Significant week, significant people, in my life

Like September 11, April 11 will always have special meaning for me, a significant and sad anniversary. Dad died a year ago today and I miss him. Mom, I know you miss him much, much more since you are reminded daily, many times a day, that he is absent from our earth-bound life.

If you knew Dad, you are blessed, because he was a loving, righteous man who cared about you and your spiritual well-being. I know that he is among that great cloud of witnesses along with many others I look forward to being reunited with, but I miss his hugs and smile. As the song says, "Save a place for me," Dad.



It's Trey's birthday tomorrow. Trey, I miss you way up there in Brooklyn. I hope you have a wonderful day.



April 13 is my father-in-law's birthday. Thanks, Dad Bliss, for raising such a wonderful and loving son.

April 14 - Eileen, I miss you, too! I wish I could see you. You are a shining light and I am grateful that I received the gift of your friendship. Happy birthday!

Snow or no snow

I've been watching the weather closely today - not Florida's weather which varies very little compared to other regions, but the snowy Northeast (and Southeast)where so many of our loved ones live: Brooklyn, Tabernacle, Philly, Christiansburg, Charlotte. I miss the snow - but I miss those loved ones much, much more (and those in CA, too!) Even though the weather here was mid 60s, my internal temperature gage has changed and that felt chilly. I think it felt even more so as I thought all day about the snow experience of the aforementioned. So all of you, enjoy the snow and being snowed in and stay safe! I love you.

Missing Lon Mohundro

Wow, it's been a long time since I blogged. Since I've started a master's program while working fulltime, I've not had much "fun" computer time.

Although Dad died in April, I've missed him more this summer since I've had downtime, off from working for the summer. Mom asked me a while back to send a copy of the remarks I made at his memorial service in Pennsylvania to my aunt who came to the funeral but wasn't able to come to the memorial a month later in May.

While typing those out for her, I decided I'd share them with you, whoever might still check my blog from time to time. Mostly it's for me, to have this "public" record of my love and admiration for him.

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I’m very proud and grateful to be the daughter of Lon Mohundro. He was a wonderful father, as you can imagine. When he planted a rose garden, he allowed me to “help” and I always considered it “our” rose garden. When we were small, Dad built us a play house. When we moved to the other side of Dallas, he loaded up that playhouse and moved it to our new house. He later built a tree house platform above it and we enjoyed many, many hours of pretend play in those houses. When a transgression of mine was great enough that Mom thought Dad needed to handle it, he only had to tell me how disappointed he was . . . and soon we both be in tears, mine of repentance and sorrow that I had disappointed him, his of sympathy and love. On the few occasions that I, as a teen, needed to “pay a price,” the consequence fit the crime. (Jim loves the story about the time I damaged the oil pan by driving over a rock, and Dad had me get under the car to measure all the lowest points.)

Dad made me feel treasured. When I was a senior in high school and old enough to drive, he invited me to drive Cambridge for lunch. After lunch at a nice restaurant, as he walked me to my car, I noticed he made sure to walk on the curb side of the sidewalk, and when I asked about it, he told me that a gentleman always walks on the street side to protect the lady. He took me to a father-daughter event at the Civitan Club. He gave me gifts of jewelry. When I got my ears pierced, he gave me earrings. When he bought my mother an enameled Christmas wreath pin, he bought me one, too. I still have it and treasure it.

Dad always wanted me to be the best I could be, a child of God who glorified God in all I did. That’s what he strove for in himself, and that’s what he wanted for each of you.

The greatest gift Dad gave me was as an example of a Godly, dedicated life. He was a loving husband, father, son (he called and wrote his parents often). The most valuable lessons I learned from Dad are spiritual. Dad’s life was marked by increasing levels of personal commitment.

After “falling away” as a young adult (and young Christian), he and Mom were restored to the church when I was still small. During my childhood, he was a successful businessman and a deacon in a congregation in Dallas.

In 1967, he and Mom stepped up that spiritual commitment again when they left home and family, job and community to move with an Exodus church planting to Massachusetts. He became an elder of the church and traveled throughout New England as he taught other struggling churches about elderships.

He increased his spiritual commitment again in 1974 when he, Mom, and Jim followed me to Lubbock, TX, so that he could study to serve the Lord and Christ’s body full-time as a minister.

Dad has been well-known and loved everywhere they lived. Not only was he tall and handsome, but he was thoughtful and kind, serving others and seeking their best good, especially their spiritual best.

Dad never met a stranger. He’d talk to anyone, and somehow he’d usually quickly bring the conversation to spiritual matters.

There was a lot to admire about him and many attributes I wanted and tried to imitate. (When I went far from home to college at Lubbock Christian, I determined to overcome my shy nature and become outgoing like he was. )I am supremely grateful that I was blessed to be his daughter. Thanks, Mom, for having such great taste in men and for you part in demonstrating a wonderful marriage centered on God.

My brother, Jim, found it comforting immediately following Dad’s death to remind everyone that if anyone is in heaven, certainly Dad is. I agree with that – but Dad would want us to remember that his certain salvation is not because he was such a good man. Dad is a wonderful man because of Christ’s saving grace. He put his faith entirely in that salvation promise, and we all saw that in Him. I look forward to being with Dad again in our heavenly home.

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A little of this and a little of that

I'm glad our week of winter is over (hehe), although a number of our plants took a hit in spite of our covering them with sheets. (Loni said our yard looked like Halloween, with ghosts all over it.)
Going to bed with the windows open. Wearing short sleeves to school tomorrow and no jacket. Hurrah for Florida!
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We were supposed to host SNAC tonight (Sunday Night After Church - for the kids grades 3-6), but only one was there. We were about to head home when the Spirit nudged me - invite his whole family over to enjoy those pizzas! It was a very nice evening.
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Our friend and sister, Dottie, lost her canine companion this week. Her cockerspaniel, Molly, only three years old and the companion she chose when her husband died suddenly, on Friday died of a stroke. Prayers for Dottie in her grief.
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And prayers for Alberta, who walked out during worship this morning thinking she was having a stroke. A blood vessel did burst in her head. She was airlifted to hospital in Orlando. Praying for sweet Alberta.
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Start of a new school week - those 7th and 8th graders. Lord, let me show love, not frustration; give me strength and wisdom to maintain better control in my classroom.
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Self-tagged via Lisa's blog (italics mine) --

1. Started your own blog (duh)

2. Slept under the stars (GanderBrook!)

3. Played in a band (school orchestra count?)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower (GanderBrook again!)

6. Given more than you can afford to charity (not often enough)

7. Been to Disneyland/world (both!)

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (thanks to Ramona)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (no, but I thought we were going to be struck by lightening at Gloucester, MA, when our hair suddenly stood up with electric current!)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (quilting)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch-hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (an ancestor)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (snorkeling, just this past year, at age 53!)

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business (not that it lasted, but it was registered and everything)

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (CampFire Girls candy)

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job (phew!)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper (wedding photo)

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury (so close - I did sit in the chair briefly, before being excused)

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (does wading count?)

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Random stuff

I didn't vote today. It felt very strange. I voted last week absentee. So I've done my patriotic bit and I don't take it lightly. I'm a history teacher after all. I even rearranged my US history lessons to teach about Civics and the Constitution this past week, and I hate getting my chronology out of whack! (Part of my history side and part of my OCD nature.) After our test tomorrow, I'll get back to Colonial America.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat - or rather the stores have Christmas stuff out and holiday music playing. The day after Halloween! They couldn't even wait until after Thanksgiving! I will try my very best to refrain from playing my own holiday collection until after Thanksgiving (although I am busily loading them on my new iPod, a gift from my DH). But it IS time to begin shopping, and as usual, I have NO idea what my loved ones would like. And with packing to move, even less time to contemplate ideas.

Florida weather is odd. I know many of you in the eastern US are experiencing cold days and colder nights. I'd love to see some authentic foliage! Yesterday was short-sleeve weather. The thermometer this AM said just 2 degrees cooler than yesterday, so I expected the same. Brrr. The dampness of the air here intensifies the chill in the air. Last week I wore a scarf and gloves to direct the morning traffic at school, and that was barely enough! Strangely enough, there are occasions to wear my wool coat. Then the next day or week I'll need short sleeves again.

Bob and I are buying a house, Lord willing. I thought I'd post a picture of our future home. What? You're not impressed?? This is what we could afford, okay?!

Kidding!! This is a Florida Cracker house at a recreated Florida Cracker village at the park where we camped with other church families recently. Once we close on "our" house, I'll post a picture of the real thing.


Why is it I have all these thoughts about things to blog about at various times when away from the computer, but when I actually sit down to do it, those thoughts are gone with the wind? Short attention span, and getting shorter all the time. Lots of junior/senior moments. Ah well.

That's all for today. God bless you . . . and our nation.

Camp Bliss

I thought I'd share some photos of the boys during the time they spent with us this summer. So here they are!The gang at the aquarium in Tampa (the only picture I, the photographer, am in, thankfully).

Gatorland!! (And the boys tasted some of Gramps's alligator lunch.)




The cutest grandsons!!

















"Derek, the directions say to hang on tight!"












"I'll show 'em how it's done!"













"Yeehaw! I'm a Gator Wrestler."

Snow (um, rain) days!

One day back at school (not even a full day) and we're out for two days! Well, I can use the planning time, but I'd rather have had a break in later Sept. than the second day! And there go two days of our Thanksgiving week, boohoo.

And it was (so far, at least) a wash out (pun intended). We've gotten an inch or two of rain, no wind to speak of or tornadoes in the area. Loni and I've watched lots of Olympics today, though, and I've researched hurricanes (how appropriate!)and the first Floridians for my Florida history class.

The joys of living in Paradise . . . .

Satan, watch out!

One of the many, many blessings of the Spiritual Growth Workshop was the opportunity to be led in worship by Keith Lancaster and attend a too-brief singing session with him. In checking his blog for further info, I found this youtube video of one of their songs. It's worth a look/listen.



It reminds me of something I heard on Christian radio this morning that made me pause - interesting that I heard it just as I woke up. Someone whose name I didn't catch was quoting something about how Satan should be alarmed when a Christian wakes up, "Oh, no, Pat is awake. Look out!" Wouldn't it be wonderful if each of us had such an effect on the world that Satan was alarmed when we woke up and our feet hit the floor?

The kids are coming!

The kids are coming tomorrow. We get the boys to ourselves for a few days, then the parents, too. After they all leave (boo hoo), my parents are coming (yea!) to go with us to the Spiritual Growth Workshop in Orlando and spend a few more days. THEN I may finally get to move into my "new" classroom and finish my quilt. I know the rest of the summer will fly by.

Camp was good, and it flew by, thankfully (because it was hard work . . . and when it was done, the kids are coming!). It was a joy to serve, but we were kind of isolated in the kitchen so not much interaction with the kids and the rest of the staff. The kitchen crew was fun, though. We plan to do it again next year.

I'll post some pics eventually, but in the meantime, I'm devoting every minute to our boys!!

Ahhh, summer . . . .

Summer so far has been great, but 4 of 9 weeks is gone!

Last Friday was the Fourth. It was pretty laid-back in our household. In our two previous homes (Randolph and Tabernacle, NJ), we lived on the parade route. In Randolph on the Fourth the hometown parade marched right past our home. In Tabernacle, the parade was on Memorial Day. I miss that, but I love the patriotism. We missed the parade here in Mount Dora, not knowing when it occurred. (MD has TWO parades, Christmas and Independence Day - the weather is much nicer in December!)

At about 5 we parked downtown and listened to friends from church who perform around the area. They were at the park. I'm attaching a picture because I love the Florida cracker-style building that is central to the park.
At dark (about 9) there were fireworks over Lake Dora. We had parked downtown and ate dinner at Fiesta Grande, a local Mexican favorite. Some places have had to cancel fireworks displays because of financial issues; thankfully, Mount Dora did not. Loni told me that our cameras have a fireworks setting, so we had fun trying to capture the beauty. (Next year need to try a tripod.)
Speaking of Florida Crackers (natives), since I'll be teaching FL and US history this fall, and while I do know US history, I know FL history - um, not so much - I've been researching. I'm reading an interesting novel by Patrick Smith, A Land Remembered. It's a very enjoyable way to learn some Florida history and get a feeling for what life was like in Florida around the time of the Civil War.
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This week Bob and I are helping out at Central Florida Bible Camp. We're working in the kitchen, and Bob is also teaching a Bible class. It's interesting to compare Christian camps. I have a 40 year history (!) with Christian camping, beginning with Maine's Camp Ganderbrook in the 1960's and 70's. Then Bob and I worked many years at Pennsylvania's Camp Manatawny where our children were campers.

Today I met Lee Cain, whose family and ours knew each other in Massachusetts. Lee remembers my brother Jim as one of his Ganderbrook counselors. I love the small world of the Lord's church!!

Bob spoke tonight at the evening devotional. He mentioned our history with Manatawny, and yes, three campers here at CFBC have also been campers at Manatawny. One of them reminded us that Bill, the eldest son of the Garrett family who helped establish Manatawny, helped establish CFBC.
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Working in the kitchen this week - time to go put my feet up. Night.

First year done

Well, my first year has come to an end in several satisfactory ways. I've earned my professional license by passing my final test; my contract has been renewed; almost all my students passed on to the next grade; my schedule of classes is full (three 7th grade World Geography and - moving up! - three 8th grade Florida/US history classes - and that's as far "up" as I want to go!); new classroom in with the other middle school classes rather than in the "boonies;" and graduation.

Graduation was last night. We attended last year, and it was very nice. This year was more significant for me since I was among the robed and hooded faculty seated up front. In a few years, when my first students are among the graduates, it will be even more special. It was a lovely culmination of the year.

Today is the last day of post-planning. While I'm looking forward to all the summer rest and catching up on chores and projects, I'll miss the daily routine, students, and co-workers. I'll especially miss my lunches with my special co-workers. We probably won't share lunch next year. We'll have different levels of classes. My lunches have been so beautiful: a brief, relaxing respite in the middle of the day, outside in the quiet courtyard near a fountain (all year long in the lovely, mild Florida winter and even in these hotter, summer days recently arrived). These dear ladies have been my true mentors, not the ones assigned to me, but the ones who have nurtured and guided me through my first tentative year. I'd love them if that was the extent of our relationship, but factor in the bond of Christian sisterhood, and the blessing is multiplied. I'll miss them this summer.

But I'm looking forward to catching up with my blogging and email friends! Talk with you soon.

Tagged!

A. Attached or Single- attached for 32 years, almost, and counting

B. Best Friend- Bob

C. Cake or Pie- Pie - French silk!

D. Day of Choice - Sunday, even though it's too full and stressful

E. Essential Item - Bible

F. Flavor of Ice Cream- chocolate, plain old chocolate

G. Gummy Bears or Worms- um, sorry, neither

H. Hometown- Eustis, Florida (home is where hubby is)

I. Indulgences- chocolate, crocs, Pilot G-2 gel pens, waterbed

J. January or July- January (my birthday month and better weather in Florida than July, although July is no school . . . .)

K. Kids- four wonderful adult children (3 born to me, #4 married into the family), three grandkids, and a DH "kid"

L. Last movie I saw in a theater- Indiana Jones

M. Middle Name- Lucile

N. Number of siblings- one brother

O. Orange or Apples- (same as Lisa's)I like both, but I would choose clementines over all other oranges or apples

P. Phobias or Fears- speaking publically to adults/peers

Q. Quote- "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." -Walter Elias Disney

R. Reasons to smile- grandchildren!, beautiful weather, lunch with co-workers, days off with Bob, student hugs

S. Season- spring

T. Tag 4- Bob, Loni, my Mom (since she refuses to blog, she'll have to respond here), Trey

U. Unknown fact about me- I love classic movies

V. Vegetarian or oppressor of Animals- there's some judgment expressed in this wording, I suspect! I LOVE meat: beef, chicken, pork.

W. Worst Habit- procrastinating (i.e., laziness)

X. X-rays or Ultrasounds- not having much experience with either . . . I have to agree with Steph and Lisa — who would choose an X-ray over an ultrasound of your baby’s heartbeat?

Y. Your favorite Food- definitely chocolate!! Have you tasted Hershey's new Bliss Dark Chocolate??!!

Z. Zodiac - I don't do horoscope, so I won't go here. I'll go for zoo animal: giraffe.

Bonus!

For as long as I can remember, Bob and I have stayed until the very end of the movie credits. I think it began with my wanting to know where the movie was filmed (geography buff even then). Once in a rare while we're rewarded with a bonus for our patience. Tonight as we watched the credits roll, we were chatting about the empty theatre and how we're almost always the only ones in a theatre to do this and how we wish movie producers would wise up, that movie goers would more likely stay for the credits if they were rewarded with an extra bonus scene. A few years ago we stayed for the end of "Daredevil" and saw a surprise scene like this, an extra perk, a bonus hint of things to come. When this happens, we have an extra thrill that we've be given something others have missed.

Tonight it happened again. (Hint: if you go to see "Ironman," be sure to stay through the credits!)

Hmm, seems there might be a spiritual application to this, something along the lines of "he who is faithful to the end will be rewarded with a crown of life" (a very loose paraphrase of Revelation 2:10 "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.").

When the going gets tough or even when the road just seems long, hang in there. Be faithful unto death. The reward is infinitely better than the fleeting, shallow thrill of being one of the few to see the bonus scene in a movie.

Random Thoughts

We received two more "Christmas" cards/letters yesterday (Feb. 1). It's nice to know I'm not the only one who procrastinates (as evidenced by the fact that I haven't written my thank-you notes yet).

Some people get all bent out of shape by holiday newsletters. Not me. I love to hear what's going on in the lives of far-flung friends I only hear from once a year. Today I read that Andrea and Chuck's four boys are a year older, changing from cute to handsome, and the two eldest have become my brothers in the faith! Yea!

I hardly know Lisa's (Lisa my college BFF, not Lisa my daughter, her namesake) family. I've never met her husband and stepchildren and probably never will since they live in the opposite corner of our nation. But I like to see that she's happily married and travels the world to places I only dream about and teach about in my geography classes.

People who complain about those letters criticize the bragging and dwelling on mundane details. Not me. I skim the parts about people I don't know; say a prayer for my friends' aches, illnesses, sorrows and joys; examine the photos (thanks for sending those!) and lay them aside to reexamine from time to time; and am grateful that we haven't fallen off friends' mailing lists and from their hearts.

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Thursday night Bob and I watched the first game of the Mount Dora Bible girls' softball season. Ah, Florida. We sat in our camping/sports chairs in short sleeves, enjoying the balmy breeze and the crack (bats don't crack any more, they clang or something, don't they?) of the bats as the girls played in sleeveless shirts under the lights.

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How is it I have time to blog this morning? This is the first Saturday I've had in quite a long while without somewhere I need to be at some point. I'm also finding, gratefully, that my work isn't taking so much of my spare time as the previous semester: planning is a little easier since I've established a routine, grading papers can be put off a day or two without the earth ceasing to rotate, papers to be filed - well, if they haven't been filed before today, they probably can wait another day or week or month. Yes, today I need to generate a test to be copied on Monday, plan for the next week, mark three periods of tests, etc. but it's just Saturday morning. "There's hours to go before I sleep."

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I have two screensaver slideshows stored on my computers. One I've been using at school since August seemed appropriate for a geography teacher: Places I've Been. It includes photos of Prague, Edinburgh, Camp Manatawny, Maine, Lompoc flowerfields, a west Texas oil derrick and sagebrush.

Yesterday I decided to switch to Family Photos. I had such a tender feeling throughout the day as I gazed at my grandchildren, children, parents, and sibling (and hubby, of course! but I seem him every day, thankfully!!). Some of my sixth period girls wandered near the computer as they passed me their test papers and stopped to look at the photos: "Your daughter looks just like you!" (Loni); "You look like your mother," and "Aw, they're so cute." (the boys, of course)

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Epiphany: On Thursday one of my students commented (for effect, I'm sure), "You smiled!" I asked, "Don't I smile?" He said, "It's the first time today." I'm sure it wasn't, that he was just trying to get a reaction from me and his fellow-students, but it got me thinking.

I'm pretty much dissatisfied with the behavior of many in my classes. I have high expectations and, as a first year teacher who didn't have as much time to prepare procedures and things as I would have liked (since I didn't know I would be teaching middle-schoolers rather than elementary when I finally was blessed with a teaching job!), my students are often chattier than I'd like. However, that's the nature of the (middle-school) beast: sociable, show-off, talkative. And my classroom has a linoleum floor, cinderblock walls and a low ceiling - perfect for reverberating noise. Visitors (administrators) don't often come to my classroom, but I'm insecure, hoping that my students would be quietly (silently) working or better still, enthusiastically engaged (but with no side conversations!) in a lively discussion about geography or, even better, the Bible in some way that relates to geography (this IS a Bible school, after all). But subconsciously, I'm fearful that should that fateful visit occur, my students would be at their worst (a nightmare I don't want to even put into words of description here in my blog).

But I've digressed from my epiphay. I realized several things as I thought about his spontaneous remark: I am so intent on straightening out and controlling their behavior that I am without good humor; the situation I've got currently is what has evolved from August through January and is not likely to be improved significantly today or anytime soon; the behavior of my students is not as bad as I subconsciously think - it is just not my ideal and likely never will be (they are MIDDLE SCHOOL students, after all); if I want the students to enjoy and be enthusiastic about the information I have to share, I need to "lighten up;" I need to smile more and enjoy and appreciate these young people whose lives I've been blessed to share.

I'm looking forward to my new outlook.

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Bob, Loni, and I went to Disney for my birthday. I love Disney and may never get my fill. We had never been to DisneyWorld before moving to Florida and here we are in Mickey's backyard. I chose MGM Studios this time (which has been renamed Hollywood Studios for some reason) and off we went. I was afraid the weather would be cool, but it was really nice. We had on jackets which were perfect all day; we weren't too cool or too hot.

Fairly early in the day, on the StarTours ride, everyone in our (what to call it? Vehicle? Room? whatever) was gifted with a FastPass Special Pass which entitled us to go to the head of the line of every ride or show which was designated a FastPass ride. Yippee! We were excited, momentarily . . . but all the shows weren't doing FastPass that day. I felt like someone had given me a chocolate icecream cone from ColdStone Creamery, then took it back! So we tried not to be put-out (after all, it's not like something we'd paid for had been taken, or whatever) and just enjoy the day. The shows were fun. The crowds weren't too bad. And finally, yes, because we had the FastPass ticket, Bob and I decided to try a ride we probably wouldn't have otherwise: The Rocking RollerCoaster. Now, you have to realize that Bob and I aren't coaster people. And we've never been on one that goes upside down! BUT the Rocking Roller Coaster is in the dark. We were Bob the Builder, "We can do it! Yes, we can!" And we did it. Bob (DH, not the Builder) yelled, "This is great," over and over again. I kept instinctively closing my eyes, then making myself open them again (we were in the dark, after all!). It was fun. I might (MIGHT, no promises) try another coaster that goes upside down someday, but the next one won't be with dangling feet, I'm pretty sure.

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Since I had the time this morning, I spent an hour finishing a book I started before Christmas, His Dark Materials. This is the trilogy from which the movie, "The Golden Compass," was made. I decided, as a middle school teacher, to read the book so I could say with authority, and not second-hand, what was and was not true about the book. It is extremely imaginative and well-written. I can see why Philip Pullman won all the awards. And it is not until halfway through the second of the three books that the identity of the evil ones is revealed to be "God" and his angels and followers. The powerful groups of the "church" (recognizable as the RC church) are Pullman's really bad guys out to kill the innocent girl and those defending her (because somehow she is the key to who stays in control and what happens to the worlds and their inhabitants). Pullman's "god" is a fallen angel who has named himself "God." (Um, Mr. Pullman, where did angels and the rest of these creatures and worlds come from?) One of the good guys, a woman, was a nun who left the church and is no longer a Christian, but "free." Some of the other "good guys" are witches and gypsies. The story is fascinating and convoluted. I DO NOT recommend that anyone read it. I hope no one bothers. I sincerely hope that young people don't read it and become influened to his viewpoint.

I'm glad to be done with it. The book is now in the trash (minus a few pages I kept for reference) and I'll happily move onto my stash of Christian fiction and more innocent juvenile literature.

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Well, enough randomness for one day. I know anyone who reads this is amazed that there's actually something to read on my blog. You've probably stopped even checking in here. I'm glad you did.

Have a blessed day.

Wow! Have I really not blogged since mid-August?

Not only have I not blogged since mid-August, I haven't had time to keep up with others' blogs which I really enjoy. I haven't even kept up with Lisa's (and Trey B's too infrequest blogs). Haven't called people I need to call. Certainly haven't written anyone.

Today is Labor Day and I plan to . . . labor. I'm grateful for a day to try to catch up on school stuff. I've been behind since before school began.

The week before school started (students' first day was Aug 20; we started the previous week) was pre-planning for teachers, and it was mostly meetings, helpful, informative meetings, but I really needed more time to get my room set up (which I didn't even know I was going to have - I thought I was going to be floating from room to room - not the best prospect for a person who likes to have surroundings and materials organized and at hand).

My classroom is in the basement of one of the Children's Home "cottages" (they have something like 8 bedrooms or more - some people call them more accurately dorms). The ceiling is low and the ceiling tiles painted by previous students, fun and funky. The room is pretty large, though, with big windows (bigger than you'd expect from a basement). The house (and campus) is built on a hillside so my classroom is in the back portion of the basement which is mostly not underground. I don't know really how big the basement is because there are parts that are blocked/closed off and inaccessible from my room.

The biggest surprise about all this is that I'm teaching middle school rather than elementary! Well, actually, an even bigger surprise than that is that I'm loving teaching middle school - totally unexpected. I anticipated when I reluctantly accepted this job (really wanted a job and really wanted to work at the Bible School but wanted elementary) that I would tolerate and survive a year in middle and hope that an elementary position became available next year. I know it's early, only two weeks into the year, but the kids are great (for the most part), and I'm hoping that I'll continue to love it and keep on at this level.

I have 3 sixth grade classes and 2 seventh grade classes - just two preps - and monitor a group of high schoolers taking online classes for another period (and get paid for giving up one of my two preps). Both grades are geography, divided by hemisphere (7th grade western, 6th grade eastern), and share a textbook.

Some of the really cool things: during teacher planning week we started each day with a devotional. I have a Bible verse theme on the wall in my classroom AND a religious bulletin board. Two days a week, at lunch, I attend a girls' student/teacher Bible study -- too cool. There's chapel every day (could be cooler - most of the high schoolers with whom I attend chapel are themselves too cool to get into singing and other forms of worship). Working with other Christians every day is terrific. Some more minor cool things: free lunch is part of our comp so I don't have to prepare lunch every day. I get to attend all the athletic events for free.

I have mixed feelings about teaching at CH&BS rather than a public school. I thought I would work in public schools. I was looking forward to it and anticipated ministry opportunities but having to tread cautiously. I DO think Christian schools are a crutch for some kids. As a secondary student, I was grateful for the faith-building challenge of being one of very few Christians in my school.

But, as He did with leading us to Mount Dora, Florida, God closed every door to me but this one. It's unmistakeably clear that this is where He wants me. AND there are lots of students here who are not from Christian homes, even more than half if I'm not mistaken, and there are lots of opportunities to minister to and teach them AND the kids from Christian homes who benefit from the extra spiritual boost they get every day. This past week in class we spontaneously talked about creation, dinosaurs, Pangea, the flood, Adam's God-given task (which we inherited) to care for the earth. I even pulled out my Bible at one point to reference something. Awesome!

It is interesting to me that after working so hard for these past 3 years to be recognized as qualified to teach elementary (and doing most of my subbing these past 13 years at the elementary level), I end up teaching in my field. My degree from LCU is secondary education with teaching fields in history and English. (I still had to pass those tests to show I was qualified to teach this level like I did elementary.)

I'm excited and grateful - and grateful for your prayers and good wishes on my behalf.

Well, the morning is a good bit gone, and I need to begin laboring. Have a great Labor Day. Let's all be grateful for the labor force in our country, for our jobs (with all their frustrations and rewards), for our many material blessings, and more - for our rich spiritual blessings.

It's Lisa's birthday . . . and I missed Loni's!!

It has been SUCH a summer - studying, testing, getting new jobs, squeezing in a bit of vacation time. I haven't kept up daily with the date very well. We celebrated Loni's birthday in the middle of VBS and my testing, but I neglected to post about it since I've neglected to post in general. Then today, filling out required paperwork for the new job, someone said, "What's today's date? August 14?" and I realized that today is Lisa's birthday. She's such a blogger that I couldn't let the day finish without a note about her. But since I missed blogging about Loni's, I'll do a dual.

Loni first, since her birthday comes first in the calendar year. This is Loni at Kennedy Space Center with the shuttle (the one which recently launched) on the pad in the background.

Loni recently accepted a job at the nearby public school as a 5th grade teacher. This is not her first choice, but she graciously accepted what God offered, and I know she will do as exceptionally well at this job as she did at her previous ones. Loni has such a heart for children of all ages. The girls at church, young to teen, are anxious for her company and encouragement. And in spite of being part of our family trio here, she's carved her own path with the young women and older folks, too, here at Mount Dora. I've really enjoyed having Loni live with us (although we anticipate that she'll be on her own in the next few months). We've become friends as well as mother-daughter, and we enjoy each other's company shopping, movie viewing, and Curves together.

And here is Lisa, in pink in the center, with some of her dear friends, during our recent visit to Virginia. We were blessed to be able to enjoy the company of Lisa's church family and especially her spiritual sisters, during our recent visit to Virginia. Although we went primarily to get our hug-fix with the grandsons and be with Dan and Lisa, too, it was great to spend a little time with her church family. (Thanks InaCarol for organizing this!) We are so grateful that the church in Blacksburg has been so supporting and loving to Dan, Lisa, and their boys. I'm proud of Lisa's leadership role among the women at her congregation. She's a good friend as well as a very loving and supportive wife and mother (and daughter and daughter-in-love).

Happy birthday to both my girls and my prayers for many blessings in the coming year.

A Ready Recollection

You know how our brethren are known to pray for the preacher that he have "a ready recollection" of the things he's prepared to speak from God's Word? A brother at VBS last night urged Bob to pray for me that I would have a "ready recollection" of the things I've been studying these past two weeks in preparation for today's tests. Bob did, and God did! AND He "guided, guarded, and directed" my hand on the mouse to make the right educated guesses on the things I had not known to study, too. He's so good!

Thanks to God for boosting my brain cells, I passed both tests! On the way home through Mount Dora, I stopped by the Bible School and shook hands with the Headmaster/Principal regarding the job. I'll go back tomorrow or Thursday to sign the contract. I am SO HAPPY right now I could dance a little jig! Thank you, Lord! Thank you, family and friends, for your prayers.

NOW I get to start preparing to teach middle schoolers. Time to get nervous all over again. Well, hopefully not. If God has opened this door, He is holding this situation in His hands so I shouldn't be nervous. I SHOULDN'T have been nervous about the test, but since I didn't know if this was God's will (and I told everyone in creation that I was taking these tests and that a job was riding on the results), I was very nervous. (Has anyone invented anti-perspirant for the palms of you hands? I could have used some!) I'm going to try to generate only excitement for the opportunity. Not everyone gets the opportunity (and challenge) of teaching young adolescents!

Two more nights of VBS, one day of tearing down VBS and packing, then Loni and I hit the road to visit grandsons (nephews), their parents and my parents! I really could use a vacation!!! Hallelujah!

One down, two to go (and Harry on hold)

Well, Loni and I took the General Knowledge test today. It was harder than I anticipated. I have spent so much time preparing for the other two tests still to come that I just breezed through the materials I ordered to help me study today's. The practice tests in the book were much easier than the actual thing. Oh, well. I'm hopeful that I passed all four parts, but each part individually can be retaken. I'm sure Loni passed, so she'll soon be eligible to be hired.

On Tueday I am taking two more tests, and I've been studying like crazy for them. Well, "studying" is not exactly accurate. All I've had time for is to read and hope that the gaps in my memory are refreshed. I signed up to take TWO tests because if I pass at least one of these two, I will have a job teaching sixth and seventh graders at the Christian Home and Bible School here in Mount Dora. No, middle school is NOT what I've been working toward, but it seems to be the area God is leading as it is currently the only door open, the only one even partially open since we've moved to Florida.

The tests? Social studies grades 6 - 12 and Middle Grades Integrated Studies (English, math, social studies, AND science for teaching middle grades). Even though my degree from LCU is secondary education (and I've been working hard to qualify to teach elementary!), my teaching fields are English and history. And even though one of the minors is history, I didn't have any Economics or (ahem!) geography (which is what I'll be teaching, Lord willing), so I have to pass one of these tests the receive this subject coverage on my FL teaching certificate.

So, since July 6th, I've read the second half of Loni's old HS US history text book (somehow, we never got to WWI or WWII in my courses and yes, they were history even when I was growing up!). I've read the geography sections covering Asia and Africa, regions with which I have less familiarity than others. I've read pertinent sections in a middle school science text (I gave up, though, trying to comprehend and remember plant and animal reproductive systems) and reviewed the math concepts to be covered. I've researched, copied, pasted and printed probably 300 pages or more from the internet and read and underlined these. I've read a CliffsNotes book about Economics (and understood very little!). I'm now halfway through skimming and notetaking a World History text (I've handwritten about 30 pages of notes). Since VBS starts tomorrow, about all I have time left to do before Tuesday is skim my highlighted pages and texts Monday for a quick review.

Harry Potter, you arrived today, but you'll just have to wait until Tuesday afternoon!!!

Pray for me, please. The old brain cells seem stuck in slow gear sometimes. And pray for our VBS.

31 years

Yesterday Bob and I celebrated (quietly) our 31st anniversary. We did our "usual" = splitting a dinner at Outback: appetizer (coconut shrimp), steak (with sweet potato for Bob, regular for me), and dessert: Chocolate Thunder Down Under. I'm grateful that both sets of parents gave us good examples in marital commitment. Both have passed the 50 years mark!

We also had a good rain (at least 2 inches - the gauge filled up) so that was another thing to celebrate (sorry folks in TX and OK - we need the rain here).

I was also hoping we'd be celebrating a job offer for me, but alas, not yet anyway. I thought the principal with whom I'd been discussing the middle school job would hire me without a temporary certificate, knowing that I was working on it, but no, I must take and pass a test FIRST. Somehow our communication wasn't clear, his expectations and mine. Would the job even be available still after I studied and took the test? I need to go back to him for some reassurance about that before I spend the money and significant time preparing for and taking this test.

So how do YOU determine when God is telling you, "Try harder. Keep going. How hard are you willing to work to obtain this goal?" OR "This is another roadblock. I'm trying to tell you to go another direction." ??

I'm grateful God is delighted to use us no matter where we land, in spite of our choices, if we are seeking to serve Him. I'd love to hear how you think God has led you and your experiences with trying to determine His will in specific areas.