Coming home from the OYE this evening I started thinking about Papa Ronnie. I cried a lot of the way, I miss him tremendously. I wish he was still here to see his Tooter. He loved KK so much. He would be so proud of her. I know he could be looking down from Heaven watching he as she grows into such a beautiful person. I would love to see him get joy from watching her. I'd love to watch her get joy from being loved so much by him too.
I miss you, Ronnie.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
So Sorry
I am so sad today. I messed up again. Why do I listen to students when they say other teachers say things? I sent another scathing email to a teacher based on what a student said she said. I hurt her feelings bad enough that she came to talk to me after school almost in tears! Why do I do things like that! I am no better than the people I have talked about all week doing mean and stupid things! Why can't I stop my feelings and listen to the Holy Spirit? I am supposed to be this person that is soooo intuned to You God....but as soon as I get hurt or mad, I go right with my feelings and shut You out! I am so sorry. I hate that I've been so judgmental of people in my life lately. I am so sorry. I want to please You and I know saying or writing comments about the faults of your children does not please You. I am so sorry.
I have to have Your Holy Spirit at the forefront of my mind ALL the time! I can't do this in my flesh....help me God.....
I have to have Your Holy Spirit at the forefront of my mind ALL the time! I can't do this in my flesh....help me God.....
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Another successfull weekend of showing pigs. Josh had the Grand gilt and Rylie had the Grand barrow at the SW District. Another dinner for 25 at Jake's Rib full of laughter and great felllowship.
As I think back on the weekend, I believe Team El Reno's greatest success is not in the show ring at all. The friendships and the memories that have been made through this phenominon are it's greatest success. What started as a group of 5 families that all had one thing in common.....seriously competeing in the showring, has turned into lifelong friendships for adults and kids. We have doubled our numbers and become a force in major competitions, but what I hope people see is the dedication to each other, Bobby, and honest competition that has defined our goup for years. I can't say that everyone in the group has always loved each other unconditionally, but those periods of jealousy and anger have been very few. Bobby and Rhys have always nipped those feelings in the bud and gotten people back on track very quickly.
Bobby made the comment to me yesterday morning that we only have one more SW District where we will have our own kids showing. The thought of KK not showing didn't make me as sad as thinking about not being submersed in Team El Reno. Oh I know, I'll always be a part of it, but it will be on a different level. This makes me sad and I'm not going to think about it now.
I would be remiss not to talk about our fearless leader, Mr. Listen. He is truely the glue that holds Team El Reno together. His talents and love for kids and pig show competition has been one reason for our success. He is completely dedicated to the success of our team. We have someone very special in him. He has taken the skills that God gave him and has used them to help so many kids I can't count them all.
Yes, another pig show in the books. More memories made. Another birthday celebrated with a giant cookie back at the pens. Another post-show dinner and then convoy of trailers back home. I love you all....thank you for doing life with us.
As I think back on the weekend, I believe Team El Reno's greatest success is not in the show ring at all. The friendships and the memories that have been made through this phenominon are it's greatest success. What started as a group of 5 families that all had one thing in common.....seriously competeing in the showring, has turned into lifelong friendships for adults and kids. We have doubled our numbers and become a force in major competitions, but what I hope people see is the dedication to each other, Bobby, and honest competition that has defined our goup for years. I can't say that everyone in the group has always loved each other unconditionally, but those periods of jealousy and anger have been very few. Bobby and Rhys have always nipped those feelings in the bud and gotten people back on track very quickly.
Bobby made the comment to me yesterday morning that we only have one more SW District where we will have our own kids showing. The thought of KK not showing didn't make me as sad as thinking about not being submersed in Team El Reno. Oh I know, I'll always be a part of it, but it will be on a different level. This makes me sad and I'm not going to think about it now.
I would be remiss not to talk about our fearless leader, Mr. Listen. He is truely the glue that holds Team El Reno together. His talents and love for kids and pig show competition has been one reason for our success. He is completely dedicated to the success of our team. We have someone very special in him. He has taken the skills that God gave him and has used them to help so many kids I can't count them all.
Yes, another pig show in the books. More memories made. Another birthday celebrated with a giant cookie back at the pens. Another post-show dinner and then convoy of trailers back home. I love you all....thank you for doing life with us.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
God, I ask that you bless Adam's endevor, and my endevor, and her endevor.......if it is your will.
I know what I want; what sounds to me like what ought to happen; what I ought to pray for to happen. But above all I want your will to be done. Your will is perfect. It is how things should be. And I can accept anyway You turn things out.
How do I pray to God and ask for things that I want when I know it will turn out that way God wants and that will be perfect? I know we are to "make our requests known to God". But my request above all is that God's hand is in everything I see. I guess a good request would be for others to see His hand in everything and recognize Him. God, I ask that now.
I know what I want; what sounds to me like what ought to happen; what I ought to pray for to happen. But above all I want your will to be done. Your will is perfect. It is how things should be. And I can accept anyway You turn things out.
How do I pray to God and ask for things that I want when I know it will turn out that way God wants and that will be perfect? I know we are to "make our requests known to God". But my request above all is that God's hand is in everything I see. I guess a good request would be for others to see His hand in everything and recognize Him. God, I ask that now.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Getin me down
I am so upset and have to vent. I had a yucky day yesterday. The OSU trip was great, but the events leading up to that and then P/T Conf last night took all the luster.
I was talking to our building janitor last night. He was telling me how he only has one helper to clean 2 buildings now. It got me wondering; Is the world of education the only place that's asked to do things very important things perfect and then not given the tools to do that job? I mean, if Jay's computer at the bank breaks down, is he told to put in a work order and hope for the best? If the janitor at the bank runs out of floor cleaner, is he told to use water until the new budget comes in in July? I really don't think so. When you run a business, you give your people whatever they need to make that business turn a profit. Why are our kids treated as not important enough to "turn a profit".
Maybe that's why so many people are looking at private schools. They are treated as a business and the kids are their clients. If the clients don't get the best bang for their buck they will go somewhere else. The public school system has got to change somehow.
This probably sounds crazy coming from a public school teacher. I see this attitude everyday from the inside and it hurts to know we aren't giving our kids the best there is. I am only blaming the system. In El Reno we have teachers and admin that really care about our kids, but I think their hands are tied in too many ways.
I was talking to our building janitor last night. He was telling me how he only has one helper to clean 2 buildings now. It got me wondering; Is the world of education the only place that's asked to do things very important things perfect and then not given the tools to do that job? I mean, if Jay's computer at the bank breaks down, is he told to put in a work order and hope for the best? If the janitor at the bank runs out of floor cleaner, is he told to use water until the new budget comes in in July? I really don't think so. When you run a business, you give your people whatever they need to make that business turn a profit. Why are our kids treated as not important enough to "turn a profit".
Maybe that's why so many people are looking at private schools. They are treated as a business and the kids are their clients. If the clients don't get the best bang for their buck they will go somewhere else. The public school system has got to change somehow.
This probably sounds crazy coming from a public school teacher. I see this attitude everyday from the inside and it hurts to know we aren't giving our kids the best there is. I am only blaming the system. In El Reno we have teachers and admin that really care about our kids, but I think their hands are tied in too many ways.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
October!
Wow! It's been a while! I wish I could write better.....maybe I'd want to blog more. I have lots of opinions to write, but am afraid of getting in trouble with my words :)
I finally went back to Heaston Church Wednesday night. It felt like home, in spite of some people's nonwelcoming attitudes. I think I will go to church there tomorrow. I really miss worshipping with my friend, Kim. We will see what happens.
Running has become something I really like to do. I am going to do my first 5K Nov. 19th. Already nervous. Right now I can't imagine running 2 miles, let alone 3! People tell me it's a mental game, but that's the hardest part for me. I am such a settler. It's easy for me to quit and not push myself when I am training.
I guess that's it for today.
I finally went back to Heaston Church Wednesday night. It felt like home, in spite of some people's nonwelcoming attitudes. I think I will go to church there tomorrow. I really miss worshipping with my friend, Kim. We will see what happens.
Running has become something I really like to do. I am going to do my first 5K Nov. 19th. Already nervous. Right now I can't imagine running 2 miles, let alone 3! People tell me it's a mental game, but that's the hardest part for me. I am such a settler. It's easy for me to quit and not push myself when I am training.
I guess that's it for today.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
What God Said to Me This Weekend
I am coming off one of the most incredible weekend retreats I have ever been to. A group of women from our church went to Tulsa to see Priscilla Shirer at the Church at Battlecreek. It was great!
Priscilla started by talking about "sleepwalkers". You know them...I am one of them. We go through life saying things like, "I wish summer would hurry up and get here.", "I wish I would hurry up and graduate so I could go to college and move out.", "I wish Mr. Right would come along; I want to be married like all my friends." Or, maybe, "I wish this really tough time in my life would be over. I feel like God has forgotten about me." If you are like me, you have spent half your life, as my Mom called it, wishing your life away. How many times have you missed the lessons and God's miracles because you closed your eyes to what's happening now and only saw what you wanted the future to bring. As Christians we pray for a miracle and then try to avoid the situations where we will see one. You can really see God in those tough times, if you open your eyes.
These are Priscilla's "Secrets For Sleepwalkers"
Genesis 28:10-17
1. Certain places are sacred places. Jacob reached the "certain place" and could not go any further on his journey. Scholars tell us that when the Bible talks about a certain place it refers to a place where something happened before. Maybe it was the site of sacrifices to God or where people gathered to worship. Jacob reached this certain place at nightfall and stopped and closed his eyes to sleep. He didn't see this place as a sacred place.
2. Secrets of stones. There is good stuff in the hard stuff. Jacob picked up a stone, turned it over and over and found the best spot on it to lay under his head as he slept. He found a good spot in that hard stone because he looked for it. We must always keep our eyes open when we are in difficult times. God will shows us the good stuff.
3. Secret of confirmation. When life does not affirm, God will go out of his way to confirm. In the middle of sleep on this rough journey of Jacob's, God came to him in a dream. He didn't give Jacob a new revelation. He told him again what his plan for him was. This had to be great comfort to Jacob in a time when he had to be down and depressed. Expect confirmation from God and look for it.
4. Secret of returning. What you return to will concern you. You have to remember the seeds you are sowing now. God says what you sow you shall reap. Remember this in tough times. How you handle situations will be your witness for Christ, and whatever seeds you are sowing you will harvest. You will see them again.
Luke 24:13-28
5. Secret of behold. When the Bible says "Behold", it means that you need to sit up and pay attention. On the road to Emmaus the two travelers didn't even realize something extraordinary was happening to them. They were in a behold moment. When you are in tough times, God will see you through. Ask yourself in these "behold moments" what you are supposed to be learning. Sit up and pay attention because God is about to do something extraordinary in your life.
6. Secret of going home. These two men on the road to Emmaus had just left the Passover celebration and were on their way home. Jesus chose that time to appear to them. Why didn't He do it when they were among all those people at the party? He waited until they were alone and going home. Being in fellowship and worshiping with other believers is great, but there are some things that only happen when we are alone with God.
7. Secret of looking ahead. We all know how damaging it is to concentrate on the past. We should remember the past in terms of the lessons learned from mistakes that were made, but we need to keep looking forward and not dwell on those mistakes.
8. Secret in silence. The two travelers on the road to Emmaus were so busy talking and discussing the events of the weekend, they missed Jesus walking along with them. Sometimes we talk to much. Why do we think we have to talk to others about our problems? Our friends sympathize with us, but that is as far as they can go. Why not take it to our God, who can sympathize with us, but also has the power to do something about our situation?
9. Secret of invitation. It wasn't until the travelers invited Jesus to come into their home that they were able to see who he really was. We must continue to be listening for the knock, answer the knock, and invite Jesus into our lives.
These are some of the things I got from this weekend in Tulsa. It was a great time and I recommend going to see Priscilla whenever you can. I have never left a women's conference thinking more about God than the speaker. Priscilla is truly anointed.
Priscilla started by talking about "sleepwalkers". You know them...I am one of them. We go through life saying things like, "I wish summer would hurry up and get here.", "I wish I would hurry up and graduate so I could go to college and move out.", "I wish Mr. Right would come along; I want to be married like all my friends." Or, maybe, "I wish this really tough time in my life would be over. I feel like God has forgotten about me." If you are like me, you have spent half your life, as my Mom called it, wishing your life away. How many times have you missed the lessons and God's miracles because you closed your eyes to what's happening now and only saw what you wanted the future to bring. As Christians we pray for a miracle and then try to avoid the situations where we will see one. You can really see God in those tough times, if you open your eyes.
These are Priscilla's "Secrets For Sleepwalkers"
Genesis 28:10-17
1. Certain places are sacred places. Jacob reached the "certain place" and could not go any further on his journey. Scholars tell us that when the Bible talks about a certain place it refers to a place where something happened before. Maybe it was the site of sacrifices to God or where people gathered to worship. Jacob reached this certain place at nightfall and stopped and closed his eyes to sleep. He didn't see this place as a sacred place.
2. Secrets of stones. There is good stuff in the hard stuff. Jacob picked up a stone, turned it over and over and found the best spot on it to lay under his head as he slept. He found a good spot in that hard stone because he looked for it. We must always keep our eyes open when we are in difficult times. God will shows us the good stuff.
3. Secret of confirmation. When life does not affirm, God will go out of his way to confirm. In the middle of sleep on this rough journey of Jacob's, God came to him in a dream. He didn't give Jacob a new revelation. He told him again what his plan for him was. This had to be great comfort to Jacob in a time when he had to be down and depressed. Expect confirmation from God and look for it.
4. Secret of returning. What you return to will concern you. You have to remember the seeds you are sowing now. God says what you sow you shall reap. Remember this in tough times. How you handle situations will be your witness for Christ, and whatever seeds you are sowing you will harvest. You will see them again.
Luke 24:13-28
5. Secret of behold. When the Bible says "Behold", it means that you need to sit up and pay attention. On the road to Emmaus the two travelers didn't even realize something extraordinary was happening to them. They were in a behold moment. When you are in tough times, God will see you through. Ask yourself in these "behold moments" what you are supposed to be learning. Sit up and pay attention because God is about to do something extraordinary in your life.
6. Secret of going home. These two men on the road to Emmaus had just left the Passover celebration and were on their way home. Jesus chose that time to appear to them. Why didn't He do it when they were among all those people at the party? He waited until they were alone and going home. Being in fellowship and worshiping with other believers is great, but there are some things that only happen when we are alone with God.
7. Secret of looking ahead. We all know how damaging it is to concentrate on the past. We should remember the past in terms of the lessons learned from mistakes that were made, but we need to keep looking forward and not dwell on those mistakes.
8. Secret in silence. The two travelers on the road to Emmaus were so busy talking and discussing the events of the weekend, they missed Jesus walking along with them. Sometimes we talk to much. Why do we think we have to talk to others about our problems? Our friends sympathize with us, but that is as far as they can go. Why not take it to our God, who can sympathize with us, but also has the power to do something about our situation?
9. Secret of invitation. It wasn't until the travelers invited Jesus to come into their home that they were able to see who he really was. We must continue to be listening for the knock, answer the knock, and invite Jesus into our lives.
These are some of the things I got from this weekend in Tulsa. It was a great time and I recommend going to see Priscilla whenever you can. I have never left a women's conference thinking more about God than the speaker. Priscilla is truly anointed.
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