Date Night

Tonight is the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance for Abilene. Lauren is so exictied. She picked out a new dress, sweater and shoes. She has her wardrobe, hair and glitter ("face sparkles") planned. It is wonderful to see how excited she is. It is also wonderful that her daddy will venture so, so far out of his comfort zone to take his daughter out for a special evening.

CP and I will be attending a movie (his choice) and eating dinner out. Our special event is next month at the Mom/Son Bingo Night. He says, "I am so glad that it is bingo and not dancing--that would be embarassing!" Like father, like son!

Praise Be To God!

What a difference two weeks makes:

Brody is home in heaven and his family works toward healing.
Amara is home from the hospital and is back at church and school in a wheelchair.
Beth is home and working on healing her arm and emotions.
Chris P. is everywhere and is still sore.
Austin is home and returns to school tomorrow.
John Weston is everywhere in his wheelchair and has rehab ahead in a few months.
Chris C. is home and walking. It will take a little more time at home before rehab.
Julie is still in the hospital in Lubbock--trying to rehab her body and her emotions.

Thanks to God for His wonderful healing and for the professionals who are helping our friends. Please Lord heal their bodies, minds and spirits. Please use us to help heal these families!

Amen

Please Pray!!!!

Today for the second time in two years we got one of those phone calls--the youth group has been in a terrible wreck. The first was from Conejo Valley and today from Highland. Both vehicles carried people we really love. Please pray for Julie, Amaura, Beth, John Weston, Chris Cope, Chris Perkins and Austin. Please be with the family and friends of Brody Bourland--who has gone home. Please continue to pray for Conejo as it works toward wholeness in Him.

Someone else posted this Psalm on Mike Cope's Blog and I know I need it so here goes:
Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD,the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Prayers

Today I thank God for
-friendship
-my family
-how my life has been blessed

Today, I pray for
-victims of terrorism worldwide
-good health for all
-a cure for cancer
-my children
-our country
-marriages
-an end to the war in Iraq

Dear God thank you for all you do. Thank you for sending your son. Please send peace to our world. Amen

Politicians need to get out of our educational system!

Let me begin by saying I am not a big fan of George W. Bush or John Kerry. W faced tough times and brought us through the tragedy of September 11. Kerry served us during the tragedy of Viet Nam. I have tremendous respect for anyone who makes themselves and their family available as they serve as an elected official. Having said those things, I now must tell you how disappointed I am in the President's new plan for education and the lack of any real direction in education from the other party!

Testing! Testing! Testing! 250 Million dollars for a new test! No Child Left Behind--that is if they can do what we command them to at prescribed times on a test! C'mon--children need health care, childcare and parents who know how to parent. They need instruction at whatever level they are at and educators who help them improve. Children are not interchangeable parts. I am all for accountability. Accountability that takes a child at age 5 and allows each child to reach her full potential. Accountability that makes sure that teachers are qualified and let's them use all of their talents, knowledge and creativity to help their students become life long learners.

What about adult accountability???? We have--
schools that are falling apart
teachers that are poorly compensated
libraries that are closed due to budget cuts (school and city)
schools with little art, P.E. or music,
parental apathy
latch key kids
too much TV
too much pressure to teach to the test
politicians making educational policy--not educators!

I pray that our nation will wake up and make our kids a priority!

I'm back!

Well hello old friend! I am back to blogging again. Since I wrote last, my life has been very up and down. First I had a visit from an old and dear friend, Penny White. It was great catching up with her and news from California. Then it was off on the vacation of a lifetime--a two and half week road trip to Florida. This included Disneyland, visits with more dear friends (the McCartheys), Paul's conference, one tropical storm, one bike accident that required three separate security reports (poor CP), and a hectic trip home to avoid the hurricane. When we arrived home, a family crisis and subsequent loss for my sister's family--her dear father-in-law passed away after a brave battle with cancer. While Lauren began kindergarten and CP eased into fourth grade, I was fortunate enough to watch another class at FaithWorks graduate. During our final week of class I witness the ultimate gift any mother can make as one of my students delivered a healthy baby boy and chose to place him in a stable home with two very deserving parents. You see if I had blogged I do not know what it would have been like--up and down--up and down.

Dear Father,

As I have struggled with the ups and downs of life I want to remember those in my life who are really struggling with loss, love, transitions and health. Please bless those around me and help me to comfort them. Please let them know your power as the ultimate comforter!

Amen

A Break

I am taking a break from blogging, e-mails, phones and while I am at it--house cleaning (ha! ha!).  Thanks be to Him who blesses us with times of rest, relaxation and time to just be with Paul and the kids!  Will write more when school begins!  RLW