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

And *poof* it was gone.

It happened in a second.
And it was over.
"Stop!"
To my darling boy that I had in my arms as he was wiggling around while I was trying to dress him.
Since he may be used to it *ack!* it didn't stop or faze him.
Me - as soon as it was out, I knew I'd blown it.
But since it was just one liiittle holler it didn't count, right?
No, my ticker is reset.
Ugh.

That ticker of mine!

Almost lost it . . . Aaaalmost. Just now, after coming home from a tiring day of errands and other "stuff", calling back and forth about doctors and picking up my mother with 8 parcels.

I had been gone from home since Sunday with both kids in tow, and getting home I see there is a pile of dishes. Not done since . . .Sunday.

I'll spare the details, but with this and that, and being VERY tired, I just about snapped some answer to my hubbies inquiries. I can't even remember what it was. I think I just wanted to yell. Funny huh?

Anyway - waaaaaaay back in the back of my brain was the warning "uh, ticker!" and I was able to bring it down to a small sass.

So ya see? Accountability has been victor tonight!

Yes, I will go and apologies to the hubs for being sassy. Because I WANT a peaceful home. And I know it starts with me.

And you know a plus? He did laundry. :-)

Watching Two Worlds Collide - King Kong Handicap

Skit about first day at school... Keith Wann is an acclaimed American Sign Language (ASL) performing artist who has been captivating and amusing audiences with his controlled chaos and total pandemonium explosions on stage, often leaving his laughing audiences gasping for breath. As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), he has traveled all over the nation performing for ASL students, various Deaf Communities and other warped CODAs like himself. Born hearing to Deaf parents in California, Keith grew up living in both the hearing and Deaf worlds, and has been able to create unique perspectives on the ways of both worlds. This has evolved into a one-man show, "Watching Two Worlds Collide", which takes a humorous, almost shocking, look at both worlds.

I'm an addict, and love it.

Hi, my name is Michelle.
(hello, Michelle)
I've been an addict off and on for most of my adult life. But it started much earlier.

I remember when I was just a child - a child by grabthars hammer! - when in the basement of the Lutheran church ('cause all "good" Lutheran churches have a basement) other addicts would give me some . . . CAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CUTE!!!!!

I never had a chance!

Here's an excellent article about caffeine.

An excerpt about overcoming jet lag too!

There are as many different jet-lag remedies as there are
seats on a trans-Pacific flight. But one approach, outlined in The Caffeine
Advantage by Bennett Alan Weinberg and Bonnie K. Bealer, involves abstaining
from caffeine for several days before traveling, then dosing yourself with small
amounts of coffee or tea on the day you arrive to stay alert—preferably out in
the sunshine—until your regular bedtime in your destination. (During weeks of
global travel for this article, it worked for me.)

Are you ready for this?

Nablopomo? What is that? Well it is National Blog Posting Month of course!

This is the challenge. To write post something every day during November.

There is more information here if you wish to join, but be warned: there are two "bleep" worthy expressions in this post that would disqualify one from "The Family Friendly Blogroll".

And I did enjoy their other seal that said "Aut blog aut mori" which is most likely incorrect Latin for "blog or die.", but then I'd get probably get quietly escorted off the Family Friendly Blogroll for sure!

The fun starts in November, and November is such a fun month!

Peace, peace . . .

In my "about" I mentioned that I am imperfect and struggling. One area that I struggle with is that my voice becomes a fustration indicator. Meaning - *ahem* - I yell.

I want this to stop.

I would like to have my kids say of me "Mom never raised her voice." And right now I am not heading that way. So consciously, prayerfully, I am giving this area up to change. Here is my ticker and if I goof, I'll reset it.

No yelling, not to the kids, and not to my hubby.

You are my witness.

Shame on me!

I've been reading, not posting. . . my bad!


Also I've been going through the whole process that precedes a surgery procedure for this. Looks like I will have a date for going under the knife by next week.

The MRI scan said that the growth size is 10 centimeters. I said baseball size before, well now think softball, but it looks like it is only one.


Experienced the joys of an extemporaneous pelvic exam. That's all fun. (rolling of eyes)


Anyway - between that and kids, home and ministry is where I've been. And when I do get a minute, I'm usually reading what everyone else is doing.

More to come!

Today

Our phone line was cut. Not in "we didn't pay the bill" but in "the PHONE LINE was CUT" we presume by the electric company when they were fooling around the post out front. We just got the phone line back.

Hello you beautiful WWW world!

If you don't know already, my husband takes deaf men and apprentice them in construction skill while building things for other ministries, people and the like. That's his ministry.

So today after we watched him go, sleepy Little Miss turns to me:

"Daddy go to wok."

"Yes, daddy is going to work."

"He building."

"Yes, that's right."

"He making castles."

(big smile and a hug from mommy)

"That's right, baby girl, your daddy builds castles."

Wordless Wednesday

Attention parents!

Why is poo so funny?

Have you seen this dog?

I blogged about it here. And now it has happened. Dog-dog is MIA. I had postponed this post because I was in part denial and part of me was hoping that it would show up.

Neither has happened. And my daughter is doing OK, she mentions dog-dog, wants to "find it" and will sometimes speculate that he is being washed. But for the most part, she seems to miss him mostly when she is going to bed.

Me on the other hand am having HEART PANGS!

We were watching Toy Story 2, and the song called "When somebody loved me" came on and I almost BROKE DOWN AND CRIED!

What a sap I have become!

But it does just kill me to know that this worn out dog was probably picked up or ignored by people. If somebody did find him I imagine that they would just toss it, because they have NO IDEA how loved he is! By my little girl, and . . .well, by ME!

I guess dog-dog was my lovey too.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen rules to drive by if you visit me in Ensenada, Mexico.

1. All driving speed limits are really just suggestions (and sometimes a joke!) unless a cop is in sight.

2. Pretty much all traffic laws are "flexible" unless there is a cop in sight.

3. Just because they are a cop doesn't mean there gonna drive according to any traffic laws. Traffic laws only apply to you.

4. The left hand blinker is to signal that it is safe to pass. Most roads are narrow, and curvey. Most truckers can be trusted even if you can't see, but watch that right hand blinker - if it comes on after he has given you a left hand blinker "all clear" sign then it means "never mind" or "oops, get back quick".

5. So if you do want to make a legitimate left hand turn first get into the oncoming traffic lane and then slow down (putting on the break lights) and then put on your blinker if not, and your in your correct lane and put on your left blinker the guy behind you thinks your giving him the "all clear" to pass and so starts to pass while you make a left hand turn and CRASH!

6. But what if there is oncoming traffic? Then start slowing WAAAAY down first, make SURE the guy behind you can see there is oncoming traffic and when your almost stopped then you can turn on your left blinker. Or better yet - stick your hand out and point to your turn.

7. If at a stop sign and there is a cop - stop and sing one round of "twinkle, twinkle little star" before preceding or they'll ticket you for an incomplete stop.

8. Driving in the middle of the road or even on the opposite side of the road (even on a two way traffic street) is OK, and sometimes the best way to avoid all those pot holes.

9. If others are pausing at a stop sign, don't make eye contact, because that gives away your right of way, just pause and go. Otherwise they will just pause and go.

10. Daring feats of driving boldness is not only acceptable, but respected.

11. If in a traffic jam or line, and someone cuts in front of you, no getting upset - kudos to him for being able to do so. Because of said rule above. And bumper tapping is normal and to be expected, so just ignore it, since NO WAY are we going to let any space get between us and the car ahead of us! That would signal an easy cut!

12. If you witnessed the signal light change from yellow to red, and no one is stopping ahead of you, you can still go through. By the same token, a red light can be ignored completely if no one is coming and, or it is a T intersection and you pass everyone on the right hand shoulder, since there is no oncoming traffic from the right. Although this is mostly reserved to monster trucks and city busses.

13. Finally and most importantly - ALL accidents are illegal, all parties are guilty until proven innocent, so if you do have a fender bender just flee the scene, since the other guy is already done so. Everyone is responsible for their own damages. And this rule kind of actually makes everyone really good and not getting into accidents . . .

Something to go "hmmm" about.

Missionary Anna - Kiwi Tales! tells a story, it might be the time of day (coffee break), but I found it pretty thought provoking.

Then Yellow Mama gives a different perspective about the good ol' story of Jonah.

Wordless Wednesday

A parenting day.

This was an e-mail that I wrote when the little guy was still nursing. My friend, now a new mother, saved it and sent it back with greater appreciation.

Here is the truth I've learned today:

Things get done - not "with the kids" but "in spite of the kids".

It is like running in water!

I know, can you believe no one TOLD me!

Your daily tasks to be completed: beds, kids up, dressed, hair and (if they have any) teeth brushed, and feed. Laundry, lunch for Little miss and me, clean up and the dishes.

Of course between these things there is random nursing, diaper changing and kid mess wipe ups that are constantly going on.

Little Guy is having what I think is allergies and not feeling good, so the only place he wants to be is in my arms while I'm walking around.

Note: he is NOT happy if I try to sit down with him. So I have two choices, set him down some where and listen to him wail, or hold him and try to do everything with one arm - which causes me more mess 'cause I spill so much . . .

While sitting down to nurse the little guy, Little Miss wants in on the action and usually gets both me and Little Man yelling at her to leave us alone. This usually leaves Little Miss crying too. Plus, she has taken them off the tennies I put on her and put on her church shoes (on the wrong feet) with NO traction, so she keeps falling, slipping on this tile floor!

Now is the blessed hour (possibly two) when I have just laid both kids down for their afternoon nap. Even though I can smell sour milk (urp) on me somewhere and my shoulder is soaked from drool, I can feel my sanity returning.

Perhaps I'll tackle a big task now, like *sigh* supper?

Thursday Thirteen

To answer several comments about the WW posted yesterday. That is a picture of the Deaf color guard for RSM . Every school in Mexico has one, none pictured are my biological babies, but spiritual ones yes. Now on to:

Thirteen Funnies
Because I love to laugh; ha ha ha ha!

are you ready for this linking ride?

One I mean how cute is that!

Two (because this can not, and should not EVER BE LAID TO REST!)

Three

Four pretty much I find ALL the stories funny, but this is one of the first I read.

Five one of my own that I laugh at to this day

Six She got all serious towards the end, but OH MY WORD did I find the first one funny!

Seven I actually found this also on Cheerio Butts's blog . . . Somewhere . ..

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

and Thirteen:

Wordless Wednesday

Update: Due to comments, I'll add this explination. This is the deaf color guard at the school for deaf children you see in my sidebar (RSM) and yes, they do march like that VERY seriously!

Learning English

Pretty smart idea, if you ask me, as long as your able to remember the phrases without having to do the dance.

SuperNanny gone awry!

Ever the Supernanny fan, I tried to implement trick, er, meal time method of getting toddler to eat her food, which is abundant praise! Counting the bites and when she takes a bite, give up cheers and woo-hoo's!

It works . . . and the whole family gets involved. Little guy even LOVES the game and will raise his food covered hands into his hair to celebrate each and every bite we fuss over.

Lunch today -

Little Missy goes "AAAaawwww" giving us fair warning that she's about to take a bite preparing us to witness said event, spoon poised at her wide open-smiles at the corners- mouth, eyes big in anticipation.
She takes the bite.
"Woo Hoo, one bite for you!"
We clap, little guy raising his hands up.
I turn to give little guy a bit, but he doesn't get a bite 'cause . . .
"AAAaaawwww" and it repeats again~
and again
and again
WHAT!
She isn't even swallowing that last bite!
Either it is a mad plan to starve little brother or the method works so well she is now stuffing her face . . . We're at 16 bites and her bowl empty.
Finally!
*Whew*
Now I can feed little guy.
Don't know about you, but I don't think I like this method!

Comments and answers.

Mike's a stay at home dad. Totally made me laugh!

Trisha, I've been in Mexico since 1997, met and married my hubby on the field and together we have been in Ensenada since 2004, I think . . We are career Missionaries, so were here till God tells us otherwise.

Heather, you are SO SWEET, and I am e-mailing you info right away! Do you know what lesfa is?

And Charlsie, I know, isn't this fun?! :-)

Care packages

First off, Midsummer Night You are so free to ask away anything about signing . . . no promise that I'd have the answer, but I'd be happy to share from what I know.

Missionary Blog Watch is talking about care packaging. He challenges us to list what we'd like to receive in a care package.

My hubby and I are blessed to belong to a church that annually has a "Project Mission Wish" that sends us out a care package filled with the items that we listed, then the church people do what they can to fulfill these wishes and the packages are sent back to us. When I gave birth to our first child - almost everything! I needed came from this mission wish! What a way to wrap you up with LOVE!

We are fortunate to live 2-3 hours from the US boarder, so any random craving can be fulfilled for the most part. Besides, here in Ensenada, Mexico there is a McD's, Burger King, Carls Jr., KFC and a "Cafe Tomas" that is a Starbuck rip-off, and a close copy! Also we have a CostCo, Office Max, Home Depo, and soon to open, Wal-Mart. Not hard up, are we. So the items listed are mostly wishes and things we either can not afford to buy, is frivolous to buy for ourselves, or they just don't stock here, like:

lefsa - if you don't know what it is, don't send it! It's comfort food for me.
Cheese Wiz - you'd think they would have that here, but no.
Cereal - Honeynut cheerios, Life, Lucky Charms, Capitan Crunch
Goodies - like mint fudge covered oreos. They have oreos here, but they DO.NOT. taste the same, the chocolate is just different here, less sweet, more salty.
Microwave popcorn
Kid craft items - glue, finger paint, kid scissors, construction paper, poster board, and the like
Little girl shoes - all types, size 8, especially the going-to-church type shoes
Play-doh
DVD's - anything from the "The Animated Stories from the Bible", or "Boz, the Green Bear Next Door"
Pretty things - like lip gloss, silk scarf, perfumed lotion and shower gel, scented candles, linen spray, other like things to pamper the "me in mommy" :-) Stuff I generally don't buy for myself. Board Games - like Killer Bunnies (really, a nicer game than you think), and CandyLand, and Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Sorry, etc.
Black picture frames - all sizes
CD writable
a good book on manners - and "Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home" or other make-a-house-a-home type books
Christian books you'd recomend (fiction or otherwise)
Stamps - since we are so close to the boarder we do receive and send our mail state side, so this is an on-going expense.
When I asked my hubby what he'd like in a care package all he had to say was a Gift Card for Home Depo, also do-able since we have state side access.
Classic or good books on audio CD - for those long drives to and fro the states
Home Videos of family - reading picture books "to" our kids, a way to keep Grandma fresh in their memories and have special times even though they are far away.

And at this time I am preparing to put on a deaf women's retreat, with an "Esther" theme where we will be doing "spa" type things for each other - you know, nails, feet, face . . . It aught to be fun, but anything and everything you could think of would be appreciated, should you feel inclined to help.

Thursday Thirteen

This is two birds with one stone: a meme that Flip Flop Mama tagged on everyone and today's TT. Some random questions (aka a kreme or fleme)

1. Favorite president of all time: I'd have to go with Lincoln
2. Who would you like to meet if you had a time machine: Besides Jesus? Albert Einstein, and maybe he could explain relativity and how light and time are interrelated in a way I could "get" it.
3. Favorite teacher of all time: Miss Judy McKay in elementary school, MN
4. Willy Wonka or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Really can't say, I liked them both and they both had elements of freaky in there.
5. Katharine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn: Audrey.
6. Favorite element on the periodic table: iron? That's on the table right?
7. Favorite line from a movie: "It's just a little bit of harmless brain alteration, that's all" (bazillion points if you can name the movie!)
8. Most useless skill: touching my pointer finger to my pinky over middle and ring finger of same hand without any help
9. Most valuable skill: The regular beating of my heart without even trying. I think it's pretty valuable.
10. Favorite tv show: Oh, boy - I have a few. "Who's line is it anyway" "SuperNanny" "House" "CSI" and "The dog whisperer"
11. Superman, Batman or Spider-man? Superman.
12. Favorite dance move: (in ice-skating) where the spinning gal brings her skate up above her head behind her.
13. Most useless invention: Those little targets you can buy for your little boy to aim at when teaching him to go in the big potty. Seriously, Fruit loops people!!! (mostly stolen from Flip Flop, this one)

A funny

It took me a bit to get it, but once I did, I laughed and laughed.

Wordless Wednesday

At a renaissance fair in Big Bear. The little Missy made herself comfortable in the queen's court.

I'm getting a crazy cold!

I've been pretty fortunate not to get annoying sicknesses like a cold, just big monkeys like growths on ovaries. Still, growths don't make me feel lethargic. (PS: I have an MRI scheduled for the 4th, won't find the results until the 11th, so I've got no new news)

Anywho - I'm getting something pretty fierce and where I want to tell you about the WONDERFUL women's retreat I went on this past weekend, and some humorous stories, and other very meaningful stuff (if I have any), I'm afraid that my head is just going "ouch,ouch ouch AACHHUU, AAACHHUU, sniff, sniff, ouch ouch ouch" and that is pretty dawg-gone dull, even to me.

Yet DO enjoy this link to Heathers blog, and DO click on the image to enlarge it and read the fine print . . . SO worth it!

AAAACCHHUUU! Sniff.
OK, bye.

Ready to laugh?

THANK YOU FLIP FLOP MAMA FOR THIS LINK!

Now watch me and my hubby cut some rug!

For all ye mission minded people.

This was a funny that I totally related to . . . Go see!

Not all sign is universal!

Mexico has it's own sign language, that we are learning now.

There are some similarities. The alphabet is pretty much the same. But there are glaring differences too.

For example, once I was trying to converse with a deaf woman of Mexico when she asked me in what I thought was ASL
"You, lesbian?" to which I was shocked and confused.
NO! I signed.
She looked at me again and signed "You, America?"
Uh, yes . . . And I asked her to spell out what - to me - was the sign for lesbian.
She spelled out i.n.g.l.e.s. (that's Spanish for "English")

The ASL sign for lesbian is the MSL sign for English.

Yeah, just in case anyone asks you where your from.

Deaf does not mean quiet.

Virginia is deaf.

I see her often. She is wife to our pastor to the deaf, who is deaf himself. She is a mother, and my friend. I meet with her on Tuesdays to pray and have coffee, our kids running around our feet.

Just the other day her little boy had a styrofoam cooler and he raised it over his head and let it drop.
Virginia saw it from the corner of her eye, and rushed over telling him "Shhhh! Don't do that! It's too loud."

It really didn't make any noise at all.

A misconception that I've run across while working with the deaf is that often people will assume they are quiet.

No, they are not. At least not initially.

When I worked with deaf children one of the first and ongoing things they learned was to self regulate their noise. They can't hear themselves yelling, or the consequence of slamming a book against their desks. Only that the hearing staff JUMPED when they did so. That's actually pretty amusing, really.

Some enjoyed making throat noises to themselves because the rythmetic vibrations felt comforting. So for hours they would happily play going "ung . . ung. . .ung . .ung". They get each other's attention by beating on a table or stomping on the ground (vibrations). And laughter, emotions like surprise, anger, sadness - just comes out at the hearts level.

In reality - the school for the deaf was a very noisy place. A sign we used looked like turning a key, but at the throat under the chin, and meant - "turn if off".

Virginia now giggles quietly, and is very careful not to be "loud", and she is careful with her children that they, too, aren't loud. I think she is more careful about that than I am! :-)
She blesses my heart, she does.

We've got spirit! Yes we do!

We've got spirit! How 'bout you?


If you don't know, September 15 at midnight (OK, so that is technically Sep 16) a shout goes up from the peoples in each community, in each town, in each pueblo. It is the shout of independence. The independence they gained from Spain. Don't worry - there were no pinatas! These pictures are from the shin-dig at Calvary Chapel in Ensenada - every one is deaf in these pictures except the children and the guy with the sombrero hat, that's the pastor . . .



My kids didn't make it till midnight. They turn back to pumpkins a lot sooner then that. I think they made it to 9pm?

Q. Does Mexico have a 4th of July?

A. YES!
It's right after the 3rd and before the 4th!

This is most certainly true.

I am no writer, folks.

I have no skill at turning a catchy phrase or two. I've tried to keep journals. I have about 5 laying around the house filled to, at most, page 10.

I skipped 8th and 9th grade entirely (you did not read that wrong, but it's a long story) and I think that's when they taught about punctuation and predicates and such - missed it.

My family has the "can not spell" gene pretty strong. It's a dominate gene, it is! (seriously, it's not just me, Scrabble is a riot when we try to play!)

I do have some smarts. Have documents to prove it, have my BA, graduated from college - magna cum laude - but when it comes to writing I am, well, just not gifted. I am not a mother, who is a writer, blogger.

Nope.

I can recognize why good writing is important. I do appreciate those writer-mothers out there that can relay their daily lives in humorous, witty, insightful manner. I often find myself wishing I could.

I blog because I wanted connection to other mothers. I blog because I don't keep memory books for my kids - this is it. And, like I said, I don't keep journals - this is it.

But there is no creative-writer-struggling-to-break-out-of-wife-and-mother-mode here.

I give honors to those creative writer ones out there that I am enjoying daily! I am in full envy mode today. BooMama had me in stiches today!

So what do I have to offer to this blogging world? Hmmmm . . .
Ah-ha! ( light bulb)

I have cute pictures of darling kids!

Captivating

*WHEW*
The final chapter!

An Irreplaceable Role.

Often it seems that we are spinning our wheels. Or that what my hubby and I are doing with the deaf is producing very little. The difference we make - miniscule, the role we play-puny. We begin to start to measure ourselves to other ministries, and/or question our "effectiveness" and we start to feel that we are falling short of . . . Everything.

It's then that we have to get back to the bottom line. It is this - are we where God has called us? Yes. Then we need to not worry about how "successful" we are, because our only requirement is to walk in obedience. The rest is up to Him!

Besides - haven't you heard "Even if you where the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you."? And - even if you bring a glass of water to someone it's like doing that to Jesus. So, even if we work with/help one person, that person is special enough for Jesus to die for, so they are important enough to me.

I found this chapter very general, a bit repetitive. Kind of anti-climactic. But this stood out to me.

"How it turns out is not longer the point. Living in this way, as a woman alive is a choice we make because it is the woman we want to be. It is our loving response to our Lover's invitation." (pg.215)

Often - mostly - I've found that ones "ministry" is often really God working on us - oh and P.S. He uses that to further His kingdom/bless/help others along the way.

Ak! I've been tagged!

A word association meme. I was tagged by Barefoot in the Garden . . . (he he)

flip - flops

sand - E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.!

vacuum - blackhole

southern - hot

testosterone - poisoning

My five words are . . .

Jesus, Chocolate, Peace, Humor, Hospitality

Do consider yourself tagged!

A Tankini for two (year old, that is)

My husband and I agreed to not place out little girl in bikini's not because she wouldn't look adorable in them but for the same reason this modesty button was placed up for. So a shopping we went. Now that she was potty trained I wanted a two piece that she could get the bottoms down easily. We looked and looked . . . There were LOTS of bikini's and halter, belly showing tops, but the only tankini I could find was in size 4. No matter, we bought it. Now we have a couple of years to go before the butt isn't sagging on it, but I think it is worth it all the same.

Great, the one who dies young . . .

Which Classic Female Literary Character Are you?

You're Beth March of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott!
Take this quiz!








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Confessions of a slacker blogger

I must admit . . . Ever since my discovery of Bloglines I have become a class "A" lurker. I tend to only comment if I have something to say. So, I tend to just read through a lot and lurk :-) he he

This came to mind as I was going over FlipFlop Mamma's list that she posted and wondered how she could answer them all! So, Flip Flop, do ya? I give you honors if so because even at my little list, I don't have the time in the day to comment on them all . . .

But in penance . . . To all who swing by here (lurkers too) consider this a comment to your blog - from me and assume I am reading yours. :-)

Captivating

Chapter 11

Warrior Princesses
mmm
doesn't that just sound GOOD?!

feminine yet strong. I like this combination.

This chapter touched on some hot topics, but I am going to focus on the warrior that we as women are called to be. I can not agree more - we are called to battle with the enemy. Who roams about like a lion seeking whom he may devour. It is not us who are strong but Jesus in us that gives us the victory since He has already won it. "But we must apply it" (pg.196)

He trains my hands for battle (Ps 18:34)

Like it or not we live in a warring time. And the battle is bloody. The enemy wants to destroy you and all that is yours. Right now in the small church down here in Mexico God is really speaking to the ladies about this. Just last night our "Deborah" gave the example that once when there was a terrible windy night that did a lot of damage, she slept through it. The next morning when visitors came over and complained about the awful wind and the damage it caused she waved it off, declared it nonsense. Turns out that the wind took off a good portion of her roof, but she was asleep.

Her lesson to us was this: The enemy is already already in our "territory" and if we think otherwise it could be that we are just spiritually asleep, but damage is being done none the less.

I challenge you to seek just how many times the bible speaks to us to "wake up" and how many times does the bible speak about us in battle - our the Lord in battle? Hello-o, "the Full Armor of God" not "the lounging robes of the Lord"

That is the point! Wake up!~ there's a battle going on and we need to defend our homes and our hearts. If we are not then what is getting in through our doors, TV's, radios, computer that is destructive and from the enemy? What are we allowing to creep in between us and our husband, children, family, friends, or the Lord? And we will be attacked. The ladies here are experiencing that right now something heavy. The enemy wants to destroy us! I know it.

We stand at the door of our homes in defense of them by the power of the Lord, armed with the sword of the Word. Jesus's name is P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L, so use it as the powerful weapon against the enemy that it is!

"Ladies, you are the Bride of Christ . . . and the Bride of Christ is a warring bride." (pg. 195)

PS:

-Our lesson last night was from 2 Chronicles 20, I encourage you to read it for yourself and see:

• enemies came against Jehoshaphat and were already in their territory
• he turned to the Lord, and his prayer was mostly of a declaration of who God is and what He had done
• he states (and I know I can too!) "we have no power to face the [enemy] that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you"!
• even the little ones were there :-)
• Then God said don't worry, I've got this. (paraphrasing) :-)
• they battled entirely with praise and thanksgiving
• and the enemy was defeated entirely by the Lord!

Let's apply it!

The Bermuda Triangle of DVD's

Today Charlotte's Web went missing.

This is the latest in the long line of DVD's that have all of a sudden VANISHED, case at home, just no DVD!

My dear hubby is beginning to suspect me of randomly just hiding these DVD, for fun and giggles and to add some spice to our relationship.

I searched high and low, cleaned out some dust bunnies I found along the way . . . Nothing. So we had to appease little miss with the Wiggles (now I understand why my cousin was so pleased to bless us with her son's own collection of the Wiggles!)

When the Wiggles were (thankfully) finished, I went and took the DVD out and yet the DVD player continued to hum as if something where still inside!

I peeked in - nothing. So I picked it up, gave it a shake and

Voila!

Out came:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A Discovery channels special on sharks ( a favorite of hers)
Boz
The Incredibles (one of the first to go missing in action about a year ago!)
A Veggie Tale video
and Charlotte's Web

Count 'em, that's 6 DVD's that were all in the DVD player at once! Seven, if you consider the Wiggle DVD played while these 6 were held hostage inside!

I can. not. explain it.

Today, right now, I am listening to the saddest sound:

"muuuuuuuuuu"

So mournful, so pathetic and so bad!

It's my daughter going around with her cow flashlight that when put on used to give a hearty and healthy "MOO"

Not today. I think he is calling it quits. Not that I blame him . . .All these times of moo-ing and no one has come to his rescue yet.

Four Aunts and an Ovary.

In my comments sarahgrace said

Oh Michelle- I will pray for your ovary...I know that sounds funny and I hope it made you laugh, but seriously, I will be praying for you.

It did! And then Camy wanted to know more about how my aunties mother me, so let me tell you a something that involves a bit of both.

I have four aunts; two live together in MN and one lives near by me in the mission field, about 45 minute drive. My fourth aunt also lives in MN with her hubby . . .

Well, I got the news on Monday, "state side" in CA, that I need to get this baseball size ovary out. I'm tired, I'm already stressed with other going-ons. I feel overwhelmed and stunned. So I whip out our cell and make a call to the aunties in MN (who are also prayer warriors) to let them know and ask for prayer - since I'm dazed. Feeling numb. Can't think.

Then Tuesday - still feeling dazed I drive over to my aunts place in MX around lunch time (always a good time to visit!!) to talk with her. But when I get there she already knows. She got the e-mail asking for prayer from MN (mind you my two MN aunties don't have e-mail! I suspect aunt #4 has something to do with this!) and aunt in MX was surprised that I hadn't called or come over earlier!

I was grateful (once again) for these loving aunts of mine and embarrassed at the same time.

Embarrassed because . . .huh, I mean, ovaries are just so personal! And those that know me know that I am NOT SHY when we are talking about . . .*ahem* stuff! I just have to keep this blog family friendly, that's all . . .

Anyway - it's the same feeling I had when I was pregnat. Like I was walking around with my underwear exposed, something so personal is so entirely public!

Now again, when speaking to my uncle, or brothers(!) I haven't told them yet, YIKES, I don't want to speak about my OVARIES with them in the same way that I don't want to hear about their testes! or even other family and friends of the female variety, I am speaking through some odd sense of modesty. It's weird.

But it's my aunts who are counseling me, listening to me, and praying for me. Spreading the word about my ovary to all those good Lutherans in Minnesota - Including Pastor Ronald! Ugh! Stop it? No way!

Besides what's so different about blogging it that it doesn't bother me here? Perhaps because I am writing to an audience, in my mind's eye, of women? Can't say . . . but the written word "ovary" isn't nearly as awkward as it is spoken.
ovary
ovary
ovary Then again maybe it is?

Captivating

Chapter 10

Mothers, Daughters, Friends

My aunts had a big part in mothering me. I am more than thankful they did. I can see now that a lot of my personal beliefs and attitudes come from one aunt in particular that didn't have any children of her own.

I have 4 aunts, all sisters to my mother. They all have influenced my life in one way or another. Another aunt has had in her home three of her own children and many many others that have graced her table. She considers them spiritual children besides her own.

My darlings have so many grandmothers . . . . we call them auntie-grandma's.
So this chapter rung true to me.
Yet not necessarily hitting with me anything particularity new or insightful.
That or I'm just not "getting" it.
Well, there are only two chapters left.
Let's see what's next . . . Ohhh - "Warrior Princess" That just SOUNDS interesting! . . .

I'm late!

So, I'm behind on posting my Capivating chapter 9 post . . .I hope to get to that tonight.

But in the meantime, would you send a prayer up for me? An ultrasound found my left ovary enlarged to the size of a baseball (8 cm diameter) and good or bad it needs to come out.

People keep asking me how I feel.

I can't get over feeling tired. As Chaotic mom spoke about . . .I'm in the "tired thirties".

For the sake of my sanity - I'm taking the 1 year old out of the bathroom where the two year old locked him in and we are going out to the park for a picnic lunch. So, I've got to run.

Imagine a birthday . . .

My daughter loves Cinderella.

Here darling, here is Cinderella -

Now, for fun, and to celebrate something wonderful, lets string her up with some rope, and proceed to beat her with a stick until her body is ripped from her head!

At which point we will all cheer and dogpile over the inners. *note- watch out for elbows, knees, feet, teeth, claws*
Remember the aggressive and forceful win!
And appendages will be going home as trophies if you can wrangle one away.

Small children, it would be best if you just cried in the sidelines.

I don't care much for pinatas. But I figure it's like sushi. Some love it, others just see raw fish. I don't like sushi either.

Now factor to all this jubilation over blatant violence -deafness. That was real fun at the deaf school we ministered at before we were here.

They'd have a blindfold on, so they couldn't see or hear when the pinata was broken, or when others were massing around them to gather candies . . No, they'd only feel a mass bobbing around them *he he he he*

Yeah, we had a rule that the kids couldn't go for the candies until the blindfold was off. Then the staff would look at each other and say "You go tap him on the shoulder to tell him his turns over!"

Hello You Blogging World!

OH!
I'm back!
It worked! (using an old 98 computer that was in the BACK ROOM)
I missed you!
I missed the internet!
I missed instant messenger!
E-mail!
I love you!
XXSMOOCH!XX

Now, to catch up on all my reading!!!!

A MEME

Missionary Mom tagged me . . . and I so enjoyed reading hers -who knew?

4 Things Meme

4 Jobs I have had in my life.
1 ice cream truck driver (I hated it)
2 registered nursing assistant in a nursing home and home health aid
3 coffee shop barrista
4 telemarketer for one day and quite because I H.A.T.E.D. it

4Movies that I could watch over and over (in no particular order)
1 Hitch
2 Shall we dance
3 the bbc pride and predjudice
4 Walase and Grommit

4 places I have lived
1 Seal Beach, CA
2 St. Paul, MN
3 Oaxoca, Mexico
4 Ensenada Mexico

4 things I like to do
1 read
2 host
3 watch movies
4 dance (but I really don''t do a lot of that anymore except with a featherduster in hand)

4 places I have been on vacation (or furlough)
Minnesota
Jamaca
Disneyland
Missouri

4 websites I visit daily
Boo Mama
Over head under Grace
all the others on my blogroll (thank you Happy Mom how to do this!)
see above

4 of my favorite foods
chocolate
coffee (yes, food)
mint chocolate fudge coverd Oreos
cheese

4 places I would like to be right now
Disneyland
A bed and breakfast
a all inclusive spa
a cruise ship (I think I need a vacation)

4 friends I think will respond.
Kelly
Cheerio Butt
Camy
Flip Flop Mama (if she hasn't been tag already!)

We are back home!!!!

And all the craziness that goes with arrival once you've been gone a while!

So, just to let you know . . . Our computer crashed before we left and so I am dropping it off at my brothers for repairs. I will be incommunicado . . . .

I am going to miss you all like crazy! No e-mail, no web, no computer . . Boo hoo! Boo Hoo!

I'm going to have to frequent those internet cafes!

What was that?

It was about 2am . . . I don't know for sure, but it was middle of the night-ish. After everyone was sleeping.

While we are at my in-laws we are staying in a camper trailer that works very well. And it is easy to hear when little missy wakes up . . .

I can see her looking around her bed.

"W'ere my hair?"
"What?!" (I hate being woke in the middle of a good sleep, hate it)
"w'ere my hair!?" she's still looking around, her voice get a bit more urgent
"It's On Your Head!" kind of through my teeth 'cause . . . . you know
"Oh, it's on my head?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, tay"
And back to sleep she went.

Guilty, as charged!

This seen on a church sign near by: "A synonym is a word that means the same as the one you can't spell"

The breakfast that lasted to lunch.

Like cool waters on a hot day!

That's what it felt like to meet up with these ladies!

Yes in-deedy. I got to meet in real life Rebekah and Addie! Kids in tow we got coffee then went to the nearest playplace. (There is a reason that McD's is doing so well!) Our kid count was 7, my own being the most troublesome. Little missy kept trying to see if her little brother could bounce! Yet we all survived and really, what a delight it was.

If you've read Addie's latest blog she will tell you that she's a bit "snappy" right now - but I got none of that, instead she impressed me as a calm, intelligent, insightful lady.

Rebekah was radiant with a smile that went from one ear to another!

Both, oh so delightful! And we went in for breakfast and left as the lunch crowd started coming in and my heart broke, seriously, I wish I could have stayed much, much longer.

I resisted calling after them and asking if I could just go home with them. That might have come off as a bit too . . . stalker-ish.

It was fun!
Thank you Addie! Thank you Rebekah!

It remains my honor to have met you.

Captivating Chapter 9

Arousing Adam -

This was actually very different than I thought it was going to be. The title is so titillating and then the chapter came off as so matter of fact. So - hmmm

I especially agree with the words it had to say to the single women and would recommend any single lady to read this on page 163. I approach with caution the section of "Good Men That Do Not Belong To You" I believe that in opposite gender relationships we need to be VERY CAREFUL.

I did find it very interesting what it had to say about Adam's wound. Mostly I agree that in every man they need to be needed. And how does a woman love a man, hmm? By inviting! This was particularity interesting, and yet I am guilty of: "The typical Church Lady. She's actually quite beautiful, but she dresses in such a way as to hide it. Bag-shaped dresses, hair in a bun. Her heart is also shut down. . . . They don't attack or dominate. But neither do they allure. Their message is simply, "There's nothing here for you." . .. A man in her presence feels . . .Uninvited. Unwanted. (p.160) So let me go now and tell my man "I need you. I need your strength. I believe in you. You have what it takes"! (p.161)

HELLO! It's a COMMERCIAL!

In our home we don't get very good TV reception at all. We haven't put the antennas up to do so. We don't want to, we do just fine with videos and movies.

So now while we are out traveling and visiting with the in-laws my daughter (and me!) are enjoying DIGITAL TV!

But my little girl just doesn't understand commercials. So every time she's watching - say - JoJo's circus and they take a commercial break, she freaks.

"NO! Mommy! Jojo's tircus!"
"Honey, it will be right back."
"No mommy bideo! Jojo tircus!"
"This is just a commercial, it last a little bit . . "
"No co-mertol, No mommy bideo!"

And this pretty much goes on until a)a fun commercial comes on that she gets interested in or
b) her show comes back on

Yet if it's option A then once that commercial is over she's upset that we changed her "bideo" on her AGAIN! It's so fustrating for her!

The Twilight Zone (for me)

I am the only one here (am I?), it seems, that finds it funny that a tortilla is being called a "boritto shell" !?

I really am having a tough time asking for a boritto shell for my quesadilla with a straight face!
*snicker*

A shell gave me the image of a hard thing. Like a hard shell taco or something. Guess not.

*snicker*

(Updated 8/10) Flipflop mama and Kellygirl asked me where I am. I am in the big MO with the in-laws. :-) It's a different world!

Joy comes in the morning!

And what joy it will be to meet Happy mom. Yet double my blessings Addie is going to be there too!

Meanwhile . . . *ugh* visits! I am SO EXHAUSTED! Bowling, swimming, BBQ's, movies, talking, driving, driving driving! Naps? Between point A and point B . . Maybe. Mom? Bone weary! Kids? Strung out.

*sigh* Fun is such WORK!

:-)

Captivating

Chapter 8

I must say, this one is the first chapter that I went "AH-HA!" In fact that is scribbled on the side of the page just like that in my book - Ah -Ha!

The part about a mans strength, I agree with. I, even in my strongest days, likes a hero. I suspect I am not alone.

Now, let me share with you what I LOVED!

For almost a year now, possibly may be 2 . . . a long time, I have wondered what "a quiet spirit" means. Searching around I got vague answers. Still I did notice that from God Himself I was getting messages over and over in the bible, in sermons, in talks with other women of TRUST and REST. Have I been so blind that I didn't see GOD WAS ANSWERING ME?!

Over and over, trust and rest, trust and rest. But this chapter spelled it out so clearly for me - Beauty flows from a heart at rest 1 Peter 3:3-4 says that our beauty should come from "your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit." A spirit at rest. To have a gentle and quiet spirit is to have a heart of faith, a heart that trusts in God, a spirit that has been quieted by his love and filled with his peace. (pg.134) Yes! I know it. It resonates with me. "He will quiet you with his love"(Zeph.3:17). A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest, trusting God . . ." (pg.135) And there is your beauty.

In Real Life!

Yeee Hawww! I am getting together real soon with Happy Mom on the 10th!

Woo Hoo!

And at Starbucks! Woo Hoo!

I've been surviving too long on istant coffee!

Hot Topic! Beware.

Missionary Mom is talking about some VERY interesting stuff.

This post started out as a comment in response to what she had to say about abusive relationships and I realized that it was getting too long, so I post it here:

It has been said in the comments that we really can't say until we've been there- that is so true -Like I always did my best parenting before I had kids.

So this is just my opinion: Grab your cup of coffee, it's going to be a long one.

I would think that each situation is as different as the person. And it really is a matter of crossing that bridge when you get to it. If there are children involved you must PROTECT THE CHILDREN!

Even verbal abuse, or abuse that is only directed at the mother is still damaging to children THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. In case #2 of "I am at a loss" the oldest girl is making a lot of wrong choices, but I wouldn't call upon an abusive father to protect her - as Dr. Laura Schlessinger would say (from "10 stupid thing parents do to mess up their kids")- he tore up his parenting card. We need to keep our children away from harmful things! I agree with Missionary Mom, God does not want women to stay in abusive situations, women, children or anybody.

The Enemy is the one to blame and he is seeking to rob, kill and destroy so it is not surprising to me that women from case #1 left her husband that the enemy tried another way to destroy, rob, kill her. Playing on her weakness/need to be loved and supported, using the "your too busy" and selfishness to rob kill and destroy her kids. I am not surprised at all.

Yet we know God can do miracles, God can give someone a special calling to stay and use that to affect someone else. As may be the case of "Another horror story". So it is really about what has been said "their relationship with God".

My own mother was abused physically, probably verbally too. My father at times abused us children and almost to our deaths. But he passed away (was taken away?) when we were 3 years old, 2 and 9 months. He was in perfect health and 26 years old. Just died. I do not believe my brothers or myself would be in the wonderful position God has us in if our extended family and church family didn't step in to help us!

Somebody needs to serve as the loving arms of God and wrap them up. Extend, extend, extend. It doesn't happen often because it is A LOT OF WORK! Healthy people tend to chose healthy spouses. Damaging/damaged people tend to marry damaged people and make more damaged people - so it will not be cut and dry. In fact more often than not it is VERY MESSY. You're going to see families make terrible choices after you "help" them and you will want to throw in the towel. I am speaking from the experience of my own mother and family. But if it wasn't for the persistent reaching out to, and continual prayer for -at least us children - IN SPITE of our parents, I, nor my brothers (who also are both missionaries) could not, would not be where we are now.

So my opinion. Ideally mommies and daddies would reflect God in their love for each other and children. Children DO need both a mother and a father, but don't suffer abuse unless that is God's specific leading, protect the children and then DON"T LET THESE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN JUST SINK! EXTEND HELP!

As I write this my heart is filled with gratitude for my extended family and friends that did intervened in our lives. I can't thank you enough! Even though you all don't READ my blog . . . :-)

Fun News!

Life is a rollercoaster - with ups and downs. I've shared my downs, now let me share an up with you! Dear little Mister has taken his first steps at his "auntie-grandmas" (my aunts) and is now walking, abeit a little woobly, at his grandma's and grandpa's. It sure is fun to share these moments with them! Watch out world he is a walker now!

More news.

My dear friends, I believe I miscarried Saturday. It happened suddenly, messily and painfully.

I find it interesting that I didn't feel like sharing the news with all my family.
Don't worry, I'm OK.
I LOVED reading all your congratulation when I told you I was prego - and they still make me smile.
This is most certainly true (been in Minnesota too long don't cha know!) you are my support group.
*love to you all*!!!

Captivating Romance

Capivating romanced. I totally agree with the statement A woman becomes beautiful when she knows she's loved. I believe it, I have seen it happen. And that we don't need to wait for a man to do this! Yes, God longs to bring this Himself!

That Jesus describes himself and his longing and love for us like a bridegroom, I "get". When the groom is at the alter, waiting for his woman (according to God's plan), its exciting and emotional, but what is it that the groom is looking forward to? (Mind you, I have to keep this blog family friendly!) - intimacy with his bride (wink wink). Oh yeah - sure, love of a lifetime, family, long walks on warm summer evenings under the stars bla bla bla, but he is sure looking forward to knowing his wife! In the biblical sense. It is bonding, it draws them together like nothing else, it makes them one. In God's plan it is BEAUTIFUL, it is S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Special. A want, a need, a drive! that's the longing Jesus has for us.

*whew* Is it warm in here or is it just me?

And I do believe that this romancing is personal! I have experienced it myself but I will tell the story of my Aunt. She loves to see horses running loose on the streets. She lives in an area where that is not unheard of. Often she will recount to me that just when she needed it, just when she may have asked for some loven from her God, she is given a sight of running horses. Coincidence? OH COME ON! Take it for what it is! GOD LOVING YOU! Why not? He can, HE'S GOD!

And I know. I KNOW He spoils me!

This may seem a bit much, doesn't God have a lot to do? Isn't He too busy to be all spoiling on me? But God is eternal! He is not locked into time like we are. This romancing can be personal, He can "sing over with delight and dance . . . Across mountain tops and ballroom floors" with us because He has eternity to do so, with each one of us!

Eldredge says "God wants to live this life together with you, to share in your days and decisions, your desires and disappointments. He wants intimacy with you in the midst of the madness and the mundane . . . the laundry and lists . . .He is not interested in intimacy with the woman you think you are supposed to be,. He wants intimacy with the real you."

Amen.

It would be like telling my hubby that we cant have intimacy (or "putting up pickles" as boomama would say) until I was the ideal wife . . . Lose a few more pounds, get some perky-er everything . . .*snort* Yeah, like that would happen. But you see? My hubby doesn't want perfection - he wants me and he wants me NOW! So does Jesus. :-)

And I agreed with the ending chapters - our time with the lover of our souls will be opposed! Don't we know it! So, I am challenged again to DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to get (oh, dare I say it!) orgasmic with my Jesus!

(Please forgive me if I offended any sensitivities, but I do believe His passion for us is this strong!)