Fireproof

I know I blogged about this movie rather recently, but I am just reminding you: the movie is released this weekend. Take someone to see it :) If you cannot, then at least pray that God will work through this movie in the lives of individuals and marriages that have no hope outside of Jesus Christ. Pray that people will understand the message so clearly presented. I am passionate about this because it stands for two things that I am most passionate about: 1) God and 2) my family. Our church has bought a large amount of tickets and are giving them away to people in Ventura, particularly a condominium complex across the street from our church.

Brooke is doing her schoolwork

Four weeks ago, I started home-schooling Brooke. I have ordered the kindergarten material from A Beka, and we are working through it. She loves doing her school work. Each day when I get home from school (about 1:00), she says, "Ok, mommy, let's do school now." Gary and I are not totally decided if she will be ready for first grade next year or not. Her birthday is late (mid-December) and the CA cut-off is December 1. She can go to first grade next year if she is ready. That is what this school year is all about----determining if she is socially, mentally, and academically ready for school. So far, she is doing good! I have gotten different feedback from different people and would love to hear any of your comments, particularly if you have a "late" birthday experience. I often consider: "Do I want Brooke to be the youngest one in her class (the last one to drive a car) or the oldest one in her class (like she failed or something)?" I have no guess as to the future, so we are just taking one day at a time. The verdict will come next May :)

We are working through the vowels----A, I, U, and this week, E. She asked me last night, "How many vowels are there, mom?" She seemed pleased that there was just one remaining. She knows the alphabet, so I am sure she can figure out that there must be 21 other letters too.

My Bible Study group is back

If you have read my blog for long, you have realized how much I love my Bible studies and my Bible study group. We meet in the fall for 10-12 weeks and then again in the spring for another series. And, we always do Beth Moore studies. Her studies are awesome in depth studies of God's Word. Once again, I recommend any Christian lady to encourage her church/friends to start a group like this.

Well, we started our new series on Thursday. It had been a long day, and I was particularly tired, but I knew nothing would stop me from being there on that first night. As I was driving with a friend, she said the same thing. "I can't wait to get back; it's like a spiritual high."

I just wanted to share some of my favorite thoughts and hope they can be an encouragement to you. The series is called "Living Beyond Yourself" and focuses on the fruits of the Spirit. Beth mentioned how she knew God's timing would be
right for this study in each lady's life. I am so glad to be studying this topic. So many times I feel like I am in a situation that I don't know what to do----it is beyond me. I realized that this is when we can live beyond ourself; we live in the Spirit.

Here are my favorite thoughts from Thursday night:

1. Life shouldn't just be bearable; it should be full
of joy.

2. As a Christian, you have the privilege to be different. View it as such, and take joy in being different.

3. We are all called to "exclamation mark" living. Make your life one big exclamation mark!!!!!!!

This last thought really struck me hard because I was always taught to live for God, and I teach my children to live for God. However, it is meant to be more than that.

4. Don't just live for God. Let Him live through you.

Here's to living a life that is full, a life that is an exclamation mark on my world, and a life that is beyond what I can do myself. Beth concluded by saying, "If you are not doing something right now that you cannot handle on your own, something that you could not do without Him and His strength, then you are not full of the Spirit."

This is something we all have to see!

Package from Mamaw

This is a pictorial thank-you to Mamaw and Papaw for the packages! Wesley, Andrew, and Brooke each received their own package. They had so much fun opening it. Gary knew his mom was sending them a "noisy" monkey, but the package contained much more than just a monkey.
We had just gotten back from Toys 'R Us where we had to buy gifts for a birthday party and a baby shower. I had to convince Brooke to save her $1.75, rather than spend it on some candy. So, coming home to open this fun package was especially enjoyed by her. Thanks again, Mamaw!

I am stuck somewhere between CA and the mid-west

This past week was the beginning of a new year of classes at the college. No matter what, my first week seems to bring out the fact that I am not a "California-born" citizen. My students often remark that I have an interesting "accent", and I readily share that I actually grew up in the mid-west and have since set my roots here in southern CA. So, as the question was raised again this past week, it got me thinking about how things are different here in southern CA. I made a short list, that I thought my truly mid-west family might appreciate.

Things that I do (or did) in CA just because I grew up in the mid-west:

1. I say y'all. (I don't know if this is just a personal thing, but I say it often and normally am asked where I am from)
2. I wear a sweater in January, simply because it is January.
3. I believed that church attire includes nylons and dress shoes. (I have since eradicated that idea.)
4. I am surprised to see coupons or advertisements written in both English and Spanish.
5. I believe one should only get on the freeway when taking a "trip."

6. The price of a very small house makes me gasp.
7. The idea of swimming outdoors on Christmas day is humorous.
8. I actually want to "feel" an earthquake.
9. I still stare at the ocean and beach each time I drive by it because I am overwhelmed by how beautiful it really is.

10. I don't feel a need to have a tan in the fall and winter----isn't it just a summer thing????

Well, that is my list. I had fun writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. I have lived here in southern CA for 4 years, and I hope to never leave it. I love where I live, but I also love the fact that I do have roots in the mid-west, and there are parts of me that will never forget about it.

Wesley's 9-yr. pictures

When Wesley was walking out of class today, I saw him and thought: "Wow, that is one big kid. Is that one mine??" I don't know what has happened in the past year or two, but this guy has been growing and maturing. We are very proud of him, too. You just have to love those sparkling brown eyes :)

Look who is going back to school........

Today was the first day of classes at Ventura Missionary School! Wesley is now in 4th grade, and he is happy about two things: he has a good teacher (a male), and his best friend is in his class. There are two classes of each grade level, and the classes are divided differently each year. Wesley and Cody have been together every year, so far.

I have to post another picture of Drew below because he looks like a midget, next to Wesley :) He is excited about being in second grade. After school today he told me, "Luke, Aidan and me played basketball with three third graders, and we won. I made lots of baskets." It was rather exciting for him. I guess recess does bring home some of the best stories.

We thank God for the school that they are able to attend, and for the way we see God working in their lives. Andrew was not put in the same grade as his best friends from last year. I told him that I had prayed that God would put him in the right class with the right people that would most help him to grow. He understood and was able to accept the fact that God's will does not always mean we get exactly what we want!

Roughing it at Lake Casitas

Our family spent two days and two nights doing some real camping---in a tent. Lake Casitas is just 20 miles from our home, set in the mountains of Ojai. Our campsite had a beautiful view. Below is a picture of Gary getting the tent set-up. It was very windy during this process. Thankfully, the wind subsided for the rest of our stay.


The kids all had a good time. The boys did quite a bit of fishing with dad, and we did several small hikes. Brooke was an interesting camper. She hated the bathrooms (but that is quite understandable), so she pretty much refused to go to the bathroom. We visited the camp store several times because their bathroom was "better." She also hated the yellow jackets. We get limited bugs at our home in Ventura, so I was not expecting too many bugs while camping. However, we did get visited by quite a few yellow jackets. We bought a trap, and that seemed to console Brooke somewhat.


We saw many squirrels. They were much smaller than the squirrels I was used to in the mid-west. Gary said he heard a coyote the first night that we were there. I loved the fact that Gary did most of the cooking, and it all turned out exceptionally well! We spent our last evening at the water park and got everyone rinsed out from all the camp dirt.

Gramma and Poppa come to visit

Mom and Dad got in on Monday. We were busy the whole week! Tuesday was a trip to Fo-Fo Figgilys, where mom and dad got in the tunnels and crawled around like kids. I did too, but it was especially fun to see them up there. Tuesday night was Wesley's birthday party at Round Table Pizza, with some of his friends.


Wednesday we took a trip to the Ventura County Fair. I think we all rode on something, and we all found something good to eat, too.


Thursday was spent up in Ojai. Dad and Gary went golfing, and the rest of us walked through the shops and park in downtown Ojai. The kids were all three ecstatic when Poppa bought them a new Webkinz. They were carried around the rest of the day!

Friday was a cold day to go to the beach, but we had to get them to the ocean sometime, so we made the trip to the beach. Brooke and gramma enjoyed playing in the sand.

Thank you, mom and dad, for flying out to see us. We had tons of fun, as always. We did also buy a new tent. The boys spent the last night sleeping in the backyard with dad and Poppa. We plan to go camping later this week, so wait to see some pictures from there :)