Having Faith

I heard the most wonderful sermon on faithfulness today at church. It made me look at my own life so much and realize that I don't trust in the faith of God as much as I should. Bro. Jim talked about the faith that Enoch, Noah, and Abel all had in God, and because of their faith they went on to eternity with their Father. I want the kind of faith that these 3 men had.

Sometimes people go through suffering which makes them lose faith in God. I, myself, have been down that road. But suffering also often brings people to saving faith in God. Each of us can think of unbelievers who endured horrible times of suffering and eventually trusted in God for salvation as a result. Unfortunately, people often do not turn to God until they feel their need for Him.

Faith alone is a difficult one. It's hard to trust and believe in things that you can't see or put your hands on. But, God's word assures us that if we have faith, God will make all well with us. I hope that my personal faith will become stronger and stronger. Going through difficult times has made my faith weaker than it should be, but I have faith that all of that will turn around. I am blessed to have heard such wonderful words today that made me realize that I must get my faith back COMPLETELY.

"By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil." Proverbs 16:6

This week...coming at us fast!

It's Sunday, and it looks to be a busy week for the Holland's, which is nothing new. Brittany and Tyler have homecoming week at school. On Wednesday, they have camouflage day... Thursday, cowboy day....and Friday, green & white day. At least these are easy dress-up days. No going out to buy a ton of stuff just to look cute for a day. For that I'm thankful!! I'll put up pictures later this week.

Let's see what else... Shannon has to leave by 7:00 in the morning to go to Memphis, so I have to get the kids to school and then get to work by 7:30. My kids aren't even supposed to be dropped off until 7:30, but Britt is old enough to stay with Tyler, and the principal will be there. Even if I'm a few minutes late for work, it'll be OK. My principal is pretty cool. Plus, I don't have duty this week. YEAH!!!

Tyler HAS to get his hair cut tomorrow. School day pictures are Tuesday. Both kids have dental appointments Wednesday afternoon, and I need to go soon myself. Tyler also has a project to complete by Friday. He has to create in paint, clay, sand, whatever... a body of water. I am still racking my brain to figure out what WE are gonna do. I'm not very artistic; luckily Tyler is. I just have to get the materials once we figure out what we are gonna create! This should be interesting and probably MESSY (which is Tyler's middle name!) He'll love it.

Besides the basics...like work, homework, housework...that sounds like our week in a nutshell. Hope you all have a good one.

And Grace continues...LOL

I posted my blog the other day, "Just Call Me Grace," and since then things have been pretty much worse.  After my first fall, my back wouldn't stop hurting. It felt like someone was stabbing me through my right shoulder blade all the way through my chest. I just complained about it, of course, but tried to alleviate some of the pain with ice and then some heat. Nothing seemed to work. While at work Thursday, the pain was so severe, but I just kept going 90 to nothing all day as usual. My students kept reminding me how horrible I looked. {They like to tell me when I look  bad, but they do compliment me if I look good, too.} I was hurting, but didn't realize I LOOKED so horrible! Later, I did notice that I started getting light-headed. I would just slow down and hold on to my podium.... I just wrote it off as being exhausted and a bit stressed.

Not so... around 3:45 as I was preparing to leave work, I passed out...fainted...completely. Right in the middle of the floor (which is concrete). Everything I was carrying went flying all over the place, including my earrings and shoes. Luckily, one of my co-workers and a custodian saw me, so they came to my "rescue."  I was totally embarrassed!  Now, I have a goose egg along with a lovely blackish-blue bruise on my forehead. Shannon came to work and picked me up, and not long after being at home I fainted, yet again.  

This was the mystery!!! I didn't think that the fall that hurt my back a few days ago was causing fainting spells, so to the doctor I went today!!!  The back problem - no big deal - just a muscle spasm. The knot on my head from hitting the floor - no big deal - just UGLY!  The fainting, well there was a reason for that. MY HEART!!! (And Shannon said I didn't have one...lol...JK) It's not a big deal. The heart meds I have been on for years was causing my heart rate to beat too slowly, and when I would stand or get up from sitting, it would shoot up about 30 or 40 beats. This caused the fainting spells! So, I'm changing meds, and all should be good soon! I think I'll take it easy this  weekend. Maybe Shannon will do the housework! I wouldn't want to mop or clean the bathroom and fall out and get another ugly bump or bruise! LOL

Call me Grace!

I've always been a little on the clumsy side, but lately I've been doing alright. Until last night....and this morning. I blame it on the fact that I'm so exhausted that I walk around like a zombie.  Anyway... the first "accident" happened when I was climbing into my bed. My bed is rather large... a California king that is about 3 feet tall, granted I'm only 5'2". So, I use a stool to climb into bed.  When I attempted to get into the bed, I kinda missed the stool, and it flipped. The bottom of the stool is made of wrought iron. (OUCH) I cut my legs and then landed on my back with iron bars jabbing my insides.  After I was able to breath again, everyone got a big kick out of it; although  I was still in pain!

Well, that's not all!!! After getting dressed for work this morning, I walked out of my bathroom and my heels got caught on the scales. (Who needs those things anyway???) I flew headfirst with everything in my hands. Tyler saw it all and started screaming, "Mama fell AGAIN." It took me several minutes to get up....with my scraped up knees and my newly fixed hair now all a mess. What a way to start a morning.  The family found it hilarious, but tonight I feel like I've been hit by a bus! 

Yes, now you can call me "Grace." But, it's not really funny at the moment...maybe it will be in a few days!!! Take my advice...buy steps for your bed...don't use a stool!

Sick little girl

It's very rare that my children get sick, so when they do, my motherly instinct goes into overdrive. Brittany has complained with a stomach ache all day. Well, about 7:00 P.M. she started vomiting. We hoped it would pass, but she kept complaining. We gave her medicine, but to no avail. I had to give her a much needed suppository of phenergan....which she despised! It did stop her vomiting, and it helped her fall asleep.

She got in my bed to sleep, and she felt awfully warm. Shannon said that she didn't have fever, but I knew better. I checked it around 10:00 P.M. and it was 99.7. That's pretty high for her b/c she NEVER has a temp. She runs a low temp...like 97...all the time.

It's now 12:55 A.M. and I just checked it again. It's up to 100.5. Now,I'll be up all night worrying about her. At least she is sleeping pretty well b/c of the phenergan...but, how long that will last who knows.

Now, she will miss school tomorrow, and she will HATE that. She hates to miss and get behind. I know she can't help it, but sometimes the teachers don't care. They will send her TONS of work home, and if she's still sick, she certainly won't feel like doing it. She has been working so hard in school, and wants to make A's. I just hope that whatever she has will pass SOON. I also hope that whatever it is, Tyler doesn't get it, too.

Well, I have duty at school at 7:05, so I hope I can get a little bit of rest. Thank goodness Shannon will be home to take care of her. Knowing me, I'll be sticking the thermometer in her mouth all night. Yes, I'm a worry-wort....but also a concerned mommy. I just like to keep check!!! Gnight, Bit...hope u feel better soon!!!

Parenting

Sometimes parents don't make their feelings clear; they assume that their children know of the deep love they feel for them. Yet, when misunderstandings occur, and things are left unsaid, it can lead to needless doubts and insecurities.
I don't ever want my children to feel insecure, and I want them to remember the important words that I tell them...now and forever. Because these words are never changing.

YOU are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. There is nothing I'd rather see than your smile, and nothing I'd rather hear than your laughter.

I'm proud of the person you have become. And no matter what happens in your life, I have confidence in your ability to make the right choices. I love you.

I know that I'm tough on you both at times, but it's only because I want to push you to be the best that you can be!!! I truly mean well. I will be here to share in your joy, your pain, your sorrow, and your pride. ALWAYS!!!

Love,
Your mom

Love meets our greatest needs!

What matters most in your family? That's a no-brainer for must of us. It's love. From the Bible to our favorite songs to the message of the children's book The Velveteen Rabbit, we learn that love matters most in our relationships.
"Love one another," the Bible tells us.
"All we need is love," the song goes.
Love makes you real, the Skin Horse assures the Velveteen Rabbit.
With love, we thrive. Without it, we can die. And when we reach the end of our lives, we won't care about what we've accomplished; we'll care about how well we've loved and been loved by those closest to us.
We all want love-filled families because love meets our greatest needs for security and significance. God created us with these needs.
So, let us love one another... just as God loves us (unconditionally).

Pee-Wee Football

I love to watch my children participate in sports! However, sitting in the rain and freezing my booty off is not my idea of fun! Lee Academy's pee-wee football team had their first football game of the season tonight, and Brittany had to cheer. We arrived on time, actually, but it began to rain as soon as we arrived. I didn't have my umbrella; I guess I left it at work. So, I dropped the kids off and made a mad dash downtown to find one. I managed to find one and headed back to the field, and I actually made it on time. Granted, the rain had stopped. So for a little while I got to enjoy Brittany's cheering. UNTIL...yes, the rain started again. So, for two hours I froze while watching Britt shiver and shake (from the cold...not her dance moves). We finally made it home, and of course the rain has stopped. Now, Britt, Tyler, and I are taking turns taking baths to warm up, then time to study!!! Tyler only has four tests tomorrow....ugh....again, not my idea of fun!

My first blog!

Well here goes my first experience with blogging. School is back in...full force!!! I am teaching 8th grade reading at Coahoma County Jr. High School. Junior high students are a big challenge, and I stay extremely busy. Brittany and Tyler keep me busy at home, too. Brittany is in 6th grade this year, and Tyler is in 3rd at Lee Academy. So far, they have had more homework than they did all last year. They are both doing very well, though. Progress reports should come out soon. I expect nothing but A's. As much as they study they should have nothing less!!!! Shannon is the stay-at-home dad. His health is much better, and he has lost about 30 pounds. He gets the children to school and picks them up. That is one thing I don't have to stress about! When I get home, the kids spend an hour or so doing homework and then studying. Brittany is a pee-wee cheerleader, and she has her first football game tonight. She will start gymnastics back up again soon. Tyler is "free" right now, but had a LONG baseball season this summer. His All-Star team came in runners-up in the state championship. It was a wonderfully rewarding season for him!