45 years old and being a newlywed has many highs, many challenges, and many joys. After being a single mom since 1997, I have to keep praying that Bobby continues to have unending patience with me. I have been on my own for sooooooo soooooo long and learning to trust, to lean, and to communicate my needs is extremely difficult. The union of 2 being made into 1....that is what I am learning.
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son's sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us.... Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. -- John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
So aside from my newlywed comment. I am, today, suffering the after effects of minor stupidity on my part. So the background for this story is that I have been involved with TELPAS training and test administration for 3 days straight. It has been taxing and physically draining. So last night, I was ready to push the envelope on my daily run. I usually run 1.5 miles and I decided to challenge myself in order to peel off some of the tenseness and stress from the past week and a half. I ran. And ran. And then ran some more. 5 miles. I felt exilerated and high on adrenaline and so proud of myself! Unfortunately, during the evening my legs said otherwise! All night my legs throbbed. I slept very little as I tossed and turned with aches & pains. I arrived to school feeling every so groggy and dull minded as well as having throbbing leg muscles. I am so thankful I was not in the classroom because anyone who teaches knows that you have to be 100% on your toes when you teach!! Those students will hone in on whatever weakness you have in the first 5 second of class(especially high schoolers who will eat you up and spit you out)! I am so, so thankful that we had 1 hour free before beginning the TELPAS administration (for absentees). I was able to load up on coffee and sit blissfully in the library chairs. Ah bliss
Note to self. NEVER NEVER NEVER run for 5 miles straight!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weariness
So exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. Psychologically. Bobby had a minor procedure done and had to fast for almost 48 hours. The last 48 hours have been tough. He couldn't sleep last night so I stayed up with him watching basketball and then got up early to go to Amarillo. I also was inwardly praying that this would just be a normal procedure but at the back of my mind was the fear of the possibility of something more. I prayed for strength. I prayed for trust. I prayed for fortitude.
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
wow!
I was out of the classroom today in an all day meeting for TELPAS. When the meeting ended at 3:30, I got online and checked my email. I got this email from my husband...
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
2 1/2 days
2 1/2 days. Two and a half days. That's all I have to work this week. Great huh? I love it especially since at this time of year, teachers (like students) are weary and exhausted. I am a rater for TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) so today I only taught 1/2 day and then had a training for this assessment system in regards to English Language Learners. Tomorrow I will teach all day and then that is it. I will rate writing examples all day Thursday and then I have a date with Bobby on Friday (we have doctor appts... lol!).
Judith Mota, one of my ESL students back when she was in 5th grade and who is now a Frank Phillips student, is coming tomorrow to shadow me in class. I remember when I shadowed teachers. Doesn't seem that long ago (12 years ago). I pray the experience is a good one for her. I pray that I can how her the balance that teaching is. The hard, hard, hard work and the great, great, great joy. I have 3 great passions in my life: my teaching, my parenting, and my faith. They are all centered and grounded in my heavenly Father and I count myself blessed.
Lent has begun and I am involved in this as are Ben and Anna. I am proud because their college friends for the past 3 years have also become involved in this. Just a way to re-focus on the meaning of Easter. My Lent devotional was so meaningful and powerful.
Today's Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Today's Quote
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
-- from the prayer of St. Patrick
Judith Mota, one of my ESL students back when she was in 5th grade and who is now a Frank Phillips student, is coming tomorrow to shadow me in class. I remember when I shadowed teachers. Doesn't seem that long ago (12 years ago). I pray the experience is a good one for her. I pray that I can how her the balance that teaching is. The hard, hard, hard work and the great, great, great joy. I have 3 great passions in my life: my teaching, my parenting, and my faith. They are all centered and grounded in my heavenly Father and I count myself blessed.
Lent has begun and I am involved in this as are Ben and Anna. I am proud because their college friends for the past 3 years have also become involved in this. Just a way to re-focus on the meaning of Easter. My Lent devotional was so meaningful and powerful.
Today's Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Today's Quote
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
-- from the prayer of St. Patrick
Saturday, March 19, 2011
End of Days
We had Anna's bridal shower today. The day began with me, Bobby, and Anna eating breakfast at JT's and then coming back to work on the hostess gifts. We had 4 of my sisters at the shower along with my nieces as well as some of Anna's girlfriends from both high school and college. This touched her heart. The hostesses are all dear friends of not only me but Anna as well which made the day even more special! We had great food which I knew we would because the hostesses are all amazing cooks!! Such a great and yummy banquet! I can't begin to emphasize how much of a blessing this day was to both Anna and I. It humbles me. It makes me think of what Anna keeps saying throughout this whole wedding process, "I never realized so many people loved me and how they are so wonderfully showing that love."
I don't think I can say it any better.
Now I think of these end of days with college students. End of days with my daughter and son. Somewhat bittersweet. This spring break has been filled with such fun days/evenings: days with my daughter getting things ready for her wedding, evenings having supper with Bobby, Anna, John Mark and Zack (Anna & John Mark's friend from college). Now as I look at the living room full of this crazy crew, I think of how I will miss these days. Ben and two of his college friends are now here so it's a house full! Ben and friends came in last night from their California road trip and now everyone is laying on my living room floor and looking through NetFlix trying to decide on a movie. This in the midst of John Mark playing the instrument/horn, the vuvuzela. We got it at last night's indoor football game at the Civic Center and it's been a hit at our house. Hilarious! Bobby is also taking them outdoors to go watch the "Supermoon" later.
Tomorrow, everyone leaves. Bittersweet. End of days. Everyone back to their normal days but I will still remember.....
I don't think I can say it any better.
Now I think of these end of days with college students. End of days with my daughter and son. Somewhat bittersweet. This spring break has been filled with such fun days/evenings: days with my daughter getting things ready for her wedding, evenings having supper with Bobby, Anna, John Mark and Zack (Anna & John Mark's friend from college). Now as I look at the living room full of this crazy crew, I think of how I will miss these days. Ben and two of his college friends are now here so it's a house full! Ben and friends came in last night from their California road trip and now everyone is laying on my living room floor and looking through NetFlix trying to decide on a movie. This in the midst of John Mark playing the instrument/horn, the vuvuzela. We got it at last night's indoor football game at the Civic Center and it's been a hit at our house. Hilarious! Bobby is also taking them outdoors to go watch the "Supermoon" later.
Tomorrow, everyone leaves. Bittersweet. End of days. Everyone back to their normal days but I will still remember.....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Quelf
Fun day shopping with my daughter (and niece, Jessica) today. I thank my heavenly Father for Anna and this special time of our lives. Her wedding. Being raised by a single mom has cultivated such a intrinsic nature within her for price consciousness. She always feels guilty for asking me to spend too much money on anything. At Christmas, it was a new wool coat that she desperately needed! She felt so bad needing a new coat! Today, it was new makeup. She needed new makeup and I decided that since her bridal shower was this Saturday that we would for fore go Walmart makeup and go to the Ulta to buy her good quality makeup. She kept saying, "Mom, we don't need to do this if it's too much money." I told her no and that she could for once feel like a princess with "extravagant" facial items. It was such fun blessing her!!
Last night, it was fun blessing Anna's fiance John Mark. We were able to pull off a surprise birthday party for him. The Big 23! Anna and I spent the day cooking pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, mandarin bacon spinach salad, lemon blueberry cupcakes and ginger chocolate shortbread! We had a great crew of 15 folks here to celebrate. We played the game, Quelf, which proved to be a *R*I*O*T* to play!!! I highly highly recommend this board game. Hilarious and fun!
www.quelf.com
Last night, it was fun blessing Anna's fiance John Mark. We were able to pull off a surprise birthday party for him. The Big 23! Anna and I spent the day cooking pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, mandarin bacon spinach salad, lemon blueberry cupcakes and ginger chocolate shortbread! We had a great crew of 15 folks here to celebrate. We played the game, Quelf, which proved to be a *R*I*O*T* to play!!! I highly highly recommend this board game. Hilarious and fun!
www.quelf.com
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spring Break begins!
Let's all breathe a long and heavy sigh..... Aaaaaah, Spring Break. And to make it even better the weather is cooperating! It's simply gorgeous outside. No wind, warmth with a just a bit of crispness. It's heavenly! School let out at lunch so I was able to run errands this afternoon without the usual frantic madness. Don't you love a 1/2 day of school on the Friday before Xmas and Spring Break? I love the person who thought of this brilliant idea.
Anna, John Mark, and college friend are on their way from OBU as I type. I am thrilled to have them home for the week. Thrilled! So looking forward to doing wedding planning, shopping, etc. We have the full week to focus on the wedding plus we plan on doing some "mommy & me" stuff too. Pedicures, manicures, haircuts, etc. Such fun huh? If any men read this I am sure they are rolling their eyes. Lol!
It's a wonderful time and I plan on relishing it.
Meanwhile, Benjamin is still at OBU and will leave tomorrow with 6 college friends on a California Road Trip! Their "Senior Farewell Trip". They will stop at the Grand Canyon for one day and then make their trekk to California. I have to say I am a bit jealous! So happy that he loves to travel. His grandparents that were migrant farmworkers would be thrilled that he is traveling the roads that they themselves traveled as well (even the same states!).
Anna, John Mark, and college friend are on their way from OBU as I type. I am thrilled to have them home for the week. Thrilled! So looking forward to doing wedding planning, shopping, etc. We have the full week to focus on the wedding plus we plan on doing some "mommy & me" stuff too. Pedicures, manicures, haircuts, etc. Such fun huh? If any men read this I am sure they are rolling their eyes. Lol!
It's a wonderful time and I plan on relishing it.
Meanwhile, Benjamin is still at OBU and will leave tomorrow with 6 college friends on a California Road Trip! Their "Senior Farewell Trip". They will stop at the Grand Canyon for one day and then make their trekk to California. I have to say I am a bit jealous! So happy that he loves to travel. His grandparents that were migrant farmworkers would be thrilled that he is traveling the roads that they themselves traveled as well (even the same states!).
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Great Day
So here I am relaxing at home and waiting on my husband. After almost 6 months, I still love th sound of that....my husband! God is so good.
Anyway, Bobby is working late and for once in a long, long time I was able to come home as soon as school let out. Incredible! It's been a busy busy 2011 for me and I was astonished to realize that I didn't have anything pressing tonight! Quite rare these days!
I came home and made this incredibly delicious recipe (just for me...another treat!).
http://www.recipe.com/twirly-whirly-pizza/
I made a homemade tomato sauce for this recipe and then used a provolone/mozzarella cheese mix. This coupled with spinach was so tasty! I highly recommend it. Fast and easy too!
So last night I had a Premier Jewelry party. I only invited teacher friends, family, and a few close friends. Last week, I was totally CONSUMED with Bobby's 50th surprise birthday party so I didn't have time to mail out invitations for this jewelry party. My mentality had become, "Let's just get this jewelry gig out of the way." Well, it may sound funny but God is so good and TOTALLY blessed my socks off through it. Funny huh how God uses little things that He knows will touch our hearts and encourage us? Well, my mother-in-law, Janet; sister-in-law, Carol;and my stepdaughters came and we had so much fun. I am so blessed by this new family and their love for me! Also, I love parties like these (it's something that my mom did a lot of and I always remember all the fun it was). I especially love that everyone worked so hard for me to get 10 folks there. There was an extra benefit if 10 people were there. Morgon, Sommer, and Janet worked so hard at this They were calling everyone and anyone to come! So funny....especially Morgon .....she called probably 20 folks!! ha ha.
Well, I am thrilled to say that I got $150 in free jewelry and 6 half-price items. Cool huh? I love it! I really love it!
Hey, I hear my handsome husband driving up! I am about to go get my weights to do some weight training.
Anyway, Bobby is working late and for once in a long, long time I was able to come home as soon as school let out. Incredible! It's been a busy busy 2011 for me and I was astonished to realize that I didn't have anything pressing tonight! Quite rare these days!
I came home and made this incredibly delicious recipe (just for me...another treat!).
http://www.recipe.com/twirly-whirly-pizza/
I made a homemade tomato sauce for this recipe and then used a provolone/mozzarella cheese mix. This coupled with spinach was so tasty! I highly recommend it. Fast and easy too!
So last night I had a Premier Jewelry party. I only invited teacher friends, family, and a few close friends. Last week, I was totally CONSUMED with Bobby's 50th surprise birthday party so I didn't have time to mail out invitations for this jewelry party. My mentality had become, "Let's just get this jewelry gig out of the way." Well, it may sound funny but God is so good and TOTALLY blessed my socks off through it. Funny huh how God uses little things that He knows will touch our hearts and encourage us? Well, my mother-in-law, Janet; sister-in-law, Carol;and my stepdaughters came and we had so much fun. I am so blessed by this new family and their love for me! Also, I love parties like these (it's something that my mom did a lot of and I always remember all the fun it was). I especially love that everyone worked so hard for me to get 10 folks there. There was an extra benefit if 10 people were there. Morgon, Sommer, and Janet worked so hard at this They were calling everyone and anyone to come! So funny....especially Morgon .....she called probably 20 folks!! ha ha.
Well, I am thrilled to say that I got $150 in free jewelry and 6 half-price items. Cool huh? I love it! I really love it!
Hey, I hear my handsome husband driving up! I am about to go get my weights to do some weight training.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Early
Early mornings in solitude are my absolute favorite. I just truly do love them. Doing laundry and getting my house in order and then sitting down to a nice cup of coffee to have time with my Savior really ministers to my spirit. I like watching the sun come shining through the windows. It's beautiful and is a wonderful day to begin the day. This plus my morning run causes me to feel that I can tackle anything that the day may hold for me.
Today it's a TCY basketball game for 1st graders that Breckyn plays in. Bobby coaches and it is such a joy to see Bobby share this with his eldest grandon. We have truly enjoyed it. He will also be coaching him in baseball so the fun will continue. We will also go see Bobby's nephew, Nathan, play golf later in the day. I will then go to Amarillo to see my Dad. I told Bobby the other day that one should take into consideration when considering marriage the sizes of each other's families. Ha ha! Bobby has a big family and I have a big family. Both our families live here in Borger and we are VERY involved in each other's lives so this equals to a BUSY BUSY life. I have loved it but I also have had to adapt and have begun to realize that I have to begin to give up some of my other obligations. I can't do all that I used to. As God shows me over and over again...it's another season of my life....a truly joyful one that is bringing new and exciting things!! THANK YOU FATHER.
Today it's a TCY basketball game for 1st graders that Breckyn plays in. Bobby coaches and it is such a joy to see Bobby share this with his eldest grandon. We have truly enjoyed it. He will also be coaching him in baseball so the fun will continue. We will also go see Bobby's nephew, Nathan, play golf later in the day. I will then go to Amarillo to see my Dad. I told Bobby the other day that one should take into consideration when considering marriage the sizes of each other's families. Ha ha! Bobby has a big family and I have a big family. Both our families live here in Borger and we are VERY involved in each other's lives so this equals to a BUSY BUSY life. I have loved it but I also have had to adapt and have begun to realize that I have to begin to give up some of my other obligations. I can't do all that I used to. As God shows me over and over again...it's another season of my life....a truly joyful one that is bringing new and exciting things!! THANK YOU FATHER.
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