Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Activities and Thoughts about Events
It's a cloudy day with a bit of drizzle. I taught 3 classes this morning. I think that as a teacher I'm beginning to remember the present perfect and present perfect progressive tenses. Smile! I graded presentations during the 9:00 class and learned a lot from my students. I have known since high school that my blood type is B positive. Today, I learned that my blood cells have diamond shapes attached, and that only 8 % of the world's population has my blood type. Interesting!
Yesterday, the students went to the Natural History Museum in OKC while the faculty had a computer workshop. We were trained to use a new English software program that will track the levels of the students. It's not designed to replace the teacher, but could be very effective as a supplement.
We have all been watching what is happening in Haiti. As usual, so many good things are coming out of this disaster. People are being brought together, and I know that the country is going to be better off in the near future. I also noticed that, as usual, it was the Christians who were first on the scene, while others sat back and blamed God. I was reminded of the many stories I heard from older Japanese people who could remember the bombing of Hiroshima. Yes, it was a terrible disaster, but Japan is a modern productive nation today because of its history. I taught at two Japanese girls' schools that were established after the war. Before then, there was no education for girls. Yes, war and earthquakes are bad, but God has a way of making lemonade out of lemons! God allows "bad" things to happen to accomplish His purposes. We have to let Him be God, and then we don't have to be frustrated when we don't know everything.
I have been thinking about personal accountability this week. Granted, I was out of the United States for 20 years, but I have never seen and heard so much name calling and pointing fingers. I feel like I'm in the middle of a huge Blame Game. No one seems to know how to build bridges and move on. Blame is not the answer. It is much better to look at the problem, strive to fix it and recognize that it took many years and many people from both sides of the fence to create the problems that exist today. It seems that when one starts to feel insecure or guilty, the first emotion is to blame someone else. It's okay to make a mistake! It's okay to say, "I'm sorry!" It's okay to forgive! It's okay to love your enemy! As my Dad once said to me, " If they won't be your friend, love them from a distance."
I made some cinnamon rolls that are rising in the kitchen, so I had better check them.
It's a cloudy day with a bit of drizzle. I taught 3 classes this morning. I think that as a teacher I'm beginning to remember the present perfect and present perfect progressive tenses. Smile! I graded presentations during the 9:00 class and learned a lot from my students. I have known since high school that my blood type is B positive. Today, I learned that my blood cells have diamond shapes attached, and that only 8 % of the world's population has my blood type. Interesting!
Yesterday, the students went to the Natural History Museum in OKC while the faculty had a computer workshop. We were trained to use a new English software program that will track the levels of the students. It's not designed to replace the teacher, but could be very effective as a supplement.
We have all been watching what is happening in Haiti. As usual, so many good things are coming out of this disaster. People are being brought together, and I know that the country is going to be better off in the near future. I also noticed that, as usual, it was the Christians who were first on the scene, while others sat back and blamed God. I was reminded of the many stories I heard from older Japanese people who could remember the bombing of Hiroshima. Yes, it was a terrible disaster, but Japan is a modern productive nation today because of its history. I taught at two Japanese girls' schools that were established after the war. Before then, there was no education for girls. Yes, war and earthquakes are bad, but God has a way of making lemonade out of lemons! God allows "bad" things to happen to accomplish His purposes. We have to let Him be God, and then we don't have to be frustrated when we don't know everything.
I have been thinking about personal accountability this week. Granted, I was out of the United States for 20 years, but I have never seen and heard so much name calling and pointing fingers. I feel like I'm in the middle of a huge Blame Game. No one seems to know how to build bridges and move on. Blame is not the answer. It is much better to look at the problem, strive to fix it and recognize that it took many years and many people from both sides of the fence to create the problems that exist today. It seems that when one starts to feel insecure or guilty, the first emotion is to blame someone else. It's okay to make a mistake! It's okay to say, "I'm sorry!" It's okay to forgive! It's okay to love your enemy! As my Dad once said to me, " If they won't be your friend, love them from a distance."
I made some cinnamon rolls that are rising in the kitchen, so I had better check them.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Middle of the Week
Yesterday, I was observed by our director while I taught Grammar. We discussed using the present tense or the progressive when one is talking about a specific schedule of events. For example, "The plane leaves tomorrow." "The plane is leaving tomorrow." I use to worry over these evaluations, but now, I'm secure and just have fun.
In the afternoon, I did some business on the computer, and then met Bill at the clinic to have our Directive Wills notorized. This afternoon, I have a dental check-up at 1:30 p.m. Mom has an appointment to have a tooth extracted at 2:00 p.m., so I will wait for her and see what her needs are. She didn't want a root canal. I told her that I had two, and it was fine. She seemed surprsied.
While at the clinic, the notory asked me what my maiden name was. She said her half sister had been married to a Greenwalt from Illinois. Like Dad, he had been orphaned during a flu epidemic and moved to Oklahoma. He would be near Dad's age if he were living now. Interesting! It seems that we all want to know about our past, and where we are going.
Yesterday, I was observed by our director while I taught Grammar. We discussed using the present tense or the progressive when one is talking about a specific schedule of events. For example, "The plane leaves tomorrow." "The plane is leaving tomorrow." I use to worry over these evaluations, but now, I'm secure and just have fun.
In the afternoon, I did some business on the computer, and then met Bill at the clinic to have our Directive Wills notorized. This afternoon, I have a dental check-up at 1:30 p.m. Mom has an appointment to have a tooth extracted at 2:00 p.m., so I will wait for her and see what her needs are. She didn't want a root canal. I told her that I had two, and it was fine. She seemed surprsied.
While at the clinic, the notory asked me what my maiden name was. She said her half sister had been married to a Greenwalt from Illinois. Like Dad, he had been orphaned during a flu epidemic and moved to Oklahoma. He would be near Dad's age if he were living now. Interesting! It seems that we all want to know about our past, and where we are going.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Weekend Activities
Saturday, my neighbor lady came over to bring my Mary Kay order. I couldn't even remember what it was! I tried my new eye liner and loved it! The tip is like a tiny pen. I don't want to look made up with what I call, "racoon eyes." I also bought some lipstick that I think would look great on Keri because we both look good in pink. It's called Pink Melon.
While Bill worked on his new media class, I drove to Mom's and took her some chicken vegetable noodle soup that I made. She was working on her Bible Study lesson. so we sat and talked about life. She told me how God had changed her in the past few years. She used to be more critical and legalistic in her theology. I shared with her how blessed I feel to have grown up in California - away from the Southern dogma. Dad's churches were filled with people who had found forgiveness rather than judgement. I'm still in shock at the attitude of many "Christians" in Oklahoma, and feel frustrated because of the people they have driven away.
Saturday afternoon, Bill and I had a late lunch at Chili's. We ordered a combo for two which included pulled pork sandwiches, cheese fries and a brownie sundae. Calories - Yes! It was so good! My saving grace was ordering water with lemon. After lunch, we headed for the mall. BonWorth is having a 50% sale. It's my favorite store, so I bought two new matching outfits for school. Saturday evening, we watched, "Avatar" at the Jones Theater. It will get lots of awards for special effects, and James Horner did a great job on the music. I found the story line to be predictable and James Cameron, the writer, either showed how confused he is in his theology or was just having fun making up stuff for Hollywood. At least Cameron feels that every created being has a spiritual dimension, and that there is a divine being.
Sunday, there were 18 members present for Bible Study class. Lori and Chuck Edwards were moving Lori's beauty salon to a newer location and couldn't be there. There is no recession in our church. Josie Cravens told me that she had shown houses everyday during the cold snap and had sold several. Our lesson was on "God's Time". We discussed how difficult it is to be patient and do things on God's terms. Often our lack of faith stops God from working. As a class, we determined to pray for faith, wisdom and patience. Why some people don't want these things is beyond my understanding. Last week, I got an email from a friend who thanked me for "standing in the gap" when they felt weak. We all have to do that for each other. When I "fly" in the power of God, it is the most awesome experience!
Saturday, my neighbor lady came over to bring my Mary Kay order. I couldn't even remember what it was! I tried my new eye liner and loved it! The tip is like a tiny pen. I don't want to look made up with what I call, "racoon eyes." I also bought some lipstick that I think would look great on Keri because we both look good in pink. It's called Pink Melon.
While Bill worked on his new media class, I drove to Mom's and took her some chicken vegetable noodle soup that I made. She was working on her Bible Study lesson. so we sat and talked about life. She told me how God had changed her in the past few years. She used to be more critical and legalistic in her theology. I shared with her how blessed I feel to have grown up in California - away from the Southern dogma. Dad's churches were filled with people who had found forgiveness rather than judgement. I'm still in shock at the attitude of many "Christians" in Oklahoma, and feel frustrated because of the people they have driven away.
Saturday afternoon, Bill and I had a late lunch at Chili's. We ordered a combo for two which included pulled pork sandwiches, cheese fries and a brownie sundae. Calories - Yes! It was so good! My saving grace was ordering water with lemon. After lunch, we headed for the mall. BonWorth is having a 50% sale. It's my favorite store, so I bought two new matching outfits for school. Saturday evening, we watched, "Avatar" at the Jones Theater. It will get lots of awards for special effects, and James Horner did a great job on the music. I found the story line to be predictable and James Cameron, the writer, either showed how confused he is in his theology or was just having fun making up stuff for Hollywood. At least Cameron feels that every created being has a spiritual dimension, and that there is a divine being.
Sunday, there were 18 members present for Bible Study class. Lori and Chuck Edwards were moving Lori's beauty salon to a newer location and couldn't be there. There is no recession in our church. Josie Cravens told me that she had shown houses everyday during the cold snap and had sold several. Our lesson was on "God's Time". We discussed how difficult it is to be patient and do things on God's terms. Often our lack of faith stops God from working. As a class, we determined to pray for faith, wisdom and patience. Why some people don't want these things is beyond my understanding. Last week, I got an email from a friend who thanked me for "standing in the gap" when they felt weak. We all have to do that for each other. When I "fly" in the power of God, it is the most awesome experience!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Friday Surprises
So much for my afternoons! Ann is sick and called me last night to cover her classes today. I taught advanced reading and writing which really was very interesting. The students read a piece on superstitions around the world and discussed the vocabulary. The second hour, they wrote an essay about superstitions in their own countries. I taught a new girl today from Ecuador. She's very bright! Our school is like a family, so two of our grads came back to visit today. It's easy to get attached to these kids.
We were all very sad to learn that our lead teacher is moving to Chicago in another month. Her husband is an oil engineer and has been offered a job in the research lab there. Lucille is a wonderful Jewish lady who was raised in South Africa. We have become very good friends and all of us are going to miss who gift for organization. We have promised to get in touch when I go to Chicago in May for Keri's new baby.
It was a very good day in spite of the bitter cold. I found nice mail in my box even though the envelopes have turned from bright colors to white now. I was reminded that my birthday is coming soon. In the middle of the pile was a notice from the Social Security Admin. office. Yeah! Another good thing that happened today was a notice on my desk that I had gotten a raise in pay. With our energy bills this month, that will come in handy. I noticed gas prices are going sky high again. It's amazing how God takes care of His kids!
So much for my afternoons! Ann is sick and called me last night to cover her classes today. I taught advanced reading and writing which really was very interesting. The students read a piece on superstitions around the world and discussed the vocabulary. The second hour, they wrote an essay about superstitions in their own countries. I taught a new girl today from Ecuador. She's very bright! Our school is like a family, so two of our grads came back to visit today. It's easy to get attached to these kids.
We were all very sad to learn that our lead teacher is moving to Chicago in another month. Her husband is an oil engineer and has been offered a job in the research lab there. Lucille is a wonderful Jewish lady who was raised in South Africa. We have become very good friends and all of us are going to miss who gift for organization. We have promised to get in touch when I go to Chicago in May for Keri's new baby.
It was a very good day in spite of the bitter cold. I found nice mail in my box even though the envelopes have turned from bright colors to white now. I was reminded that my birthday is coming soon. In the middle of the pile was a notice from the Social Security Admin. office. Yeah! Another good thing that happened today was a notice on my desk that I had gotten a raise in pay. With our energy bills this month, that will come in handy. I noticed gas prices are going sky high again. It's amazing how God takes care of His kids!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy Birthday, David!/New Computer
This is my first time to blog on my new computer. We bought it several months ago, but Bill didn't want to have it installed until he finished his last on-line class. I am home in the afternoons now, so it was the first chance to have it installed. It's a flatscreen desk model. The print is big which is wonderful for senior citizens.
Today is my brother David's birthday. We are all praying that he will have the gift of physical freedom soon.
This is the first January that I have taught. In the past, our student enrollment was so low at this time that I was furloughed. Actually, I was in Chicago last January! I'm teaching two hours of grammar in the morning, eat lunch with the other teachers and then go home. I am getting sooo much done in the afternoon. Yesterday, I filed all of the mail from the past week that needed to be kept. Today, I went through our magazine basket and threw away the old copies that have been read. I even stopped for awhile and finished a crossword puzzle. Perhaps I can get the clutter out of this house before I get called back.
A few years ago, one of my students gave me an inspirational calendar with only numbers. I have used it over and over. Today, I read: "Sainthood springs out of suffering. It takes eleven tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. God will tune you to harmonize with heaven's keynote if you can stand the strain."
This is my first time to blog on my new computer. We bought it several months ago, but Bill didn't want to have it installed until he finished his last on-line class. I am home in the afternoons now, so it was the first chance to have it installed. It's a flatscreen desk model. The print is big which is wonderful for senior citizens.
Today is my brother David's birthday. We are all praying that he will have the gift of physical freedom soon.
This is the first January that I have taught. In the past, our student enrollment was so low at this time that I was furloughed. Actually, I was in Chicago last January! I'm teaching two hours of grammar in the morning, eat lunch with the other teachers and then go home. I am getting sooo much done in the afternoon. Yesterday, I filed all of the mail from the past week that needed to be kept. Today, I went through our magazine basket and threw away the old copies that have been read. I even stopped for awhile and finished a crossword puzzle. Perhaps I can get the clutter out of this house before I get called back.
A few years ago, one of my students gave me an inspirational calendar with only numbers. I have used it over and over. Today, I read: "Sainthood springs out of suffering. It takes eleven tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. God will tune you to harmonize with heaven's keynote if you can stand the strain."
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy Birthday, Kirk/Trip to Texas
Kirk is 35 years old today! That makes me older, too! Everytime I think about my emergency C-section, and the years we went through with his drug addiction, I know that Kirk is a miracle child! A tremendous spiritual battle was fought, but God is always stronger than Satan! Because of that personal battle, Kirk has helped hundreds of addicts and prostitutes find meaning in their lives through Jesus Christ.
New Year's Eve was different than past years. I had a cold and didn't want the usual big party. Noel brought Mom over for a chili dinner, and then Galen and Sondra arrived around 6 p.m. with Jason, Shelly and kids. Jason dove into my lemon pie, and Kylee asked if she could have more chocolate chip cookies. She is 7 years old now, and so pretty! Just as everyone was leaving, Ian and Phllis came and stayed until 10:30 p.m. They had worked at the restaurant until 8 p.m. and seemed happy to just relax and do nothing.
New Years Day, Noel and Mom picked Bill and me up at 10 AM to travel to Texas. Bill and I took turns driving. Noel's van has captains chairs that all recline, so it was extremely comfortable and the weather was perfect. We stopped at Denny's for lunch. A lady came around with black eyed peas for "good luck". (We Californians still don't understand that tradition.) We arrived in Big Springs by 6 pm and enjoyed a country buffet next to the La Quinta Hotel. Galen and Sondra decided to join us and got a room at the same hotel since they were on their way back to California.
On January 2nd, we all had breakfast together in the hotel. Then, it was off to the prison! We had learned our lesson on how to dress and there was no problem in that regard. However, Bill's paperwork had been lost. We sat and waited for about 5 minutes, then a supervisor apologized and said that Bill could go through to the visiting room. It didn't take long for David to appear. He looked so happy to see us!! Galen had told David on the phone that he wouldn't be coming, so he was really surprised to see him! As we sat and ate junk food from the vending machines, David related how much he needs our prayers because it is so difficult to stay out of trouble in that environment. He told how inmates had gotten into a fight and had fallen on his bunk. They left his sheets and pillow blood soaked. He said his first reaction was to add to their blood, but quickly decided against it in order to keep his record clean. David asked them kindly to clean up their mess, and they did!! In spite of his 66 years, David is 6 ft. 1 in. and carries himself like the military police that he was. (Yes, I'm the runt of the family.) He teaches GED courses at the prison, and keeps himself in shape in his off hours. We left the prison at 1 pm and traveled home. Before leaving Texas, we had to stop at a Dairy Queen.
In spite of returning home late on Saturday evening, we managed to go to church on Sunday. My class had 14 people present. The lesson theme was, "The Meaning of Life". Without knowing why you were created, life can be repetitive and often boring. After the worship service, Bill was asked to lead the congregation in singing only hymns on the 3rd Sundays. We sing a lot of new choruses, and many of the older people want to hear the "old hymns" again. The church is also thinking of raising money for handbells. They know that Bill taught handbells at schools in Africa and Japan. He warned them that they are looking at several thousands of dollars. Who knows what this new year will bring? When we have faith, God can do anything if it pleases Him! I will be keeping a log of my prayers, knowing that my time is not always God's time.
Kirk is 35 years old today! That makes me older, too! Everytime I think about my emergency C-section, and the years we went through with his drug addiction, I know that Kirk is a miracle child! A tremendous spiritual battle was fought, but God is always stronger than Satan! Because of that personal battle, Kirk has helped hundreds of addicts and prostitutes find meaning in their lives through Jesus Christ.
New Year's Eve was different than past years. I had a cold and didn't want the usual big party. Noel brought Mom over for a chili dinner, and then Galen and Sondra arrived around 6 p.m. with Jason, Shelly and kids. Jason dove into my lemon pie, and Kylee asked if she could have more chocolate chip cookies. She is 7 years old now, and so pretty! Just as everyone was leaving, Ian and Phllis came and stayed until 10:30 p.m. They had worked at the restaurant until 8 p.m. and seemed happy to just relax and do nothing.
New Years Day, Noel and Mom picked Bill and me up at 10 AM to travel to Texas. Bill and I took turns driving. Noel's van has captains chairs that all recline, so it was extremely comfortable and the weather was perfect. We stopped at Denny's for lunch. A lady came around with black eyed peas for "good luck". (We Californians still don't understand that tradition.) We arrived in Big Springs by 6 pm and enjoyed a country buffet next to the La Quinta Hotel. Galen and Sondra decided to join us and got a room at the same hotel since they were on their way back to California.
On January 2nd, we all had breakfast together in the hotel. Then, it was off to the prison! We had learned our lesson on how to dress and there was no problem in that regard. However, Bill's paperwork had been lost. We sat and waited for about 5 minutes, then a supervisor apologized and said that Bill could go through to the visiting room. It didn't take long for David to appear. He looked so happy to see us!! Galen had told David on the phone that he wouldn't be coming, so he was really surprised to see him! As we sat and ate junk food from the vending machines, David related how much he needs our prayers because it is so difficult to stay out of trouble in that environment. He told how inmates had gotten into a fight and had fallen on his bunk. They left his sheets and pillow blood soaked. He said his first reaction was to add to their blood, but quickly decided against it in order to keep his record clean. David asked them kindly to clean up their mess, and they did!! In spite of his 66 years, David is 6 ft. 1 in. and carries himself like the military police that he was. (Yes, I'm the runt of the family.) He teaches GED courses at the prison, and keeps himself in shape in his off hours. We left the prison at 1 pm and traveled home. Before leaving Texas, we had to stop at a Dairy Queen.
In spite of returning home late on Saturday evening, we managed to go to church on Sunday. My class had 14 people present. The lesson theme was, "The Meaning of Life". Without knowing why you were created, life can be repetitive and often boring. After the worship service, Bill was asked to lead the congregation in singing only hymns on the 3rd Sundays. We sing a lot of new choruses, and many of the older people want to hear the "old hymns" again. The church is also thinking of raising money for handbells. They know that Bill taught handbells at schools in Africa and Japan. He warned them that they are looking at several thousands of dollars. Who knows what this new year will bring? When we have faith, God can do anything if it pleases Him! I will be keeping a log of my prayers, knowing that my time is not always God's time.
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