"This famous ruler once said 'Veni, vidi, vici.'" As soon as she finished my thumb hit the buzzer. "Charis?"
"Julius Ceaser."
"That is correct, Charis. You may pick the next category.
"American history, four hundred." You'll never believe where I am. Okay, the location isn't that amazing. I'm in an elementary school in JFC Naples. But you'll never guess the next part. Standing in front of me is Kelly from the Clue Crew.
"On January 1st, 1863, this proclamation was issued to free the slaves. Tobin?"
"The Monroe Doctrine."
"That is incorrect. Charis?"
"The Emancipation Proclamation."
"That is correct, Charis. That concludes this round. Please step up to the table and get a prize." I grabbed a Jeopardy T-shirt and hurried back. This round my mom and dad would be playing against each other.
"Ted, would you start us off,please."
"Out of this world for six hundred." And so they began. Mom and Dad were at each other neck and neck. The other lady, Tiffany, barely had a chance. Soon they were finished and it was time to go. Just so it's clear: This was a practice round. We did not earn actual money. Just prizes. And we were not being filmed. This was just for fun. Well, for some people it was more than that. Before we started Dad had taken a ten question test to try out for Jeopardy. He passed, which meant he had to come back at four for a fifty question test to see if he would make it onto the show. As we were getting ready to leave we saw a line for a picture with Alex Trebeck. Dad really wanted to get a picture with the show's host, so we got in line.
While we were waiting, Dad asked Mom if she wanted to take the test also. She admitted she did want to, and so she went back to take the test. A few minutes later she was back with happy news. She had passed, so both her and Dad would be coming back later for the bigger test. That meant we would have to find someone to watch the kids. No worries. A neighbor agreed to help us out. Later that afternoon we went to the park and mom and dad went to take the test. After awhile we decided to go back to the apartment to rest and bumped into Mom. She had failed the test, but Dad was one of five who had stayed behind. If he did all right they would keep his name in their files until it was time for military week. The Jeopardy team would be going to three other Navy bases in Italy and would pick twelve people in all to be and their show. We won't find out for awhile if Dad made it, so we'll just have to wait and see. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping he makes it onto the show. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
A Day at the Vineyard
"We're here!" I unbuckled my seat belt and stepped out of the car. The first thing I noticed was the dirt. Actually, dust is a more accurate way to describe it. With every step I took a cloud of dust would form around my shoe. After a few steps I couldn't tell what color my shoes were supposed to be.
"Isn't this awesome?" my mom asked, getting out of the car.
"Yep." I replied.
"All right everybody, circle up." Nello, the guy who had organized this event, called out. "Who's ready to go grape picking?" We all cheered. "All right, then, follow me." He started up the path and we all tromped after him.
My mom was the one who had found out about this. We were at an Italian vineyard where we would spend the morning picking grapes. After that we would have lunch and then stomp on our grapes to make wine. At first we didn't think we could go. The cost was 20 euro for adults and 15 euro for kids. That would be 130 euro for all of us. Then Nello told us that he would let three kids come for free, and we decided to go. So here we are, following an old guy through a vineyard on a well worn path. I tried to concentrate on what he was saying.
"We'll have a little snack, then we'll pass out the clippers and show you how to work them, and then we can get started. Here we are." We had arrived at a little table on the edge of a steep hill. Thankfully, there was a fence. On the table were two cakes and cups of juice. Once everyone had eaten and we had retrieved Lucan's shoe (he had accidentally kicked it of the side of the hill and would not stop screaming until someone had fetched it for him) Nello passed out the clippers. He explained how to open them, which grapes to cut, (the yellow ones, not purple) and where to cut. Then he gave us all baskets and showed us where to start picking. I worked with Kenna for a bit, then she found a little friend and ran off to play with her. I found a different spot and started picking by myself. Soon I was drenched in sweat, but I had a whole basket full of grapes. I filled half of another, then went to find my mom. We took a water break and sat in the shade for a bit. Soon it was time for lunch. We tromped back to the tables, washed our hands off, and found spots at the table. I would like to say that we had some yummy Neapolitan pizza for lunch, but instead we had hot dogs and fries. Some of the grown-ups had wine too. Warning, kids: Don't Try Wine! It tastes super bitter. I had to drink three cups of water before I could get the taste out of my mouth. It was almost as bad as beer (and that's saying a lot).
While we were eating a couple of Italian guys serenaded us with some Italian music. They played the guitar really well, and we heard the real version of the song Veggietales based their "A great big squash just sat upon my hat," on.
When everyone was done eating it was time for the grape stomping! There were two big containers filled with the grapes we had picked. Everyone who wanted to washed their feet in a tub of water, then stepped into the grape container and started stomping. Pretty soon the tub had more juice than grapes in it. After the kids had all had a turn some grown-ups joined in the fun.
When everyone had their shoes back on we paid Nello and left. All in all, it was a pretty good day.
"Isn't this awesome?" my mom asked, getting out of the car.
"Yep." I replied.
"All right everybody, circle up." Nello, the guy who had organized this event, called out. "Who's ready to go grape picking?" We all cheered. "All right, then, follow me." He started up the path and we all tromped after him.
My mom was the one who had found out about this. We were at an Italian vineyard where we would spend the morning picking grapes. After that we would have lunch and then stomp on our grapes to make wine. At first we didn't think we could go. The cost was 20 euro for adults and 15 euro for kids. That would be 130 euro for all of us. Then Nello told us that he would let three kids come for free, and we decided to go. So here we are, following an old guy through a vineyard on a well worn path. I tried to concentrate on what he was saying.
"We'll have a little snack, then we'll pass out the clippers and show you how to work them, and then we can get started. Here we are." We had arrived at a little table on the edge of a steep hill. Thankfully, there was a fence. On the table were two cakes and cups of juice. Once everyone had eaten and we had retrieved Lucan's shoe (he had accidentally kicked it of the side of the hill and would not stop screaming until someone had fetched it for him) Nello passed out the clippers. He explained how to open them, which grapes to cut, (the yellow ones, not purple) and where to cut. Then he gave us all baskets and showed us where to start picking. I worked with Kenna for a bit, then she found a little friend and ran off to play with her. I found a different spot and started picking by myself. Soon I was drenched in sweat, but I had a whole basket full of grapes. I filled half of another, then went to find my mom. We took a water break and sat in the shade for a bit. Soon it was time for lunch. We tromped back to the tables, washed our hands off, and found spots at the table. I would like to say that we had some yummy Neapolitan pizza for lunch, but instead we had hot dogs and fries. Some of the grown-ups had wine too. Warning, kids: Don't Try Wine! It tastes super bitter. I had to drink three cups of water before I could get the taste out of my mouth. It was almost as bad as beer (and that's saying a lot).
While we were eating a couple of Italian guys serenaded us with some Italian music. They played the guitar really well, and we heard the real version of the song Veggietales based their "A great big squash just sat upon my hat," on.
When everyone was done eating it was time for the grape stomping! There were two big containers filled with the grapes we had picked. Everyone who wanted to washed their feet in a tub of water, then stepped into the grape container and started stomping. Pretty soon the tub had more juice than grapes in it. After the kids had all had a turn some grown-ups joined in the fun.
When everyone had their shoes back on we paid Nello and left. All in all, it was a pretty good day.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Bears for Bricks
I'm crafty, I'm creative, I love to knit, I love children, and everyone likes teddy bears. How does all that fit together? Bears for Bricks! Bears for Bricks is a ministry I'm starting that sells knitted bears to kids at whatever price they are able to pay. Donations are accepted. The money earned then goes into building homes for children in Uganda through Lahash International. Click here to check it out. Their goal is to construct two homes for children by the end of this year. Each home will take $48,622 to build. So far they've raised $36,546 out of the $87,520 needed. Here are some facts about the homes:
* The homes will be constructed with local labor and materials using the latest building codes of the region.
* Each home will care for eight orphan children.
* Homes will also contain rooms for the house parents and their biological children.
* Each home will contain indoor showers, toilets, and a large living room where children can play, have family meetings, focus on schoolwork, and where guests can be entertained.
* The building will also have a porch to allow kids to be outside but still protected from rains during the day.
* Solar panels will be mounted on the roofs of the homes to give light in the evenings for school work and parental duty.
And some facts about the bears:
* The bears will be about 71/2 inches high.
* They come in all sorts of colors.
* My goal is to raise $500 for Lahash International.
* I want to sell 50 bears.
I know I can make several bears in a short amount of time, so that isn't a problem. Lots of people want to by bears, but will there be enough? If people buy a bear for $10 each I'd have to sell 50 bears to make $500. Perhaps I can make even more!
I'm planning to make about 30 bears to start with and then ship them to Mrs. India Main, who will then distribute them. Later I will send another shipment with smaller bears. If you are interested in buying a bear, contact my mom on Facebook or by email.
Tell your friends and everyone you know about this project. Let's go build some homes!
* The homes will be constructed with local labor and materials using the latest building codes of the region.
* Each home will care for eight orphan children.
* Homes will also contain rooms for the house parents and their biological children.
* Each home will contain indoor showers, toilets, and a large living room where children can play, have family meetings, focus on schoolwork, and where guests can be entertained.
* The building will also have a porch to allow kids to be outside but still protected from rains during the day.
* Solar panels will be mounted on the roofs of the homes to give light in the evenings for school work and parental duty.
And some facts about the bears:
* The bears will be about 71/2 inches high.
* They come in all sorts of colors.
* My goal is to raise $500 for Lahash International.
* I want to sell 50 bears.
I know I can make several bears in a short amount of time, so that isn't a problem. Lots of people want to by bears, but will there be enough? If people buy a bear for $10 each I'd have to sell 50 bears to make $500. Perhaps I can make even more!
I'm planning to make about 30 bears to start with and then ship them to Mrs. India Main, who will then distribute them. Later I will send another shipment with smaller bears. If you are interested in buying a bear, contact my mom on Facebook or by email.
Tell your friends and everyone you know about this project. Let's go build some homes!
Monday, August 20, 2012
What's Different about Italy?
Italy is a little different from the U.S. Our apartment is on base, which is as close as we can get to American, but even so there are some changes. Here's a list of the things I've noticed so far:
1) All the floors are tile here. There isn't even one carpeted room in this whole building!
2) The power isn't as reliable. A few days ago we came back from the park hot and sweating to find that the AC wasn't working.
3) The water isn't always hot. Something's wrong with our water heater, so watch out! The shower water goes from perfect to freezing to boiling hot.
4) We have to walk everywhere. Our car will take a few weeks to get here, so if we want to go somewhere it has to be within walking distance.
5) We've had to make the change from loading the dishwasher to being the dishwasher, as our apartment inconveniently lacks one.
6) The library is very, very small, much different from what I'm used to. They only have five knitting books!
7) Italians drive very fast. Try to avoid crossing busy intersections.
8) There are palm trees! Okay, Las Vegas had palm trees, too. But these ones are different. They're just. . . .different. Italian. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed them. They're everywhere here.
9) The ice cream is yummier! Italian gilato is much tastier than plain old American ice cream. I can't wait to have some more!
I think that's all so far. I'm sure that once we move into our house and start making new friends everything will seem different (we have yet to try Italian pizza), but that's all for now. I'll keep you posted!
1) All the floors are tile here. There isn't even one carpeted room in this whole building!
2) The power isn't as reliable. A few days ago we came back from the park hot and sweating to find that the AC wasn't working.
3) The water isn't always hot. Something's wrong with our water heater, so watch out! The shower water goes from perfect to freezing to boiling hot.
4) We have to walk everywhere. Our car will take a few weeks to get here, so if we want to go somewhere it has to be within walking distance.
5) We've had to make the change from loading the dishwasher to being the dishwasher, as our apartment inconveniently lacks one.
6) The library is very, very small, much different from what I'm used to. They only have five knitting books!
7) Italians drive very fast. Try to avoid crossing busy intersections.
8) There are palm trees! Okay, Las Vegas had palm trees, too. But these ones are different. They're just. . . .different. Italian. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed them. They're everywhere here.
9) The ice cream is yummier! Italian gilato is much tastier than plain old American ice cream. I can't wait to have some more!
I think that's all so far. I'm sure that once we move into our house and start making new friends everything will seem different (we have yet to try Italian pizza), but that's all for now. I'll keep you posted!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Missing Ohio
Right now I'm really missing my friends back in Ohio. I'm hoping and praying that we can find a good church here. I wish we could still go to Faircreek. I really liked Faircreek, and I have several good memories of our time there. But I know that God will provide us with a great church here in Italy, and good friends as well. However, as they say: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other's gold." I miss my best friend, too. I really hope that we will be able to visit each other.
I'm praying for everyone back in Ohio, and I want you to know that I miss you. Please pray that we'll be able to find a good church here in Italy, and that we will be able to find a house soon (our apartment is very tiny). And please pray that God will bless us with new friends here as well. I miss you, Emma!
I'm praying for everyone back in Ohio, and I want you to know that I miss you. Please pray that we'll be able to find a good church here in Italy, and that we will be able to find a house soon (our apartment is very tiny). And please pray that God will bless us with new friends here as well. I miss you, Emma!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Beach Ball Planet and the Attack of the Darts
Life on the beach ball planet was good.
There were lots of swimming pools and plenty of food.
Every day the beach balls had lots of fun
Laughing and splashing, playing under the sun.
No one suspected that they were in danger
Until the attack of Dart Mcbranger.
After the beach balls were in bed for the night
Dart Mcbranger and his spaceship came into sight!
If anyone had bothered to listen to me
They would have been better prepared to flee.
For I had know since I was a little tyke
That Dart Mcbranger would once again strike.
I still remember that fateful day
When that old dart took my father away!
I don't think I'll ever get him back. . .
Anyway, the townsballs seem to have forgotten about that!
For Dart Mcbranger's visit was quite a shock;
Balls were running and screaming up and down the block!
Dart Mcbranger's darts gathered in the town square
And yelled"Surrender beach balls everywhere!"
Nervously we crept toward them.
Dart Mcbranger laughed. "Need some encouragement?"
And then, very suddenly, before we could blink,
He pricked old man Round Head, and he started to shrink!
I gasped. "You old meanie, we'll get even with you!"
The townsballs cried,"If it's the last thing we do!"
"Really? I'm scared! Look, I'm turning green!"
Dart Mcbranger laughed. Oh, he was mean!
I walked up to him 'til we were nose to nose.
"Dart Mcbranger," I said. "You have jelly on your toes."
Before he could look down, I punched him flat!
Next thing I knew he was on his back.
"Come on, beach balls!" I yelled. "We can take 'em!"
And with a shout they rushed toward the dart men.
The darts got off the planet, every one.
And the beach balls went back to having fun.
Old man Round Head was taken to the hospital,
And they restored him, round head and all.
That's the story of how the beach balls were saved.
And now that it's done, I'm gonna swim in the lake.
There were lots of swimming pools and plenty of food.
Every day the beach balls had lots of fun
Laughing and splashing, playing under the sun.
No one suspected that they were in danger
Until the attack of Dart Mcbranger.
After the beach balls were in bed for the night
Dart Mcbranger and his spaceship came into sight!
If anyone had bothered to listen to me
They would have been better prepared to flee.
For I had know since I was a little tyke
That Dart Mcbranger would once again strike.
I still remember that fateful day
When that old dart took my father away!
I don't think I'll ever get him back. . .
Anyway, the townsballs seem to have forgotten about that!
For Dart Mcbranger's visit was quite a shock;
Balls were running and screaming up and down the block!
Dart Mcbranger's darts gathered in the town square
And yelled"Surrender beach balls everywhere!"
Nervously we crept toward them.
Dart Mcbranger laughed. "Need some encouragement?"
And then, very suddenly, before we could blink,
He pricked old man Round Head, and he started to shrink!
I gasped. "You old meanie, we'll get even with you!"
The townsballs cried,"If it's the last thing we do!"
"Really? I'm scared! Look, I'm turning green!"
Dart Mcbranger laughed. Oh, he was mean!
I walked up to him 'til we were nose to nose.
"Dart Mcbranger," I said. "You have jelly on your toes."
Before he could look down, I punched him flat!
Next thing I knew he was on his back.
"Come on, beach balls!" I yelled. "We can take 'em!"
And with a shout they rushed toward the dart men.
The darts got off the planet, every one.
And the beach balls went back to having fun.
Old man Round Head was taken to the hospital,
And they restored him, round head and all.
That's the story of how the beach balls were saved.
And now that it's done, I'm gonna swim in the lake.
My Poems
I started a book of poems about a year ago, and since then it's gained 43 pages of poems. My uncle Joel helped me self-publish some of them when we went to visit him. You can see and buy the book by going here.
I decided to put some of my poems here so you can read them too. Here are a few of my favorite ones:
The Waterfall
See the water flowing in the river
Moving ceaselessly along
Music bubbles, issues forth
The music of the river's song
Here comes a cliff, a fall, a drop,
But the water never stops
It falls, it's going down
Rushing to meet the ground
Landing with a soft plip, plop
The water's falling, here it comes
Catching the light of the sun
The drops form a rainbow
It is high, now it's low
On and on the river runs
Beautiful, majestic, amazing handiwork of God
Powerful, glorious, wonderful handiwork of God
A waterfall
I Want to Be
I want to be the kind of girl
Who always loves and gives no reason to hate
I want to be the kind of girl
Who gets up and the devil says "Oh no, she's awake"
I want to be the kind of girl
Who always knows and chooses what's right
I want to be the kind of girl
Who's always cheerful, spreading God's joy and might
Forever I'll always be
Living for God
A light for all to see
That I have a wonderful peace
And that God gives us hope
He gives us reason to rejoice
When we're at the end of our rope
Forever I'll live for you, Lord
Always spreading your word
Because I am a daughter of Christ
I decided to put some of my poems here so you can read them too. Here are a few of my favorite ones:
The Waterfall
See the water flowing in the river
Moving ceaselessly along
Music bubbles, issues forth
The music of the river's song
Here comes a cliff, a fall, a drop,
But the water never stops
It falls, it's going down
Rushing to meet the ground
Landing with a soft plip, plop
The water's falling, here it comes
Catching the light of the sun
The drops form a rainbow
It is high, now it's low
On and on the river runs
Beautiful, majestic, amazing handiwork of God
Powerful, glorious, wonderful handiwork of God
A waterfall
I Want to Be
I want to be the kind of girl
Who always loves and gives no reason to hate
I want to be the kind of girl
Who gets up and the devil says "Oh no, she's awake"
I want to be the kind of girl
Who always knows and chooses what's right
I want to be the kind of girl
Who's always cheerful, spreading God's joy and might
Forever I'll always be
Living for God
A light for all to see
That I have a wonderful peace
And that God gives us hope
He gives us reason to rejoice
When we're at the end of our rope
Forever I'll live for you, Lord
Always spreading your word
Because I am a daughter of Christ
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