1) Four jobs I've had in my life:
Lifeguard, exercise specialist for the disabled, biology/health teacher,
adapted and regular PE teacher
2) Four places I've lived:
Northern and Southern California
3) Four TV Shows I Love to Watch:
HGTV (home and garden), Giant's baseball, the Food Channel, and sometimes
CSI
4) Four Blogs I Read Regularly:
My friends who have blogs (Charity, Nina, Steve, Sandi, Lauren, Cherie),
Radical Womanhood, Albert Mohler, and The Purple Cellar
5) Four Favorite Foods:
Fresh fruit (bananas, berries, apricots, watermelon), anything out of my
garden, carne asida tacos, fresh cooked chewy chocolate chip cookies
6) Four Places I've Been:
Mexico, Canada, Montana and Hawaii
7) Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
On Summer vacation away from school, heaven, Hawaii or hiking a
mountain
8) Four Friends Who Will Respond and/or Add to Blog:
Charity, Steve, Sandi and Karin
9) Four Things I Look Forward to In This Next Year:
My nephew coming into the world in June and spending time with my sweet
niece, Summer Olympics, working on memorizing Ephesians (ask me later how it is
going), turning 40!!!
10) Four People I Tag To Add This To Their Blog:
Charity, Steve, Sandi and Karin
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I've Been Tagged
I have been tagged to share 10 bits of information about myself.
First Ball Game of 2008
Last night my dad and I went to see the Giant's play the Rockies. There is something unique about going to the ball park to watch a game. There is so much to watch and be entertained by at the ball park. AT&T Park is a wonderful baseball park. My dad and I enjoy going to the games together. Here's dad with the Bay Bridge and the Coke-Cola bottle. Did you know the bottle has two slides to ride down in the inside? Last night it was really cold at the ball park. I think I had 5 layers on and was still pretty cold. When the Giant's used to play in Candlestick Park (just down the freeway a few miles) it was said of the stadium and the cold, "you would be more cold at a night Giant's game in the middle of the summer than a 49er game in the dead of winter".
Dad and I went to dinner at our favorite place inside the park, an Irish Pub. We love the fish and chips there. Last night as we stood and ate we were joined by several dozen Giant's fans all watching the San Jose Sharks play in their playoff game. Kinda fun to be among Giant's fans cheering for a the Sharks.
I love this sign. It is funny. Just in case you were wanting to go to the Polo Grounds, almost 3,000 miles away.The Giant's lost the game on a questionable balk call by the umpire. The evening would have been perfect if the Giant's would have won but I always enjoy a good evening with my daddy.
Rumor has it that if a player hits a home run and hits the big 4 fingered glove, that a random fan in the stands will win 1 Million. That would be over a 500' shot!Any One Get Their Cheap Scoop?
Today Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Shop had all scoops for 31 cents! All the proceeds are going to the fire department. The local BR in my area was packed but it only took a few minutes to get served and out the door.
Couple of questions for my blog viewers:
1) Before you choose which flavor of ice cream you want, do you look at all
of the ice cream choices behind the counter glass?
For some reason, I can't seem to pick out what flavor I want until I see
all of what they have and what they look like. This is even true if I get one of
my same favorites. I guess I think that there just might be something better
than my favorite.
2) If you got a scoop today or your freebie from Ben & Jerry's this
week, what flavor(s) did you choose?
When I go to Baskin Robbins I usually always get Rocky Road. This was my
favorite flavor as a kid. Rocky Road is not the same as it was way back then.
The marshmallows were more chewy and the chocolate was darker. Every time I get
BR Rocky Road now, I am wishing that the marshmallows were what I remember as a kid.
Ben & Jerry's is far away from me. So, I don't get it often but I like
Cherry Garcia. I would like Chunky Monkey but there are too many big walnuts
that taste funny with the ribbon of chocolate to me.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Other Photos
Here is a picture of my lilac bush a few weeks ago when it was in full bloom. The bush was gorgeous and had such a wonderful aroma.
The inspiration for the lilac bush was from Mrs. F and her beautiful lilac bushes in her backyard.
The only thing that I don't like about the lilac flowering season is that it is very short lived.
Here is the sun worshipper in the house. Rosie absolutely loves when I open the slider in the master bedroom. She loves the sun and the fresh air.
This beauty was taken in my mom's backyard while I was there for the birthday party for the girls.
I am learning to take pictures of things that see that might turn out nice.
Therese, a friend from church, who is a wonderful photographer, said recently, "If you take a bunch of pictures, a few might turn out good".
Birthday Project
Sunday afternoon my mom had my cousin Cheryl, and her two daughters, Olivia and Angela, over to celebrate the girls upcoming birthdays. Amy came up with a fun idea for presents for the girls. Amy bought huge terra cotta pots and brought things for the girls to paint their pots. Then we planted little tomato plants for them to take care of and watch grow. The girls really enjoyed themselves and so did we!
Ladies Tea
On Saturday my church hosted a ladies tea. What a lovely time we all had. My Mom, Grandma, and my sister Amy were able to attend. It was so nice to have them there with me. We were not quite complete though, we were missing Jen and Trin. I was honored to introduce them to many the ladies at the tea.
After a wonderful "light" meal and fellowship we heard a message on priorities from Betty Price from the Master's College. What great insights she shared about priorities. My heart was encouraged and stimulated to improve a few areas of my life that will give God the glory.
Here are a few pictures from the tea.
After a wonderful "light" meal and fellowship we heard a message on priorities from Betty Price from the Master's College. What great insights she shared about priorities. My heart was encouraged and stimulated to improve a few areas of my life that will give God the glory.
Here are a few pictures from the tea.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
30 Seconds
This afternoon I put out new hummingbird food and I sat down on a patio and started counting. The two feeders have been bone dry for at least one week now. Within counting to 30 seconds a hummingbird was feasting off of the sweet water. It amazes me, it was like he was taking watch somewhere off in a tree just waiting for me to fill the feeder.
Here is the very simple recipe that I use to make nectar for the humming birds. Remember 4 to 1.
4 Cups water
1 Cup sugar
Stir sugar and water over medium high heat until water boils for 2 minutes. Let cool and fill into cleaned humming bird feeders.
Note: no red food coloring is needed, in fact, experts say that the dye is harmful to the birds.
Picture taken from Google images.
God Has Given Us Eternal Life
Today I got a taste of heaven and I long for more. Tony continued in his series from 1 John (today's sermon on 1 John 5:5-12), Will The Real Christian Please Stand Up, The Letters of John. My heart was greatly encouraged by this message. I would like to take the opportunity to comment on a few of the verses and a few facts about heaven. The verses are from 1 John 5:10-12 from the ESV.
God's testimony concerning Christ is two fold, to those who do not believe and those who do believe. To those who do not believe- verse10 states when one denies what the gospel and God says of Christ then he is a liar. Belief in anything other than what God has said attacks the character of God. Verse 12 says that if he have the Son then he does not have the life.
To those that believe, those who are resting upon Him, who believe unto Him, who trust Christ in all areas of life, we have been given eternal life. The testimony is internalized meaning we are continuously believing. Eternity with God has began now in this life but will be consummated later in time.
A few things that we pondered this morning were a life endless in duration, a life endless in quality, a life with God, a life of activity and responsibility and a life without evil or sin. Eternity will be forever, endless into the future. This is hard for me to comprehend because everything in this life has an ending point. I can not even begin to fathom what forever will be like. As believers living on through eternity, the quality of eternity will deepen. In heaven we will be with God. God is endless and our satisfaction will never end with Him. We will continually be filling up on His endless knowledge. In heaven there will be new activity and responsibility too. There will be new heavens and earth. We will be made like Him. There will be no more curse upon the earth. We will reign with Him. There will be no more sin, no more suffering, no pain, no mourning and there will be no more want.
Here are the words to a few songs we sang this morning. Both of these put in place living here until I one day am together with the Lord in heaven.
You Are My All in All, by Dennis Jernigan 1990 Shepherd's Heart Music
Knowing You by Graham Kendrick 1993 Make Way Music
10Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does
not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the
testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11And this is the testimony,
that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the
Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
God's testimony concerning Christ is two fold, to those who do not believe and those who do believe. To those who do not believe- verse10 states when one denies what the gospel and God says of Christ then he is a liar. Belief in anything other than what God has said attacks the character of God. Verse 12 says that if he have the Son then he does not have the life.
To those that believe, those who are resting upon Him, who believe unto Him, who trust Christ in all areas of life, we have been given eternal life. The testimony is internalized meaning we are continuously believing. Eternity with God has began now in this life but will be consummated later in time.
A few things that we pondered this morning were a life endless in duration, a life endless in quality, a life with God, a life of activity and responsibility and a life without evil or sin. Eternity will be forever, endless into the future. This is hard for me to comprehend because everything in this life has an ending point. I can not even begin to fathom what forever will be like. As believers living on through eternity, the quality of eternity will deepen. In heaven we will be with God. God is endless and our satisfaction will never end with Him. We will continually be filling up on His endless knowledge. In heaven there will be new activity and responsibility too. There will be new heavens and earth. We will be made like Him. There will be no more curse upon the earth. We will reign with Him. There will be no more sin, no more suffering, no pain, no mourning and there will be no more want.
Here are the words to a few songs we sang this morning. Both of these put in place living here until I one day am together with the Lord in heaven.
You Are My All in All, by Dennis Jernigan 1990 Shepherd's Heart Music
You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek, You are my All in All.
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool, You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again I bless Your Name, You are my All in All.
When I fall down, You pick me up;
When I am dry, You fill my cup, You are my All in All!
Knowing You by Graham Kendrick 1993 Make Way Music
All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres, and wars to own.
All I once thought gain I have counted loss,
Spent and worthless now, compared to this:
Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You,
there is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're my rest,
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord.
Now my heart's desire is to know You more,
To be found in You and known as Yours.
To possess by faith what I could not earn,
All-surpassing gift of righteousness.
Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings;
To become like You in Your death, my Lord,
So with You to live and never die.
Jeff Foxworthy's Take on Teachers
A co-worker sent this out last week right in the middle of a crazy week at school.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE A TEACHER?
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. _________" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and prep period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off."
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
And finally,
21. You understand instantly why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.
A few points that I would particularly like to comment on:
3. As a middle school teacher being spotted by a student is really no big deal but the student makes such a big deal out of it. If I'm seen in a grocery store for example the student will say something absolutely silly like, "You eat food!" The only time I really don't like being spotted by a student is when they have been a difficult student who needs constant reprimanding or if they have been nasty to me. I don't want them to see what kind of car I drive or know anywhere where I live.
4. I don't ever get called mom or dad but I get called any other teacher but not Miss ___. I usually help them out and say who I am to the student.
9. It is nice to work school hours and have some of the summer off but what people don't get is that it is so much more than that. There are always papers to grade, IEP's to go to, trainings in the Summer, lesson planning, calling parents. I don't think there is ever a day that I don't spend at least 1 hour outside of contract hours at work.
13. Kids behaving badly in public. I fight with everything within me to not respond to children not behaving correctly. The worst scenario is at the movie theater. Somehow, I always end up with middle school students near me and they are talking during the movie, receiving cell phone calls or being rude. I seriously have to tell myself, "Shelly, you are not a teacher right this minute".
21. All I need to say is that a common phase in our PE department is "the apple does not fall far from the tree".
I do praise God for the job that He has blessed me with and I do hope that in ways that I am able that I bring Him glory. God has refined my character greatly through teaching and there is much more to be done.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE A TEACHER?
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. _________" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and prep period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off."
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
And finally,
21. You understand instantly why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.
A few points that I would particularly like to comment on:
3. As a middle school teacher being spotted by a student is really no big deal but the student makes such a big deal out of it. If I'm seen in a grocery store for example the student will say something absolutely silly like, "You eat food!" The only time I really don't like being spotted by a student is when they have been a difficult student who needs constant reprimanding or if they have been nasty to me. I don't want them to see what kind of car I drive or know anywhere where I live.
4. I don't ever get called mom or dad but I get called any other teacher but not Miss ___. I usually help them out and say who I am to the student.
9. It is nice to work school hours and have some of the summer off but what people don't get is that it is so much more than that. There are always papers to grade, IEP's to go to, trainings in the Summer, lesson planning, calling parents. I don't think there is ever a day that I don't spend at least 1 hour outside of contract hours at work.
13. Kids behaving badly in public. I fight with everything within me to not respond to children not behaving correctly. The worst scenario is at the movie theater. Somehow, I always end up with middle school students near me and they are talking during the movie, receiving cell phone calls or being rude. I seriously have to tell myself, "Shelly, you are not a teacher right this minute".
21. All I need to say is that a common phase in our PE department is "the apple does not fall far from the tree".
I do praise God for the job that He has blessed me with and I do hope that in ways that I am able that I bring Him glory. God has refined my character greatly through teaching and there is much more to be done.
Bug Catching
Last weekend my sister, bro in law and sweet Trinity were in town. Auntie Amy gave Trin Trin a bug catching net and a container to hold the bugs. Trin had a ball with her new found toy. She quickly learned who the bug catchers are (this should actually read bug catcher is) and who are not. Growing up I loved catching bugs and exploring. Think my sweet niece takes after me. It was so cute, she would head off towards the gate in the back yard and say, "I'm gonna go catch bugs. Come on!" Knowing who she was talking to, I got up and followed her to help her find bugs. We turned over every rock and moved anything that might have a bug under it in the back yard. Some day, I will teach her how to catch a blue belly lizard.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A Blood Donor Saved My Life
A few weeks ago I was talking to Suzi at church and saw a button on her jean jacket pocket. The little round button had a red cross in the middle and had this written on it, "A Blood Donor Saved My Life". I stood there wondering what was Suzanne's story and how a blood donation saved her life. Thankfully, I did not open my mouth before I thought out the saying on the button. The button was in reference to the blood that Christ shed to save her life from eternal damnation. What a clever way get people to ask you about your Life Saver.
On a different note of being a blood donor, today I gave blood at the blood bank next to the church. Since my college days, I have always enjoyed giving blood. About 6 years ago, I started to have trouble giving blood because my iron level was low. Seemed like every time I went in to give, I would be turned away (and this always was after the long list of detailed personal questions). After so many times of being turned away I just gave up trying to donate. About 2 months ago, my church had a blood drive and this time was able to donate. If the Lord allows, I would like to continue on a regular basis of giving blood.
It Is Well With My Soul
It Is Well With My Soul, by Horatio G. Spafford, Philip P. Bliss, 1997 Word Music
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, O, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Truly it is well with my soul. This is one of my most beloved songs. Almost every time I sing this song, my heart whelms with emotion and my eyes moisten with tears. This morning at church we sang this wonderful song. Life has many difficulties, trials, joys and sorrows but for those of us who truly and personally know the LORD, it will always be well with our souls. Jesus has bought our life with His own blood and we are headed for an eternity with Him.
I look at the lyrics of this song and put any situation going on in my life, no matter how good or how bad, and I can echo with the author, "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul'". "Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul". Oh praise the LORD, praise the Lord, that "My sin not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more".
Many of you know that I love singing songs like this one that speak of my Savior, that speak of my God, that tell of the blessed hope that I have awaiting one day in heaven. A few less of you know that I don't have songs picked out for my possible future wedding day but I do have songs planned out for my certain departure from this earth (unless the Lord returns first). The funeral song list has varied from time to time but It Is Well With my Soul always has been one of my top choices. I long for the day when the faith that God has given me shall be sight. O, eternity of being well with my soul. Today, again, I remind myself, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, O, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Truly it is well with my soul. This is one of my most beloved songs. Almost every time I sing this song, my heart whelms with emotion and my eyes moisten with tears. This morning at church we sang this wonderful song. Life has many difficulties, trials, joys and sorrows but for those of us who truly and personally know the LORD, it will always be well with our souls. Jesus has bought our life with His own blood and we are headed for an eternity with Him.
I look at the lyrics of this song and put any situation going on in my life, no matter how good or how bad, and I can echo with the author, "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul'". "Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul". Oh praise the LORD, praise the Lord, that "My sin not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more".
Many of you know that I love singing songs like this one that speak of my Savior, that speak of my God, that tell of the blessed hope that I have awaiting one day in heaven. A few less of you know that I don't have songs picked out for my possible future wedding day but I do have songs planned out for my certain departure from this earth (unless the Lord returns first). The funeral song list has varied from time to time but It Is Well With my Soul always has been one of my top choices. I long for the day when the faith that God has given me shall be sight. O, eternity of being well with my soul. Today, again, I remind myself, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
New Gate
Last Saturday and yesterday my 'Daddy-Love' and I built a new gate to my side yard. The old gate was falling apart and needed to be re-built. This gate is big, about 12' across with a split in the middle. Both of us never dreamed that the project would take as much time and energy as it did. Neither of us are professional gate makers but the gate looks great, just took some serious brain power and physical labor. My 'Mommy-Love' brought over lunch each day. Thanks Dad and Mom for your help and support.
Slowly, my house is coming together. Next project is landscaping the front yard. That should start in a month or so. I am very excited for this project to finish. It is the one thing that needs to be done to finish off the house. Soon I will have some pictures to show the transformation. Thanks Grandma for your help on this project. Love you.
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