I just wanted to post this picture for any of you that have not seen the new mascot at BCHS. It is located in the front hall, in front of the library. If you ever have time, I suggest stopping by the school and taking a look around. This is the perfect finishing touch to the new building. It is huge! I think someone said he weighs about 900 lbs! I also hear that a tiger for WBHS is in the works. It is amazing art!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Chief Choctaw Creel
I just wanted to post this picture for any of you that have not seen the new mascot at BCHS. It is located in the front hall, in front of the library. If you ever have time, I suggest stopping by the school and taking a look around. This is the perfect finishing touch to the new building. It is huge! I think someone said he weighs about 900 lbs! I also hear that a tiger for WBHS is in the works. It is amazing art!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Happy Days...
I sometimes wish I could make a TV show about our lives. Since I cannot, I will give you all a glimpse into our lives from yesterday. I pray my alliteration does the scene justice!
What a busy day it was. My first day with STUDENTS!! It was also a beautiful day. Fall was beginning to show its face through the light breeze and orange-tinted sunshine. Also, the absence of gnats and mosquitoes was a bonus! I decided to let the kids play outside until Justin got home. After the long Labor Day weekend, I really missed our together time.
I sat in a chair in the yard reading over my Sunday School lesson for this week. God's word never ceases to amaze me! God IS good, ALL the time!
Carys came and asked me if she could go inside and get some water and potato chips for Sawyer and herself to have a picnic. I knew how much they love picnics so I obliged her. As they begin, I hear their speech change and their pretend voices kick in. Carys asks Sawyer several questions in grown-up talk about what he likes and dislikes. Then, I hear the following conversation...
Sawyer: Miss Carys, do you eat your buggers?
Carys: Why no, not since last year.
Sawyer: Yeah, I just quit myself.
Carys: Oh good! You know that is all the stuff that your body thinks is too gross to stay in there so it kicks it out!
Sawyer: Yeah, it is just too gross for a 3 year-old to do!
I officially know the meaning of the phrase, "Roll on the floor laughing!"
So, I had a great first day. I have meet with the majority of my classes today. They seemed excited and responsive to the plans I have (which is always good.) I do not give them grades so I have to put the effort that would go into grading, into thinking of ways to keep them engaged and working.
Anyway, I love life! God is good!
What a busy day it was. My first day with STUDENTS!! It was also a beautiful day. Fall was beginning to show its face through the light breeze and orange-tinted sunshine. Also, the absence of gnats and mosquitoes was a bonus! I decided to let the kids play outside until Justin got home. After the long Labor Day weekend, I really missed our together time.
I sat in a chair in the yard reading over my Sunday School lesson for this week. God's word never ceases to amaze me! God IS good, ALL the time!
Carys came and asked me if she could go inside and get some water and potato chips for Sawyer and herself to have a picnic. I knew how much they love picnics so I obliged her. As they begin, I hear their speech change and their pretend voices kick in. Carys asks Sawyer several questions in grown-up talk about what he likes and dislikes. Then, I hear the following conversation...
Sawyer: Miss Carys, do you eat your buggers?
Carys: Why no, not since last year.
Sawyer: Yeah, I just quit myself.
Carys: Oh good! You know that is all the stuff that your body thinks is too gross to stay in there so it kicks it out!
Sawyer: Yeah, it is just too gross for a 3 year-old to do!
I officially know the meaning of the phrase, "Roll on the floor laughing!"
So, I had a great first day. I have meet with the majority of my classes today. They seemed excited and responsive to the plans I have (which is always good.) I do not give them grades so I have to put the effort that would go into grading, into thinking of ways to keep them engaged and working.
Anyway, I love life! God is good!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Surrendering All
If I stop and try to think about how much God loves me...It hurts!
It hurts to know how many times I have let Him down yet, He has NEVER FAILED me.
I learned a LOT yesterday about surrender. From a personal experience and from a friend we shall call "Joe Bob."
First my story... You all know that something has been going on and I have been ever so elusive. You know it has to do with my job. What I realized yesterday is that it was really (from God's perspective) not about the job at all!
When Carys was diagnosed and I had to leave CCA, I had a difficult time letting go. I whined and complained to God that I knew that I was where He wanted me! I stomped my feet like a child and screamed WHY!! Eventually, I turned all of that over to God and He changed my attitude about it. I could see in retrospect, what He was doing. Of course, He had nothing but the BEST is store for me!
So then, he healed Carys! Praise the Lord I learned that when you surrender things to God, He really never fails you.
So one year later I find myself in a similar situation. A job question. "But God", I said, "I have already given up one job, are you really going to require another of me? Did I not presevere, did I not praise You, amd I not serving You?"
It is embarssing to say for about two months I let this debate cloud my life. Finally, over the past few days I prayed harder, read my Bible more, and most imporatnatly sought God's will and surrendered myself to Him.
The story is awesome, but I would have to leave out so many detailes that it would just confuse you so I will just tell you the result.
I had one last meeting. To see if everything was going to work out. There was just one person on earth who could deliver the news I needed for everything to workout. I called him, I emailed him...but I got no response.
So I sat in my car before the metting and told God this...
"I know you are about to do a mighty work. I am not sure what it is, but I am ready. This job is NOT my life's calling. YOU are my life's calling. You have called me, I will answer...lead me Lord I will go. If this job is in Your plan, I will seek out what it is, why it is you have put me here. If not, I accept with a whole heart that YOU are and Awesome God, You reign from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love and I have learned from my past mistakes...I will not doubt Your plan!"
So I go in. Waiting to hear from heaven. They decide it would be best to put me off another day. What! Another day! "Okay God, I said I would trust, I am trusting, I am trusting!" So I get up to leave, my phone vibrates, I think it is my friend texting me back cause I begged them to pray for me! I look down and it is an email....
FROM THE GUY, the ONE GUY who could end all of this.
The email confirmed exactly what I need to put all of this "work" stuff to rest! GOD MOVED!!
I was speech-less, breathless...
I could see God in heaven cheering. No, not becuase of the job stuff, but because I know He was setting there with this blessing in His hand, just waiting for me to surrender! Once I did, I opended the door for Him to do His Work.
Then there is my friend "Joe Bob." Here I am, all happy and proud of my surrender, when God uses "Job Bob" to show me just how little God requires of me. Look back to yesterday's post. "Job Bob" as far as I am concerned...goes on that list!
"Joe Bob" has been through a lot. But, he has never forgotten God's call.
You guys probably think that we are called to witness only to the lost. But NO, God used "Joe Bob" to witness to ME! He showed me that if you are firm in God's calling on your life, and seek guidance from His word...God can use you no matter what you have been through.
In fact, this life is not at all about what we go though...but how willing we are to be used by God. He requires something of each of us. Just like in the story of Abraham, God does not always require we give it up, He just wants to know we are willing!
Are you willing? Are you Surrendered?
Although I am sure of my eternal destination, I am still working out my own salvation in the area of surrender?
What is God asking of you today??
It hurts to know how many times I have let Him down yet, He has NEVER FAILED me.
I learned a LOT yesterday about surrender. From a personal experience and from a friend we shall call "Joe Bob."
First my story... You all know that something has been going on and I have been ever so elusive. You know it has to do with my job. What I realized yesterday is that it was really (from God's perspective) not about the job at all!
When Carys was diagnosed and I had to leave CCA, I had a difficult time letting go. I whined and complained to God that I knew that I was where He wanted me! I stomped my feet like a child and screamed WHY!! Eventually, I turned all of that over to God and He changed my attitude about it. I could see in retrospect, what He was doing. Of course, He had nothing but the BEST is store for me!
So then, he healed Carys! Praise the Lord I learned that when you surrender things to God, He really never fails you.
So one year later I find myself in a similar situation. A job question. "But God", I said, "I have already given up one job, are you really going to require another of me? Did I not presevere, did I not praise You, amd I not serving You?"
It is embarssing to say for about two months I let this debate cloud my life. Finally, over the past few days I prayed harder, read my Bible more, and most imporatnatly sought God's will and surrendered myself to Him.
The story is awesome, but I would have to leave out so many detailes that it would just confuse you so I will just tell you the result.
I had one last meeting. To see if everything was going to work out. There was just one person on earth who could deliver the news I needed for everything to workout. I called him, I emailed him...but I got no response.
So I sat in my car before the metting and told God this...
"I know you are about to do a mighty work. I am not sure what it is, but I am ready. This job is NOT my life's calling. YOU are my life's calling. You have called me, I will answer...lead me Lord I will go. If this job is in Your plan, I will seek out what it is, why it is you have put me here. If not, I accept with a whole heart that YOU are and Awesome God, You reign from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love and I have learned from my past mistakes...I will not doubt Your plan!"
So I go in. Waiting to hear from heaven. They decide it would be best to put me off another day. What! Another day! "Okay God, I said I would trust, I am trusting, I am trusting!" So I get up to leave, my phone vibrates, I think it is my friend texting me back cause I begged them to pray for me! I look down and it is an email....
FROM THE GUY, the ONE GUY who could end all of this.
The email confirmed exactly what I need to put all of this "work" stuff to rest! GOD MOVED!!
I was speech-less, breathless...
I could see God in heaven cheering. No, not becuase of the job stuff, but because I know He was setting there with this blessing in His hand, just waiting for me to surrender! Once I did, I opended the door for Him to do His Work.
Then there is my friend "Joe Bob." Here I am, all happy and proud of my surrender, when God uses "Job Bob" to show me just how little God requires of me. Look back to yesterday's post. "Job Bob" as far as I am concerned...goes on that list!
"Joe Bob" has been through a lot. But, he has never forgotten God's call.
You guys probably think that we are called to witness only to the lost. But NO, God used "Joe Bob" to witness to ME! He showed me that if you are firm in God's calling on your life, and seek guidance from His word...God can use you no matter what you have been through.
In fact, this life is not at all about what we go though...but how willing we are to be used by God. He requires something of each of us. Just like in the story of Abraham, God does not always require we give it up, He just wants to know we are willing!
Are you willing? Are you Surrendered?
Although I am sure of my eternal destination, I am still working out my own salvation in the area of surrender?
What is God asking of you today??
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Words of My Mouth
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I cannot remember exactly when I learned this verse. What I do remember is the thousands of time I have prayed it. I have taught it to my kids. And I have hid it in my heart.
It is in my Sunday School lesson this week. The title is "God Revealed" how strange that a few weeks ago my heart was burdened to purchase the book my David Nassar "Glory Revealed" and that I am teaching Sunday School this week! Bet it will be interesting...
Anyhow, the past month has been one of the strangest times of my life. I cannot remember being on such an emotional roller-coaster ride. UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN!
I know that God has very specific plans for me. I just am not sure of what they are. Yes, I am aware now more than ever that this is what faith is. Believing and not knowing "how" something is going to happen...just that it will.
I am sorry if you guys are tired of reading this over and over (who am I kidding, more than likely I am writing to myself:) I think one challenge that God is putting before me is to keep my mouth shut. I cannot disclose all that I am going though, and that is VERY hard for a talker/writer like me. I am longing for the day this is all over and I can share more.
I just feel like God is about to move. I do not know (nor can I comprehend) what that means. I have prayed and prayed and I have the "peace that passes all understanding." I am ready. Again, I don't know exactly what I am ready for, but I am ready. My prayer is simply that God will use me and that I will be ready, willing, and able to do what He requires of me. I know I can, Want to know how I know??
He has called many people in the Bible to do far harder things. Examples? Glad you asked!
Abraham, He asked Abraham to sacrifice his ONLY child. I have not been asked to do this.
Moses' parents, He asked them to give up their child as well.
The Children of Israel, He made a way for them that only He could make and they crossed without fear!
Noah, He asked him to do something that caused EVERYONE to think bad of him. He had NO friends except his family and GOD! God has not asked me to give up those around me who love me.
Daniel, God called him to stand up for what was right no matter the cost. I have not been asked to give up my life.
The Three Hebrew Children (I refuse to try and spell their names!) They too faced death for God's plan.
The important thing about all of these stories is to remember that we have hindsight, they did not. We know that these things worked out, but they had no way of knowing that outside of their own faith in God!
I do not know right now what the result will be, but I know that God loves me as much as He loved all of the above and that He will take care of me in just the same way...
I have another meeting today. I am not sure what all will happen, but I know that God's will shall come to pass. For my own self, I am praying these words...
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord my Strength and my Redeemer..."
For that is all the power I have!
God Bless
I cannot remember exactly when I learned this verse. What I do remember is the thousands of time I have prayed it. I have taught it to my kids. And I have hid it in my heart.
It is in my Sunday School lesson this week. The title is "God Revealed" how strange that a few weeks ago my heart was burdened to purchase the book my David Nassar "Glory Revealed" and that I am teaching Sunday School this week! Bet it will be interesting...
Anyhow, the past month has been one of the strangest times of my life. I cannot remember being on such an emotional roller-coaster ride. UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN!
I know that God has very specific plans for me. I just am not sure of what they are. Yes, I am aware now more than ever that this is what faith is. Believing and not knowing "how" something is going to happen...just that it will.
I am sorry if you guys are tired of reading this over and over (who am I kidding, more than likely I am writing to myself:) I think one challenge that God is putting before me is to keep my mouth shut. I cannot disclose all that I am going though, and that is VERY hard for a talker/writer like me. I am longing for the day this is all over and I can share more.
I just feel like God is about to move. I do not know (nor can I comprehend) what that means. I have prayed and prayed and I have the "peace that passes all understanding." I am ready. Again, I don't know exactly what I am ready for, but I am ready. My prayer is simply that God will use me and that I will be ready, willing, and able to do what He requires of me. I know I can, Want to know how I know??
He has called many people in the Bible to do far harder things. Examples? Glad you asked!
Abraham, He asked Abraham to sacrifice his ONLY child. I have not been asked to do this.
Moses' parents, He asked them to give up their child as well.
The Children of Israel, He made a way for them that only He could make and they crossed without fear!
Noah, He asked him to do something that caused EVERYONE to think bad of him. He had NO friends except his family and GOD! God has not asked me to give up those around me who love me.
Daniel, God called him to stand up for what was right no matter the cost. I have not been asked to give up my life.
The Three Hebrew Children (I refuse to try and spell their names!) They too faced death for God's plan.
The important thing about all of these stories is to remember that we have hindsight, they did not. We know that these things worked out, but they had no way of knowing that outside of their own faith in God!
I do not know right now what the result will be, but I know that God loves me as much as He loved all of the above and that He will take care of me in just the same way...
I have another meeting today. I am not sure what all will happen, but I know that God's will shall come to pass. For my own self, I am praying these words...
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord my Strength and my Redeemer..."
For that is all the power I have!
God Bless
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
10 Things I learned....
Yesterday I had class in Tuscaloosa. I left straight from school because I needed to run some errands while in T'town. I found out that we learn things all day long, not just at school, here is what I learned...
1) Going to school in T'town is much more productive that in Montevallo because when you go to Montevallo the only place to go is class!
2) Going to a large Post Office on or around the first of the month is a BAD idea unless you have nothing better to do. I waited for 25 minutes and I was in the STAMP ONLY line!!!
3) Going to the mall with out money is really depressing.
4) The "latests" trend in kids clothing is very similar to the stuff I wore when I was five!
5) The mall is a germy place! You should ask for a paper recepit to sign rather than using that pen thing they have...think about how many people have touched that!
6) Hand sanitizer from the mall that smells great, cost a LOT!
7) Extra HOT taco's from Taco Casa are only good if you know that your hubby has prescription heart-burn meds you can snich (I think that is illegal, but who cares its just a nexium!)
8) Parking at the mall during the week is WAY different that parking on Saturday!
9) I miss Montevallo! particularly it PARKING!!!!
10) This degree better be worth all of this! (I am sure it will be!)
1) Going to school in T'town is much more productive that in Montevallo because when you go to Montevallo the only place to go is class!
2) Going to a large Post Office on or around the first of the month is a BAD idea unless you have nothing better to do. I waited for 25 minutes and I was in the STAMP ONLY line!!!
3) Going to the mall with out money is really depressing.
4) The "latests" trend in kids clothing is very similar to the stuff I wore when I was five!
5) The mall is a germy place! You should ask for a paper recepit to sign rather than using that pen thing they have...think about how many people have touched that!
6) Hand sanitizer from the mall that smells great, cost a LOT!
7) Extra HOT taco's from Taco Casa are only good if you know that your hubby has prescription heart-burn meds you can snich (I think that is illegal, but who cares its just a nexium!)
8) Parking at the mall during the week is WAY different that parking on Saturday!
9) I miss Montevallo! particularly it PARKING!!!!
10) This degree better be worth all of this! (I am sure it will be!)
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