Happy Resurrection Sunday

Then Came the Morning

Sunday's Coming

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Thanksgiving for today
Community rallying together
Door that continue to open
Kiddos obeying safety rules with no arguments
Time to focus on the weekend
Christ's obedience and sacrifice
Grace

Oz the Great and Powerful Movie Review

I have been waiting to write this review until I saw the movie in 3D, but that hasn't happened yet, so I'll write this review and then add to it later (if I ever get to see the movie in 3D).  I watched it in 2D at first because so far I have only found one theater I can see 3D movies in 3D without getting a headache.   So, I patiently wait for it to arrive there and hope I'm not busy that weekend.  Ah, the joys of a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and double vision.

This is an amazing movie and I've heard I should definitely see it in 3D, so I hope I can.  Some 3D movies have not really been worth watching in 3D, but this has scenes I think would be pretty spectacular in 3D.  Even in 2D the imagery is just magic.   Just so you know, there may be spoiler alerts in this blog, so if you haven't seen it and want to see it with no fore knowledge, stop reading now.  

This movie was amazing visually and cinematographically.  Just like the Wizard of Oz, Kansas is black and white which makes entering the colorful land of oz more of a visual feast.  I was waiting for some of the characters from the Wizard of Oz.  There were nods to the lion and scarecrow--see if you can find them.  But, the tin man was no where to be seen.  That's OK with me the scarecrow is my favorite anyway.  I did not expect to see Dorothy, after all she wouldn't have been around at this time, but is Annie Dorothy's Mom?  I think possibly so.

I loved the new characters and the fact that this movie added pieces of the L. Frank Baum books that the Wizard of Oz did not.  The china village is one of my favorite parts and I'm so glad they decided to add it in.  When I read the book, that is a part I was saddened was missing.

I think this movie is definitely worth the see.   And, I think they did a great job trying to stay true to the movie Wizard of Oz while adding some parts from the books that were missing. It would be hard to stay completely true to the books, since the Wizard of Oz movie definitely did not.   I have been reading the books and as with most movies based on books, there are some marked differences.  There is a missing witch for one.  And, the story of how Oz took the throne in the Emerald City is markedly different.  Oz, in the books is more of a "humbug" and less of a hero.  Of course, that wouldn't make a very good movie.  You definitely want a hero to root for against the wicked witches.

That being said, I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again.  This is one that will definitely make it's way into our home movie library.  But, if you are a book purist, you will be disappointed.  There are differences so great that it would be hard to overlook them.

There is a quote from the movie that I am going to try to live by:  Oz said: 
"You have nothing to fear so long as you believe. For when you believe, anything is possible"

Can We Switch From Snow to Rain?

Why is it that snow so often has been impacting church this winter?  Why is it that it comes in on a Saturday night and keeps my KDOT employee husband out plowing?  I am thankful that it comes at a time that doesn't impact work or school.  I am thankful that it comes at a time I can technically stay inside, but I sure do miss going to church. 

We have had some practice learning how to have "church" at home.  I'm thankful that there are shows on my DVR that can work for church.  Today, for example, we watched (and challenged each other) with American Bible Challenge and I played the edited version of The Bible which really means I fast fowarded through all the really violent parts.  That's the great thing about DVR--It lets me preview a show and then only watch the parts later with the kiddos that I think they should see.  We also got to watch the new VeggieTales DVD (more for me than for them) and do our Lent Bible reading.  Which just so happened to be about Palm Sunday.  So, although we missed waving palm branches and fellowshipping with our church family, we still had "church."

I know we need the moisture, but I sure hope we're at the time of year where we can switch over to rain.  I sure miss church and hope this is the last time I have to for a very long time.

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Thanksgiving for today
Warm house
Learning to have "church" at home
Food in the house
Almond Toffee from Russell Stovers
Cozy blanket
Learning to go with the flow

Exhaustion

I'm so tired and I've fallen behind on posts.  I will be catching up on my 40 Days with Jesus on my Searching for the Truth blog soon and will be starting a new one to keep you all up to date on my Ms Wheelchair Kansas adventures.  More about that soon, but that is one reason I am so tired.  But, I wanted to get some thankful thoughts out here anyway. 

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Thanksgiving for today
639.  Support
640.  Pampering
641.  Laughter
642.  Memories
643.  Excitement
644.  Getting to be a part of God's plan
645.  True friendship
646.  Social media
647.  Good luck pins
648.  MWKS
649.  Celebration
650.  Cots
651.  Oz Museum
652.  New Barbies
653.  Power of my new uniform
654.  Brainstorming
655.  When all works together

Am I Getting Old?

I sent my daughter off to her first youth lock-in this weekend. She was super excited from the minute I picked her up from school she was counting down the hours.  But, this was harder on me than I expected.  Am I really old enough to have a child old enough to go to youth events?  Even worse than that was the sadness that she is having experiences without me.  When did she get old enough for that to happen?  Plus, there is a little disappointment based on unrealized expectations.  I had always thought I'd be experiencing these youth events with her.  My husband was a youth pastor after all and I went as a female chaperone to many events.  So, I always assumed I'd be with her as she experienced these firsts.  Well, life throws you a curve ball sometimes.  Our current life situation does not make my being there an option right now.  Do I trust the chaperones she is with--ABSOLUTELY.  But, that doesn't lesson the sadness that my baby is having an amazing experience without me.  I know that letting go is part of parenting, but it is a part I'm not sure I was ready for yet.  I've survived this night.  We'll see how I do when she heads to her first weekend long youth event several hours away.  :)

There's No Place Like Home

"The Scarecrow listened carefully, and said, 'I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas.'"

'That is because you have no brains,' answered the girl. 'No matter how dreary and gray our home are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful.  There is no place like home'

The Scarecrow sighed.

'Of course I cannot understand it,'  he said.  'If your heads were stuffed with straw, like mine, you would probably all live in the beautiful places, and then Kansas would have no people at all.  It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains."

Do you consider Kansas a dry gray place?
Do you have a favorite place in Kansas?  Check out our blog for some ideas.
http://kansas150th-150thingstodoinkansas.blogspot.com/
Do you agree with Dorthy that "there is no place like home."?
After living in other places, I found myself wanting to return "home" to raise my children in a place and culture I understood.  How about you?
Who is your favorite character from the Wizard of Oz?  (mine is scarecrow)
What is your favorite rendition of the Wizard of Oz?  (I love the movie with Judy Garland and the sci-fi mini series Tin Man)
If you've never read the books, I recommend you do so.  I plan on reading through the entire series.  (There may be more updates as we go along.)
I can't wait to see Oz The Great and Powerful in theaters.  What about you?

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Thanksgiving for today
491.  Leadership opportunities
492. Friends who get excited with me
493.  Free samples
494;  Cooking with my son
495.  Devotions as a family
496.  Listening to music being played in my house
497.  When I only have to ask once
498.  Natural talent