T.T.F.N.

A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive,

keeping up an active blog with enjoyable content.

Colleen over at Adventures of a Small Town girl honored me with a blog award. Thank you, Colleen! I've really enjoyed reading the stories she has shared on her blog as well. She has a big heart, and I'm blessed to know her! I hope you can pay her a visit!

It's a bit ironic that it's a "prolific" award, though. I have prayed and decided in the last couple weeks to step out of the "blogosphere." So I suppose this is a good, yet ironic note to end on!

I hope to be prolific in other areas in the next few months. Foremost in producing more offspring... via adoption. We are in the process of being certified with a new agency after the Lord led us to open up our options to all of California. We are excited to see how He will proliferate our family. And we really hope it's soon, although in the end, His timing will be perfect!

God has also burdened my heart to write a study to share with some of the women at my church. So far He has given me an outline, and I'm excited to see how He will fill it in and what He will teach me and others.

I'm eager to see what the Lord will accomplish during this season in our lives. I hope to be back some day to share some evidences of His grace with you. Until then, it has been a pleasure sharing my life, and a wonderful blessing to read about you and yours. You inspire me in so many ways!

So long, farwell... until we meet again!

Territorial

Little Gertie stopped by for a visit last month. With an abundance of lionesque fur adorning her tiny little body she pranced down the driveway with a wag of her tail and a toothy smile. I spotted her just before I pulled the van into the driveway and made sure she stayed clear as I pulled into the garage.

No one was home at Gertie's house, so we invited her in for a spell, and that's when Sophie spotted her fluff. Jerking back with a low and meaningful growl, she told this visitor that she wasn't expected, nor welcome.

Sophie has always been a good little guard dog, but I'd never beheld such a territorial attitude. I told her it was ok, that Gertie had been invited, and she wagged briefly before she went back to staring down our little guest.

The boys began to lavish their affection on the little pup, and this proved to be even more unnerving to Sophie as she pace back and forth with obvious concern. Then every move was carefully observed and followed as Gertie did a bit of reconoitering throughout the house and the yard.

"Why is Sophie acting like that?" Josh asked, clearly enamored with our pint-sized neighbor.

"Well, Gertie has invaded her territory, I suppose. Sophie doesn't like to have to share the attention and space, and she certainly didn't appreciate Gertie climbing into her bed!" I replied.

I have often wondered over the last few months if the boys may have a similar reaction to having sisters in our house. What might they feel territorial about? How will they handle the reality of sharing the affections of their parents. And sharing their space... and their toys. So we talked about it a little bit, and they could see both Sophie and Gertie's viewpoints. We played out a few verbal scenarios and giggled at our fabricated reactions.

The truth is, I can get pretty territorial, too.

Sometimes Jesus comes into my spiritual house when I'm not expecting Him. He starts to reveal things and poke around in places that unnerve me. He makes me uncomfortable and unearths things about myself that make me want to growl.

But I need to be uncomfortable.

I need my territory to be challenged.

I need to remember that it's His domain and not mine.

I need to give Him every inch, letting Him roam freely in my life.

Finances, relationships, ministry, "my" time... every little nook and cranny. Each day, I want to be able to say,

"Come on in! Make yourself at home. How can I serve you?"

Are you ever a Sophie?

Gotta Get Back in Time

For the second half of our 4th grade history trip,

we traveled back in time to the 1850's

with Rock 'n Water.

(This would explain why all my photos came out in a sepia tone.)

This is Lydia, the women in charge!

She spoke with a French accent and had a ton of energy!

First, we met our 49er pen pals.

Notice how there are an equal number of boys to match with girls.

There was a lot of giggling.

Next, we explored the depths of

the Gold Bug Mine and Priest Mine.

(Hard hats in the sack, so the adults won't konk their heads!)

We found this gentleman at the museum in
the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
He was an incredible story teller,
and told us the tale of the infamous Black Bart.

James Marshall's humble cabin.

Our tour guides, Trubble and Spot
in front of the Sutter's Mill recontructed replica.

In the evening we had a lively sing along
led by this talented trio.
We enjoyed singing songs like Home on the Range and
Turkey in the Straw (so that's where "a high tuckahaw" comes from!!)


Then we danced the night away with the Virginia Reel.
I don't have any photos of that because I was too busy
hooting and hollerin' and kickin' my heels up!

It was pure, unadultered fun...
and I enjoyed every minute of it, thoroughly!!!

Look Ma! I made some rope!

Look Ma! I'm using a printing press!

Trubble is explaining the best gold panning methods.
He is also winning the hearts of many 10 year old girls!

Hey Spot! Are you lying down on the job??
He kept telling me to stop shooting him with my cannon.
I told him it's a Nikon, not a Canon.
Silly Spot!

Josh worked very hard in an icy cold stream
for his four flecks of gold dust!


Our gang with their gang!

They sent us home with the reminder that

God is our true treasure and the only one we can kept for eternity!

I can't begin to tell you how impressed I was with this program!

The guides and the majority of the folks running it were 16-21 years old!

It was amazing how knowledgeable and articulate they were.

They taught the kids (and adults) so much about

California history and the Bible.

They were hilarious and fun and never broke out of character.

In an age when it is "cool" and acceptable to be

an adolescent until you are 30+,

it was so amazing to see teenagers transitioning into adulthood

with such excellence and purpose.

I told Josh that I hope Patrick and I can help he and Jason to do the same.

He agreed!

The trip was wonderful, but the Godly role models

were an unexpected and amazing surprise!