Project 365 – Day 17 (JBC)

Tim and I have spent the last three days in Oregon at a prayer conference. Tim’s parents picked up the children Sunday afternoon and then Tim and I left for Salem, OR, on Monday morning. We had an excellent time. We spent almost the entire ride home discussing everything we had learned. More blogs coming!!! Consider this a preview. Ha!

There were over 20 people from our church attending the Great Commandment Church Seminar by Pastor Dee Duke at Jefferson Baptist Church.

conference bkfst
Several of the folks who attended the conference with us.

I feel utterly exhausted right now. We arrived home just as the children were unloading the car. Tim fixed a yummy pancake dinner for everyone and had the children unpack and put things away. Tim and I both learned so much at the conference – there were 10 sessions, most of them 90 minutes long. The church thoroughly welcomed and cared for us – they fed us delicious meals, hosted people who needed lodging, prayed for us, and showed us an example of what a real praying church looks like.

The conference was very well done – I would highly recommend it and hope to attend again, bringing some more people with us.

More later.
Kathy

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Project 365 – Day 16 (Daily Bible)

Last year Tim bought me a Daily Bible – the scripture is arranged according to day with passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and a portion of Psalms and Proverbs. Our church strongly encourages people to read through the Bible in a year. Tim gave me the Bible and followed the schedule himself online. My favorite thing was when we did the reading together (primarily on weekends). We would sit in Big Blue and read the passages aloud – taking turns. The Lord spoke to me many times through my reading. Often I would stumble on passages that seemed to exactly address a struggle or question I was facing. Truly the Word of God is alive.

daily Bible

CBD sells all sorts of daily Bibles. They offer them in at least 6 different translations – chronological ones or study Bibles. Tim teasingly referred to my Bible as the ‘Once a Year Bible’ rather than the Once a Day Bible but then he has a quirky sense of humor.

Unfortunately, I found myself busy near the end of the year and stopped being faithful in my daily reading. It became easier and easier to just let the days slip by without picking up my Bible. I’m in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) this year so that involves quite a bit of Bible studying. Still, BSF wasn’t meant to take the place of my daily reading. The holidays are incredibly full of activity and, I’m sad to say, I ended the year less triumphantly than I began it.

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Now it’s a new year – time for new beginnings! New goals, a chance to start again. I spent the first part of the month procrastinating. I’m not sure what I was waiting for – an annointed Bible Reading Moment or a vision of a huge neon Bible flashing in the sky. At first I thought I would start in the middle of the Bible – pick up somewhere around July and that way I would get in the books that I missed. Of course, days went by and I didn’t do that either. Hmmm. Finally my mother encouraged me to just get started. To pick a spot anywhere, at the beginning or in the middle but START READING!

Isn’t she a wonderful counselor in my life!!! I looked through and decided I had missed some chapters in September so that would be a good place to start. I took the time to read through the different passages (reading them aloud one night which was fantastic). Okay, that would work, I figured. I would use my daily Bible but not follow the dates. I would be able to pick up the various chapters/books I had missed and round out my Bible reading. It wasn’t the best solution but at least I had a plan.

Yesterday I stumbled across a beautiful Daily Bible Reading Calendar. It has the assigned Bible passages listed on each square of the calendar with a place for notes on the bottom. Something about this pretty, little desk calendar immediately struck me. I picked it up and felt a renewed desire to read through the Bible.

bible calendar

The reading schedule is slightly different from the one I did last year – the primary difference being you read through the New Testament twice throughout the year and you read all of Proverbs each month. I have seen many reading lists but not one that combined the calendar in quite this way. I like the way the months are laid out with the passages included in each day’s square.

inside calendar

As Tim and the children will tell you, I love variety. I can’t make a recipe the same way twice. I hardly ever order something I’ve had before at a restaurant – I have to try something different. I love a new pretty journal and Sharpies of all colors. I have several different quilts and covers for the master bed – I like to change the look of the room with the seasons. I like starting new, interesting projects.

All of this is to say it doesn’t surprise me that I would be excited about a new (different) Bible reading schedule. It is part of the way God made me – it’s a piece of my creative nature. As a stay at home mom, I live a very routined life. There are always dishes to be washed, laundry to be cleaned, folded and put away, toys to pick up and so on. Trying new things provides a little bit of spice and energy and life to my days. My desire is to marry this spontaneity and animation with commitment and discipline to result in some grace filled goals.

reading and studying

Tonight I read Psalm 16:

You make known to me the paths of life,
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

That’s where I want to be, at the right hand of God, enjoying Him forever.

Kathy

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Project 365–Day 15 (Beckie M)

Don’t have very much time to blog. Busy day. Years ago I saw a whole book on self-portrait photography. It was fascinating to look through all the different ways in which the author captured herself on film. She used mirrors and sunglasses and water — taking each picture herself. Truly a creative expression.

This attempt is not, I think, going to make its way into any book.

kathy in the mirror

I am currently serving on the Women’s Retreat Committee with four other women. We are in the process of planning the retreat for April. I love working with these ladies. It is such a blessing to meet, pray and see how God is moving in the lives of the women at our church. My children and husband think I have WAY too many meetings and secretly (or not so secretly, more like loudly) suspect that we are just going out for coffee and visiting once a month. I guess the blue, flowered folder I carry with me to Starbucks isn’t a very convincing cover. Ha!

Last year was my first time being involved in this way and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was tickled when they asked me to participate again. We attend a great church with very passionate leaders. It’s exciting to be a part of God’s work.

This is a picture of one of the AWESOME women on the team. I am so pleased to get to know her better this year. Beckie has an amazing, cheerful spirit. She radiates joy and a love for the Lord and His people. When I first met Beckie she welcomed me to the church with warmth and friendship. She has a gift of encouraging and accepting people with true sincerity.

beckie and kathy

I am sometimes overwhelmed with how gracious God is to bring friends in to my life.

Kathy

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Project 365 – Day Fourteen (Sun-K)

Project 365 Continues!! It has been an excellent week of blogging and picture taking. I am learning so much about my camera and lighting and what makes for interesting, creative pictures.

Today’s excitement was centered around a piece of furniture. No, I’m not going to post more pictures of the lovely Orange Chair. A dear friend’s grandparents recently bought some new living room furniture and wanted to sell their other pieces. They gave us an excellent deal on their cream leather couch and recliner. This afternoon we picked up the couch. We will return and get the chair next week. Hooray!!! I’m so excited to have some gorgeous leather furniture. Thank you, M and K!!

couch

The couch is in wonderful shape. It looks lovely in the family room. J.’s grandmother graciously gave me several throw pillows as well (at least one for each child, she said). We feel very blessed to be able to buy this handsome piece. It’s a nice, long couch–you can stretch full out and have plenty of room.

kathy's couch

I love the neutral color–it will go with anything. Tim thinks we should maybe put the recliner up in our bedroom. He said it is incredibly comfortable. I think the kids will fight him on that one.

These next pictures are of some of my favorite coffee things. I use my French Press almost every day. I like my coffee STRONG with lots of milk. The French press delivers a wonderful, robust flavor.
french press

Lately I use a mix of Starbucks French Roast (regular) and Starbucks Verona (decafe). I can’t handle full strength caffeine these days so I make my coffee half and half (order it that way as well, when I’m out).

coffee

In my attempt to save money and make delicious coffee at home, I’ve been working on perfecting my barista skills. I have a nice routine figured out that results in a wonderful home made latte. I fix my coffee in my French press then heat up 3/4 cup (or so) of 2% milk in the microwave for a minute. After it’s hot, I whip up the milk with my AWESOME milk frother.
aerolatte

My sister in law bought me this Aerolatte to Go for Christmas. What a great present!!! I should probably keep track of how much money I save every week being able to make my own fancy coffees at home. Thanks, Jenn!!

And of course, no coffee blog would be complete without a picture of my favorite coffee travel mug. A friend in our small group Bible study saw me ogling this cup at Starbucks and surprised me with it the next week. Merry Christmas indeed!!! I use this all the time and it keeps my coffee HOT for hours.

kathy's mug

I did not set out to be a coffee snob and I don’t claim to be a coffee expert, by any means, but I guess, when you live so close to Seattle you can’t help but be influenced by the coffee culture. I also don’t mean to favor Starbucks so strongly but I do really enjoy their coffee. Yum!

That’s all for my Special Day–see you next week!
Kathy

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Saturday Snapshots

This was definitely a day for Snoopy versus the Red Baron. I think four of the five children took a turn playing it.

snoopy

Joshua bought the computer game for Daniel as a Christmas present. It is too difficult for David (although he tries his “bestest”) but the older three love it. At one point two children were both playing the game, on different computers. The rat-tat-tat-tat of the little plane guns about drove me crazy. Ha! Time for everyone to go outside!!

rj gamedavid gamedj smiles

Daniel managed to pause and smile for the camera but was soon back at his game.

dj's gamejoshua's game

If you look closely you will notice several of the children are still in their pajamas. Sarah had some warm, footie pajamas on and lingered the longest in her sleepwear.

s colors

She had some serious coloring (continuing on from yesterday) to do.

colored pencils

An artist really needs the proper tools. A special sharpener that can handle colored pencils is crucial.

sharpener

Sarah and I had fun snapping pictures of each other. It took her a little while but she finally got the hang of it and actually managed to get a photo that didn’t cut off the top of my head or focus entirely on our lovely, grey carpet. LOL.

s closeup
k close up

I don’t think I spend enough time crouching down on Sarah’s level to look at the world with her. Every once in a while my heart wrenches when I notice how fast the children are growing – when I hear Joshua’s deepening voice, or see how tall he and Daniel are getting, or listen to their ‘adult like’ conversations. Their time here with me is so short–the days seem long and busy and crazy and full of thankless jobs but the joy, oh the joy is immeasurable.

Some of today’s Joy Filled Moments:

  • David repeated called Daniel his “Best Buddy” and “Best Pal.”
  • Without being asked Rachel helped Sarah pack her backpack.
  • When called back to finish a kitchen job, although he was totally bundled up and heading out the door, Joshua came back (without complaint) and finished it cheerfully.
  • Joshua shared his laptop and even helped set up games for the little ones.
  • The three boys took Sarah outside to play with them and included her in their ice games.
  • Joshua and Daniel both willingly offered their computer spot to David.
  • Daniel, occasionally a picky eater, declared the breakfast French Toast casserole ‘Delicious!’ and asked for seconds.
  • The children all picked up their rooms, hauled dirty laundry downstairs and clean laundry upstairs, without any fussing. The big kids helped the little ones.
  • Although she didn’t have a particular friend over, Rachel went around the house, during our party, and took pictures of the kids playing.

As Tim often says, “This is the Best Family in the Whole World!”

3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

The day continues

Sarah managed to sneak in some computer time as well today. A friend recommended an educational website, www.starfall.com, so we decided to try it out. Sarah loved picking out the shapes for the gingerbread man and playing matching games.

gingerbread manmore gingerbread man

Rachel and I took lots of pictures of her new IKEA chandelier from Mamie and Grandad. This was one of her favorite shots.

rachel's chandelier

I also got a cute picture of her drawing on the white board. My goodness, this board certainly has turned out to be a hit.

rachel draws

We had a fun dinner with some friends who are moving on Tuesday. We played a long game of Settlers of Catan, a short game of Castle Keep, several rounds of Five Crowns, and then even snuck in a game of Apples to Apples (Bible version). You have to cram in as many games as possible when there is a captive audience. Ha! Sad to say good bye but wonderful to have made such good friends.

daniel and the boys
Daniel and the boys!

Good Bye, Tracy and Josh! We’ll miss you. Drive safely and write when you can. Hopefully we can visit this summer!

Kathy

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