Monday Miscellany

Today is my last full day that the kids are in school. For the rest of the week, they just go for the finals they take. And for some miraculous reason, they are totally in sync with their exemptions. In December it seemed that I was continually taking one and picking the other one up! They really have a dream of a schedule; they don't have to go at all Tuesday (other than to check in with the attendance office sometime before noon), they each have one final from 9:05 to 11:05 on Wednesday; two finals, 9:05 to 1:15 Thursday, and one "final" final Friday morning from 9:05 to 11:05. Then it's hello, summer vacation! And while I know I'll feel a little bit like I've returned to the Mother's Day Out time of my life with such short days, there is one huge benefit to finals.

No sack lunches to fix! Woohoo!

And the other thing that's nice about finals week is that there are no more performances to attend! I enjoy going, but after last week when my girl had a voice recital, piano recital, viola recital, and choir concert, I am ready for a breather!

My girl does have one more school-related activity on Saturday - she qualified for State Solo & Ensemble and will perform for judges at that. She will play a solo piece and also be part of a quartet.

But being finished with all of the other school stuff for a few months? That's music to my ears!

* * * * *
I've been so swamped with performances and book reviews that I haven't had a chance to thank some folks for some very fun awards! Whenever I get one of these, it makes me think, "They like me; they really like me!" It's always fun to be encouraged.


Michelle V at Life in Review honored me with the Sunshine Blog Award, which is given to bloggers that "inspire others and show positivity and creativity." She's a fellow book reviewer, and her blog has lots of fun links on it as well as reviews.



Janet Ruth at Along the Way gave me the Blog Neighbor Award. Thanks so much, Janet Ruth!


Julia Reffner at Dark Glass Ponderings blessed me with the Bodacious Blogging Book Reviewers Award. What a fun award! And I love the name of her blog and the verse posted in her header.


I thought there might have been one more -- not that I'm being greedy! But if there was, I apparently inadvertently deleted the email for the comment that told me about it. So if you gave me an award in the last 6 weeks or so and I haven't acknowledged it, please accept my apologies!

Now I am horrible about passing these things on. I never can choose! So if you are one of my blog readers who leaves me a comment, consider the Sunshine Award passed on to you! Because your kind comments are just like sunshine to me, only without the migraine!

And if you have enjoyed any of my reviews, or if you have picked up a book because of one of those reviews, I consider you Good Blog Neighbor, so that one is for you!

I am going to pass along the Bodacious Blogging Book Reviewer Award to some specific folks that also review books. I have so enjoyed connecting with you through our mutual enjoyment of the written word! If you aren't familiar with these folks, check them out!

1. Kim at Window to My World
2. CeeCee at Book Splurge
3. Quilly at Quintessentially Quilly
4. Cathy at Tales of the TCKK Family
5. Tami at Tree Swing Reading
5. BP at Rainbows and Rainbows

* * * * *
On a more serious note, our pastor has been preaching a series on personal evangelism over the past six weeks. Yesterday he pointed out a verse in Romans which is incredibly convicting regarding the urgency and sorrow Paul felt over those who were lost without Christ:

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel.
Romans 9:2-4a

Ouch. I don't have unceasing anguish in my heart and I'm not willing to give up my "seat on the bus," as our pastor put it, for someone else. (I know it's not an option, but Paul was willing to if he could.) May God prick our hearts and give us a burden for the lost.

What could be too great a cost
for sharing life with one who's lost?
When will we realize. . .
People need the Lord