A Charlie Brown Christmas

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." -Erma Bombeck

So it's three days till Christmas, and I'm longing for the excitement I felt as a child. What happened to the great anticipation and counting down the minutes till the happy occasion? Why do I not seem to care anymore? I kinda feel like Charlie Brown in Charlie Brown Christmas. He feels so bogged down by commercialism that he can't get into the spirit. I must say I've felt like this for the past few years. I'm not really sure what happened. I used to be the crazy teenager who listened to Christmas music in July and longed for that winter day in December.

Are we as humans able to create this excitement ourselves or is it instilled in us through a greater source?

Lord, may you bless me with true joy this Christmas. Instill in my heart the true reason why we celebrate this special day. Let me be joyful and share my joy with those in my life. Thank you for your everlasting faithfulness.

Wow...I'm single

So I just got back from my second weekend in less than twenty-four hours. Two weddings in one weekend! You know, I would say that 98% of the time, I am comfortable with being single in this world. It doesn't usually ever bother me. However, something about going to two weddings in a row by myself made me a little sad and discouraged. And to top it all off, I watched the new Pride and Prejudice today and it just makes me want to find a Mr. Darcy so bad. Or at least a guy who says, "I love you.....most ardently...(British accent of course)."

I guess there are perks to going to two different weddings. 1.) Lots of fun finger foods. 2.) Many samplings of wedding cake and sparkling grape juice. 3.) Fun times with disposable cameras. 4.) You can buy the same gift for both couples...I really did. In fact, I didn't even wrap the last one...I just stuck a bow on the box and wrote FROM CASEY...I'm kinda shady like that. 5.) I decided that a December wedding in the Chapel at CofO is exquisite because of all the free Christmas decorations included. 6.) I got to hear Chaplain Dan preach the same wedding service...twice. Word for word. 7.) I got to catch up with friends from the past...good times.

I guess if I really think about it, I'd much rather have two weddings in one weekend than two funerals. Always a plus to everything!

A Child at Heart

Ahh....the simpler days of the ball room at Silver Dollar City! How I long for the simplicity of being three!

Constant Refinement

Two sets of verses God is pouring into my life:

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashambed because they have nothing bad to say... Titus 2: 6-8


And the Lord's servant must not quarel; intead she must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose her she must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth... II Timothy 2:24-25


It's amazing how much God is teaching me through the trials of teaching 25 ten year olds. I've definitely seen what I hope is my ugliest side...and I don't like it. Praise God for constant refinement and struggles that make me cling to Him.

Candy canes and fifth graders

What is it with a child's fetish with sucking on a candy cane so that there is a point sharper than a needle? My lovely fifth grade students are just now enjoying the first candy cane of this merry season. I've already threatened taking away recess if they stab eachother. Ahh...sweet candy canes. The DARE officer gave it to them. He gave me a stapler. It almost brought tears to my eyes. Actually, I was excited because last week, at one point, I had not one stapler due to my children relieving their frustration by jamming them to death. One stapler broke completely in half. For some reason I'm attached to it and have not been able to throw it away yet...Maybe in due time.