Tackle It on Tuesday: 1000 Piece Puzzle

Last week, the focus of my 'Tackle It on Tuesday' post was this:

1000 piece panoramic puzzle

If you recall from that post, we had just started two weeks of everyday rehearsals for the upcoming play my daughter will be performing in. Last week, three of the rehearsals were at night, which meant that we didn't really see my husband or my son for three days! 

The puzzle ended up being a fun way that we could work on a project together, even though we really didn't work on the puzzle 'together'. 

So, I know you are all just waiting to find out if we finished the puzzle...

Completed puzzle!

Yes, we did!! And it was a tough one! Which is why you see two magnifying glasses on the table (homeschool science kits do come in handy!) We all enjoyed working on the puzzle so much that we are actually thinking of finding another one to work on.

Now that that project is completed, what is going to be my next Tackle It on Tuesday project?

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson

Last year, I really enjoyed taking a photography class and working through the Capture Your 365 daily prompts. However, once we got to the holidays, then my Mexico trip, then our crazy schedule right now with the play, I just knew I would not be able to commit the time to take on a daily photography project. What I would like to do though, is take some time this year to work through a couple of photography books that I have on hand, and work through some online tutorials to help me improve my photography.

So for this next week, I am going to start out small and just read through the first chapter of this book, Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson. It is one book that my photography teacher had recommended and I haven't made time to read through it before now. 

What are you hoping to tackle this upcoming week?

February Compassion Share &Tell

It is really hard for me to believe that it has been over a month now since my Compassion trip to Mexico! But it is time to share with you what I have put together to send to my sponsored kids this month. Because I like to send more than a letter, my daughter helped me with this video to share what I am mailing to Felix this month:

Did you enjoy the video? I sure hope you did!

So, here is what I wrote to Felix this month:

Dear Felix,

I was so excited to receive your first letter last month! In fact, I am enclosing a photo of me holding your letter. I love your drawings! In your letter, you asked me to pray for your family, so they will know Jesus. I want you to know that I have been praying for you and your family. I still remember that special time I was able to spend with you at your home on my visit to Mexico. You and your family are very special to me, and I want you to know that Jesus loves you and He is watching over you and your family.

In the Bible, in the book of John, there is a verse which says, "I am the resurrection and the life." - John 11:25. This verse is talking about Jesus and how He dies for us, because of our sin. But each one of us can have a new life in Him! He wants us to know Him and believe in Him. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe that He died for you and that He is your Lord and Savior? I pray that you do!

Right now, it is still winter where I live, but our very first daffodil bulb bloomed! These are plants that we put in the soil of our garden in the fall. Then in the spring time, we are blessed with these cheerful, yellow flowers that let us know spring is on its way! Are there any yellow flowers where you live?

Felix, I pray that you will continue to learn more about God, do well in school, and help your mom around your home. I love you and am looking forward to receiving your next letter!

In the video above, you can see some of the items I have included in the mailing this month. The photo idea of me with the letters came from a fellow Compassion advocate. She shared the idea on her Facebook page recently. The Easter coloring page and the Learn to Draw a Daffodil page are just a couple of items you can find on my Pinterest page or Compassion's Pinterest page.

I would love to read what you have written to your Compassion sponsored child lately. If you have a blog post to share, be sure to link up below

Tackle It on Tuesday: Pants for Mr. Tumnus

Last week, I shared that my task I was hoping to tackle of the past week was to complete the furry legs for Kelsey's costume. Was I successful?

Kelsey with her Mr. Tumnus furry legs

Task tackled!! And I have to say, I am so happy that this task is complete. We have just started two weeks of every day rehearsals and I keep reminding myself, 'this is just a season'. We are generally not this busy. In addition to the play, I have been helping to plan and prepare for an upcoming conference. So needless to say, there are some tasks around my home that are not getting done right now. Again, I remind myself, 'this is just a season'.

So during this busy season, what am I hoping to tackle this next week?

1000 piece panoramic puzzle in progress

Last week, I pulled out this puzzle that had been unopened for quite some time. I thought it might be a great way to reduce a little of the stress that comes with a very busy schedule. My husband and I worked on the outside edges, then Kelsey has spent a bit of time on it. Then, last night, Matthew started in on it. Think we can finish this by next Tuesday? Come back next week and find out!

Do you have a project you would like to tackle in the next week? I would love for you to join me! Let's help keep each other accountable as we tackle projects around our home, so here are the rules:

1. Below is the link up. Please share the URL for your specific blog post. (Makes it easier for us all to find it.)
2. Once your post is up, visit the other bloggers. Comment on their post and give them some encouragement to make progress on their project for the week.
3. Come back next week so we can share our progress. And hey, some projects might take longer than a week! So don't be discouraged if your project is not finished yet. Let's celebrate the step-by-step progress we are making!

Tackle It on Tuesday: My Desk

Last week, I shared with you my idea of doing a weekly link up where we share something we would like to tackle over the upcoming week. My project this past week was my desk.

My messy desk

With being out of town for three days over the last week, I wasn't sure if I was going to have a chance to tackle this one project. But Mondays are usually one day out of the week that we are home. So, even though there are still some piles on my desk, I believe it looks a whole lot better than it did the week before!

My desk with less clutter!

So what am I planning on tackling this upcoming week?

Mr. Tumnus costume!

Back in September, my daughter enrolled in a drama class with a local homeschool group. In just two and a half weeks, they will be performing 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'. Kelsey is playing the part of Mr. Tumnus! (She is really excited about this part!) Well, Mr. Tumnus needs some furry legs. So I will be attempting to take these two yards of furry material and turning them into furry leg pants for Kelsey to wear as part of her costume. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!? Wish me luck!!

Do you have a project you would like to tackle in the next week? I would love for you to join me! Let's help keep each other accountable as we tackle projects around our home, so here are the rules:

1. Below is the link up. Please share the URL for your specific blog post. (Makes it easier for us all to find it.)
2. Once your post is up, visit the other bloggers. Comment on their post and give them some encouragement to make progress on their project for the week.
3. Come back next week so we can share our progress. And hey, some projects might take longer than a week! So don't be discouraged if your project is not finished yet. Let's celebrate the step-by-step progress we are making!

January Compassion Joy

Time to link up with my friend Jill at Compassion Family for her monthly Compassion Joy Dare link up! She encourages each one of us to post about the blessings we receive as sponsors through Compassion, and this past month was an incredible month for me!

Meeting my Compassion child Felix and his family

Most of you know that I was able to go on my first Compassion Sponsor Tour to Mexico where I was able to meet our new sponsored child, Felix! I still have at least one more post to write about our trip, hopefully it will be ready next week.

First letter from Felix!

Received our first letter from Felix after we got home from our trip! I love that he wants us to pray that his family will know Jesus, definitely my constant prayer for his family.

Thank you note from Olive!

Received a sweet thank you note and pictures from my friend, Olive! I was able to attend her graduation from Denver Seminary in December. She has been a Compassion Leadership Development Program Student. Now that she has completed her studies, she is back in her home country, Uganda. Lord willing, I would love to visit her there one day.

Compassion Bloggers went to Uganda in January

Speaking of Uganda, were you able to follow the Compassion Bloggers on their trip to Uganda last month? Wow, such powerful stories they shared with all of us! Now that I have been on my own trip, I sure do have a new respect for them. How they process their day and write those posts each night just amazes me. God has surely gifted each one of them with incredible writing talent. I pray you have time to read through some of their posts!

Shirley was sponsored last month!

One last thing to share with you! Not only was Shirley sponsored by a family at our church (and she attends the same center in Mexico as our Felix!), Rendy from Indonesia now has a sponsor by another family at our church!

January sure was a month filled with Compassion Joy for me! Be sure to head over to Jill's blog to read about the other Compassion Joy's being shared this month.