Status Update

As I walked home this evening, I was trying to figure out how to update my facebook profile. Sometimes I just can't figure out what to write and tonight I had all sorts of ideas. So here they are.

Laura...
-is thankful for cooler weather. It's great to feel a cool breeze and hear it in the trees.
-is learning phonics for the first time in my life. At least I don't remember learning these things before. I 'm going to be working with a student next week.
-spent today at school. It's the first Sat I've spent at school in years.
-enjoyed a great bowl of minestrone for lunch with Bill and Jane. We took a short break from school and enjoyed a delicious meal together!
-is glad that the Back to School event went well yesterday. It was great to see new parents and kick off the year in this way.
-is going to a different church tomorrow. I'm trying something new....we'll see.
-is watching 'West Wing'.
-is feeling ready for next week now that I actually have something written in my planbook.
-is thankful for supportive parents and administration.
-hopes to sleep well after a full day.
-got a ride home from the grocery store with lots of heavy things.
-is thankful for God's strength!

Plugged In

Heading off to school yesterday I came across a trollibus (bus that runs on power wires strung above the streets) stuck in the middle of the intersection. One of the connecting cables had come loose as the bus was trying to maneuver around the road construction in the middle of the intersection. It wasn't able to go anywhere until the second cable was reattached.

It brought to mind verses that talk about God being the vine and we are the branches. For me this image of God being the power source and we are the 'trollibuses' fits. We can't do anything unless we are connected to the power source. If we start to go in the wrong direction, chances are we are risking disconnection. We have to choose to 'plug in' and stay connected. God's power is limitless and so much greater than our own.

I'm so thankful that I get to rely on God's strength because mine is of little consequence. Even in the last 48 hours, I know that I would have come to a standstill unless I had been 'plugged in'. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I certainly don't want to try and do it on my own.

Recess

I have been helping train a new elementary aide the past two days by helping out with lunch and recess. Our students have much room to play for recess, and they tend to resort to the same games. So, I'm wondering if you might have any ideas of games that can be played in small spaces that would appeal to 4th-6th graders. We have taught them four square and a variation of freeze tag. They jump rope and play Chinese jump rope. Any ideas would be welcome--either in an email or left here as a comment. Thanks!

Take out the Trash

It really isn't that difficult to take out the trash. I walk out the door and down a 1/2 flight of stairs. But, as I was doing a lot of cooking recently, I didn't always get it out the door right when it should. There was a day that the garbage started swarming with fruit flies...a dead give away that taking the trash out was overdue. Recently, I set aside another bag of garbage to take out in the morning and when I picked it up, there was a 'puddle' underneath. The moral of the story--take out the trash.

Isn't that much like our spiritual lives. I don't find it easy to make changes in my life, even if I know they are things that should be different. But, the longer I let them stay in my heart, mind, soul, the 'dirtier' they become, creating bigger messes, or attracting other bugs.

When are you taking out your trash?

The Missing Piece

Shel Silverstein wrote a story about a 'circle' rolling around looking for its missing piece. After our all staff meeting on Monday, I felt like that circle. Last June, we might not have even looked like a circle because of all the missing pieces: elementary music and art; secondary science, math, history; an administrative assistant, etc. God has graciously provided a number of different pieces to fill those missing spaces. Some of those people might feel they don't fit perfectly into the 'hole' they are filling, but they are allowing God to use them in this unique way. Just like the circle in Silverstein's story, as God has brought people to BCA, our speed has picked up and with our first day finished, we are off and rolling:)

Travel Tips

I have been traveling internationally since I was 3 or 4. Things have certainly changed during the past twenty plus years:) It used to be that you could expect to have empty seats around you, but it seems that is not longer the case. On my recent trip back to Bucharest I was thinking about all the things I've learned while traveling... I'm sharing my 'wisdom' with all of you:)

--My dad once told me after we were served a meal of lamb on our flight to Africa. Eat it, you never know what your next meal will be. True. In most cases, I don't worry about that so much anymore and seem to turn down many meals. The desserts and crackers aren't too bad and I tend to prefer the vegetarian options.

--Our family once went gung-ho with jet lag diets. I have since left most of that by the wayside, but I still adhere to some of the tips.

• Drink lots of water--a flight attendant recently told me the humidty is less than 10%. I aimed for two liters.
• Sleep--as much as possible while traveling, being mindful of the timezone where you are heading
• Avoid caffeine

--Some of my 'pet peeves' of international air travel

• People walking around barefoot--it's just gross. Put some shoes on or at least socks.
• Karoke--no joke, the guy in front of me was singing along with the inflight entertainment--don't!!
• Standing in the aisles so the carts/flight attendants can't get through--they have enough of a hard time without needing to go through an obstacle course
• Leaving the shades open--it's much easier to sleept without the sun shining in

--Plan to be cold, or hot, or both--layers are good

--Don't sit through an 8 hour flight without moving! It's not good!!

--If you really want to be able to sleep, bring along ear plugs and an eye mask. I've used blankets or sweatshirts over me head sometimes too.

I'll let you know if I come up with anything else. Soon to come...packing...

Welcome Home

Although my flights were smooth and traffic wasn't bad (I arrived on Sun afternoon), I had some not so pleasant welcome home gifts once I got into my apartment. It seems I left one window open and since me lights were on a timer they attracted lots of little bugs--all over the floor. Not to mention the cockroaches (only two and at least they were dead). I opened my suitcases up after vacuuming my apartment... My bottle of corn syrup had leaked. Yes, it was sealed and wrapped in a plastic bag, but apparently they are made to withstand the pressure of piles of luggage... It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it took some time to wash clothes and wipe of bottles. Only a poster that I had brought back for my classroom couldn't be salvaged. All in all, not a bad start to my return.

Night

I've been doing a significant amount of driving while I have been in the US this month. I have done most of it alone, and some of it has been late at night. As I drove out to Hutchinson last week, my mind started wandering, pondering...

The life of faith is a lot like driving at night. You can't see very far in the distance to know what is coming ahead or what direction the road might turn. The only thing that illuminates the road in front of you (often) is your headlights. There is often a speed limit posted. Objects or animals can often appear unexpectedly in your field of vision causing you to need to react quickly. Driving at night also makes it a bit harder to find the right road to turn on meaning sometimes unexpected detours.

Similarly, in the life of faith, you can't see very far ahead. God certainly knows what turns your path may take, but it is almost always a mystery to us. God has given us His Word to be the lamp unto our feet and the light for our path. I also believe He gives His Spirit to aid in this as well. I feel too often we rush ahead--not only in our driving, but also in our spiritual lives as well. In some ways I picture that God has posted a 'speed limit' sign for our spiritual journeys asking us to follow His timing, to not rush ahead, and to not wish we were in a different spot than we are. As for the animals jumping out, I think we all experience many things that feel like
swerves and sudden surprises. Isn't it reassuring that God knew they were coming. Things that feel like detours in our lives are often designed for a purpose.

I know that in my life there have been many things that I would not have chosen, but I am so thankful for the road that God has brought me down and the reminders that He goes before me and with me.

Aren't kids the greatest:)

I have had such fun times this summer hanging out with kids! I love their innocent smiles and immediate friendships. I love watching them learn and grow. I also enjoy watching their parents and grandparents:)

We are to be like children--so what are you learning today and how are you growing?

I'm growing in my faith to believe that God will meet our needs for the fall. I don't know how it is going to happen, but I want to walk forward believing that He is able. May we not become stagnant in our growth.

Friends

I am amazed at how God continues to renew friendships each time I come to visit. Last summer I stayed with Mandy, Jason, and Seth Johnson. I got to hang out with them for a few days last week. Seth seemed to warm up pretty quickly. I had a blast playing, reading, watching construction at the new Rainbow on Larpenter, and tracking down road construction vehicles on Hamline.

Isn't it great how God provides friends for different seasons of our lives...and some that seem to stick with us through many seasons...forever friends. How cool is that!

Seth and I hanging out together.

The 'road eater' at work on Hamline. It was quite the operation! (If anyone knows the 'technical term' for the machine that 'eats' the road surface and then spits it out, I'd love to learn:) )