Passing On The Gift

Middle School Mission Trip 2009

Mission:

1obsolete : the act or an instance of sending2 a: a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work b: assignment to or work in a field of missionary enterprise c (1): a mission establishment (2): a local church or parish dependent on a larger religious organization for direction or financial support dplural : organized missionary work e: a course of sermons and services given to convert the unchurched or quicken Christian faith3: a body of persons sent to perform a service or carry on an activity: as a: a group sent to a foreign country to conduct diplomatic or political negotiations b: a permanent embassy or legation c: a team of specialists or cultural leaders sent to a foreign country4 a: a specific task with which a person or a group is charged b (1): a definite military, naval, or aerospace task mission> mission> (2): a flight operation of an aircraft or spacecraft in the performance of a mission mission to Mars> c: a preestablished and often self-imposed objective or purpose mission>5: calling, vocation

If I had to summarize what I learned at Heifer International this week. It was that I am not powerless. My time, knowledge and money is power.

I'm not going to be able to write everything we did. Our week was jam packed.

Our first day, we stopped in Marionville, MO. Ozark Methodist Manor was the official destination. We learned about the Manor and ate dinner with the residents. After supper, we divided into groups to do certain tasks. Our group's task was to clean wheelchairs.

After our time there, we drove to Branson, MO. Our hotel had a pizza place and indoor water park. The kids let loose and had a nice time.

Early the next morning, we packed up and headed to our next stop. Heifer Ranch in Perryville, AR. We spend three nights there. The first and final night were in the Heifer Hilton. Which, is supposed to be funny, I think? It was a barn, divided down the middle, with no sides. The bulls got one side and the heifers got the other.

In this picture, we are preparing our bunks.

The second night we stayed in the global village. This represented people living in poverty around the world. My group stayed in Thailand. Three other groups stayed in Zambia, Urban Slums and Guatemala.

During our time in the global village, we were taught the daily struggles people in poverty face every day to feed their family a meager meal. We were given little to eat. (rice, raw vegetables, and eggs) We had to build our own fire with limited matches. Then sleep in less than adequate housing.

Instead of giving the hungry food, they give them an animal. This animal can give them milk, manure (for fertilizing gardens), offspring (the first offspring has to be given to another person in the village), eggs, wool, draft power and money.

This water buffalo on the ranch represents draft power, milk and manure.

Goats provide milk and money.

This great pyrenes was a guard dog for the goats and sheep on the ranch.

To further educate our group. We did low and high challenges. This was to teach us a sense of community and working together.

Below are two of our adult leaders trying to accomplish a fun task.

During our low challenge, our group had to walk a rope with the help of others. It took everyone listening, paying attention, and working together.

Ryan and Denver during our low challenge.

When we went into the global village

In every group there was a "pregnant mother". This was funny to the kids. In reality though, many face this dilemma. "Do I feed my starving 7 year old or myself, so my unborn baby is nourished." The "baby" was actually a water balloon. If the balloon popped, the group had to mourn for 30 minutes in silence.

In Thailand they build their houses in the air. This is to protect them from flood rains and pests. To utilize space and labor, they build animal cages underneath. These were the guests staying below us. Lots of honking in the night. :)

This was Thailand. I felt blessed to have this housing. It was one of the best. We didn't have mattresses but we were safe from critters. The four groups united to prepare our meal. We had a mushy potato and el dente carrot stew, rice, and "sawdust" cornbread.

After our night, we had to chore. We let out the chickens, gathered eggs, fed the rabbits, goats, walked the goats, carried water buckets to the gardens and cleaned our squatty potty ( I'll explain soon).

All toilets in the global village were composting toilets. This meant that after using the restroom, you had to put a handful of sawdust in afterwards. This helped break down the waste. They use this by-product for fertilization. EWWWW!!!

This was Ryan on the high challenge. Again, it was a team building exercise.

The rock wall

Ryan

Our leaders, Melissa and Becca

While staying in the Heifer Hilton, we ate in the cafeteria. All meals were provided from the farm. Meat, vegetables, ect.

The horses respresented draft power on the ranch.

Our last morning, I took a little walk and captured a picture of their greenhouses. This is where all the seedlings (herbs and vegetables) are started.

Our group at a "pitstop" in Arkansas.

This was the indoor waterpark that we enjoyed the first night.

I learned during this trip, that I am blessed. I don't have to decide if I'm going to buy medicine for my family with Malaria, or feed them. My hardest decision in a day might be choosing what I'm going to cook for my children instead of how I'm going to feed them.

In closing, I encourage you to watch Geoffrey's story. Click on the link.

I will be leaving bright and early for Ryan's middle school mission trip. Our destination, Heiffer Ranch in Perryville, AR. I won't be back until late Saturday so I thought I would leave you with a short post. Just to tide ya' all over.

Here are todays P.O.T.D's.

Rick and my children play a game called 21 almost every night. Don't ask, I have no idea about the rules or the object. I do know that sometimes things go well and sometimes it ends in a fight. Which is a huge irritation to me. BOYS!!!!! Yet they always play again the next night. Tonight, Cameron and Carter and spending the night (since we have to be at church at 5:45 in the morning. ), so they are dragging them into their lair. I only stayed outside long enough to snap a couple pics. I'm sure they are out there fighting. I would bet money!!!!!

Gotta love them.

Hottie hubs, Ryan, Carter, and Cameron

Ry and Carter

Have a great week:)

Things I've Learned

I am fast approaching my 34th birthday. (scream) As a child, I never understood why people made such a big deal of growing old. I felt that way because I was a child. Growing old seemed so distant to me. When I was younger there was a TV show called "Thirty Something". I remember thinking, "30 is old". It was probably more like this....."OH....MY.....G__, gag me with a spoon, 30 is like, sooooo old". The topics of the show were irrelevant to me. I didn't find the humor in it.

Well, here I am. In my 30's. For the most part....I love it. I love being a parent, being married........ I enjoy my life. I do, although, have an underlining fear of getting wrinkly, saggy, and hard-of-hearing. Not long ago, I plucked my first grey hair out of my head. I was so appalled by it that I taped it to the fridge. I'm not sure why. I guess it was to be a reminder to myself that soon my whole head would be that color. You couldn't see the hair because we have a stainless steel fridge. One day I looked for the "grey hair" and it was gone. Rick thought someone had stuck a piece of tape on the fridge and threw it away. (he didn't see the hair) Not that it should have mattered. Why would ANYONE TAPE THIER HAIR TO THE FRIDGE!!! I am such a freak!!! Boy-oh-boy was I upset about that one. I could have at least scrapbooked it Rick!!!

I'm noticing more smile lines around the eyes and dark spots on my arms from the sun. I notice that things hurt that didn't used to hurt. For instance, the knees. When did that happen? I creak and pop in the mornings. I tire easily. OH MY GOODNESS, I'M FALLING APART!!!!

On a more serious note, I've written a list of things that I have learned. Some things, I've learned the hard way. Some things just fell into my lap. Maybe in 34 more years (hopefully), I can write another list of things I've learned. Then compare them. Wouldn't that be interesting?

I’ve learned that no one has a perfect life, even if they make it seem so.

I’ve learned that you can have many acquaintances and few friends.

I’ve learned that my most beautiful moments were the births of my children.

I’ve learned that everything is not always black and white.

I’ve learned that you should judge with the same measure that you want to be judged.

I’ve learned that people will disappoint you but God NEVER will.

I’ve learned that it is painful to lose someone you love but it was worth it to love.

I’ve learned that it is easier to trust someone the first time than it is the second.

I’ve learned that gaining weight is much easier than losing it.

I’ve learned that being a parent means that you can’t always be their friend.

I’ve learned that I have more patience with my own children than other’s children.

I’ve learned marriage isn’t always easy but Rick is by far, my greatest friend.

I’ve learned that prayer is always worthwhile.

I've learned that if you do too many projects, you won't do any of them well.

I've learned that if you work hard for it, you appreciate it more.

I've learned that no one else is normal but you, and everyone else thinks that too.

P.O.T.D.

SOOOOOO..... I'm in the mood to challenge myself a little. I've been blog-surfing this evening. Before you decide to attempt this, remember you may need set aside your ENTIRE evening. Tell the kids to eat cereal for dinner. Don't answer the door or your phone.

Anywhoo, I came upon a blog that I have bookmarked, but not added to the list of "blogs I follow". I love her creativity, however, most of her designs are digital. Frankly, I'm just not there yet. I love getting my fingers stained with ink and sticky from adhesives. Her name is Becky Higgins, she had a FAB idea!!!!! It's called P.O.T.D.

For some crazy reason, I believe it is my responsibility to be the historian of the family. I keep my busy, chicken-scratched, cluttered calendars year after year, I scrapbook, I blog, I save, record, journal, document every last breath that this family takes. To further this maddness, I will take it one step further with a Picture Of The Day. "What does this mean?", you say. It means, dear one, that I am going to be taking one picture a day of something that I wouldn't normally take. For instance, my picture for today will be Gracie sleeping in my bed. (because that is what she does everytime Rick works in the E.R. overnight.) This is something that I might forget in 20 years. I know the idea of me forgetting something seems highly unlikely ;) (wink ;)) Along with the picture, I will tell a short story. This will explain more than the obvious in the photo. Other picture ideas might be the cover of the book you are reading at that time (who is your fav. character, list things that you learned from it), your favorite restaurant (what do you normally order {take a picture of your plate, the decor}, newly painted toenails, a mess that the kids left in the kitchen..... you get the idea).

All sarcasm aside, I've always felt that taking pictures is like capturing little moments in time. Moments that cannot be rewinded or changed. When you snap a picture of your children, you are creating a mini time capsule that will be enjoyed for generations and generations. I am VERY passionate about this, can ya tell? Besides that, anyone can take a picture. You don't have to be super-de-duper talented. Or artistic. Just snap...snap....snap. Easy peasy.

When Rick is on call in the E.R. it sure seems empty in our king size bed. That is why Gracie

sleeps with me. She usually crashes within minutes and doesn't move much at night. Sometimes

I read her books or she reads them to me, sometimes we watch a little Spongebob, and sometimes

we just crash!!!!

I snapped this picture just one day before they flew the coup.  They still had fuzzies on the top of their heads.  Awww (sigh with smiles)  I love animals.  

Ryan finished his last summer 09 game last night.  Baseball is such a great sport, it is bittersweet for me that it is over.  I am sure going to enjoy the extra time that it took from us!!!!  

Short and sweet today.  I have loads of work to do.  

T.T.Y.L.

MU pitching camp for Ryan

M

This may be the last time Ryan takes the mound for the 09 season.  Depends on how we do in districts.

Since we are in Concordia, MO and that is where Aunt Melinda and Uncle Joe live, they are able to come to your games.  Aunt Melinda is in blue.  Grandma Janice is in red beside her.  Then of course, our scorekeeper and my children's second momma, Nancy Mitchell.   Our team usually fills the bleachers with parents, grandparents and friends.  I love how many new people we have met through this.

This game was so hot.  When we left the house it was 78 degrees.  When we got to Concordia, it was 90 degrees.  

Rick made a purchase last week.  We found a 700 Polaris 4 x 4.  It doesn't look like it in this picture, but this thing is a beast.  Our next biggest 4-wheeler is a 400.  We thought it was big.  This one dwarfs it.  They do make bigger ones, but this is really all we needed.  We found it used on craigslist.  (right here in Chillicothe)

This is the Kodiac.  Ryan tied a pillow on the back so it doesn't hurt the bum as bad.  

Ian, looking thrilled, is the caboose.

We bought the materials for Gracie's playhouse over 6 months ago.  We are just now finding time to put it together.  I have BIG ideas for this when it's done.  Window boxes, a small table and chair, pictures.  It will be the girliest of all girl places!!!!

This has been quite a team effort.  Ian, Rick, and Ryan have done all the work so far.  Gracie has done a little supervising (as noted in this picture).  

I'm so glad that Rick is doing this for Gracie.  Rick also built my scrapbook room.  I often think about how much work he put into it.  Without thinking an ounce of himself and knowing that he wouldn't get a bit of good out of it.  Thanks hunny!!!

Gracie is posing out of a "soon-to-be" window.

I packed the kids up early Monday morning and headed to Columbia, MO.  Ryan had a two day pitching camp at Simmon's Field.   Ian, Gracie and I went shopping and watched Ice Age 3 until he finished.  I was supposed to go to Concordia Monday night, but they cancelled his game (due to weather), so I rented a hotel room and we stayed there.  

7:30 am:     leave for Columbia, MO

10:30 am: check Ryan into pitching camp

11:00 am:  shop at the mall until lunch

1:00 pm:    eat at Ruby Tuesday

2:40 pm:   watch Ice Age 3

4:00 pm:   shop 

7:00 pm:   pick Ryan up from camp

7:30 pm:   eat at Macaroni Grill

8:39 pm:   swim at hotel until 10:00

10:00pm:  crash in bed

Tuesday-

7:00 am:   wake up and get ready

8:00 am:   eat breakfast at hotel

9:00 am:   drop Ryan off at pitching camp

9:30 am:   shop

10:30 am: pedicures for Gracie and I

12:00 pm: Chuck E. Cheese for lunch

1:30 pm:   thinking of things to do until 4:00

2:30 pm: still thinking of things to do until 4:00

3:30 pm: pick Ryan up from pitching camp

4:00 pm: get ice cream at Baskin Robbins

4:30 pm: head for home 

A Yummy Summer Treat

I made lemon bars at the beginning of the week.  Ian said that they are his second favorite dessert now.  (cheesecake would be his fav.)  I have been watching the food channel too much.  I had the idea to "plate" the food.  (which basically means to stage it), then snap a pic.

Since we had to bring recipe cards to stamp club last night.  I made everyone a copy of the pictures along with the recipe.  

So, if you're reading this...... consider your taste buds lucky.  This is one mighty fine treat!!!!

Lemon Bars

Prep: 27 minutes Cook: 50 minutes

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind (optional..... but yummy)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

powdered sugar

Combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar; cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly.  Spoon mixture into a greased 13 x 9” pan; press firmly until crust is lightly browned.

Combine remaining 1/2 flour and baking powder; set aside.  Combine eggs, 2 cups sugar, lemon rind, if desired, and lemon juice; stir in flour mixture.  Pour over prepared crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and set.  Cool on a wire rack.  Dust lightly with powdered sugar; cut into bars.

Yield: 2 dozen

I could seriously take a picture everyday of the lily pads on our pond.  

First of all.... how did they get there?  They didn't show up until last year.

Second.... unless I did it in my sleep, I'm pretty sure that I didn't plant them.  

That's OK, I'm not complaining.  LOVE THEM!!!

Chester spends most of his day sleeping.  I've noticed that since Gus has joined our family a year ago, he lives on higher ground.  The floor isn't safe anymore.  I even had to put their food dish on the counter in the laundry room.  

This is a face that only momma could love!!!!

I finished my first week of my Esther bible study.  You cannot imagine how it's speaking to me.  Without being mystical, God is revealing some pretty big things to me.  Things that I haven't uttered to a soul.  Hope that I can tell you someday.  Until then, I'm going to be patient and wait.  

(that wasn't very nice of me to dangle bait in front of you, was it?)

Gracie finished her season last night with two smash hits.  Rick helped her pick a lighter bat and that made ALL the difference.  Way to go, Gracie!!!  Rick wiped the dust off the video camera and caught some of it on film.  We plan to compile a summer baseball DVD.  Watch out future girlfriends/boyfriends, you WILL see this someday!!!

Heirlooms

Soon after Rick and I married it seemed like his family started dwindling.  First to pass was his Gr. Grandma Bohne, then Grandpa Smith, Grandpa Evans (within three weeks of each other), Grandma Evans, and Granny Smith.  In the span of 5 years, Rick lost all his Grandparents.  

He didn't come from a wealthy family but the things they passed to us were priceless.  Many of the things Granny gave us were simple things.  Things that Rick remembered playing with as a child.  Or things that he remembered in the kitchen (where you would always find Granny).  They've never been valuable to anyone else but us.  I've always wanted to photograph these items and label who they came from and why we have them.  Until recently, it's just been a passing thought.  I've been in a reflective mood lately.  Thinking alot about my Grandma and Rick's Grandparents.  I would love to honor them with this, so I've made it a priority.  As much of a priority as sealing the deck or painting the garage.  Below are just a few of the things Rick's family left us.  

Granny's cookie jar that always sat in the kitchen.  That's where I keep it to.  It stores all of my cooking utensils.  Some of which are hers.

Once again, nothing valuable.  Rick made this for Granny when he was young.  It's a round-to-it. Get it!!!!  (when I get a round to it)

This is a little scary looking.  It's no bigger than my thumb.  The goal is to get the ball bearing out of the mouth only using your thumb and fore finger.  I remember Grandpa Smith trying and trying.  He never could.  I'm not sure why, but I can pop it out every time.  

Grandma (Juanita) Evans left us this honey pot.  I am going to research where this was made and by whom.  I do know that it is very old.  As noted in the piece of paper, Grandma Farce was Rick's Great, Great Grandma.  She passed before Rick was born.  Grandma Evans wrote the note.  

This isn't a heirloom yet as Rick's Aunt Alta Lou is still alive.  She gave this to Gracie last Christmas.  It was hers and she knew how much Gracie loved horses, so she passed it on.  It is Waterford Crystal and very valuable.

This was Granny Smith's.  Rick has more information about it than I do.  The key is attached around his neck.  You wind him up from below.  Last time we tried, he worked.  

This is Mr. McGregor.  One of my very favorite pieces.  Granny purchased this from a traveling salesman.  I remember her telling the story like it was yesterday.  He stands up, puts the cigar into his mouth, then blows a puff of smoke.  It's been two or three years since we have done it, but the last time we tried, he was still-a-puffin'.  

I keep Mr. McGregor behind glass.  This is a close-up of his face.  The smoke comes out the nostril holes and lips.

We went to see Transformers 2 last night.  I give it a 6.  The boys probably would give it a 9.  Too much action for me.  Gracie spent the night with Haley Rucker.  She would have been bored after 10 minutes.  The movie was over 2 1/2 hours.  (yawn)

I better get truckin.  Lots to do today.  

I am always thankful for the coaches who give up their time to teach my children.  I know what a sacrifice it is because Rick coaches many of my children's teams.  

I thought that I would make a little token of my appreciation for the three men who coached Gracie this season.  

Inside the vellum bags is two Hershey bars, a package of graham crackers and a bag of marshmallows.  I also made a matching card for Gracie to sign.

Tomorrow will be her last game so I will let her present them afterwards.

I made the baseball and shadow with my cricut.  Then stamped the pennant using PTI stamps and SU ink

This is another picture of my hydrangea.  

Gracie went for a walk with me last night  I captured a cute little smile. 

I wanted to take pictures of the lily pads on the pond, so I took off with the camera.  As usual, I was sidetracked by all the wild-flowers and pretty weeds.

My family calls this "Queen Anne's Lace".  Not sure if we are right or not.  But the name seems fitting.

Another "Queen Anne's Lace" in full bloom

Not sure what this beauty was.  Probably the reason my allergies are raging!!!!

Some think that thistles are a pain.  I think they are beautiful!!!!!  

Wild blackberries that the bunnies have nearly devoured!!!!

Notice the small bee on the lower flower

We have Kill Deer all over our property.  They build their nests in the ground.  I sure wish they would let me tell them where to build it, because it's always in the front yard.  Don't they know that we mow our yard at least once a week?  Four of five eggs were tossed out of the nest and cracked.  :(  So sad!!  

It cracks me up how the mommy and daddy carry-on when you get close to the potential babies.  They squawk and squeal.