poison ivy - itch, ouch!

Since I previously wrote about aging, it would be appropriate to start listing my ailments. This week, it's my neck, my chin, my hips, my back, my inner thighs, and behind my knees. .... covered in poison ivy.

I know that I did not touch any. But I did stand close to our treeline, and if the wind was blowing, I'm sure that oily powder must have blown all over me! I got another shot yesterday. I've gone twice over the past few weeks for immunizations. Yesterday was my 3rd trip... and I got a cortizone shot. It didn't do the trick, so I started on Prednisone today.

In case you don't know what to stay away from, Here's a tip: stay away from any 3 or 5 leafed plant. Or if you are as allergic as me, stay away from anything green!
click here for pictures of the plant.

but first, a mission at home?

As many of you know, our church is sending a mission team to Acapulco, Mexico next week to work at an orphanage and with street children. I am thankful to have the privelege of being on that team. I am also very thankful to announce that the Lord raised all my support!!!!!! I've been busy preparing for this trip, and was reminded of an opportunity right under my nose.

Last Wednesday, an 84 year old, completed Jewish woman spoke to our Bible Study. She told her testimony of how she came to Christ... Her husband was working in Atlanta. Another lady with a burden to share Christ with Jews began visiting him. He believed in Christ. And eventually, her eyes were open to Christ. Now she has a burden to reach Jews for Christ. She told us that we should love Israel, and not be afraid to share Christ with our Jewish friends.

Well, I have a Jewish neighbor... for 3 more days. I have really dropped the ball with him the past couple of years. Part of it is that he's a man, only a couple of years older than me... and I wonder how appropriate it would be for me to talk to him. I'm also a bit intimidated by him. I don't want to make things hard on his wife, who is a believer, but is not involved in fellowship...so as not to create problems with him. But are these just rationalizations? Excuses?

They are moving out of state on Thursday or Friday. Please pray that the Lord will give me an opportunity in this super busy week, and the courage to speak boldly of Christ. He has let his daughter go to church with us for the past year and a half... so he must be somewhat open. He can hate me... I know that the Lord does not need me. But what if He has chosen me to tell this man, and I am disobedient.... He will use someone else, but I'll have the regret of disobeying.

Also, what if the opportunity does not arise naturally? Should I create an opportunity instead of waiting for the situation to present itself perfectly tied in a bow. Or can I pray for that family and have peace that the Lord was not calling me to that task?

amigo del goofie del oofie el míos

amigo del goofie del oofie el míos
Como niño, mis padres cantarían: ¿Amigo el míos, usted de Oofie Goofie tiene la respiración como la trementina, Oofie Goofie que usted es así que fino, usted no será mi Valentine?

I find the Spanish translation humorous!!! :)

Dolly Dimples

Ok, so our parents chose weird nick-names for us! Check out my sister, Erica's, new site... and understand more about the life of a military wife.

Hannah's class trip to the Knoxville Zoo

She spent time petting and feeding this camel.

This was the kids' favorite exhibit. A primate kept coming up to the window to look at them and then urinate. That potty humor is still there at 8 & 9!

I was able to go with her. She had a blast.... so did the boys. We let Jack go to aftercare for the first time... he is now begging me to work with Daddy, so that he can go everyday. Joseph was able to spend the day with his buddy, Davis. Neither were happy to see us return and spoil their fun!

Old Names

Yesterday, I picked my nephew up from elementary school. He is in the 1st grade and received his yearbook yesterday. On the way home, I asked him who his best friends were. He said, "Edgar, Larry, Elmer and Sheila". I found these names odd for 6 and 7 year olds. When we got home, he showed me their pictures. They were all hispanic. I was telling Adam how interesting that all of these children had names that were 2 or 3 generations older than them, to which Adam replied, "kind-of like you?"

In college, Adam and I had a lot of the same friends, but did not know each other. I remember him my freshman year as a tall basketball-hip-hop kind of guy. He dated an aquaintance of mine who lived in a nearby dorm. Apparently, my Sophomore year, he almost hit me with his car in the parking lot next to Cadek. I smiled at him instead of flipping him off and made an impression.

At the end of our Junior year, he decided that he wanted to date a "nice, christian girl". His mother later told me that he wanted to ask me out, but couldn't get past my old, old name. She reminded him that his is THE oldest name!

Kids do the darndest things

Yesterday in Bible Study we looked at the life of Joseph in Genesis. It made me think of a funny story of each of my boys:

1. When Jack was about three, I gave him a candy-striped sweater of blue, green, red and yellow. He was very excited about it, not usual for a 3-year-old boy. All day, he was very snuggly with me. He asked me if he was my favorite. I told him that he was my favorite 3-year-old boy. That night, he raised his arms and I pulled his sweater over his head. He looked at me with a sad face and said "Where are you putting my coat of many colors?"

2. Two years ago our church put on a music camp: Joseph from the Pit to the Palace. Hannah and Jack were both in the camp, but our Joseph was only 2 and a half and too young. We received a cd so that Hannah and Jack could practice the songs for the musical. They played the cd for the first time one morning as I was getting ready and Joseph was sleeping in my bed. Joseph woke up with a start and a huge grin on his face as the first song began "Joseph, welcome to your party" He thought it was a message to him. He was disappointed to realize the song was not about him.

Now for a funny Hannah story that has nothing to do with Joseph.

When Hannah was 3, she and I were crafty one morning and made a piggy bank out of an apple juice bottle. The lid was the nose, It had button eyes and Pink fabric ears. It was clear, so she could see how much money she had without opening it. Hannah has always enjoyed playing with and making things out of garbage. She searched the house for "treasures" to place in her piggy bank; buttons, coins, tokens, old keys, etc. That night, my Dad, Uncle from PA, and grandmother came to visit. Hannah excitedly brought out her piggy bank and it circled the room as she showed it to each person. After everyone left, I was putting the bank in her room and my stomach sank as I realized that she had found a "treasure" from our room - a condom wrapper - plain as day, in that clear bank!

TV Nostalgia

The other day, Joseph was saying the word "riff-raff" and it made me think of the cartoon Heathcliff. My sister Amy loved that show. So I googled it and found clips of the show on YouTube. I even watched an episode. Then I started thinking of shows that I don't think are broadcast in syndication any more and found: many clips for the Electric Company, Snorks, Punky Brewster, Mr. Belvedere, Bosom Buddies, and Double Trouble .

I know that there are many more shows that I have forgotten. Anyone else have an old favorite?