Saturday Night Live

What a great time we all had at the Saturday Night Live at Oak Cliff Bible Church. This is a quarterly event in which Dallas area Deaf ministries get together for a Deaf concert, or singspiration (what you call it depends on what generation you are from.) I know, you are thinking, how can this be??? They turn the sound tracks up really loud so the Deaf can feel the vibrations, and many times there is a hearing person on the floor supporting the Deaf signers on the platform. Seeing the beautiful ASL from these Deaf Christians is amazing. And, I always enjoy the soul music they choose--always a few from Kirk Franklin. I copy-signed for Chanelle, my Deafblind friend. They were very interested to see this white girl try to copy what was being signed on the platform.

We had a great representation from North Cities this time, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

I noticed toward the end of the concert, the men had stood and were talking among themselves in the back. I suppose this was a "meeting of the male minds": 'we come to humor our wives...'

Sunday

Wow! What a full day this was! Today was Tessa's baby dedication, and all went well without a hitch. It was beautiful.



Dawn and Doyle Kennedy came to visit our church--we hadn't seen them in a very long time, and it was quite a treat. After church, we went to Souper Salad, our favorite place to meet them, and caught up on the happenings in their lives.




The day ended with the best. This morning, Rachel, one of our Deaf young people prayed sincerely for the first time. She spent the afternoon with us, and on the way to church let us know that she couldn't wait for church to be over so she could go to the front and receive the Holy Ghost. She was fully expecting it to happen. And...God didn't disapoint her. God rewarded her by washing over her with his spirit, and before long, she was speaking in tongues. It truly was a beautiful transformation to watch.

Summer 2009

It has been a wild and crazy summer. I have been so busy, I have not been able to blog, but here is a brief recap:

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Mom just commented on how long it has been since my last post, and she is right. I am out of college and homeschool now, so I have no excuse.

Last week we entertained Nate, (Tiffani's friend from Indiana), and took the opportunity to tour the Kennedy memorial area.

This is a picture of the window from which the rifle was seen.


Here is the spot in the road where the car was when Kennedy was fatally shot.


It was a sobering tour, but very enlightening just the same.



Because Nate had never taken a train ride, we decided to add a little interest to our downtown trip and take the Dart train. On our way back, we got off at CityPlace and rode the McKinney trolley. It was just a piece of the past, and a bit of nostalgia. Here we are waiting for the train.

Birthday Girl

It has been entirely too long since my last entry. I am still knee deep in this college thing. (What was I thinking???) Nevertheless, I couldn't let Bethani's birthday go by without a few pictures.

It was a wild ride--I have to admit that. We had 12 girls at first, but only 9 of them stayed the night. Notice I said only! Have you ever entertained 9 squealing giggly 10 year-old (approx) girls??? Tiffani and I traded off and on. I don't know what I would have done without her help organizing the social part. The girls also really enjoyed her salon expertise Saturday morning.

Apparently Twister is a big hit at this age. I wouldn't recommend it in a mixed crowd, however.

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Thanksgiving 2008

This year, our family decided to try something new with our Thanksgiving meal. Okay, actually I came up with the idea. It was a good one, and I think it all went well. Here it is: Everyone is to take ownership of one of the food items. It was their responsibility to find the recipe, gather the ingredients, prepare the item, clean up after themselves, and present the dish on the table. Since this was just the first year, it went fairly well. I kept charge of the turkey and gravy and made a sesame asparagus salad; Craig decided to bake sweet potato casserole; Bethani cut up the bread and baked the cornbread for the stuffing; Jeremi was in charge of the mashed potatoes (and did a great job even without a mixer)(wouldn't you know it, our Kitchenaid died just one month ago); and Tiffani and Jeremi together made the Cranberry chutney. Our new friend, Jason Talley joined us for our Thanksgiving meal, and he brought a chicken shepherds's pie.

When we sat down, (after taking multiple pictures) we followed our tradition of passing around the taper candle, and listing the things we were most grateful for. We were all grateful for the things that we have: the Holy Ghost, truth, family, friends, home, things. I added this year the things I was grateful for things that I don't have: sickness, disease, poverty, debt, etc.

After all of the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, we did what we always do: Sit in the living room floor surrounded by the sale ads, and map our our plan of action for the next day. It seems every year we are waking earlier and earlier to seize the opportunity of sales. This year was no exception. Craig was up first, and headed to Walmart for the $130 Kitchenaid mixer to replace ours. Because there were only six mixers, and several greedy people, he did not push and shove to get one of those, but he and Bethani did get a GREAT bargain on one at Kohls. Tiffani and Jeremi went to Firewheel mall with Jason, (apparently Aldo was having an incredible sale) and I went to several stores that I can't mention (don't want to spoil any surprises).

God has truly been good to us this year, and we are so thankful.

The day after Thanksgiving, Homestead Heritage always has a huge craft festival, and this year was our second year to enjoy it. Click HERE for last year's experience. This year we enjoyed the various choirs, and the very skilled orchestra and craftsmen. Also, the kids handcrafted some Christmas gifts (shhh)and enjoyed some organic, (somewhat) healthy treats. The simplicity of the lives of those at Homestead Heritage is always enticing and inspiring. After hanging around them for a couple of days, we came home with a desire for greater godly character.

We stayed Friday night in an RV, and for Craig and I it was the first time since we had sold ours. What great memories and flashbacks that inspired. Some day...

Saturday night we were in our own beds, and Sunday morning we traveled to Gunbarrel City for church. We are true Texans now that we have been to Gunbarrel City. And, what an initiation some of us got! I won't go into all of the details except to say that it included two girls, four wheels, and a lake; a boy and a broken chain; a very windy day, mud, shivers, scratches, and bruises. (Don't worry Grammy and Nana, the only thing really hurt was a little pride.) (I don't know why, but they have invited us back for an Easter weekend that includes a tail, a mane, and four legs. I'll be sure to post about that.)

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I'm Back

It has been a while, but let me do a little recap here:

The first week of August, Amanda, Tennie and I went to the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin for a Communications Skills Workshop. It was at the end of that grueling week that we all took the BEI Certification test. They have told us it could be up to 3 months before we get the results in the mail. If we get an envelope with a thick card in it, we have passed. If there is no card, only a letter, don't bother opening it. Here we are in our room:



We had a great week of immersion and came back home completely worn out. I think I learned more about interpreting in these 4 days than I have in the past 4 months!

TSID 2008

Well, the TEP is behind me. I just got the email that says I passed. Thank you to all who prayed for me. That is one test down, now one to go. I am scheduled to take the performance test in Austin on Friday, August 8. I'm sure I will be calling on all to fast and pray for me. :)

We had a wonderful girls trip to the annual Texas interpreter's conference. Stephanie drove us to Houston, and feeling like royalty, we stayed at the Hyatt Hotel for 5 days.





Our group of 4 interpreters was not totally complete until Heather joined our group. She is so very witty--never a dull moment with her around! Here we are dining at Benihana's


All weekend people were asking if these two were sisers.







The grand finale?? Todai's of course. Can you believe we 'camped' 4 1/2 hours in this restaurant? What a deep Bible study we had!

Blessed

The music in this montage is what inspired this blog. I have to admit that from time to time I get to feeling a bit sorry for myself. Immature, huh? It is at those times that I need to stop and count my blessings. My husband has preached many times that people start to backslide when they stop being thankful. When I start to focus on ME and MY NEEDS, I am not only ignoring God's plan for my existence here on Earth, but I am hurting myself by brushing aside the blessings that come with focusing on others.

God has been so incredibly good to me. How could I complain??

The Red Plate-Special

Saturday morning, I woke to a phone call. It was my mother telling me that she would be landing at the DFW airport in just one hour to take me shopping and to lunch at our favorite restaurant. She flew in for the day to let me know that she thinks I am special.


Yesterday morning my youngest daughter woke up early, made banana pancakes, and served me breakfast in bed. She used the Red Plate to let me know that this was my special day. I am now 39.

My husband took our family of 5 to Tokyo One for lunch--it was a financial sacrifice, but he wanted me to know I was special.


Last night Craig and I toured the Galleria. He was looking for something to buy for me. "Do you like this? I'll buy it for you. How about this?" (The Louis Vuitton store did not count--I certainly found something there.) We finally found something. I felt special.

Sis. McGree took our kids home from the church so we wouldn't have to rush back. On our way home we stopped at Braums for a really special treat.

Altogether I received eight birthday cards from family and friends who always remember me. Four phone calls came in wishing me a great day. Even Henry, my college teacher and Preston, a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy signed the traditional song in ASL.

Before going upstairs to bed, Bethani came to me in such a sincere way, gave me a big hug and said, "Mom, I love you. Happy Birthday." THAT made me feel special.

Yes, I am truly blessed to have wonderful people in my life. Thank you Lord for blessing me.

Just four Girls

That's right, just four girls. The boys left this morning to do a prophecy conference in Oklahoma, and I am flying out in the morning to St. Louis. But tonight--Girls' night. Amanda is coming over for our slumber party and will stay here while I am gone. Tonight we are having a tea party, and then we are going to sit and chat (probably silently as we sign). We will probably sing for a while around the piano, and then maybe pray a bit. I'm sure it will be the wee hours of the morning before we finally fall into bed, and we will enjoy every minute.

As I was setting the table this afternoon in preparation, I decided to choose the Old Country Roses Four Seasons cups. It is a rare collection that I have had for many years, and I don't use them much, but today seemed appropriate. There will be 4of us, and each of us is in a different season of life. Now, I am NOT saying that I am in the winter season while Bethani is in the spring. (insert laughter here) Nevertheless, we are each at different stages. I want God to help me to appreciate the different stages. There are some parts of each that are enjoyable and some not so enjoyable. Isn't it strange how many times we can only see the miserable parts of the stage that we are currently in, and look back and only see the fun parts of the past stages? We all know that there were difficult times then. We can look forward and dream about how it will be rosy one day... we know that there will be problems then too.

"Jesus, thank you for my family, my friends, and my friends that are like family. Please help me to enjoy the right now. Forgive me for wishing away the present in hopes of an elusive tomorrow. Help me to enjoy the present you have given me."

Christmas 2007

Two weeks ago our computer was put to sleep and then resurrected at the Schobert hospital. Since then, Craig has spent his evenings restoring it so that we feel comfortable and at home with it again. Thus, I have not been on much. Nevertheless, I want to catch you up on our holiday.

It has certainly been a fun and eventful December. Jason and Amanda came on Christmas Eve and we all surprised them with their own photo album with their wedding picture on the cover.

Our little family of five enjoyed Christmas at home the next day, and then the day after Christmas we began the long journey over the river and through the woods to Nana and Papa's house. It was a tight squeeze with 3 kids in the small backseat of the Avalon, but the fighting didn't get too intense. (insert laughter here)

Nana and Papa spoiled us as always. Tiffani got another iPod dock (Nana and Steven are really gonna have to compare notes next year--last year it was ice skates!)


Bethani got the coveted Heeleys,

Jeremi got clothes and $75 toward a trick bike,

I got 800 thread count sheets (single-ply mind you...) and Craig became the proud new owner of a Navigator (as in the device that tells you where to turn, not the SUV.) I think I have just been replaced. (On the way home, he was very smug as, while I slept, he maneuvered through the back country from Allen on Stacy Road. I woke up as we were approaching the high school, and he gleefully announced, "This thing is COOL!!"

Thursday morning, my mom and I hit the mall for Macy's day-after-Christmas sale, and we certainly made a haul. They were practically giving stuff away. How could we say no??

While in the St. Louis area, we enjoyed the annual Kessler Christmas party on Friday and then visited with my mother's side of the family on Saturday.

On Sunday we preached for Scott Graham at The Sanctuary in Florissant Valley. What a great morning it was. There were so very many friends of ours, many of them from Bible College.

I was thrilled to see my long-time friend and maid of honor, Tonya, and FINALLY meet her new baby.

We were very saddened to get the news that Sis. Dugas, the wife of the Bishop of their church, went to be with the Lord about an hour after we left the restaurant. She had been very sick with a brain tumor. Sis. Dugas was a precious, extremely talented and godly woman, and we will all miss her very much.

Well, that brings 2007 to a close. God has been good to us again this year, and we give Him thanks for His many blessings. We are excited about what He has in store for us in 2008!

Thanksgiving 2007 at Homestead Heritage

This year on the day after Thanksgiving after we did our usual 5am shopping, we headed down to Homestead Heritage in Waco. In spite of the inclement weather, we had a wonderful 2 days.





You will notice that I am not a part of the petting animal experience. Thanks Amanda for stepping in for me.













Bethani learning to cross stitch. She is going to use her new talents for Christmas gifts.












Jeremi at the silversmith's shop making a gold spoon.

The Homestead has many resident artisans, and one of them is a skilled blacksmith. It was here that we watched him form a metal candle holder from a steel rod. With continual heating and beating and shaping and forming, something useful was created. (That sounds like something that will preach.)







Tiffani's basket




Jeremi's Watercolor Leaf









Tiffani & Abigail

They spent the night in the RV behind the Wheeler's house. Apparently the 4 girls stayed up late into the night giggling.









Jeremi & Joshua

Joshua has a lot to teach Jeremi. Just take a look at the walls of his room!









This was Bethani's first time to milk a cow. We bought a gallon of this raw milk, and will make butter and yogurt out of it. (If we can keep Craig out of the jar!)

Sweet Sixteen Party

Thank you so much to everyone who came to celebrate this day with us.

The party was a huge success, almost 50 people showed up, making Tiffani feel so special.

Take a look at this brief story of her life:

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Impromptu Lunch Party

While shopping at Kroger a few weeks back, I saw a Deaf couple signing to each other while shopping. After struggling within myself for a few minutes, I decied to take a bold step and introduce myself as an ITP student. I was immediaely rewarded with their obvious excitement. They introduced themselves as Chuck and Cheri Vaughan. This enthusiasm resulted in a 25-minute conversation in the milk aisle. They asked me about what church I attend, and I invited them to join us.

Cheri is very active on the computer, and we kept in contact via email. yesterday Chuck and Cheri came to church, and I did my best to interpret the Sunday School lesson for them. Amanda interpreted for Cheri personally because she has Usher Syndrome which is kind of like an extreme case of nearsigntedness with tunnel vision. While church was going on, I started to dream up some dinner plans, and before you know it, I was planning a small get-together in my mind. When church was finished, I invited Chuck and Cheri to our house for lunch. I also invited Dawn and Doyle and their children. Chandana and Rachael, two other Deaf teenagers were standing nearby, and I invited them to come also. We would certainly want some interpreters, so obviously we had to invite Amanda, Natalie, and Rochelle. Before I knew what was happening, I had invited 18 people to my house, and had absolutely no food prepared!

Amanda and Dawn joined me in a quick trip to Albersons where we started throwing things into the buggy as though we were on some TV game show. Guided by the sale paper in my hand, we raced through that store in record time! When we got home, we tossed the bags of corn on the cob in the backyard with a large bowl and a group of teens, and they took care of that messy job. I put Jason right on chicken duty, and he knew what to do with the BBQ sauce. We whipped up a humongous bowl of macaroni salad, and then had a watermelon cutting contest! (I concede, Jason won). (choleric) We dumped a few cans of baked beans in a bowl, warmed them up, and whala! Lunch was served! (Can you believe we had Sunday lunch on PAPER PLATES!!!)

I really enjoyed getting to know Chuck and Cheri better. They are absolutely the SWEETEST people!! Cheri is BRILLIANT!!! Chuck is not so good with directions (he will fit right in around here) so I gave directions to Cheri. They got to our house before we did and they even went to their home first! One of the first things Cheri asked me when she came in was "Is this a Choice Home?" She guessed right (I didn't even know until I asked Craig.) We found out that they prefer to eat organic food. Yep, Amanda, they will fit right in with this gang! (We need to work on Doyle a little bit.)

The camera was completely forgotten in all of the rush and excitement, so I don't have any photos to show, but everyone agreed that this was only the first of many more to come.

Everyone seemed to have a great time. It was a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, and I believe God was here. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful Body of Christ!

Oh, as a bonus, it dawned on me this morning that I could use this experience as an Outside Communication Activity, one of the requirements for my class! Yes!

Richmond-2007

This week I flew back to Richmond, Indiana to take part in a homegoing for one of the most godly women I have ever met, Grandma Ellison.

My precious mother, who has always been quick to support me in my spur-of-the-moment ventures once again rose to the occasion. She didn't want me to be in Richmond alone, so she sent me an e-ticket, and then picked me up at the St. Louis airport (thermos filled with hot water and 2 Royal Albert tea cups) ready to make the 5 hour drive to Richmond.

We talked and drove and drove and talked (stopping for sushi in Terre Haute of course) and caught up on all things mother/daughter.

I am so thankful that I was able to be there for this occasion. They asked me to sing, and I chose, "What A Day That Will Be."

It was amazing to me to see how much the people (especially the children) have changed in the 16 months that we have been gone. Here are a few pictures we captured on our trip.

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