POW-WOW!! Catching up Part 1

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Audrey’s school hosted a Pow-wow for the Kindergarteners.  There were lots of cute little songs and dances, playing of drums, eating of sweets, and of course dressing up like Indians.  

Notice the intricate bead work on the bottom of her costume.  Yes, Momma helped with that!

Even though Daddy had a busy day, he was able to sneak away and come see the little Indian perform. 

My parents were here for Thanksgiving, so they got to take part in the festivities as well.

And each class lined up afterwards so the crazy parents could snap away to their hearts’ content. Audrey is in the second row from the top, close to the left edge of the right teepee.  (Being the daughter of one of those crazy parents who likes to take lots of pics, she did so good just standing there and smiling at me!  I’ve taught her well.)

Funny story closely related to the pow-wow:  The morning of the pow-wow, some Indian dancers (sorry, can’t remember their official name, but I’m sure somebody can correct me) came to the school to perform for the kids.  Audrey was thoroughly impressed.  She was more excited about their performance than the pow-wow itself.  After school she told me she was going to practice real hard so she could grow up to be an Indian and dance like they did.  Ahhhh, the pride I’ll be able to exude when the day comes!

Me, standing on my soapbox

If you haven’t heard the Casting Crowns Christmas CD titled Peace on Earth, I highly recommend it. It has to be my favorite Christmas CD ever, and I am giddy with joy that it’s Christmas time so I can listen to it over and over again.  Last week, I started listening to the words of one song, “While You Were Sleeping”, and it brought me to tears.  (This is Jill writing, by the way.  Didn’t want you all to think Matt got all teary eyed!)  It begins talking about how Bethlehem slept through the birth of their King, and how there was no room for Him in the world He came to save.  I would like to share the last part of the song with you.

“United States of America

Looks like another silent night

As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies

That save the trees and kill the children

And while we’re lying in the dark

There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky

For the Bridegroom has returned

And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping

Will Jesus come again

And leave us slumbering where we lay

America, will we go down in history

As a nation with no room for its King

Will we be sleeping

Will we be sleeping

United States of America

Looks like another silent night”

Oh, it broke my heart, I tell you!!  I haven’t ever--and probably won’t again anytime soon--used my blog as a soapbox, but I’m going to right now.  I feel so sad for our country because it is supposed to be the best, the freest, and the bravest country in the world, and it has slowly deteriorated into a lukewarm, greedy, and split country.  I’m not pointing any fingers or going to lay blame at politicians’ feet…that’s getting too deep for me.  But I do feel hopeless and helpless for our country.  Do I vote?  Yes, but I don’t feel like that makes a big difference.  And I’m too passionate and emotional to get into politics myself (not, again, that I feel like that would make a big difference).  I feel like we’ve become “a nation with no room for its King”, and it grieves me deeply.  This country is in trouble and the only fix is Jesus!  I wish our eyes could be opened to that, but I’m afraid too many are turning their backs on Him.  This Christmas season, will you join me in praying fervently for our country?

My behind is growing!

I’m so so SO behind in many things: blogging, keeping up with others’ blogs, keeping up with pictures, Christmas decorating and shopping for presents…but maybe I can get through this Christmas without stressing if I keep my mind on the true meaning of this season. I am not so deluded that I think many people care or even read my blog,  but for those very few, I will try to catch you up on the past month or so sometime soon. I have lots of cute pictures to share and things to say (maybe my words won’t be so cute, but alas, who can compete with kids?) Maybe when my awesome sister-in-law comes to visit for a month in a couple weeks she can sit down with me and help me whip this blog into shape.  *Side note: Bekah, it’s not that I don’t think you’re awesome, because I do, but we both know you aren’t as good about blogging as April is; although I know you have been doing better lately! :)*

But, in following suit with April and Brandon’s blog, I found this post I had written almost a month ago and never had posted. So here’s one to “TIDE YOU OVER”.

West Texas Sunrise and Sunset

I rarely wake before sunrise, but before the time change Audrey was heading off to school in the dark…and so it gave me a chance to catch a pretty sunrise.  And with all the cloudy days we’d been having, it made for colorful sunsets, too.

So here’s to April, Brandon, Bekah, and Kevin (and any other true Texan at heart). You know the vast openness of the flat plains coupled with the fact that we have no trees makes West Texas a beauty when the sun rises and sets!

Sunset on October 16th

Sunset on October 27th

Sunrise on October 28th