Merry Christmas!

Over the holidays, my internet access is quite limited, so I probably won't post again until the new year. So, to all of you I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Template Change

I am having problems with adding links to my blog. It keeps erasing the entire template. I am going to try this simpler one for now. For today's link of the day, see Jeff's travel journal at Peachwater, TX.

Touching the Void

First of all, thanks for those of you that sent your condolences about Robert. Last week was a blur. The family received a great deal of support, which was really appreciated. The funeral was wonderful. It was truly a celebration of Robert's life and the joy and love he brought to others. It was also a celebration of the certainty we have that he met Jesus last Monday morning and that we'll see him again. It was beautiful and Robert's kids did a great job planning it.

This weekend I was so tired. I tried to rest all I could, and I'm still exhausted. I forgot how tiring grieving is.

Last night I watched a movie from Netflix called Touching the Void. It was absolutely outstanding. It is the story of two young British mountaineers who climbed Peru's Siula Grande in 1985. After a successful ascent, the climbers face disastrous obstacles on the descent. It is breathtaking and frightening. This DVD is one where the extras are really good. I especially enjoyed watching Back to Siula Grande. It is an amazing story of the choices a person can make in order to survive. Although the climbers are not Christian, to me it was such an example of how God can bring us through anything if it's His will. I highly recommend it.

In Memoriam

A dear friend of mine, Robert Brannon, went home to the Lord yesterday morning at the age of 51. His passing was very unexpected and left many in shock. There are not words enough to describe the impact Robert had on those who knew him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother in Christ. He is dearly loved and will be sorely missed. Henry Van Dyke wrote a poem about death called Gone From My Sight. I have modified it to fit Robert's love of flying.

I am watching from the control tower.
A plane on the ground lifts its white wings to the sky.
It is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch him until at length he hangs like a speck of white cloud on the horizon.

Then someone at my side says: “There, he is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all.

His diminished size is in me, not in him.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says:
“There, he is gone!” there are other eyes watching him coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:

“Here he comes!”

And that is dying.


Please keep Linda, Josh, Jessica, Angela, Anna, Becky, Rhonda, and James in your prayers.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. This horrible disease continues to grow and destroy lives around the world. Africa and India are especially cursed by the disease. I blame ignorance as one of the major culprits for the spread of AIDS in these areas. In some areas of Africa, the average life expectancy is now in the early 30's. Women and girls are especially at risk. Please pray today for all those affected by this disease. Pray to ease the suffering of those with the disease, those left behind by the disease, and those finding a cure for the disease.

Trivial Pursuit

My best friends, Mr. and Mrs. Happy, are in town for the week, so we had dinner at Chuy's and played games last night with our friend Jeff. We played the 1980's edition of Trivial Pursuit. It went really late, so today I'm really tired, but I had a great time. We were getting a little punchy when a certain Sports and Leisure question had us on the floor with laughter. I know our minds hit the bottom of the gutter, but, hey, it was funny.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Top Five Things I'm Thankful For

1. My salvation.
2. My family and friends.
3. My freedom.
4. My health.
5. My job and my apartment.

What are you thankful for?

Have a great Thanksgiving! (And Gig 'Em Aggies!!!)

Happy Birthday to Me!

This weekend, I hit a milestone. I am now 30. Mostly, I'm okay with this. I have been playing the comparison game a bit. I thought that by thirty I would be married with a few kids, and that hasn't happened, although it has happened to many of my friends. However, I have had some good times and traveled to some great places. I still have a lot of freedom to do whatever I want, and that's good. (I could do without the gray hairs and eye wrinkles, but that's another story.)

On my birthday I had lunch with my dad, which was really nice. My brother called, which was great, and I talked to a few friends. A couple of my best friends didn't call, but I guess I'll hear from them soon. I went out to dinner and a movie with Jeff and Jen and had a great time. We saw National Treasure, which was totally implausible but entertaining. I really enjoyed seeing some of the national monuments in the film. Maybe this summer I'll do a national history tour of Boston, Philadelphia, and D.C. I think I could Amtrak between the three for pretty cheap. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

In classroom news, it is STILL raining. With this being a two day week, the kids are bouncing off the walls. Only one more day until a five day break. Yea!

My favorite discussion point from Sunday school this week: I am a princess. I am the daughter of the King and little sister of the Prince. I am an heir to the greatest estate ever imagined. Yeah God!! Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Caged Monsters

It's been rainy and cold for the last 3 or 4 days, so my kids haven't been able to play outside. They are now bouncing off the wall. Pray for sunshine! :)

Over the past week or so, I've been watching the DVD's of a short-lived TV series called Firefly. Curt recommended it on his site a few weeks ago. From the mind of Joss Whedon, Firefly chronicles the adventures of the rebellious crew of a small space freighter. It only ran for about half a season and then was pulled off the air. The viewing audience was small but very devoted, so the entire season was released on DVD. They are also filming a full length feature called Serenity based on the series. It took an episode or two to get used to the concept - a combination of a frontier western and science fiction, but it has been really interesting. One episode in particular, called Out of Gas, was very good. I highly recommend renting it.

The Happy Husband recommended this link this week. I can't wait until I get to be a Tickle Monster.

:) I've heard of stashing money away for a rainy day, but this is ridiculous.

Hot for Teacher

Hey y'all. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I had a few technical difficulties. Hopefully now everything is back on track.

I write today to address a disturbing trend in television programming. I had been looking forward to ABC's life as we know it for some time, and the first few episodes were pretty good. A new storyline, however, has forced me to remove it from my viewing options. The show chronicles a group of three friends and their lives. Each has a girlfriend-one with Kelly Osbourne, one with a beautiful soccer player, and one with the high school English/dance teacher. {{scratching record}} What!?! That's right, one of the featured "romances" is between a 16 year old boy and his 23 year-old English teacher. When did this become ok? We all know that if the genders were reversed, a network would never air a romance between a young female student and an adult male teacher. Dawson's Creek ran a similar story line in it's first season, and Mary Kay LeTourneau is on television every other week, it seems. Why does our society continue to perpetuate this horrible double standard. I didn't think this would need to be stated, but a physical relationship with a minor is never ok. What are these people thinking? Anyway, as I said before, I now no longer watch life as we know it . I may, however, tape it to get a list of sponsors so I can let them know my feelings as well.

On a final note, congratulations Jeff W. on finishing Race for the Cure! I'm proud of you!

Prince Charming

For years I've been thinking about all of the roles women in our society are supposed to play. We should be smart, but gracious; strong, but gentle; firm, but yielding; independent, but team players. Basically, we are supposed to be Cinderella - a hardworking, nurturing, domestic expert who never complains, and a beautiful, flawless, innocent temptress. It's a lot to live up to.

I wonder, though, if it's just as hard to be Prince Charming. Are those expectations just as unreal? We expect a "real man" to be strong, hardworking, handy, charming, and wealthy. He is supposed to be sensitive and intuitive, but must do so without revealing any emotions of his own. He is supposed to be there in an instant in times of trouble, solution in hand, sword drawn, ready to fight dragons, but isn't really necessary the rest of the time. (Except for the Royal Ball, of course.)

Maybe we should chuck both ideas and choose new role models. Or, maybe we should look to ourselves and not try to emulate others.

Nice Breasts!

Thoughts for the day -

1. Breast is not a dirty word. It is a major body part on roughly 51% of the world's population.

2. My grandmother died of breast cancer at around age 50, having been diagnosed before she was 40. My brother and I never met her.

3. This is breast cancer awareness month. Please make a donation of money and time to help those affected by this disease. You can go the the Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, The Wellness Community, the Breast Cancer site, and even Target, Lee, or Ford to help the cause.

4. What's your cause?

Patience and Politics

As most of you know, I spend my day surrounded by 19 fifth graders. Most days, we all get along just fine and I really like being around them. This week, however, my patience is almost gone. Maybe it's the warm front, but the kids are bouncing off the walls. So, my question for the day - other than prayer, how do you refill your patience jar when there's only one marble left in it? (Bonus question - how do you keep that last marble in the jar?)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

With the elections drawing nearer, there has been much lunchroom discussion about people's opinions and beliefs. I consider myself a moderate independent. Sometimes I agree with one side, sometimes the other. Sometimes I disagree with both. In the spirit of free speech, here are my beliefs.

I believe that the majority of people are good, hardworking citizens who just want a comfortable life for themselves and their families.

I believe in the old adage about fishing. If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for life. I believe in creating jobs that pay a decent wage, rather than increasing government handouts.

I believe that education is the foundation of a strong society. I think that if we invested more resources in education (academic, vocational, community, & family) that we would eventually need to invest less in the penal and welfare systems.

I believe that the best defense is a strong offense - that we should have the strongest intelligence and military forces in the world. I believe that service members and veterans should be thanked on a daily basis.

I believe that we are destroying our world. Every day, species become extinct and ecosystems are unalterably changed. I believe that we continue to be poor stewards of the resources we've been blessed with. I believe that alternatives to fossil fuels, such as solar power, wind power, and vegetable oils, must be utilized.

I think we are returning to a Robber Baron state, if we ever really left one - that a handful of millionaires and billionaires determine the majority of what America reads, watches, listens to, and purchases. This scares me quite a bit. I also think that big lobbyists, like the gun, pharmaceutical, and tobacco lobbies have WAY too much power.

Finally, I believe in America. I think the ideas our country is based upon still hold true. I think we are a young nation with much promise, even with our growing pains.

Whatever you believe, please put those thoughts into actions and VOTE!!

Women of Virtue

This weekend, I attended a women's conference at my church. The main speaker was a woman named Vicki Courtney. Her latest book, The Virtuous Woman: Shattering the Superwoman Myth, takes a look at the Proverbs 31 woman and what she might be like today. Vicki was a great speaker, and I learned a lot. The music was also wonderful. Praise songs were led by Amy Nobles and her all girl band. They were awesome!! I highly recommend checking out their CD's. (On a side note, their producer, Ross King is also worth checking out.) It is so great when praise and worship time is really a time on focusing on God and not just a time to sing. I was really moved by both Vicki and Amy, and I am even thinking of writing a book based on some of the things I learned. I'll get back to y'all as that idea develops.

I also went to a wedding reception of an old friend this weekend. My friend Jonathan married a beautiful girl named Ela in Turkey last month, and they had a reception for all of his Texas friends and family. I had a wonderful time catching up with a few old friends and reliving good times. I always find it so interesting that friends can be apart for years, even decades, and yet when reunited the same warmth and rapport still exists. Friends rock!!

Finally, a verse for the day. Praise God for always being great, even in our times of adversity.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD , I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Friends For Life

I read the other day that there are three kinds of friends: friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for life. I've had all three. Probably because I am a rather talkative person, I have never had a problem making friends for a reason. I am usually the first in a group to break the ice and get to know people. Friends for a season are harder for me. I tend to grow really attached to people, and it is hard for me when those bonds are released. Finding a friend for life is the hardest of all, but, of course, also the most rewarding. I have been so blessed to find my soul sisters. My original soul sister, Elizabeth, turned thirty yesterday. (Happy Birthday!) When we met at the age of 13, I never thought we'd play such a large role in each other's lives. Thank God for filling our lives with surprises. For some wonderful tales of other soul sisters, read the Sisterchick books. They're awesome!

On an unrelated note, I just thought I'd update my TV reviews. I saw Desperate Housewives on Sunday, and I really liked it. I'm also getting into Lost. If life as we know it is any good, ABC just might pull a comeback in the ratings. I am still loving Jack and Bobby, but Father of the Pride has turned out to be a dud. Of course Survivor and The Apprentice continue to thrill. (Gotta love that Mark Burnett!) Actually, my favorite show right now is on the WAM! network. It is called Higher Ground, about an outdoor school for troubled teens. I liked it when it was originally on a few years ago, and I love catching it again. Man, I would love to run a school like that one day.


Anyway, real life is calling.....

The Big 3-0

My best friend, Elizabeth, was surprised by her husband with a 30th birthday party on Saturday. (Her husband, Curt, has a wonderful blog supporting marriage. They are absolutely a concrete example of how a married couple can live in a modern world and still embrace Godly principles.) She turns 30 on October 5, and I turn 30 on November 20. Several people have made little comments to me suggesting that 30 is the threshold to being old. I disagree. I don't know about everyone else, but I think my twenties were pretty horrible. I spent so much time being unsure of who I was and wondering what path in life to take. I usually felt lost and adrift, even though I already had become a Christian. I have to admit that I did face an unusual number of challenges in my twenties, losing Mom and all of my grandparents, which led to many of my feelings. Luckily, I found a wonderful therapist in Miami who has helped me get on the road to recovering from all that pain. As I enter my thirties, I am excited. I feel that I am leaving choppy seas and entering more still waters. My goals are more concrete and my support system is tried and true.

So, Happy 30th Liz, Happy 30th Me, and Happy 30th Sowders, Rhonda, Lisa, Michelle, Jeff, and all my other 29 year old friends. May our next 30 years be filled with a true enjoyment of life.

On a final happy note, I have finally moved into my own apartment!! Ahh! I am exhausted from the moving, and I have a few more days to go, but I am so happy to be in my own space. I bought a pillowtop mattress that feels like sleeping on a cloud. Also, I bought 400 thread-count sheets that are the softest things I've ever seen. I love my apartment. :)

Survivor Night!

I love Thursdays!! I don't know what it is that makes me love adventure games and races so much. My ultimate crazy yeah-right one-of-these-days dreams is to compete in a game like Survivor or Eco-Challenge. I may never get there, but it sure is fun to imagine it. (P.S. If anyone wants to join my Survivor fantasy team, let me know.)

Speaking of travelling, I am planning on taking a trip to Europe either this May or next. (Most likely next.) I plan to leave as soon as school's out and spend at least a month wandering extensively around the British Isles and visiting Lisa and David in Portugal, of course seeing some of France on the way. If anyone wants to come with for part or all of the time, just let me know.

Miss America

Well, my sore throat turned out to be more than just allergies, so I spent most of the weekend in misery on the couch. Saturday night, I watched the Miss America Pageant. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved pageantry. From the time I was old enough to play Barbies, I have been fascinated with pretty dresses and sparkling crowns. When I was little, I was torn between whether to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Daisy Duke, or Princess Ardala when I grew up. Unfortunately, I missed out on those career choices. I wonder why people are so drawn to sparkling icons. In every recorded culture, there have been people held up as paragons of beauty or virtue. Why do we need these examples? Is it to give us a higher standard to aspire to? Or possibly an impossible standard to escape to? I'm not sure. All I know is that in life decisions I take my guidance from the Bible, and I seek counsel from Godly friends. The older I get, the less I admire external things, and the more I try to "fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.." (2 Corinthinans 1:18) However, if anyone were to come up and crown me with a tiara of sparkles, I certainly wouldn't say no. :)

Allergies

I hate allergies! I have spent all day with a sore throat and without a voice - which is not a great way to control a group of 20 ten-year olds. Anyway, this brings me to a random medical question.

When I rode Mission:SPACE at Disney World, all the spinning made me very ill. (They now have barf bags installed in the ride.) My unpleasant experience led me to wonder why. I know that all of the systems of the body are designed to protect vital functions. For example, tearing of the eyes washes out impurities and pain alerts us to a problem. How do nausea and vomiting restore equilibrium? I have asked a few doctors and they haven't been able to answer. If you know, please fill me in.

On a completely unrelated track, here are my TV opinions for the week. I love Jack & Bobby on the WB. This week's series premiere was enthralling. I hope future episodes can maintain my interest. I have been surprised that I like Father of the Pride. It's animated, but it's been really funny. Joey's cute, but I don't think it will pull me away from Survivor, which, by the way, did not have that strong of a premiere. Oh well, it will get better as the field shrinks. Finally, The Apprentice is already brimming with excitement. In both of the first two episodes, I was surprised by Trump's choices. I love a show that keeps you guessing!

I can't wait for the season premieres of Crossing Jordan, ER, and Joan of Arcadia next week.

Can you tell I'm a complete media geek? :)

Anyway, I am going to spend the weekend shopping for my new apartment. I'm so excited to FINALLY be creating my own space, and to be able to tap into my inner Ty Pennington.

In case you have some time to catch a DVD this weekend, my pick for the week is Rabbit Proof Fence. It is an intriguing story of three aboriginal girls who are forceably removed from their parents and their attempt to return home. If you have time, watch the making of featurette on the DVD extras.

Have a good weekend!

Welcome!

Hello everyone!

Since my wonderful group of loved ones is now spread out over several countries, I thought a blog might be an easier way to keep in touch with people. I hope this blog will be a combination of life updates, random observances, movie and television reviews, and reflections on Christian teachings. Please let me know when you visit the site for the first time and let me know what you think.