People matter

My coworker, Aaron Benscoter, and I have some disagreements on philosophy and religion, but he has a sign on his classroom window that says "people matter", and this belief we have in common. My mom had casually told me about a lunch that my grandma and aunt Janet were having tomorrow afternoon, and I didn't think we would be able to make it because of the Girl Scout event, but when I realized that I would have time and that I would love to see Jenny, Katie, Lorena, Lynn...I asked my mom if Chloe, Mara, and I could ride to Des Moines with her in the morning, and my mom acted like she didn't want me to go, and I don't know if it's because she knows my aunt is particular about her house and having the correct head count of guests, if she is concerned about what my house looks like for my grandma, or what. I called Janet to make sure it was fine that we came, and she said that she had no idea that Lorena, Jenny, and Katie were coming and that she just had planned a luncheon for six with all of the special plates and table settings and ... She did say that we could come, and that she'll make an extra pan of egg caserole, but I'm sure she's feeling very stressed about it. I pray that we all bring great laughter and love to her home, and that she realizes that it's people that matter, not your table setting. We had a nice visit to the nursing home. Mara took some pictures, and everyone was quite impressed that she and Chloe know everyone's name. She made Rose, Eloise, Loverburn, and Bracy feel like models. I'd like to get back in the habit of taking more pictures of my students and sending out a bimonthly newsletter. People love to look at pictures, and I love to take them. We gave a lot of residents copies of pictures of them and the kids from a previous visit, and they just loved them and looked at the pictures throughout dinner. Patricia told us that she doesn't remember any of her grandparents and that she had an accident in Tanzania that made her lose some of her memory. Maybe she will join us for a trip to the nursing home and find an adopted grandparent. Helen at the Bible study on Wednesday night said that a wise and kind man whose motto was also "Love the people" and recently passed away must have a lot of stars on his crown. I think stars on a Heavenly crown are so much more important than expensive china on an earthly table. There are some wonderful people sitting around the dinner table at Grandview, and the more you get to know them, the more stars you see on their crowns. I pray that the employees take time to get to know them, and that I get to know my students better. I pray that we all realize that moths and rust will destroy our earthly treasures, and that it is loving God and loving people that matter. I talked to Leyria tonight, and it's always great to hear her say "Hi, sweet Sarah Barah" and to tell me that we are soul sisters. I thank God for her. I pray for Tyse to have a safe trip tomorrow, for Jacob's job to pick up or for God to reveal where He wants them, for me to let go of any negative feelings toward Janet because of past hurtful things she has said and done, and for Alyssa's new baby, Emma, Jae's unborn baby girl, baby Alina, and all the children in Haiti and world wide. I heard on the news tonight that one of Tiger Woods' mistresses had gotten pregnant twice with his children. She must have had abortions which just breaks my heart. I pray for politicians and celebrities that get caught up in fame, fortune, and sin. I pray for women and their health and that as many people will come to the rice bagging event on March 7th as came to hear Tiger's public apology, which left me feeling very sad for his wife and children and very disappointed in all the women who were involved with him knowing that he had a family, yet they say they are the victims. I pray that we all think about the simple saying, People Matter, before we speak or act.