Total for the Week: -5
Total Over all: -5
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Exercise, Poetry, and Potpourri!
Exercising is not one of my favorite things to do. If I have a goal in mind or a reason for walking, then it’s not so much a problem. But to walk for walking sake… ehhh, I can do without it.
The other day I was doing some geocaching and discovered a new trail in town that I didn’t know was there. It meanders through the place where the Third Battle of Winchester occurred during the Civil War. I am looking forward to going back there with some water and good walking shoes.
My eating habits have changed for the better, I think. I am trying to keep more in mind that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I’m not sure He wants to live in a home built from Twinkies! LOL
The verse that has really stuck with me as been the one that says: “You were bought with a price [the blood of Jesus]: therefore honor God with your body.” I really want to do that and I’m working on it!
Something else exciting in the works: I have purchased “The Writer’s Market” for 2008 and really want to start working on some writing to submit. I have a novel in the works that is historical fiction. The story line is centered on my family, specifically my Quaker ancestors who lived and fought during the Civil War.
I also have a student at school who is quite a poet, and she and I are going to work together to find someplace to submit her poetry.
I’m taking part of my planning period at school to post this, so I better finish up before the English class comes in. God bless!
The other day I was doing some geocaching and discovered a new trail in town that I didn’t know was there. It meanders through the place where the Third Battle of Winchester occurred during the Civil War. I am looking forward to going back there with some water and good walking shoes.
My eating habits have changed for the better, I think. I am trying to keep more in mind that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I’m not sure He wants to live in a home built from Twinkies! LOL
The verse that has really stuck with me as been the one that says: “You were bought with a price [the blood of Jesus]: therefore honor God with your body.” I really want to do that and I’m working on it!
Something else exciting in the works: I have purchased “The Writer’s Market” for 2008 and really want to start working on some writing to submit. I have a novel in the works that is historical fiction. The story line is centered on my family, specifically my Quaker ancestors who lived and fought during the Civil War.
I also have a student at school who is quite a poet, and she and I are going to work together to find someplace to submit her poetry.
I’m taking part of my planning period at school to post this, so I better finish up before the English class comes in. God bless!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Comfort and Loss
Today was a funeral for a parent volunteer from our school. This lady was a fixture around the place - helping out in her child’s classroom. She was also our first-call substitute and often worked in my classroom. She was a very pleasant woman and a doting mother.
On Easter Sunday of this year, she had a seizure. Since that time, she had ups and downs of recovery, with the doctors never putting their finger on exactly what was wrong. Swelling on her brain and strain on her heart finally took her.
I didn’t go to the funeral home nor to the funeral. Funerals are tricky things; sometimes they are a celebration of life, and sometimes they are a mournful time of loss.
My own mother died when I was 8 years old. 34 years later and I still tear up thinking about her and that loss - how I never had her around for my wedding, for the birth of my children. I did have a stepmother and I love her - but it just wasn’t the same.
I remember when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I went out to the grave site and poured out my news. It made me feel a little better - but the tears still flowed.
Since I heard about the parent’s death, I have had a hard time talking about it. Her child is only a little older than I was when my mother died. I didn’t want to go to the funeral because I knew I would be too focused on my own loss - and too teary-eyed to be any good.
In a couple of weeks, I will talk to the child’s family about the things that would have helped me if they had been done - a memory book from other people about my mother. Permission to keep something and to have something tangible to touch to know that it was once in my mother’s hands. I hope that I can be of some help to this child.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.”
I’d like to think that good has come from my loss - that God has worked things out so that I can support this child. I still don’t understand why God intervenes in some cases and not in other, but that’s where faith comes in. I’m still kind of mad at Him, but - He’s big enough. He can take it.
On Easter Sunday of this year, she had a seizure. Since that time, she had ups and downs of recovery, with the doctors never putting their finger on exactly what was wrong. Swelling on her brain and strain on her heart finally took her.
I didn’t go to the funeral home nor to the funeral. Funerals are tricky things; sometimes they are a celebration of life, and sometimes they are a mournful time of loss.
My own mother died when I was 8 years old. 34 years later and I still tear up thinking about her and that loss - how I never had her around for my wedding, for the birth of my children. I did have a stepmother and I love her - but it just wasn’t the same.
I remember when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I went out to the grave site and poured out my news. It made me feel a little better - but the tears still flowed.
Since I heard about the parent’s death, I have had a hard time talking about it. Her child is only a little older than I was when my mother died. I didn’t want to go to the funeral because I knew I would be too focused on my own loss - and too teary-eyed to be any good.
In a couple of weeks, I will talk to the child’s family about the things that would have helped me if they had been done - a memory book from other people about my mother. Permission to keep something and to have something tangible to touch to know that it was once in my mother’s hands. I hope that I can be of some help to this child.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.”
I’d like to think that good has come from my loss - that God has worked things out so that I can support this child. I still don’t understand why God intervenes in some cases and not in other, but that’s where faith comes in. I’m still kind of mad at Him, but - He’s big enough. He can take it.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Deaf Convention
The National Christian Convention of the Deaf was a great time! I had the privilege of attending this conference with a young lady from my church who is learning sign language. It is quite an experience to be in a room of so many deaf people and be in the hearing minority! I had a couple of headaches over the weekend from the eyestrain! But it was incredible to communicate with new and old friends. Seeing several friends from Cincinnati brought me back to when I was just learning sign language. The journey that God has brought me on has been incredible, and I can't wait to go to next year's conference in Jacksonville, Florida.
One of the best things about the conference was the decision of two deaf men to be baptized and become Christians! How cool!
Another best thing was spending time with Shelina and her daughter. They graciously opened their home to my friend and me. It was great sitting up and talking late like we used to do in college together. I miss spending time with Shelina, so it was cool to see her, Sushi, and the quilts live!
One of the best things about the conference was the decision of two deaf men to be baptized and become Christians! How cool!
Another best thing was spending time with Shelina and her daughter. They graciously opened their home to my friend and me. It was great sitting up and talking late like we used to do in college together. I miss spending time with Shelina, so it was cool to see her, Sushi, and the quilts live!
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