Week 17: Flowers and the Future

I am so grateful for Project 365!

Ah, if it weren't for Sara's idea, encouraging me to keep a record of daily memories, would I take time to blog at all in busy weeks?

For a record of the progress of spring: our one and only tulip and the ever increasing hostas.

(Does anyone out there have any idea what could have happened to the 100 bulbs I planted?)

Two bouquets to show off further varieties springing forth.

My favorite are the ones with delicate peach.

It occurred to me I should have a record of the schools I visit.

Here's where I spend most of my time.

This is the view as I walk in...



...and the door of the classroom.
This week the honor roll poster went up.
For one student it was his first time, and another worked to see his photo there again!




This first school I visit every day.

And the one I go to only two afternoons.
Next year it will be closed.

Our lives are changing. Retirement is near. What lies ahead?

The sunrise as I left to run a 5K with DIL.

Surprisingly, I did NOT walk, even though it was longer than I ever remembered!
Yay! We both won awards in our age categories!

That's right, we were ahead of all those slackers who didn't show!

"Run in such a way as to get the prize" is a favorite.

It applies to all of life.

Project 365: Week 16:

Going back to Easter Sunday--some of Kayla's beautifully decorated egg-critters.



One of her artistic endeavors resembled our own Goldilocks--Kristie!













I didn't capture anything photo-worthy in the daily work routine.
One morning, however, I was surprised to see a long train on the bridge going out of town. It's been there ever since. Is this the end of an era? The train used to play a very important role in the area.

Friday brought some excitement in the form of our youngest grandson, the very one who used to call me Meemaw. He and Peepaw put their hands together to turn a little pot.

The next day, Elijah and Meemaw had fun walking to Taylor Lake. We had a little rest on the prayer deck.

Then Elijah experimented with the camera. Here's his best shot, of Meemaw herself!

On the way home we found a plastic bag and filled it full of trash--our good deed for the day.

And back home we picked all the flowers from this one clump--for Mommy!

Now go on over to make music from your heart to the Lord to see more weekly photos, and above all make music in your heart and have a good week!

Tapestry of Martyrs

Modern Day Martyrs

Only a few days ago I wrote about the Armenians martyred in Turkey back in the early 1900's. Later I came across a Voice Of the Martyrs offer for a DVD about three Christians murdered two years ago today in the office of a publishing house in Malatya, Turkey. The believers, including the widows, responded with love.

The story is not over. Their sacrifice continues to bear fruit. God is designing a beautiful tapestry, or quilt, if you prefer that popular art.

And for those of you who are quilters, or wannabees, there is a great giveaway going on right now at Park City Girl's place.

God our Refuge

I was reading Joshua chapter 20. God's chosen people are settling into the promised land, receiving their assigned territory, building cities and fortresses. They were to include six neutral areas, cities of refuge, for the protection of any who had killed unintentionally.

It occurred to me that if we had such areas, my consuegro (co in law, son's FIL) would not be serving a life sentence, well, at least not in a state penitentiary. Read/hear/see his story [http://deathbylethalsubjection.wordpress.com/]. It was a drug related crime, "he struck his neighbors unintentionally [unknowingly]...he did not hate them beforehand [the key]"

Of course, even if we had cities of refuge, he would still have to remain there till judgment before the congregation, and the death of the high priest.

As it is he must stay where he is. The gloriously redemptive part of the story is that GOD Himself is his refuge, his redeemer, who has turned his life into a beautiful example. Many are being drawn to Kingdom life.

There may not be any literal cities of refuge, but God is our Refuge. Run to Him and be safe!

Hugs and Books

Hugs are great!
I was out for a daily walk, hood pulled tightly around my face, looking straight ahead not to right or left. Then I heard my name. I turned and saw a former student from four or five years ago. She hugged me so warmly. We chatted a few minutes. And again, she wouldn't let me go without another hug. My heart was warmed and I determined to give away more hugs!

Speaking of giveaways, I came across this amazing opportunity. You could win a book or more every day between April 15 and 25. Go to Mother's Day Giveaway. I love good books. They too can warm my heart.

Answer to the photo-puzzler...

Waddyathink? Same guy?
Next question we had, how old was he then?
Mike did not recall ever seeing that photo. It was probably among the many his aunt has saved over the years. She is like the historian of the family.

Easter 35 years ago...

We were reminded of the Easter when husband Mike and friend Bob were in Eastern Turkey to make a documentary. They went with Kenan, a young Armenian believer, to his home in the village of Midyat and experienced first-hand their history and traditions.

An elderly woman, who witnessed the persecutions and massacres between 1915 and 1917, remembered how the men were arrested, imprisoned for a few days and then marched out of town and shot, their bodies thrown in a well. She was only a young girl back then following the procession that led her own father, brothers, uncles, cousins away to their deaths. As she relived that day, she began to sing the very hymn the men had sung as they marched to their execution.

Bob recalls that Sunday 35 years ago: the early morning trek across the valley to the centuries-old Armenian church and cemetary on the hill; the long line of people in their brightest Easter clothes; the simple service in a foreign tongue--an unforgettable, most touching remembrance of Christ's resurrection.

The celebrating continued in the homes. The two men accompanied Kenan as he visited his friends. In each home they were treated as honored guests. First they were offered cologne to wash their hands before partaking of fruit and treats. Then there was the Easter game: host and guest each take a boiled egg (all colored solid red) and strike one another's on the point. The person whose egg cracks loses and must hand his over.

Finally they ended up in Kenan's home for the special Easter meal which consisted of a whole roasted lamb, bulgur (steamed cracked wheat), spring onions, and various side dishes. The host served the meat tearing pieces from the animal and handing them to each person. A wonderfully tasty meal, spoiled slightly by the impression that the lamb was staring at the guests! (The head had not been removed.)


After retelling the story of that Easter long ago, as a family we reenacted the Easter game.

Project 365: Holy Week

Semana Santa is celebrated in a much bigger way in some other countries.
For me not much was different from other work weeks, not even time off for Viernes Santo.

Here you have a few chosen glimpses.
Monday night meal at son Stephan's, Karen was the chef this time, and yummy chimichangas were on the menu. These wooden moose adorn their counter; they came back with them from Alaska. Aren't they cute?

Fragrant spring flowers brighten our front flower patch.

And loads, literally LOADS, of narcissus/daffodils/jonquils grow more abundant each spring. Believe me, we have every variant listed!

The daughter brought in a load last Sunday, then arranged and wrapped a bouquet for each one attending our fiesta.

There were still so many left so I gathered another heavy load Tuesday because there was a freeze advisory.

The sun shone through the next day. What a beautiful setting for Bible and breakfast!

There were many joyous moments with my kiddoes this week. They have really enjoyed the puzzles I bargained for at the ESL conference, and we've all learned a lot.

Here's a puzzler for you: Who is this cute little boy all dressed up for Easter?

What are you all doing on this Domingo de Resurrección?

May you be blessed beyond measure in your spirit and soul, whether you are all decked out or not!

For more Easter specials go check out the other Project 365 albums at Sara's place.

A whole lot of icing +

I am happy to eat cake without icing. A friend of mine would eat only the icing and leave the cake!

This morning I was reading about when Jesus sent the 70 out to heal the sick, exorcise evil spirits and minister in the villages. They came back so excited about the unbelievable things that had happened. He curbed their enthusiasm saying, "...do not rejoice in this..., but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Like saying, anything more is icing on the cake.

Jesus would have us never forget the unspeakable gift of sins forgiven and eternity in heaven.

However, He did in private acknowledge also the awesome privilege they had been given to minister to others: "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

Then I realized, looking back on my life, that I have been unspeakably privileged with a whole lot of icing!

As a symbol of all the extras God gives us, I decided to pass on this giveaway opportunity I came across, Shelia's giveaway. You will love her handiwork and her heartfelt words.

Steadfast Savior

"He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem...
...His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
...For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."

These days we remember Jesus' steadfast obedience and purposeful death on our behalf.

My response:
--gratitude?
--purposeful living?
--steadfast focus?
--sacrifical obedience?

Weeks 13 & 14: Catching up on Project 365

Spring break started out working on a remodeling project at my parents place. We took grandson Skye to help out.Skye and great grandma playing UNO.



The new handicap-accesible shower



The second half of spring break we went on separate vacations: the guys primitive camping; granddaughter and I to the hills of NC, rainy the whole time, still beautiful.



As we were driving, led by the GPS, we passed right by cousin Ed's college so on the way back we stopped by and enjoyed a couple hours with the little family, which includes a lively 3 yr. old.

K took a lot of scenery photos while I drove.

The sun rarely broke through the clouds.

We also listened to two audio books: one a classic in English lit by Robert L. Stevenson (I'm still filling in the gaps in my out-of-the-country education), and then End of the Spear.

This powerful true story bridged our two generations. I lived it in my adolescent years, as did the whole world who heard the news of the five martyred missionaries.

Together we shared the rest of the story.

Then it was back to work and school.

For me it means meeting daily with a variety of groups, ages, and backgrounds.

Most families' heritage is Mexican, others are from the Philipines, China, Haiti.

On one sunny afternoon, I walked with my friend and her pup on the greenway,

until her wheels caught the rocks on the side and grounded her.

Her grandson came to the rescue.

Was it Patches who steered her off the road?

Thursday after school, I drove to parent's place again, for Dad's birthday.

When asked how old he was, he said: "One day older than yesterday."

A funny thing happened: I tried to play the birthday song without music, with disastrous results.

I think Dad may have laughed more than if I had done a perfect rendition!

The latest news is that he has been discharged from rehab and is home again!
While mother prepared for his homecoming/birthday celebration, I was consumed here with preparations for welcoming former and current students to our place for a Koch-out!

The rainy weather forced us indoors where we played Catch-phrase, Apples to Apples and pool.

It was amazing to watch this happening bilingually!

Here the current and future presidents of the Spanish club.

Oh, and they brought a piñata, one of the highlights for the kids.

Now go catch up on the other Project 365s.

Everlasting Father

Happy Birthday, Daddy! Today is my Dad's birthday: four score and eight.
He has been a wonderful Daddy, kind yet firm, hard working and faithful, a minister of the Gospel all his life.

Because of Daddy's exemplary life, I have never struggled with the concept of a heavenly father, near and dear. I call on Him at all times and talk to Him readily, my Everlasting Father.

Look for other Names of God and let us praise Him together!