Upbeat but not too chatty!

Zentangle link

2012-02-09T06:25:00.001-08:00

Room 315, The NEW Art Room

2011-09-23T08:59:00.001-07:00

made with Photosynth app on iphone...

Art and the New Evaluation Tool for Teachers

2011-09-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yep, I predict a worse education system in this country and stupider kids, yep I said stupider. All decent careing teachers will quit, all new teachers will not pursue the profession, and who knows what will teach our kids. We teach because we want kids to learn, we are excited and get pumped about kids learning. NOT about paperwork, forced lessons by rote or reading and writing in Art. Art class is for ...um...ART.

This is an excellent read:
http://artwithmre.blogspot.com/2011/09/tn-new-evaluation-system-one-size-does.html

WHY TEACH ART?

2011-09-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Soap Box is placed and I am standing on it!

  With all the "evaluation" crud coming down upon teachers, I am yet again agast at the idiotic ways the "government" thinks we should teach and be measured for our teaching. The new evaluation model, without exception, stifles creative teaching, adds more stress to teachers and therefore students, and asks for teachers to teach in 55 minutes what in all reality would take days. With all this is the "testing" issue. My subject is not tested by standardized tests, and note here- IT SHOULD NOT BE!

       But then how can the "state" evaluate me? So now, I am evaluated upon what other teachers do or do not teach as reflected on how a student scores on their test. Need I even mention here the kid who sits and in the last five minutes of the test creates a sailboat in their bubbled in circles. Yep, that's fair.

I found this website www.whyteachart.com and I highly recommend it as a good read. If only I could get the government and the powers that be to read it and believe it! Here is a small excerp....

"WHY TEACH ART?

I am certain there are more answers than one can conceive, and much has been written about this question, which seems to be as big as the infamous daunting one, ”What is art?” But the question that truly interests me is, “Why teach art in the 21st century?” Why teach art in an age in which so little importance is given to the subject in a school curriculum? The answer is so simple that it is almost absurd. We live in a global economy, in an age in which infrastructure is the key word to explain economic dynamism, and mobility is the requirement that insures one is ahead of the game. In a post-modern world there is an increasing demand for creativity, seen as the competitive key to innovative ideas and the continuous development of the marketplace. The search is constantly scrutinizing candidates who are attentive, problem solver, and who can make decisions without hesitation.
Those three elements are the answer to my question. To teach art first means to learn about art, and then to make art. Learning art requires attention, and develops the analytical skill to dissect and interpret a situation (a work of art) by focusing on each component and being alert of unexpected paradigms. Art students not only make works of art, they also make decisions, and must take full responsibility for choices that are wholly theirs. They learn the skills to address unknown situations and all issues that rise from it; whether it is a technical problem, a conceptual issue or an unforeseen logistic wrinkle.
We teach art in the 21st century because the 21st century needs creative minds that can face the complexities of a multilayered reality, offer solutions, and follow through their completion and successful outcomes. Art teaches abstract principles that fully prepare the young mind for adult life. Once acquired, they can be applied to any subject and any aspect of life."

Thank you

tuppaware, it all ends here, and too many kids

2011-07-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 16
Julie had a tupperware party, so cleaning, snacks and Tim the Tupperwareman were the adgenda. Once they all left we went and saw HARRY POTTER: THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Part 2. Woot! So excellent!

Sunday, July 17
Set up the room for the Art component of Kids Activity Day at Gymea Baptist. Here are some pics

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A VERY long day. Got there at 730 and left at almost 6 pm.

Tuesday, July 19
I was sick today. too many kids, and a sore body with a cold. Sweet Sam came by and got me medicine and I gave him lunch...while I continued to sleep. Crazy cold wind, all night and big rain for around here.

Saturday in the Park

2011-07-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

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The Reason I'm Here and Uncle Bruce

2011-07-18T02:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday,July 3 to Friday, July 15
These two weeks were mostly filled with Hope Street-Urban Compassion preparing for the Kids Activity day at Gymea Baptist.

Helen would pick me up at 745 and we would weave thru traffic into Woolloomooloo (Sydney) See map

Woolloomooloo is a dicotomy of rich and poor. Within blocks of each other you have the highest concentration of homeless people in Australia and the most expensive condos. I spent my days there helping Helen with the year end receipts on computer, mail merging and stuffing envelopes. I would also take time to go "down" to the Back Shed Cafe or the Art Space to see who was hanging out and talk to them. Then around 430 I would climb the hills up from Woolloomooloo to Kings Cross Station (quite a steep hill), and catch the train for about an hour back to Gymea (Where Julie lives).

I went in Tuesday July 5, Friday July 8, Wednesday July 13, Thursday July 14 and Friday July 15. I will blog in more detail about that.

Across the street from HopeStreet,
A local guy who feeds the cockatoos each morning

The desk I was at had a very fun and creative owner..
thanks Tim for sharing your space.

Yes, this stared at me as I worked for an urban mission

View walking down from Kings Cross Station

The city

Outside a tenement house

The station

Alley cut thru to the cafe

This square houses the most homeless in Australia,
and if you walk to the end of it you see Finger Bay Warf
where the rich and famous like Russell Crowe live.
....literally blocks from Hope Street.

Government housing

the train track over Woolloomooloo in the city

Tim, Helen and Beth at Hope Street Urban Compassion

Pray for Hope Street Urban Compassion with all the ministries they support. Pray for continued government and Baptist support, for financial and prayer partners and for the staff of Hope Street.

I also had meetings for the Kids Activity Day at Gymea Baptist Church.

While this week passed we also went to visit our Uncle Bruce, my Dads, sisters husband. He is one of our favorites. Sadly however the week prior he suffered a stroke, in his spine! And now he is paralysed from the waist down...odd huh? But Uncle Bruce is a "glass half full" kind of guy, I guess from running the Baptists here for years (ha ha). But he has a fantastic attitude, goes to Physical therapy every day to build up his core and upper body. Please pray for him, we are praying for a miracle. He has had a miracle healing before and his with us still for a reason! So we went North to the Northern Beaches to Forster to visit with him for two days.

Uncle Bruce and me

Julie with Uncle Bruce

Forster Beach

Ahhhh relax and watch

Beach, Bob and Brazilian BBQ

2011-07-03T01:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 26 - Saturday July 2

This is the second week of school holidays here. we have been relaxing and just hanging out. We take quick driv es to the beach (Cronulla) and walk around there. Met Sam and Tahlia yesterday for coffee there. Sam is staying in Cronulla while he does his internships in Sydney. He will return to Wagga in 2 weeks and won't be as accessible to me....(sad face).
I have visited with old friends. Paulette (who would be a pepper sister for sure) and had great hazelnut coffee made by Bob her husband...he makes the best coffee, sorry Kayran. Ate Indian from my new Indian friend at the Indian Family Diner Take Away.
Hung out with Ali for her 30th birthday! For TWO parties! Ate Brazilian BBQ and hung out at the Pub (one of many locals)

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Sick, Shanghai and Sushi

2011-06-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 21
Went into Inaburra today, spent the morning cleaning and inventorying tubs. Julie had me using this citrusy spray to clean and yep, got a reaction. Spent that afternoon with a scratchy throat, to make along and painfilled story short, used the inhaler...got sicker...don't remember much about Tuesday night, or Wednesday.

Wednesday Night, June 23
We had tickets for "Shang-hi", a Chinese dance and music extravaganza.Don't remember much, but it was great! It was next to the Queen Victoria Building and I vaguely remember making a movie of that...I will have to look.

This was the State Theatre

Queen

Wine and Beer at Concessions

Thursday, June 24

Still really sick, Stayed in bed. Julie took me for sushi for dinner....ok, lettuce and mayonnaise have no place in a sushi roll!

Friday, June 25

Feeling much better. Slept in then got up and cleaned house. Needed it really badly. Julie came home and we headed out to the Como Hotel (very historic) for coffee with some from Inaburra. After that to GPK (Gourmet Pizza Kitchen, like Picasso's)... then a little Harry Potter.

Can I be a housewife please?

2011-06-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 20
I was a housewife today. I swept, washed dishes, cleaned, cleared, washed clothes and hung it out to dry outside. Absolutely loved it!

Walked up to the shops to do banking and sit at Gloria Jeans and watch the world walk by Gymea. I watched all the prams with babies, then they left for nap and school let out, watched kids hang out at the shops, mums meeting little ones and buying them hot chocolate and cupcakes. Dogs on leashes galore. I remember the feel of my cotton school uniform, legs cool but my jumper on top, and rolled up make you feel toasty. (Maybe you have to have been an Australian school girl to understand that). Little girl came to sit by me (I was drawing), and her mum joined her. She was struggling with spreading her cream cheese. Mum actually took time to teach her how to spread cream cheese on the bagel. Great lesson...good mum.

Being outside all the time is great here. Mild sunny winters. I think I could be a great Aussie housewife. Where is my sugar daddy?

Been drinking alot of tea...love it! Want one love?

H3O Church Plant

2011-06-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 19
Church in the am. Wonderful message by Gil (g as in go) Davis, one of the women on the preaching rotation at Gymea Baptist. Lunch, grocery shopping and laying out on the porch. Sam came by to hitch a ride to H30 the church plant Gymea started in Dee Why (a northern beach area). It was their "Opening Service". The majority of people there were from Gymea, people who have supported the plant. Sam has done photos and videos for them so he was taking pictures that night. It was at the Dee Why Surf Club. They started with a cook out in front of the Club house and close to the beach, and coffee and sweets upstairs. As people came up they offered them sausage sandwiches (translation, sausage on bread, like a hot dog but not), then tell them what is happening and that a service and coffee are upstairs.

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I talked to Matt, one of the planters and "interviewed" him with many questions. I won't post them here but if you want to know more go to the website...click here, or ask me.

Bondi and a Gig

2011-06-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 18
Supposed to meet Sam and Tahlia in Bondi to get Sam some shoes for his internships. Julie had a massage and then wanted to go to some warehouse where everything was $20. So Sam and Tahlia came to Julies to meet us. So we went in to Zetland (part of Sydney to a Vickie Vale/Jersey Girl warehouse. It was great. We then headed to Bondi Junction, a large mall area in the city that is huge and posh. Sam got shoes and a pair of jeans.We also found a great store called TYPO fun papers, notebooks, etc.

heading into Bondi

Ahhh nothing like Indian Food at the Mall!!!

awwwww

Yes, Yes, I was on an escalator taking this picture,
I thought I would throw up.

Sam and Tahlia, and yes, they are kissing, I think they
didn't see me

That night we headed to a gig of Ali's band "Empire Rising". A girl "Sebora" opened for them, she was great!

Saborra

A fun "Pull Chain" toilet
A very old Pub

Ali on keyboards

Ali and me

Harry's

This is where you get pies, good old fashioned meat pies.
Harry's started as a trailer selling pies, and has grown over
the years. Lots of history.

Heidi's Twin, and the DMV

2011-06-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 12 and Monday, June 13 were pretty basic, just hanging around Gymea.

Crosswalk at Gymea

Tuesday, June 14
I got the train all by myself to Rockdale to go get my TFN (tax number) and open a bank account. This has taken almost a weeks to get this together. I finally had success!!! I met Ali and she directed me to the bank and where the good coffee is in Rockdale. Rockdale is international central. I found a Balkan Bakery and saw lots of scarf covered heads. I got hungry as I walked down to the train and found a sushi bar, I ordered a california roll and he gave me the whole roll! apparently you just walk and eat off it like a hotdog!

Wed, June 15
Sam started his internship at Fox Sports for one week.

MiraBella

Tahlia and Sam ordering at Thai-riffic

Yum Thai food - sam and friends (John David Look alike)

Sams friends at the cashier at Thai-riffic

Me in gymea

Bottle Brush

Thursday, June 16
Picked up Eboni (Heidi's Australian doppleganger) to take to Inaburra school for Julies lesson on the "Harry McClary" books. Eboni looks like Harry the dog. I had a great day cuddling and missing my baby girl.

Eboni

Friday, June 17

Stayed home and cleaned house. Went to the equivalent of the DMV to get an ID.

Sydney Adventures

2011-06-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 11
After a great breakfast and time with Sam and Tahlia (did I mention she likes kitten and believe in faeries=a keeper). we, Julie and I went up to Newtown, the fun funky inner city shopping area. We ate, and Ronda, we almost had an Albanian bathroom moment-I have video...,

View at the Pastizzi and Pastry Cafe in Newtown

How you buy furniture! It was a labrynth!

At each crosswoalk there is this big button that has a tapping sound coming from it
so that blind people can hear it. You push it, then when the crosswalk is clear it makes a churp and louder beeping sound telling you to cross.

The old Brickworks taken from King Street, Newtown

Great Indian Store, they had great spices and henna stuff it smelt beautiful
you could buy sari's and bolts of Indian silk.

furniture store from outside

cool old suitcases outside an antique store, see people I knew I was onto something.

HAD to have a picture of this!

Owl Undies, every Chi O needs them

At the Pastizzi store, you could buy them to take home and cook

pastie at the top, canole at the bottom

wilted candles show how hot it does get in Sydney

Julie ordering our "Italian" lunch. We had pasties (like in Harry Potter) ours had spinich riccota and another with salmon ricotta in them....

fun little " Whooville" hats!

Cool store

Owl for Stephanie and Sarah

Then we headed into the city to Circular Quay to see the art/light installation "Vivid".It is a little winter festival every year. Hopefully I can post pics and videos.

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I got a great Opera House necklace the one of the artist stalls at The Rocks and ate and had a beer at The Mercantile Hotel. Good times.

Brekkie at the Beach

2011-06-16T01:05:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 10
Spent the day at Inaburra School, most of the morning at Mission Assemblies.First Infants (K-2) and then Primary (3-5). More than half of the primary kids stayed to talk to their teachers about becoming a Christian. Haven't heard any real numbers yet. Of course some stayed then asked, "why are we here?" Ha ha! Oh well, kids, so as soon as I know I will definitely post some outcomes.

Saturday, June 11

Cronulla

Got up early and headed to Cronulla (beach) to eat breakfast with Sam and Tahlia (Taaaah lee ya), yes I got to meet Tahlia for real. We ate at H.A.M. had a great "Brekkie deli plate"

Brekkie Deli Plate, yum

Me and Boy

Julie had to leave for an appointment, so Sam Tahlia and I walked around the shops at Cronulla and talked. we walked up to the apartment of Sam's friend, where he is staying while he does his internship here in Sydney. Julie met us there and we took Tahlia home (her parents) closer to Sydney (Mascot). Julie has been having a "Shopping with Purpose" raising money for Hope Street (mentioned in earlier posts). So Tahlia modeled a bunch of stuff and we got her some new clothes! She and Sam were very happy!

fun "anti-pasto" lunch julie made up

cute huh?

I made Tahlia a necklace, which Sam immediately broke!!

Typical Sam in love face

Officer of the Year 2011

2011-06-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post this here as I had not done that yet, its old news, but excellent news!
We are so proud to be Headens!
Click Here

Kindergarten, Mandarin and a Meat Pie

2011-06-12T00:25:00.000-07:00

June 9, Thursday

Kindy Lesson

I spent the day at Julie's school, Inaburra School. I got to observe a Kindy (Kindergarten) reading lesson.
Thern a team taught 1st grade lesson (Teacher and Mandarin Teacher). The students learn Mandarin throughout elementary school as it is extremely useful here and when they get older.

Then I saw an Art lesson with 2nd grade. The teachers have to integrate art into thier curriculum ! Yes, the regular teachers! Thelma Barker you are SOOOOO lucky to have me!!!

Art Smocks in each room

Lunch was ordered on line to the Canteen (on campus shop), and delivered. I got a good ol' Aussie Meat Pie (Matt Wright, you are jealous! BTW there is one in my freezer you may have!!yes a REAL one!), kettle chips and a diet coke. Yum.

The rest of the day was on the computer. After school all these Cockatoos
came and landed on the playground eating up scraps. I made friends with a few of them and took pictures, very cool.

Julie teaching in the Library

After school we headed to Miranda (where the big mall is ) and got a SIM card. I still can't get it to work, but Ali is supposed to help me deal with that soon. We ate a sushi snack! and shopped a little. Met one of Julies friends at home and she shopped for clothes at Julies clothes sale for Hope Street (the mission I will be helping in a few weeks).

Dinner with a Kitteh and "The Fridge"

2011-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

June 7, Tuesday Night
We had dinner at Ali and Sai's house (my neice is Ali, the Rock Star), played with Hurley (the Worlds Greatest Cat). Hurley can sit and shake hands. Listened to two new recordings by Empire Rising (Ali's band). Much fun!

June 8, Wednesday

Julie, Annette (Principal) and
Mr. Dixon (Head of Sport)
get things started

Today is Inaburra School Athletic Carnival. This takes place each year at this time for Track and Field Events.Everyone and anyone can complete. The top times go to Zone (equivalent of going to the District Finals for the US). It was held at The Ridge, and athletic complex at the top of the local mountain ridge, it is fondly called "the Fridge" because it is so cold and exposed. Brrr!

We met other teachers at Macca's (Mc Donalds) for brekkie (breakfast). Made some new kid-type friends and returned home around 330 p m, cold and hungry!!

The Crowd

Me bundled up

Julie had a hair appointment so I cooked honey chicken and I fell asleep before she got home, she had to get me off the couch and point me to bed.

Leaving and Arriving

2011-06-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

BNA to ATL, June 5

After saying goodbye to Ronda and Meg (thanks guys), I checked in (very short line) and sat. The air conditioning in the terminal was not functioning and we all were hot, sticky and fanning with something. The plane was a smaller one but SOOOO loud. A cross between being in a military helicopter and a car with no muffler. By the time I got to Atlanta, a migrain was beginning.

Every so often the captain would get on the intercom and in a terrible Indian accent warble on about something. But the noise combined with the impossible accent, we were all lost. Then the head flight attendant had a stern accent (Latin or Norweigian) and when she gave instruction you felt as if you were being scolded by an old school teacher. When the flight was over, I was dying to get out and take some headache meds and so I stood up quickly to get out. An old dude who was sitting next to where I was standing said, "You WILL wait your turn, Missy!" Seriously?? Missy? I WILL wait? He was a whole 8-10 years older than me. I said "Yes, Sir, don't you worry!" Then he let me go ahead!!!
Arriving in Atlanta is typical, you dash to the other end of the airport to your terminal, don't think I have ever been there without having to rush!

Definitely needed Ronda to assist here!

ATL to LAX
Watched two movies. Eat Love Pray and Easy A. Once at LAX, I had eaten and charged my phone and was waiting at the gate when 4 women/girls all filed into the terminal with Aussie Pillows, stuffed animals and ridiculously large sombreros on their heads! The girl charging her phone at the Charging Station (of which there are only two) has been there for 3 hours!!! Come on the rest of us charging needs. I believe I commented on this last year. Obviously LAX has yet to comply.

LAX to SYD
Watched Life as We Know It, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Tourist. Pretty uneventful flight. I was blessed to have a spare seat next to me! Thanks to all of you who prayed for this! And to God for answering. Yes, God does care where I sit for 17 hours.

Arrived an hour late at Sydney, so customs was easy breezy, just a sniff or two by "Yaz" the Drug Beagle, and I was off to find Julie.

They take smoking pretty seriously!

cheeky magpie just staring at us as we got out out the car

Thought of you Kimberly, Shnitzel is only $9!

The rest of the day I spent unpacking while Julie went to work and then friends Paulette and Lynn took me to lunch in Bangor. Fell asleep around 7 pm that night!!!!Ah Jet Lag!

New Things, New Trips, New Plans

2011-05-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

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Mission Goals

find ministry or missions opporturnities
Continued support for missions in Albania and Australia

Albania
Albania is located on the western edge of the Balkan peninsula. It borders Greece, Macedonia, Kosava and Serbia-Montenegro. Albania has access to Ionian and Adriatic Sea. From the strait of Otranto, Albania is 100 km from Italy. The country covers 28,000 square km (11,000 square miles) and has a population of 3.3 million.

The Spiritual Situation
Muslim 70%
Orthodox 20%
Catholic 10%

Australia
Here are some interesting religion statistics. According to the ABS 2006 census (the most recent):

About 13 million or 64% of Australians called themselves “Christian.” However, only about 7.5% attend any church services weekly (NCLS Research 2004).
The main denominations continue to decline slowly, while 19% of Australians claimed “no religion.” Another two million did not state or adequately describe their religion.
Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and other religions are still minorities but have also grown, due to increased immigration from the Asian region.
As in the U.S. Australians often identify themselves as a particular religion because of family ties.

Now What
Please prayerfully consider either becoming a prayer or financial partner with me in reaching the world for Christ.
If you received a card with a letter send it back to Kontaktmission as directed on the card, or go here Kontaktmission to make a donation.

If you need a pledge card, please let me know by my email
carolheaden@gmail.com

I will be sending updates to this email, if you do not want to recieve them, click unsubscribe from below. If you want to contact me, my information is also below.

Thank you so much for all your support.

Bekimin (Blessings)

What's going on?
Sometimes God has to tap you on the shoulder, sometimes He has to push you down. Eitherway, if you are seeking His will, He will find a way to get your attention.
As you can see by my Mission Goals, these have changed after a year of preparation. I expected on my timeline to be in Albania by now. God's timing is definately His own. His plan is also His own.
One thing I am sure of is the last few years have been a growing time. A time of seeking God's will, learning to love others and desiring them to find God's will for their lives.
While I am not sure if I will ever end up in Albania, I do know that a love and desire for missions has been given to me. I fully intend to support, encourage and do missions.

This summer two opportunities for ministry in Australia have been given to me. One is withHope Street, a ministry to the marginalized in inner-city Sydney. The other is an opportunity to present the Gospel to Primary and Secondary Students at a school in the Sydney area. I am so excited to see what God presents at both of these opportunities.
Of course the fact that I am going "home", get to see my family and Sam is the added bonus! God is good!
I will leave June 5th and return July 31.

What You Can Pray for

Continue to pray for the students and staff at the Gjerasim D. Qirazi School in Tirane, Albania
Hervin and Sedika Fushekati and their church plants throughout Tirane.
Sam graduates in October from Charles Sturt University with a degree in Film, and wants to stay in the Sydney area. Pray also for his girlfriend Tahlia.
The people I come in contact with this summer in Sydney.
My future plans, where God wants me to serve, who he wants me to serve, and those I would serve alongside with.
Easy transition back to the US on July 31. I have to start back to work as soon as I return.
Securing the paperwork, etc. to work while in Australia so as not to accrue a financial burden while there.
Financial and Spiritual preparation.

My Blog
I will blog about my trip throughout the summer.
www.originartkangaroo.blogspot.com

Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

This is the e-mail update list to keep track of Carol Headen's ministry in Tiranë, Albania. You may have asked to receive these updates through email, facebook, or if I shared my ministry with you, your church or small group. Thank you for your interest in what God is doing in Albania.

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Carol Headen

KontaktmissionUSA

300 Sherwood Place

Humboldt, TN 38343

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Psalm 33 DOES NOT mean Barking

2011-05-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hewwoo
Heidi here. Been a wong time I noze it. Sorry readers, I have been a deprwessed puppy. Mummy moved us to our own place. And it beez good an all, but I wubbed my yard at 3way and at jackson Garden suites. So I'ze been bad, I ate the curtains and blinds, I pulled up the carpetz. I am now living in a cage.
Sigh
humph
But I figurin' Godz bee teachin' me sumtin. Dunno what yet.

Anywayz, Mummy bee readin the bible for wives (IT IS READ THE BIBLE FOR LIFE - Carol) orsumtin an she readz to Heidi each night. Da wars and such scares me so she hits highlights and den reads Psalms. We was readin Psalm 33. An I wub it. It all about shoutin to the Lord cos he great. Now I gets in trubble for shoutin, my friend Roxxy taught me to bark. It no good. It talkin back, but dis shoutin IS good. It say sing to Him, thank Him! Den it tells who is is an how big. Den how bwessed we is when we are His peeps. It is great. I suggest you read it. If you'nz done know Who He is. Ask mummy she tell you all about in better Engwish who God is and who Jesus be.

Here I beez posten before and after pics of my new hairz. Day got carried away.
I is necked so hide yo little on's eyes.

BEFORZ

AFTAZ

I wub you. Be my friend.
Signed,
Heidi Yuli-ghi

New Post

2011-04-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am writing this so that I don't have to stare at Christmas on this post any longer.

Quick advertisements:

go to my art blog originartcarol.blogspot.com to see what I am currently working on.
go to tbr.jmcss.org to see the school where I teach and student art work.

I am joining in with my church Northbrook Church in reading the Bible chronologically this year as a church family. We are using George Guthrie's Read the Bible for Life as a guide as George is a member of our church and we were the Guinea Pigs for the book. My art blog has the latest of sketches and paintings related to this.

George also has a website you can visit.

Ruth

17x21

Acrylic

$100

A Merry Georgia Christmas to all

2010-12-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

This scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

Kennesaw, Christmas Night

Visiting with HoHo

2010-12-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes getting that holiday card is not as easy as you think! Merry Christmas!

A digital slideshow by Smilebox

Ode to mi Kitteh

2010-12-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Alley Cat Alley Cat, what iz yooz dooning?
I miss your pwudy green eyes and
watchin' you znoozin'

Alley Cat Alley Cat, who now can snoop?
Dis Puppy is too big and tries
to herd me into a gwoop

Alley Cat Alley Cat, I miss yooz so mutch
You was a good fwriend
even if you waz a catz.

Much wicking and wub
Heidi Yuli-gi

Goodnight Sweet Princess

2010-12-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

I have not been on line for quite a while....I have moved again (along story) but I live with the wonderful Manda, isn't she pretty...

And was putting off bringing Old Alley Cat to the new house. My hope was that she would actually be going to a new home at this time. And, I actually had a farm for her. But God and Alley had other plans. Long story short - Wrangler (collie/german shepard) "loves" squirrels and as I put Alley out he said, "Oh thank you new roomie person for a squirrel of my own:" To which Alley replied, "Yeah, come on, I got enough for two of you". so she didn't run (which I was counting on). 10 minutes, much blood (mine) and cat screaming later...I was rushing her to the cat ER and me to people ER. I lived, my pointer finger almost didn't< and Alley went on to be with the Lord. sigh. Sad, but ready. It was time for her to go, she had about 17 lives not 9. She was 15 and was a very good cat. RIP

Goodnight sweet Princess

This was my welcome to Weatheridge Drive...Ugh! Hoping things get better!

JUST KEEP SWIMMING

2010-10-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

So, we. the women of Northbrook left for the budding metropolis of Tupelo,Mississippi (birth place of Elvis) for and "Extraordinary Women" Conference.

Jaime and Janet (and me

Us (not thr 3 front women,we are the fun ones)

Mercy Me

These are the lessons I learned.

1. Philippians 4:4-9 We are to be anxious for NOTHING!
We are to: Pray, think clearly...on positive things, and do what you have been told (rely on by knowing the word of God.)

2. His ways are not our ways, so quit judging each other, just love people, We are more than conquerers!

3. There WILL be brighter days.

4. I am a Warrior Princess of God, not just a princess. I need to remember WHO I AM. If I can't fight, stand, if I can't stand, kneel, and PRAISE HIM thru it all. Ephesians 3:16-19

5.A women of everyday peace is:

constantly changing to be like Jesus, are open to God changing her.
nice to be with
thinks clearly
knows she is forgiven and Satan cannot stir up the past
lays down her bitterness because she believes that God is sovreign and good
lays down negativity and gives love.

You can't buy or get peace, it only comes by having a relationship with God.

6. It is our actions and reactions in life that determine our reach. John 1:11, Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Chronicles 20.

The weekend was topped off for me with worship at Northbrook. our Meg sang "Do I trust You".

Many of you know I have been waiting and therefore wondering about my "call" to missions, Albanian in particular. What I heard this weekend was to remain in Him, praise Him thru it, and be a woman of peace. Like in "Nemo" I need to just keep swimming...

I asked for answers to so many questions, I got an answer.... So I will try to prove faithful.

Funny Quotes:

"Those hooks are for your dry cleaning", reply "When you drive a minivan, you don't have dry cleaning, you have puke on everything." - Kathey

"They are finger hooks" - Jaime

" I have a need to nosh" - ? Sheila?

"Do I have mine? I need to touch it" - Kathry

"I'm a Christian, I ain't dead" - Chondra

"Shoes with necks" - ask Sue

"Don't bump into my happy" - Angela Thomas

Doodles Produced:

trust

hope

(more about the finger later)

NOT MY CAT

2010-10-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

I pulled into the driveway, threw the car in Park, and hopped out. "Meee-ow", I turned to look, expecting Alley, the immortal. Some orange cat stared at me. "Mee-eee-ow". I answered, "Not my cat". Again, "Mee-ee-oooooow". Again, "You are not my cat!"
I walked on and immediately Matthew 7:21-23 came to mind
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
When judgment day comes, if Christ were to say to me "I never knew you" in essence, "you are not my cat", how devastating that would be. I cannot even begin to fathom that kind of rejection. I want Him to say " welcome home faithful servant" or "Kitty kitty, come inside". Everyone wants to be someones 'cat'. We desire to belong, to have someone to call out our name and love us, be always there for us. As much as I want it, others do to.
This is the meaning of the Great Commission. We cannot forget that others will hear, "I never knew you, get away from me", if we don't tell them the gospel. If we don't share, forget to share, or refuse to share how God can lead your life, we are letting them get further towards the "lake of fire". In Revelation 20: 11-15, John paints a clear and scary picture of what will happen when he says that to someone.
Matthew 28: 18-20, known as The Great Commission, is a DIRECTIVE, not a suggestion or elective. We are to make disciples. the only way is to tell.
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Oh, there is Alley now,
"meow",
"come on in and eat Alley, you are my cat".

Woman Currently Without Country

2010-08-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

So, they say, "How was Australia?", "Are you still going to Albania?"

sigh...confusing...

I was in the shower and this question was posed to me, "do I love the country or the call?" Do I just want to live "somewhere else" or do I wan to evangelize?

I don't know and my shallow mind does not want to expend the energy to think about it. - or to think that deep.

I guess my discontent is with my job now, I really enjoyed working at my summer job, and I cannot imagine 12 more years of wrangling squirrels and trying to impart knowledge upon them.

No, I don't really care where I live, the only reason I am "here" is because of tremendous debt, and comparably, this is a good paying gig. But I still feel like I am not making any headway.

I'd rather be having coffee with people, visiting, discussing topics worth thinking about, and to be honest, going to the restroom when I want to (ask any teacher about this dilemma). Maybe I should work in a coffee shop in Thailand...

I know God doesn't "care" where I am as long as I am doing His work, but I need a change, I need any door that God opens to be opened WIDE!

So, how was Australia?

I absolutely loved it. But now I am MORE confused.

sigh...confusing...

AUSTRALIA - All good things come to an end, July 24,25,26

2010-07-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 24

Christmas in July

The Vigour Women at Gymea Baptist had a Christmas in July party today. Julie is on the leadership of Vigour and so we had to turn up at the church at 1030 am and basically stayed till about 7 pm. Our friend Paulette was to show everyone how to do a crafty card and then give a little talk about Christmas Traditions. It was great wearing Christmas colors and decorating the church atrium in a Christmassy mood.

Sunday, July 25
Leaving

I thought my plane was leaving at 650 am on Sunday, Julie thought it was at 950 am. So we checked it on line and lucky we did! It had been cancelled and I was now on VAUSTRALIA airlines....sooooo much better and it didn't leave until 950 PM

Flat Joy says goodbye as she decides to stay!

Cool wall art at the Sydney Airport

Julie (and Joy) at the airport

That also made it better for my LA friends to meet me at LAX!

Dave, Jeanie and me at LAX

After a great burrito at the beach (on the coldest day in So. Calif history), they returned me to LAX to catch the plane to ATL.

I knew I had returned to the great ol' USA by the long line at Starbucks and the wonderful wardrobe choices made...

So,

I have returned.

I have lost 3 friends, I am assured of my son's artistic abilities, I have a weird accent in my head, I wish I was not in West Tennessee, but I also know I love the people here so much I missed them terribly, I am still confused as to my future in missions

and,

I have to prep a room for a new school year...

and, for these three (Baldwins) I am ever thankful.

thanks guys for helping me, you really did a lot of work!

Thanks for thinking I rock!

AUSTRALIA - The Inaburra Project and Exaustion, July 23

2010-07-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

July 23
The Inaburra Project
After oversleeping we did arrive at Inaburra School early! I needed to set up for the 2nd project with Year 5. this also was a collage but with the seasons in mind. So here they are...

First 1/2 of Ms. Hatton's Class

Other 1/2 of Ms. Hatton's Class

Mr. Butchatsky's Class, "Four Seasons"

These will be sold at auction at the School Fundraising Dinner. I hope they do well.

The School paid me with a gift certificate to "Distractions" a little shop in Gymea that a friend of Julies owns. This is what I picked out...

Thank you Annette for arranging that!

Exhaustion
Well as usual, I forgot to take my "stay awake" meds today and by lunch I was soooo exhausted! Julie let me come home (after an afternoon snack of a potato scallop), and nap while she went to the grocery and got all the candy and cookies for my friends back home.

We had Indian take-away - Butter Chicken, yum, for dinner and then watched TV. First night of "nothing" in a while.

AUSTRALIA - Art Project and Artistic Son, July 21 and 22

2010-07-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

As I sit here at Julie's dining table having a cup of tea, I am struck by two things, one: I have 2.5 days left :( and how "American" Dr. Phil sounds now. I could get used to life here, but I would miss my NB framily so much. What a world!

July 21
Inuburra School and the Art Project (said "pro-ject")

I went to school with Julie again and started my collaborative art project with year 5. this is to be sold at auction by the PTO to raise funds. I have two year 5 classes and today I worked with Ms. Hatton's class. I set up 4 groups of 7 to make little "collage cards" out of fun paper to be glued onto a canvas. First group was button crazy, second group was flower crazy, third group much more creative (we made smaller ones) and the final group was very artistic. I will post pictures of the final product Friday night. Unfortunately it took all day, I was in the staff meeting room which is where morning tea and lunch are so it was in use for most of 10:30 to 1230, so I have to go back Friday to do the second class and mount and finish the three projects.

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At 4:30 we headed home and I was sooooo tired (guess I am not ready for school!). Sam is to cook tonight as Sarah is coming over, but as it turned out she couldn't. Julie got her hairs done and came home late.

July 22
Cronulla Shoot

Sam and i caught the train to Cronulla (about 3 stops from Gymea) and walked to the MJ's house (Michael and Madeline Johnson see the Sea Life) to pick up the camera that Matt has. He lets Sam use it. Sam and I then walked down to Shelly Beach. I took lots of pictures I simply cannot get enough of the beach! maybe now, my friends, you can see why the beach is SOOOO important to me and why I was so disapointed in June.
Anyway, we met Martin Johnson (Matt's dad and a TV guy who owns his own production co. now) and Karl (the senior pastor) at Shelly Beach for a new promo for the new series at Gymea Baptist. It was where the last promo with the starfish was shot (see this link).
Sam had to go potty, Karl forgot his starfish...so a while later the shoot began.

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I took pics while they did a few takes with two cameras, then Karl took us out for breakfast in Cronulla. Martin then dropped Sam at church, and me to Julies. A Great Day!

We endedd with dinner at the MJ's (Matt and Madeline Johnson)

Matt Johnson (in the middle)

AUSTRALIA - Dog Whispering and World Famous Artist, July 19-20

2010-07-20T03:29:00.000-07:00

July 19
Dog Whispering

It seems even in OZ Dogs need a whisperer. There I was, minding my own business, and up came (I'll call her Rosie) Rosie with her boy and mum. They sat at the little table next to me at Gloria Jeans. Rosie came over to greet me, as almost every dog does and she said, I will be yours today, you need a puppy kind of love. So she layed down at my feet (see picture of my red shoe). Very sweet little beagle.

Sam and I had lunch at K and M and he caught the train to school. I grocery shopped, walked home and did laundry...Typical day in Oz.

July 20
World Famous Artist
I got up early and headed to Inaburra School with Julie. I watched her do her Library thing, and I planned for tomorrow when I will teach two 5th grade classes and make sell-able art for the PTO. (Barker friends, yes this sounds familiar, except this time only TWO classes not 39!)
Julie at her office desk

I met Ethan a special friend of Ms. Chiz (Julie) who exclaimed to everyone who would listen, "this is Ms. Headen, a world famous artist from America, she came all the way from America to Inaburra to see us!"

Ethan holding the painting I did for the Library for Book Week: Across the Story Bridge

Julie teaching Library

Julie does her Computer thang...

AUSTRALIA - Stay on the Path, July 19

2010-07-20T02:50:00.000-07:00

This was July 14th reading in a book, "Jesus calling" by Sarah Young, that Julie gave me...I read it on the 18th - a day of infamy.

"Keep walking with Me along the path I have chosen for you. Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My heart. I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you. Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain. The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak. Someday you will dance light footed on the high peaks: but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy. All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you. I truly is the path of life."

Psalm 37:23-24

Psalm 16:11

This came right in the middle of me wondering what on earth God is doing with my life. Am I really ever going to Albania, am I to just move home to Sydney? Am I to stay in West Tennessee. Then grief hit and Carol and Cris went on and no longer have to walk of this arduous road. This seemed to fit them too. They are now free, they have clung to His hand as directed and now the sparkling surprise has come for them! What joy!

For now, I will continue to stay on His Path, not sure where it is going, but I'm on it. Will I see you there?

AUSTRALIA - Painting, Newtown and Grief July 16, 17,18

2010-07-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 16
Menai Club
Woke up and had tea and crumpet, yum! Feeling sort of English/Aussie.

Walked to the shops and sat at Gloria Jeans outside to drink my coffee and paint a little.

This is the Cronulla Beach Club

I am sitting right across from the cross walk so I have some interesting people to watch, from kids on scooters to surveyors surveying.

The crosswalks have little chirpy noises, and of course the "angry birds" of Australia. 3 pm is a "shift change" here at Gloria Jeans, new clientel, all the morning people have left and new ones are coming in. AND I just saw a fairy go to the ATM with her mum. Julie picked me up, Sam's friend Dan (who looks like John David) met us at the house and we met our friends Paulette and Bob at "Club Menai", then coffee at McCafe.
Club Menai

Paulette, Julie and Bob

My Scotch Fillet, chips and Salad

Paulette's, mustard encrusted lamb chops and cous cous

Flat Joy joined us

So we sent her for drinks

Julie got her iphone.so we played with that.and Dan spent the night.

Saturday, July 17
NEWTOWN with Lynn
We ran up to Miranda (mall) and got Julie a new cover for her new iphone and my new red shoes!!!!! So awesome!

We picked up a friend Lynn Whelan and went to Newtown (this is what we do with Lynn) Newtown must be explained. It is near downtown Sydney and has old buildings and streets that have really funky and cool stores and people. Punk, vintage, underwear, jewelry...You might see a guy with his pet rat on his shoulder, a cat on a leash, punks, goths, rock-a-billies, anything.
Found a cool "scarf/necklace" at a punk shop at 50% off!!!! I saw a guy making giant soap bubbles, a japanese girl with a WW1 aviator helmet...

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We walked till we couldn't walk anymore...
headed home to pick up Sam and drop him at the train station, then took Lynn home and met her and her husband Ross at "Tradies" (the Trade Union Club) for dinner.We were all so tired, we ate and came home.

Sunday, July 18
Grief
2 am call here, and my dear Cris Fike has died.

Hard night sleeping, but then onto church. I guess if I have to be somewhere that is not Northbrook today, it would be here at Julie's church.

Community Breakfast at Gymea Baptist

Giles'ie at the coffee bar

Julie and Pete

Sam and friends

We had lunch at subway and I took a nap, Julie had a meeting. Sam woke me at 4 as he left early for church. He had to finish an animated video for the RUTH Readers Theatre. We met Pete at church and then out for Chinese, we were the only ones there!

AUSTRALIA -Pork Rolls, Tillie the dog, and Mexican, July 14 and 15

2010-07-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

July 14
Sam had to be at the church early, so Julie got up and took him and went on to do errands. I slept in a little (I think because of those really bad beds at Kiola). But after I got up we cleaned house, well, we straightened up anyway. then we went to Engadine (just down a station or two) to get great Vietnamese Port Rolls....

Yum, we ate it at the Engadine Community Centre park and met Nick a friend of Ali's who is a counselor there. He is from the midwest of the USWe ate with the pigeons and a Cockatoo that flew from light pole to light pole.

We then found the American candy store. We got Sam a Dr. Pepper and Julie some Reeses. We found a great "junk" shop called the Liquidators.
We came home and read magazines and checked email. Julies friend Donna (I knew in grade 6 an 7) and invited us for wine by the fireplace. She has a very New England looking home on the inside and a beautiful back porch and garden that makes you think you are in Connecticut!

At Donna's House

Donna and Tillie

We met Sam at home and went out to eat Mexican in Cronulla at "Sombrero's" sam gave it a "4" , I gave it an 8. Something is always missing from Mexican food here. Sam reckons I should marry a Los Portales Brother and open one down here done the right way. lol
At Sombrero's

This is what they call Guacamole, Cheese dip and Salsa....hmmm

We finished the night by walking thru Cronulla shops to the carpark, then home to bed.

July 15
Julie had to return to school today, so she got up early and left. Sam and I got up about 930 and headed to the church. About a 15 minute walk from Julies. I watched Sam work on the computer making a picture in to a computer animation for the Ruth Readers Theatre at church. He is so talented. I sure when finished it will be posted on Vimeo.com
We had "Morning Tea" with the rest of the staff and before we knew it, it was lunch time. We packed our lunch and ate together till Julie picked me up to go to her work at Inaburra School.
The Inaburra School Library

I worked on researching Art lessons and looking at what the 1st and 2nd grade teachers do for art. Then Annette, (the Primary Head) asked me to do some stuff with year 5 (5th grade) to make some stuff to auction off with their PTO (boy that sounded familiar).
After school we picked up Sam and he made us Tortillini for dinner, very YUM. Then Julie and I went to Bible Study (LIFE group) at Ian and Melissa Giles' house.

I have been cold and tired all day, hope I am not getting sick!

AUSTRALIA - The South Coast, July 11 and 12 and 13

2010-07-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

July 11
Sunday at church in the AM and PM Pete joined us for the night service. After church we went to Ali's and ate with her and Sarah and Caitlyn (her mom) and Josh. Ali made Roasted Beetroot and Pasta, very interesting.
Ali has three gigs, Melbourne and Sydney so she is gone with the band for two weeks and I won't see her again...*sad*
We ran home so we could go to bed, Sam had to meet friends at church at 430 am to watch the World Cup Soccer.

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July 12
We left for the south coast to go to the Beach where Julie has spent most of the last 25 summers. KIOLOA (said Ki-o-la). We headed for Woollongog and thru the Illawara Region. We turned off at Kiama to see the Kiama Blow Hole, and Bombo Beach. On to Shoalhaven Region and the milk farms.

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Almost ran out of gas and with 7 km left we made it into the town of Berry. At the "Servo" (convenience store) I found "Fruit Tingles" great candy from my childhood. (I ate them all the way down the coast and all the way back the next day!)
In Historic Milton we shopped at some cute stores, then we arrived at Kioloa. BEAUTIFUL. we drove to Merry Beach Shop and had fish and chips. Julie parked us at her usual camp site and she showed me where they camp and took me on a walk on the beach and an explore around the tidepools.
After 4 pm, we drove around on a kangaroo hunt, and WOW they were everywhere. They are on both sides of the road and in the road and in peoples yards. We drove to Pretty Beach and a whole MOB was there (Mob is an Aboriginal term for family or group, also the term for kangaroos, as in herd etc.)
There was a really pushy male that wanted to tear into Julies pockets. The mummy of the mob watched everyone and rebuked the boys- growling and spanking them (yes two hands on the bottom).

If the roo video isn't here, look on facebook.

For dinner we drove into Ulladulla to eat at the "International Restaurant-Italian Cuisine" Had Pizza with veggies and prawns, nice. After that Julie "made" a new outfit for Flat Joy (we both have bought one, so she needed one and we thought she might get cold.)

The mummy with her tiny Joey...

The sweet Mummy

Flat Joy enjoys the Roos

We saw a beautiful double rainbow, it was bigger than half a circle...very cool.

July 13
After strange dreams in unfamiliar beds we droe back to Merry Beach and to the shop and Teri ( a summer friend of Julie's) made us cappicino.Left Kioloa and headed to Ulladulla again to shop at the "rivers" outlet (great outbacky clothes). On the way home from the south, we stopped in Milton too and had lunch at "Pigrims - Wholefood Cafe" (vegetarian) and had a BLISS Burger (veggie patty, avacado, hummus, tabuli, cheese, onion sprouts, cheese and peanut and sweet chilli sauce.) AND a mango smoothie!

We made it home to Sam and vegged the rest of the night..I blogged! this...

AUSTRALIA - Paulette and Pete, July 10

2010-07-13T04:59:00.000-07:00

After Sushi (at "Sakura Fresh Sushi") with ALison and Sam,

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Julie and I headed over to Paulette's. She is and old frind of Julies and a new friend over the last 5 years of mine. She is originally from Connecticut, but married and Australian and has lived here for years. Paulette sells "Stampin' Up" so she has all kinds of papers and stamps and fun cutter things. After wonderful Cappucino made by Bob (her husband) and Snickerdoodles (which they don't have here, that Paulette made for us), we sat and played for a long time making a cool tri-folded card.

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Pete then called and asked us out to dinner. Pete is another of Julies Friends I have met before. Sort of family here for her. He took us to "Sabia in the LeSands Pavilion" for seafood.. Oh - My - Gosh - it was sooo good (and soooo posh). we chared zucchini florets stuffed with cheese, Haloumi cheese fried, Lamb skewers with mint yogurt. Then the "mains" we had a seafood platter thing...Baramundi, Snapper, Salmon, prawns and scallops (don;t like scallops).
The view of Botany Bay was beautiful, indescribable. We talked and shared wine and listened to Pete tell about his living in Finland and other travels. Lots of fun!

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AUSTRALIA - Hawks Nest, and Tea Gardens, July 9

2010-07-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

I wish I could bottle the smell of the beach here, and where we are staying there is a sweet spicy smell from some plant, love it.This morning we got up and ate left over quiche from the pie store from yesterday and we began to pack up and clean up, then up to the "Friendly Grocer". We went and looked at Bennett's Beach, the main surf beach - supposed to see dolphins and whales, then drove around to the Trail Track, the Surfers Rd and found an Illawara Fire Flower, Borrle Bruch, Wattle, mango tree, Banksia and gum blossoms.
Then we drive to the end of Winda Woppa on Myall River (I know you are LOVIN' the names of places) and it bagan to rain. Back at Tea Gardens (across the river from Hawks Nest) We ate tat the Boat Shed, fresh prawns and bread. with a great cafelatte.
Down the street to the "Port Stephen's" Ferry Service for a trip around Nelson Bay and back. We found dolphins playing so the driver just5 drove around and around to let us see them!
Saw mangroves, Oyster Beds and lots of Pelicans.
Tea Gardens has great art stuff outside, there were BBQ's with mosaics of Aussie birds. Found a great Cafe/Art Gallery.

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AUSTRALIA - Uncle Bruce, July 8

2010-07-08T04:34:00.000-07:00

After an egg and toast and tea breakfast we hit the road north again to Forster (pronounced fosta) to spend time with my Uncle Bruce who just turned 84 two days ago.

We hung out at his house for a while catching up on where the family was, what they were doing, who was having babies and lots of pictures.

The Metropolis of Tuncurry/Forster

Uncle Bruce then treated us to lunch at the Paradise Marina Waterfront Cafe. He took us there last time (5 years and three days ago, he noted, sooooo Uncle Bruce!) It was really nice and the sun finally came out. After a nice long lunch of talking and playing with Flat Joy.

Uncle Bruce wanted us to come back home and have some Birthday cake.

We looked at old pictures of family and Uncle Bruce gave Julie and I a fancy pin each that was Auntie Lucelles, sooooo cool and sweet, then surprised Julie with giving her Pop Skinners MBE from the Queen!

Owen (cousin) now Acting Police Superintendent (Area Commander) for Northern New South Wales.

A fun little stool that Auntie Lucelle painted. We are raised on Faeries around here!!

Julie standing in Uncle Bruce's Living Room, great old 1920's furniture!

Uncle Bruce telling us all about some old pictures

We said our goodbyes and Uncle Bruce held us and prayed for us, so sweet and so Uncle Bruce! Then we drove into Forster (remember Fosta) and window shopped (got a great prize for Ronda!!!)

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AUSTRALIA - Missions, Auntie Corrie, Hawk's Nest, and a Meat Pie - July 7.

2010-07-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

Video of Gymea Baptist Church and the new addition

Began the day at Gymea Baptist talking with Karl Faarse (Sr pastor) and Paul Summers (head of missions) about Albania and short term missions.

Left to grab some coffee, pack the car and leave Julies for West Ryde (North west Sydney) to visit my Auntie Corrie (89)

She always makes a big spread for morning tea and she still does...

The same stuff is in the cupboards as when we were little and the same little wonky loo is out back....Absolutely love it!
Mum and Joy would have loved it. Great feeling of being at "home" at the Wheats.

Me outside Auntie Corries

We hit the road after our visit and headed north to Hawk's Nest to a holiday house of a freind of Julies. About 3.5 hours dirve thru big mountains (too rainy to get pictures) and flat farmland...
The National Park was on our left for most of the way. It is huge. We used to live backed right up to it. The birds (Cockatoos, Galahs, Kookaburra's and other parrot, budgie, song birds used to hang around the yard. Beautiful!

We passed thru West Ryde, Epping Road, North Ryde, Pymble, Karingai Shire (Grandma and Granddad Wheat lived there), Hornsby, Gosford, Woy Woy Grandma and Grandad Wheat had a house there), Ettalong, Terrigal (where Narelle and Gwenda live),Toukley (vacations with the Kings), Maitland (we lived there before me), Wallsend (before me), Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, Tea Gardens, then Hawks Nest.

We stopped for a meat pie (for Matt Wright!!!!) YUM in Raymond Terrace, near Kurri Kurri and Newcastle. At the Heatherbreae's Pie Shop.

I put all those names of places in for Mum and Joy, but other readers may enjoy the odd names (most Aboriginal).

We arrived and I caught up on blogging and Julie did some scrapbooking...here are somn OLD photos of our

family.

1962 Chicago -1963 Atlanta

AUSTRALIA - Errands, Drives and West Side Story

2010-07-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Day started with Julie losing her wallet and progressed as badly. We searched and searched looked in garbage cans, tore up the car....We went and picked up Sam from church, he had a computer part to pick up for them and install. After we took him back we did some banking and transferring so Julie could have cash (lost wallet).

We drove up to Gray's Point to the Chemist and all of a sudden I knew exactly where I was! and I gave directions to the house on Duneba Ave! Which BTW isn't there anymore just a huge new house, but the little red brick wall and tired little mailbox was still there. It looked really funny. It was actually across the street from my High School (Where I knew Donna in previous pictures) - Kirrawee High School. We returned home and I was changing the washing out and Julie said check the recycling bin and VOILA! a wallet! The crowed the rejoiced, "yay".
Julie and her "smiling" car!

Our evening was to be downtown at "Star City" the big casino in Sydney. At the theatre we had tickets for "West Side Story", John David eat your heart out! It was wonderful!

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At intermission we went out to the Bar area and the view was beautiful.. It was the bridge from a South West view, not normally scene.

AUSTRALIA - Day out with Sam, July 5

2010-07-07T03:37:00.000-07:00

Julie had to go to her Dr. and I checked some email while Sam got ready. Julie and I took a trip to "The Good Guys" sort of a discount Best Buy which is cash only and you haggle the price. We got Sam a heater for his room. Then off to "Office Works" like Office Max. Found some really fun green things for my classroom and a great computer satchel.

Julie dropped me at Gymea to go to ATM and walk home to meet Sam. She had other errands to run. Sam and I caught the train to Miranda (one stop) and shopped at the big mall "Miranda Fair". We shopped there when I was young, although it is much bigger now. It blew Sam's mind when I said I used to shop in "Country Roads" or "Sportsgirl", yes they are that old!
We found some great shirts, shoes and hoodie for Sam, he was in bad need of some more winter clothes. He walked me to death, boys don't shop with any kind of plan, just back and forth and back and forth. We ate at his favorite place "Salsas- Fresh Mex". Closest to any good Mexican he can get. A lot like Moe's.

Just kidding

This was more like it...

We came home and after Julie got back from the Gym we ordered Thai and Sam walked to pick it up...Good Boy! and YUM! I had Masaman Beef (curry) and Sam had Cashew Chicken with Chili jam. Julie had Prawn and Snow Pea Stirfry. We all shared. Sam tried on clothes and we watched Desparate Houswives, well Julie and I did...Sam hid in his bedroom! LOL

AUSTRALIA - Sunday July 4

2010-07-07T03:09:00.000-07:00

Got up for Church at Gymea Baptist. (www.gymeabaptist.org.au) Julie had to set up a table for Vigour - the women's group (http://gymeabaptist.org.au/Womens.aspx) so we got there early and stayed late...normal for me.
Came home and scrounged up lunch and then to watch Ali play soccer. the sun was very nice while we watched. The birds were loud...Sam calls this the "Land of Angry Birds", not many sweet tweet-tweets here..or maybe they are drowned out...
Game ended nil/nil after almost 2 hours!. We met Sarah at Macca's (McDonalds) for those not reading the blog faithfully, and Ali joined us eventually. BTW, they put BBQ sause on everything!

Came home, Sam was still asleep. the "youth/young adult" service is at night. We napped and all went to night church together, Sam introduced me to his freinds and I got to sit up front with them all. FUN!

Sam with Toby Beckman (Justin look alike) He leaves for Germany soon.

Sam, Dan and ? (Dan is a John David look alike)

and the Matt McCravy look alike named ?

AUSTRALIA - Celebrating the 4th of July on July 3

2010-07-07T02:56:00.000-07:00

Julie and I awoke (not early)and walked to the shops for some groceries and a coffee at Gloria Jeans (yep, it started here). I had a "caramelatte" and we shared a banana bread.

Once we got home I was put in charge of guacamole and chili for our Fourth of July Party.

Julie made a Flag Cake.

Flat Joy Helped

Ali made a great Tomatoe thing with boccancini cheese, basil,, balsaic vinegar and salt and pepper, the Albanian in me would rather good olive oil!

In attendance Richard and Helen Dwyer, Donna (Morrill) Thompson.Ali and Sarah, Julie, Sam and I.

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Movie just for fun!

After everyone left, we cleaned up and Julie layed down. Ali and Sarah went on to the pub to celebrate Ali's birthday and we joined them later. The Royal Hotel (Pub) in Sutherland

is around the corner from Ali's house so they are "locals". We sat out in the covered porch with the heaters on. We met Ali and her friends and had Bruchetta (so so) and

Prawn Twisties...YUM!

Sara and Cozi

the menu at the Pub

AUSTRALIA - Downtown Sydney, July 2

2010-07-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

Sam got up early to go work at church (he has some more promos and videos he is doing for them) and Julie and I got up and went to the gym.We came home and ate that great Zucchini Soup, did I tell you about it...yum. Janet we have to make it.

RECIPE

1 tsp butter in pan with chopped onions/leeks until translucent
4 big zucchini's chopped add to the butter and saute till soft

2 cups of chick/veg broth, add water to cover veggies

simmer till zucchini falls apart then puree

simmer till it thickens

we added left over chicken and pureed again, YUM

So then we walked about two blocks to Gymea to catch the train to Town hall.

At the Town hall stop we changed trains to Circular Quay (said Key) where the Harbour Bridge and Opera house are.

we walked about two blocks up to the Museum of Sydney.

After an hour or so in the museum, we caught the train back home.

We met Sam and had "Kebabs" sort of flafl meets sufaqe, had baklava for dessert...YUM!

Good talks with Sam this day and tomorrow we have a PARTY!

This is a video for Ronda, if she dares, of nice QUIET train ride.

This is a video of the bridge and the ferry leaving.

Circular Quay (said Key) Station

AUSTRALIAN - Ali's and Life Group July 1

2010-07-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

July 1
up at 730 again. I let the others sleep and I blogged and worked on Julie's Bible Study.We spent some time at Ali's, playing old Fleetwood Mac albums (yep albums! awesome) and attempting a Digereedoo.

Sam at Ali's entranceJulie waiting for Ali

Ali finally arrives

Flat Joy really likes Ali's new house

Flat Joy helps with a cup of tea

Nice Ali!
We try the Digereedoo....

We went on to Gymea and ate at the K&M Food Bar...apparently Sam's favorite local / cheap place. I had a good Aussie Hamburger (has lettuce, tomatoes, beetroot, onions and BBQ sauce). Sam had a Portuguese Burger (Portuguese Chicken with the above - Portuguese Chicken is spicy and flat), Julie had that too.

K&M Food Bar

Julies "Life Group" equivalent to our "SaLT Groups" met at her house and she led the Bible Study (I admit I did the research for her...I was up early anyway!!)

Then Bed.

AUSTRALIA- The Beach July 30

2010-06-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

I let Julie sleep in a bit, I was up at 730. Sam and I had breakfast and I had a cup of tea, watched TV and blogged. After Julie got up we headed to Cronulla (the beach). Julie lives in Gymea about 15 min from the beach. We walked from North Cronulla Beach to the South, and ate Fish and chips and potatoe scallops, she had calamai rings (no thanks). Then we walked around the shops and I found some prized for some of you readers. Took alot of pictures and I wish I could bottle the smell. MMMM sand, salt and water...

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Sam cooked us Veal parmegiana very nice and way too much!

Off to bed again at 930...hard to stretch that out...

AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE: the Surprise June 29

2010-06-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

We begin the drive home from the airport and hit "Maccas" (McDonalds) on the way. I had a "Brekkie Wrap" very good and latte. We then ran to the little grocer a block from Julies to get some groceries. Then, Julie got a text from Sam asking if he could use the internet. he was supposed to be at church working on movies! we were going to go there and surprise him infront of the whole staff. So Julie text him saying her could use the internet if he met us outside to carry in groceries. His text...(typical Sam)..."no pants". So we arrive and Julie goes in with two bags of groceries and berrates him until he will go out and get the rest. (britches on now). He complains he has to get the trash first, so grabs the recycle tub and steps out the door...I am waiting just outside the door. He looks at me takes a step and looks again! "What are you doing here?!!?!?!?!" he is so dazed he cant put the recycle tub down, "I have to take the trash out"...and walks on...(note: he is blinking his eyes alot, sure sign of tears) I go with him cos I can't keep my hands off him, and after the dumps the recycle he hugs me.....YAY!!!!! Totally surprised, and sooooo many people knew I was coming both in US and OZ! Great secret keepers all of you!

Me and My Boy moments after the surprise!

We then unpacked all the surprises, clothes, food, Jif...and this is what we discovered...

Jif or Jif...

I got a massage, yay...always welcome after a 23 hour flight! and we ate Chinese for lunch.(by now I am getting a little tired). Came home and tooka shower because we are having "Family Dinner". Family Dinner is dinner at one of the "Family" homes. It consists of Julie (and now Sam and me) ALison, her daughter, Sarah, Ali's friend, LIsa (an old flatmate), Madeline (old flatmate), and Matt (Maddies husband, Sams good friend) and anyone who is a part of one of those peoples lives. So Julie cooked a nice stew (remember it is winter) and we ate and argued, coverbands, politics and taxes. Good times. Dessert was a blueberry crumble with icecream topped with strawberries and passionfruit....
Ali and I cut Sam's hair

This is Ali with her new doo-rag and hat...

This is Sarah (SaiSai) and Julie.

I flaked out at 930 and that was really pushing it. So off to bed I went.

AUSTRALIA - The Departure June 27 and 29 ( I lost June 28)

2010-06-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

After a long drive to Atlanta, Rick, Joy and I were headed to Marietta Diner to eat and "OH NO!" I have forgotten my passport"....I was all planning the 12 hour drive there and back then Joy took over. Thank you. We called Janet (good buddy) and she overnight/Saturday deliveried it to us. Phew! So I spent Saturday with Mum and then Sunday afternoon we headed to the airport. Joy couldn't go with me (she has no passport!!!) So she and Mary made a "Flat Joy" who is coming with me.

So here is Flat joy going thru security...

I managed to ride an escalator alone (twice) without my escalator buddy Ronda. She did however text me thru the second one. I was on concorce A so only one stop on the tram and then gate 18 the first gate, yay! Those of you who have been thru the Atlanta airport know things are never that smooth, in fact, I think this was the first time I have not had to run thru the airport!o after hanging out for a couple of hours, and watching a total of 4 bags left unattended! pet peeve. We began to load. Right before I was to get on, the guy took my boarding pass and held it while he let the line go down. Of course, the 100+ passengers behind me were secretly cussing me for holding up the line....Then, 5 long minutes later he scanned it to start the line again and it popped up "check passport". so then he stopped the line again. he had me step aside (fond memories and feelings for Ronda!) while the 100+ passed by and gave me dirty looks! Anywyay they needed a home address?!?!!?

Here is Flat Joy waiting at LAX

So we board. I pass a poor lady trying to lug a car seat, stroller and 2 year old who wants to undress her dolly NOW!

SIDE NOTE: Here I have a suggestion here. Make the seats two, two, two - and widen the isles. Just a thought. If the flight attendant, who is a size 0-7 can't go down an isle straight, it is too small!!!

Also, delta charges for the headphones to the TV and music, so bring extra and make a travelling buddy.

Watched The Wedding Singer. this other guy was reading how to live among the astral plain...with his Bloody Mary. Sat next to an Australian lady who had moved to NC to marry her best friend and he had a stroke one day after she arrived and died 5 days later. She was taking his ashes to Australia (can you say LOST!) I was so sad for her and sort of creeped out at the LOST paralell for a moment. Then I reminded myself that I was just flying to LA with her. Got off the plane at LAX and the gate I needed to get to was right next door! Great! So I got some McD's and settled down against a wall to plug in the phone and charge up.

SIDE NOTE: the airports are going to have to do better than a plug in the wall every gate to charge up! They had installed this tall bar thing sponsored by TMobile or someone but it had four, yes four plug ins....

Flat Joy in the airplane waiting for the "valve" to get fixed

Two hours later the gate is jumpin'. It went from about 5 of us at 7 pm to full gates at 930! Loaded up the plane and sat for 30 min some airconditioning valve was faulty, but working and not showing it so just another 30 more. But it wasn't hot and we were just reading. Dude across from me was wearing khaki shorts, different khaki shirt and black sox. These are the men that give Aussies a bad fashion name.Does something snap in an Australian male when they turn 40??

.....Sleep. read, movie, tv, sleep, tv, movie.....

Getting ready to land and Poppy Baldwin is standing the isle! Srsly! Looked just like him. Long line at immigration, I did get in the shorter of the long lines cos I am an Aussie, but still long. Then to customs, I declared all my food items (bisquick, peanut butter, life cereal, grits, chocolate) and she waved me on thru, no rummaging thru the bags! YAY! Texted Julie, hugs, kisses, exchanged money and off we go....

Flat Joy hugs Julie at arrival

Drove home and then we walked thru Gymea shops and got some grocery, and stop in at "Distractions" a friends shop (go to HERE to become a fan)

I thought this picture might help Ronda understand why Tirane

is like "home" for me...we shop in little shops too!

That is the Departure...on to the SURPRISE!!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

2010-04-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so blogging has lost me for a while, while the deepest and most profound mind thingies are going around in my brain area, I am not at all excited to think them into coherant english. So, I am posing a question of the day; the things I am floating around my noggin. Things I want you to respond to.
So here is today's QUESTION OF THE DAY...

Can true happiness (joy) make one impervious, untouchable, and/or wise in today's high drama living?

It is a strong one today...reader beware.

2010-03-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I am tired of knowing hypocritical Christians. Now, I sin, and constantly, that is not what I am talking about. That is why repentance and grace are so wonderful. I am talking about those who say they are Christian but their life, habits, and mouth do not reflect the unconditional love of God. They do not know what God says about any topic, or if they do they don't believe it.

The message today at Northbrook (from Chuck) was from 1Peter 3. We have been studying this book and person for this latest series (go to here to hear the messages). Peter is concerned what the world sees when they look at Christians.

Chuck (and Christ) challenged us to the following promises. Are you willing to sign on?

I will represent Jesus well, everything I am, everywhere I am, even if I have to suffer in the process.
I will preach the gospel with my life and lips, and will do so with respect and love.
I will not conform to the sinful habits and tastes and teachings of the culture. I will live like Jesus
...and it will honor God.

John Stott says, "The problem we experience, whenever we think about the church, concerns the tensions between the ideal and the reality. The ideal is beautiful. The church is the chosen and beloved people of God, his own special treasure, the covenant community to who he has committed himself forever, engaged in continuous worship of God and in compassionate outreach to the world, a haven of love and peace, ans pilgrim people headed for the eternal city. BUT in reality we who claim to be the church are are often a motley rabble of rather scruffy individuals, half-educated and half-saved, uninspired in our worship, constantly bickering with each other, concerned more for our maintenance than our mission, struggling and stumbling along the road, needing constant rebuke and exhortation, which are readily available from the OT prophets and NT apostles."

If you decide to "sign on" then know it is not easy and it requires you to be familiar with what God says. And boys and girls, this is only thru his Word: the Bible! The only way to live out those three things above is to know what you are believing. to know what the truth is. It is not the church of Oprah or any particular sect. It is living as God's word tells us.

The honor, glory and blessing is to be God's, not mine. It is all about Him, not me.

Hold me accountable, please. And if you desire to "sign on" let me know in the comments.

Cat Litter, Discipline, Faith and Obedience

2010-02-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Hewwooo, I beez Heidi,

Today I been disciplined. an' I no like it one bid. Mummy caught me in the cat litter eatin' it. It makes her uspset, Iz just confused, maybe...Dunno... It a dog thing. ;0( - so she growl at me, dat hurs my fweewin's and put me in the udder room awayz from her, I no likez that either. so I am restwicted to the couch not near mummy or the cat litter, it now in place taller dan old Heidi. :0(
So, while Mummy yells at her puter that is broken, I am typin (no thumbs peeps!) on the widdle one.

But, I have a word. dis why Iz here...
Mummy she beez readin' up and learnin' about gwate Faith. The kind Abraham had when God said "just go here, k?" (Hoot paraphrase of Genesis 12). The book sheez be readin' says "The road to Faith passes thru obedience" So she tellz me that we have to Obey first then faith will come and contrary-wise, we have to have faith and then obey comes naturally. It make like a circle 'rown and 'rown. And that is also - Trust. She tell me if we really Trust God to care and provide for us den we have show our faith thru obedience. Mummy ask us, Hoot, "Do we really Trust that God will get us to 'Bania?" (note: she weewy mean her, not us :0( She also tinkin' that because it is God's Plan, somehow our story is part of His Big Plan. AMAZING - if"n weez don't get to 'bania, somebodiez will, an' If''n weez am to go to 'bania, weez will. It is his Plan and he will see it thru to the endz. Weez just wanna beez used by God, somehow in our widdle life storiez.

Heerz sheez be Lord, Send Herz. She wanna do for you sooo bad!
Nuff Said.

Francis Chan Proverbs 30:7-9

2010-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

Something to think about...

More Albania

2010-02-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

Here are some wonderful images of the country that has stolen my heart. It shows the need for the Gospel to reach to that part of the world.

http://vimeo.com/8916383

This is sponsored by Frontier Missions International from a series entitled "Dispatches from the Front". Go here to learn more about this.
http://www.dispatchesfromthefront.org/

The Call

2010-02-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am reading Bonhoeffer, and yes, me being me it is taking a while to read, think, re read, meditate, maybe with luck understand. He makes the case that as Jesus passed Levi, (Mark 2;14) he just said follow me and Levi did. Period, no get to know you stage, no big mighty confession. The call demanded an action and so Levi followed. Why do we not do that? Why do we have to "think about it" or hesitate because of all it requires. All we have to say is "Here am I, Lord, Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). He wants our commitment to a life following Christ, not the excuses why "in a minute Lord, not now".
I am not saying you must not make plans. Lord knows if I tried to take off for Albania today, I would have a mess. Who would pick me up at the airport? Where do I live when I get there? How do I eat? Money? Plas do have to be made. But I tell you, just committing to Jesus that you will follow him anywhere, leads you down interesting and joyful paths.

It is the commitment he desires.

"The disciple is dragged out of his relative security (which is in truth the relative security of and safety of the fellowship of Jesus), from a life which is observable and calculable (it is, in fact, quite incalculable) into a life where everything is unobservable and fortuitous (that is, into one which is necessary and calculable), out of the realm of finite (which is in truth the infinite) into the realm of infinite possibilities (which is the one liberating reality)." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What are your thoughts?

KontaktmissionUSA Retreat

2010-01-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 3 Janet says to me, "So you ready for the retreat Thursday?" Augh! it is that time already! So after unpacking and washing I packed again for four days in the mountains and snow. It has been a long time since I lived in Seattle (14 years) so I had to really search for my hiking boots (that are older than my son!) scarfs (never found them) hats (lost too) gloves (ahah! in the coat pocket!) and thick socks (wayyyyy in the back of the drawer). Janet runs downstairs to tell me she was ready early can we get breakfast after we drop Hailey off at school. I said, "Yes, great except school is closed!" Hailey ran around "no school, no school!" After childcare was re-secured, we (Dr. J, Janet and myself) hit the Jeep and ventured off in the general Easterly direction of Pigeon Forge/Sevierville. That in itself was a mystery. This place is owned by the CIA or something because they have no address, we they can't give it to you and only release directions the day before you leave....sumtin' to think about....We followed the obscure directions and made it before dark. As the snow built up others arrived in ones and two's until the mountain road would not accept any other than a 4-wheel drive. Dr. J took trips up and down the mountain switchbacks all night until 2 am, even taking a couple who were not "ours" to their cabin by mistake!

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So, What did I learn?

1. It is not about me, I am just a tool, a happy obedient child, it is God's thing.

2. Simplify, don't let anything distract you from the quest of the King. (1Cor.7:35)

3.What seems unfair to me, may not be from God's eyes. Do I want to be treated fairly or do what pleases God?

4. God's way seems best, even if it feels improbable or unlikely. (Joshua 1:7)

5. Living by faith means letting go, God has it covered, it is his plan, he will complete it.

6. We are called to be wanderers in this world.

7. If I can be talked out of going, it is not a calling.

8. If you are doing it right, it will hurt. Like rugby, you will come out dirty, sore and sacrificed.

9. Be aware of your gifts, but also to new things we might have seen as weaknessess.

10.Giftedness is closely related to but not equal to calling.

11. Look at how God is workingin your life and use it to find your calling.

12. Trust God with my stuff, my finances, my family, my health.

13. Be strong and contagious! or courageous...depends on your translation!

14. Rejection keeps you humble, it is NOT the measure of your calling.

15. Learn to receive.

16.Don't forget to give. Just because you receive support does not mean you do not give.

17. Look for God's fingerprints.

18. Stay connected to God, This is the most important and the reason for the mission.

19. stay connected to supporters and other missionaries.

20.Faith and Haste do not mix well.

C.H.Spurgeon says,

"The child of God works not for life, but from life; he does not work to be saved, he works because he is saved."

Christmas 2009, Georgia

2009-12-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

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Christmas 2009 in Tennesee

2009-12-30T21:10:00.001-08:00

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Thanksgiving 2009, Rome, GA

2009-12-18T17:21:00.001-08:00

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ART FOR SALE

2009-12-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

Link to art for sale...click here

Then leave a comment if you want to place an order.

A little "mushier" than the norm. But a revelation just the same.

2009-11-19T19:24:00.000-08:00

I have not had the life I planned.

Two Plans for Life
Plan One: White picket fence. Dr. Husband, 5 sons and a nicely decorated home...

My plan did not work out.

FLASH FORWARD to Plan Two: A 2 room basement apartment with a dog. A son is living in Australia. The husband is an ex. Family spread all over the world.

I am trying to prepare to move to Albania. I don't know for how long. Everything must be sold or given away - you cannot take dog, lamps, candles and couches to the mission field.

As I look at when I have been closer to God, and consequetially more content, it is in this second scenario. What I held dear - is now out of my hands. What God is blessing is not my plan. This was not my plan nor my dream. But, God saved me, from myself!

watch this video

My plans were not His, they were not what He dreamed for me. He had a life planned for me. A better life planned for me. Once I "lost" everything I held as dear, I prayed He would give me a new plan, a new passion to hod onto (Psalm 37:4 Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.)

What he gave me was a renewed love for Him, a desire to have more of Christ and less of me. (Philippians 3:7-8, 13-14 *v8 I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.)

Even though this was not my plan at all, not my dream, I have to trust that God is the God of the Bible, the creator, sustainer, and giver of life. His plan is better.My dreams were dust, my stuff was holding me down. I was not free to do what He wanted me to do. I was saved from myself, and made free to go where ever He wants me to go and do what ever He wants to do.

So, when my neck is aching because I am straining to look back at all I don't have, this is what I try to dwell on: the surpassing worth of knowing Christ!

Knowing You Jesus (click here)
Graham Kendrick

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres and wars to own;
All I once thought gain I have counted loss,
Spent and worthless now compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You Lord.

Now my heart's desire is to know You more,
To be found in You and know as Yours,
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness.



Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You Lord.


Oh to know the power of Your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings;
To become like You in Your death, my Lord,
So with You to live and never die.


Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You Lord.

Where the Streets have Four Names...

2009-11-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hueytown Alabama. I thought that was some fancyfied nickname for Birmingham...silly me. Hueytown is a, for lack of a better word, a Town. I do not mean to offend the peeps of Hueytown, nor google maps, but someone was asleep in one of those places. We forgot " (insert Sues Garmon name here) " so we had to rely on googlemaps on my iphone. (note to readers, use google earth, google maps and/or Hueytown are not right) Even tho' I "felt it in my bones" that walmart was just up the road, googlemaps and my little pulsating blue dot could not identify the road we were on and all the cross roads had 4 names. Davey Allison Blvd can be main Street or Artesian Springs Rd, or Allison Rd. In the real world Woodward does not exist, nor Brookline. and when you think you are Brookline, you may be on Knight or Hueytown which is Forest. There are two Fairy Alleys and one Fairy Avenue which is also Wickstead Rd. And while you are there you must visit the People's Chapel Funeral Home, Integrity Funeral Home and Cafe Huey. A Chest was for sale, which relieved some of us, as we weren't sure where my chest actually went. License is spelt lisence, and I cannot remember the rest of the knowledge needed to get around "Hueyville" (as I call it).

Regardless, we arrived, got Katie and Micheal married, partied and laughed our way back to J-town. Even after "forced dilly" and "coerced dally". Once we found out what the humming was (it was Sue's "thing"). And after Ronda told her phone " I am in Alabama, I you want me to hear you call back in an hour" and hanging up. It was then that we found the all 80"s all the time station and we sang our way home. "no-one, no-one is to blame", "she's tidied up and I can't find anything", Duran Duran, Manic Monday, the only thing that could have made this day better was a chorus of "SSSAAAAFFFFTTTTYYYY Dance".

Thanks Diana, Ronda, Sue and Hueytown for the laughs.

Jeezalou Art

2009-10-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

My great friend Emilie makes these awesome shoes....I will find prices and let you know how to order some....

Kennesaw, GA. Home.

2009-10-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post some pics from an old favorite store The Painted Butterfly. The owner/artist is Holly Jones. She is not on line yet, but her address is 2760 S. Main Street NW, Kennesaw. For those of you near Kennesaw, she is down from Wildman's and across from Country Kitchen. Lots of fun stuff...Feast your eyes....

Be the Yellow Crayon

2009-10-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:13-14

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

'nuff said...

Link to Sam's blog

2009-10-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sam Headen Has an interview with a music video company tuesday!!! w00t!!

2009-10-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have exactly 7 people who actually follow my blog. And, I tell you it is no fun to blog without feedback (we are a social human race). So please, PLEASE if you read a post, comment about it, I am happy to get a :0) or something!

Looking for you on the internet,

Me

don't you just wanna GO somewhere?

It's back

2009-10-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I decided I do need a blog for my art, so it is back
Look
Like
Buy

originartcarol.blogspot.com

2009-09-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I just love these peeps!

Boy, Sailor Moon, Rain, and Pslam 8.

2009-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

My wonderful sister called me last night on skype and the phone ( so we can hear and see eachother -as I cannot afford to have my microphone fixed on my computer) and I got to not only visit with her, but see my boy. Yep I saw him for about 10 minutes. just looked at his sweet face.

You see it was Saturday morning and he was fresh out of the shower, so no words can formulize in his mouth until about 30 minutes after waking, I am the same. So, I just looked at him. After a while he looked at me. He was still asleep so it took awhile to notice my "look". It was late Friday night for me so I was sporting the "dirty hair out of face: look. Once he woke up, however he was quick to call me Sailor Moon and lament on the uniforms of some of the schools there in Oz, some ok, some very Sailor Moon.

It is still raining in West Tennessee. We have battled standing water, stench and open car windows here at the Jackson Garden Suites. And it continues. But wait, I just actually looked out the window and I see a patch of sun. We haven't seen that golden globe in weeks....yippee.

The rain has mirrored life for some friends these past weeks; lost jobs, new lives, goodbyes, the economy and busy-ness has taken its toll around here. I have been reminded of Psalm 8 lately:

¹ O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

² From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Especially this part in the middle "what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" the KJV says "that thou visitest him", HCS "that you look after him", the Message "why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?". Indeed, He is so massive, awesome, gigantic, fearful, huge, mysterious, wonderful. I am so small, insignificant, selfish, mean. And he bothers to look at me?, he bothers to visit me?, he thinks and cares for me? Whoa. The King of all Creation, that every knee will bow in the entire universe, cares for me. He knows my needs, he knows my fears, he knows when I lose my keys, greive, and rejoice. And according to this he cares about it. He will visit me when I need it, he will look my way.

Once again scripture asks us to stop looking at ourselves and look to him. So much of life is about ourselves. Read the Psalm again. It is all about him. The only verse about us is to say we are so tee-niy-nee and insignificant in comparison. Even though I am significant to Him, and He cares and looks after me, the focus is on His greatness.

This passage forces me to see my sins and shortcomings and come to Him, in humility again. It is this comparison that catches my breath and centers me every time to remembering it is about Him. All of it is. I am his tool, I am to be used by him for others. Not the other way around, NOT the other way around. We tend to use others for ourselves. What can this friend do for me?, or she gives nothing to our friendship,?, so what! You are there because God needs you there. You are his hands and feet. I am his hands and feet. Thats it, bottom line.

So my question, is for those who read, Am I (are you) being JUST his hands and feet, not expecting anything from it. Just doing for Him, and forgetting self. Humility. It is a hard lesson.

Have you ever seen such a thing?

2009-09-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

Syndey is choked by dust storms resembling armaggedon!
read this article and I have added some pictures...

Real Wedding Pics!

2009-09-15T19:50:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow