03/31/09

Purple violet just beginning to blossom....

Today I was teaching my students about Jesus' Crucifixion. I find I can teach the same thing year after year, but I always think of or learn a new "nugget" that stays with me. Today was one of those days.

I began to talk with the kids about how Jesus looked physically while on the cross and what He went through. I then began to share with them how Mary, Jesus' mother, was there at the time of His crucifixion. As I was teaching, I had a memory from last Easter when Steve and I had finally watched The Passion of Christ and it was the scene where Mary was watching Jesus being beaten and then take His cross to Calvary.

She was as human as I am and had to watch that happening to her Son. I can't even imagine the pain she felt there.

Did Mary have "flashbacks" as she sat there watching her Son on that cross?

I am sure she did.... what Mother wouldn't? I imagine she remembered the first time she held Him and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in the manger. I imagine she thought of the shepherds coming and then the Wise Men. Remember how it talks about in Luke 2 where Mary "kept all of these things and pondered them in her heart?" I am sure her mind went through all of the years.

How kind and considerate of Jesus to respect His mother enough to tell John to take her home and away from what was happening. However.... she had already seen so much.

She knew He was born to die in our place... HER place. She knew He was going to be the Savior... HER Savior. She KNEW all of that, but to actually experience the pain of not only losing a child, but watching Him suffer the way He did was beyond knowing about it.

My Mother's Heart "choked up" as I was teaching that part to my kids today. It just gave me another perspective as I prepare my heart for the celebration of Christ's Resurrection Day.

03/30/09

Hyacinth...


I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

I'm chanting this to myself to get through until Easter Break... I'm feelin' it heavy now, people. You know the feeling... the "goodness, I've been at this almost 9 months and my energy level has gone to ZERO" feeling.

I hate it when I get to this place in the year.

If you teach or have ever taught, you understand this feeling.

Maybe it is just that I am feeling old?

I found out one of my former students got married this past weekend.

YIKES.

I really need to go color my hair to get rid of this gray or I'm going to look old, too. hee hee

In two weeks it will be Easter - Resurrection Sunday.

How much do we really prepare our hearts for that day? I will be the first to admit that every day should be a celebration of Resurrection Sunday but...

We celebrate other holidays for long periods, but many times it seems Easter Sunday is just for the day. Many times it is the only time people go to church! (Sometimes at Christmas, too.)

Without Resurrection Sunday there would be no HOPE!

In the next couple of weeks I am going to take the opportunity on different days to think on and explore different aspects of what Jesus did for me (and you!) on the cross of Calvary.

We are still meditating on Isaiah in Sunday School. Something that was said today really struck home with me. Read the following Scriptures I have below.

Isaiah 53:3, 4, 5, 7, 10

(3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(4) Surely he hath borne our griefs,and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
(5) He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
(10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul and offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure o the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Did you read carefully the first part of verse 10? It PLEASED the Lord to bruise him!?

Until today I have read that passage and *knew* what it meant. I knew that Jesus took all my sin on Him and He bore it all so that I could have atonement... freedom from sin if I only looked to Him and accepted Him as my Savior.

I had never really meditated on the fact that it PLEASED the Heavenly Father to bruise His Son.

I know how it feels when Steve and I have to discipline Wesley and Mikayla. It is hard and not something we enjoy but we also know there are "rewards" to that discipline that will come in the future.

This is what God saw when it PLEASED Him to bruise His Son.

God saw the whole picture! He knew that by Jesus dying on the cross, taking that torture, unjust blame and giving of Himself for US that the rewards were in the future.

God sees in an eternal way... we see in a sin-cursed earthly way. We can never understand the thoughts of God, but in this instance, I finally SEE what this meant. God knew that if Jesus never died on that cross and gave His life, the sin would never be covered and we would be lost from Him forever. He WANTS all to come to Him and does not want any to perish! Therefore, He knew that Jesus would rise again from the dead and Jesus' suffering would not last for eternity. If we got what we deserved - separation from God forever in Hell- we would suffer forever.... No HOPE.

This is why it pleased the Father to cause this to come upon His Son. Just as Steve and I know that discipline has to occur for Wesley and Mikayla to grow up to be "fruitful" and God-honoring adults in this life, so did the suffering have to occur to Jesus so that we may have eternal life with God, our Creator and Father. He is our HOPE.

Isaiah 55:8, 9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Take time to prepare your heart and mind today for what was done for you some 2,000 years ago on Calvary.

03/28/09

Bradford Pear blossoms...


This morning we had the AWANA Olympics at our church. Wesley and Mikayla participated in the Sparks Olympics where basically they just run around and do some games and everyone wins. This was their last year in Sparks. I am finding this year to be a tough one for me in their "growing up" times. Next year they will be in the groups that compete to win. Wesley cracked us all up running in the races. He is quite fast and he made lots of people laugh because his jeans are beginning to show he has grown... he had on white socks and his brown tennis shoes. Just picture it and I am sure you will chuckle. Mikayla did a great job with participating and "jumping in" when needed. I was amazed at how much they have changed.

You'll have to pardon me... I think I'll be having more of these bittersweet moments in the near future.

This afternoon we worked on rough drafts of our Zoo Project reports! I sat down with each of them and helped them understand the material and asked them to put into their own words what should be written. I cannot sit back and let them do it "on their own" for the reason that they mostly would just put down words and wouldn't really LEARN. I have seen too many reports over the years that show no parent help and the kids have no clue as to what they have written. Now... with regards to parent help it can also go the other way where the parent does all of the work for them and they STILL do not know what they have written! I didn't do that! I made sure they read the material with me and I would ask them if they knew what certain words meant. If they didn't, it became a learning moment. Then, they had to put into their own words what they had learned about their animal.

I'm all for teaching responsibility and independence in children. However, I find that some parents want a "hands off" approach to helping when their kids are still so young. Wesley and Mikayla have never done a one page report before. For me to sit there and say "It's not my project and I'm not helping you at all." would be a cause for disaster. If they don't understand what they have read and are writing, how is learning occurring?

I must say that even though it was taxing at moments (moreso with Wes....), I thoroughly enjoyed watching them learn about these animals and getting their minds to think. I had wanted to get outside early and take some more photographs before the rain began again, but the rough drafts took a bit longer. I will be the first to admit I was a bit bummed, but that is what is expected out of me as their mother. I have to view these moments as learning experiences for me, too. It is learning how to help them understand something better and grow. Of course, I also think children are given projects at school to help the parents re-learn (or learn!) information they have forgotten from long ago. lol You wouldn't believe what I have learned about Grant's Zebra and a Barking Tree Frog!

We now have to do the habitat in the shoebox and they will have to write their final copy of their report, but that will not be today. They have both done well. Of course, I gave them no choice. hee hee... A good attitude at anything is so much better. That is something I was teaching them today, too. These things have to be done, so do them with a smile.... :)

03/27/09

More of that purple crocus. :)


I am so glad it is Friday! The kids and I are on our own tonight... Steve has to work late again. He worked late last night as well. I must admit I felt rather lonely when the kids went to bed. I was thankful for the break from 8 year olds, but missed my Steve. Since those ballgames are covering the TV there was nothing really to watch and after I finished grading papers I just folded some clothes and read before letting sleep take me away.

It has been raining off and on for the last couple of days. I am continuing to be thankful that the rain is here because of the "greeness" that will come... even if I would enjoy some sunshine. :) There was no wind this afternoon right after we got home so I thought I would go outside after I finished cleaning and photograph a few cherry blossoms and forsythia blooms. Well... it is raining again... so there goes that. lol

By the way... I still hate ants. They seem to be in so many different places in the house that we don't know where to start killing them. It is time for the "Big Dog Exterminator" and stop using this spray and those traps. UGH.

Tonight I am going to treat the kids to a Starbucks "coffee drink"... they don't know it yet. :) I love surprising them. After that we'll probably watch a movie or something. If I can stay awake long enough I will watch one for myself when they go to bed.

03/26/09

We have had Achievement Testing at school this week. I always have mixed emotions about this week every year.... in one way I love it because it is a change of pace and I get to do an art project with my students that normally I would never get to do. On the flip side of that, it is a CHANGE in my routine. lol I always feel as if I have lost time teaching during this week because of the testing. Overall, the kids really enjoy it and it gives them a break from homework and major work. It is a bit of a plus for me, too, because I don't have as many papers to grade at night!

In the afternoons of testing week I set up stations for the kids to do an art project called "Marblizing." It is basically using acrylic paint that has been watered down on top of a mixture of water/marbling powder. The watered down paint floats on top of the water mixture and they can create neat and beautiful pieces of artwork. They only use four colors of paint and pick out different colors of paper to see how it looks differently every time! The paper is put on top of the mixture, once the child has swirled the pattern, and then the adults that help me pick it up and we all "ooh" and "aaaahhhh"..... the kids love it!

I have been doing this now for 14 years and have it down to a "science." It takes a while to prepare for it and it is a bit expensive, so that is why I leave it up for 4 days and only do it during testing. The kids have to be careful coming in and out of the room because the five water/mixture pans are set up all of those days. They always do a great job!

Here are some pics of my kids from today... and you will see my own two down below. :) (I asked permission of these parents to use their child's picture on my blog.)

Here are two of my sweet little guys...

Here is where he is taking the opposite end of a paintbrush and swirling the four colors of paint together. By Thursday the kids really do a great job experimenting with the swirling and creating designs. :)

This is how they add the paint... just "drop" it on using the paintbrush. They don't put the paintbrush in the water.

You may want to click this one larger to see how the paint, once it drops, spreads out into "circles."

Once the swirling is finished, an adult places the paper on top where it "floats" and absorbs the paint.

Then, we pick up the picture and "VOILA!"... beautiful artwork.

I took these hurriedly as I was the person who rinsed the pictures to take off the marbling water. Click on the photo to see the design better.

Wesley and Mikayla got to join in the fun a couple of times this week since their room is right across the hall. :) I meant to take a picture of their artwork, but forgot.

Can you tell my daughter is humoring me by allowing me to take her picture???? lol

How many of you out there have had me and have done this? Speak out, my friends!

It is one of those memories that the kids from past years always come back and tell me they enjoyed. That makes it worth every minute of time put into it. :)

03/25/09

Crocus... you need to click on it again to check out the detail in the pistil/stamen area. I had a low aperture which has a narrow area of focus. :)


I have to speak tonight at AWANA to Kindergarten through Second graders... and have no clue yet on what topic that will be!! I find at this time of year that my brain goes in autopilot sometimes because it has been so crazy. I am on autopilot right now and not enjoying that. I am just going to have to pray and ask the Lord to give me what He wants those little kids to hear... I had to do that last month, too, and He gave me EXACTLY what they needed. I'll just leave it in His hands and it will all fall in place!

I will now admit I am ready for spring break.

03/24/09

More Bradford Pear blossoms....

F or

All He is,

I

Take

Him.

For

All my needs,

I

Trust

Him.

For

All His blessings,

I

Thank

Him.

-Vance Havner

03/23/09

Crocus... so pretty to me. These are at my best friend's house and I was finally able to capture them the other day. Click on the photo to see the detail in the pistil/stamen area.


Last night as I was reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Narnia series) to Wesley and Mikayla I began to catch a glimpse of something in the chapter that I knew the kiddos didn't grasp but it caused me to think. I am not quite sure if I am able to put into words the exact meaning I have been "chewing" on today, but here goes:

A little background: Lucy and Edmond are back in Narnia now and on the boat the Dawn Treader with Caspian and a few other characters from Prince Caspian. They are in search of the "Lords" that were sent away when Caspian's Dad lost his kingdom. They had already visited several islands... all of which have symbolism to them, but when you are reading it sometimes it doesn't click. Last night's "island" did for me.

Caspian, Lucy, Edmond and the rest of the crew visited a "darkness" that they couldn't understand and could find no land. At first, many of them did not want to go any farther to see if there was a "Lord" in the area, but Reepicheep (the brave little mouse) told them they were royalty and needed to go on. As they were getting into the darkness it began to envelope them and they couldn't see a thing in front of them even with lights aglow. They began to hear a voice and were able to rescue someone, whom they found out later was "Lord Rhoop." It seems that this darkness was the "Islands where Dreams come true." This "Lord Rhoop" was in a terrible shape and could hardly speak but he did tell them to get away as fast as they could when he explained that dreams come true in this area.

Most of the people on board became excited to know that dreams came to life. Unfortunately, they found out it was not necessarily as they thought because "Lord Rhoop" shared with them that their dreams truly came true... dreams that you wake up from and are glad they are just dreams. This made the people on the boat realize this wasn't what they wanted and they began to row with all of their might to get out. They soon found out, however, that all of their rowing got them nowhere because they were no closer to the light than when they began.

Lucy was on a high area of the boat and began to get despondent at their situation. She saw darkness all around and after hearing "Lord Rhoop" yell that they would never get out she began to silently panic. At that moment, she called out to Aslan saying "Aslan, Aslan, if you ever loved us at all, send help now." She began to feel a little better at that time, but it was still dark. Then... they began to see a light... looked like a cross at first, then an airplane, then a kite and then they realized it was wings they were seeing... the wings of an albatross. "It circled three times round the mast and then perched for an instant on the crest of the gilded dragon at the prow. It called out in a strong sweet voice what seemed to be words though no one understood them. After that it spread its wings, rose, and began to fly slowly ahead, bearing a little to starboard. No one except Lucy knew that as it circled the mast it had whispered to her, "Courage, dear heart," and the voice, she felt sure, was Aslan's, and with the voice a delicious smell breathed in her face. ... In a few moments the darkness turned into a grayness ahead, and then, almost before they dared to begin hoping, they had shot out into the sunlight and were in the warm, blue world again. And all at once everybody realized that there was nothing to be afraid of and never had been."

As I read all of this, I began to think of how many times I have "dreamed" of something and wished that it would come true. A lot of times what I think is wonderful is not exactly what the Lord has planned. "Lord Rhoop" had dreamed wonderful things, but in reality his dream was a nightmare from which he couldn't escape until he got help from Caspian and the others. In trying to save Lord Rhoop, Caspian's people began to realize they were being "sucked in" to the darkness, too, and there was nothing to save them from being overtaken. Then, Lucy calls out to Aslan... the picture of Christ in these books. He comes, he saves them, he takes away the fear and brings them to the light.

During those times when we are in "trouble" because of choices we have made or "dreams" we have followed, do we try to get out of it on our own, do we reach out to others who are just as "lost" in the "dream" as we are...

or are we reaching out to the Savior?

He alone can take away the darkness, fear, doubts and bring us back to where we need to be... His will.

Once we call out to Him, He is always there just as was pictured in the book with Aslan for Lucy. Christ is there saying to us "Courage, dear heart."

My words do not seem to be flowing with this as easily as I had hoped. I have thought on this a lot today and I found it something difficult to fully put into words. I do hope you have been able to get a glimpse into what I had learned from reading something for my children, but the Lord used it to speak to me instead!

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

03/22/09

These verses were shared on one of my friends Facebook status and as I read them I began to say "WOW", too, just as he had. These verses speak of Christ and the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - Three in One. Our God is so great!

Isaiah 48:12-16
Hearken unto me, O Jacob of Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I am also the last.
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
All ye, assemble yourselves and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The Lord hat loved him: and he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

03/21/09

Mom has these "texturized" balls for decoration in her den. I have been wanting to photograph them for a while and finally did the other day. My favorite was the one with "twine" as you can see.





It was a beautiful day today. We had a wedding to go to and also ran by the library to get books for Wesley and Mikayla's "Zoo Projects." I just enjoyed getting to spend time with my family. Now off to grade papers.

03/20/09

These pics are of Oak Leaf Hydrangea just beginning to open... I just love the detail I am able to capture through my lens. (click on them to view larger) There are so many times I still find myself amazed at the details in God's Creation. Notice the stem on this hydrangea... see those little dots around the "new growth" in the last picture? I never would have paid attention to that before photography came so much a part of me. I have said this before, but when I have the camera in my hand I feel the stress of the day fall away and get so excited to see something that normally I would pass by. I think I could wander around somewhere aimlessly for hours photographing something and never feel bored.


I am thankful this crazy week has passed.... I'll leave it at that.

Isabelle is doing SO much better today. She had to stay in the kids bathroom last night so she could be calmer and if there were problems it would be easier to clean. She cried ALL night from what Mikayla said this morning. She just didn't understand why she was in there all alone. It broke my heart. Sampson was not happy she was in there, either. He kept laying in front of the bathroom door trying to find her.

Steve let her out this afternoon since she was doing so much better. He said that Sampson and Isabelle just loved all over each other when she came out of the bathroom. This sounds crazy but they are as close to each other as Wesley and Mikayla are. You would have thought that cats wouldn't be that way as they got older... especially since they are boy/girl. When the kids and I got home from school they were both laying in the sunshine together. I need to take pics of them to show how much they have grown.

Mikayla has a birthday party sleepover tonight and Steve just took Wesley to hit some golf balls. I have TONS of papers to grade... and the house should probably be cleaned... but after my week, I think tonight I'm going to chill instead. Sometimes you have to listen to your body over what your brain says you should do. lol :)

03/19/09

I took these the other day at my Mom's... this is a beautiful color of pansy.



Crazy, crazy day. Poor Isabelle is having some issues with her "fixedness" and we had to rush her into the vet this afternoon. She is now on antibiotic for 14 days. Bless her heart.. through it all she has been a trooper. We truly thought we were "clear" because they had their check up yesterday and all was looking great. The doctor's said today that sometimes these things can pop up overnight. I'm not a vet so I don't know, but I am hating she is not feeling well. I'm just ready for Friday night.... and not doing much. lol

03/18/09

Oil and Water... they just don't mix... but they sure can make an interesting photograph. My students had a science class last week where they learned about matter. This oil and water experiment was so interesting that I had to bring it home and photograph the bubbles!! What do ya think??? This is so opposite of what I "normally" photograph, but I am continually trying to think outside the box.

03/17/09

I'm just a wee bit 'Irish today, my lads!


We had a green tasting party at school today..... hee hee

I made my students try all of these green foods:

broccoli
bell pepper
kiwi
grapes
olives
guacamole
honeydew
melon
pickles
granny smith apples

cucumbers

Some of my little people found that these healthy things weren't all that bad. Some found that there were A LOT of differences between tastes. (The olive faces were fun to watch...)

It's always good to try new things. Over my 37 years I have learned to love certain foods I didn't think I'd ever like. According to Kevin I still am learning. lol (goat cheese, right Kevin...)

They also got to enjoy a couple of "Irish" cookies and some "Dark Chocolate Mint" Hershey Kisses. Until today I never knew Hershey made those things!! They were tasty.

I sacrificed for my students and helped finish up the guacamole. I had many who decided they liked it so I had to fight them for it. It was ugly. Teachers rule, you know. :)

Off to spread St. Patrick's Day cheer with my sweet family by eating an Italian meal (spaghetti) that my wonderful Steve has made for us and then do some Irish Flashcards later. Hope y'all found that pot of gold today at the end of your rainbow. hee hee

03/16/09

Good day today but, oh, so busy. Bible projects came in today and along with my own class I had to help Mikayla with her food project because she had so many parts. She BEAMED when she was serving her classmates. I was so proud of her. Wesley brought his project in today, too, but hasn't presented it yet. His teacher loved the house. My students did an awesome job on theirs and I can't wait for them to present them. We just didn't have time to do as many today with other things happening.


The Lord gave me opportunity to help a friend today. In researching some Scripture for my friend, the Lord spoke to me, too. I just needed to share.

Psalm 46

(1) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
(3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
(4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
(5) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
(6) The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
(7) The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge.
(8) Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
(9) He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
(10) Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
(11) The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.


This song was also one that came to me as I was helping my friend. The older I get the sweeter the old hymns become to me. There is a lot of deep truth from God's Word that are in them. Praise songs are beautiful too, but I wish there was more of an appreciation for the hymns in our churches today.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
by Helen Lemmel

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

His word shall not fail you He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grown strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

03/15/09

This is from my devotion I read last night. I am not sure of the author because this devotional has many different people writing. (Just know I am not the original author!) It challenged me and I wanted to share:

Psalm 113:1,3
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.

Are you a content person? Or has discontentment entered into your life making you a sad, embittered person? What can you do about it? Praise is not often thought of as a weapon, but it has power to overcome the enemies of God's people. Praise should be considered an essential partner with the Bible and prayer in defeating the enemies of contentment. Unlike the days of King Jehoshaphat whose people saw their physical enemies defeated through praise, our enemies are spiritual. However, the principle is the same. When they "began to sing and to praise" God gave them victory over their enemy (2 Chronicles 20:21-22).

Praise honors God and it will change the condition of your heart in the process. It refocuses your life and places your attention on the One who is worthy of undivided attention. All of us should praise Him from the time the sun comes up until it goes down.

You were made to praise your Maker. David said, "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore" (Psalm 86:12).

Battling the strongholds of discontent is not easy. It is war. We all fight the battle for peace, joy, and contentment and it's a battle that rages in the heart and mind. Don't you agree that Satan would want you to believe that God has not been good to you? Haven't you ever said,

I deserve more out of life?

Or, if God really cared He would have helped me reach my goals,

If God really cared He would not have allowed the tragedies that I have faced in my life.

All of that kind of thinking is of the Evil One and not of God.

God does care; He promised that He would never leave us without His help. Read His promise and let it sink deeply into your soul, "be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

03/14/09

Today was project day at our house. We finally finished up Wesley's house and Mikayla cooked her Mujadarah - the stew that Jacob was making when Esau wanted something to eat after hunting all day. It was the day Esau gave away his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34). She also made hummus and will serve that with mini pita bread that we found today!

We had an adventure with Kevin at the grocery stores this morning. It was entertaining finding new and exciting things to eat as well as trying to find Mikayla's ingredients. Thankfully, Kevin came and helped us with preparing the stew since he had fixed it before. Mikayla did a great job cooking. She was so in her element and loved it. It made me so happy to know she enjoys it. In that respect she is better than her mother.... Here are some pics of her hard work today. :) (We still have a few things to cut up tomorrow, but they have to be done last minute. She will serve this to her class on Monday.) I really enjoyed doing this with her. (I am sure Kevin would say the same as he was the one coaching both of us! LOL)

Mashing a garlic clove... with a knife... but she did great!

Pouring lemon juice she had squeezed into her hummus mixture

Cutting up onion

Adding uncooked brown rice to the lentils and onions

Here is Wesley working on his project. He made a model of a house during Jesus' time. Steve and I did have to help him with bits and pieces but for the most part this was his project. He came up with a lot of the designs and clay pieces on his own. This is where he excels... and this is my element, too. He and I are a lot alike.

Painting the shoebox that will be his house

Working with the Sculpey clay to make his pottery and other items for the house

Beginning to put together the house.... notice his palm trees made out of clay and construction paper!

This is a top side view of the house... you can see his grinding stone on the left with bundles of "wheat" ready to be ground, a basket, table with a pitcher, mat for the people to sleep on, candle holder and lamp (I need to photograph that lamp up close. You wouldn't believe how good he did on that...), his stove and the baking stones on top.
Front of the house.. notice the latticework.... Steve helped out with that...
The top of the house had a roller for the top of the house so that they could roll out the mud when rains came, (he wanted to do that especially because that was the only "tractor" they had in Bible times). grass sometimes grew on the houses, and he also put pottery up there that they would have used to store things. You can also see the area where water collected for them surrounded by the palm trees. You may want to click on the picture for more detail. He was so tickled with his project. He spent a lot of time on his details.

03/13/09

I am so thankful it is Friday! It has been a long week, it seems. Not bad... just the time change, I think. We have been working on cleaning the house and such since we got back home from school. Lots to do this weekend with getting the Bible projects finished and some work for Steve and papers to grade. It will rain all weekend, too, so that will be a bit dreary. I'm continuing to remind myself that the Lord is sending this rain to replenish and not to let the dreary days get me down. Sunshine is such an uplifting thing, though!! :)