Sunday, June 27, 2010

It's Pundering, Mama!


As a little girl I remember being at the boat during a thunderstorm.We used to take wonderful naps with the pitter patter of the rain on the water. I have always love thunderstorms. So much so, I will wait and watch the sky for them.

When Elise was small, unlike most children, she loved thunderstorms as well. As soon as we heard the rumble of thunder we would head to the porch to watch for its arrival. She would be concentrating on whatever she was doing, and look up at me and say, "It's pundering, Mama!" Then we would head out waiting and watching. I have taught her to count the time between the thunder and lightning, to see if the storm is coming or going. I have taught her to watch the sky for thunder heads and to smell the air. Believe me I never put her in danger. When things really got going we would head inside.

The strange thing about thunderstorms is the beauty and the power behind the lightning. I love lightning...it reminds me so much of God. How beautiful He is but oh how powerful. It is amazing to me that we can be crawling up on His lap for the comfort or peace that we need but yet His power is always there.

In my life time, my house has been struck by lightning 3 times. The first time was in Ky shortly before our move here. It claimed one TV and VCR. The second time was also in Ky the week before we moved here. Lightning claimed our TV, we waited until we moved here to get a new one. And the third, was here in this house, just today. So far it looks like it has claimed one TV, two VCRs. Our power to the outlets in the back part of the house are not working. So who knows what will come of this power!

But still I love thunderstorms. I know the damage they can cause and treat them with respect but they teach us so much. They bring relief from the smothering heat, they refresh life, and they remind me of God's great power......Bring on the Reign, Lord!

For those of you in my area

For those of you in my area or Rock Hill, I have a friend whose family has opened a "farmers market." It is on 21 right outside Ft. Lawn. Heading to Rock Hill it will be on the Right. It sits back off the road a bit. You pass Jordan's farm. Look for a tan tarp.

Last week I picked up a watermelon and 3 tomatoes. Total cost $2.75. This week I bought a cantaloupe, onion, 3 bell peppers cost was $2.25. They pretty much have it all. Okra was the new item this week. However, being the KY girl that I am....I passed on the Okra. The stuff so far was yummy.

Thank you Lord for all the fruits that are ripe this time of year!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Home Sweet Home!

Elise made it home from the DR. Her plane was delayed several times in Atlanta. The DR team pulled into the school parking lot at almost 2AM. Our first stop was McDonald's...believe it or not we waited for about 15 minutes for a chicken snack wrap. I think we finally got home at 3:16AM.

Elise did say she was glad to be home! YEAH! She fell on her bed with arms opened wide and told her bed, "I will never leave you again!" Notice she told her bed that but not Joel and me.
Today her complaint was, "Why does this country have to be so cold?" It has been close to 100 degrees and very humid here. That was puzzling to me as I had sweat rolling down my back.

Now, she is looking for odd jobs to do so that she can save for next years trip. I had already told her she can't go next year because of raising support. So she is wanting to save for next year. Although, I have offered to pay her to come with me next week, she asked, "How early do I have to get up?" When I told her that we had to be to school by 8:00, she said she would pass. She must not want the money too bad!!!

Next, week I am teaching two modules in Camp Invention. It is a national camp that is put on for raising first graders through sixth graders. It should be very fun but there has been A LOT of preparations going into it over the last two days. I will be working this weekend as well. Pray that everything runs smoothly!!!!! I am teaching Saving Sludge City and I Can Invent. Did I mention it is a science camp!!!

I am off to save the city. See you soon!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Sweet Rewards

Today I started tutoring a student that I had this year. She is in summer care at school. As I walked through the gym looking for her I peeked into open doors. I wasn't sure where she would be. Hearing a voice and noticing another second grader in a classroom, I peered into the classroom. Without even calling her name she jumped up and came to me. What happened after that, words have a hard time coming to me. Hugs, hugs like she had not seen me for years not just a matter of days. Those hugs warmed my heart. Actually, I was overcome by her joyful greeting.

You see she was expecting me, she knew I was coming. Probably even knew about the time of day I was coming. Her response to me was overwhelming. I will tell you that during this brief moment in time, God spoke once again to me. One, do I respond to God like that? Do I wait on Him expectantly? When He arrives do I greet Him with overwhelming unconditional love? Two, God confirmed to me again, that being a Christian School teacher has rewards far more precious than money.

He has given me a passion for His children and the joy of teaching. Even when I find myself short on the patience, I still LOVE what I do!

Black Eyed Susans and Yuccas








You know as a walk through this daily life I continue to see God. Where so often I fail, God says, "He succeeds."




Over the last few days I have been working in my landscape or jungle by the pool. Years ago, I mean years ago, Joel and I planted Black Eyed Susans. Daisies are my all time favorite flowers. They seem to have happy little faces. Over the last several years they have literally taken over our small area. While I do love these flowers they have simply overtaken the area. This year I decided that I wanted them gone...like GONE!




I pulled a section, then Joel got the idea that we should just spray them with weed out. So I did. If you know me I am a very impatient person. So after I sprayed them I decided they were not dying quick enough for me. Working by myself, I started pulling them out again. As I pulled and pulled and cut those that I still couldn't pull out, my mind drifted to God. I began to wonder if God sees the sin in me as I see the daisies. I know he uses the Holy Spirit to identify sin in my life but I wonder if my heart is covered by the same fullness of sin as the area around my pool is covered by the daisies. God continues to pull/cut or whatever to remove the sins in my life.




The area where I am trying to pull out the flowers is also by a Yucca plant. If you have ever been poked by the ends of a Yucca, they hurt. Too bad when we sin, the Holy Spirit can't prick our hearts like the end of a Yucca. Wait, I think He does.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

More Dominican Pictures



I sure am proud of Elise. Not only for stepping out of her comfort zone but mostly for stepping out on faith. Sounds like every thing is going well. Please continue to pray for the team. 3 more days!

Saturday, June 12, 2010


This was another picture posted on the blog that Mrs. Spatola is writing. I think the team has been very busy. It has been extremely hot and humid. One of the projects was putting up fans.
Elise will be home on Wednesday about midnight. Please continue to pray for wellness and safe travel home. Tomorrow is a day of rest. Monday is a workday and Tuesday is a fun day. They will be going to the market and to the beach.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

She Is Alive


This is the first time I have laid eyes on Elise since early Saturday morning. It is great to know she is alive and well. Please continue your prayers for her and the team.

I was jolted awake early this morning, I laid there wondering why I woke up in the middle of the night. My heart was beating out of my chest. I had a feeling that Elise needed prayer. So that is what I did for the next little while. I prayed. I prayed for peace, wellness, and strength to sustain her. I am not sure she really needed it but some times a mom knows. It has been 6 days. One week from yesterday she will be returning. And to answer your question, I have not gotten the work that I wanted finished, complete yet. I am still trying.


Thanks for your prayers.

Monday, June 7, 2010

In the Dominican

Westminister Catawba hits the Dominican Republic. The students and all the luggage made it safely. There are reports that it is very hot. Please continue to pray for them.

If you would like to follow the blog the site is partnersnchrist.org. Click on short term missions and then click on June 5-16.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Reflections

As the school year draws to a close, I always take time to reflect on the year. I have been teaching for 18 years but I always learn something.


Top 10 of 2010!
10. You have to be in the grip of HIS grace to give grace.
9. Patience - I can never have enough.
8. I have to be open in order for God to work through me
7. write down everything so I don't forget anything
6. The more I give the more I get.
5. Even when I "fail" God succeeds
4. Sometimes there is nothing I can do- I need to give the control to HIM!
3. Each and everyone of my students God created in His image
2. Curriculum is not everything
1. 5:15 is awfully early!

Each year presents and ends itself with new demands. But each year can make me become a better servant if and only if I allow it. May God be with the students that passed in and out my door this year. I pray that their hearts will be molded, that their brains will be filled, and that their bodies equipped with the good things of God.
So this is good-bye to the Dynamite Dozen.