It's not about me

It seems like life's little storms are not stopping right now. I'm really, honestly not complaining, but it's been, uh, something, for sure.

So my friend Brenda and hubbie asked me to work with them with the little ones, right after we decided to go visit my very ailing aunt in the hospital in Eugene. Then at the last minute, 10 minutes before church was to begin, they decided to move her back to Coos Bay hospital, so we didn't go.

I decided, wet hair and all, that the church family is where I needed to be. So I went and ended up working in the little guys anyway. Ike on the way said: "I wish it were family camp all the time!" Then we talked about that's what church really is....weekly family camp. He got it.

WHAT A BLESSING!!! Those kids were so cute, and they just are sponges. They have exuberance, and they are not jaded. Micah was there. What a blessing, again.

And then, driving back into the storm, that the lesson here is that the storms are not going to stop. BUT when I get out of myself and my issues and my fears and my hurts and my stuff, and look at others, that's the respite. That's the calm.

They asked me to lead a little singing, they don't really need me, but I'm going to do it. And then over a salad at Wendy's, I ran into someone with problems worse than my own and was given a way to help.

This is what Jesus was talking about when he said to take up the cross. It's about dying to our stuff and serving others. The whole foot-washing thing.

A-ha.

First week back for both of us

Typical week to go back to school. Except my teaching partner is gone, so I moved everything around and cleaned out offices to use for science storage.

I have a new office, really big. I splurged on a fridge and microwave, on sale, of course. It's nice to have real food for lunch instead of peanut butter. I got a couch from another teacher and some used lamps. It's really neato.

I am ready. I love this time of year. You get a do-over for any perceived mistakes.

Ike started homeschooling. We are getting so much done. And it feels right. He is relaxed, busy but rested. He's zooming through it pretty fast and gets the attention he needs, but is learning to think more for himself. I think we're all pretty happy so far.

I have decided to sign up for e-harmony for a year. I am not really sure about dating, everything is so long-distance. I am pretty gun-shy.

The real reason I am doing it is to practice. I need to learn to say what I want without apologizing all the time, and I need to practice weeding out the weirdos. So this is worth every penny. I have "met" some interesting ones. One is a Christian music theory from the University of Oregon. He seems nice. We have alot in common, but he likes skinny girls, so I am probably out the door soon.

I could be friends with him. I think this is an interesting way to make new friend connections if anything. It will definitely be an experience worth blogging about this year.

My allergies have come back in full-force. I feel like I have strep throat all the time, which makes me glad Mr. Kruse took the HS band job. I heard the band tonight. They sounded awesome. I'm so glad it worked out so well.

I am studying the book of John again. I am looking for all the things about Jesus and writing them down. It is amazing to study our Lord. He's worth studying.

I'm going to make blackberry jam. That should be interesting.

That's all for now.