Yes, I'm still alive!

I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, although sometimes I'd like to! I've been exhausted lately!

This teacher job is taking much more time and energy than I thought. Every night I bring home tests to grade and PAKs to look over to make sure the student is ready for the test. Every night I fall asleep over my grading. At the same time, my hubby has been working lots of overtime hours. We hardly see each other lately! I'm hoping my teacher work will come easier as I get the hang of it. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my hubby's work is due for a slowdown for quite some time! At least we'll have the blessing of overtime pay!

I made a point of doing as little as possible this weekend, just to make sure I caught up on my rest. It seems to be helping so far. Aside from a trip to Home Depot for my hubby, I've stayed in and relaxed. I played with a troublesome batch of soap (with no better results). I'm going to grate it up and use it for laundry soap, so I'm n0t too worried about it. I really need to make a fresh batch to boost my confidence! Maybe next weekend.

Tomorrow, I'll be back at it. I'm helping in the kitchen for our Mission Meal and Mark is running the sound board. Mission Meal is a meal we cook from scratch and serve after the second morning service and offer for take-out. The proceeds go to help our sister church in Chambellan, Haiti. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it! My hubby & I really enjoy helping with the meal. The Mission Meals have been able to provide a lot of support for our sister church -- everything from a new parsonage to beds to put in it to donkeys and motorcycles.

Please pray for Haiti. They are really suffering after the devastation of hurricanes Gustav & Hanna. Their gardens have been destroyed and they have lost many animals. Lives have been lost as well, although not in our sister church or the satellite churches in the district.

Speaking of hurricanes, I finally contacted my brother and sister-in-law. They had minimal damage -- just a few shingles blown off. However, they are still without power in their neighborhood. They are using her mother's generator to power a few things. Fortunately, they never lost water and their stove is gas. We have not called my other brother, my aunt, or Mark's brother, all of whom are in the Houston area.

I guess I'd better head for bed. Tomorrow is an early morning! Plus, I'm falling asleep at the computer.

Whew!

I tried to think up some catchy phrase to sum up the last couple of weeks. I don't think I have enough brain cells!

School is started and going pretty well. After two weeks, I think we're getting a routine down. I'm getting to know the students and their individual personalities. There's something I like in every one of them -- even those with "attitudes".

The main challenge of my day is what we call Goal Check. I make my way around the room, stopping at each student's desk to check that they met yesterday's goals and to help them in setting today's goals. And all the record keeping that goes with that! The secondary challenge is to keep the ADD kids/talkers to stay focused on their work rather than chatting and getting attention.

My prayer daily is that I would be shown how best to meet the individual needs of each student, especially those with struggles -- academic, emotional or physical. I still have a few I haven't figured out yet or don't always like as much, but I care for them all. Some of the ones I feared working with the most are the ones I find myself enjoying working with. That's what I get for prejudging!

Last Sunday, on one of my regular opportunities to serve on a worship team, I was asked to lead on a song. Being a "backup singer" doing the harmony part, it seemed really strange to carry the melody and having others harmonizing with me! I never considered myself as having a solo voice, but I have sung solos from time to time. It was fun, scary and challenging to have the opportunity to do so again.

What meant even more to me than the fact that I was spotlighted was the fact that all three vocalists took a turn leading songs. I love it when we mix it up and let people step into new roles for them. As much as I love the very talented people who usual take solos, it is good to see others step into that role from time to time -- even if they aren't as talented as the "regulars". Our pastor summed it up for me when he said in his sermon that we (those leading the service) aren't here to perform but to serve and hopefully have an impact on others.

Countdown!

The countdown is continuing on beginning my new teaching career. I'm excited and scared. I'm worried I'll do something stupid or blow things on the first day. Actually, I don't know why I'm worried. I'm SURE I'll do something stupid! I usually do! ;-)

I'm excited about getting involved in the lives of teens. I'm looking forward to getting to know the new teachers and renewing friendships with the returning ones. I'm having trouble letting go of the secretary job. I want to help my replacement get established so badly! But that's not my job now, so I'll try to keep my hands off.

Well, I guess Monday will show whether I launch to new heights or blow up on the launching pad! No matter what happens, I hope I'll be a light for Jesus in the lives of the students and their families.

Time's up!

That was a short vacation! Oh, well! Two days are better than none!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, they needed me back at work. The good news -- I get paid extra for the secretarial work I put in! That will be a real blessing to the family.

So much for all those projects around the house!

Vacation!!

Guess what? I get a paid vacation!!

Only thing is:
1. I wasn't expecting it.
2. I don't have the funds to go anywhere or do anything.
3. I'll probably spend it cleaning house, prepping for teaching, and working on a class I'm taking.

But I do have the next week and a half off from secretary duty. Tomorrow is my last day as TEC secretary. I'll start new teacher training on the 14th.

Don't worry. I'll mix some fun and relaxation in there, too!

Catching the train(ing)

I started my teacher training today. It is at the lovely Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie. It really is a beautiful facility. Training involves sitting at round tables in a ballroom, listening to a speaker, interspersed with occasional group activities. It hasn't been boring, but I did have trouble staying awake at one point after lunch!

While reading through Colossians a couple of days ago, I ran across a verse that has stuck with me:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving... -- Colossians 4:2

Convicting & encouraging.

Old Friends

Yesterday I spent the day with an old friend. Sorry, I have to say "old" friend because we've known each other about 20 years! And she still likes me!

It's wonderful to spend time with those you love and have a history with. You come with no agenda, talk for hours, never run out of topics, and the time flies away! It's so refreshing!

We both have "split families". She has two grown children who are 1-1/2 and 3-1/2 years older than my oldest. When our older children were young, we used to come over for visits and let the kids play while we had "mom time". Shared toys and a lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup would go a long way in entertainment value.

We both ended up moving to new locations in the metroplex and still visited periodically. Thirteen years ago, she moved to California & I moved to our current home. Afterwards, we each had a third child -- this time mine is about three years older than hers.

A few years back, she moved back to the metroplex. We've resumed our periodic visits, this time with the younger ones playing while the moms chat.

Having children slightly older than mine, she's been a mentor and a friend. She photographed my children for their high school graduation pictures. Last summer, both of her older children married. Also, her son is in the navy. Once again she's a step ahead of me in the directions life is taking our family.

We come from such different backgrounds. But God has put us together and given us much in common. And, no matter what, she accepts me and loves me for who I am.

I am truly blessed!

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10