Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Fresh Starbucks coffee is in the coffee pot, tea water is on for those who like Tazo teas (all decaf!) and there's cranberry juice or water, too. A delightful section today for us to share our Gratitude Friday lists with each other!

1. My car! It's back, working 100% better. I loved the paperwork "no charge, no charge, no charge!"
2. The first sign of spring in my back yard! I saw buds on my little weeping willow tree. It's beautiful!
3. Another week of wonderful teaching in three different schools, 1st grade, 5th and 6th grade and 2nd grade! I learned about bats, how to use an Evidence Circle in literature and that I was only 5 years old when the first spaceship landed on the moon. The kids were amazed. Exact date: July 20, 1969.
4. I've got my summer job all lined up already. If you haven't seen yesterday's post, I'm working at the Union Gospel Mission Kids' Camp as the Challenge Course facilitator.
5. My husband has brought me my first cup of coffee each morning and placed it on my bedside. A nice way to wake up, smelling coffee!

Hired for Summer Kids' Camp!

I am soooooooooooo excited to announce that I've been hired for the Union Gospel Mission's Kids' Camp this summer! I will be facilitating the Challenge Course for 50 kids and staff each week. I grew up in Christian camps and I can't think of a much better way to spend my summer...teaching out at camp with kids and sharing about Jesus!

Here's the link for beautiful Tshimakain ("shi'-muh-kin") Creek Camp, which sits on 125 wooded acres bordering the Spokane River near Ford, Washington. (west of Spokane!) If you go to the page link, click on the bottom of the page and you can see the amazing pictures of the camp! All campers get to attend for free so if you'd like to sponsor a camper, there's information on the first link. Thanks so much for investing in a child's life!

Spring Countdown....

It's just 21 days til SPRING!!!!!!!! I cannot wait, especially since it's trying to snow today!

I remember a few years ago that it was the first day of spring and I was out delivering daffodils for the American Cancer Society. I had snow past the top of my boots. It was so depressing! My secret sister from church had the most beautiful vase of daffodils and tulips delivered to me that day. What an uplifter!

I'm going to buy some flowers today and bless my home with their beauty. It might be winter and snowing on the outside, but it's going to be spring on the inside!

ps for other calendar countdowns, visit http://www.calendardate.com/year2009.php. But don't say I didn't tell you so, it's got the countdown til CHRISTMAS, too!

Results on Tuesday

Hello! thanks for praying for me tonight! I ended up just having a "Scarecrow" scan, as my hubby so lovingly puts it -- you know "If I only had a brain!" from "Wizard of Oz" -- seems the other part of the tests didn't get ordered this time. It only took an hour to do the scan. I will find out my results when I go to the MS dr next Tuesday.

I love being able to tell my students that "yes, I have a brain!" I have it checked yearly and it's there...I have proof! :)

I thought about lots while in the MRI machine. Fell asleep for a little bit, too. But mostly thought -- I'd shared with a few friends today about how different our thoughts might be if a machine like this could read our thoughts instead of only scan our images inside of us. How different would we think if our thoughts were projected on a screen for others to see? WOW! I'm really going to make my thoughts be of Phil 4:8 -- whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, etc....

What do you think about these days?

Prayer for today!

Good morning! Tonight I am having an MRI series done to check on how the MS is doing inside of me. I don't feel any differently except for a tad bit of numbness on the side of my face. This is always a sure sign of stress for me -- and since I've been teaching non stop in many different grades, it was bound to come up sooner or later. It should go away soon as I'm leaving for Disneyworld next week! :)

The images take about 2 hours since I have to have so much done. It becomes a big easy bake oven by the time I'm done. I am not afraid of enclosed places (hahaha, I couldn't figure out how to smell the other word!) and I usually just fall asleep while I'm inside the tube. Talk about a noisy quiet time...glad I get ear plugs!

But if you would just remember me in prayer today, I'd appreciate it! I just had this thought, too...what if not only they could look at the brain to see if there's any activity for the MS, but if they could see my thoughts, too? WOW, would that make me think differently!! I might just have to remember this idea for the day and see how my thinking changes! Do you have verses to share with me on "thoughts"?

Voice Mail Weirdness

This afternoon when I dialed in to check voice mail on our home phone, I got a recorded message saying that our number had been disconnected! Hmmm, very strange. So I dialed it again, pressed the # button like I'm supposed to and I was told again it had been disconnected. Now I'm dialing in on the same exact phone so I KNOW it works. Strange! Then I got out my cell phone and called home (to the other phone that was on the desk next to me) and I listened to the phone ring five times. I hit the # button and the security code. It worked just fine! Such weirdness. The things that make you go "Hmmmm..."

A Rainy but Wonderful Day of Teaching

I refused to let rainy days and Mondays get me down today! When I was doing the weather chart with the first graders, I realized how GRAY it is outside. The clouds were stratus, no wind, no precipitation and the temperature was 38F. How's that for an accurate weather report? Then the announcement came right before lunch that it'd be indoor recess because it's pouring. (change the precipitation to 100%) I guess one good thing about the rain, it's melting the snow. How deep the puddles will be in the next few days, I don't know!

Here's a few pictures of what I did this past week with the kindergarten...measuring their shoes with cubes. I've had a blast with these little guys and today with the 1st graders was no disappointment. Lots of laughter and learning going on. It was sad to leave the classroom at 3:30!

Sunday night's activities

What is Sunday night like at your house? For me, it's figure out what to wear for the teaching job tomorrow, pack a lunch, try to finish at least ONE thing off the "to do" list before going to bed (I still have the corner of the spare room to clean out and nothing else has gotten completed!), make sure I have socks for tomorrow (big deal at this house...lots of mismatched, none paired!) and see what the rest of the week holds! I've got to finish my application for working at the Union Gospel Mission Camp this summer since I'm meeting with Denny on Thursday (my only day of not teaching). I've put it off and I decided that David can take it into work with him tomorrow.

I'm thankful I was able to be extra lazy this morning (we went to church last night) because by 1 pm, I was in full swing! I zipped down to the Mission for their open house, bought items for our themed dinner table on Tuesday night (this involved trips to Walmart, Dollar store and 50% off card shop!) and I was finally home at 5. Now I'm sleepy since we had Chicken Alfredo (courtesy of Costco) and I know that I still have that list. Could I cross off at least one thing tonight? We'll see!!

Happy Sunday night, everyone!

(ps after an hour, I've scratched off TWO things on my list: cleaned out the spare room corner and wrote a guest teacher note to the Kindergarten teacher, telling her how my two days went in her classroom! I'm on a roll so I think I will do a few more things AND rubberstamp two b'day cards before bed.) Hey, while cleaning out, I found a brand new pair of black socks...guess what my color scheme is going to be tomorrow!

LIFE: It's what happens between empty and full !

There used to be a gas commercial that had this saying "Life: It's what happens between empty and full." I was just reminded of it this evening...I've had such an amazing day of teaching, some not so pleasant moments of kids doing what they choose to do instead of what I ask but they were small in comparison with this: some ecstatic moments of discovering right along with the kids, those little special moments when a kiddo comes up and gives me a hug and says "I'm beautiful!" or they tell you something that's an "AHA!" moment for them. It was a FULL type of day.

I also got to see a good friend I hadn't seen in quite a while. Spending just 10 minutes with them talking was enough to re-charge me til the next time we see each other! It was a FULL type of friend day -- laughing with other teaching friends, staying in touch with friends via email, getting emails from blog friends about my gratitude list and my situation with David. I'm still contemplating calling Lisa (from the Food Pantry!) even though it's late and asking her out for a cup of coffee, just to get another friend fix and COFFEE! :)

But life has definitely happened today! I know I can't always be full and I have to do the unpleasant tasks of cleaning the house, scooping the poop, doing the grocery shopping, figuring out college bills for Ian, looking for the matched socks (that one's for you, Mary!), worrying about the broken down car (even though it's covered by insurance) and other little nit-noid thing that is in this game of life.

Empty, however, is easy to get into when you forget to fill up with positive stuff and you start running on fumes. I continue to learn this lesson lots. My biggest lesson was about 5 yrs ago when life was the absolute pits with work, MS, church situation, friends, etc. There was no full. And it took the help of Dr. Wonderful to drag me back to the "go juice" station to even begin to register into life again. Last May was the same thing but I had learned some tools to get myself out of the empty spot & at least get a few gallons of "go juice!" A few things that continue to empty me -- financial difficulties that keep me awake at night, David's work situation and his own emptiness at the moment, my relationship with my dad who lives in the Phillipines and who recently sent me a pretty candid letter, the wonderings of 'who I am' and 'what do I have to offer'? I search a lot and come up empty.

Thankfully, the Lord knows it all. I read this morning in Psalm 56:3 "For when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You!" I've taken time to "be still" and recharge. Those times even include taking naps and knowing that it'll be okay when I open my eyes again.

Life...it's what happens between empty and full!! Thank you for helping me stay out of EMPTY!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Grab a cup of coffee or a cup of tea and share your gratitude list with me today!

1. being able to teach with the best of the best (the verse about "Iron sharpens Iron" comes to mind. I have trained with these teachers, I've watched them in action, I teach in their classrooms and I continue to glean from their expertise!) I am blessed!

2. LOVING what I'm doing for my career! This week I've been in a 3rd/4th grade classroom and a Kindergarten classroom. It's demanding but I keep thinking "I love what I'm doing!" I can't wait to get to class today and help the kids measure their feet outlines with cubes.I cut out all of their outlines last night so we're ready to measure and compare. (There's a song by Sandi Patty about "beautiful feet!")

3. two noisy Beagle Boys. (They're barking as I type!) They might annoy us with their little antics but they continue to make us laugh and we love them lots.

4. a car that's still under warranty for the transmission!! I will be getting my car back next week. The service manager says it's a miracle that I got back from my 800 mile trip without breaking down somewhere. Believe me, I was out in the toolies this past weekend and it wouldn't have been pretty if I'd broken down somewhere.

5. A night out last night with Mr. York. I rarely go into details about him, but he is really struggling and I knew that if I took him out to dinner, we could talk. What do you do when your spouse is upset with you, not liking his job all that much and mad at himself? What are ways you encourage your spouse? I was just thankful he opened up a little bit last night and we enjoyed a delicious dinner together!
Time to get ready for my fun day in Kindergarten. Be blessed, everyone!

I'm the "Y" expert today!

The speech specialist at the school where I guest teach informed me earlier this week that I'm the "Y" expert for today's lesson. I get to bring in anything that starts with a "Y" and I guess that includes me! So far, I have a York Peppermint patty, yellow yarn and a yo-yo for my collection bag. What else could I slip in besides a picture of me?

I'm teaching Kindergarten for two days. Be praying for me!!

I also should share that the car's transmission FINALLY went out. Remember that super long trip I took this past weekend? The mechanics are saying there's no way I should have gotten home with it acting so badly. Hmmm, the check engine light came on in Sequim, but the car still drove. I knew it was revving badly going at 65 miles per hour, but it still drove. I just kept praying that I'd get home that night! When David took the car in to get it looked at, they said, "Yep, it's broken!!!" The super wonderful things are the car is covered under the warranty, we have a paid rental car for the next week and my little red car will be safe once again for my many adventures.

Beagle Boys and Puppy Boot Camp!

They survived their first night and so did their owners. Neither one got kicked out of class like Marley did in the film. (my biggest fear!) They sure barked at first, though, so our first lesson was how to get them to be "good quiet!" Here they are at the end of their first training night:

Ubu is on the left, Dieter is on the right.

Collecting Recipes Over Coffee

Kim and a whole bunch of her friends are collecting recipes over coffee! Join her today with your favorite soup recipe. Here's my newest favorite soup recipe, discovered at All Recipes:

Baked Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS
3 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.

Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 4 !

Joy, peace and hope -- three great things!So I'm choosing this verse as my scripture to memorize for the next two weeks.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I'm home!

Soooooooo much to share -- I think the biggest thing is that I saw signs of SPRING!!! Daffodils coming up, pussywillows breaking out ,

buds on the alder trees, tons of green grass and other greenery. Between those signs, the lake,

the salt water, the mountains, the waterfalls,it was an amazing weekend!!! I am energized and loving life today~

Stay tuned for pictures tonight after I get home from teaching -- I drove into the driveway last night at 11:58, just missing the strike of midnight. I didn't turn into the pumpkin! I know I'll be tired today but as I was telling a friend, I get to do what I love!! It's okay and there will be nap time at 3:45 pm when I get home. (I'm sure coffee will be a popular item today with me while I am teaching.)

Have a blessed day...I'll leave you with my verse of the day!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New Living Translation)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

Photo Hunt #149: Nautical

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day!

I was traveling yesterday from Spokane, kinda over the river and through the woods and over Puget Sound to get to my mom's on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. I was able to capture a few nautical shots while aboard the WA State ferry boat "Puyallup". I had blue skies and sunshine, the Olympic Mountains were showing, I was smelling the salt water on Puget Sound...I think I was pretty close to heaven!

Gratitude Friday

Coffee's on, everyone~ Grab a cup and a piece of Ghiradelli chocolate!

Here's my Gratitude Friday list!

1. another great haircut! (see the picture below!)

2. me.....I am wonderfully made!

3. God's love that protects me when I think I have the better plan!

4. His beauty all around us! I can't wait to be on the western side of WA today to see green!

5. my foot -- it's not fractured!

What's on your gratitude list today?

"Had a great day...."

Singing my song to the tune of "Bad Day"..... because I had a great day!

No fracture in the foot. The dr thinks it's tendonitis. The first xray showed the big toe with a possible fracture but that's not where it hurts at all. More x rays today! When someone tweaks with the big toe and moves it all around, it causes pain to the area where it has been hurting. Hmm, very interesting. So, we're trying custom made orthotics and it should help the problem. Dr says I can do the half marathon, Lisa says not so quick or I might really end up injured. Guess I'm still on the cheer squad team.

I bought new hiking socks at REI today and dreamed about having enough money to not have to worry about spending money there. Two pairs of socks made me happy.

So did a grande vanilla non fat latte from Starbucks while I talked with another good friend about this and that. It was great to get caught up on their life!

I also got out to take a picture of the beautiful Spokane Falls. I'll see if I can get it loaded so you can see it!

Tomorrow morning I'm out the door early to get to my mom's in Hansville (very tip of the Kitsap Peninsula in WA State!) Spending the night there and then zipping across the Hood Canal Bridge to spend two nights at Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula. (If I went much farther west, I'd be at the Pacific Ocean!) I'm attending an Olympic Park Institute program on "Ecosystems of the Olympic National Park." Wait til you see all of the amazing pictures I'll come back with....it'll be green and absolutely beautiful!!! I'm thankful I can get away til Monday afternoon & spend time learning about science! I'm also grateful for not having a fractured foot so I can go hiking in moderation this weekend, too!

I'll post from my mom's -- please pray for safe travels!

February's 10 on 10

Scenes taken from around my house, the classroom and Walmart.

Enjoy!

new RED morning Starbucks cup!

The Beagle Boys!

Homemade Blueberry Muffins baking!

Calendar in the Classroom!

Sweet bears!

Relaxing water fountain!

A bit of Social Studies/Science -- mummified apples or shrunken heads?

Down the Chocolate Aisle at Walmart -- M & M's

Starbucks' Chocolate Bars

Starbucks' Chocolates!

When coffee dreams, it dreams of chocolate!!!

Spilled Milk and Beattitudes

Good morning! I promise I won't always use Tawni's words of wisdom but check out what she sent in the "Thought for Today". It is me, again! Enjoying the time of healing with my foot and learning from all of this.

Challenge for the day; Enjoy the different periods of your life, even the bad ones, because you know that they shape the person that you are and the story that you tell. You've heard the expression, "Don't cry over spilled milk" I add---Don't cry..just wipe it up and get on with life already! LEARN! Pay attention so you're NOT spilling the same glass of milk over and over again!---Then...you may have something to cry over.

Her thought reminded me of the Beattitudes in Matthew. I opened up my Bible this morning and read it in the New International version. But then I checked it out in The Message. Even closer to home this morning -- enjoy!

Matthew 5: 1-12 "When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away...

I have learned an important lesson today about grey clouds and how I happen to like having them be a part of my life! No more, thanks to a very good friend's words of wisdom. I am grateful to this friend for loving silly me, being brave and bold enough to tell me "STOP!" and promising to gently remind me when the grey clouds seem to be drifting back in.

(Other friends, you are welcome to do the same!!)

So, here's the song that inspired today's post:

Sunny Day, Sweepin' the clouds away, On my way to where the air is sweet, Can you tell me how to get, How to get to Sesame Street? Come and play, Everything's A-OK,Friendly neighbors there,That's where we meet, Can you tell me how to get, How to get to Sesame Street?

Sesame Street Theme Lyrics by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone & Bruce Hart

Photo Hunt: #148 Bridges

same wooden bridge west of Spokane, daytime and sunset

Deception Pass bridge

For more Photo Hunt pictures, head over to TnChick's website. Awesome bridges there!

Settling down...

The orthopaedic specialist authorization never came through today and it just was a tough emotional day! I have come to realize that I was totally spoiled with Fairchild's Flight Medicine Clinic. Triple spoiled and well taken care of by Dr. Wonderful and Dr. Kuhar. So this combination of the civilian doctor community and military insurance (to which I'm BLESSED to have!) are going to take some getting used to. I decided that perhaps I'd go hide under a rock*, since I can't run away because of a broken foot. But look what came up on Sarah's Art House blog tonight -- she has BEAUTIFUL inspiring words and fun artwork -- I was struck by this piece! I've put the words below the picture to share the verse with you.

Isaiah 43:1-3

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior."

Waiting, waiting...

I know exactly how the Beagle Boys are feeling...they're bored and want to go on a walk!!! That's my sock they stole. It's been a very long morning.

I'm waiting for an authorization to see the orthopaedic surgeon. Getting closer but still waiting!

Gratitude Friday

This morning I am feeling very grumpy! I have a cup of Starbucks Christmas Blend (in fact, there's a whole pot waiting for friends to pour their own cup today....yummies are in the fridge. Keep the puppies out of the fridge, though. They're sneaky!) but to be truthful, the coffee is not doing its usual thing of saying "Good Morning" to me.

Girlfriends, I need you today! I have to call my dr this morning and figure out what the game plan is for my foot. They don't open til 8:45, though!

Here's my list for today: (and it's hard to do a Gratitude List when you're feeling like an Eeyore!) Share with me your list, too!!

1. pretty toes

2. laughter with the puppies -- this peanut butter jar was good to the last lick! (no, he's not stuck in the jar, either!)

3. spending time with over 143 kiddos in four days! I love teaching and being a positive influence in their lives
4. continued health care with another great doctor and her wisdom
5. encouragement from friends all around in growing as a person (I AM a Princess!) and a teacher

I just received this "Thought for Today" from Tawni (No More Excuses!) and she blessed the socks right off of me today. She must have heard my heart's cry about disappointments and frustrations! Let me share: "So, My CHALLENGE to all of you is to knock that chip off your shoulder and don't worry about what other people are doing or how far along they are on 'their' journey.Get busy on your OWN journey. CONSISTENT baby steps!I'm proud of all of you for stepping up to the plate and giving it your best in WHATEVER it is that you choose to do."

Ok, waiting patiently for the dr's office to open in one hour and 36 minutes! Putting my Big Girl Panties and dealing with life with a gratitude attitude. How about you?

ps It's snowing out!!

Frustration with Self... On the Injured List

This frustration list is getting longer! I got a call today from my dr and told I need to stop training for the half marathon. I have an avulsion fracture!! I knew it was sore and I finally went to the dr- had an x-ray last week. One week later, the results are back and I'm headed to see an orthopedic specialist. I'm soooo frustrated with myself!!! I know I probably added too much mileage too quickly. I was feeling great, though, and wanted to be READY for the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

In the next two weeks, I'm teaching almost every day...on my feet most of the time! I have a Olympic National Park Institute training coming up next weekend. I'll be tromping through ONP to study the ecosystem! Hmmm, try doing that with either a walking boot or cast. Hoping for the walking boot. I can at least then wear a hiking boot for the park and put my walking boot back on when I'm done.

I'm not working tomorrow or Monday....wonder how long it will take for authorization for this referral!! Please be praying for a QUICK process and healing~

I PROMISE I'll do what the dr orders. But it's FRUSTRATING to be on the injured list!!!!

Disappointment to others

What do you do when you feel like you're a disappointment to others?

I was brave this week, in the fact that I said "NO" to a committment that I'd originally said yes to. Another friend asked me what God said to me about this committment....and I replied, "He hasn't said anything!" That's what I realized that perhaps I was doing my committment only to help my friend out. No other reason. As I thought about it more, I realized that I was not going to be a joyful servant doing this committment and I was brave to write an email, backing out. My problem is I feel like I've let this other person down. I so admire her in so many ways and I don't want to be a disappointment to her. I was excited about the position at first because she asked me!! The more I thought about it...I don't get excited about going to this Bible Study anymore, I'd be putting in long hours of service after teaching all day, and I didn't want to become a bitter servant.

Still....I know I am a people pleaser and having anyone think disappointing thoughts about me kinda has me with my tail between my legs. I know this friend still loves me, she appreciated my honesty and we both know that God has someone out there that is RIGHT for the job. How do I move on from how I feel, though? (and I haven't gotten any word on what exactly I should be doing!! Waiting, waiting, waiting)

In the meantime, I've got two little beagle boys who love to go on walks after they've been cooped up in their crate all day. They need me!!!! (and they love me just the way I am!)

Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 3 !

I was thinking about teaching this morning as I was looking through all of the comments/verses left by other Siestas on Living Proof Ministries. One of the ladies' names was "Kim...and her Coffee." Doesn't that sound like me, too? Of course, I clicked on her profile and was reading a few of her posts. The verse she had posted a few days ago was the verse I'm going to memorize. I love being a life long learner and encouraging those that I encounter along my path...woohoo!

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3

Headed out to teach 3rd grade today. As I was reminded in another blog, I am BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE!!!

Beautiful Views and Fun Weekend!

Here's a few pictures from our drive to Portland yesterday! The shopping was great but I could have taken spent hours looking at the views all the way from Jen's house to IKEA and back. It was a beautiful day and we were blessed with these amazing scenes of the mountains and the sun.

On Hwy 97, heading south to the Columbia River

The view from around the sign!

Mt. Hood at the Dalles Dam

Starbucks at Hood River

Friend Janet and daughter Jennifer

Yours truly with her favorite coffee drink!

Multinomah Falls

A rubber stamp I want at Craft Warehouse

The sun at IKEA