Happiness (According to Peanut Characters)

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream, Finding your skate key, telling the time.
Happiness is learning to whistle, tying your shoe for the very first time.
Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is five different crayons, Knowing a secret, climbing a tree.
Happiness is finding a nickel, catching a firefly, setting him free.
Happiness is being a lone ev'ry now and then.
And Happiness is coming home gain.

Happiness is morning and evening day tie and night time too,
For Happiness is any one, and anything at all that's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister sharing a sandwich getting along.
Happiness is singing together when day is through.
And happiness is those who sing with you..

Happiness is morning and evening day tie and night time too,
For Happiness is any one, and anything at all that's loved by you.

By Clark Gesner

When It Rains It Pours

Things have been breaking right and left at our house. We had a car break down, a hot water tank stop working, a sink drain clog, and a freezer stop freezing. It has just been one thing after another. However, despite the pouring out of problems God has been pouring out his blessings upon us. We have now been able to get a new tank-less hot water heaterand a car. The sink finally did unclog after multiple attempts with “red devil." The freezer stopped working when it was relatively empty, not right after butchering season when it is filled with meat.

The Lord does what is best for His children and does good for those who love him. How can we learn to trust Him when there is nothing that we need? But when there is a need we can trust Him to provide.

So yes we have a new car. It is very nice to drive, especially after having driven a mini van for a few weeks.

Softball and Broadening Horizons

Softball is such a fun sport! It has been so much fun and, for me, very challenging. Last night our team won! It was a very fun game and everyone had a good attitude. Great job team! The other two SBCC teams played against each other which was a lot of fun to watch for the few minutes that I got to see them. It was a shame that both teams couldn't win, but such cannot be.

This morning I was thinking about how much I enjoy softball and so many other things in my life that just a year or two ago would not even have crossed my mind as things that I would ever be doing. You see, two years ago I would have told you that I would never play softball. In fact when someone from my church asked me to play softball I just laughed. A year before that I would have told you that I would never want to become a teacher (I'm now studying to get a teachers certificate) Furthermore, just a few years ago I would have told you I would never stop taking harp lessons and never stop drama and never stop AWANA, and never stop working in Vacation Bible Schools. Well I have stopped all those things and started ever so many things that are completely different than anything I would have chosen for my future pastimes just a few years ago.

This morning during my quiet time I was thanking the Lord for all of the comfort zones He has taken away from me because now I learn so many new things. The biggest comfort zone was Trinity Baptist Church. That was the biggest thing that I never would have thought I could give up. However, now the Lord has shown me new things through people at Silver Beach that I would never have learned at TBC. For me it was huge, yet God has a plan in all things and to Him each new change is a step upwards towards making us trust Him more. It is amazing how much we can be stretched, and yet in God's hands it is all in the creating of his masterpiece.

Lord, I Need You

Chorus: Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.
O Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.
Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.
Lord, I need You. Lord I need You.

Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessings flood my way,
I turn my gaze away from You and soon forget to pray.
But when the sky grows darker and courage turns to fear,
My anxious voice cries upward with words You long to hear.

Chorus

Lord help me to remember I'm weak but You are strong.
I cannot sing apart from You, for Lord, You are my song.
Though I'm prone to wander and boast in all I do.
Lord, keep my eyes turned upward so I depend on You.

Chorus

words and music by Ron Hamilton

Purified Water

Water-pure, clean, life giving water. There are so many comparisons between water and the Christan life (or rather what the goal of the Christian walk is). First of all purified water does not have any dirt or germs in it; it is perfectly clear. Likewise the Christian life should be completely pure of all sin. There should be nothing in it that leaves even a hit of sin or makes others stumble. Another quality of water is that it is life giving. As Christians we should not only be pure but we should also be giving of ourselves to others and to our Lord. A third quality is that rivers and streams (active water) leads to the ocean. In the same way we, as active Christians, should be leading others to one central source-Jesus Christ.

Adventures with(out) Cars

For nearly a week our family has been down to one vehicle. Our other car started out in a state of “making funny noises” then it got promoted, or rather demoted, to “not starting” Now it has it's hood taken completely off and the engine hanging from the rafter in the carport. You would be surprised to find all the places that you don't have to go to when you have four drivers and only one vehicle to take them all to the places they want to go. Furthermore, buses run hourly and legs take people places besides jogging around the block.

My favorite form of transportation, with lack of running motors, is to carpool. Frequently when there are two people needing to go two separate places at the same time one can be dropped off early and the other can drive to their destination. My brother and I are getting somewhat good at this now. Fortunately we also have neighbors who go to many of the same places we do, such as church, that we can ride with and grandparents who we can borrow a car from.

I have never been quite so aware of every single place any one in my family goes before. We are a busy bunch of people running around all over the place....and now all in one blue mini van.

Cabin Fever

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and everyone in the kindergarten class that I work in has a bit of cabin fever. It seemed that recess was about 45 minuets too late and about an hour to short. The warmer the weather, the shorter the attention spans of five and six year olds....yet in some odd way they remind me very much of college students. I'm continually finding myself watching a Frisbee game rather than my book or thinking about cold Italian sodas instead of math and logic. I truly understand what is going through that five year olds head when he asks “isn't it recess time yet?” From observing my fellow students it isn't much different with them.

Have fun in the sun every one!

West-B

The test that has been haunting me for the last six months or so is finally coming this Saturday. It is hard to believe that I will have completed the four and a half hour test by the time I go to bed on Saturday night. I don't feel completely prepared...but I am continuing to review the study guide. Thanks to those of you who are praying for me.

Authentic Beauty

(a book report for young ladies)
“In every generation there are a few young women that discover passionate, daily, unhindered intimacy with their true Prince, Jesus Christ. Just like the princesses in our childhood fairy tales, once they meet this Prince and realize His incredible love for them, they willingly give up everything else to follow Him to the ends of the earth. They live a life with their Prince that is utterly different from the world around them. They are radiant. They are confident. They are fulfilled. They possess a truly authentic beauty that flows from within. They are world changers. They are set apart in complete and utter devotion to their Prince. And they stand out from among all other young women like a lily among thorns.”
Leslie Ludy

The above quote is from a book that I just finished reading. “Authentic Beauty” It is a book that I would highly recommend for every girl. Leslie strikes a very nice balance in portraying that Christ is both our Lord and our true Price. Leslie writes not only about purity but also worshiping our true Price-Christ Jesus. You will have to read the book to find out more details. In the mean time you can visit the website which includes some supplement materials for the book. http://www.authenticgirl.com/index.php

A Prayer

But Lord, I long to give You back something. I must, I cannot continue living unless I give back to You a little of that magnificent love You bestow on me minute by minute. Yet alas, I have nothing to give, only my obedience. If I long to give something back to You so much, and my surrendered obedience is the only thing You ask for, then it would seem that I would master the task of full obedience to You. But such is not the case. My wicked heart strays from Your will. My mind wanders from the truth. And my mouth displays my sin for all the world to see. Yes, I am indeed an unworthy wretch. Yet Your love, Your forgiveness, Your mercy, is new every morning. It is a deep, deep well that never runs dry.

Pajama Day

This was a special day for the kindergartens at Sunnyland Elementary School room 5. Today they got to wear their pajamas to school. That is right. 19 kindergartens in one room showing off their, oh so cute, sleepwear. The children laughed to see their teacher in her bathrobe and the TA in carrot slippers. There was much excitement as seven of their number performed a skit of Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed. I wish I had brought my camera, but alas it was the thing I forgot to bring along. I did, however, wear my pajamas, which I changed into once I got to the school. After changing into own pajamas and guiltily hastening back to the classroom the teachers and I assisted the children in a day of reading and games and even earing some candy! It was a ton of fun for students and teachers alike.

My Quiet Time

This morning, after my Bible reading and journaling, I found myself singing this song. Frequently this song will pop into my head once I have stilled my heart from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Before I start each day, there is a special place
I love to go alone, and seek my Saviors face.
I find wisdom in His Word to instruct me in His will,
And I hear His gentle voice say, “My Child, be still.”

Chorus
My quiet time alone gives me power to obey,
My quiet time alone with God each day.
I talk to Him in prayer, ev'ry day He meets me there;
My quiet time alone with God.

He's with me all the time, wherever I may go;
Each moment of the day, He's always there, I know.
But I need that special time when I bow before His throne,
Just to read His Word and talk with my Lord alone.

Chorus
My quiet time alone gives me power to obey,
My quiet time alone with God each day.
I talk to Him in prayer, ev'ry day He meets me there;
My quiet time alone with God.

by Ron Hamilton

Ink

This morning I mentally riffled through the day to make sure that what I was wearing would be appropriate for all the various activities I would be involved in. I had picked out one of my favorite shirts, though inexpensive, was purchased in the market place in Antigua Guatemala and carried a certain amount of sentimental value. It seemed a perfect outfit for the day, as I would be wearing it the whole day and would not have to change into a uniform since I wasn't going to work. Little did I know that the stakes were set against me for the day!

At the grade school that I do an internship at, there was a substitute teacher for the classroom in which I work. Wanting to help this new teacher the Teacher Assistant and I decided that it would be a wonderful idea to make name tags for all the kids. The TA handed me a marker and said something along the lines of “here, the tags wont smear it you use a permanent pen.” Confidently I popped open the lid to the marker, but to my utter amazement the marker EXPLODED in my hand! There was black ink running down the front of my blouse and splashing in small inky puddles on the floor! Now, my Guatemalan souvenir is laying in my room and soaking in an ink remover solution. So much for dressing appropriately for the day. Be ye warned, there are exploding markers out there, active and well!