Wisdom for Wednesday - Service

Good morning! I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful--and well deserved--break. I know I am!

I have attacked my "to-do" list with a vengeance this week, but it seems that I still have so much to do and so little time! It hasn't helped that basketball practice started up again this week, we've had doctor's appointments and errands, and the little bit of ice and snow we finally got makes me want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and be cozy!

Stay focused, I must (Yes, I watch Star Wars now and then).

This week's quote is for me…and maybe some of you. It seems that our sermons and Sunday school lessons at church have been themed around serving others. I am, oh, so guilty in this area. Take a look at what Oswald Chambers says was Paul's attitude in regards to serving others in an effort to draw them to Christ.

If you've followed my Wisdom posts, you probably remember me talking about this at some point. It is an area of my life which I am constantly needing AND wanting to improve upon. 

I'm just plain selfish! I hate to admit it, but it is true. And I think if we are being honest, most of us have to agree with that statement--at least a little bit.

I'm so busy with MY schedule, MY activities, caring for MY family, planning for MY work, taking care of MY house, doing MY stuff, and trying to pay MY bills…

...that I fail to look around me. 

I mean really look around me.

When you add my independent spirit to that selfishness…it makes it doubly difficult to recognize people's needs. I'm not sure that makes sense…but I know what I mean and you probably don't want or need to know all of my character flaws!

This year, I want to notice people. 

I mean really notice them. 

I want to take note of when someone needs some encouragement. 

I want to remember their favorite things so that I can surprise them with a treat now and then.

I want to be there for them when they need a listening ear.

I want to serve others with a kind heart.

I want to show Christ's love through me.

Who's with me?

BRRRR and Christmas Break thoughts!

We had our second winter storm hit here in Kansas this year.  Our last one was over our Thanksgiving break and now here it is again.  We actually didn't get any snow but a lot of ice.  I tried to walk out to my mailbox to get the mail and I believe it took me a long time because I had to walk very slow because I felt like I was ice skating on the sidewalk.  I'm just glad that I can be inside and curl up with a warm blanket today and not have to be out in the cold and ice. 

 

We are still on Christmas Break this week and I saw this and thought how true it was:

 

 

 

I have to say that I do catch myself eating very fast when I sit down to eat even when I'm at home.  I think I forget that I can slow down and actually eat my meal at a normal speed when I'm at home.

 

I hope you are having a great day!

 

 

Wisdom for Wednesday-Christmas

Welcome to this week's:

This time of year can get very busy and emotional.  Trying to wrap things up at work, shopping for presents, and getting things prepared for family and visitors.  Finances can get stretched which can cause more stress.  Unfortunately, due to all the hustle and bustle this time of year, sometimes we can forget what Christmas is really about and the real reason why we celebrate Christmas.   I hope that we all can slow down and remember the true meaning of Christmas and take time to celebrate it!  

Isaiah 9:6- 

For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor , The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

John 3:16-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever 

believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life.

Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Christmas Break

I am officially on my Christmas Break!  I am ready for some down time and rest time.  :-)  I was able to enjoy a wonderful night with a dear friend of mine last night.  We went to Botanical Gardens and they have a beautiful display of Christmas lights.  On my way to pick my friend up there was a beautiful sun set!  Check it out!

Here were some pictures of just a few of the lights we saw (there were hundreds of lights....it had to be a lot of work).

I hope if you are on your Christmas break, you are relaxing some and enjoying your time.

Merry Christmas Break!

Merry Christmas break!!!

I'm so excited to be relaxing on my couch as I type this...no work, no housework, no nothing! I saw this on FB and thought...yep, that sums it up for today. ;-)

 

I thought I'd share a few pictures from yesterday, our "Grinch Day" (and we thankfully had early dismissal)!

 

Presents wrapped and ready to go late Thursday night (so much for being ahead...).

We started the day caroling at our local gas station/restaurant (remember we are in a VERY small town--it's the only business in town). 

 

Then we gathered all 50 K-2 kids in the gym (I mean Whoville) for a showing of The Grinch. 

 

 

This is me feeling pretty excited about the short day and upcoming vacation.

 

 

Halfway through the movie, we stopped for some Grinch inspired snacks. Our Title I teacher, paraeducator, and PTO all chipped in to make these cute goodies!

After the movie, we had yummy pizza brought in from previously mentioned store/restaurant. Love pizza parties!

Then our class Christmas party (before dismissing at 12:30--yikes--talk about packing in the FUN).

 We reviewed our CHAMPS expectations and the kids did an awesome job!

 
 

 The generosity of my students (and their families) always overwhelms me this time of year. Our PTO had us fill out a "wish list" this year. It was fantastic! I'm completely stocked up on dark chocolate--I have 1 piece after lunch most every day--along with plenty of my other favorite things. So sweet!

And finally... 

This was me at 4:00 yesterday afternoon. EXHAUSTED!

Enjoy your break!

 

Wisdom for Wednesday - Let Go

Good morning!

I have to admit that as I'm struggling through another busy week before Christmas break (this time fighting a cold or sinus infection), I'm having a little trouble finding some wisdom to share with you. Fortunately, it is not my wisdom we're relying on! ;-)

This is one of those times of year when everything gets crazy busy and I start to feel overwhelmed. 

I'm sure I'm not alone.

That's why when I saw this in my devotional, I thought it was perfect for today.

Spurgeon goes on to say, "If you set the Lord before you, there is fullness of joy in God's every attribute. There is heaven in every glimpse of Jesus' face, overwhelming bliss in every drop of Jehovah's everlasting love. You will not fail. You will not be discouraged."

Let everything go.

All those distractions, pressures, and deadlines.

Or the added pressures of the Christmas season.

Shopping, wrapping, decorating, and baking...

Obviously, we can't ignore those things completely. 

We must take care of our responsibilities. 

I think the lesson here is that we not allow those things to burden us, to become our focus.

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Have a blessed day!

Decorating Gingerbread Man Cookies

We had our extra fun thing and decorated gingerbread man cookies for it.  To get to go to the extra fun thing, the kids have to have all of their work done for the week and have good behavior throughout the week.  The kids were so excited to decorate the cookies (unlike me!)  LOL!  You have to understand that first of all, I am not a baker and second I'm not good with art or decorating things.  Luckily, my co-teacher was nice to bake the cookies for us (I did offer to go to the grocery store and try to find some already baked).  

During our lunch time, my co-teacher explained how to use the frosting and everything to have them decorate the cookie so it would be easy for them and me.  Can you tell that she was concerned about how I was going to handle this extra fun thing???  LOL!  

I was nervous for the moment and then the time came.  The kids had a great time decorating and they were very creative in the way they decorated their gingerbread cookies.  As for me, I survived it, but ended up with frosting in my hair and on my slacks (how does that happen?).  The good thing about it was the kids had fun with it and they got to enjoy their cookie at the end of it all.

We have a busy week ahead with 4 more days until our Christmas break starts.  How many more days for you?  

Have a great week!