A Story to Tell.....

I'm so excited I am ready for school- (Sorry for the blur... it was my lens ... another camera fix and we should be good!)

Briely- ready for 4th grade.

Lawrence - ready for 11th grade.

Jap ready for 11th grade!

Jap's car...

Macey - ready for 7th grade!

My short lens is broke again- At first they thought it was related to the light setting- we were getting great pictures inside, but horrible outside- so we made some adjustments, and then after this shoot Monday I took it back and there happens to be a "gear" problem in the lens. Not saying that I think Nikon is a bad brand, but have had quite a bit of trouble the camera and lens....

What a fun first week of school- And all I can say is if the next 35 go as fast as this then WOW- June will be here before you know it. It was a great first week back for us. Jap being able to drive to school now is such a blessing. He can get to and from school, and to and from practice- plus run any afternoon errands that I may need him too! That is such a big help.

Macey and Briley started dance this week too. And having Jap out of the mix made that so much smoother too. It seems that a later start, combined with a more relaxed afternoon carpool works better for all of us.

Jackson had his first full week of Pre-K. He had 5 super-duper days. It amazes me to go in his room each day. There are so many activities going on with the little people. They have these neat little centers, and they can only go if there is room for their name tag on the center sign. Jackson was so excited that he was able to pick and he would talk about where he was going to go the next day. He even practiced writing his J’s this week!
I have a great class this year. While each one of my students may have some unique challenges, they are all proving to be hard workers. We talked a lot about goals, expectations, and being the best you can be. I am excited to have that opportunity to help them make such changes in their lives.

We had a huge storm coming our way- at the beginning of the week the District made a decision to move our Friday night game to Thursday- and at first we thought maybe there would be no school Friday, but the storm turned East and we were fine. Jap had a great game Thursday- his only goof happened on the first play of the game- a return for about 55 yards that ended in a fumble!!! I couldn't’t believe it- and I don’t think he could either. After that, he was off and running scoring the first touchdown and just having a great all around game. The Cheerleaders had a great game too! Their hard work over the summer is showing.

While all that good stuff happened- I also had the unpleasant opportunity to witness a violent act against a child and it made me physically sick. I just don’t understand parents at times. I don’t understand how they can treat kids with such abuse and cruelty- with their words, hands, and actions. It almost seems like a hopeless situation, and many times instead of doing something, people just turn their heads. And it just leaves you with a very sick feeling. I mean, you say to the kids you can make a difference, you have a choice, but then they go right back to that crazy life at home and even you know it is a total loss. To expect a child to maintain integrity, drive, and ambition when they are not surrounded with it- when they are emotionally and verbally abused the minute they step through the door. And nothing is done- an overworked system with pathetic investigators who most of the time just see it as a paycheck- It took me immediately back to Jackson's situation - how just cruel that State was to his brothers and him- When it's not personal it doesn't affect most people. There is no apathy- just a quick turn off. These children don't belong to them, and not their problem. There are so many kids out there with lives I can't even imagine, and yet I teach some of them everyday. They are in our building, in our neighborhoods, and in our daily crossings. They are truly the lost and forgotten.

At lunch today Derek said you expect these kids to do what is right, but they have no positive role model outside of you. You (we) cannot save them all. It is an overwhelming feeling- and yet if everyone just got involved with one- what a difference it would make. What an impact on a life- but that requires sacrifice on your part.

I know that God has served us a full plate- We have a house full of kids- and I am thankful for each one of them. However they came- that one day they will see the value in giving back. That they will not take the attitude "not my problem"-

One of my favorite Bible stories comes from Matthew 25: 42-45

I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you did not invite me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me nothing to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you did not care for me.' "Then those people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or alone and away from home or without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see these things and not help you?' "Then the King will answer, 'I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.'

I just feel like we have such a purpose here- we are to treat those who are poor and desperate- not to turn and run and not be involved.

It was an eye opening week- and I wondered so much about those children that are left to poverty, poor parenting, and the emotional, physical, and verbal abuse that so often follows. The people that work in those fields- that just simply say "it's the way it is"- we are commanded to make that change- and yet do many times the right thing is not done.

In one of my favorite books, Francis Chan states, "God didn't just give a little bit for us; He gave his best. He gave Himself. True love requires sacrifice; "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

A lot to think about as we head into the Fall and all the activities that go with it.

Praying for those children who are so neglected and unloved- that God will show them mercy and that those that know will act- and not just sit back and think "not my problem."

We do not want you to have troubles while other people are at ease, but we want everything to be equal. At this time you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal.15 As it is written in the Scriptures, "The person who gathered more did not have too much, nor did the person who gathered less have too little.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15