The Common Cold

The weekend after my birthday, my daughter was sick with a cold. For a 10-year-old with a stuffy nose, she thought it was worse than anything that could have happened to her. Here are a few of her questions/comments: "I can't breathe, how am I supposed to sleep?"; "Why do bad things always happen to me?"; "It's not fair! You never get sick!"; "How long will this last?"; "When will this end?"

I attempted to answer her questions, but nothing would satisfy her. Two days after her cold had run its course, I started with sniffles. Uh oh. My first thought was that I would not complain as much as my child. I worked through the first full day of my sickness by taking sinus meds and keeping away from everyone. I would have stayed out of work, but it was the day of our once per term staff meeting. I sat there with a box of tissues and drank lots of water. I think there was a lot of praying from my officemates that day with all of the 'Bless You's and them silently pleading - don't let me catch that! :)

By that evening, I was a sneezing mess. I had to cancel my Saturday plans to see my son in the state AF JROTC drill meet. (They placed fifth in three different competitions.) Instead, I stayed in bed with my tissues and read a book. As lunchtime approached, I began feeling better. 

Psalm 41:3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.

By taking the time to rest, my strength returned and my symptoms subsided. I'm thankful it was only a common cold. 

The Year of Jubilee

I had a milestone birthday this week. Yes, this was the big 5-0, fifth decade, 2.5 score, 1/2 century, or better yet - the 21st anniversary of my 29th birthday. I took the day off, went shopping, had lunch with my best friend and spent time with my family. It was a happy day.

There were many birthday wishes on my Facebook page, and one that stood out was from my aunt:
Happy 50th Birthday!!!  It took only 50 years to look as GOOD AS YOU DO!!! Have a WONDERFUL DAY and may 2016 be your 50th Year JUBILEE---time for FREEDOM AND CELEBRATION!!!  Love ya <3

Leviticus 25:10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession and each of you shall return to his family. 

As I embark on year 50, I'm reminded of how much there is to celebrate in this life that I have - where I live, what I do, and all my family and friends I have the privilege to love.

Love or Something

On Wednesday I arrived home from my conference at 6 p.m. I was greeted with a big hug from my 10-year-old, while my 15-year-old transferred all of my luggage into the house. As soon as we were in the door, I was told my help was needed for homework. I gave them various goodies that I picked up from vendors, then for the next 3 hours I was their tutor in math, social studies and spelling.

Thursday everything was back to normal: off to work and school, picking up the elder and coaching him in driving, picking up the younger, stopping at the local diner for burgers and fries, helping with math, reading and spelling homework until bedtime, saying prayers and settling down for the night. 

Proverbs 8:10-11 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things that one desires cannot be compared to her.

So in celebration of Valentine's Day, I'd just like to say that knowing my kids will ask for help and listen to (if not always follow) my instruction is the best gift I could receive. 

On the Road Again

I'm in Greensboro, NC tonight at a regional conference. I drove up yesterday and the meetings began today. In a room full of almost 500 people, it amazes me how many of them I know or at least have met. It's a great group because they really care about each other, their students and helping everyone be their best. I feel fortunate to belong to the group.

After the keynote speaker, they put the Super Bowl on a couple of enormous screens and served burgers, hot dogs, wings and more. It has to big the biggest Super Bowl party I've ever attended. I made it to halftime before I headed back to my room. 

I was watching the end of the game when I realized that I hadn't written my blog today.  (My days get so mixed up when I have to travel on the weekend and begin meetings on Sunday.) I thought about today, the meetings and the colleagues I call friends. And for the next few days, we will be actively applying this verse - by talking, sharing, and learning how to do our jobs better.

Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.