God Has Done It Again

Well, God has done it again!! He has given me an idea. I prayed for an idea, now I am praying for guidance and direction with that idea.

I was studying Psalm 23...reminding myself that God loves me and provides for me, and is always with me. It was in that time that the idea arrived.

Once again, I am in over my head. But , that is a good thing. I need to be where I rely on God....where I know I cannot do something on my own. I need to NEED HIM!

I will keep you posted.......

How to Handle Kids Growing UP

How to handle your kids growing up? When you figure it out, let me know.
My son started his first job yesterday. He loved it and did great. I am so proud.
This same son starts high school next Monday. Yikes!! Once again, he is excited
and ready. Me? Not so much!
I have prepared him as much as I can. He is already involved in some school activities and has
met with some of the kids over the summer. He is ready. Mom just sees her baby growing up.

I find myself praying more for him than before: praying for him to do well in his studies, praying for him to make Godly friends, praying for him to find a good club to be involved in. 

Now, it is time to sign up for Driver's Ed. Ok, now I am going to pray for ME..........

Once again, God has given me an opportunity......

I must confess,it took me a month to really see what God was doing for me. I am a natural blonde, so I can be slow.
I got an email from a lady I know asking me did I want to at an online academy. Well, I laughed. Out loud. I told my hubby how crazy that sounded. HOW can I teach sign thru a computer?
But he said, don't dismiss it. Check it out. 
So, I waited a few weeks and finally contacted the lady in charge. To my surprise, she told me how easy it would be to teach sign online. She explained how the virtual classroom worked, and by the end of that conversation I was hooked.
So, one of my besties reminded me how great God is to give me this. She is right. Now, I just have to trust Him that I can learn it all and work out the kinks so my students will have a great time learning and laughing with me!!!

Praise God!!

Well, I have a teenage boy. He is cute as he can be, and now the girls have noticed him. Girls nowadays are AGGRESSIVE. Moms, please teach your girls to be the chasee not the chaser.
In the old days, we used to flirt and let a guy know we liked him, but we let him do the work. Girls now have no clue how to be chased. It's kind of sad. The game was half the fun.
Suffice it to say I have been on my knees in prayer a LOT lately.

Life Can Be Hard

Wow. Life can throw some curve balls at you sometimes. Sometimes you hit em out of the park, sometimes you get out.
And there are some times when you don't know what in the world to do. I am there. I have never been here in my life. I have always had a plan. Always been upbeat, happy, outgoing, and optimistic. Never have I been at a place where I just had no clue.

Friends, this is where God lives. He is there when we don't know. He is there to guide us and love us. All we need to do is go to Him. He loves us when it feels like no one else does. Draw near to Him....pray.......praise........get in the Word. That is the only thing that will help.

If you are not a Christian, you need to be. You need Jesus.........you need to ask Him to be your Lord. Ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart.

TOBYMAC

Okay, prepare to be jealous. I was invited with a friend and her daughter to go see TobyMac in concert. It was AWE-SOME! That even, is an understatement.
Here are some pictures, although they still don't do it justice.

Beginner Sign Language Classes

It is time for sign classes again............please see my website www.asl-adventure.blogspot.com to see the whole list of my classes and locations.
I love teaching, and I love all my kids. They leave an impression on my heart that stays forever.If you or anyone you know wants to learn beginner sign, please contact me.

I am the director of a church sign language choir. We are in the beginning stages of our own website, and I have posted some pictures.
If you know anyone interested in having us come and minister at their church, or event, please tell them to visit our site.
Thanks.

              www.signsofvictory.blogspot.com

I am the director of a sign language choir thru my church. I have a group of people that are very committed and serious about this ministry. I love it.We have been doing it since 2008, and we minister in churches and festivals. We will go just about anywhere.
Why did I say this?
Yesterday, I got a book: Leading From Your Strengths-building close knit ministry teams. It is based on 3 core principals.
1-Understanding your own God-given strengths. This is key to growth, change and finding your place on the team God has placed you.
2-Recognizing and respecting the God-given strengths of others on your team. This is a key to the committment of each team member to each other.
3-Blending differences among team members and harnessing each person's unique strengths. This results in greater effectiveness and productivity on your team.
Okay. This is good stuff, but how many of you know leaders like this? Have you e ver worked under a leader that did not recognize the gifts of others? I have. I have seen leaders unwilling to relinquish control to someone better qualified...to the detriment of the team.
As leaders, we need to know that we do NOT know it all. We are not good at everything. We need to  be honest about our weaknesses and pray that God would send someone to our team that had that talent.
Control freaks always end up changing anyway. I am a reforming control freak. But, God showed me a long time ago, that I had people on my team with great ideas. We are having a planning meeting so I can share my thoughts, and they can tell me their ideas.
Leaders need to remember that God speaks to others in the group, and we need to listen and be open to what they have to say.
As a leader, if your team is not where you want them to be, ask yourself why? Ask God if it your leadership and how you can alter it to be better.
Go think about that.........

I am a Star Wars fan. Everyone that knows me, knows that. So, I warn you, this will be a fluff piece.

We all know that George Lucas sold his franchise. Idiot. Oh, did I say that out loud? I was extremely upset that he gave it to DISNEY. They are fine on their own, but really?
Then my hopes were raised when I heard the original 3: Harrison, Mark  and Carrie were signed on. I thought: okay, they will keep it on track.
Yesterday, I heard that JJ Abrams will direct the new SW VII. Now I am EXCITED!
I am a huge fan of JJ...i LOVE Alias and Lost.
I know he did a remake of Trek. I don't care that he ruined it. I hate Trek. Now that he got the kinks out, I expect a phenomenal film.
I will keep you posted on my thoughts.

Disney World 2012

This is Expedition Everest Roller Coaster. I rode this twice at Animal Kingdom. This was the only good thing there.

This was truly a breathtaking site....one of the best in the world.

I wanted to stuff this in my pocket and bring it home. Fall is the best. Here , it was magical!

Where Have I Been?

Where have I been? BUSY! Not busy in the way I used to be or the way most people are now. Not busy with fluff junk that is not important or that can wait. Busy with my family and my students.
New school year has begun. I love teaching so much. Plus, my hubby and I surprised our kids with a trip to Disney last week. It is hard planning and packing for a week long vacation when they can't know about it. Seriously.

Christmas play practice has begun at our church. Both my kids are in it every year, so that takes up some time. The sign choir I am a part of, is performing at an event this year that is open to the public, so that is taking time as well.

My kids are in scouts and gymnastics, and my hubby and I take time to go with them to these things. My resolution this year to do less is working. I have time for important things, and I do not feel guilty when I say no.

As you walk around today, notice how many people have their phones out texting...or are talking on them. Notice people in the store, or in the pickup line at school. We busy ourselves with junk.....time wasting junk....then say we didn't have time to do the things we really should have done to start with. Begin a "fast" with some of your time wasters. Don't check email in the morning until you have cleaned up the kitchen first. Don't play that game on FB until you have showered, dressed, and done your errands.

Put the important things first, and you will be surprised how less stresed you are!
Go think about that...........

I teach classes and one of my "things" is to throw my flip flops at students that tease me or don't listen...or whatever reason I deem acceptable. I do not hurt them, it is all in good fun.
Well, as a project, my students have to do a skit. This group did a skit all about me. They took turns doing things that drive me nuts, and then had "me" throw shoes at them. It was very funny.

This group did the red carpet at a hollywood event, and interviewed famous people.

I had a student of mine ask me about drinking this week. He asked me if I did and if I had any problems with people drinking. I was honest. I do not drink. I never have been a real drinker, but after I got married I thought: I'm grown and married, and I can drink if I want to. BUT...yes it's a big one..BUT God spoke to me during a church service and told me to go home and pour it out and not drink again. So, I have not. The Bible does not say Christians cannot drink. TEchnically it says not to get drunk..
BUT...yes another one....BUT it tells us not to do anything that could make a newer Christian stumble and go down a wrong path. We are to be an example.

I never knew why God had me do that. Now, I do. I teach young people, mostly high school, but some middle school. I am a role model for them. I lead a church group consisting mainly of high schoolers. Once again, I am in a position of young people looking up to me. What am I showing them?

I know that one day I will have to stand in front of Jesus and account for what I did with these young people. I will have to account for what I did, said, and told them. Not only do I want to help these young people with their walk with Christ, but I want to make Jesus happy too.

So, who is watching you? You are being watched whether you know it or not...and whether you like it or not. What kind of role model are you? What will Jesus say about the kind of role model you are? Will He be happy? Will you help young people draw closer to God with your example? Go think about that..........

Supporting a Student

I have a student that has auditioned for X Factor...which will air later summer or fall.
She will find out by a phone call if she made it thru to the live TV auditions.
I am very excited for her. Her parents drove her to New York for this audition. It made me think of Scotty and all he went thru, but boy was it worth it for him!!!
Think of all the times Scotty has mentioned God , Jesus and praying on television since last May. (yes, it has been a year)
I hope this student understands the opportunity God has placed before her, and I know she will make me proud!! Go Kinsey!!

God is so Good

I know, this is an understatement. God is super good to the point we can't even describe it. But, I can tell you He helped me with a problem.

I have had requests for a Sign  Language 2 class for the coops I teach. I had many ideas, but could not seem to get them lined up properly. I mentioned this to one of the moms. She said why not put all your ideas under one umbrella and do all of them. I loved that idea. So, I went home and began to write down the ideas that came to mind. By the time I was finished I had filled up a whole page. It was fantastic!

I knew then it was totally a God thing! When was the last time you just asked God for help, and then acted on it? Go think about that.....

Outreach

I have been thinking a lot the past 6 months about what God wants us to do as Christians and as THE CHURCH.

I promise you He does not want us just hanging out at church. He wants us to go out into the community....tell about His love, help people know there is hope in Jesus.  Jesus was a trouble maker. He was always in the bad parts of town, hanging out with the riff raff that no one else would be seen with. He was walking the walk...in a BIG way. Why do we think we can just sit in our pews and expect people to walk in our churches off the street? They don't. People want to know we care...that we mean it.

Haven't you ever heard the saying: people don't care how much you know, till they know how much you care? It is true.

I think we need to embrace our inner trouble maker and do what Jesus would do....which is NOT sit in our seats and wait for the masses to come to us. The devil makes sure that won't happen.
If this is outside your comfort zone, then good. That is where we need to be. We aren't growing if we are satisfied where we are....instead we become complacent and ineffective.

God has moved me outside my comfort zone, and I am discovering I like it better there. So, ask God what kind of community outreach He would have you do..and do it. I promise there is someone out there waiting for you to speak up.

Embrace your inner  trouble maker. Go think about that............

New Year, New Me

Okay, it is finally 2012. I don't really make resolutions, mainly because I make lofty ones that are difficult to attain.
This year is different. My only goal is to simplify my life and tell people "no" more. I am going to have more time for the important things.

See, I think I am Wonder Woman...that I can do it all, and do it well. (Insert laugh here) Well, surprise, I am not WW. So, I am choosing the most important things to me (sign classes, sign choir, my kids and hubby) and doing them. I now have more time for ministry opportunities and family things as they come up. My daughter wants to take gymnastics, so now I will have time to take her.
So, if you hear me say no, I can't....then know I am sticking to my resolution this year.

I do have many cool things to share, but let's take it one day at a time. Now, go back and look at your list of resolutions this year, and take off the ones you won't do..........and see how you can simplify too. Go think about that.............

Why Do We Have Christmas

I love Christmas for many reasons, not all of which are religious. I love giving gifts, I love baking, I love decorating the house with lights and many trees. But, I also love how people are more generous this time of year. People are nicer in general.

I make sure to remind my children that if Jesus had not been willing to die for us, He never would have been born. God loved enough that he sacrificed His only Son. I have a son. Honestly, I don't know that I could let him die to save others. Of course, Jesus rose and is alive in Heaven. Maybe that would make it a smidge easier. But to have to watch your son die and beg for you, and you turn your back. Wow. That is enough to make any parent say "turn the channel".

I am grateful for Mary and Joseph who were obedient. If they were not, would God have had to find another way?

As you sing songs like Silent Night and Away In a Manger, think about the words and what they truly mean.................and Merry Christmas.

What America Learned by 9/11

Everyone in the United States remembers what they were doing when the terrorists attacked those 4 planes. Everyone remembers seeing the towers fall, and hearing about the brave passengers who went down in that Pennsylvania field to save others. All of us get chills when we really think about it. It makes us sad when our children ask us why we are in a war and we have to tell them.

America learned so much from that day. First, we learned just how brave we as Americans truly are. It started with the passengers who knew they were going to die anyway, so they went down fighting. Then, with the emergency personnel who rushed into those towers and the pentagon to try to get people out. Lastly, seeing how brave the people inside the buildings were trying to help the disabled get out, and dying in the process. American loyalty is strong. We Americans can do what needs to be done, in any situation. We are the land of the free and home of the brave.

America learned that our world is not the same as it was when we were children in the 1970’s. People now have the technology to do lots of damage from very far away. They can use satellites to keep tabs on us from the other side of the globe. They have missiles that can be programmed for a target that will NOT miss. Most importantly, there is hate like there has never been before.

America learned that we have never truly appreciated our military like we have since 9/11. We have become true patriots. When I see anyone in uniform, I always say thank you to them. I want them to know how much their job means to us. We sleep peacefully at night because they help protect our world. That has nothing to do with whether you agree with the war or not. You should support their efforts anyway. They have to be there away from their spouses and kids. They need our love and support. Shame on you if you think otherwise.

The last thing we have learned is that as Americans, we are the most hated and the most admired county in the world. Everyone wants something from us when they are in trouble. But, when they are fine, they hate us for our freedoms and our prosperity. People are afraid of what they don’t understand.

9/11 will go down as one of the darkest days in history, right along side with Pearl Harbor. The good thing is, we are stronger and more united than our states have ever been.