seeking sleep wisdom...

Does anyone know which is better....to get more sleep or to wake up at the best time in the sleep cycle? i always try to get at least 7 hours of sleep but it seems like whenever i wake up at 6 or 6.5 hours i'm in a better mood...but i'm SO set on getting enough sleep that i can't convince myself that less might be better. any scientific wisdom out there???

A Great Time with Mom & Dad in Bend

i didn't realize how much i just needed to rest....but God did and He blessed me more than i asked for during the four days at my parents' in Bend, Oregon!!! Just look!! and of course pictures can't fully capture everything...the sounds of birds, the warmth of the sun on your face, the intensity of color in a sunset....the vastness of the creativity of God is just far beyond replicating!! i'm truly rested and encouraged! Thank you Abba!

Chayla, waiting anxiously for a walk.
The sunset in the backyard
These are juniper berries, not to be confused with blue berries!

some pretty cool clouds

An attempt at a self portrait!



































taken in warm springs while driving home...pretty good picture for taking it while driving eh?!

Now I'm home and feeling pretty rested!!!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

(sorry if pictures or captions don't show up right...i can't figure out this picture layout)

I'm Going to PAINT!!!

i've never seen myself as a "real" painter. the only training i've ever had is art class in highschool....but i DO like to paint...i bet most people don't even know that since i hardly ever actually do it...and the paintings I've done are around the state (and one across the world), so no one has even seen them.

i really do love painting tho...and i've finally been inspired to take time to do it again...someone ASKED me to do a painting for them, they gave me a picture to paint, they are paying me to do it(does THAT qualify meas a "real" artist?), and it's for a surprise anniversary gift! Sounds fun to me...now i just hope it actually turns out. i'll be sure to post a picture IF it does.

So if you haven't seen anything I've painted, here's a picture of a copy of my favorite painting. I did it for a Creative Classroom Communication class durig college. I have it up in my room as a reminder of what God has for those who walk with and entrust things to Him- even through the storms He promises PEACE that surpasses understanding! I often find myself stessed or worrying about things...when i see this picture it reminds me to fix my eyes back on Jesus...and when i do, He turns my anxiety to joy and peace! it doesn't mean all is then easy, but the deep-soul peace is very real and changes how i walk through life.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentle spirit be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

My 40 Kids

i'm still bummed that i can't post pictures of at least a FEW of the fabulous kids that i spend time with every morning and afternoon! so once again, a picture (with fun photo effects added) of the RESULTS of their creative minds at work will have to do...this time on my own face and hands("no, you may NOT paint a huge Cat in the Hat hat all over my face, even if it IS Dr. Suess' birthday...maybe sometime when i'm NOT going somewhere after work).

for those wondering what i do...i direct a before-and-after school child care program with kids in kindergarten thru fifth grade. it really is a great job...i get to play outside, teach art, sports, do messy science experiments...but the best thing about it is getting to encourage and love the kids...who in turn, encourage and bless me just by being the kids that they are. it's a challenging job, mainly facing the various results of broken and hurting families...but the hard parts of the kids' lives are why i stay. what an amazing thing to think that God might choose to reveal His love to them through my life. that's my hope and prayer. so BRING ON THE FACE PAINT!!!:)

thanks for praying

sorry for the slow update...the cat where i live broke the space bar on my computer (if anyone knows how to fix it, PLEASE tell me. i'd rather not have to buy a new computer because of a space bar that won't work. it takes about 30 minutes to write one sentence).

thank you for those who took time to pray about the talk i gave on saturday. i always forget how much i enjoy speaking about the ways God has worked in my life! So how did it go?....it's hard to judge since i really don't know the ultimate impact of what i said in the lives of people there. Since I trust that God was in it, though, i'd conclude that it went well. from what i COULD see, people seemed to listen and interact with it, others have given positive feedback, and it's already opened up conversations with people about deeper things of life. God is working....and I'm thankful for how He chooses to work through me, even in my weak skills in speaking!

"I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." ~Paul