I'm Better Now

At least as far as my overloaded brain goes. I'm wrapping things up for teacher appreciation week, and I got all the snack schedule worked out. And it's Wednesday! Woohoo! I love Wednesdays. My sweet little first grade friends won't be there for lunch today, so it'll be sort of quiet in the cafeteria. And it buys me an extra 30 minutes of sit down lunch with my co~workers. You gotta love field trip days.

I'm so excited about church tonight. Music Man is off in the wild blue yonder filming an infomercial, so he gave us the night off in choir. I will be joining my women friends in their group meeting tonight, and cannot wait. We have an amazing new women's director, my good friend, Alette Shappley. That is the most on fire woman for God, and when you talk to her she is always saying things like, "Thank You, Jesus, Hallelujah, Praise You, Father"! Her joy is so contagious! I can't wait.

Today I am going to visit my 4th grade friends in Graham's class. Me and my friend Kelly are doing fluency for them today. I am excited for this because it's been about a month since I've done that for them. I miss having one on one time with them.

The little guys had a great time at their game last night. I will post some pictures tonight, or try to, at least. They are so precious out there on the field. And my little Noah slammed that ball last night. I was so proud. Jonah did great at stopping the ball~if only the kid he threw to had been paying attention! We have mostly young kids on our team, so the older ones will be the ones to carry them. There was this one poor little girl who cried the whole time. She kept wailing, "I want my mommy!" She thought everyone was yelling at her, but in fact we were cheering her on. Poor baby.

Oh, well, I need to get off of here and run to the bank. I hope you all have a fanTABulous day. I love you all, in the sweet name of Jesus, and am praying for you.

Information Overload!

Yikes! My brain is so incredibly overloaded with all of it's junk that I'm about to scream!!!! AAAUUUGGGHHH! This is THE MOST busy time of year for me. I have teacher's appreciation week all week next week (how many times can I say the word 'week'?), and baseball starts tonight. I'm trying to get things taken care of for next week for all 8 (did you catch that, 8?!) of my assigned people. I think it's ridiculous what all is required of us, but hey, I'm not the main decision maker at CES. Hmmmm, just maybe....

Our kids are assigned not only their teacher, but 1 extra staff person as well. So our extra person for Jonah's classroom is THE PRINCIPAL. Are you KIDDING me???? The pressure is on. That will be all I say. The extra person for Noah's class is our sweet kindergarten assistant. They have to take a flower on Monday, send in 1 item per class on Tuesday for a luncheon, send the gift in on Wednesday, buy takeout lunch on Thursday and send thank you notes on Friday. Ummm, I love these people, but I appreciate them ALL year, not just for one week. And that's a whole lot for one week when you have more than one child. Anyway. I feel lots of overwhelming things because I'm the room mom. Times 2. I don't even know if the other room moms got the email with all the info. I did b/c I was pressuring my friend Libby at school who was in charge of it all.

To add to that stuff, I'm also coordinating snacks for the tball team. Which really is not a big deal, it's just one more thing for me to remember. I need a night out. Or 4. Or a trip. I mean a vacation. My doc always says that a trip with kids is just a trip...like a trip to the grocery store, but a vacation is one where the mom and dad go and the kids don't! Wishful thinking.

So, how's your week going? I felt the need to write all of this out, because even as I do this, it is slowly making me feel better. See? It really is an outlet for me. So thank you for your listening ears. Or reading eyes. Whatever. Can you tell I'm about at my wit's end here? Okay, I just took a deep, calming breath and slowly released it. I will be okay. I really will. If I can survive next week.

Oh, and if you also happen to be reading this and do not know yet (AHEM Bill, Mom, Phyllis, Wiley, Dad, Sandy) kindergarten is putting on a program next Friday May 1st at 9:15. It's in the gym. Remember from Graham and Drew? It's a slideshow and a play. Jonah is a frog, and Noah is a mouse. It's gonna be so precious. I can't wait. You can come find me and sit with me. I'll be the crazy mom sobbing her eyes out up front. Because I just canNOT believe my babies are almost in first grade. Holy cow. Where has this year GONE?!

Well, before I stress all of you out anymore about the craziness of my life, I will go. I have to be at the school in one hour, and I am not Biblically prepared yet. I need to go get that way. Love to all, I'm praying for you today!!!

Monday Again! Words To Sweeten The Day

Psalm 40:3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
5 O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.
9 I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
11 LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me.

The thing about these words is that they're all for us to hide in our heart. I love these verses, particularly verse 8. I found it before church started last night as I was sitting and reading my Bible. I love when God highlights a verse like that one for me. And He does that, if one jumps out at you, it's probably b/c He made you turn to THAT page and read THAT verse. I serve a mighty God, and today as you read this, I pray that He will bless you. May His face shine upon you as you sit and bask in His presence for a while this morning.

My Morning Devotion

I wanted to share this devotion I got from an email this morning. If you are interested in receiving this same one every morning, go to Proverbs31.org and sign up to receive this free service. This is for anyone who feels unloved, unwanted, or hopeless today. There is someONE who loves you more than anyone ever could. I am praying for everyone who comes across this today. Love, in Christ.

God Sees You

20 Apr 2009

T. Suzanne Eller

"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV)

Recently Darrin came up to me in the hallway at church. "Ten years!" he said, grabbing me and crushing me in a bear hug.

Wow. Ten years. It doesn't seem possible. You see, ten years ago Darrin was 21 when he tried to take his life. Someone found him and called for help. The doctors said he's fortunate he didn't die, but for a long time after the attempt Darrin felt anything but lucky. It was hard for me to understand his perspective, but the fact that his suicide attempt didn't work was one more "failure" in this broken young man's mind.

Darrin left the hospital and came to live with our family for the next two years. We had a front row seat as we watched God perform a miracle. It wasn't easy, but Darrin began a journey to wholeness. He started to understand what it meant to be a child of God. He discovered who he was, separate from his past, separate from what people thought or spoke about him.

Today Darrin is a licensed pastor. He is married to a beautiful woman named Sarah. He is a father to three young children, and he loves and delights in each of them. His oldest daughter is named Abi, after Abba – Heavenly Father – a reminder that she is one of many gifts from God.

Darrin is healed in every way, but he has not forgotten where he once was and that's why he allows me to share his story today. It's also why he shares it one-on-one with others who find themselves in a similar place. This type of anniversary might be one that some would want to forget, but Darrin sees it as a day to celebrate life and second chances. His story offers a powerful message: that when others have given up on you , or maybe you've even given up on yourself, there is still hope.

For some, like Darrin, depression wraps around life choices. You may experience a chemical imbalance. Or, feelings of hopelessness might result from emotional or physical exhaustion. While it can take time to pinpoint the root cause, it's vital that you know from this moment on that God sees you. He loves you and He cares. He's a God of hope and healing. So today I pray that you will feel His arms reaching for you, just like he did my friend Darrin.

Dear Lord, I believe that today a woman is reading this who believes she has been forgotten. I thank you that You will wrap Your love around her and remind her that You are with her. May she know You see her, and that she is precious and valuable in Your sight. Give her hope, wisdom, peace and renewed joy, beginning today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Listen to our Radio Show for more encouragement about the Father's love

Hope in the Midst of Depression: How to Embrace Life Again by Mary Southerland

Defeating Depression: Real Hope for Life-Changing Wholeness by Leslie Vernick

Go to Suzie's blog to read an interview with Darrin

Application Steps:
We need to differentiate between a bad day or a series of bad days and depression. Dr. Leslie Vernick has created a test you can take called How Do I Know If I'm Depressed? to help discern the difference. Please seek professional help if you have three or more symptoms of depression.

When someone we care about is depressed, it is hard to know what to say. Sometimes we try to talk them out of it by saying things like:

• "Just trust God."
• "Just get over it."
• "If you would just do ..."
• "You have lots going for you. You shouldn't feel so bad."

These statements are not helpful because they make the person feel ashamed of being depressed. They want to get well, but it is usually not that simple. Instead, we can encourage them by first, listening. And also by:

• Giving a hug – touch is powerful.
• Letting them know you'll do whatever it takes to help, then do it. (Drive them to a counselor's appointment, pray for them daily, etc.)
• Let them talk, or cry.
• Ask them how you can pray for them, and write down their answer.
• Let them know though you may not fully understand what they feel, you care about what they are going through.

Reflections:
Do I believe that God cares about me?

Do I know the God of hope and healing?

Am I willing to take steps toward wholeness?

Power Verses:
Psalm 42:11, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (KJV)

Psalm 71:5, "For thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." (KJV)

© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Did you ever watch Mr. Rogers? I didn't mean to get started on this note, but hey, why not? I did. Especially once I started having kids. Drew used to love it. The day that he died was a sad one in the Goodwin household. I was out to there pregnant with the twins, miserable, and he had to die on THAT day. Wasn't it emotional enough with me being pregnant? But about to pop pregnant? Come on.

I cried the whole day. And like three times my sister Lisa called me singing, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Won't you be mine? Won't you be mine?" And would DIE laughing. So hard she'd well....ya know. It was pretty funny, but in my sensitive emotional state, I couldn't appreciate it as much as she did.

Anyway, it's been a great day. I have that good ache thing you get when you work your tail end off. I cleaned the entire house, top to bottom. Well, bottom to top. Starting in the kitchen and the mountain of dirty dishes in my kitchen sink. Gasp! I know you're dying~if you know me at all, you know I passionately HATE dirty dishes in the sink. I am telling you, people, it was a rough week. I also straightened up the laundry room and cleaned the bathrooms. That does not happen that often. Especially the whole house thing.

We went to Mom's and Bill's for dinner tonight~roast beef, yum! And now we just got home. It's so nasty outside~I hope the rain ends tonight. Jonah and Noah have their first game Tuesday night, and I don't want anything to mess it up!! We're about to lay the kiddos down and settle down and...I don't know yet. BUT, I'm sure it'll be fabulous, whatever it is. Anything in a nice, clean house just rocks, ya know??? The boys haven't even messed it up yet. That being said, I'm gonna get off here and onto doing my Bible study homework. I'm way behind. Yikes.

Cool Thought Of The Day

I loved this quote I got off one of my my morning email devotions, and wanted to share.

"The day is coming when all the stuff you've striven, strained and stressed out to acquire will make no difference. Your résumé and job title will no longer impress anyone. No one will care what clothes you wore or what cars you drove, except your relatives who plan to wear them, drive them or sell them. If you're wise you'll plan to exit this life with a 'take away' that involves these three things: (a) Satisfaction, that comes from having fulfilled your God-given assignment here on earth. (b) Success, that's measured in terms of eternal rewards, not temporal ones. (c) Security, that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. These are the only 'take away' worth living for!"

Don't we all forget this from time to time? I know I do. I freak out over what my house looks like, or what I look like~and don't get me wrong. I'm not saying to let your house or yourself go to pot, take care of the things God has given you!!! I will still strive to make my house a home, and to look nice, but it's only for a short time that we'll have these "things". I much prefer this "take away" that the quote above speaks of. It causes me to wonder: am I giving God my all? Are you?

Ummmm......

I don't have a title. I feel too much pressure to always have to figure out a title for this thing. So. Now that that's said, it's Thursday! Only one more day! Today was good in the land of the kids...the test was easier and much faster. Thank goodness. I had lunch at my somewhat normal time and was able to be in the cafeteria the whole time. Not that I wanted to so much when the 3rd graders came in, but hey. There are some boys and a couple girls that drive me bonkers. The majority being in the same class, God love the teacher's heart.

Anyway, here I sit, in the quietness of my house before the kids come home. And I am enjoying every.single.second. Because once they come home, it's a whirlwind of unpacking folders and lunches, throwing away trash, refilling drink bottles for tomorrow, getting them all re~packed, signing papers and agenda books, then thinking of what's for dinner, preparing the dinner, eating the dinner, and off to baseball. For Graham and Drew, anyway. Then it's clean up, showers and pj's, and some family time. Doing....I'm not sure yet, but I'll let ya know.

In the meantime, my house sits, collecting dust. And I don't have time to clean it! I will on Saturday, though. If better things don't call my name. Well, I have to run now...it's off to get the kiddos and to figure out dinner! Love to all!