Don't Worry, Be Happy

One of my favorite things about substitute teaching is discovering the uniqueness of each classroom. I can see the personality of the teacher reflected in the small things placed around the room and on the walls. We should surround ourselves in our homes with as many inspirational words as I find in classrooms! Here are a few I enjoyed recently:

It's all in the attitude!

DON'T WORRY - BE HAPPY!

If you expect respect, be the first to show it

I'm so busy I don't know whether I just found a rope or lost my horse

Doing what is right isn't always easy, but it's always right

There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs

Setting: (A Garfield poster, with Garfield hanging upside down from a branch, a woodpecker is almost to peck all the way through the branch, beneath Garfield are mean, barking dogs)

Twenty years from now I'll look back at this and laugh!

I'll share more another day.

To my friends who posted their encouraging comments, I think tiredness contributed to my lack of inspiration recently. Sometimes I think we try to squeeze every second out of the day and it's still not enough. Only with God can anything ever be enough. Thank you so much for your prayers. My time writing yesterday morning was inspiring to me because it was time spent with God and focusing on Him. I had such a wonderful day yesterday teaching 5th grade. It was like a magic spell had been cast over the day. Actually, I think God gave me the strength of His presence which made me a different person. Today I have the privilege of teaching 3'rd grade. I'll keep you posted on my adventures!

Outside Looking In

Have you ever felt that you had stepped out of your faith? You find yourself on the outside looking in. . . in at your trust in God. All of a sudden you realize you are capable of thinking like a doubter and feeling cynical like a scoffer. I know I haven't lost my faith. I'm reading God's word every day, praying, and reading books such as It's Not About Me by Max Lucado to build my understanding and faith. Searching. . .

Maybe this is brought on by unanswered prayer. Maybe I've challenged God to provide and answer my prayers on my own time table not His. I walk through my days wanting to be in His will. . .looking for where He could work in my life and those around me. Am I where I should be? Just to do what I want to do to make a living-is it worth losing ground financially and missing out on time with my kids? I find myself becoming apathetic and cynical. But then, have I really done all I can do to accomplish the most that I can during this time? What are my priorities? Time with my kids, career goals, insurance, security, or following my heart? How can they all tie in together somehow?

Found on the walls of the classroom I was in today, these words gradually drew my attention. . . There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. I would love to step onto a elevator, push the up button and step out into my first teaching job. But I find myself taking each stair, one day at a time, not knowing how many stairs I will have to climb.

"Why do people struggle? Trust me in your times of trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. Psalm 50:15

Is there any chance, any possibility, that you have been selected to struggle for God's glory? ...Here's a clue. Do your prayers seem to be unanswered? What you request and what you receive aren't matching up? Don't think God isn't listening. Indeed He is. He may have higher plans.

When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God Himself, we cross a threshold. "

It's Not About Me
Max Lucado

Oh, Lord, I'm back. As I seek you, I find peace. I've been reading these verses and memorizing them each night.

Blessed is the man(woman)who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his(her) delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he(she) meditates day and night.
He(she) is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he(she) does prospers.

Psalm 1:1

I'm ready for more, something deeper. God doesn't abandon me in my search. He leads me to Him.

Friendship Award

I love the picture for this award. It's a reminder of what I've been missing for the past several days while my computer was out of whack. Just yesterday I read something about this saying. (What's a whack?)

I'll post later with the questions and the recipients I want to pass this on to, but for now I want to say Thanks! to Karen M at Loved and Engraved for her thoughts and her friendship.

Ask and It Will Be Given to You

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10

Beautiful Fall Day

Good morning everyone. I've been feeling the need for some change. I tried dark blue for my blog for a few days but it wasn't very fall like. So in trying to capture a little bit of fall around here, I snapped a few photos of the fall wreath my daughter and I made in brownies when she was around 5 years old. Could it really be 12 years ago? It needs a little sprucing up I guess. Maybe I could add a few new leaves or berries. I could have straightened out the leaves before the took the picture, but it hangs on my front door as is, and I love it. The little speck to the left of the wreath is actually a tiny caterpillar that I didn't think would show up in the final photo but there he is! The weather is so nice and cool this morning. Boy am I ready for fall. Next . . .to put a pumpkin on my porch! Blessings to all!

While driving in my car last week I heard this song, one of my very favorite songs from my growing up years. When I heard it, it reminded me of the political situation now, with the election getting closer. I have to admit, I'm very opinionated about my politics, and I find myself watching the news channels for all of the latest information.

Sunday morning in church, one of the leaders stood up to speak and he said that regardless of who wins the election, true power comes from only one source, and he held up his bible. He then asked us to break into groups of 3 or 4 people and pray for our country and specifically the financial situation. It was so moving, to hear people all over the sanctuary praying for our country. It felt good because it was something I could do. It also helped me to remember that God is in control.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

Isaiah 40:12

Yellow

Our new Brenda Photo Challenge is Yellow

The hostess this time is Tabitha of Twinkle Twinkle

This photo was taken in Presidio, on the border of Texas and Mexico.

Cactus flowers in southwest Texas at Fort Davis State Park.

Sunflowers on my dining table.( not real, but I love them)

Cactus blooms in the gardens at the Alamo, taken on our last visit to San Antonio.

Friday Funnies

Ok, guys, I'm going to join the Friday Funnies for today, Kim at Homesteader's Heart hosts this weekly chance to start our day off right! Visit her blog to see more Friday Funnies! This video makes me laugh out loud everytime I see it. If anyone is familiar with the different personality types, they will probably laugh louder, but anyone can see themselves and those they love depicted in these reactions to sitting on a tack!




If you're interested in learning more about personalities visit /www.gkseminars.com/ or read Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. It's alot of fun recognizing yourself and others. As for me, I am definitely phlegmatic! Have a great Friday!