Seven Quick Takes (vol. 7)

Who Would've Thought...?

It's amazing what you can learn just by taking notice of the things you pass by every day...
.



1. Just when you thought you had seen the tackiest pink flamingo lawn ornament, the bar has been raised!






2. I never knew that my county's biggest tourist attraction was "just around the corner."







3. Who knew that the Periodic Table of Elements could taste so good? (Cookies made by 8th grader, Ania, for the 10th grade chemistry class. What a gal!)





4. "What's nanner poopin'? Amy asked," has been a favorite tale in our family, but I never really understood why until today.






5. I wonder...do all dentists have a Dorrie and a Nemo?







6. Wario, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad walked through my neighborhood this morning.








7. Just like that favorite childhood song says, teddy bears really do go on picnics.




Now head on over to Jen's to add your own seven quick takes.

Welcome to Country Day

Welcome, karibu, wilkommen, salve, bienvenue, yokoso, bienvenido, Boas Vindas...

If you happened to be at Alleluia Community School this morning, you may have noticed something a bit strange about the fourth grade class; they were not in uniform.

Today was fourth grade's annual "Country Day" celebration.

In our history and geography curriculum, we spend  our year studying different countries of the world and their cultures. So this is a fun way to put our writing and research skills to the test and wrap up the year.

The students have been working on their country reports for five weeks, doing research, writing paragraphs, coloring flags and drawing maps to create a 12 page (or bigger) report on a country of their choice. The students did wonderful reporting work, and all achieved an E+ for their efforts.

The whole activity culminated in the tradition that has become known as Country Day. Each student dressed as a native from their country, and introduced themselves to the student body as well as to friends and relatives who came to see.

Boy from Germany
Mummy from Egypt
Leif  Erikson from Sweden

Lief Erikson
Farmer from Japan
Viking from Iceland

Senorita from Mexico
Shepherd from Israel
Lindsay Plaid from Scotland

Queen from France
Dancer from Ireland
Tour Guide from St. Lucia

To top it off, they brought in samples of authentic food, which their parents so graciously prepared.  We had a real smorgasbord!

Thank you, fourth grade, for a wonderful Country Day 2012!

Don't Shoot the Horse You Rode In On

Two days ago, the Alleluia Community lost one of its most formative brothers, Dennis McBride. I say "lost" in a very loose sense, because as Christians, we know that it is only a temporary loss of physical contact. We know that spiritually you are still with us, Dennis, and that one day we will all be reunited, face to face, in our heavenly home.

But, until that day we will miss your warm smile that always seemed to reveal a deeper joy within, and the Irish twinkle that spelled "mischief" in your eyes. We will miss your Texas sized heart that loved everyone so deeply, and your way of being present without having to take center stage.

Yes, Dennis, we will miss you!

I recall one of your favorite sayings, "Don't shoot the horse you rode in on," meaning whatever it was that brought you to your knees, whatever means God used for your sanctification, thank God for it, however difficult it was. Just get a fresh horse, and continue on your way. Some of us change horses many times before we get to the one that carries us home.

And as I picture you standing at the pearly gates, with your horse named "Alleluia" at your side, I can hear St. Peter saying, "Welcome home, Dennis."

And you respond the same you have so many times before, "It's good to be here! Yes, it is VERY good to be here!"

Seven Quick Takes (vol. 6)

The other day I was folding the laundry, when I got a chuckle out of my family's T-shirt collection.



1.  There are the shirts that say, "Some are born great."







2.  There are the shirts that say, "Some achieve greatness."






3  These say, "Some have greatness thrust upon them."






4.  The "I'm feeling logical" shirt.







5.  There's the statement "I kissed dating good-bye" in video game language.




6. There's the feeling neighborly shirt.















6.a. There's the "It makes no difference to me, but mind my personal space" shirt. (front and back).





7.  And then there's my favorite, the simple fact that life is good, especially when it is accompanied by a steamy cup of Joe.






What about you? What is your favorite T-shirt?

Go to Conversion Diary to add your own Seven Quick Takes.

Happy Anniversary!

Forty-two years ago today, a tall, dark and handsome man married a spunky, petite brunette and together they raised four lively, lovely children, two boys and two girls. The family continued to grow as their children began starting families of their own, and five grandchildren appeared on the scene; five wonderful, adorable grandchildren.

Over the years, their empty bedrooms have been filled again with aging parents, aunts, and uncles. Never becoming self-absorbed, never worried about their "space," they have always welcomed people into their lives.

It is my honor to call this couple Mom and Dad Hatfield. They are the ones who raised my husband, and formed him into the wonderful man that he is. They are the ones who call me daughter, and love my children effortlessly.

Yes, I do have my own set of wonderful parents whom I love very dearly, but I do not have to choose between them. I can love them both, just as having my second child did not diminish my love for the first. It only expanded my  heart's ability to love more deeply.


So, happy anniversary to my second set of parents! May Jesus bless you with many more happy years together!

Ninety Years Young!

Last week my husband's grandmother celebrated a Hatfield family milestone. She became the first person on either side of her family to reach the ripe young age of 90.

We honored Grandma the weekend before with a party celebrating her most wonderful life. Then on the day of her birth we attended an outdoor prayer meeting, where she was introduced as the birthday girl, as well as the newest member of Alleluia Community. The look on her face was precious as she received a standing ovation!  She couldn't have been more surprised, and we couldn't have been more proud.

Let me tell you a little about this wonderful woman that we affectionately call "Gi Gi Mama." (That stands for Great Grand Mama). Here are a few of her wonderful qualities that make her a true southern gentle woman indeed!

1. She loves "The Good Lord" and loves to read His Word.
2. She loves "her people" and is always inquiring as to "so and so's" well-being.
3. She loves to reminisce about the "good old days" as she fondly recalls past events.
4. She gets teary-eyed when she thinks about how much she loves each and every one of us.
5. She can make the best macaroni and cheese, hands down.
6. She can make the best caramel cake, hands down.
7. She loves to give and receive hugs, and makes each one special.
8. She can't say "no" to anyone that looks at her with "puppy eyes."
9. She has a quiet and gentle spirit, yet has a firmness in her resolve.
10. She loves to sing and tap her foot to the family's southern gospel jam sessions.

We love you, Gi Gi Mama! Happy Birthday!

Don't Settle for Auto Pilot

Back in 2006 I remember reaching a point in my marriage where I was on auto pilot. Yes, I loved Andy with all my heart, but my decade of child bearing had depleted my "in-love" feelings toward my husband. My life consisted of young children, toddlers and babies who needed me, and as far as I was concerned, Andy was an adult who could fend for himself.

I even remember being in a small group setting one time, when the topic of death came up. "If any of my children died, God forbid, I don't know what I'd do," I remember saying, "but if Andy died, well, I guess I'd do the right thing and go to his funeral."

That's when I realized I needed help. My marriage is the most important relationship in my life, and if I don't fight for it, who will? He deserved better than what I had become.

I began to cry out in earnest to God for His great mercy on me and my marriage. It's not that I would ever leave, that thought never entered my mind. It's just that I didn't want a mediocre marriage. I wanted a great marriage.

I began reading a book by Stormie Omartian called, The Power of a Praying Wife. Apparently she had gone through similar feelings at some point during her marriage. She too hit a point where she realized her husband deserved more than she had become.

Her prayer was, "God, give my husband a new wife, and let it be me." God honored her prayer and changed her heart.

Wow! That's what I wanted! That's what I needed!

So I began to pray the same prayer in all earnest. "God, give Andy a new wife, and let it be me."

I still remember the moment that God answered my prayer. We were walking out in the woods looking for different plants for a project that Kevin had at school. Andy reached up to pull a branch down when all of a sudden my heart fluttered, and I thought, "Wow, he's kind of cute!"

And I still think that to this day!

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day set apart in the Catholic Church to beg God's forgiveness of sins for ourselves and those of the whole world. And although the graces are especially abundant today to seek forgiveness, we don't have to wait until this day to do it.

God is longing to pour out His Divine Mercy on all of our situations, especially the ones that may seem hopeless to us. He wants to heal our broken hearts and bring joy where there is sorrow. What is your heart cry? What can you bring to the throne of God with expectant faith?

Let God work a miracle in your life.

Seven Quick Takes (vol. 5)

No One Can Serve Two Masters

Here are a few thoughts I have had concerning working at the Master's golf tournament during Holy Week.

1.  I have come under some scrutiny for this decision from a few well-meaning people, but mostly from myself. When I decided to apply for a position, I had to come to terms with how I was willing to spend my time during Holy Week, and whether I could give up my traditional Easter Triduum services. It was a tough decision, but in the end, I believed that I should go ahead and apply, and trust that God would either open the door, or keep it closed. I would gladly accept either outcome.

2.  It was a long wait, but when I finally got my letter declining my application, I was actually relieved. What was I thinking anyway? Holy Week is a time to reflect, to be with family, and a time to draw closer to the Lord. Besides, I could use the "down time" before our last few weeks of school. I thanked God for saying, "No, Janet, I want your undivided heart during Holy Week." I gladly laid it down.

3. Holy Week was fast approaching, and I was looking forward to a week of rejuvenation, when I received a phone call from The Augusta National two days before new-hire orientation, asking if I was still available to work. "What are You doing, Lord?" was my first question. "What do you think, Honey?" was my second. In the end, Andy and I both agreed that God was giving back to me what I had so joyfully laid down.

"We may toss the dice, but God determines every outcome." Proverbs 16:33.

4. I approached my work week as an ambassador for Christ. I believed that God wanted to touch people's lives through my words, my actions, and my attitudes. My spiritual food would not come from the church services this year, but rather from those that God led me to interact with, and from keeping my eyes on Him.

5. It was a long week, but it was a wonderful experience. Everyone from my supervisors, to my co-workers, from the golf patrons to my family was so supportive. I have never smiled so much in my life, and every smile that I received back was as if God were smiling at me.


6. My ultimate experience came on Easter Sunday. I had attended the Easter Vigil Mass the night before and had gotten very little sleep, so I was begging God for strength and mercy. I had watched Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday, and I was saddened over my part in Jesus' Passion, but at the same time I was filled with gratitude for what Jesus did for me. On Easter Sunday I began to look at every patron as the one that Jesus died for. I could see beyond their faces, and into their beautiful souls. I began to see Jesus in everyone, and everyone was beautiful!

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24.





7. As I contemplate Holy Week versus Masters' Week, I realize that they do not have to be opposed to each other. Jim Caviezel and I have something in common. He portrayed legendary golfer Bobby Jones in Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius, as well as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. Both men and both movies have been on my mind this week, but I am very clear on where my loyalties lie. I served my Master by serving others at the Masters.

Go to Conversion Diary to add your own seven quick takes.

Empty Tomb Art Project

Today is Easter Tuesday, just as sure as Sunday was Easter Sunday. Yes, Easter is celebrated all week long, and we are a resurrection people!

School is back in session after taking Holy Week off, and our hallway is bursting with proclamations that Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia.

The fourth grade made "torn paper" scenes of Jesus' tomb. This is a fun art project, that challenges the perfectionists, and shows mercy to the artistically challenged. Tearing paper can be tricky, but once you get the hang of it you can create wonderful scenes.

All you need is construction paper, glue, and one clasp for the stone.  Absolutely no scissors allowed! I let them use markers for fine details.

First we displayed an open tomb, and the bulletin board read, "Jesus Was Laid In The Tomb."  The students taped Jesus in the tomb, but did not "roll" the stone across the front until Good Friday.









Then, before we left for our Holy Week vacation, the students sealed the tomb.









When they returned on Easter Monday, the stone had been rolled away, Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and the bulletin board proclaimed, "Jesus is Risen, Alleluia!"

Easter Sunday

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

I love these gifts made by our son, Philip.  Happy Easter everyone!

Jesus was happy to
die for our sins

Jesus was even happier
to rise on Easter
Sunday morning