Trade-Offs

Thanks to everyone who asked questions. I'll get back to you on the next post. As it usually happens, as soon as I say I don't have anything to share, something comes to me. So.... here are some trade-offs that I have learned from my recent move:

1. Getting rid of an obsene amount of "stuff". The trade off? - Having a better understanding of not only how I view material possessions but what could have been a better use for that money. Lesson learned.

2. Going through each photo and document in my home page by page and picture by picture. Took LOTS of time. The trade off? - Remebering the good and purging the things that weren't so important after all. That and being thankful my bro-in-law has an awesome shredder at work because I burned mine out. Note to everyone reading - shred your stuff immediately!

3. Watching everything I own that wasn't sold, donated, or trashed go into tubs. The trade-off? Simplicity. Enough said.

4. No longer having my own place to live. The trade off? - Getting the best "roommates" ever for a whole month. And already missing them after 36 hours away.

5. Sharing a room with a toddler for a month. The trade off? - Greeting each day hearing, "Aunt D! Want out - Hold you!" Translation? The cutest little boy ever wanting to be scooped up and played with. Yes, please!

6. Being surrounded by toys everywhere you go. The trade off? Watching my niece's imagination come alive. She's so pretty! Don't believe me? Click here.

7. Finishing the biggest physical part of this transition. The trade off? Enjoying time with everyone you love the most instead of spending hours in the warehouse of an apartment. Freedom!!

Taking Requests

As is most likely expected, my mind is pretty occupied with Egypt. There are other things going on but Egypt is all consuming. Since that is going on, I am having a hard time thinking of things to blog about. So...

I'm taking requests. Is there anything you want to hear about - Egypt or another topic? Do you have any questions about Egypt I haven't addressed? Your wish is my command. Let me know and I'll see what I can do....

The Road to Egypt - And We're Off!

Since accepting the position in Cairo, it has been a whirlwind. Having never left the US means that this has all been not only busy but also new. Aspects of it have been overwhelming but never anything less than exciting. Especially when other people hear about it. I think the word that I have read/heard more than any other has been WOW! It makes me laugh every time. I've also been pretty surprised by how little people know about the world. One person asked me if they eat cows in Egypt since they worship them there. They then quickly followed it up by saying how lucky I was going to be because if anything goes wrong with my computer, that is where all tech support is outsourced to. Really!?!?! My other favorite response has been, "Oh! I've always wanted to go to Europe and now you'll live there!" Ummm....Not quite.

More seriously though..... It has been an adventure already. It's been quite fun. Along the way, I've had scattered moments of wondering what I've gotten myself into. I've had things come up that make me wonder about God's timing. I don't understand it but I trust it fully. In His faithfulness, God has provided answers all along the way. I just wanted to share some moments that I personally want to preserve so that when I look back, I remember them all.

Other than telling my boss about my resignation, the other big task before me was getting my passport. After a few hits and misses, I decided to make sure it happened. I was told to be at the post office e.a.r.l.y to be sure I got in line. So that morning, I got up e.a.r.l.y and was at the post office at 5:45. In the morning. Alone. I definitely had my appointment that day! As I waited, I was working on one of my lessons for bible study. Eventually, another lady came in and sat by me to wait. We started talking about why we were getting passports. She was trying to take her family on a cruise. She was also very sweet and encouraging about Cairo. At 7:30, the sign up list went out and we were appointments one and two - at 10:00 a.m. So I left to take care of some things and came back at about 9:30. She was already there and we starting chatting again. At one point, she said the following to me, "I brought something for you. I hope it is OK. I saw you doing your bible study this morning and thought you might like this." She reached into her purse and pulled out a three page prayer. Her aunt had gone through cancer several years ago and this prayer was something she prayed throughout her treatment. The prayer was all about praying against the enemy and his plans. A prayer of spiritual warfare. She said that since I'll be living in a foreign country for the first time, she thought I could use it. I didn't know what to say. It was so thoughtful and seemingly random. Only God. We were called in for our appointments at the same time. I went first. When I got up to go, she came over and gave me a hug. She told me that whenever she gets her passport, she'll pray for me. Whenever she uses her passport, she'll pray for me. Even though she knows I'll have people praying for me, she wants me to know I have strangers praying for me too. God, You leave me speechless....

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There have been some days where getting ready to go have been downright overwhelming. I remember one day I got my list of things needed for my work visa, professional file, insurance, retirement contributions, and housing. I started crying. The night before I had finally sat down and made a list of things I needed to do to shut things down here. Now I had multiple "to-do" lists and an apartment to pack. Overwhelmed! That week I was supposed to go to a meeting for Houston Project, drive a cat to Flatonia, empty my classroom, drive to San Marcos to get a service record, and get another load ready for the parents to take back. Within a matter of hours, three of the five things were cancelled. God gave me time. It was a much needed, greatly appreciated gift!

____________________________

I have been doing a month long sort of my belongings. Do I trash/recycle/sale/donate/store with the Johnsons/store with the folks/take to Egypt? It has taught me a lot about treasuring material possessions. I told someone the other day that all I could think about was the amount of money I spent on things that I don't need. It has totally changed the way I view shopping - for anything. Last night, I started feeling a bit panic-y. I was looking around my apartment at the stacks of boxes and the growing empty spaces. I found myself thinking that my life was in tubs. God gently told me that it isn't my life that's in tubs, just some stuff. I'm going to live my life, not store it.

______________________________

I have been praying over the past few months about finding a way to serve my city. When Houston Project was announced, I learned that my Sunday Bible Study would be in the 5th Ward, not the place I had been previously. I was SO excited! It would be closer and it was in a better location for follow up and involvement. I was psyched! Then I got a new job. :) This week, I really was thankful to be a floater/administration team member. It was amazing! I found myself asking God why would He give me a place to serve and fall in love with so close to leaving. He reminded me that He isn't leaving that place. He's there. I can go back again when I'm here but until then, I could pray His Presence not only into the apartment complex but into the people as well. After all, He doesn't just need my hands to do His work. He needs my heart to be willing to do as He asks. For this area, He asks me to pray. I can do that from Cairo.

The Road to Egypt - The Rubber Meets the Road

As summer break began, I was anticipating many things about the first two weeks of summer. I usually set those two weeks aside for selfishness, laziness, and getting caught up on sleep/rest. Then I get productive with everything I don't have time to do during the year. I was having a hard time relaxing and letting go of my anxiety about the school year I had just finished and the pressure of the one to come. To help with, I decided to have lunch with a girl I know. She has been blessed with a job but she too struggles with not being in the right place for her.

As we sat in a very crowded Panera Bread, I remember talking to her about how she manages to keep working in a position that didn't seem to fit. We didn't talk about it too long but listened patiently as I shared my concerns and was encouraging when I shared my goal of applying to work overseas in a year or two.

The next day, my grandmother fell and broke her hip. We spent the next few days in the hospital with her and had a spontaneous weekend with the parents. Week one was gone without the selfishness, laziness, and getting caught up on sleep/rest.

During that week, I was listening to a bible study about believing that God has been with us all along. There was a point that rooted itself in my mind and I couldn't shake it off. It said that sometimes we are wisest to hurry over when God calls us. We should be prayerful but pray as we take steps, not just sit and pray. Move and act on it. I was really thinking about Thailand and wondering if I had made the right decision. The decision to stay put never totally settled for me but I knew Thailand was wrong. I wasn't sure what was going on.

Week two of summer began and things started off the way I was hoping it would. I knew I was moving from my bee-infested apartment and was so excited to find a place that was amazing! The week was going great.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up and got starting with my morning. At about 10:30, my phone beeped that I had an email. I hoped up the laptop and the following facebook message was sitting in my inbox from my friend, Jen Cates:

"So... we have to open another KG class for next year. I'm think he hasn't hired anyone yet, but before I said anything to the director, I thought I'd ask if you were interested...? It could be 1st if a 1st gd teacher moves down instead."

I sat and stared at the screen on and off all morning. That quote from the bible study immediately came to mind when I read it. I know why it took me hours to get back to her. I had a knowing. I knew that if I put it out there, I would get this job. I don't know how I knew but I did. So I prayed and did something that is very difficult for me. I took the first step without thinking eight steps down the road.

That afternoon, I went over to Erin's house to "use her computer". Once the kids were taking naps, we sat down and I told her what happened. She listened and was very encouraging. When Gregg came home and the kids went to bed, I let him in on the news. I wrote my resume and off it went. My Johnson family were so encouraging and prayerful for me. My sister praying for my heart (thankful for a female heart) and my brother-in-law praying for adventure (thankful for a male heart). It was/is the best of both worlds. I swore them to secrecy until my mind was made up.

Over the next week, Jen was amazing to answer my questions that I sent her daily. I have never been overseas but here I was thinking about a HUGE move. She was patient and never made me feel like I had a silly question. As the answers came, so did an unexplainable peace. By the time I talked to the director, I had made a decision. He offered me the job and gave me until the end of the week to get back to him. It was time to tell the folks.

Erin and the kids went with me to surprise them in Pleasanton. I was nervous and to ease my jitters, Erin and I made up silly excuses for just showing up. We went with the ice cream dinner after church. They played along when we got there for as long as we did. After dinner, the kids were content and happily playing in the living room. The four original LaMores sat at our breakfast table where we had eaten nearly every dinner together growing up. I shared my news with the folks and over the next 30 minutes they listened, not one interruption or question. When I was finished, my dad stood up and said, "That sounds cool, Dana." Mom just shook her head yes.

I was shocked. No, I was S.H.O.C.K.E.D. Not one protest or question. The Lord had provided the words that they needed to hear. That night there were some tears but more from distance and love than anything else. Vacation plans immediately began because we all knew a vacation was a must.

The next morning we loaded up and drove back to Houston. Mom and Dad would follow the next day for a belated Father's Day celebration. We got back around lunch time and I went up to visit the grandparents. I told them what was happening and Grandma was so excited - clear as a bell as she shared about how much she loved traveling and learning new cultures. Grandpa was shocked but very sweet about it.

That night, I got to Metro extremely late due to dinner with Grandpa. Thankfully, that meant I didn't have to wait log to tell my closest friends. They knew of the possibility but they didn't know my final decision.

The next day was Friday. I officially accepted the position to teach Kindergarten in Cairo, Egypt for the next two years. I felt better that the decision was made and the director knew. God had overwhelmed me with peace, excitement, and more support than I knew what to do with.

But He wasn't done yet......

The Road to Egypt - The Rearview Mirror

Just as in every time God does a mighty work in my life, I can alway look back and see how He has been preparing me for quite some time. The way to Cairo is no different.

This past year at school was a difficult one. From the beginning of the school year, it held its frustrations and trials. By the time I went to Colorado the first weekend in October, I was already burnt out. Throughout the year, I became increasingly bothered by the way that public education was turning. As we began looking towards next year, I did not have the same anticipation of a fresh start that I usually had. I felt dread, especially with all of the changes due to budget cuts.

In the midst of the ever growing frustration and discouragement, a few things began to happen. While I was in Colorado (Sept 30 - Oct 2), one of the sessions really hit close to my heart. The last session focused on the need to be a part of the larger story. We spent time talking about the fact that wherever we go, the Kingdom of God goes with us and He lives His life through us. One of my favorite quotes from that morning was to the effect that even the smallest person can change the course of the future. At that moment, I knew that there was a big change coming in my future. I didn't know what or when. I started asking my small group to pray that whenever that time came, I would be prepared to follow God without fear or hesitation, no matter what it looked like.

Fast forward to the spring. I was growing increasingly discouraged and frustrated with the state of education. I didn't understand it because my school was/is the best I have ever worked in: amazing adminstrators, wonderful coworkers, sweet children, and an overall campus of diversity and respect. However, some policies and expectations are a lot to handle. I felt the urging to do the bible study "Believing God". It was a bible study that pushed me to look at my level of faith and the realities of God's character and activity. Each lesson addressed very specific things going on in my life almost day by day. I've never had a study that pushed application like this one did.

Another study that I was involved in was my Sunday Bible Study, Roots. We were spending time in the book of Ezra talking about how we learn from history and how we react to the world around us. How would God have us relate to our world in a way that reflects Him?

In the middle of the study, the first hint of what was in store came my way. I was blocked into a parking spot when a woman I hadn't spoken to in quite a while called me. Her brother is a director of a school in Thailand and he was in the States recruiting teachers for the next session. I wasn't really feeling it but I thought I would see what happened. We kept missing each other and never touched base. Even though it wasn't to be, it really got my mind going. I had some reservations in working there. I decided that if I were to ever work overseas, I wanted to work with native students - not Americans living overseas. I decided that I didn't want to be responsible for raising my own support (another post for another day).

As the spring semester went on, things at work got more and more tense as budget cuts were being made. As stressful as it was, I was blessed with favor by my principal. I ended up requesting a position change and he granted it. I felt incredibly blessed. The next year was going to be everything I was asking for.

Even through there was favor there, I still didn't have peace. I was feeling the need to teach something more than just towards a standardized test. I was tired of being stretched too thin to be more than I was physically and mentally able to be. I was exhausted every single day. I couldn't shake Thailand. I didn't regret not going. I was thinking about the need in other countries for more than just academics. There was a need for learning that would bring about change. Just a couple of weeks before school let out, I had dinner with some of my favorite friends. As we waited for our dinner to arrive, I let the girls know that I felt that I was being called to teach overseas in a year or two. They were amazingly supportive.

Three days later, my mom randomly asked me if I have ever considered teaching internationally. Completely out of the blue. I almost swerved into another lane.

The last week of the school year came. It was sweet with the kids but crazy in every other way. On our work day, I attended a meeting about the next year's schedule, the lack of support teachers, and the highest standards I've ever worked under. I was so overwhelmed, all I wanted to do was cry. It was only by the grace of God that I left that meeting without quitting.

I walked out that day so excited about a summer of no plans. There would be time to relax, step away, and not think about anything important for at least two months. That was June 3.

Announcement Time

Yes, it has been very quiet here on the blog-front. Yes, I have been very busy (and secretive). Time to let the cat out of the bag.....

I have accepted a kindergarten position in Cairo, Egypt. It is a two year contract and I'll head that way in about seven weeks. It all happened very quickly and I'll tell the full story in more detail over the next week. It really is a God story. It is incredibly exciting and very overwhelming at the same time. I'm busy with tons of preparations while trying to squeeze in as much time with people as possible. There are so many things I'm looking forward to.

So prayer request time. I know there are the general ones for culture shock, safety, relationships, etc . Right now I'm going to focus on the next seven weeks.

- Pray for energy and motivation to get the packing done. I've had so many people offer to help which I greatly appreciate! However, its something I really have to be involved in myself. I get overwhelmed by the huge sort: sale, trash, store with the parents, store with the Johnsons, or take to Cairo. Thankfully, only three more weeks of this part of it!

- Wisdom with my time as I'm trying to balance packing, appointments, people, and responsibilities.

- Balancing the excitement of going and the reality of temporary good-byes.

- Sleep - being able to shut my brain off as well as just getting enough.

- To set aside time with God each day. He's making this happen and making His presences know all over the place. He is my stablizing peace right now. I just don't want to get so overwhelmed by the process that I don't spend time with Him.

- If you've moved overseas and know of something in the preparation time that I'll need prayers for, pray as you feel led! You know better than I do what the next few weeks physically and emotionally look like!

Thanks to everyone in advance for your prayers! More of the story to come soon!

One Picture

I finally found a recent picture that I liked enough to share and wrap this thing up. I'm with the cutest niece in the world waiting for the carousel at the zoo. Incredibly hot day but so fun! Thanks, Erin!

Two Songs

These are not the two best songs ever written or even my two favorite songs. However, these are two songs that make me smile every time I hear them:

1. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

2. It's All Been Done by Barenaked Ladies

Three Films

Three Films:

1. Lars and the Real Girl

2. Hitch

3. Becoming Jane

Four Books

Four Books:

While the Bible is the obvious number one, I've decided to go with four books that are high on my recommended list.

1. The Book Thief - Best piece of fiction ever written

2. Sacred Pathways - Helped me understand my brothers and sisters in Christ all the better

3. Pride and Prejudice - How could it NOT be on this list!?

4. Radical - The beginning of rewiring my mind and heart

Five Foods

Five Foods:

1. Pineapple

2. Green Beans

3. Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

4. Berries

5. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Six Places

Six Places:

1. Colorado/the mountains - Where my soul finds rest

2. My bed - We're taking some time to get reacquainted after a busy couple of weeks.

3. The Johnson's house - where my favorite people live

4. Huntsville State Park - where I go when Colorado is too far away

5. Guadalajara's - Where I unwind with the girls (and the guys about once a month) on Friday nights

6. My kitchen - When I have a new cookbook, this is one of my favorite places to be.

Seven Wants

Seven Wants:

1. A passport and stamps to put in it

2. To figure out what I want to do besides teaching

3. My apartment to pack and move itself this summer (hey - a girl can dream....)

4. Season tickets to Broadway Across America or TUTS (or both)

5. To write a book

6. Enjoy some rain soon!

7. In honor of Rock of Ages last night - I Wanna Rock!

Eight Fears

Eight Fears:

1. Statues - The bigger they are, the scarier they are.

2. Octopus - They are creepy smart and, well, just creepy.

3. Being a disappointment to others.

4. Ending up alone.

5. Flying cockroaches - The ones that crawl don't bother me. When they fly, that's a whole different story....

6. That I'll be a lifelong teacher - not really a fear but something I'm starting to dread.

7. Falling - Heights are fine. Falling from those heights is scary.

8. That when I die, my life would not have furthered the kingdom of God or left the world a better place.

Nine Loves

Nine Loves:

1. God

2. family and friends

3. aspen trees

4. an amazing book

5. laughing really hard

6. a clear night sky with stars as far as the eye can see

7. a good pedicure

8. seeing dreams come true

9. my future family - I don't know who they are but I adore and pray for them already

Ten Secrets

Since I've become sporadic with my blogs, i decided to steal this from my friend. I thought it looked fun. Hope you will enjoy it!

Ten Secrets:

1. Even though I'm no longer a vegetarian, I still feel guilty every time I eat any kind of meat.

2. I often struggle with putting my beliefs into action. My heart is in the right place but often my hands and feet don't follow. God and I are working on it in major ways.

3. I regret not sticking with anything as a child - dance classes, softball, Girl Scouts, athletics, art lessons.....

4. I am equally an introvert and extrovert. Sometimes it makes me feel like it sends mixed messages to people and they don't get to know the real me.

5. Whenever a speaker talks about how we all have spiritual children even if we don't have any children of our own, a small part of me dies.

6. I would love to get my masters but I have no idea what I want to do. Everything continues a career in education (which I don't think I want too much longer) or requires another bachelors degree first.

7. My inner thrill seeker is itching for my next adventure. I now want to climb a mountain.

8. I find ironing therapeutic. I love the rhythm of the back and forth while making things look better. it feels productive and calming.

9. As curious as I am about things long past, I am thankful that I don't know all of the answers to my questions. I think it is God's way of protecting me.

10. I've always wondered what it's like to get tackled wearing full football gear. I'll never know....

Year Eight, In the Books....

While the end of the school year is still a week away, you will be glad to know this will most likely be my last post of the 2010-2011 school year. I hadn't planned on doing a recap post but thanks to Completion Ceremonies on Friday, why not.....

This week I spent a lot of time getting ready for the ceremony. Thinking of awards for everyone took some time and then there was the end of year movie. It was fun but it drove my inner perfectionist nuts! After more hours than I would like to admit, it let it go. There was also room decoration which meant the obligatory talk about how to act during the ceremony. We also had to have a talk about how Ms. LaMore was going to be wearing a dress for the first time this school year and it wasn't going to be a reason to freak out. This discussion was based on the glasses incident in January when I lost a whole day of teaching to kids staring at me instead of doing any work at all. So after a week of prep, we were ready to celebrate!

Friday morning came and I was ready. We got in and settled. We reviewed how things were going to go, what good behavior looked like, and how to show appreciation for each other appropriately. That was the last thing that went as planned.

First, I opened the classroom door and let the parents in. Apparently I should have sent a note to the parents that I would be wearing a dress because they freaked out more than the kids did. One dad went so far as to look me up and down, repeatedly smile and wink, and to tell me in a low voice (and much too close to me) that I should wear dresses more often - with his wife right beside him. A.W.K.W.A.R.D. It also confirmed why I don't wear dresses to work.

We finally get everyone inside and seated. The kids were super excited about seeing their folks. Seriously, they reacted like they hadn't seen them in a week. Once they settled back down, I started to do the welcome. About half way through, one of my girls gets up, collects her three best friends, and goes to the back of the room to get a picture from her mother who whips out the camera and starts shooting away. Seriously!?

We get them seated and start the awards. Just as I was about to start the second award, a huge cockroach decides to join us in the middle of the floor. Oh the joys of working in an old school. All of the kids start yelling and crawling over each other to get away or get a better look. I'll let you decide which were the girls and which were the boys. Overly Attentive Dad steps in to be heroic and take care of the bug.

Once we get them settled down, we got going again. We got to one of my students who has a disablilty. I was talking about what a joy he is to our class and how he makes us all laugh. At this point, one of his peers in the back decided to give an example of something funny that he does and starts to imitate one of his stems - right in front of the child's parents. I wanted to melt into the floor.

Once I got him to stop, we were able to go through the rest of the ceremony relatively easily. We all cried during the video (even though I knew what was coming) and had snacks. While the kids ate cookies and juice, there was lots of picture taking and visiting.

At one point, I noticed a couple of girls crying. I went over to check on them and my heart broke. They were sobbing because they don't want to go to second grade. Why? Because they don't want to leave me. In my eight years of teaching, this has never happened to me. What made it so hard was that I love these girls - L.O.V.E. them! I usually don't do this but I pulled them on my lap and we just sat together. I let the parents entertain their kids but we just sat and cried together. I reassured them I would still see them next year and that we still have all of next week together. One went to her mom and was OK. The other was inconsolable. I finally was able to distract her but as the day went on, I would catch her crying over and over again. Lots of hugs and comforting words were shared.

As bad as this is going to sound, I kinda needed that. To say that this year was not an easy one would be an understatement. I loved the kids but the politics of teaching really got to me. And thanks to the great state of Texas, next year isn't looking any better. I needed a reminder of why I do this job. I needed a reminder of why I come back year after year. I got it - in two pair of tear filled eyes with arms that wrapped around my waist, not wanting to let go. I got in in a smile that snuck out when I told one how proud of her I am for her reading and speaking up. I got it in a hand that held on like I was her last bit of hope. It wasn't what I expected when I started the day but it is what I got.

And I'm thankful.....

Happy Mother's Day, First Grade Style

Today in my classroom, we spent a large amount of time working on cards for our mothers. Honestly, we are in the middle of an insanely two weeks so it snuck up on yours truly. So today, we focused and made cards telling the top ten things we love about our moms. As I was directing the seven year old love, I gave examples about my mom and decided that this adult heart wanted to love on her mama in the way only a child can. So without further ado...

The Top Ten Reasons I Love You, Mom:

10. I know my mom loves me because she reads me.... - everything! I remember growing up that you loved to read to us. No matter what, if we put it in your hands, the story was read. You made reading fun and important. I not only loved that you read to us but you enjoyed being a reader yourself. This has been something that has impacted me more than just about anything as an adult. You not only loved to read but you made me love it too. You made me realize that by giving someone a love for reading, you can change the entire course of a person's life. For that, I love you!

9. I know my mom loves me because she helps me .... - keep overanalyzing things to a minimum. In my nature, you know that I look at everything from mulitple points of view. You know how to ask the right questions to bring me back into focus. You know how to lovingly tell me to let it go, I'm reading too much into it - in good and bad ways. For that, I love you!

8. I love when my mom sings.... - songs to my niece and nephew. Growing up, you would sing us songs that no one else knew - A: Your Adorable; I Love You, A Bushel and a Peck; The San Antonio Song (that hasn't been sung yet but it's just a matter of time). You have this love of singing and you share it with us. I love these songs because they feel intimate. No one knows those songs but us - like a secret love note from you to us. For that, I love you!

7. I know my mom loves me because she takes the time to... - share the gift of touch. Your touch is unlike so many others: rubbing our eyebrows, playing with our hair, rubbing our feet, or just the amazing hugs you give. Each one would be weird from anyone else but from you, its soothing and special. For that, I love you!

6. I know my mom loves me because she makes me laugh by.... - your insane love of the Spurs. Growing up, you didn't care two flips about this basketball team and now you L.O.V.E. them. I roll my eyes when Manu "sends you a message on facebook" but the truth is, its just down right funny. I laugh when I call you during basketball season - especially during the play offs - and one of the first things I get is a run down of the game the night before. I laugh that you are so excited about a Manu t-shirt. If you would have asked me to believe this even ten years ago, I would not. But for that, I love you!

5. I know my mom loves me because she... - saves things for me between visits. Whether you keep Jeopardy games and concerts saved on your DVR or just see an article in the paper you think I will like, it tells me that you think about me even when I'm not there. You not only think about me but know what will catch my attention. That's because you pay attention. For that, I love you!

4. My mom takes care of me by.... - taking care of herself. The way that you desire a good life for yourself sets such an example for me. Whether it is a physical, emotional, or relational need, you make sure you are well. Sharing in your successes with you is an indescribable feeling. Knowing that you are making yourself and your life a priority so you can enjoy life with us takes care of me too. For that, I love you!

3. I know my mom cares because she.... - takes the time to talk multiple times a week. Even if it is just listening to a crazy student story from the day, you are always willing to stop and visit. Not only do you listen but you pay attention and remember what I say. You know my weekly schedule and ask how things are going. I know that I am your priority because you take the time to know about me and about my life. For that, I love you!

2. I know my mom loves me because she works hard to.... - make sure we know we are loved. I know I am loved in the simple things like making sure you have treats we like when we come visit. I know I am loved when you worry about me coming home alone at night even though at my age, you had a six year old and a three year old. I know I am loved because I know you pray over so many areas of my life. I know you always have and you always will. For that, I love you!

1. I know my mom loves me because she is the best mom in the world!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Thanks!

This weekend I spent some time in Pleasanton with my folks. It was a good time. Dad surprised me by taking my car to get the headlights cleaned and a full tank of gas. So appreciated! Our iTunes/iPod tutorials went well. Mom and I did some shopping and talking. Girl time is always good with her. Lots of time for all three of us to visit. I survived the "church of the Spurs" on Saturday night and finally got to meet my friends' sweet baby this morning.

No trip to Pleasanton would be complete without a trip to Wal-Mart. I REALLY don't like Wal-Mart and only go when I'm visiting the parents. Since I don't like it, I don't give it the time or energy to look nice going there. So when I walked in to grab something for Mom on Saturday, here is how I looked: no make-up, pony tail, glasses, t-shirt, and yoga pants. Not "People of Wal-Mart" worthy but Clinton and Stacy would have had a fit! So I put my head down and focused on getting what I needed so I could leave quickly. As I walked through the produce department, I noticed from the corner of my eye a man putting out tomatoes. He was an older man that was about 5 inches shorter than me and quite stout. His teeth were not in the best shape. We met eyes for just a moment so I nodded and smiled a quick hello. He stopped what he was doing, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, "You have a pretty smile." I thanked him and kept on going.

As I grabbed the couple of things Mom needed, I noticed I was smiling a lot. It's amazing that one sentence from a random stranger can make you feel so good - especially when you know exactly how you really look! While it may not have come from someone expected or hoped for, that compliment totally made my day.

So to the produce packer at Wal-Mart, thanks for smile. Apparently it was very needed.

Ezra 3 - Roots Style

Last fall, it became pretty apparent that I was needing to change Sunday Bible Studies. I had heard about a new one starting up called Roots. I went a few times and knew that I had found the place I needed to be. I've been there about 5 months now and love it.

Currently we are going through the book of Ezra. We are taking two weeks per chapter and discussing the historical and theological lessons we can learn from the Israelites as they returned to Jerusalem to build the temple. We are a very discussion based class. Tonight was no different. We had a lesson in chapter 3 (obviously) in which we discussed the roles of sacrifice and worship. Ezra 3:3 says that the Israelites literally had fear ON them. No one wanted them there and they were in constant danger. So how did the Israelites respond? They did not build walls of protection. They built an alter to sacrifice on and then to worship. They recognized the need for God's protection over what they could physically do themselves. Our discussion questions were really good and very thought provoking. I'll be thinking about them all week long. In case you want to join my pondering, here you go:

1. What about God requires sacrifice?

2. What can God's response to sacrifice teach us about Him?

3. What does it mean that Christ did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil. 2:5-11)?

4. What did it cost God to humble himself and become obedient to the point of death?

5. In preparation for Holy Week, how does understanding the cost of God's sacrifice inspire you to respond in worship (Romans 12:1-2)?