Prayer Still Upsets Some People

Growing up in a Christian community was not easy and I often felt out of place. Attending a Christian school was much different than any public school I've seen. 1 -3 teachers taught all grades and all subject areas; we had a smaller school building, less money was available for special programming, fewer students in each grade, and usually more than one grade per classroom and less options of courses that were available. I remember parents and other community members teaching cooking, knitting, and woodworking. I realize that the best education possible was offered and for that I am grateful. I wouldn't change those years for anything in the world.

Since leaving home and now teaching in the public school system, I am even more aware of what community means and how being a part of a Christian community means so much more than "community" anywhere else. Although back then, I didn't necessarily feel "happy", I can appreciate the opporunities I was given to become my own person. My parents deserve all the credit for me becoming the outgoing, helpful and organized person I am today. As long as I can remember my dad was always outgoing: accepting of everyone, always helped whomever he could and never made rude or condisending comments about anyone. Thanks dad for being such a positive role model. My mom spent hours driving (and waiting) while I pursued my dream of becoming a lifeguard and swim instructor. She taught me how to cook, bake and clean. I can't imagine not being able to look after myself. Thanks mom!

Anyway, back to the teaching...
Community to many people is just homes, business, recreation and work within a certain area. That may be true, but underlying beliefs, respect and appreciation for one another change the "feelings " within a community. I often find it difficult to teach in a public school. For one, I would like the traditional "Christmas" program. I would also like to listen to music or share stories that were shared with me. I can only hope that my students see that I care about each of them and want each of them to be successful.

I recently received this email (below) and thought it was worth reading:

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

I have read this email over and over and it just seems so sad that people make excuses for everything. Some things should simply be unacceptable, yet laws are changed to accomodate those who continue to do wrong. This really upsets me, so that's all for now. Thanks for listening.

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything."

Can't Buy Me Love...

All the excitement about Valentine's Day is finally over! Cards, chocolates, flowers and heart-shaped pizzas. Dan and I had a great day and I enjoy Valentine's Day a great deal.

BUT, wouldn't it be nice if everyone was just as happy, caring, giving and loving...ALL OF THE TIME?!! People who drive in Winnipeg are rarely friendly to one another. Shoppers never seem to have any patience and often push each other or give "dirty" looks. Children (and sometimes adults) are often loud, rude and disrespectful. So that got me thinking...what do I really believe about love? Not only the "romantic, intimate" love, but love - general care and compassion for other people.

I remember being a teenager and watching the 1987 movie "Can't Buy Me Love". It struck me then and I continue to think about it even now.

In the movie Ronald Miller has had a crush on the beautiful Cindy Mancini for years - who doesn't even know his name. Cindy's idea of a Saturday night includes parties while Ronald's is poker games. In addition, Cindy is dating the former football star turned college pro - who has been giving her the cold shoulder. Cindy finds herself in a desperate situation when she borrows her mother's $1000 suede dress, without permission, and ruins it. The only person who has the money to replace the dress, without her mother finding out, is Ronald. However, Ronald tells her that the only condition for him giving her the money is if she poses as his girlfriend for a month. As the month passes, she begins to show an interest in Ronald. But he is so consumed with popularity, he is blind to her feelings. In addition, he also begins to join in with his new "friends" in taunting his old friends.

It is a reminder that money often does get you whnt you think you want. But true feelings shouldn't involve money. You should be able to show love with or without vast amounts of cash. Many people try to buy their way into someone's life. Buying someone a cellphone, beautiful jewellry, a car or a house does not necessarily prove that they feel or truly understand the meaning of love. Don't get me wrong, sometimes giving and receiving "stuff" is great, but it is not everything and it is certainly not the one single strand that holds a lasting relationship together.

Don't be blind, open up your heart, show care and compassion, communicate honestly with one another...true love does exist!

I've left you with some quotes that I like:

Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means. Leo Buscaglia

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

The best proof of love is trust. Joyce Brothers

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. Timothy Bentley

You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments when you really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love. Henry Drummond

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.

Love gives itself; it is not bought. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only what you are expecting to give. Katherine Hepburn

The COLDEST Place in the World!

Just came out of a morning meeting. Not sure about what the future holds, but ideas sure were flying around the room. Looks like a busy couple of months ahead.

It sure is cold in Winnipeg! This morning I heard that we were actually the coldest place in the world yesterday. Even the usual "coldest" places on earth were warming that we were here in Winter-peg! BRRRRRR!!!

I'm supposed to be going to a movie with a friend tonight. We'll see if we actually feel like leaving our houses to endure the cold. Tomorrow is the firefighter memorial at the MTS Centre. Ellen and I plan to go. I'm sure there will be thousands of people there!

My Personal Taxi and more

Jan. 31st turned out to be an extremely busy day...my personal taxi...call for a ride!!
-7 Oaks by 10, pick up dad, go get grandma's teeth fixed, back to 7 Oaks to get the bottom set of teeth, back to Selkirk to drop them off, a quick stop at home to drop off Dad, to Prince Edward to pick up Matty, Portage and Main to pick up Simone, back home to pick up Dan and Dad, 12:45-drop off Dan at CBS, then to Polo Park to have quick lunch at McDonald's, next to Blue Cross to drop off a form, 1:45-Simone's interview, Dad, Matty and myself went to CNIB to look at a calculator for Dad, then back to pick up Simone, a quick bathroom stop at Timmy's and then off to pick up Grandma's teeth, back to 7 Oaks to drop off Dad and the teeth, then home to make supper. Simone and the kids and mom and dad all came over for waffles! A busy, but FUN day!!

Feb. 1/07 - I helped Tracy move. She got her own apartment! I think it was possibly the coldest day to move on but we finished! Thank goodness a few men showed up to help.

Feb. 2/07 - Auntie Shirley came from Ottawa. We had a great time...Boston Pizza, Smitty's, puzzling and just visiting!! Awesome.

Feb. 4/07 - Aunt Shirley and I went to Smitty's for breakfast. I went home for a nap. At about 2 I went for lunch with Aunt Jessie (at MONGO'S!!!). I love that place!

Feb. 5/07 - I finally got together with Ellen. She showed me her vacation pictures. The pictures were beautiful. Oh, the lunch at Olive Garden was great too! After lunch I went shopping with City Mom.

Feb. 6/07 - I spent most of the day sleeping because I felt so sick. I think I was up for atleast 4 hours in the afternoon tho!

Feb. 7/07 - I picked up Simone from work. Since she recently moved here, then got a job downtown I figured I would show her the indoor walkway instead of her walking out in the cold and getting lost in Winnipeg's back lanes! We met Tracy for lunch. Amanda also showed up in the foodcourt so we had fun passing around the baby! After lunch Simone and I walked through the walkways downtown. We stopped at the library and got some books too! I love the library!

Feb. 9/07 - Dan had the day off so I got to spend some quality time with him. After supper Tracy and Joe came over for a visit! We had a great time...lol.

Feb. 10/07 - I went out shopping with Tracy and Dan went out to get the transmission flushed on his car. We all went out for lunch at Blondie's!! YUMMY! While we were having lunch mom called and said that Heather was in the hospital. Dan and I went to Children's Hosptial to visit Nicole and Heather. After Heather went in for surgery, we took Sarah and Rae to our house to watch movies. We had a nice day, it was to bad that it was all because of Heather's bad luck tho.

Today Dan and I went to the Flying J for breakfast. After we came home I tried to get some cleaning done. In the afternoon Dan took me out shopping. Simone came over for supper, I made pizza. I was really good.