The Zoo is going on the road : First Mission Trip Abroad

Our oldest daughter has asked to go on a mission trip ever since she has know the Lord as her Savior.

I however, have never felt compelled.  Until Feb 23, 2014.  A day I will never forget.  There was a notice for a mission team meeting organizing a trip to Honduras in our church announcements, for that afternoon.  I felt like I should go, but just said to myself, Nope. No thank you.  As an introvert, the LAST thing I want to do is walk into a room of people I dont know.  I didnt have any other excuse. I wouldnt have had to make a special trip even, our youngest had to be at the church at the same time for her choir practice.

But I didnt go.

I should have.  People passed me asking where the room was located for the meeting.

The Missions Pastor passed me twice.

But I ignored the almost verbal direct command to go to the meeting.

Not me, I said. I dont have the money, or the ability.  Nope. No thanks.

I gathered the youngest up after her practice and went home.

And couldnt sleep.  I tossed and turned.

And Monday I emailed the pastor, who gave me the information about the trip.  I still didn't say yes.  In fact, I resisted a LOT. But thanks to my very wise friends, who encouraged me to just "say yes" I did.

This is where we are going:  Rancho Ebenezer

My hubby said that he thought we should see if our oldest could go too, on this trip, because we both feel its her calling. So, emailing again, I asked.  They said "14" so I was bummed. But then I found that other churches take children younger than that to this place, and so I emailed again.

After a week wait, I was given the answer that she can go. So buckle your seatbelts, its going to be an interesting ride! Please pray for us, this a step of faith and we are believing in God's provision.  We are having a yard sale to raise money, we are selling tshirts (let me know if you want one! $20 +s&h if you need it mailed) here is a picture. It's indigo blue.

My church can also take tax deductible contributions, should you choose to donate that way, just let me know and I can give you the address and details so our mission account gets credited.   

I'm also using this page as a way to keep with where we are, and allow people the option to donate over the internet. 

http://www.gofundme.com/mission-trip-number-1

News from the Zoo

Well, this has been an eventful week.

I went to the MDE meeting about Common Core and have been researching my fingers off about it and curriculum.

We had our first ballet class.

 Talk about a happy kid.  Still feels weird to have traded soccer balls and cleats for ballet slippers, but she ADORED it.  Totally worth it just to see her when she came out. And turns out, the "dance moms" I get to hang out with are a pretty sweet group of ladies.  I love my church. Have I said that?  In the hour I was there I got to see a new friend who just got back in the country with her adopted children - they went from a family of 5 to family of 8.  I got to catch up a bit with another friend I hadn't seen in awhile more than passing in the halls at church, and I got to pass some more time with other friends, godly women.  LOVE IT.  It will be interesting, getting from there to bible study in Sept, but we can do it.  :D
That short time was a revival time for me.  I heard about what God is doing in families here, and in missions through another lady, with her and her husband's jewelry business.



Wed I was at church, but helping sign up and show kiddos where to go for Children's choir.
We got home and our pug had her eye hanging out!!  Talk about gross and scary and not cool at all.

So Thursday, we were at the vet. She had to have surgery to put it back in place. And her eye is sewed shut.  She may still lose it before its all said and done, but for now she is in the "cone of shame" and does NOT enjoy me putting medicine in her eye!

Thurs night I went out to dinner with my small group, and got to hear the amazing things God did while one of our ladies was in Dubai on mission.  Amazing.  I love these ladies!

Today was the MS Craft fair that benefited the Animal Rescue Fund here in town, so a sister/friend and I went and browsed.  There are some really talented people in MS! I bought a cross made from wood that was salvaged on the coast after Hurricane Katrina.  He did some beautiful work! Jonah's Sign is the name of his business.

I've also learned today it requires more than two arms to put medicine in a dogs eye.  Even more than 4.  Its wild!

One person can make a difference

When we were in DC this summer, we had the privilege of visiting the memorials on the National Mall. When we arrived at Lincoln, we made our way to the step where MLK Jr stood when he gave his famous speech 50 years ago. Hannah, having studied about him the year before in school, was in awe of the spatial scale of the place. She had seen the pictures, so she knew people stretched from the Lincoln memorial to the Washington Monument to hear him give his speech. She knew some of the history around the quest for Civil Rights in the 60s. We talked about how one person really can make a difference, and that is one of the great things about this country. 

Fast forward to the new school year.  I have heard for years about how the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) has only ever been fully funded twice, and how school districts around the state struggle to make difficult choices and try to educate our children the best they can with that they receive.  I have supported the school district Center for Excellence by buying our car tag, and supported our teachers and educators by staying involved with what our children are doing and helping them along the way. But I haven’t really done anything else. This year, we find out that the new state standards (known as common core - which I will blog about at a later date) are being fully implemented, yet we do not have math or history textbooks to bring home this year. My child is in the 7^th grade. She has 7 classes.  2 electives, and one computer class. So that means she has 4 academic classes.  In other words, she does not have a textbook in 50% of her academic classes assigned so she can bring them home. Wow.  50%. That is unacceptable.  I live in a high performing district that we CHOSE to move into 6 years ago because of the schools and the economic indicators to suggest future growth and development.  If we are struggling, what on earth is the rest of the state dealing with?

I watch family after family leave public education in favor of private school and homeschool.  I considered it myself. When all the motivated parents who can leave are gone, who will be left to fight for the ones who do not have a parents or guardians who can and will fight for them?

So, as a good social media consumer that I am, I post on Facebook.  Within 24 hours (and I only have 400 friends, and many of them are not in MS) I hear from either educators or parents in 7 different school districts around the state that they to, do not have adequate access to materials.  Math and History in mine.  In others, literature, math, chemistry, science, history – crazy! 

I hear about a meeting that the Mississippi Department of Education is putting on, one of a series of meetings around the state to discuss the facts and fiction about the common core etc.  I attend. There might have been 30 parents there. Maybe.  I  suspect less, because there are a lot of MDE employees, school reps and a senator and a representative. We cannot ask questions directly, we must write them down and hand them in.  So, I write “How can we achieve these standards if our children do not have adequate access to materials and textbooks due to lack of funding and unfunded mandates?”  I then gave the example that my child (with new state standards in math) doesn't have a math or history textbook to bring home.  The Interim State Superintendent said it was complicated, but it came down to a local issue. LOCAL? Are you serious?  We underfunded the MAEP $293 million this year ALONE – and provide only ~$20 a year per child for textbooks.  Not per subject. PER CHILD. The average textbook costs $50-90 EACH.  So the funding from FIVE children is required for ONE book in ONE subject! Workbooks cost from $20-30 each.  Online access, about $20 a subject. There is NO WAY School districts can afford that cost on $20 a child.

I am shocked. Floored. Cant believe her answer.  If I were the head of an agency that had been underfunded, I would have said, well, it stinks but we were underfunded – contact your legislative reps. NOT point the fingers back at the districts, who are struggling to provide classroom sets of textbooks, hire and pay enough teachers, and keep roofs over the heads of students (literally in my district, we had a massive hail storm that required nearly $1/2 million from our rainy day fund to cover the leftover costs of repairs) and it’s our fault? But then, I’m not a politician nor do I serve in a will and pleasure position, so maybe I just think I’d talk a big game.

I remembered my conversation with Hannah in DC. I remembered that her English teacher this year had them write a letter to the president about their opinion on a certain matter.  I told my child one person can make a difference.  Our teachers tell us one person can make a difference.  Society tells us all one person can make a difference. History tells us one person can make a difference. The Bible tells us one person can make a difference. 

So can we?

I intend to try.  I have contacted my legislative reps.  I’ve contacted the parent advocacy group called “The Parents Campaign” – I want to DO something.  March. Petition, door to door I don’t care. But we must rise to the challenge. I have a letter to the editor almost ready for the Clarion Ledger. 

It doesn't matter if you have children in public education or not, how well they are educated, WILL impact you at some point.  We MUST ensure a quality education for ALL Children. 

Mordecai told Esther in chapter 4:14(b) “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Obviously, I’m not a royal. Nor do I wield any real influence.  But what if maybe, just maybe, I was put I the place I am in, in this stage of my life for “such a time as this” to effect real change?  It may not be me, it may not be you, but maybe if we do the things we are compelled to do, we CAN make a difference. 

At least when its all said and done, my children will see that I am willing to fight for them and for what I believe is right. Maybe someday they can be the "one" to make a difference. 

lessons from the 5 year old set

I started my 6th year as an assistant teacher in the preschool Sunday school at church this term.  I've learned a lot from the 5 year old set over the years.

A short list in review:
Farts are chased by the poop monster, so you better watch out with all that fartin'.
5 year old still like goldfish crackers, and they miss that they don't get them at church anymore (so we bring some usually).
Boogers are gross.
You can climb cinder block walls if you try hard enough.
There arent enough games.  Games make life better.
Music is awesome. Even loud clanging not on key music.
A baby doll, a high chair and a kitchen are all some girls need to be content.
Puzzles are cool. The harder the better, but if its too hard, they make great bases for car races.
Drawing and painting are pure joy to some, yet torture to others.
Blocks can be used to literally make anything.  Seriously. If you can think of it, then I've probably seen some kid make it.
They are honest. If it happened in your house or car on the way to church, I've probably heard about it. Let that soak a minute -but I don't judge you, because after all when my child was three, she shared with her sunday school teachers singing Toby Keith's "I love this bar, its my kind of place". I'm talking ALL of the words. Yeah, thats when we switched to KLOVE in the car.
They remember things that scare them for a LONG time. And sometimes they need to talk about it.
They remember the fun and happy things a long time too. And sometimes they need to talk about it.
Unconditional love is the best. Esp when it comes with a hug from a child that you thought you'd never get to do anything remotely related to the lesson.
Pure joy when someone breaks out into a fit of giggles.
Prayers are the sweetest when they come from the heart. God listens to them all.  5 year olds get this. The scrape on your knee, the kitty who ran away, the puppy whos not feeling well, the baby sister in momma's belly, the best friend who isn't in class today, the daddy who is sick or the grandpa that passed away - God cares about them all and a 5 year old is not afraid to talk to God about the small stuff - OR the big stuff.

But today, I had a hard lesson.
Today I had a new child - new to the church and new to the area.
Bless her sweet heart she is a little ball of stressed OUT.
The least little thing seriously stressed her out. I mean tears rolling down her face, crying out for momma stressed. She already felt like she wasn't good enough. at anything.  I mean from paper folding, to family drawing to beanbag tossing, she really felt like she wasnt good enough.  She told me so.  I cant do it, and if I do it its bad.  Bless her little heart. I felt so sorry for her. Shes obviously struggling with a whole lot of changes in her short life.  Moving states, and starting Kindergarten, and she told me in the most serious voice. I am in Kindergarten, I need things that challenge me. But if I cant do it thats bad.  I want to do it I cant do it I need help but I dont want help all in run on sentence.

I told her that no one is good at everything, esp the first time they do it, but she wasnt buying that.  I was finally able to help her calm down (the fourth time) and find a task I knew she could complete that was not a baby task but not too hard.
My first thought was poor child - she is going to have a hernia before she's 10, and bless her when she has to take the MCT2 or whatever the current test will be then. Then I got to thinking...

She's not all that much different from me. Sure, I'm an adult, and I don't break down into a fit of tears (most of the time) when I can't do something on my own.  But I sure to give up sometimes when I cant (eating healthy, exercise anyone? spending time in God's word? countless other things out there). But I sure have had similar conversations in prayers before.  I want to do it I cant do it I need help I dont want help.....

And inside?  Im a crying blubbering stressed out mess sometimes.  Arent we all? Makes me wonder, if Im like that at times on the inside, who else is? most adults don't break down in a fit of tears in public, at work, at home, etc - but on the inside, are they like this little girl?  I want to do it I cant do it I need help I dont want help.

Please Father, give me the eyes and understanding to see past the "plastic faces" many put on when they walk out of their houses. Help me see that when " I want to do it I cant do it I need help I dont want help" rears its head inside, that its ok, because YOU can.

I've told parents before that I always learn more from the kids that I feel like I could ever teach them about God and his Love. Looks like this year will be no different.

Precepts - awesome way to study the Bible.

I realized reading over my blog (and tearing up at some of the stories I wrote in the past) that I have never blogged about Precepts. And since the steroids ability to keep me awake has overcome the antihistamines ability to put me to sleep...well, you get a 2 for 1 special tonight.

Precepts is something I am SO glad God brought me to.  Over a year ago, I was in a leadership program at work and got to know a great young woman I knew already, but better.  She invited me to a bible study she thought I would like.  Turns out it is literally in my neighborhood.  like one block away. seriously, can God get any cooler??!

So even though this introvert HATES new things like that, I figured I could do if she was there. Besides, I missed my ladies group that had stopped meeting, and with mom settled in to the nursing home I had a little more free time.

I walked into a study on Romans, done by Precepts Ministries. Seriously, if you have never studied the bible this way, give it a try. Its simply amazing way to study.  I. LOVE. IT.

Now, so far in the last year a couple of months, we've only done New Inductive Studies. The first study I did was Romans.  I have been in church most of my life, and thought I knew Romans.  I didnt know Romans.  I learned SO much from this method.  I was hooked.  I havent looked back.

We are currently in John, which has also blown me away.  We are about to wrap it up and are moving to a full Precept on Precept Study  on 1 John, which I am looking forward to, even if I am a wee bit intimidated.

Through this group have I not only discovered an amazing way to study the Bible, I have made some awesome friends - godly women who pray for me, live life with me, and I can be open with.  If you've really gotten to know me you'll know I have a terrible phobia of praying out loud. Its really awful.  Its tied to the church a grew up in, being discouraged in public by women.  I have tried several times and been helped by different people to try to get over it.  Sometimes I will fill the Spirit telling me to pray out loud but most times I apologize to him and don't.

It took over a year - but I did it.  I know these women pray for me when I ask, and care about my crazy life. they are all focused on Jesus, and want to get to know him. It is so amazing.

Anyway here is the link a link to precepts ministries, check it out. I HIGHLY recommend it.  You wont regret it.

Back to School and hives?

Well, today marked the first day of 7th grade and 3rd grade.  I cant believe they are growing up so fast.
7th grade brings us several honors classes, band again. She came home very happy with how things seem to be setting up except for English. Apparently the English teacher tried to Scare-them-straight by telling them she only had 3 As in honors English last year. But overall, she has a positive attitude about the year.  :)

First day of 3rd grade, and she was excited that her teacher seems "very nice" and she knew several people in her class already. She also told me that her teacher makes time to pray before lunch, if they want to. She doesnt lead it, but she gives them the opportunity. E told me that that was "so cool" and that she'd never had a teacher do that a before, but the she liked it alot.

In other news, I had to go to the el doctore, because I am having an allergic reaction to something.  I was in hives from head to toe - and this is what the worst looked like.  After 4 benadryl, it wasnt getting better. So the doc gave me a steroid shot and another antihistamine.  Who knows what caused it, though I think it was new shampoo.  

After I slept off that round of antihistime, its a lot better.  I was able to take E to the first night of KingSingers, which is always fun!  :)

Resurrecting the blog....Maybe?

So I have been a BAAAAD lil' blogger. I havent really felt like much going on in our life was worth typing up a big ole blog post when I can post so quick and purty on facebook and twitter.

Maybe its because I havent had anything to say.

Maybe its because so much has happened I don't know where to start?  Its been a whirlwind year.

Or maybe better defined as a roller coaster. Full of ups and downs.
spirals.
loopty-loops.
inversions.

In the past year, my father in law died suddenly.

I was sick with some weird virus that they never diagnosed, yet I was sick for three weeks.

My mother decided she didn't want me to visit more than 15 mins at a time.  That makes a hard thing even harder.

We took a trip of a lifetime to Disney, full of lots of fun, once in a life time pixie dust and a just near PERFECT trip at Christmas. I wrote a very detailed trip report on a disney forum, with lots and lots of pictures. My obsession with the world is grand.

My brother in law died, suddenly and things got even more strange.

We added two hamsters to the zoo.  now we just need a cat and a bird and we will have a full food web.

Our youngest daughter gave her life to Christ - at Easter.  A beautiful thing to witness.  I love watching both girls blossom.

The girls completed another year of school - 2nd and 6th. The first year of junior high was tough on all of us. We have a budding saxophone player, and a soccer player who things she wants to try something different this year.

We took a short trip to Washington DC, and really enjoyed our immersion in the beautiful history present there.  Arlington, Congress, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, monuments, Smithsonian, planes, trains, subways and taxis, and lots and lots of walking, but it was amazing.

And now its time for school to start again. 3rd grade and 7th.

Time flies.

I want to be better about blogging, to help me remember things a they happen.