Grains of Sand

Top ten reasons why installing the new dishwasher is a good DIY project... 10.  It saves you time and money. 9.  It strengthens your reading skills after looking at the installation instructions time and again. 8.  It sparks your 4 year olds imagination so that he too will be installing a new dishwasher alongside dad with various items he found around the house. 7.  You have all day to devote to a two hour project. 6.  You will enjoy the beautiful day when you run to the local hardware store not once, but twice to pick up other items necessary for correct installation. 5.  The Styrofoam packaging makes a great bed, car or jail for the kids' stuffed animals. 4.  It reveals character, or character traits that lie dormant most of the time. 3.  You enjoy clean dishes, the first time through. 2.  You have room in your toolbox for the extra screws that were hopefully not necessary. 1.  Our dads woul...

So true!

I am trying to be fun and creative this year in school.  Actually, that is my goal every year, but somehow I fail miserably for one reason or another.  Well, the reason I fail is because I have very lofty goals and unreal expectations.  This year is different.  I made no goals and I'm working on not having expectations.  And you know, I think it's working.  Instead of stressing about what the next project should be or how messy it might be, I'm just going with the flow.  Bending with the wind, keeping calm and carrying on.  And, it's working! One of the easiest and fun activities that Mason did recently (and one that I actually remembered to grab the camera for) was writing in shaving cream. Not too sure about this.  He was wondering if this is really an approved activity. Oh yeah!  Look at that smile.  He has mom's blessing to dig in and enjoy.  The letter writing portion of the activi...

FOR TODAY October 27, 2014 Outside my window... clouds are moving quickly to the east and blue sky is peeking through while the earth dries out after an overnight rain. I am thinking... of how easy it is to get caught up in the web of life and lose sight of what really matters. I am thankful... for the warm days of autumn when the sun warms my face and I am surrounded by the smell of leaves and earth.  In the kitchen... three of Mari's recipes are sitting on the counter waiting to be made.  Apple Streusel Pie, Crockpot Spaghetti sauce and Chicken Tortilla Soup.  After I go shopping for the ingredients today, I have meals planned for the rest of the week! I am wearing... a heart of compassion, kindness, humility and patience from Colossians 3:12. I am creating... a master reading list.  There are so many books I want to read that I can no longer keep them all inside my head. I am going... to bring my shaggy dog to the groomer t...

  dare verb \ ˈ der\ : to have enough courage or confidence to do something : to not be too afraid to do something : to do (something that is difficult or that people are usually afraid to do) : to tell (someone) to do something especially as a way of showing courage     D esire to follow Jesus with A ctions, not just words. R elate with others in love with an E ternal perspective. Five Minute Friday is a wild and wonderful flash mob of words.  Five minutes on one prompt. No overthinking or editing.  Please visit Kate Motaung and link up with Five Minute Friday  to see more.    

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,      and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,      and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

FOR TODAY October 21, 2014 Outside my window... red, gold and green trees beneath a gray sky. I am thinking... of my dad.  Today would have been his 69th birthday.  Miss him! I am thankful... for a new perspective of my 'old' life. In the kitchen... thankfully it's pizza night for dinner.  I don't have to strain my brain to figure out what to eat tonight. I am wearing... gray and blue sweatshirt and jeans. I am creating... a photo book about my mission trip to Burkina Faso, Africa. I am going... to start training classes with Milo (the dog) again.  Hoping to get him certified as a therapy dog by the end of 2015 or sooner. I am wondering... what I will do with all the apples I have in the house and garage.  Peel, slice and prepare for freezing, make apple crisp and then? I am reading... Words Unspoken by Elizabeth Musser I am hoping... to adjust the household budget to free up more 'giving' money.  I am l...

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.   (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

When we discussed what activities would be part of our trip to Africa, we talked about visiting Dorcas House and putting on a 3 day camp for the girls who live there.  As an American, I envisioned a 3 day camp full of fun activities that the girls would participate in just like a vacation bible school or sport camp in the US. And that is exactly what it was with one exception.  It was so much more.  Sadly my vocabulary cannot even begin to express the love and warmth that is all around at Dorcas House.  Do you remember me saying that in Burkina Faso relationships come before anything else?  My poor little brain only scratched the surface of what that meant.  The Burkinabe are so trusting and have a great desire to get to know you.  They welcome you with open hearts and a forgiving attitude.  To walk with them is to feel like family.  It is rather indescribable how full my heart is right now and they are the ones that filled i...

long 1 [lawng, long]   I took a long journey across the Atlantic ocean to Burkina Faso, Africa.  All told, there and back I traveled over 60 hours. I was there for 10 days and I'll never be the same again.  My heart was filled.  My cup overflows.  The people are warm and welcoming.  The climate is hot and not so welcoming. I heard roosters crowing, goats bleating, airplanes overhead, horns honking, motorbikes zooming, a language foreign to my ears and birds calling. I smelled wood smoke and spice.  The odors of animals and the perspiration of humans.  The aroma of southern cooking in Africa as well as French cuisine and native foods. I touched little children's faces and held babies in my arms.  I hugged the women and shook hands with the men.  I felt the heat rolling across the dry ground and the welcome relief of a brief shower.  My feet were always dusted with red dirt and water never felt so good upon my lips....

One of the skills the girls are taught at Dorcas House is how to make soap. The secret ingredients.   One of the ingredients is shea butter which is locally grown. After all the ingredients are added, the stirring begins. And continues....   until just the right consistency. The soap is poured into flats. Worked into the corners and smoothed on top.   The soap is then let to set for a few hours. The soap is then turned out of the mold and cut in half. It is cut into it's final shape by being slowly pushed through cutting wires. The 'DH' is stamped on the top and stripes are stamped on each side. Many hands make light work. The soap is then allowed to sit and harden.   Voila!