The events

Yesterday was an enjoyable day. I ended up taking just Courtney out for the day. We were supposed to be together from 1:00-4:00, but as we know the way of youngin's stretching the time out- I ended up calling her mom and she let her stay an extra hour. We explored a bit of the downtown area- I took her to a shop that has gelato and coffee. She ordered cake batter and I ordered carmel cashew- so that is what I told the server we wanted. The server must not have quite understood me because he scooped them both in the same dish! Courtney started laughing and I was trying my very best to be discrete but it was oh so hard when you have a ten year old girl who is just rolling in laughter beside you. So, I asked the server for "another one" and he stuck another mini spoon inside the dish. It was quite funny. I once again had to be a little more "blunt" and ask for another scoop of icecream in a separate dish> :) We ended up getting what we wanted- along with our Chai Tea Latte and Vanilla Cappuchino. :) I couldn't believe the things middle schoolers had to deal with. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to get slapped in the face-- and just be okay with that and stay in the same classrooms. It's sad the lack of responsibility and authority by the adults. The adults are bias or so stressed out, that they don't know how to properly control kids, and the kids ride over their authority to look "cool" to the other kids. So, it was interesting to see inside the life of a person who is half my age and see the struggles there. On a good note, I was able to help her finish her math homework- which was actually quite easy and she knew how to do it all just lacking the motivation. :) Also- Yesterday Sammi and Brandon came over. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate wings and played Trivia! I won the first round-- I named myself "JEDI" haha! :) I suppose the Jedi's always seem to win. When we got home, they requested some hot chocolate. I didn't have any packets, so i decided to look up how to make homemade hot chocolate! I didn't try it; but they said it was really delicious! I probably will stick with that from now on- since they seemed to like it. :) Homemade stuff is always the best! And I must say that as I was pouring the delicious milk into the pan; I couldn't help but thank God for the farmers who work hard day and night to give us those good things. :) {{Thank you Row family!!}} It's truly a blessing.

Arraying Yourself For Beauty and For Battle

Last evening was a wonderful event at church. The event was solely for women and about arraying yourself for beauty and for battle. I came late from work so I missed quite a bit of the beginning but seemed to make it in time for what I thought were the best parts anyways. I walked inside and all of the tables were lined with beautiful white linen table cloth. Each one had beautiful paper gold hearts in the center with a long vase and sparkling lit candles. The tables were done as if they were for a wedding! The orchestra had just started when I arrived. The orchestra was a group of kids performing. They played pieces from the baraqoe area including a piece by Handel. I could hardly believe I just walked into such a place after such a crazy yet boring day of work. After the orchestra was the message. The message came from the book of Ephesians about putting on the whole armor of God. The woman who spoke is a fiery woman of God she spoke to us ladies. It was very encouraging to hear her speak. She used a woman as her example and "dressed her up in the armor". For the breastplate she used a beautiful necklace, for the shoes she used black long boots, for the belt of truth she used a shiny belt, the shield of faith consisted of a cute black jacket, and the sword of the spirit was a fashionable black purse with a Bible inside of it and a tablet. :) It was a great example and I'll never forget the armour of God! :) The message spoke to my heart about being content only in the Lord and it gave me the strength from God that I needed to realize that He is fighting all my battles and He will bring me a place of contentment no matter what the circumstance if I only rely on Him. :) The more I am learning to trust in God just over the past day the more my fears are subsided and my thoughts are good! Tonight, I'm taking out a ten year old girl from our church to spend Saturday together along with my cousin and her man Brandon. I'm really excited and I'm praying that God will use this extra time I have now for His glory! FrEeDoM at LAST! :)

Thoughts

A thought starts here
 You share it there
"They" share it there and it comes back here.

Here is a thought
Lost amist the lively noise
Where I once sought
Now seems like a land without poise

What was it that I think that I once thought
Was it true or am I simply caught
The lines of the mind are pulled taut
And my thought are disintegrating; the ones I once fought to have thought

Now are my thoughts valid?
I do not now know..
For the voices are ever stirring
And my thoughts are all but blurring

 -Courtney

 This isn't a poem but more of a question of wondering. It's no where near a great work- I took a few minutes to write it. It derives from the confusion that comes when you listen to so many voices you can't hear God's voice or your own thoughts. This is the place I am in right now. :)

Beautiful Day

Today is a wonderful exciting day. Christopher is preparing to leave for his journey to Uganda where he will spend his life for the next 27 months. His primary focus will be math tutoring to the professors there along with hiv/aids education and overall wellness for the Ugandan community. We have been trying to squish all the favorite "American" times within this past week, visiting Christopher's favorite restaurants and spending quality time with him before he leaves. It's quite a change of pace for the week since our family is usually busy in our own individual lives I feel as we don't take time with each other, so honestly it's weird to spend a whole week together focusing on spending time with each other and my brother. Anyways, he is about to embark on an exciting journey and I am glad we can support him. I bought him a personalized teddy bear with a t-shirt of him and I on our graduation. I got the package in the mail today.. and they forgot to send the bear! What are the chances! So-- I ended up with a mini sweatshirt- lol.. and now I'm waiting for them to put in a new order for the bear. It might be too late- but that's alright; mistakes happen. Well, Dinner is ready- and unfortunately I don't have time to write anymore. Hope all is well!