How is swine flu transmitted?

Poem

Unable to sleep, contemplating the damage that sin does to ourselves and those around us, I wrote this poem.

I am not perfect

But I am not worthless

I am broken

But I am not rubbish

God chose to love me

When I was unlovely

My shame was erased

When I called out to Christ

In Him I placed my hope

Redeemed by His blood

Washed pure as snow

Clothed in white robes

Adopted by the King

Thus, this flesh is not the end

I know, forgiven I am

And forsaken I am not

April 25, 2009

Golden Sunset

Enjoy.

What is growing with my basil?

Can anyone name the plant in the picture with the umbrella like leaves?

Homework

Plantar Warts

I just had epiphany.  For some, this connection isn't going to work, but hear me out.  Plantar warts are like sin.  The wart starts as just a white dot on the bottom of your foot.  It doesn't hurt initially. Over time it grows and can create more dots.  Sin is the same way.  The consequences for sin may not always be immediate.  Sin can creep in before you realize it is there.  Then there is the process of trying to get rid of plantar warts.  As I am currently in the process, I can tell you that it is a long term process.  It could take me months to get rid of them.  I have to put medicine on them and change the medicine ever 48 hours.  I get to cut out parts of the wart in an effort to let the medicine get deeper into the wart.  Trying to get rid of sin is similar.  It takes effort, time, and careful observation.  Sometimes you have to cut the temptations of your life.  I don't like the cutting process that God allows when He is trying to cleanse us of sin.

Consider the sin of complaining.  I have been doing a Bible study on Moses.  In Numbers 11 the people complained, the Lord was displeased, and He burned their camp.  It is so easy to complain, yet I clearly know that God does not approve.  Trying to not complain takes a lot of effort.  Seeking God for help in times of trouble instead of wallowing in self pity is not a natural reaction.  I, being human, am very selfish and find it were easy to say woe is me.  When really, if I seriously look around, I am so blessed.  Yes things can be hard, but I am blessed beyond measure and I daily take that for grant it. 

A Great Day

Last week was hard on me. I had tons of time on my own while Kyle was at work and at school. I have the not so lovely state test quickly approaching. It is always a dilemma when I come up to the two weeks prior to testing. What do you focus on? What do you review? What do you teach?

I had picked up a good book, A Thousand Tomorrows, the Wednesday before Easter break. So, I graded almost everything I had collected that day in between reading chapters. On Thursday I graded a math test. I wasn't thrilled with my students results and chose to finish the book rather than grade papers. So, by the time I got to grading during the break my stack was seriously around 4 inches tall. I am amazed at the amount of work my kids do in a day. I chose to grade the massive stack over a couple of days while fretting over what to do about lesson plans.

I did tons of research over the break and found some great links and activities for my kids. By the time I was done lesson planning, which happened to be shortly before Bible study last night, I was actually excited about this week. I had been so worried, yet when I humbled myself before God and said that I couldn't plan on my own, He was SO faithful to help me.

Today was a great day, and I owe that all to God. Things ran smoothly which is amazing for coming off of a sugar intense weekend for my kids. I am so grateful for my job and the great kids I get to work with.

Easter Sunday Video

Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom

My history professor Pam showed this to us last week once we came back from our mid-class break.

Family