NOOOO!!!!!

Darn you, Krispy Kreme! Who can resist the HOT AND NOW sign?

For anyone who isn't familiar with this, where in the world do you live? HOT AND NOW means the doughnuts are HOT, straight from the rack, and they are NOW ready to be eaten! I guess when I was younger, I wasn't familiar with this either, but I do remember making a midnight run to Charlotte with my newleywed husband to get a few doughnuts, just because we could. Now, I live much nearer to a Krispy Kreme, and I work even more near to it than I live.

So today, I was minding my own business, driving along up the highway, when there it was, screaming at me from a distance --- HOT AND NOW ---... NOOOO!!!! My blood sugar isn't so good these days, and I'm trying to be a good little girl, but who can resist a HOT AND NOW???

Apparently, not many people can resist them. I had a coupon in my purse, so I thought I should certainly not let it go to waste. I pulled in the parking lot to hit the drive through, and everyone and their brothers were there! How far away can one see that sign? Why does that sign induce a sense of euphoria in those that don't even care for sweets that much? It's almost like if the sign is on, you just can't pass it up. It's like seeing something on sale that you don't need right now, but that you may end up needing at some point in the future!

I'm proud to say I used my coupon, and I ended up with 2 dozen doughnuts. Don't you laugh at me. I only ate one. Thank the good Lord above that I can't, by only a few hundred yards probably, see that darn sign from my work place. If I happened to catch a glimpse of that red light in the corner of my eye, I would end up even heavier than I already am with some serious diabetic tendencies.

HOT AND NOW. The mere thought of it makes my mouth water. (And my blood sugar go up too by the way.) Don't you dare pass that sign if you see it on, but be sure to share with your friends. One of those suckers is enough to do ya' for a while.

Wow,

Who has time to blog any more? Well, apparently, not me! This new job has been a piece of real work so far, but it's a really good piece of work!

I'm adusting to much longer work days and much more strenuous work. I mean, I kind of sit in a chair a lot of the day, but there is so much activity going on around me, it is crazy! I told my nurse manager yesterday that I spend most of my time at home trying to block out the noise around me, so it's hard to get used to having to hear everything that's going on around me!

My job consists of admitting patients via computer, entering orders in the computer, charging patients on the computer, transferring patients (yep, on the computer), answering the phone, faxing orders, opening the door for people (due to strict security policies which I'm very happy about), answering the phone again, and pretty much anything else someone needs done. Yep, it sounds like a lot, but that's because it is a lot! Who would have thought that there could be 17 babies born on one day at one hospital? Do these people not have hobbies? Holy cow!

I've learned to call that "job security". As long as people are popping out babies, I'm working at that desk. It's crazy exciting and sometimes just plain crazy. The doctors are so funny, and it's entertaining to experience their different personalities. The nurses are amazing, and it's fun to see their different personalities too. Man, that's a hard working bunch of people.

I have seen miracles happen each and every day. I mean, the birth of a child in itself is a miracle, but some are more miraculous than others. The rush of emotion I felt when I saw doctors running down the hall with a patient on a stretcher, knowing they were saving a life, was more than I ever could have imagined. These ladies and gentlemen are incredible. These guys are my heroes.

So, the new job is going well. I still miss my school peeps and all that went with them. I have adjusted to my new world, and I'm sure it will soon be my new comfort zone. Soon, I will start working my night shift, so that will be something very new to me. I'm anxious to get on a regular schedule to see how things are going to roll. All in all, I work for a great company. The people I work with are crazy dedicated and hard-working. My job is challenging and important, and that gives me such a sense of accomplishment. The twelve hour days are tough, but the four day weekends are worth it....

Now, excuse me while I take a nap. I'm pooped.

Choose to live!

I have the day off!! Woo-hoo!!! Can you tell I'm excited about it? It's just a preview of what my schedule will be when I begin my normal work schedule with my new job. (I will only work three days a week!) For now, my hours are just plain crazy. So far, the job is crazy busy, overwhelming, and stressful, but I do love being a part of the healthcare field!

I miss the comfort of my school job, and the familiar feeling of everything. It was my comfort zone for a long time. It takes me a little longer than the average person to get into a comfort zone, so this is going to be a process. I don't mind though, as I am so thankful for this opportunity to earn more to help my family and provide insurance benefits for us all!

So far, I have learned a great deal in my new venture. One big reminder is seeing that people are hurting and struggling. Another is that some people think they have it tough in their jobs. Others truly do have it tough in their jobs. I really don't see how nurses do it day in and day out. The level of stress they endure and the activity they have to keep up with makes my head spin just to watch.

Along with my new experiences the past several days is one that I never thought I would be able to handle. Interesting that I have always taken everything I do very seriously, but now I see the true seriousness of what I'm taking part in. If things aren't done right, lives are literallly affected and possibly lost. Some losses aren't in the control of any human, and I experienced one of those last week. I saw a tiny body of a pre-term child that never had a chance to take his first breath. If I had thought of this ahead of time, I probably would have thought that there was no way I could face it without being devastated. Instead, God used that moment to show me that each life is so precious. The perfectly formed little boy reminded me that lives are formed WAY before they enter our world. He also reminded me that life is fleeting, so fragile, and that there is some peace found in death. Such a strange experience, but one I used to reinforce my belief in choosing LIFE.

I choose to live each day and not let life get me down. Yes, I'm pooped, but I choose to live. Today, I choose to rest, even though I'm going to be running around this morning for a little while, but I will enjoy my day off and relax my spirit. I will make an extra effort to treasure those around me, as life is not guaranteed to us another day. I hope that everyone who reads this will choose to live today and every day, and that we all will be bold in reminding others how important it is TO CHOOSE LIFE.

Exciting!!

Tomorrow is the big day!!! I start my new job!!! I really am excited. I really don't know what to expect at all. I feel like the new kid, going into a class for the first time. I find myself wondering if I will know anyone, and if I will have to eat lunch by myself. So funny to be back in that situation!

I've been the new kid a few times, and I've never been one to be intimidated by new situations. I'm old and insecure now though. haha... Not really... It is a little stranger to be starting over at 41 years old though. Will I be the old lady in the room, or will I be the young one? Will it be tense or relaxed? How much will I have to learn?!

No matter what, it is a fabulous opportunity! It is a fun new start for me! I love new beginnings, and I am excited about this one!

God is so good. We had such a great day in the Lord. Our youth minister, Scott, preached his guts out today. I noticed he was extra sparkly before the service, and after it was all said and done, I believe that was the annointing of the Lord. He has grown so much, and I am so proud of him and his beautiful wife. The are such a joy to me. It is always amazing to see God work in the lives of those we care about.

Well, I better get moving so I can get ready for my big day. Lord, I pray that You will give me opportunities to be a light for you, and that I will recognize those opportunities. Thank you, Lord, for all of the blessings you have given me. Thank you for making me the new girl. I really can't wait to see what the week will hold!

Some things do make me angry...

It is never, ever okay to protest anything at a funeral. There. I said it. Whether it's a military funeral or a civilian one, protests have no place there. What kind of idiots would actually think that they can bust up in the midst of a grieving family and hold signs that say horrible things about God and people? It is absolutely ridiculous!

Lately in the news, there has been talk of this... Is it right? Is it wrong? Is it within our rights to freedom of speech, or freedom of peaceable assembly? Let me go out on a limb here and say NO IT'S NOT!!! This is not a matter of law, it is a matter of sense. What if I, with my freedom of speech or peaceable assembly, went into a Jewish synagogue wearing a shirt saying, "Jesus is alive" and holding a sign saying, "Turn or burn"? I would possibly be charged with a hate crime of some type. I would probably be jailed, and that is one of the milder things that I could think of to do, taking advantage of my "rights".

Listen, people, I believe what I believe. I make that perfectly clear to those that read my blog and those who know me. Although my convictions may be different than yours, I would NEVER, EVER dream of holding signs of HATE in the wake of the death of one of our precious war heroes! Would Jesus do that? NO!!! Jesus taught us to love! These people that misconstrue what their "rights" are just make me sick! There is such a thing as class, respect, and love. I can't even believe this is an issue!

What makes it worse is that the people who are doing this "silent protesting" at the military funerals call themselves "born-again Christians". They say they are conservatives, speaking on behalf of the God they claim to serve. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! That is one screwed up way of thinking!! This is why people that aren't Christians think those of us that are are all kooky! They give us all a bad name!

At one time in my life, really until my more recent years, I would tell people quickly that I'm conservative. Now, I don't claim that title. Because conservative now seems to indicate psychosis, I could never claim that. Was Jesus conservative? Hmm... I'm not so sure about that. He hung out with everybody regardless of walk of life. He treated them all the same. He loved other people without judgement. His appearance was not like others, and He didn't judge others based on theirs. Careful, my fellow Christian friends, but that sounds a little liberal in some ways to me. (I just heard one of my "conservative" friends pass out in the floor.) I just don't want to be equated with a people-hating, military-bashing, ignorant, jerk brand of people.

Jesus taught us to love one another. He didn't go around bombing things because of the sin surrounding it, or holding up signs of hate. His spirit is a loving one, all consuming and overwhelming, and I just don't see how anyone could misunderstand it to the point of being so awful to others.

God bless America. God bless our military service men and women. God bless those that hate. They will have to answer for that one day. There. I said it. Take it for what you will.

It's about that time...

Well, it's my next-to-the-last day at my school job! It's hard to believe that it's nearing the end of a job I never in a million years thought I would give up!

This school is fantastic. The staff is amazing. The administration is remarkable. I just can't say enough about the people I've worked with. They deal with things each day with class, haha..., dignity, and respect. They empathize with each student, and believe me, they deserve some empathy.

These students. Lord have mercy on them. After my first week or two of working here, I went home crying. I told my husband that I just couldn't do it. Too much pain in the lives of these kids. Too much sorrow in their eyes. Way too many struggles surrounding me every day in the classroom. After all was said and done, I figured if I could give them one hour of hope a week, I had done my job.

I don't know how good a teacher I am. I mean, I think I do alright, but I'm not sure. I do know, however, that I care. I want these kids to have one hour a week that they can come into a classroom, see a smile, hear a kind word, feel comfortable, and be successful. I want them to walk out of my classroom with a confidence booster. I want each one to know they are valuable and that there is a plan for each of their lives. I want them to see that no matter what life gives them, they can conquer it.

I hope I've done my job here. It's hard for me to let it go, but my family needs me. Man cannot live on bread alone, and this woman cannot live on assistant salary alone. (I mean, Ken has a fabulous job, but I have to do my part.) God has opened this new opportunity for me now, and I'm stepping out on faith. I know the door opened for a reason. I just hope that someone else will step in now, giving each of these kids that ray of hope. I know I can't save the lives of every kid in this place, but I always felt I could give it a good college try, one student at a time.

If I could tell them one more thing, I would boldly tell them that Jesus loves them. I would tell them that He has a plan for them because He created them. I would let them know that there is nothing that God can't handle. I want each of them to hear that they are valuable, and that they should never let anyone lead them to believe otherwise. They are our future, and some of us are not helping them be all they can be. So many parents these days are too wrapped up in their own lives to even care their child has a life. I pray that parents will wake up. I pray that there will be a revival across the schools of America.

I will continue investing in the lives of kids, but in a different way. I have to focus a lot on my own four children, and I have to include their friends. I will continue in ministry at church, reminding those teenagers that God has a plan for them as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. I will be able to boldly proclaim the gospel without the constraints of the laws of the nation telling me I can't, not that I would ever let that stop me.

I want to thank all of those that I've worked with through the years. I want to let them know that they have meant so much to me. I can't say enough about the principal I've worked for. She is amazing, well, beyond amazing. It's been a great ride, but it's time for me to hop off. Look out, Spartanburg Regional, here I come!

My favorite season...

I love Fall. The crispness of the air, the beauty of the foliage, and the excitement of the pending holiday season.

Fall has brought change to our family on many occassions. One year, it was the birth of twins. One year, it was moving to a new state. This year, a new job for me. It's funny that so many big changes have occurred in the Fall for us since we married in November. In fact, this November will be 20 years since we first said "I do"!

As I head into yet another change, I'm thankful for what it is and for what it's not. I'm glad to have a new job and new opportunity. I'm glad it isn't a job loss, because we have had those. While I love my children dearly and would gladly welcome more if we could afford it and had a place, I'm thankful that it's not the birth of any new little ones. I'm also quite glad it is not the change of moving again, because I really don't want to do that one again for a while. So, as changes go, this isn't so bad at all.

I'm not good with changes. They make me nervous. I tend to be one of those "what if" people. What if they hate me? What if the kids suffer? What if it doesn't work out? What if it has a negative affect on my family? I just don't know why in the world I tend to ask "what if". I heard one time if you're worried about something, allow your mind to think of the worst scenario for just a bit. When it comes down to it, because I have eternal hope in my life, the "what if" scenarios end up okay, each and every time.

Some "what ifs" I've run through in my mind at times:

"What if I fall?" (Okay, so you fall. If you get hurt, you get over it. If someone laughs, you laugh with them. So what? "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...")

"What if I can't do it?" (You'll learn to do it. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...")

"What if they don't like me?" ( What's not to like? "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.")

"What if I don't like them?" (You don't really have a choice, do you? "A new command I give you, that you will love one another.")

In every single case I've ever had, God has had an answer. Not that it's ever been easy, but at least there is peace in knowing that He does have an answer. When your hope is in Him, who can we fear? In all the changes of the seasons, I rest easy in knowing....

John 14:24 - 28.... "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."

Amen and amen!