Live love, love life.

Well, the weekend went by quickly, and it was nice that it wasn't as busy as some, and that we all had a chance to take a little nap today and have a nice homemade dinner together tonight. My mom and Dave came over with some gifts and DQ ice-cream cake, and they stayed for longer than usual which was nice. I think that I should start a game of UNO or something when guests come over or always have a puzzle going so that people feel engaged in something and that conversation will then come naturally. During our visit with Marge today, she said that her friend, Marty, who was our friend, Bait Shop Rob's, girlfriend, is lonely and has low self esteem because she lost her mom when she was very young and then had to move around a lot between relatives and hasn't ever had a great relationship. I pray that I take time to call her and get together with her and build a friendship. My young friend, Matthew, who is Haud's nephew, called me today from WI to wish me a happy Valentine's Day. It really means a lot to me that he thinks about me, and I need to send him cards and call him. I need to get in the routine of mailing 5-10 cards every weekend to friends and family. I read on facebook that our friends, Desiray and John, and their family returned home from China on Friday with their new adopted daughter, Lilyia, but that their other children are very sick and in the hospital. I pray that God protects them and takes away their pain and illness and gives them all a smooth transition with their new daughter who I believe is 4 and knows very little English. We just watched a talk show that was discussing John Mayer's racist comments in an interview, and I agree with them that he will lose many fans from his ignorance. I pray that he is transformed into an accepting and loving person who becomes truly sorry for his disrespect and that he doesn't just apologize as to not lose fans, hence money and continues to be so blatantly racist and hurtful. I am glad that my mom has Dave and that he is so good to her, and I pray that they continue to be so happy. I am thankful for friends like Echo and Brent Nuess and Kyle and Melissa who are helping watch the kids tomorrow night while we go to the show. I pray that John and I have a safe trip, that the kids continue doing well in school, and that the teachers continue having the internal passion to teach at the Christian School despite the small pay because we are so grateful for them. I pray that I take time to make or buy them some little gifts and write them some little notes of appreciation. My young friend, Matthew Gentry, is a little bit slow at academics, and I pray that he and his family really work on educating him and making learning a priority. He is older than Chloe, and he doesn't know his address. Maybe my letters will help with that. I pray that other kids are nice to him despite his little disabilities because everyone deserves to be treated with acceptance and love and to feel cared about and valued and a sense of belonging. TJ and Mara have some little speech difficulties, and I pray that I take the time to call AEA and set up some meetings with a speech teacher. I pray for Lilyia, Alison, Austin, and Parker. I pray that we take time to ask Mara's teacher for her friend, Lydia's phone number and invite their family over for dinner sometime. I think that God puts people in our lives, and that too often we don't realize that He wants us to put forth the effort to create and maintain a relationship with them. I pray that we all give thanks for all of our relationships on Valentines Day and everyday and not just with our one significant other because everyone needs to feel significant, and God wants us to love everyone just like He does, and we have to show this love because life is fragile.

Presence not presents

The boys fished yesterday from 5am til 11pm. They got about 100 crappies and blue gills. John brought TJ home and asked if he and Joe could go back out fishin a little longer, but I told him that he probably shouldn't because then he'd be tired for two days, and we're going to try to head to Chicago tomorrow for the John Butler Trio show. Chloe made brownies last night and took them out to the neighbor kids that were playing football in the street. She's such a giver. This morning we were woken up to breakfast in bed again, and Mara played dress up while John and I slept in a little. We went to church at the nursing home, and it kind of seemed like a Saturday Night Live skit with all of the residents either blurting out random things about going upstairs to get a buck or sleeping. It was sweet to watch the girls sit next to Sandy and sing out of the big orange hymnal book and watch TJ take Grandma back to the nurse's station because she wanted to go look for her dad. We visited Barbie and Bobbie who enjoyed telling us about all their beautiful hand made heirlooms and furniture that they're so blessed to have because it feels like the loved ones that made them are still there in their home with them, visited Marge who loved seeing the kids because she wasn't given any of her own grandchildren, and Mara had fun playing with her toy life-like kittens, and Doris who had a picture of our family and Haud on her table which made John cry. We had lunch at the Chinese buffett on Main Street and sat by a teenage girl who was talking on her cellphone to a boy who was just a couple tables away. I think that cellphones and technology have really made relationships less personal and has hindered people's real communication skills. Chloe and Marge were remembering when John used to drop her off on a Saturday morning while he ran a couple calls. I hope that we drop Chloe off there for a visit more often because Chloe is such good company, and her presence is so uplifting. Barbie and Bobbie didn't make it to church because it took him a while to plow the driveway. I was glad that they didn't so that we could chat with them for so long. TJ gave her a red and white lay, and she talked about still wanting to get to Hawaii sometime. She has a very young spirit and great energy. I have a student who is not doing well in Spanish, the same student who I was told stole my hat, and so I have a conference set up with his mom this week, and I pray that we both work together to find a solution and do not waste time or energy trying to blame or dwell on past mistakes. I read a comment from a student on facebook last night that his house is always 40 degree. I wonder if this is true and why and am going to try to see if there's anything we can do for them. My mom never stays for more than a few minutes when she visits us, and I'm not sure why, but I wish that she stayed longer and realized that we would like her presence more than her dropping off some little presents that the kids will lose in a day. I know that our friends enjoyed the company this morning more than the sugar free candies and dried prunes we brought them. Chloe told everyone that if they ever need any help shoveling, or raking, or doing groceries or laundry, that they can just call. I'm so proud of her. She called Jimmy this morning to wish him a happy Valentines Day, and she is so excited to see Tyse this weekend at TJ's birthday party. It makes me so glad that she's more excited to see her aunt than to go to a fun pizza place. My mom told me that my great Uncle Lew is marrying a younger lady from Russia today. I pray that he is wise and careful not to hurt or get hurt. I pray that Callie inspires others at church this morning, her show next Friday, and everyday. I pray that we don't get too much snow tonight that we can't go to the concert, but that if it does, that we have the wisdom d=to not dry in bad weather. I pray that teenage girls have the self worth to feel loved by God and not need to be told by a boy that they're pretty. I love the song by Jonny Diaz that reminds girls that they couldn't be any prettier. I love it that Mara says "Oh, they shouldn't be kissin' cause they're not married", and I hope that she continues to feel that way for another 15 years. I pray that everyone discovers the true, selfless, unconditional, slow tempered, hopeful, trusting love that God gives and chooses to be kind and patient, not jealous or boastful or proud, not selfish or rude, but rather to rejoice in truth, be supportive, loyal, helpful, and faithful. (1 Corinthians 13) This is my prayer.

LOVE is in the smile of the cake walk winner, the 88 year old boyfriend who still visits his sweetheart, and the young man who listened to the Spirit

We had a wonderful night at the carnival and at Callie's performance. There was a good turn out at the carnival, and I look forward to seeing how much money the school made. It's always a challenge putting an event on with a group of people because everyone has different ideas, so once in a while it was a little difficult to try to understand others' perspectives, but for the most part, I think we did a great job coming together to put on a fun Friday evening for families. Two days ago, our pet rat, Rita, escaped her cage, and the kids were very worried about her. It was in a small way, an example for the kids of how it must feel for the families who lost their loved ones in the earthquake in Haiti and for the family that lost their son in Ames. They were so glad when thirst made her return home from her adventure. My mom said that she heard on the news that they just found another survivor from the earthquake, and weeks later he is still alive and says that a white man in a robe kept bringing him water. I thank God for sending Jesus to this man, for putting a song in Callie's heart, and for putting love and hope in the souls of the residents at the nursing home who could choose to feel drowned in their sea of burdens or could choose to have the strength to wait upon the Lord knowing that He is in control and continues to give them grace and wisdom. We met a very nice man named Joe this morning visiting his 92 year old girlfriend, Elna. He said that before her stroke they were great dancers and spent many late nights at the Elks Lodge doin the boot scootin boogie. John and TJ and Grandpa Fred are ice fishing at Ponderosa. It is Freddy's first time ice fishing this year due to his recent health problems, and he is so glad to be out there. Callie's show was so beautiful last night. She sang an amazing song by Sarah Groves called When The Saints and a lot of her own songs about learning to obey God and to always remember where home is. Callie told us about a boy who said the Spirit told him not to go to school the day of the earthquake, and he stayed home and now he's alive but all of his classmates are gone. Mara was dancing and asking everyone's names and making a sweet gal named Tori smile. We visited Dixie and Bob afterwards, and it was great to see them. They are wonderful people and parents. They gave Chloe a $100 donation to give to their school. So generous and thoughtful. My mom told me that she has an interview in Cedar Falls on Monday for some home based sales business. I pray that God does whatever He has planned, and that she listens. The girls brought me breakfast in bed this morning and sang me a sweet Valentines song. The girls and I went shopping for TJ's 6th birthday this morning and found him exactly what he wanted: an electric guitar, amp, microphone, and melodica. He'll be so excited. We ate breakfast at DooDah's Diner this morning, and Robert Slocum was our waitor. We bought the coffee for the man we sat by, and we hope that he enjoyed our little act of kindness and passes it on to someone else who also passes it on. A mom of a classmate of Mara's came up to me at the carnival and said that she had gone to the girls' Valentines Party, and that the kids passed around a ball and said who they loved, and that everyone was saying their dog or their cat, and then Mara said that she loves Jesus. I'm so proud that she loves Jesus and that she isn't afraid to say it, isn't afraid to dance infront of a group, and isn't afraid to talk to new people. I pray for my student, JoAnn Johnson and her family, for Brett Weiss, for Grandma Mike to find the strength and grace to rise above the rough waters, for my brother, Jimmy, my cousin, Erica, for my friend, Christina and a closer friendship between us, and for us all to show love everyday, not just on Valentines Day.

Shake hands

Today after school, TJ took his guitar to the Sewing Center to get his broken string fixed. They had a nice red electric guitar there that TJ would really like for his birthday. We'll just have to see. We are going to get him some guitar lessons and some wrestling gear. Chloe and TJ are busy making their Valentine boxes. John is working hard making kettle corn in the garage for the carnival. TJ did very well at wrestling and having good sportsmanship. The coaches are excelent, and there are many important lessons about work ethic, listening, following directions, being a team player, and being perseverent. We are excited to go see Callie perform tomorrow night. We're going to make some more chocolate covered strawberries on Saturday and maybe some baggies of sugar fee goodies to deliver to Marge, Doris, Barbie and Bobby, and all of our other dear friends who don't get out much. We're going to go watch some of the District wrestling at the Roundhouse on Saturday too. I read something that Michael Franti wrote in response to people asking why he was performing with John Mayer, who recently said some disrespectful things in some interviews. Michael said that he loves to share his music with anyone because we're all human, we all make mistakes, and we're all worthy of love. Everyone deserves music. I think that the young wrestlers and Michael are great examples of Luke 6:27~Love your enemies, be good to everyone, ask God to bless everyone, pray for everyone...

How was your day?

Our computer got a virus and was doing some awful things for the last few days. I'm grateful to our friend, Ian, for fixin her up. John got home safely from California and met me at the Trevor Hall show at Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines Tuesday night. We had a great time, and we ran into Rick and Ann Long, whose son, Adam, is in college in Oregon and told them to go. It was a wonderful show and worth the scary drive. Sadly I heard on the news the next day that a 40 year old woman died on that same road at 7:00 after her truck slid down a ditch. That makes me think that maybe I shouldn't risk my life to go to a concert. Trevor, Chris, and Mario signed a drum that I got from Paul, who makes Michael Franti and Jaden's stomp boxes, and it looks great. I haven't decided if I'll put it in the silent auction for the benefit event in April or give it to John for his birthday. I heard that my cousin, Jonathan, was also in a car accident and that his blazer flipped down a ditch and landed on the roof. How scary. I thank God that they are alright. Today I had the interview with my student, Klyne, and Andrew from the Times Republican, and I learned a lot about Klyne during our lunch together. I would like to eat lunch with my students more often. I took one of my classes to the auditorium today to listen to eight students compete in the Poetry Outloud competition. I wasn't sure if my students would like it, but when I asked them if they were ready to go they wanted to wait until they heard their favorite poem, Jaborwaki, and many of them said they felt inspired by the contestants' abilities to memorize and be theatrical. I'm glad I chose to take them. No other classes attended. Mara and I went to my student, Patrick Youd's, house last night to help him and his mom better understand how to study. I hope that my home visit will motivate him to try harder. We went to the nursing home afterwards, and many of the residents were watching an old black and white movie on the big screen tv. There is a lady named Levern that Mara calls Loverburn. It makes me giggle, and Levern seems to enjoy it too. We went to Wal Mart to buy some pop for the carnival, and Mara spotted a mom of one of her classmates from preschool and yelled "Hi Sebutia's mom!". I'm interested to see if that is really the young boy's name. The woman who was behind the cash register as we were paying had very large breasts, and when we started to walk away, Mara whispered to me, "That's just the way God made her, right mom?" I was proud that she didn't say anything embarrasing to the lady and that she knew that we're all made differently but beautifully. Usually I ask the kids how their day was as we're driving home from Kyle and Melissa's, but yesterday Mara piped up and asked it before I had a chance. She's learning quickly. Chloe is studying Luke 6:27-31 about being kind to even those who aren't kind to you or who steal from you. It's an excellent verse that we all need to remember. Tuesday we were snowed in and didn't have school, and the kids played well together and were very creative and productive. It took Mara an hour to make her 18 Valentines, and she was very proud of herself. I'm excited to hear about her party today. I found two more musicians to join the line up for The Market event in April. Seth Doud and Nick Beard are going to join the stage to help raise money and instruments and art supplies for youth programs in need. I hope that the people of Marshalltown will step out of their routine and attend the event, and that it is a fun and fruitful night. I hope that the student who stole my favorite fedora hat will return it, and that he and I can have a meaningful conversation about treating others how we wish to be treated. I pray that Robin's husband, Alberto, enters Haiti safely tomorrow to distribute more supplies. I pray that the family in a rural town near Chariton where there was a shooting last night can recover from the incident and be healed emotionally and physically. I pray that my cold is taken away and my voice restored. I pray that families take a minute every night to ask each other about their day. I pray that people attend tomorrow's carnival and leave feeling a brighter spark for spending quality time with their family, eating, playing, praying, reading, and laughing together.

There will never be another Feb 8th, 2010

I heard this saying on the radio today, that you don't get a second chance to relive this exact day. Of course we get second chances the next day, but to think that we need to do our very best right when God gives us a test is a good reminder. Today I approached a student in the hallway that was wearing an inappropriate shirt, and he was very defiant and disrespectful. I think that often, even though I don't agree with the whole victim excuse, when people act out, there may be some underlying, hidden reasons for their behavior. I could have recognized that someone who would wear such a degrading shirt maybe doesn't have a close relationship with their parents or with God or they wouldn't choose to wear it, and I could've started my conversation with him by telling him my name, asking his, complimenting him on something, stating something that I think we have in common...He was very hostile with me, and instead of escalating the situation, I just emailed the administrators and had them deal with it, but I hope that God puts him in my path again and that I can try to transform his attitude by lending him a little time, my ear, my hopes for him. We got out of school early today because of all the snow. Chloe and TJ are making their Valentine cards for all 41 students at their school. Mara asked if we could bring Grandma Mike a bottle of Diet pop after her nap. I love it that she thought of that on her own. It was Mara last night that was handing everyone a musical instrument to play and bringing people food. She was a great little hostess. Today we gave Patricia and Tutu a ride home, and we saw Patricia's 3rd grade sister, Rosetta, and her friend, Dio, walking in the blizzard because they missed the bus. I was so glad that God led me on the streets he did so that we found them and were able to drive them home. Patricia told me that she had a brother and sister get kidnapped and/or killed before she was born in Barumbi/Barundi (?) Uganda. So sad to think about all the sex trafficking and violence that goes on around the world. I wish that more Americans saw the horrible things that so many people have to face and realized that something needs to be done, and that their minor problems are so insignificant. Last week Patricia told me that her mom often decides to move very suddenly and doesn't know why. I would like to meet her family and hear more about their life and let them know that I am their friend. I pray for the young man in the hall, Curtiss Carson, for Patricia and Tutugirl's families, for John's trip home tomorrow night, for a safe trip to Des Moines to see Trevor Hall, that people take time to show their love to many people and don't get caught up in the materialistic commercialism of the holiday. Today a teacher was gossiping about students in the office, and I pray that she realizes that this is not professional, that I have the strength to say that I don't appreciate it, and for the young men that she was speaking so badly of. I pray that there are enough volunteers for the carnival on Friday, that John continues having good business despite the poor economy, and that we continue being able to give through Compassion International and other services that seem to find us. I pray that I remember that we only have one Feb 8th, 2010 and that I patiently remind my children and students of this and that we all live each moment with utmost integrity and principle.

No more you and me, no more they and we, just unity

We had a fun night with Bill, Tracy, and kids, Dan, his brother, Anthony, Beth, Taylor and Erin. We made fun creations with pipe cleaners, listened to Trevor Hall, Amos Lee, Miley Cyress, and Taylor Swift on the CD player, and watched the Saints win the Super Bowl. The kids were singing into spoons, TJ was calling Erin's cell phone, Erin was braiding everyone's hair, Chloe and Anthony were playing war and crazy eights, and Dan was playin guitar and drums. I caught a little cold and need to take some vitamins. I'm excited for the Trevor Hall show on Tuesday. The kids are going to spend the night at my mom's. We had fun at the movies last night. I spent a lot of money yesterday. Making memories with my nieces and nephews was worth it though. Our friend, Callie, is going to Haiti for a week in April, and I pray that she is safe and that she is able to help many people. I pray that the kids' school is able to give the community a God filled evening on Friday and that people leave feeling love and peace in their heart. I pray that I make time to go visit Dan and Beth at their home like they make it a priority to come visit ours on so many snowy nights. I pray that my ordering pizza for my student Klyne this coming Tuesday is the beginning of a new priority of recognizing excellence in my students. Beth and Dan left us a sweet little Valentine on our refrigerator, and I pray that I take time to write little notes to people as well. Such a smell gesture can mean so much. TJ vacuumed the bedrooms, and Chloe made cream puffs and chocolate covered strawberries, and Mara walked around with her hands on her hips, tossing her hair back waiting for compliments. She needs some serious training. There were two heart shaped potatoes in the beef stew. I love it that Porky couldn't cut them, cause they were just too cool. Seton came over for a while before he had to go to a meeting, and he was pretty distraught about not being a good father to a 15 year old daughter in Grinnell that he hasn't been there for. I pray that he gets a job, sets his priorities and does what he needs to do to keep his kids at the top of his list, and that he finds his own place and peace in his heart. I pray for Chad Stonewall, the soldier that I saw saluting the flag at Hy Vee, my Grandma Betty and Grandpa Bill, and for our country and the world and that it may feel the unity that we feel at our potlucks when people take an hour or two to come together and work as one. I pray that Anthony finds a job, that the homeless couple we saw on Washington St. find work and a place to stay, and that we all stand firm like a tree that always has leaves and fruit in season and because we follow God's laws and stick together with our brothers and sisters, we have success, strength, and happiness like a forest of Sequoia trees whose deep roots keep them united and strong.