Drywall going UP!

The room that started it all 4 years ago, the den, is coming along a bit more lately.  Our friend Tom came out to the house today and he and Jeremy got more drywall put up!  It's so exciting to see every bit of progress!

Girls' 1st Bible Quiz

Annah and Sylvia are participating in the church Bible quizzing team this year.  They have enjoyed working through their quizzing book and going to practice every Wednesday night, and most of all learning some of the great stories of the Bible.  They are working through the books of Joshua, Judges, and soon Ruth.

We weren't able to attend the year's first quiz in December, so today's quiz at our church was the first for them.  We had started out working on their quizzing "dig sites" in their workbooks at breakfast, but had fallen behind.  So this week, we worked through all 15 stories that would be included in the quiz.  I guess you'd call it cramming, but we studied at breakfast, supper, and after supper a couple nights.  They worked pretty hard to understand the stories, and were excited about the quiz today!

waiting for the "Red Level" (multiple choice) quizzing to start...

They did 3 rounds of 15 questions today.  (The bottom picture here shows only one side of the gym.  There were probably 40+ quizzers in Red Level today.)

"Answer!"

For part of the quiz, I ran the question PowerPoint and could see what the kids answers were.  Annah & Sylvia missed a few answers I thought they actually knew, but they seemed to be doing well overall.  Caeden was checking to see if they got them right each time, and was so excited when they did.  He even knew some of the answers himself, and I had to keep him from saying them out loud so the kids close to us could hear.

At the awards ceremony, both Annah and Sylvia were awarded medals for being in the top 10 quizzers of the day!  They were really excited and surprised! 

They sure enjoyed their first quiz, decided all the studying was definitely worth it, and can't wait until the next quiz!  I was proud of them for sure, and so thankful they have this opportunity to really learn and understand God's Word at such young ages!

Blizzards for Haiti

A family in our church owns a Dairy Queen in town, and decided to increase the money they were loaned by giving $1 from every Blizzard they sold today towards the offering for Haiti this Sunday.  Jeremy bought Blizzards for his entire department at work today.  I watched people post comments and pictures on Facebook about their Blizzards all day, and was really craving one by the time Jeremy called me as he was leaving work!  He said he'd go get some for us, so I asked the kids what kind they wanted.  Caeden looked at me funny and said, "What's a Blizzard?!"  I realized he'd never had one!  We usually get the kids Dilly Bars on the rare occasions we do go to DQ.  So I explained that it was ice cream with candy or cookies mixed in, and he was all for it!  Daddy suggested a mint Oreo Blizzard, and Caed thought it sounded pretty good...

Here's what he "said" when we asked him how he liked his Blizzard...

That's how you  know Caeden REALLY likes something...He gives it a thumbs up...Too good for words!!

Movies for Haiti!

Today both girls hosted movie showings for Haiti.  Annah's was this morning at 9am.  We hadn't asked for an RSVP, so didn't know how many to expect.  Annah had two great kids come to watch Charlotte's Web with us.  They gave so generously that the money in her envelope for Haiti was quadrupled!!

Since Annah only had 2 guests, the 3 of them were able to play a little Wii after the movie was over.  They had some fun Mario Kart races.  Who knew video games could be used for minstry?!

  While the kids were playing, we got to chat more with these kids' moms--one we've known for a few years, and one we'd never met.  It's such a blessing to connect with and get to know people in our community!

This afternoont at 2pm, Sylvia hosted her showing of Wizard of Oz.

She had 4 of her classmates attend--3 of her close girlie friends, and one little boy who quickly made buddies with Caeden.  They were a fun bunch, and enjoyed lots of the brownies, kool-aid, fruit and popcorn we served!  (See the popcorn on the floor?) They watched most of the movie, but also had fun joking around with each other.  And, God bless them...they gave so generously; they more than doubled the large amount in Sylvia's envelope for Haiti!

They asked Sylvia to play her violin for them while they waited for their parents to pick them up. 

What a wonderful day it was!  We were blessed having these kids in our home, and God definitely blessed their giving and increased the offering that will be given to Haiti!  Thank you Lord!

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Here's a link to another great article about our church's project to project to help Haiti!

Parable of the Talents Offering Update

Well, Caeden had no movie night tonight.  He was not allowed to pass the invitations out to his class due to "separation of church and state."  I wondered if that might happen, but should have explained the possibility to Caeden.  He was devastated, burst into heartfelt tears and cried, "Mommy, now I can't help the people in Haiti!"  I didn't even want to attempt to explain "separation of church and state" to him...

Then tonight as we tucked him in he cried again and said, "I just feel so sorry for them!  I need a new idea for helping them!"  We talked a long time about how his prayers were important and would be a big help.  He is going to call grandparents and ask them if they will match the $10 from the envelope he opened.  Daddy said he will match whatever Caeden ends up with.  He didn't seem much comforted by having a plan though, and just kept crying and feeling so badly for the suffering the people of Haiti are going through.  God is growing his heart.

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Today two of our pastors were interviewed on the local AM talk-radio station, WJBC, and a few of our band members sang the original song they wrote for this special offering.  Below is a link to the podcast.  (I am making a name doily for the host of the show, as my friend Sally [who used to work with her] posted a link to my Crocheting for Haiti photo album on her Facebook page.)  In the interview, Pastor Scott talks about some of the neat things people are doing to increase the money they were loaned.  Have a listen!

Podcast

"The Rev. Scott Sherwood from the First Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington talks about a unique attempt to raise money and awareness for earthquake relief in Haiti. His congregation split up $5,000 and used it as seed money for bigger fundraising efforts. Each person has used their own skill set to produce ideas... from baking, to crocheting and more traditional ideas.

Todd Keller with the church's Upreach Ministries says his fellow musicians were also inspired to sing. The interview includes the Epic Worship Band performing its Haiti inspired song "Ravaged".

For more information, contact the church at 309-662-1915 or on-line at www.1stnaz.com. "

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 We are praying that kids will come to the girls' movie showings on Saturday, and give.  I've only heard from one parent so far...

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I have had several orders for crocheted items already--enough to keep me crocheting for weeks!  As long as people will give me time to complete orders, I will continue to take them through the 30th.

Also, I have a completed 'WELCOME' doily up for bidding.  It is currently at $40.  Let me know if you want to place a bid!  Every cent will go to help Haiti!

Crocheting for Haiti

As we are praying for Haiti and the people there, today there was another earthquake there. It's nearly

unbelievable...a country so poor an in need and already full of orphans and starving people, hit by a devastating earthquake, hundreds of thousands killed or injured or made homeless or orphaned...and then an aftershock. Oh Dear Jesus, help the rest of us to do something to help them. Be near them Lord, and give them comfort and healing!

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The kids took their Movie Night for Haiti invitations to school today to pass them out to their classes. We are praying people will be led to come and to give! Caeden's movie night is tomorrow, Thursday, night. I hope his whole class comes and we don't have room for them all! The girls' movies will both be on Saturday--Annah's in the morning, and Sylvia's in the afternoon.

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I've decided to sell crocheted items and give all the profits. It's something I can do that my supplies don't cost much, but the time is worth something, so the profit is good, and I will have a lot of increase to give. Here is a link to a few photos of my crocheted items from over the past few years. Crocheted things really do make nice gifts. I make all my items with great care, and promise good quality. If there is ANYTHING you might

be interested in ordering, please send me an e-mail: tarynlopshire@gmail.com! Name doilies, scarves, stuffed animals/amigurumi, baby afghans, snowflakes, flowers, doilies, table runners, dish cloths, anything you can think of. (Here are 67 pages of crochet patterns to get you thinking!)

a little way to send some relief to Haiti

 If you are like me, you see the photos and footage and reports of the devastation in Haiti and you just wish there was a way you could get there and do something, anything to help.  Obviously, my going there right now would be of no use to anyone, but I surely do want to help somehow!

This morning at church, our pastor shared with us one of Jesus' parables: The Parable of the Talents.  He has been planning to preach about this since spring of last year.  And when the earthquake in Haiti happened last week, he struggled with the thought of preaching to us [Americans] about making all we can, while seeing and hearing about the already struggling country of Haiti being devastated so much more.  But God pressed heavily on Pastor Scott a burden he couldn't ignore, that it was actually the perfect time to preach about such a thing.  He shared his burden and the idea God had given him with the church board, and they prayed and agreed that it was clear what our church should do...

In December, there was a surplus of offering given at our church--a very rare thing!  God impressed upon Pastor Scott and the church board this week that this money should be given to Haiti, but first given back to the people of our church to increase it.  So, this morning, the church board handed out $5,000.00 to our congregation!  260 people received an envelope with random amounts of money, anywhere from $5 to $100 in an envelope.  The important thing to realize here is that this is not our money; it is on loan to us from God!  We will take it back to church in two weeks and give ALL of it toward the relief efforts in Haiti.  The challenge we have is to increase this money for Haiti by using the talents God has given us...like in Jesus' parable.

Pastor also shared with us the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.  Last night, we sat with the kids and read these two parables and explained the gift and challenge given to us.  We prayed, thanking God for this gift and challenge, asking Him to bless our efforts to increase the money and help the people of Haiti in His name.  We also pray that God will use this challenge as a lesson to us to do this as often as possible, as all the money and talents we have are not ours but on loan to us from Him!

Then we opened our envelopes and found exactly $100!  Oh how we would love to increase that more than double!!

The kids came up with the idea of hosting movie nights.  Each of them will have a showing of their chosen movie here in our home and invite several friends.  We will use some of the money from the envelopes to buy snacks and popcorn to serve to their guests,  suggest that each one who comes buys a $5 "ticket" or gives what they would spend to see a movie and have popcorn and a drink at the theater.  We are making up invitations today!

I am praying about what kind of crafty things I could make and sell...perhaps some valentines, crocheted items like scarves or name doilies, or I may even do some baked goods. I will definitely be donating 100% of what I make from teaching music lessons in the next 2 weeks.  Just so excited for this opportunity!  We have been praying for the people of Haiti since first hearing about the earthquake, and will continue to!

Some links:

• audio of Pastor Scott's sermon today -- (On the player, look for 1/17/10 - "MADE: Make All You Can")
  
• A letter from one of the General Superintendants of the International Church of the Nazarene, who had landed in Haiti just hours before the earthquake.
• Video from Dr. Warrick, after the earthquake hit
• Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Haiti Earthquake relief (where this money will be going.)
• local newspaper story about what our church is doing
• Story about our church on the local news.
  
• A local news station broadcast the story too.  (Yes, I am in the band--playing keyboard.)  
• the original song my friends wrote just for the occasion -- (Written Friday, video is rehearsal on Saturday.)
  

Pocket Scarves

Annah and Sylvia decided they wanted scarves.  And they wanted me to make them.  And, they wanted pockets in them, "like the one Isabella's mom made for her."  Okay, easy!

So I took them to the big tub of yarn I have stashed in the closet, and they picked out what they wanted.  I made Sylvia's scarf on Saturday, and Annah's today.  I think they are most excited about the pockets...

Snow Caves

The kids had snow days yesterday and the day before, and we've had fun relaxing at home and enjoying being together.  It's so very cold here though, with windchills in the -20's at night!  The kids still like to get outside and play in the snow during the day though, even if not for long.

I thought I was creative when I sent them out on Thursday with a spray bottle of colored water so they could spray the snow purple.  But today Jeremy went outside with the kids, and they found a great drift a few feet behind our garage.  They built tunnels in the side of it! 

I think they thought they'd never seen anything so cool!

I love this smile!  Annah would stay outside for hours if she could, regardless of the weather.  She was lovin' the snow caves!

Sylvia dug a tunnel to connect her cave to Annah's!

Caeden in his snow cave

I'm so thankful Jeremy is a "fun daddy!"  I don't think I'm a very fun mommy, so I think he covers some of my lacking.  The snow caves sure were a blast!

Relaxing Saturday mornings are back!

For the past couple years, I have been teaching voice and piano lessons on Saturday mornings.  This has meant that our family has no day to sleep in and snuggle up and just relax at home together.  I usually wake up early to finish picking up and doing last-minute cleaning around the house, forbidding the kids past the kitchen.  I haven't had time to make them pancakes or some other yummy breakfast.  And, we have just missed having that family day together.

Although we miss having our Monday night Life Group, now that it is completed, I've been able to switch my students to Monday afternoons!  So our relaxing Saturday mornings are back!  Today we enjoyed sleeping in...Jeremy required the kids to stay in their beds until 8:00a.m.  They almost made it.  Once we were all awake, Caeden had drug his trains box out from under his bed...

I built a big track, and the kids played and played.

We stayed in our jammies until late afternoon, didn't eat lunch until 2:00, and just enjoyed being at home for a whole day as a family!!  What a blessing!!!!