Winter Break

It was so nice to have a winter break day off from school yesterday. I spent the day in Indiana, visiting my niece and nephew. We played games together (a card matching game and Clue) and they taught me how to use their Wii. I tried bowling, step aerobics, and an activity that involved riding in a bubble through a river without hitting the edge of a canyon. The 5 and 7 year olds were better with their activities: skiing and playing tennis - but they've had lots of practice. It was also fun spending time with my mom and dad and sister. The best parts of the day, though, were the hugs I got from Joey and Amanda. I'm so thankful for my family!

Dogs & Kids

Just in case you were wondering . . .

Dogs can get just as muddy as kids outside.

The only difference is you can't take a dog's clothes off!

Thoughts on Self-Discipline and Love

I don't like the cold. I really don't like going for a walk in the cold. And yet I have a dog who loves going outside, in any kind of weather. One of the reasons I wanted a dog was to force me to go outside and get some exercise. I guess I forgot that included walking in the winter. We really don't go for walks that often in the winter. I'm very glad I have an overhead trolley system in the backyard that Tosca can use - she can stay outside by herself and I can watch from the (warm) comfort of the house. And yet, she is so excited when I pick up her leash and actually take her for a 20 minute walk that I feel guilty we don't go more often. She asks so little of me and provides so much love. I wish I could get over my selfishness and take her every day. Actually, I really wish that it would be 70 degrees and sunny every day - then I would want to go out walking! I really want it to be easy.

As I think about this, I realize that Tosca is similar to God, in a very small sense. As much as Tosca is thrilled when I actually spend time outside walking with her, how much more happy is God when I take out the Bible and spend time with Him in prayer. And yet, I'm so often selfish and lazy with God too. He provides so much for me and yet it's difficult for me to take the time I need and He deserves to spend with Him. I wish it was easy. I really wish everything I was supposed to do and want (at the heart) to do was easy.

I guess that's where self-discipline comes in. Maybe the more I do it, the easier it will become. But I'm also thankful that God (as well as my dog) gives me a second (and third...and fourth, etc.) chance. I'm very thankful for their unconditional love. And I'll keep trying to do better!

PS I'm going out for a walk now. :)

Stress

I should really re-read my last posting. It's amazing the way anxiety, tension, and stress can sneak into my life and begin to overtake it. This week has been much more stressful than last week and my anxiety level has steadily risen each day until I woke up with a bad headache and sore throat this morning. If only I would remember one of my favorite Bible passages: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. The only thing my stress and anxiety did was affect me negatively. I know in my heart that God is in control; I wish my head would remember that too.

To help me focus on the positive things, I'm beginning a list of things I'm grateful for:

1. God loves me, even when I mess up.
2. I have wonderful, loving, supportive parents.
3. My house is warm and cozy.
4. I can teach, interact with, and positively influence 18 wonderful children in my classroom.
5. Someone invented flavored coffee.
6. My car provides reliable transportation.
7. My dog, Tosca, enjoys sitting next to me on the couch.
8. The TV series LOST returns for season 5 this week.
9. I have great friends who enjoy getting together.
10. Spring will be coming...someday.
11. My sister and brother and their families.
12. The ability to read and check out books from the local library.
13. Facebook - to keep in contact with family and friends, especially those living far away.
14. Medical Technology that improves and extends lives.
15. a working snowblower

God's Goodness this Weekend

As I was driving to school this past Friday morning, I was meditating on God's holiness and goodness (the theme of our sermon the previous Sunday). It was easy to focus on God's goodness as my life is going pretty well right now, and I wondered how much more difficult it would be if things weren't going well. I've also been trying to catch up with several former colleagues during the past month. I received emails from 3 of them on Friday morning and made plans to meet one for supper that night, another for breakfast on Saturday morning, and the third for tea on Saturday afternoon. Wow, I remember thinking. What a fun and busy weekend.

When I returned home from school Friday afternoon I received several pieces of news that immediately caused some anxiety and a little paranoia. If I had been home all weekend I'm sure I would have had difficulty getting to sleep and my mind would have raced to all kinds of anxious, negative thoughts. Right away I thought how cool it was that God had already planned my weekend to keep me busy - before I knew why I needed to keep busy. I had a great time on all three visits and my negative, anxious thoughts have been kept to a minimum this weekend. Today I can again meditate on God's goodness and sovereignty ... and the fact that He is involved in all areas of my life.

Away in a Manger

Enjoy this Christmas song by my 7 year old niece, Amanda.



It was so nice to spend time today with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and my niece and nephews. We're all spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I have a feeling the two youngest kids will be waking Aunt Melanie up early tomorrow morning. We have lots of games to play and a snowman to build!

Our Christmas Eve services at church were wonderful. Although it was a very long day (we had to be at church by 2:15 for rehearsal and then three services...I got home around 9:30), it was a blessing to be part of such a meaningful service. What an awesome gift Christmas truly is - God's gift to us of His Son, Jesus.

May you experience the love and peace of God.

Twelve Days of Christmas Song

Need a smile - listen to this version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by the group Straight No Chaser.