A Heartfelt Science Project

I am so proud of Sierra. She is almost finished with her big 5th grade science project. She has done a great job.

We went with an idea that we hoped would promote some kind of humanitarian effort. Sun cookers are used all over sub-Saharan Africa. They are advantageous because they require no fuel, can be done outside and without the danger of smoke inhalation, and they keep nutrients in the food being prepared. I think that we simplified because of time, and possibly our position globally, but we went with just water purification.

She took several days to conduct a series of tests to see which configuration worked the best. The wheelbarrow seemed to hold in the most heat, and within about 4 hours, she was able to obtain and sustain a temperature that would sanitize water to safe levels. Pretty cool.

I wish that we could take this simple project and find a way to get it where it's needed. There are certainly better ways, more complex ways, to provide clean water. But the fact that we made it in our driveway is just inspiring.

Please google sun cookers if you interested in this topic, and while you do, pray for the millions of people around the world who do not have access to safe drinking water. We are all thinking about Haiti right now, as we should. But before the quake, and in so many more places around the world, there is incredible need. Let your heart be moved to act, to give, to pray.

Happy New Year

We always go to the beach for New Year's. It's cheaper, less crowded, less pressure with not all activities available. It's also quiet and peaceful, even while we are busy moving. Our vacation bliss is not a lack of activity, but rather doing those activities that we really want to do. So we move a lot, but it still feels peaceful to us.

This year was different. The kids are older, they are more capable, they sleep on their own. It's just so much easier. And we've been doing and doing for a long time, while it's been hard, but this was so much better. We even got our own room this time! Now that's a big change!

I think our favorite things are simple. We love the heated pool. Summit and Venture were delighted to be able to touch the bottom of the 3'. We played with a toy torpedo, and my Serenity could dive for it. She has become such a little fish since last summer. Since we are there only once a year, the changes are so obvious.

They also love the lazy river. It's also nice and toasty, and it feels like a real river with a current. Ranger was delighted that he could touch the bottom and bop along in there on his own. He kept telling me that he was riding his invisible bike. We even let Sierra and Serenity go in the lazy river alone. Amazing how they are growing.

We also love to go on the beach. It was cold, colder than any other year, but there were times when it seemed to clear and warm up just for us. We fed the seagulls, which the kids renamed flying pigs because they are so pushy and piggy with each other. Everyone but Ranger fed them from their hands, and it was great to be surrounded by I don't know how many, maybe 100, maybe more, birds! Such sweet little squeals of joy in that activity!

The kids love to challenge the waves, running up to the edge of the surf and waiting to see if they can outrun it. With the tide coming in, they got caught a few times. It's more squealing, more laughing, more fun.

We play soccer on the beach, build sculptures in the sand, including a bunny this year. During down time in the room, we played Life and Bible Outburst and Jr. Monopoly and Twister. We ate simple food, almost all that we brought, and just enjoyed living there for a few days. And the Disney Store on the way home to spend Christmas money is always our caboose to the trip, and they love that too.

I always come home feeling very connected to each of the kids. They are happy and full, and I am too. I remember how easy it is to have fun with them when the pressure of homework and housework and lifework are removed. It's just easier when it is right in front of me what is important enough to warrant my time and effort. Work has to get done, but the fun has to be prioritized as well. It's a good reminder.

I think I knew we had achieved what we wanted when Venture gave me a sweet gift on the last night. We often play a game where I motion for him to come to me without saying anything and then I give him a kiss. He always rubs his cheek, and I tell him that he better be rubbing that kiss in and not off! But he usually tells me he's rubbing it off. Well, this time, I gave him a kiss goodnight, and he rubbed his little cheek and said that he was rubbing it in. Ah. That was a moment. Then Summit motioned for me to come to him the way I call him to me, gave me a kiss, reached up with his hand, rubbed my cheek, and said, "I'm rubbing it in Mommy." Ahhhhh. A great moment.

So many sweet moments. Playing and twirling and running with Serenity. Watching her create beautiful things out of sand and even styrofoam bowls, which she decorated for every family member to have a shell holder. And staying up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve with Sierra is always a delight. She always makes it, always does, and we just had so much fun. So great to ring in the new year together with her.

So I guess serving this new year's was all about the kids -- the holidays usually are. It was just great.

And then the next day, we received from the Lord as we celebrated 17 years of marriage. We are so blessed, and I am so grateful for all the time we have been given. It's just still a miracle to me.

So Happy New Year. Happy, happy, happy new year.