My husband, Steve, has always had a saying that we as a family have to follow. Sometimes it's easier to react, but I admit, it is always for the best. The saying is simple...."never make a decision when you are sick". Sick meaning, angry, sad, depressed, hurt, frustrated, offended. Maybe you can think of other emotions that I did not mention.
For those of us who are reactors, this does not come easy most of the time. It seems harder when it is something against your children, or a family member or close friend, but I can name several times that if we had made a decision when we were "sick", it would have been a wrong decision.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
HOME SCHOOL MOMS AND DADS
This is to all of the Homeschool Moms (or dads) out there. How do you do it? I have been a public school teacher for 25 years. I have always taught in the Primary grades, but what do you do when you get to math and science and history in the middle school and high school years and you can't help with it????
I don't know what we would do without Steve. Steve is defintely the "homework" parent. What worked with our oldest child is totally different with our youngest. They both have different learning styles which causes a lot of frustration sometimes. Mandy's brain works like Steve's and Robby's brain works more like mine.
I don't know what we would do without Steve. Steve is defintely the "homework" parent. What worked with our oldest child is totally different with our youngest. They both have different learning styles which causes a lot of frustration sometimes. Mandy's brain works like Steve's and Robby's brain works more like mine.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
WORRY
I confess...I'm a worrier. If you looked up worry in the dictionary, my name would probably be listed in the definition. Everytime there is a sermon on it, I feel like the spotlight is on me. If you are a worrier, go to www.lifechurch.tv to view the message. It will definitely speak to you.
The opposite of faith is worry. We trust God and have the faith that He will forgive us and save us, but when it comes to the every day things of this life, we worry and do not trust God. Instead of telling God how big our problem is, we need to start telling our problem how big our God is.
I am a "what if" person. What if this happens? What if we can't pay this? What if I don't do this right? I could go on and on. When these thoughts come to our minds, we need to take captive of those thoughts and renew our minds with the promises of God.
Philippians 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
If you are reading this, please pray for me that I will trust God in ALL things and not worry about ANYTHING.
The opposite of faith is worry. We trust God and have the faith that He will forgive us and save us, but when it comes to the every day things of this life, we worry and do not trust God. Instead of telling God how big our problem is, we need to start telling our problem how big our God is.
I am a "what if" person. What if this happens? What if we can't pay this? What if I don't do this right? I could go on and on. When these thoughts come to our minds, we need to take captive of those thoughts and renew our minds with the promises of God.
Philippians 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
If you are reading this, please pray for me that I will trust God in ALL things and not worry about ANYTHING.
Friday, February 22, 2008
KINDERGARTEN DAYS
My kindergarteners were so amazed today. It was too cold and wet to go outside and we didn't have substitute for PE, so after we finished all of our work, we did movement. First we started with CD's. Then I got the record player out and some of my albums. They said "Wow! Those are the biggest CD's we have ever seen!" Then one of my girls, said, "Oh my grandma has those." (Tells how old I am.)
Yesterday we were making a book about animals. When we finished drawing cows, one of my boys yelled out...."We forgot to put the thing that do's the milk!
Last week, one of my boys brought some money for a movie. I told him to put the money where no one could find it....meaning in his backpack. My assistant came in and saw him on the floor behind one of my shelves. When she asked him what he was doing, he told her that he was hiding his money where no one could find it.
One of my favorite stories happened several years ago. We were practicing for an OKLAHOMA program. My class was going to sing OKLAHOMA. I had 8 students who held large letters to put in the air when we said the letters at the end of the song. I had one student who could not get the timing right. We started over and over. Finally, I told him to listen for his cue. Well, he got all upset and said, "Qq? Qq? There's no Qq in Oklahoma.
I wish I had written down everything that has been said for the last 25 years and put it in a book. I probably could have retired early.
Yesterday we were making a book about animals. When we finished drawing cows, one of my boys yelled out...."We forgot to put the thing that do's the milk!
Last week, one of my boys brought some money for a movie. I told him to put the money where no one could find it....meaning in his backpack. My assistant came in and saw him on the floor behind one of my shelves. When she asked him what he was doing, he told her that he was hiding his money where no one could find it.
One of my favorite stories happened several years ago. We were practicing for an OKLAHOMA program. My class was going to sing OKLAHOMA. I had 8 students who held large letters to put in the air when we said the letters at the end of the song. I had one student who could not get the timing right. We started over and over. Finally, I told him to listen for his cue. Well, he got all upset and said, "Qq? Qq? There's no Qq in Oklahoma.
I wish I had written down everything that has been said for the last 25 years and put it in a book. I probably could have retired early.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sonic
We took Robby to band practice tonight and on the way home I wanted a drink from Sonic. Steve had gotten me a Sonic card for Valentine's Day since I stop by every morning for a diet coke before I go to school. Usually we go to the Sonic on Memorial, but we went to the Sonic on 122nd because we like the ice better.
We pulled in the drive-thru and ordered our drink. This kid brings it out to us since there is a car in front of us. He takes our Sonic card, and we wait until the car in front of us pulls out. We get to the window and the kids tries to give us another order. Steve tells him all we need is our card. He thinks that he has already given us our card back. He then realizes that he has given it to the car that was in front of us.
Then the drama begins. Everyone quits working inside and are all looking at the security camera. They are looking for the tag number of the car that was in front of us. One girl comes to the window and asks if we saw where the car went. Well, they turned left and then maybe they went to I-35? We continue to wait. The kid who gave the card to the wrong customer is hitting his head, hitting the file cabinet and beating himself up for making a simple mistake.
By this time, we ask if we can have some more ice to put in our drink, because it had very little ice when they gave it to us. Well, graciously, they gave us a "kids" cup of ice. How thoughtful. We have only been sitting here for 15 minutes. The owner's wife comes to the window to tells us they are trying to call the 1-800 number and ask us to pull around to a stall.
We wait for another 15 minutes and push the button 3 different times. Each time they reply "Welcome to Sonic. May we help you?" Do they not remember that we are the same people waiting for our card? We ask to speak to the owner's wife and they send the kid out to get our name and number because it may be awhile. We ask again to speak to the owner's wife and they send another kid out. Finally, they bring out a new card. They problem is they can't put an odd amount on the card so they rounded up....I guess for our trouble, they felt like it was the least they could do. So after 35 minutes, we got $13.00 on our Sonic card instead of $12.56. They also threw in a free drink (only good for that Sonic) and a free medium cherry limeade, and a discount card.
We could have been the couple that do the Sonic commercials. It was pretty commical.
We pulled in the drive-thru and ordered our drink. This kid brings it out to us since there is a car in front of us. He takes our Sonic card, and we wait until the car in front of us pulls out. We get to the window and the kids tries to give us another order. Steve tells him all we need is our card. He thinks that he has already given us our card back. He then realizes that he has given it to the car that was in front of us.
Then the drama begins. Everyone quits working inside and are all looking at the security camera. They are looking for the tag number of the car that was in front of us. One girl comes to the window and asks if we saw where the car went. Well, they turned left and then maybe they went to I-35? We continue to wait. The kid who gave the card to the wrong customer is hitting his head, hitting the file cabinet and beating himself up for making a simple mistake.
By this time, we ask if we can have some more ice to put in our drink, because it had very little ice when they gave it to us. Well, graciously, they gave us a "kids" cup of ice. How thoughtful. We have only been sitting here for 15 minutes. The owner's wife comes to the window to tells us they are trying to call the 1-800 number and ask us to pull around to a stall.
We wait for another 15 minutes and push the button 3 different times. Each time they reply "Welcome to Sonic. May we help you?" Do they not remember that we are the same people waiting for our card? We ask to speak to the owner's wife and they send the kid out to get our name and number because it may be awhile. We ask again to speak to the owner's wife and they send another kid out. Finally, they bring out a new card. They problem is they can't put an odd amount on the card so they rounded up....I guess for our trouble, they felt like it was the least they could do. So after 35 minutes, we got $13.00 on our Sonic card instead of $12.56. They also threw in a free drink (only good for that Sonic) and a free medium cherry limeade, and a discount card.
We could have been the couple that do the Sonic commercials. It was pretty commical.
LET THE SON SHINE
It's was so gray and cold outside driving to work today. There are some mornings that the sun is so bright that it's hard to see, but sunshine always makes you feel better. Then there are those mornings that the sun is trying to shine, but there are a lot of clouds that keep it from shining bright.
This morning as I was driving, it reminded me of how our lives must be sometimes. When we are not living the way that we should and have a lot of junk (sin) in our lives, the "Son" doesn't shine through us. There are those times that the "Son" wants to shine through us, but our lives are cloudy with worry, bitterness, unforgiveness or other sins. When we have days that we are focused on God and we are praying and honoring Him and our lives are full of praise, the "Son" does shine bright and all who are around will see Him through us.
As we start each day, let us remember to let people see who Jesus is by our thoughts, by our words, and by our actions and see that there is something different about us. As we bring honor to Him in all that we do or say, not only will our lives be changed, but other lives will be changed also.
This morning as I was driving, it reminded me of how our lives must be sometimes. When we are not living the way that we should and have a lot of junk (sin) in our lives, the "Son" doesn't shine through us. There are those times that the "Son" wants to shine through us, but our lives are cloudy with worry, bitterness, unforgiveness or other sins. When we have days that we are focused on God and we are praying and honoring Him and our lives are full of praise, the "Son" does shine bright and all who are around will see Him through us.
As we start each day, let us remember to let people see who Jesus is by our thoughts, by our words, and by our actions and see that there is something different about us. As we bring honor to Him in all that we do or say, not only will our lives be changed, but other lives will be changed also.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Deeper Relationship with God
Comments from the book A WOMAN'S HEART AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART
Making prayer a priority in our lives will cause us to have a deeper relationship with God. Prayer is communing with God. Most of the time, my best prayer time is driving in the car. I want to spend more time in prayer and not make it the last thing that I do during the day or hurry through it.
Prayer increases our faith as God answers our prayers one by one. Make a prayer list and you will see how faithful our God is. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer provides a place to unload burdens. 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Prayer teaches us that God is always near. Psalm 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Prayer trains us not to panic. We need to turn to God for every need and rest in His strength and peace. Phillipians 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Prayer changes lives. How many times have we heard "prayer changes things"? Prayer changes us. As we pray and spend more time with God, our Father, we will see our lives change as we become more like Him.
Making prayer a priority in our lives will cause us to have a deeper relationship with God. Prayer is communing with God. Most of the time, my best prayer time is driving in the car. I want to spend more time in prayer and not make it the last thing that I do during the day or hurry through it.
Prayer increases our faith as God answers our prayers one by one. Make a prayer list and you will see how faithful our God is. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer provides a place to unload burdens. 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Prayer teaches us that God is always near. Psalm 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Prayer trains us not to panic. We need to turn to God for every need and rest in His strength and peace. Phillipians 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Prayer changes lives. How many times have we heard "prayer changes things"? Prayer changes us. As we pray and spend more time with God, our Father, we will see our lives change as we become more like Him.
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