October/November

Well, it's time for an update on this blog yet again, and I'm in the mood to write. At present I'm in Fall Session 2 of classes, taking Making Christ Known and Between the Testaments. Although Between the Testaments is a history class it still manages to be quite a bit of a challenge. Making Christ Known was a class I did not want to take, but God changed my plans. It has proven to be a delightful, inspiring, fun, learning class. There are about 12 students: 8 guys, 4 gals. In both of my classes I'm no longer the youngest, I got beat out by a 14 year old and a 16 year old. Next week is the last week of class!!!!!! My family and I are all extremely excited. Then I have 2 months off of school. During break I plan to read books on finances, do some cleaning, celebrate Christmas and New Years, and who knows what all else.

Before session 2 started I turned 20. It's proven to be a fairly enjoyable age. The verse I picked out for this year of being 20 is Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding". My goal is to be a lady that fears the Lord and I'm actively growing in my knowledge of Him. I'm looking forward to what the next 11 months hold!

The transition to a new church has been fairly smooth. We are meeting new people and working on developing new friendships. This is church is very actively reaching out to our community, seeking to follow God in everything, and just overall shaking up the "going through the motions Christian". God is using this church in my life for good.

Gardening and the Summer

There has been a lot going on in my mind recently. Just thinking of where I'm at with my walk with the Lord. Areas that need to be corrected, and ways to change them to be more Christ-like. (Anyone who reads this is welcome to pray for me.)

On a totally different note: We put in a garden as a family on Memorial Day morning. We try to have a garden every year of about 8 plants maximum. Last year it was 4 tomato plants, 3 pepper plants, and 1 cucumber plant. Well this year we really had vision as we bought 21 tomato plants, 9 broccoli plants, 2 cucumber plants, 2 squash plants, and 2 green pepper plants for a total of 36 plants!

Well, what am I doing now that I don't have school? Last month I started teaching 4 children piano, plus the student I've had for over a year for a total of 5 students. But my student I've had a while is taking a break for the summer, so I only have 4 students this summer. One of the areas that needs to be corrected in my life is the sin of laziness. I'm praying that the Lord might give me a ministry, a way to serve Him, and also something to do to keep me from wasting time. The big thing I'm doing this summer is spending time with my family. Also I'm doing the typical tasks of folding laundry, doing dishes, helping make meals, playing piano, and doing the things that are on my list. -I know I need a bigger vision for my life and I'm working on that.

P.S. I got 4 more piano students today!

Girl's Week and Quilting

This is a post I wrote back in April when my parents were gone for a week.

This week Je and I have been fairly busy. We are planning on making three quilts together this week. The top of my sister's lap quilt should be done tonight-only two seams left to do! Tomorrow we start on Je's pastel baby size quilt, and possibly on my bright baby size quilt.
The tops of the quilts were all were completed.

Not having school has been a bit of an adjustment. It has been fun not having school. Since I don't have school my mom has given me more jobs to do around the house.

I'm one of the laziest persons around, and I want to do something about that. So I have taken up consistently running, (the running thing didn't last long and I need to get back to it) memorizing Scripture, and trying to get up earlier in the day. But this week I haven't been quite as strict on doing my new goals. Last night Je and I didn't go to bed till 1 a.m., so I didn't get up very early this morning. Yup, that's what happens when the parents are gone.

IJS and Summer Break

Wow! It's hard to believe next week I finish my class! Then I'll have all summer off till about August when my next class starts at IJS. I'll miss my classmates and their encouragement and spurring on, but then there is always hope I'll study with them again in the next couple of years. Right now, my goal is to take a total of 12 IJS courses, finishing up in the spring of 2012 by taking two classes together one time. Since the class I'm taking now is entitled "Jewish Culture and Customs," one of my assignments was to visit a Jewish synagogue. A week and a half ago, my family went to a Jewish Synagogue. It was a very long service -from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45, with a Kiddush (a snack) after that. Since almost the entire service was in Hebrew, any English was a delight to hear. I learned a lot from attending the service.

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to summer break. The ladies are planning to do some sewing. I plan to do a little gardening, most likely do quite a bit of reading, take a couple of trips with my family, and who knows what all else. Daddy and Mommy are going to be gone a couple of weeks this spring/summer, and without parents around Je and I have a total blast. Actually we have fun with them around too, but it just gets better when they are gone.

For us Resurrection Sunday, was like any other Sunday. Today Je bought me a whole bunch of discount candy, which we are going to enjoy eating for the next several weeks. We always try to stretch our candy as long as possible.

A couple weeks ago I got a YouTube channel named joyfulhymns. On it I posted a video of me playing "There is a Redeemer". I've tried to link it, but I haven't had any success. So if you want to see it, try searching on YouTube.

Last Thursday we had a bit of an adventure. Our tub drain has not been draining well, and we've tried all sorts of things to get it to drain better but we haven't had sucess. So Mommy decided to turn the hot water heater up temporarily, then put hot water down the drain. Well the water in the hot water heater got so hot, that I guess it popped the relief valve thing, so hot water started pouring out of the water heater. We caught it quite quickly, so it didn't make too big of a mess. We learned a lessson: Never turn the hot water heater up!!! If you are going to turn it up, turn it up very gradually.

March Happenings

Due to receiving an anonymous comment, from my mom I suspect, I decided to do another post again. The comment before that was another anonymous one, that time from my sister on my need to post. So the moral of the story: comment and maybe if I see it, I'll post again.

Last Thursday, my mom turned 50 years old, half of a century. It was a non-eventful sort of affair. She did receive some presents, and she worked on sewing herself a dress during the day. For lunch I brought home Chinese at her request. Daddy took a business trip, which he didn't take Momma on, which was quite a treat for us ladies (we never get left home alone with our mom overnight, because Daddy has a very hard time being separated from her). It was just an overnight affair, so he got home the afternoon of Momma's birthday.

Je enjoys her work, and she is working many hours this week and next. The Lord just keeps giving her more and more hours to work. We sure miss her when she is gone, although today Mommy and I went to visit her at work which was very nice.

For me I'm taking a class on Jewish Culture and Customs. It's been a whole lot different than my last class. First of all NO tears!!! Then my professor is very interactive with us students, and there are 11 of us students-almost twice the amount of the first class. Therefore discussion is a whole lot easier, added to the fact that the questions are actually fun to answer. Today was my first day to be somewhat discouraged and I'm not really sure exactly why. Only 3 1/2 weeks until summer break!

Last week, and part of the week before that, Mommy, Je, and I made 8 skirts. Four of the skirts were a ladies size, the other four a size medium girls. We sent them off to Haiti. We all had a ton of fun sewing and making the skirts together.

In other news I heard a report that there is more than just one person who reads this blog, that means I need to be careful what I write, and to write more often. I really don't blame people for not commenting. I read many, many blogs, and I rarely ever comment.

February at our House

February was a fun month. The beginning/middle of the month, Daddy and Mommy left for a week and went to Pittsburgh. Je and I stayed home and had a grand old time. We watched lots of movies, went to a talk on chocolate and tasted it at the library, and I managed to do my school in a timely matter. Then on February 12th, my big sister turned the big TWO THREE. We went and had our nails done, and my sister had an updo. Then in the evening we had our church over for an ice cream social. The afternoon of that day was spent doing the final preparations for the party. Our parents arrived home in the middle of the ice cream social. We played Fictionary, which is where one person writes out the definition of a very obscure word in the dictonary, than everyone else writes out what they think the definition is, after that the definitions are all read and everyone votes on which one they think is correct. It was a lot of fun.

I haven't said exactly where I do online college. It's called Institute of Jewish Studies or IJS as I always call it. Friends of Israel is the parent organization over it. Last fall they went online (before the Institute was at Philadelphia Biblical University). Once I finished high school I knew I wanted to take online Bible classes, but I didn't know exactly where. I had considered The Master's College Online, but I was more comfortable with IJS, since I feel like I know the people with Friends of Israel, and I had heard talks from the Professors at IJS about how great IJS is.


This above picture leads me to another exciting development at my house. On Saturday a laptop arrived for my family to use. I was taking over our computer, so my dad decided to buy a laptop that I could use. I think the laptop is just the greatest thing. In fact I typed some of my school on it today.

While I'm between college classes, my mom has been teaching me cake decorating. Here is what I learned today. It's quite fun if you have the right equipment.

A Long Needed Update

It's been over 3 months since this blog has been updated. A lot has happened in those 3 months. One big event was my official graduation from high school. My parents really spoiled me and I ended up with 3 parties to celebrate my completion of high school. May 23rd I had an open house, and then on the 26th I had my Senior Piano Recital and Graduation. The Thursday before those events, the whole family went to a Day in the Prophetic Word and an Honor Israel Night, which were both in Grand Rapids. It was a long day, but very enjoyable.

The pictures are not in order.

My Rose Graduation Gown and yes you can buy them

at HomeschoolDiploma.com

My dad giving me my diploma

He gave a really nice speech right before giving me my diploma.

The very end of my recital
My mom made my dress the week before the recital.

The Beautifully Decorated Tables
Bright Pink and Green were my Open House colors.

We had plenty of food!

My cake at my Open House, which turned out lovely!

Day in the Prophetic Word with Tim Munger

I have so enjoyed not having school to do, and yes I'm keeping quite busy even though I'm not going to college and don't have an official job. I'm able to do more housework and read more now. Hopefully later this summer I can do some sewing with my mom. She has had some projects that have been put off, while she was homeschooling, and I'm hoping we can do her sewing projects.

The end of June, Daddy, Mommy, and I went to visit Daddy's mother in Mississippi. We left Je at home and we all missed her terribly!!! Je had a fairly good time without us, and even had some company over.

I think Mommy is enjoying retirement. She made up her own reading program for herself, and she's looking forward to going away with Daddy for a couple of days as her prize for completing her reading program.

Je is still working at the library, and I believe she enjoys it most of the time. There recently was a major change at the library, and she'll be glad when things are back to normal.

Daddy's life isn't terribly exciting. He enjoys walking with Mommy every chance the two of them have.

Piano Recital Song - People Need the Lord

It's amazing all the songs on YouTube. This is the duet my friend Kate and I are playing for my recital. Hope you enjoy!

Senior Piano Recital Pieces

This is my tentative list and I will not be playing the songs in this order most likely.

Mozart's Sonata in A Alla Turca K 331 (300i)

Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin

A Bach Invention (I haven't decided which one yet)

Frederic Chopin Waltz #10 Op. 69. No, 2

People Need the Lord, Duet - My friend Kate and I are playing together.

Psalm 18:28-30 - I wrote music for these verses

Lord, Be Glorified arranged by Mark Hayes

Crown Him with Many Crowns and Rejoice the Lord is King with Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary arranged by Marilynn Ham

Ha Tikvah- Israeli national anthem and one of my dad's favorite songs. I might not actually end of playing this song.

Piano Practicing, Piano Teaching, and Piano Recital

My life recently has become very piano saturated. A week and a half ago, I began practicing 45 minutes a day. Before that, I had always practiced 30 minutes a day. Also I have started working on a senior recital for the 26th of May. It has been a lot of fun practicing and working on perfecting songs, at least the recital is not for another 3 months! Tuesday I taught piano for the first time! I was quite nervous, but my mom and I prayed a lot for my student and myself. Each week, hopefully I'll become better at teaching.

The hardest piece I picked out for my recital is this one:

Only 1 Wise Person Left in the Family!

Before surgery and still sane.

Yesterday, I had all four of my wisdom teeth surgically removed. Although I wanted to be awake for the surgery, the oral surgeon and my mom convinced me to have conscience sedation. My mom and sister were laughing so hard at me after surgery, they had tears in their eyes!


I made funny faces. I repeatedly asked to have my picture taken (which my sister did). I kept asking for a mirror to see what I looked like. I sang and swayed to the music in the office and said, "Their music is violent!" (It was actually peppy, easy listening). Also I said, "Since I'm a major not a minor (as in 18 and over), I didn't get a Bugs Bunny band-aid." (My sister got a Bugs Bunny band-aid when she had her 12 year molars removed. ) Additionally I kept asking if I was telling bad jokes, and "Tell me a funny story."

The first thing I remember after surgery is "waking up" in the recovery area and just crying-it's common for girls my age to just do that after conscience sedation, not because they are in pain or anything. It took till about 3 o'clock for my memory to come back fully. We arrived home about noon and we watched Fireproof. Yesterday I ended up watching the Fireproof's commentary twice, because I didn't remember it the first time. There was lots of gauze changings and ice packs on for 20 min., off for 20 min. I ended up drinking 3 cans of pop yesterday, which is amazing considering my family rarely drinks pop, unless we are on vacation.

Today I have taken 2 naps and each one was about a hour long. The pain has been very easy to deal with today. It has been a lot of fun just laying around watching movies and letting my family wait on me and do the housework.

In case you are wondering, my sister is the only wise one left in the family, her wisdom teeth are coming in great!

Day 2 (January 5th) of our Trip

At our hotel room finishing up dessert, Yum!

We woke up about 6:45 EST, and Daddy and Mommy went to eat breakfast, Je and I did our devotions and then Je took a shower. After both Je and I were dressed and ready, we ate breakfast. At 9:12 we checked out of our hotel. We made a quick stop at the local Wal-Mart for a few things, then gasoline at Flying J. At 11:24 we crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis. I enjoyed looking out the window and seeing the Arch. It has been about 10 years since I had been to this part of Missouri, so I enjoyed seeing the scenery. Daddy drove the whole way again today. Mommy drank some coke so she would stay awake, and be able to sleep at night. But Je and I slept a bit and read some. We listened to more of Jan Karon's book during our time on the road today. We had lunch, which I made, again in the car. Daddy and Mommy ate turkey sandwiches, and Je and I tuna sandwiches. At 4:00 we arrived at our hotel. We relaxed, read, checked the Internet, and watched some Hogan's Heroes. For supper we ate at the local Chick-Fil-A! Our first experience at a Chick-Fil-A was at an extremely large hospital in Richmond, VA, which was very fast paced. This was our first time at a normal Chick-Fil-A and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The workers were very friendly and helpful. We even ate dessert, which is about a once a year experience at a restaurant. Daddy got a brownie with ice cream, Je got a peppermint shake, and Mommy and I got vanilla ice cream with blueberries! It was delicious! It's time for bed and devotions.

It's A Wonderful Life

I'm really enjoying the season of life I'm in right now. Being eighteen is so much fun! Although I still have 5 subjects left in school, in my view it really is only 2. For British History all I have left is to watch a couple of movies. My class in Marriage & Family will be done once I finish up The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace, and read Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Piano is counted as a subject, but to me playing the piano is like being told to eat dessert-it's a joy. So that leaves me with just Government and English Literature. Mommy has been bugging me to do Government, so I read a chapter and did the questions for it today, now she thinks I'm going to fast. I just can't satisfy her. English Literature is my big subject because I'm only half-way done.

With only two main subjects, I have enjoyed doing lots of fun things. On Tuesday I made a big batch of peppermint cookies. Tuesday night Je and I had an enjoyable snow ball fight. Yesterday I finished today's school, so I made s'mores bars and did domestic things today. Also with less school, I have time to read one of my favorite magazines, Reminisce. There are three things I like to do for fun, cook, spend time with my family, and read.

At my house we have been getting lots of snow. I love snow!

Ki's Senior Photos

In September I had my senior pictures taken, here are some of them:

Happy Birthday Ki!

Happy 18th Birthday Ki!

I'm Old!

Yesterday I was asked two college related questions by different people. The 1st question was, "Are you going to be staying in the dorm, or are you going to have an apartment?" My answer was, "I'm still in high school. I live with my parents."

The 2nd question was, "Are you going away to college?" The 2nd question was fine with me, because I had just registered to vote and they needed to know where I'd be during the election. Yes, I registered to vote! I thought that old people vote, not young people like myself!

Monday I started my last year of high school!!!! December 19th is the day I want to finish up all my subjects.