Summer Fun

On 7/29/08, we picked up Kayla to go with us to the LoneTree Park in Rocklin. Kayla's mom, the fabulous Mrs. Lanelle Stephens, invited us in for a quick meal of barbecued hot dogs, baked beans, fruit skewers, and then finished it off with a slice of her delicious homemade ice cream cake. I then took the 3 girls to the park, which is really nice, because it has both the water "spray" park and the playground, as well as large areas of field for the girls to run around and play chase. Here are my favorite pics of the evening.

Shauna and Kayla enjoy some watermelon

Staci enjoys the spraypark

All three on Staci's favorite thing at the playground: a special kind of swing; the older kids are able to stand up and make the thing swing itself; Staci has to have some helping hands push her. Kayla was happy to oblige.

The 3 cuties: Shauna, Kayla, and Staci

My girls crashed out in the back seat of the car within minutes of dropping Kayla off.

Pretty Little Workers

Here's a cute pic of each of the girls while they were participating in the toy research study. Basically, it was pretty simple - they worked on a program where they clicked "GO" until four pcitures of different toys would come on the screen. They had to choose which one of the four toys they would take home with them if they could, based on what the picture looked like. There was one instance where the set of four things was: A Slinky; Silly Putty; A Conehead; and oh, I can't remember the fourth thing. Anyway, both girls chose the Silly Putty, and they both asked me what the Conehead was. I didn't know. After they went through the screens, they watched a 10 minute video in which they played commercials for the different toys. They then went through the same series of sets of pictures, and both girls changed to the Conehead, because they saw what it did in the commercial. Maybe this is a new toy that they're researching to see if it will sell? I haven't been able to find anything about it on the Internet. Anyway, don't these two look like they're ready to work?

Free Toy ~ Polly Pocket & Accessories

Toy Research Study

Saturday morning I took the girls downtown to participate in a market research study on toys for girls ages 4 to 7. It cost $1 of quarters for the meter and an hour of our time, and the girls came out with a free toy valued at $20 and they gave me $15 cash for bringing the girls in. The girls thought it was a lot of fun, loved their new Polly Pocket toy, and as Shauna said "it didn't even seem like an hour!"

The only problem was that Staci wanted to answer the phone when it rang. The first time I was in the office when she did it, and I didn't know what to do, so I just hung the phone up on the caller (and yes, I felt guilty). The second time the phone rang and she picked it up an Elliott Benson employee was in the room with her, and was able to take over and "handle" the phone call. I was embarrassed!

I’m in the Lord’s Army

Here are some additional verses I found on http://www.dltk-bible.com/in_the_lords_army.htm

A different American version
I may never march in the infantry,Ride in the Calvary,Shoot the Artillery,I may never fly over land and sea,But I'm in the lord's Army.

Mexican Version
I may never take a trip to Mexico, Ride a donkey oh so slow, eat a cheesy taco, I may never wear a big sombrero, but I'm in the lords army, Si señor!

Space style
I may never blast into outer space (kneel down and jump up in the air)
Shoot a laser any place (shoot imaginary laser gun)
Win in a rocket race (hold left hand out and clap right hand on it while continuing to extend right hand up pointing into space like a liftoff)
I may never walk on the moon in space (take small steps and say 'walk on the moon in space' in deep slow voice like an astronaut sounds in his space helmet)
But I'm in the Lord's Army! Roger, sir! Roger, sir!

Hawaiian
I may never surf to Hawaii, Pick a coconut off a tree, Smell a flower, oh so sweet.,I may never fish in the deep blue sea But I'm in the Lord's Army!
Aloha! (Stretch out the word Al-o-ha and do the hula)

African
I may never go to Africa, Be a Safari guide, Go on an elephant ride, I may never shoot me a Rhino Hide, But I'm in the Lord's army! Yes sir!

Pirate style
I may never swab up the poop deck, Sail over the seven seas, Shoot out the cannons, I may never find a hidden treasure, But I'm in the Lord's command. Arrgh!

Navy style
I may never walk on flipper feet, Dine on Sea Horse meat (pretending eating off a plate) EUU Yuck! (Spit food out) I may never ride in a submarine, But I'm in the Lord's Navy
Blub Blub (saluting)

Australian style
I may never be called an Aussie,See a koala in a tree, (point up to imaginary tree)Jump like a wallaby. I may never see a croc, oh woe is me, (point to imaginary croc while drawing back in fear)But I'm in the Lord's army.
G'day, Mate. (point to self, then God, then tip imaginary hat)

Another American verse
I may never dress up in army clothes, Wear a helmet on my head, wear boots around my toes. But I will go where Jesus wants me to go, Cause I'm in the Lord's army. Yes sir!

Soldiers for Jesus

I found these adorable "army" dresses for the girls on discount at Old Navy. Mornings are always a chore, so I try to think of funny things to make them wake up. One day last week Shauna had chosen the dress, so of course I wanted Staci to wear hers the same day. I told them they were soldiers for Jesus, and they needed to come to the "base beauty salon" to have their hair done - their hair had to be up in "soldier hairstyles," and that they were to stand tall for Jesus and let me take their picture! :) They're only 4 1/2 and 6 3/4 years old, and they're already tired of posing for pictures. Ha Ha! But, I'm the boss! I want to share these cute pics with you and also share a verse I found while browsing online last week:

I may never fly like Superman, climb like Spiderman, drive like Batman

Indiana Jones, he ain't the kind of man I am,

I'm in the Lord's army!

Have a great day, and stand tall for Jesus!

FAC ~ More Demolition

While singing "This is the Air I Breathe" some of us were thinking "Dust is the Air I Breathe." Much work has been accomplished, and we are so thankful for those who have sacrificed and donated their time and energy toward this project. The Lord is continuing to bless our church, and we can feel His spirit and energy moving through the church. This morning we had two of our visitors come to the front and earnestly seek the Holy Ghost. Pray that they will continue to be drawn toward the Lord. Excitement is in the air!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how clean the church was this morning. The men worked really hard getting cement poured for the new steps and the ladies worked really hard cleaning up the dust. It was a transformation; but you can still smell the dust in the air! I will try to post pictures "after the dust" in the upcoming week.

Randy Pausch, the author of the "Last Lecture", passes at age 47

Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch (picture copyright The Pausch family collection) became well known after giving his speech the "Last Lecture" about facing a terminal illness and remaining joyful, happy, and full of life, even to the very end. I'm sure that most everyone out there has seen the video of his last lecture, but believe it bears repeating. His lecture reminds me of the Bible verses

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

I believe that Jesus wants us to have a joyful life and to rejoice in His blessings. Let us always remember to treat each breath we take, each day we live, as a gift from God, just one of the many blessings He has bestowed on us (even if physically things appear bad). Remember, our lives are like a tapestry that Jesus is creating with many different strands of beautiful colored threads - but we can't see the top of the tapestry; we only see the bottom - and what may look like a mess. However, from heaven's point of view, things are very different.

"He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deuteronomy 32:4

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

FlyLady

"Are YOU living in CHAOS? (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start? Don't worry friend, we've been there, too."


This is one of the opening paragraphs on a favorite website of mine, http://www.flylady.com/ (Just remember "flylady" because you can get there using dot com or dot net. I love it!)

Originally FlyLady was created to help "messies" deal with decluttering their homes. However, she's added sections to the website that deal with body clutter (weight issues) and financial clutter. She wants us to FACE our finances (FACE - Financial Awareness Continually Empowers). You may have the perfect house, weigh the perfect amount, eat healthy, and have no spending issues... but that is NOT me!

Flylady specializes in 15 minutes sessions. You can do anything for 15 minutes. Sometimes we spend a whole lot more time putting off doing something, which if we would just do it; it would be done before we even know it. I can see the spiritual side of this as well. How many times do we put off praying or reading our Bible until we have more time? If we would just sit down and do it, not only would we feel better, but our souls would as well. I'm not saying we only need 15 minutes of prayer a day - but it's better than nothing, if that's what you're currently doing.

May you find some helpful hints and tools on flylady's website, and find other areas in which you can apply the 15 minute rule to your life.
"YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR 15 MINUTES."

Church Building Program ~ Demolition in Progress

First Apostolic Church has been receiving pledges toward a building fund to enlarge the sanctuary to provide a larger platform and additional seating space. Here are some pictures from the first week of demolition. More posts will follow later to show the progress we've made.

Swimming Lessons

The girls are in their second week of swim lessons through the Roseville Parks & Recreation District. I was so proud of Shauna yesterday - it was the first time she jumped into the pool and swam to her teacher without standing on the side for three minutes chanting "I'm scared." I told her I was so proud of her for being so brave, and that if she prayed to Jesus and asked Him to help her, she could be even braver. She got a huge grin on her face. She loves to be in the pool, but only feels confident when she can stand/touch bottom.

She reminds me of myself, and probably many others - how often are we confident and trusting in the Lord? Is it only when we can "touch bottom" and know exactly what to expect - or are we willing to just jump in for Jesus and do whatever he asks us, not knowing if we will be successful or fail and drop to the bottom. Hint: if we truly trust Jesus, I don't believe that He will let us fail - or even if we do what we consider "failing," that doesn't mean we're a failure. I think that many times I limit God by not allowing myself to fully trust Him. I wonder if God is there on the sidelines chanting "you can do it, Rhonda, you can do it - come on, you can do it" just as Mr. Dan is telling Shauna when she's on the sidelines saying "I can't, I'm scared."

The next time you're tempted to say "I can't," remember this post, and do even more than "The Little Engine That Could," not saying I think I can, I think I can - but, "I know I can, I know I can."

Have a blessed day!

Free Sewing Patterns

Here is a new site I just discovered last week: http://www.patternrescue.com/

It's a place where you can go to :
* Restore your damaged or incomplete vintage sewing patterns
* Preserve a vintage sewing pattern
* Recycle unwanted patterns that aren't collectible items
* Trade collectible vintage patterns, and
* Post a pattern request so they can help you find an elusive sewing or embroidery pattern you've been looking for

You can request up to three free patterns, twice per month (the 1st through the 15th, and the 15th to the end of the month). They'll send you your patterns, and let you know how much the shipping cost is. After that, to continue to receive free patterns, you just need to donate an amount (very easy, you can use PayPal) to cover the cost of shipping for the last set of patterns you ordered. I just received my email confirmation that my patterns have been shipped, and the shipping cost was $2.02. I donated $2.50, so now I can request three more patterns this month.

Send me a note and let me know if you use this site - I'd like to know what you think.

P.S. I'd like to thank Cori Eells, and her blog Modest Activewear, for inspiring me to start sewing again. After I ordered a modest swim outfit from her, I was inspired to sew my own .. and thus to start sewing again. I'll post pics soon of the "modest swimwear sewing session."

Children's Photography ~ one of my hobbies

Here are some pictures of Claudia, our church drummer's granddaughter, who came to visit from Oregon for two weeks. I took these pics of Claudia as a birthday present for her "Grandmama" Connie.

I Finally Have a Blog!

Well, the time has come. You know, I really liked EC (everyone's connected) - it was easy to use, easy to post pics, easy to search for people you know... it was just EASY. Then, they (whoever they may be) decided to change it ... I haven't been back since. I greatly dislike the new system that took its place (Ubuti, I think). So, I've decided to try my hand at a blog. I enjoy posting random thoughts, but especially posting pics of my darling daughters, so we'll see how this goes. Wish me luck.

:)

Rhonda