Billy Graham movie

Looks like a great movie!

I did it!

I did it! I finished cleaning the playhouse. I have literally been putting this off for years! I made a list at the beginning of summer of things I wanted to get done around the house and I am actually almost done with it! This was the BIG one.
I should have taken before pictures. You have no idea how messy it was in there and dirty and how entirely afraid of bugs and spiders I am. I again had five huge trash bags full of stuff plus miscellaneous things. The playhouse has been through a lot over the past few years including a broken window that hasn't been fixed yet.
We had the playhouse built for Nathanael and Jordan when they were younger. It freed up so much room in their bedroom. I loved having a place to put all their toys, especially the big ones. Unfortunately, Nathanael and Jordan never enjoyed playing outside. They always brought everything back in the house which drove me crazy. So eventually, the playhouse became the "junk" room where everything would get thrown in. The only time kids ever played in there was during parties, which made it even more messy because all of the containers would get dumped on the floor and all mixed together, and after parties I definitely never felt like cleaning it so it has literally been years since I really, really cleaned it. I had to sweep, then vacuum with the shop vac before I could even vacuum with the vacuum from the house.

I wanted to take more pictures but my camera died and now I am too exhausted to go back outside and take more pictures. The floor is so clean! I also took horrible pictures because my camera had a little accident over the summer regarding being to close to the pool during a huge splashing session, so I can't see when I take pictures, I have to guess what I am focusing at. But I can assure you the floor is spotless!

I am so happy for Caleb. He actually loves playing outside and loves being in the playhouse. Now he has someplace to go and I'm not afraid to go in there with him now. The next thing is to get that window fixed!

Changes

So ever since I put the cute blog background on I just never really liked it. So I changed it again. I also added a slide show of the almost 500 pictures Nathanael took in Peru. It's been fun messing around with this and facebook. I know the time is short though, once school starts all this downtime will be gone! Less than two weeks until school starts. Where did the summer go??? I feel the panicky feeling of we haven't done enough fun things this summer, but then I think, I don't want just summer to be fun, but our lives. I think I need to incorporate more "fun" into homeschooling then the boys wouldn't be dreading starting again. That is why I homeschool, isn't it? So it isn't "school"?

Peru trip...

It was so hard to choose which pictures to blog from Scott and Nathanael's trip. They took almost 500 great pictures and I haven't even watched all of the videos they took. So, for those who have the time, here we go...

This was the view from their hotel. Don't let the pretty beach fool you into thinking it was a nice place...
Here is Nathanael when they first arrived in Pisco, Peru.

This was the church. Unfortunately, just after they arrived they lost their church building and were "kicked out." So, they had to hold church outside until they were able to find another building to have their service in.
Just one of the many, many adorable kids they met on their trip. The children, all ages, literally just walked the streets all day and night with no parents in sight.
I can just imagine Scott's happy smile attracting the kids :)
There was a strong military presence as it is near the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit Peru. They are anticipating a large gathering of people to protest how little the government has done to help them rebuild after the earthquake.
One of the many things they did on the missions trip was to have a pinewood derby. This is where the kids get to race cars that they work on for prizes. They went through the town inviting all the people to come and participate.

They went door to door.
This was a typical street that they walked down. Notice the pile of rubble still not cleaned since the earthquake. Those are also "houses" in the background. Most homes don't have roofs and the walls are little more than cardboard and bamboo.
Some people are still living in tents since their homes have not been rebuilt.
Walking the streets passing out fliers.
The children were everywhere, very loving, wanting attention.

This was the "market street".
Even the police station hasn't had the streets cleaned of its rubble.
The building with the graffiti was the church building. They had been their for months and had never had graffiti on it. They day after the church was forced to leave, someone painted it.
These were all the cars lined up in preparation for the pinewood derby. Scott brought 120 cars in his suitcase.

They stayed up all night outside their hotel working on painting them and getting them ready.
They said this is how a typical street in Pisco looked as you tried to drive down it :)
Here they are in the hotel room putting the finishing touches on the cars. Notice Scott pointing to his watch, it was 4:00 a.m. and they were still working on the cars.
This was a picture of the front of their hotel.
One of the ladies from the church offered her "home" to have church in. Here they are planning on how they are going to make room for chairs, etc...

Here they are fixing the house getting ready for church to be held there.
This was the front of the house. Notice the sign. The woman sold the drink from her home to make money.
Here are some pictures of the destruction from the earthquake. So sad.
Nathanael and Kurben, the youth pastor from the church.
They had to walk one mile everyday from their hotel to the "church".

Here is Angie pulling her car from the Pinewood Derby. She was one of the winners :)


The kids just loved Nathanael. He looks like he was having a pretty good time too.
Back in the hotel room with some of the girls who also went on the trip.

This was the finished "church" building all ready for service.

This was the outside where they set up the signs. Scott said he wanted to bring "Angie" home in his suitcase, she was so cute. (She is the one in the poncho).

One last group picture before leaving. It was a tearful goodbye for everyone.

On one of the last days, they were able to do a little sightseeing. They went on a boat ride to an island.

This picture in the sand never leaves regardless of the weather.
This was back in Peru at the Bible College. Here they got to recuperate and do some shopping before coming home.
The last picture. This was the "home school" group.

So, their trip lasted almost two weeks. They had a fantastic time and did so many things. Spending time with the kids was the highlight for them all. They had a mini VBS with singing, Bible stories, the pinewood derby, balloon animals, face painting, coloring, etc. If you check out the Peru blog, they have updated with a lot more pictures. Please, keep them in prayer as they have this transition without a church home. I know God has great plans for the people of Peru. I am excited too, to see what God's plans are for my family and where the next mission trip will be to!

First Peru picture!

Peru finally updated their blog which is where I got this picture! You can check it out yourself. There are a few others of Scott and Nathanael at the pinewood derby but they are kind of hard to see. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw this picture and started crying. I can't wait for them to come home! :)

"Little hits"

I knew when Scott and Nathanael went on their mission trip that we would be "hit" spiritually. I tried to prepare myself with prayer and study. I truly believe when your life is going "perfectly" and everything is great then chances are you really aren't "doing" anything for God. You are no threat to the enemy if you are living for yourself. So with Peru and VBS, etc... I was prepared. Some things have been so emotionally and physically draining to me that I'm not going to talk about those, but it is the "little hits" that almost make me laugh, like Jordan "washing" his cell phone. It works, and he can hear you if you call him, but you can't hear him. Then there was Caleb having the stomach flu this week during VBS. No fever, playing, he would be perfectly fine, and then he would be throwing up. I could handle that. But now my "big" "little hit" my refrigerator. It died. It was so tiring last night dealing with melting water, smelly food, ice chests and buying ice. Then since it is only three years old trying to find someone to come look at it that is "approved" by Maytag. First it was Wednesday, then Tuesday, finally I have someone coming in a few hours to look at it. One thing God really spoke to me about when Caleb was sick and in the hospital was to be joyful always, and always, always, thankful no matter what the circumstances. So I am going to remain joyful today. And so, so thankful that it wasn't my washer/dryer that broke while Caleb was throwing up, and that Scott and Nathanael will be home Monday, Yeah!!!!

~Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!~

It's legal again!

I just got the e-mail; homeschooling is legal, "again." I guess I don't have to hide the boys next year, we can go out and about :)

Phil Wickham

If you like Phil Wickham, you can download for free an album. Click on the Phil Wickham widget to the right. It's really free and it sounds great. I'm listening to it right now. It's making me feel better about this whole blogging fiasco.

Wasting my time

OK, so I see Michelle's new really cute blog background. I have a few minutes and start to mess around with changing my background. Well, one hour later, I am still messing with it and I don't even like it anymore! So, if you see my blog changing backgrounds everyday, you will know I have nothing else to do with my time! LOL

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I was blog surfing this morning and I came across this at http://joyfullyliving.blogspot.com/. I really liked it and thought it a great way to share what is happening. So here it goes...

FOR TODAY ~ August 7, 2008

Outside My Window... I see roses, Caleb's tree, my patio and Caleb's pool.

I am thinking... I miss Scott on our anniversary.

I am thankful for... My family, good friends, our health, and our church.

From the kitchen... I have stocked up on food from Fresh & Easy. It is my new favorite supermarket.

I am wearing... My "fat" shorts and Scott's red t-shirt that someone got him from work when they went to Maui.

I am creating... I don't think I am creating anything right now.

I am going... To finish filling out the school emergency cards that I need to turn in tomorrow, then I am going to make dinner for Jordan and his friends, and then I am going to work.

I am reading... Julian of Norwich, "Revelations of Divine Love" I just started it this morning and I really, really like it.

I am hoping... That Caleb doesn't throw up any more. He has thrown up three times since last night.

I am hearing... The sound of the washer and the dryer from doing all the laundry from Caleb throwing up three times.

Around the house... The cat is sitting on my desk with me, Caleb is asleep, and Jordan and his friends are watching a movie.

One of my favorite things... Sitting outside reading a book while the boys are playing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Finish VBS, shop for Scott for his birthday, take Jordan to surf camp, go to church, and pick Scott and Nathanael up at the airport!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

If I could take a picture of how I feel right now I think the picture here would sum it up.

Question...

I'm sure most of us have heard this before, but for some reason when I read it this morning I felt convicted. Here is the question - If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? - I suppose for me, the "outward" evidence would be OK. I "do" all the right things. Go to church, serve in ministry, raise my children for God, etc... I suppose it is my heart that I am feeling convicted about. Where is my heart for the things of God. Would there be enough evidence of my faith to convict me? Our message at church on Sunday was on faith, and where is it truly in the darkest times. This question has haunted me all week... I want to say it would be strong, but then again, I never want to truly find out. But if I don't, how can God really use my life for Him? In studying Daniel, I see the way he is described and all I can say is, "Wow!" Would I ever be described like that? After horrible, horrible circumstances, would I still be described as, "Faithful, with no error or fault found in me?"I don't know, I guess I am just thinking (writing) out loud :)

It has been a while...

I know it has been a while. I was tempted not to blog at all since I really didn't know where to start. It has been a crazy past couple of weeks. These pictures aren't in any particular order, just random things that have been going on. This drawing is something my niece, Amanda drew of my sister Regi. Pretty amazing!

















This picture was of my surprise party. And I was truly surprised. I thought we were going to Black Angus to celebrate my friend Lisa's anniversary. Well, when Scott and I walked in they started singing happy birthday. It took me a while to really realize it was a party for me! I was so blessed, and very surprised.

















Well, now my blogger is just doing weird things, I'm not sure why I am writing to the right of the pictures, but anyway. This is a picture of Nathanael playing airsoft guns with Jordan and Zane. This is how he spent his birthday money! My sister said he looks like he should be on the show Chips, LOL.

















The first night they arrived, we ate at El Torito to support the mission team going to Germany. Yummy! Jordan and Zane were being silly and getting to know each other at the restaurant.

















We also went to visit my friend Natalie while my sister was here. I love this picture of Caleb and her daughter, Abby. They are so cute together!


















The kids had fun hanging out together playing games.

















My nephew, Zane, loves Legos, so we had to go to the Lego store at Downtown Disney. He loved it!
















Nathanael was having a good time.


















We had to go to Jamba Juice.

That night, we had a cake for my birthday. I have seriously gained five pounds this month!

This was Nathanael at the barbecue we had that night.

Nathanael, Aubrey, and my sister did worship. They sounded awesome! Maybe I'll download a video. That will be a future post though! And yes, that is the Angel game on the tv. They didn't have the sound on, but all the Angel fans sitting on the couch needed to see the score during our night of worship!

The day of the earthquake, I was packing and trying to get everything together for Scott and Nathanael to leave for Peru. Well, my sister, mom and the boys (and my niece) went down to the beach. I wasn't even with the boys during their first earthquake! They look like they survived though :)

I am definitely out of order now, and this whole blogging thing isn't working for me with the spacing etc... But anyway, this picture is of my cousin Lisa, me, my sister Regi, my cousin Belinda, and her daughter Kristy. We had lunch one day.

This was of Nathanael the night they left for Peru, sniffle, sniffle.
My cousin Belinda and her daughter Kristy. They were visiting her sons from Missouri and just happened to be here the same time my sister was. We hadn't all been together since before Scott and I were married!
We stopped by the church one day to check on how things were going for VBS next week. I have a couple of amazing friends who got my crafts ready for me next week!!!! While we were there, Aubrey painted a bit. So cute!
This picture was on my birthday. I got to wear this really cool hat!
When I came home from picking up Jordan and Zane from Knott's Soak City with the church group, I had all these awesome presents waiting for me! My mom made chicken enchiladas and the most amazing cake!


This was a picture of Jordan and Zane when I dropped them off at the church on their way to Soak City. When I went to pick them up, everyone had to hurry and decorate the house, and my cake! Caleb was a big helper!
I think he was having fun.
My beautiful cake. Ignore the age.
So, that is what has been going on here. There's more, but I will only post what I have pictures for. We have had our ups and downs, but through it all I have felt God's presence. I've prayed more these past few weeks than I have in a long time, and that is a good thing. God's goodness and mercy are sustaining my family now until we are reunited. Please pray for Nathanael and Scott and the rest of the Peru team right now. They are coming home on August 11, the day before Scott's birthday! In the meantime, I have some fun plans for the weekend. Next week is VBS. Next Saturday, Jordan is going to surf camp. And then before you know it, they will be home. Yeah!