My Life in Color

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"Red protects itself. No other color is as territorial. It stakes a claim, is on the alert against the spectrum." - Derek Jarman

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? coke

What is your favorite item of this color? tomatoes or salsa

What is your least favorite item of this color? blood - as in, seeing blood - dr. offices/hospitals creep me out

"Blue is the only color which maintains its own character in all its tones. It will always stay blue; whereas yellow is blackened in its shades, and fades away when lightened. Red when darkened becomes brown, and diluted with white is no longer red, but another color - pink."- Raoul Dufy

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? the sky

What is your favorite item of this color? a clear sky

What is your least favorite item of this color? I can't think of anything...

"How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun." - Vincent Van Gogh

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? giraffe

What is your favorite item of this color? lemonade

What is your least favorite item of this color? bananas

“When you are green you’re growing…” – Ray Kroc

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? grass

What is your favorite item of this color? salad

What is your least favorite item of this color? those green mints you get after your meal at Olive Garden

"Orange is the happiest color." - Frank Sinatra

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? the sun

What is your favorite item of this color? an orange (the fruit)

What is your least favorite item of this color? hmm...maybe habaneros...

"Nothing is more pleasant than to utter a pink word and see someone's eyes light up." - Gladys Tabor

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? cotton candy

What is your favorite item of this color? strawberry ice cream

What is your least favorite item of this color? strawberry milk

"The moon is essentially gray, no color. It looks like plaster of paris, like dirty beach sand with lots of footprints on it." - James A. Lovell

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? hair

What is your favorite item of this color? hmm... I have a gray skirt I really like :)

What is your least favorite item of this color? the little gray hairs that keep popping up on my head. UGH!

"Working in white makes people look into it. White is ethereal." - Jonathan Milne

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? paper

What is your favorite item of this color? I love the citron (lemon) sorbet you can get here and it's white.

What is your least favorite item of this color? the stack of white papers I have to grade, but put off 'til this weekend :)

"Time moves slowly, but passes quickly." - Alice Walker from The Color Purple

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? Violet from Willy Wonka :)

What is your favorite item of this color? grape soda

What is your least favorite item of this color? grape juice

"The color, brown, is anything but nondescript. It comes in as many hues as there are colors of earth." - Barbara Kingsolver

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this color? mud

What is your favorite item of this color? obama ice cream in Dakar - yum!

What is your least favorite item of this color? sand/dirt/mud

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The 101st Dear _____ Post

Dear Lessons from my Students, You're the topic of a blog post I wrote for Skybridge, an online blog community. Want to read it? Click here.

Dear Junior Carnival, You happened at school yesterday. The juniors did a great job! Everything turned out great and it seemed like everyone there was having a great time!

Dear Spring Break, We only have this coming week of classes and then you'll be here! I can't wait!

Dear Jackie Robinson, You're the topic of the research project some of my older students will be doing next week. I'm learning so much.

Dear Pumpkin Soup, I made you the other night and you turned out sooo good!

Dear Cutest Book Ever, You're what we mailed to two sweet friends who had to make an emergency trip back to the Stares due to a health concern with their mom. Our elementary kids totally blew me away and blessed my heart with their sweet notes as pictures for their friends.

Dear Daisy, You were just a chatting in the background when I was talking to my mom on Skype yesterday. I loved hearing you ask for your "babies" and sing "Jesus" to them. ...so sweet :)

Dear Cheap Movie Rentals, You're offered by iTunes. Thanks for the inexpensive option for entertainment!

Dear Frozen Soundtrack, Last night I bought a few songs from you. I think I've went a little too far in "connecting with my inner child." I can't seem to get these songs out of my head and find myself humming them to myself throughout the day :)

Dear Easter Card, I got you in the mail yesterday, along with some cute stickers for my kiddos. It took way less time to get here than mail normally does, so it was quite the surprise to see that purple envelope yesterday!

Dear Jacket Weather, I love you. I wish you'd stay around a while longer.

Dear Tonight, You're when I'm having dinner with friends. I'm looking forward to good food and time with friends.

Dear 2 Suitcases, I never realized how difficult it'd be to pack you until I started looking at all I'd accumulated in the past 4 1/2 years. ...trying to figure out what to part with is proving to be harder than I thought :(

Dear A Lot of Little Details, You're what still needs to fall in place for my year (or 2) of support raising in the States. I still need a car, a job (since I don't receive an AG salary during that time because that money's going toward my cash budget), services scheduled, meetings scheduled, etc. It is a lot, but when I start to worry, I just have to remind myself of who's in charge and has it all already planned out. Thanks God for supplying my every need.

Dear Red (yes, the color), You were one of the random conversation topics we discussed yesterday in one of my high school classes. Who would've thought that there was that much stuff to discuss about such a seemingly simple topic?! 

My One Thousand Gifts #111 - 123

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 13 new things...

#111 - a movie guide disguised as a Kindergartener

As we were watching the movie during Elementary Camp last Friday, one of the sweet Kindergarteners would lean over every few minutes to tell her teacher and me what was about to happen. Or if we gasped, she'd tell us not to worry. Or if a "scary" (to her) part was coming up, she'd give us a warning. Or if a funny part was coming up, she'd tell us to "get ready to laugh." It was adorable and made watching Frozen all the more enjoyable! 

#112 -  a productive weekend

Last Saturday I decided to spend the day at school and catch up on some grading and do some long range planning. I'll be honest. I'm usually quite the procrastinator. But this past weekend, I must've gotten bit by the productivity bug...something I'm quite thankful for :)

#113 - writing in a new journal

I can't explain it. But there's just something about it...

#114 - a jar of jalepenos

Thank you American Store in Dakar for importing this jar of spicy goodness. You've jazzed up almost every dish I've made this week. My mouth might be a little on fire, but I love 'em!

#115 - chats with my mom

They may not be long, since calls cost a small fortune, but I am so thankful for these!

#116 - iMovie

This program is helping me make my video to show at churches while on itineration this next year or two. With every picture I add, I say a prayer for the Wolof I'll be working with and the men and women that are (and will be) helping me get back to this work I love.

#117 - someone to fill in for me in Kids Club

I had a mandatory staff meeting yesterday afternoon, leaving me not knowing what to do during Kids Club. I had to be at the meeting, but I couldn't leave the other lady that helps me by herself. But thankfully, a sweet lady who's visiting her daughter & son-in-law (both teachers at DA) offered to help supervise my "big kids" (high schoolers) leading games for the "little kids" (elementary). So yay for people that step up and help...even though it's their vacation and I'm sure they'd rather do anything than stand in the sun watching a bunch of screaming kids play a game. Haha :)

#118 - praying friends

What a blessing these people are!

#119 - a package of goodies

I got a (totally unexpected, but AWESOME) package this week! I've already made the batch of Chocolate Turtle Brownies...although I forgot to include the caramel sauce in them. So I used it as a dip for a granny smith apple...yum! And I've already opened a pack of the construction paper to make a "We Miss You" book for two sweet Elementary friends who had to go back to the States due to a family emergency.

#120 - reminders that someone's praying for/thinking about me

It's such a great feeling to get a note in the mail saying "We love you and we're praying for you." It's amazing how much those 8 words meant to me earlier this week.

#121 - the knowledge that Spring Break's almost here

I know. I know. I shouldn't wish my life away. But y'all... This is the busiest quarter at school (in my opinion) and feels like it stretches on FOREVER. There are so many event. Also I've had a lot more in-depth grading to do because it seems like all of the assignments I've given have intensified. What's up with kids getting smarter?! :) Anyways... My point is that knowing that Spring Break's almost here is what's getting me through these busy days :)

#122 - my cookbooks

As I sorted through my cookbooks earlier this week, deciding which I would keep and which I would give away, I couldn't help but think about how "well loved" and used they all are. When I first moved to Senegal, I didn't know how to cook. I could make scrambled eggs. That's it. Fast forward a little over 4 1/2 years and I love cooking. I love reading recipe books. I love trying new things in the kitchen. I love having people over for dinner. I love sharing recipes and meals. I love it. So as crazy as it sounds, parting with some of these cookbooks was a little sad. But at the same time, it made me thankful...thankful for the memories they held - and thankful for the chance to bless someone else that loves cookbooks as much (or maybe more) as me :)

#123 - the hearts of children

I had the elementary kids write notes to two of our friends who had to make an emergency trip back to the States a few weeks ago. The plan had been to maybe draw them pictures or something simple like that. But these kids blew my mind with their sweet, encouraging, prayer-minded notes. I was so proud of them for how they did! I'm thankful for the hearts of these kids!

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

56-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-84

85-89

90-96

97-105

106-110

The 100th Dear ____ Post,

Dear Elementary Camp, You happened at school yesterday. It was so much fun getting to work and hang out with the elementary schoolers.

Dear Frozen (the movie), We watched you during Elementary Camp yesterday. You were such a good movie! I loved you, even if I have had "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" stuck in my head since last night :)

Dear Hot Dogs, I had you for lunch and supper yesterday. And just as I said after Elementary Camp last year, I hope I don't see you again for a long, long time :)

Dear Strawberries, Even though you're FINALLY back in season, I've yet to get some of you. I should change that soon :)

Dear Free Episodes, Itunes put up a few new ones of you this week. Yay for free t.v.! :)

Dear Working, You're what I'm planning to spend my day doing. Here's hoping productivity is accomplished :)

Dear 42 (the movie), I'm going to be watching you tonight for research. Now, that's a sentence I never thought I'd say. Anywho... You're based on the life of Jackie Robinson, who happens to be the star of the story some of my older students are reading right now. So, I'm trying to find a few clips that would be appropriate (language wise) to show.

Dear Celebrating God's Power Through Prayer, You were the topic of the lesson I led during Elementary Camp last night. I thought it was a little ironic that God taught me a lesson while I was teaching the kids. I say it all the time... I love how God knows exactly what we need to hear exactly when we need to hear it. Thanks God!

Dear Lent, You started earlier this week. I've never given anything up for you before. I'm not sure why. It's just never been something I've done. But this year I've decided to change that. I'm still working out the details of my plan, so technically I'll be starting late. But since I'm pretty sure God's okay with that :)

My One Thousand Gifts #'s 106 - 110

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 5 new things...

#106 - band-aids

I've never really thought about being thankful for these. But when I cut my finger the other night while cooking and couldn't find any bandaids, I immediately realized I'd taken this fabulous invention for granted. And then after I was leaving the store with a new box in my hand, I said a quick word of thanks to God for giving someone the wisdom to make them :)

#107 - an iron skillet

It may have been a heavy addition to my suitcase, taking up precious allotted weight, but it was so worth it. I'm thankful for my mom letting me bring one of hers so 1) I could save money by not having to buy one myself and 2) I could make all sorts of deliciousness in it.

#108 - a gift of potato soup

Yay for a friend that gave me some delicious potato soup! I was so, so thankful for this awesomeness this week!

#109 - new life

My cousin and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world yesterday. Is there anything more precious than new life? Welcome to the world Mollie Anne! I can't wait to meet you :)

#110 - Romans 12:12

I was reading my devotions the other day and this verse jumped out at me. I'm thankful for God bringing it to my attention at a time when He knew I needed it. 

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

56-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-84

85-89

90-96

97-105

Lessons Learned from Dr. Seuss

1. Be yourself.

2. Be nice to ALL people.

3. Be thankful for what you have.

4. Read!

5. Care about the world around you!

6. There are mountains to be moved. So get up and get moving!

7. Don't make things more difficult than they should be.

8. Think! Try! Give it your best!

 9. And my favorite LOVE quotes from Dr. Seuss...

Thanks to Dr. Seuss and Google images for all the quotes :)

The 99th Dear ____ Post

Dear March, How is it possible that you're here? Wasn't it just January?! Time is flying by.

Dear Big News, You're what I shared on my blog yesterday, telling how my ministry assignment will be changing soon.

Dear Dr. Seuss, You're birthday is Sunday. I wonder how many children have learned to read as a result of your books. I wonder if you ever thought about the impact your books would have.

Dear A Car, You're what I'm going to need when I get back to the States. Since I have supporting churches scattered all over Alabama and in a few other states as well (not counting the new churches I hope to pick up), I'll be on the road quite a bit and will need a reliable and affordable car. I'm hoping I can find one for the amount I'm planning to have saved by the time summer gets here. To anyone reading this, please help me pray I can find a good car that's within my price range.

Dear Big Bang Theory, I like watching you. You're funny. But unfortunately, you have quite a few episodes that are quite inappropriate. Thanks for letting this week's episode actually be a good, clean one.

Dear Mosquitos, You've gotten bad all of the sudden. What's the deal? I thought you weren't common this time of year? Feel free to leave.

Dear Lunch with a Friend, You're what I had yesterday. What a nice treat! Since I teach during the week, I don't get chances like that very often. But since we didn't have school yesterday, I jumped at the chance :)

Dear Jalepeno Slices, Dr. Pepper, Snickers with Almonds, and Canned Chicken, You're a little of the awesomeness I was able to purchase at the American store in town yesterday. Yay for special treats!

Dear Zizzie and Bye Bye, You're the words my niece said while I was on the phone with my mom (who was baby-sitting her) yesterday. She's such a sweet little girl. I do believe that the role of Aunt Zizzie is my favorite role of all. What a blessing!

Dear Meal Planning, This week I'm going to try to be better at you. I'm going to try and take a mini inventory of what I have in the fridge, freezer, and cabinets and plan ahead. I've said it before, but haven't actually stuck with it. Let's hope this time works...

Dear Mardi Gras, You're this coming Tuesday. In honor of you, I'm planning some Cajun-inspired dishes... Creole Chicken Soup, Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, and Shrimp Po Boys. And as I have the past 4 or 5 years, I'll be making a King Cake. Yum!

Dear Cajun Food, Have I mentioned how much I love you? Because boy do I... :)

Dear Absentee Ballot, I got an email yesterday informing me that I'll be receiving in a couple months for the primary elections that are the first week of June. Is it bad that I have no clue who's running? Hmm...

Dear Dr. Pepper, Since I hadn't had you in a while, I thought I'd treat myself to you yesterday. Well, that probably wasn't the best idea to have at supper time. Around 1:00 a.m., I finally started getting sleepy, but still had the racing heartbeat. Umm, I'm thinking that while you may be tasty, you're just not that good for me Dr. Pepper...

Dear 12 Disciples, I wonder what it must've felt like to be in your shoes.

Dear Ordinary, I'm thankful that yore the type of person God typically calls to help do His work. I'm thankful that he doesn't just call the rich, the eloquent, the fancy. Nope. He calls even the ordinary ones like me.