Sarah reminisced to me about a time when Ted celebrated a Notre Dame touchdown during a car trip. She is 23 now and must have been no more than 14 when this happened. It made quite an impression upon her.
Ted was listening to the game on the radio as we drove down the highway. Notre Dame scored and Ted quickly pulled over onto the shoulder, exited the car, and fist-pumped on the side of the road and probably cheered and screamed.
When I told Ted about Sarah's memory he immediately chimed in with more details. He told me that it was the USC game, we were on our way to Michigan City, and that when we arrived at Lighthouse Place, USC scored and Notre Dame lost. To quote Ted, "that celebration was for nothing."
Ah, the memories. I had blocked ALL of this out of my mind. Sarah on the other hand said this was the moment when she realized how much Notre Dame football meant to Uncle Ted. Poor Girl.
I blocked all of this out of my mind. I try to block all things related to Notre Dame football out of my mind, although, I do have a few funny stories from going to games. Maybe someday I'll write them down.
I have a Giant bicycle. Not a GIANT, like Clifford the Big Red Dog, but Giant the brand. I love my bicycle (it's hanging from the ceiling in a dark garage in this picture by the way). It's a silver and purple comfort bike. The saddle is a custom addition for added comfort, wide and padded. I take care of my lovely bike and it takes care of me. In fact, it's time for a tune-up.I take my Giant to my favorite shop, Family Bicycle Center. They are the best. The tune-up costs about half as much for my bike as it does for my car (I might be exaggerating). Of course, I don't tune my bike up as often as Ted does his bike. He has some fierce Giant off-road mountain bike (note his handle bar in the photo above). We've had our bikes for almost 10 years and they have never given us a bit of trouble, unlike our cars. If I lived closer to work I would ride my bike to school.
What happened to June? I blinked and it was gone. Ted was busy with a class and I was busy reading and relaxing 8-) The highlight of the month was our trip to Wisconsin. We had our visit with the allergist. I spent an extra hour at the clinic participating in chemical testing. The results showed a few more chemicals to which I'm allergic. But, in addition to the 6 peanuts I'm allowed to eat each day, I may also indulge in 2T. of peanut butter. Yum!!! Dr. agreed with my neurologist that I should totally eliminate wheat from my diet for 4 months. He said that if my migraines don't improve in that period of time that it is not the wheat allergy [causing my daily migraines] and I should go back to having one serving of wheat per day. But, he was kind enough to remind me that I have a severe wheat allergy, "Thanks." The best part of the trip to Wisconsin was visiting with my family. I don't see them enough, so these weekends are bittersweet. We spent the early afternoon with one side of the family at a picnic. Great fun. That evening with some of the other side. I was very glad Amy and the kids came home on Saturday from Portland so that we could visit. Bob and Nick were in town too. We also met Nick's girlfriend Missy. We stayed up late talking and enjoying our time together. July is half over! After church today I learned that my cousin is now engaged to her boyfriend. I'm so happy for her. Congratulations Linda and Tim! In one month it will be back to work. Relearning Kdg. and first grade curriculum, meeting my new students and their families and figuring out where I put everything when I moved my classroom. Summer Reading is fab! I'm on book 29, The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club . Last year I read 36 books. I'm on my way to meat or beat last years record, woo hoo!
While my school year was pleasantly uneventful, there were some special moments that were very meaningful and I will have in my heart always.They revolve around the blessings that the Lord has placed in my life no matter how long or how brief.
One student has been in my life for three years.She is sweet, sensitive and for the first two years of our life together, very well behaved.This year life threw her some curve balls and she experimented with naughtiness.I don’t think either of us knew how to handle that venture.
Last year she discovered a song on my iTunes that she decided was “her song.”Written and performed by the son of a dear friend of mine and a former teacher of my student, the song is called, “He Knows Your Name.”When she would finish her work each day she wanted to listen to “her song.”
One day she looked at me with eyes of pure innocence.I wish I could capture that look in a photograph to be sure I’d never forget.She quietly asked me, “Does God really know my name?”
I couldn’t help but smile widely as I gladly told her yes, he most assuredly does.Her eyes welled with tears when I told her that God knew her before she was born and he truly does know every hair on her head and he loves her more than anyone could or would ever be able to love her.Through those teary eyes she smiled brightly and hit repeat on “her song” so that she could her Denver tell her one more time that He knows her name.
Less than a month ago she came to me with an equally important question.She sat down next to me quietly and looked into my eyes, “Does God love us no matter what, even when we’re bad?”
“More than anything,” I told her, “He might be disappointed in the choices we make, but he never stops loving us.”She smiled her beautiful smile and went back to her work.Whatever weight that was on her heart had been lifted.
Ihad three years of smiles and laughter with her, but those two brief moments meant so much to me.They remind me that this is where God wants me for now.This is my place, these children are my purpose.I love them each in a different way.This one is going on to a new school.I will miss her madly, but, I will cherish the time I had with her.
19 people per hour die for Christ. 456 per day 3,192 per week 165,984 per year
These numbers are staggering, but what do they mean for you? To me it means, these people have put themselves all out for our Savior. They go to dangerous places to spread the gospel. They worship Him illegally because they love Him so much. They carry one page of scripture because that's all they have and they do that knowing if they are caught they will be punished. They stand for Jesus...what do we do to stand for Him? Do you live each day with Him by your side? Do you soak in His word and show others His love through your actions?
Signs of spring are everywhere around us. The snow is all but gone and the ground hog has been digging in the yard again. While I love the sunshine and warm air that are beginning to make daily appearances I will miss winter. I love winter. It won't be long until I will find myself dreaming of looking out across the field out back and seeing the snowflakes slowly fall to the ground.
Right now, this evening, I am content. I'm tired and ready to fall asleep from a busy day, but I'm so at peace. I honestly feel as though I am resting in the arms of the Lord. I haven't a worry or a care in the world at this moment in time. What a gift.
Another gift from the Father I received today was a long-awaited answer to a prayer. I've asked the Lord to use my migraine suffering in some positive way. I knew, after all, that I couldn't have all of this pain for so long and have no good come from it. Today I was sharing with Ted about how I helped someone who is suddenly experiencing migraines. As our conversation ended and I moved into another room I realized...He had used me and answered my prayers. I wonder how many other prayers He has answered in my life in such a subtle manner and I have failed to take notice. It saddens me to think it's possibly many times, especially before I was so cognizant of His voice.
We spent a few hours today visiting with family. It was our great-nephew's second birthday. It was fun to see "the babies" playing. I can't believe my nieces and nephews are starting to have children. I love them all so much and seeing them happy is so wonderful. We don't see them nearly enough. Below is a photo from today. A self-portrait from Dustin, age 20 months.
I have the most awesome gifts in the woman I study with on Wednesday evenings. We learn, laugh, and pray together. I have developed friendships that I never knew I could have. God gives gifts so often that they are taken for granted. I have never thanked him for these precious woman. Each has been so important in my growth as a Christian. Seeing them in the middle of the week is part of the water that fills my cup until Sunday.
March will be baby month. At work two co-workers are expecting within one day of each other. A family friend is due in about 3 weeks. I have no gifts ready. I'm thinking I'll knit hats. I thought about getting out patterns yesterday but that never happened. I still owe Sponge a replacement hat for the one E lost in December. I have a hat for myself on the needles. I REALLY need to finish the last 5 rows of a gift and bind off so I can get it in the mail. Later today we must go do a favor for my SIL. If this wasn't my only day off in February it wouldn't be a sacrifice, but... Ted's parents are going to take us to lunch. I'm hoping for a little South Side Soda Shop and Diner. We haven't eaten there in a long time. Ted may also need to pick up some candy at Olympia which means I'll buy a chocolate covered cherry, yum. I was going to have a craft day with Tam. That has been postponed. I'm going to help her designed bags for her new business. I'm excited because although she doesn't know it yet, I think my designs should be free to me. I only need one. I'll even buy my own materials. She would only be assembling the product.
