Counting My Blessings: Snow Day

About seven years ago, Bethel College canceled classes on a Thursday because of inclement weather. I imagine responsible college students used that free day to catch up on reading or at least to finish a paper. I remember doing nothing of the sort. Instead I spent the day laughing, talking, and just being with the other girls on my dorm floor. The weather was so bad we weren't supposed to leave our dorm, so we found ways to entertain ourselves.

It may seem odd that seven years later I still think about that snow day, but it turns out that day was more than just a break from normal classes. That snow day was the beginning of my friendship with Luci, who seven years later is one of my very closest friends.

Gopher with Glasses

I've been called a lot of things in life. Some of the names I've liked liked and some of them I didn't. Likewise, some of the names I deserved and others I most definitely did not.

Today one of my students graced me with a new nickname: Gopher with Glasses. I'll let you be the judge on whether I deserve this name or not. Do you see any resemblance?

Where I'm NOT going green

Like many of you, I have made changes in my lifestyle to help protect and preserve the environment. I bought a handful of cloth shopping bags a while back and have faithfully used them since. I walk to work when the weather (and time) allows. I recyle anything that will be picked up by the city. All the light bulbs in my house are the low energy, long lasting kind. I have attempted to reduce, reuse, and recylce as much as possible. However, there are some changes I will not be making. I am glad there are people who are willing to trade convenience for something more responsible. But I draw the line at giving up toilet paper. I am not willing to exchange toilet paper I can flush for "family wipes" nor am I going to trade traditional (disposable) feminine hygiene products for cloth ones.

What changes have you made to become more environmentally friendly? Where do you draw the line?

My Motto

From Mary Engelbreit's Mary Days: 2009 Day-to-Day Calendar

Sunday Paper

There are two things I absolutely love about reading the Sunday newspaper. The first is the News of the Weird. Blame it on the influence of my male relatives and their sick sense of humor, but I can't get enough of this column! Seriously, it's good stuff.

The other part I like about reading this Sunday paper is seeing pictures of or articles about people I know. This week there was an article about a Five Star event that included a picture of kids from my school. I also read about some of my former students in a depressing article about the wrestling team's loss at the State finals. (They were ranked number one in the state, but lost in the first round. It's a mighty blow to the wrestling pride in this city.)

Another section I am sure to check each Sunday is the crime page. There's a map of the area marked with different types of crimes. I always check to see if there have been any crimes in my neighborhood. At the bottom of the crime page there is a question answer section and the Crime Stoppers corner. Today, like all Sundays, I dreaded looking at the pictures of the four most wanted criminals in Michiana because I was afraid I'd see the faces of my former students. Today my fears were realized: I recognized one of the faces. But it wasn't the face of a former student (thank you, Jesus!). No, instead I saw this father of three of my former students is wanted for promoting prostitution. What a legacy to leave your kids.

On my mind

I found this post it note on my desk this week. I can't imagine the roommate is asking this question as she is marrying her Mr. Right in June. I can only assume I am the author of this sticky note. It must be indicative of my subconscious thought process.

Counting My Blessings: Daddy

I am admittedly Daddy's little girl. My dad and I get along quite well, unless either one of us is grumpy and then we get on each other's nerves until we team up on my mom. Lucky her. Anyway, several years ago my dad was transfered to my city's Post Office. It was a good move for him, but I think it was even better for me. Since he works so near to my house, he's able to stop by after work to chat or help me when something needs to be fixed. We also have the opportunity to meet for lunch when I don't have to work. It's the next best thing to living in the same town as my parents. However, I haven't seen much of my dad in the last seven months because he'd been working in Lafayette during the week and was only home on the weekends. Well, this week he was transfered back to Mishawaka, and it was just in the nick of time! I got in my car tonight to take some things to work and found I have a flat tire. Thankfully my own Mr. Fix-It is back in the area.  Tomorrow morning my daddy's coming to my rescue yet again.

Hallelujah!

Two weeks ago one of my students was suspended for 10 days. In the education world that's a pretty good indication that the student will be expelled. I was so heartbroken over the news it ruined an entire weekend. His poor choices were hard to deal with, but the lost opportunity to minister to this young man was crushing.

This morning I checked my e-mail. There was a message from my principal telling my teaching team he would be back in classes today. I almost cried right there and then! So many times students leave and I don't have another opportunity to guide, mold, or love them. I am so thankful for this second chance. It makes acknowledging my lack of control a little easier.

When I think of the wonders of Jesus 

And all he's done for me, 

My heart cries out, "Hallelujah, 

Praise God for victory!" 

Hallelujah, Glory to ya. 

Hallelujah, He's worthy of our praise!

Control

It's fitting that when I played my "Britty's Bad Day" playlist on shuffle this evening the first song to play was I Surrender All. You see, today I learned that two of my former students, who are very dear to my heart, were busted for having pot at school. It breaks my heart that these boys have chosen this path for themselves after we discussed so many times what it would take for them to graduate. I know they haven't seen anyone in their immediate families take a different path. Neither of their parents graduated from high school. No one at home really expects them to graduate. Sure, the deck is stacked against them, but they have so much potential. I want desperately for both of them to know Jesus and experience his life changing love. It hurts my heart that their lives are filled with darkness when they could be living in the light of Christ.

All afternoon I've been upset by this news that they are making poor choices. It's so very frustrating to see the direction their lives are heading, but the most upsetting part is knowing there is nothing I can do. Nothing. I don't have a relationship with these boys anymore, so I don't have the opportunity to speak truth into their lives. I don't see them when I'm walking my dog or buying groceries. I don't even have any of their younger siblings in my class. There is literally no avenue for me to impact their lives. It's almost more than I can take because, dang it, I want to be in control. Because in my yearning to be the one in charge I delude myself into thinking if I were in control, these two boys would be making better decisions.

Thankfully God knows my delusions are unhealthy, and he's willing to remind me through whatever means available (iTunes playlists for example) that surrender is the best option.

Because really he's got it under control.

Paul says he "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

Ephesians 3:20

"God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—a place in the sun!" 

1 Samuel 2:6-8

In One Year's Time

I happened to upload some pictures to my computer this week and realized how much better I like my hair now than I did one year ago. Why didn't anyone tell me I needed a hair cut?!

     January 2008                                                                 January 2009