Tomorrow is the start of a fun-filled family weekend. I am so excited, I could just squeal! JD & Janel fly into town around 11:45 am. The first item on the agenda is lunch at In & Out Burger. It’s one of JD’s favorites and of course they don’t exist in South Carolina. Then we’re headed to Attic Needlework in Mesa. It’s a great cross-stitch shop that I only get to visit about twice a year. I can’t wait to introduce Janel to it.
After we get back home, we’re grilling steaks for dinner and watching a movie. Frankly, I don’t care what we do as long as we’re together. I haven’t seen JD and Janel in over a year and I plan to just stare at them for the first day, along with lots of hugs!
2.10.2011
2.08.2011
I'm a Winner!
Jessica introduced me to a couple of writing blogs recently. I love to write. That doesn't mean I'm any good. It just means it's an activity I enjoy. One of the blogs is called "One Minute Writer". The blog author gives a word prompt every day and you have 60 seconds to write. I look at it every couple of days or so and when I checked today I found that I'm a daily winner! Yea! You can check out my winning submission here. I have no idea why she says "congratulations on another win", I've never won before that I know of...
2.07.2011
Update on 101 in 1001
February marks the 3rd month of my 101 in 1001 list and I wanted to give an update on my progress (or lack thereof). I have started 20 of the items on my list and have completed two of them. I'm having a hard time not feeling pressured, or like I'm falling behind. I think it's because in the back of my mind I think I only have one year to get this all done. I really have 2 1/2 years. I'm really enjoying the list, especially the accountability on some of the items. You can follow my progress by clicking on the "101 in 1001" tab at the top of this page.
Do you have a list? If so, I'd love to hear about it...
Do you have a list? If so, I'd love to hear about it...
2.06.2011
Misc. Photos, Overnight With Sunny, Animal Pancake Breakfast
I found this photo on the camera when I was downloading the overnight pictures. I think it was taken a couple of weeks ago... I'm pretty sure they're watching "Sesame Street". I thought they both had nice smiles!
Sunny spent the night Friday night. We went out to dinner at Culver's with the Greats and then stopped by Target to see Tia Jessica. She saw another little girl with one of these great big balls and tried to take it away from her, so of course we had to buy her one! Dan said, "you realize we just set a really bad precedent!" Oops...
Saturday morning we got up and Dan made animal pancakes. The picture below is of the "S" he made Sunny, I was a little late in getting the shot.
Jessica came over for breakfast so she could have some play time with Sunny and this is a picture of the "J" he made for her! Even though all of our kids are grown, they still love Dan's animal pancakes. He really does a good job of making lots of shapes free-form. In our family, he's famous for them!
Sunny spent the night Friday night. We went out to dinner at Culver's with the Greats and then stopped by Target to see Tia Jessica. She saw another little girl with one of these great big balls and tried to take it away from her, so of course we had to buy her one! Dan said, "you realize we just set a really bad precedent!" Oops...
Saturday morning we got up and Dan made animal pancakes. The picture below is of the "S" he made Sunny, I was a little late in getting the shot.
Jessica came over for breakfast so she could have some play time with Sunny and this is a picture of the "J" he made for her! Even though all of our kids are grown, they still love Dan's animal pancakes. He really does a good job of making lots of shapes free-form. In our family, he's famous for them!
2.03.2011
Thursday Thoughts
Oh my goodness! It is so cold here in the Valley of the Sun. Yesterday’s high was only 43 degrees which set a record for the lowest high temperature for the date and for the entire month of February. Brrr. Plus the wind blew all day long. Yesterday morning at 10:30 am, the temperature was 34 degrees, the wind chill was 21 degrees, and the dew point was –18 degrees. Yes, not only is it cold, but it is bone dry also. So, although we’re under a freeze warning, there is no chance of frost in the area because there’s no moisture in the air! Thank goodness they’re calling for 70s by next week.
I know there are lots of aspects to the situation in Egypt. There’s the political, the religious, the cultural, the financial, but I want to talk to you about the archeological aspect of the situation. It really bothers me to hear the reports of museums, pyramids, and antiquities being looted, burned, and broken into. Why would a people want to destroy their past? Especially when their past is so old and plays such an important role in the advancement of society? I just do not understand it. Once these treasures are destroyed, that’s it, there’s no replacing them. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying this is the most important aspect of the situation over there. I’m just saying that it really struck me yesterday when they were discussing it on the news.
I am so excited about the happenings of this month. Tomorrow night Sunny will be here for her monthly sleepover. Next week, JD & Janel arrive for a visit, we attend the VNSA book sale, we’re having family photos made, and we’re having a family dinner. The following weekend, Zach’s best friend Daniel (and our “3rd son”) is getting married on Friday, Ashley’s baby shower is Saturday, and Katie’s hosting a candle party on Sunday. (If you want any Gold Canyon candles, let me know). On Monday, 2/28, I’m having lunch with Daniel’s mom and grandma. Then on Friday, 3/4 my new granddaughter is due! 2011 is shaping up to be quite the year for our family.
I know there are lots of aspects to the situation in Egypt. There’s the political, the religious, the cultural, the financial, but I want to talk to you about the archeological aspect of the situation. It really bothers me to hear the reports of museums, pyramids, and antiquities being looted, burned, and broken into. Why would a people want to destroy their past? Especially when their past is so old and plays such an important role in the advancement of society? I just do not understand it. Once these treasures are destroyed, that’s it, there’s no replacing them. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying this is the most important aspect of the situation over there. I’m just saying that it really struck me yesterday when they were discussing it on the news.
I am so excited about the happenings of this month. Tomorrow night Sunny will be here for her monthly sleepover. Next week, JD & Janel arrive for a visit, we attend the VNSA book sale, we’re having family photos made, and we’re having a family dinner. The following weekend, Zach’s best friend Daniel (and our “3rd son”) is getting married on Friday, Ashley’s baby shower is Saturday, and Katie’s hosting a candle party on Sunday. (If you want any Gold Canyon candles, let me know). On Monday, 2/28, I’m having lunch with Daniel’s mom and grandma. Then on Friday, 3/4 my new granddaughter is due! 2011 is shaping up to be quite the year for our family.
2.02.2011
Pray For the Christians in Egypt
In Egypt, 9% of the population are Coptic Christians. They need our prayers. Hundreds of Christians in the U.K. took part in a day of prayer for believers in Egypt last Saturday. Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain said Christians have a "duty" to fill Egypt with light as he spoke of their determination to stay.
"As a church we've been there for 2,000 years. We're a resilient bunch. We're not going anywhere. We're the indigenous people of Egypt and we're staying in Egypt and people need to realize that. I do not mean that provocatively but defiantly," he said.
There is a history of persecution of the church in Egypt and in the last few years there has been an alarming escalation in discrimination and violence against Christians. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide there have been 53 incidents of sectarian violence from 2008 to 2010.
So far the violence in Egypt seems to center on a change in government. However, as the unrest continues, the target is shifting to include a religious overtone.
What can we do? We can pray. I can only speak for myself, but sometimes I get so bogged down in praying for what's going on in my world, that I fail to pray for what's going on in the world. It is important for us to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. Many of them face persecution every single day of their lives. They live in circumstances that you and I can't even imagine.
I'm not telling you to give up praying for your family, your friends, neighbors, the prayer requests you read about on other blogs. Indeed, we must keep praying for all of them. But we need to take time to remember to pray for fellow Christians in other countries. And right now, today, the Christians in Egypt are in need of our prayer support.
"As a church we've been there for 2,000 years. We're a resilient bunch. We're not going anywhere. We're the indigenous people of Egypt and we're staying in Egypt and people need to realize that. I do not mean that provocatively but defiantly," he said.
There is a history of persecution of the church in Egypt and in the last few years there has been an alarming escalation in discrimination and violence against Christians. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide there have been 53 incidents of sectarian violence from 2008 to 2010.
So far the violence in Egypt seems to center on a change in government. However, as the unrest continues, the target is shifting to include a religious overtone.
What can we do? We can pray. I can only speak for myself, but sometimes I get so bogged down in praying for what's going on in my world, that I fail to pray for what's going on in the world. It is important for us to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. Many of them face persecution every single day of their lives. They live in circumstances that you and I can't even imagine.
I'm not telling you to give up praying for your family, your friends, neighbors, the prayer requests you read about on other blogs. Indeed, we must keep praying for all of them. But we need to take time to remember to pray for fellow Christians in other countries. And right now, today, the Christians in Egypt are in need of our prayer support.
2.01.2011
February 1st - Scripture Memory Challange
So far, so good. I've memorized two verses so far this year and am ready to take on my third verse. This time I've chosen:
For more information on Beth Moore's Scripture Memory Challenge, check out her website. You can join thousands, yes thousands of other women in a commitment to memorize scripture this year.
My personal experience has been that the first verse was a breeze. The second verse was a little more difficult. I think that's because I have to keep working on the first verse so I don't forget it. It's not like studying for an exam - learn it, take the test, forget it - this is information that I'm trying to commit to my memory, never to forget. It's a challenge, but it's a challenge I'm excited to meet!
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Psalm 130:3-4
Psalm 130:3-4
For more information on Beth Moore's Scripture Memory Challenge, check out her website. You can join thousands, yes thousands of other women in a commitment to memorize scripture this year.
My personal experience has been that the first verse was a breeze. The second verse was a little more difficult. I think that's because I have to keep working on the first verse so I don't forget it. It's not like studying for an exam - learn it, take the test, forget it - this is information that I'm trying to commit to my memory, never to forget. It's a challenge, but it's a challenge I'm excited to meet!
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