Vacation!!

Well, I am sitting here in our hotel room in Boston, Massachusetts!! :) We left Sunday after church and drove for about 11 hours, but time-wise it was more like 12 because of the time change. We spent Sunday night in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and then continued on to Niagara Falls. We did the "Journey Behind the Falls" at Niagara Falls where you actually go right next to the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls). It was so neat to be right next to all that water pouring over the edge!! According to the facts, 34 million gallons of water are poured over the falls every minute. Wow!!! That's a lot of water!!!

We also did "Maid of the Mist", the boat that takes you right up next to the Canadian Falls. We also did the new attraction there called "Niagara's Fury". None of us were very impressed with that though--it was just a simulation-type thing, not nearly as cool as the real thing. Let's see, that was Monday and then we drove on to Boston. We arrived late again, so we had two late nights in a row, but it's been good! Today we went whale watching; it was great!! We had several sightings of the same mom and calf humpback whales. It was really neat to be that close to wild whales! Then later we went to visit the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. The USS Constitution was really neat--lots of history! Bunker Hill was okay, we were all already tired and we had to climb 294 steps!! It was a really good work-out!

Currently we are lounging in our hotel room, just enjoying some relaxation time. I was going to upload some pictures but they are taking too long and I'm impatient! :) I will try again some other time!

What is the purpose??

Earwigs. Just the name of the things creeps me out. Living in the basement of my house, I have had several run-ins with these creepy crawlers. I recently read a friend's blog that discussed how they had to "bomb" their house because of all the earwigs. I shudder just to think about that many earwigs in my house. Pondering these things, I started to tell myself that they were the worst of all of God's creation. But I stopped myself. To back up just a bit, I am scared of and hate plenty of different insects. Bees, for one. Spiders, for another. And earwigs. You will almost (almost I said) find me running from a room screaming if there is a spider or earwig present.

So, I detest the little creatures just as much as the next person. But does that give me a right to say they are the worst of all of God's creation? After all, he created everything for a purpose. For those of us who hate spiders, we remind ourselves constantly that when they are outside they do good because they catch and eat small insects. Bats keep the mosquito population down, and bees pollinate flowers. Does that make me like any of those things more? Heck no. But it does put my thinking into perspective. So, how come we never hear what good earwigs do? Personally, I think it is because there is not a single person on this earth (okay, except maybe scientists) who actually want to find some good in the things.

But, nevertheless, I worked up my courage (haha) to google the purpose of earwigs on this earth, half expecting to get no results. To my dismay, there was an answer. Sigh. Turns out we can't get rid of all the earwigs on the planet because they do serve a purpose. According to John A. Jackman, an extension survey entomologist at the Texas Agricultural Extension Service at Texas A&M University, earwigs feed "on both dead and living insects as well as mosses, lichens, algae, fungi and occasionally some growing plants." So, see, they do have a purpose in this world. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, this article also mentioned that earwigs do NOT reproduce indoors. Yay!

Anyways, I thought it was interesting that we so often fail to realize how every creature, plant, animal, and person has a purpose in this world set forth by God alone. If he even has a purpose for the earwigs that everyone hates, how much more of a purpose do you think he has for you and me?

Wow...

Okay, wow, I am soo sorry to all of you!! It has been WAY too long since I updated you all on stuff!! I have been keeping pretty busy. Here's what I have been up to:

• finishing an online class--went great! got an A in the class (it was a really easy class, in my opinion)
• started teaching Sunday School for the 3's--absolutely LOVE it!! :) I love getting to know all the kids and spending time with them and teaching them.
• helped plan, organize, and execute the preschool VBS--it was a great week! we had anywhere from 20-21 2-4 year olds with 5 adults and 2 youth workers. we did everything from play outside to playing with playdough to crafts to finger painting with pudding (which was a favorite :) )
• been working anywhere from 38-42 hours every week...getting really nice paychecks!! :)

Okay, so it doesn't seem like that much when I write it out like that...BUT it has been keeping me busy! Weatherwise, last week was incredibly hot and humid (90s) and we had a couple of thunderstorms. One storm...which was mainly wind...took out one of the trees in our back yard. :( It was one of the ones we had planted when we moved in about 19 years ago. We used to call it the "big bird" tree because it had this one branch that would grow out of the very top and it made the tree look kind of like Big Bird from Sesame Street. My mom, brother, and I did a count of how many trees we have ever had in our yard...we came up with 16. Currently we have 8 left standing. So sad!!

So, at the final program for VBS last week, they made scotcharoos for dessert. They were very yummy, and of course, there were some left over. Now, having the connections that we do...Mom being the Children's Ministries Director and all...we got some leftovers. Of course, there were not nearly enough ;), so I decided to make some today. I made a single batch, which equaled out to be a 9x13" pan. I had one when they were done. Then I went to work at 3. I got home about 30 mins ago and my family was asleep. Now, mind you, I don't know the full story, but what would you think?? I went to go have another one and HALF the pan is GONE!!!! Keep in mind, it was only my mom, dad, and brother at home!! Now, they could have put some in the freezer, which would be great, but somehow I doubt they made it that far... ;) Sigh, guess I will have to make some more. Shucks, right?? :)

Anyways, guess that is it for now. I have the next 2 days off of work...yay!! I'm ready to relax a bit!

And the summer begins...

Okay, so I feel kind of bad that I haven't posted much recently! Sorry about that! I've been crazy busy these past few weeks! Here's what has happened lately:

• I successfully "junior marshalled" the seniors of Culver-Stockton College during Graduation this year...it was pretty exciting! Oh, and this will only mean something to those of you who have been in band...I never have to perform "Fanfare and Pro/Recessional" ever again!!! I didn't have to perform it this year because I walked in and out with the seniors....and next year I will BE a senior! (for those of you who are confused...it's the songs that are played when the seniors march in and out...it gets a little old after playing it over and over 5 different years...)
• went to a 21st birthday party for one of my friends...at Hard Rock Cafe in St. Louis! good times! ... and a little scary, too, because soon I will be 21!!
• FINALLY made it home, just in time for Mother's Day. Yay!
• Started (and now finished) my junior early field experience for school. I needed 40 hours in an upper elementary classroom and had to teach 2 lessons. I was in a 4th and 5th grade reading/math improvement class (okay, there were actually 4 classes, but some of the kids were in 2 classes...4th reading/LA, 5th reading/LA, 4th math, and 5th math). my lessons went really well, and I enjoyed it a lot! Never thought I would ever be happy with the older kids, but I know now that I would! :)
• started working again at culver's...yay!! been working about 40 hours each week...5 nights a week, anywhere from 7-9 hours at a time...always closing (which means not getting home til at the earliest 11:15pm). it's been pretty exhausting since i had to get up at 7 on the weekdays for school!
• i'm taking an online class currently...it's going well, it doesn't seem like it will be too hard. 3 quizzes, 2 papers, and like 6ish discussion questions. Not bad at all for a 3 credit hour class!
• i did 7 loads of laundry the other night...yes, it was all mine...no, it wasn't even all of it...hahaha. 
• this is totally random, but again i had someone ask me if i was engaged...haha, because of my purity ring on my right hand. :)

Well, I think that is about it...hope I didn't forget anything! :) I am really excited for the summer and all that comes with it! 

Almost Done!

I am almost done with my junior year of college! Craziness!! 

I just have some homework items to complete for my online class, hours and paperwork to complete for another class, and then I will be considered a senior! Yay! I am also taking an online class this summer (American Government and Politics)...should be interesting. 

I  will also be working at Culver's over the summer, like usual. I am also helping teach the preschoolers for Vacation Bible School at my church this summer, as well as teaching preschool sunday mornings in the summer. Should be a pretty busy summer! But I am looking forward to it a lot!

I will be home for the summer on Sunday, Mother's Day. So close yet so far away!!

I am just glad that the weather is nice...makes it all seem so much better when the sun is shining!

Well, I have to go to work...more later!

I received this in an email. Please read:

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women.. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun.. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,

Your words are empty air.

You've stripped away our heritage,

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

And precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere,

And ask the question "Why?"

You regulate restrictive laws,

Through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand,

That God is what we need!

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge..... Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Pictures

So, here are the pictures from formal. Sorry they are a bit late!