In the Meantime...

Here are some fun questions that "Flowerpot" left in my comment section. I thought I would answer these while I wait for my kids to proof-read the post about them...

1) Cookies or cookie dough? Definitely fresh baked cookies right from the oven...you know the chewy in the middle, crisp on the outside kind.

2) Everyday: makeup or no makeup? Golly...this is kind of a funny question. I wear no make-up at home and I wear very little when I am running around town. But, I love to wear make-up to church and when going out with friends.

3) favorite Psalm?
Psalm 146
¹ Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.² I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
³ Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
⁴ When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
⁵ Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
⁶ the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
⁷ He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
⁸ the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
⁹ The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
¹⁰ The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

4) How do you motivate your kids to obedience and responsibility? I am into using "natural consequences" as a tool to motivate. Not into grounding a child or time-outs. Natural consequences are so a part of our world as adults that I see it as a great tool in training my kids toward adulthood. The negative? It takes thought and being consistent.
**Rebecca asked to give an example of a natural consequence. Let's say that one of my children decides to disobey me. He decides that he would rather play around and take his time completing a job that was given to him. The natural consequence is the extra time it took for him to complete the job means he doesn't get to play with his friends for that same amount of time but rather complete an extra job. The thing is you have to explain this to the child so that they see the reasoning behind the consequence. It is also important to note that you, as the parent, need to make sure that you are reasonable and not whimpy or authoritarian in nature. Hope this helps.

5) Hobbies? Cooking, knitting, and traveling.

6) If you wrote a letter to the Heather of 25 years ago, what would you say? You foolish girl...you are seeking after the pleasures of this world which will only lead to heartache, misery, and gluttony. Stop being a vessel that looks clean on the outside but is filthy, dirty on the inside. Do not accept the "love" that is offered so freely by this world but instead allow God's love to fulfill your needs. In the end, if you choose God's way, you will have no regrets.

7) Favorite ice cream/dessert? Tiramisu Gelato...I ate it daily while in Italy. Hard to find good gelato in the states. I really like a good Creme Brulee also.

8) Do you prefer solitude or a party full of friends? My preference would be to spend time with one or two close friends...friends that you know so well that there is no awkwardness when quiet and yet great conversation all other times.

9) Ah-ha moments in your relationship with God? When I realized the full extent of God's sovereignty. The more you understand God's sovereignty the more you understand how great is His mercy and grace in your life.

10) What struggles do you face in raising African children in the culture of USA? I can't think of any struggles. In light of the culture around us I raise my adopted children as I did my own bio children.

11) Worrier or laid back? Laid back in most situations. I have moments though...

12) Nuts in your brownies or plain? Plain please.
~Heather