First Day of the New School Year

Today is the day! I remembered when I was in high school and sauntered nonchalantly into class on the first day. I looked calm but I was a ball of nerves thinking, "Is this going to be the best year or the worst?" To my great relief, the teachers in my life poured into me, loved me, and taught me how to think big. Those were some of the best days I had as a kid. Now, I am THAT educator. I vow to be everything I can be for each student that comes into my room. We will have a memorable and effective year!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Psalm 84:1-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 84

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.^[a]

¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
² I long, yes, I faint with longing
    to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
    I will shout joyfully to the living God.
³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
⁴ What joy for those who can live in your house,
    always singing your praises. Interlude

⁵ What joy for those whose strength comes from theLord,
    who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
⁶ When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,^[b]
    it will become a place of refreshing springs.
    The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
⁷ They will continue to grow stronger,
    and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.^[c]

⁸ O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
    Listen, O God of Jacob. Interlude

⁹ O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!
    Show favor to the one you have anointed.

¹⁰ A single day in your courts
    is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
    than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
    He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
    from those who do what is right.
¹² O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
    what joy for those who trust in you.

I love this Psalm!  Every Word so accurately describes my affections for the things of God.I can visualize the birds of the air finding refuge in the Presence of God.  He is everywhere; He is omnipresent, even in the existence of nature and natural things...not just supernatural things.  Is joy something that you are lacking in your life?  Then, do what the Psalmist says...live in the house of God, always singing praises.  My mouth....my mouth is my greatest enemy (not satan).  Satan cannot read my mind; he cannot know the future.  He only knows what I verbalize or portray in my attitude.  I am the one who gives him clues as to what my struggles are and he attempts to monopolize on my weaknesses by what I say.  I have to remember that I am anointed for God's good work.  The Psalmist also says that the Lord shows favor upon the anointed.  I have God's favor.  It's so true. "I would rather be a gatekeeper in the House of my God than live the good life" anywhere else!!  God gives me grace and glory, and HE will withhold NO good thing from me if I strive to do what is right. Again, there is joy available for those who TRUST in God.  I trust the Lord.  Therefore, what struggles could I possibly have that can deter God's plan for my life.  There are none! None!  God is good, as is HIS Word.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I was not able to access my blog while overseas. However, during the next few days, I will attempt to blog about our experience. I loved visiting Asia, yet I am so thankful for where we have been called to minister, Weatherford. While we were overseas, our family still continued our morning devotions. We talked about the passage in the book of James that states, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." How do we accomplish this? We enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Thanksgiving and praise. Not so hard. After thinking for a moment, Addyson shouts, "When I get back to America, I'm not gonna have any trouble drawing near to God. I am going to enter his gate with thanksgiving for my toilet, my van, my food, my bed, my life...." and the list continued for about 30 more seconds. We all literally laughed out loud (lol). For the record, she did praise God as we entered the doors to our home. I learn lessons from her everyday.

Trip of a lifetime!

Making lists--checking them twice
packing up
scoping out the airlines
saying goodbye to friends
counting to make sure we have all of our chldren
prayed up
rested up---well, sort of

Asia-HERE WE COME!

The Habit of Happiness

Have you ever noticed how some people are always "down in the dumps?" Eeyore is enthusiastic compared to some of these unfortunate souls. Every morning I wake up thanking God that I WOKE UP! If I have nothing else to be thankful for, I can be thankful for that. However, generally speaking, I wake up every day excited to go into my kids' bedrooms, tickle their feet, and sing, "Good morning, good morning, good morning. It's time to rise and shine. Good morning, good morning, good morning. I hope you're feeling fine!" To my chagrin, they moan somewhat disdainfully, 'Good morning, mom." I love these days. I am happy because I choose to be. It's a good choice. You know, grocery shoppin is not my favorite thing, but I don't have to grow my own food. This is a great life. Yes, my kids will go to the store with me. They love me. I am happy.

Blessed Beyond Measure

I'm so honored to be a child of the King of Kings! Look at my life...wonderful husband, beautiful children, amazing job, nice home, yard, van, cool church, healthy kids (mostly), food to eat, school to attend, grocery store to buy stuff, imagination to have fun, and so much more! My heart is full of blessings. The girl in the picture is from Thamahanzi, South Africa...her name is Miriam. Lord, bless Miriam with all your promises.

Summer Rain

Addyson has walked in the Kitchen and given me a hug. She is as sweet as sugar on a gumdrop. Her statement she keeps making is, "it's such a beautiful day!" It's only 77 degrees and it has been raining on and off all day. It is "indeed" a beautiful day! I'm grateful that I'm not too old to learn valuable lessons from a 7 year old. Sometimes we are tempted to grumble when the sun does not shine, but not today! "We celebrate a beautiful day," says Addyson.

Thank you, Lord for your good gifts to us.