va.ca.tion - a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation; especially, such a period during which a working person is exempt from work but collects her pay.
This week has been Spring Break and I have not had to go to work. I have struggled with what my week should look like. Several friends went to Mexico. Two of my boys went to South Padre Island. I know that they are all relaxing, having fun with friends etc. Here I am in Hanover with a list of things I feel I should accomplish this week - cleaning, painting, etc.
I have two observations-
1. pleasure, rest, and relaxation looks different for each person. Some people get pleasure from being with other people, sight seeing, or partying. Others find pleasure in putting things in order or decorating their home, or reading a book.
2. my week of vacation needs to have balance - time to do some of the tasks I don't have time for during a regular work week, and time for things that bring me pleasure.
So here's how I've spent my week of vacation:
I worked on painting the family room and the bathroom. Neither is completely finished but they're coming along.
I've spent time with my daughter Carrie- shopping, talking, eating out, watching movies and rubber stamping.
Carrie and I spent time with my grandchildren. we took them to McDonald's one night. We stayed overnight at their house another night.
I went for a walk on one of the nice days with a good friend.
And I was able to sleep in one or two mornings.
It has been a good vacation!
I've read a couple of books,
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Easter Sunday Highlights
- Going to Church of the Open Door with my family.
- Worshipping the Lord with lots of other believers - singing "Hallelujah" and "Worthy is the Lamb"
- Having all my kids and grandkids home for Easter Dinner
- Playing Boggle and Cribbage with my family
- Watching my grandkids have an Easter Egg Hunt
- Hearing my kids laugh and talk together
- Ending the day talking with my husband about what a great day it was.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
An Ending and a New Beginning
Last night the school board for the district I work for decided to close two schools and repurpose four as part of budget reductions. The school where I work is one that will be repurposed. For my school it means that we basically close our program and a new program moves in. It is a very sad day here. We have a staff who act like family, and parents and students who love their school. For me it means that I will most likely not be an elementary school secretary any more.
I have worked here for 13 years, first as a para and then as secretary. It has long been my dream to be the secretary - and so I have lived my dream for the last 2+ years.
I have to tell you, however, that in the midst of my sadness, God has placed a seed of hope in my heart. I feel like God is preparing to bring a new adventure to my life. In earlier blogs I have written about choosing joy. And so this morning I am again choosing joy. I am choosing to look ahead expectantly to see what He has planned for me. (Carrie- does this mean I am a Calvinist?)
On Sunday in church we sang the chorus, "God is good - all the time." That song has stayed with me all week - and today, in the midst of sorrow, I can say, "God is good - all the time." I will keep writing about this journey through sadness into a new day, a new adventure. I can't wait to see what it will be!
I have worked here for 13 years, first as a para and then as secretary. It has long been my dream to be the secretary - and so I have lived my dream for the last 2+ years.
I have to tell you, however, that in the midst of my sadness, God has placed a seed of hope in my heart. I feel like God is preparing to bring a new adventure to my life. In earlier blogs I have written about choosing joy. And so this morning I am again choosing joy. I am choosing to look ahead expectantly to see what He has planned for me. (Carrie- does this mean I am a Calvinist?)
On Sunday in church we sang the chorus, "God is good - all the time." That song has stayed with me all week - and today, in the midst of sorrow, I can say, "God is good - all the time." I will keep writing about this journey through sadness into a new day, a new adventure. I can't wait to see what it will be!
Friday, March 7, 2008
My Birthverse
I just found out that this is my birth verse.
Colossians 3:4 NIV
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Do you want to know yours? Go to : http://www.birthverse.com/default.cfm and check it out!
Colossians 3:4 NIV
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Do you want to know yours? Go to : http://www.birthverse.com/default.cfm and check it out!
Do you like Words?
But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. --George Gordon Byron
My son, Brenton, likes to learn new words. So Brenton, this one's for you:
Paremiology
If you want to read about this word, go to this web site: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0306/p13s01-legn.htm
Enjoy!
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. --George Gordon Byron
My son, Brenton, likes to learn new words. So Brenton, this one's for you:
Paremiology
If you want to read about this word, go to this web site: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0306/p13s01-legn.htm
Enjoy!
Abide In Me
My devotions this morning were from John 15:
15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
If I don't want to wither and die, I need to abide in God. I need to spend time daily in His Word and in prayer. If I don't I am like a rose that has been cut. Even if it's kept in a vase full of water, it only stays fresh for a short time. Pretty soon it begins to fade and droop, and eventually it dies. I know there have been times in my life where I have been like that rose. I have been too busy or too lazy to spend time with God. So I am okay for a short time but then I begin to fade and droop. I am still a Christian, but I am trying to do it on my own without the life that only comes from being connected to the Source of life - God.
Thankfully, I can get reconnected. The rose in the vase will never be reconnected to the vine, but all I have to do is run to God and abide in Him.
15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
If I don't want to wither and die, I need to abide in God. I need to spend time daily in His Word and in prayer. If I don't I am like a rose that has been cut. Even if it's kept in a vase full of water, it only stays fresh for a short time. Pretty soon it begins to fade and droop, and eventually it dies. I know there have been times in my life where I have been like that rose. I have been too busy or too lazy to spend time with God. So I am okay for a short time but then I begin to fade and droop. I am still a Christian, but I am trying to do it on my own without the life that only comes from being connected to the Source of life - God.
Thankfully, I can get reconnected. The rose in the vase will never be reconnected to the vine, but all I have to do is run to God and abide in Him.
A Great Birthday
This has been such a good birthday week. I decided that rather than get bummed about turning 50, I was going to celebrate it. And so I have enjoyed every birthday song that has been sung to me, every card, gift and good wishes. Here's what some of the celebrations were:
- Surprise party Sunday with my family
- Lunch on Monday with the people in the office where I work
- Birthday cake Monday night at supper with other coworkers
- Swingin' Eds sang to me at our rehearsal Monday night
- Four classes of students came to the office to sing to me
- My grandchildren called and sang "Happy Birthday"
- All of my family called on my birthday
- My desk is covered with beautiful plants and flowers
- I received two great gift cards
- Supper Tuesday with a girlfriend
- Supper Wednesday with other district secretaries
- Supper Thursday with my kids
- An e-mail from my brother in Japan
It has been a great birthday week!
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Joy of the Lord
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "the joy of the Lord is your strength."
My husband shared his thoughts about this verse with me this weekend, and it has really stayed in my mind. He said that satan knows that the joy of the Lord is our strength so he tried to rob us of that joy. If he takes away our joy then we are weak.
So I choose joy - the joy of the Lord. Each and every day, each and every moment, I choose joy. Sometimes I may not feel joyful, but I can choose joy anyways. The more I choose joy, the more I will experience God's joy and that will be my strength. I do not have to rely on my own strength - I know how weak I really am. I don't even need to fight the battle. All I need to do is choose the joy of the Lord.
So, I encourage you as well - to choose joy today!
My husband shared his thoughts about this verse with me this weekend, and it has really stayed in my mind. He said that satan knows that the joy of the Lord is our strength so he tried to rob us of that joy. If he takes away our joy then we are weak.
So I choose joy - the joy of the Lord. Each and every day, each and every moment, I choose joy. Sometimes I may not feel joyful, but I can choose joy anyways. The more I choose joy, the more I will experience God's joy and that will be my strength. I do not have to rely on my own strength - I know how weak I really am. I don't even need to fight the battle. All I need to do is choose the joy of the Lord.
So, I encourage you as well - to choose joy today!
My Birthday Surprise
Yesterday when we came home from church I was surprised to see our driveway full of cars. When I went in the door my whole family was there to wish me a happy birthday. I was blown away! There were helium balloons, sandwiches, chips, fruit and cake. My wonderful husband had organized the whole thing - and no one slipped up to spoil the surprise. Some highlights:
- My daughter, Carrie, organized the meal, decorated the diningroom and even did the dishes!
- My sister-in-law, Lynn, brought a yummy choclate cake that had bavarian creme in the middle.
- My oldest son, Brenton, and his family drove up from Northfield even though he had to be back at work by 3:00 pm.
- My middle son, Aaron, came even though he had only gotten 4 hours of sleep.
- I loved watching my youngest grandson, who is 18 months old, pretend to be a puppy.
- Other special guests- my youngest son, Jeff, and his roommate, Graham; My mother-in-law Marcy; My brother-in-law, Rick; Rick and Lynn's grandson, Blake.
- Izzy, my granddaughter, helped me open gifts.
- Blake and Jacob (my oldest grandson) had a great time playing together.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!
Toaster Strudel Memory
This morning I had a blueberry toaster strudel for breakfast and all of a sudden I remembered how my kids loved them when they were growing up. They always wanted me to put the frosting on top. I remember trying so carefully to get frosting in a fancy pattern or trying to make sure that each bite would have some frosting. My mom always spread her frosting on them with a knife and I didn't think they tasted as good that way.
Such good memories!
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