Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Right under their nose!

Check out this guys sight. I thought it was pretty funny. When I last checked out his pictures, two were still unnoticed. http://www.woostercollective.com/2005/03/wooster-eclusive-banksy-hits-new.html

Friday, March 25, 2005

How the west was not won

It came to an end this morning around 6:30. The wagon circle (the cars) began to pull out single file as the pioneers went their own ways to embark upon a new day. The leader of the group, Nichalas, gave us the details sitting beside me on the couch, smelling like wood smoke and saying he was rather cold.

The real brain storming began last night about 1/2 hour before the sunlight was totally gone. It was then that Nichalas and Mat decided to venture out and "build a shelter" just west of the barn. After fumbling around in the dark for about 10 minutes, they decided it was too late to "create" the shelter and elected to sleep out in the open on a tarp. This decision was based mostly on just discovering they had only one tarp, rather prepared I'd say. Fortunately, the rain had come to a stop, but the temps were continuing to drop. Around 9:00 the house was invaded with the excited pioneers, about to embark on their "roughing it camp out". There ended up only being one fire, which died out sometime after 1:00am. I gathered that no one was scared enough to stay up and feed it to fend off the wild beast.

Adam elected to say yes when he was called in to work, missing out on most of this exciting adventure. They all slept outside and only their heads were cold. I am thankful that they did this. What memories they have made. From the back door you could hear the laughter and murmuring of nonstop conversation. The dreams and ideas that were sparked last night were probably more than the actual fire spit out.

I don't know who came up with this challenge. I am encouraged though that these young men elected to do something out of the ordinary, something that consisted of good, clean fun. It is nice to be able to joke with them about having their supplies of alcohol, drugs and wild women, knowing that nothing of that sort is even in the inventory. It's comforting, exciting and a relief that they want to come in and spend time with me, just to talk, to include me in their lives. It's encouraging and what hope seeing 5-10 young men who are the complete opposite of what the media is projecting them to be. It is a blessing knowing that they started the camp out so late because some of them attended church first to recognize Maundy Thursday. It is rewarding too, knowing that God is so much bigger than me. That all the oops, mistakes, should haves, and what I actually did do were made right by my Father. How hard it is to completely give up someone who really isn't mine, to give them over to their heavenly Daddy, and accept the fact and responsibility that I am only a caregiver. Yet, how much of a blessing, with so much freedom, it is to finally do so and let Him take control. To be able to set back and see these young men reflecting so brightly their Christ who lives within their own very being.

It was also shared that the hot dogs and chocolate cookies eased the hunger pains, as that wascally wabbit got away.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

His reinforcements

You know, our Father is so wonderful. After yesterdays' snake incident, He has been so amazing in helping me see that He is in control. I am so thankful for the relationships I have with my clients which goes beyond just providing a service, but includes friendships and loyalty. After talking to them yesterday, I found out that "The Snake" said I am quitting my business and going back to school. (If anyone knows what I classes I am taking, please let me know.) They also didn't need to get in touch with me, as he had just talked with me last week. I am so thankful that He has shown me that there are others out there who are looking out for me, even when I don't know it! How cool it is in this world to be a result of His workings. I so love our Lord!

Anyway, there is life after mowing!

Being Easter weekend is coming upon us, my sons have decided that our place is the place to be for everyone. Tonight, Nichalas and his buddies have decided that they are going to rough it in the woods. They are taking two tarps, one for the ground and one to go over a branch as their shelter. The biggest concern they have is the wild animals. We do have a bobcat, and many coyotes in our woods. There have been more than few people who have had sightings of and lost live stock to cougars in the area. Nichalas and Lucas are going to take their guns, in case anything comes too close. (I advised him to let their friends know the guns would be there, in case someone should surprise them during the night.) After assuring him that the fire would probably keep them at bay, he built upon this comforting fact and decided that they will make a fire square. One fire per corner and one in the middle. This may draw the animals in for warmth.

Adam will probably elect to sleep in the house, as well as his buddies, Jacob and Isaac. One of the guys, Zanger, is very close to earning his Eagle in Scouts. He has his mind set on making his own bow and arrow, from scratch, and killing a rabbit for their supper. Nichalas wished him good luck and said he will be bringing hot dogs. I am not too concerned about any animal rights activist coming out in concern of the rabbit.

The best part of all this though is the weather. It is supposed to be in the 30's. Right now it is raining and they say there may be snow during the night. Watch - this summer when the weather is wonderful - they will all be inside playing video games.

I am off to bake cookies for the pioneers. How much I love having boys!

Friday, March 04, 2005

TUNA

My son, Nichalas, has been on this tuna with zesty lemon kick for awhile now. He just opens the can, squirts a little lemon on it, and scarfes it down.

Watching him fix up his afternoon snack the other day reminded me of a roommate I once had. After being out of town for a week, I opened our front door and was almost knocked out by this unbelievable stench. There she was sitting in the living room watching TV, completely oblivious to the smell of death in the entire place. After setting my bags down, I went on a search for the decomposing body. Or bodies.

Zeroing in on the kitchen, I opened a cupboard door filled with canned goods. I couldn't see anything, yet knew this was where the source was. Lifting out the cans, I noticed that one of the tuna cans felt lighter than the others. There it was - an opened, half eaten can of tuna. Man! I didn't even look inside.

Holding it at arms length, I took it into the living room to ask her what in the heck this was all about. She nonchalantly admitted to leaving it there. "After all, it wasn't in the fridge before I opened it."