Thrill-ing!

I discovered tonight the best news all day: ABC is bringing back The Mole for this summer's TV menu! I can't wait! Not many people know of it...maybe that will change.

I just wish Steven Baldwin and Kathy Griffin could be on it again.

Luke's special day

Luke got baptised today. I'm so proud of him.

I feel sad that this was the only picture I got. The battery ran out in my camera at such an unfortunate time.

In this picture Luke is giving his testimony. He did a great job. Pastor Don baptised him. He is the same pastor who did Grace's funeral. He has sure played an important role in our lives this year.

When asked how he felt now after baptism Luke said, "It feels good to do something in obedience. I feel good about it...it just may not show very much on the outside."

This weekend as Luke was at his track meet all day Saturday I finished painting the blue room, cleaned the house, and put up some pictures. Here are some photos. I am not nearly finished, and I'm trying to figure out how to arrange the willows in the vase, but I did promise some friends pictures, so here they are.

Give a hoot

I love the earth. I'll be honest. I was the only teacher today at my school that gave a hoot on Earth Day. I took my nine girls out to pick up trash outside. I get irritated with our school because it's like I'm the liberal, tree-hugger teacher who wants to do something nice for our earthly home. I get weird looks when I have my girls recycle paper. Hey, God told us to take care of the Earth, right?

Here are some photos from our hour of fun.

My girls are cute and so helpful. They loved helping the earth. Our time together was complete with them reacting with horror when we saw the nearby nursing home employees smoking cigarettes. "Mrs. Demarest, they are smoking! And they are throwing their cigarettes on the ground. They're harming the earth and their lungs!" I said, "Shhh. Not polite. They can hear you." They were still appalled. I laughed inside.

I should have had them hug the tree back there.

Is it summer yet?

This is what I did today.

I sat at a camp-sized table for the better part of a work day.

We are becoming accredited here at our small Christian school, so I had to go through my lesson plans and put post-its on them, thus "documenting" where I teach each of the required concepts for fourth grade education.

It didn't take me as long as I thought it would. It was cold in that room, so I worked fast just so I could leave.

So long old friend

You have provided green beans in my time of need. You came to my rescue when I NEEDED Diet Coke. You provided a cheaper option to the gas station down the street. I needed you. I loved having you around. I'm not sure what I'll do without you this summer. I just don't think I can live in a town without a grocery store. Suddenly Mo-Town has a hit a new low. Not sure if I can handle this. However, I am thankful for the entertainment tonight...but at such a cost!

So now Moville can offer me a swimming pool, Subway, A&W, Caseys, and biscottis. I guess there's a bank too, and a car wash...yeesh.

Grandpa Brant

This month my mom called and said my Grandpa Brant has very little time left to live. Three types of cancer will cut his life very short.

This is surprising and gut wrenching to us, but it's not a surprise to God. I'm trusting God that Grandpa's last days will be rewarding and full of grace. Grace=gifts from the Father who loves Grandpa. I want him to see his family, to know the love we feel for him, to experience closeness with his wife, to learn more about his Father, and to look forward to a future in Heaven. I want him to feel peace too. These would all be gifts of mercy from God.

My Grandpa Gordon is my dad's dad. The connection to my late father. Sad to think about him being our connection to our father, and now we're losing him. Again, not a surprise to God. I know God will give us all good time with Grandpa before all is done.

I will go see him in May. If there's one thing I've learned it's that God is not surprised. In fact, He has planned it. So He will provide the grace we require and I can trust Him. Wow, what I just said is a huge thing for me to say right now. Do I really believe that? I do.

I've been LOST!

So, I've been LOST.

In the past month that I have not been blogging, I've been B to the USY. Who isn't busy though, right?

Can I give you a picture of the typical day for a Demarest, a resident of Moville?

It starts at 6:30 and ends around 8 pm. Amongst those hours is time with students, feverish work at school as we aspire to be accredited. Then maybe wait two hours while Luke has track practice. Then go to the Y for excercise bliss...or not bliss...none-the-less, it's important. Or, we might have Bible study, or youth group.

So, days are busy, but there have been MANY joys, and an obsession that was a pleasant past time. One good thing is that our weekends have been relatively free, so that has been HUGE in keeping me sane. This home-body needs her time at home!

Luke and I have caught ourselves up with the TV show LOST. We spent an entire weekend with the Rausches watching season 1. Then in the subsequent weekends we watched the other 3 seasons. It was a long, but willing time investment. I'm totally hooked...and confused. I love this kind of confused.

My sister Elizabeth and her husband Andy came to visit last weekend. They helped us out in a big way by discussing LOST with us and sharing their questions/theories. They also sat through season 4 with us. It is always so good to see them.

I've been so proud of myself lately. My theory is that when a person is busy, they realize the lack of time they have to get necessary things done, so there is an urgency to tackle the To-Do list. Well, that's where I've been the last two months. I have gotten paint to paint the rest of my house, I fertilized the lawn, I planted grass seed, and I'm making plans for the summer. I have very little motivation to get things done around the house during the winter, so the warm weather brings to light the places I have neglected in my house and yard.

I've decided I need to take more pictures of things happening. I'm making a pledge to carry a camera in the next week. I recently discovered a new blog and I've been inspired to take more pictures because hers are so beautiful. So, please look foraward to seeing more pictures! I know I will look forward to sharing them with you!