Is it a female thing or just a me thing that I jump to conclusions, to the worse case scenario? A friend asked me today, "What's the best case and worse case?" I answered worse case first, with all the gory details and must have talked for five minutes, and then best case which only took one or two minutes to report. Why, why do I choose to live in the frustration and pain of the worse case scenario? Several years ago as my grandmother was dieing and my girl cousins and I kept a night vigil while our moms went home and didn't sleep, I somehow determined that I did not want to live like the Israelites. They must have had the WORST memories in all of history. I would embrace the blessings, remember them, proclain them; I would not dwell in the desert. In fact over the years I have made it a little of a mantra, "I will not be like the Israelites, I will not be like the Israelites." But my mantra fails in those moments when the worse case scenario looms large.
But I'm trying. This time, I chose a new a mantra, "I will trust, and I will not be afraid. I will trust and I will not be afraid." When doubt crept in, I whispered, "I will trust and I will not be afraid." When fear snickered I repeated, "I will trust and I will not be afraid." When scenes rolled behind my closed eyes I spoke, "I will trust and I will not be afraid."
I will trust and I will not be not be afraid.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Gift of Time
I used to think homemade gifts were cheesy. Not so much the afghans, baby sweaters and baby blankets because Granny made those kind of things for me and my children and I think they are beautiful. More like the cheesy poetry or worse still....cookies! When I was a full time stay at home mom, cookies were a past time. Need three dozen cookies for school? No problem, I'll just whip up a triple batch. That's three dozen for school, three dozen for the next church event and three dozen for the freezer in case someone drops over. Never, ever would store-bought cookies do as long as I had breath to breath. Cookies were not a gift, they were part of....well, they were part of life, something you had on hand.
Even after nearly two years, I still have not learned the art of managing my job and my home. And bake cookies? Haven't you tasted those delicious Lighthouse brand soft sugar cookies with one-half inch of delightful pink frosting? You want to talk bakers, let's talk about those AMAZING Keebler Elves! As much as may I yearn for fresh, hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, I just don't have the time or the energy to make them.
Along comes Valentine's Day. Unlike the past, when money was tight, and Valentine gifts were a bit more creative, this year I could have bought anything I wanted for my four Valentines. I shopped, I looked (ok, one afternoon in Kohl's...it's not like I'm good at managing my time), but I just couldn't find anything for Jim and Chase. I decided to bake them cookies. Monday night before they got home, I whipped up a 1.5 batch...just couldn't see myself staying awake until with a full double batch was baked. A triple batch? I'd still be baking today! I mixed and baked, and finally packaged my simple homemade gift. I was tired. I'd had a long day on my feet at school, and standing on the tile in my kitchen makes my legs ache a bit more. But the gift of cookies felt so much more significant to me than ever before because I gave up an evening of reading my book, or grading papers, or watching TV, or planning for next week, so that I could bake cookies for my family.
I am a selfish person. It would have been so easy to give my men something I bought plopped in a cute little gift bag that I could reuse. But this year I gave the gift of time. I'm thankful I have it to give.
P.S. Chase says that the cookies were amazing.
Even after nearly two years, I still have not learned the art of managing my job and my home. And bake cookies? Haven't you tasted those delicious Lighthouse brand soft sugar cookies with one-half inch of delightful pink frosting? You want to talk bakers, let's talk about those AMAZING Keebler Elves! As much as may I yearn for fresh, hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, I just don't have the time or the energy to make them.
Along comes Valentine's Day. Unlike the past, when money was tight, and Valentine gifts were a bit more creative, this year I could have bought anything I wanted for my four Valentines. I shopped, I looked (ok, one afternoon in Kohl's...it's not like I'm good at managing my time), but I just couldn't find anything for Jim and Chase. I decided to bake them cookies. Monday night before they got home, I whipped up a 1.5 batch...just couldn't see myself staying awake until with a full double batch was baked. A triple batch? I'd still be baking today! I mixed and baked, and finally packaged my simple homemade gift. I was tired. I'd had a long day on my feet at school, and standing on the tile in my kitchen makes my legs ache a bit more. But the gift of cookies felt so much more significant to me than ever before because I gave up an evening of reading my book, or grading papers, or watching TV, or planning for next week, so that I could bake cookies for my family.
I am a selfish person. It would have been so easy to give my men something I bought plopped in a cute little gift bag that I could reuse. But this year I gave the gift of time. I'm thankful I have it to give.
P.S. Chase says that the cookies were amazing.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thinking out loud
I know God puts people in our lives...and in turn places us in the lives of others so that we can shine the light of his Son and stand as a witness. I work with a teacher who talks to God often and personally. What is so cool, is that he listens and speaks to her. She recently told me about an experience in which she was praying for a student and how best to help him. During the night, the Lord spoke to her and told her exactly what to do...and she did what he told her to do. I was impressed that this student was given into her care because she would lift him up to God and I told her that. Lucky kid, to have a prayer warrior for a teacher.
I realized how much I love those kind of conversations. Talking about God and his goodness and his blessings to his children. I crave them, much like I crave a good salad without even knowing it. When I finally get around to having salad, I realize how much I missed it on my steady diet of fast and convenient food. My teacher friend reminded me of my obligation to pray for my students and in turn that reminded me of the opportunity of have to pray for my loved ones.
I have a heritage of Godly women with deep connections to the Almighty. Both of my grandmothers were prayer warriors. Each met a different kind of end to this life, but one for which they had been prepared. My paternal grandmother feared the process of death, but passionately yearned for the eternity. So she prayed frequently that her passing would be easy. God answered her prayers, surrounding her with family, and taking her quietly in the night. My mom's mom told me that she'd had a dream in which she died and was met by her family. They asked, "How was your passing, Glady?" "Terrible," she told them, "but if I'd known what was waiting for me, I'd do it again." She suffered a first terrible, debilitating stroke, and then a second four months later. She languished for seven days in which my aunts had to make tough, heart-rendering decisions. Even at that, we all knew what waited for her. When she passed away, there was no question of who met her and what joy she knew. Both grandmothers passed their love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children. Both lived a life that exemplified their deep and abiding love of God and His son.
So, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, what slows down my walk with God? I think it is that slow, steady diet of not-so-bad stuff that dulls me to the need for sustenance; real, nutritious, sustenance. And that, I believe, is why the scriptures talk about the need for the last days to be shortened or even the very elect will not be saved. The convenience of this life lulls us into passivity. The pace of our lives exhausts us and feeds the need for convenience. A vicious cycle.
I am thankful for the righteous people God puts in my life.
I realized how much I love those kind of conversations. Talking about God and his goodness and his blessings to his children. I crave them, much like I crave a good salad without even knowing it. When I finally get around to having salad, I realize how much I missed it on my steady diet of fast and convenient food. My teacher friend reminded me of my obligation to pray for my students and in turn that reminded me of the opportunity of have to pray for my loved ones.
I have a heritage of Godly women with deep connections to the Almighty. Both of my grandmothers were prayer warriors. Each met a different kind of end to this life, but one for which they had been prepared. My paternal grandmother feared the process of death, but passionately yearned for the eternity. So she prayed frequently that her passing would be easy. God answered her prayers, surrounding her with family, and taking her quietly in the night. My mom's mom told me that she'd had a dream in which she died and was met by her family. They asked, "How was your passing, Glady?" "Terrible," she told them, "but if I'd known what was waiting for me, I'd do it again." She suffered a first terrible, debilitating stroke, and then a second four months later. She languished for seven days in which my aunts had to make tough, heart-rendering decisions. Even at that, we all knew what waited for her. When she passed away, there was no question of who met her and what joy she knew. Both grandmothers passed their love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children. Both lived a life that exemplified their deep and abiding love of God and His son.
So, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, what slows down my walk with God? I think it is that slow, steady diet of not-so-bad stuff that dulls me to the need for sustenance; real, nutritious, sustenance. And that, I believe, is why the scriptures talk about the need for the last days to be shortened or even the very elect will not be saved. The convenience of this life lulls us into passivity. The pace of our lives exhausts us and feeds the need for convenience. A vicious cycle.
I am thankful for the righteous people God puts in my life.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Where NOT to go...
I look forward to pedicures in the spring and summer. During the winter my feet are hidden and really don't need the attention. But sandals demand smooth heels and painted toes. Since I only go about once every six to eight weeks I'm will to pay what I need to for this little luxery. For my last pedi, I went to the Super Wal-Mart (first clue) near John and Deb's house. They were packed! I got all the horrible skin scraped from my feet, a gently leg massage and cute pink toes for under $30.
Today was pedi day in preparation for the big summer vacation. Hailey and I hit two places that were either packed or closed. So we headed to Wal-Mart which was open and had little waiting. Once we sat in the chair, the badgering began. They had changed their prices and so calous removal was extra. They kept pushing "sugar rub...you like for smooth skin on leg." Fine, I'll take the sugar rub, but before I could pick my herbal scent, they yanked the book out of my hands and began the torture. Let's just say that while my feet are smooth, heels free from calouses and toes a lovely, glittery red, I am NOT relaxed.
Lesson? Stick with our favorite spot close to church, get the same service for 2/3 the price, and take a good book!
On a side note, we came home to Jim and Chase jackhammering the laundry room floor. The good news is they found the leak before we left. The bad news is...well, it doesn't feel too bad today. That feels good to not to see a bad side to concrete dust flying through my house, the washer and dryer sitting in the kitchen. Thank you God, for good days.
Today was pedi day in preparation for the big summer vacation. Hailey and I hit two places that were either packed or closed. So we headed to Wal-Mart which was open and had little waiting. Once we sat in the chair, the badgering began. They had changed their prices and so calous removal was extra. They kept pushing "sugar rub...you like for smooth skin on leg." Fine, I'll take the sugar rub, but before I could pick my herbal scent, they yanked the book out of my hands and began the torture. Let's just say that while my feet are smooth, heels free from calouses and toes a lovely, glittery red, I am NOT relaxed.
Lesson? Stick with our favorite spot close to church, get the same service for 2/3 the price, and take a good book!
On a side note, we came home to Jim and Chase jackhammering the laundry room floor. The good news is they found the leak before we left. The bad news is...well, it doesn't feel too bad today. That feels good to not to see a bad side to concrete dust flying through my house, the washer and dryer sitting in the kitchen. Thank you God, for good days.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Things I'm looking forward to this summer...
1. Writing five new Women of the Bible Lessons for camp.
2. CAMP!! Missed it last year, but I'll be there this year.
3. North Carolina
4. Coffee at Starbucks (no time for that during the school year)
5. Sleeping past 6 a.m.
6. Going to bed after 10 p.m.
7. Summer reunions...as many as we can get to.
8. Swimming...I don't know why, but swimming just sounds really appealing right now.
9. Kissing baby Asher. I have cold right now, so that has to wait for a while.
10. Getting ready for next school year (I dreamed all morning about teaching. Something is sooooooo wrong with me!).
2. CAMP!! Missed it last year, but I'll be there this year.
3. North Carolina
4. Coffee at Starbucks (no time for that during the school year)
5. Sleeping past 6 a.m.
6. Going to bed after 10 p.m.
7. Summer reunions...as many as we can get to.
8. Swimming...I don't know why, but swimming just sounds really appealing right now.
9. Kissing baby Asher. I have cold right now, so that has to wait for a while.
10. Getting ready for next school year (I dreamed all morning about teaching. Something is sooooooo wrong with me!).
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tidbits
On a standardized test, the question was something like:
Use a strategy like making a table or drawing a picture to solve the problem.
There were six girls and four boys on the bus. How many more boys than girls were on the bus?
I walked around checking my student's work and stopped at one boy's desk. He was carefully drawing a verticle line with four horizontal lines descending from the first verticle line. At first I thought he was making bus seats, little rectangles divided into thirds because first graders must sit three to a seat. I was SO impressed with the boy! I asked him, "What are you drawing?" And he said, "I am making tables."
Four more days of school. My family is helping me get the physical work of checking out of my classroom done. Moving to a new room and must box everything up in addition to checking back in all my curriculum and labeling everything that is mine that will be moved to the new class.
Lost my voice Wednesday, was VERY sick, running a temperature, hot then cold...you know the drill. The first grade aide taught my class with me there to guide her. I don't think she wants to be a teacher any more. Got my voice back Thursday. Voice gone yet again. What a way to end the year.
As Jim and I worked last night, I felt like we had just put up that tree and bulliten board and math progress chart. Time flies when you're looking back over it, but sometimes it just crawls when you're in the midst of it.
Have a great week! Looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Use a strategy like making a table or drawing a picture to solve the problem.
There were six girls and four boys on the bus. How many more boys than girls were on the bus?
I walked around checking my student's work and stopped at one boy's desk. He was carefully drawing a verticle line with four horizontal lines descending from the first verticle line. At first I thought he was making bus seats, little rectangles divided into thirds because first graders must sit three to a seat. I was SO impressed with the boy! I asked him, "What are you drawing?" And he said, "I am making tables."
Four more days of school. My family is helping me get the physical work of checking out of my classroom done. Moving to a new room and must box everything up in addition to checking back in all my curriculum and labeling everything that is mine that will be moved to the new class.
Lost my voice Wednesday, was VERY sick, running a temperature, hot then cold...you know the drill. The first grade aide taught my class with me there to guide her. I don't think she wants to be a teacher any more. Got my voice back Thursday. Voice gone yet again. What a way to end the year.
As Jim and I worked last night, I felt like we had just put up that tree and bulliten board and math progress chart. Time flies when you're looking back over it, but sometimes it just crawls when you're in the midst of it.
Have a great week! Looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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