Without words

Ryan Woods is in his last days.  I have read the posts on facebook by many, including Ryan himself, over the last year or so, and know that words of encouragement, sorrow, and understanding are welcomed and embraced.  Yet somehow, I cannot say them.  It's too hard.  Too close to home.  I know what it's like to be in that vigil - awaiting something you dread, while still coveting the end of suffering.  Today they posted a sweet picture of Ryan's daughter India laying in bed with him watching something on a laptop...and my heart breaks because Ryan's facial expression is so like that of my mom's during that time.  The words that I know I should say are too hard to say, mostly because the words don't truly ease the pain of what is to come.  Only God can ease that pain. So, I continue to pray...

Words...

Today I am struggling with how to deal with teenagers who choose to use social media to harass, annoy, bully others...

These scriptures come to mind:
  
Ephesians 4: 29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. "

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 18 "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

These seem so clear.  

The grace of a little sunshine

The sun showed up for a bit today.  A small glimpse of poetry spewed forth.



Streams of sunlight awake my soul
and play upon the recesses of my imagination,
the light begging to be deeply imbedded in my memory
so that is is easily recalled in the days to come
which will be filled with bitter cold and gray.

Grandma's Hot Chocolate

There is a card in the recipe box at my house that has this recipe:

Hot Chocolate

1 box of instant milk
1 jar of Pream
17 oz Nestle's chocolate
1/2 box of powdered sugar

That's it.  No directions, nothing.  And what is "Pream"?

However, I can show this card to any of my nieces or my nephew, they would know exactly what it is.  It's Grandma's hot chocolate mix and WAY better than anything you can ever get out of a little bag.  I'm updating the recipe for you here - because I promise, you'll love it!

Gwen/Grandma's Hot Chocolate Mix

1 box of instant milk powder (the one that says it makes 8 quarts of milk)
1 11 oz. container of creamer - plain (the powdered kind)
20 oz Nestle's chocolate milk mix (the dry powdered stuff)
1 lb of powdered sugar

Mix together in a large bowl.  Save in a air-tight container.  I don't know how many servings it makes, but the recipe above fills my large Tupperware "thatsa" bowl. We generally add 3 - 4 heaping spoonfuls of the mix to hot/boiling water in a regular coffee mug.  

Please note: Try your mix and adjust ingredients as needed.  I'm a "little of this, little of that" kind of person, but I think the proportions above work well.  You can add mini-marshmallows if you want (or just keep a can of whipped cream available).  I'm also debating adding shaved dark chocolate pieces to my mix next time.

I promise it's fantastic.

And after delivery to my nieces, I promise that I will be the favorite aunt (at least for the day)!

Of making difficult choices that affect others

So - I am in super-planning mode for the Honduras Spring Break Mission Trip (just 8 weeks away). Planning for a group of 23+ is not an easy task. This week tickets must be purchased and a proposal to the mission committee at SW C of C must be completed.

However, what I agonized over last night werethe little things. Specifically two little things.

1. Airline seating arrangements
2. Hotel roommate assignments

Why are those two things so difficult? I always dread the disappointment on faces of teens when they realize they are not sitting by someone of their choosing, or when they realize they don't get to choose their room assignments for hotels. I don't know why I dread it so much, I just do.

Last night I finished the seating arrangements for our flight. I've finally figured out not to give the travel agent all of our names in alphabetical order (duh!). And, I actually made sure that no teen was stuck on a row with two adults. It was not the easiest task - but it is done. Like it or not people - you'll have to deal.

However, the hotel arrangements are a whole other story. So far there are three different drafts/possibilities. Unfortunately, as much as I plan ahead, there's a 95% chance that I'll have to rearrange after we arrive at one of the hotels. I think it's a conspiracy. Probably not - but sometimes it feels that way.

On a positive note: Only about 8 weeks until we leave. Specifically 58 days! WooHoo!