Well, for anyone who may be lurking out there - I did not fall off the face of the earth. Although, there were a few times over the past few weeks that I would have gladly jumped.
So much has been going on.
The last two weeks of school was jam-packed with activities. I went on four field trips in five days (with a pounding headache that would not go away). I was scheduled to go on one more but my blood pressure hit the roof so Dr. Principal sent me home instead. Thank the Good Lord she did. I went to my doctor to try to get something (anything) that would get rid of that blasted headache and discovered that I am in stage 1 of hypertension. The doc can't seem to connect the "why" dots to tell me that one particular thing or another actually caused this condition. A great deal of it is heredity. (Thanks Mom, lol) Nah, there are several factors. No matter what the cause, I have to deal with it now. Good news is that the headache if gone. The BP is still high. It's going down, but still not low enough.
So, the last day of school was Friday, May 23rd. Jacob and I have been resting - alot - this week. I have done very little this week. Doctor's orders. I've also been trying to watch what I eat - stay away from caffeine - stay away from sodas (oh, my beloved Pepsi) - and get plenty of rest. I have been instructed to begin some kind of regular exercise. I love to walk but even that can get boring. I wish we lived in a place where Jacob and I could ride bikes without having to haul them somewhere to do so. The road we live on is much too busy.
Oh,well. We'll do something. Maybe I'll get us a badmitton set. That would be fun.
I'm looking forward to a fun and happy summer.
My first year at the elementary school was great. I worked with some wonderful people. Having great people to work with sure makes going to work every day a lot easier. I count all my new friends as blessings. God is truly good!
My prayer is that each one has a wonderful, safe and fun summer. I'll look forward to seeing them in the fall.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Just Thoughts
I just read my cousin Selina's blog entry for this week. Her post made me think about a few things. You can read her blog here.
Our kiddoes at school have been in state testing this week. It is a very stressful time for teachers and students. But, praise the Lord, it is over until next spring. The kids can relax and tomorrow they get to relax, have a day of celebration complete with snacks (provided by the teachers) and a good movie to end the week. They have worked very hard and deserve a day to chill.
During the testing, we are not allowed to help them in any way. We aren't allowed to talk to them and we aren't supposed to move around the classroom. So, I found it a great time to catch up on some Bible study. I receive "In Touch" magazine each month (from Dr. Charles Stanley). It has some awesome articles and a daily study included. I just love it. And, it's free. If you are interested, simply go to this website and sign up.
Our school year is quickly coming to a close. Our last day is May 23rd. We have so many things going on in May that we really won't have that many learning days during that time.
Jacob and I are looking forward to our summer break. This will be my first summer in several years that I won't be babysitting. This summer is dedicated to me and Jacob. We are going to just hang out - go to the park - swim - visit the zoo - what ever we think might be fun.
I'm just looking forward to having some time with my son.
Makes me aware of how God feels about me. I'm sure there are too many days that I gety caught up in busy-ness of the day and God says that He is looking forward to having some time with me. On most days, I squeeze in time when I can - pray throughout the day and end up with a slightly empty feeling. Which is why my number one goal for this summer is to have real quality time each morning with my Lord. Everything else will have to wait - the house, laundry, etc. All that will still be there but I am going to have my morning coffee with God. I can hardly wait. For now, I'll keep squeezing out those precious moments every chance I get.
Our kiddoes at school have been in state testing this week. It is a very stressful time for teachers and students. But, praise the Lord, it is over until next spring. The kids can relax and tomorrow they get to relax, have a day of celebration complete with snacks (provided by the teachers) and a good movie to end the week. They have worked very hard and deserve a day to chill.
During the testing, we are not allowed to help them in any way. We aren't allowed to talk to them and we aren't supposed to move around the classroom. So, I found it a great time to catch up on some Bible study. I receive "In Touch" magazine each month (from Dr. Charles Stanley). It has some awesome articles and a daily study included. I just love it. And, it's free. If you are interested, simply go to this website and sign up.
Our school year is quickly coming to a close. Our last day is May 23rd. We have so many things going on in May that we really won't have that many learning days during that time.
Jacob and I are looking forward to our summer break. This will be my first summer in several years that I won't be babysitting. This summer is dedicated to me and Jacob. We are going to just hang out - go to the park - swim - visit the zoo - what ever we think might be fun.
I'm just looking forward to having some time with my son.
Makes me aware of how God feels about me. I'm sure there are too many days that I gety caught up in busy-ness of the day and God says that He is looking forward to having some time with me. On most days, I squeeze in time when I can - pray throughout the day and end up with a slightly empty feeling. Which is why my number one goal for this summer is to have real quality time each morning with my Lord. Everything else will have to wait - the house, laundry, etc. All that will still be there but I am going to have my morning coffee with God. I can hardly wait. For now, I'll keep squeezing out those precious moments every chance I get.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Character Counts
This week, my good friend, Vickie asked me to write a character letter for her. She needed a few letters to let the judge in her upcoming hearing know what a good person and upstanding citizen she is.
Here's the nutshell version: a few weeks ago Vickie was on her way to work, it was a Friday. She was going along, happy and content, looking forward to her day and the upcoming weekend. Suddenly, the car in front of her stopped and she hit it with her car. No one was hurt, but the police were called. While the officer took all the info from the other drive, Vickie waited in her car and drank part of a Mt. Dew (that was all she had to eat or drink at that point). When the officer asked her to step out, she felt dizzy and staggered a bit. The officer asked her if she had been drinking - at 7:30 AM - of course she said no.
Let me interject here, Vickie has never drank, never even as much as tried a cigarette, does not swear (never has). She is the Lay Leader in our church, the Sunday School superintendent, works with the youth, serves on various committees, takes care of her aging parents, goes to the mission fields once a year - the list is endless. She is an awesome person and love God!! That's why when she called to tell me this story - I laughed uncontrollably. I asked her three different times how long it took her to make up this story - she literally had to convince me that it really did happen. I mean - this is Vickie for pete's sake!!
Continue story - Vickie was still a little bit on the unsteady side so the police officer made her take a sobriety test - right there on the side of the street near her office. She did not pass - oh, she did the finger-to-your-nose part o.k. it was the heel-to-toe backwards part that tripped her up (no pun intended).
So, the officer hand-cuffed her and took her to the hospital for a blood test; then on to city jail for booking. Yep, mug shots, fingerprint, the whole ball of wax.
Vickie was mortified. She had to sit in a jail cell for three hours before her parents could bail her out.
So, now she had to appear in court with her attorney to try to straighten this mess out.
We have all had a fun time with it - Vickie has made fun of herself and has really taken the whole thing in stride.
So, when she asked me to write a letter of character for her, I was honored that she would ask me. I gladly wrote her a glowing letter, telling all the wonderful things about her that I could think of. I used lots of lovely words and phrases - I meant them all - but I wanted to be sure that whomever read the letter could know what I know about my friend.
Then, I began to think - what kind of character letter could be written about me? What if I needed a letter of character from God - what could He write about for me?
Would he say that I have been a "good and faithful servant?" Would he say that I am always there for His children? What would He write?
I'm afraid it would be a terribly short letter. So, this experience has made me ponder my character. I need to pay closer attention to the tiny, itsy-bitsy details - you know, the ones that really matter?
If God were to write a character letter for you - what would He write?
Here's the nutshell version: a few weeks ago Vickie was on her way to work, it was a Friday. She was going along, happy and content, looking forward to her day and the upcoming weekend. Suddenly, the car in front of her stopped and she hit it with her car. No one was hurt, but the police were called. While the officer took all the info from the other drive, Vickie waited in her car and drank part of a Mt. Dew (that was all she had to eat or drink at that point). When the officer asked her to step out, she felt dizzy and staggered a bit. The officer asked her if she had been drinking - at 7:30 AM - of course she said no.
Let me interject here, Vickie has never drank, never even as much as tried a cigarette, does not swear (never has). She is the Lay Leader in our church, the Sunday School superintendent, works with the youth, serves on various committees, takes care of her aging parents, goes to the mission fields once a year - the list is endless. She is an awesome person and love God!! That's why when she called to tell me this story - I laughed uncontrollably. I asked her three different times how long it took her to make up this story - she literally had to convince me that it really did happen. I mean - this is Vickie for pete's sake!!
Continue story - Vickie was still a little bit on the unsteady side so the police officer made her take a sobriety test - right there on the side of the street near her office. She did not pass - oh, she did the finger-to-your-nose part o.k. it was the heel-to-toe backwards part that tripped her up (no pun intended).
So, the officer hand-cuffed her and took her to the hospital for a blood test; then on to city jail for booking. Yep, mug shots, fingerprint, the whole ball of wax.
Vickie was mortified. She had to sit in a jail cell for three hours before her parents could bail her out.
So, now she had to appear in court with her attorney to try to straighten this mess out.
We have all had a fun time with it - Vickie has made fun of herself and has really taken the whole thing in stride.
So, when she asked me to write a letter of character for her, I was honored that she would ask me. I gladly wrote her a glowing letter, telling all the wonderful things about her that I could think of. I used lots of lovely words and phrases - I meant them all - but I wanted to be sure that whomever read the letter could know what I know about my friend.
Then, I began to think - what kind of character letter could be written about me? What if I needed a letter of character from God - what could He write about for me?
Would he say that I have been a "good and faithful servant?" Would he say that I am always there for His children? What would He write?
I'm afraid it would be a terribly short letter. So, this experience has made me ponder my character. I need to pay closer attention to the tiny, itsy-bitsy details - you know, the ones that really matter?
If God were to write a character letter for you - what would He write?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter 2008
Our Easter Sunday was a very pleasant one, indeed. We began our day with a wonderful church service about our Savior and what He did for us. Glory!!!! Immediately following the service, we had two baptisms - how great is that???
Then we drove 45 minutes to be with our family (my Mom's side) and to eat a most scrumptious meal prepared by some of the South's finest cooks. One thing we can do and do well in our family is cook (and eat). We love us some delicious ham and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes,corn pudding, green beans, deviled eggs AND pickled eggs. Then we had banana pudding, lemon cheesecake and (my favorite) Dump Cake, hot out of the oven. O-mi-gosh is it wonderful!!! That's not all we had - just the best part!!
Now, on Daddy's side of the family, we cheated a little bit. You see, Daddy's sisters are not what you might call, uh, cooks. They just didn't take to it like Mom's sisters did. So, we all agreed to meet at this wonderful family style restaurant on Saturday to celebrate Easter together. The restaurant is a local favorite and is run by Mennonites. We sat at this huge table and were served our food as if we were at someones home. Big bowls of corn, beans, carrot souffle, cabbage, gravy, pickled green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, country ham, fried chicken and deep fried catfish. Yum-O!!
As you can tell, the last few days of life around here have been centered around a table full of food. 'Tis true! But, even though we have gathered with loved ones around these wonderful meals, the focus of our celebrations was not lost. We gave much thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His sacrifice and for His gift of salvation that none of us truly deserve.
So, my prayer for each of you is that you have enjoyed a joyous Easter which includes full bellies and even fuller spirits.
God bless you and let us celebrate Easter every day this year.
Then we drove 45 minutes to be with our family (my Mom's side) and to eat a most scrumptious meal prepared by some of the South's finest cooks. One thing we can do and do well in our family is cook (and eat). We love us some delicious ham and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes,corn pudding, green beans, deviled eggs AND pickled eggs. Then we had banana pudding, lemon cheesecake and (my favorite) Dump Cake, hot out of the oven. O-mi-gosh is it wonderful!!! That's not all we had - just the best part!!
Now, on Daddy's side of the family, we cheated a little bit. You see, Daddy's sisters are not what you might call, uh, cooks. They just didn't take to it like Mom's sisters did. So, we all agreed to meet at this wonderful family style restaurant on Saturday to celebrate Easter together. The restaurant is a local favorite and is run by Mennonites. We sat at this huge table and were served our food as if we were at someones home. Big bowls of corn, beans, carrot souffle, cabbage, gravy, pickled green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, country ham, fried chicken and deep fried catfish. Yum-O!!
As you can tell, the last few days of life around here have been centered around a table full of food. 'Tis true! But, even though we have gathered with loved ones around these wonderful meals, the focus of our celebrations was not lost. We gave much thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His sacrifice and for His gift of salvation that none of us truly deserve.
So, my prayer for each of you is that you have enjoyed a joyous Easter which includes full bellies and even fuller spirits.
God bless you and let us celebrate Easter every day this year.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Conversation with a Fourth Grader
This is a conversation I had with one of my fourth graders this week.
In the hallway as the fourth grade was changing classes, Jay, a freckled face, red cheeked boy, walked up to me with a wide grin plastered across his face. I could tell he was bursting to tell me something. This is how it went. . .
Jay: "Hi, Mrs. B. Guess what."
Me: "Jay, I can't begin to guess, why don't you tell me?"
Jay: "Casey said she would go out with me."
Me(taken aback a bit): "She did? Well now, just where are you going?"
Jay(obviously perlexed) "What do you mean?"
Me: "Where will you two be going?"
Jay: "I don't know what you mean, but she said she would go out with me."
Me: "I understand that, but you haven't told me where you will be going."
Jay: "Nowhere."
Me: "Oh, then how will you be going out if you aren't actually going anywhere?"
Jay: "We are just going out."
Me: "Right, but where will you be going?"
Jay: "I told you, we are just going out."
Me: "So, you don't have a special place in mind?"
Jay: "A special place for what?"
Me: "To take Casey out."
Jay: "I'm not going to take her anywhere."
Me: "Then, how is that you will be going out if you aren't going to go somewhere?"
By this time, Jay was obviously confused and somewhat defused.
Jay: "Mrs. B, I don't know what you are talking about, but Casey is going out with me."
Me: "Jay, maybe you should explain that to me. If you aren't actually going to go somewhere, how can you possibly be going out?"
Jay: "We just are."
At this point, it was time to go to class. As he walked away, Jay sadly shook his head. Talking with another boy, he looked back at me and said . . .
Jay(to other boy) "I feel sorry for Mrs. B., she has never gone out with anybody."
Boy: "How do you know?"
Jay: "I was just talking to her and she doesn't even know what 'going out' means."
Boy: "Man, that's really sad."
Jay: "Yeah, I wonder if her husband knows?"
At this point, all I could do is return to my math class.
In the hallway as the fourth grade was changing classes, Jay, a freckled face, red cheeked boy, walked up to me with a wide grin plastered across his face. I could tell he was bursting to tell me something. This is how it went. . .
Jay: "Hi, Mrs. B. Guess what."
Me: "Jay, I can't begin to guess, why don't you tell me?"
Jay: "Casey said she would go out with me."
Me(taken aback a bit): "She did? Well now, just where are you going?"
Jay(obviously perlexed) "What do you mean?"
Me: "Where will you two be going?"
Jay: "I don't know what you mean, but she said she would go out with me."
Me: "I understand that, but you haven't told me where you will be going."
Jay: "Nowhere."
Me: "Oh, then how will you be going out if you aren't actually going anywhere?"
Jay: "We are just going out."
Me: "Right, but where will you be going?"
Jay: "I told you, we are just going out."
Me: "So, you don't have a special place in mind?"
Jay: "A special place for what?"
Me: "To take Casey out."
Jay: "I'm not going to take her anywhere."
Me: "Then, how is that you will be going out if you aren't going to go somewhere?"
By this time, Jay was obviously confused and somewhat defused.
Jay: "Mrs. B, I don't know what you are talking about, but Casey is going out with me."
Me: "Jay, maybe you should explain that to me. If you aren't actually going to go somewhere, how can you possibly be going out?"
Jay: "We just are."
At this point, it was time to go to class. As he walked away, Jay sadly shook his head. Talking with another boy, he looked back at me and said . . .
Jay(to other boy) "I feel sorry for Mrs. B., she has never gone out with anybody."
Boy: "How do you know?"
Jay: "I was just talking to her and she doesn't even know what 'going out' means."
Boy: "Man, that's really sad."
Jay: "Yeah, I wonder if her husband knows?"
At this point, all I could do is return to my math class.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
"Whatever you do for one of the least of these . . ."
I rejoice in the love of my Savior Jesus Christ yet my heart is heavy.
This burden on my heart is for the children I am blessed to work with each day at our school.
Here's the short version . . . our community is by no means a wealthy community. Our school is full of children with many needs. However, there are several children that have absolutely captured my heart and fill my prayers.
There are four children within our school - two are sisters, two are brother and sister and then there is the other boy. Three families living in one run down old house. 13 children in all living together. There is reason to believe the adults are into drugs and possibly prostitution. The kids come to school dirty, often smelling as if they have not had a bath in days. Thier clothes are pitiful and desperately needing to be washed. Several churches and other organizations in the area bought new clothes, shoes and coats for all the children at Christmas and provided groceries along with a special holiday meal. It is rumored that the shoes and coats were sold. There is no proof other than none of the children have been seen wearing any of the new items.
Authorities have been called - repeatedly. Reports have been filed - you name it - it's been done. But, no action has been taken. One of the kids came to school with still bleeding wounds from a bicycle wreck the day before - no one bothered to clean or bandage his wounds. His teacher did it - the next morning.
I desperately want to scoop these children up and bring them home with me. I want to give them a bath, dress them in decent clothes, give them a hearty meal and a clean bed. I want to love on them and let them know that someone really cares. But, I can't do that. So, I love on them as much as the law will allow while I'm in the classroom.
Now, those of you who have worked in the public school system much longer than I might have developed a tolerance for this type of situation. I beg you to let down your guard and let your heart ache for these kids. Love them like Jesus. Lift them up in prayer - intercede on thier behalf. If we, as children of God, do not, then who?
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
The law might limit what I can do physically for these children - but it can not limit how much I can pray for them.
Keep them in your prayers. An old song keeps going through my mind - some of you might remember it.
Bless the Beasts and the Children
For in this world
They have no voice
They have no choice.
Maybe they don't have a choice right now - but if they can begin to see the love of Jesus, then they will have choices they have never dreamed of.
Keep them in your prayers, siestas. Together, we can be thier voice.
God bless you.
This burden on my heart is for the children I am blessed to work with each day at our school.
Here's the short version . . . our community is by no means a wealthy community. Our school is full of children with many needs. However, there are several children that have absolutely captured my heart and fill my prayers.
There are four children within our school - two are sisters, two are brother and sister and then there is the other boy. Three families living in one run down old house. 13 children in all living together. There is reason to believe the adults are into drugs and possibly prostitution. The kids come to school dirty, often smelling as if they have not had a bath in days. Thier clothes are pitiful and desperately needing to be washed. Several churches and other organizations in the area bought new clothes, shoes and coats for all the children at Christmas and provided groceries along with a special holiday meal. It is rumored that the shoes and coats were sold. There is no proof other than none of the children have been seen wearing any of the new items.
Authorities have been called - repeatedly. Reports have been filed - you name it - it's been done. But, no action has been taken. One of the kids came to school with still bleeding wounds from a bicycle wreck the day before - no one bothered to clean or bandage his wounds. His teacher did it - the next morning.
I desperately want to scoop these children up and bring them home with me. I want to give them a bath, dress them in decent clothes, give them a hearty meal and a clean bed. I want to love on them and let them know that someone really cares. But, I can't do that. So, I love on them as much as the law will allow while I'm in the classroom.
Now, those of you who have worked in the public school system much longer than I might have developed a tolerance for this type of situation. I beg you to let down your guard and let your heart ache for these kids. Love them like Jesus. Lift them up in prayer - intercede on thier behalf. If we, as children of God, do not, then who?
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
The law might limit what I can do physically for these children - but it can not limit how much I can pray for them.
Keep them in your prayers. An old song keeps going through my mind - some of you might remember it.
Bless the Beasts and the Children
For in this world
They have no voice
They have no choice.
Maybe they don't have a choice right now - but if they can begin to see the love of Jesus, then they will have choices they have never dreamed of.
Keep them in your prayers, siestas. Together, we can be thier voice.
God bless you.
Friday, February 15, 2008
A little catching up
I haven't posted anything in such a long time, I don't know if I can get caught up or not.
Yesterday, February 14, 2008, my darling Frank and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful 10 years it has been. What a blessing he is to me. He is absolutely the best person I know.
In honor of our anniversay and Valentine's Day, Frank sent me the most beautiful basket of roses to school. Now, this may not be such a big deal to many of you wives out there - but for me, it was a wonderful surprise. Frank isn't a flower-sender-kind-of-husband. He is far more practical and would rather buy me something useful. Which is o.k. with me - but it was a beautiful gesture and I absolutely wallowed in it all day long.
Over the last few weeks, we have all had "the crud." I can't really say it was one thing or the other - just cruddy, junk to make us feel awful. We've had the sniffles, the sneezes, the coughs, the headaches, the congestion, the runny noses, the watery eyes, the tummy aches, the nausea, the body aches and of course, all that is accompanied by the grumbles - not all at once, but any combination of the aforementioned on varying days or nights. But, we have all kept on keeping on.
It's not just my little family - the school is full of the same stuff going on with staff as well as students. Just that time of year, I suppose.
That is the "nutshell" version of what has been going on. A whole lot of nothing. I am looking forward to the coming month - I love the Easter Season. I love to read and re-read the story of the crucifixion and ponder the unfathomable love that my Jesus has for me. I will probably sit up late a night or two, or three, to watch The Passion of the Christ and cry until I can not cry anymore. I haven't allowed Jacob to watch that movie yet. I don't think he is old enough to understand besides, he can't read the subtitles well enough just yet. But, in a few years, I hope to sit with him and watch it together. I pray it touches him in the same way it does me and causes his heart to ache for more Jesus. I pray that he will yearn for Jesus and seek Him in everything he will ever do.
But, for now, we'll read together from the Holy Word. I just love the Easter Season. I love the spirit of renewal and rebirth. But, isn't it amazing that God's mercies are fresh every day - we don't have to wait for a season in the year. We can start fresh with God every day.
Oh, my Lord, You are amazing and I love you!
Yesterday, February 14, 2008, my darling Frank and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful 10 years it has been. What a blessing he is to me. He is absolutely the best person I know.
In honor of our anniversay and Valentine's Day, Frank sent me the most beautiful basket of roses to school. Now, this may not be such a big deal to many of you wives out there - but for me, it was a wonderful surprise. Frank isn't a flower-sender-kind-of-husband. He is far more practical and would rather buy me something useful. Which is o.k. with me - but it was a beautiful gesture and I absolutely wallowed in it all day long.
Over the last few weeks, we have all had "the crud." I can't really say it was one thing or the other - just cruddy, junk to make us feel awful. We've had the sniffles, the sneezes, the coughs, the headaches, the congestion, the runny noses, the watery eyes, the tummy aches, the nausea, the body aches and of course, all that is accompanied by the grumbles - not all at once, but any combination of the aforementioned on varying days or nights. But, we have all kept on keeping on.
It's not just my little family - the school is full of the same stuff going on with staff as well as students. Just that time of year, I suppose.
That is the "nutshell" version of what has been going on. A whole lot of nothing. I am looking forward to the coming month - I love the Easter Season. I love to read and re-read the story of the crucifixion and ponder the unfathomable love that my Jesus has for me. I will probably sit up late a night or two, or three, to watch The Passion of the Christ and cry until I can not cry anymore. I haven't allowed Jacob to watch that movie yet. I don't think he is old enough to understand besides, he can't read the subtitles well enough just yet. But, in a few years, I hope to sit with him and watch it together. I pray it touches him in the same way it does me and causes his heart to ache for more Jesus. I pray that he will yearn for Jesus and seek Him in everything he will ever do.
But, for now, we'll read together from the Holy Word. I just love the Easter Season. I love the spirit of renewal and rebirth. But, isn't it amazing that God's mercies are fresh every day - we don't have to wait for a season in the year. We can start fresh with God every day.
Oh, my Lord, You are amazing and I love you!
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