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I can't believe that it has been this long since I've blogged.
I "blog" in other forms (in a journal of sorts, in writing). My husband had a great experience this week visiting Eugene and Jan Peterson, of "The Message". What a treat! He brought me home a couple of Montana souvenirs, which I always appreciate. The MESSAGE signed by Eugene Peterson will be a prize possession and I'm already enjoying. I have enjoyed the introduction part about Peterson and why he decided to give so much of his life working on such a project. I've also started reading The Scripture parts, too..... just in case you were wondering about that. Ha!

This is my first Message as the WHOLE BIBLE I have carried around a NT and Psalms/Proverbs for a long time, but I will especially enjoy the whole. My husband feels that this experience has changed him, and I'm grateful that he had this experience! I think all experiences can change us in some way, but some especially do. Some have greater impact than others.

We were glad to have him home again. We enjoyed looking at the pictures and trying to relive with him some of the happenings as he told them.

Had a great conversation with my parents this morning. Dad has been so positive for the last few months, that it baffles me. I knew there was a God, but I'm sure of it now. Ha! I have written down several "positive" responses from him, just so I can remember that he really said them. He turned 91 a couple of weeks ago. Doesn't seem possible. My mom turned 88 just 3 days before dad. God has given them health and long life, for which I am grateful!

Have had some "sickness" in our home, while hubby was gone -- both of our kids missed work -- feeling achy, stuffed up and miserable. I thought I was going to make it without catching it, but not so. I pushed through the week (had kids doing a project that I wanted to be there for), but was happy when Friday arrived. I left as soon as I could and hope to rest over the weekend so as to not have to miss any work. Pray that my precious hubby doesn't catch any of it though.

I know hubby dear enjoyed being with the guys from Boise especially, too. You are all very special to us as well as your families. We pray God's "peace" be yours and ours as we continue to seek to glorify Him!

I hear it's time for a liturgical nap. I like that! See ya!

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It's after midnight. I'm missing my husband. It's been a busy week with getting "the classroom" ready for kids starting next week, going through trainings on a new computer system and grade program, staff meetings, etc., etc. Learning curve has begun again. Was just getting comfortable with the old computer system. However, the whole school now has a goal to work together in unified (but different) ways to "push the positive"! I've been thinking a lot about that throughout the summer -- desiring to celebrate kids in their successes and strengths much more than the negative traits of some that seem to "stand out" and "distract us all". I miss my husband -- even in my busyness today! Sometimes I am very "singularly focused", but it was hard to be today. He's encountered GFU and many fine folks, new friends, reacquaintance with old ones, as well as Allelon guys. He was planning to hang out with them (by staying at the same place with them), but when he arrived our car "died". It was early afternoon and first session didn't start till evening. With direction to a Chevy mechanic, he made an appointment for EARLY Tuesday morning, so instead of bothering people to have to "cart" him back to GFU "way early in the next AM", he took a room at the motel closeby and rose early to meet AAA to tow the car and check it out. I'm so thankful that the Lord allowed him to arrive safely. The car could have given out anywhere along the way, but he made it to the destination and didn't have to miss the sessions. The expense was enormous, beyond belief -- but done and ready by the time he needed to go to the next section (retreat time) with L. Sweet and the group at a different location. So, again, God's faithfulness is always refreshing! Since he arrived there (the retreat), though, I haven't heard from him (which is very, very unusual -- I'm wondering if he's so far out in the "boonies" and the "cell" doesn't work or something? Oh, well. I'm sure I'll hear sometime soon. We celebrated our 37th Wedding Anniversary (8/26) apart this year, though we did celebrate with another couple a week ago as well. They have the same anniversary and married one less year than us. So we try to celebrate together every year sometime. Winn and I talked several times that day, so maybe that makes up some for not hearing lately.
The kids and I went to have Mexican food after my long day at school, and then I worked on the computer on some school stuff to take tomorrow to print on copier. It has been a long week, but I've felt Jesus with me and am so thankful for that! I don't have to be to school quite so early tomorrow (as the prior part of this week when we had classes and meetings), so plan to take our daughter to work and then off to finish a few more things. If I have any time left while still there at school, I'll work on my "learning curve" on the computer and new programs. But most of that will have to come in the ensuing weeks, probably, if tomorrow is like the earlier part of the week.
If anyone reads this, be blessed! If you're upset or angry or just sad, be blessed! Maybe they will turn to calm, cool and happy long-term. Today is the day that the Lord has made - we "can" rejoice in it for some reason, if we look long and hard, if necessary.
It's been fun to do some different things this summer - like attend a Mary Kay Seminar in Dallas, Tx in the "dead heat" with my sister. Time spent with my side of the family (parents, brother and sister-in-law, and sister) were very enjoyable, even in hot Southern California. My parents are getting up there (in age), but blessed! I treasure the moments with Mom, especially. Even in the 38 years I've been gone from home, we've been close through letters and phone calls. I now also send emails via my sister, which are often a little faster than the postal mail. Not always, though. ha! Lest this become a treatise of sorts, I'll close for this time.

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I just walked on treadmill earlier this morning and watched a couple of programs during and after. One of the sermons was on "kindness" -- showing acts of kindness. Taking time to do such is being like Jesus. Asking God to create in us, not just taking the "easy" way out by giving money or something like that. Giving time is harder to let loose of in our busy lives.

The other one was on "anger" -- a normal emotion that we try to swallow or vent, but should "dissolve". The preacher's suggestion was an acrostic:

P Permission - Give each other permission to say "I'm angry and at what" as soon as the expression of anger occurs.

R Reconstruction - Take time to "reconstruct" the "anger event". Oftentimes you find that something was just misunderstood, taken out of context, etc.

A Alliance - Form an alliance with the one (spouse or other person) who had the anger event with to GO AGAINST the enemy (the anger) and not the person. Guess what? You're both on the "same" side now, not opposite sides, so to speak.

C Christ - Allow the higher power, that of Christ, to work with you to "dissolve" the anger and bring "at-oneness" back into your life.

PRACtical, eh?

Well, it's about time to get focused on going back to school. This year I'll only be teaching part-time, since I'm job-sharing. It will be different in several respects. But I hope to do a little more with Mary Kay as well. I'm asking the Lord to help me get over my "phone phobia" and increase my self-confidence (with God's help and confidence). If nothing else occurred, that would be a good result. I don't know exactly how this phobia developed, but I'm trying to face it finally! I'm also working on my "sweet" tooth!

Jeramie's job schedule has changed a little. Winn is entering into a new educational pursuit. So there's lots of change around here to get used to.

Love you all.

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I just completed reading the book: Jesus, Entrepreneur: Using Ancient Wisdom to Launch and Live Your Dreams, by Laurie Beth Jones. Her ending paragraphs included the phrase: "We can do well by doing right and thereby enjoy true success." and then ended with my most favorite Scriptural injunction: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.... and all else will be given to you (her pharaphrase at the end)." I love stories of people and her book is full of them. If you feel out of balance in almost any area, she addresses many of them. She shows Jesus as the role model even for modern times. There's much to "chew" on and think about. At this point, not sure which part "hits" me most, because so much of it did.

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Enjoyed the few days away after school was out. Checking out on the 20th of June and leaving the morning of the 21st was what happened. Driving or riding (since I seldom get to drive) is tiring. Some people can drive/ride for days and be exhilarated by it. The few days went fast in Boise, probably because I was so tired....just kinda felt the days slip away. Enjoyed the fellowship with the Allelon Gang ( and especially their wives on Tuesday evening, even though brief -- thanks, Beth and Jeanette for making the arrangement to be there, Debbie, too -- forgive me for not energetically moving and talking to you; it was hard to hear sometimes and I should have moved so that I could have)..... but felt I was just beginning to "relax" a little, and it was time to start for home. Upon our return home, went through 6 days of workshops (AVID and AP Institute Language Arts) from June 28th thru July 3rd. I gleaned some info but would take a lot of tweaking to apply to "struggling readers", whom I again will be teaching next year. My job assignment will be 3 classes of reading (two different preps) and two classes of IA (Instructional Asst) in Reading or Lang Arts. The teacher I replaced will be returning part-time, and we'll be job sharing. It will be different. It may be less stressful overall. I'm thinking seriously of not doing "Detention Supervision" next year, which I've done as an extra activity for years.

The workshops attended stimulate the ole brain with ideas, at least, though not terribly applicable to my assignment this time. The lunches provided were awesome -- ending with salmon and the trimmings Thursday noon. Some of the ones that had said they were going to attend from our school, I didn't see, so plans must have changed. I needed the supplemental hours, so I was motivated to be there, no matter what.

Since that is over, I'm now planning my two weeks at home -- before leaving for California. Winn often wants to "take me to breakfast" now that I'm off from a "schedule" -- I sometimes resist, with the idea that I can prepare something here for cheaper.... but he reminds me that we seldom get time together in the mornings, since I'm usually off so early.... and time is of the essence. One never knows what time we have, so the first thing I'm putting on my TO DO LIST is to "NOT RESIST WHEN HE WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH ME...even if it is 'out to breakfast'"! (He will read this and I'll be bombarded now) But I will appreciate every minute we spend together, and things will still be there to do, but that's okay. I need to more highly value those minutes with him! Nothing profound maybe, only encouragement to spend those times with your hubby when you get the opportunity. I know I don't have "small children" any more, so all the more should appreciate that 37 years of marriage can only get better!! Winn likes to be "spontaneous" more than I, my favorite mode is "to plan"! But I know not everything can be planned all the time, and I think he would say that I have gotten better at being spontaneous. At least I hope he would say that, because I have. More later.

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Just said "Happy Father's Day" to the father of our kids, my sweetheart! Also, just read a few blogs and lots of things rolling around in my head. Have four days of school left (with kids in classes) and a fifth day for 8th Grade Graduation/Celebration and Check-out for me. So much to do in these last days. Haven't had to do this kind of "check-out" in several years (as a cert teacher). I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of something I want to be sure I do (and get up and put it on the list). So the last 3 or 4 nights have been broken up. A couple of times I would get up and actually do more than add to a list. I will be kind of glad for the "recupe" time and change. Our son is on vacation for the rest of the month. Our daughter found out she really did have some "vacation" time coming (in her job that she's had for over 10 months now). So she's taking a week off (while her brother is off) and we may just all get in the car and go somewhere. After reading Beth's blogs, I'm now pondering who I consider some of the women who have influenced me. I'm one of those who has worked outside the home most of my married life. Being in education several years of my life, however, which I really enjoy, does give me a week off here and a week off there, a day here and there as well, plus several weeks in the summer, which I always appreciated for my kids' sake! Some of my "in between jobs" were part-time or flexible based on the kids' needs, which I was always very grateful for. When we first moved to Washington, I made the choice that I felt was definitely a "God thing" to not go to work right away (no matter how "lean" it got). Our differently-abled daughter was then going into 7th grade and in a completely new place, and the Lord helped me to be able to "be there for her" all year during her adjustment. I volunteered often at the church we attended (during the day while she was at school). That was an interesting year! But, on the other hand, I don't think we've ever had an "uninteresting year" -- smile! About two years then of working outside of education changed to being back in education again till now. Of course, now my kids are adults, though our daughter is still in our care and, but for a miracle, probably always will be! So I've been (much of my life) one of those women that Beth may have been referring to as not available during the day because of work (at least 9-10 months of the year). Most of the time my childcare people (before school age) were younger than I, and I didn't just rush in and out (with my kid) if the gal wanted to talk at times. There were times when I went through feelings of "being a bad mother because I was working", but in those times prayed for other adults to also be "good mentors and role models" for my kids along with me. Also, I was always so concerned because of our daughter's limitations that some (a few was okay!) adults would accept her totally -- and I do believe that the Lord answered that prayer with "Yes" -- because since our kids' births, wherever we lived, God provided those people in our lives and in hers. He also put us in the lives of others to help them, as we were being helped -- and it wasn't always the same people that we were helping or mentoring that were filling the needs in our lives, but it was also reciprocal at times....yes! So I just have always believed that God will provide what we need -- He will provide the mentoring, the "speaking into your/our lives", the wisdom from hearing another voice, other people to be along-side ...... when we need them! --- maybe not always "at the moment" (like instant potatoes or "instant anything") --- but those moments will be there! It may be one to one, couple to couple, in a group, in person, on the phone, even in email (as somewhat inpersonal as that is), woman to woman (but not just that way). I have to remind myself often that I need to be as alert as possible and as expectant as possible to participate in God's provision to others and recognize also His provision to us! We (speaking for myself) just have to slow down sometimes and not make everything more complicated than it needs to be! Of course, we have to be amenable to be available to people for that to happen, I realize, but that's true for any communication to take place in life. Gotta go for now.

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A new month! Wow, how time flies! Concerned about so many of the kids I work with each day, but have to just try to listen and speak (into their lives???) when the "moment" opens! One little girl has become very "disrespectful" in how she talks to adults and to other kids. I had the inkling from her "reading log" that the Bible was something she read and may be "important to her". In talking with her mother about her behavior, I found that her disrespect was to her mother as well. So mid-week I took her aside after the kids were gone, told her she "was not in trouble" (in other words, that's not why I asked her to stay behind), but that I was really concerned for her. I asked her if "reading the Bible" was important to her, she responded affirmatively. I asked her if she thought about what she read and asked God to help her "live out" what she read? She looked at me like she didn't know what I was talking about. In the few mintues of talking with her, I prayed that maybe a "seed" was planted - I gave her a couple of examples, starting with her apparent attitude toward and acting out toward her mother, other adults, and other kids. Have you heard that we may be the "ONLY BIBLE" that some people will read? I asked the gal if others knew she was a Christian, would they be impressed with God in her life? (something like that....don't remember my exact words). She seemed to "melt", and I don't think I was making that up -- it was like a lightbulb went on, something she hadn't thought about. As I sent her off to her next class just across the hall, I encouraged her to think about what was said and let me know what she thinks. I made sure she knew I was not against "questioning" -- you need to ask questions (but in a classroom it kinda has to be at appropriate times and not in beligerent ways(, if you know what I mean. Pre-teens and teens are so impressionable and "mob mentality" can ensue...of course, such can even happen with adults.) She was absent the next day, and the rumor (I hope it is only a rumor, since it came from one of the other kids) is that she has been moved to the custody of her father (who is separated/maybe divorced???) from her mother. Escape is not the answer -- I was hoping she would see "to deal" with the problem she was in, even as young as she is. But I will continue to pray for her.

Some friends in a "church" situation have been said to have "a Jezebel spirit" ,ETC. They just dropped by the other day, though we share from time to time. They had asked to be prayed for and sent off for closure and so leaving could be on a "good note" (like should happen), and that has not been granted; instead they have been "labeled" with the above as the reason they are to leave and that the "pastor" can't bless that kind of spirit. My heart just sinks every time "control" and "manipulation" is exhibited in leadership towards others. There is much more to this story than I want to take time right now to share and it's the same ole stuff, have seen it before. Oh, God! Please help us to not fall into those pitfalls. Yes, we're all in process, but.......may we really be in process TOWARD God and willing to learn from/relate to/love one another. May a "church" (people) be raised up that truly recognizes what YOU (GOD) want us to see in each other!

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