Vietnam Teacher's Conference

Wow, what a great SET teacher's conference we have had this year. We have met some amazing teachers, professors and parents. As we have created "Where's Waldo?" type rice bottles and other center manipulatives, sang songs, read stories and played games, we have seen smiles and laughter abound. The teachers have been really open to the training and teaching methods we have tried to share with them. I think the kindergarten children in Vietnam will be very blessed to have such wonderful teachers and parents.
My health has been relatively good this time so far. I had a bit of queasiness last night that kept me from eating dinner. I think it was from being really tired. I slept most all night from 5:45-4:30 this morning. I only we was out of bed from 6:30-7:10 to try and go downstairs to have dinner. Unfortunately I couldn't.This made me really sad. The staff here at the hotel went to a lot of trouble to make an amazing dinner that looked incredible. They were all so kind that I was truly blessed by their generosity.

Tonight half of us head up to Bac Ha on the train immediately after the conference I cannot wait to be back there. I love the peaceful way of life up there and the beauty of nature that is all around. We are hoping that the quick turn around from the conference and getting on the train on time will not be a problem.

Satisfaction in God

Today in Matthew 14:13-21 God revealed some powerful messages. One was in the first verses. Right away God showed me that people realized Jesus' message was so different that they came from miles around to hear him. I must ask myself am I acting and speaking in such a way that people would come from miles away to hear & ultimately find "J"
Next Jesus' faith is so strong that was completely unwavering in his mind. He never had an ounce of doubt that God would provide what is needed. Oh, I pray for that unwavering mind that would never doubt God's provision in my or our time of need.
Also, the people were satisfied after God provided for them. I see that when God provides we are at peace and rest. God is the source of my satisfaction. Do I recognize the source of my full heart and body.

Last of all, God revealed how Jesus put his needs aside to love people. May my love overcome my exhaustion and may that lead to a miracle here.

Empty Nest Lesson 1

Wow what an ambivalent battle I am learning to wage at this in my life this summer. I was not prepared for this feeling of pride in my sons being so independent, strong and happy, and yet missing them so much that I fight that urge to become meddlesome & overbearing. Yeah, you all remember when we were in college or our early adult years, we would listen our friend as he/she would bemoan as they told us yet again of that worrisome over-meddling parent story. We would sigh heavily with them and shake our heads. Now that I am that parent whose children have grown and flown away, I battle everyday drawing on strength from the Holy spirit to find that balance of letting your adult child know you still love them and will always be there for them but not becoming the interfering parent I don't think anyone could have truly prepared me for this journey. Only God walking next to me every step do I feel myself stronger and wiser.

Crafting in Utah

While in Utah during Thanksgiving my sisters and I did a little crafting. One of my sisters got the initial idea from Tim Holtz and we adapted it to work for us.
First we started with plain cheap plastic pumpkin from either the thrift store or dollar store. We were in both so I don't remember exactly where we picked them up.

Next we used heavy foil sheets that we found at either Hobby Lobby or Michaels (be sure to use your 40% off coupon) and added the double sided sticky sheets on the back. We cut the sheets in about 2" strips so they would mold it better around the pumpkins. Next we ran them through my sisters Cuttlebug using whichever embossing folder we preferred. Warning we had to cut a small slit in the center of the connected end of the folder so we could slide the strips through. This allowed us to emboss the whole strip evenly. Make sure not to cut the folder completely apart or it will slide around when you put it through the Cuttlebug the pattern will be messed up.

Once I embossed all my strips, we peeled the back off the embossed strips so we could mold them around the pumpkins. Be careful to only allow a part to touch at a time so you can mold it into the crevices. Next we used alcohol inks to bring color to our pumpkins. We tried to use harvest colors since this was a Thanksgiving craft.

We just put little dots of the ink on the foil covered pumpkin then spread it lightly with a dry crafting brush. We layered our colors by doing one color at a time and placing the dots at random spots and brushing in random directions until the pumpkins was covered.

Next we used our black ink pad to make the embossing to pop. We simply lightly rubbed the ink pad all over the pumpkin.

For the finishing touches we used embossing ink, powders and die cut leaves & flourishes from the Cuttlebug die cuts to decorate the top. My sister even used iridescent tiny beads glued on the ends to make the leaves really sparkle. We then gathered these onto a platter to decorate the table during our Thanksgiving meal .

We had so much fun you should try it too.

Sister's share time

Sisters are meant for sharing memories & experiences like these.

In & Out Burger

In & Out Burger was our first stop on our way to bargain craft shopping. This day just keeps getting better & better.

Unique Utah experiences

I am setting around the kitchen table in may sister's amazing house putting together a puzzle in our pajamas. In this relaxing mountainous setting we have created cool crafts, watched chick flicks and gorged ourselves on peanut M & M's. This is a holiday that dreams are made of. Soon we will head off the the craft stores and thrift stores today for those bargain finds, then head back to the craft room to make more exciting creations.
Of course we have stopped long enough to think about what the next meal should be and plan the Thanksgiving dinner. We will somehow squeeze in shopping for the thanksgiving meal, but that is not our #1 priority.