Wow, Kim. I had no idea you had such pretty feet. I mean, they're just pretty! Nicely shaped...slender...well-proportioned toes...and the nail polish is a nice touch. You should really show off your feet more!

I was so sorry to hear about Dale's dad. You'll have to fill me in more about what happened to him. Hope everything went well at the funeral and everything.

How about if I give you a hug in person next week? Park day?

Betsy

Hey there Girl, didn't Jesus come because we are all losers in many ways? But God said, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!
I think when I start measuring ... I am looking away from Jesus. I then need to face Him with my "I can't do it!." Then He can help me because without Him I cannot!

We are still remembering how much fun your kids are (and the friends of your kids are great too!)

Love, "as Buzz says 'Hi Moog!'" as he sees me on his way by.

Buzz also says "Park day" with great exuberance and I have seen why! I love the choices you and your friends have made to serve God first! It shows on Park day.
Moog

the pancakes look great - even printed on my Epson - but they were awfully thin and tasted like paper. The real maple syrup and generous amounts of butter helped, though.

I'm not even homeschooling this year... that's what a Sidney I am. I didn't feel like I could do it with all my friends either leaving or taking part time jobs. "But I am OK with that now," to quote Khalil.

For me taking time to do poetry and painting based on scripture has helped me understand the Bible and God's love - and sometimes even 'hear' God - on a deeper level than the standard InterVarsity Bible study. I suspect it's a different thing for everyone.... I was (and still am) willing to slog through quiet times, I think they are good for me - but they rarely made me excited about God's character or his provision or anything else. Somehow art and poetry have helped make the connection. Not that there aren't dangers in art becoming an idol, or thinking too highly of my own talents, or mistaking creative expression for God's voice... but I guess I'd rather live "dangerously" and trust God to find a way to meet me, then mope around being "careful" about everything.

I'd really encourage you to try something artsy if you haven't already - write your book, or paint your picture or whatever. No of course there's no time for it, but if it energizes you and restores you then it's well worth it. For me it gives me a reason to get laundry and dishes done - because then there will be a smidgen of time to paint before I have to fix lunch. And while I'm doing dishes I can think a little about how I could paint Psalm 2 and whether or not it should 'match' Psalm 1, and whether or not I could make it match.

Part of what got me started down this road was the camp director's sermons on the Sabbath - he's convinced the Sabbath is as much a time to play as it is to pray. Play in the healing, creative sense - doing art, making music, creating, writing, dancing - whatever floats your boat - the "let us rejoice and be glad in it" responses. That was novel to me and the more I think about it and experience it, I think it's true.

I was looking at our HS pictures when I was home and realized that in painting I was and am very much a Sidney to your Norman! I'm not really that good at painting. But I still think it's how God is speaking to me right now. It doesn't need to be museum art for God to use it to help me think and meditate on his word.

And if it doesn't work you can always go back to the normal routine.... or try some other creative thing...

Sorry to hear that you are so discouraged right now. I'll be praying for you. And we'll see you at the parks this week.

Hey if I send Kristie over here to look at your feet will it make you feel any better. !)
I have missed you. And you are not a loser. ((()))

(((((((((hugs)))))))))) The true depth of what your kids are learning is not measured in the basic skills test. They have their entire lives to learn facts and such. What you are teaching them is eternal. Teaching them about the things of God while they are young is more important than anything that can be measured on a test.

i know how you feel kim. many times i get so very frustrated with myself because i ask forgiveness for my failures and i know He forgives me but then i turn around and just do the same mistakes again. it is very disheartening. but one thing i try to remind myself is this...that one day i will not have the struggles with myself, i will not make the same mistakes, i will not be a failure anymore. why? because i will be in heaven and will no longer have to live with my old self but will be fully taken over by my new self. so, even though it might not happen for 80 years (who knows?) once it does happen it is good for FOREVER! another 80 years seems short compared to that, doesnt it? :)

Hi Kim, I am so easily lead. I made hte scones and now I will not rest until I have blue berry pancakes. Maybe you could start posting pictures of yummy health food. I need to loose 30...20...10 pounds.

as far as school goes... Just keep going.

Kimmie,
I too feel like I can't do anything right. Maybe it is helpful to let you know that we are not doing anything right together? Because hearing you say that made me feel so much better. SO here is a hug and I hope it makes you feel better to know that I feel incompetent most days.[[bear hug]]

I'm sorry. I didn't read this last week to read about Grand Lunar's Dad. (((hugs)))

I fear a test would leave us in the same place, especially in math and grammar. :-(

I wish I could take away your frustrations and feelings of failure.

Cute shoes, btw. What shoes was it you really wanted but could not have?

That last sentence was very poor grammar. How would I Fix that?

Listen here, loser, (we all are...God uses losers, remember? He came not to save the righteous?) the next time you have trouble feeling loved, you stand those children at attention in front of you. Put your hand on each head, duck-duck-goose style, and say "He Loves Me" out loud as you tap each one. They will think it's a blessing for them, and it is, but it's a blessing for YOU. Do you think God would trust just anyone with those amazing kids? Unlikely!

And as for the world's yardstick? Shred it. It ain't eternal, it don't matter and it shouldn't be allowed to trip you up while you march on toward what is and does!

There. Tough love delivered. Now go blow on Baby Buzz's toes and enjoy some new mercies!