Busy, too too busy...

To those of you that follow my musings, I am sorry for my lack of communication the past few weeks. This is always a crazy time of year for me with yearbook. I am glad to say that we sent our last page in on Monday! This year we will have 308 pages and the book is absolutely beautiful. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together. I had awesome kids this year that were mostly totally devoted to the program, along with some great graphic designers that really put the WOW into the book. I am going to submit this one for awards and I think we have a good chance of getting some recognition.

As for the rest of my life; Spring Break was last week. We were able to go on a 3-day trip to Monterey over the weekend and we had such a good time. On Saturday, a bus ran into the aquarium and left a gaping hole in the side of the building. Thankfully, no one was hurt. It could have been disastrous. Instead, we just have a memory of an empty bus running into a wall and leaving a hole. We were able to see some tide pools and do some beachcombing, as well as see some beautiful scenery. I have some awesome pictures that I will try to get into a scrapbook this summer.

During Spring Break I had a to do list for myself:
* Write goal statement for counseling program
* Finish taxes
* Submit FAFSA and financial aid paperwork to school
* Finish application information to school
* Finish church bulletin (new volunteer job that I took on)
* Write query letter to literary agent
* Blog more
* Research publishing opportunities
* Get at least three weeks ahead on lesson plans
* Finish grading

The bolded ones are the ones I finished. It frustrates me when I fall short of my own expectations. I know I have a block of time, I set a plan out, and things just don't seem to fall into place. I didn't have the information I needed to finish the bulletin, so I worked furiously after school Mon-Wed to finish, leaving my husband and son to fend for themselves. I didn't even begin the query letter or do any research to get my book published. As you know, I didn't blog once. And even though I spent four hours at school over break, I only managed to get lesson plans for the week done because I had so much grading to catch up on and the new grading program this year is a complete nightmare! I also have new books for the kids, so I need to be up to speed on the lessons. I guess I have lots to do this weekend, as this week was only a two-prep period week. Sometimes, I wish I didn't have to sleep and I could get everything done, and still spend time with my family. It makes me mad when I don't finish and especially when I am not perfect. But I am learning to take things as they come and do my best. I am learning that I can't do everything. It is still hard, but I don't stress about things as much as I used to. So as they say in STEP, "It's about progression, not perfection."

Have a lovely day, try to find time to enjoy something beautiful, and thank you sharing in my ramblings. :-)

PS: I also made Disneyland reservation for Christmas. I am so excited that we will be there during my most favorite time of year. By reserving early, we get the price locked in, and I have seven months to pay for the trip. What a deal!

Palm Sunday Service

Our church service last night was so powerful! The service started with a drama that ended with the conversation on the three crosses. My pastor followed up with a teaching on the choices made then, and the choices we make now. The choice of rejection, reception (receiving what God offers), and redemption. He encouraged us to not run to the empty grave, but instead to focus on those choices and what it would mean if Jesus had not made the choice he did. I know that I have no words to describe my thankfulness that the God who created everything cared enough about me to die a horrible death on the cross. One of the most healing times for me was realizing that as Jesus was beaten, he understood the unfair beatings I received as a child. As he suffered and hung on the cross, he understood my pain. When he uttered the words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", at that moment, he was bombarded with all sin, all the ugly and horrendous things that we do to each other. At that moment, my Lord understood what it was like to be forsaken, forgotten, abused. He knew he would be alone through the pain. He knew he would have to face sin in its entirety. But he chose life for us, life for you, life for me. He chose to conquer sin so I could find freedom from sin and the effects of sin against me. There are no words to say thank you for something that encompassing.

God is Awesome!

Last night my biblical class was so amazing. We shared our hearts with each other through our personal testimonies. I was privileged and amazed to see what God had done for each of us in that room.

There were only three of us present last night and the presence of God was evident from the time we began class with prayer. The three of us share similar backgrounds and it is amazing to me how God orchestrated the night so that we could have the freedom and safety to share ourselves in such a vulnerable way. I was touched and amazed by the tangible presence of God in that room. I am amazed at the way God used situations in our lives to bring us to the point we are now. I am amazed at how even in the pit of hell, God drew all of us to Him. I am amazed that he loves so much, and pursues so relentlessly. I am amazed at the breadth and depth of his love for me and for my sisters. I am amazed at how evident his intervention was and is. I am amazed that the God who has the power to create the heavens and the earth cares so intimately for me as a person. I am amazed at the value I find in God, the healing I find in God, and the freedom he has brought to my life.

There are not words to describe the experience in that room last night. But I will treasure it in my heart, for I know that what God has done and what God continues to do is truly miraculous. I am privileged and filled with awe that he not only allows me, but wants me to stand in his awesome and holy presence. You are awesome God and I love you and thank you for drawing me into the safety of your arms.