A Day of Fun

When I heard my niece and nephew were coming, I asked them what they wanted to do.  They sent me their list of places to go and foods to eat.  Since we only have a short time, I had to figure out how to make the most of their time and squeeze in as much as possible.

8:00 am--Breakfast at McDonald's
9:00 am--Dallas Zoo
We have passes, so we hit the specific places they want to see when we have limited time.  We covered one whole area of the zoo, and then we went to 3 specific places on the other side.  They both touched snakes, saw what they wanted, and had a great time.
12:00 pm--Lunch at Subway
Since we were downtown and didn't have too far to go, we had to find somewhere they wanted to go and in our location.
1:30 pm--Perot Museum
We visited every floor, seeing what they wanted, spending time where they wanted, and had a blast.  The museum did a great job covering all the tested materials for 5th and 8th grades, so I pointed out what they will both need.  :-)  Always the educator!
4:45 pm--Walmart
5:30 pm--Church Small Group Pot Luck
When the kids are with me, I do and plan what they want to do, and I focus all my time and energy on them.  My church small group had a pot luck/gathering planned for today, so I asked my niece and nephew if they wanted to go or do something else.  I gave them all the details so they could make a good decision.  Not only did they agree they wanted to go, they were going to get to see my BFF's children too, children they love to see/play with.  We had a great time visiting, and by the end, all of the children were in the hot tub or pool--fully clothed.  My niece and nephew had the best time, and it makes me so happy.  We had tasty pulled pork, homemade mac and cheese, fruits, vegetables, potato salads, coleslaws, and desserts.
8:30/9:00 pm--Taco Casa
Yes, we ate at the pot luck, but we had planned to have dinner at Taco Casa (before we decided t go to the pot luck), and my niece didn't forget, so we went and got a "snack."
10:00/10:30 pm--The kids passed out for the night.

I was so blessed today!  I absolutely love those two darlings, and I love watching them learn and have fun. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful day!

Elephants

 Lioness

Monorail

Alligator Encounter 

Touching a snake 

Learning about rocks

Life Science floor

 Swimming in April

Girl Scout Sunday

Today is Girl Scout Sunday.  How will you spend it?  Will you go to church?  Will you do anything special at church?  We invited our girls to visit our church.  If we had had several, they could have been ushers and greeters.

Annual Christmas Pageant

The annual Children's Christmas Pageant was postponed due to the ice we had several weeks ago, and it was rescheduled for today.  I'm glad b/c I wasn't going to get to see it when it was originally scheduled.

The children reenact and tell the Christmas story, and they do such a great job.  Throughout the story, we sing Christmas Carols, which I love. My BFF's children were adorable.

The thing that makes me sad is thinking about my niece and nephew not having the opportunity to experience a children's or youth group and being able to perform in programs like this.

December, Already?

How did December 1st get here already?  I just can't believe it is already December.  It seems like the last few months have zoomed by.

I was so busy today.  I began the day with church.  Always a great way to start a Sunday!  I joined my BFF and her family for a quick lunch before heading back to church for CPR/AED training.  After training, I ran some errands in preparation for the Ladies' Red Stocking Party and Ornament Exchange.  Because I had been out of town, I needed to pick-up some food and an ornament.  I ended the evening with a great group of ladies visiting, eating wonderful food, and exchanging ornaments. 

While it was a busy day, it was a great day!

What ornament did I receive?  I got 2 crystal snowflakes.  Beautiful, they are. (I'll have to add a picture later.)

Practicing Balance

Today, we began a new book study in Sunday School.  My dearest BFF is leading the study of Practicing Balance: How Congregations Can Support Harmony in Work and Life by David Edman Gray. Since we just received the books, we haven't started reading yet, but she did a fabulous job leading us through the Preface and Chapter 1. 

Everyone is in a different place in life with different jobs, responsibilities, children/no children, and more.  The experiences, worries, and variousness of the group led to a great discussion.  I can't wait to read the book.

The Day of Sabbath

Today's sermon:

Luke 13:10-17     Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath

¹⁰ On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, ¹¹ and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” ¹³ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
¹⁴ Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
¹⁵ The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? ¹⁶ Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
¹⁷ When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Thoughts:
What I thought about during the sermon today was how God wants us to have a day of rest.  A day to rejuvenate and rest to prepare for the next week.  I thought about how this is very important today for all educators as it is the day before school starts/students coming for everyone I know.

The teachers in my school have been working hard all last week to finish their rooms and prepare plans for the first week.  Many have been staying well into the night, falling into bed exhausted, and waking the next morning just as tired.  I told all the new teachers I spoke to on Friday to make sure and take today off.  They must rest and rejuvenate in order to start one of the most exhausting weeks of their careers ready and renewed.

Our Pastor talked about how Jews have a list of 39 things they cannot do on the Sabbath. It amazes me that they are so devoted and can do this for 24 hours.  I remember the time when stores were closed and errands were not run on Sundays.  We spent time at home, but we still used electronics and appliances. We also did most of our yard work on Sundays. When I began teaching, I used Sunday afternoons to finish preparing for the week, grading papers, and more. 

However, I have always used Sunday afternoons/evenings to get my mind straight for the week, and I treasure that time.  I think that is at least a little of what is expected of us.
 

Just Be

Today's Sermon: Luke 10: 38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I liked today's message.  Pastor Cheryl put a shawl on her head and talked as if she were Martha.  Then she put the shawl around her shoulders and talked as if she were Mary.  Then she removed it all together and talked as if she was Jesus.  It was neat how she did it.

Martha was the doer, and Mary was portrayed as the slacker.  However, in this scripture, Mary "gets it," and Martha does not.  Sometimes we need to quit "doing" and just "be."  Mary was "present" with Jesus while Martha was busy with all the tasks, cooking, preparation, etc. She was too busy to be "present."

We shouldn't work or be busy 24/7/365.  We need to take time to "be" and be "present."




Since hearing this sermon, I have been working to "be."  I already work hard to make sure I am "present" wherever I am--with family, at work, with friends, etc. This sermon has helped me to work hard to clear my mind of all the conversations I play over and over and just "be" with a clear, uncluttered mind, working to find "me" and see what might be in my future.

Moving Forward, But How?

Today's church sermon was on Luke 9: 51-62.

From NIV:

Samaritan Opposition

⁵¹ As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. ⁵² And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³ but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them^[a]?” ⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ Then he and his disciples went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”


Two things jumped out at me during the service.
1. "If you are looking backward, you can't move forward."
2. Are you willing to give up these same things to follow Jesus?

Let's look at each of these. However, I want to discuss 2 first.
2. Our Pastor was honest and said she would have a hard time giving up the comfort of her bed, home, car, life to follow Jesus as He asked these followers.  For someone who had served in a church for 10 years, attended Seminary for 4.5 years, and has been serving in this church at least 3 years, she follows Jesus daily, but she is loves the creature comforts she has become accustomed to in her daily life. I am too.  If Jesus stood before me and said to give up all I have to follow Him, would I? I would want to say my good-byes to my family, bury my loved ones, etc. Would I be able to just walk away?  If I had to answer right now, my answer would be "no." I was Saved in 5th grade, Baptized in 8th grade, and I have believed in Jesus for as long as I can remember, since attending church as a tiny child.  I try hard to walk a Christian path, but I know I am not the best prayer, Bible studier, etc. I just try to be a Christian example to all those I can, and if I falter, I try harder next time. However, I don't know if I could just walk away to follow Him.

1. I can't even remember what exactly our Pastor was saying when I heard her say something really close to "If you are looking backward, you can't move forward." I certainly didn't hear what she said immediately after that either b/c these words hit me pretty hard. 
The next thing I remember her saying was that farmers who are tilling their land cannot look back at what they've done or they will not be able to plow in a straight line. The parishioner behind me seconded her comment. In order to do the job right, they must keep looking forward.
As you know through my blogging, processing, and moping the last 16 months, I have had a life altering change occur that was out of my control. It cut me deeply in a way I have never experienced, and I have had an extremely hard time processing and moving beyond it.  
While trying really hard to listen to all she had to say, I was also processing this idea. Then I thought . . . I am a traditionalist.  Traditions are extremely important to me, and family is huge to me.  I have amazing memories with my niece and nephew. I truly loved every moment spent with each of them the 9.5/11.5 years I saw them daily. Because of this, I think of all the experiences we are not having now, all the memories we are not making now, and how different their lives are. 

Then I think . . . God has plans for me.  God has to break me down to build me up. But . . . what does He have in store and when will it happen?  How long will this pain, anger, and fear continue?

When I look forward, it is the unknown when it comes to my relationship with my niece and nephew, finding a husband, having a family of my own, etc., dealing with the pain and fear I have.
Looking forward also means dealing with and taking responsibility for my ailing/aging mother.  I truly believe the end is closer than many think, and while I am readying myself for that, whenever the time comes, I am pretty much doing it alone.  I see her and care for her daily, and each day brings new realizations, concerns, and fears.

So . . . how do I quit looking back?  How do I truly move forward? How do I balance the past with the future?
For now . . . I will keep praying and processing. :-)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, everyone!  What a joyous day it is!

This year, I feel that I understand Easter more than I have in the past.  I don't know if it is due to where I am in my life or because of the amazing services I have experienced during Holy Week.  It is probably a combination of both.

Not only have I gotten a better understanding of Jesus's last days through 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton, which we discussed over several weeks in Sunday School, but I attended Holy Week services for the first time.

Maundy Thursday service was fairly short, but powerful. We studied/heard about The Last Supper, what led to it, and what was foreshadowed. We had Communion just as Jesus has mandated. The scriptures were read aloud by three different parishioners in slightly different styles to help impress upon everyone the seriousness and action taking place. Can you imagine what He was thinking knowing what was ahead of Him?

Good Friday's service was beautiful. It was done in Tenebrae Style.  Songs were sung, scriptures were read, and the lighting was low.  As the story of Jesus's last days was told, various parishioners read the scriptures with songs sung by the choir in between, but the most powerful part to me was the lighting and extinguishing of the candles.  When the names of the Disciples were read, a candle was lit for each one.  As the story continued and the Disciples, one-by-one, denied Jesus, their names were said and candles extinguished.  When Jesus died on the cross, His candle was extinguished, and a black cloth was placed upon the cross.  When He had risen, His candle was reignited.  With the scripture, songs, candles . . . the service was very moving and explained the events and what Jesus experienced better than I had ever considered it. I so wish my niece and nephew could have been with me to experience this service.  If you, my readers, have never experienced a service like this, I highly recommend it.  I didn't do it justice in describing it to you. So powerful and moving!

Easter service was full of songs and joy as we were reminded that Jesus was placed in the tomb and rose again, just as he proclaimed.  The songs were beautiful and emphasized the story and its meaning.  The service ended with the Hallelujah Chorus.  Just beautiful!

A Facebook friend shared pictures of the Passover Experience that she and her family attended this Easter weekend.  This event in coordination with Holy Week would be quite the experience.  I hope, one day, that I can take my niece and nephew to each of these events.

Did you dye eggs this year?  This is one activity that I absolutely love.  I always have.  This is the first year I can think of that I have not dyed eggs. I loved it as a child and continued to dye them through college.  When my niece and nephew came along, I had an even better reason to keep doing it each year.  This year, we weren't together, so I didn't do it, but they shared a picture of their eggs with me.

I hope you and your family have had a wonderful, joyous Easter.

The Life of Christ

In Sunday School, we have been watching/discussing 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton.  It has been fascinating, moving, unbelievable, and so much more.  We have watched a video section each week followed by great discussion.

On Wednesday evenings, our Pastor has been leading a short 30 minute service around the senses.  The church doesn't normally have Wednesday services, but she has done it this year during Lent.  Wednesday night focused on touch.  She dramatically discussed the story of Jesus making the blind man see.  She then allowed each person to choose a Prayer Square.  We discussed how God is always there for us, and we just need to pray.  We also always have others praying for us.  The Prayer Square reminds us of these things.  We prayed holding our squares.  She then had us gather around the Baptism Fount.  We each chose a small black rock from the bottom of the basin.  This reminded us of being Baptized and what being Baptized means.  While the water will dry and go away, the rock will always be with us to remind us.  God is our rock.  This sermon really impacted my niece and nephew. 

While at the Palace of Wax, they had a Life of Christ exhibit.  It gave me an opportunity to talk about Christ with my niece and nephew.

The shepherds are told a child will be born in a manger.

 

A child is born in a manger.

 

A young Jesus learns from the priests.

 

Jesus teaches the children.

 

Jesus teaches the multitudes.

The Last Supper

 

Crucifixion

Laying in the tomb.

 

He has risen!