Prayers

A few weeks ago I made an entry about one of my best friends, Georgia, on her birthday. Well, she needs some prayers. I know it is hard to pray for someone without know what is wrong but just know she is in real need of prayers for strength and comfort right now.

Thank you.

Happy New President Day!!!

I think today is a wonderful day. I am so glad to see Americans coming together and taking notice of this historic event. All inaugurations are historic and I wish that all of them have this much attention in the future. It seems to me that Americans have become more involved in the voting process through this election which is a long time in coming. Growing up I was taught that politics is dirty business and as a church member, the church is first and most important. I believe that with my whole heart. However, while we are not of the world, we must live in it. I know that I will never agree with any president 100%. Even amongst our fellow brethren of the church we do not agree 100%. Yet we still support one another. My prayer for our new president is that he will lead with an humble heart and with America's best interest in mind.

What an amazing day for us as Americans! No matter how a person feels about Obama on a personal level, I don't see how anyone can deny today's significance in the journey for Civil Rights. Ok, ok...I know I'm white and didn't live through the 1960's but it seems to me that the Civil Rights Movement was not beneficial just for racial minorities. I suppose I look at it this way: If a black man had the right to vote but was kept from voting through tests and poll taxes, what would keep the government from imposing something similar upon me at any given time in the future? Are any of us truly free if every one's rights aren't protected under the Constitution? I say no, but that's just my opinion. I can understand how the people who did fight for Civil Rights in the 1960's see today as a major breakthrough and I feel today is historically significant. Good grief, Kennedy caused a major stir just because he was the first Catholic president. And in my opinion, race has played a greater role in our history than religion anyway. So I feel today is significant based on that premise. Of course, to be devil's advocate one could say that Obama is just as much white as he is black. But as we discussed today in one of my classes, even into the 1980's a person who was 1/32nd black was labeled black on their birth certificate. I say that's just crazy.

So I am glad for our new president and happy to see such a wonderful event in my lifetime. I pray for Mr. Obama's safety and above all, that God watch over us all in this experiment of democracy we call America.

Today, or rather yesterday since it's almost 2 AM, we had a really good day at church. We had a special treat because my oldest sister was there. She went to Huntsville for the weekend to visit our mom and dad for her birthday. Oh! Which is now today since it's 2 AM! Happy Birthday Paula!!! I missed her boys who she is usually never without but it was really great to see her by herself. I don't think she has visited alone in a very long time, if ever. It was a different dynamic and a great blessing. I really appreciate getting to relate to my sisters in adulthood, rather than through childhood angst. People change as they get older and experience life. It's hard when you know you've changed but someone sees you as you were. I suppose that's just one of the conflicts with an age gap. The good thing about aging is that with time the gap feels smaller. When I'm 80 and my oldest sister is 89, who will know the difference? And for that matter, who will care? Other old ladies? But thankfully, for now, she's the only old lady between the two of us. haha! I'm completely kidding, just in case she reads this! :o)

Methods started this week and with it came a thunderous wave of stress. I said all last semester that it was my hardest and most stressful of my college career. I am thinking now I was probably wrong. My schedule is very full and I have to commute 4 days a week instead of just 2 which not only doubles my time in a car but also doubles our gasoline bill. And I found out I have to take the certification exams for History and English this semester instead of next semester like I originally thought. These exams cost $120 apiece so I really, really have to pass them the first time because I literally cannot afford to fail. In addition to all of this extra expense, I really do not have time to work. However, my sister Olivia suggested today that I may can tutor some students and that could really help us out. I will definitely be looking into that. Steven has been really adamant about me not working right now and continuously reminds me that making good grades is really important right now, but that's really hard for me. I have been working since I was 16 years old. Even though I made peanuts at the daycare, I was at least contributing something. But I know that God will see us through. We've been through really tough times - tougher times than these. And I still have a job at the daycare for the summer at least. Another really good thing is that since I'll be graduating in December, I should get more financial aid for the Fall because I'll only be going one semester of the academic year. And, being married and being poor has resulted in qualifying for grants instead of loans that I'll be paying back until my own unborn, non-conceived children start to college. Silver lining!

I suppose I should update about my Mema and Daddy. Mema was released from the hospital this week. She is really weak though. Every time she has to go into the hospital, she gets a little more feeble. She's tough but still 88 years old. But she is in good spirits. My dad is doing well but is also pretty weak. He was able to come to church today and preached for us. He's still on the drain which is really uncomfortable for him but mentally and spiritually, he seems better than he's been in years. I'm really, really proud of him for all of the hard work he's been doing. Old dogs can learn new tricks no matter how stubborn they may seem. It is never, ever too late for improvement of one's self.

All that being said for Mema and Daddy, I must ask for prayers and thoughts for my mom. If I had to describe my mom in three words (or phrases) I would have to say she is extremely hard working, dedicated, and very sensitive. That is to say, she feels things very deeply on a personal level. She has spent her whole life taking care of other people. I fear this has taken an irreversible toll on her physical, mental, and emotional state. Caring for people in general is difficult, but caring for a sick or disabled person is above and beyond trying. And for the past two years she has had double the trouble since my grandma had a stroke in 2007. People may laugh at my mom, who is really funny at times even though she doesn't mean to be, and they may think she's even a little nutty, which I think myself sometimes. But who wouldn't be with what she has been through. I admire my mother's strength, despite not always liking what she does or says. My heart hurts for her when I see how tired she is. I don't always think her hopes are rational but the shame is on me because at least she has hope. I just worry about her that she may not be able to handle all that she thinks she can. However, she has made some concessions and has hired a part-time maid/helper for my dad and Mema. It is a step.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering why I'm up at 2 AM, it's because my sleep is all off now. On school days my alarm is set for 5:30 but because I've been scared of being late (and subsequently causing irrevocable harm to my chances for being a teacher - I always think the worst), I've been waking up at 4 AM without fail. It finally all caught up with me and Saturday I had a two hour nap and tonight went to sleep about 7:30 on the couch. Then I woke up at 11 PM and haven't been able to go back to sleep. I fear that Tuesday I am going to be very tired. Perhaps I should try to go to sleep now. :o)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEROGIA!

Today is one of my best and dearest-friend-of-all-time's birthday. She is 25 today!!!!! Her name is Georgia and I've known her about as long as I've known anyone. In high school and junior high, we were inseparable. We even went to college together for a little while. But, as we got older, we began to pursue different interests like most people do as they grow. Although I rarely see her, I do get to talk to her occasionally and lately we've been increasingly in contact which makes me feel so wonderful. I know that my life would be drastically altered had I never met my "mushroom head" She is a special woman full of goodness with sprinkles on top.

I love you GEROGIA!!!! Happy 25th Birthday!!!

(And no, I didn't spell Georgia wrong. It's a special nickname.) :o)

Mema

Steven and I just got home to a voice message from my mom that said that Mema is not doing well. There has been no progress with the bowel obstruction and now she is having trouble swallowing. They removed the drainage tube day before yesterday. Other than that, I have no news. Basically, nothing has changed and she is not well. Please keep her and my mom in your prayers.

Thank you.

Methods Update

After almost 3 hours of calling and discussing and registering and faxing, I am now officially in methods and will graduate in December!!!!!!!!!

Tentative graduation date: December 18, 2009 (or December 19, 2009 depending on when my college graduates)

I think a major woo-hoo is in order.

WOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out with the old....

Well, another year has passed. Usually I make a big deal about the new year and it feels like a definite closing of one thing and the opening of the other. But for some reason, January 1st seemed like any other day. It didn't really feel like a new beginning, just a continuation of something that already existed. I suppose it could be that I've already been mentally living in 2009 for months. By that I mean, everything I've worked for in 2008 was to prepare me for 2009 and graduation. All of my hard work at school has been to help me get into methods this spring which then allows me to student teach this fall and then graduate in December. I predict that the transition from 2009 to 2010 will be more solidly defined because it will not just be the end of a year, but also the end of a very long and hard journey in my life. And of course, the beginning of a new journey that will bring new and exciting experiences to my existence. Here's hoping and praying for a blessed year for our family, our friends, our church and our country.

We did really enjoy the new year holiday. We went to Austin to visit my sister and her family. We sang in the new year at their church which my brother-in-law pastors and coincidentally, where my other sister's in-laws are members. We got to spend time with both sisters' families, and my mom who also came up. My dad is still too weak to travel from the staph infection, so unfortunately, we weren't all there. Otherwise, it was a really good visit. I love seeing my oldest nephews. They are growing up and are practically teenagers. In fact, Zachary who is the oldest, is almost the same age I was when his mom told us she was expecting him. That just seems impossible! On New Year's Day, we only got to see them for a little bit because they were leaving to go to the Cotton Bowl with their dad and grandfather. Needless to say, they were pretty darn excited! So with them gone, Mama decided to take Paula, Steven, and me to lunch which was a great treat! All in all, it was a really good holiday.

Christmas was also really great. It was the first time in my life I was home without company on Christmas day. I never thought I would like it, but I did! Growing up we always had my dad's family over for Christmas and as an adult, I've either gone to my mom and dad's or to Steven's parent's homes. This year, we really enjoyed being at our home and sharing the day together. I am not ashamed to say, we stayed in our PJ's ALL day. It was so, so nice. I made a full turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and gravy and yes, we enjoyed it in our pajamas! Steven's big surprise present from me was an XBox 360 that he's wanted since we got married. Every Christmas we haven't had the money and he didn't think he was going to get it this year for the same reason. And also because I told him specifically he wasn't getting it. I'm so mean! Actually, at the time I told him that, I didn't think he would get it but then after Thanksgiving, my mom helped me buy it. The look on his face when he opened it was PRICELESS! I actually started crying when he opened it because he was so happy. So for most of Christmas day he played and I crocheted, and then we played together for a while. I think he was really glad we didn't have to travel this Christmas much which gave him extra play time over the break. He's such a good husband and I'm so thankful I could give him something he really, really wanted.

He's not the only one who got a great gift for Christmas. I have been wanting an MP3 player for awhile and I got one! It is pretty fancy - it can play videos, music, it has radio, picture storage and has a really neat LCD screen. It was way fancier than I had asked for. I'm glad I have a technological genius husband because I don't think I would have known how to use it if he didn't show me! I also got some bath stuff, a foot massager, and a neck pillow massager. I think my husband was trying to tell me I need to relax. It wouldn't surprise me because over the past year, my stress levels have been really high because of school. I didn't fully appreciate how hard I had been working until the break. Every time I'd be relaxing on the couch crocheting, I'd think, "I really shouldn't be doing this. I've got too much work to do." It's just become habit to think I've got too much to do to enjoy anything. That's another reason we didn't really plan anything for the break.

We did get to see my family the Saturday after Christmas. We all got together at my sister Olivia's house and had dinner and exchanged gifts. My Mema and Daddy did get to come to that so we were all there. It was probably one of the best Christmases we've had in a very long time. We were truly blessed.

Speaking of Mema and Daddy, they are still not doing very well. Mema is back in the hospital with another colon obstruction. They don't want to do surgery this time and are trying to dissolve it. However, they did have to put her under anesthesia to insert the tube down into her stomach to drain it. They don't like to do that but they were having a difficult time getting it in while she was awake. She really hates that tube. The last time she had to have it, she pulled it out and then like a little kid said it was an accident. She's too funny sometimes. There is no way she pulled that out by accident. It's about 2 feet long. The older she gets, the more child like she becomes. My mom reminded the hospital staff that she did that last time so they are being extra watchful. With her, we are just watching and waiting to see if the obstruction will dissolve without surgery.

As for my dad, he is really weak. He's been on a machine that drains his wound for about two weeks. He's been having allergic reactions to something though and the wound was really red yesterday when the home nurse visited, so they are taking him off of the machine for a few days. Between the wound and the allergic reactions, he's had almost no energy. He and Mema really need prayers. And of course, my mom who is the glue which holds everything together could use some extra prayers as well. Every time I talk to her she sounds exhausted. Besides taking care of my dad and Mema, she also works full time teaching in the prison system. Either of those elements alone would be too much but together, I cannot see how she does it. She's pretty special.

Lastly, I don't think I reported my grades for the fall semester. I ended up with all A's and one B. That's the best I've done in a very long time. On my Grammar final, I made a 105 and on my Religious History final, I made a 99. I now have a qualifying GPA for methods and I've done everything else they told me to do. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the people in charge of methods. I sure hope they hurry because school starts next Monday!!! And here we go again....