OK Corral....... cuz Osmel and Karen are OK

A Good Reminder

2011-08-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 28:22 A man who won't share what he has wants to get rich. He doesn't know he is going to be poor.

From Today's Reading

2011-07-03T23:48:00.001-07:00

Psalm 94:18 I said, "My foot is slipping." But Lord, your love kept me from falling.

19 I was very worried. But your comfort brought joy to my heart.

Psalm 119:38 Keep your promise to me. Then other people will have respect for you.

(I like that promise- not so much the next thought-- who likes to suffer?...)

Psalm 119:65 Lord, be good to me as you have promised.

66 Increase my knowledge and give me good sense, because I believe in your commands.

67 Before I went through suffering, I went down the wrong path. But now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good. Teach me your orders.

69 Proud people have spread lies about me and have taken away my good name. But I follow your rules with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are hard and stubborn. They don't feel anything. But I take delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to suffer. That's what helped me to understand your orders.

72 The law you gave is worth more to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

2 Samuel 23

2011-06-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

9 Next to him was Eleazar. He was one of the three mighty men. He was the son of Dodai, the Ahohite. Eleazar was with David at Pas Dammim. That's where Israel's army made fun of the Philistines who were gathered there for battle. Then the men of Israel pulled back.

10 But Eleazar stayed right where he was. He struck the Philistines down until his hand grew tired. But he still held on to his sword. The LORD helped him win a great battle that day. The troops returned to Eleazar. They came back to him only to take what they wanted from the dead bodies.

Psalm 40:1-3

2011-06-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

I was patient while I waited for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry for help. I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out. He brought me up out of the mud and dirt. He set my feet on a rock. He gave me a firm place to stand on. He gave me a new song to sing. It is a hymn of praise to our God. Many people will see what he has done and will worship him. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 81

2011-05-07T17:11:00.001-07:00

10 I am the LORD your God. I brought you up out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

11 "But my people wouldn't listen to me. Israel wouldn't obey me.

12 So I let them go their own stubborn way. I let them follow their own sinful plans.

13 "I wish my people would listen to me! I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!

14 Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control. I would use my power against their attackers.

15 Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear. They would be punished forever.

16 But you would be fed with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.

I wonder what blessings I have missed out on when I don't live in obedience!

Lord, help me to hear and obey!

Cuba

2011-04-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sharing in Cuba

2011-03-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

Please be praying for us. Osmel told me last night that it has been requested that while we are in Cuba, that we would share a message with the congregation that Richard pastors. As we were talking about it, I thought about what God had been speaking to me about lately was waiting. When I told Osmel that I thought that would be the subject, he said that was the word God had given him as well. Wow... we have the same word. Now the hard part, putting it all together so I have something to share. No pressure!

God is Watching

2011-03-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

Psalm 10:14 God, you see trouble and sadness. You take note of it. You do something about it. So those who are attacked place themselves in your care. You help children whose fathers have died.

What comfort it brings to know that God is watching. That He is taking note of my situation. That he will do something. That I can place myself in His care and that I can let it go. And in my current situation, looking to adopt a fatherless child, it is good to know Jesus, that You are with the fatherless, helping them, protecting them.... I ask Jesus, that You would protect my child.

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord

2011-03-07T21:25:00.001-08:00

Psalm 121

1 I look up to the hills. Where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord. He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He won't let your foot slip. He who watches over you won't get tired.

4 In fact, he who watches over Israel won't get tired or go to sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you. The LORD is like a shade tree at your right hand.

6 The sun won't harm you during the day. The moon won't harm you during the night.

7 The LORD will keep you from every kind of harm. He will watch over your life.

8 The LORD will watch over your life no matter where you go, both now and forever.

Inspiration

2011-02-21T23:05:00.001-08:00

Inspiration is a funny and elusive thing. There are times when it swings in like the wind and it blows all around filling those around with strength, passion and a will to move forward. But if missed, it will blow out the flame that it once fanned leaving a smoldering wick that does nothing but send up a trail of smoke until the ember is completely dead.

For me, writing works like that. There are times that I think about all the things I want to say and I am filled with the exact words... formulating sentences in my mind, sentences that are filled with the magic they create within my own head. If I do not grab a hold of that inspiration at the moment I have caught it, it slips away leaving me with nothing left to say.

I imagine Elijah, sitting in the cave on the heals of his greatest spiritual victory and yet he is feeling sorry for himself and hiding from his own fears. He is looking for something that God doesn't want to give him. He is looking for something spectacular, but it is something small and insignificant that is used to catch his attention. Jonah ran from God and God caught a hold of him sending him reluctantly in the right direction, moving him forward to lead the greatest revival the world may have ever seen. But that wasn't enough to make Jonah happy. He went away and pouted, missing the greatness that God had done.

I have so many missed opportunities in my life. I so easily allow the distractions of my day to sweep me away and cause me to lose my inspiration. The truth is, I catch it in strange places, and I often find myself unprepared to do anything with it. I pray to remember the words that God has given me and yet they fade quietly into the recess of my mind. It leaves me hoping someday the color of ink will hit the page and those images will spring back to life, but alas, I think they are gone forever.

So how was it for the writers of scripture? When they sat down to record a story or write a letter, did they understand the significance of what they were doing? Did they ever miss their opportunity distracted by the cares of the world? Did they hear the voice of God actually speaking as they wrote or was it just thoughts going down on paper without any understanding that their words were going to be immortalized for eternity? When David wrote of his difficult time of despair and discouragement so great that his heart felt that it would burst- did he understand that those words were pointing a way to the Messiah? That he was actually feeling the feelings that His savior would feel in times to come? When Paul wrote his letters to Timothy or to the churches around the known world, was he aware of the fact that one day those letters would be bound together to effect the world forevermore? What must it have been like to hear the voice of God and write down the words He was telling them?

I think I can only have a glimpse of what it was they were feeling or thinking. I know that my words aren't scripture and they won't ever have the impact that the Peter's words have. I do know when however, the words aren't mine; when the images that flow from my brain to may paper can't possibly have anything to do with me. I become a catalyst, thankful that this time, the inspiration didn't pass me by.

The Joy of Living with Second Language Learners

2011-02-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

Funny conversations are a part of our household... today we had a good one!

Liver and Osmel were trying to figure out how to ask me if we had something that Liver needed. Here is the conversation

Osmel: "What do you need to put a bottom on a chair?"

Karen: {thinking} hmmm... "I don't understand."

Liver: "What do you use to fix your pants when they are broken?"

Karen {thinking... broken pants... bottom, chair, hmmm} "I still don't understand... oh, broken pants, needle and thread. Oh, I get it, what do you need to put a BUTTON on a SHIRT...

Holding on to Hope?

2011-02-15T22:50:00.000-08:00

So recently I was talking with a friend. We were talking about what it means to hold on to the promises of God. Through the conversation, we realized that we had different perspectives on the same subject and that the perspectives we had were two different sides of the same coin.

As the conversation progressed, it gave me a new perspective on an old question... what does it mean to wait well?

Proverbs tells us that hope deferred makes the heart sick. That is one of those verses that makes waiting sometimes hard. When I am waiting on the Lord to do a work, the question has to be asked, for what am I waiting? Am I waiting for God, or am I waiting for the "thing?"

If I am waiting for God, then I can take confidence in the idea that God said it, I believe it, and now I can wait until He brings it about. But if I am waiting for the fulfillment, for "the thing" then I may have no peace, because I can become desperate for that "thing."

Paul tells us that Godliness with contentment brings great gain. So again, the question has to be, what do I take from that verse? Am I looking for the great gain, or am I looking for the godliness?

See, it all boils down to- what is the root? Using marriage for example, I can remember waiting for Osmel. It was hard at times for me to rest in the waiting because I couldn't be sure that I would get what I wanted. That what God's will for me was the same as my hope. But in waiting well, I am not waiting for the husband, or the child, or the "thing." I am waiting for God to do a work (in me). I'm waiting for Him to perfect me and with that work, waiting for Him to bring about the things that He has for my life. I am able to wait well because my hope is in Him, not in what I want Him to do for me.

thanks Lord for 2010

2011-02-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesus,

2010... who would have believed? I remember when I was younger and I thought about the 21st century. I actually thought I would be too old to enjoy it. What was I thinking? When Y2K came around, I wasn't even 40! The truth is, the first decade of 2000 has been when some of the biggest blessings of my life have come.

So as the first decade of this new century is coming to a close, I want to continue my practice of writing this thank you letter to my Savior and my best friend. (Thanks Julie K for teaching me this practice).

The year didn't start out with a great blessing... we were burglarized at the beginning of 2010. Though they didn't get much as far as the number of things, they did steal my feeling of safety and security. This year has seen many upgrades in the Hernandez household like a burglar alarm, new windows, a fence and replacing the items that were stolen. It has been an expensive year.

One of the greatest achievements and blessings has been our 6th wedding anniversary this year. Can you believe it? SIX years!! We haven't been completely sure that we would ever make it this far, but wow... what a great blessing my husband has been in my life. There are moments when I wonder, "What was I thinking? but the reality is that my marriage has been the single greatest blessing of my life. My husband, has grown to be such a good friend and faithful companion. He has loved me and walked with me through the trials of life that have plagued us and through the blessings of life that have carried us through.

Once again, I am thankful that 2010 ended with a job for me. I know so many people that in 2010 they faced the challenge of unemployment. Why God has been so merciful upon us, I don't understand, but I rejoice in it! Not only am I thankful that I have a job, I am thankful for my job. Teaching Kindergarten at Price School has been so rewarding. I am constantly learning new things through the eyes of the precious 5 year olds that are in my class. They have taught me to laugh at myself, to be patient, and to always look at the best side of a person. It is amazing how every year I come to love my students and I see the great potential they hold and I am in awe that God has given me the privilege to be a part of their life. I remember my kindergarten teacher very well, and I would like to think that my students will remember me with the same fondness I feel for Mrs. Bates.

I am thankful for my health. I had an old friend suffer a major illness this last year... final diagnosis- I haven't heard, but it put him in the hospital for several weeks and it gives me cause to say thank You Jesus that I am well. Also, the end of this year a dear friend and sister in the Lord began her battle with lymphoma. It came out of no where and it makes me thankful for the fact that God's hand has been upon my body and the body of my husband. I am also thankful that 2010 has continued to be a year of healthy living. Working out and eating right have continued to be a part of my daily life, (though if I am not careful, I will not be able to say that about 2011).

I am thankful that God has made His plan for the growing of our family a reality. We have started the adoption process and I am very excited about that. God gave me a promise a long time ago that I never let myself acknowledge until now. He promised me children "in my old age." The truth is, I let myself believe that my students were the subject of that promise, but I am now seeing the reality of the promise come to fruition. Hopefully 2011 will have a new Hernandez to rejoice over.

My life has changed a lot in the last decade and I sometimes miss the life that I had a single woman. Paul really knew what he was talking about when he stated that those that are married have to worry about pleasing their spouse and it takes away from the amount of time and energy that I can give to serving the Lord. But with marriage there is incredible blessings. I often am asked, "When are you coming back to ministry?" or "What happened to the 'old' Karen?" Well, I am still in the ministry, but my ministry is within my own family, my own household and it is very fulfilling. Sometimes I miss ministry outside my home, serving the church body, but I am fully committed to working the ministry inside my home first. Some people can do both, and I hope to be one of those people someday, but thankfully, God has given me contentment to serve just where I am.

I am thankful for the little pockets of time that I can carve out with my friends. Susan and I had a weekend away for the first time since I was married. That was a huge blessing. Not only a blessing to just sit and relax for awhile, but to share it together was so fantastic. It is just so great to spend time with a friend that knows you so completely you don't have to explain yourself. And every time we talk, it is like picking up a conversation from the day before even if it is has been longer since we actually talked. I love my friend and I am thankful to have her in my life even if the challenges and business of life make it difficult to see each other as much as we used to.

I am thankful for my family. They have been such a great support system for us and every time I spend time with them I rejoice that they are in my life. My dad celebrated his 74th bday (and is still working full time at his second career) this last year and I am extremely thankful for his health and for him! My mom has suffered some difficulties this year, but has walked through them with an increasing trust and certainty that God is still on the throne. I am thankful for her example of being a woman of prayer. Every time I am down or discouraged, she prays with me and I love that about her. Then of course, there is my brother. What can I say except I wish I could be him when I grow up! He is my hero in so many ways and I love him more than words can express.

Thank you Jesus for the many things that You have been teaching me this year. Thank you for the way that You have walked beside me, held my hand, and brought me through the hard stuff. Thank you for your provision and for the fact that You never give up on me when I am less than faithful to You!! I love You Jesus and above all, I am thankful for the way that You continue to work in my heart and my life and You continue to love me. I look forward to the day when I will be with You in Paradise, but until then, I am thankful for the days that You have given me here on earth.

I love You,

Karen

Psalm 142... the new international reader's version

2011-01-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

Psalm 142

A prayer of David when he was in the cave. A "maskil".

1 I call out to the Lord. I pray to him for his favor.

2 I pour out my problem to him. I tell him about my trouble.

3 When I grow weak, you know what I'm going through. In the path where I walk, people have hidden a trap to catch me.

4 Look around me, and you will see that no one is concerned about me. I have no place of safety. No one cares whether I live or die.

5 Lord, I cry out to you. I say, "You are my place of safety. You are everything I need in this life."

6 Listen to my cry. I am in great need. Save me from those who are chasing me. They are too strong for me.

7 My troubles are like a prison. Set me free so I can praise your name. Then those who do what is right will gather around me because you have been good to me.

I love my job!!

2010-11-18T18:10:00.001-08:00

Thank You Jesus for my job and for my students. I love them. This year's students are big huggers. I am thankful for them.

It is that time of the year to proclaim the things for which I am thankful!!

2010-11-18T15:49:00.000-08:00

Psalm 118

4 Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 27 The LORD is God, and He has made His light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

As the weather is changing and the nights have been clear and crisp, I find myself sitting outside at night before I go to bed praying and contemplating the many blessings in my life. Lately, I feel a sense of contentment that is deeper than I can even fully understand; in fact, as I am sitting and writing, I feel that I can't even express what it is that I want to say, or how I feel. So forgive me if I am redundant. I want to share with you, some of the many things for which I thank my Lord.

Thank you God for:

Your love

My Bibles

Ample exposure to Your Word and good solid Bible teaching

Your wisdom in my life to discern Your Word

Your forgiveness, mercy and grace

Your faithfulness

The multiple blessings You have brought to my family and me

My husband

My family and friends

Our home

The encouragement of the Saints in my life

Giving us both job

Your provision

A bed and blankets to keep us warm at night

Food on the table

Our clothes

The skills with which You have entrusted us

Pillows under my head

Vehicles to get us where we need to be

Entertainment options

Travel opportunities

Desires You have given

The ability to read and write

The ability to walk, run, jump, hop, talk, hear, and see

My students, my coworkers, and my principal

My education

The roads I have traveled and the lessons I have learn on them

God... You are amazing, Your love for me is amazing. I am filled with a thankful heart to the many blessings You have given. My words are inadequate to express my gratitude. I love You.

I'm not posting here much

2010-08-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

Check out my other blogs... I post to the other ones more. :) if i want it linked to facebook i post here... if not... well, u know

Status Update... keep praying

2010-08-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

I talked to an inside source last week that told me there are still permanent teachers that haven't been placed for the 2010-2011 school year. That means that they all have to be placed before there are any jobs available for temporary teachers like me. There are currently 3 jobs that will open up a spot for those 5 but the question is... what about the other 2? Will they be placed before the school year starts? Until that happens.... well I just said it- I'm out. There are part time positions @ 5 schools and I turned in applications at all 5 schools. With these positions there are benefits but between the pay cuts this year and the less than 100% position, it would mean a significant pay cut. If I get one of these positions I can still be in the running for a higher % position. I really want to be full time and I really want a classroom position not a Resource position (or Teacher on Special Assignment- commonly called TOSA).

I know, I'm whining!

The district has already started the year round tracks with a 97% student turn out rate (that is down 130 students). No one will know what the full % is until the traditional school year starts but as of now, no new classes have been formed. We need a miracle in the state of CA or at least in the city of Anaheim. Hey anyone out there want to donate 25 million to the Anaheim City School Districts to lower class size so I can have a job? I'm losing hope.

prayers requested!

2010-04-29T20:20:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends,
Tomorrow is the hearing (9am) - The Anaheim City School District vs. the Temporary and pink slipped teachers. We need a miracle! Please pray that the judge would find in favor of the temporary teachers and that it would be found unfair to hold teachers with a temporary status indefinitely. I will have been with the district for 7.5 years at the end of this year- I have more "seniority" than any other temp. teacher and yet I have NO seniority with the district because until you are made permanent, your years of service don't count! I need a major miracle. Not to mention, if things do not change- it seems very unlikely that I will have a job next year... Pray, pray, pray!!

Simple Truths

2010-03-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

It is easy to get caught up on the things that aren't right. But a friend recently reminded me today of a simple yet profound truth. Don't dwell on the negative- think on the things that true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and things are of good repute. So today, I am practicing that idea.

What things are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute?

God loves me. He has a plan for my life that is good. He is in control and he has a say on all things that are going on in my life- even the obstacles that seem insurmountable.

God has blessed me with a great husband- even when he drives me crazy!! I have a home and we have two vehicles that work. I have a comfortable and warm bed to sleep in at night with extra blankets when needed. We have Bibles that we can read at any time that we want. We have access to good Christian teaching at our church, on the radio, and internet. We live in Orange County California in the USA. We have the right and freedom to worship as we choose (at least today) and we don't have to worry about losing our life for speaking the truth. I have a job (for this year) and God always provides for our needs and even our wants. We have family that loves us and that supports us. We have good friends that love us and pray for us.

We can take a shower when we want, we are able to eat 3 meals a day and have the means and accessibility to meet our needs.

We are blessed beyond measure and we are thankful to God for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us.

These are the things on which we need to dwell. Thank you Jesus.

A Stormy Night

2010-01-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in bed, watching the news, working on the computer and I can hear strong winds and thunder. I have seen a little bit of lightning and it a little weird to have thunder and lightning but no rain. I love it, but severe weather always freaks me out just a little bit.

Lord, we need the rain, but I ask that you protect us from the damage it can cause.

Thanks Jesus for 2009

2010-01-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesus,

What a year. Some of it felt so familiar.

The year started out with Osmel in Cuba. He had a great trip visiting his family, and we both found that we really missed each other.

He decided that it was time to get healthy. He joined 24 hour fitness and we started working out on January 12th. We decided we would try to eat more healthy and I decided on January 23rd to get serious about it. Since then, I have lost over 100 lbs. It has been only by God's grace and I hope to continue on this journey. Through the course of the year, I have made some "workout buddies." My after school buddy, Kim. I have two morning buddies- Jane is my 5.30 buddy and Kristine is my 8.30 buddy- Of course we can only have morning workouts when there is no school. I thank God for my workout buddies, they help me stay on task. Of course, my husband started as a buddy, but that hasn't been very consistent.

He has however been a great encouragement through this year.

Through this year, Osmel has had some health issues and God really used them to get his attention.

Then of course, there was the job loss and then the new job. I really miss my Revere Friends, but I really love my new school. My new principal has been so encouraging. It is nice to have a principal that makes me feel good about what I do and how I do it. I love kinder, I never thought I would love it this much. I have to be more prepped than ever before, and it is really good. I get to do a lot of songs with my students- who would ever believe that I would spend so much time singing out loud (and in front of people?)... Now that is some big growth!! Half the time the tune gets lost in the process, but I just try to find it again and when I can't, my voice goes inaudible (at least in human terms, though you can hear the dogs in the distance).

My partner is great too. She and I pray together before the start of the day... although we haven't been as consistent lately. But I am very happy here. I am praying for a miracle that would enable me to not lose my job in the midst of this budget nightmare. And Jesus, while you are handing out miracles, give me permanent status?! Please?!

Osmel and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. And to all the skeptics who thought we would never make it this far... I say HA! I have a big God who does great things!!

We took a few trips- we went to Palm Springs, San Diego, and we did a stay-cation or two. We do love the weekend getaways. To my deep disappointment, I didn't make it to Arizona or Donya's wedding... it worked out that in the absence of work, going away didn't seem like the best idea.

We are praying and asking God what is next for us, and trying to figure out what His will is. It seems that my life the last few years has been a journey to teach me about taking life's steps one day at a time.

I looked at the possibility of rejoining the world of ministry outside of my home. I was a part of VBS and of the Anaheim VBS and that was awesome! But I really see that for this season in my life, my ministry is at home.

2009 was not just the end of a year... it was also the end of a decade. I would say this decade has held more change than all other decades combined. My whole way of looking at life, at planning, at careers, at marriage, at friendships, at ministry.... It has all changed!!

I'm thankful for all that God has done for me, just in this year, but also in this decade.

Answers for Each Day - Oct. 24 Pastor Bayless Conley and a little afterward from me :)

2009-10-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Praying for the Rain
For the past week we have been seeking to understand what causes a spiritual drought, and then how we can break that drought if indeed we are in one.
Here is what I want you to understand. Even if you earnestly seek God and repent of sin in your life, or you shift your focus and say, “God, I’m putting Your house first, and I’m going to put other people before myself,” or perhaps God leads you to do something of a personal nature, you still need to pray for the rain.
Do not just assume God’s blessing will automatically fall. You still need to ask for it. Zechariah 10:1 teaches us this truth,
Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.
I used to read that and wonder, “God, I don’t understand. If it is the time of the latter rain, if it is rainy season, why ask for rain? Won’t it just fall automatically?” If it is rainy season, why pray for rain?”
Because you cannot assume that it is automatically going to fall.
In James 5:17-18 there is a story about Elijah from 1 Kings 18. James gives us the very, very, very short version. But it tells us something significant,
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
What caused the rain to stop? His prayer. What caused the rain to fall again? His prayer.
Ask God today for the blessing of His rain in your life!

So I am finding similarities to my spiritual life and my journey to lose weight. (Which by the way brings me to a 90 lb. loss!!)
I am finding it much more difficult to lose than I did in the beginning. I am working harder and losing less. But the trick that I am finding is that when I actually increase my calories- for a single day- I will break through my plateau and drop a few pounds. Now obviously, I can't live in a higher calorie bracket because then my weight will start to increase. But if I continue to exercise and then I take just one day and increase my calorie intake- I will see success.
Spiritually I am like that. If I am in the word every day but I am not exercising- I will start to gain knowledge that will puff me up. But if I work out my spiritual muscles continually and I keep a steady intake of God's word, fellowship, and prayer I find success. And if when I feel that I need a spiritual boost- cuz I am in a drought- an increase of prayer can give me that extra boost I need!

Thanks Again for the Prayers

2009-09-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say that I was taken by surprise. I had an inerview on Friday for a Kinder position. I didn't tell many people because I didn't want to have to say... "I didn't get it" in the aftermath. I went into the interview on the tails of studying in Nehemiah 1 and 2 and was thinking of Nehemiah when he prayed and answered the king. I didn't really have a positive feeling going into it and was actually thinking when I didn't get a call Friday night that I didn't get the job. I was almost relieved. So you can imagine my surprise this morning when I got the call that said, "We'd like to offer you the position." I told the gal in HR that called me, are you kidding? I didn't think I would get it. She said, if you accept, it's yours.
Of course I accept. I start tomorrow. Kinder... more prayers please!!
I'm happy and scared. A new school after 6 years in the same school. A new grade. And Oh MY, they already told me it was an "ACTIVE" class. whoo-hoo! Nothing like hitting the ground running!

The Perfect Message!!

2009-09-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

For anyone who doesn't attend Calvary Chapel East Anaheim, or who didn't hear Pastor Bob's message from Sept. 13 (this last Sunday)... you missed a great message! Maybe it was great for me because it was a very timely and needed message. If you haven't heard it, I encourage you to go online and listen...
Blessings to you all!
check it out at cc-ea.org

In the End of 1 Samuel

2009-09-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

So I have been reading through 1 Samuel and I am really excited about some of the things that God is teaching me.
David has gone to live in the border town of Ziklag. Living on the border is never good. David is in compromise- he is telling King Achish that he is doing one thing- but really doing another. Things are going "fine" until the Amalekites (remember them? They are the guys that Saul was suppposed to utterly destroy... but ooops, he didn't) swoop into town and raid the town while the men were away. David and his men return to find their wives and children have been kidnapped, their possessions have been stolen, and their homes have been burned by fire. What now? While the men were angry at David for getting them into this mess and thinking about stoning him, David was "strengthening himself in the Lord." I need that. Anyway, David turns to the Lord and asks what he should do- do we go after them? Will we overtake them?
There were some of his men that were utterly exhausted and unable to go with David and the others on this raid. David has them stay by the Brook Besor (which means refreshment) while they go to recover their families and possessions (though at this point, it isn't clear whether they know the fate of their loved ones... for all the men know, their families are dead).
On his way to try and find the Amalekites, he comes across an Egyptian who was the slave of one and has been left in the wilderness to die. David takes him, feeds him, refreshes him, and asks that he lead David to the camp. When David and his men find the camp, they destoy everyone (except a pesky 400 that escape- it is worded really strangely, which makes me wonder why it is so awkwardly worded. Perhaps it is to show that David TRIED to fully obey unlike Saul that didn't try to fully obey).
When they return after a successful raid- they have killed most of the Amalekites, they have regained their families and their possessions some of the men (the Bible calls them "wicked") try to say that those that stayed behind shouldn't be able to share in the spoil of the Amalekites.
But why does the Bible call them wicked?
I think of two reasons. First, they are trying to pretend that the work that was done was done by themselves. By refusing the blessing of those who didn't go- they are as much as saying that they, themselves had something to do with the victory. But whose victory was it? Man's? or God's? I do that sometimes. Something great happens or something is accomplished and it is truly by the grace and or strength of God that it has happened and I try to take the credit for it. God is teaching me about tithing- that is what I think about. Do I really think the paycheck is for me alone? Do I really think that it isn't a gift from God that I have a paycheck?
The other lesson that I learned has to do with calling. There are people that are called (by God) specifically to do certain works. Romans tells us through the analogy of the body. We can't all be the head. God has given us function, we need to fulfill our function, and not assume our function on others. I need to let God be God in the lives of others and trust that He will call where He wants to call. They will answer in accordance to their calling- God may have to prompt them, and He might encourage me to encourage them in their calling. But ultimately... it is not my deal!

Thanks for the Prayers... you can keep it up :)

2009-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends,
thanks for your prayers! I'm trying to find comfort in knowing that the plan for me is GOOD! I didn't get the job...
I have been reading in 1 Samuel the events that lead David to Ziklag. He has a great victory, which precedes a major compromise. I am trying to find the lessons that God has for me. The one thing I know: the thing that led David to compromise was discouragement. He was sure that Saul was going to kill him and he ran off to the enemy's camp to find refuge. I am trying to stay aware and not let my own discouragement take my eyes off the prize.
thanks again!

Prayers Needed... and always welcome!

2009-09-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have a job interview today... anyone out there who wants to pray for me it would be so great!

Down 64

2009-07-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

November- 2 months before starting my diet

February 14, 1 month after starting

June 13- almost exactly 5 months after making a few changes to my life :)

It has been almost 7 months since I started working out again. I have lost 64 pounds and I am quite excited about that. I have dropped 4 sizes and since mid April, I have lost 20 inches. I'm not where I want to be yet, in fact I have about 100 pounds more to lose, but I feel hopeful. Still counting calories, still working out... and since I am not working right now, I am working out everyday.

The Best Husband!

2009-05-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

My husband has his moments of the knight in shining armor.

I haven't been sleeping this last week- I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep because I start thinking about not having a job. It isn't JUST not having work that makes me crazy, it is not being anything- you know, we are what we do. I am a teacher and in my case, it isn't just what I do, it is what I am. It is what I love. I feel like it is one of the things that I was created to do. So when I lose that, I struggle with my identity. So, all the stresses that go along with losing my job, really start racing through my mind in the middle of the night.

Well, in the midst of last week, crying in the middle of the night because I just wanted to sleep- my husband comforted my heart by reminding me that we were going to be ok. And his response to my worries was to tell me that maybe God knew that I needed time to rest. Then he also said it would give me more time at the gym (he wasn't saying it because he thinks I need it, but because he knows that I would like to spend more time working out) and finally he said, and you will have time to work on your book.

He is the best! He is ready and willing to step up- and if we lose my income... we will figure out how to make it work. And he wants his wife to do the things that make her happy that she doesn't have time to do when she is working. It blessed my heart.

We're the perfect couple. The thing that I can't deal with- loss of my job, loss of my income, loss of the security that comes with my income-- he is not bothered by. He has lived with less than I can ever imagine and he understands that there are worse things we could go through. He is strong in the very thing that makes me the weakest.

He on the other hand doesn't deal with health issues well. He automatically thinks the worse and worries about what will or could happen. I on the other hand am not bothered by health issues. If I die, I will be with Jesus. And when he is struggling with his health, he just needs me to pray for him and to tell him that it will be ok, and he feels better. Where I am strong, he is weak.

God really does know what He is doing when he brings people together!

The Darkest Hour

2009-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

There have been many dark times in my life, and some I can say that I have flown through with a trusting heart, but today, not so much!

There was a special election in California for the budget, it was a last hope at a job for next year. It didn't pass. The stress today of knowing that my probably won't have a job for next year at the end of the year, but maybe I will by the beginning of the school year has changed to it seems impossible.

My heart knows that one of God's favorite word is "impossible" but I'm not doing such a good job right now believing it. This morning on the way to work Pastor Steve Mays was teaching and as I first started on my drive, it hit me that he was talking straight to me. I heard the words that reminded me that I can't let the hard times drive me away from God... but seriously I AM TIRED!

How Do We Deal With The Longing Of Our Hearts?

2009-05-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

We all have things we want. Things we long for. Many of those things are God given desires that I believe He wants to fulfill. We want to marry, have kids, reconcile broken relationships, have peace in our homes and lives, to be missionaries, or we just want to be closer to Jesus. The longings in our heart are the things that drive us, but they can also derail us. I can remember when I was waiting for Osmel, crying out to the Lord on a daily basis... quoting scripture to Him- and reminding Him that a hope deferred makes a heart sick. I would tell Him how my heart was sick-- but still, I had to wait.

I can't say that waiting is easy, it never is. But when I was closer to Jesus, it was EASIER. I found that in the waiting, the desperation of my heart caused me to seek Jesus all the more. It caused me to run to Him and cry out to Him- some days it was minute by minute!

I had to teach myself how to take my thougths captive to Him (that is- every thought). The thoughts that were driving me to depression and grief over my circumstances had to go. They needed to be replaced with thoughts of things that were true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. I would take each one of those things and I would think of how Jesus fit those qualities. How is Jesus pure? How is He lovely? and as I would use that to worship Him, it would calm my heart and cure the sickness that was there.

I also thought if I could convince Jesus to get me through the tough times faster or that I had waited long enough, that somehow I would be able to outsmart the Lord into giving me what I wanted when I wanted it. Skewed thinking I know, but what it did do, is drive me to God's Word. Searching through and examining the promises of God looking for ways that God could, would, or should bring them to pass in my life. This is manipulative in motive, but in actuality, - it had profoundly wonderful rewards! It is never a bad thing to know and understand the promises of God. And it was me that was changed.

I am still waiting on God. I confess, I don't do it as well as I have done it in the past. But to those of us waiting for God to bring about something- I encourage us all, to take our heart aches, our yearnings, and our thoughts to Jesus. He WILL bring about the desires in His time, and in the meantime, He will make you more like Him. And best of all, there really is not time that is better than His time!

No Answer Yet

2009-05-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the day that the judge in the hearing was to submitt his written decision to the district. I don't anticipate that we will hear any word right away, although the union might make sure we are informed right away. As I wait on this and I hope, and I pray that God would do as He says in Proverbs and move the heart of a judge as channels of water... (and of course that the direction God would choose to move it is a favorable direction- in my eyes), I think about the power of God and I have the knowlege deep within my soul that He is in control.

There were two temporary teachers that were made permanent just before the hearing. One of those temporary teachers works at my school. She has been in the district just two partial years and was made permanent because someone messed up and she didn't sign her contract until after she started... that is illegal and as a result, she is now a permanent teacher. That was a hard pill to swallow!! So as I asked my Lord, who has the power of the universe in His hands, why that couldn't have been me... I realized it was because that wasn't a part of His plan. (That pill isn't going down any easier) But all this once again reminds me that God is in control, AND, that His timing is perfect.

A colleague gave me a page from her devotional from Wednesday. It was all about how God's timing is perfect! Do I know that? YES. Have I lived that? YES. Do I still lack in faith when it comes to my job? That would be a loud and resounding YESSSSSS!

A Hearing

2009-04-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Some things never change, and some things never stay the same... my job does both. At the end of the year- I will once again be without a job. That hasn't changed much in the past 7 years. But what is a change, is that thanks to the messed up California econonmy, many permanent teachers in the district will also be out of work at the end of the year. So that is not the same.
Because of the lay-offs, the chance of getting re-hired is significantly diminished. Less positions for next year, means (obviously) less opportunities. And the words "Temporary Teacher" won't even be thought of until all the permanent teachers from our district are given their jobs back.
So what is God going to do?
Many of you know that this is not the first time I have been through this, though it certainly feels more scary than ever before. And, even though my mind and my experience tell me how faithful our Father is, I can't help feeling the sense of panic in my heart that I get at this time every year.
One other thing is different: the district is allowing us (the temporary teachers) to be involved in a hearing. We will meet before a judge and be represented by a lawyer. The judge will hear our case and make a ruling (on behalf of all temps is what we expect) about whether the district has had the right to keep the teachers in temporary status for all these (6 or more) years. The hearing is May 1. I am asking all of you, my friends to please pray for this hearing. Pray for God to be merciful upon me to bring about a judgement that would help me to be made permanent.
The best case scenario could be that I am made permanent and I am given credit for all my years in district... this would mean that I have 6 years seniority and I wouldn't be subject to a lay-off. Worst case scenario is that the judge rules in favor of the district and I am kept in temporary standing and would not likely get re-hired. Then obviously between the worst and the best- there is also the possibility that I am given permanent status but I don't get my seniority. I would be subject to lay-off, but with a higher possibility to be re-hired because I am already considered an employee who just needs a position.
The truth is... I would like to tell God what to do- tell you to tell Him what to do and I would get to keep my job. But, I know that isn't how it works. And by asking you to pray that I would be strong enough to trust God whatever the outcome... well I DON'T LIKE THAT PRAYER ONE BIT! But... it is good. So please, pray for me, for my job, for my heart, for the hearing on May 1st. Thanks.

Progress

2009-04-23T06:57:00.001-07:00

Today is a good day, I am on a losing trend. I tend to lose weight in chunks, a pound a day for several days in a row and then I stop losing (I don't know how to spell pla-toe) for a week or more. The days I don't lose can get frustrating because I will go sometimes as much as 3 weeks without dropping a pound, but then I will lose 5 lbs. in one week. So today, I lost another pound, that makes 39 all together. Since I started making these changes in my lifestyle, working out (started Jan. 12) and counting calories (started Jan 23) I have lost 39 lbs. :)
I bought some new pants a few weeks back that were two sizes smaller than what I had been wearing. I bought them because they were 7.99 and they didn't have my size. When I brought them home, they didn't fit... thise week, I wore them to work. Today I am wearing a blouse that I bought several years ago- probably about 5 years ago- it fits great, not too tight. It's been a good week.
My husband started working out with me this week, and I am not sure how I feel about that. Although we don't really work out "together," I kind of miss that time at the gym as "MY" time. But it is nice to have someone say, "Let's go to the gym," instead of saying, "Let's go eat!"
It is good to feel better about myself and not worse.
My brain thinks I am skinnier than I am, so when I see myself in the mirror I am reminded how far I still have to go- that little shot of reallity is good- I feel better, but I see I can't quit!

Losing

2009-01-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

Osmel and I have decided that we want to take strides to get healthier this year. I have been dragging my feet and living in denial for 2 years now, and I know that it is time to make some changes. Thankfully, he is ready to take the ride with me. He joined the gym and we are going to work out together. We are trying to make healthier food choices and we are trying to encourage one another to do the right things.
My husband and I speak different languages. When he says I have to join the gym and we have to start going, we aren't talking the same language. I have an addictive personality, so once I start, I go full board until something derails me. So I say go everyday, he says, 3x a week was plenty. When I said I want to go work out after work, he said I worked out at work. When I say let's eat a light meal- he says Subway Tuna sandwich... footlong at 1,06o calories...
So we will try this journey "together." And the most frustrating thing, is that he will probably lose more weight more quickly than I....
If anyone is interested, I have found a couple of internet help sites.
Everyday Health http://www.everydayhealth.com/ is free to sign up. Once you sign up, you have access to blogging, diet and excercise tips, an online journal to keep track of your calorie consumption, and some other great helps.
An other one is The 50 million pound challenge
http://www.50millionpounds.com/
Both of these websites are free and have a lot of great resources to help keep us on track!

A New President

2009-01-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter what political beliefs any of us have, or who we wanted to win the new presidency... today, watching the first non-white president take office, I was in awe of our country. I was grateful to be an observer of today's events. I was overwhelmed with emotion today as I watched and listened to all that happened...

I am grateful to our Father for His grace and mercy that He has poured out on our country, and my hope and my prayer is that in the afterglow of today's events, that God continues to bless our nation.

What a Surprise!

2009-01-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

When Osmel told me he wanted to go visit his family in Cuba during the Christmas/New Year holiday, I was thinking- hey cool, time alone when I am on vacation. I was thinking of all the things that I could do. But things didn't work out like I had hoped and as the time is drawing to a close, I am realizing how desperately I miss my husband... I have been feeling this horrible sense of fear and deep sadness while he has been gone that I haven't undestood. Then I talked to him tonight and I realized that missing him was more a part of it than I thought it was. I don't think it is the whole picture, but I do think that it is a big part. God in His sovreignty saw it fit for none of the things that I hoped to happen did, none of the friends that I had hoped to visit with were able, and I spent the majority of the three weeks alone. Hmm... when God decides that He wants our attention, He will use every means necessary to get it!!

I will say that the expression, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," is very true. The fun part of having him gone is that it was like before he came, I got a love email almost every day. And tonight, when I talked to him after almost 2 full weeks, it made me so happy, I hadn't felt that in awhile!

Questions for Exodus 2

2009-01-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

So as I begin reading the story of the Exodus I start to ask myself questions- why did Moses have to be raised by Pharoah's daughter and not by his own family? And how did it change him? How long did Moses live with his real family before going to live with pharoah's daughter. Who told Moses he was an Israelite? What kind of relationship did he have with Egyptian family? Was it ok that he married a Midianite? How did God feel about that? vs 23 says that when Pharoah died, the Israelites sighed and because of the bondage, they cried out to God. Was it a sigh of despair? or was it a sigh of relief? Were they hopeful that a new pharoah would bring back better times? Why does this cause them to cry out to God? Had they cried out to God before? What were they wanting? Did they know the things that God had promised their father Abraham?

My Life as a Puzzle: Reflections on Exodus 2

2009-01-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

I gotta comment again on how cool this journal is- as I am writing about how God miraculously brings about the salvation of Moses as a baby- I read at the bottom of my journal page- The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers" 1Pet. 3.12 and of course I read it knowing that the characters of Exodus 2 were fervently praying to God to save the baby.

I love reading the stories that fill the pages of Scripture. Stories that make things sound like things are working out coincidently. It uses phrases like, "Now it came about..." it leaves out the phrase "by God." And that is what we see in Exodus 2. It is an incredible story about how God saves a baby named Moses. There is no mention of how God is the one that brought about the extraordinary circumstances, we do know that He is the author of all things.

I think about my story as I read the story in Exodus. (And being very familiar with the story, rereading stirs memories of what I haven't even read yet) I think about the times in my life that God worked together the many details of my life.

And guess what scripture is on the bottom of the page as I write about Exodus 2: Romans 8.28- and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

If I let myself think outside of what Scripture says right here in Ex 2 and taking into consideration the whole story, I can see all of my life and experiences...

God has a plan for my life. Every event has its place and purpose. Maybe all events aren't what God would've wanted for my life, but none of them surprised Him or caused Him to altar His plan for me.

And just as I may never be able to answer all the questions that I have about Exodus 2, I also may not be able to answer all the quesstions of why did this happen this way or that way in my own life, but that is because the reason doesn't change the reality. Why God did it or allowed it isn't half as important as the end result. The process makes an impact that's for sure, but not every piece individually completes the picture enough to change the look- the end result.

Why did Moses kill the Egyptian? Was that God's will? Did that act come from God- was it God that ordained it or did God use the experience to mold Moses?

That can be paralleled in my life with, "Why did I get involved with that guy in college?" Was our relationship ordained by God? Willed of God? Or, did God just use the situation, the experience to His good to shape and form me?

Did I take one beautiful piece that God had intended and break it down into several pieces. Did it mar the beauty of the final result? Did it complicate and prolong the process?

We know that God works all things for good- but is that the good or the best?

Imagine a puzzle. 64 pieces. Beautiful when it is finished. Perfect. But when putting together the puzzle I take 1 piece and I break it down into 10 smaller pieces. They will still fit together in the end but I complicated the process. Will it still look the same at the end when the pieces are all put together? Well yes and no.The final image will still be the same image- a picture of a dog will still be a picture of a dog but it will look different then originally intended. Slightly marred perhaps, or maybe a little more choppy, but ultimately, coming together still to complete the puzzle.

Proverbs 18.10

2009-01-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

I love the journals that have a different verse on each page. I like to make my entries before I even read the verses, and then see how the verses pertain to what I am feeling, thinking or writing... it always amazes me. As I contemplated this passage in Exodus 1, one of the pages had:

Proverbs 18.10-

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and are saved. And I can't help thinking about how God was that strong tower for Israel as they were in the wilderness- just as He is my strong tower.

Reflections on Exodus 1

2009-01-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

Jan. 2009

It is human nature to look back on our lives and remember "better" times. I look at the era of the mid to late 90's fondly and see the many ways that God was working in my heart and in my life; I think about the special gifts that God had given me for that season and I think- good times.

It is sometimes hard not to look back and wish to return to that place.

But the essence of time makes it impossible to go back- all we can do is go forward.

So as I read Exodus 1 I am struck by this phenomenon- the children of Israel are in a tough place in Egypt. Scripture refers to Egypt as the furnace of affliction- and as difficult as it is for them, once they leave, once they are on the journey of fulfilling the promises God has for them, they actually look back and wish to be in that place again.

As they journey out of Egypt, they are surrounded by the presence of God, the miracles of God, the strength of God, and the absolute awesomeness of God... He is in their midst, He fills their daily life with miracles, He is traveling before them, and He is communicating directly to them- yet- they will find room to complain, to argue, and to grumble. And although it is obvious to us as readers that they are not on this journey alone, they will time and time again, feel abandoned by God.

So I ask myself, "When they have seen the hand of God move so powerfully, how is it they so easily lose faith?" But then, if they were reading my story, I am sure they would ask themselves the exact same question. They would notice the same thing in my life that I see in theirs. Their circumstances may not be exactly the same, but the God that was leading them, is the same God that is leading me... and we know that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So, the goal isn't to look back at my past and glorify it- but to look at it and learn from my mistakes and to remember God's faithfulness is still the same... And all the things that happened to me in the past are to help me look forward and to see not from where God has brought me, but to where God is leading me and to trust that He will indeed be faithful to bring me there safely and in His time.

--------------------------------------------------------------

We begin to see in the opening of Exodus God's faithfulness already revealed in the simple truth that tells us the more they are afflicted, the more they grow.

Seasoning Greetings... Bon Appetite

2008-12-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas...

Because I can't be there to share the Christmas Season with you all, I thought I would share a few of my favorite holiday recipes.

Easy Salsa

2 bunches of green onions chopped

1 bunch of cilantro

2 4 oz cans of green chiles (diced and roasted... I like Ortega best)

1 28 oz Whole Peeled Tomatoes

Throw all the greens into the food processor (blenders work too but you need to use the tomato liquid from the can to make it blend better) and blend up (It breaks up the onion so it won't chunky- )

Here is where it might very to taste.

You can add another can of tomatoes if you like it tomatoey

If you think you know how spicy you want it, add the jalepenos now and blend. If you're worried about it being too spicy, add the jalepenos a little at a time after the tomato goes in.

Add the tomatoes and blend it all up (don't over blend once the tomato goes in).

The more jalepeno the spicier the salsa.

You can use chipotle chiles instead of or along with the jalepenos to give it a smoky flavor. Use a few spoonfuls of the sauce (adobo sauce) it is yum! One or two chipotle peppers will do you unless you are like my mom- woman with iron tongue.

Another variation is to add lime juice.

Last week I added pomegranite and it was really tasty... a little sweet with the spicy.

I don't salt it, but you can.

Final touch it to chop a few roma tomatoes and add it and give it one final blend. The fresh tomato will liven up the taste and makes it look like it was more work than it really is.

Enjoy...

Add it to smashed avocado (salted) to make guacamole (ol-e)

Another recipe is a Chile con Queso dip

4 tblspooons butter

1/4 cup of flour

1 can of chicken broth

4 cups of cheese (a yellow cheese works best)

Salsa

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour to make a rue (is that how you spell it?). Stir over the heat for about a minute to heat the flour through (it should look pasty, if not, add more flour). Add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil. It should be slightly thick like a gravy. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Add salsa to your liking.

Serve in a fondue dish to keep warm and melty.

I don't know what you would call the bread, I use it for Bruschetta and you can use it to make croutons also.

Loaf of bread (sourdough or french pre cut is easier)

1 stick of butter

garlic powder

parmesan cheese

parsley

Melt butter and add garlic powder to taste, about 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese palm full of parsley and mix together. Slice bread into cracker size pieces (not to thick) or to bite size pieces for croutons. Dip one side of each piece of bread to get it slightly wet. Spread it out on a cookie tin. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or so, you know it is ready when it is golden brown. Let cool. Sprinkle more parmesan cheese if desired. Once it is cool, it should be crusty.

If you are making croutons, it is probably easier to add the bread into a plastic bag and pour some of the butter mixture in and shake it up. The bread should be moist but not too wet. Spread it out on the pan and bake like the bread. Croutons need to be a little crustier so you might want to keep them in the oven a little bit longer. Keeping them in a lower temperature oven for a longer amount of time will make it crustier.

The butter mixture is also good for garlic bread. Just use softened butter instead of melted butter and spread it on bread and bake.

Hint, don't use garlic salt... when you mix it with the butter (which is salted) and the parmesan cheese which is salty, it makes your bread too salty.

Thanks for 2008

2008-12-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesus,

It is the end of another year (who can believe that it has been 45 that I have spent on this earth). I am so thankful for all that You have done in our lives. The last several years have been so hard in so many ways. You have provided a plethora of trials and You have walked through them with us. It was such a huge blessing to walk through a year that was so much... (dare I say) easier .

Thanks Lord that I went through the end of one school year and into the next year knowing ahead of time that I would have a job. Thanks for the summer, enjoying to travel with my mom and to visit AZ... that was only possible because of the blessing of having a job. Thanks too Lord that I was able to teach the same grade two years in a row- and even got to stay in the same classroom.

In the 10 years of teaching, I have learned so many things about myself and You have been faithful to teach me how to love my students more- better- and how to be a better teacher. I am thankful that everyday I get to come to work and love what I do. I am thankful that You entrust me with these little lives and I try hard not to take that for granted. I am thankful too that you have provided opportunities here at work to share what things You have taught me with my co-workers. Lord, I am blessed beyond abudance through my job.

2008 also provided Osmel an opportunity to visit his family. He returned to Cuba in February for the first time since he left Cuba back in 2004. He was blessed to be with his family again. It was clear that it was a gift from You Lord for you brought all the details together. It is an extra blesing that Osmel is going to return to Cuba for the New Year. That is the big holiday in Cuba and he is quite excited to be spending the time together with his family. We will miss being together, but I know that his family will be blessed to spend that special holiday with him.

Lord, I am thankful that you have allowed me to spend another year with those that I love. This year I have learned so much about how You sustain us through loss. With the loss of two sweet friends (Donna and Peggy) I have a deeper appreciation and gratitude for every day that I am blessed to be with those that I love. Even recently, with the tragic and sudden death of Wendy's daughter, and the loss of Michon's baby, I have been struck with a deep (and hidden) emotion that I don't really understand. I know that in time, You are going to reveal to me what it is that You want me to learn and I (cough, cough) look forward to Your sweet hand revealing to me all that You have for me to understand and learn.

Though 2008 has brought many blessings and much relief to this weary traveler, it has brought some things to the surface that I haven't really enjoyed looking at, dealing with, or thinking about. In some ways, it has been a year of denial- but I feel, I know and I sense that Your patient and loving hand is working all things together for my good- That is, the kind of good a dad tells you as he applies the right hand of correct to the seat of learning- "This is for your own good!" Ouch!

I am thankful for the many blessings that this year has brought. I confess that I fear what 2009 has to offer. The bleakness of the budget issues in CA and the likelihood of education cuts fill me with trepidation and I am trying to keep perspective and focus on Your faithfulness.

Lord my biggest prayer is that You would do a work of salvation in the lives of my unsaved family and that they would be the ones that You have been waiting for- and then... RAPTURE!!!!

Come quickly Lord Jesus.

With all my love

Your daughter.

The Very Best Christmas Wishes

2008-12-19T14:36:00.000-08:00

This Christmas it is no surprise that I once again didn't get around to sending Christmas cards. At least this year I didn't buy any. I just want to wish all those I love a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year!!
I have so enjoyed spending time staying connected with friends via blogs and facebook- It is nice to just share a little virtual moment. It's the next best thing to being there :)
Love you all

Kindness Counts

2008-12-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today about my students, which led me into prayer...

One of the things that I have always had, is a good repoire with my students. I love them, they love me, and that is important to me. This year, I don't feel like I have the same connection I have had to other classes. My prayer, "Lord, help me to love these guys, and help them to know that I do. And Lord, I need wisdom to know how to do, and what to do for them."

So I started thinking about what I need from the Lord... Mercy and Grace. I actually had been talking to my students about Mercy and Grace recently because we were adding the suffix -ful to words and when I came up with merciful they wanted to know what that meant. (Anyway, rabbit trail)

So, make a long story short- I realized that God was speaking to me about my students. "Karen, how do people know that I love them?"- Grace and Mercy. I started to sing that song, "It's Your kindness that leads me to repentance O Lord. Knowing that You love me, no matter what I do, makes me want to love you too..." I need to start showing grace and mercy to my students. That's the goal. Loving my students more, pouring out Grace and Mercy, MORE, showing them that no matter what they do, I will love them.

The Tranforming Power of Love

2008-12-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

I have a student whose name is Jim. That's not the real name, but that is what I will call him. In my mostly hispanic class, Jim is the only student that is caucasion. Jim struggles with learning. Jim also struggles with behavior and struggled being kind with his peers. And to be totally honest, I struggled with Jim. It was hard to be loving, it was hard to pour out my heart to him, but I saw early on, that he needed attention and praise. I have met Jim's parents, and it is clear, that Jim is not the priority of his parents. Jim is working with another teacher, and the two of us decided that we were going to do all we could to transform Jim. Give him an opportunity to shine. I have to admit, that it wasn't my idea, but I saw the need and I knew that it could work. So I decided to love him, to praise him, and to give him some extra touches, extra eye to eye looks, and just a little bit more attention. Between the other teacher and me, we were praising Jim for every little thing he did. "Wow Jim, I love the way you hold your pencil." We also worked very hard to make sure that Jim's parents knew that he was valuable. That he could do it. That he was worthwhile.

I know you know what is coming... Jim changed. Jim is kinder to his peers. Jim tries harder to do well in school. Jim is learning. Jim is growing. Jim is being transformed by love. Who can you transform with God' love?

2008-12-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

45 Factoids about me...

Hard to believe, but this year was my 45th year here on Earth...

So, in honor of my 45th, Here are 45 facts about me.

1. I can never remember what city I was born in. Anaheim or Orange.

2. I met my husband 10 years before we got married.

3. I knew he was the guy for me after spending less than 15 days together.

4. I knew I was in love because he was the first boyfriend that I could follow.

5. My paternal grandparents were Mexicans and my maternal grandparents were Irish.

6. My eyes are hazel- mostly green and my dad only learned that about me about 5 years ago.

7. My grandma died about a month before she turned 100.

8. I am a 3rd generation Anaheim educator.

9. I am a 4th generation college graduate.

10. I love to write.

11. When I was 16 I read the book I'm Out to Change the World by Ann Kiemel and she changed my life. I decided I wanted to be like her... (someday I'll finish my book)

12. I would have loved to pursue a career acting Shakepeare.

13. I smoked for 10 years.

14. I started to love studying the Bible when I was in High School. I was challenged to get to know it better, and I just started to hunger for it.

15. I am a Laker's fan, but I have to love them from a distance or they seriously become an idol!

16. I swam on the Placentia Swim Team (for about a week)... I had to quit due to swimmer's ear.

17. I was saved at a backyard Bible club when I was 5. It made sense. I prayed the prayer many times before I believed it took. I stopped when I was about 6 or 7 because it was the first time that I prayed it with someone else there to witness it.

18. I played on the championship volleyball team when I was in 6th grade.

19. I was the biggest tomboy EVER! Skateboarding was my thing.

20. I grew up in a Baptist Church.

21. I love to sing, but I can't do it well.

22. I'm self diagnosed A.D.D... If you talk to me in a place with too many distractions, I seriously can't pay attention no matter how hard I try.

23. I didn't really know what it was to walk with Jesus until I was 15.

24. I love frogs.

25. When I was in High school, I didn't have any girlfriends, only male friends.

26. My dream job would be to be a detective.

27. I am married to a Spanish speaker but I don't speak Spanish very well, therefore, the first year we were married, I didn't talk much to my husband.

28. My paternal grandpa was/is my hero.

29. My brother and I were roommates for awhile while we were in college. We went to the same college, and worked for the same company. We thought so much alike we were scary!

30. It took me more than 10 years to graduate from college.

31. I wanted to major in art in college but it didn't seem practical, but I took every art class that Fullerton College offered- some more than once.

32. I am afraid of heights and small places. When I see movies that show either, I feel it in the pit of my stomach and I get sweaty palms.

33. I get car sick and sea sick.

34. I have a terrible memory.

35. My favorite food is enchiladas.

36. My drink of choice is Diet Coke.

37. I am a cop show junkie.

38 I love to cook, but never have time.

39. I love to be the hostess.

40. I hate gardening.

41. I love driving.

42. I love going places I have never been but it scares the pants off of me.

43. I love the night sky.

44. If I could be any animal in the world, I would be a big bird, (eagle or pelican)... kind of funny from a girl that can't handle heights.

45. When I have dreams about flying, it scares me.

Call Waiting

2008-11-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

I called You up to hear your voice.

I wanted to listen to the things You had to say.

I needed to talk to You,

to let You know what was going on in my life.

I was happy about getting You on the line.

As soon as I had established contact with You,

another call came through and I put You on hold.

When I got You back on the line,

You were there, waiting patiently

and wanting to share with me too-

but, as soon as we started to talk,

there was a beep,

and I put You on hold again.

This time, I couldn't break from the other call.

When I was done, I didn't expect you to still be there for me

But You were

waiting patiently.

I was feeling guilty about making you wait.

I was ready to vow that I wouldn't let anything get in the way of us

ever again.

But the next thing I knew, the line beeped once again.

I struggled, and debated, what should I do

but I couldn't let it pass,

I chose the other line

I put you on hold again.

Finally, I returned,

and You welcomed me back with words of comfort.

I apologized and You gave me Your forgiveness,

and with that, You told me...

You loved me

and that You would wait for me

forever.

OH my LORD,

What have I done?

How have I forsaken You and yet

You hung on the line

and waited until

I was ready to listen to Your voice.

God is good, and He is faithful, and it seems some things never change, it is always a struggle to give God my full attention!

The Work Place

2008-11-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed by staying at the same school for the past 6 years. It hasn't been easy to stay, in fact, it is only by the grace of God... I think Satan has tried to get me out, but God keeps bringing me back.

I have often wondered (especially, when it looks like I will have to move on), "have I completed the work that God has for me there." And every year, it is clear... the answer is, "No."

Since I have been there, I have had the blessing to share the hope of Jesus with a coworker, who prayed to receive Him. Currently, I have been sharing with another about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus rather than just being a part of a religion.

There is yet another coworker, who is in what could be called, spiritual confussion. She isn't sure, who God is, and even if He really exists... And if that isn't opportunity, I don't know what is.

I would love your prayers, that as I interact with these lost sheep, that God gives me opportunities, wisdom and the words to say each time the opportunity arises.

The Good Wife

2008-11-26T20:51:00.001-08:00

Have you ever noticed how God does what He wants to do... whether or not you are ready or willing?

I love my husband, I love being married, but I don't always love being a wife. I often wonder, why is that the wife is the one that has to do the changing, make the sacrifices, and lead in compromising.

To be completely honest, I don't like it! My flesh doesn't strive to be the one to change, but my spirit feels the tugging of God everytime I work against it. I can hear the Lord speaking into my ear and telling me to do do the right thing.

Last year, for my bday, I received a couple of books from a friend about marriage, I put them on the bedside table with my Bible, with every intention of cracking them open and trying my best to become a better wife. But truthfully, it just hasn't happened. And isn't it funny that I notice them all the more when I am angry with my husband, and then am even more reluctant to read them.

But here's the kicker: I haven't cracked a book, but despite my best efforts to dismiss the idea of being "a good wife," God is teaching me the lessons anyway. I hate it when that happens! How you might be asking? At work, where of course it is much more painful. Without getting into the painful details, and without of coming to my own defense, I will just say that God is teaching me about compromise, sacrifice, keeping my mouth shut, being my own defender, and a myriad of other things that pride drives me to do. And all this change, comes through various trials. HMMM.... I think I have heard that before.

Consider it all joy?!!! Humph....

Why can't it come another way....

Yes, consider it all joy. Cuz today, I am a better wife than I was yesterday. And tomorrow, I will be a better wife than I am today. I have my good days, and my bad days, but I am moving slowly forward. And I look forward to the day, when my Heavenly Husband, stands before me and says, "Good and Faithful you have been, enter into your rest."

(Then will He pamper me the way I deserve? just kidding!?)

And just so you know, my husband, is a good one. And despite the fact that I can be a spoiled princess, he loves me anyway.

Being Thankful

2008-11-17T16:08:00.001-08:00

I was reading Tammy's blog and I liked her idea of listing reasons for Thanksgiving.

I am not the most faithful of bloggers- I find it hard to find the time.... so I am going to list my 30 reasons (one for each day of November).

1. I am thankful that Jesus chose me, that He loves me, that He is a faithful God and that no matter what- I am in His hands... safe and secure for eternity.

2. I am thankful that some day, I will be face to face with My Savior, My Lord, and My Friend.

3. I am thankful for my husband. He is my love and my friend.

4. I am thankful for my family. It isn't always easy, but they love me.

5. I am thankful for my friends. I have many faithful friends that near or far, are there for me.

6. I am especially thankful for those that are both, friends and family.

7. I am thankful for my "niece and nephews." They are connected to my heart even though we don't share the same "blood line." Aaron, Hannah, and Josh- I love you all.

8. I am thankful for my home. I love my little house and I love that I live in Orange County, and am exceptionally glad that it is still standing.

9. I am thankful for my job. I love teaching. It is who I am. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't teach.

10. I am thankful for my experiences. For better or worse, they have been a part of God's shaping me into His daughter.

11. I am thankful for my car. It gets me where I need to go and doesn't break the bank every time I have to fill it up.

12. I am thankful for the things that I have learned in life: to cook, to read, to write, to paint, to draw... just wish I had learned how to clean!

13. I am thankful for my students. Not just those in my class this year, but those that have touched my life in the last 10 years I have been teaching!

14. I am thankful for my memories... because I sure don't remember things the way I used to.

15. Speaking of memories, I am thankful for my diet coke -even if it is breaking down my memories.

16. I am thankful for my churches, and my pastors. Past and present. I have been amazingly blessed to sit before some great teaching. In 40ish years of attending church I have only had 2 that I called my home... and they were both the best!

17. I am thankful for the Christian colleagues that God has placed in my path in the many years that I have been employed- starting with my first job when I was 16.

18. I am thankful for the way that God meets our needs. It isn't always the way we want, but it is always the way we need!

19. I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given me to be in ministry. Working in the Women' s studies under Sandra, working in the Children's ministry under Julie, and working (so long ago) in the youth ministry under Terry. I have learned many invaluable lessons that I carry with me.

20. Though I miss outside ministry, I am thankful for my current ministry- serving my husband. It is the place that God has me, and I can accept it with gladness.

21. I am thankful that it will be cold again soon.

22. Though I live with a longing in my heart to be in Heaven with my Heavenly Husband, I am thankful for my life.

23. I am thankful for the many women that have been my teachers, mentors, leaders, and examples. I appreciate the time and effort that they have poured into my life. I feel like the most blessed woman to have sat below, with, and along-side these women. Mrs. Brostrom, Gigi, Robin, Mindy, Jean L., My cousin Debi, Ann Boyett, Peggy, Sandra, and Julie are just some of the women that were ministry leaders for me and that taught me so much about God's love and living to please Him.

24. I am thankful for the many forms of communication that we have to keep in touch with those we love.

25. I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given me, especially as I look at the lives of my students, who all recieve free lunches, whose families share houses and apartments with multiple families, whose parents work two jobs, whose families have to hide from immigration, who can't afford to go on family vacations, who have never eaten at a "fancy" restaurant, gone to the beach, gone to the movies, or gone to Disneyland. Who live in gang infested neighborhoods where they see and experience things I wouldn't have even been able to imagine when I was there age...

26. I am thankful for the gift of time.

27. I am thankful for my "old" high school friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Who walked with me when I was a new Christian. Who taught me what real Christianity looked like and sounded like. I am thankful for the laughs that we shared and for the smiles that come to my face even right now as I remember the great times.

28. I am thankful for Ron Pixler... it was at his prompting that I start studying the Bible. It was his challenge that started my love affair with God's Word.

29. Which reminds me, I am thankful for the Word of God... the light to my path!

30. I am thankful to be a wife- most of the time. I am thankful for my many friends that were married before me, and that taught me what it meant to be a wife.

31. I am thankful once again for the fact that Jesus will never leave me, nor forstake me, and that even though I am many times faithless... He is always faithful.

OKay, so I went over 30...

Building a Better Home

2008-09-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Osmel and Liver have worked hard this summer to do some improvements around the house. We added a canvas/rod iron gazebo to the back patio to make it a new outdoor dining area. We mounted the TV over the fireplace and they framed it out. Step two is to put shelving units on both sides of the fireplace. I'm so proud of all the hard work they have done.

Karen's Inner Photographer

2008-09-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a sampling of some of my "artsy" photos.

My goal is to get some of these framed for the house.

Sea Life

2008-09-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a sampling of some of the wild life we encountered. In Shell Beach there is this great big rock that is covered with pelicans. A bird that is actually one of my favorites. It looks like that prehistoric bird that I can't spell (Pterydactyl?). We saw some seals (or are they sea lions- which one has the external ears?) lounging under the pier in Avila Beach. Plus of course, sea gulls which are such stately birds.

The End of Summer

2008-09-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

The last hurrah of the summer was to take a small trip with my little man! We did a condensed version of my trip with my mom over the Labor Day weekend. We really had a great time! It was good to get away. We hadn't been on a trip together in over a year- not even a little weekend get away. We walked a lot! Which of course is always good for the body. We both took our cameras so we competed to find the best shots. I took a lot of artsy photos because I'm looking to take some of the the photos and use them as decor for the house. We started our long weekend in Santa Barbara. We hit a lot of traffic on the way up (as we expected) so we figured it was better to spend that first night someplace a little closer. On Saturday morning we had breakfast at this cute little downtown Bistro where we sat outside. It was still fairly early, so there weren't many people and it really was a lovely way to start the weekend. We walked along downtown for a couple of hours and then made our way to Santa Maria. Lovely weather! And again, it was a beautiful area to visit. We spent some time in downtown San Luis Obispo, Shell Beach, and Avila Beach. Then we had dinner in Pismo. We ate dinner one night at the Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe. This place has a lot of memories. As a little girl, my maternal granfather lived in Lompoc and used to take us to the Far Western for Sunday Breakfast every time we visited. We created new memories to go along with the old ones. The drive home was nice, not too much traffic. We even stopped in Camarrillo to visit the outlet mall there. My husband LOVES to shop- and he had to visit the Nike Factory to buy yet another pair (or two) of footwear! It was hard to come home, but we returned refreshed and regenerated, and we had grown in our appreciation of each other and our marriage.

Trip to Arizona

2008-09-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

Another blessing this summer was to take a few (but precious) days to visit the Millage family in Arizona. I got to be there for Hannah's birthday and share some great times. It was good to visit Calvary Chapel Surprise and to see all those that have migrated to AZ. I really enjoyed sharing time with my precious loved ones. Hannah and Josh were the driving factor to my trip (sorry Tammy and Brian you are number 2) and I had a blast with them. Josh just makes me laugh- he's quite the character. Hannah, is so smart and talented. There was a birthday party for Hannah's 8th bday (where does the time go?) where I got to see the Jones family, the Chill family and Julie and Sophie; I also had a chance to meet some new folks from CC Surprise. It was nice too to sneak in some time with Todd and Julie and Sophie. Another blessing was to drive home with Jessica. She is a wonderful young lady and we had a really nice time sharing the drive.

Vacation With Mom

2008-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

This summer, my mom and I had an opportunity to take a vacation together. It is something we hadn't done since I was a little girl. We had a great time. We stayed two nights in San Luis Obispo and two nights in Santa Maria. We visited downtown San Luis Obispo and the mission, Pismo and Avila Beaches, several Santa Maria vineyards, and Los Olivos. We shopped, ate in some mighty fine resaurants, wine tasted, shopped some more, sight see-ed (it can be sight saw can it?), and had a really nice and relaxing time. We even went to a really fun performance called The Great American Melodrama in Oceano- that was a real treat! The scenery and weather were all beautiful and overall, I have to say an excellent time was had by all!

The Newest Members of our Family

2008-09-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

This summer someone was walking by the house and found one of these little guys walking in our yard. They assumed it was ours, caught it, and brought it to the door. We knew it wasn't our neighbors because earlier in the day, they were trying to catch him. When we asked them, if it was theirs, they said, "No, we are just trying to catch it." So we decided to keep him. We researched the bird and found that it was a lovebird. The internet suggested that they be kept in pairs, because they are very social. We found a local pet shop that had some just like our new little guy, and we brought home a female to keep our male company. All this happened during the Olympics, so we decided to name the kids Bei and Jing. We have made their home on our newly "remodeled" patio and they seem quite content. Not the pet I had in mind, and not the kids Osmel was hoping for either. When the guy brought the first one to the door he left with a "God bless you," and we decided, this is a little gift from God. The purpose is yet to be determined. They cutest part about them, is that they were cuddling from the first few minutes that they came home. They seemed to make an instant connection. Kind of reminds me of my husband and me- knowing from the beginning that we were meant to be together.

Are You Still Married?

2008-06-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

I recently ran into someone that I hadn't seen in awhile. One of the first questions that came out of her mouth was, "Are you still married?" The next one, "Are you still happy?"
About a year ago, Osmel had to get a physical as part of the hiring process for a new job. When the doctor came in, he asked Osmel how he was doing, asked about his life, asked about his wife... and it became increasingly obvious that this man knew us. Osmel didn't remember meeting him, so he asked him, "Do you know me?" It turned out, the man went to the same church we attend. He was somewhat new to the congregation, and he told Osmel that though he had never met us, he knew of us. Someone had not long prior to that day, shared our story with him... so our story was fresh in his mind. When Osmel came back to the car, he related the story of what had just happened, and we were reminded again- People are watching us.
Osmel and I realized a long time ago, that we are a testimony. A testimony of God's timing and we are living, breathing proof, that His plans for us are good. We try to keep it the front of our mind. We feel a sense of responsibility knowing that our lives are on display.
Before we were married, when our story was just unfolding before us, and as God was bringing us together, I realized that I had an arranged marriage. It was an arrangement made by my Father, and by Osmel's Father. That is, our Heavenly Father. It was an arrangement that was meant to benefit all. It was arranged because of love- Our Father's love for us. We understand that not everyone gets it. We don't always get it either. And I'm not saying that our life is without problems, or without fights, or without unhappiness. We go through the ringer just like all couples. The good times are good, the hard times are hard, but God's faithfulness to us during the prewedding times, gave us something not all couples get- assurance. We knew 100% (and still do) that this was God's perfect will for our life. That He wanted us together. And what God wants, God gets!

The Loss of a Friend

2008-06-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

Many Christians don't really get death, they don't see it as a gain- they see it as a loss and they don't look forward to it. Others take on the attitude, I want to go to heaven after ___. Not yet, not until I have experienced all that I desire. But me, I look forward to the day I get to stand before my Savior; and I hopefully will hear Him call me His good and faithful servant. A dear friend of mine recently went home to be with the Lord. It was sudden and unexpected, and it left me with a feeling that I can't explain. A sense that I'm missing something... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
As I sat in the memorial service, I started to remember all the things that were special about this wonderful, wonderful lady. The ways that she blessed my life, that she may not have even been aware of. As people shared, it brought to mind so many things I had shared with her. I was overcome. Not for her, for me, for those of us that will miss her smiling face. And during the sevice, I wrote her a letter and I cried.
The truth is, I lose friends all the time. People move away. Changes in life bring distance. New jobs. New churches. New plans. New ministries. People come and go. And though they are gone, they are never forgotten. There are many who have gone whom I miss very much. We can't always help it when we lose a friend. But when you can help it... don't!

Responsible Blogging

2008-06-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

I journal regularly, and I have off and on since I was about 16. I find that it is useful in so many ways. My journal is a source of meditation. I can read a passage of scripture, then think about it and meditate upon it through my writing. Journaling is also a way to pray focused prayers. I can write letters to God to tell Him about my deepest feelings, sharing my praises and my prayer requests with Him in a clear, and focused manner. Journaling can also be a way to store memories; writing about how I feel and the things that I have done and experienced. Finally, my journal can be a safe place to vent. A place that I can write about the frustrations and tribulations of everyday life. I can go and verbally vomit in my journal and it helps to flush away all those negative feelings.
I know that many people see blogging as an online journal, and with that, they feel freedom to express whatever they want because it is their personal and private space. But it isn't. Especially if people you know are reading your blog.
We need to be careful about what we say in cyberspace.
As I am writing, I am thinking about the people that will read this blog and I chuckle to myself because you all know it... but I see this sight as practice for writing "The Book." So sorry if I get a little preachy :)

Enjoying the Summer

2008-06-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

For the first time in quite a few years, I actually know that I have a job before the school year ends. AND, I don't have to move. I don't have to change classrooms, change tracks, change grades, or change schedules. Everything except the students will stay the same. I am looking forward to a visit in Arizona- mark your calendars and let's schedule lunch! I want to be there for Hannah's birthday so July 26 will be the target date, I just don't know how much time before or after.
I also am looking forward to visiting my aunt in Oregon. This is a tentative trip cuz gas is so expensive and she lives in the northern part. But hopefully, my mom and I will go up and visit a few places on the way up or back. Finally, we're hoping to get a few days (Osmel, my dad, and I-- and probably my brother-in-law) in Southern Utah- we like to go fishing and just relax. It is one of the prettiest places on earth and it is a trip I really love. Gotta spend as much time with my dad as I can- he just turned 72 and I am realizing more each day that the time here is short and precious.
Finally, this summer I hope to get some reorganizing done and paint at least 2 of the bedrooms and create an office. I have so much stuff!
Well, in a pefect world, those are my summer plans. We'll see how much I get done.

A fly on the Wall

2008-06-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

So much pressure to post... I hope you girls enjoyed your chats. I read them all. It was like being a fly on the wall and listening in on other people's conversations.

I'm Getting Older

2008-03-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

It is funny how things change as we get older. I can't do all the things I used to be able to do. I don't want to do many of the things I loved to do. I don't listen/hear the same. I used to love loud music, and now loud music irritates me. I can't see the same. I used to laugh at my dad when he would pull out the flashlight to look into a dark corner, and I do the same. I don't have the energy I used to have. I can't stay up like I could. And now I understand it when the old people sit around and talk about the things that their bodies do, or don't do.... because my brain feels the same. Which is the biggest trick of all. I still think that I am the same.

2008-01-18T16:00:00.001-08:00

Blogging, is a new experience for me. Though I have kept journals since I was 16, and though I dream of writing a book some day, I am treading on new ground by making my private writing a matter of public record. I suppose I see it as the first step to accomplishing a lifetime goal. So here we go....My friend Julie used to have us (the members of a small leader's accountability group) write thank you letters to the Lord at the end of each year. I haven't been so faithful to the practice, but I thought it would be the perfect way to start this year, and start this Blogging experience.Thanks Lord for 2007.2007 was a busy year. My goal for the year was to keep my head above water. I was teaching first grade for the first time and trying desperately to stay ahead of my class. Trying to master a new grade (again), trying to get those naughty first graders to follow the rules, stop talking and learn all they were supposed to learn, and... trying to shine in the process was a lot of work. I was also teaching adult ed- English as a second language (ESL). I had a small group of ladies diligently working on their English skills and though it was a lot of fun- and I met some fabulous people (and practiced my Spanish), it was hard working two jobs.We, the temporary teachers of the district learned early on that we would not be getting promoted to probationary positions in 2007 and once again we would face the possibility of losing our positions at the end of the school year. So I started saving money to try to prepare for the possibility of unemployment. Deja-vu!As June was fast approaching, I started seeking what You would have me do... was it time to leave? Or was it yet another opportunity to watch You open doors that seemed impossible to open? I wasn't getting any answers. There was going to be an opening at my school for a 2ND grade teacher, but I wasn't being promised the job. I was going to have to interview for that position.At the same time, the doctors found a lump in my breast with my first mammogram. They wanted to do a biopsy and figure out if it was something that needed to be dealt with. Because of the timing of it all (the end of the school year), I lost my insurance before I had an answer to the question- is it cancer?So June came, no work, no insurance and no answer as to what You Lord were calling me to do. In most years prior, You had made Your intentions clear- I was staying. It may have seemed impossible, but You would tell me- and I would wait and watch to see how it was going to be brought about.This year, the message was.... NO MESSAGE!I didn't have a promise, I didn't have a clue. You were however showing me through the books of Exodus and Joshua that you had plans for me, that You had intentions of using me, but I didn't know where and I didn't know how. You were also showing me that like Pharaoh's heart had been hardened against Moses and the Children of Israel, so you had hardened hearts against me. And just as You would do a work to reveal Yourself and subsequently soften Pharaoh's heart, so that was happening for me. But with this new understanding of my situation, came confusion of what did it all mean. Then, when I interviewed and didn't get the position, I got it. So my thought was, it was time to move on. In fact, you were speaking to me about going back to the starting place, just as you called Moses back to the burning bush. But I didn't know what that meant. Retail? Food Service? Christian School? What is the starting place? The starting place for working in public school just fell through. Back to second grade, staying at my school, that wasn't going to happen. I must say, I was devastated.But then Lord, when I was ready to pull the plug on teaching and move on, You opened doors that seemed impossible and I got a call to come sign a contract... back to my old school, back to the starting place- 2ND grade.And here I am Lord, thanking you for the difficult times of uncertainty in 2007, because as always, You proved Yourself to be faithful and You brought me out!I love you Karen
Labels: Thank You Lord for 2007