Live, Laugh, LOVE

Life is wasted if you do not love the things that come your way.  We are often blessed ten times more than we realize and acknowledge.  So today I am going to share with you some things that I love...

I love weddings... a time of celebration of two individuals and two families joining because of their love for each other.  I have the honor and pleasure of attending/assisting at a wedding today.  And might I say, it has been a joy watching the wedding party have their pictures taken... and the bride is beautiful!

I love spending time with family.  This past week my family (Dad, Mom, Brother, Husband, and I) enjoyed a vacation in Branson.  It was a blast!  We went with very few plans for the week; however, we seemed to always be going and having fun.  If you go to Branson this year, I highly recommend that you go see the show Noah at the Sights & Sound Theater.  We also did the usual... putt-putt golf, tennis, shuffle board, swimming (pool & lake).  Unfortunately, the sun was not my friend while we were on the lake.  My poor body is burnt!  But it will heal... hopefully sooner rather than later.

I love summer... and all of its festivities.  We have a cookout & swim with the youth this weekend... so exciting!  I'm also looking forward to our family's fish fry to celebrate the 4th of July... fun times ahead!

I love quotes.  One addition to my classroom walls next year will be quotes... some printed on colored paper, some framed and bought, some painted by dear friends... quotes come in so many different designs and are often great reminders that we need...

I love learning new things.  Yes, I'm weird - I like to learn.  I spent an entire week at a workshop learning how to have more engaging lessons.  I hope that I will be able to efficiently/adequately apply what I learned.  I love to learn and that is part of the reason I also love to teach.

I love pictures... and capturing the memories we make throughout our lives.  Unfortunately, I often forget to bring my camera along.  But I am getting better.  Hopefully I'll be able to get the pictures saved so that I can share them with you.  And I also have a nifty phone that is pretty good at doubling as a camera.

I love to laugh and have fun!

I love sharing life with others... which is why I have chosen to blog this year.  I hope my posts don't bore you too much.  I hope to share with you more and more along the way.

Until next time,
enjoy the life you're getting to live

Halfway!

After this next verse, I will be halfway through the year for SSMT.  It’s hard to believe that twenty-eleven is going by so quickly.  Here’s my next verse:

Colossians 3:17 (HCSB)

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

When we posted our verse this time, we were also asked to complete the following statement. 

Memorizing scripture has helped me…
to keep my focus on what is important and not let the “little things” bog me down.

I really needed this reflection.  I have been down a little here lately.  Of course, I think part of the problem is that I have been busy… running ragged… and it’s summer!  I have yet to understand how my time disappears.  It doesn’t feel like I waste it on insignificant things, but it also doesn’t feel like I’m being as productive/useful as I should be.  I need to make sure I keep my focus on the things that truly matter and that I am working toward those goals especially.

On a positive note, I have accomplished a few things on my summer to do list…

-     - go to niece & nephews ball games

-     - VBS

-     - work out… Insanity… enough said…

-     - swim… went three days in a row last week  

-     - started reading one of my books:  Mathematics for Every Student

-     - cook new food:  Baked Potato Soup = yum!

Until next time, 

Enjoy your summer!!

Sweet Summertime

Well, summer has begun!  Not officially... there's about 20 more days until it's official... 


Nonetheless, summer is here.  And it is a great relief.  Plus it brings excitement.  Excitement to accomplish all of my summer goals.  And today, my friends, I'm going to share with you some of the things on my list: 
- spend time with family and friends... build relationships...
- go to niece & nephews ball games
- plan, decorate, and help with VBS
- go on trips 
- work out and get in better shape
- swim and maybe get a tan 
- organize the file cabinet... papers have been stacking up for months...
- make a painting for guest bath... "splish, splash, taking a bath"...
- create & complete wedding photo album
- plan for classes next year
- save pictures to computer/disk... create photo albums (?)
- make some new crafts and/or foods... gotta find some ideas...
- read books (Radical, Crazy Love, Don't Waste Your Life, Remarkable Women of the Bible, Love and Respect, First Love, Christ Centered Life, My Utmost for His Highest, Mathematics for Every Student, Why Didn't I Learn This in College, and more may be added)


So as you can see, I do not want to be lazy and waste my summer away.  And don't worry -- I will share the results of these lovely items.  I shall relax, but I shall also be productive.  Life is too short and too sweet to waste. 


As I begin this list, I have a new verse to be memorizing...
1 Kings 3:9a (NIV)
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 


Until next time,
Live Your Life!!