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| So this past week has been busy for me as usual...I only had to work for two days this week. I was so excited!! Last week was a really fun week for me! Thursday night/Friday morning at 12:01 a.m., two of my friends and I decided to venture out and watch New Moon. It was very much like the book. Of course I enjoyed the book much better. That always seems to be the case for me. Friday I decided to take a mental health day since the movie wasn't over until 2:10 a.m. I went home and fell asleep at 3:00 a.m. Good thing I took off of work the next day. I slept until 11:00 a.m. but also had a doc appointment that afternoon. I really missed my students though. I really love my job.
My friend from Colorado and one from Arkansas came to visit me. That was on Friday and Saturday. We went to see Todd Agnew, Kimber Rising, and Building 429 play a concert/worship service. Todd always teaches some God-inspired message. I like his music but really enjoyed the words he shared from God. Saturday I attended a funeral for a sister in Christ. She had been killed in a car accident. At one point we thought she would make it, but God decided to take her home. The home going was quite emotional, but my faith was reaffirmed. God is in control no matter what happens. In between all of these activities, my friends and I ate some good food and experienced great fellowship. Sunday morning we ventured to church and then we down to Beale Street. We did some light shopping and headed back to church for our annual Thanksgiving banquet. That was fun as we sang for the Lord and ate some fantastic food. The testimonies and sermon touched me.
So now as Thanksgiving evening is upon me, I am so thankful for so many things! I thank God He saved me. I am also grateful for the many friends I have and my oh so awesome church family as well as my own fam fam. God has blessed me with so much and I pray I am living a life that is worthy of His name.
May all of you have a terrific Thanksgiving. Be thankful in all things. Happy Thanksgiving!! :)
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| I can't believe I have not posted in such a long time. Wait, yes I can. I have been very tired lately and busy. Working at school, church, etc. can take up time. That is okay. I enjoy my job and the Lord is drawing me closer to Him everyday. He's quite amazing.
I just finished a major project with my students. We studied the different regions of Tennessee and then built landmarks from the middle region. The five places my students constructed were The Grand Ole Opry, Vanderbilt University, The Hermitage, Adventure Science Center, and The Nashville Zoo. The kiddos had a lot of fun researching and building these places. I have posted pics at the end.
I want to take a nap right now but should get out since it is nice and sunny. Will venture out in a bit. I had lasagna for lunch and a cup of coffee. Good stuff. You would think I'd be wide awake. Nope. My eyes are drooping as I type.
I can't wait until next week because it will be Thanksgiving holiday. Three days of vacation from my rugrats. I love them a lot but I need a break. I have a lock in with the youth and then I plan on resting and of course fellowshiping with my fam fam. We have a large gathering. I am thankful for the many blessings God bestows upon me although I don't deserve them.
God amazes me all the time. I desire to be drawn closer to Him and He delivers every time. I've been praying He would open my eyes to many different things. Lately I just want to be authentic and thirst for Him as the psalmist states. In my Bible study group we are studying the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. The book talks about sins we commit on a daily basis. These sins are more acceptable than murder. robbery/stealing, coveting, etc. They are sins like gossip, unthankfulness, anger, lack of self-control, ungodliness, discontentment...etc. I have learned a lot about myself and how I need to let go of me and put on the armor of Christ. This study humbles me! That is a good thing.
In the Bible study I lead, I am learning how to place Christ first in all areas of my life. I struggle from day to day but I also know He is in charge. I am thankful for that! I go to work and try to remember to glorify God in my actions and words. At times it's difficult. There are so many distractions at work but at the same time I need to listen to God's voice and pray fervently. It is all coming together and I know He is guiding me each day.
I wanted to share about today's sermon. I think I will blog about that a little later. Going to take a quick power nap and walk. I will be back later to share God's word. Good stuff from a wise God!
You all take care and I pray you are all doing well.
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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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