Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Back to Work I Go!

     These two weeks at home have been wonderful.  But all good things must come to an end.  It will be good to get back and see my 24 kiddos at school.  Can't wait to hear all about what Santa brought, where they went, and what they did.  I'm sure I'll get both ears full! I hope they are all well and ready to get back to work.

     As our pastor reminded us today, we only have 363 more days of 2011.  Let's wake up, get up, and be ready for whatever God has planned for us.  A sweet friend of mine sent the words below in an e-mail on New Year's Day.  I thought I'd share it with you!  Enjoy!  And remember how blessed we are! Thank Him and share those blessings with others!

Rules from God for 2011

1.  Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day.  "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2.  Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.  A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.  "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

3.  Shut Up!!  Say nice things and learn to listen.. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.   "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4.  Stand Up!!.... For what you believe in.  Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5.  Look Up!!... To the Lord.  "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

6.  Reach Up!!... For something higher.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."  Proverbs 3:5-6

7.  Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.  "Do not worry about anything; Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."  Philippians 4:6

First Day of 2011

     Today was a quiet day at our house.  We just enjoyed some down time together before getting back into the daily routine next week.  These two weeks at home have been wonderful.  Some of them have been full of errands, appointments, etc.  But there has been plenty of time for rest.  Spending time at home with my husband and children is always special.  And, yes, I do count this time as a special blessing from God.

     As our holiday vacation comes to an end, it's hard not to feel a little down...a little sad that it's over.  But today I'm choosing to see even the daily busy routine as a blessing.  I am blessed that I have a job to get up and go to everyday....many don't.  I am blessed to work with good people...some don't.  I have a family to share the good and the bad with me...some don't have that.  I have reliable transportation to get me to work.  I have clothes to wear and food to eat.  So I am choosing to count my blessings and thank God for each one of them.

2010 ... Blessings Beyond Measure

     We have less than an hour now before one year ends and another begins.  When I was a child I'd hear grown ups say that time seems to pass faster as we get older.  I didn't believe it then.  Well, now I understand what they were talking about.  It seems like yesterday that Phillip and I brought our new babies home from the hospital.  Those babies are not babies anymore. They have now grown into a precious young man and a precious young lady that this mom is so proud of.  And together with the most wonderful man in the whole wide world, we are learning daily to be parents of a 7th grader and an 8th grader.  Husband, son, daughter.... Blessings Beyond Measure... Yes.

     For twenty years now, God has given me the privilege to be a part of the lives of over 400 children.  Many of the students I taught as a new teacher have finished school, married, and have children of their own.  Wow!  Yes, time flies.  Those students have left me with special memories.  Some make me laugh and some make me cry.  Each one of them has left their own mark on my life.  I've spent my days teaching children about the world...teaching them to read, to tell time, to count money, to add and subtract...the list goes on.  But they have taught me many things too.  Blessings Beyond Measure... Yes.

     In the past week, I have had the opportunity to visit with many, many, many relatives.  We've been to gatherings with my mom's family (around 25 of em), my dad's family (around 28 of those), and my husband's family.  They came from all over Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and Iowa.  Some I haven't seen in several years.  It was wonderful to exchange hugs, conversations, and food, of course.  Time spent with family... Blessings Beyond Measure... Yes.

     Our family is so blessed to be a part of a wonderful church family.  And, yes, our friends at FBC Minden are like family.  We love our pastor and staff.  They are there loving us, caring about us, encouraging us, teaching us, helping us, and praying for us!  Blessings Beyond Measure... Yes.

     God has blessed me with some really special friends!  And I don't know what I'd do without them.  Some live close by and some live far away, but they are all special to me just the same.  Some have been friends for a lot of years and some are new.  The love, hugs, prayers, and neverending encouragement and support they continue to share with me keep me from going under on the rough days and make the good days even better!  Blessings Beyond Measure... Yes.

     The clock says 12:01 and I hear fireworks outside, so I guess 2011 has arrived in Minden!  I pray that all of you, wherever you are, have a wonderful new year in 2011.  And don't forget to be thankful for and share your many blessings with others... blessings that truly are beyond measure.

     Happy New Year!!!