Post Thanksgiving wrapup

My four day weekend in Milwaukee was over before I knew it. Of course, my time with Jon always seems to go by quickly. I got to hang out with his large and funny family and see /meet some of his long time friends from high school on Friday! We also took in the Sponge Bob movie with his brothers and mom, and I got to experience two more Midwestern Mexican food restaurants at their finest (= spicy food and one strong margarita). Unfortunately my flight was delayed for quite a bit on Sunday so I got back into Phoenix 1.5 hours late. Plus, it meant another long time before seeing Jon again.

My Monday back from the long weekend went really well yesterday, and all of us teachers are counting down the days until the long two week break in December (for the record it's 14 now).

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend with your family and friends as well. I can't wait to see, talk, or get together with you all soon!

Thanksgiving

During this time of year, I always think it is a good idea to really think about the things that you are thankful for and not just take them for granted. Here is a list of things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1. That it looks so super promising that Jon is going to be permanently in AZ in 2005!
   
2. God does answer prayers!
   
3. My wonderful family that is so supportive, encouraging, and pushes me to always achieve my best
   
4. Kick butt friends (that are now all over this world!) who stick by you through it all
   
5. Jon, who is more than I could have prayed for in a boyfriend...so worth the wait!
   
6. A rewarding job with wonderful colleagues
   
7. My health and that of my family
   
8. I got a sister (in law) this year, and my brother's marriage
   
9. A warm home with food to eat every night
   
10. The opportunity to further my education
    
11. The ability to travel as much as I do
    
12. God's grace, love, and forgiveness...and that I would be lucky enough to know Him on Earth.
    

This hardly begins to account for everything I'm thankful for when I really think of it, but it will need to suffice. Tomorrow I am off to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving, and I'll be back in AZ on Sunday-just in time to start a new school week. ;)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!

Yea!

Not that anyone reads my blog anyway, so I figure I should be able to post anything I want. And right now I just feel like shouting about HOW EXCITED I AM THAT THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE. Okay, so that felt good, really good. Why, might you ask, am I so excited about a silly holiday? Oh contraire-this is not a silly holiday, and below are six excellent reasons as to why (warning: these reasons may only apply to me. If so, you will have to get your own list):

1. Only three days of work next week...than four days off in a row. Sweet.
2. Turkey Day is the best day to eat for hours...and then eat some more!
3. There are great sales around this time of year...and I love a good bargain.
4. Thanksgiving = three weeks left in the quarter = Christmas break is soon!
5. You can start wearing warm, fuzzy sweaters and your "winter" stuff.

And the number one reasons why I am excited for Thanksgiving this year?

I get to hang out with Jon in Milwaukee for four days straight! Woo hoo! Yipee!

So why do you love Thanksgiving?

Safety Info.

This might seem like I am being overly paranoid or cautious, but I received this e-mail and thought there were some good ideas in it. Remember, you can never be too careful!

Tips to Keep You Safe

1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do
2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS, AND LEAVE
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, side and inthe back seat.

B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

1. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.
2. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ.

Encouraging words here!

As mentioned in the previous post, I definitely think the book of Philippians has some great verses in it. When I first became a Christian I really like the (what I call) standard and universally recognized "favorite book" like John or Romans. Those are indeed great works, but Philippians really does have some awesome stuff in it, too. Read below to check out some of my favorite verses, sure to encourage anyone!

Phil. 2:14
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Phil. 3: 7-9
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

Phil. 4:6-8
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:13
I can do everything through Him that gives me strength.

Pretty cool, huh? I can testify that these verses have definitely encouraged, sustained, guided, and reminded me of how much I am loved. Feel free to add your own "favorites" to a post so others may enjoy, too.

Phillipeans and missionaries: A theme surfaces?

This past Friday night at Bible study was really interesting. We are slowly reading through Philippeans to really dig deep into the meaning behind this book. As some of you may know, Philippeans is one of my favorite books of the Bible because of the message contained within the text (I'll post some favorite verses from there in another link). After examination, our leader (who is going to seminary in Phoenix) told us the 1:4-8 could be referring to a gift sent by that church and also mentioned in 4: 14-18. It was a totally different interpretation than any of us had ever seen before, but one which really needs to be considered.

Here is the text in question:
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

The reasons why this is a possibility are:
1. It would tie into one of the themes in the letter found in chapter 4.
2. It makes sense if you read those verses in context as a thank you for a monetary gift
3. If you write a missions thank you letter, your purpose is to make it personal. The Philippeans would know what Paul is referring to and thus he wouldn't need to come out and say "thanks for your money gifts" in helping to be a "partner in the gospel"-verse 5
4. Missionary letters usually refer to and give thanks for monetary support.

No matter which interpretation you take (traditional or the one mentioned above), the cool thing is the Holy Spirit can still work in your heart to understand and push you to grown in Christ through it. If you take it as a monetary letter to support missionaries, you perhaps will be lead to examine what you are doing to support and further the cause of missions.

If you feel pressed to support missionaries, I know of several who would love to be a partner with you. Please contact me if you would like to get in touch with them and/or learn more about their causes.
Enoch and Marilee S.-desire to be missionaries in France
Marie B.-desire to be a missionary in Spain
Troy G.-desire to reach kids in Scottsdale, AZ

Blessings in Christ!

How you doin?

Yes, for those Friends lovers out there, this was a favorite line by Joey. Anyway, here is where you can tell me how you are doing and what's been going on in your life. Feel free to comment on other posts as well, or start a new topic. Happy communicating!

A Beginning

Okay, so I think I will try to take this thing on and see if I have any success with it (or if anyone cares to read what I have to say, which is a presumptious thought). I'm sure in five years everyone will have a blog, so maybe I can get the kinks worked out of it now and actually be "ahead of the game" for once. ;)

Okay, so today I have class tonight for grad school. I keep telling myself I only have four more school law classes left....ever...and try to ignore the fact that I still have to take 24 hours to finish my degree. Sigh.

Today when my class was in the library the librarian started crying because my class "restored her faith in middle schoolers." My 6th graders are so awesome.

Yesterday when I was reading through Ephesians the idea to concentrate on a verse really has stuck with me, so today I am trying to contemplate what Ephesians 1:18-19 means

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. "

I especially like that bold part.

First Post

Wow, a whole board by me. Scary thought.