Step Away Chubby

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 15:31:00 +0000

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This I Know

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 11:55:00 +0000

This summer has been [*insert Cousin Eddie voice*] real good to the Shorts.

[Well, until this week. My favorite coach had surgery to repair an abdominal hernia and he is currently down for the count. Every day is getting a little easier...just keep praying for his healing!]

Prior to the surgical takeover of my favorite coach, we managed to take 4 trips to Oak Island since May....not too shabby. [My parents have taken up residence there so we simply invade their space for spans of time. It works.] I spent a large part of many days this summer just watching the ocean waves.

We have a ~~small~~ ~~medium~~ large collection of shells.
We have sunglasses tans.
We have luggage that has stayed permanently packed.
We still have sand in our car.

Just a side note....I have yet to meet an educator who doesn't love summer time. We are a lucky bunch. [Remind me of that come January, when I want to pull my hair out....strand by strand.]

These are a few lessons I've learned [or been reminded of] over this summer of fun in the sun.....

I should have majored in marine biology or scuba diving [is that a major?] or something that put me near the ocean.

It is not humanly possible for me to get a decent tan. On my second trip to the beach, I ended up with a handprint on my left leg. [How? Why? #idunno] It's still there.

~~Sometimes~~ Many times it is not possible to go home [not your real home but metaphorically speaking]. You cannot return because that moment you are trying to return to is over.[John Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles have been playing in my head all summer.] Personally, I'm struggling with this one.

Peaches and homegrown heirloom tomatoes [just not at the same time] are quite possibly two of the world's most perfect foods.

Looking backward never helped anyone move forward. [#fact]

The times when all of my children are under the same roof are becoming less and less frequent so spend them wisely. [The dishes and laundry always wait.]

Catching sand crabs is the best way to spend a Tuesday night. [Watching Craig catch sand crabs on a Tuesday night is absolutely hilarious.]

Good friends make life easier.

Snapchat filters are the perfect busters of boredom. [I have not one bit of shame in saying that.]

I am not sure anyone will survive the 2016 election season. [318 million folks in the US and those two ~~idiots~~ buffoons are the very best we can come up with to lead our country? Geez...]

~~Sometimes~~ ALL THE TIME, when there is drama in a person's life, its ok [as in really OK] to NOT share it on Facebook.

Unfortunately [but often], people that you believed would never forget you fade into the past.

Getting older...I'll spare you the gory details....

I am not organized. I didn't get organized this summer. [#whocares #notme]

No matter how hard you try, you cannot make someone want to be in your life that truly does not want to be in your life.

Jesus loves me....this I know.

Defined

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 18:22:00 +0000

I have never hidden my struggles with weight and self-image. In fact, I remember posting one time that I'd spent my thirties as the F-A-T 30s.

At 43 years old, I am still searching for a way to love that woman I see in the mirror. [I am in no way, shape, or form "fishing" for compliments from anyone. I am just trying to be transparent.]

The last 18+ months I have dropped almost 50 pounds and tried really hard to be more healthy. For 102 days in a row I have logged my daily food consumption into MyFitness Pal on my iphone. I used to drink 5- 6 20 oz diet Sundops a day. Since Easter Monday I traded in my diet Sundrop for water [and coffee and the occasional glass of tea].

My blood pressure has come down significantly. There have been no more issues with my blood sugar. My clothes are way too big and I no longer have to wear those horrid [as my children call them] "mom jeans".

So what's the issue?

My health is the issue. I may have dropped 50 pounds [and still need to lose 30 more] and that is a plus.

The minus is that I have deprived myself of nutrition in a desperate attempt to be this "skinny" the world says I should be as a woman.

Now don't get me wrong...your girl loves to eat. [As Craig would say, I've never met a cookie I didn't like...]

Any meal, lately, has become a battle.

Guilt against the food.

Guilt wins more times than food.

The last two months I have seen my primary care doctor, my gynecologist, a gastroenterologist, a hematologist, given numerous vials of blood, had an ultrasound and [be very jealous] a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Thankfully, the issues seem to all be pointing to a vitamin deficiency and not something more serious.

I can look back at my food diary for the last 102 days and see some glaring red flags:
1. I rarely consume more than 1600 calories a day and many days I don't consume enough for the app to count it when it is time to complete the diary entry for the day.
2. I haven't replaced all of that diet Sundrop with nearly enough water so I am severely dehydrated [thus all the digestive issues].
3. IF I ALLOW FOOD TO CONSUME ME [NO PUN INTENDED] AND MAKE ME FEEL GUILTY THEN WHAT GOOD CAN COME FROM THAT?

I've searched Pinterest, the world wide web, the pantry, read the books, and punched EVERY SINGLE MORSEL into MyFitness Pal. What I didn't do, until today, is realize that food is not my enemy.

I am my own worst enemy. Satan is smart and he knows exactly where to get me.

Matthew 6:25 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Don't realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

Food does not define me. It is given to me to nourish my body and that is how I need to treat it.

The world does not define me [or anyone else]. With desperation in my voice, [as in, I could use your prayers] I have to learn to love who I am.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

As always, with a new perspective, it's a great day to be a Shortie.

Win the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:58:00 +0000

Chip Kelly was, at one time, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks. If you know anything about my oldest then you know he is a HUGE Oregon Ducks fan. [Incidentally, he is still mad at both Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota.] He had a shirt [that still fit when he was the size you see in the picture below....he's a man-child now] and on the front it said, "Win the Day." I knew that was a quote that was used by Oregon a lot but had no idea that it was from Chip Kelly: Our goal every day is to win the day. [Upon further investigation of quotes by Chip Kelly I have been sufficiently amused. He's an interesting character.]

I have struggled for a large part of my adult life with anxiety. [What the heck does that have to do with Oregon or Chip Kelly?] It actually began when I was in high school, with a panic attack that left me completely immobilized before a football game and landed me in the back of an ambulance. Other times, the fear that gripped me would cause me to check my cell phone at least 100 times during graduate classes. I have gone to bed at night only to end up in the floor of one of my children's rooms, fearful that if a fire struck in the middle of the night that I would not be able to get to one of them quickly enough.

For as long as I can remember, fear has been a part of my life. Real fear. Fear that was irrational and unfounded but had such a hold on my life that I could not function. I would take days off of work as a way to hide a particularly cruel stretch of insomnia from the anxiety. It is quite embarrassing when your emotions control you instead of the other way around, in any profession, but especially in education.

Over time, with the help of a doctors that were willing to listen and find the right medication and with counseling to learn to control the panic attacks, I have found that I can manage the anxiety.

[Back to how Chip Kelly and the Ducks fit into this story....] More than anything, my faith has grown not because of anything I have done or even deserved but only because I have been protected by God's unending grace. I no longer cower to fear, like that woman who felt as if she were losing her mind.

Now, I win the day.

I am a firm believer that God orchestrates

Every.

Single.

Moment.

of our lives.

He knows our struggles and our triumphs before we ever experience them. He is writing my story.

Your story.

And if your story is anything like mine then it is messy.

And beautiful.

And full of harsh realities.

And overwhelmingly incredible.

In all of this life, through the anxiety and the fear and the worry, I have learned to be thankful and obedient [still working on that one] and hopeful that my story is still being orchestrated. Paul wrote so beautifully in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10,

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

When I surrendered, about 6 years ago, and really stopped trying to run from God and fix it myself, then I realized the weight of this verse. We [you and I] will do great things for God, not because of anything we've done or will do, but because he has made us to accomplish his purpose, for his glory. In my weakness, he is glorified.

Now, win the day.

God has set all of us on a course that is meant to do his work, for his glory, during our time here on earth. We [I, me, Missy] should be running, with infinite passion, towards our purpose, even if it is hard.

Or seemingly impossible.

Or on the other side of the world.

Or knocks us right out of our comfort zone into a murky abyss.

Or makes me [us, you, me] over the top excited and nauseous with apprehension all at the same time.

I do not want to waste another minute locked in fear.

Worrying about things beyond my control.

Not "being" enough.

Comparing myself to others.

Riddled with guilt over past regrets.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Now, win the day.

Cast Your Stone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 May 2016 00:14:00 +0000

We need some changes in public education.

I am not talking about testing. Now, before some or you write me off please let me 'splain:

1. Standardized testing is zero fun for anyone involved.
2. Standardized testing makes our students nervous and frustrated.
3. Standardized testing has turned ~~some~~ A LOT of teachers into this-test-is-all-about-me-and-how-well-MY-students-perform [and-I-secretly-hope-the-OTHER-classes-bomb-so-I-look-like-teacher-of-the-universe] monsters.
4. But most disheartening is that standardized testing does not often reflect just how far a student has progressed during a school year.

HOWEVER, [Yes, I am shouting] STANDARDIZED TESTING AIN'T [It is my blog and I will use what ever kind of slang I choose] GOING ANYWHERE SO FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH IT SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONSUME YOU.

FOR THOSE OF YOU NEW TO THE GAME, CLASSROOMS ARE FOR LEARNING.

I am not talking about pay raises. Please do not misunderstand: Short and I are flat broke 99.9% of the time because we are both educators. We could use a few extra pennies. Our pay has actually gone backwards because we have not seen an increase in pay in several years but our health insurance has skyrocketed...exponentially. [Incidentally that has not equated to better health care or coverage for any of us. Not shocked at all are you?] We would both like to further our our own educations and pursue our doctorates but with a daughter in college and a son close behind her, that is not our reality at the moment. It may never be our reality. [I am not whining or complaining...just being honest.] In the last several years there might have been opportunities to get ahead if the above situation with pay versus insurance had not been so significant. A pay raise would be nice but I am not holding my breath that one will come through..soon or ever. We manage and we have what we need. [You learn to get real creative with money when there isn't a lot around. Dave Ramsey is amazing and taught us a lot. We are still learning.]

While the two items from above are things that I think do make or break some educators, I am more concerned about something that I see as far more pressing in our schools today: attitudes. [I am not talking attitudes that can come from children but those that seem to seethe from adults in this profession.]

If there is one simple thing I have learned in 18 years of teaching it is that it only takes one attitude to make a change. One of my favorite people in the whole world, that I go all fangirl over, is Mother Teresa. I love this quote from her:

We, as educators, cannot change the culture of education if we do not change some negative attitudes inside the walls of our schools. #FACT

Teachers....we need to step it up and stop petty behavior by adults that threatens what we are trying to accomplish in schools: L. E. A. R. N. I. N. G.

Stop gossiping. Teaching middle school is a blast and I love it. [One must be slightly deranged, like me, to understand just how stinkin' fun middle schoolers are...even on bad days.] However, the drama that can be created between middle school students is NOT fun.

So why are there some teachers that act like middle school kids and stir the pot in the building? We are in education to teach children, just in case some of you forgot. When teachers [especially those that are veteran teachers] walk around and create controversy among the same staff that should be working together then how can students be learning?

Veteran teachers - I am speaking to you directly. Be the role model. Be the leadership that beginning teachers need to see AND hear. If you spend your time spreading gossip like the plague then that reflects poorly on you and your school.

If your main goal is to make sure that everyone in the building knows the latest gossip on any and everything then please know that you are doing nothing but causing problems and keeping your school from being the absolute best it can be.

Stop taking everything so personally. When did educators become so thin skinned? If you are not picked to be the featured classroom, the teacher who is showcased, asked to serve on a committee, chosen to lead something, etc. then guess what? Life. Goes. On. This is not your senior year in high school and you are not in a competition for senior superlatives. [Incidentally, I was not chosen for those either...] I truly believe for a school to be effective then different voices need to be heard and not always the same ones.

Believe it or not, a little encouragement of others, on days when you feel like you are not enough, will make YOU feel better. Make it your mission to find something good happening, on a daily basis, with those around you and tell them. If you only see your classroom and you as the one who needs the attention then you are stealing joy from everyone. I urge you...do not be a thief of joy.

Stop finding problems that do not exist. Honestly. STOP. Decisions are made based on entire body of people and really, should always be made in the best interest of students. So you disagree with an email or something someone did in their own classroom or you are not pleased with a situation...it happens. So put your grown up drawers on and get over it. As teachers, we have so much to deal with concerning students and learning - why add to that plate with "issues" that are not really important? Creating non-existent and piddly [I love that word...it is fun to say] problems only robs you of precious time to do something that does matter in the lives of children.

I am not a negative person. I did not put these thoughts down to run anyone in the ground or to flog educators. I am guilty of all of these things myself...trust me. There have been times in my teaching career that I have snatched misery and discontent straight out of the closet and worn them like badges of honor. All that ever did was make me worn out, pathetic, and useless to everyone.

I am urging you, teachers, to throw kindness around like confetti - especially towards the other adults you come in contact with on a daily basis. Change the culture in your school by bringing back joy, even when the chips are down. Teaching is a so very hard - we have to root for each other, pray for each other, encourage each other.

Make a choice to be the change. The solution. The positive.

Go find your stone.

7,304 Days

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 May 2016 05:16:00 +0000

Day 1: May 4, 1996

Twenty years ago I married my favorite coach. [To hear him tell the story there were a lot of hearts that broke that day when he suddenly became "unavailable".]

What a wild and crazy adventure it has been....

Some people that are close to us understand the significance of these twenty years. [And no, its not any kind of miracle that he hasn't killed me yet or the fact that he's had it so bad and has still come out smiling. Don't let him fool you....he's got it made.] We didn't exactly get the order of date, finish college, get married, have children, etc. correct. Honestly, we had no clue about raising children or being married, much less trying to do both at the same time.

Neither is a job for the faint of heart. #truth

As I look back on twenty years of marriage, the most defining moments make me realize that even when I was not listening, God was making a way for both of us. We [Short and I] have not done a thing to make this marriage "work" apart from God's grace [I will admit I've needed way more grace and mercy and humble pie than my favorite coach in these last 20 years].

Trust me when I say that God has given us way more than we could ever fathom. He has expanded our territory and done immeasureably more than we could ever hope or imagine.

We have been blessed to be the parents of four amazing [fantastic, brilliant, hilarious, sensitive, awesome, loving, giving, etc...I will go on...its my blog] children. In twenty years, there have been a lot of laughs, a few tears, and way too many hugs and kisses to count. Sometimes, even after all these years, I still pinch myself and question if this is real life [yes...as I sing Bohemian Rhapsody]. Raising kids ain't easy...or cheap.

But so worth every single bit of the good and bad. I promise.

In twenty years I have laughed way more than I've cried. Have you met my husband? He brings his A game to every conversation. [And he's never, EVER met one of those he didn't like...] Trust me when I say that there have been many times laughing kept us entertained because it was all we could afford.

I cannot imagine spending the last twenty years with anyone else. God has allowed us to make quite a life together because we never gave up on each other, especially when the mountains seemed impassable and the storms too big. One step at a time, holding the other's hand.

Thank you to my sweet Craig for loving Christ first, for loving me before yourself, and for always being my partner in crime without a dime.

Thank you for teaching me the game of football and for encouraging my crazy adventures.

Thank you for realizing that I will never know where my keys are and for ironing my clothes.

Thank you for putting up with my quirks [or what I like to term extremely intellectual tendencies] and for always cleaning the bathroom [because it grosses me out].

Thank you for being organized and for ~~allowing~~ putting up with my disorganization.

Thank you for working hard at your job and for coming home each day full of hugs and kisses.

Thank you for ~~forcing~~ sharing your love of history and for making countless trips to buy groceries to help me out.

Thank you accepting my invitation for a date all those years ago and for never looking back.

Day 7,304 - May 4, 2016: I love your love [and your toast] the most.

Holding Hands and Honeysuckles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 03:19:00 +0000

His skinny, freckled hand grabbed mine.

"Here mom. I'll help you up this hill."

My heart melted. The little man, holding my hand in his, was protecting me. He held my Epipens in the pocket of shorts [always on guard for the menacing buzz of an insect], he waited on me every step of the trail...his steps ebbing and flowing in rhythm with mine.

Tonight, I realized [once again] how my cup absolutely runneth over. My life isn't perfect [far, far from it] but this has to be a tiny glimpse of what Heaven will be. How else can I describe the enormous swell in my heart when I look around and see all of this love?

On our way back down the hill, we stopped....
....to partake of a few honeysuckles.
....to check out a birds eye view of the rock quarry lake.
....to jump on and off of rocks.

Tonight, we put aside the laundry, the dishes from dinner, the news from the world [that honestly seems like it can smother], and a million other things that take our focus.

Holding hands and honeysuckles.

Tonight was enough....

I'll Take 3 S's and an R Pat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 02:56:00 +0000

Tomorrow, March 31, 2016, is my daddy's last day at work.

When he walks out of Duke [Power, Energy...whatever its called] tomorrow he will be a retiree. [Now would be a great time to insert some kind of AARP joke but ~~I'm not that kind of daughter~~ I'm saving it for later.]

Let me 'splain a bit about my daddy.

He is a working man. Even when he isn't at work the man is working. For several years he has worked 4-tens [for those of you not well versed in HR language that means 4 ten hour days] but on the days off he was the busiest man I know. He doesn't do idleness.

Now, after almost 39 years of working for the same company [which is an amazing feat] he's taking it to the house. [Just a little side note here: My mom works from home. My prediction is that his new job will be to drive her slap nuts crazy.]

I am so stinkin' happy that my daddy will finally get to do things he really wants to do without the pressure of a job. He deserves to be able to retire.

My sister and I have never wanted for anything. All of our lives, as far back as I can remember, we've been provided for because my parents have always worked. My mom and dad put themselves through college, then my sister and I through college [one of us took a little longer than normal but we turned out ok], then paid for two weddings, took us on countless trips, bought and made meals, took us [my family, her family] shopping for shoes, clothes, and everything in between, provided for us when we needed it, and never, never, NEVER let us go without.

The only thing my dad ever asked of us, my sister and me, was that we work and do our part to help out. His favorite saying [now and forever]: There's no free lunch. His other favorite saying: Save up. We learned early having a job and earning our way was an expectation [Can't say that I've always been really great at either one of those...at least not until I got older...and I'm still not great at the save up part.] We've always had good role models. Everyone should be as lucky as us.

So, tomorrow, when it's quittin' time and Zippy takes his final walk [as an employee] down the sidewalk to his truck and drives out of McGuire Nuclear on his last day I hope he is smiling from ear to ear. I hope he realizes the incredible legacy he is leaving behind for those that come after him. I hope those that come after him realize the bar has been set really high. [And for those that called him Grumpy all these years: All of you have had it all wrong. He is clearly the 3 S's: Stern, Stubborn, and Sweet and now he can add the R for Retired.]

There aren't many men like my daddy. He is the finest man I know. He is and will always be the first man I ever loved and he is my hero.

I am so proud to be his daughter.

I love you Daddy.

As a mutual friend of ours says...It's those changes in latitudes,

changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.

Enjoy the fishing Zippy!

P-I-N-G

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 16:44:00 +0000

I lose things.

ALL. THE. TIME.

[Except weight and insanity. Those keep hanging around.]

Seriously. I need an intervention. [I've said that before haven't I? Still drinking Sundrop, getting on Facecrack, and hitting snooze instead of meeting my running partner at 5am. Maybe my intervention needs to be stop saying I need an intervention and just do it??]

It is a DAILY occurrence [and I will be honest and say I had to Google the word occurrence just now because I cannot spell a lick] for me to not know where to find my keys.

Craig says, "Just put them in the same place every day so you know where to look." [Just a little side note here: Craig is about as uptight as they come when it comes to organization. He has a routine for getting ready, his clothes are all neatly hung in the closet by shirt color, pants color, etc. He is meticulous about his Bible study and the materials that go with it. He even organizes the dirty dishes in the sink. I can't even close my dresser drawers. It must be true love...or he's secretly plotting to kill me in my sleep.]

*Insert SHOUTING VOICE here*

HE DOESN'T GET THAT I DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEM. MY PLACE IS WHEREVER I LAY MY KEYS!

I've found them in the couch cushions, inside of books, in the closet, in the kitchen underneath bowls or cups, in the floors, behind the bed, in the car [that's über safe]....Heck, I even left them in the ignition at school one time, with the ignition turned so that it ran down the battery. [Incidentally I called him to come help me jump off my car. He was so mad at me that he told me no. Hate it for him...his tough love didn't even phase me.]

This past Tuesday night I ~~misplaced~~ lost my phone.

The kids and I were going for a walk since the weather was nice and time changed. [I use the term walk very lightly because 25 feet into the excursion Gabe wanted me to carry him.] Of course, since I've had 4 kids and I'm about to be 43 my bladder literally has a mind of its on. As soon as we got onto the road I told Molly I needed to run in and go to the bathroom one more time.

Apparently, I handed her my phone.

During my 1000th trip to the potty, Craig asked Molly to move the car parked behind him so that he could go to the Y. She obliged and we went on our merry way.

We returned home around 9pm and I needed to send a text message.

MY PHONE WAS GONE. [And this shocked NO ONE I live with since I'm pretty consistent with losing stuff. I'm really surprised I've never left a kid somewhere.]

We looked everywhere...the trashcan, the dishwasher, the fridge [I wish I could say I wasn't afraid it was in one of those places but it has happened], under the couch, under the bed, in every room of the house, in the pantry, outside, inside....everywhere.

Molly, Craig and Coop all used the find my phone app to try and locate it. The app kept telling us it was in the front yard. [Again, I'm not proud but I started wondering if I threw it in the yard. I couldn't remember. Who can't remember if they threw their phone in the front yard? Why would anyone throw their phone in the front yard?]

Craig kept asking, "When is the last time you had it?"

*insert SHOUTING VOICE AGAIN*

NOW YOU KNOW THAT I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. I CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING. I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER OUR CHILDREN'S NAMES SOMETIMES. I HAD IT BEFORE I WENT TO WALK. THAT'S ALL I REMEMBER. [I know he already knew I had NO idea where the phone was or what I did with it. He just likes asking me questions he knows I cannot answer.]

All six of us where outside, iPhone flashlights out, looking along the road, in the yard, around the cars, and really anywhere for my phone at 9:30pm Tuesday night. The high school baseball team had just ended so there was a lot of traffic up our road. [I'm 100% positive that anyone who knows us was not the least bit shocked to see all 6 of us wandering like members of a flashlight cult up and down the road and in the yard. You are welcome KM. We love to entertain.]

Guess where we finally found it, over an hour later? In the car that Molly moved. She put it in the console and forgot about it. [Most normal folks would have looked in a vehicle first. Not us. That's way too simple.] Craig could barely hear the P-I-N-G.

I guess I'm not that crazy after all.

YOUR Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 01:28:00 +0000

**Guest post by Molly tonight.**

Today in convocation, I had the privilege of hearing Pastor Saeed Abidini share about his time in a harsh Iranian prison for the last several years. He entered the Vines Center to a standing ovation. It was powerful, and it was very enlightening to now have been privy to hearing about the persecution of the church in our world. After being asked how he was able to convert 30+ people in prison even under such deadly persecution, he said something that really stuck with me. He replied, (I will paraphrase because I cannot remember his exact words), “I learned that the firmer you stand in your faith, the more the enemy retreats…” I have included this rather unrelated bit of information, specifically the quote, from this morning because I think it also resonates well with the topic about to be discussed.

(You can watch convocation online using this link http://media2.liberty.edu/)

Human trafficking currently holds the lives of an estimated 27 million people around the world.

In our American culture of “it’s all about me” we, more than anyone else it appears, seem to completely disregard this issue and instead fight over, advocate for, whatever it may be issues that are not issues in the least little bit.

(i.e., the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio just won his first Oscar and talked about global warming in his acceptance speech…)

So, this post is a wake up call!!! And also a chance for those of you who may not know much about this issue, or the organizations that are in the fight to end it, to learn.

This semester, I am currently interning with an organization out of Lynchburg called Freedom 4/24. 4/24 is a nonprofit organization that raises funds through fundraisers, donors, 5k races, events, etc. that exists to raise awareness for the sexual exploitation of women and children around the world. They partner with several organizations that work specifically with victims and their rescue and rehabilitation, including safe houses in Charlottesville, VA, India, Thailand, and Uganda.

One of the ways they raise money is through the use of their Instagram shop, “frocks4freedom,” which sells “like new” name brand, women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories at unbeatable prices.

If you have an Instagram, follow @freedom424 and also @frocks4freedom!!!

Not only will you be able to find really cute, cheap clothing from places like J.Crew and Talbots, but you will also be doing a small part to help those currently trapped in slavery. New items go live each Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. EST. I am one of the facilitators of the page, and I can tell you that myself, and the other two girls (Emily & Kentcie) are working really hard to get the word out and have this awesome mission grow.

I will be participating in a clothing drive for the month of April and basically, it goes something like this: If, at the end of the month, I have not worn an item of clothing for the entire month, I hang it up backwards in my closet and take those items hanging backwards and donate them… in this case to frocks4freedom. Will you participate with me?

If you are at home (Kings Mountain) and have anything you would like to donate, I would be happy to get that from you and deliver it to the office myself! I will actually be home for spring break from March 13-March 20, but can also make arrangements to get your items after that time, as well!

Your sister in Christ,

Molly

Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 25:31-46

1 Peter 5:6-11

Shekels of Silver

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:01:00 +0000

Hey peeps.

It has been a while.

I would love to say that I've spent this time working off my midsection but that would be a lie. [Much like saying "coffee tastes terrible" or "that pizza was a bad decision".]

My sweet girl moved to Lynchburg and started a new semester [and lots of new adventures] at Liberty University. My favorite long snapper and my favorite coach spent a weekend in Las Vegas learning as much as they can about special teams. [Just an FYI for those of you wondering what the heck the long snapper does....he snaps the football to the kicker and/or punter for PATs, punts, and field goals. He DOES not snap the football to the quarterback....that is the center. Carry on....] The babes and I have enjoyed lots of laughs, snuggles, snow, and movies on the couch. Short has enjoyed sitting in his recliner, watching the playoffs, finding terrible cable access for us, and being in his pajamas.

The first big blizzard of 2016 was rather uneventful. Its been nice to stay at home and do virtually nothing. [I'm fairly easy to please...] LuLaRoe leggings, a nice blanket, plenty of coffee, and the Shorties make being snowed in pretty OK.

I picked up a book yesterday that I began reading at the end of the summer. It is Restless by Jennie Allen. The subtitle reads, "Because you were made for more."

I must confess that I have been restless and ~~worrying~~ whining about this particular season of my life.

I describe it as sort of a holding pattern or a spinning of wheels [most if not all of it self-induced and extremely annoying to my sweet husband who has had to listen to me...the man deserves a medal and lots of chocolate chip cookies] that I felt I had no control over.

On the back of the book, in big huge letters, is a question:

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE MISSING SOMETHING?

Yes. Affirmative. Oui. Si. Right on. Absolutley. Nail on the head.

So what am I missing out on?

Enter Joseph, son of Jacob, and brother to eleven fairly jealous brothers.

Joseph's father Jacob [also known as Israel] loved him more than his other sons because he was born to Joseph in his old age. He gave Joseph a beautifully crafted robe of many colors. Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers [which they should have paid attention to very closely] and they hated him more. They then did the absolutely unthinkable: They sold him for 20 pieces of silver. [Just a little Biblical history here...a shekel is about 11.5 grams. They sold Joseph for about 230 grams. The current price of silver/gram is about $.46. In today's money, they would have made roughly $106 for their BROTHER.]

Ultimately, Joseph's steadfast commitment to weather the storms of his situation [sold by his family for almost nothing, wrongfully accused of taking Potiphar's wife, imprisonment, abandonment, loneliness] and to obey God led him to his destiny: second in command to Pharaoh.

But more than than any of that, Joseph was reunited with his brothers and with his father. He had every opportunity [and I would say the absolute right] to make them pay for throwing him into that cistern and lying to his father about his death.

Instead? He forgave them, long before they came to him for food in a time of famine and distress in Egypt. Unknown to them, when he sent them back with food and asked for Benjamin and his father Jacob to come back to him, he even returned the money they paid for the food.

Shekels of silver.

In each bag of grain for each of his 10 brothers.

I have pondered this story since I read it yesterday in way that I've never thought about before.

Ever.

I've tried to think about how Joseph might have answered that question on the back of the book....

He missed his father's anguish over the thought of his death.
He missed watching his brother's marry and have families.
He missed family cookouts and holidays.
He missed the love of a family.

But he never, ever went without faith in God's unwavering and sustaining love. Even in the midst of being sold, as a young boy by jealous brothers, he committed himself to following God's plan for his life...no matter where the journey would take him.

I couldn't help but be ashamed at how I've been feeling and then I had some questions of my own...

Have I ever sold out others for the sake of myself? [I'd be lying if I said no. So would you. I know I am not alone...just honest enough to say it out loud.]
Have I ever felt sold out by someone? [More so as an adult than any other time in my life. Sometimes, people are just plain mean.]
Have I ever compromised what was right for 20 shekels of silver? [Unfortunately the answer is yes.]

Throughout every single up and down in Joseph's life God was weaving Joseph's circumstances with grace and love and forgiveness.

Joseph wasn't missing a thing. His low points on his journey gave him the opportunity to praise the very same God that gave him the high points of his life.

Just as God had planned.

I am not being left behind, spinning my wheels, letting the world pass me by [all things I've said recently] but this season of my life is just part of this amazing story God is weaving for me through relationships, struggles, and gifts.

At the end of Joseph's life, after Jacob died, he reassured his brothers that he was not holding a grudge at them. They called themselves slaves as they bowed at his feet.

"But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:19-21

Twenty shekels of silver.

One amazing, God-breathed life.

New Years [NOT] Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 06:09:00 +0000

Allow me to apologize for depriving you for so long without a peep from yours truly.

I've been busy....

Busy worrying. [Busy eating because I was worrying.]
Busy with Christmas ~~chaos~~ fun. [Again, busy eating because everyone eats at Christmas.]
Busy feeling like the world might move on and leave me behind. [Probably while I'm eating.]
Busy thinking I could solve all of the problems life seems to throw my way without seeking God. [All while shoveling chocolate in my mouth.]
Busy struggling with the decision to move jobs. [Even though I said in my previous post that it was time to move on, I do confess that I haven't made much progress....maybe an inch forward. Maybe....with a yo-yo and one of Uncle Butch's cookies in my hand.]

Time at home with all the Shorties [eating], celebrating Christmas with all of my family [eating], watching lots of football [whilst eating], and staying in my pajamas most days [as I eat] has given my mind time to wind down and refocus. [And, of course, eat.]

With the year winding down and and a new one coming, there is the temptation to talk about all of the great and wonderful things I'm going to do in 2016. Some ideas that made the cut:

Run a half-marathon [This one came to mind as I shoveled the third syrupy meatball in my mouth on Christmas eve. It passed quickly...the idea not the meatball.] I settled on a goal of at least one 5k a month, starting in February. [This way I spread out the 13.1 so by June I have run a half-marathon...just not all at once. I think it is genius.]
Get my add-on degree in curriculum and instruction. [This one is still on the table, next to the Chicago style popcorn I am eating as I type. I had extra calories to spend so I feel a little less guilty.] Money is definitely an issue. I can wait.
Give up diet Sundrop. [I just laughed, out loud, as I typed that...swear.]

There were others on the list...write a book, get organized [another good collective guffaw from those that know me well], find a local place to take karate again [y'all will never stop laughing tonight], learn to play the piano, hike more [and not just to the mailbox and/or the fridge], and the typical get-in-shape-lose-weight-tone-up-wear-that-outfit-from-Pinterest commitments [because those always work for me].

I am going to focus on several of those things [I'm not telling all of my secrets] but I've also got a list of things I resolve NOT to do this coming year:

I am not going to throw myself under the bus anymore. [Not literally, as some of you may have hoped.]

The great Teddy Roosevelt said it well: Comparison is the thief of joy.

I am never going to do make up well. I'm never going to be the size I was 20 years ago. I have no sense of fashion [unless you consider being able to match t-shirts and sweatshirts with black leggings Fashion Week worthy]. Gravity will win. I'm OK with getting older and have decided to grow older with grace instead of hating what I see.

I am so done with worrying. Like worrying about what others think about me. [Its honestly very arrogant of me to even believe that others are worrying about me. Just arrogant.] I know there are people that worry about me in terms of praying for me and being concerned about my well-being, etc. I mean worrying about what I have or don't have or about the decisions that I make. I worry that I'm not going to make someone happy or do the right thing or make the right decisions. I worry about worrying...seriously. [The struggle is real my friends.]

I am over negativity. I am guilty of being judgmental and un-gracious. Too many times than I care to admit. Today, just as God does so many times, He brought me to my knees.

Instead of ~~spending~~ wasting time on gossip and things that don't matter [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the water cooler, etc.] what if I used that time to pray for people, situations, etc.? How much more would God move and how much more would I actually see when I take off these blinders caused by negativity?

And ladies, let's help each other out. Life is not a competition. I'm only trying to outdo [and most days even remember what yesterday was] my own self. I don't have time to try and outdo this person and that person. There is nothing better than a random encouraging text from a friend, co-worker, etc.

[Besides, I'm way too old for drama. Way. Too. Old.] God does not give any of us what we actually deserve. Instead, He sent grace that gave it all at a the cross. Our world is far too crazy without adding to the nonsense. He offers me grace and mercy on the daily and I am nothing if I don't extend that to everyone I come in contact with, every single day. I am a disciple. You are a disciple.

[This is one that I've been "stuck on" for quite a while. Bear with me.] I don't want to just be a teacher anymore. As an educator in my 18th year in the classroom, I've seen A LOT of changes. Some changes have made sense while others have left me saying, "Huh? What just happened?"

Just as in any profession, there are good years, bad years, and what-the-heck-was-in-the-water-when-this-group-was-born years. Whatever the case may be, when you signed on to be an educator, you had to know what you were getting into...and by that, I mean, you had to know that you were going to be dealing with kids. These kids are the best a parent has - they aren't hiding all the "good ones" away for safe keeping.

Here's another epiphany [always talking to myself too], teaching is not easy. If you've got it made in your classroom because its always quiet and the kids are "working" [work sheeting and textbooking it] then you'd probably be fired in another job for.....DOING NOTHING AT ALL.

We have a HUGE responsibility as teachers...we are in charge of growing minds. You can't do that with a bunch of mindless worksheets and end of chapter questions and 58 math problems for homework. [Just a side soapbox moment here, but as a mother of 4 pretty decent children, I HATE mindless homework. If it is an extension of learning or practice of concepts that are learned or something that is meant to extend thinking then it is worth our time. And I will be the FIRST to publicly admit that I've given mindless homework way more than I should have...before I figured out that it wasn't good practice. I'm not calling out anyone on something that I am not completely and totally guilty of myself.] If we, as educators, came in every single day and gave 150% to children in our charge instead of worrying about "the test" or that parent who is trifling or that staff meeting this afternoon we would absolutely see amazing things in our classrooms.

Educators are our own worst enemies. Seriously. We worry so much about other people getting more resources or having better kids or the time we have to spend in getting "useless" staff development. And we are a stingy bunch of folks too. I've never understood this need to hoard your ideas and materials and resources, especially when another teacher is new to the profession or struggling in a particular area. [Not only have I witnessed these things happen I have also been on the not-receiving end.]

It sounds a lot like this:
Stingy Teacher: I did X, Y, and Z in my classroom. *insert hair flip*
Other Teacher: Well can I see your plans or have a copy of the materials?
Stingy Teacher: I'd rather not share. I'm afraid someone might use them *collective gasp heard worldwide* and then ALL of the kids in the school would grow. Your kids cannot grow as much as my kids.

The following is a true story that will warm your heart [and possibly make you want to punch a small kitten] A teacher attends a meeting where one person is sharing [I use that term "sharing" very loosely] a lesson with about 10 other teachers [that they can actually use in their own classrooms] involving using clickers [handheld devices for students to click in answers] for review.

And here is what was said: "Well, the clickers stay in my room. We use them all the time. You can't borrow them. Sorry."

*Promptly filed lesson plan that was "shared" in file 13 [AKA the trashcan]*

Teaching isn't a beauty pageant or a NASCAR race so why the competition? Aren't we all in the same boat here when it comes to educating children? Baffles me beyond anything I've ever seen in my life.

SHARE YOUR STUFF.
DO YOUR JOB.
STOP MAKING EXCUSES.
STOP WHINING.
GET OVER YOURSELF.
BE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS. [Trust me...you don't know it all. Ideas and change aren't always bad. Be willing to make some changes even if it makes your job a little harder. Sometimes a good swift kick will do us some good.]

Now for any of my teacher friends [past or current] this is directed at me as much as it is to every teacher. I am not "calling anyone out" or throwing accusations. Like I said, these things have been on my heart.

No, we cannot change every kid.
We cannot wave a magic wand and fix issues.
We cannot make them pay us more.
We cannot make the "powers that be" see what we see on a daily basis.

Many times though, we lose sight of the important things for the sake of the not-so-important-things. We [myself included] take too much for granted in education.

We have steady incomes.
We have paid time off.
We have a great retirement plan.

Better than anything else, we have the opportunity [and the enormous responsibility] to make such a huge impact in so many lives. We can't just be teachers anymore. Teaching isn't just a job.

This year, I do have some resolutions and some things I desperately need to work on in my own life. I also hope to let go of some extra baggage that I've held on to for way too long.

I will end with Molly's favorite verse.

Forward....March

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:45:00 +0000

Change is hard.
Changing jobs is tough.
Changing jobs when you are a teacher, in November, is not easy.

For me, it has been terribly hard.

I have done a lot of crying.
A lot.

I like my new teaching gig. I instantly remembered what drew me to teach elementary school in the first place.

The kids are a hoot. [I've already been asked several questions about why my hair looks the way it does, am I really old or just old, and how much I weigh. Some I answered. Some I didn't.]

The hugs are plentiful. [If you're ever having a bad day just walk into a classroom full of first graders. They will hug you no matter who you are or what you look like.]

I share a classroom with another teacher and she's just awesome. We laugh. We bounce ideas off of each other. I am learning so very much from her. [Plus, she's super organized and has a great eye for detail. Me? Yeah...not so much.]

I have a routine but the days aren't exactly the same. [Makes perfect sense huh?] Keeps me on my toes.

I managed to find the Sundrop machine. And the bathroom. [Priorities. In that order.]

I have figured out that the best class to follow, anywhere, is the Pre-K group. [They dance. They twirl. They touch the wall and the floor. They sling their lunchboxes and drag their coats. They wave at everyone. They typically walk as slow as a human can possibly walk and still be considered in motion.] It is absolutely the greatest thing to be behind them.

As an adult, [I won't even pretend like I've always tried to be this way] I have tried so very hard to play the background. Sometimes I didn't take opportunities because I was afraid of how others would be affected. Sometimes I sold myself short [no pun intended there with short] because I didn't believe in myself or my abilities.

This time, I just took that leap of faith, trusting that God never puts us where He won't use us for His glory.

So why the tears? More than anything, the stress on me has been self-induced and has a name: Guilt.

I have felt so incredibly guilty leaving those kids at the middle school. [I'm certainly not saying that I am teacher extraordinaire. Maybe not even mediocre.] For all of their quirks and strange habits and egocentric ways, 8th graders are awesome.

I miss them.

But now I have to put my energy into learning as much as a I can from those who are the experts.
I have to put my energy into these new kids who are just as awesome.
I have to be the absolutely very best teacher I can for the kids I serve.
I have to be a team player and jump into getting to know everyone.

More than anything....I have to be OK with my decision to change.

I am thankful for a husband who has listened to me cry, who has encouraged me every single step of the way, but most of all, who has prayed for me. I am thankful for a family that has adjusted to a new schedule and changes that come along with that schedule. I am thankful for new co-workers who point me in the right direction when I look lost. I am thankful for old co-workers who have sent encouraging words.

Moving forward...with a thankful heart.

Close Your Eyes and Jump

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 04:01:00 +0000

Tomorrow will be my last Monday as an 8th grade science teacher.

Thursday will be my last day with 8th grade students.

Friday will be my last day at the middle school.

I can speak honestly here. [I mean, I can pretty much do whatever I choose since it's my blog.]

I am scared.

After 18 years of teaching, I am not scared about teaching. [Some of you might think different. If my teaching scares you can keep that to yourself.]

I am scared of the things I am not sure about...

Where is the diet Sundrop? [Like is there just one button or is there like a whole line of buttons for diet Sundrop or am I going to have to resort to bringing my own for the fridge?]
Where is the bathroom? [Seriously. Where is the bathroom? I am over 40. I've had 4 kids. Enough said.]
Is there coffee or do I need to follow BYOC? [Bring your own coffee people...keep up!]
Where do I park?
How do I get to my classroom? [SERIOUS concern here.]
People move jobs every day. I will survive. [Or I will at least pretend like I know what I'm doing. I mean, if I end up at the playground every day, trying to find the restroom or diet Sundrop or my classroom it will be ok. I hope. I like playgrounds.]

Mostly, I'm scared of leaving.

I work with some seriously awesome people who handle middle schoolers with so much grace and compassion that it is amazing. I am so very blessed to have spent time with people that have a heart for teaching.

Trust me when I say that it truly takes a very special person to teach middle school.

Seriously. Middle school teachers must ~~be crazy~~ have a true heart for teaching because there is no one single logical explanation for why anyone [in their right mind] would put up with some of the "stuff" that middle schoolers can throw [sometimes literally] at you, on a daily basis.

My hat is off to teachers everywhere. Teaching is a tough job. Middle school teaching is a true calling because it is tough on a whole different wacky, crazy level...day in and day out.

In my tenure as a middle school teacher, I have been surrounded by many people who heeded the call to teach ~~the deranged and unstable~~ middle schoolers.

These are some of the very best teachers I have ever seen.

They have to be tough. Even when it hurts. [And believe me when I say that the old saying that "it hurts me more than it hurts you" is often true when you dole out discipline in middle school.]

They have to be fair. Even when the other side doesn't get it. [More times than not the other side truly does not see any fault in throwing food across the cafeteria or kissing that soul-mate in the stairway.]

They have to be compassionate. Even when the compassion is NOT being returned. Or considered. Or even in the realm of possibility.

They have to show endurance. Even when the gas gauge is on E and it is only 8:30am on a Monday morning.

They have to be able to multi-task. Even when it's lunch. [And thanks to portable email, sometimes even in the bathroom. Oh wait...is that just me? Sorry. Too much information.]

What an adventure it has been for me.

I landed at the middle school sort of by default.

I wanted a change.

My favorite coach was going to be the head softball coach at the high school so we would be moving.

I needed to start over.

Just as God always does He provided me with people in my path to guide me. I could never adequately thank KMMS enough for all they have done to help me be a better teacher. I am not nearly the middle school teacher that I see in many of them.

My hope for my soon-to-be former co-workers is very simple...just keep jumping.

Close your eyes and jump.

Every single day.

More than anything, teaching of any kind requires taking a daily jump.

In middle school I think it takes a good jump and a huge leap of faith.

Faith that the kid that sits with his head down, on the daily, will raise his hand and answer a question.

Faith that first block or fourth block or that meeting that you dread will go smoothly.

Faith that the lesson or the new concept or that huge technology project you have planned will be embraced by ~~all~~ most of your students.

Faith that the students who only eat when they come to school will be able to make it through the long, four day weekend.

Faith that God's grace and mercy, that has been shown to you more than once [or twice or ten times] will also be evident in your interactions with those around you.

Faith that each new day will be a good day.

Thank you for being willing to jump, sometimes hour by hour, for the students you are impacting. Changing lives is not an easy job but you are doing just that...even when you can't see it.

Thank you for helping me learn to jump.

Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 18:41:00 +0000

I have never, ever claimed that my kids are perfect. Never. I won't start now.

I have said..

they are good kids.
my kids love the Lord.
for the most part, they try to keep themselves out of trouble. [Well, the first three do. Gabe looks for trouble. He loves trouble. Trouble is his best friend sometimes.]

But, they are still humans....with faults and selfish behaviors and irritating habits [that all come from their dad].

And like me and you and everyone that I have ever encountered in my life, they make mistakes.

Some are just minor.
Some are not.

Just like me and you and everyone else in the world.

I can promise you that we expect integrity, honesty, and good character from all four of them.

We are not perfect parents. [Seriously, that may come as a shock to some of you.]

I tend to see things through mom goggles. [My kids and my favorite coach tend to tell me that a lot. I see nothing wrong with looking on the sunny side....]

I especially view my own children through these said goggles. I don't want to think they might make a mistake that would hurt them.

But because we are all human, they do some monumentally stupid things.

And the goggles have to come off. [And, according to them, the smoke flies from my ears, my voice changes, and I speak in rapid spurts of "mom talk". I don't see it. I don't think it happens.]

One thing I have learned in this career of being Ma is that all situations are not the same.
Some call for hugs and tears. [Sometimes a little from me and a lot from one of them or vice versa.]
Some call for lots of "I told you so". [As a parent there are some small victories in mistakes.]
Some call for moments to count to 10...alone. [Or 20. Or 100.]
And some just call for brutal honesty. [That's when you step on the mom goggles and smash them to bits.]

Yet they all have one thing in common....grace.

Honestly, I would not be the person I am today if my mom and dad hadn't done a little of all of those as I was growing up. But I certainly wouldn't be me without lots and lots and LOTS of grace. Many times [in the past and the present], I didn't [don't] get the punishment I deserve when I've screwed [screw] up.

None of us do.

In a conversation with one of the Shorties the other night, my favorite coach and I tried to stress the importance of sincere humility.

Not haughty humility that allows a person to get what they want and reeks of insincerity.

True, on your face, asking-God-first-then-those-whom-you-have-wronged, honest, sincere humility to ask forgiveness for hurting others.

And yes, there are going to be LOTS of people that won't understand and will do whatever they can possibly do to pick you apart, to kick you while you are down, and to throw stones. [And, yes, this Ma got a little upset when a Tweet relating to this matter by a person who only knows how to throw punches came her way...something to the effect of "116 and all, dang" as in reference to Romans 1:16 which is used by one of my children on social media quite frequently. And this Ma had to consider the source and remind herself of what people do when they forget that grace has been afforded to them. And she had to be gracious. You have to practice what you preach or the words are just that...words. However, it doesn't hurt to just hit the block on some folks that want to be mean. If I am doing what God is asking then I have to extend grace. I don't have to read mean girl Tweets.] In the end, the only thing that matters is that you are in line with God. The world doesn't have to like you...it has nothing for believers anyway.

We have a God who loves us for us.

He wants the best for us even when we fall short...and we will fall short.

He meets us where we are and takes us where we never thought we could go.

And, in our time of need and always, when we don't deserve it, we will find His grace.

Dear Taylor Swift

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 03:54:00 +0000

*Here is another fabulous post by my sweet girl Molly.*

Dear Taylor Swift,

I am writing this to you as an avid Swiftie. My fandom began around the age of 11 with your release of “Tim McGraw”, but this newfound interest in your music did not become quite as deep until I bought your first album and heard the first of what would be many favorite T.Swizzle jams, “Stay Beautiful.” I became more of a fan with the release of your second album (and to every true Swiftie, the best album) Fearless. Oh my goodness, this one was-in the words of my brother-“straight fire.” I remember myself and one of my best friends proclaiming “Fifteen” as our freshman year anthem, and I remember singing, rather jamming to, “Forever and Always” about a billion times until I no longer had a voice. At this point in the Swift journey I did not think that you could get any better, and then…you released your third album, Speak Now. This one was a little different from the other two, but nonetheless still amazing. Another one of my friends and I used to sing songs from this album everyday in P.E., at the top of our lungs, once it was released. We knew every word to every song and the album order the second day it was out. “Sparks Fly” was one song that proved you were a lyrical genius, “Enchanted” had every girl fist pumping (especially at the epic build up that comes after the first verse in the song…yes), and last but not least, Speak Now contained the very first “Taylor Swift Ballad,” “Dear John,” which no one can actually sing and sound even remotely pleasant, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all still try! I also experienced my first concert with Speak Now and it was amazing, as in no words to truly explain, so I’ll leave it at that. I remember clearly the day that Red was released. I was a junior in high school, and just happened to be on a field trip that day. I remember getting on YouTube and searching all the new songs, listening to as many 30-second samples as I could find, then tweeting the lyrics…I wish I could say I am ashamed of that, but I’m not. Red was awesome. This one claims a top spot, just under Fearless, and contains some of my all-time favorite T.Swizzle jams. Just to name a few: “Treacherous,” the song that is a perfect lyrical description of each of our lives at one point or another; “WANEGBT,” the song with that one line that everyone knows the words to; “State of Grace (Acoustic Version),” a million times yes; “Holy Ground,” because of all of the “oooays” (BGVs are my favorite); and the second “Taylor Swift Ballad,” “All Too Well,” the ultimate emotional roller coaster song that will have you needing a nap after one listen. I traveled to Nashville… to see you perform Red…on the last night of your tour…with my best friends…it was so worth the drive. Finally, in my first year of college, you released your fifth album, 1989. This was a weird one, but in a good way. I watched the telecast that you held the day you released “Shake it Off,” then proceeded to have a dance party with myself. I annoyed my roommate when you released “Out of the Woods,” because I could not get over how deep that song was, and played it over and over again. When the full album was finally released, I listened to it on repeat for weeks on end, including a entire weekend in Chapel Hill where one night myself and three of my best friends cranked the stereo in the car to its fullest potential just to hear “Bad Blood” (and just FYI, the song was awesome before you asked that one guy to rap for you, just saying). I do have to say that “All You Had to Do Was Stay” still remains as one of my favorites from this album, and it may or may not be because of the weird “STAY” in every chorus. I am excited to say that I will be seeing you again in concert a few weeks from now, in Atlanta, and I am sure I won’t be disappointed. To sum up this rather lengthy first part, I am the ultimate fan. I know every word to every song that you have ever released, including the bonus songs. I say this ashamedly, but I also know the order of each song on each album…we’ve all got skeletons in the closet, okay?! As I transition into the next part of this post, I do so as a fan who has been there every step of the way, and through every Taylor Swift phase, so here we go.

I want to first thank you for not being a Miley Cyrus, or a Lindsey Lohan and for staying rather loyal to who you are throughout the years. Almost-20-year-old me appreciates that, but 11-year-old me is a little hurt. I tried not to listen to the critics, or rather, people much wiser than me, when they said things about this last album. They’re just songs, right? It’s Taylor Swift!!! I said that, I believed that, and I refused to move off of any obligation I held to being one of your biggest fans. Naturally, I ignored mostly all of the negative because I did not want to believe that it could be true. Yeah, okay, you are not swinging (naked) on a huge ball and chain while licking a sledgehammer, or leaving rehab for the billionth time, and you definitely have not boasted about kissing another girl…and liking it. But, I had to face reality when the music video to “Wildest Dreams” came out. Girl, you insinuate a few risqué things in this song, and they are portrayed, briefly, in the video. Do not get me wrong, as much as I hate to admit it, the song is super catchy. However, when I ride in the car with my 11-year-old sister, another avid Swifite, and we listen to this album, I find myself always skipping over this song. I hate that. I hate that while it is only one song, it is still on the album, and is still talking about something that Taylor Swift would never talk about, or at least the Fearless-phase Taylor Swift. Why am I so hurt by this? I mean, it isn’t a big deal, right? But then I go back to sweet 6^th grade Emma and it becomes a huge deal. Here I am feeling like you are dancing on the edge of what sells, and what is true to you, that makes me sad.

So, I write this in love, and I write this still remaining one of your biggest fans. I also write this in no way shaming you, or banning your music, or not still promising to jam to each song that you have released and will release in the future. I guess what I am trying to say is that I hope you remember your curly-headed phase, and I hope you remember all the little girls who have grown into bigger girls and have remained faithful Swifties through it all. Don’t forget where it all started, before you had to appeal to a fallen world, and a warped image of what society says is the “norm.” My 11-year-old self thanks you for the image you have portrayed as I have grown up, and my almost 20-year-old self asks you to remember it-

“stay, stay, stay. I’ve been loving you for quite some time, time, time…”

Love,

Molly

Hard and Holy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 01:39:00 +0000

I took my girls to see War Room on Saturday.

We laughed. [At the movie and when a woman fell on us trying to get out of the row. I don't care who you are, when its dark and you hold a stranger's fanny in your hand, you laugh because its all you can do.]

I cried. [Molly cried a little bit but I cried like a straight baby.]

The whole movie got me thinking about the above quote by Ann Voskamp [hand lettering by none other than Molly].

Hard and Holy.

In the movie [I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it yet] the main character, Elizabeth, figures out that saving her family has less to do with her and more to do with God's grace and mercy.

She vows to fight...
for her family.
for her marriage.
for herself.

Hard and Holy.

At the end of the movie [again, I am not spoiling it for anyone] a powerful scene depicts another main character, Miss Clara, on her knees, praying for God to raise up a nation of believers. She is praying in ernest and out loud.

Hard and Holy.

What if I, as a Christian woman, began to really pray for the things that really matter in my life? What if I stop spending my time learning about make up techniques [which I have recently become obsessed with since old age and gravity are hitting me like a TON of wrinkly bricks], pinning [some useful but mostly not so useful...I have over 6500 things pinned...holy cow] stuff on Pinterest, and trolling Facebook [which is the biggest waste of time in human existence...well besides The Bachelor and middle school drama]? What could I do with that time? That effort?

Hard and Holy.

I can focus on the things that will matter for eternity.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

I am ashamed to say that my prayer life is sort of like Emma's room...stuff is all over the place. I have a journal [that my favorite coach and assistant principal bought me] but I rarely use it [my only excuse is that I am lazy]. I pray but not as I should pray. I allow everything else to get in the way...mostly me.

Hard and Holy.

There are enough people out there giving advice [and political rants and TMI and sharing drama] on social media. There are enough women spending time tearing other women down with gossip and whispers and judgement. There are enough men that aren't stepping up to be the Spiritual leaders in their family [thank goodness I was raised by one and am married to one].

Hard and Holy.

Pray without ceasing.

I Thessalonians 5:17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us form all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Psalms 4:1

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

Psalm 118:5

Let us all rise up for what is Hard and Holy.

Well, I've Been Afraid of Changing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 03:49:00 +0000

Change is the only constant - Heraclitus

[Now I don't always go around quoting Greek philosophers but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.]

I have been a classroom teacher for 18 years.

I went from 1st grade to 5th grade in my first year of teaching. I moved classrooms three times at my second school. In fact, in my first 7 years of teaching, I either moved schools or classrooms every year. I moved from 5th to 4th then back to 5th then back to 4th then back to 5th [and that involved moving classrooms].

In the 2006-2007 school year, I had my first experience where I questioned why I was teaching at all. [Some of you that have had me might still be asking that question.] I was pregnant with child number four. [Incidentally, we did stop drinking all tap water in 2006.] I was one year into a three year graduate program. [I guess having 3 kids, a full time job, being pregnant, having a husband that worked and coached an hour away wasn't enough.] Around Halloween, the wheels fell off.

The list was given to me. The list that included every single 5th grader teacher in the county, along with their scores.

My name was at the bottom. [In golf, the low score is really good. Not so good in this case.] I would love to say that some help was offered or that anything positive was even said to me or about me during this encounter. But...that's in the past. I have learned that every single encounter is orchestrated by God. Take an opportunity to learn from every situation - good or bad.

In that one instant, I felt like I had two choices [as Andy Mineo would say]: Make moves or make excuses.

I chose to move.
I moved on being a better reading teacher.
I moved on learning to let things go [well, almost].
I moved on soaking up knowledge and ideas from graduate school.

And after another year in 5th grade, I moved on.

Since 2008, I have been an 8th grade science teacher.

I've often said that teaching 8th grade was much like teaching 5th grade - the kids act the same but they are just taller. [Well, some of them.]

I have enjoyed teaching middle school. [Well, most of the time.]

Here are a few things I've learned along the way:

8th graders are funny. [Sometimes good funny and sometimes not-so-good funny.]
Many middle schoolers just want to belong [not unlike most human beings...a few of you just don't care] and they want you to notice them. A few kids gain that attention negatively.
It is mandatory that a you pick your battles carefully. Every single mole hill does not have to become a mountain. [I have learned that the hard way.]
Love what you teach and kids will love it too. Move, dance, be silly, listen to 80s Pandora [that's just good teaching], and laugh. [A lot.]
Learn. To. Let. It. Go. Bad days. Terrible lessons. Hurt feelings. Things beyond your control. [This is the one I am still working on. I let things eat at me because I never want anyone to be disappointed in me.]
The middle school is a loud place. Get used to it.
Be consistent. Many of them may not remember a pencil or that you asked them to study for a vocabulary quiz but they will remember you promised them a sucker for being good [that one time].

Teaching in middle school has been an extraordinarily wild ride.

I have made some incredibly wonderful friends. Friends that have laughed with me and cried with me. Friends that have loved my children and loved me when I couldn't love myself. Friends that have encouraged and energized me to be a better teacher and a better person.

I have been blessed to teach some amazing students that taught me so much about life. Many times, middle schoolers do not want anyone to see the inside yet they don't realize how transparent they are at this awkward age. My heart aches for the issues and things that kids, so young, are expected to just accept. Yet, through some struggles, a lot of tears, many walks to and from lunch, and just through general conversation, some amazing children have been in my life.

I would not trade anything for my time as an 8th grade science teacher. Not one thing.

I am leaving middle school.

An opportunity to go back to my roots and be with elementary children found its way to me. [I know that God does not deal in luck and chance.] When I left 5th grade to come to the middle school it wasn't just about moving because Craig was here but more about getting out of a situation. Again, I won't go into much detail but I knew that staying was not ever going to change the mindset and perception of me.

This time, I am leaving for an opportunity I've always wanted.
Not running away from something terrible.
Not looking to get out because I know it is time.

[Just a side note: Please do not question my loyalty to my job or this community. Do not mistake my taking an opportunity to do something different for any kind of "leaving for greener grass". That will be all I'll say about folks who cannot do their own jobs well because they are too tired from being busy bodies.]

I am going to be a reading teacher.

This opportunity is just a God send and something I have prayed about for a few years. God has closed so many doors to jobs I pursued in the last few years.

This door was wide open.

And I am super excited.

Broken Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 06:41:00 +0000

The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Broken.

That was the word that came to mind when I came back to this bench in Hammonds Park on Saturday.

A few minutes before, I'd been sitting and talking with a young man [he was 27]. He lived just down the road from the park and was attending the block party we were helping with on Saturday.

He and I talked about kids [he had one son] and jobs. When I asked him what he did for a living he sort of laughed and said, "I deliver liquor. It's not exactly a great job but it pays the bills." He told me he'd lived in Brooklyn Park all of his life.
He wanted to travel.
He wanted to leave.
He wanted to do more with his life. For his wife. For his son. For himself.

We talked for a few minutes more then he said, "I have a lot of demons I'm trying to get rid of you know."

At that moment, the air thick with regrets from the past, he mumbled from a cigarette filled mouth, "I need Jesus."

I invited him to the church service [www.lifechurchbaltimore.com] on Sunday.

"I'm not so sure I belong in church. I just need Jesus."

My pounding heart came from my desire for God to just help me open up this door by making some sort of connection with him. I didn't want to be viewed as this Southern Baptist who came with her church to "save" [judge, condemn, scold, etc.] all of these "sinners" in this broken, desperate city. I didn't want to be cliché.

[God, I know you are in the midst of all of this and that YOU are the reason we are here. Please give me the words to let this young man know that Jesus is here and available and wants him.]

"I mean, I came because I got this flyer on my door [our group distributed flyers on Friday to a row of seven streets] and my kids loves to play with other kids. I'm just not really sure I belong in a church. I might go back and drink a beer this afternoon. I don't know...I'm just not sure."

God was beckoning me, here on a broken bench, to speak to this brother who needed to hear that there was a hope out there and it could be found.

"All of us here. In this park. Today. We ALL need Jesus. At church, we find that others can support us in our struggles to find Him. He will meet us where we are, no matter where that might be."

[God, I'm not sure if I said the right things. Could I get some sort of sign? Like a skywriter or the wink of a passing squirrel? Anything?]

"I might have to try that out. I mean, I think my kid would enjoy it and we could do that as a family. I might. I will see."

Thank you God for allowing me to cross paths with this young man. He has been on my mind, continuously, since Saturday. I don't know his heart but I will never forget his face. I pray, that one day, he finds the hope that I know only You can bring to him.

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

Saturday was her birthday. She turned 40.

There wasn't anyone at home to buy her a cake but her five children wanted her to be able to celebrate her birthday.

She was going to go to the store on her way home and get herself a cake and some candles so her kids could celebrate.
And have cake.

The pastor's wife surprised her with a cake. And candles. We sang happy birthday.

There was not a dry eye in the circle of people.

But there was one very ecstatic seven year old boy that could not stop grinning, ear to ear, as he told his mom, "Happy birthday!" over and over and over again.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24

Paul was speaking to the church at Macedonia about continuing the work of the Lord, even after he was gone. He reminded them to consider the trials and afflictions [wolves] they would face as opportunities to further God's kingdom. He stressed to them they were the "overseers" of the gospel, commanded by the Holy Spirit, to take care of their flock.

Life Church Baltimore had their first church service this past Sunday.

Ken and his family are overseeing their community to further God's kingdom. They frequently pick up trash. They hold a youth Bible study. They have life groups around the community. They invest in the lives of these people, many of whom carry banners of
Defeat.

Hopelessness.

Loneliness.

Sadness.

Anger.

Yet, Sunday, one banner was higher than the others...

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

My plea to God, for Ken, his family, and Life Church of Baltimore, is that very soon they are looking for a bigger building to house the folks that want to know about Jesus. The fire has been ignited and God's people must continue to breathe life into this place of hope for this community.

On Friday, as we distributed flyers to this community, the group I was with missed a Dead End sign [not surprising]. We'd run out of flyers but decided we would at least walk to the end of the street and just verbally give out the info to anyone we encountered.

God orchestrates every single encounter in our lives.

We walked past a house with several folks in the yard. One of the group members walked over to share the church information with them but immediately beckoned for us to join. We found out that a little over 16 hours earlier this family had lost a son [grandson, brother, friend, child] to murder. His body was discovered along a wooded path, riddled with several bullet holes.

What do you say to a mother who will be bury her son after senseless violence?

Nothing. There are no words of comfort. None of us had any clue what she was feeling at that exact moment.

One of the ladies from our group immediately sprang to action, "Can we pray with you?" And we prayed, through tears and sadness, with a family that felt hopeless.

Had we not missed the Dead End, sign then we might have never had this encounter.

God was reminding us [me] that with Him, there are no dead ends....only life.

And hope.

My heart aches for this family. There was no mention of the young man, other than he was 21 and his name was Michael.

There is a desperate need for that hope, found only in Christ, in so many places. We see them on the news or down the street or half-way around the world or in the people that live in our own houses. As a people of a God, we [I] can no longer turn our [my] heads and hope that someone else reaches out.

Harlots and Handlettering

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 03:00:00 +0000

I love to write things about my children [because they are hilarious and witty and they make my heart so happy] but I try not to share too many personal family things. [I mean, we've got to have some decorum...or at least pretend like we do.]

Parenting is an extraordinarily awesome responsibility but.....
HOLY COW! It is the hardest job I've EVER had. [And dad, if you are reading, I know you are saying something like, "Well you'd know since you've had A LOT of jobs." I just couldn't decide on a good job so I had to try them all.]

In the past few months I have been reminded of how a parent's heart can feel as if it is being ripped out and trampled while watching a child deal with life's lowest moments.

Even when you know that the issues being faced are just part of growing up.

Especially when you know there is not one single thing that can be done to make your child feel any better.

In those moments, where it feels as if the tipping point is close and the final landing is far off the course we intended, God will send us a peace to accept the place we land.

Molly and I attended a handlettering class this past Sunday at a whimsical art studio in Mt. Holly, A Place to Land. [Emma and Gabe began taking art classes there two weeks ago so we decided to attend a class for adults.]The women that lead the class use their creative skills to spread the gospel through art.

Have you ever had an encounter or experience with someone and you were just left thanking God that your paths crossed? That was me on Sunday.

Our theme for the night was bravery.

Enter Rahab.
A Biblical heroine.
A woman protecting her family.
A harlot. [Prostitute, lady of the night, etc.]

She faithfully hid the Israelite spies, under flax, in her house. She dutifully sent the soldiers from Jericho on a wild good chase after she insisted the spies had fled the city. She most graciously asked for God to spare her and her family when the Israelites came in to Jericho. She listened when the spies told her to tie the red rope to her door and to gather her family in her house.

Rahab. A woman who sold herself for money [probably for her family] was spared the wrath of destruction when Joshua and his army took Jericho.

God will bless us.

Me.

You.

Anyone who asks in His name.

Even a harlot.

Even a girl, feeling like the world is against her, can find herself if she believes that she is brave enough to step out.

Like Rahab, who stepped out onto her roof, hid the spies, and saved her family

She who is BRAVE is FREE.

Element 26

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 04:11:00 +0000

School started last week. [Hip. Hip. Hooray.]

And every since Monday morning, on the first day of school, I've had this verse on the tip of my tongue.

Not only has it been on the tip of my tongue but I've heard it over and over and over again several times since last Monday.

There are no coincidences with God.
It isn't about luck.
Or happenstance.

Every single encounter is illustrated by Jesus.

At our Back to School [Hip. Hip. Hooray. Again.] faculty meeting on Monday, August 17 our staff received the very sad news of a colleague, battling cancer, possibly facing his last hours here on Earth. It was suggested by someone that we meet, as a staff, at Hospice to pray over this man and his family.

Several folks carpooled over. The group I was riding with pulled in to find folks waiting outside of Hospice. Before we knew it, a rather large group of had gathered in the hot sun to pray for this family just outside of his room in the courtyard.

I was not at all prepared for this encounter. Not in the least.

When his wife opened the door to the courtyard and saw the large group gathered, she began to cry. Her pain and anguish were so overwhelming and heartbreaking that I found myself struggling to breathe. It was a moment of just raw emotion and I think everyone felt the same way: immense sadness at being able to do absolutely nothing for this women.

But, just as God is always faithful and on time, His blessings and promises spilled forth from co-workers and friends.

No one could not take away the cancer that ravaged her husband's body.

But, just as Proverbs 27:17 states so beautifully, the iron sharpening began.

The empty, heavy, grief-filled air that hung over that courtyard at Hospice began to be filled with words of mercy and grace and love....so much love. [It wasn't that I didn't already know that these people, that I've worked with for 7 years now, were not loving, giving folks. This wasn't the first time I'd witnessed their acts of love and kindness. There have been many.] There is nothing more powerful than circle full of believers that are willing to cry out to God as they stand in the gap for a friend. [As if this were not awesome enough, we found out later that his sister was inside with him while were were there. She was unaware, as was he, that were just outside praying for him. He told her, during this time that he could feel hands on his body yet he knew no one else was in the room. Don't tell me that God doesn't hear the prayers of His people!]

Iron sharpens iron.

Our colleague and friend closed his eyes here on Earth this past Wednesday morning. What an amazing sight that must have been when he opened them at the feet of Jesus.

I'm not sure that anyone is particularly fond of funerals. Yet, as I drove home Saturday, I was thinking how blessed I felt to have attended such a precious service. Unfortunately, I never took the opportunity to get to know him as well as many of the folks at work. [In fact, one time at the beginning of last school year, he and I joked, "introducing" ourself to the other after not crossing paths at all until two weeks into school. That happens way too much when there are two different buildings on two totally different schedules.]

So many folks shared neat stories...
About his life outside of school.
About his commitment to his family.
About his wit and humor.
About his desire to walk closer to God.

We learned, as he laid in Hospice, knowing his Earthy time was nearly over, that he was reminding those around him to seek a relationship with Jesus.

Iron sharpens iron.

Why Shower and Other Summer Time Musings from Gabe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:50:00 +0000

My youngest two just returned yesterday from camp with the kids from church. This was Emma's 4th year going and Gabe's first.

The youngest two are exactly that: the youngest.

They rarely keep anything clean [their rooms, their shoes, their faces] because they've had so many people catering to them all of their lives. Sometimes we've done it out of necessity [like it is necessary for me to gut your room because it appears you are one step from making an appearance on Hoarders] and sometimes just because they are the youngest and spoiled. [Actually, I think both of those statements said the same thing.]

Now I am not the queen of organization. [I mean, I am the queen of most everything else around here....] Ask Craig - that ship sailed a long time ago. [Honestly, I'm quite sure it never docked here anyway.] A little clutter is ok with me [some of you just took a knee while others hyperventilate] so I don't get too upset when their rooms have some clutter.

But when your room appears as if someone backed a large cannon into the doorway and KABOOMED every thing you own [underwear, crayons, baby dolls, Legos, last week's wet bathing suit, 5 socks, and an empty Cheetos bag to name a few] all over your door, walls, bed, dresser, closet, etc. then it is time to clean up.

That is Emma and Gabe in a nutshell. [Which makes Craig go nuts.]

But they are always clean. As in bathing every single day. And washing hands. And brushing teeth. They might be super messy kids but personal hygiene has been taught and is practiced at my house.

So you can imagine the horror I felt yesterday when Emma said this:
Gabe hasn't had a shower since Monday.

It was Wednesday.
He'd been swimming in a lake.
Playing outside.
Wearing bug spray.
Being a boy.

I could have beat him. Right there in the church parking lot. [Incidentally, that isn't the first time I've made that statement on here or out loud.]

To make matters worse, I'm not sure he changed his clothes much. When he brought me his dirty stack, there weren't many.

I'm just trying not to think about it. [Seriously.] Next year I will save myself the trouble and just send him out the door with his Bible and a smile.

Last night he wanted to shoot Cooper's BB gun in the backyard.

We live in a residential neighborhood. [I mean, our neighbors at the back corner of the yard cuss like sailors, sing David Allen Coe for all of Heaven to hear, and play horseshoes at 3am but I don't want to shoot them. Not all of the time anyway.]

Me: Gabe we can't do that here. We will have to go down to the practice field at the high school and shoot into the woods.
Gabe: But I won't shoot anyone mom.
Me: We can't shoot near the houses honey.
Gabe: Well that is stupid.

This morning he was full of questions.

Gabe: What if flying geese poop could fly?
Me: Flying geese do poop and fly. And poop while flying.
Gabe: No. I mean, what if flying geese had poop that could fly? What if they had flying poop?

I pray now for the 3rd grade teacher he will have this year.

I pray now for the woman that will marry him one day.

Following the Tides

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 02:46:00 +0000

I spent a lot of my surprise beach trip [a gift from my sweet hubs], sitting where the tide ran right over my chair, and I watched the waves move in and out.

Tiny sea shells made their way to and from.

My feet were buried deep in the sand, only to become uncovered with each pull of the tide.

I let the waves wash over me, again and again and again.

The sounds of the ocean are intoxicating. Honestly, I would've have been just as happy to sit there for the entire trip and do nothing but listen to the ocean - day and night.

More than the cathartic [its almost time for school to start so time to amp up the vocabulary] sounds of the ocean this time by the water allowed me time [virtually no time in front of the TV, cell phone, computer, etc.] to gain some much needed perspective.

The last few months have been emotionally stressful.

No, we haven't experienced anything tragic or monumental. In the grand scheme of things, the good has far outweighed the bad.

What I've learned is that emotional stress doesn't always mean things aren't going well. For me, it just meant I was trying way too hard to handle my feelings about some changes in my life on my own.

I can't do anything on my own. [Seriously, if you know me, you know that I do not enjoy being alone. I'm that girl and I don't care who knows.] I've never considered myself as an arrogant person but thinking that I could handle anything apart from God is just arrogant.

And just because GOD IS AWESOME [and has impeccable timing] our evening service at church Sunday was about the promises of God. And the first one on my list?

I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:27

As I was sitting last week, watching the waves crash back and forth [and listening to everything from Lecrae to Earl Scruggs to Hillsong] God's voice was so clear:

I created this ocean, the depths of which man will never know. I curved the sky so that it would meet the water at just the right moment so the sun could paint a beautiful picture. This sand. These shells. The noise. All of this was so perfectly orchestrated so that my people would give Me praise. If I take care of the smallest creature from the ocean why wouldn't I take care of you?

It made me think of a Lecrae song my family enjoys jamming to in the car. [We need a Go Pro camera. Seriously. We do some funny stuff in the car.] The song, Hang On, has a part that is referencing Matthew 6:25 - 34. [Which was also presented as a promise of God. Not a coincidence.]

[Grandma:] Hello.
[Lecrae:] Hey Grandma. It's me.
[Grandma:] Hey baby!
[Lecrae:] Hey, I need you to pray for me. I'm just going through some things right now.
[Grandma:] Well, what's going on?
[Lecrae:] Well, you know, just everything. Family, money, just life in general. It's crazy.
[Grandma:] Well, let me tell you what the good Lord say, He said don't be anxious about yo' life. What you gon' eat or what you gon' drink or about yo' body. See, life is more than food, and the body is more than for clothing. Birds in the sky, they don't sow, they don't reap, but yo' heavenly Father feeds ya'. So, He say just seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to ya'. See, life ain't for you to control, carry all the burdens. That's why ya' give ya' life to Him. Hang on.

This trip wasn't about being at the beach or being in the sun [or Matt and I whooping Craig and Molly at putt putt not just once but twice]. For me, it was about the time I spent just talking to Jesus and listening to Him speak to me.

Just as the tide changes, so my life will continue to change.

My children are going to grow up, move out of my house, [hopefully stay out of jail *thinks of Gabe*], and have their own lives one day.

I am getting older [I refuse to say old] and I have to continue to move, eat healthy, and take care of myself.

People are going to come and go...in my life and the lives of my husband and children.

The only constant is change. I can embrace change, just like I relished my time in the surf with the waves crashing around me, or I can continue to worry about the "what ifs".

My pastor ended his Sunday evening service with three things we should understand about God's promises. One in particular hit home: God's promises are conditional on our obedience to seek and listen.

As always, life as a Shortie [who is learning to continue to follow the tides, ride the waves, and know that God has got this] is really sweet :)

Dream BIG

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 03:10:00 +0000

God is doing some really cool stuff with some super cool folks that I know. Two of them go to church with me [and one of them just happens to also be my Coop and the other is a friend, Lauren] and I am super proud of the work they are doing in Cañas, Costa Rica. My mom and dad's church, Denver United Methodist, partners with a church. Each year they send a team of folks to continue construction projects, minister to the community, and serve alongside the congregation in Cañas.

This is Cooper's second year and he absolutely loves, loves, LOVES the people down there. He is ~~boy~~ man-child after God's heart. He is so passionate about sharing the love of Christ with anyone who will lend him an ear.[Seriously...how could we, as his parents, be any more proud than knowing that he is walking in the way of the Lord?] What an awesome experience for all of those involved in the trip!

One of the desires of the trip is that not only do they grow their relationship with Christ but also that they grow as a grow as a group. Sometimes, especially with folks that are used to having phones as a part of every day life, that can be hard. The leader of their group ask that they unplug for the trip. [Not going to lie, last year was very difficult not hearing from Coop at all. I mean, if you've EVER been around him for longer than 10 seconds then you know he isn't every quiet at home. When he isn't here, though it isn't quiet by any stretch, his voice is missed.] I was more prepared this year for just being content [and a tiny bit nervous] at knowing that God is keeping him, Lauren, and the entire group safe. As an added bonus, they are using the church's blog as a way to post pictures of what they are doing. [And to be honest, it did this mom's heart a world of good to see a couple of pictures of that sweet baby boy's face. How I love that kid!]

http://www.denvermethodist.org/news/it-is-well-with-our-souls/

Another sweet child that I know is also off serving the Lord in a very far away place - Thailand. [I am praying hard for these two girls but I am praying super hard for their parents. That is a llllloooooonnnggg way to send your child!] I know that both of these young ladies are very excited to see what God has in store for them as they serve in Thailand. They will actually be there for 4 weeks. [Again, I am praying for safety, endurance, and some parents that are anxiously awaiting the end of these four weeks.] You can follow their adventures at this blog. [And I LOVE how she sign's off with the words, "Dream Big" That is exactly what God is asking us to do for Him.]

https://dreambigcollegegirl.wordpress.com/

My favorite coach [and new favorite assistant principal] also just returned from a mission trip in Spain. I am anxious to hear all about the trip and how God moved and worked with this group of 10 men. [Just as a side note, it is also totally cool how God will even use American fútbol as a way to spread the gospel. Wow.] I would love to share some pictures and stories about his trip but since returning home last night he has been semi comatose. As soon as he catches up on his sleep I will post more about his trip.

Molly has a friend that spent the first 5 weeks of her summer in Sweden, sharing the love of Jesus. The youth from our church, along with MANY other youth from our area, are serving or have served in communities all over the south through MFuge. Molly is a camp coordinator with CCC. These groups are also serving through missions in areas all over NC.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

And be led forth in peace;

the mountain and the hills before you

shall break forth in singing,

"For you shall go out in joy

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:11-12

What I think is even cooler about these people is that most of them are high school and college aged students. They are the next generation of believers and they are following The Great Commission:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe al that I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:16-20

I'm going to be honest, when I was in 16, 17, 18, even in to my 20s, I wasn't a bit interested in anything but what I wanted to do. [And to be even more honest, I had no clue what that even was at the time. I eventually figured it out. Later than sooner, according to my father.] These young people are picking up and flying around the world, literally, all in the name of Jesus....to serve others. For several of the ones I mentioned above, this isn't the first, second, or even third trip but one of many. And these are just folks I know.

But [nothing good ever comes after using the word "but"] God doesn't always ask us to fly to Thailand or Spain or Costa Rica or even drive to western NC. [Let me preface this by saying that when I'm using the word "you" I am including my own self too.]

He might be asking you to keep the nursery at church.

He might be asking you to teach a Sunday school class.

He might be asking you to volunteer at the local soup kitchen or food bank.

He might be asking you to visit the shut-ins in your church.

He might be asking you to invite someone else to church.

The mission field is wide open and God needs us everywhere.

Dream BIG.

I'm With Her

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 17:53:00 +0000

Read this FIRST:
http://inthebeginningkyleandcaroline.weebly.com/our-blog/why-i-kissed-social-media-goodbye

Y'all know I believe, more than anything, that God will tell you [me] like it is when you [me] truly need to hear it.

The link above was what I needed to hear.

At just the right time.

I, too, am going to kiss social media goodbye. [Huge gulp.]

Honestly, before I even read that [on Facebook...again, well played God] I was considering all that social media is and is not and honestly considering taking a much needed break for an extended period. [For me. This is about how I feel about it and in no way condemning your choice to use it as you wish.]

What it is:
1. A way to connect with family and friends from all different walks of life.
2. A way to share vacations, pets, children [sometimes those two are the same], and all of the ups and downs of life.
3. A way to advertise your business, yard sale, stuff for sale, blog, interests, etc.
4. A source of all kinds of political and hot button social issues of the day.
5. A super easy way to ask a question about issues with kids, opinions about vacations spots, the best way to bake a cake, and everything in between - literally.
6. An avenue to share religious and political beliefs and opinions [and more times than not, a place to openly disagree, piss off, and/or just be rude to folks that you disagree with for all the world to see].

What it isn't:
This one is easy. One statement.

It isn't the Bible.

1 John 5:3-5

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

For me, its also about boundaries. [I'm not very good at setting them.] I always try to be as honest and open about my inadequacies [just how long do you have?] and I have trouble not reading and forming opinions about what I read on social media. I also have trouble not worrying about what is going on with social media. [And that is just stupid. STUPID.]

Social media is the world's view [much of it twisted, distorted, and interpreted so that everyone gets to feel good] of what God has already said so why I am worrying about what everyone else thinks about gay marriage, the Confederate flag, or terrorism? I am certainly not saying that others are not entitled to give an opinion or think what they choose to think about a certain topic but the problem is that words on a screen are often:

misinterpreted
without feeling
overly aggressive
insensitive
insincere

[I am JUST AS GUILTY as the next person for all of those things, and more, in that list.]

Blame it on old age, a little more wisdom, or a lot of both, but I am to the point where I am not interested in what someone thinks or doesn't think about what I say or do or agree/disagree with on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I've read this a time or two [or 1000] times recently, "It's a free country. We're all entitled to our own opinions." [Of course, that sometimes only applies if you are in agreement with the opinion giver. I've read some pretty nasty comments when people disagree with other's opinions. So much for that whole "free" thing.] I have seen some really nasty, ugly, downright mean things in the last several weeks over gay marriage and the Confederate flag. Many have suggested just "unfriending" people but, in my opinion, that isn't real life either.

And it is funny because I have to wonder, in an open room with the opportunity to debate these same issues, would we [myself included] be so nasty and ugly to one another face to face? I would venture to say that some [myself included] wouldn't even open their mouths to give an opinion. I've learned valuable and powerful lessons about the power of words when they are written for everyone to see.

You can't take them back.

But above all of these things, for me, it is about being hindered by my need for social media. [I can hear some of you saying, "Well that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" and maybe it is.] For a lot of folks, social media is an excellent tool for them to share their voice and be heard by people that need to hear the word of God. I sincerely applaud people who are able to use social media, filter out the nonsense, and really use it for good. And I will be praying for you.

But for me....

I just need Jesus.
I need His word.
I need to spend more time in prayer.

I don't need social media to do any of those things. I've tried that and all it did, for me, was teach me too much about how the world wants me to be. God ask us to be bold, and I will continue to be bold and share my faith, but I have to unplug and get away from the world's twisted views. [Honestly, I read a story on Facebook about a Satanic monument being put up in Detroit and it made me physically ill. I remember, about a year ago, a person who is a friend, from Facebook and says they are a Christian, applauding this freedom of religion.
http://rt.com/usa/273052-satanic-temple-statue-detroit/
There shouldn't be a Bible believing Christian, walking on this Earth, ANYWHERE, that believes this is an OK idea to stand up for anyone who supports satanic beliefs.]

From now on I will simply be blogging and occasionally using Instagram [I'm a sucker for pictures..what can I say?] to share about what God is doing in the life of my family.

As always, unplugged and free, life as a Short could not be better.