The building alarm went off at 4 AM this morning. Now you have to know, this alarm is soooo loud it can almost wake the dead and we are directly across the street from it. In fact we hear it when the missionaries who live in the building don't. When it goes off Steve goes over to walk through the building with Ron Klaassen. I always pity new neighbors on the street the first time they hear it; they must wonder what kind of crazy car alarm that is anyway. Well, since we leave on vacation today, I had no chance of going back to sleep. So here I am.

We went to the Branch Brook park farmer's market yesterday for only the second time this year. It had supposedly been open for over an hour but there were only 2 vendors and almost no produce. How sad. We ended up at the one in W. Orange where they had all you could possibly want including three types of corn from two different farmers. Typical. I always feel bad for the people in Newark because so many have no cars so have few choices. I try to bring others along when I can.

It seems Facebook is having problems today as it won't load on my computer. Just as well, it reminds me to post here instead.
I am really enjoying reading THE KNEELING CHRISTIAN. So as to fully understand it, I read only one chapter a day at the end of my morning visit with God. Though it was written in the 1930s and contains an older language style, the message is rich and timeless. Do find a copy and read it if you want your prayer life to deepen.
Now I am off to "beautify" as Steve comes home from camp today. From the sublime to the ridiculous huh?

What a poignant night we had last night here in Newark. Our dear 3rd grade teacher, Emily Boyd is leaving today to be a teacher overseas. She has been so marvelous; so involved with her students, so enthusiastic, so real. There was a huge good-bye barbecue hosted by Emily and her teacher-roommates. They opened the gate to the playground and we got lots of kids--both invited and uninvited. Missionaries and school families also attended. Fun was had by all and tears were shed. I can't wait to read her facebook comments this school year, but how we will miss her!

Shame on me. I abandoned my blog in favor of Facebook. This post, however, is more suited to a blog.
In the 70's there was a popular writer by the name of Joyce Landorf. She mostly wrote for women. In later years she had personal problems which the church community felt disqualified her for further ministry. I remember her fondly however, for two specific reasons.
Her book, IRREGULAR PEOPLE, remains by far the best book I have ever read about moving past the negative people in your life. They are the people whose approval we most desire but who are probably never going to grant that approval. If you have not ever read this gem, get hold of a copy and do so.
The other reason I have for remembering her is the best BANANA BREAD recipe I have ever found; in fact it is the only recipe I use. Here it is.

JOYCE LANDORF'S BANANA BREAD

MELT 1/4 CUP OF BUTTER.
WHISK TOGETHER: 1 1/2 CUPS OF FLOUR, 1 TSP BAKING SODA, AND 1 TSP SALT IN A BOWL.
MASH 3-4 BANANAS IN ANOTHER BOWL. MIX IN 1 CUP OF SUGAR, 1 EGG, AND THE MELTED BUTTER.
ADD IN THE DRY INGREDIENTS PLUS 1/2 CUP OF CHOPPED WALNUTS.
POUR INTO A GREASED LOAF PAN AND BAKE FOR 1 HOUR @ 325 DEGREES.

The above is her original recipe. The following are some of my own variations.
I have added spices such as nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. I have used poppy seeds, raisins, dried and fresh cranberries, other nuts or no nuts at all, mini chocolate chips, blueberries, apples, nectarines...Get the idea.
I also use less suger, part ww flour and half oil w/ half butter.
In other words, experiment and enjoy.

Oh the highs and lows of ministry. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving potluck with our neighborhood Bible study group on Wednesday evening. We ended the night by sharing what we were thankful for and by praying for each other.
This morning we had King's Kids and ended up having to kick out two boys. They are both my neighbors and are both in sixth grade. They won't be allowed back until January so they will miss the annual Christmas party and gift giving. It breaks my heart, but it will make it possible to teach the others without constant interruption to keep the peace.
Both boys are from single mother homes and both have anger issues. One is extremely bright and has prayed to receive Christ and one is special ed material and has not yet accepted Jesus as his Savior. Both have first names that begin with "T" so if you are reading this and believe in the power of prayer, please pray for both of them and their families.

God is good. He gave me a peaceful afternoon today as I prepare for our neighborhood Bible Study. We are having a baked potato bar so no major food prep! My wonderful husband did a ton of housework too.

We have been busy with responsibilities 6 days a week, but there is nothing I would willingly give up doing. I teach Bible four times a week, twice in our school and twice in neighborhood Bible clubs. I teach music all day long two days a week. We have the above mentioned home Bible study with our neighbors. I don't teach at that one, I cook, facilitate, and babysit...for one very active four-year old.

I do have one funny story to share for those of you who still patiently tune in. Recently on a warm Saturday night Steve and I were in bed watching a DVD before going to sleep. The kids from the corner plus a few more were playing up and down the street, mostly in front of our house. It got louder and louder and I kept peeking out to make sure all was well. Finally, I looked out and saw two fights start, one between boys and one between girls. Since I teach a few of them either in school or Bible club, I put on my (pink satin) bathrobe and my (fuzzy pink) slippers and went out to settle things down. There I was in the middle of the street using my teacher-authority voice and stopping the fighting. Steve and I walked them all home (next-door) and went home and called one of the moms on her cell. I must have been quite the sight, but they don't fight in front of my house any more. And did I mention that TWO male neighbors just stood and watched the fray? The occupants of the car that came by must have gotten a chuckle or two as well!

Life in the city.

It has been a busy summer with no time out for blog reading or writing. The end of the school year came and went so quickly with my concert followed by the conference I attended in Florida that summer was upon me and half over before I took a breath.

I taught a week-long Bible club with a friend. It was based on KidsEE and was lots of fun even if my right hand did develop arthritis from all the cutting out of crafts we did the week before. The kids were very responsive and really began to understand their faith in a way that they could share with others.

We hosted a 6-week long Bible study in our home during which one neighbor gave himself to Christ. Whoo-hoo! The Bible study included serving dinner ahead of time and me babysitting a very active 4 year old so his mom could attend. We will begin again in the fall.

Steve just got back from 5 days at youth camp and is leaving tomorrow for 4 days of teen camp. Looks like I am not going, as we have no girls attending this year. He'll get back on Wednesday and we will leave the next day for family camp with at least one family from the Bible study and another missionary. After that comes teachers meetings followed by the first day of school.

We also spent a week with Micah, Kim, Isaac and Caleb driving to Illinois for a brief visit with my sister Lois and on to Minneapolis for the Five P-Minus Family Conference. More about that later. Just let me say that 50somethings just don't recover from 2 days in the car like they did when they were 20somethings.

I know you have all heard of the horrible shootings in Newark last weekend. Please keep praying for our city. The enemy of our souls thinks he owns Newark and we are truly engaged in Spiritual warfare. The kids we work with are very at risk, very few intact families, and very few resources of any kind. It is a privilege to be here no matter what happens.