How’s that for a title which prompts one to quickly skip to the next blog post (or the next blog)? OK- to crisply make my point- anger is good when it is used at the right time for the right reason. Unfortunately, that 2nd little three-letter word also gets involved so quickly, a fact which came to mind as I read this fascinating article about Continue reading “Anger and sin”
Which war?
In this article in the Wall Street Journal, the reader is given a clear view (warning- disturbing images) of life for the opposition in today’s Iran. As I read it I wonder which war the defeatocrats (yes- I know they support the troops) want to fight. If we Continue reading “Which war?”
A week for exciting events
Dear Family and Friends
Some interesting things happened this week. I had an “interview” in Chinese, went to an East Asian language department reception, went to the zoo, toured the Ohio capital State House, and pulled up kudzu for the first time in my life. Interested yet?
My “interview” was on Wednesday. It was the closest we would get to having an exam in intensive chinese. To grind it down to the basics, I had to Continue reading “A week for exciting events”
They’re both photogenic, don’t you think?
What a great picture… I wonder if that’s Port-au-Prince in the background? I had to cut this one down some; go to her blog for the real thing, plus a peek at our daughter’s “inner child”, who comes out when it rains suddenly at the end of a hot summer day and … 🙂
Haitian weather on the beach… wow!
Your daughter goes on a mission trip, and sends back this:
Oh boy. Notice the 2nd spout starting just below the clouds on the right… very rare. What happens when it starts heading toward the beach? Fortunately, Sarah and friends merely took pictures.
Now– see what you’re missing at Sarah’s blog? 🙂
Progress with eThomasGroup
A number of you have asked about progress growing our software consulting company. I have started an update page on our progress recently, in anticipation of launching a blog related to our business website after our rebranding efforts are complete. To get the latest news and prayer requests, check here.
I’m getting really tired of trying to think up interesting subject lines for these posts. Does anyone mind if I just say Lydia: update?
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, I woke up this morning to the sound of….can you guess what?…..An ice cream truck. Arrgghh!!, I hate ice cream trucks. The music drives me nuts! I actually talked to an ice cream truck driver who said Continue reading “I’m getting really tired of trying to think up interesting subject lines for these posts. Does anyone mind if I just say Lydia: update?”
Sarah: Back from Haiti and …
Boy are we glad to hear she is! 🙂 Here’s a note she sent the other day:
Dear everyone,
Last night I got back from my two week trip to see Haiti, it’s people and culture, and my boyfriend Daniel. It was an amazing trip, to say the least. I learned so much, and I’m still processing a lot of it. Haiti is such Continue reading “Sarah: Back from Haiti and …”
Update from the Chinese Front
Dear Family and Friends,
Whew, what a week! I am definitely glad that I am more than halfway done. I have loved it and hated it. I really love learning, I really really do. But I also love doing other things: reading, karate, hiking, playing games. I hate the fact that while I’m doing this Chinese, I can do nothing else. Learning has its price. So, I am glad I’m learning, and I’m glad I’ll be done in four weeks. Then I’ll have four weeks to catch up on all the other things I love, and then back to studying my rear off. And it will go on like that for four years (yikes!). Anyway, I really don’t even mind studying for hours and hours, its just I can’t do anything else, and I really miss all the anything-elses.
We are getting Continue reading “Update from the Chinese Front”
Ahhh, Simple Pleasures are the Best
I just finished a week of directing Vacation Bible School for our church. This Bible Nature Camp had a bird theme this year, and I spent many hours searching stores for bird decorations and bird prizes, making bird decorations, and reworking the curriculum. I affectionately named it “Tweet Week”. Serena even took her parakeet with us each day to add to the interest and decor.
I learned a few things this week. The first one was that I’m not as young as I used to be. After being energetic and excited for the kids all morning, I had to come home and take a nap in the afternoon! The second revelation came from none other than Azeem, Serena’s parakeet. We were a little concerned that the traveling back and forth would upset him. Quite the contrary! He loved the motion of the van that made his hanging toy rock back and forth. Between that and the classical music I turned on, he chirped and tweeted happily all the way to Louisville and back every day. This bird is just so CUTE in his behavior. It made me smile to hear those chirps and tweets coming from the middle seat, knowing how much Azeem was enjoying himself. Everyone should carry around a parakeet in his car, for the joy, and to learn the meaning of the phrase, “Simple pleasures are the best.”
