Wow, What A Week!

I'm mentally drained, physically tired and miles to go before I sleep! Did I forget to tell you we have a field trip to the Montgomery Zoo on Friday? We had Career Week and American Education Week the same week. We had a retired teacher's luncheon at our school today. It made me think about the changes in Education over the past 80 years. The school where I teach just celebrated its 80th birthday with a huge celebration. There are people in our community who were a part of that first class. Once upon a time, there were little girls who grew up to be teachers. They taught with pride, dignity and, above all, discipline. Parents did whatever it took to help their children learn. That is what children do in school. They learn. The school is a learning environment. The school is not there to please everybody who thinks they should be pleased or catered to. Teaching begins in the home because a disciplined child exhibits self-control and shows respect because that is how he has been taught in his first school - his home. We still teach reading, math, language, spelling, health, history, science and P. E. We strive to teach the whole child. We will never please everyone 100% of the time but we can teach children 100% of the time.

Summer '09

Summertime officially begins
The very moment school ends.
For some, it takes a trip to the beach
To help bring summer into reach
Some people choose the mountain air
And spend their summer, camping there.
The place I find to be "most cool"
Is in my back yard, floating in my pool.
I don't have to travel a world away
To enjoy the sun of a summer's day.
Tons of memories for us to share
As we spent our days splashing back there,
In our back yard pool.

Forgiveness...more than just a word

Forgiveness...a word that is for oneself more than for others. Yes, we do have to forgive others in order to receive forgiveness. But, more often than not, one must forgive himself. When one is wronged the easy thing to do is stay in that wronged state. Just as we practice to make us perfect in what we have chosen as recreation in our life. the more we practice total forgiveness the easier is will be to forgive. To err is human; to forgive, divine. I don't know about y'all but I want to go to Heaven one day. When we are wronged by another, we control the behavior that we exhibit. Yes, feelings do matter and oftentimes get in the way. But when we truly forgive another and ourselves, then and only then are we on the road to brighter and better things. Thanks for listening! TTYL!!

Rebecca

Ramblings

Back in the day when I was young
Barefoot and so care-free
I was encouraged to think of others first
Before I thought of me.

We were taught by example
And not at all spared from the rod
We were brought up in the nurture
And admonition of Him, our God.

The first thing I would see each day
As I entered the kitchen there
Was my momma at the breakfast table
Reading the Bible, with earnest and with prayer.

Disrespect was not allowed in our home
It had one leader, our dad
We all had chores and we all had pride
In what we did and what we had.

While our family was important
And was forever and always around
We knew our place with Jesus
Was first, foremost and sound.

I thank the Lord each and every day
For my blessings in life, each one.
How I was raised has brought me to this place
When all is said and done.

Forgiveness without forgiving
Is as empty as a life-less shell
And must be a part of His plan for us
If, in Heaven, we hope to dwell.

It is the year 2009
But one thing still rings true....
If living right was expected back in the day
It is not too good for you!

It All Comes Full Circle

Momma knows...or so I have been told! I must say that I knew early in my son's life that he was put here for something special, as we all are, but, after you hear the story, you'll understand. My husband had been asked to chaperone the band at the school where he taught on their spring band trip to Disney World. At that time, our two: Brynn and Jack were 3 & 18 months. I had so much going at that time because I was a full time student at our local university. The day my husband left for the trip, my son awoke to the croup. He couldn't sleep and couldn't keep his liquid medication down so he became worse at night. I slept (lay, actually) in our recliner to elevate him so he could breathe for two (2) nights. The morning of the third day, our daughter awoke with a stomach virus that hit her with a vengeance. Somewhere in the middle of all this, I managed to not miss one class that week. It was by the grace of God that made that possible. Seeing my distress, my son goes over the the book case beneath the TV stand, picks up the Family Bible, brings it to me and said, "Here, mommy, read this and we'll all feel better." I looked up and said, "Ok, Lord, he's yours. Please help me teach him to go where you want him to go." I still get emotional when I think of this. It was all brought back on March 29, 2009, as I sat in the church where my son preached the morning sermon. I was humbled most of all, emotional, thankful, grateful, honored and impressed...all rolled into one! As my family sat there, I couldn't help but miss my father, a minister. My brother, the full-time pastor at the church we attended, introduced our son and said he believed that some angels were messengers because when a new soul is born into the Kingdom of God, the angels in Heaven rejoice. He said he believed those messengers had taken the message to Heaven and truly felt that our daddy was rejoicing over his son sharing the pulpit with his grandson, my son. I'm as proud as a momma can be but I'm mostly thankful that the prayer I prayed over him before and after he was born has been answered. My son is a good christian man, serving his first love. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me and my family.

How Do You Share Jesus?

Sharing Jesus was the topic for our lesson this morning. The best example I know of a person sharing Jesus was my mother. As I sleepily walked into the kitchen EVERY morning I witnessed her sitting at the kitchen table, reading her Bible. She had a ready recollection of what she had read. My father, a minister, often asked her where to find certain passages in the Bible and I was always amazed at her instant response of the Book, Chapter and Verse number. I cannot say I was this kind of example for my children, though they did see me read the Bible. They were both raised in church and were taught Biblical values. My father said that you can't take the Bible in parts but you have to take the verses that don't apply to you as well as those that do. The most common Bible verse that is quoted and misused is the "judge not lest ye be judged" verse. Yes, there is a fine line there. Standing up for your beliefs is not judging. Telling someone about Jesus is not judging. Wanting someone to be out of a "damning" situation/relationship is not judging. Accepting what is wrong rather that defending what is right is wrong. We should not worry so much about what others think/do/say about/to us but we should always ask ourselves, "Is this what God would have me do?" In the end, it is His judgement that will decide our fate. While we all make mistakes and are forgiven, we need to take up for and share Jesus.

Learning Keeps The World Turning....Or So They Say!

This past week I realized a few things. I know, I know, everybody says that all the time. But, I actually did! I realized that a friend of mine was dead on the money on a particular issue and I should've listened to her and taken everything she told me to heart. I also learned, first hand, that friends are like acorns, hanging all around but true friends are like the roots of the tree. You have to dig deeper to see them but they hold it all together, even in the storms and, most importantly, through the storms. So, to my friend who is my root...Thank You and, here goes...You Were Right!!!!!!!

Reminiscing

There's nothing like watching old home movies to put you in a sentimental mood. I don't think our children where ever involved in anything that didn't warrant charging up the video camera. I am thankful that I actually remembered the names of their classmates after all these years. Memory lane...a wonderful place to visit!

And That's Why You Are Mad?

Whatever it is that ticked you off
Made you mad or
Made you sad
Hurt your feelings
Really bad
Made you cry
And wonder why
Or just plain made you irate...
Is not important enough
To make you say regretful stuff
That will be with you till you die.
If you've never stood over a loved one
Who's dead and lying in state
And though things were good
And you did all you could
You think back to not so distant date
When you know you could've done more
But...then thought you would just wait.
What if you are standing there
Over the body of a loved one
Who died before you could forgive?
It is too late, now, for words and such
And will be with you as long as YOU live!
So, let it go. Forgive. Show love.
As our Father shows us.

February, already?

Can you believe it? Already the first day of the second month of 2009. I can remember my elders talking about how time flies the older we grow. I can remember thinking: "Sure, you are just old." Well, it is true. Along with everything else they said that I thought was "stupid, strange or old-fashioned." I think this society could use a little more "old-fashioned" ways. It is not old fashioned to have high morals and high values and pass those on to our children. It is not old fashioned to stand up for what is right instead of turning our head so as "not to offend anyone." How offensive do we think they'll be on judgement day? It will be too late then to worry about offending anyone. It is not old fashioned to demand respect from the children within our household. It is not old fashioned for the man to be and be revered as being the head of the household. It is not old fashioned to stay true to your wedding vows. It is not old fashioned to withold that which God created for enjoyment between a man and his wife. It is not old fashioned for a marriage to be between a man and a woman. That's for whom marriage was created and still intended to be between: a man and a woman. The Bible is clear here, folks. There is no other interpretation for that. It is not old fashioned to not allow your childen to be in places or with people that will not uphold and enforce your beliefs and values. It is way past time to worry about what people think. We know not the hour of the day of His return. He will return as a thief in the night. We are closer to that "day" than when the people actually saw the crucifixion. God created us as He created them. We are not any better to receive His wrath. Please have mercy on us, Lord, as we strive daily to live so others can see You in us. Y'all have a good day, now, ya hear?

Daddy would be so proud!

For those of you who know me, you know my father was a minister, my brother is a minister and my son is attending the seminary. While church has been a part of my life as long as I can remember, I was well into my teenage years before I realized that the church is just a building and the people who made up the church was the true church. Today, I attended the ordination service of my nephew, Wendell Huddleston, as he became a deacon at the church where I grew up. As I looked around the room at the people attending the service, I realized that these people were the ones that I watched and looked up to when I was growing up. Mrs. Williamson and Vance sat behind me and oohhed and ahhed over my grandchildren. The Lindley family, Mrs. Teague, the Glasgows and, my family. Of the 40 people there today, 25 of those were my immediate family members. What a strong bond in the Lord! As my brother, Dr. Stephen L. Dempsey, gave the "charge" sermon to my nephew, his wife, Bonny, and their daughter, Erica, I couldn't help but let my mind wander and think about how proud my father, Wendell's grandfather, would be of him. Wendell was so emotional, humble and sweet...that is Wendell. He will serve the Lord by serving Him through his deaconship at Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church. It was a blessed day and I am so thankful God allowed me to be a part of it. Just as our elders did before us, Wendell is on his way being that role model for all the little boys attending that church now.

The Only Constant in Life is Change...

After devoting the morning to the Inauguration activities/ceremony/parade, my students were administered their winter dibels test to see if they met a benchmark of 68 WPM (words per minute). We've been working really hard knowing this test went from a fall benchmark of 44 WPM to a winter score of 68 wpm then jumps to 90 wpm in the spring. I truly feel that preparation is the key to success...no matter what the test. In the fall, 6 of my students were not even close to the fall BM of 44 wpm so the winter BM of 68 wpm seemed, somewhat, out of reach for those students. While I am not an advocate for "No Child Left Behind" and, quite honestly, consider that phrase a nightmare, I decided to envelope that phrase with everything in me. While those 6 students might not benchmark according to what the "state" says a BM is, I was bound and determined that their score was going up. Extra work with the reading coach, extra reading passages for practice and sending home extra passages, getting my classroom library in order for access to reading when the librarian needed "shelving time" and just plain, old fashioned hard work and praise. Well, while I did not deliver the inaugural speech today or swear in a President, I did receive the dibels report for my class and every single student improved their dibles score, some by 200%! I don't know if it was the nostalgia surrounding the new President or what, but today was a good day that was beget from a feeling of success that began because we did not give up. Change doesn't mean you've forgotten what got you here in the first place. It just means you're going about things in a different way. Sometimes, that's a good thing. Thank you, Lord for this day and all the successes felt by so many of your children today. You are truly a Loving God.

What Teachers Can Never Do

I didn't really think about what teachers can't do until I was reading over some things that had been written about what teacher's do. Teachers can't go home with their students to oversee their learning based on hours of preparation and planning. Teachers can't go back to their students' day of birth and teach them from day one. Teachers can't go to ballgames with their students to make sure the character traits, taught and modeled, are being practiced away from school. Teachers can't enjoy an entire summer off because, in the back of their mind, they are planning their classroom for a new crop and that takes precedence over enjoying a vacation. And, last but not least, teachers can't blame anyone else when the end results of the year result in retention or less than desired outcomes pertaining to the learning and performance of the students. So, the next time you begin to blame a teacher and are looking for excuses as to "why" your child is not performing on grade level, please, by all means, look in the mirror first. You don't like tardy/unexcused absence letters but elementary students can't drive themselves to school. You don't like bad grades or extra homework but it is OK to stay out late to shop, play ball or go to a movie. Have you cleaned your mirror lately?

"Let's Get Our Toes Did, MiMi"

When my 25 year old daughter asked her 2 year old daughter "what do you want to get MiMi for her birthday?", I'm sure she did not expect to hear her response. "I want to get my toes did with MiMi" was Ella's repsonse. So, not to upset the youngest female in the house, my daughter, Ella, a friend's child, Allison, and my grandson, Will, took off for the nail salon. Will, bored beyond a normal man's boredom at the age of 4, sat and watched and made comments while Brynn, Ella, Allison and I sat with our soothing feet in the warm water. It was the first for Allison and so needed by me. I was glad Ella suggested my present. Allison chose hot pink for her toes. Ella chose light pink with hot pink dots. Brynn chose the french and mine are winter burgundy. It was a good "girls day out" and I already am looking forward to the next one! Good idea, Ella!

One moment everything is just as you imagined
Life is better than you ever dreamed
The next second it all changes, and,
It was never as it truly seemed.

The very breath that gives us life
From the instant we breathe it in
Must also leave in order for the new
To end to begin again.

From the moment we take that first breath of life
We are sinners, born to die.
For we are but a vapor here
Awaiting the bye and bye.

We choose not how we enter this life
We choose not how we will go.
This is only known by our Creator
Who proved His love ever so.

So hold a hand, hug a neck,
Give a smile, a wink, or a kiss...
For the warmth of these will see you through
When your loved ones you do miss.

So hold a hand, hug a neck,
Give a smile, a wink, or a kiss...
For the warmth of these will see them through
When you are no longer in their midst.

June, July & August?

When I started on my journey toward a career in Education in 1988, a popular slogan on lots of teacher "things" was: "3 Good Reasons To Be A Teacher: June, July, & August!" I thought that was cute and, after 17 years of teaching, I completely understand it. I also completely understand how important it is to focus on our time in the classroom instead of our "next" day(s) off. The time off is well needed and well deserved (by most). One thing never fails the night before returning to the classroom after time off...I get a nervous stomach. Butterflies. They do exist. Another thing I've realized is that, no matter what, students put their teachers on pedestals whether we want to be there or not. I just hope when I fall, they don't mind catching me! We go back to work tomorrow after a long Christmas break. I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm a little scared. Honestly...I can't wait to see my class and hear all about their wonderful Christmas break. God Bless You All...John 3:16!

Resolutions

Well, we can all make resolutions but, honestly, I can't say I know anyone who actually has kept and was the better for making a "New Year's Resolution." I think we all try, for the most part, to do better whether we make a resolution or not. This past year has been one of enlightening for me. I've learned that, no matter how hard we try, we are never going to please everybody in every situation and somebody, usually ones we love the most, get their feelings hurt. Forgiveness. The reason Christ died on the cross. If we can't forgive and be forgiven, his suffering was for nothing. The most wonderful thing about forgiveness is that we can forgive others...even when they have not asked us to. We can love others whether they want to be loved or not! We can befriend the friendless by praying for them every day whether they want to be prayed for or not! We are not promised tomorrow, much less the next second. If every mad, angry, upset, hurt, resentful, jealous person started letting go of these feelings tomorrow and started showing to others the opposite...wow! What a world of difference we would all make in someone else's life by forgetting ourselves first. Happy New Year to you all! God Bless us everyone. And, remember, Phil. 4:13!