Thinking is something I do often.  I teach it when I’m in school and I try really hard to make sure my kids know how to do it too.  I think about things from the mundane, (I like blue things)  to average things, (the olympics are amazing)  to deep things, (how is it possible to both love and be annoyed by the same thing).   Sometimes what I think can be pretty entertaining. Those wild and crazy thoughts that just take off like a rocket and weave all over your mind from one thing to the next at lightening speed.  Sometimes my thoughts can be one tracked and very focused.   Sometimes a thought gets stuck in your head and just persists on being there all the time.  I’ve had a thought like this recently (which probably explains the lapse in postings…sorry) 

This thought rattles around in my mind all day long, while I sleep, while I’m trying to listen to a sermon, when I’m online… pretty much all the time.   I’ve had a few moments of peace when an especially good song is playing in the car.  And when that song did happen to play, I was reminded about King Saul was comforted by music that David was playing.  Music engages your mind, but it simultaneously eases your mind.  That is an amazing quality.  Then the music end and the thought returns.

I am ready to stop thinking about this.  I’ve got other things that need my attention.  I think just deciding to NOT think about this thought, will not really work.  Praying helps.  I think that I just need resolution and it isn’t up to me.  Frustrating.   But that is how life is sometimes.

Have a happy day!

I’ve had a verse on my mind lately and the more I think about it, the more I feel like I need to write about it.  But first a small sidebar.  I remember learning this verse years and years ago and when I went to find it again, the words are not the same as I remember.  The thought and idea is the same, but it wasn’t the words I learned.  I don’t know how that happens! 

The verse I remember learning was “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.”   The verse that is actually in the Bible is  “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14

I’ve had some friends in my life that were not at peace with me at some point.  It’s actually happened more than once.  BUT… for the most part, peace prevailed.  I’m going to name names and mention some things. I know that could be dangerous, but just trust me for a minute.

My college room mate, Misty and I had a time of non peace in our lives.  I’m just going to say it involved a boyfriend and both of us.  I remember very clearly the pain and the hurt that was felt.  I also remember sitting in our room one night and crying together and deciding that there wasn’t a boy that existed that would be worth sacrificing our friendship.  So we cried together, we had our turns being mad and hurt and we worked it out.  A few days ago, we were talking about how we can say anything to each other.  We don’t have to hide things or self censor because we have found peace in our relationship.  Misty and I know how to be real and honest and protect the peace we have.  Our friendship has lasted for more 22 years!

Another friend named Ken posted something the other day that I found really funny.  But apparently he was worried I might be offended. He came to me  privately and apologized if he said anything that might have been inappropriate.  I assured him that I thought it was funny and everything was good.  I appreciated that gesture probably more than he knows.  What he said was fine, but that attitude of doing the right thing and talking to me just in case was a big deal.  He was doing what he needed to in order to protect our friendship and maintain peace between us.  That is what friends do.

I’m not even going to try to tell you all the times my husband and I have had bouts of non-peace. There are just  too many. What I can tell you is that we made a pledge and a promise to each other to work it out every single time.  We know what works for us and we honor each other in our personal road to peace.  We do not go to sleep mad.  We talk things out, we write each other notes, we do whatever it takes to have peace in our relationship.  And then we laugh.  A LOT.  Laughing is really good for maintaining peace.  I sure do love that I get to spend the rest of my years with him.

Let me tell you though, during those times when there is unrest and no peace in a relationship, it bothers me.  It bothers me emotionally and physically.  I don’t like it one little bit.  If I know something is wrong I do everything I can to make it right.   What is very difficult for me is when the other person doesn’t make an effort.  That has happened and it hurts me.  I can only do MY best.  I can’t do for someone else.  I do what I can and that is all I can do. 

So in the interest of doing the right thing, I want to throw out a blanket statement.  If I am in a relationship with you (friendship, sibling, spouse, parent, whatever) and something is not quite right between us ever, please come to me.  I want to work it out and bring peace.   I really mean that. 

Yesterday in Bible class when I was teaching the 3-5th grade class we had some riddles.  They were pretty fun.  The point was to illustrate wisdom…. I went a little deeper than just the riddles, but I’m only going to share the riddles with you.  Enjoy!

1.  What can’t get wetter, no matter how much rain falls?

2.  What sits in a corner while traveling around the world?

3.  I have a face and two arms but I can’t move.  I count to 12 but I can’t speak.  What am I?

4.  What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work?

5.  What did one math book say to the other?

6. What needs an answer but doesn’t ask a question?

7. Quick- How many seconds are there in a calendar year?

Answers:

1.  Water or a fish

2.  A stamp

3. A clock

4.  Stick

5.  Man!! We have a lot of problems!

6.  A phone

7.  12    Jan 2nd, Feb 2nd, Mar 2nd  etc

Have a happy day!

This morning I picked a slip of paper out of my question jar so that I could write about it for you.  Here is the question.   “What would you do if you were the teacher and everyone forgot his homework?”

First of all, in all my years of teaching I’ve never seen an entire class FORGET their homework.  Maybe a few or even several, but there is always someone who has it done and ready to turn in.   But if we suspend reality for a moment and pretend that everyone really did forget their homework, I’ll tell you what I would do. 

I’d start with a blank sheet of paper for each kid.  I’d expect the room to be silent.  Maybe even move all the desks apart so there is no looking at other papers. I’d have each student write a one page explanation on why they don’t have their homework.  Spelling counts, punctuation counts, and grammar counts.  That would be the grade that would replace the homework they forgot. 

Also, I’d pick a few to read to the class (names withheld to protect embarassment) and we would talk about it. 

I’m not going to lie.  Some kid in the class will have a brilliant and likely very funny paper.  I’d find that one to read.  You know, everyone makes mistakes.  There should be consequences for mistakes, but also learning.  If I can find a way to make it a FUN learning experience I will.   I’ll let my class know I’m disappointed, then brainstorm ways to not let it happen again.   

Probably the very first thing I would do is to look incredulous at the fact they all forgot… step into the hall and laugh a little because it would appear to be an organized prank and then return to class looking stern and assign the papers.  

Have a happy day!

I thought it has been a while since I posted.  It seems that I am just busy in real life doing life.  I find the less I blog, the less I have to say.  Why is that?  I don’t know.  Regardless, I thought I’d just type out a list of a few of my blessings.  Not all of them, just some.   

• I have a wonderful husband.
• I have two great kids
• My house is warm during the winter and cool during the summer
• I have friends all across the country
• I have friends in real life that are very fun to hang out with
• There is plenty of food to eat
• My children have nice friends too
• Big sister has a boyfriend that is a great kid
• We own a plethora of Bibles
• I have clothes that fit and some that are too big and some that are too small. 
• Hubby prayed for our shoes to not wear out almost 3 years ago.. and I’m still in the same pair of shoes.  (normal lifespan is almost one year).  
• I drive a car that is paid off
• Steve N. tags me on surveys that make me laugh every single time!
• I get to attend worship services freely
• I can rent movies to watch for a dollar a night!
• My teen age friends that invite themselves over to my house
• I can laugh at myself
• I have the opportunity to read any book I want
• The library is FREE!!!
• Sunshine most every day of the year
• Kids that say they are sorry when they  need to and mean it.
• Anticipating time with special friends

My life is blessed.  I may not get on here every day like I used to, but that is simply because I am choosing to enjoy every single day!

Have a happy day!

The girls got up this morning to get ready to go to school.  They are big enough and independent enough to do that without a lot of guidance.  So I was sorting laundry, loading the washer, running the dishwasher, folding blankets.. just general pick up around the house stuff.  Working to benefit the family.   I went to go find little sister and drive her to school.  She was in the bathroom with big sister and they were arguing.  Big sister had obviously taken time to do little sister’s hair (which was very sweet) and they were both dressed.  They were arguing about hormones.  Big sister said little sister didn’t have any yet.  Little sister said she did too have them. Big sister was being mean.  Little sister was being annoying.  They kept on arguing until I finally used my MOM voice and told them to stop it.  I talked to each girl independantly and showed her where she was responsible. Both girls were a little bit right and a little bit wrong in their information.  If they had shared information in stead of fighting over it, they might have avoided the fight.   Then.. they both went to school.   It was very frustrating to see these two girls that I love so much treat each other this way.  Where is the love?  I give them love and I model love and they treat each other like this.  It makes me sad. 

I folded another load of laundry after they were gone and I believe God helped me understand a little bit about him and us. 

God is busy all the time doing things to benefit the family, (his children).  Sometimes we do loving things for each other and then not even a heart beat later we are fighting over something, that really doesn’t matter at all.  We fight over who knows what this passage of scripture means or a specific tradition, knowing that we are right and they are wrong.   We argue passionately.  We point out the faults and errors of our brothers all the while feeling very justified in our own thoughts.  We say mean things to one another (in love of course so we can be Christlike ).  We may be right about something and still wrong in general, but completely miss the part about being wrong.  God must be frustrated that he gives us so much love and has sent his son the  perfect model of love and then see his children treat each other the way we do.  In the end, what matters is that we are sold out completely to God and his ways for our life.  It doesn’t matter if we have all the answers and are right all the time.  I think God wants us to love our brothers and sisters….. EVEN when they are annoying or mean. 

Have a happy day

 My brother in law paints some really great pictures.  He just painted one for my in  laws that is 3 feet by 5 feet.  It is really nice.  It is a picture of Colorado National Monument.  My favorite is the Christmas Homecoming one.  I love all of his pictures though.   Here is a link to his paintings.  I believe you can even buy them if you like. 

Big sister has painted another painting.  She gave this one to a friend of hers as a Christmas gift.  She did this one fast so there isn’t as much detail or depth as she usually has in her paintings.  Still it is nice.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Tonight my children have been invited to go bowling with all the kids from the theatre where they do plays.  They are both SO excited.  I can’t imagine that there will be any bored or sad looking faces there.  Those kids all love each other.   I’m going too, but as a driver not a bowler.  I will enjoy seeing the other moms and the kids.  It will be so much fun.  There is also a tacky bowling shirt “contest”.   I think the contest should be more about who actually owns a bowling shirt.  HA! 

We have had a good time this week.  Christmas was so much fun.  We played games and ate food and got to hang out with family.  We had friend over last night for dinner.   Big sister’s boyfriend has been to our house several times.  So many good things.  We are certainly blessed here.  I hope you have many reasons to count your blessings too.

Have a happy day!

I hope you are all having a day full of blessings.  We are about to head out to go to brother in laws house for the day.  We are doing more presence than presents this year.  I love that!!!!  Games are so much fun to play.  I plan to enjoy the whole day, family, fun and some food.  YES!  God has been so good to my family, that we need to have a celebration of blessings! 

Have a very Merry Christmas

Yesterday for my birthday we invited over about 30 kids from the theatre group that my kids are in.  We went caroling to the neighbors and then to my in laws.  We had so much fun.  Let me just tell you that those kids can sing.  After caroling we came back to our house and had some munchies. THEN they played games.

We played sardines!  Oh my goodness they had so much fun.  We had about 20 kids or so basically playing hide and seek in the dark in our house.  (some went home so that is why the numbers don’t match).  There was much squealing and laughing.  Then we played kamakazi pictionary. WOW!!  So much fun.  Those kids are such a good group of kids.  Everyone had a good time.

The last of them went home about 11 last night.  Whew.. tired.  But it was really fun.  Now on to the next group of friends.

Have a happy day!