Ode to my sisters

I have the two best sisters in the world. I am the youngest of three girls, and I must say that now... I love being the baby. I don't really know why, but I LOVE knowing that 2 older sisters have braved the rough waters of life including getting married, having children, and being in the workforce before me. And, they both have very different persepctives on things, but then both seem to come down to the same point in the end.

But, I am feeling the strain of being away from my sisters now. :o( I haven't seen Sarah since her wedding in May, and it feels like this is the longest we have gone without seeing each other! And Rachel-well we have gone from spending every day together at the pool this summer and eating Chick-fil-A to "dealing with" middle schoolers and high schoolers while eating cafeteria food.

Our phone conversations now go:
"hey, how was school?
it was school.
what are you doing?
about to fix dinner.
yea, me too. **often yelling and screams of the little childrenin the background** i'm really tired.
yea, i need to grade papers.
me too.
ok, well have a fun night.
ok, talk to you later."

haha... ok, they are not ALL like that if something especially dramatic happened at school that day, but seriously-we're pooped. And conversations with Sarah are almost always intense because she actually has people die on her and stuff. Whew... now that's exhausting!

I know these are random sister stories, but I love them dearly, and although Rachel is just a few miles away... it's hard to even find the time now to go visit. :o(

So here is my toast to you Sarah Violet and Rachel Elizabeth-thanks for being so perfectly different that I somehow always learn everything I need to learn from both of you. :o) From your little TARB..... hahahahaha.....
(it's "brat" backwards-that's what they used to call me when I was little because mom and dad wouldn't let them say "brat")

Skeptical

Ugh. I'm such a skeptic. Why?! It wears on me. Sometimes when I'm listening to people talk I look deeper into their heads and thoughts to see what's really going on in there, and if they're being real. I wish we would all just be real all the time. And maybe I'm skeptical, because I have recognized that I am not real all the time.

Skeptical of churches...
Skeptical of people...
Skeptical of businesses...
Skeptical of males...
Skeptical of my kids at school...
Skeptical of politicians...
Skeptical of televangelists...
Skeptical of people who tell very extravagant stories...
Skeptical of people who never have anything go wrong...
... lots of skepticism here.

I know one thing though, I am NOT skeptical of Christ in my life. He's about the ONLY thing I believe in, trust, and hope for 100% all of the time. I believe He is pure and righteous and has the best intentions for my life. And THAT, my friends, is probably what allows me to live through and get past all the other pointless skepticism.

I need a better week

My intentions for starting this blog was to be able to share ideas, thoughts, concerns, prayers, and questions for anyone. I realize the past few weeks I have not been great at that, but honestly, I think I have just been in survival mode since school has started.

My days have been action packed, yet so draining causing me to have NOTHING to talk about it on this blog. Kind of sad. I feel as if my time with Jesus has been cut down to worship in my car, wherever I may be going, and random prayers throughout the day. I lay my head down at night to read or start to pray and I literally don't even remember closing my eyes, because I fall asleep that fast.

Thigns have just been heavy on me lately. I have many concerns and burdens for friends and family that are always burning on my heart. It just must be one of those seasons. All I think about is how I want to be praying for everyone, and not being able to do it all the time. Good or bad? Not for sure...

Not to mention, this past week was particularly rough for me, and I really need a better week to calm me down about some concerns I am having.

Just some encouragement for the week... if you think someone at your job or school is doing a good job, then tell them that and be positive towards them. You have NO idea how it might change things.

Prayer Center

Several years ago when North Cleveland built their new building, they also built an "International Prayer Tower." I was a little weary of the idea/project because I didn't really understand the concept because we are able to pray and talk to God anywhere. Who needs to spend all that money on a prayer tower?

But... I was so easily humbled this weekend.

Clark asked the Thirst leaders to meet for prayer Saturday morning, if we were able. Just a few of us met for a little bit on the 4th floor-where the prayer room is. It was actually very nice. Nothing too spectacular but chairs, Bibles, benches, and a beautiful view of Lee University. It was so calming and serene. I really loved it.

I know we are to pray without ceasing-however you may interpret that-but, it's nice to know that a prayer room is there if you have a heavy burden that needs direct attention.

Spend as much time as you can praying. I know it's one of the hardest commitments to make but it is truly life-changing. It takes daily reminder for me to be able to do it.

Dirty joke

I apologize for the semi-sabbatical I took from blogging. I don't think I have gone this long without, unless of course, I was out of town. That sheds some light on how unbelievably and ridiculously busy/tired/exhausted/overwhelmed/emotional I've been!!!

Last Friday was the 9th day in a row that I had been at my school, and the past 2 days were a much needed weekend. Long hours.... lots of cleaning... lots of planning... and learning lots of new names.

I can tell this year will be quite a treat. I have super great kids-or atleast I think so because they haven't reared their true colors yet, and I have a few "special" ones that already make me laugh everyday! I love how different the Lord has made us all!

So here's a joke from a hilariously interesting boy in my class... "Miss Fletcher, what does the enterprise spaceship and toilet paper have in common? I don't know... what? They are both searching uranus for clingons!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Fun Filled Friday

I think I will have a permanent smell of Clorox on my hands. I have been cleaning every little thing in my classroom for 2 days to get the massive amounts of dust off everything. The past 2 days have been overload of information, new people, construction, and dirty rooms! They have been adding classrooms to certain buildings, which includes mine. Therefore, as of yesterday, our entire building was a disaster area! **Small explanation-LF is an outdoor design, therefore we have about 5 classrooms in a building, so our entire school is VERY large and you get to walk outside to go anywhere. So when I say building, that's how we pretty much distinguish everything. AND I'm in building 2, the best one. :o)**

Money is definitely putting a strain on the school systems, because apparently, we may not even know if we have a new teacher position until the second week of school! How ridiculous! And money is also why they are just now finishing construction, because it didn't get approved until mid summer.

I am about to spend my Saturday cleaning, once again, and heading to Staples etc. to take advantage of the tax free weekend! I've only woken up early the past 2 days and already, I woke up today at the crack of dawn. Oh well.

By the way, my cousin had her baby yesterday! Little Ella Rose Bunch is here and weighs 7 lbs. 14 oz. She has LOTS of hair and BEAUTIFUL lips-just like mom and dad! Rissa is doing very well and Kevin is being a wonderful, very protective, father. So happy to welcome another baby into the family! For once, Rachel gets to enjoy a baby without her doing all the "work"!