JOY to the world the Lord has come!
I LOVE Christmas! LOVE IT!!! This year was weird. I love putting up all the decorations, but this year I couldn't wait until today to take them down and get back to "normal." Normal? Whatever that is! I felt like Christmas came at me like a freight train, and I couldn't quite catch my breath to enjoy it. I had a huge "aha moment" as we call them in teaching.
As a Christian, we try so hard to keep Jesus the focus of Christmas, but truly I LOVE all the hustle and bustle of the season. I love the lights, the parties, the get-togethers, the shopping, the Christmas cards, the hoopla of it all. I love giving gifts, and especially love it when I feel like I got the gift "right," that special gift that wasn't expected. This year, I realized it's really tough for me to enjoy it all and not
buy into the materialism of Christmas that I actually DO enjoy too. I
enjoy the buying and giving (though I hate the bank account part of that
too). I kinda figured that this is all part of what makes Jesus the reason for the season for me too. I love showing people around us just how special they are to us. I love giving all the teachers that help Lauren and Taylor a special something to let them know we do really appreciate them. It's really great when you feel like you get something that hits the mark too. I had to stop second-guessing everything I was doing and simply enjoy the act of giving. It is the best feeling.
This year I also realized how much I want to focus... really laser-beam focus... on some special people next year. I want the girls and I to make an event out of our Operation Christmas Child boxes and invite others to join us on that special project. (This year Taylor kissed her box before dropping it off, saying, "I know they'll never see that, but I love this kid already.") I want to make the single women we know feel honored and special with treasured gifts. I want to help at a local Ronald McDonald House with a group of caroling children and bring a meal or two because this year I know a family at one in Michigan. I've heard their story of how much RMH has given them a safe haven in an exhausting trial with their own 1-pound micro-preemie.
A highlight this year was watching Lauren and Taylor buy Mike and I a gift. They had planned for 2 days with secret "meetings" and asked if I could take them to Starbucks. When we went grocery shopping at Albertsons, they headed on to the Starbucks located inside the store. I passed by at just the right time. They were at the front of the line together...an 11 and 13-year-old handing over their own hard-earned money to the gal to buy Mike and I each a drink container with a gift card inside. It literally brought me to tears, and they had no idea their mom was watching. That was the first thing they wanted us to open Christmas morning. I saw that it truly is more of a gift to give than receive.
Merry Christmas 2014!
Friday, December 26, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Introducing Caroline Jane
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Caroline is our newest niece born on December 9th. She is a picture of perfection. We got to meet her on the 11th, and it was the highlight of the week and who knew exactly how much of a highlight it would be. It was also the beginning of some quiet time that needed to happen.
We got to visit Caroline, Jess (my sister-in-law), Luke (brother), and 2 nephews. It was awesome to be in their home, holding a precious and perfect newborn and seeing our nephews love on her, as well as rough around with us...awesome stuff to be in the superhero world with a 4 and 2-year-old since my daughters were more into the princess thing at that age. We learned some cool stuff!!!
Later in the week, Lauren got sick and we just had to stay at home...not what I thought I'd be doing the week before Christmas. I am so thankful for the down time because we've gotten some crazy news this week...a dear college friend diagnosed with Stage 4 spine cancer. She has 2 daughters as well. Talk about being thankful for the time with Lauren on the couch this week to just be still. We also learned of some close friends whose marriage needs big-time prayer. I've gotten news of a highly influential teacher in Garden Grove and a father of 2 former students who have passed away, and other trials in our extended family and with friends. I realized that Christmas stuff would get done but some visits had to happen first. Time with people is far more important than some of the chaos I buy into this time of year...more on that soon...
It's been a tough couple of weeks, but I realized the Lord gave us the sweetest time with Luke, Jess, and their family as a little token of what it means to slow down and appreciate what's important...life and life abundantly!!! It's been dear and meant so much to us.
Caroline is our newest niece born on December 9th. She is a picture of perfection. We got to meet her on the 11th, and it was the highlight of the week and who knew exactly how much of a highlight it would be. It was also the beginning of some quiet time that needed to happen.
We got to visit Caroline, Jess (my sister-in-law), Luke (brother), and 2 nephews. It was awesome to be in their home, holding a precious and perfect newborn and seeing our nephews love on her, as well as rough around with us...awesome stuff to be in the superhero world with a 4 and 2-year-old since my daughters were more into the princess thing at that age. We learned some cool stuff!!!
Later in the week, Lauren got sick and we just had to stay at home...not what I thought I'd be doing the week before Christmas. I am so thankful for the down time because we've gotten some crazy news this week...a dear college friend diagnosed with Stage 4 spine cancer. She has 2 daughters as well. Talk about being thankful for the time with Lauren on the couch this week to just be still. We also learned of some close friends whose marriage needs big-time prayer. I've gotten news of a highly influential teacher in Garden Grove and a father of 2 former students who have passed away, and other trials in our extended family and with friends. I realized that Christmas stuff would get done but some visits had to happen first. Time with people is far more important than some of the chaos I buy into this time of year...more on that soon...
It's been a tough couple of weeks, but I realized the Lord gave us the sweetest time with Luke, Jess, and their family as a little token of what it means to slow down and appreciate what's important...life and life abundantly!!! It's been dear and meant so much to us.
Caroline, with brothers Tyler (goofball :0) and Charlie, Taylor and Lauren
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Crashing the Chatterbox
Lauren's new softball team is meeting up with a different level of play, and a couple weeks ago we had a tournament. Lauren has worked so so hard these last couple months...practicing 5-7 days a week at HER request! Mike's been taking her to the cages at least 3 days a week, again at her request. We have been blown away by her dedication.
It was all put on the line when she got up to bat. She had a few at-bats...one grounder for a hit, a caught fly ball to right field, and two...yes two...strikeouts on check swing called third strikes. The crazy thing is, she's never in 8 years and about 12 softball seasons had these check swings. She might swing and strike out, but she goes for it with gusto! Lauren was furious with herself.
At the end of this game with two called check-swing strikeouts, we got in the car and the flood gates burst with tears. She was so angry with herself. She was angry that she could get "caught" like that not once, but twice. We had a great conversation and are looking forward to another chance this weekend.
I thought so much about those words, "Twice, Mom? Really? How could I do that twice?" How many times do I ask myself the same thing, but it's more like this, "I did it again? How can I do that same thing again? I just went over it and promised myself I wouldn't do it."
What is your again? So often for me, it's not losing my cool at homework time or over rushing out the door, or getting pulled into the gossip or letting the house get out of control again, or far more serious like saying the wrong thing at the wrong time that I just can't take back and will stick in my girls' or students' hearts. Those things cause negative self talk like crazy and cause havoc in my heart. I know in my heart to give these frustrations and failures over to God and let Him change me from the inside, but I get stubborn and think I can fix it. He loves when we give it up because He changes us and then He gets the glory where it's due.
There's a great book I've read called, Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick. It's so great about letting the Lord speak truth into our lives when we're doing nothing but running a marathon of negativity in our brains. I love that I can be striking out nonstop, but God sees me as a homerun hitter on His team!
It was all put on the line when she got up to bat. She had a few at-bats...one grounder for a hit, a caught fly ball to right field, and two...yes two...strikeouts on check swing called third strikes. The crazy thing is, she's never in 8 years and about 12 softball seasons had these check swings. She might swing and strike out, but she goes for it with gusto! Lauren was furious with herself.
At the end of this game with two called check-swing strikeouts, we got in the car and the flood gates burst with tears. She was so angry with herself. She was angry that she could get "caught" like that not once, but twice. We had a great conversation and are looking forward to another chance this weekend.
I thought so much about those words, "Twice, Mom? Really? How could I do that twice?" How many times do I ask myself the same thing, but it's more like this, "I did it again? How can I do that same thing again? I just went over it and promised myself I wouldn't do it."
What is your again? So often for me, it's not losing my cool at homework time or over rushing out the door, or getting pulled into the gossip or letting the house get out of control again, or far more serious like saying the wrong thing at the wrong time that I just can't take back and will stick in my girls' or students' hearts. Those things cause negative self talk like crazy and cause havoc in my heart. I know in my heart to give these frustrations and failures over to God and let Him change me from the inside, but I get stubborn and think I can fix it. He loves when we give it up because He changes us and then He gets the glory where it's due.
There's a great book I've read called, Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick. It's so great about letting the Lord speak truth into our lives when we're doing nothing but running a marathon of negativity in our brains. I love that I can be striking out nonstop, but God sees me as a homerun hitter on His team!
Friday, October 17, 2014
Seeing Light
"I can see light, and we can go from here." Oh man, I got choked up hearing him say these words knowing what he meant physically. Taylor would be a different traveler if she had light perception. The independence factor goes up exponentially! AND, I thought of this. Once we see the Light of Jesus, we can go from here. That moment we see and know Jesus wherever we are, that's when we really get to move. It doesn't make things perfect or easier, it just makes the journey brighter. As Larry's wife says, "It's only going to get better."
I loved what the doctor says, "So the journey is just beginning. This is Day 1." I want my journey to keep seeing the LIGHT brighter and brighter and pointing others to that same Light!
Here's the address to view the full video...a MUST see!!!
http://abc7.com/health/blind-man-sees-his-wife-for-first-time-in-over-30-years/353162/
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Welcome to the Circus
First Corinthians 13- The LOVE Chapter
It isn't often that I write about my classroom. I love my job! I love teaching part-time with the MOST AMAZING partner ever! Susie grows me. She and I make a great team. We've done the team-teaching thing for over 13 years now. We've taught together WAY longer than we've been on our own. We love seeing these kids transform each year. This year's class is going to challenge us far beyond our limits. I guess that's where God wants me so He can intervene. I keep telling Lauren, where you're weak, He is strong. I am guessing God wants ME to hear this lesson, much more so than Lauren cause boy do I need it!
We've had a 3rd grader suspended (Really...not even kidding) for something awful...threatening the teachers. (I was kind of glad it was Susie's day not mine ;0) ) We have had kids licking the glue sticks, smacking each other in the butt, our non-English students telling us about threats to him and his twin brother from other kids in our class. Kids are gluing pieces of paper to their faces like mustaches. We've had family meetings because of crying spells that start as soon as we meet our kids in line. We've learned of divorces, parents killed in car accidents, fighting in the homes, couches and floors for beds, and the list goes on. The crazy thing about all this is these kids are for real! These are their lives. I realize there's nothing I really can do but love on them the best I can, do the best I can to teach them the rigorous material we're responsible for (even though 9 out of 25 can't read above the 1st grade level), and again LOVE them!!!
I've resorted to writing in Sharpie a little message each day because I find myself losing my mind daily. I start each day with a High-Five, Handshake, or Hug but am often worn out early in the day. I am also praying for each one of these kiddos before the day starts and wanting to go from desk to desk to pray specifics over them. I am asking lots of people I know to pray for our class, for me to have supernatural insight and wisdom to get through to them. It's going to be an interesting year and one that requires FAR more than me!!!
P.S. I'll never be a hand model!
It isn't often that I write about my classroom. I love my job! I love teaching part-time with the MOST AMAZING partner ever! Susie grows me. She and I make a great team. We've done the team-teaching thing for over 13 years now. We've taught together WAY longer than we've been on our own. We love seeing these kids transform each year. This year's class is going to challenge us far beyond our limits. I guess that's where God wants me so He can intervene. I keep telling Lauren, where you're weak, He is strong. I am guessing God wants ME to hear this lesson, much more so than Lauren cause boy do I need it!
We've had a 3rd grader suspended (Really...not even kidding) for something awful...threatening the teachers. (I was kind of glad it was Susie's day not mine ;0) ) We have had kids licking the glue sticks, smacking each other in the butt, our non-English students telling us about threats to him and his twin brother from other kids in our class. Kids are gluing pieces of paper to their faces like mustaches. We've had family meetings because of crying spells that start as soon as we meet our kids in line. We've learned of divorces, parents killed in car accidents, fighting in the homes, couches and floors for beds, and the list goes on. The crazy thing about all this is these kids are for real! These are their lives. I realize there's nothing I really can do but love on them the best I can, do the best I can to teach them the rigorous material we're responsible for (even though 9 out of 25 can't read above the 1st grade level), and again LOVE them!!!
I've resorted to writing in Sharpie a little message each day because I find myself losing my mind daily. I start each day with a High-Five, Handshake, or Hug but am often worn out early in the day. I am also praying for each one of these kiddos before the day starts and wanting to go from desk to desk to pray specifics over them. I am asking lots of people I know to pray for our class, for me to have supernatural insight and wisdom to get through to them. It's going to be an interesting year and one that requires FAR more than me!!!
P.S. I'll never be a hand model!
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Handicapped???
Middle school is truly happening. The good, the bad, and the ugly...here it all is in one story.
Taylor came home the other afternoon and asked as we were heading to jiu jitsu practice, "Mom, am I handicapped?"
I answered, "You're handicapable, Taylor." (Our joke following a piano recital when a student mentions this PC term as the appropriate way to describe blind people.) I continue, "Taylor, by the world's standards you are handicapped. By God's standards, you are exactly the masterpiece He created and knew He would create." Topic dropped, and we were off and running for the rest of the evening.
Fast forward to bed time...
Taylor told Lauren and I that someone called her handicapped at P.E. She continued, "It's OK though because my friend Thayna called them idiots, and I yelled out, 'I heard that.'" She kept telling us about the other students on her football team sticking up for her telling the kid, "She's blind not deaf." The whole team was on Taylor's side against this one ignorant child.
As I was soaking it in and wanting to punch this kid in the nose (which is probably why kids don't want their parents on the middle school campuses often), Lauren chimed in, "Taylor, you should've just told him you are handicapped, and that's why you get to go to the front of the line at Disneyland." I loved hearing this interaction and loved that these kids stuck up for Taylor even through the heartache as a mom hearing this was what she had to go through this day. It stinks being different, especially in middle school when most kids just want to blend into the crowd.
I also got to thinking about all the ways I am handicapped and God lets me to the front of the line anyway. He's gonna let me right into heaven because I've got my "ticket." I asked Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior. I'm in. I'm handicapped every time I'm asked to share our family's story. He gives me courage and strength to share His words anyway. I'm handicapped when I lose my cool. He forgives me anyway. I'm handicapped when I make a stupid comment or judgment just like this kid. He shows me tenderly the right way to see others. Handicapped...and handicapable!
Taylor came home the other afternoon and asked as we were heading to jiu jitsu practice, "Mom, am I handicapped?"
I answered, "You're handicapable, Taylor." (Our joke following a piano recital when a student mentions this PC term as the appropriate way to describe blind people.) I continue, "Taylor, by the world's standards you are handicapped. By God's standards, you are exactly the masterpiece He created and knew He would create." Topic dropped, and we were off and running for the rest of the evening.
Fast forward to bed time...
Taylor told Lauren and I that someone called her handicapped at P.E. She continued, "It's OK though because my friend Thayna called them idiots, and I yelled out, 'I heard that.'" She kept telling us about the other students on her football team sticking up for her telling the kid, "She's blind not deaf." The whole team was on Taylor's side against this one ignorant child.
As I was soaking it in and wanting to punch this kid in the nose (which is probably why kids don't want their parents on the middle school campuses often), Lauren chimed in, "Taylor, you should've just told him you are handicapped, and that's why you get to go to the front of the line at Disneyland." I loved hearing this interaction and loved that these kids stuck up for Taylor even through the heartache as a mom hearing this was what she had to go through this day. It stinks being different, especially in middle school when most kids just want to blend into the crowd.
I also got to thinking about all the ways I am handicapped and God lets me to the front of the line anyway. He's gonna let me right into heaven because I've got my "ticket." I asked Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior. I'm in. I'm handicapped every time I'm asked to share our family's story. He gives me courage and strength to share His words anyway. I'm handicapped when I lose my cool. He forgives me anyway. I'm handicapped when I make a stupid comment or judgment just like this kid. He shows me tenderly the right way to see others. Handicapped...and handicapable!
Friday, September 19, 2014
A Little Bit of Softball
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Lauren has taken the plunge into travel softball, and as her family, so have we! This was not a decision that came quickly or lightly. It was thought over, prayed over, and cried over. Lauren has always played soccer in the fall and softball in spring, but in thinking forward to high school (just a year away), she decided to hang up the soccer cleats and pursue softball for a full year.
We had planned to have her on a specific team with a specific coach with specific kids...a coach we knew, a coach whose style we liked, kids we chose and loved, and a team where Lauren would most likely get lots of playing time. Did you see all that??? We chose, we chose, we chose! Somehow none of that worked out...BUT Lauren's long-time coach pursued her! He told us flat out she'd get minimal field time for tournaments.
We said, "Thanks, but no thanks!"
He said, "Think about it."
We said, "Yep, we did, and no thanks."
Lauren went to a try-out, and little did we know, most of the teams were previously formed this was just a formality. Every time we prayed about what to do with Lauren, a phone call from this coach would follow...literally 3 times in one week! Finally, we all agreed to give this a shot for six months. (We all did, but there were many tears over our plans...well thought out ones I might add... not working out from a couple family members.)
Here's are some of the crazy things:
1) Lauren is LOVING her 6 times a week workouts...sometimes 7 AND she's asking Mike to take her to them!
2) The facility from which the team works out is run by a man whose daughter plays for a local Christian college.
3) Even crazier....that local Christian college wears jerseys from this guy's facility!
4) Even crazier still...we had just been introduced to that college's assistant coach...who attends our church! She asked Lauren to sign up for their fall camp because they are often looking for great players, but even more importantly great hearts! My girl has definitely got heart!!!
God sees our tears, He's got bigger better plans, and He's in the details of everything.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)