Honor
Dirk and I have felt very honored by our children lately.
It’s often just in little things they say or how they respond toward us. It’s a nice feeling.
It’s things like hearing one of my daughters say that I’m her mentor, or another one inviting me to lunch at her house. One inviting me to coffee or wanting to go shopping with me. It’s our youngest daughter choosing to be married on our wedding day. It’s my oldest son sharing his heart. It’s the bear hugs of our macho teen boys.
It’s hearing how glad they are that Dirk finally did something for himself when he recently bought a motorcycle.
It’s the respect of a son-in-law wanting your advice, or one telling you how much he loves his wife, your daughter.
Today, our daughter, Anna wrote a comment on a blog listing her parents as people who speak into her life. She said we were amazing and relevant. Wow! I like that. Relevant.
We love them all so much and we are honored to be not only their parents, but also their friends.
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PS - Check out Anna's new blog here.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Proud (The Parent Kind)
Our youngest daughter, Katie, 19, received her letter of acceptance today from the Nursing School of the University of Central Oklahoma. Hearing the news brought tears to our eyes. It was a moment of confirmation. Confirmation that Katie is on the path God planned for her before she was even born. Out of 400 applicants, 120 were considered and only 60 accepted. She was one of them!
Katie knew at age 11 she wanted to be a nurse. While caring for my dad who was dying of lymphoma, she would sleep on the floor of his room, “in case he needs something during the night”.
For the next few years we began looking for places Katie could grow and learn more about medicine. We took her to science classes at the Omniplex. When she was 15, she volunteered at The Surgery Center of Edmond. More opportunities continued to come without us even having to look.
Prov. 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Knowing Katie’s way was easy. She knew what she was called to do.
Her dad and I sure are proud of her!
Gal. 6:9-- So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Katie knew at age 11 she wanted to be a nurse. While caring for my dad who was dying of lymphoma, she would sleep on the floor of his room, “in case he needs something during the night”.
For the next few years we began looking for places Katie could grow and learn more about medicine. We took her to science classes at the Omniplex. When she was 15, she volunteered at The Surgery Center of Edmond. More opportunities continued to come without us even having to look.
Prov. 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Knowing Katie’s way was easy. She knew what she was called to do.
Her dad and I sure are proud of her!
Gal. 6:9-- So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
I'm siding with satan on this one....
I’m a nothing. A big, fat zero. A nobody, zilch, nada, nil. Aren’t those the lies we hear whispered in our ears on a daily basis? Lies satan wants us to live and believe? Lies that will keep us beaten down and discouraged?
Well, guess what? This time I’m siding with satan! Yep, I’ve crossed the line and I’m agreeing with him.
But, I know a truth satan doesn’t get. You see, I've decided it's good to be a zero. A zero, in mathematics, is a placeholder. It has no value. It only represents a place. It is a position holder. Alone, zero actually is nothing. But with even the lowest number, number one, standing in front of it, it suddenly has value!
So, satan, while I’ll agree that I’m nothing, with The One standing before me, and with my willingness to be a placeholder in His Kingdom, well, I’ve got a greater value than you’ll ever know!
Well, guess what? This time I’m siding with satan! Yep, I’ve crossed the line and I’m agreeing with him.
But, I know a truth satan doesn’t get. You see, I've decided it's good to be a zero. A zero, in mathematics, is a placeholder. It has no value. It only represents a place. It is a position holder. Alone, zero actually is nothing. But with even the lowest number, number one, standing in front of it, it suddenly has value!
So, satan, while I’ll agree that I’m nothing, with The One standing before me, and with my willingness to be a placeholder in His Kingdom, well, I’ve got a greater value than you’ll ever know!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Drill, Drill, Drill
Addition to 10
Recently, I’ve talked with some people who are teaching their children reading and math, but didn’t understand the importance of speed and accuracy. One of the best ways to build speed is with flash cards. Get your flash cards out, purchase a set, or make your own. We’re going to drill!
Flash cards should probably be used around a 1st grade level, once your child understands the concept of addition. Begin with the 1’s plus another number. Sometimes, doubles up through 5’s are an easy concept for younger children. Then, begin adding in the 2’s. Counting by 2’s is one way to teach this concept. Don’t be tempted to add in new facts until the first ones are mastered and memorized. They should be quick with the correct answer without having to think about it. A card with the wrong answer, or a slow answer, gets moved to the back of the pack for another try. Add in other numbers until your child knows all addition through 10 quickly and accurately. Keep this activity positive and upbeat, not berating for wrong answers, but praising right ones.
Another method is to use timed tests. Produce your own tests using 20 problems and set the timer or your cell phone stopwatch for one minute (or 10 for 30 seconds). If your child is not able to do the 20 problems you’ve chosen that quickly, get the flash cards out again, drilling some more. Write down the time encouraging them to see if they can beat it next time. Keep the papers, letting them see their improvement over time. Timing puts a little more pressure on your child, but helps them see the importance of knowing the right answer, not guessing.
Generate your own timed tests here.
Or download a free speed test generator here.
Share your methods of teaching addition. Do you think speed is important?
Recently, I’ve talked with some people who are teaching their children reading and math, but didn’t understand the importance of speed and accuracy. One of the best ways to build speed is with flash cards. Get your flash cards out, purchase a set, or make your own. We’re going to drill!
Flash cards should probably be used around a 1st grade level, once your child understands the concept of addition. Begin with the 1’s plus another number. Sometimes, doubles up through 5’s are an easy concept for younger children. Then, begin adding in the 2’s. Counting by 2’s is one way to teach this concept. Don’t be tempted to add in new facts until the first ones are mastered and memorized. They should be quick with the correct answer without having to think about it. A card with the wrong answer, or a slow answer, gets moved to the back of the pack for another try. Add in other numbers until your child knows all addition through 10 quickly and accurately. Keep this activity positive and upbeat, not berating for wrong answers, but praising right ones.
Another method is to use timed tests. Produce your own tests using 20 problems and set the timer or your cell phone stopwatch for one minute (or 10 for 30 seconds). If your child is not able to do the 20 problems you’ve chosen that quickly, get the flash cards out again, drilling some more. Write down the time encouraging them to see if they can beat it next time. Keep the papers, letting them see their improvement over time. Timing puts a little more pressure on your child, but helps them see the importance of knowing the right answer, not guessing.
Generate your own timed tests here.
Or download a free speed test generator here.
Share your methods of teaching addition. Do you think speed is important?
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tears don't stream down your face in space
In December, former New York Yankee great and fellow Oklahoman, Bobby Murcer, a neighbor of my husband’s dad, underwent surgery in Houston. The mother of NASA astronaut, Army Col. Doug Wheelock, informed her son that his childhood baseball hero was in Houston. The Murcers were invited to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and a friendship began.
So, last week, when the spaceshuttle went up in space a series of e-mails began between Col. Wheelock, and the Murcers. (Isn’t technology amazing?) These e-mails were forwarded to my husband’s father and he shared them with us. I think Bobby now has a hero of his own!
Here is an excerpt from one of Col. Doug Wheelock’s e-mails:
“It is an incredible experience out here in space and it quite frankly takes my breath away and brings me to tears when I look out the window at the Earth just hanging there in space! It’s almost as if my mind has such a difficult time comprehending the sight, that it doesn’t seem real. Last night, while Scott (Parazynski) and Dan (Tani ) were in the airlock, I took just a few minutes, by myself, and just looked out the window at the Earth. I figured out that tears don’t stream down your face in space, they just combine into one big tear-ball! I just can’t believe I am here! I just keep singing to myself, “How Great Thou Art”, when I look at the power and majesty of God’s beautiful creation!”
What an amazing and poignant accounting of God’s majestic creation!
Watch and pray for the seven astronauts as the shuttle lands on Wednesday, November 7.
So, last week, when the spaceshuttle went up in space a series of e-mails began between Col. Wheelock, and the Murcers. (Isn’t technology amazing?) These e-mails were forwarded to my husband’s father and he shared them with us. I think Bobby now has a hero of his own!
Here is an excerpt from one of Col. Doug Wheelock’s e-mails:
“It is an incredible experience out here in space and it quite frankly takes my breath away and brings me to tears when I look out the window at the Earth just hanging there in space! It’s almost as if my mind has such a difficult time comprehending the sight, that it doesn’t seem real. Last night, while Scott (Parazynski) and Dan (Tani ) were in the airlock, I took just a few minutes, by myself, and just looked out the window at the Earth. I figured out that tears don’t stream down your face in space, they just combine into one big tear-ball! I just can’t believe I am here! I just keep singing to myself, “How Great Thou Art”, when I look at the power and majesty of God’s beautiful creation!”
What an amazing and poignant accounting of God’s majestic creation!
Watch and pray for the seven astronauts as the shuttle lands on Wednesday, November 7.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
And we thought it was all about the war.......
My oldest daughter, Erin, whose husband is in Iraq, has been keeping up with some of the Marine wives and girlfriends while their men are gone.
One girl, in particular, Erin has spoken with several times. Erin has shared her faith in Jesus Christ with these women, and this conversation led to the woman telling Erin that she thought she was a Buddhist, and she just didn’t have much use for Jesus. Erin also discovered that the family was having financial difficulties and were renting their furniture. Erin told her to have the rental company come pick up the furniture, because she was going to locate her a houseful! Then she began asking people to donate any unused furniture. During this time, Erin shared with the lady about viewing some sermons on-line, never guessing that she would. She did and called Erin excitedly explaining that those words were just what she needed to hear! A few nights later, she called Erin asking how she could get plugged into a Lifegroup. The Marine wife was talking to her husband in Iraq and he began sharing some things he had been reading in a Bible the “Buddhist” had purchased for him before he left for the war.
Last week our family took a houseful of beautiful furniture, an almost new refrigerator and a really nice washer/dryer set donated by loving friends to this mother and her three children in Wagoner, OK. It was a blessing to bless them!
We learned that they had all attended a church in Wagoner, given their hearts to the Lord, and signed up to serve in the youth program!
And we thought Jon going to Iraq was all about the war…….
…………………………………
If you or your children would be interested in writing a note or letter to any of the 28 men in Jon’s unit, or their wives, please send me an e-mail. I’ll get you a name and address.
One girl, in particular, Erin has spoken with several times. Erin has shared her faith in Jesus Christ with these women, and this conversation led to the woman telling Erin that she thought she was a Buddhist, and she just didn’t have much use for Jesus. Erin also discovered that the family was having financial difficulties and were renting their furniture. Erin told her to have the rental company come pick up the furniture, because she was going to locate her a houseful! Then she began asking people to donate any unused furniture. During this time, Erin shared with the lady about viewing some sermons on-line, never guessing that she would. She did and called Erin excitedly explaining that those words were just what she needed to hear! A few nights later, she called Erin asking how she could get plugged into a Lifegroup. The Marine wife was talking to her husband in Iraq and he began sharing some things he had been reading in a Bible the “Buddhist” had purchased for him before he left for the war.
Last week our family took a houseful of beautiful furniture, an almost new refrigerator and a really nice washer/dryer set donated by loving friends to this mother and her three children in Wagoner, OK. It was a blessing to bless them!
We learned that they had all attended a church in Wagoner, given their hearts to the Lord, and signed up to serve in the youth program!
And we thought Jon going to Iraq was all about the war…….
…………………………………
If you or your children would be interested in writing a note or letter to any of the 28 men in Jon’s unit, or their wives, please send me an e-mail. I’ll get you a name and address.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Go See It!
Last week Dirk and I went to the movies! It's a rare occasion for us these days, but we enjoy a good flick now and then.
Dan in Real Life is a great film. We enjoyed the reality, humor, lack of sex and profanity, and the great message about family.
Treat yourself and your spouse to a fun movie this weekend.
You'll be glad you did!
PS - The music is AWESOME -check it out here.
Have any good movies to recommend?
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