What It’s All About…

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Parties 08 071

Well…it’s Christmas Break ‘08.  I love that I’ve been able to go through life with an annual Christmas break…as a student…now as a teacher.  School had been rough leading to the break.  I made it though and am now thoroughly enjoying doing a whole lot of “nothing.”

So, it’s been a rough go up to this point in the school year.  For the first time in my career…I began to question whether or not it was worth it.  I love teaching…love working with kids…love impacting lives…but the job had become insanely stressful in ways I had never experienced.  This uncovered a question that I should always keep around, regardless of the good or bad in things.  “What is it all about?” 

What is the “it” I’m referring to?  You could call it life, career…whatever it is that you’re doing at this point in life.  If I can answer this question…I’m good and need to continue doing what I’m doing.  If I can’t answer this question…well…I should probably move on to something else right? 

I received what I could call one of the best presents that a student has ever given me.  I’ve felt that I wasn’t impacting my kids like I thought I could due to the way things are going.  Then…as I was in the hallway before school last week, I got a card and a picture.  The card was homemade that said…

“I hope you have the best Christmas!!!  You’re the best teacher ever!!!  Love,…”

As you can see, there’s a lot of emphasis on the “!” which is funny because the exclamation point is something that they learned about this year.  Included with the card was the picture above.  As you can see, it’s a the student and myself…with spiky hair included. 

This right here is what it’s all about.  Impacting a kid in a way that they would give you a gift, even if they didn’t have the means to buy one.  What an encouragement…it almost brings tears to my eyes…almost. ;) 

So, even though it doesn’t seem like I’m making a big difference…it’s happening.  I can answer the question still…so I guess I’ll continue doing what I’m doing.

Worship Set 12-21-08 Christmas Weekend

Monday, December 22, 2008

Joy to the World - Avalon
Today is the Day - Lincoln Brewster
Filled With Your Glory - Starfield
How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
Glory in the Highest (tag) - Chris Tomlin
Light of the Stable - Selah

Old Man Basketball...

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I haven't touched a basketball since last season...March. I played a pick-up game of basketball for the first time since last winter last night. Wow...I'm out of shape and not as quick as I used to be. The game we played was "21." This is a game that puts everyone against everyone else. The game is generally the same, but as I've found with a lot of other things....there are some regional specifics. So, we played and it eventually played into a type of what I like to call "old man basketball."

Old man basketball is a game where there are a lot of "three-pointer's" shot. Yes...I'm guilty. It seems like every rebound I got...didn't drive the lane...pulled it out and bombed. Now, I used to be a great shooter. I didn't have quite enough leg in my shots though...you could tell since there were more than a few air-balls. I was able to make my free throws until I started sucking air. At that point...I was pretty much done.

Even though I can't do what I was able to at one point in my life...I still enjoy the game. It provides a great opportunity to get out and hang with the guys. We talk about whatever...joke around...just have fun. So...even though I'm not as good as I once was...I'm still game for some ball....

One Year Later...

Saturday, December 6, 2008


It's almost Christmas 08. I think that it's pretty amazing. We live in a culture where people purchase...like we have...special pj's for Sarala to wear Christmas morning. The way the news/media talks about the economy you would think that there wouldn't be the craziness present around the major shopping spots. There were so many people shopping today...the parking lots were full...people were making some BIG purchases.... We tried to stick to a budget and did a pretty good job of doing so, if I may say so myself.

What has happened though...Christmas? I saw a sign today...didn't have the camera...that advertised pictures with "Baby Jesus and a kneeling Santa." Wow...it was over by the time I was shopping in this particular "Christian" establishment. Hmmm...a picture with Baby Jesus? I wonder how these turned out...what they look like? I can't conceptualize it. Even though Jesus...as the saying goes..."is the reason for the season"...this is a little crazy. So...after some shopping...trying to smile amidst all of the craziness...some Red Robin...we're back home.

What a gift we have been given...? God's son...only son....

Worship Set 11-30-08

Monday, December 1, 2008

Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down) - Robbie Seay Band
Majestic - Lincoln Brewster
Today is the Day - Lincoln Brewster
Glory in the Highest - Chris Tomlin