Moses

I just finished a study of the life of Moses I started last fall with BSF. The study went through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy. It was the first time I had read a lot of those books & I learned a LOT. One thing I've learned is that I need to be more intentional about recording the things God is teaching me & the work he is doing in my life. Like the Israelites, I so easily forget the things God has done for me. I forget how faithful He is & the countless ways He blesses my life each and every day. I figured this is a good place to record this kind of stuff, so here we go... Moses had a hard life. I know, duh. But when you look at him as a leader & how much he went through with the Israelites(who seem to be slow learners, like myself), you start to wonder how he was so patient. After 9 months of walking his journey through the scriptures I think the thing that struck me most was the end of it all. Moses spent much of his life teaching & leading the Israelites. He devoted everything to this calling. So when you get close to the end of Deuteronomy when Moses is coming to the end of his long journey, God basically tells him that the Israelites are going to turn away from God (again) once Moses is gone. Reading that made me hurt for the poor guy. I thought - what the heck? He spent his whole life leading these people & basically he gets nothing for it??? Did he ever wonder if his whole life was futile? He didn't get to enter the promised land, & he didn't even get the satisfaction of knowing that everything was going to be ok with these people that he had investing in for so many years. I really wanted some sort of glorious ending for him. But God knew better. And I bet Moses did too. In Deuteronomy 34 Moses dies, and in verse 10, God put it all in perspective for me: "Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." Face to face. Can you imagine that kind of closeness with God? Moses may not have gotten a bunch of earthly rewards - pats on the back, thank you cards, or even the satisfaction of " a successful ministry" all the time - but He got to know God face to face. He got to walk and talk with the creator of everything, the Alpha and Omega, the one and only God. Is there anything better than that?

Warning:This one's mushy.

So, I haven't posted anything 'real' lately & I guess it's because it's been so crazy. This has been a hard year & the past month has been the culmination of all the stress I've been feeling. The day after tomorrow is the science TAKS & I'm praying for my kiddos to do their best & not get freaked out. I really feel like they are going to do GREAT & I know they are ready for it, so if you think of us on Thursday, please say a quick prayer! On a more positive note, stressful times also make me realize how very blessed I am. I have an amazing husband who takes care of me, helps me, listens to me, loves me, and even does 'emergency' laundry loads of socks & undies when needed. In fact he's on the way home now with my P.F. Chang's to go (he doesn't even eat chinese food). Thanks, Baby! I also have a loving family that is so incredibly supportive. My Dad comes over once a month & takes me to dinner so we can enjoy some daddy/daughter time. My sister, Amy, & I talk more now than ever (except maybe when we were little & I followed her around 24/7). My brother, Matt & I hang out when we can & relate through texting, but hey - it works! My mom is always there - no matter what. It's pretty awesome to know that if I needed anything, she'd be there at the drop of a hat. Plus she loves me unconditionally, like only mommies can. Finally, I've got amazing friends. Friends who stock my freezer with Ben & Jerry's while I'm driving home after a hard day (thanks, MD!) Friends who will listen to me whine, cry, or just be silly for hours on end. Friends who encourage me & support me through it all. (Cue Michael W. Smith.) So, I guess this is turning into one big, cheesy, "I love you, Man!" speech, but hey, it's true. XXXOOO!

Is it just me?

I drove by the new Cowboy's stadium last night & for some reason was reminded of a movie I used to watch when I was little: Flight of the Navigator. Am I that far off?

Spring Break Project

One of my favorite things about Spring break is having the time to work on the yard & clean out the flowerbeds. John & I have been working all week & finally have it done (well, we haven't put in new annuals yet, but other than that...) So, for your enjoyment, here are some before & afters. Before #1: I like how Lucy looks so disgusted. It is pretty sad that the weeds are taller than she is.After #1: No flowers yet, but at least the weeds are gone!

Before #2: Not so pretty...

After #2: Much better. Plus, the new plantings should fill in & cover up the electrical box!

Before #3:

After #3: Before #4:

After #4: Lucy looks much happier (plus she likes collecting the big sticks out of the mulch to chew on!)

Hopefully over the next couple weeks I'll have time to add in some colorful annuals to brighten things up & fill in the gaps, but for now I'm pretty happy with the whole thing!

Disappointment

Today I have been working on the house & catching up on laundry. As I was running around the house, I had the TV on & Star Wars, Episode IV was playing (that was the first of the 'old' ones)...random, I know. As I watched the final scene, I was reminded of how I LOVED Princess Leia's hair when I was little. Not this hair: This hair: I thought it was the most beautiful hair EVER. Maybe that's why I didn't cut my hair from 1st grade-7th grade...who knows. I still remember the moment I saw an interview of Carrie Fisher on TV...with SUPER SHORT hair. I was immediately distraught, so I turned to my mom & asked what happened to her beautiful hair. The answer that followed may possibly be my number one childhood disappointment. "Her hair was fake, Katie. It was never really that long." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

To Do Lists

Here's where I stand: -Round 1 of TAKS...check. -Camp for 50 5th graders...almost check. We leave Tuesday. -Update applications & resume...check. -Eat lots of chocolate & ice cream...double check. -Organize new small group at church... -Clean house.... -Clean out the flower beds & get the yard under control... -Go to the gym... -Laundry...I should be doing that right now... -Anything else not related to work... -Update blog...this counts right?

Whew!

I think things are finally starting to balance out. I always seem to forget how busy the spring semester is & how it flies by. On top of the normal work 'to do' list & TAKS insanity (In case you were wondering, TAKS is evil) I had a presentation for the school board last week. I was very excited about it & equally nervous. It went really, really well, so YAY! And, thank you to all of you who prayed for me through the whole thing - I am blessed by you! Another cool thing that came out of the whole process was the feeling of assurance I felt/feel - that I am where I am supposed to be & doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I got in my car & praised God for His provision & guidance in my life. Things at church are going well too. I feel like we're on the edge of a breakthrough, & we are experiencing so much spiritual growth in multiple areas - especially children, youth, & young adults. It's one of those times where I feel like I'm on the edge of my seat just waiting for what God's gonna do next. What can I say?? God is really, really good!