Where does the summer go??? We calculated that we have 2 weeks and then volunteers start arriving for our next meeting. After the meeting, there is one week before I have to be at a week long training at school. The next week starts teacher orientation and then August 13, school officially starts back. Where does the summer go?
Today we have dentist appointments. Some of you may know, that I like the dentist the very least of any kind of medical thing. Yuck! But, we are all going to get it over with today. We will make appt's for three of the children to have a follow up with the orthodontist next week.
Tomorrow, house church is at our place. We are planning after worship to go out to eat and then bowling. We will eat at a restaurant called "Hell's Kitchen." Interesting place to go after worship, wouldn't you say?
Yesterday, after working in the library at school for a few hours, we had friends come over. The mom, Sandra, is an organization guru and she has agree to help me with some organizing. It's hard to get started, though. I mean, where do you start? Right now, we are trying to figure out how to use one corner of the living area downstairs. Right now there is nothing in it but junk--since Kel moved his office out. We need some kind of small office set up down there but I kind of dread that because desks in the past have always looked cluttered. So, if you have any ideas, please let me know. I may post a picture of that space to see what ideas we can come up with.
After Sandra left, Savannah cooked supper. We also babysat 2 children. Malia did an excellent job of keeping the little girl entertained. (she is 4) Savannah cooked potato soup for supper and it was delicious. The boys played with the little boy.
After everyone was in bed last night, Kel and I watched and episode of LOST. Wow! That show just keeps having new twists.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Get Out of the Pit by Beth Moore Chapter 1
“One reason some of you nicer folks are in a pit without realizing it is because you mistakenly characterize pits only in terms of sin.”
You can know you’re in a pit when:
1. You feel stuck (Is. 42:22 says a pit is somewhere you feel trapped) You can’t get your self out.
2. You can’t stand up (Ps. 69:2 David cries out, “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing.”) You know you are in a pit when you feel ineffective and utterly powerless against attack.
3. You’ve lost vision (“The close confinement of a pit exhausts us with the endless echo of self-absorption. We can’t see out, so we turn ourselves in. After a while, our nearsightedness breeds hopelessness.”)
In answer to her question….Are you in a pit? I would have to answer yes. Not as deep a pit as I’ve found myself in before but…still in there. Answers to questions:
1. I feel stuck…stuck in patterns of sin. Or at least that’s what it seems like to me. Stuck in cycles of hopelessness regarding making self discipline changes regarding home organization, meal planning and child training.
2. Can I stand up? I think I’m standing…. However, I do feel hopeless to change in areas that I would like to make changes in, so maybe I’m swaying???
3. You’ve lost vision? Absolutely…that is me to the T. Why are we here? What difference are we making? I am continually tormented by these questions. Did God create me for a specific purpose? I am reading Kevin Leman’s new book “The Real You: Become the Person you were Meant to Be (Unlock the Secrets to your True Potential)” and become discouraged because I don’t fit the patterns. Or at least I can’t see it if I do. Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic? I absolutely, do not fit the typical pattern for oldest child or ONLY although, I might be closer to that one. Neither does my sister, although my brother comes close to fitting the patterns for first born males. So, if I don’t fit the patterns, I guess I can’t become “who I was meant to be…” or that is the way my quirky brain works it out. I’ve put that book away for a while. :>
You can know you’re in a pit when:
1. You feel stuck (Is. 42:22 says a pit is somewhere you feel trapped) You can’t get your self out.
2. You can’t stand up (Ps. 69:2 David cries out, “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing.”) You know you are in a pit when you feel ineffective and utterly powerless against attack.
3. You’ve lost vision (“The close confinement of a pit exhausts us with the endless echo of self-absorption. We can’t see out, so we turn ourselves in. After a while, our nearsightedness breeds hopelessness.”)
In answer to her question….Are you in a pit? I would have to answer yes. Not as deep a pit as I’ve found myself in before but…still in there. Answers to questions:
1. I feel stuck…stuck in patterns of sin. Or at least that’s what it seems like to me. Stuck in cycles of hopelessness regarding making self discipline changes regarding home organization, meal planning and child training.
2. Can I stand up? I think I’m standing…. However, I do feel hopeless to change in areas that I would like to make changes in, so maybe I’m swaying???
3. You’ve lost vision? Absolutely…that is me to the T. Why are we here? What difference are we making? I am continually tormented by these questions. Did God create me for a specific purpose? I am reading Kevin Leman’s new book “The Real You: Become the Person you were Meant to Be (Unlock the Secrets to your True Potential)” and become discouraged because I don’t fit the patterns. Or at least I can’t see it if I do. Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic? I absolutely, do not fit the typical pattern for oldest child or ONLY although, I might be closer to that one. Neither does my sister, although my brother comes close to fitting the patterns for first born males. So, if I don’t fit the patterns, I guess I can’t become “who I was meant to be…” or that is the way my quirky brain works it out. I’ve put that book away for a while. :>
Summer Reading Challenge
I've wanted to join DeEtta's summer reading challenge and I am just now having time to type in my books. When I looked at DeEtta's list, mine seems small but then to others, it will look like a long list. I will not compare. If you want to find out more, go to DeEtta's blog (linked to the right). My goal is to read a bit each day. We will see how far I get. I've already started and have completed a couple of books.
Strong Women Soft Hearts: A Woman’s Guide to Cultivating a Wise Heart and a Passionate Life (Paula Rhinehart) Finished
Get out of That Pit (Beth Moore)Finished
The Battlefield of the Mind (Joyce Meyer)Finished
God At Your Wit’s End (Marilyn Meberg)
A New Kind of Normal (Carol Kent)Finished
Created to be His Helpmeet (Debi Pearl)Finished
Love and Respect (Eggerichs)
9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and in Life (Dr. Henry Cloud)
The North Face of God (Ken Gire)
The Gift of Dyslexia (Davis and Braun)Finished
Ritalin Free Finished
Medicating Young Minds (Glen Elliott)Finished
Fiction:
Forever (Kingsbury)- FINISHED
Sunrise (Kingsbury)- FINISHED
Trial by Ordeal (Parshall)
The Thai Amulet (Hamilton)
It Happens Every Spring (Chapman and Palmer)
Summer Breeze (Chapman and Palmer)
Dying Declaration (Singer)- FINISHED
Expectations (Melanie Jeschke)- FINISHED
When You Believe (Deborah Bradford)- FINISHED
Blow Out (Catherine Coulter)- FINISHED
Blind Side (Catherine Coulter)
Dangerous Silence (Catherine Palmer - FINISHED
Then Am I Strong (Francine Arnold)-FINISHED
Strong Women Soft Hearts: A Woman’s Guide to Cultivating a Wise Heart and a Passionate Life (Paula Rhinehart) Finished
Get out of That Pit (Beth Moore)Finished
The Battlefield of the Mind (Joyce Meyer)Finished
God At Your Wit’s End (Marilyn Meberg)
A New Kind of Normal (Carol Kent)Finished
Created to be His Helpmeet (Debi Pearl)Finished
Love and Respect (Eggerichs)
9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and in Life (Dr. Henry Cloud)
The North Face of God (Ken Gire)
The Gift of Dyslexia (Davis and Braun)Finished
Ritalin Free Finished
Medicating Young Minds (Glen Elliott)Finished
Fiction:
Forever (Kingsbury)- FINISHED
Sunrise (Kingsbury)- FINISHED
Trial by Ordeal (Parshall)
The Thai Amulet (Hamilton)
It Happens Every Spring (Chapman and Palmer)
Summer Breeze (Chapman and Palmer)
Dying Declaration (Singer)- FINISHED
Expectations (Melanie Jeschke)- FINISHED
When You Believe (Deborah Bradford)- FINISHED
Blow Out (Catherine Coulter)- FINISHED
Blind Side (Catherine Coulter)
Dangerous Silence (Catherine Palmer - FINISHED
Then Am I Strong (Francine Arnold)-FINISHED
No surgery!
Daddy Bob did not have to have surgery! After IV antibiotics, he improved and they are thinking it was an infection and not a leak! Thank you for your prayers! Please continue to pray for complete healing and that he can go home, soon.
Our family is back together again! Three are sick....and dragging around. I hope the others of us don't get it. We had a family meeting today to discuss expectations and schedules, etc. The girls (each) and the boys (together) will each be cooking one meal a week in our 6 weeks of summer time that we are home. They are also going to be taking more responsibilities in the garden (known as a yard for most Americans), laundry and keeping the car clean. We will let you know how it goes.
Sage read 8 Dr. Suess books a few days ago. He is reading now! yippee! Continue to pray for him as he moves into 3rd grade at a 2nd grade level. He is improving in his English and cognitive skills and hopefully will be on grade level at the end of this next school year.
Noah started his eye exercises today. When we went to Singapore we found out that he has some visual deficits that make reading and school work more difficult for him. The good news is that these deficits can be strengthened with exercises we do two times a day. Pray that we can be consistent with the exercises!
Those are the only two that are really up, and moving around 100 percent. That should give you an idea about the ones that are sick. :>
Laundry is almost caught up, bags are unpacked and we are settling back in. Kel has a bunch of work to catch up on. I think he needs to make about 6 overseas phone calls tonight in his low, bass cold voice! The weather continues to be hot and not rainy...or not any significant rain. We have been catching up with 24 by watching about 6 new episodes that Jon sent. We are ready for more, as always!
Well, that's an update here.
Blessings!
Our family is back together again! Three are sick....and dragging around. I hope the others of us don't get it. We had a family meeting today to discuss expectations and schedules, etc. The girls (each) and the boys (together) will each be cooking one meal a week in our 6 weeks of summer time that we are home. They are also going to be taking more responsibilities in the garden (known as a yard for most Americans), laundry and keeping the car clean. We will let you know how it goes.
Sage read 8 Dr. Suess books a few days ago. He is reading now! yippee! Continue to pray for him as he moves into 3rd grade at a 2nd grade level. He is improving in his English and cognitive skills and hopefully will be on grade level at the end of this next school year.
Noah started his eye exercises today. When we went to Singapore we found out that he has some visual deficits that make reading and school work more difficult for him. The good news is that these deficits can be strengthened with exercises we do two times a day. Pray that we can be consistent with the exercises!
Those are the only two that are really up, and moving around 100 percent. That should give you an idea about the ones that are sick. :>
Laundry is almost caught up, bags are unpacked and we are settling back in. Kel has a bunch of work to catch up on. I think he needs to make about 6 overseas phone calls tonight in his low, bass cold voice! The weather continues to be hot and not rainy...or not any significant rain. We have been catching up with 24 by watching about 6 new episodes that Jon sent. We are ready for more, as always!
Well, that's an update here.
Blessings!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Daddy Bob update
Received this message from Melanie today:
Hello--quick note to you guys. Dad was to go home today--all tubes gone since yesterday. Yesterday had more pain and it concerned him. He did not feel that good, but then this morning was so excited that he was going to go home. Well, his WBC (white blood cell count) was up--sign of infection and he had some increase in pain in his LLQ LL abdomen, so they did some x-rays---showed some air in there, but not conclusive----so did a CAT scan and he has a leak. What size leak? No clue. Now (literally) doing a barium enema to decide the size of the leak---if very small, will try to give abx and allow to heal slowly. If not, then will reopen him and do a colostomy which he will have for 6-8 weeks. The hope there is that after the healing, he can then be closed and the colon sown back together.
Please continue to pray for them!
Kel and the three oldest are still at camp. Sage and I are holding our own here. We've had guests and more guests. We're pretty lonely and ready for the others to come home. They come back on Monday.
Hello--quick note to you guys. Dad was to go home today--all tubes gone since yesterday. Yesterday had more pain and it concerned him. He did not feel that good, but then this morning was so excited that he was going to go home. Well, his WBC (white blood cell count) was up--sign of infection and he had some increase in pain in his LLQ LL abdomen, so they did some x-rays---showed some air in there, but not conclusive----so did a CAT scan and he has a leak. What size leak? No clue. Now (literally) doing a barium enema to decide the size of the leak---if very small, will try to give abx and allow to heal slowly. If not, then will reopen him and do a colostomy which he will have for 6-8 weeks. The hope there is that after the healing, he can then be closed and the colon sown back together.
Please continue to pray for them!
Kel and the three oldest are still at camp. Sage and I are holding our own here. We've had guests and more guests. We're pretty lonely and ready for the others to come home. They come back on Monday.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Singapore airport
We are in the Singapore airport using their free internet. Everyone is online. Kids are greatly impressed and all they've experienced so far is the bathrooms! More soon....
Saturday, June 2, 2007
We're heading out
We're heading out today. Our flight is this afternoon and we will spend the night in BKK. Then, early in the morning we will head to our destination. I'm not sure if we are really excited but it will be nice to get away and eat out daily. We will be staying in an apartment so we will have plenty of room.
Today is Malia's 13th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Malia. I am now the mother of a teenager. I like Paul Tripp's definition of agoing from childhood to adulthood....and expecting the teens to be young adults. Instead of expecting teens to be teens.... Get the difference? I'm sure I'll probably go into more details about this later.
The swim meet last night was loads of fun. Malia won 9 medals (2 2nds, 1 3rd and the rest 1st's) , Savannah 7,(maybe 2 2nd's and the rest 1st's?) Sage 3 (3blue ribbons) and Noah 2 (one red and one blue ribbon). Noah was disappointed he only swam in two heats--we were too, and he did very well in those two. Most of the heats were relays. Malia and Savannah both did very well. All four kids have greatly improved in their swimming abilities this year. I asked Noah if he was going to swim next year and much to my surprise he said, "Yes." He seemed to be one of the better swimmers in his age group and kind of liked it. He has always been the "one least likely to swim." (Hasn't enjoyed it but was a fish since age 3!) Seems like at least the oldest three will continue to compete. I'm not sure about Sage. It's not his best sport--and he has some good ones! But he holds his own.
I'm going to join a summer reading club. I'll try to post all the stuff here so you can keep up with what I'm reading. I'm still a little bit technologically challenged when it comes to this but have patience with me!
Blessings!
Today is Malia's 13th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Malia. I am now the mother of a teenager. I like Paul Tripp's definition of agoing from childhood to adulthood....and expecting the teens to be young adults. Instead of expecting teens to be teens.... Get the difference? I'm sure I'll probably go into more details about this later.
The swim meet last night was loads of fun. Malia won 9 medals (2 2nds, 1 3rd and the rest 1st's) , Savannah 7,(maybe 2 2nd's and the rest 1st's?) Sage 3 (3blue ribbons) and Noah 2 (one red and one blue ribbon). Noah was disappointed he only swam in two heats--we were too, and he did very well in those two. Most of the heats were relays. Malia and Savannah both did very well. All four kids have greatly improved in their swimming abilities this year. I asked Noah if he was going to swim next year and much to my surprise he said, "Yes." He seemed to be one of the better swimmers in his age group and kind of liked it. He has always been the "one least likely to swim." (Hasn't enjoyed it but was a fish since age 3!) Seems like at least the oldest three will continue to compete. I'm not sure about Sage. It's not his best sport--and he has some good ones! But he holds his own.
I'm going to join a summer reading club. I'll try to post all the stuff here so you can keep up with what I'm reading. I'm still a little bit technologically challenged when it comes to this but have patience with me!
Blessings!
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