What I Learned in April

Everything is blooming, everyone is sneezing from the high pollen count, and I’m linking up with Emily P. Freeman from Chatting at the Sky. Here are 8 things I learned in the month of April and a few picture book ideas too:

1. The poem needs to change in the Northwest. April Showers bring May flowers isn’t quite right where I live. In the South Sound area the flowers and bushes are blooming everywhere and I believe it’s due to all the rain we had in March. (We had the wettest March on record!!) March showers bring April flowers...

2. The reason they're called Quarter horses. While walking around Old Scottsdale with friends on our trip, I got to meet a singing cowboy and his horse Dusty. He told us that the Quarter horse got it’s name because it was bred to run the quarter mile faster than any other breed.  

3. Weather...it happens. Whenever I travel, it seems the weather improves in my hometown and gets sort of crummy at my destination.  After two glorious days of heat and sunshine, things changed last Saturday while we were in Arizona. We woke up to temps in the 50's, wind and gray skies with some sprinkles. If I hadn’t seen the cactus I might have thought I was back on Fox Island. It's supposed to be sunny and 80 at home today but I'm headed to Indianapolis; overcast and high 50's. 

4. Need balance? Grow another arm. I love the pine trees of my area, but I also love cactus! I learned that due to small roots, as the plants grow taller, they grow another “arm” for balance. These arms also provide more shelter for dessert animals. If you need a fun informative picture book to teach a child about cactus, check out Cactus Hotel. I used to read it to my Kindergarten classes. 

5. I wear my heart on my sleeve, my hands, my face, etc. Let it be said that I’m aware I feel deeply. Apparently it’s sort of obvious even to people who don’t spend a lot of time with me. My friend's husband observed this quality characteristic. The saying “you’re only as happy as your saddest child” was probably written for me. I really do feel others’ pain and want to do my part to help. The rub is I don’t want to meddle where it’s not my business. Tricky stuff...

6. I NEED to see Frozen: I guess I’m in the 3% that hasn’t seen the latest Disney movie. Now that I don’t have littles, I don’t automatically see animated movies. My youngest (she’s 20) saw it with friends, my husband saw it on a plane flight and my pastor used it in his Easter sermon. I plan to rent it soon.

7. Llama’s fleece is really special! It is flame-resistant, water-resistant and hypoallergenic. I hope they'll be making infant pajamas out of it soon. 
Have you read Llama Llama Red Pajama?

8. No thank you LAX. Today is my first time flying navigating through the Los Angeles airport and I hope I won't be back anytime soon. I had to find a shuttle to head from one terminal to another. As we drove around the very crowded tarmac my life passed before my eyes and I even saw a  "Stop for aircraft" sign! At a restaurant I asked the price for a Bloody Mary to make for a calm flight but no, I'm not paying $17!
9. I write while I drive and walk. Not really...but I do get a lot of my ideas and lessons from observations while I’m on-the-go. I just need to be better about writing down my thoughts when I return home! I also am writing a post while way up in the air on a plane for the first time. I feel mod.
10.Weddings are the best! I'm off to Indy for my niece's wedding and even though my hubby can't attend, I'm going to have a great time with my Mom and sisters. Prayers going up for glorious weather on Saturday for the outdoor reception.

What have you learned this month?

In His Grip, Jane

Messages Matter

Simple words, strung together. When I taught Kindergarten and First Grade, I remember the joy I felt when my little students could write and comprehend a simple sentence. Because we are all so inundated with words; emails, texts, billboards, and junk mail, perhaps we sometimes ignore messages or disregard their importance. 

Recently I was cleaning out our refrigerator and I decided to make sure all our food was fresh. Imagine my surprise when I read the small print on the back of the mustard bottle. The expiration date was four and a half years ago!! Thankfully we were using the Dijon mustard.

Our family has received quite a variety of messages this month:

On our front door, another notice from the bank to our landlord was hung. That important information seems to be slightly ignored but we're still here on Carver Corner.

There is a crack-down against distracted driving in our Harbor Town that our daughter apparently didn’t think applied to her. She forgot safety rules and ignored the flashing warning...

U TEXT

U DRIVE

U LOSE

Yep, she did the VERY BAD, very unsafe, texting and driving and has a traffic ticket to prove it.

After church we noticed a note stuck under our windshield wiper. Thank goodness we read it!

No, we actually hadn't noticed! Wasn’t that a thoughtful thing to do? Our tab was still stapled to the updated registration form in the glove box. We dodged a ticket due to this helpful message left anonymously. Thank you whoever you are!

This card came in the mail for me. It was my "consolation prize." Due to the encouragement of a prayer buddy, I entered a contest of Christian Bloggers at (In)courage. I didn’t expect to be one of the nine new writers chosen, but of course I had dreamed of contributing. The card was a kind way to be notified that even though I wasn’t picked I should keep on writing.

I hope my little See Jane Learn blog gives encouragement to faithful readers or anyone that stumbles upon it. I want my "ministry of words" to matter. That is the goal; to encourage others in their faith and share the lessons I’m learning as I navigate this current empty-nester phase of life.

Messages and writing have always been a part of our family. Since the kids could write their ABC’s. My Nashville girl sends me frequent texts and emails keeping me posted on what is happening in her life or thanking me for care packages I mail her. She also brings joy to her Grandma by sending her letters. My youngest daughter (yep, the ticket girl) writes amazing notes to her friends telling them how much they mean to her. The other day she hand-painted Easter cards for them.

My sons are writers too. The oldest, who teaches English in Chicago, has written stories since his fourth grade teacher encouraged him. He's also really great about leaving little post-it notes on the counter. When he's not commuting or battling yet another snowstorm, he writes. His wife (my sweet daughter-in-law) is focused on writing comedy. One of her class plays was performed at Second City in Chicago! My younger son is getting ready to graduate from Whitworth, so he's busy writing papers. My sweet boy occasionally sends this Mama emails.  My hubby is fabulous at writing letters, he’s written a book and has a blog. I believe he modeled the importance of words to all our kids.

Words and messages matter. They can inform, warn, and encourage. They can bring hope.

The most important message ever spoken or written will be celebrated all over the world this coming Sunday and there's no expiration date.

“HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!”  Luke 24:6

God's word is his great big message to all of us. Join me in sharing the Good News of what Jesus did for us on the cross. 

The Easter message matters!

In His Grip, 
xo Jane