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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Show Me FUN!
Behind the times still, but here are pics from last weekend at home in Missouri. Nothing really went as planned but it was all good. Got in late at Tracy's, then up the next morning headed to Springfield MO with 4 yr old Haddon in tow. Grace & Haddon were great listeners & got along so well. Happy! Happy, but with many MANY potty stops. :o) We enjoyed a delightful visit with my Grandma/Aunt Jean & cousins, Bob & Angie. Too short for sure as we headed back to St Louis for the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Arrived at Turtle Park just in time to see great race. Wish I could take credit for these pics. They are from the race website from last year. We stayed/played at Turtle Park where the view was good but not great for photos. Maybe next year.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Apple Happy Day
Great day yesterday picking apples at County Line Orchard. We picked up Gracie's little friend & met up with Em/Steph/Grandma Marcia at the orchard. I think we got more mosquito bites than apples, but still had a delightFULL time. The trees were loaded, some bent low under the weight of all that fruit. That's a spiritual picture I must explore - bent low with fruit.
Heavy laden
The apple of my eye~
Em & Grace - Apple taste testers
Grandma Marcia gets a little fiber with her fruit
Making our way back to the barn for apple happy treats
Grace & Jaaliyah enjoy a cider slushy...not a spider slushy - that's Halloweeny treat :o)
Look for a Smilebox coming soon of all the apple day fun! AND I still have pics from last weekend in Missouri. Great Turtle Park pictures to share~
Finally, check out this generous treasure they are giving away at the Share Forum. Just click on the picture~
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Happy blogger
I'm one happy blogger tonight~ I'm always delighted to see the locations of my visitors. But to see my blog translated into Arabic...happy blogger! I hope I've said something worthy of transcription~
السعادة لا يمكن أن يكون سافر إلى المملوكة ، حصل ، أو البالية المستهلكة. السعادة الروحية هي تجربة المعيشة في كل دقيقة مع الحب ، ونعمة الامتنان. من جانب دينيس Waitley
الرقص مع صانع
Sooner or later you figure out life is constructed specifically and brilliantly to squeeze a man into association with the Owner of heaven. عاجلا أو آجلا لكم معرفة الحياة التي شيدت خصيصا لهذا الغرض وببراعة للضغط على الرجل في تكوين الجمعيات مع المالك من السماء. It is a struggle, with labor pains and thorny landscape, bloody hands and sweaty brow, head in hands, moments of severe loneliness and questioning, moments of ache and desire. ومن النضال ، مع الآم المخاض الشائكة والمناظر الطبيعية ، وتفوح منه رائحة العرق الدموية أيدي جبين ، في أيدي رئيس ، لحظات قاسية والشعور بالوحدة واستجوابهم ، لحظات من الم ورغبة. All this leads to God, I think... كل هذا يؤدي إلى الله ، وأعتقد... Matter and thought are a canvas on which God paints, a painting with tragedy and delivery, with sin and redemption. ويعتقد أن المسألة هي لوحة زيتية على قماش على الله الذي يرسم ، لوحة ، مع مأساة والتسليم ، مع الخطيئة والخلاص. Life is a dance toward God, I begin to think. الحياة عبارة عن رقص نحو الله ، أود أن أبدأ التفكير. And the dance is not so graceful as we might want. والرقص ليس ذلك المشرف ونحن قد تريد. While we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes, and scuffs our shoes. وفي حين أننا نحن البديل وأنسل من يمارس التأثير ، الله الحشود أقدامنا ، المطبات لنا أصابع القدمين ، ويجرجر لنا الأحذية. So we learn to dance with the One who made us. حتى نتعلم الرقص مع أحد الذين قدموا لنا. And it is a difficult dance to learn, because its steps are foreign. والامر صعب جدا لتعلم الرقص ، لأن الخطوات الأجنبية. - Donald Miller -- دونالد ميلر
السعادة لا يمكن أن يكون سافر إلى المملوكة ، حصل ، أو البالية المستهلكة. السعادة الروحية هي تجربة المعيشة في كل دقيقة مع الحب ، ونعمة الامتنان. من جانب دينيس Waitley
الرقص مع صانع
Sooner or later you figure out life is constructed specifically and brilliantly to squeeze a man into association with the Owner of heaven. عاجلا أو آجلا لكم معرفة الحياة التي شيدت خصيصا لهذا الغرض وببراعة للضغط على الرجل في تكوين الجمعيات مع المالك من السماء. It is a struggle, with labor pains and thorny landscape, bloody hands and sweaty brow, head in hands, moments of severe loneliness and questioning, moments of ache and desire. ومن النضال ، مع الآم المخاض الشائكة والمناظر الطبيعية ، وتفوح منه رائحة العرق الدموية أيدي جبين ، في أيدي رئيس ، لحظات قاسية والشعور بالوحدة واستجوابهم ، لحظات من الم ورغبة. All this leads to God, I think... كل هذا يؤدي إلى الله ، وأعتقد... Matter and thought are a canvas on which God paints, a painting with tragedy and delivery, with sin and redemption. ويعتقد أن المسألة هي لوحة زيتية على قماش على الله الذي يرسم ، لوحة ، مع مأساة والتسليم ، مع الخطيئة والخلاص. Life is a dance toward God, I begin to think. الحياة عبارة عن رقص نحو الله ، أود أن أبدأ التفكير. And the dance is not so graceful as we might want. والرقص ليس ذلك المشرف ونحن قد تريد. While we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes, and scuffs our shoes. وفي حين أننا نحن البديل وأنسل من يمارس التأثير ، الله الحشود أقدامنا ، المطبات لنا أصابع القدمين ، ويجرجر لنا الأحذية. So we learn to dance with the One who made us. حتى نتعلم الرقص مع أحد الذين قدموا لنا. And it is a difficult dance to learn, because its steps are foreign. والامر صعب جدا لتعلم الرقص ، لأن الخطوات الأجنبية. - Donald Miller -- دونالد ميلر
Monday, September 22, 2008
Birthday Glow
Well, not so much glow on my cake - but this is great picture! Thanks for the birthday wishes! Happy day to you & me~Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Summer Days
Can you tell I can't sleep? Up since 2:30 AM - always stuff to do. Finally made headway on sharing some summer photos. This is a medley of summer school shots, water park play & fair/festival fun with some of our favorite folks. Now I think I could sleep, but now it's time to get up - start me day. :o) Have a good one!
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thank you
I'm chuckling about this photo. It popped up when I subscribed to some parent blog thing. It's too funny! Just wanted to say THANK YOU for reading Grace FULL Days - be it your 1st visit, coming here by happenstance or if you are a regular reader.
THANK YOU for praying for the harvest these past few days - couple of weeks, as we focus on loving Muslims through prayer. Reaching the harvest is the heartbeat of Christ - it was the only prayer request Christ made "Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send for laborers into the field".
It's a season - always a season - of ministering to those around you; in your home - in your neighborhood. Yet, there is call I can't deny to be in a foreign neighborhood reaching the harvest where there is no voice. Just typing that brings up the accusing voice of the enemy reminding me of my chance...that I so aptly blew in my frailty. Yes, but - God does not repent His calling - He doesn't change His mind just because we fell down. We just get back up & make it right. Just like Jen can't get away from Africa - she's called & thus, her heart is planted there. You can't be apart from your heart without a longing from deep within calling for your return. "I thought it was gone." No, it's just a season.
After a full day of CLC on Sunday - my first rotation of three services, Grace & I came home to rest. Rest - that was my plan. Good old fashioned nap. Though with the flooding crises on our regular route home, curiosity got the best of us & we immediately checked out the river status behind our little cozy cottage. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the water was quite high.
There is a rotting stump - now just 5-6 feet from the water. The stump, in it's decay, is falling apart. I just helped it a bit - throwing pieces of stump into the now close river to carry it away. In doing so, I found some rooting flower bulbs I threw in there at the end of spring. The bulbs bloomed & the flowers faded, so I tossed them into this decaying stump.
What I thought was used, spent, dead & worthless is now putting out roots with the promise of life. Grace & I planted those babies along with about a 20 more "dead" bulbs that were dried & withered in the box inside. I'm telling you, we were so excited about planting those dry, dusty bulbs. They sure felt lifeless, but when I broke them up, there was life still inside - just waiting to be planted. I have a hopeful anticipation of flowers blooming there in the spring. Wow! Never had that before in this spot of ground. Why? I haven't sown seed there in the past.
Those who sow have an expectancy for the harvest. Follow me - this reminded me of the prayer through Ramadan. Comments are historically few & far between through this month of posts. However, when you sow into the harvest - sow seeds of prayer, there is a budding expectancy of what God will do with your seed. You many never know until to stand before Him.
Thank you for praying for the harvest -at home & abroad. We can go or we can send or we can pray. Until I can go, I'll send & I'll pray. How about you?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Early birthday fun
Back to the delightful part...I was exploring a visit the Wizard of Oz fest in Indiana this weekend, putting that out there as a possbility for our UB hang out day. Breakfast with the Munchkins & a birthday party for Dorothy. Sounded like fun - from an Oz-loving-ruby-shoe-wearing-Gracie- girl point of view. That researching reminded me of my fun birthday trip to see Wicked last year! That was an Oz size celebration! I've wanted to take Grace since she became enamored with the vintage classic last October. You know, it's always shown in October. I peeked in a the Broadway in Chicago site & ticket prices, thinkin I might take her down soon with hopes of winning a couple of the front row seats they give away each performance.
That was Thursday thinking...round comes Friday & what does Bob suggest as an alternative to the Wizard of Oz festival?? Going to see WICKED! Oh, yeah - great idea & let's take Gracie!
It was a wonderful performance! Gracie did super & she loved it! She said yesterday evening as we were cleaning up the yard, "Mom, Glinda wasn't good all the time. Sometimes she was mean. Elphaba was really the good girl." She got it! Happy Birthday!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tunisia Kairouan
30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
Ramadan 2008 / 1429: September 01 - September 30
Tunisia's Kairouan, the oldest Islamic city in Northwest African
For Friday, 12 September, Ramadan 2008. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"
The city of Kairouan has existed for about 1,300 years. Founded as part of the expansion of the Islamic Empire, it boasts the oldest mosque in North Africa, with the oldest standing minaret in the world - a tribute to the city's original purpose: to be a base for the spread of Islam across the region.For many North Africans, Kairouan is considered the fourth holiest city of Islam. Its school trains religious leaders (Imams) for all of Tunisia.
The city is known for the quiet conservatism, women stay in their homes more than in other parts of the country. Kairouan lacks the bustle of many Tunisian cities, with little industry to boost the economy. Young people long to leave for the West in search of employment.[Full Text]
Prayer Starters:
Ramadan 2008 / 1429: September 01 - September 30
Tunisia's Kairouan, the oldest Islamic city in Northwest African
For Friday, 12 September, Ramadan 2008. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"
The city of Kairouan has existed for about 1,300 years. Founded as part of the expansion of the Islamic Empire, it boasts the oldest mosque in North Africa, with the oldest standing minaret in the world - a tribute to the city's original purpose: to be a base for the spread of Islam across the region.For many North Africans, Kairouan is considered the fourth holiest city of Islam. Its school trains religious leaders (Imams) for all of Tunisia.
The city is known for the quiet conservatism, women stay in their homes more than in other parts of the country. Kairouan lacks the bustle of many Tunisian cities, with little industry to boost the economy. Young people long to leave for the West in search of employment.[Full Text]
Prayer Starters:
- Some believers in Kairouan are convinced that God has asked them to raise a banner of praise over this city, just as he called the worshippers to lead the march around Jericho.
- By His grace, they claim the promises of Isaiah 62 for their city. Pray through this text with Kairouan in mind.
+ YouTube Video Link: 3 min 5 sec, Short history and travel log of Tunisia
+ Gospel Language Link: Hear the Good News in Kanuri--
You are welcome and encouraged to forward these e-mails to others.This is an excerpt from the 30-Days Muslim Prayer Focus booklet, also available in the Netherlands. --30-days mailing list: Subscribe / Unsubscribe details
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
Ramadan 2008 / 1429: September 01 - September 30
Turning to Christ
What are the challenges for new believers?
For Sunday, 7 September, Ramadan 2008. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"
As we follow Jesus, our identity and our sense of belonging are affected. Questions arise: Who am I? What are my values? New believers from Muslim backgrounds have similar questions. But in addition they also suffer intense psychological pressures that may include fear (of Allah, that He will punish them if they change, of family and relatives, of community, of death).
Relationships are primary in Muslim communities so new believers ask questions like: How can we honour Christ in daily life, marriage, and raising children in a predominately Muslim society? What does one do when it is not legal to follow Christ? How can new believers find a partner and celebrate their marriage as followers of Christ in the local community? Where and how can one be buried?
[Full Text]
Prayer Starters:
Ramadan 2008 / 1429: September 01 - September 30
Turning to Christ
What are the challenges for new believers?
For Sunday, 7 September, Ramadan 2008. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"
As we follow Jesus, our identity and our sense of belonging are affected. Questions arise: Who am I? What are my values? New believers from Muslim backgrounds have similar questions. But in addition they also suffer intense psychological pressures that may include fear (of Allah, that He will punish them if they change, of family and relatives, of community, of death).
Relationships are primary in Muslim communities so new believers ask questions like: How can we honour Christ in daily life, marriage, and raising children in a predominately Muslim society? What does one do when it is not legal to follow Christ? How can new believers find a partner and celebrate their marriage as followers of Christ in the local community? Where and how can one be buried?
[Full Text]
Prayer Starters:
- Pray for cultural sensitivity, awareness and respect among believers as we interact with new believers from Muslim backgrounds.
- Pray for wisdom, creativity and confidence for new believers and new communities of faith as they explore culturally appropriate ways to serve and worship Christ in the context of Muslim societies.--
You are STILL welcome and encouraged to forward these e-mails to others. This is an excerpt from the 30-Days Muslim Prayer Focus booklet, also available in Czech / Slovak. --
30-days mailing list: Subscribe / Unsubscribe details
National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
White House News
During National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we pay special tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001. Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror. On these important days, we reflect on the terrible events of September 11, 2001, and lift the victims and their families in our prayers.
Our Nation will never forget the individuals who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. America remains inspired by the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice we saw that day -- fearless rescuers who rushed toward danger, a beloved priest who died helping others, two office workers who carried a disabled person 68 floors to safety.
We also pray for the safety and success of the members of our Armed Forces now serving freedom's cause. We seek God's grace on their families, and commit to Heaven's care those brave men and women He has called home. We ask the Almighty to watch over America and pray for His providence and continued blessings on our country. May He always guide the United States of America. As we defend our country against its enemies, we pray for help in protecting the gift of freedom from those who seek to destroy it, and we ask the Almighty to strengthen all those securing liberty on distant shores.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7, 2008, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States and their places of worship mark these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance with memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I also invite all people across the world to share in these Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
White House News
During National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we pay special tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001. Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror. On these important days, we reflect on the terrible events of September 11, 2001, and lift the victims and their families in our prayers.
Our Nation will never forget the individuals who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. America remains inspired by the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice we saw that day -- fearless rescuers who rushed toward danger, a beloved priest who died helping others, two office workers who carried a disabled person 68 floors to safety.
We also pray for the safety and success of the members of our Armed Forces now serving freedom's cause. We seek God's grace on their families, and commit to Heaven's care those brave men and women He has called home. We ask the Almighty to watch over America and pray for His providence and continued blessings on our country. May He always guide the United States of America. As we defend our country against its enemies, we pray for help in protecting the gift of freedom from those who seek to destroy it, and we ask the Almighty to strengthen all those securing liberty on distant shores.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7, 2008, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States and their places of worship mark these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance with memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I also invite all people across the world to share in these Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Back to School & Circus Time
The 1st day of a new school year was met with courage, confidence & big smiles. I had to chase the girl down just to kiss her bye-bye today. She's growing up!
After school, we enjoyed our 1st experience at the CIRCUS! Mind you, it was over 90 degrees OUTSIDE the tent. Whew!! Despite the heat, we had a great time with Circus 1st time Emily & her mom (AKA: Stephanie). See below for Gracie's bestest part. Emily's favorite part: donuts
Cooling off with snowcones
Star power
Twirly girl
Gracie cheesin it up with Em & Steph
And then there were elephants - fuzzy elephants. The camera just wasn't working tonight :o(
Afterward, we snagged McDonald's; retreating to Grandma Marcia's house to dine & enjoy the bestest ice cream in the world with a menagerie of sprinkles. AND then there's Merf the dog. Gracie & Em had a great idea to draw kid-shy Merf out of his shell. Mastermind Grace suggested they sit on the couch with their french fries. They would hold one out for Merf to smell and pet him when he came to eat it. :o) Great plan except Merf can't eat people food. Too bad.
Last night's dreams: tons of kitties & puppies
Gracie's best of the day: seeing the horses at the circus
Mommy's best: Gracie's shining smile in the window when I came to pick her up
Gracie's worst: none today, though I know she really wanted one of those $10 balloons
Mommy's worst: none today - well, if I had one, it might have been the heat in the circus tent
Gracie's Prayer: Thank you God that you protect Papi from having a crash and keep him safe. Thank you that any of us never have a crash and always keep us safe.
**Thanks to Nae & Olivia for sharing this treasured bedtime routine with us - we've made it part of our own nighty night parade
Tonight's story: Town Mouse and Country Mouse
Worth sharing: pictures from Gracie neighbor play with Alex & Becky
Three Amigos
Cheer up!
Hood ornaments :o) Reading is FUNdamental!
I have a couple Smileboxes in the works. Just can't get in the Smilebox mode these days. Neursoscience starts tonight. Sigh. God help me. Good news! GSU is taking my Ed Foundations course from SEMO. Whoo hooo! Looks like I'm graduating at the end of the winter trimester. Oh yeah! Applying to grad school that March. Walking in favor - yes, I am!
Good night!
After school, we enjoyed our 1st experience at the CIRCUS! Mind you, it was over 90 degrees OUTSIDE the tent. Whew!! Despite the heat, we had a great time with Circus 1st time Emily & her mom (AKA: Stephanie). See below for Gracie's bestest part. Emily's favorite part: donuts
Cooling off with snowcones
Star power
Twirly girl
Gracie cheesin it up with Em & Steph
And then there were elephants - fuzzy elephants. The camera just wasn't working tonight :o(
Afterward, we snagged McDonald's; retreating to Grandma Marcia's house to dine & enjoy the bestest ice cream in the world with a menagerie of sprinkles. AND then there's Merf the dog. Gracie & Em had a great idea to draw kid-shy Merf out of his shell. Mastermind Grace suggested they sit on the couch with their french fries. They would hold one out for Merf to smell and pet him when he came to eat it. :o) Great plan except Merf can't eat people food. Too bad.
Last night's dreams: tons of kitties & puppies
Gracie's best of the day: seeing the horses at the circus
Mommy's best: Gracie's shining smile in the window when I came to pick her up
Gracie's worst: none today, though I know she really wanted one of those $10 balloons
Mommy's worst: none today - well, if I had one, it might have been the heat in the circus tent
Gracie's Prayer: Thank you God that you protect Papi from having a crash and keep him safe. Thank you that any of us never have a crash and always keep us safe.
**Thanks to Nae & Olivia for sharing this treasured bedtime routine with us - we've made it part of our own nighty night parade
Tonight's story: Town Mouse and Country Mouse
Worth sharing: pictures from Gracie neighbor play with Alex & Becky
Three Amigos
Cheer up!
Hood ornaments :o) Reading is FUNdamental!I have a couple Smileboxes in the works. Just can't get in the Smilebox mode these days. Neursoscience starts tonight. Sigh. God help me. Good news! GSU is taking my Ed Foundations course from SEMO. Whoo hooo! Looks like I'm graduating at the end of the winter trimester. Oh yeah! Applying to grad school that March. Walking in favor - yes, I am!
Good night!
Window Shopping
Doing a bit of window shopping this morning & look what I found at Louise Felice's shop! This is something a Gracie grandma might have made for her little darling. If I don't win it, I might just have to buy one! Find your own treasure at Louise Felice.
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