I'm reading a foofy romance novel by Debbie Macomber entitled Mrs. Miracle. At the beginning of each chapter there is a quote from the main character, cleverly named Mrs. Merkle. These one liners not only set the tone for the upcoming chapter, but they are so darn witty I just have to share a few of them with you.
But just a few...
for now.
A lot of people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
The best way to get even is to forget.
Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
One more...
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
Hope you smiled!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Brag #2
The results are in...
Sarah Jane brought home her report card and, of course, as we all expected, she is doing a fabulous job at being a Kindergartner!
Her evaluation indicates that she either "meets" or "exceeds" all of the expectations for the current quarter. Her math is well beyond that of the state standards, as is her reading. In fact, Miss St.John sent home a special note saying, and I quote (including the use of exclamation points), "Sarah Jane is now learning first grade words!! Her reading is at a first grade level!! She continues to be a positive and outgoing student in the classroom. Keep up the good work!"
We wouldn't have expected anything less that to hear that she is a stellar student, and Sarah Jane herself seemed very proud to have gotten such praise from her "favorite teacher."
Now if we can only get her to meet the household standards for taking out the trash and for putting both clean and dirty clothes in the proper places...
Sarah Jane brought home her report card and, of course, as we all expected, she is doing a fabulous job at being a Kindergartner!
Her evaluation indicates that she either "meets" or "exceeds" all of the expectations for the current quarter. Her math is well beyond that of the state standards, as is her reading. In fact, Miss St.John sent home a special note saying, and I quote (including the use of exclamation points), "Sarah Jane is now learning first grade words!! Her reading is at a first grade level!! She continues to be a positive and outgoing student in the classroom. Keep up the good work!"
We wouldn't have expected anything less that to hear that she is a stellar student, and Sarah Jane herself seemed very proud to have gotten such praise from her "favorite teacher."
Now if we can only get her to meet the household standards for taking out the trash and for putting both clean and dirty clothes in the proper places...
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Life is Stage
Happy Easter to one and all!
While this is a joyful holiday full of spiritual significance and tons of chocolate, I am glad to say that the day is almost over.
Steve had the misfortune of having to work today, and while I appreciate his willingness to do what it takes to support his family, he was missed by us all. We began our Sunday morning by discovering some much anticipated goodies from our friend the Easter Bunny. Both big girls were very excited to dig into their baskets, and while Sydney didn't get to enjoy any sweets, her new teething toy was a big hit. Of course the Bunny didn't forget about Kenny who had been staying with us over his spring break from school. He got a giant chocolate bunny and some spending money for an upcoming trip to LA with his high school band. Everyone was smiles from ear to ear (except the rabbits who had already had their ears eaten off.)
We had three services at church and I did a dramatic reading of a poem at each one. It was a long day, but I think many people were touched by the words of the poem.
I print it here with permission from the author...
There they lie
our dreams in shreds.
Battered
Scattered
Heart-shattered
All the things we thought that mattered
Have slipped,
In the stripped form,
Hand-clawed
Thorn-pierced
Blood matted form.
Nailed to a cross.
It's not just a man who's died,
But out hopes,
Lives,
Yearnings
Mission
Heart-pourings of a vision of what might have been.
"Dreams dreams" the sneered
In snide scorning
As they hammered home the last three taunts
Of a devil's smile.
They might as well have
Slammed them into my heart.
We've gone the extra mile,
And back again.
And nowhere left to start.
Is the morning too still
To hear a word twice whispered?
Is dawning possible
From hearts all bitter-twisted?
Who dares disturb my grief,
Or bring a word?
But there it is again.
No raised voice this, nor distant,
But quiet, insistent
Slowly stripping dawns resistance
To the joy it brings.
I try to mourn
"Tell me where they've laid Him!"
Warm eyes have none of it.
No graven gaze engulfs my face,
But love,
Reborn
Renewed
Regiven
From a riven heart
That took the path of love.
Faith flickers
Full-fanned
Bursts out aflame
And Man!
Suddenly the enormity of it all strikes you...
That death
Is just a birth
The world will not contain.
Great poem, huh? Hope you had a great Easter, and will have a wonderful week to come.
Remember, He died for you too!
While this is a joyful holiday full of spiritual significance and tons of chocolate, I am glad to say that the day is almost over.
Steve had the misfortune of having to work today, and while I appreciate his willingness to do what it takes to support his family, he was missed by us all. We began our Sunday morning by discovering some much anticipated goodies from our friend the Easter Bunny. Both big girls were very excited to dig into their baskets, and while Sydney didn't get to enjoy any sweets, her new teething toy was a big hit. Of course the Bunny didn't forget about Kenny who had been staying with us over his spring break from school. He got a giant chocolate bunny and some spending money for an upcoming trip to LA with his high school band. Everyone was smiles from ear to ear (except the rabbits who had already had their ears eaten off.)
We had three services at church and I did a dramatic reading of a poem at each one. It was a long day, but I think many people were touched by the words of the poem.
I print it here with permission from the author...
There they lie
our dreams in shreds.
Battered
Scattered
Heart-shattered
All the things we thought that mattered
Have slipped,
In the stripped form,
Hand-clawed
Thorn-pierced
Blood matted form.
Nailed to a cross.
It's not just a man who's died,
But out hopes,
Lives,
Yearnings
Mission
Heart-pourings of a vision of what might have been.
"Dreams dreams" the sneered
In snide scorning
As they hammered home the last three taunts
Of a devil's smile.
They might as well have
Slammed them into my heart.
We've gone the extra mile,
And back again.
And nowhere left to start.
Is the morning too still
To hear a word twice whispered?
Is dawning possible
From hearts all bitter-twisted?
Who dares disturb my grief,
Or bring a word?
But there it is again.
No raised voice this, nor distant,
But quiet, insistent
Slowly stripping dawns resistance
To the joy it brings.
I try to mourn
"Tell me where they've laid Him!"
Warm eyes have none of it.
No graven gaze engulfs my face,
But love,
Reborn
Renewed
Regiven
From a riven heart
That took the path of love.
Faith flickers
Full-fanned
Bursts out aflame
And Man!
Suddenly the enormity of it all strikes you...
That death
Is just a birth
The world will not contain.
Great poem, huh? Hope you had a great Easter, and will have a wonderful week to come.
Remember, He died for you too!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Progress has been made! Sarah Jane and Sadie Lynn have both been to the dentist, and I must say that I feel like SuperMom.
Both girls have fabulously clean teeth and I was praised for their brushing habits. At Sarah Jane's appointment I asked Dr. Lee to address the thumb sucking habit. She was surprised to hear that Sarah Jane was a thumb sucker as apparently she has done no damage to her mouth. But the subject was discussed and Sarah Jane has been working VERY hard to break that habit ever since.
When it was Sadie Lynn's turn, thumb sucking was the first thing mentioned by the dentist. She is not as lucky, and there is a small amount of change to the roof of her mouth which will only get worse if she can't kick the habit. Of course, Sadie Lynn is the one with the iron will and if I can't convince her to quit on her own we will have an epic battle on our hands.
I have already scheduled their next appointments for 6 months from now (I'm determined to stay on top of it this time) so we have some time to work on it. I'm sure Sarah Jane will go back with a great report, having stopped sucking her thumb entirely by then. But join us as we pray for a divine intervention on Sadie Lynn's behalf. God help us!
Both girls have fabulously clean teeth and I was praised for their brushing habits. At Sarah Jane's appointment I asked Dr. Lee to address the thumb sucking habit. She was surprised to hear that Sarah Jane was a thumb sucker as apparently she has done no damage to her mouth. But the subject was discussed and Sarah Jane has been working VERY hard to break that habit ever since.
When it was Sadie Lynn's turn, thumb sucking was the first thing mentioned by the dentist. She is not as lucky, and there is a small amount of change to the roof of her mouth which will only get worse if she can't kick the habit. Of course, Sadie Lynn is the one with the iron will and if I can't convince her to quit on her own we will have an epic battle on our hands.
I have already scheduled their next appointments for 6 months from now (I'm determined to stay on top of it this time) so we have some time to work on it. I'm sure Sarah Jane will go back with a great report, having stopped sucking her thumb entirely by then. But join us as we pray for a divine intervention on Sadie Lynn's behalf. God help us!
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