Finding Purpose

Wednesday is our usual day to volunteer at Metro, the kids and I volunteer together.  On Fridays the two younger kids have teen pizza or game night, or English Country Dancing in the evenings.  And on Friday afternoons Caleb and Abigail have Drama Club or Speaker's Club.  This means on Friday's from about 1pm until bed time Sissy is stuck at home with boring, old Mom!  That's tough on a girl who has been an extra Mom, and doesn't like change! 

Fortunately, on Friday mornings we have started picking up for Metro Relief at Tom Thumb.  Today we added a pick up to our route, Starbucks! Caleb made the initial pickup because Sissy wanted to see what this pick up was like before she helped out. I had her use my phone to take a picture! :)   It's a great service, Starbucks donates the pastries from the previous day to Metro, yummy double chocolate brownies, orange cranberry scones, and delicate donuts!  Some days they may only have 4 items and some days there are 20+ items.  

It's like Christmas, Sissy gets so excited to see what is donated! As soon as he was in the van she started counting items and giggling!  I would love, as the kids get older, to be able to spend the day with Sissy doing helpful, needful things! It is a great sense of purpose and usefulness.  Hopefully by our next pick up, or two, Sissy will feel comfortable enough to do the pick up herself.  We'll work on that!! 

I cry out to God Most High,

    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

My Jersey Shore's Hen

Our school play this year with PEACH will be Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales!  Little Ms. Abigail will be playing the part of Pertelote the hen wife to rooster Chanticleer.  For her character she is a Jersey girl / hen!  For her costume they wanted big over the top bling.   This week Abigail has been working on her costume.  All she needs now is the big hair, faux tan and red lipstick!   

How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Matthew 23:37 

Warming Hearts

If it's Wednesday, then you know where we were today, at the pantry.  It was a crazy cold day.  The cold weather is tough on a lot of the elderly clients because they don't have transportation and walk to the pantry.  Several of our guests live in the nearby Budget Suites hotel/apartments and are able to car pool to the pantry.  Even our littlest guests were all bundled up.  Caleb and the little boy in the picture played peek-a-boo with his hat while his mom shopped for groceries.  He was a doll!    

in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst,
 often without food, in cold and exposure. 2 Corinthians 11:27

Sixth Floor Museum's Youth Advisory Committee on the Red Carpet

Lights, camera, action! The Sixth Floor Museum's Youth Advisory Committee walked the Red Carpet at Texas Black Film Festival. Their North Texas Student Oral History Challenge video premiered there this weekend at the new Studio Movie Grill!

Allen and Cynthia Mondell of Media Projects, Inc. came out on Saturday to support the Youth Advisory Committee's Oral History Challenge video premier at the Texas Black Film Festival.   The event also screened the Museum's new Legacy video that the Mondell's produced. Aftewards, Allen and Cynthia shared stories of their long relationship with the Museum and encouraged the young filmmakers in the audience to continue telling stories through film and video.

Get wisdom; get insight;  do not forget, 

and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5

Toilet Paper and Toothpaste

A few weeks ago I put the call out to my Facebook friends for toiletries needed at Metro Relief.  The North Texas Food Bank does a great job of making food affordable for local pantries to help out the homeless and those in need of food.  But the pantries rely on individual donation for things like toilet paper, tooth paste, feminine hygiene products, etc.  And lets face it, no one can do with out those items! 

Our friends responded in great form!  We had to put the back two seats in the van down to carry everything up to Metro! Thanks to everyone for your generosity!!! 

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes,
they received their food with glad and generous hearts Acts 2:46 

Happy Times!

Tonight the kids finished up the Answers in Genesis apologetics DVD series.  The home school teen have been meeting twice a month to watch the DVD series and Bible Study.  Tonight they celebrate Gracie's 13th birthday!   It's been great to see 20+ kids get together to study and examine how biology, geology and astronomy actually confirm the truths of the Bible.  It will be interesting to see what the kids pick for their next topic. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handywork.  Psalm 19:1

Harding University Third World Camp

This weekend Caleb and a group of youth from church attended Harding University at Tahkodah (HUT). HUT is a training ground for students to learn to serve the Lord in various capacities all over the world. HUT features housing representative of 7 ethnic groups worldwide. HUT is used to prepare students for ministry to peoples living in poverty worldwide. It helps them gain a more global vision that will equip them to better participate in God’s mission for the world.

Caleb's family stayed in a shack similar to the living conditions in Haiti.  They carried and cut bamboo similar to that portion of the world.  At the end of the day they could take their day wages and for his family of seven they were able to purchase rice, water, 3 bananas, 1 orange, 1 squash, 1 onion and a small bag of green beans for their one meal of the day.  In the world market place Caleb was able to use Spanish to communicate and barter for the food.  The girls prepared the meal without adult supervision and the boys collected fire wood and got the fire going.  

Caleb said the nights were really cold, it got down to 34 degrees and the shacks were not more than wind blocks.  He said he slept in every piece of clothing that he had packed! 

Sunday morning they had worship services similar to African nations.  They also heard missionaries from different parts of the world speak to them.  Caleb came home tired but full of great stories about his three days at the camp. 

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

Jeff Dunham's Disorderly Conduct Tour

Jon's company has a beautiful suite at the American Airlines Center and tonight we were able to enjoy all the great amenities.  Jeff Dunham along with Achmed, Walter, Bubba, Peanut, Little Jeff, and Jalapeno on a Stick all brought the house down.  Jeff also introduced a new character, Caffeine Dude, a fast talking, super hyper puppet!  Jeff is from Richardson, so this was a coming home show with his parents, friends and family in the audience.  With it being a Valentine weekend, Walter had quite a few marriage jokes, lots of funny stuff!  What a great date night with my honey, thanks Thomson Reuters! 

. . . and a time to laugh

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Nothing New Under the Sun

We love our Speaker's Club, for each meeting the kids prepare different styles of speeches.  Some speeches utilize props, or drama components; some may include a persuasive elements or require a demonstration of sorts.  The kids are given very specific instructions with time elements.  

Today Abigail presented her interp piece taken from Tom S. Long's The Complete History of the Old Testament.  Caleb performed a different portion at the PEACH Recital in 2012.  I love the voices and expressions, so fun to watch.  Hope you enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tonight the kids got together with other home schooled friends for their Valentine's Day party.  There were plenty of sweets and sweet faces.  They ate, decorated cookies, made straw sculptures and played games. The kids had a great time and brought back a cupcake for Sissy! 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  

I Corinthians 13:13

Dallas Opera's Death and the Powers

One of the prettiest venues in Dallas is the Winspear Opera House, it is just lovely!  Tonight was opening night for Tod Machover's Sci-Fi Opera Death and the Powers at this beautiful building.   It is the story of Simon Powers, a successful and powerful business man, who wants to perpetuate his existence and escape death.  Nearing the end of his life, Power attempts a chance at immortality by downloading his consciousness into a giant computerized "system."  The story follows as Simon's family members must decide if this is a good idea and whether or not to follow him into the "system."  

It is a modern opera and while the music in it was amazing, it pushed the envelope on all the things that I enjoy about the opera.  There were no elaborate costumes; no over the top backdrops with multiple settings; and no grand choreographed musical numbers.  Yes, there were huge computer looking movable pieces, and there were remote controlled robots that were fun to watch.  If your thinking opera: family friendly appropriate for all ages; be warned this modern, envelope-pushing opera includes crude gestures and language that completely took away from the grandness. I was disappointed because there was plenty of good in this opera, but the parts that were offensive were unnecessary.   I'm really looking forward to Barber of Seville! 

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number
of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  2 Timothy 4:3

Glenn Beck Program with Amy Morin

Caleb and Abigail joined other teens today on Glenn Beck's television program with special guest Amy Morin.  Ms. Morin is a college professor and has a private practice working with teens and parents of teens.  She has recently written a piece on 13 Things Mentally Strong People Avoid.  On the program she and Glenn discussed the list and encouraged interaction from the teen audience.  

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Here are the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Avoid: 

• They Don't Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves
• They Don't Give Away Their Power
• They Don't Shy Away from Change
• They Don't Waste Energy on the Things They Can't Control
• They Don't Worry about Pleasing Everyone
• They Don't Fear Taking Calculated Risks
• They Don't Dwell on the Past
• They Don't Make the Same Mistakes Over & Over
• They Don't Resent Other People's Success
• They Don't Give Up After the First Failure
• They Don't Fear Alone Time
• They Don't Feel the World Owes Them Anything
• They Don't Expect Immediate Results

It was a great lesson for young people and adults! 

JFK Living History - Eddie Griffin

As a part of Black History Month the Sixth Floor Museum’s Living History Series featured civil rights activist Eddie Griffin.  Mr. Griffin is known for his activities during the height of the Civil Rights Movement as an active member of the Black Panthers.  He was convicted of bank robbery and served 12 years in prison.   Mr. Griffin wrote “Breaking Men's Minds: Behavior Control and Human Experimentation at the Federal Prison in Marion,” a seven page article which appeared in the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons Vol. 4 No. 2 (1993). 

Griffin, former Fort Worth native was outside the then segregated Hotel Texas with the Kennedy’s arrived on November 21, 1963. He recalled memories of lining up along Commerce Street, waiting for the Kennedy's to arrive in Ft. Worth. He spoke of the yellow Christmas lights silhouetting the skyline making Ft. Worth visible from Air Force One.  Mr. Griffin told the audience he remains politically active as an AfroSpear Blogger. 

Click here to see our other adventures at the Sixth Floor Museum 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

Pitchers and Catchers Report for Spring Training

Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training this week!  I think Plano Sports Authority 14U players report in two weeks!  But where else would you find the girl on a Saturday but in a batting cage!  And of course, Frankie being a good big sister was busy taking pictures! 

be prepared in season and out of season; correct,
 rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2

Time to Celebrate

How do you top of a day that has included a trip to the food pantry to deliver bread, a library visit, pizza with friends, and three hours of drama club practice?  With English Country Dancing, of course! The best part is Mom is hanging out with the kids and I have my camera, just what every teen was wishing would happen!   Always a huge crowd of kids and lots of smiles! 

Click HERE to other English Country Dancing Posts 

Then young women will dance and be glad,

    young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

    I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

Acting! I was merely acting!

Today I learned to be thankful for snowy, slick streets!  Usually on Friday's the kids schedule is so hectic and Caleb drives them from one event to another while I stay home.  But due to icy road conditions I had a great excuse to taxi them around town.  

It gave me the opportunity to see how their PEACH drama performance of the Canterbury Tales was progressing.  I think they have something like 45 kids in the production, I must say they are looking really great!  It's fun to watch how even the shyest of kids come out of their shell when they are on stage.  I am not saying either of the kids are shy, but some of their friends can be.  

The funniest part today was Caleb filling in for the part of Emelye, Theseus's domesticated Amazon queen in Knight's Tale!  At the end of practice Caleb was awarded the 'Oscar' for best performance!  He does a great damsel in distress voice!  

This year Caleb is taking on the role of Harry Bailey, the narrator of sorts.  And Abigail will be portraying Pertelote, Chanticleer's favorite hen-wife, with a New Jersey accent! Can't wait to see the costumes! 

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

    and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

Teen Pizza

The first Friday of the month the PEACH home school teens get together for teen pizza.  So many of their activities are structured like Speaker's Club, Classical Book Club, Teen Bible Study, Drama Club, etc. This is a great opportunity for the kids to hang out.  It's an even better time for the mom's to spend time together, but there is no need to put up pictures of the mom's table! The kids are so much cuter! 

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. 

This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?  

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

A Day of Rest

Some days it is time to just hang out and today was one of those days.  Each of the kids picked out an event for us to do.  Caleb selected time at the archery range, Abigail selected a little time at the batting cages and Sissy decided she wanted us to see Despicable Me 2.  Sounds like a pretty great Saturday doesn't it! 

for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed

Exodus 31:17

Girl's Sleep Over

Girls, girls, girls!  Several of the the girls from our home school group got together this weekend for a sleep over.  I think it was a great excuse to get caught up on episodes of Once Upon A Time! 

The girls are all in PEACH Drama Club and love getting together to play games, share YouTube videos and eat! 

Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel

Philippians 4:3