Can you tell how exasperated I feel right now simply by the title of this entry?
It has been quite some time since I have posted on this blog. I'm not sure how much longer I will continue to write, but I figured I'd give it another shot.
Life has been quite hectic, as always. We are concluding a two week vacation. It can probably be summed up as horrible. We camped our first week.... constant rain. Our second week began with a house fire at the home of my inlaws.
I've concluded that vacations are simply not good for us as of late. They provide absolutely no refreshment or lift to our energy levels. They are actually quite draining.
During our last vacation, my mother died. During this vacation, my inlaws lost their home of 40 years. At this point I think I might cancel all future vacations! Seriously!
On that note, I'm going to log off and clean my carpets because that is what I do when I'm feeling overwhelmed... I clean.
By the way, I hope you like the new lay out of my blog. Pretty nifty if I do say so myself!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, May 09, 2008
God IS good. I believe that with all my heart.
That being said, it has been a discouraging week. Though I tried to look for the bright spots, it was clear that darkness loomed at every turn.
There have been many things on my heart this week... many things that have caused my heart to ache.
That being said, it has been a discouraging week. Though I tried to look for the bright spots, it was clear that darkness loomed at every turn.
There have been many things on my heart this week... many things that have caused my heart to ache.
- An officer's child in the division had a horrible accident.
- One of our congregation members is really struggling as he tries to figure out life.
- My uncle (who lives with my dad) is going to die... probably sometime this weekend. He is actually my Godfather (my family was catholic when I was a kid). My heart hurts for my dad.
- One of our learning center kids will face an unthinkable weekend. His mentor killed himself last night.
These are just of few of those troublesome things that have happened this week. There are others, but those I share with God alone.
In the midst of all of this, God has shown me his goodness in the smiles of my children.... in the embrace of a wonderful husband... in the support of friends... in His word that reminds me that I do not need to be dismayed or discouraged because He is my strength.
With Jesus there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Please pray for those mentioned above.
Friday, March 21, 2008
I picked up flowers today for the Easter Sunday worship service. I of course didn't think ahead and as they were bringing out our carts of flowers I realized that I only had Jim's car ;) We managed to get them all in the car though.
As we were taking the flowers into the corps we were bombarded with homeless people. We didn't have our soup kitchen today because the entire Area Services was closed. We have had signs posted for a few weeks, but obviously not everyone got the message. I scrambled around the corps trying to find food for these folks. One of the guys asked me why we were closed. I of course explained that it was Good Friday and that our staff was all off for the weekend. As he took the bagged lunch I had made up for him I couldn't help but ask myself: WHY are WE closed today? I of course want to reflect on the sacrifice made for me today, however, it would probably be more fitting for me to share and sacrifice for my neighbor.
This winter an email conversation circulated around our division's area coordinators discussing when it was appropriate to close our facilities due to weather... How bad does the weather have to be for The Salvation Army to close?... that was the big question. I understand the need to care for our staff and keep them safe. At the same time, we are an organization and a ministry who is called to help those in need. Even in the worst weather, there are people who need a hot meal, a warm building to sit in, a hot shower, a hot drink, a safe place to relax.... I could go on forever here. In a lot of cases, The Salvation Army serves as a "home" to the homeless. They need these services even more in that really bad weather and on the holidays. So what do we do?
We do close for holidays. We rarely close for weather. I don't know the answer.... but will ponder and figure out how to be there for our homeless brothers and sisters even in the midst of holiday celebrations.
As we were taking the flowers into the corps we were bombarded with homeless people. We didn't have our soup kitchen today because the entire Area Services was closed. We have had signs posted for a few weeks, but obviously not everyone got the message. I scrambled around the corps trying to find food for these folks. One of the guys asked me why we were closed. I of course explained that it was Good Friday and that our staff was all off for the weekend. As he took the bagged lunch I had made up for him I couldn't help but ask myself: WHY are WE closed today? I of course want to reflect on the sacrifice made for me today, however, it would probably be more fitting for me to share and sacrifice for my neighbor.
This winter an email conversation circulated around our division's area coordinators discussing when it was appropriate to close our facilities due to weather... How bad does the weather have to be for The Salvation Army to close?... that was the big question. I understand the need to care for our staff and keep them safe. At the same time, we are an organization and a ministry who is called to help those in need. Even in the worst weather, there are people who need a hot meal, a warm building to sit in, a hot shower, a hot drink, a safe place to relax.... I could go on forever here. In a lot of cases, The Salvation Army serves as a "home" to the homeless. They need these services even more in that really bad weather and on the holidays. So what do we do?
We do close for holidays. We rarely close for weather. I don't know the answer.... but will ponder and figure out how to be there for our homeless brothers and sisters even in the midst of holiday celebrations.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Wow... I didn't realize how long it had been since I wrote last! I really don't have much time to keep up with this blog anymore. I enjoy reading the thoughts of others (at least most of the time), but I really don't spend much time doing that either. I do have a few moments now though and thought I'd jot down some info. on my exciting week.
I have been working like crazy. I learned how to write for a grant over the course of the last month. The preliminary part of the grant was approved and permission was given to continue on in the process and submit a full grant application. I was very excited about that one. New things!! New things!! That is due in two weeks.
I also have an inspection coming up that could provide our preschool with a lot of money! That happens on March 25th so please pray. There is a lot involved in that but I don't feel like discussing it further. I have been really working hard on our learning center and child care programs though over the course of the last six months and I am seeing the results. Praise God!
This was an exciting week.... not "good" exciting, but "uncomfortable/scary" exciting. Jim was in D.C. again and I was home for a week alone with the kids. Early Friday morning someone broke into our garage (which is attached to the house). It has been a long day with much running and by the time I got home around 9:00pm that evening I was shot. I accidently left my purse in my car.
I woke very early on Friday because I had to go and purchase milk for breakfast. That is when I found my car absolutely ransacked. The thief took my camera out of the car, which I had used that evening to film my son's baseball lesson, and my wallet. Papers, receipts, everything was thrown everywhere.
I was so freaked when I realized what had happened. I was even more freaked when it hit me that someone had been in my house while my children and I slept. Someone could have walked another 5 feet to the door that separates my garage and kitchen and done who knows what....
It has been a complete hassle. My ss card was in my wallet (yes I know it wasn't supposed to be but I had used it). So now my ss card and my license are gone, along with all my credit cards, (personal and business )and literally about 20 receipts I was to give to the Army for either gas charges or reimbursements. Big pain!
I don't have a copy of my birth certificate (my parents kept that and who knows where that ended up). I need that to get my license in order to have id to get my ss. card. Vicious cycle!
That isn't even the worst part... I am psychologically freaked out. I didn't sleep much at all and when I did, I of course had nightmares. It is just so scary to think about the fact that someone came into our home and we didn't know it.
I have to stop thinking about it for a bit. Pray for my peace of mind.
Well... I'm off for now. Be safe and stay close to our Lord.
I have been working like crazy. I learned how to write for a grant over the course of the last month. The preliminary part of the grant was approved and permission was given to continue on in the process and submit a full grant application. I was very excited about that one. New things!! New things!! That is due in two weeks.
I also have an inspection coming up that could provide our preschool with a lot of money! That happens on March 25th so please pray. There is a lot involved in that but I don't feel like discussing it further. I have been really working hard on our learning center and child care programs though over the course of the last six months and I am seeing the results. Praise God!
This was an exciting week.... not "good" exciting, but "uncomfortable/scary" exciting. Jim was in D.C. again and I was home for a week alone with the kids. Early Friday morning someone broke into our garage (which is attached to the house). It has been a long day with much running and by the time I got home around 9:00pm that evening I was shot. I accidently left my purse in my car.
I woke very early on Friday because I had to go and purchase milk for breakfast. That is when I found my car absolutely ransacked. The thief took my camera out of the car, which I had used that evening to film my son's baseball lesson, and my wallet. Papers, receipts, everything was thrown everywhere.
I was so freaked when I realized what had happened. I was even more freaked when it hit me that someone had been in my house while my children and I slept. Someone could have walked another 5 feet to the door that separates my garage and kitchen and done who knows what....
It has been a complete hassle. My ss card was in my wallet (yes I know it wasn't supposed to be but I had used it). So now my ss card and my license are gone, along with all my credit cards, (personal and business )and literally about 20 receipts I was to give to the Army for either gas charges or reimbursements. Big pain!
I don't have a copy of my birth certificate (my parents kept that and who knows where that ended up). I need that to get my license in order to have id to get my ss. card. Vicious cycle!
That isn't even the worst part... I am psychologically freaked out. I didn't sleep much at all and when I did, I of course had nightmares. It is just so scary to think about the fact that someone came into our home and we didn't know it.
I have to stop thinking about it for a bit. Pray for my peace of mind.
Well... I'm off for now. Be safe and stay close to our Lord.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tommy
I have a friend named Tommy who has taught me some very valuable lessons in recents weeks. Tommy is 3 1/2 years old. He is very rowdy and typically gets in a lot of trouble. Tommy has long blonde hair and huge blue eyes that truly sparkle.
The first few weeks I began working out of our Child Development Center, I got to know Tommy very well... basically because he spent a lot of time in my office in time-out!
I have made it a point to see each child in our CDC as unique individuals that were created to stand out in our crazy world in their own unique way. Tommy is no exception.
Tommy has hit me, kicked me, bit me, and screamed at me over the course of the last few months. I have continued to love him. He has also hugged me, giggled with me, and given me gifts. Tommy tells me he loves me every day. "I love you Cappin Sue" are the first words I hear from Tommy each morning. I have tried to teach Tommy how to behave and why he must behave. He is truly trying and getting better with his behavior. I sit with Tommy and let him be him. He is really great!
He often says to me, "I bein good Cappin Sue". That is a huge breakthrough. Tommy is doing his best to please me. He wants to be good because he knows it makes me happy. Today he is trying to please me and make me happy but someday Tommy is going to try to please Jesus and make Him happy.
I feel like God is bringing me back to the basics in recent weeks. He is stripping all control and order from my life. I cannot remember the last time that I actually was able to follow through on my daily plans. That had been aggravating to me, but not so much anymore. I am doing exactly what I was called to do... share the love of Jesus. Tommy represents mission for me. Jesus has started to change Tommy... there is a difference. Jesus is hope and I see the hope in Tommy's eyes and I can now see the hope of a godly future for Tommy. Wow!!!
The first few weeks I began working out of our Child Development Center, I got to know Tommy very well... basically because he spent a lot of time in my office in time-out!
I have made it a point to see each child in our CDC as unique individuals that were created to stand out in our crazy world in their own unique way. Tommy is no exception.
Tommy has hit me, kicked me, bit me, and screamed at me over the course of the last few months. I have continued to love him. He has also hugged me, giggled with me, and given me gifts. Tommy tells me he loves me every day. "I love you Cappin Sue" are the first words I hear from Tommy each morning. I have tried to teach Tommy how to behave and why he must behave. He is truly trying and getting better with his behavior. I sit with Tommy and let him be him. He is really great!
He often says to me, "I bein good Cappin Sue". That is a huge breakthrough. Tommy is doing his best to please me. He wants to be good because he knows it makes me happy. Today he is trying to please me and make me happy but someday Tommy is going to try to please Jesus and make Him happy.
I feel like God is bringing me back to the basics in recent weeks. He is stripping all control and order from my life. I cannot remember the last time that I actually was able to follow through on my daily plans. That had been aggravating to me, but not so much anymore. I am doing exactly what I was called to do... share the love of Jesus. Tommy represents mission for me. Jesus has started to change Tommy... there is a difference. Jesus is hope and I see the hope in Tommy's eyes and I can now see the hope of a godly future for Tommy. Wow!!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Chronicles of Cross Country
For those of you that are sick of listening or reading rather my stories about our daughter's cross country experiences this season, please accept my apologies and just know that the season is almost over.
The kiddo had a REMARKABLE race last Saturday. The race was the regional race that decided which four teams from the region (16 total) and which 16 individuals would quality for the State Meet. Katie came in fourth in the region. No one expected her to do that well. Her coaches assumed that she would qualify in the top 16, but they figured she would come in 10th or 12th. She ran 59 seconds faster than her best race of the season (which took place in mid September). She ran the 3.1 miles in 18:48. She was one second from getting third place and four seconds behind second place.... INCREDIBLE! For those that are not familiar with cross country, it is not too often that a freshman girl runs under 19 minutes and to go to States as a freshman is a big deal.
We go down to Columbus on Friday and she actually runs on Saturday at 12:35 pm. Pray for her safety if you can. There are about 125 kids that all run in a huge pack as the various runners try to break away and I always worry that she will get hurt in some way.
She has a wonderful perspective on things. When she got home last Saturday night she began wondering out loud why God would have her going to the State Meet. She thinks that maybe God wants her to speak to someone there about Him. She is my great!
Well you may have to suffer through one more post about Cross Country... but it is my blog after all. Have a great weekend.
The kiddo had a REMARKABLE race last Saturday. The race was the regional race that decided which four teams from the region (16 total) and which 16 individuals would quality for the State Meet. Katie came in fourth in the region. No one expected her to do that well. Her coaches assumed that she would qualify in the top 16, but they figured she would come in 10th or 12th. She ran 59 seconds faster than her best race of the season (which took place in mid September). She ran the 3.1 miles in 18:48. She was one second from getting third place and four seconds behind second place.... INCREDIBLE! For those that are not familiar with cross country, it is not too often that a freshman girl runs under 19 minutes and to go to States as a freshman is a big deal.
We go down to Columbus on Friday and she actually runs on Saturday at 12:35 pm. Pray for her safety if you can. There are about 125 kids that all run in a huge pack as the various runners try to break away and I always worry that she will get hurt in some way.
She has a wonderful perspective on things. When she got home last Saturday night she began wondering out loud why God would have her going to the State Meet. She thinks that maybe God wants her to speak to someone there about Him. She is my great!
Well you may have to suffer through one more post about Cross Country... but it is my blog after all. Have a great weekend.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Rambling Thoughts from a Women who has NO energy left to put a coherent thought together!
I have such a mix of emotions tonight. I was tense all morning because Katie had her district meet this morning. She did great. She got 5th place so she qualified for regionals. She was in second up until the last 1/2 mile. The experienced upper classmen of Brecksville High got her in the last few moments. Looking at all the teams and kids going to regionals she was the top freshman in our region today. She falls within the top ten overall. WHEW! Pray for her next Saturday. If she places in the top 16 she will qualify for the state meet.
I also have the stress of the Tribe game tonight. I can't talk anymore about it because I will jinx it. I need to run up and get my lucky shirt on though. It is dirty but we tend to win more when I wear it dirty :)
I have learned a lot the last few weeks. As some know, I learned last month that if you happen to melt a crayon in your clothes dryer the best remedy is to heat the dryer, spread stove top cleaner on it, wait 10 minutes and then wipe. It takes the crayon right off.
Today I learned that if you happen to dry a pen in your clothes dryer (that has exploded of course) all you have to do is use nail polish remover to wipe the ink marks off the dryer drum.
I realize I sound like a loser that doesn't know how to do laundry. Oh well! I have a lot on my mind these days.
At the moment I am juggling being a corps officer, an area coordinator and I am filling in as the the interim director of our day care and our three learning centers. Difficult circumstances in our appointment needless to say. Prayers are welcome!
Got to go and watch the TRIBE!!!
I also have the stress of the Tribe game tonight. I can't talk anymore about it because I will jinx it. I need to run up and get my lucky shirt on though. It is dirty but we tend to win more when I wear it dirty :)
I have learned a lot the last few weeks. As some know, I learned last month that if you happen to melt a crayon in your clothes dryer the best remedy is to heat the dryer, spread stove top cleaner on it, wait 10 minutes and then wipe. It takes the crayon right off.
Today I learned that if you happen to dry a pen in your clothes dryer (that has exploded of course) all you have to do is use nail polish remover to wipe the ink marks off the dryer drum.
I realize I sound like a loser that doesn't know how to do laundry. Oh well! I have a lot on my mind these days.
At the moment I am juggling being a corps officer, an area coordinator and I am filling in as the the interim director of our day care and our three learning centers. Difficult circumstances in our appointment needless to say. Prayers are welcome!
Got to go and watch the TRIBE!!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Follow-up
Thanks for all the prayers. Katie will be fine. She is however on crutches today. Apparently she tore something in her foot during her race last Saturday. I don't know if I mentioned that she came in 9th out of 175 or so people. She ran the 3.1 miles in 19:47. Great race! Anyway... she tore something and to be safe the doctor has her on crutches today and possibily tomorrow. Nothing was broken. She will probably be able to run on Saturday. She is HAPPY for that!
It is stunning to me what a "natural" she is at this sport. Her coach said that if she keeps up at this level she will not need to worry about paying anything for college. How awesome is that???
I am off to the Central Territory tomorrow. I am attending a Women's Ministries Conference. I am one of the reps. from the East. It should be fun but the "day before a trip" scenario is killing me! It is also homecoming weekend so the schedule for the kiddos is CRAZY. The parade... the community bbq...the football game...the cc meet...the dance.... Can Jim handle it all????? YEP! Pray for him.
I've got to go and get things done. Adios!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Blessings AND Prayer Requests
I was very blessed by one of our retired officers on Sunday. She was away on an Auxiliary trip (I could not go) and she brought me back a gift. She had been praying for me all week as she knew it would be an incredibly hard week for me. I had to do the Advisory Board meeting. In this meeting we were to talk about the budget (not a fun topic), talk about the status of a proposed new program (which has been trying to get approval for over a year - they are getting testy about it), and get approval for a county wide strategic plan. I also had a few community relations events that I had to attend (ALONE because Jim was out of town).
I was so blessed when she brought that little teddy bear back for me. It had a t-shirt on that said "Someone at the Citadel loves you!" It made my week!
I also ask for prayers tonight. Our daughter Kate is at the hospital at the moment. She is a cross country runner. She ran at an invitational on Saturday and got 9th place overall out of about 175 runners. She ran against some of the top runners in NE Ohio and came in pretty close to them :) This is only her third race as a high schooler. She was fine after the race but on Sunday her foot began to hurt. It has been swollen and she can't run on it. She is pretty stressed out that she won't be able to run this weekend. Jim took her to get an x-ray to see if she may have a stress fracture. Pray for her. She has the potential and now the very possible dream of making it to STATES this year. That is an incredible accomplishment as a freshman. She is really stressed about having something seriously wrong with her foot.
I also ask for prayer support because the next month will be INTENSE for me. We have had to make some serious decisions regarding the program in our community, the overall effectiveness of how things are done, and the structure of our area. Some of those decisions will have profound affects on our family. Can't go into too much detail at the moment, but please PRAY!
God is wonderful and even though my computer has been garbage all day and lotus notes has not worked, I am calm and at peace (at least for the moment). Have a good evening.
I was so blessed when she brought that little teddy bear back for me. It had a t-shirt on that said "Someone at the Citadel loves you!" It made my week!
I also ask for prayers tonight. Our daughter Kate is at the hospital at the moment. She is a cross country runner. She ran at an invitational on Saturday and got 9th place overall out of about 175 runners. She ran against some of the top runners in NE Ohio and came in pretty close to them :) This is only her third race as a high schooler. She was fine after the race but on Sunday her foot began to hurt. It has been swollen and she can't run on it. She is pretty stressed out that she won't be able to run this weekend. Jim took her to get an x-ray to see if she may have a stress fracture. Pray for her. She has the potential and now the very possible dream of making it to STATES this year. That is an incredible accomplishment as a freshman. She is really stressed about having something seriously wrong with her foot.
I also ask for prayer support because the next month will be INTENSE for me. We have had to make some serious decisions regarding the program in our community, the overall effectiveness of how things are done, and the structure of our area. Some of those decisions will have profound affects on our family. Can't go into too much detail at the moment, but please PRAY!
God is wonderful and even though my computer has been garbage all day and lotus notes has not worked, I am calm and at peace (at least for the moment). Have a good evening.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Okay... I am really, really, really not trying to brag, but I am so excited for my little girl right now. For those who haven't realized it or simply don't know me, I have recently moved into the ranks of having a child in high school. This has been a bit traumatic for me but she seems to be adjusting well :)
My daughter Kate is also a runner. She runs cross country and track. She was informed earlier in the week that she would be running on the varsity squad ... pretty good for an 85 pound 9th grader! Today she ran her first ever high school division 1 cross country race. She placed 21 out of 195 runners. That is AWESOME! She ran 3.1 miles in 19:58. She surprised a lot of people including herself. She came in second for her high school. This is so amazing because this invitational is huge. Many of the top runners in the state were there and running. I know her coach expects a lot from her in the future, but I also know that he wasn't anticipating her to do so well so quickly. He told her to try to get between 21 and 22 minutes. (By the way, one minute is a huge difference in a cross country race). I am just so proud of her.
The other Stow girl got 3rd place. She is an amazing runner and went to States last year. Can't wait until next week!!!!
My daughter Kate is also a runner. She runs cross country and track. She was informed earlier in the week that she would be running on the varsity squad ... pretty good for an 85 pound 9th grader! Today she ran her first ever high school division 1 cross country race. She placed 21 out of 195 runners. That is AWESOME! She ran 3.1 miles in 19:58. She surprised a lot of people including herself. She came in second for her high school. This is so amazing because this invitational is huge. Many of the top runners in the state were there and running. I know her coach expects a lot from her in the future, but I also know that he wasn't anticipating her to do so well so quickly. He told her to try to get between 21 and 22 minutes. (By the way, one minute is a huge difference in a cross country race). I am just so proud of her.
The other Stow girl got 3rd place. She is an amazing runner and went to States last year. Can't wait until next week!!!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Smell the Roses
Whew! Uggh! Blah! Just some of the things I am feeling at this moment in time. Today is the first day of school. It has been CRAZY!
I was up until 3:00am because one child hadn't quite finished her summer reading homework...bet you can't guess who that would be! I woke at 6:00am to get the first child up. I dropped her off for her first "official" day of high school. Of course as I pulled out of the lot, I cried.
I came home and sat down by the next child. She began crying... actually it was more like weeping. She didn't want to go to school. She wasn't ready to be away from me all day again. So for all those camp staff who cared for her as she cried at camp because of homesickness, know that it was not you or how you did things, it's just my girl! Of course as I held her, I cried.
After dropping her off at the bus stop I came home to watch Sponge Bob with my boy. He talked about being nervous. Thirty minutes before the bus was to come he jumped up and said we had to go. I tried to explain that it was only a five minute walk to the bus stop. He exclaimed, "I dont' want to miss it again!" I had know clue what he was talking about until he reminded me that last year we missed the bus on the first day of school... Oh yeah!
We left the house fifteen minutes before the bus was to be there. We were about 100 yards away when we saw the bus. It was early. He took off running, yelling back to me, "I love you mom! Have a good day." My boy!
I came home and plopped down for a moment and of course, I cried. I did not cry tears of joy that our routines would now return or that I now had some sense of quietness back to my life. They were not tears of sadness that they were growing up and caring more for themselves either. I think my tears were for the changes. I don't always see them coming. I don't take the time to see them coming.
I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass this week. There was a part where Alice walked into a garden where the flowers spoke. I don't know exactly why the author put the talking flowers in there but I came away thinking that maybe he was trying to let us know through those talking flowers and that little girl that so often as adults we just walk by and literally don't take the time to see the beauty around us and to hear the life around us. There is the saying, "Take time to smell the roses!" Do I do that? Probably not. Kids naturally do that until they are subjected to us adults who constantly try to rush them around and conform them to our adult world, a world which drowns out the voices of the life and lives around us.
Okay, deep enough for 8:30am. Today I am going to make a vow to smell the roses and listen to their voices more. For those that know me... hold me accountable. Life is too precious to walk by it!
I was up until 3:00am because one child hadn't quite finished her summer reading homework...bet you can't guess who that would be! I woke at 6:00am to get the first child up. I dropped her off for her first "official" day of high school. Of course as I pulled out of the lot, I cried.
I came home and sat down by the next child. She began crying... actually it was more like weeping. She didn't want to go to school. She wasn't ready to be away from me all day again. So for all those camp staff who cared for her as she cried at camp because of homesickness, know that it was not you or how you did things, it's just my girl! Of course as I held her, I cried.
After dropping her off at the bus stop I came home to watch Sponge Bob with my boy. He talked about being nervous. Thirty minutes before the bus was to come he jumped up and said we had to go. I tried to explain that it was only a five minute walk to the bus stop. He exclaimed, "I dont' want to miss it again!" I had know clue what he was talking about until he reminded me that last year we missed the bus on the first day of school... Oh yeah!
We left the house fifteen minutes before the bus was to be there. We were about 100 yards away when we saw the bus. It was early. He took off running, yelling back to me, "I love you mom! Have a good day." My boy!
I came home and plopped down for a moment and of course, I cried. I did not cry tears of joy that our routines would now return or that I now had some sense of quietness back to my life. They were not tears of sadness that they were growing up and caring more for themselves either. I think my tears were for the changes. I don't always see them coming. I don't take the time to see them coming.
I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass this week. There was a part where Alice walked into a garden where the flowers spoke. I don't know exactly why the author put the talking flowers in there but I came away thinking that maybe he was trying to let us know through those talking flowers and that little girl that so often as adults we just walk by and literally don't take the time to see the beauty around us and to hear the life around us. There is the saying, "Take time to smell the roses!" Do I do that? Probably not. Kids naturally do that until they are subjected to us adults who constantly try to rush them around and conform them to our adult world, a world which drowns out the voices of the life and lives around us.
Okay, deep enough for 8:30am. Today I am going to make a vow to smell the roses and listen to their voices more. For those that know me... hold me accountable. Life is too precious to walk by it!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
I AM A LONER!
I like people. I must admit though that when it comes to work, I just like doing things myself... my way! I would rather do an entire project by myself (no matter what the size) than to have to cooperate with a team of people. I am creative, but once an idea hits me I like to run with it and not look back. When you are an employer and have lots of employees to consider it can be a bit difficult and for me personally can stunt my creative drive. We had four employees in our first appointment, but none were program type people so I was free to be creative and no one cared. We had four employees in our department in our second appointment (all program people). That was workable though. We now have 41 employees and things move SLOW! I know we have entire departments hoping that we will forget about our "creative" ideas and just let them do their thing their way. As pooh bear says, "Oh bother!" I'm going to go crazy with my "to do" list of creative things by the time I convince folks to give a few of them a try.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Abundant Blessings
I think sometimes I can get so caught up in the busyness of the day that I forget to see the blessings. I have decided to make the effort to appreciate the blessings today that I have. Being in this appointment has made me miss the corps people from our first appointment. Many of those saints from our first corps are with the Lord now and I have found myself missing them dearly. I didn't appreciate them or that corps nearly as much as I should have, that is until I left it. I am not going to make that mistake here. I count my blessings from God and appreciate each one.The photo above is of our men in one of our Sunday School classes. This is just a few of the men that come to Sunday School. As I think about the number of men in our corps I am astounded. It can be hard to get men into church (traditionally), but God has blessed us with men of God that are seeking Him in ways like never before. Praise God!
We also do a Salvation Meeting. It happens at 6:00pm. We just started this particular meeting last September. Though some believe an evening service will just not work in this day and age, it works for us. On this evening we had an outdoor meeting. There were 88 people there. Several of the neighbors came. Several of the homeless that reside in the neighborhoods surrounding the corps showed up too. One man was in a wheelchair and he frequents our daily soup kitchen. He introduced himself as "Wheelchair". His real name is Clarence but his friends call him Wheelchair. So "Wheelchair" it is because we at the Army are considered his friends.
It should be noted too that the folks we get on Sunday morning are not all the same folks we get on a Sunday evening. It appears that the "unsaved" and "non-church going" folks prefer the evening service. Go figure!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
This has been an exciting summer at our corps so far. Below are just a few pictures that I hold dear. The first is a picture of our Jr. Band. All but my own are beginners this year. We are missing about five of them too. This has been a wonderful year with them. 
These are our kids heading off to Music and Arts Camp. Again, most are beginners. And again, they are mostly brass players with a few timbrelists.
These are our kids heading off to Music and Arts Camp. Again, most are beginners. And again, they are mostly brass players with a few timbrelists. 
Friday, June 29, 2007
GOD is GOD
Throughout life there will be periods of disillusionment for an individual. There will be people that disappoint you. There will be situations that turn your stomach. There will decisions made by others that sadden you. There will be remarks that hurt you in the worse ways. There will be circumstances that you wonder if you will ever be able to manage and come out still standing.
The key is to remember that God is GOD! God is GOD in the big things. God is GOD in the little things. GOD is GOD!
I PRAISE my GOD in all things today. I PRAISE Him for those little things that are bothering me personally. I PRAISE Him for our crazy, psycho world that seems to be getting more and more evil. I PRAISE Him for all the hurts that are going through my head and heart this day. I PRAISE Him because HE is my GOD and in control of ALL things. I PRAISE Him because GOD will ALWAYS be GOD and there is not a soul on earth that can change that fact. Thank you my Lord and my GOD for being my LORD and my GOD.
The key is to remember that God is GOD! God is GOD in the big things. God is GOD in the little things. GOD is GOD!
I PRAISE my GOD in all things today. I PRAISE Him for those little things that are bothering me personally. I PRAISE Him for our crazy, psycho world that seems to be getting more and more evil. I PRAISE Him for all the hurts that are going through my head and heart this day. I PRAISE Him because HE is my GOD and in control of ALL things. I PRAISE Him because GOD will ALWAYS be GOD and there is not a soul on earth that can change that fact. Thank you my Lord and my GOD for being my LORD and my GOD.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Life is Great!
I know a week ago I was sad because it seemed as if my babies were getting way too independent.
This evening I had to go to the store to pick up some breakfast snacks for our Advisory Board. As we were walking my middle daughter noticed my son's toes. It disgusted her.
Em is a special girl. When I first brought her baby brother home from the hospital she really checked every part of him out. She wanted to take care of him. Her way of doing that has stuck with me for 9 years now.
I used to catch her (at the age of 2 1/2) take his bootie socks off and pick the toe jam from between his tiny toes. That was pretty gross in my book, but she wanted him to be clean and comfortable. Emily hated having anything in between her toes so she assumed her brother did as well.
If you were in that store with us it would have been apparent that her brother could care less what is on his feet or between his toes.
We came home and as I was loading the dishwasher I heard a slap followed by a "sit still".
Emily had her brother laying on the couch looking through a book as she cut his toe nails and cleaned them out for him. (By the way, he didn't seem to mind the slap!)
As I watched that scene, I felt so incredibly blessed. I was blessed because my babies were caring for each other. I was blessed because I got a glimpse of my 2 1/2 year old daughter once again. I was blessed because I got a glimpse of my little boy laying there so contently as he was cared for by his big sis. I was blessed because I saw how God created my daughter with compassion and a need to help others from the time she was born and it is working out to this day in her life.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to see the past in my changing children. I am blessed!
This evening I had to go to the store to pick up some breakfast snacks for our Advisory Board. As we were walking my middle daughter noticed my son's toes. It disgusted her.
Em is a special girl. When I first brought her baby brother home from the hospital she really checked every part of him out. She wanted to take care of him. Her way of doing that has stuck with me for 9 years now.
I used to catch her (at the age of 2 1/2) take his bootie socks off and pick the toe jam from between his tiny toes. That was pretty gross in my book, but she wanted him to be clean and comfortable. Emily hated having anything in between her toes so she assumed her brother did as well.
If you were in that store with us it would have been apparent that her brother could care less what is on his feet or between his toes.
We came home and as I was loading the dishwasher I heard a slap followed by a "sit still".
Emily had her brother laying on the couch looking through a book as she cut his toe nails and cleaned them out for him. (By the way, he didn't seem to mind the slap!)
As I watched that scene, I felt so incredibly blessed. I was blessed because my babies were caring for each other. I was blessed because I got a glimpse of my 2 1/2 year old daughter once again. I was blessed because I got a glimpse of my little boy laying there so contently as he was cared for by his big sis. I was blessed because I saw how God created my daughter with compassion and a need to help others from the time she was born and it is working out to this day in her life.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to see the past in my changing children. I am blessed!
Friday, June 15, 2007
DEPRESSION
This has been a traumatic week for me!
I dropped my baby off at the park yesterday morning at 9:00am so that she could participate in her FIRST high school cross country practice. She is officially in high school :(
After practice I drove her down to Camp Neosa AND left her :( She is working there and will be gone all summer... NOT GOOD!
My husband didn't come home last night. He stayed at the corps all night working on a playground for the neighborhood kids. He and two other staff members worked ALL night... I was lonely :(
The CAVS lost :( Enough said! I didn't even watch the game. I watched a movie instead.
I wasn't able to go to the Officers' Farewell today ... United Way Day of Care day! I'm sad that I won't be able to say good bye to some dear officer friends and especially to their dear children:(
Emily has her FIRST babysitting gig tonight. She is growing up TOO FAST :( She shouldn't be old enough to babysit... she is a baby herself... my baby girl :(
I am home alone until about 9:00pm. It is a Friday night and my whole family is out doing their own thing... living their own lives. It is depressing for me :( When did they all get so independent?
I am going to go and have some time with my Jesus.... He will cheer me up :)
I dropped my baby off at the park yesterday morning at 9:00am so that she could participate in her FIRST high school cross country practice. She is officially in high school :(
After practice I drove her down to Camp Neosa AND left her :( She is working there and will be gone all summer... NOT GOOD!
My husband didn't come home last night. He stayed at the corps all night working on a playground for the neighborhood kids. He and two other staff members worked ALL night... I was lonely :(
The CAVS lost :( Enough said! I didn't even watch the game. I watched a movie instead.
I wasn't able to go to the Officers' Farewell today ... United Way Day of Care day! I'm sad that I won't be able to say good bye to some dear officer friends and especially to their dear children:(
Emily has her FIRST babysitting gig tonight. She is growing up TOO FAST :( She shouldn't be old enough to babysit... she is a baby herself... my baby girl :(
I am home alone until about 9:00pm. It is a Friday night and my whole family is out doing their own thing... living their own lives. It is depressing for me :( When did they all get so independent?
I am going to go and have some time with my Jesus.... He will cheer me up :)
Sunday, June 03, 2007
NBA Finals
Rasheed Wallace: "Hey Guys... should one of us stop him?"Rip Hamilton: "I'll just wait here until he comes back down."
Chauncy: "It's only one shot... how many can one guy get anyway? I'm Mr. Big Shot...NOT LeBron."
Chris Webber: "Time out! Time out.....wait we don't have any time-outs left!"
Z: "I got your back buddy."
What more needs to be said? The CAVS are going to the finals!
Thanks Detroit for losing your "poise!"
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Lesson Learned
When we were Divisional Youth Leaders it always bothered us to see some really great kids in the division not participate in camp or in divisional activities. We know the impact these things can have on a young person. They feel more connected to the Army and see the bigger picture. Not to mention that their influence and abilities would be a tremendous asset to the programs and to the individuals around them.
My oldest daughter is going to High School next year (YIKES). She is in the band programs and a Cross Country runner. Band sessions and athletic training takes place all summer long. They actually start the week after school lets out. She is excellent in both of these programs and needs to participate in the summer activities. The bandmasters and the coach need her to participate during the summer. Of course come fall she will have football games every Friday night and I just found out yesterday that she will have Cross Country meets every Saturday. That eliminates her from a lot in regards to the Army. She is supposed to work at camp this summer and she is supposed to be in NEOSA Brass this fall. There is no way she will be able to do it all.
I never realized how much school impacts those "off times" in a young person's life. I think if I were a DYS now I would find a way to reach out to those kids more. There has to be a way!!
My oldest daughter is going to High School next year (YIKES). She is in the band programs and a Cross Country runner. Band sessions and athletic training takes place all summer long. They actually start the week after school lets out. She is excellent in both of these programs and needs to participate in the summer activities. The bandmasters and the coach need her to participate during the summer. Of course come fall she will have football games every Friday night and I just found out yesterday that she will have Cross Country meets every Saturday. That eliminates her from a lot in regards to the Army. She is supposed to work at camp this summer and she is supposed to be in NEOSA Brass this fall. There is no way she will be able to do it all.
I never realized how much school impacts those "off times" in a young person's life. I think if I were a DYS now I would find a way to reach out to those kids more. There has to be a way!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
I have been studying the book of Galatians over the last several weeks. It has been a challenge for me as I have reflected on my walk in relation to God's Word in this particular book.
I thought I would post on some of those things that jumped out at me as of late.
Galatians 5:16-21
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
As I read this list, I thought to myself, “Wow these are bad things”. Take a closer look at these though. I think sometimes when we think of sin, we think of murder, adultery, stealing, lying and a host of others mentioned in the 10 commandments. When I first read this particular list I kind of scanned over them. However, look at these a little closer.
As I read this I realized that this is so often me. I obviously don't mean to sin, but I do. I do get selfish. I do go into fits of rage. I do sin. I don't believe I am the only one who falls into this trap though. I have seen Christians in fits of rage. I have had friends who were sexually immoral… Christian friends! I have seen believers vying to get ahead because of their selfish ambition. Look at all the televangelists that have gone down in the last few years. Commissioner Todd Bassett, who has served in the Salvation Army as the National Commander was just recently named to head the National Association of Evangelicals after the Reverend Ted Haggert had to answer to allegations that he had a 3 year relationship with a gay hooker. He was the head of the National Association of Evangelicals!!!!
What about dissention? Have you seen dissention in the church? Be honest! Envy? Jealousy? Even as Christians, sometimes we allow these sins to creep into our lives. It is so easy to fall back into the sinful nature which we once walked away from.
When we begin living by our own power we fail. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live as God created us to live.
God has really blasted me with this truth recently. It is a passage of scripture that I have read a zillion times, so many times that it simply became words to me. I thank God that He made me read and see these words once more in a new light.
The key for me was the last part of the passage where it says, "I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Is that blunt or what?
I thought I would post on some of those things that jumped out at me as of late.
Galatians 5:16-21
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
As I read this list, I thought to myself, “Wow these are bad things”. Take a closer look at these though. I think sometimes when we think of sin, we think of murder, adultery, stealing, lying and a host of others mentioned in the 10 commandments. When I first read this particular list I kind of scanned over them. However, look at these a little closer.
As I read this I realized that this is so often me. I obviously don't mean to sin, but I do. I do get selfish. I do go into fits of rage. I do sin. I don't believe I am the only one who falls into this trap though. I have seen Christians in fits of rage. I have had friends who were sexually immoral… Christian friends! I have seen believers vying to get ahead because of their selfish ambition. Look at all the televangelists that have gone down in the last few years. Commissioner Todd Bassett, who has served in the Salvation Army as the National Commander was just recently named to head the National Association of Evangelicals after the Reverend Ted Haggert had to answer to allegations that he had a 3 year relationship with a gay hooker. He was the head of the National Association of Evangelicals!!!!
What about dissention? Have you seen dissention in the church? Be honest! Envy? Jealousy? Even as Christians, sometimes we allow these sins to creep into our lives. It is so easy to fall back into the sinful nature which we once walked away from.
When we begin living by our own power we fail. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live as God created us to live.
God has really blasted me with this truth recently. It is a passage of scripture that I have read a zillion times, so many times that it simply became words to me. I thank God that He made me read and see these words once more in a new light.
The key for me was the last part of the passage where it says, "I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Is that blunt or what?
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