Recipes

So, the fact that I even have an entry titled "recipes" makes me chuckle a bit. Never one to spend much time being productive in the kitchen, I've gotten a little brave as of late and have made some pretty good attempts at some tasty delights. Here are a few:

Peppermint Bark

Melt 18oz. white chocolate.

Break apart candy canes into bits no bigger than 1/4 in.

mix that junk up in a bowl.

Add a splash of peppermint extract.

Pour over some parchment paper and chill for about 45 minutes.

Break that mess apart and eat it up.

Lazy Pierogie Casserole

Put yourself 5 lasagna noodles (al dente) in the bottom of a glass 9x13ish dish.

Mix up an egg, 2 c. of cottage cheese and a dash of onion salt.

Plop that mixture right on top of those noodles.

Put yourself another layer of lasagna noodles on top of that.

Then put 2 c. of mashed potatoes with about a cup of cheddar cheese mixed in.

Put yet one more layer of lasagna noodles and then melt a c. of butter and mix that up with a c. of diced onions...dribble that deliciousness on the top of your casserole.

Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350.

Porkchops a la Orange (or whatever)

Sear 4 boneless porkchops with a bit of salt and pepper.

Generously sprinkle some cinnamon on those bad boys.

Dump a can of mandarin oranges (with juices) on top.

Cover and let simmer for about 30 minutes.

Serve over egg noodles.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

If you've got recipes, send 'em my way!

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EKS

Ena's first bath!

What a blessing a sweet new life is! I spent a majority of my time away from work over the past two weeks in the nursery at St. Francis Hospital, holding on to dear little Ena. The hospital plays a lullaby over the loudspeaker anytime a baby is born. One night, Ena and I hummed along to the song three times as more sweet little babies were brought into this crazy, wonderful world! Ena is home now, praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for her. She'll be on an apnea monitor for quite a while. Her parents are rockstars - handling everything with grace and a wonderful sense of humor.

Have a great week!

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A Slap in the Face

Soooo. I was going to start this post by saying that I am embarrased to have wiped the dust off my Bible tonight. And then I read my previous post. I suck.
I've been riding a wave for a few months...surrounded by great colleagues at work...enjoying my students who say the funniest things and truly entertain me for eight hours of the day...learning the game of golf...hours upon hours of Wii boxing...truly not a care in the world!
And when I am not stressed, I tend not to look inward. And when I do not look inward, I live in this state of pride and selfishness that is so blinding that it makes me see only what I want to see.

And then God slaps me in the face.

I spent time with my dear friends, Mark and Nicole, on Sunday. Expecting their first child in December, it's been really fun talking about the future with them. And then Tuesday Mark called down to my classroom - Nicole delivered Ena Kathryn on Wednesday morning after God knows how many hours of labor, with me watching the contractions on the monitor and discouraging Mark from saying innapropriate things to Nic in the middle of it all. Five weeks premature. Now, I love babies. And I've seen lots of them. But never have I seen anything as tiny and perfect as sweet little Ena. Today was the first day that I held her and in those thirty minutes of her in my arms, I was once again reminded of how Great He Is. How Ever Present. How His Hand is in Everything, though I cycle through the moments when I don't acknowledge It.
So, last week was a time of reflecting and praise for this sweet little life.
And then Friday morning came. And I did not pass my boards. And there was such frustration and screaming and crying because I really felt like I deserved to pass. I felt entitled to pass.
Ah, there's the rub.
My selfish entitlement.
When I picked up my God's Word tonight (and my 90 Day study of David that I've been reading though for a year...), I was reminded through Isaiah's words, "Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." I have always been an expectant one...looking ahead and what I do not have. But I get so wrapped up in my own sin that I do not see the blessings in front of me. How frustrating it must be for my Father to watch me go through this cycle time and time again.
When we focus more on our battles than on God, our enemy appears bigger, we appear weaker, and our God appears smaller. This cannot be.
If I could, I would sit in the level 2 nursery and love on Ena for all eternity. If I could, I would would make sure I pass my boards this second time around. If I could, I would make sure that my Bible never becomes dusty again. But once again I'm reminded that I need more than my own strength to do these things. I thank God for humbling me through Ena's early birth and my own earthly failure. I am thankful that the wave I was riding crashed last week and left me tiring of treading water. And I pray that I keep my eyes on the One who keeps His eyes on me.

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Ruin Me

So once again, I've gone over a month...almost two...without blogging. And it once again isn't because nothing exciting has happened. But I've failed in being introspective of late and have instead thrown myself into work and my kiddos. My blog isn't the only thing that's missing out on attention. I picked up my Bible and my Beth Moore study the other night and blew a month's worth of dust off the top.

Pretty pitiful on my part.

But glorious on God's part. When I got home one day last week, there was a number on the caller id from "Pennsylvania." How cool that an entire Commonwealth would call?! Imagine my joy when I listened to the voicemail from Pittsburgh Public requesting an interview...an interview that I have prayed for and waited on for more than a year. And yet, I am consumed with my kids in Charleston. And as much as I want to, I cannot be consumed with the children of Pittsburgh right now. So, I'll interview in May...

God has always worked on me to teach me how to wait. How my timeline is so much more imperfect than His. And that by trusting Him, He will make things happen...in His time.

I think that the phone call last week was from My Father, more than from the Commonwealth. A message saying, "Hey you. Where've you been? I'm still working on you, whether you spend time with Me or not. I miss you."

Well, here I am, Lord. Your servant is listening, willing to follow where You are leading, on your timeline and not my own.

The lyrics of Jeff Johnson...my reluctant prayer for some time...

Ruin Me

Woe to me I am unclean

A sinner found in Your presence

I see you seated on Your throne

Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You

Now the plans that I have made

Fail to compare when I see your glory

Ruin my life the plans I have made

Ruin desires for my own selfish gain

Destroy the idols that have taken Your place

'Till its You alone I live for, You alone I live for.

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty !

Holy is the Lord!

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty!

Holy is the Lord!

I leave you with a prayer request. A dear friend and her husband have been told that they will be parents in early April! This after they were told they would not have children of their own. This after they completed the application process to be foster parents. As delighted as they are, they are both very aware of the level of risk of her pregnancy. Will you join me in praying for health, patience, and trust? Let me know if there's anything I can pray for on your behalf, too. Cheers!

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Sometimes He Comes in the Clouds

I spent the first part of July driving around Western Pennsylvania, enjoying quiet moments (and rowdy moments) with old friends in Pittsburgh, and cherishing time with my parents at the lake house. If you've read my blog at all, you know that my theme for living is to be light. For my students, my friends, my family, random people I meet on the street. In my continued study of David, a warrior king who wanted nothing more than to go where God lead him, I've learned that my heart requires constant alteration in order that I may be light to those in need. I was in the car by myself for about 30 hours over the course of ten days. While I sang along with Jeff Johnson and David Crowder most of the way, there were times when I drove quietly...looking, listening.

The last year has been very interesting because it has led to me to completely different place than where I used to be, even though I haven't moved anywhere. I thought for sure that I would be spending this school year in cooler temperatures, surrounded by faithful friends with whom I have a great history - finishing each other's sentences, sharing the details of the Faith Walk, and working in the middle of the inner-city, which I felt called to do when I was 14. I prayed for this move more than I've prayed for anything in my adult life. At the tail-end of the each prayer, I mumbled "...if this is Your will, lead me down your righteous path." And yet here I am. And amazingly enough, I realize that with my Rock leading me, I am on His path. Though I don't know what is around the next bend and I am uncertain of what the final destination is, I am enjoying the walk with my Lord.

I really love summer thunderstorms. In Charleston, you can actually smell them coming before they get here! The thunder, the torrential rain, the sometimes power-killing lightning never lasts long and it's always hotter and muggier after the crash and boom than it was to start. But the constant reminder that weather, life, our circumstances, can turn on a dime and that there is a Consistent One who has my best interests at heart makes me ready and willing to accept His grace.

My God is Mighty to Save. May I never measure an obstacle against my own strength, but against Yours.

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Pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop......

So, ten minutes ago, I was sleeping peacefully...listening to my ipod, dreaming about Brad Paisley and Dolly Pardon singing together in Heaven when I was awakened to the sound of a clicking (read: snapping, popping) noise. I thought for sure after a few seconds it would go away, but indeed it did not. This disruption went on for what seemed like forever - of course I had to investigate. So, with my loyal steed at my side, I located the obnoxious culprit at the window above my bed.

Could the screen be slipping out?

Maybe the glass is moving down?

Perhaps my prince charming is just outside, throwing pebbles to wake me up?

Not so much.

Picture this: A 26 year-old female, disheveled hair, wearing nothing but a ratty Air Force t-shirt and Campbell University cotton boxers standing in the front yard trying to figure out what in the Hey Ho has her up and out of bed a night before she has to interview 4 potential candidates for a teaching position. Believe you me, not a pretty sight!

After moments of banging on the outside of my house, the brother came out and announced that there was a bug (read: insect, critter) in the house one day this weekend making a popping sound. Mmmm. So, I did what any red-blooded American did who needs her rest. I grabbed the hose, cranked up the water to "jet spray," soaked the front of the house, and now am going back to sleep - in peace - knowing that if poppy-bug can't swim, he's S.O.L.

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Just because you like Britney doesn't mean that I like Britney

When the school year draws to a close, my life comes to a screeching halt! Praise God! This is the first time that I have done absolutely nothing with myself. I sleep late, go days at a time without showering, and do not a thing to enhance my intellect. I enjoy reading friends' blog updates and continue to pray wholeheartedly for God to open doors so that I can be effective in his ministry. Blessings to everyone. I'll touch base if anything exciting happens:)

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1968

Forty years ago today, my parents started our family. Awesome.

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Glorious Day

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Timing is Everything

So I've thought about blogging a lot over the past two weeks, but I could never think of a topic. Honestly, I've been in survival mode: teachers everywhere know what I'm talking about. When you're approaching a long holiday (or a weekend, for that matter) and your only goal is to make it there without going absolutely insane!

There were a few added obstacles to my "makin' it" this year. Without going into too much detail, there are a handful of folks who disagree with my teaching methods and practices. And that's all fine and dandy. I certainly did not go into my profession thinking that everyone would be happy with what I did all of the time. But what has been different this year is that folks have been really verbal with their disdain...dragging my reputation through the mud. Deliberately saying/writing things to hurt me. I don't think I've ever been faced with that before; people who have a desire to make another person feel bad are not the kinds of folk I tend to spend much time with.

Anyway (thanks for sticking with me if you've read this far), today was the first day in a while that I took time out to listen to God. I've been talking to Him a lot lately - begging Him to heal me, to heal those who aim to hurt me. Today I read about David and Goliath (a favorite story) and how David was ridiculed by his brothers because he'd split his time between tending his father's sheep and being there to battle the Philistines. His brothers questioned his motivations; when have my motivations been questioned?

The first question to direct my prayer and thinking was: Have you ever felt undervalued and unappreciated for what you do and who you are? *See above to read answer to that one.* The second question: How have you felt this sting the sharpest? Wow. Through all of my analyzing of what I did wrong as a teacher this year to make so many parents hate me so much, God slaps me with this realization: like David, who couldn't control how his brothers felt about him; he was just trying to do the right thing...there are times that we all suffer as a result of another person's opinions, words, blogs, etc. Who handles it more gracefully? David? or Kortney?

So what do we do with this? We cry out to Jesus, who said Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you...rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

Sweet. Bring on the insults. My God and I can handle it:)

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Sheryl Crow is Also a Strummer

When I was 14, I bought a vintage Ibanez from this podunk music store in Cheraw. I don't know how to pick out notes, I don't know how to change strings, but in 12 years, I've figured out how to strum out some pretty heavy chords and have even accompanied elementary students in "Lunch Lady Land" (hogies and grinders, hogies and grinders, navy beans, navy beans, meatloaf sandwich...). Last fall, my dad sent a letter. He's a man of few sentimental words. I've always known that he loves me more than he can express, despite the fact that I was pretty rotten to him growing up. We don't ever talk about how much we care for each other. I don't thank him enough for what he continues to provide for me. We only hug when I'm done throwing everything back in my Jeep to drive back to Charleston after a too-short weekend at the parents' house. Anyway, in the mass letter to four of his six children, Dad wrote "please don't ever forget the importance of worship and of having worship be a primary focus of your life." He also wrote about geraniums and retirement and his blood pressure, but it was his plea for us to embrace our Lord through worship that had a great impact on me. I share this with the one and a half people who read this blog because as of late, when I am looking for "productive" things to do, I find my guitar in my hands - strumming the chords to Hosanna or Mighty to Save. And while I don't sing along (I'm a hummer), for the moments that my fingers are growing calloused on the strings of my vintage Ibanez, I am transported to a place of praise. At night when I am too weary to open His word, I turn to my ipod and pray that God would receive my praise through the words that the musicians sing for me. My parents gave me the gift of appreciation of music a long time ago. I hope that they know how much that appreciation, and the $150 vintage Ibanez that I had to work for through dish washing and leaf-raking has changed my heart. So now, to my one and a half friends who read this: please don't ever forget the importance of worship and having worship being a primary focus of your life. It is through worship that we gain intimacy with Our Creator, Our Redeemer, Our Savior.

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, will I seek. Ps. 27:8

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What Happens at the Greek Festival Stays at the Greek Festival

First and foremost, nothing happened at the Greek Festival, save for the fact that my assistant principal bought me delicious Greek beer and told me that if he could be anywhere during the school day, it would be my classroom, being entertained by my teaching. That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me!
I had absolutely no intention of blogging tonight. I am tired. It is Monday. Those sentences are synonymous! But I've started reading the latest book club selection, Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer and quite honestly have never been so disturbed by anything I've read in my life. Since graduate school, I've become an avid reader. I consider this a blessing because it calms my mind (normally) and builds my vocabulary (somewhat). The problem with reading for me is that once I start reading a text, I am absolutely committed. Under the Banner of Heaven, from what I can tell 100 pages in, is a documentary of the Mormon faith with a focus on Mormon Fundamentalism. I don't really understand any form of Fundamentalism. I went to a college where Southern Baptist Fundamentalism was somewhat evident. It bothered me then...the appearance of being so intense about faith that there at some point is a departure from Truth. So tonight, as I set the book aside and prepared for my devotions, it became apparent to me that what I crave, what I long for, and what I seek is Truth.
All of this was running through my mind as I flipped open by Beth Moore Study, David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His (shameless plug) and and my trusty Schofield to read about how the Israelites rejected God (not Samuel) when they asked for a king; they genuinely wanted something that was not in God's plan.
Humble me, Lord, that I might accept YOUR way and not my own. That I would let You be King. Samuel always obeyed. Guide me through the doors You have opened. Let me not kick down the ones I'd like to see ajar.
"Faith sometimes means forgoing our desires because we trust Christ to have a better plan for our lives." (BM)
Truth can very easily be whatever one makes it out to be. That is the essence of faith. But faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ means that I accept that it is He who brings Truth. Not Joseph Smith. Not Oprah. Not Dr. Oz. Not spiritual leaders with their own agendas.
As I have typed this, Weezie has wet the bed. I will have a classroom full of 21 eager and dependent 8-year olds tomorrow. My coffee will begin to percolate at 6:00am. My rent check will be 5 days late because I could not find a Forever stamp. These are all truths.
But, praise the Lord, these are minuscule truths compared to His grace, Love, and Plan for all of us. May we "see that times of difficulty or decision in our lives are meant, by Your sovereign love and mercy, not to pressure us into impatience but to rather grow into patience and endurance."

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Psalm 61:2

"What do you think was your character flaw?" I had not seen my friend, Adair, in over a year and this was the first question she asked after the crowd dissipated and there were only three of us left. I'm always impressed that God takes me to "home" to hear questions like this - questions that are never easy to answer and lead to days of pondering, prayer, and reconciliation.
"I was sad," was my response. Not exactly a character flaw, but I was telling the truth; sadness was certainly the condition in which I placed myself for most of my adolescence. It was no one's fault but my own. And I'm thankful that I can take a step back and see how It is God who has completed me, Who dominates my heart, and fills me with His Spirit so that I feel like if I were to be bumped, It is He Who would pour out of me. That is my hope anyway.
But the character flaw question I'm still having a hard time with. I trusted the wrong people, for sure. I misstepped and had a quick tongue. I alienated myself from people because I was scared of what they might teach me. All the while these thoughts occur to me, a voice keeps saying, "You can't think of one not because you didn't have any - you had many - but because you are forgiven and are living anew in Me."
One of the greatest blessings of my job comes in the form of my friend, Charsie, who comes by at the same time everyday to interrupt my science lessons, during which I'm usually accidentally misinforming my students on the ways of the world. Charsie and I come from very different backgrounds and have led very contrasting lives. But each morning, when I get to school, she is the first one I speak to and praise God, our words often turn to what He is doing in our lives! We recently started the Bible study David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His. It is only Day 7 and already I feel the Lord working in me! What a blessing it is to meet with a friend daily to exchange how we are gaining intimacy with the Lord through His word.
This all brings me to a verse that I came across in my reading:

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

That, folks, is my character flaw. A reluctance to call out; a tendency to believe that I can handle life on my own. I did it my entire adolescence...I cried out not to my Lord and Savior, who I invited into my life when I was six years old, but to people who could do nothing for me because they are not Him. I am not Him. I am not a Rock.

Recumbency. I first came across this word in a Bible study, Becoming a Woman of Grace. The word encompasses the Puritan belief that true reliance on God means to, lie down, face to the ground, on the Solid Rock. I've referred to Seneca Hills in my blog before and my last visit there coincided with an awesome spiritual event that sparked my journey down this road of really praying that God would change my heart into one like His. I walked down to the creek ("crick" if you're in western Pennsylvania) and picked up a smooth rock. I held it in my hand for the 13 hour drive back to Charleston and prayed for the first time that I would let God lead. I commited there, driving my Jeep, with a smooth rock in my hand, to lie down. To fully submit. And to let the Lord be Lord. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

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How We Spend Sundays

Weekends are a blessed time around Yates Avenue. I used to not appreciate Saturdays and Sundays much. Instead, I would spend the entire time trying to get work done or cleaning myself into an absolute frenzy. But God has worked with me this year on slowing down – in many aspects of my life – and truly enjoying rest. Here are a few pictures from today when Kevan, Weezie, and I went to Folly Beach. Weezie had been once before to splash in the waves and she always has a blast. Please note that in my new found appreciation of the weekend, I turn into an absolute redneck for 48 hours (read: watching nascar, rodeo, camping in the backyard, etc.), hence, the camo hat. I pray that you are feeling refreshed and renewed by God’s creation as this weekend draws to a close.

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Updates...

First and foremost, Praise the Lord in Heaven - I passed the PLT! Additionally, I have received my Pennsylvania teaching certification. It's all a bit surreal..for those of you keeping track, I took TWO wrong tests before taking the right one...so this has been a while in the making!

So next comes mailing off packets and updating my online file. Thank you so much for your prayers while the job search continues.The school year is winding down and each year at this time I begin to reflect on how special my students are. Tomorrow, I will go to mass to see one receive her first communion. Having been confirmed five years ago, the experience is still pretty fresh in my mind. As an adult, I know that I processed things more logically than Abigail probably is this weekend, but I'm still excited to see her drink that "nasty wine" for the first time! On Thursday the kids and I went on a field trip. I've posted two of my favorite pics. One is of the alligator we saw in the swamp. The reflection of the girls in the front row is priceless! The other is a group shot. I love the diversity of my group this year!

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I Still Believe

Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip, washing away my pain
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see You prepare
But it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
From every finger tip, washing away my pain
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
The only place I can go is into Your arms
Where I throw to You my feeble prayers
In brokeness I can see that this was Your will for me
Help me to know You are near
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still belive in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
-Jeremy Camp

Amen.

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Mar said I haven't blogged in a while...

I can't believe that it's been over a month since I've blogged. It's not like nothing has happened worthy of sharing. Indeed, the opposite is true. I finally turned in my National Board portfolio, made the trip of a lifetime over Spring Break with my mom to Pennsylvania, and came across this blog, written by a parent of one of my students:
"...my son's 2nd grade teacher is a moron...apparently, she is a teacher that feels intimidated by parental support in the school. She basically wants to micro manage 21 8-year olds. Best of luck with that."
Now, that is only an exerpt of the page-long entry. I came across it about a month ago and had the urge to puke for about 12 hours after seeing the words scroll down the screen.
God's strength is stronger than words, for sure, and He picked me right up, dusted me right off, and sent me back to work eager to be light, compassion, education, and love for the child of this parent who evidently does not care for me very much.
I first understood the power of words the day that I found out my mom had been diagnosed with leukemia. I went to the dry cleaners and the lady behind the counter was really short with me. I remember walking out to my car and thinking, "she has no idea what I've been through today. How dare she speak to me like that!" That moment was very poignant for me because immediately God revealed all of those moments that I spoke out of turn, not considering where people were coming from, where they were headed, what they had been through...and as I drove out of the parking lot, I prayed that the lady behind the counter would find peace. That her spirit would be stilled, and that she would accept the embrace of Christ.
I've had a similar reaction to being called a moron (and a host of other things as the blog goes on) and it has nothing to do with me! I started a nightly prayer last summer that God would change my heart - into what it needs to be so that I can be effective in His ministry. Some days I feel the hand of God on my heart, tugging, molding, and shaping it...pulling out the impurities and replacing them with His grace.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Father, I praise You. I praise You for creeping into my thoughts, into my heart, into my soul. Guide me in being Your light. Forgive me, Lord, for the times my thoughts get away from me. Help me as I live by your example.

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My dog hogs the bed...

So I was on my way to bed...in bed, actually...tossing and turning as I have been known to do of late. I used to be a champion sleeper. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out. Now in order to get settled, I have to have Weezie in the bed with me. She is large and takes up lots of space. But somehow her presence, her snoring, that disgusting second eyelid that shows when she's almost asleep...those things are very comforting to me.
My life has been a little stressful. A friend of mine said that I am in a place of transition, even though I'm not really moving anywhere. I thought that was a good idea. Tonight I did not want to toss and turn, so I clicked on the lamp and pulled out my Bible and the study I'm currently (slowly...not as regularly as I should be) working on, Becoming a Woman of Purpose. And before I read anything, I found myself praising God. Just for His presence. I have cried out to Him more in the past month than I can remember for a long time...I've been impatient, frustrated, exhausted, confused, desperate...and yet through it all, I feel His presence, His hand guiding me, His love calming my restless heart. I only read a little of my Bible study because I flipped open the book and immediately read something from my main man (second only to Myron Cope, r.i.p.), Oswald Chambers:
by the reaction of your life on the circumstances around you, you will fulfil God's purpose, as long as you keep in the light as God is in the light...
I don't feel like I've been light for much of anyone lately. I've been snippy with my kids, annoyed with my friends, at my wits' end with the general public. How are my reactions on the circumstances around me showing Christ's love? Are they at all? February was a long month, literally. The fact that this is a leap year was really just a kick in the pants. But the old is gone, the new has come. And I pray that I would continue to feel God's presence and that others see Him through me.
Now it is time to wake the beast...to shove over the 55 pound mongrel who snores next to me...and to rest in God.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6

On my bed, I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6-8

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Reflections from Summer Camp

"Booger in my nose...when I sneeze 'ACHOO', out there it goes."

I've been sending messages back and forth all day with a friend I worked with at Seneca regarding a little shtick we did anytime we'd get hit in the mammaries (hard to believe that anyone can come up with a shtick about something like that - the implication is that the contact happened a lot, but it was summer camp, so who knows). We'd yell out "Nancy" (as in Reagan) anytime said contact occured, which lately I have not found as funny since our beloved Nance really is in the hospital.
But somehow thinking about:
-Nancy
-my friend and how when I met her she was losing about 10 pints of blood out her nose
-how when I first encountered a group of 40 people (with whom I'd spend nine solid weeks), none of them would speak to me because they thought I only spoke French
-late nights spent talking in a top bunk
-getting toothpaste squirted up my nose
-feeding pancakes to chipmunks
-watching skunks prowl around girls hill
-learning about what Lyme's Disease is
-covering for friends when they broke curfew
-chasing bats through the condo with brooms and buckets (cue Dwight Shrute)
-getting the call that a friend died
-being stopped TWICE by the Beaver Falls Police for "parking"
-trips to the Salvation Army
-the Chicago Concert at Star Lake
-Vision Quest
-dropping to my knees during a thunderstorm, completely in awe

I continue to be amazed that I pick up with these people, most of whom I have not seen in 10 years, right where we left off. And I wonder only for a moment how in the world we lived together for nine weeks and had less drama, less selfishness, less bitterness than any relationship that I have had since then. I only have to wonder for a moment because the reason is clear: relationships that are built on Christ and His sacrifice are longlasting. I completed a Bible study, "Becoming a Woman of Grace" last fall and at one point listed my "life giving friends." It was discouraging then that so few of my life giving friends are with me physically, but so encouraging that they are still such an important piece of who I am.
Most of you know that I am pursuing a move to Pennsylvania. It's been a long time coming (I first tried in 1998, thanks for nothing Grove City College). I don't want to move to join the union. I don't want to move to hear funny accents. I don't want to move to be close to the Steelers (although that is a big motivation, believe you me). But I want to be close to those I feel connected to. Join me in praying that God might guide me through His will for my life and that He might humble me to His service. Peace to you.

My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9

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