Brothers and Sisters

Most of you probably already know this but I have two brothers. An older brother (Alan) and a twin brother (Keith). Growing up I always felt like I was missing something by not having a sister. Although my brothers could play Barbies with the best of any girls!! Funny thing is, they aren't afraid to admit that. I love that about my brothers. They were never to boyish to play with their lonely sister. They never left me out. Granted we fought...just as all brothers and sisters do. But, I loved my relationship growing up with Alan and Keith.
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Fast forward to now...our relationships have changed. We are all married now. We have kids. Both of my brothers are great fathers! They are both very strong in their faith. I am so proud of them. We still have a great relationship. They still know how to tease in fun. But, we don't see each other much. What I realized today is that I kind of traded my brothers (fun-filled, Barbie playing brothers) in for sisters! Finally! I have the sisters that I always longed for. But, instead of playing house, Barbies, and dress up. We go to lunch, shop and talk about life! It's exactly how I imagined it...even though we don't have the same blood running through our veins!! God sure knew what He was doing when He picked the wives of my brothers!!
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Today I thank God for His perfect plan in our lives. It is so easy to get wrapped up in life...work and finances. In the big picture none of that matters. It is our relationships with each other that make life fulfilling.
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Jer 29:11-"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
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Thank you, Lord for your plans for me...Past, Present and Future!!

Faith Shaken

I've always heard the sayings that, "God doesn't give us more than we can handle" and that "He puts us in situations to help us grow" and "When he closes one door he opens another (er, a window?") Something like that! Anyway, I feel that God is really dealing with me in my spiritual walk right now. As a matter of fact, He is dealing with both Jake and me. It's sad to admit this but for the first time in my life I am digging deeper in the word. I want to know truth! I need answers for myself. I don't want to know what the preacher on T.V. has to say...I don't want his opinions on what he thinks the scripture means. As a matter of fact I don't really want to know "opinions" from anybody. I just want TRUTH! I am seeking truth! All my life I have been taught one way. Just as Mormons, Jehovah Witness', Catholics, Muslims...and so on. They all believe they are right...just as I do. So, what is the answer? I am bound and determined to figure it out. Jake came in a minute ago and asked, "Have you figured it out yet?" All I know is there is one answer and that is JESUS! ***************************************************************************************** How in the world can so many "Christians" choose to believe one part of the Bible and then throw out the other? AND there is always a justification to back it up. "Oh, well that went out with the apostles." Really? This is exactly why we have so many different denominations. Everybody wants that "perfect fit." Some place they can feel comfortable in. Some place where they won't be offended. We have got to quit worrying about who we are going to offend...and speak TRUTH! ***************************************************************************************** I believe that God's word is the truth. It just amazes me how people can twist and manipulate scriptures to make them say what they want them to say. It's plain and simple!****************************************************************************************** So, I started my digging in Romans. I came across a few scriptures that I really liked dealing with sin. Romans 6:16-Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 8:6-8-Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But, letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace....8-That's why those who are still under control of their sinful nature can never please God. WE all sin. Nobody is perfect. The Bible says in Romans 3:23- ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But, are we still worthy of God's salvation? Are we still worthy of making it to heaven? ABSOLUTELY! Salvation is for everybody! Repent and you shall be saved! Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:31-If God is for us, who can be against us? ******************************************************************************************** I know that what I am going through is all part of God's plan for my life. He will see me through this and I have no doubt that he will reveal His truth to me. AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!! :)

"Would you like to make a donation?"

I am guessing that I will probably offend somebody by my blog today. But, I have a few things I need to get off my chest. Yesterday, I was walking into Wal-Mart and I noticed for the millionth time somebody standing outside collecting money for their organization. I may be out of line by saying this but I find this to be extremely annoying! I was just talking to some of my coworkers the other day about finances. We all agreed that too much of our money is spent at Wal-Mart...as I'm sure most people do! So, why is it that these organizations feel the need to stand outside the money pit itself and beg us for more money? I realize that organizations need money. But, isn't there a better way to fundraise? Sell candy bars, cookies, candles...have a bake sale. We hear ALL the time that we are seeing some of the worst economic times. Gas prices are out of control. The cost of everything is going up. People are having a hard enough time making ends meet. They don't need to feel guilt because they have to say no as they walk out the door of Wal-Mart. Humph....Just my thoughts!!

Bittersweet

Today has been a day filled with mixed emotions. It started this morning with a text from my sister-in-law, Amber. Amber's grandmother has not been in great health for awhile now. The family was told that she wouldn't make it much longer. (I tried very hard to keep it together in my classroom full of kids) ******************************************************************************************** Gigi is loved by everyone!! She has this smile that can light up a room! She has so much love in her heart for her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren...and extended family (that's me!) We were all close to GiGi. She was funny and made me laugh every time I was around her...which was quite a bit!! But, I think the best quality she had was that she loved Jesus and shared Him with everyone she loved!! This afternoon I got a phone call from my other sister-in-law, Sarah Wilson. She and Jason were on their way to Children's hospital with their baby, Jonah. Please keep him in your prayers. He has down syndrome and is experiencing some health issues. She needed me to take Riley home with me. After I got off the phone with Sarah, Amber texted me back to see if I could take her three kids home with me so she could go be with her grandma. Aunt Krista GLADLY took all the nieces and nephews home!! I love those kiddos!! ************************************************************************************* Jake and I were sitting down eating dinner. I had just told him that I was waiting on a text from a coworker and that I was so excited to find out if she was hired as a TEACHER next year. I could tell it went in one ear and out the other...you know how you can tell that? Anyway, I got the text and she told me she got hired! I literally screamed! Jumped out of my seat in excitement! Jake thought I was absolutely nuts...as a matter of fact he said..."You are nuts!" But, I was so excited for her! It's been a long time coming!! :) She is such a great person! So deserving of a teaching position! ***************************************************************************************** Literally 2 minutes later I got this text from Amber, "She's with Jesus." I went from rejoicing for my friend...to rejoicing for GiGi. It is so hard to let go of people we love. But, when they have that faith in Christ we know that they are so much better off. She is not suffering anymore. She is sitting at the feet of our maker! What a wonderful image!! We tend to be selfish because we want our loved ones to be with us on Earth. But, I told Amber instead of being selfish we can just be "jealous." Because she is ultimately where we all hope to end up! We love you GiGi!! Jake and I absolutely adored you! I will keep you forever in my heart until we meet again...:) Please be in prayer for the entire Carr family!!

They say children can see angels...

What a beautiful day!! Jake was called in to work today because of these treacherous winds! After Halle's nap we decided to go outside and enjoy the sunshine!! I worked on trimming our "out of control" bushes while Halle played in her sandbox. I kept checking on her and when I looked up I realized she had wandered off further away. She was down by the broken bird bath that probably needs to be hauled away. As I stood there watching her play I thought to myself, "Grandma Jean would have absolutely adored that little girl." I went down to check out what she was doing and I noticed the broken bird bath was a cherub. It reminded of the ones my Grandma collected (Dreamsicles). I'd venture to say she had every last one of them! My Grandpa Wallen would've made sure of it!! :) As I walked away I overheard Halle say, "Ah! The spiders are going to get my granddaughter!" Coincidence? I don't think so! ***You know, they say that children can see angels. I don't doubt that Grandma Jean was right there with Halle as she played around the little cherub!*** ***Grandma, I miss you more now than ever! I can't wait to see your face one day and give you a great big hug!! And most of all, I can't wait to share your beautiful Great Granddaughter with you!!*** And THAT was my favorite part of the day!!

Freshman 15

I love to eat!! It's in my blood. When I was little my cousins and I would always go to my Grandma Pat's house. Inevitably, we would always end up at General Custard's. We joke about it all the time and it is a funny memory that we all have together!! My love for food started very young!! I was always warned about the "Freshmen 15." I was told to be very careful when I went away to college because 15 lbs. would creep up on you, bite you on the butt, and hang on for dear life! So, I made it through college just fine. I didn't actually go away to college so maybe that had something to do with it. I pretty well stayed the same weight until I was 20. Then, I got my first teaching job in Steelville. I moved away from my family, friends and my boyfriend (My hubby). It was a very stressful time in my life. First year of teaching is ALWAYS stressful! I totally understood why they say to "never get married" or "never have a baby" during the first year of teaching. Thankfully, I wasn't at the point of marriage or baby at that time in my life. Instead, I dealt with being the "outsider" in a small community, learning a new job (Reading Recovery), being away from everybody I loved, and the many ups and downs in my relationship! Instead of gaining the dreaded 15...I lost about 20 lbs. It was the smallest I'd ever been in my life. I was in my friend, Jessica's wedding as a bridesmaid and my dress was a size 4. Unbelievable to imagine that now!! HA HA!! So, fast forward 7 years...marriage and a baby... I've finally put on that "Freshman 15..." I guess I can blame it on this horrible winter...but truth is, I had no discipline at all this winter. I stopped going to the gym and had way too many snow days to bake and eat!! I could blame it on almost 30...but, I know too many people who look great in their 30's!! Ugh!! So, it's all me!! When I got home today I wanted to eat something. Instead of eating, I started cleaning. I guess that is my relief! Throw myself into cleaning and maybe I'll just forget about it. I want to know your secrets!! What does everybody do to keep their mind off of food? Drink water? Clean? I've been eating healthy (don't like to say diet) since Sunday and I'm down 3 lbs. Well, I guess I better get going. Halle is offering me McDonald's French Fries (Pretend food). How ironic?!? Gotta go play with her!! :)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

"Actions speak louder than words"

This saying keeps coming to mind tonight and I feel the need to blog about it. In school, we teach our students Character Education. It starts in Kindergarten. I know at Central Elementary we do an outstanding job teaching these character ed words like: honesty, caring, respect, friendship, responsibility, giving, etc.

This week we had the vocabulary word "noble." My students didn't know what it meant but when I explained it to them they seemed to "get it." I'm not saying that ALL of my students apply these characteristics in everyday life but they are definitely learning life lessons that they are going to be able to take with them.

The choices we make in our everyday life are going to come with some sort of consequence. Whether it be something we buy on a credit card (hello, interest!) or forgetting to pay a bill (No water or electric...how did that happen?) or accidently posting something inappropriate to Facebook....there will be a consequence. It's time to own the choices that we make and stop making excuses!

Your actions, my friend, speak louder than your words! What you do (how you live your life) is going to speak more volume to a stranger on the street than a million words that you have to say.

So, I leave you with this...."What are your actions speaking?"