Happy Reformation Day!

When I think of Reformation Day, I think of Martin Luther. I read such a fun article about him the day...never thought I would use the word "fun" to describe Martin!!!! Take the challenge
and read it for yourself. I promise that you will never think of him in the same way.

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001696.cfm

The article shares one of my favorite stories from his marriage to Katie (who was a "hoot" as well ! She escaped the nunnery in a fish barrel!!!) Martin was prone to discouragement. One day Katarina dressed in all black. Luther asked if she was on her way to a funeral. She told him that from the way he had been acting, God must have surely died, so she just thought she would mourn along with him. Cheered Luther right up! What a gal!

Enjoy your day!

Positive Thoughts!

Just read this cute story. Ah, the power of seeing the glass half full!!!!

An organization once offered a bounty of five thousand dollars
apiece for wolves that were captured alive. Enticed by the idea of
such money, Sam and Jed eagerly set out through the forests and
into the mountains in search of the animals that could secure their
fortune.
They fell asleep under the stars one night, exhausted after days
of enthusiastic hunting. Sam awoke in the middle of the night and
saw about fifty wolves surrounding him and Jed—hungry wolves,
baring their teeth, with their eyes glistening at the thought of easy
human prey.
Realizing what was going on, Sam nudged his friend and said
eagerly, “Jed, wake up! We’re rich!”

Feelin' Kinda' Like A Miner

Were you riveted to the tv as the Chilean miners were rescued? Me too! I was in a hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale with my mom and sisters. We were so happy to be together! We were so full of anticipation of the next day when we would begin our long-awaited cruise. But despite our joy and giddiness, we were focused on the dramatic stories of the miners. We (along with the rest of the world!) stayed awake until the last one was rescued!

So why am I writing about these miners? Because thinking about them today has given me hope! Yesterday was a real downer. After months of unemployment, after countless hours in search of employment, Bill was called in for an interview! We began yesterday much like I did with my sisters in our hotel room - Bill and I were giddy with anticipation for what this new day might hold! We held hands and prayed, thanking God for this exceptional answer to our prayers! And then came a phone call. What we thought was an interview was not an interview at all...it was just a "headhunter" looking for resumes of the unemployed.

Hopes were dashed! I was teaching when Bill called me and told me what had happened. I wanted to cry. I wanted to melt into a puddle of self pity. But I couldn't. I had to hold it together...ALL DAY! I just had to "keep doing the next thing" even though I was feeling so low and sad and puzzled. I also had to trust. I had to trust that God continues to be in control.

And today I continue to trust. I have to focus on the knowledge that God is at work! Might not "feel" like it. But I KNOW that God is at work!

In other words, I feel a lot like those miners in the pit. This is what it was like for them:

After being trapped half a mile underground for 69 wretched days, they were brought to the surface one at a time in a cigar-shaped steel capsule that was only slightly larger in diameter than a grown man's shoulders are wide.
In a rescue process that combined the efforts of the Chilean government, NASA, a Pennsylvania drill company, and so many others, an ahead-of-schedule operation brought the men out in a flawless rescue operation. Each took the 15-minute journey to freedom from the longest underground entrapment in history.

From the pre-commercialized reports that have emerged so far, it seems clear that there was an early time of extreme fear and deep discouragement. In the first 17 days, the men huddled in an area no larger than 165 square feet. They had no contact with the outside and knew nothing of what was being done above ground to rescue them.

Reports say that some of the younger men in the group threw themselves on the ground and refused to get up. They appear to have resigned themselves to death. Then the first bore hole penetrated their tiny space, and hope soared. Bodies that had started eating muscle were provided with food, and tainted mine water was replaced with pure drinking water. Things improved dramatically.

Yup! I can identify with those miners! Right now I'm stuck in the pit. I look like the guys in the picture...just looking up to the light and trusting that help is on its way! I don't know how. I don't know when. But I know that my God is at work. In Him I am secure.

Two More New Friends

Here are two more WONDERFUL speakers that we heard on our "Girl's Get Away" cruise:

This is a picture of speaker/author Carol Kent with her son Jason. Carol has experienced a parent's worst nightmare. Her only son is in jail without the possibility of parole. Her story about this most unexpected journey is riveting; it is truly a story of the tender grace and mercy she experienced during dark, dark days. She is an excellent speaker (infact, I hope that I will be able to attend her speaking seminar this coming summer!), but her books are also highly recommended!

Carol and her husband recently received more devastating news. After spending countless hours of work on behalf of their son, their request for a clemency hearing was denied. Carol said she sobbed at this news. Jason, however, was at complete peace.“Mom and Dad, if God chooses to allow me to walk in freedom in this lifetime, it won’t be because I received the favor of well-connected politicians and attorneys. It will be because God moved in the hearts of decision makers in a miraculous way. I am content with that. My heart hurts for the family of the deceased and I hope that someday they will be able to forgive me.”

If you or a friend are walking through the valley, google her name and check out her books!

This is a picture of Angela Thomas and her husband, Scott. Angela walked through a devastating divorce and spent many "beyond difficult" days as a single Mom. She is so much fun to listen to...her heart is so tender when she relates her journey with her Shepherd! Her books are also great...and wonderful to share with a small group or a weekend retreat with women. If you want to read more about her story, this is a good place to visit: http://www.brooklynrail.org/2005/01/express/the-angela-thomas-story

Over the past few days, I have shared five dynamic women of faith with you. God has used each one of these women to help me in my walk with Him. What I find so interesting is how God uses such "out-of-the-box" experiences to reveal His heart of love. These are women that have gone through abortion, divorce, rebellion, and even murder, and yet they are joyful, vibrant witnesses of God's redeeming, unfailing love! They make me want to sing out Love, so AMAZING, so DIVINE, demands my soul, my life, my all!

WHOA!!!!

Just woke up, turned on the computer, and was "welcomed" by MSN (it always says Good Morning, William! or Good Afternoon, William!), and read this glaring headline:

RETAIL THERAPY MAY BE MAKING YOU SICK!

Well! That was a most unwelcome thought! This is NOT what I was going to write about today, but this news was so upsetting to me that I have to just take a moment and breathe DEEPLY...

Okay, I'm back! Yeserday, I introduced you to Karen Kingsbury. Today you are going to meet Lysa TerKurst and Renee Swope, two more women that spoke to us on the cruise. These are founders of Proverbs 31 ministries I hope you will visit their website at http://www.provers31ministries.org/. That's where you can meet them and read their stories. Both women have active families, both have adopted children from Africa, both have written books, and both have fairly heavy speaking schedules. In otherwords, they are living My dream! But both of them are down-to-earth, real women that realize it is the God they serve that makes their lives extraordinary.

Lysa brought her daughter on the cruise and Renee brought her whole family! A year ago, Renee and her family adopted a little girl from Africa. I followed her adoption story on Renee's blog. So imagine my delight when I ran into the whole family, got to see the baby, and also got to introduce all of them to my mom and sisters. It was a joy to hear them speak on the cruise. Infact, my sister Karen said it best when she said, I loved what Renee shared: Your mess, with age, becomes your message!

So true! Once again, by sharing their stories with us, they encouraged us to share our story with others...to share our messes and the glorious ways God turns them into something beautiful! So how about YOU? Gotta a good story waiting to be told????? (and don't forget to visit that website I told you about...go...right now!)

Lysa's family

One of Lysa's books


Renee on the cruise ship, sharing her Mess and Age

Renee's family

Cruising with Karen

This is a picture of Karen Kingsbury, the "hostess" of the cruise that my Mom and sisters just went on. Karen is a famous author. She is a prolific writer. Her stories cover a plethora of subjects....her latest book that I am currently reading is entitled Unlocked and deals with the topic of autism.

Karen is one of those people that embodies the phrase, "beautiful, inside and out!". She has a true "servant's heart". She has achieved great fame and notoriety, and yet she is so sincere and caring and gracious to everyone she meets. She never tires of people asking her for a picture or an autograph.

I enjoyed hearing her share how she became a Christian. I also enjoyed hearing her words of encouragement to us...she said that each of us has our own story to tell to others. That's one of the things I try to do on this blog...just share my everyday story and the many ways that I see God at work.

Okay, so now you met our "hostess". And next, I'll try to post a few highlights from our trip...

WOW!

WOW! That one word pretty much sums up the last seven days. As many of you know, my sisters and I were treated - yet, again - by our mother, to a cruise. One week ago today I flew into Ft. Lauderdale, and today I am flying back home. But I will be returning to Texas with a wealth of new memories, new pictures in my camera and in my mind of places I never thought I would see, and new friends that I probably will never have the joy of meeting again, but friends that have added to my joy!

I can't write very much right now, but I do want to share a video of just one of the entertainers that was on the ship with us. What a thrill to see Nicole Mullen up close and personal...she is so tiny!! But what a powerhouse!
Here she is, singing a song she wrote after reading the book of Job...

My, Oh My, What A Wonderful Day!

Today was just one of those exceptional days...the kind of day that makes me want to whistle "Zippa Di Do Da"!!! Remember that old song?

Earlier this week I got a phone call offering me a free facial, so I made an appointment for this morning at 10:45. I slept in until 8:00...sheer luxury! And after a few errands, I made my way to my facial appointment. Ahhhhhhh! I haven't had a facial since....I have no idea. Anyway, the experience was a true delight.

The weather added to my exceptional day. I LOVE this time of year in the South. The air feels sooooooo much better without all that horrible humidity! It was a true joy to be walking (or, in my case, limping...still have a bad knee!) outside.

When I returned home, Bill and David were in the mood to take a ride in the country. So we meandered through some back roads. I had so idea where we were. At one point I asked Bill if he knew where we were. "Yes", he said. "In Texas!". Thanks, Bill!

Well, wherever we were, it was gorgeous! We passed signs informing us that we were in Austin County and then in Waller County. We passed acres of land, and thousands of cows, and finally ended up on Kickapoo Avenue! Um, I knew we were lost when we ended up in a place called "Kickapoo"!

Equally wonderful was our travel chatter. For awhile we talked about John Lennon. Today would have been his 70th birthday. We talked about some of his songs. Bill absolutely detests the lyrics of the song, "Imagine". Then we talked about songs that sound so nice, but mean absolutely nothing....songs like "Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore". Do you know that one? Great melody...fun to harmonize with...even sounds kinda' religious! But think about the words. Empty.

Anyhoo, if you were a fly on the wall or a bird in the air, you would have witnessed three people, tooling down Kickappo Avenue, singing "Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore" at the top of their lungs, scaring all the poor cows in the county! Yup, a wonderful day!

Vocabulary "Fun"?????

It's almost 5 p.m. and I will be leaving soon to tutor a few more students. One of those students is preparing for the SAT exam. We have been meeting twice a week for five weeks, and this Saturday is her test! I can handle the reading section and the writing section, but the vocabulary section is REALLY hard for me!!! I hate to admit it, but I'm probably learning more that she is at this point!!!

Take, for example, these words: contumelious, vitiate, and insouciant. And those are the EASY ones!!! For five weeks I have taught her 40 new words per week...that means I have a new treasure pile of 200 words at my disposal. But don't get your hopes up. I doubt if I will begin using any of them any time soon. Except maybe "plethora". That's a fun one!

While I was in Chicago, I began reading a book by an gal that will be on our cruise next week. OH!!! Did I mention I will be on a cruise? With my mom and sisters!!!! I fly to Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday, and we leave on Thursday. Anyway, back to the book. It is written by Lysa TerKeurst and she uses words I can relate to like "ginormous". I don't think you'll find that word in the dictionary, much less on the SAT test, but every over worked mom knows what it feels like to have a "ginormous" headache!!! Am I right, ladies???

I like the way Lysa works with vocabulary words A WHOLE LOT MORE (!!!!!) that that old SAT test does. In her book, she quotes from Ephesians 1:17, where the phrase glorious Father is found. Lysa writes that while there are many meanings for the word glorious, these are her two favorites: "entitled to great renown" and "completely enjoyable".

Now that's a great vocabulary lesson in my book! In fact, it was completely enjoyable to me, so I will call it a glorious vocabulary lesson! How about you? Any new words you've been learning?

Thank you Father, that You are perfectly glorious! Always!

Trinity and Emmys!

Trinity Christian College

I just returned from a quick trip to Chicago! I am on the Alumni Board of Directors (doesn't that make me sound special!) and always find our meeting mentally and spiritually invigorating! I love hearing about what's new on campus. It's also a great time to catch up with old friends. And now that our daughter Elise attends Trinity, I also get to spend some special time her.

On Friday evening, the college had a special dinner honoring special alumni. This year, one of the honorees was Kurt Schemper. Kurt is a '97 graduate from Trinity and presently works in LA as a producer for the A&E show, Intervention. Kurt shared clips from the show and walked us through a typical day. Kurt won an Emmy award for his work with the show. It was endearing to hear him say, "You know, I probably could have gone to any college and I still would be doing what I am doing today. But I wouldn't be the person I am today if I had not attended Trinity."

I sat next to Kurt during lunch (I can now say I sat next to an Emmy award winner!!!! Never thought I would be able to say that!!!!). He is the real deal. So down to earth. Just a regular guy sharing the transforming power of Christ in the place where God wants him to be a light. I think most grads from Trinity share Kurt's sentiments about the college. I'm thankful that Trinity instills the truth that our life in Christ can not be compartmentalized...rather, it must be integrated into every area of life. Jesus isn't only important in church. Our relationship with Christ is to be brought into every area. That being said, I would echo Kurt's words. I could have gone to any college and I would be able to become a teacher. But because I attended Trinity, I have a better understanding of what it means to bring Christ with me when I teach. I was taught well and learned the difference between being "a teacher who happens to be a Christian" and "a Christian teacher".

Thank You, Father, for Trinity Christian College. May she bring You glory, always.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)


Long ago, I learned the above verse as a "Scripture Song". Lately, I've been singing this song A LOT!!!!! Learning to have a steadfast mind is difficult, isn't it? Just like many of my students who can't seem to focus and stay on task, I often find my mind running rampant - especially when I pray. I will start off praying, and then my mind goes off in all these other directions! Why? Does anyone else have this problem?

Since I haven't written in a while, I will share a few bullet point moments of what I've experienced the last few days...

• Our son David underwent a long week of testing to see what jobs he may be able to do. He has worked for Kroger's for over two years, but, for many reasons, it was time for a new working experience. Bill is at home now (no work for over a month!) and it was wonderful that he was able to drive David downtown morning and pick him up again in the afternoon. We will get the results of the testing in about two weeks. David has made GREAT strides in the past three years and so we are very curious to find out what the tests reveal.
  

• I have a new student named Cheryl. She is so full of the joy of the Lord and God is using her beautiful spirit to be a true blessing to me. She is going to college for the first time as a forty-something year old. Her goal is to become a teacher. Cheryl struggles with grammar and sentence structure and needs help to get ready for an English placement test. She is my last student on Mondays and as I enter her home oh-so-tired and weary, her warm and welcoming smile energizes me! Last Monday, she paid me an extra $10.00 and said, "I want you to have a special lunch tomorrow on me!" It doesn't take much, does it, to do small yet thoughtful things for others?

• Bill and I are studying The Sermon on the Mount. It's a wonderful learning time for us. I remember when I was a senior at Trinity, I was asked to give the very first chapel service of the year. For the service, I spoke about the very first beatitude. Blessed are the poor in spirit... I remember being struck by the fact that many people that day, hearing Jesus preach these words of hope, probably listened more intently when they heard the word "poor". Many people in the crowd were poor...a type of poor that is far removed from our idea of poverty. No government programs to help them out...no unemployment benefits, so social security...they were poor, poor, poor, with no hope. But what Jesus wants ALL of us to realize is the fact that we are all poor in spirit. The meaning of the word “poor” in Greek means one who has nothing and is completely empty. Was Jesus saying the economically poor are blessed? No, for there is no spirituality in poverty. Poverty in itself is not blessed, because the poor can be as arrogant and as ungodly and as lost as the rich. So what does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means that the poor are those who realize that they can never achieve salvation on their own and instead put their complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Sorry...enough preaching!
  
  
  And, speaking of Trinity, I will be flying up to Chicago on Thursday for a board meeting and homecoming events. The highlight of the trip, however, is spending some time with our daughter Elise.

Okay, that's a few of my highlights from my life...how are YOU?????

RATS! Time For Plan B

I just "googled" the words for the lyrics to the song that CeCe Winans made famous entitled "My Alabaster Box". Well, I found the lyrics all right, but I also found two blogs that already have the title I was hoping for - one is on Blogger and one is on Word Press. So much for THAT idea...

Meanwhile, here is a video that a church did...a live drama portraying the story from Luke 7.

Wandering and Wondering: Two Things I'm Very Good At!

So, today in church we were reading from Luke 8. My eyes wandered off to chapter 7. I was so touched my the woman that washed the feet of Jesus with her hair. When I read scripture accounts like that one, I always try to put myself into the picture. I try to figure out the emotions, the inner, unseen things that might have been going on... For example, what stirrings in her heart made this woman seek out Jesus? How did she feel when the others were so quick to brush her off and label her as "a sinner"? What did it feel like when Jesus looked at her and said, "Your sins have been forgiven."? I did listen to the sermon on Luke 8...but my encounter today with the woman from Luke 7 has captivated my heart.

It has left me wondering about the new blog I may write. It would be different in content from this blog. I told you before that I was toying with the idea of somehow incorporating my initials (JARS). I'm wondering about the name for the blog...maybe I should call it, MY ALABASTER JAR, in honor of the Luke 7 woman. Hmmm...

Russell Kelfer | Wait

Russell Kelfer Wait
For some reason, I can't cut and paste this poem. Anyway, if you click on the words above, it will direct you to a poem that pretty much summarizes where I am at the moment. We've all been in this situation. May the words bless your heart, as they did mine.

Waiting

No, dear ones, I haven't abandoned my blah,blah,blahing...I have been amazingly busy and just too tired to write. I have days when I begin teaching at 8 a.m. and never finish until 8:30 p.m.

While I am thankful for work, and while I LOVE my students, quite honestly, I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming at times.

Right now, Bill and I are in God's "Wating Room". If you've ever found yourself in a waiting room, it's not always the most fun place to be. For the first 30 minutes, one can be entertained by magazines, but then impatience sets in...

What "Wating Room" are we in and who/what are we aiting for? At this time, I won't go into all the details, but just know that Bill and I are facing some big decisions that need to be made.

Right now, I am thankful for a friend that has reminded me of this beautiful verse in Psalm 90;14: Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Oh Lord, once again, help me to wait patiently. But please do it gently. My heart is tender and fragile these days as I look to a future filled with uncertainties. I long to seek You in these days

of waiting. I long to have a joy-filled heart as I wait for You. Let me stand firmly, believe undoubtedly, trust unwaveringly, and know that You are the One who makes all things beautiful...IN YOUR TIME.

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!