Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Saint Jeanne Jugan and Little Sisters of the Poor

     Today is the feast day of St. Jeanne Jugan, the foundress of Little Sisters of the Poor.  Our local St. Joseph’s Little Sisters of the Poor home is where I began volunteering in high school, where I had some interesting experiences regarding the discernment of my vocation in college, and where my grandmother now lives. 
     I have many wonderful memories of the time I spent visiting residents, volunteering, going there for Mass, talking with the sisters, and now going to see my grandma.  The love, charity, and joy that the Little Sisters of the Poor have, and the tenderness with which they care for the elderly speaks volumes about their faith life and their call to live out their religious vocation.
     I once was having a conversation with one of the sisters about a concern my grandmother had, and what impressed me most was that she not only listened to what I had to say, but she also responded with a comment about how all of the employees, whether consecrated religious or laypersons, are to be an extension of their hands. 

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Quality Time With and Without Power

    Though the effects of Hurricane Irene have been obvious up and down the Eastern coast and hundreds of miles inland, Kevin and I had a nice Saturday.  We were able to get some chores and cleaning done early in the day.  We tuned in for a number of hours to The Weather Channel, which really is one of Kevin’s favorite channels to watch, and saw several different weather maps, patterns, warnings, alerts, evacuations, practical suggestions, recommendations, and predictions while we still had electricity and cable. 
     Actually it was long after my mom and a number of other people in our area had lost power that Kevin cooked us cheeseburgers and we watched one of our all-time favorite classic musicals: Singin’ in the Rain.  Ironically enough, we made it through dinner and the movie had just ended when we lost power and it stayed out.  It flickered on and off a number of times throughout the evening, but before then had always come back on and stayed on for a while longer. 
     I talked to my mom, and she was reading a good book.  My sister Theresa was allowed to come home a bit early from work.  I checked in with my sister Mary and her husband Jordan, and she texted me that they were fine, had no power, but were playing Boggle and she was winning. 
     Once it was lights out/candles on Kevin and I seized a good opportunity to make-out during the dark and stormy night.  Eventually we lit some candles and played a game of Scrabble by candlelight and flashlight.  I came away from the game with two observations: 1.) my husband looks particularly handsome in candlelight and 2.) he’s still a worthy opponent for me at Scrabble.
     We talked for a bit, prayed the Rosary together lying in bed, then soon turned in for the night.  Lord, thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon us today.  Please be with those who have been or will be in harm’s way.  Lead us all to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, so that we are there for our neighbors in need.  Amen.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hurricane Irene Rages On

     Though it is rather frightening to look outside and see the strong winds and heavy rain bending the trees, I realize that I’m not as on edge as I was for a while during storms when my dad was still alive.  A few times he had some rather significant flooding in a couple of the different apartments he had. 
     Big storms also made my dad very apprehensive, because when the power went off, his oxygen machine would turn off, and he’d be forced to rely on the oxygen tanks he had on hand to get by until the power came back on.  The bad thing about the portable tanks, which were supposed to last about four hours often ended up only lasting a couple hours, sometimes less.  He was always on edge during storms, and I was, too.  The Pirates of the Caribbean flashlight I got him (it was the biggest one left at the store when I went) would only get him so far.  With oxygen tanks around and an open vent, candles were out of the question. 
     Kevin and I have taken the proper precautions by getting water, flashlights, candles, and provisions ready.  I have to say that I’m grateful not to have to worry about my dad in this weather.      
     I’ve been wondering about and praying for all of the people whose medical conditions can be made much worse if they lose power.  Lord, please bless all who are suffering in mind, body, and/or spirit.  Protect all who are in harm’s way.  Be with all those who are in emergency and rescue services as they go to assist others at this time.  Amen. 

Friday, August 26, 2011

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 13)

-1-
Earthquakes, aftershocks, and hurricanes! oh my!  This was definitely the biggest earthquake I remember ever having felt.  This one reached 5.8 on the Richter scale and the aftershocks hours later came in at over 4.  The first shake down really flipped me out since I was home alone and couldn’t get ahold of anyone using my cell phone after it happened to make sure it wasn’t just our old building (complete with fallout shelter in the basement) about to collapse. 
     I signed on Facebook after several unsuccessful attempts to call and text my husband. Sure enough, others had felt the earthquake as well, not just across town but across a number of states.           
     Yes, I do realize the irony and huge margin of error I was running by checking FB for weather and news updates, but news stations didn’t mention anything about it over the internet for several minutes after the tremors subsided.  People pulled out their phones and were updating their status messages right quick, though. 
-2-
What goes missing must be found. When I was young, my mom and grandmother went on a pilgrimage to Mexico.  They got a beautiful gold cross necklace while they were there.  They couldn’t find anything like it back in the US, so they had another one made so they could each wear one.  When I turned eighteen, my mom had the same cross made for me.  A while back my grandma’s cross disappeared and not too long after another resident at her nursing home showed up wearing it.  My mom, Kevin, and I joked that my mom should have had the following engraved on my grandma’s necklace: This cross stolen from Marilyn…  
     It turns out that the woman who started wearing it had gotten confused and thought it was something sent to her in one of the mailings she received from various religious orders.  She called around trying to find out what religious order had sent it, and she wasn’t able to figure it out. 
     When I was over visiting my grandmother last week, the woman saw me and asked me where I’d gotten such a unique cross.  After telling me her theories and about her search, I told her that the only three crosses I’d ever seen like it were my mom’s, mine, and my grandma’s, which was missing.  Last night, the woman, true to her word, returned my grandma’s cross to my mom in an envelope. 
     What a relief, all crosses have been returned to their rightful owners.     
-3-
No Youtube videos, please.  Last evening my husband and I finally had to do the grocery shopping and prescription pick-up we’d been avoiding due to already being tired by the time we got out of 5:30pm daily Mass.  Of course, Thursday was the one night it rained torrentially so far this week.  I sincerely hope that no one saw (or much worse was recording) my mad dash to the car last evening.  I splashed through several inches of water in the parking lot in my sandals while juggling four large containers of water.  I was laughing in the rain at the irony of getting water during a torrential downpour in case we need some extra on hand if Hurricane Irene hits us hard.  By the time, I opened the back door of the car, realized I had the newest batch of Danielle Rose FREE concert posters there and reconsidered, shut the door, popped open the trunk and dumped the jugs of water in, then climbed into the car, I was absolutely drenched.  Though amusing, it won’t be on Youtube for you to laugh over, so I guess you’ll just have to keep going back to the Anderson Cooper clips from earlier this week if you are in need of a good giggle.   
-4-
Caught in the act.  Since I am a voracious reader and have reviewed many books, I’ve gotten in the habit of counting the number of books I’ve read and reviewed when I go into Catholic bookstores.  The two local ones I frequent are the Religious Goods Shop and The Church Mouse.  Wednesday, a friend asked me to meet her at The Church Mouse so she could look around.  While there, I looked around, then I began counting those volumes on the shelves I’d already read and reviewed.  The storekeeper caught me, so I explained what I was doing.  She asked for recommendations of what books to put on display, so I kept going through the stacks and letting her know which ones I liked the best.  It was fun.  I have thought about printing out a few of my book reviews and leaving them for local shopkeepers along with my blog info in case they or other avid readers are interested.         
-5-
Fun in the not-so-secret garden.  Nora, a friend from church I met and got to know through Christ Renews His Parish and I had a nice afternoon at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens last Wednesday.  Though it’s not far at all, I hadn’t been there in years.  We had a delightful lunch, then we perused the gorgeous gardens, stopping to pick out pinwheels to take with us, and sit on the porch rocking chairs for a game of checkers.  Numerous times, Nora marveled over the plants there.  She’d tried to plant a number of different kinds in her garden at home, with shorter, less attractive results.  She even remembered the summer in her youth when she accidentally watered the African Violets in her care more than necessary.  I can relate; I inadvertently killed the one plant Kevin and I had by watering it too much.     

-6-
Thumbs up!  My mom and I had lunch together, then we got food from a couple different places for a dinner she needed to cater at the office.  On the way, a mother and her son who were carrying a number of purchases started to cross the parking lot in front of my car.  We waved them ahead.  The mom waved thank you as best she could with her arms loaded up, but the boy who I’d guess was about 10 or 11 looked up, saw my Choose Life license plate, got a big smile on his face and gave me a huge thumbs up.  Very cool!
-7-
Reiser Relief Inc.  I read and reviewed a great book this week called Reiser’s Ramblings. To read the full review, click here.
    Top two reasons to buy this book right now: it’s a delightful read by a remarkable priest and all profits go directly to Reiser Relief Inc., an organization Fr. Bernard Reiser founded which helps the poorest of the poor in Haiti.     
    
     Check out Jennifer Fulwiler’s 7 Quick Takes Friday series and her high-traffic for good reason blog Conversion Diary.

Reiser's Ramblings

Reiser’s Ramblings is a delightful book written by a priest who clearly exhibits the joy, peace, love, thankfulness, and generosity of Christ.  I’d have to say “ramblings” is sort of a misnomer.  I found each brief reflection on daily life, faith, gratitude, and everything from farm living to an eternity in Heaven to be thought-provoking and poignant. 
     
I was curious, and truth be told, a little concerned when I was asked to read and review Reiser’s Ramblings.  At the time, I knew nothing of Fr. Bernard Reiser, and I wasn’t sure how much an avid reader/writer like I am would enjoy reading anyone’s “ramblings.”       
     
Fortunately, I did a bit of research into the book and the author and found out this remarkable priest had put together a collection of his best columns/reflections from the past thirty years.  This sounded (and soon proved to be) significantly more intriguing and promising than the prospect of reading some unknown man’s, possibly incoherent , definitely longwinded, thoughts on various topics of little interest to the average American.    
          
I enjoyed each story, lesson, and faith/ministry reference included.  The writing style is comfortably conversational.  I can easily imagine Fr. Reiser writing these cheerful pieces during his evening ritual involving a huge bowl of ice cream and some quiet time to jot down his thoughts.   
     
It’s refreshing to find someone who has experienced so much in his life, yet still gets wrapped up in the joy, wonder, and appreciation which God’s Creation truly deserves.  Fr. Reiser’s undeniable awe and gratefulness for the simple things in life are as endearing as his notes about the extreme poverty and suffering in Haiti are heart wrenching. 
     
The top two reasons to buy this book: you’ll love it and all the profits go to help Haiti’s poorest of the poor.
     
To read more about what Reiser’s Relief Inc has done in Haiti, check out www.reiserrelief.org
     To purchase copies of Reiser’s Ramblings, click here. 

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Things Never to Give Young Children to Play with (The Stitch Vivacqua Award)

My dad’s best friend from St. John Fisher College, who also happens to be my Godfather, inspired my father in many ways over the years.  One of the many amusing incidents that became immortal occurred one morning many years ago when our family and the Vivacquas went out for breakfast.  My sister Mary and I were pretty young at the time as were the Vivacquas’ two children, Cate and Daniel. 
     
First I should explain where the nickname Stitch originated.  Ever since my dad while slightly inebriated in college, referred to his dear friend and roommate by the name of Stitch instead of his given name, Rick, my family has always referred to him this way.  Stitch always called my dad Jerry, but I’m not quite sure of how that was inspired.  I’m guessing alcohol was involved.
     
Anyway, my mom, dad, Mary, Stitch, his wife Mary Kate, daughter Cate, and son Daniel, and I were out for breakfast.  When one of their children began fussing, Stitch handed the crabby kid a full maple syrup pourer to play with in hopes to quiet the complaining.  Another adult at the table immediately took it out of the child’s hands and provided a more suitable distraction. 
     
My dad never let him live that down, though.  The incident went down in history when my dad began saying that anyone who gave a child something they shouldn’t be given to play with, my dad would say that they deserved “the Stitch Vivacqua Award.”  Truth be told, my dad (and basically every other person who has spent a significant time caring for children) has also warranted the award many times.
     
This came to mind when I was being marked up by an adorable toddler wielding an uncapped green gel pen at Mass the other day.  The little one, her mom, and I all ended up with green marks on our skin as well as our clothes before we even went up for Communion. 
     
I understand all too well the desire to avoid and/or minimize tantrums in public, especially during Mass.  I do believe some of the most hilarious attempts at this are included in Susie Lloyd’s laugh out loud funny book, Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water.
     
What is the silliest, messiest, and/or most amusing thing you’ve given (or seen someone else give a child) to quiet them down?               

Monday, August 22, 2011

A Family Tradition: Devotion to the Blessed Mother

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also the third anniversary of my uncle Bob’s death.  The other day it struck me how interesting it is that my dad’s oldest brother, Robert J. Niermeyer, passed away on the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary on August 22, 2008, and my dad James L. Niermeyer’s funeral was held on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, 2009.  

Both of these men of faith had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, so it seems quite fitting that they would depart from this life into the next on or around a day set aside to honor Our Blessed Mother. 
     
My dad’s mom, Jean Niermeyer, who we called Nana, led a life of fervent faith and was close to Our Mother Mary.  I imagine she looked to the Blessed Mother for strength and consolation a number of times as she was raising four boys who were well-known for their practical jokes and mischievous tendencies. 
     
While looking to the unwavering faith and devotion the Blessed Mother had to carrying out the Lord’s will, whatever the cost, I pray that all of us will come to a deeper awareness and greater sense of the Lord’s desire and ability to lead us in each and every area of our lives.
     
Lord, bless all who are mourning the loss of loved ones this day.  Draw us closer to You in our sighs, mourning, and weeping, so that we may someday be rejoicing with You, Jesus, Mary, and our many loved ones in Heaven.  Amen.        

Friday, August 19, 2011

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 12)

-1-

Mark Your Calendars!  One of my absolute favorite Catholic singers/songwriters Danielle Rose is coming to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church to do a concert on Saturday Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:30pm.  Admission is free.  A goodwill offering will be collected for the orphanage Danielle sponsors in China.     
     Danielle Rose has clearly been open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit working in and through her in many ways.  One of her greatest gifts has been that of her complete devotion to carrying out God’s will for her life.  She has produced beautiful music, songs to inspire the hearts and minds of us all, so that we know that we are wonderfully and fearfully made by the Lord.  She rejoices in the Lord’s abundant blessings of compassion, joy, peace, forgiveness, mercy, love, guidance, wisdom, and Truth. 
     Few modern singers/songwriters have expressed the Truth of the Gospel and the beauty of Catholic beliefs in a manner so inviting as this amazing performer has.  Her lyrics are thoughtful, divinely inspired reflections on Christ’s life, love, and legacy.  She masters varying styles of music and tailor fits each one perfectly to the tone and spiritual subjects of each one of her songs… click here to read full post.

-2-
Watch out for me!  For a number of years, I’ve told my husband that he needs to “Watch out for me!”  I’ll remind him of this part of his vocation after I have forgotten something at home that I need for the day, if I bump into furniture, or drop some item when my hands are too full to pick it up…This week I ended up leaving some things home I needed for the day which I didn’t realize until my husband texted me asking if I’d brought them.  I hadn’t, so he brought the items on his way to the office, so I wouldn’t be late to work.  Prince charming indeed! 

-3-
Make a list and check it twice.  A very dear friend/surrogate sibling invited us over for dinner this week.  When asked what we could bring, he joked about wanting us to come with a live chicken, but later conceded that stuff to make salad would be just fine. 
     The evening we went to the grocery store I reminded Kevin of this exchange, thinking I need to pick up a bag of salad greens.  I told him I’d also asked our friend if we should bring salad dressing, and the response was no.  (I got the Ranch dressing mainly for laughs.  A while back when we were at this friend’s place, we found an opened bottle of dressing hidden in the seat cushions of the couch.  No one’s sure how it got there, but I took note when it was opened, smelled, and then put back in the fridge.) 
     Don’t I get all the way to the check-out line with a bottle of Ranch dressing and no salad greens? Yup!  Fortunately my husband was again looking out for me, and asked before we’d finished checking out where the salad stuff was?  Further proof, I still need him to look out for me (and vice versa).
-4-
Explicating Nursery Rhymes.  My husband and I were laughing hysterically at Matthew Archbold’s article, “The Horrible Meaning Behind Nursery Rhymes.” My husband learned nursery rhymes to some extent, but I learned practically all of them while growing up and subsequently working with young children.
     A couple weeks ago, my sister-in-law Wendy was saying to me that she wasn’t teaching nursery rhymes to her grandkids and didn’t teach them to her own children because of how violent and awful they are. I’m definitely sending her this article. Her fears confirmed with a laugh. Priceless!
-5-
We’B’Scrapbookers. I've always had a passion for paper, stationery, kids, teaching, arts, and crafts, so this week’s scrapbooking camp has been a recipe ripe for fun! 
     On Monday we began with an overview of scrapbooking and talked about the importance of selecting good photographs (which had already been done for us). 
     Before they began cropping their own photos, we practiced different cropping techniques using some summer camp photos I’d printed out along with the stencils and other neat materials available to us this week.
     The kids had the opportunity to look at some scrapbooking pages in magazines and books to get an idea of what appealed to them, what looks best on what paper, etc.  We encouraged creativity and inspiration, while offering suggestions for design, lay-out, cropping techniques, and page decorations. 
-6-
Satellites are linking up in outer space, but someone can’t figure out our church database.  This week my husband received a letter from the parish asking him if he’d be interested in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).  I find it hilarious and quite ironic that at a time in Kevin’s life when he is more involved, devoted, and interested in the Catholic faith, more active in ministry, attending daily Mass, they are asking him if he wants to become fully initiated in the church.  He was Confirmed in eighth grade, so he finished the Sacraments of Initiation quite some time ago.  What amused me even more is that Kevin has served as one of the leaders for Christ Renews His Parish retreat, and what’s more, has served for many months at our church as an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist.  In order to be a Eucharistic Minister, you must be a full-fledged member of the church, attend Mass each week, and be a Catholic in good standing.  Kevin’s comment to that was that he’s wearing a boot right now, but he’s still able to stand okay.   
-7-
So long, farewell!  I can’t believe that today’s the last day of summer camp.  This summer, I taught two Nature Camps, two French Camps, one Paper Camp, one Scrapbook Camp, and monitored a few weeks of nap/rest Extended Care shifts thrown in for good measure.  Kevin and I got to spend over three weeks in Rochester, New York visiting friends and family in the place where we first met and fell in love.     
     Check out Jennifer Fulwiler’s 7 Quick Takes Friday series and her high-traffic for good reason blog Conversion Diary.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Danielle Rose LIVE IN CONCERT

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGERS/ SONGWRITERS IS COMING TO DO A CONCERT THIS SEPTEMBER!!  Danielle Rose is coming to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church to do two concerts: one on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at 7:30 pm and the other Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, at 7:30 pm.  Once you listen to her music you will undoubtedly agree that Danielle Rose has been open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit working in and through her in many ways.  
One of her greatest gifts has been that of her complete devotion to carrying out God’s will for her life.  She has produced beautiful music, songs to inspire the hearts and minds of us all so that we know that we are wonderfully and fearfully made by the Lord.  She rejoices in the Lord’s abundant blessings of compassion, joy, peace, forgiveness, mercy, love, guidance, wisdom, and Truth. 
     
Few modern singers/songwriters have expressed the Truth of the Gospel and the beauty of Catholic beliefs in a manner so inviting as this amazing performer has.  Her lyrics are thoughtful, divinely inspired reflections on Christ’s life, love, and legacy.  She masters varying styles of music and tailor fits each one perfectly to the tone and spiritual subjects of each one of her songs.
     
For many years, I have found that Christian music has been one of the essential elements in carrying me through the tough times and celebrating the joyful ones.  I’ve found that some of what is experienced in Christ’s suffering, Passion, Resurrection, and Glory is best expressed through soulful music with carefully written lyrics that are a jubilee of Scripture and powerful illustrations of human emotions.
     
Danielle Rose is certainly glorifying the Lord and has submitted to serving Him through music.  I’ve been able to identify with these songs on a deep level.  I have found that I have often come to contemplate the words during and as part of my quiet prayer time, and as a way of offering encouragement, hope, and compassion to others.
     
In a culture concentrated on pleasure, sin, pride, self-centeredness, and death, Danielle Rose is a model of how self-sacrifice, pleasing the Lord, humility, and unwavering devotion to God’s Will are the keys to present peace and Eternal happiness.
     
Read Danielle's Bio, listen to some of her music. You won't want to miss this; trust me!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body

I first learned about popular writer and journalist, wife and mom, Kate Wicker because of her renown in the blogging world.  I was really struck by one of her posts which included a letter from a woman whose daughter was struggling with an eating disorder asking for tips on what the mother could do to help her get better.  Kate wrote back some suggestions for this mother as to how she could help her daughter.  Where does Kate Wicker get her insight into the confusing world of eating disorders, diets, weight loss, exercise, binging, purging, and calorie counting? 
     
For a number of years, Kate suffered from anorexia and bulimia.  She knows firsthand how the pursuit for skinniness can wreak havoc inside your body, mind, and soul.  In Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body, Kate shares some of the intimate details of her own struggle with body image, calorie counting, excessive exercise, binge eating, as well as describes where the desire to keep her weight down originated and what happened when she got the help she needed. 
   
This book isn’t just for women or men who have struggled with an eating disorder.  It’s for every person who has ever been less than satisfied with his/her physical appearance.  It’s for anyone who has ever wished he/she was skinnier, taller, more muscular, had a better complexion, fewer freckles, no wrinkles, darker skin, lighter hair, a smaller nose, more voluptuous lips, longer eyelashes…
     
Kate read quite a bit about eating disorders when she was recovering and she quickly discovered that most of what she read dealt with the emotional and physical symptoms of the illness and how to become healthier in those two areas, but an important element was missing.      
     
What about the spiritual suffering that is involved?  How does someone heal that aspect of their lives?  These are two of the questions which inspired Kate to pray about (and then write about) the spiritual aspects of returning to health. 
     
There are countless resources, books, magazine articles, and websites devoted to beauty, fashion, exercise, as well as those that help people to identify, address, and treat eating disorders, but Kate found there was a definite lack of resources that included Scriptural support for every person to have a healthy body image.  Kate reminds us of many passages from Scripture in which each of God’s children are precious, loved, lovable, and even beautiful.  For example, she reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” according to Psalm 139 (which happens to be one of my favorites to return to when feeling unlovable for any reason).    
     
Kate talks about how she came to have a better body image herself, and how she encourages her daughters to see themselves as beautiful in God’s eyes.  It is only through a deeper relationship with the Lord that lasting peace and true acceptance of yourself and others is possible.  Kate came to this realization a while ago and has been inspiring others by living it and passing a healthier legacy down to her daughters.    
     
I don’t know about you, but I have an ongoing need to be reminded that I am made in the Lord’s image and always beautiful in God’s sight, because I certainly have days, sometimes even weeks or months, when that feels anything but true.  This book is a great place to start to heal, love, and be loved in mind, body, and spirit.   
     
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Weightless - Making peace with your body. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.

Friday, August 12, 2011

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 11)


-1-
H.A.L.T. Who goes there?!  I can identify all too well with the negative line of thinking that seems to spiral out of control when I haven't gotten enough sleep.  I'm blessed with a husband who reminds me of the blessings we have and what's going well.  Prayer time, reading, writing, laughing…often help me get things in perspective, as has trying to implement what I've read about H.A.L.T. When feeling Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, it's good to stop and address those feelings and take care of those needs, because when we're one or more of those four, we tend to sin or at the very least make less-than-stellar decisions. I've still got a long ways to go in learning this rather than sinking into the negativity, self-loathing abyss, but it seems worth working on.
-2-
Ever since I was young…I have enjoyed caring for and being around children.  Even when I was only in second grade, I liked holding babies and helping to take care of them.  I remember being the one to get the baby up and dressed at our babysitter's house before school.  God's always made a special place in my heart for children, and has given me many to love over the years as a sister, cousin, babysitter, nanny, tutor, and teacher.

One hundred years from now

It will not matter
What kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank,
Nor what my clothes looked like.

One hundred years from now

It will not matter
What kind of school I attended,
What kind of typewriter I used,
How large or small my church,
But the world may be ...
a little better because...
I was important in the life of a child.
~~ Author Unknown ~~

-3-
Is it naptime, yet?  One of the things about children that is quite ironic (and there are many) is that most do not want to take a nap.  They feel as if they’re missing some great party or some essential playtime if they go to sleep sometime during the day.  Without fail, the adults around them would absolutely love to take a midday nap, but they rarely get that chance, especially with little ones who want to talk, play, and run around instead of sail off in the sea of dreams with Wynken, Blyken, and Nod.
-4-
Nothing says loving like a homemade lunch.  During this week, one of the signs of love I’ve appreciated most from my husband is that he’s been making my lunch.  It’s been a rather rough, tiring first week back to the daily grind after being gone for two weeks on vacation, but eating my lunch prepared by my honey, who is not someone who really enjoys making lunches, has been a nice reminder of how much even the little things can mean when done out of love. 
-5-

Laugh, I thought I’d die… I’m a Stranger Here Myself will have you laughing out loud, reading passages to your family, friends, and co-workers, and marveling at these amusing anecdotes reflecting American culture in all of its glorious splendor.
     A few years back, I read Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, and found myself laughing so hard I was fighting back tears, so when I saw this book sitting on the shelf at my sister-in-law’s house, I was fairly certain that there’d be passages within that would be so hilarious my stomach would hurt from laughing so much.  I must say my assumption was 100% accurate—without any substitutions, exchanges, or refunds. 
     I read most of I’m a Stranger Here Myself out loud to my husband because laughing together is one of our favorite pastimes.  In retrospect, I probably should have saved certain chapters for when he wasn’t driving.  (We made it home safely and in relatively good spirits for such a long car trip.)
-6-
Awww, shucks!  The kids had lots of fun in Nature Camp this week.  We talked about a number of insects, plants, and animals, did some cool arts and crafts, and learned about the many nonliving things in the classroom that were once living.  We tasted corn in one form or another each day for snack.  Monday we had corn on the cob, Tuesday-popcorn, Wednesday-candy made with corn syrup, Thursday we had smoothies made with corn syrup, and Friday we had popsicles.    
-7-
No more tears.  This was the first week ever coming to our school for one of my students, and she was feeling a bit sad and reserved, missing her mommy, as is common for little ones first starting school.  I was absolutely thrilled yesterday when she didn’t shed a single tear when dropped off.  Yesterday with a huge smile on her face she told me, “I like school!”  That’s some of the best news I’ve heard all week.  What a transformation from Monday to Friday.  I’m so grateful that I was blessed to witness it.

     Check out Jennifer Fulwiler’s 7 Quick Takes Friday series and her high-traffic for good reason blog Conversion Diary.

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