Two weeks ago (about) Michael had the privilege of testing for his black belt, first Dan. It takes about two weeks for the results. The results are in and...we still don't know whether he passed or failed because his name is listed in both columns. We hope to know by tomorrow night what the deal is with that.
Rod is travelling abroad for work again. The climate is warm and sunny for him. As long as he keeps away from public crowded places, he will probably be safe. His luggage was waylaid in Toronto, and then again in Tel Aviv. He was in Ashkelon for 5 days before he got it.
This is a view of the Mediterranean from Tel Aviv. Incredible, isn't it?
We have been down with various illnesses for most of the past three weeks. It hasn't been a lot of fun here. Someone coughing, someone puking, someone just not feeling up to par has been our order.
Tomorrow, my new dishwasher will arrive. I've been without for about 5 months now. I assure you that I will be grateful for this piece of machinery.
These may seem like such small things, but I need to describe it like this: God has chosen to define my life as wife and mother. My family is my world. I want nothing else; I need nothing else but those things which help me in these roles.
Sometimes, the urge to write becomes unbelievably strong. I know that there is an earth-shattering subject close at hand--just on the tip of my brain. I have that feeling tonight, but I cannot quite get to it. My heart is full of rejoicing, so I could cheat and copy one of the Psalms. I could write my own poem. The problem is that I am not quite certain of the source of this joy.
I take that back. I do know the source of this joy. It is Christ. It is the greatness of HIM who loves me beyond anything that I deserve. When I see HIM answer prayers just because HE can and I know that it isn't because I deserve it--but because HE loves to do great things--I am amazed. When I know that all of my moments are securely in HIS hands, I am at peace.
When my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot look up to HIS face, HE comes and lifts my head for me.
I have a God who is for me all that I cannot be. Where are the words to express all of that? I'm sure they do not exist in this world.
I discovered last night that cabbage seems to have some very powerful medicinal uses. I am sensitive to wheat, but can tolerate it now. Sometimes I over do it and my respiratory system is affected. My sinus get inflamed and occasionally my soft palate swells. I typically take Benadryl but now, I believe I have found a new remedy.
Last night I ate some leaves of raw cabbage. About an hour later, I noticed that my sinuses felt more open. When I got home from church I did some searching on cabbage and found that it seems to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This morning, I tried again. I had toast for breakfast. I had enough to cause the swelling. I ate a few cabbage leaves and once again, the swelling is gone. If I can take care of the swelling with a natural food and avoid the Benadryl, I'm very happy with that. I don't really have the time to hit the drowsy period always brought on by the Benadryl.
You can read about cabbage here.
This doesn't mean I'm going to start eating wheat just because I can eat cabbage. It just means that I'm going to start experimenting with what cabbage can do.
Heartaches--we all have them. Some people feel them more acutely than others do. Some people stuff them deep inside. Others wear them on their proverbial sleeves.
Some people want desperately to talk to someone about the heartache, but they don't know where to go. Others talk to whoever will listen or pretend to listen.
Heartaches are common among humans. Yet, we typically go around thinking we are alone in what we feel.
I have my own heartaches to deal with. Yet, I also have to deal with the heartaches of my family members.
What does one do when he feels he cannot handle one more? I, myself, just stuff them deeper and cram them down more compactly to make more room. When it comes times to empty the emotional trash, I don't know what's going to happen. It's so compacted now, I don't think it's going to come out easily.
Be careful when you let boys have sticks!
All geared up for sparring, and hiding in the corner
A trio of trouble
Absolute humiliation!
Yes, we had a little rain. Why do you ask?
One of Tabitha's masterpieces
Mike's final tournament before black belt.
