Moving on

"I am NOT afraid of death, but the separation from family and friends makes me sad. HOWEVER, that is the view from THIS SIDE! Once a person crosses over into eternity, he (or she) is far too busy being caught up in a reverent ecstasy to have any thoughts of those still on Earth. Those thoughts would cause a little hint of sadness and there is none of that in heaven. So my opinion is that the only sadness in the death of a Christian is suffered by those left on Earth. So if my passing would cause you to be sad because you miss me then “I am honored and humbled by that but if I have "crossed over" then the kindest way to say it is that I am not too busy being awe-struck over Paradise to miss anyone or anything. Sorry."

~ Marshall A. Lowery

The Dangers of the Last Days

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. they will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. they will be cruel and hate what is good. they will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. they will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

I have so much to do! Please help! Deadlines and details swirl around me like a swarm of bees. I feel intense pressure with my heavy workload. Help me to do what needs to be done each day so I can stop worrying and rest well at night. I give You my anxiety and stress --  I release it all to You, Lord. As Your peace covers me -- the peace that passes all understanding -- may it guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I rest in the comfort of Your love.

Yet

Our country is going crazy right now. This isn't news. I have strong opinions. This also isn't news.

In these confusing times, is it possible to hold a position without losing your heart? I say "War Eagle" yet I think crimson and white are two of the most beautiful colors I have ever seen.

I am an independent, self-sufficient woman; yet I feel honored when a man opens a door for me. I support Biblical marriage wholeheartedly; yet I empathize with the struggles homosexuals face and I hurt for their suffering.

I believe in equality for all and deplore human slavery; yet I wouldn't live anywhere but the South and love the "Heart of Dixie" with its rich heritage. I strongly support gun rights; yet I'm horrified at the thought of ever having to take a human life.

I believe border patrol is necessary; yet I admire those who have struggled to get here to make a better life for themselves and their families. I despise war; yet I revere and am forever grateful to our military for preserving our way of life.

I believe there should be assistance available for people who fall on hard times; yet I believe that assistance should come with certain limitations and requirements.

The human condition is complex; not agreeing doesn't equal hating. What isn't complicated, however, are the First Amendment and the Ten Commandments.

obnoxious

Just because you think you're right doesn't mean that you are. Everyone has an opinion. You don't need to be the loudest and most obnoxious person just to get your voice heard. The squeaky wheel may get the oil, but it may also get replaced.

You might feel better for a little while if you prove your point. But you will likely cultivate an enemy or at least some animosity between you and the person you just caused to feel inferior.

Never interrupt someone when they are speaking. Unless someone is on fire, about to fall off a cliff, or drowning, let whoever is talking finish their thought. When you interrupt someone you are subconsciously telling them that their voice is not as important as yours, therefore they feel as though they aren't worthy. It's a horrible feeling.

rabid wombat

recently there has been a child in Janie's class that has been bullying her and her friends. she is calling them names and just being your run of the mill little punk.

the girl has gotten into trouble for it numerous times and things had gotten much better.
until today.

apparently this kid was making fun of one of Janie's friends today because the little girl had gotten bit by her dog on the nose. janie said it didn't look that bad. but the bully said that instead of the dog just biting her on the nose, she hoped that next time the dog bit her in the neck.

now... the rational part of me wants to think that this child, the bully, has some reason for acting out and she doesn't really understand what she said. maybe she doesn't realize that she wished bodily harm to the point of killing the little girl. she needs help on multiple levels.

the crazy momma in me wants to jerk her up and put the fear of God into her scrawny little self...
I contacted the school and spoke with the assistant principal. she tried to downplay what had been said and didn't seem surprised at all by what i told her.

this is a good example of why i am glad i have a call recorder on my cell phone.

i tried to contact the girl's mom (the girl who is being bullied, mot the bully) but she never responded to my message.

The assistant principal told me that she would 'deal with' the situation first thing in the morning.
i am a teacher. granted i teach high school which is worlds different from elementary or middle school, BUT there is absolutely no way i would tolerate any student acting the way this child has been acting. and as lax as my administrator can be on things, i highly doubt he would allow such behavior to continue.

i have become THAT mother, a mother bear defending her cubs from a rabid wombat.

Prayer

I am in more pain now than ever before, save that Saturday night after having Si and almost passing out from the pain. I wish i could pass out right now. I just want it to stop...

I cannot even hold my precious baby boy :( and I feel like I am a burden to everyone, especially my mom. She stayed with us last night to take care of Si. I simply cannot do it right now. I can't even go to the bathroom by myself.

All of this is so humiliating. It isn't supposed to be this hard. It feels as though there is a double edged knife in my gut and it is being twisted and turned at various times. It comes out of nowhere.

Please Lord, help my pain go away. And help me to remember that this whole ordeal is helping to make me a better person and a better Christian. Please help my doctor and my home health nurse to see how much pain I am in so that they can help me minimize it. And please be with my family through this because I have not been able to be myself for 2 weeks now and it is getting worse instead of better. Please help my body to heal without anymore surgery. And when I feel like I cannot continue because of the pain, remind me of Janie and Si, Jason, my mom and daddy, Jami and Emmie, because that will help me persevere through the pain.

I have asked a great deal in this prayer, Dear Lord, and I want to tell You how thankful I am for the infinite blessings you have allowed me to have. Baby Si is a happy, healthy, beautiful baby boy; I could not have gotten anything more in that area. 

My daughter is my saving grace; and she helps me see the good in people everyday. Her heart is tender and her intentions are pure. 

Jason truly loves me no matter what. He is my rock through times like this. He is also my best friend. He has helped me more in the past two weeks than I could have ever imagined.I love him with everything that I have and thank You for putting him in my life. 

My momma has put her life on hold to stay with us help take care of Si while Jason takes care of me. She has spent numerous nights at our house rocking Baby Si to sleep, washing and sterilizing bottles, changing poopy diapers, among many other things. I could not have asked for a more wonderful mother and friend.

My daddy has helped us in every way that he possibly could. He even donated sick leave days to me through the school so that I can be off with Si and because of all this surgery. Otherwise I would only have two more weeks off (for a total of 4). He wants to learn how to pack my wound from my c-section so that he can help Jason do that over the next however many weeks. And right now he is outside on the back deck trying ti finish up the roof and screening. He is my SuperMan.

My mother-in-law, Jason's mom, has been here every day that my momma hasn't been here to help us with Baby Si. She has cooked us some of the finest suppers I have ever eaten and helped to organize my house so that we can find things in a hurry. She was born to be a hostess and is the best one I have ever been around. No one can cook like she can, not even Paula Deen! 

I hope You know how thankful I am for each and every person You have put in my family. I love each and every one of them. I thank You for allowing me to be a part of their lives and I hope my presence in their lives is as much of a blessing as they are in mine. 

Amen.