hey there

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me.

{life}

and you?

{grin}

needing

ever have those seasons where you think

there's a lot of stuff you just need to get better at doing?

you know...i need to take better care of my teeth {root canal last week}

or i need to read my Bible more or i need to spend less or i need to exercise more...quit eating junk...be an organized grocery shopper 

{this pretty candlescape here to help me relax}

i am feeling a lot of i need to... lately

not the fluff stuff either...the important stuff!

health...saving money...spiritual growth

so that's where i am right now

....SIGH....

but i just finished drinking a smoothie...

banana, oj, milk, strawberries...that's GOOD!

how are you doing these days?

A Hard Word

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"You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have...

Then come, follow me."
Luke 18:22

"Sell everything you have," undress yourself morally before God of everything that might be a possession until you are a mere conscious human being, and then give God that." (Oswald Chambers)

"Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Himself?" (Chambers)

yes. it is far easier for me to be devoted to your causes, Lord, than devoted to you. i am so sorry... but i know you know.

my head drops.

i am naked before you.

I am hearing a hard word this morning. The same hard word was drowning out crickets and katydids the other night as I finished a book about a rich man losing his life to finally live. The hard word could be heard above the din of children singing in Alaska and I started dumping. But I am lazy and have filled myself back up with me.

"Empty yourself. Follow me."

"The great solution is the simple one -- "Come to Me." The depth of our reality, intellectually, morally, and spiritually, is tested by these words. In every degree in which we are not real, we will dispute rather than come." (Chambers)

here i am, Jesus.

empty me.

again.

weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die. raise your head for love is passing by. come to jesus. come to jesus. come to jesus. and live.*
*come to Jesus, by Chris Rice

School Mom

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We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to inform you that I am indeed a SCHOOL MOM vs a Summer Mom.

26 days...

Back to Work

Today I go back to work at the university. Before every semester begins, I regret agreeing to teach another course (I only teach twice a week while the kids are at school). The butterflies begin their bi-annual flight in my stomach a few days before the semester starts because I was born a people-pleaser; facing 25 new college students each semester doesn't really jive with a people-pleasing personality.

But, the good news...I am not nearly the people-pleaser I used to be (thank you, God)! And once the semester gets rolling? I'm absolutely crazy about my students and wouldn't trade my job for anything.

Last night I dreamed I had 100 students. Our classroom was a big, empty cathedral. I couldn't hear anyone. I had forgotten my notes. Former students showed up to say hello. There was a fire drill.

Yep, it's the beginning of a new semester. And based on my nightmare and the butterflies, I know it will --once again--be wonderful.

If you're never uncomfortable in life, you're not growing.

-author unknown

Shallow (but exciting) Post Ahead

Is it a secret code? Is it some set of computer commands, you ask? It's neither of those, but it's message is so important that after I finish typing this I'm putting this piece of paper in our fireproof lockbox. Hmmm. I should have you all guess. Are you thinking? Ok, here's a hint...the code was written by my hairdresser, Karla. I made her write it down in front of me. Then I made her read it to me. When I asked about the safety of where she keeps her client cards, she made a copy for me. I love Karla.

Alright, here it is.

The secret code is the recipe for my hair color. No, I am not kidding.

You see, I have been feeling frumpy and schlumpy...counting good hair days these past few years on one hand. But yesterday the clouds parted as Karla mixed, stirred, and then slathered my head with her wondrous gunk.

I'm telling you when she turned that chair around, I felt like I was on some kind of makeover show.

Now I know this is all quite shallow. And truly, I am fairly low maintenance when it comes to my outer appearance. (Recall Alaska posts and no running water?) But heavens-to-Betsy my spirits soared when I caught a glimpse of myself in that mirror. And the horror of going back in a few months and having Karla say "hmmm, I can't remember what we did last time" was just too frightening.

So there you have it. The Colonial has his secret recipe and now I have mine. I think instead of locking it up, I might frame it instead.

Unsettled (eg Without Established Order)

I love a clean house. When things are in their place, all is well with my world. When something is out of place--like the box of nails on top of my shelf in the above picture, I am unsettled.

Imagine how unsettled I am right now in my little nest as I try to prepare for Alaska...

Prepare yourselves for this next picture of my kitchen.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That countertop is sometimes cluttered with a few papers but never this!

But, of course, I have people helping me prepare for our trip. This little guy is helping me by orgazining his GameBoy games and charging his batteries

(the GameBoy's batteries...his are always charged)
I turn the corner to work on VBS curriculum and ackkkkkkkkkk! This is what I'm greeted by.
It looks like we're hoarders.

(I do like being greeted by my husband who, if you look carefully, is amongst this mess)

And because I've gone a wee-bit overboard on the shopping lately (wait til you see the antique barn door I bought), I decided not to re-schedule my hair appointment and try this myself.
Please pray for me.

So here I sit in chaos. I would like to claim it's organized chaos.

But that would be a lie.

Thanks for visiting...sorry I couldn't find you a seat.

PS--did I mention that someone will be living in our home while we're gone?

And that I believe our home should be like a

Bed & Breakfast for our guest?

Can you hear me sigh?