Multitasking God

This is something I know I have been guilty of and the Lord has really spoken to me about it. There are so many things that vie for attention, and doing more than one thing at a time is essential... for most things.

I often, even especially while in a camper, do many things at once. School the kids, clean the kitchen, and carry on a full phone conversation are three tasks that are almost synonymous for many home schooling moms! When appliances are available- whoa! the accomplishments are even greater!

I have often given credit to a really amazing prayer life because I do it "all the time". My heart is really tuned into the Lord through my day, and I often pray in the moment.

While doing the dishes. And driving. While folding laundry. And schooling the kids. (Mostly while schooling the kids!!) And... And... And...

But are they the only times I pray, and if so... are they really quality times?

If the only times I talked with my husband I was also texting, driving, cleaning, just doing something else too, would that bother him?? OH YES!!

SO why do I think God doesn't mind? Does every time I pray fall into a multitasking category? If not, those times spent solely with Christ in prayer... how do they compare timewise to my other relationships... quality one-on-one time?

Not well, I am afraid. This is definitely an area I am working on more and more. I know prayer is essential and truly the only way for me to have a victorious life for Christ. It is the life line to my relationship with Jesus, and therefore the source of power in my walk. What an amazing, long-suffering God I serve!

Deviled Chickies!

Saw these tonight on Fb on Sheila's wall (thanks!!) and Savannah was ALL ABOUT trying them. Forget that it is past 9:30 at night!! 

We discovered a few tricks... 

1. Cucumber bits work for eyes as well. 

2. You need to cut the bottom off flat or they are weebles and not little Chicks able to stand. Seeing that Savannah is only 9 and she made the suggestion, I imagine most people will figure that out. (Although I didn't even think of it!! She is a prodigy... what can I say!)

3. The top needs to be a little smaller than just cut in half... ours have quite large toppers! 

 All that being said...

 They are adorable ...

and delicious! Definitely making more! :)

The Itsy Bitsy....

SPiDeR!!!
Daring Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax ... because we are a home schooling family and had to find out what the technical name was. Well, actually it was to make sure it wasn't poisonous!!

 We are in Louisiana. Need I say more?! Crazy critters here for sure!!

Dan let him enjoy some sun tanning on the aluminum foil. He is quite creepy when you enlarge the picture. EEEeew!

 But it is kind of neat how he has a little face on his back. His markings give him a very unusual look... kind of like two faces - one from one angle and one from another.

With a little heart for added cuteness!

PEEK A BO!!

Sand Dollars from Tarpon Springs

While at a conference in Palm Harbor, the church treated us to a boat ride through the waterways of Tarpon Springs. They docked us on an island before turning back, and let us meander it for about 30 minutes. I never brought my phone for pictures... I had visions of it flying into the water. Dan brought his, and has video of dolphins swimming and of Savannah holding the shell of a huge horseshoe crab. I will have to get those from him and make another post. 

While on the island we were able to collect whatever we wanted and bring it back with us. The boat guide said there may be things they will have to tell us to leave, but thankfully no one came back on board with a dolphin or a Bald Eagle.

Our kids did find the treasure of sand dollars, and then while we were walking back to the boat a scuba diver flagged us over to his boat and gave us dozens more. 

It was pretty neat, but despite our best preparations, several of them have been broken in the miles we have traveled since then. Today Savannah and I inspected them, and made some intentional discoveries... basically we broke them up the rest of the way. 

We still have a few in tact, but the ones that were cracked or broken we checked out the insides to see if the stories I had heard were true. 

 Sure enough, there were 5 dove like pieces in each one! Just like the poem I had read so long ago.

The legend of the Sand dollar

That I would like to tell

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lovely shell.

If you will examine closely, 

You'll see that you find here

Four nail holes a fifth one

Made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,

It's center is the star

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia

Etched on the other side

Reminds us of his birthday,

Our happy Christmas tide.

Now break the center open

And here you will release

The five white doves awaiting

To spread good will and peace

This simple little symbol,

Christ left for you and me.

Beach Bocce!

While in LArgo we have a favorite beach to visit. It is usually pretty scarcely populated, and perfect for viewing the sunset as it is on the gulf coast.

 Combine that with Bocce Ball... another favorite past time for the guys, and it is surely a win-win!

 It was fun to watch them have to change up their strategy to compensate for the absolutely no-roll factor. They all got pretty goo though, and it often came down to measuring. Well, pacing off a little here or there. They aren't that serious of players!

 The TOSS!!

Pretty much my prayer 24-7-365. I am sure in Zambia most days it will be answered with a YES!! Still enjoying this Southern weather!

The Budding Artist

Lots of travel time and even more time in the camper allows Savannah to work on her fine arts skills. She was given a sketch book from a church, and it has inspired her.

 I think she did very well considering there wasn't a fruit bowl around for her to copy!

This is her signature flower she has designed. A bit of a few varieties mashed into one. And the sun... she is seeing so much of it lately it could only make it into her drawings! 

I was in shock when I saw this one... until she cleared me up. Josiah drew this one! Fun to see what creativity she has... it has certainly been a wonderful way to spend some time!  

Pensacola Beach

On our way to Louisiana, we traveled right through Pensacola, and decided to stop there for dinner. We wanted some inside info on the area, so we called our PCC friend Steph! She is a senior there so we figured she would know everything!

Well... she knew what we needed! We picked her up, and swooped her away for a gourmet dinner at Wendy's, and then went off to the beach!

 It was a beautiful night, and there weren't a lot of people there at this hour, which is a good thing! They went out into the Gulf past some tidal Islands. (My name for them! As the tide came in, there were sand bars that could be walked out on.) The water was warm enough to not be shocking!

 A fellow beach goer nicely took our picture. With Steph in the pic, it looks more like our family picture should! We by no means are saying she is replacing anyone (REALLY LIV!!!) ... but it is always a slightly incomplete picture with only 6 people.

 Savannah is trying her skill at crossing the great divide. Dan caught this mid stride... it looks pretty cool! She didn't make it over dry. But she made it over smiling!

It was a great little get away in the middle of a long day of traveling. Once we got back to the college to drop off Steph, we connected with a couple of other PCC students. Sadly we didn't get a picture of them all :( Next time!!