Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
"Lord, I believe. Help Thou My Unbelief..."
The other night I was watching a movie on the Hallmark channel. I don't remember the name of the movie, but it had a Christian theme. I learned a very good way to describe the reason why bad things happen to good people. The man on the film had lost his wife and his barn had burned down. He was helping a young widow who had lost her husband and who was having a baby. He mentioned that the Lord was with him and she got angry and asked how he could believe that after all of the bad things that had happened. He used the analogy of him as a father to his young daughter. He said that even when he held his daughters hand when they were walking, she could still fall and hurt herself. She could skin her knee and be in pain. He would be there to pick her up and comfort her, but she would still have to go through the pain. He said that God had been there with him through all of his pain and helped him bear the burden and comforted him. I thought that was a beautiful analogy.
As I listened to the General Conference today and heard the beautiful talks giving testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, I recalled that analogy and Elder Holland so eloquently reminded us that we are never alone because He went through that loneliness for us on the cross. As soon as it is available on line, I will post the link to the audio broadcast of that talk. It will move you to tears. It will move you to be a better follower of Christ.
As I listened to the General Conference today and heard the beautiful talks giving testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, I recalled that analogy and Elder Holland so eloquently reminded us that we are never alone because He went through that loneliness for us on the cross. As soon as it is available on line, I will post the link to the audio broadcast of that talk. It will move you to tears. It will move you to be a better follower of Christ.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Last week I finally got a facebook account. It is a pretty shallow and time consuming thing. I enjoy my blog much more because here I can express my true thoughts without feeling like everyone is looking at them and judging me. Of course, I realize that people can judge me here as well, but mostly only people I love and respect come to this blog, so I know that they will like me anyway, even if they disagree with me.
The main reason I got a facebook account was so that I could get on line and see my kids pictures that they post. Also, you can chat and message them faster than on email. But, you have to be lucky enough to be on at the same time that they are, and you can't really write very much. So, I often feel frustrated because comments and ideas expressed are often not interesting to me, people always want me to do quizzes and games, and the things that I really want to see don't change quick enough for me. Sometimes people make cryptic comments that I don't understand, but I do not feel like I should just comment on everything like this, "what do you mean by that?" over and over again.
Yet, even with all of my complaining, I still find myself drawn to my account whenever I have a free moment, in the hopes that there will be new pictures or info to gladden my heart. I should really be doing other more productive things. Alicia says she thinks I am an Internet stalker. I don't mean to be, but I do like to see what is going on with everyone.
I think about when I was the age that my grown-up kids are now. I communicated with my mom by writing letters and the occasional telephone call. I was a very good letter writer back then. I also wrote to my siblings and Glen's family as well, after we were married. Now I am terrible about writing, yet I love it when I receive a letter, personally hand written by my mother or someone else. It is a thing to be treasured. Someday my mom will be gone and those pieces of her handwriting written with sore arthritic fingers will be dear to me, even more than they are now, because she held the pen and scrawled the words. I can see more of her in those words than in a printed off email or message. I need to try to get back to writing letters. Handwritten letters seem to have a piece of the writer in them. Emotions and meanings are easier to see between the lines. Letter writing seems to be a dying art. When you watch the History Channel, much of the color of the stories and the details come from the letters that have been preserved over the years.
Well, I got off on a tangent about letter writing, but I guess my point is that facebook isn't a great way to communicate. There are better ways and there are more constructive things to be doing. So, while I will still keep my account, I am going to make an effort to look less often and not to let it become an obsession. Since I am already addicted to Mario Cart on the Wii, I can't afford anymore addictions. Maybe facebook is the reason I haven't touched the Wii all day today. Well, that and my garden.
I'm not sure how to end these ramblings, so I will do what 2nd grade students often do and just say, The End.
The main reason I got a facebook account was so that I could get on line and see my kids pictures that they post. Also, you can chat and message them faster than on email. But, you have to be lucky enough to be on at the same time that they are, and you can't really write very much. So, I often feel frustrated because comments and ideas expressed are often not interesting to me, people always want me to do quizzes and games, and the things that I really want to see don't change quick enough for me. Sometimes people make cryptic comments that I don't understand, but I do not feel like I should just comment on everything like this, "what do you mean by that?" over and over again.
Yet, even with all of my complaining, I still find myself drawn to my account whenever I have a free moment, in the hopes that there will be new pictures or info to gladden my heart. I should really be doing other more productive things. Alicia says she thinks I am an Internet stalker. I don't mean to be, but I do like to see what is going on with everyone.
I think about when I was the age that my grown-up kids are now. I communicated with my mom by writing letters and the occasional telephone call. I was a very good letter writer back then. I also wrote to my siblings and Glen's family as well, after we were married. Now I am terrible about writing, yet I love it when I receive a letter, personally hand written by my mother or someone else. It is a thing to be treasured. Someday my mom will be gone and those pieces of her handwriting written with sore arthritic fingers will be dear to me, even more than they are now, because she held the pen and scrawled the words. I can see more of her in those words than in a printed off email or message. I need to try to get back to writing letters. Handwritten letters seem to have a piece of the writer in them. Emotions and meanings are easier to see between the lines. Letter writing seems to be a dying art. When you watch the History Channel, much of the color of the stories and the details come from the letters that have been preserved over the years.
Well, I got off on a tangent about letter writing, but I guess my point is that facebook isn't a great way to communicate. There are better ways and there are more constructive things to be doing. So, while I will still keep my account, I am going to make an effort to look less often and not to let it become an obsession. Since I am already addicted to Mario Cart on the Wii, I can't afford anymore addictions. Maybe facebook is the reason I haven't touched the Wii all day today. Well, that and my garden.
I'm not sure how to end these ramblings, so I will do what 2nd grade students often do and just say, The End.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I have a voice
Yesterday I was listening to talk radio. A dangerous past time I know, because then I get on a soap box. I was listening to a liberal opinioned person speak about Sean Hannity and conservatives. He said that what a conservative says in this country is irrelevant and it only becomes relevant if a liberal agrees with him. Wow! If that isn't offensive, I don't know what is. Not only that, it is a very ignorant point of view because while many conservatives tend to be quieter about their views than liberals, there are still many conservatives out there and they do have voices and votes. Not only that, but conservatives have needs, dreams and hopes just like liberals do. They also have rights and privileges under the constitution just like liberals. The thing that upset me the most is that I know that if the tables had been turned and a conservative had made that observation about a liberal, everyone would have been all over it, calling the person who said it a hater, etc.
That brings me to a new point. Remember when Pres. Bush would misspeak and sound dumb sometimes and the liberal press would crucify him for it? Has anyone picked up on Obama's blunders? He joked about his bowling belonging on "the Special Olympics." He made a big faux pas on St. Patrick's Day with the speech making, giving his speech twice because of an error on the teleprompter and, ending with the Irish guy's speech, thanking himself. Didn't he pay attention to what he was saying? How about his broken promise to his daughters to get a puppy and now saying it was a "campaign promise." Wow! That says a lot about the man I think. But, where is the press who have hailed this man as king? They are still in a love affair with him and so are not willing to admit that this President may not be the genius they tauted him to be. I blame the ruin of our country on the liberal press. Their warped ideas lead people to believe that which is untrue. They shape the political climate of the country and if people do not take the time to search and learn the truth, as much as possible, then the liberal press will control the elections as they have in recent years. Stop believing everything the New York Times has to say America, and use your own minds and common sense. Then, use your own voice because your opinions and beliefs do count. Even if they are different than mine, at least they will be your thoughts and ideas and not someone else's.
That brings me to a new point. Remember when Pres. Bush would misspeak and sound dumb sometimes and the liberal press would crucify him for it? Has anyone picked up on Obama's blunders? He joked about his bowling belonging on "the Special Olympics." He made a big faux pas on St. Patrick's Day with the speech making, giving his speech twice because of an error on the teleprompter and, ending with the Irish guy's speech, thanking himself. Didn't he pay attention to what he was saying? How about his broken promise to his daughters to get a puppy and now saying it was a "campaign promise." Wow! That says a lot about the man I think. But, where is the press who have hailed this man as king? They are still in a love affair with him and so are not willing to admit that this President may not be the genius they tauted him to be. I blame the ruin of our country on the liberal press. Their warped ideas lead people to believe that which is untrue. They shape the political climate of the country and if people do not take the time to search and learn the truth, as much as possible, then the liberal press will control the elections as they have in recent years. Stop believing everything the New York Times has to say America, and use your own minds and common sense. Then, use your own voice because your opinions and beliefs do count. Even if they are different than mine, at least they will be your thoughts and ideas and not someone else's.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Counting my Blessings
When I go back to work for some of these long term jobs I do, it is very easy to get down on so many things because the people we work for aren't perfect and the political climate is so imperfect. The way the State is cutting the budget for education is so frustrating. It is vexing and really easy to forget my blessings, so I am going to list a few. Maybe it will cheer me and others up!
- I am currently working with some fantastic teachers who are so much fun and I learn so much from!
- We had a little potluck today. It was delicious!
- I am getting paid for what I do, even though not particularly well, but, I feel blessed to have what I have.
- Tomorrow is the last day of school before Spring Break! Notice how I capitalized Spring Break. That is because it is one of the most wonderful times of the year.
- My husband has been priming my house so that we can paint it over the break.
- I really love my family.
- My husband has a good job.
- My children are all employed and in school. (Lindsey will be in school soon. LAW school!)
- Jennifer scared Kerri today so well and got Barbara as well. That was a bonus!
- Tomorrow is field day, a pizza party and that is about it for a change, so it should be a wild and crazy day!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Happy Dr. Seuss Day!
Did you notice the great Google art today? We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday at school today. There were about a million guest readers today, so very little got done. Actually, in spite of the kids being all worked up, it all made for a pretty easy day. Now, hopefully I can settle them down tomorrow.....We will still be doing Dr. Seuss, so the settling down is doubtful. But, why stop with Dr. Seuss. I think we should have A.A. Milne day, or Steven Kellogg Day. How about Laura Ingles Wilder Day or Gary Paulsen Day. I am all for it!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Its been a long time....
I was unable to log on because Madalynn decided to change the password without telling me. Which is strange since I write much more often that she does.
I just finished my long term job as a 2nd grade teacher. It always makes me happy and sad at the same time because I am glad to be able to be home for a bit if I want, but I have gotten attached to the kids and to the routine and I miss it for a bit.
The New Year has had a nice start so far. The Holidays were nice, having all of my kids home. I got to have brunch with my dear friend Ruth. We try to do this anually and I am glad we didn't miss it this year. Glen had to go out of town for work for 2 weeks and I missed him like crazy, but it is so great to be together again after we've been apart that we appreciate each other a little more I think.
There was a bunch that I wanted to write after Christmas, but now I can't remember everything that I wanted to say. So, I guess that is all for now!
I just finished my long term job as a 2nd grade teacher. It always makes me happy and sad at the same time because I am glad to be able to be home for a bit if I want, but I have gotten attached to the kids and to the routine and I miss it for a bit.
The New Year has had a nice start so far. The Holidays were nice, having all of my kids home. I got to have brunch with my dear friend Ruth. We try to do this anually and I am glad we didn't miss it this year. Glen had to go out of town for work for 2 weeks and I missed him like crazy, but it is so great to be together again after we've been apart that we appreciate each other a little more I think.
There was a bunch that I wanted to write after Christmas, but now I can't remember everything that I wanted to say. So, I guess that is all for now!
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