Untitled

One reason I keep posting recipes is because it's an easy way to keep up with them....

Marie's Cherry Nut Dump Cake

1 20-oz can crushed pineapple, partially drained
1 15-oz can cherries in heavy syrup
1 box Butter Pecan cake mix
1 stick (1/2 c.) butter, sliced into small sections
1/2 c. diced nuts or nutty struesel (I used some leftover crust from an almond cheesecake...)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray down a pyrex or metal 13x9 pan. In pan, mix together pineapple and cherries. Layer cake mix on top. Layer nuts or struesel on top of that. Place slices of butter on top, covering the surface of the "cake".

Bake for 45-50 minutes.

This turns out a bit like a fruit buckle. It's incredibly easy when you have to bring in something at the last minute!

God Bless

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Teacher Rant...

I've been checking out some of the blogs Sharon has connected to her site. And while I enjoy most of them, (well, really all of them) there's something that I don't enjoy. And that is a critical spirit towards my profession. That is, my profession for now. I don't plan on doing this forever; that was never part of the plan. I believe with all my heart that a woman's place is at home. But when faced with reality, we do what we must until dreams can be lived.

One reason I even became a teacher was for the purpose of educating my own children. I have no qualms with the fact parents wish to educate their own; I myself will do that one day. And I will do it with all my heart. However, even when I am no longer in the classroom, I hope I never slight the job--or the battlefront--I've had. It bugs me to hear homeschooling parents belittle the public education system. Or rather, not the system itself--everyone knows that's corrupt and twisted (NCLB and AYP are perfect examples). But belittling teachers for the work they do gets under my skin. The people who put in 70 and 80-hour work weeks in order to educate the students under their care deserve credit. And what these wonderful, homeschooling parents don't realize is this: while they have a choice on whom they educate, we don't. We educate them all, problems and all. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

One great commentary on this subject is this article.

For those of you not involved in the public education system, this may sound wierd. I know the feeling--I've been there. I never started out to be a public school teacher, but now that I'm here, I'm doing my best. And I'm doing my best to let my students see Christ through me. That, ultimately, is my prayer--"Lord, may my students see Christ today."

God Bless you.

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Food Time...

Spinach Whole-Wheat Bread Pudding (or bake... )

This was the result of having too much bread around the house, and needing to use up some bacon.... Oven: 375 1 1/2-2 c. Whole-Wheat bread pieces, chopped into 1 1/2" blocks
(I didn't measure, so I'm not sure...) 1/2 c. grated cheese, divided (whatever you have on hand--as long as it's fairly strong. I made it with sharp cheddar, but it would be delish with feta or a strong swiss.) 1 package frozen spinach, defrosted and drained (actually, I take a fine sieve, and press the water out...) 1 1/2 c. milk 4 eggs, beaten 1/2 t. salt (maybe less-- I eyeballed it, and did it to taste) freshly ground pepper to taste two dashes of nutmeg (VERY important! Don't leave it out, even if you're unsure!) 3-6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled Put bread pieces in a shallow, 1 1/2 qt. dish. Take half the cheese, and mix it with the bread. In a medium-large cup or bowl, mix the milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix in spinach. (At this point, I always test the mix to make sure the salt and spice content's right by taking a bit of the mixture, microwaving it, and trying it out. You can do the same, if you wish.) Mix with bread, stirring around to make sure bread is evenly coated. Top with bacon and extra cheese. Bake in a 375 oven for 35-40 minutes. A great Saturday Morn Thing.

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Haiku for a New Year

Now school has begun
And I am in need of sleep
Someone please pass some.

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Forgiveness, by George Roemisch

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the wind-blown bud
which blooms in placid beauty at Verdun.

Forgiveness is the tiny slate-gray sparrow
which has built its nest of twigs and string
among the shards of glass upon
the wall of shame.

Forgiveness is the child who
laughs in merry ecstasy
beneath the toothed fence that
closes in Da Nang.

Forgiveness is the fragrance of the violet
which still clings fast to the
heel that crushed it.

Forgiveness is the broken dream
which hides itself within the corner of the mind
oft called forgetfulness so that
it will not bring pain to the dreamer.

Forgiveness is the reed
which stands up straight and green
when nature's mighty rampage halts, full spent.

Forgiveness is a God who will not leave us
after all we've done.

by George Roemisch

With appreciation from www.elise.com

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I guess I must update sometime...

And now's just as good as any!

**edit**
Pic's are now up!
(what few I have)

We had a great trip to Nogales and Tucson.
It was filled with blessings
--and sometimes, the battles that go with them.

For instance--my father's van.
Which overheated on the way to Birmingham. Which caused my temper (Lord, please forgive me...) to overheat, because we had a plane to catch. We drove from Commerce to Birmingham sans AC.
But--as usual, when things go wrong--Daddy rose to the occasion. Thank you, Daddy--when I returned to the van the following week, the AC was working, and the van was no longer overheating.
The van, which was previously known as ?_thevan_? has a new name.

I have now dubbed it "The Hump-backed Whale".
It sure gave us a whale of an adventure.

We arrived in Tucson, our time, 2AM. Needless to say, there was some adjusting to be done.
We traveled to Nogales the next day.

You know, sometimes it doesn't matter if a place is dirty, smelly, and below our standards of living. Sometimes we need to see that--not only to see how blessed we are, but also to realize that the people--especially the Bride of Jesus Christ--shines out that much more. I met some incredibly precious brothers and sisters, and saw the Glory of God in them.

One wonderful testimony from the trip: While at the end of the service, the Holy Ghost fell, and a little boy (our best guess was 6-7 years old) who had never spoken, spoke for the first time. His first word: Gloria.

I was pretty amazed at my ability to catch--at the very least--the context of what people were saying. Lol-- I went in wanting to speak what little French I know at every turn, and ended up wanting to speak what little Spanish I know instead...

And I had some great people to help me out! Thanks to Sis. Norma, Sis.Bernice, Sis. Ellie, and Sis. Bertha especially! And to the brother that made us feel so at home that first night--much thanks also! It was such a blessing to meet you all.

This (when I post it) was my last photo of the trip, because--alas--being the accident-prone person that I am, I dropped my dad's camera. ( I woulda had mine--but that's another story all together...) I thought it was going to work at first--but nope. The lense would niether go in nor out. So--all the sights I saw after that were sans camera. So, I've decided I need to go back sometime. But--not in the summer.

I thought--being from the hot and steamy South--that I'd be able to tolerate the heat. But lemme tell you-- I've now discovered just how balmy the part of the world where I live really is!

You guys that live in Tucson-- I still don't know how you survive the heat.
I came home, grateful for my wet heat that's not so hot. (And when I heard someone complain about the heat today--I compared the dry 114 to our wet 85/90--and thanked God!)

After we got back to the states, we went to Bro. Pearry Greene's church (but Bro. Luke preached). I really enjoyed the service, as well as meeting and hanging out with the people there.

(I think I took this at Bro. Greene's church--someone please correct me if I'm wrong...)

The next few days, we went to Sunset Mountain, where I got to do something I'd wanted to do since I went last time:

Climb to the top.

(Oh, for a camera... ) Lol--

It was wonderful, as was Sabino Canyon. Unfortunately, I wasn't feelin' so swuff on Tuesday, so I couldn't hike much. But the gift shop/learning center at the base of the canyon had a great place to zonk out (it had a theater)--so that's what the majority of our sick crew did.

Afterwards, the people who wanted to act young went and played v-ball. The people who wanted to be older and sophistocated went to that infamous steakhouse (where they cut off your ties...) I was among the young and innocent.

Last Wednesday, we left Tucson at 6AM. Our time, 10AM--but that didn't help much, since by then we were used to the time.

I was basically worthless the next day... but after that, I feel like I've been going almost nonstop to get ready for another school year.

**end of edit**

One last word about the camera: After I'd realized it was officially broken, I prayed that God would fix it. I tried it a couple more times after that, and then let it go. It laid in my suitcase 'till I got home, and my mother asked about it. A few minutes later, my dad came up to my room with the camera in his hand--and it was fixed! He said that he'd pressed on the lense as he was turning it on, in order to "mesh" the gears together again--- but my mother said it looked like he'd just laid hands on it. Lol--God most certainly answered my prayer, even if it was by a different way than I'd thought it would happen!


On a more serious note:
Someone asked earlier if this was a Missionary trip to Mexico. And in truth, I have to say no. First, because I'm a girl. And secondly, because I went to get blessed myself. And through God's grace, I was. Through my Lord and Savior, and through His people.

~God Bless.

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2nd entry from my lappy...

I now (finally!) have wireless at home. (Yipeee!)

And...

It's late--and the sistas are together.

Eating cereal--and various sundry things--and about to practice. For the CD.
That we haven't really worked on--yet.

We're recording for the next few days. Then, I'm headed to Mexico and Tucson.

In the meantime I want to finish a skirt, and make a dress. I donno if it's gonna get done.

Hmm-- I doubt it, but It'll be fun trying!

...

"This New Testiment was written in His blood...
So I could go free..."

...

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I'm feeling bereft.

Alysa left from Hartsfield Jackson this morning. I didn't cry 'til she left.

We had such a good time. The only complaint I have is that I didn't have enough time with her. I mean, I did--but--only really a day in SC, at home. And that just didn't seem long enough.

But--what we did do was tremendous fun!

Sunday night, we made it in for the preaching--but not the song service--at my church. The service was great. Afterwards, we went over to Bro. Chris and Sis. Debora's house to hang out with some of the brothers and sisters--a great time of fun and felowship. And it was Aly's proper introduction to southern greeens ('cause Sis. Mary can cook them like nobody's business!)--and BlueBell icecream--and--I'm not sure what else.

We went to Isaqueena Falls on Monday, on the way to Atlanta (or, maybe we should say we took a detour. It wasn't exactly--on the way-- ...

...But it was too pretty

to miss.

Aly got to go behind the falls--which is a fun, slippy, slimy kinda journey--but great fun!

Hahaha--Aly--what'er you doin'?

The other end of the falls--that we didn't go to, because we weren't dressed to get completely muddy... or wet...

We'd thought we wanted to go onto Atlanta--but a pit-stop at home was in order.

Atlanta:

First order of business: Whole Foods. We thought we might also go to Ikea--but we didn't make it past here.

I think Aly's in love with this store...

(But then, so am I...)

Then: the crazy, but delish Italian place in Midtown: Pasta da Pulchinella

Then, to Ben and Sharon's, where we talked, sang, and played on our laptops. See Sharon's latest about that--lol!

We managed to stay up 'till 3:30. Then we crashed.

We were up, (pretty) early this morn--to take Aly to the airport.

I miss you, girl.

You're truly one of a kind.

Your dedication to the Lord, and to your friends, is beautiful to see and experience.

May you be blessed wherever you go.

For even though we all want you to return--soon...

We know one day there will be a great reunion, where friends will never have to say goodbye.

I'm looking for that day.

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Hmmm...

Now is the time for all good people to talk about their trip...

My story starts much earlier, so I'm gonna do it out of order. It's better that way.

Smokies--gonna have to wait a bit more.

I'd just gotten in from camping the day before. Needless to say, I was a little slow-going, but managed to get off at off at 2:30.

About an hour into the trip--Sam called. And tells me Aly's flight's not coming in 'till 8 PM. Sooo....

I call my mom. (AKA Mama--) She informs me my brand, spankin'new laptop has just come in. I think about turning around. I don't, and continue the foray into Atlanta traffic.
(Which is notoriously awful, by the way...)

I meet up with Sam--and eventually Sharon and Renee. We go to the craziest Southern restaurant. Decorated none too tastefully with 50's memorobilia. The food was good, and s-l-o-w. Just like the stereotypical South--and not like Atlanta. Next time-- I think we'll try something else...ya think?

We go to meet Aly's (now) 10 PM flight, and stand in the HOT parking garage for an hour, talking. Sam and I are headed in the same direction, so we proceed along 75/85 for about 30 minutes--until we stop at the Ghetto gas station--where the girls are amazed that I remain (by all appearances) unafraid of the loud and obnoxious humanity that frequent the place. Aly gets her first taste of bad Southern culture--amd lives to (not) talk about it...

Aly goes off with Sam, leaving me to nearly fall asleep--and keep myself awake by listening to LOUD, sing-along-able Black gospel, while shaking myself every few minutes...lol...'till Sam's exit. It's now 2:30 AM. 12 hours after I'd left home.

Aly and I treck on to home away from home, and arrive at 7:30 AM. Just in time to meet an awesome girl named Rachel, and get ready for church!
So, to church we will go.

In all honesty, this is where most of the sillyness ends, and the awesomeness begins. It was so incredibly silly to drive all night to make it to Jeffersonville, but I really believe we were blessed for it. The service at the Tabernacle that Sunday morning was Wonderful--the Holy Spirit came down, and blessed us all. The evening service was wonderful too.
And for all y'all that walked along the bridge, and endured our many stops for photo op's--lol--God bless you for it!

I could remember that the statues at the end of the bridges were significant, but I didn't remember what about it was... It was good to remember.
--The ax is laid to the root of the tree.

Monday:

Voice of God Recordings.

I'm overusing the word, but once again, we were blessed to be at VOG.
Then--the Ohioh River off Spring Street, and Shimph's
(which we almost missed, 'cause we were talkin' too much!)

We went in the Boy Scout store so I could stare at the Nalgenes--and the Carabiners--lol--and the star charts--and the Badges...

Then we went to visit Bro. Branham's grave.

After that, we walked around noticing all the believers around our prophet.
I especially love Sis. Bryant's grave:

and then went over to Becca's and watched the Princess Bride--
Aly'd never seen it before, so it was important!

Tuesday:

We started out by going to Tunnel Mill:

Where I fell on my rear in the mud. Really, it was funny! Shoulda known to bring my tevas...



Vacation is not complete without a foot picture...



After I got cleaned up, we went shopping.
Green was the color of the day for me--
3 green skirts, a green purse, a green tote bag, a green hair band, a green scarf....

too bad I'm not. kidding.


Finally, after MANY detours and wrong turns (lol, Rachel!) we made it over to Bro. Trevor's. I don't have any pic's, but a great time was had by all! Thanks for having us over, Bro!

My last evening. I wasn't ready to go. So, we stayed up 'till 4. Talking. Laughing.
Eating ice cream sundays, and drinking marvelous tea.
And watching a movie.

I got 3 hours of sleep.

But, you know. My God is so good. I hardly felt the hours going back. No mishaps (other than Asheville, Heather--lol--and that was my fault!)

Got in just in time for a wonderful service at my church-the start of the anual meetings.

My God is so good to me.

And His Bride is so kind.

God bless everyone in Jeff!

I think part of my heart's still there.

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My God is real...

And he knows what I need, each and every day, to be able to stand.

He knows the battles we must face to become his image.

He knows when to give the victory cry.

And through his tender care, I grow.

I slowly become what He wishes.

Through his word, I stand correction.

Through his power, I am lifted.

Through his mercy, I have the joy only He gives.

---

Services have been wonderful--we've been having our annual June meetings--but tonight, the Lord did something so special. The Holy Ghost came down--in both his Power, and his Presence--and filled the room, and we were blessed and strengthened. New christians recieved the Holy Ghost, and older ones got filled again. And His presence--oh, I feel I've kissed His feet.

It seems cheap to put it into finite words. Our God is a consuming fire--one that heals and delivers just as much as he burns sin out.

Praise His Name.

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Having an Awesome time in Jeff...

But my eyes are about to close... 'cause I'm tired.

I'm sounding rather Aussie-Southern at the moment.

So...

I bid you goodnight with the fond wish that you will--also-- have a great evening.

God Bless!

From Marie--and Rachel-- (and Aly)

When God looks through the precious blood of Jesus...

He sees me there; I feel unworthy... Had a great time in the Smokies--I'll post on that later.

**EDIT**
Sharon's already posted about the trip--go to her blog
to see what she had to say!

**end of edit**

But this is a thought that's been going through my brain lately--

As a teacher, my purpose is to stretch my students' minds in whatever direction I'm teaching--to teach them to think and work more intensely than they've been able to before. Not that I'm always able to accomplish my goal--but that's it.

I have plenty of students who have no desire to learn. Instead, their goal is to float through school, doing the least they can in order to pass my class. So, my job as a teacher is to make my activities towards learning interesting enough--to "stretch myself" in order to meet my students needs.

In this game of life, I was the bad student, and my Lord, the teacher. I was the one who didn't pay attention in class, trying to get by--until God snapped my attention towards him by his amazing grace. He stretched himself--for me.

GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.title HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 63-0628E
197 078 God came to the earth in the form of Man, and--and--and unfolded Himself, stretched His tent, from being Jehovah God to become Man to stand the shame and curse. Little Jehovah God in a manger, under a pile of manure, down there crying in a manger; God, the Creator of heavens and earth, standing there in human flesh to take the death of--of your sins upon Himself, that He might free you to be a more of a Christian than what that deer was a mother. How can you reject such matchless love? Then, besides that, He wrote His Word. That's enough. You couldn't take my word, you have to... It'd be all right, but not Him. He ascended on High and give gifts back to men. He come back in the form of the Holy Spirit, same God to open your heart, by the atoning Blood.

GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.title HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 63-0628E
198 079 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as Your Father in heaven is perfect. None of us can be that. I don't look at what I am. I--I'm not worthy. You're not worthy. Who is worthy? I don't look at what I am; I look to what He is. He's the One that was looked at. He is my Sacrifice. I'm not worthy to stand here as a minister. If I counted my worthiness, I'd--I'd be in hell; so would you. But we don't look to what we are.
You say, "I couldn't do that. I couldn't call. I couldn't touch--touch God's garment. I couldn't do this."
Oh, you can. Look what happened. He died in order that you could do it, that you could be saved. That's genuine. Would you like to be like that, and like to be remembered in prayer? Raise your hand, say, "I would, Brother Branham."

But He sees pure white, By His grace, I am-- I cannot claim my own worth.

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When God looks through the precious blood of Jesus...

He sees me there; I feel unworthy... Had a great time in the Smokies--I'll post on that later.

**EDIT**
Sharon's already posted about the trip--go to her blog
to see what she had to say!

**end of edit**

But this is a thought that's been going through my brain lately--

As a teacher, my purpose is to stretch my students' minds in whatever direction I'm teaching--to teach them to think and work more intensely than they've been able to before. Not that I'm always able to accomplish my goal--but that's it.

I have plenty of students who have no desire to learn. Instead, their goal is to float through school, doing the least they can in order to pass my class. So, my job as a teacher is to make my activities towards learning interesting enough--to "stretch myself" in order to meet my students needs.

In this game of life, I was the bad student, and my Lord, the teacher. I was the one who didn't pay attention in class, trying to get by--until God snapped my attention towards him by his amazing grace. He stretched himself--for me.

GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.title HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 63-0628E
197 078 God came to the earth in the form of Man, and--and--and unfolded Himself, stretched His tent, from being Jehovah God to become Man to stand the shame and curse. Little Jehovah God in a manger, under a pile of manure, down there crying in a manger; God, the Creator of heavens and earth, standing there in human flesh to take the death of--of your sins upon Himself, that He might free you to be a more of a Christian than what that deer was a mother. How can you reject such matchless love? Then, besides that, He wrote His Word. That's enough. You couldn't take my word, you have to... It'd be all right, but not Him. He ascended on High and give gifts back to men. He come back in the form of the Holy Spirit, same God to open your heart, by the atoning Blood.

GREATER.THAN.SOLOMON.title HOT.SPRINGS.AR V-20 N-11 63-0628E
198 079 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as Your Father in heaven is perfect. None of us can be that. I don't look at what I am. I--I'm not worthy. You're not worthy. Who is worthy? I don't look at what I am; I look to what He is. He's the One that was looked at. He is my Sacrifice. I'm not worthy to stand here as a minister. If I counted my worthiness, I'd--I'd be in hell; so would you. But we don't look to what we are.
You say, "I couldn't do that. I couldn't call. I couldn't touch--touch God's garment. I couldn't do this."
Oh, you can. Look what happened. He died in order that you could do it, that you could be saved. That's genuine. Would you like to be like that, and like to be remembered in prayer? Raise your hand, say, "I would, Brother Branham."

But He sees pure white, By His grace, I am-- I cannot claim my own worth.

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As soon as I posted it...

...they changed it. Instead of a reviews section link at the top, we now have a photos link.

Interesting how that works, hmm?

All I've really got on there is a pic of my bike, some pic's of Cumberland Island, and also some from the Smokeys last year.
Oh, and some pics from the Grand Canyon when I was 18.

Speaking of the Smokies, my family's headed up there--once again--for (almost) a week. As much as my father dislikes camping, he's very obliging to the rest of us happy campers.

No screen houses this year. Heaven forbid.

lol!

(go check out the pic's to see what I'm talking about)

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Untitled

Since last Friday, I've been on vacation.
A very busy vacation, I'll assure you--but vacation none the less.

But ---what's wonderful about this time is this:

• Time for the Lord. I was on a subsistence level as far as my spritual walk was concerned--and it's wonderful to hear the call of the Lord in my life. And along with this, it seems that everything my pastor is preaching on lately--everything hits, gut-level, right where I need it. Thank God for his correction--and his Grace.
  
  
• Time to do things--like cook--the real way--and sew (well-- I haven't really done this yet--but I've got material and patterns galore... )
  
  
• Time to organize and purge my room. And help my mother out more than I've been able to in 9 months.
  
  
• Time for friends--to be with friends--and go out to eat after church! (Becca and I declared it our "First night of Freedom" last Sunday night... )
  
  
• Time--for thought. For peace. For life.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were
far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one,
and hath broken down the middle wall of partition;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law
of commandments in ordinances; for to make in
himself of twain one new man, making peace;
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one
body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were
afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have access by one Spirit
unto the Father.
--Ephesians 2:13-18

God Bless!

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Guess what this background is?

"Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time."

-- Georgia O'Keefe

--close-up of a water lily--

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To be like Jesus...

ENTOMBMENT.title JEFF.IN ER 55-72 57-0420
47 021 ...That's what I say tonight. I've got all kinds of names; I don't care what people call me; that doesn't mean a thing to me. The only thing that I want to do is know this: that I have been dead, and my life is hid in Christ, through God, and sealed by the Holy Ghost; that when He calls from among the dead, I'll answer on that day. Bury me in Christ, for those that are in Christ will God bring with Him at that day.

ENTOMBMENT.title JEFF.IN ER 55-72 57-0420
49 022 How do we get in Christ? I Corinthians 12:13, "By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body, and become fellow citizens of the Kingdom of God." We profess to be pilgrims and strangers on this earth anymore, not seeking these worldly things, but looking for the coming of the blessed King to take over the domain from sea to boundless sea, when He comes in His glory. Certainly, we look for His coming.

ENTOMBMENT.title JEFF.IN ER 55-72 57-0420
50 023 And then no doubt in my mind, but that's what Jesus had in His mind when He was here on earth, was that infallibility of God's eternal Word. For we know that in Him dwelt the Fullness of the Godhead Body. The entire Godhead was in Him. He was both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but dwelt in a human form; the theophany of God, the great image of God that He made man in, then placed him in the earth... He had a body. God isn't without a body. God's got a body, and it looks like a man. Moses saw it; others saw it, and it looks like a man.
And it's just an impression, this is, of what that is. And everything on earth, the beauty, the sweetness, the beauty of the earth, is nothing else in the world but an answer to a far better than that, that waits us when we leave this world. For everything in earth is just a pattern of that which is in heaven. Everything that's good, everything that's righteous, everything that's beautiful, trees, birds, everything is just a pattern of what's in heaven.

Our own life is just a pattern. It's just a shadow, and not the real thing. It's the negative side. It takes death to develop the picture, to put us back in the theophany we come from. Then in the resurrection we come in His likeness, a resurrected body. What a beautiful; not only beautiful, but it is the real solemn truth of God's eternal Word, that we'll be like Him.

On Earth I long to be like Him...

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Quote of the Day...

After being responsible, and not flying off to an American Boy's Choir concert with my sis:

"Twenty-three is the age of responsibility. At thirty, you can do anything."

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A Very Quick Update....

To tell you that I'm alive, and school's about to end, and therefore I will not be nearly so busy! And... to show you...

My new Not-A-Toy...

God Bless!

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Untitled

For my mother...

An Observation
True gardeners cannot bear a glove
Between the sure touch and the tender root,
Must let their hands grow knotted as they move
With a rough sensitivity about Under the earth, between
the rock and shoot, Never to bruise or wound the hidden fruit.
And so I watched my mother's hands grow scarred,
She who could heal the wounded plant or friend
With the same vulnerable yet rigorous love;
I minded once to see her beauty gnarled,
But now her truth is given me to live,
As I learn for myself we must be hard
To move among the tender with an open hand,
And to stay sensitive up to the end
Pay with some toughness for a gentle world.

by May Sarton

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It's Spring...

...And I'm on Spring Break. Halelujah! (grin) I've needed some time off--as shown by the dates on my last post. Over ONE MONTH ago. I'm sorry, y'all. I've been lazy. It's not as if nothing has happened--we've taken a field trip (or two), read lots, worked lots, written lots... I'm tired. but I'll get over it. This week, hopefully. That way, I'll be able to force my kids to work 'till PACT. and HARD. Because I want them to do well. Went to Charlotte with Becca last Satuday. Had a lovely time, and got to go to my favorite fabric store ever. (well, the best I've been to.) Got some BE-YOU-TEE--FULL fabric that looks something like this:

(This isn't the exact shade, but as close as I could get on the compie without going out and buying a digital camera--and--lol...) It's "Yarn-Dye" Linen-which means it was woven in 2 different colors... spring green and cream. Also, at Mary Jo's (the fabric place), I got lining fabric. Because I'm going to line this dress. But I didn't get plasticized polyester, that doesn't breathe--oh no. I got Ambience! Yay! --Lol-- Sorry. I get carried away about fabric. I just hope the dress turns out as well as I want it to. I'm going to try out the pattern first-- do a mock-up--before cutting into the linen and the lining. I'm changing a lot of things about the pattern, so I it's a good thing. Actually, though--this isn't my Easter dress. That's black, and originally from Target (I got it from a local discount outlet for less than $10). I'm "fixing" it too--but that's another long story. I also got to go to L'Occitaine, and Aldo, and Caswell Massey, and all those fun stores that aren't anywhere around me at home. Okay, enough about shopping...

---

So far, my break has been wonderful, but now I need to actually get things done. Like, fix my easter dress. It needs more length, sleeves, and a higher neckline (sounds like a lot, I know, but it's really not that bad...) and then I need to find a pink scarf to go with it. I've done it again. Gone off on a tangent about clothes. I'm also going to try to do a bit more in my garden... ...but anyone who knows me well knows that I have about a total of a weeks' worth of gardening in my blood in the spring. It doesn't last through the summer, so I have to get done what I'm gonna do--NOW. lol! And then, I still need to grade some papers. Bleck. After that, I'm going up to visit Sharon, and shop some... and have fun with Renee and her cousins... And just relax. God Bless you all! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter-- I don't know if I'll write another post 'till afterwards... But then, maybe I will.

BEGINNING.ENDING.GENTILE.DISPENSATION.title JEFF.IN 55-0109E E-42 042 What is it? I've walked out and looked at that great morning star as she begins to move yonder. What does the morning star say? The morning star is only reflecting the supreme light of the sun coming. Is that right? The morning star, the reason it's so bright, you know why it is? The sun's so much closer to it. It's a pressing on, and the morning star hails the coming of the sun. All right, you morning stars, it's time to go to hailing His coming. Shine morning stars, rise early. It says the sun will soon be here. When we look and see that morning star just a glistening in the skies, it means that the sun will shine pretty soon. And when we see the morning stars of God rising and shining to the glory of a resurrection of Jesus Christ, shows that that Supreme One is pressing on. The lights are gathering, but the morning star hollers, "Hold on; it isn't long till daylight. Hold on, it's not long till daylight. Just keep holding on." As Sister Murphy and them used to sing, "Just keep holding on, daylight's soon coming." Hold on till day. The morning stars are shining to the world now, lighting up the world just before the great darkness and the great thunderbolt from heaven, the coming of the Lord. BEGINNING.ENDING.GENTILE.DISPENSATION.title JEFF.IN 55-0109E E-43 043 Listen close now. Now, He said... I've looked at the morning star, and I thought, "Oh, morning star." I looked down one day standing up there, Brother Wood's and I. He'd just got the fire started, and we was going to get breakfast. And I turned and looked at the morning star, walked out there in them cedar bushes, and the winds whispering through the pines, I stood there, felt good breathing that good fresh morning air, it kind of frosty, plenty frosty... Go down to the creek, get a bucket of water, it'd freeze before you get up. Standing up there, raising up my hands out there in those pines, I looked at the morning star, I thought, "Oh, looky here. What forty five years has done for me." I said, "Oh, looky here, getting wrinkled, my hands getting wrinkled, hair slipping out, teeth going. Oh, what forty five years has done for me." But I said, "Looky yonder, that morning star is just as pretty and bright as it was the day that God blowed it off His hands and said, 'Let it shine.'" BEGINNING.ENDING.GENTILE.DISPENSATION.title JEFF.IN 55-0109E E-44 044 Then I thought of this Scripture. I said, "But God promised if we'd be wise and turn many to righteousness, we would outshine the stars forever." I thought, "Morning star, you're shining now, but wait till we get there." Hallelujah...?... Outshine the stars forever. And I could hear that wind coming down the hill just about the break of day, whistling through those pines, saying, There's a land beyond the river, That we call the sweet forever, And we only reach that shore by faith decree; One by one we gain the portal, There to dwell with the immortal, When they ring those golden bells for you and me. What a great thing. "They that be wise shall turn many to righteousness and they shall outshine the stars forever and forever." So what difference does it make anyhow? What is this little old span here for? This little old dust of the earth, spineless worm, little old mortal body that's got to corrupt and go back to the dust and skin worms will eat it up? Oh, my. Let me rise with all that's in me and shine for the glory of God. Lay aside every weight that the Holy Spirit can transmit His powers and glory through the preaching of the Gospel and the healing of the sick to vindicate Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Oh, my, forever and forever...

God Bless.

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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~