I'm still alive!

Ok - I have been gone for a while due to access problems, but now I am back. More to come! God is good!

I think I'm getting old....

So I haven't written in a while - it's because I forgot my user name and password!  Ugh!  I hope Ali doesn't lose faith in me....I just got it figured out again today and WROTE IT DOWN!  Let's hope I can find the sticky note the next time I have a senior moment!  :)

You know, God is always good in spite of me. I am painfully aware of the many mistakes I make and the times I fall short, but He continues to bless me in spite of myself.  This morning I was SO tired/weary and fought to just get to work.  It's been a challenging week so far. 

Anyway, in the midst of my sleepiness this morning and my attempt at a prayer time, I asked God for some extra encouragement today.  Well, after school we had a short staff meeting.  My dear friend Jackie chose to give me the "Marvin" award.  It's an award given to a staff member each month just because.  She said wonderful things about me and gave me a bunch of wonderful Snoopy stuff!  (If you don't already know this about me, I am a HUGE Snoopy fan!)  Anyway, what a great treat and surprise.  God is good and he uses wonderful people to bless us - we just need to ask. 

Time sure flies.....

Isn't it crazy how fast time goes by?  This is especially true this time of year, when school is in full force, the holidays are looming, and it is really easy to get bogged down with the daily grind.  It causes me to focus in on moments - those moments that won't come again or ever be replicated.  I had two of those this weekend.

The first was when I was with my mom, sister-in-law (Rachel), and my niece (Maddie) at my friend's wedding.  It was such a beautiful day and it was the first wedding Maddie ever attended.  So I really enjoyed helping to explain all that was happening to her.  I loved walking around at the reception with her hand in mine and teasing about her wedding some day.  The moment I cling to, was when I was able to share with her that weddings are modeled after the bigger picture of Jesus reuniting with His church - with us! - upon His return.  After all, He is the ultimate bridegroom.  And we are His bride.  What a privilege to share that with her.

The second moment was when I got to talk, one-on-one, with my nephew Jake for over an hour on Sunday....just the two of us.  He is 11 years old now, and is really growing into a wonderful young man.  He's not that little boy I remember singing in the van, saying, "car" over and over again.....he's growing up.  And I really loved being able to talk with him about all kinds of things and share with him my heart and guide him through some of his questions.  He is a precious young man.

It's in these moments that I get the most joy and revel in how blessed I am!

Safe.....

I saw something wonderful this past Sunday....something that others may have missed in all of the activity that takes place after a church service.  I have the privilege of manning a visitor's station at my church and from my vantage point, I can see a lot.

Well, across the room, through the crowd, I watched for my toddler nephew's weekly run to my station for his piece of gum.  But, on this day, I saw that he was crying and trying to make his way through the crowd, calling out, "daddy! daddy!"  Then, when my precious brother saw him, he scooped him into his arms and held him, to comfort him and ask him what was wrong.  In the middle of that crowd, my nephew's main concern was looking for his father to comfort him.  He could have easily gotten lost amidst all of the tall people, but focused until he found daddy.

This made me think about Jesus.  I so often find myself caught in the maddening crowd of life, crying out for help from Him.  And, like my brother was there for my nephew, God is always there and ready to scoop me up in His arms and rescue me.  How very blessed I am.

Have your cake and eat it, too!

I was struck the other night as I watched one of my godsons "secretly" licking the side of his birthday cake while all of us sang and got ready to eat it.  I should restate that - it wasn't secret for him.  He was so happy and enjoyed having his cake so much that he just dug in.  People who love him were gathered to celebrate him and his brother, and he loved it all.

If only I could do the same with the gifts God so graciously gives me.  Instead of over-analyzing things or questioning whether or not I "deserve" them, why can't I just dig in and lick the frosting off of my cake with abandon?

Heavy hearted....

Being heavy hearted is an interesting thing.  Sometimes my heart is weighed down with grief, like when I found out about a man I know taking his life yesterday.

Other times it is weighed down with love - like it feels right now when I consider my students and all they struggle with and all they are.

The joy in having a heavy heart, is knowing that there is One who can soothe it and wants to carry my burdens for me in exchange for a burden that is easy and light.  Nobody understands more than He does, what it's like to have a heavy heart.  In fact, His heart broke completely and willingly for me.

That makes my heart feel a lot lighter.

Fun things to share....thoughts and photos....

I have had the privilege to do some pretty cool things over the last two weeks.  September 30-October 2     I was able to attend family camp at Big Sandy Camp.  This was especially cool for me, as my grandpa helped to start the camp over 50 years ago, my parents had their first date there, and I accepted Christ as my Savior there.  In fact, I have gone to Big Sandy every year for the last 33 years!  It is such a wonderful place and so special.  It was extra fun to spend it with some family and friends from church.  I have added some photos that family and friends shared online.  Part 2 of my thoughts come after the photos....

Cousins Alex and Evan!

Sweet Josiah!

Weeeee!

Pretty princesses!

DJ in his element!

On the dock....

Pals on a hayride!

So much fun - so tired!

The second cool thing I go to do was take part in a concert/picnic put on by my church (Faith Alliance), Heart of the City Worship Ministry, and The Union Gospel Mission.  Free food, music, and fellowship were shared at Conway Park on the east side last Saturday night.  I am so thankful to have been part of it.  I had been praying over this event for a while and was struck with how pleased the Lord must have been.....people from many different cultures, eating together, worshipping together, and loving each other on a beautiful fall evening.  Again, SO glad I got to be part of it.  I believe that the Lord really made a statement through it and I pray that we will be able and willing to stand up and help those who come our way as a result, with His enabling.

Feeling blessed!