Poured Out

Lately I have been overwhelmed with pride for so many of my friends who are pouring themselves out for other people. Many people around me regularly give of themselves to help others. It may be their own children, other people's children, clients, family or coworkers. It's being a teacher, good neighbor, counselor, MOPS coordinator, youth group leader, children's ministry worker, RA supervisor, Young Life director, missions trip leader... Whatever it is, they balance taking care of others with taking care of themselves. The Holy Spirit is filling them and they in turn are filling others.

Yesterday was my half birthday, which is usually a cause for mini-celebration in my life. However, the last few years of aging has been a little more nerve wracking. I'm almost 36! Yikes! Where have the years gone? But as I look around me I'm finding at least one blessing of having a few years behind me. I am able to experience and recognize God's discipline, redemption and faithfulness. I get to see him working in other people's lives. I especially get a little teary when I see former students pouring out to others. God has a plan and he lets us be a part of it. How amazing!

So to all my friends - thank you for pouring your self out. Thanks for giving and giving (no Ray Boltz song needed). Thanks for being a blessing to me. I am proud of you! Keep up the good work!

"A man reaps what he sows...Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." - parts of Galatians 6:7-10

If You Need A Smile

Every now and then, life calls for an "America's Funniest Videos" type clip. You would think I would be smart enough to get this directly on my blog, but I tried three times and then gave up. However, YOU can go to youtube.com and search for "Deadly Handsome Men". It may be just enough to get you through your day! (And thanks to LaVonna for passing it along.)

Things I Like About Spring

Breathing deep.
Buds.
The spring in my step.
Baseball.
Bubbles.
The imminence of camping.
Sidewalk chalk.
Cleaning out the garage.
Daffodils, tulips and crocuses.
Baby birds.
Open windows.
Sitting on the swing with my husband.
The smell.
Sandals.
Grilling.
Gentle breezes.
Sending my kids outside.
Still being on a schedule, but having the opportunity to toss it.
Mother's Day surprises.
Life.
Planning summer fun.
Organizing.
Bare feet on the grass.
The sun.
Frisbees.
May Day.
My happy heart.

All Is Right In The World

Aaahhh...

Two good things that are making life extra good right now...

1) Sanjaya was voted off American Idol. Enough said.

2) The Mark White Band is going to be at The Big Ticket music festival in Gaylord this summer. You can check out their myspace and listen to their music through my links. They are good friends of ours and this can be HUGE for their musical future. If you live anywhere near MI, plan to be there June 22-23. We'll even get you a free t-shirt. Anyway - more on this later, but we are thrilled for our friends and can't wait to see where God will take them!

Can I do it? Yes I can!

Yes siree! Finally, my huge paper for my Educational Research class is done. Before you get too excited about my writing accomplishments, the paper was only 17 pages. My prof said it should be somewhere between 10 and 40. How's that for a broad range? We also have to remember that I am the girl that prided herself on not going to the library after her freshman year of college. I was a math and science major for goodness sakes! Let's also remember that my freshman year of college was 17 years ago and computers have come a long way since then! So, this really is an accomplishment for me. The best news about this class is that we get to assign our own grade. Yes, it's true. Our prof is of the mindset that if you are in a Masters program for the grades, you aren't there for the right thing. However, if you know me, this grading system doesn't really help me because I still have this gargantuan desire to please. When she's reading my paper, I want her to think, "Wow - Sherri really did a bang up job on this paper!" There's a window to the soul, folks! So of course, I gave myself an A!

I still have one more class that goes through May and we have a big project for this class, but I'm all for a project instead of a paper. It can wait a day, however, cause I'm thouroughly going to enjoy my day of freedom!

Leave Me Alone?

Do you ever feel like you just want to be left alone? Of course, I don't really mean it, but sometimes (like today) I feel that way a lot. I suppose that is proof that feelings are not necessarily truth. I think what it comes down to is that I can only do so much for so long. Maybe I'm ready for a vacation! Spring break is on the way and we don't have any major plans. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. It will be good to make some progress around the house and on my 25 page literature review, but it might be nice to escape too.

Funny thing - we have a tropical scene calendar for 2007 and Josh just looked at the March picture of the Rock Islands in Palau, Micronesia and said, "I want to go there!" Me too son, me too!

Missing You...

Man I miss my husband. Matt is in Florida on the Senior class trip. Good for him. Really. It's good for him. He loves hanging out with the students and they love him back. He's having a great time; it's warm; it's sunny; he gets to sleep in; it's a wonderful reward for all he does around here. However, our family is lost without him. It's odd, because it's not like he's home a lot during the week. At least he's not home when I'm home. But when he's out of town it is rough. Tonight all three kids were on my lap having a breakdown of some sort. I almost lost it! But now they are all in bed, close to sleeping, and I am left with a house littered with unfinished homework, toast crusts, toys, backpacks, and crown moulding that needs to be painted before Thursday morning. What I'd really like to do is have the energy to walk on the treadmill then sit on the couch with a coke and watch TV. What will I do? I'll pray for strength, drink a diet coke while cleaning up the house, walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill while watching TV, then paint the moulding while continuing to watch TV. Then I'll look forward to Thursday when my parents arrive to help in adult world. My dad is also going to finish off our bathroom that we started remodeling over Christmas break. (Hence, my painting of the crown moulding.) And even more than that, I'll look forward to midnight Friday night when the missing part of me returns from Florida.