Field Trip Tomorrow...

And I'm already tired thinking about it. Lol-- I'd be tired, even if I didn't have the trip tomorrow, though. Grades are due, and so far, that is the one thing I have not been able to master--getting grades in on time. It's on the lines of pulling teeth, especially when there are essays in the mix... lol... as they are right now.

But anyway--Bright and early tomorrow morning, my students and I (along with all the students and teachers on my team, as well as a good many parents) are headed to a fun time--an Aquarium, a Science Center, and a big CITY!! They're so excited... but, considering the excitement, they did pretty well today. One of my boys told me, "Today's the longest day of my life... and tomorrows going to be the shortest!" Lol--My guess is, he feels that way about summer too.

On top of this, SACS came to our school today. For those of you who haven't been involved with the school system, this is an accreditation program whereby schools are declared good or bad--it's not too fun. The evaluator came into my classroom for about five minutes, talked to my one, most difficult, trying, and needy student--and I hope that's not the only impression of my classroom she got. She left a good note; that's all I know.

I sound tired--I wouldn't be so complain-y, otherwise--but I do want to mention the services this weekend... Even though Sharon's already filled you in! I do thank God for a Holy-Ghost filled church, and for the blessings God bestows on us. There was such a Holy, reverent atmosphere at the end of Sunday morning's service--I didn't want to leave. There are times when the presence of the Lord comes in, and just bathes us with His goodness and mercy, and you know that, despite all of your trials, you are His. And you rest in that Holy atmosphere. It just makes me want to draw closer to Him, in my every-day experience... not just when we're in church.

Something my pastor once said has really stuck with me: he said, It's not who you are in church that proves who you really are. It's the everyday, hard walk--where you make the decision to depend on the Lord--or not. It's that time on which the atmosphere and anticipation for a service is built. And if we want that atmosphere, we must seek it in our everyday lives. I don't know if this really expresses what I mean, but I'm trying. You see, since I started teaching, it's become harder to carve out the time to seek God's face before the day starts, and I begin my morning's rush-to-school. God forgive me; I often run out the door without seeking His face. It's not that I want to. It's that I feel caught in the "Lack of Sleep and Time" machine.

I guess, in a way, I'm asking for your prayers. That I would be able to carve the time out--to make the sacrifice--to break through before the day starts. So that, when I walk into church, no matter the time or tiredness, I'm ready to meet the Lord of Hosts like we did last Sunday.

God Bless you all.

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Oh, I want to HEAR ev'ry message clear... I want ev'ry word to CONSUME-- For If I make it in, I must draw CLOSER to Him-- Closer, Closer... Draw Closer to HIM.

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Oh, LORD, you're BEAUTIFUL... your FACE is all I SEE. For when your EYES are on this child... Your GRACE abounds... to me.

SHOW.US.THE.FATHER.title ZURICH.SWITZERLAND 55-0625
E-10 010 I don't believe that anybody can look in the face of a flower and say there's no God. If he does, there's something mentally wrong with the person. How is one red, the other one white, and the other one yellow, and it's all the same flower, same kind. Where does the color come from? The same sun that shines on the white one, makes the red one red. Where does that color come from? God.
Do you believe that God is in His universe? Say, "Amen." [Congregation says, "Amen."--Ed.]
Can you see a rainbow without thinking of what God said? The many colors in the rainbow, it's a covenant. Before the antediluvian destruction it wasn't there, but God put the humidity in the earth now, that makes it that way. Take a three cornered piece of glass, stand right into the sun, it'll produce seven perfect colors.

SHOW.US.THE.FATHER.title ZURICH.SWITZERLAND 55-0625
E-11 011 The reason our sins are covered by blood, blood is a--a danger sign to us... Or red is a danger sign to us, but it's also a sign of redemption. There's a red streak of Blood winding its way all the way through the Bible. You can take red, and look through red at red, and it looks white. Red through red looks white. Though your sins be as scarlet, God looks through the Blood of Jesus; they're as white as snow. Hallelujah.
He doesn't see sin anymore. When you confess your sins, and took the Blood of Jesus, sin problem is over. God is looking through red and you look white as snow.
Sometime ago in my homeland... I'm a hunter, and I ride much on a range with cattle. And one--one year I was way up in the mountains. I just love it. My mother is a half Indian. There's enough about me to make me love nature. I can see the sun set. I weep. See it rise, and I can weep, the great white-capped mountains, beautiful... Man hasn't touched it. That's the way God made it. To me it's prettier than all the big houses in the world. Houses is what manmade. Mountains is what God made. I like what He likes.

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Such a Typical Monday...

I walked into school today, tired.

It wasn't because I hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before-- I had. But I'd planned to wake up early, do my lesson plans, and then grade some papers. (MANY papers, I should say--since I'm behind, and I need to catch up. And last week--well, I just didn't feel like it. Thank the Lord I'm healed of that nasty cold!)

Instead, I woke up at my normal 6:00--and tried to pray through, and read some. Got up at 6:30, got my shower, had the "morning pill parade" (did I tell ya'll I'm doing a Liver cleanse?--lol--it works!) And ran through my morning routine to get done what I needed to do for the day.

Problem No. 1: It's Monday. Need I say more?

Problem No. 2: I hadn't done my lesson plans yet. Fortunately, the plans fall out of my pen, as soon as I walk to the board and start writing. It just happens-- I automatically know what we need to do next. BUT-- I wasn't teaching the lesson today-- our Media Speciallist was kind enough to come and do it-which saved me from exhaustion today.

Problem No. 3: Because I didn't get up early, I was just plain-out tired. At least, I think that's the way it works. As in, If I'd gotten up early, I would have drunk more coffee--and then I would have been more alert (at least for the time being.)

But I really can't complain. Today was a good day-- I'm finding (by God's Grace) a better balance for control in the classroom--between "Ms. Emelda Trunchbull" and "Ms. Honey". For a while, I could be either nice or mean. I couldn't figure out the balance. But I'm finally figuring out that love--even in the classroom--Love is always corrective. (Teachers should know that by heart.) So when you must correct a student, if you can do it with love in mind, then they take it as it should be taken.

Lately, I've had so many "wake-up calls" to reality. I had to turn in a (mucho offensive) note to the assistant principle (written about me, and found in my classroom). And it really made me reevaluate the way I treat my students. And it made me realize--all over again--that my students are a product of their environments--including the one I create in the classroom. And that is more important than all the knowledge I can pump into their heads (although I'm still trying to pump it in--lol!).

Hmmm.....

Blue Skies, shinin' on meeeee.... Nothin' but Blue Skies do I seeeee....

The weather's starting to get beautiful
(though that can change in a skinny minute, this time of year...)
and makes me wish for spring and sandals!

Yippee! No wool tomorrow!

---

I don't usually do this, but I feel it's a necessary part of my life---lol!
I'm going to post a recipe. (Thank me later-- )

Super-Easy Peanut Brittle.
(I'm not kidding--it IS easy.)

'K--sooo...

First, spray or grease a large cookie sheet .
Then, in a large Pyrex dish (that will still fit in your microwave), mix together until combined:

1 c. white sugar
1/4 c. dark corn syrup
1/4 c. light corn syrup
2--3-finger pinches of salt (pour some salt in your hand, put your first 3 fingers together, and pinch out the salt--twice--it makes a difference!)

Microwave on HIGH for 3 1/2- 4 minutes, and then mix in:

1 1/2 c. lightly salted, roasted peanuts.

Reduce the microwave power to 80%, then microwave for 3 1/2- 4 minutes.
Add/mix in:

1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

And microwave (again) on 80% power for 3 1/2 minutes.

While you're waiting for the microwave to finish, make sure you have the greased cookie sheet handy, and measure out:

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

Once the microwave's finished, thoroughly mix the soda into the candy, and immediately pour the brittle onto the greased cookie sheet.

(Now's the fun part--Shake-SHAKE...)

To make the brittle thinner, shake the pan back and fourth. If that doesn't work, then you can leave the brittle in a warm (300° F) oven for a couple of minutes while you begin to soak the sugar off the glass dish... and then try again.

** One note-- I have a 1100 watt microwave, and cook the sugar for 3 1/3 minutes on High, then cook the sugar/peanuts for 4 minutes on 80% power, and then cook the butter/vanilla/peanuts mix for 3 1/2 minutes on 80%. Depending on the power of your microwave, you'll have to increase or decrease the times. The easiest way to test if it's "done" is to do a hard-crack test with some ice water: if the candy will form a ball that will crack--not smush--in ice water, then it's firm enough.

LOL-- There!

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Wowee! Sis. Sam!

Okay--this is a note to anyone who might be involved in reading both of my blogs--my nearly nonexistent blogspot, and my dying xanga....

About 2 months ago, my school district blocked xanga. I don't think it was just because of a silly first-year teacher, but I think it was also because of the volume of students using it. Sooo... I'm going to start posting on blogspot again, and then copy/pasting into xanga. Because (sadly) the majority of time I used to spend on xanga was actually at school.. And I know why. It was a great diversion to clear my head after a long day at work.

So here I am at school, once again typing away--they haven't blocked blogspot yet! --lol-- Hopefully, they won't.

I don't think I'll try to catch you up on every solitary thing that's happended since the Christmas holidays--suffice it to say, I've been pretty busy... but God is so good. He meets our needs when we don't deserve it--in spite of ourselves.

~~About this weekend~~

I had a great time this weekend--and got to meet a dear friend! Sis. Sam, you are such a wonderful gal--it was terrific to spend time with you and Bro. Ben--and singing, discussing God's Word, laughing, plain Chat-Chatting, and just generally having an awesome time.

Next time, hopefully we'll get to spend more time together--and hopefully Heather can make it next time! We missed you.

May God bless you both!

Hope your trip back wasn't too icy--we didn't get a thing here, despite the fact that I really wanted a 1/2-day or 2-hour delay today! I coulda caught up on some sleep that I lost!

(I wish I could think of more right now--but my mind's kind of blank after teaching 60 students today--some are out.)

~I just realized.... I forgot to do a valentines post.

Funny things that happened:

1. I forgot that it was valentines. I came into school (late--not so unusual) wearing black and grey-- the only red I had on were my burgundy Dansko (teacher) clogs--!
   
2. My students are such gimme monsters... their response to Valentines Day is, "what did you get me, Ms. R?" --at least I don't teach elementary school--it would have been a sure-fire disaster if I'd forgotten what day it was there!
   
3. Sweet stuff--one of my students gave me a rose. (well, actually two, but her big sister came back to claim one of them so that one of the other teachers could have hers--lol!)
   
4. Hilarious stuff--one of my students gave me a valentine marked to Mrs. (big black line over Mrs.) Miss R------ !!!
   
5. I ended up playing with Isaac and Samuel all evening, so that Will could take Beth out--fun, but unusual for valentines' day! (grin)
   

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Just to prove my nerdiness-- I get daily words... from AlphaDictionary.com.
The same place as the Dixie/Yankee questionnaire.

But today's "GoodWord" struck me...

• ineffable •

Pronunciation: in-ef-?-b?l

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Indescribable, which cannot be expressed in words. 2. Unspeakable, forbidden to be spoken, as the ineffable name of God.

Notes: Today's word is the negation of effable "utterable, pronounceable", which has slumped into disuse. The reason seems clear: all the words and sounds we utter are utterable (effable), so when would we need the word?

Do y'all remember Bro. Billy Paul's testimony, about how Brother Branham's mouth was different than us--that his palate was in the shape of a pyramid--that he, as the Seventh Angel Messenger, could speak the name of God that was--ineffable? And the results were creative in power-- the 3rd Pull in manifestation.


Just a thought.


One day, I'll get around to a longer post--but until then, God Bless!

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Birches
When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay
As ice-storms do.
Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust--
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows--
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father's trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

by Robert Frost from The Poetry of Robert Frost (Henry Holt and Co.).

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Sis. Sam--you're a blessing to all of us. Thank you for being our friend and encouraging us in the Lord. May God richly bless your day and your life in this following year!

---

Along with Sis. Sam's birthday, today is MLK day.

And today's a holiday from school!

(A couple of years ago, South Carolina made a compromise with the NAACP--we could keep our rebel flag, as long as we gave a holiday for MLK. Twisted, but true!)



This is for all you that aren't Southern, and might not know what it looks like.

LOL!!!!

---

I'm really grateful for the holiday though-- If I hadn't had it, I would have been in deeep water about this time-- because I ran over to Atlanta on Saturday to see a good friend I'd not seen since her wedding. It was great to see Sharon and Ben and Renee, and Bob and Moni, Esther and Zachary--and Bro. Bob and Sis. Shelley--and, of course, Lavinia!!!

But since I didn't get a chance to grade papers or plan on Saturday-- I wouldn't have been ready for this upcoming week.

Has anyone taken the opportunity to play with party horns since they became an adult?

I hadn't until this weekend--and I laughed until I cried--! It was tremendous fun. Y'all should try it; you really should!



God Bless you all!

So, I got tagged....

But I've already done it!

So, go HERE to read it. Even though it was too recent for the link....

Oh Well.

God Bless, Y'all!!!

**Edit**

Heather doesn't seem to think my last seven good enough.

JK--

But just to make sure....

1. I can (but I don't always) talk in my sleep. I have been known to carry on whole conversations, though. And have no remembrance of them at all. (Once I even fussed out my sister, Sharon, in my sleep... lol!)
   
2. I looove to sew. Not anything too strange about that, though--lol--but I do like it a lot! (Actually, though--I think I like to cook even more. I'm just domesticated...like a sheep...!)
   
3. Sis. Sam, you'll identify with this one... I also looove to make lists! Even if I don't accomplish much on the list, it makes me feel better for having made one. It helps me to "organize my mind" on paper.
4. I procrastinate. It's easy to put off something you don't want to do--especially when there's other things you'd rather do. But this gets me in trouble. I'm trying to get better. It's something I'm working on.
   
5. When I'm stressed out, I often won't communicate--or talk--with others. That's the reason that I can--and will, at times--disappear from the 'net, not commenting on other's sites... because... I'm just plain stressed. Sorry for those who have had to deal with this.
   
   
6. As much as I would Loooove to be organized and neat, I'm not particularly either. It's another one of those things that I "need to work on..." And by God's grace, it will happen.
7. Hmmm... this one might not qualify, but....I come from a family of men who love a corny joke. And they love to see someone groan over their bad jokes.
   
   For instance: At brunch on New Year's Day, eating yummy stuff that Becca and I had a lot of fun making (Greens Frittata, Black-Eye Peas with bacon, Cornmeal Pancakes with Maple Syrup... ) Daddy came up with a joke. He asked us:
   
   What is the spice you should always use sparingly?
   
   The answer: S'PARSLEY.
   
   And that wasn't enough for him.
   He went on to say:
   
   
   Sparsely Rage, Rosemary, there's Thyme
   
   

   At first I laughed, and then asked if that really came out of his head.
   
   He said it had-- (groan).
   

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He is the potter, and I am the clay...

A vessel of Honor he wants me to stay...

God is so good.

I'm a first year teacher, and it seems that last semester was a time of constant stress. (That is, except when I'm wasted time on the 'net.) And so I took full advantage of my time off this Christmas to relax. And I put off grading.

When I finally got to the point that I could (and wanted to) grade papers--I knew I was going to have some sleepless nights... and even then, I didn't know what I was going to do. I had a ton of essays to grade.

But when I stumble, and fall, and my vessel breaks....

God's sovereignty is amazing--and His blessings even more so.

We've had amazing services in church lately. God has come down, and blessed us so much. It seems as if it's a process--of slowly centering me once more on Him, no matter what comes or goes. Wednesday's service was wonderful, and on Saturday we had a watch-night service. The presence of the Holy Ghost filled the church--God calling me back to His throne, into His presence.

There is healing in Communion.

I know this, because Brother Branham said it... and I've now experienced it. For myself. Because my broken, wounded spirit was healed by His balm.

Sunday night after service, I lay in my room upstairs--and instead of focusing on the book I was escaping to, I started to think about the Lord, and all He's done for me. For some reason, my mind went back to a series my pastor had preached on Brother Branham's sermon, How Can I Overcome. When my pastor preached this, I was seeking for the Holy Ghost--But I wasn't yet surrendered. I knew it, too. As I listened to the message, I yearned for the Holy Ghost--yet I wasn't willing to give up.

Looking back on that time in my life, and comparing it with now... I realized: When you receive the Holy Ghost, you receive the power you need to overcome anything Satan might throw into your face. I'd known this for--oh, I don't know how long. But what I hadn't realized was, it's not me. I, as in my flesh, will never have the power to overcome Satan in this life. Because as much as we might try to patch, comfort, and beautify this flesh, it's not redeemed, and it will not be until we are in our ought-to-be condition-- glorified, sinless bodies.

But when you've surrendered over--when you realize it must be Him, and not you, that completes the work; that conquers the trial--it makes all the difference in the world.

I'd been trying to wage the war with the wrong tools. I'd been trying to fight battles myself, instead of simply surrendering. So this time, I prayed that God would allow me to just yield to Him, rather than fight with my two weak hands. And this whole grading thing--it allowed me the chance to put God to the test.

This morning, I laid on my face, and knew that if God didn't help me somehow-- I just wasn't going to get my grades in. And so I called on His help--realizing that I just wasn't good enough. I knew it was my fault. But I still needed His power and help.

Remember the ice storm that wasn't, yet we still didn't have power? Well. At lunchtime, I got an email. Because of our "snow days", the High Schools were still taking exams, and the District Office moved the Report Card distribution date to later. Which gave me an extension on how long I had to upload my grades. I know--still--that I should have already completed my grades. I know it was my fault. But yet, even in my fault, He had mercy. He knew what I needed--even before I knew it. He always does.

He just picks up the pieces; He doesn't throw the clay away.

---

**Edit**
Guess what tonight's service was on? The Faithfulness of God--to us.

Amen.

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Pretty much everyone's done this by now, and it made me think about my own...

Hmmmm... Do I have strange habits? --um. Yes.

1. I sneeze exactly like my mother does. ---HACH--oo!
   Becca finds this especially entertaining in church.
   
2. I read cookbooks-- TOMES really-- for pleasure. As in, the really thick ones.
   ( I love Julia Child--lol!)
   
3. When I'm stressed out, I will take one of two options--do something domestic (I. E, cook something fatening and yummy), or hole up to myself (If I can) with a book.
4. I don't "small talk" well. I'm not incredibly talkative in the first place--unlike my sis, Becca--so I find it easy to be at a loss for words.
5. Despite the fact that I'm a pretty much a girly-girl, I love to hike, and camp, and fish. (Well, fish with someone who knows what they're doing. Maybe I just like to be out on the water.)
   
6. All I've ever wanted out of life is to be a child of God, and to be a wife and a mother. I've never had any other ambition. College was just a drop in the bucket, and so, I'm finding, is teaching.
7. I used to think that being "smart" was very important. Now, I know that the most important thing there is is Truth, and Faith in that Truth--and it doesn't need to be welded by the minds of intellectual man. It speaks for itself.

The adventures of two sistas on the loose...

It seems that, no matter what we do, Becca and I always end up with adventure. There was the time we she and I visited Asheville the weekend before Halloween because I wanted yarn from Earth Guild--and ended up walking around the middle of a pagan street party. And they looked at us like we were crazy. No matter that some of them were not... normal.

That was also the trip where we walked into a cool furniture store--and the salesperson called God a she. We tried to correct his ignorance. He said he thought we believed this--because we had long hair. (WHAT?! --go figure.) And then we went to a cafe, and got seated with another person who was not... normal. He got a little uncomfortable when we started sharing our ideas on life, though he was perfectly happy to share his own. (LOL!)

But I digress... I was actually talking about our most recent trip--to Cumberland Island.

It was beautiful--as always. Too bad I forgot my decent cameras.. and had to go to WallyWorld for disposables. I think I was still able to get a few good shots, but I will be pretty amazed if there are any really good ones in the bunch. I missed my SLR.

We'd planned to drive half the night on Wednesday, sleep in the car, and then eat at "the breakfast place"--but I didn't feel like it. Instead, we came in on Thursday, , had awesome shrimp fresh from the boat and pretty good fish (the place had great food, but no atmosphere--lol--), then went to WalMart for all the things I needed, that I forgot, and then stayed at a great B&B.

This was the first vacation in a looong time that I've brought just one pair of shoes on. But it wasn't by choice. I simply forgot my tennis shoes. Soooo... I ended up wearing my Danskos on the island. Becca was soooo afraid I would step in horse poop especially because mine are backless--but I managed to keep my head out of the clouds and eyes on the ground enough to miss it. And my feet didn't hurt! (Sharon--you should be very proud of me--even if it was only by chance of my forgetful self! )

We took our traditional nap on the beach, and the gulls tried to scare us out of our lunch--and we got to go places on the Island I'd never been. we came back through sea camp, for old time's sake.

(I'll post pictures when I get them developed.)

I think our adventure for this trip started when we heard the rooster crow.

No, not at dawn--as we were getting off the ferry in St. Mary's. I thought some dilatory parent had allowed their child to take an electronic toy on the island. Becca looked around for the rooster.
Then, we both heard the man right behind us, in a DEEP southern accent, say:

"Y-ello? Oh--yeh, we just got awf th' furry in Saint Mair-ees."

Yes, it was his cell phone.

LOL!

I'd not heard the like.

Our adventure then became too-be-continued--for about four hours.

We took the long way home, going through Savannah for food and Bannanna Republic--But first we rode around downtown for 30 minutes looking for a parking space. Then, and only then could we got on the waiting list at Lady and Son's, and then return to Bannanna Republic--just in time for it to close. Bleh.

We had a great time at Lady and Sons, a La Paula Deen--Shrimp and Grits and fried green tomatoes this time. This time, the great food also had great atmosphere--lolo! We also got free desert, because they took too long to give us our food.

And then our adventure started in earnest. It was already 8:45, and we knew we weren't getting home until one in the morn'. So we called momma and warned her--and then promptly got lost in the city. Neither Becca nor I know Savannah that well--and we ended up on the wrong side of town. I was driving, and Becca was trying to navigate... and well, the results weren't good. We ended up in some pretty seedy neighborhoods. An hour later, when we finally made it on the road to home, I was really relieved to be safe and in one piece.

We got in at 2:30. I was worthless the next day--need I say more?
I'm still trying to decide if the trip was worth it, fun though it was.

Hmmm--It was wonderful to be on the island again, that's for sure.

And before I forget--Happy New Year to everyone!

May God's goodness and mercy be upon you always--and more in this year than the last. May we all grow in grace an knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

~God Bless~

Good Mornin'!

Well, it's not quite morning anymore, but it feels good to say it anyway!

I've been slack with this lately--however. I have a reason to post today.

On Tuesday I got a package in the mail. A REAL, beautifully LONG, BONA-FIDE handwritten LETTER.

From Australia.

With the kind of Christmas card I've been looking for to give myself--but haven't been able to find. And a precious bookmark.

Thank you so much, Aly! You are a queen of friendship.

I'll try to write you back, and return the favor of a REALETTER.

I'm not quite in clover yet... lol... I still have grades to do, and post, and all of that. But at least I now have time to do it.

I need to finish making pillows and bedroom slippers for Christmas... lol!!! just saying that makes me laugh, though I love doing it.

---

Good Grief. It's been forever since I posted, therefore I have stories to tell!

Story No. 1: My niece Renee, not quite one, took her first steps! How sweet is that?!

Story No 2: I had no school last Thursday and Friday. Guess Why?!?!

Not because of snow.

Not because of ice. We had a little, but only enough for a 2-hour delay on Thursday.

Oh no.

Because the power was out in the town where I teach.

LOL!

It totally messed up my teaching schedule. When the students come back, I'll be finishing up projects from Literature Circles--that should have been finished before Christmas. But oh well--not everything works the way you try to plan.

Actually, I've learned so far--very little does according to your plan. But just so it's God's plans in action, then everything will be just fine.

For instance: because I was off, Momma and I were able to go ahead and do Cookies for Christmas. Not something I thought I was going to be able to help with this year. I'm glad I could!

I also was able to go ahead and sew up one of the skirts I'd planned to make over the holidays. And now I have another jean skirt. Yay!!

--I'd better go get stuff done. I can't believe Christmas is so soon.

God Bless, everyone!

It's been a while...

...And I don't feel like I have a whole lot to say. I guess my brain is pooped--from trying to keep up with--or tone down--my students. I most likely will have much more to say after a bit of vacation.

So, here's the list of things I want to do over the break:

1. Make and buy Christmas gifts. (duh.)
2. COOK
3. Make 2 jean skirts. I can't find any decent ones in the stores.
4. I don't want to do this... but I need to-- GRADE PAPERS. I'm so behind. and I'm getting that panicky feeling, because I don't want to grade the whole vacation long.
5. Go Here:

Dungeness--Ruins on Cumberland Island, GA

We took a nap on the beach....

(This was Rebecca, not me.--But I did the same thing.)

And took pictures of a beautiful tree...

And walked around... and just relaxed.

(Becca looks tilted--which is my fault. It almost looks as if she's going to fall down...but I still like the perspective on this shot)

It was wonderful.

I want to go there again, but I don't know if I'll make it this year.

I hope so.

We didn't get snow this time--but there's a slim chance of it tonight. I guess we'll see!


God Bless

It's almost snowing...

But NOT QUITE.

It would be nice to have a 2-hr delay tomorrow... lol!

Listen to me! And I'M THE TEACHER!!!!

Though I don't know that it will happen--not unless the mountains are icy.

(Lol-- I'm talking to my students about sentence structure right now... so it makes me so much more aware of how mine come together.... but not with obvious results. (Technically, I just wrote a RO!)

Last night's service was wonderful. It gave me so much to contemplate--and to worship God over. Actually, it seems that all of our services lately have just meant so much. It's wonderful.

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

--Faith and Confession. Amen.

Despite all of the moans and groans I do on here about teaching... My God has sustained me througout this journey, and He will continue to do so. He has blessed me so much. I've made it so far.

Just to give you an example--one new teacher at my school didn't make it. The kids weren't awful; the work wasn't any worse than mine... but she just didn't make it. She stopped coming. Without reason. When I see that, I realize just how good God is to me.

Pray for Snow, y'all!

Samantha, You've Enspired Me...

...To tell how God is so very good to me--and has been all my life. I'm blessed beyond my wildest imagination, just becuase I'm His child, and growing in Grace.


I first was babtised when I was a little girl. I was four years old.

I didn't want to go to hell.

And so I went on, for years.

Sinning. Being a little girl.
All the while growing up in a home with parents who believed the Message.
Listening to Brother Branham. Going to church. Singing. Sinning.

Yet all the while, God had His hand on my life. I finally came to the knowledge that I was a sinner--and not surrendered to God--at age 14. And there I surrendered to Him.
And there, I began to live the Message by my own works.
Which is to say, not well. At all.

I knew there was a piece missing. Something wasn't right.
But I didn't know what.


I'm so thank God for sending me--my family--my church--a Holy Ghost-Filled, Straight-preaching pastor. My most rebellious moments as a teenager were brought into the light of God's Word--and I realized where I was astray. God 's gift will always point out sin and unbelief.
And through the preaching across the pulpit of my Home Church, I realized:

I needed the Holy Ghost.

After I'd realized, I heard it everywhere. In every message I heard, I heard Brother Branham preach the Holy Ghost. When I read the Bible; when I prayed; it was a sore thumb of thought: I needed the Holy Ghost.

I needed to surrender more, though.

And I had to want to surrender.
Not want the Holy Ghost, just to take myself back again.

I sought--for I'm not quite sure how long. And the night when I recieved Him--not as a historical figure, but as my Lord and Savior, who died on the Cross to save me, and would deign to come down and LIVE in ME--it was too awesome for words.

I had no words--I had nothing to offer Him, but sweet surrender.

And I'm still learning my lesson, over and over again, to surrender my life into His complete care. I'm still facing the fact that I AM NOTHING,
and HE IS ALL.



I'm still growing in Grace.
Every trial, every test, every pain is an opportunity to grow into Him more--as long as I take it. It's always an opportunity to lean on Him more; to let Him be more in my life.

And when I fail--which is so often--He is my advocate with the Father.
And I'm sheltered within the cover of His wings.
My voice is heard--but my sins are under the blood.

And because of that, I cannot fail the Lord.

The lord of my life; He has never failed.... On my own, I could never succeed...


Through Him, I cannot fail Him.

I LOATHE Locks of Love.

So, today--guess what was on the school newscast this morning. Yup. Three people-cutting their hair for locks of love. Ten inches of their hair, chopped off.

One of them was a guy.

So, guess what my students said as soon as they heard this?!?

Yup.

"Miss R.--Miss R.! You should do it!"

One of the teachers down the hall from me said his classroom was absolute chaos, because all of his students wanted me to donate my hair to L.of L. "Think of it, Mr. Matt, she could contribute 3X what the others did!" --And on, and on.

NO.

A thousand times, NO.

I put up my hair after the news broadcast. It was down before that. I didn't want to be bothered by students commenting.

But it was a good opportunity to tell my fellow team members why I don't cut my hair. And it was bound to happen sometime that I would testify about it. Even if all I said was, I don't want to, and don't I feel like God wants me to, either.

1 Cor 11:15: But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

---

And I just want to thank you Lord,
For letting me hear the Word;
What have I done to deserve such Glory Revealed in me?
...

Hmm....

I'm really tired, so this will be really short. However, if you wish to find out about how my lovely thanksgiving went, all you have to do is go to Sharon's Blog--lol!

The good newses-- I baked my first turkey this Thanksgiving! Actually--I basically did what Momma usually does, and she did what I usually do--She did the last-minute cleaning, while I did the cooking! It was fun to be in the kitchen.

The turkey was marvelous, which is why I'm gonna leave you with the recipe--Definately worth a try! We did the dressing that goes with the turkey as well, but I prefer a cornbread dressing--I'll probably merge two recipes next year--or just do Slave Dressing with apples and sage. (Yup--that's the name of my family's fabulous recipe. PC it's not... )
I wasn't too keen on the sausage this time. I don't know why.

Has anyone else tried this?
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html

It's great fun--and just for the info, I'm 76% Dixie. My dad--who says Say-ruh when he's pronouncing the name Sarah--scored lower than ME!
Oh well--some mysteries will never be solved.... lol!

Going Home, I'll meet you in the Rapture, Going, home, I'll meet you in the Air. And you are never too young to think about it; I cannot wait --To be Going Home....

I need thee ev'ry hour...

I'm listening to the radio online through Messagelinks right now while I'm also finishing up my LRP's. I don't know how late I'm gonna be up tonight--I just know it's going to be reaallly LATE--and I know that my kids aren't going to get the best of me tomorrow. Thankfully, they are finishing up projects, and they each individually know where they are. I'll just have to monitor and adjust tomorrow.

But anyway--back on topic. I love what's playing--songs from Fernando Ortega's Hymns CD. They're such beautiful songs. And it's so funny, how many of the pple I know who sing on messagelinks radio--tonight I heared Ben, my brother-in-law, as well as my pastor, as well as Bro. Jeff Elkins from Mesa--and if I knew more people, I guess I'd know them too(!!!)

Tonight we had such a wonderful service at church. The messages that come across at my home church have just been for me--and I'm so grateful to the Lord for meeting my need. I know He promised, but when I see it manifested in my life, and in my heart--that is so wonderful.

I love to listen to Brother Branham... but sometimes, it's difficult for me to catch the gist of the Message he's bringing across. It seems as if when the Word is brought across the pulpit, in church, It's amplified--it's meaning is so crystal-clear. How grateful I am for a God-sent pastor, and the fact that I'm in my place--where I belong.