Random Story from Miss Ryder's Life

Stories impact our lives. As many of you know, I love reading. There is something almost magical that happens with the written word and a change within us. Maybe it has something to do with the effort put into the task of decoding the text. I'm not sure, but I can say that stories impact lives. I read stories aloud to the boys and girls in my fourth grade classroom. We laugh with the characters, we wrestle with their problems, and we predict what may come next in their lives.

Recently, in an effort to connect and teach life lessons, I've started saying, "And now a random story from Miss Ryder's life." So, I thought you out there, yes you with your nose squished against the computer screen. I thought that you might enjoy some random stories from my life...

1. I was at the beach minding my own business, preparing to carve a pumpkin with two dear friends. (Yes, I can see you pulling your eyebrows together saying, "Carving a pumpkin, on the beach?" Well, don't judge what you haven't tried. It was delightful!) All of a sudden I heard a rather loud voice saying, "Oh, it's you!" Well, since I'm new to this location, I thought the poor soul was looking for another 'you,' so I averted my eyes. The call came again, "It's you from Winn Dixie." Well, at this point I thought what would it hurt to look? There she was, donning her Hawaiian wrap with arms outstretched. They enveloped me in a hug. She poured her fears of leaving her job at Winn Dixie to take care of her aged mother. There I stood, pumpkin in hand, sand oozing between my toes, thinking about the affect we can have on the lives of others without realizing it. I had been through her line many times at Winn Dixie. I can’t tell you what we talked about in line, but I was able to tell her as the sun set began that I would be praying for her. We went on and found the perfect pumpkin carving spot, all the while remembering people are watching our lives. Are we reflecting the love of Jesus to a lost and hungry world?

2. A couple of weeks ago I attended a wonderful teacher’s convention called FACCS! October is always the month in teaching when things get tough. The honeymoon stage has ended. True colors are flaring and let’s just say, this teacher needed a little educational revival. Boy, did I find one. I was so encouraged by the people that I met. During one of the sessions I got to hear my hero in the field of education, Guy Dowd. It was wonderful. I mourned my leaving of public education. My heart ached for the students, teachers, and staff in public education. I’m thankful for teacher’s who love and care for students.

3. I went to the mailroom. I opened the mailbox. I called into the mailbox. Hello……hello…….hello…..My voice bounced off of the four walls, it jumped around the mail room and smacked me in the face. The guys standing next to me raised an eyebrow. We discussed the sadness of not receiving mail.

4. I went to the mailroom. I opened the mailbox. I GOT A CARD!!!!!! I opened it! I laughed…..and coughed a lot……I laughed some more. I played the card over and over! I’m thankful that I have funny friends!

5. I was sad…It was a lonely weekend….I was stupidly wallowing in self-pity. ( I sat myself down and Jesus is helping me to not fall in this trap again!) I went to Wal-Mart. The CD aisle was calling for perusal. The John Waller CD sparked my interest. I purchased the CD. There is a wonderful song entitled “God Reigns Here.” He lists a variety of emotions and says, “I command you to leave in Jesus name….you’re not welcome here…so just go!” I’m so thankful that emotions don’t have to control us!

Well, I guess, like Paul Harvey there may be a rest of the story later…but here are Random stories from Miss Ryder on November 10!

Goings-On

Oh, yes the weather is beautiful, but I find myself allowing one sunny day to flow into the next without truly grasping the passing of time. As I wrote the date this morning, one of my youngsters proclaimed, “It’s almost Christmas!” And, yes, while palm trees sway…it is almost here! So, time moves on while I remain here in this beautiful place.

My students are growing. I wish you could come and spend some time with these wonderful developing boys and girls. They’ve been teaching me. Yes, I’ve learned about trust as I’ve watched one struggle with an issue I can only imagine! I’ve seen myself mirrored in their beautiful blues, browns and greens. My past struggles are there and I pray with them. I laugh with them. We sometimes cry together. And sometimes we are just plain silly. Oh, I love them so. Beautiful, that’s what they are!

At the end of the day it’s nice to escape to my quaint, little home. Yes, it feels like home now. Already these walls could tell stories of happy days and those not so happy, of beautiful times of commune with Jesus and times of struggle. There are memories here.

I’m developing friendships with some dear ladies and gentlemen here. I watched a dear lady lead someone to Jesus the other day. What a precious soul!

There is a longing for the familiar. I can’t wait to lay eyes on friends and family from home. To sit and chat with others where walls come down and we are ‘real.’

In the mean time, I jump on my Anne of Green Gables bike and I go to the ocean. I sit in that special spot where the sand almost works as a little stool. I revel in the beauty and splendor of our Creator! I sit and relax as I’m reminded of His faithfulness, His mercy, His love…ahhh!