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-ING on a Monday in Reynosa-

Outside my window... bougainvillea in bright bloom.

I am thinking... about my to-do list, today and beyond.

I am thankful for... the crazy back & forth life I get to live between the United States and Mexico.

From the kitchen... (well, not MY kitchen. I'm mostly at the Isaiah 55 mission this month with spring break short term teams...) I am washing a lot of plastic cups and oatmeal nearly every morning, and loving the food our tremendous Tencha and Leti serve up every day.

I am wearing... capris and the Adventure shirt (NOTE! the Adventure shirt has been mishap free for a good long while now!)

I am creating... I painted walls today and scrubbed paint off of floors. Does that count?

I am going...  home to Harlingen tomorrow! (for 26 hours, anyways!)

I am reading... Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and Dirty Glory right now.

I am hoping... my back is better soon and very soon.

I am hearing... sounds of Mexico, music and dogs and fans.

Around the house... I'm at the mission this week, so my "house" is home to 30ish people, a short-term team from Alabama and the Isaiah 55 staff. LIfe is busy and sometimes dirty and always dusty and always a blessing.

One of my favorite things... today a kid from the neighborhood walked into the house we are painting. I told him, "Bienvenidos a mi casa." He said, "¿En serio?" The look when I said, "Sí, en serio" was priceless. Playing Jenga with the girls tonight, watching the little guys make art, and then, sitting and nothing else at the end of the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week: home to see my girls and ESL and time with my favorite little guy and then back to Reynosa to finish the week. 
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Simple- August 18, 2010

FOR TODAY, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The LORD preserves the simple;I was brought low, and He saved me. Psalm 116:6
Been a while since Simple... 
Thanks, B, for the reminder!

Outside my window...  a hotel parking lot, a Cracker Barrel sign, our van taking up space

I am thinking...  of how far we have traveled this summer, of getting near to the end of this part of the journey

I am thankful for...  visits with family, visits with friends, safety, provision, fellowship, my family.

From the kitchen...  well, not MY kitchen, but... Holiday Inn Express cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  mmm.

I am wearing... long white shorts (if they are "long" are they still "shorts"?), blue t-shirt, my new cross, flip flops  

I am creating...  order.  you might think it would be easier when your belongings have been distilled to a duffel bag and a backpack...

I am going...  south, to Harlingen, TX today.  (big smile!  been waitin' on that a while!)

I am reading...  Ecclesiastes, Romans, Psalms, but other that my morning reading- NOTHING!!  Must. Fix. That. SOON!

I am hoping...  that we don't leave anything here, that the car stays healthy, that there is a glass of ice tea in my very immediate future...

I am hearing...  the hum of the bathroom fan, my husband zippering bags, my son turn the sports section of the newspaper  (my girls are in another room, or I would MOST certainly be hearing them!  my girls are in another room and thankfully I am not hearing them!)

Around the house...  no house!  around the room... bags packed, beds half made.

One of my favorite things... drinking a cup of coffee with my buddy Estellita.  Tomorrow.  maybe tonight.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  hanging out in Harlingen.  Being still.  Getting ready to leave the country on Monday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... from window shopping in Fredricksburg, TX yesterday

For more Simple, please go visit the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple- 16February2010

FOR TODAY, Tuesday, 16February, 2010...

Outside my window... snow on rooftops, snow on trees.  shades of gray.  winter.

I am thinking...  about a conversation last night with a man from Haiti, about friends contemplating a diagnosis, about travel north on marginal roads today.

I am thankful for... morning.  my husband.  my latte.  The Word.  Quiet.  and peace.

From the learning rooms... research papers.  plant dissection.  spelling lists.  ogden nash.

From the kitchen... beef roast in the crock pot.  dishwasher needing to be emptied.  dirty dishes needing to be put away.

I am wearing... layers.  several.

I am going... north, with a bunch of basketball players this afternoon.  praying for good roads.

I am reading... in fiction- The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, in non-fiction- With Justice for All by John Perkins, in the mornings- The Glory of Christ by John Owen, and still, W&P.

I am hoping... to see sunshine today. to feel sunshine today!

I am hearing... the shower running upstairs.  the tap of keys.  can you hear quiet?

I am smiling... thinking about sliding under my van, again, while trying to get in yesterday.  for the fourth time this month!  ridiculous!

I am enjoying... the Winter Olympics on tv.  Especially freestyle skiing.  And snowboarding.

I am remembering... Psalm 40:5- "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts towards us; There is none to compare with Thee..."

Around the house... barely moving.  Only 3 of 7 awake.  the calm before the rest of the day.

One of my favorite things... getting into a car warmed by the sun.  that hasn't happened here for a good long while, but it sure sounds nice...

A few plans for the rest of the week: basketball. wednesday night dinner.  soccer.  birthdays!  dinner with friends!  prayer.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...  this, with toasted sourdough bread, and a cutie orange, and coffee.  mmm!  breakfast. 

Simple- Monday, January 18, 2010

FOR TODAY, Monday, January 18, 2010...

Outside my window, it is foggy.  Shades of gray seem to fill our color pallette for the last few days, making for a pretty subdued pallette...
I am thinking, a little bit of sun and blue sky would be nice.
I am thankful for modern appliances.  The thought of chicken over the fireplace, laundry in the stream and beating the rugs completely exhausts me!  I am also thankful to be feeling much better than I have been...
From the learning rooms, book summaries, finding the radius of a circle, spelling lists...
From the kitchen, chicken boiling for enchiladas.
I am wearing, a plummy sweater, black t-shirt, blue jeans.
I am remembering how much I disliked spelling!  (shhh... don't tell my girls!)
I am creating thank you notes, prayer lists, an ESL calendar, dinner, clean laundry...
I am going to the Bahamas!  (HA!  only in my mind...  it's so sunny there...)
I am reading War and Peace (yes! finished vol. 1, part 1 and moving on...), Andy Catlett, and All Loves Excelling.
I am listening to a new-to-me download from Sara Groves, Fireflies and Songs.
I am hearing a math lesson downstairs, lunch prep in the kitchen, dog tags jingle on the collar, whistling from the girl next to me.
I am hoping peace, order and relief come to Haiti, even today.
Pondering these words... In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11)
One of my favorite things, the smell and warmth of laundry coming out of the dryer in the winter.
A few plans for the rest of the week- the usual.  I'm thankful for routine.

Here is picture I am sharing... a self-portrait taken in front of my washing machine...

For more Simple, visit the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple- January 4

FOR TODAY... Monday, January 4, 2010

Outside my window... COLD (currently the kitchen thermometer reads -8.7) and very dark. 

I am thankful for... a warm house, a quiet house, the promise of the new day ahead.

I am wearing... flannel pajama bottoms and a Benson baseball hoodie.  (but not for long, I promise!)

I am remembering... what a very good weekend we had, restful, sweet fellowship with dear friends, being home for worship.

I am going... to deliver a couple of piano students to lessons and to the grocery store for a much needed restock this afternoon, and then to ESL classes this evening.

I am currently reading... All Loves Excelling by John Bunyan in the morning, and 'Til We Have Faces by CS Lewis.

I am hoping... for a peaceful week, for sunny skies, to make a huge dent in the mountain of laundry that awaits me today.

On my mind... resuming ESL classes this evening after a two week break for Christmas.

Noticing that... clutter and mess sure builds up more quickly than order does!

Pondering these words... “In the time of trouble and calamity, yet still it is well with the righteous, because God doth cover his people in the time of trouble, he hides them in the storm; God hath a care to hide his jewels, and will not let them be carried away.” Thomas Watson, via Nancy Wilson at Femina.

From the kitchen... chili, salad and cornbread on the menu for this evening- easy and warm for when our family is to be scattered on a cold evening- some to church for ESL, some to soccer practice...

Around the house... clean up, laundry, resuming schoolwork.

One of my favorite things... walking into church, greeting friends after being away, the familiarity and comfort of worship.

From my picture journal... our walk as we arrived home last Thursday late afternoon.  So thankful for our neighbor boy who shoveled snow for us while we were away!

For more Simple entries, check out the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple- 9 November 2009

Outside my window... pale blues and grays of dawn; stark, bare tree branches; calm and serene. I am thinking... about the words of the Lord in Hosea 2:19-20-
"And I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
In lovingkindness and in compassion,
And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
Then you will know the Lord.
I am thankful for... the truth of this quote from John Stott, "Forgiveness eradicates our past, and the Spirit transforms our future." 
From the learning rooms... looking at China, Korean folk tales, Spanish vocabulary...
From the kitchen... vegetable soup in the crock pot for dinner tonight.
I am wearing... pj's.  Don't come over yet, ok?  :-)
I am creating... plans, for today, for the week, for ESL...
I am going... to Maryland tomorrow, for a week of observing ESL ministries and for more training.  I'm excited!
I am reading... All Things for Good by Thomas Watson and My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme
I am hoping... to be efficient today; to finish the necessary to be able to meet with friends; that all of my ESL staff is healthy.
I am hearing... the upstairs floorboards creaking; a bird chirping; keyboard taps.

Around the house... the majority still sleep.

One of my favorite things... the house before everyone wakes up!

A few plans for the rest of the week: travel, learning, meeting new people.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... since ESL is so much on my mind today, here's a picture of one my girls with two Sudanese friends...

Thanks to Peggy for hosting the Simple Woman's Daybook. Take time to visit more entries here.

Simple- August 24

FOR TODAY, Monday, August 24, 2009...

Outside my window... clear blue skies, gently swaying tree branches, shadows of morning sun.

I am thinking... about this and this by Andree Seu, and this, also from WORLD.

I am thankful for... open windows, cool breezes, days with no where to be!

From the learning rooms... formal classes not in session! But preparation starts this week.

From the kitchen... homemade waffles.

I am wearing... denim shorts, a green t-shirt and flipflops

I am creating... space, by cleaning up piles today!

I am going... no where any time soon!

I am reading... When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett and this, still...

I am hoping... for thunderstorms tonight.

I am hearing... girls play Life ("Just let me live my LIFE!"), a lawnmower down the street, a breeze in the trees, cicadas (which remind me of this from the comics yesterday...)

Around the house... there are a lot of kids, and a dog, too. :-)

One of my favorite things... days when I have no where to be!

A few plans for the rest of the week: soccer game, volleyball practices, piano lessons, Wednesday night at church, thank you's, school planning, house cleaning, organizing.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... my family on the beach at the tip of the Puget Sound in Washington, taken at the beginning of the month.

Thanks to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple- May 18

FOR TODAY, Monday, May 18, 2009...

Outside my window... full sun, tree branches swaying and the bright green leaves of spring blowing in a gusty wind.

I am thinking... this is the kind of day we look forward to in the middle of winter!

I am thankful for... healthy kids, a list mostly completed, good food to eat for dinner.

From the learning rooms... Esther, the end of the 20th century history, Longfellow.

From the kitchen... Indian food & spinach salad for dinner, oatmeal scotchie bars for dessert

I am wearing... brown roll-up capris, tan and orange blouse, sandals.

I am creating... lists. of things to do. a lot to do.

I am going... to Wilmington, NC tomorrow to visit grandbaby H and his folks!

I am reading... Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry.

I am hoping... for a good, uneventful, last night of classes at ESL this evening.

I am hearing... my son and a friend quiz each other on history, girls playing in the front yard, the front door squeaking open and shut, dog paws on the wood floor.

Around the house... kids. my five. and three neighbor kids. and a buddy that is riding with us to baseball practice.

One of my favorite things... warm oatmeal scotchies out o' the oven.

A few plans for the rest of the week: snuggling baby. being a nice grandma and a mom that's a blessing.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... my son playing ball. That's what we seem to have a lot of pictures of these days...

Check out more Simple Woman's Day Book entries...

Simple- March 30

FOR TODAY, Monday, March 23, 2009...

Outside my window... shadows of branches swaying in the wind, the dining room light reflected in the window.

I am thinking... where do I begin today?

I am thankful for... home. my latte. the Word.

From the learning rooms... one quarter left. Finish Walt Whitman. More microscope.

From the kitchen... the dishwasher swishing. Oatmeal for breakfast.

I am wearing... pajama pants and a periwinkle Wisconsin Dells sweatshirt, but barefoot.

I am creating... a plan for the day.

I am going... to hear a couple of my kids play in a master class today to audition a new piano teacher.

I am reading... Through His Eyes, God's Perspective on Women in the Bible by Jerram Barrs. Look for my comments on chapter 8, Naomi and Ruth, later this week.

I am hoping... that warmer temperatures arrive with April, for a ride for my son from baseball practice, for a gentle day.

I am hearing... the wind. the dishwasher. the click of keyboard taps.

Around the house... all is yet still. Give it 30 minutes...

One of my favorite things... having the week's school plan prepared for Monday morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ESL, soccer, baseball, finish the Sunday school class on Colossians!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... I found this photo of a blue door in Mexico while looking for pictures for a Power Point presentation. I keep wondering- what is through that door? What is behind those shutters?

For more Simple entries-http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple

FOR TODAY, Monday, February 23, 2009...

Outside my window... the pastel palette of sunrise

I am thinking... of the wonder of the weekend past.

I am thankful for... this bit of truth from Psalm 94 this morning- "if the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up."

From the learning rooms... back to school today after a day off Friday, planning for the month ahead.

From the kitchen... for dinner tonight, Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce from Trader Joe's.

I am wearing... a long sleeve Life is Good t-shirt and pajama pants, for another few minutes, anyway...

I am creating... order, as we pick up the pile of sleeping bags, pillows, and bags that we left at the front door when we stumbled in last night.

I am going... to the library drop box today, to turn in overdue books that didn't make it last week.

I am reading... All Things for Good by Thomas Watson- two chapters and two mornings to go.

I am hoping... for a good turn-out at ESL classes this evening.

I am hearing... my daughter turn the pages of the newspaper comics, my son talk to himself about the sports page, the upstairs radio mumble at my husband.

Around the house... children begin to stir, preparations for the day ahead begin.

One of my favorite things... the quiet and still of the break of day.

A few plans for the rest of the week: normal life at home- school, service, sports...

Here is picture thought I am sharing... the view from my seat typing at the dining room table, an attempt to capture the brightness of dawn through my front windows facing east.

Take time to check out other Simple Woman Daybook entries...

and try it yourself!

Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday February 9, 2009...

Outside my window... bright sun, especially delightful after a morning of wind and rain.
I am thinking... I need to get started on cooking.
I am thankful for... the hope of spring ahead!
From the learning rooms... 2Samuel, The Raven, the trans-continental railroad.
From the kitchen... pizza cooking.
I am wearing... blue jeans, a long sleeve coral tshirt and an ivory cardigan.
My kids are creating... Valentines for their friends and teammates and boxes to collect them in.
I am going... to ESL tonight. We are having an International Dinner before class time.
I am reading... All Things for Good by Thomas Watson, and a couple of others.
I am hoping... there's enough food for dinner tonight.
I am hearing... my kids chatter, the wind blow, the dog squeak toy.
Around the house... we could use some serious picking up of clutter!
One of my favorite things... my bed (I crawled back into it for a short time this morning...).
A few plans for the rest of the week: sports practices, Wednesday night at church, Valentines party and exchange for the girls, dinner out on Friday night...
Here is picture thought I am sharing... this is a shot of the rain and gloom on the way to piano lessons this morning, which give an idea of how beautiful the current blue skies are.

(photo credit to the passenger side photog, k.)

Be sure to visit The Simple Woman's Daybook to see what others are ing-ing today...