They CHANGED THE BIBLE!!!!

Last Wednesday the girls started AWANA on base. Morgan is now a Spark and Madison is in the Hiker book. On the way home we were helping Morgan with the Sparks song and a few of the basics. As Madison was reading out of her book and talking about how she was going to do ALL of section one the first night she paused, gasped and said - oh no. I asked what was wrong and she said "What is 'begotten" mean?" Then before I could answer she was frantically reading out loud and said "Mom, THEY CHANGED THE BIBLE!!" I assured her that they didn'tchange the Bible but that she must have a different version than her last AWANA book. When we got home we saw that she has a New King James version and hers from last year was a NIV. Poor baby! I know she will do fine learning a new version. But had to share her first observation and experience with translation change.

Saturday I had the privilege to join a group of ladies to begin the process of adapting boxer shorts for our soldiers who are injured down range. Some of their injuries leave them wearing large braces or prosthetics that make it difficult for them to wear normal clothing. Sew Much Comfort is a organization that has begun to adapt clothing to help our Soldiers have more options other than hospital gowns. The website is www.sewmuchcomfort.org. There you can learn about the organization and the different ways you can help.

This was a great way to serve "on the home front" and know that my few hours will mean that someone needing these garments will save time getting dressed. The Officers Spouses Club here did a donation drive of Boxer Shorts - over 200 were donated. Now the process of sewing and altering the shorts has begun.

What a great way for any group who is looking for a service project. The website has all the details and contact information. You don't have to sew. There are plenty of steps that require NO sewing - cutting, ironing, pinning are all critical parts. All important because of the accuracy needed. The items are inspected before they are distributed.

I intended to take some pictures but forgot the camera and was to busy sewing anyway. Maybe next time. It was humbling to be a part of this project. Thinking of all I personally know who have been or are currently serving our country down range. It could be Mark. I was reminded to be in prayer for our troops and their families. I would like to encourage you to do the same.

Kindergarten...Already?

Today is the day!! Morgan is officially a Kindergartner. She has been counting the days - especially after her home visit with Mr. Watts.

The visit went well. He sat on the floor with Morgan and they talked about numbers and letters on a pad of paper he brought. She was so quiet and studious!! We spoke with the assistant - Mrs. Correa. Morgan is in good hands and God has answered our prayers for the perfect teacher for Morgan. Mr. Watts, seeing Morgan's CEO qualities, asked Morgan to be his personal helper and line leader the first day of school. I thought, "Morgan, in charge, boy did he win her over!" So then the count down began.

I wish I could say that Morgan had a peaceful morning, rising with the sun ready to embrace the day. but I can't. All she was ready for was more sleep. Good thing Mom was driving to school - we would have never made the bus. First was the debate of waking up, then the debate about what to wear. We did pick out an outfit that we could agree on last night - but she wasn't feeling it this morning, so we switched to one of the first things we picked out last night. How female is that? Then the hair - then breakfast - shoes - and I skipped the teeth - it was time to go!

Pictures taken outside the front door - our tradition for the first day of school. Then we loaded up in the van - and we were on our way! We are on the road and I ask what music they would like to listen to. I expected Morgan to blurt out HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL but instead I hear - "Can we praise Jesus?" You bet!! We threw in our Travis Cottrell CD and sang the Sanctuary song- whew! What a song to get your morning going - after that we listened to Toby Mac until we pulled into the school.

Morgan was such a big girl. The last 5 years flashed before me like a bad dream sequence. I saw her face the first time I held her. I saw her running around the house naked laughing at me trying to catch her. I saw her waddling to me for a 'nuggle. Thought about her holding my hand. Her face singing praise songs. Then it hit me - Kindergarten isn't just the beginning of something, it's the end of a time never to be captured again. This was my baby girl, a big girl now. SO independent. Hanging up her jacket, Mr. Watts called her in and showed her where he wanted her on the carpet. Shoulders back and head held high she sat criss cross - apple sauce. (We used to call it Indian style, but I guess that's offensive now). I wanted to stay. Will she mind her manners? Will she make a friend? What will she learn? Will she be okay on the bus? Mr. Watts gave the parents a 1 minute warning. Okay - I'll take it! As we were leaving Morgan asked if she could give us one more kiss. My heart lept! YEAH! Hold it together mom!

I left and decided to go get some coffee. I cried the entire way there. I prayed that God would watch over my baby - that the teacher would see Morgan for the sweet girl she is. Then as I pulled into the parking lot was the most special rainbow I have seen. The colors were vibrant. I smiled and chuckled out loud. When we see a rainbow we always talk about Noah and how God promised that he wouldn't flood the earth again. But today when I saw that rainbow, I thought not only about God's promise with Noah, but all the promises he gives to us. And how he keeps each one of them. Would Morgan be okay in kindergarten? YES! I know she will. God is with her. I know He is because I asked Him to.

As I write this I am listening to KLOVE radio (http://www.klove.com/) and playing is Nicole C. Mullen singing My Redeemer Lives. Love this song. Especially loved when Kristen Pratt sang it at our church in LA. She is a Fabulous singer - only out done by Mike Ogletree lip syncing to the song! I miss them! Sorry - mind went on a tangent there.

Hope you enjoy the pictures! Hugs to all!