Joplin Journal Volume 9-3, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

I feel like my brain is on overload. It's full of writing projects, camp stuff, teaching things, emails, messes, music, life, preparing to teach tomorrow, and I'm not sure what else. I sort of want to run away and just read today, but at the same time I want to get some other things done. Hmm. What to do? Well, since I don't really have any place to run away too, I guess I'll stay here. Maybe I can get some reading in anyway.

Weather Report:

We've had a lot of rain and clouds this week. Last week was rather cloudy and colder too. But not every day. We've had sunshine here and there. We go from short sleeve weather, to long sleeve weather and back again. Right now it is sunny and almost 60º. The spring beauties are blooming. There are buds on the lilac bush. Very small ones, but they are still there. Everything is getting very green. More trees are budding and leaves are getting larger. It's even sounding more like spring because the birds are singing earlier and earlier.

"Genius Burns":

Last week I was able to get 10k words written! That is double of what I usually write. Pretty exciting. This week I'm over 8k. Not sure if I'll try to write today or not. My "4th of July" story is so much fun to write, and it's over half way done. These characters are enjoyable and I love writing all things patriotic.

Phil Wood has slowed down just a bit. I finally got through all the rewriting and changing around parts and am to the totally new stuff. I need to think through a few things and then I hope I can get back to writing 1k on it and 1k on my 4th of July story each day.

Project Prognosis:

• KDWC Camp – [Read more below]
• Children's Church – I'm teaching again. The teacher I alternate with couldn't do tomorrow, so I'm teaching twice this month, but next month I won't be teaching at all. I think. :)
• Working on cleaning out my computer files – Well, I haven't done that much.
• Blog Posts – I haven't even started on May's posts.

KDWC:

The King's Daughters' Writing Camp is starting their 3rd full month camp. We did one mini camp in January, but April is a full month of writing camp. We currently have 63 campers of all ages. We have 6 "tents" each with an "auntie." While camp doesn't officially start until April 1st, there is already writing and brainstorming going on.

The Music Stand:

Practice has been going well for both the instrument ensemble and the ladies ensemble. The ladies will be singing for Easter Sunday, and the instruments (5 violins, a flute and piano) will be playing the following Sunday.

Babysitting:

I think we babysat the kids last week. . . . Yes, we did. It was nice out and we road bikes. Sarah and I took the kids down to the bike path and while Sarah walked with Grant, who was riding his trike, I rode with the others down the path to the road and back to meet Sarah and Grant at the bridge. It was the first time Kailyn had gotten to ride that far with the rest of us. She was pretty excited about it even if her legs were tired.

Out of the Mouth:

Grant is cracking us up more and more with what he says and does. When he and Sarah were going down the hill to the path, Grant saw the creek (Drew calls it a river, and the city calls it a drainage ditch) and said they didn't want to go down there. Then he asked Sarah what would happen if he did go down there. Sarah repeated the question, and Grant said, in a very dramatic voice, "I would sink!"

A little down the path was a note painted on the path for some run or something a year or so ago. Grant wanted to know what it said.

Sarah: "It says 'Turn back'. They wanted someone to turn around."

Grant: "Grant, turn back! No! I'm going this way." :D

Super Saturday:

Last Saturday I didn't write a Joplin Journal because Sarah and I were at church helping with Super Saturday. A Bible camp in MO comes down and does what they call "a week of camp in a day." Sarah takes pictures during the day and helps listen to Bible verses during Bible memory time. My job changes each time. :) This year I got to help with the games for both the juniors and the teens. Since the theme at Bible Camp this year is military, the activities were things like mine fields, and target practice, and an obstacle course. Everyone had fun, but we were all tired at the end.

Teacher's Lounge:

Guess what? I've started teaching again. It's been a while since I've actually had classes here at the house. Last fall I did teach one student, but I gave her written assignments at church. Now I have 5 brand new students coming every other week. (They'll come next week.) We had our first class on the 18th and they were begging to have it longer. And they wanted it every week. Even the ones who were rather nervous about it seemed to enjoy it. And I'm enjoying it!

I'm also teaching two high school students creative writing. They are each working on writing a short story. We'll have classes once a month. At least that is the plan. It might change.

Birthday:

Today is Kinsley's 1st birthday! Grant keeps telling me she's going to be two, but let's let her be one first. ;) This evening we are heading over to Jimmy's for supper and presents. Her three loves are baby dolls, stuffed animals, and balls. It's going to be fun to see her opening her presents. I'm sure Grant and Kailyn will be more than happy to help her. ;)

Note: The party has been changed to Tuesday evening due to some kids not feeling well this morning.

Read Another Page Publishing:

The final Triple Creek Ranch book is now on audio! Yes, you read that right. The ENTIRE TCR series is now recorded and available for you to listen to!

Book Nook:

I know I've read books since the last time I sent out a Joplin Journal. Let me take a look at what I've read. Here's my list:

• Forever with You - 3 stars
• As Good as My Coach - 4 stars
• Don't Kiss Me Goodbye - 3 stars
• Safe - 4 stars
• Notes from a Blue Bike - 3 stars
• The Story of Dan Beard - 3 stars
• Their Day at the Beach - 5 stars
• The Return of the Alaskan - 4 stars

I didn't mention the books that were 2 stars, or the few I just didn't finish reading. Right now I'm reading a Grace Livingston Hill book and enjoying it.

Farewell:

I do believe that covers everything in my notes. Yes, I did make a list of what I should include because it is too easy to forget when I'm actually writing this thing. And I've gotten interrupted several times, so I think I'll just send this and try NOT to think of anything I might be missing.