Merry Christmas

Dear Fellow-Bloggers,

Good afternoon! We have had a few days off of school, due to the ice storm. It has been a wonderful time of relaxation and catching up on projects. :)

My sister and I had the wonderful privilege of directing the church play for the younger children at church this year. They did such a wonderful job of working hard and then sharing the love of Jesus with others. It was a delightful experience. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures...We were running around back-stage. Hopefully I'll be able to beg, borrow, or steal some later. :)

I was driving the other night and noticing the beautiful lights and decorations. I enjoy this time of year. I'm thankful that God saw fit to send himself, wrapped in human flesh to rescue our souls.

May you have a joyous and relaxing season where you cherish family moments.

Enjoying this journey of life,
Jo

Blessings

I didn't write a Thanksgiving post this year. Although it is a little late, I would like to say that I'm grateful for so many things. One of those being the rather tough group of youngin's that I have this year. Each one is broken. Some have physical issues...some emotional...some academic... It has been a challenge to say the least. I'm thankful that God has placed a love for teaching deep in my heart. He has also given me a deep love for each of my little critters. I was on my way to work this morning, listening to Steven Curtis Chapman. The words to this song struck a chord. Life brings challenges of all sorts, but we have someone right beside us no matter what we are facing. I hope you all have a blessed day.

I didn't come looking for trouble
And I don't want to fight needlessly
But I'm not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something's coming down
But if it's gonna make me grow stronger then

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you're thinking I'm crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
'Cause I know I've got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, I don't want to sound like some hero
'Cause it's God alone that my hope is in
But I'm not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make me fall on the One who's strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on

Let me be made weak so I'll know the strength of the One who's strong
Bring it on
Bring it on

Our New Home - Come on in!

Good day, friends! I'm sorry that it has been so long...life can certainly be busy. :) For those of you that are far away, here are some pictures of the new apartment. Well, new to us at least.

Our Living Room

Our Kitchen...Strawberries and Peppers meet for the first time! :)

My bedroom

Thanks again to all of our wonderful friends who helped us move in and decorate!!!! We love you girls!

Whirling!

I have several thoughts that are whirling, but I'm in the process of moving. I'll be back soon to share what I've been thinking about. :)

Here is a quote from C.S. Lewis. I'm thankful that this isn't my home. I'm moving to a little apartment, but my real home is yet to come.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
--Mere Christianity

Are you waiting?

I’m waiting I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting I will serve You
While I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting I will not faint
I’ll be running the race Even while I wait
I’m waiting I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
John Waller
© 2007 Travelin’ Zoo Music (ASCAP) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing)

Bright Blue

The weather was beautiful that day. If only the inside had been half as sunny. The heavy weight of disappointment and scar tissue filled me. Am I going to do this for the rest of my life? Is it really worth the hours? As I stood on the playground watching them run off energy, I felt a tug and I looked down into beautiful, blue eyes. The small voice said, "Miss Ryder, when you were sitting in group time today, you looked so pretty...and you still look pretty now."

I don't think that this youngster was speaking about my outer appearance. Instead I think he was responding to love.

Lord, my prayer is that the beauty of you would be seen in me. Help me to respond in kindness and compassion. Help me to be firm when they need that approach. Help me to teach them the academic skills in preparation for the next grade level, but more than that, may they catch a glimpse of you.

Rejection

I've been thinking quite a bit. :) I teach little people so I'm kind of like you Mommies out there that hunger for adult conversation. I understand your pain. :) I love teaching, but there are times when I need my mind challenged a bit. Thanks for blogging, you help me to think in this pseudo-conversation/eaves-dropping thing we have here! :)

Recently I experienced rejection. I had created, pressed, polished and prepared only to find rejection. Rejection is difficult on any level, but when you've given your best and you've read the research, it stings. You see and understand a better way. You realize what could be accomplished by choosing this way and still you are rejected. Your name is mentioned in whispered tones, a hush falls over the room when you enter, and knowing glances are cast in your direction.

Not long ago I experienced a different sort of rejection. As I stood before this audience, I presented the thing that could change their lives. If they chose to trust what I presented they would avoid death and have eternal life. Some cold eyes stared at me. Rejection. Why should they believe that God cares for them? No one else has. Sturdy fortresses guarded their hearts.

As I viewed their nonchalant attitudes, my thoughts turned to Jesus. Rejection...He knows about it. He presented Himself and was laughed at and spit upon. Living water met with whippings. Yes, He knows about rejection. Yet, He continues to reach to the lost. He's reaching to the very ones who have their walls reinforced.

My walls were once pretty thick. I'm thankful for a God who reached beyond my fortress and reached to my heart!