The Night the Stars Came Out

Tonight was the first ever SCCS talent show.

So many cools acts. First of all, my class this year has no school spirit, I'm pretty sure that's true. We just got done with a book fair. They had to meet a class goal so they could be in a competition for a pizza party. We were the only class that didn't meet our goal. C.R.A.P. Then tonight was the clincher when no one from my class was in the talent show. I was forced to cheer for my class from last year, who cleaned up big time. I wish they were still mine so I could brag. First, second, and third place, baby! Anyway, the whole night I felt like I was at a camp talent show. All I needed was a camera around my neck, and I might as well have been in the Tabernacle. (These are donated photos, in case you're confused) There were many acts tonight that were far better than the norm at UM Camp. I also felt like Holli Gregg much of the time when I was cheering for the kids. What does that mean, you ask? 1. The loudest one cheering. 2. Cheering no longer is limited to clapping and "whoo hoo!" It can now include, "That was great!" "Wow!" "I loved it!" (Has anyone else every laughed out loud at Holli at a Talent Show?) These things can also be shouted at any time during the act. 3. I'm not afraid to really participate and give all the encouragement possible, even if there was no talent involved. (I thought of you tonight, Holli!)

One of the coolest acts of the night: The girl you see in the sparkly, green dress is a third grader who sang "Here I am to Worship." Look closely and you will see she is of Asian descent. All these things made me think of college days' interaction with the Japenese students. That song was their favorite.

The talent show was a fundraiser for the senior class trip. It should definitely happen again. Where else can you see a first grader with a bow staff, Chuck Norris jokes, and mega hoola-hooping all in one night?

Please Pray

This weekend Luke and I are going with the Sr. Highers from school to Lake Okoboji Camp and Retreat Center, for the school's annual Fall Spiritual Retreat. It is supposed to be a required thing, but many students are not excited about it and have made excuses not to come. This has left some of the other students that are going pretty bitter. Luke and I are chaparones along with his sister Charity, who works at the school, and her husband Paul. Also one of the parents is going. Luke will actually be the one in charge. I am asking for prayer, for anyone out there reading. I've recently discovered a bad attitude that I have toward the senior highers because I get tired of their disrespect and complaining and it seems to me that many times they are given too much freedom here at this private school. So, I just want to have the right attitude toward them. I want to be compassionate and to have the desire to form relationships with them. Also, pray for the students. I'm asking that the Lord would speak to their very hearts; that He would change them on the inside and that would affect their behavior outside where all can see it. We have a great speaker coming along who is pretty funny and interesting. Also, the leaders are all going to be young and easy to relate to, so hopefully this spiritual retreat will go from being something nobody wants to go to, to something that everyone looks forward to after they hear how fun it was, and how the Lord changed lives. We'll be gone all day Friday and most of the day Saturday. Well, thanks for reading and thanks for any prayers.

First exposure to Meatloaf.

A funny memory came into my head this afternoon while waiting for family and friends to come over for a movie...

My brother Matt must have liked this girl because when he found out she was going to be on vacation with her family for an extended amount of time, he said he would take care of the paper route that her little brother had. This boy was my age, but I didn't know him because he went to the private school. We were both in sixth grade. All I remember is being woken up VERY EARLY one Saturday morning with the news that my twin sister, Elizabeth and I were in charge of the paper route for the next 3-4 weekends. What's up with that? How did we get roped into this? I remember being really upset by it. For like two Saturdays Liz and I went to walk the route with Josh, the boy. Of course we had to get familiar with it before it was all our responsibility. Matt did his part too! He was the one who drove us to the trailer park where the route was. What a guy! I'm sure he returned home to enjoy another hour or three of sleep. Liz and I were crazy upset, but also slightly excited because this was a new boy in our class that nobody at our school knew. Soon Josh and his family left for vacation and it was up to us for what seemed like a month, but was probably only a couple of weeks. We had to get there insanely early so we could roll the papers and put them in bags. Then we had to load up the carrier which had pouches on both sides of the body when it was worn correctly. I'm pretty sure Liz wore that carrier. She always did the things that were harder. Like carrying heavy things, and going into the doctor's office first when we had appointments together, which was like all the time. Now it was time to get started. We walked through the trailer park talking to each other and probably fighting every once in a while because that's what twins do when they're upset: they take it out on each other. "You didn't get the paper close enough to the door!" "You never throw it right, just let me!" Being the good Christian girls that we were, I also remember being so afraid of doing something wrong to upset one of the residents. So whenever we thought the other one did something borderline crazy, we would snap at each other with a quick scolding.

One early morning I remember one of the trailer park residents was blasting a song that we had never heard before. It was catchy and the guy kept saying: "I won't do that. Oh no, I won't do that." We sang it the whole rest of the morning and wondered out loud what he meant by, "I won't do that..." What in the world is he talking about??? We found out later that week that it was Meatloaf, in fact, that we had heard, and we were still not sure what the song was all about. One day we sat in front of the radio that was in we room we shared, and listened to that song again. My mom walked by and said, "I don't like that song. Turn it off." What? Why? We didn't understand. But we turned it off anyway.

Huh. I just wanted to share this story because I thought the injustice level was off the charts. Big brothers can make little sisters do anything! I also thought it was funny that I remembered the Meatloaf song. This made me laugh out loud today. It would be funny to tell Matt what I remember about this incident, and then he'd probably set me straight about how it all REALLY when down. Even if I knew the truth, I'd still tell the story this way.

Lawn Chairs are Evil

So yesterday we were driving down the Hwy 20 bypass. 65 mph all the way. Luke was munching on something while we were on our way back to the school for a meeting. All of a sudden there appeared in the middle of the road a green lawnchair that looked exactly like the one in this picture. There was no where we could go. We were penned in from all sides. We had to hit it. It hit off the passenger side of the car. Crash and blown to pieces. I looked out the back and it was no where to be seen. The car in back of us never hit it...just us. Our tire in front didn't sound healthy and I just knew something had to be broken. We got off on the next exit and pulled into the school parking lot. The front fender and bumper are missing a large piece. Part of our car is now with the pieces of lawn chair somewhere.

Why do people leave stuff in the road? Yeah, they probably didn't realize they were doing it, but let's try to be a responsible when we haul stuff. I guess the good thing is that we didn't get hurt.

So many joys in such a short time

Friday at 5. Done with conferences/thinking about school until Tuesday morning. What a wonderful weekend ahead of me! Time with incredibly amazing friends, family, and lone time in the car. What could be better? In times like this, when there is so much that is noteworthy, I have to resort to making a list. It saves time, and I promised I'd play a game with Luke at 4:00. Since I neglected him all weekend, I better be true. So, here's the highlights:

The beautiful fall colors. It was everywhere. I love fall. I discovered this was my favorite season last year when I moved to Sioux City. The surrounding area is so colorful and seems alive! Funny that the colors mean it is dying. But, vibrant non-the-less. I can't wait to go back to the state park we discovered this weekend: McBride Lake State Park. So beautiful!
Meg Vinson at Cup 'o Joe! I've missed my Meg. It was the greatest thing to spend time with her and KB. We got to reconnect and learn new things about each other. Meg still really makes me laugh. Oh, memories of when she was my camper. Spiderman and Jim Craig rule! You're welcome at my fire side anytime, Meg!

If you haven't already guessed, that's ok I haven't told you yet. I spent the weekend with three of my best friends in the world. Stacy Regennitter (I spelled it right!), Laura Helmke, and Kelli Burrier. All of us in different spots on the map, but coming together for a weekend of whatever and wherever. This is where we sat on a cliff that overlooked the expansive McBride Lake. We chatted and got hungry. Kelli fought with bugs and Stacy let one foot cool off. I took the pictures. I have beautiful friends inside and out. Our weekend was so fun. We spent a little time in Cedar Falls, and some in Cedar Rapids. I got a flat tire, but it got fixed for free. We swam and ate at Chilli's. We hiked and laughed at each other. We had earthshattering discoveries about things we should have learned way back in Jr. High. I'm so glad that's all cleared up now!

Atkins, IA holds one of Iowa's best-kept secrets: Bloombury Farm. Complete with corn maze and haunted barn, a fun time can be had by all at this gourd-filled getaway. Not worth the $9 unless you have kids, but the gift shop and barn filled with gourds is worth the trip. Hey, you might even get a bug in your eye! I'll post pics of this later when I can fit more in a post.

My nephews are so adorable. Elijah is now going around the house meowing like a cat. "Meow! Meow!" He will even show you how a cat bathes itself. Sam remembers everything! He knew that Luke was no where to be found! What's up with that! He knows that when I leave it may be a long time before I come back. Oh, if only I could see them everyday. Sam is saying Bible verses b/c he's in Cubbies now. Wow. The intense emotion that wells up when you hear your child or nephew recite the words of the Lord could be felt by looking from face to face in that room. I love Sammy, and God loves him. I pray he knows that fully in his life.

My sister Liz and husband Andy gave Luke and me a plant. A housewarming gift they've been saving for months until it's just right for our new home. There's something so touching about knowing that a person has wanted to give you something for a long time, but has just had to wait until it was perfect. Lots of care has gone into this plant already, I hope I can keep it alive. I do not have a green thumb, or is it that it's just undiscovered? This brought tears to my eyes to see how the Lord provides for me. I've been wanting to add plants to my home.

I didn't have the threat of sleep even once during the insane amount of hours that I drove this weekend! I prayed over and over again for safety on the road. The Lord provides!

Jesse's Girl on the way home. I love that song.

What a great getaway! School starts tomorrow, but, ain't nothing gonna break my stride. Ain't nothing gonna hold me down, oh no.

**I didn't get done by 4:00. I think it'll be ok.**

Interview with a critic

Critic: So I understand that you call yourself a Hawkeye fan?

Deb: Of course! I've always been a Hawkeye fan!

C: Oh really?

D: Yes! For as long as I can remember I've bled black and gold.

C: Oh! Ok! So you would be able to tell me what season they're in right now?

D: Well, duh. It's football season.

C: Good, and did they play this weekend?

D: Yep, on Saturday night they played Ohio State.

C: How did you know that?

D: Well, my friend Joel told me that on Friday night.

C: Oh! So did you watch the game?

D: Uh, no. I was busy doing some home decorating. But I sure did think about them.

C: Hmmm. Well in any case, you must have at least found out today what the final score was?

D: Actually, I have no idea. But, I'm sure they won. They are awesome!

C: Well, that's easy to say, but do you have any idea what their record is this season, or if they are in fact, awesome? Who on their team would you characterize as awesome?

D: Well, no, I don't know what any of the players' names are this year. And, no I don't know what their record is, BUT I do know that they beat Iowa State. Yah, ha ha, that's right. That's all that matters.

C: Oh, yeah. Speaking of Iowa State I just acquired a photo from your basement.

D: What? How did you get into my house?

C: Now, this doesn't look like the makings of a Hawk nest. It looks more like a Cyclone home.

D: No, no. You've got it all wrong. I realize these colors look very similar to the red and gold sported by the clones, but you have to understand, that's not what was intended. Any similarity in color is just happenstance.

C: Ok, if you say so. It's not looking good for you, though. So far you've given me nothing to convince me that you are, in fact, a Hawkeye fan.

D: But wait! You haven't even asked me about their basketball team!

C: Can you tell me when their season starts? What their record was for last season? Who their big players are for this year?

D: That's not fair. No, I haven't the slightest idea.

C: Ok then! I think I am being very fair.

D: Ask me who wore the #52 jersey when I was in Jr. High! Ask me who his teammates were! Ask me who their coach was! Ask me who used to announce all the Hawkeye games! Ask me about Chris Street! C'mon, ask me any of those questions! That's all I ask! Give me a fair shot!

C: Those questions are severely outdated and hold no clout with Hawkeye fans today. Who cares who wore jersey #52?

D: It was Russ Millard! He was my favorite. I am a fan, I tell you. No matter what color my basement is. If I never watched another game in my whole life, I would still be a fan. All I know is that when March Madness roles around, that means it's time for me to get caught up on what's going on with the Hawks, and cheer them onto victory. They should always be the ones to play in a bowl game, which I will always want to go to. Oh, and they will always be better than Iowa State. And they are always the team that needs to win, even if they're playing the team where you go to school. They will always be my team....even if I know nothing about them.

Go Hawks!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged! Read a lot about what I have read. I'm going to tag Debra, Mandy, Holli, and Bryan. Accept the challenge if you dare.

1. One book that changed your life: Gift Wrapped by God. I studied this book with my friend Stacy Kay and loved it. I also wrote a prayer for my life after reading this book. (Kel: I still have a copy of your vision statement.) It helped me forgive others and myself...it taught me so much and reformed my thinking.
2. One book you’ve read more than once: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I read it once by myself, once to my students last year, and this year my whole class is reading it together. To see their eyes light up in surprise, jaws drop in the realization that God and Jesus are represented in this book, and to see their excitement to find out what happens next is true joy.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: A Bible and a pen. That's the only book I want to have all the time in the world to delve into.
4. One book that made you laugh: I remember cracking up while reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School. It would be interesting to read it again and see what my sense of humor was like in fourth grade.
5. One book that made you cry: Stone Fox. The dog dies! I couldn't believe it! The first time I read that book was to my kids last year in school. They all saw me cry. Oh well. They were an amazing class.
6. One book you wish had been written: Big Family, Little Home. It's the story of the Brants from 1960ish to present. I think it would be hilarious...for me. Liz? Having any writing ambitions?
7. One book you wish had never been written: Humanities textbooks. Hated every minute of it. I might appreciate some parts of them now, but then it was torture. All I wanted to do was play soccer in the hallway...or listen to Kelli and Allison make bird calls...last thing I wanted to do was read for Prahl's class.
8. One book you’re currently reading: As mentioned earlier: Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe. Also, Indian in the Cupboard. Soon I will be reading Velvet Elvis in a study.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Searching for God Knows What. I'm having trouble getting into it. I read a little, then I stop, then read a little more. My sister says she loves it. I just need to give it another chance--a true chance. I also want to read Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free.

I'm adding one of my own:
10. Last thing you read that was encouraging:

Thank you, Debra, so, so much! How amazing your friendship is to me. To Luke too. You've known him longer than I have. I love it that you can tell me about the Luke before the Deb. He's a better Luke now. :) While reading your card, I noted that I have thought many of the same things about you, friend! So many people rest in your company, depend on your comforting care, and rejoice in their time with you. What a good friend I have! I love it that we're "The Debs." I thank the Lord for my most recent summer with you and our dear friend Mandy. I'm so much more thankful though that it extends beyond summer! Yay! More fun times to come!