Grace Gifts

-- waking up from a sweet dream of him

-- teaching about manna ... God always provides what we need!

-- the joy of reading a book together

-- beautiful, sunny, fall weather

-- a walk in the park with a dear friend

-- that Harvest Wheatberry Turkey Salad

-- black raspberry chip ice cream

-- the drive home listening to beautiful music

-- His strength is always perfect

I Choose Communion

Ann's blog was so so good today. Just what my heart needed after an especially rowdy, talkative, "self-focused" day. So forgive me for blatantly copying and pasting, but I need this truth tonight!

"A million little things will happen this week — and there are always really only Two Choices:  You get to decide whether you want to Complain.  Or whether you want Communion.
Life’s complicated. That’s clarity:  Complain… or Communion.

Your Reality in Christ is that you’re 100% saved, redeemed, accepted, carried, cared for, watched over, provided for, comforted, loved. Christ isn’t just sort of for you, Christ is 100% for you – your Reality is 100% safe in Him.

As for expectations — your expectations have a direct correlation on your irritations. The higher your expectations, the greater your irritations.

Mama’s watching the girls run down the shore and she’s about told it to me as many times as the waves keep lapping the shore:  Expectations kill relationships.

Your Expectations in Christ are that you don’t deserve anything, can’t earn anything, don’t merit anything — your expectations are 0% in and of the flesh. It’s all grace.

The formula for life turns out to be blessedly simple:

Reality in Christ (1oo%) – Expectations (0%) = A Happiness — that has nothing to do with what Happens

The waves just keep coming and they can."

 I'm weak. I'm small. I never have all the answers. But when I commune with Him...when I invite Him in...when I'm led by Him, I'm strong. He's enough. His truth will prevail. And that deep joy resides through waves or storm.

My heart yearns for heaven

Nineteen year olds are not supposed to die in car accidents...

Jesus...our sinful world must make your heart break.

Oh for the day when all is made right...

Christ is Enough

We sang this song this morning during worship...wow. Simple but powerful words.

Colossians 2:9-10 (NASB) "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority..."

I like this translation... "The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need." (Psalm 23:1 NCV)

The knowledge and reality of this urges me to say, "The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back!"

Psalm 107

Wow. Four times, four different types of people cried out to God in their distress and God moved on their behalf.

He delivered...

He saved...

He brought them out of their distresses...

When they were at their wit's end... All hope was gone... They cried out to God... And He answered.

Because God delights in redemption...buying back what only He can buy. He delights in loving His children. He delights in meeting our need.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting."

Dependant

Blue sky...
Crisp, cool air...
Sleeping in a few more hours than I planned...
I'm enjoying the last few delicious moments of summer break.

But, shockingly enough, I'm getting excited for this new school year. I'm eerily peaceful.

I met with one of my boy's parents yesterday. What a blessing they will be! Near the end of our conversation I told them that I start the year with fear and trembling because of the great responsibility that's placed on me. I said I must look to God each moment for wisdom and guidance. I told them that I covet their prayers.

I think I'm slowly learning that I can't do this alone. Nor was I designed to...

So we have another day to fully rely on God for every need...to delight in Him...and to bless others along the way.

Since Summer Vacation Started, I Have:

• done an enormous amount of cleaning and organizing in my classroom.
• gone to Skyline and a Red's game. It was such a beautiful night hanging with friends. :)

• held my friend's newly born baby. I could have held little Braelynn all. day.

• had a picnic and took in a movie with Andrew and Rachelle. It was a happy night. My mint chocolate chip ice-cream sundae was also happy. :)

• traveled to Illinois and worked with Lucas at his music camp. What a lovely week! Lucas is absolutely incredible. I loved watching him teach and interact with the kids. He's so gifted. It was just so fun to work alongside him throughout the week. I got to play lots of piano and teach voice as well as a little piano. Who knew improv could be so fun?! I have so many happy memories from this week.  What a great start to summer!

Next trip is to Oklahoma and then back to Illinois for a wedding. :) I'm thankful for the gift of relationships with people!

Today is the First Day of June

I didn't cry yesterday on the last day of school. Actually I did cry last night at the Graduation / Awards Assembly when we stood, clapping, in honor of Ona Truesdale and Dean. I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be a part of a school that is committed to touching little lives for Christ. So, I did cry then.

Yesterday morning, before we left for our field trip, we read another chapter in History. Yes, we did school work on the last day of school. Cruel, I know! But I did give them jellybeans when they read or answered a question. That's gotta count for something!

One of our special surprises (there were several) were our very own chapter books about us! For once, I think every boy and girl were looking at the words as we read. ;) It was a sweet moment.

Ok, now I miss my kiddos. Sigh.

We had a great time on our field trip. Our group picture was blurry, there were a few small scrapes, and a stern talking to with an attitude-givin' child, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

I was thinking over the past year...and really...all those frustrating behaviors, attitudes, low academic levels, my own feelings of inadequacy pale in light of this: "Did my students know that I love them and that God loves them?" That's the most important thing. Everything falls beneath that. That's good Alanna. I need to tuck that one away for next year. :)

So my summer begins. Well, I still have a day of in-service, and a few huge days of cleaning, but it is summer. I'm missing this guy a lot! He's serving Jesus in the Cayman Islands right now...spreading the joy of Jesus and music. I couldn't be more proud of him. Lord willing, I'll see him Monday night. Can't. Wait. :)

I love this pic of him and his sweet sister who I know prays for us. So blessed.

Well, I'm off to work on the laundry.

This blowing breeze is such a gift. God, thank you.

All Smiles

  Today, the happiest person in the world graduated, a miracle of God's great grace.

And I loved enjoying the day with my sweet boyfriend at my side.

I'm smiling, listening to the rain splatter on the leaves.

God - Your joy, Your peace, Your nearness is amazing.

Stars

This from Ann really resonates with me tonight.

"When the world strives -- the wise still. It's the only way to feel God's embrace."

"You can give up the need to compete in the world -- when you accept being complete in Christ."

"She needn't be heard....because she was known.

The hatchlings, they held themselves in this silent, fearless assurance.

The fog settled down in the hollow, a veil hiding the woods away. Behind it somewhere the frogs sang on...

She felt found.

She would be small. She would make her life small.

There on the stairs, there by the next of hatchlings in the deepening twilight, she looked up.

She could see it all abover her --

How the stars are always small..."