Softball Season Has Begun!!

Woo hoo, so it's not as exciting as Opening Day but it is pretty close to the thirteen year old at our house!  

The weather was perfect and the girls threw balls, met new team mates, practice a few bat swings and generally had a great afternoon! 

I'll be posting pictures from games in no time!! 

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us  Hebrews 12:1

JFK Sixth Floor Museum's Living History with Kari-Mette Pigmans

You've got to love living in the Dallas area and especially all the great things to do here!  Of course one of our favorites is the Sixth Floor Museum's Living History series.  Imagine getting to hear real stories of history, first hand!  It is a great addition to the kids education and simply a joy to listen! 

Caleb volunteered at today's program, volunteering with their Youth Advisory Committee.   Today's guest speaker was Pan Am Stewardess Kari-Mette Pigmans.  Ms. Pigmans was a Pan Am stewardess aboard the White House press plane in the early 1960s and had met President Kennedy several times.  She was at Dallas Love Field at the time of the assassination.  She continued to work the White House press plane through several Presidents!   She shared amazing stories of what it was like aboard President Kennedy's White House press plane in 1963. 

Oh, that I had wings like a dove!

    I would fly away and be at rest
 Psalm 55:6

Whimsey & Grace Active Partners with Metro Relief

Whimsey and Grace is a local art store where you can custom paint ceramic or canvas.  They have been big supporters of Metro Relief and will be hosting April Showers to benefit Metro.  April Showers will be a baby shower of sorts, collecting much needed baby items and personal items April 6th - 20th! 

The owners were putting together the store display for April Showers and asked for an artsy piece of the Metro Relief bus.  Mr. Austin asked and I was delighted to paint a 12"x12" canvas of the bus with Whimsey & Grace's logo.  Whimsey and Grace is located on South Colony and Main Street in the Colony.  

If you have baby items, diapers, wet wipes, toilet paper, feminine products, soaps, shampoo, etc. Please drop them by!  And, stick around to create something wonderful!! 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Looking for the Good

One of the blessing in our volunteer work is that many times we get to see the best in other people.  The really great things people do when no one is looking.   Today we stopped by Big Lots and found a cases of 24 individual tubes of toothpaste on the clearance table.  

I asked the sales clerk, who happened to be the manager, if they had more cases.  She walked me back to the toothpaste section and explained that due to the expiration date, only that one case was being sold at clearance.  She showed me nine other cases all being sold at full price.  I thanked her and mentioned that I was wanting to purchase them to donate to the pantry.  We chatted that toiletries are often hard to come by.  She then put the other nine cases in a cart and told the check out clerk to ring them all up at the clearance price!  

She went on to call a nearby store that she worked at the day before, knowing they were clearancing out individual shampoos, and asked that store to hold the shampoo for me!!  There was no benefit for her, no one was watching to see her great generosity, and no one would ever know what a nice thing she did!  Her store sure didn't make any money on either purchase!  But at least on this little blog and I can announce to my friends, please shop at the Big Lots in The Colony or the store in Carrollton!  Both stores have been so generous and just a joy to shop!!  

She was full of good works and acts of charity.  Acts 9:36

Dallas Opera's Barber of Seville

Tonight we enjoyed a glorious performance of Rossini's lighthearted tale of romance and false identity, Barber of Seville!   This was the first opera the kids attended in 2006 when the Dallas Opera performed it at Fair Park!  

Even though the opera is in Italian, the humor is funny in any language!   Everyone will recognize the music, think  Bugs Bunny's Rabbit of Seville, "Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!"!   The libretto has been re-done numerous times in pop culture parodies. 

The only opera that holds a candle to this is the Marriage of Figaro, which will be performed next season!! 

For tonight's student performance we brought 60 PEACH home schooled student, all whom loved the show!! Even having seen it before, tonight was a fresh look, amazing and delightful!!! There is a reason this opera has stood the test of time!  If you ever get the chance, THIS is the opera to see, and the Dallas Opera is the place to see it! 

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy Psalm 126:2

God's Not Dead

Our Speaker's Club met up to see the new movie, "God's Not Dead."  It is a current day setting of a college student who is forced by his own convictions to persuade his classmates that God exists.  

It is a definite feel good movie, in that good triumphs over evil.  There is the deliberate emotional charge of a large concert scene stirring the audience.  I think the greatest benefit for this group of home schooled kids who have grown up in a religious environment was the eye opening, jaw dropping, ease at which those who are religious would drop God for the benefit of a grade or popularity.  Also the condescending, negative, hate-filled speech that came from those who mocked Christianity was eye-opening. 

 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks
you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respectI Peter 3:15

Divergent Movie

Today we met up with Tate, a friend from church and her mom at the theater to see Divergent.  Divergent is a movie based on American novelist Veronica Roth's book.  It is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Chicago.  Abigail has read and loved the three books in this series.  It is similar to young adult books such as The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, both series that Abigail loves.  The girls gave it two thumbs up.

One shall not differentiate between good or bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy Leviticus 27:33

Drama Cast Photos

Time is getting closer for our PEACH Drama performance, 'Canterbury Tales OR Geoffrey Chaucer's Flying Circus'.  The kids had their cast photos taken today, these are a few that I snapped along side the photographer.

It was fun to see all the costumes together, from my Jersey Shore hen to Chaucer himself, lots of great outfits! 

The performance will be Friday, May 2nd at 7pm at the Church of Christ on McDermott Road.  Tickets are available at the door for $5 per person or $20 for a family pass.

 David exploded in anger. “As surely as God lives,” he said to Nathan, “the man in your tale who did this ought to be lynched!”  2 Samuel 12:5-6

The Dallas Opera's Die Tote Stadt

Fun pics last night from the German opera, Die Tote Stadt. It was billed as, "Before Hitchcock filmed Vertigo, Korngold created Die tote Stadt, the tale of one man’s dark obsession with the woman he loved and lost."  The production used state-of-the-art projections along with elaborate staging. 

It was an excellent production with a healthy dose of creepy, in an entertaining way of course!  Die Tote Stadt or Dead City is the story of sad man who has built a shrine to his dead wife.  

One day he sees a  lady who looks like his dead wife.  The lead fantasizes a relationship with the lady as she evolves into his wife and he eventually kills her!  But it is all in his mind. 

It was a great performance the music was amazing!  

“Thus says the Lord God: On that day,
 thoughts will come into your mind,
 and you will devise an evil scheme.

Ezekiel 38:10

Full Shelves at Metro Relief

It was a great day at the pantry today!  Donations kept coming in!  While Abigail shopped customers, Frankie and Caleb unloaded a delivery from the Lewisville Food Bank, the North Texas Food Bank and a van load of personal donations! 

The shelves are full and that is a great feeling knowing there is food for the families that come in through our doors! 

In the summer the donations really taper off, but hopefully the generous members of our community will continue to fill the shelves! 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

Mom's Bible Study - Muscle and a Shovel

I am loving my mom's Bible study group, we are working through Michael Shank's Muscle and a Shovel.  It is a wonderful book! The book is a true story about a pair of young newly-weds who move to the city and chase the American dream.  In the middle of their pursuit they are befriended by a man who turns their beliefs about God, their church, and their faith upside-down. 

Our group is made up parents of teens, a grandmother, and moms of newborns.  Each of us are at different points in our spiritual walk and the feed back and interaction is wonderful.  If you are looking for a  book to spur your faith, be prepared to dig into the scriptures with this book! 

Iron sharpens iron,

    and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Speaker's Club Debate Day

For Speaker's Club today, Mrs. Hansen gave the kids debate topics.  They argued Star Wars vs. Star Trek; Pepsi vs. Coke; even Dogs vs. Cats.  

The kids were given their topics and a few minutes to prepare, each prepared their arguments and presented them.  The opposing team would counter then the originating team was give the opportunity to summarize. 

It was a fun format to explore for the kids and this mom to watch! 

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

I Peter 3:15

How Was Your Spring Break?

Warning to Granny and Grandmother: No bail money is required!  So what kind of trouble could my child get into while we are making our Friday food pantry pick up? 

We picked up at Tom Thumb and then ran over to Starbucks for a pastry goods pick up.  While Frankie and Caleb were picking up at Starbucks, Abigail says, "Mom come here with your phone" and jumps out of the van.  

She saw a police man and heads up to the officer and asks, "Excuse me, Sir, I want to send my Granny a picture of what I did on Spring Break."  She wanted him to put her in the back of the car, or handcuff her to take pictures.  He wouldn't go along with that but we did get a couple of cute pictures.  He was a very nice gentleman. 

It should be noted that Frankie was hyperventilating in the car!  

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

Romans 13:1-2

CSI Family Day at the Sixth Floor Museum

For all the aspiring crime scene investigators, today was their chance to learn modern investigative techniques at The Sixth Floor Museum’s CSI Day.  Caleb and other members of their Youth Advisory Committee assisted youth as they investigated a mock crime scene, read police reports, and performed forensic analysis at evidence stations. 

This was Caleb’s third year to work the event, it is the JFK’s partnerships with the Dallas Police Department, the University of North Texas Forensic Science Program, and UNT’s Forensic Science Club.  

Here's a look at the event from a 2012 post. 

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,

    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

21 

The wise of heart is called discerning,

    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Proverbs 16:20-21

Friday Night Dance

The first Friday of the month means the North Texas teens have English Country Dancing!  The kids love the dances and being with their friends! Such a great group of kids, and it is fun to watch them twirl.  The young men ask the girls to dance and escort them to the floor, at the end of the dance the boy escorts the girl off the floor.  Each partner bow to thank the other for the dance.  The boys are encouraged to find a new partner each dance, so that everyone makes new friends.

Here is a video I found on line of one of the dances they do each month.  This isn't the kids but still fun to watch, it is an instructional video on how to dance the Levi Jackson, but if you forward to 4:28 the last two and a half minutes is the actual dance. Enjoy!

Drama Club Rehearsal

This after noon was drama practice.  We are getting closer to their performance date!  Today the kids took their costumes to practice and next meeting they will have cast photos! 

Each practice one of the kids wins the Oscar for best performance.  This is generally awarded to the youth who knew their lines best or had the best gestures or improv to the performer who didn't know their lines.  Today was the first day for the cast to be off script, meaning everyone had to know their lines and not use their scripts.  Everyone did a great job, so Ms. Kathy awarded the Oscar to the entire cast!  See how happy that made them!! 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:9-11

Sissy, In Charge!

If you are the sibling that is twelve to sixteen years older, sometimes you get comfortable being an extra parent.  If you know my sweet Frankie, you know she has always been an extra Mom to Caleb and Abigail. Heck, she was even in the delivery room when Abigail was born, cut the cord and everything, but that's another story!  

On Friday mornings Frankie has taken responsibility for keeping us on top of our Metro Relief pick up!  By that I mean, every Sunday I write on our dry erase calendar the week's events.  And every Sunday, she goes adds our Metro pick ups on Friday's date, so I don't forget.  On Thursday evening, I usually don't even know when, she will go put the seats down in my van.  She will load it will load it with plastic tubs in the van, so the bread and desserts don't get smashed.  She will hurry us all along on Friday morning, because we definitely need to be at Tom Thumb by 8:30am! 

When we arrive at Tom Thumb, it is Frankie that rings the call button.  It is Frankie that decides what food goes in what tub.  She plays Momma, and bosses the kiddos around and they dutifully obey her.  

It warms my heart to see her with a mission and that the two younger kids love her enough to give in to her wishes! 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  James 3:13

Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millan

We were blessed today to be a part of the studio audience for the Glenn Beck television show on The Blaze.  His special guest was gymnast, author and motivational speaker, Dan Millman.  Millman was a a NCAA Championship gymnast winning four gold medals representing the United States in the Maccabiah Games.  His amazing story follows a horrendous motorcycle accident that crushed his leg, requiring pins and metal plates to piece it back together.  

Millman went on to write a book about his journey entitled, Way of the Peaceful Warrior which sold more that 5 million copies and has been translated into 29 languages.  In 2006, the book was adapted to a film, "Peaceful Warrior," with Nick Nolte, distributed by Lionsgate Films and released by Universal Pictures in 2007.   

Millman has gone to write other books and travel the world as a motivational speaker.  When asked if he was New Age or what his religious affiliation was, he responded, "My writing have an affinity to Taoism, Sufism, the Kaballah, Christian mysticism, and other paths.  I do not cling to stoicism or any other philosophical school, but simple humanity."  

I enjoy putting life stories of achieving adversity, especially physical adversity, and triumph in front of Frankie.  It's a great lesson for all three kids! 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.

Romans 11:35

Through Love Serve One Another

On Monday of this week we had icy roads forcing school closing and the pantry to close.  When they opened the doors today the parking lot was packed!   Ms. Ramona said we had seventy-three families come through the doors.   

On a typical day, when guests come into the pantry they check-in and then are called back to see how Metro Relief can meet their needs.  Sometimes it can be putting them in touch with potential employers, or a crisis prevention center, but it always involves prayer!  Next the guests come through the pantry and are able to shop based on their household size.  Abigail usually 'shops' the customers.  Her Spanish  is getting really good!  

Caleb and I do whatever jobs are needed.  I'm generally stocking shelves while Caleb is busy lift and toting cases of canned goods.  Today Sissy helped Ms. Elizabeth bag up pasta, rice and beans.  Many times Metro Relief gets donations of 50 pound bags of food and volunteers repackage it to family size portions.  

There is literally a job for anyone who wants to help out.  If you have time, come help out.  If you have money, donations of toiletries or cash are so helpful.  If you don't have time or money, I bet you have empty grocery bags the pantry could use to bag up donations!  Or many you have a girl scout group, work team, Life Group, etc. that you could coordinate donations!!  

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14 

Finding Joy

JOY, that was the theme of our ladies retreat this weekend. 

These sweet ladies have got together for 20 years in Bible study and fellowship, and this weekend I was blessed to be included in their group.  Many of these ladies were from The Colony Church of Christ and have had children grow up together.  And although the congregation is no longer here they have stayed in touch.  How wonderful is that! 

Several of these sweet ladies attend church at McDermott, and in the it's a small world, one grew up at a congregation with my Uncle Mitchell in Joplin.  Another grew up attending church with a dear friend who is now in Broken Arrow!!! 

I know you are wondering what lavish resort we stayed at, right?  Not a resort, this is Ms. Tina's amazing home.  Can you imagine easily fitting ten house guests in your home for the weekend?   Her home was almost as lovely as the company I was with!  And the singing was amazing!

We had a Bible study Friday night and three sessions on Saturday, and lovely singing and communion on Sunday.   One of the ladies has done something like 40 mission trips and it was such a treat to listen to her heart!   

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:1-3