MISC.

so much has happened since my last post. Here goes....


MY DAUGHTER THE DOCTOR...

Ashley hit a milestone this week. She turned 21. She has grown into such a wonderful young lady who loves the Lord with all her heart and seeks to follow him daily. We are so proud of the way she conducts herself and her heart for the lost and her desire to serve. I believe this attitude is what has prompted her to consider medical school. She is considering this and chose pediatric oncology as a possible speciality. Any family with a sick child would be blessed to have her as their doctor.

WRITING CONFERENCE...
Everyone I have spoken to recommends that aspiring writers attend a writer's conference to have a book published. I am attending a Christian's Writer's conference this weekend. Most of you know that I have written a children's book for little girls about beauty. I have also started 2 more children's books this week. One is called "I asked God Why". It is about a little girl's conversation with God. The other is called "Skipping Through The Bible." It is about a little girls who skips everywhere she goes. She dreams one night that she is "skipping" through the Bible and meets some interesting characters.

THE POWER OF WORDS...
I realized this week how words can make you happy. This week I was teaching at the middle school. I brought candy and even allowed the students to have some "fun" in class. Don't get me wrong...they had to complete their work. One student came up to me afterwards and said "Mrs. T...you're my favorite sub...you understand us." That made me feel so good. Maybe my experience in youth ministry aids me in my subbing. Alex made me laugh the other day with his words. We were on our way home from a doctor's appoinment. I asked him if his foot ever hurts. His reply was "Yes...every billioneth step."

Misc.

So much has happened since the last time I posted...so here it goes.

1) I have the WORLD'S BEST PARENTS!!

I come from a very giving family. My parents have always modeled to us the importance of giving back and helping others. I could tell you numerous stories of how my mom has given money, clothing, etc to people in need. I went home this weekend for a short visit and came home with a new car. That's right...my parents bought me a new van. I love it. It is a 2006 Town and country. It has everything that I have ever wanted and could never afford. It tells me the time, the temperature, the radio station and what artist is singing. It has stow and go and much much more. I hope I can be the kind of parent to my children that helps them out even as adults. THANKS!!!! WE LOVE THE VAN!!!

2) I have an interview this tuesday for a wonderful ministry opportunity.
I am really seeking God's will in this matter.

3) It has been another great week of teaching. I had one little scare at the middle school. When I arrived I found a whole stack of letters that the students had written. They were apology letters to the substitute they had earlier in the week. I was kind of nervous waiting for this class to arrive. They behaved for me!!!

4) This week I was reading an article on prayer. It posed the questions "How do you pray for someone who do not know?" The author suggested that you put yourself in their situation and pray as if you are going through what they are going through. My mom has a friend that is at the Cleveland Clinic. I have never met her...but as I pray for her...I am going to try this.

Random Thoughts

I am about to begin my 8th day of teaching in a row. I have loved every minute of it. I have taught kindergarten to 11th grade in the last 2 weeks. It's ironic that I can't get the kindergarten kids to rest and I can't keep the high school students awake. I am thankful for the chance to work. It is great paying cash for Christmas.

It was great having a classroom with windows today so we could watch the snow. Yes today was kindergarten. It also makes my faithful that we have already booked our summer beach house for July. We loved this house and the irony of it is the owner lives one town away from us so we were able to book directly with her. I am also excited that 15 of the 16 people (my immediate family) will be there. We have never had this many before. It should be fun. I am excited to spend some time with my nephews and nieces that I don't see very often.



Another neat thing that has happened is that we continue to see the legacy of my grandmother live on. She was always a giver. An unexpected insurance policy was discovered and that money has been earmarked to help others. A fund has been set up in her honor. My mom has had the privledge of already helping buy medication and a hot water tank for people in need. This is exactly what my grandmother would have done. I don't think we will ever know the amount of lives that she touched while she was alive. Now her memory and her legacy live on. Way to go Miss Daisy. (her nickname)

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

That can mean alot of things. Time to shop, decorate, bake cookies. For my family it means one more thing...time for the annual homemade Christmas gift. Yes, for the past 7 years, I have made my children (yes made) make a homemade gift for their grandparents. Every year when I bring up the idea, I am reminded of all the homemade gifts of Christmas past. There was the placemat purse, the pillow case angel, the reindeer ornament, the snowman made out of popsicle sticks. Oh who could forget the fleece blankets and scarves and our all time favorite fleece mittens. I am sure there are others that we have blocked out of our memory. So I open to suggestions. I am looking for something quick, simple and cheap. I need to have money left over to buy another gift after we mess up the homemade one and have to shop for the replacement. This weekend, the sewing maching will be threaded, the glue gun warmed up and the scissors sharpened. Yes...this is the weekend of the homemade gift.

I LOVE MONDAYS

After a busy weekend, I look forward to Mondays. This is the day that I can get caught up on cleaning and re-group from the weekend. Also on mondays I try to write down what I hope to accomplish this week. Now that I am working a few days a week, I have to organize me time a little better.

Last Thursday and Friday I taught 8th grade social studies. I loved it. I really enjoy that age. The hightlight was on Friday when a student came and told me how much fun he had and he hoped I came back. Another boy wrote "I love Mrs. Trachsel" on the white board. I think this was because I allowed them to do their homework in groups.

We had another whirlwind weekend. Friday night we went to the football with good friends. Saturday, we drove 6 hours to watch Ashley run 21 minutes. It was worth the trip. We had a chance to visit with Ashley, family and even a dear friend that we hadn't seen in years. SHe was a former youth from our church who has just as goofy as she was 4 years ago.

Austin had a soccer game this weekend as well. An interesting thing happened as we were walking to the game. An older man and his dog pulled up beside us and asked how old the children were playing today. This seemed like an odd question. His car had out of state license plates. After we spoke to him, he pulled over and watched the field for a short time. This made me very uncomfortable. The field is also beside a playground and a busy library. I hated to categorize this man, but everything inside me said I should let someone know about this. At halftime, I went into the library and explained what I saw. I pray that this was just coincidence....but better safe then sorry. It's a shame that the news is full of stories of children being harmed.

MONEY...THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

I feel compelled today to use my blog to journal what is in my heart. Many of you know that I lost my grandmother in May. What a tragic lost. I miss her so much and I wish she was here now to solve some problems...but I am also thankful to know that she isn't here to see how people are behaving. Growing up...you never wanted to disappoint Nee. I know...she would be so disappointed in the behavior of some people. Especially those she called friend. Why is this going on? MONEY!!!

Today I am speaking in Amish country to a group of women and I will be sharing the Gospel. I wish I could cancel. My anger got the best of me last night...and I can't believe the effect it had on me. I believe my mom summed it up best last night when she said it was like we are seeing death occur again when you begin to see relationships crumble.

I ask that you pray that my family and I come through this in a way that glorifies the Lord. I also ask that each one of you evaluate your relationships. Relationships with family and friends and most importantly God is the most imporant thing in this world. Money will disappear and material possessions will fade away. Friendships and family are important.

Is there someone that you need to say I'm sorry to? Is there someone that you need to call, email, write? Do it today. I am praying for a few of these situations for myself and some friends. I hope healing comes.

I feel so strongly about this. Don't just say "I'll pray about it"..NO!! Do something about it. Truly...what is there to pray about...YOU know God wants you to heal that relationship. Pray that he will open doors and help you do it...but there really is no time to wait. JUST DO IT!!! Friendships are too important to treat as disposable!!! I think this is especially true for those of us who profess to be followers of Christ. He was all about LOVE! Love thy neighbor thing...remember.

I will now step off my soapbox.

WEDDING WEEKEND

Wow!! What a weekend. The highlight being 2 wedding ceremonies that we attended on Saturday. The first was a re-commitment ceremony at our church. This couple had been through a very rough year and chose to renew their vows 17 years to the date that they first married. They came down the aisle as a family and each child participated in the ceremony. I don't cry very easy...but I have to say that tears welled up in my eyes several times. They truly represent what it means to become "one". I admire this couple very much and they way they have walked this journey together.

Our second wedding was at the Western Reseve Historical Museum. It was a Jewish ceremony for a young Russian couple. I loved the tradition of the ceremony. The Bride came down the aisle with her parents to the song "Sunrise Sunset" from Fiddler.
The Bride had to circle her groom 3 times as a symbol of forming protection around him. She looked like Cinderella. Earlier in the day, the Groom had to come to the house of the Bride and "pay" the Father for his daughter. He had to drink a certain drink and then he had to search for his bride. Based on some clues...he finally found where his bride was. A ribbon is placed on the door of where she is waiting. SHe was actually in my neighbor's living room. The groom finds his bride and they go to the wedding together.

The reception was incredible. Our children were invited so they were able to experience this with us. We sat down to a 9 course meal which included lobster and other russian foods we did not recognize. We tried everything and can I say that I love caviar.

The entire reception was in Russian. We left at 11:30 pm and they had yet to even cut the cake. For everyone that stayed...breakfast was served at 1:00 am. There was no chicken dance, hokey pokey, or electric slide, but the all russian band kept the crowd happy as they danced many traditinal russian dances. I forgot to mention one of our courses came to the table with "sparklers" lit. Also, when the bride and groom danced their first dance, miniature fireworks went off on the stage, along with smoke. It was a wonderful experience. For a moment...I wished that I was Russian. They are a very tight community and seem very family oriented. Occasionally someone would come to our English speaking table and translate.

The weekend was topped off with a quick trip to West Virginia.

OPERATION LIGHTEN UP

That's my motto for fall...LIGHTEN UP. I want to lighten the load in my life. I want to rid myself of the things that weigh me down...and I have a plan. This includes weight, possessions, debt, overscheduling, etc.

It feels so good to "lighten the load." My running has helped me lighten the load in the weight department and it felt so good to take several bags to the community center yesterday. As I was leaving...a lady immediately took a table that I had left and told me how she was going to use it. I didn't need it...but she did.

I am also selling a lot of things on ebay. This includes everything from clothes to household items.

I will keep you posted on how "operation lighten up" goes.

I am excited about the weekend.

We are going to a Russian Wedding on saturday and also a re-commitment ceremony on the same day.

We leave for Charleston on Sunday to pick up some items that we were given from my grandmother's estate.

I am really excited about receiving the swing that sat on her front porch for as long as I can remember.

Many great times were had on that front porch. The saddest being the day that we were out there discussing her funeral.

I think the lost is really starting to set in with many of us. Just this week I found myself wanting to call her and see how she was doing. I know how she is doing. GREAT!!!She's hanging out with Jesus.

Top Ten List

Top Ten Reasons why April 22nd was a great day!

10. I found my missing glasses
9. My daughter cleaned her room
8. I was able to sleep in
7. Found a new outfit at a yard sale for $4
6. Had a picnic with my family at a park
5. Didn't have to cook any of the food for the picnic
4. Dropped off an employment application for my daughter and the receptionist was READING HIS BIBLE!!!
3. Did I mention my daughter cleaned her room
2. Was asked to be the retreat speaker for Riverwood Women's Retreat
1. Found happiness in the small and big things of life.

Just wanted to share this post because God is truly showing me how to appreciate the small and big blessings of life.

I am so excited about today also.

I was able to attend worship today!!! I am also speaking tonight in Burton.
God is so faithful.

Greetings from Chicago!!

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to spend labor day weekend in Chicago with Wally's family. Wally's dad suffers from Parkinson's Disease. I believe that he looks the best that I have ever seem him look. His spirits are good and many of the complications of Parkinson's Disease have subsided. He is currently in a therapy center and hopes to come home next week.

We took the children to visit him when we first arrived and he enjoyed listening to Alex's stand up comedy act. Why is the youngest child always the comedian? Maybe when you are the youngest of four...you have to find creative ways to get attention.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the opportunity to visit Willowcreek and observe their children's program. WOW!!! First of all, it took me awhile to find where I was suppose to be. The place is bigger then Ashley's college campus. Once I found the class, I sat in the back and wrote notes in the dark. I can sum up the experience in one word "EXCELLENCE". Everything was done with excellence! It made me realize that no matter what size we are as a church...we can all strive for excellence in the way we minister.
I was impressed with their treatment of visitors. They have a special room with wonderful coffee and delicious cookies. Any church...any size could do this.

Our sunday ended with a chance to visit IKEA. (Also bigger then Ashley's college) I loved this store!!

Our wonderful weekend is about to come to an end. We will be leaving soon to drop Ashley off at college and then we return to Twinsburg. Hopefully we will be able to share an early dinner with Allison Schuck before heading home.

I hope this weekend has meant as much to my family as it has to me. Family is precious and I hope we have many more opportunities to build lasting memories.

Here I go...

I have spent a lot of time reading the blogs of others and I was starting to feel the urge to create my own. I will try this for awhile and see how it goes. I am constantly writing down ideas of stories that I would like to write someday...so maybe this is the beginnng to the book that I dream of writing someday.

I am sure that the word dream will be used alot in my blogs.(that sound strange....I'm a 40 year old mother of 4 and I have a blog...what's next...a belly ring NOT!!!!)

I am so glad this week is over. We had an exhausting week of ministry at the church. I felt like I was barely there this morning..more like walking through the motions until...the church door opened and a little girl ran to me and gave me the biggest hug. She'll never know what thathug meant. I suddenly felt energized and had strength for the rest of the journey.

Hugs like that make all the headaches and hard times of ministry fade away.

My new motto is "I do it for the Lord and the hugs."