Broken

Five Minute Friday: Broken

I can finally participate in Five Minute Friday again, as I'm on vacation. Check here to see other writings on this prompt, sponsored by Lisa Jo.

It was during a Maundy Thursday church service, eleven years ago, that I was broken.

         I had been a juror in a murder trial the previous month and was still dealing with the horrific images we saw and testimony we heard.

I sat quietly, listening to the music as I waited for the communion bread to be passed, thanking God for his presence.

         As I sat in the jury box each day of the trial, I could feel the presence of evil in the courtroom. I saw it in the accused man’s eyes. But I also felt God’s protection – surrounding the evil – and encompassing the courtroom.  

I received the bread, ate it, and silently thanked God for his sacrifice for me. And then I was shaken with another thought: Jesus also died for the man in the murder trial. What – really?

         This man was evil. He said and did horrific things and was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.

How could this be? How could Jesus pay the price for his sins? He was a terrible person. Why? Whether this man accepted Jesus’ gift or not, Jesus still died for him.

And then, with another thought, I was broken. In God’s eyes, my sins are just as bad as this man’s sins. I am just as evil as he is. For the first time, I truly realized the depth of God’s love – for me, for this man, for the world.

Silent tears streamed down my face as I wept in thankfulness, considering my sins and God’s truly wondrous grace.

The Difference Between Cats and Dogs

I've seen the first part of this little video before - it's so cute - but the addition of the last part is priceless.

Although the video is funny and entertaining, it made me think: 

Am I more like the dog or the cat in my daily interactions with other people?

May we all be more encouraging and helpful. 

Remembering with Gratitude

Six months ago today I said goodbye to my beloved dog, Tosca. Although I still miss her incredibly, I’m adjusting to life without her.  I’m glad we didn’t have school today (Presidents’ Day scheduled winter break) – I took a nice long walk through the woods this afternoon at one of our favorite hiking spots, Hemlock Crossing. I don’t think I’ve ever walked there in the winter before; it was beautiful and peaceful. It felt good to just walk and remember the good times we had.

I’m so grateful that we could spend fourteen years together and for all the things she taught me.

Tosca - thank you:

- for reminding me to be joyful in the simple things, like taking a walk or playing with a friend

- for helping me to develop a love of nature and hiking 

- for making me realize that when you love someone, you put their needs before your own

  (even when it involves going outside in the rain or snow)  

- for helping me somewhat fulfill my “maternal instinct” by being my “child with fur” 

- for greeting me at the door each day when I came home

- for being my 45 pound lap dog

- for your unconditional love and the close bond we shared

I love you

Melanie & Jan's Mushing Adventure

Puppy Therapy

Our winter weekend in Michigan's snowy Upper Peninsula continued after our stop at Tahquamenon Falls to our main destination - Nature's Kennel (located near Newberry) and our overnight sled dog adventure! Our wonderful hosts picked us up at our motel on Sunday morning as my car would have gotten stuck long before we reached the kennel.

Before we set off with our sled dog team, we had some time to play with two groups of puppies. The newest litter was about a month old - three cuties named uno, dos, and tres. They were so cute and curious (with sharp teeth!). Still had that sweet puppy breath! I loved cuddling with them!

We also got to visit the four-month old "Monster Trucks" litter outside. They had fun jumping around in the snow and loved the attention.

I still miss my dog, Tosca, so much. This weekend "with the dogs" was just what I needed! 

Next up - our dog sled overnight adventure!

Winter Wonderland (Tahquamenon Falls)

Last Saturday morning my friend, Jan, and I set out for a wonderful winter weekend in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The weather was great for driving – clear and relatively mild temperatures – but we knew the snow was coming the farther north we went. We were happy to find plenty of snow after crossing the Mackinac Bridge.

Thankfully the driving conditions were still pretty good as we headed for Tahquamenon Falls, one of my favorite places to visit in the U.P. We never got lost and only made one wrong turn, although it was a pretty significant wrong turn! 

The sign for the Upper Falls was right next to a narrow road, so we turned right to go down the road. It seemed awfully narrow and twisted around after we went down a small hill; we quickly figured out it wasn’t the right way … as my tires started spinning. Jan got out of the car to check – yes, we were definitely stuck. Just then a group of snowmobilers pulled up and asked why we were driving down a snowmobile trail!! They graciously pushed us back up the hill and directed us to the correct turn for the Upper Falls (a much wider, plowed road!).

(In retrospect, the signs facing the other direction should have provided a clue that we weren't supposed to drive down this "road.")

We enjoyed a delicious late lunch of (fresh) fish and chips at the Upper Falls restaurant. The restaurant was packed with diners; apparently Tahquamenon Falls is a busy place all year long.

After our lunch we hiked to the falls. What a spectacular sight! The fresh-fallen snow on the trees, the ice formations, and the majestic water continuing to rush down – definitely the highlight of the day.

After our visit to the falls we drove west to Newberry where we enjoyed the hot tub at the Comfort Inn, knowing we would be much colder the following night.

12-12-12

If I thought I could quietly sneak in a milestone birthday this year, I was mistaken. I turned fifty on 12-12-12 (what a cool date!) which happened to be a Wednesday school day. This is what I saw when I opened my classroom door in the morning.

There were streamers and "Happy Birthday" signs all over the room, along with a birthday hat and noisemaker blowers at each student's seat. I was given a birthday tiara and 50 necklace and escorted to our teachers' lounge and seated in a decorated chair for our staff devotions. The teachers all had party hats as well - we do love to have a good time at my school! 

The kids loved the hats and blowers, so I gave them a few minutes to pose for pictures and then we settled in to the day's work. 

The fun was just beginning, however. All throughout the day gift bags, signs, singing telegrams, and classes of students kept appearing at our classroom to wish me a happy 50th birthday. The whole school actually sang Happy Birthday to me in the hallway just before recess. How cool is that?? By the end of the day I had a box filled with gifts and remembrances from my colleagues!

I later found out that my colleagues friends had set up a Google doc to plan the whole day, each writing down what they would do. 

lots to eat and drink

gift cards

beautiful scarves

just for fun ... and to help me get used to that big number

staying healthy and organized

even a "personal" birthday greeting from Donny Osmond!

50 jean days!

(a gift from my principal)

At lunch time I was surprised by a couple moms from my class with a pizza lunch for our class, along with a beautiful (and delicious) cake and a gift card to a local store from the kids!

The kids also made me a book:

I love these two examples (can you tell which was made by a girl and which was made by a boy?)  :)

My birthday treat for my students was s'mores - baked for 5 minutes in the oven. They loved them, even without a campfire. 

And another friend sent a large chocolate-chip cookie to school for my birthday.

Finally, after a day filled with surprises and plenty of sugar, I sent my students home and went to our district Christmas after-school coffee/carol sing ... where I was sung to again! Definitely not going to forget this birthday!

That evening my parents took me out for a wonderful dinner at Alpenrose Restaurant.

Whew - what a day!

But there was still one more surprise. I had made plans with another teacher to meet for supper the following night. But when we walked to the back of the restaurant there were nine additional teachers there to surprise me! How fun!

I am very blessed to work with such wonderful, fun people! 

I will remember 12-12-12 as a very good day. 

I loved my forties ... maybe the fifties will be just as good?