Come Jump on the Trampoline

Change

2008-04-24T19:12:00.006-05:00

I have always liked Tracy Chapman's work. I recently ran onto a song by her that I didn't know and it has been speaking volumes to me. Watch the video by clicking on the title of this post or read the lyrics here. Good stuff.

Everyday Baking+Everyday Food = Everyday Fun

2008-02-18T15:45:00.006-06:00

Well I know it has been forever since I have blogged but an email I got about a two year old post let me know that people are still reading. This one's for you Sheraton.

If you haven't seen the PBS show called Everyday Food I encourage you to check it out. John Baricelli (once a host on Everyday Food) now has a show called Everyday Baking. It debuted in January, but I hadn't caught it until Saturday morning. If you like cooking or baking, you should check out these two shows. If you want to know when it is on, I encourage you to check out www.pbs.org. PBS is notorious for changing the times that the shows are on from week to week. You can sign up for an email reminder that reminds you when your favorite shows are going to be on.

For those of you who know me, you know that everyone in my family is an amazing cook and that I wish to be. Everyday Food has been my inspiration for such things as making homemade pizza sauce when normally I would open a can. These great chefs explain how to do things and offer great helpful hints on everything from picking out the best ingredients to how to utilize kitchen tools optimally.

If you are looking to tap into your "inner chef" let the good folks at Everyday Food and Everyday Baking help you out!

Mudpies

2006-10-29T21:56:00.000-06:00

If you have read Herschel's most recent blog, then you might have noticed that he mentions my making of mudpies. I thought I might explain. One of my favorite quotes from CS Lewis is this:

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by an offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased. "

I am a mudpie maker. I love the sea. I desire the sea. I have my ticket for the sea. But there is this deep dark side of me that loves to play in the mud way too much.

Perhaps Paul says it best:

Romans 7:14-25. New International Version:
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

I am thankful that God is merciful. I praise God for His grace. It blows me away that He loves those who make mudpies - enough that His Son's blood can wash the mud off.
Lord help me to desire you more and sin less.

A Return To Blogging

2006-09-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

Time. There is never enough time for the things we love. I love to write and I love to read things others write. The end of a school year this past spring took me away from blogging. It is a busy time and it was a busy summer and really now is not any less hectic. However, here it is - a return - a return to tell you about Derek Webb. Do you know him? If you don't, get ready. I loved this CD. And Derek Webb being Derek Webb is offering it as a free download. Go get it quickly. He has so much to say. Savor it. Study it. Look, listen and hear. You won't regret it. It's free. www.freederekwebb.com

A Dangerous Woman

2006-03-02T15:58:00.000-06:00

Here's my book report for the 50 books in a year a thon.

Finished

Suprise Me God by Terry Esau
Sister Freaks by various authors

Both were excellent reads. I highly recommend them.

Currently Reading

White Collar/Blue Collar God by Terry Esau
Nice Girls Don't Change the World by Lynne Hybels

I am almost finished with WCBCG. It is a good read.

I have just started NGDCW. In the book she says "The opposite of being a nice girl is a good woman. And, not just a good women, but a downright dangerous woman. A woman who shows up with everything she is and joins the battle against whatever opposes the redeeming work of God in our lives and in our world." Oh to be that kind of woman.

SURPRISE

2006-02-06T18:39:00.000-06:00

OK - I haven't been posting my Surprise Me God surprises here, so if you want to read them you have to follow the link on the right to Jon's Blog. But, I am going to post here a few of the things I think have been surprises that maybe aren't the normal things you think of as surprises from God. I however - I choose to believe that just as my earthly father sometimes gives me things I want and not always just provides that things I need, so does my Heavenly Father. It's kind of like when I take my nieces to Barnes and Noble and I want to buy them quality children's literature and they want "Walter the Farting Dog". Sometimes, you just have to buy "Walter the Farting Dog". Anyway, here it goes:

1.) I have a favorite billboard. (Doesn't everyone?) About a year ago, it was taken down. IT HAS BEEN PUT BACK UP!!!! I just saw it on Friday. I can't quote it exactly, but it says something like "Tall Outdoor Type Seeks Relationship". I know, I know - but it always makes me happy!
2.) I got two scrapbooking magazines in the mail today - not one - TWO!
3.) I got an extra half hour of free time at work today!

Now, I know these are ridiculous things, but in the light of some trying weeks, these have been bright spots. So work with me here.

Day One - Acts and Surprise Me God

2006-02-01T17:34:00.000-06:00

Day One of Surprise Me God started 10 minutes into the dawn of a new day. I awoke sick. Quite sick. The stomache flu that had made it through the rest of my family over the weekend had decided to set up residence inside me. There wasn't an hour throughout the night and much of the morning where I wasn't sick. But, that happens. I don't necessarily count that the surprise, although it wasn't something I was anticipating. What was a surprise was how beautiful the sunrise was as I drove to work. I had to go into work to lay out things for a substitute. I was driving to school at 6:30 this morning. That's a good hour before I normally head out. God was having a good painting day. And after a night of flu - I needed to see something pretty. While I was in awe of the sunrise, God managed to steer 4 deer out of my path - thank you Jesus. And it is the end of day one - and though I am feeling pretty wrung out - I did just eat my first thing of substanance in over 24 hours. Life is good. Day One of Acts was a good study too. Jesus goes home - but with a promise that He will be back. Good news indeed.

Sweet Anticipation - 30 Days of Surprise Me God and Acts

2006-01-28T20:53:00.000-06:00

www.surprisemegod.com

A big thanks to Jon at http://jonperes.blogspot.com/. He posted about a new book called "Surprise Me - A 30 Day Faith Experiment". It's an experiment where you wake up and pray "Surprise Me God" for 30 days. SCARED, NERVOUS, EXCITED! Jon had earlier invited his readers to join him in a study of the book of Acts during the month of February. I don't know what is going to happen as a result of either one of these things. But, from what I know of God - He is going to show up. I can't wait!

Signs

2006-01-26T20:54:00.000-06:00

Today I was talking to someone about signs that God gives. Different kinds of signs. Signs that bring us comfort and peace. We were talking about those things that some like to call coincidence. She was talking about one sign God had given her - something so small to some, yet so large to her. She said, "It just shows you how far I will reach." And it came to me, and I replied, "No, that's how far God will go." I am so thankful for a God who takes delight in blessing us in big and small ways. He never fails, yet I continue to do so over and over again. He gives and it doesn't depend on my performance and that is grace greater than imaginable.

Back At Ya CODY

2006-01-21T11:48:00.000-06:00

Sometime ago Cody sent me this email with a quiz about how observant you are. He had said that he had scored a 17. I, being the cocky smart alec that I am, was positive that I would easily beat that score. Friends, I scored a 12. A sad, pathetic 12. However, today I got an email to try the MENSA Intelligence Test over at http://mensa-test.com/. The site states that according to MENSA, if you get 19 + of these, you are a "genius". It took me a bit, and I almost burnt a batch of cookies, but I scored a 22. Cody - if you read this, and you beat me, please don't tell me. I think you're quite smart, but I just want to be smarter.

Let's All Join In

2006-01-20T23:39:00.000-06:00

Julie of Julie's Jolly Blog issued a challenge a few weeks ago for all of us to join in reading 50 books this year. I have decided to begin with a book given to me by one of my Sunday School students. Thank you Marylee Snyder for "Sister Freaks". You're one of my favorite "sister freaks." Thanks Jules for the challenge.

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends.

Dawn Adams

Because I Know You All Care

2006-01-10T20:09:00.000-06:00

I know this will be so interesting to the masses, but I have been tagged by Nathan so read on.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: I answer the phones and assist with enteries at the New Wayne County Agricultural Fair, I was Nathan's 3rd Grade Teacher, I am currently a 2nd grade teacher, and I was a Video Leasing Engineer at Star Video for 9 years!
Four movies you could watch over and over: You've Got Mail, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Sweet Home Alabama, Hope Floats
Four places you’ve lived: Our old house in town, the house I live in now, a lovely pea green house in Terre Haute during college, and 410 Taylor Hall at good old EIU!
Four TV shows you love to watch: LOST, ALIAS, General Hospital and Everyday Food
Four places you’ve been on vacation: Panama City, Memphis, Nashville, and Holiday World
Four websites you visit daily: www.yahoo.com, www.cnn.com, www.ebay.com, and www.wfiwradio.com
Four of your favorite foods: Have I mentioned I am Italian? Jack Daniels Chicken from TGI Friday's, French Onion Soup from TGI Friday's, and my grandma's scalloped potatoes.
Four places you’d rather be: I really kind of like it here if you want to know the truth - but since you made me choose I am going with:
1.) I hear Heaven is better than here
2.) My acceptance party for the Publisher's Clearinghouse
3.) At any Archiver's scrapbook store with my money from Publisher's Clearinghouse
4.) England - I have always wanted to go there.
Four albums you can’t live without: Michael Jackson's Thriller (LOL Got ya there - just kidding - although there was a time....)
1.) The Soundtrack from Dying Young (it's great to sleep and paint to)
2.) Winds of Heaven Stuff of Earth Rich Mullins
3.) Keith Green The Collection (Please don't make me choose between the silver or gold CDs.)
4.) Journey Greatest Hits (I am a child of the 80s)
Four magazines you read: TV Guide, CCM, Creating Keepsakes, Instructor
Four cars you’ve owned: 1979 Monte Carlo, 1986 Bronco II, 1994 Grande Am, and my current Gas Guzzlin V-8 1996 Limited Jeep Grande Cherokee
Four people I'm tagging: I am way too old to play tag.

A Quote to Share

2005-12-30T21:47:00.000-06:00

Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with their imagination.
-Robert Fulghum

Here's wishing you a New Year filled with hope, wonder, and imagination!

You want me to do what?

2005-12-28T18:25:00.000-06:00

I got one of the most hysterical phone calls ever today. Somehow the community college I attended has gotten my name on their current roster of students (if they think I am paying tuition for that Associates Degree again, they got another thing coming). A recruiter for the Army called and tried to talk me into joining up. He offered to help pay for my college education. I assured him I graduated from that college over 15 years ago. He seemed very surprised but not surprised enough to quit. He then tried to talk me into joining the Reserves. He asked if I was still in school and I told him I sometimes like to pretend I am going to finish grad school. He told me they would be glad to help me pay for it. I finally had to break it to the poor guy. I am old, almost 35 - I am way out of shape, and a tad bit emotionally unstable (ie. not someone you would want to give a gun to). You just never know sometimes who's gonna be on the other end of the phone.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T00:10:00.000-06:00

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Everyday Food + Me = Real Big Batch of Cookies

2005-12-17T18:07:00.000-06:00

I have a secret to confess. I love watching PBS on Saturdays. Please don't tell anyone. I think it makes me seem old. My favorite favorite favorite show on PBS is "Everyday Food". It is from the people of Martha Stewart. She isn't on the show, but she gets the cash from it I am sure. Anyhoo back at the ranch. Well on today's episode, Lucinda (one of the 5 chefs) made Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Hey, I thought to myself - I can do that. Lucinda's secret ingredient is sour cream. Who would have thought? She said it makes the cookies more "cake like". I hate crunchy cookies so I decided to try it. I know have a testament to my hearing loss. I swore I heard Lucinda say 2 Cups of sour cream. Kids - I doubled the recipe because I wanted to make cookies for the church party tomorrow night and I knew the family would eat some tonight. I have cookies everywhere - and I must say they are tasty. Now, before you rush out and try this - I just read the recipe on the website. It's 2/3 C of Sour Cream. Thankfully I didn't measure it out - so I didn't add quite 2 Cups. But, I did add more than she suggested. And again, the cookies taste fine - but the volume of cookie dough is astronomical. It's everywhere. I have been baking for an hour and a half and I am not yet done. I have every baking sheet we own loaded with dough. My cooking never seems to go just right. Sigh. Someday Martha, Someday.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

2005-12-10T12:50:00.000-06:00

Amazing. I went to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" last night. What they left out from the book was tolerable - what they added only added to the story. This comes from someone who almost never enjoys a movie that has been adapted from a book - and I still believe that in this case the book is still better. But I was so happy that the way I envisioned so many things was the way I saw them play out in the movie. My only regret - that one of the most signifigant parts of the book to me is the struggle for Edmund to choose between right and wrong. I think the book does a better job of showing just how great the struggle. And I too like others have mentioned - wanted to see Aslan clear the wall of the castle and turn all of the statues to life - it happens - we just don't get to see enough of it in my opinion. But those are very small things compared to all of the things they got right. When the Stone Table cracks I wanted to yell "Long Live the King". It is the greatest story ever told - a King who lays down his life so that we can live - a King who can rise from the grip that death had on Him. A King who covers our stumbling and faltering ways. And I, like Lucy wait for the return of the King.

Up All Night

2005-11-24T21:57:00.000-06:00

Well it's time for the annual pilgrimage to the big city to spend the night. Nathan, Terri and I are headed to Best Buy to spend the night on the sidewalk! It should be a lovely time. Temperatures are at the low and so are the prices kids. Everyone on my list is getting a techie gadget. I have on three layers of clothes and these heat packs used by hunters. Look for us on the news in the morning!

The Lord Who Sees What We Cannot

2005-11-20T20:04:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving - a time to set aside for being thankful. Should we really have to set aside time for being thankful??? I am pondering that tonight. This weekend I was driving with Madeline in the car. We were listening to Awesome God on the radio (One of my top ten questions for God - Did you have to take Rich Mullins so soon). No one can belt out a song like Madeline and I love to belt songs out right along with her - she is delirious and thinks I can sing. So here we were driving along belting out Awesome God when out of no where came Bambi's father and man has he ever grown! And he was running right at my door! And I counted his nose hairs. I am not kidding or exaggerating one little bit when I say that if my window had been down I would have felt his breath. We were that close. At the most precious second before he hit my door he flipped around - I wish you could understand that there wasn't even enough room for him to flip himself around - and so I know it wasn't the deer who did it. I know it had to have been the hand of God picking him up and turning him around. In those seconds that went by in a flash I saw that deer move in a way that I don't think is possible. And I had to laugh. Because I think God is funny. Here we are singing "When He rolls up his sleeves He ain't just puttin on the ritz" and God was so putting on a show. I could just hear him saying "Hey Cheryl - you think I am awesome??? Well watch this!" And I was amused and I was thankful and I was mindful. But friends it gets better. I got up this morning and I was watching some guy preach on TV while I was getting ready for church. And this guy is telling this story about a man who was riding a horse and it got spooked and he had to jump off right before his horse went off of a cliff. Anyway - he was telling this preacher how he was thanking God that he gave him the ability to jump off right before the horse went off. And the preacher said isn't it amazing that you ride that way everyday and it had never crossed your mind to thank God for getting you to where you were going, but instead he had to prove himself to you to get you to be thankful! Thank you God - lesson learned. I get it! I drive that rode everyday. I see deer 3 out of every 4 trips on that road. Yet it took feeling the breath of Bambi's father to make me be thankful.

"For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you..." - Ps 91:11-12

"There are angels 'round my bed tonight...some are there for comfort, some are there to fight." - Kevin Max Smith

Friends, Countrymen, Fellow Settlers of Catan

2005-11-13T20:29:00.000-06:00

Well friends, I am officially suffering from Catan exhaustion. After a two and a half hour nap, I am still feeling exhausted to be quite honest. I am old - way to old to not go to bed until after 1:30 this morning. Thanks to Heather it was a weekend of fun and frolic through the settlements of Catan. She brought this lovely game called "Settlers of Catan" to Convocation. To be quite honest, I was intimidated by the box. This looked like one of those games where you need to belong to Mensa in order to play. It was such a good time. Thanks to my partner in crime, Mr. Marsh, I settled Catan during the wee hours this morning. Now, I am on the hunt for my own box of Catan. However, upon arriving home it seems that there are different versions of Catan - do I need the travel version, the anniversary edition or just regular Catan? Do I need regular Catan, Space Catan, Knights and Castles Catan, or Mayflower Catan? Do I need the expansion packs and which expansion packs do I need? My mind is boggled. Aside from Catan, it was a great weekend to spend with friends.

``As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.'' Proverbs 27:17

Capacious

2005-11-09T15:05:00.000-06:00

I read a quote from a William Maxwell story today. It goes this way: “and I think if it is true that we are all in the hands of God, what a capacious hand it must be.” Capacious - able to hold much. The line made me think of the song "God of Wonders". It is one of the few over-played songs that I haven't gotten sick of hearing. I am facinated with God and His ability to see and hold and watch over all of us. There are so many devastating things all around and yet we are still in His hands. And while there is such horror in the world - there is also such beauty. It is so easy to see the tragedy - but if you look hard past it, you can see the beauty. Friends - there is hope - there is wonder - there is beauty. Go out today and find it - chase it - pursue it. God has put it here for us - wouldn't it be a shame not to notice?

What Harry Potter Might Have Done for Us

2005-10-16T20:43:00.000-05:00

I was asked by someone today what I thought about the new CS Lewis movie that was coming out. This person had been told by a Christian at work that CS Lewis had written a book about magic and witchcraft and she was apalled that all of the Christian bookstores was carrying the merchandise promoting it! The person I was talking to didn't know much about the books or the movie that was coming out, but was pretty sure that CS Lewis wasn't putting out questionable stuff and had tried to convince the other lady of this. Perhaps I got a bit fired up about this. I mean - this person was thinking of going so far as calling the Vineyard and demanding that they remove all of the merchandise for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Gee whiz kids - we Christians sure can be stupid. How about we fight ourselves. How about we start some crusades and see if we can get our churches to boycott the film. Wouldn't that be brilliant. Oh and definetly we should try and prevent any non-Christian from seeing this film. Why don't we just pass out tickets for Hell while we are at it. OK - did I mention I was a bit fired up about this. I will go so far as to say that I am thankful for Harry Potter. If JK Rowling was here I would give her a hug. She has gotten kids so excited about the "fantasy" genre with her writing that I honestly believe she might have opened some doors for the Chronicles of Narnia to finally be made into decent productions (movies have been made based on them before but they are a bit lacking). I believe the Lord allows things sometimes - things that might not even be of Him - so that He can turn and use them for the good. I have read the first book of Harry Potter. Magic can be found in many things - Cinderella, Scooby Doo, even the Archie comics. I didn't find so much to question with the Harry Potter book that I read. But, I haven't read them all so I can't comment beyond that - anyway this post wasn't really about all of that anyway. I will remember for the rest of my life the first time I read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" with a class. I cannot present the Gospel. The law prohibits that. But, an eight year old kid did the most amazing thing. He raised his hand on the day we finished the book. When I called on him he said - "You know what my mom says this book is really about? and as I held my breath he went on "She says it is really about how Jesus Christ came and died for our sins so that we can go to heaven because just like Edmund we are sinful. But, just like Aslan, Jesus died to take away that sin." I wanted to hug him. I wanted to elaborate on his message - but really what more needed to be said? And again, the law doesn't really allow me to say much. But nothing held that kid back. And I am thankful for it - thankful for his mom who knew what value there could be in the Chronicles - a mom who cared so much that she told her son the Message behind the wardrobe. Most of the time when I read the book - kids hear it and it is just another story - kind of like how a lot of the world views the real message. But then there are those days............. Please if you hear people who are ignorant - correct them. Don't let them mess up something that I am hoping is going to be an awesome thing.

Live Like You'll Die Tomorrow, Die Knowing You'll Live Forever

2005-10-13T22:16:00.000-05:00

Ahh the words of another great writer. Rich Mullins. Everyone around seems to be talking about all of the events that are going on in the world. Suddenly it's as if the world's theme song is "It's the End of the World as We Know It". And it very well may be. Only God knows. Funny how we think of God in the catasrophes but did we think of him when the plans of terrorists were thwarted last week? Did anyone in the news say - wow how great is our God that He would prevent that. Thanks be to Him. I realize that the Bible speaks of signs. People have been seeing them for years. If you read newspaper articles from years ago, people were saying it was the end and they had all kinds of proof. I remember about 10 years ago a friend of mine gave me a book saying that the Persion Gulf War was the beginning of the 7 years. People love to get rich and God does sell a lot of books. I am sure there are many being written now. Tsunami, Hurricanes, Wars......the stuff that sells. And again - it really could be the end. But aren't we supposed to be living like it's the end anyway? Are any of us promised tomorrow? Are all of these "signs" inspiring me to live with more passion for my God? Am I loving my neighbors more? I should be. I should be with or without those things. I guess I am just bugged a bit because I have been hearing a lot of people talking about all of this but I haven't heard any hope in it. The end of the world isn't the end. It's the beginning - isn't that what we should be focused on? Isn't that what we should be sharing with a dying world?

We Have Entered Narnia

2005-10-13T22:08:00.001-05:00

I just have to say again that I love my class - I adore them - they are awesome. I am so blessed to have a job I love waking up to. We started reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on Tuesday. They are hanging on every word. I was not at work today because I had to go to a conference. I am enjoying reading it to them so much, that I wouldn't leave the book for the substitute. One day of Curious George won't kill them. Tomorrow it is back to Narnia. Lucy has already been and they know the next chapter is called Edmond and the Wardrobe. It is an exciting life I live. I read the book with my first class and here it is 10 years later and I am still reading it. Timeless stories. I wish there were more writers like CS Lewis.

Top Ten Exciting Things In My Life Right Now

2005-10-04T21:23:00.000-05:00

I am so stinkin busy right now that I barely have time to breath. However, that is about to change. I am sort of getting caught up. I hope I can stay that way. I am really quite tired. I have been making myself take some time for myself though. Otherwise I am not a very nice person to live with. Here are the exciting things in my life right now:

1. No matter how busy I am, God is still showing me and reminding me of His goodness and blessings in my life.

2. I am getting to go to my dream teaching conference. This is such a big deal for me. I really wish you could understand. HUGE.

3. LOST is back on. I love a show with great writing.

4. We believe that we are going camping this weekend. It has been a goal for two years and gosh do I really really really need some time away! Pray that this happens! No matter how silly it seems to you - pray that it happens anyway. Thanks!

5. I have the most amazing class ever! They have been such an incredible blessing to me. We are having a great time! I hope they are enjoying it too.

6. I finished my side of the paper work for the FAIR! I know I know - it's October, but I just couldn't fit it in! But, it's done now.

7. I have had a couple of really good nights of sleep. For those of you who know my issues with sleep, you know how exciting this is!

8. I got to do two things I had wanted to do for awhile on Sunday. They were little things, but they were still things I had wanted to do.

9. That you my friends missed my posting. That is kindness. Even though I haven't been posting, I have still been reading yours. I will try to be better.

10. The family went to Shreve's Pumpkin Patch on Sunday. I love that place. Those Shreve's know how to make Fall the best season. If you have not had one of their carmel apples, I beg you RUN as if your life depends on it. I don't know what those apples are dipped in - I don't want to know - but it is amazing. YES, you will be a sticky mess. They are worth it! Don't walk, don't crawl, don't skip, gallop or crab walk. RUN!

Remembering

2005-09-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

Monday I talked to my 2nd graders about 9-11. This is the first year I have had kids who don't remember it. And, I am sure they have heard about it before - but maybe not. They looked at me like I was speaking crazy thoughts - how I wish I could have been. It made me think about the innocence of children and how quickly that changes. How quickly the sadness of the world tarnishes the perspective that everything is as it should be. I guess it was good for me. I had gotten to the point that I could talk about it to my classes without tearing up. Yesterday, I tried to read a book called "Brave Mole" to my class. It was a book I purchased after 9-11 that is an allergory about the terrorist attacks. The first year after I bought it, I couldn't read it - the librarian ended up reading it to my kids. I broke down while trying. I'm not embarrassed about that. I wish I had seen more of my teachers have feelings. I always shed a tear during Charlotte's Web. I cried with my kids when we watched the funerals for the Space Shuttle crew who's mission we had closely watched. I couldn't read Brave Mole yesterday. I had already tarnished their idea that all is right with the world - I didn't want to let them know that teachers cry yet. I will save it for Charlotte and Wilbur.

What Nate Berkus Taught Me

2005-09-01T22:21:00.002-05:00

I don't know about any of you, but quite frankly - the news is making me feel depressed. I can't imagine what those poor people are going through after Hurricane Katrina. My heart breaks for them. I am easily depressed. Watching the news is something I generally steer away from. I remember feeling so distraught last year at Christmas when the tsunami hit overseas. I tried to identify with those people, but had no connection - I couldn't have picked Sri Lanka out on a map at the time if I had wanted to. And then I read on CNN that Nate Berkus, who I knew from watching the Oprah show once in awhile had been caught in the tsunami and that he had lost his partner. My heart ached for him and the pain I was certain that he was going thru. I can't imagine watching someone I love being torn away and tossed out to sea. Without even really thinking, I sent an email to him through his company's website. A month later I was invited to the Oprah show. I remember him saying over and over - when tragedy strikes do something - no matter how small. He said, "For the first three days when I was back in Chicago, I went to bed every night with a stack of thoughts and prayers from people for me and for Fernando and Fernando's family. It literally made me go to sleep and gave me reason to get up." When I heard him say that it was a startling thing - I thought back - how long did I consider whether to send a note or not? How long did I contemplate whether or not he would think it was stupid? How close did I come to just going about my regular routine? How close did I come to turning my head and looking the other way? We can't pretend that Hurricane Katrina didn't happen. It's a horrible reality. Whatever you do - do something - and do it out of love.

Am I the Only One Who's Traded the Altar for a Stage?

2005-08-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

The new Casting Crowns is stepping all over my toes. The title of this post comes from the song "Stained Glass Masquerade". It is good stuff. I was reading in Velvet Elvis last night (yes Herschel, I am reading quickly) about Lazaras being dead. When Jesus called him from the tomb, Martha said, "But Lord, he stinkith." Rob Bell says that he relates that to his sin. He talks about where is he "dead". What kind of masquerade am I living? I hide my sin in the tomb of my own stupidity and it stinks. Jesus calls me on it - and then I shove it back in the tomb and pretend that it doesn't stink. But it reeks - the stinch is revolting. Why is it so appealing? Why do I not run in the other direction? What if we were all real with each other - what if we all took off the masks? Somehow the church has lost it's effectiveness or the altar would be packed every Sunday. The chorus of the song goes like this, and I think it is an accurate picture of the church today:
Are we happy plastic people/Under shiny plastic steeples/With walls around our weakness/And smiles to hide the pain/But if the invitation's open/To every heart that has been broken/Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade.

Lord, thanks for reminding me of the need to be real. By covering up my sin, I fail to find freedom from it. Take these desires from me and replace them with a desire to please you. Help me to resist the desire to judge others and replace that desire with a love for them. Words are not enough without the action of love. Thank you Jesus for loving me where I am at, while giving me reminders that it isn't where you desire me to be.

Join Me Please Friends

2005-08-20T16:06:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,
Would you please join me on a mission? I watch LOST. I don't watch much TV at all - but I watch LOST. The writing in amazing - and I can't stop watching LOST. I subscribe to TV Guide - not so I know what's on TV - I only watch about three shows and I know when they are on. I subscribe so I can read about shows like LOST. TV Guide has a DVD attached to it this week. It is behind the scenes footage, a preview of Season 2, audio commentary by writers, directors, and actors. However, the DVD is only attached to the TV Guides sold in stores, not the ones sent to SUBSCRIBERS! Does this make sense to anyone? Join me friends in boycotting TV guide - next time you are at the store - take all the subscription cards out of the TV guides in the magazine rack. We wouldn't want anyone else to suffer in this way. We must save others from the atrocity! At the end of one year, I will drive all of the cards we collect to TV Guide headquarters. I am sure they will trade them for a copy of the DVD. I will not bend to their scam and purchase a newsstand copy - really I won't - ok ok so I might - but I am not driving to town just for that - I promise.

Oh Dear Readers

2005-08-20T15:28:00.000-05:00

Sorry friends - not much time to blog this week. Yesterday I didn't even have time to pee until 8:30 last night! That tells you how busy my life has been - grrr! But I am on the road to organization and things will be better soon. I only had one breakdown moment this week and that resulted in crying myself to sleep. I just got a little bogged down trying to take care of scheduling umpires and bus drivers and take care of all of the regular stuff at the beginning of the school year. Thankfully the Lord didn't allow me to wallow in my self-pity for very long. He reminded me of what a blessing I have to work with wonderful people at a job I love! I have the most amazing group of kids this year! I adore them already and we have only had 1 full day. The only sad moment Friday was when one of them asked how old I was. One kid (who will regret the comment when he sees his report card) said I think you look 40. However, my A+ student said she's only 23! I LOVE THAT KID! In response to my Velvet Elvis post - not much time to read this week but I will be updating about that as soon as I can get my attention back to it.

Velvet Elvis

2005-08-12T23:14:00.000-05:00

Is anyone else reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell? He's the Nooma video guy - pastor at Mars Hill. It's incredible so far. Tonight I was reading and I thought to myself about one of the paragraphs "Wow, there is such freedom in that." Well, I went on to read the next paragraph and it was all about how there is such freedom in what it was talking about. It's good stuff so far - making me think a little outside of my comfort zone. It's quite real - you should read it.

Beware BKK Bocce Ball Players

2005-08-11T22:47:00.000-05:00

I thought it would only be fair to warn you all. I am now an official owner of my very own Bocce Ball Set. It was on clearance at Wal-Mart for $11.00. I am going to be working on my overhand throw. I would be afraid - very very afraid! That Huebner kid and Cody Attebery will have nothing on me after I practice for 11 1/2 months!

The Professor and Mary Anne

2005-08-10T19:17:00.000-05:00

I read this quote in a magazine article and it got me to thinkin - maybe it will do the same for you.

"A friend said mournfully the other day that he'd lived his life like the professor on Gilligan's Island. While he found time to fashion generators out of palm fronds, vaccines out of algae, he never got down to fixing that huge hole in the boat so he could go home."

Wow - I think this might be a part of the composition of the church today. Busy-ness rules the world. We are busy raising money for this, building this, having a meeting about this, having a conference about how we can better do this or that - and not that those are bad things, but all the while, there is a hole in the boat and we aren't addressing it. I think there are two holes in the boat - one is our complacency with our sin and two our complacency with a dying world outside our door. Just what I am thinking about today.

2005-08-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

If you don't currently watch LOST, would you please consider starting this season. It is an amazing show with awesome writters!

Stifled

2005-08-09T23:44:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:
It is with sadness that I must report that this is the best I can do for a post today. My good friend, one Herschel French, has stifled my creative juices. He chastised me for posting three times yesterday. Now, it is 11:42 pm and I have not posted. I am afraid of posting. What if I have something better to say later? What if another thought comes to mind? What if something interesting happens in my life that I want to tell the world about? SIGH

Return to Earth

2005-08-08T21:50:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun fact kids.
27% of Americans believe we never landed on the moon.
Interesting eh?
Anyway, here's hoping my former commrads land safely in the morning. I doubt I am awake yet to see it since it will be around 4am. I pray I awake to good news! Fly like an eagle.

Hemmed In

2005-08-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

Psalm 139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it.

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of my old CDs. Most of the new stuff I have bought in the past year gets a few listens and then stuck back in the case. This could be why I seldom buy CDs anymore. I am convinced it is getting easier to get a recording contract, although I am sure there are plenty of starving artists out there who would greatly disagree with me. It just seems like there is a lot of mediocre music out there. Anyway - back to the topic at hand. I know there is a whole lot of controversy surrounding Amy Grant. If I was famous and my sins were exposed there would be a lot of controversy about me too, so who am I to judge. Again - back to the topic at hand. (It's becoming apparent that I am ADD isn't it?) So, I was listening to Lead Me On. Here are the lyrics:

Amy Grant - Lead Me On
Shoulder to the wheel
For someone else's selfish gain
Here there is no choosing
Working the clay
Wearing their anger like a ball and chain.
Fire in the field
Underneath a blazing sun
But soon the sun was faded
And freedom was a song
I heard them singing when the day was done
Singing to the holy one.
Lead me on
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping, oh.
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking...lead on.
Waiting for the train
Labeled with a golden star
Heavy hearted boarding
Whispers in the dark
"where are we going--is it very far? "
Bitter cold terrain
Echoes of a slamming door
In chambers made for sleeping, forever
Voices like thunder in a mighty roar
Cry to the lord.
Lead me on
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping, oh.
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking...lead on.
Man hurts man
Time and time, time again
And we drown in the wake of our power
Somebody tell me why.
Lead me on
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping, oh.
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking...lead on.
Lead me on
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping, oh.
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking...lead on.

A few weeks ago, I was listening to this song and just started weeping. I have heard this song a million and four times. It came out in 1988. It was probably the best selling Christian album that year. So yeah, it got a few listens. Anyway, I heard the song in such a new way. I so need deliverance from my sin. As mentioned in yesterday's post, I am just sick of it. This song talks both about slavery and about being in bondage. Can you imagine a slave reaching the end of the Underground Railroad, only to turn back around and run right back to the slave master? Ludicrous I say. Can you imagine the survivors of the Holocaust being set free from the concentration camps at the end of the war, only to run back into the gas chamber? How foolish! Yet, again and again I return to sin. Beyond stupidity. Psalm 139 has become such a prayer. The whole passage is an awesome exploration of just how much God loves us. I particularly love the portion above. I love the part about being hemmed in behind and before. If you think about the hem of your jeans, its purpose is to keep the fabric from unraveling. God's grace and forgiveness is the same - without him, I would unravel. Thanks be to God for protecting me from my own undoing.

Froogle Wish List

2005-08-08T09:48:00.000-05:00

Woke up a bit quirky this morning. Decided to look at all that my blog world has to offer. Checked out the Froogle wish list. Decided on those days when I can't decide what to blog about that I will just pick out three items that I am recommending. This morning's three choices can be viewed here: http://froogle.google.com/shoppinglist?a=SWL&id=de461dc1ad7efee64951fb44f830eecb38ba65f8

They include:
1.) A Chef's Hat that you can get matching pants for. I have become a watcher of "Hell's Kitchen" this summer. I want to be a chef. The astronaunt thing didn't pan out so I am now thinking chef. I am not so great at cooking. My mom, grandma and sister are great cooks. When I cook it is either great or frightening. There are no in betweens with me. It's all or nothing baby. I think with the hat and perhaps the matching pants, my cooking abilities will improve ten-fold! I can't wait!
2.) A Parka - who doesn't need a good parka. With as little rain as we have had this summer I am expecting that we will be in for a monsoon this fall. I am going to be prepared.
3.) A Larry Bird Jersey - I don't know Larry Bird - I have never watched the Celtics play - I don't really like professional basketball particularly. So why the jersey? Because I once knew Larry's little brother Curly Bird (no kidding that was what he went by). He was in my psychology class in college. I hated that class - but I think Curly was a nice kid.

Summer

2005-08-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

Wow - God has been so amazing this summer - not that God isn't amazing all of the time - He definetly is. This summer has flown by. I love summer but I am ready to go back to school - I love my job and can't wait to get back at it. But before I return tomorrow I just wanted to reflect a bit about the past few weeks. God has been incredibly good to me. I give so little time to him - I do things for Him - but the actual sitting down and spending time with Him part??? - it lacks. And perhaps that is what has caused the smell of my life. Yes, smell. I did a devotion last week for staff day of camp. It was based on the following song called Monkeys at the Zoo by Charlie Peacock:

Will it be different now or the same? Will I have learned anything?
Or was it just a way to spend a day or two
Set aside for thinking thoughts about You? If that's all it was I had a good time
Refrain: But that won't be enough for me, not this year not anytime soon
I have got to clean house, gotta make my bed, gotta clear my head
It's getting kind of stuffy in here, smells sorta funky too
Like monkeys at the zoo
I have been a whoring after things cause I wanna feel safe inside
That's a big fat lie
No amount of green, gold or silver Will ever take the place of the peace of God
Spirit come flush the lies out, Spirit come flush the lies out
Will it be different now or the same? Have I changed at all?
And if you were to dive deep inside my soul would you find Jesus there? Or a gaping hole?Should I be content with my beautiful Christian life?

REFRAIN I have been a whoring after things cause I wanna get everything right
That's a big fat lie No amount of green, gold or silver, the perfect body, another hot toddy Work for the Lord, fame & power, power and sex, A seat at a table at the Belle Meade Country Club Here's the rub: nothing will ever take the place of the peace of God
Spirit come flush the lies out Spirit come flush the lies out Will it be different now or the same? Will I have learned anything?

That my friends, is the state of my life. But this summer is different. I have felt God in renewed and completely new ways. God has reminded me of just how much He loves me and just how much He desires to spend time with me. Also, God has made me sick of my sin this summer. I am worn out with it. I am tired of trying to dance with the devil standing on my feet. I'm not content anymore and it's a good thing. I want more of God. I want less of me.

Who Wants to Be an Astronaut

2005-07-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

I have recently come to a decision. I am not going to become an astronaut. Yes, yes it was something I had been planning on working on. I was having some difficulty working it in, but it was still part of the plan. Alas, after reading the news yesterday that there is yet another foam problem, I have withdrawn my name from the great space race. Houston, you have a problem. Your problem is that you might have just lost one of the best astronauts ever! After all, I got an A in Astronomy. I can't say that about a lot of my college classes, so I think the message is clear - I was gifted - I was made to be an astronaut. You have lost out NASA. Godspeed to my former comrads who are now docked at the International Space Station or ISS to those of us who are or were in the business.

OK so i really didnt have time to make this blog but steven wanted me to so i did

2005-07-27T22:15:00.000-05:00

here ya go steven