God is in CONTROL

Thursday, December 31, 2009

All I Wanted for Christmas



This was taken Christmas morning, the tree was lit, the house was quiet and so was I for the first time since we arrived -- no cooking to do -- hadn't started grading the 50+ semester essays I brought with me - -just time to sit and reflect.

This year I said all I want for Christmas was to be with my family in Denver. When the budget got pretty tight -- my man said -- Denver is still a "go". Our holidays began with great start when Bethany came in Friday the 18th of Dec. for the weekend. Something about her always brings light to the moment.

We took off Tuesday morning the 22nd, at a relaxed slow pace -- weather caused the 10-hour trip to become a 13-hour drive through snow (Terry was elated!) -- so slept in Wed. morning -- (Marshall had to be at work at some horrible hour -- 4:30) -- went to Wal-Mart to stock his cabinets for the holiday "feed-out"-- how does one guy make it on dry noodles, a can of cream of celery soup --and only 2 eggs and jars of half-eaten pasta and picante sauce? I didn't see much of anything to cook WITH, either except three small sauce pans-- so stocked up on aluminum pans and lots of paper goods.


Marshall had planned all along to host Christmas Eve for the Bell / Good Clan --
When I'd ask him what he wanted to serve -- all I could get out of him was: sausage balls, green bean bundles and pies.

He did, however, have all the decorating covered -- I was impressed -- the tree was decorated nicely --he'd bought stockings for each of us and a strand of lights was up his little patio. Every time we talked on the phone he'd mention the holidays.


The snow continued Tuesday night and all day Wednesday with Terry loving every minute of it -- remembering all his days growing up in Colorado Springs and Denver. Manuvering our little PSSAT through the snow, I wishing for something a little sturdier with a four-wheel drive and that he'd toss that crazy GPS tracking application he'd just downloaded to his phone in order to help us navigate.

(another memory of this holiday will be Bethany and I wandering through the Wal-mart parking lot with him using the "find my car" feature that came with his new download. Both of us were fuming and frustrated that he purposefully did not note where he'd left the car. The application was way off and had us 450 feet from our car when we could see it.) -- it'll go down in our family stories and I'm sure be embelished somewhat.




Marshall's Christmas Eve party came off very well -- he got home from working the trauma unit at Denver General in good time to enjoy it, opened his fridge and said --it's so good to have food in here -- makes this place less depressing.




Jim and Jan brought the most delicious stone crab and we all pounded away to get to those delicious tidbits. Jim's sauce was out of sight!!






We had a great day with our kids at Mat's parents with lots of time for loving, laughing and trying to top each other's stories. Marshall was able to get off by 11:00 Christmas morning and we had a tree, stockings and lots of scrumptious food
Jim and Jan had so carefully planned and prepared.

Bethany and Terry prepared their traditional Chocolate Pecan Fudge Pie mid-afternoon. 'Not sure which of them enjoys this tradition the most!



Sitting around the dining table Christmas night sharing spiritual insights of Jesus life was a moment I believe we will all cherish.

Bethany and Mat had to leave for KC on Sunday before noon - Marshall had a long 30 hour shift so we didn't get to see him between Friday night and Sunday noon. Of course, holiday shifts at the hospital are short staffed and he was on his feet with five pagers buzzing the whole time. (I think he thrives on the excitement.)




Marshall's laundry caught up, it was time to tackle the remodel he was doing upstairs in his condo. He kept saying, "Mom, if you're bored you can sand on the wall" (partially teasing -- but needing the help) Hand sanding is one of those things I put on par with a root canal... necessary but AWFUL -- so I chose to grade those 50+ semester exam essays, instead. Tuesday the 29th was the first of Marshall's holiday so we ran errands, went out to eat Mexican food, made numerous trips to Lowe's and finished sanding, texturing and painting two walls so he could move back upstairs. (All this to remove wall to wall mirrors in his bedroom) We hung the blinds about 9 pm that night -- called the project complete and dropped into bed exhausted -- with him very excited to now be able to move back upstairs.

Wednesday morning bright and early we headed for home . . . It's the longest we've been away from home in some time and I found myself not wanting to totally unpack that night because it would mean the end to a great family time together. I just wanted to live in the glow of it all. . . Yes, I got what I asked for . . . time with my family all together!
Thank you, Lord.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Something Better

In my preschool curriculum, each lesson is preceded by a teacher's devotional segment. I have found these to be pertinent and oftentimes quite appropriate for what I was working through at the time.

The teacher notes for "Walls of Jericho" did just that for me:

"The trumpets sounding in front of God's Ark proclaimed that God's presence was there! As the Ark moved, His glory literally, visibly, moved around those impregnable walls. And that final shout? It was a shout of faith -- it celebrated what had not even happened yet. And it came from the whole nation as one voice, in complete unity. What situation in your life seems as impenetrable as the walls of Jericho? God gives us a plan worth considering. When we are obedient, we bring His presence into the situation. Every time we "walk around it," every time we talk or think about it, we can announce by our attitude of confidence in Him that God is at work there. In faith, we can celebrate what we don't yet see happening. Our hearts are prepared to recognize His amazing power and rejoice in seeing how HE changes the situation."

Our church family will celebrate a 10-year anniversary next month and has been struggling with a-long awaited ministry breakthrough for some time . . . a dream we've begun to wonder if we would ever see come to reality. It's been a trying year with lots of reversals in our plans to build a church building on a cherished piece of property. We have looked to it as our promised land.

I love the 11th chapter of Hebrews because it's faith stories of pepole who had to wait . . .

Of Moses, it reads -- he persevered because he saw HIM who is invisible.

The people mentioned in this great Hall of Faith chapter were cited for something that they did by faith in obedience.

I don't always understand God's timetable and I'm not always the most patient person when I have to wait -- but I do understand what helps the wait -- careful obedience and a clear view of HIM.

THe Sovereignty of God is made evident in a verse from this selection that makes me pause: All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.
Elsewhere in that chapter, it says,These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

When I see that even way back then, we're mentioned --God planned something better for us --
JESUS -- OUR sins covered by HIS blood --
abundant FREEDOM now --


It puts a new perspective of whatever answer to prayer we're waiting on at the moment --

It's two days until the day we celebrate HIS birth -- let's celebrate THE Gift we've been given. The GIFT that people long ago lived in faith anticipating and believed in so strongly that they would give their lives for --- believing HIM who is faithful.

Whatever breakthrough or answer we're waiting on -- I am convinced once again to wait in faith believing that HE will do what is best for all of us so that HIS purposes can be accomplished.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tie-Dye Angels at the Manger


Well the kids did WOW us all -- I saw the light of Jesus in so many places . . . and I think He grinned, maybe just outright belly laughed!

Images still in my mind:





Seven 7 little tie-dyed preschool angels with white organza wings sitting quietly on a bench waiting for their time to go on -- knowing they would get their "light of the world" flashlights when it was all over if they did their best. . . Cheezits crackers helped make the wait bearable. . .thank you, Jenny, for your patient teaching -- how do you do it?





>one "tired-of-it all" two year old -- having a meltdown in the back of the sanctuary tossing his wiseman figurine and wailing -- "I don't want to be an angel!"

>two precious little girls being a part of it for the first time-- with no tears!!!





>hearing four-year old Roman - say "I am the Good Shepherd -- the Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." His great big banner almost eclipsed his precious little face!
































>watching all my primary kids say their scripture lines perfectly beforehand!














We had big kids too, (high schoolers) presenting the names -- kids whom I remember taking part in Christmas plays many years ago when they were this age. (two of whom were tiny angels that got into a struggle on stage --now grown up and beautiful!)



"RAD" CHAD REPORTING LIVE FROM LPCF BETHLEHEM


One of the sweetest parts was having our own angel daughter there to take these pictures and enjoy the children with us.




It's the same birth story every advent -- but each year seeing new little faces light up with the telling of HIS story truly carries the message "the LIGHT has come!"

Friday, December 18, 2009

'Tis the Season

It's 11 pm and the week is almost over -- at 4;30 the Christmas Season started for me!!!
To top it off our pregnant daughter is asleep upstairs in the guest room! I get to be momma again for a few hours! Her coming in got our holidays off to a grand start!

Bethany made some cookies and we three all crashed together in the den after dinner out (Mexican -- she was in the mood -- said Baby Good loves Mexican!) B & her dad worked on a project on the computer -

I'm sure we'll work in time out for coffee -- have to shop at least a little --

-- and we'll pick this up with the rest of them when we all descend on Marshall and Mat's parents, Jim & Jan Good, in Denver middle of the week -- thank you Lord for Christmas with our kids -- all of us together under one roof!

I'm READY for the holidays -- it's been a BUSY week --





My Marriage and Family living classes' mock weddings came off well, thanks to Terry's coming to officiate and teach the important parts of the ceremony.









--by 4:00 I had the bridal gowns taken back to the shop in Collinsville (THANK YOU SHERRY CAMPBELL of ALL DOLLED UP -- you're a doll!)



--BTW the students made unbelievable wedding cakes!



--my finals in three classes are graded and their semester grades already in the computer

-- my classroom is cleaned and ready for the big move when Marinelle and I switch rooms on the first day back after Christmas vacation
-- the banners for Sunday are almost done--

--there's practice for the Christmas presentation in the morning
--a few more shirts to tie-dye for the preschoolers
---a powerpoint presentation of the kids activities all year to complete --
---the banners to fully finish --




--I'm praying the children will WOW!!! the whole church with their sincerity and insight -- and that people will see Jesus from the eyes of a child.

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tie-Dye Angels????

Sometimes I wonder where do I get some of these crazy ideas??? I talked through my set-up and prep steps with my accomplished tie-dyer and elem. teacher, Bethany. All morning long her warnings kept ringing in my ears -- "Mom you need at least three people to help you paint those t-shirts with your kids." Marshall's words from several years ago, when he would come home from college to help me with children's ministry, also rang loud and clear - "You can sure come up with the messiest projects for these kids."
I mentioned that to Fran, my co-teacher and she certainly didn't disagree. She worked frantically trying to keep up with all the demands and wipe up dye sprayed all over their work trays and tables.

We had 10 kids all clamoring for more rubber bands or whining because they didn't want to put them all on -- A few of my quiet regulars waited patiently for Ms. Jan to cut holes in plastic bags to make them smocks to protect their clothes (I should've gotten that all done last night) -- Others knew exactly what they wanted to make and got to work -- using up lots of dye from those who were waiting on me. Thanks Luke and Mason for being so patient! (Should've bought more bottles of dye.)

We didn't get any songs practiced -- my head was hurting so badly -- that every song I pitched too high or simply in my pain fog forgot the words. . . but they all left excited -- one wondering if he got a flashlight like everyone else to sing "Light of the World" - the rest anxious to try on their red and green ball caps to wear with their shirts --


Tie-dye angels???? I think it brings more light into Christmas. This year at our house, I turn on all our Christmas lights every day to brighten up the dull drab den --reminding me that HIS coming brings light into the darkness. (The outside of our house sort of resembles a used car lot with all our white lights.)

I think in their brightly colored shirts and ball caps -- some with angel wings and all with a song in their hearts they are going to bring light to every person, reminding them that "Their LIGHT has come".

Saturday, December 5, 2009

DOES ANYBODY REALLY LISTEN?

So often Bethany and I spend drive time at the end of our teaching day on our cell phones discussing our latest theories about why kids in classrooms all over the country act as they do.

The other day we coined a new phrase about the level of inattention students today are demonstrating and tried to determine the cause -- Our theories ranged from -- too much computer time -- always looking at some sort of screen -- to media over-stimulation -- or maybe it's not enough adult conversation with the child in his (her) early years.

It is puzzling to both of us that you can give oral instructions to any class (k-12th grade) two or three times and they invariably will still ask you a question that you just answered!!! It's as if they were deliberately tuning you out. Kind of like those cartoons where the parent starts to talk and their speech just becomes a honking sound to the children who have turned deaf ears.

How to tell when your students are not listening:
> a glazed over look in their eyes
> the clueless expression after you finish talking
> the conversation that is going on around them is louder than your instructions
> they are fidgiting with something in their lap or jacket pocket -- sure sign they are text-messaging
> you can hear music coming from their head (you can't see the earplugs -- but you know they have to be tuned in to their i-pods or else their cranium is sending out radio frequencies)
Maybe I need to create long-distance learning lessons -- put myself on a screen and tune them into monitors -- and teach from a distance.

Friday, December 4, 2009

TECHED OUT


It has been a week of sitting in front of my computer every spare minute I could -- trying to make it work. I found out late Sunday night from an HP tech in India who ran a test on my machine-- that the hard drive on my 4-month old laptop had crashed. He explained that they would overnight me a new one and that probably I had lost EVERYTHING I had on my computer. Luckily, I was able to save some pictures and documents to a flash drive.

By Tuesday night I was loading my new hard drive into the underside of my computer -- At this point I was way beyond my computer skills, and still had no way to log on and boot up- - - This required another phone call to India and several minutes later -- was told I needed to install an operations disk and then another long call and a few e-mails later found out that I needed a driver download to correct another problem. By Thursday night I still didn't have e-mail -- so spent another hour on the phone to India and 20 minutes to COX communications to find out I needed to correct my sign-on and password.

At this point I was ready to throw my computer, cell phone, i-pod and all the other technology we own as far I as I could see them fly. It has taken all week to get my computer up and running. All of this because, I needed my computer to access some pictures of my Sunday school kiddos to create a Christmas special powerpoint of them. (another use of technology)

We are becoming way too techno-dependent. Maybe we are even "TECHNO-CO-DEPENDENT". Techno glitches can disrupt air traffic nationwide, ruin performances at a concert, halt church services and even our wreck havoc with our state of mind. What is it about all those wires and motherboards and bytes that has become so powerful???

Terry went to a Computer in-service yesterday forecasting what is on the techno horizon -- wikis, vodcasts, de.L.i.cious widgits and whoknowswhatelse???? He said blogs and twitters are past their prime!!! I still struggle with the DVD player -- don't have TIVO -- or blueray -- can't twitter and not sure I want to.

People no longer e-mail or instant message because we facebook, txt.msg (with pictures, even) and twitter.

All of life is becoming a constant newsfeed!

When did real life face-to-face conversation go out of vogue?

Hmmmmmm -- Look at me -- I'm blogging!!!!

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