God is in CONTROL

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Holiday Haze

Headed home Tuesday  from a sweet and wonderful holiday. So many  memories of it all:  

 > going the longer route through KC to get a little extra time with Campbell and her mommy and daddy. . .  'such a gift to have  her with us this Christmas so wonderfully healthy. . .  witnessing a special moment between Bethany and her daddy
Reading a new book from Erica before we hit the road on Wed. am

C heading to the airport on Wed. night















> Enjoying girl's lunch out on Thurs. --what fun way to kick off the holiday before all the cooking and kitchen prep-- and yea!!! their lounging pants with the monogrammed pockets all fit.


> and lunch out on Friday
Lunch at the Cherry Cricket

Bell men competition: Marshall: 10 water buffalo / Terry: 2













Christmas Eve again this year at Marshall's house

> Getting in some great "Campbell" time
it was hard to get her  food to her quickly enough
holiday relaxing for both of us!

















 


>Enjoying such wonderful hospitality with Mat's parents. . . 



This gift was a hit with these 2 Bronco fans!










>Seeing these two dads/grandads always deep in conversation


learning fly-fishing from a PRO!




There's always so much for us two Jan's to catch up on






>Realizing Marshall is so happy in his transplant rotation -though it has such crazy hours.
>Getting to know his girlfriend, Katie and "dog-sit" Callie


Whenever he could join us, Marshall had  C
 

Everything was a photo op!



Yearly tradition:  Father / Daughter Fudge Pie

"Uncle Marshall see my swirly girly skirt!"

practicing her jumping reflex

>Watching Marshall savor the few hours he got to be with family . . . and making sure Campbell got to know her Uncle 

>Observing these two manage their holiday and baby schedule -- they did an awesome job -- keeping C rested and on schedule -- dividing her time with both families and even sharing a few moments with each other --
In all the holiday hub-bub - sometimes a little girl just needs her daddy
One tired teething baby






Monday, December 20, 2010

Searching for Jesus

"Please Lord, let YOUR kids tell YOUR story YOUR way."  - I was kind of proud of that prayer -- I thought that covers all the bases and would surely cover any unforseen problems.

Saturday's rehearshal had come off like a breeze -- Shouldn't be ANY problems.  We'd worked two Sundays and I was going to let the kids use their scripts. (MEMO to Jan:  Next year start earlier -- get more help - you know how crazy the last 5 weeks of school are --)

WELL - I got there early, moved in the props and thought I had it all good to go. 20 children showed up looking beautiful --
           then --some kids forgot their scripts -- thanks Fran for running off more.

                                   - the wisemen's headgear was too small (those cool whip cartons turbans had already been slit as much as I could cut them) -- good thing I brought  elastic -- we'd just strap them on -- NO WAY I could do that and manage kids -- thanks April --


                                      -----little ones needed costumes -- thanks Jenny

                               -----Two of my big kids were punching it out and a couple more got rowdy -- then one little one who was fussy from the waiting got an attitude about having to wear the turban.  .

An usher came to get me and tell me it was time for me to help with the communion message -- but I had a roomful of restless kids who needed to go over their lines one more time -- ENTER: Letha -- thanks you're a doll to take over --I left in a panic thinking this is never gonna come together -- this was going to be a Christmas presentation they'd surely remember. I wasn't sure what I was going to say as my part of the communion message -- but surely the Lord would provide!  He'd sent these wonderful women to help bail me out at the last minute.

God did provide and I finished my part of the message and went to get the children from their classroom.  As I rounded the corner I could see them  all lined up posing for a "family group" photo looking  beautiful and just like the little cherubchildren  they really are. I knew this year's presentation been saved!!!

We filled the back of the sanctuary and Keilah and Tyler started to play Silent Night on their trumpet / coronet -- it was awesome -- people got teary-eyed as the little ones (wisemen with paper telescopes -- and tiny angel girls)  took their places on the stage.





I told Terry, one of my favorites from the whole experience is watching their eyes as they sing give the Christmas story



It's not been THAT long since Kari was one of the little angels!

They spoke their lines beautifully -- the only one to mess up was me when I almost ended it before their concluding lines.    
Wise man deep in thought . . .
                                                                                                                                               
Jaylon enjoyed it much more with Aunt Jennie




.I reminded the church that just like the wise men who were searching for Jesus, we all too are looking for him -- some people don't really know it and this was the childrens' opportunity to help them see that HE is our only HOPE for while we're earth waiting for Him to come and get us some day.
Davin was such a big boy this year in his 2nd Christmas special.
 I had promised the children that in getting to tell God's story, people would be changed.  . 
Right now a couple of verses are in my head . . . out of the mouths of infants HE has ordained praise . . . a little child shall lead them . . . 

 click here to watch the utube video clip that was sent to me in a forward which helped to inspire our theme "Searching for Jesus"
 www.wheresthelinetoseeJesus.com

Sunday, December 12, 2010

My Two Favorites from the Week . . ..

Don't you want to pinch those chubby cheeks?

In the Countdown


Let's see -- I'm making a list and checking it twice -- is it really only 13 days until Christmas????

I have already bought  all of my  gifts except for Terry's.  What to get a man who says he has everything he needs???  I need to stuff the Christmas cards and ready them for mailing -- can't believe I'm getting them out before Christmas!!! Mine is usually the last card of the season to arrive Jan. 2nd or 3rd.'Think having Campbell Hope pictures to send was my push to get them out on time.

 --Never been a grandma on Christmas before -- We gave Campbell her gift early --  but I do HAVE to HAVE SOMETHING for her to unwrap (like at 6 mos. she'll really notice ).

Five more days of school --

The Mock Wedding was a success  on Friday -- .--- our gals were radiant and the guys were  "gussied up" great, as well. 


Terry preached his best wedding ceremony -- and it was only a fake wedding!

 -- the cakes turned out beautifully --As we put the finishing touches on the icing on Thursday in preparation for Friday's wedding, one student confided, "Mrs. Bell I have to admit, I didn't think it would turn out this nicely. I confessed -- I felt the same way -- and always have to pray, "Lord make this look better than I could."
--- the messy spare classroom decorated beautifully.  I had given the students several tubs of flowers, ribbon, lights and garlands and said, "make it look good".  They outdid themselves!!!



This week is the end of the semester and so that means review, final exams, grades and 70 students to help complete sewing projects.

Our Christmas Special . . .

--- A favorite for me --  helping  my Super Kids with  the Christmas presentation the Sunday before Christmas.  There's a few more tiny wise men to make head gear and costumes for -- and 13 kids to help learn their lines.  This year's message is Searching for Jesus.  Can't wait to see those little preschoolers with their telescope and outlandish velvet turbans I made. 

I'm so eager to head to Denver on the 22nd to be with our family . . . I enjoy the time in the car with my man -- we talk excitedly all the way out and then live in the afterglow of it all the whole trip home.
I got this pic on my phone Friday reminding me that in less than two weeks she'd be seeing me for the holidays!


'So many reasons I love this season
-- in all the preparations -- and the hustle and bustle -- I still feel God calling me back to the simplicity of it all . . . .a tiny baby -- born in an outback stable -- to two very poor parents -- it's kinda like finding the KING of the WORLD in a homeless shelter or to a couple sleeping in their car.  So much power, So much love, so much promise, so much HOPE came from God's baby. . .

Saturday, December 4, 2010

HOPE

It's been my word this year -- I'm sort of obsessed with it -- we're doing our Ladies' study on Sunday nights using the Women of Faith Conference "Irrepressible HOPE"- --  I kind of describe HOPE as that light that keeps burning inside -- in my mind's eye I'm seeing ET's finger when it would light up -- only HOPE is always lit -- it's always continues --

God used some key words on HOPE that gave me just that,  from Romans, "And HOPE does not disappoint us, because HE has poured out his love for us in Jesus Christ.

Now there abides three things:  faith, HOPE and love . . . I Cor. 13

I discovered my new favorite thing this year in Wal-Mart -- a coffee mug that simply says, "HOPE"


Jesus was called the HOPE of Israel.



I wanted this theme of HOPE to be all over our childrens' Christmas presentation.



Isn't that what keeps us going
   . . . . what fuels our efforts . . .
      .  .  .and what brings us through dark days?




 I believe that for this time in our lives the sending of HIS Baby is what brings HOPE to the world.

Friday, December 3, 2010

I Love This Job . . . #5

It's the end of the semester and that means that it's about time for my Marriage and Family Life Class's mock wedding.  As always a bride and groom and their attendants are selected by the other members in the class.
This year we had a new occurrence.  Unknown to me, one little gal who is challenged in her ability to learn  let it slip that she would really, really like to be this year's bride.  One of the other girls suggested we do this, talked among several in the class and decided that this  would be a special opportunity.  I was so proud of my students as I counted the ballots and then with much pomp and promotion announced the bridal party.  When this quiet and serious young lady heard her name -- she waved her arms wildly in the air and yelled, "THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESUS!!!" THANK YOU, JESUS, I've been praying for this"!!!!

The rest of the class didn't know quite what to think as this little gal, who'd never moved so much or been so loud, wildly thanked her sweet Jesus.  We all sat a little stunned, at first. 

I asked a small cluster of gals Thursday - "Did you have any doubts, after that, that you did the right thing?"
They giggled and  were overjoyed!!!

Her witness came back to me  the  next day -- when I received a "YES" to a prayer over something I had been stewing about and to which I could loudly shout in full volume, THANK YOU !!!!  THANK YOU, JESUS!!!!

It's a memory I'll keep . . . thanks girls, for helping us all witness a "God thing".

. . . . . .I love this job . . . .

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Happy Holiday

Campbell and Pappa are big buddies -- He is always willing to walk the floor and explore
It all came and went so quickly we're living in the afterglow of a wonderful weekend-- We loved having Bethany and Mat here for an extended time and the fact they would trust us for an entire day with Campbell Hope while they went to OSU / OU Bedlam game with friends.  They needed the break and we loved having total care of our precious baby girl. --  I  learned a lot about Little Miss C.

She likes:
>being held and prefers you standing up and . . . .
      would like it to be in the garden room in front of the fountain  
              . . . . if her Pappa will take her there
>sticking out her tongue
>feeling new textures
>sleeping with her hands behind her head
>singing - both hers and your's

Campbell dislikes:
>being left out of the party and having to go to
        bed when everybody else is up
>long car rides
>Mommy and Daddy to be away from her
        for very long
>having to wait for her feedings

Thankful for this precious baby girl!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Her First Thanksgiving

Can't wait to get her here. 

 I think Campbell Hope is bringing some of that cold weather KS weather  to OK for the holiday
Helping Momma cook for the holidays. . .
Ready for all the holiday games momma
and daddy will be watching. Go Pokes ---


I Love This Job . . .#4

It's that time of the semester when I get to teach 75 students how to sew -- some of whom have never seen a sewing machine. There's the guy who works a lathe and doesn't need any help at all - those are my favorites, and the one who moans and groans loudly from his corner of the room that he's just sure he's gonna sew his finger or the lad who's never sewn but wants to make a kilt for the scottish games -- sheesh -- not to mention the girls who don't have a clue what they're doing. I have one guy who's decided my name is "Beautiful" and refers to me that way as I answer his call for help. I was just about to wrap up the day yesterday with my last class of 23 when one guy hands me four parts to the machine he somehow just dismantled!
Thank you, God, for the few who DO know -- and follow my suggestion of "each one teach one and if you just learned how to wind the bobbin or thread your machine - turn around and help your neighbor". Wouldn't all of life be better if we turned to help the guy next to us when life(or Mrs. B) just taught us a lesson?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Campbell Hope's Holiday --






Campbell and her mommy and Daddy went to Mexico and revisited the resort where Bethany and Mat married.Grammy and Grandad Good decided it was time for this young family to have a get away so the whole Good Clan packed up and headed for Mazatlan.  Now, I have to admit, it was kind of hard having them out of the reach of text msg.  The kids were great to e-mail and send a pic every day -- but nonetheless, they did seem much further away.  I'm including some of the favorite pics we received during the week. It's good to have them back stateside!

Okay, I know it's upside down, but she did learn to roll over on this trip!!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I Love This Job #3. . .

Today was Pastor and Pizza day with Youth Alive -- 95-100 kids showed up in my classroom, cleaned up on 20 large pizzas and heard an awesome message from Youth Pastor Jeremy Donovan of Destiny Life Church which just opened a satellite Church near school..  He shared with them an interview he'd heard with four 80-90 yr. olds who were asked what they would do over if they could live their lives again.
Two things they said rang loudly with me -- They said:   1.  They would take more risks,  2.  They would do something that would live on after they were gone from this earth.

Makes me wonder . . .
What risks am I willing to take to be involved in something that will last 5, 50 or 500 years after I'm gone or for eternity?

There were other words in Jeremy's message that spoke right to my heart in response to prayers I have prayed for several months.  Words that confirmed that God had heard my prayers.  I realized later that my Father, had tucked those into that message to the teens to give me reassurance and hope.

Thinking back, I could echo Jesus' words   --" Father I thank you that you heard me, you always hear me." John 11:41

And this all happened at work . . . I love this job!!!!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy Birthday, Babe

Happy 62nd! 

I Love This Job #2. . .

Oh I do love my job . . . especially the side-bar comments from a parent who was upset at her son's  "D" in my class"    A "D in Home Ec.???" quoting her upset husband, -- "that's like flunking lunch".  At which point I felt the need to defend my teaching, my subject matter and EVEN my profession!  I explained quite succinctly  that, yes you could flunk a life skill's class if you didn't do the work and yes, I do keep them engaged and yes, I expect them to turn in their assignments.!
"Flunk Lunch???"  So WHY do I spend hours getting a lesson planned and hours grading their papers only to have my subject compared to lunch. . . If that's the regard they have for my class at their house . . . might be the reason their student isn't more engaged!.
I could have set her straight  to tell her that we were no longer "Home Economics" but "Family and Consumer Science" which includes an overview of: financial management and investment, decision-making, career planning, job skill training, goal - setting,  personality assessment, value clarification, emotional and physical health, nutrition, child development, relationship development, housing, plus related lab courses in sewing skills and food preparation . .. WHEW!!!-- don't know that it would have done any good.  but it did get a lot off my chest right now!
Better sign off and get to that stack of papers . . . no maybe I'll take the night off and enjoy my hubbie's birthday  ;-)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Everywhere You Set Your Foot . . .

We walked the footings of the new property this morning, excited to share these first glimpses with the congregation.

This verse was in my quiet time this morning from Joshua 1:3  Wherever you set your foot you will be on land I have given you.  

Praying for God's direction in preparing to cross over.

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