Mon.-"How can I keep from singing Your praise?" Doing wash, blogging, cleaning up, etc. plus heading out to school for Open House. Susan brought her backpack full of things to school and has her own little section in her room to put her things. Mrs. Shorter teaches her class for every subject but Latin, Logic, music, fencing, and art. I am thankful for Appomattox and CCA-Cornerstone Christian Academy- and for the camaraderie between the students, parents, and teachers. I am thankful for Naomi's phone call. I am thankful that Dianna was born this day, 5o some years ago.
Tues.-"Protect us by Thy might...great God our King." Night of restful sleeplessness, praying for school, the teachers and the students. Went to school with Susan and visited chapel. The prayers are a wonderful way to start the day. We sang "Holy, holy, holy." Every class went well for me today. I had the 5th/6th, 7th/8th, and 9th-12th graders in music, plus the second graders for a period in what soon will be reading comprehension. Michael stopped in at school after having a Cutco appt. in which he sold the largest kettle set available. Clarissa was visiting for the day and he wanted to wish her well in college and say good bye to her as well as say hello to the other students. It was nice to see them both there on the same day. It was hard to say good bye to Clarissa. She is going to a college 8 hours away. I feel for her parents who will be taking her to her destination tomorrow.
I am thankful for the haunting beauty of the mellow saxophone that Collin played for us today. I am thankful for Sam's ability to listen to a song on YouTube and replay it on his guitar. We felt like we wanted a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day with a fire place warming us nearby as we listened to his music. I am thankful for Amanda's hugs and how happy she is in music class. I am thankful for the new children who are attending school. I am thankful, that although we could have gone to the Ruritan Club's picnic tonight, we decided not to, because we had not told anyone that we would, and we were tired enough to stay home.
Wed.-Phil woke me up at 5:30 as I had requested. I was in the midst of a vivid dream. We were in a chapel in the midst of a campground. Mary Lou Boy~~ had just handed me the mike to help lead worship. I didn't want to get up front because my hair was messed up from playing hard all day. But I left my glasses at my seat and began singing with the others, "...and the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon day sun..." I looked out in the audience and even without my glasses, I saw my sister in law, Naomi, looking composed and young, and smiling her Mona Lisa smile. She was sitting in my seat. She had on the dress she had at our wedding, I think. It was a mauvy pink with small polka dots. She was beautiful. Then Phil woke me up and I tried to get back in the dream so I could see her again. On September 19, 1986, she took a walk after she got back home from teaching school. An older man passed out at the wheel and the vehicle ran right into her. He was intoxicated. She was 35 years old. The song is about telling "The Story" to the nations to turn their hearts to the Lord, and it is about His imminent return. It seems that I dream about a campground when I dream about seeing a loved one who has passed on. Last time, it was about Abie, who at 23, went to heaven a year ago in May.
What does it mean? Again I feel this urgency, that time is running out. Again, I feel this burden to pray for our country and our world. The fact is, each day's time is slipping away as each second ticks. We will never get this moment back. Since it is God's will that none perish and He is always at work, then whatever work I do is also working towards His desire that none should perish. I have each student for this moment, this day. We don't know about tomorrow or the next hour. I want to keep from being offensive-from misrepresenting Him in any way. I don't want to turn anyone away from Him by the way I act. On the flip side, and the side in which to focus, I want Him to live in and through and with me to draw all men to Him. I want my work to be what He is doing and I want to be doing His work.
I am thankful for a good day at school. I am thankful for time to play the piano in the chapel with no one around. I am thankful for the long walk Lindsay and I took on the Farmville trail in the evening, and for the inspiring conversation and for the light drizzle that kept us cool.
Thurs.-Little sleep last night. I've been listening to Handel to get reacquainted with his music and all night long "Sarabande in D Minor" was playing majestically and solemnly in my head. It's a wonderful piece that I was playing on the piano yesterday. I came into school with Susan but didn't teach until 12:30. I had time to read the Bible, exercise, walk, play the piano, and prepare for my classes. It was good I had help for K/1. Oh my. One dear little weeping girl walked out of the classroom and said, "I've had enough! That's it!" and she took off out the door and strode down the hall to her classroom. She had to be in my room all of 3 minutes. My helper looked at me and asked,"Where did she go?" and I said, "She had enough!" I had requested a drawing of an airplane. She didn't know how to draw it, which was fine. I was going to test them on their ability to draw an airplane, boat, tree, and house. Then at the end of the year, I will retest them again. Mrs. V. got her back in and she left again, but then we got her back again and she got very involved in drawing rainbows on her folder. She became a happy little camper. Then, I wouldn't let her take her folder home. I need to keep it for her non-airplane drawing, etc. Then, in 2nd grade, one of the students said, "I miss Mrs. R."(their art teacher last year.) I said, "I miss her too." He soon became happily involved in his watercolor salt picture and later wanted to show his mother, so I hope I will do as his art teacher this year.
(To make a watercolor salt picture, you will need card stock. Take Elmer's glue and squiggle a design on the paper. Pour salt over it and cover the glue completely with salt. Take watery water colors and lightly touch the salty glue. It makes a pretty picture. Dry for several days and cover with saran wrap or plastic bag.)
A few of the second graders were clamoring for attention at the same time, and one little boy said, "Give her a break! Can't you see she has only two hands?" I was amazed at the artistic ability of the second graders. I am sure they are above average. My feet hurt and burn and I can hardly walk. Made baked potatoes and salad for supper and watched "Monk" with Phil and Susan.
I am thankful for strength for the day.
I am thankful for the way the older students greet the younger students at the side door in the morning and escort them to their rooms. Susan enjoys this responsibility and takes it very seriously.
I am thankful for a day at home tomorrow and the pleasure of looking forward to a sleepover with Micah-6, Abigale-10, and Serena-8.
Fri.-'How can I keep from singing Your praise...?' Made baked potato salad, cut up watermelon, prepared for the afternoon events. After I picked up Susan from school and brought her home, I went to pick up Abby, 10, and Serena, almost 9, and Micah, 6, and brought them back to our place. While they changed into their swim suits, I packed up the coolers of food and drink. Then the four of us got on the gator and drove down to the river. (Susan had a prior date with Philip. He took her fishing at the neighbors pond and she caught a huge bass. They joined us for some of the later activities.) While I built a fire, the kids attempted to get reacquainted with the river but it gave them a cold shoulder and it was good we had a hot fire going. Micah built a boat out of a paper plate, plastic fork, a napkin, cup, and a marshmallow and they had loads of fun floating it just below the rapids. The girls caught some baby frogs and clams. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores, ate chips and dill pickles, potato salad, and watermelon. Phil came down after work and when it was starting to get dark, I took a load of stuff up on the gator while he stayed down to watch the children. Apparently Micah climbed a tree and was up pretty high and just fell right out of it. Phil decided to stay calm and Micah jumped up and promptly climbed it again but even higher this time. That's when I came down and started worrying out loud about him falling so they told me he had already done that. I told him the story about the time his mom and dad were visiting with us and I had built a fire to get ready for our picnic down at the river and it began to pour. They brought Micah down and we set up a bit of a cover for him and with the thick leafage and blanket, he didn't get wet at all as he sat in his little infant seat. The girls said that we should call that tree the 'Micah Tree' since he sat under it as a baby and climbed it as a 6 year old. So, now we have a 'Micah Tree.' We came up to the house and they got baths and showered and ready for bed and I rolled out the gigantic 4 comforter-thick bed mattress I had made for them and they ate popcorn and ice cream sandwiches and watched 'The Three Stooges' and 'The night at the Museum.' I fell asleep for most of the movie. Phil told them a true bedtime story about his and uncle Tom's adventures with a rooster, and also, a made up story about the Gas Man. Susan slept on the sofa for awhile and then went to her own bed.
I am thankful for Abby's sensitivity. When I told them about the bush that was covered in butterflies the one day I was down there, I said, "I believe God did that just for me." And Abby said shyly, 'God did that for you because of your prayer chapel.'
I am thankful for Serena's organizational skills and creative ideas and negotiation tactics.
I am thankful for Micah's sheer maleness and that he still lets me kiss and hug him sometimes.
Sat.-Woke up to Micah sounds around 6:00. I got up soon afterwards and made them french toast and homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows and/or Cool Whip. They watched more Stooges while I got this ready and then watched 'Jungle Book' after breakfast. Then they got dressed and brushed their teeth and we packed up the car and took one last trip to the river where Micah accidentally fell in and he and Abby climbed 'The Micah Tree' again.
I also showed them my little chapel and they decided we should stay there the next time. Micah crawled up on the massage table bed and I gave him a little back rub and then Serena wanted one too, but she was too ticklish. I gave each of them turns in driving the gator so we drove around the farm for awhile when we got back and then I gave them lunch and reluctantly we got into the car and drove home. I fell asleep when I got back and so did Susan. Made spinach quiche and a lot of Chinese casserole for lunch for tomorrow and then cleaned the house a bit and watched a movie or two with Susan. The guys made more fence today and the cows will be closer to the house. Michael helped Freeman move a sofa later in the eve. and mowed Janelle's yard.
I am thankful that tomorrow is Sunday and I can rest without feeling like I should be working.
I am thankful for the revelation that if I live with regrets, then I am missing the joy of the moment. For example, while I was having such a great time with my nieces and nephew, I was feeling sad that I hadn't done this before, but then I realized that I wasn't drinking from the cup of joy if I was drinking from the cup of remorse, and I was missing the joy of the moment. Anyway, the kids want to do it again soon and Abby wants it to be for two days and Serena wants to live with me for a year. We will try to do it in August around Serena's birthday and in January-the birthday month for Abby and Micah.
I am thankful that when a piece of steel whizzed by Phil's eye today that it did not enter his eye, but scratched the surface. It is red and sore and has some pressure in it and we will keep an 'eye' on it, but it could have been so much worse.
I am thankful that the things that embarrass my own kids, (the rap-'Real Class Baby' that I wrote) brings such joy to my nieces and nephews. I think it's my performance of the rap that embarrasses Susan, but maybe someday, she will be glad that it is video taped, although I must say, that I told them they may not show that at my funeral and they said that is exactly what they were going to do. (My older nieces said that-not the younger.) Anyway, Serena wanted me to 'do' it for her and as I drove her up the other night to unload the gator, I complied, and she giggled, "You are my funniest aunt." There are worse things to be called, I am sure.
Sun.-"How can I keep from shouting Your name..." That song is always there. I looked at Phil's eye this morning and saw that the surface of the white part of his eye had a piece missing and the surface was uneven and swollen. He decided to stay home and just rest his eye especially after I talked with nurse Judy who said that he should not use either eye since both eyes move together. He is planning to go to the Dr. tomorrow. He finished reading 'The Anointing-Yesterday, today, and Tomorrow.' He called it a thought provoking book and wants to buy it for his dad. He also wants to reread it again so I guess we'll share it this time through.
I so enjoyed Dianna's SS class. This week, I read "The Cross and the Switchblade" and was struck by the fact that those who made the break from the drug lifestyle were those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Then, Dianna mentioned Teen Challenge in class-she had been a counselor there-and with the class discussion on staying connected with the Father to do His Word and His Works. She told the story of the woman who went to minister on a college campus and was asked to lead a Bible Study for4 people and it wasn't long until there were 300 people coming. And then the service-well, my mind was putting together the dream I had about 15 years ago about the Longwood Campus and Jesus walking on the sidewalks as if He was headed somewhere and I was sitting on the outside stairs of one of the buildings and called His name and He stopped and smiled and threw me a gigantic package...and then, just recently, I joined up with the Chi Alpha staff on Longwoods campus and am going to, Lord willing, lead a group of college girls through Cleansing Stream...and everything was coming together in one large moment for me during the service. We also shared our one word testimonies about what God means to us and all I kept thinking was, when all else was said and done, that He is my friend. Sometimes, He is my healer, but if He doesn't heal, He is still my friend. Sometimes, He provides miraculously, but if He doesn't, He is still my friend. I think it is the most amazing thing, that God became man, to reconcile me to God, so we could be friends. Makes me weep. There was a man who shared at church today, Terry Broad~~~~~. He and his wife, Joanne, are heading up a ministry for Chi Alpha students who are graduating from college and heading out into the work force. They have a website data base system to help these students connect with ministries who need them. They have a vision to raise up a generation to think, lead, and act like kings. Terry said that Abraham had to be at a place where he was listening to God. We need to put ourselves in a position to hear what God has to say and we have to be willing to leave what is convenient and comfortable, and like Abraham, look for a city, whose builder and maker is God. I was so moved by the whole Chi Alpha focus and the obvious anointing on the lives of Terry and his wife. I know that God is going to continue to use Gil and Lindsay and their girls as well. I find it overwhelming that God would take someone like me, who never even finished college because I was afraid that I was losing my faith, and put me on a secular college campus to build the faith of young girls so they will be as close to God as they possibly can. It is so much bigger than I could have dreamed of and I caught glimpses today of even bigger dreams-or packages-that Jesus is throwing my way.
Susan and I were anxious to get home to see how Phil was doing. His eye looks better. He wanted to go with me to the prayer chapel but I didn't want him jarring his eye so I just stayed in the house and watched movies with him all day. Susan slept beside Phil on the sofa. Freeman and Alli stopped in for a quick visit. I miss them hanging out here on Sundays. Travis, Jordan, Chace, Erik, Michael, Philip, and Christi ate some supper that Christi and Philip made. They sat around the table and talked and we couldn't hear our movie but we liked it that way, and after supper, they went over to the neighbors to fish. I hope they all know how to swim.
Phil told me today that 60% of the earth's surface is water that is one mile deep.
I am thankful that Jesus healed Lawrence and I am thankful that He is walking through the valley of the shadow of death with another friend and although she might not know Him as healer this time, she will know Him as her light in the darkness of that shadow and she will know Him as the One whom she trusts to take care of her family, and she will know Him as the One who wipes away all tears. She will know Him for she will see Him.
I am thankful for Phil's cheerful spirit and loving ways.
I am thankful that although he got his hand mangled internally a few weeks ago, it is getting better, and that he has no pain left from his almost falling from the silo, and that his eye is doing so much better in just a short amount of time. I am thankful for the angels that watch over him and that they have kept us from much sorrow at this time. Thank you Lord, for being our Keeper and our Friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment