Monday Prayer...

Autumnal Daze

 We have been taking our kids to Weber's Farm since they were wee.  Now that they are bigger than me, I thought I could squeeze just one more year out of them to go to one of our my favorite places.  The eldest child opted out but the youngest and my best girl (she knows how to have fun wherever she goes) went with me. 

 Can you find the Gabanator?

THEN AND NOW

I never realized that picking out the right pumpkin is akin to selecting the right Christmas tree.  Weber's has the yummiest, warm cider doughnuts and caramel apples on this side of the Appalacian Mountains! 

Psalm 90:12 in God's word says, "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  I do number our days as I watch my children grow up.  These are the days of transitions.  Capture the moments given and tuck them away in your heart was what I kept thinking about today. Time goes by so quickly, treasure one another.

Coram Deo,
E.W.

Living Hope

Our church planted a sister church over a year ago.  They have been blessed and are thriving.  We celebrated a Particularization ceremony.

 Apparently Jason doesn't need a hymnal, he knows all the words!  These are the 2 elders and pastors of Living Hope.  Congratulations!!

Coram Deo,
E.W.

Making the Most of a College Fair

The journey has officially begun.  Last night we went to our first college fair.  Representatives from each college were ready to engage in dialogue about their institution and inform you of your options.  There are some really exciting schools out there...but which one do you choose?

I did a bit a research before we went so we could be a little prepared.  These are a compilation of the thoughts and questions we discussed:

Come prepared with questions!
How many students take that major?
What kind of research faculty members are involved in and are there any opportunities for undergraduates to participate in them?
What courses you would take your first year in a particular major.
What does the college look for in transcripts vs. SAT scores?
Do we need to audition or have a portfolio?
Are there extracurricular activities in my interests?
What do the graduates go on to do after graduation?
What percentage of students receive financial aid
Other concerns unique to your interests and situation...


Mapping out a strategy!
Before you leave for the fair, make sure you have the following supplies: a small notebook with your list of colleges and questions you want to ask; a pen or pencil; and a backpack to hold all the college pamphlets you'll be collecting.
Students with access to computers may wish to print up a few sheets of self-stick address labels.  Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, high school, year of graduation,  intended major, and any extracurricular activities you're interested in.  At the fair, slap the address labels on the college info cards to save time and energy.


A director of admissions at a California College advice was first for the student to take a self-inventory and make a list of all the things they know about themselves.  Start with the obvious:  What do you like to do?  What do you hate to do?  What subjects (academic or not) make you sit up and take notice?  What totally bores you?  What are you good (or not-so-good) at?  How do you learn best-by listening, discussing, reading, doing?  Do you enjoy being part of a large group, or do smaller groups suit you better?  Do you seek out diversity among your friends, or would you rather hang out with people that are very similar to you?  Are you more comfortable in the city or in a rural or suburban environment?  Do you want to stick close to home or move far away?  Is there a particular geographical area you're most interested in?
Search for colleges that have the characteristics that line up with your inventory list.  Visit internet college sites and talk with the guidance counselor.  The goal at this point is to put together a list of 15 to 20 colleges that look promising.  They should be colleges where you realistically have a shot at getting accepted.

The process is overwhelming.   After speaking to many college reps, there were some offering full scholarships and ALL of them stressed beginning your senior year with a firm choice because that's when there is the most money for scholarships.  Doug was invited to come tour the campuses which is a great idea because there is an ideal shaped up in your mind and actually seeing the campus can obviously tip the scales. When we were chatting beforehand I asked Doug what he envisioned a college campus to look like.  He described it as somewhat small, old historic buildings in a quiet setting.  So that is a good barometer for where his comfort level is.  Manhattan is probably not the place for him!  Funny that one of the places, Eastern University, had a huge display picture of their campus.  It was like someone took a snapshot of our discussion. 

The gal shared with us that in the basement of this old building they found manuscripts from Beethoven and Mozart.

There are webinars that will walk you through questions we have as parents; financial aid, choosing the right college, choosing a major and so and so.  Talking with other parents with children in college is a great way to learn as well.  Basically, you have to jump in and get your feet wet to start learning the lay of the land.  It's a big world out there!

Coram Deo,
E.W.

The Mississippi Squirrel Revival

Baby B

 The first great grandchild will be arriving next month.  Excitement does not even begin to capture the level of hope and anticipation this little guy is bringing!  No names have been revealed yet.  The nursery's theme is little jungle animals, just like the cake!

 The new parents-to-be.

 Conway can't wait to be a grandmother!

 It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  The shower was held at a remote country club that was charming.

 Katie got 3 of these diaper cakes.  They are adorable, unedible and low-fat!

 It's hard to hold gifts on your non-existing lap.  This was a gift from relatives up north who couldn't make it.  Thought I would pop a picture of Katie opening their gift of a college fund piggie bank...crazy to think about how much it will be when this fellow graduates!

 Party games...this one was guess what's in the diaper....

 Smushed Snickers, smashed Pay Day, eewie chocolate bars...how creative!

 This is Katie's grandma...such a dear lady!  She made the quilt.

Such a sweet day to gather around a new mom and join in her bubbling gladness.  How precious these times are!

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:14-19

Coram Deo,
E.W.

Global Aid Network

Instead of class at school today we invested in a service project for one of our class field trips.  We went to the Global Aid Network to participate in a worldwide outreach.

Global Aid Network is a mutli-national network of ministries serving to demonstrate the love of God, through word and deed, to hurting and needy people around the world through relief and development projects.

As the relief and development aid arm of Campus Crusade for Christ International, the ministry of Global Aid Network spans the globe helping to meet physical needs in areas of poverty and despair and providing hope through evangelistic outreach.   This cart is used for handicapped people to get mobile!

 Clean water, we take it for granted here in the states.  We have nothing to complain about!  Imagine getting your water in this manner.

 This dear lady showed us how to make the salvation message bracelet.

 Our teacher shared after we returned home, "We had a wonderful experience making bracelets which are used to share the gospel with children and adults around the world. One leader told us that they are even used with government officials sometimes – I guess a handmade bracelet along with the gospel message is more appreciated in other cultures! We also packed school supplies to send to children in Guatemala. Another leader told us that when she visited Guatemala she asked why so many children were not in school. She was told that children have to supply their own school items and if they do not have them they cannot attend. These pens, pencils and rulers that we packed today will be used by children who literally would not have an education without them. We are so blessed and what a privilege it is to be able to be a part of serving others in this way."

 Hands are my second favorite thing to photograph or sketch or behold.  Hands that have loved, served, and worked diligently are a masterpiece!

 If the beads went in the wrong order or you forgot to tie one end symmetrically like the other end...DO OVER!!

 Somehow making the bracelets became a competition.  Everyone was counting their piles.

 After making bracelets we went into the big warehouse to restock boxes with school supplies.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25: 35-40

Coram Deo,
E.W.