Let's Chat

The sun is shining, there are no clouds in sight, and I'm in the mood for a chat.  How are you all doing?

I know that many of you are busy with work, wishing spring would make up her mind to stay, at least two are moving.  I'm praying God's peace, grace, and mercy to be abundant for you all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I mailed two packages the other day, each to the opposite side of the continent - one to Alaska, and one to Maine!  That was fun!  The one to Alaska was to our niece's family.  Knit hats for the Hobbits, who both have short haircuts now and don't look much like Hobbits anymore {sniff}, and a really neat little book called, "The Year of Miss Agnes," by Kirkpatrick Hill.  Miss Agnes is a teacher who comes to a little school of children, whose families are migratory.  She teaches them much like I teach my own children, by stirring up their curiosity and their love of learning.  My friend Karen, recommended it.

The package to Maine was a belated birthday gift.  My friend has had a tough month or so.  She is always an encouragement to me, and I hope this gift blesses her and that she will know that she is loved!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been reading a lot of books again lately.  When I was busy with two weddings, I did most of my reading online - blogs, news, articles of interest.  But I dearly love to read, and so do Rachel and Sarah.  

One of our favorite authors is Lisa T. Bergren.  I posted about her River of Time series ( you can find those posts by using the search box on the side bar and putting in River of Time).  That series made me ponder my response to fear - you can read that one here.  

We've read several of her book series, The Gifted series is excellent too, and recently the girls read, her YA series, The Remnants.  They couldn't wait for me to begin this series!  We love to talk books and they couldn't talk to me about it because I hadn't read it!  So last week, I told them I was ready to read it, and Rachel went to the library and got the first book.  I finished in in a few days, and took myself to the library for the next one!  Luckily for us, the third and final book in the series just came out, and I bought it!  Sarah and I are taking turns reading it right now. :)

I love books that challenge me in my faith.  These Remnants are specially gift by God for a certain time.  They are human and still struggle with fear, with doubt, etc.  But every time they focus on the Maker, and on the truth they are brought back to peace and security, clear thinking, etc.  I find that is a good lesson for myself as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have 10 more days of school!  The excitement is mounting here!  We started in the beginning of August, took days off before Nate and Kay's wedding,  took several days at Thanksgiving, several weeks at Christmas and New Year's.  We've not had any real sickness, we don't have teacher in service days, and so we are nearly done with our required 180 days of school.


I guess that is enough chatting for today!  I want you to know how appreciative I am of you, for your daily visits and comments.  I hope you always find hospitality, encouragement and friendship here!