Sunday School Humor

This morning I was again teaching my three year olds in Sunday School. As we were short on help, the classes weren’t separated so there were quite a number of students more than usual. (We usually cut the 1st class off at 12 and then the “overflow” go to a 2nd classroom - makes for better management, less chaos, etc). To regain some order and make for less noise, I had the students make a game of seeing which table would be the quietest during snack time. Ah blessed quietness, for a while anyway.

There was the usual ’shhh” noises being shared between students but other than that it was ok. And then I saw and heard something that made my day. One of the boys was eating his animal crackers and talking to himself. He had broken apart one of the animals and was putting it back together while making the animal cracker say “Oh, I have a boo-boo.”

Cooking Lessons - Or How to Loose Your Pasta in Three Seconds or Less
For my birthday one year, my mother-in-law gave us this pasta cooker where you put the pasta in this cylinder and then add boiling water and it cooks the pasta in that rather than on the stove. I used it the other night as we were having Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti for dinner. As we went to add the boiling water (Jon was helping me) we discovered that our tea kettle didn’t hold enough water to fill the cylinder. So, we added what was there and then put the kettle back on to boil. After the kettle boiled the second time, Jon added the water and put the lids on the pasta cylinder. The first lid is supposed to snap on and act as a strainer at the end and the other lid sort of seals everything in keeping the steam in to cook the pasta.

The alloted time was up and the pasta looked done, so I took it over to the sink to drain out. And that’s when disaster struck. I was turning the cylinder upside down to strain the pasta when the lid popped off and out came not only the water and steam but also the half box of cooked spaghetti. Right into the sink. As I stood there frieking out Jon was saying “we’ll just pick up the pasta and wash it off” it all of a sudden slurped en masse into the garbage disposal. We just sorta stood there for a second and then I frieked out again. We both were hungry, and that was the last box of spaghetti and well, it just wasn’t fair!!!

Thankfully a quick perusal of the pantry revealed an unopened box of noodles. After the aforementioned disaster, we decided to cook the noodles the conventional way. So I put a pan on to boil and left the kitchen to call my mom. I was on the phone when Jon hollered that the water was starting to boil. I told him to pour in half the box of noodles. Then he must have left the kitchen and then I heard him holler again, “Lindsay, the pasta is boiling over!!!” I thought he was watching it and I guess he thought I was watching it. . . I don’t know (One of those communication things were still working on as all married couples do!). By the time it boiled over the second time I was in the kitchen and able to get dinner back under control. An hour later than planned we were eating our Chicken Parmesan Noodles. The chicken was a bit dried out and the noodles were served in a bowl rather than on a plate, but it was dinner and we were together.

On Trusting God
These past few months have been especially lean for us financially. Between my not having a summer job and Jon not having as many hours because it is the summer, we have been in the same situation as many other wondering where the money is going to come from. I pray for God to work things out and am, ashamedly so, upset when things don’t work out to my satisfaction. My trust and faith are misplaced. So many times I read and hear stories of how God provides at the last minute with a check in the mail and I go to the mail box hoping each day that is the case, not realizing that God provides in other ways - extra unexpected hours at the school doing admin work was one of them for us. The hospital being willing to put the emergency room bill into a payment plan is a second. A loan from my parents. The fourth, I am hoping is going to be the graciousness of the car loan company to divide our payment in half this month. Some now when it is due and the other when we get paid again in two weeks. If not, well, God will work in some other way on our behalf. We are trying so hard to get out of debt and use our resources for Him. But at times it gets so discouraging and seems like we’ll always be here. But it’s in those times that my faith is made stronger as I rely more and more on our Heavenly Father as He teaches us new lessons and reminds us of His love and care.  And again, I have so many things to be thankful for that I have no reason to be so despondent and faithless.  We are soooo blessed. We have clothes, food (even though it sometimes gets eaten by the garbage disposal!), a roof over our heads that doesn’t leak, three wonderful feline friends, caring (and sharing) family, jobs, health benefits, and the list could goes continues.  A reminder of the Apostle Paul’s admonition “In everything give thanks.”

My summer is almost over, and I am in shock to realize this is the case. Where did the time go? Looking back on the last two months I can see why God kept the doors closed to getting a job. I don’t know when I would have had the time to work at a job. First there was the issue with my foot. I wouldn’t have been able to stand on it for a good part of the time. Thankfully, it is almost completely better! Then there was the trip to PA, VBS, a fabulous visit from my in-laws, Jon’s crazy work schedule, working a few hours a week at the school, visit from my grandparents, and spending time with our friends the Johnsons. Put that all together, and well, it’s been a busy, crazy summer.

Now in my last full week of freedom, I have yet to finish three required continuing education classes, finish a scrapbook of last school year, do two wedding gift scrapbooks, and finish some sewing projects. All in one week. I don’t think it’s going to happen. If I can get the classes done, I’ll be happy.

The first two weeks back to school are actually slotted for lesson planning, getting the rooms ready, and all the other small things that we need to do before we can start teaching on the19th. I am praying we don’t have any last minute postponements like we did last year. We’re still waiting for ADT to come back and fix the troubles on the alarm panel so that we can pass the fire inspection. We had the same issue last year! This year I have a full class of 12 four year olds. It’s going to be a lot of fun, but a lot of work.

Jon and I are also looking at some more life-changing decisions in the next few weeks/months involving a job change for him and possibly for me to an extant. It’s my goal to still continue to teach, so we’ll see what happens. God is keeping our marriage and life from being boring that’s for sure. And I’ve learned a lesson - be careful what you pray for!! I guess I should’ve been more specific in my prayers. Thankfully, this job change won’t involve another huge move like the last two have required. I’m not especially eager to pack up, again, especially since I feel more settled now. Maybe it’s because I’m getting “older” and getting more set in my ways.

My sister Niki is due next month!!! My mom and other sister Melody are going to be there for the birth of my niece. I’m soo excited and also a bit envious. It would have been a huge blast to be there, but well, it’s right over the first week of school and I don’t think my boss would have been too appreciative of me being gone then.

Our biggest lesson this summer has been continuing to trust God to provide for our needs as I’ve not been working for the most part. Hopefully when things are a bit easier (in that I’m providing again), our trust will have grown and will remain.

Well, I am almost done with one of the three classes I have to finish. So I should quit stalling and get to it. Onward and forward till the end.

On Writing

The hardest part of being a writer is turning in your final manuscript to the eager clutches of the editors.  After having time to give birth to your creation, it’s hard to see someone else take what has been painstakingly written and rewritten, and rip it apart or worse yet, find it not worthy of being used.  I face this dilemma every time I turn in an article.  As it has been awhile since I had wielded my pen, so to speak, I had forgotten the pain, the anxiety, the fear I face after it is done. I am a perfectionist at times.  It’s easier being an editor at times because there is no emotional attachment to what has been written. Time will tell if I’ve been away too long from wielding my pen.  My skills may have become rusty and what seems to be spot on may very well be the farthest thing from the truth.
On other Things

I am the missions teacher at VBS at our church this week. The first day over, I can say, wow. It’s going to be a long but fun week.  I teach the same thing 5 times in a row! I’ll have the lessons better learned than the students, unfortunately (for them but better for me in my growth).  It’s a nice break from preschoolers to be teaching elementary students. They are better able to understand the world around them and other countries and cultures and people.  Of course, it helps that we live in a very diverse city with Hispanic, Haitian and many other influences.

Jon’s parents are coming to visit this week. We’re excited to show them around our “new” hometown.  Of course, Jon’s dad has been here many times before, but it’s different when there’s actually a family member living there. I think the plans are to do some of the normal “tourist” activities - Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center - in the short time they are here.

Oh, and I have since turned another year older. I should’ve titled this article “On Being 30″ but there’s really not a whole lot to say on the subject. Either that, or I’ve just not taken the time to think that I’m no longer in my 20s, that I’m an “old person” so my students, etc, etc, etc.  But, I chose to think more on the fact that I was given a year to live and the promise of a new year lies ahead of me, come what may.  It will be interesting to see what happens!  Hopefully, the fact that I was in the ER on the night of my birthday is not a precursor for what’s to come!  And no, I wasn’t partying too hard.  I had a nasty in-grown toenail coupled with an allergic reaction.  It was quite beautiful to look at, so colorful.  But the pain. . . .well, let’s just say I don’t want to experience that again!!

So, here’s to turning another year older and reviving my writing career - may they continue.

It’s hard to believe that the school year is over. We got so much accomplished though and now I’m wondering if I will have enough material to teach next year considering how advanced my new class is going to be!!  This past week was spent closing up the classroom and getting a head start on next year.

Now I don’t know what I’m going to do as far as a job goes and it has me a bit concerned as we need both of our incomes to make ends meet. This coming week we’re going on vacation. After we get back from that I have 2 days in at the school doing some admin work. And then I have 6 weeks with no income. A bit scary, that. I had applied for a job at Disney, but they basically wanted the impossible - to be available 24/7. The problem is, I’ve already committed to teaching on Sundays at church and to VBS the last week of June. Thus, leaving only July free, but well that wasn’t enough. So, now I’m back wondering who will be willing to hire me for 6 weeks only? Thus my dilemma.

I’m also extremely lonely now that school is over. Jon has been working long days, coming home exhausted. Our times together consist of asking how each other’s day went, saying good-night, and then good-bye in the mornings. Sometimes I feel like I have a roommate rather than a spouse! To top it off, when he’s not working, I am. Can’t win, can we?

I’m excited for our trip to PA together. We’ll have a whole day together in the car. Now if only I could think of a way to keep me from falling asleep!!! (The quickest thing to put me to sleep - get in a car and start driving for a distance. I’ll be out within an hour.) We’re headed home to celebrate my 30th birthday with family. My birthday is also the same day as one of my good friend’s wedding!!!!! I’m so excited as a lot of my friends will be there. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend my 30th birthday. We’re planning on doing a lot of nothing while we’re home. Just visiting with family and relaxing, basically because we can’t afford to do anything else anyway!
Well, I need to get to bed. I am teaching Sunday School both hours at church tomorrow - oh that more people would want to be involved in serving, allowing the rest of us who give of our time to partake in worship as well!