Miscellaneous Missives

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9 It’s in our DNA to want to know. But with that quest for knowledge, have you ever asked yourself, Why? What is it I really want to know? What desire will be satisfied if I find the answer? We’re not talking about green tree frogs anymore, but about questions like,  Why did you call me to this life path? Why did this situation have to happen? What is your plan for me? We read:  as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God’s ways higher than ours ways and God’s thoughts than our thoughts , but it doesn’t prevent us from searching and asking “Why?” Obviously, I should have saved my questioning blog for today.  Who knew questioning would come under the word earthly? I will say today I questioned the behavior of a student in my first class....

May we have the courage to see and hear what both doubt and faith have to teach and may each of us daily go on to perfection, patterning our lives after Christ, that, in every thought of our hearts, in every word of our tongues, in every work of our hands, we would show forth praise. Soooooo.... Today's word is hear, and the same Psalm 27 verse was used which is a bit lame.  Although I read the verse twice, I didn't see the word hear or even the word listen.  Let's be honest, I always "hear with doubt", so I have that covered.  Perhaps I was born to question, but I doubt everything (some would say think critically).  Since I didn't like today's verse or question/statement, I decided to Google (Bible verses hear).  From the list I chose two that I thought would have worked better for today's challenge. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV        Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that ...

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. - Psalm 63:1-4 I'm not quite sure what is being asked from me in the question, "What in your life do you desire so much that it causes this response?"  Rethink Church goes on to say, " Whether you are desiring to know God more or desiring to have that desire to know God more, may it grow into something that fully engages your senses, causing you to lift your hands." Instead of concentrating on the question, I concentrated on "something that fully engages my [your] senses, causing me [you] to lift my [your] hands."  Since I typically tend to think of God as more of an energy, ...

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. - Psalm 27:1-8     According to Rethink Chu...

This picture reminds me of Thin Places After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” - Genesis 15:1 Have you ever had a vision so clear that it made you drop everything and pay attention? That made you stop and catch your breath? That caused you to say, yes, this is where I need to be? Seriously?  Nope.  I've never had "a vision so clear that it made me [you] drop everything and pay attention."  In church we often talk about Thin Places .  I believe it's a Celtic idea.  Thin Places are "places where two worlds intermingle".  Although I've never had a vision, I do believe that I've experienced the Thin Places, places of transition, places where I feel as though I'm in God's presence, a meeting point.  A vision, nope.  Perhaps it's more of a feeling than a vision.  I know there are times when I stop and pay attention.  Often ...

As February draws to a close, so does the Recap Challenge.  Today I finished Gone Girl and the challenge.  I'm not really sure how to recap the book without giving it away.  Then again, I'm not really sure I would have the words to give it away if someone asked me.  Recap: I'm not sure when I started the book, but since I finished Canada on Monday,  I probably started it on Tuesday.  At first I was reading it thirty minutes at a time on the elliptical gradually getting hooked into the inconceivable story.  Last night I decided that I would be a better person if I merely read, so I did nothing but read the book.  No, that's not true.  The more I read, the more I wanted to know, so I continuously sent texts to a friend asking questions about the book.  Unfortunately, the answer was always "Keep reading."  At one point I even tried to read the last chapter and some stuff towards the end to see if I could figure it out.  I r...

That our receiving  may be like breathing: taking in, letting go. That our holding  may be like loving: taking care setting free. That our giving may be like leaving: singing thanks, moving on.  ~Jan L. Richardson Day 11: Live Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in u - Philippians 3:17 [New Revised Standard Version] Today's e-mail states that we are not perfect people.  Rethink Church is using the Bible verse and today's word to ask us to think about how we live in our world (basically). I am surrounded by those people who are always giving, and I am honored to have these giving people in my life.  When I read today's e-mail I immediately went to my Guatemala pictures to find my photo.  My trip to Guatemala (almost two years ago) reminded me that when I give to others, I always receive more in return. As I looked through the pictures, the faces of my fellow tr...

http://www.fultonbeer.com/the-beer/sweet-child-of-vine The spirit   likes to dress up like this:     ten fingers,       ten toes, shoulders, and all the rest   at night     in the black branches,       in the morning in the blue branches   of the world.     It could float, of course,       but would rather plumb rough matter.   Airy and shapeless thing,     it needs       the metaphor of the body, lime and appetite,   the oceanic fluids;     it needs the body's world,       instinct and imagination   and the dark hug of time,     sweetness       and tangibility, to be understood,   to be more than pure light     that burns       where no one is -- so it enters us --   ...

My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. -Philippians 4:1 [The Message] Although it's not the kind of love that "wakes the soul," I love my brother.  It's more of a love that is protective and tiring, but it is a love.  I think the protective love comes because I'm the oldest (wisest, cutest, funniest...).  As with most siblings ( I think), he has always annoyed me more than words can express, but if anyone else says something negative or hints at him being annoying, I become agitated.  Ever since I was little, I've always wanted the best for him.  Reading today's verse reminds me that I must annoy the Holy One each and every day.  My guess is that the Holy One wants me to stay on track more than being filled with pride.  I'm posting the below picture for my love picture on Pinterest and Twitter because I think it...

According to Rethink Church, "This shelter we have in God is a place of love, nurture, and care not just when evil draws near, as the psalmist writes, but all the days of our life." I actually started thinking about today's word last night.  Evil.  People came to my mind first (Cheney, Bush, Manson, Hitler).  Next, I went to big corporations (Walmart, Monsanto...).  Of course, the three little monkeys also came to mind (hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil).  It didn't take long to realize I was going nowhere with this word.  On the way to the gym last night, I was shaking because it was so cold.  Evil.  It's cold.  Damn.  It's soooo cold.  This morning I settled on the temperature for today's "evil" photo and snapped the screen shot of my phone.  As I started looking at today's photo's on Pinterest , I realized that I was not the only one who took a screen shot of the weather for evil.  Although I don't mean to s...

I have general music in my class every day during my prep time.  Although I appreciate that the teacher doesn't mind that I sit at my desk and sometimes speak to her students, it's kind of a pain having the class in my room every day.  Today they are talking about Ska music.  Since I was correcting papers and geeking on the internet, I'm not really sure of the relation, but it seems No Doubt and Ska are somehow related.  At one point in the class, the teacher asked me for my favorite No Doubt song or a fast No Doubt song.  Honestly, I was caught off guard and couldn't come up with any title although I have  No Doubt CDs at home.  One student kept speaking, "Spider Webs."  I looked at him questioning, "Why do you keep saying Spider Webs?"  It seems it's actually a No Doubt song.  As soon as it was played, I recognized it.  Said student (black 12 year old male) actually was mouthing the words and moving to the song as it played. ...

“Light within all light Soul behind all souls at the breaking of the dawn at the coming of the day we wait and watch.” ~John Philip Newell The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders... Deuteronomy 26:8-9   Wonders surround me everyday when I take the time to open my eyes.  The Clivia is blooming again with more flowers in buds ready to pop up.  For some reason the Christmas Cactus has also decided to share a couple more flowers today as it is miserably cold outside.  I can't help but think of the word wander when I see the word wonder thanks to my students this year.  When they were writing about wander in the quote, "Not all who wander are lost," they thought it said wonder.  It actually fits.  Although it changes the meaning of the quote, it also enhances the meaning.  They used wonder as a verb and not a noun.  Basically, man...

What are the kingdoms of the world being offered to you? How will you respond? Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong.  There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.  To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson When I first saw today's word, I thought of many pictures I could use... passport, pictures of Guatemala, pictures of Mexico, pictures taken at various locations in the United States, pictures of the area in which I live...  Then I read the verse for today's word and the question.  This made it more complicated.  World.  I believe that my world is both expanding and contracting (big and small).  IDK!  Each day I am offered so much, yet I'm not sure that I see and/or take advantage of it.  After much thought I settled on this picture I found on Facebook.  It seems that it's fittin...

Day 5: Settle When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us.” - Deuteronomy 26:1-3 According to today's entry from Rethink Church, "we are a wandering and restless people."  They ask, "Where is your wandering and journeying leading you to settle down?" A couple of days ago I was having a conversation with my dad's significant other, Carol.  We were discussing how I always felt as though Okoboji was indeed my home.  Iow...

Matthew 25:31-46 New International Version (NIV)  34  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ I now know that each word ...

I do enjoy my last hour class.  Yesterday I explained that their web evaluation should be done in a test like atmosphere.  Since they normally are super quiet, I explained that it would be more of a problem for me than it would be for them.  They agreed politely and smiled.  Today was the second day of working in silence although many of them were finishing with plenty of time remaining.  At one point a student wanted to know if they could look at meteor pictures online.  "Look over your web evaluation, outline, introduction, and conclusion first.  Maybe you could write me a poem or read," I suggested, and continued, "Make sure you log out when you are done with your web evaluation."  When I looked up young lady was looking at her computer even though she had already finished her web evaluation.  "What are you doing?"  I interrogated.  "I'm looking at poetry sites online.  You said to write a poem," she countered.  I ...

"Nature" is What We See by Emily Dickinson "Nature" is what we see — The Hill — the Afternoon — Squirrel — Eclipse — the Bumble bee — Nay — Nature is Heaven — Nature is what we hear — The Bobolink — the Sea — Thunder — the Cricket — Nay — Nature is Harmony — Nature is what we know — Yet have no art to say — So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. Often I see the beauty in nature that Emily Dickinson talks about, but I miss the beauty in the everyday visions.  When I greeted a student yesterday, I questioned if he was OK.  There was something in his voice that was a bit off.  "Is everything OK?" I asked him.  He, of course, assured me that it was, but I could see in his eyes that something was amiss.  I asked him one more time, so he knew that I could tell and cared.  Then, I merely patted him on the shoulder.  As I get ready for school today and think of today's word, "see", I wonder how many eyes I don't see each ...

I have now set up an Pinterest account ( miscmissives ) although I am not following anyone.  My one board (Lenten Photo-a-Day) will have the same photos I post hear during Lent.  Today's word was a bit challenging for me.  Although I don't think all of my pictures will necessarily need to relate to Lent, I'm not sure what the Rethink Church people were thinking when they chose the word "Return." Return makes me think of the places to which I return (God's Country and Mexico).  It also makes me think of "The Point of No Return" which is a sign on a roller coaster in Okoboji.  Tax return also comes to minds since I had an appointment with H&R Block and my taxes are finished allowing me to officially be able to afford my upcoming trip to Mexico.  Tomorrow I will return once again to post another picture.  This could get interesting. 

Let's admit it... not too attractive... Today I am... the "mean" teacher, the giver of blood, the person who runs over curbs (twice), the attendee of church, the old lady with burning quads and glutes, the prayer of prayers, the one with the mind that wanders and wonders, the one who swears too much, the questioner, the one who falls behind, the lighter of candles, the one who constantly peruses her phone (even in church), the muncher of Girl Scout cookies, the watcher of people, the giver of thanks... taken while trying to capture the ashes on the forehead... I like it much better.

Today I gave blood.  In preparation I took iron for a week and drank 60 oz of water today.  I also prepared by worrying if I would get the one phlebotomist that has caused problems on three separate occasions.  Although they did have difficulties getting my blood today, they did it without causing me pain.  As they (yes both) were working on getting my blood, I asked if there was a way to not get the other lady without being rude and saying, "I don't want ______."  They understood and gave me suggestions.  Standing up from the chair was difficult since my quads and glutes are unbelievably sore after adding to much weight to last night's lunges.  This caused me to have difficulties standing which caused the phlebotomist to think I was going to faint as I hobble around.  Even though I caused her some anguish, I was still given my three gallon pin, but I left it on the table.  I'm not sure what I would have done with it anyway. 

First, I would like to Recap my blog entry from a couple of days ago.  My blog entry was about a Lenten Challenge or Lenten Practice.  40 pictures, following a theme, in 40 days.  Remember?!  If not, let me recap.  I want people to participate in this Lenten Challenge.  Post a picture (I feel that I'm recapping the recap) for the 40 days of Lent.  Who's in?  Anyone?! Also, I would like to recap The President's Challenge .  I officially finished a couple of days ago, but today was the sixth week.  I made the healthy eating choices and the workout options. 

This evening I had dinner with three former colleagues.  We try to dine once a month.  One of the ladies is watching West Wing which made me feel the need to recapitulate my favorite West Wing Clip.  It went something like this... "My favorite clip is the one if the Bible verses,"  I start. Blank stares ensue. "You know the one where he puts that lady on the spot," I continue. More blank stares continue. "He talks about selling his daughter,"  I try to engage the two that have actually watched the show. Nothing!  I then get it on my phone and make L, who drove with me, watch it on the way home.  I, of course, laugh hysterically as I drive and listen to it.  Love it.

Googling Authenticity brought this to my attention, so I found the information on Facebook then found a link to their website .  This group called Rethink Church has a Lenten Challenge that might work well for us in the blogosphere.  I'm certain to quite certain that it can be done in addition to the Recap Challenge.  It's a bit longer, but not as long as last year's baseball challenge .  Basically, for the forty days of Lent we take a picture a day and post it to our blog.  It should fit the word that Rethink has chosen for that day although I don't think it will matter if people miss days.  After all it's a Lenten practice, and those Catholics probably eat some meat during Lent.  The list is posted above in the picture and below as a list.  My plan is to also tweet (I'm on Twitter (miscmissives), but I don't usually tweet.) my picture with #40days. I think it will be challenging, entertaining, fun, and better than giving up chocolate or b...

First, I would like to warn people that I am going to start a new challenge (not really challenge, more of a Lenten practice) that can coincide with this challenge.  I'll post about it after I look at half of the note cards that I told the students I would grade.  Second, I would like to tell WordSavvy that a recap challenge merely highlights the mediocrity of my life.  Garage Door Recap Times are Approximate 02.09.13  6:35pm  Arrive back from God's Country with a screaming cat in the car. 02.09.13  6:36pm  Realize that either my remote is having issues or the garage door is having issues, not sure which is worse... probably door itself. 02.09.13  6:37pm  Leave screaming cat in the car and walk up sidewalk to enter inside and open the garage door. 02.09.13  6:38pm  Garage door opens, so it must be a remote problem. 02.09.13  6:39pm  Unpack screaming cat and other contents of car. 02.09.13  6:40pm...

1) I would have preferred a video with Billy Collins actually reading his poem.  I ♥ Billy Collins. 2) This year, for the first time (literally), I actually like my honors class. 3) I am not a story teller, so "recap" is difficult. 4) Although we are supposed to get snow on Sunday, it is not going to cause a snow day. Today's research went better because I made a Custom Google Search for the students.  In fact, my last class of the day (honors) didn't really need any assistance.  As I sat reading the news from my Google Reader, I announced that Monday was going to be a snow day. "No school on Monday, snow day!" I announced with enthusiasm. "Really?" a couple of students questioned and turned while most kept working.  I shook my head no, but most were too busy working to notice. "Really?" some of the others began turning around questioning. "No.  Of course we aren't having a snow day," I mentioned as I talked a...

Despite Rolling Eyes by Lawrence S. Pertillar Strong! Confident. Self-assured. Endures setbacks, With faith and dignity applied. Relies on God... To assist the dismissal Of inner struggles, Disguised No one can describe, From a depth inside. And not afraid at all... To admit Sometimes there are conflicts and flaws! And yet... Beset by criticisms one gets. In silence one accepts this! Taught that it takes... Heartaches carried with heartbreaks! And despite criticisms and rolling eyes... A success rewarded will materialize. If one seeks to meet challenges, Without the shallowness of whines and cries! Hey Kids!  There's a new blog challenge . I'm on our school's leadership team.  We meet twice a month, and it drives me absolutely crazy.  To occupy my time I take minutes and add comments about the meeting.  Often they are filled with sarcasm and disrespect.  Today's minutes were no different.  One of the first conversation...

goodreads.com For some reason both of my book clubs met this week.  The one book club always meets the first Wednesday.  Tonight we discussed The Grace of Silence (a memoir of a woman who grew up in Minneapolis).  Although we didn't really talk in great detail about the book as we normally do, we did talk a lot about race relations then and now.  All of these women are older (truly much older) than me, so I found it interesting listening to their stories.  Earlier this week, my other book club discussed _____.  For some reason, I'm blanking, but it's the fiction book about Alzheimer's (the woman professor that gets the disease... you know).  Although it seems like I'm messing around I really can't remember the title.  The discussion was heated at time as many thought about their family members who have experienced this disease.  Tonight I finished Last Standing Woman .  It's fiction (A powerful and poignant novel tracing the lives...

One of our proposals was accepted, so a former colleague and I will be presenting (if we can find the money) at the National Writing Project's Urban Sites Network Conference.  We found out yesterday, and although it will be a great experience, the money is an issue.  Yesterday I filled out staff development and professional development forms.  Since I hate filling out these forms and often become frustrated with the process (hoops), I asked a member of the professional development committee to look at my application.  As he was looking at my explanation, he wanted me to be aware that they had no interest in the fact that I was presenting.  Although I respect their opinions (not really, not really at all), I question why someone's presentation wouldn't merit district money that the union has set aside to support its members.  Oh well, I'll wait and see if they find my applications and this opportunity adequate of their financial support.  BTW- The ...

Yesterday I watched the movie Paperclips .  I've got this movie thing figured out, at least when it comes to documentaries.  My new plan is to watch part of the movie (at least 45 minutes when the gym isn't busy) on the treadmill.  It's the perfect way to watch a movie.  Paperclips is not the best movie for this activity, and I knew this before I went to the gym.  I did it anyway and survived the first half with only four or five teary eyed incidents.  The movie also reminded me of my prejudices as this white southern community came together for Holocaust victims and survivers.  Would this community do the same thing for the Muslims?  Will these kids be able to understand that the message should extend to the way we treat all people?    I know it's horrible, but I had thoughts like this as I watched the movie.  Other than those horrible thoughts, it was a uplifting, tear causing movie. 

The song used in the background is the song they sang today.  For part of the song, they actually walked around the congregation and sang... beautiful. Today we were blessed to have the Irish singer Noirin Ni Riain and her sons, Owen and Moley O Suilleabhain sing in our worship service.  Because Noirin was present and today is the Feast Day of St. Blaise , we also had the blessing of our throats (candles were blessed and hands were placed on our throats).  Noirin explained the blessing isn't merely for illnesses of our throats, but to also bless the words that will emerge.  I whispered to a friend sitting near me that I would need this blessing every morning.  He agreed that such a blessing probably wouldn't last all week at least not for most of us.  As the congregation sang at the end, he leaned back and said, it sounds as though the blessing worked.  It was a unique experience although I'm not sure the blessing will help with my utterances going...

Typically on Saturday morning, I arise earlier than I would like (by habit, by cat).  Today was no different.  I didn't awake super early, but I did feed the cat at 6:30.  After feeding the cat, I went back to bed.  At 7:15 I was up for the day since the cat was loud and being bratty.  Once I'm up and moving around the house, the cat is no longer visible.  Why?  The cat is now back on the bed.  He can't sleep when I want to sleep, but as soon as I'm up, he's back asleep.  I need a dog!