Sundays

Today was such an enjoyable day with my Frank Phillips Adopted Students...Nancy and Brenda. I haven't spent extended time with them in a while (couple of weeks) so it was nice to have the time with them. I am so thankful for Bobby because he is the "cut up" and the "athletic" one so they really connect with him. I love that about him! I am the serious and quiet one so when it comes to hanging out I am not that much fun. Lol. Anyway, we (Bobby and I) had the girls over for Sunday lunch - Nancy was named player of the week so we wanted to celebrate. Carmela, another FPC student, got to come along too. MaKenzie, Anna and John Mark were there also of course. What fun we had!! Playing Wii (Rabid Rabbits rocks!) and having yummy food makes for a perfect Sunday!

So this week was a rough one. My sister and dad had conflict and I HATE, HATE, HATE conflict! I had to be the "mediator" and my dad has moved in with me so that my sister can have an long, extended vacation. She is the eldest and so very much deserves it!! She has been the one who has stayed in Borger and has always been the caretaker of my parents. She was the one who took them to doctor appts, watched out for them, etc. While the rest of us were out "living our lives" (in other parts of the world), she was here being the dutiful daughter. I admire her greatly. Well, then day 2 of my dad being with me, he accuses me of taking his wallet. He later finds it but the accusations just so upset me. I was very sad about the whole situation and my heart just so deeply missed my mom and not having her here. I know my dad also feels the same way. That makes it doubly tearful.

Now to mention my life group lesson. Have I mentioned how amazing it is and how it really ministers to me on a weekly basis? It was on Esther (the study is an in depth walk in the Old Testament). The last day said this...


What does the example of Esther say to you when you feel like giving up? When you feel like compromising your convictions? When you are opposed by people who hate you? When you are hindered by people who should be helping. Pray for God to give you a spirit of faithfulness that will enable you to keep on keeping on in obedience to God.

God just continually causes my jaw to drop open time after time.

By the way, Anna has been substitute teaching. She loves it too which just causes my heart to explode! She's got the teaching bug! She is teaching at the elementary level and tells me stories every evening about her students. The smaller kids are so adorable with their antics & sayings! One funny story is at the 2nd grade level. One little girl was telling another boy, "You know what? I have a horse and I have a goat and I have 2 cats and I have a dog and I have a hamster..." The boy responded, "Well, you know what? I have a 'wee wee'!!" Anna then sternly said, "WHO SAID THAT?" The boys hands automatically shot up to his head in anguish and shame and he walked shaking his head to her desk. By the time he got there, he was crying. She asked "What did you say?" He answered, "It came out before I could stop it!!" So funny and hilarious. She leaves for OBU on Thursday so I will miss her and her anecdotes of her subbing days.

Grand Jury & Such

I just finished serving on the Grand Jury Commission. I love our country and I love the way our political process works. I know it seems messed up at times but it really is the best one out there. If you don't think so, go visit another country. I lived for 3 years in the Philippines and I was able to truly cherish our great country after this tour of duty (we were serving with the Air Force)! So I realize it's not 4th of July but this is my patriotic speech for the year.

For New Year's we went to Laura Arrington's New Year's party and it was a lot of fun. I have not danced since I was 14 years old in 8th grade. My sister, Sylvia, remembers my peach metallic dress that my mom made me for the dance. It was very "disco". ha! Anyway, Bobby taught me how to 2-step! I am still not very good but I must not be too embarrassing since he continued to dance with me. One of the songs was Garth Brooks, The Dance, which kind of made me sad because of my divorce. But you know what? After doing my Life Group lesson, I realized that the song really shouldn't make me sad but happy. The text for the study was the book of Ruth and the commentary said:

"Ruth may have been written to show that God is in control of history. God, the ruler over the universe, works in people's lives to bring about HIS will. He worked through the terrible famine Naomi and her family endured to bring them to Moab. God worked through Ruth's faith to bring Ruth and Boaz together. He worked through the union to provide David as the finest King Israel had. In God's ultimate plan, He worked through Ruth's descendents to provide an earthly step-father for His son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

This commentary blew my mind and reminded me that God WORKS THROUGH all of our life's journey to bring about the finest and most wonderful thing we could possibly imagine. For me the most wonderful and finest are: my kids, Bobby, the unity of my sisters, and my faith.


So I should really be grading papers now. The pile is on the coffee table waiting for me. I will procrastinate for a little while longer (finish watching Bobby Flay) and then tackle it! Lol.