Friends

It comes to the time to begin.  Life has been one of those rollercoasters.  I have been on one, trials and everything come and go.  But, lately I have been pondering about Friendship.  I was asked about friendship.  About once a month, I question relationships in general.  Not blaming hormones, but I tend to be a bit sensitive.  Sometimes even though I have a bushel of wonderful people in my life-I feel friendless.  

Probing more into my heart, I can see why I feel that.  I value truth!  And a good friend (in my humble opinion) doesn't just live life with me, but knows me.  A true friend can call me to live selflessly and more like Christ.  Words of truth spoken to me with grace is a true friend.  Under the microscope, I can see that I have been "too busy" to be vulnerable to my friends so that I can keep my "secrets" to myself.  

How about you?  Do you treasure truth-tell friends?  What is your hinderance to deep friends? 

Lord, help me to walk with transparency so that I can have freedom and forever formed into YOUR likeness.  

Just add Watercolor by Helen Birch

Watercolor has been a fascination of mine for many years.  However, this artistic medium has been intimidating.  Upon reading Just Add Watercolor, Helen Birch ses contemporary artists techniques and paintings to be the platform for her instruction.

Since the book is little over the size of a cd, I was able to pack it around everywhere.  I often would find myself on the edge of a mountain looking a the various techniques and simple supplies to create my own masterpiece.

I would recommend this book for the beginner watercolor and new budding artist.  It is simple enough to follow but interesting to have around the livingroom for the enjoyment of looking at the contemporary artists in the medium of watercolor.  

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Homeschool Conferences

Alaska offers parents many choices for education.  I am thankful for options.  This past year, as in previous years, we do a combination of both public school, homeschool, co-op, online, and on-site classes.  I guess I use them all.

However, one of my favorite time of the year is attending the Homeschool Convention that IDEA offers.  I choose Mat-Su Central, but they offer the conference to all.  To make the most of the convention:

1) I tend to take lots of notes.  If there is a session I miss that I would like to hear, I have either found the lecture and ask for the notes, or just interview them.

One of the interviews, I wrote about on my blog about LIGHTENING THE JOURNEY.  I needed that information this past year.

2)  I like to touch before buy.  Because we live in Alaska, it is nice to feel the product and look at some samples.  But, often I really value other homeschool moms opinion first.  You don't need to buy anything there.  I take my list of ideas then, I can have a better idea of some of the options.

3)  If your with Mat-Su Central, you can hold your wanted item with a credit card for most vendors.  They don't get paid by IDEA until July, and will then gladly put the purchase on the credit card then. Anything purchased here, can be reimbursed in 2015-2016 school funds if purchased at the conference and if the item lines up with your Individual Learning Plans.

This blog has some good ideas to help the focus and not be OVERWHELMED.


I hope this helps.

Thrive!

Dropping off Hannah for her class at Palmer High a song came to the radio.  It brings a laugh to my heart when I usually hear it because of Christina's amazing banjo skills.  But, today it struck me like a stream of rushing water filling my soul.

I was just reminded of how I need to moment by moment drinking in His goodness.  Be like that tree planted by stream of water-never running dry. In the song, it speaks how we dig deep in God's Word to find His heart and to know Him.  

I love the lyric about how we have a purpose to THRIVE instead of survive.  Thank you Lord for a purpose bigger than me especially when I get bogged down in the daily tasks of life.  

I also love that our purpose is not to just "bless me" but to make HIM known.  Please Lord help me be a faithful and loving witness of YOUR goodness today and always.

The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden

In the cold dark winters of Alaska, reading a book about fresh vegetable gardens helps chase away the blues.  I found that this book by Karen Newcomb to be refreshing and informative.  In The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden:  Grow Tons of Organic Vegetables in Tiny Spaces and Containers, to be a beginners guide to the cost-effective way to grow lots of vegetables in a smaller space.  Now Alaska is enormous, but I don't have the time to weed and maintain a huge plot of land.  In her book, she explains how the benefit of close fitting vegetables helps with both weeding and watering two important items a gardener must be diligent with.

I enjoyed seeing her way of positing plants so that they complement each other and help with the pest invasion.  Her writings dig into the depth of gardening without being too complicated.  This book inspired me, and I hope it will encourage you to go and grow!

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

It is Finished!

On this Easter morning, God showed up.  He turned the evil intentions of a maddening crowd to a victory IN JESUS.  He arose!  A few thousand years later, He is still turning the hard hearts to a point of tenderness and victory that can only  be found in Jesus.

Waking up to a smidgin' of snow on the porch, I have time to reflect.  For the past three months, my mind has been on the Cross.  Yes, it was a play.  But, it was more than that.  It was a time of searching and thinking deep thoughts about the impact Jesus had on many during his earthly ministry.
Eyes Upon the Cross written by Don A. Mueller was a success.  Not because of the many people who watched it (over 500).  But, because He was lifted high! In John 12:32 Jesus told his followers, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."  (He was talking about the Cross). Thank you Donna Embree who reminded the cast of this verse during our prayer time.  

Thank you Lord for the multitude of people it took to put on a production like this. Not only the performers, but the stage crew.   Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Kelly Anderson who walked with me through this journey, encouraged, directed, and prayed with me.  Thank you for the many behind the scenes gifted people who put this as a priority in their busy life (Sophia Wells, Olivia Wells).  Thanks be to my Father for Brian Anderson who was not only available to do the details and be the liaison to the church, but humbly with flexibility, and joyfully walked through the technical aspects of this play. 

To God be the Glory.

Now, when I think about what is next, my list is long.  Nevertheless, I will take the advice that I often give to others.  "Make His priorities first."  Let's Celebrate!  He is Risen!

It is a roller coaster.. hold on!

Taking on a play, came with unexpected joy and emotion.  My first play was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever containing a rambunctious crowd of youth and adults alike.  It was a huge undertaking with a multitude of costumes and special effects.  However, it was a comedy.  Even though it was hard maintaining organized chaos, it was a feel good play.

Directing a drama, has turned out to be emotional in many levels.  We began studying each of the characters since some are historical characters mentioned in the Bible. That was refreshing and brought the characters to light.

Second, after tweaking many scenes (word choices, directing suggestions), I started to see the actors memorize lines and start owning their role. We also spent time praying for each other to have the burden bearer and our relationship with our Lord stronger.

Now, I finally saw and directed the opening scene and see the performers act without lines and with props.  Wow.  It is powerful.  I usually do three scenes and night.  Each one brings out a different aspect of Jesus and His impact to a hurting world.

It has taken a village to put on this play. When I start to get anxious, I just ask my heavenly Father.  He has used a crowd of people to put this together.  It is a JOY to see the body of Christ join together in using their spiritual gifts. (time, construction, art, music, photography, digital editing, etc).

The cross is a life changer.  I pray that others will see and be challenged and transformed by the deep love that sent an innocent man to die for me.

Invite your friends April 3rd & 4th at 7:00 (doors open at 6:30).  There is childcare for the wigglers and babies.

Lazy Mountain Bible Church
16005 East Shawn Drive
Palmer, AK 99645
907-745-2611