Grad School?

My Facebook status currently says: Matt and I may or may not have applied for grad school last night. Got some interesting responses already:Well, we did. Not sure if we're ready to spill all the beans because let's be honest: Matt and I can be pretty fickle people, and we tend to jump into things pretty quickly.

Where did this come from?
1) Matt loved teaching in Thailand and really thinks it might be what he would like to do as a career, as scary as it sounds to commit to a whole career.
2) If he does decide to teach, he needs to get certified.
3) He would want to teach overseas again.
4) If he is a teacher overseas, I would like to go with him.
5) It's easier for him to get a teaching job overseas at a school which will hire me too if I also have a teaching degree.
6) Though teaching in Thailand definitely had it's wonderful moments, it mostly drained me and I thought I didn't want to be a teacher anymore, even that's what I thought I would want to be from middle school forward (besides a wife+mom!)... BUT we think if I have training and more prep time, I will probably feel more competent and enjoy it more.
7) We have to do something we love and that makes a difference for eternity.
8) Recently, I got a letter from one of my fourth graders that made me cry and I had one of those "ah-ha moments" when I realized that though it wasn't always easy, it was a place I saw God working.
9) Aimee was a teacher, and in her shortened life, there were sooooo many lives God used her in as their teacher, who have come to know Him as a result. Pretty inspiring!
10) The application was free, and we'll only be charged if we actually enroll. ;)

What may be the result?
-Masters of Teaching, with concentrations either in Elementary Ed, English Ed, or Special Ed.
-Majority of coursework done online but 3 classes on campus.
-Nationally (and Internationally) recognized teaching certification for the both of us!

Now what?
1) Finish the applications. (Transcripts to be exact)
2) Get financial aid, LOTS of it.
3) Get started. It's only 12 classes, but they all have to be completed within 5 years.

What do you think? Really.

And, it probably goes without saying, but we'd really love your prayers for this next (possible) step and for financial aid to work out because we are not sure if we will follow through if we have to take out student loans.

Matt's Friend Aimee

We found out last night that one of Matt's college friends was killed in a car accident. It's really hit me as I think about how sudden it was and how no one was expecting it. It's making me think about how fragile life is. And how I want to make a difference in whatever time I have. Like Aimee did.
Read this article about her death--and life.

This video talks about how prayers were not answered for her healing. We will never understand why not, but knowing Aimee, I know she's with Jesus. And she's much happier there than here.

And this video shows the car and tells more about her. I cannot imagine how her students and friends and family must be feeling. Please be in prayer for them.

On her Facebook page, this is what's written in her profile box: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

When we were in Thailand, her class and mine were penpals. I looked forward to her letters as much as my kids did to the letters from her kids. She was so genuine, and her love for Christ and trust in Him radiated in everything she wrote, even when sharing things she was struggling with.

I feel confident that she didn't know when getting ready that morning, she would be in the arms of her Savior within hours. This is so stunning yet peaceful at the same time.

Join us in praying for her family and friends in the sadness and grief of missing her as well as the joy and celebration that she's with her Beloved Creator.

24

Facebook is full of references to 24 tonight. I love 24! But I prefer to watch the whole season at a time. In fact, I've never watched a season as it happened. I always wait for it to come out on dvd so I can just splurge and watch it in one swoop. For example, I just got Season 7 for Chritmas, and we've watched a few hours at a time in a few sittings. The next time Matt and I get to hang out (maybe Friday morning or Sunday night), we will finish the last 4 hours.

The first time I ever watched it was when I lived in Uz, during Chritmas break. I think I watched 2 seasons within a week. Easy to do. I could have easily watched more, but we only had the 1st two seasons over there.

Because I started out watching it this way, I never thought I would be able to wait a whole week in between episodes. It seems like it would be too hard. For this season, though, I've actually been considering watching the season as it happens. But then I change my mind.

What does it say about my personality that I have to watch it all at once? I can't wait a week in between episodes like most of the world? Maybe I could, but I've just never done it that way, so I don't even want to try.

So, for the whole Season 8, I have to ignore all the references about 24 on Facebook and everywhere else. It won't be easy.

Thoughts on Prayer...

I was driving home from work Friday night after a loooong week working a lot of overtime. And it was just one of those days. Too many people complaining. Just about every single call asking for credits to the account. And after taking something like 70 calls, I had reached my limit and started taking everything personally.

It doesn't matter how nice you are. Sometimes people are just mean. And they think if they are meaner, they will get something for it. Ugh. I can be sooooo nice for the first few of the jerks, but after that, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. I'm over it.

I was complaining to the Lord about this on my way home when it hit me that I was acting towards God in the same way that I was mad at customers treating me: complaining, whining, and asking for a break. Asking for something that I don't necessarily deserve.

Then, I realized that my pathetic 70 calls that day were absolutely nothing compared to what God hears everyday. Yet He is not as fazed as I am. The few people who might approach God with the praise, adoration, confession, thanksgiving and surrender are probably rare compared to those like me who don't make time for that kind of prayer. He's amazing.

I've been limited to 'flash prayers' of "Lord, seriously, give me some patience here... Lord, give me some direction here... Father, help me with these thoughts... God, forgive me..."

Good perspective for me on so many levels. I was challenged to actually make time to spend some real time with the Lord again instead of just throwing up requests or even complaints. He's worthy of more than my pathetic pleas for help and favor.

Maybe spending more time with Him will enable me to have more grace towards the evil, mean customers as well. Hopefully.

Empty

By 11 im the only one on an entire side of the building but I love it!
Nice time to wind down from the day.