First days Back

It's like reading the comics the first few days back to school!

Day 1 of announcements: Principal asked if the students would please be silent as you recite the pledge.

5th graders were so excited I brought out a kickball for P.E. (they were using a basketball).

Kindergartners needed a lesson on how to open a milk carton.

Do you know who your teacher is? No,(cry).

7th grader...Do you know your bus driver, NO. Do you know your address, NO. Poor kid almost cried.

Second grader walking down the hall, "I'm really lost".

A kindergarten tried to dump their lunch tray in the recycle bin...I'm sure they will love mixed vegetables when they pick it up.

Is this the gym...Yes " Wow, it's big". We get all this space for us"

This was said while tying a shoe, and asking how the kindergarten girl like school.
"I really like school. recess is really fun, and so is P.E., and Music. Oh, and I love art too. There are so many things"

5th graders asked to run suicides the 1st day of P.E.

The thrill of taking one shoe off and leaving it in their P.E.spots was a thrill to kids K-3. Then they did a little running around, back and forth to corners of the gym, in practice to memorize where their spot was. The shoe was placed in their spot as a reminder.




Overall, it was a good week. I had a cruel joke played on me today. The P.E. teacher had to go teach a class, so I was told to pass out locks and work on that with 6th grade. Easy, I've done this enough times, and know the process. What he forgot to mention, was over half the bin of locks did not have locker combination on them. So we spent the entire class looking them up, trying to help open locks, and the chaos continued. At one point 5 teachers were in the gym helping.

Baptism

JORDAN RIVER
August 4th, 2007

3 years today marks the Anniversary date of my Baptism. Sermons in 2007 led to the probing of accepting the call of God. Sitting on the bus on the way to the Jordan River, only 1 hand raised to be baptized. Andre, our bus driver and tour guide gave a long "lecture", sermon after we had read some scripture. I know I sat there uncomfortable, wondering if I really should do it. I'm in most cases, a very quiet, shy girl who keeps to herself. And I definitely was going to hold on to that trait at this moment in time. The tug was huge in my heart, and even as we walked off the bus, I think my decision was still a big NO! Talking to several team members, I took the stand. It was an incredible experience, as I stood in obedience to God. Experiencing it where Jesus was baptized, having my team stand next to me, God in his perfect plan sent me to Israel on an amazing journey.

I've grown tremendously in the last 3 years! My heart is still tugged at the memories and being obedient to his calling. God still calls me daily to His cross, and I am reminded of the sacrifice he has made. I am reminded of the blessings received through being faithful to His calling. The road to heaven is not easy, but living the life He has given me, with His Spirit living in me, I can follow and obey His truths.

Back to reality~

...I'm back from my wonderful, relaxing, T.V. watching, holding babies, playing playdoh,sleeping in, drinking coffee,home-cooked meals,
puzzles,time with friends---vacation!



Now, I must face the challenge of school!
4 weeks till "Back to School". But I must get back to business and a routine. Yes, it is quite challenging, but God is giving me the strength to continue. Though not really motivated today on this Monday.

4 Wonderful Days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ready to Go!!!!!!!!! Pictures and stories to come.....
Crossing the Iowa Border!!!!! Sooo excited to see my friend Annie!!!


Annie and her Girls Grace and Lily!!!!!!!!!!!!!




2 Month old Lily....



Ah, Nap time was so precious to us!!!!


,
This girl was a character..Mommy, When is she going to get up?
Can I go wake her?
The response was No, you may not!!!!She ran out of the bathroom one morning, and said,
" I love her so much"







In her Lighting McQueen pjamas...which she is in Love w-ith CARS!
Here are some funny Phrases:
"Mommy, that was awfully nice of you"
"That darn marker"
"Race you to the bed...haha, that was so funny"
"Daddy, you are so nice"
"Wait, Lightning McQueen, (as we were walking through target. The girl has an eye for Car material. Seriously, we were like no... "yes, mommy I see it!"


Grace--- I loved your sweet innocence, and how you embrace life. Thanks for all the fun. I loved cuddling with you, and seeing you smile, even if it was 6:30am. And all the laughter, and putting together Cars puzzle a million times. The walks and mastering car seats, or the knock on the door while taking a shower, all the laughter of making instructions with playdoh, hiding in the tent,playing patty cake, eating dinner together...Your please, and thank you's. It was so fun to be with you and your mom. I will come back and visit soon.

2010 Israel Team

WELCOME HOME TEAM!!!!!!

Good Morning Fearless Leader Bix!


11 hour flight, with kids making noise the whole way
9:05 and they've landed, and look wide awake...(no one sick on the plane,Praise God)




Hannah sees her family inside waiting!




Watch Out! Palestine People just like you, and slap a bracelet or ring on your finger, and you become engaged! HAHA Hannah, great story.

********************************************************
I am trying to write this without tears, though tears are running down my face, it is tears of joy. Tears that God has been with me this past year as I made the tough decision to work on my Master's and decline the opportunity to return to Israel. That does not mean my heart is not open to the calling and praying for the team as they embark this morning on a wonderful journey. My journey today is different. As I learn the struggles of writing, and learn the keys of hope. He is right beside me writing my story. I am so blessed to know that my journey and experiences have molded me to the person I am today. It will be a wonderful 10 days for this team. God, may they embark on a journey fully dependent on your love and strength; for some, new challenges of braving heat, flexibility, to pray harder, have courage, try new foods (though hummus and falafeh is good),and language barrier--will be enough to put total trust in your hands.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.. For small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
My story is on this site.

Praying for lives to be changed! Hearts to be opened.

Garden of Gethsemane
John 17

Game Show 4th of July

"Minute to Win It" If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you are missing out on a fun show. Ok, so I was clueless till today too. We played about 12 games...I have videos and pictures to display. We were in groups of 3, and we all picked which items ahead of time, we would do. Each task had to be done in under a minute, but you were being competitive with the other 3 groups. Every second seemed to count. Lots of time went into this. A whole Month's planning. Thanks guys, it was a blast!!!!!!!!!!! Need some ideas?

SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tweeze Me!

Use tweezers to maneuver a tic tac through a
tennis racket and land in a cup.




Johnny Apple Stacking
-Stack 4 apples and they have to stay up for 3 seconds.






Marble Sticky ball
-A piece of double stick tape was placed at the end of the table. Then we rolled marbles to see if we could get 4 to stay.
It took me 46 seconds.





Junk in theTrunk
Ok--So here is my video. It is not as comical as the one on FB!
Kleenex box with 6 balls. Shake and rattle








Tic Tac Toe
---Object to get 3 in a row.
Notice all the hands in the way trying to help catch balls.




Breakfast Scramble
Assemble the front of a cereal box that has been cut up in 16 pieces.
(They all said it didn't line up well)







Cotton Ball
Put Vaseline on your nose;stick cotton balls on your nose(1 at a time)


.




Shoe Fly
Throw the shoe onto the table, and hope it lands!!!






Knock it off--soda cans stacked and shoot with rubber bands
Suck it Up-- we used a spaghetti noodle and 5 pasta noodles !
Wheel a deal- sort 20 cards into 5 identical groups, 1 at a time
(we had some creative names, but unfortunately, our papers kept blowing in the pool)

4th of July Celebrations:



We played Wits and Wages: Trivial Questions:
How many pounds is in a gallon of water?
How many inventions did Thomas Edison patent during his 84 year life?

Need a Smile :)

This came in the mail this morning :)
Thanks Kaleigh! It was so thoughtful of you. I will remember the precious ark that you sent my way. Think we need to build one with all this rain. HAHA!
I am soooo blessed today in many ways with this unexpected mail. His Grace is Enough!!!!!