A little about Mayberry Hills, USA

This town is interesting, for sure. We think we are a small town, but the population boasts more than 73,000 people. You can run on busy streets or country roads. A hike can take you to the top of the trail looking over the whole valley or a breathtaking state park. One might see a coyote, raccoon, or rattlesnake on your way. We do a boat parade in December when we have no water source to float them along. We've been known to cancel school for smoke days when we've had horrific brush fires that made us evacuate our houses. Our schools have great academics and amazing sports teams. In fact, our local basketball team just beat the #1 ranked team in the country with the spectacular Ball brothers and their teammates.
My own sons who go to college in the South have noticed some of Mayberry Hills' quirks once they have returned for the holidays. The streets seem busier and the Facebook page shares some goofy things. This FB page is apparently where Mayberry Hills people come together to get advice on services in our community, put regular In Search Of requests, and try to find out what's going on locally. Every so often someone goes on a rant. Take this one for instance:

Did you crack up about the "stupid taco" or the "slightly less bright" comments? So while I understand the empathy and frustration on the part of this parent, I want to remind them that this IS the WORLD we are living in and these ARE the people we are dealing with even in our town. I bet real world experience is part of the reason this parent wanted their son to go to work in the first place. We can't shield our kids from everything and certainly not forever. Let them see how people really are. You might make them realize they need to study hard, and go to college so they don't have to spend the rest of their lives in this type of job.....even in Mayberry Hills.

Today's inspiration...

Trying to end the day on a positive note. I may even make this a regular practice:). I was inspired to post on my little used blog by a young woman who is starting her own blog. She hasn't divulged the site to us, her Bible study pals, but we plan to stalk her until we do find it. I am inspired that she is started on the fulfillment of a dream she's had.
I also saw some senior photo session pics taken of a nephew by his sister. The teen boy looks so fresh and handsome! Who wouldn't be inspired by youthful good looks and the talent of a budding photographer??
 I also find myself amazed at the great attitude of a high school girl who is trying to rise above the drama of her backbiting teammates and not let them ruin her outlook on all of life.
Thank you, young people! Keep up the good work.

#LessonsFromGideon this morning

I meant to go walking with a friend this morning but had to call her and cancel, due to this intestinal bug not being quite done yet:( But the upside was getting more time to do my Bible Study time. I'm doing the Gideon study by Priscilla Shirer and I'm still in the first week it's so meaty. There was so much this morning that shouted right at me. Let me share:
   God has deliberately positioned each of us to be His representative, beckoning our ailing culture to Him-one person at a time....
   But no matter what God's plan looks like in our lives, His hand is on us to wage war against the enemy within our spheres of influence...
   But without a doubt, outside of my relationship with The Lord and my husband, my sons are my highest priority, and I have been commissioned by God to be their mother...
   My role as a mom is a deliberate strategy initiated by God to rear young boys into godly men. And I am resolved to fulfill this calling to be for them what god needs me to be during this critical stage in their lives....
   God will empower us to complete His work(thank you God!)....
   He is still searching, not for perfect people but for individuals who are passionate about Him and committed to His call on their lives.

So I ask you, and I ask myself....what is God's assignment for you in this season? I am so thankful that God continues giving me assignments and empowering me to do His work within my family and community/sphere of influence. 

A new year and it's already almost March....

     Last Saturday, I spent some quiet time with God reflecting on how good 2012 has already been. I had the chance partly because my husband took care of cleaning the kitchen and starting the laundry-wahoo!!! Clint has started in the choir at church as part of the worship ministry. I am sure there are cute girls there to motivate his involvement. I'm totally okay with that. Jake is in the midst of choosing what college to attend. He and I just returned last week from a trip to Fort Worth, Texas to see TCU, and then on to Alabama to see Auburn University. We had some of the BEST food-fried and BBQ- EVER!! Luke finished soccer season and is now into track and possibly club soccer. Brett finished his first science project and now needs to dress and speak like Omar Bradley.
     For me, I've spent some time sewing and running. I achieved my goal of finishing a 1/2 marathon in under 3 hours. I've decided I'm done with running something so long-I'll stick to 10k's. To top it all off, my husband and I bought his long sought after new car- a black KIA Optima. He'll look terrific driving it. God is sooo good and I'm wondering what else is coming in 2012.

We live life....like it's the last day of school--do what you want to do!

School's out for summer! Promotion was today. Rather crazy, but not so crazy as last year. I still get amazed by what parents will let their daughters wear-super high stilletto heels and super short skirts on super tight dresses-yikes! So glad it was over in just over an hour. But finding your child or family afterwards was a little chaotic. What did people do before cell phones? A cool moment came when the students cheered really loudly for a student. I wondered who it was and realized it was the boy who had run out into the traffic after school 2 days before and had been hit by a car. Amazingly, he only suffered a concussion and some road rash. The kids cheered for him and his miraculous survival. I was encouraged by this pandemonium.
     See, teenagers aren't all bad. This school year I was encouraged a few times by the kids at junior high. Many would ask me about my run times when I would run in 7th period PE with them. When I earned my 100 mile run t-shirt in after school fitness club, they congratulated me. If you spend time with teenagers and take a moment to enjoy them, they will encourage you.

Wow! Getting a tan in January? Only in California!

Wow! This was an incredible weekend! Not only was it 3 days long-wahoo! But the weather was incredible. Luke had his first all-star soccer tournament. 2 games each day. They ended up getting 3rd. For their first, I think this was pretty awesome. Sitting outside in the hills of Corona, in the sunshine, looking out at the valley and across to the mountains-which still have snow-was amazing. Forget the Rose Parade--this is the reason people want to move here. A friend has family out from Wisconsin, and they left 18-20 degree weather behind. Their plane had to be de-iced on the runway. We even had to put on sunscreen. Besides the Southwest, what other place can you get a tan in January???? I dread going back to school tomorrow....

Students and Teachers return to school Monday....

Oh the beauty of Christmas vacation...(note the intended non PC terminology used). The family, the fun, the sleeping late, the delicious food that I ate too much of, the sickness, the overdose of TV. Yet, this moment, right before going to bed, the night before heading back to school, is so precious. It holds excitement of seeing people again, regret that the vacation is almost over, and the looking ahead to "when is the next day off?" Oh that's right, Martin Luther King, Jr day will be a Monday we get off soon.  Okay, I think I can make it :) I'm sure my students will say or do crazy things tomorrow to make me glad to be there and thankful that I have a job that isn't for the faint of heart. So, bring on the Monday, God, and help me get rest tonight that I will definitely need to start up in first period.