Monday, August 31, 2009

Off the Grid






We had a once in a life time opportunity last week. GG blessed us with an all expense paid cruise to....the Bahamas! Naturally we saw God's hand all over it. Something we could not afford in a time we needed it the most and never could have earned it. It was like a glimpse of Heaven. We can't thank the Lord enough or GG. So we decided to take the blessings we received and start putting them to practice in our own lives. Like what you ask? Besides send others on a cruise??? Well. I'll tell you. I felt so free to try so many new things because their was always the option to change my mind with no hassle. Simply generous and truly catered to. They really wanted to know what I personally enjoyed and then ...did it. Basically "my hearts desires"








Our 4 blessings got to hit the town with Gram for a week. Which I heard their hearts desires was also the goal for a whole week. I didn't feel spoiled just treasured. Now if I throw a huge fit when one desire is not met then yes: bad things. Truly Godliness with Contentment is great gain. You could be as unique as you wanted. Which before I would have called that "difficult or time consuming". I think it was that Extra Mile With A Smile. They never made us feel like an imposition, but they would re-assured "that's why we're here: FOR YOU". We really were impressed by that and realized that's been missing in our home. So hopefully our kids will feel the change that has taken place in our hearts. We came home blessed and better. For all who made that possible THANK YOU. You'll never know how much we needed that time away to refresh our love for each other and our kids. To know God has incredible things in the line up not just difficult things. To know we are thought of in such a kind way...you've touched our hearts.

Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”














I must explain the towel bunny. Every night when replacing any towels, the room keeper makes fun animals. the first night was an elephant wearing my sunglasses. We laughed. The next night we really forgot about this event. and I walked into a monkey hanging from the ceiling. It had eyes and a long tail. Scared me half to death. I guess because I was eye level I jumped back out of the room screaming. The next night after hearing I got scared, we came in the room to find what we called the "I'm sorry bunny".









The shot of us on the beach was my favorite, because after getting up and down like 4 times trying to avoid random naked hairy men, this was what we got.


You can take the teacher out of the school but you can't take the school out of the teacher. We had fun showing kids and parents how to understand the jelly fish. Where you can safely pick them up, what a sting feels like. Charlotte Mason would be so proud. This was the highlight .... these were taken by J as he swam with sharks. They were about 5-6 ft. I saw the first one with him (a 5 ft. nurse shark) and lasted about 5 more minutes. I headed back to the sail boat, he went back and found 3 lemon sharks. He was happy in the water, I was happy out! And once again, he took a handful of young men and their dad over to the sharks. He has a gift for making you feel safe

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

A Chuckle and a Chat

I was just listening to J. Vernon McGee this morning...mostly enjoying the flow of his voice....then he mentioned the most exercise Christians get today is Jumping to conclusions, Running each other down, Side stepping responsibility and Pushing our luck! I didn't feel horrible, in fact I felt inspired to examine and chuckle. I had this ridiculous vision of Christians doing aerobics at the gym sweating to the music while the instructors yells out of breathe..."Ok I want every body to get ready for one more set.....Jump! Side-step, watch those responsibilities ladies! keep those knees high and uncommitted, minds distracted! Now push the person next to you as long as they'll let you. Hold it...10 more! And 9-8-7......"


I know I have a crazy mind, welcome to it. And as for examining myself. I thought "Running each other down" seems to happen more in my thoughts life with the people closest to me. More than not. Kind of like a good diet is a life style and ever challenging to hold. Making sure the thoughts I entertain towards people around me are kind and without criticism, will be something I must keep in check everyday. I appreciated his comment and the thoughts it provoked. He mentioned a little later about Suffering. He confessed he had no intention of standing in the same ball park as the Apostle Paul. He said," I don't intend to and I don't mind that I won't either. If I were next to Paul I would just keep apologizing to Paul the whole time."


Another chuckle and a bit of freedom came my way. I was encouraged to love my family will all I've got and impact the mothers and world around me as God sees fit. Not to worry that I'm not in another country living on soup. But hopefully ready to give an answer to the hope I have. That someone might say, "your delightfully different, why?"


I don't usually have much to say on these blogs, but I had 30 minutes to share what's happening in my heart.


~I love you all




Thursday, August 13, 2009

We are Family....

"Hee-Hee"

I'm still the youngest!

All good things come to an end



Here is a little taste of a family photo shoot. It's gonna be a good one! A sweet friend here in San Antonio took about two hours out of her life to make us picture perfect. Can't wait to see the rest! http://amyspring.blogspot.com/ :)

We are having the last week of summer. It has been a great one. But for a teacher the last week is spent more on preparing. I LOVE SCHOOL SHOPPPING! Re-organizing the shelves and curriculim was lacking in enthusiasm...but we're in for a fun year.


Pics from the lastest birthday bash and a wedding.






a thought to ponder...
True forgiveness includes not allowing the past to dictate the present.













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