It Is Definitely Friday the 13th!

I am not superstitious. I don't keep careful watch of the calendar to see when the next Friday the 13th is. Um, it was today. All day. Sad thing is, I didn't really realize it until a few minutes ago ... and I sighed and said "that is why!"

I had a hard day at school today ... but, not because of a child or anything I did. Isn't that odd? I have been hurting all day ... not just for me, but for others. Even hurting for the ones who hurt me.

And, in the middle of my hurt, God whispered to me. (He is just like that!) And He used the hurting to remind me of how He wants me to be ... He so wants me to be "becoming" when I interact with people. He wants for me to shine for Him even in my hurt. He wants everyone who comes in contact with me to know that I love Him. That can be hard to do when you are hurting or perceive a wrong. We all have a tendency to rear back and just let loose. Oh Lord, please remind me of today the next time I am there. Let my words be gentle. Let my spirit be sweet. Please.

And, on that note ... Spring Break starts NOW!

It Really Isn't Fair!

I know I have said these words often this week. But, today's circumstances REALLY weren't fair. First, Spring Break starts at 2:30 on Friday (so thankful I teach Kindergarten and not a higher grade with a 3:15 dismissal!) Secondly, it got freakishly cold last night. And, for my smart alec blog readers from the North, "freakishly" means in the 40's. It was 80 yesterday and today 40 (and raining) ... children do not do well with weird swings in temperature. Thirdly, the moon is full. Full. Fourthly, it was one of the teacher's birthdays and a mom brought cookies for ALL the Kindergartners. It quickly became clear they were not sugar-free. If I could write a letter to God it would go something like this ...

Dear God,
While I know your ways are best, would you please reconsider weird weather changes and full moons on the same day. Kindergarten teachers do not love it. And, when they come the day before Spring Break starts it makes me want to say, "Really? What are you thinking?"

Right now I am at T-22hours and 30 minutes. Let it go quickly. Let it go quickly!

She Never ...

Torrey and I took a trip to Target (also known as Utopia!) to get Spring Break Trip supplies. While we were in there a photo frame shaped like a record caught her eye. And then she said it ... "You know, I have never held a real record in my hands before." I chuckled, but then I got to thinking about the things that were normal to me growing up that she will never have the opportunity to do ...

-She will never be forced to get up to change the channel on the TV (using a dial) because her dad doesn't want to do it.

-She will never truly understand the joy of watching "The Grinch" at Christmas time ... she can watch it whenever she wants and doesn't have to endure any of the "Peter Paul" commercials.

-She will never miss a call or not know who is calling before she chooses to answer.

-She will never know the importance of seeing a movie in the theatre ... if she waits 3 months she can watch it in the theatre at her own house!

-She will never be lost when driving in her dad's car. And, her seat will always be hot or cold. And, if she is bored on a long-distance trip she can watch a movie ... oh how I remember long-distance trips with a black and white TV hoping for a big city with reception!

-She will never watch TV on a 13 inch black and white set.

-She will never use a typewriter or curse the inventor of carbon paper or bless the inventor of white out!

-She will not wait in line or use the phone to do very many things ... the computer will be her best friend ... from ordering prescriptions to ordering take out.

-She will never tape the latest episode of "The Brady Bunch" using a reel to reel tape player (oh, I was so hip!) ... or even a cassette tape player for that matter.

-She will look at a VHS tape and wonder "What in the world is this?"

-She will never have an 8-track tape break in mid "Sound of Music" song and see her brother break out in glee. She will never even know what an 8-track is (and, remember I told you I was hip?!)

-She will never have a remote control hooked to anything attached by a cord.

-She will never know that paying $4 for coffee isn't the best idea (sorry ... she has my Starbucks addiction!)

There are so many other things I could post. So many things that make me giggle. Oh, Torrey, you should be so thankful for technology. And, that you weren't born in the dark ages like your mother!

-

Guess What?!

Beth Moore reads my blog. She must because she wrote this on her blog today ... and, we all know she wrote it just for ME!

Refining Fire

So, cheerleading wasn't God's plan for Torrey next year. She was (and still is) devastated. We have had a difficult night/day/night working through this. Dean and I are so sad for her ... she truly worked hard and was ready. In a few days, this will become part of the story of how Torrey became Torrey. Oh, just wait world, she is going to be amazing!

Torrey stayed home from school today. She spent the day with Dean ... there is nothing like a sweet Daddy's love! I, on the other hand, went to school. Boy howdy was it hard. I struggled with knowing that I pour my heart into 19 kiddos and I don't feel like that is being done for Tor. I so want her to not lose her confidence. I want her to believe that she can do anything she sets her mind and heart to. I would love to keep her in a bubble, but, there is an episode of Seinfeld which shows that bubble living isn't all it's cracked up to be!

Oh, and my day was made even more perfect when we discovered that my little buddy has ringworm. Um, he has had it for 2 weeks. And, he just got medicine for it today. Please re-read the above paragraph and pay special attention to the part where I say that I love on my kiddos. Did you become itchy or is it just me?

So, our family went from feeling like we were in the valley last night to feeling like we are in the Refiner's fire today. My prayer is that Torrey will not be a ho-hum Christian. That she won't be a girl who takes God for granted. That she will not just view Him as her best friend, but as her EVERYTHING. I want her to be a girl who is sold out to Jesus. Who seeks Him to guide her in every part of her life. That when strangers see her they will wonder what it is that makes her so amazing ... and, they shouldn't wonder what, they should wonder WHO! To get to that point, you have to go through a refining fire. Difficult? Yes, but at the other end is a life worth its weight in gold. Pure gold.

At This Moment

It is 2:55 pm Texas time. Our girl is about to hit the floor to try out for 8th grade cheerleading. I am a wreck ... so I am doing the only thing I can. I am praying. Praying. Praying. God has a plan for our girl. Dean and I so hope it involves 8th grade cheerleading ... and, if it doesn't we hope we have the words to comfort her tonight.

Sweet Torrey, you have worked hard. You have flipped, and jumped, and cheered until you were black and blue. You have stayed late to work with a trainer. You have gotten up early to jump and flip a little more. You have shown you have cheerleader spirit in the way you have treated others also trying out. (The word leader is in cheerleader for a reason!) Your daddy and I are so proud of you. You have shown perseverance, dilligence and courage. You asked me last night if I was a cheerleader ... I didn't have the courage to try out. Right now I am praying for you. Praying for a calmness to sweep over you like a cool breeze. Praying that the minute your feet hit the floor they would remember what to do. That your jumps would be higher than ever. Your cartwheel would be perfect. Your smile would be gorgeous. And, above all else, that the judges would see SOMEONE in you shining through! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Your daddy and I love you so.

I will update tonight with the results. We will find out tonight about 6 ... oh the magic of the web!

New Ways to Pray

In my sister's blog today, she shared how bloggers are using their blogs for more than just sharing their thoughts. They are using them to spread the word about urgent prayer requests ... and, God is answering those prayers! Periodically, I get the go here or there and yesterday was no exception. Yesterday, I got word to pray for Gracyn Denbesten ...

and it took my breath away. Because this sweet one is not a stranger. Gracyn is 9 years old and is currently in Shands Children's Hospital in Gainesville, FL waiting for a new heart. Gracyn is a student at the school we were a part of while we were in Orlando. Go and read her story and know this ... God alone will be glorified.

Sweet Jesus, today we ask for healing of a heart that doctor's say is diseased. If that isn't your plan, we ask for a new heart ... a perfect heart that will come in your perfect timing. We pray for a donor family ... we know what we are asking for when we ask for a new heart. Please be with Gracyn. Overwhelm her with your love for her. Bring comfort and strength and peace. May every nurse and doctor who steps foot in her door know that she is yours ... and that she is strong because of you. Be with her family ... especially her brothers who are still in Orlando. Be for them exactly what they need in the moment they need it. Jesus, may you be glorified in this.