sheila dougal- a woman found: Book report day

What a day. A Husband out of town day. A 3rd grader book report day. A PERFECT Phoenix-area fall weather day! Its a tease though. I wish it would stay that way. Next week it supposed to be in the mid 90's again. I'm ready for sweaters, and spice candles, and pumpkin spice lattes.

I googled pumpkin spice latte recipes this morning and found this. I modified it to this:

1 c. whole milk
1 T. canned pumpkin
1 T. honey
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. strong brewed coffee
a dash of ground cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon

Heat milk, pumpkin, honey, vanilla and spices in a saucepan over med. high heat until steamy. Wisking constantly. Pour into mug. Add coffee to mug. Top with whip cream if you want to. I didn't have any but it was still delicious!

I like book reports. When my kids have to do them I always have to try really hard not to take over and do it for them. Ryland's doing a really good job considering this is not his forte. If only he could do a math report instead. As much as I don't comprehend his affinity for math, even more I don't comprehend his disdain of retelling a story. How can you not love retelling a story? At least this book report, he gets to make a mobile with the characters he drew from the book. The actual "report" part is only writing a brief description of each character. So far he's got, "So and so was a boy." And " So and so was the science teacher." We'll have to work on details later. He's got the skeleton.

When you have to sit down and write out or talk out a retelling of what you read or learned it really makes it come alive! At least it does for me.

This is why I write, or blog, or email, or talk. I live it in the second-living. The writing. Today, I second-lived via talking it out with a dear friend I haven't seen in year. I am witness to the amazing grace and work of God in my friend and her husband! And she was such an encouragement to me as she listened to me and could really say she knew exactly what I was talking about. Apparently I've been a hose through which water has poured. A spout where blessings have flowed out. A Living Water fountain. Oh amazing grace how can it be?! Today she was the spout and the hose and the fountain! Thank you Lord! Let me be a blessing.

I got a good portion of my Rahab study done while the boy worked on his book report. The way of God is amazing!

And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."- Matthew 9:11-13

Try to retell the One True Story. Try to retell God's mercy and grace. I'm dumbfounded.