Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowldege Him and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes we need to be reminded who is in control and what our role is!  

the numbeh eleven, one, one!

I was tagged by my sweet friend Linz...so here goes!

Rules....

1.You must post these rules.

2. Each person must post 11 things

about themselves on their blog.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for

you in their post and create 11 new questions

for the people you tag to answer.

Eleven things about me...

1) Time is relentless, so redeem your time wisely. God blesses us with a new day each day...may I never forget that.

2) I'm taking some courses at the Trinidad School of Preaching and loving it!

3) I love taking walks, hikes and scrambles...Have you thought about the fact that God created the beautiful nature we live in just for us?!

4) Sewing is a big hobby of mine...and I like to alter the patterns...make it just right!

5) I enjoy rising early...there's something about the early morning!

6) I love tea...hot, cold, anyway, but especially hot! :)

7) I love children...and the fresh perspective they bring!

8) Friends are extremely important to me...old ones and new ones!

9) I love to cook. Nothing makes me more happy then seeing people happy and eating and enjoying!

10) A dream of mine is to go sailing in a sail boat or clipper ship!

11) I enjoy old fashioned things. I'm a little old fashioned myself!

Questions for me!....

1. If you were going to learn a foreign language, which one would you choose?

I've always loved Italian, but I think Spanish would be more useful!

2. Would you generally rather read a book, listen to music or watch a movie?

Read a book! With maybe some instrumental music going in the background! :)

3. If you could learn any skill what would it be?

Art, drawing, painting...photography

4. When you go to a restaurant, do you usually try something new or get the same thing each time?

Depends on the occasion, but I like trying new things!

5. What's your favorite book in the Bible?

Favourite?! Well, I really love Esther, Philippians, Psalms and I've been studying Hebrews and it is so rich! :)

6. What's something you never leave the house without?

Usually my bag that has my Bible, chap stick and my cell phone.

7. You have a prepaid airline ticket to anywhere in the world. Where did you go?

An tour of the Mediterranean.

8. Rice, potatoes or bread?

Bread! Especially sourdough! I love making bread and trying new types!

9. How tall are you?

5 feet, 8 inches

10. What is one of your dreams for the future?

To be a wife and mummy.

11. What is your favorite song? What does it make you think of?

"If We Never Met Again This Side of Heaven" or any other song about heaven. It helps me remember that God has a plan for us and will help us bear the comings and goings of people in this short life. :)

My Questions for You!

1) How many siblings do you have and how did/do they effect your life?

2) Write a list or remember it in your head?

3) If you could spend an afternoon alone, anywhere, where would it be, and what would you do?

4) What is a favorite colour?

5) What passage in the Bible do you find yourself going back to?

6) Email or handwritten letters?

7) Warm weather or cold?

8) What is something funny or crazy you do?

9) Do you keep a journal?

10) How do you celebrate your birthday?

11) What are three blessings off the top of your head?

I tag...

Chasity

Jessica

Naomi

Adrian

Lindsey

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Have a wonderful New Year!

:)

Sharing the love...

This is my Dad's favorite cake! I've tried different recipes and this one is my favorite! I adapted it from the King Arthur Flour website. The sourdough is not sour at all, it's just a delightful undertone! And please don't forget the coffee...it brings out the true nature of chocolate in this cake! Happy Baking! :)


Sourdough Chocolate Cake

cake
1 cup "fed" sourdough starter
1 cup milk (whole milk or 2% preferred) or evaporated milk
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa (Dark or Dutch process works great!!)
1 tablespoon instant coffee
2 large eggs


icing
6 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder (or instant coffee)
1 tablespoon hot water

drizzle
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon corn syrup

1) Combine the "fed" starter, milk, and flour in a large mixing bowl. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. It won't necessarily bubble, but it may have expanded a bit.

2) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan.

3) In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar, oil, vanilla, salt, baking soda, cocoa. and espresso powder. The mixture will be grainy.

4) Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5) Gently combine the chocolate mixture with the starter-flour-milk mixture, stirring till smooth. This will be a gloppy process at first, but the batter will smooth out as you continue to beat gently.

6) Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

7) Bake the cake for 30 to 40 minutes, until it springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

8) Remove the cake from the oven, and set it on a rack to cool while you make the icing.

9) Sift the confectioners' sugar into a large mixing bowl, and set it aside.

10) In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter and add the buttermilk or yogurt. Dissolve the espresso powder in the hot water, add to the pan, and bring the mixture just to a boil.

11) Immediately pour the simmering liquid over the confectioners' sugar in the bowl, and beat till smooth.

12) Pour the warm frosting over the cake. If you wait too long and the frosting stiffens up, spread it over the cake.

13) Combine the chocolate chips, milk, and corn syrup in a microwave-safe cup. Microwave till the chips soften, then stir till smooth.

14) Drizzle/drip the chocolate over the icing. You can do this while the icing is still warm, or wait till it's cooled.

An ABC update!

I know it's been several months since I've posted so here is an unusual update with some highlights from these past months!

A- is for apples- pineapples! We live in Trinidad and it's so beautiful here! It doesn't matter where you live, there is beauty around you....learn to see it and appreciate it! When I lived in the rolling hills of Arkansas...I thought it would be so neat and beautiful to live by the ocean...and now I live on a tropical island and it's amazingly beautiful...but don't fail to see the beauty where you are!

B- is for birthdays- December has four birthdays in it! Dad had his birthday and I made the traditional sourdough chocolate cake! (It's really yummy! You should try it!) Silas turned 11. ELEVEN. I think personally that is a crime, but so is Nathan turning 20! What?! That's ridiculous! But we're not going to talk about my own precious little guy Miles turning 14!

C- is cherishing the moments and friends- Time seems to be flying by so quickly! And we are really learning to love the people here and make some very good friends. You have to learn to treasure the moments because they slip by so fast! Learn to appreciate the people in your life and be faithful so we'll all be together in heaven!

D- is for dengue- In early October there was a round of dengue that went through several of the students and was a little scary! Dengue is a mosquito borne tropical fever. A couple of the student were in the hospital with it, and let me just say that the hospital experience here and in the US is vastly different. Think carry your own sheets and pillow...waiting for half a day or longer to get a bed...But they survived and are well again. :) Life can be a precarious position. May we never forget that!

E- is for evangelism class-The class I'm taking this month is Personal Evangelism I. And it has been a really great class! How important personal evangelism is! It needs to become a way of thinking versus a scheduled time. And we must be prepared to give an answer. God loved us enough to send His son....we should love the souls around us enough to be ready to share God's love with them.

F- is for funerals- We attended two funerals and two wakes last week. Funerals always make me think and examine where I am. Are you ready to go right now? Do you have things you need to work on? Start now...life is too short! One of the funerals was a cremation (which is done outside in real time) and the other was a regular grave. It is the proper tradition in Trinidad to wait and watch while the gravediggers fill in the grave, then the family puts flowers on the grave... so we sang for over 30 minutes. It was beautiful somehow...the lady was a faithful Christian, and there was beauty in the sadness.

G- is for good food, good fellowships- Lately I've been learning some of the Trini dishes and that's been a real fun challenge for me! It's a lot of curry and spice, Indian food and roti...We've also attended several fellowships (potlucks) and it's such a wonderful time with the brethren...there's nothing quite like sharing a plate of food with a fellow Christian!

H- is for cHocolate- Well, of course chocolate had to be included...even if I haven't really had much lately...that chocolate cake doesn't count! Only dark chocolate counts! ;) Plus did you know that there are cocoa plants here? We've actually picked a couple pods and kinda sorta made our own chocolate! Cool, eh? :)

I- is for Isaiah- I'm talking about Isaiah Michael Purdom, not the book in the Bible...because I'm a real life Auntie now!!! He was born 7 September...and he's pretty cute! Wade and Leah look so great with him. :) It's amazing how babies create such beauty in adults! We get to see him on skype...and he's such serious little guy! Precious punkin! and he loves me of course! ;) He's at the adore Mummy stage..whenever Leah comes over he melts into a puddle of love! Hehe...

J-is for jet planes- Speaking of cute nephews...Mom went to the US for 8 weeks to be with Wade and Leah for the birth and also to help them move to Idaho where he has a preaching job. She had a wonderful trip and we while we were ok while she was gone, we were very glad when she came back! Jet planes...yep! They get you places!

K- is for keeping house- I helped a lot with keeping the house while Mom was gone...It's a lot of work and organization to run a working house for 8 people! But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it! :)

L- is for long distances- We live far away from our family and friends- but I'm thankful for modern conveniences like internet, skype and chat! And I'm thankful for those who put the effort into keeping up with us. :) I miss my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins...:) But God has blessed us with computers, internet and such, so why should I complain?

M- is for music and singing- Music makes me happy! My sister playing piano the way she does makes me even more happy, but the happiest is singing. I marvel at God's plan for a capella singing! It's the only way. And I love to sing here....these people know how to sing!

N- is for Noah and the Ark- So...yeah...we name our vehicles...and we have a Toyota Noah...and so of course it's the Ark! We've been visiting several congregations so we've all piled into that small van and bumped along! And we've even carried people with us!

O- is for oceans- It's beautiful...that word seems flat when you try to describe the beauty and peacefulness of the ocean... but while we don't live on the ocean, I see it almost every day..and almost every night the sunset over the bay is so beautiful you have a tear. God is so good!

P- is for people- We've visited at least four new congregations recently and it's been great to keep meeting the Christians here. I love these people and this culture....it really gets into your blood!

Q- is for quiet- Two Sundays ago we went down La Brea side...down in south where it's bush, green, quiet, clear, fresh and peaceful. Since we live in the middle of a busy town the times out in places like that become precious. :)

R- is for reflection- 9 November was the anniversary for moving here... One year of living in Trinidad. It's been a great year too! Seems like it went super fast and slow all in the same breath; time is funny like that. But I'm very thankful for the time spent here. It's been good in so many ways.

S- is for school- Trinidad School of Preaching and Teaching. Dad teaches there some, Anna and Nathan are full time students, Emily and I are part time....and we've really enjoyed the experience so far. There are 16 other total students (4 in the second year class, 12 + Anna and Nathan in the first year class) and we've enjoyed getting to know them and helping them as we can. Two of them are from the island of Grenada, one is from Guyana, and two are from the US...;) We've had several limes by our house and we enjoy the fun and fellowship! (Limes are not a fruit in this instance...it's a get-together...coming and hanging out and they call it a lime! )

T- is for Thanksgiving- We had a very delightful Thanksgiving this year! And we shared it with some brethren which made it even better! We managed to find a turkey and trimmings and it was very delicious! We are blessed people! It was a great afternoon to share our traditions with the Trinis. :)

U- is for umbrellas- Gotta have your umbrella! It's been raining a lot lately! In fact flooding, landslips the whole scene! But there is always a rainbow somewhere after the rains....

V- is for victory- So here is something that will shock those who know me well- But I've discovered a sport I'm playably good at and enjoy! Yep, football! (soccer) We play up at school sometimes and just let me say that there was one time I kicked a goal...and it was sweet! haha...ok, that sounds really pathetic! Miles and Nathan really enjoy it and Miles is getting really good!

W- is for winter in the Caribbean- December and January is winter for the Caribbean and believe it or not, it's rather chilly to me at times...once you get used to certain temperatures, when they dip down several degrees it's chilly! Some of my siblings laugh, but I just put on my hooding and drink some cocoa! :)

X- is for eXams- The courses at school have been great! The exams have been a great challenge...and there have been many a late night at our house, burning the midnight candle and killing the midnight mosquito to prepare for those exams!

Y- is for yellow house across the street- We were invited to attend a function at our neighbors house. They are Hindu, so we waited till toward the end and just popped over- it was the 10 year memorial of the lady's husband's death. It was one of those unique experiences you store up to tell as a story later!

Z- is for "I'm the Alpha and the Omega"- God's power and providential care is everything. I see it daily and I'm eternally grateful for it. We don't have to wait for the sun to stand still to see the power of God. He works in our very lives as we are faithful to Him. May we never forget that He grants us each morning we are blessed with and promises sweet rest in Heaven at the end of the day. Never ever forget that.

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Have a beautiful day!

:)

Full Time Sister

I know...it's been a while...like a LONG while! But we've been busy! A very good busy, and I'll post about that next. But right now...I have brothers on my mind...

N. Pl. Brothers:

1. A male having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another.

Well, I have 4 brothers. Ranging from 5 years older than myself to 14 years younger than myself! And I have a good and unique relationship with each one. I've been a full time sister for 25 years. And I love it! It's been an wonderful experience and I intend to keep it up, God spare life, for as many years as I'm granted. Oh, I know that time will change the face of each relationship, but the foundation will remain. Here are some thoughts....

One: Cook their favorite foods. I'm not saying the only way to man's heart is through his stomach. I am saying you should know and cook their favorites just because you love them and it's a way to show it. :) Yesterday I made egg drop soup for lunch because Silas loves that stuff. And last night for supper I made meatballs. Because Miles loves that meal! And you should have seen their faces! :)

Two: Listen to them. Sometimes that means listening about subjects that you may know little and understand less! Sometimes it's about silly stuff. But listen to them. You'll come to understand them and see things from their perspective.

Three: Sit with them (without expecting them to talk or pay much attention to you, it's about them!) Sometimes they don't want to talk. Sometimes they don't want you to talk! They just want to sit and let their minds be completely blank. If you ask them what they're thinking and they say "nothing", believe them! And just sit quietly with them.

Four: Be honest and never back down from the truth. They may get mad at you if their head is briefly messed up, but they will come around and see the light and hold on to the solidness of the truth you are standing for.

Five: Always love them. Even if it means tough love at times. They will never forget that love. Tell them you love them. They will love you back, even if they don't say it. Because boys love differently than girls.

Six: Cheer them on. Cheer for them when they do 10 dead hang chin ups, just as much as you cheer them on when they graduate from school. Just because you don't think something is your priority doesn't mean its not cheer-worthy!

Seven: Be happy with them. Be goofy, tell jokes and laugh at their jokes. Laugh for no reason...with them. :)

Eight: Help them stay focused on Heaven. Pray for them, encourage them, and most importantly, be faithful yourself. And practice agape love on them.

So...if you have brothers, start working or maintaining your relationship with them. It's vital to both of your lives. It's never to late to start.

I am so thankful for my brothers! <3

14 September 2011

I took some food up to the preaching school for my brother and sister's lunch. When we pulled up we could see a whole car full of people dressed very nicely in dark colours and Dad told me there was funeral service there later that morning. I looked down at my jean skirt and polo and realized how much of a frump I looked in comparison! I felt disrespectful somehow! But I greeted the sweet people as they sat there on the bench outside the building....shook the older gentleman's hand, kissed the cheek of this sweetheart older grandmother....dressed and coiffed to perfection. I found out that the funeral was for a lady from a congregation we attended twice before and I wasn't sure if I could remember her, but I did know the brethren so I decided to drop the food off and run back to the house, change and come back. So I did....I called my younger sister at the house and she ironed my black shirt for me. I did a record breaking clothes change, grabbed a purse from Mom's closet that looked a sight better than the grunge-green messenger bag I had been carrying...hopped in the car and Dad drove me back to the building. The cars were parked way down the road so he dropped me by the corner and I walked up to the building. The family was standing just inside the door by the open casket. One of the granddaughters was handing out the programs, but I don't remember that part to well, because as I looked at the casket, I realized that the sister who had died was one of the ladies that went door-knocking on a walkabout with us one night. She was 75 and fighting cancer at the time, but she still came and even though I only met her twice and spent maybe a total of 4 hours with her....I remembered her so vividly! There were so many people in attendance- As I sat in the pew and listened to the family remember their mother and grandmother, as scripture was read, as songs were sung and as the lesson was presented on the gospel plan of salvation, I was struck by how this woman's faithfulness effected so many! Words like generous, strong, gentle, faithful, willing, loving and compassionate were used over and over. One of her close friends and sisters in Christ read a beautiful memorial, and she was so touched that her daughters stood up beside her to give her strength and courage. It was touching and I learned the verse of weep with those who weep, right there. It was beautiful. A faithful Christian going home. And her family positively influenced and dedicated to stay strong by way of her.

The song Farther Along was lead and we sang it while people who wanted to could go and view the casket once more. We sang the whole song three times and the chorus more times than I remember, but I loved how the people were all so supportive! The emotions and caring was tangible. And then it was over...people quickly dispersed for the cemetery and I texted Dad for a ride back. While I was waiting I chatted with the students from the school and they asked me, "So have you ever been to a funeral on your birthday?" And I chuckled a little and said "No, never on my birthday" and smiled. But inside I was thinking about how little 25 years on this earth is compared to eternity; I was thinking about the number of people I've met and how I've influenced them. I was thinking about what would be said at my funeral!! What would be said at your funeral? It's good to think about those things: would they say faithful? Always cheerful? Or would they pick something else, oh, it would be good because you always focus on the good of people at funerals, but would there be an overflowing of faithfulness, inspiration to other to be so?

You might think it's a little strange or morbid, but I'm very thankful I went to a funeral on my birthday. It made me really think. Really check my priorities. We should take every opportunity to check ourselves and be sure we are going the way we should. To be faithful to God. That's the most important thing you can ever do in your life. Ever.

I'll probably always remember my 25th birthday- and the funeral of the woman I met only twice. Because she lived for God and encouraged me to be even more faithful, to be even more encouraging and to thank God for every day with which He blesses me.

Why thanks!

Have you ever thought about the blogging world? How vast it is? How my great-grandmother couldn't even understand the internet? Well, I have really enjoyed reading different blogs, learning about and from other people, being inspired and encouraged....

Marli tagged me and she has a really neat blog- and she's a sweet friend too! I remember when they came by us one Sunday afternoon and taught us the very fun game of Bananagrams! Aren't you glad for the capacity God gave us of memory? Thanks, Marli, for the award and thanks for keeping up! :)

The trick is to post seven things about myself and pass the award to fifteen other bloggers!

Seven things...hmm....

Number one: I love to cook.

Two- I've read Plutarch's Lives

3-I'm the third child in my family...

Four: I still enjoy playing in the rain!

Numbah five- I love children, and teaching children :)

Six- I love the ocean...even before I lived near it!

7- I serve a powerful and almighty God.

Aunt Chas

Julia

Mrs. Debbie

Linz

Abby

Naomi

Emily

Lindsey

Anna

Mrs. Joy

Have a beautiful week!

Lessons from children...

This last month we've been working a lot with children. You may have noticed a strain of my love for children...hehe...well it's true. I do love children and Trini children none the less! You can learn so much from them! Here are some thoughts and pictures of some sweet little babies....

Children are always watching you. And copying you, and thinking about how you do things in relation to themselves.

-Children cannot learn if their basic needs are not met-

(food, drink, attention)

-Children learn fast-

-Children are bright!-

Children see beauty in unusual things, places and people. Why do adults lose their eyesight?

Kids will always say what their parents say. No matter what it is.

Children are what their parents are by default, until the age of accountability.

It's incredible what a difference even just a little attention and discipline will make in a child.

Even just a little!

Polite and well-mannered children are a joy!

And you can start when they are babies.

-Children of all walks of life are capable of respecting their elders.-

Kids don't need the latest technology to be happy and entertained. Have you ever seen a 7 year old boy walk on his hands for 6-8 feet?

Or played Mother May I with 10 little kids?

~Children sing from their heart~

~Children are a blessing from God~

I didn't "learn" that this month, but this little guy was such a joy, I had to include his picture!!

You can expect more than you think from children.

Sometimes little girls are better at making things like crafts, etc. But you haven't lived until you hear the sincere prayer of a little boy thanking God for a snack.

Children love Jesus. It's so simple!

-Children can memorize scripture-

Children understand that if Noah had used coconut wood, or any other wood except Gopher wood, the ark would not have worked. It's about simply obeying God's word to the letter. Why do adults complicate the Scriptures?

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. "

Luke 18:17

Random, I know...but I was just shocked!

I admit to enjoying several Disney "princess" movies...but only the good old ones...Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, etc. And I really like Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. And I tend to burst into random choruses from either one!

I also enjoy very much listening to classical music. The other night while on a Tchaikovsky bash, I was listening without paying much attention until bam! It started playing Once Upon A Dream!! So while I scrambled to find the right tab, there it was- The waltz from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Ballet! Knock me over with a broom straw!

(you're going to be singing this now!!)

Did YOU know this random little fact?!

That they may train the young women...

For the last 6 to 7 weeks, Dad has been doing a class on church leadership at one of the congregations in south. While Dad spoke to the men, Mom did a class for the ladies.

She focused her class on what woman can do to be better elders, and deacons wives. She looked at the examples of Eve, Sarah, Rebekah and Abigail. Also several ladies from Acts. With every example she asked "What can we learn to be a better elder's wife or deacon's wife?"

Things like:

*Submissiveness is very simple. It's Satan and self that make it difficult. (I love my Mom so much! She has a whole pocket full of old sayings and phrases...she raised us on them! But she pulled a new one on me! She said in summing up submission- "There gotta be chiefs, and there gotta be indians." And she is so right. If we follow God's instruction and rely fully on Him, so many issues would be cleared up!)

*Women are vital to the church. Without faithful women, there can be no elders or deacons.

*Mothers should be training their sons to be elders and deacons.

*Mothers should be training their daughters to be elder's wives and deacon's wives!

*God's role for women must be maintained, the results are less than God's standard when the boundaries are crossed.

*Being a wife and mother is the highest "job" a woman can have. God designed the woman for that precise purpose.

*Satan is going to try to get at Christian ladies however he can. We must be standing strong!

The conclusion Mom made was taken from Titus 2:5 "to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:"

When we are living our lives as Christian ladies, loving our husbands, children, teaching, being sober, responsible, etc. We cause the Word of God to work and not be put to shame! And to put that in reverse, when we aren't living with in our God given roles, we are blaspheming the Word of God!

Let's each help each other as we walk the path to heaven in our beautiful role as women for God. :)

14° 02 North and 60°58 West- St. Lucia, West Indies

Sometimes when we go to a beautiful place we see things like this....

And this....

Or this.

And we forget all about things like this:

Or this......

And this.



Not big things, not bad things. Just people. Who need God.

A little thought from Tolkien

My whole family loves to read...and lately we've had "The Fellowship of the Ring" floating around the house and we all take turns reading it and enjoying it together. We do crazy things like walk into the room and announce trivia questions like "How did Oin die" and "How many days was it from the time Frodo was stabbed to the time he got to Rivendell" and "How did Gandalf make his signiture "G" ? Things like that...and while we enjoy the movie, we still love to read the book and discuss it! :)

I ran across a passage the other day and I wanted to share it, because it has a really good principle. (and by the by, Gandalf and Frodo share this conversation in the mines of Moria in the movie, where as it's proper place is in chapter 2, The Shadow of the Past.)

Gandalf is telling Frodo the history of the ring and as Frodo begins to see the import of the matter this comes up:

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Using our time wisely. It's not about what happens to us, it's about how we react to the events in our lives. I find that principle to be intriguing, and challenging. At least for me it's an ever present attitude choice: how am I going to react to the situation with which I'm faced. Will it be with a Christian spirit and a graceful attitude, or will it be out of passing emotions and lashing out?

So it's just a thought. And you could do so much more with this.

How are you deciding to use your time?

"I held a jewel in my fingers..."

~Sometimes its good for you to hold something beautiful in your hand and wonder at the design-

how something so simple can be so be so beautiful~

Eight little girls in little plaid dresses...

Thursday was my last day to teach at the Government school. It was kinda sad...I probably won't ever see those little girls again! But I do know that they heard some good, solid Bible truths, and I hope that they can remember at least some of it for the future. The power of influence is great and far reaching- I hope I never forget that!

Every other time we taught inside, but as they were preparing for graduation, we taught out under the trees! My group usually had one other boy, but he was hiding!

They are sweet little girls...They always touch my heart!

:)

Here are some of the funny things they said through the course of the seven weeks I taught them:

"Ah miss, do you have children?"

"Miss, are you an actress?"

"Miss, you are real, real white!"

"Are you from England?"

"Miss, since you live in Trinidad, dat make you ah Trini!"

And that doesn't count the all the little snatches of conversation as they told me about their lives, siblings, dogs, cousins and neighbors! I love it! :) I'm going to miss it.

"Ah miss, I remember Eli! He de judge with de bad sons!"

Today marks 6 weeks of teaching the R/I (Religeous Instruction) class at a primary government school here in Trinidad. I teach about 6 girls, ages 9-11, my sister Anna teaches a similar number of 8-10 year olds and my sister Emily teaches a class of 5-7 year olds!

It has been such a good experience teaching these young children. There has been the challenge of culture, a little language, and disciplinary differences. But they are eager to learn the Bible and soak up the stories and truths like little sponges. Some listen well, other take a little more work!

When we moved we brought a few visual aids for teaching; space was limited but the few we brought are fairly versatile. Mom's felts are great! But even so, I needed something for the story of I Samuel 26- Saul chasing David, David sneaking into Saul's camp, sparing his life and stealing Saul's spear, to sum it up!

One rule I've found- Children don't have to have fancy stuff for the story to come alive to them!

So here is what I made- I used just a yellow card stock paper 8 1/2 by 11, white scrap paper, sharpies, coloured pencils and tape. I drew and cut out the pieces, rolled tape on the backs and carried them to class on the back of one of my other laminated visuals. I then taped them to the yellow paper as I told the story. The tape was just un-sticky(from all the handling) enough that the moving around part of the story worked ok. Ideally I would cover these in contact paper and make magnets so it could be used again. (I may do that still!) The children loved it and listened the best yet!

The Word of God is powerful even when teaching children. It's good to help the children really see and understand the Bible truths through tasteful visual aids. But they simply don't have to be productions. A little creativity, a little simple art and some work can go a long way, especailly if you live in a place where that's necessary. (Just a little note, if you're not good at art, then brush up on it! You would be surprised how much it would help in a number of ways!)

I'm sure there are lots of ideas and helpful sites online, plus there are several websites and stores within the brotherhood to help too. Let's take advantage of all our resources and instill in our children, and those we come in contact with the wonderful Word of God.

And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 3:15

Some Homespun Wisdom

My father was raised on a farm in Missouri and in turn reared his children on a small farm in Arkansas. He can tell some really neat stories about his adventures and experience. Many life lessons are learned living the way he did- life and death, hard work, profit and loss, the 'chance' of weather etc. In his Bible class Sunday as he taught on parenting and family, he used an illustration that really caught my attention:

"What would have happened if Adam had grabbed a hoe and chopped that snake that was bothering his wife?"

I smiled a little smile, because it sounds a little funny, but it's true. It's the question of our God-given freedom of choice. Every day we're faced with the choice of whether or not to follow God, whether or not to sin, whether or not to be the parent, sibling, or child we should be. That sounds so simple, and the principle is simple, but carrying it out is the hard work. But it's doable work, never forget that.

We have so many beautiful passages of promise about resisting Satan and choosing God. Hold on to these, hide them in your heart and never give up.

"Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." -James 4:7-8

"And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." -Genesis 39:12

"For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need." -Hebrews 4:15-16

I'm thankful for the wisdom of my heavenly Father and for the blessing of the wisdom of my physical father.

Another snapshot....

"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:9-10

Living on this island with so many new to my eyes examples of God power in creation, has truly influenced my perspective. I grew up in the middle of the US, far far away from any ocean. And now I live within a kilometer of ocean and it effects our everyday life. I'm still learning about appreciating all this.

Sewing project

I sewed some little skirts for a lady we know in the church here....She needed some help and you know how I love to sew! And if you didn't, I do! :) I had about as much fun planning and shopping for the fabric as I did creating them! They are super simple: just plain gathered skirts. But with just a little extra effort you can make them really cute! I did a drawstring waist so they will fit any little girl...plus I added the pockets. :) A patch pocket is cute yes, but these little pockets just grabbed me and made me sew them!! I actually altered a pattern I found here. For all you "better at colour than me" people (you know who you are!!) I realize the purple pattern and the yellow are the weakest link, but I needed to only buy one contrasting colour and that's the best I had to work with! I really like all the colours...it makes me want to branch out myself!!

The sizes are about 8-10, 4 T and 18 month...

I was able to get one skirt of each size out of every colour of fabric. And I bought two yards of each! So that worked out really nice!

Do you see that precious popkin skirt there, the little baby one? The one that is so adorable that I could cry? Yeah, that was my favorite to make...and I can just see some sweet little Trini baby girl toddling around in it....Can't you?!

So that's my latest sewing project!

A snap shot...

Sunsets are so beautiful here...It must be the ocean, or maybe it's the latitude....or maybe it's just God's beauty here for us to enjoy. :)

“Nobody of any real culture, for instance, ever talks nowadays about the beauty of sunset. Sunsets are quite old fashioned. To admire them is a distinct sign of provincialism of temperament."

~Oscar Wilde~

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone had a beautiful Mother's day! I'm very blessed to have the mother I have- She's so many wonderful things, but the most important part is that she is a faithful Christian! Everyday I'm seeing more and more how rare that is. My I constantly be learning and growing to be a good mother myself some day Lord willing!

"Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

“I regard no man as poor who has a godly mother.” Abraham Lincoln