Life, Love, and Laughter in a Large Family

Christmas Letter 2014

2015-01-04T19:28:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas 2014

We have had a full exciting year. Jeff continues to pastor at Faith Baptist Church. The church continues to grow both numerically, spiritually, and physically with a new addition that will be a wonderful space for ministry when complete. He enjoyed our family vacation to a cottage in Indianapolis where he could read and relax.

The Denim Project has taken up most of Lori's free time in 2014. Non-profit status has been acquired and we currently employ 5 Haitian women. Lori substitute teaches to subsidize her non-profit work and is loving her work. This year she took three trips to Haiti, cut thousands of pairs of jeans, created a variety of products,and is looking forward to what God has in store next for The Denim Project. Our website is up and running @ denimproject.org.

JP completed his military service in May. He remained in Georgia, where he is pursuing his education at Western Georgia Tech and his girlfriend, Courtney.

Kezia continues her education at Augustana College and her relationship with Cole. She will graduate in May. She currently works at Scheels and Dow Rummel.

Tirzah is working toward her LPN degree from NCC. She is a CNA @ Lyon Manor. Her boyfriend, Ben Starr, leaves for Marine basic training Dec. 15. 

Jericho is a senior and just completed his final football season. He is working hard in his classes and plans to pursue a degree in Land Surveying or Engineering.

Lacey, a Junior, had the lead in High School Musical and is continuing her artistic pursuits in band, choir, art, and speech. She works part time at Sunshine.

Justus, a freshman, enjoys high school. He participates in Quiz Bowl, Mock Trial, the fall musical, and Speech. He works at Lyon Manor as a dietary aide.

Jadon has entered the exciting world of school sports: cross country, basketball and track. He likes to play video games and shoot his bb gun in his free time.

Selah is in 4th grade and enjoys a very active social life. In her free time, she enjoys basketball, cheer dance, and volleyball.

Gracia keeps us on our toes as a 4 year old with boundless energy. She is truly the "baby" of the family and relishes her role.

2015 is a blank slate awaiting the next chapter of our lives. 

May God Bless and Keep You in 2015

Book Review: The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

2014-10-13T12:53:00.001-05:00

The Civil War has ended and folks in West Virginia are slowly putting their lives back together. Laura and her mother are hoping for fresh start with the sale of the family brickyard. Laura is also looking for love, but has she found it with man she is currently courting or is she settling for the only man she thinks will accept her as is?

Ewan McKay is anxious to begin work as part owner of the brickyard, but one disaster after another threatens his opportunity in a new country.

With Laura's help, Ewan makes a good start at the brickyard, but it seems his uncle Hugh is thwarting his every decision and compounding the damage with poor choices of his own.

Contracts are coming due as are loan repayments. Will Ewan be able to keep the brickyard going? Will Ewan lose everything?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Brickmaker's Bride. Set in the south and during the post-Civil War Era, I found the details of the land and customs fascinating. I also enjoyed the many twists and turns Miller put in the story-line which kept the reader guessing what might happen next.

As a Christian myself, I appreciate books in which the message of Christ comes through--his love, his grace, his care for his children. Miller did a great job sharing God's love through the pages of The Brickmaker's Bride.

To find out more about Judith Miller and the many books she has written, click here.

Reading and Reviewing as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Wordless Wednesday: Anttionise

2014-10-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Anttionise grew up in Marmalade.

She has 4 sisters and two brothers.

At the age of ten, she moved to Minotree to live with her aunt because her mother and father couldn't provide for their large family. Her mother and father worked hard in a garden. But that work wouldn't pay the bills.

Anttionise was able to attend school up to 6th grade,

after that her aunt couldn't afford to pay for schooling anymore.

Anttionise got maried at age 20 and had her first daughter. After three children and ten years her husband was murdered.

A few years after that Anttionise remarried and had two more children.That husband left her after the announcement of her last pregnancy. Leaving her with four children and one more on the way.

Since then the little one has arrived and she is struggling to provide for her family.

At The Denim Project, there is an opportunity to provide training and a work for Anttionise. If you would like to be a part of job creation and orphan prevention with The Denim Project, click here.

Working to end poverty on family at a time,
Lori

Linking up with:
Wordless Wednesday
The Jenny Evolution
Mama to 5 Blessings
5 Minutes for Mom

Sponsor An Entrepreneur: Anttionise

2014-10-07T12:25:00.002-05:00

Are you looking for a way to help a family in need this holiday season?

Attionise is desperately in need of a job to provide for her 5 children. You can read her story at The Denim Project.

I am heading to Haiti on November 4th and would love to be able to take her a treadle sewing machine and teach her the basics of how to sew while I am there.

If you would like to
Sponsor this Entrepreneur, go here.

We cannot help everyone, but we can help one.

Seeing a need and filling a need one person at a time,
Lori

Book Review: Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering

2014-09-10T22:35:00.003-05:00

Wedding Bells are on the horizon for Drew Farthering and Madeline Parker until an old flame comes to dinner. Fleur Landis drops a bombshell when she begs Drew to help clear her name in the murder of the lead actor from her old troupe. As bodies pile up, and Drew is pulled further into the mystery and into contact with her former girlfriend, Madeline Parker begins having second doubts about their upcoming marriage.

Can Drew solve the murder before Fleur ends up in prison? Will his engagement survive his investigation?

Wow! I really enjoyed this series. Set in the early 1900's England , this mystery series takes a look at how to solve murders and any love life crisis head on. The characters are unique in Christian fiction and their method of solving crimes is quite unorthodox. Taking a page out of period mystery novels, Deerings characters use what they've read to solve crimes and often land themselves in hot water.

I was able to read book 1 Rules of Murder as a reviewer and enjoyed the book immensely so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read Murder at the Mikado Book 3 in the Drew Farthering Series.

For more information on the Drew Farthering books, click here.

Book Review: Truth Be Told by Carol Cox

2014-07-08T08:54:00.004-05:00

Amelia Wagner loves the newspaper business, but when her father passes away suddenly leaving her with a bustling business and a mystery to boot she finds herself in over her head. Searching for the truth can be deadly.

Ben Stone is sure that Amelia has it all wrong about the Great Western Investment Company and woos her in an attempt to change her opinion of his employer and their practices. As he searches for evidence to prove her wrong, Ben uncovers more truth than he ever expected to find.

Can Ben and Amelia uncover the truth before it is buried forever...or they are?

Carol Cox brings historical fiction to life in Arizona in the early 1900's: a time of settlement, development, and a fair amount of lawlessness. Pulling together historical information on the journalism before cell phones and technology along with the adventure and challenges found in settling a new land, Cox tells a tale off intrigue, romance, and truth. For more on Carol Cox and her writings, go here.

Read on as you live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Lost in a Flood

2014-06-27T08:54:00.001-05:00

Joining up with Lisa Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday. Where we write for 5 minutes on the topic of the week. 5 minutes of writing without stopping, editing, or correcting. Just pouring out thoughts and feelings, words and sentences on this weeks word: Lost.

Ready...

Set...

Write....

Lost in the blink of an eye. One minute the rains are pouring down outside the windows, the next the rushing waters are flooding in through backed up storm drains and sliding glass doors. Dry roads turn into churning rivers unexpectedly. The rains continue. A dam breaks and the river crests at double the height of flood stage raging waters rushing in, around and through whatever stands in its path. Flood waters pour over roads, wash through parks, tear down fences, and weave a path of destruction through our small town.

Lost in the flood.

Things

Furniture

Toys

Carpet

Vehicles

Photos

Books

Heirlooms

Electronics

Things

Working

Orderly or not so orderly

functioning

one minute and then next...

sopping wet

soaked and dripping as they are carried from basement to garage and then on to the curb

smelly and faded

moldy and ruined

Many THINGS were lost in the flood: homes, property, livestock, crops, but thankfully no lives...

and in the process of working through the flood and recovering from it many more important things were FOUND

FOUND:

Community bonding together. Working night and day to shore up defenses to guard against more flooding

Selflessness as people put aside work, vacations, and family time to work alongside their neighbors salvaging what could be saved and cleaning out what couldn't

Compassion: neighbors standing beside one another, sharing the burdens, comforting one another in their shared loss

Generosity: outpouring of material goods to replace those lost, a flood of clean water and food to nourish the exhausted as they continued working on

Hope: we hear far to often about the deterioration of our youth, but we saw young people from our community working long hours with great attitudes and unquenchable enthusiasm to help one person after another in need.

When a disaster strikes, much is LOST, but thankfully,

much can be FOUND when our eyes are willing to see.

Thankful beyond words for those who have been Christ's hands and feet through this disaster.

Wet or Dry we can still live, love and laugh,

Lori

If you would like to donate to the disaster relief fund set up for Lyon County, here is the Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/LyonCountyDisasterRelief

Fun at the Farm

2014-06-11T08:33:00.000-05:00

A visit with family yielded pictures galore for this Wordless Wednesday post. I love these memory capturing shots. Proof that kids who once fought incessantly grow up to be good friends. Have a great Wednesday.

One of my most favorite photos!

As if the ranger and four wheeler weren't enough fun, Richard brought out the tractor

for more riding adventure. It was like a carnival! The kids had a ball.

Way Down in the Valley OOOOOO

Cherishing the memories as we live, love, and laugh,
Lori

DIY: Super Simple Maxi Skirt

2014-06-10T09:54:00.002-05:00

My 9 year old wanted a maxi skirt this season and we found them at Target at one point, but by the time I was ready to buy one they were gone. So I went searching online and found they are a bit spendy. While searching for a skirt to buy, I ran across several patterns for adult maxi skirts and figured I could probably make one for each of my daughters.

So I bought knit fabric off ebay and went to work.

I washed and dried the fabric first to make sure the finished product wouldn't shrink.

Step 1: Measure waist and leg length (from waist) for intended individual.
For example, I am making child's skirt size 5-ish.
Waist is 21 inches and length is 23 inches.
I will add one inch to both measurements for a seam allowance and hemming.
For this demonstration, I made a pattern out of white paper, but you can easily eyeball this and go with the measurements.

After cutting out the pattern or skirt, be sure to curve the edges of the fabric up or it will lay funny. As you can see in the photo above, I simply curved the NON-FOLDED EDGE up.

Step 2: Take washed fabric and fold in half. I lay the open pattern on top of the folded fabric to get the width correct as the bottom of the skirt is much wider than the top.
I have made skirts both on the bias and opposite the bias and they have turned out fine. You will want to make sure you go with the print so when sewn it is going the proper direction.

Then fold the fabric and pattern in half again.

Cut around pattern. Making sure to cut three inches straight down at the waist and then angle out for the skirt. This will give you a nice flat laying waist band.

unfold fabric

Step 3: Turn fabric so right sides are together, and, if you want, pin right sides together.

This seam is very simple pinning is not really necessary.

(If you start with the fabric folded inside out you can save yourself this step.)

Step 4: Sew side seams 1/2 inch in. I use a straight stitch. I did NOT zigzag the edges as the knit fabric tends to bunch when I tried it on one of the skirts I made for the girls so I simply take a larger seam to start with and use a smaller straight stitch for a strong seam.

Step 5: Fold waist band down 11/2 inches (be sure to fold this so this toward the inside of the skirt.)

At this point, feel free to try it on your little one to make sure the waist is the right size.

You can easily take it in if it is too big.

Step 6: Sew waistband down with a zigzag stitch. You are welcome to fold the hem under if you like, but I just stitch it as is. It lays flat and looks clean. The knit fabric doesn't ravel and even after several washings it looks great.

Step 7: Now it is time to hem the skirt. If you want the skirt a certain length on your little, have her try it on and pin at the seam the amount to be taken up. Otherwise simply roll the hem once or twice to finish the edge, and sew with a zigzag stitch. If you stretch the fabric a bit as you sew it will ruffle a bit and look absolutely adorable.

Finished! This skirt is so simple I have made 8 of them as I am just a little compulsive.

Selah and Gracia wear them for play, church, and school.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments below and I will do my best to answer, but seriously if I can do this...so can you. Have fun with it and I would love to see a photo of your little one in her maxi skirt.

Enjoying this great rainy day project as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Book Review: Undetected by Dee Henderson

2014-05-23T12:17:00.001-05:00

Commander Mark Bishop leads a low profile life on shore, but his job at sea keeps him on his toes. Intense 90-day rotations at sea and serious training workouts and repair oversight keep Bishop at high alert. Working for the United States Navy, Mark Bishop loves his job, but is looking to expand his personal life. A widower for several years, Bishop is ready to look for a new love interest~someone to spend his days and nights with, someone to be waiting when his submarine comes into port, someone to share his life!

Gina Gray is too smart for her own social life or so she's beginning to think. Coming out of her third serious relationship, Gray is ready for a fresh perspective and new scenery. Her new ideas in ocean science research lead her to move in with her brother, Jeff, and work at the local Naval Base. Her new discoveries will help keep her brother and all submariners safer...unless they fall into the wrong hands. Ready for love, Gina turns to her brother for dating recommendations.

Will Mark Bishop find the woman who understands the demands of his job and is willing to love him anyway?
Will Gina find a man who is not intimidated by her genius?

I love Dee Henderson's writing. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review her book, Undetected as I had reviewed Unspoken a while back and eagerly anticipated another novel by Henderson. Henderson writes fiction in the most believable of ways so one feels as though the characters are people one could actually meet. I enjoy her personal tone and insightful storyline. If you are looking for great fiction with tension, humor, and a love story, then Dee Henderson's novels are for you.

Reading as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Wordless Wednesday: The Denim Project Haiti

2014-05-14T11:43:00.000-05:00

Missing these sweet friends as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Book Review: Love Come Calling by Siri Mitchell

2014-05-13T13:01:00.003-05:00

Ellis Elton wants to be happy and successful. She doesn't want to disappoint her parents, teachers, or friends, but she just can't seem to do anything right. Maybe she should just leave for Hollywood as she has been dreaming of for years and years? Ellis would head out in a heartbeat if she hadn't spent all of her allowance this past year...every purchase seemed important as the time, but how could she earn enough to start a new life on the otherside of country?

When her doppleganger asks for a favor-a short stint doing her job as a telephone operator to help her keep her job-Ellis imagines her money woes are over and imagines playing the role of a lifetime to earn the money needed to launch her acting career, but upon learning the ropes of a new job, Ellis also learns a dear friend, Griffin Phillips, is in danger.

While maintaining her secret life working for her friend and her real life with her family and friends gets tricky, trying to figure out how to save her friends life becomes even more complicated especially since she doesn't know who to trust.

Siri Mitchell takes us on an exciting adventure into the world of speakeasies, the life of a telephone operator, and the lifestyles of the rich during the 20's. Dealing with issues of drinking, disparities of lifestyle, and poor working conditions, Mitchell creates endearing characters and an intriguing storyline. For more information on other books by Siri Mitchell, check out her website.

Reading on as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Flat Selah and Flat Gracia Visit a Haitian Market

2014-05-13T12:49:00.003-05:00

Wow! I cannot believe I never published these great Flat Selah and Flat Gracia photos. Here we are at market. What a fascinating experience. We were shopping for items for Viergela's home and traveled from shop to shop acquiring everything from rice and beans to silverware, mortar and pestle and other sundries. After three trips to Haiti, this was my first trip to market. It was very crowded and without a guide I would not have found any of the items we needed. We were very thankful for Nene who helped us navigate market day in Caberet.

Here is Flat Selah with the washing soaps and powders.

Bags of rice, beans, and other staples fill the aisles.

We traveled to a hardware store to purchase still more items to make a bed to keep the mattress up off the floor. These sweet school children were more than happy to pose with Flat Selah and Flat Gracia if it meant they got their photo taken.

Can you find Flat Selah and Flat Gracia among the tools displayed on the wall. This is how you shop the hardware store in Haiti. You let them know which one you want, you pay for it, and then you drive to another location where all of the supplies are kept and give them your receipt and they bring you the items you purchased.

Here is Flat Selah at the picking up our order.

Flat Gracia riding in the back of the Cantor. Very fun, but we had to hold on tight so she didn't blow away.

Flat Selah and Flat Gracia braved the smell and the unique look of these fish and gamely had their photo taken. You can find most anything at market!

Living life to the full with love and laughter,
Lori

Now I Know Why...

2014-03-31T13:13:00.001-05:00

Now I know why little old ladies come up to mothers of young children and say, "Enjoy it, dear. I so miss those days."

I get it.

I like to think I've gotten it for a long time, but I think I sort of spaced it out between when kids 5 and 6 arrived and didn't really check back in until number 8. I was busy...I mean crazy busy, but still in the back of my mind I knew those were the best of times.

The times when we were all together as a family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When the kids went to bed at night in their rooms in my home and I knew exactly where they were~even if it was screaming bloody murder because they didn't want to go to sleep or sneaking out of bed for a drink or a book or a last hug from mommy. I knew right where they were and what they were up to.

Walking through a store or into a restaurant, my children made a line like little ducklings following me.

Sitting on the couch, reading a book, and the kids are sprawled six ways from Sunday around the living room "reading" their own books~looking at pictures, sharing quotes, and reading parts aloud to each other.

When the biggest problem of the day was a scraped knee or a disagreement over who's turn it was to pick a movie.

Those times when my brain had turned to oatmeal from too many episodes of Blues Clues.

I have three kids graduated and moved out and I miss those days. The crazy busy, temper-tantrum throwing, free hug giving, food filled flooring, dirty diaper changing, little mind educating days.

I am so thankful I still have a three year old at home. A little one who makes messes and sings silly songs, asks for stories and snuggles, and generally makes me sit down and pay attention to her little life.

And I do know why, little old lady in Target, you want me to enjoy these days...

because you've lived my future:

you've watched from afar as your adult children have lived their lives with all the good and the bad that comes with it~the new job, new wife, new baby, new home, first firing, first major illness, loss of a child, or other life altering challenges.

When your children have moved out and live their lives fully, yet apart from yours...which, yes, is what we raise them to do, but it is hard to not have them close...to hug them when we want, and kiss away the hurts, and tuck them into bed at night.

When their dreams clash with reality and you as a parent have absolutely no control over the outcome, no easy answers, and are too far away to just wrap them in your arms and hug them.

Don't get me wrong. I like being 40 something and having grown children. I enjoy the freedom of built in babysitters and kids who can carry on an intelligent conversation. These things are good, but little old lady in Target. I get it. Thanks for the reminder. Some days...I really need it.

Enjoying the dream as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

Wordless Wednesday: The Denim Project

2014-03-05T07:02:00.000-06:00

Here are just a few of the many photos taken while we were in Haiti in January setting up The Denim Project. We had an amazing week and accomplished more than I thought we would. I hope you enjoy the photos on this Wordless Wednesday post.

We had a boxload of cloth diapers donated for the orphanage and a few
of them needed some minor repair on the velcro. I had a great time
sewing under my own power using the treadle machine.

Nadia working on cloth diaper repairs.

Tirzah holding a Joann's sweet daughter, Joanna, as we taught the women how to use the treadle machines.

Getting ready to take Viergalus and her children to their new home. What an emotional week as the Lord had prepared in advance a home for this family that was ready just a few short days after their other home burned to the ground.

Loving the memories as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Linking up with:
Wordless Wednesday
The Jenny Evolution

Flat Selah and Flat Gracia On Mission to Haiti

2014-03-03T14:59:00.001-06:00

Flat Selah and Flat Gracia are ready to embark on their first ever trip to Haiti. They anxiously awaited the first flight at the Sioux City airport and then gladly hopped into their traveling compartments as word came it was time to board the plane.

Flat Selah traveled in the John Grisham book I was reading.

Flat Gracia hopped into Lacey's bag along with her passport, cell phone, and airline tickets.

Getting settled didn't take long

Flat Gracia was a great little traveler willingly getting into her seat although the seat belt did not fit exactly right.

Since our flight left at 0dark:30 we enjoyed a beautiful view of the sunrise from 30,000 ft.

The girls enjoyed their morning refreshments on our short hop to Chicago.

In Chicago, we were greeted with mounds of snow and a cold blustery wind. Thankfully we only had a short layover before moving on to warmer climes.

Our next hop brought us to sunny Florida and the temperature change was immediately noticed. Our summer attire seemed much more appropriate in 70 degree temps we enjoyed here.

Finally our last flight landed us in Haiti.

We enjoyed beautiful views from our second floor team room: the mountains,

the carribean,

the playground and more of the carribean

and the garden at Tytoo.

Great times were afoot and Flat Selah and Flat Gracia were ready for whatever adventure came their way.

Relishing the memories as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Flat Selah and Flat Gracia Take a Walk

2014-03-03T14:49:00.001-06:00

Traveling in Haiti takes many forms, flying, driving, riding and walking. We took a little time one day to walk to the house we were working on. The warm temperatures, lush foilage, and cool sea breeze offered a sweet respite in between jobs. The following are several pictures taken of Flat Selah and Flat Gracia who willingly jumped into whatever photo opportunity happened our way: greenery, gardens, motos, or donkeys~they were ready for every adventure. Check out all the cool things we saw on this day...

Lovely blossoms getting ready to burst into bloom along the slowly moving river.

Flat Gracia hiding in the banana flower.

I didn't realize bananas grew up!

Apparently in some countries the banana flower is also eaten, but no one we talked to in Haiti was familiar with the process of preparation.

Flat Selah wasn't quite as excited to hop into a banana tree, but she did it for her crazy mom.

Beautiful flowers and their wonderful fragrance were prolific at this time of year on our walk.

Here is the local grocery store. A lot of stock was packed into this small store providing a local shopping opportunity to many who have only their feet for transportation.

Nene graciously took a break from working on the rock wall he was building for his house to snap a photo with Flat Selah and Flat Gracia. Nene works with Tirzah at Tytoo Gardens Orphanage.

Everywhere you go in Simonette, Haiti there is another breathtaking view of the Carribean.

Sugar cane grows very well in the sandy soil of Haiti,

and was a great place for Flat Gracia to "hide" while on our walk.

We had the thrilling opportunity to ride on a moto. There were three adults riding along on this

machine with Flat Gracia and Flat Selah.

Another mode of transportation in Haiti, the donkey.

What a wonderful day. I am certainly missing the warmth of Haiti as we endure another freezing cold day here in Iowa...someday it will be warm again...someday.

Shivering as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Flat Selah Visits Bath

2014-01-25T20:29:00.001-06:00

Flat Selah is off on another adventure traveling in England this time. She took a bus ride to Bath.

Flat Selah just off the bus in Bath. She can hardly wait to see the sights of this renown vacation getaway of literature from days gone by.

A shout out from Flat Selah to all

you bibliophiles: this is where Jane Austen

lived when she wrote Northanger Abbey.

Flat Selah learned that these Georgian style homes

have windows stoned in because there used to be

a window tax. People could save money

by having fewer windows.

All three styles of columns can be found on these buildings on the Circus.

Can you help Flat Selah name them?

*Answer below*

Bath Abbey was the last Gothic Cathedral built in England.

Flat Selah is amazed!

Flat Selah enjoying the view from the terrace.

Flat Selah checking out make up for the ancient Romans.

Flat Selah was allowed to touch everything in the Roman Baths

...except the water because its not safe to drink.

Another great adventure off to a great start.

Traveling vicariously with my great friend as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

*Doric, Ionic, Corinthian~from bottom to top

Five Minute Friday: VISIT

2014-01-24T08:45:00.003-06:00

Five Minute Friday comes around weekly, but I don't seem to jump on board as often as I should. I am vowing to get back into the swing of things today and work on my writing...not just in the work areas where I HAVE to write, but in the areas I like best~the fun, creative writing. Today's topic is visit. If you like to write and have been looking for a regular way to kick start your creative juices, hop on board the Five Minute Friday express, and write for 5 minutes...no editing, no overthinking, just pour your should on the page concerning the topic of the week.

Ready

Set.

Write.

Visit. THE visit. THE trip. The longing of living one place and leaving a piece of your heart in another.

I leave Sunday for my home away from home: Haiti. I can hardly wait to see all the precious ones who've stolen my heart and intertwined their fingers with mine. Intertwining their little lives of loss, deprivation, poverty, faith, hope, and joy with my life of excess and greed and want and forgiveness and love and new opportunities. We are all children of second chances because we love THE God of second chances.

The God who loves us so much He sent his One and only son to live as a man and die on a cruel cross to take away my sin, and PRAISE HIM, HE rose again, that I can life everlasting. That you can have life everlasting. So I can serve Him faithfully in the big and little ways.

So I can visit orphans and widows in their affliction.

Visit.

Smiling today as I live, love, and laugh.
Lori

Flat Selah's Last Day

2014-01-20T18:07:00.000-06:00

Flat Selah's last day in Italy was jam packed and fairly flew by: fascinating breakfast foods, visually interesting numerals, gorgeous views, and fruit fresh for the picking. Come along and see what Flat enjoyed on her final few hours in Sorrento and Naples.

Along with typical American and European breakfast fare, Flat Selah loves the fact that it's never too early for torta (cake) in Italy.

Flat Selah noticed that the number 1 looks really cool in Europe.

Don't stand too close to the edge, Flat Selah.

Check out the four story drop to the old city and aquaduct system.

Flat Selah watched this guy make pizza in Naples.

Orange and lemon trees line the streets of Sorrento.

Karis gave Flat Selah a boost so she could pick one.

Flat Selah by the sea Cloudy outside today.

We walked into several churches this weekend.

Flat Selah really enjoyed this one in Sorrento.

Passport ready to leave Italy.

One last gelato...

A little sad to see it end, but who knows where Flat Selah will turn up next.

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of Flat Selah Travels the world!

Having so much fun with this as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Flat Selah's Sweet Suite

2014-01-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

After arriving in Italy, Flat Selah's party found there had been a snafu with their rooms. The hotel they had reserved was overbooked and offered to put them up at the hotel of their choice. I would say they chose well.

See the photos below and let me know what you think. If I ever travel to Italy, I would wish to have a similar mix-up with my hotel reservations.

Flat Selah really wanted to go swimming this morning, but its a bit chilly.

Amazing hotel!!!!

Doesnt this look like something from a scene

in one of the Pink Panther movies?

Impressive indoor pool at our hotel. Flat Selah was so excited!

This is the beautiful view from our hotel balcony

overlooking Sorrento and the Napoli Bay.

If it wasnt so cloudy, we would be able to see

Mt. Vesuvius right behind Flat Selah's head.

Waiting with bated breath for Flat Selah's next installment as I live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Flat Selah: Pompeii and Gelato

2014-01-19T21:35:00.001-06:00

Here is my wonderful friend, Casey Pitts who is gamely traipsing around Italy with my darling daughter's 3 dimensionally challenged alter-ego, Flat Selah. They are having a blast and I must say, "I wish I was there," but seeing Flat Selah at so many historical monuments brings a big smile.

these fingers were not made
for anything beyond more
complicated than
the princess wave.

Read below about Flat Selah's adventures touring Pompeii and eating her weight in gelato. Casey narrates for Flat Selah who has difficulty typing with her Barbie style fingers.

Flat Selah visited Pompeii today. This is the amphitheatre.

Flat Selah was shocked to discover how large Pompeii was!

Here she is next to a modest home on one of the main streets.

Flat Selah took this picture on the Amalfi coast drive to Positano.

She has some great photography skills with this iphone.

Notice the clouds on the mountain and the sun setting.

Way to go, Flat Selah!

Yes, Flat Selah really likes the gelato. This was in Sorrento.

Flat Selah got her own gelato.

Flat Selah learned the art of saying, "No, gratzie. I'm too young to drink."

We are attempting to have gelato after every meal. I dont think that's too much, do you?

Oh Flat Selah! You have outdone yourself.

Flat Selah loves her gelato All gone!

Tune in tomorrow for more Flat Selah Adventures in Italy.

Wishing for a little gelato as I Live, Love, and Laugh,

Lori

Flat Selah's Italian Adventure

2014-01-18T08:45:00.001-06:00

Flat Selah on the bus to the airport

My friend, Casey Pitts, currently lives in England. She has agreed to indulge my eccentricities and is taking Flat Selah on her adventures around the UK and Europe.

Flat Selah insisted that I show you how

she packed the car boot early this morning.

She was so proud of herself

This weekend, Flat Selah is traveling to Italy. Casey has attested to Flat Selah's travel savvy as she was packed in a punctual fashion and didn't complain once about her cramped space in the traveling compartment or the dark!

Flat Selah is waiting for the train in Naples.

They are traveling to Mt. Vesuvius and will be up close and personal with a volcano. Will Flat Selah stand her ground? Will she cut and run? Stay tuned for more of Flat Selah's Adventures in Europe.

Traveling the globe even it's only vicariously as we live, love, and laugh,

Lori

Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson

2013-12-18T09:07:00.001-06:00

Kieran Mullaney just wants the truth to come out. Money will not answer the questions surrounding the levels of radiation he was exposed to in a nuclear blast, and the Hanford Nuclear Facility Ownership refuses responsibility. Desperate times call for desperate measures and when Kieran's attorney resigns two months before trial, Kieran must call on an old friend.

Emily has been racing to build her career but is feeling the nagging questions of fulfillment and is in need of a change, but representing her college friend against a corporate giant isn't exactly what she had in mind. When she brings her father, Ryan, into the equation, old relationship issues surrounding her mother's death surface to make uncomfortable working conditions, but his expertise is invaluable in resolving the events of last fall.

With the clock ticking, will Kieran and Emily be able to unravel the mystery surrounding the explosion at Hanford? What lengths will the Hanford company go to keep the details under wraps?

Todd M. Johnson's debut novel, The Deposit Slip, received critical acclaim from publisher's weekly. His second novel lives up to the expectations set by the first. Detailed, suspenseful, with interesting characters, Critical Reaction is a modern read dealing with our worst fears, nuclear meltdown.

Reading on as I live, love, and laugh,
Lori

The Gift of Opportunity

2013-12-10T10:13:00.002-06:00

This Christmas Give the Gift of Opportunity

The Denim Project is set to launch in Haiti in January 2014. A building has been secured and entrepreneurs have been identified through Tytoo Gardens Orphanage's Starfish Program.

For $500, a Starfish Mommie can start her own sewing business.

Would you like to give the gift of opportunity this Christmas?

Your gift will equip her with a sewing machine, sewing table, chair, scissors, denim, fabric, thread and other necessities. By giving the money for these items, you are giving her tools to not only provide food, shelter, and clothing for herself and her children but hope for her future.

Give a Starfish Mommie the gift of opportunity this Christmas.

Send check or money order to:

The Denim Project 704 S. 12th Ave, Rock Rapids, IA 51246

Looking for ways to improve the human condition as I live,love, and laugh,

Lori

linking up with:
A Mama's Story