God is in CONTROL

Monday, July 23, 2012

The events of Thursday night have shifted American thought this weekend . . .  I have to admit that I returned to newscasts several times a day to see if they have discovered the "WHY" of the whole disaster.   As I watched a part of the memorial service last night -- my thoughts were -- "on Thursday afternoon these families and friends had no idea they would be at that place on Sunday night".

The fact that this man worked in the research center, a floor above Marshall -- kept us riveted on our TV  for several hours to make certain that the lab hadn't been laced with explosives -- The wounded were on Katie's floor at one of the area hospitals.

Like everyone else, so many thoughts have raced through my brain . . . one thought keeps recurring -- a brilliant young man who lost his way.  I've heard him called evil, abherrant to society -- how did his mind become so fixed in the virtual world that he lost feeling for humankind?  When did he abandon those principles and values he obtained in his "church-going family"?

I think of his parents, who on Friday morning awoke to the worst nightmare of their lives -- for them their world ceased.  The world they knew came crashing down -- the son they knew and loved -- became the most reviled in the nation.

You read in the Bible about the Father, who brought his son to Jesus because he was possessed by a demon.
Is this what happened?   Did this young man become overcome by the devil?  Was he mentally ill?

I think of that father who is waiting to see his son brought before the court this morning.  This is the same son whom he took to Science Camps -- who graduated with honors and received an NIH Federal Grant to do his research. 

There is so much about GUN CONTROL in the news -- I'm not a proponent of owning guns and I believe that because it's become such an issue -- everyone WANTS one now -- ONE thing we do know -- more and more guns are falling into the hands of  the deranged, the angry and the evil -- I'm not sure gun control would do much about that.

As an educator -- I see students all the time who have lost their way and are crying out for meaning to their lives.  I see the lonely who would just like to have a meaningful friendship or know that someone really cared for them.

What do we do with the lost boys and girls whose lives are so entwined with the virtual, the material,  and the media that they have no concept of the real world or the Spirit man --the soul-- inside them?.  Those who don't know that  the REAL WORLD is not on this earth but in  Heaven. and that the REAL WORLD is about love and compassion and caring for each other.

Our kids, Marshall and Katie, brushed shoulders with violence of the worst order.  It was a horrific day.
They painfully came through it -- and then Jim and Jan were there to help on Saturday.

So many say at times like this -- "Where was God?"  --- "What does Jesus feel?"

I think the only answer to that is found in the verse, JESUS WEPT.    John 11:35


                        wept for those who lost
                  wept for those injured   and . . .
                 wept for the depravity of this young man who had lost his way and in so doing has devastated the lives of total strangers, his family, his friends,  and the nation.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Camp Nana Pappa -- Yes!!!

Campbell came early last Monday with one word of coaching from Momma --"When Nana or Papa tells you to do something, say 'Okay - Okay'"  She was so eager to mind the whole time.

Play dough time -- C's favorite -- hands down!

Coloring in our Dora book -- fun -- 




Our time with Campbell flew by -- she was a happy "camper" the whole time--EASY - PEASY!!!

"THE Babies ON THE BUS . . ."
CAMPBELL did decide that Papa needed a new hair-do.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Camp Nana Papa



Circus Tent "Find" -- it's a must for all those animals!
When Bethany and Marshall were younger -- I used to promise them that when they had children, I was going to hold "Camp G'ma" every summer -- just the kids -- no parents invited :-)


We talked Campbell's Mommy and Daddy into a getaway for two nights (pre-job starting for Daddy and pre-baby AND pre-Nana starting school).  SOOOO  Monday  Camp 
Nana /Papa starts at 10 am or whenever Bethany and Mat can get on their way out of town. 


This year's theme -- is Noah's Ark --
 Campbell knows all her animals and the sounds they make -- so I figure Noah's Ark it is!!!   (hmmm it's a good time for us to pray for rain  --  not a flood -- just a good soaker!!!



Let's see -- I think I've got it all:
Plenty of Dora Band Aids --



Tea set, colorbook, lots of crayons!




Stickers and Play-Doh -- the real stuff!




Can't have enough mac n' cheese - for the girl that had only one request for her birthday present:  Mac n' Cheese
Giant - size bubbles





CAMP  SHIRT:  Couldn't find the "I love Papa shirt" at Old Navy so this one will just have to do.


Don't expect any blogs until "camp" is over ---this Nana doesn't have time for blogging or taking pictures when Campbell comes to play!   Next year will be with both Good Gals!!!


Friday, July 6, 2012

My Recent Fav's

"Let's see what can I explore today?"
Dad, I know how this goes together  . . .


Campbell, how do you think we can establish world peace?

"I know it's green ice cream, you didn't tell me it was cold. . ."















"Come on, Pappa -- one more episode of Donald Duck"  Your sermon can wait!

Projects: KU Olympics, Praise Streamers and Funky Chairs

The Contestants
KU Olympics Official Starter

 We wrapped up our Four weeks of daytime KU (Kids University)  with  100 degree temperatures by finishing strong last Friday enjoying our First Annual KU Indoor Olympics (too hot outdoors)
Go Miss Jessica!
Fantastic Fridays -- Indoor S'mores!

Miss Jessica teaches liquids and solids by making "gack"

Our terrific Interns during the day:  Nicco, Nick and Jessica- Miss Jessica made did an awesome breakfast demonstration!


Thursday nights --going strong!

















 The garden is feeling the effects of the heat --



Tomatoes holding their own
 Broccoli looks great
Pumpkins are putting out good strong leaves
Our young ones at Life Park love Praise and Worship time with their Mommies and Daddies -- We made lots of praise streamers for adults -- but didn't have any their size ... so a little bit of planning with Teri C and we were able to come up with several of these -- they were such a hit I had to make more in several colors -- these are the last ones I made to go with the other bright colors.


It is awesome to watch the little ones get lost in praise. This morning a little lady to the right of me was absorbed with it all.
Reminds me that "out of the mouths of infants He has ordained praise."







 Monday was one of those days when I was ready for a project -- the hot days during the last week of KU had called for lots of indoor artsy activities to keep the kids indoors -- we had sewn miniature pillows and made little critters from a Noah's Ark sewing project --created foam art projects and now having a little free time-- I was ready for something MORE!!! 

With Bethany and Mat settling their new home - they no longer needed my Mother's dining room furniture -
and after lots of antique shopping with Bethany -- I knew exactly what I wanted to do  with the chairs -- 9 cans of spray paint later and and age- check to see if I was old enough  to buy ALL that spray paint-- It rocked the garden room and made a fun table!--


Doesn't it make you want Mexican Food?

 I remember my mother, the daughter of a carpenter,  never wanted furniture painted- but liked the wood stained and finished to preserve the natural beauty of the wood -- don't know what she'd think of her chairs in bright, funky colors -- but I believe where she is -- the colors are just even more vibrant!

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