Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:19:41 PM
Today has been interesting to say the least. My students, except for one
so far on the high school level, have decided to take an early release.
LOL I realize that most kids and some teachers too do not see the need to
be here... I mean, good grief, we are getting out for Christmas Break
today!!! Anyway, I have been able to get a few cards written and mailed
some packages during my break earlier, so I won't complain.
My drive this morning was truly beautiful. I was expecting fog because
the news caster was warning of a dense fog until 9 a.m. especially in the
hill country. Guess what... he was wrong... no fog except right over
the lake. The sun was just peeking out from beneath his pink covers this
morning when I tried to let Babi out, but he was really stretching by the
time I headed south on Bagdad. He was still hiding beneath his cloud
cover, but I could tell he had already put his gold sun suit on. Just
think, this same playful orb that lights our way, was there over Bethlehem
when our Lord was born. I wonder if he tried to hide beneath a cloud
cover then.
The hills look so beautiful in their dark winter greens! There are many
different shades and with the sun shining from his cloud cover the greens
are even darker. The lights from the houses were visible this
morning----because I left the house earlier than normal---and they look so
inviting. My prayers were for my kiddoes and friends this morning. May
we all realize the Love the LORD has for us and do all we can to exhibit
HIS love to this hurting world. Sometimes those who are the most
difficult to love need it the most.
My favorite little clearing by the creek was so peaceful this morning.
There is a log cabin towards the back of the property and the hill
surrounds the property line --- the rock and tree contrast is fantastic.
The naked trees in front give it a real Norman Rockwell feel. GOD is such
a wonderful landscape artist!!!!
Looking out over the lake, I could see the billowing cloud that was
resting on the water. How neat is that!!!
The sun would jump from hill to hill behind me and blind me through the
mirrors as I drove. He was his normal playful self this morning. His
glowing on the hillsides set that tall grass afire with his brilliant
glare.
Jonestown is all lit up with Christmas lights and the cross at the edge of
town was still lit as I passed by, and on the hill top up from the cross
was the star and it too was lit. So appropriate for this time of year.
The star that signaled HIS arrival and the cross that signaled HIS
departure... HE has promised in Jeremiah
to show us great and mighty things if we call out to HIM... the star and
cross were great and mighty... HIS people were calling out to HIM. Today
we need to call out to HIM... We need to see HIM for who HE is and
worship HIM as the KING of kings and LORD of lords. Our world is hurting,
and we know the one who can stop the hurt... it is our duty to ask...
I love this time of year and pray that you do too. It is not the getting
and giving that make it beautiful. It is the turning from ourselves and
reaching out to others in love that make this time of year so special.
The ringing of Merry Christmas as we celebrate HIM... May God bless all
of you this Christmas with a lasting love for those HE has placed in your
path. Don't forget our troops who are far from home and the families who
await them. Pray for our country and its leaders. He still hears and
answers prayers.
Merry Christmas and may you have a prosperous new year.
Love you, mom
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Much has changed in my life since this was written, but reading it again this afternoon, reminded me that we are to thoroughly enjoy every season of life.
February 23, 2012
Since early November I have been praying for snow. I did see some during the Christmas holidays in the Dallas area, but I truly wanted some here in Cedar Park. Today the Lord answered that prayer.
The students were so excited and many of the adults were too. :-) Finally, around 10a.m. we received word that we would dismiss at 12:30... yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I truly am sorry that so many people see only the harshness of winter. There is a time for every season and winter is meant to be enjoyed just as one might enjoy spring. In fact, some might enjoy spring more so after experiencing a real winter.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The Blessing of Flowers
I have just recently finished a study on the book of James, and part of the homework for the lesson about two weeks ago dealt with sharing the things we have or hoard. I definitely would not be considered a hoarder, unless someone would consider my books an excess. I do have many books, but what English major doesn't? So, to complete this homework, my mind was filtering through the things I possess, and stopped on the number of vases I have. I have been blessed in recent years to have been on the receiving end of flower arrangements sent for various occasions, and I have a multitude of vases of various colors and shapes. What can I do with vases? Who would want vases? These were the questions going through my mind when I talked with Chrys about my plight. We discussed several options when she said, "Or, you could take flowers to people in the nursing home in them." Wow! What a fabulous idea from the youngest of my very creative daughters.
There is a nursing home that I used to pass on my way to work. The mornings when the first responder vehicles were parked at the entrance door were heart wrenching. I called the home and spoke with the activity director and told her of my desire. She asked me to come in and fill our some volunteer paper work the next day. The next day while talking with her she told me that she got chills when she was talking with me on the phone because one of the residents had been looking for flowers that she just knew her son had sent. (there were no flowers) She just wandered around looking to see if they had been left somewhere. I asked the name of the lady and told her I would bring some for her later that day. I also told her I would bring some each Saturday, so she gave me a list of names that could use some cheering. List in hand, I headed home ...
When I returned later that day, I left the flowers with a nurse and told her the name of the lady to receive the flowers. "Don't tell her where they came from even if she asks. Just allow her to believe anything she wants to about the origin of the flowers, I admonished." Hopefully, she believes she received them from her son.
Today, I put together a pretty bouquet of white daisies and yellow roses and dressed the container in yellow before heading to the home. My recipient this dreary, rainy day would be a lady named Stella. Don't you just love that old fashioned name? I was told she was a little on the lonely side and spent a lot of time in her room, and she does not have a room mate. Walking into her room I noticed a nurse or nurses aide writing on a computerized chart near the door. She sure looked grumpy! Stella was standing with her back slightly toward me, and I called her name so as not to startle her. Turning around, her eyes were locked on the flowers and then she looked at me and smiled the biggest smile. The flowers are so beautiful she said. I let her know they were hers, and her eyes filled with tears. She sat onto her walker and said, "Today has been one of the lowest days of my life. I couldn't even get out of bed until a few minutes ago and, now, here you are brightening my day." Tears were in her eyes and mine. I gave her a hug and asked where I could set the flowers. "Put them right here on the dresser so that everyone can enjoy them," she said.
We talked for awhile and I learned that she has been in that home for two years, and she misses her home in Colorado. Her son brought her to Cedar Park because he did not want her to be alone and then after awhile he put her in the home. He visits her for about 15 minutes four mornings a week on his way to work. The rest of the time she sees no one because all of her friends are in Colorado. She is no longer able to talk on the phone because her hearing is so bad. If she said it once, she said it a dozen times, "I know God will not put upon me more than I can bear, but I am so lonely." I would like to see that son of hers!
Her favorite colors to wear are black and white; although, she loves spring colors and especially yellow. (thank you Lord for leading me in that direction) Roses are her favorite of all flowers, but she enjoys them all. I wonder if her son knows this about her?
We talked awhile longer and as I started to leave, I promised her I would return. She is 89 years young and except for a frail body, she is in full control of her faculties. No wonder at all why she feels so lonely.
I left that place with a few more hugs and being called an angel (be sure I am not) knowing that I had gone in there to try to bless a person who may have been forgotten, and I left there feeling like I had received the biggest blessing of all. There is no greater feeling in the world than to know that for a short period of time you have been used by God to bring a smile and hope to another individual. This day certainly proved to me again that we can not out give God, the One from whom all blessings flow.
There is a nursing home that I used to pass on my way to work. The mornings when the first responder vehicles were parked at the entrance door were heart wrenching. I called the home and spoke with the activity director and told her of my desire. She asked me to come in and fill our some volunteer paper work the next day. The next day while talking with her she told me that she got chills when she was talking with me on the phone because one of the residents had been looking for flowers that she just knew her son had sent. (there were no flowers) She just wandered around looking to see if they had been left somewhere. I asked the name of the lady and told her I would bring some for her later that day. I also told her I would bring some each Saturday, so she gave me a list of names that could use some cheering. List in hand, I headed home ...
When I returned later that day, I left the flowers with a nurse and told her the name of the lady to receive the flowers. "Don't tell her where they came from even if she asks. Just allow her to believe anything she wants to about the origin of the flowers, I admonished." Hopefully, she believes she received them from her son.
Today, I put together a pretty bouquet of white daisies and yellow roses and dressed the container in yellow before heading to the home. My recipient this dreary, rainy day would be a lady named Stella. Don't you just love that old fashioned name? I was told she was a little on the lonely side and spent a lot of time in her room, and she does not have a room mate. Walking into her room I noticed a nurse or nurses aide writing on a computerized chart near the door. She sure looked grumpy! Stella was standing with her back slightly toward me, and I called her name so as not to startle her. Turning around, her eyes were locked on the flowers and then she looked at me and smiled the biggest smile. The flowers are so beautiful she said. I let her know they were hers, and her eyes filled with tears. She sat onto her walker and said, "Today has been one of the lowest days of my life. I couldn't even get out of bed until a few minutes ago and, now, here you are brightening my day." Tears were in her eyes and mine. I gave her a hug and asked where I could set the flowers. "Put them right here on the dresser so that everyone can enjoy them," she said.
We talked for awhile and I learned that she has been in that home for two years, and she misses her home in Colorado. Her son brought her to Cedar Park because he did not want her to be alone and then after awhile he put her in the home. He visits her for about 15 minutes four mornings a week on his way to work. The rest of the time she sees no one because all of her friends are in Colorado. She is no longer able to talk on the phone because her hearing is so bad. If she said it once, she said it a dozen times, "I know God will not put upon me more than I can bear, but I am so lonely." I would like to see that son of hers!
Her favorite colors to wear are black and white; although, she loves spring colors and especially yellow. (thank you Lord for leading me in that direction) Roses are her favorite of all flowers, but she enjoys them all. I wonder if her son knows this about her?
We talked awhile longer and as I started to leave, I promised her I would return. She is 89 years young and except for a frail body, she is in full control of her faculties. No wonder at all why she feels so lonely.
I left that place with a few more hugs and being called an angel (be sure I am not) knowing that I had gone in there to try to bless a person who may have been forgotten, and I left there feeling like I had received the biggest blessing of all. There is no greater feeling in the world than to know that for a short period of time you have been used by God to bring a smile and hope to another individual. This day certainly proved to me again that we can not out give God, the One from whom all blessings flow.
Act of Valor
I went to see the movie Act of Valor yesterday with strict orders to write a critique. A friend of mine is hoping to see this awesome movie at some point, but I really think she might be a little scared of its content. She has nothing to fear!
I do not appreciate foul language at any time (really hated to hear it in my classroom), but I do know that when men of most sorts get together, there is language flowing that could be cleaned up. So, that being said, the language in the film lost its sting because of the action on the screen. Would I have not said something similar if I had been in the same situation?
Another of her possible fears might be the violence depicted in the movie. Yes, there is violence. BUT, those men on both the receiving and giving end of it are AMERICAN NAVY SEALS. God alone knows what these men have seen and dealt with throughout their careers. I am so squeamish that I jump and hide my eyes when anything unexpected happens on the screen. However, except for two places in the movie last night, my eyes were glued to the screen. I could never shake the thought that these men on the screen were OUR DEFENDERS. One could have reached through the screen and grabbed my coffee, and I would have asked if he wanted a burger to go with it. We do not do enough for our men of valor.
I loved the way the SEALS were introduced during the first few minutes. My heart went out to them and their families. God knows the sacrifices these and others make for this country. It brought home the danger they face daily. Makes our daily problems with traffic and boredom seem so petty.
I cried several times, but the memorial at the end brought the most tears. So many young men have willingly given their lives that we might enjoy ours. The list of names makes the heart melt.
The directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh have said this is only the beginning of what they hope to bring to the screen showing the courage and strength of character our military exhibits. I say bring it on!
It must be understood that I am patriotic through and through. I am definitely biased! I love this country with a passion, and I am deeply grateful to the men and women who defend it. I grew up a military brat, so maybe that is why my heart beats the way it does. Military is in the blood and I am certainly proud of it. To my dad and step dad, my three brothers, two uncles, son, grandson, and former students who have served and are serving, thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless you each and every one, and may GOD truly BLESS AMERICA!
That being said, go see the movie...
I do not appreciate foul language at any time (really hated to hear it in my classroom), but I do know that when men of most sorts get together, there is language flowing that could be cleaned up. So, that being said, the language in the film lost its sting because of the action on the screen. Would I have not said something similar if I had been in the same situation?
Another of her possible fears might be the violence depicted in the movie. Yes, there is violence. BUT, those men on both the receiving and giving end of it are AMERICAN NAVY SEALS. God alone knows what these men have seen and dealt with throughout their careers. I am so squeamish that I jump and hide my eyes when anything unexpected happens on the screen. However, except for two places in the movie last night, my eyes were glued to the screen. I could never shake the thought that these men on the screen were OUR DEFENDERS. One could have reached through the screen and grabbed my coffee, and I would have asked if he wanted a burger to go with it. We do not do enough for our men of valor.
I loved the way the SEALS were introduced during the first few minutes. My heart went out to them and their families. God knows the sacrifices these and others make for this country. It brought home the danger they face daily. Makes our daily problems with traffic and boredom seem so petty.
I cried several times, but the memorial at the end brought the most tears. So many young men have willingly given their lives that we might enjoy ours. The list of names makes the heart melt.
The directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh have said this is only the beginning of what they hope to bring to the screen showing the courage and strength of character our military exhibits. I say bring it on!
It must be understood that I am patriotic through and through. I am definitely biased! I love this country with a passion, and I am deeply grateful to the men and women who defend it. I grew up a military brat, so maybe that is why my heart beats the way it does. Military is in the blood and I am certainly proud of it. To my dad and step dad, my three brothers, two uncles, son, grandson, and former students who have served and are serving, thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless you each and every one, and may GOD truly BLESS AMERICA!
That being said, go see the movie...
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