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| We have been studying the book of Mark in class. A good book to study with some interesting truths. Yesterday we read the chapters telling about the betrayal of Jesus. I've read these passages so many times but to really read and study the chapters opened my eyes to many things I hadn't truly thought about.
Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him not once but three times. Peter can't believe his ears. Of course he tells Jesus he would never betray Him. Jesus takes three of his closest friends with Him to pray in the garden. He asks them to watch and stay awake. They fall asleep. When Jesus needs them the most, they are not able to do as He asks. I pray in my weakness He makes me ever strong!
If you continue to read, everyone of Jesus' disciples split. Judas betrays Jesus as he identifies Jesus to the Pharisees. They take Jesus in custody and begin to find people to testify against Him. Of course no one is able to say anything against Christ. He was the pure Spotless Lamb.
When I first read all the chapters and verses, I was upset with the disciples. Well not upset, but more confused. I didn't get how they had spent so much time with Jesus and didn't understand what was happening right in front of their eyes. Then I began to think about how many times I have abandoned and deserted Jesus. More times than I want to count or admit. 
I am humbled by what Jesus did for me. Although the disciples left and didn't realize the prophecy Christ had taught them beforehand, He still loved them. The disciples didn't see the greater things to come. Is the answer that simple? Why couldn't they see what was happening? They lived and ate with Jesus. I don't get it.
Maybe I have to chalk it up to my human nature. I don't know. I suppose I will need to study the scriptures more to gain an understanding. At the same time, Jesus continues to mold and shape me. My life should be different each day. I need to proclaim all He has done for me yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The never ending abundant life stares me in the face each day. I need to focus on the prize and run for it....never letting it go. The prize being the grace of Jesus Christ. The gift I don't deserve but is given to me freely because of what He did on the Cross for me and you. Praise Him!
Thank you Jesus for who You are and not what You can do for me. 
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| The other day I ate lunch with my students. It was so funny to sit with them and eat with them. To say the least, they are quite entertaining. As I began to eat my sandwich and chips, I noticed one of my students had some barbecue Pringles. There was a sticky brown substance on her chips. I was wondering what could possibly be sticky like that on her chips. Come to find out that same morning she had pancakes for breakfast. She had to put her pancakes and syrup in a ziploc bag since she was dining in the car.
Of course on the way to school her mom stopped at a local convenience store to pick up her lunch. Mom didn't have another bag to place her chips in for her lunch. So she had to use the bag with syrup in it. A new invention....barbecue chips with maple syrup. Interesting huh? The life of being a teacher! These are the moments that are very kodak like!!
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| I realized it has been a very long time since I have posted. I don't make time to blog as much as I use to on a weekly basis. Going back to work seems to get in the way! That darn job of mine...tee hee hee.
So I thought I would release some stress and blog. I always feel better when I put words to life. Work has been grueling. There are so many new things being introduced. Some of the new shiny ideas are online lesson planning, online training classes, online grade book, new grading period-we were on a 6 weeks basis but now we are moving to a 9 week one. Of course every three weeks we have progress reports or a report card. Next year we are moving to a checklist and will not give grades. This will be interesting to say the least.
Another buzzword flying around at work is accountability. People drop into the classroom to make sure you are teaching. I don't mind that. Just makes you real self conscious. At times I feel like I must have a dog and pony show ready at any time. Can't do any fun things anymore. Bummer! No time. I need to find time though cause I want my students to know learning can be fun. I am praying things get better. I know they will in time.
I am listening to Jimmy Needham. He is so cool. I really like his sound. I also bought Christy Nockels new cd. Her voice is one of the strongest voices I enjoy hearing. Her music is so good.
Coffee...my second cup. I am having this one cold. The weather is humid outside and this makes me very tired. It is raining too.
My contacts are giving me problems. This pair is yet another trial one. I have been searching for the right pair since March. It is very tiresome to wreak havoc on one's eyesight. Especially mine. I am very very blind. One of my nicknames is Magoo! I am waiting for another pair so I can see better. Very frustrating....
I do have a great praise! Since March I have been trying to lose some weight...I have always been overweight so now it is time to really get healthy and shed the unwanted pounds. I have lost almost 18 pounds. I gained some of my weight back I had lost about four months ago, Of course I praise God for helping me lose this weight. I am leading a Biblle Study entitled First Place for Health. It teaches to balance your life in four different areas. You learn to take care of yourself physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. You place Christ in the center of all of the areas to create the balance.
I had surgery In June. So I knew I would be out of commission to exercise. I tried to exercise but jumped the gun and probably hurt my foot. I have lost most of the weight by eating less and giving up sugar and some carbs. I still eat foods I like but God has really taught me to eat for His glory. I use to eat cause food was just there. I would eat when I wasn't hungry. I would eat really bad junk foods. Now I really think about my choices. I crave healthier foods! I crave vegetables and whole grains. I limit the amounts of foods. I try to eyeball my servings and not exceed the amounts of a true serving. So, glory be to Him for constantly helping me.
Lately I keep asking myself why I moved away from God. I don't sense His presence. Going back to work has made me so tired that I don't make the time to read my Bible nor pray. I know I need to do these things on a daily basis, but my life is so compartmentalized. I need to put Him first in all things, but I am struggling. Guess I need my prayer warriors to lift me up instead of giving into satan's lies. Prioritizing is the most important task at hand. Please pray I make the time to lean only on God's word and wisdom!!
Praise God for long weekends. I am relaxing for now. I am not working tomorrow but I know I will end up doing something work related. My job never seems to stop.
Well that is an update. Hope all of you are having a great long weekend. Take care and know I love all of you!!
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| Recently I have begun to read more. I can't believe how much I missed reading for pleasure. I didn't realize how much I missed it until my break from work. Since I had to have surgery on my foot, there wasn't much I could do to pass the time besides watching movies and resting. I do believe I caught up on many movies but still have a few to rent and watch. I picked up one the other day from the public library. It was an old film but I liked it. (Mansfield Park) I do love a good Jane Austen film. The costs was a minimal 2.00 for 4 days. Granted the movies are old and it is a VHS, but nonetheless it was nice to be able to rent a movie for that cheap! So now that I am reading more, I think back. I should have never stopped reading!! My friend got me hooked on the Twilight series. I didn't think I would be remotely interested in reading about a teenager falling in love with a vampire. I didn't even know about the hype from the series until I started reading the first book-Twilight. Of course I was hooked. The temptation to read the rest of the series is quite inviting since she places a few chapters of the next book in the one you are reading. And you can also read some of the chapters online. Talk about speed reading! I devoured the first book multiple times. I kept reading and rereading to make sure I didn't confuse the plot and characters. Also I was waiting to borrow the second book from a friend. I got the second book and started reading that one. Oh my goodness! I couldn't put that one down either. I rented Twilight and watched that but decided the books were much better. Always seems to be the case in most books/screenplays. After roughly three weeks, I finished reading all four books. I was slightly astonished since my love of reading had been placed on hold for a few years. I had read them over and over because I read them too quickly at first and missed so much information. It was kinda funny as I was reading Twilight. The book makes a reference to the characters of Pride and Prejudice. Some other classic love struck couples too...Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Catherine. The whole idea that these couples are so in love with each other but have so many obstacles to face. I suppose the character of Edward and Bella are the same. So many challenges to bear in order to be together. Pride and Prejudice has always been my favorite book. I decided to unearth my copy from high school and give it another read. I was pleasantly surprised by all the rich vocabulary and dialogue! I decided to watch the A & E version with one of my friends. I really enjoyed that! This version holds true to much of the book. The conversations and language are verbatim. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett transform each other ending their obstacles and are finally together by the close of the book. I went to the library Tuesday since I have become a voracious reader. I began watching a series on TV called The Legend of the Seeker. I watched the entire first season in three days. Tee hee hee! Twenty two episodes filled with romance, darkness, magic, the fight against evil and the presence of Truth. Come to find out the TV series is based upon a book series. The Sword of Truth series. I found out there are many books in the series. At least 10 or more! Wow! More reading for me. So I checked out two books from that series and then also decided upon Memoirs of a Geisha. I was comparing the Twilight series and the Sword of Truth series and why I enjoy them so much. I found that both has a romance factor. I kept reading Twilight cause I wanted to see if Edward and Bella would ever get together and live happily ever after...funny how you think it is okay that she is in love with a vampire! Yep...good fiction. Same thing with the two main characters from the Sword of Truth. Richard and Khalan fall in love with each other but they can't be together. She is a the mother confessor and has magical powers. If they ever consummate their love, Richard would be under her powers and be a slave to her. So you would think I would stop reading because it seems they will never ever be together. But the opposite occurs, I keep reading because I refuse to believe they can't be together! Yes, I am a diehard hopeless romantic. I suppose I am in for the long run when it comes to this series.  I love the summer and the time I have had to rest and take in all these books and movies. I didn't get to take a vacation, but I suppose I had fun in other ways. After reading and seeing so much, I am joyful and I desire to keep reading more and more. There is one love story that I haven't spoken about, but means so much more to me than human love. There is a love story that continues to resonate in my mind and heart. I have faced challenges and obstacles in my life to receive it. I have walked away refusing to grasp or ask for it at times in the past. Good thing this person still loves me although I do nothing to deserve Him. This love story I speak about is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am so grateful He gave His life for me. He died on the cross to take away my sins. I am glad I made a decision to follow Him so many years ago. He has enriched my life. I know this love story is so much more than human love and I appreciate the fact that He gives it freely. I just have to take it and die to myself each day. As He guides me, I pray I continue to follow. He is the Great I Am! May all of you have a blessed day and may God's countenance light your path for the rest of the week.
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| Last night I did something I wouldn't normally do! As I have celebrated many birthdays...yeah, I am older now...I tend to stay at home and read or clean. I don't go out too much without a great deal of planning. I am a detailer to the core. I plan for events months at at time. I am weird like that. Last night I learned how to be spontaneous. 
Got a unexpected call from a dear friend. Seems Switchfoot was playing in my home town and my friend couldn't use the ticket he purchased. I was amazed the band was in town. They haven't played here in a few years. The band was playing at this new concert hall named Minglewood Hall. My curiosity was piqued and I really wanted to check out the new place.
I did go to the concert after acquiring the proper information to pick up my friend's ticket. I made a few calls to friends to see if they could come with me as I don't like going anywhere by myself. No one was available. So I convinced myself I could fly solo. I had a really fun time. The songs were all familiar to me and the show was really passionate. They even sang a few new songs. Good ones too.
I normally have an aversion to go to any event by myself. I surprised my brain last night when I decided to go. I felt pretty free when I decided to go. I knew I still needed to be wise and discerning, but I had such a great peace in my mind. I kept reminding myself I could do this and I would have a great time....and I did. I had a fabulous time!
I suppose this summer has been a time for me to learn how to appreciate myself or rather to see myself as the Lord sees me. That is a great sweet treat. I see how much He values me and loves me every minute of my day. It is amazing!
So now I am thinking about taking more risks. Maybe I should rephrase that. I am thinking about adding more spontaneity in my life. I have always desired a more abundant life in Christ. I will still plan for the necessary things in life, but I am going to add some more spice and sparks. I am making changes to make sweet memories in life that glorify God and invite endless opportunities each day.
I pray all of you have a great Friday and an endless fun weekend with bountiful blessings.
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