Being Flexible

Sometimes it does no good to plan ahead.  Sometimes what we think is going to happen doesn't, so we need to be flexible.  This is what we are told when we sign up to work in Sports Camp at our church.  Our best laid plans are always subject to change because we o not always know what God has in mind.

I was originally told I would be coaching first grade girls basketball so planned some games to play at the beginning during registration geared to that age level, such as Johnny Can't Cross My Ocean, Mother May I, Mr. Fox, Red Light, Green Light and Spud.  I touched base with my assistant coach and felt ready.

First thing I was told when I arrived was surprise--there's been a change.  I would now be coaching 5th grade boys instead of 1st grade girls.  OK.  We are short on men coaches this year but I assisted with 5th grade boys last year and have taught that age in Sunday School so felt comfortable with the new assignment.  Quickly, my mind is thinking of new presession games because what I had planned clearly would not be good now.

Monday went very well, better than I even expected as far as my morning session.  One even prayed for forgiveness and asked Jesus to be his Savior!

I volunteered as a blue shirt worker in the afternoon which is basically just to be available to assist coaches if needed, taking kids to first aid or the restroom.  I was assigned to 1st gr. boys soccer and had the pleasure to assist two of my former 5th grade boys I had in Sunday School and watch them coach soccer.  They even invited me to play to balance out teams for a little time, it was fun! 

We had a record attendance of children this year and for the first time had to close out some sports.  This outreach ministry into our community takes the whole church working together to make it happen. 

I look forward to another great day today and am excited to see what happens!  This is my idea of a fun vacation--I LOVE it!  What is your idea of a great vacation?

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Furkids Get Father's Day Gifts For Dad

Abby's gift for dad:  "Property of My Dog" t-shirt

Sleeping is very important so we got daddy some new summer pajamas:

Sorry mom goofed and didn't get the pajamas you wanted.  We got her to order you the right ones from Blair this morning, that have short sleeves and are shorts. 

We love you, daddy!  Woof!  Woof!  Purrrrr!  Meow!

In honor of Father's Day, I am doing a giveaway of the book I wrote in memory of my dad, My Funny Dad, Harry over on our book blog.  Hope you will enter!

Find more Monday Mischief posts or link up yours.

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Sunday Sharing: The Connection Between Scripture and My Life

I think it's really cool when God gives me scripture that coincides with what is going on in my life at the moment. After spending several months reading John and Acts which contain accounts of things that happened in people's lives, I began reading I Peter last week. This is a book written by Peter about Christian living.

Here are my highlights:

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

--I Peter 3:7 (read 6/12) (NIV)

Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you. Don't be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to Him.

--I Peter 4:14, 16 (read 6/15)

I finished reading The Blood of Lambs--A Former Terrorist's Memoir of Death and Redemption by Kamal Saleem and my husband is reading it this week. Both of the above verses reminded me of this book. The first because it is so different than from how Muslim law says women should be treated. Women are not respected at all but looked on as baby incubators, sinful, and just as a toy for her husband's pleasure. Koranic scholars teach that if a wife refuses to make herself beautiful for her husband, or if she refuses to have sex with him, to pray, or leaves the house without a good excuse, he should beat her. pg. 214

We hear the verse so often about how wives should respect their husbands, but in I Peter 3:7, husbands are told to respect their wives!

Secondly, when I read about suffering for being a Christian, again, The Blood of the Lambs came to mind. It told how the Jahid made a group of Christians line up, kneel down and then get their heads shot off. The Koran teaches to kill and hate anyone who is not a Muslim, but especially Jews and Christians. The more I read, the more I learned about how terrorists operate, their beliefs and the Muslim religion. The more I learned, the more I wondered how the author ever got out and became a Christian. It was through the love of Christ that particularly three Christians showed to him in practical ways and the Spirit of God speaking to his heart.

Tonight at 9 p.m. EST/PT on CNN a documentary about nine girls in nine developing countries featuring two World Vision sponsored girls called "Girl Rising" will be shown.  Click the link to view the trailer from it. 

Most importantly, love each other deeply. Love has a way of not looking at others sins.

--I Peter 4:8 (read 6/14)

This is the verse I came across that coincided not only with reading about Kamal Saleem's conversion to Christianity because he was shown Christian love, but also with the book I was currently reading, Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock about prohibition during the great depression.  This was the verse that Eve's father taught her and her sister and which he reminded them of often. 

We wish all fathers a happy Father's Day today and hope this post is a reminder to respect your wife!  Our furkids will show what they gave Gerard for father's day in tomorrow's post.

In honor of Father's Day, I am doing a giveaway of the book I wrote in memory of my dad, My Funny Dad, Harry over on our book blog.  Hope you will enter in in the U.S.!

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7 Friday Fragments (funny, vacation, TV, video, life)

Friday Fragments is hosted by Unknown Mama for bloggers to post a list of short things on their minds that aren't really enough for a whole post to give Mrs. 4444 a break for the summer. Here we go:

Today is Flag Day! Remember to put out your American flag. We put ours out everyday if it's not raining.

SMILE

I found this cute happy video over at Comedy Plus to start of my week. I smiled all through it and added it to my YouTube Favorites!

Beards

I like that the hockey players are growing beards. Not all, but most that are in the playoffs don't shave until they get knocked out.

Vacation

I'm on vacation and am so happy I get to help with the Parma Heights Baptist Church Sports Camp for Monday-Thursday next week! It's all free and open to the community. Fliers were distributed in the Parma public schools this year so we are expecting a record high attendance. I'll be coaching first grade girls in basketball, but other sports are offered too: flag football, soccer, cheer leading and volleyball which is limited to 5th and 6th graders. Each day in addition to the drills and playing, they get a snack and 15 minutes to hear about Jesus and given the opportunity to trust Him as their personal Savior. I'm excited! 

Toddler Basketball

Speaking of basketball, I came across this really cute video of a father encouraging his toddler to shoot trick shots. It's cute and I was very impressed: Toddler's Trick Shots

New TV Reality Show

We watched a new show this week: "Does Someone Have To Go" where a company's employees decide who should be fired. It was entertaining. I couldn't believe how many problems there were in such a small company! It's on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on FOX. Anyone else watch this?

Spring Zoo Video

I made a video combining our two recent trips to the Cleveland Zoo which took me like 5.5 hours to make not even counting the time at the zoo taking the pictures. When I finally finished posting it at 10:10 last night, I asked myself if it was worth spending so much time on it. The next day, when my husband viewed it and told me it was good, was confirmation that it was worth the time. That meant a lot coming from him! If you missed it, I posted it yesterday and would love for you to take a look at it.

Graduations/Weddings

We got off pretty easy this year--only have four graduations and one wedding to celebrate this month!



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Join Us At The Cleveland Zoo

The zoo is always fun, especially if you like seeing the animals! Right off, a dinosaur greeted us (animated, of course. During the summer, there is a special dinosaur exhibit that costs a little bit extra to get in ($2 for members.

I'd have to say the animal of the day was the meerkats--there were six of them and all were busy! Plus they are so cute too. A close second were the Grizzly bears. Even the tiger was awake and in a good mood--even posed nice and smiled for the camera! The animals are much more lively on cooler days than on hot days of summer. The temperature was in the 60s on the days we took this video.

I tried to show some of the interactive things that the kids enjoy. In the rainforest is a machine where you can easily create a conservation poster.  Here is the one we made.  On warmer days, the playground up by the Primate, Cats & Aquatics building is crowded with young children and their parents.  There are some donkeys, goats and sheep that you can pet for free with soap and water close by.

One little boy was having a great time jumping down the stairs in the rainforest.  There are lots of snacks available throughout the zoo too, including Ben & Jerry's ice cream by water fowl lake.

The most popular fun spot though for kids I would have to say is the Yabba Tree House.  To enter, you walk across a swinging bridge and then there are things to play with like a cannon and a ship wheel.  The animated crocodile by the waterfall is very realistic and there are some small exhibits in there too as well as curving staircases.  It's pretty high up so there is also a nice view.

When was the last time you went to the zoo?  Hope you enjoyed our video!  Do you have a favorite animal?

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