Simplicity of Prayer

Our church meets in house church groups anytime there is a fifth Sunday in the month. Groups were created by area code, to make getting together easier on everyone. Since August, each house church has been assigned a Sunday to pray upstairs while service is going on. There has been an incredible change in services since that time. More proof that prayer is definitely powerful.

This morning, our house church met in the "upper room" to pray. Who knew that two hours was such a short amount of time? That is how long we were there, praying together. It was an incredible time. It was a morning of thankfulness, which was heard in every prayer spoken. No huge prayer requests were spoken, just prayers of thankfulness for what God is doing, has done, and has promised to do. Thankfulness for where we are and what He has brought us from, thankfulness for a church that seeks truth and is passionate about preaching God's word, as it is written rather than what we might want it to say, and thankfulness for the people He has created. It was an extraordinary time.

God has really been showing me simple things that prove He is a living God. Little things that allow me to see His goodness, mercy, and love. It's beyond my comprehension, but I don't want it to stop. There is so much more for me to absorb and learn, and I love that fact!

Two hours this morning, two hours that seemed like such a small amount of time, two hours we met with God, and it was good.

Why I won't join myspace

Many friends ask me if I have a myspace page, they ask me to join in with them, they wonder why I don't. Well, the reasons are many, maybe too many to blog at one time. However, I will attempt it today.

First of all, I hate most myspace pages and all the crap that is on them. There is so much foul, jacked up crap that it makes my skin crawl. Even those folks who say they are Christians end up with junk on their pages, even in the comments section, that would make you doubt their beliefs all together. It makes me sad. Sad because God loves us so much and we just fill our lives with junk. Sure, I could create a page and make sure it is different from the rest, but I guess I don't trust what others may leave on there.

Secondly, I think we, as people, are becoming progressively weak communicators. We type and speak in fragments, abbreviations, and "near words." The art of communication is being lost. That's the same thing most said about email I'm sure. However, at least full paragraphs can be written and sent.

Thirdly, too many past students are on there. I already look at their pages and my heart breaks because of what I find there. In order to keep appropriate boundaries, there's no need for them to find me so easily. Besides, they have my email address, that's enough. With all the news stories of teachers having inappropriate relationships with students, I don't feel the need to "i.m" mine.

Finally, I enjoy simplicity more and more. I like writing, and this blog page allows me to do that and share my thoughts and ramblings with others. Myspace? Too busy, too much going on. I prefer the "KISS" method: keep it simple stupid. And there you have it, in a nutshell, why I don't have a myspace page and won't succumb to the peer pressure to do it.

Oh how I love my passionate friends

You have just got to read this, I have just pulled myself off the floor because I laughed myself out of the chair. Unfortunately, it's oh so true. I think he's one of my personal heroes now.

Those who make a difference

There seem to be few people, who are well known, who actually make a positive difference in the lives of those they come into contact with. This man, is one of them.

Ushering in fall

If you have ever been to Tennessee in the fall, you know how absolutely gorgeous it is. I love this area in the fall! Today, the sun is shining brightly, there is a slight breeze, and the temperature is in the 70s. It's AWESOME! I can just feel the fall being ushered in. I'm excited, I'm ready...I must get some picutres! There is something calming to me about the season following the hot summer months and preceding the icy winter. It's nice, it's relaxing, it's just pretty close to perfect!

Your prayers are still needed for Peggy and for Ebony. Ebony is a boy in my mom's class who was hit by a car while riding his bike. He's not doing well, though it could be much worse, but the road ahead is going to be long and hard. Peggy had a scan this last Monday, but I have not called to find out what they said. Regardless, please keep them both on your prayers lists so that they might experience total healing!

In November, I will be heading home to celebrate Carsynn's first birthday! I am so excited, as is Cailey, Carsynn's older sister. Every conversation I have had with Cailey has started with her asking, "Do you know when you are coming to see me yet?" Everytime, I could literally hear my heart shattering into a thousand little pieces! However, this past Sunday, I told Andy I couldn't take it and asked if I could please fly home within the next few months. So, I am. Small blessings.

And with that, I may just have to step outside to enjoy the perfectly wonderful day happening right outside the door.....

Prayers Please

Ebony, the boy who is in my mom's 3rd grade class, is still in the hospital. He's breathing on his own now, and responds to pain, but they still don't know the full extent of the head trauma he experienced when he was injured. My mom went up there today and said she could tell there was some fear in his eyes, from not knowing fully what's going on or because he doesn't recognize a lot, who knows. She said he even cried a bit. I can't imagine, poor little guy. I think his mom will be taking him to Dallas for rehabilitation. She's a single mom, so please be praying for her as well. Your continued prayers are needed. The road, as the nurses said, is a very long and rough one for him, and right now doesn't look like a good one. However, we all know the power of prayer and the One who answers them, as well as how much our Father loves his children.

Thank you in advance for the prayers you lift of on behalf of Ebony and his family.

What a strange little week

This past week was my first of not teaching, the first in five years. It was strange to take my mornings at a leisurely pace (shoot, I read two books in 3 days), to do my own thing, to choose when to shower (ok, that is something I did do, I am working after all). I honestly don't miss all the junk that teachers put up with. I miss hanging out with the kids, saw them at the football game though, and I miss making fun of the kids with the other teachers, guess we did that at the football game too. I am still adjusting to this new phase in my life. I stressed because there's nothing for me to stress about (what?!?!?), and am enjoying getting up in the mornings to walk with Andy. Now to actually be working with clients at the gym.....oh well, one step at a time.

My precious honey has an interview Tuesday. I am excited for him, it would be a good opportunity and in a field that offers a lot of opportunity. More than anything, I want him to be blessed (oh wait, he's married to me, he already is - hahaha), and truly enjoy what he does. God is changing roads for both of us, or so it seems.

There was more on my mind this morning, but this sleep deprived little girl is done right now. It's just after 6pm, but my bed is looking like quite a divine place right now!

Kudos to my girls

Ok, so they are no longer my girls, but who cares? The FHS volleyball team beat Brentwood. If only you all knew the magnitude of that statement! Brentwood has DOMINATED the state in volleyball for years. Franklin has NEVER beaten Brentwood...until Thursday night. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I LOVE IT! I am so thrilled for the girls, for the payoff of their hardwork. I am thrilled for Maggie, their coach. I am so happy I might just do a carthwheel.

See, I knew I resigned from that job for a reason. We all needed a change, and that change was definitely GOOD!

A chapter closed

Friday came, and went, and now, I am no longer a teacher. Everyone kept asking how it felt. I have no idea! I was still teaching on Friday! I will let you know in a few days, when I'm no longer darting out of bed at 5am, having to tell kids to sit down and do their bell work and journal, or attending staff meetings. I do not know how it feels because the reality still feels like a dream, a joke, a big trick that might result in me being out of a job. It's just plain strange.

One of my classes through a mini surprise party (complete with mini donuts and a hand made card), another posted signs in the room, one passed around a paper saying "good buy" (with the B backwards, and yes it was on purpose) for the class to sign for me, and some didn't seem to notice there was a change. Ahhh, the joy of being around teenagers. The teachers staged a small get together at a place called Mickey Roos. It was fun for all, in fact, I must recap one conversation I had with a lady:
Her: So, you don't drink?
Me: No, waste of money and i don't like it
Her: I don't know how people do that. I just couldn't. I'd have to go around feeling all the time. Ick, just have to feel everything.
At that point, I almost feel backwards off the bench I was sitting on in a fit of laughter.

The English department gave me a gift card to the mall (and I don't have to buy "teacher" clothes!), and my friend Toby gave me the coolest canvas tote bag with a "d" on it. The bag is huge, I even started climbing in it. I love it! It's totally perfect for toting around my stuff for the gym. Hooray!

With some emails, hand made cards, and nice gifts in hand, I departed the premises, and am now awaiting the next adventure. Or, the alarm clock will sound, and all of this will have been one fantastic dream.