Names Ending with "el" in the Bible

This school year, Holly and I are studying the names of God, beginning with Elohim - God - All Powerful One - Creator. Many Bible name end with the letters el which means "God" and I tried to find a list of Bible names ending in el and their meanings on the internet but couldn't find one.  So I thought I'd make one myself.  This is not yet an exhaustive list so if I've left off your favorite, please let me know.  Eventually I want to add the Bible references.

Abiel - God is my Father

Asahel - creature of God

Ariel - lion of God

Azareel - help of God

Azarel -  God has helped 

Bethel - house of God

Daniel - God is my judge

Emmanuel - God is with us

Ezekiel - God strengthens

Gabriel - man of God

Gamaliel - benefit of God

Hazael - God sees

Ishmael - God will hear

Israel - who prevails with God

Jahleel - God waits

Jazeel - strength of God

Jeheiel - God lives

Joel - Yahweh is God

Lemuel - belonging to God
 
Lael -  to God

Michael - who is like God

Nathaniel - God has given

Reuel - Friend of God

Samuel - Asked of God

Shemuel - appointed by God

Uriel - God is my light

Uzziel - my power is God

Zuriel - my rock is God
 

Patriotic Graduation Party Decorations

Last week we celebrated Gabriel's graduation from Pensacola with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. We thought a 4th of July themed party was appropriate for the aspiring politician.  I'm thinking about selling some of these in my Etsy shop.  Here are a few of the pictures:

Stay tuned for more pictures.....

Gabriel and a Carton of Milk

The following is a blog entry that I wrote (on my very old blog) nearly 5 1/2 years ago when we were living in Romania.

November 3, 2006
Yesterday morning I woke up with every intention of doing a full day of school. I ate my usual breakfast, just a bowl of cereal, and was getting ready to take a shower. As I was walking into the kitchen, towards the bathroom, Gabriel was walking by with a rather bloody paper towel around his finger. “Mom, I cut my finger opening the milk.” Yikes! He certainly did a good job too. We do not have the normal gallon jugs here but one liter boxes that must be cut.

Kitchen sheers are the preferred safe method but although I have three pairs, they tend to wander away. So rather than search for them, Gabe opted for a knife. This was one of those bigger than a Band-Aid cuts and thankfully John was home to handle it. John examined it and bandaged Gabe’s finger and said he’ll be just fine. I slammed my finger in a car door at age 10. My mom took me to the ER and I didn’t need stitches. John cut his finger with an ax, age 30 and I took him to the ER. He didn’t need stitches either. We avoid Romanian hospitals if at all possible. Romania has come a long way since the fall of Communism in 1989 but the medical field is still a scary place. Please pray that Gabe’s finger heals without any problems.

While John was examining Gabe’s finger, Gabe started feeling a bit queasy. Could it be that my 15 year old son, taller and stronger than me and lover of action flicks, is qualmish at the sight of his own blood? We told him to lie down on the couch for a while. After I was sure he was ok, I finally took my shower. After family devotions, which were two hours later than usual, I decided that this would be a good day to watch some World War II movies that I had been wanting to watch with the kids. So even though we did not do the lessons that I had written down on our schedule, we still had a lot of learning going on.

Gabriel is nearly 21 now and fully recovered except for the fact that he apparently sliced a nerve and his finger is numb where he cut it. Doesn't bother him thankfully or affect him in any way. Praise the Lord!

My 9-11 Story

My September 11 story began in June of 2001. We were missionaries to Romania on furlough. We were in New York trying to raise support to return to the field. We had a day off and decided to go to the Statue of Liberty. This was my first time there; the kids too. I remember standing there looking across the skyline of New York City. I had always wanted to go there. I made up my mind right then and there that we would go on our next trip to New York which was coming up in September. Ten year old Gabriel didn't seem as impressed as I was with the skyline. One comment about the world trade center buildings was, "They're not twin towers. One has an antenna on top."

Three months later we found ourselves in New York again. We were busy visiting several churches and spending time with John's family. John asked at one point, "What do you want to do on Tuesday?" I forgot about my determination to go to New York City. I forgot about the Empire State Building and the Twin Towers. It never occurred to me that we would be only an hour away on Wednesday and it would be a very feasible trip on Tuesday. All of that completely slipped my mind. Instead I said something like, "I don't know. I think it would be a good idea to stay at the mission apartment and do some homeschooling with the kids." And that is exactly what I did. John had heard about a preachers' meeting going on that day and so he left early to do that. I was there in that church apartment, prophet chamber as it was called. We pulled out our books and I was so glad to get some much needed school work done.

It was a nice place to stay. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom. There was an old TV on the dresser. The kind where you pull the knob out to turn it on and it takes a while to warm up. We didn't bother turning the TV on. We had school. Did I have a cell phone? I don't remember. I would say probably not because John had not contacted me. Neither did anyone else. We were pretty much in our own little world that day. As far as we knew, it was just your run of the mill average day. How very wrong we were.

It was about 2:30 PM when a lady from the church came over. She was also a homeschool mom and we had made plans to fly kites together that afternoon. She came into the church kitchen with a distraught look on her face, "Have you heard what happened?" she asked me. By her facial expression, I knew it was serious. I had no idea that it was an event that would forever change all of our lives. As she shared the impossible news, I wondered what had happened to our country. How was it that our security was so lax that so many planes could be hijacked?

We went to the room with the old fashioned black and white TV and pulled the knob to turn it on. It wasn't hard to find a channel broadcasting the news. By that point, both buildings were long gone and they showed over and over how they had collapsed. It was then that I saw the antenna on the one tower - and I remembered! I remembered Gabriel's words on how they weren't really twins. I remembered my desire to visit the city. Oh how I had wanted to go! And that was our free day, the day that it would have been possible to go - and I had forgotten.

Why did God spare us, and not others, from possible death and certain calamity? (Just being in the city that day must have been a nightmare.) I am sure I will never know as long as I live on this earth. For His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We are blessed by His mercy and His grace. Our hearts are grieved by the tragedy that touched all of our lives. I hope that as Americans we will never forget what has happened; that we will continue to be a strong nation that will fight for our freedom. And I pray that as Christians, we will love God with all of our heart, soul and strength and share His mercy and grace with all. May God bless America!

A Bit about Gabriel and Hannah

Gabriel and Hannah are finishing up their last few weeks of work. Gabriel works in the Abeka Book distribution center. If you use Abeka, he might be the one who pulled your books off the shelves! He has also been a substitute worker in the sports center. They have a day camp for elementary kids and Gabriel's job when he's there is to supervise them while they are bowling, skating, rock climbing and all the other activities that are there. Hannah works for Abeka Academy. That's their video school. She's on the phone all day making and receiving calls about enrollment.


I thank God daily for their jobs, for without them, I don't know how we could send them back this fall. But I miss them more than my heart can say. I love that they have made good friends and are really having a great time. Gabriel is getting a lot of reading in. Something that he probably wouldn't do here at home. It's been good for them, but cutting the apron strings (or heart strings would be more like it) is painful. August may be too early to start the Christmas break count down but I did it anyway. 120 days.

Scrapbook page made using my new digital scrapbooking program. I'm giving one away next week!!

Welcome to the Woodward Family Homeschool

We recently moved from a tiny apartment to a small house. The new school year is just around the corner so getting our school area ready is high priority. We do not have a room just for "school" Most of our work will be done here in the dining room. Definitely need some sort of window treatment on the window. Someday.


Here's our school/dining room table with some of the artwork Holly has been working on this summer.Lighthouse paint by number and ballet slippers done freehand.



Bulletin boards that used to be in Gabriel and Hannah's rooms. If we would have stayed in the apartment they probably would have remained in their rooms. But since we had to take them down . . . Now they are waiting for for something shcoolish to go on them. Above the bulletin boards are Gabriel and Hannah's high school diplomas.

Room decor is a bit of Americana combined with my children's art work. Above are George and Abe - pastel drawings by Gabriel when he was 16.

Pictures by Gabriel, Hannah and Holly circa first and second grade.

This room is equipped with an ugly air conditioner unit. It's also useless and unnecessary since the house has central air. If we owned the house we would simply remove it. But we don't. Well, I was wanting a place to hang my maps. But we don't have a lot of wall space. So my ingenious husband came up with the idea of hanging them over the AC.

I can easily change from the world map to the US map.

And what's a homeschool room without an over abundance of books?! Dolls on the top are awaiting room on a shelf in Holly's room. Maybe we'll get that painted this weekend.

Well, that's our "school room". But of course our learning isn't limited to this one room. I could also add pictures of the kitchen where cooking and science experiments are likely to take place, the comfy couch where we'll read lots of books, the piano, the back yard . . . You get the idea!

It's week 2 at the Not Back to School Blog Hop - School room week. Join in here!

Heart of the Matter {online}

Long Story Short Version

My longtime blogging friend PlainJane asked me recently if I am still working outside the home. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, beginning shortly before our first child was born. It has always been my personal conviction that mothers should be home with their children unless their income was needed to put food on the table. I understand that most Americans do not share my feelings on that point but I am not here to change anyone's mind, I'm simply stating what is right for our family.


I did have a couple of part time jobs when John was in college. He also worked full time, making a little above minimum wage. I did Mother's Day Out 2 days a week and brought Gabriel and Hannah along with me. After that I cleaned our church occasionally. I was a substitute janitor! I got the kids up early, took them to my mom's and was at the church by 5:30 A.M. Money was always tight. We didn't have fancy cars and have never taken a luxury vacation. But watching God work miracles in our lives has been more fascinating than any exotic excursion could ever be.


Fast forward to 2007 - We had just returned from Romania and made the decision to move to Virginia. We came here in faith that John would be hired by the Virginia State Police. Until then, John found a job working security. Two week's pay only paid for two-thirds of our rent. We decided I would be a substitute teacher. It was a good plan. I worked from 7:00-3:00. The kids did their school work and I would go over it with them in the afternoon. John worked from 4:00-Midnight.


Money was still tight. We still didn't have fancy cars. Vacations consisted of going to see family. Schedules were also tight. Trying to squeeze in homeschooling between my work and the kids' jobs was tough. Reading aloud went out the window and I really missed it. But John was eventually hired by VSP and I didn't need to work as much.


I worked some during our third year in Virginia. Gabriel and Hannah were seniors in high school and college expenses were on the horizon. I'm not sure if I worked ten days last year. With Gabriel and Hannah gone and John working days, there were few occasions when he could be home with Holly so I could go to work. Last week, I received my substitute letter. I discussed it with John, "Do you want me to sub again?" We would have the same dilemma - what do we do with Holly? So the answer is a decisive "No."



To sum up the story, I will once again be a stay-at-home mom. I will look for other ways to earn some extra income - selling things on ebay and clipping coupons. But mostly, I will be watching how God will provide in His miraculous ways. And stand in awe.

Call Me Crazy

Holly is still away at camp. This year they have a new program where they can choose from several "classes" like archery and hiking. I heard from one of the other kid's mom that ALL of our group chose to do arts and crafts in order to escape the heat! Who can blame them in this oppressive suffocating weather. It's supposed to be 96 there today with a heat index of 105.

Today John is going on his own adventure. He is going with a good friend of his to Pensacola to visit with Gabriel and Hannah. I know that many of you think that I am CRAZY not to go and see my kids but let me explain. First of all, I have my own trip planned to fly down in October. Second, on short trips like this, it's easier to not take the whole family. John will be able to spend more individual time with them. Plus there is a major factor that some John's days off are while Holly is still at camp. Finally, and might I add mainly, it's JULY. I do not want to be walking around the college campus in this scorching heat. I melt. I get raging headaches. It wouldn't be an enjoyable time. So I am staying home. I enjoy these rare moments when I have some time to myself. I have a lengthy to-do list and hope to get a portion of it accomplished before Holly arrives at home tomorrow night. What do you do when you're home alone?

The Simple Woman's Day Book

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

Outside my window...It's cold, cloudy and getting ready to rain. The weather forecast is calling for ice tonight and early tomorrow morning. That will make it a hazardous night for John who is working midnights this week.

I am thinking... that I've not been very successful with this blog. At least I'm doing the day book on a weekly basis. That is a start.

I am thankful for... modern technology. I love being able to text my children who are so far away.

From the learning rooms...Holly began notebooking science on Monday. The first chapter is on Oceans. Today we learned about Lt. Matthew Maury, The Pathfinder of the Seas." We found out by doing some research online that there is a monument of him here in town! So we drove by there this afternoon. (See picture below.)

From the kitchen... We had Beef Stroganoff for dinner. A "new to us" easy favorite.

I am wearing... Jeans, green top and my warm, comfy and obviously favorite State Police sweatshirt.

I am creating... an organized coupon file! Or at least that's what I plan on doing this evening.

I am going... to get my haircut on Saturday! It's long over due.

I am reading... Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. One doesn't get very far when they only read once a week.

I am praying... for ways to pay off bills. College is expensive.

I am hoping... for spring!

I am hearing... Glenn Beck on the television.

Around the house... The house is fairly clean. Seems easier to keep it that way with only three of us living here. Our bedroom needs some serious work. One of these days. . .

One of my favorite things... Reading aloud. We've sadly gotten out of the habit with teens working and miscellaneous activities. Holly and I are taking turns reading Where the Red Fern Grows. It's part of her language arts curriculum so we can't read as much as I'd like each day. But we're still enjoying it very much.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I am now playing the clarinet in our church orchestra. I haven't played for DECADES! So that means lots of practicing for me. The week is almost gone! I started this post on Monday but life got busy!


Here is a picture I am sharing: This is Holly at the monument downtown. Matthew Maury - The Pathfinder of the Seas.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my window... It's cloudy and 30 degrees. This morning it was in the teens. Virginia is very fickle, though. Tomorrow it should be in the mid 50s.

I am thinking... I cannot wait to see all the many ways that God will bless us this year.

I am thankful for... the $200 book for Gabriel's Astronomy class that he was able to buy for $20! God is good!!!

From the learning rooms...Holly and I finally got back on schedule today! I am most excited about the unit study we are doing on Where the Red Fern Grows. It's been a while since I've read that book!

From the kitchen... Tonight I'm making some chicken with a homemade sauce and rice. We'll probably have something green too. I'm not sure about the rest of the week. Taking life one day at a time!

I am wearing... Red sweats, a tee- shirt and my warm and comfy State Police sweatshirt.

I am creating... greeting cards to send to friends and family. I have a lot of scrapbooking supplies so I thought Holly and I would have fun making cards instead of buying them. Trying to save every dime we can these days!

I am going... nowhere today. I love days when I can stay at home.

I am reading... Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. I don't get around to it often enough. Just pulled it out and took it to band last Wednesday.

I am praying... for God to bless John with more overtime hours.

I am hoping... for spring!

I am hearing... Silence! Holly is cleaning her room and John is working late.

Around the house... things are getting back to normal - our new normal - now that Gabriel and Hannah have returned to college. John has turned Gabriel's room into his office. That's a huge improvement over last semester when we used his room for clutter and storage!

One of my favorite things... Bath and Body Works hand soap. I don't splurge on it very often but I did buy some with Christmas money. Brightens up winter time, don't you think?

A few plans for the rest of the week: Holly has band on Wednesday and a teen activity on Friday. Other than that, I'm planning on staying home and staying warm!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

John and Holly at the zoo last fall. We had a great time!

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my window... It's cloudy and 37 degrees. We're supposed to get rain later this afternoon and maybe some snow mixed in.

I am thinking... about how blessed I am with a husband who loves me, amazing kids, a healthy family and God Who watches over us all the time.

I am thankful for... my husband's job that he loves.

From the learning rooms...We decided to wait until Gabriel and Hannah return to college before getting back into our homeschool routine.

From the kitchen... Something simple for tonight since Gabriel and Hannah are both working. Tomorrow we are going to the youth pastor's home for dinner. Wednesday or Thursday I'm planning on making chicken and dumplings. Holly is wanting to make some cookies - peanut butter or snicker doodles.

I am wearing... Blue jeans, a favorite black shirt with embroidered flowers and my State Police sweat shirt.

I am creating... a shopping list - things Gabriel and Hannah need for their second semester at Pensacola Christian College.

I am going... nowhere today. I love days when I can stay at home.

I am reading... nothing besides the bible. My goal for the year is to read at least five non-fiction books. Haven't gotten started yet. This category is not seeing much change!

I am praying... for God's provision.

I am hoping... to make a to-do list and check many things off!

I am hearing... The click of Hannah's laptop as she takes pictures of herself, Holly and their friend Bethany who spent the night. And lots of laughter.

Around the house... Laundry is piled up. I need to get it finished so the kids can begin packing.

One of my favorite things... laughter. We have a happy home.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Spending time with Gabriel and Hannah before they leave early Friday morning. Checking the weather along their route. Hopefully winter will be relatively mild for just a few more days.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Holly and homeschool band classmate Jamie at their Christmas concert last Thursday. (December's concert was postponed due to snow.)

The Simple Woman's Day Book

The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY - Monday, January 3, 2011


Outside my window... I see a beautiful blue sky! It is cold now - about 26 degrees. Should be around 46 today which is nice for January.

I am thinking... about all the cleaning that needs to get done. How quickly this small apartment seems to fall apart!

I am thankful for... the warmth in our apartment and the heater isn't even on. A positive aspect of living on the second floor.

From the learning rooms...Today we begin our second semester of homeschooling only one. I'm hoping to add art and science. But right now my little darling is sound asleep. It's hard to get back on track after Christmas break.

From the kitchen... The plan for this evening is making cheeseburger soup. It's a family favorite!

I am wearing... Blue jeans and a blue striped shirt. Bare feet - it's that warm in here!

I am creating... A to do list for the year. I've gotten a good start on it. You can see it here.

I am going... to the grocery store later. Must make a list first!

I am reading... nothing besides the bible. My goal for the year is to read at least five non-fiction books. Haven't gotten started yet.

I am hoping... to take the rest of the ornaments off the tree. It's been a slow process this year.

I am hearing... the sound of my washing machine.

Around the house... John and Gabriel are at work. Hannah and Holly are sound asleep. My living room is a complete wreck with Christmas boxes everywhere. I'm going to finish that right after this blog entry!

One of my favorite things... is my new Jeopardy game that I got for the Wii. I do not play many video games but this one I enjoy!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Initiating our exercise routine - walking and Wii fit, general cleaning up of clutter and perhaps beginning a new book.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... This is Holly's self-portrait that she took with her new camera - a present from her grandparents.










You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

Normal

Gabriel and Hannah have been home for two weeks now. There's a sense of normalcy around the house. That includes more noise, laughter, laundry, and frequently running out of milk. It's good to have them home and we have nearly three more weeks together! I'm thankful for their long break. They were so homesick and I was just beside myself with missing them. I knew their absence would be difficult but I had no idea of the magnitude. I am sure that it will be just as tough for me to let them go again but they are already looking forward to their return and the new normal they have learned from campus life.

The first semester went well for them. Hannah has excellent roommates and has adapted to dorm life quite well. She'd rather have a bottom bunk but overall is pleased with everything. Gabriel had one roommate that he got along with really well and the other was a complete slob. That was tough for a young man who was used to having a room to himself. After midterms, his next door neighbor's roommate left school and requested Gabriel for a roommate. So he was excited to move into a much neater room.

Gabriel loves classes and loves studying! I wish I had seen some of that enthusiasm in all our years of homeschooling. He is a Pre-Law major. Hannah is studying Graphic Design. They both had a very successful semester and are eager to return. John, Holly and I will miss them fiercely but I'm happy that they want to go back. They like it there.

My 2011 List

Inspired by Sprittibee's Big Fat Annual List, I decided to make my own goals for 2011. Hopefully I've made it realistic. Notice I didn't include scrapbooking. As much as I love it. It doesn't seem to happen. Maybe I can add it later. What's on your list?

1. Develop a stronger prayer/devotional time
   
2. Take down the tree/Christmas decorations
3. Put John's schedule on my calendar
4. Go out to lunch with Gabriel
5. Go out to lunch with Hannah
6. Attend Holly's Christmas concert 1/13 (postponed because of snow)
7. Go shopping for things Gabriel and Hannah need for their second semester
   
8. Find a reading aloud routine
9. Send Gabriel and Hannah cards or letters weekly
10. Find a new career - subbing isn't working for us
11. Get family pictures taken in the summer
12. Lose 10 pounds
13. Plan Holly's 8th grade school year
14. Make - and follow - weekly and daily to-do lists
15. Read 5 non-fiction books
16. Reestablish the habit of blogging
17. Begin an exercise routine
    
18. Lose 10 more pounds
19. Organize/declutter our bedroom
20. Begin Art and Science with Holly
21. Practice clarinet
22. Join orchestra at church
23. DON'T have any major dental work done (I can hope!)
24. Make weekly menu plans
25. Have my hair professionally cut and highlighted
26. Write a letter to my grandmother each month
27. Get rid of clothes that don't fit or I don't like
28. Lose 10 more pounds
29. Organize dining room buffet cabinet
30. Sell or donate books that won't be read again
31. Buy new clothes for the summer
32. DON'T find lost pounds
33. Visit my friend/former roommate Mary Ellen
34. Visit my friend/former roommate Cindy
35. Work on writing a book about our life in Romania
36. Encourage Holly in things that interest her - writing, crafts, cooking, photography
37. Visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky
38. Visit my grandmother in Kentucky
39. Learn Spanish with Holly
40. Reconsider 2011 list - add and revise as necessary