Ice...Dangit!

We have a stupid ice day. The kids are happy. I'm sure our MCC students are happy at getting to sleep in today and moving closer to their break. I know all the school age people in the city are over-joyed. I'm not! I really wanted clear weather today. I wanted to go to work (hello, money is always nice to make), I hate the inevitable news of accidents and downed power lines and stuff. I also worried about one of our students who is from Florida and has no experience in the ice and snow. He picks up a student who lives up 2 very steep hills and he drives a little Chevy Cobalt. I'm glad now that I don't have that worry, but I was looking forward to today.

I think teenagers are a little crazy and whole lot of stupid (if you are a teenager and you know me, you know I love you, but it doesn't change the way I feel). I'm subbing for the middle/high school class at our church school this week, and I'm telling you, my feelings are being reinforced. Thank You God you did not call Carlo & I to Youth Ministry. Thanks for giving us the burden for discipleship and young adults. Mark Rutland has said the only difference between a high school senior and a college freshman is a 6-week break. This is very true, but at least when our 1st year students act crazy, we can tell them to stop being dumb and grow-up and not worry about a momma who is going to be mad at us. We get to deal with the real world and real world issues...there's nothing better.

Snow Day

A really bad ice storm hit the northeast this weekend. There are some 90,000+ home without power. Here in Clarksville we are expecting an ice storm later tonight. It's already like 28 degrees outside and feels more like 16. I absolutely love winter! I love fires in the fireplace, jeans, boots, sweaters, hats, and all that stuff. It's so cool to look out a window on a winter morning and see everything sparkling like diamonds because of the frost. The crunch under your shoes is great. What I don't like is that the meteorologists have called for snow for like a total of 7 days since Thanksgiving weekend. Have we gotten?? NO, but you can believe we'll be getting the ice. On my way home from substitute teaching the rain drops on my rear window were frozen and the little bit of water left on my windshield after I swiped my wipers over it froze as well.

~I don't like ice. It's dangerous, and people always drive crazy in inclement weather. Carlo and I have a Christmas dinner to go to later. Lord keep us safe as we go.

~I don't want a snow day tomorrow. This is the last week of school & MCC before Christmas. There's a lot to be done. I want to make my 3 days of subbing count.

Wow, a month since my last blog. Never said that my posts would be frequent, that's why it's titled "Random Thoughts."

We've been pretty busy. My boys are growing up way too fast. Last night was their Christmas program at school. I had the best donkey and lamb EVER in the history of children's programs. The program was short and sweet and to the point: Jesus was born in a manger, angels proclaimed His birth to shepherds who came to see Him, Wise Men saw the star in the sky and came to see what it was all about. At the end of their journey they found a King, the King of kings and worshipped Him. It was an awesome 20 min.

My family life has been pretty busy too. My mother-in-law has had a stay in the hospital and a trip to the emergency room in the last 3 weeks. It's been crazy and scary, but praise God, we're getting results. Doctors are working to get to the bottom of things and we are hearing good reports concerning illnesses we thought were bad, but aren't.

MCC has been rocking it. We've got no travel plans til 2009, but that doesn't mean we don't have stuff to do. We've helped with services, are prepping for the church Christmas cantata, and we're still maintaining all our other workload. Yesterday was finals for the students. 3 took Hermeneutics and Evangelism, while one took Homiletics and Romans. I know that all 3 passed Hermeneutics and Evangelism, and we're just waiting on grades for Homiletics and Romans. I'm proud of all 4 of them, especially my 2 first years. They scored really good marks. Keep it up you guys!

I'm ready for the break we'll get with Christmas. I can chill with my kids, get some school work done myself, and try to do some Christmas shopping. I've done none as of right now, but it'll be good. I've got a good idea of what we're getting the kids and what I'm getting my husband. That just leaves my mother, brother, & sister-in-law. More to the point, I've got to get Christmas cards done. If you follow this I usually send you a card, you'll get it at some point this month. That's the best I can promise.

History

Tonight history was made.  For the first time, America elected a black man as president of this country.  

While I may not agree with or support anything this man stands for, it is very moving to see a black man be called "President-elect" or "Mr. President" and it not be on t.v. or a movie.

I know so many people who are disappointed, or mad or whatever that John McCain didn't win the election.  I personally didn't vote for Barack Obama, but I can't help but echo my friend Israel in saying that maybe this is the kick in the rear Christians need to really start praying for our country instead of just paying it lip-service.  Something we must never forget is that God is in control, and nothing EVER takes Him by surprise.  He knows what He's doing, even when we don't.

So, I may not be particularly happy about the next leader of this country that I love, but I am putting my trust and dependence in the Leader I know has only  my best interest at heart.  The Leader who will "never leave nor forsake me."  The Leader who will be there for me no matter what.  The Leader who promises me that while "the sorrows may last through the night, His joy comes with the morning."  I'm not saying that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are going to bring us 4 years of sorrows or darkness, but I am saying that as long as I have faith in and depend on my God, I am safe and secure.

I encourage those of you who are believers to have that same faith in God, and invite those of you who aren't believers to place your trust in Him, and allow Him to give you that peace that passes all understanding.

Man oh Man!!

It's only Tuesday, but it has already been a crazy week. I had a great time with my boys on a field trip yesterday. We went to a century farm (just meaning that the farm has had one hundred years or more of continual agricultural production) and saw the sights. There was a 40-foot tunnel slide that was a favorite of all the students. I learned that I am definitely not cut out to do the whole, "Let boys be boys. Sometimes they do dangerous things, but they're boys, it's what they do." thing. I was going crazy watching my boys in particular, but all the students try to climb this dirt mound that had them slipping and sliding and in some places had a sheer drop. And of course because they were kids none of them wanted to use the easy path up the hill to go back down the slide.

In an effort to live drama-free, we had a whole lot of it today. In our MCC fashion we were real in the face of everything. We learned somethings today. I think for all of us it was something different. Some learned compassion, we all learned that "If not for the grace of God, there go I." Tomorrow will give us a clearer picture of everything. God, just please give us the wisdom in finishing this out, and the grace to handle it all with Your love and mercy.

My Newest Discovery

RedBox is the coolest thing ever. For $1 you can find a movie to have an awesome movie night with your family. How do I know this? Last Friday we spent $2.16 renting "Iron Man" and "Baby Mama." Obviously the kids didn't watch "Baby Mama," which is a funny movie by the way. That was something more for Carlo and me to enjoy, and we did. We let the boys watch "Iron Man" and have their fun without us adults getting annoyed hearing their comments and sound effects helping the movie develop. But I digress, the people who came up with the concept of Red Box are geniuses! I wish I had come up with the idea. It's an economical, yet fun way to encourage family time. By offering family friendly movies at a cheap viewing price, the makers of RedBox machinges have allowed families who can't afford to go to the movies, meet Blockbuster's standards, or purchase movies when they are released to see these new movies with their families. Thanks RedBox people, the ease of use; selection; and price made for a great Friday night!

So, wow it's been a long time.

I've had tons going through my mind, but I just haven't taken the time to get it blogged. Live has been hectic, but in a good way. My boys are growing up and I can't be prouder of their progress. David is finally potty-trained!! Thank God that journey is over! Tony has been doing great with school progressing through his work at a good pace, and making straight A's on all his tests. They marvel me each day with the new things they think up, say, or learn and share with me. I'm blessed to have 2 boys who love me and love God. The fights and pouts I get out of David each night over who's turn it is to pray (he always says it's his night), and who's going to pray before school are endearing. My children are applying the Word of God to their lives everyday and growing in faith and love for Him.

The first month and 2 days of MCC have been great. I love what I do. I get up everyday ready to go to work. The students are growing and allowing God to work in their lives. God is at work in me, and I can see in my life the changes taking place. We've been pretty non-stop the last 3 weeks, so I'm looking forward to a slower pace as we get geared up for Christmas. I'm expecting big things in the weeks to come as we spend more time in prayer together, study the Word, and just let the Holy Spirit do His thing in us.