Praying For...Oakley, one of the sweetest, funniest little girls I know. I pray that she will escape the evils of our time during her childhood and the same for other children around the world...that evil, power hungry leaders and usurpers will stop and think about the people and peace they injure especially those that are attacking and destroying the Constitution of the US at this time...namely Barak Obama. Many scoffed at people like me, when we said he wanted to eradicate the United States and liberty as we knew it. Can there be any doubt after his State of the Union 2014 Address? He believes he is above the law...no that he IS the law. True, he isn't the first to do this. Many from both parties got us to the point where he is able to do what he does. But he is nothing more than a fascist, socialist dreaming of totalitarian dictatorship with himself at the helm. We must pray to God that our countrymen will once again follow the values and truths of Jesus Christ...public and private virtue must be restored. It is the only way to turn this thing around.
Bibliophilia...just like Sammy, I sent Oakley Understood Betsey and a Kumon math practice book. I think I love children's lit so much because they make me remember times of sweet innocence. There is no smut in classic children's lit.
Cucina Fresca...It's tax season now, which makes meal prep sort of weird. I still make breakfast of miso soup or oatmeal and a big batch of green smoothies and carrot juice for snack attacks, but I don't have anyone to cook for most lunches and dinners. I make simple things like baked potatoes or salads, but sometimes I want something that will stick to my ribs. That's when I make one of my vegetable stews. Starting with a small can of tomatoes, I add to the pan a can of water, 1 T. powdered dehydrated veg, lots of spices and herbs, dehydrated spinach and cabbage, and a cup of chopped vegetables. The thing that changes up the taste are the guts: rice, pasta, beans, etc as well as the spices and herbs. Today I added 1/2 c. brown rice rotini, okra, red bell pepper, green beans, and 1/2 c. garbanzo beans with Italian herbs and smoked paprika. It's good and will feed me both lunch and dinner for about 250 calories a meal. Easy, filling, and tasty!
Miracle...this week I watched a documentary on the Osmonds. Their music was a big part of my childhood, since Marie is 4 years and 2 days older than me. Anyway, as I watched the documentary, I was reminded that the oldest two brothers in the movie were deaf. As I watched, I learned that the supposed deaf oldest brother had a lower level of hearing impairment than my dear daughter. This hit me pretty hard. Never once did the ear doctor use the word deaf. Even the hearing aid center called her hearing impaired. Because she was highly articulate before age 1 and sang constantly after the age of 1.5, she was nearly 4 before we even discovered it. For the longest time, we thought she was ignoring us. Anyway, my daughter did all the things these oldest Osmond brothers could not do. How is that possible? The only thing I can say is her ability to adapt, to lip read, to excel in school, and to sing despite her handicap were gifts from God, miracles. I think it's about time I opened my eyes and noticed all the blessings and miracles in my life.
Teaching Little Children...This week's lesson went off without a hitch. No, the children weren't perfect, but they were as near to perfect as their wiggly little bodies would allow. One little boy tries so hard to be good. Today he had the hardest time keeping his hands to himself during sharing time (Children's Church). Instead of allowing himself to break this rule, he moved himself away from his best buddy. Now that's progress!
Movement...thankful for a different sort of movement right now. I've not had any transportation, since tax season began. It is quite isolating to be without a car in the country. My husband borrowed an unused vehicle from his brother, which has made all the difference. It's not as if I really go anywhere, but the thought that I cannot is just too much. Now I can take care of shopping, library, and trash runs without Herculean logistics problems.
