As a cheerleading coach for an All-Star gym, we spend much of our time and effort preparing our squads for competition. After all, since they don't cheer for any team, the whole point of being on the squad is to compete, right? And no competition should be bigger than nationals.
At least, that's what you would think.
Nationals, by obvious definition, should include teams from all over the nation. Small gym nationals, then, would contain small gyms (125 people or less) from all over the nation. 150 teams signed up for the two day competition at the Dallas Convention Center. Looks like there should be a good showing. People from all over.
But apparently "Nationals" really means "teams from the great nation of Texas". There is 1 (uno, eins, ONE) team from outside of Texas. Where is it coming from? Louisiana. And not even eastern Louisiana. We're talking located on the border of Texas where the closest big city is Dallas, not New Orleans. Most of the teams are from within an hour or two of Dallas, and we competed against most of them at the beginning of December. And we got last.
I can't WAIT to spend my whole weekend with pre-adolescent, screaming girls covered in glitter, layered in makeup, and wearing ill-fitting outfits. Oh, all-star cheerleading. This love-hate relationship is definitely beginning to lack the love.
And, to agree with Tiffany, our children will never be all-star cheerleaders.
30 January 2009
28 January 2009
Thank you, Dallas area public schools
I know that Dallas shuts down when hit with "Winter Blasts". I get it. It is just not safe out there. Businesses are closed, highways are shut down, and citizens are warned to stay inside. I've been here long enough to learn that this is standard procedure. So when we had a "winter storm" last night and found ourselves buried under an inch or so of ice, it was no surprise that the news broadcasts announced that every school within 100 miles of here would be closed today. And we were reminded of this fact until 11 am, as the local news took over the airways and forewent any regularly scheduled programming to inform us of this.
So, the roads were bad, and school was canceled. I guess they didn't realize that by noon all the ice would be gone, there would be no clouds in the sky, and the temperature would get up into the 40s. So all the kids were home, parents were left to scramble to figure out what to do with them, and by the time the afternoon rolled around they were ready to dump them off on us. And that they did. We had better than average attendance at our tumbling classes tonight, and the kids were more rambunctious than normal as well. I actually spent 5 minutes with one of my classes doing sitting practice. All they had to do was sit. Just sit. And they couldn't do that.
So thank you, public schools, for not having class today. It really made my life easier. Really.
So, the roads were bad, and school was canceled. I guess they didn't realize that by noon all the ice would be gone, there would be no clouds in the sky, and the temperature would get up into the 40s. So all the kids were home, parents were left to scramble to figure out what to do with them, and by the time the afternoon rolled around they were ready to dump them off on us. And that they did. We had better than average attendance at our tumbling classes tonight, and the kids were more rambunctious than normal as well. I actually spent 5 minutes with one of my classes doing sitting practice. All they had to do was sit. Just sit. And they couldn't do that.
So thank you, public schools, for not having class today. It really made my life easier. Really.
Sand
SAND:1. A fine, often loose, debris of rocks, typically mostly quartz
2. The stuff that gets stuck in your shoes when walking on the beach
3. A light reddish- or brownish-yellow color
4. The preferred method of de-icing the streets in Dallas, because, you know, that's effective.
27 January 2009
Winter BLAST, 2009!
The freezing line has officially passed through the Metroplex.Schools are closing.
Businesses are sending employees home early.
Water is falling from the sky, sometimes in the form of ice chips.
Temperatures are expected to continue to drop into the mid-20s.
As a warning to all DFW residents, head to the local grocery store now and load up on water and canned goods, as this could be the beginning of the apocalypse. By this afternoon you may not be able to leave your home. If your door isn't frozen shut, the roads are a death trap. Be like a good boy scout - be prepared. This could be the end...
You have GOT to be kidding me.
23 January 2009
Assignment in Habakkuk
Habakkuk is not necessarily the easiest book in the Bible to understand. I mean, most people have a hard time just spelling its author's name. Yet one teacher, missionary in Nigeria, decided to have her seventh grade class study this book. As part of this study, she had the students write their own "book" to God in the same general format as the book - our complaint, God's reply, and our prayer in response (note: I realize that the book itself actually has two interchanges between Habakkuk and God, but, hey, they were seventh graders, not seminary students). Some of the kid's assignments were included in the latest "Serving in Mission Together", a magazine put out by SIM. I'm including one here that particularly struck me.
"One girl wrote: Complaint - 'God, you took my mum and left me alone to care for the younger children.' She created this answer from God: 'My dearest daughter, you know I love you and always will. You and your family are mine. Your mum is mine, and I was sharing her with you.'"
Nothing like the words of a child to really put everything into perspective.
"One girl wrote: Complaint - 'God, you took my mum and left me alone to care for the younger children.' She created this answer from God: 'My dearest daughter, you know I love you and always will. You and your family are mine. Your mum is mine, and I was sharing her with you.'"
Nothing like the words of a child to really put everything into perspective.
18 January 2009
Free Advice
Forget what you learned growing up: always talk to strangers.
I should probably explain. After church today, Luke had the afternoon off and it was a beautiful 65 degrees out (a perk of living in Texas in January). After lunch we grabbed a blanket and books and drove down to White Rock Lake to relax, people watch and whatever else. I convinced Luke to walk a bit before settling in with our books, and we are so glad we did. Often when I have ridden my bike around the lake on Sunday afternoons I have noticed the guy with a tarp, a few chairs and a simple sign: free advice. I usually would muse to myself about it and carry on in my ride. But as we strolled near his "advice booth" today, the Lord placed an urge in my heart that told me to stop and talk to him. Luke is used to my random conversations with strangers and humored me as I walked over to the tarp.
The conversation started out simply enough - I noted that he was like Lucy in Peanuts and I thought it was a great idea - and he said he'd been there every Sunday afternoon for 13 years. After we talked about this and that for a bit, he asked what the story of the two of us (Luke and I) was. In short, I said we are married and are preparing to move to Africa for missions. He made an observation that I am a "Christian tomboy," explaining that he doesn't mean that in the skirts vs. jeans sense, but more that I am strong woman. Apparently his mom was a strong woman who forged her birth certificate at 15 to join the Navy and upon retirement gave away all she had and moved to Jerusalem to share the gospel with Orthodox Jews and Muslims. Something in the talk led me to ask if he had a church he went to here, and he said no, but with good reason...
Our new friend is autistic. He doesn't understand language in the sense that most people do, and though he is extremely intelligent and intuitive, words really mean very little to him. Processing information takes a completely different focus for him. He explained that his mother had asked pastors and priests to pray over him several times - not quite understanding how her son could grasp the Truth without loving the Word itself. Each time, the given pastor (there were two occasions with different ministers) would stop and say the Lord audibly told him that he should stop because the man was "right with God." He said he understands salvation in an experiential way. He feels the presence of God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit in a much different but very real way. He went on to explain a little more and then asked if I understood what he was saying. Leaning on the Lord's leading, I responded that scripture is the Word of God and is inspired by God - therefore God himself is in the words. This is why many people can read the words and get no meaning from them because the Spirit has not opened their hearts to the truth of the scriptures. God is not limited to His Word, but IS the Word.
(it sounded much more eloquent at the time, but that's the gist of it)
Well apparently I was the first person to ever understand him - and that I "said what he was saying but much more clearly." He said it was clear that I had a gift of discernment and that he has known many people in his life who have thought they were called to missions, and were not really cut out for it. He's seen many people who set out on that adventure only to realize it is not where God had them to be - but us - he could see that we were supposed to be going and that we would be great. He also asked about funding - whether we had to raise all our funding or if there was some sort of other source, and we said we have to raise it all but won't know exactly what that looks like for the long run until this summer or fall when we get our placement assignment. When he asked how we would do it, we said letters, visits to churches, etc, and that we're getting our start with letters for this upcoming trip. He asked if he could make a small contribution, pulled out his wallet, and gave us a large cash gift - and hugged both of us, telling us that we blessed him today and made it worth getting out of bed this morning.
if you wonder why I haven't used his name the whole time, it's because we went through this whole 40-or-so minute conversation without knowing his name. It was only as we were saying our good byes that I asked his name. Roderick. And we're not strangers anymore.
God is so good!
I should probably explain. After church today, Luke had the afternoon off and it was a beautiful 65 degrees out (a perk of living in Texas in January). After lunch we grabbed a blanket and books and drove down to White Rock Lake to relax, people watch and whatever else. I convinced Luke to walk a bit before settling in with our books, and we are so glad we did. Often when I have ridden my bike around the lake on Sunday afternoons I have noticed the guy with a tarp, a few chairs and a simple sign: free advice. I usually would muse to myself about it and carry on in my ride. But as we strolled near his "advice booth" today, the Lord placed an urge in my heart that told me to stop and talk to him. Luke is used to my random conversations with strangers and humored me as I walked over to the tarp.
The conversation started out simply enough - I noted that he was like Lucy in Peanuts and I thought it was a great idea - and he said he'd been there every Sunday afternoon for 13 years. After we talked about this and that for a bit, he asked what the story of the two of us (Luke and I) was. In short, I said we are married and are preparing to move to Africa for missions. He made an observation that I am a "Christian tomboy," explaining that he doesn't mean that in the skirts vs. jeans sense, but more that I am strong woman. Apparently his mom was a strong woman who forged her birth certificate at 15 to join the Navy and upon retirement gave away all she had and moved to Jerusalem to share the gospel with Orthodox Jews and Muslims. Something in the talk led me to ask if he had a church he went to here, and he said no, but with good reason...
Our new friend is autistic. He doesn't understand language in the sense that most people do, and though he is extremely intelligent and intuitive, words really mean very little to him. Processing information takes a completely different focus for him. He explained that his mother had asked pastors and priests to pray over him several times - not quite understanding how her son could grasp the Truth without loving the Word itself. Each time, the given pastor (there were two occasions with different ministers) would stop and say the Lord audibly told him that he should stop because the man was "right with God." He said he understands salvation in an experiential way. He feels the presence of God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit in a much different but very real way. He went on to explain a little more and then asked if I understood what he was saying. Leaning on the Lord's leading, I responded that scripture is the Word of God and is inspired by God - therefore God himself is in the words. This is why many people can read the words and get no meaning from them because the Spirit has not opened their hearts to the truth of the scriptures. God is not limited to His Word, but IS the Word.
(it sounded much more eloquent at the time, but that's the gist of it)
Well apparently I was the first person to ever understand him - and that I "said what he was saying but much more clearly." He said it was clear that I had a gift of discernment and that he has known many people in his life who have thought they were called to missions, and were not really cut out for it. He's seen many people who set out on that adventure only to realize it is not where God had them to be - but us - he could see that we were supposed to be going and that we would be great. He also asked about funding - whether we had to raise all our funding or if there was some sort of other source, and we said we have to raise it all but won't know exactly what that looks like for the long run until this summer or fall when we get our placement assignment. When he asked how we would do it, we said letters, visits to churches, etc, and that we're getting our start with letters for this upcoming trip. He asked if he could make a small contribution, pulled out his wallet, and gave us a large cash gift - and hugged both of us, telling us that we blessed him today and made it worth getting out of bed this morning.
if you wonder why I haven't used his name the whole time, it's because we went through this whole 40-or-so minute conversation without knowing his name. It was only as we were saying our good byes that I asked his name. Roderick. And we're not strangers anymore.
God is so good!
17 January 2009
Countdown to Zambia!
Again, I've been a complete slacker when it comes to updating this blog. You would think the "writer" of the family would "write" more, but when you work at a computer 40 hours a week - writing - getting back on and putting thought into something when not at work takes serious convincing. That said, here I am, but just briefly. We are less than seven weeks away from our trip to Zambia, and yet I feel we're still recovering from our whirlwind Christmas trip and our recent weekend in North Carolina with SIM (read a bit more about that in the letter - and I'm sure we'll both write more as time goes on... basically, God is awesome and we are learning to trust in His timing as we look at long-term missions - and also know we have a TON of preparation to do before we go...)
As I said, this will be brief, but I wanted to let everyone know that our most recent letter has been put in the mail, and many have also received it by e-mail, but in case you weren't one of the lucky ones, click the image below. Also, if you want to be added to the list - send us either your address or e-mail address (whichever way you prefer to receive the newsletter). May God Bless you and yours so that you may in turn be a blessing to His people everywhere!
Now, off to attack some of the reading, studying, preparing and such that is necessary before moving across the world!
As I said, this will be brief, but I wanted to let everyone know that our most recent letter has been put in the mail, and many have also received it by e-mail, but in case you weren't one of the lucky ones, click the image below. Also, if you want to be added to the list - send us either your address or e-mail address (whichever way you prefer to receive the newsletter). May God Bless you and yours so that you may in turn be a blessing to His people everywhere!
Now, off to attack some of the reading, studying, preparing and such that is necessary before moving across the world!
07 January 2009
The King in Prince Caspian
So, I'm pretty much addicted to watching movies. Currently in the loop in our study is Prince Caspian, which I watch about every other day. Granted I love the whole movie, but there is one part towards the end that really gets me every time. While Peter is having his duel to save Narnia, Lucy goes into the woods to find Aslan. When she finally gets to him, we have a scene where she is laying in front of him and they're talking. The dialogue goes something like this.
Lucy: "I wanted to come sooner, but the others didn't believe me."
Aslan: "And why would that keep you from coming?"
Lucy: "I'm sorry."
She knew that what the others thought should not have been an excuse, so when questioned about this her only response was to apologize.
How often do we have similar conversations with God? When we finally get around to seeking Him, we bring excuses. "I would have come sooner, but (insert bad reason here)." And God responds lovingly, but sternly, making us realize that He should take priority over anything else. We have nothing to do but apologize for our lack of faith.
There is nothing that should keep us from our Father. No man, no feeling, no schedule. God deserves the praises due His name. So when we find ourselves making excuses for not pursuing Him, we must realize our lack of faith and humbly come into His presence, not bearing these excuses, but turning to our loving Father who, alone, can provide the forgiveness and love we need.
Lucy: "I wanted to come sooner, but the others didn't believe me."
Aslan: "And why would that keep you from coming?"
Lucy: "I'm sorry."
She knew that what the others thought should not have been an excuse, so when questioned about this her only response was to apologize.
How often do we have similar conversations with God? When we finally get around to seeking Him, we bring excuses. "I would have come sooner, but (insert bad reason here)." And God responds lovingly, but sternly, making us realize that He should take priority over anything else. We have nothing to do but apologize for our lack of faith.
There is nothing that should keep us from our Father. No man, no feeling, no schedule. God deserves the praises due His name. So when we find ourselves making excuses for not pursuing Him, we must realize our lack of faith and humbly come into His presence, not bearing these excuses, but turning to our loving Father who, alone, can provide the forgiveness and love we need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)