Saturday, June 29, 2013

FYI...

Just wanted to let ya'll a few things...

 I added a "follow feature".  You can type in your email & click 'subscribe'.  You will automatically be sent an email whenever I publish a new post.

You can also subscribe at the bottom using different feed readers.

If you'd like to post a comment (PLEASE DO!), just click on the comment button & type away.

I've decided to post on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday of each week.

Thanks for checking out my blog!  I've had fun & learned lots of new skills in setting it up.  Again, it's a work in progress.

Have a weekend full of blessings!

Friday, June 28, 2013

...And They're Gone Again!

My two sons have been very busy this summer...and they're gone again!

They went with a group of 40 from our congregation to Moore, OK, June 10 - 12th.  This group worked with the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief.  The three days were spent cleaning up debris, removing tree stumps, handing out meals & supplies.  The church our group stayed at was across the street from the hospital that was destroyed.  Our volunteers left a signed shirt on the memorial fence at the elementary school, where seven children were killed.

I know this trip was very fulfilling, humbling, & sobering for my sons & others who went.  They worked many hours in the Oklahoma sun, with no complaints, & returned changed by the experience.

Our minister posted about the trip & how it brought new clarity to the Truth.  You may read it here - http://coryhcollins.blogspot.com/2013/06/moore-focused-moore-thankful-and-moore.html

One of our young ladies posted a poem about Moore - http://charissaexplainsit.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-meaning-of-moore.html 

One our young men, Joshua Gibbs, is a professional photographer (http://photographybyjoshua.zenfolio.com/ ).  Joshua was able to get time for pictures during all the work.  I am honored to be able to share just a few of his powerful photos!
This was the most touching to me; some little girl has lost everything! Including her Raggedy Ann.
The guys spent all day digging & chopping tree stumps in a woman's yard.  Andy is in the black cap with the white towel.  Sam is in the black cap with the red towel.
The boys were home 3 1/2 days, then left with a total of 50 7th -12th graders on  June 16th.  This large group made their annual summer trip to Pettyjohn Springs Christian Camp in Madill, OK.  They had a full week of Bible classes, 'Heart to Heart' talks, sports, rope course, swimming, eating, talking, & hanging out with 200 other campers!

This is one of the best camps I know of, with wonderful, caring counselors.  There are friendships formed here that last!  I was privileged to attend this camp myself decades ago...yes, it's that old!

Kent & I drove up early Saturday morning to go pick up campers in the church vans.  It's so heartwarming to see everyone hugging & saying good-bye.  The fun really starts when we work at verifying that ALL THEIR STUFF is actually loaded & not left behind.  Then I have the 30 who are riding in vans, check in with me to say which van they are getting into.  Finally, I get on each van for 'roll call' to verify that ALL OF THEM are actually loaded & not left behind.

So, my sons came home last Saturday afternoon, & as of 6:30 this morning...they are gone again!  This time, there are 18, age 15 - adult, taking the vans to Colorado for Wilderness Trek.  They are scheduled to return LATE next Friday night.

Andy & Sam have been training for over a year to participate.  They will be doing a summit attempt at 14,000 feet!  Plus, rapelling, hiking for over 10 miles a day, having worship, fellowshipping, & using solo time to draw closer to God.  It is as much a spiritual journey, as a physical one.

I am thrilled that they have so many opportunities to go, serve, learn, deepen their spiritual life, & develop & deepen friendships.  BUT, I'm not a Mom who says, "Yea, the kids are gone, time for fun!"  I miss my sons, who are also my friends!  I know part of this comes from homeschooling, 'cause I'm used to having them around; but, it's also 'cause they are such fun guys!  Oh, and I have more 'chores' when they aren't here...

Now, don't think I'm going to spend all this time just moping & missing them!  I do have some work around the house planned, time with Kent, & time with friends.  However, as much fun as I know they will have, I will be SO READY for them to come HOME.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Why a Blog?

Why do I want to create a blog?  My husband and sons have each asked me this question.  I've also asked myself this question!

There are several answers that pop into my head, in no particular order...

I want a place to store special memories, share what's happening in life, thoughts I have (deep & random!), recipes/meals that we enjoy, homeschool info, & pictures.

No, I don't have any illusions about becoming "The Pioneer Woman"!  But I do want an outlet, a voice, & a place for all the many aspects of my life to be together.

Most of all somewhere my sons can look back at & remember, laugh, find a meal to fix, be embarrassed ('cause isn't that what moms are supposed to do?).

If anyone besides my family reads this blog, here's some info about me, in no particular order...

I am a Christian; I've been married to my husband for almost 25 years (with lots of ups & downs, but still together!); I have two teenage sons (17 & 16), our family has always homeschooled & I will be ending that season of my life in 2 years; I have a wonderful mom & dad who live close by; I have the best big brother in the world; I have been blessed with a great church family, an awesome homeschool co-op, & caring friends!

I  believe in GOD, the Bible, marriage, adoption, love, laughter, taking care of my family as my life's mission, loyalty to friends, faith in action, forgiveness, the responsibility of each Christian to find a personal ministry, hard work, & having fun in life.

I believe that life has many seasons & at almost 49 years of age, I KNOW that GOD is with me through every season.  I know that no matter the circumstances that I'm in, I should look for the blessings (sometimes that takes a while!).  As my Grandma always said, "You can laugh, or you can cry; & it's much more fun to laugh!"  Also, when she heard grumbling or whining, she'd say, "THIS is the day that the LORD has made!  I WILL rejoice & be glad in it!"  So, yeah, I haven't always LIVED those two statements, but I strive daily!

I know there will be seasons (like summer) when more time will be available for blogging, & other seasons (like spring) when there is no time for anything but school, cooking, laundry, cleaning, & just breathing.

Why do I want to create a blog?  I want to try something new, stretch myself, record  past & current seasons.  And the fallback reason I've always given my boys, 'Cause I'm the Mom!'

If you read all this way, then THANKS!  Just like me, this blog will be a work in progress...