Out of this list:

I got this from Burn's Abroad.

Out of this list what I have done is in Burgandy.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins (sting-rays, yes, dolphins, no)
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you’ and meant it!
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise (enough times where it has lost all it's charm)
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper (so many times . . .)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne (never drunk)
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Visited all 7 states in Australia
40. Taken care of someone who was drunk
41. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
42. Watched wild whales
43. Stolen a sign
44. Backpacked in Europe
45. Taken a road-trip
46. Gone rock climbing
48. Midnight walk on the beach
49. Gone sky diving
50. Taken a train through Europe
51. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
52. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table, and had a meal with them
53. Milked a cow
54. Alphabetized your CDs
55. Sung karaoke
56. Lounged around in bed all day
57. Gone scuba diving (snorkling)
58. Kissed in the rain (wasn't all that it was made out to be)
59. Gone to a drive-in theater
60. Started a business
61. Taken a martial arts class
62. Been in a movie
63. Crashed a party
64. Gone without food for 5 days
65. Gotten a tattoo
66. Got flowers for no reason
67. Performed on stage
68. Been to Las Vegas
69. Recorded music
70. Eaten shark
71. Buried one/both of your parents (my father passed away when I was 3, count?)
72. Been on a cruise ship
73. Spoken more than one language fluently
74. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
75 Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
76. Had plastic surgery
77. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
78. Wrote articles for a large publication
77. Lost over 100 pounds
79. Piloted an airplane
80. Petted a stingray
81. Broken someone’s heart
82. Broken a bone
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Parasailed
86. Skipped all your school reunions
87. Shaved your head
88. Caused a car accident (not that I'm aware of)
89. Pretended to be "sick"
90. Surfed in the ocean
91. Saved someone's life
92. Fainted
93. Been in the room while someone is giving birth (Me)
94. Hitchhiked
95. Adopted a child
96. Been caught daydreaming
97. Been to the Grand Canyon
98. Called off a wedding engagement
99. Donated your blood
100. Accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and trusted Him to cleanse you for your sins, so that you too may have eternal life

Packing

I'm packing today.

Tomorrow we leave for a cruise! And what comes out of the back of mommy's closet?

Those skirts that are by no means "mini" by today standards, but not what I would normally wear, above my knees, and my hubby thinks are hot.

By all means, that white capri, because as a mother, I would be crazy to wear white pants otherwise!

And that white short skirt . . come to think of it . . Do I still own that?

So, now, if you miss me, if you think of me . . . picture me here:

That's my boy.

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Grandma in the background.

My simple devotion.

Over and over and over and over again
I will stir up my soul to lay hold of You.

Over and over and over and over again
I will stir up my soul to lay hold of that which I cannot comprehend.

Over and over and over and over again
Over and over and over and over again

And then I’ll just lean into sovereignty
I’ll embrace a mystery
And I’ll just rest in You
As I bathe in truth

Over and over and over and over again
This is my simple devotion
My walk of faith, day by day
Over and over and over and over again

And then I hear You sayAs You gaze over the balcony of heaven
I hear You say as You peer through the lattice of time
I hear You say as You stand in heaven
I hear You say as You rejoice over me
“O Angels! O Angels! Look and see!
Through that dark night of faith
She is gazing at Me!
O Angels! O Angels! Look and see!
Through that cloud of unknowing
She’s gazing at Me!

And You have ravished My heart
My sister, My bride
With one glance of your eye!”

Over and over and over and over again…"

The song is "Simple Devotion" by Misty Edwards.

Thursday Thirteen

Get to know me, random stuff that was a meme, but was far to long and after close to 13 questions I was ready to quit anyway.

1. What are you listening to right now? My hubby snoring

2. What was the last thing you ate? Cream cheese wrapped in a slice of ham (don't knock it tell you try it!)

3. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes

4. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Burgundy

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Um, I don't really "talk" to people on the phone, so that answer would be . .. my doctor about the surgery date? Yeah, I think that's right.

6. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Kelly? I kind of stole it from her, but yeah, she's cool. Too busy to blog these days, but that is actually a good thing.

7. How old are you today? 33 years, 5 months, 1 week and 6 days old.

8. Have you ever dyed your hair? No

9.Pets? I've had several in my lifetime, but they don't last very long. NO! I do not kill them! I just end up giving them away. Usually after I have invested in their neutering/ and shots. Remember this dog? Gone.

10. Favorite food type? I like Cajun food without the hot spice. I love how flaverfull it is.

11. What do you do to vent anger? Yell, but I'm changing that with God's help (see the ticker!)

12. What was your favorite toy as a child? When I was a kid we didn't have toys!!!! Naw - I'm just kidding, but honestly I can't think of a favorite.

13. When was the last time you cried? Last night when my hubby and I watched again the Hoyt video, but it didn't help that he was trying to hold back his sobs too..

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go here!

Laugh, and have a happy Thanksgiving . . . even if you arn't in USA.

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Worship

Suggestions welcome

Lately my absouluty almost perfect daughter (tounge in cheek) has been testing the power of authority.
I've been telling my mother that she can't let this little three year old walk all over her, and she has permission to discipline her, a (as in one) swat on the butt, should little missy warrant it for disrespect. Not an easy feat for a dotting grandmother.

So, while I was occupied *ehem* on the potty, my darling comes running to me in tears. So beings the questioning:

"What happened? Did you fall down?"
"Noooo (amidst tears)"
"Did your brother hit you?"
"Noooo, Gama spank me!"
"Did Grandma spank you?"
"Yes!" And Little Missy turns towards the bathroom door "No! Gama! No spank on the Little Missy! Gama get a TIME OUT!"

Looks like we still have some work to do.

I'll exlore this later . . .

James 2:14-26 speaks of "faith without deeds is dead", I've heard a lot about that.

I am of the mind that you don't "work" yourself into heaven, or even God's good graces. Nothing you do, or don't do will make Him love you any more, or any less.

So a way that I've thought about it is like this:

Faith = the heart
deeds = the pulse

The pulse doesn't "make" you alive, but it is an indicator. The heart can not beat without there being a pulse. There can be no pulse if the heart is not at work.
But ultimately God makes the heart beat - and we don't "force" the pulse to happen, it is a result to the life that God gave us.

What do you think?

As they do in China.

Pictured, my brother Paul (who works with Spectrum ministries) and his fiance. They are getting married in January. But that is not why I write.

We were delighted last night at Missions Month service to see these two attending.

Missions month has been surprising as usual. Last weekend they had that cow (remember the cow?) loose. This weekend that cow was tied up again.

The purpose of the cow - well, they are holy in India and you can not lift a finger or affect them negatively with nay a boo. So holy, we were told last night, that if a cow will urinate people will put their hands in the flow and/or drink it, 'cause its a "blessing".

There was a drama that a couple from our church did with their own 8 month old boy where they "drowned" (enactment) the baby in the River Ganges to satisfy some god or other. Everyone was in tears. Why? THIS STILL GOES ON FOR REAL!

Now tell me they don't need Jesus?

I guess that's the point of all this, to show the need.

I digress . . .

The speaker was a missionary to China. A Mexican who has committed to be a long term missionary with his wife to China. Last night he shared with us some cultural differences that he had to adjust to. At one point he was talking about their lack of privacy and general intimacy that is normal.

For example, and at this point he asked for some macho man to help demonstrate . . . (insert cricket sounds and desert wind blowing tumbleweed across the stage)

So, with much prompting, the congregation "volunteered" my brother. It started off OK, I guess. Our speaker said that it is not uncommon to see men, heterosexual men, rest their heads on each other like this: him standing side by side and leaning his head on my brother's shoulder like couples do watching a movie together.

And (he said it gets worse) it is normal for men to walk (grabbing my brother's hand) hand in hand.

And, here in Mexico, it is common for a man to take a lady's arm and lead her across the street. Even to place his hand on the small of her back and lead her across. Well, in China, man to man, especially with close friends, especially among the adolescents . . . normal, not uncommon . . . for them to place their hand - (and here he had us seeing them standing side by side by their profile, and he proceeded to place his hand down veeeeeery lightly on my brothers BUTT! At which point I'm sure my brother could have taken off in flight!) and lead each other across the street, hands on butt. Normal.

Ready to go, anyone?

The only reason this couple were back at all was because their first baby was diagnosed in utero with only half a heart when mommy was 6 months along. The doctors there told them to abort it. That's what is done to defected babies, so there is no medical help to sustain that type of life, to help them, to help the baby since the doctors don't deal with those type of "problems", they just abort it.

So this couple returned to Mexico to help their baby. Even so, all the surgeries and all they can do will only be to extend their baby's life. To help their little boy, Paulo Daniel, have a measure of a good life. He is given the name "Daniel" for the passage that says "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us . . . But if not, let if be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods." Daniel 3: 17-18 Once all the surgeries and stuff is done here they are going back to China.

The Tory steller!

I first met him in the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and have never forgotten him . . . so, going down memory lane I did a search and low and behold!

Do have a listen, it just might make you chuckle.

I am so bummed!

I've been trying . . but since I merged my blogger to this "new and improved" blogger beta, I can't post videos from Youtube or Google video!

Waaaaaaaaaaa!

And I found a guy that does a Shakira song in Mexican Sign Language and American Sign Language too . . .

Well, you'll just have to link there.

If any of you know how I can overcome this impediment . . .

Thursday Thirteen

Meeting Heather IRL

1. She is genuine. As you "know" her in her blog - so I found her in person. I really liked that!
2. We took her almost 4 year old, my just 3 year old, and her 2 year old to Disneyland. I totally recommend this place for meeting other bloggers . . . 'sides, they got rides, giant friendly mice and stuff. ;-)
3. The kiddos got along wonderfully - so much so that when we told them they couldn't chase each other around screaming and having a ball while we were in line - the three of them had a small melt down in protest.
4. I loved how Heather handled it. She held firm. If she was flustered, I didn't see it
5. Caffeine addict
6. Our talk ranged from families - to theology. The good, the bad and the ugly!
7. A woman after my own heart. :-)
8. We won a fastpass to all the major rides and attractions of which we used none, I mean really - they didn't have a fast pass for the Dumbo ride!
9. The weather was drizzly at first and then cleared up - so we had no crowds and short lines.
10. I'm amazed at all she does! I love that she reads her bible every day.
11. Even though her hubby didn't need to be up until much later he was awake to help us load the kids, and warm the car by 7am.
12. By 3:30 both of us needed coffee and the kids needed naps! But none of the little ones would leave without seeing Ariel. Of which Heather has all the pictures since my camera is on loan.
13. Despite a wager otherwise ALL kids were out by the time we were halfway to San Diego. The 2 year old put up the most noble fight against it, but the sandman won out, and Heather and I gabbed all the way back.

It was crazy, it was fun, it was exhausting and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

My belayted birthday

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!
I missed my 100'th post about 54 posts ago!
So I put my little miss in a birthday hat for wordless wednesday.
"The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate."
-- Oprah Winfrey

Wordless Wednesday

Mommy's Christmas wishlist

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and
cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's
office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy
bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school
playground, and figured out how to attach nine patches onto
my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several
Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's
red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room
between cycles, and who knows when I'll find any more free
time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of
chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already
have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong
enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle
in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the
seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like a car
with fingerprint-resistant windows and a radio that plays
only big-people music; a television that doesn't broadcast
any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator
with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can
hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll
that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence,
along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't
fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up
without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording
of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room"
and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice
seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can
be heard only by the dog.

And please don't forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the hottest
stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It
comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to
crumble on any carpet, making the in-laws' house seem just
like mine.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle
for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the
same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room
temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam
container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles
to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble
to declare ketchup a vegetable? It would clear my conscience
immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my
children to help around the house without demanding payment
as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or
if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs in his
pajamas to eat contraband ice cream at midnight.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son
saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants
his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your
wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire
so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the
table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, Mom

P.S. One more thing: You can cancel all my requests if you
can keep my children young...

Received from MIKEY'S FUNNIES.
Sent to The Good Clean Funnies List

Packages, packages!

I've just been *hugged* big time via snail mail . . . and I'm all smiles about it!

Barefoot in my Garden - here is a SHOUT OUT THANK YOU! For the package I picked up today!!!!

Duely noted, smelly creams and shower gels to keep for pampering after surgery . . . but you didn't honestly expect the Godiva chocolate covered mini pretzels to make it out of post office did you?

:-)

White & Nerdy

I'm posting the video in honor of my "lighty nerdy" score.

So, which is it? Kirk or Picard?

White & Nerdy

Playing fair.

The rules of the Time Out.

Go sit in designated chair.

A minute for each year of age.

No playing, no talking, and no one is allowed to talk or play with you during this time.

Mommy needs a time out!

That's 33 minutes, y'all.

33 minutes, no talking to me.

33 minutes.

We must be fair.

Come to think of it, I may just need to go to bed early.

This one's for free.

Deep thought for the day;

Shoes are to women as tools are to men.

Mexican Food?

"What do I do with this?" Teresa asked me.

She's a young Mexican lady from Ensenada. We were at a women's retreat together.

"You first lay the chips" says me

"Like this?"

"Yeah . . . um . . all across the plate, yeah like that."

"Then what?"

"Well you put what you'd like on top; lettuce, tomato, beans, meat, cheese . . .olives . . .you know, whatever you like. Oh, and a dab of sour cream on top."

"Thats all then, nothing else to eat? What is this?"

"Taco Salad."

*giggle* "You funny Americans!"

March of the Unqualified

Found this at Shalee's Diner.

What type of food are you?

You Are Mexican Food

Spicy yet dependable. You pull punches, but people still love you.

What Kind of Food Are You?

I don't like Mexican food.
Go figure.

Thursday Thirteen

Banner by Chaotic Mom (She's got her act together more than she thinks.;-)

Random stuff

1. Finally got a date set for surgery. Dec 6th.

2. It will require a two day hospital stay recovery that in a slightly twisted way I'm looking forward to - can we say sleep deprivation?

3. If all goes well I'll be meeting Heather in real life! Finally. She doesn't live, what I consider, too far away.

4. This whole past week I've been waking up to find a 3 year old in our bed. Sometimes, I can vaguely remember her crawling in, other times I can't. Got to stop this habit.

5. There is this new deaf couple that is starting to attend our church. They believe in God, but don't know much about Him.

6. Hence it has been so much fun to answer questions like "Does God sleep?" (No) And explaining how you pray. (Just talk to Him, no ritual . . .He wants to hear what you have to say.) And my favorite "He can understand me? (Oh, yes! Jesus knows sign! ;-)

7. I wish I could show you pictures of Mission Month . . . But my uncle asked to use our camera for that purpose so, those pictures will have to wait. Did I mention that they had a COW in the church? Oh yes, they did!

8. My little 1 year old signs Mexican Sign language now. "mas", "porfavor", "gracias", "galleta", all the food related signs. In ASL he knows "more", "please", "daddy", "cold", "food", "drink", "milk"and "all done" - he doesn't say anything except a whispery "tanku" for thank you.

9. It's getting cooler her now. Mornings are in the 60's and the days are mid 70's. I'll have to pull out the long sleeves soon.

10. I am constantly amazed and encouraged by how much, how tenderly, God loves us! In spite of ourselves -

11. Kari Jobe is an anointed worship leader. She sings what is in my heart.

12. I join up NaBloPoMo with every intention of posting every day in November but I won't be able to make it since . . .

13. My hubby and I have been invited by friends to join them for a week on a cruise ship!

They got us tickets! I am beyond excited for this last week of November. What a blessing!

Wordless Wednesday

I've lent out my camera to my uncle so this is an oldie, but goodie.

Baby found mommy's make-up.

And back to 0

There it was again.

"NO!"

I was too tired, I was fustrated, I was . . .Whatever.

I have loved the encouragement I have been getting.

I've been very conscious of not raising my voice - I may have said some things rather firmly or through grit teeth, but I've been careful to not yell and this "no" just popped right out of me! Like a cork from a champaine bottle.

Bev suggested "When you feel like Screaming" and Amazon was selling it for a penny! so I got it!
In the introduction it says "Screaming is a habit, a habit that can be broken. . . . It can be difficult to break because many mothers are comfortable with the screaming (which usually guarantees a certain measure of success) and tolerate the guilt that follows."

They end their introduction:

"Yours for keeping joy in motherhood,"

9 weird things meme

Pink Diary had this one.

List 9 weird tid-bits about yourself.

1. I found skydiving boring after the fist 5 seconds. Yet I did it a second time. It was still dull.
2. I can't spell, but I enjoy a game of scrabble.
3. Left and Right is such an abstract and changeable idea for me it doesn't stick, instead I give "to your north" or "on the south side" type of directions. And if we need to make a turn in a car its not "left" or "right" its "my way" "your way"
4. Bugs, spiders, mice, snakes do not bother me unless they come into my personal space - or they are poisonous.
5. I don't like to decorate and then "un"decorate and that is one of the reasons, come the holiday seasons, we don't do anything special in the house. We'll celebrate with others if invited, but we do nothing different at home. Thanksgiving may be an exception in the future, but so far we haven't even done anything in our home for that. My children are so deprived! I know!
6. I love the feeling of cleaning my ears out with a Q-tip. No - you don't understand. I LOVE it. LOOOOOOVE eyes-rolling-back-into-my-head-cause-it-feels-so-good IT! Yes, I know it's not good for the ears, and I've had my ears canals swell up shut for weeks once because of it - but I can't stop myself. LOVE IT.
7. Parades make me cry - all types - the good ones, the rinky-dink ones. I'm such a sap.
8. I have a healthy appriciation and general preference for the artificial. Pee behind a tree and use leaves or have indoor plumbing? Milk a cow, or have a plastic gallon at hand? Mommy-belly-rolls (which are a badge of pride for some, so I'm not knocking it, just-- not mine.) or liposuction? Headache or tylonol? Artificial, non-organic foods, canned, packaged, medicated, instant, preserved, disposable . . . Them are my buzz words! I realize this might make me a bad person is someone's opinion, but I'm OK with me.
9. I do not wish for world peace; "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first . . . Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom . . . Then they will see the Son of Man." (Luke 21:9, 10, 27)

Care to wager?

"Care to make a bet?" my brother jokingly challenged me.

"Ok, I'll say Midnight"

We are talking about when my mom would call my brother from the train station to be picked up.

We expected her on Saturday. But when we she was a no show we asked around, and . .. oh yeah, well it'll take her longer than we first expected . . .

So the time she'd NOW be getting in was late Sunday or early Monday morning.

"I'm gonna say Monday morning, 3am" he says "because it is the absolute most inconvenient time possible."

Not Saturday, or Sunday when he had the day mostly available, but early Monday morning when he had to leave early morning Monday to do a full day's drive up to Hume Lake Christian Camps where he was engaged to speak that night.

And 3 am, because 1 or 2 am you could possibly stay up for, and 4 or 5 am you could get some sleep and wake up early for . . . but 3am was the most inconvenient time . . so that was his wager.

The next morning, I call his cell as he is on his way already to the camp.

"So, where am I to pick mom up?"

He gave me direction to the hotel where he put her up so that I could pick her up in the morning.

And just after I say goodbye, but not finished the call I here him say:

"2:45am"

(Can ) Father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt

A glimpse of the remarkable father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their inspirational journey together in a triathlon and life itself. The goal of Team Hoyt is to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life. One way to accomplish this is to educate the able-bodied, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day. Another is by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Team Hoyt targets both of these areas. Song: "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me ------------------------------------------------- To get the full DVD,the Book, to donate or for more info visit: http://www.teamhoyt.com/ http://youtube.com/watch?v=ryCTIigaloQ

A Father's love.

The video that I posted today about the Hoyts, what is so amazing about that story for me is the fathers love.

When his son couldn't run, he did for him. When he couldn't walk, his father carried him and when they crossed the waters his father pulled him safely in a boat. I am at a loss for how far the effect of this reaches in me, because I couldn't help feeling that love is the type I get from God.

The speaker at our missions conference was the type of person that you could feel the presence of God with him. But not like you would think - dynamic, awesome and mighty - but a sweet presence, loving like a proud Father and powerful.

Melo is from Bolivia. He wanted to serve God but not in a "boring" way. He asked God to give him something difficult to do, or nothing at all.

So God sent him smuggling bibles into a country where it is illegal and he could lose his life.

He went the first time with 300 bibles in 5 suitcases. Just by himself, without knowing the language, the culture, or anybody.

Because God said so.

How he got through was miraculous. How he found a pastor there was miraculous. And when he did the pastor started crying.

The group of believers had been praying for 5 years for bibles. They thought that God had forgotten them.

I was in tears, our pastor was all choked up. Several people were crying. It was amazing.

And he is speaking again tonight. "Living to die"

So . .. I'm off.
Blessing!

November is the party month!

Little Missy is seen chilling with her uncle J (who's birthday is today!) While uncle P sleeps in the background.
Birtday pictures from last night.


Two things . . . no, three things are happening today.
My brother's birthday.
Our deaf pastor Carlos's birthday.

And Missions Month in "El Gran Cuidad de Porvenir"! That's fun 'cause it's skits, dances (traditional cultural world dances), worship, and missionary speakers. The whole church is decked out . . .

This year the theme is India and so the church looks like you stepped into India. And many of the people who attend wear clothes from one culture or another. And the pastor and his wife always do . . . I'll have to get pictures! It'll be a blast!

Also, and not to get passed by, November is Peanut Butter Lovers' Month. That's got to be good for something . . .And you can get a card for this event here. And I am sad to inform you that we MISSED the national "Men Make Dinner Day" on Thursday.

Bummer!

My "Mom-iversary"!

Happy Aniversary to me on becoming a mom for the first time 3 years ago today!

The flip side of that coin is that my little girl is three today. :-)

Finally "legal" to play candyland!

Boy did that go fast! Perhaps I'll update later . . . we'll see.

Lots to do today!


New baby


Six months


1 year old


2

Thursday Thirteen

Things I've learned working with the Deaf over the years.

1. Most deaf are uncomfortable in a completely darkened room and sleep with some sort of night light.

2. The way you get a groups attention is by flashing the lights on and off. So in my classroom when I used to teach the deaf, I had a light switch along side the whiteboard at the front of the classroom.

3. A great way to get someone's attention who is a ways away from you is to use a pen-laserlight. Otherwise we used the "relay" system. "Hey, Jon, get Jane to get George, please." You can communicate this through vibrations too, via a stomping floor, or banging on a table. Worse case senario - throw a paperclip or something at 'em.

4. The equivalent of a mad child putting their fingers in their ears to ignore you is for a deaf child to close their eyes.

5. To be able to drive and carry on a deaf conversation at the same time, without getting pulled over by the police, is an art form, indeed.

6. And rear view mirrors are for signing with the people in the back seat.

7. In a concert hall, my deaf friends have enjoyed a symphony, because they were able to feel the music resonate in their chest.

8. When lightning flashed - everyone suddenly got up from their seats at the table and ran to to put their hands on the windows to feel the thunder.

9. Talking with your mouth full is the best way to communicate at a meal otherwise the meal would take too long.

10. In a group, you pray with your eyes opened, and your head up - watching whoever is signing the prayer.

11. One deaf can "whisper" to another by turning their backs to everyone else.

12. A pun is completely lost on my deaf friends.

13. One of the first sounds my deaf friend Virginia will hear is the voice of Jesus.

I am lightly nerdy.

Well, I'm slightly surprissed. How did I get nerdier than Chaotic Mom? . . .

Wordless Wednesday