OUT OF THE DESERT

After experiencing a major disapointment last week...I decided that my pity party had to end. Why? There is work that needs to be done. Besides I was gaining weight from all the comfort food. I thought about writing a cookbook called "desserts for the deserts". After a brief getaway to West Virginia, I realized that if I stay in the "desert" too long...work goes unfinished. When I say work I mean God's work.



I am speaking at a retreat for young girls next weekend and I had a chance to meet with the youth leader. She is an amazing woman and her heart truly aches for her girls. They are going through what many teens are going through today. Struggling with self image, acceptance, self-esteem, relationships etc. I am excited about the event and I needed to leave my desert in order to prepare. I neeeded that motivation.



I also experienced what it truly means to pray for one another and lift each other in prayer. I am in the process of applying to join a speaking team. The ministry is called Speaking Thru Me.
I posted a prayer request on their site and I was blessed. It was awesome to log on to their site and see a beautiful prayer that was sent on my behalf to our Lord. It made me feel like I'm not alone in this endeavor. I truly have people who are interceding on my behalf.

I know that there will be other "desert" times in my walk. I also know that it can be a time of refinement and reflection. If you find yourself in a desert today find a way out. Better yet...go to the one who can lead you out. Depend on others. Be vulnerable and share your pain with those who will pray for you.

GRACE TEACHES MATH

The other day I was subbing in a 4th grade class. I was responsible for math and science. The class started out well and it went downhill from there. I had 4 or 5 students that refused to listen and cooperate. The teacher has a card system for discipline. Every student begins with the color green and has to flip to a new color each time they are disobedient. We were flipping cards faster than a Texas hold'em game. It was finally time to switch to a new teacher and I had an idea. How could I use this situation to teach a Biblical truth in public school. I asked the class to tell me what the word "grace" meant. One boy said it was what you say before you eat. One student said it was giving someone "joy". I explained to them that grace means getting something you don't deserve. I then demonstrated grace to them. I took each card and returned it to the first color. The board looked like every child had been obedient. I told them that I was taking away their punishment and giving them another chance. Their little jaws dropped. I said..."today you have been given grace". Later that day when they returned to me I asked them how they felt about their grace-given day. They explained to me when they switched classes the other teacher did not believe that everyone had been obedient and asked what had happened. They told her about "grace" and she made each child return their card to the color that they had received as punishment. Oh well...I guess "grace" has left the building.

Handling Disapointment

My family has had a week of disapointments. My brother has been actively seeking a job after being abruptly layed off recently. Even though he is in no danger of being homeless or starving, he desires to be employed and back to work. He was given a very generous severance but still does not want to be unemployed. He had a job interview this week that looked very promising. Unfortunately...it didn't work out. Ashley suffered a stress facture and is possibly facing the possibility of being out for the rest of the season. My response to both of them was encouragement and the reminder that "God is in control." Today, disapointment came my way. It's not necessary to go into details but to say that I had my heart set on something and it did not work out the way I had hoped...okay...planned. Yes...I thought my plan was better.

How did I handle the disapointment? I'd like to say that I took the high road and brushed myself off and moved on. Nope! I cried! I locked my dog out of my bedroom and had myself a good cry. I went downstairs to where Wally was working and I cried some more. I went upstairs to my room again and yes...I cried. I am so dehydrated right now I can hardly type.

One thing that I have learned so far. Yes...this only happened an hour ago so I think learning one thing is a start. I learned how I wanted people to respond to me. I didn't want people to offer me advice, I didn't want people to hug me or feel sorry for me. I didn't even want people to offer my chocolate (maybe later) I wanted people to say I'm sorry, I love you and I'm praying for you. I even told my friend that I am not even at a place where hearing "this wasn't God's plan" is comforting. I believe it...I am just not there yet to claim it. Just being honest.

I know that I am going to feel better tomorrow. I'm feeling better already. It just made me realize how I need to respond to people when they face disapointment. Bye...I'm welling up again.

SCRIPTURE

This scripture continues to go through my mind today.


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.


Phil 4:6

LITTLE ROCK THREE

My son's band has their first real "gig" today. The school he attends is having a 6th grade dance from 3-5. Their band is called "Little Rock 3". A very enthusiastic boy stepped up and volunteered to be the band's manager. He wrote letters to the administrative and secured the "gig" for the band. I love his creativity and spunk. The band met with the principal twice and reviewed expectations. I am so excited that the administrative is encouraging the boys and their endeavor. The band will be excused from class early so they can "set-up". They will be playing three songs. One song is original and was written by a member. I am so proud of Austin. We bought a new outfit for the big day.

I am also proud of Austin for another reason. All this week 6th graders are "pairing up" for the big day. If you know me well you know my passion for teaching children at a young age the importance of making wise decisions when it comes to relationships. I had a talk with him about this and how fragile girl's hearts are at this age. I told him that he was not allowed to even give a girl the appearance that he was going to be someone's date. I know I can't be with him at the event...I am just trusting that he will obey and take heart what I said. Even though I'm not watching...I told him God is. (I also know the chaperones...ha ha)

MY DAY OFF

Today I had a much needed day off. I could have worked at two different schools but I began physical therapy on my ankle today. It went well and ended with a 15 minute massage of my ankle. It was great.


Today also gave me a whole day to myself and a chance to really talk and hear from God. As I was praying about a situation in my life, God reminded me of something. I felt God was asking me "Which do you want more...the situation or ME?"

HEART FOR CHILDREN

Sometimes I am asked why I work in Children's Ministry. Two situations came up yesterday that affirm that calling.

Both situations involved families being drastically altered because of a choice that an adult made. When I heard about both...my heart and thoughts went directly to the children. They are innocent and are many times the ones that suffer the most. My thoughts were..."wonder how the children are...wonder who is protecting the children...wonder if there is anything that I could do for the children." It makes me realize how many times their little lives are changed forever because of the selfishness of an adult.

I also believe that I have a passion for children because of the way I was raised and the influences in my life. In one of the cases...a child did reach out. They didn't reach out to the parents, grandparents or anyone else in their family...the child reached out to my mom...the child's teacher. He didn't want to talk to anyone else...he wanted her. Why...because she loves this child unconditionally. People who are trying to protect this child tracked my mom down and made sure she had access to the child. My mom made sure that she did all that she could to reach this child. Knowing her...there wasn't anything that was going to stop her contacting this hurting person. She was able to contact him and he knows he is loved.

My sisters are always sharing stories of how they go above and beyond to reach out to children Both have dedicated their lives to children and hurting people. My sister called me today and I could hardly hear. Why? Because she had takend a down syndrome child to a basketball game. The school was in the playoffs and she wanted to make sure that this darling girl had the same experience as the other children. If there are children in your life...love them...protect them...and do whatever it takes to make sure they have a great day today...and tomorrow.

CREATIVE CHILDREN

This weekend was a busy weekend for me. I had a weekend full of events and meetings. My children took advantage of being snowed in and used it as an opportunity to encourage me. They made a gigantic chocolate chip cookie. They decorated the cookie and put "congrats" on this lovely dessert. I asked them what would they have done if I came home discouraged? They said they would have adjusted the word to "rats". Very creative! The interesting thing was the cookie was half eaten before I came home...the words remained. That's okay...I really appreciated them thinking of me!!Love ya.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

You know you are getting old when you are looking for spot remover for your skin and not your clothes!