Hinson Homecoming

Richard and I had an amazing night last night. Moms neighbor, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Hinson, was returning home from his 15 month deployment in Iraq. His wife and daughters invited us to go with them to pick him up. What an honor. I've never experienced anything like that.
He was set to come in at 2 am on Saturday, June 1. After several time changes and one strategically placed road block on Hwy 196, we finally made it on base only to wait 45 min for the ceremony to start.


I felt unworthy to be sitting there with all of those people who had sacrificed so much for our freedom and the freedom of the Iraqi people. There were parents, husbands, wives, children, and other soldiers all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at that ungodly hour. The 3rd ID marching band was there and played a variety of songs from Rocky songs to God Bless America. Excitement mounted as we saw the buses roll in from Hunter Army Airfield and we could see the soldiers getting in formation on the other side of the field we were on. Then, they marched in formation onto the field and stood at attention as the band played the National Anthem. I cried thinking about how the words of the Star Spangled Banner that we all know are such a reality to these men and women. After a brief address from a superior praising them for a job well done, the announcer gave the green light and all the families rushed the field. It was emotional. It was touching. It was such a relief to see them safely home with their families.

Richard and I got to take another soldier to his home. He was a friend of Scott's who was a single guy. The ride to his house was full of conversations about the war, the media, and the struggles in Iraq. This was a night to remember!

Mom

My mom had her gall bladder removed on Tuesday. In typical Howard fashion, we can't have anything go as planned. She had to go to the ER at about 2:30 this morning. She woke up with very swollen glands in her neck and her finger tips and lips tingling. God bless Jonathan for being up there with her all night until I got there at about 6:45 this morning. She was there for about 5 hours and all they did was take blood, do an x-ray, and a CT scan. The diagnosis?? They claim that the swelling is a reaction to the tube that was down her throat during surgery. I don't buy it. They are smarter than me I'm sure, but I got the feeling that they really didn't know and had to blame it on something. My favorite memory from this experience was the realization that they left her IV port in her arm. We came to that realization about the time we pulled into RH. So, all my medical training came into good use as I pulled the port out and got blood everywhere. Yikes.

As a result of this experience, I have decided that the only occassion in which I will be visiting the ER is if I'm unconscious or bleeding from the head. I'll probably chance it and go see my doctor the next day.

Summer

I have officially started my summer vacation. Life is good.
Mom had her gall bladder out this morning, but she is doing well except for the usual nausea and discomfort.
I threw a shower this morning for one of my best friends. She racked up, let me tell you. The Math Dept all chipped in and got her the travel system she registered for. She was very happy.
The only thing that would make my first week of summer better is getting off the waiting list for the Digital Photography class I wanted to attend next week. God will make a way.
Bible School is RAPIDLY approaching. It makes me nervous thinking about it. We are supposed to decorate this weekend! Anyone want to help????

God Bless The Chapmans

The Lord communicates with us in so many ways. One of the most powerful ways is through music. "hymns and spiritual songs" Steven Curtis Chapman has been a blessing in my life and to so many of my family members and friends through his music and his life. He is a living testimony of what God can do through one individual. I am so sad about what has happened to his family this week. I wanted to blog about it so that some of my friends and family would be in prayer for them. God has to be doing something great. He works in ways we don't understand to bring more glory to himself and bring us closer to Him.

For the whole story, visit his website:

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Chinooks and Amish Bread

My day started out REALLY rough this morning. First of all, I feel bad. To make matters worse, I woke up about 45 minutes late!!! When you work 30 minutes from home that is never good. Then, it was one of those days where none of my clothes seemed to fit right. There were tears and thoughts of calling in sick. But alas, I made it to ECHS not a moment too soon. I felt much better when the school day started. My students were delightful today (this is not an every day occurrence, so I cherish the days when they come:) ) and my day got progressively better.

During my planning period, I got to see a Chinook (super bad military helicopter) land on the front lawn of the school. They called them in when a few prisoner escaped from the prison down the street. {That was a joke} But seriously, we really did have a Chinook on the front lawn. I think the ROTC set this special treat up. It was the talk of the school and all the kids got to go see it during their lunch period.

When I left school I went to the gym with Jessie. Then, I got to go have MEXICAN food with Richard, Lynz, Jonathan, Sarah Lynn, Steven and Alicia. Could this day get any better???? Yes, it can. Then today was day 10 with my Amish Friendship Bread, so I had to put it together. Those Amish sure are patient. It's been killing Richard and I having a bag of dough on the counter and nothing to show for it....

Then, I realized....I think you are supposed to have friends in mind when you make your Amish bread. If you've never made it before, at the end, right before you put the final ingredients in, you make 4 "starter bags" to give to friends so that they can share in the joy that is Amish bread. Now I have a dilemma...what if my friends don't care for Amish bread...their watching their carbs, they don't like Amish people...you get my point. So now I will go to bed thinking about who to give my Amish Friendship Bread bags to. Anybody want some???

Bible School

It was lookin' bad on Sunday. I didn't have anywhere near the volunteers for VBS that I needed. Tonight, after looking over things with the fabulous D.W., I feel 100 times better. Communication is going to be the key to getting this VBS thing in order. I love the new online registration tool. It rocks.

Other great news, my sweet, beautiful friend Lyndsey is well on her way to raising the money she needs for her 3 month mission trip to Africa. The Awanas at church raised over $800 (their goal was $500!!) God is so good. He supplies all of our needs. I shall not want....neither shall you:)

BLESSED

I have been a little stressed out lately. This is really quite interesting because I can usually roll with the punches in most situations. However, lately all the little stresses have just added into one big stress. That is not good. Especially for a child of God. When I was chatting with my Sunday School people this morning (whom I love so dearly) the Lord spoke something to my heart that kinda surprised me and made since.

I realized that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. I do justly, love mercy and I'm doing my best to just walk humbly with my God. So why all the stress?? Here's the answer that God gave me: its all MAN MADE. I'm sure this is old news to all of you, but I have got to get into my thick skull that when I start feeling like this, it is not a feeling or situation that my Father in heaven wants for me. This is what comes from living in a fallen world, so as a child of the King I must let go. I have to remember where my help comes from and lift up my eyes.

I am so blessed. From the top of my head to the soles of my feet. My life is living proof of how God lavishes good things on his children. I am so thankful for my family. My amazing husband. My dog. My job. My cool car. My friends.

BEST OF ALL, I AM LOVED BY THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WHO KNOWS ALL THINGS AND HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL. HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS.