Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Get over it

I have been feeling a bit worn down. I had to deal with some unpleasantness with the PTO and our big fundraiser. It was a difficult situation to navigate and a lot of rumors and lies were circulated about PTO. The people left among the scorched earth have been terrific at picking up the pieces left from the chaos and we are moving on to a great fundraiser.

Then last week, I forgot to grab my purse when I was at church for the ice cream social. Some creep broke the window and stole it. So I have been having a great time trying to put my stuff back together, cancel credit cards, get a new liscense, a window repaired, etc.


Instead of feeling harrassed about the trials of this month, I am going to focus on the things that are blessings. I survived the PTO issue. Our PTO is stronger and more committed than before.

Yes, I lost a purse I really liked and 10 bucks cash. The cards were all cancelled before much damage could be done. Our window was 100% covered by insurance.

So I am going to get over it, and move on.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

She did it!

As summer ends, it is time for JE and her two classmates to move up to a new Sabbath School class. Her teacher decided to challenge the girls to memorize Psalm 121. They had the whole month of August to do it and she promised them a prize for completion of the memorization. We worked on it sporadically over the month, but not faithfully. A week ago, the teacher reminded me that she had just one week to say the passage, and that she had already purchased the prizes. Over the final week I worked with Je to memorize the passage. She kept leaving out a couple phrases. Sabbath morning she was much better. After Sabbath School she showed me this: Way to Go! She worked hard to get this. I had thought I would get her her own Bible for her birthday in October, but now this is even better!

Monday, September 01, 2008

God will tell you what you need to hear

Update post meeting: The situation resolved itself as the leadership decided to resign. God allowed the best possible outcome for our conflict.

My first official act as PTO president was to call an emergency meeting of the executive board/pancake breakfast committee. There has been great upheaval and harsh words from some on the committee to others that needs to be addressed in a very very permanent fashion. We have come to the conclusion that some changes in leadership of the fundraiser need to take place. We have 25 days until the fundraiser so this can't wait until a regular meeting. I have been on the phone and email all weekend discussing this and working through the details of this special meeting. Tonight, I sat down with my Bible and opened to a couple passages. I was expecting this but still amazed at how God speaks to me. I thought I would be directed to appropriate passages and as I was looking up old favorites I turned to the most recent memory work passage for JE. She was to learn Psalm 121 this month. (side note: she earned a big deal prize for this: her very own Bible!) It is a comforting Psalm:
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
(NIV)

Then I went to an old favorite from my teens Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
.

and I was totally blown away by verse 11-14

"All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.


I am amazed that God knows what I need to hear. I do feel as if I have an enemy in this situation and I am not alone in this. It is a minority in power against the majority in labor. I also was comforted to be reminded that this is a little thing in the overall scheme of things, but that God cares about us in the little things. So while this may seem major league, it isn't, and God is going to help me through even this little bump in the road. Praise the Lord!