A Good Day

This was a great Sunday to be at church.  I am only serving in Upstreet as a substitute this summer, so there are Sundays when they don't need me and Edgar and I can go to the service together; today was one of those Sundays.  

First of all it is great to know that regardless of what is 'on the menu' for the day, it will be done with excellence.  Rarely to people actually look forward to the announcements at church, but the video announcements done by North Point Ministries are so well done, it is entertainment along with information.  Edgar even leaned over, shaking his head and said, "these guys are so creative', and they are.

Worship was led by one of my favorites--Cori Moon.  She has a rich mezzo soprano voice and not only can sing  so well, she truly leads us in Worship.  Today, along with the usual acoustic guitar and drums we had a cello, and two violins.  After opening by reading from Psalms she led us in one new son and a couple of older hymns.  It was really very meaningful.

Our speaker was John Woodall who gave an inspiring challenge to dads to Teach their children consistently, to Model authentically, and to Pray constantly.  His story of raising his own four children to adulthood was not one of all peaches and cream, but  very real and practical.  At the end Mike Gleason did an awesome job with Cinderella, while the Steven Curtis Chapman video was on the screens.  It was a great morning of worship.

We will spend the rest of the day resting, reflecting, preparing for the work week ahead, and thanking God for the awesome privilege of parenting two amazing kids.  

I've Been Tagged

Kathy tagged me to do this, so here goes. . . 

WHAT WAS I DOING TEN YEARS AGO?  Ten years ago we were living in Pompano Beach and I was staying home helping Edgar with the businesses.  We had a fully licensed AMS Montessori School with 5 students in our home.  Rachel worked with me using some of the Elementary level materials and we hired one of our good friends as the teacher for the school.  Rachel and I were very involved in the home school support group at our church where she was in hand bells and several co-op classes.  I sang in the church choir and  one of the praise teams.  We had a girl from Denmark living with us and had just returned from an around the US 3 month trip.  We have precious memories from those times.

MY FIVE FAVORITE SNACKS:  I love pastry of most any kind.  My favorite desert is Lemon Ice Box pie, mom's recipe.  At the movies one must have some popcorn, don't you think?  During the summer especially we love to snack on fresh fruit of all kinds.  And of course no list would be complete without mentioning dark chocolate.

FIVE THINGS N MY TO DO LIST TODAY:  We are getting ready for Edgar to come home after having been away for a week, so today's list was a bit scattered.  take Ellie to the groomers to be bathed, pick up coffee from the roaster, take the packed coffee orders to FedEx, finish paying some bills online, spend some quality time with Rachel and Ryan.

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE:  Wow, a billionaire, now that holds much more possibilities than just being a millionaire!!  Well, after giving the Lord 15%, uncle Sam 30%, and saving (in some kind of interest bearing account) 20%, I would make sure my close family members all had homes that were paid for and college funds for their kids.  Now for the really fun stuff--I would want to sponsor a couple dozen more kids in Kenya and through World Vision.  I would also need to give serious consideration to opening that Christian Montessori School I've always dreamed about.

FIVE JOBS THAT I HAVE HAD:  The paying jobs include:  being a cashier at Kresege (anyone remember that one)?, being a TA for my college music prof, assisting in the office of Development for my college, working as secretary for MIHS Adult Ed, working as a sales associate and a switchboard operator at JC Penneys, working as a Montessori Teacher and preschool Owner/Director, working as a Montessori Teacher Educator, serving as a Children's Minister, Co-Owner of Internet Coffee Business.  Sounds like I can't hold a job, huh?  This list would be incomplete without mentioning the most important jobs--the ones without a paycheck--wife and mom.

FIVE BAD HABITS OF MINE:  I often start reading books, but never finish them.  I stay up  until the wee hours of the night watching TV movies when I am alone.  I rarely do any kind of formal exercise.  I spend too much time with my macbook in my lap--mostly reading blogs.  I prefer to sleep late whenever I can, which is not very often.

FIVE PLACES I HAVE LIVED:  Arkansas City KS, Merritt Island FL, Manhattan KS, Vero Beach FL,  Lantana FL,  Deerfield Bch FL, Pompano Bch FL, Greensboro NC, Gainesville GA.

FIVE RANDOM THINGS PEOPLE WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME:  I worked as a DJ in college for our college station.  I love scrambled egg sandwiches with bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and peanut butter--all the food groups!  I taught an eight week class to adult students who mostly spoke Chinese--had an interpreter.  My mom left me in the hospital for the first 10 days of my life because she was tired and wanted them to get me on a schedule--it only cost my parents 50 cents a day, I have the bill!  I would love to visit NY when the weather is perfect so I could go to Central Park ad visit the Statue of Liberty.  

FIVE CD'S I'D HAVE TO HAVE ON A DESERTED ISLAND:  Well first of all I would really hate to be on a deserted island--too much sand and humidity for me, but I understand the real question here.  Anything by John Denver, The Carpenters, or Sara Groves.  The Best of the Beachboys, and anything by Chris Tomlin.   (I think CD's were not out when John Denver and Karen Carpenter were recording, but you get the idea).

That should fill you in on most anything you would want to know--not even sure I knew all of this stuff until tonight!

First of all I sure wish I could figure out how to put Youtube videos on this blog and not just the link!!!  I obviously need a blog technical tutor--ugh

I haven't mentioned lately how well my son is doing--he is such an awesome little man.  He went to VBS last week at a local Baptist church, our church does not do VBS, and he did so well.  First of all entering any new situation is a bit of a challenge, but he went right in and participated enthusiastically all week!  We did take a friend with us, but Ryan did not know him--he knew his mom.  The highlight was Friday evening at the program when he got up on the stage with the other 350 kids and not only sang in front of a packed out congregation, but even did the hand motions.  Edgar, Rachel, and I were all blown away--it was awesome.

He has also learned to navigate my iphone.  He knows how to go to You Tube, type in the name of some of his favorite things, Noah's Ark, the Titanic, and Eight Below, and he brings up movies and sits and watches them!!  (Yes, I did think about asking him if he could show me how to load videos on to this blog, but I don't want him on my macbook!!).

We are going to the pool almost daily and he tans so easily and deeply--drives Rachel and I nuts, but I am going to try of give you a glimpse of my Coppertone Baby if I can do it without being obscene!  Here he is looking for a movie on my phone--yes I do have to remind him to put on clothes after he showers!

A friend sent this to me--take a lesson it is awesome.  file:///Users/jablum/Desktop/NationalAnthem-CactusJH.wmv

Texas Tech University Basketball game, Feb 9th

Five girls ages 6-8

Am entire arena remains silent throughout the song.

I love seeing young people express patriotism; I fear it is lost on many.

A few comments

Most of us list other blogs and from some of those lists I have found some really interesting sites. I wanted to call attention to a couple that I have listed. First of all if you have never visited thepioneerwoman.com you are missing a real treat. She has a little of everything and she posts almost daily! Whether you like seeing her pictures of life on a cattle ranch, or want a little tutorial in photography, or need to add to your recipe file (not if you are dieting, though), she has something of interest for you. Then if you want a sweet, be it sappy love story, you can read the true story of her romance with her husband, to whom she refers as 'Marlboro Man'. It is a great story and she is an excellent writer.

The other site that is very good is 97secondswithGod. Here Prodigal Jon, of the Stuff Christians Like blog, is doing a daily devotional --one for each chapter of the Bible beginning in Genesis. It is not too late to start as he is only on chapter 5. It is thought provoking, inspirational, and is a nice on-line devotional.

The others, many of which are my good friends and family, are also wonderful and I do appreciate the consistent updates.

There's no place like home!

In the last week we have done a fair share of traveling and spent too many hours on the road! We are almost ready to put our Greensboro house on the market and let me tell you--that house never looked as good as it does now, at least not when we lived in it! In addition to the fact that it would be financially a wonderful thing to only have one mortgage, I really do think it is a great house in a super neighborhood. I pray the Lord will send the right family to come and make some wonderful memories there and I pray He will send them SOON! Brian is almost finished with his work, Edgar made a second trip to help, and the floors will be done next week. We would appreciate your prayers.

Now that we are back in our real home in GA, Ryan and I are going to VBS all week--he is having a ball and I am really enjoying the 5 year olds. We are teaching the kids to Know God's Truth, Speak God's Truth, and Live God's Truth--a big challenge for us all.

We are looking forward to several friends and family members coming by this summer for a visit and we will do a short trip to Tennessee for a little family vacation. I have recently learned that several people with home I graduated from High School actually live in the Atlanta area, this is something considering how many decades ago that graduation took place! Even more exciting is the fact that 4-5 of my dearest HS friends are among those in the area and we are planning to get together in July. Most of us have not seen each other, or had any communication in over 35 years, but the recent emails and phone calls have been delightful.
The really scary thing is that most of us were in Chorale together and we are planning to meet where there are guitars and pianos--could give all new meaning to 'joyful noise'.