Overwhelmed, But Not Without Hope

Psalm 61:1 & 2

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Timeless Treasures {Signs of Spring...In the building, anyway!}

And Baby Boo...just because!

Scentsy Party--A Disaster In The Making?!

On Friday, I'm hosting a Scentsy party. I don't know what possessed me to agree, but now I'm committed to having any number of ladies show up on my doorstep just three nights from now. I'm going to be the youngest person there. The party starts at six, as we begin with supper. Did I mention I'm going to be the youngest there. Amongst all those old ladies.

Just kidding! Just kidding! They are all in the prime of their lives and are just exceedingly older and wiser than me :)

When I was first coerced asked to have this party two weeks ago, I immediately started having all sorts of elaborate ideas. For instance, the first dish I thought of for supper was lasagna. It is easy to make, and I would just have to throw it in the oven and forget about it until supper. I also planned on serving Cesar salad, garlic bread, and an ice cream cake for dessert.

Except, that night, I had a nightmare about the lasagna. Apparently, I was afraid the meat sauce would be too dry {a very real concern from previous experiences} and went overboard on adding liquids. Thus making it too watery. The poor noodles were just swimming even after an extended period of cooking time. But, get this. The lasagna turned from being soupy and goopy to being on fire. And the fire alarms all went off, but because the nearest alarm was rooms away, Marsh and I didn't know until the whole downstairs was engulfed in flames. We tried to break open the windows and climb on the roof, but all the windows had storm windows that we couldn't get to from the inside!

And then...I woke up and decided lasagna was out. I could just make them rice and mashed potatoes with gravy. This dish I perfected when I still lived at home. Even though we're Canadian, my family normally didn't eat what your typical Canadian eats. The main traditional food in Eritrean cuisine is tsebhi (stew) served with injera (flatbread made from teff, wheat, or sorghum), and hilbet (paste made from legumes, mainly lentil, faba beans). Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine (especially in the northern half) are very similar, given the shared history of the two countries. Here's a sampling of what some dishes look like:

I got this picture off the Internet. Just to let you know, all the stuff in the foreground I don't eat. Because I'm not a fan of vegetables. Otherwise, it is all delish. I'll have to take my own pictures once I start eating it again.

Most of it is pretty good stuff. And it's spicy. I love spice--that's why I add Cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to everything I eat.
 
Yes, there is a point to all that information about my ancestral cuisine. I can't make any of it. I've tried several times, and it never comes out right. My Mum tried to teach me, but since it is a "pinch of this, pinch of that" type of cooking, I basically had to be right with her every time she cooked. And, most often than not, I was off reading. Besides, everyone knows that no one compares to Mum's cooking. So, the one complete meal that I would make on the Saturday's it was my turn to cook, was rice and mashed potatoes with gravy {that I made using excess water from the potatoes}. Trouble is, sometimes the rice would burn on the bottom and be crunchy on top. Or, it would be too soft and end up being mushed together like a huge lump of...cold oatmeal. Pretty soon, my siblings and even my dad, would groan and ask Mum to rescue their stomachs from eating *that* again. The only thing I could make way back then--that the whole family would just beg me to make--was Spiced Roasted Potatoes. And, they were delicious if I do say so myself.
 
I think the party will be lots of fun--barring all culinary disasters!

Monday Moments {In Memory}

I thought I would write about early risers.

Or people who sleep in.

I thought about my irrational fear of flying.

Or how I went through the whole month of March with not one drop of chocolate just to prove to those who personally know me that I don't just consume chocolate to live. I do eat from other food groups.

But all of this was inconsequential in light of the news that I received this past weekend.

One of the sweetest ladies that I know, went Home to be with the Lord. She had a long battle with cancer, and although her body was racked with pain, she was such an encouragement through the emails she sent me.

While I was in college, she would send me cards and letters that would contain some money as well as pictures of my family.

She made the best Mississippi Mud Pie, and knowing that I loved it would make it for many church gatherings. She gave me the recipe in my junior year of high school and I have since made it several times. And I will always think of her.

She was a delightful lady with a wonderful French accent. I enjoyed our conversations, and she was and always will be an example to me.

I can't really reconcile my mind with the picture I have--robust, full of health and vigor--to what people have described for me. I am glad. Not because I'm hard-hearted, but because the memory I have of her is how she was the last time I saw her--almost two years. I have a beautiful picture not tainted by cancer.

And now, she is in a Place where there is no more suffering; no more pain. She is in the presence of God Almighty, singing His praises.

I am so glad that there is an answer for what happens after we die. A lady I was acquainted told of her BIL's sickness and eventual death and how he was in "limbo". Swinging between Heaven and Hell in purgatory. Hoping against hope that he would be good enough to go to Heaven.

How sad. How very sad. I tried to talk to her and show her how the Bible says how we can know for sure where one spends eternity, but she was so steeped in her religion, that she felt sorry for me! Because I know where I'm spending eternity! How Satan hath blinded her eyes!

There are so many religions, but only one answer--Jesus Christ and salvation through Him alone.

It Is Well

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

{Chorus}

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Craft Show

Today I went up to a town about 20 minutes away and "helped" Bear's Mom with her booth. I went along more for moral support as she was the one who put all the time and effort into making cards/setting up Close to my Heart products. I had a lot of fun people watching, and I got to meet the ladies and gentleman who ran booths next to us.

Here is my Crafty Friend's table. I should have taken up close pictures of the cards--they were super cute!

The lady beside us, Jessica, was a consultant for Butterfly. It's a company that sells boutique type things--jewelry, purses, lotions and so on. I really liked getting to know her; she was really sweet. And her friend that was with her was so funny--it was so good meeting them.

On the other side of us was Hilary selling everything from spices to bread mixes to ice creams. She was a consultant for Tastefully Simple. Although I was dying to ask her age, she seems pretty close in age to me. She was so interesting to talk to because she had visited so many different countries.

As craft shows go, I wasn't very impressed with the selections that were there. After we set up, I walked around the building and the only thing that really caught my eye was the Amish table. Having heard so many things about their cooking, I bought some cinnamon rolls {3 for $1.50} and a raspberry moon pie for $1. The rolls were ok, but the pie was delicious! I'm going to experiment and come up with something of my own and see if I can match it.

But, once more people started walking in, I just sat in my little corner and watched people come and go--and some were quite the characters! Finally, towards the end of the day {we were there from 9-5} I went into the gym where they had bigger business on display. Those weren't too impressive either. Probably because I'm not into anything they were trying to sell! These last items I thought were worthy of pictures to show you:

Overall, I had a wonderful day meeting new people, and, essentially, coming out of my shell.

Pulling Teeth--Well, One, Anyway

After our shocking, morning discussion in class yesterday, I pushed it out of the student's minds by going over our addition facts, coins, and the clock. I don't know what happened to their brains, but they stumbled all over during our review. In the midst of my impassioned speech of how God did not give them mush for brains and how in the world could they have forgotten every scrap of learning I had taught them, Beans raised her hand and told me "My tooth is wiggly". I asked her what that had to do with the price of eggs in China, and then proceeded to do some more review.

Pretty soon, everything came back to them, and they began on their numbers worksheet. I went to my desk and started grading some papers. I glanced up to see Bean's hand in the air. "Miss Tesfamariam, do you know that my tooth is very wiggly?" I asked her if she wanted me to pull it out for her, to which she emphatically shook her head and said her mom would do it. Which by the way, said Mom would not touch the tooth with a ten foot pole. I told her to finish her page and then I helped Peanut with her work.

Beans finished her numbers page and brought it up to me to check. While at my desk, I glanced over to see one of her teeth protruding at an odd angle. I asked her which tooth was wiggly, and she pointed to the one I was staring at. It was ready to fall off--I asked her if she wanted the 3rd & 4th grade teacher, Rila, to pull it out. Beans shook her head. Exasperated, I told her that Rila's son, MM would be SO proud of her if she got her tooth pulled. At this her eyes got a hopeful look to them and she repeated, "MM would be proud of me?"...she agreed to go get her tooth pulled out.

You see, Beans has a passionate love for MM--she is determined to marry him when they grow up. So, yes, I did try to trick her into deciding to get her tooth pulled, but so would you if you dealt with "my tooth is wiggly" statements and moments when your student is more concerned about wiggling her tooth than doing her work. It was for the greater good. Unfortunately, Beans is a girl and she changed her minds about 59 times right up until 5 minutes before dismissal.

While sitting at her desk and fiddling with her tooth once again, Beans gave a sharp cry and exclaimed, "Ah! My tooth is out! I took it out!" She brought up her tooth and showed me the gap in her mouth:

"MM will be so proud, right Miss Tesfamariam?!" Uh...well....uhhh...what did I get myself into?! Perhaps she will forget all about that by Monday!

"Oh Boy" Teaching Moments

Once the students arrive in my classroom, we spend about 20 minutes talking about their night/weekend, discuss the weather, ponder the course our country is going, the economy and how it's holding up, foreign affairs, how Canada  is better than the States--in short, Homeroom 101 for Kindergarten. It's fun, stimulates their minds, and {normally} all their stories are out of their system until lunch time.

Since yesterday was a snow day for our school {and the entire county}, we had extra to talk about. One of the last things we talked about in our science class on Tuesday, was hygiene. God wants us to keep clean. How? By taking showers/baths; brushing those pearly whites; washing hands; wearing FRESH clothing EVERY day; just to name a few examples. I threw out applying deodorant and aftershave or perfume--depending on thier gender. They thought it was hilariously funny. I spoke in all seriousness of keeping my nose from the Abominable Nap Time Smell.
This was a lesson they definitely needed to hear as nap time is becoming quite unbearable for my senses. Once those darlin's take their shoes off....let's just say that when they're in my warm classroom, sleeping for about 3 hours....Ewwww is right.

So the first thing one of my students says is, "Miss Tesfamariam, I took a shower last night...and I have clean clothes on today". This statement sparked similar ones from two more of my students. The last one forlornly looked at me and said he did neither. At least he was truthful, and 3 kids out of 4 will hopefully balance each other out at nap time.

This discussion led into why we have to change our socks/tights every day. One of my students said it was because our feet sweat. Good logic. He then proceeded to mention that another student in our school {who was brother to one of my students} squeezed the sweat out of his socks and drank it. I gagged and before I could say anything, said boy's sister piped up with and emphatic, "NO! He does NOT do that!!!" But, she didn't leave it at that. In an effort to keep her brothers honor, she kept going and said, "No, my brother takes his clothes off and sleeps naked." I gasped, utterly horrified at what she'd just said. I was helpless to stop her because I was SO socked to hear it come out of her mouth. In the blink of an eye, the words left her mouth that I would have never in 20 million years expected them to pop out. I immediately told her we don't talk about things like that, and we moved on to numbers class. Mercy me, they definitely don't have a sensor in front of their lips!

By the way, I asked her mom later on, who assured me that her son most definitely does NOT sleep in the buff. At least completely.

Keepin' it real in Kindergarten 101.

Timeless Treasures {A sNOw~dAy...Finally}

While others are basking in the glorious warmth of sunshine and signs of Spring, we are ecstatically overjoyed at our blizzard-induced snowday. At long last, in our ever patient waiting, March 23 has delivered.

It reminded me of a prairie blizzard, back in the old days.

Not that I've seen one.

The snow was up to my knee in some spots.

Earlier in the week, this field was brown grass and mud; now, a thick layer of pure white snow has graced it.

My poor kiddos thought that they would soon be able to enjoy the playground once more. They'll have to endure the gym for a while longer.

The sun was trying to peek through. It was dark out--almost like the dead of winter.

**UPDATE** I see blue sky! And a burst of sunlight! Good thing because I don't want to go back to dark, life-sucking, winter days--Spring can come! {Now that we've had our snowday :}

But, Winter is still a gorgeous season.

I love winter. But I love Spring too, because that means flowers, graduation, my favorite month--May, thunderstorms, my Departure, warm, breezy days on the back porch with a book and iced tea. Or, an Ice Cap from Tim Horton's.

Observations From Living In A Girls Dorm

A list, thoughts, muses, nuggets, words of wisdom to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors....some things about my first time living in the dorm {in retrospect}.


1. Not every girl was a "morning" person. Therefore, belting out "Here Sheep" before girls have had their showers and morning coffee did not win anyone any favors. More than likely, you would get glares and muttered "Shut-up Be quiet!".

2. If you're going to hide under the bunks in your friend's room to scare the living daylights out of her and cause mass hysteria, don't do it 15 minutes before lights out. I guarantee you will have the law on your head. By your Dorm Mom. And she is definitely not one to be messed with.

3. Even if your poor friend is all alone in her room because her roommates work late, or have gone on an Ensnob trip, don't sleep in her room. She's not gonna die--she's a big girl and can handle sleeping alone for one night.

4. Please, please...do your laundry. Once a week at least. And if you're prone to stinky-ness--better make that once a day, especially if your hallway, let alone your room, gives off a distinct smell...and it's not roses.

5. Along with #4, please bathe regularly. Which means not once a week...you may have been able to get away with that when you were a young tot with your habitual, Saturday Night bath, but not anymore. Be clean; smell good.

6. It's kinda pathetic for you to time garbage take-out to a guy walking up the road. You know the appendages at the bottom of your torso? They're for walking. So, walk your own trash out to the dumpster.

7. I have never seen so many girls apply make-up at one time.For some, it improved their looks; others, had gobs on; while others didn't look any different from going Au natural.

8. It's probably not a very good idea to soak your roommate in the tub. I'm sure there are better methods of settling arguments.

9.  White Glove = Cleanest days of dorm life. Two days of the year in which olfactory nerves would not have to suffer abominable smells. It was glorious.

10.  Dorm life was an experience like I've never had before. And one I don't ever want to repeat. But, it was great while it lasted.

11. There's supposed to be a HUMONGOUS STORM headed our way tonight, in which case we will hopefully have *no* school tomorrow. See ya all tomorrow!

Monday Moments {Scary}

Have any of you watched Anne of Green Gables {I love, LOVE the first two...the last one, not so much b/c it doesn't follow the story line. If there's gonna be a movie based off a book, than it should follow the book, right?} ANYWAY, remember the part when Anne fell off the roof doing a dare and ended up twisting her ankle? And then while she and Diana were walking back home, they were going to the take the shortcut through the forest--and Diana said, “Oh Anne, I'm so scared!” (Anne) “So am I. Deliciously scared.

Well that's what I do. I scare myself--crazy, I know, but true nonetheless. My town is so small; I could probably walk the whole thing in an hour. There's also not very many street lights...maybe 10 at the most. I've also seen a Mama bear and her two cubs {I know they're in hibernation right now...but still}, I hear coyotes all the time...and wolves...and lots of people have told me stories about cougars. And of course, the bogeyman could get me. Small town living can fool you sometimes you know...and even if I screamed, Marsh has already said it would do me no good because she doesn't hear anything! So, what good is a housemate if they can't rescue you, pray tell?

And now, the maintenance man for our church has been telling me stories of churches around our area being robbed, and I should be careful. Our church, being an old school building, is already scary enough with all the moans and groans it makes.

Tonight, I was walking up to church at about 9:30 from my house--just down the street. Not far at all, and yet it is so dark out. Hardly any stars, and the big, bright moon from this past weekend was no where to be found. It's a bit windy out, so the tree branches were already scraping against each other and the side of the house. I walked more towards the middle of the road, because I got spooked yesterday when something bounded into the brush beside the sidewalk. And I have my trusty red and white 2ft. umbrella.

The closer I got to church, I became puzzled. The school hallway lights were on. And in the copy room. As well as the Kings Kids room downstairs.

My  mind went into overdrive. I wonder if its some church-thievin' vermin's? But on the other hand, it could just be some of the Upper Learning Center kids practicing for regionals {they leave in the morning for competition and....well, fun!} with Crazy Lady. I wasn't for sure, so I called my housemate, Marsh.
"Hey, it's me. Can you hear me? Look, there's a lot of lights on over here! Do you know if the ULC kids are in there?"
"I don't know; Call Pastor"
"No! I can't call them--it's 9:30! Maye I'll just check it out; Investigate. I'm going in....if you don't hear from me in a couple hours, make sure you call the cops."
"Elsa! Just call them! Ok, whatever--just stay on your cell while you go in."
"Ok, I'm checking the outside--OH, NO! The hall lights just went off! I'm going to peek in the Kings Kids room....I can't see through these blinds...Oh, ok...I found an opening....."

Relief. My legs turned to jello knowing that I didn't have to stave off any bad guys with just my umbrella. It was just the girls...from the ULC. My thoughts? I should go scare them! I only got Crazy Lady and one of the girls because they came upstairs before I could go down. Too bad they weren't staying the night--That would be a great time to scare the daylights out of them!

Is Your All On the Altar?

Is Your All On the Altar?

You have longed for sweet peace,

And for faith to increase,

And have earnestly, fervently prayed;

But you cannot have rest,

Or be perfectly blest,

Until all on the altar is laid.

{Chorus}

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?

Your heart does the Spirit control?

You can only be blest,

And have peace and sweet rest,

As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord,

In the light of His Word,

And have peace and contentment alway?

You must do His sweet will,

To be free from all ill,

On the altar your all you must lay.

O we never can know

What the Lord will bestow

Of the blessings for which we have prayed,

Till our body and soul

He doth fully control,

And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love

He will send from above,

And how happy our hearts will be made,

Of the fellowship sweet

We shall share at His feet,

When our all on the altar is laid.

Elisha H. Hoffman

It is all a matter of perspective

… A look at the Diary of a pet.


Excerpts from a Dog's Diary.....



8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!



9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!



9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!



10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!



12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!



1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!



3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!



5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!



7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!



8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!



11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary…


Day 983 of my captivity....



My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.



Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.



Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Fools.



There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.



Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.



I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.



The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe, for now....


Hope you had a good chuckle! Now you'll know what your cat is really thinking, after all, didn't you always want to know?

Have a good Lord's Day!

Feasting Friday's {DIY Chicken Strips}

This week's dish is based off of Pioneer Woman's Homemade Chicken Strips. I'm always forgetting to have all the necessary ingredients though, so mine is a little bit different from hers. Plus, I have this little habit of deviating from written recipes. Sometimes the end result is quite interesting. Anyway, to get the original recipe, click on the link above.

PW's recipe uses buttermilk and since I don't have that on hand, I googled substitutes. In 2 cups of milk, I put in about two tablespoons of hot and spicy pickle juice and one tablespoon of lemon juice. While that sat, I worked with 3 good-sized frozen chicken breasts which I partially thawed out. I rinsed, dried, and cut them into strips. I then placed them in a bowl, and poured about one and half cups of the buttermilk so they could soak. In another bowl, I combined about one and half cups of flour, garlic powder, cayenne powder, salt and pepper. After mixing thoroughly, I added half a cup of buttermilk and lightly mixed with a fork. I think I might have put too much in because it became rather clumpy, so next time I'll probably just use one fourth of a cup.
When the mixture was ready, I breaded all my strips and placed them on a plate. I didn't have vegetable oil on hand, so I just used olive oil. I fried the strips up, and although they weren't a deep golden color {because of the oil?} they did taste really good with my homemade dipping sauce sauce.

Tomorrow, I'll chop up the strips and make Chicken Cesar Salad. Yum!

RAnDoM List of THiNGs

1. Invention truly is the mother of necessity. If you throw a whole bunch of basic ingredients in a mixing bowl, you can *invent* any concoction you want. It might not look so pretty, but remember, anything with butter and sugar is sure to be delicious. Just don't double your recipe until you know what you've invented is going to be a keeper. Oh, and don't forget to keep track of your ingredients.

2. If you want a true, finger-lickin' baked potato, you will not shrivel him up in your microwave. The oven is the only way to go. I guarantee they won't come out looking like the face of a bulldog. Maybe crispy on the outside, but at least not pruny!

3. Such a gorgeous night out. The stars are out in array of brilliant light against the blackness of night. The moon, although not as bright as the sun, is giving off a soft glow--cheering the night sky. The air is so clean and pure. A deep breath gives you your fill of damp earth coming alive again. The melted snow perfectly reflects the scene above it, and there is not a ripple marring it.

4.  At some point these past two weeks, at least one {if not two} of my students have been out sick. All four of my students were here today. They should have just stayed home. Some would sneeze causing snot to come flying out of their noses, others were eating Halls like mints, I was Dr. Tesfamariam for several days, and Lysol disinfect is my new buddy. Other than that, it was quite a day--Ahhhchoo....excuse me while I nurse this new cold of mine.

5. Marsh is waiting for me to come back so we can do a project. Did you know that her full name is Marshmallow? Yup, 'cause she's short, white, and...Hehehe, Don't tell her I said so. But, since she calls me Fluffy, I just thought it fit her, ya know?

6. Chocolate milk is the only thing to have in your cereal. But, just because I drink it and not white milk does not mean that I'm racist, neither is it the reason I have brown skin. Just wanted to throw that out there.

7. The boys in my class, whether for snack or lunch, never fail to pray: "Lord, can you please help the people to stop smoking. And Lord, can you help the people to stop drinking."

8. Kindergarten Graduation is less than 3 months away. Wow. I don't know whether to feel excited or panicked.

9. Marsh is probably wondering what clock I use and how come I'm not back already.

10. Spring is HERE. You know how I know? See # 3. And besides that, it is 43 degrees out here in the Great Northwoods. It is time to celebrate! Off to enjoy the beautiful night.

Timeless Treasures {Marsh Havin' Some Pin-yah-tah Fun}

And she did it!

A Short, For Fun, Neurological Test

I tohugt you mgiht lkie this

1- Find the C below..


Please do not use any cursor help.






OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO






2- If you already found the C, now find the 6 below.






99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


69999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999






3 - Now find the N below. It's a little more difficult.






MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMM


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM






This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass these 3 tests, you can cancel your annual visit to your neurologist. Your brain is great and you're far from having a close relationship with Alzheimer's.






Congratulations!






eonvrye that can raed this rsaie your hnad. 







Only great minds can read this


This is weird, but interesting!






If you can raed this, you have a sgtrane mnid too.






Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.






I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! If you can raed this forwrad it






Congratulations, your brain is working correctly in high quality form!

Monday Moments {Anticipation}

Anticipation. A feeling of great expectation. A looking forward to of great events. A building excitement about what is in store. But, with the excitement there's also a tinge of fear, or uncertainty.

We all remember excitement over holidays, such as Christmas, whenever we look back through the years. There is great anticipation over a precious baby that is to be born. Brides are delirious with happiness as they count down the days when they pledge their life to the one they love. There's tons of things that you and I anticipate--it could be as little as your Mom's Apple Pie, warm and fresh from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream--when you go for a visit, to the arrival of a friend or loved one. Or doing things with your family, or just having some quiet time by yourself. There's no end of things to anticipate.

I was always excited for the school year to begin....and the count the days till the end. I looked forward to Family Camp--a place of commadarie and fun with Christian families coming together from different places and churches. I loved working in the kitchen and the memories that were made each year.

I did not anticipate going to college until the night before I had to leave and I started my packing. Then excitement came by leaps and bounds! Probably because it was finally sinking in that I was going to leave.

Graduation brought some fear, but also mounting excitement that I had accomplished four years of learning.

Moving to the Great North and having a job of teaching Kindergartners--that was daunting, but again I had great excitement.

As I think about going back to Canada, I do wonder what God has for me. What His plans are for the next chapter of my life. But you know what? I'm anticipating great things, because if anything, I want my life to be controlled by God. To say I'm nervous at what's ahead would be a great understatement, but as I heard all four years of my college life, "The safest place to be is in the center of God's will." The song from yesterday? That is my prayer.

My Life Is Yours

My Life Is Yours to Control

With my whole heart I humbly seek you;

Now use my life, O Lord, I pray.

I yield my stubborn will completely;

May your commandments light my way.

{Chorus}

My life, Lord, is yours to control;

I give You my heart and my soul.

I'll seek Your will, never mine,

Rich treasure to find.

Give wisdom to choices I make,

Along ev'ry path that I take.

So when I complete life's race,

"Well done", You will say.

Your Word has promised me the vict'ry,

And all I need to do is claim

Your strength to soar with wings as eagles,

To walk, to run, and not to faint.

Words and Music by Rodney and Jimmelynn Rice

Bathroom Makeover, Part One

I am excited {and a little bit nervous} to start the bathroom makeover.

I picked to do the bathroom first, because 1. it is small :), 2. it is so dark and dreary because there is only one window so I want to make it bright and cheery.

It's such a brown room--so dark!

See the wallpaper--well, it's not really wallpaper, but I forget it's proper name at this precise moment.

I'm not sure why they put this cupboard here...there's not much storage space in it as the shelves are only about 2" deep.....and the mirror just makes you look disproportionate.

Even the floor has brown in it. As well as mold stains where water seeped through. And the ceiling, too, has lots of stains.

Dave, the paint guy at Wal-Mart, is a retired painter of over 30 years. He gave lots of tips on paint as well as the correct way of painting. I got a primer that will kill off the mildew and stains from coming back after I paint the walls & ceiling.

But, before I started all of that I took down all the extra "things" in the bathroom that were just making it look cluttered and wasting valuable space.

It instantly made the room look much bigger--even Marsh thought so!

I'm trying to decide if I should paint the top half a dark color and the bottom white/cream; or if I should paint the bottom half a dark color and the top a white/cream. I'm also going to paint the ceiling--white maybe?

Image courtesy of Google

Image courtesy of Google

Decisions, decisions. Well, right now, my first priority is deep cleaning and then priming.

Here goes nothing!

A First

Tonight I experienced something I've only heard about. Every time Feigned Sincerity would talk about her son, Cowboy, impersonating John Wayne, it would crack me up and I'd think, "Awww..that's so cute". But, until tonight, I didn't really know who John Wayne was--except that he was an actor that played in Westerns.

Anyway, tonight I watched a John Wayne film. Hondo. It was interesting...I don't know that I've seen a movie quite like it.

At least now I have a better understanding of who he is :)

"Snow" Much Fun!

I think I've mentioned that we have yet to have a snow day. All the blizzards seem to pass just south of us. It's already March and it seems like spring is just going to come early this year up in the Great North. Today it was 40 degrees outside! We tried to talk Pastor into giving us an honorary snowday, but he just said that he'd give us Friday off. He is so generous...too bad we already get every Friday off! :p

So, instead of having a snowday, us teachers decided to put today's weather to good use and take the kids outside for some rays as well as fun. There was sledding, snowball fights, King of the Hill, the making of snowmen and forts--an all around great afternoon on a beautiful winter day!

Timeless Treasures {Change and Directions}

When Supergirl came to church on Sunday, I hardly recognized her.

She went from this:

To this.

And this.

To this.

It was such a change!

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One of my boys did not follow directions of marking his vowels first and in his haste, read a word wrong and therefore drew a picture that didn't quite go with the word:

Instead of cake, he read it as Cate.

We had a good laugh once he figured out his mistake.

Ahh...the joys of teaching little ones :)