Another (almost) year gone by

This blog has taken a backseat to so many other avenues of internet communication - early last year Facebook became my connection to the outside world and to friends from way back.
Here's the nutshell verson of this past year - picking up from the last entry.
August took me back to school. Instead of being in a regular classroom, I worked straight from the computer lab. I worked with every student in the school except band students - over 300 5th, 6th and 7th graders each week. It was very stressful at times, but God put a wonderful friend in there to work with me. Heather and I became very close and I have to say, she is probably the best friend I have ever had - ever!
The fall brought an engagement for Alex and Jennifer. It seems that Al's trip to Africa was a real turning point for him. God really worked on him. Also, Amanda and Andy found out she was expecting - in May. We were thrilled at the idea of meeting our first grandchild.
A shocker in another area of my life - my darling Billie Jo, who died in the motorcycle accident in July seemed to be fading from others' memories. Her husband Jim was already dating, seriously. I really didn't know how to handle it. I miss Bil so much, I love Jim and Hannah and want them to be happy - but gee whiz, could he have waiting a little while longer. But, I suppose everyone is different. It just hurt so much - for Bil.
Over the holidays, we spent time with the family - nothing really out of the ordinary. The holidays are always a humbling time for me - but this year it was down right depressing. Bil is gone - Jim is moving on - my friends seem far away but most of all my God seems far away. Although, looking back, I know He was carrying me - at the time I felt as if I was floating in outer space with no tether. Actually, I still feel that way.
After the holidays, we had quite a few snow days for which I was grateful. Basically, I just wanted to stay home and not have to go anywhere. I felt safe at home knowing I didn't have to face the outside world. It was comfortable - it still is.
We again went to Resurrection with our youth group - I don't remember much about the services - my heart just wasn't there.
Spring came and went - instead of going somewhere on spring break we opted to have new hardwood floors installed in our living area and to purchase much needed new furniture. I do enjoy it - another reason to stay home.
May was an eventful month - May 1st was Alex and Jennifer's wedding day. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful wedding. They were married at our farm which made it very special. They are truly a lovely young couple. After a honeymoon to the Florida Keys, they settled into thier house as husband and wife. Jennifer is such a wonderful addition to our family. The wedding was a small, private affair with a limited guest list but then two weeks later they had a reception for the entire family and some friends.
On May 9th - Mother's Day - May 12th- my birthday and on May 13th Oliver was born. School was out at the end of the month and here we are in June.
June brought another wedding - Jim married Robin at a private ceremony in his front yard. Hannah was very excited and I have to admit Robin has made a wonderful difference in their lives. I photographed the wedding - the whole time missing Billie Jo more and more.
Bil was my dear friend - if her death is going to be this hard for me - what will I do when I lose someone closer to me? I try to turn to God but I feel so disengaged from the Lord right now.
Just this morning I began on online Bible study with Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore) in hopes of finding my way back to the Lord. For whatever reason, I am on this journey alone. I find no comfort in friends and try very hard to hide all this from my family. I could talk to my husband and he would do his best to understand but he already has so many things to think about. I don't want to burden him with this too - I know God is there, though.
I find no comfort in my church - I'm not really happy there but it is where we attend as a family. I love our pastor and his family - he truly is a man of God and delivers a good message. But, other than the message each Sunday, our church is lifeless - the music is dull - the service is predictable, unchanging, every little thing in the same order as the week before, the year before. The "amens" have to be coaxed out of the congregation and no one would dare shout out a "halleluia." Same old fundraisers - even the same old food at the after church meals we sometimes have. The truth is, I'm bored out of my mind and would love to go to a different church but that won't happen - Frank is too deeply rooted in this one. I just don't like to have to drag myself there every Sunday morning.
So, I am in high hopes of good things to come from this Bible study. I am happy to be home for the summer. The rest feels good and not having to think about too much is great too. Right now, I'm just letting God be God and do what He does best - lead me, guide me and love me. I know it'll all turn out ok.

Wow - How long has it been???

I can not believe that I have not blogged since January of this year. What was I thinking?? I mean, it's not like life stopped - stuff has been happening - sometimes it was BIG stuff.

Let me see . . .

February - Frank and I celebrated 11 years of marriage. What a blessing! He is the most wonderful husband in the world. God really gave me the best - which is what He promised.

March - Frank, Jacob and I went to Charleston (my favorite city in the world) for spring break. It was such a nice trip. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cool. Just right for walking around and enjoying the city.

April - Easter is always a special time for me. I love Easter, I think, most of all. I love to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. I just am always in awe of the great gift He gave me when He went to that cross. On this earth, I will never be able to fathom it. But, when I see Him face to face . . . wow, what a day that will be.

May - celebrated Mother's Day - another favorite - and my birthday. I love birthdays and the whole getting older thing doesn't bother me a bit. I count each of them as a trophy. Just more time that God has granted me on earth with my family to enjoy until He comes to take me home.
Also, schools out for the summer - yay!!

June - Jacob and I really take advantage of the whole idea of summer vacation. We have done almost nothing. We sleep late - eat when we want to and play the rest of the time.

July - Frank, Jacob and I went to Myrtle Beach and then a quick trip through Charleston. It was a great trip - but there was a terrible cloud of sadness over the trip. As we were travelling to MB, I recieved word that a very dear friend was killed in a motorcycle accident. I may want to write more later - but that's all I want to say about that for now.
Alex went to Kigali, Rwanda, Africa for his first mission trip - a very long 10 days for those of us at home. Praise the Lord, he had a good trip and made it safely home.

August - Summer is dwindling to an end. It's back to school on the 10th. It's way too early - but the school board didn't call me to ask my opinion. Personally, I don't think it should be legal to send kids to school when it's so hot outside. I think the Monday after Labor Day is plenty soon enough.

So, there it is - the highlights for the last few months. Some big stuff - some no so big stuff. And, I'm sure that I'll think of more. Maybe I should blog more often and then I wouldn't forget. Or, maybe I haven't been blogging so I will forget - who really knows?

Resurrection 2009

Sometimes God places us in situations just so we can see His power at work. Well, this past weekend was one of those times for me. Frank, Jacob and I went along with our church youth group to Gatlinburg, TN for Resurrection 2009 (a Methodist Youth Retreat). It was our first trip to Resurrection and I wasn't sure what to expect. I had heard some amazing stories, but I still couldn't quite grasp the whole concept. I admit, that when Frank first volunteered us to go, I was more than a little apprehensive. But, as time to go grew closer, I began to get excited about it. By the time we left I was really looking forward to it. Somewhere down deep in my heart, I knew I was going to meet God there. And oh boy, did He ever show up. I can not remember a more amazing time with the Lord. He showed up in full force. His presence was so clear. I'm still reeling from it. And Jacob loved it. He hung on every word. He danced with the band and just "got it." I mean he really "got it."
We had four sessions over the weekend. We started with one session on Friday night shortly after we arrived, Saturday morning and afternoon and a wonderful session Sunday morning complete with Communion. Our youth participated in the serving of Communion. I am so blessed and so touched to have received communion from these amazing kids.
The kids were great - no problems at all. Of course, I think they are a great group of kids regardless. I just love'em all. Of course, I have to tell this . . . us girls had a hard time going into the boys' rooms for our nightly devotions. Those rooms smelled awful! There was a grotesque combined smell of feet and "other body functions" that would knock us down at the door. But, a little Febreeze helped. Needless to say that after devotions, us girls hightailed it back to our sweet smelling girl rooms.
Anyway, the music was awesome. This band was on stage at every session and the kids went wild. They rushed the stage, they danced, they sang and they truly praised the Lord.
The main speaker was phenomenal. I admit, I had never heard of this guy before, but he really hit home. And, he spoke in such a manner that the kids just got it. Not to mention that he was hilarious in the process.
I just can't seem to find the words to describe exactly what I brought back with me. There were (literally) thousands of kids there - all of them hanging on the Word of God, praising Him, Glorifying Him - it was one of the most awe inspiring events I've ever been a part of.
Now, heres the trick - it's our responsibility to "keep the fires burning" in our kids. I'm not sure how that will happen, but I am sure that with God in charge it will be done.
So, will we go again to Resurrection - you bet. Jacob asked me Sunday morning, even before we had left Gatlinburg, if we could come back next year. Of course we will. I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of many Resurrection weekends to come.
I wish I had some pictures to share, but I left my camera at home. Yeah, I know. That won't happen again. Next year, I'll have lots of pictures and lots more blessings to share.
If you are curious about Resurrection you can visit this site and learn all about it. You can also find out how to register your youth to attend Resurrection 2010 which is the 25th anniversary. I highly recommend it.
I pray that you are as blessed as I am.

Happy New Year!!

May 2009 bring many blessings, much prosperity, and peace beyond understanding.
God bless and keep you in everything you do.
Let's make 2009 a year for Jesus!

In Christ,
Lisa

Looking Forward to a Wonderful New Year!!

Wow - I can not believe that three months has gone by since I last posted on this blog. Oh, well, not much I can do to change that now - so, I move forward.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. 2009 is just a few hours away. I must admit, thankfully to our gracious Lord, 2008 was rather uneventful. I like uneventful. Turmoil and dissention upset me terribly. Nothin' I hate more than for my nice peaceful boat to get rocked.
I am looking forward to this new year. I have thoughtfully planned my resolutions for this year. They are as follows:
1st goal - I'm not calling them resolutions. They are goals. I have set myself a few goals for this year. And, I am humbly asking for any and all assistance that anyone would like to give.
2nd goal - I am joining Beth Moore and the LPM team in memorizing scripture this year. BM has asked anyone who wants to join in to memorize two scriptures per month - we check in with each other on the 1st and 15th of each month. How great is that. By the end of the year we will have memorized at least 24 scripture.
3rd goal - Since I have been chosen as Sunday School Superintendent for 2009, I have decided to take this job very seriously and put forth all my effort to help build up our SS program at our church. Our pastor has proclaimed 2009 as a "Year of Evangelism" at our church - so our efforts should go hand in hand. The main here is Glory to God!!!
4th goal - I have got to (GOT TO) stop smoking. That's all I'm going to say about that for now.
5th goal - To be more faithful in my blogging.

So, for now, these are the goals for my new year. I'm looking forward to input from you. But, please be kind or at least be tactful.

God bless you with a terrific 2009. May all of His blessings be yours.

See you soon.

A Month Later and a Few Questions

I'm loving my job. Praise to the Lord for placing me in a great school with great people to work with. I stay very, very busy though. I don't mind.
The last month (since my last post)has been filled with all kinds of things going on. I won't go into a lot of them but those particular incidents have opened up a few questions.
Question #1 - At what point in life does one pass from "Miss" to "Ma'am"? Standing in line at WalMart the other day a fellow behind me says, "Excuse me, Miss." Naturally, I turned around and moved to the side to let him pass. Much to my chagrin, he was not talking to me.
Question #2 - Why is that kids can sit through episode after episode of SpongeBob and Drake and Josh and then watch the reruns of the same episodes but complain when we parents want to watch five minutes of the election coverage?
Question #3 - Why can't that one dirty glass appear in the sink before the dishes are done?
Question #4 - Where do the sock mates really go?
These are just a few things I've been wondering. You can even say that some recent personal events have triggered these questions. I would love to hear some ideas on these important issues.

Very Brief Update

The last month or so has been a roller coaster ride for me. I can't remember all the tiny little details but here's the nutshell version.

August 1 - We went to Dollywood for the day. It was a wonderful day and we were absolutely tuckered out when we got home.

August 2 - Back at home, randomly checking voice mail on the home phone gave me a devastating shock. A message from the school board office informed me that I had been transferred to a different school. There was no explanation just the transfer orders. I called my principal to find out what was going on. She informed me it was a mistake and I should report to my regular job on Monday.

August 4 - First day of school. Went to work at regular school as usual. At about 10:00 a.m. Principal informs me that I have indeed been transferred. Again, devastation and many tears, though not actually in front of anyone.

August 5 - No school today (don't know the logic in that) but I went to see my Mom. Needing comfort in regards to my current job status.

August 6 - Report to new school - 15 miles away from my boy who is still at other school. Right off, I don't like it. Although, the people are very nice and the new Principal tries very hard to make the transition easier.

I stayed at the new school for the first three weeks of school. I did my job to the best of my ability. I was heartbroken that I was not actually placed in a classroom, but I still worked hard. I heard of another position in another school, right across the street from my old school. So, I applied and waited. The new position is a step up from my old position and is in the middle school. While I waited for a decision to be made, I continued to work at new school. I began to get very discouraged but kept trying to praise my way through it. All during this time, I knew that God was (and is) in control. Never once did I doubt that He had a plan. The discouragement that I was feeling was from the fact that I don't wait very well. Learning about that one.
Finally, I got word that the position was mine, but the school board was not filling the position until the yearly budget was submitted and passed. So, again, I waited and watched the papers for confirmation that the budget had passed. Finally, the morning papers flashed a headline that the budget had been submitted but rejected. It had to be submitted again. I thought I would scream - but I kept praising God and relying on Him to put me where He wanted me.

So, finally, He gave me the new position. I am now in the 5th grade at the middle school and I LOVE IT. I can take Jacob to school with me in the mornings and a friend picks him up to take him across the street to his school.
The people I work with are great. I'm enjoying all the work (even though it can be hectic at times). It's great!!

So,what did I learn from all this - not much. What did I take from all this - The wonderful, joyous confirmation that My Lord is with me all the time. That He holds me in His hands. That I am precious in His sight and He has great and wonderful plans for me. That I am loved, unconditionally.

Now, I love to tell the story of my transfer because I can tell how the Lord brought me through it. I love to tell others how faithful God is and that I am living proof of His love.

What more could a girl want?