The "whole" body

I like to think of my commute to work in the morning as my "sermon hour." Usually, the radio station I listen to has a preacher speaking instead of music that early in the morning. Today's lesson, if you will, was about the concept of the "whole" resurrected body that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians. It was about the idea that Jesus will make all things new again when He calls us Home. Next week, it will be two years since Gracie made her home in Heaven, and the concept of this "whole" body caught my attention this morning. It's true. She is whole. The cancer can't win anymore. She's not suffering from the pain of chemo or the fright of losing her hair. She's not tired from the battle that she had to fight for two years down here. She's whole. It's easy to cry these days, but it was actually easy to smile this morning too while I was listening to that pastor speak. I'm so thankful that she's whole now. I miss holding her and cuddling with her, but I know that she's complete and healthy again. No more cancer, no more sickness, my girl's 100%. I heard the latest song by the singer Steven Curtis Chapman on the radio this afternoon as well, and there's a line in that song that struck me. It sort of tied together the day for me. "The cancer is gone." Hallelujah! As much as it stings sometimes, that truth sets my pain free. God bless..

Aaron: "Dad, what was the Holocaust?"
Me: "Well, Aaron, it was a sad event in this world's history. Some people didn't like, and they even hurt, other people just because of who they were."
Aaron: "Were the people that hurt others bad?"
Me: "What they did was bad, yes."
Aaron: "Didn't the bad people know that Jesus said to love everyone?"
Me: speechless

I love the little peeks into my son's innocence.

"Be Patient" by Warren Wiersbe

I don't recommend books often, unless you ask, but I would recommend this one. I've been reading through Warren Wiersbe's book on the character of Job; titled "Be Patient." It's a very good book if you love to ask God why; why this happens, why that happens. Job suffered so much, yet when it came to his faith in God, that strong foundation never crumbled. Here's a little bit of truth from the book.

"There is nothing wrong with asking why, as long as we don't get the idea that God owes us an answer. But if the Lord did tell us why things happen as they do, would that ease our pain or heal our broken hearts? Does reading the X-ray take away the pain of a broken leg? We live on promises, not explanations; so we shouldn't spend too much time asking God why."

As September 7th comes around again, and the reality of two years without Gracie down here hits me in the next few days, it's relieving to know that there is a Heaven. It's relieving to know that there is a God who comforts and cares. It's relieving to know I don't have to panic, hurt, or question His decisions; because I know He sees tomorrow; and tomorrow's tomorrow. Anyways, just a "review" of what I'm currently reading through; in case you're interested. God bless..

Strange Observance today

I was walking down the hallway after school when I noticed something outside the window of my former room. Had I, or hopefully anyone else, been in that room; I'd like to think this wouldn't have stayed this way the entire day. The main entrance and flag pole sets outside that set of windows. I looked out, and I noticed the American flag was hanging upside down. The last time I checked, no one in our school were front runners on any protest/picket line, and I know this was an accident on the part of those who raise the flag in the morning. However, what I couldn't understand is, no one noticed it before 3:00? That includes me; you'd think someone would have noticed it. It turns out it was an accident (thankful that no one at our school would purposely do such a thing), and no one entering the building, in the building, or exiting the building throughout the day said anything. I don't know if others noticed and just let it be or not, but I couldn't believe it was like that for seven hours without no one noticing the mistake.

Interesting day today. In a history class, chances are, something of historical importance is going to take place, of which you toss out the original lesson plan and throw in a new one. Today, I did that. I make it a point to tell the kids to watch some morning news before they come to school every day. Most do that, and so most knew of Sen. Edward Kennedy's death last night upon arriving at school this morning. A lot of kids wanted to talk about that today, so we did. I am aware that my students share different ideologies when it comes to politics, so we didn't bring that to the discussion. One of my kids started leaning that direction, but I drew her back. I pulled up a list of the legislation he's worked on since he took his seat in the Senate, and I'm even amazed at how much he's been a contributing factor to several areas of everyday life. Some of my kids even surprised me with their well-thought out comments. I think we had some good discussions today.

By all accounts, I missed the Kennedy brothers of the 1960's. Not to show my age here, but I wasn't around to witness JFK's assassination. I was in utero when Bobby was killed in the summer of 1968. I missed that whole "era" of U.S. History. As a history teacher now, I can only wish I was born a few years earlier. However, as a boy interested in the U.S. Senate, I was able to watch Ted Kennedy. Many of my views differ from Sen. Kennedy's, but there is one area that I applaud him for his committment; education. I also applaud him for stepping into the role of "father" when so many of his nieces and nephews went fatherless. I pray He is at peace with God today.

"Happy last couple days of 39!"

Yesterday, we celebrated Kate's 40th birthday a couple days early. Or, as my niece said, "happy last couple days of 39, Aunt Kat!" All in all, 21 of Kate's former students came. One of the girls from Kate's first year will be graduating in the Spring with the hopes of becoming a Kindergarten teacher herself. It was nice to hear their stories and see their accomplishments. A few of them yesterday were also my former students. Aaron wrote Kate a poem titled "That's Why My Mom is the Best." Original pieces are my favorite things to read from any kid, mine or one of my students.

We still have our friendly mutt we found the other night. I told Aaron we'd start searching next week for its owners. Aaron had that look in his eye, and I set the record straight on us keeping the dog rather quickly after I saw it.

Aaron also played guitar with me in church this morning during offering time. He's becoming quite the little guitar picker. He wants me to teach him something new every night. He's picked up on the chords very quickly.

Anyone missing a dog?

Stray dog came on our land this evening. That's odd that it would be out here in the country and us not know who it belongs to, but we have it in one of our horse stables right now until we can figure something out tomorrow. It has a collar but no tag; friendly mutt. I've never seen it before, which makes me wonder if it might not have been abandoned on the side of the road or something. We found her muddy, and I hosed her off some to get the mud off. Gave it water and some of Titus' dry food. We'll see what happens in the morning.

Kate's 40th!

Kate is turning 40 on Monday. I'm not quite sure she wants everyone to know this, but she's beautiful at any age, so 40 is just a number. I can't surprise her with a party. I've tried, and it doesn't work. I am a bumbling fool at times, and I think I have personally been the reason she's found out about ones in the past. So, this year, she knows what we're doing, to an extent. Mr. Research (that would be me at the moment), has found a few members of each of her Kindergarten classes; the oldest of which are in college now. I've invited them to, what I am referring to as, the biggest birthday bash in Forsyth County! Parents, students, family, friends, I haven't a clue how many people are going to be there Saturday. I just know that we have enough food lined up to feed North Carolina, so I hope the masses huddle together Saturday afternoon. The media director in our church created a video for Kate. Aaron wrote a poem for her. I have a couple things up my sleeve. It should be, hopefully will be, a great party; even if she knew about it all along. God bless..

First Day of School

Aaron woke up this morning at 4:47 a.m.; ran into our room, and said he was going to start getting ready for school. Kate and I started to get out of bed, when Aaron looked at us and said, "you guys stay. I can do it myself." For the next 45 minutes, we lay awake, waiting for him to come back in the bedroom to ask for our help. He didn't, and when I got up at 5:30, Aaron had fixed himself cereal, combed his hair, gotten his clothes on, brushed his teeth, and was watching cartoons. By the time Kate woke up at 6:00, Aaron was counting down the minutes until we left. I wonder if this behavior will last, because I enjoyed it this morning.

My students are 10th graders. I can't really say more than that honestly. I had to take away a kid's cell phone today because he had received a text message in class. I took his phone, opened the message, and wrote the person back that "Nate can't talk right now, he's in school." Every year, you spend the first few days trying to adjust to the students. Several of them know me from older brothers or sisters. That surely would frighten them a little, right?

Kate's in her perfect element again with her class of Kindergarten kids. She came home with two crayon drawings of "i love you Mrs. Tyler" already. If I erase the "s", that would make Mr...and..hmm.. God bless..