It's All About Being Saved...

OK, as one of my commenters put it: My "linky thingy" is now working.

Thanks to Mary for making me rethink what I had done. She told me that I needed to check out two different codes. When I received her comment, I'll be honest, the first thing I thought was: "Yeah, I already DID that." Then I started to think:

Did I do it in both of the "right"places?
Did the Mac have anything to do with it?

And then, the lightbulb moment:

Did I forget to hit save?

And the latter question was absolutely correct. It's all in the save button. If you make changes, but don't hit save, then they can't be seen and used to the outside world.

And of course, it brings up another life lesson....

If we want things to work well....then we have to "hit the save button". We MUST be directly linked and correctly linked to our God. Sometimes we think we "have it all figured out" and we don't. Our outward appearance, attitude and actions don't "line up" and work right. Sometimes it takes someone pointing out the obvious to get it all right.

Yep...with "linky thingies" and life....

It's ALL about being saved!

Overachievers Anonymous HERE I COME!

AGH! I would be surprised if those of you in the blogging world cannot hear me screaming right now! Several blogs I read use that cute little "autolinks" at the bottom of their Thursday Thirteens. So, in true "Susan-fashion"...I decided if they can do it, I can do it too. I clicked on the link to Mr. Linky and registered and followed HIS directions. The link box showed up on my site and then I noticed that you CAN'T add your link to it even though it looks like you should be able to do so. I hate that.

I hate not knowing how to do something! I know that it takes failure to truly learn it...but right now....I'm so frustrated that I cannot see straight. Sooo, I'll try again later. As I was playing with it just now, I realized that the overachiever in me sometimes creeps up and gives a surprise attack. Today is an example of this.

One thing I am trying to "get over" is my competative nature and "gotta be right/first/best" outlook. Just when I think I am doing pretty well with that something like this happens and I realize I've got a long way to go. I am SO GLAD that God doesn't give up the way I have given up on Mr. Linky today. Oh sure I'll try again to get those cute little auto links on my Thursday Thirteen...BUT for today, I'm giving myself permission to revert back and relax. It's not that important anyway...RIGHT????

I am once again reminded of the children's song, "He's still working on me...making me what I ought to be"....Keep working Lord....keep working!

Do YOU know what time it is????

Thirteen things in SUSAN'S Purse 1. Wallet 2. The book I am currently reading 3. Camera 4. Lipitor and Vitamins 5. Pens 6. Highlighter 7. A small bottle of gold flakes that ds 3 and I "panned" the other day 8. Gift cards from Christmas (still unused) 9. Cell Phone 10. Bed Bath and Beyond Certificate 11. Change 12. Receipts 13. Lipstick Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Red Headed Rants and Rambles 2. The KtKronicles 3. Ladybug Crossing 4. Treasure of Jewels

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Spring Break---HALF WAY

I can't believe that Spring Break is half over! So far, it's been VERY busy. My cousin Lynn and her family came in on Friday night and my brother Dan was in town. We went to Tampa (everyone except DS 1 who was on the red-eye flight back from LA) and visited there. DSs 2, 3, and 4 and I spent the night there so we could go to DS 2's soccer game on Saturday. I am always amazed at how my kids and my cousin's kids get along...it's as if they are neighbors and see each other all the time. They really do seem to enjoy spending time together.

The game was great. It is a tournament that has been going on for about four weeks, this was the second-to-the-last game...and they won 2 - 0. DS 2 had quite the fan base: His Proud Mother, 2 Grandma's, 2 Uncles, 2 First Cousins, 2 Brothers, 2 Second Cousins, and 3 Third Cousins (I guess you keep numbering them that way). It was fun.

On Sunday, DS 3 and I left for Georgia where I had two days of training for teachers. He was a great help at the workshops...although he may have been a bit bored at times. I think it gave him a glimpse of what his mother does when she is away training teachers. We stayed in Cherokee County and in Hall County...both north of Atlanta...and so close to the North Georgia Mountains...that we decided to go there last night. We went Gold MIning in a small quaint town called Dahlonega. It is a GREAT little place. We had a lot of fun just spending time together.

Today, Wednesday, we are going to go back to Florida...for the rest of our Spring Break...and I am ready. I miss my dh and my other dss.

The end of the week will be DISNEY! We are going to meet my cousin and her family and go over there for a few days. It should be fun.

Why is it that these weeks when we really don't have much in the way of responsibilities fly by? I think I am learning to savor and enjoy each moment...they are precious. I am grateful that I have the ability to do so much and especially that I have a great family with whom I can share all of it!

Happy SPRING everyone!!

I LOVE THIS THOUGHT!!

Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

Thursday's Here....

Thirteen Things SUSAN LOVES about SPRING! 1. The weather is breezy...not too hot/not too cold 2. Bright colored clothes are in the stores 3. Eating Lunch Outside 4. Walking outside 5. Planning summer vacations 6. We get a week off to enjoy it 7. It's the "downhill slide" to the end of the school year 8. Easter 9. Bright Blue Skies 10. Tulips (even though they don't grow here) 11. Flowers of any kind 12. Newness of life 13. Light Spring Showers and the smell afterwards Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Red Headed Rants and Rambles 2. The KtKronicles 3. Seeking Thin Spaces 4. Treasure of Jewels

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Secret Life Of Bees

I just finished this book. For the first time in a very LONG time, I got to the last page and decided to go back to the first and read it again. All I can say is WOW! It made me think about growing up, diversity, family relationships, poverty, tolerance, and spirituality all at once.

This one is a keeper to be treasured and savored over and over!

Monday Memory

Many of the blogs I read include a Monday Memory. There's evidently a code, but when I click on the link for the code, it says "bad URL". So I thought....hey, you can do a "Monday Memory" without the cute graphics....drumroll please....Here's MY FIRST MONDAY MEMORY!


Did I ever tell you when I learned the phrase: "Stay RIGHT There!"

I was almost four years old and living in Ohio with my Mom and Dad. Mom and I were going to go get Dad from work. He worked at GTE Data Services. The year was 1968 and it was the winter. I don't remember snow on the ground, but I do remember being bundled. I know there was at least ice out there...but I am getting ahead of myself.

Mom brought me out to the stoop...we don't call them that in Florida....but it's the steps and the landing that lead outside a door of your home. Ours was a small concrete landing with about three steps down to the ground. I don't know why, but Mom said, "STAY RIGHT THERE!" and she went on to the car and was going to come back up and help me.

I suppose even at this young age, I was a bit stubborn...OK a lot stubborn. I had an "I-can-do-it-myself-thank-you-very-much" attitude. And while she was turned around doing whatever she was doing, I took a step. That step was NOT a good decision. I split open the back of my head and had to go to the hospital to get stitches!

I still remember screaming. I still remember the feel of that hospital. It was kind of like being surrounded by terrazo floors, stainless steel, and lights. I remember there being a doctor and a nurse in there. I also remember my Dad meeting us over there at the hospital...luckily, his office was right in front of it.

I am sure that was the first of many times I didn't heed the words, "Stay right there"! Instead, I would set out to do whatever it was on my own.

Tonight, while in Target with ds 4, I realized that I have passed this same gene on to him. He insists on pushing the cart. I needed to get something and he was ahead of me...rather than having him back up the cart in the midst of people and displays, I said, "Stay right there!" He didn't. He insisted on turning around and following me. Luckily, his choice to move didn't cause him pain....but I am certain this may not always be true.

Then I thought to myself...I wonder how many times God has wanted me to "Stay"...."Rest"...."Stop"...."Wait"....and I have said, "No-thank-you-I-can-do-it-myself!" And even more than that, I wonder how many emotional falls down the stoop I could have avoided if I simply would have said, "OK"!

Who WAS she?

Last night I attended a worship service and fellowship for a group to which I belong. There were probably 100 - 150 people there. We started with a little music, then ate, then went for a talk, communion, more worship and home. As we started to line up for the the food, a woman walked in that no one knew. Her face was extremely deformed. She was unkempt. She had a tote bag that was filled with bags and stuff. She walked with a purpose...yet aimless...at the same time. She definitely did NOT "fit in"...

She walked through the room toward the bathroom. I thought maybe she was homeless and saw the church open so she wanted to come in a while. I kind of lost her in the crowd. But I did notice that people stopped and stared.

After most people had gone through the line, I saw her again. She was at the food table and she started yelling at the people around her, "I'm leaving!" "I'm just going to go home." "Back to my cats!" and many other things that simply didn't make sense. A few ladies went over to her and tried to calm her down and actually get her to sit down and eat. Their words were gentle and kind. She finally did.

I watched a friend of mine usher her to her own table and the seat next to her. This is where I felt a twinge of guilt as I didn't know if I would have done that as willingly and gracefully as my friend seemed to! I watched my friend with her. She got her settled down and started writing down information as she talked to her. I thought: "Maybe they are going to call the authorities...she was definitely 'off'." No authorities came. She simply treated this woman as if she was somebody!

We moved to the chapel and after communion, we made a huge circle around the chapel....there she was standing across the room from me praising the Lord! Again, I was struck how people had opened their hearts and arms to welcome her. They seize the opportnity to reach out to someone in need.

On the way home we asked ourselves: "WHO was she?" And someone wondered if she was just a wanderer, homeless, alone. I said she may have been...but I couldn't get the verse about "entertaining angels unaware" OR the song by Mercy Me "We are the Body" out of my head!

And then I prayed that the VERY next time I had the opportunity to minister to some "less desirable" that I would do so (like my friend) with a willing spirit and joy!! I asked God to help me remember that we can ALL be parts of the body of Christ and thanked Him for sending this reminder gently through this woman and through this evening!

"Matthew 25
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

And the band played on....

Several months ago, I wrote about my boys' band and their first gig.

Tonight is the "second gig". They will, again, be playing in our local coffee shop. Everytime I walk through what has become the obstacle course of cords, instruments, stands, and stuff in my living room, I think "It's WORTH IT!" It is, right?

I hope they will always know that we supported their efforts.

I hope they will see that they had a place that allowed them to create and dream.

I hope they will see that this time in their lives is so special.

I hope they will look back one day (maybe in my well put-together living room) and think what they used to "do to the place"!

I hope they will continue to have vision for themselves.

Yes, I believe it's worth it.

And for me, it's taught me to balance and watch my step....both lessons that apply in so many ways to our everyday lives.

Play on, boys, play on!

Thirteen Things about Susan's Wonderful HUSBAND! 1. He loves the ministry opportunities that he has been given and is constantly thinking outside the box about how to reach more people 2. He's does the laundry 3. He does most of the cooking in our house 4. He took me searching for water towers when we were dating (just for something to do and without question---we'd see one in the distance then drive until we found it) 5. He and I have known each other for 21 years and been married for 18 and a half years and he has helped me raise four wonderful young men 6. He learned to play the guitar in the past 7 years and plays in the band at church 7. He gives a great massage! 8. He loves spicy food---for that matter, I think he really loves good food 9. He likes to travel 10. He brings me flowers regularly for no special reason 11. He puts his family's needs and wants far above his needs and wants (I could write about his old tired car...) 12. He is my best friend--and has been for our entire marriage 13. He's one of the most patient people I know..... What can I say? I love that man!!!!!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Red Headed Rants and Rambles 2. The KtKronicles 3. Seeking Thin Spaces 4. Treasure of Jewels

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Winds of Change are Blowin!

Every year at this time it happens...in both dh's and my jobs....people start talking about changes. As a pastor in a denomination where appointments are made annually, you can imagine how the rumors fly about who is leaving, who is staying, etc. We go through it every year. He hears who, what, where, when, why, and how.

My job is no different. I work in education. It's the time of year when we turn in our intention forms for the coming year. It's a time when we let our administrators know what we'd like to do in the organization. It's also a time, as my principal says, that the administration makes sure everyone is in the "right seat on the bus". Every year it happens and every year I hate it. Rumors start flying....people "dig" for information....quite frankly it frustrates me.

Today, though, I realized that the wind may be blowing my way and could bring changes in my world. I have a GREAT job that I LOVE. One of the things that I love about it is the team of people I work with from the top down. I am very fortunate. I work for a visionary leader who loves creating unique and exciting learning environments for kids. He surrounds himself with "can-do" people and we have been able to create a GREAT school for some of our county's poorest students.

Today may have changed things in our district though. You see, today our county passed a referendum for education. This is not a new tax. It's simply extending a tax that has been in place for the past four years. What's different is the plan for the money. The plan is to overhaul our secondary schools and really turn up the expectations for teachers in those schools in hopes of closing the achievement gap that exists in our county. It's a HUGE plan with a lot of unknowns.

As I said, rumors fly. People are talking about some of the middle and high schools and impending administrative changes that will be made there. I fear that my boss may go. He is a visionary. He is clear that learning MUST be kid-centered. He is unafraid to take the bull by the horns and look mediocrity in the face. He is unwilling to settle for second best for any kid. Why WOULDN'T "they" want someone like that to lead a middle or high school?

So, here I am wondering....what will my future bring? Where will I be? Is there a reason that I am getting endorsed to teach Reading in K - 12?

Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm going to hold on, because the winds look like they could be pretty strong this year!

Do You Want to Live Longer?

DS 4 asked me this question on our way home from school today. I am no fool. Of course, I said, "YES". He said, "Take a walk everyday and drink chocolate milk." We did hear this advice on the radio the other day. It was a new study that some doctor completed. He said, "I told Grandma and Grandpa yesterday." And then he continued, "You don't have to take a walk outside. You can do it at the Y on the treadmill." I said, "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

Then I started to ponder all the "things" I have learned that are supposed to help you reduce risks for certain diseases, extend life, etc. And I really wondered what a STRICT diet of that would look like. Here are just a few of the "miracle foods" that should be taken regularly:

Oatmeal with Blueberries (reduce cholesterol and healthy heart)
Spinach Salad with almonds (Roughage with more heart help)
Olive Oil Dressing (Reduces risk of diabetes and is heart healthy)
Chocoalate Milk
Red Wine (one glass for heart health)
Strawberries (more antioxidants)
Fatty Fish (reduces risk of death from heart attack and Alzheimer's disease)
Whole Grain Bread--son 2 says 12 grain (helps prevent diabetes and colon cancer)
Beans (fiber that helps prevent diabetes and colon cancer)
1/8 tsp. of cinnamon (reduces some cancer risks and helps when you have a cold or the flu)
Dark Chocolate
Green Tea (Lowers blood pressure and prevents hypertension)

While researching healthy foods not long ago, I found this article. Sounds like HONEY is a MUST!

Yes, son, I DO want to live longer...thanks for the tip!

Simply Praiseworthy!

This past week, ds 1 was invited to go to Los Angeles for a Student Youth Leader Conference. He was asked to go by our Youth Pastor because he leads worship for Middle School and plays in the worship band for High School youth. His excitement was unbelievable.

When I look at him, I am often reminded of a little boy sitting on a front pew of a "traditional" church at the age of 4 and lifting his hands to praise God. Not wanting anyone to judge him...and being "far too worried about what people think"...I said, "not here". I have regretted that day for the rest of my years. There he was, open to worship, uninhibited and there I was standing in the way and NOT setting the example that I should have.

In some ways, he has come full circle. We are now in a place where worship is what each person needs it to be. It's open and honest. He is part of leading people in it...I am SO glad. He makes me proud!

Then...last night, I was with DSs 2, 3, and 4 in Tampa after a day at the soccer fields and we were on our way home when DS 2 said, "I wonder if there is anywhere around here that has Saturday Night Church?" My Mother told him she wasn't sure.

He and DS 3 are staying up in Tampa because there is a more tournament play today. He knew he was going to miss church.

My thought? Wow! At 16 or 17, even though I was REALLY involved in church, I don't think I would have been thinking, "Gee, when else could I go to church because I have to miss a Sunday?" I was proud and amazed.

I am so thankful for all of my sons. They are truly turning into Godly young men. I am thankful that even though we may sometimes falter in our parenting...they are clinging to the faith in which they have been raised. It's a BLESSING beyond what they will ever know.

He Just Wanted to Point Out....

As I have said before, my sons read my blog occasionally. After I updated my blog yesterday afternoon, I was leaving the house and my ds 1 came running out of the house to talk to me about my Thursday 13 post. He said, "MOM, you told me that 'Babe' was one of the greatest love songs ever written! I can't believe you didn't include it in your list!"

I told him it was there when I was composing my list, but it got edged out by some others. He said, "The GREATEST love song ever didn't get put on your list." But in my mind I was thinking "What is he talking about?" and "How did HE know I loved that song?" and "Why does he care?" Then I remembered that we had it on in the car one time and I must have made that comment to him.

OK, OK, I might have told him that I thought it was a GREAT love song. And I might have said, "This might be the greatest love song ever written." (Remember, it's only an opinion.)

Quite honestly, I was impressed that he even remembered that I said anything about it. And I DID wrestle with putting it on my list. It was a hard list to narrow down. So, today, I am adding a #14 to my Thursday 13 and paying tribute to a song that I DO love and to my ds 1:

14. Babe (Styx)

Thanks, son, for keeping me on my toes!!

Goodbye Sushi

Last week marked 7 months since we buried our 15 year old dog, Corky. Today, we will bury our cat, Sushi. We have known for a while that her time was coming. At 16, she is old for a cat. My dh and dss 3 and 4 went to the vet with her to put her to sleep.

Sushi came into our lives when dss 1 and 2 were very young. None of my boys remembers life without her. My Mother got her and realized that her allergies were cat related...thus we kind of inherited Sushi.

She has been through the toddler stages of all four of my kids plus four foster children many years ago not to mention other nieces, nephews, and cousins. She has never once been "cross" with any child. I remember seeing one of the youngsters dragging her backwards by the tail one time as if she were a stuffed animal...she didn't put a claw out...she just relaxed until a grown-up rescued her.

Sushi loved being outside when she was younger and before we moved to Sarasota. She gave birth to a total of 8 kittens in about three years during our time in Port Tampa. Her kittens were just as pretty as she was. People always asked us to "let" her have more!

When we moved to Brandon, she loved to play with Corky in our big backyard. I think it was there that she developed an attachment to my dh. Our parsonage was right on the church property. She would walk over to dh's office and sit in the window or by his door waiting for him to be done with work and come home. She never wandered any farther than that.


When we moved to Sarasota, she had to become an indoor cat. She didn't mind. She would spend her days soaking up the sun's rays from behind a window blind, or perched atop one of our sofa's (a.k.a. her "throne") or on dh's side of the bed, or most recently, on the lap of Son 3.

Not long ago, I told dh that I never thought I'd have problems with "another woman" and I certainly never thought it would be a CAT! She loved sleeping on his side of the bed. When he would go away and I would sleep there, she would bat me away with her paw. That was definitely "her territory" and "not mine".

As I said, in the past year, she and ds 3 have REALLY bonded. In fact, we didn't see her in our room much at all. If she had the opportunity to lay on son 3's clothes, his bed, or anything else he touched, she would. They truly loved each other.

It's hard. Our pets become such an important part of our lives. In a funny way, they ARE family. I will be forever thankful that she was a part of ours.

Goodbye, Sushi! You will be missed!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen of my FAVORITE LOVE Songs What can I say? I'm sappy. I LOVE music and I especially LOVE to hear a great LOVE song...here are 13 of my favorites in no particular order: 1. I Want to Know Where Love Is (Foreigner) 2. Still the One (Shania Twain) 3. It's Your Love (Tim McGraw/Faith Hill) 4. Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers) 5. Desperado (The Eagles) 6. When I Fall in Love (Nat King Cole--Celine Dion) 7. Your Song (Elton John) 8. Because You Love Me (Celine Dion) 9. After All (Al Jarreau) 10. Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley) 11. Everything I Own (Bread) 12. I Honestly Love You (Olivia Newton John) 13. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

And Time MARCHES On...

I can't believe March is here already. Every year at this time, I am amazed that one quarter of the year is over. And we continue to mark time day to day as we go through our lives. Here is what has happened since January 1st in our family:

Dh has been to Texas and California and has booked more dates in the near future. He continues to work on rebuilding our church after the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley.

Son #1 finished the LPN program. He enrolled at the Community College as a Dual Enrollment student and will graduate High School in May. He continues to play in three bands (two at church and one at home). He will attend a National Student Worship Seminar in Los Angeles in a couple of weeks.

Son #2 finished his varsity soccer season. He has begun playing with the traveling team again and had his first tournament last week. His team is in the finals and will continue play this weekend. We attended his soccer banquet last week and he again is a scholar athelete. He is planning on attending his second mission trip this summer (along with ds 1). They will go to Belize.

Son #3 has refined his skills at creating computer graphics. He can fix almost any problem that I run into on my computer. He began working out at the YMCA and is still very active in the Youth Group at Church. He also finished his very first "solo flight" for a ski weekend with his cousins in Ohio and West Virginia. He enjoyed learning to ski and would like to try again, soon.

Son #4 is still busy finishing the first grade. He is working hard in school and has realized a few awards academically since the year began. He also was the top runner with the most laps in his class for our annual walk-a-thon (which really should be called a "jog-a-thon". He will receive his ribbon in a ceremony later this month.

I have returned the edits on my third book. I continue my work as a Literacy Coach in our school and the district. In addition, I continue to write almost 90 teacher's guides a year for a major publishing company. I am praying to drop my status as the Children's Church coordinator so that I can begin something in the area of Women's Ministry.

We are busy. And time keeps ticking away. As I read the blog left by the young mother who lost her life while giving birth to her fifth child, I was struck. She was a homeschooling Mom of five. She called it "Heartschooling" as she recognized the importance of heart. In the busy-ness of our lives, we should consider how much "heartwork" we have done in our families. I know that I fall short in this area occasionally. I want to improve BECAUSE I know time IS marching on. It's important.

I ask myself if I have hugged them enough? Have I told them I love them enough? Have I sat and listened to them enough? Have I been there for them when they need me? Do I set a Godly example of a wife and mother for them?

Those are the things that are important....and they are TIME investments that will have a GREAT return!

Who's YOUR Daddy????

I heard the funniest story at work today. For those of you who don't know my background, I work in a Title I school that has children from many different backgrounds and socio-economic levels. A colleague heard this from a friend at a neighboring TItle I school:

Setting: First Grade Classroom
Little Girl 1: I got a picture of my Daddy, wanna' see?

Little Girl 2: Yeah.

Little Girl 1: See? This is MY Daddy! My Mama gave me this picture.

Little Girl 2 stares at the photo and replies: That's YOUR Daddy....that's MY Daddy too! My Mama has the SAME picture!

Even though it's funny, it's also a sad commentary on the world in which we live....You can't make this stuff up, folks!

Have a GREAT day!!

It Takes a Village

If you have read any of my blog at all...then you know about my zesty go-for-all-the-gusto-you-can son 4. He is energetic and that is an understatement. He is also convinced that he is a grown-up. He doesn't understand the life of a seven-year-old. This is most likely because he has older brothers and has pretty much been playing I-can-do-anything-you-can-do since he was a baby.

Because I have been at my school for 7 years, many of my colleagues have watched hin grow up and have been listening to stories about him for years. Now that he goes there...they are taking an important role in his formative years. I regularly remind them, "It takes a village....and you're part of his."

The same is true at church. Last week, I couldn't see him in the service. This occasionally happens as he thinks he can (and should) be sitting with his older brothers and the youth group. They usually oblige him and I keep him in my sights so that I can give him the "Mommy eye" if necessary. As I said, I couldn't see him. I made eye contact with ds 2 and his girlfriend and asked them if they saw him. I walked out of the song service looking for him. When I returned ds 1 told me, "he's up in the sound booth." I walked up there and he proudly announced, "I'M RUNNING POWER POINT, MOM!" Kim, the lady who runs our Power Point, smiled and told me he was fine, so I left him there. He ran the power point for the entire service. Afterwards, someone said, "If your dh knew it was ds 4 running his power point slides, he might have been shocked!" True.

The other thing you may have picked up about son 4 from reading my blog is that he is EXTREMELY verbal. This week, he has been talking about how he has a new job at church. He hasn't stopped talking about running Power Point. I kept telling him that Kim might not want him back there. I have been trying to prepare him to sit in the service like normal children...all the while forgetting that he is NOT a normal child!

Today, I caught Kim before the service and told her that he had been talking about it all week....but that it was absolutely understandable and OK if she wanted me to tell him that he doesn't belong in the sound booth. She assured me that he is fine.

Now, Kim is part of his village. I'm not sure she knows it yet...but she is.

It's important, you know. He may remember that she allowed him to take part in ministry one day and that testimony may be what he needs to stay close to Jesus. He may grow up and actually create the Power Points (or whatever we are using then). I don't know...but it HAS made me think about which children are in my village.

Do I do all I can to help nurture them and help them grow? Do I set a good example? Do I speak well? Do I show them that I care?

It doesn't how much we do or do not "love" little children...we are part of someone's village. And it takes all of us to help them become the adults they will one day be.

I'm so thankful for the adults that are in his village....he's a blessed little boy (ahem) I mean "young man"! ;-)

Timely and TRUE

My cousin, Lynn, over at Seeking Thin Spaces sent me this link today (click the title of this entry). The article is really timely in light of my last two posts. Sara Groves is talking about being gripped by fear after the birth of her son:

I told a girlfriend, "If something happens to Kirby [her son], I don't know if my faith will survive." I realized if I could envision a scenario in which my faith wouldn't survive, then it wasn't surviving now.

I love this insight that Sara Groves offers as she thinks about how circumstances can bring doubt about:

Michael Card, in his wonderful book A Sacred Sorrow, says doubts are actually a profound statement of faith because they're a person saying she won't let go of a good God in the face of the profound evil she's seeing.

Sara goes on to say:

I've come to see that's the good news. Despite our depravity and selfishness, God uses us to heal this broken world. That's pretty amazing.

Yes, it IS AMAZING!! I have seen it over and over in each painful situation that I have been aware of this week...FAITH....true testimonies to the greatness of God....

Thanks, Lynn (and thanks Sara)!

God's Will Part 2

I hope I haven't upset anyone with my last post. I almost felt guilty for posting it last night and then I remembered, "This is my blog and it's a place where I can work out my own faith and learning and share my stories." This week, I have needed to work out some "stuff".

I was talking to a dear friend this morning about my last post. She, too, has had her share of pain this week. Her dd who was four months pregnant with twins lost ONE of them on Monday and is now carrying ONE baby that may have some serious chromosome issues. We are praying that a miracle takes place and this baby lives and is healthy.

So I asked her, "Do you think it was 'God's will' that one of P's babies had to die?" She said, "No, but I know that God will use it for a purpose and I know that He has been holding us all in His hand as we go through this." She also said, "If I 'over-think' it, then I tend to lose my faith that he is in control."

I believe that too.

I know that God knows what it's like to grieve the loss of a child. I know that He will use this situation (and all the others mentioned previously) for teaching and for drawing people closer to Him.

And, yes, I KNOW He holds us in his hand when we don't understand. I blogged many months ago about the Natalie Grant song, Held. My point now, as it was then....I know that God's everlasting arms are always there holding us...and that "WHEN EVERYTHING FELL....WE'D BE HELD"! I am thankful that I know so many people who are being held this week and are acknowledging that it is God who is doing the holding.

Be Blessed!!

God's Will????

Some of you read my post from a few days ago about David's car accident. That has been heavy on my heart this week. Someone said in the flurry of email we have received about this....that it must be "God's will."

Then, I ran into this blog last night. This is the blog of a lady who was a homeschooling Mom who was expecting her fifth child. She died during an emergency c-section. Her baby lived and has been named after her Mother. As I read the comments about Missey and her life, someone wrote, we don't always understand "God's will".

Then, I read a blog about someone who is afraid of flying. Since I deal with this same anxiety, I read more carefully. She said that she determined that if it was "God's will" that she crash, then she had to be "ok" with that.

I say NO, NO, NO!!! I simply can't believe that the same God who loves us with an everlasting and unconditional love would also "do" something so horrific to someone. God's will that a mother watches her son in a hospital bed after he is twisted around a tree? God's will that a mother not get to watch her FIVE young children grow up? God's will that the young children grow up without a MOTHER? God's will that a plane crash and kill all the people inside?

Am I the only one who thinks this doesn't line up?

Here's what I think. Unfortunately there is sin in the world. These things that happen are unexplainable sometimes. It "could" be the ripple effect of sin...it "could" be that it just happened because we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. It could be that because we are not God's puppets and we have free will that "bad things do sometimes happen to good people."

What I KNOW and BELIEVE is that God will never leave us or forsake us. He CAN and DOES bring beauty from the ashes. He USES these situations to see HIS name glorified. I believe that He DOES work ALL things to the GOOD for those who LOVE HIM and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Finally, I don't think God needs to "give" us situations to exercise our faith in the form of "bad circumstances"...we are good enough at getting our own selves into situations.

I am NOT saying that any of the people above caused their great pain. And I believe that He is and will hold each person close to His heart as they go through their pain and fear.

God's will? In my opinion, it's that we LOVE HIM and those with whom we come in contact. God's will? That we glorify Him in the good and the bad. But I also think He loves us too much to cause the pain....He loves us too much to leave us during it.

And for that, I will be eternally grateful!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen ReasonsI'm Glad that I am not single DH is out of town this week. Being a single Mom is not something I do well. I can handle it for a week at a time, but it reminds me why God designed us to be together raising kids. Here are thirteen reasons why: 1…. I hate to cook 2. I cannot juggle well...schedules and all 3. I don't sleep well..I hear every "bump" in the night. 4. My bed's too big... 5. It's hard to KEEP saying "no" when you need to...it's easier to get a "yes" out of a single parent (in my opinion) 6. I am not good at keeping track of money and bills and stuff like that 7. I'm out of balance 8. I am not a morning person 9. The kids aren't morning people 10. I don't like communicating via email and computers. I'd rather be face to face. 11. Schedule logistics is not my thing 12. It's lonely 13. I am just not complete! I MISS you hon...we really are fine....BUT I can't wait until you get home! ;-) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Red Headed Rants and Rambles 2. The KtKronicles 3. Seeking Thin Spaces 4. Treasure of Jewels 5. V I R T U E

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Prayer Request

This past weekend a family that I know had to deal with something that I know has been very difficult. Their middle son (they have three) was in a near fatal car wreck. He is in a coma in the hospital. Today, people here are conducting a 24 hour prayer vigil for David and his life. PLEASE, if you have a moment, stop and pray for this young man. There is no telling how long this will take and how much damage has been done as most of his injury seems to be brain trauma. I am pasting our latest update on David---from his mother---below:

Isiah 40:20 my friend gave me last night.
God give strength to the weary and power to the weak.
I GOT 7 HOURS SLEEP LAST NIGHT!! I am good to go. We are not allowed to be with David from 6p to 9P and then in the morning 6a to 9a... that is when Oscar sleeps. Otherwise one of us is there.

After talking to the police, paramedic and the Bayflight tech came in to see Oscar in the middle of the night. Then the trauma Dr. all told us yesterday that from the very on-site of the scence - David was posturing (sp) - which is a sign of dying. That's why they wouldn't let me anywhere near the scence, they were waiting for an advocate to come be with me to share the bad news.

This is almost day 5 - and the Life/Death situation he was in I believe is over. Today he has a cat scan to see if the brain is absorbing the blood, if it is they will take out the monitor that's screwed into his head.

He is still in a coma on the respirator and they talked about a trach maybe early next week (which would be more comfortable for him). He is still in a coma, and now we just wait to see how much of DAvid we have left. (of Course I believe we will have 100%).

He has big mittens on now because he got ahold of his tube and almost pulled it out.

Daniel and I were telling him last nigt that Bill McLain (his publix manager) has been calling and we told him he could "close" every night of the week". (David fights us all the time about working more, working later, he loves Publix) - He hasn't opened his eyes but for the first time he was blinking!!! We had to laugh. We told the lady if your trying to wake him talk about PUBLIX.

They keep telling us it could be weeks or months before he starts to come back to us. But they don't know David and his determination. Of all my boys, if you tell him he can't or isn't able to do something.... he does it in double time.

Ok, thanks everybody for keeping us up in prayer... we feel it. We are doing fine and feel loved. Oscar especailly has loved the e-mails and cards you have forwarded to my sister - it helps the night go a little faster. We love hearing all the "DAVID" stories.

Love,
Lisa

I can't even imagine what this family must be going through right now. I DO know that they have a VERY strong faith and are trusting God for a miracle for their son. Let's join them in believing that as well.

Thanks!!