scattered.

Wow, I can't believe it's the end of the week already. This week has really flown by. It's been a good week. The weather here has been gorgeous. The trees are about to change colors, there is a definite bite in the wind, and I love it all! I absolutely love the season changes! Even winter. I know some people think I'm crazy, but I do love all the seasons. Of course, there are some things about winter that I dread, but there are lots of things I love about it too.

Anyway, in other news....there's not much news.

Tomorrow is the Walk-a-Thon. I guess I should try to get a lot of rest tonite so that I will be able to walk the full 5 miles. The way I feel today, 5 miles seems like a lot!! But I'm sure I'll make it.

Today we don't have to pick up our middle school kid, so bus run will be over early! Yay! The middle schoolers are out today and tomorrow, and everyone is out Monday! For public schools that is.

I'm so sad about what happened out in Colorado yesterday -- the school standoff/shooting in which a girl was killed. It's a very sick and sad world that we live in, my friends! Mr. Blake mentioned the verse today about "Men's hearts failing them for fear" as being appropo to this situation. It's true. It's a scary, scary world. Thank God we know the One who is in control!

Well, I know this has been a somewhat scattered and random entry. Welcome to my world! I've actually had a viscious, unrelenting headache all day today, so I'm just glad that I'm (somewhat) coherent.

Hope everyone has a lovely evening and a wonderful Friday!

Love to YOU!

restoration.

Today I made a choice. I have chosen -- made the conscious decision -- to forgive. I won't go into detail, but the choice has been made, and only by God's grace and strength. I choose to set myself free from resentment and bitterness, and I choose to release into God's care the choices and actions of others. Forgiveness = Freedom.


So last week was very busy! I got to spend lots of time with good friends, doing things I love to do. I am truly blessed by friends and family. I love all of you sooo much!

Tuesday night I went with my friends Suzy, Chantelle, Richard, Matt, Michael, Katie, and Bryan to Jose Peppers and then to Sheridan's. Well, only the girls went to Sheridan's becuz the guys went to the gym to play basketball (I think?) Anyway.

Then Wednesday night I finally got to go to dinner with my good friend Michael. It is always good to see him and get caught up on each others' lives.

Thursday night was an incredible evening with Tami, Jeff, and Chantelle at the Michael W. Smith concert. Did you guys know that President Bush calls MWS "Dubya"? Hah -- I found that very funny! Anyway, it was an incredibly worshipful experience -- one that I'm not likely to forget anytime soon. And when his new CD, Stand, comes out in November, make sure you get it. It has some really good songs on it.

Friday night Chantelle, Suzy and I went to Starlight to see Hairspray. First we had dinner with Sarah, which was awesome because I hadn't seen her for soooo long! (Hi Sarah -- I know you'll read this! ) Anyway, the show was totally hilarious -- we had such a good time! It was good to laugh and just have fun. The weather was beautiful and I'm so glad I finally got to go to Starlight before the season ended!

Saturday night a bunch of us were at Jeff's house for Mexican food and games. It was really great to get to hang out with all those great people! We'll have to do it again soon!
Then Sunday night after church was a gathering of a different group of friends at Sharen's house. Again, lots of fun, food, and games!

See what I mean? I am so blessed! God has indeed blessed my life with amazing friends. I am completely fulfilled, content, and at peace. My gratefulness for God's faithfulness knows no bounds.

Thank you, Jesus, for being so good to me and to the people that I love. Thank you for being who you are and for the gift of salvation which I so often take for granted. Thank you for my wonderful friends and I pray your richest blessings on each of them. Please lift up the fallen, heal the hurting, strengthen the weary, and lead us all into your perfect will.

I'll leave you with more lyrics from MercyMe's Coming Up To Breathe CD. This is track #4:

Something About You

Where... where do I begin?
How do I say what's on my heart with paper and a pen?
How... how can I describe
The God of all the universe and make it rhyme?
I just wonder if it's worth
Painting You with so few words
Oh, with so few words

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days, finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

Why... why do I even try?
If I could speak the tongue of every man
I'm still tongue-tied
What can I say about You
When everything I have won't do
Oh, it will not do

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days, finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

As long as life runs through my veins
I will live to praise Your name
And if a hundred years I live
I won't even scratch, I won't even scratch the surface

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days, finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

Much love, as always, to all who read!

potpourri.

You know what potpourri is, right? Well, that's what today's post is going to be like, because that's what my brain is like. I have all these thoughts just swirling around and well...they're likely to come out in some disorganized fashion. Just be prepared. I will use subtitles to try to help you. I don't know if they will help you or not. You can let me know.

bubble gum.
First of all, when I got in my car this afternoon, my car smelled like bubble gum. That was nice -- and somewhat strange. I just hope there is not a bubble gum surprise somewhere in my car.

faithfulness.
God knew exactly what I needed after the mostly awful week I'd had. He sent, first of all, wonderful friends and family my way so that I would know He cares for me. Twelve of us went to the Royals game on Friday night, and even though they lost, we had a great time. Then Saturday I got to go to lunch with my grandparents, which was a nice surprise. I didn't even know they were coming into town until they were already here! Also on Saturday, my former student Carolyn got married. Her wedding was beautiful and I'm very happy for her! I got to serve about a million cups of punch at her reception. It was really a fun day though. Then that night, I went out to help celebrate Sophia's 16th birthday! Yay for parties! It was lots of fun, even though I thought I was gonna die while we were playing spoons. Some of you people are pretty violent when it comes to spoons! THEN on Sunday, God really spoke to me through several different things. My pastor spoke about PASSION in both services, and Steven spoke on FORGIVENESS in the afternoon service. Both topics really convicted me. I know there are so many areas in which I need to move up in my Christian life. THEN I got some really good news -- my brother called to tell us that yesterday he did some pretty serious business with God and completely dedicated and recommitted his life to God. That's some pretty amazing stuff right there, folks. And I'm being totally serious. God is so good and so faithful and He ALWAYS answers prayer! Even when it's not the answer we expect, or in the time frame we'd like!!

breathe.
All of you have to hear MercyMe's new CD, Coming up to Breathe. It is simply amazing, and I haven't even heard it all yet! I've read some of the lyrics and well...let's just say I'll probably be posting some of them in days to come. The entire album just really speaks to me. If you get a chance, get the CD and listen to it! It's awesome!!

lyrics.
Track One - Coming up to Breathe
I'm in way too deep again
I've forgotten how to swim
I can't tell which way is up or down
Save me before I drown down here
I just need some air

I'm coming up to breathe
Oh, I'm coming up to breathe
I've held my breath for all my life
But I am breaking free tonight
And I'm coming up to breathe

I just need to break these chains
I just need to leave this place
Before now this was all I knew
But with just one glimpse of You
I seeYou're the air I need

I'm coming up to breathe
Oh, I'm coming up to breathe
I've held my breath for all my life
But I am breaking free tonight
And I'm coming up to breathe

I've done everything I can
To get myself up on dry land
Lord, here I am again
Reaching for Your hand

I'm coming up to breathe
Oh, I'm coming up to breathe
I've held my breath for all my life
But I am breaking free tonight
And I'm coming up to breathe

This one is for my friends who are hurting. You know who you are. I could name your names, but I don't want to embarrass anybody. But this is for you:

Track 3 -- Hold Fast
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is Your grasp
So hold fast

You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is Your grasp
So hold fast

pray
One last thing before I end this. I know it's been long, so thanks for sticking with me to the end! But I think we all just really need to pray for each other, like never before. The devil has really been fighting. He has been causing conflict and division and misunderstandings. I know that I could really use prayer for my attitude -- that God would help me to forgive the hurtful things and to treat people with the love and mercy which He has given me.

God is good, all the time!

perfection.

The weather has been so perfect. When it's chilly enough to need the heater in the mornings, and warm enough for the A/C in the afternoons, well...that's perfection to me.



The last two days have been horribly stressful. I'm just glad that even though we don't always understand the things that are going on, God does, and He's in complete control. He has already proven His love and care for me, so I don't have to worry. Not that I always trust Him perfectly, but He's teaching me. I'd appreciate it if all of you would pray for me because I really need to have the right attitude.

Yesterday I read the book of James. There are some amazing things in there. It totally convicted me. You should read it. Here are a few verses that stood out to me.

1:26-27 -- If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
2:12-13 -- Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
3:1-2 -- Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3:13-18 -- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

So anyway, I know that everything is going to be fine.

TGI(almost)F! Tomorrow night I'm going to the Royals game with my youth group. Then Saturday is Carolyn's wedding and Sophia's birthday party. I'll make sure and update with pictures!

Today I received a surprise visit from a former student, which totally made my day! Josh came to see me, and brought his fiance Heather. They are getting married next spring. Anyway, it was totally amazing to see him. He was truly a sight for sore eyes. I love that kid. He is doing good. He just moved to St. Louis and is still looking for a church, but I was happy to hear that he's still living for God. I was sad to hear that his little brother Andy is in jail and might be going to prison. You might pray for that family if you think of it.
I saw this today and it totally cracked me up...enjoy!