Bible Study Book Club Selection

We are reading this book for one of my Women of the World groups. If you remember Lisa was on the show The Facts of Life while growing up. Now she has a career as a Christian author. I love her books and this one is really good. I am really enjoying it. You can get it here at Amazon.

Happy Birthday Brandon

Today is Brandon's 17th birthday. I didn't have any pictures that were new to download so I stole them off his myspace. Monday is Brandon's prom. From the looks of this picture they don't look to serious. Things have changed a lot though. When I went to prom I picked out a dress and then my date picked out his tux to match it. When I went to get Brandon's tux I asked him what color his date was wearing and he said "I told her to wear black." "So you're picking out the tux in the color you want and then she has to match it." "Ya." Interesting. Then he asked me last night to get him one of those things you put on her wrist he said "you know what's it called, a croissant." "You mean Corsage?" "Ya," So today I am going to buy Brandon a croissant.

Ilove me some me

This is my new shirt by TO's Tees. Made by Terrell Owens. I had to order a few shirts for Brandon for his birthday like ipractice, icompete (TO win), and I thought I'd throw one in for myself.

Happy Birthday Reilyn

Today is my granddaughter Reilyn's first birthday. It looks like she is going to enjoy her cake. Wish we could celebrate with her. Hugs from all of us here in Hawaii and Great Grandpappy in Iraq. We love you.

Powerful

This was on my friend Rebecca's blog yesterday and I wanted to share it in case some of you haven't seen it. You can find Rebecca at http://thewashingtonwalkers.blogspot.com/

Radford Complex Songfest

Here is Darrian's in his Radford Complex singing program. Every year the students from Radford school complex, which consists of about 8 schools puts on a songfest in the High School Gym. Darrian's Kindergarten class got to sing. About 3 minutes in the next song is a little clearer. The gym was very noisy but I got the best I could.
DARRIAN IS THIRD ROW DOWN FROM THE TOP 2ND CHILD IN FROM LEFT. PLEASE MUTE MY MUSIC PLAYER IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR.
The sound is not great because of the large crowd in the gym.

Expelled

I finally got to see this and I thought it was awesome. I think this opens up the fact that as a free country we don't always get to enjoy the freedom to think how we want. I can't understand why intelligent design is such a hard concept for science but it obviously is. Thank you Ben Stein for getting the word out.

People let me tell you bout my best friend

Meet Scooba, friends of Roomba. I have had Roomba for about a year or so and I use him every day (I say him like he's a person). When I mentioned to my Cousin Diane that I loved my Roomba she said she had one to and a Scooba to go with. She said Scooba was even better then Roomba. So when I saw Scooba the other day for a great price I new he had to be mine. I used him today and he did my entire dining room, kitchen, and family area and did not even try to go over one rug. When I say what a great job he did I then went and used him in the bathroom. I ran the Roomba first but not in the bathroom when I realized the instructions said I didn't have to sweep first. What an awesome job he did. So now not only will I rarely vacuum a floor again, but I doubt I will ever wash one either. Since spring break is next week and we will either spend all our time at the beach, pool or water park this will come in handy not to mention my crock pot will be going full speed for 14 days. Gee how much easier can it get then this. Maybe some device that can do my laundry. There's always hope.

Then Sings my soul Saturdays

PLEASE REMEMBER TO MUTE MY MUSIC PLAYER. This is the ring tone I put on my phone. I like it because every time I get a call this song sticks in my head for a long time after. I always enjoy it sung at church too.

For more go on over to Amy's blog here.

Friday Funnies

Church Bulletin Bloopers 3
Category : Church Jokes
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person(s) you want remembered.

Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm-prayer and medication to follow.

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

A songfest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
For More Friday Funnies hop on over here.

Darrian reading

Hillsong

We sung this in church on Sunday and for some reason it is stuck in my head today. I love this song and wanted to share it. I'm sure most of you have heard it before, but it never gets old.

Cousin Diane's mango smoothie

The other day on facebook there was some talk about smoothies. My cousin then gave me this recipe that sounds yummy so I thought I would post it in case anyone else would like to make it. I am going to get the ingredients tomorrow and give it a try.

1 Cup frozen Mango (you can use fresh, but I am getting frozen at Sam's club)
1 container Stoneybrook Farms vanilla yogurt (also at Sam's Club)
5 ice cubes
1/2 Cup organic cranberry juice (add more if using frozen fruit)
Add 1 banana if not sweet enough.

Yoyo ball

If you think God isn't talking you're not listening

This is the dry erase board I bought so the kids could commit Bible verses to memory so they would have them when they needed them. I look at this every day as I go out of the door and on many days I find new meaning in it. Today as I went out for my walk I was thinking about the verse that was up there. One of the most popular passages in the Bible is Nehemiah 8:10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." This tells me that if I am strong in the things I know are right and do not grieve for what I cannot change, this will give the Lord joy, not happiness, but joy. You can feel joy in any situation, even the ones that are not happy.
This verse spoke to me a thought about my mom before she passed from this life to the next. My mom met Jesus a few months before she died. So when grace amazing took her home I could feel joy in the fact that Jesus was with her. So that reminded me of Nehemiah 8. I am sure as this verse is up all week many more thoughts will come my way, but this was the one I wanted to share. So as I put many more verses up I hope to continue to hear Gods voice Along with the thoughts my children are sharing with me about the verses they are learning.

future sugar fix

April 21.......Ben & Jerry's .........one free cone
April 29.......Baskin Robbins.........a scoop for 31 cnets
July 11 .......7-Eleven...............a free 7 oz. Slurpee
September 24...Coldstone Creamery.....a free ice cream treat
I'm not sure what else is out there, I think DQ and Starbucks do something every year also. If I find out I will let you all know.

Finally....Target

I spent my morning at Oahu's first Target. It was so fun to go shopping in Target after 7 years. I used to live close to one in Washington but it's size did not compare to this one which Target says is on of their biggest. Here is what the morning was like:Target Opens To Lines On Oahu
Discount Retailer To Face Off With Wal-Mart, Kmart

HONOLULU -- About 200 people lined up at the Salt Lake location and more than 1,000 turned out in Kapolei for the opening of the first Target Stores in Hawaii on Wednesday morning.

The discount store chain is opening at Salt Lake and in Kapolei on Wednesday.

The couple hundred people in line at the site of the former Costco near Radford High School poured into the store at 8 a.m.

It is one of the biggest stores of the 1,699 nationwide, Target officials said. The chain is now in all states except Vermont.

Some shoppers said they waited years for Target to open.

"It's affordable, it's hip. I think they have really good buyers," shopper Kristi Mapes said.

The openings come at a time when Hawaii needs jobs. The two locations hired a little under 1,000 employees.

Employees said they are enjoying their new jobs.

The Hawaii stores will feature big swimsuit sections that will be sold year round. They will also have an "aloha shop" featuring Hawaiiana gifts and foods, surfboards and other local favorites.

During the recession consumers are switching to cheaper stores. However, Target's fourth quarter profits plunged 41 percent compared to Wal-Mart slipping 7 percent.

The company said it is giving more shelf space to food, healthcare and beauty items and will make sure costumers know about its low prices.

"We need to continue to focus on our value statements, bring in exciting product," Target Store manager Denise Lint said.

Some shoppers said they plan to compare prices at Target to the two established big box retailers Wal-Mart and Kmart.

Many bought their share of SPAM on sale for $1.50.

break my heart for what breaks your, Jesus

(PLEASE MUTE MY MUSIC PLAYER TO HEAR THIS CLIP): Please take the 5 minutes it will take to watch this video. It will touch you. What amazing people to give to these boys the piece that is missing even if it was only for a night.

A Little Bit of East Timor

Vanessa and the kids
Uh Oh, boo boo!
Fingerpaint
Missionairies at Sunset
East Timor untouched

Funny but true....

Girls

Recently my 5 year old has been on a kick where he doesn't like to sit by girls on his school bus. He doesn't like girls. The other day while riding in my van he asked me "do you like girls?" To which my 11 year old looked up from his video game and answered "no, we don't support gay marriage." I guess with the recent protest he has this issue on his mind. I then explained to him that Darrian was talking about girls as friends. So yes I like girls. As friends. And Darrian still doesn't.

Supporting Missions

This month is missions month at our church and our Pastor from Sri Lanka was here on Sunday to speak about the support of missions. He was saying that 27 years ago the church sent missionaries to plant a church in Sri Lanka and today they have 3000 members. He was saying how investing in souls has a payoff vs putting too much faith in investing in the future of the economy. He also said "Fannie May, Freddie Mac, Lehman, where is that investment now." Good point.

The Richest Fool in the World

Jesus wanted his followers to understand this, so he did what he usually did when he really wanted us to understand something: he told a story. The story is found in Luke 12 about a rich man whose priorities were completely mistaken:

And [Jesus] told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Evil Keneval

park

Hope this made a statement

My pastor rented 10 buses for this rally and all were full with everyone on them dressed in red. Civil union opponents rally at state Capitol
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Associated Press - February 22, 2009 10:04 PM ET

HONOLULU (AP) - Several thousand civil union opponents rallied at the state Capitol ahead of this week's Senate vote on a bill that would legalize the alternative to gay marriage.

Protestors held signs saying "We affirm traditional marriage" and "No to same sex marrage" while listening to speakers in the Capitol's open-air rotunda.

The large crowd spilled onto the grass fronting Beretania street. Others gathered in the back.

Rally volunteer Julia Sula came to the demonstration with 200 to 300 other members of her Waipahu church, the Lighthouse Outreach Center, on buses after their Sunday service.

The 65-year-old retired state social worker says she believes in traditional marriage between a woman and a man.

Target

We are finally getting a Target here on Oahu. We have 5 Walmarts and a few K-Marts, but until now, no Target. The opening is set for March 8th and it is right down the street from my house. So thats the big news here on Oahu for now.

Target in the news.

otherwis known as The Surrender

I'm Lucky this is what the praise in worship in my church look like. Not quite on this scale, but 400 or so people. It always wakes me up and prepares me for the sermon. 1. THE BIBLE SAYS TO DO IT!!!

Psalms 134:2-NIV Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Lamentations 3:41-NIV Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven

Even if it doesn't make sense to us otherwise, the Bible says to do it so we might as well do it.

Coincidence

I heard this on tv the other night and thought it an interesting quote that made me think:
Einstein said "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous."

The Boys

Thrift and Big Woop!

I was watching a show the other night on thriftiness. I consider myself pretty thrifty since my hubby is in the Military and I stay home so we are used to living within our means. I guess right now though the Army is a pretty stable job so we basically haven't felt too much of a crunch, but you never know. Anyway I have a little tip that I use every summer (year round here in Hawaii). I think you might call this a stay cation. I always buy water park passes, which I am doing today, for around $320. Quite good considering that a vacation would cost thousands. It's really about spending time with the kids anyway so what kid wouldn't like the water park. You can choose activities from your town, like year round amusement park passes, zoo passes, children's museum passes, and the list goes on. I find that kids enjoy this a whole lot more than going somewhere exotic and it keeps them busy the whole summer for pennies (since we pack our own lunch). I pray for all my friends who are going through tough times right now and in the future that things stabilize. I do believe it is a new way of life, and that the old standard is gone, but the good news is this can be a more fulfilling life. When I lived in Germany the Germans were able to live well on salaries much less then ours. My daughters friends who are from Sweden said they don't spend a lot on stuff. They are amazed by American tv's. Since they grow up watching very little tv if any at all they are used to spending time outdoors and hanging out with family and friends. Maybe this is the way it should of been all along. I notice I am seeing more neighbors outside and at the parks then before when everyone was going from activity to activity. Maybe the change will end up being a blessing.

On a side note. My mom used to say "big Woop" whenever she did something boring. like if I asked her what she did today, she would say "I went to the store, big woop!" Well yesterday I am glad to tell you all I bought a new laundry basket. BIG WOOP!!!!!!!!

God's touch

Today at church we had a Pastor from Ireland who is visiting for 10 days speak. He was wonderful and reminded us of what a missions church we all belong too. About 5 years ago my Pastor had a vision to plant a church in Ireland and after a year of planning sent missionaries to plant this church. 3 stayed a year and 2 stayed for 3 years. They met this young man who was one of the few attendees at the newly planted church and he then became Pastor of this church. The church has become huge and this Pastor came to speak to us and to thank us for sending and supporting the missionaries who started the church he now Pastors. It was kind of strange because our misnister was telling us today that Hawaii is pushing a bill through that recognizes homosexual marriage and that gives them the same rights we all have under marriage. This bill passed the Senate before anyone in the state new it was happening so our Pastor is renting buses that are going to bus us all down to the Capital next Sunday so we can join in a peaceful protest. Anyway the Pastor from Ireland said he just had to comment on this. He said that this was serious because like in Northern Ireland, where it is under British rule, they have this kind of law and the law does affect the church greatly. He said that in Northern Ireland if you preach in your own church against homosexuality you can be thrown in jail for discrimination. If you refuse to hire on the church staff a homosexual you can be thrown in jail for discrimination, if you refuse to marry two people of the same sex you can be thrown in jail discrimination. I think this really brought the issue into a clearer light for people. It was amazing that this Pastor, who has experienced this first hand, was at our church the same week this law passed the Senate. Let's hope with so many rallying that this law does not go through.

Friday and Saturday were also busy. A neighbor of mine, who has some mental problems, opened her door to the MP's on Friday and was told if she didn't clean up her quarters CPS (Child Protective Services) would be by on Monday to go in and possibly place her kids. She was very upset so me and my two friends Sara and Brandon told her we would help her. Yes the house was a mess and it took the three of us plus her two kids my 3 kids and Sara and Brandon's son 2 days straight to get it in order. But we did get it done. My friend's husband Brandon who works at my church and really walks the walk of a Christian life was able to get her talking about what was going on. It was very emotional at some points. She admitted that growing up she had nothing and that she never wanted her kids to lack for anything so that is why she hoarded things. I can't imagine what would of happened to this family if CPS was there to take the lead. Instead we got her hooked up with a church charity who is going to come in and assess the house and provide help, counseling, and try to get this family back on track. The three of us also volunteered to help her each week to make sure things were getting better and that if she needed us to help keep it up to standards we would. So it was a really awesome weekend seeing how God can have his church come in and impact a family who would of been left out in the cold. To top it off her husband who is in Iraq was relieved to find out she had the support of us to help her when he couldn't. My friend Sara had been inviting her to Bible study and although this friend is a Christian she has been away from the church for awhile, but after we helped her she then expressed interest in trying out our Bible study. I think finding that people will help you and not judge you went a long way in her longing to go back to the church, but in not knowing how to go about it.

ballons and Denny's

Big Daddy Weave

He made the lame walk
And the dumb talk
He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time
Yet He knows our deepest desperate need
And the world waits
While His heart aches
To realize the dream
I wonder what life would be like
If we let JESUS live through you and me

Don't forget to pause mixpod to hear the video

cell phone mishap

Sway
Decoy
After walking my three mile morning walk a few days ago I put my shorts in the wash and later realized that I had washed my pink razr phone. After drying it out for a few days I found out it was toast so I went over to Verizon to pick a new phone. I did not come home with a phone since I liked two of them and now can't decide which one to get. I am going to try to decide by Friday if any one has any suggestions. The two phones I am choosing between are the Sway and the Decoy. I am a little bent toward the decoy because it has a built in bluetooth (very convenient), but the Sway is prettier and it is kind of a neat phone. So far I just can't seem to decide. I must admit I went to the Verizon store to look at the sway and see if I liked it, but I made the mistake of bringing my 16 year old son, who picked up the Decoy and said "look mom this one comes with a bluetooth built in." "Gee thanks Brandon." Now I like two phones.

Playground chit chat

We have a playground in the middle of our housing that get's very busy. My friends husband Brandon always brings out some sort of religious book he is reading and somehow we always start conversing about it. There are usually 5 or 6 adults and it seems almost like an impromptu Bible study. Yesterday he brought out the book above Mark's Story. The day before we got into a conversation about The Shack. This book tends to be a little controversial and we all had questions about different parts. Brandon turned to me and shrugged his shoulders and said, "this is what The Shack" is all about. You either loved it or hated it and here we are talking about it. If anything it's a great religious conversation starter." I actually liked the book a lot. We did end up with some really good conversation. Same as with Mark's story. Then most things written by these guys are pretty good. I wonder what today will bring.

Busy Sunday

This morning we had a very active day at church. 2 guests. One was Dennis Rogers a grandmaster strong man. He said at 5'11'' and only around 150 lbs. you know the power is from God and not from something he is doing. Check out Dennis
The other guy was Pastor G.F. Watkins who was awesome and preached a strong message. Check out G.F. Watkins website here
Last but not least it was home to watch the pro bowl. I love this event and it says Hawaii no matter what way you cut it or where you put it. After next year, where it will be held in Miami, they are negotiating to put it back where it belongs.
Today I leave you with a song which our church does in Somoan and also in English. We did this one today and the guest speakers always get a kick out of it and pick up how it's sung rather quickly by looking up at the screen.

Friday Funnies

The Pope, Billy Graham, and Oral Roberts were in a three-way plane crash over the Pacific Ocean. They all died and went to heaven together.

"Oh, this is terrible," exclaims St. Peter, "I know you guys think we summoned you here, but this is just one of those coincidences that happen. Since we weren't expecting you, your quarters just aren't ready... We can't take you in and we can't send you back...."

Then he got an idea. He picked up the phone, "Lucifer, this is Pete. Hey, I got these three guys up here. They're ours, but we weren't expecting them, and we gotta fix the place up for 'em. I was hoping you could put them up for a while. It'll only be a couple of days. What d'ya say?"

Reluctantly, the Devil agreed.

However, two days later, St. Peter got a call.

"Pete, Lu. Hey, you gotta come get these three clowns.
This Pope fellow is forgiving everybody,
the Graham guy is saving everybody,
and that Oral Roberts has raised enough money to buy air conditioning."

from Alicia Coop (acoop@integrityonline30.com)

For more Friday Funnies go over to Kim's blog here

Fireproof

What I'm Reading

Has anyone read this book yet? It is quite large, but very good if you like the subject of Christian apologetics. My friend recommended it to me at our net group and then I found it at the library. I knew anything written by Josh McDowell I would probably like anyway. Any opinions?

Friday Funnies

Let Him Who is Without Sin

Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked.

"This woman was found committing adultery and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded.

"Wait," yelled Jesus, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Suddenly, a stone was thrown out from the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.

"Aw, c'mon, God ... " Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"

Author is Unknown

For more Friday Funnies go here.

Dominic Jr's baptism

Last night Jr. decided to follow Christ in the obedience of baptism. Before he did this he was out at the baptismal this morning with his friend and they were talking to my Pastor. I asked my friend what that was all about and she said they went outside to see if the baptismal is clean. Good news, it must be clean, because later on that night he was baptized. We are very proud of Jr. for taking this step. To read more about baptism an act of obedience you can go here.

pictures from baptism

Pastor Ko kicks the ceremony off.
Jr. awaiting baptism
Baptismal

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

I am a huge fan of Big Daddy Weave and I think this is one of their best. For more songs go on over to Amy's blog. Please don't forget to mute my music player.

Fishers of men

Last night I went to my net group, that's a Bible study group, and really enjoyed it. It didn't hurt that we were in a Starbucks either. We were studying Luke and dabbling into some other areas as well. Some specific, some random. It's interesting how many people will sit and listen in and just want to chat with us a little bit. Our little group reading from the Bible and praying in Starbucks. It brings me to this verse Matthew 4:18-19 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [19] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men. Isn't this our purpose? If Jesus just came so that we could be saved, wouldn't he take us home as soon as this was accomplished? Obviously he not only came to save us but to make us fishers of men. To make sure that no one should perish. The apostles were not just to fish for men, but make fishers of men. People to spread the word and let people in on the good news. It just seemed to me that in a little Bible study, down at the Starbucks, we were able to be fishers of men, just by sitting and reading and praying, as others listeneing in and absorbing a little bit of something.

Things I miss most about hubs while he's in Iraq

1. Someone to follow around the house to talk to. ( I talk a lot so that's a biggie).
2. Someone to debate (argue) with. Now my dad has taken over this one, Sorry dad!
3. Someone to talk football with (Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers) All the time and anywhere.
4. Someone to carry the huge bottle of water I refill at the shopette once a week. (I'm still tired from this one today).
5. Someone to eat my spaghetti with, even though he doesn't want to.
6. Someone to watch mindless tv with at night. You know American Idol. Supernatural, Prison Break, House, yet I digress.
7. Someone to sleep with. I hate sleeping alone especially after watching Supernatural on Thursdays. I make hubby sleep closest to the door so it will get him first.
8. Someone to change the tires on the kids dirt bike's.
9 Someone to complain to about the little thinks in life. Like the commissary is out of French Vanilla creamer. If the hubs was home he would drive to every commissary and every store to find it even after a full 12 hour work day. And that's just his first job. Just so I don't have to.
10. Someone who will take me to the book store and let me blow $100. without a doubt.
11. And someone who will take me to dinner a few times a week, even Red Lobster, no matter what the cost. (That's where the second job comes in handy.
Any way I miss you babe and so do the kids. Please print and keep this list to go over upon your return. I wouldn't want you to forget all the things I miss about you.

Spaghetti Wednesday

Here is what Darrian looks like on Wednesday, the day we call spaghetti Wednesday. For quite a few years now we have had spaghetti on Wednesday and pizza on pizza Friday. In fact my husband was so sick of spaghetti (even though I usually tried a different spaghetti recipe every few weeks), that he would call from work on Wednesday around 5pm and ask what we were having for dinner. He knew what we were having it was Wednesday. He then would proceed to say that he wasn't hungry and would be home in a little while. This probably meant that he would eat something before coming home or would have cereal for dinner. On occasion I would not tell him I decided to switch spaghetti night to Thursday for whatever reason and he would come home not hungry where I would say "too bad we had steak, but don't worry we are having spaghetti tomorrow." Anyway I did in fact serve ravioli this night for a change because it is simple just to throw sauce on frozen food and call it a meal. How did Spaghetti Wednesday come about? From this commercial and my thinking that's a great idea.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader

Years ago when my daughter Kira was in 2nd grade she was very good at art and English. She was put into the gifted program and that is where we discovered Tangoes. I had to go to a meeting with the other parents of gifted kids and it was obvious that these parents were pretty gifted themselves. Me not so much. Anyway the teacher said we were going to do these Chinese puzzles known as Tangrams and it seemed that there wasn't one shape I could make except a square. Of course most of the other parents could do these puzzles quite efficiently. Anyway when I got home I told my daughter and she proceeded to take out her game of Tangoes and do puzzle after puzzle. Okay so I was not as smart as my second grader, never mind fifth grader. Yesterday my 5 year old picked up our old set of Tangoes he found in the house and proceeded to do puzzle after puzzle. Carefully picking up each shape and studying it to see where it was required to be placed to make a house, or a duck, or any other picture he had to make. So I found out I'm not even smarter than a Kindergarter. Who knew? In other words don't let your kids talk you into buying Tangrams unless you get to try them out before they get home from school so you can use the cheats on the back of the cards. This way at least you will seem almost as smart as your kid.

Friday Funnies

Heaven

A man arrives at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asks, "Religion?"

The man says, "Methodist."

St. Peter looks down his list, and says, "Go to room 24, but be
very quiet as you pass room 8."

Another man arrives at the gates of heaven. "Religion?"

"Baptist."

"Go to room 18, but be very quiet as you pass room 8."

A third man arrives at the gates. "Religion?"

"Jewish." "Go to room 11, but be very quiet as you pass room 8."

The man says, "I can understand there being different rooms for
different religions, but why must I be quiet when I pass room 8?"

St. Peter tells him,
"Well the Catholics are in room 8, and they think they're the only ones here.

Author is Unknown

For more Friday Funnies go on over to Homesteaders Heart.

FYI tonight and tomorrow the islands will be experiencing heavy winds. All the public schools have been closed this afternoon at 4:52. They expect we may have another blackout. In other words I may not be back blogging until Saturday or later.

Geeze Louise

The other day my daughter had to purchase books for college. My dad bought them for her (thanks dad), and the price for 4 books was a whopping $450. Thank God we got most of them used so it ended up being around $200. Anyway I told my dad your lucky she didn't take piano. She would of went to the book store and they would of said "Oh you need a piano for your homework....$8000." Moral of the story: Learn to play piano when your a kid.

Blog Love

My dear friend and sister in Christ Darlene passed this award on to me today. I always enjoy reading Darlene's blog and really appreciate her comments to me. If you get the chance go on over to her blog Everything to Me aka Puff's Pocket and I promise you you will be blessed. Thank you Darlene for thinking of me.
The 5 blogs that I am sending the award to are:
Sandra @ Diary of a stay at home mom
Jen @ A Good Cup of Coffee
Kimberly @ A Planting of the Lord
Mama @ Beloved MaMa
Elizabeth @ Elizabeth embracing life

All of these ladies have touched me in so many different ways. If you want to be blessed go check them out. They are all my friends and they are all my sisters in Christ.

Here's the rules:1) Put the logo on your blog
2) Add the link of the blogger who shared the award with you
3) Pass this award to bloggers whose blogs you love
4) Add your link to the list of participants below
5) Leave a message on the blog of the blogger who passed this award

Worship

Blessings...please read all 13 slides

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by zonk675

A day at the park

eye of the tiger

I'm a goofy goober

Friday Funnies

I was over at Cheryl's blog, Hope for Each Day, and she has been participating in "Friday Funnies" for awhile, so I thought I would join her.

Satan-In-Law

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in the tiny Midwest town got up early
and went to the local church.
Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews.
Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.
Everyone started screaming and running for the entrance, trampling each other in
a frantic effort to get away from an evil incarnate.

Soon everyone was evacuated from the church, except for one elderly gentleman who
sat calmly in his pew, not moving.....seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate
enemy was in his presence.

Now this confused and irritated the Devil a bit, so he walked up to the man and said,
"Don't you know who I am?"

"Yep, sure do," the elderly man said.

Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

This time the man said, "Nope, sure ain't!"

Satan, a little more perturbed at this, asked, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for 56 years."

Author is Unknown

To join in go here: Homesteader's Heart.
By the way check out her cute blog while your there.

Friendship

How do you choose your friends. I like following the same plan that Pastor Warren does. How do you pick your friends? What qualities do you look for? I find most of my friends are Christians. Most of my kids friends are Christians. I guess since I mostly have things in common with other Christians this is why I mostly have Christian friends. What is your opinion on choosing your friends wisely?
Choosing our friends by Rick Warren
The second principle we learn from Samson's life is that we are asking for trouble if we choose the wrong friends. Somebody has wisely said,"if you want to soar with the eagles, you can't run with the turkeys." You will eventually become like people you spend most time with. That is why it is so important to choose your friends wisely. Samson was defeated by bad associations; even though God had chosen him for a special task, he developed unhealthy relationships, and his friends led him astray.
God has a special purpose for each of us, but we get ourselves into trouble when we choose the wrong friends. Here is a challenging question: Do your friends keep you from living 100 percent for God? Do they tear you down, or do they build you up? Do you find yourself having to conform to things you don't like to do? The book of Proverbs warns us over and over again about negative associations. Constant exposure to wrong attitudes and wrong values will eventually take its toll in our lives. It is always easier to pull someone down than lift him up.
What kind of friends should you have? The kind who bring out the best in you, who lift you up, who encourage you, and who make you a better person.

air hogs

Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be

This one always makes me think. Especially this line: "Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be, the slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees. I remember the first time I actually caught a glimpse of God. Something I never knew existed in that state until I was a young adult... (Addison Road) (What do I know of Holy)
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were might to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

God of This City

Today at church, one of my favorite people, Pastor Sam said in the opening prayer the following: "I don't worry about what they say on the news or about this world because I know that God is still the God of our city and God is still the God of our Nation and if He is for us than who can be against us. I believe that great things will happen in 2009." All I can say it Amen to this. No matter what is going on in this world He is still on the throne and He is still the God of this city. I am posting this song "God of this City" done by a church in Youngstown Ohio. I don't know what led me to pick Youngstown, but something about this one touched me. Thanks also to Chris Tomlin who said it well in this song "greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city."PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO PRAY FOR YOUNGSTOWN.

for daddy

Jr Haircut

Bucagone

Factory

Character is what you do when no one's looking

"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what your really are.
-Make each day your masterpiece.
-Help others.
-Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
-Make friendship an fine art.
-Build a shelter against a rainy day.
-Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings each and every day.
By John Wooden. Coach Wooden carried this piece of paper in his wallet. He also gave copies to others.
From the book Souls of Steel by Pat Williams
A book I am reading about how to build character in ourselves and our kids.

Happy New Year

My son had his 11th birthday on Dec. 20. We didn't have his party because many of his friends were away for the holiday. So I told him he could have a combined Birthday/New Years party. Well he had 8 guests over last night and I am glad to tell you I survived the sleep over. Boy can these boys eat though. 3 pizzas, li'l smokies, chips, dip and cake, not to mention 3 bottles of soda and 4 bottles of Martinelli's. They all fell asleep around 2am. Not one of them got sick and not one of them is overweight. How? I don't know, but If they can eat like this and burn it all off I need this diet plan. Today they are sleeping and I have made bacon and waffles. I sure hope I made enough.

Batman on scooter

UNDO Rush of fools Then sings my soul Saturdays

I love this song on so many levels. What I always wonder though is what do people do when they don't know Him. Who do they turn to. Where do they go. Who do they tell. And who meets them at the door when they say "I've been here before" Who do they ask "turn me around, pick me up, Undo what I've become, Bring me back to the place of forgiveness and grace." And who can forgive them like this. I saw my Father watching for his own with forgiving eyes, after all I've done he just ran to me then he kissed my face he would not let go of me. After where I've been He just welcomed me. I didn't understand but he put his robe one me. It was so amazing that he still calls me son/daughter.

Christmas dinner

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Hawaiian 12 days of Christmas

In Hawaii we sing the twelve days of Christmas completely different then anywhere else. The kids start this every year and after a while I am tired of a Miner bird in one papaya tree.

10 Honest things I love.....

I have been given an award called the Honest Award. My dear friend Rebecca at The Washington Walkers is the blogger who awarded me with this. I really enjoyed reading her's and I hope mine will be almost as fun. I have to write 10 honest things about myself and then pass it along to 5 bloggers. So here goes.

#1. I love being a wife and a mom. Same as Rebecca. I never had the urge to go to college, have a career, travel, or anything else. I just always wanted to be wife and mom. That's it. Plain and simple. I loved it yesterday and today and I am sure tomorrow.

#2. I love Christian contemporary music. I have to admit that I usually pick a church based not only on their teachings, but a little bit on their ability to play all the contemporary music.

#3. Reading. Anything and everything.

#4. I love TV. I know that's horrible. I watch most of it while the kids are in bed. It's kind of a vice. What can I say. Prison Break, Fringe, House, Ghost Whisperer...etc.

#5. I love Gevalia and French Vanilla creamer. I have to order my coffee. I can't help it. Okay it's another guilty pleasure.

#6. I love Hawaii, but who doesn't. I'm just lucky enough to live here right now.

#7. I love The Dallas Cowboys, I love The Dallas Cowboys, I love the Dallas Cowboys, Did I say I love the Dallas Cowboys.

#8. I love Addson Road. If you haven't heard this group yet, you don't know what your missing. Especially her songs like "what do I know of Holy."

#9. I love Target. I haven't been to one in 7 years, because we don't have one, but they are opening one in February, here, in Hawaii, 15 minutes walking distance from my house.

#10. I love chocolate. Especially Dove or Hershey's.

Now for the 5 people I pick...

I'm not sure I can choose 5 so if you want to play along go ahead and play. Please let me know cause this was a fun one.

video for daddy

Jr. on his birthday present

Blizzard

This is what it looks like in Washington. My daughter is the General Manager of Denny's up by Seattle and she has had servers sleeping there for a few nights since they cannot get home. Some hills on the highway and roads have been closed like the one in front of her restaurant. She has her daughter up with her friend farther north and hasn't been able to go get her for a few days for fear of not making it up that far. Some of the passes have been closed and one's like Steven's pass, although open, it is advisable not to travel through. More snow is expected up until Wednesday. So whoever asked for a white Christmas....well I guess you got it. Anyway please pray for the people who are stranded and the people who are loosing electric and water and whatever else. If you want to read more HERE is an article.

Cookies

Yesterday we decided to bake some cookies for Jr's birthday. Here is the items we needed. We made chocolate chip coconut cookies and gingerbread men.
Here I am mixing all the ingredients. The kids were excited to help with the cutting of the gingerbread men.
Jr. was most excited with the finished product. These were the chocolate chip coconut cookies. These were Jr's favorite. I'll have to say they were mine too.

Happy Birthday Jr.

Happy Birthday Dominic. 11 years ago today Dominic was born in a hospital in Heidelberg Germany. It took two hours to drive to the hospital in snow. I went into labor at my husbands Christmas party on a little post in Babenhausen. I actually went into labor on the 19th but did not have him until the 20th by C-section. He was a healthy 9.5 oz. my biggest baby thanks to gestational diabetes. Today he is a healthy 11 year old who plays soccer and football and loves his new ripstick G which he is holding above. Jr. is a loving sweet boy who can sometimes be a little bugger, his sister in Washington calls him buggy. But most of all he is a good kid who loves his family and friends.

Pearl Harbor Kai winter songfest

Dominic Jr. underneath kid with green t-shirt.
This was the kids songfest. There are a bunch of pictures and clips for dad in Iraq. The kids did We Wish you A Merry Christmas while the sixth grade played the Ukulele. That was pretty neat. Darrian bought his teachers Christmas present home and said she didn't want it. When I told him I was going to call her he told me not too. It seems he wanted her gift. Oh well it was better then telling me the other day that I couldn't bring tacquitos to the Christmas party because Miss Ikeno says you can only bring cake. Oh and pizza. But that's it.

Pearl Harbor Kai songfest

Darrian (or deer caught in headlights)
Darrian
Damian
Damian
Damian (friend of deer caught in headlights)
Today was the kids winter songfest. It is always a huge success. I have posted a bunch of videos for dad to see in Iraq. The Kindergarten was awesome doing Pickles and Tannanbaum and the other kids did a great job. I always like their Christmas songfest because they never use traditional songs.