The Pole and other Stuff

I've been intending to blog since last Wednesday. I guess good intentions mean nothing withoug actions, huh? Anways, last Wednesday was See You at The Pole, a time for middle school and high school students across the nation to gather at their school's flag pole to pray for the school, the teachers, students, etc. Jonathon wanted to go and so I took him bright and early since I had a meeting that morning at Central Office. What happened after we arrived will forever be grained into my soul. When we arrived, there was one other young man at the pole, alone. Mind you, well over 800 students attend this school. I made the comment that he was all alone and fully expected Jonathon to do the "cool" thing and wait in the car to see if more people showed. I was wrong. Jonathon asked me if he could leave his things in the car while he went to the pole, so I waited. He went to the pole, introduced himself to the other young man, and they talked for a little while and then they began to pray. I was so moved. They remained there for some time and I saw a young girl approach them. A short while later Jonathon returned to the car and I just looked at him as he said, I can't believe that we were the only ones! I asked him about the young girl and he said she asked what they were doing and he explained that they were praying for their school, etc.. She had no response then but I know that those words will impact her at some time. I expressed to Jonathon how proud I was of him as he stood at that pole praying while students and teachers walked past. I told him that he took a stand for Jesus and that even though there were only 2, that God would bless that time there. I told Sal later that day that even though Jonathon's at an age that it seems he does so much to drive us crazy, he also does so much to make us proud. He loves the Lord and I know that and my prayer has been that the Lord would lead him to a closer relationship with Him. Without nagging Jonathon or guilting him into it, he actually had a devotional on his own this morning. Something tells me he'll get so much more out of it because he CHOSE it rather than being guilted into it. He's growing up before our eyes and I am so glad that he's learning to take a stand for his Jesus at a very young age!

I will be gone for the next few days while my Dad has surgery. Sal will be "single-parenting" until Thursday. I can't wait to hear the stories of homework, hairstyles, taxi driving, and the brownie uniform! I know that if anyone can do it though, Sal can!

Clarissa is supposed to get her cast off on Friday! PRAISE THE LORD!!! She's so cute because the first thing she wants to do is to take a bath! I thought that was so funny!

Take time to laugh, ponder, and praise our Creator this week! God Bless!

Thank You

It's been a while since I've blogged and to be quite honest, tonight I sit kind of blank. I have really spent time pondering some things as of late and I'm frankly, just blank. However, in my blankness, I am reminded of all the things and people in my life that I need to be grateful for, good and bad. So to them and those, I say thank you!

Thank you to Facebook (yeah, I know, that's a funny one to start with) for allowing me the opportunuity to connect with some friends from the past. Our lives have taken many different paths but through one social networking tool, they've been allowed to cross again. I'm thankful for that!

Thank you to my husband for simply loving me, laughing with me, making me laugh, parenting with me (even though sometimes we don't have a clue what we're doing), griping with me, and dreaming with me.

Thank you to those people, who have called themselves friends but have invested nothing into the relationship, it is from them that I gain the desire to be a better friend to those that do invest.

Thank you to my children for being cool kids, even though sometimes we don't see eye to eye!

Thank you to my church, for believing in and calling a Man of God to minister to our youth. I am so moved to see the unity and support of our students by people of all ages.

Thank you to my co-worker who tells me more often than I deserve that I am a great teacher. I do so appreciate those words and they drive me to become that!

And finally, thank you to my Lord for loving me, forgiving me, being patient with me, and leading me to the people that I need to surround myself with. It is when I am where I am now.....blank.....that I believe HE can speak so clearly to me.

Thank you!

Catching Up

Wow! I have been intending to blog about the first week of school and here we are already into the third week! So much for good intentions!

I do believe that we have all settled into our routines. Jonathon had a first week of adjustment but with a small change of schedule, he has now made the middle school adjustment look like a breeze! On top of his buddies from his elementary school, he is making new friends daily. He tells me every day that I pick him up that he loves it and that he had a great day. (don't get me wrong - given the chance to stay home over going to school.....he's choosing home!) Clarissa of course LOVES school and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her teacher. I've really seen her mature some already this year. She's been a trooper, having to be at school in a wheelchair and missing out on some fun activities, but she maintains (usually) a pretty good attitude. I, once again, have been blessed with a pretty good group of students. I again have some kiddos with some pretty sad stories but I am convinced that God has me where I am because of kids like those! I love the kids I work with and they are making teaching fun and exciting. Man, they're so bright! I'm really looking forward to what the year will hold! On top of school, we're settling into the routine of gymnastics, church activities, youth activities, and somewhere in there, trying to find time to be a family. Sucha busy time of year!

Off the subject...yesterday I was on my way home from school and while stopped at a traffice light I noticed that I was sandwiched in between some bumper sticker believing folks! Some of the ones that caught my attention and really got me to thinking: You can't be BOTH....Catholic and Pro Choice - My thought was "You can't be BOTH.....CHRISTIAN and Pro-Choice! Jesus is Coming....Look Busy - This one really got me! Are you kidding me?? I found that one a little bothersome. Jesus knowss our hearts. I don't believe He called us to "pretend" he called us to be his workers. I don't think we need to look busy, I think we need to BE busy! And then there were those bumper stickers that have been torn and tattered over the years. You know, the ones that are half on and half off and you can't read the full message. I kind of chuckled when I saw those and thought they were in a category all of their own and what it said about the people driving those cars......I once had an opinion but I've been to busy to keep it up! Thank goodness the light turned because I was beginning to get too involved in the bumper stickers!

That's about all for now. Sal leaves this morning for 2 days in Dallas and the kids and I will try to survive our whirlwind without him! Happy Wednesday to all!