What would happen if I....

Started writing here again? Would anyone notice? Would BJ befriend me in blog-world again? :) I have a lot to say, so I might just come back. I'll do my best, but we all know what that's looked like in the past. Anyway, just sending this out there, and asking myself if I can find the time...I hope so...I miss this old friend :)

Meet Brian

Hi friends. I'd like to introduce you to Brian. He's a little taller than me and a litle older than me, and he has the most beautiful blue-green I've ever seen. He has a friendly smile and a firm handshake; a pleasant voice and a kind face. He's very humble and courteous. He likes ketchup and mustard on his hotdogs and hamburgers, and he also loves pizza. We just met on Wednesday, but I've had him on my mind since then. Most boys don't have that kind of power:) He really caught my attention when I first saw him. I was with my mom in the car and I asked her to stop so I could go talk to him. She stopped. I'm so glad she did...

I met Brian on the side of a busy road here in the Chicago area. He was hold a sign that said, "I'm hungry." No promise to work for food, no explanation, just "I'm hungry." On the day before America eats itself sick with abundance, it's all my mom and I needed to see. My mom pulled into a gas station nearby and I went over and talked to him. He was so gentle, so kind, so humble. We introduced ourselves, and I asked him what he would like and he said, "the cheapest thing around, m'am." I told him that he could pick and he wouldn't, so I just made some guesses. I got him lunch and dinner for that day, and enough food for a few days after. This took awhile, so by the time I got back, he had started to walk away from where he had been sitting. I jumped out of the car and ran over to him with the food, and he looked surprised. The look in his eyes told me that most people don't usually actually help him out. He just smiled, said many thank you's and God bless you's and then kept walking. While I was getting the food, I had been imagining sitting down with him and talking, finding out his story and how I could help him more. I wanted to do more, say more, be more for him, but it's not the way it worked out. I can only pray that a little food is enough to make a difference. Some of you are probably thinking, "he's probably an alcoholic or a drug-dealer" and I'm sure that's possible, but whether he is or he isn't, regardless of how it is that he got on the side of that road, he's still human.

As my mom and I pulled away, we had tears in our eyes. In her motherly perspective she said, "that's somebody's son." We just cried for awhile, and let our own afternoon hunger sink in for a minute. I do a lot of running around for this Thanksgiving holiday as I am the one the cooks the dinner for my family, so it's easy for me to lose perspective amidst all the madness. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help people, and I'm so thankful for what I'm taught through it. I have so much, and I often forget it. It might be a stereotypical thing to say at this time of year, but it's true, and I wanted to share it. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends:)

I'm still here!

Hi friends...

Don't lose heart- I haven't faded into the dark again completely. This month has FLOWN by and I'm not really sure what I've been doing the whole time. I can't believe this week is Thanksgiving already- that's nuts!

I have been so busy- too busy- and I really need to learn to slow down. This is my prayer for right now, that I would learn how so slow down and not do too much. It's the number one thing that people criticize about me and the number one thing that makes my life not so much fun all the time. It keeps my from God, others, and even myself. Will you pray that I'll learn what to do and how to do it? I really don't know how...

Here's a blessing that I would like to share with you. Yesterday I got to do something really cool. My church put together some Thanksgiving food baskets and asked the congregation to give names of people that could use them. I was really late in asking, but my pastor found an extra one for me anyway when he heard who it was for. A new family moved into my district this week. They have 5 kids, and three of them are my students. In one week, I have gotten to know this family better than I do kids that I have known for over a year. The parents are so kind and loving- I could tell from the beginning that they were special. But I could also tell by looking at the dad that he had been through a lot. He had an extremely large scar on his head and it looked recent. Through talking with the parents extensively (they don't speak English, so I'm their only contact at school), I came to learn that the dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and had had a large tumor removed only weeks earlier. He obviously can't work right now, and with all the appointments and check-ups that he has daily, the mom can't work either because the dad isn't allowed to drive for 6 months, so she has to take him everywhere. So they have 5 kids, no income, and medical bills sky-high. They are very humble people, but they weren't even asking for help- they just wanted me to know so in case the kids seemed weighed-down at school, I would know why. My heart was breaking as I was listening to them tell their story and I was hoping that I could do something for them. I started praying right away that there would be a way for me to help them, and I remembered the baskets. I called my pastor immediately and told him their situation, and he said he'd find more food. So I talked to the family and asked if it would be ok if I stopped by with something for them. They said yes, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I came to their house. They were so grateful for the huge basket of food! As a way of saying thank-you, she had been cooking a simple yet amazing traditional Mexican meal. She said it would mean the world to them if I would sit down and share the meal with them, so I did. The food was delicious, but it meant so much more that they invited me in and made me a part of things. They told me that I am always welcome there and that I will be received as a queen in their house! The mom even made some traditional cookies for me to take back with me. It was so beautiful to see them use the little they have to bless me in a big way! I loved the food so much that the mom even said that I could come back for cooking lessons whenever I want- how cool is that? I could learn how to make real Mexican food- and this lady can cook! Anyway, the best thing is that I was talking to a good friend at church this morning about this family and she told me something awesome. She said she'd been looking for a family to sponsor for Christmas, and that she felt this family was it. So she's going to give them $100 to spend on each kid and $100 for food! How amazing is that? I'm telling the parents tomorrow, and I can't wait to see their reaction! The mom said to me the other day, "Sé que Dios nos tiene en sus manos y que nos cuidará. No más tenemos que esperar para ver cómo lo hará- pero sí lo hará" which means, "I know God has us in his hands and that he will take care of us. We just have to wait to see how he will do it- but he WILL do it." I love that I get to be the bearer of such awesome news! Praise God for their humble hearts, and the selfless giving of others. I am so encouraged by this! Please keep this family in your prayers- they are already so dear to my heart and I want them to feel God's presence so boldly in this time. Thanks guys...

That's all for now- it's late and I've still got to bake for tomorrow's school Thanksgiving. So right about that time-management thing...

Much love to you all...

Obsessed!

Oh, look, I'm writing twice in one week. Maybe I'll make a believer out of some of you;)

Anyway, I just have to share this. Raise your hand if you've listened to Bebo Norman's new CD "Between the dreaming and the coming true." If you don't have your hand raised right now, you are MISSING OUT! IT'S AMAZING! I'm currently CANNOT stop listening to song 3, called "Time Takes its Toll on Us." It's so hypnotic and addicting. If you have not heard this CD, get to a store, iTunes, or his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/bebonorman) and look for this song. It's so great. "I Will Lift My Eyes" is also amazing. Check it out people, you'll be glad you did.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Anyone sad it's November already? I love fall, and it's so rushed every year. Why can't it be a full season, like summer and winter and spring? I feel like fall's the best, and yet we have the least time to spend with her. It might be how some of you feel about me. Just kidding! Anyway, here's to the beautiful tree outside my classroom window that's desperately still holding it's shockingly yellow leaves tight, even though it's pretty much winter here in the greater Chicagoland area.

Chicagoland. Did you know we use that term for real around here? Most of my friends laugh and say something like, "Oh, so I live in Kansas City-land and So-And-So is from St. Louis-land?" Those people don't get that this is a "normal" term around here- we're not kidding. I'm not sure where it started, but it's what's used to refer to this whole place. The area covers about 8 million people, so we had to come up with something cool I guess to refer to the place that encompasses all of them. That, and perhaps it's because living here is as fun as being in a theme park. Booyah.

I've got to run and get my eyebrows done now. Somethings have to take priority over writing today, and sorry folks, but that includes my eyebrows. It might seem shallow, but you probably wouldn't want to be my friend if I didn't take care of this;)

¡Hasta pronto mis amigos!

So it's been awhile...

Hi blog friends! So yeah, I know I've abandoned this place for awhile, and a long while at that (and evidently so long that even SOME people had the audacity to remove me from their links! Not that I'm talking about Beej or anything though...). You want to know something funny? I write a blog entry almost every day....It's just in my head, and not on a computer. Does that make me crazy? I think it does a little bit. I "write" while I'm driving and I think of all the things I wish I could share with all my blog friends, and exactly how I'd say it, if I only had a computer, internet access, and time in my condo. So much has changed since last spring, and I want to write about all of it. I'm not sure where to start- it's a daunting task to try to sum it all up. So I won't try to do that completely, or I'll end up not writing at all. My goal though is to try to at least write once a week again and reconnect on this once-favorite-place-of-mine, the blog. I've truly missed writing my random thoughts and reading those of others. So you have no reason to believe me, but I tell you today that I'm trying to be better about writing...We'll see where we get:) In the meantime, here's a fun picture to show you a little bit (a FRACTION) of the glorious wonders that I experienced in Costa Rica. Did I mention that I spent the summer there? It was amazing- Vera Piper asked me to go back as her assistant to help with the same program I studied under 5 years ago. It was the blessing of a lifetime, and here's one fun picture as proof. It's of me and two students in the Pacific snorkeling (as you can see) and our guide found a real life puffer fish and held him up for the picture. I actually held that thing in my hand. Sweet!

So, there will be more pictures and stories to come about that "little adventure" known as my summer of 2006. Too amazing for words, but I will do my best.

I have to run, but I've always liked sharing teacher stories with you all, so here's one for the road. I was in one of my 7th grade classes on Friday, and we were discussing the soul and what makes us who we are, etc. One student told me he thought I had a black soul (as in African-American) and I liked that, but that's not as good as it gets. This other boy raises his hand as says, "I think my soul is green." I asked him why he thought that was the case and he responded, "I just think it's green. I guess I've always envisioned my soul as a pickle. You say soul, I think pickle." HA!! I had to leave the front of the classroom and write it down before I risked the chance of forgetting something so awesome. Maybe my soul's a pickle too- I'm not sure. As long as pickles go to heaven too, I'm ok with that:)

I'll be back soon my friends.

Florida, here I come!!

Hi friends. Be sure to read below about my crazy week. I just posted it this afternoon. I did want to let everyone know, however, that by the grace of God, I will be leaving this weekend for 8 GLORIOUS days in the Florida Keys!!! If you read below, it will become apparent that I might be on need of a little break! I'm going with my Chicago BFF Amy (who I'm moving in with this summer) to her house just a few miles up from Key West. It's going to be amazing...no kids, no crises...LOTS of fun, LOTS of relaxation, and hey, let's be honest...maybe a margarita or two;) I mean, that's what Key West is famous for, right? I will be going to the actual Margaritaville, so I think it's only in order! Anyway, I wanted to share the most amazing forecast for the week with you. To be really jealous (or just really happy for me) click here.

This is how I plan on having lunch on Sunday...

Anyway, I've been really bad about updating and calling and e-mailing as of late, and being away will not make that any better. I don't think I'll have computer access down there (or limited at best), so don't hate me if I'm not "around" for a bit. I hope you guys have a great week! If you e-mail me your street address before Saturday night, I'll send you a postcard- I promise! I'll be sure to update everyone when I get back too:)

This is the sunset I will be watching from Amy's boat or Mallory Square! They really are this amazing!

For more famous and amazing Key West sunset pictures, click here.

CCF Update

Hi guys. I have been horrible about writing...I know. This month has been INSANE at work again. Even MORE state testing...IMAGINE THAT! Anyway, I'm sure you guys have all heard about the CCF accident that took place last weekend in Oklahoma as some of the students made their way back to Kirskville. Almost everyone is well on the road to healing for the physical wounds inflicted, but I know our prayers are coveted for the great emotional healing that is needed after going through something so traumatic and unexpected. I can see God doing crazy things through this already, even at such a distance. I pray that our perspective would be blessed as to see those things and not just the hurting that's going on. Maybe some of you have read this, but I thought I would post the most recent update that I got from Joe Belzer today. Here it is:

"sorry, this prayer update is a bit over due...
though jennie and i got back to home late monday night... i have
not been able to sit at the computer very long. still on some strong
drugs.
the Lord gave us an AMAZING spring break trip. amazing provision of open
doors for conversations... amazing opportunities for the international
students going... i told jennie, that i have not ever experienced such
spirit of UNITY where it seemed like God did SO MUCH. those who needed
to talk were able to find those to listen...
those who were convicted of deep change, were humble in finding
help.. or asking for help.
the counselors and staff at the camp were AMAZED at the amount of
work that the students got done. we were amazed also.
before our trip back, we gathered in a large circle, with the camp
staff... and just shared story after story of what we saw the Lord do
that week. it was amazing.
we prayed over the camp staff...
and they prayed for us also.

but the part of the story that has made the headlines the last
few days is the accident that happened on our way home.
around 5 in the morning on sat., we were making our way through
oklahoma city, when our caravan (one of 3) was in a head-on crash with a
lady who had apparently been drinking- who was driving on the wrong side
of the interstate. the two vehicles in the lead were able to swerve to
avoid hitting the lady... but our van was the one who hit her. because
of an earlier bus-break down, we had tried to move students from the bus
to fill the vans to 15 apiiece.. so there were 15 in our van. the
amazing thing is that no -one was killed. though the lady was going over
80 miles an hour (as estimated by the highway patrol)... we only suffered
broken bones and abrasions... the e.m.t.'s thought i was the worst...
and thus the report that i was not doing too well. the 3 of us who were
hospitalized each broke our tibias(sp?)...(lower shin bone) -
words fail to express the emotional impact of it all...
the explosion sounds... the confusion of sliding down the
high-way on our side, while my head was next to the pavement...
landing...and hearing lydia (our 7 yr.old) screaming for help,
but not able to move....
having the other students pull together in amazing ways to rescue
us all from the vehicles... and watching them move as one body to look
after the needs of each other.... the sight of the woman's car... and her
still trapped... yet, students trying to talk to her through her
window...
being unable to walk.. but then carried to the side of the road....
shivering from cold... and stretched out on the highway...
learning with great RELIEF, that both my daughters in the van
were o.k... and were safe... and that my other 3 kids were all fine.
having my clothes cut off to reveal an exposed bone in my right
leg...
having a make shift compress pushed against the left side of my
head to stop the bleeding...

all i could do was pray.. and the students around me prayed... i don't
know that have been in the middle of so much chaos and felt so much
protection.... and peace before.

since sat., we have all been dismissed but john hainline (who is
being watched for an infection in a gouge wound)... he may be released
today. i am healing quickly... though am trying to take my time.
they placed a rod in my tibia... and have me in a boot that is
able to be taken off to keep an eye on the infection.... my head is
healing more each day...
we were welcomed by churches in ok. city... and when we got back
here, the university opened up the dorms early for everyone.. it has all
be pretty amazing. many of you have asked how you could help... we are
unsure... just standing by and praying for us has been SO POWERFUL..
thanks so much.
i will hopefuly have more energy in the future to write more of
the stories...there are so many amazing stories of all the Lord has done
and is doing. thanks so much for your prayers. ]
please keep jeanetta fountain (the 38 yr. old lady who hit us) in
your prayers... as of monday she had had no relatives come to visit.. and
only one friend.... please pray that the Lord might heal her... and reach
her soul during this season.

tonight at our mid-week, we are having a special evening of
sharing the stories... please pray that the Lord would use this to more
deeply unify the students... and heal their emotional wounds from this.
again, we are indebted to you for your prayers.... hope this is
somewhat co-herent..... in His love, joe"