Family camping trip a success!

My family's recent trip to the ocean was gratifying and relaxing, exactly what we were all hoping for it to be.

I am taking a break from unpacking and cleaning my room to post some pictures, because, perhaps you would like to see some?

Our adventures at the ocean make for a long story, which I can tell you in person if you're interested enough to hear it.

Suffice it to say that my grandpa's Pacific Beach house, where we had planned on living during our stay, needed some work done that prevented us from staying there at all. The picture below shows a portion of the yard behind the house. This may give you a taste of what condition the house (not only the yard) was in.

So, we hopscotched from hotel to hotel. In fact, for each of the three nights we were there, we stayed in a different hotel. The proof is in the pictures.

Hotel #1 [3 beds, a fold-out couch, and a full-sized kitchen]:

Hotel #2 [only 2 beds this time, and a kitchenette]:

Hotel #3 [Our favorite - two beds, a futon, and a full-sized kitchen. It was just a 1-minute walk from the bach, and -oh- the decorations were all sand-dollar themed! So cute!]:

We spent a large chunk of our time doing two things:

1. Sleeping:

2. Eating:

 And sleeping:

 And eating:

And sleeping:

And eating!

Other than that, we did get to see the beach and spend some quality family time together. Here are some [probably random] of my favorite photos:



We missed Ivory. She couldn't go, because she was working all weekend. If not for that, it would have been the perfect family vacation, ups and downs and all.

To the beach!

Oliver woke up this morning and, from the top of the stairs, wailed, "We forgot to go to the beach!"

It amuses me how he thinks everyone is as carefree as him, that we don't plan things or live off of schedules. What a cutey.

I'm looking forward to this family camping trip! [It won't be REAL camping, if you are one of those who seems to think camping has to include tents, firepits, and kum-ba-yah. Actually, I am one of those. But we're staying in my grandpa's beach house. Call us high-class.]

Happy 4th of July weekend to you all!

A worthy budget incentive

I know I must keep a budget.

I try to keep a budget.

The last couple of months, though, I have spent "free" money too early in the month, rendering myself helpless by the end of the month for that unexpected car break-down, or the day[s] when I forgot my lunch and had to run to Safeway for Chinese. And I'm left thinking - gosh! If only I hadn't bought that coffee. If only I had asked God before spending those $5.

SO, I'm turning to an incentive. [Call it a bribe if you must.]

This month [July], if I have managed to save at least $10 in the "unplanned expenses" category by July 30th, I will buy this CD:

Music is my weakness. Especially music that I know I can hear God in and worship with. So this is some major incentive.

I'll let you know how well I steward my finances in July. If you think of it, pray. :)

Just a question

Why is it mostly women who blog?

The inspiration in Inception

I had heard of this movie from several different people, so I wanted to watch it.

When my sister came home from watching it with a lopsided expression on her face, I should have known better. Generally, we have very similar tastes in movies.

But, last night, I watched it anyway.

I think I have the lopsided expression on my face right now.

It's not that I didn't like the movie. It was certainly entertaining, suspenseful, puzzling, and satisfying.

But - hmm... what to say?

I was left wondering, was this worth my time?

And I never like ending a movie with that question.

So I question you. If you've seen it, was it worth your time?

Beautiful!

This morning, Ivory was fixing up in the bathroom, and Oliver was looking for her.

"Ar-vreee! Ar-vreee!" he called. "Oh!" he said, when he saw her. "You look BEAUTIFUL!"

Ivory laughed. "You do, too!"

"NOOO! I'm not beautiful!" Oliver protested. "I'm just handsome."

Haha! That's the spirit!

Pearl in the Sand: Check!

Author: Tessa Afshar

Recommended Audience: Women over 20 (some intimate scenes with her husband, but nothing graphic)

Brief Synopsis: At just 15 years old, Rahab is sold into prostitution by her father, the man she loves most. Years later, she hears of the Israelites and of their God, who brings both judgment and mercy. She longs for this God and, when she spots two Hebrews come to spy on Jericho, she takes her opportunity to learn more about this God and to secure her safety when the Israelites destroy Jericho. Rahab goes on to join the Israelites out of both her need and her hunger for their Lord. She also marries Salmone, a leader of the tribe of Judah.

But how can one who was a prostitute cope with marriage to a single man?

When she has trained her heart to be cold, how can she accept both her husband's and God's love?

When she has been trampled on, as a pearl in the sand beneatch careless heels, is there anything left of her to love?

My Review: Wow. More than anything, this is a story of relationships. I've been inspired to fight for my relationships, even to the point of annoying or irritating the person I love, so all sin is exposed and all isues are resolved.

It's also a story of miracles. God proves Himself faithful to both the large Israelite nation at large and the lone individual's heart. I have been inspired to see God in everything, even in an unanswered prayer. He is forever working miracles.

And then there's the Hebrew wedding. It SO reflects Christ and the church. To give you an idea, there is a scene where Salmone meets with Rahab's parents to ask for permission to marry her and to agree on the bridal price. As he leaves, he tells Rahab [and this will not be verbatim]: "I go to prepare a place for you. I will return for you." Sound familiar?

In a way, I think that every woman is Rahab, so, more than anything, this story is a journey for each of us to take with the Lord, taking Rahab's revelations as our own and believing God's words to her to be for us.

If you get the chance and your local library carries it, I would definitely recommend this book for all us ladies.

"He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."

Psalm 103:10

"...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."

Isaiah 62:5

Mission Accomplished

Buy yours now - only $10!

Recetas
del

Corazon

- A bilingual cookbook -

Our youth group TODAY finished a project that has spanned several months now: a church cookbook! AH! It's finished!

And, just to celebrate, I made one of the recipes for dinner tonight: sopes!

I didn't snap a photo, so a google image will have to do:

Next week: Albondigas, my favorite!

Thinning

One of Oliver's many funnies happened today.

"Where are you going?" he asked my dad.

"I'm going to work."

"What are you doing in the work?"

"We're thinning the fruit."

Now, my dad has a wonderful Mexican accent, so then Oliver asks:

"What's teening?"

HAHAHA! My mom and I got a good laugh out of that one.

The gardening begins

We abandoned the former gardening site in favor of creating a NEW one, designed by muah!

So my dad gave me some options, and I decided on the peanut style:

My mom and I will begin planting the flowers tomorrow! (God help me!)

Hold Me

The Gilleys can testify that I've been humming this song the last day or so, ever since it came on the radio in the nick of time, in the middle of an emotional day.

Enjoy Jamie Grace's "Hold Me."

Goodbyes

Yesterday, I said goodbye to the 7th and 8th grade students I have been tutoring. I wrote notes that I pray were meaningful to them, and I pray that, more than anything,  my example planted a seed in their hearts of love for the Father who loves them.

What I didn't expect at all was to receive cards from them!

AH, I love this job!

3rd quarter: Check!

It was the night of Wednesday, June 8th, and it was done. All done.

The girl - let's just say she didn't look herself. Paint-splatted jeans. Unmatching jacket and shirt. Sneakers -- sneakers in June.

But she was happy, because she was done. All done.

(Teehee - school vacations get me in a weird mood.)

Photo tour of Sunday, June 5th

I've been wanting to do this for some time now -- a photo tour of my day!

And since my generous parents gifted me a digital camera for my birthday, now I can. :)

Sorry if this is a bit uninteresting. I just had to do it. I hope you understand.

While reading in John 12, I noticed that the person anointing Jesus' feet with oil was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. I had always thought that was Mary Magdalene, then I started getting all the Marys mixed up.

Enter Student Bible Dictionary:

I did some research, and I discovered that it was indeed Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who anointed Jesus' feet in Bethany, although the book of John is the only one to mention her name, and two of the gospel books say she anointed Jesus' head, while the other two say she anointed his feet. I'm guessing she did both.

I was so moved in reading this passage. May I be like this Mary, unashamedly pouring my love on my Savior!

Then, it was time to switch gears and do some homework:

the grand Tutor Notebook, due tomorrow: 

Then, it was off to church, and a skirmish with Oliver in the church office before pre-service prayer:

Worship and announcements led into a message from our pastor about getting a burden for our homeland -- Mexico, in this case.

{Sidenote: One of the songs we worshiped to was "Perfume a Tus Pies," which translates into "Perfume at Your Feet!" After John 12 this morning, I know this was NOT coincidence!}

After a pitiful sales day for the youth group's popsicle sales, we celebrated in the church basement with these three precious people:

 Grace (middle) just graduated from high school. The gentleman and lady on either side of her recently graduated from the church's school of biblical studies.

The celebration consisted of cake {above}, food, {below}...

 ...and fellowship!

Then, it was off to the homestead, with a quick detour to MacDonalds for a 99-cent large Sweet Tea:

Home at last.

After some munching and an EXCITING but DISAPPOINTING game between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, I've come full-circle.

Hasta luego, mis amigos :)

{How did I do?}

The life of an aspiring gardener

For over a year now, I have been desirous to learn how to garden.

If you know my family, you may be thinking, "What? Isn't your house the one with the HUGE garden? You don't know how to plant a flower and make it grow?"

And I must be honest and answer....no. I don't. My mom spends hours upon hours in her garden -- planting, weeding, picking off dried buds -- and my dad spends less time but just as much effort in his vegetable garden -- hoeing, planting, watering, picking. As a little girl, though, it was very nearly PUNISHMENT to be made to plant onions, or pull weeds, or pick raspberries, or turn off the sprinklers (I didn't want to get wet!).

But now I'm thinking ahead -- to the days when I will tend my own home. You can imagine that, when I picture this home, it is NOT a barren lot of dirt. It has flowers! And peach trees! And blueberries! And... a paid gardener? Umm, I don't think so. So it's time to start learning.

Beginning next week, I will start my garden, in this location that my mom has already begun clearing for me:

Well, I should say that she's begun clearing it of weeds. There are still some large "weeds" to be taken care of. We'll enlist my dad's help for those. The gardening area is the dirt mound beneath the trees, just behind the trailer and whatnot.

I have no idea how I'll begin, but I'm confident in my mom's ability to teach me.

It'll be an adventure!

sand sea pearl: worth the watch...conviction is key

sand sea pearl: worth the watch...conviction is key

Follow the link above to watch a video posted by sand sea pearl.
It's a 7 1/2-minute video of a woman sharing a poem she wrote. The poem is called something like "Worth the Wait." It is definitely worth the watch!

One line that stuck out to me you'll find toward the end, about being "drenched in Proverbs 31."

Hands-on learning at Rocky Reach dam!

Rocky Reach dam near Wenatchee, WA. I was there for 2 1/2 hours this morning, with fourth grade students from two Wenatchee schools. We hopped from station to station, learning about turbines, calculating the approximate number of fish in a tank, drawing a Chinook salmon using black construction paper and chalk, and discovering the power of water using the scientific process.  Yay for hands-on learning! Notice the flower flag in the foreground! All rights reserved by sea_eddie.

Here's a fuller view of the flower flag. I love this! Some rights reserved by Curtis Cronn.