10/28/12

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

10/25/12

I will get back to some more nighttime pictures tomorrow, hopefully.

For now, I feel led to share something else.

Do you ever feel like you are alone?

Do you ever feel as if you are the only one going through a certain trial?

We all battle days of the deep valleys.  Unfortunately, sometimes those valleys become so wide and deep that we are in the pit of despair and see no way out.

Earlier this week I had brought this devotion to school to type it out on my blog in my free time (yeah, right... what was I thinking!).  I thought about it that morning and then immediately remembered to grab the book as I was getting ready for school.  That is not always a normal occurrence now... it has to be placed there at night because the mornings are so crazy.  I now realize the Lord had a different reason for me remembering to bring it to school. 

It was to help a friend.

This devotion had really spoken to me recently and the Lord immediately brought it to mind when I was talking with my friend.  She is in a deep, wide valley right now and just doesn't see a way out.  It is hard to have true faith when everything around you keeps "failing" or things keep happening.

I pray it will encourage you as it has encouraged me... and my friend.

Test of Faith

John 11:40 

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Have you ever felt the pangs of doubt?

When you are feeling weak in your faith, when your life seems gloomy instead of blessed, and when it seems as though every ounce of energy is drained, the Lord would want you to persevere.

Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith.  Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relations of the natural and the spiritual.  Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him?  Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?"  On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do it' but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief.  Every time my programme of belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it.  Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.

Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict.  What is your faith up against just now?  The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it.... The final thing is confidence in Jesus.  Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith.... Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that H will not stand by us.  (Chambers, Oswald.  My Utmost for His Highest.  New York:  Dodd, Mead & Co., 1935.)

What did Jesus say to Martha in John 11:40 (above)?  The same is true for us.  When your faith is tested, when your rational side struggles against your life of faith, realize that Jesus will never let you down.

Spiritual strength comes when you have a resolve, a determination to walk with the Lord despite any hardship or infirmity.  Paul might not have been happy about the pain that his frailty caused, but he had happiness in knowing that the power of Christ was revealed through him because of it (@ Corinthians 12:7-10).  The weaker we are as humans, the more visibly God's grace is seen.  We can't give up because of it!

~ Dwell Devotional, Friday, October 19, 2012

10/24/12

Forgive me.

There are a lot of nighttime fair pictures today.

I can't promise this is the last you will see some... I have others.

This is one of the Ferris Wheels at the Fair.

I was amazed at the beauty of the lights as they swirled and moved along the railings.

The first few I captured hand-held.  Let's just say that is a feat in and of itself.

I hope you enjoy the different views of lights.

There is nothing like the lights at night at the fair.

They mesmerize me every year.

These were taken using my tripod to help with steadiness. 

I love how the colors in the last two here are similar but you can see the colors moved to different spots.  I also love the Zipper as it moves on the right.

10/23/12

Some people do not love the State Fair like we do.

Some people get tired of the crowds.

Some people do not like the money that can be spent.

I say CAN because you can always go and not spend a lot....  :)

There are people who only go for a couple to a few hours and have had enough.

There are those that go just one time and that is more than enough.  

Then, there is our family.... and we do not go as much as some of our extended family!!

This picture below shows one, no two, very special reasons why we love to go.....

We go because of the memories we make..... and have made for as long as I can remember.

Mom and Daddy took Kevin and me to the fair all of our younger years.  I remember those times fondly.

As we have grown older, and Daddy began working at the fair when I was in highschool, it became even more popular.

Now that we participate in the competitions at the fair, it has a whole new meaning.

However, the main reason is just being together.

Making memories.

Laughing.

Eating.

This is an apple chiller.... Oh. goodness.  I'd love another one right now.

Enjoying.

Sweet Man.... I could eat him up!

I treasure the memories made every October.... and every day.

10/22/12

One of the highlights for us at the fair has always been seeing the animals.  We got to take the above picture because Daddy works at the fair in the "cow building" managing the Milking Parlor for the dairy cows.  We are glad we have an "insider" because things have surely changed!!!

When Wesley and Mikayla were little they had the petting zoo and we were able to walk in among the animals and pet them. 

We just knew that the kids needed to wash their hands afterwards.

This year, we were more disappointed than ever.  Over the last few years things have increasingly become worse with seeing the animals because of lawsuits to NC over E. Coli outbreaks after the fair.

Don't get me wrong.... I hate that E. Coli happened to anyone, but blaming the state for your negligence is just another facet of the "sue happy" world we live in today.

How are kids going to understand about animals.... FARMING... where there food comes from if they are only seeing them through fences and far away from them at that? 

I realize we live in a non-agricultural society today.  Got that.

However, we are so "smart" in our society, yet do not take the precautions needed when around animals.  When we don't, we want to blame others.

Having lived on a farm and desiring for my children to have more access to animals and such, it makes me so sad to see what the fair has come to.  In our opinion it really isn't even worth it to go in the cow barn at the fair anymore because you are just herded around and out the door.  You can't even go up to the Milking Parlor (where Daddy works each year) to watch the cows because of the lawsuits.  Now kids can view cow milking by sitting on bleachers and watching them milk through a trailer with windows. 

That is realllllly close to agriculture.  (Can you feel the sarcasm dripping??)

Children today are going to grow up not understanding the importance of agriculture.

This summer I took an "AG in the Classroom" workshop that dealt with Agriculture.  It was awesome and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  I now do "AG Facts" each day in my classroom to teach the children interesting facts and bring agriculture to the room.

I just wish we could get up close to them like I did living on the farm. 

I miss those days.

One day, people are going to wake up and realize where their food came from, but it just may be too late.

10/17/12

So what in the world have I been doing that I couldn't get on here for a month and talk to you all????

Life.

I could not believe how busy life had gotten when school started.  It is always busy at the first of the year but when you add in the Cross Country and Lego Club, etc.... it became ridiculous.  Last week all I wanted to do was just get HOME at a decent hour.

My teaching this year is so different and I am loving it.  That Hovercam I shared with you in a previous post has been something that has opened up a whole new world for me in teaching.  It is allowing me to visually show things that before I could not show as well because of them being too small.  Now I can project all kinds of things on the board and ALL of the kids see it.  Today I was showing them the difference between 1/2 and 1/4 and which one was bigger.  I could SEE on the faces of the kids how much better they were getting it than years prior.  Being a visual learner myself this is something I am loving, too.  haha!  I am also seeing a lot less stress in the getting work done area and that makes me feel better.  I am not as exhausted by trying to explain something a million times while standing on my head, and the kids are grasping things quicker and carrying it through on their next work. 

Photography for me has been kind of busy!  I haven't been able to photograph "stuff" lately, but I have been able to photograph people.  It excites me when people love the moments I am able to capture for them.  I also learned that wearing Birkenstocks while climbing on wet rocks because you forgot to change into tennis shoes is NOT good for photographing anyone or anything.  NOTE TO SELF:  Do not do that again.

I have also had writer's block.  I think one of the reasons is because I truly have not had time to think on things to write because my brain is so full of all things school/home/photographing/etc...
My juices just aren't flowing as of late.  I couldn't get over how wonderful it felt to write that post yesterday.  It showed me how much I really miss getting out my thoughts. 

I am also behind on READING other blogs.  I know it has been since August since I have read my friend's blogs!  I just need to sit down with the laptop one evening and have a reading session.  For those of you that might hear from me from a post in August/September, don't be surprised.  I do like to let you all know I am still alive and reading.

We were proud of our boy doing Cross Country this year.  We had a lot to work through and understand to help him.  First it was getting his shoes right, then it was hydrating and eating the right stuff, and finally it was learning how to juggle it all with school.  I loved the season, loved cheering him on and am looking forward to him running more over the next year to get ready for next Cross Country season.  He actually wants to run an 8k on Thanksgiving morning so I am going to sign him up for that.  :)  Here is a pic of my little guy going to the finish.

I have had several people tell me they missed my blog.  I am glad to be missed.  Hopefully I won't have as much of a lull now.    :)

10/16/12

Here are some things I have been learning these first nine weeks of school with two middle school kiddos.

Watching your children grow is like watching them as the life stages of a butterfly.


In the early years they were the egg, then they turned into larva that began to eat more than they used to... and grow out of all of their clothes faster than you can get them in new ones!  Caterpillars have been a comfortable place to be because we knew what to expect.  Feed them, clothe them, help them along and we are good to go.

That pupa stage is just a bit different.

OK, A LOT different.

They are in a stage that can seem so quiet, so strange, yet so transforming.

Inside the pupa a butterfly is being transformed.  If you have ever watched one, they wiggle a lot at first when they are just beginning the pupa stage.  They are shedding their final layer of skin to produce the chrysalis.  Once they are in the chrysalis, the transformation is miraculous, but you cannot really see it because of it being "covered."  After the time appointed for the butterfly to reach adulthood, the butterfly struggles as it gets out of the chrysalis.  This struggling is good because it produces strong wings and body for the butterfly to take flight.

Right now, our two butterflies are covered by a chrysalis of new feelings, emotions, expectations and responsibilities.  We can't always see on the inside what is happening because so many things cover what we can actually see.  Sometimes we sit back and feel we are watching something happen before our eyes and we don't know what to do to change it or help it.  They are doing some struggling right now finding their place in the world while still safely in their chrysalis of home.

When our butterflies are ready they will come out of that chrysalis, pump their wings and fly.  They will be strong because of the struggles they have faced.  If we were to "cut open" the chrysalis to make it easier for them, we are actually damaging them from a stronger life.  When we struggle we learn; we become strong. 

I have been learning that even though I sometimes do not know what to say, or know how to make something better, God is using this "pupa" stage of their life to change them into something amazing.  They are going to be totally different in many ways because God is allowing things in their lives to make them who He wants them to be.

It is hard to watch your child go through hard things.  It is hard when you know things can be better but they have to learn in their own way just like you did.  You know how you were transformed by God to be who you are, but when you are talking about your own child.... well, that is different, huh?  You don't want them to experience the pains, disappointments, etc. that you faced.

Making things easier isn't the answer.

It is our job as parents to be there to hold them up -- to be that limb holding the chrysalis.  After the struggles and hardships to get out of the chrysalis, they know we are still there.  On that day we get to stand back and say, "Pump those wings, you are ready to fly!"

10/15/12

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting the results of the fair.

I apologize for not getting this up yesterday..... it kind of goes with my crazy life lately.

Without further wasting of time.......

OK.

Here goes.

Are you ready?

Really?

Hee hee...

I'll do Wesley first since he is my firstborn by 44 minutes.

He got a third place on his pineapple jam.  :)

Second place for his scrumptious chocolate pound cake.

 Third place for his honey muffins.

 

FIRST PLACE for his macadamia nut brittle!  :)

His Legos did not place, but I don't think he can complain!!

Now on to my girly girl....

Mikayla got Honorable Mention on her blueberry muffins.  

Seeing as they were the last out of the very hot oven, we felt that was major.  :)

She also got third place on her brownies!  :)

Her layer cake did not place.  We are wondering if they didn't like the fact she used buttercream frosting.  We'll see when we get back the comments because that was some STINKIN' good cake, even if my daughter did make it!

I guess you want to know how I fared.

I reckon I'll tell ya.....

 I got second place on my mango chutney.  :)

I got first place on my apple raisin bread.  I wonder if they had that with some coffee??  :)

 My peach jam, cheese straws, and photograph did nothing, nada, zip.  However, I did enjoy seeing them proudly displayed if nothing else.

 We are already working on what to do for next year.... and how we'll tweek a few things.  

We had a great time finding our things, even though it was difficult to see the names.  Grrr....

We feel quite honored to have placed at all with all of the competition out there.  

Have I mentioned lately how much we love the fair?

Just checkin'.

Thanks for always supporting us in our fair time endeavors!

10/13/12

Going to the fair today....

Can't wait!

Perfect weather, perfect day for wonderful memories to be made.

I made a rhyme.

I do it all the time.

Hope I made you smile.

:)

10/12/12

I'm all over the place in this post today, but what do you expect from someone who has been MIA for a month?

I love this picture simply because it was a raindrop (or two) on a beetle.  

I am not so fond of insects, but I do have to teach them.

That means I have to get excited about them.

I try, really I do.  I do think it is fascinating to see their details and how God created them.

However, hanging outside trying to catch them... not so much for me.

A couple of weeks ago the second grade went on a pond study field trip.  We were able to enjoy many aspects of God's creation.

I touched a tadpole.  That is huge.

I had some students who wanted me to touch a crayfish.  I know where to draw the line.

On to other things......

Today I had a teacher workday.  I took some cold medicine that was for nighttime... I fell asleep putting grades in the computer. 

I ate a lot of starlight mints at school to keep me awake.  At least I had fresh breath.

I ate lunch with one of my best friends.  It had been a long time since we had talked.

Did you know that Native Americans used a combination of animal brains and liver to tan the hides of the animals they killed?  Yeah, we are studying Native Americans right now.  That fact of tanning the hides always amazes me.

I have a photo shoot tonight.  Such a beautiful day for one!

I am going to the State Fair tomorrow.  Can't wait to see our stuff.

I need a nap.  It is that cold medicine's fault.

10/11/12

So.....

Have you missed me?

Yes, I have been gone for quite a while.

I'll have to catch you up on that later.  Too much to write.

Today is 10/11/12.  I couldn't forget to write on such a monumental date!!

It is October.  

You know what that means... the NC STATE FAIR.

We have been busy bees around our house getting ready.... in the middle of school, Cross Country, homework, etc... etc....

SO, without further ado, here are our entries for this year.

My photograph.  

As you know from my previous years, I never know what the judges are looking for.  I don't want to do my nature pictures because they seem to be what a lot of people do.  I had the kids help me pick out the entry for this year.... I like old stuff, so this lock was it.  I took it at Old Salem in March.  I love that place and I love this lock.  

Doubt I'll win, but at least if you go you can try and find it.

 

This past weekend we had the "Fowler Bake-Off" on Sunday afternoon/night.  It was full of memory making moments and lots of laughs.... and a few heated moments when something was forgotten in the oven......

Mikayla is showing off her skills with the sifter near my beloved RUBY the mixer.  Mikayla has decided there needs to be more left-handed sifters in the world.  We'll go search for one.

Here is Wes by his famous Honey Muffins....  He did a great job this year with his baking.

Mikayla having a moment.  I don't know where she gets this from.

My cheese straws worked in the cookie press this year!  I found a new recipe and was SO excited.  I realize I don't look as excited as Mikayla up above, but it was late when this picture was taken.....

Aren't they beauties!?  They tasted awesome, too!

Here are all of the food entries.  Below I will show you/tell you what each of us entered.

Here are Wesley's:

Chocolate Pound Cake

Macadamia Nut Brittle

Honey Muffins (will be found in the Expo building with the honey stuff)

 Mikayla's:

Chocolate Brownies

Layer Cake with buttercream frosting... pink, of course

Blueberry Muffins... that, unfortunately, were the last muffins baked for the day in an oven that had been on for about 6 hours.  They still tasted great!

  

Kellie:

Apple Raisin Bread - OH. MY. WORD... good with some coffee, peeps.

CHEESE STRAWS that actually worked this year.  STINKIN' good.

Wesley entered another Lego creation.  This was a crane with moving parts.

 Our jams/chutney

Wesley - Pineapple Jam

Mikayla - Grape Jam

 (Unfortunately, her mother signed up her and Wesley in the same category of jams... a no no.  SO... since hers was a new recipe and we were concerned it didn't come out well, we made an executive decision for Wesley's to be entered.  She was fine with that.)

Kellie:

Peach Jam

Mango Pepper Chutney

We will be going on Saturday to seek and find out if we won anything.  According to the teachers at school that always enjoy a taste test of the leftovers, this was our best year yet.  

We shall see.  :)