It is truly wonderful when we live together in peace. It's as beautiful as the dew falling on Zion's mountains

We had a blast bowling with friends from the kids' school. The kids loved the black lights and music. Mara and Valerie were dancin, and Cameron would fall down every time he bowled, and TJ would make this MC Hammer pose every time. Mara is napping, and I need to get cleaning, but I really really despise it. I wish that I cared more about having a tidy house because I'd like to get a lot of house work done and surprise John when he gets home like he does for me when I go on a trip, so I pray for the motivation to do that. A clean house just isn't as important to me as getting some r and r, I guess. I think we might go to the movie, The Tooth Fairy, in Waterloo tonight. I realize how dependent I am on John when he's gone. I have no idea how to hook up the DVD player, get to Jason and Addie's house, or how to connect the projector for people to watch the Super Bowl tomorrow. He's a wonderful man, and I am so grateful to have him. I pray for families who are separated. I pray that I spend more time studying with Mara and TJ. I pray that we can continue to afford sending the kids to MCS. I thank God that we are able to take our kids bowling, to the movies, to always be able to feed, clothe, and shelter them. I pray for those who can't. Our friend, Tracy Troutner, is a very good conversationalist. Sometimes I am shy and need to have the courage to go up to someone and start a conversation. I still remember when I was ten or eleven and went to church camp ever summer, my friend, Carrie Keenan, said that she admired that trait in me, that I would just go up to anyone and say "hey, I'm Sarah, what's you're name?". I don't know why I have lost some of that social butterfly part of me, but I pray that I will recapture it. Taking a minute to ask someone about themself really makes the other person feel cared about. I pray that we can all, despite our fears, judgements, and differences bring a little piece of peace to one another every day.

Galations 5:22 God's spirit gives us self-control, because we belong to Him, we have no selfish desires...

I saw a check list of things that must be accomplished on a TV show called Super Nanny last night and on the door to physical therapy at Grandview today. I think that I spend a lot of time on others, which is great, but that I need to spend equally as much time on myself. I always struggle with the feelings that if I spend time working out or getting my hair done, that it is vain and selfish, but I have really gotten out of shape in the last couple years, and I need to get into a routine of doing yoga, pilates, walking, aerobics...every day. I need to make us all a check list of things we must do before we go to bed including exercise, pray/meditate, wash our face, floss our teeth, study, pack a healthy lunch... My friend, Tressa, is always very healthy, and I admire that self discipline. She lives in Ausralia now and is expecting in August. I would love to go visit her and be in better shape by then. I will start spending more time on my health today. I suppose the breakfast potatoes were not a good choice. I will start choosing fruit. I pray that I will not give into temptations, I will follow the Spirit, and I will treat my body like a temple, a healthy place of worship. Cheers. Namaste.

One love, one heart, let's get together and feel allright

Well, John took off last night, and we miss him already. He spent the night with our friends, Hondo and Diane in Des Moines, and is probably just flying in to the bay. The kids and I had a lovely little tea party at Perkins and then went to the nursing home for exercises. All the residents really enjoyed playing catch and kickball with the kids. Now we have our neighbors, Fani and Camila, over for another tea party and strawberries dipped in chocolate. Today is Bob Marley's birthday, so we're all wearing our Marley shirts. We got Valentine cards in the mail from Bo and Les from Center Friends Church in Newton all the way from Hawaii. So sweet. Tomorrow is Soup-er Bowl Sunday at church and we bring canned soup to donate to the local food closet. We had fun chatting with everyone at the home, but my grandma and grandpa were sound asleep. We found out that Clarence plays violin and that Bracy can fall asleep even during a heated game of kickball. They got some mini Snickers bars from John Mason, and Velma liked it that Mara called her a cutie pie. I pray that Grandpa's ankle heals, that Mike's funeral brings some peace and closure to his family, that people donate musical instruments in April, and we can give some to the nursing home, and that new friendships are made and old one reignited at our potluck tomorrow. We haven't seen April since the funeral, and I pray that she comes and that she and the kids spend quality time together. Leyria called this morning, and it was good to hear her sweet voice. Tyse's sister in law, Alyssa, is expecting and starting to feel the signs of getting close to delivering a month early, so we pray for her and her baby. We pray that people young and old come together and share a smile, a hug, a meal, a dance, a game, a dream, their love, their heart, their life.

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

I'm always very touched by how important friends and other's mile markers/rights of passage are to my husband, because I don't hear much about other men taking the time and effort to communicate, visit, and be involved in their friends' lives. John goes to his friends' homes often, invites people over on a weekly basis, and makes it a priority to "be there" physically and emotionally when people most need him. I really admire that. He is very strict with the kids and how they use their time, speak to others, and treat friends, and I'm so grateful that he is consistent with this, explains why it's important, and tells the kids god job when he see them using techniques like the "do not inetrupt rule". When the girls and I were at Good Will last night buying new bowls for the potluck, there were some very misbehaved children, and it was Mara that said something about it when we got in the van. Sometimes when we have a bunch of friends over, Chloe and TJ will say that their rooms are off limits because they don't want others to mess them up and then not help pick up, but Mara tells everyone that her room is not "hot limits". Last night we ate our at Arby's and saw our friend, Ruth, from church, and Mara ran up to her and gave her a big hug and said, "I haven't seen you in a while and a half!" I thought that was so cute and am so proud of her for expressing her emotions, and I know it's because John and I hug our friends and show our love. Tomorrow morning I'm going to take the kids out for a tea party. I'll have to stop at the antique store and see if they have a top hat or anything for TJ to wear. I signed Chloe and I up for a Girl Scout overnighter at the Science Center on the 19th, so we're excited to go and meet new people, learn about weather, and sleep under indoor constelations. I have a lot of cleaning tonight, and I work best alone, so I'm hoping that maybe John will take the kids to an art exhibit at the Fisher Community Center while I tackle the laundry that we've been neglecting. This morning John and Chlo and T were on the radio with Kyle Martin to talk about the Fun Time Friday carnival. I didn't get to hear it, but I'm sure it was sweet. Our friend, Pork Chop, is making several gallons of beef stew for the potluck, so that should be delicious. At the last pot luck Chloe planned a scavenger hunt, so we need to think about what activity to put together for this one. Maybe a game of Mad Libs, Mystery Box, Disguise Your Voice, or some Trivia. Chloe's a great little planner and will find some little prizes from around the house, and it will be a blast. Our friend, Dave's mom, Liz, came over last night with some family heirloom, antique rings for John to bring out to the wedding in CA. I pray that he keeps them safe. I pray that we all learn lessons from mistakes and realize that you can't have rainbows without storms. I pray that I treat my students and children as gems that need polished just like all of us and teach them that trials build character and perseverance.

Happy is he who doesn't do wrong and give in when tempted

Today I saw some excellent examples of good character and self control. My student, Vince, was in the middle of a little disagreement in the cafeteria, and he simply and calmly walked away. At Girl Scouts, many girls were being chatty and not working on their mirror with positive self talk, but Chloe and her friend Stella were great role models of self direction, accountability, and respectfulness. Tonight when visiting my grandparents at the nursing home, Chloe was feeding Charlotte dinner, and the other nurses told her that she's the only one that can get her to eat. Chloe has quite a way with people. Today at our staff meeting, my co-worker said that his baby keeps him sane, and it was so nice to hear a positive remark about a child because so often do you hear parents saying that they're kids are misbehaving or stressing them out. In CATS time today, a mentor-mentee group that meets for a half hour every Wednesday to build connectedness, there was a little story that said that some teenagers were at a pizzeria and having a fun conversation but getting a little loud, and they saw another customer go up to the cash register and point at their table and then come over to their table, and they were afraid of what she was going to say and very surprised when she said that she enjoyed seeing them have fun and that she paid their bill and that she hopes that they continue to enjoy friendships and that her children grow up to be happy, friendly, positive, outgoing young adults like them. I think that it a small act of kindness that those kids will remember forever. Another coworker of mine said that when her daughter was recognized for her great art work in winning a contest, that little success really made her work so much harder at art. I got an email from the local newspaper today saying that they are going to do an article on a student of mine, Klyne, that I nominated for a Spotlight Student article because he is such a good role model in class and always shows curiosity, intrinsic motivation, and creativity. I hope that this little bit of recognition makes him want to continue working hard and being a leader. I ate lunch with Patricia and Tutugirl. They have very different interests (Tutugirl loves to cook and wear cute little wigs, and Patricia likes to play football and wear sweats) but they are very good friends. We found out that Patricia and I have the same birthday. We'll have to celebrate it together this year. I will have to treat her to dinner at our new sports grille, Legends. Some of my students don't have the curiosity and passion for Spanish that Klyne has, and I always have to remember that everyone is different, and I don't enjoy math and wouldn't be the best math student even today because of my lack of interest in the subject, and that even if they're not going to remember the facts that I teach them, they're going to remember how I treated them. I love the saying that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Today at Girl Scouts one of the "Brownies" was having trouble putting her straw in her juice box, and the other girls noticed but didn't bother to offer help. When my friend, the other troop leader, arrived later after running an errand and getting them a snack, some girls cheered because their Little Debbie heart shaped brownies were finally here. I had to remind them, and we all, myself included, need reminded that the best things in life aren't things, and that too often do we use people and love things instead of using things and loving people. We need to think how we would act if it was our favorite musician/actor/athlete having trouble with their straw or entering the room and how we would react and react that same way. We need to think that everyone has a sign on them that says Make Me Feel Important. I think I'll call my sister in law, Addie, and see if the kids are doing anything Saturday night, and if not bring the kids to Waterloo and take them all out to the movie theater to see Alice in Wonderland. I pray that I will resist temptation to spend money on things we don't need and we sell our property and pay off our debt. I pray that John has a safe trip to California and that the importance he puts on friendship and marriage shines to others around him. I pray that our friend, Jeff, has a safe trip home to WI from Tahoe to visit his family and friends. I pray that Grandma Mary and Grandpa Dave can quit smoking. I pray that a lot of people join our project on March 7th to bag rice with Kids Against Hunger/Outreach Africa and that we package thousands of nutritious meals to send to Haiti.

Show me your ways, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth...

Tomorrow is Chloe's teacher, Ms. Harris's, birthday, so Chloe is busy putting together a gift for her. TJ is writing his name on all his birthday party invitations, and Mara is putting way too many barretts and pony tail holders in her hair. Today John decided that he is going to go to San Francisco this Sat-Tuesday for Dave and Kristine's wedding. He is very excited and so glad that he has his own business that allows him to take off when he needs. I will miss him at our potluck on Sunday. I think this will be our fourth monthly potluck that we started having shortly after our good friend, Jared, died. It's a lot of fun to have all our friends over to share a meal and play games and chat. I'm going to have to really pull the weight because John does most all the cleaning, cooking, and story telling :) Today I gave a sweet young lady named Patricia a ride home because her brother left without her. Patricia is a wrestler, and she is a mature and well spoken young woman. She is an immigrant from Africa, and I look forward to getting to know her better and am glad God used me in this very small task. I think it's so important for youth to have a supportive adult other than their parents in their life, and I think I will start eating lunch with Patricia and other students in the cafeteria. I found out some sad news last night. My mom and aunt informed me that my Grandpa Bill's son, Mike, passed away. I know my grandpa and grandma and my cousin, Darlene, and all their family are really mourning right now. I pray that God gives them the strength and comfort that need to deal with their loss. Tonight we had a tasty meal of rice and corn, and it made me want to eat less processed and fried food and more healthy grains and veggies. I want to model good eating habits for my kids, and I want to live long enough to see my great grandchildren grow up. Tomorrow I'm going to lead a lesson on being a leader with character and values and having a positive self image at Girl Scouts. I hope that the 3rd grade girls take it to heart and keep what they learn with them for many years as they are overinundated with commercials about diet pills, girls gone wild, pageant modeling, plastic surgery, and poor role models in the media. On Saturday I have planned a bowling outing for the kids' school. I hope that families take time to come out so that we can get to know each other better and let the children play outside of school. I love to watch them talk with their friends and listen to them laugh and enjoy themselves. Since there isn't a lot to do in Marshalltown, I think it's good to expose the kids to as many things as possible so that when they are older they will choose to be inventive, creative, and productive. I'm not sure why so few people usually take part in outside of school activities, but I'm not going to let it bother me or deter me from planning future events. I found out that our friend, Callie, is coming home from Nashville on the 12th and is going to perform at Lampost in Cedar Falls. We're going to go to the Fun Time Friday carnival for an hour and then head up there. Maybe we'll take Autumn, Sierra, and Isaiah. We have been talking about maybe driving out to Nashville for Easter. I think it would be a great road trip, but I wish we had a couple more days of vacation. I pray that God continues to teach me how to show love to others and guide me to where I'm needed because I know that people don't always wear their hearts on their sleeves. I was a child that hid a lot of pain and needed someone to really show me acceptance, forgiveness, and the truth that God had a plan for me and that I have a purpose and that He can heal all wounds. I pray that I challenge my students with applicable, relevant, critical thinking activities that they will remember and use outside of school. I pray that my friend, Charlotte, has a safe delivery and healthy baby girl and that she feels support from friends since her family does not live in Iowa. I pray that our neighbor Gil is recovering from his broken hip and that the kids and I keep having meaningful conversations like the one we had last night while watching a silly show, The Batchelor, about saving ourselves for marriage and the 7th commandment. Today Mara told me that she is going to have ten kids, a bus, home school, and her husband is going to work at Hoglan Elementary. Too cute. I pray that they set high goals, have the confidence and drive to acheive them, listen to God's path for them, and do their best at whatever God chooses for them.

He turned my sorrow into joy. He took away my mourning

Today was a chilly, snowy day, and fairly uneventful. I feel guilty a lot lately when I am eating a great meal or cuddling in my big bed thinking about all those in Haiti who have nothing. I have always been inspired by the young lady, Rachel Corrie, who was killed by a military Caterpillar bulldozer when she was trying to protect the homes and people of Israel from occupation. She would sit down to dinner with these wonderful people in disbelief that a massive machine was outside the window trying to kill them. I often wish I could do more and protect so many people who are in danger, but then God tells me that I can't be full of sorrow because of problems on the other side of the world because He has work for me to do right here. When my great friend, Erica, was in my class years ago, she taught me that we may not mean something to the world, but we may mean the world to someone. I have to allow Him to transform my mourning into meaningful, purposeful work among the people that surround me everyday. I need to get to know my students on a closer level, visit my neighbors more often, and tell people about their strengths and skills and make sure they leave me feeling validated and recognized. TJ is off at wrestling, and I hope that his coach is encouraging and supportive. I need to remember this hope in my every interaction with my 150 High School students whose parents are hoping that I give their children my utmost respect, patience, and kindness. Chloe, TJ, and Mara love their Christian school and come home and teach me about the fruits of the spirit and the gift of grace, and they remind me to sing songs of gratitude and joy. Children help us all to see things more clearly, to stop and really look at the new buds on our bush, the snowflakes on our window, and the cute way that our pet rats yawn. They enjoy the simple things, and that's something we can all learn from. I pray that my grandpa does ok in surgery on Thursday to get the hardware removed from his ankle. I pray for our friends, Christy, Joe, and Sarah. I pray that our friends, Dave and Kristine, have a wonderful married life full of adventure and simplicity, excitement and humility, companionship and independence, new experiences and old friends. I pray that John and I continue to feel like newlyweds even after twelve years of marriage and that we show our children how wonderful marriage is and how to treat your partner.