I WANT this book...

...pay close attention to the subtitle!



Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will - OR - How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc

HT: Jules @ Sola Mom

It's a small world after all, it's a small world...

Lisa @ Deo Volente, "Ukrainiac", and me!

Earlier today I had the GREAT joy of meeting "Ukrainiac" (a blogging friend) face-to-face! Ukrainiac and her dear husband "Dr. Ukrainiac" are medical missionaries in--guess where--Ukraine! They were passing through our area while here in the States for a few weeks and my 'real-life' friend Lisa at Deo Volente made sure I knew they'd be at the airport long enough for a short visit.

The next time we all meet again just might be in Glory!

Anticipation

Now that Spring (aka: vernal equinox) has officially arrived, I'm looking forward to this scene in our backyard! Some years there's a 'riot' of wisteria--and bumble bees! :-)

Spring has sprung!

Last week, the only evidence of spring in our yard was a handful of very brave daffodils--a few of which I cut while it was snowing/sleeting last Thursday to take to a sick friend, and to my mother.

Today, the evidence is much more substantial! Enjoy!

Vinca Minor (vining ground cover)

"Tulip tree" (aka: Japanese Magnolia)


Grape Hyacinth (we used to have quite a crop of these--sadly either my annual weeding or some herbivorous critter has thinned them)

A lonely hyacinth

Daffodils and phlox

One of three colors of phlox we have scattered about

And finally, quite possibly the 'happiest' flower--other than a daisy!

Bach's Fuga VI

(Update: 03/08/09 Olga received word earlier today that she has been accepted into the music program at OSU!)

This is a short clip of Olga warming up for her piano audition today (she had another one at a different university last Saturday!). Sorry, but the audio on our digital camera isn't the best!

BTW, today is the 7th anniversary of when we first heard about Olga!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

One of the special treats my dear hubby gave me for Valentine's Day was my very own bag of Lindt Truffles--Extra Dark Chocolate.

Seriously, there is very little that can make me 'go weak in the knees'--these little jewels do it in a heartbeat (thankfully, there ARE health benefits)! Gotta run, they're calling out to me...

Saturday in the park? No, Saturday in the coffee shop...

...with my Best Friend (of 25+ years). Some Saturdays one or both of us have discipleship appointments for part of the morning, other Saturdays we simply have one another all to ourselves!!

We each bring a few things we're studying and/or working on--for DH it's often preaching/teaching prep, lately for me it's been my NANC exams. There's plenty of discussion, and lots of 'thinking out loud' together.

I'm so grateful for a husband who welcomes my thoughts and conversation--he's been the catalyst for my love of reading and study.

This made me laugh...

"Middle age is when you have two choices and you choose the one that gets you home earlier."

Gargling "Oklahoma!"...

...I actually KNOW this person (and extended family) in real life! I'm just so, so, so, very proud!

John Milton's 400th Birthday

Several blog posts today have brought to my attention that today is John Milton's 400th birthday! For your reading pleasure, I've provided those blog posts below.

Anytime I hear of or think of John Milton I'm reminded of my senior year in public high school (in the late 70's) when I--VERY much by default--found myself in a semester-long class on John Milton's "Paradise Lost" (!!!!!!).

I was not exactly what you would call an 'avid reader' in those days, as a matter of fact, it would be a huge stretch to even call me a 'reader'. I'm not proud of it, but it is reflective of my priorities and my thinking in those days--the Cindy Lauper song "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" sums it up pretty nicely. Sigh...

Anyway, I recall being very puzzled and even shocked that we were reading a book about "God", and "Satan", and "angels". (Side Note: By this time in public schools--even in the 'buckle of the Bible belt'--prayer had been satisfactorily removed from the schools, except during sports events when we'd confidently pray that God would help us beat our opponent.) The thought of Satan and other beings 'falling' from heaven was a very new and strange thought to me. It wasn't until much later in college (after the Lord saved me and I began to think on such things) when I realized that much of Milton's "Paradise Lost" found it's 'inspiration' within Scripture. Sigh, I regret that I missed and/or frittered away so much in my youth.

For a long time now as a Believing adult I've wanted to reread "Paradise Lost". I think I just might put it on my winter reading list--and perhaps redeem some "Understanding Lost" in my youth. :-)

Between Two Worlds ~ An Interview with Leland Ryken about Milton's Paradise Lost

Ligonier Ministries ~ An Epic in the Making

Holiday Hiatus

I've decided to take a little "holiday hiatus" until after New Year's! I still may post as the mood or occasion hits me, but don't expect too much from me! But, I still hope to follow/read YOUR blog(s)!

We home school year-round, so the holiday season is especially busy for us with all the extra activities and commitments, plus I need to devote more time to my NANC exams (yes, I'm still plugging away because, believe it or not, putting my thoughts on paper is such a labor for me--always has been).

See ya next year!

Monty Python channel on YouTube !!!!

Just recently found out that Monty Python has their, own channel on YouTube.

(NOTE: Please view with discernment, some skits may contain inappropriate material.)

Showing Christ's Love for Children in the CIS

Please consider taking part in this year's Immanuel's Child program benefiting children in the former Soviet Union.

Just $25 will enable Russian churches to purchase and give away much needed items to children (Russian Bible, hygiene/toiletries, fresh fruit, clothing, etc.).

Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) has been ministering in Russia since 1934--long before many ministries dared. Please visit SGA's website.

Gaining a Godly Perspective on the Recent Presidential Election

4:16 PM, 11/05/08 - Additional link provided below.

I've really enjoyed reading various blog posts today from brothers and sisters-in-Christ regarding a Biblical and godly response/perspective on our Presidential election. So, I've collected a few links here for your convenience, edification, and possible reproof. :-) Check back if you like, I may add others as they surface.

Al Mohler, America Has Chosen a President

Eric Redmon (an African-American Christian), Living Soli Deo Gloria Under Obama

Justin Taylor, President Obama

R. C. Sproul, Christians and Government

Francis Beckwith, Thoughts on the Election (I especially appreciated his thoughts on Nov. 3, 1992 because that is EXACTLY how I felt back then! It turned out to be a major turning point for my political thinking and response as a Christian)

Forgot to mention that I ran into Sarah Palin recently...

...at our State Fair in late September. Must have slipped my mind somehow!

In Memory of Theodore ~ 08/08 - 10/17/08

This adorable little guy was part of our family for a very short time recently--in our hearts for many weeks while we waited for him to be old enough to be weaned from his mother.

Unfortunately, he tested positive (twice) for feline leukemia and we had to make the VERY difficult decision to put him down. He was technically Olga's kitten--so naturally there have been some difficult and 'maturing' moments recently.

Lots of opportunities for John and I to teach and discuss with our girls, but does one ever 'adjust' to the consequences of the Fall?

Moments before hearing the bad news of his second test.

Snuggling with Nina days before the second test.

Cuddled in my lap while sitting at the computer--the day after he joined our family.

Because I simply can NOT resist...

...this is so, VERY SWEET! My Oklahoma State University Cowboys are ranked among the top 10!!!!

Go Pokes!

Our home school theme song...

I'm kidding! But, my girls and I do enjoy singing along when we hear it on the radio in the van!! :-)

"Gotcha Day" ~ Six Years Ago Today...

...we legally "got" our daughters! We celebrate this day EVERY year by eating out or going/doing something special--this year will be no exception, but it's still a secret for now!

This photo was taken just before we left the flat where we had lived for almost a month! Pictured front to back, Fareed (our driver), Nina (our youngest daughter!), Olga (our oldest daughter!), Helen (our translator), Nelya (hosted us in her family's flat), and last but not least a brand new Mama and Papa!

And, here we are at the Yekaterinburg airport waiting to fly to Moscow--finally on our way HOME!


And, these are our girls today!

"Delicious autumn..."

I heard the following quote today on the radio and wanted to share it with y'all--I feel this quite strongly not simply because it is my very favorite season, but also because my family and I have just returned from vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas.

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."