Happy New Year . . .

It's New Year's Eve day. We arrived home around 3 am this morning and I've already been up to Durango for a lovely monthly shot, went out to eat with my brother, mom and some other friends for lunch, and now I'm headed to finish unpacking the car.

Not sure, but I think this New Years Eve will be another boring night. Ah well, we had a lovely time with friends out in Southern California. Wish we could have stayed another couple days, I am sooo not ready to be back here. Oh well . . .

We're entering a New Year, and I know God has some plans for me. I just hope and pray I will be willing to do what he asks, and recognize where He leads. I wish that for each of you too!

Happy New Year all! May God bless this coming year and lead us to His will. :)

Christmas in Riverside

I'm so pleased that my parents and I were able to get away from the snowy Four Corners and all that has been going on there, and came over to Riverside area. It's lovely to be with friends. Even if two whom I really wanted to see (as well as Kiddo and Babyboy!) decided to not be here, I have had a lovely time with their parents and mine. To bad my "'lil bro" is saving vacation time for his 10 year, then it would be even better.

Today my cousin and her family came over. That was nice. We haven't seen each other in 6 years. I can not believe it has been that long, but then to see how big the kids have grown, well . . . To let it be this long before we see each other again would be a crime! We've got to do better about getting together as a family! I guess we need a big family reunion. Hahaha! Now that would be entertaining, and a bit neurotic! Think we can handle the Twins and the big sister together with all their kids, and grandkids (and in my case grand-dogs)? Would be fun to try!

Then it would be nice to all get together with mom's side of the family as well. Hasn't been since the parents all went to Hawaii and returned for Christmas the next day that we have had us ALL together at once.

Ah well, we're all going to San Diego in the morning, and I'm looking forward to a day of play . . . well mostly play. So I had best get to bed, I'm up to late as it is.

I do hope all you lovely friends and family had a fantastic and blessed Christmas. I love you all, and wish I was able to be with ALL of you (even if only a short time) this Christmas and New Years holiday. God bless!

Good night :D

Last Week Before Break.

This is the last week before break, and a break that is more needed I know not of. I look forward to this one more then any other. What will I do, I do not know, we'll see. :)

Sonnet, this Post is For YOU!

Sonnet, one of my childhood girlfriends and confidant was married a year and a half ago. It was a beautiful and fun wedding. I'm sad that we didn't have more time. The girls were all lovely, the people so much fun, and I got to meet the man who makes Sonnet happy :). Sadly, pictures taken were lacking, and I, having a few pictures that I took, or someone else at the wedding took for me, have not been successful at getting a copy to her. Mailed a CD, and it was sent back. Emailing didn't work. Then life got crazy as many of you know. Because of all the crazy, I've decided there will be changes at the end of this school year, but that is for another time. Until then, I set up something I should have done a LONG time ago.


This link is for you Sonnet!

Sonnet's Wedding

Budgeting by Faith

The school I teach at is having financial difficulty. There are several reasons why, and as not to accuse anyone of anything I won't go into them. Just that the conference is charging more per teacher, and returning less per student in subsidy, which is close to $12,000 that we had budgeted for. They also informed us we were no longer allowed to hire auxiliary teachers, and aides are not allowed to teach threw a wrench into our abilities to play with our budget. This was only made known in August, just before classes started. We had four families move away (7 students lost there) and we lost some planned for students and their tuition Then the rest of the problem is that which is tricky, political and confidential, but in part it caused us to loose between $20,000 and $30,000 and the loss of 20 students between Preschool and 3rd grade and their budgeted tuition.

So, we have come to the problem in order to keep our school going, from preschool-9th grade, we could potentially be $77,000-$79,000 short. We had two weeks to gain pledges from the members of the churches to help us out for this school year. WOW! $53,000 dollars came in just in faith pledges. People said, "we can't make changes in the middle of the school year, we need to make it through this year, and work on making changes next year". Then there is more that people are willing to pledge if the board decides to keep the school set as we have it. So as of right now, if we never grow during the school year, we are only short $17,578. But with keeping open, we have the opportunity to bring in more students in Preschool-9th grade. Come 2nd and 3rd quarters, parents start to become disillusioned with the Public schools in the area, and look for something else. Last year, we gained 15 students during those quarters.

We know we can't necessarily count on new students, though we have faith we will gain them, calls have been made daily, and we've already enrolled an new 9th grader starting next quarter, and three more preschool students. So we need to raise close to $18,000 before the conference executive committee meets.

If we do not, we will have to loose one teacher, and then the rippling effect with that will lead to a one teacher school and a huge disgrace with the community.

So, please, I ask each of you, pray with us, pray that hearts are opened to give as they feel needed and that students come that need to be here will come soon.

I hate asking people for money, but if any of you know someone who has the financial means and a desire to support christian education and need a place to do so, our school and our children need their help.

Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers over this last two months and thank you for your continued prayers. :)

HA! What sleepy head I am!

The last post was for my classroom blog . . . silly me, I just put it on here. Ah well. :D I'm just sleepy and a bit foggy I guess. :)

Third Week Already!

We've had two weeks of school already. Hard to believe. Our class is a hopping class. Lots of energy, keeping us all on our toes.

Some things to remember for this week.

- Pizza Day is Wednesday

- Thursday, we are going to the Durango Rec Center for a fun, bonding field trip.
Please have permission slips turned in no later then Wednesday 8:00am. Also, if you are available to be a driver, please contact Sandy, our secretary, and let her know. All drivers need to be insured and proof of insurance on record in the school office.

- Students will be starting a "homework" assignment this week, which is family based. They will start recording the time they read both on their own, and with the family. Family reading time is a huge key to success in reading and comprehension in children.

I am so pleased that each of the students in our class have parents and grandparents that are so dedicated to the education of their child. Our kids have the best chance for success when we are all backing them up to become productive and successful individuals in learning and in life.

May you all have a blessed week. Keep praying for the kids in our "Little Jungle" this week. We, in the "Little Jungle" will be praying for each of you too.

Sabbath Afternoon . . . Blues

Ever have one of those days where you start to think you're depressed? Or you know are, and it's down right irritating.

Today I just collapsed. Ok, last night I did. We're definately back to school. I've caught the first cold of the season. :P Oh yes, and I've been to two chiro treatments this week, and more next, to take care of some lame back twisted out of something or other (annoying situation, to be sure of). And then there is school. If having a student with A.S., four ADHD students (three of whom are 1st graders), 3 Kindergarteners, a gifted 2nd grader, an LD 2nd grader, and a sweet little 3rd grader that I loose at the end of the quarter because they are moving to the largest state in the Union, wasen't stressfull enough add 9th Grade. Which really isn't that bad (but I feel bad because I haven't been able to devote to them as much since I had to take on Kindergarten) they are three wonderful kids. I now have someone upset at me because I resigned from the Children's Ministry position at church. Someone who is supposed to be my back up, and I theirs . . . you know, in Ministry, be it church or school, we are all suppose to be working together, but you .

Granted, I did resign under extreme stress, but I knew and know I can not do it justice. Few will do anything with Children's Ministry as long as I am in there. "Oh, she's young, she can do it." I heard that soo often. Hello? Just because I'm younger, doesn't mean I can do everything. Most of those who say that are active retirees . . . I want to say "You're retired and have nothing else to do, you can do it!" HA!

Well, I guess saying that I couldn't do it anymore, especially with added responsibilities at the school and a lack of support (physical and emotional!) from the church for both the school and the church, I could no longer take on that added responsability. Especially since I was sick so much last year, and with more . . . well it's just crazy. It would be a dis-service to both aspects of ministry, and since my first priorty in ministry is with our school, that was where I needed to focus. I'm willing to help out at the church for programs, but I will no longer be available to organize and plan programs for there as well as the school. The school is such a huge evangalistic ministry . . . and it's for more then 180 days a year. We've got weekends, and afterschool, and . . . oiy! It's amazing we get lesson plans done. hehe

I should have done it when I wasen't soooooooo emotional I suppose, but school started three days later, I was sleep-deprived, and upset already because we had to make cuts because of a micro-managing board (who I think learned thier lesson, and it isn't that they didn't mean well, and they are supportive of all the teachers and staff). However, others wanted to blame it on the principal who had no control of the situation, it was, what it was. And there was such a lack of faith . . . I was soo exausted, I made the call to resign.

Anyhow, I'm now mud. Which makes this loneliness I feel lately even more exasperated.

I feel I have few friends locally, ok, not quite, I have several friends, but I'm not the person that any of the singles or young adults ask to go do stuff. They are all married, or single guys who are more like brothers, so I'm a little "uncool" to hang with I guess. Yup, I'm feeling sorry for myself. And I'm down right irritated with it.

I should be having fun, enjoying life, I'm not that old, or am I now too old . . . maybe I'm now the Old Maid some of my girl friends and I all joked about becoming because "there aren't guys that could handle us".

Honestly, being single really isn't so bad . . . though being single and having only married friends and "little brothers" in town is sometimes rather lonely. Being single means, I don't have to worry about "taking care to do what my husband wants, forgeting my own needs" or "oh dear, we need a babysitter to do anything". If I had the money, being single means I could travel and not worry to much, though I suppose I would have to make sure my dogs are looked after.

I could move anywhere I wanted to, as well. Let's see, where do I want to move to?
Somewhere, where there are a few more young adults that are more in the same place of life I am? Maybe another country, learn a new language and do something spontaneous. Hmm, I wonder how easily my pups could move to another country. I have a feeling they would have to be quaranteened for quite sometime. Ok, sooo, I need to get a job that allows me to travel more, meet people from all over, but still have a home base. Make enough money to hire a "sitter" for my pups while I'm away for a week here or there. Or, I could just get a truck, have my dogs ride with me, and drive semis. yeah, there we go. Then leave them off with the folks when I decide to go travel overseas. :D HA!

Oh, they'd love that!

Seriously though, I'm starting to come out of this aggrevating fog of misery I've been under. Just needed to rant and rave.

Things are actually pretty great, just had to let the tension out so I could actually see that I guess.

For instance, I believe I have finally figured out how to deal with my little A.S. student when she gets into a tantrum. She just needs me to put my arms out for a hug, and she'll cuddle in, and slowly calm down (quietly! that's the best part, the quietly part). She is such a sweet little girl, and sooo smart.

Ohh! And I've a little first grader who just cracks me up everyday. He's soo vivatious. He loves to learn about everything and gets soo excited when he knows something to add to the learning experiance. Each of my kids are darlings, though they do drain me of energy. The ninth graders are fun, and rather entertaining.

My co-workers are great people, and there is no tension this year with the staff, we're a TEAM!!!

My new truck is wonderful. I love airconditioning, I love four-wheel-drive, I love the space for the dogs it has and doesn't come into the sitting place . . . yeah, I like my 'lil beast.

My pups are always happy to see me when I get home. All three dogs just ooze happiness when I walk in the door. :)

My back no longer hurts so much, just a little sore with all the muscle work the chiro treatment has been doing.

Oh yeah! I can go to the University I want to, to work on master classes next summer, and the conference will pay for it! I wonder if they will pay for the particular masters course I want though. Hmmmm . . . we'll see. For now, the fact they will let me go there, and pay for classes, that's cool. Maybe I can do all the "basic" ones this summer, and then we'll see.

I have a family, that though we squabble at times, all do love each other.

And best of all I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, even when I'm down and out, forgetting how he's right there with me, and really does understand what it's like, and loves me still, though I faulter.

I miss all of you guys, a lot right now, but I know you all are praying for me and that means so much to me. You all are in mine . . . can't wait till we can all do it together. :)

Points to Ponder

So on my google home page, an interesting "Points to Ponder" came up.

"Is atheism a non-prophet organization?"

gave me a giggle.

Losing Perspective, Losing Faith

I have learned that our school board is being forced to deny our church family the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. They are only allowed to limit our church members gift and helpful potential to an evangelistic series, and not both the evangelistic dreams of the church (15 day series) and the evangelistic dreams of the school(180+ day series).

I honestly do not understand, if God has blessed this school, and we put it in his hands, and followed what he led us too, how can we limit Him and His people? And the school is not only a one church constituency, we have two churches! How can we limit them as well?

Another New Addition to the Family . . .

He did it, T- traded in his Fifi (1999 Toyota Tacoma) and got a Tundra today as well . . . there it is, sitting next to my 'lil beast . . . kinda dwarfs it. :)

She's Mine!

So, here she is . . . washed, fueled and ready to go do anything.



Sunshine, open and rugged road, here we come . . .



My cute 'lil beast. :)



Here is my parent's Beautiful Big Blue Beast (B4). heehee



Isn't it a gorgeous?

Still very sad to say goodbye to my 'lil blue cloud, she's done me well for so long. Wow! November would have been 13 years exactly! Well we're donating her to the school for the school yard sale. So, maybe she'll do someone else some good for awhile. I don't really want to let her go, but alas, I do not need two vehicles, and I do want air conditioning!!!

Tomorrow . . . will I or won't I be commited . . .

So my darling little car, which has been faithful since November of my Freshman year of college, has to many problems that to completely fix will cost more then the poor Little Blue Cloud is worth now.

She's still a cutie too :)

She's a good 'lil car, and it's hard to find cars with the gas mileage today like that. 38-40 hwy. But that size car is mostly impractical around here. 4 wheel drive is almost essential. Especially when you drive up to the mountains both winter and summers. And live on a dirt road that after heavy rains the section that is in a wash, is a little washed out . . . so I knew I was going to be getting a new vehical, but was thinking maybe after school started . . . but turns out my car really isn't in a condition to be driving regularly.

Thus it looks like after tomorrow, and finalizing with paper/bank work, this will be my commitment for the next 5 years or more of payments, at a very good rate, soo, woohoo.

Patriotic Moments . . .

So it is the 4th of July. A lovely holiday, and a day I realized, I have not posted in over a month!!! AHHH, how can that be? I'm not in school, I'm not teaching school, what happened?

To much! And not what I was planning to do.

It is currently 11:17pm, and there are fireworks still going off all around town. OHhh, and who needs a big firework show, when all around you, there are big fireworks going off because there are so many people who love the big, the beautiful, the noisy, the awe-inspiring flames of multicolors. WE will probably be hearing them through till 1 or 2 am, it was like that last night, and since few work tomorrow, it will be really late. At least my dogs are able to sleep through it, since they are here with me. (mommy keeps them safe from the big bang noises). :)

My cousin and her husband and young son are here. WOOHOOO! it's been 6 years since we've seen each other. Tim took us all out shooting. That was entertaining. My dad even went this time, AND he shot a .22 rifle. That was such a surprising thing.

I suppose he was just so excited about his new truck that my mom and I picked up for them yesterday. I'll post some pictures later. It's a beauty!

Well, I need to get sleep, have choir for church tomorrow, and company and . . . I will post more later. I hope to not get so far behind. Pictures will come with updates . . . ahh, sleep.

Happy Independence Day!

I think I lost two months of my life . . . or more!

I can't believe how busy things have been. Then again, yes I can. The Narnia play, done! turned out ok . . . pictures and coverage to follow at a less busy day/week.

Only three more days. Well, we have two half days. Thursday with Graduation, and Friday, the last day that is a party :)


Keep praying . . . SANITY!!!!

Mrs. Tiger, War Paint, & Miss Butterfly will be your teachers today . . .

Our Students were so in awe. HA!

Not to bad for the first time out with face paints.

Tonight Butterflies, tomorrow . . . Tigers & War Paint

I just got the face paints . . . we're going to paint the kids faces for the Narnia production we are going to do. So I thought I'd play with them and see what could happen. So playing on the practice sheet and then on my face . . . COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Ah well, not to bad for the first time and on myself. I think it will be better on someone else. hehe.

Pre April First

What will those 'lil kiddies come up with tomorrow. I know that they will want to try and "April Fool" me tomorrow . . . hmmm. Beat them to the punch? What can I do?

HMMMMMM

hehe

So what are you doing for the day of pranks gone overboard?

He's Finally Arrived!!!

Congratulations to Steph and Ken! Their baby boy made his entrance into the world just after 6 am this morning.

I'm soo excited for them, and can't wait to meet him too.

The eve of March Ella came, and now Jack is here. Both Sabbath Babies I might add! :) Friday night and Saturday morning! Good times to come into the world. :)

June is going to be fun :D Jack the first week, Ella the third . . . what other wonderful things will March and June bring? hehe

Boulder, Colorado . . . or is that Boulders in Colorado?

Last week we took the students to the Durango Rec Center, which was a lot of fun. On the way there, we came across an interesting sight. Two enormous boulders were in the middle of the right lane.

Silly me, it didn't dawn on me to take a picture. I was distracted by the fact the car we were in just stopped running. We pulled over, and funny thing, everyone behind us pulled over as well. The road workers were trying to wave us on, but alas, the car would not start. After a quick prayer, the car started and we made it there with out a worry. And then on the way home when I thought about taking a picture, the boulders had been demolished and the road workers were just finishing up moving the remnants off the road. Amazingly, little to no road damage.

Now why is that amazing? These boulders were HUGE! My brother was able to take a couple quick shots as he drove by shortly after we were there. Granted, they were as he was driving bye, so not at his usual par. But if you look carefully above the rear view mirror you can see some of the workers on top of one of the boulders.
This is about where the car just stopped and we were able to pull over. Notice the size of the boulders compared to the trucks. They filled up both of the right hand lanes. And the men on top.



Here is probably the taller of the two boulders with the workers on top of it. Amazingly, as said earlier, little road damage.

She's Arrived!!!

My dear friends C & A had a little girl . . a Leap Year baby! Congratulations guys! I'm so happy for you both. Ella, can't wait to meet you!

Adventures in Baby Planning

With two of my dear friends both pregnant and due roughly the same time, it is entertaining to listen to their stories and fun to hear the excitement and anticipation of the soon arrivals. Both moms and dads are just amazing, and funny.

Any day! or several days. (YIKES)

I just love the latest adventures that one new father has just taken in the preparation for their new baby boy. Any Day Now . . . has the photographic evidence, and story in detail . . . I'm so proud of you Ken! Hehe. Ken, you're gonna be an amazing dad. You and Steph are an awesome team, your children are already so blessed. :D

Beautiful Friends!

I've some lovely friends. Though we are all spread across the US . . . well across the world even . . . they are awesome.

And then there is the friends in town. Thanks! You're wonderful. My evening was entertaining, and I'm ready for another week.

Pity Party of One

I was at church and it hit me, a little morose depression. It happens every now and then. Usually after there has been a lot going on, and everything slows down for awhile. Or when I've been sick for a number of days, or when someone preaches about it at church. This time, I think it's a combination of having had this nasty flu cold for longer then one should carry it, and things have slowed down a little bit. Not for to long. We'll be off and running soon again. :P

Why am I single? Why am I supposed to wait? Did I miss the opportunity? Are we only given one opportunity and if we don't seize or recognize it, it is lost to us? Or maybe we have to walk a lot farther until an opportunity arrives again. Or is it just that I am to wait, and wait . . . maybe never having the opportunity to have a true companion on this earth.

Am I happy single? Sure, I can be quite happy and single. Am I able to live life "alone"? absolutely. God has given me a supportive and loving family. Do I desire to have a help mate and family of my own? Yes.

My heart leaps for joy for my friends as they have found wonderful persons to share their life and journey together with. At the same time, a little piece of my heart crumbles, knowing another chapter in my life is just closing or opening and I must go on the journey without a companion.

My confidence and clarity dims with the wonderful news of a new life coming into the lives of so many friends and family. I love being "Auntie Katie". I love all my little "nieces and nephews", and look forward to my friends having children and the joy that comes in the growth of their families. I get to experience from the sidelines the joy and hope that comes with each new precious gift.

I know that they are not passing me by, they just have a different route to take. I wonder if I will cross paths with someone in whom our paths join and become one we take together. I'm 31 years old! I'm older then anyone in my family was when they got married. Most of them had at least one child by the time they were my age. Oh forget that, some aren't even 30 yet and have lovely children and spouse. Kind hearted friends and family, think they are relating to me, when they say, "I thought I would never meet the right person either" (most of those were married before they were 25, HELLO!) "God has his time." (Yes, but did I miss it?) "You can't be happy married, if you aren't happy single." (that is obvious, and I really am not unhappy single, just wishing there was a little more).

It seems that men my age are looking at women younger then I. Who then is interested in a 31 year old teacher, who still wants to continue her education? More often, guys over 50 seem to look at me as a potential, and often they've kids close to my age. Is it so wrong to desire a smaller age gap and not have step children?

Well there is my little pity party of one. Next week will be better. :) Hey, I do get to be an "auntie" again soon, I really am blessed to have the lovely friends that I have, and the family that loves me so.

Happy Birthday 'lil Bro!

My little brother turns 27 today . . . WOW! Hard to believe, I still remember him at 7 years old. 20 years have flown by.

I hope you have a good birthday Bro! And a good year. :)

sniffles and coughs

I really dislike being sick. Having a cold that just hangs on and on and on. Congestion, headache, fever. WHEN WILL IT EVER END!?!

I'm back at school today, though I probably should have stayed home another day or two to fully recover quickly, now it just might hang on for longer still. YIKES! no, no, positive thinking! Must have positive thinking. I will get better quickly! :)

Most of the Faculty/Staff at work are all at varying stages of this nasty cold. G- has been doing better then I have, but then again, he started with this particular cold a few days before I did too. Daycare/Preschool teachers have been out this week as well. J-, our lovely teacher's aid, is also now out for the rest of the week. Oh to close school for a week to get everyone better. Then again, we would then have to add a week to the end of school. Hmm.

Ok, I'm grumpy, and achy, and a little loopy headed and trying to be a descent teacher today. Please be praying for us here. Patience, pain relief, clear thoughts . . .

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. :)

Joy! Relief! And so many awesome blessings!

This week the conference sent a potential pastor and his wife for us to meet and for them to meet us. Talk about an answer to prayer! I am so excited, the church voted to hire them and they excepted! It seemed so fast in some ways, yet it just feels so right and at just the right time. So many things are going to change, I believe good things are going to happen. God's working here! :)
Thanks for all the prayers! :)

Come May we will have a regular pastor . . . and get this, we're doubling the young adults in the area. Two young adult couples are moving here between now and May. Hmm, maybe God will send some young adult singles. hehe ;)

Kindergarten/1st Grade Poetry

Here is a poem my class wrote on Monday about their favorite subject, Math! I think they did a pretty good job. I helped them a little, but they came up with it. Not to shabby, those 1st graders and kindergarteners. :)

MATH
On my desk sits my math
Arithmetic is my path.
My favorite time is with clocks,
especially when we use the time box.
Addition, Subtraction,
So many ways to make attractions
Math is full of pages of actions.

100 Days of School Party!

We had a lot of fun, though it wasn't long enough due to a late start . . . will write about the snow storm later . . . just wanted to share my cute little cubs in their masks and 100 bead chains.

CRaZeD! That's ME!

School Spirit week was fun! Though man, it sure takes up a lot of time. My students all dressed up each day for it, and since we were the only ones that got 100% participation, my class gets to go to the rec center for free! well, ok, the school is paying for them, but still. :D

They were so cute this week. I had Einstein and Barbie on Famous Person Day, to darling little super heroes for Plastic bag and Duct tape day. And today, Crazy Hair Day . . . not sure which was my favorite to dress up for this week, but here . . . this is me, while I was taking the hair down, and being silly . . .

Ok, technical difficulties, pics shall be posted later

Passing Ships

We have someone in our church who works as a 'divorce/marriage mediator' and at church and other places around town is always putting on marriage seminars and such. That is great, we need people who are passionate about the sanctity of marriage and working to help people to keep the marriage pure and what God has in mind for it, however he is almost a little out of control, obsessive about marriage.

Don't get me wrong, obviously I believe in marriage. I hope to one day be married and take that very seriously and would probably enjoy one or two of the seminar things they are doing that are to help in keeping the communication fresh and fun and all that. It was just a little overboard though with the constant marriage seminars and sermons at church.

Though, those have slowed down thankfully. He's been preaching a lot since we've been without a pastor, and has not specifically preached on marriage each time, but there was a while there it was every time he preached. Talk about making the single people feel unworthy. I honestly had to leave twice during those sermons because of how it came across to those of us who are single.

I can't specifically say why now, but for some reason the message came across one sabbath that marriage was what is valued most to God and it was then easy to infer then that those who are single are incomplete and would not have all the joys God has for them by not being married and . . . I had to get up and leave that Sabbath because the hurt and frustration came to the surface in tears and I just couldn't let people see me crying (I wasn't feeling sorry for myself just . . . I didn't want people asking what was wrong either). I have heard sermons about marriage that did not exclude the single people and actually provided food for thought and encouragement, but that particular one, and one previous, wasn't drawing me closer to God that day, instead I felt beat upon with no hope unless I got married. I know that I was not the only one to leave, and also avoid the weeks he preached. Since then, I've noticed that most of the single people tend to avoid coming to church, or staying for the sermons the days this individual speaks. Which is sad, because he really hasn't been speaking on marriage as much in his sermons, or in the same venue since he's been preaching practically every other week or more . . . I am looking forward to the potential pastor coming and preaching in a couple weeks.

Hmm, that was a little rambly and ranty almost . . .

This sabbath, there was a form in the bulletin that is basically a sign up for this next marriage thing that they are doing, and at the top it said something to the effect of "Do you feel that you and your spouse are like ships passing in the night?" During the announcements it was brought to everyones attention and suggesting people sign up for it. I leaned over to a friend, pointed to the phrase and whispered "Yes, but I don't think that this would help me with that problem." She chuckled and whispered back something along the lines of, "Maybe you should sign up and there might be single male ships looking for single female ones" Which was so bad, because we both were sitting up front because we were leading praise singing, and were trying not to burst out laughing.

Pastoral Need

Seven months have now come and our church is limping along without a pastor. I've been in churches that are able to function as a church body for as many months or more without any problems. However, I've come to realize that churches that have little to no clear leadership, nor had training for those who are in the leadership positions, the need for a pastor is great. WE really need a pastor. I'm so excited that there is someone coming to visit our church in a couple weeks that could be a potential pastor for our church. Kinda exciting, he and his wife are young adults, and it would be so nice to have some more of us in the church. :) What I hear sounds good, so I am looking forward to them coming and spending a few days with us down here. We're hoping to get them to come over to the school one of the days they are here and maybe be the worship speaker one morning. Hmm, is that my week? no, I think it's mom's. hehe, oh well, it will be nice :)

What qualities in a pastor would be good for our church? What qualities in our church would be appealing to a pastor? Just some things that I've been thinking about lately . . .

Back to School! yippee

Tomorrow, school resumes, grades will need to be completed, and I will be making some changes to my classroom schedule. The room is re-arranged already, just a little bit, and ready for the kids. Though I do need to go in early to vacuum my room. :)

So, New Year, and second semester, look out, here I come.

:D

Birthdays . . . How many?

Sure, thanks, yes I just turned 27. :)

The guy at the nail salon place that my mother and J- and I went to for pedi/mani's for my birthday said to me when mom mentioned it was my birthday, "Ah, you must have just turned 27 yes?" Umm, sure. :) Actually, I love the fact that people truly think that I'm still in my mid twenties, and that my brother is older then me. Several people this last year thought I was between 24 and 26, and were shocked when I told them otherwise, they can just keep thinking that. Now, if I just loose a few extra pounds my body doesn't need, I might definitely stay looking younger for longer. Hmm . . .

So for my birthday today, it was going to be four 'girls' out for a girl's day, but alas, it was only three. We met at this new little Mexican grill, which is kinda like a Hawaiian/Mexican restaurant. Then we went to get Mani/Pedis at this little nail salon, which was fun, but I want to find a place that does a little better next time.

We were going to watch a girl movie, but the only showings were a little late, no matinée. So, what are we going to do? Go to Albq. in the morning, and continue our little "party". Hehe. Mom can get her "Costco Fix" and we can go to the camera stores there, and maybe find a few clothing stores that may have something that would look nice, and of course, we can then watch a girlie movie down there. More options of what is showing there. :)

So, it was a lovely birthday, but it's not over yet. :) A new experience for me. But hey, it's a special day for mom and me, soo why not. hehe

Happy New Year!

One and all I wish for you all a year of blessings and joys.

I pray that you all enjoy a lovely year and be a blessing to those around you.

:)