The Mayo Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

A comrade of mine emailed this to me and I really liked it:

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Cups of Coffee .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand...'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.The Coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Cups of Coffee with a friend !!

Sunday and Shopping...

Sunday is a brand new week! So glad for fresh starts, in fact each day is a fresh start isn't it. "HIS mercies are new every morning..."

Great church service. Many people were gone, summer plans and such, but still a great time of Sunday School and Worship.

We went out for lunch afterwards at Shari's (again). We are milking this kids eat free thing!! We went last Sunday and today and paid only 20$ each time, for a family of 7!! Yay! It is also our main meal for the day so I don't have to do much for dinner.

Dragged the boys back to Fred Meyer today to get new shoes and first day of school outfit. You'd think I was pulling teeth. They are just not shoppers. I'm not much of one either... but get me in the mood... and I love it. It is relaxing to me just to putter around stores when I can. Anyways... back to the boys. (Ann and Hannah stayed home with Daddy, Mary tagged along with us).

Sidenote: During our staycation we went to the Mall in Portland when the zoo got rained out. I had the boys try on stuff at the Sears. I had them try on a pair of "super skinny" jeans. I was thinking they were opposite of husky (it's always hard to get the boys pants that fit around the waist). They went in and tried them on and David starts telling me how his croch hurts. Ya right, I'm thinking, he's just trying to get out of shopping. Well, the boys come out of the fitting room walking funny and complaining. I was laughing SO HARD!!! It literally looked like they were wearing girls tights. It was hilarious! Apparently, skinny jeans means super skin tight.

So we're at Fred Meyer today and everything is skinny jeans!! How annoying. Even worse... just about everything has skulls and dragons on it. (not our thing). Everything else has crazy sayings on it like "my sister is stupid" "I hate school" and mean stuff like that (totally not our thing). I seriously could not find any decent stuff, but finally settled (*compromised*) for a Star Wars shirt. David on the other hand starts getting all into it and begs and begs for these skinny jeans that are...... PURPLE!! He tried them on and everything. He REALLY wanted these purple jeans. Oh my. Sigh. What in the world do I do. What will Paul think. What would my Dad think!?!? (Ha!Ha!) I pulled rank and said no. I just didn't want to hurt his feelings so I told him that purple didn't match a thing in his wardrobe, which was the truth, just not all of it, and let him get purple shirt instead (another *compromise*). I want him to be his own person and like his own style (within our standard) but these pants just made him look like super-nerd. I am certainly learning this parenting thing as I go. I try to stay a few steps ahead, but I am still blindsighted sometimes! What would you do???

So the boys each got a Star Wars shirt and a purple shirt and a pair of jeans, because they want to look like each other. Weirdos. They did manage to pick out different shoes though. On the shoes I decided to pay extra (I was still armed with coupons) to see if these will last longer than the less expensive kind. I'm hoping for at least 6 months out of these ones, so that would be just 6-7$ a month. They are tough on shoes. I guess all boys are.

A good day, that is still not quite over! Counting my blessings and enjoying them!

Freaky Friday

Started early at the Corps distributing school supplies to almost 200 children. The kids played and helped a little. Got some office work done. Visited with a few people.

Then we went home for a quick lunch before heading to Fred Meyer to do our own school supply shopping and groceries. While we were all there as a big happy family, Paul and I started getting phone calls on our cell phones that The Salvation Army was needed for our Disaster Relief because of a huge fire that is burning 15 miles from The Dalles. They started evacuating people and we needed to be there to provide blankets, food, water, and care. So I'm trying to get out the check-out line and Paul is attached to the phone. We run home unload the van throw our uniforms back on, including the boys. Thankfully, our friend, Stacie helped us out and watched Ann and Hannah for us. The rest of us headed to Fred Meyer to buy some more supplies and then to Hood River (Paul in the Truck with the boys and me in my van with Mary) and reported for duty. I wore Mary in my ergo and we did great. Babies are always a soothing thing and that helps take evacuee's minds off of things. The boys helped unload and pass stuff out. This was their second disaster and they always amaze me with what they're capable of on the front lines. (if only they were like that ALL the time, sigh...)

About 3 hours later, I head to Stacie's to pick up the girls and of course, I'm getting some chat time in with her. We're standing in her huge driveway with my mini-van parked and the doors open. Ann was behind me and crouched down on the floor of the mini-van and pulled the sliding door toward her. The door started crushing her and moved the door off her and hugged her while she was still in a tight little ball crying. I was expecting a lump on the head or something. I asked her what hurts and as I pulled her away from me to give her a look over I see so much blood that I thought her head was split open and her eyeball was gone. (I remember glancing down to look for her eyeball because all I saw was blood in her eyesocket). I thought for a moment I was going to pass out. Never felt that before. It wasn't the blood but the horrible realization that your child is VERY hurt. Stacie saw all this happening too. So here we are with all these little kids, Mary is crying, Hannah is crawling around the car and I know we're headed for the hospital. Stacie called 911 for me. Her son Joshua ran and got us a rag. He was so good about that. (I think he realized my tissue box wasn't going to do the job!) The ambulance came and they looked Ann over real good. After the bleeding let up we could see that it was basically just a huge, meaty, bloody gash on her eyebrow bone. So I drove her up to the hospital and Paul and the boys met us there (they had just stopped for dinner on the way home from the fire, he had them wrap up their food and load up immediately). When the boys saw Ann they sat down right next to her and held her hands. Hannah on the other hand was telling everyone that "Ann had a boo-boo". After she said that, she would go on to tell them that they were a "yucky poop". I was so annoyed with her but was all tied up filling out paperwork at the desk because apparently when there is an injury in the car, it heads to your car insurance first. Paul almost called them a yucky poop too but in not so many words. I snapped and told Paul in front of everyone (a few of these people I personally know! And we're all standing there in our bloody uniforms!) "BE NICE!!". With hindsight I know he was just trying to finish the silly paperwork so someone would help Ann. Anyways, I left with all the kids and Paul stayed with Ann. We got home at 8:30pm. Paul and Ann didn't get home until 10:30pm. It was a terrible ordeal for Ann. The nurse and Paul had to hold her down so that they could give her about 8 shots on her wound to numb it before they could clean her up and give her 4 stitches.

As I was pulling up to our home with the other kids I saw that our front door was wide open. I happened to be on the phone at the time with Stacie and mentioned to her that the door was open. She said she'd stay on the phone with me while I went in, but I thought oh that's okay we've been having problems with it lately, it probably just blew open. But after I hung up I noticed that there were some lights on in the house of which we normally turn off. Then I just started thinking the worst.... so I tried to go to a neighbors house but remembered they were gone for the weekend... so I called the police. I asked them if they could wait outside for me while I go in first. I knew they have more important things to do and didn't want to bother them. Apparently you can't negotiate with the police and I was asked to wait outside while they were all over it. One cop waited in the dark beside the house, gun ready to go and the other cop went inside with his hand on his gun and flashlight in the other. Oh boy. So the kids waited in the car and me beside it while he checked every nook and cranny of the house and garage. Of course I'm having a mix of fear and total embarrassment. Why couldn't this happen on Thursday when my house was perfectly clean and in order. Why in the world does this have to happen today when I didn't even get the chance to put groceries away! The house was messy due to the fact that we were running in and out of it all day, and oh yeah, I have 4 kids, a baby and no household help. Like I said how embarrassing. (Atleast it was clean, just cluttered!) Everything checked out okay with the cop. He was a nice friendly guy and even told the boys to help out their mom and clean up their room!! They were mortified, like me. I'm the one that will meticously scrub the house before vacations so that if we should all die, at least our home will be clean for those that will come behind us. Now, I think the kids get it. You never know when someone will see your big mess ;)

Woke up this morning to Ann and Hannah puking on the couch. I wonder what this day will hold.

ho hum...

Back to "work" today. I use that term loosely because how can something that is so enjoyable and satisfying (95% of the time) be work??? Jumped right in at the Corps with a Food Preservation (Canning) class. I got a lot out of it myself even though technically I'm there to facilitate. Ann and Mary attended with me. David and Elijah popped in and out of the meeting and Hannah had Daddy all to herself. Lots of great information on canning, something I've been interested in for a long time.

Tomorrow is School Supply Distribution with over 100 backpacks individually packed according to child's grade and school. I will need to get there real early to stuff the backpacks with our youth activity flyers. Fortunately, the boys and Ann will be more than happy to help me with that. Good for me. After that and catching up in my office (Sunday bulletins, emails, reports, phone calls, etc.) we will head to Fred Meyer's to do our own back to school supplies shopping. I got a Starbucks gift card for helping out at family camp so I think I'll treat the kids to a hot chocolate.

Mary had her 4 month old shots today. She cried her eyes out, then conked out asleep. Poor baby. I saw the doctor too about a couple issues, (my business) but I promise nothing alarming or drastic at all. I rarely see a Dr. other than pregnancies but I'm glad I went. It cleared up a lot worrying in my head!

Paul took Elijah for his soccer practice again tonight. I'm so glad he's been able to take him. I have not been wanting to take the little kids in the heat, and it's better for all of us if they get to bed on time ;), plus I need that time to clean up from dinner and get ready for the next day. Elijah is loving it, as usual. He looks forward to practice and is so pumped up about playing.

We had a great staycation. I will need to post pics of all our little excursions. We're still trying to milk the last bit of summer that's left!

Off I go to continue a movie with the hubby. It's a true story from Masterpeice Theatre about a German occupied English Island during WWII. We got it from the Library the other day. It's been a great movie so far! (I just can't remember the name offhand!)

Special Packages

My favorite picture of all!

Aunt *R* sent this adorable hooded towel for Mary along with a stuffed lion and shirt.





I have a Great Aunt who I adore, even though it's from a distance. She has been a constant in my life since she and my Great Uncle and her mother, my Great-Grandmother, flew out to Los Angeles for my ordination/commissioning and wedding over 12 years ago. But even before that, my mom would share such good memories of her. I was also able to meet up with her again last year when I attended a conference in Nashville. She sends cards and packages of goodies all the time it seems like! We got another in the mail today, and I decided to capture the moment on camera so that she can see how much we appreciate it. I sure do wish I could know her better! She is a fabulous christian woman who goes out of her way to reach out to her family.





It took some effort to get the package open. The longer it took... the more the anticipation.








The boys got pillows, books, hats and mittens. They loved it all!

The girls got a ton of dress up jewelery. They wore straight until bedtime.

They also got hats and mittens, crayons and such.

I have heard about Beth Moore for so long and am THRILLED!! to get my own 2 study guides!!

I'll start tonight!

A couple of the necklaces my Great Grandmother made.

I told the girls, these are not for dress-up.

I'll be keeping these with my things until they are much older.

Things like this are precious to me.

Other goodies too. Paul especially enjoyed a good book and some M&Ms. (his faaaavvvorite)

Our Terrifying Experience

At about 10pm last night, this plane a, c-130, flew about 200 feet directly over our house.



As I lay in bed reading, I heard a rumble in the distance, then it grew louder and louder until the windows and the whole house were shaking. I sat up in bed paralyzed with fear. My mind was working but my body wouldn't. I kept wanting to run out of the room but all I could think was "this is it" "here we go" "at least the kids won't know what hit them". All I could think was that a plane was crashing into our home. A terrifying experience. Finally, when the room stood still and the sound was farther away, I ran out of the room nearly crashing into Paul who was running down the hall to our rooms.

Paul had been in the front yard, sizing up the sky for the Space Station that will be visible to us on Sept. 7. He had been looking directly across our street when he saw the lights of the plane heading right at him. The plane's wingspan went entirely across the TWO HOUSES AND YARDS across the street. He saw/felt all 4 propellors whiz by him. His first thought was that it was crashing into the house.

David woke up, (praying he said) but the others kids rustled around and went back to sleep. We were on the phone for half an hour talking to the police and the Dallesport Airport about what was happening. The police and the airport said they were being swamped with phone calls. We were told that we could call the Airforce to file an official complaint and assured that there would be no more take-offs that evening.

I was so full of adreneline that I was shaking and beyond crying. I walked laps around the house with David to try and shake it off. I have never felt such dread in my life.

Now it's all we could talk about today. What a memory this will make!

Chuckie-E-Cheese!

For our first day of furlough (vacation for all the non-army folks!) we went with our very good friends, the Browns, to Chuck-E-Cheese in Portland, a 1 hour 40 minute drive. We switched up the kids between our two vans and us moms rode together with some kids and the dads drove together with some kids. (we have 11 children between us) I had amazing conversation with my friend, Stacie. I think that was the best part of the trip. Chuckie's is ALWAYS fun!! The kids have a blast and it's easy on us parents, just give the kids some pizza, pop and tokens and they're all set!

We stopped at Super WalMart on the way home and then the kids all went swiming with Paul in the backyard pool while I made dinner: Weiners, strawberries and chips (hey... I'm on vacation too!)

Tuesday, Corps

Today was our last Game Room day for the Summer. Ms. K and the kids made up ice-cream sundaes to celebrate. I passed out tons of flyers inviting the kids to come to church and youth activities which start in Sept.

I frantically worked in my office to get things finished up enough to take our "staycation" beginning tomorrow! Yay!! One of our Advisory Board members will be preaching on Sunday and I'm excited to go visit a church on Sunday and sit side by side with my family. Not that I don't like my church!! It's just that furloughs are our only opportunity to see what other churches are like. (I still like mine best he!he!) I think we'll be going to Gateway (Paul's pick) but I'd rather do the Synagogue that meets near Lyle on Saturday or a group of families that meet at the Sr. Center on Sundays. But Gateway's good too, that's where a lot of David and Elijah's teacher's attend. I bet they'll be extra good.

Summer Reading

I've only gotten through 4 books this summer. I am just not finding the time to read! But here is what I've read:

• "The Mommy Survival Guide" by Barbara Curtis. This was a GREAT book!! Easy reading and just a good perspective on mothering. The author has 12 children, 6 of whom she's still raising, and she has good common sense, not a bunch of "methods" to turn out perfect children (as if that were possibe!) I learned about this book in The Salvation Army's War Cry magazine which features books on the first page.
• "Womanly Dominion: More than a gentle and quiet spirit" by Mark Chanksi. I finally found a book that makes me feel okay about my personality to take charge and run a tight ship! Before this book, I would kind of lay low about just how I manage my family and ministry, because I've been told (mostly when I was a kid) that I can be "bossy" and I certainly don't want to be percieved that way. (My "bossiness" is more refined now! (ha!ha!) But you know what... God told Adam and Eve to take dominion over the earth. To rule the earth and subdue it. That's exactly what this book is about, except in very specific areas. I would highly recommend this book, however, due to my Wesleyian background, there are a few areas I disagree with, but not enough to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The most important thing I took away from this book is that as women, we must be pro-actively engaged in living out our life for the Lord, not just weenie-victims-of-circumstances. I will definately be reading this book again.
• "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement" by Jean M. Twenge, PhD and W. Keith Campbell, PhD. I have loved this book, also an easy read. I could feel my blood pressure rising just skimming the pages. The authors hit the nail on the head with their examples of and explanations of the "me, me, me" world we live in. This is not a "Christian" book, but there is definately a message here. When I read this book "deny thyself, take up the cross, and follow me" kept ringing through my brain. I am also implementing my new knowledge into my parenting to minimize this culture taking hold of my children's hearts. P.S. Is blogging narcissistic????
• "The Culture of Narcissism" by Christopher Lasch. I found out about this book through my Christianity Today magazine. Originally written in the 70's, this book gives warning of what happens to society through narcissistic motives, beginning with the "self-awareness" movement. This book was a hard read, referring to a lot of psychological terms, but so worth the effort and very enlightening to why things are the way they are in America. This is also not a "Christian" book, but it totally spoke to me that only God makes one Holy, and constantly being on the prowl for the next "self-improvement", "holier than thou", "another rule (law) to live by" is actually narcissism disguised as spiritual formation because it leaves out God's grace and power to make us holy. A fine line indeed!
• "Female Teaching" by Catherine Booth. I have re-read this only to give a better answer for my faith and to gain better Scriptural insight as to the whole women preaching thing. It is not enough to just say "I am called" (well, it's enough for me, I had the experience!). I want to be able to answer intelligently when some would rather not have the gospel preached than to put a woman at the pulpit. God is not a respector of persons. Enough said (well, wrote). Not trying to start anything here ;)
• "The Treasure Within Your Child" by Pam Farrel. I got this book a few years ago when the author spoke at our women's retreat. I skimmed through it before and shelved it, finding it again a week ago. I'm almost done reading it now. I am liking this book especially because it reminds me that my children are different from eachother. I would never want to lump them all together, although I can at times. They are each unique in their personalities and temperments and that's OKAY!! For example, I've NEVER had a 2 year old quite like Hannah. She has for sure broke the Chouinard mold. She is still not completely potty trained, even though all my other kids were entirely potty trained by 2 years 2 months. (I think she has a short fuse between her bladder and brain, she keeps peeing on the floor in the bathroom). And Ann- she is a total chatter box. She has always needed a little more attention than anyone else. She is clingy too. BUT Ann is super smart, extremely helpful and has an amazing mothering/nuturing/instinct. I could go on and on... but don't want to embarrass my kids or "brag" about how wonderful they are (ha!ha!) There are some real precious jewels in everyone!

So anywhoooo, those are some great reads that I've enjoyed. I have also been studying Hebrews this summer. What have you been reading???

Family Bible Camp

We went to Family Bible Camp this past week. It was a great time for us all. God, Family, Friends... what more do you need?? Our family stayed in a cabin all to ourselves. Yes, we take up that much room. We brought 5 other campers from church with us who were able to be in the cabin next to us. In the morning was workshops (I helped in the Kidzone), afternoon was freetime and the evening was a meeting filled with good, Biblical preaching on Holiness. I felt like I was on vacation! It was so nice- five days of having all my meals prepared for me, no laundry, no cleaning, and no Corps work, other than the people we brought with us. I wish I would've taken more pictures, but I was too busy having fun!

Every morning we did a Chouinard cuddle time in my bottom bunk.

The empty space you see was my spot.

This is David rehearsing for the praise band. He played every single night (5 nights). At one time there were about 6 guitars up there going, plus the drums and the piano. David did awesome. He played and practiced so hard that he split two fingers open. Slapped on a couple bandaids and kept playing. At the end, a couple of the Officers gave David over 40 sheets of music to play at our Corps.

Hannah DANCED every night to the music that lasted over 1/2 an hour.


Ann wiped out walking back from the pool. Here we are treating her wounds.

Elijah took this pic of me kissing on my baby girl.

She was so spoiled at camp. So many people held her and loved on her, especially during mealtimes, so I could eat and handle the other children.

One afternoon, we spent a few hours up on the playground with a couple of Corps people. We had a blast. We put the baby down the slide, played hide-n-go-seek

and I even did the monkey bars. I wish I was a kid again.

Elijah on the monkey bars. Suits him well.

David on the monkey bars.

Rough-n-tough Hannah on a chain ladder. She climbed that thing over 30 times

(I lost count after that.)

I was so blessed this week. It was truly refreshing to me in every way.

I love being with other Salvationists. It encourages me so much.

I am so proud to be a Salvationist!

The Salvation Army is the BIGGEST Army in the World, with over one million Soldiers. (Not including our staff, volunteers, adherents, Officers.)

Thank you Lord!

A Day (or two) in the Life

Saturday:

Coffee and nursing

Breakfast, get kids dressed and ready for the day

Chores

Head to a friends, Stacie's, to pick-up a pair of soccer cleets (sp?) for Elijah

To Kramer Field for Elijah's 10am meet the coach and practice

Amidst the confusion find out that they changed his time to 11am. NOT GOOD! (I had planned all around the 10am thing) Thanks a lot soccer people! I was not the only unhappy camper.

Load kids back up, leave Kramer field and go to the bank then to the new Farmer's Market at the City Park. A very small market, we did the whole thing in 15 minutes. Picked up some green beans and the kids shared a pint of blackberries and a pint of strawberries. Hannah looked a mess!

Back to Kramer field

Left in the middle of Elijah's practice to take David to guitar lesson (thankfully our friend, Steve, could watch Elijah while I was gone)

Came back, loaded up all the kids (you other moms know what all this entails!!)

Went to Big 5 to buy Elijah soccer stuff

Went through the drive through at McDonalds to pick-up lunch for Paul who was stuck at the Corps. We ended up getting lunch too because we were still not done running around town.

Picked up David

To the Corps, had lunch with Daddy in the Fellowship Hall. I worked on a couple quick things while the kids played and loaded up the car with a few drums from the bandroom that haven't been touched in all the time we've been here, 5 years. We're using them at home for the time being because Elijah will be taking drum lessons soon when we can find a teacher we can afford.

Went to the music store on 2nd St. to get drumsticks and guitar picks and to look around at the electric guitars and other instruments.

Went to Fred Meyer to get supplies for the Bible Lesson I'm teaching at camp this week, Jesus turns the water into wine. (No, I did not buy wine. Thought about it, you know keeping it authentic and all, but settled for grape kool-aid powder and jugs of water).

Went home. Gave the kids a Push-Up Popsicles OUTSIDE, as it is always a huge-o mess-o everywhere you look-o

Worked on chores and packing while listening to our new Chouinard band, David on the guitar, Elijah on his drums, Ann singing and playing the timbrel and Hannah shaking a maraca while periodically screaming. This lasted for hours. I'm not kidding. Hours. My ears are still ringing. Thank you Lord that we have a downstairs and a garage that we will soon be moving them to.

Baths, de-briefing with Paul, chasing kids to bed

Sunday:

Sunday School and Church. Went good, we were missing 3 families though who went camping together so we only had about 40.

Home for lunch

Went to the Veteran's Home to do church. David played guitar for the first time and did a great job. Ann and Elijah helped sing. Hannah and Mary stayed with Daddy.

Came home. The kids went swimming with Daddy while I worked on packing and chores around the house. I turned the TV on and watched/listened to cooking shows while sipping a Diet Coke to make it all more enjoyable.

Talked with in-laws on the phone.

Made up a "kids" dinner tonight... Corn dogs, Mac-N-Cheese and Apples. Guess who loved it... that's right... the kids.

Sometimes I feel like I'm running out of things to blog about. I can only bore you with so many "informational" posts, like yesterdays. Those are easy! Just a quick "copy" and "paste". Ha!Ha!
When I get the time, I want to post about the many books I've read in the last several months. So that will be coming soon.

This week is coming to an end. David and Elijah went to 4 half days of science camp at the Discovery Center. They had a great time, learned a lot, and came home with many more project ideas. That was thier big treat this summer. Elijah's class was in the morning and David's in the afternoon, with an hour between. I drove out there 4 times a day, 9.4 miles each way. We were in the car sooo much. We also ended up eating out for lunch the last three days. I took them home the first day and we had 10 minutes only to turn around and go back. Last year I tried to do a picnic at the Discovery Center for lunch break, but it turned into a hot and windy disaster. So, the kids thought it was great to go out so much! I didn't mind either... no cooking, clean-up, etc.!

We got to have dinner at our good friends, the Browns, this week. We just love getting together with them. We all have so much fun and it feels so good to just let our hair down and freely talk.

Last night we had dinner company, a family from church. They didn't leave until 9:30pm. I didn't really notice, we were having a good visit, but when the kids started falling apart, I looked at the clock, freaked out and quickly announced "BEDTIME!". Of course, they were still up at the crack of dawn this morning. We have a long day ahead of us and I am praying they can hold it together (at least out in public).

What Exactly is a Salvation Army Officer??

Thought I'd post this for the curious minds who want to know... I often have a hard time explaining the concept of Officership and Salvation Army world in general. I'm good at giving waaaay to much information that leaves everyone confused, including me (ha!ha!).

"Operations of The Salvation Army are supervised by trained, commissioned officers. They proclaim the gospel and serve as administrators, teachers, social workers, counselors, youth leaders, and musicians.

These men and women have dedicated their lives, skills, and service completely to God. Lay members who subscribe to the doctrines of The Salvation Army are called soldiers. Along with officers, they are known as Salvationists.

Candidates for officership undergo an intensive two-year course in residence at Salvation Army colleges in Chicago; Suffern, New York; Atlanta; and Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The curriculum combines theory and field practice, including Salvation Army doctrine, sociology and social work, psychology, Salvation Army regulations, homiletics, public speaking, Bible studies, church history, composition, community relations, business administration, accounting, and vocal and instrumental music.

After two successful years of training, cadets are commissioned as lieutenants, ordained as ministers, and assigned to active duty while continuing their education. Lieutenants are required to devote five years to additional studies.

Numerous advanced training courses are available for officers wishing to specialize in a particular discipline. Institutes, seminars, and conferences have been established to ensure that officers are informed of new and innovative programs and developments.

Promotion is based on length of service, character, efficiency, capacity for increased responsibility, and devotion to duty. The ranks are lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel and commissioner. The international leader holds the rank of general and is selected by a high council of active-duty commissioner and territorial commanders.

Salvation Army officers must devote full time to Army work. An officer who marries must marry another Salvation Army officer or leave his or her officer status. Married captains and majors will individually carry the rank applicable to their own length of service, not that of their spouse. In case of married officers, the conferred ranks of lieutenant colonel, colonel and commissioner will be held jointly. As ordained ministers of the gospel, they are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, funeral services, and infant dedications. They also provide counseling and consolation to the bereaved.

The Salvation Army provides officers' living quarters, furnishings, and official transportation. Officers qualify for retirement once they are eligible to receive full Social Security benefits."

from The Salvation Army USA website.

P.S.
One other thing I did at Training College that's not listed... met and married my husband!

About My BlogPage Picture

This is a picture I took the day before Mother's Day this year, 2009. We usually celebrate Sunday holidays on the Saturday before since Sundays are already so busy for us.  We cooked up my favorite meal, Turkey Dinner, and ate on my most favorite dishes ever, Royal Doulton "Old Country Roses". I have loved this pattern since I was a little girl. My mom turned me onto it, and she loves it too. Years ago, my mom gave me a teacup and saucer.

Then, for Christmas 2004, Paul gave me 4 place settings. It is probably one of the most special gifts I've ever been given by him. It was our first Christmas in The Dalles. 6 months prior we had just moved to The Dalles from our Springfield appointment of 4 years. Easy, no. Especially factoring in that I moved here pregnant and gave birth on December 14, the worst possible time in Salvation Army world. (We have very busy and demanding Christmas seasons). But you know what? Everything worked out great! I learned to better rely on the Lord and looking back, I know that if I could make it through those first 6 months, and keep my head and smile on straight, by the grace of God, I can make it through anything.

I had been looking through my pics to put on my header, and liked this one because I just love table settings. I love "Old Country Roses" and I love sharing meals, laughter, God's Word, and guidance and even some bickering and corrections at the dinner table. I'm still thinking of staging a picture so I can do a better job at showing off my dishes and make the table look pretty and decadent. So I don't know, real life vs. picture perfect.

I would also like to keep adding to my "Old Country Roses". Since I only have 4 place settings, we usually will use the salad/bread plates for the little kids, but eventually it would be nice to let them use the dinner plate. And in my wildest fantasy, it would be so neat to have plenty to be able to use with company too. I mean, what am I gonna do when the kids all marry and bring their families over. I think I'll need about 5o place settings!! I would also like a tea and coffee setting. To sum it up... I want it all!! Ha! Ha!.

Mt. Hood Trip

We went to Mt. Hood last Thursday evening/night. The boys were at camp still, so it was just us girls and Daddy. We have a great view of Mt. Hood from our living room window. It is fun to watch the snow build up and melt throughout the year. The sunrises and sunsets are amazing.


The Mountain kept getting bigger and bigger.

This is how we roll. You'll notice Hannah in the backseat. She has been banned from the front seat next to Mary. I'll leave the why up to your imagaination...

Paul and I had fun taking goofy pictures.

One memorable thing was that we saw a leg lying alongside the road. That's it just a big old deer leg. We were laughing pretty hard.

We had a light dinner at the Timberline Lodge. We love that place and have even stayed there during off-season for Officer's Councils. Ann and Hannah shared a PBandJ sandwich, carrots and grapes.

Mary chewed on a carrot stick. (But darn it!! I just erased her picture!)

We met a couple of ladies from Florida and chatted with them for a while. One of them was an executive in the resturaunt business in one of the Fortune 500 companies. We just love meeting new people... and I love talking food! They got a kick out of the girls and took our picture.

We hiked up a paved trail to the snow. I carried Mary and Paul did the hard work of pushing the girls in the stroller, straight up hill.

I call this one "flip-flops in the snow"

It was 107 degrees when we left The Dalles. Mt. Hood was hot too, but when we got up to the snow, it was cold!

Only Paul can throw a snowball and take a picture at the same time.