Joy!

Joy is such an easy thing to keep. Children who live in joy teach it to those who may have forgotten. I'm so lucky to be able to share the joy of the children around me.

And even in the joy, there is thought and truth. We can rest knowing that all is right in this world.

THANKFULNESS

As Thanksgiving draws closer, I'm reminded of how much I have to thank God for bringing in my life. Of course, the usual:
family, friends, colleagues, pets, work....
Most importantly, the need to be needed. I have become so "needy" that I've lost the feeling of being "needed."
Today, I was "needed."
Two of my sharpest students were having trouble with application essays. One just couldn't get a transition. I had her try something, and she said, "That's amazing - how did you do that so quickly?" The other wanted me to proofread her essay (not my strongest skill!) Cleaned up some grammar errors and she was thrilled.
Neither task was difficult, but they were sooooo happy. Yes, I was "thankful."

Let go; let God!

I finally paid attention to everyone's advice. I have been completely consumed worrying about "THE MOVE" to the new building. Living with box after box; trying to keep classes going; figuring when I will have the chance/time to unpack before dedication ceremony; gathering rest of stuff; and on and on. PLUS the things Sharon and I are trying to get done at home has meant little sleep for the past few weeks.

Sharon, Amy, Bryan, Cyndi, Crissy, Kriste, kids at school -- all keep telling me, "It will get done."

And then a miracle happened.

My student assistant has packed up 50 or so boxes; Jennifer came in when she had a sub and cleared out the closet; when I had training, Jennifer cleared out summer school/freshmen English things; today, Kaylee and Kelly spent two hours after school and boxed up all my Challenge books.

I am soooooooooo blest in sooooooooo many ways.

IT WILL GET DONE!

Amazing Amy

Some years ago, I was blessed to meet an amazing woman.

The first time Bryan asked Amy to the annual Christmas party, Sharyl said, "That's the girl he'll marry." Little did I know then how lucky we all would be.

Amy is Mom to 4 beautiful children, 2 dogs, 1 cat; wife and best friend to Bryan; daughter; daughter-in-law; sister; granddaughter; niece; niece-in-law; pharmacist; head of Moms Group; coach; cub scout Mom; Daisy Mom; school helper; story hour Mom; Bible group member; and many more roles. The "amazing" thing is - she actually does all these things extremely well!

Please bless her today on her birthday.

WE LOVE YOU, AMY!

Life Lessons

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
She said it was 'exciting.'
Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’
'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'
'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life.
'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'
'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.'
'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'
'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'
'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'
'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Child of God

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice.

'Oklahoma' they answered.

'Great to have you here in Tennessee,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living?'

'I teach at a seminary,' he replied.

'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great .. Just what I need ...another preacher story!'

The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?'

Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question,

'Who's your daddy?'

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad.

When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question,

'Who's your daddy?'

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him,

'Son, who's your daddy?'

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question,

'Who's your daddy?'

This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.

'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now.

You are a child of God.

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said,

'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'

With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him,

'Who's your Daddy?'

he'd just tell them,

'I'm a Child of God.'

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said,

'Isn't that a great story?'

The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said,

'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!'

And he walked away.

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her,

'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?'

The waitress grinned and said,

'Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper He's governor of Tennessee !'

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're

one of God's children!

'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.' ~~Isaiah

YOU'RE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

November 7th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

Mary and Mom.

Thinking about Mom

The first Halloween/All Saints/All Souls/voting/Mom's birthday since Mom joined Daddy in heaven - have me thinking about her. Halloween was her mom's birthday - both women were the most independent women I knew. My grandmother actually was one of the 1st women to vote - and missed only 1 election day - the day Mom was born! Both would have LOVED this election year!

In the homily this Sunday, our priest talked about how he always adds our parents in the prayers - very comforting as this week reminds me how lucky we all were to have such strong women in our lives. Mary Lou's ideals live on! Get out and vote!