Missed Opportunity

A couple of nights ago, Michael and I were at WalMart late in the evening. We were buying a lot of frozen foods and Michael had already expressed concern about our food melting. We attempted to choose the best line to check-out from. We got in a short line, behind a man and his teenage daughter. When they got to the cashier and tried to pay, it didn't work. He was trying to pay with food stamps and his card was not working. We stood there for at least 10 minutes. The thoughts going through my mind were: man, I'm blessed...our food is melting...we chose the wrong line...poor guy...there's about a dozen people in line now. Never did I think to pay for this man's food. Michael was there as well and it didn't hit him that we should have paid until we were in the car. We felt horrible! Michael and I are so blessed and I just stood there with credit card in hand while this man and his daughter were turned away. In Matthew 25, we are told to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. Am I so caught up in myself that I can't have my heart moved to help someone in need? Michael and I have been touched and we are actively seeking those strangers that are in need. Maybe we can make up our missed opportunity one day soon.

WORK CAMP

Where do I begin? We did a lot in three days! I'm so proud of the youth at Richardson East!
The youth group would occasionally split up and go to different locations. My little car transported teenagers all over the metroplex and we had so much fun! My first stop was to the Boys and Girls Club in Plano. We spent time playing games, reading, making crafts, and watching Veggie Tales with these kiddos. I hope they had fun with us there. Next, I went to the Achievement Center in Garland. This is where people with special needs are taken care of. I spent my day with two girls, Kiesha and Crystal. I remembered Kiesha from 2 years earlier when we were able to go swimming. I think she remembered that special day too. I never found out Kiesha's age, but she graduated high school in 2002. Crytal is 24. I can't imagine if my life were like their lives. Be grateful for the abilities that you have.

Later, we went to Central Dallas Ministries to work with their food pantry. Here, we stocked the shelves with food and took "neighbors" around to load their grocery carts. Falling on hard times occurs to males and females, young and old, and to all races. CDM has people that volunteer on a weekly basis and they are the true saints on this Earth. Also on this day, some teens helped clean out rooms at the church...the transformation was simply amazing. (We got free slurpees at 7-11 too!)
Today, we went to the North Texas Food Bank. Here, we packed boxes with food. Some boxes contained nothing but cereal, and others - nothing but drinks. Most of the boxes we filled with a variety of food. You name it, I packed it! Later in the day, we went to a nursing home in Richardson. We talked with the people there and sang to them. Mrs. Green claimed to be 106! (I'm not so sure!)
All in all, it was a great time to serve and have fun. These kids are great and know how to act everywhere they go. They must have some great parents!

Life Events

Michael and I spent the Fourth of July in Houston with Michael's sister. Little Matthew is growing up quickly and is nice and tan for the summer. He is 18 months old and super cute. I hope to be sent pictures soon to post on here.

Wednesday was my brother, Blake, and his daughter, Maddie's, birthdays! Blake turned the big 30 and Maddie is now 2! We celebrated with a party on Saturday. Pictures below:






Michael and I have been married 10 months now. It seems just like yesterday in one sense, but it also feels as if we've known each other our whole lives. God has blessed me so much with him as my husband and my best friend. He's been working really hard lately and deserves vacation time. He SHOULD be on vacation this time next week. Yay!



A great, godly man passed away on Tuesday. Alan Bryan was a traveling evangelist for a while, but I only knew him as the encouraging and wise man at church. His words were always uplifting and he brought smiles to every member of the congregation - young and old. They were handing out one of his books at the funeral home and Michael and I can't wait to read it. Praise God for the lives he touched.

This coming weekend will be the first weekend in a LONG while that we don't have a wedding to attend. So, hopefully Blake's family can join us for dinner Saturday. It is so wonderful to see so many of our friends committing themselves to God-centered marriages. Many of our friends have been wise in choosing their mate, or wise in choosing to stay single. I do rejoice that my single friends are remaining firm in their faith and not settling for someone unworthy.

I'll be involved with Work Camp this week. I ask for prayers that lives our touched and for safety. Have a blessed week!

God Bless America

Rick Monday saves the American Flag from being burnt. Chokes me up everytime.



Visit Joel's blog to read an article about it.

What's Happening

Saturday, Michael's mom and I went to get pedicures! We never do "fancy" things like this, so it was super fun for us. I love being able to wear sandals and flip flops everywhere. Flip flops are my most beloved item in my closet. Meanwhile, Michael and his dad tried to repair our sprinkler system. Hopefully one day they will get to do all that they want to do to that thing! I want my green grass back!

Later, M and I went to Ashley Parks and Nic Belcher's wedding. Super fun! I'm glad so many of our friends have found love and are joining us in the land of marriage!

I've been subbing for summer school since Friday. I'm so very grateful that I didn't teach full-time this summer. I really don't like going to school to teach right now. It was good to see that the kids have improved greatly in their 4 weeks of work. Teachers are making a difference, but thankfully, I'm only making a week of difference.

Michael and I have been spending a lot of time up on the roof lately. The add-on to our house has a flat roof. It is perfect if you bring a blanket, flashlight, and a Bible with you. We've had some awesome talks while we're up there. It feels like we're camping because we only see tree limbs and a starry sky. I'm going to miss these perfect summer evenings come Autumn.

I bought a new dress today! I have only one dress for an evening wedding. I went to an evening wedding last Saturday and will see the very same people for a wedding this Saturday night. I am helping out with the wedding, so I thought I should buy something special. It is a brown dress that looks an awful lot like my black dress but longer. With the different accessories, it will be a completely different outfit! I do like to dress up on occasion, but I would still rather wear my hockey sweater (jersey)!

We saw Nacho Libre last night. If you like Napolean Dynamite, you'll like this one too. It's not an instant classic like Napolean, but it's funny. I'm thinking about buying the movie when it comes out to improve my Spanish. There were so many phrases in Spanish!

Game 5...What was that?!?

Please, if you are a Mavs fan, read this article by Bill Simmons. It will get you energized for the next two games. I'm mad...stinking mad! GO MAVS!

Open Wide

I had the most dental work I've ever had done yesterday. (Well, excluding braces and wisdom teeth extractions. I'm talking about the work of a DENTIST.) My mom was a hygienist and always took care of my teeth. She was able to retire a couple of years ago, and it's obvious I still need her help to keep healthy teeth. Both Michael and I needed work, but I had the more costly and painful procedure. I am amazed at how little pain I go through at the dentist. Think about what they are actually doing...and you only feel a twinge of pain or pressure! Amazing! I still have to go in a couple more times, but I like everyone at this new place of dentistry. Mom, I miss you cleaning and polishing my teeth while I look out the wall of windows. Your office had a smell of that polishing stuff and I actually miss that. This new office burns a Yankee Candle which is nice, but it is not your office.

BTW, Laura, I'm on Michael's insurance, not the school's.

Oh Canada

I know that I'm posting a lot of videos, but I love some of these things. I'm watching Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Canes and Oilers. They sing both the American and Canadian national anthem when both nations are playing. It is so cool to hear the people of Edmonton sing their national anthem. The video is from a previous game. (BTW, I honestly thought I wouldn't be watching the Mavs in June, but the Stars. Too bad this isn't Finals for both teams,)

AHHH!

This is what I found when I returned to my car at WalMart this morning! I totally didn't see it when I arrived, but it was directly behind my car while I was putting my groceries away. I did not get close to it in the least! I was so afraid that it would resurrect itself and get me. Please be careful- it's a scary world out there!

School's Out for the Summer!

I'm so very glad to be on vacation, but I feel like I've done more in the past week or so than I did during the school year!

The first official day w/o students, Michael and I had a few friends over for dinner and games. (Also, an unofficial Mavs/Rangers watching party.) It was so much fun! It was our first party as a married couple and homeowners. We broke out the china, goblets, and cloth napkins. I even learned how to fold the napkins to look all fancy! One couple was newly married (Landon and Jill) and the other just found out they were having a boy! (Alan and Rachel) We played the Newlywed Game and had a blast!

The next day, Caley was in town for a conference and we just had to get together. I told her recently that she is such a loyal friend. I am so thankful that we didn't have a 10 o'clock class our junior year and got to hang out every MWF in the campus center. She is such a blessing!

The following Monday, Michael and I had my parents, his parents, and his sister and her family over for a Memorial Day cookout! We felt weird that our families never see each other and thought this would be a good way for everyone to catch up. I loved watching my two dads discuss the most random things!

Thursday, Blake and Maddie came over for a visit. Maddie kept asking, "Where's Bikal?" She says Michael in the cutest way! Blake graciously took me to Midas a couple of times as we were trying to get my car in perfect condition for our trip to South Padre! Michael came home early and we had to take both our cars to an alignment and frame shop...they fixed my problem easily but Michael's car has some issues. We also found out there that Michael's battery was low. We went to our newly discovered WalMart, but they were out of the battery we needed. We then made our way to another WalMart and replaced the battery. I was glad our car-fixing trips were over at the end of the day.

Friday, Michael and I began our trip to South Padre Island for Kami's wedding. We made the five hour journey to San Antonio. Brett and Jenny were kind enough to let us crash at their beautiful new home. We got some time to play with Zachary and Ethan before they went to bed. We then relaxed in Brett and Jenny's hot tub. A lot of fun.

Saturday, we made our next 5 hour journey to South Padre. Kami married on the beach and had a reception on a boat. Really cool. I was happy to see her, Caley, Melissa, and Daniel. It had been a long time since I had seen them. (Well, Caley did come over earlier that week, but it had been months before then.) We didn't get off of the boat until 9 o'clock, so we didn't arrive back into San Antonio until 2:45 am. Blah!

Sunday, we spent our day on I-35. Bumper-to-bumper traffic in the middle of nowhere! Crazy. This made us miss our first Life Group Meeting. :(

Monday...I got to relax while Michael went back to work. Summers are great! I think my friend, Shannon, may have had a baby girl this day. Still haven't heard.

Today, I spent most of my time trying to figure out if I could consolidate my student loans and trying to find a good dentist that was covered by our insurance. Michael's dad came over for dinner. Michael's mom is out of town and we wanted to give Michael's dad something to do. They are now trying to fix our sprinkler system. I hope they figure something out. Our grass is turning a bit brown.

I want to recommend to our Christian female readers a good author. Karen Kingsbury. I love her! I have read the Redemption Series and loved each book. I just finished reading Even Now. So good!

So that is what has been going on in my life. Oh, I've been watching some Maverick Basketball too! Go Mavs!

I will post links and pictures when Blogger allows me to.

George Bush and George Bush (Steve Bridges)

LOVIN' IT

YES!

How do I feel about the fantastic series between the Spurs and Mavs? ....Almost as good as Dirk!

From Elvis to Eminem

This is a trip through time of music and dance. I had fun hearing the different songs that were so popular growing up. I did many of these dance moves with the girls in my dorm or club or on the mountain during Wilderness Trek with youth group kids. Who can beat the grocery cart moves?!? Click the title to play. (6 minutes long.)

I'm a reader, not much of a writer

I enjoy reading blogs, but I really don't enjoy updating this thing. I thought I would. It was suppose to be a great place to record the happenings of my first year in marriage. Maybe I will see it like that one day.

I'm trying to be healthier these days. Soy this and soy that. Organic this and organic that. If it has anything hydrogenated...adios! I know that genetically, I will not have the best heart or cholesterol levels. Heart disease is the number 1 killer and I want to live. Michael, in his words, is THRILLED that I'm doing this. I think he might write a letter to Oprah since she put the doctors on her show that convinced me.

I may be going to Mexico next month for a mission trip with the church. I did this two years before, and it was a wonderful experience. Michael is trying to take off work so that he can go as well.

Michael and I helped move the bride's things into her new hubby's house. It is so interesting to meet new people (her parents). The entire day was fun (as fun as it can be when you're moving someone) and it stimulated good conversation between Michael and me.

Saturday night, Michael and I went to see a musical about Hank Williams. Aside from the language (how could you avoid it when it's about Hank), it was FANTASTIC! Michael had won the tickets from work. I am amazed at how a particular guy sang. I plan on google-ing his name, Mississippi Charles Bevel, soon.

I have just a few days of teaching left. It still hasn't hit me. But when it does, I'll be a happy chic-a-dee.

If there are a lot of words that are spelled incorrectly, I apologize. The spell checker is off and I'm too tired to proof. You understand, right?

Moussaoui

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas WFAA.com Top Stories

What are y'all's thoughts on Moussaoui recieving life in prison for his participaation of the 9/11 attacks? Here are some points:

Death would have made him a martyr.
We now pay for him with tax dollars for the rest of his life.
What about those innocent lives that were taken when he is guilty?
What if he manages to escape?
The inmates will give him a hard life.
Is it right to kill someone?

I think this could be very interesting.

Wow

I can't believe BOTH Dallas and Detroit are out of the playoffs. Wha?!?!? Oh well. GO MAVS!

The Playoffs are Starting and I'm Going!!!

I was so afraid I was going to miss the Stars game tomorrow...just forgetting about it until the late afternoon. (I know, just how far have I fallen away?) Well, Sweetie Michael found some tickets on Ebay for a good price and we're GOING!! Michael is from Colorado and this is HIS team, and of course, the Stars are mine. This is going to be so much fun!!! Bring on the Quest. Check out some cool videos from this season here.

Happy Easter

What a lovely 3 day weekend. Michael took Good Friday off and joined me for a day of fun. My cousin, Jill, had her second child and first son, Hunter, on Thursday. Michael and I joined Mom to go see the precious baby boy on Friday.

Then Michael and I went to visit my aunt and grandmother at the Christian Care Center. We found my aunt cutting many of the residents' hair and my grandmother wanting to eat the ice cream sundaes they serve on Fridays. These ice cream sundaes are so delicious! We had a good time visiting with Nana and with her cousin, Louise.

Saturday, Michael and I did major yardwork. Not only did Michael mow, but he got out the chain saw and ax and went after some trees in the yard. I began pulling out weeds and tiny trees, and removing dead leaves or dying plants from the flowerbed. I became VERY sore from this work...still feeling it big time today.

Then Michael and I met with his family (Houston family came up for LTC) at the Olive Garden to eat lunch. They were all dressed up to get their picture made. Then after the families took their pictures, they came over to our house to visit and eat dinner (just Chic-Fil-A). I'll post some of the pictures after I scan them. They are growing so quickly!

A year ago Saturday, Michael asked me to marry him! I can't believe all that has happened since that day. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Praise Him! Michael and I bought this 9 games in 1 thing. He taught me how to play Chess Saturday night. I can see this becoming an obsession for me. You really have to think!

Easter Sunday, we went to Richardson East for a good worship service. It is so fun to see how dolled up the little kids get for Easter. I met a family that came from New Orleans and place membership at RE. They had a precious little girl that had at least 3 bows in her hair for her 1st Easter. She was adorable!!!

We then went to my bro-in-law's parents house in Plano. We had a fantastic dinner and hunted Easter Eggs. We also had cascarones. I had confetti all over me. The kids had so much fun! We also celebrated Andrew and Ashley's upcoming birthdays. Andrew has a new game system (I'm totally out of date on this, but it's supposedly really cool) and we gave him a gift certificate to buy some games for it. Ashley is into Care Bears and we got her this really cool one that plays a game like 20 questions. Really cool.

It's Time to Take Action

I'm a teacher. Obviously, education is important to me. I come from a family that is not lacking in teachers, coaches, or principals. The future of this country is important to me. I teach in a school where many of my students are illegal or their parents are illegal. I've been monitoring the protest closely. I love these kids and I feel for them, but I'm also a US citizen and can see the damage of having these illegal immigrants here. My brother, Blake, had a blog entry that opened my eyes a little more. Check it out here.

But the thing is, no matter who is in our country, our education system is crumbling. It will soon be an avalanche if it isn't already. Tuesday, on Oprah, Bill and Melinda Gates were showing what the schools have come to. You can check out the contents of the Oprah show here.

Did you know that 1 out of 3 freshmen will not graduate? That might shock you; it doesn't shock me. I teach in a district that has 5 middle schools. My school once had the students that the high school teachers do not want to get. My students have a higher rate of dropping out than those from the other middle schools.

According to schoolmatters.com, my school is labeled as a "fringe off a large urban city school." Yes, my school can be rough. It is definitely rougher than the other middle schools in the district. Is it rougher than the Dallas school my dad teaches at? Maybe, but probably not. We have outstanding adult leaders in my school that give more structure to the students. It may even shock you that my students wear uniforms. That is one of the best things for these students.

But the thing is, even if these kids graduate, their education is still on a low level. They do not have the skills to do much. Whose fault is this? As a teacher, I'm doing the best that I can and my students still are below everyone else in the district. The administrators are excellent. So, it the student? I honestly don't think so. I do feel that family/home life plays a major role.

Bill gates says that we are teaching American students curriculum for them to survive the 1950's, not curriculum to survive the year 2006. You can see his website here. In Texas, I'm not sure if that statement is true. I do see a need for our kids to get into technology more than they are.

So how do we fix this problem? If we're worried about illegal immigrants taking so much money from hospitals and the like, how much more will we fret over all the jobless dropouts that will do the same thing in ten years?

My "solution" is to fix families first. But really, I don't see much change occurring. I think America is about to fade from the limelight. I've often cried over the thought of the life my future kids will live. This just confirms my suspicions of how bad things really are.