I went to the first football game this season at our school.
As I see it, these are the highlights.
When JG is down on the sidelines, screaming with horrible cramps, as the medics are trying to find an illusive vein to IV in something to help with his dehydration, 6'5" 320 lb, TM takes off his helmet lays hands on him and prays with fevor right there in front of God, the players, and the stands full of fans.
When another boy is down on the field with a tail bone injury, and the players on the field take a knee, it is obvious to those of us in the stands that some player leads the whole team in prayer right there on the field. I look, and TM is on the sidelines. I later find out that it is another senior who took the initiative to lead, WM.
The grandparents who are raising their grandson cry when I tell them how I had prayed that God would make a way for him to attend this school again this year although there were health and financial issues in the way. And she kissed me on the cheek and said that she loved me.
And the boy who I have prayed for so much that I feel like he belongs to our family. We have invested a lot in him and love him dearly, although he sometimes he has a hard time loving himself. He is the one reason I am at the school. God has put me here for perhaps other reasons, but he needs us, and he needs to know that he is worth something and we believe in him. After the game, instead of rushing home or hanging out with the guys, he sought out my husband to sit and talk to for a long while about nothing really. They just hung out.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The lost coin...
A few years ago, H was collecting money for Speed-the-Light missions. There was a contest at church, and the youth pastor suggested checking the car, couches, etc. for loose change.
H was determined to find every silver or copper piece in the house.
We had bought a new living room set a few years earlier, and had moved the old green one upstairs into the playroom. H was determined that the old sofa had to be full of money.
She began by removing the cushions. Nothing. She thought that she had remembered a "jingling" sound when we moved it, so she KNEW there was money to be found.
I kept telling her that it was a waste of time. She kept looking. She turned the sofa on end. She ran her hand along the edge as far as it would go. She even tried to remove the board at the bottom. She wouldn't give up. She just knew there was money there.
Soon she smuggly came to me.
"So, did you find any money?" I asked.
"Seventy-five dollars," she replied.
I stopped what I was doing. "You're lying! SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS?"
"Yep." (She's very pleased with her I-told-you-so self). "In a wallet."
"WHOSE?"
She brought me the wallet. It seemed that a friend who had visited us from North Carolina several years earlier had LOST HIS WALLET IN OUR COUCH.
We found the money, credit cards, drivers license, and photos. So my husband called him. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER LOOSING IT. How can you loose something like that and not even remember? His wife, however, did remember, because she was the one who made all the calls canceling accounts, etc.
So, we mailed the wallet to him, $75 and all.
There was no other change in the couch.
H was determined to find every silver or copper piece in the house.
We had bought a new living room set a few years earlier, and had moved the old green one upstairs into the playroom. H was determined that the old sofa had to be full of money.
She began by removing the cushions. Nothing. She thought that she had remembered a "jingling" sound when we moved it, so she KNEW there was money to be found.
I kept telling her that it was a waste of time. She kept looking. She turned the sofa on end. She ran her hand along the edge as far as it would go. She even tried to remove the board at the bottom. She wouldn't give up. She just knew there was money there.
Soon she smuggly came to me.
"So, did you find any money?" I asked.
"Seventy-five dollars," she replied.
I stopped what I was doing. "You're lying! SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS?"
"Yep." (She's very pleased with her I-told-you-so self). "In a wallet."
"WHOSE?"
She brought me the wallet. It seemed that a friend who had visited us from North Carolina several years earlier had LOST HIS WALLET IN OUR COUCH.
We found the money, credit cards, drivers license, and photos. So my husband called him. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER LOOSING IT. How can you loose something like that and not even remember? His wife, however, did remember, because she was the one who made all the calls canceling accounts, etc.
So, we mailed the wallet to him, $75 and all.
There was no other change in the couch.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
This is why I'm here
The school year has not yet started, but last night the phone rang. It was a student of mine from last year.
"Mrs. B., I need to talk to you about something..." And so he speaks, for probably thirty minutes or so.
I said very little. Mostly I listened. Asked an occasional question for clarification. Asked about him and God. Reminded him that he is way too hard on himself. Let him know that I still pray for him. Daily, about specific issues in his life. And listened some more.
"Thanks," he says. "I knew I could count on you."
"Mrs. B., I need to talk to you about something..." And so he speaks, for probably thirty minutes or so.
I said very little. Mostly I listened. Asked an occasional question for clarification. Asked about him and God. Reminded him that he is way too hard on himself. Let him know that I still pray for him. Daily, about specific issues in his life. And listened some more.
"Thanks," he says. "I knew I could count on you."
Monday, August 6, 2007
A Pig's Tale
We have had some interesting animal encounters where we live.
While we do live in rural Mississippi, we still live in a neighborhood. We are by no means in the boonies. However, occasionally we are visited by some unexpected creatures.
When my daughter was less than a year old, a peacock used to visit us. Sometimes it would stand on the patio by the french doors, and sometimes we would see it perched on the house. It delighted H, but after a few months it disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared.
One day, I looked out my front window to a mama pig and five babies rooting around my yard. After watching them tear up the flowerbed, I tried to scare them away, but the mama pig did not like me and seemed to be pretty protective of her little ones. I called my husband at work to see what to do.
After suggesting a meal of ham and bacon, he suggested that I call the sherrif's department and ask them what to do.
I called them and they told me that right now animal control did not even service us in the county and to call 911.
I called 911 and explained that there was no emergency, but there were pigs in my yard that I wanted to be rid of. They said they would send an officer right out.
Sure enough, a patrol car pulled up in my driveway. The deputy scratched his head and asked for a broom. He yelled and chased the pigs with the broom until they ran up the front hill and into the neighbor's yard.
He walked back to the house, returned the broom with a satisfied smile, and declared his work complete. I told him that I thanked him, but I doubted that my neighbor would.
About the time he got to his car, from the woods behind my house a man on a horse rode up. I assume that he owned the pigs although he did not say a word to us. He herded them up by yelling SUEY and chased them down the road.
I am not making this up. Wouldn't it be a great episode for a sitcom?
While we do live in rural Mississippi, we still live in a neighborhood. We are by no means in the boonies. However, occasionally we are visited by some unexpected creatures.
When my daughter was less than a year old, a peacock used to visit us. Sometimes it would stand on the patio by the french doors, and sometimes we would see it perched on the house. It delighted H, but after a few months it disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared.
One day, I looked out my front window to a mama pig and five babies rooting around my yard. After watching them tear up the flowerbed, I tried to scare them away, but the mama pig did not like me and seemed to be pretty protective of her little ones. I called my husband at work to see what to do.
After suggesting a meal of ham and bacon, he suggested that I call the sherrif's department and ask them what to do.
I called them and they told me that right now animal control did not even service us in the county and to call 911.
I called 911 and explained that there was no emergency, but there were pigs in my yard that I wanted to be rid of. They said they would send an officer right out.
Sure enough, a patrol car pulled up in my driveway. The deputy scratched his head and asked for a broom. He yelled and chased the pigs with the broom until they ran up the front hill and into the neighbor's yard.
He walked back to the house, returned the broom with a satisfied smile, and declared his work complete. I told him that I thanked him, but I doubted that my neighbor would.
About the time he got to his car, from the woods behind my house a man on a horse rode up. I assume that he owned the pigs although he did not say a word to us. He herded them up by yelling SUEY and chased them down the road.
I am not making this up. Wouldn't it be a great episode for a sitcom?
Friday, August 3, 2007
Is this what I think it is?
I spent the day with my mother today and had a wonderful time. It made me think of a story about her.
A few years ago Mama was babysitting the girls while M and I went out. When we returned, she met me at the door.
"You'll never guess what I found," she said with a shocked, I-can't-believe-you tone of voice.
"What?" I asked.
"This was just LYING on the kitchen counter!" she gasped. "I can't believe you are so irresponsible!"
She tossed me the item that had upset her.
"Is this what I THINK it is?" she asked, visibly upset.
"I don't know. What DO you think it is?" I asked.
"A condom!" she hissed.
I looked at the item in my hand and laughed.
"It's a Glade PlugIn refill packet," I replied.
A few years ago Mama was babysitting the girls while M and I went out. When we returned, she met me at the door.
"You'll never guess what I found," she said with a shocked, I-can't-believe-you tone of voice.
"What?" I asked.
"This was just LYING on the kitchen counter!" she gasped. "I can't believe you are so irresponsible!"
She tossed me the item that had upset her.
"Is this what I THINK it is?" she asked, visibly upset.
"I don't know. What DO you think it is?" I asked.
"A condom!" she hissed.
I looked at the item in my hand and laughed.
"It's a Glade PlugIn refill packet," I replied.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
First boyfriend
A few days ago, my younger daughter came to me and told me that a boy, T, told her that he liked her.
I asked her what she said, and she said that she told him that she liked him too, but it didn't matter because he had to TALK TO HER DADDY FIRST.
First of all, although the daughters are in the 10th and 11th grades, this is the first time that "boyfriend" has come up. Both of the girls have A LOT of boy FRIENDS, but no special ONE.
Secondly, my husband and I have never discussed what would happen when they DID like someone because, um, maybe they would never grow up, you know what I mean?
So the very fact that R took the initiative to refer him to her daddy is huge to us.
I asked her if she wanted me to give her dad a "heads up." Nope, she said. Talking to him would be good for T.
You have to understand that my husband is not the kind of person who needs to be faced with such an unexpected request cold turkey. So I asked R if she really wanted Daddy to be surprised and put on the spot.
Well, maybe you should talk to him first. And I did. He was clueless and confused. No, she can't date. She is just shy of 15. Why is she interested in a BOY anyway? What does he WANT?
In the meantime, said boy is seeking counsel from a friend of my husband who advises him in the proper terminology ("hang out," not "date"), goes over some possible questions that my husband might ask, and instructs him on his behavior.
My husband and I came up with a list of questions that I discussed with R and he asked T.
I asked her what she said, and she said that she told him that she liked him too, but it didn't matter because he had to TALK TO HER DADDY FIRST.
First of all, although the daughters are in the 10th and 11th grades, this is the first time that "boyfriend" has come up. Both of the girls have A LOT of boy FRIENDS, but no special ONE.
Secondly, my husband and I have never discussed what would happen when they DID like someone because, um, maybe they would never grow up, you know what I mean?
So the very fact that R took the initiative to refer him to her daddy is huge to us.
I asked her if she wanted me to give her dad a "heads up." Nope, she said. Talking to him would be good for T.
You have to understand that my husband is not the kind of person who needs to be faced with such an unexpected request cold turkey. So I asked R if she really wanted Daddy to be surprised and put on the spot.
Well, maybe you should talk to him first. And I did. He was clueless and confused. No, she can't date. She is just shy of 15. Why is she interested in a BOY anyway? What does he WANT?
In the meantime, said boy is seeking counsel from a friend of my husband who advises him in the proper terminology ("hang out," not "date"), goes over some possible questions that my husband might ask, and instructs him on his behavior.
My husband and I came up with a list of questions that I discussed with R and he asked T.
- What attracts him to our daughter?
- What boundaries is he willing to place on the physical part of their relationship?
- What happens when they no longer "like" each other?
- Is he basically asking permission for them to be recognized as a "couple"?
Then, WE set the boundaries. Basically, no dates, even with parents at this point. They can hang out, etc, but no physical contact. I told R to think about whether or not different behaviors would be appropriate for me to do with a man other than her daddy...pats on the back--ok; squeezing leg or backrubs--not ok.
T was understandly scared to death, but I must say that both he and my husband held it together. He asked permission to "court" her. After the talk which took place in the car in the church parking lot, as they walked toward the building, T jokingly asked my husband if he could carry him the rest of the way in. His knees we about to give out!
Both T and R were all smiles for the rest of the night.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Desiring to grow
The girls are unhappy with the youth group.
While the eldest was gone, the younger was telling me about how she was discouraged because the youth cell group only spent a little bit of time having a devotion, then had playtime (swimming, or ice cream, etc). At this point in her life she is very hungry spiritually, and is mature enough to realize that her needs are not currently being met. She approached the interim youth pastor and his wife with her concerns, but felt like they were happy with things the way that they are.
Then the elder came home and expressed the same thing. Her concern is that no permanent youth pastor will be hired in the two years she has left in the youth group. She is not satisfied either. She wants more and a deeper relationship with the Lord.
They see that in a lot of ways our youth group is superficial, materialistic, and cliquish. It's not that the people are not wonderful people, but I think that something is missing.
It thrills me that they are both thinking about and desiring a spiritual change, and that they have the maturity to assess the situation.
I am in prayer about this. The girls are ripe for what the Lord wants to do in their lives, but I am not sure what direction to take. I would love for them to get involved in some sort of discipleship program or a Bible study that requires something of them.
We need direction. To be honest, we have been struggling in the church for some time. If it were not for the girls, we probably would have started looking for something else. However, we are afraid that if we went to a different church, it would take too long for them to fit in and feel like a real part. After all, in three years, they both will have graduated and won't be in the youth group anymore.
We just feel so stagnate, and find it interesting that without our mentioning it, the girls feel that way as well. If we were to go somewhere else, I don't have any idea where that somewhere else could be.
All we can do right now is pray for direction, and that the desire for growth that the girls have at this time will not evaporate before a solution is reached.
While the eldest was gone, the younger was telling me about how she was discouraged because the youth cell group only spent a little bit of time having a devotion, then had playtime (swimming, or ice cream, etc). At this point in her life she is very hungry spiritually, and is mature enough to realize that her needs are not currently being met. She approached the interim youth pastor and his wife with her concerns, but felt like they were happy with things the way that they are.
Then the elder came home and expressed the same thing. Her concern is that no permanent youth pastor will be hired in the two years she has left in the youth group. She is not satisfied either. She wants more and a deeper relationship with the Lord.
They see that in a lot of ways our youth group is superficial, materialistic, and cliquish. It's not that the people are not wonderful people, but I think that something is missing.
It thrills me that they are both thinking about and desiring a spiritual change, and that they have the maturity to assess the situation.
I am in prayer about this. The girls are ripe for what the Lord wants to do in their lives, but I am not sure what direction to take. I would love for them to get involved in some sort of discipleship program or a Bible study that requires something of them.
We need direction. To be honest, we have been struggling in the church for some time. If it were not for the girls, we probably would have started looking for something else. However, we are afraid that if we went to a different church, it would take too long for them to fit in and feel like a real part. After all, in three years, they both will have graduated and won't be in the youth group anymore.
We just feel so stagnate, and find it interesting that without our mentioning it, the girls feel that way as well. If we were to go somewhere else, I don't have any idea where that somewhere else could be.
All we can do right now is pray for direction, and that the desire for growth that the girls have at this time will not evaporate before a solution is reached.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
This and that
After church today, one of my daughter's friends came home with us, and in only 1 1/2 hours, the room is totally cleaned out! Clothes are distributed according to purpose, trash is thrown away, closet is clean, and drawers are organized. Thank you dear friend of my daughter.
We are going on a mission trip to Miami in a week. The whole family is going with the youth group. We got an information packet about it, sent by the folks in Miami. The schedule reads from 8:00 am to lights out at, get this, 1:00 am. We are usually in the bed at 9:00. Granted, my husband usually gets up at 4:30, but we shut down early. Most of the things we will be doing are very intense. Like street evangelism. And rallies. And door to door canvassing. I am arranging my schedule to crash when we get home.
I would like to coordinate a mission trip at my school. I have been praying about this. First, I need my husband's support, because it would involve him. Then I need to convince the principal. I think he would be all for it, because it would be a good opportunity for the students, it would cost next to nothing, and best of all, it will make the school look good.
Right now, my passion is the students at my school. I just love them. I teach 7-10 grade, so I get to know them very well. I know their parents, where they come from, and what they struggle with. I want to be the one that says or does the thing that encourages them. I want every one of them to feel like I completely believe in them and that God has a wonderful plan for them. I want to invest myself into their lives. I want to make a difference. They are my mission field. I know without a doubt that God has put me here, for this, for such a time as this.
We are going on a mission trip to Miami in a week. The whole family is going with the youth group. We got an information packet about it, sent by the folks in Miami. The schedule reads from 8:00 am to lights out at, get this, 1:00 am. We are usually in the bed at 9:00. Granted, my husband usually gets up at 4:30, but we shut down early. Most of the things we will be doing are very intense. Like street evangelism. And rallies. And door to door canvassing. I am arranging my schedule to crash when we get home.
I would like to coordinate a mission trip at my school. I have been praying about this. First, I need my husband's support, because it would involve him. Then I need to convince the principal. I think he would be all for it, because it would be a good opportunity for the students, it would cost next to nothing, and best of all, it will make the school look good.
Right now, my passion is the students at my school. I just love them. I teach 7-10 grade, so I get to know them very well. I know their parents, where they come from, and what they struggle with. I want to be the one that says or does the thing that encourages them. I want every one of them to feel like I completely believe in them and that God has a wonderful plan for them. I want to invest myself into their lives. I want to make a difference. They are my mission field. I know without a doubt that God has put me here, for this, for such a time as this.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Cleaning out
The last few days have been busy. Since my children are gone on youth trips, I decided the time had come to do some cleaning out......And once I began, I cannot quit.
My latest venture has been my younger daughter's room. She is almost 15 and a packrat. Admittedly. She would rather have teeth pulled that clean her room. In fact, I don't know if she has ever cleaned her room. She has rearranged the stuff in her room, but cleaning she just doesn't get.
Several years ago we got tired of fighting the battle, and after several warnings we grounded her from her room. Yep. We shut her door and only allowed her to enter to sleep. She couldn't remove anything from her room. It worked for a short period of time.
First I cleaned out her bathroom which adjoins her room. I'd just watched Oprah and the organizational guru. I laid out a sheet in the hall and removed EVERYTHING from the bathroom. It was fairly easy to throw away 90% of the old broken makeup, wrappers from certain personal items, and the like.
I was too optimistic about her room though. To her credit, she had clothes folded neatly in her drawer. Unfortunately, she has clothes everywhere else too. I quicky discovered that it was next to impossible to tell what pieces of paper were keepers, and what needed to be thrown away. I also had no clue about what clothes fit, were liked, and would be worn again. Not to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate me reading her notes, etc, to see if they are keepers.
So I decided to give her a lesson in cleaning out. I put all of her things that were not in a drawer or hanging in her closet in large trash bags... NINE of them. Ten if you count the shopping trip that had not been unpacked.
I went to Dollar General and bought baskets and bins. When she comes home, we will do it together. We will start with the drawers, then take the bags one by one. We will throw away, give away, and put away. Then, if we are still friends when it is over, we will go get some ice cream.
My latest venture has been my younger daughter's room. She is almost 15 and a packrat. Admittedly. She would rather have teeth pulled that clean her room. In fact, I don't know if she has ever cleaned her room. She has rearranged the stuff in her room, but cleaning she just doesn't get.
Several years ago we got tired of fighting the battle, and after several warnings we grounded her from her room. Yep. We shut her door and only allowed her to enter to sleep. She couldn't remove anything from her room. It worked for a short period of time.
First I cleaned out her bathroom which adjoins her room. I'd just watched Oprah and the organizational guru. I laid out a sheet in the hall and removed EVERYTHING from the bathroom. It was fairly easy to throw away 90% of the old broken makeup, wrappers from certain personal items, and the like.
I was too optimistic about her room though. To her credit, she had clothes folded neatly in her drawer. Unfortunately, she has clothes everywhere else too. I quicky discovered that it was next to impossible to tell what pieces of paper were keepers, and what needed to be thrown away. I also had no clue about what clothes fit, were liked, and would be worn again. Not to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate me reading her notes, etc, to see if they are keepers.
So I decided to give her a lesson in cleaning out. I put all of her things that were not in a drawer or hanging in her closet in large trash bags... NINE of them. Ten if you count the shopping trip that had not been unpacked.
I went to Dollar General and bought baskets and bins. When she comes home, we will do it together. We will start with the drawers, then take the bags one by one. We will throw away, give away, and put away. Then, if we are still friends when it is over, we will go get some ice cream.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The nephew
This weekend I kept my 15 month old nephew.
This may not seem like a big deal to alot of people, but my own children are 16 and almost 15. It has been a long time since my house has seen a toddler.
I have stairs. And things. Things that weren't meant to be handled or eaten.
You know, toddlers whine, and are demanding, and you can't make them happy, and they don't sleep or at least they wake up early.
Not my nephew. I was completely, wonderfully surprised. He never stopped smiling. He giggled. He followed directions. He slept until 9:00 each morning. He didn't wake up at night.
At about 8:30 at night he put his head down on the couch pillow.
"Are you ready to go night-night?" I asked.
"Night-night," he answered.
I put his pjs on him, gave him a drink of milk, and laid him down. That was it. He went to sleep. Same thing for naptime.
I don't remember it being this easy, especially at a "strange" house. He has a little plastic Minnie Mouse that he holds all the time...too cute.
He does have two faults, which I found very amusing. He doesn't like baths. The only thing that would upset him was our saying, "Are you ready for a bath?" We found it funny, so we teased him with it a little bit.
He also did not like tortillas. We went to a Mexican restaurant with him, and I tore up some soft taco for him. He would carefully remove and eat the beef, then toss the tortilla over his shoulder. And giggle.
Everyone knows when a baby giggles, everyone giggles. We giggled all weekend.
He is too cute.
This may not seem like a big deal to alot of people, but my own children are 16 and almost 15. It has been a long time since my house has seen a toddler.
I have stairs. And things. Things that weren't meant to be handled or eaten.
You know, toddlers whine, and are demanding, and you can't make them happy, and they don't sleep or at least they wake up early.
Not my nephew. I was completely, wonderfully surprised. He never stopped smiling. He giggled. He followed directions. He slept until 9:00 each morning. He didn't wake up at night.
At about 8:30 at night he put his head down on the couch pillow.
"Are you ready to go night-night?" I asked.
"Night-night," he answered.
I put his pjs on him, gave him a drink of milk, and laid him down. That was it. He went to sleep. Same thing for naptime.
I don't remember it being this easy, especially at a "strange" house. He has a little plastic Minnie Mouse that he holds all the time...too cute.
He does have two faults, which I found very amusing. He doesn't like baths. The only thing that would upset him was our saying, "Are you ready for a bath?" We found it funny, so we teased him with it a little bit.
He also did not like tortillas. We went to a Mexican restaurant with him, and I tore up some soft taco for him. He would carefully remove and eat the beef, then toss the tortilla over his shoulder. And giggle.
Everyone knows when a baby giggles, everyone giggles. We giggled all weekend.
He is too cute.
My time
Both of my daughters are gone (mostly) this week.
My oldest has gone with her uncle (my brother who is a youth pastor in another state) on a mission trip to NC. They are busy doing Upwards Basketball, backyard Bible clubs, and block parties. They are also squeezing in a Braves game and some jet skiing.
My other daughter, after filling in for her older sister babysitting at the beginning of the week, will go on a short mission mission trip with our youth. Although it takes place at a local children's home, they will be living and eating on the premises and doing odd jobs such as cleaning and painting. They will be planning activities for the children as well.
So, I am.......alone. Oh the bliss. I can do whatever I want.
I forsee DATE NIGHT!
Yesterday I cleaned my house. Maybe in the next few days I can clean out a few things.
My plan today is to find a good movie, turn it on in my room, and watch it while I clean out drawers, piles of mail, corner clutter, and a linen closet.
After my nap.
My oldest has gone with her uncle (my brother who is a youth pastor in another state) on a mission trip to NC. They are busy doing Upwards Basketball, backyard Bible clubs, and block parties. They are also squeezing in a Braves game and some jet skiing.
My other daughter, after filling in for her older sister babysitting at the beginning of the week, will go on a short mission mission trip with our youth. Although it takes place at a local children's home, they will be living and eating on the premises and doing odd jobs such as cleaning and painting. They will be planning activities for the children as well.
So, I am.......alone. Oh the bliss. I can do whatever I want.
I forsee DATE NIGHT!
Yesterday I cleaned my house. Maybe in the next few days I can clean out a few things.
My plan today is to find a good movie, turn it on in my room, and watch it while I clean out drawers, piles of mail, corner clutter, and a linen closet.
After my nap.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Only 32 more days...
Today I am going to accomplish something.
First, I am going to clean my house...you know, dusting, mopping, bathrooms... Then, I am going to clean out my bedroom. I'm getting rid of junk, going through the clothes, and cleaning out my dresser.
Perhaps then, when I am in the quiet santuary of my room, I can look around and feel I have accomplished something.
Then, next week, maybe I will clean out the closet under the stairs, or the kitchen, or the (ugh) attic.
There are only 32 days left until I have to start back to work.
First, I am going to clean my house...you know, dusting, mopping, bathrooms... Then, I am going to clean out my bedroom. I'm getting rid of junk, going through the clothes, and cleaning out my dresser.
Perhaps then, when I am in the quiet santuary of my room, I can look around and feel I have accomplished something.
Then, next week, maybe I will clean out the closet under the stairs, or the kitchen, or the (ugh) attic.
There are only 32 days left until I have to start back to work.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
A bunch of nothin'
I'm doin' a bunch of nothin'.
That about sums up the time I have spent at home so far this summer.
Oh, we've gone to the coast for http://eightdaysofhope.com/ hurricane cleanup, to Alaska on a cruise, and to North Georgia for a family reunion. We still plan on going to a children's home for four days to do whatever it is that they need doing and to Miami with the youth on a mission trip for a week at the end of July. Did I mention that I am keeping my 18 month old nephew for a few days?
I must report back to school on August 6, and so far all I have to show for my time at home is ... nothing.
So much for the lofty goal of cleaning out the attic (boy, I love puns!). All the chores that I had been putting off "until summertime" have yet to be done.
Do I feel guilty? A bit, but not too much. This morning I spent about an hour out back, Bible in hand. I wasn't reading it the whole time, but I must admit that it was glorious just to sit, ponder, and relax, unhindered by time and demands.
I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
That about sums up the time I have spent at home so far this summer.
Oh, we've gone to the coast for http://eightdaysofhope.com/ hurricane cleanup, to Alaska on a cruise, and to North Georgia for a family reunion. We still plan on going to a children's home for four days to do whatever it is that they need doing and to Miami with the youth on a mission trip for a week at the end of July. Did I mention that I am keeping my 18 month old nephew for a few days?
I must report back to school on August 6, and so far all I have to show for my time at home is ... nothing.
So much for the lofty goal of cleaning out the attic (boy, I love puns!). All the chores that I had been putting off "until summertime" have yet to be done.
Do I feel guilty? A bit, but not too much. This morning I spent about an hour out back, Bible in hand. I wasn't reading it the whole time, but I must admit that it was glorious just to sit, ponder, and relax, unhindered by time and demands.
I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Driving me crazy
My 16 year old now has her driver's license, and so I enter a new era in my life.
It opens up a whole myriad of issues....My prayer life has become more active. I've always heard people say that, but now I know. I don't have the control anymore. I don't mean that she comes and goes as she likes, but when she is driving, I am no longer behind the wheel. Duh.
I am what a friend has referred to as a hover-mother. I am very particular about which teen drivers she is allowed to RIDE with. Now SHE is the teen driver.
Then there are the decisions that I have to make....Can she drive to church separately from me? Should I let her go to Walmart at noon or at 7:00 am when there is less traffic? Will I regret it if I let her run errands that are purely for my convenience? Should she drive in the rain? What if it is raining AND dark? If I call her to check up on her, she has to choose between answering the phone while driving (which is a no-no), or not answering in which case I will be frantic with worry. Every trip must have purpose; no aimless riding around.
Then there's the gas issue She got her license in April and really wanted to drive to school. I am a teacher at her school, and I think it is a waste of expensive gas to drive two vehicles to the same place. She had a hard time understanding this since "all her friends drive to school." Now that school is out, she babysits 3 days a week on the other side of town. Since she doesn't have her own car, she drives one of ours. We developed a system: on Sunday evening, we fill the tank. Then, after she has worked for three days, she fills the tank. That way, she is paying for her own gas and learning responsibility.
I realized that the lesson was learned when her sister suggested that she drive them to church on Wednesday night. "Are you kidding," she replied. "I'm not wasting my gas to go somewhere Mom is also going. We'll ride with her."
Point well taken.
It opens up a whole myriad of issues....My prayer life has become more active. I've always heard people say that, but now I know. I don't have the control anymore. I don't mean that she comes and goes as she likes, but when she is driving, I am no longer behind the wheel. Duh.
I am what a friend has referred to as a hover-mother. I am very particular about which teen drivers she is allowed to RIDE with. Now SHE is the teen driver.
Then there are the decisions that I have to make....Can she drive to church separately from me? Should I let her go to Walmart at noon or at 7:00 am when there is less traffic? Will I regret it if I let her run errands that are purely for my convenience? Should she drive in the rain? What if it is raining AND dark? If I call her to check up on her, she has to choose between answering the phone while driving (which is a no-no), or not answering in which case I will be frantic with worry. Every trip must have purpose; no aimless riding around.
Then there's the gas issue She got her license in April and really wanted to drive to school. I am a teacher at her school, and I think it is a waste of expensive gas to drive two vehicles to the same place. She had a hard time understanding this since "all her friends drive to school." Now that school is out, she babysits 3 days a week on the other side of town. Since she doesn't have her own car, she drives one of ours. We developed a system: on Sunday evening, we fill the tank. Then, after she has worked for three days, she fills the tank. That way, she is paying for her own gas and learning responsibility.
I realized that the lesson was learned when her sister suggested that she drive them to church on Wednesday night. "Are you kidding," she replied. "I'm not wasting my gas to go somewhere Mom is also going. We'll ride with her."
Point well taken.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Doggone it!
Mama and Daddy recently boarded their yellow lab while they went on a trip. When they returned, Daddy went to get the dog, brought it home and put it in the backyard.
Since it is an indoor/outdoor dog, it wasn't long until Mama let it in. It promptly went to the house plant, lifted its leg and marked his territory, if you know what I mean.
Mama calls me: I don't think this is Peanut.
Me: What do you mean it's not Peanut?
Mama: Well, it has certain...ah...features that Peanut had fixed.
Dog (in background): Aaaroooah, Aaaaroooahhooo!!!!
Me: It doesn't sound like Peanut. What does Daddy say?
Mama: That when they brought Peanut to him, he told them that the dog had the wrong collar on.
In other words, instead of switching dogs, they switched collars.
Since it is an indoor/outdoor dog, it wasn't long until Mama let it in. It promptly went to the house plant, lifted its leg and marked his territory, if you know what I mean.
Mama calls me: I don't think this is Peanut.
Me: What do you mean it's not Peanut?
Mama: Well, it has certain...ah...features that Peanut had fixed.
Dog (in background): Aaaroooah, Aaaaroooahhooo!!!!
Me: It doesn't sound like Peanut. What does Daddy say?
Mama: That when they brought Peanut to him, he told them that the dog had the wrong collar on.
In other words, instead of switching dogs, they switched collars.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Which way do I go?
I am directionally challenged. I admit it. It is a point of frustration for my husband who has an internal compass and never gets lost because he is not afraid to ask for directions. I take that back...he has gotten turned around a couple of times, but that is because I was the one reading the map.
I cannot follow "landmark directions." Please tell me street names and distances. I have the directions to my brother's house in my pda, and I still refer to them even though he has lived on the same street for the past eight years. In my defense, he does live in another state. It's not like he is within walking distance or anything.
Once, my sister and I were coming back from a shopping trip to a town about an hour north of us. All of a sudden we saw the welcome sign for a totally different town to my west. We both screeched the name of the town with confusion in our voices. Apparently, we missed the turn south.
However, today I am feeling a measure of accomplishment. My sister who lives about 5 hours away has been chaperoning at a youth camp only about an hour and a half from my house. I mapquested the directions, wrote them down, and promptly left them on the desk. Despite this oversight, I remembered them and found the camp without a hitch.
It was nice to spend a few hours talking with her, analyzing other family members, comparing children, and planning a potential family vacation.
I cannot follow "landmark directions." Please tell me street names and distances. I have the directions to my brother's house in my pda, and I still refer to them even though he has lived on the same street for the past eight years. In my defense, he does live in another state. It's not like he is within walking distance or anything.
Once, my sister and I were coming back from a shopping trip to a town about an hour north of us. All of a sudden we saw the welcome sign for a totally different town to my west. We both screeched the name of the town with confusion in our voices. Apparently, we missed the turn south.
However, today I am feeling a measure of accomplishment. My sister who lives about 5 hours away has been chaperoning at a youth camp only about an hour and a half from my house. I mapquested the directions, wrote them down, and promptly left them on the desk. Despite this oversight, I remembered them and found the camp without a hitch.
It was nice to spend a few hours talking with her, analyzing other family members, comparing children, and planning a potential family vacation.
Monday, June 25, 2007
"Tell-all" Relationships
One of the sweetest gifts that I can think of is friendship.
Today I had lunch with two of my very best friends. These two girls and I go back about 14 years. We have the same value system, which seems to be pretty conservative even in our church-going, Bible-believing crowd. Although they are willing to stand with me even when they may think my ideas are goofy, more times than not we agree.
So we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, put the children at another table (far away), and spent two and a half hours chatting.
The issues today were whether or not mixed swimming during Bible studies is appropriate (not), if cell phones for our teenagers were a necessity or a luxury (luxury) and if texting was required (not), and what to do about some dissatisfaction about our church (pray).
It's great that we all know that all our conversation is held in confidence, and we can safely "sound off" to one another.
After an several refills of coke and countless bowls of chips and salsa, we reluctantly parted ways again.
Unfortunately, these tell-all luncheons are few and far between. Strangely, we are much better face-to-face friends than phone friends. Usually our families will get together to eat or play, but it is nice every once in a while for it to be just us.
I am learning to have this "tell-all" relationship with God, too. What started as an overwhelming burden to pray for a particular student of mine has become much more. I know that God is calling me into intercessory prayer, especially in the area of the school where I teach. I was burdened to pray for a particular student in my class several year ago. A while back, I began to pray for him every day. I use scripture and pray specific things for his life. I see God specifically answering some of those prayers.
But a strange thing happened. I began to change too. As I prayed for him, I developed a deeper relationship with the Lord. The more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray, and the broader my prayers became. The scriptures that I first prayed for him became applicable in the lives and situations of others. I am growing as I communicate with God and He communicates with me.
I still pray for this person every day. Sometimes there seems to be an urgency in my heart. I know God has a great plan and purpose for him, and perhaps I am the only person in his life that prays for him. I only know that God has called me to intercede for him. He will never know the hours that have been spent calling on the Lord for him, but I have faith that God's purpose will be accomplished in him, that "He who began a good work in [him] will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Today I had lunch with two of my very best friends. These two girls and I go back about 14 years. We have the same value system, which seems to be pretty conservative even in our church-going, Bible-believing crowd. Although they are willing to stand with me even when they may think my ideas are goofy, more times than not we agree.
So we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, put the children at another table (far away), and spent two and a half hours chatting.
The issues today were whether or not mixed swimming during Bible studies is appropriate (not), if cell phones for our teenagers were a necessity or a luxury (luxury) and if texting was required (not), and what to do about some dissatisfaction about our church (pray).
It's great that we all know that all our conversation is held in confidence, and we can safely "sound off" to one another.
After an several refills of coke and countless bowls of chips and salsa, we reluctantly parted ways again.
Unfortunately, these tell-all luncheons are few and far between. Strangely, we are much better face-to-face friends than phone friends. Usually our families will get together to eat or play, but it is nice every once in a while for it to be just us.
I am learning to have this "tell-all" relationship with God, too. What started as an overwhelming burden to pray for a particular student of mine has become much more. I know that God is calling me into intercessory prayer, especially in the area of the school where I teach. I was burdened to pray for a particular student in my class several year ago. A while back, I began to pray for him every day. I use scripture and pray specific things for his life. I see God specifically answering some of those prayers.
But a strange thing happened. I began to change too. As I prayed for him, I developed a deeper relationship with the Lord. The more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray, and the broader my prayers became. The scriptures that I first prayed for him became applicable in the lives and situations of others. I am growing as I communicate with God and He communicates with me.
I still pray for this person every day. Sometimes there seems to be an urgency in my heart. I know God has a great plan and purpose for him, and perhaps I am the only person in his life that prays for him. I only know that God has called me to intercede for him. He will never know the hours that have been spent calling on the Lord for him, but I have faith that God's purpose will be accomplished in him, that "He who began a good work in [him] will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Sunday, June 24, 2007
About Me
My first blog....
What is the purpose of my blogging? First, it will give me an outlet for my thoughts and wonderings. Second, it is a good way to have sort of an online journal. Third, perhaps I will make some new friends.
My life at this point revolves around my girls and their activities. I am a teacher at their (small, private) school, so this gives me the rare advantage of knowing so much more about their live than the average mom does. We tend to err on the strict side, so it is nice to know not only all of their friends, but also all of their friends' parents. We tend to be pretty involved in all of their activities.
My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years. We love to travel, both as a family and as a couple. We are not made of money, but we are extremely budgeted so that we can manage fun trips and all the other things that are important to us. Luckily, I am not a big shopper.
Daughter 1 is going into the 11th grade. She is mild, does love to shop, and gets along with everyone. She plays basketball and has a babysitting job three days a week this summer that allows her to shop.
Daughter 2 is going into the 10th grade. She is more outgoing, loves drama, and hates shopping. She saves money better than she spends it.
So, that is my family. I'm sure you will get to know us better as time passes.
What is the purpose of my blogging? First, it will give me an outlet for my thoughts and wonderings. Second, it is a good way to have sort of an online journal. Third, perhaps I will make some new friends.
My life at this point revolves around my girls and their activities. I am a teacher at their (small, private) school, so this gives me the rare advantage of knowing so much more about their live than the average mom does. We tend to err on the strict side, so it is nice to know not only all of their friends, but also all of their friends' parents. We tend to be pretty involved in all of their activities.
My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years. We love to travel, both as a family and as a couple. We are not made of money, but we are extremely budgeted so that we can manage fun trips and all the other things that are important to us. Luckily, I am not a big shopper.
Daughter 1 is going into the 11th grade. She is mild, does love to shop, and gets along with everyone. She plays basketball and has a babysitting job three days a week this summer that allows her to shop.
Daughter 2 is going into the 10th grade. She is more outgoing, loves drama, and hates shopping. She saves money better than she spends it.
So, that is my family. I'm sure you will get to know us better as time passes.
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