Praise You in this Storm...

...that may be my theme song for tonight if the weather does what it looks like it's going to.  I don't like seeing all that red and pink on the radar...don't get me wrong, I do like red and pink, just not on radar. 

I am still trying to think of ways to follow the challenge issued by Bro. John.  We've had some sickies around the house this week, so satan is trying to stop me. (Get thee behind me satan!)  So far, I've not had much time to think of anything but the upcoming black & orange basketball game, which is the BIG fundraiser for the Junior class. (come watch it, Austin gets to play, and we need your money)

I think my brain cells are shutting down for the night....maybe I'm just turning into Dory, just keep swimming...just keeeeep swimming.....

So much for coming up with some world changing, profound thoughts to post, the wind just started blowing really hard and I heard thunder, so I'm shutting down....like my brain cells.   Oh, and Casey is in Jonesboro at the Jason Aldean concert tonight.  Pray they make it home without hitting serious weather.

Pay it forward...

This photo was taken early one morning on our way out to school.  The morning had been hectic, the boys were arguing, and I was NOT in a good mood.  Austin noticed the sun shining through the trees, so I stuck my camera out the truck window and snapped a picture.  When I uploaded it to my computer, I saw a cross in the sun, and a cross shadow on the ground.  I keep this photo as my constant reminder that God goes before me even when I don't take the time to acknowledge him. 

This morning our pastor began a new series entitled the "Gift Revolution".  He and his wife put 2 business cards with the Gift Revolution and an email address for the church along with a gift from them ($1.00) into 600 envelopes and issued a challenge to the church; change the world.  This comes on the heels of the series "Get Connected" which was a challenge to get connected with our family, friends, church, community, state, nation, and world.  Many new things are happening in the church because of this series and there is lots of excitement because of it.  This Gift Revolution (which I will refer to at GR) challenge has really stumped me.  What can I do to make a difference for Christ?  What can I do that will touch someone's heart?  What makes me special that someone would want to take the time to say, "hey, you made a difference?.  Certainly nothing I can do on my own, but I know through God all things are possible.  My hope is that God will use this blog and my fingers on a keyboard to touch lives all over the US....no, all over the world.  My blog hasn't gotten many hits in the past, but I'm praying that somehow, someone will read something that makes a difference in their lives and they will spread the word. 

I'm going to pray about this, and ask God what He wants me to do, and how He wants to use me to further His kingdom.  Please pray for me, and for our church as we begin this GR.  Pray, also, that I don't try to convince God that I can't do what He has in store for me.  I have to remember Jonah and what happened to him when he tried to convince God that he wasn't the right man for the job. (I do have a bridge spanning Lake Norfork to cross...)

I'm including a link to our church's website. (If I can get it posted on here properly so that it will work as a link and not just a bunch of letters strung together for no apparent reason)  While the GR button isn't quite up and running yet (should be by tomorrow night), when it is operational you will see a GR link which will take you to a map.  That map will have pins of places who have heard of our GR series and want to "Pay it Forward" and do something for Christ.  I hope you will join in this revolution, because we have all recieved the most precious gift: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"  John 3:16

First Baptist Church, Salem, AR

He gave us a gift we didn't deserve, a gift of grace, what will you do with that gift?  My blog is a very small part of this revolution, and if you have a story you would like to share about God's grace in your life, please, please post it in the comments.  I want to hear from you and God wants you to share your story. Spread the word so we may hear from as many as possible, and please let me know your city and state so we can pin it on our map.   Will you do that?

Twenty-one years ago...

...a little (well, maybe not so little) 8 lb, 4 oz , 22 inch long baby girl entered the world with a very loud yell.   She was supposed to be here by September 15, 1988, but decided to "sleep" a little longer and made her appearance on September 29, 1988.  I think that was just the beginning of a pattern, she's still one that takes her time doing things!   

I can't believe she's 21, where has the time gone?  Happy Birthday, Casey, you aren't that little, skinny girl that Mrs. Pat said was all legs, eyes, and hair, you've grown into a beautiful young woman and I'm very proud of you.

I found a few "grown up" photos, but tomorrow I get to pull out all the baby photos; It's going to be fun to see just how she has changed in 21 years.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Yesterday we had the chance to see the Springfield Cardinals play ball (thanks, Mom!). Austin is our big baseball fan and this was part of his birthday present. It was a great day and I enjoyed spending time with Lance, Lindsay, Chris, and the boys. The weather was perfect for baseball, too! I don’t think Austin missed a play because he talked about it all the way home. He even knew the speed of the fastest fastball! (99 mph just in case you were wondering). Logan wasn’t as interested in the game as he was “Louie the Cardinal” and “Fetch the dog”. Around the 5th inning he looked up at me and said, “I wish I’d stayed with Nana and Landon, I’m ready to go home.” He was having problems sitting still; maybe it was all the cotton candy.  After a stroll around the concession area, and a trip to the gift shop for a giant foam finger, he was good for a few more innings.


I really hate that we didn’t make it back in time to hear Mom and my aunt and uncles sing; I know they did a great job. I love to hear them sing.

Family is so important, go do something with yours very soon, you won’t regret it.

One week behind us

Austin wasn't thrilled about the obligatory first-day-of-school picture.


My little Kindergarten man on his very first day of school.

We finished the first week, or half week, of school. Logan loves Kindergarten and was really proud that he didn't have to move a card "all week" and got to pick something from the treasure box. He has lots of new friends, and said his favorite class is the "one where we get to go outside and run around"...PE.

Austin has some pretty tough classes for the 8th grade. He has Algebra I, I don't think I took that until the 10th grade! He is playing basketball again this year, and really likes it. He enjoys school; I hope he keeps that attitude.

I'm having a good year, so far, too. I really like my classes. I have the biggest group of kids I've ever had, 23 in Art I, 22 in Speech, 18 in 8th grade Art, but then I do have a few small classes, too. Drama only has 4, Graphic Design has 8, and Advanced Art is down to 3.

Casey starts her classes next week. I hope she has a good semester, she needs one. Her classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, so she will still work Mon, Wed., and Friday. I think she likes working more than she likes going to school.

Please pray for our students, teachers, administration, and parents as we begin the new school year. I pray for my students everyday, that I will be an example of God's love, even though I can't say it in the classroom. Let's not forget to invite Him to school with us, He is desperately needed.

New beginnings

My crazy child riding a ride I'd call "Ring of Death" instead of "Ring of Fire"...maybe ring of junky metal thrown together and held in place by a paper clip?


L's daycare buddies.


Logan's table in his classroom.

Tomorrow (8/19) begins the new school year for both boys. Logan told me tonight that tomorrow he wouldn't be a preschooler anymore, he would be a big Kindergarten boy. I can't believe it! Last night was open house at school, so we took all his supplies, found his table and cubby, and met some new friends. He's so excited because one of his best friends is in the same class. They have been together since they were little babies in the same daycare. It's funny, there were 3 from the daycare going to our school, and all 3 of them got in the same class.

Austin will start 8th grade tomorrow. He has Algebra I this year! I think I remember having Algebra in 10th or 11th grade! Kids are just so much smarter these days. I had to include a little photo montage of one of the things he rode at the county fair. I don't think you could have paid me enough to get me on this ride, but he thought it was great!

I just realized this will be my 13th year of teaching, too. It doesn't seem that long, but I guess time flies when you are having fun. I'm looking forward to the new year, it will be a challenge, but I love a challenge. My classroom is 95% ready, just have to get a few more lesson plans figured out, but the first week we don't get much accomplished, anyway, so I'm not going to sweat it!

Don't forget to pray for the kids as they go back to school, pray for the teachers and administration that we may examples of God's love; pray for protection and guidance. Tomorrow is an exciting day!

Farewell, summer.

I'm a little sad tonight, this is the official end to my summer break from school. Tomorrow I have mentor training and then the teachers head back to school. Even though I enjoy being home with the boys during the summer, beginning a new year is always exciting for me, too. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids...most of them, anyway, and see what kind of summers they've had.

I know God has a plan for all of us, just like Doc's testimony this morning. God's plan for him was the medical field, and I know I'm supposed to be a teacher. I love being in the classroom, I love seeing that lightbulb go off when a child finally "gets" it, or maybe I'm just addicted to the smell of brand new school supplies!

Now, I know how boring a blog post can be without pictures or a fun little slide show, so here is a little background about my photos for this post. Yesterday Chris was going out the back door, when he turned and said, "Come here! There are twins in the yard!" I grabbed my camera and slipped out through the garage and got a few great shots of these cute little twins who are just beginning to lose their spots. I was afraid the dogs might try to chase them away, but they were stretched out, snoozing on the garage floor. I love our lazy dogs!