Late Night

I'm rejoicing that we don't have school tomorrow.
In recognition of my ability to stay up later, I decided to catch up on some reading.
At the beginning of summer Debra shared a blog with me. It is the wife of one of the Selah members who narrates her family's experience in losing a daughter/sister. The author carried the baby for months knowing that she probably would not survive. I have not gotten very far in her narration, but tonight it provided me with many tears, and surprisingly many laughs. Thank you, Lord, for both. I wish I were able to so eloquently describe what it is I think and feel about "all things trial" on a daily basis. I'm sure that would only be for my benefit, however.

If you are interested in the blog site look on my blogroll. It is labeled "Bring the Rain".

This video I want to share with you is of her three daughters in their play room. I laughed so hard. I love the expressions of the twins. Enjoy.

Today is your birthday

Miss you, Collin.

Love you.

Next summer

Next summer I'm going to have a salsa garden! A friend gave us some of her home-grown tomatoes and I've discovered a new love for them! Garden tomatoes are so much better than store-bought! So, I've decided next year to have my own garden and plant all the things needed for making salsa. I'm going to do it! I'll just need a little help from Sarah. Hope she doesn't mind. I have no idea what to do, but I'm going to do it! I think it will be amazing to watch things grow...wish I could have done it this summer...might have been a little therapuetic.

This summer I felt like the seed that was being fed and kept in just the right conditions. The Lord was the tender and he caused the growth. I'm still growing and learning and healing. The process is not nearly done. Just like a gardner who cares about the growth of his seeds, the Lord cares even more so for my heart and soul.

New Class

I think my class is going to be great this year. I can't believe how well behaved they are! There are fifteen of them, as opposed to nine last year. I have boys this year which is a plus...less drama maybe. Most of them seem so smart! When I think of them, they seem like they should be in fifth grade already...they just seem old. We've only completed three days together, so I'm sure I'll find them true fourth graders soon enough.

Here is a picture of each precious face. I took a picture of them on the first day of school. I did this last year too, and I love how they turn out. They each look so sweet. You may notice that I have twins. This is exciting. So far I have not confused them. I do, however, confuse two of my other girls. I have to think pretty hard before I call on one of them. One of my other girls looks like she could be a triplet to the twins. They will be a sweet class.

This afternoon was the first time I started to wish for summer again. I hate the feeling of Sunday night thinking about going back to school in the morning. I think I will try to get to bed early so waking up in the morning won't be so hard.

What a beautiful weekend I just had! The weather was amazing and I spent lots of time with good friends!

Update: Luke and I are in another play with the Correctionville crew. He plays Peter, the disciple, and I play Lateesha Brown. Lateesha? Yep. My character is a little bit of an air head. I would rather play that than someone who needed to cry or say a lot of serious lines. We will perform mid-October. Helping out with the Jr. High youth is almost in full swing again. Starting in September I will lead a small group of sixth grade girls. Should be fun! I'm so glad I'm a girl. I get to lead the easier groups. Jr. High boys seem rowdy...and smelly.

And lastly...thank you Olympics for weeks of non-stop entertainment. Also, Shawn Johnson is really short!

First installment of funny things my husband does

I have been watching the women's gymnastics team throw away a gold medal tonight, and I've been giggling all the while.

Wanna know why?

My husband is downstairs playing a harmonica. I've been making up reasons in my mind of why he's spent the last half hour playing random notes--I've deciphered no tunes. All I've come up with is that either he's writing a song for me or he's realized his life long dream to have his own show in Branson. Maybe he's even bought a harmonica for me on Ebay, and he's hoping I'll join him in his pursuit.

This cracks me up.

Please respond

I will making my blog private soon.

The only reason I'm doing this is because I have students who have googled me and have found my blog...not real interested in this happening again.

It will add an extra step when you try to read my blog, which I'm not real excited about because that can be irritating, and may cause some of you to check back less often, but I'm thinking this is my best option.

I have to put down email addresses of people who I say is ok to read my blog, so here's where you come in. I have most of your email addresses, and I think I know everyone who reads this, but just to be safe, will you reply to this post if you would like to be put on the safe list? You can include your email address on the reply or you can email it to me.

Is says blog authors have access already...does that mean anyone who writes a blog will not have to sign in to read?


EDIT
It occured to me that maybe I should make a list of those I know read, and if you don't find your name on the list you can respond.
People I'm aware of that read my blog:
Amanda Roush
Elizabeth Smith
Paige Burzlaff
Molly Brant/Matt
Steve/Amy Brant
Jackie Zwiefel
Holli Rausch/Miles
Bryan Johnson
Mandy Shew/Keith
Sarah from Kansas (I'm so sorry that your last name is escaping me right now. Allison always called you Schism...I know it's not that! I'll kick myself when I realize what it is. I'll need your email address so I can add you.)
Cara Ashley
Jodi Smith
Kelli Burrier
Allison LaDuke
Debra Wittrock
Meg Vinson
Sara Fitzgerald

Let me know if you want to be included!

Thank God

I start school on Thursday. Tomorrow I will go into school in an effort to get my room completely done before meetings start in two days. I will also attend the new fourth graders' class party for a little bit. It is tradition that the teachers are invited, but I don't think I'll stay for the whole thing. It will be a swimming party, and all 15 students will be there.

Amazingly I feel no dread about this day approaching. I feel ready, and have such a peace. This is a blessing from God. If I would have had my way I would not be teaching this year. I would be at home with a brand new baby girl. I would be fresh off a summer spent with my husband learning how to care for another living soul that is so dependent on us alone. As it turns out I'm fresh off a summer spent with my husband learning how to depnd only on a living God. I could be approaching this school year with remorse and bitterness; instead I have peace. That is because of God.

I have had an amazing summer. I feel like it was the perfect blend of so many things. I had time at Moville home with Luke and by myself, time working on home projects, time being lazy, time with MANY friends from all over, time at Marshalltown home with family, vacation time with just Luke, vacation time with Luke's family, and heart to hearts with God. I cannot express how many times I have voiced my thankfulness to God and Luke for such a soul strengthening summer. It is the reason I feel ok about going back to school. The importance of time off is indescribable. More than that is the importance of laying your heart and plans at the feet of the One who cares the most about them, and directs them.

Luke and I will celebrate our four year anniversary on the day we start school, August 14th. Four wonderful years. Our experience in the last year has strengthened our marriage. We care more for each other. We understand each other a little bit better. I pray that we will continue to always grow in our love for each other and for God. My prayer is that the Lord would guide us and help us trust Him as we approach the coming year(s). I asked Luke this last weekend where he saw himself in five years, and he said what my heart feels too...it's just so hard to even guess. Our world has been rocked, and we have no idea what to even expect. We have hopes and dreams, but there is an uneasiness. We really have no idea where we'll be, but we do know that we will still trust in God and love Him, and that's what matters.

My apologies to Miles and Holli for being in Sioux Falls this last weekend and not calling...I knew you'd understand though. Luke planned a surprise weekend for me in Sioux Falls complete with a stay at a bed and breakfast in Lennox, White Water West, and the Sioux Empire fair. A spendy weekend for sure, but I feel so thankful for a great way to cap off our outstanding summer. We got to stay in the unadvertised attic suite at the B&B, and it was to die for. There was a honeymoon couple who stayed there too, and I felt a little guilty about getting by far the better place to stay. Really there's just no comparison. Do I like a B&B better than a hotel? The verdict is still out.

Well, here we go...another school year is beginning.