A Day Without Rain

So… it didn't rain today.  This is news - bit news.  I mean, it's rained every day for the last ten or eleven days.  Many of these days aren't just the occasional downpour, but rather the all-day-long sort of deluge that has made our lake rise and rise.  The ground is saturated, and we've been feeling so claustrophobic.  Will the sun ever shine again?

Today it did, and in doing so, there was much rejoicing.  Spirits lift when the sun shines brightly - and the temperature was just right.  It wasn't any of this really hot stuff, but the perfect day to put out mulch and pick weeds and go for a ride with the windows down.

We did that on the way to piano class today.  Madison was caught up with her homework, so that was good to see.  She's been practicing a lot lately, and hopefully will be able to nail that upcoming recital.  We haven't been able to focus on that so much, but the last few days, Madison has been able to find time to practice.  This is great news.

Tuesdays have a lot going on for us, with the different classes going on, and then the required grocery shopping later on.  We did a fun homework assignment today, one where Madison imagined she was captured by pirates.  In her creative writing assignment, she told a story about the Pirates of Lake Lanier, who captured her and made her do all sorts of chores.  They even made her tell bedtime stories at night.  But this worked out great, because while they were sleeping, she was able to climb into a small boat, and row safely to shore.

Her spelling words this week are impressive - at least to me.  She has words like 'environment' and 'chrysalis.'  This is presumably because Earth Day is on Wednesday - she has a lot of scientific terms that make you stop and think before attempting to spell.  'Pupa,' and 'larva' and 'population' also are on the list, but she doesn't really have too many problems with the spelling lists anymore.  She'll catch the ones she doesn't quite know, and after a bit of practice, she nails 'em.  Her latest spelling tests are always getting grades of a '4,' which is better than good.  Similarly, her math tests are all aced as well. She's doing so well, and of course we're so very proud of her!

And so ends our day without rain - we didn't play Enya's "A Day Without Rain," but Daddy did listen to the latest Weird Al once more, just for inspiration for the latest devotional entry!

“God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIrV

ALUMINUM

Al 13

     If you want to save your leftovers for later, there’s one way to go:  aluminum foil.  Microbes, enzymes, mold and oxidation don’t stand a chance!  But that’s not the only thing you can do with aluminum!  Cans of your favorite beverage are made from aluminum.  It’s used to make cars, trucks, trains, boats, bicycles, and airplanes.  It can also be found in street lamps, baseball bats, guitars, cooking utensils, railway tracks, and even paint.  You can even make a hat out of aluminum foil, and put it on your head in case space aliens want to try and read your mind!

     Okay, so that last sentence isn’t true.  Probably.  The point is that aluminum has many uses. 
     And here’s where you come in:  how many uses do you have?  God has given all of us talents and abilities.  Some sing well, and others work with children really well.  Some can lead, and others can use computers better than the rest.  Some are great with helping people, and others can cook amazingly well.  Some of us can even write devotionals like this (even without having to use an aluminum foil hat!).

    The point is that we are designed to be useful.  If you’re not sure what your purpose is yet, then have fun trying out different places to serve at the church.  God has given each of us a talent to help the church win this world from the enemy.  And with your help, the devil’s plans can be… foiled!