Prayer

Prayer is a funny thing. I prayed and prayed last year for something specific. It was clearly answered. Not the way I wanted.

So I spent the next 6 months shaking my fist at God. Even got myself into some trouble because of my attitude.

Which led me to my knees...praying the impossible prayer. Because God can do impossible things.

So here's the funny thing...God chose not to answer my impossible prayer. And that's okay.

Because while he was busy *not* answering my prayer, He was busy changing my heart.

Yummy Soup!

What to do on a snowy day?

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/chicken-tortilla-soup/


I *heart* Pioneer Woman!

Facing the Music

Dayna had a little trouble at school yesterday...nothing major, enough to lose her "green card." This is the first time she has been in trouble at school , and you could tell it was really bothering her.

When I picked her up from school, she told me that she needed to talk to me, but had to wait until Daddy came home. Once he came home, she took us each by the hand and sat us down in the living room for a "family meeting." At this point, she confessed what had happened. You could tell that it was eating her up inside. Inwardly, Dan & I were cheering, because we were seeing the conviction of the Holy Spirit working in her little life.

She did learn that consequences at school equal consequences at home, but she also learned that her honesty would result in a smaller consequence than if we had found out from her teacher. She paid those consequences, and wrote a letter of apology to the teacher she didn't obey.

It did my heart so much good to see her take responsibility for herself. I saw huge steps in the development of her character yesterday, and it makes me so proud to see the little girl she is becoming.

Happy Birthday to Me

I'm coming off a wonderful weekend. I honestly don't know that I could have scripted it any better. Friday was my birthday. My students were delightful and I really enjoyed being with them. When I came home, Dan and Dayna had made me strawberry cream cheese cupcakes. I opened some very thoughtful gifts from friends and family, then the three of us went out to dinner.

On Saturday, some friends came over and we just visited, snacked and played games. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and just enjoying each other. (An added bonus was that Dan and Dayna spent the morning cleaning the house while I was gone...and it's STILL CLEAN!!!)

We had previously made arrangements for Dayna to have a playdate with a friend after church on Sunday so Dan & I could go see "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." When we went to pick her up, we all started to visit. Before we knew it, it was dinner time. So we were invited to stay. After dinner, the games came out. We didn't get home until after Dayna's bedtime, but it was another unexpected day of friendship and fun.

The icing on the cupcakes was when I had no school on Monday, but Dayna and Dan both had school and work. I had an uninterrupted day of scrapbooking.

It was a blissful, restful weekend, and I was ready to go back to school today feeling completely refreshed (despite my advancement in age...)

Bright Children International

I wrote last June about a project one of my college friends was putting together. You can read about it here.

She now has her foundation and is ready to go. Please take a minute to find out more about Bright Children International and how my friend plans to go find a way for special needs children all over the world get appropriate therapies and help so they can live the lives God intended.

Many of these precious children are never given a chance at life because of their conditions. My friend and Bright Children International are finding a way to give them a chance.

Please...check it out!

Life Lesson...What Would You Do?

Dayna has been saving her money, and recently chose to buy some alphabet beads at the craft store. She wanted to make "BFF" necklaces with a friend at school.

Imagine our disappointment to open the alphabet beads to discover that it was 80% filled with the letter X, M, W, or Z.

The package of 85 beads didn't even include the whole alphabet.

So...is this a life lesson in disappointment, or should I go buy her some more beads?

What would you do?

Sounds from the Basement

It's a rite of passage. Dayna is having her first playdate with a friend she made on her own. She and Alese have become quick friends at school this year, and have been begging parents/grandparents/whoever may have influence to be able to have a playdate.

Late last night, we got the call that there was no school for me or Dayna today. So I called Alese's mom and set everything up.

The giggles are infectious, and truly bring a smile to my face.

As much as I'd love to have people over more often, I just don't feel that my home can accommodate entertaining well. I know...it's just an excuse, and I need to be hospitable with what I've been given.

And so, this is the first of what I hope becomes many playdates where Dayna can have her friends into our home, and somehow, we can extend the love of God to another family.

Oh, if only I could find a way to share with you the sounds from the basement...