Extra Whatever-it-is-I-Need

Father God, I ask for extra strength today. After the tough day yesterday, I can't do today without You carrying me through it. I feel exhausted and on the brink of tears. These kids and their dumb decisions are wearing me out mentally. It doesn't help thinking I may lose my best friend and teaching partner of 12 years. Selfish? Yes. I'm just asking for an extra portion of patience and love so that I may be able to hand it out as well as use it for myself. Thank you. InJesus's name I pray. Amen.  

Fear the Boobs

I am sitting here in a waiting room waiting on the dr to look at my mammogram X-ray. Last time I was here they found something that they want to keep an eye on. So, I'm back here 6 months later to see if the little sucker has changed. I had ultra sounds last time and now they want to do that this time too. 

It brings me to a time when my mom had a similar experience. The thing that's different for me is I am alone here and that is just fine. Mom was so scared that Mishelle and I had to take off work and go with her. I remember when they told her it was nothing she broke down crying with relief. I knew she was full of fear at that point. I'm not knocking her for being scared. Cancer can be a scary thing. Especially for Mom. Both her mom and dad died with cancer. I'm just thinking how grateful I am to Holy Spirit that gives me such peace in times like these. 

I have finished my ultra sound and they said the spot hasn't changed any so I am good for another 6 months. Yay and thank you Jesus! 

Election Day

 Today is Election Day across our country. Who will run the USA? Will it be someone we don't like or someone we don't like more? This has been the nastiest campaign season I can ever remember. Both parties are more interested in tearing each other down than telling us about the plans they have for America. 

 I will not vote in this election. I know that freaks people out, especially my mom. I don't feel like I can make an informed decision about either candidate. I also don't feel like my vote counts anyway. I do realize, by not voting, I have forfeited the right to gripe, so I won't. 

 I believe God is in control. All Christians are saying this, but at the same time fearing the outcome. My God is bigger than POTUS and whatever He decides is what I will go with. This is a great opportunity to watch God work and I will sit in the stands with my eyes pointing up and praising Jesus all the way! 

Who Do You Do Life With

I'm felling rather down today. I finished a Bible study on RightNow Media today about living life together. It was a great study of how God wants us to be close with people. I realized I am not close with anyone but Mishelle, my sister, and Kim. I don't do life with anyone. Not even Bobby. He is gone all the time doing his thing and I'm doing mine. Which consists of going home from work and watching tv. By myself. I'm not wanting sympathy, I know it is my fault. When you do life with people you have to be there in good and the bad. I don't think I am mentally stable enough to be there for someone when their life got messy and sad. I'm really not a good friend. I always want close friends to entertain me but don't want the complications that come with deep friendships. I don't know the answer to make me feel better. I just suck at life. 

East Gate Foundation Run

Yesterday I had the oportunity to enter the East Gate Foundation run in Minco. I did the 5K because I haven't been training at all. I wanted to run because it is such a great foundation. Lori and her team do so much for the families with cancer sick members. She is a friend of Heaston Church and there were many Heastonites running. Several for the first time. I am so proud of them for coming out, exercising, and just loving each other through this hard thing. I saw beautiful kids and adults fellowshipping with each other with a comradery that comes only from Christ. I was a tad jealous because it has been a while since I felt that with this church. I don't mean to bring this post down. It is totally my fault that is the case. I don't put myself in there with them. I am so much older than most of these people, I don't fit in with them anymore. Our church is full of young people. Even our pastor is a generation behind me. It's ok though.

I also went to Life Church yesterday. I love the option of going to church on Saturday evening. Bobby just got home from the Tulsa State Fair and I love hanging out with him on Sunday mornings. With a Saturday service I am able to worship God in a corporate setting and have a great family time on the weekends. Who knows, maybe Bobby will want to go to church on Saturdays someday too.

Lunch @ El Reno High School

 Every day I eat lunch in the cafeteria.  I always think, "What great kids we have here!"  In all of this time, I haven't had any incident with any of the kids! I should knock on wood I guess.  

Campfires and Great People

I had one of the most rewarding weekends I have had in a long time! My sister participated in a 32 mile run in Tahlequah at the Pumpkin Holler Hunerd. The Start/Finish line was right along the Illinoise River and ran a long loop up through the woods.

While Mishelle was out doing "her thing" I helped out at the race. Other than getting finishers Gatorade, water, or something to eat, I had the all important job of feeding the campfire. What you have to know about me is campfires are one of my favorite things in the world. I love the warmth on a chilly day and the smell that sticks in your hair and on your clothes. The people there were some of the most laid back friendly people I have ever met. The atmosphere was so welcoming and supportive. You have to understand that the people I run with, road racers, are very serious and competitive about thier runs and races. This crowd at the trail race was just down-home and fun!
These people made me want to hit the trails more often and my next pair of running shoes will be trail shoes!
I have to give a shout out to my wonderfully beastly sister who finished the 32 miles in 8 1/2  hours! I am so proud of you, Mishelle! You are an inspiration to me!

I Wish I Was a Hermit!

I realized something today. The world I live in can be very crazy. A question in my Bible study this morning made me think and reflect. It asked if people ever have told me something that left me dumbfounded. My answer; every day! The things these students tell me or that I find out about would blow your mind. A student today told me her mother was found unconscience yesterday and is in the hospital, hasn't woken up yet. Yesterday my Sr Yearbook Editor told me about the sexual abuse she had suffered in her younger years...she remembers everything. I could go on, but you get the picture. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit and recognizing that God has me here for a purpose, I would become a hermit!

New Running Partner

Ugh, it seems I have to get used to a new running partner every other month. My latest is Chesney Shand. Or she was my one last night. Her husband is the photo manager for Lifetouch. She is a very sweet 39 year old lady from Tennesee. And boy, does she sound like it! I just love listening to her accent. She is fast and pushed me for 3.6 miles in 85 degree weather. I came home and went to bed. It was a good run but my breathing bothered me. I sounded like a summer dog! I don't know if she will come back to the pack run with me. She said she liked it, but it was pretty noneventful. I would like to try to run down by the OK river. That is, if I get the nerve to run with her again.

Another thing I did last night while in the city was drop my Bible off at Ace Binders to have it rebound. It will look so great when it's done, but I will have to be without it for 6 weeks! It's silly, but I already miss it! The guy is a Christian so I felt better. I know he will treat it with love.

I think I will try to run at the lake after school. I have got to start doing it every day. Even if it's just a little!

Running Again!

After being out of my running shoes for 3 weeks I ran a 10K today! I really suprized myself!

Let's go back 3 weeks. After putting up with bloating all summer I decided to go to the dr. She said I needed to have my gall bladder out. A week later, we did it. Because I am in good shape, I was able to be back to normal in 2 weeks and run 6 miles! That's a great reason to stay in shape!

The run was the Hoof in it 10K along the Ok river. It was very cool and I wore sleeves and capris running pants. It was a beautiful run along the river. I want to do some training runs there.

Emily Hogan did the run with me. She finished well and came back for me :) I did it in 1 hr 20 min. I wish it was faster but I felt good!

So Far, So Good

Well, I started a Bible Study for my teacher friends, finally. I've been wanting to do it for like years! We meet at lunch and I read while they eat. I am going through Classic Christianity Illustrated. Each chapter is 2 or 3 pages long. Easy to read in 5 minutes. That leaves plenty of time to discuss! And they are discussing! This study will change so much wrong thinking. I am so excited to see my friends lives change with the understanding of truth!
I'll keep posting on how it goes.

Teacher Friends

Ok, have I told you lately how much I am looking forward to KK getting out of this school system? Not that it is a bad school system. I believe it's a very good one, in spite of the bad rap that it gets. I am just tired of the hassle that comes with having your kid being in class with people you are friends with. It is so hard when you don't agree with the way a teacher is treating your child. Especially when you want to keep a good working relationship with that teacher. I know there are a lot of perks to being up here and going to school with your kid, and really they outnumber the bad parts. It just gets old after a while having to walk on egg shells and feeling bad about telling on teacher friends. It stresses me out!

Bob Christopher

Metro Bible Fellowship -9/30/2012

Red Flags & Green Lights:
Reaching the Goal


 What is the core proposition for this series?
 It's all about Jesus!
 Was the Levitical priesthood capable of perfection?
 no
 Was the Old Covenant capable of perfection?
 no
 What is the main point of Hebrews 8:1-6?
 We do have a High Preist. Jesus 

What is the problem of the Law? (Hebrews 8:8)
it puts all the "ifs" on us. 
If we do this, God will do that.

What are the four parts of the New Covenant? (Hebrews 8:8-12)
-A new heart, new creation
-We have assurance of salvation, they will be my people
-We have a relationship, it's who you know. We can truely KNOW God
-Forgiveness of sins, we have forgiveness! reember their sins no 

more.

What about the Old Covenant? (Hebrews 8:13)
Don't look back! Let the law go! The law is obsolete.




God doesn't live in buildings. He lives in us. And in heaven.

212: The Extra Degree

212: The Extra Degree

This is an awesome video!

First Day Of School

I confess, I was scared to death before school started. I didn't know what to expect. You see, this will be my first time ever to teach 8th graders. And my first time ever to take on a presentation-creating class. We are supposed to push out presentations to show on the projector during lunchtime in the cafeteria. It may not sound like a big deal, but when you think about the logistics to it and think about doing it with 8th graders you may see why I was so nervous. It will be a big task. 

So I was so nervous about this. I felt a lot better when the kids got in here, and 1st hour 8th grade had an assembly we had to go to. That took some time off my hands with them. And then, 4th hour, I am walking around my room watching my Web Design class type. All of a sudden I get this feeling of peace come over me. It was like all was right with the world. I am where I am supposed to be. I really love this job and don't realize how much I miss the kids and the classroom over the summer. Thank you, God for giving me assurance! 

Just-take-the-next-step Kind of Day

Since I last posted there has been a lot happen. We went to the ocean for vacation. I realized that I am not a beach girl. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time. The waves were so much fun to play in and I got a real good tan, but the dirty salty air got old after a couple of days. People tell me I need try to a different beach and I'm up for that!
 Collin went to Iowa to help the Reidamans with their show pigs. He is doing very good up there. He's learning about commodities and markets at Bob's work. He seems very interested in that now, but that could be because Bob is a millionaire from this :)  He will be coming back to Oklahoma Aug 15th and I can't wait to see him.
 The terrible thing that has happened is the loss of Clay Reuter. He was killed in a 4wheeler accident at Little Sahara on Aug 28th. His sudden death has left us all very sad. I have spent everyday with Darla ever since. She is starting to heal, but has some pretty bad days. Jen and KK are not doing very well with the loss. I hope they will go to grief counseling with the Reuters. It's all just very sad. I miss Clay tremendously. I saw him almost everyday either at school, in my living room, or in my garden shooting birds. I keep expecting him to walk through our back door. It makes me sad to think that will never happen again.

2012 VACAY!

Finally, after all these years, I am going to see the ocean! Well, the Gulf of Mexico, but I will get to see a beach and smell sea water. I have always wanted to do this. And, now at 44 yrs old, I am going to. Why did it take me so long!
One reason, and I just found this out, is I have a phlegmatic personality. One of the traits of this is not wanting to put out much effort in anything. If you know me, you are saying, "Yep, that's Alecia." I know there is a way to get out of this way of being, and I will work on it. I'm in a Bibe study at M'lynn McCann's right now to help me out. We are doing Tim Lahaye's "The Spirit Controlled Temperment". I will let you know how that works out for me.
Back to the vacay. It's going to be a Team El Reno trip to Corpus Christi and North Padre Island. Not only will I get to see the ocean for the first time, I will get to enjoy it with our closest friends. Also, both kids and Mikka are all going too! We have never taken a family vacation without ALL the kids and no hogs! It will be a great time I'm sure!
We are leaving Tuesday morning and coming back Saturday. Pray for a safe and relaxing trip. Thanks!

Love Deeply

1 Peter 4:8 says, " Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
I have read this verse and heard it quoted a number of times, but it wasn't until this morning that it really resonated with me.

Have you ever thought, "Man, I couldn't be married to him in a million years!" "How in the world does she put up with him?" or "I just really can't stand that dog of theirs' and don't think it's cute at all when it acts like that!" (just had to throw that one in there). The love people feel for their spouse or pet :) makes them blind to a lot of faults (sins) in that person. I think that most of these faults that Peter is talking about are ones that don't really hurt anyone just get on some people's nerves. Or offend some people. When we love deeply we don't see these faults. They don't register to us as bad just like they don't to the spouse or owner that loves them.

Here's the hard part....love everyone deeply. We can't do this. The Holy Spirit has to do this. In our sinful world this is impossible without Jesus. When you have to deal with someone that you don't feel much love for or that get's on your nerves....start praying to love that person deeply. It's what God wants us to do.

Let's get this over with!

Ok, so I haven't posted in a while. I have a reason. Collin had a snowboard accident in March and I haven't wanted to post about it. I felt like I had to post all the gory details and I just don't want to. I wrote them down in my journal a while back and that will just have to be good enough. I will probably make reference to things that happened and what I learned in future blogs, but as far as writing out the details here, I'm not going to do it.

Whew, that's over with. I'll get on with blogging now......

Oklahoma Youth Expo 2012

10,000 animals shown; 7000 kids (exhibitors) - The worlds largest Jr livestock show! Out of all those animals, they choose only170 of the best to be in the premium sale. Out of those top 170 animals, El Reno had 9 of them! I want to give a shout out to Mr. Listen and Mr. Lopp for another job well done with those kiddos of El Reno!

I look back over this season with pride in my family. All of the times I heard KK say into her phone, "I can't I have to walk pigs." Or "I can't, I have a pig show.", paid off last night when she was able to proudly walk Speck into the sale ring and get rewarded for all the hours she put into him. Thank you Mr. Herrell and the Bank of Western Oklahoma for buying her barrow. 

The documentary people came to the show. They  were blown away by the kids in the livestock-show life. They are from New York and didn't have a clue about any of it. They told me they had never met so many kids that can talk to adults and have the social skills that these kids have. It has to be the friendships made and the enormous amount of family time it takes to do this. The documentary people thought they were coming to a sporting event with the competition in the ring and the parents cheering from the bleachers. They did a 180 in their thinking the first day they were around. They said that the longer they witnessed this life we live, the more layers they realized it had. Maybe when the documentary gets aired, more people will see that the best way to raise kids is with livestock :)