A "Hiking" Adventure

After 3 weekends of being impacted by IMPACT classes, we decided it was time to have a family fun Saturday! Theron got us Mountain Pass Memberships at Stone Mountain and we headed for the hills.
When we arrived we checked out the new 4-D movie which was very intense. Then after lunch, we all agreed to try the newest addition - Sky Hike.

It doesn't really look too bad and the people on it seem to be having fun. They put a harness on you and you are attached to a track above you, so you can't fall.

The line wasn't this long, so we did not have to wait 90 minutes.

Nor did we have to wait 60 minutes.

This is where our wait started. We also had to take off all loose articles and store them in a locker.

Hannah contemplating the heights. I asked if she was nervous. She said she was and I confessed the same. But, hey, we can do this! Look at all those other people doing it. I saw one lady back out after only one section. I thought, "That's good to know you can do that, but I think we'll make it around at least the first level."

We're moving forward. Only 30 minutes to go. Josiah is excited and shows no indication of being afraid. The first level is only 12 feet from the ground. That doesn't sound too bad.

I took all these pictures before I had to put my camera in the locker, so past this point it is left up to your imagination. The line inched forward to the place where we finally got geared up. Then we stood in another line. We were all ready. Hannah and I would go first, with Josiah and Theron behind us. When it was our turn, they hooked a rope to our harness and we climbed the stairs to the first level and waited some more. Hannah's rope was attached overhead and then mine and I helped guide her rope through the track to our first "Sky Hike" walk. There are two walks side by side, so she chose one and I took the other. I encouraged her along and we made it to the first platform. Whew! Alright! We did it! Theron and Josiah came shortly after. We waited for the next platform to clear, and as we stood there . . . someone spoke what we were all feeling, "This is scarier than I thought." Then another voice shakily said, "Yeah." I squatted down, both to speak face to face assurance and to calm my own shaking knees.

The kids and I knew we had had enough and had nothing to prove. Maybe we'll conquer our fear of heights another day. Theron, on the other hand, ventured on. . . one more walk, and then turned around to make sure we made it down safely. He did confess that the rope on the next walk was kind of shaky.
We decided to stick to the much tamer ropes course for now. The kids had a blast on this and went through several times.

The first time around Josiah did not want to do the zip line, but the second time he was all for it.

There Hannah goes!

Josiah did a bit of swinging. Oops, is that against the rules?

He sure likes to climb! Just not too high.

They did the rock climbing wall, too. Neither one went to the top, but they sure enjoyed going as high as they were comfortable.

Hannah acts like a pro! Yes, you can climb in a dress as long as you have the right attire underneath. Don't know how she climbs in those boots, though.

Exploring India

Ever since a neighbor introduced me to the spice and flavor of Indian food, I have been hooked. Our two weeks in India was a perfect opportunity to try out some recipes.

For starters, I made Spicy Fried Fish (Muchli Masala) and Curried Chickpeas (Channa Dal), with a crispy bread that I forget the name of at the moment.

One day, I cooked Yogurt Chicken (Murg Dahi) and Potatoes and Peas (Aloo Matar), but did not get a picture of that.

These are ground beef kabobs (Kabob Masala). They were good with rice.

We enjoyed reading about Amy Carmichael and her work with the children of India. She was a young woman from Ireland when she ventured onto the mission field. After going to China then Japan, the Lord finally led her to India and that is where she spent the rest of her life totally devoted to Him. She began a group called the Starry Cluster, which was a group of women who went around telling others about Jesus. Eventually young girls started coming to Amy for refuge and the Starry Cluster built a home for them and raised them. Amy was a mother to many even though she never married. Later, boys were also sent to her and new rooms were added.

A hospital was also built, thus providing care and job training for the children she had raised. It was an amazing story of Amy's faith and God's provision.

China, here we come!

Officially 6!

March 12th, 2004 is a day I remember well. A bundle of joy came into my life and we named him Josiah. Daddy was proud and Hannah excited to be a big sister. Now, he is six years old and outgrowing me calling him my baby.

He woke this morning to his big present from Mom and Dad - Planet Heroes Headquarters. Even though he knew what is was (he was with me when I bought it, because I found it on sale at Big Lots and did not want to wait to buy it since it was such a good price there might not be any next time I came to the store), he acted quite happy to see it.


I put it together and he and Hannah enjoyed it for some time, before we had to head out to the store to get eggs to make the cake, and some other things.

We picked up a frozen pizza and topped it with turkey pepperoni for lunch. Then I started on the cake. Josiah had requested only one friend to come over for his birthday. He arrived and brought two of his sisters for Hannah to play with.

The kids had a great time playing while I finished the cake, allowing Josiah to help put the finishing touches on - Sprinkles! He chose to pile them in one spot in the middle of the cake
and put the number 6 candle right in the middle of that. Wow, I never would have thought of doing it that way. :-)

The cake was good, except for when you got a big bite of sprinkles. Ha! Ha!
Rain poured outside, but it did not dampen Josiah's fun.
Happy Birthday, Son!

Speechless Sunday

Listen for the still small voice.
Look for the tiny miracles.
Linger in the awe of Him.

Exploring Saudi Arabia

It seems like it was a quick two weeks in Saudi Arabia. We learned about deserts, since this country is mostly a desert peninsula. We learned the difference in a dromedary and a bactrian camel. We also learned about other animals that live and survive on very little water.
We had some warm days where the kids could go out and play in the sand as part of school.

Today, as part of our final lesson, Hannah made hummus, a typical middle-eastern dish that I like.
I cooked the chick-peas for her and she did the rest. After it was ready, she put it in a dish and placed pita bread around it.

Then she did a little more with celery leaves and chick-peas! We all tasted it and it was good. Hannah even decided that she liked it for the first time.

Next week, we travel to India.

Looking forward to Spring

Busy hands flipped through old magazines.

Careful hands cut out chosen pieces.

Creative mind comes up with a plan.

Nimble fingers brush on glue and apply expression.

Hopeful eyes watch for life. . .

to spring forth . . .



from chickpea "eggs"!

It only took a few days to see them start to emerge!

Good little chickies.

Recipes

SCONES

(I used a heart shaped cookie cutter)

2 cups of flour

1 T baking powder

2 T sugar

1/2 t salt

6 T butter

1/2 to 3/4 cup buttermilk

lightly beaten egg

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles course cornmeal. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk (start with 1/2 cup and add more if still too dry).

Dough should be a bit sticky. Don't over-mix! The secret to tender scones is a minimum of handling, both in the mixing and the shaping phases.Turn onto a floured surface and shape into a 6-8" round about 1.5 inches think. Cut with sharp biscuit or cookie cutters and place on ungreased baking sheet. Make sure the edges don't touch each other. Brush lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle top with a bit of sugar, if desired. Bake at 425 for 10 - 20 minutes, until brown on top.
( I had to double this recipe to get a dozen)

SANTA FE SOUP

(We like to eat this with sour cream and shredded cheese, with corn tortilla chips on the side)

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained

3 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can pinto beans, undrained

1 can kidney beans, undrained

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix

Combine all ingredients.

Heat thoroughly. Simmer 20 minutes or more.