2 years ago, a friend's mom gave me what she called a Spider Lily. I was excited about it because I had just planted several different kinds of lilies in my front flower bed, and I didn't have a Spider Lily. I couldn't wait to see what it would look like. It never occurred to me to "google" it...so I didn't know what to expect.





Well, it didn't bloom that first spring. Nor did it bloom the next spring, though it did double! And this year, it doubled again. So, now I had 4 very pretty green leaved plants....but not one bloom. I asked my friend if Spider Lilies actually HAD a bloom...I was doubtful. She just laughed and said that her mom's were blooming :P





And, then, one morning last week, I woke to find THIS:

wow!!!! I'm thrilled!! THIS is a Spider Lily!! FINALLY!!!
And the next day, to my surprise, I found out that there are 8 blooms in 1 pod!! Amazing!!
so, now I have about 4 blooms.

And all of this made me think of how the Lord works in my life. He takes His time working on my foundation, making sure that I'm planted well. And before I begin to see fruit (the pretty stuff), I just may see the multiplication process. And to my surprise, the fruit will be MORE than I expected, too. I can't wait to see that!

dit...dots

dit...dots....that's what we used to call it when I was in high school....it's when we didn't want to use complete sentences....just phrases or words that would remind us of the comlete sentence.

since it's been so long since i've posted anything on this blog, i think it might be appropriate to use dit...dots. So here goes:

shift of priorities...focus on homeschool and girls' needs...handwriting....math...book club...new friends...co-op...drama...Pilgrim's Progress...King Midas....amazing talent in our co-op...Dh is tutoring English...I'm baking muffins...cleaning job...photography - learning the camera...no time to take pics...deliverance ministry!!...intercession...learning so much from the Lord...eye-opening lessons...miracles...amazing changes at home, in marriage, in parenting...no more caffeinated coffee...Parenting class...drama ministry at church...the list could go on...

So, now that this semester is over, and so is "King Midas," I'll be back to blog on occasion....as the need arises :) blessings to anyone who still checks my blog!

It's a...BOOK!!

After 9 months of consistent reading of hundreds of books and annotating them, Dave has finally birthed "Faith Reads"...his first book!!

I'm so proud of him! I really didn't know when it would arrive...it wasn't on my mind at all Monday morning. Alyssa entered the room with a box she had "found on our doorstep". I asked her who it was from...after a little searching, she read "Greenwood Publishing". (Deep sigh) "Oh. my. goodness! It's Daddy's book!!" Lots of shrills and leaping about ensued...we were all so excited! I didn't know I'd be so happy to see it :) But I am...

In case you're wondering what kind of book it is...it's a bibliography of Christian Non-fiction, a reference book to find books written by Christians on almost every topic you can think of. It's a first of it's kind. Although it'll be sold mainly to libraries, I think it would be a wonderful tool for any Christian. If you've ever walked into a library or bookstore and were clueless as to what to read, then thought you'd like a book on...say, home decorating...written by a Christian...but didn't know how to find that and neither did the librarian or book store clerk, then this book would be your friend.

And...if you're as excited about it as we are...please tell everyone about it. You may even ask your local bookstore or library if they have it yet! Thanks in advance if you do!

Set Me Free!

Jedi Squirrels

I got this pic in an email and laughed really hard because I think the squirrels in my yard have those abilities!

But, after laughing, I realized that it's true in my life as a Christian, too.

I have a powerful sword that I can not see...the Word of God! I may look like these squirrels with the natural eye, but when I wield my sword, I can do some damage in the heavenlies.

These squirrels don't care what they look like - believe me they do. not. care.

And, if I stop caring what other people will think and use my Sword as if I believe that it's powerful and that it's REAL, then great and wonderful things will happen.

God always responds to belief! It's what He searches for in the hearts of His children and when He finds it, He smiles and responds.

Phew!

As I mentioned before, I've been directing a play this semester (the Lion, the Witch, & Wardrobe). It's been a couple of weeks, but I'm just now recovering from the whirlwind! So, here's the scoop...
It was AMAZING!! What an incredible experience! Through the entire semester, God came through again and again...providing for every detail...even details I didn't know I needed to think about! I learned so much! I'd never done a production of this caliber, so I had much to learn. And the kids were great...they learned more lines than they'd ever had to before and were able to not only remember them, but act out their characters as well! I was simply amazed at their performances.

The production ended up being 2 hours long including a 20 min. intermission. Four of the moms learned how to do face paint from a professional make-up artist - and it all looked so professional! (I wish I had pics of the cast with make-up, but I don't yet). Several families made our props - incredible...the wardrobe, the backdrops, the stone table, the beaver's home...just incredible! (Again, no pics of these yet, either). And the costumes - one grandmother volunteered her service of making the costumes - absolutely amazing! Aslan's mane was velcroed on so that at the Stone Table, we could "shave" off his mane...and then he could re-enter with his mane on again :) So cool!

I must say that we couldn't have pulled off such a large production without the help of every parent! Or without the help of my buddy, Josiah...a homeschool teenager with drama experience who volunteered to help me coach the kids - 3 days a week for 3 months!! Wow! What a commitment - he did a great job!!

So, here are a few pics - again, without make-up or props - but just an idea! My Rebekah was Susan (one of the 4 Pevensie children...she's got long brown hair and a gold cape). Alyssa was the Unicorn and Anna was the White Stag :) I was so very proud of my girls!

Pevensie Children

Fenris Ulf (Malgrim), White Witch, the Dwarf

Aslan (center) & his army of animals (some do not have their costumes and again, no make-up...I hope to get a pic of their make-up, it was that good!)

Laminin

This video is worth 8 minutes of your day!
check it out and comment on how AMAZING our God is: