Letters-mail the old fashioned way

We live in a society where everything is instantaneous. We have instant food, instant media, even instant movies. Today I received three hand-written letters from my son who is at Navy boot camp. I have already read them three times, held them close and felt his emotions in each stroke of the pen. One thing is true he needs to write bigger so his mom can read without having to move the paper further away! There is no greater joy than having something to read over and over that keeps our hearts warm. Take time to write to those you love and I don't mean an email or text!

God cares for his children

As I have said before this week has been a horrible week. I have prayed each day that God would deliver a blessing-sort of my own fleece-and God answered as He always does. My blessing was a phone call from my son Brandon who is at Navy boot camp. The sound of your child's voice can cheer the heart like nothing else.

Brandon is fine and doing well at boot camp. He is the "Mail PO" which Chris says is the Mail petty officer. Just by our few minute conversation I know that he is fine and in God's hands. Lord thank you for my personal blessing!

Truth-God's Truth

I have discovered that the world is afraid of truth-God's truth. I have recently encountered this issue in my life and am grateful to God for His Truth-not the world's truth. We know that the world wants truth to be relative. I have found that this really means that the truth I use must make me look right at all times. However, God says that His truth is about Him being right-ALL THE TIME. It is so much easier to trust in God's truth which never changes than the world's truth which is truly self serving.

When people use the word truth don't automatically accept is as truth. Test the truth against God's word, then be prepared for opposition. May God's Truth be the only truth we need!

Frustration

Well, today has to be one of the saddest days in all my years of teaching. I can not go into details but suffice it to say that I feel useless. I feel like the creature in "Frankenstein" where he longs for someone, anyone to accept him, no matter how he appears to the world. We tend to judge others in order to create a sense of security within ourselves. God is greater than all the weapons this world has to throw at us. I just wish that I could feel this security at this moment. Just because I do not feel His security does not mean it does not exist. I pray for peace, confirmation of God's grace and time.

Exhaustion

How can it be that I am so tired. Each and every day I grade papers, write out stuff for my students, juggle all the late work and then grade some more. Oh yeah-I think I know why I am tired. Summer will be a time to re-charge and find direction. Come quickly summer!

Just a Note

Today came the first "note" from Brandon at boot camp. How sweet are the four sentences he wrote to us. If you know Brandon he is always quick with the wit. His note says "boot camp is all it is cracked up to be". It is amazing how a few short words can warm a mom's heart. I am glad to know that he is safe. He asked that we send his bible which makes me feel such great joy and peace. In this day we take for granted the feeling of looking at handwriting and getting the feel of the sender. A mother knows the tilt of each letter and remembers the days and hours practicing those letters.

My heart is warmed by a personal note. I am glad that letters sent through the post office rather than email are so special.

Prom

As a teacher and junior class advisor I get the joy of attending the prom. As my husband, Chris and I drove to this years prom we discussed how the prom has changed since we were in high school. Now don't think we are being old fashioned and using the phrase-back in the day. We just were seeking to understand how the prom has evolved.

This years prom was held at the March Air Museum. The male chaperones were overjoyed to be able to roam about the museum, look at planes and read all those plaques. Why do men insist on reading every plaque they see but can not read a set of instructions. Sorry-I digress.

The prom-well girls and boys still dress up but they seem to have lost the art of dancing. It is actually hard to watch them dance. I am not sure they know how to face their partner as it seems to be one big group session. In fact, when the slow music comes on they all sit down. Now I remember looking forward to that slow song so I guess that means I am getting old.

All in all the prom was enjoyable but I am not sure I understand why it happens and what it is supposed to represent. Tradition dictates that the prom must happen so it will but can we salvage the dancing. Time will tell.

Time

Let's see-time is the one thing that we want more of and don't have enough of. That was a true reality today. It was a hard teaching day, then I am trying to get the Junior Class ready for the prom that is this Saturday and oh yeah I am in school again. Time where have you gone. Each day is measured in the minutes of free time and the hours of work. Summer is just around the corner and I am looking forward to rest.

All in one box

Today all of Brandon's worldly belongings were mailed to our house by the Navy. It is so strange to open a box and see your son's clothes, phone, pen, pieces of paper from his pockets and even his underwear. How can one child be summed up in a box? The hardest part of all was that there was no note from Brandon saying hello, I am safe, etc.

We know that we can not leave this Earth for Eternity with any of our worldly belongings. Christ requires that we come just as we entered this world, empty. This box reminded me that it is not about our stuff it is about who we are when all that stuff is gone. I pray that Brandon is a child of Jesus and that his "stuff" will not change that nor will it enhance it.

Oh yeah, they even sent home his bible. Now that is quite a shock. But I am secure in the fact that Brandon does not need that bible to commune with his savior.

God-keep my son close, comfort him, keep him safe.- Mom

Some days it just does not pay to get up. Why are Monday's so difficult when Sunday was so quiet? I can not believe it is almost time for the school year to end. There is so MUCH to do and so much to still teach. Today was especially hard as I had to face my own imperfections-UGH! However, three physics students convinced me with a poem to let them be a team of three-now this is why I teach every day!

Time to study for my own Calculus quiz tomorrow! May God bless tomorrow, take care of all the issues and shine through this imperfect soul.

Mother's Day

Today is mother's day and all my children are scattered. Charles and Emily are hosting lunch today so we will join them later, Brandon is at boot camp and Ashley is at work. Brandon left behind a Mother's Day card which made me cry. It is crazy how one can miss a grown child.

Chris and I went to church then home to do a little pick up to get ready for another busy week. Remember all you young mothers to enjoy your kids while you can still hold them in your laps. Soon enough they will be grown and past holding. Love them with open arms so they feel free to begin their own lives.

A new phase of life

Well, we sent Brandon off to Navy boot camp this week. He called when he arrived and said we will not hear from him for approximately two weeks. It is hard to let our little ones go but I raised him to be proud of this country, to serve God and his country.

I pray each day, actually each moment of each day, that he shines above all others and glorifies his God.

Ashley is up working at camp and it is just Chris and I this weekend. Empty nest hit all at once. I know I am not old enough for this but here it comes.