Monday, January 14, 2008

Cousin Susie

Ok,

Most of my friends know that my fitness inspiration is my cousin Susie who lives in Tucson. She just sent me this link of a show that's going to be on TV in Tucson.

Hee, Hee, they even toned her down!!!

Susie

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

RIP Verde


This had been a very interesting week for me.

TMJ is my new friend so I am unable to open my jaw more than a centimeter. I'm calling is my forced fast. God does sometimes take us by the hand and makes us do things we've been neglecting. And since I am unable to eat solid or crunchy food I have to take a break from foods I love.

The other thing that happened is that one of my cats, Verde, who I have had for 6 years (I think) passed away. I woke up on Tuesday morning to find him in distress. It was not pretty, but I am grateful for God helping me through it. He provided a good friend from work who had the day off to help me wade through the fateful vet visit and subsequent cleaning of my house.

I can say that this death was not as surprising as it could have been. God had been preparing me over the recent months and week that it might happen soon. I had just had a conversation with a friend about how if Verde died soon I would be ready. He wasn't always the healthiest of animals. He had a habit of vomiting. YUCK!! His habit was so prevalent that when I came home this evening I walked in the door and thought..."Man, I hope I don't have to clean anything up!" But now I won't have to worry about that. But I have to thank God again, and again that he prepared me so the grieving process was much easier. I was prepared.

I'll miss him. He was so cute and always had to claim his spot on my lap and on my head. He was afraid of heights. Loved to be held and loved to be loved. He was not your typical cat. The first time I saw him, he was in the Humane Society cowering in a corner because he was scared of all the people. As soon as I saw him, I knew that he was going to be my cat. Where my other cat Monte choose me, I got to choose Verde. I don't know how old he was when I got him, he was full grown. I can only guess. He was an old man. But he was cute.

One of my favorite pastimes was to make voices for him. (All of you know that you do it too.) Many time he was Eeyore. Slow and steady with a low voice. Definitely not the hyper one. He never knew quite what was going on.

I'll miss you Verde. I thank God for letting me have you as my cat.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Forgetfulness

How quickly we forget who our God is. How quickly I forget who my God is.

Christmas time is upon us and it's a beautiful time to reflect upon the miracle of Christ's birth. Christ had to come as a suffering servant in human form in order to save us from our sins. He suffered and died for us. His death on the cross provides the way for us to come to him. Those sins that he died for are the ones that I forget about.

Sin is always around us and when we choose to sin we choose to ignore Christ's work on the cross. Romans 6 says that "What shall we do then, shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase, by no means for we have died to sin. How can we live by it any longer?"

Therefore sin is not my god. Christ is my God and he calls me to take up my cross, turn away from my sin and follow him.
I had forgotten that, but thankfully Christ did not and he runs after me and reminds me of who he is and who I am. He is Lord God made flesh come down to die for me. And I am a sinner in need a Savior.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

What I Learned from Holly Kent

A woman from my church passed away last week from cardiac arrest as she was recieving dialysis.  Holly was a spitfire and consistently joyful person.  I was priviledged to have a number of interactions with her throughout my years at the church.  By the time I met her she was already wheelchair bound and was having to take regular trips to recieve dialysis.  She had this crazy southern drawl and a laugh that was contagious.  She would enter the room and energy would follow.  She went to the Alpha classes at my church and I would always see her as she was leaving.  I guess that's where I first met her.  We would have small talk, not sure what we would say but she would more than likely exclaim about God's kindness, and how he was teaching her something new.  This would be followed by a crazy laugh. 
Holly also sang in the Christmas and Easter choirs.  I knew that I could count on her to provide some entertainment during rehearsals when we were supposed to be paying attention.  If there was one person that could get me off track, it was her.  But it was good natured and we had fun.  
But the thing that I'm learning from her is that God does provide grace in all circumstances.  Holly was never in good health as long as I knew her, but you wouldn't know it by her conversation.  She did not complain, she did not worry.  Her joy was evident to all.  She could have been in massive amounts of pain but there was no mention of it.  God had graced her with the ability to take it all and praise God in spite of herself and her circumstances.  She lived Philippians 4.  I think it is appropriate that I have been reading that chapter for the past few days.  I admit that I've been struggling with God's promises that He will supply all of our needs.  In light of this I think that God would be calling me to reflect on how he provided joy for Holly in worse circumstances than my own.  So that I can thank him for what he has provided for me.  
I look forward to the day that I see her in heaven as she is now dancing and rejoicing in her savior.  It was great to be at her memorial service and be able to rejoice and not be sad.  For we know that her life has just begun and God has said "Well done, Good and Faithful Servant."

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

The Beauty of Kindergarten

Kindergarten is one of my favorite grades to teach. It's a whole lot of fun. I get a kick out of the dances that those kids come up with when we play the classic game "Freeze Dance." That's why I got such a kick out of this ad. I can easily see these guys in my classroom.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Mozart

I want to thank my friend Dawn for this link. Music education brought you this.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

My School's Cool

My School is Cool. At least I hope it is and will be.

The White Marsh Mall is doing a program in my area that is pitting a few area schools against each other in order to win a grand prize of $10,000. For every dollar spent at the mall starting August 1st, schools recieve points. The school with the most points wins. Here's the deal, my school, Middleborough, is small and so is my friends school, Oliver Beach, we have no chance against some of these larger ones. So I'm pleading with you guys, if anyone wants to help out shop and put your reciept in the Middleborough or Oliver Beach box. Here's the link if you want more info.