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Mentor:  someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person . Tonight in church the pastor said we mentor by coming to church, or even by not coming to church. . I never know what to say to my kids when they ask why certain people don't come to church. . I wonder what my kids will grow up to think about me?  Probably that she was insane. . My youngest is currently quietly crying for the mommy. Misses her. She hasn't talked to them since Christmas Eve. I'm letting the tears cry this one out alone. I think stems from being tired.  Earlier the "I'm scared" trick was tried with tears until I pointed out that it only happens when the Nanny isn't here. That dried up the tears real fast. . Things may get even uglier soon. . Always scaring people gets old occasionally. . Running a youth group is like running a dating service occasionally.  Except it's not that clean. Disturbing. . New Year. Old me. What to begin? What t...

Proverbs 22:6 NASB Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. . Somewhere along the way I think I missed the boat. . I wish I were as calm as I used to think I was. Laughable really. . I was in my own head, and I heard you, but I didn't hear you. Say it again. . Philippians 3:13 NASB Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Proverbs 22:6 NASB Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. . Somewhere along the way I think I missed the boat. . There are things In my own head I can't even make it right. I was wrong, and there is no way to fix it. It's not something they will ever forget. Let's pray that love covers over a bunch of wrongs! . I wish I were as calm as I used to think I was. Laughable really. . I took this on partially because I was afraid I was never being challenged.  It's good to have some opposition. It makes you grow and reveals both great strengths and all sorts of hidden weaknesses. I may or may not have been crazy for thinking that, but I'm glad I did. I think I may have a truer version of reality. . God help me. .

I may be done! Merry Christmas everyone

Writing Christmas cards is an exercise in patience. It always takes longer than expected. But I love getting them, so I assume other people enjoy receiving them too. Off they go. . I love Christmas. I have shopping to do. It snuck up on me! . This picture reminds me of so many things, people and gifts. Love for all. His birthday.

I did a few things today, not as much as some, but I still feel it was successful. I better NOT check my list to see what else could be done as the day was as long as it gets. . Sang a song at a funeral. Ate a meal. Went shopping at several places. Met a homeless man and shook his hand in introduction. Raked leaves. Trimmed a shrub. Hung up Christmas decorations outside. Need more lights. Left the pile of leaves in the yard. Sorted part of the garage. Threw stuff away. Made the kids help me. Took cans to the recycle machine. Ran the car through the wash. Rented a couple of movies. Picked up a pizza. Started said movies. Paused said movies. Hung up lights and various decor in the kids room. Dealt with several temper tantrums and crying fits along the way. Read the bible and prayed with the kids. Put them to bed. Made myself some tea and read til they fell asleep Really looking forward to sleep. . I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

Sometimes I do really dumb things. Today would be one of many lately.

Today one of my kids prayed and asked God for forgiveness for all the bad things done and asked for help to do better. The kid didn't have any prompting, just prayed before the nightly shower and then came to share afterwards. God's pretty amazing! . Every year I think that I will become better friends with people, and every year I fail at progressing. I think I either need to plan or give it up. . It always amazes me that people might actually want to be my friend and might genuinely be interested in talking to me. I realized it again this evening and several other times lately during conversations where I forced myself to stay instead of making my normal quick get away.  The other person seemed like they wanted to continue talking. I always just assume people want to get away as quickly as possible so I beat them to it.  Arms length. Sigh. You don't make very many friends that way. . Tears of the gods. http://opal-trader.com/support/opal_history.asp . Tonight I inherited ...