Sushi Daydreams at the Tidepools

One nice thing about being homeschoolers is that you can spend a fine day at the beach with friends and call it "science class." Lest you think we were goofing off, we truly did learn quite a bit with the help of a fun park ranger named John.

The timing was perfect as it was low tide. Scrambling over the rocks and peering into the tidepools, John helped the kids spot anemones, hermit crabs, sea snails, giant kelp, sea urchins, limpets and many more sea creatures.

I told John that limpets, also known as "opihi" in Hawaii, were one of my favorite albeit pricey eats. He gave me a strangely impressed look and started quizzing me on other weird things I've eaten. I confessed to enjoying sea urchins ("uni") only if they were supremely fresh, and he recognized those from his sushi bar visits. Jonathan piped in and said, "Yeah, we eat octopus, too!" By then I'm sure John thought we were certified nuts so I didn't add that giant kelp is really yummy if prepared correctly.

During the rare moments when the kids weren't exploring the tidepools I managed to capture a few beach shots.

Afterwards, we hiked up to a gorgeous lookout point to celebrate a friend's birthday and have a bite to eat. The sushi bar would have to wait.

It was time for pizza.

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand." Psalm 139:17-18a

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Everyone is so doggone busy today.

Mom has been preoccupied with homeschooling, laundry and dishes. Same ole, same ole. After lunch she and Elizabeth went to Trader Joes. I checked the bags but they didn't get me any Peanut Butter treats this time. Shucks.

The boys have been working on their Pinewood Derby entries with Dad. I don't see what the big deal is about these little blocks of wood. I sniffed them but they didn't smell very exciting.

I guess I'm the only one who remembered that today is Dad's birthday. I'm not sure how old he is but it's a lot of dog years! He has more gray hairs on his head than I do on my chin.



Maybe we'll throw him a party, complete with hats and horns. Maybe we'll bake him a cake and sing the Happy Birthday song. Maybe we'll all shout, "Happy Birthday, Dad!"

But first things first...

It's time for my nap.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8

Resurrection Sunday

A pastor preached a life-changing truth in a sermon years ago and it still rings true today:

We live in a Good Friday world.

But we are an Easter people.

Because Jesus is alive!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

May every blessing of our risen Lord be yours this Easter!

..."the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.." Matthew 28:5-7a

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

This was found on the body of an African martyr and quoted in
One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven by Mark Cahill.

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up until I've preached up,
prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I must go until he returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,
and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem
recognizing me. My colors will be clear. "For I am not ashamed
of the Gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16).

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." I Corinthians 9:24