The Big Boat

Fresh Raspberries

2010-07-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

One of the cabins we've been lucky to visit this summer has a great raspberry patch. Every morning, the kids' first chore was to help Grandpa pick berries. A wet summer and recent sunny days made for a seriously over-productive berry patch.

Of course, being children, the berries didn't always make the trip from the garden to the house. They still reaped at least two gallons of berries a morning. I made two pies at the cabin, and one more after we came home.

It's a great way to start your day!

2010-07-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful weekend!

May the sun shine through your windows, and warm your heart with joy!

May your soul be filled by good memories and strong thoughts!

At the cabin

2010-07-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

I wish I had more photos, or I wish I could get them off my camera... so more pics to come.

We're at the Cabin, on Serpent Lake in Minnesota. Like 10,000 other lakes, there is water, and fish, and sun. There are 5 cousins, ages 4-10 who are having a blast swimming all day! Two grandparents, now four parents, and two dogs. It's a beautiful time.

The raspberries are coming in, and while the kids are a GREAT help, they don't have the staying power that knowing the price of 1/2 pint of the dry red berries in a store. We picked two gallons today, and made two pies. Jam tomorrow!

The lake water is just the right temperature, and the days have been warm and sunny.

How is your summer?

Summer Fun!

2010-07-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

One gift of Summer Vacation in the land of 10,000 lakes is the ritual summer cabin weekend. We are blessed to have lovely family who share their forest-backed, lake-front homes with us. It is so easy to relax and unwind when one steps out of the van to the green-ness of the Wisconsin woods. But, relax does not last long with kids and a lake around.

On your mark

Get set

GO!

Splashdown!

Yes, he's a lab

2010-07-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Admiral's mobility assist dog, Guido, is a great Yellow Lab, who is a little cautious about going outside in the rain. The silly dog does not like wet grass. And Labs are supposed to like to swim! We took him on a trip to Big Elbow Lake, and discovered that he can swim!

He'd chase that silly dummy in the water for hours if someone would throw it for him.

He did have one little Quirk, if the dummy got dirty, he wanted some human to pick it up for him!

Searching for the Baby River

2010-06-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

We went north last weekend, searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi. Lake Itasca is the Official Beginning of Old Man River. There is a fabulous state park there, and one short afternoon picnic and walk was just enough to convince us we'll be back.

The kids were enthralled by the little waterfall at the beginning of the stream that becomes the Big River. I think they walked and waded and stumbled across the river 15 times! J. was the best and the fastest.

The Admiral and I watched, I got my feet wet, but couldn't balance on the rocks.

Where are you going to explore this summer?

The Best Birthday GIft!

2010-06-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

My father came to visit from his home in central Kansas, two or three gardening zones ahead of Minnesota. He's also got 3.5 acres and a lifetime of farming and gardening to draw upon. His contribution to my birthday dinner was 7 quarts of strawberries.

Fresh from his garden. Judging from this picture he took the morning he drove up, I don't think he'll miss those 7 quarts. There are more to come. My family thought that the fresh berries were almost as good as the fresh rhubarb crisp we made from our local spring fruit. J liked a bowl of berries with a little cream on top.

What's you favorite spring garden treat?

15 Days of Rain

2010-06-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Will do wonders for your garden, and your grass, and the weeds! The snow peas are about 4 feet tall, and blooming like crazy. I planted a yellow-podded variety. Pretty, I think.

In between the pea trellises are new cucumber plants, they are starting to bloom, even though they haven't gotten their vines yet.

Other things are doing great, mint, chives and cilantro. The basil is being slow. One potato plant is huge, the others are pretty small. and then there are the mystery plants. Did I plant them, did the kids plant them, what are they exactly?

Summer Vacation!

2010-06-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Summer Vacation started yesterday. I think we started off right, a trip to the Library and the Park!

The Library was packed with families, mostly younger kids, but lots more than normal. M and J used their own library cards and we came home with a very heavy bag of books. I need to dig out the wheeled backpack for my library bag. We even got started on the summer reading program. I love starting the summer with a pile of books!

There is a nice park just behind the library, and it was filled with kids as well. We went around the corner to another park, and had fun playing until it started raining

How is your summer starting?

I'm a Guest Greenie!

2010-06-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Come on over to Sweet Greens! I'm the first Guest Greenie to post with Jeannie for a whole week! Today's post is all about Lasagna Gardening!

The Admiral

2010-06-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

I may be piloting this big boat around, but I have a great Admiral! We visited his cousin's house on the lake for Memorial day. As the sun went down over the water a few of us got in the boat and did a few rounds on the tube.

It was a great evening, rounded out with S'Mores! What's your favorite campfire treat?

VIctoria Day

2010-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

I got to visit my N for his Victoria Day holiday! What a joy to be escorted around Vancouver by such a fabulous host. Even if he did tend to ride off ahead once in a while!

This shot of the constantly moving tour guide is in Stanley Park, and on Victoria Day there were loads of people. People sitting, picnicking, walking, riding, skating, just enjoying the day outdoors.

Our favorite site was Capilano Suspension Bridge A really wonderous park just outside North Vancouver..
The trees were HUGE! Of course, this is coming from a girl living on the edge of the prairie, where trees are generally stunted. This coastal rain forest was a really vivid green that can't be captured on film, or in pixels.

This place rivals one of my all-time favorite destinations; Muir Woods. The trees in California are a little bigger, and the undergrowth a little thicker, but I loved the feeling of height here in Capilano. What is your favorite outdoor destination?

All that and a cup of tea

2010-05-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Chai, sweet, spicy, and way too often found in a hermetically sealed box.

This weekend my mother and I found a lovely tea shop near my favorite thrift store, Hidden Treasures.
Tea Source has two locations in the Saint Paul area. One on Cleavland near Ford Parkway, and one in Saint Anthony Village. Lovely shops, with more types of tea than you can imagine. I thought it smelled great, and enjoyed a cup of Pink Iced Tea with real hibiscus leaves. Karkaday for you who have been in the mid-east.

Note; These are not Hibiscus flowers, they are Azaleas, but they are pretty and they are pink, and I have no hibiscus blooming in my yard.

Mother had a nice cup of Chai, with a real cardamom and a much fuller spice flavor than one can get from a box. We found the secret: A separate spice mix, steeped in sweetened condensed milk, to be added to the fine Assam black tea. We bought it, and what a great way to make tea! You won't burn the milk, and all the flavors are real!

Next challenge is my own spice mix. (Especially since I'm sending the Tea Source tins home with mom)
I know there will be cardamom in it, and probably ginger and cloves. What are your favorite tastes in tea?

And the winner is....

2010-05-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

My random number Generator spit out the winning number: 444

M Hoch Drei!

Apples for my baby.. she loves to put them in and out and in and out of a basket...

My humble bag will soon be flying across the big pond to Germany!

Thanks to everyone who visited! I've had a lot of fun this week!

OK, why didn't anyone else notice that the 20th is Thursday??

2010-05-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Big Giveaway is nearly over!
My original post said it would end on Friday, May 20th. well, the 20th is Today, Thursday!

So I'm closing comments tonight at midnight, right between May 20th and Friday.

Since I happen to be in vancouver for the weekend, I'll be really nice and close it Pacific time.

This has been the most fun on a blog I've had yet! Winner will be posted on Friday, May 21.

The Big Giveaway!

2010-05-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to do this forever! The people over at SewMamaSew finally got my intentions in gear.

Here's what's up for grabs...

Burlap basket: size large. This one's a big 9inx9inx9in! You could put a pile of books in here to keep you company. Several skeins of yarn and a large work-in-progress would fit nicely, and look better than stuffed into a plastic bag! If you live in a warmer climate than Minnesota, take it to the Farmer's Market for a large meal's worth of veggies!

The upcycled burlap from my favorite coffee shop is lined with a blue and white ticking that I inherited from my Great-Grandmother-In Law. I've only made one this size.

To enter the drawing, leave a comment about what you would put in this basket, along with your name and your e-mail address. Entries will close on Friday, May 20th. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.
I will ship internationally.

Head on over to SewMamaSew for more great giveaway links!
.

Is it Green, or just lean?

2010-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Little J turns 7 years old today! He's been pedaling around on a little 16in bike that was handed down from big brother, and probably picked up at a garage sale before that. Not that it didn't work, it was a fabulous bike, but he really was getting a little long-legged on it. OK, he looked like the big kids who ride 20in trick bikes.

So we found him a new 20 inch bike that should last him well into middle school, if not high school. (depending on his growth rate and current fashion) Doesn't he look happy! This pic was taken a full hour before school and it's only about 50 outside!

Here's my rhetorical question: Is it any greener for him to ride the bike, as the bus goes past with his classmates riding? He takes the bus in the snow, but is switching to riding his bike.

Now, it's never a bad thing for him to ride, obviously it's good exercise. There is a great path from the end of our street all the way to school, and crossing guards. He gets home faster than the bus when he rides, and has made a new friend in the bargain. Yeah for warmer weather!

Silent Sunday

2010-05-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today I have no voice, zip, zilch, nada.
Church was a challenge, because people talk to you there and expect you to respond. I couldn't teach or participate in a class. No singing either.

The rest of the day was a lot like this. I like Silent Sunday!

Earth Day Fair!

2010-04-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

The Big Boat set off on its maiden voyage today. I sewed and sewed and packed up and set up at Wargo Nature Center in Centerville, MN. The Earth Day clean-up in the morning was a bit of a wash-out due to rain, but the Fair was almost all indoors and lots of fun! The 4-H had a rock painting station, and the Girl Scouts painted faces! One of the naturalists did a Raptor show with his special guest, a Red Tailed Hawk named "Bet." There were lots of good things to see and do.

I brought my Totes and Baskets, Lunch Wraps and Snac Sacs. The big hit was the "color your own bookmark" station with 2x4 inch strips of burlap and markers. I had many very nice comments on my handiwork, and really had a great time meeting people.

In case you're wondering, the backdrop display is a cardboard box, opened up and painted with leftover wall paint. I drew The Big Boat, and the picture in marker and used a bit of acrylic paint on the boat/globe. Very easy and very "Green" There are empty coffee bags for the tablecloth. Easy to carry, and good-looking.

Now I know I can do a fair! Look out world, here I come!

Nature's Beauty in the Suburbs

2010-04-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Yep, we live in the suburbs, no cabin in the woods for us yet, but we can still find lots of Nature on the short walk to the bus stop.These baby spruce cones are so vividly purple, and some of them look like strawberries among the branches..

Azaleas, I believe! A whole purple pink bush of flowers right under the front window!

The crab apple tree in bloom. M wondered if this tree produced fruit for crabs. I can't find the entymology of crabapple, I just told her the very bitter, little apples made people crabby! (perhaps we'll try some jelly this fall)

Look around your neighborhood for signs of nature! Plant something, in a pot, in the garden, or even in your soul. Here's my favorite Spring poem.

in just-
in Just-
spring       when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman
whistles       far       and wee
and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful
the queer
old balloonman whistles
far       and       wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and
it's
spring
and
     the
             goat-footed
balloonMan       whistles
far
and
wee
e.e. cummings

You could win SnapWare Glass Lock!

2010-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm getting tired of plastic leftover storage. I love the ease of cleaning glass, and the weight of it. Earlier I was reminded of these:

My Mom has them in her cupboards and uses them all the time! So simple, and the vintage patterns are fabulous! I'm going to keep an eye out for more this spring! But until I find some, I'm entering Sweet Greens Earth Week giveaway for SnapWare GlassLock! I've got a couple SnapWare that I love, so finding them is glass is even better!!

2010-04-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

Peace be with you!

My peace I leave with you

AlphaStones

2010-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

M's preschool is having a basket raffle soon, and the one for her class is themed "Move It". I wanted to make something fun for the basket that would get kids moving, outside if possible. I came up with a new hopscotch game I'm calling Alphastones.

A while ago I saw a post on making little pyramid bean bags at Ikat Bag. She knew them from her childhood in Singapore, so I made a set for my cousins who lived there for a while.

The concept is so simple, take a rectangle of fabric and sew a square pocket. Turn and fill with beans and sew shut. But instead of making a flat bag, you sew the last seam perpendicular to the bottom and it comes out in triangles! I keep getting little stone shaped pieces when I square up the corners on my bags, so I made some orange and green ones at Easter that have turned into pincushions.

This time I made 7 stones, from 3in X 6in scraps of denim. (No new jeans were harmed in the making of these stones, all the jeans had huge holes in the knees!) Then I painted the letters of the alphabet on the sides with fabric paint. All the letters are there, plus an extra A and U for good measure!

Here are the rules:
Draw a grid on the driveway with chalk, putting all the letters in the squares.

You can do this in any order, QWERTY if you have a keyboard handy for reference, or whatever.
One player is the "Jumper" and they stand near, or on, the grid.
One player is the "Caller" he tosses the AlphaStones in the air, then picks up each stone and calls out the letter on the bottom, and a form of movement.

So, the Caller may say "jump to letter N" and the Jumper will jump! Or hop, spin, wiggle, whatever.

Here is the command "Fly to letter K." I'll put the stones in a little bag and write up the directions. I've already got one more set on the sewing machine to keep at home.

By the way, helmets are not required, unless you are riding your bike in-between rounds of the game.

S'Mores!

2010-04-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

It is a sign of warmer weather, when I actually light the chiminea, and get out all the supplies for s'mores. This year, I made home made graham crackers, so I had to light the fire for the first s'mores of the season.

See, they were so good I couldn't even get a picture before Jonah took a bite out of his.

the recipe came from Angry Chicken, with a couple adjustments. They were wonderful, much better than store bought, and we could cut them in any shape we wanted. This will be my go-to animal cracker option! I made the squares a bit small for S.mores, yumm!

Spring has Sprung

2010-04-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Each petal perfectly aligned with it's neighbors, in colors that artists and photographers struggle to reproduce. A flower is a celebration of creation in miniature.

Spring is here, and the world in central Minnesota is waking up again. The kids are playing outside and neighborhoods seem to be occupied for the first time since the snow started piling up.

Today, a good friend of mine is ready to receive her own spring. She is prepped and ready for a new heart.A real beating heart, to replace the one she has that is tired and broken.

It is a bittersweet beginning, in the knowing that one life has ended, and in ending has gifted her with beginning. Like the end of winter coming with the spring.

Peace, to the family who's gift has brought life, and Hope, to the family who is beginning anew!

Windowsill Envy

2010-03-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

We are visiting my parents this week. I have windowsill envy:

Yep, 48 feet of south-facing windowsill! Ferns, begonias, african violets, purple oxalis (shamrock) and a few other random plants up here.

More Spring happyness!

2010-03-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

I know, it's still March, and Show is inevitable in Minnesota in March or April, but 6 50+ degree days have warmed my blood, and I'm sure that Spring will actually return! The Rhubarb is making its way through the mulch to fill a pie crust someday!

The Iris were green when I raked off their bed for the first time this spring, they are small, but they will be blooming before I turn around.

The best thing growing in the yard, in my opinion, are the neighbors! Finally all those kids who scurry to the bus stop, and scoot right back home are appearing after 4:15 and riding bikes! Yesterday was cloudy, but still in the 50's and there were 6 kids in the driveway! Rip Sticks, RC cars, Chalk, and energy. It was a beautiful thing!

This one was jumping for joy! Me too, to be honest!

Spring Windowsill

2010-03-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

What's in my window-sill? Mostly plants, a few odds and ends, bananas, vitamins, and the pile of plastic bottle tops waiting to go to Aveda's recycling program at J's school. The window is over the sink and looks out on the back yard.

Looks like some Cilantro ready to be added to guacamole! The potted Basil needs water. I love looking out over the plants, and finally seeing the grass again after 4 months of snow!

Here's the little greenhouse on the top shelf: Brussles Sprouts and Cauliflower seedlings, African Violet and Curly Begoinia cuttings. There is a grow light 6 inches above the sprouts, but they reach for the window anyway!

Easy Peasy Mac and Cheesy!

2010-03-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter what day it is, when I ask the Little Girl what she wants for lunch, she answers:
"Macaroni and Cheese, of course!"

Personally, I think the blue box kind tastes kind of, well, boxy. I was spoiled years ago by a friend who made her own Mac and Cheese when we came to visit. Once I could cook for myself, I mastered the dish.

It's not fancy, but my favorite is quick, easy, and uses ingredients I usually have on hand.

Macaroni: 8oz of your choice Shredded Cheese: 1 cup, whatever kind you like
1 Tablespoon butter or Marg. 1 Tablespoon Flour 1/2 cup Milk

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni, then drain it quickly and add back to the pot, and return to the stove.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle the macaroni with a tablespoon of flour, and drop in the butter, Stir that around a bit.

Step 3: Add the milk and the Cheese. It's not perfect yet, put be patient and stir!

There it is, Mac and Cheesey goodness!

Spring Sightings

2010-03-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

We've got seeds started on the windowsill! Miriam planted a six-pack with cauliflower seeds. I tucked a few Begonia and African Violet cuttings into another six-pack.

I made my first sale on Etsy, and had a request for some new patterns. I like the dinos! Maybe the Camo print will be good for bigger boys! Miriam has claimed the butterfly wrap.

The snow is melting from the yard, Easter is coming nearer and nearer, spring is definitely on the way!

Marmalade Chicken

2010-03-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago I made some marmalade. It looks delish, but the truth is it's too thick. I got impatient and added some pectin right before it finally started to jel. So it's impossible to spread on bread.

So, in an attempt to salvage some leftover rice, use up a bit of frozen chicken tenders, and enjoy all the citrus flavor of the solid marmalade, a new dish was born.

Needed:
2 cups cooked rice
6 or so chicken tenders or 4 breasts.
Optional: 1 sweet pepper cut into 1in cubes)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tb corn starch
1/2 cup orange marmalade (yours does not have to be too thick!)

layer in a baking dish: rice, chicken, peppers, marmalade.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Or: bake in Microwave for 10 minutes, covered.

Then, mix soy sauce and corn starch, add to the pan and stir to combine all ingredients. I break up the chicken at this point to make bite size pieces.

Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or microwave (uncovered) for 5 minutes to thicken sauce

Serve with steamed broccoli!

YUM! just the right thing for a pair of Dino-kids who are being omnivores!

Jackpot!

2010-03-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Note to Readers! It's March in Minnesota, which means cold and still snowy!

So when my inlaws came home from their vacation with this:

I was thrilled!!

A full burlap coffee bag from Kauai! It was like importing some warm sunshine into my snowy yard! I had to hang it up and get the juxtaposition!

The questions remains: what do I do with it?

The logo is so beautiful and huge, I don't want to chop it up!

Winter is beautiful!

2010-02-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you combine Bins of CrayPas, Blue Construction Paper and First Graders?

Art, of course!

Inspired by Deep Space Sparkle's Winter scene, did our own little winter project.

Set-up was easy: My little helper and I put one piece of blue construction paper at each stool, and a paint tray with the Cray-pas: black brown, white and red.

The children started with the snow, filling in with the white pastel. I asked them to make the line in the bottom third of the paper, and not to make it too straight.

The tree was next. Using black and brown they drew a leafless tree from the snow to the top of the page. Everyone has their own image of a tree!

To finish they added a little red squirrel. I even had a table set up for the kids to spatter-paint snow falling on their picture. They had a blast!

Wishing For Spring

2010-02-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

It's the Ides of February.
Transfiguration and Valentine's today.
Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and My Father's Birthday on Tuesday.
At least 12 in of snow on the ground and more in the air.

Frost on the bean trellis made me wishful for spring.
So I visited the Seed Savers Exchange (online, that is) and got busy dreaming:

Purple Beans for the Trellis

These never actually make it into the house because the kids eat them all.

Purple Peas, because I love peas, and I love purple

Winged Asparagus Peas, because they look like fun!

And Candy-Striped Beets! YUM!
The Science Officer loves beets!

Hopefully the wagon will be full of produce rather than snow in a few months!

Etsy Shop Up and Running!

2010-02-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

Finally! During the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics last night I opened my Etsy Shop.

The Big Boat: Burlap, Bags and Snac Sacs!

Not much listed yet, but more will come as I get samples sewn and pictures taken!

Pink Petals Wrap and Sac Set

Basic three Snac Sac Set

Burlap Bucket

Hearts on a String

2010-02-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, Valentine's parties are on Friday. This doesn't give you much room to wiggle, but here's our project this year:

Hearts on a string!

It all started with a pile of Construction paper scraps. We sorted the colors and shredded them into little pieces, and put them in a bowl full of water to soak overnight.

They looked so pretty sitting on the windowsill.

Next day we put it all in the blender, added water and beat it to a pulp. The pulp and more water went back into a big bowl. I made a deckle out of a embroidery hoop and some window screening. We put flower seeds in some of the pulp, to make plantable paper!

Then came the fun.
The kids got to help scoop the mushy pulp onto the deckle, and flip it upside down onto a piece of old sheet.

It's called couching, but really, it's just flipping circles of pulp onto something absorbent so the water can start to drain off.

I'm the type to use what's around, so the sheeting is really a torn-up sheet, and the toweling underneath is a towel.

Red construction paper bleeds a bit, so there is a plastic bag between the towel and the counter. After getting one batch done, we stack the sheets between a few sheets of newspaper, and smoosh them in the kid's flower presses. Anything flat will do.

Finally spread out the sheets somewhere to dry. I pinned burlap to a drying rack for breathable shelves, and the whole thing fits in my laundry room. (the warmest room in the house with the furnace going!)

Read more about papermaking here.

Tomorrow you can see the finished sheets!

Bag Lady!

2010-02-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

I've been sewing in response to a request for Snac Sacs for one of the boys in Miriam's pre-school class and the intention of getting an ETSY shop up and running. The Big Boat shop, of course!

Here's what I made for Carson: A three bag set in blue with a Dino on the front of the large Sac. The Dino is purple on the bag I made for Carson. This set should be just right for lunch.

Then I worked on a girl's set with a sandwich Wrap instead of a large Sac.

The Wrap opens up to become your placemat! The Snac Sacs can fit inside the wrap, if your sandwich isn't too big, or when you're all done. I think I'll make a matching napkin to go with this set.

Here's my favorite have-with-me-always bag! It folds up into its own pocket, and is the size of a cell phone! Holds a whole grocery sac worth of stuff. There's a half gallon of milk and loaf of bread in this on and it's not even full.

I'll make an active link to my shop when I get it up and running! Now I'm off to pick up the Communications and Security Officers! (aka my kidlets)

Good doggie, good doggie!

2010-02-02T05:42:00.000-08:00

We have a Can Do Canine, aka service dog in our household. The Admiral, (my hubby) has Cerebral Palsy, and Guido is a great help, picking up dropped items, carrying things, and opening and closing doors. He's also a big hit at work, where he's the Chaplain's Helper. (The Admiral is a Chaplain at a couple Senior Facilities) Guido is new to us, but we fostered a service puppy last year, Winston. We have all learned about positive and negative reinforcement. Both dogs respond much better to treats and praise than they do to the word "no!"

One of the trainers posted this on our yahoo group for puppy raisers, it's a great reminder about how to treat our animals and our children.

The person writing it was working with kids who were at a summer shelter workshop similar to the one Animal Humane Society offers kids. The group decided to use humans to demonstrate positive reinforcement vs. negative reinforcement so they could better understand how to help their animals.

Leslie

============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ======

Our first volunteer went outside the room while we decided what we wanted him to touch. We would use only positive reinforcement (the word good rather than clicks from 18 kids) when the youngster was headed on the quickest path towards our target. He was great, the trainer-kids were great, and the classroom was joyful. The young man quickly learned (within 90 seconds) to check-in with the class if he hadn't heard a 'good'. As he reached the target area, he would offer small behaviors, check in for the good, adjust his behavior, and offer another. He felt outstanding when he reached the target - touching the tail on horse in a photo - as did the whole class who

cheering him (and themselves) on.

Then we went to only telling the volunteer when she was wrong. This cheerful young girl went from a happy volunteer offering behavior after behavior to a frightened child who was afraid to move in fear she would be told she was wrong. It took less than 3 minutes to destroy her enthusiasm. If that wasn't bad enough - the class kids who were so happy just 10 minutes prior were silent and looking away.

I stopped it, went to the young girl, thanked her for her work and told her she was being very good. Then I asked her if she felt she could tell us how she felt. This brave little one took a deep breath and said a single word - stupid. The whole class immediately cried out that she was smart and good and all the pleasant things kids say to each other. That positive reinforcement brought a smile to her face and she relaxed enough to shed a few tears.

We asked her what she thought could help her in her search. She asked if we would tell her good (like the boy), never tell her she was wrong, and maybe, if it was okay, let her know if she was paying too much attention to a unimportant area. We all agreed! We would use GOOD and, if she seemed to get stuck, we would use the cue NOTHING.

They youngster was a bit slow at first, testing the waters, and the class jumped on each tiny move she made in the quickest direction with GOOD!!! The two times she thought she was in the right area - quick, very quiet, almost whispered NOTHING from several class mates set her on her way again. She found the target within minutes. She shed a few tears again, this time happy ones.

After that, we went on to questions & answers about how to help their dogs (and cats) at home modify their behaviors. It was great to encourage the kids, based on what we just did, to find positive ways to let their animals know what behaviors people wanted to see - rather than always telling the animals NO.

Lifelong Learning

2010-02-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

Yep, my kids go to public school. On the bus, in 6 degree weather! My little one goes to pre-school three mornings a week, and I'll hopefully be teaching some on the other two days.

But I still love reading Home-school blogs. And I don't feel bad that I take advantage of the teachers and community in the local school district. Because we don't stop learning when we get back off the bus and come home!

J keeps finding letters in everyday objects. So far it's all been food! Here's a small "e" and a letter "C"

We play card games and cook, and have been doing more crafts that the Admiral thinks necessary. But the things that they learn!

One of my favorite HS sites is Ordinary Life Magic. They are always doing crafts and cooking and science! Today I found their Science Kit Giveaway! I'm hoping for a big box of magnets!! Click above and you can enter too.

Have fun, and keep learning!

I just hate it.... ( not a crafty blog, a pastory one)

2010-01-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

I just hate it when God loves the people I love to hate! The poor, the sick, the ones in prison, the ones with purple spots, the people who butter their bread underneath!

Ok, really, that's exactly what I love about God. God challenges the world's definitions of worth, value and propriety. God loves the Vikings and the Packers, God loves the Wildcats and the Jayhawks. God is bold enough to love Osama Bin Laden and Barak Obama!

Hey, that means, God just might love me! Even if I'm not at my ideal weight, underemployed, or slightly less patient than Job. God looks at me like I look at my kids who are jumping on the couch, not cleaning their rooms, and crying. I'm thinking, someday they'll turn out to be something great, I just have to wait.

That also means that God for sure loves you! Even if you can't sew a straight stitch, or play a concert on the violin, or make a million dollars throwing footballs around, God thinks you are Awesome! In fact, the smaller you feel, the more God loves you! This God has a soft spot for the youngest sons, the regrettable daughters, the widows and orphans who get pushed to the side in our world.

Valentines ideas

2010-01-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

A Shredder, and construction paper scraps, a little water and you get a great medium for making Valentines!

The little helpers and I sorted and shredded some construction paper, and soaked them overnight. The little choirboy in the window is keeping watch!

Next day I put a few hadfuls from the bucket-o-blue into my food processor, and enough water to help things spin, a tablespoon of cornstarch and TA DA! Purple Clay! It's a little wet at this point, so I put it in my wire colander and pressed out a little water.

M helped me test out the mixture, and we made some hearts. Most of the clay is still in a bag, ready to be worked with. These test models are ready for their photo debut, though!

I can't wait to see them dried.

Tomorrow I'm going to make a deckel and make some home-made paper.

Add a couple flower seeds to the mixture and you have plantable Valentines!

The other idea floating around the house is to use the shreds to decorate paper-bag hearts.

Since all the red paper was soaking, these are more a fall collection of color, but they are pretty. I'm thinking that sparkles are called for in the next incarnation.

Dance of the Jelly Jars

2010-01-29T18:23:00.000-08:00

Making Marmalade!

Step 1: Naked Grapefruit
Carefully pare the orange peel, trying not to get the bitter white pith, off your oranges and grapefruit. Today it was about 5 small grapefruit and 3 oranges.
Pile up the peelings and julienne: cut into matchsticks. This batch gave me 2 cups of peel.

Step 2: Boil the peel
   combine 6 cups water and the 2 cups peel matchsticks in a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Then strain the peel, discarding the water. Peels can go back in the pot.
Step 3: A pulpy mess
   Now you have all those naked fruit. you want the pulp, in other words the part you usually eat. I got fancy and cut out each section, after slicing off all the white pith. I got 4 cups of fruit in the time it took to boil and strain the peel.
Step 4: All together now!
   Add the pulp to the pot with the peel, and another 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and boil 5 minutes. Now turn off the heat and let the pot sit 12 hours, or overnight.

( I took all the parings, and membranes and pressed out a cup of juice!)

Next day:
Step 5: Jelly jar round up.
   Dig in the basement, garage, cupboards, or where ever you keep your empty jelly jars. I gathered at least 8 half-pints. At the same time make sure you have new lids and clean rings for all the jars. Pull out your canner, and accessories, like funnel, jar-lifter, lid magnet, dancing music.
Step 6: Sterilize.
   This is important! Place all the empty jars, the funnel, your ladle, and the rings in the dishwasher and start a hot wash cycle. The flat lids do not go in the dishwasher.
Step 7: Prep work. ( the part they don't put in the Ball Blue Book)
   You'll want a space next to your stove to place the jars once they are ready to fill. I like having a towel, then a cookie sheet, and another towel. Get a couple clean dishcloths, and put that music on.
   Fill your canner with about 4 inches of water, and set it on the back burner. If you have a jar rack, set it aside, and your jar lifter too. (if you are like me and store it in the canner) Find your potholders, and something for the kids to do while you are canning.
Step 8: Boiling, Boiling, Boiling, keep that jelly boiling!
   I like to get my water bath up to boiling, then turn it of and keep it ready.
   Next, heat up that pot of pulp-peel-water and boil a bit more until the peel is as tender as you want it. Take it off the heat, and measure how much is in your pot. This time I had 8 cups, so I added 8 cups of sugar.
   Now comes the hard part. Bring the whole mess to a boil, and stand there stirring until the mixture almost sheets off a spoon. This took almost an hour today, and I got impatient. You are boiling off enough water to form a jelly. You know it's ready when it gets a bit thick on the spoon, and a bit put on a cool saucer and chilled to room temp in the freezer gets thick. Take the pot off the stove.
Step 9: Canning, or actually Jarring!
   Those clean, sterile jars should be ready. get them out of the dishwasher and place them somewhere so you can ladle the marmalade. The rings need to be clean, and the lids need to be in boiling water.
   Using a funnel if you have it, fill the jars, wipe the top of each jar with a clean damp cloth, place a lid on it and then the ring.
   Hot Water Process 10 Minutes! That's another blog entry!

One! a card game

2010-01-28T17:06:00.000-08:00

M's doing really well recognizing her numbers, so we moved on to letters! Since our favorite game in the house is "UNO!" I made up cards with the letters of the alphabet on one side, and J's sight words on the other. Then I printed them on four colors of construction paper. We play like "UNO!" M's young enough that seeing the cards ahead of play, as well as the colors, makes no difference. Playing with the sight words is fun too, since M's learning the words along with big brother.

I moved up from printing small cards on construction paper, to making real cards out of business card stock. I made a set for M's preschool. One letter and one sight word per card, then printed the cards in three colors. The kids love it! Even if you used old business cards and wrote the words, or letters in three or four colors of ink, that would work, and be really low-tech and eco friendly!

It's still a good game to play at lunch time!

I Made it Myself!

2010-01-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Fritz and his loan of a new circular saw, check it out! It's our new card holder! Miriam especially has trouble holding a hand of cards, so I've been playing with ideas. Here's the final product.

Start with one 2x4, I had a 4' length. I marked two lines about 1 inch from one edge and one inch apart.
Then I set the saw at a 15deg angle, and a depth that wouldn't go all the way through the board. Clamping the board to my work surface, and wearing the saftey goggles that Jonah insisted I put on, I cut the two angled slots the length of the board. Then I cut the board in 9" lengths.

I sanded the ends, and even folded a piece of sandpaper and sanded the slots. I should paint or finish these, but it was getting too cold in the garage! Plus the kids wanted to play Kings in the Corner, so that will have to wait.
It worked perfectly. M and J can see all their cards without laying them on the table for all to see. If I knew where to get the long maple blocks like Grandpa Green used to make, they would make a really fancy one.

I also got the 4x8 sheet of white board cut into 10x15 inch boards for Jonah's art class. Fritz's saw is now dusty, but work got done!

Messenger bag!

2010-01-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

My first messenger bag!

I found the tutorial here on mmmcrafts. so I had to try!

The bag is made from a Dunn Bros Coffee bag. (with and iron-on interfacing) The lining is from a huge roll of navy blue nylon I found at Hidden Treasures! (my fave thrift shop!)

I made the pocket inside the flap from an old pair of Jonah's jeans. The strap is from the local arm-navy store. And, of course the thread came from the stash in my basement. The only new material in this bag is the interfacing.

I really should keep this one for the soon-to-open ETSY shop, but I think I'll give SIL Leslie first dibs, since she did her semester abroad in Kenya. Plus I've learned a bit about centering the logo for the flap! Otherwise the whole bag took me about an hour, and the directions were really helpful!

Fair Trade fancies!

2010-01-22T12:59:00.000-08:00

Ready for a cuppa? One of my favorite places here in the Twin Cities is Dunn Bros Coffee. They roast their own coffee in each store, and have better prices than the competition. The roasters are glad to have someone take all those burlap bags out of the corner where they stuff them. So I brought some home to stitch with. (thanks maya*made for getting me thinking!)

My first attempt was a simple tote.

Unwashed coffee bag, I trimmed it down to a nice size, made a simple nylon lining, and a self-fabric strap. I just loved the Fair Trade globe logo on this bag! It's holding two half-gallons of soy milk, a bag of wheat flour and oranges!

Since it was a coffee bag, I made a couple cup cozees. I'm still working out the details on this one. I like the big button!
I've done a really crooked little purse, too. I don't think I'll even photograph it.

Next up, messenger tote!

Sapo, the Feel Better Frog

2010-01-20T13:09:00.001-08:00

The making of "Feel Better Frog"

A dear friend is scheduled for a hospital visit, so it was time to get sewing. Her recent FB post noted that she needed a stuffie of some sort, and we're a praying sort of family. So, the Feel Better Frog was born.

I started with the Purl Frog pattern from the Purl Bee. Then I stretched out the middle to make it more of an eye-pillow length, and made it in green fleece.

We filled our frog with 1c rice and 1/2 c flax seed, and added two drops essential oil of lavender and cardamom. J said a prayer over a little white button, and M picked out the pink one I used for the heart. J's is tucked inside the frog. This is for a grown-up friend, so buttons are OK, but I might make some for babies with embroidered eyes, and all the prayer buttons tucked inside.

Rice and flax filling is great for the small limbs of this frog, and you can pop him in the micro for a minute for a little heating pad. The scents are optional, of course.

Selling what is free

2010-01-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

I'm more of a preacher than a saleswoman. It's easy to write a sermon, or tell a story about God's FREE gift of grace, offered to all. That's my favorite part of the story, God's gift of life is for everyone, and no-one has to pay for it, Jesus paid for everyone. Something like an open bar of living water!

People sometimes have trouble accepting something for free. In Today's Bible Reading Simon tries to pay for his baptism, and Peter rebukes him.

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money! Acts 8:18-24

Peter knows that the living water runs freely, but Simon is sure that there must be money involved. If something has value, we try to put a price tag on it.

One baptism: $150.00; One forgiveness: $40.00; Salvation for eternal life: priceless.

It's really all free!! Baptism is the ultimate free gift, since it doesn't need special water, or even a special person, just any available water and the Word: Baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Then, for less than a cup of coffee at Dunn Brothers, you have eternal salvation, and an extended family that's out of this world.

As I write this, Haitians are struggling to find water of any kind after a devastating earthquake. One gift that many people take for granted, plain, ordinary water, is harder to find than salvation in a ravaged country. This is when the extended family comes in to play. People around the world have stepped up to ask "How can we help?" others have just gone to give first aid, water, and food to the people of Haiti.

Sometimes what is free leads to giving what is valued. Not in return for salvation, but because of salvation. I know that I am loved, and saved, and fed. Therefore I give to those who struggle for food and water and life.

Yes, you can click on How can we help to be directed to the ELCA's disaster relief page. The family of God that gathers under the name Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been working in Haiti, and will be there long after the news anchors go home.

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

It's 2010, an new year, a new decade, a new beginning.

So here's the resolution: Update this blog at least once a week, possibly more.

The reading for today, 1/11/10 includes this powerful verse:
At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel Judges 4

As the church universal struggles with women's leadership, and sexuality issues, this verse reminds us that none of it is new! When Israel didn't listen to God and were sold into slavery, God sent a woman to Judge. To sit under a tree and listen to disputes, and apply God's judgement. Simple, and profound.

When the Lord needed a military leader, to deliver His people from slavery, Deborah delivered the summons to Barak. Much like Moses, Barak didn't want to go alone, he insisted Deborah come to the battle. Even after Deborah reminded him that if she were there too, the victory would be seen as hers, a woman's!

So, once again, the Nation Israel is delivered from slavery though the work of a woman. Moses' mother. Deborah, Ruth, even Tamar. Why fuss over gender when God marks the choice? Why fuss over age, or ability, when God's call is good enough? We don't need to worry about particulars when everything is in God's hands. When the people need guidance God sends a guide. Our response is to listen and return to the word.

The Word if God is this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. And Love your neighbor as yourself!

Here in this place

2009-12-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

There is a hymn by Marty Haugen called "Here in This Place." It's one of those songs that gets stuck in my memory and shows up at the oddest times. The song seems to be about the church, the building, and all the life and faith events that happen there. This Place is a place where all are welcome and all are fed. Not usually a Christmas hymn, but today I beg to differ. For it is the place of Jesus' incarnation that all are gathered and all are fed.

Read the first verse, in the midst of Advent:
Here in this place, new light is streaming,
now is the darkness vanished away.
See, in this space, our fears and our dreamings,
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in - the lost and forsaken,
gather us in - the blind and the lame.
Call to us now, and we shall awaken,
we shall arise at the sound of our name.

At the moment I'm listening to Anne Rice's "Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt" as I travel to and from work. Yes, Anne Rice of Vampiric fame, has written a fascinating novel on the life of Jesus from ages 7 to at least 8. (I'm not done yet!)
Today, Jesus' older brother (son of Joseph, and his first wife) told Jesus what happened on the day of his birth. Young Jesus had learned that he was born in Bethlehem, and that the only room was the stable. Now he heard his brother tell of Mary, who at the birth wondered "Why? Why here in this place?" After the Angel Gabriel had announced this birth to Mary, and confirmed it with Joseph. After Elizabeth's son jumped for joy! Why was he born in a stable?

Mary's questions were soon answered as the Shepherds came to worship the new-born Christ the Lord. The one the angels announced once more, and this time they said it plain and clear: "You will find him lying in a manger, in a stable"

Christ was born, here in this place, for us to see, and know and worship. This place is a stable in Bethlehem, a cathedral in Rome, a church in Harper's Ferry, the home where you live and pray, and sing. The more I listen to (open this in another window and let it run) the hymn, and read through all the verses, the more I believe it is a Christmas Song.

From Generation to Generation

2009-12-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

Psalm 90; A prayer of Moses the man of God.
¹ Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
² Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
How many times have you celebrated Christmas? 20, 40, 85? The story never changes, the ending is always the same. But the celebration is never the same! From Generation to Generation the story has been told of God Incarnate: in the flesh.
Born as a child in a stable.
Laid in the hay by a very human mother.
Looked after by the ever-patient Joseph.
Announced by angels.
Visited by Shepherds and Kings.
But the telling is never exactly the same.
There are perhaps more tellings of this story than any other. More books, more sculptural depictions (Nativity Set) more plays and programs and music about this one birth, than about any other single person in the world.
This oldest story has one message: God love you so much that He came to visit in person, to save you from your sins.
The most told story has a million meanings. May you find meaning in the story of Christ's birht this year.

Fall into creativity

2009-11-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming and my mind is getting fat! So are the piles of unfinished craft projects I think will be awesome for Christmas. There is a glue batik project awaiting the dye, and a fall leaf thing that needs rescuing. I've got the jar ready for the first grade art project, ( now were did the tissue paper and plastic jewels go?) So many ideas, so many distractions! An I wonder why it takes J forever to get his clothes on when there are so many things to play with along the way.

Thank goodness God is never distracted.

Ps 121: ¹ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

² My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Never will the LORD let you fall or be forgotten on a sewing table while He runs off to play with some other toy!

A prophet to the nations!

2009-11-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

⁴ The Lord gave me this message:
⁵ “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4,5

This image of one of my newest nieces is cool, blue and beautiful. Two little girls were known before they were born, who are loved now that they are born, and will be forever held in highest regard!

Will they be prophets like Jeremiah? Of course they will! They will learn the Word of the Lord, and proclaim it to the nations. Imagine this if you will. These infants already have a global following and an international family. Before their eyes even opened there were people around the world rejoicing in their birth. Just the publication of this note proclaims the joy of the Lord in at least three countries!

If the Lord God has known and loved these tiny little girls, then surely the Lord God knows and loves you!

Holy Visions, Daniel!

2009-11-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

Back in the boat, I am caught and confused by today's bible reading. (according to the list by ECLA that pops up my blog) Daniel 8:1-14 One Ram and one male goat, and more strange horns than you find on most deer.

Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one that
spoke, "For how long is this vision concerning the regular burnt offering,
the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary
and host to be trampled?" And he answered him, "For two thousand three
hundred evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary shall be restored to its
rightful state."
Daniel 8:1-14

It's the kind of vision that can mean nothing and anything. It can be "translated" into a hundred cautionary tales, and God only knows which one is right. It's the time in the church year that we are presented with these apocalyptic tales and allowed to wonder at the connections between Daniels visions of 3000 years ago, and the nightly news. who is the all-powerful RAM? What MALE GOAT comes to trample on the Ram and assume the burnt offering and the host?

I don't know...

I live, I love and I laugh.

I try to give myself and my sacrifices to the God who made me and loves me.

I lift up the Host and the Cup and recall the lamb who died on the cross so that bloody sacrifices would no longer be needed.

I pray to the Spirit that my visions make more sense than Daniels.

Back in the boat

2009-11-15T13:29:00.001-08:00

It's been too many months. For reasons know and unknown, I haven't made the words of my heart known as the words of my fingers. But I'm back and the words are burning holes in my mind.

I've been leading Art Adventures for Jonah's first grade class. With the MIA, a group of volunteers go into clasrooms to share great art with the newest great artists. I got so excited about spending my tuesdays doing art with the kids, I asked if I could continue on my own. So I started to browse art project ideas. From that artist woman, and on around the community of art teacher bloggers. Then I stumbled on some unschooling-homeschooling blogs. My favorite at the moment is Ordinary Life Magic and 5 Orange Potatoes. Lovely photos, and fun crafts and experiments.

Makes me feel a little bad for not homeschooling my precious little ones!

But wait, isn't a day trip to the Kelly Historic Farm for Threshing day a serious home-schooling activity?

And reading at the cabin, not to mention anywhere else?

And things I don't have photos of:

Cooking, baking and eating.

Painting, drawing and building mable mazes.

Discussing the origin of babies and broccoli and chickens at all hours of the day.

I could not avoid homeschooling my kids, and vacationschooling and weekendschooling. Everywhere they go they ask and they learn.

Let's hear it for the boys!!

2009-01-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

My Three Kings!!
The cousins ushered on Christmas Eve, and their stair step smiles brightened every one's afternoon. In the Christmas Story, these three could have played the Kings pretty easily, and they do consider themselves "Wise Guys!" But his week's texts of the day put them in another story, one that is touched off by the first Wise Men.

The Magi from the East come to pay homage to a new King, an infant King. In their innocence they inquire at Jerusalem, perhaps thinking that the present King has had a son. This would have been a easy visit. Come in, give gifts, and head home. But no, this was no known Son, this was the Son of God, come to rule on Earth, and in the land of Israel, where secular power was not to be taken for granted. Since Herod had not just celebrated the birth of his own son, this news was disturbing, and he began the plot that would end some thirty years, ( and how many Herods) later. He feigns interest in the child, and sends the Magi on their way.

HA! Like God is going to be fooled by one man's lies. Jesus is visited, and whisked away. The part that twists at my heart is the next lesson. Herod, outfoxed by God, and avoided by the Magi, sends out his own hit squad, and rather than worry about which child Jesus might actually be, he has all the infant boys killed in one small town. That story always makes me hug my boys even tighter.

The lesson of the day for January 7th is from Exodus 1, where boys were again targeted for destruction:

Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every boy that is born to the Hebrews
you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live."

Again, one gets away, but many others are killed. Why do so many have to die, and the savior is saved? Why can't the God of all creation stay the hands of the soldiers and soften the hearts of the kings who order these executions? Does it make it any easier for us to hear the news of ethnic cleansing today, to know that somehow God didn't have the ability to stop the violence thousands of years ago, and God can't stop it now? Where is the savior out of Africa, or Bosnia, or South/Central America? Who will put an end to the fear and violence in the world?

Will it be you?

Waiting for Jesus

2008-12-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

Jonah is so disappointed that he can't hear God's voice these days. "Why doesn't God talk so we can hear him better?" he asks me over his breakfast toast. My only answer is that I don't really know. Explanations about listening to God's word through the words and actions of God's people don't quite cut it in the 5 year old brain.

What are you wanting to hear from God? Jonah wants a full tank of gas for the van, Miriam wants to see baby Jesus, I'm waiting for the traditional "Well done, good and faithful servant." Wait, wait, wait, maybe that's why Black Friday can be so spiritual; we all hurry up with great anticipation of savings and then we wait....

Today's Psalm 79 includes:

"Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name's sake.
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

Why should the nations ask where God is? Why do children long for the voice of their friend and comforter? Why do we look for God in malls and online, and forget to look in the manger?

The deliverer is coming. We will be saved, not from high prices, but from our sins. We will be delivered, not out of rising mortgages and health insurance premiums, but out of the despair and hopelessness of and God-empty life. We will receive help, from a baby in a manger, who dies on a cross with arms outstreched: "I love you."

Give Thanks, With a Greatful Heart

2008-11-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

This year I give thanks for

Life, love, and a warm house
one husband, three kids, and two cars
big families, church families, and foster kids
warm snuggles, sweet apples and dirty toes

purple beans, red tomatoes and fresh strawberries
muddy jeans, backyard swings and bathtub rings
old farms, license plates, and grandpa's arms
lawn mowers, snow throwers, and gas that's lower

a letter from an old teacher
a call from a new school
non-stop flights from Vancouver
Facebook, blogger, flickr and Yahoo!

black dog, new shoes, warm coats
new babies, wet clay, lakes
grey cats, typewriter keys, camera screens
life, love, and good food

Amen

Teaching!

2008-11-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

It's what I do in my spare time! Pretend to be a tree for Kindergarten classes! OK, it's not my spare time, it's my day job at the moment, and I love it! Sometimes I do the Resource Teacher thing, and sometimes I am a "regular" sub. This photo was taken in Jonah's class, but he's not in the picture. (sorry grandma!) Click on the post title to see the story in the paper or here.

Ah, this is the day we longed for!

2008-11-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

At last it has come! Lines are forming in front of churches all over and people can't wait to get in! Prayers are rising up from all corners of our nation, and around the world.

Oh, yea, did I forget to mention that they are lining up to vote. It's a strange twist in the separation of church and state to think that so many people will enter into their local church for the first time ever... New voters are turning out in droves. I'm sure the prayers are rich too. Prayers for this candidate and that one, and prayers of desperation for making the right choice among so many sordid choices. In this mud smeared campaign year, it's hard to see anyone for all the accusations.

This morning's Bible reading; Lamentations 2:13-17 is all about the kind of deceptive visions that have filled our airwaves in the last few months.

Your prophets have seen for you
false and deceptive visions;
they have not exposed your iniquity
to restore your fortunes,
but have seen oracles for you
that are false and misleading.

Lamentations is full of this depressing stuff. But the end note is that no matter how desperate the situation seems, God is still there, loving us. We can listen to false prophets and watch our world be destroyed by war, flood, and neglect, but God does not desert us. So as you enter your local polling place, go confident that your prayers will be heard!

your vote is your voice!

A face we can love

2008-10-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Roald Dahl is one of my new favorite authors. His book, The BFG, had my 4 year old rolling on the floor laughing. His way with words is ripsnortingly hilarious. Then sometimes he gets fairly philosophical. In The Twits, he tells the story of two people, the Twits, who are mean and ugly:

If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until it gets so ugly you can hardly bear to look at it.

On the other hand, he talks about the kind of person we all hope to know.

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

Of course the rest of the story is just silly funny. Like many good authors, Roald has a great understanding of people and the way we act and think. He also puts into words the way we think about other people.

So, don't be a twit!

I believe I can fly

2008-10-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

A good frost and a stiff wind knocked the leaves off our trees today...A Time for Everything

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.

Ecclesiastes 3

A taste of the feast to come

2008-10-05T17:54:00.001-07:00

My cousin shot this image of white pine cones in the moss in the wilderness of the boundary waters. Dave was trying to give us a glimpse of an overwhelming vibrant green landscape.

This morning I had a glimpse of an overwhelmingly vibrant future feast. A mouthful of bread and a sip of wine contained within a worship service, a foretaste of the feast to come.

Morlock Photo a Day: 9/28/08 - 10/5/08

My Father's Hands

2008-09-29T17:09:00.001-07:00

I visited my parents this weekend, and my Father "helped" me with a project. Ok, he did the project, and I took pictures. His hands are beginning to look like the hands of his father.
This is my dad: working, creating, helping! Thanks be to God for Dad!

Fruits of Faith

2008-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

So.. for you, a parable that I keep hearing on the news:

The master set up a banking system that was fair, and just, and gave those who needed it access to credit enough to buy their own homes. And she put restrictions in place, and she set up the public institutions that would help honest, hardworking people, and allow for modest profit for the managers. But the managers took the profits and inflated them, using them for their own gain. They took great risks that encouraged people to borrow money they would not be able to pay back, and they inflated the cost of homes without bound.

The Master’s plan was unrecognizable, and the hardworking people were suffering greatly. Many who had bought homes with great faith in the Master’s plan were suddenly without work and without a home.

And the master sent in servants to reclaim the system and the managers chewed them up and spit them out. So the Master sent her son to challenge the lazy managers and they killed him and tore down all the walls and safeguards that the Master had built. And when the system would no longer bear up under the strain of bad debt and unwise investments the managers cried to the Master “Save us!”

What therefore should the Master do to the Manager?

“He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Matt. 21:40

Now is the time to be the good tenants! To build up the walls, tear out the weeds and re-dig the winepress that the Master built. See Matthew 21:33-46. Don't worry about who the bad tenants were, or might be, it leads to a far too political and judgemental reading of the parable.

Get out there and be the Good Tenant and press on with the Master's Plan!

Road Signs

2008-09-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Lead me in the path of your Commandments, for I delight in it. Ps. 119:35

Ever since I moved to Minnesota, there has been one intersection that has been under construction. "Unweave the Weave" is the friendly name for the three year project to reconstruct the intersection of 35E and 694. I don't think I ever drove the same route through that particular knot twice. It has been an exercise in reading road signs to get where one wants to go.

Once I would have railed against the machine that puts up all the detour and road closed signs. I truly believe that I-35 through Oklahoma City was under construction for 10 years straight, all in an attempt to slow down our family trips to Grandma's house!

Then the construction began on the intersection near my home, the one I always take off of I-35W. This intersection was a hassle turning left, because of a lack of lights and enough travel lanes across the bridge. So when things slowed down as the city added two more lanes to the bridge (actually building a whole new bridge in two parts) and putting up signal lights, I was thrilled.

I really didn't mind all the cones and barrels. I was pleased to see the "road closed" signs when it meant that my new bridge was being built, and I rejoiced when the old one was demolished. Even if that meant traveling around the back way to get to work a day or two.

When the I-35 bridge fell and the signs went up and the detours were made semi-permanent I gained a new respect for all the Annoyance of Orange.

Now, the weave is almost re-woven, my intersection is complete, and the new bridge is due to open next week. It is no longer a game of "chicken" to turn left, and I know so many new ways to get around Minneapolis.

All the signs and cones and barrels and barriers have a purpose: to send us on the safe path through whatever reconstruction is being done.

Psalm 119 reminds us that God's Commandments serve the same sort of purpose: to lead us on the safe path. Jesus' life and resurrection made that path a saving path.

Something human and fallen in us rails against the machine that says "Do Not!" Even when the "do not"s are God's good commandments. Even the "Do This" commandments make us cry out when it means we can't do our shopping on a Sunday.

Paul reminds us that all the "Do This" and the "Do Not" rules can be summed up in 5 words: "Love your neighbor as yourself". (Romans 13:9)

Starting School

2008-09-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Jonah's first Day of Kindergarten!

Miriam had to pack her lunch box as well, so we were all ready to go.

All in the Family

2008-09-01T08:38:00.001-07:00

Summertime fun is filled with family! This summer we've visited with family and friends from all over the globe and across the country. Every one is different, but everyone gathers around food.

The rice, curry, and lentils that we shared with missionaries and natives of Pakistan, the beans and brats and salad we ate in Kansas, and the rice and beans and arepas that we'll share with a new friend from South America are more alike than they are different.

Rice, beans, tomatoes and potatoes; bread (almost always round, somehow!) and fruit. Some combination of cucumber and cream. We call them by different names, and spice them differently, or not at all. It's food, and the love that goes in to preparation and serving, that makes the world go round, and makes it smaller than ever.

Baby Matthew (above) knows that food is good, and family is good, and it does not matter what color your friend's skin is. He's loved.

He sits ( bottom right hand corner) in the midst of a cluster of cousins with racial heritage spanning at least 4 continents, all sharing the same Great Grandparents. There is" Blond hair, red hair, brown and black hair. Blue, Green, Brown and Hazel eyes. Walking, waddling, toddling, running, and the one who was three days old and didn't come to the picnic. One observation: I can't group siblings by hair color, every family has multi-colored mops! But they all ate Aunt Marilyn's cookies!!

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.Gal. 3:28

In the good ole' Summer Time!

2008-08-22T15:49:00.001-07:00

It's almost time for school and the inevitable "What I did this Summer"
We had picnics in the back yard, and thoroughly enjoyed the swingset.
We made new friends and decided we need gates in the fence.
We went to the cabins, and Grandma's house and camping and a (very little) fishing.
We rode in boats and picked 'taters and planted 'maters.

We had Summer fun!

We went to the Indian Museum in Mille Lacs, Kelly's Farm in Elk River, the Fur Post, the Mill City Museum, the Children's Museum, and the History Center.

It's been busy and fun and sweaty and swimmy. We've had lots of baths and showers because the kids were dirty! In a great, summer fun sort of day.

I hope your summer was just as much fun!

Valley of Vegetables

2008-08-03T07:41:00.001-07:00

IMG_0469
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

Remember Victory Gardens? I know I read about them in history, when people were encouraged to grow their own food to help the "war effort." My little garden is more about fresh food and teaching moments. We've harvested radishes, carrots and sugar snap peas. The beans are coming in and we found our first cucumber today. Tomatoes are set on, but still green, and the beets are a growin'.

Chef Jonah

2008-06-23T13:19:00.001-07:00

Chef Jonah
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

The making of Chez de Macaroni!

This has to be the kids' favorite meal. Jonah's french accent when we cook this is a tribute to Rattatoui!

Like many of my favorites, this is more of a guideline than carved in stone. Any real sous chef will probably cringe at my techniques.

Cook up half a box of pasta: 8 ounces. Drain in a colander,. While the pasta is draining, add two tablespoons of butter to the hot saucepan. Melt over medium heat. Add two tablespoons of flour and cook for a minute or two. Pour in about a cup of milk and whisk to get out the lumps. Cook on med-med high for a few minutes until sauce starts to thicken. Add a big handful of grated cheese and still until melted. Add the pasta back into the cheese sauce.

Voila! Chez de Macaroni!

God Our Father

2008-06-16T19:03:00.001-07:00

God Our Father
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

Be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1)

How strong must you be to sing praise to God? If M and J are any measure, very strong, but not very big. M&J learned this prayer from a children's sermon at our new church. They fight over who gets to lead at each meal.

Be strong! As strong as a child who can run and climb and sing and play all day long! As strong as a 5 year old on 16 inch bike tires keeping up with mom on a 5 mile ride.
Be very courageous! As courageous as each recovering addict, as courageous as any cancer survivor!

"Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (more words to Joshua from the Lord)

God is with you... whether you are strong, courageous, or really tired and weak!

Amen

This I believe

2008-06-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

I don't think I ever felt so small and alone as when I started first grade at Christ Lutheran School in Murray, Utah. It didn't help that it was November, and I had just moved to town. Everyone else had been to Kindergarten together, and they all knew each other. They had gotten used to the teacher, and I was just new.

Miss Hughes is the first teacher I remember. She had a big desk at the front of the room, and I think she was really old. We learned our ABC's and 123's. We had a bible verse to memorize, and chapel every Wednesday. I'm sure the pastor who led chapel was really old too. I was afraid of Miss Hughes, and pretty sure that she wasn't really human.

This I believed!

At the end of my tenure at Christ Lutheran, after finishing 6th grade, my family visited Miss Hughes in her home. We ate a normal dinner, and then us kids listened to "Jesus Christ Superstar" on the record player. By this time, I'd grown up. I'd reached my full height of 5 feet, 2 inches, and had travelled around the world. Going into Miss Hughes' home was still frightening. She was the First Grade Teacher. By the end of the night, I finally met Miss Hughes. She wasn't inhuman, and she wasn't very old.

I think it was the record player, and the rock music that convinced me that my First Grade Teacher was really a nice lady.
I think it was some of the songs I heard around campfires at Lutheran Bible camp that convinced me that Jesus really loved me!

This I believe.

Who taught the trees to grow?

2008-06-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

We live in a world full of plants and trees that we didn't plant. This question was posed to me this morning: How do the trees know how to grow?
My answer was that God taught the first trees to take sunshine and water and make food and grow. The trees remembered and still do just that. Like a top that you set spinning, the world just keeps spinning according to God's original plan.

17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Mt. 7 NLT

In God's original plan, Apple trees produce Apples, and Olive trees produce olives. When trees produce good fruit, according to God's plan, they are useful, loved, and protected. A good child of God produces the fruits of God, and these can be seen and appreciated; kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, healing, loving. Good children are loved and protected by God. Just and an apple tree can't help but produce apples, God's children, by thier God-given nature reflect God'd good image in all they do.

If a child of God turns from good and seeks evil, then they begin to bear sour fruit. Greed, violence, selfishness, and abuse are fruits of the fallen child. If an apple tree began to sprout thorns and bear thistles, it would be cut down. When orchard trees no longer bear good fruit, they are re-cycled as heat and mulch. Thank God a bad kid is not burned, but re-purposed with love.

Much of the seventh chapter of Matthew warns us against judgement of others. It is our place not to throw out bad fruit, so much as it is to foster good fruit. Be aware of your fruit, and make sure it is good. Help your children and grandchildren know about Christ so that they too may bear good fruit. Pray for those whom you know are bearing bad fruit, and do not follow them into the furnace!

Promises, promises!

2008-06-02T18:51:00.001-07:00

rainbow
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

For the second weekend in a row, we've had dangerous storms roll over our home. This time it was during my birthday party, so we opened gifts in the basement.
After the storm, was the most brilliant and colorful rainbow I've seen in a long time. It was double for a long time too, and even my new camera couldn't quite capture it all.

It's a great reminder that after all the storms, comes God's promise of presence.

Peace!

Family Seat

2008-05-23T14:43:00.001-07:00

Family Seat
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

..teach them to your children, and your children's children.

Five Generations in one place. Or at least the memories. My Mother and I took my children to visit Carnahan Creek, where my grandparents and great grandparents are buried. It was a beautiful Kansas spring day, Jo and M were chewing on grass and hearing us talk about people they never met.

Jo knows that all these greats are up in heaven with Jesus, so the cemetery is to him a sort of full-sized family tree, as we walk through the names and try to describe the connections. The headstones tell their own stories, too. Walter C. Green was a Methodist Minister of the Circuit Rider generation. There is a medal with a horse and a minister near his head. Uncle Merton and Uncle Cecil served in the Army, as one can plainly read.

Not in our family, but near by, are the stones that speak of short lives, big families, and long histories. There are half-filled stones where one can see that someone has been left widowed. The grass is growing, the peonies were full to bursting, and the sun was warm.

I'm not a real big flower placer, but this trip reminds me of the value of visiting the past with the future. It is a time to tell stories, pass on blessings, and warn of curses. It can be a full sized family tree or stark reminder of a life lived alone. The little kids didn't come back with a sense of awe, but that's fine. They will learn and they will know and someday they may return.

Big Green Boat

2008-05-17T08:29:00.001-07:00

DSCN2731
Originally uploaded by thebigboat2000

After I saw some jeans made into purses a couple of years ago, I've been re-using the kids' old jeans to make bags for myself. I get so many compliments that I've been thinking to sell them too.
This is my first batch of purses for sale.

If you plant a garden in a forest

2008-05-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

The forest will take it back!

We plant six-packs of Impatiens; the willow drops millions of seeds.

We till and get in two rows of corn and potatoes; the black walnut employs twenty squirrels to plant two thousand seeds.

We divide the mums every year; the forsythia puts out 30 shoots, every year.

We'll never win. The forest, or the desert, or the prairie, or the ocean will always win in the end, even if we humans have some short term gains. Especially since our lifetimes even are short term to the forest.

This is bad if you are trying to raise food for your family under tree cover, as many subsistence farmers need to do.
This is annoying if you want to have a nice flower garden among the maples.
This is a challenge to be met day after day if you are trying to farm in Arizona.

This is GOOD NEWS if you are a child, parent, grandparent, or friend of anyone.

Why?

Because God is more persistent than the forest will ever be. Once God claims us as a child of God, we are always loved. Loved to death, in fact. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing.

We turn aside from God and seek material gain; God moves the path back in front of us.

We choose to sleep in on Sunday Morning; God shows up with the Monday paper.

We turn away and run pell-mell into the darkness; God follows patiently behind with a big, indestructible, never ending flashlight.

This is just plain good news. Whether you are the one running, or you are praying for someone you know who seems to be heading the wrong direction. God will always follow, and be ready to take you back. God is listening to the prayers and dropping hundereds and thousands of little love helicopers in the world, ready to grow into the new life of Christ.

Thanks be to God!

On beyond Basil

2008-05-14T08:55:00.001-07:00

Miriam, Jonah and I are spending a week at Grandpa's Farm in central Kansas.

Grandpa's Farm is 3.7 acres of woods, lawn, and gardens. The kids are outside exploring and leaning, (shh, don't tell them!)

Jonah fell in love with Basil last summer, he'd bring it in from the back yard to put in his tuna sandwiches. This week he's moving beyond basil to mint, radishes and rhubarb. Central Kansas is warm enough for some spring crops to be ready to pick. Most gardens are in need of a weeding, and mint sometimes becomes a weed. As I was reducing the patch to a manageable size Jo came by to smell the air. that led to a whole discussion about mint, since his mints are round and mostly sugar! He's taken to chewing on a leaf now and then, and adding them to his lemonade. We picked radishes and lots of rhubarb. Radishes were not well loved, but rhubarb is becoming a real favorite. (stewed with sugar or in a pie!) We've found big caterpillars, live snails and lots of worms. There is even a litter of kittens in the window well.

This is a week of seeing what we've read about, of finding out where things come from, and what happens to the peelings. On beyond basil is a whole other world.

Have you moved on beyond basil in your devotional life? Can you take a step ouside the traditional sunday school stories and find Ruth, Deborah and Rhoda? Visiting the farm is a step outside our normal suburban life, and the kids (and I) find all sorts of new things to discover and see and experience.

See what you can find in the fine print between the stories you know so well.

Oh, and see if you can find a good rhubarb patch too!

Power

2008-05-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

"It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1, the reading for May 1.)

The energy crisis has hit, big time!
Prices at the gas pump go up more than down, and that's starting to have a real impact on drivers. We're conserving gas again! All those injunctions to make every trip count, do many errands in one round trip instead of going back and forth, as well as downsizing big SUV's, are really coming into fashion.

In a way, the world is getting bigger, as gas prices rise. We had gotten so used to believing that the whole world was within reach, now it is getting more expensive to go across the state. It takes Power to move our cars, or fuel the planes, and that power is in short supply, or so it seems.

Jesus sends us out to the corners of the earth, to spread the Word of God's Love, and provides us with the power we need. All the power we will ever need, and some more, to share. Next time you are at the gas pump, or buying airplane tickets, remeber that all the power you need to live is yours for the asking. "Give us this day our daily bread"

Amen

Another clay pot kind of day

2008-04-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today is another clay pot kind of day, the skies are grey, and even though the ice is finally leaving the lake, it's hard to remember that it is Spring. the kids are sick, someone stole my purse, and it's the last weekend at this call...

So it's helpful to read today's lesson: Acts 7:1-16 reminding us about Abraham, and Sara, Joseph and all those slaves in Egypt.

The reminder is: God was there, and God is here too.

I don't know what the official governmental take on this year is, but according to my family and friends and personal experience, we're in a recession. People are loosing jobs left and right, the housing market makes it impossible to move down to a smaller place, and gas prices keep shooting through the roof. UGG!
Abraham and Sarah trusted God through some pretty impossible promises: You will be the parents of a great nation, even though you have not yet had any kids in 90 years. You will Bless all Nations, but your descendants will be slaves of a great nation for generations. Even your attempts at circumventing my promises will bring a great nation into being.

What does God promise us? I will send you my Spirit, and I will be with you always.

Even when your position is eliminated 6 months before retirement.
Even when the bank forecloses on the house you've tried so hard to keep.
Even when all the medicine and diets in the doctor's book can only keep your child's seizures in the single digit range per day, not the 30's.
Even when you loose everything, or what feels like everything.

God is there. God's Spirit is with you, God's promise is everything, and no one, and nothing can separate you from that promise!

Food, food, and more food...

2008-04-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Wisdom has built her house,she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,she has also set her table. (Proverbs 9:1)

Following the story of Jesus sharing a meal with his friends at Emmaus, Monday's lesson recalled Abraham's meal with the Lord, and now Wisdom is setting the table.

We build families around the family table.

We build relationships over dinner.

We invite new friendships to blossom in the context of a picnic.

We bring food when a baby is born.

We celebrate a wedding with fancy food.

We support the mourning with casseroles.

Christ comes to us in the breaking of bread. Not only at the communion table, but in the simple acts of sharing sustenance with others.

When we entertain strangers, new friends, or family, the Lord is present.

Wisdom has set her table and invited us, simple foolish people, to learn wisdom. To drink from the fountain of life, and share in the feast of heaven.

No wonder we say "thanks" before a meal.

Yumm!

it's finally here

2008-04-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

spring has sprung and the kids are playing in puddles with no coats on

a long time ago, i memorised this poem by e.e. cummings,
it still rings in my ears, especially when it's spring...

in just-
in Just-spring
when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame baloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old baloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the
goat-footed
baloonMan whistles
farandwee

Jonah was a prophet, Ooo, Ooo! But he never really got it!

2008-04-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

If you don't watch VeggieTales movies like I do, that title won't make much sense.

Synopsis: If you were Jonah

Run away from God's call to save your enemies.
Cause a huge storm, and get thrown off a boat.
Get swallowed by a big fish.
Pray like mad, since you are sure you are dead, but really don't want to be.
Get spit out by the big fish, and finally go where God sends you.
Give God's message of salvation to your enemies, and have it accepted.
Wait for God's destruction of your enemies.
Get taught one more lesson by God about accepting other people into God's Kingdom.

If we don't get caught up in the big fish/whale argument, one big lesson to learn from Jonah is that God can, and will, save whomever God pleases. Our judgement of whether a person or a people are worthy of God's mercy has no impact on God's work, and indeed, God will save someone in spite of our protestations.

Jesus uses this illustration in today's Gospel: Matt. 12:38-42. God gave plenty of signs in the early days, Jesus' presence should be enough to prove his heritage. But people, like Jonah, don't really want to see thier enemies saved. We'd rather see our enemies take it in the jaw than give them the chance of a lifetime in Heaven.

Who are your enemies? Who would you rather see on the goat side of the fence, than in with the sheep? Don't risk the belly of the whale for a day's pleasure in retribution. Go with God and show mercy.

Amen

Jesus in the Old Testament

2008-03-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

Tremble, O Earth, at the presence of the Lord, who turned the hard rock into a pool of water, and flint stone into a flowing spring. (Ps. 114, ELW)

It is still snowing in Minnesota. This should not be particulary shocking to anyone who has lived here for long, but it's getting annoying. We can finally see the grass and it gets all covered up again! It's a gentle reminder that I'm not in charge of the weather. I asked the two 4 year olds that I picked up from preschool today, "who said it could snow?" One of them answered without a pause "Jesus."

Jesus can calm the waves and quiet the winds, I guess he can send snow on Easter Sunday. God who created the heavens and the earth can hold back the seas, make the stones cry out, and turn the rock of Christ's Tomb into a one-way street to salvation.

That same God has written your name in the Book of Life, knows every hair on your head, and has plans for you that are good, very good. God watches over your goings in and your goings out, your smiles and frowns, your work and your play.

Thanks be to God!

It's not just me..

2008-03-28T09:25:00.001-07:00

Paul writes to the Corinthians: Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me...It makes no difference whether I preach, or they preach. The important thing is that you believed what we preached to you.

Listen to lots of good preachers and you will hear truth from lots of different voices. All of whom are speaking by God's Grace, of God's Grace.

Just a reminder to us preachers that we are interchangable, the important thing is the Word, and the reception, not the preacher!

Amen

No more Dead Ends

2008-03-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.'

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

The Wednesday after Easter, we can still read the Easter Gospel and be encouraged that Christ goes ahead of us, always.

No matter how often you think you've hit a dead end, and there is no where to go except back, remember that Christ has gone ahead of you, so there must be somewhere to go!

I don't pretend to say that there won't be any bumps in the road, or that life will always be as smooth as a brand new highway.

For the last 6 months or more, there has been road construction at my favorite I-35W exit. As the workers tear down old bridges to build new ones there are "road closed" signs all over. It gets to be a bit of a pain at times, when it is hard to see around the big piles of dirt. Slowly and surely, though, there is progress. One new span opened last November. A new stoplight makes turning in and out of the YMCA much easier. New trusses promise another new span soon. Then with all new lights and everything the intersection will be much easier and safer to navigate.

God may not be in the road construction business, but God is in the life construction business. Sometimes stops and new starts, endings and beginnings, nights and new days are part of life. If we listen to the angels, "Christ has gone on ahead of you" and will meet you and be with you in whatever life brings. This month's layoff may give opportunity for a new career. Next week's funeral will bring sadness, sorrow, and a reminder of hope. Yesterday's road closure may bring a new, smoother, safer road.

Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God!

2008-03-19T08:57:00.001-07:00

Ever feel like life is an uphill climb with no end in sight, and you have a toddler sitting on your shoulders?

Last May, the kids and I went to Delaware Gap National Park. We climbed Dingman's Falls and the steps just kept going up and up and up. Miriam was one and she did her best to keep climbing, but then I had to carry her part way up.

We just kept going, and going and going. And then we got to the top, and it was all worth it. Eastern Pennsylvania is just gorgeous in late May, and back home in Minnesota it was still very grey. At the top, I know I said " Thanks be to God" for all of it: getting to the top, and seeing God's beautiful creation.

The Wednesday in Holy Week readings have a great deal of "just keep going" messages.

Is. 50:7: "Because the LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed...and I know I will triumph!"

Ps. 70:1-2 "Please God, rescue me! ...May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace"

Heb. 12:1 "Let us run with endurance the race which God has set before us"

Jesus needed those encouragements, as much as we do. He knew that his path didn't end in a beautiful waterfall, but death. He knew that the top steps were marked by the betrayal and denial of his best friends, not the smiling faces of super-fast sons. And Jesus did keep going. For us, for our salvation.

Thanks be to God!

The house was filled with the fragrance.

2008-03-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

John 12:1-11: the reading for Monday of Holy Week, 2008.

Mary, in this case presumably Lasarus' sister, bring the big bottle of expensive nard to anoint Jesus. Mary was the one who sat at Jesus' feet and listened while her sister fussed over the soup. She broke the bottle and poured the whole thing on Jesus' feet.

The house was filled with the fragrance.

What fragrance is your house filled with this week?

Corned Beef? (it is St. Patrick's Day today)

Hot Crossed Buns?

Wiggly Children? (if it's Spring Break)

Hope?

Fear?

Jesus fills our heats and minds with Hope, even in the midst of fear and darkness.

The housing market is on the edge of collapse.

The stock market is not far behind.

The church budget is way behind.

Nothing is certain anymore.

Except Death, and Taxes.

Except that Death has been defeated, and we don't have to fear death any more. Christ rose from the dead so that we will have eternal life. Even though our mortal bodies must die, at least that gets rid of the taxes!

May the fragrance of Hope in Eternal Life fill your House.

A Clay Pot kind of day

2008-03-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

Ever had a clay pot kind of day? It's grey, cool (32f) and Friday. The readings for the Friday before Palm Sunday are Psalm 31:9-16, Job 13:13-19 and Philippians 1:21-30.

The Psalm selection is especially depressing, and the first place I found the clay pot reference, in fact the psalmist declares that " I am as useless as a broken pot."

Job is almost never uplifting, and here he's railing at his friends for trying to argue God's side, and not doing a particularly good job. He calls them clay pots, full of ash.

Even Philippians today is rather grim: 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Paul is sure he will stay alive to do God's will, but somehow finds strength in suffering and struggling for Christ.

Clay pots are utilitarian, cheap and breakable.

On a clay pot kind of day I feel useless, cheap, and broken.

Then I remember the Genesis passage telling me that God molded human beings out of the clay, into God's own image.

Most of my favorite serving bowls are clay pots.
Utilitarian, yes, or perhaps Useful. As in full of uses.
Not exactly cheap, but not as expensive as silver or mass produced china. I like to find my pots in the potters studio, where I can see the wheel and the kiln in the background. Those pots carry the image of their maker with them.
Breakable, yes. But, then I have an excuse to go visit the potter again.

You are UseFull! God has good plans for you, sometimes carrying cookies, sometimes holding the scraps to go to the compost. Some days the table is set for a festival, other days it's just family. Even a holey pot can be life saving when it filters water. You are made for the glory of God.

You are not cheap! You do have your maker's image etched in your very being. Let people know where you came from, who make you, who moves you. You are not mass-produced, you are beautiful in your individuality.

You are breakable. For we have all fallen short of the glory of God. But Christ, as the potter, re-makes us and shapes us into something that will not break in the eyes of God. Over and over again, Christ makes us new.

You are Good Clay Pots!

Thanks be to God.

Even the rocks shall sing His praises

2008-03-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." from Revelation 11:15-19. March 7, 2008.

Are you singing that in your head, or, with your voice?

It is from the last piece in Handel's "Messiah."

If you have ever learned the whole thing, or even parts of it, I suspect it rings in your ears when you hear or read the bible passages that Handel used as lyrics.

We can't help but sing God's praise. The earth and the sky break forth in song, so do we.

What's your favorite praise song?

Amazing Grace?

Blessed Be the Name?

or something else?

Sing, and be glad!

Do you believe I can do this?

2008-03-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, March 5.
Matthew 9:27-34
vs. 28: Jesus asked the two blind men, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

Do you believe God can do this?

Give sight to the blind

make the lame to walk

heal the leaper

feed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish

rise from the dead

sit at the right hand of God

If we believe all that, why is it so hard to believe that God is doing any of it today?

I know a girl born blind who can now see.

I've see the lame walk after knee or hip replacement

My own father is a cancer survivor

God is still working miracles

Don't forget to ask

"Can you heal me?"

And be ready to believe

Are you thirsty?

2008-02-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

I'm trying something new, I have added the ELCA's Daily Bible reading to the sidebar of the blog. Then, I'll work on responding to the reading each day.

Today, Feb. 27th, the reading is: John 7:14-31, 37-39

Jesus is once again trying to define himself as the Messiah to those people who should be prepared to recieve him.

But they are not ready. Not for this Messiah.

Are you ready for the Christ?

Are you looking for someone who will answer all your prayers "yes", and support the course that you have set for your life?
Are you looking for a guardian angel who follows behind you and makes sure you don't stumble?
Are you looking for a bottle of water that never runs dry?

Christ will come and remind you that he follows God's plan, not ours. Jesus will walk with you and lead you, in right pathways, not necessarily the ones you choose.

Jesus calls us to drink deeply of the water of life, and care for the waters of creation.

no matter who you are looking for in Christ, Christ is looking for you, just the way you are.

A new perspective

2008-02-18T09:33:00.001-08:00

The world from three feet above the floor..

I spend my life looking at things from a perspective at about 5 feet above the floor. That's where my eyes are. Every once in a while I wonder what the world looks like from 6 feet up. This winter I got a view of the world from three feet up. Jonah took a bunch of pictures from his perspective. One suddenly sees a great deal more cabinetry, and not as much counter top, lots of legs and not as many faces, dogs and cats are bigger, and probably scarier.

God asks us to look at things from a new place: Love.

Love sees hearts, not homes.
Love sees ability, not disability.
Love sees possibilites, not dead ends.

Love sees loss, but also sees hope.
Love sees pain, and does not leave.
Love sees tears, and wipes them away.

Thank God for looking at the Love.

Blogged with Flock

Fig Leaves and Fine Clothing

2008-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 3)

What kind of Fig Leaves are you hiding behind? This Sunday, the texts of the day centered around Temptation; Adam and Eve's and Jesus'. The Tempter finds our weakness and pokes and prods, and casts doubt upon God's Love for us.

Too often we give in to the temptation, and when we realize that we have sinned, we hide behind our own fig leaves. Like a child who is caught with a hand in the cookie jar, we make excuses, create alabis, and generally try to hide our weakness, our nakedness, behind some kind of fig leaf.

The trouble with fig leaves, is that they don't last very long. They don't make very good clothing. Somebody always sees through our deception, and the stories don't hold together as well as the truth. Everyone in church recieved a fig leaf of sorts.

Lent is a time to accept our fig leaves, and hand them over to God. Lent is time to look at what we are hiding, and what we are hiding behind, and confess our weakness to our Creator.

21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3)

God will take those fragile fig leaves, and turn them into Fine Garments. Jesus' death on the cross and His Ressurection transforms our confessions into forgiveness. That's the good news!

Jesus didn't give in to the Tempters power, and in His strength, we too can find the strength to "just say no!" to all sorts of temptation. We can also be assured that when we do hide, we can come to God, confess our failings, and recieve forgiveness.

Thanks Be to God!

Dusty Prayers

2008-02-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Lectionary for Feb. 8, 2008: Psalm 51, Jonah 4:1-11, Romans 1:8-17.

Romans 1: 9 God knows how often I pray for you.

Take some time today to pray through Psalm 51, follow the link above or find it in your own bible. It is the Psalm appointed for Ash Wednesday, so if you went to worship that day, it might sound familiar. It is a confession of our weakness, and our desire to be strong.

Today's lessons remind us to confess, to pray, and to accept God's salvation.

Ash Wednesday I have the precious privilage of marking the sign of the cross on the forheads of people I love and praying for them in their humanity.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall
return"

Each time I make the cross, I pray for that person. That they shall not return to the dust too soon, that the dust of the world will not over come them, but that they will be strengthened for the jourey of Lent, and the journey of Life. It is a precious privilage, to reach out and touch so many in prayer.

Lent is time to remember that we are created from dust, the same dust that every person is created from, every animal, every plant. We are created from the same dust that the earth, the moon, the sun and the stars are created of, for it is God who created all of it, and all of us.

So remember that you are Stardust!

You are precious in the Sight of the Creator of the Stars. You are welcomed into God's Grace eac and every time you pray, "I'm Sorry". You are forgiven in the blood of the One who Died for you.

Jonah got very angry with God's forgiveness of the people of Nineva. People who "didn't know their right hand from their left." Even though Jonah was the one who preached repentance, he didn't expect it of the people, and his human desire for revenge overwhelmed him. He was more willing to give up his life for a plant than to see the people of Nineva given life.
Can we accept that God love not only us, but everyone? Remembering that we are dust ties us to everyone who is and was and will be.

Rejoice that God loves you, and your neighbor, and your enemy. For it is God's love that turns enemies into neighbors and war into peace, and this world needs peace.

In Faith,
Kris

Whine, Whine, Whine

2008-02-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

Today's daily Lectionary: Psalm 78:17-20, 52-55, Exodus 33:7-23, Acts 7:30-34

God's people, like little children, Whine! In Egypt they whine that they are slaves, once they are rescued, they whine that they are thirsty. As soon as God provides water, they whine that they need bread and meat. As soon as God gives them bread and meat, they whine some more.

I'll admit, I get really tired of my children whining, really fast. It doesn't take more than two requests for something that I've said no to to test my patience.

Thank God, God has more patience than I do.
God had listened to the People of Israel, and to Moses, whining about everything.
God's responce never changes:
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

God will personally go with you,
God will give you rest
Everything will be fine.

Now stop whining.
Never stop praying.

Lord, you are our shepherd and our God, lead us down your paths of righeousness, and give us rest. Forgive us for fretting and whining, and forgetting to trust. Help us to take of our shoes on your holy ground and accept your presence in our lives. AMEN

Heart Center

2008-01-30T09:10:00.000-08:00

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Ps. 27:9

My meditations yesterday after exercise led to my heart. As I listened to it beat, and imagined the blood flowing in and out, around and around, I saw the Cross in my heart. There are four chambers in your heart, and the walls between them form a cross. But more than that, I saw the cross that was written on my heart when I was baptized.

When we are baptized, the sign of the cross is made upon our forehead, and sometimes our chest. It's not a mark that is easily seen by others. On Ash Wednesday, we trace that baptismal cross in the ashes of our mortality. For a day or so, the mark of our salvation is visible. It reminds us every time we look in the mirror, it may give us chance to invite others into the conversation, if they ask about that black smudge on our head.

What about the other 365 days of the year? Does anyone see the mark of your salvation? Do you see the cross in your own life?

Take a moment, if you can, to sit back, relax, and listen to your heart beat.
Imagine the blood flowing in and around the arms of the cross,
In with the good, out with the bad,
Cleansing and renewing with each breath.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, and let me see Jesus, Amen

The Sun was warm today!

2008-01-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

In my attempt at finding next week's readings for study, I stumbled across Malachi 4:2; "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings."

Yesterday, the sun felt warm on my shoulder on the way home from Church. It had not felt warm for at least a week, as temperatures around here struggled to rise above 0 degrees F. Even on the sunniest days, which were usually the coldest, the sunshine didn't feel warm.

I hadn't noticed that I missed it, until it came back. Sunday's temperature hovered above freezing, and allowed the warmth of the sun to penetrate the van window on the drive home.

The warm sun felt good, and right.

God's Sun of Righteousness comes to heal and to warm. Jesus was the light of the world.

Only in our modern times have we been able to create light without heat.
Our days get dark, and cold, sometimes because the jet stream dips down from Canada, sometimes because things happen that cloud our heart. We shut down, shut out, and shiver in our loneliness and hopelessness. Somedays are cold and lonely because a loved one is gone, a relationship is crumbling, or health is failing. Even though we can look out the window and see the sun, we can't seem to feel the warmth.

Keep looking! Even when the thremometer dips below reasonable temperatures, the sun is still warm. In Minnesota, it won't ever be too long before the sun shines warm!

Even when we sit in darkness, we can be sure that the Sun is out there shining for us!

Are you sitting in the darkness, surrounded by light?
Is it so cold in your heart that you can't feel God's love?
Are you so lost that you think you'll never be found again?

May the Sun Shine warm in you, around you, and for you.

May the Spirit wrap you in the comfort of her wings.

May God gather you up like a little lamb and let you go free. "leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture"

Amen

growing in the light

2008-01-18T08:09:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year I received an amaryllis bulb and a pot for the flower. The poor bulb followed it's internal clock and started growing inside the box before I even opened it up. In the dark, this living bulb grew about six inches worth of flower bud and stalk, but it was white.

White is the color of mushrooms and asparagus grown in the dark. Since there is no light available to transform into food by the chlorophyll, the chlorophyll just doesn't appear.

Now, I opened the box, moistened the soil and planted my bulb. I have set it in a window and in just a day or two it turned green. The stalks are straightening up and growing toward the light outside. Dear plant doesn't realize it's below zero out there, it's just sunny!

If we live in the darkness, there are loads of gifts and talents that remain dormant, like the chlorophyll in the amaryllis. Sure, it was growing, but wouldn't reach it's full potential in the dark.

In the light, in Jesus' light, we grow to our full potential.

We are prophets and priests, healers and leaders, speakers and interpreters. We bear fruit of kindess, gentleness, self control, and peace.

In the light of God's Son, and the water of God's Spirit, God grows a great people.

Walk wet, living in your baptisim every day.

Walk in the the light of Christ, and let your gifts bloom.