dreaming of summer

This was read in 4th grade today:Wishing it was true

I'm dreaming of warm sandy beaches.
I'm dreaming of days by the pool.
I'm dreaming of fun in the afternoon sun,
and week after week of no school.

I'm thinking of swim suits and sprinklers,
imagining lemonade stands.
I'm lost in a daydream of squirt guns and ice
cream and plenty of time on my hands.

I'm picturing baseball and hot dogs,
Envisioning games at the park,
and how it stays light until late every night,
and seems like it never gets dark.

I long to ride skateboards and scooters.
I want to wear t-shirts and shorts.
I'd go for a hike, or I'd ride on my bike,
or play lots of summertime sports.

My revery turns to a yearning
to draw on the driveway with chalk.
It's really a bummer to daydream of summer
while shoveling snow from the walk.

--Kenn Nesbitt

While I'm Waiting

So the question is...If God was to come in 2010 how would you live differently?
This morning on my drive to E.P., at 6:45am I was still thinking about this question given at a lovely luncheon hosted by Holly. Thanks Holly, for your inspiration. It's still fresh in my mind, and I'm so focused on What would I do if Christ returned in 2010.
But while I am waiting, what will I do. I will worship, I will serve, I will be running the race.
God, please help me endure all that you have for me in this year. I am waiting for your return. I can picture Israel, and the times you had in quiet solitude, away from the business of the city. And Jerusalem is a busy city, but you found quiet moments in the mount olives, and Gethsemane. I will move ahead bold and confidence. I am praying I will take every step in Obedience.

Day 1 of Prayer Journaling

Just to prove that I have started my 2010 challenge: Here is a little of what I've been praying for: The list is long so be ready.

In July of 2009, I was challenged to have the mind of radical surrender. I don't know the implications of such surrender, but I ask that I be ready. Prepare my heart and help me to grow and be ready to let you take control of my life. Forever altering how I relate to others in my life and the world. I know I am not strong enough, corageous enough, or disciplined enough to pay the necessary price to see your kingdom come. Would you remind me that the cause is worth any cost I might have to pay. I know I am not ready for the challenges set before me, or that I will face in this new year. But I am ready to change my life and live radically, in total surrender to you God.


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The year has started off with some great memories. Wish we had taken a candid shot of this story:
My sister who is significantly taller than me, was discussing how she couldn't reach the pedals in my Mom's car. Funny as that may seem, I actually have no problem. So as we were discussing how this can't be true and that somehow I have longer legs than she does. But technically, her brain doesn't work as well as mine.
So we sat down on this window seat to see who's legs were longer. Like we were both sitting in the exact same way and spot. So that failed her. We sat on the floor against the wall, and she takes her boots off and I take my clogs off, and she thinks it's true. Now the funny thing was there definitely was a height difference of 4'11 and 5'4. Hmmmm.
Then she tells me it's the shoes. If she had clogs on, then she could reach the pedals. Guess next time she'll think twice about what shoes she wears when driving my parents car.

2010

Trying to post for the new year! Just talked to my Dad and they were drinking coffee in Aruba by the pool. Said they sat out on the beach watching fireworks. Hmmm, I did dishes last night, and washed 2 winter coats, and went to bed early. Somehow my night doesn't compare well.
So new year resolutions. I tried that last year, and somewhat failed, though this is what I learned. Make it a challenge, and then if you fail, it won't seem like you failed so much.
I did read through the Old Testament, and gained much knowledge, and enjoyed it greatly. I now have a notebook full of notes to look back on. Maybe this year, I will accomplish the New Testament.
So this year's challenge...Prayer Journal
I have Journals from 1998-2003. Somehow a friend got me started, yet once again, I've struggled to keep it up. It has been neat to see God work as I look back through those years.

P.S. no pictures for 2 months. My Dad took my camera. He's somehow writing another book and needed the camera.

Traditions

(This Gift was made by my Bro. Derek)

Most people know about the traditions in our family. But here is the story of how it came about. When my brothers were younger, they used to make chex mix and put it in glass jars for each other. This is what they could afford and give. Apparently, my parents enjoyed making gifts for each other. My dad made a farmland for the boys out of scraps of wood. So each year, when we were in 3rd grade, we would make a gift for someone in our family. This has turned into a huge tradition, that we do on Christmas Eve. This year, I got smart and took pictures of about every make gift...There were other gifts such as cd, frozen dinner, and of course, the Big Production of "The OFFICE". Enjoy our tradition: (I made the Piano Bag this Year)

And of Course Santa still comes, but Santa had to come early this year, and bring Mrs. Clause. Though we had a little trouble this year with seeing santa's sleigh. But they still tried to peek.

Away in a Manger

As I watched the "Nativity" this year, I was reminded of the long journey Mary had to take to Bethlehem. I can picture the long walk, hills, dirt, and the long trip it was. After spending 2 summers in Israel, I am reminded of the precious gift we have. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and we are so blessed. He made a way in the manger. He will be called the Most High. Bethlehem is a small village, and a baby was born. Glory to God in the Highest.
I pray this Christmas, Christ will be remembered as a baby who was born in Bethlehem, who has redeemed us. He is our Savior,born in a manger.
Have a safe and blessed Holiday.
And I know you're all wondering about my make gift.I'll add to this post soon.

27

It has come to our attention, that our 1st graders ,and well I could add Kindergarten in this number as well. But they are the class, that would just sit down in the middle of running, or playing a game last year if they didn't want to play. So today, after many complaints of "I don't feel well", we decided to ask the kids who didn't feel well, and sent them to sit on the stage. Yeah, you can imagine how many were left.
27 students decided they wanted to sit out. But we had a blast with the other 30 kids who wanted to play.
In kindergarten today, the girls must have gotten tired of tag, because they one by one, layed on the floor when they were done playing. So while 30 girls were playing tag, 12 decided to stop playing and cause injury to themselves by laying on the gym floor. I had to take control, and say enough was enough, and ended P.E. early.