Diary of a Woman Learning

So yesterday Kiddo and I went to visit a friend and her kids - she is new to homeschooling and is feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'll go ahead and fill you in on how God worked this out: I went to school with "M". She's now a mommy of three and lives just a few miles from me. Her oldest is 7 years old and she has been concerned about the quality of his education in the school he attends, so she decided to try out homeschooling. I offered a short while back to help her figure out how to get started but we didn't set up a time to meet because her family was going to Colorado for a visit before they got started. Well I haven't slept well the last several days and the other night was no exception. Hubby was super-thoughtful and offered to take Kiddo and I out to lunch so that I would not have to prepare something. We met him at aCity Bites sandwich shop, but we went to the one closer to his office - he reminded me that we wanted to purchase a dictionary and thesaurus ...

So in a sermon just a couple of weeks ago, our pastor was speaking of having been at Youth Camp and seeing each day one of our boys during his quiet time. Instead of going and picking a spot in the shade (which there was much of even with the many other students) this particular boy (who remains unnamed but I think I know who he is) would sit out in the middle of a field...and at certain times he would pick up his Bible and march in circles around his designated spot with his nose in his Bible obviously drinking in the Word of God. *Just a side note here: if it IS who I think it is, I can see WONDERFUL things ahead in a ministry for this boy. He is a light, full of joy and excitement and I love getting to see him growing in his faith!* Anyway, Pastor Ray was explaining that we go to camp to get away from outside distractions...many that we would call modern conveniences: cell phones, computers, television, etc. (And just so you know, I did already know this. It wasn't new to me, ho...

I am deeply blessed to have known a woman named Mariann Lovelady. She spoke at our church several years ago (she was a member already) about her difficult life and bad choices...but how she came to know God and His love and forgiveness. A few years after we became friends - you could not be a mere acquaintance with Mariann! :o) - she was diagnosed with cancer. She lived and breathed God's grace and mercy every moment of every day. Last night she passed away. I am so thankful that she is no longer suffering. She and I will meet again one wonderful day and I will give her a big hug - and get one tremendous hug from her. My life is not the same since you touched my life, dear friend. You were strong with God's truths and you were salt and light for Him. I love you, Mariann...and I look forward to telling you that again in person one day. Friends, please pray for her husband, Terry, and the family and friends that are without doubt grieving the loss of this amazing friend and woman...

Music Camp really was a huge hit and the performance was great. First all parents were invited to dinner at the church in the Fellowship Hall - of which I did NOT get pictures...ugh! It was decorated so nicely with candles in the center of all of the tables. We ate salad, lasagna, green beans, breadsticks and finished dinner off with a dessert of cookies and ice cream. Kiddo was NOT hungry and we barely even got him to eat dessert! I ate my salad and Kiddo's and skipped on dessert - that's okay, Hubby had TWO! :o) - and was so stuffed. It was nice...especially since we had been working so hard all week and I didn't have to cook dinner! The performance kicked off and the parents LOVED it. Hubby's parents (who attend church with us) were excited to attend and see Kiddo perform. First I will tell you that I edited a tiny bit of the clip so that it would fit better on here. First you will see Kiddo perform and then the girl that sings after him is one of the girls I taught ...

Today marks our twelfth anniversary - we have had many ups and downs, but we are stronger and happier because of them. *If you read this, Hubby-Nubby, I love you so very much and can't wait to see what the next twelve years bring!*

This year, our Worship Pastor and our Children's Pastor have worked together to put on a Music Camp for our kids from K-6 grades. The kids are learning about 7 different songs, and there are a few others who are involved in the drama - in only 4 days of practice, the kids are going to put on a musical! (It is a brief one, only about 30-40 minutes long.) It has been a lot of fun and we have 50+ kids enrolled. I'll tell you a little bit about it, but I don't have pictures right now...you know, since maybe you've gotten used to LOTS of them lately! :o) Monday - Day 1: At 9am we kicked off Music Camp in the auditorium. The kids got to hear the music (though most of the kids signed up early and already had a CD with the music to familiarize themselves with it ahead of time) and learned a few of the motions. We said a prayer and headed off to the classes, which consisted of Music Theory Games, Choreography, Song-learning (becoming more familiar with the words) and Recreation....