to get away from their televisions. They needed to touch humanity. Peter closed the store early. As we watched from the Dutch door at the front of the store that day, we noticed that the freeway traffic was subdued. The normal rush never came.

I returned to campus and sat on a couch in the womens' dorm and watched TV. The images came over and over and I couldn't believe it. The twin towers - the Pentagon - the plane that thwarted the plan, their sacrifice. I sat with my friends in silence. Later, at home, I called my loved ones. I hugged my daughter. The thought that came into my brain over and over: as I lay sleeping, unaware of what was happening on the other side of the continent, I was warm and snuggling with my sweet little daughter. Unaware, safe, while others were dying so tragically. It was unfair. It did not make sense.

It does not make sense.

The next day, at a special chapel service on campus, we students got in groups in prayed. I prayed to try to know how to forgive.

I watched as my friends went on mission trips to New York to help in any way that they could. I listened intently to their stories as they returned. Still, how to make sense of it? I didn't know then, and I don't know now. But I do know that we are not lost, and that God is indeed grieved, even as we sit and look to the sky and say, "How long, O Lord? Will You not avenge Your name?"

No pearls of wisdom today, as if I could dig deep enough to find any. Just saying, as we all are today, that I remember. May everyone find comfort, from those who lost family and friends on that terrible and tragic day, to those lost in a world of hurt and confusion and evil.

Unrealized

There were lots of them this morning -
Shuffling or bobbing,
Sleepy or excited,
A jumbled mass
entering the building -
Dressed in solid colored tops
And khakis or blue jeans . . .

But I only saw one of them.

She was walking along,
Her head bent
And her hair bouncing,
She clutched a lunch bag
And seemed to be thinking of something
Very serious -
It seems she always is.

I told her she was looking
Very monochrome this morning.
She had chosen all black
And said, "I know -
Black is my lucky color,"
Before she told me
Of letting her teacher win
A game of Connect Four.

At the edge of the school,
I bent down for hugs and sugars
And asked her if she wanted me
To walk her to the door.
"No, I can do it," she said.
Normally I walk her all the way.
It was a small thing, but I felt a little pain
At her tiny taste of independence.

Not without faults, that little girl,
But still so special, so wonderful . . .
And I wondered as she walked into school,
Was I kind enough to her this morning?
Encouraging enough last night?
Interested enough
In her animated stories?
Did I help her feel
Important?

I fail her too often.

And I wonder
Why can't I see her
special and wonderful ways
As gifts,
Not burdens?

Her sweet clumsiness,
her thoughtful slowness,
her shy mumble . . .

But . . . I fail her.
When I should drink her in
Appreciate the wonder of who she is,
I take her for granted
I become frustrated
I abuse her precious heart
And I am ashamed

She was disappointed this week
Someone broke a promies to her
And as I told her
the news,
She didn't scoff or pout,
She didn't cry,
She didn't even protest.
She bent her head
crooked it to the side,
and her look was sad.
At last she looked up
she said,
"That's ok. I forgive them."

Not without faults
But also not without grace
I prayed for her
As she walked into school
this morning
And I prayed
for myself . . .

Looking Around

On Saturday, I went to visit a friend of mine who lives in the Heights district of Houston. There is so much of Houston that I have not yet seen. We have been downtown a few times, to go to different museums or shows and to the Downtown Aquarium. But my friend took me to areas of Houston that skirt around downtown; these were quaint and unique places as well as extravagently wealthy places.

The Heights is an old part of town. The houses are very old and had begun to be run-down. Now people are buying the old homes and renovating them to the grandeur they once displayed. The homes are pretty pricey these days, too. My friend, AH, told me that a small, one-story that she had looked at was in the $200,000 price range (the same home might cost $80-90,000 in my area). The homes in the heights had a lot of character. There are also fun places to eat, like Star Pizza, which is where AH and I ate on Saturday.

After lunch, AH drove me out to the exclusive River Oaks area of Houston, which is near Memorial Park. AH told me about a function in March called The Azalea Trail. She said that you can walk from home to home looking at gardens. If you click on the link, you can see that the homes and gardens are amazing. We parked the car after she drove me into the community, and we took a nice stroll down the shady sidewalks. I could not hold my mouth closed at the sight of these homes in River Oaks. I truly have never seen the likes, and though the area is just minutes from everything downtown, you feel as though you are very far away from everything, like you are in a peaceful secluded forest. AH said that it is difficult to purchase property in River Oaks, because it is "old money" that lives there, and the magnificent homes are passed down from generation to generation. The most impressive property was one that, as we peeked through the wrought-iron entrance gates, boasted what looked like an enchanted forest, a pond that was, as AH said, "better than the zoo," fountains coming from a stone wall, two houses (surely one was a guest house or pool house), and an amount of land that was gated and full of tress so that we couldn't see the rest of it all. The wrought-iron fence that separated it all from the rest of the world extended a good two city blocks. I would have loved to get in there and explore it all.

AH and I found a house that was deserted and under construction. It looked as though it hadn't been entered or built on in a month or more. We stopped the car and after much debate, decided to be wild women and take a peek. Even though it was a brick shell that was gutted with only two-by-fours to indicate where walls and rooms will one day be, we were duly impressed. We made up our own minds about what would go where. The giant kitchen that would overlook the yard and swimming pool was my favorite. It had vaulted ceilings that went all the way up to the second floor, as well as a fire place (which always cracks me up - every house in Houston has a fire place, even ours. WHY???).

Just goes to show, you shouldn't stay home. I never knew all those things were right by my house. Some of the homes I saw would have better fit in some kind of European kingdom. It's not a half-hour from me, and it took me two years to go look at it. I'm sure there are some interesting things everywhere you go, no matter where you live.

Tired of Eating

Tasty Names Family Update

It seems that each time I start a letter or an e-mail, I always say, "How are you? We're fine. There's not much going on around here," and then proceed to list about 50 things that are going on around here!

So, here goes:

Buffalo Wings and Chicken Nugget started school on the same day. BW's job at his new school is so much better! The school he left lost 60% of its teachers! There was quite an exodus. It would take another post just to describe all that is going wrong with that school. Anyway, BW has lots of friends from church at his new school, lots of professional support, and the kids here really work hard to learn (for the most part).

CN is enjoying SECOND GRADE!!!! But I'm having a hard time believing that I have a child old enough to be in second grade! She's a great reader, but struggles a little in math. I feel bad that I have passed down the math-impaired gene to her. Thankfully we have a math teacher in the house! That helps a lot.

CN is also playing soccer. Today will be her third practice. And BW is her coach! That's lots of fun. Games begin in just a couple of weeks.

Banana is walking, ya'll! He's still so smiley, cuddly, and happy. He is a sweet and easy-going little guy. He's having a hard time right now, because he is cutting some more teeth, we think. He's not sleeping, he's drooling a lot, and he's got a horrible runny nose (but it is running clear. I know that's gross, but that's just one of those things you look for!). Right now he is sitting in his high chair eating some crackers. He loves to sit in his high chair and eat anything!

Noodle is working on potty training. When she first realized that she'd get candy if she went, she stopped saying, "I need to go potty," and started saying, "I want candy." Now she'll go sometimes without a reward, but there are times when her Dr. Jekyll comes out and she will cry if she does not get candy, even if she does not "produce" on the potty. For about a week or so, she'd go with not much prompting and no reward at all and was perfectly happy about it. But then she had a personality change. Anyway, she's doing much better at the potty training than her older sister did at that age. I would entreat CN to go to the potty, and she'd simply say, "No, I don't want to." Noodle is pretty eager to get on the potty each time I ask, and usually, something will come out. So this is good news. We're on our way to no more diapers!

BW has been missing his men's Bible study on Thursday nights, because of soccer practice. He really enjoys that group, and I'm happy he has it. The guys are great and they do some really amazing studies. Scott will even skip out on Halo from time to time! Now that's dedication.

Things are back in full-swing at church. All the choir and missions programs are back on for the kids. Last night was our first Wednesday night supper of the year - the best meal in town for $3.50! Last night was hamburgers. CN enjoyed her choir class. Sunday begins missions classes. I'll be teaching Mission Friends (4-5 yr. olds)! I'm really excited about it. Maybe I will get to teach them about some of my friends who are missionaries.

I'm still singing in choir and I am the chairman of the education committee. That is a task that will last three years. I am very excited about this opportunity. At the moment we are involved in starting up small groups. I can't wait to get going and then report on all the progress! I also hope to coordinate a marriage enrichment seminar or retreat before the year is out.

BW and I have the chance to help out with another ministry that is going on. There is an apartment complex right beside our church. One of our good friends has been instrumental in getting a Saturday night worship service going within the complex. I will be helping coordinate childcare for this ministry.

Most of you know that I sell Pampered Chef. I have also added Avon to my plate! But Avon is very simple and does not require that I do home shows, so I can still commit plenty of time to Pampered Chef.

We are house-hunting! I am really excited about this. We have never owned a home. I'm excited because this means that this really is where we want to stay. And I'm thrilled about this because we have great friends here, BW likes his job, there's tons of opportunity for ministry, and I am ready to put down some roots. Please pray for us through this process! We've looked at several and have found a couple that we really like.

Much love to all of you as always!

Yay for Matt!

My brother, Matt, got a new job, and I am so proud of him! I've been about to bust ever since my mom told me.

Before I tell you about his job, you should all know that Matt is a great guy. He has always been a good friend to me. He has worked very hard and has never been afraid of doing so. He's had lots of jobs to pay the bills: cutting trees, working on cars, factory work, you name it. Recently he has been working for a Mercedes dealership; he's been in charge of selling / buying parts.

One thing Matt has always loved is working on cars. He especially loves Volkswagens, but he will work on anything. And he knows what he's doing. He's very smart. And he's honest. (I'm not saying all this just because he's my brother! He really is just a great guy!) He's helped me so much with car-care over the years, changing belts and oil and whatever he needed to do. He really is an expert with anything having to do with cars - engine work, body work, doesn't matter.

As it seems to be sometimes when it comes to work, it's all about who you know. Matt happens to know a guy that works at a community college / technical school in Little Rock (Matt lives in Benton, AR, near my parents; he works in Little Rock), and this guy came into the Mercedes dealership and offered Matt a job at the school! It's such a great job, with better pay and benefits, vacation time, and he'll be teaching about the thing that he loves and is so great at doing! Right now he is teaching an automotives class and is an aid in another class. His employer will help him get his certification so that he can be considered a "real" teacher later. We are all so proud of him! I cannot tell you how happy I am that he has gotten this great job that I know he will really love. He has worked hard and he deserves it. Way to go, Matt! Yay, Matt!

Grasping

Yeah, I blog a lot. It is a great outlet for me. It makes me feel better. And I think this is ok. I know only one other stay-at-home mom. I don't talk to a lot of people during the day. So blogging is my outlet. And sometimes, when I am just grasping to figure things out, I will sit down and start to write and things clear up.

It was a difficult weekend. I was frustrated. I was angry. I cried. I questioned if I even really needed to be a mom. I beat myself up for not being kinder to my kids. I admonished myself for letting small irritations turn me inside out. I felt sorry for my kids to have to have a mother like me. I wondered if as a wife, mom, person in general, I would ever get it. You know? Will I ever, really, get it? Will I ever arrive? And if so, when?

BW stayed at home with Banana this morning. Banana, we think, is cutting more teeth and is being cranky and a little fevery off and on. Sunday school was very good. We're doing a new study and taking turns in class leading it. I lead the lesson on forgivness. This morning the lesson was on slothfulness. I enjoyed our friend's lesson. She did a great job. But I got to the choir room and forgot all about the great lesson because someone had taken my choir folder! All my music was in there. My folder goes in slot 83. My robe is on the hanger with the number 83. I am number 83! But slot 83 was empty. No music! Why did someone take it? Why didn't they know that it was mine? So I had to scramble around for a folder and ended up using one with a broken ring, so my music kept sliding all morning. But I tried not to be so petty. I really did. I asked a couple of people about my music later, but they had no idea about it, so I cheerfully replied, "Oh, well! That's ok! I'm sure we'll find it around here somewhere!"

There was a dinner after church, a pot-luck thing. I really wanted to stay, but with BW gone, there was no way I could handle Noodle all by myself. My friend said she'd help me out, but I somehow got separated from her between the fellowship hall and the nursery, and Noodle was gearing up to throw a world-class fit, so we just went home.

We got home and in the middle of lunch got some horrible news. One of our friends in Sunday school learned that her father had died tragically while we were all at church this morning. Today has been spent making arrangements for our friend's family as far as coordinating meals and collecting money for flowers. I remarked to a friend who called, "Our Sunday School class has so many needs right now," because we are helping out a friend who is going through chemo and are praying with two others who are out of work. And you wonder, why? Why all of this, why so many needs? But through it all, I am so thankful for the wonderful people in our Sunday School class who rush immediately to any need.

I'm reasoning things out, I suppose. I'm still not happy with myself. I'm not happy that I was so irritated by my kids' actions this weekend. They are just kids. I'm not happy that I don't have more grace with them or with my husband. I don't want to be the ultra-petty person that I am that got so irritated that my choir folder was gone from its spot and no one seemed to know where it was. Who cares? It was just a folder, and all the songs got sung regardless. When there are many more very important and life-changing things going on with dear friends all around me. And I'm worried about kids being kids and my folder not being there.

So why can't I change? When will I? It makes me sad that I am this way. It makes me want to change, but I'm not sure how. If only selfishness could be manifested into some physical matter, then I could just take it off and lay it down and get rid of it. Same with anger, unforgiveness, pettiness, you name it. I'm just not the person that I know God wants me to be. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

O Lord God, You love me so much. Sometimes I do not know why, when all I do is fail and disappoint You. Please teach me self control, that I might put my flesh aside and only serve You. May Your desires become my desires, that I might delight myself in You so that You may give me the desires of my heart. Oh, my Father, please forgive me all my pride, selfishness, and petty ways. Please help me focus on what really matters, on my husband and children and on serving the Body. Please strengthen my flesh, that it may be disciplined to do Your will. Father God, I cannot ever thank You enough with words or deeds for Your great sacrifice of love. Because of Your sacrifice, I can pray to you with confidence, I can live with You eternally, and I can know You personally. I do not want to experience life without You; may I be bold in sharing You with those who are experiencing life without You. Lord God, You are the greatest joy in my life. May I only ever honor You.

At Least She Didn't Get It On Her Clothes . . .

You Turn Your Back for Half a Second . . .

It really is a universal issue.

Universal Loyalty

Why am I so upset about this Pluto thing? I mean, really, all this time Pluto has been going along, ceasing to be a planet, and my life hasn't been disrupted one bit. In fact, I've never even thought about it! But the announcement that Pluto has been demoted really rattled my cage! Why is that? And what is the big deal? Come on, you scientist readers you, ease my mind. Can't we just go on saying that Pluto is a planet, even if it is technically not? I mean, how long have we been taught that it really is one? Is anyone going to be tarred and feathered over this? We believe that the Earth is round and that it rotates around the sun. Galileo has been vindicated. We're good, honest citizens. Let us have Pluto! And yet, like I said, Pluto not being a planet isn't going to alter my universe at all. Maybe I just feel sorry for the puny planet. Or maybe it's just that my loyalty runs deep. At any rate, poor old Pluto. You'll always be a planet in my book!

Pay It Forward

I used to be an idealist. I used to dream a lot bigger than I do now, but I suppose that the older I've gotten, the reality of life has set in. I was going to publish my novel, sing and act on Broadway, be on Oprah, even have a talk show of my own! I was going to have the white-picket-fence life, in which all family disputes were settled happily (that is, if we ever HAD disputes!), I'd have happy and well-adjusted kids, all the while pursuing knowledge and even running an orphanage or two as I served the Lord in some far-off land. I didn't even really mind that those things were so distant that they were only tiny specks in my mind. The dream was enough for me.

But there have been days since those dreams that I've stopped believing in certain things, and that is very sad. It's a difficult place to be, after being in a place full of dreams and ideals. I've seen lots of life happen. I've seen pain and reality and simply stopped believing, as I said, certain things that feed ideals. But . . . I miss being an idealist.

Last night, I went to a program called Rachel's Challenge. It was the second day of the program, which was held at the school where my husband teaches. BW encouraged me to go, and though I had to miss choir practice, I took Chicken Nugget and went to the program. I am so glad that I did.

Rachel Scott was the first victim of the Columbine shootings on April 20, 1999. Now her brother travels and speaks of the legacy that Rachel left behind. Rachel stood for kindess and showed love and kindness to everyone that she could. She targeted those who were ridiculed, lonely, and had no friends. One story that her brother, Craig, told was of Rachel standing between some bullies and a young man who was the target, and she raised her fists in the faces of the bullies and told them that they would have to deal with her if they didn't leave this young man alone. There were several such testimonies of Rachel's courageous kindness.

I was reminded of the movie, Pay it Forward. Do ya'll remember that movie? As a class project, a little boy comes up with the idea that instead of paying kindness back, you pay it forward. Jump start the kindness. Start a chain reaction. And in an essay by Rachel Scott, she said the same thing. She believed that random acts of kindness could start a chain reaction. Now Rachel's positive message of hope is touching lives all over the nation.

Craig Scott also spoke of forgiveness. He was in the library of Columbine High School that day and witnessed two of his close friends shot right in front of him. He learned of his sister's death the next morning. Filled with rage, he eventually allowed his anger to spew forth, until he learned about the power of forgiveness. Last night, he relayed this message told to him by a mentor:
"Forgiveness is like releasing a prisoner, and then realizing that the prisoner was yourself."
Craig also talked about letting go of the right to hate.

I was listening intently to the truth of this message, targeted towards a group of high school students. I listened to the principal get up after the presentation and affirm the message of kindness and compassion, saying that if we would all learn to treat one another as we should, then other things would take care of themselves (like state test scores, etc.). No one ever said the word God in the message, but I felt Him all around. Everything that was said last night was truth, and I do believe that all truth is God's truth.

I also was thinking of legacy last night. My oldest brother died in 1999, and his legacy was also kindness. A theme in everyone's stories about Anthony was generosity, and I saw it from him many times. He showed generosity by helping us out in college, buying groceries, sending large birthday checks, and things like that. He showed generosity to all of my family members by giving of his resources to help out or just make us happy. To his friends, he did the same, and was the go-to guy for all kinds of help. That's the impact that Anthony made in this world. That is his legacy, kindness and generosity.

I was able to take CN up to meet Craig Scott last night. She was born on 4-20-99, and I remember as I was laboring the hospital that I watched the footage of the Columbine tragedy. The days and weeks that passed after her birth, I watched the stories on TV and my heart cried out for the victims' families and friends. What a great loss they had experienced on the same day that I received great joy. It was always significant to me that CN was born that day, that she was somehow a light of hope on such an awful day. Now I can see that the legacy Rachel would have wanted to pass on to everyone, is evident in CN. She is kind and always tries to befriend classmates who don't have friends. She forgives easily. I was thankful to be able to see Craig and my little girl meet last night. I was thankful to share words of hope with him as he had shared them with all of us there.

I see the lives of people such as Rachel and my brother. Just thinking of them makes me want to be a better person. We were challenged last night to thank people who have loved us and helped us. We were challenged to make a difference in our families and communities. There are so many things that I can change to help my family feel more loved and secure. There are so many places that I can be kind when instead I am selfish. When I give into my self-serving nature, the enemy wins.

CN wanted to know what had happened to the young men who had done the shooting. It was difficult, but I told her the truth about their deaths. She wanted to know why they had taken their own lives, and I said, "Well, I think it was because they were just really sad."
When we got home, as we were walking in the door, CN said, "We should pray for Rachel."
I said, "We don't need to pray for her, anymore, honey, she's in Heaven."
She then said, "Well, we can pray for the things that Rachel wanted to do, you know, like being nice to everyone and helping people who don't have friends and who people are mean to and things like that."
"Yes, we can pray for that," I said.

I think I am ready to become an idealist again.

"Hate what is evil; cling to what is good" Romans 12:9
" . . . overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:23-24

Fun in Galveston

Why it Takes Me Four Hours to Clean the Kitchen

As I've stated before, my life has changed in a drastic way since I became a stay-at-home-mom. I used to be able to clean my house pretty quickly. Even as a single mom, the job wasn't so hard. Laundry was hard, because I didn't have a washer and dryer, but house-cleaning - not so hard.

Then I started to analyze why that might be. Why do I work all day and then look at the house and it seems as if nothing has gotten done? Why do I do piles of laundry on an almost daily basis, only to turn around and see another pile staring me in the face?

I have come up with a couple of reasons for why this might be:

First, the places I lived before I got married were small. In seminary, I called my apartment "the bat cave." It was small and sort-of dark. There was nothing that required mopping. I could scrub a floor faster and easier than I could mop it, so small were the surfaces that needed mopping. Though I didn't have a dishwasher, I never had many dishes to wash. And my kitchen was tiny. I called it the mouse kitchen. Cracker box. Tiny.

In Iowa, before I married Scott, Chicken Nugget and I lived in a studio. Bathroom, kitchen, large room (used for living/bedroom). That was it. Small, cozy, not much to clean. So space has a lot to do with the amount of time I spend cleaning. We have a three bedroom, two bath house with a living room and a den. Makes sense I spend more time cleaning.

Another thing is, the less people you live with, the less there is to clean up after, and the fewer interruptions you face during the cleaning process. Cleaning for two (CN and myself) was much more controlled, and CN has always been helpful.

I could probably get my house cleaned up with no problem if no one else lived with me. But as it is, I'll start cleaning something and it will immediately be undone. Banana loves to take the dishes out of the dishwasher as I'm loading it. He is especially fond of the silverware. It feels like I load the thing four times for every one load that I wash. And if I can get him distraced from that little past-time, it won't be long before I have to go see why he and Noodle are crying. It is usually something to do with Noodle inflicting bodily harm on Banana, or with Banana eating the toilet paper, or something like that. After I've dealt with one or more crises in that manner, then I will return to loading the dishwasher. In short order, Banana will back into the kitchen, start taking things out of the dishwasher, and the cycle begins all over again.

Or if I am sweeping and mopping, one of the kids always wants in on the action, whether it be playing in the junk I've just swept up, or trying to take the broom or mop (whichever one I am not using at the moment), or sitting right in front of my cleaning path.

And in the meantime, even if I'm not stopping someone from taking things out of the dishwasher, sitting in the swept-up junk, or interrupting my cleaning in general, I always have to go clean up the messes made as I was cleaning other messes. See what I mean?

So that is why it takes me four hours to clean the kitchen.

Here's the group that worked in Mississippi. Yep, there I am - front and center!
This is a great bunch of folks. It was an honor and a pleasure to serve the Lord with them all.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

BW and Chicken Nugget went to the ballgame Friday night - Astros v. Padres. They had these very cool green screen photos taken. Aren't they the cute? CN plays soccer, but with a stance like that, she may have to try some bat-and-ball sports, huh? ;o)

On Top of the World

I am still having so much trouble sorting everything out from my trip. I've been back home one week now, but things in my mind and heart are still all swimming around. I had such a great, intense experience with the group in Mississippi, and I have been thinking how I need to write about it, but I just can't think of a way.

This is a picture of me on top of Mr. and Mrs. Hall's home. I became the Master Caulker! I was a prodigy with that caulk gun, I'll have you know!

On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we worked from morning till mid-afternoon. There were four groups working at four different work sites, repairing storm damaged. There was roof repair to be done as well as some internal damage on some of the homes. After the groups returned (we stayed on the campus of Southern Mississippi University, which boasts the likes of Brett Favre), we'd have supper and then group worship time. Then it was time for devotionals and prayer time in small groups, then off to bed (as long as certain suite mates didn't have any silly shenanigans to play!).

A couple of nights we went to revival at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which was the church that our group partnered with. They fed us very well :o) - one great thing about travelling and working with a bunch of believers - you'll never go hungry!!!! But they also gave us some good messages from the Word, some good singing, and lots of love.

There is so much more to what happened than the schedule. I made friends. I saw authentic faith lived out. I talked with people who had not come to know Christ until adulthood (in their late 20's or 30's or 40's). I met people who had a lot to say about their relationship with Christ, how precious it was and how important. I worked alongside those who were brand-new in their faith, some by two months, some by one or two or three years. In most cases, those people were older than me. I was amazed because, besides the work we were there to accomplish, I saw evidence that God is working in a big way. In the lives of adults. All the time.

God is in the business of pursuing people. He is working all the time, everywhere. And I have been created in Christ to do good works, which He has already prepared for me to do! Why am I sitting around waiting?

I returned home overjoyed to be in the arms of my family, but sad and confused to leave something that I love so much - a life of service. It follows Eph. 2:10 - I was created in Christ to do just that! It makes sense, then, that a group of strangers (of all age rangers, life situations, denominations) got along and accomplished a huge task. It was because we were working in the will of God, the way He designed us, at a task laid at the foundations of the Earth.

Now I am frustrated and longing for more. I am on my knees in prayer for my church which is going through a time of pain. I am convicted more and more not to wait on my church for ministry, but to go out and seek it anyway. There's certainly no lack of need anywhere.

So as I struggle to say what I want to say, that's all that will come out for now.

Much love to all of you.

Decompression

This isn't a great photo. There will be more to come. I got this off our photobucket account that our group set up. It is of a group of my fellow missionaries working on one of the houses in Hattiesburg. We were re-roofing the wind-damaged homes, which were hit hard by Hurrican Katrina almost a year ago. My team worked with a dear couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hall, who had gone all this time in desperate need. Their roof still had a blue FEMA tarp on it. We finished the roofing job ahead of schedule and got to do some additional work.

I'm finding that I'm having a hard time decompressing after this trip! There's so much I want to say and tell and think about, but if it all came out in a flood, I may actually emotionally drown, so to speak. Thankfully, it is coming out in trickles and I'm just letting the leaks happen as they will. I cannot believe that only one week would pack my heart, mind, and soul with so much information.

God bless you all for standing with me, praying for me, thinking of me, hoping with me. Thank you.

On Mission

I am posting this from Hattiesburg. We have been hot, sweaty, and tired as we work on houses that are in desperate need. We will travel to the gulf coast tomorrow and see another area that is in great need. I'm seeing God in many places, facing many challenges, and having fun making midnight runs to Walgreens! Much love to all of you -