Greetings!
The Merriest Christmas on this day of celebration when the Word
of God became flesh to dwell amongst us!
Jesus Christ; Messiah, Savior, our Redeemer.
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| 12/9/18 |
This year started off with two snow days after a two-day return
from a too short Christmas break. We also end the year with an early snow from December 9th! It snowed all day with close to 4" of soft snow by early evening.
I
enrolled in an 11-week course, sponsored by our benefits office, that focused
on changing attitudes about weight management.
The instructor was amazing; and, I learned a great deal about my
rollercoaster habits regarding food. At
the end of the course I’d developed better balance through specific exercise,
decreased instances of vertigo episodes and lost nine pounds. Feeling challenged to continue in my newly
acquired practices….wait for it…I joined Planet Fitness. My wellbeing improves; my blood sugars are no
longer on the borderline and the free access to hydromassage is highly
motivating. I also took two courses in
order to be certified in the areas of Mental Health First Aide for adolescents
and adults. This has been a valuable
skill to have as the Lord as guided me to come along side medical and emergency
workers. I’ve also been more available
to assists families in the community and a couple of my middle school
students. To Him be all glory!
I enjoy senior living at our local iHop for Wednesday Senior
Night, 50% off. The year has also been
filled with numerous trips to Delaware to visit dear friends, the
Capelli’s. We enjoy antiquing, fresh ice
cream and pick-your-own fruit. This year
it was cherries which we made delicious turnovers with, yum! I’ve been blessed in many opportunities of
fellowship, breaking bread with families around their tables and mine. On one
occasion I hosted an “ice cream bar” at one family’s home where the kids and I
made our own ice cream bars with various coating and toppings. Another visit at
my home with another family with two girls, we had a farmer’s luncheon,
sampling and picking mints for our drinks and eating fresh produce from my
garden and theirs. My washer broke so occasionally I’ll sponsor pizza laundry
night at their home. I bring pizza and
dirty clothes….it works out to be a win-win all way around! This year ended with a celebration at my home
with a close family of six. The kids
loved the table setting of tea and treats just for their dolls. A wonderful time was had by all!
There have been local hiking adventures with another couple I am
close to and several on my own at St. Mary’s River State Park. It is a rugged natural trail in a quiet
serene setting. I’ve also revisited
Calvert Cliffs State Park, hiking to the Chesapeake Bay. On one visit I observed many turtles basking
on logs and swimming in the marshes. How
spectacular the beauty of God’s creation!
This year I was a vendor in several arts and craft shows, for my
online shop with Etsy. Two shows I’ve
picked up are with the same organization in Ocean City. I’ve enjoyed two hotel stays, off
season, with an ocean view. I did it
once and just cannot go back to anything less!
Hearing nothing but the waves crashing on the ocean during the night is
sheer relaxation at its best! This year
I remained to Easter Sunday and joined my first multi-church led sunrise
service, something I always wanted to do.
It was awesome to be rejoicing in His resurrection while a majestic
sunrise burst through the clouds. I returned again in October for another show.
I continue to support The Agape Club ministry of Community with
a Cause Church. I provide transportation
for one woman my age and another family’s grandmother and daughter. The church, designed for people with
disabilities and their families/friends, has members of all ages, child to
senior citizen age. Wonderful times are
had by all as we shared a meal, worship in song, complete an activity, pray and
hear a bible message. This year members
participated in Operation Christmas Child (OCC) packing shoeboxes as a church. I returned to working with OCC in the community. I worked during National Drop-Off Week, checking in boxes, praying over boxes with those delivering, configuring how to pack non-shoebox sizes 15+ to a box! I really enjoyed working with the team during that week. One 20 year old member of Community with a Cause Church (who is also a former
student of mine) and her teen brother joined me this year at the Processing
Center, where we inspected, prayed for recipients and prepared for shipping, hundreds of shoebox
gifts. I was so proud of my youthful friends. We had a
really great experience together and met up with another family that
unknowingly were both were friends with. Being assigned to the same station to work to work together was an additional blessing!
I reclaimed my garden, restoring it and reconfiguring it as
friend’s came to tear down the delipidated shed. Enlarging one area I was able to plant more
that produced my first crop of watermelon from seeds. Unfortunately, we had such a wet season many
rotted. I did enjoy one, it was very
sweet!
I was surprised by a
gift from a couple that blessed me immensely.
The bird feeder I’d been wanting from a local bird store! I was having horrible squirrel problems with
the reduction of woods behind me, my old feeder was not tall enough and needed
to be moved. This feeder, with a baffle,
is amazing. They even came and (properly) installed it for me. In the 14 years
I’ve lived here, I’ve sighted 29 different birds. With this feeder installed I can use specific
feed and enjoy regular sightings of woodpeckers.
Blue Jays seem content!
I created a fairy garden in one
bed, that was fun.
This year celebrated many high school graduations and a couple
of college accomplishments! I am so
proud of all my young friends, all grown up! For one, a thespian, I especially enjoyed attending her high school drama
productions. June held a goodbye to a
loved family relocating back home and hello to another, just as loved who moved
a couple years back, here visiting. As we keep in touch, texts and email are the times when I realize the good parts of technology. 😉
October was a time of change for me,
unexpectant change. On the evening of
October 29, I let Gideon go. He’d been
declining for a couple of months and eventually stopped eating. Up to the last weeks, he remained active and
engaging and it was a very sweet time with him.
It was discovered through an x-ray, his poor body was full of
cancer. The vet, so compassionate,
agreed that he was dying and didn’t seen to be in pain. That process was much more heart wrenching
than I imagined it would be. Tears well
up, as I recall and I’m often sitting in my car waiting for him to appear on
the windowsill or wrestling with bags through the door before he gets out. I’ve decorated for Christmas and am sitting
on a clean uncovered sofa. It is
bittersweet, thinking of all I can do, but sad because of why. I miss Gideon's presence in the house, he has been here with me, since six months in of purchasing, all 5.5 pounds of him. I now
live “alone”. He was a brute with the
biting, but the best companion.
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| Gideon 6/6/05-10/29/18 |
I received my 10-year pen from St. Mary’s County Public Schools,
all but the initial 4 months of those years at Spring Ridge Middle. However, the other unexpectant change in October is….I am no in a middle school. God saw fit to move me out. I was presented with an opportunity to return
to early childhood in an elementary school, northern county. I am working in a building with
infants/toddler department, 3-year old’s, Pre-K and K. My class is a developmental K class with the
goal to increase self-regulating and communication, so children enrolled can
enter general education in their home schools, for another K year or 1st
grade. Remaining in a self-contained
Life Skills is a last resort. Since I’ve been there, I’ve worked on a plan
to provide inclusion experiences for all 7 students, beginning January 2, upon
our return. Although my workload has
decreased significantly, and I am no longer bullied by students or adults, the
transition has been extremely difficult, for several reasons, including student
attacks (due to regulation and child’s height for such a young age; however, I
have him on a token economy protocol and reducing aggressive engaging). I have a daunting task before me and know I am there for a purpose serving my Lord. I’m giving it time and trusting God. His plans are always perfect and right.
During
this trying transition, driving to work on morning, I just began to laugh. I was thinking on how wonderful it is to be
reconciled back to God because I believe Him.
I believe Jesus is His Son. I
believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, died, was buried. I believe that through the power of God
Almighty, Jesus rose from the dead conquering death, sin on all creation. I believe
He is Lord and through the working power of His Holy Spirit, dwells within
me. I was returning to work after a
previously horrible day realizing why “weeping may endure for the night, but
joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
When I wake up, I never have to make decisions on how I’m going to
manage, the direction or attitude I take.
I never have to resolve to a mindset.
I just know, no matter how I might feel, I am well. I. Am.
Well. Praise God, no matter what I can
just be well, because of God, through His Son Jesus! This is the secret to rejoicing in all
things, it doesn’t matter what the situation or circumstance, when you are in
the arms of God by faith through Jesus Christ, you are secure, safe, protected
and provided for! How amazing is
that? Jesus has paid the price, I am
free to serve only my God. Decision on
how to manage has already been made….I simply surrender and keep my faith in
Him. Isaiah 61 says that God gives us a
garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Be glad, this Christmas Day.
Great tidings of joy continue to ring out to the whole Earth: Jesus has
come to save us all, to the glory of God, Father of all.
Be well, everyone. Blessings in the new year. Blessings of no matter what comes your way, know the Lord of all creation is with you, never forsaking, ever present.
All my love the Christmas Day.....
PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE
Please PRAY for those who are truly alone this
season, that the Lord bring others into their lives to ease the
loneliness. Pray for those who are
homeless and on the streets as runaways.
Pray for those addicted and lost in the deceptions of this world. Pray the convicting work of the Holy Spirit
so they can find strength and courage in order to make their way to a Heavenly
Father, the healing He has for them and homes that miss them. Jesus promised to intercede when the devil
comes to devour, deceive and destroy. Join
Him by praying without ceasing for the lost and the hurting.
Pray that the
hearts of people turn towards Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit. The world has become more uncertain than
ever. Matthew 24:6 repeats the words of
Christ that tells us in the end times we will hear talk of war and rumors of
war. He goes on to say that we are not
to be troubled because these things must come to pass. People go about their daily lives without
assurance, searching for comfort in a world that cannot possibly provide
it. We live in a country where churches
sit on every corner. Lexington Park
alone has nearly two dozen churches.
Bibles are sold openly and given freely.
We can pray in public establishments and speak the name of Jesus without
fear of persecution. Let us not take
that for granted but use such liberty to live out the gospel to those around
us. Opportunity to know Christ and His
word is everywhere. Opportunity to grow
deeper in faith is everywhere.
For those in
Christ, our confidence comes from knowing God’s redemption plan restores us
back to Him. It is there we find
ultimate peace in knowing Jesus brings salvation to all who will receive. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and
Life. Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God. Seek the
Way. Learn of Truth. Choose Life.
Please PRAY that people develop a hunger and thirst to know more of
Jesus. Pray hearts open to hear
the Good News of God's plan to reconcile all creation back to Him
through His Son Jesus Christ. Pray for spiritual growth with the people
of America, that they embrace their faith in Jesus, fully trusting in Him. Pray that those in Christ boldly live out
their faith for others to see, a living witness to God’s grace and mercy. May we all not just believe in Jesus; but,
believe Him, take Him at His Word, see Him as The Word.
Please CONSIDER giving, through donations or volunteer service
locally within your own community, fulfilling the Great Commission
through service to the poor and neglected people of our country and other
regions worldwide.
RECEIVE
the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner
He guides you in.
Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in
supporting and/or partnering in mission’s work, locally or globally.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for families whom are grieving losses during this
time. While we know those in Christ are
healed in the peaceful presence of our King, it deeply hurts. Pray that all cling to Christ as God’s infinite
grace become sufficient.
Please keep in prayer families that are caring for spouses,
parents and children with disabilities.
Consider offering respite care or inquiring to any needs they may have
themselves.
Pray for others who are not well, that God bring healing to
body, souls and minds.
Pray for those who have not reconciled to God, that they receive
and believe the Truth of God’s plan for redemption through His Son Jesus, this
side of Heaven.
Pray for hearts to be changed, all our hearts to be daily
changed, as we grow in the knowledge of Who He is.
