The End Of A Busy Week

This week has been really busy. Whenever grades are due I tend to be a little crazed!





Gus sat on me while I was trying to do some of my grading Thursday night! Isnt he cute?!










On Monday, I chaperoned taking the Hip Hop kids to R.S. Payne Elementary. The little kids loved them and they really enjoyed going. Clayton finally came home on Tuesday and I am glad to have him home. Wednesday I spent some time with Clayton and we went to the Kabob Shop on Wards Rd. and shared a gyro. I was really impressed with their food. Ethnic food can really be done badly if the cook doesnt know what he/she is doing. Their food was GREAT and we will definately go there again. Thursaday I spent the day in Roanoke, again chaperoning a group of Glass students. We went to Roanoke College, which was beautiful, and to the Taubman Mueseum. The Singer Sargent piece called Nora was lovely and very typical of his work. It was large standing at least six feet tall and of a beautiful woman! I also enjoyed some of the modern art and a piece by a new, local artist that was reminsecnt of Dalhi. Friday was a slow day and I gave out grades. Clayton and I went to Sam's club and Walmart to get necessitites for the week/month. Currently, I have a crockpot cooking a Mexican chicken dish. Yummmy! I got the recipe from my friend Diedre at work.

Before I Meet Jesus

One of the girls I knew in college, Rachel Farmer, posted on facebook that she found her Life To Do List and got to cross off "Hike the Appalachian Trail." This really intrigued me. So I decided to make my own list of things I would like to do in my life before I meet Jesus.

Before I Meet Jesus (and in no particular order)

1. Own our own home
2. Have kids
3. Adopt a child
4. Run a race (NOT a marathon)
5. Visit every continent except Antartica
6. See the Pyramids
7. See the Cistine Chapel
8. Go on a Cruise
9. Go back to Cabo San Lucas
10. Get a masters degree in Christian Education
11. Be debt free
12. Travel, Travel, and more Travel
13. Read the Bible all the way through
14. Lead another person to Christ
15. Watch my children grow and know Jesus
16. Swim with dolphins
17. Write and publish a book
18. See live penguins

Little Something About Nothing

So, Clayton has been gone for a few days and I really miss him! I don't sleep well when he is gone. I try to put pillows on his side of the bed so that I can fool my sleepy self that he is there but it doesnt really work! The only benefit to him being gone is that I can watch chick flicks as much as I want... but I would rather have him here!
In the meantime, I have been grading papers and getting ready to had out interim reports.. and there is always that never-ending pile of laundry that I do but never seem to put a dent in....

I took Izzie and Gus to the SPCA yesterday and got them their rabies shots for $12 total. That was a blessing. They love new people and they got a lot of attention. Gus wagged his tail through the entire shot. I 'm not sure that he even knows that he got one! He is such a sweet natured dog. Izzie took it like a trooper as well and she got a bath yesterday. Having a white dog in Vegas wasnt too bad and she rarely got dirty. No rain=No mud=No Mess. Since our move to VA, she has certainly gained some local color and it is usually brown dirt!

And God Says, "Be Content."

Clayton and I watched John Hagee this morning on TV. His sermon was a very convicting one for us. The sermon was about debt and the management of money. There have been few people in America who have not been affected by the economic crisis. Pastor Hagee preached that most of the economic problems that Americans face is directly proportional to their greed. As Americans we want what we cant have and also what we cant afford but this doesnt stop our desire to have things. So much so, that we pay with money we dont have; we pay with credit. Oddly enough, the Bible tells us to be neither a borrower or a lender. Christ also tells us to, "store up our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust can not destroy and theives can not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

My last post dealt with my desire to have certain things, namely a house and kids. There is nothing wrong with having these things or even with wanting these things. I was wrong because of my discontentment. God's timing is always better. Always.

Just Not Ready

Clayton and I are not ready to buy a house.
We are not ready to start a family.
I feel like we're behind.....

It's not that we don't want these things. We are just not in a place in our lives to have these things.
I know that God knows. I know that God's timing is best. Yet, I find myself frustrated with our situation. Obviously, it's not what God wants for us right now, but I find myself envious of what others have. It's not that I want to take something away from someone else or wish that they didn't have it, I would just like to enjoy it too. When friends talk about their homes, I just can't relate to that. When they talk about starting a family, I just can't relate to that either. It ends up being a bit of a double edged sword. I want to know what is going on and I am genuinely happy that things are going well; however, I am reminded that once again we are not ready. We are not ready, we are not ready, we are not ready. When will we be ready?

When God says we are ready. When His timing is right. I just keep reminding myself of that.
"I know that plans I have for you says that Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

In the Hospital

Last night at about 9:30 Dawn called to tell us that Herman is in the hospital. We are not really sure what exactly is wrong. All the doctors know is that it is somehow related to his pancreas. They want him to stay for a few days in the hospital. Obviously, we are worried about him. Clayton and I called our friend Tyler and he went to check on Dawn and Herman. What a blessing! It meant a lot to them and to us. Tyler and his wife, Brandi sat with Dawn and then helped her get what she needed. When times are tough it is always reassuring to see how God brings people into the situation the show you that He is there and that He cares! Please pray for Herman; we know God listens!

A Good Meeting

I met with Janet Hawkins today. She works at a local church doing music and diaconal ministry. It was really enjoyable. We talked about faith and calling and how that affects vocation. She offered to help me find a position in a church doing Christian Education. I am really excited!

Rental Nightmare

So... on December 3, 2008 our property management company closed its doors. This wouldnt be such a bad thing except for the tiny little fact that they DIDNT NOTIFY US! We spent the next month without any information about where our deposit is (which we still don't know) and how to get our rent to the appropriate person in January. We called, and we called, and guess what? We called again! Finally, the old realators gave us the name and address of our landlady. We sent her the rent for Decemeber and January. In February, we wrote a letter about our frustration about not having a property management company with our rent. Then... (play ominous music now) we get an email from our landlord about not getting January and December rent. Where is it you may ask... IN THE POST OFFICE BECAUSE SHE NEVER PICKED IT UP!!!!! Apparently, the lawyer in California who own this place didnt have the sense to get her mail. So the rent check is getting sent back to us and we have to mail it to her again....
We want to move but its the middle of the school year and we have a nice yard for our dogs.
Sigh.....
God knows whats going to happen. I need to remember that He is the best landlord.

The First Payneful Entry

Today was a beautiful day! It was SUNNY and SEVENTY! Clayton and I met our friends Dawn and Troy at the park and walked our dogs. I am glad that it was so nice out. Its getting to that time of year when the cold weather is getting old! I just wish for ONE good snow! Las Vegas had more snow this year than we have! After we got home Clayton got ready for a meeting. I am praying that it goes well. Guess I'll find out when he gets home!