Day 51

PICTURE: Didn't take one today. Had intentions to take one of Robin and I at lunch, but conversation took priority today.

READING: Numbers 33-36. I FINISHED IT!!!!

I find, as I have been reading through Numbers, myself talking to my Bible. When the Israelites want to quit and go back to Egypt, get mad at Moses and Aaron, or just go astray, I find that I am telling them NO! Wait! Reading their account and knowing that Jesus is coming is frustrating.

I can't help but wonder if that is how God feels. When I am ready to give up or have grown weary and go astray, I am sure God is saying "don't stop! Dina, I know how your story ends. Keep going!"

Tomorrow I start a new book, Deuteronomy, and I am excited. I also know that it is the 5th in the books of the law. So, I find myself, again asking for God's strength to keep my routine. I am learning so much and ready to move on.

Day 50

PICTURE: my sister-in-law, Melissa. A group of us went out to celebrate her bday! She has been part of the family for over 10 years. We had a good time and sang a little karaoke together (Pat Benetar...Hit Me With Your Best Shot).


READING: Numbers 30-32. The Israelites set out to destroy the Midianites (who had led them to follow Baal of Peor), but they spared the source of the problem - the women! I can't help but wonder if they were being 'gentlemanly' or thinking like guys. Good for Moses, seeing that the source of the plague is still alive, that he ordered the women be killed.

I also found an answer to my question about Caleb and Joshua. Numbers 32:12 "Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly."

Day 49

PICTURE: my magic blanket. My great grandma made this blanket for me when I was born. It was so well-loved that my grandma had to put a new blanket on it and added the satin border. It had started to get pretty ragged on the outside about 2 months ago. I asked my great friend, Shannon, if she could fix it. This is the final result. The white is new - she put it over the old pink quilting. She also cut a piece of the old backing and made a little patch. Then she sewed everything to keep in nice and sturdy. I LOVE IT!!!! Can't wait to take a nap with it.


READING: Numbers 27-29. I'm guessing that Joshua was spared because he is to become the successor of Moses. What HUGE shoes to fill! Moses has helped to bring God's people into a new land. However, none of those who began the journey are still there. A new generation = a new leader.

Day 48

PICTURE: the cutest puppy EVER! I just love this dog. This is where he was while I was getting my lunch ready....sitting so handsomely in hopes that I would give him a nibble of something (which I never do because people food is not good for doggies). He is the best and VERY therapeutic.





READING: Numbers 25-26. The plague is gone! The only people who are left from the census that Moses and Aaron took in the desert at Sinai are Caleb and Joshua. God promised that not one Israelite from that first census would leave the desert....why Caleb and Joshua? Did I miss something?

Day 47

PICTURE: Spongebob lunchbox! My mom got me this lunchbox my very first year of teaching, 9 years ago. It has carried many meals, started some great conversations, and been a connection-maker with the kiddos. Today was the last day for the Spongebob lunchbox (tear...). It is getting torn, tattered, and bit smelly. I got a new lunchbox.

PICTURE: my NEW lunchbox. This is the replacement for good 'ol Spongebob. I recently hosted a Thirty-One catalog party (my friend, Lindsay, is a consultant) and these were on sale! So, I found a fun, new lunchbox and had it personalized. I hope my new lunchbox is as good to me as Spongebob was.


READING: Numbers 22-24. I love how Balaam stands firm to his directions and his word. he told Balak's messengers that he could not go against God. Balak still calls for him to curse what God has already blessed.... Numbers 23:19-20 "'God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Doe he speak and then not act? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.'"

Day 46

PICTURE: my Bible. Today was a day that I found myself extra thankful for God's word. It has been a rough few weeks in my classroom...kids making "not-so-great" choices. Today I came home and had some quiet time and it was soooo nice.


READING: Numbers 19-21. I am noticing how ungrateful the Israelites can be. Every chapter consists of some sort of grumbling and whining from them. They constantly moan about their situation and direct it at Moses saying, "Why did you bring us here?" STOP complaining!!!!

Day 45

PICTURE: Valentine's Party. We had our classroom party today. I took pics of all of the groups. This group, the Psycho Monkeys, kept giggling and laughing. I took 3 pics of them trying to get normal smiles. This pic is one of MANY reasons why I love my job.


READING: Numbers 16-18. When will the Israelites ever learn?! They question God's authority again and several are struck dead. God has His ways of doing things and we need to accept that HE knows what He is doing! When we question God and rebel, it doesn't turn out well.

Day 44

PICTURE: "Gnomeo and Juliet" I highly recommend this movie for some family entertainment. I went with our adopted family member, Cortney, and we enjoyed it! I had to take a pic of the screen for my pic of the day. Let me know if you go and what you think of it!


READING: Numbers 14-15. There are consequences for not trusting God. The men who saw the land flowing with milk and honey will NEVER get to dwell there because they openly doubted God. Only their children will get to live there. This also causes punishment for their children...they can't progress to the land until all of the men have perished in the desert!

I can't help but wonder if God still works like this...does he still keep things from us when we doubt?

Day 43

PICTURE: Upward dads! This was absolutely hilarious!!!! Each player and cheerleader had to take off their shoes and untie them. The shoes were piled in the middle of the gym with the dads and grandpas circled around them (backs to the shoes). The task: find your kid's shoes, put them on your kid, tie them, and make a basket. It was hilarious and a great time. I had tears from laughing so hard. This is one of MANY reasons that I love being part of Upward.


READING: Numbers 11-13. Verse 11:23 says, "The LORD answered Moses, 'Is the LORD'S arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'" This goes right along with chapter 13. God has PROMISED the Israelites a land "flowing with milk and honey" and they have seen this land with their own eyes. But, because there are scary things there that they hadn't imagine, they lie about the land. They question the power of God! How often we, as believers, do this - we question what God has placed before us because it doesn't look like we thought it should! God's not like us. He keeps His promises and sees more than we do.

Day 42

PICTURE: so I misplaced my camera! I thought I had it at school, but it wasn't there. I then assumed it was home, but nope! Hopefully I will find it!!!!

READING: Numbers 8-10. The site of the Israelites moving, must have been something! Millions on the move, following specific instructions, a routine. Numbers 9:15-23 tells how God's presence directed their movement. He chose when they moved and when they stayed. I don't know that there was any type of for-warning or if God just decided on the spot. I can't help but wonder how long it took for their camp to move. I'm imagining an area the size of Ft. Wayne....did it take a day to get everything gathered? a week? a few hours?