02/28/09

I took these yesterday afternoon when I got home from school. It was therapy for me.... and it wasn't long enough.

I have many angles of these beautiful daffodils. Until yesterday I hadn't realized we had three different kinds in our yard! You'll be seeing these in the next few days as well. It is a good thing I did photograph them because it has been cold and rainy here today. We are supposed to have snow on Monday!! lol I don't know how they will hold up in the cold. If you click on them you will see the rain droplets. I LOVE rain droplets as you know....


These made me think of the kids song "Rise and Shine" that is sung in Sunday School. (I think that is the name!) I was humming/singing it as I was photographing them. I realize some of you may not know the tune to sing with it, but just enjoy the words and praise the Creator who made the beauty all around.

Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
RISE AND SHINE
AND.... GIVE GOD THE GLORY, GLORY
Children of the Lord....

02/27/09

Here is something "newer" than what I have been posting recently. These are roses my Daddy gave Mom for Valentine's and her birthday. You'll be seeing lots of roses in the near future so I hope you enjoy them. lol I just love these.... talk about coming right at you.


Today was Fitness Day at school and Fitness Day does not equal Mrs. Fowler.

I am not gifted in any sport. I tried softball during my senior year in high school and, well... let's just say I didn't last very long on the team. Cheer leading would be where I excel, but my best attribute for that is my loud voice.... VERY loud voice. Acrobatics are not my specialty, but they didn't have to be when I was cheering... thank goodness. This is why I am so thrilled when parents volunteer to handle Fitness activities. I can yell and cheer on my kiddos, but getting out there and knowing what to do with them.... not so much.

I had a fun observation today as I watched my students play kickball this afternoon for their Fitness Activity. One of my student's dad came to "lead" them in this rousing game. (Joe, if you are reading this, just know that I am so thankful for you and all you do for me each Fitness Day!) Before Joe and I got out to where the kids had assembled we noticed they had already divided up between boy/girl teams. I knew it was going to be comical.

The girls were up first to kick. Here they go running politely to kick the ball in the hopes that it will go farther than 5 feet so they can possibly run to our made up base of sticks and rocks. They cheer over everything and are so excited when they make it to base. Most of the girls are having conversations in line and not really paying attention to who just kicked the ball. If they made it home, they were thrilled. If they got out, they were like... "OK." When they are out in the field they were a bit "lost" at times and Joe was doing his best to help them win against the boys. They had no idea how many outs the boys had and did their best to run after those boys once they got the ball.

The boys were up next to kick. Most (not all) have to show that they are "Da man" and can kick it farther than the moon, when in reality of their age it only goes a certain distance. They grunt, yell, do some kind of guy dance, and get REALLLLLLY disturbed if you call them out and they really didn't think they were out because "That wasn't the base, Mrs. Fowler!!!" When out in the field, they were so competitive with each other over who was going to grab the ball first and run and tackle the girl that kicked it so she wouldn't get to base. If they got her out it was as if they won a trophy. Joe even "tripped" them up a few times to give the girls a chance to make it out there to the base! lol They constantly were checking on the "outs" and even tried to say it was three outs already when it was actually only two.

Now, during this whole game there were some girls who were really into the game and some boys who hated the game. lol I realize there are differences there, too, and it is definitely nothing wrong with that!

Watching the majority of differences going on because of the male/female factor just made me chuckle, but also made me see how important the the examples we set for children are at a young age. We we are definitely made DIFFERENT for a reason. God gave each gender specific strengths and weaknesses that are there to compliment the other.

I know Steve compliments me in our marriage and we both compliment the other in the rearing of Wesley and Mikayla.

What a joy to know God made no mistakes when He created us male and female. We have specific tasks that the Lord calls us to do and it is our job to train and guide the next generation to do the same.

SO... Joe, thank you for your willingness to come out and do our Fitness Days. What a blessing it is to watch your influence and crazy moments with those kids that they will remember always.

Mom's and Dad's... let's be careful that we set the right example for our boys and girls so that they grow up to be men and women who are pleasing to God and doing what He created them to do....

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

02/26/09

Farm scene... I really like the B&W with this one. It reminds me of days gone by.


Today in our morning meeting at school the person sharing our devotion was telling us about the "lies" that Satan tries to put in our paths and many times we believe them. We raised one in particular since we are all women and that is on the topic of "TIME."

So much of our time as women is DOING things. Most days we feel like we are just spinning our wheels and many women feel they have to be "Super Woman" to be all to everyone who needs her. (I have felt this way a number of times.) When you wear many "hats" in a day you can begin believing the lie of "I can never get everything done."

Well, that is true, but the Lord has been showing me... and is continuing to help me on this topic, that I have to really stand back and see what is the most important to get done.

Those "to do lists" usually are not in themselves bad things but they can become a hindrance in getting what is most important done. These things can wear us down and make us tired and then we believe the lie of "I can never get everything done." We begin to compare ourselves to those around us and feel like a failure.

Let's think about that statement of "I can never get everything done." for a minute, though.

Do we ever REALLY get everything DONE?

I know when I clean on Fridays I feel a sigh of relief because it is "done" but the moment we begin something else, the house gets dirty again. A clean house is awesome... but it isn't always reality. I have had to learn that.


When I grade papers at night I feel so good when I can lay down that red pen and put the papers back in my bag for school because they are "done" but I have to do it all over again the next day!

Laundry is a never-ending battle.

Dishes to wash... they never end, either.

That list could go on and on! We have so much we can "DO" but if we don't take the time to allow the Lord to guide our steps our work is in vain.

I still struggle with the feeling of "guilt" when I don't get everything done. I feel guilty when I see Steve cooking supper trying to help me out because I should be doing that being the Wife/Mother. I feel guilty when I am working on one project and feel I should be working on another in the house. I feel guilty if I am having a moment to myself to "re-group" after being at work and I am not pouring over homework with Wesley and Mikayla.

That guilt I feel is another one of Satan's lies! I have had to learn that working full-time doesn't allow me the time to do some things that I would like, so therefore other things have to be set aside for another time.

My house may not be immaculate when someone walks in to see us.

All of my clothes may not be folded immediately from the dryer.

Clothes the kids have outgrown may still be in the den flopped all over the chair without being on hangers.

I may have to say "NO" to something someone wants me to do.

If we stretch ourselves too thin we are going to snap and not be able to be used of the Lord, be there for our families and friends, or take care of ourselves.

Here are some scriptures I looked up this afternoon to help me put perspective on my days. He is the One Who sees the whole picture while I only see part.

Psalm 16:8, 11
I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

It was kind of funny....today after morning devotions I had my "plans" for the day laid out and was ready to tackle some things while my kids were in Art. Well, the Lord had other plans for me! I needed to talk with a couple of people.... be there for them. It wasn't what I had planned, but it was what was more important at the time. The things I had planned had to wait for later. God's ways are best. God's timing is perfect.

If I release my time to the Lord, then the He will take care of the rest and I can stop the "lies." I cannot be everything for everybody. I cannot do it all... but I can do all the LORD wants me to do because it is He that gives me the strength!

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

02/25/09

I think this is the last of my nails for right now. lol At least Casey is enjoying them. :) I searched back through my old posts and couldn't find that I had posted these. I processed them in black/white and antique color. Because of this being a more "bland" picture in its original form, I can't tell a ton of difference between the b&w and antique. The rust spot can be "seen rusty" a bit more but no major change. Tell me what you think.... as always. :)


My new blogger friend, Katrina, gave me a link to Merriam Webster's Dictionary online to learn a new word for the day. Well, today's word is:

imbibition - the act or action of imbibing : the act or action of drinking or taking in liquid.

OK... learned something new today. Even my spell checker on here thinks I have entered something incorrectly! I will have to figure out a way to use this tomorrow with my students and then they will really think I have lost my marbles. Hmmm... "Boys and girls, as you are imbibing, please make sure you don't spill anything." I honestly don't think I even used that correctly!! This will definitely be a learning experience.

I have to go get ready for Sparks/AWANA tonight. I have our devotional time with the little kiddos and need to get myself mentally prepared. After the last couple of days that "mental" ability is out the window. lol Pray for me! :)

02/24/09

More nails... lol

Good day.... still having issues with words. LOL I told my students to get our their "drivers" today instead of their work. I just don't know what is to become of me. :)

Have any of you ever tried banana pudding with NUTTER BUTTERS? If you haven't, you should. My friend Morgan made that for us the other night and, OH MY GOODNESS... that was some "stinkin'" good stuff. I am still thinking about it. She sent me the recipe. I'll have to try it out for myself. If you want to try it out.... let me know. hee hee

We've had a crazy afternoon so not a lot of time to chat. I have a cat on my lap at the moment, but need to go work on homework with the kids. Lots of papers to grade tonight. :)

02/23/09

Here I am again with my rusty things. I think I also like this one better in the color because you see the contrast of the rust. I think it is safe to say that latch has been hanging down for some time.... don't you think?



You know... some days I find myself "reaching" for words. These are words that should come to mind easily but fly away at a moment's notice. I am coming to realize it may be because I have now taught in the lower grades for so long that my vocabulary is shrinking... or either it is my brain. I need to start researching a word of the day or something to boost my mental capabilities. In the middle of teaching today I was trying to come up with an intelligent word with which to explain something to my kids and all that came out was simple "mush."

Sometimes what comes out is not what was intended in the first place! I have told boys to "tuck in their shoelaces".... I meant to say "tuck in your shirts." There are so many word issues that I have had over the years I am not sure I can write them all down. One in particular is when I took my kids to Library one day and walked in to say "We have ARRIVEN!"

ARRIVEN?

Thankfully that was one of my good friends who teaches Library or she would have thought I had lost my mind. (or it shrunk...)

I come up with my own words a lot. I think I got that from my Daddy. He called a "pinata" a "Jalapaleno" one time. He called me a "Computer" instead of a "Commuter" when I was a freshmen in college. Yeah, it runs in my family....

My brother was the lucky one... he doesn't seem to have these issues. I am sure as he is reading this he is laughing because he knows of so many other ways I have misused words or just totally said them wrong.

On another teaching note.... I totally forgot all of my student's daily papers at school on Friday. Again... I don't know what I was thinking! I failed to grade ANY of them and passed them back out to the kiddos and suddenly realized... hmmm... I just don't recall checking those things. All of the ones I took up for an actual grade came home with me. Those daily papers - didn't. I don't think I have EVER done that in my teaching career but I learned long ago to never say never. lol I tell you ... I honestly think the brain has shrunk or I am misfiring.

If you are reading this and I am teaching or have taught your child/children.... don't panic. I really do know what I am doing. hee hee

Maybe you all got a good laugh today. Sometimes you need one on a Monday. :)

02/22/09

Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This day has been one of worship to my Lord for all He has done. Sunday is just not another day of the week... it is a day for us to step back from the worries of the world, rest, and praise the One Who created us and is with us always. I hope you have praised His name today!

02/21/09

Nails in a barn... I have a fascination with nails that are rusty. For that matter... I have a fascination with anything like that. I processed them in sepia and black and white, too. Which do you like the most? I know you'll share.... :) In this one I think I like the color a bit better simply because I can see the contrast with the rust.
We went through Wesley and Mikayla's outgrown clothing today. Not the most exciting way to spend a day, but something needing to be done. I have most of Mikayla's on hangers now ready to go to the consignment sale. Wesley's are still in the middle of the floor.... It is always sad to me to see their clothes that I have watched them in for so long be too little for them. I always have a hard time parting with things.... sappy sentimental would be me. Of course, I have gotten past some of that and know I can't keep every stitch of clothing the kiddos have worn! lol

We are off to Sal and Morgan's house tonight for a wonderful dinner... grilling out!! I know it will be a wonderful evening with our friends. It is so nice to have them back home from California. :)

02/20/09

Hinges.... they keep your doors from falling on you. Such a necessity!! The door latch is simple, yet efficient. :)



I feel somewhat better tonight than I did last night. Nyquil Sinus Capsules are quite wonderful. I didn't get much accomplished last night except for passing out on the couch. lol... Steve woke me up, walked me to our room and I went right back to sleep. Nyquil = good stuff.

Night before last... my iron died. This was no ordinary iron... this iron has only been used for a couple of years at the most... but was 16 years old. When I "killed" my former iron from when we were married, I brought out this trusty *new* iron that we also received as a wedding present almost 16 years ago. That was so exciting to me that I didn't have to go out and buy one! Well.... I was ironing some pants for Mikayla to wear yesterday when the iron began to falter in its job. I thought it was just the operator but, alas... it was the iron. I was a bit irritated that this iron, which hasn't been overused, quit on me so soon. ::::sigh::::: I had to go buy another one today and I did NOT buy the same brand as the one that just died. lol Ironing is not my favorite thing to do, and I am thankful that we don't live in a society that irons everything possible, but I do need one so we don't look like we have been balled up and thrown away. lol

We have cleaned yet again for our Friday ritual. My sweet Mikayla began *seeing* things that needed cleaning and did them without me asking...quite an accomplishment. Wesley wasn't his normal cleaning self. He passed out on the couch because of his cold/ear infections. He revived after a bit, but not with the same gusto.

I am envisioning a soon bedtime for us all tonight. We are such party people.

02/19/09

The same window as above in my title area but a close up of the "detail."


I finally decided I needed to take Wesley to the doctor today. He's continued to complain that his ears have been hurting. I had my own appointment after school so I had to take him to one of those Minute Clinics at a CVS Pharmacy. He has double ear infections... more in one ear than the other, but both were red. The rest of his stuff is just a cold. (A cold I believe I am catching again because I am not feeling so hot myself. I normally do not catch all of this stuff... it must be something "in the air.") He is now on meds for that so it should be better soon for him. I am truly thankful for those meds!

We didn't get home tonight till after 7:00 so I am off to finish homework and get them to bed so I can grade papers. I am glad tomorrow is a half day of school. I plan on cleaning and crashing tomorrow. lol

02/18/09

I honestly don't think I have shown this one from the farm yet. It has been so long since I've shown those that I have forgotten. If you see any repeats... just forgive me. :)


The water faucet was fitting for today because it "dripped, dripped" rain all day. It is one of those days that makes you want to curl up by the fire and drink some coffee. :)

Lots to do for this evening so this will be short. Just know I have been enjoying my kitties even more since yesterday.... they got to sleep with us last night for the first time in a LONG time. Isabelle seemed to be like "Ahhh.... on the Sleep Number bed at last!" lol :)

02/17/09

My "staple good" to photograph.... our silos. I never tire of them. They looked so pretty in the snow with that blue sky the day the snow melted.



I have a praise to the Lord to share today.

A couple of months ago Steve began a "journey" of allergy/sinus issues. He had been working on our barn area which was old and had mold, etc... and I figured it came from that. His doctor was not pleased that he kept having these issues so she gave him an allergy test and wasn't necessarily listening to the fact that he had been down at the barns around mold and such. He took the allergy test at the beginning of January and it said he was allergic to different grasses (which we pretty much already knew) and CATS.

CATS?

NO!

I wanted to throw up... I had a hard time understanding that he would all of a sudden develop such severe problems when we have had cats for 15 years! I realize allergies can come on later in life, but this was a bit weird.

The doctor then told him we needed to get rid of our cats because that would be the only way to fully alleviate his issues. She wanted us to get rid of our new little kitties that we have grown to LOVE and adore.

I began to do what Kellie does best.... go in "panic/control" mode. I began to think of what I could do to solve this problem. I began bathing the cats every week (which is what I was doing anyway...) and helping Steve figure out other things to help him.

I needed to take my eyes off of myself and LET GO and LET GOD.

The Lord kept pressing me to release and trust.

It was so hard. I wanted to do what I could do so he would get all better and we could keep our kittens.

The Lord kept pressing me to stop... and TRUST.

Steve was scheduled to see an Allergy doctor at the end of January. I was so nervous as to what they would find. I didn't even want to talk to him that day because I just knew he was going to tell me the doctor was in agreement with his Primary Care Physician. My best friend had also told me we would probably be getting rid of the cats and I just needed to get over it.

Ouch.

That was hard to take.

I finally gave in to the Lord's gentle nudges a few weeks ago and told the Lord that I had to give it to Him and if we did have to get rid of the kitties that I would release that to Him as well.

Steve went to his first doctor's appointment but we had all just gotten that cold and he had been taking antihistamines and you have to be off of those for 5 days before the test. The appointment was changed for the next week.

He went to the next week's test only to find out he shouldn't have stayed on the allergy medicine his Primary Care doctor gave him. (We just weren't even thinking about that one...) The appointment was changed again for the following week.

Last week he was supposed to go but had to change the appointment because something came up with work.

Through each canceled appointment it was like the Lord was saying "Wait... calm yourself... I am in control." I truly wanted to get upset when his appointments kept changing but the Lord changed my perspective instead.

Well, today was the day of his appointment where he would have the allergy test. I didn't even think of it much this morning other than he was going to the appointment. The Lord had helped me CALM down and TRUST.

Steve calls me at school after the testing.

He is allergic to pretty much everything that grows and has pollen. He is not allergic to cats.

Did you get that? He is NOT ALLERGIC TO CATS.

Right then and there I was almost tearful thinking on what the Lord continues to teach me and has taught me through this moment. I am thankful for His still small voice that lovingly teaches me through all parts of my life.

Here is an excerpt from a book I read many, many years ago that I just re-read and so fits what I have been "battling" the last few weeks. I have this typed out and on my bulletin board in the office to remind me of this lesson the Lord is still teaching me.

"Many of the lessons God wishes for us to learn are based on the principle of release. We need to learn how to take our hands off the controls. When we are at our most desperate, and our desire to cling to control is strongest, this is when we most need to let go. To be willing in faith to take our hands off, and put the experience and the circumstances under the control of God.... Yet, we desperately want to direct our own lives. It is fear which keeps us from releasing control. It makes us skeptical. It keeps us from believing in the goodness of God. A moment given over to fear is a moment lost from God. We are lost in that moment, trapped by fear and doubt and a desperate desire to cling to what we know. And yet at these times we can do ourselves the greatest harm by trying to forge ahead alone, governed by fear, blinded by our terrors and or pains and our past. It is at this moment when release of control to God is vital. This is no senseless casting everything to the winds of fate. This is trusting God. This is putting action to the theory of faith."
-One Shenandoah Winter
T. Davis Bunn (pages 118-119)

Sorry this was so long.

I must say I sat back and reflected today on what I would have done if the test came back that he WAS allergic to cats. God answers all prayers... sometimes they aren't the way WE want, but the way God wills for our lives. It would have been a lesson of praise to God despite my circumstances.

02/16/09

Thawing out.... at least that is what we did last week. This week we are back to cold temps and we did manage a few snow flurries this morning. So unlike our past few years here in NC. If you have followed me long you know I love rain drops and water droplets on things. Since these were from the day the snow was melting I had to capture some. :)


Wesley has a terrible cold... not sure if it is the one we all had (except him) a few weeks ago or not. He was a trooper, though, and kept going. Of course, his mother made him keep going and not give in and whine. I can't stand whining. He'll get to bed early tonight to get some rest.

Steve gave me a dozen chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day... can we say they have been so good???? I think I need to go get another one....

Before I go....

Here is a thought someone shared with me the other day. There were two women in a school. One had taught for 30 years and the other only two years. The principal position became available and both applied for the job. The woman with the two years of experience got the job over the one with 30 years. The older woman was so upset and went to talk with the heads of the school who did the hiring. She said she had taught for 30 years and had so much more experience, why didn't she get the job?! The one in charge replied something like this. "The other lady taught for two years and grew and changed each year. You taught for one year and repeated yourself for 29...."

Causes one to think that we need to keep learning and growing so we don't become stale. I definitely don't want to fit that category!

Steve is working late tonight so it is just me and the kiddos. Off to do some serious flashcard practice.... and eat another strawberry!

02/15/09

Here is some of the last of my snow pics. We are "supposed" to get flurries tonight.

This verse was read at church today and I thought it fitting to go along with these:

Isaiah 1:18 ...though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

02/14/09

Happy Valentine's Day. :)

Here are some conversation hearts.

As I looked through them I saw some that were sweet and some that were... well, silly.

I picked out the ones to photograph that meant the most to me.

Each one that is focused upon makes me think of my own special Valentine... my Steve.

I am thankful for his love and what he is in my life.

I don't need Valentine's Day to remember all of these things.

Every day is Valentine's Day with him.

Not all days are rosy.

Not all days are sunny.

But he is there each day:

Making me laugh.

Making me cry (in joy).

Helping me.

Faithfully loving.

Always giving.

Committed to me and me alone.

My best friend.

My LOVE.

02/13/09

This story was told during our morning devotions at school yesterday and I just loved it. I wanted to share it here so I borrowed my fellow teacher's book to type it all in here. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did....

If God Used Sticky Notes

by Chris Shea

Where would you most like to see one and what would you like it to say

If God set out a few sticky notes along your pathway today?

Maybe on the mirror in the bathroom:

Good Morning!

I'll be with you all day. Just pray if you need anything. Love, God

This is the day which the Lord hath made. - Psalm 118:24

Or on the morning newspaper's front page:

Don't let the news get you down. Love, God

Peace be within thee. - Psalm 122:8

On the razor we shave with:

Anything you have to face, I'll be there too. You were made in my reflection after all.... Love, God

Arise, shine; for thy light is come. - Isaiah 60:1

The toothbrush we brush with:

Speak kind words today! Love, God

Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth. - Jeremiah 1:9

On the carton of milk:

Take care of yourself today. The world has need of you! Love, God

P. S. So do I!

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle. - Psalm 104:14

Or the cereal box:

I hope you will be surprised by joy today! Love, God

Then shall the earth yield her increase. - Psalm 67:6

Or our umbrellas beside the front door:

Take your childlike enthusiasm with you today! Look for good puddles! Love, God

Thou visitest the earth and waterest it. - Psalm 65:9

What if we found them all day long - little colored squares of paper stuck on everything reminding us of God's constancy - His compassion and His care?

A pink one on the doorknob as we head out for the day:

Remember there's nothing you can't do with your hand in mine! Love, God

I will go in the strength of the Lord. - Psalm 71:16

A blue one on a magazine in the doctor's waiting room:

I'm right here beside you! I'll never leave you! Love, God

Put your trust in the Lord. - Psalm 4:5

A yellow one on a taxi door as we head out on a trip:

Have a safe trip and sleep late a day or two! Love, God

For ye shall go out with joy. - Isaiah 55:12

Or a lavender one on the nightstand to read before we sleep:

Sweet dreams! Love, God

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep. - Psalm 4:8

Of course, if we really think about it, God's sticky notes are all around because His messages of goodness always find their way through:

sight

or sound

or fragrance

or touch

into everyone's expectant heart where they stick secure, forever.

A bird in flight

The ocean as it greets the shore

Snow floating down from above

The beautiful sight of a face we love

The sound of a voice we miss

The feel of a hand we love to hold

Each a kind of sticky thought written not with pen and ink but written nonetheless for every heart to keep.

Where would I like to see one and what would I like it to say if God put a little sticky note along your path today?

I'd like him to put it on a star somewhere beyond the moon and I'd like it to say "I love you" as only God could:

"This is how far my love for you goes.... to the moon and back forever!" Love, God

P. S. Always remember:

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love. - Jeremiah 31:3

02/12/09

I was blessed today... let me tell you how. :)

We saw a beautiful view as we left the house this morning. The mostly full moon was up in the sky looking so pretty and the sun was beginning to come up over the lake. The sunrise was a yellowish/gold color and it caused the water, which was a bit choppy because of wind, become a really deep blue.

I was given this beautiful heart bowl of chocolates from one of my best friends with whom I also have the privilege of working.

It was a fun day at school... got lots accomplished and I enjoyed watching my kids faces light up when I told them we were going to learn more about Colonial times. I love to make History come alive.

I was given a surprise lunch by one of my parents "Just Because." It was yummy! I could then save the lunch I brought today for tomorrow!

I called Steve to check on him earlier and he was having a great day.

The day has been gorgeous... blue skies yet again.

I had a student come up to me during clean up time and tell me she didn't know how to ask Jesus into her heart. I was able to sit down, talk to her and show her how. Then, I was able to witness a child, by faith, accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. What a wonderful Valentine present.

My student helpers were in the room when my student asked me that so they could "take over" while I got to share in her accepting the Lord. God's timing is always perfect.

Tonight I'm going to go see STOMP! with Kevin. It is one of our all time favorite "plays." (If you have never seen it, I recommend you do. I don't know if it is technically a "play" or more like a "performance.")

How have you been blessed today?

02/11/09

Just some pics today. Again... with it being almost 70 degrees today these look so weird to me. lol Hard to believe that last week this time we had a two hour delay because of "snow!"

02/10/09

I love icicles and would have loved to have captured more when the snow came but these were some of my better ones.


It is gloriously beautiful outside today. There are clouds but the temp. is so nice. The kids are outside playing "football" and having a lot of fun.

Here is something funny from yesterday. Wesley is my "thinker" and on the way running errands yesterday he says "Mom, is blood heavier than water?"

"WHAT?"

Yes, he asked that question. Something I had never thought of in my entire 37 years. lol

I told him that was a great question, but I wasn't sure. I said that was a question for "Uncle Kevin."

I called Kevin and asked him... and he wasn't sure, either, but graciously looked it up for me on the computer.

Apparently, YES.. blood is heavier than water until it dissolves in the water. There was a lot of scientific stuff about which I had no idea of what they were saying, but just take my word for it. We haven't gotten around to doing an experiment yet.

Of course, I had to go have my blood drawn this morning for my routine doctor checkup and I came REALLY close to asking that lady for a bit of my blood so I could do the experiment. I figured she would say I was a bit crazy. A finger prick to do the experiment would just hurt too much. lol

02/09/09

More snow pics... they actually seem like a dream with the weather we have had this past weekend and today! It was up near 70 today and it was quite glorious. I have officially gotten the "spring fever" bug. I always try to be content in the season I am in, and I am, but these last couple of days make me realize why North Carolina is a wonderful state in which to live. :) (Remind me of that in those sweltering 90+ degree days in summer. lol)





I have been teaching some things in Bible and Science that have caused me to reflect a bit today. Bible for the verse I will share and Science for talking about our bodies and our "heart." You'll understand (hopefully!) as you keep reading.

Steve and I have been watching this show on Monday nights called "Real Beauty" (or something like that...) It started out as just wanting to see what it was all about in the first show and has turned into us watching it each week. It is about these "glamorous" people on the outside and how the hosts are secretly watching how they act "behind closed doors." They are trying to see if their outer beauty matches their inner beauty. The contestants think it is only a contest on the outside looks. They find out they are really tested on their inner beauty if they have been "kicked off" the show. Some have even been in denial when they have been kicked off... after seeing taped moments of their "ugliness."

I'll be the first to say that most of the contestants are too full of love for themselves for my taste anyway. I have found that only one person in the house seems to be truly "pretty." I don't say "beautiful" because she is still a bit consumed with herself for my taste, but she is not as mean as some of the others.

I have said all of this because I have been reminded of the verse in I Samuel 16:7 which is where God is telling Samuel who will be the next King of Israel after Saul. This verse was given after Samuel looked at Jesse's first son Eliab and thought from the outward looks he was the next king:

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance (face), or on the height of his stature (size); because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

My Mom and Dad (especially my Daddy...) used to tell me this saying all of the time when I was little. I would come out in a pretty outfit and want him/them to "brag" on me but all that was said was: "Pretty IS as Pretty DOES."

I used to hate it when he (or they!) said that to me.

I didn't fully understand it until my later years.

I didn't fully understand it until I saw my daughter show actions that I used to do as a child....actions that sometimes I found myself doing as an adult. Now I find myself saying the same phrase to her. I sometimes have to say it to myself. lol

It just shows that a person is known by what comes out of his/her "heart."

People really know you by what is on the inside once they get to know you. The outside doesn't matter anymore. The Lord continues to teach me this valuable lesson along with many others I am learning in life.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.