Abandoning Jars

WHEW!!!! Giant sigh!!! The past week has been a whirlwind! Elise and I set off for Michigan last Thursday afternoon - after I taught and had an ear appointment - after Elise packed her car to the brim with ALL of her earthly belongings. We sang, we laughed, and then we collapsed! It all caught up with us - all the busyness, all the emotions - and we found day two of our trip to be quite difficult. We were exhausted! Our attempts to get back on the road by 6 a.m. was an epic failure. To make a long story short, we made it to Grand Rapids on Saturday afternoon. We don't even know what state we slept in the last night on the road. Tomorrow I will try to post some pictures and share a bit of our adventure.

While I was in G.R. my granddaughter asked why my blog had such a funny name. That answer would also turn into a long story, so let me just tell you all that I have been wrestling with the direction my blog should take. And with that wrestling, a desire is beginning to surface...a desire to perhaps change the name of the blog. A desire to perhaps only write devotionals. Don't know yet, but just want you to know that something is brewing...

When I try to think of new names for the blog, I keep coming back to my initials: JARS

The verse about "jars of clay" has always been a very special verse to me, but, of course, that name is taken by a popular Christian singing group. I tried to think of an acronym for JARS such as, Joyful Albeit Restless Spirit ( that's more honest that saying I have a joyful and rested spirit because I can be VERY rest-LESS!!! I think David was was definitely referring to me in Psalm 23..."He makes me to lie down"!!!!!!)

Okay, so I have said ALL of the above to lead into this absolutely beautiful piece written by a fellow Christian blogger. She captures the words of my heart! She says what I wish I could express. I hope you will read this devotion. If you do, you will understand me better, understand the struggles of my heart, understand my desire to abandon my "jar" on many different levels.

Maybe you could read what she writes and comment on your thoughts: do you see this blog going in another direction? Do you have any ideas for a new title? Any comments will be appreciated and helpful!

Click on this address to go to the devotional:

http://www.ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/

Gotta Love Creative Women!

A woman after my own heart!!!

Happy Birthday, Blah Blah Blah Houston!!!!

Today my blog turns two! In anticipation of this special milestone, I took a trip down memory lane and re-read some of the old posts. It was fun to read some things that I completely
forgot about! It brought a smile to my face to re-live some fun moments that have happened over the last 730 days. And for all the frustrating, out-of-control days, it has been wonderful to see the MANY ways God has been faithful and unfailing in His provisions.

I'm thankful for this little window into my life. It started out as a therapeutic experiment that only a handful of friends and family followed. Most of my readers were from Michigan. I got excited if I had 15 people that read the blog.

Today, this little blog is read by people all over the world and averages eighty readers per day. That amazes me! I question why perfect strangers want to read about the average things that happen in my life. But I am thankful!!!

Thank you, faithful readers! And Happy Birthday to Blah Blah Blah Houston!

This video clearly expresses what the teaching vocation is all about. It beautifully expresses the special place a teacher has in her heart for each child that she teaches.

Skeletons

Monday was the first day of my school schedule for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Everyday is a different schedule with different students. I have to be sure to write out what the day will hold, or I get way too confused about where I am supposed to be!

I have a delightful blend of students from Kindergarten to adults, and I love the variety. Switching gears from The Cat in the Hat to helping with literary analysis certainly keeps me on my toes!

My morning homeschool students are learning about the glorious way God has designed our bodies. We began our study with the human skeleton and learning the major bones. They took notes, made a macaroni skeleton, and finished the week with a kit that I purchased for them that required them to assemble a plastic skeleton.

I wanted them to do as much of the project by themselves that they could, so I pretended to be busy grading their homework, while secretly watching them try to figure out which bone went where.

It was a disaster!!! It turned out to be way too frustrating. Once the clavicle fell off for the 15th time, I called it quits. I put the skeleton in a ziplock and asked Chris to take it home and see if his dad could help him put it together.

Around 7:30 in the evening, I received a text from Chris's mom. She said that the skeleton had turned into a family project. Haley, her daughter, was fascinated by the ribs. She counted all the ribs on the skeleton. She then proceeded to count each one of Chris' s ribs. She then assured her big brother that he had the correct number of ribs - not one was missing! To which Chris responded (in typical Chris fashion!), "Well, DUH!!!! God isn't going to leave out any ribs!"

And so my days proceed....from ribs, to objects of prepositions, to phonics, to mastering two digit multiplication. Life is good!

Finish Strong!

The little boy that I teach in the morning wore his camp shirt to school yesterday. On the back of the shirt was this Bible verse from II Timothy 4:7:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I asked him about the camp, about the Bible verse, and if the campers memorized the verse. Yes, they did have to memorize the verse and right then and there he said the verse to me!

A friend sent me this video, so I sent it to my student. I thought it was a beautiful, heart-warming illustration of what Paul had in mind when he penned those words.

And so now, I share it with you...

Running The Race

Update and Cute Video

Here is a brief update via bullet points:

Summer is rapidly coming to an end. I will be resuming my school scedule next week. That means that this week is full of last minute cleaning, organizing, etc.

My knee still hurts.

Met wonderful students over the summer. Only one is moving away, and the rest have requested lessons to continue during the school year. I'm very thankful for each student that God sends my way. It is so evident to me that He has chosen (hand-picked!) each student for me. Each one He sends my way has been such a blessing to me in so many ways. They become friends as well as students and I have so much fun with each and every one!

Loved having Elise home for the summer. Loved being able to sing hymns in harmony with her and Bill in the car! Loved having her bring me iced tea from her work everyday! Loved watching old movies with her! Our plan is to drive up to Chicago (college) together and I will fly back to Houston. Anyone want to meet us in Chicago on the 29th and 30th??? A fun "Chicago time" is promised! Plus, you could help move stuff into a dorm! Any takers???

And last, but not least, I am thankful for friends and family that keep encouraging me. This has been a "bumpy" summer in may ways. It held many unexpected twists and turns. God has been so faithful. Many of you have been such an encouragement to me. Thank you. I am amazed at how many people read this little blog. Many I know, even more that I don't know! Thank you for reading. Here is a sweet little story for all of you...

Limping Through Life

Lego re-enactment of Jacob wrestling with God

Yesterday I went to the orthopedic doctor. He took x-rays and said my knee look good...thanks, doctor! Then he examined it (major OUCH!!!) and said I need an MRI. All that for the bargain price of $792.00. He thinks I have a torn meniscus. If that's what it is, I will probably need surgery. Nothing drastic...just a little out-patient procedure. I'm praying that the MRI will show that it is only a ligament that would heal on its own.

I woke up thinking about my knee, praying that I won't require surgery...way too expensive! And then my mind drifted off to Jacob. He wrestled with God and his hip was hurt. He limped the rest of his life. Found myself wondering if Jacob might have been a candidate for hip-replacement!

How About A Quiz?

Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards...they are the ones that care.

Thank You, God, for friends and family that make this journey of life more enjoyable!

Who Is Watching Out Your Window?

I really like this story...I hope you do, too!

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he couldn't hit any target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. On impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all--but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally replied, "Grandma , Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help, didn't you Johnny?" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny helped Grandma.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he couldn't stand it any longer. He finally went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make you her slave."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done--and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)--whatever it is, you should know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that if you claim Him as your Lord and Savior, He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make you his slave. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window--and that makes you FREE!