Summer Review

Hello everyone!  I know I have been rather hit and miss this summer, but I am going to post at least one more time before school starts on tomorrow.  :-)

At the beginning of summer, I wrote a list of goals for this summer; and in order that I would not get too overwhelmed or discouraged, I wrote another list of  things I did accomplish.  My "Summer Goals" list contains sixteen items and, as of now, my "Things I've Done This Summer" list contains 63 items (including a couple repeats, social events, personal achievements, and random "goings on").  The following are highlights from the latter list.  This post is not meant to brag about all the things I've done this summer but to give you a taste of what I've been doing and to remind myself of what a blessed three months I've had and that I've not entirely wasted the summer.  :-) (The list is roughly in chronological order. :-) )

• Went to a game night with the Ellen's speech and debate group
• Helped with the VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church
• Took the ACT
• Went to volleyball get-togethers with friends
• Spent the night and watching movies with Grandma
• Swam in our cousins' lake and spent a lot of time with family
• Went to the College World Series
• Had a Strength Finders consultation
• Blogged more (hehehe at least for a while)
• Drank my first chai tea latte :-)
• Shopped with Mom and Grandma (several times)
• Visited Red Mango several times :-)
• Took pictures
• Babysat two kids from church with Ellen
• Read and listened to fun and interesting books--I would highly recommend: Jesus Among Other Gods Youth Edition by Ravi Zaccharias and Kevin Johnson (recommended for 13 and up) and Knight's Fee by Rosemary Sutcliff 
• Went to a church cookout
• Crocheted and knitted several blankets and mason jar cozies
• Took Driver's Ed and earned my driver's license! 
• Caught up with friends in my Bible Study group
• Started kitchen remodel
• Went to Two Rivers in August with friends
• Assisted in Ellen's piano recital
• Taught piano for some of the summer
• Practiced more violin (one of my sixteen goals)
• Went to our family reunion in August with Grandma where we spent time with family and also did some paddle boating :-)
• Went to Campy Rivercrest!!!
• Listened to new Christian contemporary songs
• Went to see Finding Dory :-)
• Played games with Ellen and had fun together (several times)
• Baked breakfast snacks with Grandma (for when school starts)
• Went to a Labor Day weekend game night with families from church

So I hope that gives you bit of a glimpse of what I've been doing (in between blogging).  It was a very fun summer, but now I am ready to start school and get back into routine.  Time for fall! :-)

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven".

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Hydrangea Pictures

     Yesterday Ellen and I were playing volleyball in the front yard; and as we both are novices (to say the least), the ball hit the hydrangea bush (among plants).  The sweetest little sprig was broken off, and I just couldn't let it go to waste.  So I took it inside and put it into a little vase with water.  This morning I walked past it and knew it was picture-worthy.  So I grabbed the camera and put on my creative photographic thinking cap.  I had so much fun with it!  It is such a sweet, simple little testament to the beauty of God's creation.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:14

If you can't quite read it from the picture, this is an encouraging quote by Elizabeth Elliot that I came across on someone's blog over a year ago. 

"Whatever you want, it's going to cost you something...if you want God's will more than anything in the world it is going to mean endurance." 

It is so true, and I need to remind myself of that every single day. Often I know I want God's will for my life, knowing His way is always the best, but I struggle with the endurance part.  But He does not leave us alone to endure.  He gives us His strength to endure with us.  

Backyard Beauties

Today Ellen and I were able to go outside and take pictures of our backyard (and front yard) trees and flowers.  It is something that I love doing every year although I don't know if I would have today with out a little encouragement from Ellen.

The yellow tulips glowed in the radiant sunshine.

This is a great shot as Ginger rarely poses.  (Ellen had to command her to sit down several times!)

I thought the crack in the tree bark looked really cool!

I praise the LORD for the beauty and simplicity that He has created for His glory and our enjoyment.   There are so many varieties of colors, textures, and plants that he has made.  I greatly admire and love the beauty of it all and am so thankful for the times I am able to enjoy and capture it.

"Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever."

Psalm 111:2-3

Picture Verses

These are two pictures that I took this summer and figured out how to add verses to.  

The last verse is one is one that really encouraged me this summer as I did different things that I was worried or nervous about.  God can give us His power, love, and sound mind or self-discipline (some versions have self-discipline).

NCHEA 2015!

Again this year I had the opportunity of being an assistant leader in the NCHEA (Nebraska Christian Homeschool Educators Association) Kids' Conference April 9-11th.  This year the theme was LEGACY and seeking wisdom.  It was set a little after World War 2 in Europe.  The drama was about four orphaned children as they traveled through Scotland, Germany, Italy, and Holland following clues and trying to discover the inheritance their parents had left them.  

All the small group lessons were based on James 3:17:

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, 

gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, 

without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

I taught the lessons on gentleness and good fruits.  Then I wrapped up the lesson on impartiality after a Leader in Training came and told the story Beggar at the King's Court.

This year I had some great team leaders! They did a great job, and it was a joy to work with them.  Our team was Edenkoben, Germany.

Below are pictures of my room: 

Kaylin made the window boxes and came up with the tree. Ellen and I made the signs that went with each lesson. (Thank you Ellen for writing them for me!)  Then our team leader came up with the tree stump since we had some extra tree supplies.  It all turned out so well, and we were awarded first place for the most distinguished city.

(It was a wonderful disguise for the unused tables!)

Decorating!

Leaders' teaching session

Drama practice!

This year Ellen had a part in the drama as a French waitress.  I love her costume!

Teaching Staff

It was a wonderful weekend!  There were almost 300 kids who attended and I'm not wuite sure how many staff members and actors! I always love the drama, singing, and time investing in younger children's lives.  It is such a highlight of my year!  It also stretches me as speaking and teaching is rather out of my comfort zone, but I really enjoy doing being a part of it. :-)

Snow!

I almost forgot what it looked like to have all the trees and roads covered with snow!  I love how it has stuck to every little branch of the trees and bushes!

"He gives snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes."

Psalm 147:16

Birdie tracks.  Some were brave enough to venture out to eat at our feeders.

 

Shoveling!!!