ASL (American Sign Language)

I have been going to some ASL classes, and they are amazing. I one day hope to be an interpreter. I asked my teacher last night how long does it take to become an interpreter? He told me about 2 to 3 years to get a degree and then you have to take a test. There is an advanced test but there are several portions to the test sort of similar to chapters. I have been interested in this language ever since I saw it on Sesame Street with Linda who is deaf. They taught the alphabet in sign language and it has stuck on me ever since. Who knows maybe this is another way God can use me in more ways.

Three and four year old class

Yes, I said three and four year old class.
Yesterday was my very first time teaching this age group in Sunday school. I had no idea what I was in store for. I have another person helping teach the class so I am not in the class all by myself.
She had taught this age group before but not at our church. In a sense we were both new to these students. Luckily, the children's ministry director had a lesson for us to follow including some of the props. We taught the story of Ruth.
It gave me an idea on what to prepare for when we teach again in five weeks.
I am so glad that God provided everything I needed as He always does!

Summer Learning Program

So the kids got out of school last Friday, and I have been trying to develop a Summer learning program to keep their little brains thinking all Summer.
The idea is that when they go back to school in the Fall; they will not be so behind that they have to play catch up for the first month or so of school.
I am instilling some reading, writing, math, and extra learning into my program.
If you are reading this and have any extra ideas for my Summer project . . . please don't hesitate to comment and let me know.

Happy Mother's Day! I know how difficult of a job it is, and I am so glad I have a wonderful mom. Thank you to all of you mom's out there that stick to the tasks at hand and being there for your little one(s). Good Job and you all deserve this wonderful day that we celebrate you.

An encourging word from Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:5-9
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," 6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" 7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.


I just thought I would share what I read today. May God bless you all.

He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

It is amazing how much we are loved by God.

Even though He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.(Hebrew 13:8)
Isn't it amazing how He seems to have the same way of testing us differently. By this I mean this, when Jesus healed people it was in different ways. Some men were healed by spit (Mark 7:31-37) (Mark 8:22-26), another with spit and mud (John 9:1-41), a different man was told to take up his bed (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:18-26) (John 5:5-17), others were told to go bathe in a river (Luke 17:11-19), and another with Him just speaking of words (John 4:46-54) (Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10) (Luke 7:11-17) (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56), or laying His hands on them (Matthew 8:1-3, Mark 1:40-42) (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39) (Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6) (Matthew 9:27-31). Just to name a few.
Even before that though. When Moses was leading men through the wilderness . . . God told Moses to strike the rock and water came out, then he was to speak to the rock the second time and Moses struck the rock again and that is not what God told him to do. (Exodus 17:5-6 and Numbers 20:8)
If God didn't want us to talk with Him constantly and listen to Him constantly He would make a concrete law for everyone. Such as 'to get water just strike the closest rock with a stick.' However, that is not the case thankfully. We are to communicate with Him.
He is our provider and our loving Father in Heaven. I am so thankful for the cross and what was preformed there, so that I may have a chance of knowing God the Father. It is beautiful the overwhelming love, mercy, and grace He has for every one of us. Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, popular or hermit. He Loves all of us, and for that I am thankful! O praise You Lord of lords and King of kings.

Are you serving your purpose? Are you just decoration?

Those are some striking words to reflect on today as I was looking at this picture. Food is meant to be consumed, but so are we as Christians. ("I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5)

Are we just being decoration that people see, or do they also see how we act? Are people not seeing the fruit of our spirit? ("But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." ~ Galatians 5:22)

What a wake up call!

Lord, please don't let me be a hypocrite, but a servant of Your will. Amen.

Teaching the little one

I was teaching my little ducky my oldest how to blog. I hope that it helps in the school work. You can see her blog spot on this page on the right hand side.

Stuck in a rut?

Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place? I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement to brighten your day.
I had to go to court on Monday and I was so nervous. Before I went I typed an email to my friend and told her that I might be late to the Scout meeting for that day.
Then I ended by asking her to pray for me in court that it would go alright.
Shortly after I wrote that I had gotten a call from the opposing Attorney and they wanted to work out something outside of court.
Well, as it turned out my husband and I won our side of the case out of court.
I am firmly believing it was God that had done that. When two or more agree upon one thing it shall be done. Thank you Jesus for being my provider and thank you for all of the extras too.
Amen.

Shine on Light!

I was just moved by the encouraging word today that I decided to post it today in my blog.

The K-LOVE Encouraging Word for Wednesday, 25 March 2009:
Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. Matthew 5:15 NLT

Now it is the time to ask are you doing just that or are you hiding it in a basket?

Just something to stop and reflect on as I am.

Taking on the challenge

On Wednesday we studied James 3:1-18

^3:1Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. ^3:2For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. ^3:3Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. ^3:4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. ^3:5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! ^3:6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. ^3:7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. ^3:8But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ^3:9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. ^3:10Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ^3:11Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? ^3:12Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

^3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. ^3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. ^3:15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. ^3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. ^3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ^3:18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The Pastor of our church gave us a challenge. He challenged us for one week to go around saying only positive things. If we find that our tongues are speaking evil the only way to change it is by having God change it . . . because we on our own can't change it. Our tongue is connected to our heart and what is in our heart spews out of our mouths.

That is the challenge: Now let's see how well you last and tell me about it on the comments!

I opened my e-mail today, and I had to laugh.

Sometimes religious emails are better than some of the funny ones we get and pass on....

Priceless .

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his Plane arrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home.
As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver.

'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never
driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?'
The driver said,
'No problem. Have at it.'
Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off
down the highway.
A short distance away
sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap.
The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone.

The trooper pulled out

and easily caught the limo
and he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure.

The young trooper walked up to the driver's door

and when the glass was rolled down,

he was surprised to see

who was driving.

He immediately excused himself

and went back to his car

and called his supervisor.

He told the supervisor,

'I know we are supposed
to enforce the law...
But I also know that
important people are
given certain courtesies.
I need to know what
I should do because
I have stopped a
very important person.'
The supervisor asked,

'Is it the governor?'

The young trooper said,
'No, he's more important
than that.'

The supervisor said,
'Oh, so it's the president.'

The young trooper said,
'No, he's even more
important than that.'
The supervisor finally asked,
'Well then, who is it?'
The young trooper said,

'I think it's Jesus,
because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!'

Our 2nd adopted boy.

Around this time last year we adopted a 3 year old Siberian Husky/German Shepherd Mix dog from our local animal shelter. He is so good with our kids. It is amazing at the temperament of this dog. We couldn't have asked for a better dog for our family. So Happy Anniversary puppy and welcome to our family.

Learning to be Love and Logic

So here is what happened. My Sister-in-law met these children when she had visited with her co-worker for dinner. Her first impression of these kids was what is wrong with these kids they are too well behaved. As the night went on she found them charming and grew to love their sweetness. She asked the parents what did you do to get them to become so behaved? She was told that they had gone to a parenting class with Love and Logic.

She told my husband and I about this class knowing what a handful my kids are. I finally had enough of yelling and struggling over trying to get my kids to behave. I decided to google search: Love and Logic. What I found is many resources of materials and conferences that they hold throughout the year. They were a little pricey for my budget, and the store was in Golden, CO. Which just happens to be too far for me to drive.

I decided just for kicks to search my local library, and see if they had anything on Love and Logic. To my suprise a lot of resources pulled up for the authors Jim Fay, Charles Fay, and Foster Cline. I decided to get the material the closest one to my kids' ages, and see if there was any insight on how to get my children to have better manners.

One of the many things that they suggested is to give a choice to your kids as much as possible on two opptions that you both like and doesn't create any problems for you or anyone else on the planet.

An example of these types of questions: "would you like to go to the park today or would you like to play in the back yard." Then the child feeling like they have control of your options chooses one in ten seconds then you ask another question: "would you like to swing first or slide first?" After a lot of questions comes the dreaded time to leave or go inside. I have found a way to turn this into a question too "would you like to go now or in 2 minutes?" When or if the child says "in 5 minutes" you tell them "oh I am sorry, that wasn't a choice, and then choose for them." If you choose to go now and they whine "I don't want to go now." You can simply say "Didn't I give you a lot of choices today? Now it is my turn for a choice. Thank you for understanding."

I am at the point of testing these out on my kids, so far it seems to be working. I hope to have more updates about this subject. One thing is certain I feel like I have more control over how they behave, and the plus side is that I don't feel like a monster for trying to get them to be a well mannered children.

Know that He loves you.

I have always been fascinated with clouds in the sky. I always imagined them as big lakes in the sky just drifting by; however, there seems to be a certain unexplainable beauty to the sky that I haven't been able to put into words. The amazing way that God has created a beautiful place for us to live and give us eyes to see it all with. He truly is an amazing wonder, and those are just words that don't even come close to how wonderful He really is. God blesses us with many things we often take for granted such as being able to do things on our own, use our hands, walk, talk, hear, smell, breath, etc., and I just have to know that He loves us to give us so much.

Hello Everyone,
Happy be-lated valentine's day! My mom is so sweet she came by the house today and gave us some valentine cakes to celebrate the occasion and gave the girls some winter boots.
We hope that you had a great valentine's day.

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Happy birthday to you seester I know I posted earlier but today is the actual day!!!! I am so missing you on your birthday. I hope it is special where ever you are. I love you so very much!
P.S. Watch the candles . . . they dance to the music especially if it is Relient K's song Charles in Charge.

Happy Valentine's Day. I ran across this poem for valentine's day and thought it was to awesome not to share. I hope you all enjoy my cyber valentine card.

Happy birthday to my seester!

I wanted to just give a shout out to my lovely sister who will be turning 24 this Wednesday, February 11th. You are such a special person to me. I am so lucky that God has blessed me with a caring and understanding person such as yourself. I love that you are my sister and I love that you love me. I don't think I even own enough words to possibly express how much you mean to me.
Hey and remember it is more like your birth-month than birthday so in a sense you own my Valentine's day heart. I miss you so much and hope you are well in health, wealth, and everything in between. Just remember I love you no matter how far you move.

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish everyone viewing my blog a Happy, Happy new year. For my new year resolution this year I would like to send everyone a birthday card greeting, so if you could leave me your birthday on comments. I will try to send you a card. That is provided I know who you are and already have your mailing address. I hope you stay well this year and have a great year from this day on.