Zorro

I've known we've needed a dog for some time. Paco is terrified of dogs and I don't know why. When my brother, Troy, was here for graduation with his new pup it became very clear - we needed a dog. Paco needed a dog. So we've been looking for a lab. A black lab to be exact. Because, you see, this little guy has been named long before we ever got him. His name, as you know from the title is: ZORRO. And to hear a 4 year old boy say it with a Spanish accent is just about the cutest thing you'll ever hear.

Bright and early this morning, okay bright and early for me, alright, at 8:00 this morning, Roy, Paco and I loaded into my parents' pickup to meet Zorro. I'll let the pictures do some talking...

The work has just begun. ;)

Summer Life

Hopefully, you are following Michael Phelps, I mean the Olympics - they are so good and exciting!!! My friend Heather certainley is. I'm sure this is one reason we maintain our friendship - because we both care about world events, come on now.

What else have we been up to?

Roaring Springs Water Park - twice. I might even go again...

Visiting the Public Library.

Watching the Snake River Stampede in which Paco has decided he wants to be a mutton buster next year. You have to be 5 years old so he'll be a young one. Is this not a frightful thing for a mother to endure?

We've also had swim lessons for Melynda, Sky and Paco at the YMCA.

Attended Vacation Bible School where the kids memorized Phillipians 4:13 NIV

Obviously, you know we went to Mexico... just read here a few times and you'll get that figured out...

We had our annual drive-in movie experience and saw Kung Fu Panda. I so love the drive-in.

Attended Yearly Meeting in Oregon.

Had snow cones on a hot July day.

Been to The Reel Theater many times already this summer.

Last night went to the Caldwell Night Rodeo and Chuckwagon Dinner... this morning hit the Buckaroo Breakfast to help ring in MELYNDA's 14th BIRTHDAY!!!!!

We had a camp out in our yard but leave soon for our family reunion that is a camp out for a long weekend. YEAH!!!

All that's left is a BBQ/Picnic at the lake, swimming at our friend Greg's, seeing a movie at Edwar'ds and watching Grease with my daughters.

Wow, that makes me tired just seeing all we've done! And school doesn't start til Sept 2nd!

Canning Green Beans

A month ago there was a post about canning and I instantly thought, "Oh yeah. Now we're talking! This I CAN do!" And then my friend Heather mentioned my canning craziness and finally, I was reminded last night why I got all excited when I read both of their posts. I love canning.

First off, clean your kitchen. It's so much nicer to prepare food in a clean space.

Wash the beans. I weighed myself then the beans and came to the conclusion that I had 10 pounds of green beans. The easiest way I have found to wash them is to dump them into a clean sink and fill it with water.

Make sure there is plenty of water so you can swoosh them around and get the dirt off 'em:

Now swoosh 'em and move 'em and push 'em and... you get the idea. Clean 'em.

In smaller batches, I put a couple handfulls in my awesome strainer and work from that:

Now get to snippin'! The fastest and easiest way is to use your hands to snip off each end and then snip them in twos or thirds: Putting newspaper under your work area will catch all the loose ends and make clean up a breeze.

Place the snipped beans in a clean container, like my stainless steel mixing bowl:

Get all abled (and not) bodies to help snip. Here you can see what happens when my Dad arrives unexpectedly during this process:

Boil lids.

Invite company over and don't tell them what you're going to do. Then put them to work. Here is one guest filling CLEAN jars with snipped beans. Pack them tightly, lady!

Leave 1' headspace. That's the space between the beans and the top of the jar.

Fill the jars with hot water. Please be careful and don't burn yourself. Remember, it's HOT water!

After you add the jars to the pressure cooker...following your cookers instructions carefully, get the cooker boiling and steam coming out of the release valve for a full 10 minutes. Once you have done that, you put the weight on, or however your cooker works, and bring it to a full 10 pounds of pressure:

Keep it at 10 pounds, adjusting the burner temperature as needed, for 25 minutes. Then, turn off the burner and let the pressure drop to 0. Or, be like me and turn off the burner and go to bed. It'll be fine come morning and you won't be worried about opening the lid. I do take off the weight once it's at 0 to release the pressure. (See your book for official instructions.)

Gorgeous home canned grean beans. I am happy to say they all sealed!

Long Ago

Long ago I only had three children:

There was a cute little girl who went by the name Melynda.

And she had a little sister who then went by the name Taylor.

She was a tiny little thing then and we often worried about her:

We needn't fear. For these little girls had a big bad brother who liked to be called Troy.

But sometimes he lost while playing Jenga and had to wear his mother's shirt...

And while that is embarassing for a 14 year old boy, it's nothing compared to his Dad loosing.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm.

The End.

The Entertainer

What an amazing experience! One day, while we were in Puerto Vallarta, hanging out on the Malecon, eating yummy food, sitting right next to Los Arcos, it began to rain.

And rain. So, we did what every other local did - RAN FOR COVER!!! Cover seems to be the overhang from a building that has steps and looks right on the plaza. We sat while Paco played. In the rain.

Yes, mijo, that is water. And you are wet. Very wet. I'm not sure you'd be any wetter if you were in a pool!!!

Hi! We see you - as does everyone else. Yes, you are the entertainer. Keep it up - you're making the minutes pass by faster.

"Hey! Stop! I mean, ALTO!!! Donde vas? AHHH - HHHEEEYYY!!!"

"You have my toy. My parents won't buy it - but you have it. Please, give it to me." This is seriously the kind of things he told people. And it was true. And I laughed.

Our funny guy.

Yes, it's rain, dear. Are you getting cold yet? No? Ahhh, that's because it's a warm rain - and it's neater - and better - cause we're in Mexico. That's why.

"Man, it's getting in my eyes."

"And I like it."

Join Me in Making a Difference!

Tony Campolo challenged me to sponsor a child in a third world country through Compassion International. Simply put, if Roy and I are not willing to do this simple, inexpensive ministry, should we even consider something else? This is step one, folks!

Will you keep reading?

Just $32 per month connects you with a child in a loving relationship that will change his or her life -- and yours!
~Exchange letters, photos, prayers.
~Become a friend.
~Provide opportunities for education, health and personal development.
~Most important, your child will learn about Jesus in a church-based program in his or her neighborhood.

The child sponsored through Compassion will receive opportunities and services that most of the world's poorest children will simply never see. These opportunities and services include the following:
*The opportunity to receive an education: In some cases, this means providing the cost of school fees, clothing and supplies. In other cases, it means providing tutoring, help with homework, encouragement and, if necessary, participation in a literacy program outside the classroom. Your Compassion sponsorship will allow one special child to stay in school longer if formal schooling is an option and get the most out of his or her education.
*The opportunity to be healthy: The health of the child you sponsor will be monitored and care will be provided as needed. Children are taught about hygiene and how to maintain personal health. In addition, and according to their needs, many Compassion children receive supplementary food.
*The opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills: The child you support will be part of a church-based program where Christian adults offer love, guidance, personal attention, guided recreation and safety.
*The opportunity to hear the gospel and learn about Jesus: Most important, your Compassion sponsorship provides the child you sponsor with regular Bible training and encouragement through a local church committed to Christ and the children in its community.

So, I want to challenge you. Will you consider making a difference in the life of a child today? Yes, we can help people here but for a mere $32/month, just LOOK at the difference one person can make it someone's life.

I put my money where my mouth is. Our family has committed to sponsoring a child through Compassion Internationa. Are you already doing this? Will you? Tell me about it! What might hold you back? What fears may prevent you from taking this step? Or, are you ready and just needed the information? Tell me! I really do want to know.

Take Aways from Yearly Meeting

A long while back I was thinking about Query 13 and yesterday has made me think about #1.



I quote: " DO YOU live in a vital relationship with God, trusting in Jesus Christ as your saving Lord and obeying the leadings of the Holy Spirit? Is Christ's presence evident in your life?"



I am the 116th Annual Sessions of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends and our header is: "Bring Forth the Kingdom." Our guest speaker is Tony Campolo. "Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. For ten years he was on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education. He has authored 35 books. Dr. Campolo is married to Peggy." In fact, you can get the link for live feeds of his sessions HERE! He is amazing! And, for not being Friends, he has really gotten me thinking and truly has challenged me.

I wanted/needed to tell you my take aways from yesterday and that is why I thought of Query #1.

Here, in sad format is what I need to remember and actually do something about:
The Fruit of the Spirit should be evident in my life. What is this fruit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Lord listed them in this order in Galatians 5: 22-23 so I thought I should remain consistent with Scripture... back to the topic - are these things evident in my life? Sadly, not nearly often enough. I pray as I think of these fruit, perhaps the Lord will continue to bring them to my mind and heart so that I WILL be able to see them more often and eventually, very often.

For the majority of Query 1, I can answer a resounding YES but I feel the need to draw attention to an area I lack. Not to harmful, I suppose, seeing how any way I grow in Christ is a good thing!

What did I take away tonight? Ahhhh, wouldn't you like to know how Tony Campolo challenged me to put my money where my mouth is????