Thursday, May 31, 2007

Not as Mannerly as Pam

You Have Good Manners 68% of the Time

Your manners are quite excellent. You are well versed in etiquette.
Of course you have the occasional slip up, but you even apologize with grace.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

The GOOD news of the day...

Today was our first baptism of our baby church, Iglesia Bautista Cristo Jehova, of La Victoria, Venezuela! Our pastor, Matt Sanders =), baptized 3 adults down in a creek just out of La Victoria. It was so exciting! Afterwards, we all ate hallacas and the kids (and some adults too), played in the creek. It was an awesome time of fellowship and a good example of those who need to be baptized yet among our group. Praise the LORD!

Another Black Day in Venezuela

Today is the death of freedom of speech in Venezuela...The oldest channel in this country, Radio Caracas Television of Venezuela, will be "officially discontinued" at 11:59 p.m. I am very sad, seeing the Venezuelans' inability to do absolutely ANYTHING to defend their rights. I am enraged, as not only the government (the regime) is refusing them their right to free speech (the problem is, their opinions are different from HHH and his thugs) but they are taking over their custom-made equipment. This is legal, supposedly, because what else will RCTV be able to use that equipment for now? This makes my blood absolutely boil...There will be a day of reckoning.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Easy-Peesy

You know the Bible 100%!
 

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

I Get So Frustrated Sometimes!!!!!!


This "revolution" is really getting to me...actually, it has been for about 5 years! The other days I went by the store to get a bottle of cooking oil...no cooking oil! I am so sick of finding out about things that I can't get! Butter, harina pan, black beans, meat, chicken, oil, rice, sugar, eggs...the list goes on and on. H to the third power has recently gone where no man should venture to go...into a woman's personal hygiene and beautifying process. He is one brave man, I must say! I won't go into it all...it's embarrassing and humiliating if you ask me. People are again saying that there will be "problems" this weekend, with the closing of Venezuela's oldest tv channel. I think it will be all talk again...

Rigged...for Sure!

You Are a Classic Gucci Bag

You've got style mastered - because you stick with what works
Like this Gucci Bag, you prefer classic items that stand the test of time
You're also a bit of a practical girl, who prefers function over fluff
You prefer a big bag, so that you can have your stuff with you at all times

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Better at Grammar...

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Six Questions

1. If you could spend the day with a famous person, who is still alive today, who would it be and why?

- Camilla, Prince Charles' wife...to see what on earth Prince Charles sees in her that he preferred her over Diana!

2. How would you define the following phrase: "DYING TO SELF"?

- Not taking myself into account at all, having a carpet-minded mentality...in other words, being willing to lay myself down for the good of others, and maybe even need to be "walked" on. It involves doing as Christ did and is described in Phil. 2.

3. Do you have a hobby or a favorite way to unwind? If so, tell us how you got started in it.

- I like to crossstitch from time to time, but READING is definitely my favorite! I'm into Dee Henderson just now. I can't put a book down once I start it. I also love old classics by Charles Dickens. He has an awesome way of drawing word pictures!

4. Name an adventure you would love to do or go on.

- I have ALWAYS wanted to go to the Swiss Alps. I can just picture myself walking through one of those little villages like Heidi lived in (actually, she lived up on the mountain, but you know what I mean!). Love snow too!

5. Name three things you do to encourage others.

- I always try to touch people (mostly ladies) when I'm speaking to them (just to make them feel loved), I like to always remember birthdays (when's yours, Pam? Jackie?), I like to call people by their names

6. Describe your church building, your pastor, and your pastor's wife.

- We have a neat little apartment church. It's on the second floor of the building, above a bakery, in front of one of the town's main plazas. It is painted light green with live plants, very tastefully but minimally decorated (my husband has excellent taste). The pastor is a great man, great organizational skills, loves the work...also a wonderful husband, father...he's my husband, Matt! The pastor's wife, well, SHE'S another story! She loves the people of our tiny baby church very much, she teaches the wee ones in Sunday school, plays the piano. Their son, Ethan, is the song director, and Morgan and Seth provide much of the special music! How's that for a missions team!? =)

Monday, May 7, 2007

Okay, I'm Confused...

You Should Visit Brazil

If you're looking for an extreme yet chill vacation, Brazil is perfect for you.
Go wild at Carnaval, get lost in the Amazon, and relax checking out the beautiful people on the beach.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Airport Days


As I've mentioned in previous posts, I grew up in Lima, Peru, where my parents were missionaries for 25 years (they are now in Caracas). Some of the most awesome events back then were "airport days". These were the days when we went to the airport to pick up (the leaving-off times were not so fun =( ) missionaries returning from furlough. Back then, missionaries didn't travel back and forth very much and furloughs were always very long! Another neat thing was that we could go outside on the deck and watch the airplane land and our friends get off the plane on the little outdoors stairway (I know that you're now wondering, "HOW OLD ARE YOU ANYWAY?"--not as old as you might think....) Anyway, a year in the life of one of your friends away is a very long time. We would always go with mixed feelings...will we still be friends?....what "new" things have they learned in the "Promised Land"?....etc, etc. You get the picture! Another big question was..."What new clothes will they all be wearing?" How superficial is that?! Anyway, everything always turned out okay...we're all still friends...family...after all these years!

Eating Grapefruit...Again!

I've been trying to avoid my diet, but it can no longer be held off. So...this morning as I post (yes, I'm a sunrise), I'm eating grapefruit. My diet is positively awful, but it really does work, and it seems balanced. Sorry, but I don't go for the carb diet. That diet seems out of balance to me. No offence to those who have lost weight and love it! You'll lose weight now, but what about your heart? Yikes! It's scary to think where ALL THAT BACON is going... Anyway, hope you have a good day...I also hope you are skinny so that you don't have to eat grapefruit, tuna, etc.!

Friday, May 4, 2007

More Things I Cannot Do and Funny People

I cannot:
~tell a joke...and I'm the daughter of the king of joke-telling!
~get Matt to so much as hardly look at my blog, or any other, for that matter!

I don't understand:
~people who get mad and yell at people in other cars...who cannot even hear them!

Funny people:
~Daniel Arce is a hoot!
~Mike, from Seattle, is hilarious
~Pastor Carlos Ramos makes me laugh the whole time I'm around him!

Trying to Avoid the Grass Police...Don't Ask!

Two Recipes to Enjoy!

Cookie Oatmeal (that's our name for it...it was originally Amish Baked Oatmeal)~

1-1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. melted margarine
1 egg
1 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
warm milk

~Mix all ingredients (except the last one) together. Place on cookie sheet with a lip. Bake at 350 F 25-30 minutes or until done. Serve in bowls with warm milk served over the top. This can be served with raisins or apples or walnuts on top too. This is one of Aaron's favorites (my 5 year-old), and he's one picky eater. (I usually triple this recipe for our family~7 of us.)

Swedish Cinnamon Twists~

2 pckg. (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm milk (110-115 degrees)
2 c. warm buttermilk (same)
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
6 T. sugar
2 eggs
2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
7-1/2 c. ap flour

Filling:
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 t. gr. cinnamon

Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 T. butter or margarine, melted
1 T. hot water

~In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the buttermilk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt and baking soda; mix well. Stir in flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 min. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hrs. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each into a 16-in. x 9-in. rectangle; brush with butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Fold in half lengthwise, forming a 16-in. x 4-1/2-in. rectangle; pinch edges to seal. Cut into a 4-1/2-in. x 1-in. strips; twist each strip two or three times. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 min. Bake at 375 F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine glaze ingredients; spoon over warm twists. Yield: 2-1/2 to 3 dozen. (Good luck and enjoy, Jackie! These take exactly 8 hrs to make (hahahaha), but they're worth it! lol)

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Not Surprised...

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary.
You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward.
Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts.
All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

Okay, I'm a Ding-Dong!

I just posted on my sister's "Welcome to Blog World Party", but I didn't include her address. Duhhhhh...did I mention she's sarcastic too (like me!)? Is that a compliment? Maybe not... Here she is: tiameri.blogspot.com (can't figure out the linky thing...help, Rita!) Have a great one!

HEEEEEER'ES MEREDITH!

Hi guys! Today is an exciting day for me! My sister, my AWESOME sister, I might add, Meredith, has joined us in BlogWorld! Can you tell I'm excited!? Anyway, Meredith is creative, talented, awesome (did I already mention that?), SLENDER, in short, she's my sister! Hahaha Actually, she's everything I'm not~not that I have an inferiority complex or anything! Anyway, I want all two of you who read my blog to welcome my dahling sister, Meredith White, of Puyallup (or is it Graham? or Orting? what is it?), Washington, to the circle. Have a great day~ like me! (Picture of Miss Awesome later...short on time right now...)

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Matt's Brain (he let me blog this!)

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a tempered, reasonable way of thinking.
You tend to take every new idea in, and meld it with your world view.
For you, everything is always changing. Each moment is different.
Your thinking process tends to be very natural - with no beginnings or endings.

Hmmm...interesting!

Your Brain's Pattern
Your brain is always looking for the connections in life.You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first.You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker.You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

Hmmm...interesting!

Your Brain's Pattern
Your brain is always looking for the connections in life.You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first.You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker.You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

Jackie's Three Meme

1. Things that scare you:
- Bungee jumping
- Roller coasters
- Barack Obama
2. People that make me laugh:
-my friend Cyndy
-Don Knotts
-Dick VanDyke
3. Things I hate the most:
- Getting tickled
- Being fat
- Sticking my foot in my mouth
4. Things I don't understand:
- LIBERALS
- Venezuelan representantes meetings
- American Al Qaeda followers!
5. Things I'm doing right now:
- Sweating
- Listening to the lady on the loudspeaker across the road
- Listening to Morgan tell me what to write on here
6. Things I want to do before I die:
- Go to Austria
- Organize my Sunday school files!
- See my kids marry and serve the Lord
7. Things I can do:
- Write out a schedule...too bad I can't put in into practice for more than 3 days!
- Talk
- Math
8. Ways to describe my personality:
- Very, too talkative
- Independent
- Friendly
9. Things I cannot do:
- Curl my tongue (all my children can do it--even my 3-yr. old
- Parachute out of a plane
- Live in the jungle
10. Things I think you should listen to:
- God's voice
- Sophie singing "Senor, Tu Me Llamas"
- Bluegrass!
11. Things you should not listen to:
- Chavez blah blah blah
- Regueton
- MSM
12. Things I'd like to learn:
- To play the violin
- To decorate like my mother-in-law
- To be consistent
13. Favorite foods:
- Margarita's hallacas
- Shrimp (Aaron's too!)
- Chocolate
14. Beverages I drink regularly:
- coffee
- diet pepsi
- water
15. Shows I watched as a kid:
- Mi Bella Genio (you know, the lady who blinked her eyes and made things happen)
- The Sound of Music
- El Chavo del Ocho
16. Three (okay, six) persons to tag:
- My three older kids
- Kim at River Rat
- Marallyn Ben Moshe
- My sister, Meredith