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Getting Into the Book

Today is a non-working day for me.  In other words, I didn’t get called to sub.  Actually, the subbing job I had lined up got canceled.

No, I didn’t sleep in.  I got up at 5:45, showered, and dressed…just in case a last-minute call did come in.  The kids and I resumed our regular routine of devotions.  Last week, they went to church bright and early every morning for a special week of Easter services.

When they left for school, I still had not receive a call, so I decided to go ahead and get started with my day…hitting Sam’s Club and Target early.  The dogs will be happy that they will be eating a full cup of food tonight.  This morning, Pele scarfed down his 1/2 cup and looked at me like the world was ending.

When I got home, I decided to listen to the latest Revive Our Hearts program.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss has a daily radio program.

Today was a treat!  Kay Arthur was a guest speaker, and what she discussed truly touched my heart.  Today’s topic is titled “Getting Into the Book.”  Kay discusses the importance of digging deeply into God’s Word, and she gives a basic lesson on the Inductive Study Method.

My prayer is that you will open up your Bible…dust it off if necessary…we’ve all been there, after all…and start reading.  Take your time, and utilize some of the tips that Kay suggests.  I’ve inadvertently been doing this recently and have seen my hunger and understanding grow.

Hosanna

Easter Sunday…the holiest of holidays for a Believer.

On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior, who died for our sins.

This is a gift, given NOT to make our lives on earth easier but to save us from spending an eternity in Hell…due punishment for our sin, which God abhors.

We sang “Hosanna” today at church.  Before posting this, I looked up the Greek definition for “hosanna.”  Here’s what I found at this site:

The Greek form of the Hebrew phrase hoshana, “hosanna” was the term used by the people to acclaim Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In Psalm 118:25, it is translated “save now” and, as in the gospels, is followed by the phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Psalm 118 was used liturgically at the Feast of Tabernacles, and verse 25 was the cue for the waving of the palm branches. In the NT and later rabbinic Judaism, the phrase no longer denoted a prayer for safety and success but rather a proclamation of religious enthusiasm coupled with the waving of palm branches. By the end of the 1st century A.D. the term had become merely an utterance of praise and exaltation in the Christian liturgy.

God is SO good!  He knew we would choose to disobey His commandments, and He knew the torment of hell, so He provided a substitute to stand in our place.  What a merciful God we have!  We should be shouting Hosanna at the top of our lungs!!

Every time I sing this song, I have a vision of Jesus returning on a magnificent horse to reclaim His kingdom.  It’s a powerful image.

I hope you’ll enjoy the video below.  Feel free to sing along as I’ve posted the words below.

Being around the youth, the third verse strikes an emotional cord.  I am watching the youth grow up…many with a desire to serve Him.  Guy Friend wants to be a youth pastor.  Chicky was involved in the Bible Study in the library at school last week (remember my post from that day?).

God is SO good.

Hosanna

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest

Chicky Goes to the Prom!

Well, the day finally arrived!

Four dress fittings, two endless trips to the mall, and several hundred $$ later, Chicky is currently dancing the night away at the Prom.

The day was fairly quiet.  She arose early, did her chores, and then showered.  She then straightened her hair…an ordeal that takes over an hour.  Yeah, she was blessed with my thick, natural curly hair.  It drives her bonkers.  One day she’ll appreciate it.

While she was doing this, I decided to just sit…and be…and knit beside my front window.  A nice breeze was blowing today.  The television was off.

A truly beautiful Saturday.

Early in the afternoon, Chicky’s friend came over to do her hair, nails, and makeup.  Chicky was getting the royal treatment today.  As I sat in the front room, I could hear their teenage chatter…gossiping about the latest news.  Both girls attend different schools but the same youth group, so they were comparing notes.

Time passed quickly, and before we knew it, Guy Friend was ringing the doorbell.

“Whew, it’s hot out there,” he said.  I suspect the heat was coming from nerves as he didn’t look his usual, confident self.

Chicky kept him waiting, tending to last-minute details.

As she came out, they spied each other shyly.  Guy Friend had been with us during her first dress fitting, so he knew what it looked like on her.

However, this was the real thing.

They fumbled with the corsages and giggled nervously.  It was cute.  The thing that made tonight even more special is that it’s the first time that Chicky is allowed “out” with Guy Friend…alone.  It’s a one-night deal because I’m maintaining my stance on no dating.

I took my thousand pictures and then saw them off.  They were headed to his house to do the routine all over again.  I tagged along at a distance because after his house, we were going to another friend’s house, where a bunch of kids were gathering for pictures.  This friend has a dock behind her house…the perfect backdrop against fancy dresses.

You should have seen the parents there.  We poised the kids in various ways.  They were an accommodating bunch, smiling when told to do so or making silly faces when they thought the cameras weren’t clicking (wrong-O…I got a few of these).

I’ll share a couple of pictures…but only the ones that I don’t feel will compromise Chicky’s security.  You know me…protective mom…

This one is probably my favorite…she didn’t know I was taking it…

And, of course, the shoes…

As the kids got ready to leave, Guy Friend assured me that she was in safe hands.  I told him to keep her safe, but keep his hands to himself.

A mom’s got to do her job, fancy dress or not.

Shetland Shorty

Despite a busy day (more about that in the next post), I managed to finish my Shetland Shorty.

I started it last Saturday, when I couldn’t find the yarn I needed for my next project.  You can find the free pattern here.

I used less than two skeins (170 grams to be exact) of South West Trading Company Bamboo…yarn I bought in Las Vegas last year.

I made the second size listed on the pattern, and it’s a great fit!  I used sizes 3 and 2 needles instead of those recommended in the pattern.  I never actually did a gauge swatch (bad girl, I know), so I felt like going up a bit would be fine.

I have to say that I am so pleased and surprised.  Sure, I’ve made socks, baby hats, and other cute things.  But sweaters have always scared me.  Completing this project, with the success I achieved, has bolstered my self-confidence.  I will definitely be more inclined to take on a more intricate “wearable” item in the future.

On to the pictures!

Solace is a Matter of Perspective

This evening, while watching the news, I saw the sad story of Angels’ baseball pitcher, Nick Adenhart, dying tragically in a car crash.  You can read an article about it by clicking this link.

A quick synopsis…

This young man was a mere 22 years old.  Last night, he pitched the game of his life after starting only four times in the majors.  Big stuff, I tell you.  After the game, he was out with friends when the car he was riding in was hit by another vehicle.  He later died during surgery.

Another young life, cut down in its prime.  I felt great sadness.

Adenhart’s manager was interviewed, and he said that the one thing that brought him the most comfort was the fact that this young man died after achieving his life’s goal…to become a major league baseball player.

That statement saddened me for some reason.

That someone would find solace in what a person had accomplished just makes me sad.

Whenever I find out that someone has passed away, one of the first things I think about (aside from sympathy for the family and friends left behind) is if the person had a relationship with God…did that person repent of their sins?

When I hear of a Christian brother or sister’s passing, I find solace in that knowledge…that they are safe within God’s loving arms.

I did not find such comfort at the passing of my dad.  Sure, he was a wonderful man…very generous, funny, and knowledgeable.

BUT (capital letters intended), I had a profound sadness that I did not know the state of his soul.  I’m pretty sure that he rejected God.  He had accused the church of being a cult during some of our last conversations.

I wonder why Im feeling so emotional about this particular young man’s passing?  It’s probably because I’ve been listening to The Way of the Master and, lately, been reading The School of Biblical Evangelism, a book written by the founders of the ministry.  You’ve seen some of the clips I’ve posted here.  The ministry espouses using the Law (i.e. the 10 Commandments) to bring a person to an awareness of his sinful nature, impending judgment, and redeeming work of the Savior.

I can’t help but ask the following questions…

Did anyone present the Law and then God’s grace to this baseball player?  Did anyone witness to my dad?  How many opportunities did I and do I miss every day?

It is a responsibility that Christians must take seriously so that, when we hear of a passing, we can find solace in the eternal heights attained by the person, not the earthly (and temporary).

4 Guys, 1 Girl, and a Bible

I think the kids have decided that they like my working at the school.  I mean, how many students can text their moms, on their lunch breaks, and special-order lunch?

For two days straight, Soccer Chick has done just this.  It goes something like this, “Peanut butter sandwich and some pretzels please?”

Sure thing.  No problem.  One of the hats I wear is Short Order Cook.

My plan was to return to my classroom and text Chicky to let her know I was back, with her sandwich.  The classroom I was assigned to today was located in the media center.

As I walked in, I saw Chicky sitting at a table with a group of friends.  We joked a littlet as she grabbed her food from the sack.  I then left to make a quick stop in the teacher’s lounge.

When I walked back through the tables, en-route to my classroom, I was going to give a quick wave to Chicky; however, what I saw made me pause, hand in mid-air.

Chicky (the lone girl) and her friends (four guys) were at the table, eyes closed, Bibles open in front of them.

Yep.

They were having a Bible study…right in the middle of the library…and praying…right in the middle of the library…right in the middle of lunch time.

Pretty impressive, eh?

Expressing Your Femininity

Once again, True Woman ’08 put out a very convicting post about the Biblical way to express your femininity.

I’ve gotta tell you that I’ve always had a problem with Point #2 – submitting to my husband.  And boy has this led to many, many problems in my marriage.  I’m really not liking the posts this month.  However, God’s refining fire is not there to tickle and make us laugh.  It’s mean to reveal the impurity in our hearts so that it can be removed, through God’s grace.

When I think of this, I’m reminded of something I learned many years ago, when I attended a Kay Arthur Bible study.  The process of refining silver was described, in detail.  The image is of silver being boiled, and the impurities rising to the top, where a worker took a ladle-like tool and skimmed the impurities from the precious metal below.  This process cannot happen without the fire.  God’s Word is the fire that convicts us of our sin, bringing it to mind so that it can be dealt with.

Whoever said that being a Christian is easy sure didn’t walk the walk, eh?  It’s tough, painful, and requires much introspection and prayer.

Back To the Classroom

Today was my first day back to work…as a “real” sub again.

First of all, I have to say that God’s timing was perfect, as it always is.  Having the week of Spring Break provided the cushion of time that I needed to get over the shock of being laid off from the Attendance desk.  Still, my heart hurt a bit as I spied Ms. D, sitting by herself at the counter.

We quickly hugged and talked over each other in our rush to catch up in the five minutes I had to get to class.  I brought her a small gift…a bag of feminine products.  She chuckled.  You see, she keeps these items behind a cabinet door for the girls who inevitably need them.  Donations are sorely needed…something I quickly noticed when I first started working the desk.  For $3, I can pick up a bag of the off-brand.  The girls appreciate having these at their disposal.  I wonder how many other schools could use these donations.

Anyhow, I made my way to the portable and set up shop for the day.  As I scanned the rolls, I recognized many names.  Working the Attendance desk has given me an advantage few subs have…becoming familiar with the students and their various tricks for getting out of class.

Many of the students were surprised to see me.  They behaved though.  Maybe they had to face me the day they wanted to check out for the concert.  Regardless, they knew I meant business when I reminded them of the school’s “No Cell Phone” policy.  Each class worked quietly.

I ran home for lunch and allowed myself enough time before last period to visit Ms. D.  We hugged again.  She gave me a gift:

It was the bag of cookies I had left in the desk drawer (her note to me was stuck on top):

I promised to visit her the next time I had to sub (which turns out to be tomorrow, as a matter of fact!) and proceeded to my last class.

The time flew by, and before I knew it, the final bell rang.  Soccer Chick and I had stuff to do…there wasn’t a moment to spare!

We ran to the seamstress for her third fitting.  Oy!  We’ve agreed that we’re glad she didn’t go the pagent route.  Too much finangling and rearranging of parts that don’t like to be rearranged.

Next, it was off to Sam’s for new contact for Chicky.  The optician wasn’t in, so we had to wait.  Of course we did a little shopping.  Chicky exclaimed with delight when she spied this bag:

You see, when she was enroute to Las Vegas, they were served the above snack.  She and the Mr. agreed that it was quite tasty.  Naturally, we bought one.  They are a bit strange…pretzels pressed into flat, crispy chips.  Delicious, though.

We bought a few other essentials and departed for home.

Molly was waiting for us, and boy, was she feeling good.

Take a closer look at the paw that is resting on the ball.  That’s her bad leg.  Yep…the swelling has gone down a bunch, and the sore is healing nicely.

I made her wear the cone while I was at work.  She’s adapted to it though, and can run around outside and even catch a ball with it on.  Quite amazing how animals adjust, eh?

I’ll continue treating the leg until it heals completely, but it appears that we are definitely on the road to recovery.  I am so thankful that I didn’t get the x-ray the first vet recommended.  God is so good.

My day wasn’t over after my game with Molly.  After dinner, I headed out for a meeting at church.  A few of us are trying to spearhead a Prayer Shawl ministry.  I felt a bit overwhelmed when I saw the shawls others have made.

One of the things I like about the baby blanket project is that a knitter doesn’t have to knit an entire blanket on their own.  The thought of facing such a large project on my own is daunting.  So, I suggested that, for knitters like me, we offer a similar format.  The other ladies seem to be open to the idea.  The main purpose is to produce as many shawls as we can and donate them to those in need.  I’m thrilled to be a part of this.

One neat thing about our meeting is that while we were talking (and it eventually turned into what I would venture to guess is a “knit night,” which I’ve never been to), I could hear the praise team practicing songs for Sunday.

Sigh…

Contentment…

I could have sat there all night knitting and listening.

Instead, I headed home in time to watch the Dancing With the Stars results show.  Lame, I know, but I needed some down-time.

What a great day.  It was a reminder to me that being in the classroom is my heart’s desire as far as work is concerned (since I haven’t won the lottery!).

Yes, it was a good day.

Woman…as God Intended

Today, as I was getting caught up on the blogs I’m subscribed to in Google Reader, I was struck by the posting on True Woman.  The post is titled “Plastic Womanhood.”

It’s good…certainly worthy of reading.  I hope you’ll take the time to click the link above.

God’s purpose for woman is so contrary to the ideal that the world puts forth.

Two weeks ago, I was struck by the ickiness (for lack of a better word) when I watched Celebrity Apprentice.

During the episode, Donald Trump made a very nasty comment to one of the models on the show.  I don’t know if you saw it, but if you did, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  I won’t repeat it here because it was so disgusting.  I was struck by the fact that he made this comment with both of his adult children sitting beside him…one of whom is a female.  I wonder…would he have appreciated another man making such a comment toward his daughter?

Yuck.

After hearing that, I decided to quit watching the show.  I love the challenges and have often wondered how I would do if I got to participate.  I love the fact that the money made on the celebrity episodes is donated to charity.  What I do not like is the worldliness of the show…the way the females use their sexuality to win challenges.

Anyhow, take a look at the article.  Tell me what you think.

An Anxious Morning

Ahhh…Sunday morning.

I had planned on getting up and going to church.  Molly had other plans.

She woke up and didn’t seem to be feeling better.  She went outside, did her business, and drank a bit of water.

And then I saw it.

A puddle of blood.

One look at the back of Molly’s leg, and I confirmed where it was coming from.

I gently wiped her leg, only to have blood quickly reappear.

I did what you might expect.  Called my friend Rabbit, who works in an emergency vet clinic.  Her husband answered the phone by saying, “Good morning AuburnChick.”

Caller ID, and they still answered.  Bless them.

We went through Molly’s symptoms, and she told me the bleeding wasn’t normal.  After advising me to put  pressure on the leg to stop the bleeding, we hung up.

Poor Molly.  If you could have seen the look in her eyes as I gently grabbed her leg.  Full of pain, questions, and sadness.

I started crying…for several reasons.

1) It hurts to see your babies hurt.

2)  Lack of money is forcing me to make tough decisions regarding her care.

3)  I was scared that she might lose her leg…or worse…her life.

My vet opened at 12, and believe me…I was the first in line.  Molly walked in with her tail between her legs and her ears flat against her head.  Neither one of us were pleased to be there.

I sat in the room for a while…lost in my thoughts and worries.  I had no idea what to do and felt so overwhelmed.

Another blow financially and emotionally.  I simply do not know how much more I can take.

I’m so thankful for the time I had in that room.  Molly settled into a nap on the floor, and I stretched out on the wooden bench.  A peace gradually descended.  Although I had no idea what the vet would say, nor did I have any idea how I would pay for it (charging it was pretty much not an option), I just felt calm.  It’s hard to describe.

The vet came in, patiently listened to Your’s Truly, who can be long-winded at times (not that you’ve noticed), and told me that everything seemed normal.  No x-rays needed…no cutting off of her leg (yeah, I’m being dramatic).

My bill?  $35.  This included draining the wound and dressing it in a bandage.  She didn’t charge me the standard office visit fee.

God bless her.

I paid for it out of my checking account, and Molly and I happily walked out.

I did buy her an Elizabethan collar to prevent her from licking her wound…typical animal behavior.   She was not amused.

We both spent a better part of the afternoon snoozing.  When she woke up, I took off her collar so she could eat.  She’s now happily asleep on the couch, sans the collar.  I’ll put it back on her for bed tonight…just in case.

Sigh…

I wonder what tomorrow will bring, given the crazy weekend.