In honor of National Coffee Day, I'm starting her early.

Wordless Wednesday #1

These are a few of my favorite things

I'm still trying to find ways to get me to blog more frequently.  So once again I'm attempting to create a regular feature on my blog haha.  I tried "What You Wish You Knew Wednesdays" (or something cheesy like that) where I hoped to share facts about Spain.  It lasted one time.  I might try again, but I think I found something else - something better - for Wednesdays by reading other people's blogs.  Another thing I saw on few people's blogs were listings of their favorite things.  I thought this was neat...so I'm copying haha

I promise to only name five for today...ready...well ready or not here we go...

http://www.gnucitizen.org/images/125252891_e22f8e0406.jpg

1. Skype.  I mean seriously the ability to talk and see the other person regardless of whether they're three states away or across an ocean is ridiculously cool!!  It's so much more personal than talking on the phone...and cheaper (especially when the friend is across the ocean)
   
   
   
2. The church resource room. Now if you've ever been the church resource room, you're probably questioning my sanity on why I name this as one of my favorite things.  But while I don't necessary love on the current organizational level of that room, I do love the random things I keep finding it in. It's like my own treasure chest.  You never know what you'll discover.



This isn't the exact one, but close enough :) http://www.starbucksstore.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=313563#

3. Coffee.  Some might say this is more of an addiction than a love, but I really love a cup of coffee with a little skim milk in my Starbucks travel mug.  Oh and that mug will keep your coffee hot for hours.
4. The Gospel of John.  I love all of God's word but God is really speaking to me through this Gospel right now.  Go and read John 2:12-25
5. Toms.  Cute shoes and better yet you get a pair and a child in need gets a pair, too :D

Lessons in Children's Church

As many of you know (and well if you didn't know you're about to find out) I've been teaching Children's Church at my church, First Pres of LP, since returning home last May.  And needless to say I sometimes I think I've learn more from teaching it than the children who attend.  So I wanted to share some of the lessons I've learned lately through this blessing I've been able to take  part in for the last few months.

• Sometimes simple is best.  Just because a craft looks cool doesn't mean it is and sticking to a coloring sheet would have been more enjoyable and less stressful for all.
• Candy and small prizes motivate kids to learn their Bible verses...oh the joys of extrinsic motivation. But then again how often do I do things in hopes God will bless me...at least the kids are more honest about their motives.
• God gave us two ears to listen and one mouth to talk. 
• Are we doing all we can to make sure everyone gets the prize?  His prize?
• Never turn down help and make your helpers feel important.
• Maybe the lesson doesn't go as deep as I would like but I think these children have something that I often forget...enjoyment of God.  Church is fun for them.  God is fun for them.  God wants me to enjoy Him.

Just a snippet of what God's teaching me through the children I spend my Sunday mornings with.  

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

Matthew 19:14

Photo Editing Fun

I really like editing photos.  I don't do it a lot, but I always have a good time adding effects to pictures I've taken.  I use Picasa or Picnik normally, but I would love to invest in Photoshop one of these day.

Here are some pictures I've had fun editing using these sites.

Saturday Joys

• The reminder that complaining doesn't get you anywhere...but prayer does.
• A quiet time that brought to mind 3 points I learned at the Wales retreat I attended over a year ago and the challenge to live these out everyday...not complaining, doing what I'm asked, leaving each place better than I found it.
• Time with my mom.
• Pink cardigans and shirts with pretty beads.
• Old movies.
• Chick-fil-a.
• An envelope arriving from Spain with very important and exciting documents inside.
• Knowing my God is faithful even when I am not...but desiring to be faithful to Him.

What You Wish You Knew Wednesday #1

Okay so I am desperately trying to become a better blogger.  One way I hope to increase my blogging frequency is by having regular features.  I see this on other people's and I figured I could it, too.  Then it might inspire me to be more disciplined in the art of blogging.  


So as I prepare to go to Spain in the next few months, I constantly want to read up on the culture, on ECA (the school I'll be working with), the history, other missionaries in Spain, and ways to pray for this country.  Well, as I research (and when I say research I really mean Google and Bing searches and reading people's blogs) Spain I keep coming across random facts about the country.  I love random facts (maybe not as much as some people, such as my dear friend Claire), so I have decided that one my features is going to be "What You Wish You Knew Wednesdays" -  aka random facts about Spain.

What You Wish You Knew Wednesday

- The motto of Spain is Plus Ultra (Latin) meaning Further Beyond.  The motto is on the coat of arms, which is on the Spanish flag. (Fact Source)