2015 April A-Z Challenge - Z is for Zorro

Today is it, the final A-Z Challenge word for 2015 and once again I survived it.  Today, Z is for Zorro.  When I was a child one of my favorite movies was Zorro.    Guy Williams was my favorite one.....that is until Antonio Banderas came on the scene.   For those of you Zorro fans out there....did you know he is a character created in 1919 by New York–based pulpwriter Johnston McCulley.  Zorro (Spanish for "fox") is the secret identity of Don Diego de la Vega, a California nobleman living in Los Angeles during the era of Spanish rule.  The Zorro's have changed over the years, but the typical image of him is a dashing black-clad masked outlaw who defends the people of the land against tyrannical officials and other villains. Not only was he too cunning and foxlike for the bumbling authorities to catch, but he also delighted in publicly humiliating them.  I loved it.  When my brother was alive we would watch the show and then decide who was going to be zorro....usually me since I was the oldest.  We would take a sheet and put on a Halloween mask and run around outside playing Zorro for hours.  One day our Zorro days ended....when we found clothes hangers to use for swords...and my brother got hurt.  After a rapid trip to the ER via taxi cause my dad was in the car.....our Zorro mask and sheet were hung up to be used no more.  Sigh....so goes the life of a child.  So I am signing out of A-Z April Challenge with the mark of Zorro...Z.  See you all here next year....same time and same place.

 

Side By Side

About The Book:   Side by Side (New Hope Publishers, April 2015). 

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia's life collides with that of another young woman. A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family's business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . . forever.  Part of New Hope® Publishers' contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader's eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1DPUKiO

About The Author: Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.  Find Jana online: website, Facebook, Twitter

My Thoughts On The Book:  When I finished reading the book I felt I needed to sigh.  This book was very impressive and at times literally took my breath away.  It was so realistic that I had to remind myself over and over that it was fiction.  My daughter is a missionary in Moldova at an orphanage and sometimes when we talk about her children I close my eyes and see the ones I teach.  They may live halfway across the world, they may dress differently, they may speak a different language but in the end we are all very much alike.  I have mailed this book to my daughter because I believe she too will fall in love with the writing style and subject of  Jana Kelley.  This is a must read book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse  as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  

A Heart's Obsession

About The Book:  Will Sarah’s journey west lead her back into the arms of the one man she can trust?  When her father succumbs to a long illness, Sarah Montgomery is freed from duty to family. At last she can be with the love of her life, Rand Campbell, who has gone out west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Sarah and her younger brother Joel make the arduous journey filled with hope.  But at Fort Laramie, the reception Sarah meets isn’t what she had hoped for. Her friend Amelia is thrilled to have her, but Rand seems to be in the clutches of Jessica DuBois, the scheming daughter of the post commander.  Sarah resolves to remain at Fort Laramie and try to win Rand back. But things will get tougher before they get easier . . . especially when her ex-fiancé Ben Croftner arrives in Wyoming, obsessed with having her back in his arms.
About The Author:  USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com Twitter: @colleencoble Facebook: colleencoblebooks
My Thoughts On The Book: I am huge fan of Colleen Coble and I have read her often.  I have yet to be disappointed with her stories.  This particular book was the second novella in the Journey of The Heart Series and in my opinion...if it was possible... it was much better than the first book. The action in this story kept it from ever being boring.  The characters squared off against Indians, their was a difficult journey out west, Sarah's nasty Ex-Fiancé Ben tried everything he could....good and bad....to get Sarah for himself.  When she finally gets to Fort Laramie Sarah finds the love of her life, Rand, engaged to another woman.  This book has it all and I promise you will love it. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Litfuse and NetGalley  as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  

April 2015 A-Z Challenge - Y is for Yarn Spinning

When I moved to Alabama I went to work for Russell.  They were one of the largest manufacturers of cloth goods.  They made everything from long underwear to jerseys worn by sports teams at many levels.  So my word for the letter Y today is yarn spinning.  There have been many yarn spinners in my family.  I had a great grandmother and great aunt who actually did yarn spinning and weaving the old fashioned way. That was what I thought I had signed on for when I took at job at Russell.  I imagined a whole lot of little ladies doing this in a big building.  NOT!

 

Oh No!  This is what I got!  It was loud, it was big, it terrified the day lights out of me.  Every day when I left to go home I would have to blow the yarn lint off me.  It was everywhere.  I am not a quitter....but I lasted less than a week at this job.  I went home every day and cried myself to sleep.  I hated this job.  I guess I owe yarn spinning a huge thanks because it definitely increased my prayer life.  I prayed daily for God to take me away....you know...kind of like Calgon.  Russell did not fire me....they relocated me....to a sewing plant.  I ended up sewing gussets in men's long johns.  For a solid year I reported in...and sewed.  At the end of the year I went back to college and finished my teaching degree.

I still want to learn yarn spinning and weaving  the old fashioned way, but it is a dying art and hard to find people who still are yarn spinning craftsmen.  I could probably find one in the Appalachians or attend one of John Campbell's schools in North Carolina.  You just wait til I retire...I am going to be a yarn spinning, yarn weaving, yarn telling,  craftsman.  Final thought for today....At a retirement preparation seminar I attended they told us to make a list of 26 things we wanted to accomplish or do after retiring....not to worry...my list is already way past 50 and still growing. 

2015 A-Z April Challenge - X is for Xochimilco

...And 3,2,1....and another year of A-Z April Challenge is almost in the books.  Three of the toughest letters remain....and today's letter X is for Xochimilco.  It is a town in central Mexico, on Lake Xochimilco: noted for its floating gardens. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  I was fortunate enough to visit it about 30 year ago while in school.  As a Spanish teacher I love to integrate places I have been into my lessons.  I use my own pictures so the kids can be part of my virtual field trip.  Xochimilco is actually in my lesson plans for next week.  I was fascinated by the chinampas.  It was so interesting to see the canals in the waters of Lake Xochimilco.  It seems they were initially created along with that of a kind of artificial agricultural plots called chinampas. Chinampas were invented by the pre-Hispanic peoples of the region around 1,000 year ago as a way to increase agricultural production. On the shallow waters of the lakes, rafts were constructed of juniper branches. Onto these rafts floating on the water, lakebed mud and soil were heaped and crops planted. These rafts, tied to juniper trees, would eventually sink and a new one be built to replace it. Over time, these sunken rafts would form square or rectangular islands, held in place in part by the juniper trees. As these chinampa islands propagated, areas of the lake were reduced to canals. These “floating gardens were an important part of the economy of the Aztec Empire by the time the Spanish arrived.  They are still in existence...and still farmed.  When we left to travel to Xochimilco, our guide kept talking about the gardens.  I imagined flower gardens and was a bit disappointed to see garden-gardens.  The name “Xochimilco” comes from Nahuatl and means “flower field.” This referred to the many flowers and other crops that were grown here on chinampas since the pre-Hispanic periodbut once I heard the story of these magnificent gardens I was hooked...now my challenge is....can I hook my students?.  Wish me luck!

2015 A-Z April Challenge - W is for Winding Down

Today's letter is W for Winding down.  Our school year ends with graduation on May 20th and 21st and the year is winding down.  The remaining number of days are posted on my board because I got tired of the kids asking every day.  I change the numbers before I leave each day....Winding down.... For many I will not see them from the 15th until graduation because they are exempt from finals....winding down.  Play-off games are on for softball and baseball and kids are leaving school to get to these games.....we are winding down.  There seems to be some form of testing....everyday.....of every week....and if that weren't enough...it seems that I never have a full class.....winding down.  Between field days, play-off games, senioritis, mega drama, college days, senior skip days....assemblies...I find myself rushing frantically around to get in all the material they are supposed to cover.....winding down.  It seems every year....and I have been doing this for over 25 years....starting up....and winding down....take the most out of me.  May 22nd the teachers come to school one more time for inservice....and for some winding down.  Most people think that is when a teacher's job ends.  I promise you....from June to August....I will be working at the school a few days a week...getting ready to start again.  I will attend a couple of conferences this summer to keep my edge....and then I will wait...wait until the next year begins so I can begin the winding down process all over again.  It is in my blood.   I pray that winding down goes smoothly this year and that all my little darlings walk across that stage in their gown and mortar board.,,,then I will truly....Wind down!

Lessons From A Ewe - Rock Mills Homecoming

My scripture comes from John 10: 1-18

I’ve often said …and not because I am one… that Mothers are amazing. They’re teachers and disciplinarians. They’re cleaning ladies and doctors, and nurses and psychologists and counselors. They’re coaches and chauffeurs. They’re developers of personalities, molders of vocabularies and shapers of attitudes. Mothers are a gift from God.  The love of a mother for her children is unlike any other love that has ever been created. It’s beyond belief. It’s truly amazing.

Several years ago, while traveling in Ireland I was fortunate enough to visit a sheep farm and observe the love of a mother for her baby lamb in action. The little baby lamb was only one day old and this was a first time mom. I wasn’t the only intruder in the pen, there was also a puppy who was antagonizing this new little lamb and its mother. As the puppy ran around the sheep the ewe was very insistent that it stay away from her baby. She stamped her feet at the puppy and shielded the lamb with her own body. It was an incredible sight to watch as this mother practiced her love for her baby by protecting that baby from what she believed was danger. Finally the owner walked over toward the puppy and the puppy backed off. He then approached the baby lamb and instead of getting defensive the mother allowed him to pick up the baby with no problem. What was the difference I wondered?

This week I finally realized exactly what that difference was, and today I want to talk with you about some lessons that I learned from that Ewe which I believe we each can take away from this place today.

In our text today we have a lesson… taught by Jesus …using the symbolism of sheep. For some of you the conclusions that Jesus drew will not be difficult to understand because you are familiar with sheep. While others might have a more difficult time due to a lack of experience with farm animals.

There are two very important lessons that we can learn from sheep. The first lesson comes from the fact that the sheep recognize their master’s voice. Seamus, who owned the sheep that I visited in Ireland told our group that his sheep could be all the way across the field and if he yelled for them, it didn’t matter what he said, they recognized his voice and came bolting across the field.  The sheep wouldn’t respond to me when I talked to them, rather they became afraid and as I entered their fenced in area they hightailed it across the field and huddled together out of fear. The sheep recognized the voice of their shepherd because a relationship existed between them. They recognized the voice of their shepherd because it is the shepherd with whom they spend their time. It is the shepherd from whom they receive everything they need to survive. That brings us to our first lesson.

We must recognize our master’s voice. The only way that we can do that is through a relationship with him. Jesus said that his sheep recognize his voice. They don’t follow any one else but rather wait for his leading and go where he calls them. Ladies and Gentlemen: when we are in relationship with someone, when we know them intimately we cannot help but recognize their voice. Just like sheep recognize the voice of their master because of the relationship that they have with that master, so you and I are called to be so intimately involved in relationship with Jesus Christ that we know his voice. There should be no question when he calls.

I don’t where you are, but maybe you have a hard time hearing God’s voice. It’s not audible like we’d like it to be. But this is for certain: God does speak to us. The question is: can we discern that voice from all the other voices we are hearing? The only way to do that is to become so intimate in our relationship with God that we know that voice. I want to encourage you to continue to seek the type of spiritual life that would allow you to enjoy a close walk with your shepherd.

The second lesson I learned from the ewe this week is to follow our Master. Sheep are by nature followers, at least most of them.   Mrs. Gad-about was a very attractive sheep. Her body was beautifully proportioned. She had a strong constitution and an excellent coat of wool. She had bright eyes. She bore sturdy lambs that matured rapidly. She was hot stuff in the sheep world. But in spite of all these attractive attributes she had one pronounced fault. She was restless – discontented – a fence crawler. She caused more problems for her shepherd than all the rest of the flock combined. No matter what field or pasture they were in she would search along the fences looking for a hole she could crawl through to feed on the other side. With Mrs. “Gad-about” it was a habit. She just wasn’t content and never learned her lesson. But what made matters worse was that she taught her lambs the same tricks. They followed their mom and became skilled at escaping. Even worse still was the example she set for the other sheep who followed her lead. In order to save the flock the shepherd had to get rid of Mrs. Gad-about. You see within a flock there can be only one shepherd. The sheep must follow their shepherd and not be distracted by other sheep. With a relationship that is built over time between a shepherd and his sheep, the sheep eventually come to place complete trust in their shepherd to the point where they will follow him anywhere he leads.   Let me tell you all….That’s the kind of trust that we are called to have in our shepherd, Jesus Christ. We are challenged to give ourselves completely to his care, because in the same way that we as parents are looking out for what’s best for our children, so too God is looking out for us. God like a parent can see much farther than we are able and can prevent us from unnecessary harm.

Much like sheep you and I also are threatened in at least two ways. First of all we are threatened by predators. For a shepherd, predators are the biggest concern because a sheep has no means of self-defense. While sheep are very alert and untrusting of strangers they have no way to escape danger except to run. With modern day fences the issue is not as serious but the principle is still extremely relevant. A sheep needs the protection of its owner. You and I are no different. The scriptures speak of the devil as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. There are forces which would seek to destroy you but the good news is that your master is someone who is more powerful than them. But it is crucial that you remain within the fence. You can’t go looking for a hole to climb through but must remain within the care of God. You must remain within that intimate relationship.

The second danger that a sheep is susceptible to is of being “casted”. The word is an old English word and refers to the position of a sheep when they are on their back with their feet in the air. The sheep will be lying on its side and may role over too far and when they start trying to get up they often will fight to hard and make matters worse. A sheep can actually die if they are left in this position for too long. Often you and I believe that we are can make it on our own. We like to think that we’re independent, but the reality is we’re not. Without the constant care of our shepherd we may find ourselves kicking and thrashing in life unable to get ourselves out of the mess that we’ve created. While we may not die physically because of our struggle we are not able to experience the kind of life that we were created to live a life that Jesus says in this passage he wants to give us: an abundant and real life, more and better than we ever dreamed of.

Ultimately the greatest lesson that we can learn from the Ewe is that we are all in need of a shepherd. The 23rd Psalm says “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” Those who know about sheep know that the only time that sheep will lie down is if they trust their shepherd and believe they are safe. The only way that you and I can truly experience the peace and contentment that we desire is to be involved in a relationship with  our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.   

Everything I Learned, I Learned From A Ewe

I did not preach at Midway today.  Mr. Dick Israel filled in for me.  I was the guest pastor at Rock Mills United Methodist Church for their Homecoming.  It was great fun singing, speaking, and fellowshipping with my home church.  There were a lot of faces there I have not seen in a long while, some new faces, some faces I missed, and many familiar faces.  It was a wonderful day.  I was truly blessed to have spent time at both Rock Mills and Midway.  It was the best of both worlds and a blessing from God. 

My scripture comes from John 10: 1-18.  I

’ve often said …and not because I am one… that Mothers are amazing. They’re teachers and disciplinarians. They’re cleaning ladies and doctors, and nurses and psychologists and counselors. They’re coaches and chauffeurs. They’re developers of personalities, molders of vocabularies and shapers of attitudes. Mothers are a gift from God.  The love of a mother for her children is unlike any other love that has ever been created. It’s beyond belief. It’s truly amazing. 

Several years ago, while traveling in Ireland I was fortunate enough to visit a sheep farm and observe the love of a mother for her baby lamb in action. The little baby lamb was only one day old and this was a first time mom. I wasn’t the only intruder in the pen, there was also a puppy who was antagonizing this new little lamb and its mother. As the puppy ran around the sheep the ewe was very insistent that it stay away from her baby. She stamped her feet at the puppy and shielded the lamb with her own body. It was an incredible sight to watch as this mother practiced her love for her baby by protecting that baby from what she believed was danger. Finally the owner walked over toward the puppy and the puppy backed off. He then approached the baby lamb and instead of getting defensive the mother allowed him to pick up the baby with no problem. What was the difference I wondered?

This week I finally realized exactly what that difference was, and today I want to talk with you about some lessons that I learned from that Ewe which I believe we each can take away from this place today.In our text today we have a lesson… taught by Jesus …using the symbolism of sheep. For some of you the conclusions that Jesus drew will not be difficult to understand because you are familiar with sheep. While others might have a more difficult time due to a lack of experience with farm animals.

There are two very important lessons that we can learn from sheep. The first lesson comes from the fact that the sheep recognize their master’s voice. Seamus, who owned the sheep that I visited in Ireland told our group that his sheep could be all the way across the field and if he yelled for them, it didn’t matter what he said, they recognized his voice and came bolting across the field.  The sheep wouldn’t respond to me when I talked to them, rather they became afraid and as I entered their fenced in area they hightailed it across the field and huddled together out of fear. The sheep recognized the voice of their shepherd because a relationship existed between them. They recognized the voice of their shepherd because it is the shepherd with whom they spend their time. It is the shepherd from whom they receive everything they need to survive. That brings us to our first lesson.

We must recognize our master’s voice. The only way that we can do that is through a relationship with him. Jesus said that his sheep recognize his voice. They don’t follow any one else but rather wait for his leading and go where he calls them. Ladies and Gentlemen: when we are in relationship with someone, when we know them intimately we cannot help but recognize their voice. Just like sheep recognize the voice of their master because of the relationship that they have with that master, so you and I are called to be so intimately involved in relationship with Jesus Christ that we know his voice. There should be no question when he calls.

I don’t where you are, but maybe you have a hard time hearing God’s voice. It’s not audible like we’d like it to be. But this is for certain: God does speak to us. The question is: can we discern that voice from all the other voices we are hearing? The only way to do that is to become so intimate in our relationship with God that we know that voice. I want to encourage you to continue to seek the type of spiritual life that would allow you to enjoy a close walk with your shepherd.

The second lesson I learned from the ewe this week is to follow our Master. Sheep are by nature followers, at least most of them.   Mrs. Gad-about was a very attractive sheep. Her body was beautifully proportioned. She had a strong constitution and an excellent coat of wool. She had bright eyes. She bore sturdy lambs that matured rapidly. She was hot stuff in the sheep world. But in spite of all these attractive attributes she had one pronounced fault. She was restless – discontented – a fence crawler. She caused more problems for her shepherd than all the rest of the flock combined. No matter what field or pasture they were in she would search along the fences looking for a hole she could crawl through to feed on the other side. With Mrs. “Gad-about” it was a habit. She just wasn’t content and never learned her lesson. But what made matters worse was that she taught her lambs the same tricks. They followed their mom and became skilled at escaping. Even worse still was the example she set for the other sheep who followed her lead. In order to save the flock the shepherd had to get rid of Mrs. Gad-about. You see within a flock there can be only one shepherd. The sheep must follow their shepherd and not be distracted by other sheep. With a relationship that is built over time between a shepherd and his sheep, the sheep eventually come to place complete trust in their shepherd to the point where they will follow him anywhere he leads.   Let me tell you all….That’s the kind of trust that we are called to have in our shepherd, Jesus Christ. We are challenged to give ourselves completely to his care, because in the same way that we as parents are looking out for what’s best for our children, so too God is looking out for us. God like a parent can see much farther than we are able and can prevent us from unnecessary harm.

Much like sheep you and I also are threatened in at least two ways. First of all we are threatened by predators. For a shepherd, predators are the biggest concern because a sheep has no means of self-defense. While sheep are very alert and untrusting of strangers they have no way to escape danger except to run. With modern day fences the issue is not as serious but the principle is still extremely relevant. A sheep needs the protection of its owner. You and I are no different. The scriptures speak of the devil as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. There are forces which would seek to destroy you but the good news is that your master is someone who is more powerful than them. But it is crucial that you remain within the fence. You can’t go looking for a hole to climb through but must remain within the care of God. You must remain within that intimate relationship.

The second danger that a sheep is susceptible to is of being “casted”. The word is an old English word and refers to the position of a sheep when they are on their back with their feet in the air. The sheep will be lying on its side and may role over too far and when they start trying to get up they often will fight to hard and make matters worse. A sheep can actually die if they are left in this position for too long. Often you and I believe that we are can make it on our own. We like to think that we’re independent, but the reality is we’re not. Without the constant care of our shepherd we may find ourselves kicking and thrashing in life unable to get ourselves out of the mess that we’ve created. While we may not die physically because of our struggle we are not able to experience the kind of life that we were created to live a life that Jesus says in this passage he wants to give us: an abundant and real life, more and better than we ever dreamed of.

Ultimately the greatest lesson that we can learn from the Ewe is that we are all in need of a shepherd. The 23rd Psalm says “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” Those who know about sheep know that the only time that sheep will lie down is if they trust their shepherd and believe they are safe. The only way that you and I can truly experience the peace and contentment that we desire is to be involved in a relationship with our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. 

2015 A-Z April Challenge - V is for Victory

The countdown is on and since I was a bit under the weather am running late with my post.  There are only four letters left after today.  My word for today is V is for Victory.  Yesterday our FFA String band boys competed at the district level.  They have been coming in my room each morning since we came back from Christmas break and playing for me.  I join in and sing with them sometimes.  I was really hoping that they would win and they did!  I am so excited for them. 

My Wadley FFA students placed fourth in their quartet division.  They have been practicing forever and they have the sweetest voices.  When we got to the school last night for the Mock Wedding we found out that our baseball team played in a play-off game against Thorsby High School.  The winner had to win two games.  We won them both. 

Victory definitely belonged to RCHS yesterday. Do you think the guys were excited about their victory.  I do!  I was so proud of them. The baseball boys will play again towards the end of the week in the third round of the play-off system.  I would love to see them go all the way and win state!  Softball play-offs begin soon too.  Victory would be sweet. 

2015 April Challenge - U is for Unique!

Wow!  April has really flown and here we are nearing the end of the Alphabet Challenge.  I am always so glad when April rolls around and we begin and then so sad when April ends and I have to wait another year.  Today's letter was a tough one for me.  The letter U did not seem to spark any creative juices straight away...and then it was like a lightening bolt struck me...U is for Unique! Unique isn’t just a word that teachers tell their “special” students they are, it means being different in usually a good way. It is when everyone wears white and one person wears purple. Someone’s unique way of talking. When I was in school I wanted to fit in.  I did not want to stand out....or be unique.  I wanted to fade into the wall.  The older I got....the more I realized that I was unique.  There is no one else out there like me.  I don't dress like everyone else....I don't do what everyone else does....I am myself....and I am unique.  People don't always know how to take me.  My uniqueness comes through singing.  I have a unique way for finding harmony anywhere.  I have a number of unique friends.  Susan has a unique handle on planting things.  She sees plants in ways I do not!  Artsy Amy can see things differently too....she can paint on anything and it look like it should be hanging in a museum.  We all have the ability to be unique and I try to instill that in my students.  You do not have to follow the crowd....choose your own path....be unique.  My mother always encouraged me to be unique.....she asked me once if everyone jumped from a bridge....would I?   Heaven's No!  I was not stupid....I just wanted to fit in.  Several years ago I had a student in one of my classes who had the name, "Precious Unique."  When I asked her about her unusual name she told me that her momma told her she was "precious in the sight of the Lord," "and was a unique child of God."  I loved it!  Even though my name is not Precious Unique....I too am precious in His sight...and a Unique child of God.  So as I head off for work this morning....I am feeling a unique kinda day dawning...and I encourage you all to get out there and strap your unique on. 

2015 A-Z April Challenge - T is for Travel

Today my challenge letter T is for Travel.  I love to travel.  There is something about planning, preparing,  and executing a trip that makes me smile.  I love the whole process. I can honestly boast that I have been to 48 of the 50 states.   Several years ago my cousin, Amanda, and her family and my daughter, Kat and I took a 9000+ mile Pacific Northwest trip.  We went all the way to Vancouver, Canada and down to the Mighty Redwoods...it was an amazing trip.  We spent a night in Gillette, WY and stayed at a lovely place called the Mustang Motel because it was the annual cattle drive and there were no rooms at the inn....any of them.  Our suite had bullet holes in the ceiling, windows, and doors.  I guess we should have known something was wrong when the inn keeper asked if we wanted to see the room first....and if we were paying for an hour?  Kat and I traveled to PEI when she was 15 to see where Lucy Maude Montgomery lived.  She was a huge fan of the Anne of Green Gables series.  We traveled as far as we could up US-1 and then hopped on I-95 when we could not.  My bucket list contains a few more travels such as these.  I want to get some special people together and drive Route 66 - The Mother Road from Illinois to California and of course I want to see Vermont and Alaska.  I think with Alaska it is now Alaska or bust.  I have been to several countries in Europe and still have a few I want to see....of course Moldova is at the top of that list because my daughter is a missionary there.  I also want to see Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland.  Some day my travels will take me there.  My parents were back roads travelers so I have it in my blood.  My dad used to say he was not lost but just exploring.  Jana Stanfield does a song that I like to claim as my mantra.  The lyrics  to I'm Not Lost, I am Exploring are:

If I could look down on this path I walk from somewhere way up high,
I could see the crooked road that I have come.
I walked a mile with sorrow, I walked a mile with joy
and now I'm less afraid of either one.
For every tear I've cried, there's a smile that I have earned,
for every mile I walked there's a lesson I learned.

Chorus
I'm not lost, I am exploring.
Life is an adventure worth enjoying.
Though I may not know where I'm going,
I am not lost, I am exploring.
I am not lost, I am exploring.

Some people choose to live their lives on quiet avenues,
while others find a place in the parade.
Some like me are seekers, we take less travelled roads,
believing we can find a better way.
And though I get discouraged, I won't be turning back
I have joy as my compass and faith as my map.

Chorus

All of us are headed for the same destination,
so why not blaze a trail that's got imagination

Chorus

I am not lost, I am exploring.    

So I want to leave you with this thought....get out there and Travel, take small trips...take big trips....have an adventure and enjoy it!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you're visiting from the A-Z you'll find my post on letter S on this day...but one post down.  If you've answered the questions today add your link by clicking here, then run say hi to your neighbor. Also Hodgepodge links only please! Don't make Joyce have to bring out the wooden spoon.   One quick item of business-Joyce is calling Spring Break in the Hodgepodge next Wednesday, April 29th. She needs a day and think a break now and then helps keep things fresh. We'll resume the week after on May 6th.

Now on with the show-

1. Have you ever had to wear a uniform? If yes, tell us more. Did you love it or hate it?
I wore a uniform for PE from 7th to 12th grade.  They were disgustingly ugly and I hated them.  There was only one place in town you could buy them and the whole process was a nightmare.
 2. April 22nd is Earth Day. What is one thing you do personally to be a good steward of planet Earth.  We pick up litter, we recycle things by using them in other ways, we spend a good bit of time outdoors, I love planting things.  3. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous...your healthy grain of choice? How often are one of the three on your menu at home? Given a choice between white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and fried rice which would you go for?  Brown rice is my favorite and that's what I would go for. We have brown rice about once a week, couscous occasionally , and quinoa rarely. 
4. In your opinion, who has the best job ever?  I have to agree with Joyce and say Mothers. I have loved this job.  And then doctors, nurses, teachers...jobs where you're making a tangible difference in someone else's life. Maybe not the easiest jobs in the world, nor are they without challenges, but I think the sense of personal satisfaction one feels in helping another makes for the best kind of job.
5. What's a situation in your life currently requiring patience?  The end of the school year and all the numerous things going on in my school life right now.6. Do you live your life around the days of the week?  Yes, I have my school week...and things each night that deal with church.....and then Sunday AM and PM deal with church....Saturdays I guard ferociously.  
 7. In a nod to the A to Z challenge happening around town this month, what 'R word' best describes your April?  Rainy...Rainy....and did I say Rainy?
 8. Insert your own random thought here.  I am using this space to link over to my A-Z Challenge post. We're into the final third of the alphabet so whoohoo!  S is for Southern Sayings.

2015 A-Z April Challenge - S is for Southern Sayings

When I was younger I loved watching the two power women in Gone With The Wind.  I loved their gentle southern speaking and would actually go around mimicking them at school...we all did.  Some of us were better at it than others.  My favorite line was when Scarlet holds up the dirt at Tara and states emphatically that "tomorrow is another day).  I think I have always kind of kept that reasoning in my brain files.  When things go terribly wrong...I always remember this line.  Dixie Carter's character, Julia Sugarbaker, was always one I enjoyed listening to as she made multiple syllables out of a one syllable word....and I am rambling.  Today's letter, S, is for Southern Sayings.  I think I should get two points for this since I am using two S's.  Moving on.....the South is known for it's quaint and humorous expressions....and I have to admit that I fell in love with them from the first day I lived here.  Phrases like, "Bless Her Heart,", "Too big for his britches," "That dog will hunt," "Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs," are delightful.  I can think of 100's of them, but I won't.  If you would like to check out some others then try clicking here.  Every region has it's sayings and in my travels I have picked up a few and been totally entertained by many more. I should have been a student of linguistics....I love words and word play.  If you are reading this post today I have a favor to ask....can you think of a phrase that is used in your part of the word?  Will you share it with me in a comment.  "Y'all Come Back Now, Ya Hear!"

2015 A-Z April Challenge - Raised in the South, just not THE South

I was born and raised in South Florida.  I do not really sound like anyone.  When I was growing up my neighbors to the right were from Harwich Port, MA, the ones to the left were from upstate New York.  The ones across the street were from the Bronx and Queens...and I sound like I could be from the Midwest somewhere.  When I first moved to Alabama one of the funniest words I heard was "rurnt."  I could not for the life of me understand what it meant.  I finally asked one of my new Alabama friends what on earth this word was referring too...and died laughing when she explained it to me.  You see rurnt means that something is spoiled, not any good, wasted.  An example of its use is:  The milk in the fridge was rurnt.   What a funny word.  It sounds like a pig grunting to me.  In the early nineties I received an NEH fellowship to study Miguel Cervantes in Walla Walla, WA.  I was thrilled...out of 150 applicants I was one of the 20 chosen.  When I was picked up at the Walla Walla Airport the driver was so disappointed when I introduced myself.  He told me I sounded as if I was from Kansas.  They were hoping for a southern drawl....I guess that was rurnt.  Luckily one of the other participants grew up in the Mobile area and had a drawl as thick as could be.  It all worked out.  Before I got my degree in High School education I substituted in any grade.  The children had a problem with my pronunciation of the word "on".   They owned the word when they said it....and I didn't.  People in the community I lived in used to invite me to their events....to talk....not speak...not give my witness....just talk....they loved laughing at the way I pronounced words.  I don't say y'all....I say you guys.  I am a southerner.  I was born and raised in the South.  So today my R is for Raised in the South, just not the RIGHT South. 

2015 April A-Z Challenge - Q is for Que Sera Sera

The month of alphabet is drawing to a close.  We are advancing to the hard letters.  Q is for Que Sera Sera by Doris Day.  Honestly this song could have been written about me because when I was just a little girl this was my mother's favorite response.  Sometimes I thought I lived in a musical.  My mom would bust out into whatever song fit the moment.  This was the one I heard most of my life. When I had children of my own.....they heard it too....often.  For the past twenty-five years I have had high schoolers of my own. I  have an additional verse I added to the original song.  I teach high school Spanish....and "Que Sera Sera" really means What will be, will be.  So when my students ask me questions about their future I occasionally will sing them this extra verse....

Now  I teach children at high school

and they always ask me won't it be ccool

to be a doctor, walk on the moon

I want it to happen soon (spoken softly...."And I say")

Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be

The future's not yours to see...

Que sera sera.

So today I say to you, "Que Sera Sera"....What will be today....will be!  Have an Awesome Monday!

Easter Qualities

Today I want to talk to you about “Easter Qualities”

My scripture is coming from one of my favorite scripture verses:  Luke 24:33-48

Today people will only commit to things they feel are relevant. They say, “OK, Easter happened. So what? How will that make a difference in my life tomorrow?”  Well let me tell you…..

In Luke 24 the risen Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didn’t recognize their Lord—perhaps they were too overwhelmed by grief. They invited Him to have dinner with them. As He breaks bread with them and offers thanks, they see that it is Jesus, their Messiah. From this event we can see that Easter brings 4 relevant qualities to make our lives different: peace, joy, hope, and mission…

Let’s take a look at Peace, Jesus knew His followers were confused and frightened. They had hit rock bottom. And so He says, “Peace be with you.” This is not simply a salutation; it’s the first application of Easter—peace. Everyone wants peace of mind. We live in such a troubled world. Even the Holy Land is polluted with violence and unrest.  People attempt to attain peace by their own efforts. Optimistic songs have been written about being able to dream the impossible dream, climb every mountain, and fly with bluebirds over the rainbow…very idealistic, but….they are not very realistic, without a Higher Power. Before we can get peace of mind, we need to find peace with God. Unbelievers are at war with God, even if they don’t realize it. They are choosing to live apart from God, to live as though God doesn’t exist.  The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means fullness, wholeness. Peace comes by realizing that we’re forgiven, that we’ve already passed our judgment test with God. Peace means that the grave is not the end of life. By applying Easter’s peace today, we can face tomorrow with calmness, serenity, assurance and confidence. We know that whatever the Prince of peace brings into our lives will work out for our good.  Once when I was in New York City sightseeing I saw the most interesting comparison….On 5th Avenue in New York City there is a visual reminder of the Source of true peace. At the entrance of the RCA Building is a huge statue of Atlas struggling to keep the world on his shoulders. Atlas represents me….when I try and do it on my own.  On the other side of the street is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Behind the altar is a small statue of Jesus effortlessly holding the whole world in one hand. I love this statue. Peace is hard to come by when we strive to balance the world on our own backs, but when we heed God’s invitation to give Him our burdens, the weight of our world becomes effortless for our risen Lord.

Number 2 is Joy - Joy is the next Easter quality, vs 41 says: “they still did not believe because of joy and amazement.” Elsewhere in the Gospels, Jesus states, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). The disciples were surprised by joy; they felt the resurrection was nearly too good to be true; overcome with grief, they’re now overwhelmed with joy. It’s like being told you’ve won a million dollars—at first you can’t believe your good fortune. Jesus gave His disciples time to let the reality of His resurrection sink in. He asked for something to eat, and they realized that He was truly alive.  Joy is a companion to peace, a natural bi-product. We wrongly equate joy with escaping the cares of the world. Joy helps us overcome our concerns. Joy is not the absence of sorrow. God gives joy in the midst of sorrow. The fact that Jesus could have joy in the midst of sorrow shows that we can experience it too. Joy substitutes are mere temporary distractions. The world’s joy is fleeting and artificial, and when it’s gone we’re left with greater emptiness. Christian joy is not substitution but transformation. It is something we become. We’re prone to want God to change our circumstances, when He wants instead to change our character. Joy that comes from God enriches our lives and enables us to feel secure even when our circumstances are shaky. Joy is spiritual prosperity. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness turns up more or less where you’d expect it to—a good marriage, a rewarding job, a pleasant vacation. Joy, on the other hand, is as unpredictable as the One who gives is.  Malcolm Muggeridge was a Marxist before he found Christ. During the Cold War he traveled to Russia to write a story about the Communist party and the decline of religion in that atheistic regime. After conducting a series of interviews with officials in the Kremlin, he attended a Russian Orthodox Easter service. The church was packed. At the close of the service the priest announced, “Christ is risen”, and the people shouted back, “He is risen indeed!” Muggeridge looked into their faces and instantly realized that they were right and that Stalin was wrong. He said it was the reality of their joy that tipped the scales of his soul toward Christ. The reality of Christian joy is compelling!  Easter is about victory over death. We have joy in knowing that Jesus holds the keys of death and hell. He has unlocked heaven’s doors and locked the gates of hell. People fear, obsess over, and deny death—but for Christians, death is a non-issue, because we possess the joy of Easter.

Our third piece is Hope – Hope…you know When you know people are going to keep their promises, you have a secure hope that does not disappoint. Jesus explains to His followers how all the details of His life were in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s promises to us.  At the famous Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, the staff unanimously singles out hope as the most important factor in the treatment of mental illness. Hope is necessary for survival. With hope, we can get up and face another day.  Hope causes us to rejoice. According to an ancient Russian Orthodox tradition, the day before Easter was devoted to telling jokes. Priests would join the people in telling their best jokes to one another. The reason was to reflect the joke God pulled on the devil in the Resurrection. Satan thought he won on Friday, but God had the last laugh on Easter Sunday. Our hope causes us to laugh about the victory we have through Christ.

Our last thought is that of Mission - Easter brings internal qualities of peace, joy, and hope…which result in external action. God has plans for us, a mission. We participate in the work of Christ by heralding the Good News. Many organizations have a mission statement. Ours is often found on the cover of our church bulletin: “We proclaim Christ, counseling and instructing all people with all wisdom, so that we can present everyone complete in Christ”, Colossians 1:28. We all have unique gifts, and God expects us to find our niche in His Kingdom. Every ability has a Kingdom application. Plus we have a mission to be witnesses by what we say and do. Is God telling you to serve Him? To help someone? To say yes to something, or to give something up? To take on a special project for His glory?

You know….We can walk away from Easter with renewed peace, joy, hope and a firm sense of mission, which can affect our entire outlook on life….or we can choose not to.  We can become purpose-driven to win our world for Christ. Our whole image—how we appear and talk, our outlook and reaction to life will all be different…and when people ask what’s happened to us, we can answer: “Easter happened—that’s what!”

 

 

 

 

 

There's No Need To Fear.....

My object for today was a paper boat.  I was so proud of myself for making it.  The problem was....at one point during Sunday School I got up and moved...and when I returned to my seat...I sat on my boat.  Sigh!  

Scripture: He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 (NIV)   See my  paper boat I brought with me this morning. This little boat is to remind us that we are entering into the time of year when many people enjoy getting into their boats and going out onto the lakes, rivers, and streams. Have you ever gone out in a boat? What were you doing? Some people like to go fishing, some like to go water skiing, and others may just enjoying going for a ride in the boat. No matter what you are doing in a boat, it is important to know some things about boating safety. At the very top of the list is... always wear your life jacket!  The boating season is also the season for thunderstorms. It is wise to check the weather report before going out in a boat, but sometimes the weather can change very quickly. A storm can come up suddenly and you may need to get safely to shore.  One day, Jesus and some of his disciples were out on a lake in a boat. Suddenly, without warning, a storm came up. The wind blew so hard, and the waves were so high, that water was coming into the boat and the boat was about to be turned over.  While the winds and waves tossed the little boat about, Jesus slept peacefully at one end of the boat. Some of the disciples became upset that Jesus was sleeping. They went and woke Jesus, and asked him, "Master, don't you even care that we are about to drown?" Jesus got up and spoke to the winds and the waves.  "Peace, be still," he said. As soon as he spoke, the winds stopped blowing and the sea became calm.  Jesus' disciples were amazed! They said, "Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey him?  We know who Jesus is, don't we? And we know that Jesus can still calm storms today. Sometimes, there are sudden storms in our life. Perhaps it is an illness, a family problem, or the death of a friend or loved one. During these times, Jesus can calm the storms of doubt and fear in our life. He doesn't always take away all of the problems, but if we will trust in him, he will give us peace in our hearts even in the middle of a storm.  Heavenly Father, we thank you for those times when you calm the storms that come up in our daily lives. We also thank you for those times when you give us peace even though we are in the middle of a storm. We ask you to watch over us and keep us safe. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

2015 A- April Challenge - P is for Philly Cheesesteaks

Today, my P is for Philly Cheesesteaks.  I can't say that before my trip to Philadelphia I ever really liked this sandwich.  My favorite sandwiches were pastrami on rye or a Russo's sub.  These were the best and there was no need to venture.  Yet, here I was in the City of Brotherly Love for a convention and believe me I was on culinary overload.  Everywhere I looked there was some kind of place we wanted to try out for one meal or another. The Pop Shop, in Cherry Hill,  was one of our first stops.  It was close and it was cute.  It truly was a blast from the past and they were playing Trivia the night we visited.  We ate everything from pecan crusted chicken to a good old Americana Burger.  The food was great.  While in Philly we ate Italian, we ate Armenian, we ate just about every ethnic group you can find....but the one thing we had not had was a philly cheese steak and we had two days left to get that in.  The mayor of Philadelphia spoke at our meeting that morning and told us to be sure and try the cheesesteaks.  It seems that there is a major competition between Pat's and Geno's  for who makes the best cheesesteak sandwich.  We discovered that Geno's was close....so after the conference we headed off to find it.  It was hard to miss.  The neon on the restaurant would light up the whole city.  We discovered two places....across the street from each other.  The lines were about the same length...so we parked in front of Geno's...and walked up to order.

We ordered our sandwiches just like mayor told us to...."wit onions and whiz"  I did not know what to expect....but it was not the humongous sandwich with enough meat on it to feed an army, gorgeous caramelized onions, and CHEESE WHIZ!  It was a heart attack looking for a place to happen.

I asked for some ketchup.....and it was as if E.F. Hutton had spoken.  The place grew silent.  The man waiting on me asked in surprise..."KETCHUP?"  I smiled, pointed, and said...."for my fries?"...and the world grew noisy again.  He showed me where the condiments were....asked me if I was sure I did not want whiz on my fries....gave me my order and I hid on the side at an outdoor table where no one could see me eating a small bead of ketchup on my SANDWICH!  I ate about a third of it.  Ate another third later that night....and finished it off for lunch the next day.  I was hooked.....before we left Philly I had eaten yet another one.  I loved these things!  Where had they been all my life?  I came home prepared to replicate them for Frank....but....never could.  I had the ingredients right....they just did not taste the same.  So if you are ever in Philly and want a philly cheesesteak sandwich to die for....find Geno's and throw cholesterol caution to the wind, order one wit onions and whiz and enjoy.  I promise you won't regret it. My only regret is that I didn't get to try one from Pat's place.  Next time....and I promise you there will be a next time.