COMMON GROUND COFFEE HOUSE #62

HI Fireweed, we do have a schedule but part of my problem is that I'm helping 4 children with their homework at our kitchen table and as they finish, they go to play.... and are supposed to take their book bags and put them by the front door, down half a flight of stairs.

It's quite hard with 6-7 children from ages 2 - 12. I try to have coloring pages and crafts for those who finish early. The younger ones can play outside because I have almost 3/4 of an acre fenced in out back with a big swing set, riding toys, an 8' X 8' sand box, 2 basketball goals (one for little kids and a full sized), wiffle ball, soccer balls, etc. Our rec room downstairs has a t.v. with DVD and VCR, a pool table, Air Hockey, every toy you can imagine, puzzles, play-doh, electronic learning games, Lincoln Logs, over 1,000 matchbox cars....

We also have an enormous number of books and I read to the younger ones every day after the older ones are settled in. The 9 year old girl might have 4 math problems that take 2 hours to complete. I've spoken with her mother and she has a conference this week. The poor child cannot even tell you how many cents are in a nickel. We struggle so hard with her homework in all subjects. The 12 year old practices her flute for an hour every afternoon too just before I get out the aspirin!

The mother of the almost 3 year old said she had to pull her car off the road on Thursday night and threaten to spank her little one. He was kicking the back of her car seat and screaming... 'Take me back NOW'. He really enjoys playing here and we love him to death.

Diane

 

Diane posted

Oh my goodness, Diane. That little lad is not so little and his kicks would have hurt.

Sheila

 

Over 40 lbs now Sheila! His mom and dad will be trying for another baby now that I've agreed to keep an infant for them.

I've gotten a new child since you and Rob were here. I keep Jackson, a 20 month old little tiny boy on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:45 until around 11:15 while his mother takes one college course. She pays me very well for those 6 hours and he and Ty seem to enjoy each other.

I've made up my fliers for holiday care and called a friend at church who uses sitters. She said the going rate for one child is $5.00 and $7.00 an hour for 2 or more children.

I hope to earn enough to be able to buy a couple of Christmas gifts.

Diane

 

Diane,

I wonder if he remembers us ?

We have lots of lovely memories of our holiday in the U.S. We do miss you.

Sounds like you are very busy at the moment.

God Bless

Sheila

 

I think he does, Sheila. The post card of your town was on the table and he asked what it was. I told him it was where Rob and Sheila live, the people who visited and gave him his 'school book'. He said 'Oh. The town looks old.' Oh what a sweetie. He was a 'puppy' all day yesterday and played fetch while I made 20 puppets for church.

Diane

 

Night Sue and thanks again for your condolences. I hope your paper delivery tomorrow is easy!

Tomorrow should be such a blessing. Pastor Rick seems to feel right at home now and his sermons are KILLER! (That means GREAT). I got to hear about half his Wednesday night teaching this week. I can sit outside the room after I finish my AWANA duties and listen. This past week was SO good! Jim got to hear it all, of course. It's a series he tells me.

Got a nice roast to go into the slow cooker for lunch tomorrow. It'll be a busy afternoon with Jim working with the youth at 3:00 and then Nick and I have puppets at 5:00 but need to get set up early for their party and crafts. Probably will be there by 4:15 or so....... 2 minute drive.

Hope everyone has a peaceful evening. God keep you well.

My friends, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience fully develop within you, my friends, that you may be more mature and complete, lacking nothing. If you lack wisdom, my friends, ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and He will give it to you. my friends, ask in faith, being convinced He'll answer, because those who doubt are like waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For let not any doubter suppose they will receive anything from the Lord; being double-minded and unstable.

If you are lowly, my friends, glory in your exaltation, but if you are rich, in your humiliation, because like any flower, you too, my friends, will pass away.

For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich also will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed are you, my friends, when you endure temptation; for when you have been approved, you will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

from James Chapter 1

 

Good Morning All, Had to get up early to get my roast started because we have a busy afternoon and need to eat earlier than usual. Hubby's working with the youth Praise Band so he'll leave by 2:45 and will be gone until who knows when. Nick and I have Puppet Ministry at 5:00 but it's a party and no more puppets until mid Jan. I've got the puppet craft all cut out and sewn for the kids to make their own hand puppets. We need to be at church early to set up the pieces for the puppets and set out cupcakes and drinks. Should be a lot of fun. I'll try to take some pictures. My digital camera has been dropped 6 times now and doesn't always work. (Guilty as charged!)

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

 

Sue,
Happy Birthday for 16th , I don`t usually visit a lot of the BB these days, only 2 or 3 games, and the bible reading with Clint, but popped in here tonight, and saw your forthcoming BIG DAY .
X Gwyneth

 

Hi all, just in from church. We had a great time in puppets except I burned my index finger twice in the same place on hot glue. OUCH. I had thought to have Nick get me a big cup of ice in case 'one of the kids' burned themselves fooling around and then burned it myself putting google eyes on puppets. The kids REALLY enjoyed making the puppets and the cupcakes and music.

Jim's not in yet! He's been with the youth since about 2:15. They're working on a Praise CD. It's a group of 6 or so college boys. GREAT Christian young men! Nice as can be and always in church. Our Minister to Youth and his wife are the greatest. They get the youth deep into God's word and reach out to the elderly and those with husbands in Iraq.

Ug... 5:30 a.m. is going to come too early tomorrow. I'm used to 3 mornings off but Ty's mother had to work Friday so only 2 days off for me. Yawn...

Hope everyone has a lovely evening and rests well tonight with no pain.

Diane

 

Well boys and girls, I too must say goodnight. Ty will be here in 7 plus hours and my busy week begins!

Hope everyone has a lovely night.

Diane

 

Good Morning Dr. Bob

Sleep well.

Good Morning to all who may look in today. Cold, but dry here so far in Gloucestershire. I will look in later.

God Bless
Sheila