Thursday, September 30, 2010

Test

Test, then we party.


Today, our adult education students had a unit test. After the test, we provided a small celebration.

While I teach class, they teach me.

One of our students has been working with the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) Have you heard of the Memory of the World? “The vision of the Memory of the World Programme is that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with the due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance.”

As a parting gift, he gave us (teachers) a book, “Do you know Hangul? You can learn Hangul” There is a fascinating history of the Hangul.

Testing, a small celebration, then, saying good bye to our friend. On October 7, he returns home.

Testing

Mini ~ Cupcakes

Our friend leaves a gift to the Carnegie Center

Part of the book

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Hmm...

Hit N Run Evangelism
What do you think about leaving tracts?  Do people leave tracts in place of tips? I confess, I leave tracts... but I tip well... I try to leave something nice with the tract... here is what I left at a hotel....a small diet drink...and a tract... Brent, what do you think? 

A Favorite Hymn

Born in Ireland, Joseph M. Scriven (1855)  wrote the words to one of my favorite hymns,

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

Here is a small portion of this hymn,

Blessed Savior, Thou has promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer ~
Rapture, praise and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

Friendship

 Ralph Waldo Emerson statement about friendship is one of my favorite, "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him I may think aloud."  To me, true friendships offer grace and understanding.  I hope I give that to my friends. Do I offer the same to my family? That is one of my prayers.


A week ago, I shared a quiet afternoon to say good bye to a friend leaving Lexington.



Thursday, September 23, 2010

A gift for a friend

This little origami piece is perfect.  Each paper fold is precise.   I have been struggling to finish  a gift for a friend.   I want every stitch to be tiny and perfect.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Tea

Sassafras tea is the first tea I drank as a child. As I remember, my great grandmother gave be a little brown twig that colored my hot water.  The sassafras transformed that  hot water into a wonderful  tea.   Now, drinking tea is one of my favorite beverages. Last Wednesday, I went to the Green Tea Room here in Lexington.  Here are some pictures.








Mary Todd Lincoln Sets The Record Straight

Friends

Technology

Technology


Ah, the benefits of technology.

When we sold our home in Tennessee, prospective buyers could take a virtual tour of our home. With the click of a button, buyers could walk through almost every part of our home. Virtual footsteps were all over our house.

Earlier this month, I talked to my son via Skype. Somehow we were able connect in cyber space from Lexington to Sweden. For almost an hour, we chatted. Then, on Facebook, he mentions that he has a cold. In minutes, he has over fifteen remedies. Suggestions posted on Facebook included the following: get rest, drink liquids, gargle with hot water, folk remedies, and over the counter cold products. Most recently, a friend has posted pictures of her newborn son. Remembering past entries, I have been able to enjoy vacation pictures, pictures of my great niece’s first day of kindergarten, and pictures of my daughter and son in law.

A favorite technology tool of  my sister is sending text messages. She sends encouraging scriptures every morning. In her text message, she shares a scripture or encouraging thought.   As a result of her messages, as sisters, we grow closer together. We focus on God’s word and His direction in our lives.

Another benefit of technology, you can take advantage of valuable information and free resources. One of my favorite devotionals is “Morning and Evening” by Charles Spurgeon. This is devotional resources is free  and available online. This devotional may  be a welcome addition  to your morning and evening.



The picture is from this year's 2010 Carter Family Reunion.  
This Baptist congregation purchased this site from a Jewish congregation.
The scripture reference:  Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty."   Zechariah 4:6

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

How do we learn?

Teaching is a joy! Every Tuesday afteroon, I have the privilege of teaching students from six different countries and three continents.  I am a part of a team of four teachers. We are like a relay team.  Instead of a baton that passes from person to person, we share lesson plans, attendance records, and class notes.   We refine our teaching strategies, attend professional development seminars, and have staff meetings.  Why? For a paycheck? No, we are volunteers.  God has given us such a love for the students.

We participate in a multilevel classroom setting. In our toolbox, we use repetition, modeling, elicitation, pacing, pair work, and so much more in the classroom.  Simply put, we learn in layers.  Students and teachers, we learn together. 

Two weeks ago, my cousins Isaac, Naomi, and Logan taught me how to use my new phone.  Isaac was patient. He guided me step by step to show me how to use all the applications on my phone. 

What did you learn today? 

My young cousins...

Friday, September 10, 2010

Weddings and Blessings

 In October, Jerry and I will attend two weddings.  I'm so excited! I enjoy attending weddings.  For me, each part of the wedding is special.  I love the ceremony, music, scriptures, and when the wedding vows are exchanged. While we plan to attend two weddings in October, I will miss a very special September wedding.

 I will miss Ms. Ivkovich's wedding. Liz and Calvin's wedding is tomorrow.

I pray that God will bless your wedding and your marriage.  I pray that you and Calvin will experience God's peace, protection and provision.  I pray that you both will be living examples of the Christian life.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Carter Family Reunion 2010

The blessing and joy of fellowship with family.
I like Tony's T-shirt. Click on it!

Meaning and Memory in Quilts

Last Saturday morning, part of our family  visited the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.  If you plan a visit,  plan to spend an entire day.   In a small section of the musuem, you will find a portion that is dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.  While the exhibit is small, is it powerful.   Holocaust Surviors and their family members donated items for this exhibit.



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Building Friendships

A recent Psychology Today article addressed the issue of developing friendships in middle age. "We live in a global society, and only a small percentage of us end up where we grew up."  This is certainly true of the women in my Cooking Light Group. In our group, we have experienced  job transfers and career relocations. Now, Lexington is our home. Over the past five years, most of us have met every month for a Cooking Light lunch. Our conversations weave in and out about children, grandchildren, trips, money saving ideas, retirement, politics and cooking.
How do you develop new friendships?  Do you seek the safety of a few trusted friendships?  Or do you seek  new friendships?  However you develop friendships, be good to your friends.  I like this little Girl Scout song, it says it all...

Make new friends,
 but keep the old
One is silver
and the other  gold.

New Cooking Light Friends
High School Friends
Debbie, Marlene, and Me

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Keep it simple

Keep it simple...Teaching Sunday School for three and four year children is a joy. Each week, I am blessed to be a part of our church Sunday School. Recently, our focus working together happily... how God enables us to work together happily...

Singing, building, talking, and listening to Bible stories... are a part of Sunday School....
Keep in simple... Love God...Love People...Live it... Tell it...Parents are amazed that our little ones memorize a scripture each week.  Teaching biblical truths... a treasure...

Friday, September 3, 2010

Family Reunions

 Every Labor Day weekend  for the past 55 years, the Carter family has gathered together for our annual reunion.  This weekend, we will be in Ohio.  Past reunion locations: Anderson, Chicago, Greensburg, Lexington, Cleveland, Louisville, and L.A.

I have fond memories of my first reunion in Chicago.  It was first time I had spent the night away from my parents.  Traveling with my Aunt Mary and my cousins, I was going to the big city.    No hotels, we stayed with family members.  No restaurant food, family members enjoyed grilling in the park.  No city tours or organized entertainment.... our family provided the fun....

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The blessing of friends

 One of my dear friends lives in England.  Penny and I share a passion for gardening, writing, and prison ministry.  During her visits to the states, she and her family often stayed in our home.   She often teaches me....She demonstrates how to have a "proper" cup of tea.  During one visit, she helped me plant irises. In the spring, those purple irises remind me of our friendship.  Another time, she shares her "green" cleaning tips ...She  avoids using harsh cleaning chemicals. Most importantly, we share our faith in Jesus.

In August, Penny lost her husband.  I was blessed to have known Colin.  This morning, Penny shared a tribute that was read at his funeral.

Blessings
"If you met Colin on the street, or at a bus stop, or is a shop, you were blessed, for it wouldn't have been long before he smiled and struck up a conversation and showed an interest in you.  Colin loved people.

If you worked with Colin, you were blessed, for he was honest,  hardworking and reliable and always willing to give advice or a helping hand.

If you sang with Colin, you were blessed, for he had the voice of an angel and he gave people a glimpse of heaven with his music.

If you shared Colin's interests and hobbies, you were blessed, for he was great fun and laughed easily, knew how to enjoy the simple things of life and relished being around friends and nature.

If you were Colin's friend, you were blessed, for he was loyal, true and was always more interested in you than himself.

If you worshiped with Colin, you were blessed for he know His Lord, had a simple faith that was never sanctimonious or pretentious.

If you were in trouble and asked Colin for help, you were blessed, for her would have been at the head of the queue to do what he could to assist, and would never count the cost, or expect a favour in return.

If you talked with Colin, you were blessed, for he was always more ready to listen than to give his own opinions, never thinking badly of you, being judgemental.

If you were a charitable organisation and asked Colin for help, you were blessed, for his heart was big and his pockets deep. He would never turn you away.

If you were Colin's step child or in-law, you were blessed, for he accepted you warmly into his family, treated you like his own flesh and blood and loved you as one of his own.

If you were his grandchild you were blessed, for he adored you, care more than you will ever know, and prayed for your welfare every night.

If you were Colin's child you were blessed, for he created a loving, safe home to nurture you, gave you the best of starts, set you a wonderful example and taught you true values.

If you were Colin's wife, you were the most blessed of all, for he was a lovely, caring, man, who took the trouble every day to tell and prove to you how cherished, special and precious you were to him.  You were privileged to be chosen to share his life, his ups, his downs, his joys, his sorrows.

He was gentle, humble, warm, kind, funny and generous.  He embodied the fruits of the spirit.

He often used to ask  "What have I ever done in my life?' as if living every day in God's purpose and reflecting the love of Jesus to others were not enough.

In life Colin was a peacemaker, and in death, his spirit continues to bind people together.

When I want to know how to be a better person, I will think of Colin. Thank you my dear one, for choosing me, and goodbye my darling, - till we meet again.

Well done, good and faithful servant rest in peace."

Penny was blessed with a  Godly husband.